//------------------------------// // Potentially Peaceful Pact // Story: Rainbow Unicorn: The Ticket Matter // by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof //------------------------------// Rainbow Burst let out a sigh as she made her way through the halls of Canterlot Castle. Under other circumstances, she would be happy to be back and visiting. Even though it had not been very long since she had left and moved to Ponyville, she had missed it. After all, it had pretty much been her home for years. Nearly for as long as she had been Princess Celestia's student. Unfortunately, she could not enjoy it for the moment. She was here for a specific reason, and not one she was happy about. In fact, she pretty much hated the idea about it. It was actually one of the last things she ever wanted to do, and she had tried to put it off for as long as possible. Well... not quite as long as possible. If she really wanted, Rainbow could technically put it off a little longer. Still, she had to do it. She could deal with this, put it behind her, and then go and check on the other things. She wanted everything to be ready for when her friends arrived. Maybe she should have brought Spike with her. At least that way, he could be by her side now for emotional support. Plus, they could make jokes and comments before and after. No. As much as she would like to have Spike here, Rainbow had left him in Ponyville for a reason. If things went the way she was planning -- and so far it looked like they were -- she would be able to send him a letter to bring the others to Canterlot. Besides, she could always talk to him about it when this whole thing was over. Rainbow Burst reached her destination. There it was: the door to Prince Blueblood's quarters. Although, it seems that somepony had decided to mess with the sign. The l-o-o-d had been scratched out and a-l-l-s written above it. After snickering at the sign, Rainbow let out a cough and composed herself. Reaching up with one hoof, she got ready to knock, and stopped. Did she have to do this? Did she want to? She was about to ask a favor of the one pony she liked the least in all of Equestria. In a way, it seemed like a no-win situation. If things went the way she expected, Rarity was going to be heartbroken and disappointed. If things went the way her friend wanted, Rainbow would be sacrificing something that had given her a lot of fun over the years. Plus, it would mean risking Blueblood and Rarity being in a relationship. They might even marry. Or reproduce. The idea of Blueblood spawning sent a shiver down Rainbow's back You're being too harsh on him, Princess Celestia's voice said in her mind. True you are not very fond of the stallion, but he has never done anything truly evil or malicious. Just arrogant, condescending, and full of himself, Rainbow thought with a scowl. It was why she had first started pranking him to begin with. When she had first become Princess Celestia's student, Blueblood had felt that she did not deserve such an honor. After all, she was born of common stock, therefore she could have neither the power nor the influence to warrant such a noble position. It was not just her, either. The guards, the employees, even some of the lower nobility. He seemed to look down on them all. And why? Not because of anything he had accomplished in his life, but because of his own ancestry. The fact that he had been fortunate enough to be a descendant of Princess Platinum. Still, the reason she was doing this was so that her friends could either live out their dreams, or learn the truth. For Rarity, the dream was meeting the prince and falling in love. Maybe he's not as bad as you think, Celestia's voice suggested. Maybe he has more good qualities than you allow yourself to see. If Rarity is able to be patient and firm, then perhaps she can help bring out that better side of him. Yeah, right, Rainbow thought with a snort. Still, it was important to Rarity. With another sigh, Rainbow Burst closed her eyes, and knocked on the door. When it opened, Prince Blueblood stood there. He tilted his head, looking down his nose at Rainbow Burst. His gaze narrowed, his blue eyes turning icy. "You?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I must say this is a surprise. I don't believe you have ever actually knocked on my door before." Rainbow Burst ears pinned back as she looked away. Her jaw clenched tight as she held it tight, trying to keep from saying the first thing that came to mind. She was here to ask a favor (ugh!), and it would make it tougher if she insulted him first. "I need to talk to you," she said. "Can... can..." She clenched her jaw, "Can I come in?" she asked through clenched teeth. Blueblood's eyes went wide in surprise. Whatever he had been expecting, that was clearly not it. Then again, Rainbow never imagined that she would be asking to in the first place. With a golden glow of his horn, Prince Blueblood pushed the door open further and stepped back to let her in. "Before we start," Rainbow said as she walked into the room, "let me just say that I didn't write that on your door." Blueblood glimpsed at the door and rolled his eyes. "I am aware," he stated. "It seems that some unruly servant has decided to continue your petty and immature vandalism. I have yet to discover whom they are, however. None are willing to admit to such inappropriate behavior, nor have any caught sight of the perpetrator in action." Rainbow Burst considered that and felt a little swell of pride. It was nice to know that she was not completely forgotten now that she had left. It was also no surprise that nopony had seen anything. More than likely they had, but chose to say nothing. If Blueblood was in any sort of actual danger, the guards were more than willing to protect him, as was their job. When it came to other matters, such as harmless pranks, they were a bit more willing to turn a blind eye. If Princess Celestia were to ask, they would report the truth and what happened of course, but she never had. "Anyway," Rainbow said, "the reason I'm here is because I have a favor to ask." "A favor?" Blueblood asked. "Of me?" "Yes," Rainbow growled out. "Look, I have some friends coming tomorrow so they can get some idea what The Grand Galloping Gala would be like before it actually arrives. They have some big dreams what it would be like, and I also want to give them the chance to fulfill them. One of them wants to meet you." "Of course she does," Prince Blueblood stated. "After all, I am a noble of wealth and influence. Smart, handsome, well-bred. Why, I do believe I am the most eligible and desirable bachelor in all of Canterlot, if not Equestria, if I may be modest." I didn't know you knew that word, Rainbow Burst thought, but I think you don't know what it means. "So tomorrow," she told him, "I want you to spend some time with her. Be nice, show her a good time, make sure she has a wonderful time with you." Prince Blueblood let out a chuckle. "Is there any doubt?" he asked. "After all, I am certain that any pony will be swept off their hooves merely by being in my presence." He turned, moving toward a table and grabbing a glass. "However," he called out as he started to filling it, "why should I do such a thing? What shall I get in exchange for performing this favor for you?" "No more pranks." Prince Blueblood straightened up as he tensed. The glass fell from his magical grip, falling to the floor and shattering. After rubbing at one of his ears, he turned around to face Rainbow Burst once again. The stallion tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?" he said. "I am not quite certain that I heard you correctly." "You heard me just fine!" Rainbow snapped. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Her mind went over the exercises she had been taught to try and keep her temper under control. After all, it would do no good to turn hostile during diplomatic negotiations, and that is what this essentially was. Once she felt calm again, Rainbow opened her eyes and looked at Blueblood once again. "No more pranks," she repeated. "If you are able to show Rarity a good time and be a well-mannered stallion like she imagines, then I promise that I will never prank you again. I'll even ask the servants to stop." "Well that sounds simple enough," stated Blueblood. "I am sure that I shall be more than sufficiently capable of wooing your little friend for one night. Plus, it would be nice if I no longer had to worry about my door being vandalized..." He narrowed his eyes. "Or eating a cupcake with chili peppers in it." "Hey," Rainbow tried to reply as she held back snickers, "I wrote a letter warning you that's what they were. Not my fault you didn't read it before eating one." "Be that as it may," Blueblood said, "it would still be nice to have this immature foolishness come to an end. And with such an easy method. Why, I could be charming in my sleep." You would certainly talk a lot less, Rainbow thought. "Good." She moved forward and got eye to eye with Blueblood. "Because if you mess this up, the deal is off. In fact --" she pointed a hoof at his chest, "-- if you really mess this up and make her cry or furious, I will make it my mission to prank you for the rest of our lives. Got it?" Prince Blueblood looked at her a moment, one of his ear give a small twitch. He finally let out a snort and rolled his eyes. "Oh, very well." He turned back to get his drink. "After all, what do I have to worry about. Your little friend's night will be more than she could ever imagine. Why, I do in fact suspect that it shall be the greatest night of her entire life." Rainbow Burst said nothing, heading back toward the door. She had made the deal with Blueblood, and her threat. Everything else was pretty much set in motion. Now she could take a little break before sending the letter to Spike telling him to bring all their friends to Canterlot tomorrow. Maybe she would go to the kitchen and grab a quick snack. She gave one last glance at Blueblood's room as she shut the door behind her. She was not expecting things to go well, especially between him and Rarity. Hopefully this time, Rainbow Burst would be wrong.