My Little Pony Monthly Issue 51 (June 1, 2001)
My Little Pony Monthly
Established June 1997
This Newsletter is Safe for All Ages
If you would like to be removed from the My Little Pony Monthly mailing list, simply send a blank e-mail to mlpmonthly_unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Issue 51
June 2001
Four years of My Little Pony Monthly!
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Index of this issue–
1. News and Announcements
2. You've Got Mail (by Berry Brite)
3. The Lost Prince (Revised) Chapters 3 & 4 (by Moonjumper and Prism)
4. From This Day Forward (by Sugarberry)
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News and Announcements
My Little Pony Monthly Ads–
The ads section is coming back in July! If you would like your MLP sale, wanted, or trade ad included, e-mail it to Tabby at TabbyMLP@aol.com. You must be a subscriber of My Little Pony Monthly in order to have an ad posted.
50 Most Beautiful Ponies–
There’s still time to get in on the fun! Vote for your favorites out of the top 50 from now until June second. Go to http://members.aol.com/Spoosh2000/mostbeautiful.html
PNPF Third Annual Pony Convention (submitted by bow_tie_pony@lightmail.com)–
Hi Everyone,
I would like to take a moment and tell all of the ponies out in Ponyland about the PNPF (Pacific Northwest Pony Friends) 3rd Annual Pony Convention.
The Convention will be held in the Seattle Area on Saturday, June 30th, 2001. We are going to be having a custom pony contest and a custom craft contest. There will be games, food, pony movies, and a pony trade time. Also we are going to have prizes as well for the games and custom contest. This will be a fun day for all who love ponies. Everyone is welcome to come out and play for the day.
If anyone would like to know more about when and where, please send me an e_mail: bow_tie_pony@lightmail.com
Midwest Pony Fest (submitted by saracorn@midwest.idsonline.com)–
The Midwest MLPs will be holding our second Midwest Pony Fest on June 16th and 17th, from 9 am to about 9 pm on each day. You can get more information about it here: http://www.whz.com/sugarberry/midwestinfo.html
Some of the contests at the event might require advance preparation. The games have not, to the best of my knowledge, been fixed as of now. Therefore, I would encourage people to join the midwestmlp@egroups.com mailing list so that they can get information about these contests. Alternatively, it would be helpful if they were to e-mail me so that I could tell them about the games before the event. Games requiring advance preparation might include a custom contest (bring your favorite custom), the “Most Pony” ponyperson contest (involves dressing up to show your “pony spirit”), and the Cooking/Food Contest (involves preparing and bringing or buying and bringing food to the event).
If you are planning on coming, and you want to host, run, or sponsor a contest, you might want to contact Sugarberry (Rsund73845@aol.com) to let her know of your interest and what type of contest you want to run or sponsor.
If you have any pony-related news or announcements you would like included in this section, please e-mail the editor at TabbyMLP@aol.com.
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You’ve Got Mail
by Berry Brite (swanson@swnebr.net)
Light Heart gaily leapt out to the mailbox. She was expecting a letter from her cousin in New Pony, Christine. Christine was a pale blue mare with blonde hair and a gentle pony in every way. Light Heart considered Christine to be her best friend.
* * *
Clever Clover sat in his cottage. His new friend Orion, sat next to him. “Are you sure this will crush her?” asked Orion.
“Positive,” answered Clever Clover. “And it will serve her right for that corny prank she played on us yesterday.”
“You have to admit it was clever, replacing our softball with an egg; but it was still not funny.”
“Yeah, it was, but I shoulda noticed it,” said Clever Clover.
“And, of course, while Berry Bright was watching,” commented Orion.
“I know! I was humiliated in front of the prettiest and nicest girl in Friendship Gardens!” Clever Clover sealed up the envelope and signed the return address as follows:
Christine Harrison
P.O. Box 12304
New Pony, PL
* * *
Light Heart opened up the mailbox and hooted at the sight of the letter. She opened it up and it read:
Dear Stinko:
I hate you to no end! I wish you would eat mold, you scum-sucking pony! Drop dead!!!
–Guess who
Light Heart’s mouth dropped wide open. Tears stung her eyes. She ran into the house and slammed the door. She slipped the note into a book that happened to be lying on the table.
A few hours later, Sweet Berry came over to Light Heart’s. She came to get the book she had loaned to Light Heart. “Light Heart? Knock knock!” she said as she entered. “Can I have my book back?”
“Sure,” said Light Heart as she fetched the book off the table. “There’s a surprise in there for you, too,” she added as she handed it over to Sweet Berry. She had been referring to a handmade bookmark.
* * *
Sweet Berry went home and opened the book. Out dropped the bookmark, but a small piece of paper came out, too! Sweet Berry picked it up and read it:
Dear Stinko:
I hate you to no end! I wish you would eat mold, you scum-sucking pony! Drop dead!!!
–Guess who
Sweet Berry had never been so offended in her life. She screamed in anger. She ran angrily to her restaurant to work off the madness that she felt. In the restaurant, her favorite customer, Princess Silver Swirl, received her usual, along with a note that had accidentally been stuck to the bottom of the tray:
Dear Stinko:
I hate you to no end! I wish you would eat mold, you scum-sucking pony! Drop dead!!!
–Guess who
Silver Swirl shrieked. “You... you... mutinous pony, you!” Silver Swirl stormed off in a huff taking the insulting note with her. She dropped it in the street where a wind picked it up and carried it to Dream Valley, where the unfortunate receiver’s window was open.
* * *
Tabby sat on her sofa, reading a book on the making of Teddy Ruxpin. She noticed a small note lying next to her. “It must be from Thomas,” she mused. She read it:
Dear Stinko:
I hate you to no end! I wish you would eat mold, you scum-sucking pony! Drop dead!!!
–Guess who
Tabby glared at the note. “THOMAS!!!!!!” she shrieked.
Thomas came galloping down the stairs. “What is it?”
Tabby slammed the book into his back. “Well, guess what, buddy! I hate you, too!” She stormed out the door, leaving her spouse utterly confused. He spied a note on the floor.
Dear Stinko:
I hate you to no end! I wish you would eat mold, you scum-sucking pony! Drop dead!!!
–Guess who
Thomas was now infuriated as well, and went down to the Satin Slipper Sweet Shoppe to drown his troubles in a few dozen chocolate sundaes. But as he left, the opening of the door caused the note to blow out again.
* * *
Tiffany sat outside, gossiping with Princess Dawn. After Dawn left, she noticed– well, you already know what she noticed.
Dear Stinko:
I hate you to no end! I wish you would eat mold, you scum-sucking pony! Drop dead!!!
–Guess who
Tiffany’s eyes went wide. She stormed off and angrily slammed the note into whoever’s mailbox was handy.
* * *
Trickles went to retrieve her mail, and found a letter from Meteor. And stuck to the back, was, of course,
Dear Stinko:
I hate you to no end! I wish you would eat mold, you scum-sucking pony! Drop dead!!!
–Guess who
You can guess what happened next.
* * *
Soon all of Ponyland was in tumult. Several boyfriends had been dumped, friends hurt, and the whole nine yards, when finally Clever Clover received a call.
“Hello?”
“Clever Clover, I hate you!” screamed Berry Bright. “What do you mean by this?”
“By what?”
“This note: ‘Dear Stinko, I hate you to no end! I wish you would eat mold, you scum-sucking pony! Drop dead!!! Guess who.’ “
Clever Clover’s face flushed with shame. He apologized to Berry Bright, and he also had a lot of explaining to do.
The End
(P.S. Don’t worry, everyone forgives and forgets, except for Light Heart, but that’s a different story...)
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The Lost Prince (Revised)
Chapters 3 & 4
by Moonjumper (palominos@juno.com)
co-writer Prism (silverprism3@yahoo.com)
Author’s note– Gomen nasai, all ponies!! I made a mistake with Tabby_chan’s e-mail, so all blame falls to Prism_chan.:( But I’ve fixed it all up now and everypony will be getting the rest of the revised Lost Prince!!
Chapter 3
~* A summer camp, Northern Pennsylvania, USA *~
“And Molly is Cabin A’s counselor; you,” a tall blond woman pointed to a group of girls under the trees, “will go with her. And...” she continued, pairing campers with their cabins and counselors.
“Great,” Molly muttered as the group of girls eagerly came towards her. She was stuck now. I’m going to hate this... just like when I was younger. With a sigh, she attempted to smile as she led the girls to Cabin A.
The cabin was a double cabin, neatly divided in half by a wall with bunks on both sides, a bathroom on one end facing the trees, and the entrance to both sides on the end facing the path. Twenty minutes after the girls had chosen their bunks and unpacked, the other half of Cabin A came over to visit.
“Hey, I’m Caitlyn, the other half’s counselor! Boy, you’re lucky; I have twelve girls!” Caitlyn was short with bouncy, curled auburn hair and laughing eyes. “I love kids, but twelve can be a little trying,” she smiled, revealing straight white teeth.
The pretty ones are always at camp, Molly remembered her cousin’s complaint when she refused to be a counselor. So Mom offered me... Molly returned a half_smile. “I’m Molly.”
Caitlyn nodded, glancing at her cabin. “Okay, girls, about time for dinner; let’s get back to our side for now; we still have some things to unpack!”
Twelve girls split from the rest, leaving seven sitting on their bunks. Shortly after, two fights broke out– one a pillow fight and the other between a red_brown haired girl and a honey colored blonde girl. Both seemed to have decided to be enemies from the start.
Terrific, now what? Kumbaya? Molly asked herself sarcastically, feeling irritated. “Okay, you all know my name, but I’m still working on yours, so let’s go around and introduce ourselves and give our age?” Molly glanced at her watch, confirming the time before dinner.
“I’ll start!” A bubbly, blue_eyed blonde jumped from her top bunk, grinning. “My name’s Sara; I’m nine and I love sports!!” Sara was very exuberant and Molly made a mental note to keep all excess sugar away from her.
The next girl had long, shiny black hair and Asian features. She was the smallest girl in Molly’s cabin and looked to be the quietest as well. “I’m Ami and I’m eight,” she said quietly. “And I like school,” she added as an afterthought.
The red_brown haired girl smirked. “School? Ha...” Seeing Molly’s warning look, she let out a sigh and closed her dark brown eyes, as if condemning this “game” too childish. “Marissa, nine.”
She’ll be trouble... Molly watched Marissa for a long moment before turning to the next girl.
“I’m Ciara; I’m nine years old and I like to read and write stories.” Ciara’s hair was pulled back and up by green butterfly clips that matched her bright eyes. Marissa glared at her and Ciara returned the look.
“Taylor, eight.” Taylor copied Marissa’s short answer and Marissa grinned proudly at her influence.
“Jessica, nine.” Jessica did the same, flipping her short brown hair behind her.
“And my name’s Lisa. I’m eight and Molly is the bestest cousin in the whole world!” Lisa’s thick blond ponytail was identical to Molly’s and one could tell easily that they were related by other similar features.
Did she have to stay in my cabin? Molly shrugged. Things couldn’t get any worse...
“All campers, to the Mess Hall! All campers, dinner time!” a voice blasted from a nearby loudspeaker mounted on a pole. A stampede of girls rushed past Molly before she could move from the doorway, knocking her on her bed.
Whatever happened to straight lines? Molly stared after them, slightly annoyed.
“I guess they’re hungry?” Ciara had stayed behind. A laugh hid in her serious eyes as she offered her hand to Molly.
Molly took the young girl’s hand and stood. There’s something about her, like I’ve met her before, but I haven’t... She smiled, feeling a little more comfortable about being a counselor.
Ciara grinned inwardly. She’s nice like I thought she’d be... and she noticed! The two headed for the Mess Hall behind the others trail of dust.
* * *
After dinner and evening recreation, the campers quieted down and prepared for “lights out”. Molly smiled a goodnight to her campers, then headed outside to the cabin’s porch. Caitlyn joined her.
“Did you hear? They moved the campout to tomorrow night! I can’t wait! I was a counselor last year, and it was rained out, but this year there’s nothing but sun!” Caitlyn smiled, raking her fingers through her wet curls.
Molly stared at her. Tomorrow? But it was supposed to be on Friday! I was going to leave on Thursday and miss it... it goes for a week! She shook her head. “Are you sure?” she managed.
Caitlyn nodded, missing Molly’s reaction. “I love campouts.”
Molly said goodnight quietly and returned inside, crying silently on her bed. This means I can’t stop them... they’ll send away Danny...
* * *
The next day was absolute chaos, as most first and second days of camp are as everyone settles into the schedule. Molly tried her best to get a replacement. After talking with a few counselors that had arrived that day, she went to talk to the camp director, her Aunt Diana.
“Please, Aunt Diana! I have to get home before Friday! I was supposed to leave Thursday!” Molly pleaded.
Diana placed her hand on Molly’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Molly. I know you’re hurting about the decision, and we’ve all tried our best to find ways around...” she sighed. “I received a message from Mrs. MacLogan. She says that you’ll be staying the rest of the three weeks here.” Diana watched helplessly as Molly absorbed the blow.
“I can’t! I’ll be able to change their minds; Megan can help!” Molly blinked back tears. This can’t be happening...
“Hey, Diana, where should we put all our stuff for tonight?” A tall boy entered the director’s cabin. He glanced at Molly’s back and blinked. “Tidbit?”
Molly brushed the threatening tears away, turning at a familiar nickname. “Who are you?”
The boy brushed his jet black hair from his eyes and smiled. “Remember, Theo?”
Diana let out a sigh of relief that Molly’s attention had been diverted from asking any more questions. “He was one of Danny’s friends from when you lived on the farm...” She covered her mouth too late as Molly backed away, and with one long look at her aunt, headed back to her cabin at a jog.
“Oh dear,” Diana closed her eyes tiredly.
Theo blinked again. What’s up? I was like another brother to her... With a comical expression he made Diana smile briefly as he said, “It ain’t my ack-sent, I workted hard on it!”
* * *
Molly yanked on her boots and grabbed her backpack with a determined, set face. I’ll show them; they can’t keep us apart! She turned to her cabin. “Ready to go, everyone?” Caitlyn had already headed down the path with most of the girls to meet the boys’ cabin they’d hike with to the campsite.
“Whenever!” Sara grinned.
“I’m not going! I hate sleeping in tents!” Marissa stomped her foot when Molly told her to get her bag. She’d been the last one to pack and now was putting her foot down; she wasn’t going on a week long trip in the woods! {Author’s note~ I luv this girl!!} “You can’t make me– WAAAAAAAH! Put me DOWN!”
Molly ignored her and continued to carry, half-drag, Marissa outside the cabin and partway up the trail to the crossing of girls’ cabins and boys’ cabins.
Lisa grinned to Ciara and Sara. “She should’ve known she can’t tell MY cousin no!” She grabbed Marissa’s bag and ran after Molly.
Ciara smiled as she and Sara followed. They’re alike, but Molly can do it better...
“Now, if you’re finished,” Molly looked Marissa squarely in the eye and handed the pouting girl her bag, “we are to meet the others here in just a mi...” Molly turned to see Caitlyn chatting with Theo. Oh no...
“Molly,” Caitlyn rushed over to her side. “This is Theo, and this is Derrick.” She smiled at both as she said their names. “Aren’t they cute!” she whispered.
Derrick smiled and said hello to Molly with a distinct Irish accent.
“Hey, Tidbit! Glad you’re in the group!” Theo grinned.
Molly bit her lip as the boys laughed at his nickname for her. “Girls, meet your teammates,” she gestured to the boys.
Sara and Lisa glared at Theo and the two nearest boys near him and looked to Molly for approval. Molly laughed inside at the loyalty they’d shown her. Caitlyn looked confused, but shrugged and pointed to the path. “Let’s go!”
This ought to get interesting, Theo thought with a smile, glancing momentarily at Molly as Lisa hugged her and ran to join Ciara, Sara, and Ami.
The large group set out at a quick pace, but after about an hour they were ready for a break. When they stopped, Marissa promptly fell to the ground in front of Theo. “My feet hurt!” she whined, glancing up at him.
Theo raised an eyebrow and Derrick laughed. “Have a little girlfriend there?”
Marissa glared at Derrick and stomped off on her hurting feet. “Too bad, looks like another chick hates me!” Theo kept himself from laughing and turned to see Molly staring at him. “What?”
Molly shook her head. “Nevermind,” she said quietly. Theo shrugged, curious. Turning to the rest he waved them to sit down and rest.
Ciara waited until Molly sat down under a large oak a little ways from the rest. Time to do it... She walked over to Molly. “Can I sit with you?”
Molly smiled at her. “Sure.”
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you, but I haven’t had the chance,” Ciara started, slipping a lock of hair back into the butterfly clips. Molly nodded for her to continue. “See, I need to... show you something; I guess I can’t really tell you,” Ciara glanced up, her bright green eyes holding a question.
“Is it nearby or something?” Molly asked, vaguely feeling that she knew what Ciara wanted to do.
Ciara jumped up excitedly. “It’s this way!” She dashed into the forest.
“Wait!” Molly started after her, then hurried over to Caitlyn instead. “Caitlyn, can you handle the rest of the girls for a few minutes? Ciara needs to show me something.”
“No prob,” Caitlyn smiled. “Most are resting, so there’s not much to handle!” Molly returned the friendly smile, then ran after the direction Ciara had taken.
“Where ya going?” Lisa asked from her side. Ami and Marissa were with her.
“Oh, I didn’t see you, Lisa,” Molly paused, looking at the “path” Ciara had made in the tall bushes. “I’m trying to find which way Ciara went–“
“Ciara? Well, then, I don’t–“ Marissa started.
“She said she had something to show me,” Molly continued, ignoring Marissa’s interruption.
Marissa suddenly perked up. “I’m– we’re going too.”
Oookay, queen of the world, the thought jumped into Molly’s head and she laughed inside.
“Molly? I’m over here!” Ciara’s voice came from the left and the four broke through the bushes and into a clearing. It was strangely circular and in the middle stood a large willow tree.
Ciara looked up from the tree and her heart sank. I can’t, not with a bunch of others... She bit her lip. Could she take the others? No, I’d break a rule, wouldn’t I?
“So, what is it?” Molly asked with a smile. This isn’t turning out that bad, I guess... The other girls looked expectant, except for Marissa, who masked any interest with a bored look.
Ciara pulled a chain out from beneath her shirt. She grinned lopsidedly at Molly. “It’s the only way to go, now.” Her right hand grasped an object at the end of the chain, hiding it from their view. Here goes... please forgive me!
Molly frowned, puzzled. This is familiar somehow... She glanced at Ciara. “Ciara?”
Ciara’s eyes were closed and she held the chain out in front, her mouth moving silently. A bright light suddenly shot up a little ways behind her, making the sun look dim in comparison. Ciara opened her eyes and pointed. “It’s opened there!” She ran back past the main group; Molly and the other three girls followed.
“What’s gotten into them?” Theo wondered aloud. Derrick shrugged.
Caitlyn’s mouth made an O as she gasped. “What if it’s a snake?” she shivered. “I can’t stand snakes!” Theo stood up and started to follow.
“Theo! Wait up! We wanna see the snake!” two boys from his cabin joined him with excited faces.
Theo grinned. “Alright, Alex; you too, Tyler.” The trio ran after the girls.
Ciara smiled widely at Molly as she came to stand next to her. “Thank you.” Molly nodded absently, staring at the bright green, yellow, and blue lights which were swirling together in front of her.
Lisa gasped and Ami rubbed her glasses. Marissa looked unimpressed. “Can we go back now?”
Ciara’s smile vanished. I didn’t even see her! No, she can’t come!! She looked at Marissa coldly. “You go back.”
Marissa grinned mischievously, catching on that Ciara really wanted her to leave. “Make me,” she taunted.
I could... no one would miss her, she’d just show up back at camp... Ciara shrugged, taking out her butterfly clips. “No!” she exclaimed quietly as Theo appeared with Alex and Tyler. Now I’m really in trouble; there’s SEVEN of them! But I have to get Molly there...
“Ooooooh!” Alex and Tyler said.
Theo stared at the swirling colored light, a sense of familiarity coming over him. There’s something familiar about that girl, he thought, glancing at Ciara. No, wait... not her, this!
Molly snapped out of her gaze and looked at Ciara. “Let’s go, Molly,” Ciara took Molly’s hand and they stepped into the light. I’ll just have to hope Theo will have enough sense to leave before the portal closes.
Marissa’s eyes grew wide. “What are they doing?!”
Theo grabbed Alex and Tyler’s hands. “Hold on to each other!” he called to the girls. The light grew brighter and surrounded the entire group and a cold wind rushed through them.
Theo heard Ciara’s voice up ahead and he tried to walk with Alex and Tyler towards her. He had almost made it when the light suddenly vanished along with the ground beneath him.
Now, had Caitlyn, Derrick, or any of the other campers followed to the spot Ciara had stopped at, they would have seen nothing. Nothing, that is, out of the ordinary. Unless you would count a strange circle of short grass surrounded by tall grass, or a rather large starflower growing in the middle of that short grass...
Chapter 4
~* Sunrise, Shadow Forest, Ponyland *~
The sun was just beginning to rise when a loud thunderclap sounded all throughout the valley. Birds and squirrels hushed and an eerie silence fell. A silver-white pony bolted up from his lying-down position in a forest clearing. The young stallion looked around him curiously. “Rain?” he asked the sky. Seeing nothing but blue sky, he frowned slightly.
As if his voice had broken some spell, the forest once again came alive, the birds returning to their songs, and the squirrels, their chattering. Strange, the young stallion leaped into a graceful run. But I’m sure Talen will know what magic was at work... he always does. He smiled confidently.
Within a few minutes he’d reached his destination, a small meadow on the outskirts of the forest. In the far end of the meadow sat a small cottage covered with vines. The silver-white pony slowed to a walk and stopped in front of the cottage. “Talen? Talen!”
The cottage door opened and an elderly-looking elf stepped out, holding a dove. He raised his arms to the sky and the dove flew away. He let his arms fall to his sides. “That takes care of ano’ter one, laddie,” the elf turned to the young stallion. He wore an interesting outfit of animal skins, allowing camouflage, and a green bandana on his head, covering a black silver-streaked ponytail.
“Talen! Did you hear that? Thunderclap, silence, noise!” the pony gestured to the forest. “Blue skies, no clouds, wha–“
Talen raised his hands to still the pony’s excited talk and closed his eyes. ‘ Tis too late, I shouldna waited... Sighing, he nodded. “Yes, strong magic twas at work, Silver; I heard Them.”
“Them?” Silver’s head tilted to his left. “What do you mean?”
Talen opened his eyes and motioned the pony inside. “Ye have a guest.”
Silver blinked. “But what about the ma...” he trailed off as Talen reentered the cottage without another word. Talen, a guest? The silence is more important, isn’t it? He walked inside the cottage with confused thoughts.
“ ‘Tis past time,” Talen was speaking softly to the low bed in the corner. The inside was dimly lit, and Silver had to wait a few moments before his eyes adjusted. “ ‘Tis here now; dinna I tell ye he’d come?” The elf stood away from the bed, took a chair from his dining table, and sat.
Silver stared at the bed. A young, silver-haired girl sat there, her wide violet eyes staring right back. The young stallion turned his eyes away, feeling unsettled.
Talen nodded sadly. “Rest more, lass.”
The girl said nothing, but slipped underneath the large quilt and in seconds was fast asleep.
“Who is she?” Silver asked, following Talen up into the loft.
Talen sighed heavily. “Ye need to sit, laddie. ‘Tis time for ye to know ye’s past. I shouldna kept it so long, but I jist couldna let you go.”
“But I–“
”All of it. ‘Tis past time and I broke me word.” Talen rubbed one hand over his face. Flicker knows where to start... with so little time left.
Silver sat down in the soft hay, waiting patiently. His thoughts were no more clear than before, filled with questions. He studied his elfin mentor. Who is he talking about, Them? And why is there a human child below? It’s been years since the last one here...
Talen was silent, staring out the window, lost in memories.
I’ve always been here, since that storm. So there’s no ‘past’ for me, is there? I remember so little of that night. I was searching for something, no, someone... it was cold, and there was a storm–
“That storm was ye, ye canna deny it,” Talen turned his gaze to Silver.
“Don’t read my thoughts!” Silver suddenly burst out.
Talen was taken aback. “Ye still shoot them out at times,” he commented gently.
Silver hung his head. “I’m sorry, Talen,” he was quick to apologize.
“Nay, laddie, ‘tis I who am sorry. Ye thoughts are confusing to ye, and ‘tis me who ye should blame. Ye were just a young’n when ye found your way thru me forest, but couldna remember a thing of who ye were, nor where ye came from. I kept all a secret, for I knew who ye were, part of the Family.”
Silver shook his head. “I still don’t understand, Talen. What does this have to do with the girl downstairs, or Them, who you spoke of earlier? And the portal that opened? Why didn’t you go straight out to find what caused it?”
Talen laughed. “Ye not listening, Silver, me lad. Ye’s part of the F–“ he suddenly gasped, clutching at his throat. His face turned ashen.
“Talen?” Silver leaned over the elf with concern.
“Laddie! Ye canna let her find the young’n below, nor any of Them!” Talen rasped out, his voice barely above a whisper. He grabbed hold of part of Silver’s mane. “They’s ye only way... ye’s way to...” the elf stilled, his face frozen in a desperate, terrified expression.
“Talen!” Silver wanted to embrace him, but something cold seemed to surround the elf. “He’s... stone...” Silver drew back, now recognizing magic was at work. Tears fell down his muzzle. “Why?” The young stallion sat, stunned.
“Because of her,” a deep voice said from below. “You need to leave this place quickly!”
He’s right, the cottage isn’t safe, a voice inside him said quietly. Silver stood shakily and stumbled downstairs. He looked over at the girl. She was still asleep and did not wake when Silver nudged her.
“Don’t worry about the child; you have to leave before she arrives!” a cloaked figure said from the doorway.
But I can’t leave her here! Talen wanted me to take care of her. Silver managed to get the child on his back and he turned to the door. The cottage had grown cold, and was darkening.
“Stubborn boy,” something grabbed his hoof and yanked him outside. “There, you’re out.”
Silver looked up from the ground. “That wasn’t v–“
”Get used to it. You need some toughening up,” the cloaked figure began walking away.
“Hey, wait!” Silver called after him. He checked on the girl, surprised to see she was still asleep and hadn’t slipped off his back.
“What is it?” the figure asked impatiently.
“Who are you?” Silver caught up easily.
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
“....a friend.”
“A friend?”
“Argrr... you’re too curious, but if you really want to know, ask Blaze.”
Silver raised his eyebrows. “Blaze?”
The figure shook itself, as if it were laughing. “Tell him good luck when you find him!” With a whirl of wind, the figure vanished, leaving Silver to stare.
Well, go find him, the voice from the cottage urged.
“Blaze?” Silver asked aloud. But the voice was silent. With a shrug meant to make himself believe it was nothing, Silver swallowed and left the meadow, hiking into the forest. But it meant so much more. I’ll be back, Talen. And I’ll free you, somehow.
* * *
~* Three days after Summer Solstice, Crystal Castle *~
Prince Sapphire paced the throne room anxiously. “There should of been word from Gen by now,” he murmured. “It’s not like him, even for some quest...”
A flutter of pastel wings caught his eye and the prince hurried over to the balcony. A bird about the size of a flutter pony landed on the balcony’s ledge. It had a long, tri_colored tail, and a purple plumage pulled up by a silver crown on its head.
“I bring word, Your Highness,” she breathed deeply, exhausted from her long flight.
“Windsong! What’s happened?” Prince Sapphire asked with concern.
Windsong smiled briefly. “I’ll be fine, Sire, after a bit of rest. But first,” her smile vanished, “the news.”
Prince Sapphire nodded. “Where has Gen gone off to now?”
The bird shook her head sadly. “It’s not much of where Prince Magenta has gone to, Sire, but who.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The witch, your brother has somehow revived her and she holds him captive.” Windsong looked down.
Prince Sapphire shook his head slowly. “The one in the... tale? I thought she was destroyed!”
“No, only caught up in her own spell. But now she’s awake; we’ve had confirmation that she’s currently near Talen’s Cave.”
“Y... rest, Windsong. Another can go to Dream Castle to warn them there,” Prince Sapphire walked back inside and sat down heavily on the throne. “What have you gotten yourself into this time, Gen?” He closed his eyes.
Windsong turned away and drifted down to the lofts. She could do nothing to help. Nothing at all.
* * *
~* Dream Castle *~
“Majesty?” Twilight entered the dark throne room quietly. “It’s so dark, everyone’s running around in a hushed, serious manner, no pony could guess it’s only three days since the Solstice,” she murmured. The festival had been canceled on its first night, the night Majesty had seen Talen’s Cave in a dream.
“Twilight. A messenger just brought word of Her. I knew you’d come...”
Twilight nodded. “And word that Prince Magenta, second in line to the crown, is her captive.”
The dark form on the throne shifted wearily to a more comfortable sitting position. “As to be expected... she’ll not let us alone, I’m afraid.” A heavy silence fell.
Twilight looked to the ground. She’s blaming herself, even though she couldn’t have down anything to stop this, not by herself...
The throne room’s door suddenly swung open and Spike entered, breathing heavily. “Majesty! Majesty!” He halted a little ahead of Twilight. “There’s another messenger. She’s brought a note about a strange silence in Shadow Forest, a portal twist of their scales!”
Majesty stood. “A portal twist? Are the Fairytails sure, Spike?” Spike nodded and Twilight let a sigh a relief out to see Majesty standing and taking interest in something.
“Prepare a few rooms upstairs; send Firefly, Medley, and Skydancer to meet me at the gates. We must find out who has come–“ Majesty broke off suddenly. “No, it’s the Rhyme, I’m sure!” The white unicorn dashed out the doors, leaving Twilight and Spike to stare and wonder what had brought this change.
“The Rhyme?” Spike asked Twilight.
But the pink unicorn was already gone, off to find the pegasi Majesty had wanted.
Stay tuned for the next two *revised* chapters of “The Lost Prince”.
Email the authors @
palominos@juno.com
or
silverprism3@yahoo.com
They love to get mail, and if you have any comments at all, let ‘em know!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From This Day Forward
by Sugarberry (Sugrbery@aol.com)
The early morning light was just a vague shadowiness when Wigwam suddenly opened his eyes. There had been a sound, a familiar sound, yet one that had been buried in his subconscious. The stallion listened intently; had he been dreaming?
There it came again-- a low mumbling tone, a whining accompanied by a brisk scratching. Jumping from his bed and rushing to the front entrance, Wigwam gained control of his excitement before opening the door so as not to frighten the one who was on the other side.
“Manitou!” he uttered upon catching sight of the grey wolf sitting on the front porch, nearly invisible in the equally grey dawn. “What is it, boy?”
The wolf, his yellow eyes staring at Wigwam, thumped his tail on the wooden boards as if to acknowledge the greeting. These two had been close companions until Manitou had come to the rescue of a wounded she-wolf and had taken it upon himself to protect and nurse her with the help of Dreamcatcher who lived at the edge of the Dark Forest.
“Where’s Halona and the rest of the gang?” Wigwam asked, peering beyond the wolf into the steadily breaking dawn. An answering grunt focused his attention on the she-wolf at the bottom of the steps, her litter frolicking around her in carefree abandon.
Wigwam smiled in absolute contentment at this unexpected reunion with Manitou and his family. He went out and sat on the top step; Manitou sat beside him, and the two, along with Halona, looked upon the pups in joint admiration. The four pouncing youngsters, slightly darker in coloration than either of their parents, were entirely carefree under the watchful eyes of Manitou and Halona.
As he sat enjoying the quiet camaraderie of the wolves, Wigwam remembered something that Fetish, Dreamcatcher’s Native Pony friend, had anticipated: the possibility of Manitou and his mate moving the pack to a more isolated home now that it was time for the pups to learn to hunt. Wigwam put the question to Manitou. “Are you moving on, ole’ boy?”
As if in answer, Manitou stood up. The wolf licked Wigwam’s face and wagged his tail enthusiastically; Halona stood, too, and the four pups stopped their play to look on in expectation.
Wigwam set his hoof gently on Manitou’s shoulder. “Take care, Manitou. You and Holana will do a great job raising your family.” He walked the group for a short distance until the wolves stopped and turned their faces to him for a final farewell. “We’ll see you again,” Wigwam whispered as the furry beasts cut into the open meadow and set a path for the Dark Forest. They would stop only briefly at Dreamcatcher’s tepee before venturing more deeply into the heart of the woods and beyond.
Watching until there was no more sign of the wolves, Wigwam walked slowly back to his porch and sat down again on the steps. His mind was reliving his first encounter with Manitou and the dream that had preceded it, a dream that ushered in the appearance of Manitou and the inescapable bonding of the two of them into a kindred sort of relationship. With the arrival of Halona and the birth of the pups, the wolves would once again roam the Dark Forest and environs as they had in the past-- as they had in the dream.
“And what about the brown mare?” Wigwam wondered. “She came to me in the dream with food and water.” Wigwam sat up in hopeful understanding. “Manitou is ready to return to the wild just as Hubert had foreseen when Halona first appeared. The predicted cycle is complete! What, then, is to prevent Chocolate Chip from coming back to me now?”
The stallion tossed back his mane and took in the splendid June morning with the birds singing exuberantly in the trees with their predawn refrain. It was the birds that brought him to his senses-- “Today is Sugarberry and Van’s wedding day!” At that precise moment, the sun broke over the eastern horizon, bathing him in its golden rays.
* * *
Later that morning, the sunbeam found Sugarberry and her mother out in the garden clipping flowers for the wedding brunch. “It’s a day of flowers,” commented Strawberry Shortcake, thinking of the bridal bouquet, the headpieces, the boutonnieres, the altar bouquets, the table arrangements. She looked at her daughter surrounded now by the cosmos, delphiniums, cleome, and phlox in her own patch of flowers; Sugarberry’s face was radiant with anticipation of the day’s events.
The slamming of the back door caused both ponies to look toward the house; Strawberry Baskets was coming to join them. “Good morning, Dad,” Sugarberry grinned. “How are the food preparations coming?”
“By the smells in the kitchen, I think your aunts have everything under control.” He hugged his wife and daughter. “This is going to be a grand day!”
“I’d better go see if Cherry Delight and Peach Cobbler need any help,” said Strawberry Shortcake. “You help Sugarberry with the rest of the flowers.” She handed her husband the basket and left father and daughter alone in the mild June morning.
A pair of goldfinches nesting in a nearby elm tree serenaded the two ponies from the safety of the white wicket fence that backed the flowers, taking time from their hectic schedule of feeding the brood that had recently hatched, while a robin searched for breakfast in the cultivated vegetable garden; a chickadee searched for seeds under the birdfeeder, calling out its “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” at various intervals.
Sugarberry added some daisies to the basket, and Strawberry Baskets watched as she searched out the freshest, fullest blossoms. Many thoughts crowded through his memory of this, his youngest daughter. Always shy, she had clung to him many times in her early years. Even in her high school experience, she had fallen back on his guidance and gentle nudges to face up to those tumultuous times. Yet when he and Strawberry Shortcake had made the decision to move and begin a new business in Berryville (where their oldest daughter, Gooseberry, had settled with her husband) Sugarberry-- just graduated from high school-- had opted to remain alone in Dream Valley. She had done well on her own and had now come to the next big milestone in her life-- marriage to the stallion who had entered her world at the country retreat, Birdsong.
As if on a parallel journey of thought, Sugarberry said, “Birdsong would have been beautiful this time of year, if not for the storm.”
“Don’t let Birdsong’s problems worry you.”
“Lilac made me promise I would not let their misfortune interfere with my wedding day.”
“You’re satisfied with putting your honeymoon on hold until Birdsong is ready for business again?”
“The main thing is that Vanguard and I are getting married. We’ll just have the visit to Birdsong to look forward to.” She grinned. “And we’d better get back to the house before we miss the entire day!”
There were so many things Strawberry Baskets wanted to say to his daughter before the hustle and bustle of the upcoming event engulfed them, but the only words that were spoken said it all. “Never forget how much love the two of you have for each other at this moment, Sugarberry; never let it grow old.”
“You and Mom have been good teachers,” Sugarberry smiled. “But if I ever forget, don’t hesitate to set me straight.”
* * *
The kitchen was alive with activity; Chocolate Chip and Raspberry had joined the preparations, and Wishbone and Driftwood were testing samples of the food while two of Strawberry Shortcake’s sisters fussed with wonderfully aromatic food dishes. Driftwood, Raspberry’s fiancé, grinned at Sugarberry as she came in with her dad. “Any last minute apprehensions?” he asked. “I could always deliver a message to Van if you’ve changed your mind.” This stallion had made it a point to torment Sugarberry since the those long-ago days when he had known her as Raspberry’s little sister.
“Don’t you have a wedding dinner to see to over at the church dining hall?” Sugarberry attempted to look stern.
“I have delegated authority to all the right ponies; I have nothing to worry about... at the moment.”
“I should be heading over to Van’s place,” Wishbone realized after a glance at the clock. “His mom is fixing some sort of spread over there for us guys. See you girls later.” He gave his sister an affectionate hug.
“Don’t forget that Mom and Dad and Lollipop are at the motel.”
“As if they’d have time for me,” Wishbone sneered. “Although maybe Dad would appreciate getting away from all Mom and Lollipop’s make-up and finery and fuss.” He winked as he made a quick escape from the room, headed for the front of the house.
A babble of voices outside the back door caught everyone’s attention; Gooseberry, Grapevine, and their three foals had spent the night with Hubert and Agatha; the entire household was coming to join in the pre-wedding festivities. At the same time, Wishbone came back from the front door in the company of Icon and Chiffon.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m just here to drop off Chiffon,” Vanguard’s younger brother said.
“Does this mean Van is still serious about marrying Sugarberry?” asked Driftwood.
Chiffon, a graceful pale green mare, smiled. “My cousin can’t wait to get to the church and finalize this commitment.”
“Maybe I should go and start seeing about dinner preparations.”
As Wishbone made a second attempt to leave the house, this time in the company of Icon and Driftwood, he met Tabby and Thomas at the door. “Hi, Tabby! Hi, Thomas! Come on in!”
“How’s Sug holding up?” queried Tabby.
“More to the point, how is Tabby holding up?” replied Sugarberry as she came across the room to greet her friends. “She’s been resting like she’s supposed to, hasn’t she Thomas?”
Tabby rolled her eyes. “The baby isn’t due for another month; I’m fine, the baby’s fine, everything is fine.”
Thomas agreed with his wife. “Tabby wouldn’t miss being in your wedding for anything, Sugarberry, and the baby is perfectly content to bide his...”
“...her...” Tabby interjected.
“...time until July,” Thomas finished.
“All the same, you better come and sit down, Tabitha,” Agatha fussed. “This will be a long day for you.”
“Yes, mother.” Tabby allowed her mother to escort her to a waiting chair. “What smells so good? I’m starved.”
“The food is set out in the dining room,” Sugarberry directed all the guests. “It’s buffet style so make yourselves at home.” She turned to the group of stallions who were preparing once again to move on to Vanguard’s apartment, with the addition now of Thomas. “Don’t be late for the wedding!” she admonished as they were going out the door.
* * *
The crowd had thinned out. Strawberry Baskets and Hubert had gone with Grapevine and the unwilling foals back to Hubert and Agatha’s house to settle Baby Gooseberry down for a nap and to allow some quiet time for Huckleberry and Wineberry. All three were excited to be in the wedding party, and it was no easy task for the three stallions to convince them to spend some time away from the excitement. Huckleberry was the most forlorn of all; he insisted that as ringbearer, he should be with the stallions on this special day. “Vanguard said it was a very important job,” he had insisted, but his father had held firm that the colt needed to rest in preparation for the big afternoon ahead.
At Sugarberry’s house, the bride and her attendants were immersed in the myriad details of make-up and hair styling with the help of Fifi, Strawberry Shortcake, and Agatha. In the midst of it, Chiffon handed Sugarberry a note from Vanguard which captured everyone’s attention. “Read it out loud!” begged Chocolate Chip.
“He probably wouldn’t want it broadcast to everyone,” Gooseberry surmised.
“If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have sent it over with Chiffon,” observed Tabby. “Let’s hear it.”
“Just everyone be quiet and give Sugarberry a chance to read it,” ordered Strawberry Shortcake.
Sugarberry had already opened the envelope and had the note in hoof. “Sugarberry, my love,” it began, “from this day forward, all my dreams are fulfilled in you... you are all that my heart desires. Love, Vanguard. P.S. Will you marry me... today?”
“What did it say?” asked Raspberry, sneaking a peak over her sister’s shoulder. “‘Sugarberry, my love...” she read before Chocolate Chip confiscated it from Sugarberry’s hoof and proceeded to read the note out loud.