Chapter 45
It had been a week since Fluttershy and I started dating, and everything was going great. Though, the same thing had happened with Rose, so I wasn’t exactly letting my guard down. Which, I’ll admit, was terribly unfair to her. I’ve known Fluttershy for nearly a year now, and Twilight had known her for even longer than that, not to mention everypony else, especially Rainbow Dash, and not a single one of us think Fluttershy would, or even could, do anything to hurt me. Maybe, someday, I’ll get over it. Until then, I will simply have to focus on treating Fluttershy like a princess. Well, the way a non-royal would treat a princess anyway.
This morning was the big day, though. Today was the day that the team heads off for the Equestria games in the Crystal Empire. I had decided to be there to see them off and had spent the previous night at Twilight’s place. Right now, however, I was standing on the train platform with the team leaders standing beside me.
“… and no matter what place you may earn in the end, I believe I speak for all of us in the palace when I say how proud I am of each and every one of you. You have all put in a tremendous effort thus far and I know for certain that when all is said and done, you will have shown us all just what you are made of. Just remember to go out there, give it your all and have fun.” There were some cheers from the gathered crowd. “And now that the official stuff is out of the way, I going to say, off the record mind you, that the Ponyville team is the best there is and you’re going to blow them all away!” This time there was an uproar. I turned to Rainbow, who was right beside me, “I think that worked.”
“Ya think?” She chuckled a little. “Alright, everypony, you heard the prince, now load up and kick some flank!” More cheers came before ponies started to fill the train cars. “Nice speech by the way,” Rainbow told me as she hovered. She decided to go when Fluttershy came up to me. “I’ll see ya when we get there.”
“Oh, um, are you not going with us?” Fluttershy asked with disappointment evident on her face.
I knelt down and placed on a hand on her shoulder. “I wish I could, Shy, but I can’t show favoritism to any one team,” I gave her a gentle kiss, “even if that team does have my favorite pegasus on it.”
She giggled. “Isn’t that favoritism?”
“Well, I figure, if nopony sees anything, then I haven’t shown anything.” Suddenly, a shadow fell over the train platform. Looking up, we saw a huge airship hovering overhead. “Well, that’s my ride. I’ll see you soon.”
Fluttershy gave me a kiss and a hug. “Alright, be safe.”
“I don’t think there’s a safer place on Equus for me to be. Mom and Aunt Luna both are already on board along with a platoon of unicorn, pegasus and night guards. As for you, though,” I booped her nose with a finger, “there is a squad of earth pony guards, plus Twilight and the rest of the girls. We both couldn’t be in better hooves.”
“Ahoy, your highness!” came a call from the airship.
I looked up and waved, “I guess that’s my cue. I’ll see you soon.”
Fluttershy and I kissed again. “Until then.”
Reluctantly, I stepped back from her, spread my wings, which made her blush as always, and leapt into the air and made the short trip to the airship. Once I was aboard, the large engines were spun up, and we began our journey to the Games.
*****
“Is something the matter, Honey?” Celestia asked. She, Luna and I were standing in the corridor that led directly to the royal box. Already seated in said box were the duke and duchess of Maretonia, the delegates from Saddle Arabia, who always reminded me of horses from Earth, and Blueblood. I was having some trepidation about going out before so many ponies, griffons, and other species.
“I’m, uh, just nervous is all.”
Celestia nuzzled me, “I understand. Though you have absolutely nothing to be nervous about. Luna and I will both be there, along with Cadence and Twilight.”
A large talon came to rest on my shoulder. “Don’t forget about your favorite uncle,” Gurfon stated.
The support was making me smile, but I was still having trouble. “And just think about how fair Fluttershy will appreciate you overcoming your anxiety in order to support her,” Luna whispered in my ear.
I was suddenly very certain that I should be out there with everyone else. “Alright, let’s do this.”
Celestia nuzzled me and then kissed my forehead, “You just come out whenever you’re comfortable, Sweetie. We’ll be right there.”
“Thanks, Mom, I’ll be right behind you.” She smiled at me before walking out of the corridor with her sister and Gurfon. “Some prince of Equestria I am,” I said to myself, “a crowd of a thirty thousand plus and I’m shaking in my shoes. Come on, this is no different from Ponyville or Canterlot, even though the crowd is bigger than both cities populace combined. Now pony up and get your flank out there.”
I could hear the announcer, also known as Shining Armor, introduce the others, “Please join me in welcoming our beloved rulers, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna! Also, from the Griffon Empire, King Gurfon!” The crowd roared with cheers and stomps. I figured it was now or never and stepped out into the royal box with as much poise as I could muster. The cheering slowly quieted down as I waved to the crowd. “And please give a very warm welcome to Princess Celestia’s son, Prince Christopher Sol!”
Luckily for me, there were quite a few ponies from both Canterlot and Ponyville out there, and one or two from Appleloosa, and the cheering didn’t die down all the way. Thanks to them, plus a few other Elements, I was soon receiving as much applause as the princesses. So, with a wide smile on my face, I took my seat next to Gurfon. Celestia and Luna sat in the middle of the top row in thrones marked by their cutie marks. Cadance sat to the left of Luna and a throne for Twilight sat empty on Celestia’s right. She joined us soon after, shortly before the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony. I had only heard about it from first hoof accounts and books, and only ever seen it in pictures and some of Celestia’s projected memories. While I always enjoyed those moments, as well as almost every other moment with my mother, holographic birds-and-bees talk was beyond traumatizing, nothing beats the real thing. I was literally on the edge of my seat as I watched all the different teams entering the stadium, each in their own way, followed by a Wonderbolts fly-by. I just couldn’t stop myself from standing and cheering like a foal at a circus parade.
Then came Spike’s big moment. He was actually picked to light to torch because he had essentially saved the whole Empire by getting the Crystal Heart to Cadance who in turn used it to banish Sombra forever.
Sadly, the little guy was having trouble with his flame. It seems he was having as much of an issue with the crowd as I was. The only difference was I only had to take a seat, he had to basically open the Games single clawedly. Luckily, we both had somepony like Twilight in our lives. I’ll leave out the details and simply say that the torch got lit.
After the opening ceremony, the stadium cleared out, as this was all that was happening today. The next three days were all the events with the fourth being the closing ceremonies where the overall medal leaders would be named. The city that won that honor was given a plaque saying so for the city hall to keep and got to hold a trophy that would pass the winning city of the next Games. The whole thing was very exciting.
Once the crowd had thinned, Twilight went to meet up with her friends. I and the other princesses went to the palace to have dinner as a family. Of course, Gurfon was there, as was Bunny and her family. Blueblood, however, had decided it was more important for him to find some… companionship for his stay in the Empire.
“Mom, where’s Willow? I thought she came here with us,” I asked while Cotton Tail happily munched on her dinner while sitting on my lap. I had jokingly placed my own plate on her head as a joke, but it had somehow become stable enough in her fluffy mane that that just became the way I was going to be eating tonight.
“She did,” Celestia replied, “but she was having stomach trouble and had to return to Canterlot.”
“Yes, apparently she was eating too much,” Cadance said with a bit of a sneer. Her disdain was understandable consider what happened to her during her wedding a few months back.
“Wait, she was feeding... on ponies?” I was shocked and a little hurt. Yet another individual I placed my trust in who let me down. I was beginning to think I couldn’t trust anyone.
“No,” Shining Armor spoke up while stroking Cadance’s withers, “she was basically being force fed love and happiness from the local atmosphere.” I could only stare at him in confusion. “The Crystal Heart absorbs, magnifies, and then disperses it out across Equestria. Being this close to it, especially during the Games, …she was about ready to pop.”
“Hmm… I wonder…”
“What is it, Nephew?” Luna asked.
“Well, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with all the changelings for a while now and I think this might be the answer.”
“I am not allowing that bug queen into my city!” Cadance slammed a hoof down on the table. The ears on all but the alicorns, flattened against their heads, even the guards.
Speaking of guards, there was this new guard that I just didn’t like. He was the only one who wasn’t a crystal pony, but was instead a pegasus. I don’t know why I didn’t like him, but I really, really didn’t like him. I know it isn’t fair to judge somepony without getting to know them, I just couldn’t help it.
“No, of course not. I hate the queen as much as you do and would happily allow Applejack and Rainbow Dash to use her for target practice. Unfortunately, removing the queen, means extinguishing an entire species. In a way, all of her minions are her slaves. She gathers positive emotions and then disperses it amongst the rest. A single changeling can absorb those emotions too, but they have to be pretty powerful for the individual to get a useful amount. If we placed them somewhere close enough to the Empire, they could feed without ever interacting with a single pony.
“And what makes you an expert?” Cadance was clearly upset by this conversation.
“Not only have I been speaking with one, but I’ve also been in the hive and seen it for myself.”
“Then you above all should know that the queen is too dangerous to be free to left to her own devices!”
“I never said we release her. I’m saying that maybe we could set something up that would give the other changelings a chance to experience life for themselves without being under control of someone else. We could still keep the queen locked up.”
“We need to keep them all locked up, not bring them closer to my citizens. Ponies tend to panic when they think something is going to hurt and/or eat them.”
“You think I don’t know that!” my wings flared involuntarily as my scar burned on my chest. All eyes were wide with shock and on me. Gently, I placed my plate on the table, stood up, set Cotton in my seat, and left the room saying, “I apologize for my outburst. If you’ll please excuse me.”
*****
Thirty minutes later found me wallowing in self-pity in my room, which was right next to Fluttershy’s. I had tried to convince her to simply stay with me, but we just weren’t quite there yet. We were close though. For right now though, I was happily settling for simply having her sitting on the bed next to me.
I was simply sitting on the edge of the mattress with my head buried in my hands. I couldn’t believe what I just did. I snapped at one of the few ponies that had always treated me as an equal and she wasn’t even saying anything against me. I had gotten so defensive so quickly… and for what? I guess to prove I can be a real plothole sometimes.
I was feeling pretty darn low and Fluttershy was doing her best to console me by quietly rubbing my back with a hoof while her wing was wrapped around me when we were interrupted. The door was thrown open and a purple alicorn stormed through it.
“What the heck is your problem?!” Twilight’s hooves made the crystal floors ring as she stomped. I didn’t respond but kept my face in my hands. “Hey, I’m talking to you! Or are you going to just yell at me too?” I shook my buried face. “Then say something.”
“Twilight, please,” Fluttershy pleaded.
“No, I want to know what he was thinking. You don’t get to just yell at my sister-in-law and then pretend nothing happened. What did she do to make you so angry?”
I could only shake my head again while mumbling, “nothing.”
“So you were being a jerk to her for what? Fun?”
“Twilight, stop,” Fluttershy asked again.
“You have any idea how upset Cadance is right now?”
“Twilight,” Fluttershy tightened her grip on me.
“Why are you being such a jerk?”
“Twilight!”
“What? I want to know what’s making him so angry that he just lashes out and thinks it’s fine. Talk to me, Chris. What are you so angry about?”
“Everything!” Twilight flinched as if I had actually tried to strike her even though the only movement I made was raise my head from my palms. “Every single day, I am reminded of how this isn’t my world. Before, I was okay with it, thanks to how supportive my pony family’s been. But now that I have alicorn blood, I’m always on the verge of blowing up at somepony.” I took Fluttershy’s hoof into my hand. “Sometimes, the only thing I can do to hold on, is to think about the filly I love,” I kissed Fluttershy on the cheek. “Obviously, that doesn’t always work.”
“I, uh, I see. I didn’t realize it was all this hard on you.” Twilight’s face went from angry to sympathetic very quickly. She then changed to simply upset. “That still doesn’t excuse how you acted in there.”
“No, no it doesn’t,” I admitted. “Look, give me a couple minutes, and I’ll go to her room and apologize. After that, I’ll probably spend the rest of the Games, with the exception of the relay, in my room.”
“What? Why?” both mares said in unison.
“Because I don’t want to miss Fluttershy’s race. Also, I don’t want to lash out at anypony else.”
“Then I’ll stay with you,” Fluttershy said as she nuzzled me.
“No, Flutters, you should go and enjoy the Games with everypony else. Don’t you worry about me.” I brushed her mane aside and kissed her forehead. “Besides, I’ve still got Rocky here,” I pointed over at the little basket he normally slept in, only it was empty.
“Oh, sorry, he came into my room and fell asleep on my pillow.” She giggled a little at the tiny squirrel’s antics. “Um, did you really mean that? What you said before, I mean?”
“Absolutely. *Kiss on her right cheek* Every. *Kiss on left cheek* Word.” I finished with a deep kiss on her lips. I could hear her soft moan in appreciation and wished I could stay there for a few weeks longer. “Alright, wait here for me, I need to go talk to Cadance and apologize for being a complete jerk.”
And that was the start of my first Equestria Games.
So Chris's ability is compassion and understanding for all beings that are shunned or hated bye the general population and the alicorn blood fuels it to an over the top affect
I'm incredibly curious into how the encounter with Tirek in the future will play out.
you know, I just thought of something. When Twilight ask him why he blow up like that, he could of easily say this.
Twilight: why did you do it?
Chris: Because I know what it was like for ponies to fear me and/or hurt me for thinking that I might eat them, remember the times you're friends attack me? All because I look different!
Twilight: well...
Chris: not to mention I'm immortal now! Remember Twi, I use to be mortal, now I have to deal with all this immortal business now. Especially with the anger issues.
I know it may not be the perfect response, but I just feel this could of been use somehow..,.
Those alicorns aren't very wise are they? "LOCK THEM ALL UP AND TREAT THEM LIKE SHIT BECAUSE THEY WERE FORCED TO DO THEIR MASTER'S BIDDING!"
:/
5630602 considering Chris needs magic to live, it will not be a good encounter. Unless his friends and family hide him away so that Tirek will not find him till he's defeated.
Hmm, interesting.
Jesus fucking Christ Cadence, some way for you to act! I expected a lot more from you! But then you start acting like a bitch!
5630682 Ikr
Yeesh, Twilight. Overreaction much? Chris apologized right after his flare up and you really think the best thing to do is go yell at him some more? And sue a guy for not wanting a species to go extinct.
He didn't have anything to apologize for there. Cadence made a biased remark based on species right in front of someone who was forced to live most of his life in relative solitude because of it.
minus all the points you have thus far earned for Flash Sentry hate.
Flash Bashers make me want to write a story where he appears in their house, bangs the haters' waifu on top of his desk, announces their marriage and then takes a victory dump in his computer tower.
Flash Sentry has done NOTHING to earn anyone's dislike. In Equestria he's a polite and honorable guard, in EqG, he's a decent stand-up guy who even went so far as to make a fool of himself at the prom just to keep an awkward, nerdy girl from being embarrassed. Hell, a real brony would be rooting the guy on, just for liking the bookworm that other too-cool guitar-playing dudes would pass up.
Why do bronies hate him? Because in EqG he's obviously supposed to be what they're not-- talented, good looking and popular. And, oh yeah, A NICE GUY. Thumbs down and removed from my favorites list.
Cadance seems a wee bit out of character (compared to how most people portray her whenever the Bug Queen is mentioned), but her anger is fully justifiable.
5630799 I completely agree. i hate the... well... hate that he gets. It's just unjustified.
well...that was interesting. A rather good chapter.
5630799
I agree with you. Flash hasn't done anything wrong. I could grow to like him better, if he actually got some more character development.
Thumbs up for great chapter.
a vary touching chapter to say the lest tensions are running high, how will the games turn out?
will fluttershy spend most of the gams in Christopher room?
time will tell.
5630645
Or he also gets some alicorn magic infusion because he's got the genes/blood/whatever in him, and goes badass mode with Twilight because Tirek doesn't know that he has alicorn genes (let alone exists) or that Twilight is a princess.
5630598 I believe the word you're looking for is 'empathy'.
He's the alicorn of empathy.
5630784 Author. Listen to this guy. He knows his shit and realizes the truth: That Cadence is just as much at fault here, if not more.
5630799 Don't look up, that sound you just heard was the joke going right over your head. Never seen someone throw a hissy fit worthy of a thirteen-year-old and stomp away over a throwaway gag before.
Leave Flash alone. He's got feelings just like any other generic background pony.
5630784 I'm in complete agreement with this statement; Cadance made [unintentionally, most likely] a very insensitive remark. In addition, she would doom an entire species based off of the actions of a single [because they can't really go against Chrysalis] changeling. Not a particularly wise ruler, in that example.
I know how you feel, for me i guess it was the bad way he was shown in the movie, i mean he has no real character, beside the polite appearance, but more or less everyone can act like it, i am not really ready to say he is a finished character, like i said befor somewhere, even the worst Oc´s, are better explained with her personality and all that stuff then Flash Sentry.
I could say some other stuff about him, because of the movie but it isn´t that important, and even if i agree he has done not really anything bad, he doesn´t feel like they had waste many thoughts on him, if you know what i mean.
Okay, Twilight was really overreacting, maybe he should not have been so upset, but i guess Cadance was not better.
Please make the others apologize too, this is one of the momenst it looks like he (or others) has not done anything wrong, it was a good thing not wanting to kill an entire race, Cadance got angry,....he got angry too, and suddenly he is as mean as King Sombra for the rest of the gang.
It was a nice chapter, but it is really bugging me, that the others were acting so wrong. A moment like this....it looks a bit, like if he is not acting like they want, or if he is trying to do be a bit different, the others try to force him into a certain......habit? I just try to explain something i didn´t liked in other storys, and it looks a bit like it had happend again in this chapter.
5630799 I think it's because he's being forced on us. if he had stayed in EqG, that would be fine, but they brought him to Equestria.
First chapter in a while that didn't sit right, some already pointed out the wasted potential in the conversation between chris and twi.
Also, writing like this;
“Absolutely. *Kiss on her right cheek* Every. *Kiss on left cheek* Word.”
Looks lazy, flesh it out like a proper sentence please.
Awaiting next chapter.
5632247 I think I can see that.
chris thinks like how I hope carries out its plan to release the changelings
and that they can be free
cadance can have hatred towards them but forget something important can not condemn an entire species by the failures of his queen as ruler
also if aliadios the pony become imagine the potential in the army but would celestia as infiltrators loyal to chris for the made free (just an idea)
twi also solom must stop thinking in black and white and see other nuances which would help you expand your view on various things
greetings and good luck
5630605
I was thinking of something along similar lines.
Cadence: "Why would you want to try to help them!?"
Chris: "Because they're just as much victims as anypony. Moreso even. They were her slaves. She MADE them do horrible things. I want to help them change; to be better."
Cadence: "They can't change!"
Chris: "Why not?"
Cadence: "BECAUSE THEY'RE MONSTERS!"
*Room goes silent. Everyone in shock except Cadence still fuming and Chris just blank. Wordlessly, he stands up and walks to the door. He pauses and looks back at her, sadly.*
Chris: "That's why I wanted to help them. One monster to another."
*Cadence's eyes widen in shock as she realizes what she's just said and Chris leaves. Fluttershy follows.*
5641260 that is really good, though I think that would just set Chris off in his current state. Too bad, I could have used that too.
Cadence better watch out with those feelings of anger and hatred or she will wind up Hatemare Discordance and then she'll be sealed.
5641260 Yeah, that would be a good reaction. Ah well.
5645744 Good eye. That line almost made it a clopfic.
My word...it's only a matter of time before Chris' anger and his magic culminate into a hate filled supernova that blows up everything in a 500 foot radius.
5673344 right?
5675522 You tell me. You're the one with Chris' fate in your hands, but you do seem like your building to a point where Chris let's his rage explode and he does something he's going to regret.
5675569 To be honest, I had thought about having him come close to murdering someone with his bare hands only to be stopped by Fluttershy, but I don't know if I want that or not. Either way, there will be a confrontation that will weigh on Chris's heart.
5677837 Ooh...well considering that we've seen explicit murder in this story that wouldn't be pushing things too far, and Chris definitely has a lot to be angry about so I can see him doing it. The only question would be who...i'm thinking maybe one of the changelings or Chrysalis herself.
5682257 I felt that humiliating him like that would have been a longer lasting lesson than just a beating.
5630799
I was going to agree with you until you resorted to petty insults...
5630799
That holds as much weight as someone on YouTube saying unsubscribed. NONE
5630613
Humans aren't much better.
Lots of overreacting going on. Both in the chapter and the comments.
For the record I don't hate Flash Sentry, nor do like him. His a boring two dimensional with little to no personality besides being the "cool" guy. Now if Flash was actually given depth, then I could be swayed either way, but until then consider me neutral.
5630613 there is a threat or the possibility of one, the usual reaction is to keep that threat not a threat. So I have to say the reaction as extreme as it is is not anything new, and on Earth more then likely every country has gone by this at one point or another.
I feel sorry for Flash.
6354139 i dont
5630799
I'm going to have to disagree with you. I kind of dislike Flash for the same reason i dislike most of the Equestrian guards/EqG students, whether or not they have a name in the show. In Equestria, they're foolish guards that jump to conclusions. In EqG, they're stupid teenage boys, and Flash doesn't really do much except exist for plot convenience. I'm also disappointed in your generalization of bronies. I'm almost sixteen, and I'm learning piano and guitar, learning how to spin fire poi, several of my close female friends have admitted to having some level of a crush on me, and, while I'm not a "popular" kid, I'm not exceptionally unpopular either. Also, my father raised me to be a proper gentleman, know how to wear a suit, and know proper conduct for most social and private situations. I'm talented, reasonably good looking, kind of popular, and a nice guy. Your point is invalid.
For me, Flash is like Gollum
I want to hate him for his Eqg counterpart. Yet I pity him because his Equestria counterpart is badly received because of it, even though they're different
Candy ass is just being a tad racist I guess Crystal ponies get as pass for being slaves wile the bugs dont? Not like sombra had any plans to try and take over the whole country...oh wait still I can see her point and why it's slanted as such.