Scootaloo smiled as she and her friends played in the yard. It wasn't exactly what they hoped for. But considering the guards were under orders to keep an eye on them, it was the only way they'd allow the three to play till the prince got back.

The yard was large enough to fit a hoof-ball field. With all the things most kids would be excited to play with, it was little surprise that Scootaloo would be drawn to a large fan. The guard looking over it was probably dressed in his Wonderbolts uniform.

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom watched happily as their friend rode the breeze alongside her instructor.

"Would ya look at that?" Bloom laughed. "I don't think I ever saw her this happy since…"

"Rainbow started noticing her?" Sweetie teased.

"Yeah… and speaking of Rainbow. When do you think she'll be back?" Bloom asked.

The two thought for a moment before a strange voice replied. "Should be any day now. Considering who's with her."

"Who said that?" Scootaloo asked as she landed with her instructor next to her friends.

"No one." The voice replied quickly.

"I know I heard somepony. Who's there?" The Wonderbolt called out as he stood guard over the trio.

After a few moments, a portal opened revealing a golden fox. "I guess the jig is up."

"You do realize we're going to get in trouble for this." A large winged cat sighed and he stepped past the fox. "We WERE supposed to stay hidden…" He paused for a moment to slap the back of the fox's head with a wing tip. "But I guess we do also have to keep an eye out for new recruits."

The trio looked at each other in shock before turning to the strangers in curiosity. With a smile, the two sat and motioned for them to gather close.

Smiling, the winged cat sat next to Scootaloo as the fox sat between Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. "Now let's talk about why we're here." The fox started.

Once again the prince was alone with his thoughts as he led the way back to Ponyville. The more he traveled with Scootaloo's parents, the less he liked them.

When they had a moment of clarity, the most they talked about was their work. And what few times they mentioned Scootaloo was, "I'm so proud of her.", "she's going to make a great catcher some day.". The list was short. And gave him a clear picture of where their focus truly was.

Perhaps what was the most annoying part of traveling with them was when he mentioned…
"I am the crowned prince of Equestria, here to escort you to your trial in Ponyville."
Their reaction was…
"Oh? Is it some trial to show off our skills for the next generation?"

He gave up trying to explain it after the sixth time and just made sure they didn't get distracted and run off. Thankfully he did have better company with Rainbow Dash… even if her situation was more along the lines of…
"I know you're horny right now and probably in heat. But please try and keep it together while in public."
If he was going to be honest… he preferred to deal with Rainbow over the others. And a part of him even thought… she actually has… not been as under the influence as he thought.

Who was he kidding? He already heard from just about everypony what her plans were. Not that he didn't think she couldn't do it. But he had his doubts that she'd risk her dreams to be with a stallion.

He closed his eyes for a moment as the thought crossed his mind. "Is my only hope for love really only nobles?" He gulped at the thought. He had seen their goals. And he wanted no part in it. Besides, he was certain he could talk his mother into passing out a title or two to whoever he chose to marry. And he still had his friends to help if it came down to it.

Smiling, he stopped and looked over as his group stopped to rest a bit. All things considered? Ponyville might actually be just what he needed after life in the castle.

His eyes drifted to Rainbow for a moment, just in time to see her dazed body in a rather… suggestive position. Clearing his throat, the prince looked away. This definitely wasn't the time or the place… what was worse was the fact that he didn't have a chance for a dip in the river.

"Mental note. Look up something to help with horny mares." He thought before starting the trip home back up.

Applejack sighed as she sat in her room looking over her keepsakes from childhood. It was hard to explain but… there was something about her journal that bothered her.

Taking a deep breath she opened it to the last page and saw a flower pressed between two pages of music. And there was no mistaking the writing. It was hers. The first song she wrote for somepony.

She let out a sigh as she realized why she didn't like looking at her old book. It was a song that was meant for somepony. And they would never hear it… or at least she wouldn't know who it was meant for.

She picked up the flower and turned it over in her hoof a few times. It was strange that her brother spent more time in town after she stopped writing in her book. And now that she thinks about it. The prince does look familiar.

The more she thought about it, the more her head started to hurt. As if something or someone didn't want her to remember. Narrowing her eyes, Applejack decided it was best to reach out. Hopefully somepony would know what to do.

Author's Note

I thought I'd try mixing things up with two new characters for the story. Who knows they might be hiding a few secrets that will be touched on in latter chapters.