//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 "Meet the Bluebloods" // Story: Equestria Noir Season 2 Case 1 "Murder at the Gala" // by Jacoboby1 //------------------------------// Chapter 2 “Meet the Bluebloods” “WHAT IS THIS PEASANT DOING HERE?!?!” a voice boomed from behind me. A very familiar voice... I turned and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him. Blueblood, Prince Blueblood, was standing there, glaring at me with pale blue eyes filled with rage. But, how is he? “Blueblood?” I asked, dumbfounded. “That’s Prince Blueblood to you, peasant!” he cried, glaring at me. “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, shaking my head. “I thought you were in prison!” “I was,” Blueblood huffed. “Wrongly accused when in fact you should’ve been in there for barging into my home.” I can imagine what really happened. Somehow somepony worked it so he could get out. After what he did to Sweetie Belle and Rarity I was disgusted by the fact that he was even standing here. It didn’t help that memories of what he was like during that alternate reality still lingered in my mind. “In case your brain is more empty than I thought, you were the one who orchestrated the kidnapping of Sweetie Belle,” I said, trying to keep my cool. Blueblood scowled, “Yes, and I served my time in that ghastly mine for an entire year! Now I am out and am ready to put you in your place!” “My place?” I asked, tilting my head. “Yes, you filthy commoner! I have heard that you seduced Twilight Sparkle and married her under duress!” he yelled, pointing an accusing hoof at me. The nobles around me whispered among themselves. I shook my head. “That’s the biggest load of horse shit I’ve ever heard.” “You married her right after she was coronated! Before a more suitable husband could be chosen for her!” he declared, standing so posh I wanted to punch him in that inflated chest of his. “I married her for love!” I retaliated. “Plain and simple!” “Your marriage is hardly valid at this point!” he had the gall to say. “In fact several of my fellows in Canterlot can agree that a commoner hybrid like you is hardly worth Princess Sparkle’s time! The only possible reason you would marry her is for her standing!” “Her standing?!” I shook my head in disbelief. “The only reason nobles marry is to improve the bloodline with fine specimens of stallion hood such as myself. Or to incur favors or connections. Peasants marry nobility for money and station! To work their way into the Canterlot elite where only the finest unicorns are meant to be! Love is never a factor and you know it, apparently your chicken mother never knew it either!” “...what, did you just, call my mother?” I growled, my voice dangerously low. Several nobles backed away from the pair of us. I just met the glare in Blueblood’s eyes. He humphed again and said, “Just what you are, peasant. Just exactly what you are. Now I suggest you leave, before I have the guards throw you in the dungeon you... parasite!” There was a quiet moment, where nopony in the crowd spoke. Finally, I laughed. “What is so funny?” Blueblood demanded. “You should be quivering in fear! Not laughing like a fool!” “It’s just, you honestly think I’m the parasite?” I laughed again, this was too damn funny. “You married a princess of her money and station you filthy-” I then got within inches of Blueblood’s nose, my silver eyes boring into his soul. "I'll have you know I intended to marry Twilight long before she ever became a princess. I've loved her for months before I even thought about marriage. To top it off, you think me a parasite? Check in the mirror, while I risk my life for Equestria every day all you do is stand around all day looking pretty. While I'm fighting villains that would make you wanna cry for mommy you're sipping wine..." I held up my wine glass. "By the way, this is very good wine, care to sample some?" I splashed it onto his white coat. Everypony in the circle gasped as the wine stained Blueblood’s white coat. The look on his face was of sheer contempt. I knew it was petty for me to have resorted to this, but I was so disgusted by what he said that I didn’t care. He tried desperately to clean the wine stain from his coat, before he cried, “GUARDS! TAKE THIS COMMONER TO THE DUNGEONS!!” A pair of solar guards came up. The pair were led by another guard. He was a pegasus stallion I’d never seen before. He looked younger than I was, with an orange coat and a blue mane that was kept under his helmet. On his flank was a shield with a lightning bolt on it. He walked up, and spoke to Blueblood, “Is there a problem Prince Blueblood?” “Yes, remove this commoner at once!” Blueblood ordered, pointing at me. The guard looked at me, noticed who I was and shook his head. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken my prince. That’s Sir Private Eye, a hero to many of us in the guard. I won’t remove him without due grounds.” “Due grounds?” Prince Blueblood yelled. “He’s a peasant! A social climber who seduced Twilight Sparkle! That’s more than enough to throw him out! But he also had the gall to stain my coat!” The guard looked to me, the guy looked torn. I could see in his blue eyes he was fairly new. He probably wasn’t used to handling a situation like this. Finally, he shook his head and said, “I’m afraid, as a royal consort, and a guest to Princess Celestia he has just as much right to be here as you Prince Blueblood.” “You dare defy me!” he shouted at the guard. “Who are you to defy my wi-” “That is enough nephew.” I looked over and saw Princess Celestia walking over, Twilight was at her side. They both did not look happy at all. The guard bowed and said, “Your highness, I apologize that I didn’t get to the disturbance sooner.” “It is well Flash Sentry,” Celestia said, nodding to the guard. “I will handle the situation myself.” Flash huh? He seemed like an alright guy. The stallion nodded and walked away with his guards. Blueblood looked about ready to speak his piece, before he got a glare from Celestia. The posh stallion was silenced by the glare. I know how intimidating Celestia can be when she wants to. I was smart enough to keep my own mouth shut. When Celestia spoke, she wasn’t playing around, “Causing trouble for my guests once again, nephew?” She raised an eyebrow. "N-no. Just putting a social climbing commoner in his place. He did seduce your student, and tricked her into marrying him, after all," he stuttered, then added in a rush, "Everypony knows that he had no right to marry a princess, especially so quickly after her ascension." Celestia was quiet for a minute, then spoke again, “I never informed Private that Twilight would become an Alicorn. Nor do I believe he seduced Twilight in any way. And the last time I checked, marriage laws clearly state that ponies can marry whomever they choose. And the only ponies with the right to annul a marriage is me, my sister and the couple themselves. Private was well within his rights to marry Twilight." She turned to her student, "Twilight, do you believe that Private married you for station?" Twilight shook her head fervently. “Of course not! Private and I loved each other before I even sprouted these wings.” Blueblood got his composure back. “But your highness, surely there are far more suitable stallions befitting your station. A fellow noble, who would help make for a strong family line..." Twilight interrupted him, “I’d rather stay with Private, a stallion I care about, thank you very much.” “But surel-” Blueblood started. “Do you think yourself a more suitable husband for my student, Blueblood?” Celestia asked out of nowhere. “Any noble would be a far more suitable mate than this half chicken peasant your highness!” She smirked, "Well, if you believe yourself so worthy... then explain why you came out from the gala covered in cake? And why you insulted Applejack's refreshments...?" She gave him a dangerous glare, "If you can't handle Rarity then I hardly believe you worthy of my student, or for any mare until you get an attitude adjustment..." She smirked again, "Bluebear..." I fought a smirk as I saw Blueblood’s face flush in embarrassment. Sounds like somepony has an embarrassing foal name. Blueblood spluttered. "But... but... They're... just commoners...." he said weakly. "One was selling commoner food at a high society function, and the other was a blatant social climber, needing to be taught a lesson! I don't see why I would have to handle them, when they should know that they're not welcome here!" Celestia then got within inches of Blueblood's muzzle. "They were my honored guests and the only reason why dawn will come tomorrow. They are the Elements of Harmony and more than deserving of your respect. If you believe yourself so above them, then the next time a villain comes along... I'll know who to call." Blueblood whimpered something, and then a strong voice yelled, “Prince!” Huh? His name is prince? That makes a boatload more sense. I turned around and saw a pair of unicorns walking towards us. The stallion was tall, white coated, muscular, and might have been handsome at one point but age had taken that away. His mane was long and silvery, his eyes were a deep brown and they showed disgust. On his left was a mare clad in a long blue dress that went with her own white coat. Her mane was long and richly blond, her eyes the same shade of blue as Blueblood’s. Her face showed that she put far more effort than she really should’ve into keeping her appearance. Blueblood turned a little paler than normal. “Fa-Father!” Blueblood’s father glared at him, “It seems you continue to embarrass me, my son!” “Don’t be so hard on him Pure,” the mare said. “He was doing his duty as a noble.” “Yes, but he could do it without causing a scene, Fantasia!” Pure shouted, and then turned to Blueblood. “You and I will have a talk later.” Blueblood just sort of, deflated. He walked away slowly, the stallion glaring at him as the prince left. Pure Blueblood walked over to Celestia and bowed his head, “Forgive my son, he seems to make it his job to embarrass me.” “So long as you are aware Lord Blueblood,” Celestia nodded. “I do not want to see him causing trouble for my student and her consort again.” Lord Blueblood, I’m guessing that’s his title. The stallion huffed and turned around, walking away. His wife followed after him. Another stallion, a tall and elderly looking unicorn with a suit and a soft tan coat walked up and spoke to Celestia. “Forgive my master, he’s been on edge as of late.” “It is alright, Bastion, I can understand the stress one’s station can bring,” Celestia replied with a smile. The stallion nodded and followed behind the Bluebloods. Judging by his rigid stance and the suit I’d say he was some kind of butler or servant. He didn’t exactly look happy to be trailing behind Lord Blueblood, then again I doubt anypony would want to be a servant to them. Celestia then looked at the crowd of onlookers and said, “I have a story to tell, how about I tell you all of the time when Starswirl was just a colt learning under me?” The crowd soon followed the princess and Twilight and I were left alone. I looked down, after all my talk about looking after Twilight it was me that lost my cool. Twilight looked at me, and put a hoof on my shoulder. “Private, are you okay?” “Can we, just go somewhere else for a bit?” I asked. She smiled and said, “Sure, the grounds are open for guests, we’ll talk there.” Twilight and I walked up the foyer stairs and were prepared to leave when suddenly a maid ran into me. She was a young thing, probably in her early twenties. She was a unicorn, clad in a maid’s outfit with a bright yellow coat, a gold colored mane done up in a bun, and deep blue eyes. She got to her hooves and bowed graciously, “Forgive me your highnesses, I’m just in a terrible hurry.” I spoke gently to the maid, “It’s alright, it was an accident.” “Where are you running off to?” Twilight asked. “I’m looking for Lord and Lady Blueblood,” The maid said frantically, “I lost track of them in the crowd coming here.” “We just saw them,” Twilight explained. “They were heading that way,” Twilight pointed to a set of stairs near the dance floor. “That was when we last saw them.” “Oh thank you both,” she said before taking off at Rainbow Dash speed towards the party. Twilight and I just shook our heads and made our way outside. ______________________________________________________________ The grounds themselves were filled with plants and trees of all sorts. It wasn’t as filled as the castle’s garden but it certainly impressed. Twilight and I walked through it as everypony else was chatting and sitting on cushions. Luna’s moon hung in the sky and provided light to the garden. Twilight and I made our way to a less crowded part of the garden. I levitated over a cushion and set it down for Twilight to sit on. She smiled and sat down on it, teleporting another free cushion so we could sit beside one another. I took my seat and felt Twilight put a hoof on mine. She spoke gently, “Hey, Private, are you really okay?” I sighed, “I screwed up Twilight. I lost my cool and I probably didn’t exactly present myself in the best fashion.” “You’re still thinking about Blueblood, aren’t you?” She asked. “Yeah,” I admitted. “I mean, it’s just hard to hear that your marriage isn’t valid because of what you are.” Twilight was quiet as I just looked at the grass. “I mean, you’re a princess Twilight. I just don’t want to think that maybe I’d be a burden to you.” “Private, look at me.” Twilight said, her horn glowing and her magic moving my muzzle to meet hers. “I’m looking,” I replied. “Blueblood is wrong,” she said, looking firmly into my eyes. “You are not a burden, our marriage is valid and you want to know why? You've helped so many ponies, and saved lives, bettered others, and generally have been a wonderful stallion. I swear that name that Grapes came up for him is right. BlueBALLS is, and always will be, wrong." I looked at her, taking what she said in. “I married you because you are nothing less than the greatest stallion I know. A sweet friend, a loving brother, and a hero. Your birth doesn’t make you any less than that. I knighted you, and I believe you more the des-” I cut her off when I pulled her into the tightest hug I could muster. She smiled and hugged me back just as tenderly. As I held her I said, “Twi, thanks, you really are the most wonderful mare in Equestria.” “You’re not half bad yourself.” She pulled away and lowered my hat over my eyes. “Dear.” I laughed a little and lifted my hat back into position. I then kissed Twilight right on the lips. She kissed back lovingly... until... AAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! Twilight and I broke our kiss as the scream rang throughout the area. Twilight and tensed up as the nobles began chatting panically with themselves. I saw some guards run inside the mansion. I looked over at Twilight, “Looks like duty calls.” “Come on,” Twilight said, taking off. I followed behind her as we ran inside the mansion. _____________________________________________________________ Twilight and I ran through the halls of the mansion. I caught up with a guard who was running too. “What happened?” “That was Lady Blueblood’s scream sir,” the guard explained, still running alongside me. “We were told by a guest that she went away with her husband to a study. Lieutenant Sentry is there now.” Twilight and I rounded a corner and saw Flash bucking the a door. Screams could still be heard coming from inside. After he took his turn, another guard tackled it. Twilight and I ran up to the guard and he bowed, “Your highnesses, they locked the door on the inside. Some kind of spell is keeping it shut and we can’t get in.” “Leave it to us,” Twilight said, as we walked past him to the door. The guard let us walk up to it, I bent over to the keyhole and pulled out my lockpicking gear. Hey, just because I didn’t bring Blackbird, doesn’t mean I was completely without my gear. I held them up to Twilight, “Give me a magical penetration spell.” Twilight nodded and her horn glowed, the tips of the bobby pin and screwdriver glowed slightly. “That should get us past any magical defenses.” I then went to work picking at the lock. “And who’s idea was it to read up on spells while on our honeymoon?” Twilight said smugly. “Yours dear,” I sighed. I could just see Twilight smiling but I remained focused on getting through the lock. The screaming didn’t exactly help, but I kept my focus long enough to hear a click and the lock gave way. I bucked the door open and shouted, “What’s goi-” I stopped when I saw the scene. Lord Blueblood was holding his wife who was weeping and whimpering at this point. The maid from before was in a corner, whimpering even more. On the floor, was Bastion, Lord Blueblood’s Butler....