Blueblood and Joy was sitting in Joy's room. Joy was trying to convince him to play a board game with him but he was continuously denying. During all this time his behavior towards Joy was changed much. And was changed in a good way. He just started to become a little less mean towards him. But he was still a pompous prince.
Today Celestia was little busy to help her niece in some royal matters. So she said Blueblood to spend time with him for a few hours until she returns. She was doing so for a quiet long time because she want both of them to be more like good cousins. He was reluctant to do so but seeing an angry look in his aunt's eyes he was ready to do it.
"I told you I'm not interested in these childish games. I would be going out with my friends if auntie wouldn't have stuck me with you."
"For real cousin!" He said in a little bit of anger "You know I wish that too now."
At last Twilight entered the room. She has Spike with her in a Saddle pouch. She also has some jewels in other side of the pouch.
"Hi Twilight! You're back!" he was happy to see her.
"Finally! I can go out now," Blueblood said as he saw the little filly.
Joy just rolled his eyes as Blueblood left the room. Now Twilight was there so he didn't need him anymore. Joy took that board game with him and said.
"How about we go to gardens?" said Joy.
"It's fine with me," replied Twilight.
So Twilight and Joy went towards the garden. Twilight looked towards him. He was in a deep thought. Twilight asked him.
"Did he tease you again?"
"Nah! He's just being Blueblood. I was just missing somepony," he sighed "Anyways you're up for a game." He said quickly changing the topic.
While they both were playing Twilight heard someone's tummy growl. It was the baby dragon Spike. She giggled and said.
"Looks like my little Spike is very hungry! Here are some jewels," she gave him some jewels.
"I hope he's growing up alright," he said.
"Don't worry Joy. I'm taking care of him with whole responsibility," she replied and looked towards the Spike who was munching on a piece of ruby. Then suddenly he smiled and looked towards Twilight.
"What?"
"I was just thinking… about Cadence and your brother," he asked a little sarcastically.
"Yes, I think they like each other," she replied bashfully.
"You think!" he chuckled.
Twilight also chuckled at this. She knew that Cadence and her brother are spending much time together. Although she was a little filly but she was really smart.
"I won!" said Twilight.
"That's impossible, you won again. Well, I never won against Bubble either except for few times."
"No problem. Ready for another round," said Twilight.
"Sure!"
So they started the game all over again. Joy was having fun and was almost forget about the sadness he was feeling a little while ago.
"Hey Joy! Mind if I ask a little personal question?"
"Personal? Alright…"
"Do you… Do you like anypony? I mean do you have any special pony in your mind?"
Joy blushed a little. He understood what she meant. But for some reason, he was reluctant to tell. Twilight got her nervousness. She giggled and said:-
"It's okay! If you don't wanna tell me."
"No Twilight! It's just I don't know if anypony ever like me that way. You know because… I'm a little different, " he said and looked down.
"Don't worry Joy. Differences doesn't matter that much. You looks cute to me… and many ponies else I believe."
"Thanks Twilight," Twilight blushed a little "You're my very good friend."
"No problem Joy," she said.
"Do you've anypony special in your mind?" he asked and smiled.
"Me… I don't know. Maybe…" she blushed a little.
"Do I know him?" he asked excitedly.
"Actually… he's…" she was interrupted as Joy saw his mother coming there.
"Mom!" he said as rushed towards her.
He hugged her. She returned the hug and nuzzle his head. Twilight was paused there. Then she smiled and sighed looking towards Joy as Celestia put him on her back. She looked towards Twilight and said.
"Twilight! Are you okay?"
"Of course I'm, Princess." she replied. "Alright Joy! See you tomorrow!" saying this she went in the castle.
Celestia took him to show the sunset and moonrise. It was just a boring day full of non-sense complaints of nobles. But she was free now to spend some more time with her son so she could forget about all the stress of the day. Joy told her that he had a fine day. He was not much sad as he was some days before. Celestia was happy that his son is not sad anymore. The best thing she could hope to see after all the troubles of the day was a cheerful smile at her son's face.
It had been quite a while since Bubble and her mom left the Canterlort. It was night time. Joy and his mother was sitting in the gardens. Like always they were talking to each other under the beautiful moonlight. Joy was still missing his best friend.
"Mom! I hope she visit us as soon as possible."
"What did she said in her last mail?"
"She said that she and Miss Sparkle misses me a lot. But they can't come this year for some reason. I miss her so much," he replied, and at some length said. "Mom! Can I ask you something?"
"Sure sweetheart!" said Celestia pulling him closer to her.
"Will ponies outside the Castle will accept me the way you, Cadence, and Miss Sparkle does."
"I know they'll son. Ponies here are very friendly," she said and hugged her son.
"I just can't wait now. Only one more year," he said and returned the hug.
His days were passing in a mix feeling of happiness and sadness. He used to play with Twilight and it helped him to overcome his loneliness. Princess was happy that they were becoming better friends each passing day.
Celestia, Cadence, and Twilight were so much excited as a special room was being decorated. It was coming. His 10th birthday. Joy was so much excited too. But something which doubled his excitement was a mail he just received. It was from Manehatten.
"Yeah! She's coming!" exclaimed Joy as he read the mail.
[My dear friend Joy
Hi! I got a very excited news. Mom and I will be heading Canterlot tomorrow. We'll be staying there a whole week. I'm very excited about this. I've started preparations for this. I can't wait to see you again. See you soon.
Your very best friend
Bubble Heart]
He remembered that his birthday is also coming during this week. He was so excited about this. He can't wait to meet his best friend again and spend time with her. He was so much happy that day. Which obviously made everypony else around him so much happy. Cadence was delighted to see her cousin like this. She hadn't seen him much excited since Bubble was gone.
"What's so excited little cousin?" she asked him even though she knew the answer.
"Cadence! Bubble is coming here. Oh, I'm so happy. It's been a couple of years since I saw her."
Cadence held him in a hug. "And I got you! Can't get out of this one!" she said as Joy chuckled delightfully.
Celestia was also very happy. When Bubble was gone Joy became very sad. Being his mother she did what she could do. She said Twilight to spend some time with him so he wouldn't feel lonely without Bubble. That seems to work by some extent. He and Twilight became really good friends. They played almost every day when she returned from school, Twilight told him the stories about his favorite unicorn figures, Gusty the Great, and Starswirl the bearded, or just talk.
But nothing made him happier than the news of his best friend is coming to Canterlot. He was so much excited.
Joy was standing in front of the main entrance of the castle. He was waiting for Cadence and Twilight who were gone to receive them from the station. Now he was unable to be patient anymore. His eyes were stick to the door. Anytime Bubble can enter the room giving him a joyful surprise. He was also ready to welcome her.
Door was moved but except of coming in with Heart Sparkle and Bubble Heart Cadence and Twilight enter the castle sadly. They both looked upon each other and then Joy.
"Wh… what happened? Where are they?" he asked sadly.
"Should we tell him Twilight?" Joy's patience was going away.
"I think we should Cadence. He has right to know," Joy was about to burst with suspense
"Please tell me! What's the matter?" he said as tears came to his eyes.
"Why are you weeping Joy?" Asked Cadence and then suddenly both Cadence and Twilight chuckled "They're right here. They're here Joy," As she said this Joy saw somepony he hasn't seen for two year. Heart Sparkle. She entered in with saddle bag. He ran towards her and hugged her.
"Hey, how are you my dear Joy? It's so nice to see you again."
"I'm so happy you came," he said with tearful eyes.
"Why wouldn't we?" He heard a well recognizable sweet and excited tune and looked beside Heart Sparkle towards a unicorn filly of hot pink colour and light purple mane. Bubble Heart was standing there. He released Miss Sparkle and rushed towards her.
They both looked towards each other. Joy's looked towards her and gave him a tearful smile. He was so happy to see her. Who knows how he spend that many time without her? Before he could say something he was grabbed in a lovely hug by Bubble.
"Oh Joy! I'm so so happy to see you," she said.
"I'm so much happy too," he said as he returned that tight hug.
"Let's go to your room for a while. We have so much to catch up on," she chuckled as she, Joy and Twilight went to Joy's room.
Heart Sparkle smile as she saw her daughter and her daughter's best friend going towards his room. She was happy to see her daughter smiling delightfully once again. Manehatten was an active city. But ponies there are not much friendly. They are more like a business community and care more for themselves. Anyways now she was happy that her daughter could be able to spend a whole week with her best friend.
"So how the things goes here after me?" asked Bubble.
"Well, most of things were usual. But it doesn't feel same when you're not around," he sighed.
"I also missed you Bubble," said Twilight.
"I also missed you both so much. I wish I never have to leave this town," replied Bubble.
"Ah! I remember, I have an exciting news!" said Joy.
"Oh! Tell me! What's it?" said Bubble.
"I think," he whispered. "I think Cadence and Shining Armor were… on date." Twilight jabbed him lightly.
"What! For real! Well, looks like I missed so many things," said Bubble and all three of them chuckled.
"Bubble, do you have any new song. It's been a long while since I hear you singing."
"Actually I've one. But this is a funny one. *clear throats* Bubble smiled.
~Life in Manehatten is so much fun.
No it's not
Life is so busy so much to be done
Work's a lot
Every day we wake up with sunrise
No that's the noise
We live in an active community
There is no choice~
…
As she finished the song all three of them chuckled loudly. It was a pretty funny song. At last they receive a call from dining room. It was time for some meal.
They went there. Celestia, Cadence, Shining Armour, and Blueblood were there. The table was full of different types of edibles. Like salad, pastries, buttered toast, strawberry cake, eggs, and also fruit punch.
After having meal it was time for a little more get together. After a while Twilight got preoccupied by her studies. But Bubble and Joy kept playing all the remaining day. He was very happy. Mostly because she was there with him and also because his 10th birthday was coming after two days. The day he could finally see the world outside the palace without any fear.
"So you must be so happy aren't you?" asked Bubble.
"Yes, I'm! I wish I wouldn't be that much nervous," said Joy.
"Nervous?"
"Yeah! You remembered my first impression on Twilight. She was more eager to know what I am rather than who I am," said Joy.
"Don't worry. I'm sure there will be a lot who will like to know you better and be your friends."
"Thanks! I am happy that I've such understanding friends."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOY!" All exclaimed as Bubble finished a song she made especially for his birthday.
Joy was so much happy. It was his 10th birthday. He blew the candles and made a wish. Everypony he knew was there. He received different gifts from his mother, babysitter, cousin, and Twilight. Only Bubble's gift was left.
"Now see this one!" said Bubble.
He unwrapped the gift. It was a necklace with a heart shaped pendent. In it there were four pics. The picture of her and Joy when they were foals, when they were three years old, the picture at his fifth birthday, and another picture of them at his seventh birthday. Joy was so delighted to see this.
"This is so amazing," he said.
"I knew you'll like this," she said. "Well," she blushed. "I also have another one." she giggled. "But not now, that have to wait till the evening."
After celebrating his birthday it was time for a very special event. There was going to be an announcement by Princess Celestia to her subjects to tell them about her son. Princess has announced a grand gathering of ponies from all over the Equestria in Canterlot. This gathering was set to be on same day as his birthday.
As everypony was gathered outside the castle looking towards the balcony of the castle. From here Princess was going to hail any minute now. Beside the residents of Canterlot there were ponies from Ponyville, the Cloudsdale, Filly Delphia and some other towns and cities.
At last horns were blew as Princess appeared at balcony along with her niece. She was wearing a beautiful gown. Everypony's attention was fixed on her. At last she announced:-
"Fillies and Gentle colts! Today I've called you here for a very special announcement. I've kept this secret for 10 years." Everypony gossiped 'secret' and '10 years' "10 years ago I was blessed with a son. Though he's not a pony or any creature you've ever seen but I've loved him and protected him as my own flesh and blood." Their eyes widened with surprise "I raised and loved him as my son. I kept him a secret for 10 years but now it's time I reveal my dear son before all of my dear little ponies…"
"I'm feeling so nervous," said Joy
"Keep it all together Joy," said Bubble "I'll come with you if you like."
"Thank you so much Bubble! But I've to do this myself. I'm ready."
"Prince Joy! It's time," said a Pegasus Guard.
He gulped and step towards the balcony. He was so nervous. Then he took a deep breath and went towards the balcony. Where his mother and cousin were waiting for him.
"May I present you, Prince Joy Star. My beloved son," she said as her son appeared at the balcony.
Everypony looked at him with amazement. They were not expecting a creature like this one. He was standing on his hind legs and had his body covered with cloths. He was wearing his favorite white T-shirt and blue jeans. On the chest there was design like his mother's cutie mark. They were just silent to see him. He looked towards his mother in confusion. Celestia quickly got him covered.
"I know what you're thinking my little ponies. And believe me my son is just as nice as any young colt..." then she looked towards him and encouraged him with a nudge.
He gulped again and looked towards the crowd. All of them were looking at him with amazement. Some were smiling and there was a small group who didn't seem much happy.
"Hi!" He said raising his front hoof "Hello friendly… residents of Canterlot and… some other cities… I guess," some ponies even giggled at this statement. "I'm… Joy Star as… mom has told you." He took a deep breath "And I believe we can be good friends."
He was feeling so stressed up but Cadence helped him to be remain calm. Celestia looked at the crowd waiting for their response. Suddenly a mare tap her hooves on the ground yelling "Hurray for Prince Joy," then suddenly the sound of taps starting to grow louder. And one by one so many sounds were heard. "Wow, he is the son of Princess" and "I wonder what kind of creature he is". There were many of ponies who were still looking at him curiously. Some stayed silent.
Celestia smiled and looked towards Joy, who was about to explode with happiness. Majority of ponies were seems to accept him.
"You can go now sweetheart. Now you didn't need to be invisible to go out," she said and giggled.
He gave a bashful smile at this. He went inside and soon disappeared from the sight of the crowd. Ponies were still talking to each other about him.
"This is just what I accepted from my subjects. And I assure if you'll get to know him better you'll see he's just like us only differ by his appearance. Thank you for being so accepting my little ponies," Celestia's eyes were wet with the tears of joy.
After a while crowd started to leave. They could be heard chatting to each other. Maybe some of them were excited to meet the Prince by tomorrow. But for now Prince was heading towards his room.
"So do you wanna go to the park? You'll no need to be invisible anymore," said Cadence as she came to his room.
"I want to take some rest first. I am a… little overwhelmed by this," he replied.
"Alright!" she said and left his room.
It was almost evening and Joy and Bubble was walking in the gardens. It was a beautiful day. No, it was wonderfully wonderful day. He was allowed to go out without any problem now. But this time he was excited to know what gift Bubble has brought with her.
"So… you'll go out now and make new friends. Hope you'll not forget me."
"Don't be silly Bubble. No matter how many friends I made, nopony can replace you. I missed you so much all this time."
"I… I missed you too Joy. You know I thought we were only… best friends but being apart for two years made me realize how I really feel about you," she smiled and blushed heavily.
"I don't know what to say Bubble. I really felt so lonely without you. I… I can't explain how I am feeling right now."
"Hmm… I can help you with this. You remember I said I have a gift for you." she said and looked towards him with a blushful smile.
"Yes, I do! But…" he was interrupted as he felt the soft lips of Bubble touching his.
This was so sudden but he could feel the sudden wave of pleasure running through his body. He returned the kiss with equal pleasure. Then they broke the kiss to catch some breath.
They both panted heavily. Joy's face was red like cherry. Bubble's pink face was red as well. Joy was so surprised and Bubble was giggling with so much blush.
"That was the- most wonderful surprise," his face was still red
"Glad- glad you like it!" she said joyously.
They both kept looking at each other until they heard a voice.
"Prince Joy!" he heard a call from a guard.
"Oh, I think mom have called me," he said.
Both of them giggled as they looked towards each other and walked out of the gardens.