The Young Prince of Equestria

by GoebelTron

Rating: everyone
Tags: Other, Romance, Drama, Original Character, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Crossover, Human, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Alternate Universe
Length: 57508

Saved by his parents from death when he was a baby, saved by Celestia who found and raised him as her son, but what kind of adventures are awaiting for Bowen Mockingjay? Follow his adventures as he learns from his own experience.

His parents had to send their son away to keep him safe from the Emperor in order to save his life.

In the distant land of Equestria, after banishing Nightmare Moon to the moon for a thousand years, Princess Celestia suddenly finds a newborn human baby boy in a woven basket, causing her to raise him as her own son and as a prince of Equestria. When he grows up, Bowen is about to discover that being a prince is a great responsibility, even if it means finding another way to protect the ones you love the most.

Sweet Rose and Flying Hope are both owned by alejin. Permission was required.

This is based off of “Solar Son” by Sword Master and “An Unexpected Life” by alejin, but with some references to The Lion King, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, The Prince of Egypt, Man of Steel, James Cameron’s Avatar, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Barbie of Swan Lake, Oz: The Great and Powerful, Hercules, Mulan, Barnyard, How to Train Your Dragon, and the Marvel Character Thor, but there will be less violence and death in this one.

Published 2021-02-21 20:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-01-09 16:47:11 UTC

Chapter II: Trustworthiness

The next morning, Celestia awoken from her sleep, and then when she looked down, Bowen was still snuggled in his bundle of soft and warm blankets and sleeping in her hooves against her chest and still wrapped in his bunting with his arms hugging her hoof. She smiled warmly at him, and then got out of her bed very carefully without waking him up.

After she was fully awake, Celestia put on her jewelry and tiara, and then her robe and slippers, and then walked over to the balcony and lit up her horn to raise the sun and let it continue to rise.

Celestia suddenly heard a knock on her door, and then saw one of her butlers come in. “Oh! Regal Pastry! I didn’t see you there!” she said. Regal Pastry was a very pale light grayish brown unicorn stallion with a black and white tuxedo suit and a French mustache, and a perfectly combed blackish brown mane and tail, and his cutie mark was a cinnamon roll with gold coins on a plate.

“Ah, good morning, your majesty. As the usual, a freshly sliced fruit salad with some fried eggs and cakes, and a nice cup of freshly brewed coffee with a supply of cream and sugar. Anything else you would like?” Regal Pastry asked. “I’m good for now, thank you.” Princess Celestia replied. “Hmm... very well,” Regal Pastry said, and then left her be so the princess can enjoy her breakfast, while she placed Bowen next to her. When she finished eating, Celestia suddenly heard the soft moaning and grunting sounds of her baby. Celestia got up and walked over to Bowen and lifted him up with her horn and then placed him on her hoof to hold him, until he yawned and opened his eyes before seeing his mother’s beautiful face. “Good morning, my precious son.” Bowen made soft baby noises and nuzzled with her chest fur, as she looked at her dear son in her cradle. He smiled at her, and she smiled at him. His hands then seemed to want something, as she suddenly heard his stomach growling. She then smiled at him.

Celestia giggled, “It looks like somepony’s hungry.” Celestia then smiled at her son blushing, before she calmed him down. “Alright then. Let’s give you a full belly.”

Once again, laying back down on her bed and lighting up her horn, Celestia lifted the baby and brought him towards her lower half. While laying down on her side, she then opened and spread out her back legs, exposing the two mounds that were her breasts. Without even the faintest hint of hesitation, the infant crawled closer towards his mother’s exposed area and then wrapped his lips around the nipple of her teat and started to suck vigorously. As Celestia watched the newborn baby feed, she felt a strong sense of ease and relief wash over her. “Drink up, my sweet little Bowen. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you,” she said, comforting her son while letting him feed, as she placed her wing over him.

With one final suck, he was finished feeding and removed his lips from the mounds of her lower stomach, happy and full. Celestia then lifted her child up and over to her front and gave him an affectionate nuzzle until she held him on her hooves, before she saw some leftover milk on his lips, then wiped it off with a napkin, and then placed him on her shoulder and gently patted his back until he let out a soft burp, and then she hugged him softly towards her chest for a warm cuddle, “Did you get enough, sweetie?” Bowen babbled softly and then Celestia rocked him while hugging him and then he suddenly fell asleep. Celestia then gave him a kiss on the forehead and then realized she had court today, but she didn’t know who to watch over her son.

‘Okay, now I just need somepony responsible I can trust to take care of Bowen while I deal with today’s morning court and then my royal duties later on. But who in my royal staff can I trust enough to do a task like that?’

Suddenly, as she was about to leave the room after taking off her robe and hung it up, a housekeeper maid pony bumped into the princess and then looked up at her, “Oh my gosh! I am so sorry, your highness! I didn’t mean to...” Celestia then cut her off with a warm smile, “It’s alright, my little pony. You don’t need to apologize. What you did was only an accident. But... could I have your name?”

The maid pony was a unicorn mare who was no more than 21 years old and she had pearly white fur and a brushed and curled red rose mane and tail, moderate persian blue eyes, and she wore a black and white French maid outfit with black dress shoes and frilly white socks on her four hooves and a black headband hat with white frilly laces, and underneath her skirt was a cutie mark of a red rose with sparkling water.

“My name is... Sweet Rose, your highness,” she said. “Sweet Rose,” Celestia said. “Interesting. And I’m delighted to meet you.” She then thought of an idea about Bowen, “Wait a minute...” Celestia exited the room and then closed the door and placed her spell on it so that Bowen can have his nap. “Sweet Rose... how much time have you been working here in what position?” Celestia asked. “I’ve been a housekeeper maid for 3 years, your highness. I work really hard to keep the palace clean and free from dust and dirt,” Sweet Rose replied. “Very good, and I assume you’re a very loyal housekeeper maid pony?” Celestia asked. “Yes, your highness. I’d do anything with all of my life to serve you. I’ve been inspired by your beautiful royal essence,” Sweet Rose replied.

“Good,” Celestia said. “Now, I have a brand new job for you. And before I show you, it’s in very extreme importance and it must be kept as a secret only to us, but be warned, you will be put on trial and charged for treason if you say a word about what you have seen in this room. Because as you can see, this task involves something that’s very precious to me, something very special I care for. And as a princess, you’re hereby given permission to negate to do it, and you are also given permission to do whatever you like on this assigned job if you want to, but let me be very clear. If you accept this task after I tell you what it’s about and swear to keep it silent, I vow that there is no going back on the deal and I promise that your job salary will be doubled for your payment on hard work. Do you understand? If you do, are you willing to accept this task and take the job?”

Sweet Rose didn’t know what to say, because this important task that was directly commanded by Princess Celestia herself, but she was proud to hear about her payment being doubled. Until she made up her mind, she confidently smiled at the princess and replied, “As a loyal housekeeper maid pony of your staff ponies, I humbly accept, Princess Celestia. No matter what this job is or how much you double pay me, I promise that no matter what happens, I swear that I will do it and do it right! And to be honestly sure, my lips are sealed.”

“Excellent. Now, wait here,” Celestia said, and then Sweet Rose waited for her to come back after she entered the room. “Okay, come on in,” the princess said after turning off the spell, and then Sweet Rose entered her majesty’s bedroom and saw her holding something on her hoof wrapped in a blanket and bundle. “It’s alright. He won’t bite,” Celestia said. Sweet Rose then walked over to her and saw the baby human sleeping in her hoof, until he opened his eyes while softly yawning and rubbed his eyes and looked at the housekeeper maid pony and cooed calmly.

Sweet Rose gazed in awe, until Celestia saw her reaction, “You’re not going to scream?”

“Aww! Who’s this adorable little cutie?!” Sweet Rose asked excitedly. Celestia giggled with a light-hearted chuckle, and then began to speak, “Sweet Rose, this is Bowen. Bowen Mockingjay. He’s a baby human I found last night, and he appears to be a newborn. I was also thinking about taking him in as my son.”

“Aww... Umm... Can... Can I hold him?” Sweet Rose asked. “Of course,” Celestia said, and then she lit up her horn and brought him over to Sweet Rose so she can hold him on her front right hoof, and he then nuzzled with her neck fur and gently hugged her mane and adorably chewed on his hand. “Awwwwww...” she said, until she gave him a kiss on the forehead. “But, how did he get here?”

“Well, all I know is that I found him in a basket outside the palace in the gardens, because I fear somepony or something may be out there to kill him,” Celestia said. “What?! Who would want to kill this poor thing? Was he left there to die?” Sweet Rose asked while gently bouncing Bowen on her hoof. “I don’t think so,” Celestia said. “He was found wrapped in a few blankets and a warm bunting, and had this strange talisman around his neck and the note said that where he came from was attacked, meaning he was meant to be found if he was to be safe from harm. However, there are lots of many mysteries about his homeland and his arrival, but one fact somehow remains, he somehow needs a family and I chose to be that family for him. But apparently it scares me to think what other ponies that horribly judgmental would even think of him or do with or to him.” She then sighed sadly while Sweet Rose looked at the talisman of Caliburn.

Sweet Rose then smiled at the baby and nuzzled with him, and then walked over to the princess, “You do have a caring heart for others, Princess, and are indeed amazing. But you’re right. Not many ponies would accept this little sweetheart or be willing to take him in, but you made the right decision. But if some did, he’d be treated like a pet more than a son, but with you, he’d be treated fairly since he’s an intelligent creature we’ve never seen or heard of before. So what’s worth, I’d think you’d make a great mother for him.” Bowen then cooed, until Sweet Rose kissed him on the forehead and then nuzzled with him.

“I’m glad you think so,” Celestia said. “So, how can I be of service since it’s obvious that you’ve shown me the little one?” Starshine asked. “Sweet Rose, if you vow to keep this a secret, will you take the honorable responsibility and be my little Bowen’s royal foalsitter? Meaning you have to take care of him while I’m working,” Celestia asked.

Sweet Rose nodded in reply, “Princess Celestia, I accept. And I’d be happily honored to do it. And to be honest, I’ve always wanted a foal of my own. But somehow me and my husband have eagerly waited so long, but we never succeed successfully, but we might still get a chance because I can somehow feel like I’m nearly there.” Celestia then looked at the mare with a warm smile of sorrowful pride and hugged her gently with her wing, “I’m proud you’re trying hard to expect one, and I’m sorry to hear about it not happening, but I promise that you’ll soon have the foal you and your husband have been dreaming of and want so much.”

“Thank you, Princess. That means so much to me,” Sweet Rose said. Celestia looked at her again and nodded, “You’re welcome, my little pony. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to my royal duties immediately. Now, since this is your first day as my son’s royal foalsitter, remember what I told you.”

Sweet Rose nodded in agreement, “Don’t worry, your highness. On my honor as the royal foalsitter, the secret is safe with me, and I’ll make sure to take good care of this little cutie pie and keep him safely hidden in this room.”

Princess Celestia nodded, and then she leaned down to look at her child, and gave him a kiss on the nose, and then left with a few bits for Sweet Rose to buy whatever she needs and then headed over to start her royal duties. “Those are in case you need something,” she said. “Okay, now you enjoy yourself and I’ll take care of this little sweetie,” Sweet Rose said. Celestia nodded and left Bowen with the maid pony.

‘I hope being a mother has its toll. Oh, what am I saying? Of course it does! I’m sure he’ll make a fine prince,’ she thought to herself while walking to court.

Author's Note

Sweet Rose is owned by alejin. I only asked for permission, so I suggest no hate comments or anything at all.

Chapter III: The Prince is Revealed

Later on, after a few hours of day court ended, and dealing with a ribbon cutting ceremony, a few contests consisting flowers, pastries and other recipes by random contending gardeners, cooks and bakers, checking and signing other important documents and having a royal lunch conference with other ponies, Princess Celestia came back to her bedroom to turn in for the rest of the day and removed the spell. When she got in, the princess smiled at the most cute scene she had ever seen. There on the pillow, where Celestia reads privately, was Sweet Rose, the new royal foalsitter and loyal housekeeper maid pony, holding the sleeping baby in her hooves and rocking him to sleep.

“Oh! Hello, your highness. I didn’t see you come in,” she said.

“Hello, Sweet Rose,” Celestia replied. “And for what I’m seeing, I’m willing to believe that I assume you and my baby had a good time. Was he well behaved?”

Sweet Rose nodded in reply, “Yes, princess. He was such a sweet little angel, but the problem is that he doesn’t cry too much, but when he does, he calms down if I hold him in a cradle and rock him, read him a little story book, or find ways to play with him or just hold him for a warm cuddle. But since he’s a newborn, I’d have to try this nice and gently easy like, except have a few cuddles with him. The thing is you really can’t ask for a well-behaved foal. Oh, before I forget, while he was napping, I also got him a few essentials so that he can start fresh. I got him a extra variety pack of a few diapers from the store and some formula just in case, and brought them here without anypony in the palace noticing, and I kept the secret safe.”

Celestia smiled warmly at how much the foalsitter was willing to take the responsibility well, “Thank you so much, Sweet Rose.”

“No problem, your majesty. Just trying to be the best royal foalsitter ever. And if it’s okay, could we get him a crib later on because he might need his own bed,” Sweet Rose said. “I’m glad, and I was just thinking about that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I would like to spend some time with my son. And be sure to let me know what you need for my son or your expecting child and I’ll bring it to you. You’re dismissed now,” Celestia said as Sweet Rose magically handed Bowen back over to his mother.

“Thank you, your highness. And see you soon, little Bowen,” Sweet Rose said as she kissed him on the forehead and stroked his silky soft hairy head, and then left the room.

After she put on her robe and slippers, Celestia came back and held Bowen on her hooves, then sat down on her big red pillow to rock her baby in a cradle. There was a knock on the door, and a guard pony answered, “Your majesty, a doctor pony is here for your appointment.”

“Oh, that must be her. Bring her in,” Celestia replied, and then the doctor came in. She was a unicorn mare with light slate gray fur, a black mane and tail, brown to yellow gradient eyes, she wore a aqua green shirt and a white lab coat, and she had a cutie mark of a yellow stethoscope.

“Good afternoon, your highness,” Dr. White said. “Good afternoon to you, Dr. White. Thank you so much for coming,” Celestia replied, as she cradled her son privately. “I assume this is the one you called for?” Dr. White asked. Celestia nodded, “This is Bowen, a little human baby I found last night, and appears to be a day old.”

“He was born yesterday?” Dr. White asked. “Yes, but he came from this basket,” Celestia replied, showing the doctor the basket Bowen came from. “I see. So what can I do for him?” Dr. White asked. “Could you do a checkup? Just to see if he’s in good shape?” Celestia asked. “Of course. Just let me grab a few essentials and I’ll get started,” Dr. White replied, and then after Celestia placed Bowen on a mat provided by Dr. White, she took out her bag of medical supplies. “Okay, sweetheart. Now, Dr. White’s going to have a look at you, okay?” Celestia said, then kissed Bowen’s forehead, and Dr. White got started.

“Okay, so what we have is a newborn male primal bipedal creature, or human to be exact, and is a day old like you said,” Dr. White said. Celestia nodded, and then Dr. White continued to check on the baby by using a stethoscope for his heartbeat, and then checked his body temperature, and finally measured his height and weight. “Hmm... well, princess. He appears to be in perfect condition and is very healthy. So, since your son is a newborn, he might not be immune to other diseases, and he’s in fact too young for a medical shot, so he’s gonna need something edible to survive,” Dr. White said. “I have been breastfeeding my son this morning,” Celestia said.

“Good. Good. You should probably give him more of your milk every day whenever it’s required. And if you have any problems, give me a call or notify another doctor and we’ll help,” Dr. White said.

“Thank you, doctor. But I was wondering. It would also be nice if you could also be my son’s doctor,” Celestia said sweetly, and then Dr. White nodded. “I’d be honored.”

“Thank you once again, Dr. White. Have a good day,” Celestia said, and then Dr. White left the room and then Celestia spent the rest of the evening with her son by reading to him and playing with him.

Later on, Celestia was signing more documents from other countries in Equestria including peace treaties or contracts, and she had Bowen in his bundle and laid in her forelegs sleeping. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and then Celestia covered her child with her wing and hid him between her haunches. The pony that entered the room was a guard pony that looked like a commanding officer, and he had grayish silver armor with light gray hair on top, and he had charcoal gray fur, a light gray mane and tail with a mustache and beard, amber eyes, and his flank had a cutie mark of a silver shield and a spear. His name was Captain Silver Spear.

“What is it, Captain?” Celestia asked. “Sorry to disturb you, your highness. But my men saw something on your doors,” Captain Silver Spear replied. “I’m fine, Captain. It was just...” Celestia was cut off by Bowen’s whimpering, until she softly shushed him. Captain Silver Spear suddenly saw the human baby on her hoof, “What is that?”

Celestia was suddenly shocked about how curious her trusted commanding officer was, then sighed with honesty, “Captain Silver Spear, meet my son, Bowen Mockingjay. And he’s a little human baby I found in that basket.”

Captain Silver Spear was shocked about her explanation, then asked again, “How did he get here?”

Celestia covered Bowen with her wing and held him against her chest with both forelegs wrapped around him, “His homeland was invaded by other invaders that are like his kind, but his parents sent him away to be safe. I don’t know why, but it still bugs me. Do you think you could help me keep my son’s existence a secret?”

Captain Silver Spear felt sorry for the poor boy after hearing her explanation, and then thought for a moment, “Was it alone?”

“Yes. He was all by himself,” Celestia replied while holding the baby. “Are you sure?” Captain Silver Spear asked. “Yes. There are no others,” the princess replied. Captain Silver Spear then looked down at Bowen again, then nodded, “Very well. And I assume you want to keep him. Then as the captain of the royal guard, I swear to keep his existence to myself, but I will make a search around the forest or elsewhere in Canterlot for any invaders but make it personal, with your permission.”

“Thank you, Captain. Now I’d like to show my son what I do at the end of the day,” Celestia replied and then the captain left the room.

Celestia then took her baby and went over to the balcony, and then as she was holding him in her foreleg with his bunting and blanket wrapped all around him, she lit up her horn and lowered the sun and began raising the moon, where a picture of a pony was shown. Bowen reached his arms out for the moon and made happy baby noises with a few giggles while staring at the big shiny spherical rock ball in the night sky. “Aww... I assume you want your Auntie Luna?” Celestia asked as Bowen made more baby noises and then Celestia looked down at him. “Did you enjoy seeing what mommy can do?” Bowen then began sucking on his hand, and then Celestia nuzzled her face with her child until he curiously hugged it, causing her to smile more, then she kissed him on the cheek and then walked inside, and then read him a little bedtime story while reading with her glasses on and having the baby on her hoof and snuggled against her chest, before she then laid on her bed and fed him her milk again before going to sleep.

Later on, in the middle of the night, Celestia was sleeping peacefully while Bowen slept against her chest wrapped in his bunting and tucked underneath his warm blankets as the princess wrapped her forelegs around him to keep him safe, and used one of her wings to cover him for protection. Bowen hugged her leg and nuzzled with her hoof as a cute and cuddly teddy bear.

Suddenly, without them noticing, a small dark figure entered the room. She started to get closer to Celestia’s bed, but then suddenly tripped over herself on the floor, “Ouch!” she said. Celestia covered up the baby without waking him, and then lit up her horn and turned up the light a little.

What she saw was a little 7 year old pegasus filly with pale light grayish cerise fur, a cloud curled mane and tail with three streaks of moderate violet, moderate rose and pale gold, light purple eyes and her mane and tail were tied in a ponytail.

“Cadance? What are you doing up?” Celestia asked, putting on her robe while covering Bowen with her wing. “Sorry, Auntie Celestia. I had another nightmare, so I wanted to come sleep with you until I tripped over something,” Cadance replied, until she saw another object. “Is this a baby bottle? Why are there baby toys on the floor?”

Celestia sighed with her head lowered and her eyes closed from her own stupidity thinking how could she be so carelessly senseless and then realized by remembering that Cadance would sometimes come over to her room for comfort from her aunt after having nightmares, since her niece was only 7 years old and very young. While being the cute and curious pony she already was, Cadance suddenly saw her Auntie Celestia hiding something with her hooves and wings.

“Umm... Auntie Celestia? What are you hiding?” she asked. Celestia was suddenly alarmed that her niece noticed her secret, so she tried to find a good answer and come up with a reply for it, “Well, my dear niece, you see, I…”

At that moment when she started explaining things, she was interrupted by Bowen’s whimpering until he began to whine and cry at the same time, so Celestia casted a sound proof spell around her room and then turned around and started to gently cradle and bounce the baby, “Shhhhhh... Hush, my little Bowen. I’m here. I’m here. Shhhhhh shhhhhh... Don’t be scared.”

As she gently bounced him with her cradle, Bowen began to calm down and then soothe his whimpering, until Cadance flew closer to the scene and then saw the bundle wrapped around him as he laid on Celestia’s hooves. “It’s alright, Cadance. And to be honest, I was just a little bit... sidetracked,” she said, as the princess revealed Bowen to her niece. Her eyes suddenly widened as Cadance started at him, but suddenly a huge smile appeared on her face. “Aww... it’s so cute! But... what is it anyway?”

Celestia was surprised that her niece didn’t fear the baby, so she brought him closer to the filly for a closer look, “This is Bowen Mockingjay, and he’s a baby. Would you like to hold him?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Cadance exclaimed, and then Celestia let her niece hold him in her little forelegs and then she took a good look at how cute he was, and then she let him play with her mane which made her smile, “So... so, where’s his mommy?”

“Well, I’m going to be his mother now, and he shall live here with us,” Celestia replied. Cadance gasped happily as she held the baby, “So that... that makes him my cousin?! YAY! I have a new baby cousin!” Celestia nodded in reply, “And why I chose to raise him was because he was drifted away in that basket right there, and the place where he came from was attacked by invaders from elsewhere, and before you ask, he is a human, which was said in the note.”

“Wow! I don’t know most about humans and I’m so sorry about his other home, but it doesn’t matter! He is really nice and so cute! Oh, little cousin Bowen, I love you so much!” Cadance said, gently pressing the baby against her barrel and belly, and then gave him a few kisses on his face. Celestia smiled warmly, “I’m glad you do, my dear little niece, but listen to me. There are other ponies who won’t treat him as the sapient creature he is, so it’s up to you to look out for him like he’s one of your own.”

“The nerve of those mean ponies! I won’t let them! I’ll protect him, auntie! And I’d really like to show him to my friends because I know they’ll like him too!” Cadance said, hugging her little cousin again as the baby cooed again, until he yawned and slept in his cousin’s fur and snuggled with the filly. “Auntie, can I sleep with you tonight, since I had that nightmare?”

Celestia nodded and then Cadance hopped onto the bed with Bowen comfortably safe in her hooves, and then Celestia climbed onto her bed and then laid on all four legs tucked underneath her but wrapped one around Cadance, and then placed her wing over them both. Cadance suddenly woke up one more time, but she looked at her aunt and kept Bowen tucked in her forelegs and hind legs around him. “Auntie Celestia? Before I go to sleep... am I allowed to come and play with him whenever I want?” Cadance asked. “Yes, my niece, but promise me you’ll be careful with him,” Celestia replied, until Cadance nodded before yawning and then they both went back to sleep as Bowen was snug and warm in Cadance’s embrace. Celestia kissed her forehead and then went back to sleep.

“Goodnight, Auntie Celestia,” Cadance said. “Goodnight, my dear little niece,” Celestia replied.

The next morning, Celestia woke up to raise the sun after putting on her robe and slippers, but as she got back, the princess smiled warmly at the sight of her niece being protective of her little baby cousin as he was laid against her barrel and belly with his head gently pressed onto her chest. Cadance suddenly woke up and then got out of bed without waking up the baby. Celestia then saw Bowen waking up, until he suddenly started whimpering and whining wanting a hug, so Celestia took him in her aura and then held him with both hooves as he laid against her chest. His stomach suddenly made grumbling noises, until Celestia laid down and then began nursing him.

When he was done, Celestia helped burp him and then as Sweet Rose came over, she left Bowen and Cadance with the foalsitter and then left to attend for morning court.

When morning court and her royal duties ended later on, Celestia came back until she saw Sweet Rose reading a story to Cadance and she was holding Bowen as he was sitting on her lap and hugging her hooves. “Well, it seems you three are enjoying yourselves,” Celestia said. “Yes, auntie. I really like my new baby cousin. He is so funny and cute that I could just hug him forever with all my heart, and I love to hear him laugh sometime soon. And also, Miss Sweet Rose is a nice pony to be foalsat by,” Cadance said. “I’m glad to hear that, Cadance. By the way, Sweet Rose, you’re allowed to foalsit my niece whenever she wants to play with my son,” Celestia said.

“Understood. Honestly, your highness. I really must say that you do have a very smart and sweet niece and I love to take care of them here,” Sweet Rose said. “Thank you, Sweet Rose. Now, I’d like to spend the rest of my day with my son,” Celestia said. The foalsitter nodded and then left the room, and then Cadance rocked Bowen back and forth.

Suddenly, Captain Silver Spear came in with some news, “Your highness, I’ve some news for you.” Celestia nodded, “Cadance? Could you stay here with Bowen for a little while?” Cadance nodded and then she cuddled with Bowen and read him another story after Celestia and Captain Silver Spear left the room for some privacy. “Your highness, we’ve did a search around the forest and found no other humans like Bowen who have come looking for him or to kill him.”

“I see... then it looks like my son is indeed safe from harm, and it appears we aren’t in danger of others of his kind plotting to attack us for me taking him,” Celestia said, as she was feeding Bowen her milk and stroking his hair gently after coming back over for the night and putting on her robe and slippers. “But if it pleases you, we’ll set up defenses around your palace if any dare cross here,” Captain Silver Spear said. “Very well, Captain Silver Spear,” the princess said, as she burped Bowen and hugged him softly against her chest as he rested against her neck. “So how much longer?” he asked.

“How much longer? Until what?” Celestia asked. “Until you decide to reveal him. Pardon my words, your highness, but I’m afraid ponies of this castle will begin to start to suspect things soon. I mean the captain of the royal guard having secret meetings with her majesty the princess, the princess spending more time in her room after her royal duties, and a younger housekeeper maid pony that apparently disappears from her job shift and then comes out of the princess’ room every day before the princess has to set the sun and raise the moon, and the princess’ niece coming over for unknown purposes. It might be hard to keep this to ourselves,” Captain Silver Spear said.

“I understand, Silver Spear, but I’m still not so sure if I can trust everypony that works for me. I only want my son to be safe and warm, and I have to have trust from those around me feel the same way,” Celestia said. “Princess, you have to trust that your servants and guards that they can keep the promise of serving him as their prince just as they serve you, because you can’t shelter him from your bedroom walls forever,” Captain Silver Spear said. “If you want to raise him as a prince of Equestria, then you’ll have to present him and show him that this world is safe for him, until all will know him as your son and a prince of Equestria, but it won’t happen if you show him this castle. It’s up to you to decide what’s best for him. I too want him safe.”

Celestia then felt nervous as she couldn’t decide what to do, but she suddenly remembered something, “I know that my mother and father taught me that we must take baby steps if we fall, and then try to learn to pick ourselves back up. I’m not sure I understood what they meant about what they said before they passed the throne to me and Luna after they passed away. But later on, I understood that it takes patience, confidence, hope and faith that we can get back on our hooves by learning to do it ourselves, but instead is that we need to believe in ourselves. I thought the same way if I was going to see Bowen learn to crawl until he’d learn to walk later on.”

“Excellent words to remember by as always, Princess Celestia. I’m sure your parents would be proud as well,” Captain Silver Spear said. “And if you raise Bowen with your guided knowledge and love, he will be able to run this kingdom as well as you and Luna have before her disappearance. But I’m afraid the acceptance part will be on the part of your subjects, but I’m sure they’ll accept him as their beloved prince, and that you’re his mother. Only time will tell us the right answer to that soon enough.”

“Thank you, captain,” Celestia said. “But I promise you that I’ll think of the time to reveal my son to Canterlot, including the staff of this castle. But for now, he will be kept secret only to you, my niece, Dr. White, Sweet Rose, and me.”

“As you wish, your highness. Now, I must take my leave to prepare my troops for night shift and patrol,” Captain Silver Spear said, as he then left the entrance to Celestia’s room. Celestia then saw Cadance walk out, until seeing Sweet Rose walk by, “Sweet Rose? Could you please take my niece and put her to bed? I’ll deal with Bowen.” The foalsitter maid pony nodded and then took the filly to her bedroom. Celestia lowered the sun and raised the moon, and then got into bed with Bowen in her forelegs wrapped around him, and then he snuggled himself against her chest until she kissed him on the head and then rested her head over his small form, but without squishing him until she felt his small hands touch her neck, until he turned over and leaned on her forelegs, and then she placed her wing over him.

Later on, days have passed since Bowen came into Celestia’s life, even though she wished who was responsible for the attack on his birth village, but she’d knew that it was still a mystery. She still loved him as much as she loved her subjects, except she put a little more love to her son by showing some care and comfort. But still, she couldn’t believe that she was raising a child that was a future prince of Equestria in her eyes, but she still only hopes that her subjects would accept him as their ruler, or what to do next if they didn’t.

She also kept her same routine. First, she would wake to raise the sun and lower the moon, then feed her child and burp him, after a nice breakfast. Sweet Rose would then come over and take care of him or Cadance if she had time for a play date with her baby cousin, while the princess would attend to day court and then her royal duties. After her duties were over with, Celestia would come back to spend the rest of her evening with her son and say goodbye to Sweet Rose. She would then feed him again and lower the sun and raise the moon. Lastly, she would get some rest to do the same routine all over again.

Sweet Rose was finally going to have the baby that she always dreamed of as well, and is expected to be born in 11 months.

Luckily, Celestia secretly managed to get a crib for Bowen without other ponies noticing, which was a upholstered round regal stylish crib made of dark oak wood and painted with a little bit of gold on the carved regal symbols, and was packed with a few bedsheets and blankets in light gray, white, and baby blue, and also a rotating mobile with a plush rainbow cloud, crescent moon, partly cloudy sun, and yellow star. It also had a few blinds to keep him calm and quiet so that the light wouldn’t disturb whenever he needs to nap.

The routine somehow started to raise suspicion in her guards and servants, including other delegate ponies from other countries or cities in Equestria that would come see the princess. They weren’t sure what it was all about, but they somehow knew something was going on. Some servants were curious about why she would stay in Celestia’s bedroom everyday and some of the guards were wondering why he would come see the princess most of the time, since he had to train some other guards or help his troops protect the princess. Cadance knew that the suspicions were getting out of hand.

“Your highness... I’m afraid that this matter is becoming too hard to control. I can already sense that soon these rumors about the routine could somehow spread to all the ponies of Canterlot before they are ready to hear this,” Captain Silver Spear said. Celestia was happily watching her son sitting on his play mat with Sweet Rose and playing with a few toys that she and Luna used to play with when they were his age, and Celestia was able to get some clothing for him by coming up with a smart way to not mention her son. Cadance was also happy to see her baby cousin enjoying himself. Celestia then watched as her son was finally learning how to crawl as he crawled over to another toy to play with, as she smiled as her little boy was growing up.

“Princess, are you listening to what I’m saying?” Captain Silver Spear asked. “Hmm? Oh, sorry. I’m just so proud of my son growing up so fast, and finally learning to crawl,” Celestia replied. “Look, I know that the problem is getting out of hand, and Sweet Rose has had to find some new reasons to make it to my room privately or get stuff for my son.” She then saw Cadance building blocks with Bowen, causing him to laugh at her creativity.

“Auntie Celestia, I’m worried as you are, but I think having him around the castle is a great idea,” Cadance said while Sweet Rose held Bowen on her lap, as he chewed on another toy.

“I have to be honest, she and the captain are right, you can’t have him inside your room for all of your life. He might need to explore the castle some more and probably get to know this place,” Sweet Rose said. “But right now, it’s chaos out there and the rumors have now gone off to the deep end of the line.”

“How so?” Captain Silver Spear asked. “Well, there is one that the captain of the royal guard and the princess are somehow in a romantic relationship, and another is that I’m stealing from the princess everyday, or maybe attempting to kill the princess and take over Equestria. Why would I ever do that? I’m a housekeeper maid pony and a foalsitter, for crying out loud,” Sweet Rose said as she was gently bouncing Bowen as he was whimpering and whining softly.

“Thank you, Sweet Rose. I’m still not sure what my subjects would think of him and afraid what other ponies would do with him, but do you think it’s a good idea?” Celestia asked. “Don’t worry, your highness. I’m sure they’ll all understand. But is it okay if I propose something to you if all of Equestria would accept him?” Sweet Rose asked.

Listening to Sweet Rose, Celestia was pleased that Sweet Rose’s plan was a bit motivated and very gifted in order to have Celestia let her son live with her and have a normal life, and then she believed Sweet Rose’s plan to safely show him to the world would work, but she thought of another idea as she looked at her son.

But suddenly, another voice spoke up, “M-m-ma... Mmm... Mmmmmm... M-m-ma mmmm...” Bowen babbled. “What is it, little sweetie?” Cadance asked. “M-m-ma... M-m-ma... Mmm... mmm... ma... ma...” Bowen replied. Cadance knew what was happening. “Auntie Celestia! Miss Sweet Rose!” Cadance said, as Sweet Rose was still holding Bowen on her lap. “What is it, dear?” Celestia asked. “Bowen’s about to say his first word!” Cadance replied. “He is?” Celestia asked. “That’s wonderful, Cadance.” She then looked at her son, “Go on. I’m listening.”

“Mmm... mm mm mmm... Ma-ma... Mama!” Bowen said. “Mama!”

Celestia smiled warmly at her son’s first word, and then nuzzled with him as he hugged her face gently, “I’m proud of you, my son.” She then gave him a kiss. Then, she finally made up her mind about her subjects and how to deal with this issue at hand.

Later on, every royal guard, messenger, and all her staff including her cooks, bakers, butlers and maids, were gathered inside the throne room wondering what their royally charming and regally beautiful ruler had to say and what the good news was. After waiting for another several minutes, Princess Celestia alongside Cadance, Captain Silver Spear, and her personal housekeeper maid pony Sweet Rose, who was carrying a bundle in her hoof and was wrapped in a bunting and covered in blankets until they realized it sounded like a baby, but didn’t know that he was sleeping.

Once they entered and took their positions in front of everypony, and while Sweet Rose was still holding Bowen in his bundle and kept him calmly asleep as possible, Celestia walked over to the audience and made her announcement.

“My most trusted royal servants and guards, thank you all for your attendance today. Now, I have called you here because I have an announcement to make. A few months ago... I was blessed with something beautiful that changed my life forever and somehow touched my heart. I was blessed... with... a son to love, and a chance to become a mother.”

The staff gasped to hear that and were surprisingly shocked but happy at the same time, but many of them started to get very confused.

Celestia noticed their confusingly concerned faces, and then continued, “Yes, it’s true. I found him in my gardens all alone inside a drifted woven basket from his birth village, and it was invaded by other invaders that were his kind. When I looked at him, he didn’t fear me and when I read the note, I knew that it was me as the one who should take care of him. But I’m not taking care of him because I have to. It’s because I want to since I fell in love with this child and I hope you too can accept him as we did so that he can feel safe around with the rest of the ponies of Equestria. And I know that there were rumors going on in the castle, but I assure you that nothing is wrong and nome of them are true. But before I explain them, I’d like you all to meet the child I was blessed with, but before I do that, I must warn you that he’s not a pony, or a griffon or a dragon. His species is rather... sapient. But I promise, he possesses no threat.”

The crowd was confused again, then continued to listen, “And now, I like to present to you, my son.” Celestia then nodded to Sweet Rose to come over, and then she walked over to the throne and presented Bowen by lifting him up with her magic and then Bowen was held by Celestia with her magical aura as some of the blankets were removed.

Everypony was amazed about how unique the creature he was, but some found him very adorable, while some of the maids smiled at him and giggled, but some looked at him with disgust, and none of the guards were attempting to harm him since Bowen was a baby. Suddenly, one pony found the courage to talk, as a recognizable white unicorn colt with a blonde mane and tail and blue eyes stood in front of the crowd and said:

“Ugh! What is that ugly looking creature?!”

“Blueblood! How could you say something like that?! Shame on you!” Cadance said.

“But look at him! He is nothing than an abo—”

Blueblood was suddenly interrupted by Princess Celestia.

“It would be best if you did not finish that sentence, my nephew. He is now your cousin and that is no way to treat family. Understood?”

Blueblood then remained there, muted.

Celestia turned to see her ponies again, and as nopony dared to say anything else, she then continued, “Now that you all see and know the truth, it’s time to let these rumors end for the fact that I’ve been keeping my son’s existence a secret to be safe. So let me explain, everything you’ve seen has been connected to my son. Captain Silver Spear has been meeting me for issues for the guards and other urgent matters but some that involve my son, my niece Cadance has been coming to my room to play with my son, a mare named Dr. White is his doctor, and Sweet Rose, this housekeeper maid pony is my son’s royal foalsitter. And I know he’s different, but please look at him, does he look dangerously threatening or hideously disgusting to you?” Bowen lightly giggled as Celestia tickled his belly underneath the bunting. “I think he’s one of the most sweetest and most innocent things as any foal you’ve ever seen.”

“Your highness, not to offend your child or anything, but will he grow up into something carnivorous?” a maid asked.

“Well, my son started teething a while back, and I noticed he started growing a small set of canine teeth in his mouth, so he might be an omnivore, meaning he might need to consume meat to survive as he grows up, so I suppose a peace treaty with the griffons of Griffonstone could help support an agreement of a trading fund for a monthly supply of meat for my son, but cooked by my finest chefs in the castle, and I assure you that he will be safe here as long as I am alive,” Celestia replied. “But I must admit, I honestly don’t know much about humans, but I can assure you that every issue will be dealt with in the right time. And just think about it. If I raise him with love and care, he will indeed never hurt any of us or any of my little ponies in Equestria, and who knows? Maybe someday, just maybe, he will indeed help us make our land safer than it already is and maybe even become an important part of our kingdom, so tell me, are you going to judge an innocent creature without knowing him yet or will you be the open-minded ponies I know you are and give this child a chance?”

The room was silent for a moment, as Celestia started to cry, but suddenly she heard applause from her staff and guards.

“Congratulations on your son, your highness!” said a voice, which was a guard. “Thank you, fellow guard,” Celestia replied, as she smiled after hearing that, and was even starting to cry. “Your highness! What’s his name?” a maid asked.

Celestia replied as she raised her wing out and then lit up her horn to lift up her son safely to reveal his royal title, “My fellow staff… I present to you... Bowen Mockingjay, the Young Prince of Equestria.”

When the cheers ended, Celestia started to talk again, but this time she sounded really serious.

“I’m glad you all agree with me, but now, I must be very serious, so please listen carefully. Nopony outside this palace or outside the royal staff can ever know about him, not until I say it’s safe. I need you to swear to never say a word about the existence of my son, as I told you, for someday he will be known for everypony in Equestria, but that day is not close.”

Everypony nodded, as Celestia continued.

“Good. Now know this and make sure everyguard or maid not present right now knows these news. But if anypony ever find out about his existence by anypony who works in this palace, meaning if anypony breathes as much of a word of what you’ve all seen here, you will do time for treason. Do you understand me, and promise to keep silent about my child?”

The ponies then nodded, and it made their princess happy. She was happy that her son could now roam the castle while he grew up. She knew in time everypony would accept her son.

“Now who would like to see their prince?” Celestia asked.

Many maids came up and held Bowen by taking turns and made cute funny faces to make him laugh and gave him a few kisses, while Sweet Rose watched over them since she was his foalsitter.

Celestia smiled that some many now wanted to get to know their prince, but though some of the guards were still a little uneasy about him. But Silver Spear was able to get them to calm down. After a while, everypony then went back to work. As nightfall came, Celestia was in her bedroom wearing her robe and slippers, and nursing her child.

“I’m proud of you, Princess. It seems now that he will be able to run around the castle as long as my guards are on duty,” Captain Silver Spear said. “Yes, and I was surprised how well they all took their time to seeing my son, and I’m sure he’ll find a few friends as he gets older,” Celestia said, as she was still feeding the baby.

“Well, they have seen how let down you’ve been since Princess Luna disappeared, but seeing you happy you are and holding the little prince is enough for me, your guards and servants, and your subjects. Although, some will still be uneasy to acknowledge until they see him no longer as a monster, but as their trusted prince,” Captain Silver Spear said. “I understand, Silver Spear. But I’m sure I’ll teach him everything there is to be a prince while growing up,” Celestia said as she burped Bowen and gently hugged him against her chest as he hugged her neck, but rested himself on her shoulder as she wrapped her hooves around her baby. “But I still fear the invaders his birth parents mentioned might still find him, along with this talisman. It almost sounds like he was destined to come here for a reason, but to be safe from danger, and I know there’s a reason.”

“Well, with you as his mother, there is a chance he’ll find out as soon as he grows up, Princess,” Captain Silver Spear said. “Now it looks like I must get back to work. Goodnight, your highness and Prince Bowen.” He left after the princess nodded, and then she took Bowen to his crib and gently placed him there as he fell asleep, and then kissed him on the forehead. “Goodnight, my little Bowen. Soon, you will rule this land with me, and your Auntie Luna as soon as possible.” She then went to sleep on her bed and slept peacefully.

Chapter IV: Castle Lifetime in Canterlot (Part 1) - Fifth Year

’5 years later...’

As Celestia’s sun was rising, beginning to announce another beautiful day, Bowen was sleeping peacefully in his bed with his teddy bear that had golden brown fabric and paw prints, and bead eyes and a brown plush nose, and a cat plushie, that had bluish gray and white plush fur, a pink nose and blue bead eyes, woke up and refreshed himself from his sleep. He now had fully grown golden ash blonde hair, but it was styled like a combed, trimmed and shortly spiked haircut. He was also wearing a pair of navy blue footed open bottom onesies with sports gray cuffs and golden yellow crest, 3 buttons on the front and a zipper on the back, and it was covered with teddy bear heads. He looked at the calendar and gasped excitedly about today, “It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here!” He got up, and then ran over to his dresser and got dressed into his clothes, which consisted a pair of gray overalls, a sports grayish white shirt with regular sports gray sleeves and crest ring underneath a dark blue and gray college jacket style zip up sweatshirt with his mother’s cutie mark on both shoulders, and then put on his white socks and little fancy velcro strap black and silver sneakers with light blue and white lining, black padding, and silverish gray chain pattern fabric.

As he got out of his room, he walked over to Celestia’s room and saw her reading a book and wearing her robe and slippers, until he got excited and jumped on to her for a hug. “Good morning, Mommy!”

Celestia giggled lightheartedly and then nuzzled with her son as she wrapped her forelegs around him, “Awwww... Hello and good morning to you, birthday boy.” She then gave him a kiss on the cheek and continued to hug him as he hugged her neck and nuzzled with her fur, “How’s my sweet little angel today?”

“Awwww, Mommy, I’m fine and I’m not so little now you know?” Bowen said.

Celestia rolled her eyes, “Oh, come on, sweetheart. You are only five years old today, but that’s still little and you know it. Besides, it doesn’t matter if you are five or one thousand years, but you will always be my little baby.”

“Mommy, stop it. You’re embarrassing me,” Bowen said.

“Well, I AM your mother, that’s my job,” Celestia said, and then she lit up her horn with a mischievous smile on her face. “Come here!” Bowen giggled, as Celestia laid him down on the floor. “I’m gonna get ya!” Celestia then gasped and blew a raspberry on his belly, making Bowen laughed some more, before they hugged and nuzzled again.

“I love you, Mommy,” Bowen said, hugging her neck. “I love you too, Bowen. Now, get on. It’s time for breakfast,” Celestia said. “Okay!” Bowen said, as he got onto Celestia’s barrel and climbed on her back and she walked over to the dining hall for breakfast.

Celestia felt tears of happiness in her eyes as she saw her son growing up and it made her so proud, and then felt overjoyed that the past five years were the best she ever had when she adopted Bowen as he made her life fully happy. And she enjoyed letting her son celebrate the holidays with her, including Hearth’s Warming, Hearts and Hooves Day, Nightmare Night (but he couldn’t go out so she let him have all the candy he wants), and the Summer Sun Celebration, which ached her heart to think about the dark loss of Luna, but Bowen would always be there to cheer her up, and she even remembered his actual birthday, which is when she decided to make it the day he was given birth by his birth parents and before she found him when he arrived without him knowing about his parents before it was time to tell him the truth.

On their way there, throughout the hallways, they were greeted by some guard and servants, by this time, Bowen had already managed to gain the trust and love of almost everypony inside the palace, because there were still some who thought he could be dangerous and would try to do something in the future. Celestia always ignored their warnings and trusted someday her son would be able to gain their love and trust as well.

Suddenly, Bowen was then held in a pale grayish green aura he immediately recognized, as he turned around and saw his all time favorite foalsitter maid pony.

“Sweet Rose!” He said excitedly as his foalsitter held him for a hug. “Hello, little Bowen! Happy birthday!” she replied. “Thank you,” Bowen said. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. So, are you ready to spend another incredibly fun birthday with all of us?” Sweet Rose asked. “Yeah! I’m so happy!” Bowen replied excitedly, until he felt something gently pulling his shirt.

When Bowen turned around, he saw a cute little unicorn filly, who was no more than 4 years old, and had white fur and a lemon greenish yellow mane and tail, and sapphire blue eyes.

“Happy birthday, Bowen!” she said, and hugged him with her forelegs wrapped around him. “Thanks, Flying Hope. I’m glad you’re here too,” Bowen said, as he hugged her back, until she blushed hard and sighed warmly, but never stopped hugging her friend, which Bowen didn’t mind as Celestia placed them both on her back while she and Sweet Rose continued walking over to the dining room. Flying Hope was the only friend Bowen had of his age, and was Sweet Rose’s daughter and her precious treasure while Sweet Rose was pregnant with her before Flying was born one year after Bowen was found by his mother.

For being his personal foalsitter, Princess Celestia gave Sweet Rose special permission to let her daughter Flying Hope and Bowen hang out with each other since she wanted him to have at least one childhood friend, and have somepony to play with and also help him adapt to the outside world. Since the day they first met, they somehow became inseparable.

As they arrived, Bowen was given a bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal with milk and brown sugar and a regular glass of milk to drink by one of the butlers and thanked him. When he was done, they were all greeted by a beautifully young and happy 12 year old alicorn mare he recognized. It was his favorite cute and older cousin, Cadance, as she now had two electric blue bows tied on both her mane and tail, forming two braided ponytails.

“Cadie!” Bowen said, as he was pulled towards her for a gentle like crushing hug against her leg. “Happy birthday, my sweet little cousin!” Cadance said, as she lowered her head down to nuzzle with him, then gave him some birthday kisses. “Thank you, Cadie. I’m glad you’re here too, especially since I’ve still got my favorite prettiest alicorn cousin here with me,” Bowen replied, as he kept nuzzling her chest fur. “Aww, I love you too, sweetie,” Cadance said sweetly, as she kept hugging him against her foreleg while stroking his hair with her hoof.

Ever since Bowen came into Celestia’s life, Cadance helped show some love and support to her little cousin ever since she was a little pegasus filly, but while growing up, Bowen had recent troubles remembering his favorite cute older cousin was now both an alicorn and a princess, except he in fact wasn’t surprised at all, for a so young attractive mare, she was super smart, caring, kind, and funny. Bowen was still glad to have another pony in his family like Cadance to care for his well-being until Celestia finally decided to ascend her niece into an alicorn, titling her the Princess of Love.

While he was hugging Cadance, Bowen somehow noticed somepony was missing. “Umm... has anyone seen cousin Blueblood?”

Cadance frowned at this as she realized that Blueblood would still find an unreasonable or pathetic excuse to avoid seeing her sweet little cousin everyday, especially on his birthday, asking herself why was he always like this? She looked down at Bowen with a hoof on his cheek, “I’m sorry, sweetie. He’s busy with his... important royal duties, but hopefully he might come.”

Bowen then sighed with sadness, “Yeah. But it’s okay. *sniff* I know he will never come. He never does, since he still hates me. But at least… you’ll be there, right?”

Cadance then hugged her cousin again, “Oh, Bowen. Of course I will. I wouldn’t want to miss your special day if it was even the end of the world.” She was smiling while hugging him once again, but she was furiously and disappointingly unamused about Blueblood’s actions, reminding herself that she’ll have to talk some sense into him after the party that he was hoping not to attend.

“But... isn’t that half of who I am?” Bowen asked. “Yes, my son. You may be a prince, but you’re always allowed to live free and enjoy yourself anytime you want,” Celestia said, and she let her son hug her hoof. “Now, I must attend to my royal duties, but try to finish them early before I come back for Bowen’s birthday party later this evening.”

She then turned to her servants and guards, “And as always, everypony is invited, so tell that to the rest of the staff.” All of them nodded and then she looked down at her child one more time while giving him another hug, “I’ll see you soon, little one. Now you behave for your foalsitter and your cousin, and please enjoy this day, ask for all the ice cream you want, but not too much, so save some for your birthday cake, okay?”

“I will, Mommy. Have fun at work though,” Bowen said, after nuzzling with her fur, until Celestia left for her duties.

Once she was gone, Bowen and Flying Hope then started to run to his bedroom to play some board games, read a few books or draw some pictures. Until in a corner of the hall, they bumped into a certain unicorn prince, which was Blueblood.

“Cousin Blueblood! You’re here!” Bowen said, as he was about to hug him, but Bowen was stopped and pushed back by Blueblood’s aura. “Don’t touch me, peasant! And for the last time, never call me cousin! How many times have I told you?! It’s Prince Blueblood to you, and you will address me as such! Got it?!”

Bowen started to shed tears, “B-But... But Mommy says we’re family... and that such formalities are never n-necessary between the both us us.”

“Ha! Oh, please! As if I would ever consider a creature like you family. You’re just a filthy little monster that my Auntie Celestia took pity of as a son, none of the less,” Blueblood said cruelly. “And don’t even think of treating yourself as some prince, because you’ll never understand the dignity of becoming one.”

Bowen then stood there in shock. Blueblood, his arrogant cousin, always did his best ignoring him but never dared to insult him. He had always tried to get in his good side and he always thought he was cool, then why? Why was he saying those mean words? He started to cry, until Flying hugged him while looking at Blueblood with angry eyes. “Hey! Why would you say those things? He’s done nothing to you!” she said.

“I can say whatever I want to whoever I want to. I’m a prince and a nephew of Princess Celestia, so know your place, brat,” Blueblood replied. Flying was then about to cry, but suddenly another voice joined the conversation.

“Then I think you should also know your place as well… brother.”

Blueblood suddenly turned around in shock to see his sister, staring at him with her eyes like daggers, as she continued talking while bringing Bowen and Flying Hope underneath her and behind her front legs for a hug as they both hugged one of her hooves while she used her other one to stroke Bowen’s hair.

“Well, if it isn’t my little sister, who’s come on down to mingle with the commoners. And siding with this frea-,” Blueblood said, until Cadance cut him off by raising her hoof.

“Aunt Celestia and I didn’t see you at breakfast this morning, since later is Bowen’s birthday party,” Cadance said.

“That’s today? Hmph! Must’ve slipped my mind,” Blueblood said. “But I meant no disrespect towards you or my aunt. Of course I have tremendous respect for our aunt’s royalty, but I’m not fond of commoners.”

“Maybe you weren’t first in line to begin with?” Flying Hope asked.

“I actually was first in line, or don’t you remember? That was until the so-called ‘precious prince’ arrived,” Blueblood said, looking down at Bowen and Flying Hope scaring them both, until Cadance placed her hoof in front of them both.

Cadance then spoke up, “You should also know that Bowen is our aunt’s son, and our dear cousin and family, meaning he’s now above you as I am, because if you’re talking about ranks for royalty, then you should also know that I can also outrank you, since I’m also an alicorn and the Princess of Love, and trust me, I can. And for what I’ve seen, I don’t like what you’re doing to my dear sweet and cute little cousin or appreciate how you’re treating him and Flying Hope right now.”

“Oh, then I shall practice my curtsy then,” Blueblood said, as he then began to walk away.

“Don’t turn your back on me, Blueblood!” Cadance shouted.

“Oh no, Cadance. Perhaps you shouldn’t turn your back on me,” Blueblood replied, until Cadance teleported in front of him.

“Are you tempting me, or is that a challenge?” Cadance asked.

“Oh no no no. I wouldn’t even dream of tempting or challenging you,” Blueblood said. “Because a true prince like me never starts a fight.”

“You’re no prince! You’re just a big mean jerk! A prince has compassion and a kind characteristic trait. You have none of those like Bowen does,” Flying Hope said.

“Oh, shut up or I will-”

“Or you’ll what?” Cadance asked, stomping her hoof in front of the kids, as Flying Hope stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry at him.

“Well, as far as brains go, I’ve got the share for royalty and dignity, but when it comes to magic and strength… I guess I’ll be just a shallow end of the gene pool,” Blueblood said, as he then huffed and left the halls like the snobby prince he was, then Cadance sat down and wrapped her wings around Bowen and started nuzzling him.

“Guess there’s one in every family, huh?” Flying Hope asked.

“Yep. And they always manage to ruin special occasions,” Cadance said.

‘What am I going to do with him?’ she thought to herself, before she then kissed Bowen on his forehead, and hugged him against her chest as she looked down at him, “I’m sorry that happened, my little treasure. I promise I will deal with him later, but please don’t try to let this ruin your birthday, just for me, okay?”

Bowen sniffled the tears from his eyes, “Ok… thank you, Cadie. I love you.”

“I love you too, my sweet little Bowen,” Cadance said, giving him another kiss on the forehead, and hugged him with his head against her chest again.

Later on, the rest of the day went well as Bowen and Flying Hope spent their time playing with Cadance in the royal gardens.

Very soon as it nearly started to get dark, after one more round of hide and seek, it was now time to go to the party. When they got there, Bowen was greeted by the castle guards and staff, and then his mother was there too. He then rushed over to her and gave her a crushing hug on the leg, until he was lifted up in her aura and then held against her chest for a real hug, and then nuzzled with her chest and neck fur. He didn’t want to tell

Bowen received a few presents, including a couple of toys and plushies, a new big box of crayons of all colors, a wooden sword and shield to play knights with, a custom made replica of a royal guard’s armor from Cadance that fits his shape, and a brand new playground ball. Celestia suddenly came over with her gift for her son. “Bowen, I have something for you, sweetie.”

She turned her head and placed what appeared to be a phoenix with vivid amaranth and luminous vivid gamboge feathers, and light bright yellow eyes fly over and landed on her hoof. “Wow...” Bowen said.

Celestia then explained what it was, “Her name is Philomena, and she’s one of these types of birds that are noble and proud creatures. I’d like you to treat her with respect as I do.”

Bowen nodded, and then smiled as his mother let him pet Philomena with his hand, until she enjoyed his gentle touch, “Hi, Philomena. It’s nice to meet you too.” The bird then flew over to the boy and landed on his shoulder gently and then nuzzled with his cheek very sweetly with a soft coo like a dove.

“It means she like you. Although I’m really impressed. Normally, phoenixes would usually take their time to start liking somepony, but it seems you are indeed special, son. She seems to have some interest in you,” Celestia said.

“Thanks, Mommy. I love you,” Bowen said, as he hugged his mother on the neck. “I love you too, my sweet prince,” Celestia said. “Now I think it’s time for a certain birthday boy to blow out the candles on his cake, don’t you think?” Bowen nodded, and then after they sang to him, Bowen blew his candles and they all had cake after Celestia carved it.

Later on, after the party ended, Bowen was already asleep after Cadance tucked him in earlier and in his pajamas, but before he went to sleep, he saw Philomena looking at him, and said, “Goodnight, Philomena.”

Philomena squawked in reply, and then as Bowen fell asleep, the phoenix then went to sleep as well.

Author's Note

Flying Hope is owned by alejin. I only asked permission for fair use and was reasonable on why. No need for hate comments or any kind.

Chapter V: Castle Lifetime in Canterlot (Part 2) - Homeschooling Education

The next morning, as Celestia was finished raising the sun, she walked over to Bowen’s bedroom to wake her son up. Bowen was asleep peacefully on his bed, as he was wearing his bear covered onesies.

Celestia then smiled warmly and then nudged her child with her head, “Bowen. It’s time to get up.”

When he heard her voice, Bowen opened his eyes and then looked at his mother’s beautiful face. “Good morning, Mommy,” he said, hugging her neck.

“Good morning, little one. Did you have a good night’s rest?” she asked. Bowen nodded, and then Celestia lifted him up with her magic and placed him on her back. Bowen and his mother went over to the dining hall for breakfast, and then saw their plates full of pancakes with butter and syrup. Celestia then looked at her son, “Bowen, since you’re not ready to go to actual school yet, I’m thinking about hiring you a tutor so that you have some education. Does that sound nice?”

Bowen nodded, “Okay, Mommy. That’s nice.”

When Bowen was done, he got dressed into his casual attire and then brushed his teeth. Until he was ready, he waited for the tutor to come, until he saw a unicorn mare enter. She had light grayish brown fur, an amber streaked mane and tail, and grayish purple eyes with brown and green glasses with two chains holding the frames, and light grayish red eyeshadow. She wore a dark green regal patterned jacket with a white blouse underneath and both a black neck choker and cyan pearl beads around her neck, and black thin hoof shoes on all four hooves. Her cutie mark was a few books and an apple.

“Greetings, your highness,” the mare said with a British accent.

“Good morning, Professor Bookworm. You remember why I’ve hired you?” Princess Celestia replied.

“Yes, indeed,” Professor Bookworm replied. “So, where is my student?”

“He’s right here,” Celestia said, as she looked down at Bowen hiding behind her hoof.

“And who or what might this creature be?” Professor Bookworm asked.

“Professor Bookworm, I’d like you to meet my son, Bowen Mockingjay, and he’s from a species called humans. I’ve hired you to be his personal tutor so that my son can get some proper education,” Princess Celestia replied.

“I see. And I assume it’s while you’re busy as well?” Professor Bookworm asked.

“Yes. I’m not actually ready to send him off to school yet, because I don’t want to introduce him yet,” Celestia replied. “Do you think you could keep his existence a secret for me? Because I don’t want there to be rumors about a foreign creature living in Canterlot all around by somepony snooping the news.”

“Oh, please. I’d never! And I would absolutely love to tutor this young colt of yours,” Professor Bookworm replied.

“Excellent, and I expect some reports on his schoolwork by the time your shift is finished,” Princess Celestia said.

“Say no more, your majesty. I’ll be sure his cleverly fragile little mind is filled with proper IQ, and then I’ll report to you what he has learned,” Professor Bookworm said, until she then set up her educational equipment, including some textbooks, a chalkboard, and some sheets of paper.

Bowen and Celestia said their goodbyes and then Celestia attended her royal duties, and then Professor Bookworm started tutoring Bowen.

After Professor Bookworm finished tutoring Bowen for the day, she gave her report to the princess about how well he has learned.

“I’m very impressed. I’ve never seen or heard my son learn so well from one of my finest tutors from my school,” Celestia said.

“Oh, nonsense! It’s only a matter of time before he truly succeeds, but are you sure you want others to tutor him as well?” Professor Bookworm asked.

“Yes, Professor. I’m certain. Because I believe having him homeschooled before sending him off to proper school should suffice. Because if I send him early, others might bully him,” Celestia replied.

“Well, that can’t happen, I assure you,” Professor Bookworm stated. “Now, that the day is done, I’ll come by tomorrow and continue with the tutoring. But I’d suggest hiring more if many of us choose to retire or other things.”

Celestia nodded and then saw the professor walk away.

Celestia then noticed that things for her son might turn up pretty well.

Chapter VI: A Protective and Loving Cousin (Part 1)

Back at the castle, Bowen was about to get his snack, which was a handful of 3 chocolate chip cookies from the cookie jar, but as he got back down carefully without hurting himself, he was suddenly levitated up by Blueblood’s magic with an angry look on his face, and then he took the cookies away from him.

“BLUEBOOD! GIMME BACK MY COOKIES NOW!” Bowen said to his cousin while he squirmed his arms for them.

Blueblood then smirked, “And why I should give it to you? I saw them first, and my dear ape-like cousin, do you think that it’s right to ask it like that? Poor meddlesome creature, always forgetting your manners....”

“NO! I SAW THEM FIRST! YOU STOLE THEM FROM ME!” Bowen shouted.

“Well, I thought that sharing the cookies with you would be a lost of time, having in mind that you eat like a farm animal and you always make a horrible mess on the table, leaving crumbs everywhere, so I had taken all for myself to prevent that. Plus, I won’t tolerate a meddlesome little thief like you stealing from the palace.”

“Bowen, Bluebood, please stop arguing. You two shouldn’t be insulting just for something like this,” Cadance said, trying to make peace between them, but they didn’t pay any attention and continued screaming to each other.

“I didn’t steal them! I just wanted my cookies! Now give them back!” Bowen shouted, as Blueblood dropped him. “HEY! THAT HURT!”

“Emmmm…no, I’m not sorry for that, because it’s true for one thing, you’re just an meddlesome little animal and have no class,” Blueblood said, as he then walked away with the cookies for himself.

After that, Bowen stood up from the ground and ran to Blueblood with an angry face. He kicked his right foreleg and stomped on his left hoof very hard, as the unicorn prince kneeled down in pain, and then Bowen climbed onto Blueblood’s neck and wrapped his arms and legs over Blueblood’s neck and then tugged his ears and mane forcefully.

“Agh! Agh!”

“BOWEN!” Cadance shouted angrily, making him turn his head to look at his alicorn cousin confused. “Bowen, stop! That’s enough, you’re hurting him!”

“But…but….it’s not fair! He’s always doing whatever he wants! And either mom never does anything to punish him!” Bowen complained with his arms and legs were still on Blueblood’s neck, as he then punched his face with either hand.

"That doesn’t mean that you can just grab his neck and strangulate him!” Cadance said moving to where Bowen and Bluebood were, and then broke it up by yanking them apart with her magic.

Bowen then lowered his head in shame while hugging one of his big pink alicorn cousin’s legs. Blueblood breathed slowly regaining his consciousness, and then glared to Cadance, and then to Bowen.

“You…. you aren’t royalty…… you are a barbaric little…” Blueblood looked at Bowen with sternly bitterness.

Bowen suddenly shedded more tears, until Cadance stomped her hooves in front of the little boy, before he hid underneath her and sat down between both the hooves of her hind legs and hugged one of them, and then hugged her tail before he began to cry, thinking about what he did was wrong. “That’s enough, Blueblood,” she said. “And scaring little kids? Is that what you’ve been taught?”

“You call this thing…?!” Blueblood was cut off by Cadance. “DON’T YOU DARE START IT OFF!” Cadance said.

Blueblood then grunted, and then walked away with anger.

Cadance then turned around, sat down and brought Bowen over for a hug against her chest as she draped her wings over him.

“Bowen, what you did was very, very bad. It’s not nice to hit somepony who’s being mean to you,” Cadance said to the little human child as she unamused.

“I… I’m sorry, Cadie. I promise I’ll never do that again,” Bowen looked up to Cadance’s beautiful eyes with a sad face. Cadance sighed and rubbed his hair with her hoof.

“It’s okay, Bowen. You don’t need to get mad with Blueblood for something like that. You can just tell me or your mom about it and we’ll take care of it, okay?”

Bowen wiped out his tears of sadness and smiled first, and then leaned against her barrel.

“What’s wrong now, sweetheart?” Cadance asked, stroking his cheek tenderly with her hoof.

“He stole my cookies on purpose,” Bowen said.

“Oh! You mean these cookies?” Cadance asked, with a smile on her face holding the cookies in her magic, until she gave them to her favorite cousin.

“Thank you, Cadie,” Bowen said cutely.

“Aww… you’re welcome, my cute little angelic rascal of a cousin,” Cadance cooed while rubbing his head with her hoof.

“Cadie! Stop it!” Bowen said,

“Oh, but it fits so well with your cute face, your cute little tummy, and your beautiful green eyes!” Bowen blushed heavily on his face, and looked away of his pink alicorn cousin.

“Oh, Cadie…” Both Cadance and Bowen hugged strongly like if they were brother and sister, then Cadance released her cousin and looked him directly at the eyes.

“Bowen, it doesn’t matter what that spoiled and shameless Bluebood says or does to you, you are part of our family, and we will always love you no matter what. Remember that, okay?”

“Thanks, Cadie” Bowen was now happy after hearing that and nearly forgotten his arguing with Blueblood, as Cadance hugged him one more time, before she got up.

“Well, I have to leave you now,” Cadance said, while moving towards the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to take care of a filly who’s around your age. I promised to her parents that I would look after that filly all morning,” Cadance replied, before leaving him.

“Will you be here when you come back?” Bowen asked, hugging her hind leg one more time.

“Of course. You know I wouldn’t abandon you,” Cadance said, pressing his nose gently with her hoof.

“Okay, I’ll see you later,” Bowen said.

“Bye-bye, Bowen. Oh, and if you don’t mind. Do me a small favor and don’t get into anymore trouble, okay? Just for me,” Cadance asked, as she blow kissed and waved her hoof, and left the room.

“I’ll try,” Bowen said. He then left the dining room later and moved hall to hall, passing through servants and guards, until he reached the gardens outside of the castle with his plushies.

Chapter VII: A Protective and Loving Cousin (Part 2)

After Bowen did a little stroll around the gardens, he was about to head back inside until he suddenly saw a note asking for him to meet Blueblood at the courtyard alone. Bowen felt nervous about it, but he suddenly didn’t want to make him mad, so he decided to go with it.

Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard, Blueblood was anxiously awaiting for the arrival of the child, but his patience was starting to wear thin. He scuffled his hoof against the pavement, and mumbled to himself. ’Where is that little heathen at?’ He then let out a frustrated growl, until he heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see the boy walking through the courtyard’s entrance.

When Bowen approached the stallion, he shook nervously and looked up at him, “I’m sorry I’m late Cousin Blueblood, but I just wanted to go see Mommy before my foalsitter would come, since Cadie’s busy with her job.”

’Of course I haven’t forgotten that Aunt Celestia hasn’t thought about sending the little heathen back! Now, I have to deal with this myself!’ In his mind, he was fuming with rage and disapproval of the idea, but he suddenly shook his head and gave a fake smile “Ah.. that’s alright, my dear boy. I was just enjoying the shade out here as you were, but anyways, I was wondering if you could come with me for a little something?”

Bowen swallowed nervously, but nodded, “Yes Cousin Blueblood, but where are we going?” He looked up at Blueblood curiously.

The stallion chuckled, “Oh don’t worry, child, it’s just outside of the kingdom, but in the Whitetail Woods.” A look of fear soon appeared on Bowen’s face, but Blueblood lightly patted him on the shoulder, “Aha… don’t worry dear child, these woods aren’t dangerous at all. I assure you that they’re quite safe, plus, it’s very beautiful.”

“But why do you need my help?” Bowen asked.

“I just wanted to show you the majestic wonder of the woods, and apologize for how I treated you. I hope you can forgive me,” He then gave a pouty, pleading face.

Bowen looked up him, and just nodded without saying a word.

’For an intelligent species, this mere child sure is gullible. This might be easier than I thought’. A sly grin crept across his muzzle “Good. Now, just hold onto my foreleg little one, because I’m going to have to use my transportation spell for us to get to the woods.” The little boy nodded, and gently walked closer to the unicorn prince and hugged Blueblood’s foreleg.

’Eeh… Note to self, remind me why I’m going through this plan of mine’. He shook his thoughts away and looked down at the child, “Hold on now, little one.” He closed his eyes and concentrated. In a flash, they vanished from the castle courtyard and appeared in the Whitetail Woods. Blueblood looked down at the boy “We’re here now, little one.”

Bowen unwrapped his arms from around the stallion’s foreleg and looked up, and around the forest. He noticed that there was a lot more light showering the woods. He looked up at Blueblood with a soft smile, “Wow, it’s very pretty here, Cousin Blueblood.”

Blueblood simply nodded, “Yes, yes, it certainly is, isn’t it?” He turned his head with a sneer. “Anyway, I brought you here for a little something, which is right over there.” He motioned a hoof towards a few bushes. He started to trot toward with the small child following behind.

“So, what do I gotta do?” Bowen asked, as they stopped.

“Do? What do you gotta do?” Blueblood asked, thinking up a lie for Bowen. “Well, if you love your Mommy so much… try… bringing her some flowers.”

“Flowers?” Bowen asked.

“Yes, flowers. Lots of them. Your mother loves flowers! So, take this basket, and pick out the ones that only bloom like daisies, but in many colors. And I also left a path for you if you get lost,” Blueblood explained.

“Okay!” Bowen said as he went on ahead with the basket, until he looked back at his cousin. “Aren’t you coming?”

“You go, I'll catch up. All right?” Blueblood replied.

“Okay,” Bowen said, walking off with the basket, making Blueblood smirk mischievously, until he started to leave the little boy all by himself.

Later on, Bowen was picking out more flowers in many lighter colors, of either green, purple, pink, orange, blue, yellow, or just plain white.

He seemed to enjoy how pretty the flowers looked and how good they smelled. When he was done, he suddenly saw a butterfly land on his nose, before he stood still and then as it landed on his finger, it suddenly flew off before a few more flew by the small boy, until he started following the path, but as he continued down the trail, he suddenly got lost, and had no idea where he was going.

“H-Hello? Anypony?” Bowen asked while nervously shaking in fear.

But before he could move on, Bowen started to see birds chirping and squawking while flying up in the air, and then felt the ground rumbling as he saw rocks gently tumbling, before he looked behind him and saw a herd of buffaloes on a stampede and headed towards him. He suddenly started running until the stampede caught up to him, but suddenly figured out that a pack of hungry coyotes were on the hunt.

Back at the castle, a guard came to Princess Celestia’s throne room with bad news, “Your highness! Quick! Stampede! In the reserve area of the Whitetail Woods! Your son is out there!”

“Bowen?! My baby!” Princess Celestia asked in shocking concern that her son is in danger, she then ran off to find him.

Back in the woods, Bowen took shelter somewhere far from the stampede from behind a log of a tree, so that he couldn’t get himself killed or worse. But suddenly, a buffalo tumbled onto the log, and it caused Bowen to be in the center of the stampede and made him about to experience sudden death, before all of a sudden, he was suddenly saved by two forelegs holding him against somepony’s chest, until he looked and saw Cadance holding him.

She then hovered down and then looked at him.

“Are you alright, sweetheart?” she asked.

“Mmhmm. Thank you, Cadie,” Bowen said.

The pink alicorn nodded, before she and Bowen saw Princess Celestia’s chariot coming down towards them.

“MOMMY!” Bowen yelled, running up to her.

“Bowen! Thank goodness you’re okay!” she said, after lowering herself down before reaching out her hooves to hold him, until he jumped onto her front barrel and buried his face into her chest and began to cry.

“Shhhhhh shhhhhh… There, there, sweetheart. I’m here now. I’m here,” she said, while rubbing his back, and then she looked down at him. “Bowen, I was so worried! You even scared me! What happened?!”

“There was a stampede, but I… I was…” He was suddenly cut off by Blueblood with more guards.

“There he is! That’s the culprit right there! Seize him at once!” Blueblood commanded, until two guards tried to take Bowen away from Celestia’s hooves, but Cadance stood in from of him, spread out her wings and lit up her horn, “Don’t… touch him!”

Bowen suddenly grabbed Cadance’s tail and nuzzled with the scent of her hairspray as he was buried underneath Celestia’s chest fur.

“Guards, stand down,” Celestia said, as the guards lowered their spears.

“What?! You can’t be serious! He’s the one who started the stampede!” Blueblood said.

“No! No! There were coyotes!” Bowen said.

“Don’t listen! He’s hysterical! He must’ve scared them off!” Blueblood.

“ENOUGH!” Celestia hollered, with the Royal Canterlot Voice.

“Mommy, I wanted to bring you these,” Bowen said, showing her the flowers he got.

“Bowen… I can’t believe you did this. You’re so sweet. Thank you, honey,” she said, kissing her son on the forehead tenderly, until Cadance walked up to him as Blueblood was about to assault Bowen aggressively but verbally.

“Don’t even think about it!” she said, as the alicorn felt Bowen hugging one of her hind hooves and standing underneath her but also in front of Celestia’s front legs and also hugging one of them, as his mother covered him with one of her wings.

“Sweetie, did he do this to you?” Celestia asked her son, as he nodded, complying his honest answer.

“Blueblood… why?!” she asked in a glare of disappointment and anger.

“Because he’s an abomination! A freak of nature!” Blueblood answered. “Plus, I thought you already sent him back to where he truly belongs, so I thought it’d be best to do it myself since you never had the nerves to do so yourself!”

“BLUEBLOOD! DON’T YOU DARE RAISE THAT TONE WITH ME!” Celestia hollered.

“What could you have possibly been thinking?! You almost killed somepony, especially since that somepony is part of the royal family!” Cadance said. “He’s only a child!”

“That’s no excuse! You can’t keep defending him forever and you know it! He might grow up into something carnivorous! Every time I look at him, I just shudder with absolute disgust! Ugh!” Blueblood complained.

“For the last time, I’m keeping him, and THAT… IS… FINAL!” Celestia said in a stern voice. “And I’ve in fact been giving him a chance to learn how to be a true prince, because a prince’s power is his compassion.”

“I’M TEN TIMES THE PRINCE THAT FILTHY LITTLE MONSTER IS! BUT COMPASSION?! LOOK AT HIM! HE WILL NEVER BE ONE OF US! EVER!” Blueblood yelled.

“SILENCE!!!!” Celestia said in the Royal Voice again, using her magic to shield her son’s ears, as he hugged both Cadance’s leg and Celestia’s leg in between as Celestia’s hoof was hugging him and Cadance’s hind hoof. “Since you’ve shown no respect towards your cousin and no care or support he desires just because he’s different, I have no choice but to confine you in your room and put your royal status on hiatus, and until you learn to respect other ponies for who they are, you are grounded for 5 months. That’s right. No duties, no spa treatments, no grooming, no purchases, and also, no gala. And you will think about what you’ve done until you’re ready to apologize. Because if it happens again, I’m sending you to military school until you decide to start with a clean slate and a proper attitude, meaning you will be forbidden to come back to the castle until you change your behaviors towards other ponies. Understood?”

Blueblood nodded, and then walked back to the castle with two guards accompanying him. Celestia then looked down and saw Bowen crying in her hoof, and Cadance’s hind hoof.

“Cadance, could you take him for the night?” Celestia asked.

“Absolutely. Come on, sweetie. You’re gonna come with me, okay?” Cadance said, while letting Bowen climb onto her back. She then flew back to the castle, and took him to her room when they got there, which was pink and had a white wooden bed covered with light pink/purple and dark pink/purple, and white bedsheets.

Bowen was still upset about how cruel Blueblood treated him, since he found out that the unicorn prince who was supposed to be his cousin, tried to get rid of him, but he suddenly felt Cadance rub her hoof on his back, “Come here, sweetie.”

Bowen crawled over to his favorite cousin and buried himself on her belly fur and hugged her chest, until he cried underneath her fur, as Cadance wrapped her hooves around him. “Shhhhhh… it’s okay, shhhhhh… You did nothing wrong.”

“B-B-But… C-Cousin B-Blueblood… hates me!” Bowen said in reply.

“Oh, Bowen, I know. I know. It’s okay, you’re not bad. He’s just a little bit… misguided, but a real stick in the mud who likes to bully little kids, but I think you’re just a caring, sweet and cute little one, and you know what? That’s what I love about you,” she said, trying to make her little cousin feel better, while Bowen felt the softness of her belly and the warmth of her fur keep him safe and snug. “No matter what happens, we’ll be here for you. Always. You understand?”

Bowen nodded, and then they continued to cuddle before dinner time.

After they were done, Cadance got him ready for bed, but suddenly Bowen asked, “Cadie? Can I sleep with you tonight?”

Cadance nodded with warm and sisterly smile, “Of course you can, sweetie.”

She then carried him back to her room and after she placed him on her bed, Cadance took off both her ribbons and at them aside, and turned off her light, before Bowen snuggled against her chest.

“Bowen, just remember, you’re more than welcome to come over to my room and sleep with me, if you feel scared or just need somepony to talk to, okay?”

Bowen nodded and then yawned. “Goodnight, Cadie. I love you,” Bowen said, before he finally fell asleep, hearing his beautiful cousin’s heartbeat.

Cadance smiled and then kissed Bowen on the forehead, “Goodnight, my sweet little cousin. I love you too.” She then placed her foreleg over him for a hug and then fell asleep.

Chapter VIII: Making a New Friend: Sunset Shimmer

Another 2 years later, Bowen continued with his homeschooling and is now enjoying some time studying or playing with Flying Hope. Suddenly, he heard two voices from another room, so he went to the wall to listen closely.

“So, let me get this straight, you’re telling me that the Young Prince is one of his human species, which are not related to this world?” asked the voice of a filly. “Yes, my son is indeed very special to me and I hope you two can get along with each other,” Celestia’s voice replied.

“Well, of course, meaning it sounds like fun, but at first I was kinda surprised to realize you had a son, but I really need to know everything about him and his species and culture!” The filly’s voice returned.

“Patience, my student. Bowen is just a new species never known to Equestria, but I don’t want you to study him. I just want you to be his friend, because of your status with friendship,” Celestia’s voice said. “And you’re allowed to ask him as many questions as you want, but he might not know everything about his species, so don’t raise your hopes so high just yet.”

“Okay!” The filly’s voice said, but suddenly Bowen got into his position by reading a book while sitting on his bed, until he decided to draw some pictures.

While he was coloring, he heard a knock on his door. “It’s open,” he said, and then he saw his mother entering the room, but he suddenly saw a unicorn filly with her. She had brilliant amber fur, a curled and bacon streaked mane and tail in vivid crimson and brilliant yellow, she had moderate cyan eyes, and a cutie mark of a red and yellow shimmering sun.

“Hi... I-I’m Bowen. Who are you?” he asked nervously. Sunset was somehow surprised that she found out that Bowen was what she expected him to be. “I’m Sunset Shimmer, one of the most talented unicorns you’ve ever seen, and will ever meet,” Sunset said. “Bowen, Sunset is my personal and faithful student and protégé. I was wondering if you both could try to get to know each other,” Celestia said, until Bowen nodded, and then she looked at Sunset. “Remember Sunset, you have classes in two hours, so take your time.”

“Sure thing, Princess,” Sunset said, and then Celestia left the room. “So... are you the one who my Mommy was talking about? The one who made that plant grow so high?” Bowen asked. “Yeah! Wait... how’d you know?” Sunset asked. “My Mommy told me about you, except you don’t have any friends,” Bowen replied. “Well, I am a natural on most things, but I really don’t do too well with friendship,” Sunset said. “But friends look out for you,” Bowen said, as he showed Sunset some of his stuff.

“I mean if you want, we can play some board games, draw some pictures, read a few books, or go in the gardens or play in the maze...”

“Pfft, oh please! Some of those kind of things are for children,” Sunset said. “But... but we are children,” Bowen said. “Well, not little cute type of children! I’m more like a little mature, but I’m a little softer on the edge,” Sunset said.

“Sorry... I just thought...” Bowen was about to cry. “Hey, hey, hey. Come on. Don’t do that,” Sunset said. “If you answer some questions about yourself, I’ll teach you how to be a little bit more mature, okay?”

“Really?” Bowen asked, as Sunset nodded in a softer way. “Okay.”

The next couple of minutes, Sunset asked him some questions about what he liked to eat, how fast he can run or how high he can jump, why he wears clothes every day and night, and asked other questions that relates to his species and culture. Once she was satisfied, she decided to keep the notes to herself, and then she took him over to the library.

“Sunset? Why are we here?” Bowen asked. Sunset rolled her eyes and sighed, “Because in order to be the the best of the best, like high above standards for example, you need to study, all the time if necessary and then that way , you will always be on the top and be better than anypony else!”

“But what about friends? You also need to spend time with them to be better also, because friends care for you, and they love you too. And hold a special place in your heart, like a family,” Bowen said. “My Mommy has delegates or other commoners as friends, even Commander Silver Spear.”

“Well, not everypony needs friends who are not as good as you,” Sunset said. “She only has her servants, and her guards. There’s a difference. Because I haven’t found anypony worthy enough to be considered my friend!”

“That’s because you’re taking it the wrong way,” Bowen said. “Oh, really?” Sunset asked, as Bowen knew in his heart that she was insane, but she was being a little bit nice to him. “I... I guess you’re right. I guess I’ll study hard, and grow up to. Be as cool as you... if it doesn’t take away my play time,” Bowen said.

“Good boy! Finally! I finally have somepony who actually understands and listens to me for once!” Sunset extended her hoof out and pulled him over for a half hug. “You know, I think you and I will get along just fine.”

Bowen smiled nervously, but he tried to hide how he truly felt about Sunset so that she wouldn’t notice. “Maybe if we try to get along by doing whatever either me or you want to do, maybe I can find something where you can consider me... your friend?”

“Yeah, I’ll think about it, but let’s try to be careful since it’s a little bit too soon to be thinking about that. So for now... to start, try reading these two books and see what you think when we compare our opinions next week. See you around!” Sunset said, and then left for her lessons. Bowen looked at her leaving the library, and then started thinking on what to do.

For the past following week, Bowen read every single book Sunset recommended for him to read, and even though it was very hard, it was obvious that her reading skills were now in a whole new other level, but he somehow wanted to be on Sunset’s good side, and have time to play with Flying Hope. With much more effort, he managed to finish every book or leave off on a few chapters so he can play with his best friend from early childhood, and it was somehow paying off.

One day, Sunset started to open more to him, as she started to tell him about why or how she didn’t have a family, how she grew up in the Canterlot Orphanage, and how nopony wanting to adopt her resented her heart, claiming she somehow knew she was destined for more greater things, until Celestia took her in and made her a student of her own.

He was so happy that they got to know each other well and little by little he started gaining her trust, but something inside him was saying that something was wrong with that filly, something dark. Over the past week, Bowen noticed something else about her: she was obsessed with something powerful hidden inside a secret room, but he didn’t know what it was.

One time, Sunset even once asked him to help her get inside that locked room, until they were caught by his mommy while trying to get the key to the door’s lock, until he made a swore promise to never do that again, and then Celestia told Sunset to never use him like that again.

The next couple of days, he would most of the time meet Sunset at the library for some study time or try some games that are at her standards including chess. Sometimes when they play chess, either Bowen or Sunset win the game.

Today, Sunset needed him to meet her there immediately, so he got dressed and got ready for the day. After breakfast, Bowen was walking over to the library, as he was sure she was already there before he got in.

When he entered the library, Bowen found Sunset reading another book, but he couldn’t see her face from behind. “Sunset? I’m here for our weekly meeting, and ready to discuss this week’s books,” he said, until he saw Sunset looking down. “Sunset? What’s the matter?”

“Bowen... I... I think... I might not be around here for much longer,” she replied. Bowen was suddenly shocked about what she said, “You’re leaving?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe, but I still don’t know or have all the answers, so I came here to say goodbye,” Sunset said. “No! This can’t happen!” Bowen said, hugging Sunset and crying on her shoulder. “I don’t want you to go! I don’t want you to leave me!”

“I’m sorry, Bowen. But it’s something I have to do. It’s my only option and it’s something that I have to do if I really want to achieve my true destiny,” she said, as they continued hugging.

“W-W-Will... W-Will I ever see you again?” Bowen asked. “You bet we will meet again, I mean we’re friends after all,” Sunset said, and then she hugged him again, and they kept hugging for several minutes, until it was time for her to leave.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you around,” Sunset said. “Remember, keep studying to become the best, and then you might accomplish something.” Bowen nodded, and then after one more hug, Sunset left him, and Bowen went back to the castle with a wagon full of new books Sunset recommended for him to read.

The next day, Bowen was waiting for Sunset at the library, but she never appeared. Bowen went to Celestia and asked her where Sunset was, but she told her son that Sunset ran away. She told him that she went to a very far away land, meaning she might never return, but Bowen knew she was lying because he wanted her to come back someday.

Celestia then told him why she ran off, and how it happened, until Bowen felt sorry for Sunset, and then he cried into his mother’s chest and hugged her neck as she hugged him back with her wing placed on him and then placed both her hooves around him. He had faith in Sunset, since she was destined for greater things because she was his second best friend.

Until then, it was the last time he saw her. The VERY last time.

Chapter IX: Saying Goodbye

After a year later since Sunset Shimmer ran away, Bowen felt sad that he would never see his second friend again, but he was hoping that she would be okay and is doing fine, but suddenly, Flying Hope came over to talk to him with a bowl of ice cream. “Hey, Bowen. I brought ice cream,” she said. Bowen took a spoon, “Thanks you, Flying.”

They then shared a few spoonfuls and enjoyed their treat. “I know she’s a little mean, but do you really miss her, Bowen?” Flying asked. “Yeah, I do. She was my second best friend and given me great advice and tried to study more, but I’m glad to still have you as my best friend,” Bowen said. “If only we could’ve gotten together, the three of us.”

“Yeah, I wish the same thing,” Flying said. Suddenly, they finished their ice cream and then decided to have a little sleepover to cheer up Bowen. Celestia came to check on her son, but her heart melted at what she saw. It was Bowen and Flying Hope having a sleepover on his bed. She then walked over and gently fixed the blankets and tucked them both underneath them to keep them warm for the night and went over to her room.

The next day, Bowen’s 7th birthday arrived, and he was glad to have his cousin Cadance, his foalsitter Sweet Rose, Philomena the phoenix, and Flying Hope, and especially the rest of the palace staff. After Bowen blew out the candles on his cake, everypony was given a slice, and then he received a lot of presents from each pony, but as always, Celestia’s was the best.

“Here you are, my sweet little boy. Happy birthday, sweetie,” Celestia said. Bowen opened it, and he saw a gold heart shaped pendant that had a picture of himself, Cadance, Flying Hope, Sweet Rose, and Celestia in a family picture inside on the right side. On the left side of the inside, an inscription said: “For you to know that Mommy loves you.”

He then hugged her on the neck and nuzzled his cheek on her fur, while Celestia hugged him back. She suddenly found out that he was still sad about Sunset leaving him, so she managed to comfort him once again.

One day, Flying Hope and Sweet Rose came over to the castle with sad and happy faces in between. Princess Celestia noticed this, and so did Bowen, who was sitting next to her on her throne by her side.

After explaining what bothered them both, Bowen suddenly began to break down with a sad heavy heart, “Y-You-You’re leaving me?”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m afraid so,” Sweet Rose replied sadly. “But don’t worry. We’ll never forget you.”

“No… No! You’re lying! YOU’RE LYING! THIS CAN’T HAPPEN!” Bowen shouted. “Bowen, calm down,” Sweet Rose said, as Bowen smacked her hoof. “NO! IT’S NOT FAIR!” He then ran out of the room crying and headed for his bedroom, until he slammed the door shut. Celestia and Cadance felt worried, and so did Sweet Rose and her daughter.

“Oh… poor little guy,” a guard said. “Yeah, I feel ya,” another said.

Celestia knew that her son needed comfort, so she decided to let him cool off for a little while until she was ready to talk to him.

Bowen spent the entire day in his room, feeling broken about his first best friend leaving, and may never be coming back, until he heard murmuring rumors about him, which made him sad and confused.

Later on, after realizing he was missing dinner, Celestia went over to Bowen’s door and knocked on it. “Bowen? Sweetie, are you in there?”

“Yes, mommy,” he replied sadly.

“Can I come in?” she asked.

“Sure. It’s unlocked,” He replied.

She opened the door and saw her son laying on his bed with his head buried in his pillow and hugging his plushies. She also saw that his pillow were covered in tear stains, and that his eyes were red and puffy from crying. She then gently laid on all four legs on the side of the bed and began to rub her left hoof across his back, until she let him lay down on her forelegs and hug one of her hooves.

“Why, mommy? Why do they have to go?” Bowen asked.

“I’m sorry, dear. But it happens to other ponies who need or are given better jobs somewhere else, so they usually move out if needed,” Celestia said. “But I don’t want to lose her, or Sweet Rose. I lost Sunset once, but I don’t want to lose them the same way,” Bowen said.

“I know, sweetie. I know,” Celestia said, as she rubbed her hoof against his side, until he got more worried. “Mommy? Is it true what other ponies think? Am I a monster?”

Celestia was shocked about what he asked, and then replied, “Oh, sweetie. Of course not. You’re not a monster. You have always never been one, and never will be.”

“But what if other fillies and colts make fun of me for what I am? What if Flying Hope and Sweet Rose forget about me? And… how can you love a monster like me?” Bowen asked, before she sat him up on the bed and hugged him against her chest until she looked at him in his eyes. “Never say that again, Bowen Solaris Mockingjay. I told you, you’re not a monster. You are a very sweet 7 year old boy with the heart of an angel. But you were scared.”

“I thought if they would move away, and if I made new friends, some ponies wouldn’t like me, and I would lose you forever if you sent me away. I couldn’t deal with it, mommy,” Bowen said with tears running down his face.

“Was it because of what those ponies back there were saying?” Celestia asked. Bowen nodded, and then he felt her lift him up so he can hug her chest and nuzzle with her neck. “Oh, my sweet little Bowen, you will never lose me, and I will never send you away. I will always be here, and nothing that anypony says will ever make me stop loving you. You’re my pride and joy. Ever since you became my son, you’ve brought so much happiness in my life, and others who love you as well, so never think of yourself as a monster. You were just thinking as a boy with sadness inside his heart. But nothing and I mean nothing will ever push me away from raising you.”

“Okay,” Bowen said, until he made a soft smile while nuzzling with her fur. “I love you, mommy.”

“I love you too, dear,” Celestia said, and then they continued their hug, before Bowen looked up at her, “Mommy, can I sleep with you?”

“Of course, my son,” she replied and then levitated him on her back and took him with her to her bedroom. When they got in, Celestia placed Bowen on her bed and then got on before laying flat, and then Bowen crawled over to his mother and then got underneath her forelegs and hugged her chest as he brought one of her pillows for his head to be comfy on. Celestia smiled warmly and gently kissed him on the forehead.

She would never dare to leave her son so selfishly, but she knew that once he would be all grown up, he would leave her, but she knew that she still had so much more time before that would happen.

“I promise that I’ll never let you go, my son. No matter how sad or hurt or angry you might feel, I will always be by your side. Now, sleep tight in your mother’s grasp. For I won’t let you fall too far away from me. You are my son, and will always be my son,” she said softly in a motherly tone, until she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

The next day, Flying Hope and Sweet Rose came over to say goodbye one more time before their train to Manehattan would arrive or leave without them both. They were both crying, and Flying was the most, because she went over to Bowen and hugged him for more than 10 minutes, as he hugged her back and never wanted to let her go. He loved her, since she was still his best friend.

After hugging Flying Hope, Bowen hugged Sweet Rose next, and she spoke to him quickly, “Now you be a good colt for me, okay? And maybe, just maybe, we’ll come back and visit you.” Bowen nodded and continued the hug as his tears stained her fur.

“Princess Celestia, it’s been an honor working for you,” she said. “It truly has, Sweet Rose. I promise that I’ll make sure that Bowen will never forget you both,” Celestia said. “Is it okay if I write through mail?” Bowen asked. “Of course, sweetheart. We’d love for you and our daughter to keep contact with each other through mail,” Sweet Rose said. “And don’t worry about Bowen. We’ll keep him safe,” Cadance said, as it was her turn to hug Bowen while he hugged her leg while looking up at his other two favorite ponies.

Sweet Rose nodded, and then she gave her daughter and Bowen picture frames of each other so that they can remember their times together. Bowen smiled warmly and then hugged Sweet Rose one more time.

Sweet Rose released the hug and kissed him on the forehead, and then alongside Flying Hope, they both got their bags ready and proceeded to head on over to the train station to catch their train to Manehattan.

When they left, some of Bowen’s spirit started breaking, but he tried to stay strong, willing that they would return to visit.

Later that night, Bowen then placed his picture of him with his best friend on his writing desk and then saw a box full of griffon quills and a small bottle of black ink. Until then, he promised to write to her anytime or day he wanted.

Chapter X: Making a New Friend: The Sparkle Family

After two weeks later, Bowen and Flying Hope have been keeping contact through mail. Even though Flying loves her new home, she would always tell Bowen how much she misses him, and he told her that he misses her too but he was happy that she’s doing fine, and was still hoping that sometime she and her family could come over to visit, or if he could go over to visit her in Manehattan, which sounded like an amazing place, except he’d have to wait until he’s old enough to explore more of Equestria.

The next day, Bowen got out of bed, and put his clothes on, but until he left the room, his mother looked down at him. “Hello there, dear. How are you this morning?” she asked. “I’m fine, Mommy,” Bowen replied.

“How about after breakfast, I take you to see the royal guards training camp, and we can meet the new recruit?” Princess Celestia asked. “Really?! You mean it?!” Bowen asked. Celestia giggled, and then she leaned over to kiss him gently on his forehead, “Yes, my son. I thought it would be a perfect day for you to meet the royal guards in training and maybe see how I like to keep them well worked out and organized in perfect shape.”

Bowen then got onto her back and they went to the dining hall for breakfast, as the plates consisted pancakes with mixed berries, whipped cream and fresh maple syrup. “They’re really good, Mommy,” Bowen said. “Thank you, sweetheart. I’m glad you like them,” Celestia said, as she enjoyed her pancakes as well. Suddenly, Bowen finished his plate.

“Are you finished, sweetie?” Celestia asked, until Bowen nodded in reply, and then when Bowen finished getting ready, they both went to the royal guards training camp to check on the recruiting guards that were training and practicing their fighting and defense skills. Bowen was amazed about how hard they were training to be guards for their princess.

Bowen then saw Captain Silver Spear up ahead, “Mr. Silver Spear!” He ran up to him and then gave the captain a hug, until Silver Spear hugged him back. “Hello there, Prince Bowen,” he said. “Good morning, Captain,” Princess Celestia said, as she placed Bowen on her back. “Good morning, your highness,” Silver Spear replied. “What brings you and the young prince out here?”

“I just wanted to show my son how I get your troops in top shape,” Princess Celestia said, until she saw one of the rookies training excellently with amazing confidence in his eyes. He was a unicorn stallion with white fur, streaked blue mane and tail, blue eyes, blue hooves, and he had a cutie mark of a dark blue shield with a pink star in the middle and three light blue stars on top.

“That must be one of the recent newest recruits,” Princess Celestia said. “You mean Shining Armor?” Silver Spear asked. “Can I meet him?” Bowen asked. “Of course, my boy. Come, let me introduce you to our other recruits before we get to him,” Silver Spear replied as he let Bowen ride on his back.

While the rookies were training, they suddenly heard their commanding officer speak up, “Attention!” The rookies lined up and then both Celestia and Bowen saw how well they were doing. “I’m really impressed with their efforts, captain,” she said. “Thank you, your highness. Now, do any of you remember why you’ve decided to sign up and join our ranks?” Silver Spear asked.

“To defend the princess and her son and be on guard, sir!” they all replied in unison. “Excellent. Now, which of you are willing to accept their duty if any of you have the guts to do it? But do any of you have what it takes?!” Silver Spear said. “Of course we do, sir!” they replied again, as their captain smirked. “Good. Glad you remember your sworn honor and duty. Now, I’d like you all to meet the princess, Celestia, and her son, Bowen Mockingjay, the Young Prince of Equestria.” The rookies saluted towards their majesties, and Bowen waved at them. “It’s okay, honey. I’m right here,” Celestia said.

“Before I dismiss you… If one of you is Shining Armor! Front and center!”

Shining Armor went over to the captain and saluted himself. “The rest of you, dismissed!” The rookies left, leaving only the captain, Shining Armor, Princess Celestia and her son.

“What can I do for you, sir?” Shining Armor asked. “It’s not what I need. It’s what she needs,” Silver Spear replied, leaving Princess Celestia to take care of the rest. “Shining Armor, I’d like you to meet my son, Bowen Mockingjay.”

“So, you’re the Young Prince, huh?” Shining Armor asked. Bowen nodded, “Y-Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hey, it’s okay. I won’t hurt you,” Shining said, as he ruffled his hair gently with his hoof. Bowen blushed and then giggled as he hid underneath his mother all cutely. “Shining, I was wondering if you could teach my son how to defend himself, and how to use these,” Celestia said, showing him Bowen’s wooden sword and shield from his 5th birthday. “I don’t think I have a problem with that,” Shining Armor said. “I may be a recruit, but I might be able to teach him the royal guard way.”

“Thank you, Shining Armor. But promise me you’ll be careful. Bowen’s very sensitive to this,” Celestia said. “I understand,” Shining said, until he looked down at Bowen and let him ride on his back. “Why don’t we get started? And we can do something fun afterwards?”

“Okay,” Bowen replied, and then Celestia and Silver Spear left to let them both get started.

After setting up for practice, Bowen got ready as he was equipped with his wooden sword and shield, and Shining Armor stood back to watch Bowen perform. “Okay, Bowen. I want you to watch how I use this sword with my magic, and then I want you to try it out, okay?” Shining Armor explained. “Okay,” Bowen said. “Alright, now watch and learn,” Shining said, as he used his magical aura from his horn and performed some sword maneuvers for Bowen to use as he used a hologram of a swordsman fighting against Shining Armor, and then Shining caught the hologram off guard and defeated him by delivering a blow.

“Wow!” Bowen said. “Okay, now you try. But I’m gonna let you try it out on this,” Shining said, as he brought out a training dummy and equipped it with a wooden sword and shield as well, and then he performed a magic spell to let it help Bowen learn how to fight.

Once Bowen was ready, he charged forward and swung his sword at the dummy, before it blocked his sword with its sword. Bowen then blocked the attack after raising his shield and then delivered a blow with his sword, and defended himself by using the same technique that Shining Armor used the sword with, until a few guards and the rookies watched him train harder, until Shining got tired and then let Bowen finish off the dummy by poking his sword on its chest.

“You’re dead! I win! I win!” Bowen happily said. “Great job, buddy,” Shining Armor said. “Thank you,” Bowen said, as he got onto Shining’s back and they went over to the castle but stopped for ice cream first. “Shiny, what kind of guard do you plan on being?” Bowen asked. “I was thinking Captain of the Royal Guard,” Shining Armor replied. “Really?!” Bowen asked. “Yep. But I’m gonna have to wait until I get a promotion, or if I get into lieutenant or sergeant or commander, you know, something that might suit me,” Shining Armor said. “Okay,” Bowen said. “Thanks for helping me.”

“Anytime, kiddo,” Shining Armor said, until he and Bowen saw Cadance and her friends walking over to the castle.

One was a pegasus mare with light gray fur, a brushed and two sided curled mane and tail with streaks of pale light grayish cerise, moderate rose, and brilliant crimson, light azure blue eyes and a cutie mark of a red brilliant-cut gemstone. Her name was Diamond Rose.

The other was a unicorn mare with light yellow fur, a pale light grayish cerulean mane and tail with moderate cyan streaks, light cerulean eyes, and a cutie mark of three cerulean brilliant-cut gemstones. Her name was Lemony Gem.

Shining Armor saw how beautiful Cadance was as he saw her eyes sparkling like crystals.

“Cadie!” Bowen said. “Bowen! How’s my sweet little cutie of a cousin?!” Cadance said, while hugging her favorite cousin, until she saw Shining Armor standing there. “Oh! Hello, I didn’t see you there.” He suddenly cleared his head and nervously giggled while blushing. “S-Sorry…” Shining Armor said. “Oh, it’s okay,” Cadance said, until her friends suddenly saw how cute Bowen looked.

“Aww... who’s this little cutie?!” Diamond Rose asked sweetly, as she flew over to Bowen and gently hugged him towards her chest while flying. “This is my little cousin Bowen... the Young Prince of Equestria,” Cadance said. “How come you’ve never told us?!” Diamond Rose replied while hugging the boy, before smothering his face with kisses.

“I promised my aunt to keep it a secret because other ponies might get suspicious,” Cadance replied.

“Yeah! He even trained me how to fight like a knight! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!” Bowen said, swinging a stick like it was a sword.

“Twice as cute!” Lemony Gem said. “Aww… that was so sweet of you,” Cadance said. “Aww, it was nothing really,” Shining Armor said, until Cadance got closer to him with a flirtatious look in her eyes. “No, really. I’m really glad you’re teaching my sweet cute little cousin how to defend himself. Thank you.” She then kissed Shining Amor on the cheek, causing him to blush a deeper shade of red.

“Bowen, I’d like you to meet my friends from school. This is Diamond Rose and Lemony Gem,” Cadance said. “It’s nice to meet you,” Bowen said. “It’s very nice to meet you too, sweetie,” Diamond Rose said, while she kissed his nose. “Diamond, you might want to let him breathe,” Lemony Gem said. “Oh, Lemony Gem, don’t be so sour! I’m just enjoying the moment!” Diamond Rose said, as she put him down before Cadance put Bowen on her back.

“We’re gonna head home, Cadance. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Diamond Rose said again. “Okay, girls. Goodnight,” Cadance said, as Bowen waved at them, until Lemony Gem waved back and Diamond Rose gave a blow kiss to him. “Goodbye, little prince!” they replied in unison, and then, both Cadance and Shining Armor took Bowen for some ice cream.

Inside Cadance’s bedroom, Bowen was drawing some pictures until he suddenly noticed that Shining couldn’t take his eyes off of Cadance.

“Do you like him, Cadie?” Bowen asked. “Yes, sweetheart. We’re in love,” Cadance replied. “How’d you meet him?” Bowen asked, as he sat on his cousin’s lap.

“We met this year in school. Except I was with a complete jerk named Buck Withers. He was so mean to Shining Armor and his friends. I noticed that he had feelings for me, which was very sweet, so I thought if I could get to know him and probably go to the formal with him, which we did. We even got named the prince and princess of the formal,” Cadance explained.

“I couldn’t resist that beautifulest face and that gorgeous mane of hers, and when I look at her, I see a spark in her eyes,” Shining Armor said, causing Cadance to blush. “By the way, Bowen? I also have a little sister who’s around your age. I’m sure you’ll get to meet her someday.”

Bowen nodded, and then he yawned and rubbed his eyes, until Cadance held him against her chest and let him rest his head on her neck. “Okay, sweetheart. Let’s get you into bed. I can read you a bedtime story.”

“Okay,” Bowen said, as he was really exhausted. “Shining, promise me you’ll treat Cadie like the beautiful lady she is? Because I like her when she’s around you better.”

“You can count on me, buddy. I’ll take care of her,” Shining replied. “Alright, sweetheart. Let’s go,” Cadance said as she walked Bowen to his bedroom.

One day, during his tutoring lesson with Professor Bookworm, Bowen was continuing with learning how to write letters and numbers with a quill pen and took his time. Until he finished the page he was on, there was suddenly an explosion that came from outside. He looked and saw a sonic rainboom. “Whoa!” he said, until he then saw a giant big purple dragon on a rooftop at his mother’s school. He was scared that his mother might be hurt, but Professor Bookworm comforted him with a hug, “Don’t worry, your highness. I’m sure she’ll be alright.” Bowen nodded, and then after everything was calmly taken care of, Bowen and the professor continued his tutoring until Celestia would return.

Later on, Bowen was finished with tutoring with Professor Bookworm, and then he went to see his mother, until she saw him entering the throne room, “MOMMY! YOU’RE OKAY!” He hugged both her legs and nuzzled with her fur. “Shhhhhh… Hush, my son. I’m fine. It was just an magical accident,” she said. “There’s also something I need to discuss with you.”

“What is it, Mommy?” Bowen asked. “Bowen, earlier today, I’ve met a little filly who passed a test for acceptance to my school for gifted unicorns. She’s also now my new faithful student, but I promise she’s not replacing Sunset Shimmer. She’s also very eager to meet you, so I let her come by tomorrow with her family to visit us and get a chance to meet you,” Celestia explained.

“Okay, Mommy,” Bowen said, and then he hugged his mother one more time and went to bed. “I promise you two will be great friends with each other,” she said, and then looked at her sister’s moon. “If only you were here to see how proud your little nephew is growing up into a true prince, sister.”

The next day, Bowen was sitting on his mommy’s back as she laid on her cushion in her bedroom, waiting for her new student and her family to arrive. She told her son to stay relaxed. Suddenly, a guard came in the room, “Princess Celestia, Prince Bowen, they are here. May I let them pass?”

“Yes, please,” Princess Celestia said. The guard nodded and exited the room.

Then, four ponies entered the room. Bowen saw Shining Armor, and the filly next to him who was his mom’s new student.

“Is that her, Mommy?” Bowen asked.

“Yes, sweetheart. Bowen, I’d like you to meet Twilight Sparkle and her family, Night Light, Twilight Velvet, and you recognize your friend Shining Armor,” Celestia said.

Bowen waved at the ponies, until he looked at his mother’s new student and her family. Twilight had light grayish lavender fur, and her mane was dark blue with violet and pink streaks along with her tail, and her eyes were purple and were really cute. Her cutie mark was a pink star with 5 little stars around it. She was so cute and like Sunset Shimmer, she seemed to be a hardcore student for his mother. Her dad had blue fur and a deep blue mane and tail, and her mother looked like her, except she had light gray fur and her mane was a striped mix of light violet and white in a straight curl.

In Bowen’s eyes, they seemed to be like a happy family, and it helped him relax more. “Ummm… h-hello,” he said nervously.

Twilight immediately went over there, and then she jumped and stood in front of him.

“Wow! What are you? Are you an ape or monkey that evolved from them? If that’s the case, where’s your…” she was then brought back by her mother’s aura.

“Be nice. That’s no way to talk to the prince, Twilight sweetheart. Now say you’re sorry, young lady,” Twilight Velvet said softly but sternly.

Twilight, realizing she scared Bowen as he was hugging Celestia’s neck and burying his head underneath her mane, went over to the little prince feeling embarrassed about what she said to him, and spoke up, “Sorry, Prince Bowen. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just excited to meet you.”

“That’s alright. You just reminded me of someone I once knew, but you’re okay. I’m glad to meet you too,” Bowen said, as he went over to the filly and gave her a hug, until he looked at her again. “And I’m not actually an ape or a monkey. Uhh… Mommy, what creature am I again?”

“You’re a human, sweetie,” Celestia said. “Yeah, a human,” Bowen replied. “Please don’t be sad.”

“Thank you, Bowen,” Twilight said, as she hugged him again and giggled with glee while walking back over to her parents.

“My, my. You truly have an adorable little gentlecolt here, your highness,” Twilight Velvet said while ruffling Bowen’s hair with her hoof. Celestia nuzzled him with her muzzle, and then replied, “You can say that again, Velvet. He is my pride.”

Bowen blushed like a tomato, and then felt Twilight Velvet wrap her hoof around him and bring him over for a hug. After that, the Sparkle family joined Celestia, Bowen and Cadance for some brunch.

After brunch, Celestia was talking with Twilight’s parents, along with Shining and Cadance, Bowen and Twilight went over to his bedroom hang out.

“Okay. So this is my room, and this is my bed,” Bowen said. “Wow, it’s huge and… full of stuff,” Twilight said, until she immediately noticed Bowen’s book collection. “Wow! Are those books yours?”

“Mmhmm,” Bowen nodded.

“So… you like to read?” Twilight asked.

“Sometimes, but I usually like to play games with my friends,” Bowen said. “I had a good friend and she taught me until I came to enjoy it a lot.”

“Great! I like to read too! A lot!” Twilight said. “After all, knowledge is usually everything!”

“Wow! You even almost sound like my second best friend. Except she was a unicorn like you and really liked to study a lot,” Bowen said. “Really? Well, thanks,” Twilight blushed. “Is it okay if I ask you some questions?”

“Sure,” Bowen said. “Besides, you’re like my old friend, always looking for knowledge, and I think I like you as my new friend already.”

Twilight blushed again, considering the fact that she didn’t have many friends, in fact she didn’t have any friends at all. “Thanks. I… I like you too.”

“Twilight? Do you want to be friends with me?” Bowen asked. “Sure,” Twilight replied, and then they did their question session while having a bowl of ice cream, and then they played a board game for fun, and read a few books.

Author's Note

Looks like Bowen has made another friend! How cute! :pinkiehappy: :raritystarry:

Chapter XI: Morning Lesson

The next morning, Bowen woke up and then saw the time which said 6:30 am. Bowen then ran over to his mother’s bedroom to wake her up.

“Mommy! Mommy! Come on, Mommy, we gotta go. Wake up,” he said, as he entered the room. He then ran over to her bed and climbed up and carefully untucked some of her blankets to get closer, but she kept snoring. “Mommy? Mommy,” he said disappointingly, until she moved on her bed and snuggled with her blankets.

“Mommy? Come on, Mommy,” Bowen said as he tugged her head to get up, but he rolled towards the end of the bed. Ignoring her son, Bowen butted her on the neck, until she woke up and sleepily eyes her son. “You promised,” Bowen said, as his mother saw his impatience as he gave her the puppy eyes.

Celestia rubbed her hoof on his head, and then looked at her clock realizing it was time to raise the sun, “Okay, okay. I'm up, I'm up.”

“Yeah!” Bowen said as he got off the bed. Celestia then yawned and stretched herself. After Bowen got dressed, he got onto her back as they went over to the dining hall for breakfast, and after they finished eating, they both went to the balcony outside the throne room and then Bowen watch his mother’s sun rise.

“Look, Bowen. Everything that the light touches is our kingdom,” Celestia said. “Wow.. You rule all of that?” Bowen asked.

“Yes. An alicorn’s time as ruler usually rises and falls like the sun everyday, depending upon the nearest century. One day, Bowen, the sun will set on the eve of that time of year, and will rise with you as the new prince,” she said. “And this will all be mine?” Bowen asked.

“Everything, but it belongs to nopony, but it will also be yours to protect. A great responsibility. We will rule the rest of Equestria together as a family, when you turn 10,” Celestia said. “Everything the light touches. Those mountains, the waterfalls, those hills, those trees… the Whitetail Woods, the Everfree Forest… and… what about that shadowy place?” Bowen asked. “Those are other kingdoms beyond Equestria. You must never go there, Bowen,” Celestia said.

“But I thought a prince can do whatever he wants. Take any territory and make peace with them,” Bowen said, as Celestia smirked at him. “Oh, there’s more to being a prince than getting your way all the time. While others search for what they can take... a true prince or princess searches for what he or she can give. Besides, you still have a lot to learn.”

“There’s more?” Bowen asked as he heard his stomach grumbling, as Celestia giggled. “Bowen, of course. Come. Let me show you.”

Outside the castle, Princess Celestia took Bowen outside, as they continued with their lesson, as Celestia took him near the Whitetail Woods and saw a herd of deer leaping and running to another part of the forest.

“Everything you see exists together, in a delicate balance. As a prince, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures in Equestria from the crawling beetle to the leaping deer, but beware of most other creatures that are extremely dangerous including the manticore, chimera, and especially the Timberwolf.”

After , Bowen asked, “But, Mommy, don't I eat the deer?”

“No, sweetheart, you don’t. I’ve put a strict order of your diet for both meat and vegetables so that you can stay strong and very healthy. I know it’s harsh, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become part of the grass and the deer eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life,” Celestia said.

“Wow…” Bowen said, as he started eating his second donut. “Mommy, do you think other ponies out there will like me?”

“I’m sure they will, sweetie. You have an amazing personality that nopony can hate. You are very gentle and wise just like me,” Celestia replied. “Mommy, do you think I’ll make a great prince?” Bowen asked.

“I do, my son. I do. You will be the best Young Prince Equestria has ever seen. Besides, other ponies in Canterlot respect me as well. When you’re at the proper age, we’ll make sure that others in our other kingdoms will get to know you,” Celestia said. “I promise that I will always be there to protect you until you’re grown up soon enough. You are bound for great things, Bowen. I know you will do great things and I will be by your side always.”

“Thank you, Mommy. I love you,” he said as he hugged her head and softly stroked her mane. “I love you too, my little prince,” she said.

“Your highness!” said a voice. It was Captain Silver Spear with two guards. “What is it, Captain?” Celestia asked. “Timberwolves in the Whitetail Woods! They’re attacking a herd of deer, and a tour group from Ponyville!” Silver Spear said. “Send out a rescue party immediately. I’m coming along as well,” Princess Celestia said, until she saw a female unicorn guard. “Guard, take Bowen back home to the castle.”

“Aww… Mommy, please, can I come?” Bowen asked. “No, sweetheart,” Celestia said, as she kissed him on the forehead and went with Silver Spear and the calvary.

“I never get to go anywhere,” Bowen said sadly, as he climbed up on the guard mare’s back. “Don’t worry, little prince. You’ll fit in someday when you’re older,” the guard mare said, as she took Bowen back to the castle as the boy rode on her back.

Author's Note

Special thanks to Dinoman213 for coming up with this idea.

Chapter XII: Being Brave

During the afternoon, Cadance was brushing her mane and tail before braiding them again, and Blueblood was sitting there reading a book. Suddenly, Bowen entered the room quietly and without them looking tried to touch Cadance’s beautiful tail.

“If you wish to get her attention, little squire, try showing some dignity towards her respectfully and greet her with a proper manner,” Blueblood said, as he saw his cousin come in. “I know how to be stealthy, cousin Blueblood,” he said, until he grumbled to himself. “Why don’t you run off to your den? We don’t have time to foalsit today,” Blueblood said, until Cadance glared at him. Bowen then felt Cadance stroking his hair with her hoof, and then she smiled at him, “So, what’s gotten my sweet and cute little cousin in a good mood?”

“I’m gonna be prince of Equestria when I turn 10!” Bowen said. “Is that so? That’s nice,” Cadance said, while braiding her mane and tail back into her ponytails. “Oh, goody,” Blueblood said. “So, what happened today?” Cadance asked.

“My Mommy just showed me our entire kingdom, and we’re gonna rule it all! As a family! Isn’t that cool? Hehehehe,” Bowen laughed. “Well, I’m flattered that you’ll be a fine prince like you are today,” Cadance said sweetly, until Bowen sat next to her side and hugged her. “Yes, and forgive me for not leaping in joy or showing some respectful dignity towards you. Sudden case of bad luck, you know,” Blueblood said sarcastically. “Hey, Cadie? If I’m prince, will that still make you a princess too?” Bowen asked. “Of course, Bowen sweetie. I’ll always be a princess,” Cadance said. “And cousin Blueblood? What would that make you?” Bowen asked.

“I don’t know, a monkey’s uncle or papa?” Blueblood replied sarcastically. “You’re funny sometimes,” Bowen said while giggling. “You have no idea,” Blueblood said.

“So, Aunt Celestia showed you the whole kingdom of Canterlot?” Cadance asked as Bowen was on her back. “Everything!” Bowen said. “We even saw a herd of deer prancing through the Whitetail Woods.”

“That’s pretty swell,” Cadance said.

“Perhaps she never told you about those other kingdoms beyond our borders of Equestria?” Blueblood asked. “No. She said I can’t go near them,” Bowen said. “Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry. We just want you to be safe,” Cadance said, nuzzling her head against him for a hug. “And she’s absolutely right, it’s far too dangerous for a smaller creature like you to be playing around,” Blueblood said. “He has a point you know. Some of those griffons in Griffonstone might try to pick a fight, but those dragons in the Dragon Lands mare mighty angry beasts,” Cadance said. “Dragons?! Whoa!” Bowen said.

“Oh, dear. I’m afraid we’ve said too much and spoiled your clever little brain already. Though I suppose you'd have found out sooner or later...you being the Young Prince and all,” Blueblood said.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. He’s just being silly,” Cadance said. “Well, I’m brave. I can take them!” Bowen said as he stood up like a true knight. “Maybe when you’re older enough,” Cadance said as she giggled. “Oh! Bowen, by the way. I’ve invited Shining Armor and his sister, Twilight to meet us both for a picnic at the park.”

“I can come?!” Bowen asked excitedly. “Of course,” Cadance replied. “In fact, I’ve got this basket ready, so why don’t we head on over now?”

“Okay!” Bowen said happily as he got onto the alicorn’s back and then looked at Blueblood. “Aren’t you coming, cousin Blueblood?”

“It’s Prince Blueblood, and I’m not attending to some picnic with lowlife commoners,” Blueblood replied jealously. “Or the likes of you.”

Cadance gave a stern look at Blueblood and levitated the book from his hooves and smacked him with it, “WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?!”

“Because I don’t like your attitude, mister! Bowen may not be a pony, and I may be a princess, and you may be a prince, but our little cousin is twice the prince you’ll ever be! And those lowlifes are happen to be both Aunt Celestia’s student and Bowen’s personal training guard, and Twilight’s big brother,” Cadance replied, until she felt Bowen hugging her neck and stroking her fur. “Now I suggest you think about what you’ve said about our subjects, because if me or Aunt Celestia catch you with that tongue of yours, she may remove your status for good.”

“Fine. Be with that filthy ape for all I care!” Blueblood said angrily, as Cadance and Bowen walked over to the park for their picnic.

Meanwhile, Shining Armor and Twilight were waiting for Bowen and Cadance to appear. “I’m so bored! When will they get here! I was excited to play with both him and you again today!” Twilight said.

“Take it easy, Twily. They’ll be here. It just takes time,” Shining Armor replied. Suddenly, they saw Cadance trotting over with the picnic basket in her aura and Bowen riding on her back.

“Hi, Shiny. Hi, Twilight,” Bowen said. “Hey, little guy,” Shining Armor said, until he looked at Cadance. “Hey, Cadance. How are you?”

“I’m fine, Shining,” she replied, until Shining smelled an aroma from her mane. “Is that new mane spray?” he asked. “Nope. Still the same one,” Cadance said. “But my cousin usually enjoys it when I let him play with my mane or my tail.” She then let Bowen off her back.

“CADANCE!” Twilight jumped over to her and they both did their chant.

“Sunshine, sunshine! Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” The foalsitter and filly laughed after Twilight hugged Cadance’s neck while she returned the hug. “Oh! Hi, Bowen,” Twilight said. “Hey, Twilight,” Bowen replied.

“I heard you’re going to be prince of Equestria when your 10th birthday comes up,” Shining Armor said. Bowen nodded, and then Shining ruffled his hair with his hoof. “I’m proud of you, bud.”

“Why don’t we get moving while the food’s still fresh?” Cadance asked, and then they all went to a calm and good spot in the park near the woods to set up the picnic.

Shining and Cadance set up and extended a big cloth on the ground, and then Cadance removed all the things out of the basket, which included crustless sandwiches, sliced and clean apples, carrot sticks, a box full of cupcakes and small boxes of juice, and they started eating.

“Hey, Bowen. I’m not trying to hurt your feelings or scare you, but I know you’re Princess Celestia’s son, right?” Twilight asked. “Uh-huh,” Bowen replied. “So, do you know or remember how you got here? Or who your real parents are? Or where you’re from?” Twilight asked.

Bowen then felt sad realizing he couldn’t remember where he originally came from, “I… I don’t… I don’t know… where or who my real family…” He then stopped eating his sandwich and started to break down with watering eyes to the red and white plaid cloth.

“You know, Twilight… until you asked me that, I never even have been feeling worried about who I really am or anything about my real home… until now,” he sniffed his nose and wiped a tear with his hand. “I never even knew who my real parents were or how humans live, or what happened to make me end here where I’m the only one,” he then closed his eyes and sobbed.

“Twily, you shouldn’t have asked him that!” Shining Armor said angrily to his little sister. “But I just wanted to know if he did or didn’t know anything!” Twilight replied as she began to cry as well.

“I don’t wanna hear your excuses, little filly! Well, you should’ve thought about it before you made him cry! So apologize right now!” Shining glared.

“Shining!” Cadance yelled at her boyfriend, making him realize that he scared his little sister and looking down feeling ashamed.

“Sorry, it’s just… I don’t like seeing Bowen looking… like this… ever since he lost two of his friends,” Cadance then turned to Bowen as she saw him underneath her chest hugging both sides of her belly, and then she lifted his sad face up with a hoof, and kissed his forehead and hugged him again by holding him with both hooves. “Bowen, look at me in the eyes,” the pink alicorn said with a soft and sweet motherly tone. Bowen moved his eyes to meet Cadance’s eyes.

“Ever since you came here, you’ve been a part of Equestria as any other pony had, and this is always going to be your home, and we’ll always be your friends and family, and we’ll always love you no matter what anypony else says,” The young human smiled with tears of happiness as he sniffed his nose and then moved his arms and wrapped them around her neck to hug Cadance as she hugged him back.

“You always know what to say to make me happy,” Bowen said. Cadance giggled softly and then released him softly while holding him in her hooves, “Because I know you too well, Bowen. I’m sure you’ll find the answers you’re looking for soon enough.”

“I’m sorry, Bowen. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Twilight said. “It’s okay, Twilight. I forgive you,” Bowen said, as he then hugged Twilight.

“Well, now that we’ve eaten our food, what should we do now?” Cadance asked. “YOU BRING IT!” Twilight jumped onto her big brother, touched his body and ran.

“Oh, I am so gonna get you this time, little filly! Because you are so in for it!” Shining Armor as he stood up and swung his front legs, and then ran after his little sister.

“Cadie, can I go play with them?” Bowen asked. “Mmhmm. Go ahead and have fun,” Cadance replied, as she gently nudged him to join their game, and then Bowen ran over to the two siblings and hopped onto Twilight’s back. Shining suddenly ran out of breath, so he stopped to catch his breath and then suddenly saw that the kids were gone. “Uh… Twily? Bowen?”

Bowen and Twilight suddenly got lost and didn’t see Shining Armor chasing them. “Where’re Shiny and Cadie?” Bowen asked. “I think we’ve lost them,” Twilight replied.

Suddenly, they tumbled down from a cliff and teleported accidentally as Twilight’s horn lit up, and then they landed onto each other. Bowen then saw something up ahead as he got out from underneath Twilight. “Uh… Twilight? Where are we?” Bowen asked. “It looks like some kind of swamp… in the Everfree Forest,” Twilight said.

“I… I think we should go back. My Mommy says it’s dangerous to be in territories like this,” Bowen said. “Don’t worry. I’ll find us a way out through this place, but a safer route,” Twilight said. “Okay…” Bowen said, as he got onto Twilight’s back and then the two friends made their way through the Everfree Forest.

As they walked by, they saw a whole pile of bones and skeletons laying across the ground. “Are those… b-b-bones?” Bowen asked. “I… I… I think so,” Twilight replied feeling scared, until they were suddenly lost in the Flame Geyser Swamp. “I don’t know if there is a way out, Bowen. We might be lost.” Suddenly, a flaming geyser popped with boiling gas.

“Well, look at this…” said a hissing voice. “We weren’t expecting guests today. Would you two... like to stay for dinner?”

“Yeah, stay for dinner. ‘Cause you look like a midnight snack!” said a growling voice.

It suddenly appeared as a chimera, consisting the front body and head of a tiger, the head and back legs of a goat, and its tail was a green snake with red eyes.

“Twilight, what is that?” Bowen asked. “A chimera,” Twilight replied.

“Now, this is a meal I've waited my whole life for. What an unexpected treat, to eat the son of a princess of Equestria,” The tiger said. “And he has a little filly with him. Little fillies also taste good!” the goat head said.

“You can’t do anything to me! ‘Cause I’m the young prince of Equestria!” Bowen said. “Actually, she can,” Twilight said. “He’s telling me what to do. His mother’s strength flickering inside. I wonder... how all that bravery will taste,” the snake said.

“Can’t you just let us go?! This was a terrible mistake! We’re just trying to find a way back to Canterlot! Because if you do this, you’ll be trialed by Princess Celestia herself!” Twilight said.

“We’ve never been at war with ponies of Equestria, but now let’s see how the royal bloodline tastes!” The tiger said, as the chimera started chasing Bowen and Twilight. “Don’t let them get away!” The snake said as it kept chomping its jaws to bite Twilight’s tail.

Twilight then tripped, “BOWEN!” He turned around and saw the chimera getting closer until Bowen smacked it with a wooden branch, and then they ran again.

All of a sudden, Bowen and Twilight lost the chimera, and ended up on a dead end away from the flaming geysers, until it came back.

“Well… looks like we’ve got a pile of fresh meat waiting for us,” The snake said. The chimera prepared to charge at them, until Twilight and Bowen screamed, “HELP!”

Suddenly, a bright golden yellow light that shined like the sun appeared, and then appeared Princess Celestia shooting lasers from her horn and stood in front of the children to protect them, as she shot another laser but as a beam to draw the creature back. “Mommy!” Bowen said as he hugged her left back leg and nuzzled with it, as Twilight stood by him. Celestia covered them both with her wing, and glared at the chimera lighting up her horn as it was fully charged, “If you ever come near my son again...”

“No, princess. Never. Never again,” the snake said, as the tiger and goat lowered their heads in unison. “You’ve been warned, chimera,” Princess Celestia then saw the chimera go away, and then she looks down at Bowen hugging her leg for comfort, and then she nuzzled her muzzle with him for a hug. She then lowered her neck down so he can climb on her back and then the three of them went back to Canterlot together.

On the way back, as it started getting dark, the three made it back to the castle alive, and Twilight reunited with her family as she explained how it happened, and then they went home.

Bowen went to his room to cool off, and hugged his plushies to stay calm. Suddenly, a guard knocked on his door, “Prince Bowen? Your mother wants to see you in the throne room at once.”

Bowen got up and walked over to the throne room, but he didn’t see Celestia on her chair, and as he went to find her, he saw her outside the huge balcony and raising the moon. He went over to her and then stood by the balcony, before Celestia brought him towards her legs for a hug, and then she let him hug her hoof.

Celestia closed her eyes, and then looked down at her son, “Bowen, I’m very disappointed in you.”

“I… I know,” Bowen said, and then Celestia continued. “You could’ve been killed. You had me worried sick. And what’s worse, you put yourself and Twilight in danger.”

Bowen started to break down and then spoke up, “We were lost. We didn’t know where to go. I was scared, but I tried to be brave like you.”

Celestia then sat down, and draped one of her wings over him, “Oh, Bowen. I’m not mad. But I’m so proud of what you learned today. Sweetheart, being brave is sometimes a good thing, and it’s okay to be scared, even if you get lost in somewhere you’re not sure where you are.”

“But… But you’re not scared of anything,” Bowen said. “Well… I was today,” Celestia replied. “You were?” Bowen asked.

“Yes. I was afraid I might lose you, and I never wanted that to happen. I made a sworn promise to protect you,” Celestia said. “I’m glad you had feelings too,” Bowen said, as Celestia nodded. “But… you know what?” Bowen asked. “Hmm?” Celestia asked. “I think that chimera was even scared,”. Bowen said.

“That’s because nopony will ever threaten your mom. Come here, sweetheart,” Celestia said, and then they both hugged each other, and then she started tickling Bowen with her hooves, and then blew a raspberry on his belly, until Bowen pounced onto her and then he sat on her shoulders and held onto her horn and mane.

“Mommy?” Bowen asked. “Yes, dear?” Celestia asked. “I love you,” Bowen said. “I love you too, my sweet little prince,” Celestia replied. “We’ll always be together, right?” Bowen asked. “Always,” Celestia replied and then she felt Bowen kiss her horn, until she stood up and let Bowen sit on her back. “Bowen… let me tell you something that my father once told me and your Auntie Luna. Look at the stars. The great rulers of the past, who were unicorns and alicorns, look down on us from those stars.”

“Really?” Bowen asked as he looked at the stars in awe. “Yes. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those legendary ponies will always be there to guide you. And so will I,” Celestia replied, and then they gazed at the stars before they would head to bed.

Chapter XIV: Unknown Nightmares (Part 2)

“Well, it was a good match, right, Shining?” Bowen looked to his friend with a smile.

“Yes…of course… or at least it would be if you hadn’t kicked that ball clear to the moon!” Shining Armor said in a jealously silly tone.

“Hey! I was trying to kick it with effort! And in the end, our team won!” Bowen said, while hugging Shining’s neck.

“Hehehehe, you’re right, buddy, but I guess it’s easy to win a hoofball match when a player in your team is a human that was almost towards the sportsmanship of anypony that’s over his age,” Shining praised him, while Bowen replied with a giggle.

“Thanks, but those defenders on the other team were really scary,” Bowen said, until Shining then laughed. “As long as you have me and other ponies that care for you, nothing bad will ever happen. That I promise you.” Bowen nodded, until they stopped when finally reached the castle’s entrance.

“Bye, Shining. Thanks for hanging out with me today, and can you tell your family that I said hi?” Bowen said.

“Sure thing, kiddo. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Shining replied, leaving for home.

Bowen then entered the castle. It was late afternoon and he was tired after all the day that he had, except he wasn’t really hungry because he already ate lunch with Shining Armor and other ponies in the park, but in a reserved private area. They played hide and seek, horseshoe throwing, went on the playground including the swings, and of course had their hoofball match at the high school stadium, so Bowen had spent half the day outside of the castle.

“I hope that Mommy won’t get angry for this,” Bowen said when he was already inside the castle, then he remembered that nightmare from earlier.

“I have tell her about the nightmare… maybe she might know something,” Bowen said, as he started to look for his mother. First, he went to the throne room, but it was empty.

Bowen knew his mother very well. At this time of the day, there could be only three places where she can be: the throne room, her bedroom and the meeting hall where she always was meeting with leaders of other countries in Equestria, important ponies or delegates in general.

“Let’s see… Oh! Maybe she’s in her bedroom reading her books!” Bowen then moved on to Celestia’s bedroom, but instead of her there, there were two royal guards standing near the bedroom’s doors.

“Excuse me! Do you know where my Mommy is?” Bowen asked being friendly.

“Her highness is in the meeting hall, Prince Bowen, but you shouldn’t interfere with her right now because she is in an important meeting and she gave orders of not to be disturbed until the meeting ends,” One of the guards replied in a serious and direct tone.

“Oh… well… ok thanks.” After hearing that, and understanding their orders from the princess, Bowen then walked to the meeting hall. He didn’t care about what the guard said, it was very important for him to tell her about his nightmare, so that she could try to do something that might make him feel better and fully calmed and relaxed.

Bowen finally reached the meeting hall’s door, but there were two guards in front of it holding spears and looking completely concentrated on their watching.

“Umm, excuse me, could you, if you don’t mind, let me enter the meeting room?” Bowen asked, smiling and in a soft shy tone.

“We’re sorry, young sir, but there is an important meeting inside and we are not allowed to let anypony to get in,” One of the guards said with confidence to the human kid, who was getting curious about all this “important meeting” thing.

“But I need to tell something to my Mommy! And it’s important too!” Bowen said while doing puppy dog eyes. The guard sighed and replied.

“You can wait here until your mother ends her meeting, but you can’t enter.”

“Well…. ok” Bowen sighed in defeat and stayed there with the two guards. He then looked up to the one that talked, until the kid smiled and then spoke.

“Can… Can I ask you something?” Bowen said to the guard.

“Well umm… yes, of course you can, sir,” the guard responded while feeling slightly confused.

“Why are nearly all the royal guards white with a blue mane and tail or brown with a white mane and tail? And there are mares in different colors? I just don’t understand how you show up in different colors,” Bowen asked.

“Well… I…umm….we….you know sir, the truth is that…” Before the guard could answer, the door opened revealing a few delegates from other cities in Equestria.

The mares wore dresses or fancy shirts and scarves, and had necklaces, neck chokers and earrings, and also many fancy hats. The stallions had sweaters, fancy shirts and vests, or just wore lawsuits with or without any hats on their heads.

Bowen was looking at them with fear as he stood behind a guard. One mare suddenly looked at Bowen with confusion as she then spoke, “What is that?”

“It appears to be a child,” a stallion said.

Then another figure appeared behind the others. This time, it was Celestia who looked to her son with a motherly smile.

“Oh! Hello, Bowen. I haven’t see you at all in the day,” she said.

“Hi, Mommy. I was looking for you to tell you… something” Bowen said with a shy tone to his mother.

“Well, I just had finished my meeting, so we can talk now, sweetie,” The delegates looked at Celestia with curious interest.

“This is….your son, princess?” another mare asked inquisitively. Celestia nodded silently and replied.

“Of course, his name is Bowen. Bowen Mockingjay. The Young Prince of Equestria.”

“But…. it’s not a pony,” said another stallion.

“He’s a human,” Celestia said, with a wise and soft tone.

“Interesting….” the first mare looked to Bowen and lowered her head until her nose was near of the kid’s face. Bowen looked at her nervously, until the other delegates were suddenly shocked at how cute he was.

“Little human, you…. are pretty adorable for somepony as young as you,” the mare giggled with a kind tone and rubbed Bowen’s golden ash blonde hair with a hoof. The human kid then nervously blushed, until Celestia levitated her child up and held him on her hoof as he then scooted himself against her chest and placed his hands on her neck.

“I’m sorry, everypony. But I assure you that once my son reaches his 10th birthday, I will be happy to explain everything, so for now, could you keep this a secret?” she said.

They all replied with many agreeable comments, and then took their leave.

“Guards, thank you for watching my son,” Celestia said.

“It was a pleasure, your majesty,” one guard replied, as the other nodded.

Bowen looked up to Celestia, who noticed something rare on her son’s face.

“You look sad, dear. Is something wrong?” Celestia put her hoof gently underneath Bowen’s chin.

“I… I wanted to tell you something..” Bowen looked directly to his mother’s beautiful magenta eyes.

“Don’t worry, Bowen. You can tell me any kind of problem you got. I’m your mother and it’s my responsibility to take care of you,” Celestia smiled and rubbed carelessly Bowen’s hair with her hoof.

“C-Can we go to your bedroom… a-a-an-and t-t-talk about it?” Bowen asked.

“Of course. Here, climb on,” Celestia replied, lowering herself down to let her son climb onto her back, and then she got back up and began her way to her bedroom.

Celestia and Bowen then walked through every hall inside the castle as she started down the corridors into her bedroom, until she looked back at her son looking concerned about him.

“Bowen, do you want to tell me what happened today, dear?” she asked.

“I… I don’t w-want to r-right now,” Bowen sobbed as he rubbed his arms.

“Bowen, it’s alright. I’m here now,” Celestia said, sitting with her son on her pillow. “You can always talk to me whenever something bad happens to you, dear.”

“Well, earlier today, while I was reading a book, I had a nightmare while I was napping,” Bowen said.

“Oh, sweetie…” Celestia said, while looking at the fear in her son’s eyes.

She then took a blanket for him and then wrapped it around his small form before placing her hooves back onto her child, “Now, calm down and tell me what happened in your nightmare.”

Bowen then calmed himself down and started explaining in a calmer tone, “In my nightmare, I saw a village attacked by human soldiers that almost looked like our guards, but one of them I saw looked like an emperor riding a pony. After he encountered me in the forest, he attacked me, but then I fell into a wormhole and then heard Nightmare Moon’s cackling and then got swallowed by… by a… a dragon.”

“I see…” Celestia said while rubbing his shoulder with her hoof. “So, what else happened today?”

“I played hoofball with Shining Armor today, but after we got back, I thought about asking you if you knew something about the person in my nightmare,” Bowen replied.

“Is that why you wanted to see me, sweetie?” Celestia asked. “Uh-huh,” Bowen answered, as Celestia kept rubbing his back and then lifted his head up to give him a tender kiss on the forehead.

“Well, I don’t have the answers for you, but I will find something,” Celestia said.

“But, mommy, I….”

“Bowen, I promise you everything is now in good hooves, so don’t worry about it,” Celestia said, as Bowen nodded feeling embarrassed, until she stroked his back. “Now, why don’t we have a nice dinner, and maybe give you a quick bath and have a nice cuddle before bed?” Bowen nodded in reply and went to the dining hall for dinner.

After a plate full of steamed vegetables and pasta for Bowen and a nice salad for Celestia, she then took Bowen back to her bedroom and entered the bathroom to give her son a quick bath.

She then opened the door and entered the bathroom and closed it behind her. Celestia then set him down by the bathtub and then comforted him with a warm hug against her chest until she used her magic and turned the water faucet on. She then reached a hoof into the tub to check the water temperature, making sure it was warm enough for the little child to bathe in, and then nodded to herself that it was just right. She then let the water run until it was at a safer height for Bowen to get washed up enough.

While holding her wing over the small child on her right hoof, she opened one of the cabinets, levitating a towel, a soft bristled brush, a bottle of liquid body soap, and a bottle of shampoo, and then placed the items on the sink so she wouldn’t lose sight of them. She then looked down at Bowen feeling nervous about his nightmare today as he laid his head against her chest and clinging to her neck, and she rubbed his back some more with her wing for comfort.

She leaned her head down to gently nuzzle at the top of his head, and then looked down at him, “Are you ready to get into the tub, sweetheart?” She then gave him a warm smile, until Bowen nodded in reply. He then unwrapped his arms from around her neck, feeling her lift her wing over him so he wouldn’t shiver, and then she closed her eyes so he can get unchanged. After he took is dirty and mud stained clothes off, he then spoke up, “Mommy, I’m ready.”

Celestia nodded and then carefully levitated her son into the bathtub and opened her eyes. “Is it how you like it, sweetie? Nice and warm?” Bowen nodded, “Yes, Mommy. It is very warm and it feels nice.” A small smile crept across his face.

“That’s good, dear. Now let’s get your mane washed first, shall we?” Celestia asked, until she let out a soft giggle as she magically levitated a small pitcher over to the tub, scooping some of the water into it. “Okay, Bowen, just close your eyes for a little bit,” she spoke with a motherly tone as Bowen nodded, closing his eyes. She gave a blushing smile, while very gently pouring the water over his hair so that she wouldn’t startle him.

He let out a cute little giggle as he felt the warm water wash over his hair, causing Celestia to giggle herself. She then applied some shampoo to the top of his scalp and very carefully placed her hooves on top his head. “Okay, sweetheart. Time for scrubbing bubbles.”

She smiled warmly as she carefully started to knead the shampoo into his hair, while he was feeling a few tangles against her hooves. The poor child looked like he was having a hard time. She then gently rubbed the sides of his scalp in a circular motion, making sure every bit of his hair was covered with the shampoo.

“Okay, Bowen, time to rinse.” She gently rubbed the side of his arm with a hoof.

Celestia levitated the pitcher into the tub to scoop some water again. She then placed her hoof tenderly on the child’s head, and as she slowly poured the water over his hair, she used her hoof to rub at his head to help rinse out the shampoo more efficiently. After completely rinsing Bowen’s hair, Celestia levitated a dry rag over to him so he can wipe his face.

She then scooped some more into the pitcher, slowly pouring it over his small form. Bowen let out a little giggle as the water washed over him, and Celestia smiled brightly as she levitated the sponge into the tub to get it wet. She applied some of the liquid soap to the sponge and started to carefully use the sponge to lather the soap over the small child.

He giggled softly as he was being scrubbed. Celestia smiled warmly at his timid calmness as he was being washed. After a few minutes of scrubbing him gently, Celestia filled the pitcher with water, pouring it carefully over the little boy, rinsing him off once again. After she got done rinsing all the soap off, she looked down at him “Are you ready to get dried off, sweetheart?”

He looked up at her with a light smile, nodding. “Yes, Mommy.”

Celestia then nodded, and while closing her eyes, she levitated him out of the tub carefully, placing him on the floor while dripping and soaking wet. She then levitated the towel over with her magic, gently wrapping it around him like a bundle. She reached up with a hoof to smoothen his hair out, giving him a warm smile. “Do you feel better now, Bowen, after getting a bath?” She then laid a wing over him.

Bowen looked up at her with a soft smile, nodding. “Yes, Mommy, it felt nice and comfortable. Thank you.” He then walked up to his mother, giving her a hug around her foreleg.

She hugged him close to her with her wing, leaning her head down, and nuzzled the top of his head. “You don’t need to thank me, dear. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and that it was comfortable enough for you.” She stroked his back with her wing, giving him a soft kiss on the forehead, and then she lifted him up with her hoof and held him against her chest while walking him to his bedroom, and then placed him on the floor in front of her and behind the door. “Now, go put on your pajamas, go get your blanket and your plushies, and meet me by the fireplace. It’s time for our social quality cuddles, and I’ll even leave a plate full of cookies just for you,” Celestia said.

“Yes, Mommy,” Bowen said, as he saw Celestia leave him to change into his pajamas.

It was nearly 10 after 9 in the evening as Celestia plopped herself onto the floor where her giant pillow sat and a warm fire was lit and burning in the fireplace.

Suddenly, Bowen, with his footsie pajamas and carrying his blanket, and both his cat plushie and teddy bear, came back into the bedroom where Celestia waited for him with a smile.

Bowen walked towards his mother and crouched himself, snugged close to her chest to get comfortable and ready for his evening cuddling. Celestia then wrapped her forehooves around him while he had his cookies, and felt Celestia rub his back with one of her hooves.

“Okay, hold still, sweetie,” she said as she opened her mouth, as she pulled his blanket and wrapped him into it, he still thought about everything that happened in his nightmare.

“Bowen, are you still upset about what happened in your nightmare?” Celestia asked while gently comforting her son with her forehooves and blanketing him with her giant wings.

“I can’t get it out of my head,” Bowen answered, “What if something bad happens to me and you might not be there to save me?”

This shocked Celestia in full surprise, “Were you really all alone in your nightmare?”

“Yes, I was,” Bowen answered, with tears going down his face. Celestia looked down at him saddened that something like that would ever happen. She pulled him closer to her and kissed him on his forehead while keeping him hugged and warm in her forehooves.

“Now, Bowen, you know you shouldn’t let anything that isn’t real but from inside your head get to you like that. Like how Blueblood treated you, because you may have been nothing to him, but you know what you are to me and your cousin Cadance, and your Auntie Luna?” she asked.

“What?” Bowen asked back.

“A sweet and handsome little prince,” she said with a smile. Bowen could now start feeling a warming trend start to develop in his heart. He knew that he had a mother that loved him, a cousin who cares for him, and an aunt he never got to meet yet, but hopefully if he’s grown up soon, so this warmed him up even though he was still feeling down and hurt over what’s been happening to him for the last couple of years.

“You’re right, Mommy,” he said.

“That’s good to hear. Now how about giving Mommy a smile?” she asked. Bowen refused. Luckily, Celestia had a solution for that because she wanted a smile, and she was going to get one from him whether he wanted to or not, so she gave a playful evil smirk, which in fact scared Bowen.

“M-M-Mommy, why a-are you looking at me like th-WHOAA!!!!” he screamed as he soon felt himself being pulled by Celestia’s aura. He now found himself locked and trapped in the grasp of his mother’s forehooves with his back snugged against her chest. He even tried to free himself, but Celestia’s grasp on him was already firmly in place and she was much stronger than he was, so there was absolutely no chance of him even thinking about trying to break free.

While Celestia still smirked down at him evilly, Bowen could soon feel her hooves starting rubbing up and down his sides and his tummy, he soon started snickering. He was very ticklish, and Celestia knew it.

Finally, Bowen could hold it in any longer, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MOOOOOMMY, ST-HAHAHAHAHAHA-OP IIIIITTT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, PLEA-HEHEHEHEHEHEHE-SEEEE ST-AHAHAHAHAHA-OOOP!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Tickle, tickle, tickle, Bowen!” Celestia exclaimed, it went on like this for another two to three minutes until Celestia stopped, Bowen stopped to catch his breath.

“Finally,” he said, but Celestia gave yet another playful evil smile. “Oh, it’s just beginning,” she said placing a hoof on him.

“WHOA!” Bowen said, as he was now finding himself on his back with his arms curled up and his legs doing the same as well. Celestia had her forehooves wrapped around him once again, but only this time she wasn’t going to cuddle with him, but rather do something that was even more laughable for a child than ever while unbuttoned his pajamas, exposing his chest and little round belly.

“You can’t escape the wrath… of the TUMMY MONSTER!!” she said, as Bowen started giggling before Celestia took in a very, heavy, deep breath, then she lunged at his belly and blew a raspberry on it, making him laugh and scream again. One raspberry, and another and another, at least 10 to 15 times Celestia was blowing raspberries on his belly with him laughing the whole time. Finally, she stopped and let him catch his breath once again. After he had caught his breath, Bowen pounced onto her back and placed his arms on her head, he was now cheerful again.

“Don’t you worry, Mommy. I’m going to be the best prince you’ll ever see,” he said taking her crown of her head and placing it on his. Celestia looked behind her and smiled while raising an eyebrow. Because of the fact that her crown was too big for a small head of a human, or any type of colt or filly, it slipped down off his head and landed in front of his eyes. Celestia then chuckled.

“You’ve still got a ways to go, dear,” she said using her aura to take her crown off him and put it back on her head, as Bowen jumped off her back and snuggled next to her chest again. Celestia wrapped her hooves around him again and pulled him closer, before she walked him over to her bed, and then tucked him in while using her magic, “…but I know you’ll still become a great prince for Equestria one day when you turn 10.” Bowen smiled before frowning with doubt and guilt, until Celestia leaned her head down and kissed her son on the forehead, “I promise it’ll be alright. Now, get some sleep.”

Celestia then looked at him happily, closed her eyes, and started singing him a lullaby, while holding him.

(All rights go to Phil Collins and Walt Disney Records)

As soon as she finished, she opened her eyes and saw Bowen was sound asleep.

“Sweet dreams, my love,” she whispered, before falling asleep.

Author's Note

Sorry it took so long. I had other things to do, but I will work on it whenever I have the time.

Chapter XV: Gone Forever (Part 1) - Tenth Year

Celestia’s sun illuminated Bowen’s room to announce another brand new day, as the little human boy opened his eyes and smiled knowing what day it was.

No matter how many times it usually happened, Bowen always liked to start this special day of his by excitedly jumping on his bed and chanting, “It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here!”

He then jumped down from his bed with a somersault as Shining’s teachings were really starting to pay off, and then ran directly to the shower. After he finished hosing himself, Bowen put on his clothes, and as he looked at himself in the mirror, he saw that his t-shirt’s chest was still blank, meaning he and his mother were starting to believe his species don’t get cutie marks so they decided the day he’d discover his talent, they’d design him a cooler cutie mark and add it to all his t-shirts.

He then proceeded to exit the room, but before opening the door, he remembered every morning on his previous birthdays. An evil yet inocent grin crossed his face, he carefully counted to three and opened the door and made a quick jump back inside the room.

“Got you, Mommy!” he said, knowing she’d be there waiting with a crushing hug ready.

But there was nopony there. It was strange, since it had been the same the last nine birthdays as usual. Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him, but before he could act…

“Got you!”

He felt the crushing hug that he loved so much given by his favorite pony in all Equestria: his mother, Princess Celestia.

“Mommy? But how?” Bowen asked, as he still felt her forelegs crushing him against her chest.

Celestia giggled, and then replied, “Well, a mother is always a step ahead, sweetie.”

“Yes, I can see that now,” Bowen said, and then returned the hug by nuzzling his cheek on her neck.

“So, how is my birthday boy today?” Celestia asked, after standing up with her son on her hoof.

“I’m better than ever, Mommy. I’m finally 10 years old, and you know what that means, right?” Bowen replied excitedly.

Celestia sighed, and then answered, “Yes, sweetie. I know, and I promise we will discuss about that with all the family members present, but for now… COME HERE!”

They then hugged again and stayed that way for minutes, as they loved each other so much and didn’t mind if time would stop in that very moment, because both in their hearts knew neither of them could live without each other anymore. Celestia then smothered her son’s face with many multiple kisses, and then she started to tickle his sides, before blowing some raspberries on his belly.

They then hugged and shared a quick loving cuddle.

“I… I know I say this a lot but… I love you, Mommy!” Bowen said, while burying himself underneath Celestia’s chest fur.

“You can say it all the times as you want, sweetie, even the more the better, and I love you too,” Celestia replied, before she kissed him on the forehead, and continued the hug while she rubbed his back with her hoof.

After the sweet tender moment they both shared, they made their way to the dining hall to have breakfast, with Celestia happily walking around every other hall with her son on her back and holding onto her neck and everlasting flowing mane, as always, many guards and servants congratulated the boy, exactly one second after opening the door, Bowen was pulled inside by a warm light blue aura, until two hooves covered with yellowish gold shoes were already waiting for him. Bowen as well extended his arms to hug back the owner of that aura, which was none other than Cadance, but she was now more beautifuler than before.

She then said, “Happy birthday, my sweet and cute little cousin! Oh, you are growing up too fast! I can’t let that happen! I just cannot! As the Princess of Love, I order you to stop doing it!”

“Hehehehe, I love you too, Cadance,” Bowen said, as he nuzzled with his cousin’s chest fur.

Cadance then kept nuzzling her cousin, before she kissed him on the forehead, until they heard another voice.

“Bowen! It’s so good you to see you again!” the voice said.

Bowen’s eyes widened when he heard that voice, but he already knew who it was, so he turned around and saw her.

“Flying Hope?!” he happily replied as Cadance released him to let him hug his older filly friend and her mom.

“Oh my, you’ve really grown up, young colt,” Sweet Rose said, as she returned the hug and rubbed his shoulders with her hoof. He meant those words, by this moment Bowen was almost as tall as her, she and everypony started to believe that someday, he maybe nearly as tall as his mother, until Bowen’s happy moment didn’t end there until he then heard another cute voice he also recognized.

“Happy birthday, Bowen!”

He turned around again and saw his dear friend Twilight and her family coming, including her friend Moon Dancer. Twilight was already in front of him hugging him, before none of them noticed Flying Hope glaring at them.

“And who is she?” Flying asked, while she pointed at Twilight with her hoof.

“Oh yeah. Sorry, I must’ve forgot. Flying Hope, this is Twilight Sparkle, my mom’s most faithful student and these two are her parents Twilight Velvet and Night Light, and this is her big brother, Shining Armor, who’s also my personal bodyguard and skills trainer, and that filly is her best friend, Moon Dancer. Twilight, everypony, this is Flying Hope, my very first best friend.”

“HIS BEST FRIEND!” she added, and gaining some giggles from the adults, realizing that she was so cute when she was jealous.

“It’s uhh… good to meet your acquaintance,” Moon Dancer said in reply. Flying Hope nodded in reply.

Bowen was a little confused by his friend’s weird attitude, but he then let it go when he noticed something on Twilight’s back that he suddenly recognized.

“Oh yeah! You brought Spike along!” He said, and then lifted the baby dragon up with his hands to hold him.

“Yes, he’s been behaving very good lately, so I thought in bringing him here today,” Twilight said.

“Cool,” Bowen said, until he ticked Spike’s belly with his fingers, until Flying Hope then joined in before nuzzling his cheek and kissing it.

Bowen somehow loved to play with Spike so more often much, since he was originally given to Twilight by Princess Celestia, and she liked to bring him over to the palace for the three of them to play together, and he loved those moments so much. Even though the little dragon was still so little, it was obvious he liked Bowen so much. While playing with the baby dragon, Bowen suddenly felt something landing in his head, it was his best pet friend Philomena. She was looking at him with a frown, until he smiled at her and said, “Easy, pretty. You will always be my favorite too, and you know that.”

Philomena’s eyes shined with a sparkle after she heard that, and then nuzzled her owner’s head cooing like a dove. Bowen then welcomed Twilight’s family too. Twilight Velvet also gave him a tight hug since she already considered him part of the Sparkle family, like a second brother or a cousin to Twilight and maybe something more in the future. Shining Armor and Night Light then hugged him too, but not so tight. In his mind, Bowen was really thankfull for that. With all the introductions done, all of them proceded to have a nice breakfast. Bowen was so happy that all of his family were with him in this very special day.

When all of them finished eating, as promised, Princess Celestia stood up and levitated her son next to her, and everypony turned to see what she wanted to say.

Celestia then spoke, “My fellow little ponies, we are very happy to see you all together here today in the joyous occasion to commemorate the 10th birthday of my son, and I promise you, we will have a good time this afternoon in his birthday party.”

Everypony then cheered.

She then continued her speech, “But right now, I want to take this time to make an official announcement, which is one some of you knew already since long ago. As you can all see, I promised that after his 10th birthday, I would think about showing my precious son to the rest of Equestria!”

Everypony who knew about that promise only nodded, as Celestia then turned to her son and gave him the warm motherliness of smiles while looking down at him against her side.

“Bowen… my son, throughout my life, for the last ten years, I’ve had you all to myself. Since the day I found you and took you in, I loved you and protected you as any mother could, and you can still be sure I will keep doing it forever…”

Everypony, including the guards and maids, started to share some tears of happiness and heartfelt pride as Celestia’s words touched their hearts.

“You know I will always be there for you, and you will be safe inside this palace and by my side, but we both know I can’t keep you inside four walls forever. You also need to know and see what is beyond this place out there. To be honest with you, I’m still very afraid of seeing you hurt or threatened by anypony who will not see you as we all do… and as I do, but I’m also very certain, that with the help of everypony here present today, and with your kind, compassionate, and honorable personality towards others, Equestria will be able to see how special you are, therefore…”

Bowen was so excited, because there they were, the words he was waiting since long ago.

“Tomorrow, I will officially introduce you to all Equestria, and soon everypony everywhere will know who Bowen Mockingjay is, their Young Prince and my son!”

“Yay!” Bowen cheered and then hugged his mom like he never did before, until Celestia hugged him back.

Cadance was so proud of her aunt’s kind words towards her cousin but she was also prepared, in her heart, she said to herself:

“Ohh, Celestia protect him from anypony who dares to hurt my cousin!”

Much to her sudden grief, Celestia then left to attend her royal duties as soon as posible with Cadance by her side, while Bowen stayed with Twilight and her folks, and also Flying Hope and Sweet Rose so they can watch over the boy.

When they reached the throne room, they found Blueblood.

“Where were you, Blueblood? You missed your cousin’s special birthday breakfast,” Celestia asked with a stoically stern face.

“I had better things to do rather than that,” Blueblood said.

“Is that so? Very well, then I believe we will not see you in his birthday party?” Cadance asked sternly.

“Have I ever gone to one?” Blueblood asked.

Celestia then sighed, “No. No you haven’t, but the invitation is always open, Blueblood.”

Both alicorns resumed their way, Cadance somehow decided to not say anything, since this was a special day and she didn’t want to ruin it, but before they entered the room, Blueblood said, “Are you really that serious?! About showing that… thing to all Equestria tomorrow?!”

Cadance was the one who then answered, “That thing has a name. It’s Prince Bowen Mockingjay, our dear little cousin, remember? I’m warning you, choose your words wisely or you will end up like the last time you made him cry.”

“I highly suggest that!” Blueblood said.

Celestia nodded Cadance, telling her to go do her royal duties, and then turned to Blueblood with a look of frustration, “My dear nephew, come with me.” She walked through to the hallway but to a corner that was all clear as Blueblood had a shocked look on his face, and he turned toward the child playing with his friends, letting out a huff of jealousy, and then followed behind Celestia.

She then closed the doors behind her, turning to her nephew, and looked at him disapprovingly. “Blueblood, can you explain to me why would you say something to upset my precious son?” She stood tall as she looked at him with a quirked eyebrow.

Blueblood pointed at the door with a hoof, “You call that wretched creature precious, Aunt Tia?! He is nothing but an abomination and a threat to all of…” He was silenced as Celestia stomped a hoof on the floor next to him.

“Silence, nephew!” She looked at him, now with anger in her eyes. “I will not have you berate such a child as sweet and innocent like Bowen since the last couple times you’ve done so. Do you understand me?”

Blueblood then asked, “Why am I the bad pony here? I’m just thinking in what is best for the royal family! What do you think everypony will think when they see him? When they see you raised that… that creature as your son, this will bring shame to our family!”

Celestia, fighting her wishes to punish her nephew for the final time by imprisoning him, only said, “We have had different opinions about what brings shame to the family, Blueblood, but know this, I will not turn back now. My son deserves a better future than rather be hidden inside here, because tomorrow everypony will have the honorable blessing to know him and that’s final!”

Celestia then turned, opened the throne room doors, and trotted back in, closing them, before Cadance entered, until she whispered something to her brother, “Blueblood, I know you better than anypony so let me be very clear with you. If you do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to ruin my sweet cousin’s big day tomorrow, there will be severe consequences.”

Blueblood let out one more huff before turning to trot away from the throne room. His brows furrowed in anger, “Why are they all so stubborn? I am the only one here with the proper brains?”

He then immediately proceeded to leave the palace to one destination and whispered to himself, “Ugh… I need a drink…”

As always, the party was amazing. There were lots of games, lots of food and a fountain of punch, some pegasus guards even made a incredible flying routine. Bowen was somehow speechless, even though they weren’t the Wonderbolts, but still that was amazing. Every adult was somehow charmed seeing how both Twilight and Flying were fighting to see who would dance with Bowen, but in the end he just danced with both of them, but still, that didn’t leave them satisfied. After cake and presents, the party ended, but Celestia invited everypony to stay in the palace that night. After all, the next day was the DAY, and then everypony said their good nights and went to sleep.

Bowen somehow tried his best, but he just couldn’t sleep. He was too excited, so he decided to get up and go over to the balcony to watch the night. It was beautifull as his mother really outdone herself as always. He also watched the moon, as it was beautiful too, and he always liked that pony form on it, the mare in the moon, as he giggled to himself. He was too focused watching it that he didn’t noticed his mother already by his side.

“Beautifull, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yes, Mommy, it’s beautiful… MOMMY!” Bowen exclaimed while jumping from being startled by her presence.

Celestia then giggled, “You need to pay more attention to your surroundings, sweetie. Can’t sleep?”

“No, I can’t. I’m just too excited, tomorrow I will finally meet everypony, but I’m also a little… scared,” Bowen replied.

Celestia smiled warmly at her son and then crouched to his level, “Get on. I think I can give you a little spoiler tonight.”

Bowen got onto his mother’s back until she started to fly. He loved those moments, but this one was different because their tours were always around the castle. This one however, was his mother was flying above the city of Canterlot. Bowen was somehow speechless, as he looked at the town below, it was so huge, those houses, those lights, some ponies and guards walking on the… he believed they were called streets. She made sure to fly a little too high for nopony down below to notice her, in Celestia noticed her son marveled eyes and said, “What do you think, sweetie? It’s a beautifull city, isn’t it?”

Bowen nodded, “Mmhmm, it’s way better than what I ever imagined.”

“I’m glad to hear that, because I don’t want to see you disappointed,” Celestia said.

“Mom, any city you rule has to be awesome as this. After all, you are an awesome ruler, and everypony here loves you,” Bowen said.

Celestia smiled warmly, “Thank you, dear. Now let me tell you something. All those ponies you are looking at now, I know many of them, and I know they are good ponies, but I can’t negate there are greedy nobles, lots of them, but almost every citizen in Canterlot is very nice, so you don’t need to worry. I promise that they will accept you and they will love you, but remember, the one who love you the most is me.”

Bowen giggled, ”Thanks, Mommy. And you don’t need to remind me that, I already know.”

Celestia then nuzzled her son’s cheek, then without thinking she said, “Please, don’t go anywhere away from me.”

“Don’t worry, Mommy, I won’t. I will always be with you, Bowen said, hugging her neck.

Celestia was happy, but she didn’t know why she said that. She knew Bowen will always be with her. Maybe it was for the mood, but after she shook the feeling off and returned with her son to the palace, she landed on the balcony near his bedroom, carefully removed him off her back, and placed him back in the bed.

“Did you have a fun birthday this year, my son?” she asked.

“Yes, Mommy. It was excellent.” Bowen said

“Well, I think it is time for my gift that I have for you this year,” she said.

“Really?” Bowen asked.

“Yes, it is right here,” she replied, until she handed Bowen a book with her magic. He opened it to see plenty of pictures of him when he was younger. Then, he saw there were plenty of empty pages. “It’s a photo album. I have already started with a few pictures of the past 9 years of your childhood memories. But now you can start to fill it with all the photos you want. It’s all yours, my son.”

"Thanks, mommy, I can always use this to remember my time with you,” he said, until Celestia tucked him back underneath the blankets.

“Mommy, do you really think the ponies out there will like me?” Bowen asked.

“I’m sure, honey. You have a personality that no pony can ever hate. You are very gentle and vigorous. You are just like me.” Celestia said, while stroking her son’s hair with her hoof.

“Mommy, do you think I’ll make a great prince too?” Bowen asked.

Celestia then placed a hoof on his cheek, “I do, my son. You will be the best prince Equestria has ever seen. There is no doubt about that in my mind.”

“Thank you, Mommy. I love you,” Bowen said as he hugged her head.

Celestia felt a lone tear escape her eyes. Again, it wasn’t one of sadness, but only happiness. “I love you too, Bowen.”

She then released her hug and then lowered him down on the bed gently, “Now get some sleep. You need to be on your best tomorrow”

“Yes, Mommy,” Bowen said.

After she kissed him on the forehead, but before exiting the room, she turned around and said, “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“Goodnight, Mommy,” Bowen replied, before he fell asleep exhaustingly.

She smiled and closed the door and then started walking to her own room, but after some steps, she noticed something.

“Why would I ask him that? He’d never abandon me. Is something going on in my mind? No, I must’ve been imagining things. I must be really tired.”

She then remembered what she told him some minutes ago, until she started to feel scared and even shared a single tear, but she managed to shake the feeling away again.

“Come on, Celestia, snap out of it! He is here with you in the palace, and nothing bad will ever happen to him.”

She then resumed her way to her bedroom for a good night’s sleep so that she would be ready for her son’s ceremony tomorrow, but what she somehow didn’t notice, in fact nopony noticed, not even the guards in every section of the castle, is that outside the palace walls, a group of shadows were preparing to do something that night.

Author's Note

Oh no! What do these figures want?! Are they here to kill the princess, steal her crown, or something else worse?! :pinkiegasp::pinkiegasp:

Find out what happens next soon!

Chapter XVI: Gone Forever (Part 2) - Abduction

A group of ponies were making their way to enter the palace, as they were so stealthy and very slickly and sly, and were really good in their job: knocking out every royal guard they encountered and leaving no tracks. Once they were finally inside, Silent Dagger, the unicorn leader said, “Ok, boys, according to our spies hidden in that party, the target must be in the third floor, next to Princess Celestia’s room. Just remember, he’s supposed to a human, which is some kind of furless monkey-like or ape-like creature with clothes, well, whatever it is, except he possesses no magic and is still a kid. In case he wakes up, he probably won’t fight back, giving us the advantage we need. Now, let’s go!”

A group of five ponies started to look for the target. With the surprise element by their side, no royal guard stood a chance to stop them, until they were finally in front of the door, as one of the ponies looked at it and said, “Wow! Even Celestia’s little pet know how to live!”

“You idiot! According to our spies’s information, she sees that thing as her son.”

“Well, what was I supposed to know?!”

“Wow. That mare really needs a husband. Like seriously.”

He then chuckled, “You’re right about that!”

“Shhhhhh! Okay… now, on three. One… two… three!”

They opened the door very quietly, but when they were inside, they found nothing on the bed.

“What? Where is he? Where is that… thing?” one of them asked.

“Shut up! Now start looking!”

“Psst! Hey! Look there!”

They kept searching the room until one of them noticed a strange creature standing on the balcony gazing at the stars. Bowen looked exactly like they were told, a human wearing clothes that looked really weird for a creature like that to wear, even shoes, until they got a closer look without being seen.

Bowen really loved this peacefully quiet and calm night. It was so beautiful, even after her mother left him in the bed, but he needed to watch it one more time. While feeling satisfied, he finally proceeded to go back to sleep, and as he stood up and turned around before tucking himself back underneath the blankets, he then went back to sleep, until four shadowy figures appeared towards his bed, until Bowen woke up once more and suddenly saw 4 unicorns standing in front of him, and as he stared at them for some seconds, he finally found his voice and screamed, “MOMMY! HELP! MOMMY!”

Bowen kept screaming until he noticed one of the ponies’ horn glowing with a devious smile.

“Hahahaha, scream all you want, kid! Nopony will hear you! Now, come here!”

He used his magic to levitate him inside a sack.

“HEY! LET ME GO! YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME! DON’T YOU KNOW WHO MY MOMMY IS?!”

Bowen continued struggling inside the sack, as he was more scared than ever. Unfortunately, his screams were not going to help him since the bag was also covered in a soundproof spell.

The ponynappers then took him outside to the entrance of the palace and met up with the rest of their crew.

“We have it, boss! And oh yeah! He is everything we thought. He really is one of his kind, and maybe we will get a fortune for him when the big guy hears about this!”

“Excellent!” Silent Dagger said, as he put the sack holding their hostage on his back. “I knew meddling with that pathetic unicorn prince would pay off some day!”

Silent Dagger couldn’t believe how lucky he was. He always expected to get some information about the royal vault or maybe the location of royal jewels, but this thing was even better! Because in case they couldn’t sell him for a good price, he could always expect a good ransom from Princess Celestia herself!

“CANTERLOT’S TAVERN AND PUB, a few hours before Bowen’s birthday party…”

Blueblood was already drunk from a couple glass pints of rum and trying to forget “his bad luck” that lost in his thoughts, he started to murmur, “*hic*… Stupid monkey colt, it thinks it’s better than me… *hic*”

“Hey Blueblood, old pal, what are you doing? You are a mess there, buddy.”

Blueblood turned to see who it was and saw his pal Silent Dagger, who was a rugged looking stallion with dull gray fur, and a dark arctic bluish gray mane and tail, both of which were stylized somewhat. He had thick black eyebrows, and a faint beard along his muzzle, resembling a five o'clock shadow, a dark bluish gray shirt underneath a black leather vest with a chain necklace underneath his shirt, and his cutie mark was a dagger piercing through a bleeding heart with a dark green snake surrounding it. Blueblood knew this pony since long ago because he’d always help him to get the best mares the money could buy, Blueblood smiled and said, “Silent *hic* Dagger, my pal, it’s so good to see you.”

Silent Dagger then replied, “I think the same, dude, but don’t you think it’s too early to get drunk like this? Is there a problem you want to share with your pal?”

“A problem? *hic* Yeah… you can say that. That thing is a problem, a problem I have been having since 10 years ago,” Blueblood replied.

“Really? Tell me, what is it?” Silent Dagger asked.

“I can’t tell you. It’s a secret and to *hic* be honest, it’s too embarrassing as well,” Blueblood said.

“Come on, Bluey. You know you can trust me. I promise I will not tell anypony,”

“I don’t know… *hic* my auntie would kill me if I say something,” Blueblood said.

“Princess Celestia?” Silent Dagger asked

“*hic* Yes,” Blueblood replied.

“In that case, I double promise to not tell, c’mon! Trust me,” Silent Dagger said.

“....you really promise to not tell anypony? *hic*”

“Absolutely,” Silent Dagger said.

“Ok... *hic* everything started 10 years ago when my Auntie...”

“Ok, let’s go. We need to get to the zeppelin and escape to Canter Creek,” Silent Dagger said.

“Yeah,” everypony cheered.

When they were about to exit the palace with Bowen in the soundproof sack on Silent Dagger’s back, they suddenly heard something. It sounded like a glass breaking in pieces. When they turned to see, they saw a little grayish purple unicorn filly. They somehow knew who she was, Princess Celestia’s top student, Twilight… something. It seemed she woke up in the middle of the night for a glass of cold water.

Before any of them could say or do something, she screamed in panic, and then the muggers screamed back, before Twilight screamed again, and then the muggers screamed again for the final time.

“Let’s go!” Silent Dagger screamed.

They all started to run, since they needed to get to the port before reinforcements would arrive. Everypony suddenly started to wake up and ran to see who was screaming. Princess Celestia was the first to find her, “Twilight! What is going on? Why are you screaming?”

The rest of the ponies started to arrive as well, which was Twilight’s parents, Cadance, Shining Armor, Sweet Rose and her daughter, and the rest of the guards as well.

Twilight then replied, “There… There were ponies here a minute ago… they looked so mean. They also had something in a sack. I think they stole something!”

Everypony gasped, until Shining, after hearing that explanation from his little sister, said, “Muggers? It’s been ages since a pony was that crazy enough to steal something from the palace. Don’t worry, Princess Celestia. I assure you that we will capture them and… Hey, has anypony seen Bowen?”

Everypony then looked around. Shining Armor in fact was right. Twilight’s scream somehow woke up everypony, and he knew Bright long enough to know he wasn’t normally a heavy sleeper. Celestia’s eyes widened to impossible levels of concern, until she started to feel very cold, “Oh no!”

She immediately started to run over to her son’s room.

“Aunt Celestia, where are you… NO!” Cadance realized as well what happened and flew after her aunt.

Celestia looked at all her night guards lying on the ground unconsciously while flying to her destination, with her worries only increased at this sight. When she arrived, without saying a single word, she kicked the door open and went inside Bowen’s room, but when she got in, a terrible sight caught her eyes. He wasn’t there, until she then felt even more colder at that moment. With little hope, she started scream, “Bowen! Where are you, sweetie?! Please come out! I if you are still here… PLEASE COME OUT! THIS IS NOT FUNNY, SWEETIE!”

There was no answer, at that moment Celestia felt more scared than ever. While she didn’t want to accept it, but knew what happened, using her Royal Canterlot Voice, she said, “CAPTAIN! YOU AND YOUR GUARDS! COME HERE NOW!”

Dozens of pegasus, earth pony and unicorn guards, along with Captain Silver Spear, came out to her call and waited for her orders.

“What is it, your highness?!” Silver Spear asked.

Celestia then spoke in her regular tone, “It’s urgent! My son has been foalnapped! You and your guards search every corner of Canterlot! But with no exception! If anypony asks why, tell them that it’s a national emergency. But bring me the ones responsible! I want them alive! Now go! Hurry!”

“Yes, your highness! Right away!” Silver Spear replied, and then turned to his guards nodding his head in confirmation as every guard began searching for Bowen.

Celestia somehow remained in the room, because she needed to calm down while Sweet Rose and Twilight’s parents comforted their princess. Cadance entered the room and saw the empty bed as well while both the little fillies hugged the mare and cried together realizing that Bowen might be dead or really lost, cold and scared in the wilderness all by himself. Cadance covered her mouth with her one hoof and started to cry, “No... but how?”

“I don’t know, but I just hope they can bring my little one back alive. We must wait now and have faith that Bowen will return. I just have a few hunches that he will.”

Celestia was so desperate to find Bowen, in her mind there was only regret, she still remembered what she told to her son some hours ago, “I told him he would always be safe inside the palace and by my side. I’m a terrible mother! Please don’t let my happiness leave me again!”

In their zeppelin, the muggers were now far away from Canterlot and on their way to Canter Creek.

“Hahahaha! We did it, and nopony is following us, see? That’s the good side of being prepared, now we go to Canter Creek and become rich, but in case we don’t, well, let’s just say that we will have to write a letter to our pretty Princess Celestia!” Silent Dagger said.

Everypony on the ship then cheered and started to drink rum.

Bowen was in a little cell, crying. One of the ponies came with a couple of apples and a glass of water. He then removed the lock and put the food inside.

“Eat it up, freak. The boss needs you healthy to sell you at a good price at the auction,” he said.

“Why… are you doing this to me?” Bowen asked.

“Because we like money,” the pony replied.

“When… When my mommy find out what you did,” Bowen sniffed. “…she will be angry.”

The pony then laughed rudely, “Wake up from your little happy world, kid! Nopony is coming for you. You are alone now.”

Bowen didn’t eat anything, he just remained there, thinking about his family and hoping for his mother and her guards to come find and rescue him.

Back in Canterlot, Shining Armor came back with a squadron of guards, until Princess Celestia walked over, “Any news, Shining Armor?”

Shining Armor then shook his head and replied, “I’m sorry Princess Celestia, but there’s still no sight of Bowen or the muggers, wherever they are, it seems they’re no longer in Canterlot.”

After hearing those word, Celestia’s heart started to crack. Every minute that passed, her son was more away from her, she was going to go out again, but one second before that, a pegasus royal guard appeared and said something to Shining Armor, until Silver Spear immediately told the news to the Princess.

“Princess Celestia, we’ve been informed a high speed zeppelin flew out Canterlot about one hour ago, it seems they were heading to Canter Creek. Captain Silver Spear and our fastest guards have been already sent after it, and with hope, we will catch it before they reach the checkpoint.”

Once Celestia heard where her son was heading, her worries increased, if they managed to cross over the checkpoint towards their destination, there was no way she could find him, Equestria wasn’t exactly in the best terms with other kingdoms beyond the borderlands.

“Very well. Go join them, but bring back any survivors. Either my son or the culprit!” she said, and then Shining Armor went off to join the captain and the other guards.

Some hours later, Bowen kept crying, except he was cold, hungry and alone. Feeling reluctant, he took one of the apples, it tasted good, but it didn’t compare with the ones her mother had at home, because she always brought them from a place called “Sweet Apple Acres”. He kept eating it, but he wasn’t in any position to complain, until he then heard the mean pony coming again, screaming, “*hic* WHY DO I HAVE TO FEED THE KID AGAIN?! *hic* I WANT TO KEEP DRINKING!”

Indeed, it was the same pony again, but this time, he was really drunk, and he once again brought another two apples and glass of water. He then unlocked the door and threw the food inside, but the water spilled.

He then chuckled, “HERE YOU GO… *hic* FREAK! ENJOY! HAHAHAHA!”

He then closed the door and “locked” the lock again, but he was too drunk to notice it didn’t make the click sound, but when Bowen somehow noticed it, the pony exited the room. Bowen went to the door and checked to see if the lock was unlocked, but as he saw the lock fall off… IT WAS! He thanked his mommy and opened the door very slowly, and then he exited the room, trying to not make any sound.

When he looked outside, he found everypony else on the ship was either sleeping or just drunk, using his abilities of playing hide and seek and some of Shining Armor’s agility lessons, he somehow managed to get in the driver’s room without been spotted, before he saw only one pony inside, which was the driver. He went inside without him hearing him, and as his mom told him, he looked towards his suroundings and found what he was looking for, a metal stick, until he grabbed it and started to approach the driver who was muttering something. “Why I had to be the driver this night! I wanted to drin....”

He was then grabbed on the neck by something that felt like a pair of tiny legs, and then was strangled by a rope, before he was knocked out by a strong hit in his head, but as he released the helm, the zeppelin started to go down. Ok, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to do that, Bowen thought.

Bowen immediately locked the door and tried to drive the ship, until soon he heard many ponies gathering outside the door.

“HEY! WE KNOW YOU ARE IN THERE, KID! LET US IN!”

Bowen didn’t pay any attention to them, but he did his best to keep the zeppelin leveled up in its normal position but it was already in vain, since it was going down. Everypony started to hit the door. Until it was a matter of time before they got in, Bowen released the helm and prepared for their entrance. When the door gave up, with the metal stick in his hands, he jumped and hit the first pony he saw in the face, he started to deliver swings with the stick, hits and kicks to all directions while the zeppelin keep descending.

“YOU LITTLE TWERP, I’LL TEACH YOU A LESSON!” Silent Dagger said, as he held Bowen with his magic, but before he could do something to the boy , the zeppelin crashed with the ground with small explosions, before everything went black.

Captain Silver Spear and his squadron of guards arrived at the scene until they saw the explosion and went to investigate.

Author's Note

Oh no! Do you think Bowen could have survived or maybe… burnt alive?! :pinkiegasp::fluttercry::twilightoops:

Chapter XVII: Gone Forever (Part 3) - Loss in the Royal Family

Silver Spear and his guards flew for hours, until there was no sight of any zeppelin, but he was not ready to give up, so they flew near the crash site to investigate. When they landed on the ground, the squadron started investigating, but suddenly, one by one, a few guards were unexpectedly swiftly attacked by a combination of teeth and claws.

Silver Spear was now by himself as he continued to look for Bowen and the zeppelin, by proceeding with extreme caution.

As he got closer, there was a wrecked big zeppelin laying on the ground with some piles burning from fire. It was obvious it crashed minutes ago, but what really took him out of guard, was that he suddenly heard something from behind.

Silver Spear turned around and looked around for the perpetrator, until nothing else happened, not even his voice.

Bowen suddenly came out of the wreckage, and coughed a few breaths of air, and looked around for a safer route back to Canterlot but he was somehow lost, and in a different location.

Before he could move on, Bowen suddenly saw a pony guard lying on the ground, realizing that he or she needed help, so he went over. As he got closer, he saw the armor of somepony familiar, until what shocked him was the deceased body of Captain Silver Spear.

Bowen walked over and then tried to help him. “Captain? Captain? You gotta get up. Please get up,” he said, as the boy tried to help him up, but the captain wasn’t moving. “Come on. I wanna go home,” he said after shaking his body, until he realized that Silver Spear, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and his mother’s high top commanding general and drill sergeant, was dead.

“No…” Bowen said, as he began to shed tears, and then he kept calling for help, but with no reply, until he began to cry more since the captain almost felt like a friend, or maybe family to Bowen, so he went back over and hugged the dead captain one more time, but made it a little bit longer. Suddenly, after a few minutes of hugging, he grabbed some tarp from the zeppelin and wrapped it over the captain as a blanket to keep his dead body warm and not get cold, and then started running off with a broken heart.

Suddenly, Silent Dagger came out with himself covered in blood, ash, and dirt, but was still able to run. He then ran after Bowen with anger in himself. Bowen’s locket was placed next to Silver Spear’s body.

Bowen was now running through the dark forest, after escaping the wreckage of the burning zeppelin, and was now scared and hurt, but he didn’t care about that. Because for the moment he was already in, the only thing he cared about right now was to stay away from that mean unicorn who took him away from the only ones who he called a family. He didn’t know how he could’ve survived that huge crash on the zeppelin, but he somehow didn’t have the time to think about it. The only thing he cared for now was running for his life and to a safer distance.

Bowen suddenly stopped near a pile of logs, until he turned around and saw Silent Dagger coming towards him. Bowen then climbed onto the logs and made it over carefully before Silent Dagger could grab him.

He still could hear him, running after him and screaming, “YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE FROM ME, YOU LITTLE FREAK! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING! AND NOW MY CREW IS DEAD, NO THANKS TO YOU! YOU ARE SO GOING TO PAY!”

That mean pony Silent Dagger wasn’t joking. Bowen feared what he would do to him if he managed to catch him, but ignoring the immense pain, Bright continued running, until he tumbled down a hill and through a few thorny bushes, leading to another route out of the forest while Silent Dagger started looking without him noticing the boy was in the bushes.

After struggling his way through carefully, Bowen finally got out of the forest and found himself in the open meadow fields. He kept running, but suddenly, a stun beam hit him in his back, causing him to trip and fall. It didn’t hurt him, but he now couldn’t move. With much effort, he turned his head and saw that unicorn behind him with a glare on his face.

“Gotcha!” he said. “Now, what am I going to do with you?!”

Bowen was close to peeing his pants when he saw him approaching closer, until Silent Dagger lit up his horn.

“This’ll be easy! Say goodbye, you little twit!” Silent Dagger shouted, ready to give Bowen the final blow.

Suddenly, he saw something else coming from near him and Bowen. It was a heard of rhinos eating grass and drinking water, but one saw Silent Dagger and turned towards him.

Silent Dagger grabbed Bowen and then screamed, “Stay back! He’s mine! I’m the one who kills him! You hear me?! You hear me?!”

The rhino then began to charge towards the unicorn until Silent Dagger lit up his horn, but the rhino stopped itself and then saw something that was probably scaring it.

“Yeah?! That’s what I’m talking about, you wimp! Not so tough now, are you?! Huh?!” Silent Dagger asked, until the rhino ran back to the herd. “That’s right. Just keep running your sorry butt back to mama! Yeah, you’ve got nothing! Just keep running! Maybe next time, you bring one of your friends, huh?!”

Suddenly, they heard a growling sound behind them, as Silent Dagger turned around and saw a huge dark brown sabertooth cat behind them. It let out a ferocious thundering roar that almost sounded like a manticore. It suddenly pounced onto the ground and went towards the rhino herd, but the herd defended themselves against the predator, by stomping on the ground and moving their heads up and down.

As the sabertooth cat turned around, it spotted Silent Dagger standing but shaking in fear.

The sabertooth cat then started to attack the unicorn, who dropped the boy on the ground. He defended himself by throwing beams to them and casting shielding spells. They didn’t help him very much since he was too weak, so he was doomed if things were kept this way.

Bowen watched them fighting for a minute, until he finally started to feel his body again. It seemed Silent Dagger was suddenly weak after all. After the stunning spell wore off very fast, he then stood up and started to walk backwards, before Silent Dagger used all his strength and fired a powerful bean to his ravenous opponent before it scratched him on the hind leg, leaving a bleeding claw mark, until the sabertooth cat landed on the ground and got back up. As Bowen saw how Silent Dagger beat the sabertooth cat, he suddenly stood on a twig, until the sabertooth cat turned around and saw him about to run, then it started to make a stance with low growling noises. Seeing this with one final glance to the sabertooth cat about to go after the kid, Silent Dagger then chuckled and smirked, and ran back to the forest as he screamed, “ENJOY BEING A SNACK, KID!”

Bowen then started running until the sabertooth cat started chasing him. Bowen slid through the root of a tree as the sabertooth cat rammed through and tried to bite him with its teeth.

Bowen then ran through the forest again with the sabertooth cat following the boy smashing through more dead trees, and then made it through smaller and thinner trees which Bowen was running through. The sabertooth cat was about to bite Bowen but chomped on one of the trees instead.

As Bowen slid through another root of a tree, the sabertooth cat almost bit off his leg, but missed again as it got through with its strength and kept chasing Bowen from the bushes, roots, and rocks until he reached a bigger tree and his underneath the roots so that the sabertooth cat wouldn’t get him.

The sabertooth cat then jumped forward and as Bowen crawled deeper into the roots, the sabertooth cat smashed some roots with its claws three times, and then tried to grab the boy claws but couldn’t reach, as Bowen crawled to another corner, until the sabertooth cat snarled at the boy before it lunged onto a different side, scraped onto a root and bit onto it and tore it off before reaching towards Bowen again. He crawled backwards, but the sabertooth cat missed with one chomp of its jaws.

The sabertooth cat then dug through the roots like before and tried to grab him, before Bowen jammed a rock onto its paw, letting the sabertooth cat let out a painful roar. Bowen then crawled out of the roots as the sabertooth cat dogpiled onto the roots and tried to claw and bite him, but Bowen suddenly made it out alive and made another run for it.

While the boy continued running, the sabertooth cat jumped onto Bowen and held him still, but the child crawled out of its grasp after kicking its leg and stomping its paw.

Bowen then ran forward, after losing the sabertooth cat, before he reached a huge waterfall. He then realized for his bad luck, that there was no way he could survive or make it to the other side on the big stepping stones without falling, but not to mention he didn’t even know how to swim. He felt even colder than ever, as he saw his life running in his eyes while he started to regret all the things he didn’t get to do with his mommy, Cadance and even his friends, until it broke his little heart.

“Nopony is coming for me… right?” Bowen said. Thinking one way to safely cross over the path up ahead without noticing the thunder and rain, he heard the angry sabertooth cat coming right behind him. He turned around and saw its eyes, satiny dark brown fur, and sharp teeth. This was it. His fateful end.

Bowen then started walking backwards carefully without hurting himself. The sabertooth cat noticed how Bowen was staring with fear in his eyes. Not wanting to lose his snack, he pounced with its claws sticking out of its paws and then opened its fanged mouth to bite Bowen’s little head. The boy then lost balance, until he fell from the cliff before the sabertooth cat could grab him, watching Bowen fall into the mist of the waterfall.

Bowen then landed in the water, as he in the bottom of the big river, struggling to come out with no success, but as he swam up, the raging river began to drag him with full force. As he was in the flow, he felt like if all his body was crushed and exhausted, as the pain was now unbearable, but he didn’t feel it for much time, until he tried to stay alive, before he bumped into a river rock that broke the bones of his arm, and then before he could feel more pain, another river rock hit his head, knocking him out unconsciously, and as he made it towards the shoreline, everything went black.

Back at the crash site, Shining Armor and a few guards arrived as it landed onto the ground safely before they started investigating the site.

“Sir!” a guard called.

“What is it?” Shining Armor asked, as he gasped in shock at seeing the terrifying sight, revealing Silver Spear lying on the ground dead and wrapped up in a makeshift bundle. “No…” Shining then saw Bowen’s pendant, and held it in his hoof, before he lowered his head in shame, but then stood back up, until he and the guards saw none other than Silent Dagger walking forward.

He jumped in shock, and then tried to escape due to an injured leg, “YOU’LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!”

Shining then shut him up and stopped him from fleeing with a stunning spell, making the crook pony collapse. “Guards, seize him!” The two guards nodded and cuffed him with chains and shackles. “You won’t get away that easily!” Silent Dagger shouted.

“In the name of Princess Celestia and the Royal Guard, you are under arrest and are hereby given the right to remain silent,” Shining Armor said, until he thought up something to tell the princess.

Everypony was waiting in Celestia’s throne room. While Twilight Velvet and Sweet Rose were hugging their crying daughters, the waiting was killing them, Cadance, who was comforting her aunt, said to her, “I still hope they’re okay. Bowen’s the bravest little kid I know, but with a strong heart.”

“So do I, dearest niece. So do I,” Celestia said. Suddenly, they saw a guard entering the room.

“Your highness! They have returned!” he said.

As soon as he said those words, everypony ran to the palace’s entrance. They waited a little while until finally, all the royal guards started to enter. Celestia looked at their faces, as the mere sight of them told her everything she needed to know and she started to cry, until the last one to enter was Shining Armor. His eyes were blank and were showing sorrow and loss, as he was walking in three legs since he was holding something in one hoof.

They all approached and then felt concerned about what happened, until Twilight Velvet, Sweet Rose and Cadance kept the fillies back while Cadance was holding Spike against her chest in her right hoof positioned in a cradle.

Celestia then spoke to Shining Armor, “Please, tell us. What have you found?”

Shining Armor then began, “We couldn’t find Bowen, or anything that belonged to him… except this.” He showed her his pendant as Celestia held it in her hoof, before sitting down on the ground with a broken heart, and holding the necklace on her hooves. “I’m sorry. I did the best I could.”

Celestia then felt tears in her eyes, until Shining Armor spoke again, “Princess, we also captured the culprit and put him in the dungeon, so we can await your orders on what to do with him, but another thing. Well, it also pains me to tell you this… but Captain Silver Spear… is dead.”

Celestia gasped, as she saw his body being brought in by the guards, and then uncovered some part of him to show his wound.

When Twilight and Flying heard those first words, they started to feel tears in their eyes like they never did before.

“No! This can’t happen!” Twilight shouted.

“You’re lying! He can’t be gone! He can’t!” Flying shouted back. “BOWEN CAN’T DIE! BOWEN CAN’T DIE!”

Twilight and Flying then started to cry again, as their parents did their best to calm them down, but they kept crying until Cadance, who saw Spike whining and crying underneath her chest fur, used a sleeping spell on them, since they needed to rest for now. Once the kids, including Spike, were taken to their room by Twilight Velvet, everypony else gathered in the dining room and Shining Armor proceeded to tell them how they found this evidence, as Celestia, who was literally broken into pieces remained there feeling hurt, as Cadance started crying in Shining Armor’s shoulder, who was also sharing some tears.

Sweet Rose felt broken-hearted as well, and Twilight Velvet was comforted by her husband.

“There, there, Cadance. Let them come out,” Shining said, while doing his best to comfort his girlfriend.

But there was nothing else in the world that could do that for her before she began to think to herself, ‘My cousin is gone! But why?! Why does somepony as sweet as him has to have such a horrible end?! It’s just too cruel! Now I’m never going to see him again, not see any of his smiles, no more hugs or kisses, no more playing with him and Twilight, no more slumber parties, no more comfort cuddles during the night, not being able to see him grow up and reach his true potential, NO NOTHING!’

She was going to faint for sadness as well, but then she heard somepony entering the room.

“Agh, what is going on around here? Owwww… my head…”

Cadance then looked up to see who it was. It was none other than Blueblood. At that very moment, without thinking straight due to her broken heart, she quickly flew over and then tackled him to the ground with her hooves and stared at him with daggers in her tear filled eyes as she placed both her hooves onto him.

“YOU! YOU DID THIS, DIDN’T YOU?! DID YOU?! ANSWER ME!”

Blueblood felt how his head was very dizzy, but risking for a blast in his face, he said, “Wha… what are you talking about, sister? I swear… I don’t know what you mean.”

“LIAR! YOU… YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE WHO NEVER LIKED HIM! AND WE KNEW HOW MUCH YOU WANTED HIM GONE! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU WOULD DO SUCH A THING LIKE THIS! IF IT WEREN’T FOR ME, I SWEAR I WOULD…”

Cadance was then stopped by Shining Armor, who hugged her from behind, “CADANCE, STOP! Listen to me! I know you’re hurt, but I’m sure we’ll have a chance to find out about everything, so we’ll have to be patient. I promise we will find answers.”

Cadance then started to calm down, and released Blueblood before she casted the sleeping spell on herself, and as she couldn’t take it for much longer, Shining Armor with her in his hooves nodded to the princess, who nodded back.

“Please! Aunt Celestia! Have mercy!” Blueblood pleaded while hugging his aunt’s leg, until she yanked it off his hooves.

Celestia then spoke up, “Until I decide what to do with you afterwards, then we’ll talk about mercy. Guards, take Prince Blueblood into custody, but until all the investigations are over, everypony else is a suspect.”

Every guard nodded, and used their magic to restrict the prince, which he didn’t seem to oppose, but he was too shocked after seeing his sister acting that way. While he was taken to his room for house arrest, Celestia then walked to her throne and sat down in depression, still hugging the pendant, until she started having more tears in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, my son. I’m so sorry. I failed you. I promised to protect you… but I failed you.”

Later on, everypony made a private funeral for Bowen by placing a picture frame of himself but kept his stuff in his bedroom, and then others carried Silver Spear’s coffin while a few ponies played the bagpipes and the guards including Shining Armor, who was now promoted to Captain of the Royal Guard, saluted their fallen comrade.

Celestia’s voice then narrated, “Captain Silver Spear’s death is a terrible tragedy we must endure. But to lose my son, Bowen Mockingjay, the Young Prince, who had barely begun to live for 10 years... For me, it is a deep, personal loss. So it is with a heavy heart that I assume the fact that I will continue my sworn honorary duties as a princess of Equestria to ensure the safety of our subjects, and that my son will always be in our hearts for all eternity, no matter wherever he may hide among the stars. Let us now lift up our hearts and bid our dear friend and our faithful member, who I humbly made part of my family bloodline farewell and bless them both with good will.”

After the funeral, Celestia laid on Bowen’s bed in his room and drowned her sorrows in depression, until she looked out the window again and then lowered her head in shame. Suddenly, she saw a visual memory of Celestia playing with younger Bowen and them laughing together until it disappeared, which made her heart shatter more.

The POV then panned to outside her balcony in dark rainclouds and then resolve to the Muses.

“It was tragic. Princess Celestia led all the guards on a frantic search that night.”

“But by the time they would find her son, it was too late.”

“Young and dear, sweet, cute little Bowen was already marooned away from home.”

But since he was confirmed dead, without any proof.

He was still alive but barely made it from that river-

So thank his lucky star!

But poor Celestia wept,

Because her son could never come home.

She’d never get to watch her precious child,

Grow up from afar.

Though no one else knew he existed,

That secret was nearly hatched before Bowen cut his tooth,

The boy would grow up stronger ev’ry day,

And that’s the gospel truth!

Author's Note

This concludes Volume 1 of this story. The next chapter is the beginning of Volume 2 and the start of a brand new adventure for Bowen.

Chapter XVIII: An Unexpected Encounter (Part 1) - A Place to Stay

On yet another bright sunny day, an old minotaur was relaxing next to a river while sitting on a tree stump bordered by rocks, with his fishing net already in place to catch some fish.

While waiting for his catch of the day, he was thinking of a calm, peaceful and quiet place in his mind, relieving himself of any stress he may have been having, until he started playing some music on his handmade guitar.

Suddenly, he then heard his net being pulled. The minotaur immediately stopped his music, then stood up and went to see what he got. By the sound it was making, it had to be a huge fish, or several more.

When he retrieved the fishnet and then saw what was inside, he was somehow shocked, but confused, inside the net mixed with some of the other fish, he found the strangest discovery he had ever seen. He looked at the sight of an unconscious 10 year old child, which looked like a man-cub. It wasn’t moving at that moment, assuming he thought it was dead, so he knelt down and carefully poked the kid. Until the moment he poked the kid’s stomach, he started to cough up lots of water from underneath his lungs, and then passed out again.

The big guy jumped back for the surprise, but what surprised him more was that when the kid was turned around, a huge cut in his head was revealed, meaning he was bleeding very badly and by the looks of it, he seemed to have one broken arm as well. The old minotaur sighed and then said, “Figures.”

Of course, the little one couldn’t hear him, as the minotaur scratched his mane, and then proceeded to pull him up into his arms.

Of course he may be old due to retirement months back, but the minotaur still had enough strength that his species were so proud of. “What do you say, Tex? Let’s you and I get you outta the sunlight and somewhere comfy for ya,” he asked in a southwestern tone, until he started to walk back to somewhere safe with the kid in his arms and his fishing net full of fish along as well.

“Bowen… Bowen... wake up, sweetie... wake up…”

The little child heard someone calling him. It was the voice of a female, but he somehow couldn’t see who it was since everything was dark and foggy, but she sounded… warm and kind, and he somehow started to feel warm too. Raising his arm towards somewhere in the dark, trying to reach the source of that beautiful voice, he managed to get a closer look, and asked, “Who are you?”

Suddenly, everything went all white in a flash before it went black, as the little boy then opened his eyes and found himself in some kind of hut. It wasn’t dark like his dream since there were some lanterns lighting half of the place, but windows reflecting the sunlight, and a fireplace. He somehow couldn’t see or hear much because he started to feel a terrible headache that forced him to close his eyes for the immense pain and not only that, one of his arms also hurt… like a lot, as his head did hurt too. It was unexpectedly bandaged, and his arm was also bandaged and wrapped in a cast, but he really didn’t know how he ended in that place, but certainly was thankful to whoever helped him.

He opened his eyes to watch his surroundings, until the first thing he noticed was that he was somehow wearing blue shorts. He didn’t know why, but he felt embarrassed and shocked, and somehow knew it was wrong to be around others like that, so he used one of the sheets of his bed to make an improvised gown. He then tried to stand up, but he was still too tired to do so, and his legs were even hurting and aching to move.

He then laid back down on the bed again and tried to sleep a little more, but somehow, sooner or later, his savior had to show up.

One hour later, after getting more rest, he finally heard some hoofsteps. When he raised his head, he saw a big strange creature sitting on his chair by the fire and cooking something in a big pot. What the little creature could tell, from his point of view, he had hair covering all of his body. It was gray with a silverback spot on his back, but he also had a dark gray mane, a gray and white beard and leg fur. He was also pretty wrinkly, but he also had very big muscles, but also a little round gut with a few abs leftover, making it very clear that he wasn’t weak, and his head, along with his mane, was adorned with two giant horns.

This creature was definitely someone he didn’t want to piss off. The kid felt scared, asking himself, who was he? Maybe he is the one who saved him? Maybe he was the same species as him. Hoping to know if he was right, he tried to see if he had the same pointed things in his head, but somehow didn’t find any. Maybe for him being younger, he didn’t have them yet, before the creature immediately noticed him and stared back, and he started to walk to him.

The little two-legged creature, feeling scared, shielded himself with his good arm while he hid underneath his blanket, as he then heard something landing on the bed. He uncovered himself and looked at the object on his bed. It was a bowl filled with some kind of soup. As the big, tall, buff creature put it on there, he stared at the little one with disbelievingly confused eyes, until the big creature sighed and said, “Eat up, son. I need you fully healed as soon as possible so you can start to recover.”

The kid was shocked. He was a little reluctant about the food, but when he suddenly heard his stomach growling, he grabbed the spoon and proceeded to eat. He didn’t know what this food was, but it was delicious. He then ate it all with a little enthusiasm, as the little pieces of meat were the best part, before he laid back rubbing and patting his now full tummy and soothing the grumbling noises. The minotaur chuckled and said, “At least, I know now you can eat meat since you gladly ate all your beef bone broth. Now, go ahead and sleep some more. We have work to do in the morning. Oh, and don’t worry, your clothes are almost dried. I’ll give them to you tomorrow. I don’t know how, but I thought you might catch a cold if I didn’t take them from you. You’re even lucky to have survived all of that.”

“Tha...thanks, sir,” the kid said.

“Don’t thank me yet, son. I’m still not sure what am I going to do with you yet, but everything will pretty much depend on all of your efforts tomorrow and approximately in the next few days.”

“Oh. Okay. Umm… sir?”

“What?” the minotaur asked.

“May I ask a question?”

“Go ahead.”

The kid then asked, “Forgive me for asking, sir, but… Wh-Who are you?”

“Oh, you don’t need to keep calling me sir, Tex. Name’s Bennett Longhorn. Understand?” he said,

“Yes, yes sir… I mean Mr. Longhorn, sir… I mean Mr. Longhorn.”

“Just call me Ben. Now, what else do you want to ask?”

“Am I a creature like you too? I mean, are we the same species?”

“Look, son, I can say I am a minotaur, but you, let’s just say that you are definitely not one. And to be honest with you, I’ve never actually saw anything like you. Like what are you? You don’t know?”

He shooked his head.

“Do you know at least where are you from?”

“Umm…… . . . . . . No, Mr. Ben,” the kid replied.

“Well, it seems you have amnesia. That is really a problem,” Ben said.

“Amnesia?” the kid asked confusingly.

“Yes. It’s something that happens when others, including you can’t remember anything about your past. It’s normally a real pain.”

The little creature didn’t know what to say. Ben didn’t know what or who he was, everything kept getting more complicated at every second. He then suddenly thought, if he wasn’t a minotaur like Ben, and if he said he never saw something like him, then. . . how or what did he look like? Wanting to know right away, he asked, “Mr. Ben. . . do you think you… maybe have something I can see what I look like? I think… they are called… mirrors?”

“A mirror? Uh, sure, wait a minute.”

Ben then searched in his belongings and found a little shattered mirror. He then passed it to the kid, who immediately proceeded to look at his reflection. When he saw himself, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Ben was right, they were nothing alike. He stared at the reflection and only asked, “What… What am I?… Who am I?”

The next day, the kid was testing his arm, as it was finally healed, meaning he could move it freely by that moment, and his headaches and other aches were gone as well. Last week was a nightmare, meaning worst at nights when he had those strange dreams because they almost showed nothing, but abstract images and voices, except some were very young and some were older, he even heard lots of things but one word predomínate amongs the others…

“Bowen…”

‘Bowen?’ he thought. ‘What did that meant?’ That word remained in his head for the last few days, but he was finally able to let it all go. Until he started remembering something, until his thoughts were interrupted when Ben returned, the kid immediately ran to him to see if he had any news.

“Hello, Mr . Ben... you managed to find out something?”

Ben looked at the kiddo with a disappointed and angry face, because most of all, he was forced to go to Canterlot and the little towns next to it.

Ben sighed and then replied, “No, son. Even though I investigated in Canterlot, the pony villages and even asked the travelers, nopony reported a missing pet monkey or anything like you.”

“You... think I was a pet?” the kid asked.

“Well, I’m not sure. I mean, what other thing you could be for a pony?”

“I… I don’t know, maybe I had... a family back there?”

Ben sighed again, and approached to the kid, and then he said, “Listen, Tex, I don’t know what is happening inside that little head of yours, but I’m pretty sure you were a family pet, but maybe, with no doubt, you were taken care of by somepony and that pony may be a noble. Heck, a griffon would’ve eaten you right away already, not to mention a minotaur, and believe me when I say this, most ponies are not so kind with non-pony type of creatures, except others with gentle and kind hearts. I’d bet everything I got that you were nothing more than a family, or possibly just a pet or a slave. I don’t know how or what happened to you, but I’m guessing you were probably abandoned for no reason, and that’s something I can’t tolerate.”

The kiddo felt very cold and started to shiver. Ben continued, “By looking at your clothes, I can see their quality is indeed rich. But not many ponies can afford this kind of quality, except you also weren’t malnourished, so this pony made sure to feed you well. I can’t be sure what kind of life you had, but I’m sure you were taken care of goodly.”

“But… if that were true or not…then. . . why? Why I was in that river that night?”

“I can’t honestly answer that, son, because your amnesia doesn’t make it any easier. To my honest opinion, maybe you got tired of being a pet, maybe your owner started to treat you so badly and you decided to escape, or maybe, just maybe, he or she got tired of you and got rid of you, and I’d say that’s probably the best explanation I can think of so far. But it’s something you’re going to have to figure out yourself soon.”

“Why do you say that? Is it the best explanation?”

Ben sighed, and then spoke again, “Look. It’s been a week since I found you, and by this moment, if your owner, or owners, were interested in finding you, I would at least be able to get some information or missing charts in Canterlot or the other towns in Equestria. I even asked in the missing pets’s building, but found nothing about a creature with your description.”

The kid was now looking at him with tears of sorrow in his eyes.

Ben kneeled down and looked at him, “I’m sorry for being the one to tell you this but... there is nopony looking for you. You were definitely abandoned. But the good thing is you are free now, and I’m not going to Canterlot again, because it’s always the same thing, lots of judgmental ponies looking at me like I’m some kind of wanted criminal, but in a way to see it, you were pretty lucky.”

The kid then looked up at him, “But… but what am I going to do now? I have nowhere to go!”

Ben then made a suggestion, “If you really want to try finding your “real home”, you can try to go to Canterlot, meaning I can take you near that city, unless if that’s what you want?”

The kid thought about that offer, after thinking about his options, he said, “No! I don’t want to return to somepony who abandoned me! And to be honest. . . I DON’T WANT TO BE A PET OR A SLAVE! I will never return there, I can’t risk to be found by my previous owner, because I’m afraid what he or she would do to me if I’m found. I can’t let ponies from Canterlot see me. Not ever again.” He then began to cry.

Ben then placed his hand on the kid’s shoulder, “Well… then, that’s your decision, and to be honest, I think it’s a good one, I mean, who wants to live as a pet, and it’s almost the same to live as an slave, worst as one for most ponies who are so cruel and snobby. So, what is your plan then?”

The kid gathered all his braveness and asked, “Can… Can I stay here?”

Ben was surprised when he asked that, somehow he saw it comming, it was a little bit of a bother, but he had to admit it, having the kid could be convenient, and he may be old and cranky, but he wasn’t a monster. If he’d send the kid to that world outside, he wouldn’t last for a day and on top of that, he even had amnesia. Even without wanting it, he had to help him, at least for some time, so he answered, “Well, I was thinking about finding others who could care for you, but… IF you can carry your own weight, find your own food, and help me hunt or do other chores around or outside my home, you can stay, so I guess you take it as my permission to live here. Deal?”

The kid nodded, with a smile on his face, “Deal.” He then went over to Ben and wrapped his arms around his waist and hugged the minotaur as he felt squished against his stomach. Ben then realized the kid was being so nice, so he hugged him back.

“Alright, take it easy there. Now listen. You’re just my occupational houseguest, so don’t misunderstand our relationship, because we are not friends or pals, but as long as you do everything I tell you, you can stay, and if you try to be careful and stay out of trouble. Because most of these woods are dangerous without proper supervision. Got it?”

“Ok, Mr. Ben, thank you,” the kid said.

“One more thing. Before we go into more details, I think you need a name, because me calling you kiddo make me feel older every time I say it, so tell me, what kind of name would you like to have?”

“It’s my choice?”

“Yeah, I mean, it will be your name, at least you can choose it,”

The kid concentrated on a good name for him, but suddenly, he remembered something, “Wait a minute! I remember my name!”

“Oh? Then what is it?” Ben asked.

“I think… I think my name is Bowen. Bowen Mockingjay!” Bowen replied.

“Bowen Mockingjay? I never heard that name before, but it kinda suits you,” Ben said. “Alright, then we’ll stick with it. Bowen Mockingjay.”

Bowen smiled at the minotaur.

Canterlot Castle, Equestria…

The next day, Princess Celestia was in her throne in the middle of a trial, with Cadance present by her side, and two or four guards on her throne defending her and her niece.

However, Celestia’s eyes were very bloodshot as if she was crying not too long ago and her mane wasn’t floating at all due to a constant aching broken heart.

Suddenly the door opened, before her sight started to focus on the culprit, restricted by her royal guards and cuffed in chains. Using not a very motherly voice, she said, “And for the crime of ponynaping my son Prince Bowen Mockingjay and being responsable for his demise, including the murder of Captain Silver Spear, I, Princess Celestia, sentence you to death! Take him out of my sight!”

Silent Dagger screamed angrily while the guards took him to his execution, and struggled with his chains.

Celestia heard his screams, but her heart was set, her captain’s and son’s murderer had to pay. Then, after that, as every night would go, she said her farewell to her niece who also seemed a little relieved, and proceeded to go to her little sunshine’s bedroom. She laid on his bed, smelling the little aroma his son left in the sheets, tears started to escape from her eyes again.

“My little Bowen, now you can rest in peace.”

Author's Note

This is what Bennett looks like (but as a minotaur with a silverback spot, and he’s as strong as an angry bison)

Chapter XIX: An Unexpected Encounter (Part 2) - Unknown Species Revealed

The next morning, Bowen was helping Ben gather some firewood for the winter. He panted heavily as he ran out of breath and sat down on the wagon with the firewood. “How much more until we’re done, Uncle Ben?” he asked.

“We still have a long way to go, Bowen. Winter is close and I need to have lots of wood and food if I want to survive next season,” he replied, wheeling the wagon.

“I see,” Bowen said.

Bowen then continued carrying his little pack of wood back to the farm. It had already been one month since Ben found him, and thanks to his medical skills and medicine, he managed to heal in 3 weeks, until his little arm, legs, and head were as good as new. And now this past week, he spent it making little jobs for Ben, by collecting berries, gardening for vegetables and fruits, helping him carry firewood, and hunting. Since he didn’t have any talent in the last one, the only job suited for him when they went hunting was none other… than setting up the traps or being the bait. But thanks to his little body, including his agility and speed, he was perfect for that, he even managed to outrun a manticore for a while, but he was glad Ben killed it when he dragged it to the trap.

At night, inside the hut, after a good day collecting wood, Ben and Bowen were enjoying the warm fireplace and finished having a nice dinner of cooked deer meat and a combination of cauliflower and spinach, until Bowen laid on the bed.

“It was a good day, wasn’t it, Uncle Ben?” Bowen asked.

“Indeed,” Ben said. “Now, we have enough wood for the winter, and all we need to do now is wait for those pegasi to bring the winter.”

“Pegasi are the ones who bring the winter?” Bowen asked. “How do they do that?”

“Well, they bring rain as well because up in Cloudsdale, there’s a weather factory where they make rainbows, rain and snow clouds, but they also walk on the clouds due to pegasus magic,” Ben said.

“I think being able to touch or walk on a cloud or fly is cool,” Bowen said.

“So what is your plan when rain or a storm comes, or if a pegasus comes?” Ben asked.

“I’ll be hidden. But to be honest, I can’t risk letting them see me,” Bowen said.

Ben was now confused, “And why is that? In my opinion, you seem the kind who wants to make new friends, but why wouldn’t you let the pegasi see you? The unicorns or earth ponies?”

“I’d like to make some friends at least, but you said you never saw anything like me before,” Bowen replied. “If I’m a rare species, like you or anypony else would say, somepony could spread the word about me and maybe my old owner in Canterlot would have heard it and will come to look for me and try to reclaim me by force.”

“Very well, son. You somehow impress me, since you are young but smart,” Ben said.

“What are we doing tomorrow?” Bowen asked.

“Well, besides getting some more meat, we need to sell some of the meat to the griffons and other people.”

“Ok, Uncle Ben. I don’t exactly spend money since I’m still afraid of going to other places with you, but it will be a good idea to have some saved by the time I decide to go,” Bowen said.

“Well said,” Ben said. “Now, get some sleep. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”

Bowen nodded and then went to sleep until Ben looked at him before turning in for the night.

After a good hunting day, Bowen and Ben were dragging their reward: a good-sized supply of deer, turkey, boar, and buffalo meat, especially manticore, great horned rhinoceros, moose, and other big cats of prey. This night, they were going to eat like kings, and Bowen was proud of himself. The first time he was used as bait, he peed himself but now he was more than used to it, he was even faster now, but he still didn’t know anything about his species, but surely they were agile and he was more than happy to have the ability.

Thinking happily about the feast they were going to have, one issue crossed his mind. It has been haunting him since weeks ago. He turned to see Ben and said, “Uncle Ben, can I ask you something?”

Ben then sighed and then spoke, “I told you, Bowen. You don’t need to ask me that every time. Just ask me, and if I feel like answering, I will. If not, just interpret my silence.”

Bowen nodded and then asked, “Ok, remember you told me you never saw anything like me in all your life?”

Ben then nodded.

Bowen then asked, “Then… why did you help me that night? I mean... weren’t you surprised? Afraid?”

Ben stared at Bowen for some seconds, he then chuckled and said, “Believe it or not, Bowen, there aren’t many things that can surprise me now. I’ve lived for so long and seen many things and there are even things I regret with all my heart to have seen. But when I found you that night, I knew I couldn’t leave you out there, so I made the right choice and decided to help you and find out what you were and what you could offer to me as gratitude.”

“So... you don’t regret saving me?” Bowen asked.

“You helped me out around my land and proved yourself to be useful, so no, I don’t regret saving you,” Ben said. “But remember this, a strong man stands up for himself. A stronger man stands up for others.”

Bowen felt very happy after hearing that. Ben was not only an emotional minotaur, but had some confidence and good leadership in his heart, and at least he said something “nice” to him, he kept walking with him, carrying the tasteful meat.

Back at the hut, they prepped themselves up to some dinner, and set up the fire that was cooking some boar parts, until Bowen and Ben were then eating with gusto in their meal, enjoying the succulently juicy meat, it was obvious this was their favorite meal, except the other meats or fish didn’t compare.

“Wow, this boar is even better than the last one!”

“It may be because this one wasn’t too quick,” Ben said.

“I see,” Bowen said.

“Ok, now remember we need to sell the remaining meat at the village,” Ben said.

Bowen gulped and answered, “I don’t know, Uncle Ben. I mean, what if they find me strange and try to hunt me or something?”

“Don’t worry about that, because you are with me,” Ben said. “If any creature asks, I’ll just tell them you are my assistant and my property, no matter what you are, and that stealing is paid severely here.”

“Uh... ok, but what if they ask what I am?”

“I’ll… think of something,” Ben said, as he got the wagon ready for tomorrow. “Bowen? Why don’t you turn in for the night? I’ll do the rest.”

Bowen nodded and then went to bed while Ben continued to set up the wagon.

The next morning, after breakfast, Bowen and Ben were walking to the checkpoint between the other kingdoms and Equestria, with the wagon carrying all the meats they’ve collected after their hunting. Bowen also had a mask over his face to cover his identity.

Just a few minutes before arriving there, they reached a little house next to the road, and there were two minotaur ladies working, with one taking care of her garden and one doing their laundry.

Both had round bellies, and slim muscular upper bodies and thick legs. One was a light brown minotaur with brown spots. She had a pink snout, and a tufted dark brown mane, and she had on a gray denim suspender skirt over her torso.

The other doing the laundry was a cream-brown colored minotaur with a pink snout and bow on her mane, and had on a blue denim suspender skirt and a green underskirt with yellow and green flowers and a translucent frilly edge.

When she saw them, she and the other minotaur immediately approached them, waved her hand, and said, “Hello, Ben! How are you?!”

“Well, about time you decided to visit us today,” the other spoke in an African-American accent. “And… oh, my! Who is that little creature with you?”

Ben knew it was inevitable for these two ladies to meet Bowen someday, sighing heavily, he answered, “This is Bowen. He’s living with me, I found and decided to make him my assistant,” Ben said. “Bowen, this is Bessy and Daisy, they’re friends of mine.”

With winded eyes, the two ladies, now identified as Bessy and Daisy, looked at the small boy with Ben. Daisy then walked over and turned to Bowen, “So you’re living with him?”

A little reluctant, Bowen nodded, “Yes… Mrs. Daisy, and it’s nice to meet you and Mrs. Bessy!”

“My my, he sure is quite charming,” Bessy said in a semi sarcastic tone.

Bowen, even under his “mask” showed some blushing signals, not able to contain them, until Daisy brought him over for a hug as he wrapped his arms around her waist, feeling himself pressed against her stomach.

“Oh, he feels so embarrassed,” Daisy said, stroking his hair with her hand.

“Well, I’m not surprised since it’s obvious he is still a kid, but why the heck are you wearing a mask?” Bessy asked.

Ben was the one to answer, “Let’s just say his past owner didn’t treat him well, so he escaped, and then he lived alone for some time, and now he is not that comfortable around new people to see his face. He’s a shy boy, I’m afraid.”

Daisy gently tightened the hug and with sad eyes, she said, “Oh, you poor little thing. I’m so sorry that happened to you, but Bessy and I know now you are safe with Bennett. But don’t worry, he may be a little grumpy, but he is actually a good minotaur.”

Bowen nodded, and then she released him, before Bessy spoke up, “But I can see you are kinda thin, sugar. Come on in here, I will make sure you are well fed.”

“Ok, thanks, ma’am.”

“Please call me Bessy. Any friend of Bennett or Daisy is a friend of mine, especially when they’re so cute as you!”

After a nod from Ben telling him the selling could wait, both of them proceeded to enter inside the cabin to have a nice warm brunch.

Inside, they saw a green turtle eating some apple slices, a raccoon sleeping and wearing a tunic and pants, and a small tree-like creature.

The raccoon and turtle woke up and saw Ben and Bowen enter.

“BENNY!” the raccoon exclaimed.

“Ben! Good to see you!” the turtle said.

“I am Groot,” Groot said.

“Hello, boys,” Ben said. “Verne, Ratchet, Groot, this is Bowen, my new assistant.”

“Hi,” Bowen said.

“Nice to meet ya, kid,” Ratchet said.

“Glad to meet your acquaintance,” Verne said.

“I am Groot,” Groot said.

Bowen then lifted Groot by letting him stand on his hand and then placed him on his shoulder.

“He’s kinda nice,” Bowen said, letting Groot touch his finger.

“That’s just how Groot normally behaves,” Ratchet said.

“You’ll get used to it,” Verne said.

“Breakfast!” Bessy hollered.

Daisy was a good cook, since her eggs and bacon were amazing. Little by little, Bowen felt more comfortable with her, and Bessy also. But however, still feeling a little reluctant, he took off his mask, when Daisy saw him, Bessy said, “My my. Now I’m confused. Why would you wear a mask when you are so good-looking and cute? I must admit, I’m a little surprised, but you are not near ugly. I’m impressed you are a lot handsome.”

Blushing hard, Bowen answered, “Thanks, Mrs. Bessy.”

“You are welcome, sugar.”

Ben then told Verne and Ratchet how he found Bowen that night, leaving them in complete shock.

“Wow, I’m sorry you went through that, Bowen,” Verne said.

“You pretty much didn’t deserve a life like that,” Ratchet said.

“Thanks, guys,” Bowen said.

When brunch was over, Ben then said, “Once again, thank you for the meal, ladies. Now Bowen and I have to see our customers before they change their minds about the meat.”

Daisy, again hugging Bowen, said, “The pleasure was all ours and we hope now that you have this little one under your arm, you must come more regularly. I know a couple of cute minotaurs girls around his age who would be very charmed to know him.”

“Hahahaha, that’s nice, Daisy. But for now, let him get used to you and the rest of us,” Ratchet said.

“Once he is ready, we can all talk about that, ok?” Verne said in agreement.

“I am Groot,” Groot said in reply.

Groot, Ratchet, and Verne joined the other two in their meat delivery.

“Ok,” Daisy said, and she turned to Bowen. “And you, feel free to pay me and Bess a visit whenever you want. And if you haven’t tasted my cookies, you haven’t lived.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Daisy.”

Both of them said their farewells and continued onward, with Ratchet, Verne, and Groot following them. The checkpoint was not a problem, since Bowen was technically a property, and he didn’t even need an ID, but he had to know anything he’d do would be his “owner’s” fault so he promised to behave well.

Once in the marketplace, Bowen couldn’t hide his amazement. The little city next to the checkpoint was amazing. It was called Willowdale. It wasn’t much, but still awesome, there were tons of other creatures walking on two legs, but others were minotaurs, both young and old, there were also griffons, zebras, and ponies. The griffons looked so cool and mighty, the zebras looked calm and quiet, the other creatures were kinda scary looking, and he didn’t know why, and the ponies… well, they looked kinda cute, most of all the fillies and colts.

Feeling confused about how he was looking at the fillies and colts in the streets, he asked Ben, “Uncle Ben… I’m feeling like I’m some attraction to the fillies and colts of this city. Why is that?”

Not expecting this kind of question from someone so young, left Ben a little shocked. After some seconds, he finally answered, “Well... If I have to guess… I’d say it’s because even if you can’t remember, you still lived for so long amongst ponies and you developed an attraction to their female species.”

“That… that make sense. I hope to see a female of my species, and if I do, I hope they are cute,” Bowen said.

Both Verne and Ratchet chuckled, while that all continued their way, as expected, many creatures stared at Bowen, some with interest and some with disgust. He made his best to ignore them and didn’t leave Ben’s side.

When they were left alone, Bowen asked, “So... who are we visiting to sell the meat, Uncle Ben?”

“It’s some old friends of mine, they always buy quality meat since they befriend the nobles of Equestria,” Ben said.

“Wow…” Bowen said.

“But that’s not all. For centuries, many of these members have traveled around all the world, not only Equestria, but Minus, Saddle Arabia, Zebrica, or Griffonstone, so there is no place where at least one family member hasn’t been.”

“That’s impressive. But why are you telling me that?” Bowen asked.

“Because if any creature would have a little idea what you are, it’s him or at least one member of his family,” Ben said.

“I see, but if…” Bowen was then cut off.

“Don’t worry, kid. You’ll get the hang of it,” Ratchet said.

“Just let us handle it. Because my tail tingles when I get a bad feeling, so I’d suggest you stay behind,” Verne said.

Bowen nodded, knowing he was in good hands or hooves. Very soon, both of them arrived at their destination, an old library that looked like a griffon’s hut. Ben knocked on the door until what answered the door appeared to be a female griffon with a brown lion body and wings, and her head had ten, black, brown and white feathers and had yellow eyes.

”Otulissa? Are the others home?” Ben asked.

“Hello, Bennett! Yes, they’re home!” Otulissa replied, with a British accent. She then gasped with excitement at the sight of Bowen in their presence. “Oh, who’s this little one?! Oh, he’s so adorable!”

She then lifted Bowen in her talon arms and then brought him towards her chest for a hug.

“Ahem!” a voice appeared.

Otulissa turned around and saw a griffon, except he had gray and white-tinted feathers with a few brown feathers peeking, yellow eyes, and a light and dark gray lion body. “Whatcha doing there? Eh?” he asked in an English accent.

“Sorry, it’s just that…” Otulissa was suddenly interrupted by another voice. “What’s going on here?”

Just then, they saw more griffons appearing.

One had the feathers of a harpy eagle and a male snowy owl, brownish amber eyes, and a gray body.

The one next to him was a female, but she had not only the same feathers as her husband, but also the feathers of a female snowy owl, dazzling whitish blue eyes and the build of a supermodel pony in Equestria.

The one on the left had dark brown wings and head feathers, yellow eyes, and a brown lion body.

The one next to him had the same feathers as Otulissa, but was a bit taller than her.

The one on the right had gray feathers and wings, a darker gray lion body, and greenish-white eyes.

The one next to him was a little bit smaller than the others, had brown and gray feathers and a small mustache and beard, yellowish-brown eyes, and a tan-colored body, and had a small scar on his face.

“Oh, sorry, your highness,” Otulissa said to the first griffon, putting Bowen down.

“It’s quite alright, my dear Otulissa,” the one called Boron said.

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Bennett,” Barran said.

“Indeed it is,” Ben said.

“And I see you’ve brought some friends along with you,” the one named Bubo said.

“We’ve thought it was a good day to explore for the day,” Ratchet said. “Got tired of sitting around and stuff.”

“Well, not only that, except we wanted to know more about this kid right here,” Verne explained. “He’s suffering from a short term amnesia.”

“And who is this?” Grimble asked after seeing Bowen hiding behind Otulissa’s front legs.

“I rescued him in the forest, and is now helping and living with me,” Ben explained.

Ratchet then continued, “If you’re wondering what he is, he is…”

“He is a human,” the griffon named Allomere answered almost whispering, meaning he didn’t want anyone to hear him.

“A what?” both of them said.

Otulissa put her claw on his mouth to tell them to be quiet, and then Boron ordered them all to enter their hut.

Once they were inside, a conference was made, with the griffons in their seats and their guests standing or sitting.

“In all my life, I never heard of that word and you know very well I’ve almost seen or heard everything,” Bubo said. “What I’m concerned is about how a human child could possibly make it this far.”

“Having examined him, Your Majesty, they do show signs of the trials that they described,” Barran said to her husband.

“It beggars belief to think that this brave minotaur would risk his entire life to care for a human child by himself,” Strix Struma said, as Lord Allomere begins to chuckle lightly. “Does my Lord Allomere feel otherwise?”

Allomere then spoke up, “Oh, good Glaux. Boron, your majesty. If I do understand and remember correctly, it’s merely natural you or better say that practically no one else in other places in Equestria or outside knows what a human is, because it’s never been mentioned in any of their books or have existed in their time.”

“What do you mean?” Bowen asked, as the griffons looked at him.

Allomere then continued, “Well, my dear boy. According to this particular experience from before, humans still exist in our time, but not many have been noticed, until now. Because you’re not the first. Many other humans come from royal blood or from other villages in the outskirts of Avalar, or from other worlds in different dimensions, which may also believe to be a fairy tale.”

“And how do you know that?” Ratchet asked, “I always knew you guys were eggheads but still, how do you know this and the rest of the world doesn’t?”

“Because… the one who made contact with the humans… was our ancestor, Gawain the Wise and his unicorn friends and partners, Starswirl the Bearded, his pupil Clover the Clever, and one unicorn named Professor Elder Scroll Heartstrings, a brilliant professor of archaeological science and artifacts.”

“Wow… Is there more?” Bowen asked, since he was so surprised, he didn’t expect to get the answer about what species he was that fast.

“Our ancestor and his colleagues were the bestest of friends, and they loved to travel around the world looking for something to do their magical research on, and they said they saw many things, new places, hidden cities, but… they even said that they have touched one of the legendary enchanted items of all time.”

Bowen was amazed, because he didn’t understand what those ítems were, but they sounded awesome.

“But in one of their journals our families and their ancestors have been keeping for centuries, they mentioned a creature that looked like a furless ape, but was was rather intelligent, and it also appeared he claimed that he didn’t have magic, but they swore that they sensed some in him. It seemed they befriended with him, but he somehow disappeared, fearing that something would go terribly wrong.”

Bowen, Verne, Groot and Ratchet kept listening.

“The only important thing they managed to know about him was that his species were called human, but some were from another dimension or from the other side of our lands. And his name… was Professor Cornelius.”

Ratchet was unamused, “And that’s all?”

“Precisely, my friend. The journal also said they decided to keep quiet about it since no creature would ever believe them and made a sworn promise to never speak of this again. But of course, my ancestor lied since he made sure any member of the family would swear to tell his story for generations up to me, but of course, all of us thought they were crazy but… it seemed they weren’t.”

“Allomere, when you said other dimensions or other side of our lands, are you saying that humans… are like aliens?” Verne asked.

“I’m not sure, but it may have predicted it,” Allomere replied.

Suddenly, they heard someone laughing and coughing, before they saw an old griffon named Ezylryb, before Allomere asked, “Does that notion strike Ezylryb as amusing?”

“What cheek!” he said. “What’s amusing to me is that you would cover yourself by besmirching these young ones.”

“Perhaps my good fellow Ezylryb wishes us to race back to warfare with the empire or start a campaign,” Allomere commented.

“No, no.”

“Or perhaps he’d write a poem about it from his hollow; and what the boy has discovered, while the rest of us... Well, while the rest of us had our talons and most of our feathers deformed too.”

“Uh-huh.”

“But I say caution when the losses could be so many, but not with the emperor and his army still at large,” Allomere said, before Ezylryb walked over.

“I would never counsel rushing blindly into war with the empire, but for a cause such as a load of disgraceful assortment of unspeakable and deplorable rubbish imaginable that you mentioned towards the boy and our friends, for a violation of peace so blatant, so powerful... ...of course I’d fight! What other course to take? And if you think I’m just a old, bloody coward, or I’d simply urge others on, I’ll fight you right here and right now.”

King Boron then banged his gavel, “Order.”

“Boron, you can judge the winner,” Ezylryb commented.

“Mildly, griffons. We’re trying to seek the truth,” Boron said, until Bowen spoke up.

“The truth? I just told you the truth. You said that I’m not the only human in this world. But I don’t know where to begin.”

“What do you mean, Bowen?” Barran asked, until Verne saw Bowen feeling nervously sad.

“Bowen, what’s wrong? Aren’t you surprised to know what species you are and how special you are?”

Bowen nodded, “Well yes, I mean, I still can’t believe I discovered what I am that fast but... that also means... I will never know someone like me. I’m alone.”

“Pfft! So what?” Ratchet said, before he continued.

“So what if you never meet someone like you? That doesn’t mean you can’t know other creatures.”

Verne then continued, “He’s right you know. I mean, look at Daisy and Bessy. They like you. And you may not notice, but some of those fillies were looking at you with amazement. I believed they wanted to know you better, so it’s up to you.”

Bowen was surprised that both a talking raccoon and a talking turtle were encouraging him, so fighting his tears he answered, “You’re right! I won’t say I’m alone again. But maybe in my past life I was just a pet, but now I will make my own life with my own choices.”

“Excellent decision, Bowen. Because we’re with you till the end of the other side,” Ratchet said.

Bowen then spoke to the council, “And to be honest with you all, the only proof we had was that since I’ve suffered a lot. But I hoped that you might have some kind of solution that could help me remember who I really am. And still, I believed.”

Ezylryb turned to Boron, “And you would argue with that?”

Boron sighed, “I will not argue with it.”

Allomere then spoke, “Your Majesty, may I suggest that maybe the boy should…”

“No,” Boron said, cutting him off. “We shall let our friend Bennett handle it. What you will do from now on, never say anything we just told you, unless you want this child captured for experimentation. So be very thorough.”

“Understood. As long as I am alive, nothing will stand in my way with keeping the boy safe.”

“So, that means you will keep the secret?” Ratchet asked.

“Correct.”

Ezylryb then turned to them, “I must warn you, be careful if you ever go to Equestria, more precisely either Canterlot or Ponyville, as far as I know, the descendant of Elder Scroll Heartstrings, lives in one of those towns, meaning that Elder Scroll didn’t plan to keep the secret from his family.”

Bowen felt more afraid than ever. He decided long ago to never go to Equestria, but now he had another reason not to. As he would never go there again, he then said, “Don’t worry Mr. Ezylryb, I was planning to never go there anyway.”

“And why is that?”

Bowen proceeded to tell Ezylryb his theory about his origins, when he finished, Ezylryb and the other guardians looked with a few serious faces, before he said, “Your point is valid, but you can’t honestly be sure of that. And believe me, one creature can’t normally live without knowing who he was, at least not a peaceful life. It may not happen today or tomorrow, but someday you will want to know who you were these first years of your life. You can negate it all you want but someday, you will go to Equestria for answers.”

“Maybe, but as you said, that day is not today and it will not be very soon.”

Boron nodded and then banged his gavel, as the motion was already carried.

Once they were returning home, while walking through the street, Bowen noticed the lack of ponies compared to the rest of creatures, he then asked, “Uncle Ben, why are there a few ponies, but so many of the rest of them different creatures?”

“Well, you really are very clever kid, huh?” Ratchet asked.

Ben then spoke up, “To tell you the truth, son, all the few ponies you see here are travelers or nomads, meaning they don’t stay for much longer. They usually travel around here since this road is the quickest in their countries.”

“And why is that?”

“Let’s say that many years ago, there was a war between the countries and even though it ended, right now, some of the countries are not exactly in good terms with the other countries in Equestria. We normally have a peace treatment, but both countries are at edge. Not many ponies dare to travel here and not many travel to Equestria as well, because you’d typically need special permission to do so.”

“I see. Guess that might take time getting used to,” Bowen said.

Ratchet laughed, “Who cares? Even if they do travel to Equestria, who would believe them? They normally travel there for some kind of social gatherings or something like that.”

After hearing that and stared at each other for some seconds, they all exploded in a huge laugh. It was the first time Bowen saw how Ben laughed. Maybe, just maybe, someday, he would consider him a friend instead of a mere assistant, Bowen thought.

“Maybe someday, I’d be like… like if I were a hero, and maybe slay any villains and monsters in my path, or maybe be a Viking or an explorer, and write many stories and poets about my adventures so that the world could hear about them.”

“Well, you could, but it’s typically impossible,” Verne said.

“I said I could. I can be anything!” Bowen said.

“Yeah, right. Like that would ever happen,” Ratchet said.

“Hey, lay off him, Ratchet. He’s just trying to fit in,” Verne said.

“I am Groot,” Groot commented.

“Thanks, Verne,” Bowen said.

“Don’t mention it,” he replied.

Later on, they continued on with their day.

Later that night, in Canterlot, Celestia was sitting on the soft red pillow in her chambers in complete heartbreak, feeling sad about the loss of not only her sister, but also her son, Bowen.

Opening the door and entering the room was her niece Cadance, as she asked, “Hey, you okay?” Celestia didn’t reply, until Cadance walked over to her aunt to comfort her, “There, there. It’s all right, Aunt Celestia. It’ll be okay.”

“No, it won’t,” Celestia replied.

“What do you mean? Sure it will, you’ll see,” Cadance said.

“No. I promised him I’d never let anything happen to him. To protect him from anypony who’d dare try to harm him or take him away. I failed. I’m a terrible mother.”

Cadance was somehow shocked, “Huh. That’s a funny thing to promise.”

“What?” Celestia asked.

“Well, you can’t never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him... Not much fun for Bowen.” Cadance replied, until Celestia began to cry, before Cadance comforted her aunt again. “I’m sorry. I know he meant so much to you. I felt the same way too. He was like the little brother I’ve ever had, ever since he came along in our lives, and I loved him so much. Wherever he is, I’m sure he’ll still love you. Always.”

Celestia smiled, and then brought her niece over for a hug by placing her wing around her, “Thank you, my niece. I’m sure Bowen would understand that too, if he were still alive.”

“I think so too. I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning,” Cadance said, walking out of her aunt’s bedroom and over to hers, while Celestia envisioned her son Bowen standing with her and watching the moon light up in the sky like they would always do.

Author's Note

Sorry it took so long to write this. I had trouble thinking about making up some other characters, but some you might be familiar with.

Chapter XX: Growing Up

’Since the day I found out I was a “human”, I begun feeling a lot more at peace, even though I will never see anyone like me. Thanks to Uncle Ben’s words, I can now keep going, without giving up. We visited the Guardians of Griffonstone more most of the time and I answered many of Mr. Ezylryb’s questions. He is a good griffon, but he’s sometimes a little bit awkward but in a good way. Many things have changed. I befriended some of the villagers in the city, but sometimes playing with their children can be hard. I can say that I have a good life here, meaning I don’t even need to use a mask anymore, at least not in this city. All of them accepted me as I am. Over the past months, Uncle Ben taught Bowen many amazing things about survival, and how to adapt with the wilderness around me. I don’t know what I would have done if Uncle Ben wouldn’t have found me that night, or else I’d probably be dead by now.’

While Bowen lived with Ben, he decided to advocate himself by learning how to adapt in the wilderness, and helped him with some other chores.

One time, he accidentally fell off a branch, landing in a pile of mud and a few raked leaves, nervously smiling at Ben, who just shrugged and shook his head, knowing that he was just having a little fun.

Fishing with Ben, Bowen tugged his fishing rod, and when he pulled it out, he caught the biggest bass he ever saw, and tried to get it to hold still.

A stag was sharpening his antlers with a tree, while Bowen tried to make himself a spear with a sharp rock and then knew that it was sharp enough.

He then saw Groot bull riding a chinchilla like in a rodeo.

When the winter finally came, Bowen, in his winter gear made by Daisy, went sledding with Groot, Ratchet and Verne, leaving a huge splash of snow in front of Ben, Bessy and Daisy, as they were covered in snow while shoveling snow and gathering more firewood.

Daisy also gave him more clothes, since she was an expert at clothes making. They were a white sleeveless vest with a silver zipper and a grayish blue backside and a black collar, black cloth wristbands, some denim cargo pants in blue with a black belt and a pair of sneakers in white, gray and yellow.

Later on, it’s been one year since Ben found Bowen. Today, he took a decision to train Bowen if he needed to be stronger and to know how to defend himself during hunting season.

The next winter, Bowen got a cold from standing outside in the cold naked. Bessy and Daisy were furious about it at first.

Bowen then tried catching some fireflies for a lantern but he accidentally fell into a swamp full of Cragadiles, as he dodged each of them thanks to the basic training from Ben.

Later on, Bowen received his own hunting gear, a sword and scabbard and a handheld spear with a sheath for the tip. He decided to try out his spear by getting some fruit of some trees, making them into a kebab, and then took them, washed and ate them, but shared some with Groot. What he noticed was Ben reading some scrolls, but felt a little sad while reading.

During the summertime, he managed to try out somersaulting, while wearing a new pair of swim shorts, through a herd of elephants and then cannonballed into the river for a nice swim, and then swam across.

Bowen’s third winter with Ben paid off, since he could now last up to 1 hour without clothes in the snow, due to training his body to take high temperatures as well.

They hunted more to have money to afford the usage of saunas in the city’s spa.

As with the cold, the first days were horrible but after some weeks, his body started to get used to hot temperatures as well.

When there was a heavy rain storm at Bessy and Daisy’s house, Bowen fixed their roof with some spare wood given by Groot, and then made some repairs with some rope and vines to tie it shut.

Most of the time, Bowen and Ben had some sparring with each other, but Bowen would always win.

Bowen one time caught Groot leaving a huge pile of shedded wood, as he saw him as a teenager now, but also had a potty mouth.

After some months of training, Bowen finally got through this throwing knives thing, and through the smoke bombs.

When Bowen saw a huge snake, he lured it through every root of every tree, until it ended up tangled with its coils stuck on the roots and leaving Bowen unamused with a sly smirk on his face.

After it took five years of training, Bowen finally managed to defeat a manticore and a chimera by himself without a single scratch!

Bowen could jump very high, run very fast, he even has some muscles, and was very agile.

After climbing up a waterfall, he stood up on a cliff and enjoyed a nice view of the sunset from the horizon.

(end of song)

Author's Note

Rights for the song goes to Phil Collins and Disney

I also might have made this for Bowen’s clothes:

Chapter XXI: Unwanted Attention

One relaxing morning, Daisy and Bessy were relaxing after finishing up their gardening, before they unexpectedly noticed something or someone from behind, as they knew who it was.

“Don’t even think about it,” Bessy said.

It was none other than Bowen, who was now 16 years old.

“How’d you know it was me?” he asked.

“Don’t get me wrong, sugar. We know enough to suspect you attempting a prank on us,” Bessy said.

“Where were you earlier?” Daisy asked.

“I thought you knew everything,” Bowen said.

“Shouldn’t you be delivering the cart of meat to the village’s butcher shop?” Daisy asked.

“Alright, I’m on it,” Bowen said, as he left the hut.

“And could you take the crates full of fruit and vegetables with you please?” Daisy asked. “They need to go to the marketplace in the village.”

“Yeah, sure thing,” Bowen replied, as he left with the food in the cart.

As Bowen arrived in the village to deliver the meat to the butcher’s shop, as always, he would make a quick stop to visit the Guardians of Griffonstone. The day was totally nice, as he greeted everycreature he encountered before they greeted back.

When Bowen reached the produce stand and unloaded the crates from his cart, there were 3 ponies talking with who appeared to be Ezylryb, but he immediately noticed this wasn’t a casual visit, but some sort of riot. One was a unicorn with tan fur and sand tan clothes, while two earth ponies beside him were wearing gray leather jackets on them, except one of them was bluish purplish gray and the other was olive green.

“Tell us! Where is he? We know he is hidding around here!” the unicorn said, threatening Ezylryb.

“How should I know? Even if I knew, you’d have to kill me because I’d never tell some villainous scoundrels like you three!” Ezylryb replied.

“Oh, he’s being all tough and stuff, boss,” the blue earth pony said.

“You better do something fast!” the green earth pony said.

“SHUT UP, BOYS! I CAN HANDLE THIS!” The unicorn then lit up his horn after pressing his hoof down on his neck, choking the pony, “You’re lying! You think you’re tough, old man? You haven’t seen nothing yet. But if you don’t tell me what I want to know in five seconds, I’ll. . .”

At that moment before he would finish, the unicorn felt a sword a few inches away from his neck. After his two minions pointed to the sound of his voice, he turned his head carefully and saw that it was Bowen with a stern look and holding his spear in the other hand.

“Just what were you about to do?”

After the unicorn set Ezylryb free, Bowen removed the sword from his neck and backed off in case they tried something stupid.

“Splatter, you ever see this guy before?” the pony in grey and green asked.

“Not really, Dodge. Why?” the purple and gray pony now named Splatter replied.

“You okay?” Bowen asked the old griffon, who nodded in reply.

“Now, as for you three!” Bowen pointed his spear towards the thugs, as the two earth ponies started shaking.

“We were uhh… uhh… just about done!” Dodge said.

“Yeah, what he said!” Splatter replied in agreement.

“WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP?!” The unicorn’s eyes widened even more while his anger increased, he was about to light up his horn to kill this creature but decided to back off. Now was not the time to attract any unwanted attention.

“When I’m done with my business here, I promise you’ll pay for this next time I see you again. Come on, fellas.”

“Coming, boss!” his partners, Splatter and Dodge responded.

As the three ponies started to leave the city, Bowen and Ezylryb saw them leave. Once they were out of sight, Bowen asked, “Who were those guys?”

At Ezylryb’s room in the Guardians’ home, Ezylryb explained to Bowen who the three thugs were, “Those three were Diesel Thunderbolt and his two companions, Splatter and Dodge, three low life treasure hunters and notorious thieving thugs who are very well known in any other region in Equestria, including Griffonstone.”

“What did they want here?” Bowen asked, feeling confused.

“It appears they want to cause trouble for some obvious reason,” Ezylryb replied.

“Are they always like this?” Bowen asked.

“That’s correct,” Ezylryb replied.

Bowen then noticed something that he saw a few years back that happened with Ben, so he asked, “Ezylryb, a few years back, when I was playing with Groot, I saw Uncle Ben reading something in the cabin, but it somehow seemed to upset him. Do you think you know what it was he was reading?”

Ezylryb then chuckled, “You mean he never told you?”

“Told me what?” Bowen asked.

Ezylryb then sighed, “That cranky old minotaur, he knows he doesn’t have much ti-”

“You can stop there, gramps!” another voice interrupted him, when they turned around, they saw Daisy and Bessy, along with Groot, Verne and Ratchet entering the hut.

“Bessy? Daisy? Why are you all here?” Bowen asked.

“We heard about what happened,” Daisy said.

“Let me guess, those three burglars?” Bowen asked.

“They came to our home and asked us, including everyone else who knew Ben,” Daisy said.

“Sheesh, it’s been like two or three years since those three scumbags came,” Ratchet commented. “They just don’t know when to give up.”

“Every time they go to every home or village, they always tease or threaten others, randomly steal or damage their property, and just walk away after trying to get the information they need,” Verne said.

“They’ve got some nerve barging into our door without knocking for some reason!” Bessy said.

“So they’ve been attacking other villages because of… Uncle Ben!” Bowen said, as he knew something was wrong. He exited the hut in a flash, before noticing smoke coming from the forest.

“Oh no, the forest is on fire!” Verne said.

“We’re not blind, Verne! We can see it from here!” Ratchet said.

Bowen then looked closely, “No, I don’t think so! The smoke is not that big to be a fire, but… it looks like the smoke is coming from. . . OH NO!”

Bowen proceeded to run as fast as he could to where the smoke was coming from, with the others worried about Bowen’s reaction.

Author's Note

This is what I made the three thugs based on:

Chapter I: Hope for a Child

“‘Long ago, in the faraway lands within a magical world, there was a golden age of powerful gods, noble king and queens, powerful creatures of titanic forces of nature, and many extraordinary heroes. And the greatest and strongest of all these heroes was a mighty prince himself’,” a narrative voice said, revealing a stained glass window of a human character saving two races. “‘But what is the measure of a true hero? Ah, that is what our story is-’”

Thalia then cut him off, “Ugh! Will you listen to him? He’s makin’ the story sound like some lame tragedy.”

“Lighten up, dude,” Terpsichore said.

Calliope then said, “We’ll take it from here, darling.”

“‘You go, girl’,” the narrator said.

Calliope and the other ladies then began, “We are the Muses. Goddesses of the arts and proclaimers of the heroes.”

“Heroes like you-know-who!” Terpsichore said.

“Honey, of course you mean that “hunk muffin”!” Thalia said. “Ooh, I’d like to make some sweet music with him-”

The Muses then started humming, as Calliope started narrating again, “Our story actually begins long before our idol was brought to this word, many years ago…”

Back when the world was new,

The land of Equestria and other kingdoms near its borderlands were down on its luck.

And everywhere beyond gigantic brutes,

and many monstrous animals or creatures ran amok!

It was a nasty place!

There was a mess wherever you stepped.

Where chaos reigned and earthquakes,

and volcanoes never slept!

And then along came the gods, kings and queens!

They all fought valiantly,

Until SHAZAM!

All the wildlife was in complete protection!

They’re living in the deep roots now!

And on their own stopped chaos in its tracks.

And that’s the gospel truth!

Those moments were too type A to just relax.

And that’s the world’s first dish.

They tamed their lands while still in youth.

Though, honey, it may seem imposs’ble-

That’s the gospel truth!

Everywhere around and beyond, life was neat

and smooth as sweet vermouth.

Though, honey, it may seem imposs’ble-

That’s the gospel truth!

The stained glass revealed the actual forest, and then showed more of the land by panning everywhere.

’The story that I want to tell you cannot be found in a book. They say the history of these two worlds was written from the literature of a poet or another storyteller, but it’s never been told from the heart of one, not till now. I was born here in this place that would come to be whatever I would call home, but to my kind, the lands were somehow ageless. It had no beginning and no end, no boundary between the earth and sky. Like the winds in the tundra grasses or anywhere else in the world, I belonged here. But anywhere in the distance that I would go, I would always belong here.’

’They say the spirits of perfect harmony are what keeps many things in balance. Whether that balance was won or lost in the end, that’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself. But the story I want to tell you is true. I was there, and I remember. I would remember the sun, and the moon, the stars, sky and the wind calling my name in a time when our kingdoms lived together and their children ran free.’

Somewhere, next to the land of Equestria, there was a faraway village that was bordered by a unbreakable stone wall guarded by wooden pillars pointed with steel sharp spikes, and thousands of human soldiers that served by the knighthood of Caliburn, and they wore royal blue and navy blue fabric, and shining silver armory. Inside the village was a large marketplace, along with a few houses, inns and stables, and on the far end on a huge cliff was a big castle that belonged to a royal fellowship of knights, kings, and queens.

In a large room of the castle, there were many rows of bookshelves and a few columns on the far sides of the room. Large vases and statues, along with a few pillars, stood in between them. A large, round metal and glass covered ceiling painted with pictures of big battles and worshipping legendary figures hovered above the centerpiece of the room, including a large round table with lots of chairs, rugs and recliners by the fireplace, and outside by the door was a largely widespread balcony with a large multi-tiered fountain completed with a surrounding flower garden around it like a big maze. Water was spewing from the top of an obelisk funnel, and cascading down multiple levels before it filled up the lower tier.

Inside the room, the fellowship were having a conference. One in the left corner by the door was a man with dark grayish brown hair with a large beard, and brown eyes. He wore a black armor with gold linings and blue fabric. His name was Arathorn Lothar, the courageous king from the Great Plateau.

The one on the right corner by the door was an elf with a silver headpiece that looked like a vine, and he had long blackish brown hair, green eyes, and he wore a grayish green robe-layered tunic with a grayish bronze yellow toga with gold linings. His name was Elwin, the noble elf king from the Summer Forest. Next to him was a elf woman with blackish brown hair and brown eyes, and she had the same headpiece as her husband, and she wore a apple greenish white dress with a layer of white in the middle and underneath, and she wore a silver diamond necklace. Her name was Arwen Udonna, the elf maiden from the Summer Forest, and Elwin’s wife.

The one on the chair by the fireplace was a elf queen with a sparkling white dress and a white cloak, and she had pure blondish white hair with princess braids and a headpiece, and she had sapphire blue eyes. Her name was Galadriel, the elf queen from the Mystic Lake.

The one on the chair in front of the others was man who had brownish blind hair and a shirt trimmed beard, blue eyes, and he wore a brownish red and navy blue royal coat with golden yellow linings and gold colored knight armory underneath. His name was Jonathas, the hopeful king of the Caliburn village. Next to him was a woman who had princess braided long dark brownish red hair, brown eyes, and wearing a aqua blue and forest green maiden like queen dress underneath a reddish brown and reddish violet cloak with a blue toga. Her name was Samira, Jonathas’s wife.

“I thank you all for coming,” Jonathas said. “It’s a pleasure, old friend,” Arathorn said. “You seem unsettled,” Arwen said. “Something troubling you they you wish to explain?” Elwin asked. “I’m pleased to say that our kingdoms here in Avalar are once again safe from these recent dangers, and I’m grateful for your aides during our times together,” Jonathas replied. “We’re always proud to help, old chap,” Arathorn said. “I’m afraid you are both correct. Nothing has happened over the last couple of months except a recent war against another empire of ruthless invading soldiers,” Elwin said.

“And once we continue this time of peace and justice, we will all coexist together once more and bring order and restore balance to our kingdoms as we once did, and hold a feast of honor together,” Jonathas said. “Agreed!” Arathorn said in agreement. “I humbly accept your decision, hopeful one,” Galadriel said. “We will all do what we can to partake in this matter,” Arwen said, as Jonathas nodded, and felt his wife Samira place her hand on his shoulder.

Suddenly, Jonathas’s top general, Perseus, along with Captain Astrum and Sergeant Marcus came into the room for urgent news, then kneeled down, “Your majesty, invaders have broken one of our sacred borders.”

“That’s impossible. No one can get through our great walls,” Samira asked, as Jonathas put her at ease. “Explain, General.”

“We believe Lord Zosimus is leading them,” Perseus explained. “Zosimus? As in the leader of the Imperial Order?” Arwen asked. “I’m afraid so, dear,” Elwin replied. “And that’s not worst of all, your highness,” Sergeant Marcus said. “We’ve also been informed that a few villages were destroyed and invaded by them as well after they broke in.”

“I’m afraid that this must end sooner than later. General, take your troops and send out urgent news to all villages in Avalar. The rest of us, be prepared,” Jonathas said, as they all left the room, leaving him and his wife alone, as she sat on a recliner by the fireplace. Jonathas went over to her and sat next to her for comfort and wrapped his cape over her, and then gently grabbed her by the chin and and lifted her head up to meet her eyes, “What troubles you, dear?”

“Is it true, darling? Is… Is the kingdom in danger?” Samira asked. “Yes, I’m afraid so,” Jonathas replied softly. “Listen, don’t let it get to you. You have had enough on your mind worrying about our people and your family. So please, don’t cry.”

“That’s not why I’m crying, and I’m not scared,” Samira replied as she felt nervous to tell her husband. Jonathas suddenly comforted her by stroking her shoulder and then asked, “Why then? Tell me.”

Samira sighed, until she gently grabbed his hand and then placed it on her belly, “I’m with child.”

“Are you sure?” Jonathas asked, as his wife nodded with a tearful smile, until they both kissed with a lip lock and then embraced themselves by the fire before they headed off to bed.

8 months later…

In the bedroom, Samira was now going into labor, as a few nursemaids helped deliver the baby. Samira took a few heavy deep breaths without hyperventilating, and she then pushed again, but stopped to breathe.

In the round table room, Perseus came into the room to tell Jonathas the news. “Sire, I have news.”

Jonathas turned around and faced his top general, “What is it, Perseus?”

“It’s your wife. She’s having a baby this instant,” he replied. “You better get down there. Better hurry.”

Jonathas nodded, and then left the room he was in and walked down the hall to reach his and his wife’s bedroom, and then waited outside so that the delivery can be done.

One nursemaid wiped the sweat off her, and then another spoke while Samira kept breathing heavily, “There, there, mein lady. Very good job you are doing. A very good job indeed.”

Samira nodded, as she was still breathing heavily.

“Keep breathing, milady. Just keep breathing,” another nursemaid said. “Alright then, here we go again. PUSH!” the other nursemaid said, and Samira then kept pushing, and grunted in pain, but stopped as she slipped and kicked her sweating legs, but screamed in pain as she pushed again. The nursemaids suddenly saw something coming out, and then got towels, a jug of water and a few blankets ready.

Suddenly, after Samira gave one last painful push, she was finally done. Jonathas then heard nothing more than silence but a faint sound he immediately recognized.

Inside the room, the nursemaids gently poured water on the newborn baby and wiped him clean as he kept crying and then it stopped as the nursemaid holding him wrapped him in a bundle of blankets.

Jonathas suddenly came in. “What is it?” he asked a nursemaid. “You’ve given birth to a son, my lord,” the nursemaid replied. Jonathas nodded and then saw the nursemaid giving their son in the bundle over to Samira, as she held him close to her and then the baby looked up at her as he looked very peacefully calm. “Hello, little one,” Samira said, as she began to cry happily while letting her child hold her fingers with his tiny little hands.

The nursemaid next to Samira looked at her king, and then said, “We’ll leave you two alone.” Jonathas nodded and then the nursemaids left the room, as Jonathas walked over closely and took a good look at his newborn son in Samira’s arms, “You’ve done well, Samira. Now he is ready to grow up. Soon, he shall rule with us and become king of this village once he is older.”

They then looked closer at their son as he had some familiar features. “He has your eyes, dear,” Jonathas said. “Yes. And he looks like you,” Samira said, as their son started to sleep with his mother.

Meanwhile, one guard was on patrol like the others, and making sure nobody was coming in. But suddenly, he saw shadowy figures from afar, and when his vision was cleared up, they were Imperial Telmarine soldiers in black and dark grey fabric and dark silver armory, and a symbol of a red, black and grayish silver hexagonal sigil. They each had bows with either regular or flaming arrows, swords, spears, crossbows, shields, catapults with burning spiked balls or regular boulders, and cannons with red destructive firework effects. When the cannons fired at the wall and caused an explosion and then arrows started firing, the soldier knew what was happening.

“WE’RE UNDER ATTACK! SOUND THE SIGNAL!” he shouted, and then another guard went to the speaker to warn the village. “Attention, all villagers! The Imperial Telmarines are coming! Get to shelter or evacuate immediately! Repeat: Get to shelter or evacuate immediately!”

Two other guards rang the bell, causing the villagers to panic and evacuate their homes. The soldiers guarding the village prepared themselves for battle, and then as the Imperial Telmarines charged to battle, the Caliburn knights charged to battle with swords, spears, crossbows, cannons, and lots of artillery. They clashed with the Telmarines and lots of other soldiers were dying, and suddenly the village was being invaded by other Telmarines but some Caliburn soldiers fought to protect the villagers. As some villagers tried to stay safe, other Telmarines destroyed their property, captured families and put them in cages and slaughtered those who resisted with the execution.

Meanwhile, Samira, who was paralyzed from the attack, was holding her newborn baby boy in her arms in a cradle after the noise woke him up, shushing him to keep him calm as he was whimpering and softly crying. “Hush, my son. It’s okay,” she said, and then her baby rested himself against her chest as the baby nestled with her chest, until she kissed him on the forehead and softly stroked his chest. Her husband, Jonathas came back with a sword in his hand, and holding a medallion along with it, and he kissed his wife on the lips and then looked at his son by softly stroking his hair. “How’s he doing?” he asked. “He’s scared,” Samira said, until she shushed her whimpering child again. “I’m afraid we have no choice. We’ll have to send him off if we want him to live,” Jonathas said. “I know it’s risky, but are you sure, dear? What if we get caught?” Samira asked.

“As long as he doesn’t know what happened, he’ll be fine,” Jonathas said, until they heard an explosion nearby. “I want you to take our son to the forest and get him out over to the bay, and take this basket. He’ll be safe in this. I’ll stay behind to distract them while you flee. Now, we must hurry.” Samira nodded, and then as her husband took out the talisman, which was a silver medallion with a huge cross around a circle carved with hieroglyphics, and symbols of a sun on the top right, a planet, sun, moon on the top left, a loophole on the bottom right, and a triangle on the bottom left, and then placed it on their son’s small form, until it began to glow and then floated before it’s physical form turned into dust and smoke, before entering the child’s body and then it stopped.

“What have you done?!” Samira asked. “Don’t be alarmed, dear. I’ve managed to find a safer way for our child and the talisman to be safe from the wrong hands. Now, hurry. Take our son and run away. Go!” Jonathas replied, until he then went to cause a diversion, while Samira went on ahead and made it to a safer exit by hiding herself without being spotted by the Telmarines.

Suddenly, Jonathas fought more troops and then he saw another person come by riding a dark grayish black friesian steed with red beady eyes and black horse armor. The man had bulky king-like armor and had a crowned helmet on his head, and a huge black cape around his shoulders, and then he took of his helmet, and revealed himself as a man at the age of 45, and having black hair and hazel eyes.

“So, this is Jonathas, the village leader?” he asked. “I assume you are Lord Zosimus, commander of this army?” Jonathas asked, until Zosimus walked closer to him. “Where is the talisman hiding? We know you still have it, but first... where is your wife?” Zosimus asked. “She’s gone, and you will never find her or what is destined to become of him,” Jonathas replied. Zosimus was confused, until he was shocked by what the noble king Jonathas said, “What have you done?!”

“We’ve had a son, your highness. And he maybe our only chance that my family shall live, including the talisman’s protection. I’m afraid it’s too late,” Jonathas said. Zosimus was not amused, “You imbecile! This is heresy! Seize them!” Jonathas struck back and killed his men from try to reach his wife, but Zosimus struck back with his two swords, and then had a sword fight with the village leader.

Meanwhile, Samira took her horse and rode through the forest, and then she made it through the trees and towards the bay near Equestria. When she set up the basket near the water, Samira looked at her son. “Shhhhhh shhhhhh...” she said, as he son was fussing and whimpering, and began singing a soft lullaby.

Hush now, my baby
Be still, love. Don’t cry.
Sleep like you’re rocked by the stream.
Sleep and remember my last lullaby,
So I’ll always be with you when you dream.

Her baby then yawned and then she gave him a kiss on the forehead and placed him on the soft mattress in the basket, and then covered him up with the extra blanket to keep him warm, and then placed a envelope consisting a letter with the royal crest wax stamp. “Goodbye, sweetheart. I’ll always be with you, in your heart,” she whispered, and sniffed from her sad heart as she closed the basket by placing the lid on top and locking it shut, but made sure her son had enough air to breathe by poking some holes with a knife.

Drift on the river
that flows right through my arms.
Drift as I’m singing to you.
I see you smiling
so peaceful and calm.

When she was close enough for the distance in the river, Samira then gently pushed the basket where her child was sleeping inside and it drifted off into the river away from the bay.

River, oh river
Flow gently just for me
Such precious cargo that you now bear

Can you keep him
safe from all harm?
Is there anyway that he might survive?

Do you know somewhere
that he can be free?
River, safely... deliver him there...

When the baby was now safe from harm, the Telmarines, led by another guard, but the captain whose name was Ducard, and he wore both armor and a chain patterned tunic with a plated vest, and a black cape, and he also rode a black steed. He also had black hair that touched only his neck and nearly shaved facial hair and a small goatee on his chin. “Where is the talisman?” the captain asked. “Safe from your king’s tyranny, as well as my child,” she replied. “You’ll never find him.”

“Then by the order of his majesty, I hereby place you and your husband under arrest for treacherous treason,” the captain said, and then two guards cuffed her and took her to the king.

When they got back to the village, more villagers were captured and imprisoned or slaughtered by beheading execution. “We lost the talisman, sir. She said that it was with her child, but we don’t know where he’s headed,” the captain said. “And it’ll never be in your grasp again,” Samira said bravely. “I see. But I will find him and reclaim what is rightfully mine,” Zosimus said. “Put her with the prisoners.” The guards locked her up in a cage with her husband, and then they hugged each other.

“Is he safe?” Jonathas asked. “Yes, and I placed the letter with him,” Samira replied. They both hugged each other for loving comfort. “He’ll be alright, as long as whoever finds him does what needs to be done,” Jonathas said, as his wife replied. “I hope you’re right. Wait... we haven’t named our son yet.”

“He’ll be safe, and whoever names him will be remembered, and if we die, we die together,” Jonathas said. Samira nodded and then they comforted each other in the cell. Zosimus looked at the rising sun with mischievous pride, until he saw a woman walking over with a bundle in her arms as well, revealing a baby girl but a month older, and the woman was wearing a black and green glittering queen sized dress with a transparent green layer underneath her black cape, a feathery shawl, black transparent linen pantyhose with black and silver shoes, and she had a black choker necklace and an emerald pendant with a gold chain around her neck, and a blackish chrome tiara with a feather headdress on her head. “My humble prince,” she said, stroking her husband’s shoulders. “Perfect timing, Minerva,” Zosimus said, kissing his wife’s ring, and then looked at his daughter in his wife’s arms and gently brushed her hair with his finger. “So, we’ve secured the talisman?” she asked. “Apparently not. But we will find it,“ Zosimus said. “I know you will, darling,” Minerva said.

He ran the Imperial Order,

But thought every kingdom he conquered were burnt and uncouth.

He was as mean as ruthless

And that’s the gospel truth.

He had a plan to shake things up

And that’s the gospel truth!

Meanwhile, as the sun rose up fully and beyond the river, the basket was still floating and drifting towards the bay of another forest, but somehow it got stuck by a boulder and a log, until a cragadile tried to chomp on it. The lizard missed as the basket continued to drift as fish swam underneath it, and then passed by two boulders with hippos roaring at each other, before they saw it drifting by, passed a herd of deer drinking, and as it got close towards a rapid stream, a golden eagle snatched the basket and flew right pass a village full of other ponies, and definitely other creatures including griffons, minotaurs, and then more ponies.

The eagle passed more cliffs of the side of the Canterhorn mountain, but as the bird headed towards its nest, the basket slipped off, entering the stream of the Whitetail Woods, and then the basket went through a gently shallow waterfall, until it led to the royal city of Canterlot and continued its journey before the sun would set and the moon would rise and suddenly sent a flock of swans flying away.

Meanwhile, Princess Celestia was walking on a stroll through the path of her royal gardens with upsetting depression on her face, and a broken heart. Many ponies during social events would go there to calm their minds or have some privacy with their loved ones, but Celestia’s was heavy with frustrating thoughts of humiliation and sadness. She continued her stroll while the night sky was above her.

Celestia then stopped by the rose bushes and then looked up at the evening sky to see the beautiful glow of the shining moon. She then felt a tear of sadness run down her cheek as she looked at the mare on the moon. Celestia somehow felt sorry for banishing her dear sister to the moon, and then kept thinking of ways to free Luna from the grasp of Nightmare Moon’s darkness since she knew her return would soon be imminent.

“If only you knew how much I miss you, sister. But I promise I will find a way to bring you back to me,” Celestia said. And suddenly, her thoughts were drifted away as she heard the sound of a colt crying. She then listened closely, until the crying sound came back. She looked around until she saw the basket stuck in one of the bushes, and then saw the basket halfway open. Celestia went to go look, and the baby continued to cry. When Celestia got closer, she lowered herself down, and then carefully removed the basket from the bush with her magic, and when she uncovered the lid from the top, she saw the baby inside and wrapped in a bundle of a white towel like blanket and covered by a warm blanket, and looking like he was scared and alone, and like someone was going to hurt him.

“Oh my goodness. What do we have here?” Celestia asked, as she gently touched him. “You poor thing.” As Celestia carefully lifted the child up with her magic and placed him onto her right foreleg to hold him in a cradle, he continued to cry and whimper. “Shhhhhh shhhhhh... Hush, little one. Please don’t cry. I’m right here now, and you’re now safe with me.” Princess Celestia looked down at him, and then the baby began to calm down his sobbing and whining, and then leaned against her chest fur and placed his hand on it. She smiled warmly at him, as the baby opened his eyes and looked at her with amazement and then he hugged Celestia’s golden slippered hoof with his cute little hands.

Princess Celestia then wrapped the other blue blanket around him for extra warmth around the towel fabric blanket he was bundled with, and then the baby was safe and warm in Celestia’s cradling hooves. She then saw a note in the basket, and then read it while it floated in her aura.

“To whoever finds our child,

If you’re reading this, it’s because you’ve found our departed child for protection. I’m sorry me and my husband had sent him away, but it’s because our village is no longer safe for him, so I beg of you, please take care of him and love him as like he was your own son.

The reason why we sent him to you is because a tyrannically gladiatorial king wants the talisman of Caliburn. Please protect it and keep the baby alive from this army because they’ll kill him if they find him and the talisman.

He’s from a Caliburn village in a distant land at the northern and southern sides of your country, but we may not be able to see him again, since our execution is upon us.

We know your land is a place that is full of peaceful harmony and good monarchy, so please have him live with a good childhood full with love and care.

We thank you for your support.

Samira and Jonathas, his birth parents

P.S. - He is from a race called humans.”

Princess Celestia then realized that many innocent lives might’ve died or enslaved if he ever went back to save his village. She then felt sorry for their loss, and then felt furious about why someone so cruel would want to hurt such an innocent child over some sacred talisman. Celestia then looked down at the child and saw him peacefully sleeping in her hooves. She then decided to take the child inside so he can get warm, but tried not to show him towards the guards.

When she was inside, Celestia placed the basket by the fireplace but away from the flames, and then she laid on all four legs after putting on her teal robe with crimson red cuffs and lining and golden yellow slippers on her hind hoofs, and then she brought the baby over to her and laid him against her chest.

“Now, what am I going to do with you, little one?” she asked in a motherly tone. She then saw him looking at her, and then she raised her hoof toward him, until he hugged it with his little arms and then she smiled warmly at him.

“I guess you need somepony to take care of you. Hmm...” she then thought for a moment. “Would you like to live here in the castle with me in Canterlot?” The baby then hugged her again by resting himself against her soft and warm chest fur. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she said, giving him a kiss on the forehead, and then saw him yawning, until the baby fell asleep underneath the softness of her robe, and the warmth of her fur. Princess Celestia then smiled warmly as she placed her cradle in a different direction and placed one of her wings over the sleeping baby.

While the baby was occupied, Celestia looked at the mare image on the moon, as a few tears of sorrow appeared from her eyes, “Goodnight, sister.”

While Celestia looked back down at the baby in her forelegs, she could still tell that something was trouble the poor child deep down, even though he wasn’t even crying.

“Shhhhhh shhhhhh… There, there, sweetie. It’s okay. Mommy’s here,” she said wrapping a hoof around him again and pulling him up to her chest while wrapping her other hoof around him and then covered him with both her wings, “Mommy’s got you.”

Celestia then saw him snuggled underneath her fur as she saw him using her chest as a pillow, “I promise, I will never let anything happen to you............my little Bowen.”

Author's Note

I chose some of these names from Lord of the Rings and the Warcraft movie because I didn’t know which ones to make up myself, so I hope you forgive me.

Chapter XIII: Unknown Nightmares (Part 1)

The next morning, in Celestia’s room, the princess was asleep peacefully, but suddenly, she started to wake up, and then she looked at her clock, before walking over to the balcony to raise the sun and lower the moon.

Afterwards, Celestia walked over to Bowen’s bedroom, and then quietly walked over to her child’s bed, and then nuzzled his small form, “Bowen, it’s time to wake up, my sweet little one.”

Bowen then opened his eyes, until he saw the beautiful face of his alicorn mother, “Hi, mommy.”

“Hello, my little prince. How’d you sleep?” Celestia asked, while comforting her son.

“I slept good,” he replied while refreshing himself.

Celestia nodded and then nuzzled her child lovingly, before she put him on her back so they can head over to the dining hall for breakfast.

When they sat down, Celestia asked the maid to bring Bowen a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of milk, while she had a plate full of fried eggs with home fries, that also had hay and a fresh cup of tea.

“Bowen, today, Mommy has to do a full day conference because some of the other ponies elsewhere are having issues, so I’m going to be late later this evening.”

“Okay, but when will you be back?” Bowen asked.

“Probably before dinner time,” Celestia replied. “But… I’ve got a few minutes to myself, so why don’t we go for a stroll around the gardens?”

“Okay,” Bowen said with a cute smile on his face.

Later on, Bowen and Celestia took a stroll around the castle’s royal gardens for some fresh air, and were relieved that it was such a beautiful day.

“It sure is beautiful in the gardens, Mommy. I even like how our flowers bloom,” Bowen said.

“I’m glad you do, sweetheart, and so do I,” she said, while she then lowered her head down in sadness.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” Bowen asked, until Celestia looked at her child.

“I’m fine, dear. It’s just that… I was just thinking about…” Celestia couldn’t even say it.

“Do you miss Auntie Luna?” Bowen asked.

“Yes. I do,” Celestia said.

“I’ve always wanted to meet her,” Bowen said. “What was she like?”

“Well, Luna was… quite the silent and peaceful one during the nights, kinda like how I was when we were your age,” Celestia answered. “But one fateful night, she became consumed with a source of darkness that was feeding on her jealousy when she refused to lower the moon, before she became Nightmare Moon, the mare on the moon, whose heart and soul was black as the night. I had no choice but to banish her to the moon for 1,000 years. But don’t worry, if I find someway to bring her back and free her from her dreaded curse, we’ll be able she gets to meet you, and we’ll rule as a family.”

“Okay. I hope she’ll like me too,” Bowen said.

“I’m sure she will,” Celestia said, before Bowen placed a flower on her mane, making the alicorn blush, and then they nuzzled lovingly together, before she realized what time it was now. “Oh! I have to go. Why don’t you hang out here for a little while, and if you want, you’re welcome to get something from the kitchen.”

“Okay. I love you,” Bowen said, hugging her face.

“I love you too, my son,” Celestia said, before stroking his hair with her hoof, and then she kissed his forehead and then went for her conference.

Bowen then sat by a tree and began reading one of his favorite books, until he suddenly began closing his eyes and fell asleep.

Darkness. Everything was completely dark, but the floor was foggy, and there wasn’t anyone around or anything. He could still move his legs, see through his eyes, and hear, but there wasn’t anything except just him… or at least… that was what he thought it was.

Suddenly, he heard a sound that was too difficult to be recognized.

“What is that?” he thought while walking slowly and carefully to the origin of the scary sound.

“Hello?... Is… Is somepony there?” Instead of a response, Bowen received a lot of screaming, explosions, weapons clanging, and then an invasion on a village he didn’t know where it was. It sounded like it was being attacked by a group of soldiers, EVIL soldiers. He suddenly saw a big black horse whinnying and saw a man in scary armor riding it.

“Wh- who- who are you?!” Bowen started to get nervous. He couldn’t move his legs due the fear, his hands were shaking and all his body was sweating.

The armored person walked off his horse and raised his sword, ordering a few of his men to execute half their prisoners, but suddenly, someone he didn’t recognize but almost looked familiar confronted him.

Bowen fell to the ground in surprise, his heartbeat was increasing with the time and his face had a really scared expression.

“I… I…. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!” He got up of the ground and started running to nowhere. He didn’t know where to go because there was nothing more than darkness and that scary armored person, but he really didn’t care. He just wanted to return back to Equestria, to Canterlot, since he had more fear than ever before.

He suddenly saw the figure riding his horse following him.

“NO! LEAVE ME ALONE!” Bowen cried without looking back.

”Giv… me th… ta…am…!” the figure replied in an unknown sentence that was too muffled. After that, Bowen wasn’t hearing the voice anymore. Silence surrounded him, making him stop to relax and take a breath.

But suddenly, the figure came back, and drew his sword once again.

“Oh no….ple-plea-please d- do- don’t hurt m- me” Bowen said with wide eyes and tears dripping from his eyes and over his face.

He couldn’t move, and was completely paralyzed of fear. Bowen started to look the face of the figure’s helmet, that was the only thing he could see.

The person pointed his sword at the boy, as Bowen closed his eyes and put both arms over his head waiting for his end.

After saying that, the person raised his sword and lowered it down so strongly that Bowen fell to a hole leading to a purple and black swirling thundering abyss underneath the ground, before he noticed a mysterious presence that felt familiar to Nightmare Moon, as he heard her loud cackling. Bowen closed his eyes until he noticed that he was almost closer towards the mouth of a huge demonic dragon, as its mouth was full of red and orange fire.

Bowen raised his head and screamed like never before, and then everything went black as the beast swallowed him.

Bowen opened his eyes and saw that he was back to the royal garden laying aside a tree; he was hyperventilating hardly and tearing after all the things that he just saw.

He looked around to see all the plants, trees and statues. Bowen was now sure that the things he saw weren’t real.

Bowen then began to cry, until he saw somepony walking over to him. It was one of the royal pegasus guard mares, because Bowen knew that every royal guard of any race would usually stand by the door of his bedroom when he was sleeping or if was doing something personal. They never got mad for the problems that Bowen would sometimes do, but they were always calm and nice with him.

She was looking at Bowen with concern, and stared a while at Bowen until she finally talked.

“Prince Bowen, are you alright?” the guard mare asked.

“It was nothing, but I was…. having a nightmare,” Bowen replied, until he was starting to get nervous as his hands were now shaking. His greenish blue eyes were throwing tears again. Then Bowen felt something moving on his face, as he saw the guard mare holding him closer for a hug as her right front hoof was clearing the tears off his face.

“Don’t worry, Prince Bowen. Everything’s gonna be okay,” she smiled shyly and lowered her hoof.

Bowen nodded, and then the mare spoke again. “By the way, Shining Armor’s waiting for you inside, so I’d suggest you hurry.”

Bowen nodded and ran to the castle. He passed all the corridors and halls until he reached the entrance and saw Shining Armor waiting for him.

“Shining Armor!” Bowen calls him with joy. Shining turned and smiled when he saw his human friend running over to him for a hug.

“Hey, Bowen!” Shining Armor replied, hugging the little boy back. “Where were you anyway?”

“Well, I was…. sleeping on the royal garden,” Bowen said as he scratched the back of his head, feeling a little bit embarrassed for Shining Armor.

“Nah, don’t worry. I’m sure you probably needed a nap,” Shining said. “Plus, you do love living with the o e pony who took you in, don’t you?”

“Mmhmm,” Bowen said in reply.

“That’s what I figured, because I’m kinda glad to be your personal bodyguard,” Shining Armor said.

“And I hope you become a great captain someday,” Bowen said.

“Thanks, Bowen. Now, how about if I take you to the training grounds or… maybe we could do something else, like have some fun together in a public park, like play some hide and seek and horseshoe throwing, and maybe go to my school’s stadium and play some hoofball?” Shining suggested. “Plus, I’ve gotten a few friends of mine who know how to play it.”

“Can I be on your team?!” Bowen asked.

“Sure thing, kiddo. Plus, you and I are teaming up on this one,” Shining said with a confident smirk, as they continued on to the park.