//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: True Blue Hero // by totallynotabrony //------------------------------// Slipping back into the castle after dawn was difficult, but with Trudy’s help Blueblood managed to avoid all the guards and get back to his bedroom without being seen.  He closed the window and drew the blinds, shrouding the room in darkness. That didn’t mean he couldn’t see, however.  He wasn’t sure, but his night vision might be a little better now.  If Trudy could change his entire face, she could probably alter his eyes too. Though the thought of his organs being experimented on by her didn’t sit too well with him. Blueblood took a moment to look in the mirror.  His mask and the terrifying maw his mouth had transformed into made him look quite repulsive, yet he couldn’t help but find it awesome. It was grim and dark, just like he wanted his hero alter ego to be. “Glad it’s just a costume,” he muttered. “Um, about that,” Trudy said, her face appearing in the mirror. “What?!” Blueblood sputtered. She smirked.  “I didn’t say that I couldn’t change you again.  I just meant that it’s less of a costume and more of a biological aspect. But don’t worry, I can turn you back alright.” As if peeling back from his skin, the mask and costume receded over Blueblood’s body, turning back into the clothes he’d been wearing before and leaving him looking completely normal.  Well, except for the wings, but they were concealed under his jacket. He admired his handsome face for a moment, somewhat relieved that the toothy grin was only temporary, and then yawned deeply, turning for the bed.  Blueblood’s fatigue seemed to hit him all at once, the aches and pains incurred during the previous night catching up with him. The door opened slowly and a maid stuck her head in.  “Prince–oh, I see that you’re already up.” “Not for long,” Blueblood grumbled.  He walked past the maid and fell into bed.  She stared at him for a moment before shaking her head and closing the door. Exhaustion must have really been playing on his body if he brushed off a pretty mare like that, or more likely, Blueblood was turned off on the idea of maids ever since learning what had happened to him. The morning passed quickly while Blueblood snoozed.  He missed breakfast and was on the verge of missing lunch when he awoke. Not like anyone would’ve missed him. Most ponies in the castle already knew to avoid his room if he overslept, just assuming he was having another hangover after an all night bender. The sleep had not fully rested him, but he got out of bed anyway.  He was stiffer and more sore than he had been, his muscles tightening while asleep. But at least he didn’t feel the full effects of the fight he had participated in last night, thanks to Trudy’s useful healing ability on his body. Blueblood did a few stretches, attempting to loosen up.  While he was thinking about it, he did some pushups and situps, remembering the importance he assigned to being in a healthy shape at all times. You just missed lunch, Trudy informed him. “Huh?”  Blueblood paused in his exercise.  “How do you know?” I saw the time when your eyes glanced at the clock.  Unlike you, I was actually paying attention. “What are you, my secretary?”  Blueblood paused.  “Actually, now that I mention it…” I’m not your personal assistant, Trudy replied rather crossly.  I’m just doing what is best for both of us.  You know, things like eating? As she spoke, Blueblood’s stomach growled.  He realized that he’d been hungry, but it was hard to feel with all the pain in his body dulling his senses. “Ugh,” Blueblood muttered.  “Well, if we missed lunch, I could go get leftovers from the kitchen or something.  I really feel like going out, though.” How about that nice pub you like downtown? Trudy suggested. “It’s like you read my mind,” Blueblood murmured.  He paused, realization of the statement hitting him.  He facehoofed and Trudy chuckled quietly. Blueblood withstood his hunger for a few minutes longer, taking a quick shower.  Throwing his jacket back on to cover his wings, he grabbed some money and went out the door.   The castle guards didn’t react to him as he walked through the castle towards the exit.  They didn’t try to stop him from leaving, arguing that it was dangerous for royalty to go alone.  Blueblood was unsure if they thought he would be okay to go alone, or if they just didn’t care about him. By his track record, the latter was more likely. Trotting down town, Blueblood came to Manedackery, his favorite pub in the downtown district of the city. While not the seediest of places, he still wouldn’t trust to walk down its streets at night without some guards by his side. But in the daylight, it was a pleasant looking pub with an old-timey, homely feel once you entered through its doors. Making his way through the light smog of tobacco smoke from the numerous patrons puffing at their pipes, he chose a bar stool near the end of the bar and knocked his hoof on the counter. “Hey O’Buck, got something to eat in this joint?” The stallion behind the bar scowled at Blueblood. Most ponies would find this an intimidating sight, since O’Buck was about as tall as a mountain and had enough muscle on him to make Blueblood look like a lightweight. Making his way over to the end of the bar, he stopped at Blueblood’s stool and snorted. “Aye, Princey, we got some grub. Don’t suppose your finer tastes would like it.” Blueblood smirked. “Normally true, but where else can I get authentic food from the fair isles? Castle cooks sure can’t make it, so I suppose this eating establishment will have to do.” O’Buck continued to fix Blueblood with a harsh frown, until it broke out in a grin, albeit one missing a few teeth.  “Aye, it will have to do.  I do sometimes wonder what you would do without my establishment, Blueblood.” “Starve, maybe.”  The two of them shared a chuckle.  While Blueblood wouldn’t be caught dead in public at a place like this, with a pony like O’Buck, here in the pub everypony kept to themselves, and all were just folk. Plus, it felt good to get out of the stuffiness of the castle for a change. Blueblood did not bother to order, as O’Buck did not have a menu.  His special talent was being a proper host, and that included having a feel for what his patrons wanted or needed.  He soon set a mug of dark beer in front of Blueblood as well as a hearty sandwich and hay fries. While certainly not as exquisite as castle fare, Blueblood didn’t disregard this peasant food like he usually would. Tucking in, Blueblood closed his eyes with the first bite and savored it.  He would have to work out harder to offset the possible unhealthiness of the tasty food, but his joy now was worth it. All the pushups and situps in the world were worth the bounty of the meal before him. Did you hear that? Trudy asked. “Huh?” Blueblood murmured quietly. You weren’t paying attention to your own ears?  She sighed.  Anyway, I just heard somepony mention a couple of costumed ponies going around Canterlot at night. That got Blueblood’s attention.  He chewed more slowly, trying to pinpoint the conversation of interest.  He managed to pick it up again. “Are you saying we have vigilantes running around?” asked a stallion at a nearby table. “Sure looks like it.  I even hear a few of them are alicorns,” his tablemate replied in a low voice. Blueblood smirked slightly and held up his sandwich to hide it.  The expression was wiped off his face, however, as the conversation went on. “Yeah, a few of them are.  The others are either normal ponies or something else.” “Something else?” asked the other pony, echoing Blueblood’s unspoken question. “Dunno,” came the reply.  “I’m hearing all this secondhoof.” Despite the lack of details, the implications were worrying.  Blueblood and Bright were not the only superheroes out there.  While more potential spotlight hogs annoyed him, Blueblood was smart enough to realize that superheroes didn’t just happen.  What was causing the sudden appearance of them all? Maybe...there are more like us? “But… how many could there be?” Blueblood whispered.  “And what about the ‘something else’ they mentioned?” Could just be a weird transformation.  You certainly didn’t look like yourself in disguise. Blueblood supposed that he would just have to go back out tonight and see for himself.  He finished his sandwich and beer, leaving money on the bar.  He turned for the door and had to step aside as a large blue minotaur came in. “A round on me!” The minotaur called, pumping his fist.  “When things are going my way, you don’t have to pay!” Blueblood promptly and happily did a one-eighty to return to the bar and collect his promised drink. I wonder what this guy’s so happy about? Trudy wondered. Blueblood shrugged inwardly.  He didn’t care as long as it got him free beer.  He toasted the minotaur and slugged back his mug. After finishing his drink, Blueblood put the glass down and wandered out of the pub. Sure you’re going to make it home alright, or do I need to direct you to the castle? “I’m not that much of a lightweight,” Blueblood complained.  He stumbled a little, quickly adding, “And that doesn’t prove anything!” Whatever. Just don’t fly under the influence anytime soon. Would be a shame if the cops arrested their prince over such a stupid event. “Wouldn’t be the first time…” Blueblood said bitterly, taking a different route back to the castle. The usual hustle and bustle of the city went on around him, while Blueblood himself walked through it with hardly a glance. He didn’t really belong among the lower sectors, and never would be. Sure, he now considered himself a defender of the populace, but that didn’t mean he would ever be accepted as one of them. But still, it was nice to take a stroll through someplace that wasn’t spotless from constant servant work or guarded by soldiers all the time. Wait, what’s that? Trudy interrupted his pleasant thoughts. Blueblood glanced left and right. “What, I don’t see anything?” You really are oblivious, aren’t you? I’m using your eyes, for pete’s sake! Right in front of you! Blueblood peered before him, stunned to see the street riddled with broken glass and surrounded by the Canterlot police force. “Oh yeah… wondered how I missed that.” I’d insult you, but that’s just wasting more time. Go figure out what’s all the hubbub. “Sure thing, Miss Nags-A-Lot,” Blueblood muttered under his breath, approaching the first police officer in sight. “Excuse me, my fine gent, but what seems to be the commotion here?” Blueblood asked, trying his best to roughen his normally noble accent down to acceptable street levels. The police stallion ran a hoof through his scruffy mustache, giving Blueblood a quick once over before replying. “There was a break in right as the dawn broke over the horizon. Place was looted, and not a bit can be found in the register.” “Such a shame. Sad, sad shame,” Blueblood replied with a shaking of his head. “But was any mention of the robber recorded? Any basic description at all?” “Well… they said the perp was a minotaur,” the police officer said, tapping his chin as he rattled his brain. “Blue one at that. But with the influx of immigrant minotaur workers with all the new construction jobs expanding the city, it’ll be like finding a needle in a haystack.” “Well, I hope you find the criminal, officer,” Blueblood replied with a quick nod of his head, already turning back to the bar. You’re not going to start a bar brawl in the middle of the day, are you? “At least have some more belief in me than that,” Blueblood said with a slight chuckle, eagerness driving his hooves faster through the streets. “I’m going to start one at night.”