Madness had enveloped the ballroom of the Canterlot Castle. Animals from Celestia’s normally very peaceful menagerie ran amok, attacking guests willy nilly, driving them from the room. Applejack had managed to dodge harm so far, but many of the high class mares and stallions around her were not so lucky. Their glimmering jewelry attracted the animals’ attention, and most had already fled. All except one, who had been hit by a falling statue and was lying frightening still, not moving even while being pecked by a flock of perturbed toucans.
Applejack heard Twilight whistle and saw her wave for them to run. Applejack was about to race after them, but looked back at the unconscious pony. She vaguely recognized him, but it was hard to tell from under the blanket of angry birds. She hesitated, then rushed toward him, yelling at the top of her lungs and bucking the birds out of her way. She reached the pony, a unicorn stallion, and grabbed him by the collar with her teeth, dragging him out of the ballroom.
He opened an eye as she slammed the door shut to block the animals’ advance. “You… you saved me…” Applejack was barely paying attention. She had to get out, fast, before anypony realized she had been part of the cause of the riot. “Please… tell me your name…” the stallion pleaded, wobbling to his feet. Applejack turned to him, prepared to tell him to hush, when she realized who he was.
“Prince Blueblood?!” Applejack instinctively dropped lower to the ground, a fighting pose. The white prince looked at her in confusion, then smiled vaguely. He was bruised from the beating he had taken from the birds and debris. His horn had been broken, leaving only a jagged stump on his forehead. To her shock, he bowed shakily towards Applejack.
“Very well, it is an honor to meet you, Prince Blueblood. My name is… uh…” He tapped his head with his hoof, looking very confused. Applejack could see a rather large bump forming on his skull where the statue had hit him, but she didn’t feel inclined to sympathy. This jerk had treated Rarity like a personal servant, and worse, insulted her food!
“Ah ain’t no Prince, ye double-dealin’ varmit, you are! Mah name is Applejack, an’ t’ain’t like it matters cuz Ah ain’t never intendin’ t’see y’again!” She rushed past him, resisting the urge to buck him in the side, and fled the palace after her friends.
“Wait! But, Lady Applejack…” The prince shook his head in confusion. “What is a Prince…?”