You’d be surprised at how fast the trains are in Equestria, especially the Crystal Empire trains. It was literally made from crystal and as fast, and as safe, as a bullet train in the human world. Magic naturally. When I told everyone about the trains, especially the bullet trains, in the human world some were surprised humans could accomplish such a feat. However, my mother gave me a surprise on the knowledge she did have on the human world. Although, logically I know I shouldn’t be surprised that she knew. She knew my mom, my human mom, to begin with. Otherwise, how would she know to take me to her right? She explained that since the human world didn’t have magic, they relied on technology and invention. However, she was impressed at how far humans had come in the short years since she’d been there last.

I made them some bean and vegetable meal for them with some spices they had on the train. Kind of like chili with veggies instead of meat. Which by the way, mother said that she can get me meat. That was good because I wasn’t quite ready to give that up. The trip was filled with talk about the human world, about my father, and the joy she experienced with the short time she had me. And the whole time Luna slept, and snored, away. Then late afternoon, most of us decided to follow that example, until it was nearing time to lower the sun and raise the moon for the night. My mother woke me up right after she, and Luna got done with lowering the sun and raising the moon for the night.

Mother woke me up with a gentle hand to my shoulder, “Hmm? What time is it?” Luna was helping to wake up the girls from their nap.

“We are almost home,” she said and sat down beside me after I sat up.

“Well looks like we’ve come full circle then,” I gave her a sad smile while she put a wing and an arm around me.

“Looks like it yes,” she nodded then leaned in kissing my cheek. “I’m so happy that you are home again. I just wish that things were different, so you wouldn’t have a hard time here. However, as soon as we walk in we will gather the captain of the guard and the head servant to tell them to spread the news that my son has come home.”

“Makes sense,” with a nod I understood, “so that they will know that I’m not a slave or anything.”

“Exactly,” she paused for a second. “I suppose that would be the right time to call in Miss Scratch.”

“Yeah, that’ll work.” The other girls were up and talking. Rainbow was getting antsy already. Fluttershy was yawning and stretching on her seat across from us. AJ was up and, like Rainbow, was antsy to get off the train. Rarity was already up, took a brush out of one of the many bags she had and was brushing her hair. Quietly complaining about how messed up her hair gets when she sleeps. Pinkie was talking away with Rainbow and AJ, more than likely to keep them busy so they wouldn’t go mad waiting for the train to stop at the station.

Twilight and Luna walked over. Luna took a seat next to me with Twilight taking a seat next to Fluttershy across from us. That’s when Fluttershy stopped yawning and stretching, saw me, and blushed hiding behind her mane.

“Welcome to Canterlot Fred,” Twilight said happily while adjusting her dress as she crossed her legs.

“Thanks, Twilight, I’m glad I came.”

Luna hummed in thought, “There is a question on how the nobles will react to Fred’s return.”

“You have nobles?” I asked looking over to Luna.

“Oh yes,” mother acknowledged with a nod. “If I remember correctly your world has nobles as well right?”

“I’m sure they’re around,” leaning back I tilted my head back in thought. “Mostly it was in England, but as far as I know they’re not so many nobles anymore as they are congressmen and congresswomen.”

“Parts of a committee?” Twilight wondered.

I nodded to her, “Something like that I think, but then again in our country, we didn’t have nobles. Just people on city councils, state councils, and the national congress.”

“The ponies here are called nobles,” Luna explained in a voice similar to teachers, “and most are on a council or committee. While some are nobles in a business sense.”

“Ah, gotcha and the ones that are left might have a problem with me huh?”

“Even if they did,” mother interrupted smugly, “they wouldn’t dare go against me.”

Leaning into her I chuckled happily, “There’s nothing more dangerous than a mother’s wrath.”

“Indeed,” Luna echoed.

“So I heard that you have a pet phoenix named Philomena?” looking up to my mother I wondered when I might see it.

“Oh yes,” smiling down to me she cheered. “I’ve had her a very long time, do you know about them?”

“Only from legends,” I told her. “There are no live ones. Just that they have the ability to regenerate. When they get old and time for them to die the burn away to ashes, then get reborn from those ashes to live again. In human history, we’ve used that legend to nickname some machines that we’ve rebuilt.”

“You know she will remember you.”

“Really?” that was news to me.

“Oh yes,” mother giggled as I guess remembering something. “She watched over you like a mother hen. I was so grateful to her. With her there I knew that you were safe.”

“Wow,” I whispered in amazement. “Is she there now?”

“Yes she is, and I bet she will be happy to see you.”

“I bet Fred isn’t the only one she’ll be happy to see,” Twilight smirked hinting at something. Fluttershy smiled.

When Fluttershy saw my confused face she explained, “Your mother came to Ponyville one day and brought Philomena with her. But, she was near her rebirth, but I thought she was sick. Being kind to animals is what I do, so I tried to make her better.” Fluttershy giggled softly, “I didn’t know anything about phoenixes at the time, so Philomena decided to have some fun.”

“Sounds like she’s a prankster,” I chuckled.

“Yes, she is,” Luna confirmed. “I can attest to that.”

“Been a victim have you?” a smirk worked its way on my face.

“At times yes.”

“Oh yeah,” Rainbow walked over to us sitting down next to Fluttershy, opposite of Twilight. “Philomena helped me prank the guards and got them to flinch. She’s great.”

Suddenly the train whistled with a squeal of the breaks. A signal that we were pulling into the train station. It was then that it really started to hit me of what I’ve really stepped into. A whole new world. A whole new life. Almost in a daze, I stood up walking over to the window. The architecture was like a modern Rome feel to it while keeping an old-world style. The streets were brick and were a lot smoother than we humans ever were able to accomplish. The train station itself was...a light purple building? The walls were a light purple with large glass windows and a deep purple mansard style rooftop. A large clock welcomed visitors above the main entrance that the train was coming to a stop in front of. From what I could tell it looked like the whole castle was of the same time of coloring and architecture.

“What do you think?” Luna asked softly while the girls were gathering up their bags. Taking a quick glance over to Rarity told me that she had enlisted Spike to gather up her mountain of bags. However, Spike more than likely volunteered anyway.

“It’s definitely not what I’m used to,” the train came to a halt with steam billowing out from underneath. “I will say though that the architecture is nice.”

“Wait until you see the castle itself,” mother kissed my forehead before putting an arm and a wing around me. She led me out of the train and onto the wooden platform of the station.

Spike looked like he was having some trouble with all of Rarity’s luggage. “Hey Spike,” he paused looking over to me, “You need help with that?”

He shook his head, gently put down the mountain of luggage, then pointed to the opening doors of the station, “Nope.” Four guards wearing full armor came out of the double doors. What surprised me was that all were...pegasi? All four, two male and two female, with gray coats. The armor was all shades of blue. Light blue for most of the armor except for the wings. The armor for the wings were dark blue shades with a dark blue chest piece with a blue cat eye in the center. What was odd was the wings themselves. It was the wings of a bat. And the helmets had a type of batwing Mohawk on it.

“Who are they?” I asked quietly as the guards walked up to us.

“They are the thestral guard's son,” mother whispered to me. “I have day guards while Luna has night guards.”

I whispered an “oh” as the guards saluted to both my mother, Luna, and Twilight, “Your highnesses, welcome back to Canterlot,” the lead guard on the front and to my right greeted, “does your slave need help with the luggage?”

I could feel the tension from my mother instantly. Rainbow whispered “uh oh” quietly under her breath. Fluttershy said quietly, “Oh my.” Pinkie started saying, “Oh no he’s not-” before getting cut off by Twilight’s hand to her mouth and loudly clearing her throat. Rarity and AJ were quiet.

“He’s not a slave,” Luna began, but let my mother do most of the talking.

Of course, now the guards were confused because all they saw was a human, so naturally, they thought slave. My mother’s voice was both soft and serene, but with a cold edge to it that chilled you to your very bones. “My dear guards,” she cooed with a pleasant smile and hugged me to her. “I know you are not aware, so I’ll let that pass this time. You see this is not, and never will be, a slave. He is my son, and your prince, Fred Justice.”

That shocked the guards into dumbstruck silence with their jaws hanging open as if trying to catch flies.

She continued in the same ice-cold soothing tone, “And when we get to the castle you will assemble the captains of both the solar guard and the lunar guard, plus the castle staff managers in the throne room. That way the good news can be told that my son has returned home again. Oh and make sure a mare named Vinyl Scratch is summoned as well if she’s not already there.”

It took a second, or two, for their brains to kick back into gear before they saluted. The lead guard letting out a quick, “Yes your highness.”

“Very well then,” Luna took over. “Please see to it that our luggage is loaded. I’m assuming there’s a limo chariot waiting?”

“Yes your highness,” the guard acknowledged before the four of them gathered up all the luggage and escorted us into the station. A limo chariot? Was that what I think it is? I’ve seen chariots and even enclosed ones, but a stretched one? The inside of the station had polished marble floors with polished white stone walls. I whistled softly as we walked through.

“Like it?”

“Yeah Twilight I do,” I nearly whispered being so enraptured with it. “We have buildings with polished stone floors and walls with mural ceilings in our government. But I’ve never been there. This is beautiful.”

“Oh my yes,” Fluttershy giggled walking in front of me, “and this is only the train station, wait until you see the stained glass windows in the hall of heroes.”

“Yeah, it’s where all of us are in this super-duper neat window of us defeating Nightmare Moon after we found the Elements of Harmony,” Pinkie said while bouncing along in front of us.

“It’s a hall where the most important events are pictured in stained glass windows that line the hallway,” Twilight explained to me as we exited the station.

And right there in front of me was the longest enclosed chariot I’ve ever seen. I stopped awestruck at the sight. It looked similar to what I saw in those western movies, but lower to the ground, slightly smaller wheels, and long enough to hold all of us. Questions of how they built the frame to withstand that extra length flooded my mind. My mother giggled at me waving a hand in front of my face, “Never seen one?”

“Not a chariot one no,” I told her while the guards put the luggage in the back compartment. The girls were stepping inside as I spoke to mother, “We have limos sure which are stretched cars. We really don’t have chariots anymore.” With my mind back in gear again, mother ushered me inside then closed the door behind her. “And was those bulls I saw pulling it?”

“Oh yes, they are,” she confirmed sitting down beside me. “We use bulls to do a lot of the manual labor of pulling chariots or farm equipment.”

“Huh,” was the only thing I could say to that. They were still four-legged animals like in the human world. “They sentient?” I asked her.

She shook her head, “No, they aren’t and neither are cows.”

“Huh, interesting,” I muttered then started staring out the window at the scenery going by. All the while the girls were quietly talking away among themselves.

“Alright, Twilight the first thing in the morning I want you up and early for flight practice,” Rainbow was quietly telling of her plans for Twilight’s practice flight lessons.

“I’ll be up Rainbow,” Twilight agreed.

“Which means no late-night study sessions,” Rainbow cautioned which by the look on Twilight’s shocked face was almost akin to blasphemy. “I mean it Twilight,” Rainbow’s stern look won out, “to bed early to rise early got it?”

Twilight sighed with a slight grumble, “Fine.”

“The all-night party is going to be so much fun,” Pinkie cheerfully bounced in her seat.

“Yeah I’m glad you got Vinyl to come and DJ Fred,” Twilight agreed smiling over to me while adjusting her dress after crossing her legs. Which for a second my mind locked onto, then quickly diverting.

“You want some good beats you go to Vinyl,” Rainbow echoed leaning back in her seat putting her hands behind her head. The seating was bench seats facing each other. The ride was smoother than I expected. The cab itself must be in some type of suspension.

“What about the decorations?” I wondered. “Has people and ponies shown up to help decorate?”

“More than likely they will show up in the morning by train from Ponyville,” Luna said as we rolled along the road. Even as smooth as the brick streets were the cab still rocked slightly as if trying to rock us back to sleep. It was oddly soothing actually.

Soon I saw us pass through a wide metal gate. A wide courtyard stretched out in front of us along the brick path. On either side was a grass area, as if it was meant for people and ponies alike to stand there. After sticking my head out the window I was able to catch the castle itself. Tall and grand it outdid anything the humans of the past ever thought up. What we were approaching put all of them to shame. I whistled softly while my eyes and mind took it all in. Chuckling and giggling came from inside as they were obviously amused at my antics. Heck, I didn’t care all that much. This was a new world for me. It was both scary and exciting at the same time.

Large wide steps sat there like a wide maw opened up to us that led us to the front large double doors of the castle. The two doors were decorated with a sun and moon symbol. After the chariot stopped the girls got off first, then Luna, then my mother and I. My eyes were wide as I took in the grand site of the castle. It stood before me like the giant’s castle in the old fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. Even this put that to shame.

With the guards grabbing the luggage we started our way up the wide stairs and into the castle itself. The main hallway was grand with a red carpet down the center. Pillars on either side of the hallway showing off their polished stone. The click-clack of hoof shoes was muffled by the carpet. A part of me was drawn to the oddity of hooves on these anthropomorphic ponies. It was so odd and yet I was here in this very real place.

There was a four-way intersection we were passing and most of the girls stopped. “Well I think I’ll turn in for the night,” AJ turned to the group. “I’d like to do what I can here to help in the morning.”

“Oh me too,” Fluttershy said quietly.

“I for one need my beauty sleep,” Rarity whipped her hair in a soft sigh. “There are lots of preparations and decorations to take care of tomorrow.”

“Me too,” Pinkie started bouncing down the hallway leading to my left.

Twilight, however, started sneaking down the hallway to the right. And almost got away, almost. “Twilight?” Rainbow called out to her with a voice that said that she knew what Twilight was doing, “Where are you going? Surely you know that your guest room is in the opposite direction?”

“Oh um...” she hesitated for a second before straightening up with a smile. “Yes I do, I was just going to get a single solitary book to take to my room. To read. In bed.”

“Pinkie promise me,” Rainbow smirked with her arms crossed under her chest. My eyes locked on it for a second before veering away.

Twilight hesitated then almost snorted like a bull, “Fine. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” She also went through some motions while even putting her hand to her closed eye. Afterward, she stomped off down the hallway like a child that was told she couldn’t play with her toys.

“Pinkie Promise?” I queried my mother.

“It’s the most binding of promises,” she explained. “And if ever broken you could lose their trust. As Pinkie explained losing their trust is the fastest way to lose a friendship.”

“FOREVER,” came Pinkie’s loud voice echoing down the hallway as if it was a separate entity.

“Ok, now that was weird,” I whispered while looking down the hallway from where the voice came from. “Even for Pinkie.”

“Yeah don’t sweat it, Fred,” Rainbow lightly punched my arm. “Just think of it as Pinkie being Pinkie and you won’t have to worry about your brain exploding like Twilight’s.”

I just blinked at her.

Rainbow chuckled at me then started walking down the hallway, “Just ask her about it sometime.”

I just shook my head as my mother, Luna and I continued down the hallway. We should be headed toward the throne…room. My thoughts were put on hold again when we stepped through the large double doors and into the throne room itself. One large throne sat upon a dais with two small waterfalls on either side. Behind it on the wall were two tapestries, one for the sun and the other the moon. Mother and Luna respectfully. The throne room itself was just as grand with polished stone floor with a wide red carpet leading right up to the throne. Large pillars on either side of the room framed the stained glass windows beautifully. Being night time and no natural sunlight to light the room. It was lit by magical lamps hanging from the high ceiling. My head was on a swivel the whole way up to the throne. The guards and staff were already there. Luna sat on the throne, being night time and all, while I stood next to my mother.

I was searching for…

And then I spotted Vinyl on the front row and sent a smile her way with a raised eyebrow. She was eyeing me carefully with her arms over her chest. Within the crowd were humans as well and by the way, they were dressed was treated well. At least by my mother. I wondered how the staff treated them?

Mother put an arm and a wing around me before she addressed the crowd. “Thank you all for coming,” she began as her voice betrayed her emotions. “The reason I asked you all here was because of this man here. His name is Fred Justice. And he is my son.” There were gasps and murmurs throughout the crowd. The humans were especially intrigued. She held up a hand to quiet them down, “Years ago I fell in love with a human slave. We were together, in secret, for two years before that fateful day when former Prince Blueblood stormed the castle. He would have killed my son if I hadn’t taken him away to another world to be raised.”

I watched the crowd carefully and there were many wide eyes and slacked jaws.

“Due to an incident which led Twilight to cross over into that very world, my son has returned after all these years,” mother leaned her head against mine as I did the same. “He will be respected as much as you all respect me, my sister, and the Elements of Harmony.”

“Yes your highness,” the captains immediately saluted saying sharply. While the servants said things similar as they understood as well.

“Why don’t you say something,” my mother whispered to me giving me a reassuring smile.

And with a nod, I stepped forward to address them. To say that I was nervous was a slight understatement. After taking a second to calm down with a deep breath I spoke my heart. “I know this comes as a shock. It was a shock to me after I learned about my heritage with this world. My further shock that I can use magic.” To prove my point I ignited a fireball in one hand and held it out for them to see. “I’m the only human that can use magic and thereby proving that I’m not fully human. I look human because of my father but can use magic because of my mother. This doesn’t mean, however, that I’m better than any one of you.” I put out the fire lowering my hand. “I have come here, even fully knowing that humans are slaves here, to get to know my mother and my Aunt Luna. And if I’m lucky, make a positive impact on this world. But, I have a lot to learn. And if you are patient with me I’m willing and able, to learn about this world, this nation, and its citizens. I may have been born a prince, but I want to earn that title in your eyes. In the eyes of the honored solar and lunar guard. And in the eyes of all servants, both human and pony alike. Even I have learned that a good leader is only as strong as he, or she, is humble to the needs of those they lead. A captain of a ship can’t run the ship without the crew or listening to the crew. Such is the same way with a great leader. So for now, my job is to learn, and learn from all of you.”

“Well said,” was Luna’s encouragement to me. I smiled back to her as one of the pony servants stepped up with a raised hand.

“Your highness,” the mare pony asked. “Is it alright that we ask some questions?”

“Yes it’s alright,” mother told the crowd.

It was a unicorn mare that stepped forward wearing a variation of a typical maids outfit. Short sleeves that poofed out at the shoulders with lace. Low cut front with lace lining the top. The bottom was straight instead of the typical billowing out style of the french maid outfits. Black with white lace. She had a light yellow coat with light blue hair and tail. With her age around Twilight.

By what I could tell from her initial voice and her demeanor I think she was the reserved type. Not quite to the level of Fluttershy shyness. “My name is Lucy Love, my prince,” she spoke up softly, but not Fluttershy level of soft, “There truly is a human world?”

“Yes, there is Miss Love, where I was raised.”

“Are humans slaves there too?” she asked.

“In the human world,” I began slowly, “slavery, for the most part, has been abolished. There are many nations in the human world and in some of those nations I’m sure that there still is some form of slavery. Even today there are evil people who still want to enslave others for some reason or another. However, it is not tolerated in a civilized society because one human doesn’t have the right to own another. It is my belief that neither pony nor human has the right to own the other. As both are intelligent and sentient beings worthy of their freedoms and rights under Equestrian law.”

This time one of the humans raised his hand. He was dressed like a butler, “My name is John, my prince.” I nodded for him to continue. “I was wondering if Equestria’s humans could leave and go over to the human world?”

I really didn’t know how to answer that, so I turned around and shrugged slightly to my mother. “Good question Mister John,” I said.

My mother contemplated it then looked down to the crowd, “It is an idea that we will look into. However, I make no promises at this point.”

He seemed to accept that answer, so I waited for another one. This time it was the solar guard captain that spoke up. “If you don’t mind me asking your highness,” he began cautiously. “Since it is obvious that the grave you have us guarding isn’t a pony, but a human. Why keep it a secret?”

“Fear my good guard,” mother said softly as her voice filled with emotions. “Fear that my ponies would desecrate the grave of the one I loved. Blueblood and his fellow nobles, who I entrusted, had already killed him. Taking his life and my son away from me. I could not bear to watch his resting place be disturbed in like manner.”

The captain of the lunar guard raised her hand, “Your highness, I’m assuming that you plan on announcing the prince’s return to Equestria. When do you plan on doing that?”

“Good question,” Mother answered. “The morning after next to be exact. During the Summer Sun Celebration here in Canterlot. And for the first time in a long time, it will be a true celebration. Before, everypony remembers it for when I defeated Nightmare Moon. However, I always saw it with sorrow because I had to banish my own sister. Now I can truly celebrate the return of my sister as Princess Luna, but also the return of my beloved son. And I truly hope that you all can celebrate with me.”

To my surprise a lot of the ponies applauded her. Not all of them, but most. All of the humans did. Probably because I was human myself. With no other questions asked mother dismissed every one of them back to their normal duties. Which left me with Vinyl, who has been quiet for the most part.

I walked up to her, “Well Vinyl?”

“Alright you convinced me,” she said with a firm nod, “It’s still hard to believe.” She was wearing a cropped t-shirt that was almost a size too small. With short shorts to complete the setup. Both of light blue coloring. Her hair almost matched her counterparts, although hers was longer as it stopped about midway down her back. Still, wild hair though, as it was like she stuck her finger inside a wall socket. Plus the long tail. And the red shades.

“Why is that Miss Scratch?” mother asked in the same tone she speaks to me with. “Doesn’t the heart deserve to love what it wishes?” Mother stepped down to stand next to me.

“I guess, but why him?”

“Fred’s father was as kind as he was protective. Kind to those of like hearts, but with the heart of a lion,” mother smiled as she thought about my father. “And in spite of being raised a slave he was very well educated, but also had a down to earth viewpoint. Which most of the time came down to a few basic morals.” Then she laughed outright, though it was one of those sad laughs, “I even miss his sense of humor that always rubbed me the wrong way.”

“You really loved him,” Vinyl said rhetorically with a soft sigh as if she was accepting it finally.

“I did yes with all of my heart, and still do,” mother nodded to her then put a wing around me. “Will you DJ the party tomorrow night Miss Scratch?”

Vinyl appeared to think about it for a minute before accepting it with, “Alright, I’ll DJ the party.”

“Thank you Vinyl,” I smiled to her offering her my hand to shake, which she did. “I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, goodnight,” she simply said before turning around to leave.

“Goodnight,” mother and Luna said at the same time. “Now then,” Luna stood up from the throne walking over to us, “Why don’t you go on to bed sister, I think that it’s time for Fred and I to talk.”

“Alright Lulu,” mother and Luna hugged each other before she embraced me hugging me tightly to her. “I’m proud of you my sunshine boy. What you said was not only beautiful but it proves you have a kind and just heart.”

“Thanks, mother,” she kissed my cheek as we separated. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight my sunshine boy and sleep well,” then it was her turn to retire for the night and left me with Luna.

“Come,” she said to me motioning me toward the hallway we came from. “There is something that I know you are curious about.”

With a nod, I started following her from the throne room, “Yes, I was wondering about Nightmare Moon.”

“I thought as much.” We left the throne room then back down the hallway, then turned down the hallway with the stained glass windows. “Over one thousand years ago your mother and I ruled the land together. We found the Elements of Harmony together and with them able to defeat Discord.” I had no clue who that was. She recognized my confusion and waved it off telling me that it would come later. “We ruled peacefully, but over time I started to get jealous of your mother. She seemed to shine more brightly than I. Your mother would make such beautiful days for the ponies to enjoy, but they would always sleep during my nights. I could make them so beautiful for them to enjoy, but they would always sleep through them.” She sighed while looking up at the window of Twilight and her friends defeating Nightmare Moon. “I became so jealous that I succumbed to the darkness that was inside my heart. I wanted a perpetual night, so I could force them to enjoy it.”

I listened as the told her tale.

“Luckily your mother used the Elements to banish me,” she continued with a sigh then turning to look at me. “And even after I returned after those thousand years, I still wanted perpetual night. By this time, however, the Elements found Twilight and her friends. And with them, they freed me from that darkness. Since then I have learned that my night is there for a reason.”

I waited until I knew she was done before speaking, “You’re right. Your night is there for a reason. Everything has a cycle in order to preserve life. The day is for work and toil, while the night is to rest from the day.” She nodded at me. “But isn’t more than that?” She gave me a curious look. “It’s because of your night, and how beautiful it is that they can rest. Furthermore, when they are resting they are the most vulnerable right?”

“I supposed they are,” she mused.

“And when they are asleep and at their most vulnerable who better to watch over them?” I asked to stir her thoughts. “So, in a way, they are surrendering themselves to you so you can watch over them at night. It’s more than just rest, it’s a time of peace. A time to relax and recover.” The look in her eyes told me that the gears were turning in her head. “In the human world,” I continued, “You know what they think of when they think of romance?” She shook her head. I smirked, “They think of a beautiful moonlit night that is filled with bright twinkling stars. A nice dinner with soft music playing. Not really about a hot summer day.”

“Truly?” I nodded with a smile when she asked. She was silent for a couple of minutes while she stared at the window. “I’ve never quite thought of the night that way before,” she turned to me with a soft smile. “So, you’ve given me some things to think about. Thank you.”

With a smile, I turned to her holding my arms out for a hug, “You’re welcome.”

She gave in and hugged me, although it was one of those hugs that she was trying it out. At least it’s progress. “You are wiser than I expected,” she told me honestly and started walking down the hallway again.

“Thank you, although I can’t take credit for most of it,” I smiled at her as we walked. “My human mom and your human counterpart gave me most of it. The rest came from life.”

“Is the human world difficult?” We turned a corner and headed toward a garden, it looked like.

“Well, when you are a kid and just going to school it seems harder than it is,” I laughed remembering. “I can’t speak so much living as an adult, per se. Although, I have been working at AJ’s farm since junior high. Ever since we were friends she needed help and I needed some spending money, so it was a no brainer.” A smaller set of doors let us outside to the castle garden. Larger than the Crystal Empire’s but same basic setup though with a fountain in the center and seating all around. “But I guess,” I continued my thoughts, “trying to look out for the students in the school amid Sunset Shimmer’s acts was part of it. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t have a lot to learn, because I do. How did Mother find out about the human world?”

Now she smiled outright, “It was a long time ago when our teacher Star Swirl the Bearded banished three sirens there. We learned from Star Swirl and when we were old enough and started ruling on our own is when he came forward and told us about the human world. That was well before humans ever arrived. He told us that he was fascinated by this other world and that he found a safe way for us to traverse between worlds.”

Flowers lined the path we were walking toward the center, but now most were asleep except for some. I listened to her intently.

“Although he cautioned that it was dangerous because on the other side we would lose our magical abilities,” then she turned to me with a puzzled look. “Which I was surprised to hear that you could use magic.”

I shrugged, “Got me on that one, I have no clue.”

“At any rate,” she continued dismissing it, “During his studies, he created the mirror, which as you know resides in the Crystal Empire for safekeeping today.”

“Yeah,” I turned to her wondering. “Ok, so who is this Discord?”

“He is the master of chaos,” she explained. “He is chaos incarnate. His magic is chaos itself. He would always try to take over Equestria and turn it into pure chaos for his amusement.”

“But...”

“Your mother thought that if he could be reformed then he would be a powerful ally.” We reached the center and the fountain that we now stood before. It was taller than I thought. She took a breath before letting it out. “And she would be correct, so as of today he is free once more from his stone prison and under the watch of Fluttershy. Who is under the task of reforming him.”

“Wow,” that threw my mind for a loop. “I’ll say that if anyone can reform him, then it would be Fluttershy.” She went quiet as it was like she was simply enjoying the night, like a person who enjoys the sunset. While watching her a smile formed on my face, “You know that your counterpart and I would take walks at night together.”

She looked over to me with a look that told me she wanted to know more.

“It would be our time together,” I told her now looking at the stars in the night sky. “Sometimes mom would join us. But, for the most part, it was just us two. Sometimes we wouldn’t talk at all, just enjoy each other’s presence. I would like to do that with you.”

She blinked at me as if processing the information then a small smile appeared, “I think I would like that.”

“So would I,” with a smile we sat back on the bench to enjoy the night. “You know you’ll have to tell me about the constellations here. This night sky is beautiful, but strange to me.” Her eyes almost literally lit up when I asked her about the constellations. I thought that it would. I also genuinely wanted to know as well. In order to connect with my Aunt in this world taking part in her interests was a necessity. So, for the rest of what time I could stay awake, we talked about the constellations and the history behind them. Or rather how the constellations told history. She also found the constellations of the human world interesting as well. Especially how it linked to some mythical animals. Some things are universal as she spoke of how sailing ponies used her night sky to navigate, just like humans did. And for the first time since coming here to this world and interacting with this world’s Luna, it appears that she was enjoying herself. If the smile on her face was any indication.

The nap on the train helped, but my body still said that it was time for bed somewhere around midnight. Luna noticed and thanked me for trying to stay up later, but she was firm when she said it was time for me to head for bed. We hugged goodnight then she called for a guard to take me to my new room, which was beside my mother’s naturally. After the guard bid me goodnight and shut the door it took a little bit for me to realize that this is my room.

The bed was larger than a king-sized bed. Four posted with privacy curtain and really soft and warm. Lush carpet covered the polished stone floor, which was good for my bare feet. One standalone closet and large chest of drawers with attached equally large mirror. It had a fireplace, but in the middle of summer, it wasn’t needed. Luckily there was a balcony that I could open the doors to in order to provide some air, which I did. And an open doorway which led to the spacious bathroom, again covered in lush carpet. It was way more than I was accustomed to, but right now there was only one thought in my head. Take a nice hot shower and jump in bed.

And that’s what I did. Little did I know that trouble was just hours away.

^_^

I’ll admit that this bed was the most comfortable one that I had ever slept in. And I really didn’t want to wake up to whoever was trying to get me up. On the other hand, it seemed like it was urgent. If not how this guard was shaking my shoulder, then the sound of his voice would be another clue. Groggily I opened my eyes to look up at the captain of the solar guard, in full uniform. Even through my half-asleep haze, I could tell there was a look of near panic on his face. Not to mention it shows in his voice when he said, “My prince, my prince.”

“Yes Captain,” my voice was a little slurred due to sleep, “Morning already? What is it?”

“I’m sorry to wake you, my prince,” he respectfully apologized before saying something that put me in near panic, “But something happened last night to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” I was awake and sitting up in an instant and paying full attention to him, “They went missing last night. And due to that, the sky itself has split between day and night. Ponies are starting to panic.”

For a second I was frozen in shock. Missing? How the hell could they end up missing from this place? It’s a fortress. I took a deep breath to calm myself down before getting out of bed, in my undies, to quickly get dressed in my suit pants, white shirt, and shoes. “Alright Captain,” I began while getting dressed. “Have you notified Princess Twilight and her friends?”

“Yes my prince,” he saluted saying sharply, “they are assembling as we speak.”

“Good,” I nodded firmly then headed for the door. “Let’s go and figure this out then.” I didn’t know much about this place or really how it functioned as far as government. But one thing was obvious, that without my mother and Aunt Luna the ponies, and humans, who took comfort in their leadership, would panic. It would be the same way in England if the queen suddenly went missing. So based on that, I had to suppress my own panic of possibly losing my mother and Aunt Luna after just finding and meeting them.

The captain and I were running side by side down the hallway until we got into the throne room. Twilight and the rest of the girls were already there when the Captain and I came running in. “Fred,” Twilight called out as I ran up to them. “Thank goodness you’re here. I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it. Your mother and Princess Luna...just...they’re just-”

I quickly grabbed her head, gently of course, but firm enough, to get her attention, “Twilight calm down. If the citizens of this nation see us panic then there’s no hope for them.”

She took a deep breath then let it out slowly, then gently took my hands bringing them down to hold, “You’re right, you’re right.” That got her brain working, “Ok we know that they are missing and that the sky is split in two between day and night.”

“Yeah, but how is that possible when they both control the sun and the moon?”

“That’s a good question Rainbow,” I told her then spoke my thoughts to Twilight. “So, wouldn’t that mean that they aren’t in control of them?”

Twilight acknowledged with a nod letting go of my hands to think, “Correct, which means that for whatever reason they went missing and got cut off from their magic at the same time.”

“But how?” Fluttershy asked quietly.

There was a second or two of silence before Twilight spoke up, “We can start by retracing their steps last night. From there we can then find out where they went missing from.” She looked up to me as I followed what she was thinking.

“Then I’m assuming we can find out how they went missing?”

“Right by analyzing the residual magic that whoever took them left behind,” Twilight answered. “So after we parted you, your mother and Luna went to the throne room.”

I nodded and continued while looking over to the captain, “Yes, we were all in the throne room to let the guards and the staff know about me. From there mother went off to go to sleep while Aunt Luna and I talked in the hallway before spending the rest of the time in the garden. I was with her until around midnight or so where I was then escorted to my room.”

“Ok,” Twilight continued from there. “It was after Celestia left the throne room that she visited Spike and I in our room while I was going over checklists for today. From there she went to bed.” Twilight turned fully to the captain, “Captain, it appears that there are two places you need to search. Anywhere between my room and hers for Celestia’s disappearance. Then in the garden for Luna’s disappearance. Check for any and all kinds of magic that could explain how they disappeared.”

The captain saluted sharply, “Yes your-”

“Your highness,” the door burst open by another guard running in panting up a storm. “News from Ponyville.”

“Calm down soldier,” the captain told him calmly, “take a breath and speak.”

“The Everfree Forest is...well,” he looked like he couldn’t believe what he was about to say, “it’s invading.”

“Invadin’?” AJ stepped up beside Twilight asking. “How in tarnation can a forest invade?”

“Black vines and black clouds are coming out of the Everfree Forest. They’re getting into everything,” he said quickly.

“My stars,” Rarity’s shocked voice spoke up from behind me.

“Let’s go tell those mean vines to go back where they came from,” Pinkie suggested and started walking to the door.

“Wait,” Twilight halted her, then looked to me. “What about your mother and Luna?”

“Why don’t you and your friends go investigate Ponyville and those vines,” I suggested to her. “While I hold down the fort here and continue with their disappearance.”

“Good enough for me, let’s go,” Rainbow was already flying toward the door.

“Captain,” Twilight turned to him with her wings out in royal fashion. “Please get the fastest flying chariot ready. We will need to get to Ponyville asap. Prince Fred will stay here and report to me what you find.”

“Yes your highness,” the captain saluted again sharply then grabbed the other guard. “Come on soldier we got work to do.”

“Fred,” Twilight turned back to me after they left. “I’ll be right back to bring you a couple of communication orbs. You can use one to tell me what you find.”

“Agreed,” I nodded to her. “I doubt those vines sprouting, mother and Luna missing, and the sky split in two are just coincidences.”

She nodded agreeing with me, then was gone in a flash of magic. That startled me, but I guess I should get used to it though. She was back in the same flash of magic a few seconds later with a little gray orb in her hand, “Alright. You can use this. Just tap it once to activate it and it will connect to this one.”

I nodded taking it in my hand right when the captain returned with a salute about a minute or so later, “Princess Twilight? The chariot is ready and you can be in Ponyville in fifteen minutes.”

“Excellent Captain, thank you,” after the captain saluted once more and took off she turned to me taking my hands again. She looked up to me with an expression of both comfort and worry. “We’ll find them, Fred.”

I took her hands again and used them to help steady myself, “I know, I’m not about to lose them now right after coming here to get to know them. Good luck Twilight and stay safe.”

“I will,” she told me then headed out of the throne room to join her friends. Which left me alone in the throne room. In a totally different world that I wasn’t ready for. Taking charge wasn’t in my plans, but as we humans say, ‘Best laid plans of mice and men….’ After another deep breath, I gripped the orb in my hand and steadied myself before putting it in my shirt pocket. Now the only thing I could do was wait. The part that I was never that good at.

My first thought was to go up and sit down on the throne. Simply so I wouldn’t have to keep standing, but then that would send them the wrong message. Wouldn’t it? So, I opted to sit at the base of the dais stairs. And wait.

^_^

It was about an hour or so later that a couple of solar guards came in to stand at the door. Hopefully, that meant that they were close to something. My hands were clasped together with my head resting on them lost in thought when the door opened. The guards looked at the yellow coated maid then let her enter. It took me a second to remember that her name was Lucy Love. One of the maids from last night. She had a plate with food and a glass of juice in her hands. And was walking toward me.

I stood up to greet her when she got close, “Miss Love?”

“Good morning Prince Fred,” she greeted sweetly and bowed slightly. “I hope you don’t mind, but I haven’t seen you in the kitchen or dining room yet this morning. And with everything going on I didn’t think you had the chance to eat yet...”

I smiled at her because of her thoughtfulness, “So you brought me something huh?”

“Yes my prince,” she answered and my stomach chose right then to make my hunger known. She giggled softly before quickly stopping.

I chuckled along with her and gently took the plate and glass from her, “Thank you Miss Love for thinking about me. I appreciate it.” It was orange juice and after taking a sip I tilted the glass to her, “Very good too.”

“You’re welcome my prince,” she curtsied to me. “I’m happy to please.” I sat down again and began to nibble on the eggs and fruit she brought me to settle my stomach. Right when Miss Love turned to leave, to leave me to eat in peace, is when the doors opened for the solar captain. After setting the plate down I stood back up to greet him.

“Captain?”

He stopped with a sharp salute, “My prince, there is news regarding our investigation.” I nodded for him to continue. “We have found magical traces left behind in both locations. It was chaos magic that took Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

“Discord,” I whispered quietly as anger was quickly swelling. Miss Love had quietly slipped away to do her duties.

“Yes sir.”

I activated the orb from my pocket and waited for Twilight to answer. “Fred? News already?” she asked as her face swam into view.

“Yeah,” she could tell from the tone of my voice that I wasn’t happy either. “Chaos magic took my mother and Aunt Luna.”

“What?” was Twilight’s shocked reaction.

“Why that no good lyin’ varmint,” I heard AJ’s unhappy reaction in the background.

“After he said he was innocent too,” Pinkie’s disgruntled high pitched voice spoke up from behind Twilight.

“Well, what if he took them to a safe place?” Fluttershy asked.

“Really Fluttershy?” Rarity sounded like she didn’t believe it. “I’m sorry darling, but it does appear that he lied to us.”

“Again,” Rainbow grumbled.

“At any rate,” Twilight interrupted. “I did find out why the vines are growing. Your mother and Luna found the Elements of Harmony from the Tree of Harmony. And right now I think the tree is in danger, so we are headed there now.”

“And unfortunately getting ourselves all icky and dirty in this mess of a forest.”

“Look on the bright side Rarity,” AJ’s voice hinted that she was trying to cheer her friend up, “at least afterward you’ll get to pay a visit to the spa.”

“Anyway,” Twilight interrupted again. “How are things over there?” That was a good question, which I looked to the captain and turned the orb so Twilight could look at him.

“We have told the crowd that not to fear that a pony from royalty has taken charge and to keep calm. That it will be solved soon,” he reported. “That seemed to calm everypony down.”

“That’s great news,” Twilight sighed in relief. “After we save the Tree of Harmony and destroy the vines we’ll find out what Discord did to Celestia and Luna.”

“Alright Twilight, good luck and be safe. All of you,” I told her.

However before Twilight could answer, Pinkie’s face came into view, “Aww don’t worry Freddy Weddy, all will be fine don’t you worry.”

And then she was gone replaced by Twilight’s slight giggling face, “I’ll let you know every step of the way, Fred.” And with a nod, she was gone.

With a sigh I put the orb back in my pocket again, “And we’re back to waiting.”

The captain was going to say something, but before he could the double doors opened once more. And it wasn’t the guards that did it either because they were confused as it wasn’t them that opened them. A few ponies didn’t just walk in, but practically marched in. The pony in the lead was wearing a tailored white suit, blue tie, white coat, and blond hair and tail. Behind him was four ponies as well. Looks to be two couple. All well dressed holding their heads held high with wide grins on their faces.

“What now?” I muttered, annoyed at their entrance.

“Captain,” the white pony in front started saying after forcing his way in. “You should have called me immediately upon Celestia and Luna’s disappearance.”

The captain snorted like a bull at the pony. He also stiffened at his sight, as if ready for a fight. “Hardly,” he responded with clear distaste. “You don’t belong here anymore.”

“Our Prince was wrongly stripped of his title and heritage,” a unicorn mare said wearing an expensive dress with a light yellow coat and light blue and white hair and tail. Reminded me of Miss love and I hope they weren’t related.

“And was only doing what was right in order to preserve the purity of our race.” He was a unicorn stallion of a grayish-blue coat with dark gray hair and tail. Husband maybe? They obviously didn’t believe in mixed relationships. And it wasn’t until I thought that, that it clicked…

“Blueblood,” I growled out softly and glared at them. I was quickly rising passed angry.

“Our Prince Blueblood has returned to rule in absence of our princesses,” the mare said again as the group started walking across the throne room. As if they owned the place.

The captain began to step forward to stop him, but I gently touched his arm. And when he looked back and saw the anger in my eyes he nodded, slowly stepping aside. “Why don’t you finish what you started all those years ago Blueblood?” I stepped forward glaring, and almost snarling actually, at him. That made them stop.

“Captain? Why do you obey this...ech...human?” Blueblood asked, but I wouldn’t let him off.

“Are you too cowardly to finish what you started Blueblood?” my hands were clenched so tightly I thought my nails were breaking the skin. But I didn’t care. I wanted him to confess, or do something, so I could pummel him.

“What do you mean slave?” he glared at me.

“I mean,” I grinned from ear to ear. “That years ago you stormed the throne room and murdered John Justice did you not?”

“It is not murder to eliminate a slave who corrupted our princess and had that abomination,” he shot back.

“Oh but she escaped with him,” I paused slightly and hopefully leading him on, “didn’t he?”

“Not if Sunset Shimmer did her job.”

“Blueblood don’t-”

He turned back to the mare in a heated exchange, “I don’t care if they know. She’s in the human world and probably killed that abomination already. They can’t prosecute me for something in another world.”

Got him. I was literally seeing red right now. Everything had a red tint to it, I was beyond angry at this point, and I knew my hands were on fire. “Oh but that’s where you’re wrong.” When they looked over at me they froze in sheer terror. The four ponies with Blueblood started to turn and leave, but...somehow...I closed the doors on them with a loud slam that echoed in the throne room. “You see, she failed at her job to kill me,” my steps were slow while keeping my eyes locked on the cowering Blueblood. “Because she didn’t even know that it was me until I kept her from killing Twilight. Then she failed at killing me. And now...I’m back.”

“That’s impossible,” he whispered in fright and couldn’t move if he wanted to. His fright glued him to the floor.

“You are hereby charged with treason, and conspiracy to commit murder against the crown.” I stopped in front of him within arms reach. “Please resist,” I whispered to him as he made a liquid puddle on the floor. “I’d like nothing more than to rip you to pieces.” I waited for him to make the first move. I wanted him to make the first move. “Go ahead you coward, finish what you started.”

Through all this tension suddenly came a shrill tone and the orb began vibrating. “My prince the orb,” I barely heard the captain call out over the roaring in my head from the rage I was feeling. Luckily for us all, I had enough sense to grab the orb from my pocket and toss it to him. All while staring right into Blueblood’s terrified eyes.

“Great news-”

“Have you found the princesses?” the captain asked quickly interrupting her. I was torn between finishing this guy off and listening to Twilight’s voice. A twitch, anything, from Blueblood and he would be nothing, but a smear against the wall.

“Yes,” Twilight responded sounding a little confused. “They’re right here. Why? What’s going on?” I didn’t look but hearing that my mother and Aunt Luna was safe ebbed some of my rage. Some. I was still holding him in place with my eyes. My heart pounding in my chest with the near growling breathing probably wasn’t a pretty sight. The part of me that wanted to kill him and make him pay was warring with the part that knew if I did, then it would be like giving in to the dark side. So to speak. There would be no turning back and a chance that I could end up in a place similar to Aunt Luna.

The captain must have turned the orb around to show what was going on because I heard, “Goodness.” Then my mother’s voice. “Get us to the throne room...NOW.” A second later a pop was heard. Blueblood looked behind me and his eyes widened more before rolling back in his head and slumping to the floor passing out.

Before I could say or do anything I heard two sets of hooves running over to me. My mother’s soft gentle hands took my head and turned it to look into her eyes, “I’m here my sunshine boy. I’m here.” Out of the corner of my eye, the captain come over and took away Blueblood to who knows where.

I was still seeing red and I’m sure at least my hands were still on fire. However, her presence, her touch, and the soft voice, that only a mother can do, was quickly getting through to me. However, I was shaking and not just slightly either. “It was him,” I was able to get out through my shaking voice.

“I know,” she cooed kissing my head.

“He confessed...to...”

She embraced me with her arms and her wings. My fire went out and the red tint in my vision went away. My head was buried in her chest as she softly shushed me. My rage quickly went away, which left me crashing from not only the adrenaline, but also from the sudden, and massive, use of magic that I wasn’t used to. Not to mention the grief that replaced it. Which was why I was still shaking in her embrace. Luna also hugged me as well. “He sent...Sunset Sh...Shimmer...”

“What?” my mother softly asked.

“He sent...Sunset...after me,” I finally got out. “He confessed...to conspiracy.”

“That explains her reaction,” I heard Twilight say.

“What you mean Twilight?” was Rainbow’s question.

“Right after Sunset changed into that she-demon,” she explained. “Fred decided to try and stop her. She was shocked and surprised that any magic was used to attack her with. And when Fred told her what he knew about Equestria she had a sudden look of realization. If Blueblood confessed to sending Sunset Shimmer after Fred then that explains not only the look she gave him but how she called him her prince.”

“I wanted...wanted to...”

“I know,” my mother cooed gently as she and Luna held me. “I wanted to as well. And almost did during his sentencing the first time. It took me quite a while to calm down.”

“We are proud of not only your restraint,” Luna said softly to me, “but we are assuming you got him to confess?”

“Ye...yeah,” I tried to chuckle through all my shaking, but it didn’t work so well. “I wanted...him...to hang himself...so to speak.”

“It worked my sunshine boy,” she kissed my head again. "He won’t ever see the light of day again. Nor any of those ponies with him.”

“Can’t...stop shaking,” I whispered.

“Your crashing from the overuse of magic and adrenaline,” Luna said then took a step back. I lifted my head seeing her look back toward Twilight, her friends, and a weird creature that looked like some god sneezed together and called it good enough. “Twilight will you take over here?”

“Of course Princess Luna,” I heard Twilight say, “We will take care of everything.”

“Thank you Twilight,” my mother said as Luna gently turned my head to look up to her. She had sorrow, sympathy, and I thought I saw some admiration in her eyes when I looked up at her.

“Rest,” is the only thing she whispered to me as she literally blew on me. I felt myself falling into the sweet embrace of sleep. It wasn’t a quick trip into it, but a gentle slope where I had enough time to smile up to her before going under. And see her smile in return.

Next Chapter: Chapter Eight: Summer Sun Celebration Estimated time remaining: 21 Hours, 36 Minutes