//------------------------------//
// The Talk 
// Story: Unexpected Traveler 
// by DatGuy1st 
//------------------------------//

"This is... unbelievable." Princess of the Night tried to wrap her head around it.
"I'm with my dear sister on this. So you're saying there is a possibility of the existence of different versions of our world?" Princess Celestia asked.

"Yes. Although it is impossible to prove Star Swirl's theory, my arrival can provide evidence," Blueblood answered as he looked at the sisters. "The question is if I came from the future or a different world."

Not every day, you witness alternate versions or multiverses come knocking at Equestria's door. And Equestria experienced bizarre events in the past, especially Ponyville, for some reason.
However, this is still Equis. A world filled with magic that led to unexpected and dangerous events.

"Since we talked about this topic for a long time, how about I told you, my dear aunts of mine, the current status of my Equestria," Blueblood said with a smile and a clap of his hooves. 

"I guess we can discuss that topic for another time. What do you, sister?" Celestia glanced at Luna beside her. 
"I supposed you're right," Luna replied. Hearing about the state of Equestria in the future makes anypony curious. Their nephew ruling Equestria is not something you expected to hear or see.

"Hmm... let us see... the year is July 2, 3421, in my Equestria. Twilight and I rule Equestria together. Usually, Twilight and I deal with paperwork in the Castle. However, some problems required me to work outside of Canterlot, such as dealing with threats, investigating other cities or towns, or attending meetings in another kingdom," Blueblood said with pride. Of the two, Blueblood is the better actor and knows his way in politics. "To witness what is happening in a town or city, I disguise myself and spend my time there. Then, share everything I know with Twilight."

He remembers when the project for building shelters for those without a home. Blueblood disguised himself as a homeless pony to investigate one of the shelters in Manehattan, only for it to become a place where the staff used drugs while threatening the inhabitants to keep their mouths shut. The budget was wasted because no one wanted to live in that shelter, and the Prince arrived with Royal Guards two days later.

The Royal Sisters are pleasantly surprised. "Dealing with threats? You have fought, dear nephew?"

"Yes, between Twilight and I, I am the better fighter. I defeated many villains and monsters that proved a threat to Equestria."

Luna raised her brow at his bragging. "So it would seem..."

Not noticing the sarcasm, he continued, "After all, you are the one who taught me, Auntie Luna," The sisters are surprised, especially Luna. "You want to have a student and not happy with my attitude. Thus, I became your student to cast two spells in one horn. It was harsh to the point I thought that is just a facade to release your frustrations at me." 

He remembered getting chased by Luna wielding a wooden sword. 

Good times
For Princess Luna...

"What did my alternate self teach you," Luna asked with doubt.
"Let's see... you taught me weaponry, hooves combat, improvised weaponry, body language, and my favorite magic, including moon magic."

"Moon magic..?" Luna with a shocked expression on her face. "Can you show me?" A tinge of excitement in her voice.

In response, Blueblood summoned two messers. The messers are short with a flat belly, showing that it focuses more on slicing than stabbing. After a small graceful twirl, he held his swords closed to his body with telekinesis and faced the opposite direction.

"Crescent Moon: Slice!" Encased in moon magic, he swung his blades. The swing left behind small crescent blades changing in size and length until they dispersed. To the Sisters, it was beautiful. The way their nephew swung spoke of his mastery and experience with the swords.

All Luna can say, "Incredible..."
Her nephew was a spoiled brat, always wanting to party and hang out with his wealthy friends. To think that another version of Blueblood became a student of another Princess Luna filled her with pride and happiness. She had few students, but moon and sun magic are powerful and challenging. It requires dedicated training to use those magic.

It also filled the sisters' hope. That there might be a chance to redeem their Blueblood.
"Indeed, your technique is amazing, dear nephew."

"Thank you, aunts. I was able to do this because of my auntie Luna."
"I cannot deny the results of your training. It saved me many times than I would have liked," Blueblood murmured to himself.

Unfortunately, Celestia heard what he said. "Many times? What dangers have you faced?"

"Too many to count, with some led to my ascension," said Blueblood with a blank look. Twilight and her friends attracted dangerous objects, individuals, and events. So, why did he become a magnet for danger too? He still doesn't know.

Celestia and Luna can see how uncomfortable and tense he is. 
"How about Luna and I? I am curious to hear how our alternative selves are doing in your Equestria," The Princess of the Sun interjected to change the topic. 


The attempt only cause their nephew to become even more tense and silent as he looks at the floor with his face emotionless. He didn't reveal any emotions, which is a good feat as the sisters did not rule Equestria without reading body language. Before they can speak, Blueblood answer.


"I..." 

"You guys... are dead," Blueblood lifted his gaze to them. "There was an enemy named Oringo. An ancient one who existed before you two were born. She was from a forgotten race that died out. All we know is that her race and the alicorn tribe waged war against each other."

"She was an elite warrior who specialized in killing alicorns and made a reputation because of her skills. Unfortunately for her, the Alicorns won the war. Thus, she was sent to Tartarus for her the alicorn lives she had taken."

Blueblood slowly grits his teeth, "Oringo found a way to escape, and once she realized what happened to her race, she went mad and wanted vengeance. No matter how much we try to convince her, she will not stop until all Alicorns are dead in my world."

They can feel the atmosphere slowly becoming heavy. "Oringo is not joking. auntie Celestia, auntie Luna, Twilight, and I faced her in combat. She can tank attacks filled with Alicorn magic, move speed that rivals ours, fight all of us on her own, and worst of all, her magic deals extra damage to Alicorns compared to other creatures." Blueblood remembered the pain. It was shocking that a cut on his cheek from Oringo was three times more painful than what a normal cut should be.

"She poisoned you two, but Twilight found a way to block Oringo from accessing her magic, including her passive resistance. It's enough for me to land a killing blow."

Sadness laced his tone as Blueblood continued speaking. "The poison is deadly. Oringo bragged that this poison kills Alicorns. We refuse to believe it, so we hired the best doctors and alchemists worldwide to remove the poison from your bodies. Unfortunately, they can only extend the deadline. You taught us Twilight, Cadance, and me everything we need to know as rulers. After around 360 years, you two passed away, hoping that we rule Equestria with the ideals you cherished. It has been 500 years after your death."

At the end of his tale, silence filled the room as the sisters tried to comprehend everything he said. They felt sadness, shock, and anger for Oringon and her success in killing them. However, they also felt pride. Celestia steps forward and hugs her nephew, with Luna joining in.

"I am sad to hear what happened to us. We may no longer guide you or witness the Equestria under your rule. But my sister and I are so proud of you, Cadance, and Twilight for continuing to guide our little ponies."

"Tia is right. Keep your head high, knowing that you kept that hope after 500 years of our departure. If you really are our nephew from the future, we are happy and proud of you." Luna smiled as her sister gave Blueblood another hug.

"I am proud of you, dear nephew." It took a considerable effort to hold back his tears in front of his aunts. Before he changed his ways, there was always that constant bitter feeling about Celestia not paying him attention and Luna disliking him. It genuinely hurts.

He did things. Dumb and hurtful things that only backfired many times until he opened his eyes. Finally, reflecting on his life and the choices that gave him nothing but pain, he had enough, so he tried to change. Those changes were small but difficult to remain consistent. Then again, when did anything stop him? Stubbornness is one of his infamous traits. Tiny changes and ponies started noticing it. Blueblood improved until his auntie Luna approached him to be her student.

It was difficult to change the beliefs that you carried for years. It was difficult to say goodbye to the parts that held you down. It was difficult to apologize to the ones you believed as peasants. Some never forgave him, but he accepted and moved forward. Change requires consistency. If he fails, he'll end up right where he started.

Auntie Celestia was part of the blame that led to him becoming a brat. Blueblood wondered if she paid more attention to him, would he become a better pony that doesn't require suffering to open his eyes? However, he was still the one who committed those actions, not Auntie.

"Thank you." Blueblood closed his eyes, enjoying the hug from his mother figure.

Screaming can be heard outside the room as the three alicorns look at each other in wonder. The three left the Throne Room to see what the commotion was all about.

They saw Blueblood, the present version, screaming and hurling insults at the butler cowering in fear. The guards stayed in their posts, annoyed with one guard failing to get the unicorn's attention.

Celestia sighed sadly, and Luna groaned in annoyance until their attention was drawn to Alicorn Blueblood, who winked at them before walking toward his counterpart. 

Either this Blueblood is his past self or another world, but who cares? It took a lot of suffering to open his eyes to the real world, and the same probably goes for his counterpart. To the alicorn, it is better for them to grow without suffering for a long time like he did. However, the question remains.

Is Blueblood willing to change?