//------------------------------// // A Tale Of Heroism (Edited By RB, CC And GT4) // Story: The Humble Prince // by Lighting Ace //------------------------------// It was a calm morning in Canterlot when the news arrived. It started with a simple announcement from the guards requiring everypony to gather at the central plaza, followed by the activation of a projection crystal which promptly shot a clear image into the sky. Prince Blueblood quickly appeared, surrounded by reporters and standing on a podium. A collection of groans was soon heard everywhere as the citizens started to leave, believing this to be a waste of time. Yet their complaints quickly died out once somepony pointed out how instead of the smug smile the public was used to, the prince seemed to be more serious and calm, like he had been thinking. Not only that, but his head was bandaged and his mane was slightly burned. Overall, it was clear that he was injured and at the moment appeared to be in Manehattan, something that just kept increasing the citizenry’s curiosity. It was clear that this was not one of his usual smug speeches where he just stroked his own ego for hours, leaving the question to linger in the air: what did he want to talk about? All around, mixed feelings began to blossom in the growing audience, some in happiness thinking karma finally struck, some in wonder, and some even in shock seeing their 'friend' reappearing, injured and beaten. A few minutes earlier, at City Hall "Five minutes, Your Highness," a stallion wearing headphones over his ears and bearing a clipboard informed the prince from the door frame before moving away. The prince in question was in the middle of some breathing exercises, trying to keep calm as Princess Celestia walked inside. "How are you feeling, Blueblood?" she asked in a motherly tone, making her way towards him. "Oh, you know, just trying my best not to have a panic attack and make the story as convincing as possible," he replied with a nervous chuckle. "So…great, all things considered." The princess giggled and nuzzled his face. "You’ll be fine Blueblood; the story you came up with is really convincing. Plus, with those fake injuries on you and the information we delivered, there’s no way anypony would suspect a thing after today." "Perhaps, but then again, I'm still a bit sad that we were forced to burn that entire building for this plan to work. I mean, I was just expecting a room to burn, not the entire thing." "Ah wouldn’t sweat it, partner," Applejack said as she and Rarity made their way inside. "As Ah told you, my Uncle and Aunt Orange bought that thing years ago as a business experiment they tried. It never took off, and was just bleedin’ bits. Honestly, buyin’ and then burnin’ it down was doing ‘em a favor. The building was too old, so renovations would’ve cost a fortune, and now the empty space can be used to build somethin’ better. Plus, with how it stands, Rarity and Coco Pommel had a reason to ask the pyrotechnics team in Manehattan to be more careful handlin’ their equipment, right Rarity?" When Rarity remained quiet, Applejack jabbed her sharply in the side. "Yeah, thanks...Blueblood," Rarity muttered in a cold tone, confusing the prince as Applejack sighed and shook her head. "Anyway, the point is there’s nothing to be afraid of. Ah'm not usually the one that likes to lie, but considerin’ that this is to trick those stuck-up nobles who probably would sell their own mommas for a bit or two, Ah’d say that Ah could make an exception this time,” Applejack said with a chuckle. "They’re sure gonna get a surprise." "That’s the idea," Blueblood added with a smile, now feeling more relaxed. The headphones-wearing stallion reappeared once more. "We’re ready, Your Highness." Sighing one last time, the prince gazed at everypony. "That's my cue. Wish me luck." "You’ll do great, Blueblood, don’t worry." Celestia gave him one last nuzzle before letting him go. The walk to the podium was nerve-wracking, to say the least, as the prince could feel the eyes of everypony falling on him, judging him and rolling their eyes in expectation of the narcissist nature of his old self. A mix of anxiety and excitement was coursing through the prince’s mind. With one single speech he was about to change his new home for the better, and that idea was enough to fill his being with resolve. Once he reached his destination, both the press and the audience put all of their attention on him, bracing for the worst. Instead, they were given a surprise. "Citizens of Manehattan, --- no, rather, citizens of all Equestria --- thank you all for coming. The reason I gathered you all here is that I have an important message to deliver. A week ago I was contacted by my aunt for a meeting with a group of changelings, who, even though they were recently reformed, still yearned for the sweet and luxurious life that we nobles have the blessing of living in." A collective groan was heard both in Manehattan and Canterlot, which was soon silenced by the prince as he told them the last thing they were expecting. "Yes, I know, almost all of you must be sick and tired of nobles saying that." The prince almost flinched the moment he saw so many eyes widen to the size of dinner plates, and jaws dropping left and right in front of him. Okay, that is slightly disturbing... "But, in their defense, if any of you got to our position, I personally challenge you not to brag about it. You say you would be humble now, but trust me, once rich it’s not so easy to avoid bragging," he quipped, earning a couple of chuckles. "Anyway, as much as I would love to continue talking about it, that is not the reason I summoned all of you here, so let’s continue. As you all might have guessed, I was against the idea of such a proposal at first but, very soon realized the potential behind it. New creatures and assets for me to use and swear loyalty to me? How could I possibly say 'no' to the sheer potential behind that?" "That slimy, silver-tongue brat..." Jet Set hissed, holding his hoof up in anger at the image of the prince. "By Tartarus, why didn't I think of that?!" "Oh, you naughty little prince..." Scarlet purred with a smile "You bad boy, going away without telling me a thing? Somepony is playing hard to get." Upper Crust just sighed and gazed downward. "So much for that theory of the prince having amnesia, eh Sharp Shot?" she said, glaring at her friend as he continued to look at the image in front of them. "By Celestia, I was so shallow and heartless," the prince continued in guilt, shaking his head. "Just like I had done before, I took this opportunity to seek subservients and amused myself as they crawled and begged for my help. I will confess to you right here and now, from the beginning I wasn't going to give any a chance, perhaps not even the small group I deemed worth keeping. Yes, I'm ashamed to admit it, but my actions during that meeting were less than friendly, but you can take solace…" He stepped out from behind the podium so the ponies could see the full extent of his 'injuries' which, even if not permanent, were still numerous. "…poetic justice was imparted that night." The audience wanted to boo and yell at the prince, but looking at his condition, they just couldn't find it in their heart to voice their opinions. "Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!" Rarity whispered harshly as she and Applejack were behind stage seeing everything unfold. "They’re really eating this up?" "Rarity, please, shhh!" Applejack silenced her with a small glare. "Ah know you're not in his fan club but at the very least think of the changelings." Rarity bit her tongue and looked away. "I'm sorry for this, Applejack, but it’s Blueblood we’re talking about, and he’s getting his way once again." "Rarity, he isn’t…" she stopped herself, glancing at the prince and then back at her friend. "Can we please not do this here?" "Fine!" Rarity snorted as she marched away. "Rarity, wait!" Applejack was about to go after her, but ultimately sighed and let her go, thinking she only needed some air, while ignoring a certain stallion in a suit looking at them both with a raised eyebrow. The press didn’t miss the chance, and Blueblood let hundreds of photos be snapped of his body, resorting to closing his eyes and letting them have as many as they wanted. When he heard them stop, he opened his eyes again and stood back behind the podium to resume. "I don't know how the fire started in the first place, and to be honest, I couldn't care less at the moment." He hung his head in shame. "My mind hasn't let me forget the events that transpired that night. Everything happened so fast, and like a coward, my first instinct was to run away to the nearest exit, not caring for the safety of my companions, and in my rush I ended up underneath a pile of stone and burning wood. Panic and flames were everywhere, and when I was about to curse all the changelings for letting me die, I was met with an unexpected surprise." The prince paused to build dramatic tension, and saw how all of the audience subconsciously moved their heads forward, waiting for the end. Perfect, I got them exactly where I need them. Time to bring it home. "One of the changelings that I previously shamed and laughed at returned to that hell until she found me. Not only that, she was one of the unlucky ones that got a particularly nasty bit of verbal abuse from me when I rejected her wishes to be one of the first changeling nobles, something that I could see she still remembered very clearly. It was a moment of revelation for me, and for the first time in my life I saw the consequences of my actions and the full extent of how much my words could hurt somepony. Ashamed, the only thing I could do was look away. No pony or changeling would have said a thing, she could have easily walked away and left me to die in that inferno. It would have been an accident; clean, well-deserved justice. Instead, she chose to save my life. A changeling who I humiliated and whose heart I had broken, against any logic or reason, had decided to save me. Prince Blueblood, the royal prick of Equestria." Everyone gasped and more flashes went off as the press went nuts over his story. The prince kept a solemn and calm face as he closed his eyes in thought, remembering the events before looking at everyone again. "No matter how much I try, that image remains in my head, even now. Even when I didn't show any friendship toward that changeling she still offered hers to me, and thanks to that, I could see the teachings that my aunt and cousins were so proud of in action. In the past I thought that the idea of friendship was just a cute slogan to attract allies or give false confidence to your enemies, but now, for the first time in my life, I can see its true power and the importance of it." His expression turned into one of more determination. "Recently, Twilight Sparkle opened a school that welcomes all species wishing to learn about friendship, one of the most important values here in Equestria. Today I say that we must follow her example and let others join into our culture and ways of life." He glanced to the side and extended his hoof. "And with that, I want to welcome and officially introduce the first noble changelings of Canterlot.” From backstage three changelings walked in, one green, another red, and another orange, all of them waving at the audience as they cheered, and the reporters once more went wild. Princess Celestia also appeared, carrying a medal with her. "Jade, Temptress, and Mirage," Blueblood said, pointing at them in order. "Great and passionate changelings who wish to become part of the world of jewelry, modelling, and couples counselling of Canterlot," he announced, pointing at Jade, Temptress, and Mirage respectively, the last one confusing everyone and making the prince chuckle. "I will let Mirage explain soon enough. For now, I wish them and all the other families of changelings that want to join good luck." With a smile adorning his face, he took the medal in his own magic and thanked his aunt, before presenting it to Mirage. "Consider this as my personal thanks for saving my life and helping me realize my mistakes," "There is no reason to thank me, Your Highness, I just did what anyling would have done." She bowed and let the prince give her the medal before he brought her into a hug. "The press is going to eat you all alive very soon, you know that right?" he whispered into her ear with some worry.  "Let them try, Your Highness, we’re ready for them," Mirage whispered back confidently. "Thank you for giving us this chance." "Anytime." Once the hug ended, he went and shook the hoof of the other changelings who smiled, and brought him in for a hug as well, and once finished the prince stood back. "I will let these lovely ladies answer any of your questions now. Oh, and ladies, feel free to jab your husband’s ribs now for staring at Temptress too much." Much to the prince’s surprise, those that didn't laugh actually did what he told them, as he left the stage and let the changelings be swarmed by the press, all of them dealing with it like professionals. Once he was sure that no eyes were on him, the prince let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding and knelt on the ground from the pressure. "Oh God, that was a terrifying experience..." Celestia approached him and helped him to his hooves with a warm smile. "It's never easy, right?" "There ya go, partner," Applejack said to him, fanning the prince with her hat. "Just take a deep breath." "You were spectacular out there, Blueblood! Not only did you find a way to re-introduce yourself into society, but also help King Thorax and his people be a part of the nobility!" Celestia beamed as she looked at the changelings dealing with the reporters. "Something tells me that things are about to change for the better very soon." "I really hope so," he replied, still a bit shaken up. Celestia smiled and gave him a small push. "Why don't you go to your dressing room and get some rest? We can go for some ice cream after this." "Do I need to go back out?" Celestia giggled and shook her head. "I’ll just tell everypony that you are still weak from your injuries and need to rest, there is nothing to worry about." "I love you, auntie," said Blueblood, giving the alicorn a small kiss on her cheek before going to his dressing room. "Have to say, princess, Ah like this prince. So far my experiences with nobles, minus Shining Armor, have been...well, pretty rotten," Applejack admitted once he was out of earshot. "It’s a nice change of pace, isn't it?" Celestia agreed. Then, noticing somepony was missing, she began looking around. "Have you seen Rarity?" Applejack sighed and shook her head. "She’s probably outside ventin’, or somethin’.” She glanced back at the princess. "Out of all of us, she seems to be the one most against this new Blueblood." "I see..." Celestia murmure. "That is disheartening to hear." "Aw, don't feel bad, princess. Ah'm sure she’s just bein’ stubborn; she just needs time to cool off. She’ll eventually come around," Applejack dismissed her concerns. "Let’s hope so." In another room Stellar and Amber received the prince with shared smiles, with Stellar even giving him a bottle of water. "You were incredible back there, Your Highness. Everypony loved your speech," Amber said. "Thanks." He took the bottle and started to drink before spitting it out everywhere in fright, discovering Rarity sitting on a chair. "Oh, Rarity, it’s just you. Boy, you just gave me a scare," he said with a chuckle as he held his chest, but she remained stoic, confusing the prince. "Rarity?" "You think you've won all of them over, do you?" she muttered, not looking at him and instead deciding to admire her hoof. "...What?" Rarity stood up and started walking around him. "Must be nice, right? The princesses love you, the Elements like you, you’re surrounded by supermodels…" She glared at Stellar and Amber, who looked puzzled. The rising tension in the room put them on edge, and they drew closer to Blueblood and Rarity, sensing her as a potential threat. "…and now Equestria thinks that you’re this poor little prince that wishes to make things right," Rarity finished. "Rarity, what’s happening?" the prince asked, approaching her. "Why are you acting so weird?" "Acting weird?" She glared daggers at him. "So far, I think I'm the only one acting normal around you." She jabbed her hoof into his chest once, causing Amber to act and place herself in between the two. "Okay, that's enough." "You stay out of this, Amber!" Rarity yelled at her. "This is between me and that miserable colt there." She pointed at Blueblood. "What?" Blueblood looked at her, annoyed. "Okay, that is it. Seriously Rarity, what’s your problem?" "My problem? I’ll tell you what it is. I'm angry that a certain prince who I wanted out of my life forever for utterly destroying my heart suddenly reappears and thinks that he can do whatever he pleases." "I told you, the prince you knew is gone," Blueblood replied, taking a step forward toward her in anger. "Is he really gone?" Rarity retorted, matching his expression as their foreheads met. "You sound like him, look like him, and just now, you acted like him. If you could tell a lie with a straight face like you did just now, why would I believe anything you said during your ‘confession’?" "I didn't lie." "Forgive me for finding that hard to believe." "So, what? After everything you’ve seen, you honestly think this is just some trick? To do what? What do I gain from any of this?" "Oh no, prince, I believe that you have a new soul, I just don't believe that that’s enough to make you change. The princess said that you were once a nice colt; what guarantee do I have to tell me that you will not revert back to being a jerk after a while?" "Wow, you really know how to hold a grudge, don't you? Seriously, what horrible thing did my predecessor do to you? Because according to Sweetie Belle, I was just an ass that made you do everything and then messed up your dress." In that instant, Rarity slapped him so hard that it drew blood. "Don't you EVER say my sister’s name again!" she snapped as his guards gathered next to him, glaring at Rarity. "Twilight told me to give you a chance, so this is it. I’ll stay out of your way and just watch from the sidelines to see how you will crash and burn like the bastard you are. But I warn you now, ‘Your Highness’, if you dare to hurt my friends, I don't care what happens to me. I will make sure that your life will be destroyed." Her threat having been given, she moved toward the door. Amber was about to go after her but the prince held up a hoof to stop her. "Let her go..." he grumbled. "But Your Highness, she just attacked you!" "I know that," he said, cleaning his face. "But responding with violence towards a simple slap from a potential friend would just prove her ridiculous point. If she thinks I will stoop to her level, she has another thing coming." He winced as Stellar began treating his wound. "I'm sick and tired of trying to please everypony around me. If she wants to spend the rest of her life loathing and being embittered, then so be it. I'm the master of my own life and I will live it as I please," he vowed with a glare. He then froze and sighed, glancing at his guards, who were staring at him with worry etched on their faces. He smiled and approached the two. "Let's not think about it anymore. Now tell me girls, what is your favorite flavor of ice cream?" he asked, trying to change the subject. Meanwhile, outside the room, a stallion began to stalk Rarity from the shadows as she made her way outside the building.