//------------------------------// // Twenty-Year-Old Karma // Story: The Prince and the Pauperess // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// Caboose had been a pony to his word, as Blueblood and Dusty were able to take a stroll in the streets of Canterlot without any resistance. With Dr. Caballeron gone (as Caboose put it, and the two didn't press the matter), they were enjoying themselves. "Ah, it's hard to believe that we've been dating for almost a year." Blueblood sighed contently. "Sure is." Dusty nodded, "To be honest, I never thought it would last this long. Especially after meeting my father and uncles." She quickly added "No offense." "None taken. Being frank, I never thought that Shine would last long with my aunt." Blueblood chuckled. "Why would you think that?" Dusty asked, mystified. Blueblood stiffened. While honesty was a vital part of anypony's relationship, there were a few things Blueblood had kept under wraps from his marefriend. Namely, everything he did when he was Blueblood, the selfish vain prince. Sure, he was still 'vain' in a sense, but he believed he had become a better stallion. However, he didn't feel like telling Dusty of how he made fun of a blank-flanked adult stallion and how he insulted Twilight Sparkle and her husband. And of course, there was one incident he dare not bring up, no matter what, for the truth could easily wipe all feelings Dusty has for him and sever their relationship for good... as well as incurring the wrath of her father and her uncles, especially Caboose, whose happy-go-lucky exterior harbored a sadistic mercenary that could make that one horror story involving 'cupcakes' look like a fairy tale... the incident involved a Gala from twenty years ago and a certain Element of Harmony... "Well, those who are born alicorns, like my aunts and goddaughter, are immortal. That said, my aunt will probably outlive my uncle. Relationships like that are never easy to get into." Blueblood explained. It was a logical reason, of course, but it beats saying that 'commoners and royalty never mix'. "Oh. It's a good thing that Prince Paladin stood strong." Dusty smiled, "He seems real happy with the princess and little Miracle." "Yeah." Blueblood nodded, "Who knows, that could be us someday." "Maybe." Dusty giggled. Blueblood let out a sigh of relief. He knows he would have to tell Dusty about his past actions someday, but there was no hurry. As far as he could tell, there was no way Dusty would find out. As they continued their stroll, the couple came across something that stopped Dusty in her tracks; a poster for an upcoming fashion show. "Oh, wow!" Dusty gasped. "Rarity's holding a fashion show this Saturday!" "Rarity, you say?" Blueblood said nervously. "I've always wanted to go, but I never had enough money." Dusty explained. "But I have a feeling that won't be a problem now, will it?" "I suppose not." Blueblood smiled awkwardly. Blueblood wanted to keep Dusty away from Rarity, but he couldn't deny her such a fond wish. He could only hope he and Dusty would blend into the crowd, and Rarity wouldn't notice them. On the day of the show, Dusty practically dragged Blueblood to their seats. "It's starting!" She squealed. As fancy music pumped through speakers, the models walked up and down the runway, earning gasps and applause as they went. As Rarity herself came out on stage to accept the crowd's accolades, Blueblood ducked down as low as he could without attracting Dusty's attention. "Thank you all for coming!" Rarity waved as the show closed. Blueblood breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he had avoided a confrontation. Alas, this was not to be; As they turned a corner, Dusty saw Rarity out in the open. "It's her!" She gasped, rushing forward. "Wait!" Blueblood called. "Hello, Rarity!" Dusty smiled. "I'm Dusty Speck, and I just want to say how much I love your work!" "Why, thank you, darling." Rarity smiled. "I'm never too busy for a fan, you know." As Blueblood caught up to Dusty, Rarity narrowed her eyes. "There you are, Blue!" Dusty smiled. "Say hello to Rarity." "So, we meet again." Rarity glared. "Hello." Blueblood waved awkwardly, "Lovely show. Very captivating." "You've already met?" Dusty asked. "You could say that." Rarity frowned. "And you two are 'together', I take it?" "Yes, we are." Dusty smiled, "For nearly a year now." "Ms. Speck, would you like to join me for coffee?" Rarity suddenly asked. "My treat." "It... it would be an honor!" Dusty gasped. "I hope you don't mind, Blue." "Mind? Why would I mind?" Blueblood laughed nervously. "You go, have fun!" "Great." Dusty kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be back at the castle soon." Dusty and Rarity walked away. Rarity turned and cast a powerful glare at Blueblood. "Oh, I'm finished..." Blueblood groaned. Rarity and Dusty were sitting at a fancy café. "Thanks again for inviting me to coffee." Dusty smiled. "I always love your dresses, especially the line for Bitaly." "Not a problem at all, Ms. Speck." Rarty smiled back. "I am always happy to treat one of my adoring fans to a 'cup of joe.' Element of Generosity, remember?" "Right." Dusty chuckled. "But I feel a congratulations is in order." Rarity declared. "What for?" Dusty asked. "Why, on your relationship with Prince Blueblood, of course." Rarity faked a sincere smile. "I never thought Blueblood would take an interest in a 'common' pony, no offense to you, of course. "Oh, not at all." Dusty said kindly. "I was quite surprised myself when Blueblood asked me out. Ever since we met, he has been the most charming gentlecolt, like out of a fairy tale." "You don't say." Rarity's smile gave way to a quick frown. "Are you sure this is Prince Blueblood we are talking about here, and not some charlatan?" "Why would you ask that?" Dusty said, confused. Meanwhile, Blueblood was in his room, panicking, while Caboose sat on the bed. "This is bad, really bad..." Blueblood groaned. "Um, what exactly is bad?" Caboose asked. "I thought Dusty was just going out to coffee with a famous fashion designer." "She is." Blueblood nodded. "It's the fashion designer that's freaking me out." "But why though?" Caboose inquired. "I mean, this is Rarity, the Element of Generosity we're talking about here. I'm failing to see the problem here." "The problem, Caboose, is..." Blueblood sighed. "Rarity and I dated once before." "Really?" Caboose noted. "So she's an ex. Big whoop." "I wouldn't be too sure." Blueblood replied. "Me and Rarity... didn't exactly parted on the best of terms." "What happened?" Caboose asked. Back at the café, Rarity was telling Dusty about what happened at the Grand Galloping Gala all those years ago. "I thought he was going to be my prince charming, but I was wrong." Rarity remembered. "He was so self-centered. He wouldn't hold open a door for me, wouldn't give me a cushion to sit on... He even used my shawl to cover up a puddle, so he wouldn't have to step on it! Gentlecolts do that, not ladies!" "Oh, I see." Dusty frowned. "And as if that wasn't bad enough, he even had the gall to insult my good friend Applejack's food!" Rarity added. "Called it 'common carnival fare'! But the worst was yet to come..." Back at the castle, Blueblood was listing his remembrance of events. "...But possibly the worst part was when I used her as a shield against a flying cake." He admitted. "Then she blew up in my face. She was scary when she was angry, even more so than my auntie was during her mood swings." "Wow...you were really a pretentious d-" Caboose started. "Caboose, you can't say that word in the castle!" Blueblood yelped. "What, dolt?" Caboose asked. "Oh." Blueblood stated, relieved, "Either way, you're right. Looking back on it, I did treat Rarity terribly... and by now, she's probably told Dusty everything. I brought this upon myself, and now, I'm going to lose Dusty, all because of the mistakes I made twenty years ago. "Oh, come on, Blueboy." Caboose smiled. "So you displeased one mare! That was the old 'stupid' you. Now, you're the new 'much older and mature' you, the one that Dusty fell in love with. I know my niece, and if she really loved you, she wouldn't care." "You really think so?" Blueblood asked hopefully. "I know so." Caboose nodded. "Look, don't tell my brothers I said this, but if you and Dusty ever do get married... I would be proud to have you for a nephew." "Thanks, Caboose." Blueblood smiled, then looked at the clock. "Well, I might as well get ready to meet Dusty back at the gates. I hope you're right." "Hey, I'm right 60% of the time. And if you truly wanted, I could make Rarity…disappear." Caboose hinted. "Uh, that won't be necessary, Caboose." Blueblood stammered. Meanwhile, back at the café... "So in conclusion, Blueblood is no 'gentlecolt'." Rarity said tensely. "If anything, he is the most boarish, un-charming, mare-chasing, snobbish brute I had the displeasure of meeting!" Dusty looked on in surprise. "And trust me, Miss Speck, you can do better... much better." Dusty looked on in shock as Rarity panted, a touch out of breath from her rant. "Sorry about that, darling." Rarity apologized. "I still have bad memories from that night." "Clearly so." Dusty agreed. "But you shouldn't let one bad incident sour your opinion of a pony..." "But it wasn't just one incident." Rarity declared. "My friend, princess Twilight, was on the receiving end of his prejudice against 'commoners'. He didn't like the idea of one becoming part of the royal family. He was even worse when her foals were born!" "Oh." Dusty froze. "Look, dear, I'm only telling you the truth because you are a kind, loving mare, and I don't want some egoistical, blow-hard prince to break your heart." Rarity stated. "And I appreciate your intentions." Dusty sighed. "But I long since realized what Blueblood was before he asked me out." "You did?" Rarity gasped. "Yes. You wouldn't believe how... straightforward... the help at the castle is about whom they served." Dusty revealed. "Within the first hour I started, I had heard many things about Blueblood, none of them really good." "Then why are you still with him?" Rarity asked. "...I don't know what Blueblood you met that night twenty years ago, and I am really sorry that he hurt you." Dusty declared. "But the Blueblood you met earlier today? That isn't the same Blueblood. Look, Blueblood is not perfect, I know that... but I also know that he has a good heart, and that he loves me. And I love him." Rarity looked closely at Dusty. "You really do, don't you?" She realized. "Well, I hope for your sake that you're right about him." "Thanks." Dusty nodded. "Anyway, I'm sure I've taken up enough of your time." Rarity noted. "Perhaps next time I'm in Canterlot, we can get together and talk about more... tasteful matters." "Maybe." Dusty agreed. "Thank you for the coffee." "Any time, dear." Rarity smiled. Dusty returned to the castle, where Blueblood was waiting. "So, how was it?" Blueblood asked tentatively. "Well, put simply, I know everything." Dusty declared. "Everything that happened between you and Rarity, all those years ago, and even your treatment of some of her friends." "Oh." Blueblood sighed. "I'll understand if you want to call it off now. It was good being with you while it lasted..." "I'm not breaking up with you." Dusty smiled. "You're not?!" Blueblood gasped. "But, you know all about-" "Who you used to be." Dusty hushed him. "And I know that you're not that pony any more. You're sweet, and caring. Every bit the stallion of my dreams." "Really?" Blueblood smiled giddily. Dusty kissed Blueblood on the lips. "Really." She whispered. "Let's let bygones be bygones." "Gladly." Blueblood smiled. As they went inside the castle, Rarity stepped out from behind her hiding place, having followed Dusty. "Perhaps you're right about him after all, Dusty." She smiled. "Good luck."