//------------------------------// // What Is A Prince? // Story: One Bolt, Moving Forward // by Boltsinger //------------------------------// Boltsinger walked through a hallway in Canterlot castle, Spike lounging on his back. Raven Inkwell walked on one side of him, with Prince Blueblood on the other. He carried himself with his head held high, his wings flared out in as regal a fashion as he could manage. Okay, so I basically need to do what this… I don’t even know what to call him… does? Doesn’t seem too hard… But why go through all of this when there’s plenty of other royalty I already know… Why do I have to… Well, she’s the expert. I guess I’ll just go with it. “So, I can’t help but wonder… How in Equestria did a rough-and-tumble Pegasus become a Prince?” Blueblood asked, taking a mildly disdainful look at the performance pony next to him. “The same way a captain of the royal guard became a Prince.” Boltsinger replied, returning his wings to their resting position. Blueblood’s head recoiled. “You married a Princess?! What Princess would ever want to marry somepony so… plain?” Boltsinger sighed aloud, looking at the hoity toity pony next to him with a straight face as he tried to maintain the composure he was working to obtain. “And how, dear Prince, did you become royalty?” Blueblood smirked, looking ahead. “Quite simple. I was born into greatness!” he bragged, tugging on his tie with his magic. “I’m in the same bloodline as the Royal Sisters!” The Pegasus tilted his head, genuinely curious about his less than humble companion for the first time. “But… They don’t have any immediate family besides one another. How in Celestia’s name… Pardon the phrasing… Are you related to them?” The white stallion flashed a grin. “Why, I’m their nephew!” “Seriously? I just said that they don’t have any other immediate family!” Boltsinger retorted, beginning to lose his patience. His composure was attempting to break as Raven put a hoof on his shoulder. “Blueblood is a far-removed relative.” the aide explained. “Princess Celestia told me that he is her great great great great great great great great great great great nephew from their mother’s side of the family.” Boltsinger slowed his breathing, putting what he was learning back into place. “I see…” Looking back at Blueblood, an idea crept into his head along with a smirk onto his muzzle. “So, that far removed… Does that truly make you a Prince? I would think that makes you more of a Duke.” Blueblood scoffed, picking up his pace as they rounded the corner to the next room. Inside were a pair of Abssynian dignitaries, at which the Prince smiled and trotted over happily. “Ah! You’re here! Welcome to Canterlot!” “Now, you’re going to see his diplomatic skills in action!” Raven stated. “Good diplomacy is key to maintaining relationships both in and outside of Equestria, and Prince Blueblood is a seasoned veteran of the art.” Boltsinger watched as the Unicorn Prince talked up a storm with the visiting felines, laughing occasionally about matters that had little to do with the business at hoof. “Really? He doesn’t come off as all that welcoming, though…” He sat in a corner of the room, Spike sitting next to him and looking bored. “What do you think?” He asked the dragon. “I think I wanna go to Pony Joe’s…” he responded, putting his head in his claws. “How is all this supposed to help you to help Twilight, anyway?” “Well… I can see how diplomacy helps... “ He admitted. “But I have to admit I agree with you for the most part. Raven's the expert, though. I’m sure she knows best.” After a three hour meeting, Boltsinger and Spike ran out of the room ahead of the dignitaries. The two looked at each other and cheered, the pony rearing up with glee while the dragon jumped happily. “FREEDOM!” they exclaimed in unison, starting to run towards the wide hallway. As they took their first steps, Boltsinger felt the familiar sensation of magical immobilization. His eyes turned back as Blueblood stepped forward, his horn alight as he shoved Spike out of his way. “Hey!” Spike began, moving to confront the pompous prince. Raven lit her own horn, wrapping him in her magic to pull him along. “Don’t worry about it. Just focus on the task at hoof.” Raven suggested. Boltsinger grumbled to himself, squinting at Blueblood as they were moved to the next destination. “And what is the task at hoof?” “You didn’t think the meeting with our new friends was over already, did you?” Blueblood wondered, letting the Pegasus loose. “Why, we have to entertain them for far longer if we’re ever going to talk business! Now we’re going to treat them to lunch, so be on your absolute best behavior!” “Do they even know who I am?” Boltsinger retorted, motioning a wing at himself. Blueblood chortled to himself. “Well, of course they do! I told them! What’s better than one Prince coming to meet them? Two Princes, of course!” Boltsinger sighed, rubbing his temples with his wings. “I see… And when were you going to tell me this?” “Excuse me, I just told you!” He replied. “Now pay attention and see how a true master works!” Boltsinger shook his head, turning and beckoning Spike over with his wing. “Well, at least you’re learning something.” Spike mentioned, hopping on his friend’s back and lounging against his neck. “Wake me when we get to do something, okay?” Boltsinger smiled back at his reptilian friend. “I’ll do that.” The group made their way to the dining room, where a large meal had been laid out for them. The cats took their seats, looking at their pony hosts curiously. Boltsinger sat across from one of them with the same feeling. “So…” the feline began, bringing a paw to his mouth. “You… are a Prince here in Equestria?” “Technically, yes. I guess you could say I’m still ‘in training’ for the job.” the Pegasus answered. “I have to admit, I’ve never met an Abssynian before. Only other cats I’ve met haven’t been so… conversational and reasonable. It’s a magnificent change of pace!” The dignitary sighed, leaning against the table. “You’re not going to fawn over me like that other one, are you?” Boltsinger smiled and shook his head. “Not at all. You’re just like every...one... else, after all. You might not be a pony, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have dignity.” He leaned on the table in kind, casting a glance at the Unicorn laughing with the other cat. “Besides, I could use some intelligent conversation!” He smirked at the cat across the table, who looked between the two ponies and started laughing. After a lunch enjoyable enough to offset the rest of the day, Boltsinger once again had a relaxing Spike on his back as he walked out, the Abssynian dignitary on one side with Raven trailing behind. Blueblood and the other dignitary strolling on ahead of them. “So, I can’t help but wonder… How are you a Prince?” the dignitary inquired, looking between Boltsinger and Blueblood. “I was told that one was of royal lineage. But you are so remarkably different from him. Did you become as such in a different way?” Boltsinger smiled and nodded, his recent training coming into play. “Quite astute of you, sir. I only became a Prince very recently through marriage.” “I see… So, you were simply a normal citizen?” the feline continued, examining the orange equine more closely. “That explains why you look so much more… I mean no offense by this, but you look very plain. Perhaps a little messy. Which of the Princesses deigned to marry you?” Blueblood’s ears turned to hear the conversation behind him. He slowed down, walking on the other side of the cat. “That’s something that’s been on my mind as well, actually. Why would a Princess want to marry a messy-looking Pegasus when there are so many better ponies out there to court?” Boltsinger let out a small sigh, gritting his teeth at the Unicorn’s comment. “It’s a long story, but I married Princess Twilight a few months back.” he kept his gaze on the visiting Abssynian, doing his best to avoid looking at Blueblood. “I understand if you aren’t aware, but at least right now, the dragon in my company serves as proof to most as to my royal affiliation.” he pointed his wing over at Spike, who lazily waved a claw at the guest. “He serves as her assistant and aide, as well as the official Friendship Ambassador to the Dragon Lands.” Blueblood looked at the purple reptile relaxing on the Pegasus’ back, putting a hoof to his mouth. “Ah, yes… a dragon… Auntie Celestia once had me meet with them for some... negotiations.” He brought his pace to a trot, flipping his mane and huffing about. “They were so… brutish. I can’t understand why a Princess would associate with one of their kind.” Spike sat up, spinning around and glaring daggers at the haughty pony. As Spike opened his mouth to speak, Boltsinger’s face turned fierce. He stopped, stomping his hoof as hard as he could. “Excuse me!” he cried, the volume of his tone stopping Blueblood, Raven, and the dignitaries in their tracks. The Prince in question looked back at the Pegasus, a mix of shock and wonder in his eyes. “That’s my friend you’re talking about! Now, I can’t speak for Ember or the other dragons in the Dragon Lands, but if you’ve ever been to Fillydelphia, there are tons of dragons there, all as diverse and interesting as any pony you could ever meet! And Spike, here? He may be young, but he’s more accomplished than ponies that are three times his age, but you’ve been disrespecting him ALL DAY! I just can’t believe I even let you think of doing it, but NOT ANYMORE!” He stomped forward, flaring his wings dramatically as he brought his muzzle mere inches from Blueblood’s. “So I will not have you going around and bad-mouthing my friend, especially based on what kind of creature he is!” Blueblood and Spike looked astonishingly at the orange stallion. Spikes face showed a measure of appreciation, while Blueblood quivered with fear. He lowered his head to the floor, covering it with his forelegs and shaking. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Please, just don’t hurt me!” The Abssynians looked at the cowering pony , turning their attention to the now-furious Pegasus in awe, while Raven stared at the scene with her mouth hung open, dropping her quill and clipboard. Boltsinger looked down at Blueblood, facehoofing. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just couldn’t stand for you disrespecting my friend.” He turned his attention to the dignitaries. “I sincerely apologize for my awful behavior just now. It was unfitting of someone representing Equestria, and I can assure you that most ponies you meet will not behave in such a manner. But, you see, my wife is the Princess of Friendship, and my values align with hers in most ways. When friends are insulted, or friendship is taken lightly, I tend to lose my patience. Again, I apologize for my actions, and I humbly take my leave.” He turned around, walking away. Spike looked back at the scene they had just left, then turned back to Boltsinger. “Hey… um… Thanks for that.” “It’s no problem.” the stallion replied, smiling back at him. “I’m just sorry you had to put up with that pompous pony.” “Yeah, but what about your lessons?” The dragon asked, hopping off and walking beside him. “Without that prince, how are you gonna learn how to be a Prince?” “I don’t wanna be a Prince if it means being like him.” Boltsinger spat. “I’ll help Twilight however I can, but I refuse to be a pompous meat-head.” In the castle guest room, Boltsinger leaned on the balcony while Spike packed his belongings. The stallion looked out at the horizon, admiring his view of the city with a sigh as a knock came at the door. “It’s open!” he called, turning to face the room’s entrance. The door swung wide open in a shroud of bright yellow magic to reveal Raven next to Princess Celestia. His eyes went wide as he scrambled to remember his royal composure lessons, standing up straight with his wings flared. “U-um… Your Highness! Welcome to my room! Um… Why are you here?” Raven stepped forward, adjusting her glasses once more. “Actually, I wanted to see you.” she started. “I wanted to apologize for what you went through with Prince Blueblood. His behavior and remark towards your friend were uncalled for and reflected poorly on the royal element.” She brought up a hoof, her face brightening. “However, since you confronted him, he has improved his behavior! It should serve him better with the next guests we receive!” “I see.” Boltsinger responded. “Well, that’s good for him. I’m sorry it didn’t work out, there. He’s just… Not what I would expect of someone representing Equestrian royalty.” Celestia giggled and stepped forward. “He is rather removed from the bloodline, to be sure. But his heart is in the right place.” She stood next to Boltsinger, putting her wings in their resting position. “Actually, the dignitaries wanted me to give you a message when they left.” The orange stallion tilted his head, confused. “Oh? What kind of message would they have for me?” “They told me that they were quite impressed with your integrity, standing up for your friend the way you did.” she explained. “The way you stuck to your values really showed them what the ponies of Equestria are like. They also seemed to appreciate your candidness during lunch.” She put her hoof around him, smiling warmly. “And I have to say, I agree with them. Twilight seems to have rubbed off on you in a number of good ways.” The Pegasus gave a sheepish smile, scratching his mane with his wing. “Thanks… But I still doubt I’m really 'Prince' material.” “Perhaps you just need a better example. Somepony who is a bit… friendlier.” Celestia suggested. “I’d be willing to have you observe the goings on in my day for a while, if you believe you can learn from it.” “Really? You’d be okay with something like that?” Raven asked, looking up at the Alicorn. She closed her eyes with a simple nod. “Well, that certainly would make my job much easier… If you don’t mind me explaining things to you during the process, Boltsinger.” Boltsinger smiled and nodded. “I think that would be a wonderful idea.” He looked up at Celestia, doing his best to keep his composure. “Thank you, Your Highness. I think I will extend my stay awhile and take you up on your most generous offer.” “Very well. But I have one condition!” the Princess declared, spreading her wings regally. Boltsinger’s practiced regality fell away entirely at the sight, his face and wings sinking. “Don’t be so formal with me. We’re friends. You don’t have to walk on eggshells.” The stallion picked himself up from his slight panic, smiling weakly. “Oh yeah… All right!”