//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: Upside Down 
// Story: In Search Of... 
// by rattled404 
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You don’t remember much about your life as a child. It was hazy and you could barely make a clear vision of it. It was a world where metal beasts roared and birds made of iron flied. There was a siren, a really loud one. You ran and ran then heard a whistle, then... well you ended up waking up here, covered in soot and dried blood. Another thing you remembered in your childhood was the frequent word "Nazis" and "Churchill." A hill on a church, now that didn't make sense at all.

Growing up in a land of ponies wasn’t great either, you were ostracized because of your appearance by your school mates. Can you blame them? Unlike the rest you got as taller you got older, only your mom could meet your eye level, well not anymore since you went past her height. The memories of you straining your neck was something you wanted now. You didn't like being the center of the attention. Not to mention the fangs you have, when you smiled it always scared anypony you met for the first time. The rumors from that alone wanted you to never go out. The only part that didn’t bother much was your hoof… you never did find a word for those wriggler thing you have instead of hooves.  

You let out another sigh as the specially made backpack leaned on the table. Another year of school would begin. You hated school for these reasons: 

1. The ponies that either feared you or bullied you followed since all children of nobility went to the same school. Because of that you never had a chance to make a friend. 
2. You never had a friend. The fact that you were the royalty didn’t help either. 
3. You can never eat lunch in peace. You always ate inside the toilet since the ponies would be disgusted by your diet. 
4. If someone did try to be friends they only did it because of your status and their parents force them to so they can win favor.
5. Being alone sucks and you now realized your families didn’t count as friends… or your servants/guards.

You never told your mom since she had more important things to take care of. Something petty as bullies didn't discourage you. Whenever she asks about your school you always say that it’s going well with a smile, maybe fabricate a story here and there. White lies never harmed anypony. Not like she could tell when you were lying, you did this since elementary school. 

The bed you lied on was soft, too soft since you wanted to be awake before the dreaded day would come. First kingdom problems, isn’t it? Despite being a yearly thing you could not help but to hate it. 

The next morning the monotonous schedule would be changed. Waking up early in the morning, even before the servants would wake up you dress up and get your backpack. It looks clear, the batpony guards for the nights are just beginning to change shift with the dayguards. You managed to slip by pretending to get some early trotting, in your backpack and school uniform, perfectly normal. That was when you saw your personal night guard, Umbra.

“Where do you think you’re going your highness?” Umbra asked with a flat tone. 

You sputter, thinking of some kind of excuse. “I’m going to…”

The silence was painful and Umbra wasn’t the type to be gullible, especially when it came to her job. Batpony in general were more observant and perceptive, which was why they were the night guard, and your personal guard. 

“A trot. I’m going trotting.” You say confidently.

“You’re going for a trotting, this early in your school uniform on your first day of school?” Umbra asked incredulously.

“Yes?” 

Umbra raised her eyebrow in suspicion, then narrowing her eyes to a stern glare. She knew about you more than you do, maybe even more than mom.  

“Then I’ll accompany you.” Umbra said.

You stutter for a response. “N-no it’s ok. Besides, your shift is almost ight? Don’t you want to sleep?”

“I got few hours until Spearhead replaces me, that should be enough right your highness?” Umbra asked.

Shit. There was no way out so you decides to your best weapon, the wriggers. Umbra first held her reaction as your wrigglers scratch her chin then to her head, Umbra confidently looks at you, she got better at resisting, it used to work. By your mother’s name was she beautiful, you always wonder why she decided to join the guards when she could’ve been a model. While she enjoyed herself you quickly run past her and to the exit, at least that was your plan until Umbra flew past you to block the exit.

“Nice try your highness.” She said smugly.

“Oh come on! Can’t you let me sneak out for once?” 

Umbra shook her head. “Then I won’t be doing my job. It’s just one day your highness. I’m sure you can bear with it. Besides, don't you attend school like three days out of the whole year?”

"I still hate every moment of it. A royal procession is a pain in the flank. And I don’t want mom- I mean mother to show herself at my school to say goodbye like I’m some colt. Don’t you know how embarrassing to have everypony's eyes on you?"

Umbra quirked an eyebrow again Of course she knows, and it’s kind of redundant when you look different from the rest of the ponies and basically tall enough to kick them like a hoofball. Still, you never liked the attention. 

“I understand but no means no, your highness.” Umbra said sternly.

“I’ll get you a day off.” You offered.

She shook her head. “You know you can’t bribe me with that. Not like last time." 

You hang your head in defeat. Umbra pats on your knee, you kneel down to let her pat your head. Her lips curved to a smile. 

“Come on your highness, maybe it won’t that bad. How about we get breakfast together? Get your mind off few things.” Umbra suggested.

“Fine.” 

Usually the meals were sent to your room or in the royal dining room, the latter being seldom. The usual meal that you enjoyed was replaced with a salad, even if it was an egg some ponies weren’t so keen of your diet, and the only chef that was willing to cook meat was still asleep. That chef also happened to be a griffin.

“You got a big day ahead of you and you shouldn't tackle it with an empty stomach.”

“I’m not hungry this morning.” You said as you play with your salad. 

“I don’t see why you’re worried. How bad could it be?” Umbra asked.

That question. That bucking question. That question you’ve been asking yourself for years. Which it always went wrong, it became like a omen really, whenever someone asked that question something definitely went wrong. You enjoyed your salad but soon interrupted by a rumbling hoofsteps. Ten- no twenty guard recruits walked in a organized, single file of line. Every year you go with your mother to watch their graduation. It was certainly better than Grand Galloping Gala. 

“Attention on deck! Prince Anonymous Incognito of Equestria on deck!”

The booming voice made you flinch like a released spring. Your hoof slams on the edge of the bowl. The bowl then spun in the air then landed on your head along with the content inside the bowl. There was a painful silence, echoing with the stifling of Umbra’s muffled laughter. The drill instructor galloped over to you then bowed with a concerned look on his face.

“Y-your highness I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s fine Sergeant.” You tiredly say, though it was comforting to know that the worst has already come to pass. “I’m sure you didn’t mean this to happen. Please rise.”

The drill instructor pony rose back up, gave an apology again and was about to left until one chuckle unluckily echoed loudly. You could see the Drill Instructor already catching the poor soul. The painful silence intensified to a lethal one. You don’t know much about military but you knew how scary they can be. 

“RECRUIT!” The Drill Instructor stomped over. “YOU JUST SIGNED YOURSELF A YEAR LONG RIDE OF PAIN AND I WILL PUSH MY HOOF DOWN YOUR THROAT THEN-”

The Drill instructor stops, he was in front of you after all. You think it was worse the fact that he couldn’t finish his threat. At least you think so by the look of the white unicorn’s body. The Drill Instructor went close to the unicorn then whispered, and whatever it was, it made the white unicorn paler. Now that's a sight.  

Umbra acted like nothing is going on and continued her meal while you watch in morbid curiosity. Still, you had to do something, or else that stallion would die. You take off the bowl then walk up to the Drill Instructor.

“Your highness, no need, I am going to discipline him so he knows what-”

“Sergeant, may I ask you to forgive the recruit?” You ask politely, in the most regal way possible, your mom did teach one or two things. “I mean I’m ok so there’s no need to right?”

The Drill Instructor looked shocked. But he couldn’t fight royalty, technically he can since your title was hollow, just all flash but no authority. You know you’re way out of line and you’re scared shitless despite knowing nothing will happen to you.

“Of course your highness, as you command.”

You briefly meet eyes with the white unicorn. It was hard to tell what he was thinking of and the awkwardness stifled your breath. This was the first time you ever ordered someone, excluding servants.

“What’s your name?” You ask.

“RIGHT… FACE!” The Drill Instructor commanded.

The formation just turned right.

“SALUTE!”

The ponies all saluted as they were ordered to, this made it more awkward for you but traditions were traditions.

“That is Recruit Armor.”

You remember how your mom inspected the soldiers and you imitate her. You walk over to him then… what was the word again? Appease? At beast? At least? Bat Please?

“Be at appeased." 

Nailed it. No wait, the recruit isn’t doing anything and looks more perplexed than you did on your first day of Herath Warming’s Eve. Why can’t you remember something that simple when you seen it like thousands of times? Oh right, you usually daze out within the first three minute's of General Ironhoof's speech.

“HE SAID AT EASE ARE YOU DEAF AND BRAINLESS!” The kind Drill Instructor politely corrected.

“NO SIR!” 

“THEN GO AT EASE RECRUIT!”

“AYE AYE SIR!”

Wait did he just say “aye aye”? You thought they were in the royal guard, not in the navy. This was more difficult to understand than you thought.

“What’s your name?”

“Sir, this recruit’s name is Shining Armor Sir!” 

Did he just spoke in third person? Uh oh, the Drill Instructor doesn’t look happy either. 

“Did you just call him Sir? Recruit does he look like an offi-”

You squat down to meet his eye level but not too close and you smile without showing your teeth.

“Nice to meet you Shining Armor, um...” You interrupted but wasn’t sure what to say. “Why did you join?”

“To serve Equestria and the royal family, your highness!”

The Drill Instructor was silent, thankful that the recruit got it right. You inhale silently, preparing your regal voice that you’ve been practicing. 

“Shining Armor, I thank you for your dedication and your courage to join. I’ll look forward for your graduation.”

Armor died to a silence, something only your mom could do. The Drill Instructor save you and him by ordering them to head for the line. You gave a royal goodbye then went back to the table. The rest of meal went well and Umbra got relieved of her post, Spearhead was opposite of Umbra, that is he played along with your mischief time to time, and he was probably your only friend. 

Inside your room you lie on the bed with your uniform, not paying mind that your uniform might get wrinkled. Spearhead leaned on the wall.  

“You gotta be kidding me Anon!” Spearhead said while laughing.
 
You feel the blush heating your cheeks, Spearhead’s laugh didn’t help either.

“I panicked ok? I didn’t know it was supposed to be ‘at ease’.” You said indignantly.  

“You’ve been to countless ceremonies, how can you not forget?” 

“Oh kiss my flank.” You say defeatedly, you bury head to the pillow. “I don’t want to go to school.”

“Why go then, you used to do home schooling… I guess in this case it’s palace schooling.”

“Yeah that was until mom thought I should be with other ponies and learn to socialize. If I just suddenly change mom’s gonna worry and she has enough on her plate already.” You say tiredly.

“You mean it’s not filled with cake?”

An ugly chortle of chuckle drags out. You’re not gonna lie, she did like cake to a… unique degree. She was no cook but you’re glad she wasn’t, Equestria forbid if she learns how to cook. A soft knock distracts your attention in the conversation.

“You do realize bullying a royal is a death sentence?”

“It’s not.” You correct. "Unless you're goign to bring up 

“Well… it might as well be. Are you sure my boys and I teach his family a lesson? You know my men looks up to you. I don’t know how you made all of your guards keep silent on it.” Spearhead said.

The cool blanket is soft on your skin. You wrap yourself like a rolled up carpet. It’s true you can just tell your mom and get it taken care of but… She’s busy, that being an understatement. The last thing she need is more to worry.

“Look, I’m fine. I can handle it on my own.”

“Your highness, the carriage has arrived.” The servant said.

A long sigh escape from your lips. 

“Let’s get this over with.”

For some lucky reason, your mom was too busy in the morning so the royal procession was to be canceled, busy enough that you didn’t see her. You thank luck for making this happen. You look at the academy, not grand and gigantic like home but guaranteed to impress just about any nobles. As expected you walk carefully around the ponies to get to your first class until a ball hits you in the head, followed by a chortles. 

“Hey monkey!”

You groan. “Oh… Gold Platinum. Hi.”    

Your body automatically move to let that bastard put his hoof around your neck, as if you were friends with him. That dirty looking yellow coat with silver mane looks awful but you can’t say that. He and his lackeys are just as unbearable to look at. 

“I guess we’re in the same class again, huh buddy?”

You strain a smile. 

“Yup. I guess… we are.” 

“You know what to get me for lunch then.” 

“Yeah.”

Platinum shoves you off then heads for class. The moment you enter every ponies bows which ends quickly by your gesture. You take a seat then the class began. Thanks to having no friends you poured every ounce of tie into studying, easily putting you in number one in academics. Lunch soon came and you sigh as you get the snacks you always bought for your “friends”. 

“You got my lunch?”

You grumble as you hand over the bought snacks. The bastard Platinum swipe the snacks out of your hand then sharing with his goons. Platinum bucks your knee then laughs as he walks away, calling you a monkey and an ape. You sigh then look for a place to eat, unfortunately the restroom was full of students for some reason so your spot was gone.

The most insults are calling you an ape or a monkey. They were kind of right, you’re damn good at climbing trees. You find the thiccest tree then climb up to a sturdy branch. Your legs stretched as you leaned on the tree. You then fasten the belt on your waist in case you fall. The countless concussion and scolding from your mother made you smarter in climbing trees.  

With a half eaten sandwich in your habd you hear some giggling of mares. You shrug then bask in the cool shades of the tree. Mares especially were afraid of you. Hiding your fangs, wearing mittens to make it look like proper hooves, it never worked. Romance was an illusion anyways.

You close your eyes and try to take a nap. A sound of wings slightly takes your attention but not enough to open your eyes, not until the sound got louder with a gentle breeze brushing your face. 

“Hello!"

A voice catches you off guard and you jolt awake from your nap. Your body falls off from  the branch but the belt holds you in place. Kinda like a batpony when they sleep but held by ropes and belts while looking stupid. 

You met this pony once when she became an alicorn but that was it, just a quick greeting. What was her name… Me A More Than Za? You stare at her upside down with a startled stare. That day, your view wasn’t the only thing that was going to be upside down.