//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 High Society // Story: A Prince's Journey // by Frosthowl //------------------------------// Starfall found himself in a field, alone and holding two swords. He noticed that he was wearing armor.."How did I..-" He stopped talking half way through as he saw by the end of the field was a whole army of gryphons.."What is going on here!?" He demanded an explanation to whatever had brought him here. He felt his body moving against his will..."What is happening to me!?" He shouted out as he started to panic. The giant line of armored gryphons numbering in the thousands started charging toward the Prince. "NO!" he shouted out again as he struggled to gain control of his body to run away from the massive army. "KENDOV SIL MULAAG!". After the loud roar had come from his body he realized something...This wasn't his body..He was taller, more muscular and his wings were black feathered. But what did this mean? He saw that the gryphon army came closer and closer until finally he felt like he was seeing everything at a slower pace.. And as Starfall saw that he was just about to strike, his sight was blinded by red color.. He regain his eyesight after a small flash of light...He looked around and what he saw couldn't begin to describe the horrors he was seeing...Thousands upon thousands of gryphons had been mercilessly slain..By whoever eyes he was seeing it from..The prince wanted to drop down and throw up but he still couldn't control his actions. Another flash blinded the prince as he found himself in a throne room with his gaze turned towards a wounded gryphon who had several rings and a crown.."Emperor.." He said to himself. He knew from the clothing that this was a gryphon emperor. But Starfall was more worried to why he was standing over a injured gryphon. "Please...Show mercy." The gryphon emperor crawled back with his fore talons but his legs looked like they were limp... Starfall was scarcely waiting for what was going to come next… He was hoping that he would spare the emperor. "NAH TOOR AG!" A dragon breath like fire came out of his mouth and the entire room was enveloped in a hellish inferno. "NOOO!" The prince jumped up from his pillow, gasping in terror and with cold sweat running down his face and body. Frosthowl was the first to react to his shouting. The door swung open with two guards ready to fight whatever that had made Starfall yell out in terror. "Your highness, are you alright!?" One of the guards asked as he quickly scanned the room for any threats and taking position next to the newly woken prince. Starfall rubbed his eyes as the light from the halls was blinding him a bit and his eyes were stinging a bit. "I'm fine..It was just a day terror." The guards looked uncomfortably at each other. "I've never heard someone waking up like that...You sure you are alright Sir?" The other guard asked stepping closer. "I said I was fine!" The prince replied again with a hostile hiss in his voice. The guards were a bit taken back by the sudden hostility from Starfall but nonetheless they had to follow procedure and leave him alone if he wished to be..But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t report this. The guards left the room but Frosthowl was still looking worryingly at his master. He was yelping as he put his head on the bed and looked Starfall in the eye, hoping he could ease his concerns. "I'm fine Frosthowl...It’s just...The Day terrors are getting worse..I'm going to see my mother about it later and hopefully she will be able to help me." Starfall scratched the giant wolf's chin and Frosthowl’s entire body fell limp and his tongue stuck out in relief as his master was scratching his favorite spot. The prince stopped scratching the wolf and got up from bed to start his midday life. Starfall was sitting in The Silver Pot Cafe and was enjoying his favorite cup of tea with the company of Frosthowl who never leaves his master's side. Some of the costumers were a bit taken off by the giant wolf who was sitting a few feet away from them but it was public knowledge that the prince had a large housebroken wolf who is actually very friendly to everyone it meets. "We are finished exercising for today, You my friend are starting to become too fast..I might consider cutting back on your daily ration." Frosthowl stopped breathing in shock. "I'm just pulling your paw Frost." Starfall started to chuckle at Frosthowl’s reaction. The wolf snorted and used his right front paw to push the prince a bit off his balance. "Always like you Frost, you can never take a joke and chuckle along...or laugh at all." He uncrossed his legs and stood up from the cushion with his companion quickly following his lead. "Thank you for the tea Silver aura, As always keep the change." The prince put down two silver coins and bowed to the cashier. The light gray mare gave the prince a heart warming smile. "You are so generous Starfall, I feel a bit ashamed to accept a 15 bit tip; that's three times the cost of the tea itself." Starfall stopped at the door and smiled to himself. "Maybe I'm just paying for the wonderful atmosphere that your nice little cafe has to offer." Starfall always felt more welcome in the silver pot cafe then any other restaurant or cafe in Canterlot and it was nice to be addressed as a person instead of as a prince. Starfall was walking through the streets of Canterlot alongside Frosthowl. On his way back to the castle Frosthowl smelled someone particular was close by. "What is it?" He asked what was bothering his companion. Frosthowl turned around to go back the same block they had come from earlier and Starfall followed him. As they came around the corner Starfall smiled as he saw Rarity with Fancy pants along with her little sister. The ponies quickly saw Starfall and Frosthowl. "Starfall!" Fancy pants said greeting the young prince with a joyful and positive tone. "Its good to see you again." Frosthowl looked sideways towards Fancy pants. "And you too Frosthowl. You two look dashing as ever." Frosthowl started panting at the compliment and gave the stallion a bow in respect. "Fancy Pants, Aunty Rarity, Sweetie Belle!" The prince said joyful to see their friendly faces again. "Starfall, how have you been doing, darling?" Rarity came to greet the young prince with a hug but was quickly stopped. "Sorry Aunty Rarity, I'm a bit sweaty after running a couple of laps through Canterlot forest." Rarity gave the young prince a grateful smile for warning her in before hand. "What are you three up to?" "We were talking about tonight's orchestra, I am the new lead singer thanks to Fancy pants." Sweetie belle smiled up to her brother in law. "But before we head to the theater, we had planned on attending a dinner party...Not that I am looking forward to it.." Rarity grimaced at her husband. "Now dear, I know you don't like to attend any party with him there, but you have to accept the fact that he will attend most of the high society gatherings, I don't fancy him either but If you are there at least you can make it a bit more bearable." Fancy pants grabbed his wife's hooves to comfort her. Suddenly an idea hit the gentlecolt’s mind. "I know! Starfall, would you care as to join me and Rarity to the dinner party this afternoon?" The prince put his right hand on his chin as he was in deep thought if he would want to attend a dinner party with arguably the rudest ponies in all of Equestria. "I don't know..I..-" "-Frosthowl could come along as well." Starfall shrugged. "Very well, I'll attend this dinner party. That will give us a chance to catch up; I haven't seen you in weeks my good friend and I look forward to hear what you've been up to." He turned towards Sweetie belle. "I also look forward to your concert Sweetie belle." Starfall picked up the young mare's hoof and kissed it goodbye. "If you would excuse me now-" Starfall hinted Frosthowl to lower himself. "I have to get ready for the party." He put his right foot over the wolf who stood back up at his height again as the prince sat on the saddle. "Take care you three." He waved the ponies goodbye as Frosthowl sprinted back to the castle. "You sure he is here?" Starfall turned towards his companion who had sniffed out Fancy pants. Frosthowl nodded. "Fair enough, and next time I'll make sure to ask for where the dinner party is held." The prince and the wolf saw that there was a single guard by the entrance and approached him. "Sorry sir, but you are going to have to show an invitation and no pets allowed." "My name is Prince Starfall, son of Princess Luna and this Frosthowl. We were personally invited by Fancy Pants," "Do you have any proof that you are Prince Starfall? Any identifications?" Starfall was a bit stunned from the guards demand.."You're kidding? you're kidding right?" He dragged his head a bit back with his left eye brow lowered. The guard didn't answer. "I am the only living human in Equestria...I doubt I would need any form of identification." The guard snorted. "Thats no excuse for not having an identification or invitation, Sorry but you’re not getting past here until you have any identifications about who you claim to be!" Frosthowl didn't like the guard and started to growl aggressively towards him, Starfall saw how scared the guard got but he waved him off. "I have a better idea, How about you spend the night in the dungeon and hopefully it will teach you who your sovereign leaders are." The Prince snapped his fingers and in a flash the guard was gone. "You see Frost, there is no reason for violence." The Prince smiled sadistically. As the duo made their way inside, all the ponies stopped their conversations and their attention was turned towards the prince and his wolf companion. All the ponies except Rarity and Fancy pants knelt down to their prince. "Rise!" The prince objected to the welcome he got. "Such a greeting is not necessary!" He addressed his subjects with respect. The ponies stood up again and the prince could hear them whispering about how humble he is. After a minute they all went back to their own business again. Starfall and Frosthowl were approached by Rarity and Fancy pants as the ponies merged with the party again. "My my Frosthowl, you look gorgeous in your...Armor?" Rarity looked at Starfall in confusion for an explanation. "As crazy as this may sound to you aunty but wolves do not like clothes.." Rarity gasped as she looked shocked at Frosthowl who was yelping sheepishly. "But luckily I am able to convince him to wear his collar and armbands." Frosthowl raised his head in pride, as he liked his platinum armor that had sapphire gems encrusted in them and his beautiful platinum collar that had five shades of blue gems that ended with a white diamond in the middle. "Nevertheless you both look smashing, Come! Lets catch up, I can’t wait to tell you what I've been up to and then..Something we are going to announce tomorrow but you can hear about it now." I guess its time that we tell you what we are going to announce tomorrow in Ponyville.-" Fancy pants grabbed his wife's hooves and look into her eyes with a happiness that made the prince smile warmly at. "I'm with foal." Rarity said turning her gaze towards the prince. "CONG-" Rarity put her hoof on Starfalls mouth before he could finish. "Shh, Its still a secrete." She removed her hoof and the prince nodded. "Congratulations you two!" The prince gave his aunt a heartwarming hug, he was so happy for her. Out of all the high society ponies in Equestria, Starfall respected Fancy pants the most and he’s so glad that she got her stallion of her dreams."How long have you two known?" "We've known for three weeks now." Rarity replied. "Me and Fancy pants are gonna take a train to Ponyville tomorrow and let the others know about it." The prince could feel his aunt and friends happiness being converged over to himself. He couldn't stop smiling at their fortune. But as the prince was enjoying the nice evening with Rarity and Fancy pants, a sudden loud trumpet noise could be heard and Frosthowl’s attention was immediately thrown to the entrance. "Fillies and gentlecolts, I give you Prince Blueblood!" the herald announced getting every ponies attention. Frosthowl started growling furiously as he caught the scent of a pony he loathed. Prince Blueblood came with a pony who rolled a red carpet for his hooves to tread on. But he stopped walking as he realized that no pony was bowing or kneeling to him. "What is the problem here? Don't you know you are supposed to bow for royalty." It didn't take more than a second for him to single out the large white wolf and his master. The ponies went back to their business as Blueblood approached Starfall. "I didn't think they were allowing animals in here..Odd to see why she and he is here." he looked towards Rarity and Frosthowl as he spoke. Frosthowl opened his mouth revealing all of his large fangs that could kill the fake prince with one bite. But he smiled as he knew that one bite would be Frosthowl’s last. "Careful Blueblood. He might not bite, but I promise you, I'll do you much worse then a simple bite." The prince said narrowing his eyes. Blueblood snorted. "I'm not surprised that you would, You and your father are both brutes who always used your uncivilized methods to solve all your problems." He crept a stinging smile. Fancy pants and Rarity widened their eyes expecting the prince to get a good beating from the prince for disrespecting his father..But instead Starfall just smiled. "I don't mind being a little uncivilized every now and then. I am true royalty compared to you." Prince Bluebloods stinging smile went away. "You are just the bastard child of some pony my aunt courted with centuries ago. her son courted with another of her subjects and so on and so on, Unlike me. My father was the heir to the throne to the crystal empire and my mother is the sovereign princesses of Equestria, which makes me 100% royalty. You are always overplaying something you clearly are not, and that is royalty. You like to call Celestia your aunt which I personally find hilarious. In the end of the day you are just as worthy as an Appleloosan but at least they are friendly company. While you go ahead and live your short lifespan, I will enjoy Immortality along side my mother whilst sitting in my throne ruling my empire and country.!" Starfall's eyes changed for a moment from blue to red and back again. Fancy pants, Rarity and Blueblood were staring at Starfall with open mouths from the insult of a lifetime. "How...HOW DARE YOU!?" He spoke up loud enough for everyone to turn their head towards his tantrum. Blueblood bit his napkin and used it to slap the prince in the cheek. "I challange you to a duel!" All the ponies gasped as they saw the human boy being challanged. "Winner stays as prince of Equestria, Loser leaves Canterlot forever." "Starfall don-" Rarity was interrupted before she could finish. The prince looked around and saw that everyone was staring intently at their interaction. "Don't be a fool Foolblood. My kind forged the sword to fit the palm of my hand. This is a duel you cannot possibly hope to win." "So you decline? I thought so!" "I never said I decline, I was just saying that you just bought yourself a ticket to Appaloosa...I accept your challenge Prince Foolblood!" "Stop calling me that!" All the ponies gasped as Starfall accepted the invitation. He could hear the ponies whispering. "Frosthowl, Would you be as kind to bring a pair of dueling rapiers from the castle?" The high society ponies were all watching by the library. "Starfall I am so sorry you got dragged into this." Fancy pants apologized for the prince's situation. "I understand your reasons for not going up against him, you have a reputation to keep up with these ponies and he could imprison you because he is still a noble of Canterlot. Its time that someone with the same title stands up to this oaf!" Rarity was feeling a bit guilty for being partially responsible for dragging Starfall to this duel. "Oh Starfall, I'm so sorry I-" "-Please aunty, stop speaking to me as I am going to lose, I already know how this is going to end. "But why did you have to accept his challenge?" "Because a true gentlecolt stands up for a lady." He gave his aunt a cocky smile. "Lets get this over with!" Frosthowl was sitting quietly next to the fashionista and looking intently at the duel. Starfall put on his net helmet and received his rapier from the referee "The rules are the following; No magic, no unnatural strength or speed.-" He looked at Starfall who his father was legendary for being strong as a Ursa major. "-And no physical contact apart from the rapier. The first to get thee jabs wins!" The two princes looked at each other before raising their rapiers, "You cannot hope to win a fencing duel against me, I'm the four times champion of Equestria." Blueblood smugly bragged thinking that would lower Starfall's morale. The prince just kept quiet and crossed his rapier and Bluebloods signifying that he is read to begin and that the duel begin now! The duel started and Starfall was countering every single technique like it was child play for him. "Tell me, Blueblood! What gives you the right to look down on our subjects as if they were our slaves?" The prince said whilst reflecting his opponents jabs. Blueblood didn't answer and Starfall retaliated by jabbing him quickly in the chest. "Answer me!" He said as his opponent got back on his forehooves. "I have the right to speak to anyone as I please because I have royal blood flowing through my veins!" He answered and raised his repair for another round and the prince did the same, followed with another several strikes that prove to be a mere brain numbing activity for Starfall. "I have royal blood flowing through my veins as well, yet I do not treat our subjects as they were worth any less then me to you!" The spectators were listening on the conversation and looked at each other as the prince did have a valid point. "My mother nor my aunt are pure born but still they treat every single living being with respect and dignity!" Starfall went in for another successful jab which knocked Blueblood off his hooves again. "The life of royalty is more worth than a simple peasant! I am a prince, I can do whatever I want!" Blueblood stood back up and raised his rapier again but this time he was very nervous. "And do not claim to lecture me about the sanctity of life, you and your furball of a pet, devour the flesh of an animal on a weekly basis." The fencing began again, and Blueblood was as much of a challenge as he was in the first round. "You're wrong, everypony is as much worth as the other, No matter their financial success or their living class.” Then, with one clash, Blueblood’s rapier went spinning out of his hoof. Starfall pointed His rapier at the quivering mess’s head and continued; “A true leader does what is best for her or his people and you clearly are everything that My Aunt and mother stand against. There is a reason why you aren't sitting on the throne, its because you don't understand the concept of leadership, to have ponies following you because they know you are the best for them and they follow you willingly. Lightbringer forbid if you would ever be sitting on the throne." Starfall tapped Blueblood’s head with the egde of his rapier, as the defeated pony started to whimper and cry. He took off his helmet and looked at Starfall with fear and despair. "I want my subjects to thrive and live happy lives. Your motives are out of selfish reasons, and that is the difference between you and me and the difference between a prince and a rat!" The ponies applauded, not just at Starfall's victory. But his ideals. "I don't want you leaving Canterlot. What I want you to do is live your life without being a royal pain to anyone, If you ever address yourself as a prince again, Frosthowl will know and he won't be far behind...Mark my words!" Starfall narrowed his eyes at the defeated commoner. "I'm done here!" The prince levitated his rapier back to the referee. "Simply an incredible performance Starfall, How did you get so good at dueling?" Fancy pants asked as he, his wife, Frosthowl and Starfall were walking side by side on their way to the concert. "I've been training for years in several different weapons, and my advantage was simply my birth right, swords were made for humans, not ponies." Rarity snapped back as she heard that the prince had been training with potentially dangerous weapons for years now. "I trust you that this new found knowledge will be kept between us four?" He said turning towards Rarity who was in a uncomfortable situation. She couldn't bring herself to do that when he just stood up for a lady like he did. Rarity sighed. "Fine! But I don't want to know more so I don't have to lie to your mother." Starfall and his companions were sitting on the balcony of the music hall and eagerly awaiting their friend to start. The hall fell quiet as the performance began. A single mare began playing her Violin. The note started high, and slowly lowed in tune and stopped, allowing another moment of anticipating silence to fill the crowd’s ears. Then a stallion at the piano began to play an entrancing yet somber chord, that repeated itself four times before Sweetie opened her mouth to sing. The music was tear movingly beautiful..the young unicorn really knew how to project her voice to the point of pure perfection. As more string instruments began to chime into the mesmerizing piece, Rarity levitated a napkin to remove a tear that was going down her cheek and leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. Frosthowl was lying on the ground, soothed by the music and with his tongue out with a smile that showed his teeth in a drowsy grin. Starfalls attention was set on a particular violinist who was standing next to the singer and perfectly acing her notes. The prince could feel that he was starting to get goose bumps as the violinist hit the high notes. But there was something familiar with the violinist.."Aunty do you happen to know the name of the violinist?" Starfall pointed towards the unicorn with light purple and gray fur with a blonde mane similar to someone he knew. Rarity glanced at Fancy pants quickly before answer his question. "I'm surprised you don't recognize her. Thats Dinky, Vigile's step daughter." Starfall just stared at the young mare. "Vigile's step daughter..?" He mutters quietly to himself. The musical came to an end and Rarity went down from the balcony to congratulate her little sister in person. "I am so proud of you dear sister!" Rarity hugged her little sister whilst crying dramatically. Fancy pants and Starfall along with Frosthowl were witnessing the touching moment. "Hey, you're the prince aren't you?" Came a voice a small bit behind the prince. Starfall turned around to see the mare that he had been admiring a few moments ago. Starfall felt like his throat had frozen in for a second and he could barely breath. "Hi...I mean- prince-." This awkward confrontation was quickly noticed by Frosthowl who decided to throw his master a bone. He stepped closer to the mare and bowed down making the gray purple mare smile in amazement. "Wow, its nice to meet you...?" Frosthowl used his tail to hit Starfall on his back "-Frosthowl!" The prince snapped back from his incessant stuttering. "This is my friend Frosthowl and I am Prince Starfall." Starfall charismatically grabbed the unicorns hoof and kissed it. "What is your name?" He asked already knowing the question. She blushed a bit from the greeting. "I'm..I'm Dinky Doo." She blushingingly smiled. "Dinky Doo huh? You don't happen to be any relation to Ditzy Doo?" "Yup, that's my mom." She gave the prince a warm smile which made Starfall stutter a bit. "Maybe you know my dad as well. He is the captain of the royal guard." "Ah yes, Captain Vigile. A very good friend of mine." The prince composed himself. "Say, I haven't seen you around the castle? I know your entire family but I've never met you..Why is this?" "Oh, I've been busy touring all of Equestria with my mentor Octavia." She waved off in slight embarrassment. "Dinky, we gotta go now! We still got the 10 o'clock performance by the garden!" A voice came from the distance that turned out to be a earth pony, her features were gray fur, light black mane with amethyst eyes. "Sorry Starfall but I gotta go now. I hope we see eachother soon." Dinky said as she levitated her violin case and ran to her mentor. "Hope to see you too.." The prince said disappointed. Starfall turned around to see that his aunt was smiling with an annoying grin. "Aww that was adorable, your first crush! I can’t wait to tell the others about this." Like Starfall was hit by a meteor as his face shifted into a embarrassed wide gaze at his aunt."What!? I don’t have a crush on her!" He responded whilst blushing in embarrassment. "Darling you are just too cute, Look he's blushing." She leaned on Sweetie belle as she spoke. "TIS A LIE!" He yelled out but didn't have an effect on the snickering mares. Starfall sighed. "Fancy Pants thank you for inviting me along, Its certainly been an eventful evening, but I have to head home now before my mother gets worried and sends half the royal guard after me." "Very well Starfall, and don't mind Rarity," He leaned closer to the human. "You know she just wants to speed up the day you have your royal marriage." He smiled jokingly. Starfall bowed and made his way out of the building with Frosthowl at his side. Frosthowl was looking at the prince with a grin that showed his teeth. "Oh don't you start as well Frost! I don't have a crush on her." Frosthowl didn't change his facial expression. "What is up with everypony today?" The prince was exhausted after a long night of studying, reading and playing with his trusty companion. He was making his way back to his room. The sun was about to raise and he could feel his powers diminishing once again. "Starfall?" The motherly voice of his aunt echoed from the other side of the hallway. "Yes Aunty?" The Prince responded without turning around. He could feel his aunts presence right behind him as she wanted to talk to him. "The guards have reported to me that you have been experience..from the sound of it some intense day terrors..Is it true?" The Prince's heart skipped a beat as he realized that if he confesses, his mother will visit one of his horrific dreams and see that her sons mind is filled with evil visions. "No, I do not have any day terrors, its..." The prince rushed in his mind for a good lie. "Its just when I feel Frosthowl’s tail on my feet I get scared and wake up in shock." Starfall's face was a perfect poker face but his mind was panicking and hoping she would believe him. Celestia nodded. "Very well, Off to sleep then my favorite nephew." She lowered her head and gave the boy a kiss on the cheek. which the prince also gave back. "Good day aunty Celestia." He smiled as he opened the door to his room where Frosthowl was already sleeping. But before he closed the door his aunts voice came again. "Oh and Starfall!" The Prince stuck his head out and turned towards his aunt. "Impressive fencing skills you have there young man." She winked at Starfall, pretty much stating that she knows of his secret training and dueling. Starfall didn't respond and quickly closed the door.