Royalty Unwanted

Chapters

Chapter 1: A New Home
Chapter 2: Talks
Magic

Chapter 1: A New Home

Equestria was just finishing the fall season, and the weather ponies had already allowed the first snow clouds to make their way into Canterlot. The Royal Gardens were beautifully covered in a blanket of powdered snow, each tree, bush, and pathway. Everything was as it should be, with the exception of one discordant figure covered in snow. The only part of his body showing above the snow was his horn.

Morning rose like a flower opening its first bloom, the sun slowly and steadily rising and glazing the world in its radiance. The young pony was asleep, but with no signs of how he had arrived in Celestia’s and Luna’s private garden. Despite his luck in not being caught by the guards in the night, one of them immediately spotted the horn jutting out of a mound of snow in a corner of the garden by a large apple tree.

“Intruder! Stray pony in the Royal Garden!” The guard was very excited with his discovery, this being the first breach of the Royal Palace grounds in many years.

The guard rushed to the mound of snow, quickly digging away the little layer of snow to reveal the culprit of this peaceful morn. The other guards quickly arrived, the six of them creating a circle to prevent the invader’s escape.

As they were about to uncover him, Celestia herself gracefully landed beside them, not letting them know her presence as of yet. The guards were very protective of her, and her being there might make the situation worse for the sleeping guest.

“What in the name of Celestia?…” The largest of the guards looked in awe to see the uncovered pony to not be a normal pony, but an alicorn, having a pair of wings and a horn. It was a royal!

“Guards, take him to the throne room. Our guest may not simply be an intruder as we thought.” On that note, she alighted to her castle, flying into her chambers, seeking to alert her sister Luna of their visitor.

“You heard her majesty! Take this newcomer to the throne room!” The lead guard was still in awe of the find, but he was even more interested in what his majesty wanted to do with this uninvited guest.

“Yes sir!” Three guards detached to take the apparently unconscious, not sleeping, royal to her lady’s throne room.

The unconscious alicorn was wrapped in a warm blanket, lying in a cushion by the steps of Her Royal Highness’ throne. Celestia was deep in thought about how this pony arrived in she and her sister’s garden, unnoticed by the guards! It was a curious event, but nothing too serious, or at least not yet. Nopony knew what the colt’s intentions were. As she began to think of the possibilities of his motives, he began to stir. She stood up, prepared for whatever may happen.

“Gah… Where am… Where am I?…” The blue colt was clearly disoriented and had no idea where he was. His head turned and swayed, his vision not clear after regaining his body.

“You are in my palace.” Her voice was benevolent and kind, even though this newcomer could be as hostile and disastrous as Discord himself. “We found you in our garden.”

“Palace? Garden? Where am I? I don’t understand… Everything is so new to me.” He turns and looks to the princess, eyes stunned and glazed over, like a baby seeing for the first time. The colt was clearly not a threat. He was completely lost.

“You truly don’t know where you are?” Celestia’s concern was obvious. “You are in Equestria. My name is Princess Celestia. You are in my palace in Canterlot.”

“Equestria… Canterlot? I've never heard of any of these places! My name is… I don’t know my name…” The colt’s body trembled. He was completely afraid of this place. He had no idea where he came from, where he really was, or how he even arrived. A tear slowly welled up in his left eye. “My lady, who am I?…”

On that note, the princess left her throne and sat beside this unfortunate pony. She enveloped him in her right wing. “I’m sorry, but that is the very reason we brought you here. A guard found you in his early morning patrol and found you in the snow. You weren't conscious.” Her voice had a sound of compassion. She was the most wondrous and genuinely kind ruler the colt ever met. Of course, she was the first one he had met too. “I will help you as much as I can. I promise I will help you.”

The sounds of another pony entering the grand room echoed. The clops were almost quiet on the marble floors, for the grace of each step was clear. Like the steps of wind at night. “Sister, do we know who our guest is?” At this point, the colt began to tremble terribly, although he had only met one more person in this awakening, it was all too fast for him. He feared for his safety more than ever now, hearing this strong and authoritative voice.

“I’m afraid not Luna, but please, be gentle…” Celestia’s embrace had tightened; warmth fell into his body, and the dark furred colt fell asleep. “Oh my. I think you really did scare him sister!”

On this note Luna rushed over to the other side of the sleeping pony. She hated herself for doing this wherever she went… Even though a year or so had passed since she cleared up her name, many still feared and even held a grudge against her. She was getting better at being more kind and soft, but her thousand year old ways were being very tough to get out of.

“Sister, why does this always happen? I mean… Not THIS!” Luna points a hoof at the guest. “I mean me scaring everypony…” Luna’s feelings were already down because she had not seen him during her watch in the night.

“Luna! Please stop blaming yourself for these things! He doesn't even know a thing about anywhere or either of us!” The boy moved his head, managing to make his mane free of the covering of his blanket. His mane was exotically colored, being black with a blue tint, and silver highlights with a tint of teal. He woke up at quickly afterwards, revealing his verdant green eyes. “Welcome back.”

“I’m terribly sorry for scaring you like that, I---“

“My name is Anthony. I, I can at least remember that now… I can’t remember anything else.” He had interrupted Luna with this important fact and began to silently cry to himself. He was ashamed to be in the presence of ROYALTY and not even be able to tell them anything about himself. But, he knew nothing about himself anyway!

The princess left the side of Anthony, and stood before him. Her sister Luna stood next to her, allowing him to see them both together. The contrast was amazing. Princess Celestia was so bright and colorful, shining with light and compassion, while Princess Luna stood beside her letting off a slight darkness around her, the deep colors of her complexion looked imposing, but her facial expression made it so clear that she cared for those under her care.

“Anthony, please come with us. I’d like to show you your new home.” Luna and her sister nodded their heads, urging Anthony to come with them.

“Home?…” Anthony shakily rose to his feet, letting the blanket he once hid in fall atop the pillow he had cowered upon. He was a tall alicorn, nearly as tall as Celestia, but nowhere near as brilliant or confident. His head hung down like the branch of a weak tree in the snow outside. The sisters led him through a corridor ending in double doors. The guards on each side opened the doors, and a stronger light shone into his eyes. The light alone was so beautiful…

The trio stepped outside, revealing a glowing white landscape of rolling hills of glistening snow, bulbous and great trees dotted the landscape, and in the center of this scenic vista was a small town. It was small, but clearly in motion, noted from the smoke rising from the homes’ chimneys. Even further in the distance was a dark forest, but from here it seemed harmless and peaceful. The snow made everything look like a dream, but to Anthony, this was no dream.

“Home.” Anthony said this deliberately, now raising his head and bringing his body to a confident pose. His head now fully erect, a little below Celestia’s. His shoulders were drawn back, his spine in a strong and proud demeanor. This is Anthony’s home. Wherever he had come from, or who he was not on his mind; he wanted to know about his new home.

Chapter 2: Talks

As the moon reached its peak a cloud hid it, and a dark figure roamed in the Royal Gardens. The shadow slowly crossed the darkness of the night, halting beneath an apple tree. Wings spread from its figure and it collapses upon the snow underneath the tree’s boughs. Moonlight returned from behind the cloud and revealed a navy blue alicorn, head looking to the stars.

So this is home. The stars danced in the sky, like a dance of a million performers, each with their own movement and melody. Beautiful… As Anthony admired the night sky, its caretaker rose into the sky.

Luna looked down upon the palace, the kingdom, the dark distance. The snow made Equestria look so peaceful, so untouched. She knew so much had changed though. Her exodus was more than enough time for the world to forget her, but they could all remember Nightmare Moon. The pain still lingered, even though a few years passed.

As she circled around Canterlot, she flew closer to the palace, gliding to her room’s balcony. She looked down into the garden, and her heart jumped. The very pony who had escaped her gaze the night before had evaded her watch once more, the very same place…

Luna refused to let the same incident repeat itself. She descended from her perch, landing in front of the alicorn. He had been watching the instant she had rose into the sky.

“Good evening!” Anthony was glad to have company.

“Yes, it is nice, isn't it?” Luna said this jokingly; she knew that the night was all her doing.

“The sky is so beautiful here… Nothing hidden... So bright, so open…” Anthony was losing himself to the stars.

“You like my work, hmm?” Luna was pleased to hear a compliment so genuine from a stranger.

“You did all of this? I find that hard to believe.” The colt didn't understand what she said. How could a princess control the sky?

“The entire night sky is mine to control; the moon is my charge. You don’t know?” Luna had forgotten he knew nothing.

“How though? With magic?”

Luna simply looked at the colt and her horn began to glow. The sky’s stars began to move and a picture of a unicorn formed, regal and elegant. The eye was the moon, and it’s figure was formed by the myriad of stars above.

“Oh… This world really is a great place, isn't it?” Anthony was amazed by the spectacle. Never in his life, or at least he thought he never saw it before. Anthony began to feel the pangs of sadness wash over him as he realized he couldn't remember anything he had ever seen before…

“Did I disturb you?” Luna was deeply concerned, watching as a stream of tears rolled down from the alicorn’s face.

“No, it’s just, I…” Anthony sucked in the sorrow and turned to Luna, eyes red and wet. “It’s painful not knowing anything about yourself, where you’re from, what you've seen… Things so beautiful like the night sky here are a reminder of what I once knew, but now can never remember again.”

The princess turned away from the alicorn, feeling the pain she felt from when she returned. Instead of not remembering anything, she was not remembered. Her likeness, her very existence in the world had ceased. Upon her return, this had only fueled her hatred for the ponies she had been rejected by.

“This is my home now though, I won’t try to go back.” He wasn't going to try to go back to somewhere he had no memories of it. Just his name wasn't enough to bring him back. Everything here seemed peaceful, or at least peaceful enough; there had had to be a reason for him to be taken away from where he once came.

Anthony had regained his confidence and stood up in the snow. Luna was surprisingly short in comparison to the newcomer… She only reached Anthony’s neck. He looked down at her, and she felt his gaze. She looked away, not knowing what to do or say. The princess turned around as she heard the alicorn walking back to the palace.

“Anthony... If my sister and I can help you... We will.” Luna began to follow the colt, being sure to give him some distance. Despite the brief talk she just had with him, she still couldn't trust him too much. Nothing but his name was known, if and when he got his memories back would be the time to make a decision whether or not to be comfortable with him.

“I hope I won’t be too much trouble, I think I've caused more than enough excitement within the palace already.” Anthony turned back with a sad smile on his face. He opened the door to the palace and waved good night to the Princess of the Moon.

The morning’s sun rose, and Anthony was still asleep underneath the plush royal covers of his bed. The room they had given him was a royal guest room, reserved for emissaries from other peoples, such as the griffons.

The sunlight came in from an angle, granting the room with the brightness of the morn’s rising sun without the painful glare. There was an ornate mirror in the corner of the room beside the door. A balcony was on the side opposite the door, looking out over the Equestrian landscape, the village being in the perfect center. This was the very view Anthony had fell in love with.

Home. The thought of the word had multiple meanings for Anthony. New beginnings, Old memories, Lost time, New chance… A new chance? The thoughts of a new chance stuck to Anthony, like the fragment of a memory finally remembered, but not fully reclaimed. Why would I need another chance?

Before Anthony could continue thinking about this fragment, a guard knocked on the door.

“Good morning? Hello? Are you awake yet?” The voice sounded like it belonged to a colt.

“Yes…” The tired pony half spoke/half groaned this, still feeling tired after his night with Luna.

“Hmm. Guess not… Might as well wake up the lad.” The guard pony walks in, a sword in sheath at his side. He was a one of the few ponies of the guard that isn't grey like the others, but was instead a light brown, and his horn struck clearly out from his uncovered ginger mane.

“I said yes…” Anthony moaned as he saw the unicorn enter. He wasn't unhappy or bothered; being tired can’t help anypony’s attitude.

“Oh! Good morning prince-- Um… Excuse me, what is your name?” The guard was told he was to wake up the pony he had found the day before, but no other information was given to him.

“Anthony. My name’s Anthony. Who are you? Haven’t I seen you before?” He was starting to wake up, but his eyes were still clouded and couldn't see properly.

“Well, I found you in the garden! You were unconscious, so you must be thinking of the other guards. I am Riposte.” The guard bowed as he introduced himself to the alicorn.

“Wait, before, did you call me a prince?” Anthony was somewhat awake now, sitting up in his bed.

“Yes your highness, would you be otherwise?” Riposte was worried about already dishonoring the guest. “I’m sorry sir, I should’ve known better.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m not royal at all Riposte. I’m just me. I showed up yesterday, no credit to my name.” Anthony didn't understand at all, weren't the two sisters the only royals?

“I’m sorry to contradict sire, but you’re an alicorn. You must have royal blood!” The guard pony was terribly confused by his charge’s responses and questions. Did he not know anything?

“Wait, so just because I’m… this,” Anthony gestures to his entire body, from his horn to his hooves, “I’m a royal? That doesn't sound very reasonable.”

“Let’s talk about this another time. The Princess has requested your audience in the throne room.” Riposte was trying to hurry things along; it would be horrible to not follow the royal schedule.

“Do you know what she wants me for? It’ll be just a talk, right?” The colt got out of bed, messily leaving the sheets as they were. Riposte was surprised that a royal would leave his chambers in a mess.

“Not a single pony but the princess knows what she will ask.”

The guard pony moved at a trot, being sure that his still drowsy charge wasn’t dragging behind. It would be terrible manners to simply go ahead and leave your companion behind in the large and sprawling castle. Riposte also wanted to get to know more about the enigmatic alicorn he had found, so as they walked the halls, Riposte was trying to get to know Anthony better.

“… So you have no clue about where you came from?” The silence was broken between the colts walking down the halls of the palace.

“Yeah. I know I used to be somewhere else at least, but I don’t where it was, what the ponies looked like, or if we were ponies… I can’t remember anything other than the fact that this isn't the way things used to be.”

“So you’re not a pony?” The guard was becoming cautious now, he might just be a hostile threat to the kingdom, and it was all just one elaborate scheme.

“I am now… I have no clue if I was before though! Can we please move on to something else? I really don’t feel comfortable talking about myself when I know nothing about my past, or at least not yet.” He meant it; not to mention the colt began to feel a deep and throbbing pain in his head the more he tried to conjure up memories of his past.

“I’m sorry, I simply find it hard for somepony to know they don’t know something, or anything! I’ve heard of memory loss because of age or because of a severe concussion… But this is ridiculous!” Riposte was tiring himself out trying to wrap his mind around the nonsense.

“Well, tell me about you Riposte. I haven’t found anything out about you.” Anthony wanted to know more about his current caretaker.

“Oh, well, what is it that you want to know?” Riposte was taken back a bit by having the tides turn at him in an instant. He still wanted to know more, but what can you know when the very pony can’t answer a single question about himself.

“What’s your past?” Anthony felt a bit odd asking somepony about their past when he had no clue about his own, but to hay with it! Riposte would likely be the first pony he’d ever get to know.

“For starters, I was just a simple colt in a Canterlot family. My father, Seamcaster, was a designer, making custom dress suites for the upper crust ponies of Equestria; my mother, Starwatcher, was a simple stay at home mare, always watching over me as I grew.” Riposte felt good talking about his past, most guards never talked to anypony, even among themselves. “I was home schooled by my beloved mother, but one day my father bought me a present, and I still have it. It was a rapier. A practice sword, mind you, he’d never give his only son a true sword at such a young age of seven! I fell in love with the sword, and soon enough my father took me to the fencing tournaments that were held in the royal gardens every month. He passed away when I was 15…” Riposte’s voice faltered slightly when he said this. His father was one of the greatest ponies in the world to him. “Only one day later did my mother sign me under the guardianship of one of my father’s friends who was a guard. She cried as I left, but I smiled back at her as I walked away, because I knew I would have an experience of a life time learning swordsmanship underneath the gruff colt. He never told me his name… I guess all the guards are like that, seeing how I know nopony else’s name here either.” It was an unfortunate fact that the guards rarely talked among each other. Whether it was an unspoken agreement among the ponies or they just didn’t like to speak was unknown to Riposte.

“Not a single name? That’s very odd.” Anthony was perplexed by the anomaly, or perhaps this wasn’t an anomaly, and just a code.

“I know! It’s unbelievable! Four years here and not a single word… I’m still not used to it. May I proceed?” The guard pony turned the corner to his left, Anthony following behind. The amount of corridors in the palace was daunting, but the alicorn’s guide seemed to know them like he knew his very hoof.

“Of course! Please continue.” Anthony was amazed with Riposte’s story and hungered to know more about the pony’s past.

“After only a year of basic sword training, my teacher had decided to pit me against the newest guard in the force. Needless to say, when a mere 16 year old pony beats a 27 year stallion colt in a match, the youth must have some talent!” The guard pony said this with immense pride, as if he had only spared the day before. “ I had stunned the guards with my ability and after defeating their top swordsman, I was told I couldn't learn any more under or the other guards. I was sent back to my mother, and she cried the moment I knocked on the door. She was stunned to see me with sword and scabbard on. I told her I wished to compete in the tournaments of the royal gardens…” Riposte’s story continued at a much slower pace now, the details coming back to him more accurately; the story’s length never bothered Anthony, it was like he was living the story as Riposte spun his life’s tale. “… And I climbed to fame! I was top of the top in Canterlot’s society! But, I have grown old now, and my fencing days are over.”

“Why are you in the guard then? Wouldn't they have recruited you sooner?” Anthony was amazed by how skilled and happy Riposte was with his swordsmanship.

“Well, the guard is normally a calling around here, being revealed the day you receive your mark.” The guard pony moved his armor to reveal an image of a fencing sword crossed with a smaller, but wider broadsword. “I received mine when my father died…”

Anthony turned his head for a brief moment, never realizing or noticing that the ponies who surrounded him had one. He saw his flank, and not a single sign of a mark or image. That would be a question for Princess Celestia.

“What is yours?” Riposte didn’t turn to look, seeing that the alicorn had to look himself. How odd it was for a pony not to known his own cutie mark!

“Um… I don’t have one.” Anthony said this like it was normal. Riposte decided not to pursue the topic, seeing how having a blank flank at such an age as the alicorn appeared to be was unheard of, or at least so rare that it would never be spoken of.

“What about your mother?” Anthony wanted to know more about Riposte still, especially since Starwatcher never came up again after that first fencing tournament.

“I… I… She…” Riposte’s voice was beginning to falter. He had never spoken to anypony about her. “I never paid attention to her after my first tournament. I completely forgot about her! I had usurped the five year champion at my first debut and I was washed away with the fame and glory!” The unicorn was excited at this point, like a torrent of emotions was attempting escape, but being repressed by a feeling of shame for making an outburst in front of his guest. “She passed only five years after my first tournament… I was only 21 then…” The words came out like the pain of a wound long left untouched, being reawakened once more. The sadness was overwhelming to Anthony.

A silence developed between the two as the distressed unicorn tried to collect himself once more. It had been so long since he had talked to anypony about his previous life. Most guards talked only about their day, and that happened rarely. Never did they speak of their past or family or even their own aspirations! The duty they must feel for their dear kingdom is impossible to comprehend for the fencing legend.

“I’m glad you talked to me about this… About yourself.” Anthony had a feeling that Riposte would be one of the few ponies that would warm up to Anthony, at least for now.

“I, I think I am as well… I’m sorry if--”

“It’s okay… I’m sure your mother is happy to watch over you.” The alicorn felt like somepony was watching them, and as he turned around, he saw a mare walk down the hall; she looked exactly like Riposte, a unicorn with light brown fur and a ginger mane.

“Ma’am! Excuse me!” Anthony must have blinked, for in an instant, the mare was gone. There was no side corridor though… “Ma’am?…”

“Who are you calling to? We’re the only ones up for now besides the princess.” Riposte had turned around with Anthony, but never saw anypony at all. “Are you sure you saw somepony?”

“I… I’m not sure…” The conversation had ended, Riposte worrying now about his new confidante.

The colts now moved through the halls in complete silence, both thinking about what the day held for them. Anthony was to speak with the princess and hopefully get some answers, or have to remember some answers for her… Riposte couldn't stop thinking about how he gave his life story to a complete stranger, a possible threat even! He didn’t seem dangerous though…

The ornate marble and stained glass walls and windows created a stunning spectacle for the pair as they came closer to the royal throne room. They soon entered a larger corridor than the others, filled with stunning pictures of what seemed to be Equestria’s history. One such piece of art was of six ponies, all surrounding a large dark blue, armored alicorn. Another showed the very same ponies dispelling a creature made of mixed and matched parts of many other animals and beasts…

Anthony and Riposte reach the end of the corridor, filled with colorful light and warmth from the morning’s sun. There were two guards standing at attention at each side of the doors that led to the throne room. The white pegasi never turned their heads or looked in the colts’ direction; they were like stone centurions that had been given life.

“Well, I must leave you here. Celestia requested that she see you alone with her sister.”

“It’s been good meeting you Riposte, I’ll be happy to see you afterwards.” Anthony wanted to see his first friend to talk about the city and what society was like.

“I’ll be in the royal gardens. It’s my post.” With that, Riposte turned away from his charge and walked back down the grand corridor. It was going to be a fantastic day in the royal gardens.

Anthony turned to the doors and the two royal guards only opened the port wide enough for him to enter. As soon as his tail had cleared the doorway, it shut behind the alicorn. At the throne sat Princess Celestia, her mane flowing and a smile gracing the room with warmth.

Anthony had been sitting at the base of the throne’s set of stairs. Celestia and Luna sat side by side. Luckily, Luna hadn't spoke about meeting Anthony in the garden the night before. The two sisters had been explaining how they both ruled Equestria and gave him a brief synopsis of Equestria’s most recent events. To Princess Luna’s discomfort, the Nightmare Moon incident was spoken about, Celestia having Luna tell the new alicorn about the ordeal.

“… And when the Elements of Harmony were properly assembled and the six ponies used the magic of friendship to dispel Nightmare Moon, I returned to my old self, or should I say became myself… Everything is still a bit fuzzy when I try to recall my time as Nightmare Moon.”

“Wow. So, Discord and Nightmare Moon... They were both dealt with by six ponies?” Anthony could hardly believe such villains could be handled by everyday ponies.

“Yes, I’m sorry to say that I was helpless in both matters…” Celestia didn’t enjoy being reminded that she couldn’t take care of her kingdom on her own, but to know that some of her subjects were so capable to doing it for her was a great comfort.

“And, you two, you control the sun and the moon, and this Cadence… She is in tune with the very emotion of love? And all of that has to do with you all being alicorns?” Anthony had taken everything in, but he still needed to make sure all the information registered in his head.

“Correct. And also correct. Although, that brings up your predicament…” Luna wanted to get down to some answers, but what answers could Anthony give? He barely knew anything about his old self, let alone his current state.

“So, I’m part of this whole supernatural-magical-universe-y thing?” Anthony’s head reeled at the thought of being in charge of something so great as the moon or sun, and even more so at being connected to the very presence of love!

“Well, that specifically is our current dilemma.” The Sun Goddess chuckled a little with Anthony’s attempt to describe an alicorn’s attunement with the world. “We have no idea or even a clue as to what you’re connected to. You don’t even have a cutie mark, which means that you’re connection hasn't become part of you yet, or at least not properly… It will take some time, perhaps…” Princess Celestia was deeply confused with the matter. It would just take time…

“While we wait for you to remember what you can about yourself and discover your charge, you will have to stay in the palace, and stay hidden for a while. Also, you should be kept away from anypony besides my sister, myself, and the guard who had taken you here, Riposte. There will be great commotion over a new alicorn, especially when he can be a threat to Equestria; mass hysteria would take over the populace if you simply began to walk among society!” Luna wanted to handle this as effectively as possible, and if he was a threat, he would have to be taken care of immediately.

“Now sister, I understand that this is a dangerous matter, but there is no need to be harsh about it! I agree that he must stay hidden, but to keep him isolated is not appropriate at all!” Celestia was displeased with her sister’s brash thinking, yet, she did mean well.

“So… Umm… About all of that… What will I be doing here then?” Anthony didn’t fight the authorities, until he had an inkling of who he was, he wouldn't try to make any decisions for himself. Well, at least not big ones…

“I believe it would be in your best interest that you begin to learn magic. You will need to be capable with your abilities if you are to ever come close to controlling your power or even functioning as a proper royal.” Celestia said this in an authoritative voice, making sure Anthony knew this was going to be a serious part of his life from now on.

“Wait, so I am actually royal? But how can I be related to you?” Anthony had no desire to be royal. Being in the public eye and all the ceremonies that came with royalty was not an ideal life style in his opinion…

“It is most likely you aren't related to us by blood, but like Cadence, you are intertwined with us in some of form of connection with the world. We must keep with customs if you are to be accepted into the world as an alicorn, you will be royal.”

“Great…” Anthony was not prepared to become a royalty. Not by a long-shot.

Magic

A week had passed since Anthony’s meeting with the princesses. Since he was going to be one of the few alicorns, tradition was to be upheld and he would be a royal. He had followed a simple routine of having Riposte waking him at the break of dawn, taking a stroll in the snow covered gardens, and enjoying a light breakfast with the guard pony who had become his own personal guard. Celestia and Luna had noticed how Riposte and Anthony had struck off on a good note, and it would be beneficial for both if they could spend time with each other. After breakfast with Riposte, he would go to the Canterlot Library, teleported there by Celestia, and watched over by a royal unicorn guard until he wished to leave, which was normally within three or four hours of delving into the stories of Equestria, its history, and figures. The guard would teleport him back to the palace, back into the throne room where the learning alicorn could question whichever sister was present about what he had found.

Princess Celestia was eager for Anthony to begin to learn about his magical talents. His flying wasn’t so important at the moment; the colt was going nowhere anytime soon. She had a very special student of hers that she knew could do the job.

Mid Morning sun rose higher into the sky as the Ponyville library remained quiet, with the exception of the light snores coming from the dragon and pony within. The mare hid underneath the covers from the warm sunlight of a new day as the purple dragon’s eyes first opened.

“Twilight? You up yet?” Spike wasn’t sure if she was, so it was safer to simply whisper and check for his surrogate sister to hear him.

Heh, guess not. Might as well start with the morning chores before she gets up. Maybe she’ll toss an extra gemstone into breakfast! Spike quietly strolled down the staircase as he thought of a ruby or sapphire gracing the top of a pancake stack, or maybe an emerald with—

And that’s when he felt a very familiar feeling, like bubbles rising from his belly, and slowly rising to the top of his mouth when he would finally…

Spike let out a small burping noise as his emerald flames burst out from his mouth and an unusually small scroll popped into existence, Spike second naturedly grabbed from the air the scroll marked with the royal mark on it like any other day.

“Twilight! Hey, Twilight!” Spike ran up the stairs to wake up his sister, bearing the words of the princess herself in his hands. “C’mon Twi! Wake up! You’ve got a scroll from Celestia…”

The purple pony’s head nearly sprang off of her pillow and out from under the covers at the mention of a letter from her mentor.

“Really!? This early!? It must be important… Oh no, did I forget to send in an assignment…”

“Twilight?”

“What if I didn’t send that friendship report from last night?!”

“Twilight.”

“She’s got to be mad at me for not sending a report earlier this morning! I knew I should’ve started making morning reports a long time ago in my schedules…”

“TWILIGHT!” At this point, Spike had it. There was no way he was just going to let her go nuts like she does EVERY time when an unexpected letter comes around, assuming it’s bad news. Because 92% of the time, it was good news, or just a simple request for Twilight or Twilight and her friends to come visit Canterlot.

“Spike! This could be really bad!” The distressed librarian was completely out of sorts and worried that she had failed to do something, and the simple thought of failing her teacher was the most common of all of her nightmares.

“Just open it Twilight. Maybe it isn’t that bad.”

“You think?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re absolutely positive it isn’t about--”

Spike simply took the scroll from the deteriorating pony’s hooves and opened it himself, and didn’t even check to see if it was horrible news. He didn’t care at this point, just so long as she stopped going on and on about the horrid possibilities.

“Oh. Yeah, I guess you were right Spike, nothing to worry about at all.”

To my dear Twilight Sparkle,

I hope all is well and that you’ve had a good night’s rest, but I must request your presence in Canterlot. There’s nothing to be worried about, but I merely request that you come on your own, for there is a private matter that I wish to discuss with you.

You’re mentor,

Princess Celestia

“See?” Spike inwardly exhaled as he could confirm his beliefs and not have to worry about one of Twilight’s famous escapades or adventures.

“But… She wants me to go to Canterlot, alone. I mean, it’s not a like it’s a bad thing, but… It’s a bit of an odd request. She simply said she wanted to speak to me about something, no hints about what or anything.” Twilight was only a little confused on the matter, because it was her mentor and the princess, and if she didn’t say anything was wrong right off the bat, it couldn’t possibly been bad, right?

“Well, that is odd, but I’m sure it’s nothing to be worried about.”

There was a quick flash of light, and Twilight had teleported herself out of her covers and by the stairs, saddlebag already filled with books upon her back.

“I shouldn’t keep her waiting, I’m sure it must be important if she wants to see me, so I’ll probably be gone for the day, okay Spike? I’m sure I can trust you to keep everything in order?”

“Yes Twilight, in fact, you do almost every time you go out.” Spike has grown tired of his sister’s constant treating him like a young child, which he was in no way shape or form!

“Just making sure!” Twilight called as she trotted down her wide stairs and towards the door of the library.

The student rushed out of her home galloping through town, rudely ignoring the friendly greetings as she passed, more concerned about what Princess Celestia wanted to talk to her about than make idle chit chat. She had the train to catch.

“So you’re absolutely sure this isn’t going to hurt?” Anthony was still in the throne room, having his breakfast with Riposte interrupted by a royal summons. He had been informed about how he was to learn about magic, but besides that, he knew nothing about what he was going to learn specifically or who his teacher would be. Oh, and that he also had to be made into a little colt for his lessons. Yeah, that he didn’t expect at all.

“Yes, I’m completely certain that the transformation spell won’t hurt. You’ll simply be smaller and your wings hidden, so that your teacher won’t be worried about you being, well… Royal.” Celestia said this in that caring voice that won the hearts of Equestria every day, and the navy alicorn was no exception.

“Okay, but please make it quick so I don’t notice anything.” He didn’t notice.

“Haha, you didn’t notice.” The princess laughed as she looked down upon the little foal before her, only about 10 years old in appearance.

“She’s really good at this whole magic thing… Maybe it won’t be such a bad idea learning some of that stuff.”

“Thank you,” the princess chuckled at her remark before she even spoke, “little one.”

“Hey! Just because I’m smaller now doesn’t mean you can make fun of me for it!” Anthony recoiled as he heard his voice much higher in pitch than the last time he spoke; the transformation had completed.

“Oh, can’t I?” Celestia was having a ball playing with her little adopted brother, if she could call him that.

She still felt a small bit of wariness about doing anything with the colt, but, he was clearly a very nice young man, and he was genuine in every word of what he said. So what did she have to lose? Her sister… was harder to be convinced, but she was warming up to their new “brother” in the castle. They would have to get used to the term one way or another, because when he was finally introduced to the populace that would be his official title. “Royal Brother to the Sisters of Equestria.” It didn’t really have a ring to it, but it was a prototype and there was much time before he ever left the castle.

The train pulled into Canterlot Station and before the conductor pony could even take one step Twilight Sparkle had sprinted past, saddlebags with her. The mare took the main road in Canterlot straight to the majestic royal palace. She didn’t take in any of the grandeur of the city, because she had lived there in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.

The guards new very well about Princess Celestia’s favorite student, and opened the gates for her as she ran past. It was the norm for her, and for the guards it was just another time she was visiting her mentor.

The pony slowed as she reached the stairs of the castle and made her way to the grand hall before the royal throne room. The doors to the room were magically opened by the royal guards standing there, and immediately shut behind the student.

“Princess Celestia I’m sorry for--”

Twilight had barely noticed the little blue navy unicorn in the room as she sped in, her hooves scratching at the marble as she sled to a halt to take in the new foal before her and the princess.

“Twilight, I’d like to introduce you to Starfall.” Celestia had thought of the name before, but hadn’t told Anthony to make things more interesting. “The reason I had called you here was so that I could introduce you to your new student.”

“Wait, what?” Twilight couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

“He’s your student. Starfall, I’d like to introduce you to your new magic instructor: Miss Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic.”

“Umm… Hi?” Anthony didn’t really know what to do or say, so he just waved hello.

“Hi there!” Twilight instantly sprung into action as she finally reached a realization of what just happened, and she knew this was some kind of test from her mentor. Definitely a test.

“What do you want to learn first?”

“Uh…”

“Levitation? Teleportation? Transmutation? Transfiguration! Oh! Time Travel!”

“Umm… Miss Twilight? I lost you at transmatting-something-like-that.”

“Oh.” Twilight was already failing her “test.”

“Twilight, you should know, this isn’t a test.” Celestia knew that Twilight would think that at first, and the princess loved seeing her student wig out like that sometimes. It always made her day.

“OH THANK YOU DEAREST CELESTIA!” Twilight just exploded with relief. Literally. She had launched herself into the air, flung her fore hooves out, and fell backwards on her back, letting out a sigh of relief. Her saddlebags had fallen off of her and the books she once had packed were sprawled on the floor: How to Contain Large Magical Explosions, and How Gravity Can Be Bypassed. Her new student simply sat and stared at his new, eccentric teacher.

“Wow…” Anthony whispered, but Celestia heard and giggled silently.

“Twilight, just because this isn’t a test doesn’t mean you can just lay down on the job.”

“Sorry!” To Anthony’s, erm, Starfall’s amazement, the purple pony teleported in a quick flash and stood before the two alicorns, belongings in their saddlebag on top of the student/teacher.

“I’ll leave you two here, I have some business to tend to with some emissaries from Marelaysia, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time to learn and get to know one another better.”

The princess left the two by themselves, a mischievous grin imprinted upon her face.

“So, Miss Sparkle, what first?” Anthony had no idea what to ask Twilight about with magic, because the spell his caretaker used to transform him was the first spell he’d ever seen. His readings in the Canterlot library were mostly in the history section, and Anthony only began to grasp the idea of magic being in society, as if he wouldn’t understand it existing much less be a common day part of ponies’ lives.

“What? Oh, sorry, I was, um, thinking.” Twilight was just zoning out trying to understand how her mentor just walked out on her, with a completely random unicorn in front of her expecting his first lesson in magic. Wonderful. Absolutely great. Couldn’t be better! Fantastic even!

“You sure? ‘Cause you look like you’re picking up a sweat.”

“No I’m not! Why would I be sweating? It’s not hot in here! Not at all!”

“Umm… Does your eye usually twitch like that?”

“Be calm, everything is okay, don’t worry, you’re fine. Be calm, everything is okay, don’t worry, you’re fine. Be calm…” Twilight was silently repeating a mantra.

“Hello? You alright?” Starfall/Anthony was concerned for his teacher. She seemed nice, but it was a really weird way for a teacher to start off with a student by going nuts.

“Okay…” She whispered to herself, satisfied that everything was under control. “Sorry about that, just a bit stressed…”

“I’ll say.”

“Hey!”

“Well, can we, um… Start?”

“Of course! But, how did Princess Celestia come to wanting me to teach you?”

Uh-oh. C’mon Anthony… Think… What could possibly make this convincing… If Celestia could come up with a name, you can definitely think of a reason!

“She found me in her garden.”

“What?!” Twilight heard that right, right?

In her garden. What the buck?

“Yeah… I was just kinda, there. And then she found me, well, a guard did, and then she and I did some talking and I went to the library, learned some things about history… And here we are.”

I didn’t lie. It was the truth. Sort of… Not really, but… It’s for a good cause! I can’t just be, well, me out of nowhere! The princesses said I couldn’t just come out of the blue, so I hope this covers for it.

“And you didn’t get in trouble or anything?” Miss Sparkle was still lost in what was just said.

“Nope.” Please keep working, please keep working, please keep working…

“And she just wants me to teach you?”

“Yeah!” Did it work?

“Okay… If the Princess wants me to, I’ve got to, right?” This isn’t right. I’m getting to the bottom of this, Princess Celestia has some explaining to do…

It worked! Yes! I think. Won’t know for sure after all this is over. It’ll work for now…

“So, what first?” The little unicorn in front of Element of Magic was becoming impatient, and all this idle talk was definitely getting onto his nerves.

“First? Well, do you know anything yet?”

“No… That’s why I’m here, right?” I’m supposed to know magic already? How do they know how to do this “magic” stuff without a first lesson?

“So your parents never even taught you anything before?” Twilight was completely baffled by Starfall. He had been found in the princesses’ garden, he didn’t get in trouble, Princess Celestia found that he had to be taught by her favorite pupil, and on top of that: he knew nothing at all about the subject.

Oh buck. I don’t have parents. Or at least I should… I don’t have any here so… I guess I can say I don’t have any?

“I don’t have any…” Starfall said this like it was a loss from a long time ago, and the pain and hurt was still there.

Wow I sounded depressed… Maybe I did that a bit too well?…

“Oh, I’m, uh… I’m really sorry…” No wonder he didn’t get in trouble! Maybe this isn’t as odd as I thought, but still, why would Celestia want me to teach him?

“No! It’s, it’s fine! Really. They’re pretty far away now.” She took that pretty hard, I need to think stuff like that through a lot better next time.

“Then, I guess we should start with the basics then?”

“Sure. What are the basics?” Anthony had no idea what the basics were. Or what magic could do. Because if the princess could turn him into a child, it sounded like magic can do just about everything.

“Oh, hehe, right. Well, try levitating this.” Twilight Sparkle levitated one of her books out of her saddlebag, How to Contain Large Magical Explosions, and placed it between the two of them on the marble floor.

“How?” The navy alicorn turned unicorn simply stared at the book, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do to get it to lift.

“Right… You don’t know anything… Well, imagine your own will expanding to the book and--”

“Like this?” The thick book was now hovering in mid air, surrounded by the verdant green of his eyes. His horn glowed in the same calming aura, the sea of green slowly billowing across the horn’s surface.

“Uh, yes! That was quick! I thought you said you didn’t have any previous lessons in magic?”

“I didn’t. What’s the matter?” Anthony was completely perplexed by her reaction. Was he doing it wrong?

“No! Nothing’s the matter… It’s just, normally a unicorn would have some trouble with their first spell…”

“Oh. Why?” Anthony didn’t expect what would come next.

“Well, normally, a young unicorn’s connection to their magic is extremely weak, and all they can manage is a small fizzle of magic, with some sparks of their magic leaving their horn but doing nothing useful whatsoever! Now, as they get older their family will begin trying to teach them how to properly use their magic and they would learn simple things such as levitation.” Twilight takes a small break to point out the still levitating book. “The unicorn’s family would teach them the basics but at some point they would require more refined training in the magical arts so they could perhaps find their special talent as well as master whatever field of magic they may favor. By the time that unicorn would be in the school they would have a strong connection with their magic source but not enough to perform advanced or especially difficult spells, such as teleportation.” Twilight then teleports a few feet away from where she was standing and returns immediately. “Like so. Once they graduate the school they would be left to their own devices and be expected to further their studies by themselves. This gives them the rest of their lives to explore the full potential of their abilities and what magic can do.”

“Okay.” The little Starfall was still busy taking all of this in, and his mind was still spinning.
“I think you can put the book down now and we can try something else…”

“Oh! Right… Forgot about that…” Anthony gently moved the book down onto the floor and released it from his control.

That isn’t right. If he had forgotten about the book, and since he’s so young, the book should’ve just dropped! This is very interesting… I’m sure there’s a book on cases like this back at the library…

“Why don’t you try levitating the book and moving it around a bit.”

Anthony let his mind reach out to the book again, and lifted it, moving it up, back down, left, right, clockwise, counterclockwise… The book began to fly around the throne room, diving and soaring in the air, nearly striking the teacher in her side before suddenly shooting up into the air and landing in her saddle pack. The small unicorn simply sat with a smug expression on his muzzle, impressed with himself and his mastery of levitation.

“Did you just?…” Twilight was still trying to take in the spectacle the little student had performed in front of her.

“Yes I did.” Smug expression was still there.

“Maybe we should move on…”

“Sure.” This magic stuff isn’t hard at all! I don’t know why she needed to give me a speech about it earlier; this stuff is a piece of cake! Well, I am a full grown adult in reality… So I guess that does take the grandeur away from all of this… But she doesn’t know that!

“Bye Miss Sparkle! It was great learning from you!” The little Starfall waved at his teacher, having learned everything she had been willing to offer.

“Good bye! Hope to see you soon Starfall!” Twilight called behind her before breaking into a gallop to the train station.

There is no way Princess Celestia has picked a new favorite pupil! I was never that good at first! Well, I was amazing when I was his age, but I couldn’t learn all of that so quickly! I need to talk to Celestia about this… There is no way I’m getting replaced!

She was nice. A bit weird, and definitely awkward, but hey, she was really smart. I’d love to learn from her again. I wish I didn’t have to be Starfall though… I mean, it’s nice being a foal again, but being myself is much more comfortable. And that reminds me! Princess Celestia better change me back soon…

“What do you mean you won’t change me back?!” Anthony was angry. Very angry.
“I said so already! You’re so cute when you’re a little angry unicorn!” Celestia was having a ball antagonizing her long term guest.

“But… But… This? I have to be this until I grow back up again?!”

“Well… Not necessarily… You won’t grow back into an alicorn…” Celestia teased.

“Well that won’t be so bad… I could be normal!” The colt became optimistic at the thought of not having to be a royal. It wouldn’t be half bad living like everypony else!

“Oh, look at that, you’re tall again.” Celestia knew she couldn’t let him not be an alicorn, it was who he was, and that alone was very important in a number of ways. Plus, he got optimistic! If he start enjoying what was supposed to be torture, what’s the fun in that?
“Really? You just had to do that when I got my hopes up?”

“I have to have fun sometimes. I can’t do that to my sister too often now can I?” The Sun’s goddess’ fun was over, and she did have to be grown-up, seeing how she was 1,000 years old.

“I guess not… Can you teach that spell to me eventually? I don’t want to go through this every time I want to be ‘normal.’”