The Vanishing Star
By NocturneD
warning: some foul language involved.
I don't know whither to either to throw up or piss myself in fright. I warned you. I have warned you about Lorenzo awhile back and this is what happens. He never kept his story straight about giving up on his work about the alicorn research. And now, right there in the center of the spot light to every pony's amazement or shock. Illusive Von Lorenzo, the white stallion. The picture perfect male. The pony's champion, his words moved other politicians into his favor. I warned you fully. Now, he injected himself with something and now jutting from his backside are two new limbs that slowly formed beautiful shining feathers.
That was it. It was the last straw. The thing that broke the camels back. I watched as Lorenzo demonstrated his new flying skills around the room. No doubt he saw me during his lap around the assembly. What was this I was feeling? The utter disgust in my stomach churned. Was I scared? Was I angry? No doubt about it, I was just as confused as was in awe as every pony else. The main family still was on the stage as they watched, what their expressions were I could not tell. Thanks to those stupid masks they wore. During this, I had my phone device out and set it aside to record the events of Lorenzo's climb to godhood.
This was disgusting. It obviously meant something was going to go down. And if I know Lorenzo, he would not waste by keeping the kids gloves on. He just might actually walk into the castle and show Celestia what he become. That would usher in confusion to the non-Sparkle family citizens and a blow to royalty. Supporters would rally around Lorenzo proclaiming that he became a god of some sort.
"Ghendi..." I muttered.
"Yeah?" He growled in a low tone.
"We got to tell the princess about this." I watched as Lorenzo made his last speech.
"Ladies and gentle colts." Lorenzo descended back onto the ground with grace. "Now we can walk hoof and hoof with royalty. No longer, will we fall ill of disease or die of old age. I have found the philosopher's stone as you all can see now... I have become one like our princess."
"Awfully bold statement." I muttered.
"Now main family." Lorenzo smirked, "I have shown you what could be the best... possible presentation any Sparkle family member could ever bring to your attention besides a kingdom up north or a protegé of a princess." Honestly that set my piss to a boil, I knew he was talking about my family just spite me.
Lorenzo levitated a glass vial of some sort of red goo towards the main family, "In that little beaker. Is the solution... To the questions in our mortal lives. We served royalty for centuries..."
Yeah... I'm going to let you figure out what the creep was really saying.
"Thank you young Lorenzo. Your presentation far exceeds any other what the families have shown us. Progress has never been closer than what you shown us." The stallion with the red rob draped over his body flipped the jar up and down to check its contents.
"Ghendi..." I muttered.
"Yeah?" He whispered back.
"Let's get Swan and Synn and get out of here." I muttered back and grabbed my phone.
I had enough of this place. What was a metal limb made of adamantine really going to carry out against alicorn serum? It was better if I left. Probably better if I left Canterlot as soon as possible. Luckily there was a doorway not far behind us as we tiptoed out and took a staircase back up to the hallway before we entered.
"What was that all about anyway?" Ghendi asked in serious tone.
"I don't know but we better leave and get back to the castle." I answered, I was in a rush as my legs were taking my faster than usual. I was in a panic, afraid that something could just pop out and tell us to halt. I felt like they knew I was recording and this should have not have been too easy. Let alone, did they even know I was really Vanishing Star? Or did they still know me as Fade Away?
It did not take long to nab Synn away from the nursery. As much as I enjoyed him playing nicely with the other children, I had to rip him away and still put in a nice tone that we had to leave. He had a lot of attention from the girls that night, naturally I would have felt proud but in this rushing moment. I can't. I tossed him onto my back while still levitating the metal case by my side. Not too long after that I found my fiancée.
"Hey Sweetie." I wandered up to Swan and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Heh. Fade this is doctor Polar and..." Swan tried to explain while holding her hoof up to point to a very middle-aged brown unicorn with a mustache.
"Oh pleased to meet you." I shook his hoof too quickly for his comfort, "I wish I could stay but something has come up and we got to go."
"Go...? Where?" Swan baffled.
"Turns out we don't have the right equipment after all for Ghendi's new fore leg and we got to go to the castle to put it on." I quickly used my magic to throw Swan onto my back.
"Oof.." Swan moaned, "Why didn't you check earlier? Can't you just call big Tex to get it for you?"
"Nope, he's got diarrhea." I quickly responded.
"What about Betsy?" She asked.
"She's got super diarrhea!" I shouted, this time a lot of ponies were looking at me for my potty mouth. I looked around, "And.. I DO TOO! COME LET'S GO!"
"oof!" Swan moaned again, "Oh come on Fade what has gotten into you?"
She kept asking me over and over why I had to rip her away from such a party that she got to meet doctors, professors and the she-bang. I never kept my answers straight. I could not tell her what I saw in there or what I heard as she would only be the curious type to want to know. She kept to her business most of the time sure but withholding information that could involve her just would not fly. Probably why half of the female staff did not like her as she could be pretty demanding at times too. We were basically out of the building already, sure it attracted some attention as the great Fade Away had to leave. Let alone left me wondering that this was all a little too easy. A bit suspicious isn't it?
"Stop this instant!" Swan hollered.
"I'm not stopping!" I yelled back.
"What is your problem?" She demanded me to answer. "PUT ME DOWN!"
I just stopped to let her bitch. I set her down on the side-walk as I looked around. Pretty much we were still in the marketplace of Canterlot but just out of the private community blockade by just a little. No surprise that there were royal guards by the gates letting ponies in and out but kept tabs. I just wiggled my foreleg to give Swan the hint to walk with me.
"Look this is something big and I don't think I should tell you here. Not in the open." I told her.
"Why?" She raised an eyebrow.
"It's something that you might not take well while standing here. Let's just get back to the castle." I almost wanted to yell at her right there.
"Well why is Ghendi's foreleg still not attached?" She kept pressuring me.
"JUST SHUT UP AND LET'S GO!" I growled.
*Sigh*
Of all the hurtful things I could ever say to any pony. It's something that has to do with commands, I hate being the bad guy. Let alone, I know ponies who don't like me either this way as from time to time I could get myself into trouble. She looked hurt from my spasm, but it was necessary. She did not put up anymore arguments, as much as I loved her with my heart this was something I wanted to hit myself for. She might be bossy but she at least has a heart and I sometimes wonder why she could ever stay with an ego like me sometimes. Synn was quiet, I felt him shiver on my back but Swan could not be moody forever. She pulled the little unicorn from my back and put him on hers. A little squeal emitted from his throat and she tried to hush him to show he was in good hoofs. A good move on her part, I did not want to endanger the little guy if I ever had to run.
We were silent the rest of the ride back to the castle we managed to catch. Just kept myself calm and ordered the others to go their room to start packing. I plan on leaving early anyway, this trip turned out to be one cluster buck after another. I knew it was too good to be true, nothing was ever so simple. Sure I could have made an ass out of myself in front of the rest of the family by accusing Lorenzo of playing god but where would it get me? I'm used to being waved off by business ponies but I would often come back to make them change their mind, but those six. Those six just... felt non-pony. They had normal voices, just something about them made me feel uneasy. Let alone, Lorenzo himself had that mind talk ability from back then.
I requested a meeting with the princess. Immediately. I was granted to see her but our meeting would not be for a while. The banquet was still going on and I could not wait any longer. The main dining hall, inside sat the most ingenious entrepreneurs this side of Equestria. Some I met before, a lot of them were I never met. My being was known as I burst through the door. Guards quickly subdued me and told me to stand down, and... I caused a scene, shouting obscenities and demanded to speak with the princess of the sun. In no time, a very well dressed Big Tex and Betsy stood up from their seats and tried to apologize. Big Tex wasted not a second longer to rush to my side as he told the guards to back away. They did not move, with a simple order from princess Celestia as she sat at the end of the table she told them to ease off. And that they did, my sides were sore from that heavy armor they wore as it pressed down into my body.
"Son what has gotten into you?" Big Tex yanked on my foreleg with his own and yelled.
"I need to talk to Celestia now dad!" I hollered back to him. My clothes pretty much gave away that there was some distress going on. Hopefully this would get their attention.
"Son what is wrong?" Tex then put both of his hooves to my shoulders to calm me down.
"I.. I just need to talk to her!" I heaved again and again. Just then Betsy came to my side to throw her foreleg around me, calmed me down by telling me to breath regularly. I looked at Celestia, never did I want to show any distress in front of an important figure such as her but this was something that had to be done. "Please your majesty this can't wait!"
"Baby calm down." Betsy hugged me tighter. The other guests started to talk among themselves, Celestia stood up from her royal chair to approach me. Her nearly identical sister; Luna stayed where she was.
"What ails you Mr. Fade Away?" Celestia stood in front of me in all of her glory.
I heaved and heaved while I searched through my pockets. Finally I pulled out my cell phone and searched through the features. "It will just be a second your majesty please!" Finally I selected the camera footage I recorded earlier and played it. Levitated the phone to her face as it played.
She kept a calm expression and watched. And watched... And watched. Her eyes narrowed. Then her mouth opened in a disgusted manner. Without moving a muscle, she spoke to me, "Mr. Fade Away... where did you get this from?"
"Uh..." I shook, "From the family reunion the Sparkle clan had just not too long ago."
She shook her head in a displeased way, "In all of my years that I knew the Sparkle clan..."
"What is it dear sister?" Luna finally stepped up next to her sister.
"Apparently some meddling in nature." Celestia frowned.
"Are those what I think they are?" Luna was stunned.
"Yes... If my eyes are not playing tricks on me then this finally means that Illusive Von Lorenzo has achieved the alicorn status somehow." Celestia was not pleased. Somehow I felt that she viewed Lorenzo as a nuisance, let alone an annoying admirer that would try to do anything for her affection.
"Hold on..." Tex interrupted us, "Sheen's son; Ill somehow grew wings?"
"Yes dad that's what I'm so spas about!" I growled.
"Shouldn't that be good news?" Betsy asked.
"You don't put that kind of potential into a nut case mom." I growled again.
"Look honey I knew you never liked young Illusive and..." Betsy tried to explain.
"Mom! He is insane! I know so because he went on and on about his research about the alicorns! He lusts after the princesses! He tested his serum junk on himself and I saw two giant limbs burst out of his back like out of some alien movie!" I yelled. "Ghendi was with me too! Ask him!" She finally quieted down.
However Celestia was still not done yet, "While I am shocked with this news. I'm afraid that it's not a lot to go on by..."
"Princess Celestia." A familiar voice called out from behind me. I turned around to see my brother Shining Armor in his guard uniform but he was not in a happy mood as he looked at me. By his side was Cadence who looked worried though, almost looked like she was crying though. I eased up a little, just something about her made me feel bad for her.
"Yes captain? What news do you bring?" Celestia asked.
"I am here on behalf of the Sparkle clan." Shining Armor cleared his throat, "As co-leader of the crystal empire. I have decided to give the Sparkle clan benefits such as property and shipping. As well as seats on our council."
Celestia raised an eyebrow. "While that's understandable for your first few acts as the leaders of the crystal empire. I do ask why would you not put your citizens on the seats?"
"Don't get me wrong princess Celestia. It's just that my family have worked with royalty for years and Equestria has been in fine shape since. It's only wise to extend our help to the north." Shining explained.
"Understandab..." Celestia was about to add but I interrupted.
"So you're just giving the Sparkle clan the keys to your kingdom huh?" I narrowed my eyes.
He looked at me, "No, just spots on my council and giving them rights to buy property and set up business."
"Just... How many spots on your council are there?" Celestia asked.
"Twelve. Me, Cadence of course. Two were earlier politicians from before the empire vanished. The remaining eight are open to the Sparkle clan. Illusive Von Lorenzo is interested in one of the spots and he is a must have."
"Son." Tex faced Shining Armor, "Politics don't work that way. The more you outweigh against your own ponies the less they are going to trust you."
"No offense sir, but I don't need advice running my kingdom." Shining turned away from Tex. That just brought my piss to a boil.
"Son, you really need to consider the..." Tex tried to explain.
But Shining did not even give him the time, his voice seeped of venom, "LIKE I SAID. I don't need advice. My kingdom, my choice."
"Um... I'm sorry to ask but isn't it a joint ruling?" Betsy almost seemed too afraid to ask.
"Yes, but when it comes to planning. The Sparkle clan can back up anything, that's why its necessary." Shining sounded too much like a drone there. "I'm not taking anymore idiotic questions or advice." Tex narrowed his eyes in anger, Betsy just backed away in an ashamed manner. "And that's all I wanted to say your majesty." He was about to turn away and leave, Cadence was about to do the same.
"Hold on!" I growled. Ass hat stopped and turned around.
"What?" He frowned.
"Did you two really decide to just hand over the keys to your kingdom? Or did you decide that on your own?" I asked, I was pretty mad as well.
"I..." Cadence was then cut off.
"We gave the Sparkle clan benefits, that is all." Shining could not stress that enough.
I shook my head, "You just gave them everything didn't you? You couldn't compete with Lorenzo's newfound success?"
"What are you saying?" He growled.
"I'm saying you're a moron. Come on Shining Armor seriously?" I shouted. "Why?"
"None of your business Mr. Fade Away." Shining shot back.
"Oh I'm making it my business you ass hat!" I hollered back.
"Well take that medal you earned and shove it up your ass because all you did here was be an asshole!" Shining hollered back. "My sister invited you here and what do you do? Treat my family like shit!"
"And yet why do I believe with your wife looking like she is had something to do with you giving benefits to the Sparkle clan?" I looked back at Cadence, man did she look like she hit the skids. "And to answer your question. Your parents are scum! Leaving a little boy out in the middle of the desert on his eighth birthday!"
"I'm not talking about this again." He growled.
"Shining Armor." Celestia ordered. "Even if this does mean prosperity for your kingdom you should have checked with me first."
"I'm sorry your majesty but this is my kingdom. You left it to me to take care of it and decide what would be good for it." Shining frowned.
"Then why is my niece upset?" Celestia frowned.
"Because he blew it." I added.
"FUCK OFF!" Shining turned his head to roar at me.
"Captain!" Luna hollered.
"You know what Mr. Fade Away. If your parents here raised you to be an asshole then they failed at raising you." Shining started poking at my chest with his hoof.
I swatted his hoof away, "They did a better job at raising me than the scum that raised you!"
"Mr. Fade Away!" Celestia ordered. "You two obviously have not made up from the last time. I'm ordering you two to put aside your differences. Now make apologize to each other."
Shining and I looked at each other.
"No..." He frowned. "I don't care anymore, I'm not taking this anymore. I got a kingdom to run. If I ever see any of your products or business in my empire, I'm burning it." He turned away, "Cadence..." Not much sooner, she started to follow him. She gave one last look at us.
I just couldn't let that slide. The smart thing to do was to leave it alone and apologize to move on. But then I thought to myself... What if this was a movie? I hollered to Shining to get his attention. Again he turned, his wife as well.
"Look.. Fuck you. Fuck the flying chariot you flew in on. Fuck your stupid red guard uniform. Fuck your stupid blue hair. Fuck your stupid surfer accent. Fuck your stupid smile. Fuck your prince title. Fuck your title of captain. Fuck your favorite brand of armor polish. Fuck your parents. Fuck your entire family. Fuck everything you stand for. Fuck your lazy UN-deserving ass. Fuck your spotlight stealing. Fuck your gay purple armor. Fuck any pony who found you interesting. Fuck the pony who thought you were good at anything. Fuck your child abusing ass. Fuck your stupid face. Fuck your cutie mark." I finished the big list, "This is Equestria, land of the free. Not some illuminati crap in what you fell for. I'm the pony's champion, now get the fuck out of my sight and if I ever see you in my hometown I'm slapping the shit out of you."
By at this time you read right. Celestia and Luna's jaws were practically on the floor. I looked at my parents, same thing. The guests, same thing. Cadence who looked more worried than anything. Shining... well... yeah... Guess where this was going.
"Then leave..." He scowled at me. "Leave and never come back."
"I'm not standing down. Not to some pony who can't realize they played into something so stupid." I growled back.
"What I'm doing is for the benefit of my kingdom." He said.
"You deserve to lose your kingdom to a nut job like Lorenzo then." I said. "Like father, like son. You cracked like dad."
"I'm done." He said.
"Goodbye then. You haven't changed at all." I whirled myself back around to face a disappointed Celestia.
"I haven't changed?!" I heard his hooves pound into the marble floor. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
"I said goodbye..." I frowned while not facing him. "I only ask one thing of you. Why? After these years. Why did you give me such a hard time when I was kid?"
He took a deep breath and then finally came out, "Because grandpa favored you over me. All because you achieved something sooner while I couldn't achieve it so simply."
"And that was?" I kept my face straight.
"A family technique. Not a lot of Sparkle family members could achieve so easily." Shining heaved, "I showed little promise, while you... you showed more so grandpa abandoned me in favor of you."
And then I said it, "That's asinine. You were jealous because I pulled something off at an early age?" I sucked the air through my teeth and continued, "Why didn't you just say you didn't like me? Not because you had a short fuse?! Not because you were doing terrible at school? Not because your teenage years sucked? No its about grandpa not loving you? Last time I remembered, he promised you a crap load of stuff after he died."
"Which I still have yet to get." He muttered. "Not all of it though."
"Well get over it then." I growled.
"Same to you then." He muttered.
"Your legs are going to be broken by the end of this week.. I promise you that." I thought. "Just you wait until everything unfolds in front of you."
"Well... have fun ruling what's left of your kingdom until Lorenzo overthrows you." I muttered. "Who knows, he might kill you one day and take Cadence for himself." I heard a small gasp coming from the pink alicorn, she pretty much got the idea.
"It's not going to happen, I'm the ruler. He won't dare." He growled.
"Just watch." I frowned. "It's like trying to control the sun, you can't do it. If I were you, I go back and tell them the deal is off."
"I'm not doing that." He growled.
"If I got to beat you down to do it to get through to you. I will." I stood my ground, and blew air out of my nose.
"You never learn." He shook his head. "I beat you down before. And I'll happily do it again for the good the crystal empire, Canterlot, Equestria and the Sparkle clan"
I ripped the sleeves from my shirt and threw them to the floor, "If that's how it got to be. I'll fight for the non-Sparkles, who put their hopes and dreams into their future and not to be controlled by some group that sits in the darkness. Takes shares of anything it doesn't deserve just to gain more power in the world. If you don't want to see Lorenzo as the real threat, then you're just as bad as he is."
"There will be no fighting!" Celestia used her magic to subdue us and part away.
"This isn't over." Shining Armor turned away, ordered his wife to follow him. She gave one last look at us, not even a goodbye to her aunts.
I bit my lip until it bled, "Not by a long shot."
I think I need to pay grandma Lucrecia a visit...