Chapter 22
As I walked with Twilight to the train station, I was very glad it would take a couple hours to reach Canterlot, I needed the sleep. I was up late thinking about the kiss Rose gave me, and how much I wanted another one. Of course, I wanted more, but I would settle for another kiss right now.
Twilight was talking to me the whole time, but I wasn’t listening. I had another mare on my mind. It wasn’t until Rainbow Dash swooped down and landed on my back, wrapping her forelegs around my neck and draping her head to one side.
“Hey, you weren’t planning on leaving and not saying ‘bye’ to your friends were you?” Rainbow ask- accused.
“No, of course not, I just wasn’t thinking straight is all.”
“I’ll say,” Twilight confirmed. “I’ve been telling embarrassing stories about him all the way from the library and he hasn’t said a thing.”
“You what? For all these ponies to hear? Why you evil purple menace.” I flicked the tip of her horn causing Twilight to wince while she laughed. “Oh, I almost forgot, I need to get Mom’s cake from the Cake’s before I hit the train station.”
“Well make it quick,” Rainbow ordered as she flew up from my shoulders, “everypony’s waiting on you.”
We waved to each other as she flew away. Twilight and I continued to Sugarcube Corner. I got the cake and got to play with the foals a little before we had to leave. So I got to have fun and I prevented an Equestria-wide disaster, a win-win. We left the bakery and headed straight for the station.
I know what you’re thinking, ‘why didn’t he stop by to see Rose one more time before he left town?’ but I had seen her last night and the train was scheduled to leave within the hour. Besides, all my other friends were waiting on me. The five other Element bearers and their sisters were already on the platform and prepared to give me a big send off. Heck, even the mayor had shown up.
“Chris!” Pinkie shouted as she launched herself at my chest, wrapping me in a serious bear hug. Luckily, Twilight had been quick enough to snatch Celestia’s cake from me with her magic and hold it high above our heads before Pinkie could ruin it.
“Pinkie Pie!” Rarity chastised. “You know better than to attack somepony like that. Somepony could have been hurt.”
“Aw, it’s okay, Rarity, because Chris isn’t a pony! He’s a big, tough predator!” Pinkie growled. Rarity rolled her eyes and sighed while everypony else laughed at her antics.
Pinkie finally slid off me and Rarity walked up to offer her farewell. “Darling, it was an honor to make that outfit for you and I shall make you many more if you like.”
“I would like that, Rarity. In fact, I think I may have to place an order right now for more day-to-day clothing. Mom’s jerkins are nice and all, but they’re not the most comfortable.”
“Oh, excellent. Here, consider this a sample of my upcoming work.” A box was levitated into my hands.
Upon opening the box, I found a cotton shirt with Celestia’s cutie mark on the breast and some nice slacks to match. “This is great, Rarity.” I knelt down and hugged her, “thank you so much.”
“You are quite welcome. And please feel free to visit us here anytime.”
I stood up and nodded to her. I was then slugged in the shoulder by Rainbow Dash. “And don’t forget, you and I still need to get some more sparring in. I mean, I can’t have some alien from another world being more awesome than me, now can I?”
I rubbed her scruffy mane and laughed, “no, I suppose we can’t have that. After all, there can be only one awesomest in Equestria.”
“Hay yeah!” she shouted as she drifted away.
Next thing I knew, I was on the ground with three little fillies on my chest. I could tell they were saying something along the lines of ‘we’ll miss you’, but I couldn’t distinguish any individual words. Luckily, my salvation in orange fur was there to save the day. All three were lassoed and yanked off of me.
“Now, ya’ll know better than ta jump on ponies like that. ‘Specially when they’re as squishy as he is.” Applejack laughed, quite pleased with herself. She trotted up with a bag of apples in her mouth, I took them from her. “Her ya go, the biggest, juiciest apples on meh farm. Ah hope ya like ‘em.”
“Thanks, Applejack. I be sure to share these with Mom and Aunt Luna. They’ll love them.”
I felt a tug on the back of my shirt. I turned around and saw Fluttershy sitting on her haunches and hiding behind her mane. I knelt down to be on her level. She surprised me by hugging me tightly, I could’ve sworn I saw her wings twitch a little, but she probably just lost her balance. I made me feel a little guilty that I didn’t get a chance to see her more while I was visiting. I was even about to tell her so, but we were interrupted.
“I hope you weren’t going to try to sneak off without saying goodbye.”
I turned my head and saw her, Roseluck. She was looking as beautiful as always. “Rose, you made it!” Fluttershy slowly released me and I made my way over to Rose. She stood up on her hindlegs and we hugged. I even got another kiss. It was on the cheek, but I gladly accepted.
“Of course I did. I couldn’t let my stallion leave town without me saying goodbye. Though you seemed to be fine with it.”
“What? No, I- that’s not- I didn’t-”
This time, I was interrupted by lips being pressed firmly against mine. A moment later, she pulled back, “you’re so cute when you’re flustered.” We went back to hugging. It almost made me want to stay here, but the train conductor had other plans.
“All aboard for Canterlot! The train will be leaving in one minute!”
“Well, I guess I should get going. I’ll see you all again soon.” I kissed Rose, “I’ll see you even sooner. Miss Mayor, thank you for making me feel so welcome in your town.”
“You’re very welcome, your highness. Please, feel free to return anytime.”
“Of course I will. Ladies, I wish I could stay longer, but I need to be getting home. Farewell my friends.”
I climbed aboard and quickly found a seat. I leaned out the window and waved. In fact, I waved until I couldn’t see the station anymore. After I pulled myself back inside, I sat back in my seat and watched the world go by. It wasn’t long before I slipped into Luna’s realm. At least this time I didn’t enter R.E.M. sleep, and my nap went uninterrupted.
*****
“…Canterlot Station! Please collect your belongings and watch your step!” the conductor called, rousing me from my sleep.
I stood up and stretched, bumping my hands into the ceiling and walls. I snickered and picked up my bags and cake, not easily accomplished without magic, and made my way onto the platform. I was quickly recognized by a guard who rushed over.
“Your highness, please allow me to assist with your luggage.”
The cake was lifted from my hand but I held onto my bags. “Thank you very much. Could you see to it that they all make it to the palace?” A cart was rushed over, seemingly from nowhere and I placed my bags on it and the cake was laid on top.
“Of course, Prince. If you wish, I can also arrange for a chariot for yourself.”
“No, that’s okay, I want my arrival to be a surprise, but thank you for the offer.”
“As you wish,” the guard said as he bowed. He then barked some orders and the cart was rushed off by a bell hop. “Do you wish for an escort to the palace?”
“Hmm… sure, just don’t get too close. I have a hard enough time not scaring ponies as it is.”
“Yes, sir.”
And with that, I began my stroll through the royal city. I did my best to appear friendly and non-threatening, and the guards did their best to be inconspicuous. Sadly, it’s hard to be sneaky while wearing gold armor, just like it’s hard to not look like a predator when you are one. I was soon realizing, I wasn’t in Ponyville anymore.
Now, nopony was being mean and there wasn’t any panic, but I could hear the whispers. Being as tall as I am, I could see over the heads of ponies and the look on a lot of their faces was not one of happy excitement. I almost wished I had taken a chariot, but I knew exposure was the best option. The only way to distill fear, was to show them the had no need for it.
“Stop! Thief!”
I turned to look up the street at the source of the distress call in time to see a brown unicorn stallion come galloping straight towards me followed by a tan earth mare in a shopkeeper’s apron. Other ponies were getting out of the way of the two-pony stampede, which was probably the wise thing to do. I was never accused of being wise.
I stepped to the side and readied myself. With my knees bent and arms outstretched, I was set. Just as the stallion was beginning to pass me, I wrapped my arms around his barrel and lifted him off the ground. His momentum caused me to spin and stumble, but I managed to stay upright with him held tight against my chest.
“Please, let me go! I’m sorry, please!” he begged as he squirmed. I heard the distinct sound of an apple hitting the ground and rolling away.
I managed to get him down on the ground and pressed a knee down on his ribs and grabbed his horn with one hand, both immobilizing his head and body, and blocking his magic. The whole time, he was begging me to let him go and saying he was sorry. Shortly after, the mare who was chasing him caught up and so did the guards who were following me.
“You caught him! Thank you, *gasp* your majesty.” The mare dropped into a bow. The fact that she still had some forward momentum made it quite humorous.
“Prince Chris, are you alright?” one of the guards asked.
“I’m fine, thanks. Now, Miss, what happened here?”
The mare rose. “This guy just stole an apple from my cart and took off. He’s been stealing from vendors all over the marketplace. He’s a no good thief.”
“No, I’m not! Please, let me go.” The stallion struggled again, but he wasn’t going anywhere.
“Quiet!” A magic aura surrounded his hooves and horn. I released his horn and stood up. “You’ll be able to explain yourself to the princess!”
The thief was hauled off by a couple guards leaving one for me. I could hear him begging for his release the whole time. I actually felt bad for him. He stole food, if he had stolen bits or something of value, that would be one thing, but he stole food. I just hope Celestia goes easy on him.
“Thank you again, your majesty,” the shopkeeper said. She picked the apple he had taken up off the ground. “Dang, this apple is no good now.”
I pulled out my pouch of bits, there were only five left. I handed it to her. “Will this cover it?” She nodded, accepted it, bowed again, and happily trotted off.
“Are you certain you’re alright, Prince?” I assured him I was. “Oh good, I’d hate to imagine what your mother would do to any of us if you were injured on our watch.”
“Yeah, me too.” I walked over to the dropped apple and picked it up. It didn’t look like much and it wasn’t very big. Why risk stealing something like this?
I walked over to a nearby dumpster and tossed it in. Nopony would want an apple this bruised. Inside, I found an old canvas tarp and was struck with an idea. The tarp was a little dirty and covered with holes, but it was too good to pass up.
Fifteen minutes later, my guard and I arrived at the palace. I said hello to maids and guards as I walked in and told them to keep my arrival secret for just a bit longer. After all, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if somepony blabbed to Celestia.
Shortly, I reached the corridor outside the throne room. There was still a few ponies waiting to see Celestia. They all had some reason to see her and ask for her assistance. Some valid, many more that were petty. She once told me that this was a royal duty that she both loved and loathed. She loved being able to help her citizens, but she despised seeing just how selfish and greedy they can be.
I waited until there wasn’t any more ponies in line and set my plan into action. I sat on the floor and brought my knees as tight against my chest as possible. Then, I wrapped the tarp around myself. A guard even helped to make sure that I was totally concealed, then he headed inside the throne room.
“Are there any more ponies out there, or are we finished for the day?” I could hear the carefully hidden fatigue. I guess she wasn’t getting much sleep lately, and these requests were zapping what little energy she had left.
“There is only one stallion remaining, Princess.”
“Very well, *sigh* send him in.”
“I would, your highness, but he said he doesn’t wish to sully you with his horrible deformities and maladies. He refuses to enter the throne room.”
Celestia stood from her throne and began to walk toward the huge doors. “Nonsense! I would never sink so low as to turn away any of my little ponies based on their looks!” The doors swung open and my vision was filled with gold-tipped, white legs, I couldn’t see anything else due to the tarp. “Please, my fair stallion, tell me what it is you need.”
I spoke with a scratchy growl so as to disguise my voice. “My dear princess, I do not wish to trouble you, but I need a home. You see, my misshapen body has prevented me from finding a job, friends, or… even a mare. I don’t need much, just a roof over my head to protect me from the cruelty of nature. Please, can you help me?”
“Of course I will help you, you poor thing. Now please, let me see your face.”
Slowly, I raised an arm and allowed the tarp to slide up, revealing my hand. I heard a loud gasp just a split-second before the tarp was ripped away by her magic. I looked up into her huge eyes and smiled, “hey, Mom. I’m home.”
Now, I’m sure there have probably been a few rumors about our reunion, but I want to straighten something out, Celestia absolutely did not tackle me in a huge hug that included all four legs and both wings that wound up having us rolling down the hallway while she licked my face. There was no face-licking involved at all. However, there was a lot of kisses.
“Oh… my baby’s back home! This is the best way to end a long day of court ever! I’ve missed you so~ much! I swear I’m not letting you go for a lo- Honey, what happened to your face?”
“Huh, what are you talking about? Where?” I asked as I touched my own face. Then I felt a stinging pain just under my eye. “Oh, I guess I got scratched by that guy’s horn when I caught him. No big deal.”
“Wait, what guy? What happened?”
The guard who had escorted me stepped up to respond. “You should be proud of him, Princess. Your son caught a thief in the marketplace and tackled him to the ground. All by himself too. It was… all…”
You know, I never really wondered what an ethereal mane would look like if it was made of fire, but I know now. “BRING ME THE CONDEMNED! RIGHT NOW!”
And that was my homecoming.
I fear Equestria's first summary execution in over 1,000 years may be about to take place.
Awesome! 9/10 mustashes
not that i'm a very good critic anyway, but still AWESOME STORY
Please stay awesome.
That, that right there made being up at 3am worth it.
Poor bastard. You know, Celestia, murdering anypony who lays a hoof on your son is not going to lower the fear of him.
4649595 Plans, plans everywhere
4062004 http://i.imgur.com/hINj1xf.png
There's a lesson the be learned here. Don't mess with Chis or Celestia will destroy you. P.S. I wish this mustache was pink >>
Another good chapter! You keep it fun and entertaining!
That poor sod, mother hen celestia is on duty xD. Happy to see another update!
The condemned? Geeze, Celestia, we know you're overprotective but prejudging the guy is a bit much.
Damm, I hope Celestia goes easy on that theif. I also wonder how she'll react when she dicovered that he had and escort that did absolutely nothing
Oh, the carnage will be... delicious
lol, poor thief... i actually feel bad for the punishment some ones gonna get for a crime for once...
on a side note... still loving this story
Oooh that thief is in TROUBLE
Eeeeh, I dunno. Stealing ONE apple is something you do when you're absolutely desperate. If you were just stingy or greedy you'd take a lot more. So I can't help but wonder where he's coming from.
I make a wild guess and say: Celestia is a little bit overprotective about Chris
Looks like somepony is going to the moon.
I would like to see Chris trying to stop Celestia. Just an old fashioned stand off between an alicorn and a predator.
Off with his head!!!
....and then there will be cake
4649873 True, we only ever saw Blueblood in three episodes, 'Ticket Master', 'The Best Night Ever', and 'Sweet and Elite' (though he was purely background in that on). The only interaction any pony has had with Blueblood, he was a jerk.
Chris ~ "Calm down Mother, Calm down
Celestia ~ 'Sparks and Flames still raging in her mane'
Chris ~ "Calm down, you must be a Leader not a Mother when talking to him"....................'Idea' "Or you don't get the gift I brought from Ponyville"
Celestia ~ Still flaming no sparks, "What gift" said in a quiet slightly dark voice
Chris ~ "Oh just a big Cake I thought you might like, but it's for my Calm and Fair mother" slowly walking away and to the window
Celestia ~ "................." ".................."
Celestia ~ "The cakes all might right, I don't need to share?"
Chris ~ Evil victory grin "Maybe, Maybe not. Depends on the Fair ruler, not the Protective mother"
Celestia ~ "I'll be good , but I want a look at the cake First!"
Chris ~ "You can have a smell, a Look if your calm and a Taste if your Fair"
Just then a Unicorn stallion was brought in followed by to guards, Chris looked over at the stallion "Now how will the Princess deal with this thief" just loud enough for his mother and the stallion to hear.
Whoaaa calm down there Princess. 'tis not becoming of royalty to jump to such extremes without proper evidence and a fair trial.
Or a lot of cake. Either works just as good.
if that's the reaction to just a scratch I can't imagine what kind of wrath she'll bring on Rose for kisses
4650100 THE HORROR THE HORROR!!!!!
Well he's boned!
I'm starting to lose interest in this story cris is to much of a kiss up trying to make everyone like him make him a jerk not just a nice guy. Also the plot is so straight forward and not happening at all.
Lies, I TOTALLY see Celestia licking him at least 2 or 3 times before kissing him, its a natural response of mothers toward their cubs, and one of the more strongest forms of mother affections.
Men every single time I see Celestia and Chris she just keep making herself the mother of the century, I mean dear god for how much she keep spoiling him, its almost a miracle he didn't end up like blueblood. Good thing he decided to follow on Celestia steps instead of just keep drinking from her teats.
I'm serious if Celestia act MORE loving mother, she practically will be breast feeding him.
As for the thief, poor dude, he probably only wanted some food for himself or his family, I hope Celestia manage to calm down, I really never expect her get so ballistic over a scratch specially with some magic that can fix any scar in a bliss.
P.S: Troll Chris strike again, oh Celestia must be prouder by any day it pass
4650100
Don't forget Luna already knows, so…she could make sure Celestia don't give the poor creature a hard attack
4649972
And just case she is still mad.
Before it start
Chris: Approach Celestia and whisper in her ear "…and if you promise me to go easy on him…I will spend the night with you
Celestia: Surprise but hiding her face raise an eyebrow "go on"
Chris: "well after spending so much time away, and receiving a injury for the bad pony I really would love to sleep on the embrace of my sweet KIND and LOVING mother like we used to…but if my mom is scary I will get scare and would not like to hug her until I fell sleep"
Celestia: Address the stallion with a gentle smile and her mane now glowing in happiness "…mi dearest little pony…!"
The voice inside the thiefs head as they hear those words through the walls: Welp we're dead. Good luck pal. Hope you dont mind being turned into fried horse.
Well that thief is fucked, lets hear his sentence, shall we. Can't wait for more
4649611
Mother Hen? No no no my friend. If anything Celestia is a Mother BEAR if anything at the VERY LEAST... an Mother Ursa Major at the most.
Oh hell...Celestia...don't do this. It's a scratch. Not to mention obviously unintentional. Punishing him harshly for this would be like punishing a diamond dog simply because they were in the area when gems were stolen.
Sweet Celestia someponies going to get a lot of butt hurt.
4649728 I think that when they explain the situation, Celestia will go easy on him....
and give him only two death sentences.
4656322
"Instead of turn him into dust and banish half to the moon half to the sun, I will just turn him to dust."
Dude, i cannot tell you how much i love this story. I feel kinda bad for the guy who scratched Chris. I also can't wait to see how Celestia will react to the news that "her baby" has a fillyfriend.
4649881
Four, actually.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/5/3/616406__safe_twilight+sparkle_princess+luna_princess+celestia_screencap_princess+twilight_princess+cadance_hub+logo_sitting_official.png
That was during "Equestria Games".
4650608
YES INDEED BECAUSE WHEN I WAS YOUNG MY MOTHER ALWAYS LICKED MY FACE
4651454 I am thinking more along the lines of an ursa omega
4661127
I mean like in the cases of wolf, horses, lions, tigers and others, Celestia is not human after all maybe for a equine of Equestria lick your cub is normal
4660832
Does anyone else notices Blueblood had a different cutie mark? I didn't know ponies can change cutie marks at will…maybe he is a special case
4663744
No, you're not the only one. It's actually Fancypants', probably due to an animation error.
4663801
Oh…like when Rarity for a second became an alicorn, or the clone ponies glitch…interesting
I like to laugh a bit saying she really became an alicorn for a second and say 'oh! Rarity got alicornities'
4661309 I know that just being sarcastic
"BRING ME THE COMDEMNED RIGHT NOW!!!"
And hell come crashing through.
4660832 That does bring up an interesting question, are Saddle Arabians horses?
4663351 Never said they couldn't, griffons could just do it easier since they are a composite of two nasty predators.
4663801 Like when they were doing their cheer on the train in the third season and Fluttershy had Twilight's mark for a couple seconds.
4663971 Keep reading
Okay it says there is a new chapter which is 23. but I don't see the chapter was it pulled right away or something?