//------------------------------// // A rendezvous with the princess, and a return to agony // Story: The Ballad of Royal Blue // by PonyWithAPen //------------------------------// “So, how did you happen to catch Auntie Celestia’s attention, Royal?” Royal sighed as he prepared to answer Cadance’s question. “To tell you the truth, I have no idea. I just did what I thought was right. It was nothing special.” “What do you mean by that, exactly?” “I’ve been through a lot over the past few nights. It’s something I need to talk to Princess Celestia about.” The pair stopped. They had arrived at the main door. Cadance gestured toward it. “Here we are. Now go on in and meet her!” The princess said with a smile. Royal grinned back and proceeded to open the door. Twilight and the others had gathered once more inside her house. All of them with varying expressions on their faces, looking for answers to the ruthless behavior of their friend Royal Blue; at least they thought he was their friend. Right now, things did not look good. Applejack and Rarity had left their sisters in the care of others. Apple Bloom stayed home with Big Mac and Granny Smith, and Sweetie Belle stayed with the Apples, too. Scootaloo was at the meeting on Rainbow’s insistence that she not be left alone. Twilight led off the meeting. “Ponies, I’ve gathered us here this morning to address the puzzling actions of a stallion who has been a friend to all of us.” Pinkie looked down with a forlorn expression. She’d felt it first-hand, as Royal had actually struck her. Yet, there was something she saw as he left that puzzled her further; but hay if she could remember it. “All sorts of rumors have been flying around about Royal, and I’m sad to say that a few of them are true.” Twilight continued, sighing sadly, and gazing at Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. “Girls, tell us what happened.” Pinkie went first. “I was opening up Sugar Cube Corner for the morning. Royal came in and I wanted to hug him because I was so glad he was okay!” Pinkie paused, and her hair straightened out. “He kicked me, and sent me flying into the wall. Mr. Cake came to protect me. They fought, and Royal won. I’ve been taking care of Mr. Cake since then.” Twilight stared at her friend, impressed that she had made it through without crying, considering how close she had been with Royal. However, she did not expect the same from poor Fluttershy. The yellow mare was already close to tears and she hadn’t even gone into her story. Royal stepped into the throne room. It appeared massive, mostly due to his nervousness. He heard a voice. “Come in, my dear. I’ve been expecting you.” Royal slowly crept into the room. Once he saw Celestia’s warm smile, he loosened up and grew more casual, strolling over toward the throne. He stood in front of her, bowing in reverence. “So you’re Royal Blue. It’s nice to meet you. I called you here today for a very special reason.” “Go on…” Royal said, listening intently. “Twilight Sparkle wrote me a letter describing your situation.” “It was nothing, really. I just did what I thought was right. The kid needed someone to care for her.” Royal said, smiling when he mentioned Scootaloo. Celestia smiled as well, then she grew stern. “There’s something going on, isn’t there? Griffons attacking you…and actually trying to kill you. What did you do?” Royal gulped. “Well, it’s like this, Princess Celestia…” Back at the treebrary, Fluttershy was busy crying her eyes out. She had been permitted to tell her story last, because Twilight could tell it would be the most heartwrenching. Even Twilight, the mare who never held a grudge after her friends turned on her during the whole Cadance/Chrysalis situation, was angry toward Royal. Rainbow was comforting Fluttershy again, and she slowly realized that she had no choice but to accept that the young pony she cared for as her younger brother had turned on her and all of her friends. Royal…I can’t believe you, kid. I can’t believe that you would throw all of this away…and for what? “…and before I knew it, I was back on my hooves, throwing myself into the air to protect her. For a while, I really thought my troubles were over.” Royal finished telling his story to Celestia. She nodded and smiled. “It’s wonderful, what you have done for Scootaloo, and protecting another of my faithful subjects.” Her face suddenly grew stern. “I called you here today for a special reason. I have received word from outside sources that there’s something strange going on. I felt the same way when we were approaching Cadance and Shining Armor’s wedding.” Royal nodded. “Princess, I have another story for you.” Royal went on to tell her about his night mission to rescue the kidnapped Cutie Mark Crusaders from the clutches of Paulie the griffon, only to end up in captivity himself, nearly dying in the process. “And I tell you, princess, if it wasn’t for Rainbow Dash, I would not be here right now.” He paused, thinking a bit more about her. “She’s been like a big sister to me…and she’s helped me every step of the way with Scootaloo. I owe everything to that mare.” Royal paused again, sighing wistfully. “But this isn’t the time for that! The fact stands that there is trouble brewing! I will help as much as I can.” Upon hearing those words, Princess Celestia got an idea. “Royal dear, I think I know the perfect way for you to help!” Royal faced ahead, prepared for whatever she was about to show him. Back at the treebrary, the girls were still at a loss over all the events from the previous day. Twilight had taken some notes, and she prepared to read them to the group. “Based on what we have heard, I have devised a strategy for us. Royal Blue must not be allowed to roam free around the greater part of Equestria. He has caused far too much trouble now. He is a legitimate threat to us all!” Twilight saw Rainbow look down in sorrow. She felt great empathy for her friend. “Oh Rainbow…” The pegasus kept staring at the floor, not raising her eyes to make contact. “It’s okay, Twi. I’m okay…but that kid is in a lot of trouble! I took him under my wing as my little brother! What does he do? He…he…does all the stuff we just talked about! I’m gonna kill that kid!” Scootaloo stepped away from the group. Her head was spinning. Had Royal really done all of those terrible things? She knew that none of these ponies would ever lie about something so serious, especially not her cool big sister figure. No! It can’t be true! Royal’s too nice, too caring. He would never do something like that! But, what if he did? Twilight resumed her speech. “Rainbow, you and Scootaloo will watch for him at his house. I will watch from the loft of this library. Pinkie Pie will watch for him at Sugar Cube Corner. You can probably guess the pattern from there. Whoever catches him, trap him and restrain him. We will convene at the proper location and find out why he would have done such nasty things. You’ll have to put your emotions aside,” Twilight felt herself choke up a bit, “otherwise you’ll never be able to deal with him. Do you understand the plan?” The other ponies nodded. “Good. It’s never easy to fight a friend, but sometimes it’s all you can do.” Twilight maintained a stern look as she turned and stared up at her loft. This was going to be a difficult struggle. She knew what Royal was supposed to have been doing. Royal, you told me you got a letter from the princess, but it looks like you never made it to Canterlot. Royal left Canterlot Castle, bid farewell to Shining Armor, who guarded the castle ever-vigilantly, and started his walk towards the train station. He knew he had a long trek back to Ponyville, and he intended to sleep at least for part of the way. He thought about the trip up to Canterlot; he had run into Vinyl and Octavia, and they had helped the ride go by rapidly. Royal knew he would likely not have that kind of luxury on the way back. After all, you don’t just run into two famous pony personalities every day. Eventually, he made it to the station, purchased his ticket and boarded the train. He was on his way back to Ponyville. Before he drifted off to sleep, his thoughts turned to his friends back in the peaceful little town. I can’t wait to see ‘em all again. Especially Rainbow and Scootaloo. I’ve missed my big sis and little sis! Royal fell asleep smiling, knowing that when he woke up, he would be that much closer to returning to them. Eventually, Royal reached his stop in Ponyville. He got off the train and walked toward the center square. As he kept walking, he passed Sugar Cube Corner. This triggered a previous thought in his head. Oh yeah…I said I would visit Pinkie Pie to let her know I was okay! Royal made a complete turn from his usual path and marched up to the door of Pinkie’s treat shop. He knocked on the door. On the other end, Pinkie, being her cheerful self, bounced toward the entry of the shop. She opened the door to see Royal’s smiling face. “Hi, Pinkie! How are-“ he said, cut off by Pinkie charging toward him. Aww, she missed me that much, huh? Royal smiled tenderly, extending his forelegs to receive her oncoming embrace…only to be surprised when she swung her foreleg forward and decked him in the face. The unexpected blow sent him careening backwards, and he stumbled out the door and fell down the front steps of SSC. Naturally, it took Royal a moment to process what had just happened. Pinkie Pie, one of his closest friends, had just physically assaulted him. Royal shook it off and stood back up. I think I deserved that. She probably thought I was dead after Rainbow brought me home. I’d better go apologize to her. Royal re-entered the open door, only to find Pinkie missing. “Pinkie? Where are you?” The lights had now been switched off, which left him in darkness. However, he noticed that the light in the next room was on. Slowly, he entered, only for Pinkie to pounce on him. She threw lefts and rights at him, which left him even more confused as he blocked her punches. Pinkie Pie was not the violent type. It hit him that something fishy was going on. Gradually, Pinkie grew tired and started to cry. Royal decided to tell her he was sorry. “Pinkie…I’m so, so sorry that I kept you waiting. As you can see, I’m alive and well, and I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.” The pegasus walked over to comfort her, but she backed away from him. That set off some alarms in his head. He tried again, only to get the same result. “Pinkie, what’s going on?” he asked. She continued to cry. “Get out.” she said, coldly. “What?” Royal asked. Pinkie turned to him, teary-eyed and enraged. “Please, just leave. Get away from me!” Royal stopped, and turned around to leave. For a moment, he turned back to her. “Why, Pinkie? Please, just tell me.” Pinkie nodded. “Because you hurt Mr. Cake. He’s like a father to me, and you hurt him.” Pinkie paused, allowing Royal to process her words. “That is why you need to leave right now, Royal. Don’t make me have to hurt you…” Pinkie spoke very softly. Royal backed off and exited SCC immediately. There was something very wrong. I hurt Mr. Cake? That’s impossible! I was in Canterlot for the last two days! I need to find Rainbow and get her to talk some sense into Pinkie! Rarity saw Royal run by her boutique and drew the curtains shut. Royal skidded to a stop when he saw this. That was the second weird thing he had encountered that day. First Pinkie, and now Rarity? I don’t get it! What is going on? He didn’t bother sticking around to find out. He just spread his wings and started flying as fast as he could toward his home. Something’s going on here, and I don’t like it! Maybe Rainbow’s got the answers. At Royal’s house, Scootaloo heard a noise outside the door. “Hey! Rainbow! I think somepony’s here!” she whispered. “Open the door, squirt. Let’s see who it is.” Scootaloo opened the door, hiding behind it in the process. Royal entered his house, ready to take a load off. “I have got the world’s worst headache!” he said, holding his hoof against his forehead. He stumbled toward the couch. “Rainbow? Are you still here? I need to talk to you.” Suddenly, he was violently tackled to the floor. “Oh yeah, little bro? You wanted to see me?” Rainbow said. However, Royal noticed her tone was not playful as usual. It was angry and dark. Now he really felt guilty; the mare that saved his life was now enraged at him for some reason. Rainbow helped him to stand again. “I missed you, big sis.” he said. Rainbow smiled for a moment, but then her expression changed and she decked him in the face, sending him flying back into the wall. Scootaloo hid under the sofa, scared out of her wits. “Oh, you missed me? You were never even gone!” She punctuated her sentence by slapping Royal across his face. He looked up at her with pleading eyes. “Rainbow…what did I do?” Her response was to grab him and hold him by his throat. “Oh, where do I begin? You hit Pinkie, you almost killed Mr. Cake, you destroyed some of Rarity’s best designs, you desecrated the library, you stole from the Apple family, and you killed one of Fluttershy’s birds! I’m supposed to bring you before the girls! Royal, I don’t know what happened to you, kid, but…you betrayed my trust. It will be a long time before I can trust another stallion again.” Rainbow let him go, allowing him to catch his breath. He couldn’t believe this was happening. “Rainbow, I didn’t do those things! I had an audience with Princess Celestia! You’ve got to believe me!” Rainbow shook her head; she had an expression of sadness on her face. “Sorry, kid. I’m not gonna let myself get fooled like that again.” Royal’s heart completely sank. He now wore a blank expression on his own face. He walked past Rainbow and Scootaloo without saying a word. He spread his wings, preparing to fly away. “Royal, where do you think you’re going?” Rainbow asked. “I don’t know…anywhere but here. I’m not gonna stick around and get blamed for something I didn’t do! I really thought things would be different here in Ponyville…but I was wrong. I’m always wrong.” he said, without turning around to face them. “Don’t bother coming after me. I’m never coming back. Sell the house and all my possessions, and do whatever you want with the money. And find Scootaloo a good home…because this obviously ain’t it. Goodbye, former family.” Royal took off, leaving behind the two ponies he treasured the most. He didn’t know where he was going to go, but it had to be far away. Everything had gone to Tartarus in a hoofbasket while he was gone visiting Canterlot. Whatever had happened, it had turned the closest friends he’d ever had completely against him. Royal hadn’t tried to see Twilight or most of the others. If Pinkie and Rainbow reacted like that, there was no point in trying to appeal to anypony else. They were the best friends I ever had…but something went wrong. Something always goes wrong! I’m a curse! I guess I’m just not allowed to have anything! I’m a fool for thinking this would be any different! The forlorn pegasus soared across the skies, not knowing where he was going, how near or how far…as the tears fell from his eyes.