//------------------------------// // Uncertain future // Story: The Royal Three // by Kingstar008 //------------------------------// After Shining armor teleported out of the throne room. The royal sisters thought it was a perfect time to address the elephant in the room. “Humans, please step forward in front of the royal thrones” Luna asks. Hearing her request, the three humans walked rights in front of the stairs leading to the thrones. “As we all know, you three are in a interesting situation with nowhere to stay, and in a land vastly different from your own” “Now that’s an understatement of the century” Apollo said to himself. “What was that?” “Nothing! nothing” “Right… as I was saying since you have nowhere else to go. Me and my sister decided to allow you guys to stay in the castle for the time being” Now saying that the triplets were surprised to hear this was an understatement. “I’m sorry I don’t think I heard you properly. Did you say you allow us to stay in the castle?” Atlas asks, hoping this was not some type of joke. The Royal sisters nodded. “Oh my God, after all we did. You want to do this for us? Man, you guys are generous. I don’t know what to say, actually,” said Artemis. “Think nothing of it. I mean, did you really expect us to catch you guys and then put you on the streets of Cantorlot?” Said Celestia. “Or put you in the dungeons?” said Luna. “Yeah, pretty much” responded the triplets. “Well, you don’t need to worry about that anymore. You’re safe with us.” Said Celestia, with a motherly smile. “Well, thank you very much. And also sorry about landing and ruining your little get together you was having” Apollo said sheepishly. It was this moment when Celestia‘s motherly smile, turned into an awkward one. “……...that wasn’t a simple get together actually” “Then, what was it?” “It was my…birthday party. My 1,500th to be exact.” The triplets initially felt horrible about interrupting her special day. But when she said 1,500th, their minds went off the rails. “I’m sorry I don’t think I heard you correctly. Did you say today is your 1,500th birthday! How on god green earth did you live that long?” Apollo said with shock. “Well, me and my sister are alicorns. Because of that we have extended lifespans.” Celestia explained. The triplets were silent. Digesting the information, they were just given. “That is very hard to believe, then again, I am in a world where unicorns and magic exist. Next thing you know you’re going to tell me the dragons exist in this world as well.” Atlas said with a slight sarcasm in his voice. “Dragons do exist,” said Twilight. “……. You got to be kidding me” “I think we’re getting a bit off topic now" responded Artemis. “As I was saying earlier, you three are going to stay in the guest suites in the castle for the time being. And tomorrow I’m going to contact the Royal mage to see if we can send you back to your world” Celestia explained. “All right that’s fair but can we go to see our rooms now because we need to take a shower, especially me.” Atlas said while looking down at his pepper stain shirt. “Actually, that’s what I was going to do just now. Corporal cyclone?” “Yes, your majesty?” “Can you show our guess there rooms please?” Celestia asked. “Will do. Follow me please.” With that the three humans follow the guard to their rooms. ===•••=== It has been a few hours since the humans were escorted to the rooms when they open up the doors, they were expecting a pretty decent room. What they weren’t expecting, was the most beautiful bedroom suites they have ever laid their eyes on. For 20 minutes they were all over their new accommodations. Checking out the bathrooms, the balconies. Even taking selfies and group photos showing off their new rooms. Then, after getting settled in, Luna gave them a tour of the castle grounds. Checking out the royal garden. Seeing the massive pool and sauna.The castle even had a massive bathhouse. All afternoon, the triplets hanged out with Princess Luna sharing jokes and stories, and having a fun time. ===•••=== 6:00 PM After the sun had set on the royal capital, the triplets were told that dinner was going to start soon. So they decided to head on over to the royal dining room. After a pretty long walk they finally arrived to their destination, and as expected, the Royal sisters were sitting there waiting for them. “Oh, you’ll finally arrived. For second there I thought you guys were not coming” said Celestia. Well, sorry for worrying you two. We were on the other side of the castle checking out a pretty nice gym we found. Atlas said. “Well, all that matters is that you all are here.” Luna said with a smile. “So what are we having tonight?” Artemis said after taking a seat. Well, me and Celestia decided to order Alfredo pasta for the evening I hope that’s all right with you” “That sounds pretty good” said Apollo. But before the food could arrive the doors of the dining room opened to reveal a slightly panicked Pegasus maid. “Your Majesty’s, sorry for interrupting your evening, but I’m here to inform you that prince blue blood is back from his vacation.” The cheerful smiles of Celestia and Luna, was quickly replace with faces of slight nervousness. “Umm… thanks for letting us know.“ Celestia said. Then the maid bows and left the room. “What was that about and who is Blue Blood?” Artemis ask, getting a bit concerned from seeing the sister's moods change like that. “Prince blue blood is… my adopted nephew. The reason why the maid came in here a bit panicked is because he is a rude, self-centered stallion.” “So how self-centered are we talking here?” Apollo ask. “Well, he uses his Royal status to get anything he wants never says please and thank you and anytime he gets rejected by a mare, he either bribes them, or threatens to blackmail them. If you ask me, he’s one of the most disgraceful stallion I have ever met.” Luna said with gritted teeth. “Well, this guy sounds like a total piece of shit” Atlas, said “I think that’s a massive understatement, I mean think about it who in the right mind would threaten someone with blackmail because of one silly rejection” Artemis said. “Well, if there’s one thing I know for certain, he’s going to not like you three” said Celestia. “Why is it because we’re not ponies or we’re not royalty?” Artemis ask, while getting a bit nervous to meet this ‘prince’. “Well, yes, and also Apollo is in his usual seat. In fact, when Luna first came back from her banishment, blue blood try for a week straight to convince me to put her in the dungeon because he thought that she would replace him even though he has no government or royal duties whatsoever. “So, in a nutshell, he saw Luna as a political rival” “Precisely” “But fortunately for me, he didn’t know that I wasn’t like the rest of the ponies he harassed, so when he tried to convince me to leave the throne, let’s just say he was unsuccessful” Luna said, confidently. “And I also notice you have a bit of muscle on you, did that help as well?” Apollo ask. “A little bit“ As their conversation winding down, a butler came from the kitchen, placing their food on the table when he left, they started to eat. ===•••=== *15 minutes later* It have been 15 minutes since the food arrived, and it was the best Alfredo pasta, the humans have ever tasted. They even wondered if it was better than the pasta they had in Italy a few years back. They also found out that Celestia was as much fun as her sister Luna, for the entire dinner. They laughed and joked around with each other. The dining room door and Celestia look to her right to see who was coming in. Her blood ran cold not because she was afraid of the person in the doorway. She was afraid of the problems he was going to cause. The stallion in the doorway was none other than Prince Blue Blood himself. Wearing his usual fancy tuxedo, with his usual blue tie, he walked into the room, like he owned the place. “Auntie, you wouldn’t believe the wonderful vacation I had in Vanhoover.” Celestia breathing, and then out. “It’s nice to see you too Blue blood” “Though the third day of my trip was tainted by interacting with the (shiver) common folk. Taking too much space in the luxurious log cabin hotel I was in. At least Vanhoover is way better than a nasty commoner infested city of Tottingham.” It was at this moment when Blue Blood finally noticed that three humans. “Auntie since when you got three monkeys as pets?” Hearing the sentence coming from the spoil stallion mouth cause Artemis to choke on his apple cider, Apollo to drop his fork onto his plate, and Atlas to look up from his iPod shuffle and glare at the prince. “I know this guy didn’t just call monkeys just now” Atlas said greeting his teeth and anger. This was what Celestia was fearing. Even know she just met the triplets she already she knew that they weren’t the ones to allow somepony pushed them around or insult them. So, having blue blood in the same room as them was bound to start a nasty conflict. So Celestia decided to intervene. “Blue Blood that’s no way to speak to our guess how many times do I have to explain this to you?” Blue blood was shocked when his aunt called the humans, their guests. “So what you’re telling me is you rather have dinner with not only filthy commoners, but hideous freaks as well, instead of me?” “Well, yeah, it’s better to have a normal conversation than a one sided one.” Luna said daring daggers right into him. “And one of them have the nerve to be in my seat” “Oh this is your seat. Well, I don’t see your name on it.” Apollo said, with a sarcastic tone. This made everyone in the room to chuckle a bit. Blushing embarrassment, blue blood couldn’t take it anymore. “My word! That’s no way to speak to a prince like that, especially from a freak like you” Apollo was about to respond, but then he thought of a response so good that it might just break blue blood’s spirit. “For a prince that has no power and unemployed. You do have a big ego.” At this point blue blood was just fuming now. "How dare you speak to me like that, I might as well send you to the dungeons." “Don’t you even think about a blue blood if you do that you’ll be kicked out of the castle and your royal status removed immediately” Celestia said in a cold, dark tone. Sending a shiver down everyone’s spines. “All right then, I have a proposal for you and your monkey friends. If you will get out of my seat and leave the dining hall. I will give you a banana “ Blue Blood then picked up a banana from the fruit bowl in the center of the table with his magic. And he made the second greatest mistake he had made that night. “Do you want to banana? I’m sure you do want this banana right now” Blue Bloods said, while waving the banana inches from his face. Enraged at this point, Apollo grab the banana from Blue Blood’s magic and impaled it on blue blood’s horn. Sending bits and pieces of the fruit all over his head. “My maine. You ruin my beautiful maine!” “Hey, count your blessings at least he didn’t knock your teeth in.” Said Atlas. Thanks to his emotions Blue Blood wasn’t thinking straight and made the greatest mistake of his life. “That’s it, I’m gonna make you pay from what you did!” Blue Blood attempted to punch Apollo right in the face, but unfortunately for him. Apollo caught his hand with ease. With rage in his eyes, Apollo stood up. Blue blood now realize how tall the human was compared to himself. “Get your filthy hands off of me, you freak!” Getting desperate at this point blue blood try to use his left hand to slap Apollo. He blocked it with ease. Wanting to teach him a lesson, Apollo used his right hand to grab the stallion’s collar and shoved him into the wall with a loud thud. “What gives you the right- “ “Apollo, I know you’re angry right now but calm down a little bit” Artemis said, getting a bit concerned. “And don’t worry nothing bad is going to happen. Also, please don’t cut me off again.” Apollo then turned his head back to his target “What gives you the right to not only insult someone. But also, to PUNCH THEM!” Blue Bloods said nothing as he was frozen in fear. “Huh, deciding to be quiet now. All right, but I want you to remember this now listen closely. if you ever say offensive slurs or try to intimidate me or my brothers just remember if you think I’m scary you don’t want all three of us to be ganging up on you. Do you understand?” “Apollo I think you should let him go now” Atlas said “And why is that?” “Because you terrified him so much, he’s now pissing himself.” Looking down Apollo now notice that blueblood was indeed peeing himself with a noticeable puddle on the ground. “All right, I will just give me a sec” “All right “prince”, I didn’t hear an answer from you. Do. you. understand.” “Yes, yes I understand. Please just let me go.” Blue Blood said. While tears running down his face. “All right good now get out of my sight” The moment he let go of his collar now crying stallion desperately trying to get as far away from the human as possible. After taking a minute to calm his nerves, Apollo sat down back in his seat. “Are you good now?” Said Artemis. (Breathing in and out) “yeah I’m good thanks. And princesses, Sorry for witnessing that.” “Why are you apologizing? That’s the bravest thing I have ever seen some pony do. For second there I thought you guys would fold under pressure and leave the dining room but instead you stood your ground. I wish every pony would do that to blue blood.” Said Luna with a proud smile on her face. “Wait, you’re not mad” said Apollo with shock “We are far from mad with you three. What Blue Bloods said to you guys clearly offended you greatly so I decided to let you three dish out his first punishment since he was so used to other ponies, giving in to his threats and demands since me and my sister are the only one to stand up to him.” Said Celestia, with a satisfied grin, and stirring her tea. “What’s the second punishment?” Atlas said “Freezing, his bank accounts and no more spa days. oh, I almost forgot, making sure that none of the castle staff tends to his needs”, said Celestia while sipping her tea. "It’s kind of sad that in 2009 people still act like that.” said Atlas. “2009?” The Royal sisters say confused “Yeah 2009 that’s the year we’re in, right? Wait a second what’s today’s date?” “June 11, 1009” said Luna Atlas banged his head on the table. “Of course, you guys run on a different calendar.” “Hey, look on the bright side at least it’s similar,” said Apollo “So, are we getting dessert or is it the end of dinner?” Said Artemis. “Of course, we’re getting dessert. If my sister didn’t get any, I think she would probably die.” Luna said while chuckling at her sister’s blushing face. Then, then right on cue, the kitchen butler place down a delicious looking chocolate cake on the table. With the words ‘happy birthday Celestia’ written on the cake with red icing. And after that, things went back to normal. ===•••=== (7:09 a.m.) After having a great night with the royal sisters. After they showed the humans their observation deck and observatory, they all retired for the night at 9 PM. Now since they had to meet with the Royal sisters at 8:30 to meet the Royal mage. So, all three of them got freshen up to see if they’re able to go home or not. Standing in front of the throne room doors. The triplets had cautious optimism about their situation. On one hand if they’re able to open the portal, they’ll be able to go back home on the other hand, they would have to say goodbye to all the friends they made. “Well, this is the moment of truth. let’s do this,” said Atlas. “Agreed” said Apollo and Artemis. With that, they entered into the throne room, prepared to hear their fate. ===•••=== It only took about 20 minutes for the Royal mage to explain that the portal was way too dangerous for anything to go through. And the mage was surprised that all three of them came through the portal with all their limbs intact. And the piece of news that made their heart sink even further is that the portal would take years for a trip through to be even possible with horrible injuries likely to happen. Even though he felt empathy for them, all he could say was sorry and leave. ===•••=== (One hour later) After leaving the throne room, the triplets decided to go to the massive Royal library and split up. Even though they reassured the sisters that they would be fine in reality, they were not. But they did except their offer of hot chocolate to be delivered to them so at least they got that. While his brothers were doing God knows what in the massive library. Atlas found himself a table to sit at on the third floor overlooking the entire area playing Angry Birds on his iPhone. After finishing a few levels, he unexpectedly got a call from Apollo. Thanks to the hotspots Artemis bought a few weeks before the trip, they were able to contact each other through their phones. Atlas: “hey Apollo, what’s up?” Apollo: "Nothing much I just want to let you know that the sisters contacted Artemis to let us know that they want to talk to us in the throne room later” Atlas: “All right thanks for letting me know. And where are you?” Apollo: "I’m on the fourth floor, looking at a nice view of the city whoever suggested to build a window this big for the view is a genius.” Atlas: “Yeah, it is a beautiful library maybe better than the ones back home” Atlas, then heard Apollo exhaled like he was going to cry again Atlas: “Are you all, right?” Apollo:” No, no I am not. You know I had pretty high hope that, we were able to get back and explain to our family and friends what happened. Instead, they must worry sick about us.” Atlas: “I was hoping that too, but also I had a feeling that this would happen” Atlas: “I’m sorry to change the subject all of a sudden, but do you know where Artemis is?” Apollo: Oh… he texted me that he found this nice spa nearby. He also told me that he was going in the sauna and that’s the last time he texted me” Atlas: “Damn, for real? This castle has everything doesn’t it” Apollo: “Should we join him?” Atlas: "You can, I can’t. I’m not done with my hot chocolate yet.” Apollo: "I can’t go either. I’m waiting for this battery pack to charge up that’s why I’m in front of this massive window.” Atlas: "All right, anything else before I hang up?” Apollo: I just remembered why I called you in the first place besides Artemis wanted me to tell you that the sisters wanted to meet us. Did you know that Cantorlot is on a mountain?” This caused Atlas to choke on his beverage a little. Atlas: “You’re lying, there’s no way that’s possible” Apollo: Well, according to the viewing looking at, and this book I’m reading the city is built on top of what remains of a very tall mountain. And luckily for us they use miles in this world as well, and this city is the size of Manhattan Island on top of a mountain.” Atlas: "I don’t believe you” Apollo: "Go to the window and see if yourself” Atlas walks towards the massive window and saw the beautiful view in front of him. Atlas: “This is insane, how high are we? since you know, we’re on top of a mountain” Apollo: 1 mile Atlas: “Oh my God” Apollo:” I know, right this is insane. But sorry to cut this conversation short but I need to charge my phone for a bit if you need me, I’m on the fourth floor, all right see Ya.” After Apollo hung up on him, Atlas was trying to process what he just heard. Not only was he in a world of mythical creatures, and magic. He was also in a city on top of a mountain a mile high. “Maybe, I should go and find that spa”