“Hey! Wake up!” I felt somepony nudging my shoulder, trying to shake me awake. I opened my eyes slowly and saw Rainbow Dash looking down at me. Then I saw I was on the floor. The pegasus started laughing at me, then said, “You’re really funny, you know that? “ Then Rarity entered my room, “Rainbow Dash, is he awake yet?” “Yes, I’m awake Rarity. What do you guys want?”

“The princesses have their day filled with audiences with foreign diplomats, and have given us a day off.” Rarity said.

I got up onto my hooves, and started walking in the hallway. “Hey! Shadow!” I turned and saw Raziele calling me over. He said, “The Princesses wish for you, JUST YOU, to join them for breakfast. Your friends will be eating with the Elements ponies. Our Majesties just want to talk to you.”

I nodded my thanks and followed him to a grand dining room. I entered the room, and saw that the two royal Princess and the Royal douche-bag himself, Prince Blueblood were eating at a long table. He was giving me some not-so-friendly looks that I didn’t appreciate, so I decided to try and ignore him. I sat down, and was brought a breakfast of pancakes and berries. I magicked a fork and knife, and started eating. When we were all finished, Blueblood got up, as to leave, but Celestia spoke up, “My dear nephew, you must stay here. Your presence is requested for this meeting.”

He was about to say something, but he sat down, and we started business. “So, Shadow, or would you prefer Luke?” She asked me. “Shadow would be a more preferable title, seeing as Luke isn’t really a pony name.” I answered her.

Celestia nodded in acknowledgement and said, “While you are at the moment free to roam about in Canterlot for the day, as my sister and I are quite busy, there is the matter of how everypony will assume you are some kind of relative of ours. The pony-folk are only aware of Cadence as the only other Alicorn.”

I nodded, not really sure what she was getting at. “I understand that, Princess, but what does it mean?” I asked.

“You shall be made a Prince for the whole time of your residence in Equestria.” She said casually. I could see Blueblood looking slightly miffed at the idea. “But... but Auntie!” The two sisters looked at the unicorn with questioning glares. “He’s an alien! What good reasons do have we to crown him? He involves himself with those ruffians that ruined last year's Gala!”

Celestia was taken aback, surprised at her kin's resentment, and was about to speak, but Luna was first to respond, “The human race is actually quite as, or even more, intelligent than most ponies in our own realm. If you just stopped acting like a royal brat and learn from us, you may actually be worthy of taking the throne in the future!” Luna was obviously mad at Blueblood (I mean, who wouldn’t be. I’d hate to have such a snob for a cousin). "Also, those 'ruffians' are national HEROES." Blueblood couldn't help but tremble as Luna just started piling it on. "If it weren't for them, none of us would not be here today." She paused to collect herself. "To add to the answer of your query of Shadow's coronation, it is because so he can blend in, and also fulfill a certain... role in Equestrian history and society." Celestia glared at Luna when the latter said "...role in history." Was there something they weren't telling me? Tension began to build in the room, and it looked like Bluebood was about to tear up from Luna's loud lecture.

There was an awkward silence, and I spoke up. “To be honest, Princess, I don’t think I’ll can handle being royalty.” I said, and Blueblood perked up. “See that? The human himself doubts his ability to be a Prince!” Luna glared at him to be quiet. “However,” I continued. “I will be most willing to learn, help, and attend to any royal duties that so fit under my abilities.” Celestia smiled. “Then it is settled. Under the light of the golden, radiant sun,” “And under the luminous, mysterious moon and stars,” Luna added. Then in unison, the two sisters proclaimed, “And by the powers of the Regents of the Sun, Moon, and Heavens Above, we now dub you as Prince Shadow Blitz!” I watched as the room darkened, and smalls stars, a small sun, and a small moon began fly towards and orbit around me. Their speed began build, and soon, I was surrounded by magic. But this magic was extraordinary, it was a mystic power, and it took my breath away as I saw images of Equestria and its corresponding celestial bodies in my mind. It was amazing. The "Cosmic Coronation" began to fade away, and the room came back into focus. It took me while to catch my breath and find words.

I nodded humbly, gratefully accepting the title. “Thank you, your Majesties. I will not fail you; I will do everything in my power to keep Equestrian society and history safe, and protect it from any means of harm..” (I've really got to stop speaking so formally). On the inside, I was jumping and partying like Pinkie Pie on a double dose of sugar rushes. I bowed and left the dining room, then went to my own room. “WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!” I yelled at the top of my lungs whilst jumping on the bed. Suddenly, Raziele appeared at my balcony window. I stopped acting like a foal, and let him in.

“So I hear you’re the new Prince.” He said, impressive. “YupYup! I said, using a catchphrase that I only use when extremely happy or excited. “Does this mean I have to bow down to you?” He asked, not joking at all. My attitude sobered a bit. “No.” I answered. “Though I may be titled as temporary Prince of Equestria, though I may be an Alicorn, I do not wish to be bowed to. I simply wish to be treated like any other pony.” Raziele snickered. “For a normal pony, you certainly talk like a Prince.” I heard the door open, and saw Twilight Sparkle enter. “I heard that Princess Celestia made you Prince.” I nodded to confirm the rumor. “Does news around here travel that fast?” I asked. The purple pony nodded, and giggled a little. “Luna told me to give this to you. Said you might need it.” She levitated a small cloth pouch. I heard a metallic clinking sound from it. I looked inside, and saw about 100 golden bits. “Wow! Thanks, Twi! And Luna, I suppose.” We heard Rainbow Dash calling to her out in the hallway.

She turned to leave, and then the pegasus guard turned to me. “Celestia said there may be a battle on the horizon. She told me it was best that I train you.” Battle? WHAT? I JUST GOT MADE A PRINCE, I DON'T WANNA GO AROUND STARTING WARS! But no matter how much my mind yelled, I still said,“Right, so...when do we start?” “Tomorrow morning. At dawn. Sleep early. I’ll really get you back for kicking that flowerpot onto my head.” And with that, he flew off. I was pretty much screwed. I decided to get out of the castle and rid the ideas of rigorous training from my mind. Sure, I’ve had my fair share of training in martial art for half of my life, but this was different. I was a pony. I didn’t even know that they could have wars in Equestria! I began to walk and think, paying no mind to wher I was going. Violence in Equestria of all places. Why would there be a battle/war? Seriously, this is a world of FRIENDSHIP,  and freakin' ELEMENTS OF HARMONY.

I found myself deep in thought, and when I looked up, I was in a market. How did I end up here? “Shadow!” I heard two voices calling me from behind. I turned, and saw Dusk Star and Fire Storm galloping towards me. “We thought you abandoned us!” They said when they caught up, out of breath. “Um...” Fire Storm started. “Why is everypony bowing?” And truth be told, all ponies in the market was bowing to me. I didn’t like it. “Celestia made me a Prince. It’s so I can kinda ‘explain’ me being an Alicorn.” I whispered to her. I don't even know how they all found out so fast, but I was starting to feel uncomfortable about it. I actually heard somepony say quietly, "Who is he? Is he royalty?"

“Uh...at ease everypony. I’d rather you didn’t bow to me.” I said, hesistantly. Some did, but bowed down again. I asked again. They still didn’t rise. I was starting to get irritated. I was about to yell something, when I heard another voice behind me say, “Shadow, look.” I turned and saw Princess Luna, and saw my two companions were bowing. I bowed to Luna as well.

“Please rise. Like Prince Shadow Blitz, I do not like being bowed to.” She said. The ponies around us rose, then continued on with daily business. “Sorry. Why don’t you like them bowing to you, Shadow?” Luna asked.

“I just don’t like all the attention.” I answered with complete honesty. 'I also feel uncomfortable with all of the attention.' She said. I noticed her mouth didn’t move. She “spoke” again, ‘Wierd, I am able to communicate with only Celestia telepathically. The fact that you can hear me is... intriguing. We willll have to discuss this later.’ I was listening intently, not paying attention to anything else but Luna. I saw a brown hoof wave across my face. “Hey Shadow! Are you and Luna in a random staring competition or something?” Dusk shouted in my face. Luna giggled as I pushed him aside.

“Why are you here Princess?” I asked. She took out 3 small black devices, and gave one to each. It was our phones! “The Moon Princess said, “Twilight wanted to give these to you. She said you knew what they were and what they did.”She added.  “Are they yours?” We nodded. “Do you mind telling me their functions?” She asked. I looked around, as many ponies were still watching us, and it was kind of awkward. “That would have to wait another time, you Majesty.” I answered. “Perhaps tonight?”

Dusk, Fire, and (for some reason) Pinkie (OUT OF NOWHERE) went, “Aaaawww. He asked her on a date!” Pinkie began singing, “Luna and Shadow, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” She ran off laughing. Fire shook her head, “I’ll never be able to understand that pony.” Nobody and nopony ever will. And we all know it. “It’s time I had returned to the castle now.” Luna said after a moment. “Celestia will get mad if I don’t accompany her in today’s audiences.” She teleported off and we started walking around.

Occasionally, we’d spot one of the Mane 6, and then move on to looking around at the busy market. We passed by a small stall, in which stood a lonely looking unicorn merchant. He had a light blue coat, and had a whitish-gray mane and tail. He wore blue glasses, and constantly checked his blue watch. I could tell his favorite color was red by all of this (I’m kidding, just to let you know).  There was a sign above him that said, “CRE8’s Creations! The Best in Canterlot!” It was clear the store wasn’t a very popular one. “Excuse me,” I began. The merchant pony looked up at me. “What is it that you sell, sir?”

He began to smile. “My name is CRE8! I make and sell only the most beautiful and creative art pieces in Canterlot! Each are carefully hoof-crafted by your truly, with some magical aid, and make wonderful gifts for anypony of any age!”

“Do you have any works that depict the moon?” I asked. Fire looked at me incredulously, like WHAT THE BUCK? YOU’RE WASTING MONEY ON THIS WHEN I COULD GET FANCY CLOTHES FOR MYSELF? But Dusk knew what I had planned. He nodded of approval, and we both pushed Fire behind us, a little further away from the stall.

CRE8 escorted us through his stall, which held many a breathtaking work of art. “So, I take it ‘CRE8’ isn’t your real name.” Dusk said, still looking around at the art.

There were paintings of course, but of marvelous detail. There were sculptures, but not just out of marble. There were statues of many different ponies and creatures, etc, made of brass, silver, gold, and even glass. “Yes. My real name is Brush Strokes. CRE8 is a kind of stage name. Like that famous DJ... but her name escapes me. I know her stage name is DJ-Pon3. That’s where I got the idea for my name.”He blushed at this. “You mean Vinyl Scratch?” I asked. “And why are you blushing?”

“Let’s just say I have a little crush on her.” The artist replied. “Little?” I heard Dusk over my shoulder. He pointed at something. “Then explain this statue of a silver and golden DJ Table with a label saying ‘For DJ-Pon3?’” “Fine,” Brush admitted. “I’ve fallen quite hard for her. Quite like the Prince here has fallen hard for the Princess.” Dusk and Brush started laughing, and then immediately stopped when they saw I was completely serious. I sighed and responded, “I just find it polite to give her present for bringing us here, and her giving me the title of Prince.”

“Whatever floats your boat, Romeo.” Brush said. “Here you go. This might win her heart over.” “I’m not trying to court her or anything like that! I’m....whoa.” I looked at a large painting that Brush was pushing me to. It was beautifully painted, and depicted Princess Luna herself, by a glistening lake, looking up to the moon. It had a touch of Baroque art influence in it, especially the way the moonlight was the dominant light source, and the light was diagonally aimed at Luna and the lake.

I had only one word to describe it, “.....Wow.” CR38 had a smug look on his face. “Since it’s your first purchase, I’ll make the price 100 bits.” I checked the pouch that Twilight gave me earlier today. It held about 200 bits.

I shook my head. “No way, brony. That’s too much. 50 bits.” Brush scoffed. “You may be a Prince, but I’m a king when it comes to negotiating what I want. I’ll make 90 bits.” “No deal. 60 bits.” “85” “70” “78” “72” We argued over a price for a while.

“You drive a hard bargain.” Brush said, slightly irritated. “How about 75 bits, and I include that glass bouquet of flowers for free.” He pointed at a vase next to the painting. They were pretty nice, and I decided it was worth it. “Fine. You’ve got a deal. 75 bits it is.” I paid him. He then turned to the painting, and I saw a bluish aura around his horn and the painting. He made it smaller, about 2x3 feet, and then made it disappear. He then made the glass bouquet disappear as well. Don’t worry, I’ve sent your items to your room in the castle.”I was trying to think how he knew where my room was. Unicorn magic, go figure.

Dusk and I thanked him, and walked out of the art stall. We saw Fire looking at some trinkets. I looked to Dusk, who shrugged. We approached her, and spent about 50 more bits on jewelry for Fire to make up for pushing her aside.

After our shopping spree, we decided to take a walk in the Cantelot Gardens, the one next to the palace. We bought snacks from vendors and decided to lie down in the open grass. “Can you believe it?” Dusk says. “First we’re college graduates, on our way to new lives. And now, we’re ponies. I’m a unicorn, Lara’s a pegasus, and Luke’s the Prince of Equestria!” He took a moment to be silent. “To think it only happened in less than a week.”

I pondered this for a while. We’ve stayed in Equestria about 3 or 4 days, and we, actually I, was the talk of the town. We had already made new friends! “I’m happy here.” Fire smiled. “I feel like I never want to leave.” We all shared this feeling. We wanted to stay in this utopia. We wanted to be away from the terrors of our own world. But a feeling in my gut told me that it probably would be possible for us to stay forever. They sky slowly started to turn orange and red, and Dusk piped up, “Hey Shadow.” “Yes?” My eyes were closed. He continued, “Don’t you have a date with Luna really soon?”

My eyes snapped back open. “Oh damn, I almost forgot!” I got up and started to fly away.  I turned for a moment and shouted at Dusk, “And it’s not a date! She just wants to ask me stuff!” In the distance, Dusk heard Shadow, snickered, and said, “She’s probably going to ask him to room with her tonight.” Fire Storm joined him in laughter. Next Chapter: IT'S NOT A DATE! Estimated time remaining: 51 Minutes