The Third and forgotten ruler of Equestria

Some time later

Lucius' Room

The time: 20:35

It's been a couple of days since I learned the teleportation spell. Well, I'm glad I was able to learn it. This makes me very happy, I even managed to scare Tia a couple of times with it. And she reacted very funny to these two times, I will never forget her expression. Hehe, yeah, I haven't had so much fun in a long time, Tia is now also studying magic, she has already mastered telekinesis. What is most interesting is that she mastered it, you can say ... instantly! Yes, yes, I was surprised by it myself! Honestly, even our parents were surprised by this. Our mutual magic mentor said that she has some talent in magic that hasn't been seen in a very long time.

It's a little offending even, she learns it quickly, not like me. I can't stand out in magic in any way, and I'd be surprised if Lulu will master it as quickly! Then it turns out that I am the only one who is not gifted in magic. It will be a shame for sure. Okay, enough of the sad stuff, you can talk about the good stuff too — for example it's my birthday tomorrow! I’ll be eleven years already! And in honor of this, as in the last six times, there will be a ball. It's not that I'm against them, it's just that they're so boring, you can't imagine, but there's only one plus, and only one.

Wonder which one? I met a very wonderful filly at this event 3 years ago, and her name was Radiant Hope. Her mother's name is Princess Amora, and she rules the Crystal Empire. Crystal ponies live in it, they’re like ordinary ponies in appearance, but not really. Unfortunately, I have not yet understood their strangeness, but I will soon understand for sure! Okay, so, about Hope. I met her 3 years ago…

3 years ago

The Main hall

I was standing near a table with various sweets. I was wearing a tuxedo with a white shirt and a red bow tie. I just stood there and ate a little candies. There was nothing to do, this is my third ball in my life, and like all the others, they were very boring. Stupidly there is nothing for a little foal to do.

"Oh, how boring…" I said to myself, watching the various aristocrats and acquaintances of my parents talking.

And then I felt someone touch my shoulder from behind. When I turned around, I didn't see anyone. «Maybe it was just my imagination?». And again someone touched me, but this time from the front. I turn around again and see no one. «What the hell?! Who’s doing this?! Celi? No, she's already asleep, then who?!» And then again, someone touched me from behind. I decided to cheat: I pretended that I wanted to turn around again. And when I did, I noticed slightly lavender hair that was slightly shiny. I immediately turn back around, and at the same moment, I collide nose to nose with the filly.

In front of me stood a purple filly with a lavender mane and cloudy sky eyes. She looked at me in mild surprise and then quickly moved away a little. I noticed that she was shining somehow, and then it dawned on me - she was a crystal pony!

"Wow," I said in surprise, "I... uh, we haven't seen crystal ponies before. "

"He he, and now I've seen it, " she said with a smile. "What's your name?"

"My name is Lucius Selbion, but you can just call me Lucius," I said with a smile. "Yours?"

"And I'm Radiant Hope, but you can just call me Hope. I guess you're the Lucius who caused this boring ball.

"Well, yes, We turn eight today, and, as always, my parents are throwing a ball in honor of it. We understand that you are bored here too?"

"Yeah, you can't even have fun here."

"I completely agree with you, Hope, it's boring here."

"Then maybe we should go from here and take a walk around the castle?"

"I don't know, my parents won't be happy that we ran away from here."

"My mom is too, but I can't be here anymore."

"Who’s your mother? "

"Princess Amore," she said with a satisfied smile.

It made my jaw drop. Her mother is the ruler of the Crystal Empire! «Wow! I'm not talking to a child of some nobility right now, but to the Empress's daughter herself! Well, if I make friends with her, it will be cool!»

"Wow! You must be kidding me!"

"No," she shook her head, "I really am her daughter."

"Well, if that's the case, then I suggest to really take a walk around the castle, We can even show you very beautiful places."

"Really?! Cool!"

"Yeah, so do you agree?"

"Of course yes!"

Present time

And from that moment on, we are friends. She is, in fact, my first friend in this new world and new life. I haven't seen her for a whole year, I wonder how she is. Yes, we chat by letters, but real conversations are way better than any written ones. I remember in the last letter she said she would surprise me at my next birthday. I wonder how? I'll find out tomorrow!

I came out of my thoughts and memories and wanted to read books about artifacts, but someone knocked on my door. I sighed sadly and put the book back on the shelf, then got up from the table, then went to the door and opened it. A unicorn maid appeared in front of me, magically holding something.

"Greetings, Prince," she said, bowing to me, "I have brought your new outfit for tomorrow's ball." She continued and magically handed me my outfit.

"Thank you," I thanked her and took the package. "You can go now."

She bowed and left.

I closed the door and went to my closet to try it on. After a short amount of time, I was already wearing it and looked at the mirror. I was looking at my new tuxedo, its color was dark blue with gold patterns, a dark blue shirt and a bow tie with gold patterns. I decided to choose this style because of Tia and Luna, because tomorrow First one will not be able to get to the ball because of her studies, but after the ball she will be able to attend, and Luna will not be able because she is still small for this. So I asked the tailors to combine these colors, the golden color is the sign of Tia, the dark blue is Luna.

Why did I choose the gold color for Tia? It's simple, she was enveloped in the golden light of the sun when she was born, and Luna - at night. I decided to think a little bit, and this idea about this came to mind. I continued to examine myself in front of the mirror.

"Hmm, it really turned out beautiful." — I said to myself and smiled slightly.

Then someone knocked on my door again. "Just a minute," I said, then began to quickly take off and carefully fold the outfit, it's like a small surprise. I folded it and put it in the closet, then went to the door and, opening it, I saw Tia in front of me with a satisfied smile. «What is she up to?»

"Hi, Luci!" She said happily.

"Hello, Celi," I said with a smile. "What brings you to me? Or did you decide to break the vow you made?"

"No, no!" She shook her head. "Brother, I made our vow, I will not break it for anything!"

"Okay, then why did you come?" I asked her and raised one eyebrow.

"Well..." she became slightly embarrassed, "I just wanted to say good night to you…"

"But you've already said it," I said, slightly surprised, "you wished it after the dinner. Now tell the truth, Tia."

"Oh..." she sighed a little sadly, "well, I just wanted to say that an amazing surprise awaits you tomorrow, brother..." she lowered her ears.

"Oh, Tia," I said, and started hugging her. "I understand that you can't wait to congratulate me already, and I know that you, as always, will be able to surprise me with your gift."

"Do you think so?" She looked at me with sad eyes.

"Of course, sis!" I said with a smile.

"Okay, then I'll see you tomorrow!" She said very happily and left.

"See you tomorrow," I said and closed the door.

=======================================

The next day

The Main hall

Time: 15:27

I was standing, as always, near the same table with sweets and waiting for my friend, because we only met here. I thought a little: «Hmm, I wonder what she wants to surprise me with? Maybe some kind of gift? Maybe, but her gifts always reach me after the holiday, and she wrote that she would surprise me right on it. Well, she's as cunning as Tia - Hope decided to surprise me today, then Tia wants to surprise me with something in the evening, but here's the mystery - she looked worried, apparently worried that her gift would not please me. Oh, I will be glad of any gift from her, I hope this day will not spoil anything, probably...» I thought to myself.

«And besides, Hope is somehow very late for our meeting. She's usually already here and bothering me. I even wonder where she is,» I thought again, and someone touched my shoulder from behind. I smiled slightly and turned around. Hope was standing in front of me all beaming with a smile on her face, she was wearing a beautiful bluish dress. She smiled even wider when I turned to her, and then gave me a *boop*.

"Hehe, you look beautiful, Hope," I said, laughing a little and smiling.

"Thank you! You look beautiful too! Your new suit looks really nice on you," she said, looking me up and down. "As for being late, I have a good reason. "

"And which?" I asked her.

"Hee hee, you'll find it out now!" She said very happily.

"Really?"

"yes! Really! Follow me!" She said and went somewhere.

"Okay," I said, and followed her.

We didn't walk around the room for very long, and after a while I noticed that a unicorn foal about the same age as Hope was sitting near one table. He was of a pearly light gray color, his mane was black, his eyes were not yet visible, because he was partially sitting with his back to us, and he was still wearing an ordinary tuxedo. Hope stopped me and asked me to wait. She went up to that unicorn and said something in his ear, he turned to her a little surprised, then turned to me, still surprised, then he asked Hope something, and she nodded back at him.

«My gut tells me that he has something to do with her surprise, the question is - how? Hmm, he has pretty beautiful eyes, emerald green, but for some reason he doesn't glow like Hope, maybe he's an ordinary unicorn? Or am I wrong?» I wondered, until I noticed that they began to approach. It was obvious that he was a little worried, but Hope was still with a very pleased smile. They had already stood in front of me, this unicorn bowed and then began to speak.

"Glad to meet you, Your Highness Prince Lucius Selbion," he said, "my name is Sombra..." at the end, he said somehow uncertainly.

"Well, it's nice to meet you too, Sombra, and please, call me Lucius," I said with a smile.

"As you wish, Your-... Uh, whatever you want, Lucius." He said once more uncertainly, and because of that, Hope rolled her eyes and hit her forehead with a hoof.

"And what did you want to surprise me with?" I asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"Eh, Sombra, you need to be a little bolder," she said, turning her head in his direction.

"Hope, I can't do this! He's the Prince of Equestria!" He replied, turning in response.

" I'm talking to him and I'm not nervous! And you should too!"

"Well, Hope…" he said and rolled his eyes.

"Well, I'm waiting for an explanation!" I interrupted them.

They both turned to me and looked at me in silence.

"Well? Why are you silent?" I asked them.

"I'm sorry," Hope apologized. "Well, I wanted to introduce Sombra to you, he's my brother now." She said with a satisfied smile.

"Oh, I see, I..." and then it hit me. "Wait?! Did you say that he's your brother now?!" I asked in great surprise, to which she nodded affirmatively to me.

"Yes, you heard it right! Now Sombra is my stepbrother!"

"Well, yes..." he said uncertainly and blushed slightly.

I stood with my mouth open and looked at them. «No, I could have expected anything, but not this! I'm in total shock! This Sombra is now my friend's half-brother, it's amazing that Princess Amore has taken someone else in. I don't even get it all in my head! No, I need to calm down... *inhale-exhale*, it's okay, I'm calm... *inhale-exhale*, yes, that's it, now I'm calm...»

"Well, Hope, you surprised me, that's for sure." I said, still surprised.

"I knew you'd be surprised."

"Then I suggest we take a walk together," I grinned slightly, "before we die of boredom here."

They nodded their heads at the same time.

Three hours later

Well, I can say that it was the best three hours of my quiet life over the past year! The three of us had a very, very good time. We played together, and, to put it simply, had as much fun as we could. We played many games, catch-up, hide-and-seek, etc. A couple of times we almost got caught by our guards, I don't even want to know what my father would say if he found out that I ran away from the ball. I can't stand another week of etiquette! So, we tried to avoid contact with the guards as often as possible. Oh, it's even a pity that these three hours ended so quickly. They already had to go back, so I said goodbye to them and went back to my place.

There should be a non-public celebration of my birthday soon. Where I can open various gifts from my: parents, Celestia, Luna… Nah, she’s too small; from some distant relatives, and, of course, a gift from Hope. She said that despite the surprise, she was still able to find one gift for me. She said that it costed her a lot, and now I wonder what she prepared for me. What could she have given me that was so precious? I'll find out soon!

I walked along the corridor for a while, then stopped in front of one painting. I turned to her and looked at it with a smile. Our family was painted in this picture: father, mother, me, Celestia and little Luna. This painting was made one year ago, and it took about ten hours to complete this masterpiece. Heh, yes, it was boring to sit so still, but it was worth it, now you can safely admire it. Actually, this is not the first picture I've been depicted in. Six years ago, I was posing too. It was back when my mother was pregnant with Tia, this painting was near the throne room, and if you walk down the corridor, you can see more than just this one. There are also paintings of our parents hanging there, well, more precisely, first there are paintings of our father, then with our mother, and then with me, and finally there is a picture of our current family.

«Oh, I've been thinking too long and staring, I have to go already, I don't want to be late for my own holiday.» I stopped looking at the painting and walked down the corridor. After a while, I arrived at the venue and, taking myself in my hooves, I went inside. The room was decorated with various decorations, and a sign with the inscription "Happy Birthday!" hung above the table with food.

"Happy birthday!" My whole family said in unison.

I looked at them with a sincere smile, they also had a smile. On the left stood the father, and next to him was Luna, and on the right stood mother with Tia.

"Hehe, thank you," I said very happily.

"Oh, I can't believe you're already eleven years old," Mom said, wiping away tears of happiness.

"Well, well, my dear, don't shed your tears," said father, then went up to her and hugged her. "Don't forget that we still have two little fillies growing up here," he laughed a little at the end.

"You're right, honey," she said, and returned her smile. "I suggest we start with your gifts, son."

"Yes, yes! I really want to know if he will like our gifts!" Tia was saying happily.

"Ya!" said the Moon already joyfully.

"Hehe, let’s proceed then," I agreed with them.

I was sitting at the table and looking at the presents. I decided to open gifts from distant relatives later, I hardly know them and do not see them often. I decided to open the gifts from my parents, then from Seli, from Luna, unexpectedly, and from Hope, of course. Well, I decided to open the first gift from Hope, she intrigued me too much.

"Well, son, what's the first gift you want to open?" Mother asked.

"Well, I'll probably open a gift from a friend first," I said.

"Isn't it from that filly that you've been running away from the ball and going for a walk with for the third year in a row?" My father asked me with a sly smile.

And now everyone was looking at me with surprised eyes. It even seems that they looked at me as if I had done something terrible. «The question is: how did he find out about this?! I did everything carefully and unnoticeably! How the hell did he know?! And how can I justify myself now? Although, what's the point of doing that? He already knew for sure before, and now my mother and sisters also know that I'm hecking running away from my own ball! I got there, damn it, I dug a hole for myself, as they say. Well, now I can't get out of this situation, and I'll have to answer their questions.»

"Doe brofer hav a frieeen?" Luna said in surprise.

"Brother, why didn't you tell us?!" Tia said a little bit viciously.

"Son, tell us more about her," Mom asked in a joyful voice with the same sly smile as her father.

I couldn't think of anything to say.

"Okay, my dears, let's not bother him with this now, it's better to ask him about it later," my dad said, and everyone nodded to him in agreement.

"Dad, how did you know about this?" I asked.

"No one can hide anything in my castle," he said with the same smile.

"But how? I did everything carefully! How did you?"

"Hehe, you'll grow up and understand how I did it," he said in a gentle voice. Something tells me that he decided to postpone this conversation for a reason.

"Okay," I said, and took the gift from Hope.

Her gift was beautifully wrapped in a blue cloth and a blue ribbon. It was small in size, about ten by ten centimeters long and wide, and about five centimeters thick. I wonder what's in there. After untying the ribbon and then removing the fabric, I saw a gray box, and opening it, I saw that on the red fabric there was a beautiful pendant with a gold chain holding a purple crystal in the shape of a heart. I took it out and started looking at it. «Wow! That’s is a very beautiful stone! Where could Hope find it?» While I was looking at this pendant, I noticed out of the corner of my eye the very surprised faces of my parents. When I stopped looking at stone, I turned in their direction and heard the joyful voices of Tia and Luna.

"What a beautiful gift you have, brother!" Tia shouted happily, looking at my pendant.

"Ya! It veri beautifulee!" Luna said.

"It's not just beautiful, my lovely girls..." said mom, recovering from the shock.

"That's definitely noticed, dear," said ded, also recovering from the shock.

"I don’t understand, why are you so surprised?" I asked, not understanding anything.

"The thing is, son," Mom began.

"This is one of the rarest crystals in this world..." my father finished.

"Wh-what?!" I shouted in surprise. "Are you kidding?!"

"No, son, we're not kidding, it's really one of the very rare crystals," the mother said.

"And wa bout tis Crestall?" Luna asked.

"This, my dear Luna, is an amethyst - one of the most beautiful crystals and one of the rarest," said father, taking her to himself.

"I see… Since it's so rare, then..." I began to look at my father with worried eyes.

"Yes, that's right, son, he's also one of the most expensive," the father finished.

"And it could be worth about one million bits, " the mother said.

My, Tia's, and Luna's jaws dropped open in surprise. «Wha?! How much?! One million?! Hope, why did you give me such an expensive gift?! I owe you for it all my life! Hope, when I see you, I'll make you tell me again why you gave me such a gift!»

"Oh, so my gift won't be as cool as this one…" Seli said sadly and lowered her ears.

"Now, Sister! I'm sure your gift is no worse than this!" I tried to comfort her.

"Do you think so?" she asked, raising her ears.

"I am sure, and I know it," I said with a smile.

"So then I suggest we move on to the gifts of your sisters," our mother suggested.

"I agree," I said.

Putting the gift from Hope aside, I took the gift, as I understood it, from Luna. It was dark blue in color and with a bright blue ribbon. It wasn't too big either. When I opened it, I saw the box again, and when I opened it, I saw the drawing she had drawn. There were a lot of things painted on it: a green clearing, trees, me, Tia, of course, Luna itself, and in this drawing we all had fun together.

"What a beauty!" I said.

"Is it?" Luna asked, coming closer to me.

"It is, sis," I said, hugging her.

"Hurrah!" she said and hugged me back.

After that, I put Luna's gift aside to Hope's and now I took Tia's gift. It was a little heavy, I could feel it even through telekinesis, which is amazing. Her gift was already more than the last two. It was bright yellow in color and had a dark yellow ribbon. Having untied it and opened the box, a crystal appeared in front of my eyes, not very large, but also not small in size. He was completely black in color and... I don't know why, but magic emanated from him, and not simple at that.

«Does magic come from him? No, this is nonsense! Where could she get the magic stone from? Maybe I'm wrong, or is it also not just an ordinary crystal? Although, knowing Tia, she could have done it, she could have, but still, where the hell did she get it from?! If I'm not mistaken, does it look like Onyx?! One of the most powerful magic crystals! Tia, why are you doing this to me? I understand if you gave me an ordinary stone, but why would I need such a cool one?! I'm not hecking trained in artifact creation yet!»

"Tia..." I began, taking out the stone with telekinesis. "Are you kidding me? Where did you get it from?" I asked her, taking it out.

"Hee hee, a secret, brother!" She said with a smile.

"Hmm, so that's what the order was," the father said, looking at Tia.

"Dad!" Tia said a little indignantly.

"I'm silent, I'm silent," he said in response.

"Oh, what wonderful gifts are you giving me today?"

"You haven't seen my present yet, son," Dad said with a tight smile. I looked at him blankly.

But he didn't answer me. I sighed, put the crystal back in the box and put it aside to the opened gifts, then with telekinesis I took a gift from my him. It wasn't packed in any way, it was just beautifully decorated. Taking the will in my hooves, I opened it and saw... a scroll? I took it with telekinesis and stared at it uncomprehendingly, then at my father.

"Read what it says," he said.

I just rolled my eyes slightly and, unfolding the scroll, began to read it.

A decree from His Majesty King Orion Selbion

To build an additional room in the castle of the village of Alist on the lower level

To equip it with the necessary thing, in order for the new room to become a workshop, everyone who will help in the construction of the workshop will receive about ten thousand bits…

I didn't read any further, because I understood what it was all about. «So my little dream will be fulfilled? It's so cool! I will be able to create my own artifacts! There is!» I began to look at my father with a joyful smile.

"Well, as you can see, I thought about it and made a decision..." he said and then got a hoof on the shoulder from mom.

"Have you forgotten anything, darling?" She asked with a sinister smile, and it gave me goosebumps.

"Ay, okay, we've made our decisions, that is, me and your mother..." He said, and my mother nodded.

"Thank you very much!" I said very happily.

"Also wait, soon I will hire you a teacher who will teach you. I don't want you to destroy our entire castle in some way," my father said sternly.

"Of course, I was not going to make dangerous artifacts!" I said.

"Who knows," he said.

«It's so good that now I can create artifacts, it's so exciting!»