Many Hi's and a Goodbye

After receiving a call from a guard Joy and Bubble both came out of the garden. His mother just had called him to see the moonrise. His favorite view since he was a baby.

"Al… alright Bubble! See you tomorrow!"

"Of course!" she said and gave him a hug which he returned pleasantly

She went towards her room giggling and giving joy a pleasant look. Joy blushed at this and raised his front hoof and smiled uncontrollably. He kept looking towards her smiling and she returned the smile before she entered the room. After that Joy went to her mother who was eagerly waiting for him to have a little talk. But Joy was a little lost.

"Joy! What did you notice when you were once out without telling me?" she asked smiling as her horn glow.

"Han! Oh… I was just worried about what if you find out so I was too nervous to notice anything. Except when I helped Bubble to cheer her up." He blushed mentioning her name. Moon started to appear from the horizon.

She chuckled. "And now you'll never be needed to worry about that my dear son. Would you?"

Moon was finally up.

"I love you, mom."

"Mama loves you too, mama's joy."

After having a lovely talk with his mother he went towards his room. He was eagerly waiting for tomorrow. He was excited to meet new ponies. He was excited to go at some new places. Along with all these there was another thought revolving in his mind. Bubble and he kissed. Their first kiss ever. Maybe this was the sweetest pleasure he ever felt.

<MOST WONDERFUL DAY EVER!> he thought.

Joy's 10th birthday was the most amazing day of his life. Things he was expecting were an amazing birthday with all of his friends and family and after that the announcement of his mother revealing him before her subjects outside the Canterlort. But a small gift from Bubble was unexpected and really a joyful surprise to him. The necklace she gave him was an amazing gift but that kiss was a thing he simply was not expecting. Not like he was discomfort about this but he was very surprised.

"So my dear, how was your day?" Heart ask her daughter with a lovely smile.

"It was so wonderful," she said in joyful manner "I mean my day was so wonderful," she hugged her mother. "Thanks for bringing me here mom. I was really missing Joy so much."

"Oh Bubble!" Said Heart as she wrapped a hoof around her "I'm glad that you're happy. Now you should go to sleep," she said and Bubble went towards bedroom. Heart noticed that warm blush on her daughter's cheek. She smiled as she got that small hint.

Bubble was also feeling very strange. She was laying on her bed and had a purple blanket over her. She missed him so much those couple of years. Only thing she wanted now to tell him. Tell him about how she feels about him and how she always liked him. It was hard for her to keep her feelings hidden. She couldn't help but blushing heavily when she remembered how he returned that kiss. She felt that pleasant moment when he pressed his lips against hers. She was feeling really pleasant that evening.

He was laying on his bed and looking towards the roof. Still enjoying the sweetness of that moment in his heart. At last he went to relaxing and joyous slumber. The next morning was going to be very amazing.

Now it was time to get a nap. It was a wonderful day and after that a joyous evening after all. She went to a relaxing comfort sleep in a while thinking of her newly confessed emotions.

"Wake up. Wake up my dear Joy!" Celestia stroke her son's hair softly.

He yawned and suddenly looked towards his mother. He just hugged his mother in excitement.

"Mom!" He shout in excitement "I'm so happy today! I waited for this day! And now it's finally here!" He jumped in excitement.

"Calm down sweetheart! I know you're excited but this is not how a prince should act!" Celestia said him softly.

"I'm sorry mama!" he blushed. "I was just so excited!" He smiled and looked towards her.

"It's okay sweetheart. You're not the only one who's excited about this."

"Really! Who too else!"

"Well, you'll know in no time. Now get up, it's time for a bath," she said.

He got up and went to refresh himself by a bath. He changed his pyjamas to a green hoody and a light blue jeans. During he was having breakfast he noticed that Blueblood had a frown on his face and he was continuously looking towards him. He wondered if something wrong with how he looks. Soon Blueblood finished and left the dining room along giving an unhappy look to his little cousin. He looked towards Cadence and asked.

"Why was HE acting like that?"

"Don't mind him. He's just so upset that everypony in Canterlot is talking about you and not him," said Cadence with a usual smile.

"Oh… wait! Everypony is talking about me! Really!"

"Mmm hmm!" Cadence nodded "In fact they must be eager to meet you."

Bubble was sitting on the other side of the table along with her mother in front of Joy. She gave him a smile. She was waiting for Joy to finish his breakfast so they could have a visit around the Canterlot.

After the breakfast was done he was ready for his first time go around in Canterlot. He was so excited as well as a little nervous. He was so used to be with his mother so that's why he was acting a little nervous about this.

"Now stop acting like this. You've been out once before so why're you nervous now."

"First stop bringing that up again and again." He said in somewhat serious tune "It was little different because nopony was going to see me."

"And now everypony will see you and maybe some of them will talk to you and maybe be your friends. Doesn't this sound wonderful to you," said Heart Sparkle.

"Yes, it does," he replied. "I think I'm okay with this."

"Now, let's go! This visit will be fun!" said Bubble.

"And one more thing Joy," Cadence said with concern. "Don't get worried if somepony get mean to you." Joy couldn't help himself but becoming more nervous. "They'll eventually start to understand you. After all you're the son of Princess," She said to lessen his worry.

He was a little confused but he was ready for his first visit around the town. And then Joy, Bubble, and Shining Armor came out of the castle. Shining Armor was along with them because his mother wanted to be sure about his protection and because Shining is a royal guard as well as a friend to him he would not mind him coming along.

As soon as he went out he began to enjoy the sceneries around him. Ponies were walking here and there. Most of them were dressed. Some boutiques, doughnut stands, and hotels could be seen. When suddenly somepony noticed him.

"Hey everypony! It's the Prince," somepony shouted.

And then everypony around him turned their faces towards him. Joy just gulped and looked around him. It seems that they wanted to see him more closely. They were gossiping to each other about him. He smiled slyly and became a little nervous. But there were also some who were looking at him just like Blueblood stare him a little while before.

"Shiny why they're looking at me like that?"

"Don't worry Prince. Just be cool," he just remembered what Cadence told him so he tried to be normal.

They were going towards a park. As Joy entered the park there were so many fillies and colts playing different games. Bubble was also very excited.

"So I'll be here whenever you're ready to leave," said Shining. "Just be careful!"

"We'll be careful! Don't worry about us!" said Joy and they went where others were playing

It was strange that they were living at one place since they were babies till Joy was eight but never get a chance to play any real game. The only games they played were pretending games about being a warrior and princess and other stuff like that or the board games. So it was first time for him to play some real games.

But before they could do so he saw some colts gathered at a certain place. They were seemingly belonged to rich families of Canterlot. They were laughing because of some reason. He was curious to see what's going on. He went there and saw they were laughing at a little and innocent Pegasus filly. She had light grey coat and blond mane. She had placed her hooves on her eyes and tears were shedding from them. Joy felt so much anger that time. They were looking like just the smaller versions of his pompous cousin Blueblood. He was about to burst at them when suddenly-

"What the hay you're doing?" said Bubble before Joy could say something.

They turned their attention towards her. They saw a unicorn filly and along with him a bipedal creature.

"Well, well, well miss angry with a monkey guy to the rescue," a colt with light brown coat and black mane mocked them. And all of them started to laugh at her. Bubble felt so bad for this. Tears were about to escape her sapphire blue eyes.

"Bubble, let me handle this," he said and wiped out her tears.

Bubble nodded and passed him a little smile.

Now Joy wasn't able to hold himself anymore. He harassed an innocent filly. Not just that he mocked his very special friend.

"What you think you're? Any kind o…" The colt was silenced when he receives a sharp blow on his muzzle by no one else than Joy. Suddenly everypony around felt a strong gust of wind. Everypony looked there where Joy was standing.

He rubbed his muzzle as he felt the sharp pain. His muzzle was bleeding because of that hit. He hold it tightly and looked towards the bipedal creature standing in front of him.

"WHO AM I?" Joy snapped "I'm the one whose friend is just mocked by you, who saw you harassing this little filly!" Joy growls in anger and step closer to him.

"He's the Princess' son. He's Prince Joy," a filly shouted as he recognized his unique appearance.

'Prince' that colt thought. <Is he… oh no! He's the… princess' son.> his expression changed from angry to afraid. He backed off in fear.

"I'm sorry Prince. I'm really sorry for this. Please don't get me arrested," he begged and soon the others also realized who was standing in front of them. He was the only son of Princess Celestia. Prince Joy.

"On one condition! Say sorry to her as well and then take your friends and go away as fast as you can," Joy said in fury.

He did so and ran away, and all of his friends followed him. That little filly had ceased crying now. She clapped her hooves as she saw them running away. Her eyes, they were crossed. But that didn't made her any less cute. She looks even lovelier with them.

"Thank you very much Prince. You and your friend taught them a good lesson."

"It's okay. Can I know your name?" Joy said and chuckled.

"My name is Derpy. I was here to visit Canterlot along with my family," said Derpy. "You both are very good ponies."

"Thank you, Derpy," said Bubble.

"Well thanks… why they were teasing you anyway?"

"I was just playing here. Then they came towards me. I ask them if they wanna play but they laughed at me and called me a crossed eye freak," she was about to cry.

'A Freak' the same word he was used to hear from his cousin Blueblood before he finally decided to become a little bit nice to him. It just made him angrier but then he just took a deep breath and looked towards her.

"Look it's not bad to be different. You're not a freak. I don't think those eyes makes you less lovely in any way."

"Really! Thank you so much. Wait! I'll be back in sec," she said and flew away.

A few other children came closer to them. One of them came in front of Prince and said

"Wow! That was awesome. Those colts always mocked on us while we're playing here," he said

"No problem friends. Now you can play freely and nopony will tease you."

"Thank you so much," he said.

After that they all got busy in playing again. Joy was happy to see this. He was also a little surprise on his early behavior. It was first time in his life when he feels so much anger. After all he could never allow somepony to tease his very special friend.

He looked towards the Bubble. She was smiling while looking towards him.

"You truly acted like an angry warrior this time," she giggled.

"I... I just can't stand there let him do the hay he was doing," he said.

"I'm back!" they heard Derpy.

They suddenly looked towards Derpy. She was carrying a basket with her which was full of muffins. She looked the expressions on their faces.

"Muffins!" she said with very cute voice

All three of them chuckled at this. They ate muffins and play in the park for some time. Joy had much fun. But it was only the beginning. They still had much places to go.

"Okay! Nice to meet you Derpy. Hope we'll meet again," said Bubble.

"Me too!" said Derpy.

After that Joy and Bubble left the park and catch up again with Shining Armor. After that they went to different places near the palace where Joy met many new faces. Now it was almost afternoon.

Then Shining took them to a musical concert where a famous cello player was going to charm others with her melody along with some other musicians. Joy and Bubble got a good seat to clearly see and hear the concert. After all there was not a huge crowd of ponies. Soon a young earth pony mare came on the stage. She had grey coat and dark grey mane. She was wearing a bowtie along with a white collar. Her name was Octavia Melody.

"This is in the honor of the Princess's one and only son. Prince Joy," she said and started to struck the chords of cello.

Joy was surprised at this. Then they all got busy in listening the melodious tune of the cello. Joy always loved the music. He just felt an emotional connection with it. No doubt he enjoyed this a lot more than others. As concert was over Joy was called at the stage. Shining and Bubble encouraged him to go there.

"Now Prince Joy! What do you think of this performance?" said Octavia

"I… I really enjoyed this… thank you so much everypony for being so accepting. I really respect this."

Then the hall was filled by applauds. Joy was so much happy. He can't explain this in words. Bubble applauded lot more than the others. She was so much happy for him.

After the concert was over he received many greets by many ponies. He was a little so much overwhelmed. He had no idea that there will be a concert in honor to his first visit around the Canterlot.

"Well, hello! It's the little Prince I suppose. The guest of honor of this concert," a young unicorn stallion said to Joy.

He had a white coat and blue mane and was wearing a suit and a monocle. Beside him there was unicorn mare who looks a little older than his Alicorn cousin Cadence. She had white coat almost like his mother and a pink mane. Mine! She looked so beautiful.

Joy nodded slowly. The stallion smiled as well as the mare.

"Excuse me. Let me introduce myself, I am Fancy Pants and this elegant mare is my friend Fleur De Louis."

"Nice to meet you young colt," said Fleur.

Joy blushed a little as Fleur said this.

"My name is Joy Star." he then looked towards Bubble "And this's my friend Bubble Heart. Nice to meet you Sir… and Ma'am."

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Fancy Pants!" Bubble said in excitement.

"Bubble Heart, you've such a cute name, dear," said Fancy Pants.

"Thanks!" she smiled.

Joy and Bubble had a friendly talk with Fancy Pants and Fleur for some moments. Fancy Pants was impressed by Joy's delightful manner of talking.

"It was nice to meet you Prince. I hope we'll meet again soon." Fancy Pants said to Joy and he along with Fleur went away.

Before going back to the castle all three of them decided to have a brunch at Doughnut Joe's. Shining was called by some of his royal guard friends at their table. So he went to have a chat with his friends not too far from the table where Joy and Bubble were sitting.

"Sweet mother, what a day!" he said as he finished his doughnut

"I also have a very good time." Bubble said and sighed deeply.

"What's the matter Bubble? I thought you're happy."

"I'm happy Joy. But I've to leave for Manehatten by day after tomorrow," she seemed so sad.

Joy also sighed deeply. He almost had forgotten that she was there only for a week and now only one day was left before she went back to Manehatten. It was as hard as it was two years ago. Maybe a little harder this time.

"Bubble, no matter how far are we, we'll be still very close to each other. And you know this better than me," he whispered in her ear.

Bubble passed a blushful smile at this. She planted a quick kiss on his cheek. Then she make a lovely giggle.

"Thanks Joy. You're really my sweetest friend."

Bubble suddenly recalled a memory of her and Joy's babyhood. It felt just like tomorrow to her but actually it was almost seven and half years ago, when she was only three and a half years old.

"Oh Joy," said Celestia with a chuckle as she saw her son

Joy had his face completely covered in frosty of a cake. That happened when he tried to take a bite bigger than his mouth. He was still giggling. Heart and Cadence were chuckling as well. Bubble was also sitting near him. She extend her hoof and took a little frosty of his face and taste it.

"You know Joy!" She said cutely. "You're now a really sweet sweetie."

Everypony around them laughed unstoppably as they heard this. Both babies looked around and giggled as well.

"Besides, it's not like we're gonna be apart like this forever. Is it?" said Joy.

"Yeah! You're right..." Bubble was interrupted when Shining came there.

"Alright Prince! I think we should head back to the castle now," Shining said as he came towards them. "I hope you'd a very good time."

"Actually, yes we did." said Joy.

Bubble nodded as well. Today he had met many ponies and most of them were really nice. Some of them were not as nice as others. There was many ponies who were giving him a strange and concern look. But keeping the advice of his cousin in mind he tried his best to ignore them. And it was a nice day after all. He was also a little bit sad because on the thought that Bubble will leave after a day. Now it was time to head back to the castle.

"Welcome back sweetheart! How was your first visit outside the castle?" Said Celestia as she saw her son along with his friends "Hope you've enjoyed that little surprise at the concert."

"Surprise?" Joy said. "This mean that concert was your plan."

Celestia nodded and suddenly Joy grabbed her front legs in a hug. She sat there and embraced her son in her front legs and wings. After a lovely hug she released him.

"Thanks mom. You're the best," he said.

"Joy! I hope you had a good time today," said Heart.

"I really did, and Bubble also enjoyed this day," Bubble nodded at this.

Heart smiled and hugged her daughter. She knew that she was having a good time in Canterlot but now it was only one day left when they had to leave for Manehatten. She felt a little sad about this.

"I suppose you enjoyed your visit," Cadence said and stroked his hair. "Didn't you?"

"I did Caddie. This was the most amazing day ever. I met some new ponies and also made a few new friend," he replied.

"Well! There are still some ponies who are looking forward to meet you. I think you should say hello to them as well. They're at Twilight's place." She looked towards Shining Armor "And don't worry, Shining is here to tell me about the rest of your day." Cadence said and blushed a little and Shiny blushed at this as well

"Told you!" Joy signaled Bubble.

"What was that?" Cadence asked.

"Nothing! I'm just leaving to see Twilight," he said "See you later."

Bubble stayed there with her mom and Joy went towards Twilight's room. He wondered who they could be. 'Must be her friends' he thought. He knocked the door.

"Oh! You're here," said baby dragon Spike as he entered the room.

"Hey little Spike! How are you?" He said as he entered in

"I'm fine."

He saw Twilight was talking to three other unicorn fillies before they notice him coming in.

"You're here. I was thinking now that your old friend had return you'll completely forget about me," Twilight said sarcastically.

"No, Twilight. It's just I met her almost after two years." He said "You're also my good friend as you always will be," he said.

"Here! I want you to meet some ponies. These are my friends." Said Twilight "This is Minuette…" She pointed towards the filly who had blue coat and a mane of white and dark blue mix "Twinkle Shine…" She pointed towards the other filly who had creamy white coat and pink mane "And Lemon Hearts" She finally pointed towards the filly with lemon yellow coat and turquoise mane. They wave their hooves as they saw him.

"Hi… nice to meet you all," said Joy.

"Hi, You're Princess' son right. Wow, when Twilight told me you looks different, I never thought you would be that much different," said Minuette with loud excited tune "Look at those… strange hooves, huh!" she said as she saw his appendages on his arms ends

"Yeah…" Joy replied and looked towards Twilight.

"They wanted to meet you so badly. So I just brought them here. Also we have a little project to work on. I hope that is okay with you," said Twilight

"Alright, that should be interesting," Joy asked nervously.

So they began work on that project. Joy was also taking private lessons since he was five years old so he decided to help them in it. In this way he could know them better.

"I think this could work…" said Joy looking towards a book about potions

"Well, let's give it a try," said Lemon Hearts

Twilight mixed some ingredients in a flask and shake it using her magic.

"A little bit of this… Aaha! I think it's done," said Twilight

Then they all surrounded around a plant seed. Twilight put a drop of that potion on it. Suddenly it shakes a little and started to grow. A smile came upon all of their faces as they saw this. First they saw a leaf growing from this and then another.

"I think it worked," said Twinkle Shine

Then suddenly plant grows larger in size and grew a mouth like venues fly trap. Then their smile disappeared as soon as it was appeared. It growls looking towards them. All of them screamed and started to run away far from the plant. Joy picked the Spike and ran to save himself and the baby dragon from the rampaging fly trap.

"Was that supposed to happen?" shouted Joy as they were running.

"No… it was supposed to make plant grow faster and stronger," yelled Twilight.

"What! This mean it worked perfectly! It is STRONGER and FASTER than any plant," said Minuette sarcastically.

"We must do something to stop it," Twilight said as the monster plant attack just behind her.

"Twilight!" yelled Joy.

That plant tried to attack on every one of them but luckily they dodged every hit. Then suddenly it attacked one of the bookshelves. This made Twilight totally angry.

"It took me so much time to organize them," she shouted and ran towards the plant.

She shots a very strong magical energy beam towards this which stunned it completely.

"Hey, I found the right solution," shouted Lemon Hearts.

She pour the little amount of that potion on the stunned plant which restored it to a normal harmless plant again. Spike hugged the Joy.

"Phew," all of them said in unison.

"Thanks for saving my life," said Spike.

"Hehe… It's okay, Spike," said Joy.

"Thanks Lemon Hearts! How did you do that?" asked Twilight.

"Well, while plant was busy with you I made the right potion to stop him," replied Lemon Hearts.

After the trouble was over all of them tried to see where they went wrong. It happened because they added a certain ingredient much more than it was needed. Well, turns out it was not mistake of any specific of them.

"I'm sorry. I don't want this to be turns out so badly," Joy said as he thought it was his mistake.

"Are you kidding me? I mean I know that was pretty scary but we usually don't have get together with Twilight except for studying. This was much better and much more fun than that. Wasn't it girls?" Twilight felt a little embarrassed as Minuette mention this.

"Yes, it was!" said Lemon Hearts.

"It sure was," Twinkle Shine added.

Joy was happy that everything turned out right. Then he helped the girls to clean up the messed up room. They also spend some time talking to each other. It turned out to be a good get together.

"It was nice to meet you Prince…"

"Joy," said Joy. "I'm a little overwhelm with these formalities so please call me Joy. After all we're all friends now. Aren't we?"

"Okay! Nice knowing you Joy," said Twinkle Shine.

"It was pretty fun," said Minuette.

"See you later Twilight! You too Joy!" said Lemon Hearts

They all left the room. Now it was only Joy and Twilight. Joy suddenly remembered something. Sun was already been set. He should be with his mother right now.

"Alright Twilight! It's been so much fun. But I've to go now. Mother must be waiting for me."

"Okay, see you later then I guess," she said waved a hoof towards him.

He headed back to the castle. When he reached there to his surprise he was called to throne room by a royal guard. He was worried about what his mother had called him here for. He went there and saw that there was adult stallion standing with a young colt. His muzzle was covered with a bandage. He quickly recognized him. It was the same colt who was harassing Derpy at the park. So the adult one must be his father.

"Joy, I've to ask you something," said Celestia looking towards that colt "Tell me why you did this son," she said.

"Mom! I… I can explain," he said nervously.

"I'm listening," meanwhile that stallion gave Joy a poisonous look.

"Actually, when I went to park I see that he was…" he told all about what happened at the park and he was almost about to cry.

Celestia listen to him carefully and then looked towards that stallion. That stallion felt really embarrassed and then looked towards his son. He was really scared at this. Then that stallion looked to the Princess.

"I'm… I'm sorry your highness!" Stallion said "I'll keep an eye on him and make sure he will not bully anypony else."

"But dad…" that colt said.

"No buts! I never felt so embarrassed in my whole life," he replied as both of them went away.

She came closer to him and sat near to him. She pulled him closer and hugged him softly.

"Mom!" he said.

Celestia smiled and put him on her back and took him to the gardens.

"Mom, I'm sorry again that… I wasn't here at the time of sunset," he felt so bad for this.

"It's okay son. I'm glad you'd enjoyed this day," Celestia said. "I want you to know I love you so much my joy. But I also have something to tell you, about what you did back at the park. I know you were trying to help but remember son anger isn't a good thing. You could've hurt him badly."

"But he teased an innocent filly and Bubble as well. How can I stand that?"

"Alright sweetheart! I think we should enjoy the beautiful moonlight now."

Joy nodded as he leaned his back against her waist.

She smiled to hear what her son said. He just sounded like a warrior who is protecting his people. She decided to finish the talk here and enjoy the cool wind of night with silence. Joy soon fell asleep leaning against her waist. She rest there for a while before heading back to the castle along with her asleep son on her back.

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At last week ended and now they'd to leave for Manehatten. Joy and Bubble both were a little bit sad again. They left for station after a while.

Joy was standing at the station along with Heart Sparkle, Bubble Heart, and Cadence. Everypony was waiting for the friendship express. Everypony except two of them. Joy and Bubble. It was hard to say goodbye now as it was before. But time was running out and soon they heard the whistles of the train.

"Goodbye Joy," she said and hugged him as tightly as she could. He returned the hug pleasantly. "We'll meet again soon," she whispered in his ear and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before they released each other.

"You too Bubble," he said as he felt her soft lips touching his cheek.

And then Heart and her daughter went on the train. She waved to him and so did he. They kept looking to each other until train was out of sight. Joy was though a little bit sad by this but he knew that they'll meet again soon like before. It was only goodbye for now.