Past Actions, Future Consequences

by Rill

Past Actions, Future Consequences - Part 2

Shadow winced as his ears pinned themselves against his head as the train’s wheels screeched against the rails. Looking across the private car’s aisle, he could see Twilight reacting similarly. Spike on the other hoof, who had been sound asleep as their train made the final turn into Canterlot, was picking himself off the floor while trying to block out the noise with his hands at the same time. Glancing outside, the colt could see Equestria’s capital approaching, its marble clad buildings and golden roofs gleaming in the morning sunlight. Yawning as he felt the train start to slow down, the colt quietly got off the padded bench he had slept on, before fanning out his wings as he stretched. Maybe it was a combination of the stress of the last few weeks along with the lack of sleep from the past few nights, or maybe it had to do with the gentle swaying of the car that reminded him of the Tranquility, but whatever it was, Shadow was sure that, as soon as he had closed his eyes, he hadn’t so much as twitched until waking up just over an hour ago.

Seeing a number of buildings whipping by out of the corner of his eye, the young alicorn reached under his bench, pulling out his saddlebags and his vest. His loathing for the thing had only increased since his time in Ponyville. Here he was, living in a town where everypony knew about his wings and didn’t care a bit, and now he had to hide them. While part of him understood the reasons behind having to do so, it didn’t mean he liked those reasons. Hearing a few final stubborn pops from his neck, the colt donned the vest, slipping his wings into their hidden pockets before adjusting the loops that went around his front legs and finally zipping the front together.

Wincing as the train’s wheels gave a final screech before coming to a stop, Shadow turned to Twilight as he tightened the main strap of his saddlebags. For her part, the young princess had been ready to go as soon as she had seen her foalhood home in the distance. Feeling her legs bend slightly as Spike climbed onto her back, the older alicorn led the way off the car. Around them, the platform was a hive of activity as ponies went about their business. Some waited patiently for the train’s passengers to disembark, while others, mostly earth ponies in uniforms, worked to unload the hundreds of pieces of luggage that came with the train and its passengers. For his part, the disguised alicorn stuck close to Twilight’s side, following her while taking in everything around them. For the most part, the hundreds of ponies on the platform completely ignored them, though Shadow saw that more than a few had noticed them, earning them a number of stares.

Stepping out of the station, the colt couldn’t help but marvel at the city around them. While Canterlot had more than impressed him the last time they had been there, the change of seasons had only helped to accentuate the city’s magnificence. Overhead, the white and gold of the city’s buildings contrasted pleasantly with the bright blue of the cloudless sky. Around the streets, flags waved in the gentle morning breeze, while the air itself was perfumed with the scent of thousands of flowers that had been planted in containers that sat along the streets, next to building entrances or in boxes that hung under windows. Feeling the last lingering bits of sleep fade from his mind as he took everything in, Shadow couldn’t help but bounce a little as he trotted next to Twilight.

Taking in the sight of Canterlot in early summer, Shadow followed silently behind Twilight. For a while, the two alicorns walked in silence. Distracted as he was by everything around him, Shadow never noticed the numerous glances Twilight gave him after slowing down so they could walk side by side. Following his guide down a side street, a smile quickly took over Shadow’s face as he saw the unmistakable diner that sat at the end of the block. Seemingly before he could blink, the two alicorns and dragon were walking through the eatery’s front door. Behind the counter, the diner’s owner smiled. “Well, well, if it isn’t Princess Twilight herself. What brings you here today, kid?”

Twilight laughed, ignoring the looks of the other ponies sitting along the walls. “Breakfast, Joe.”

“Breakfast I can do. Let me guess: large black coffee, one doughnut with extra sprinkles” the stallion glanced at Spike “an emerald and ruby doughnut and…” he turned to look at Shadow “one of my patented double XL triple-berry muffins.”

Twilight and Spike nodded while Shadow looked confused “Are you psychic?”

The stallion and Shadow’s companions laughed at the question. “No, I just have a good memory when it comes to my customers, especially the more memorable ones.”

“And here I thought it was because of all the hours and bits I spent here studying.”

“That may have helped…” the stallion admitted as he gathered their orders.

“Thanks, Joe” Twilight said, smiling as she placed some bits on the counter.

“Anytime, princess” The stallion replied, picking the money off the counter with his magic. “Don’t be a stranger.”

Raising her cup, Twilight led Shadow and Spike off to the side, taking a moment to enjoy her coffee. Sighing in relief as she finally got her morning caffeine fix, Equestria’s newest princess led her companions outside. In no particular rush, the three slowly made their way through the city toward the palace, taking their time to enjoy both the weather and their breakfasts.

“So, what’s the plan?” Spike asked as they stood inside the palace’s main foyer. Around them, the castle’s staff went about their business, seeming to completely ignore the princess in their midst. The guards on the other hoof, continued to stand at attention, as if they had been carved from stone and placed in their current positions. Though it was subtle, Shadow had noticed how the golden armored guards had seemed to straighten ever so slightly, how the grip on their spears imperceptivity tightened whenever Twilight glanced in their direction. Even the guards standing at attention outside the front gate had stood even straighter as they had approached.

“Well” Twilight replied as she looked around “The princesses need my help with something before we leave for Manehattan.”

“Which means you’ll be needing my help.” Spike added.

Twilight smiled as she nodded “Though that means you will be on your own for most of the day, Shadow.”

“That’s not a problem” Shadow replied as he looked around “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Princess Twilight, it is a pleasure”

Both alicorns turned to look at the stallion who had called out to them from across the foyer. Glancing at the guards, Shadow could see a couple roll their eyes. Next to him, Twilight’s body language was unmistakably that of somepony who desperately wanted to be anywhere else at the moment. Yet despite that, the purple alicorn smiled at the approaching stallion. “Prince Blueblood, what brings you here?”

“I was just on my way from an early morning meeting, when I saw you standing here. I only felt it appropriate to greet one of our nation’s princesses.” Shadow couldn’t fault the noble unicorn since, after all, they had been standing there for several minutes and nopony had said anything to them. Unnoticed by the prince, a lone mare trotted up behind him. The colt immediately noticed that the earth pony was winded, from what he didn’t know, and that her mane was a disaster, with stray hairs sticking out everywhere.

“Thank you for your concern, Prince Blueblood” Twilight replied, a wince crossing her face as she continued “Unfortunately, you caught me at a bad time. There are some things the princesses need me to do before Princess Luna and I leave Canterlot.”

“Ah yes. There have been a number of rumors floating around the palace about the mission you and Auntie Luna are going on.” Shadow’s face gave an involuntary twitch; Auntie?! “That being said, I won’t keep you any longer and I hope your mission is a success. Though if you don’t mind my saying, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation just now, and I would be more than glad to take young Shadow under my proverbial wing for the day.”

Glancing at Twilight, the colt could see that the princess was torn. She clearly didn’t think it was a good idea for some reason, yet it didn’t seem she could say no. “If you don’t mind, I would love to follow you around” Shadow said.

Nodding gracefully, the stallion turned to Twilight, bowing his head to her before walking away, with Shadow falling into step beside him and the ragged-looking mare following a few steps behind.

“So” the prince said a couple minutes later as they walked down a corridor “maybe you could enlighten me as to what kind of mission would require both Auntie Luna’s and Princess Twilight’s attention.”

Shadow managed to keep his face from twitching this time, though it was a close thing. Was Prince Blueblood really related to Princess Luna? The young alicorn didn’t know, but for whatever reason, the way the older stallion referred to the princess as ‘Auntie’ felt wrong on a couple levels. “The princesses recently learned of a previously unknown island that is home to thousands of ponies.”

“Ah yes, another one of those missions.”

“Those missions?”

“Auntie has gone on a number of diplomatic missions recently to Thestral colonies outside our borders. This is probably another one of those missions.” The prince fell silent as they turned a corner, walking past a lone thestral guard without acknowledging the mare’s nod. “Frankly” the stallion said a few moments later “I don’t understand why Auntie Celestia is even allowing this, seeing as how those cave-dwelling freaks joined forces with Nightmare Moon.”

Cave-dwelling freaks?! Shadow mind could barely process what the prince had said. How could he say that? He made it sound like thestrals were primitive savages. Having spent over a week at the colony back home helping his dad, Shadow knew it they were anything but. “-though I suppose there is something to say about how effective they’ve been when it comes to crime in the lesser parts of the city.”

“Lesser parts?”

“Where the common ponies live and work.” Blueblood explained, hardly skipping a beat “I just hope Celestia can keep a tight leash on them. Fates only know how sympathetic Auntie Luna might still be.” Tuning out whatever else the prince said, Shadow felt his mood souring. How could he say such things without knowing the ponies in question? Looking up, the disguised alicorn found himself standing before a set of impressive looking oak doors. “Unfortunately, I must leave you here for a while. This is a private meeting.”

“I understand, Prince.” Shadow said, bowing his head. Even as he made the motion, he found it harder than it previously had been.

“I’m glad to hear that” The older stallion said. Next to him, the ragged unicorn mare ignited her horn, a crystal wineglass appearing before the prince. Without a glance, the noble unicorn grabbed the glass from the air before swallowing nearly all of the red liquid in a few gulps. Carelessly tossing the glass to his assistant, the stallion swished the last bit of wine around in his mouth before spitting it out onto the carpet that ran the length of the hall. As if nothing had happened, the larger unicorn turned to face the doors, which opened under the mare’s magic.

As the doors closed behind the two unicorns, Shadow slowly sat down on the bench near the door. How could a unicorn act like that?! Did he have no pride? How could he be as casually cruel as the earth ponies back home? As his mind tried to understood what he had seen and heard, Shadow felt his mood sour even more, his ire finding a focus on the stallion he had looked up to.

“Oh sweet Celestia; not again” The lone alicorn looked up at the maid who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

“Again?”

“Yeah. I swear Blueba- Prince Blueblood gets some kind of pleasure out of this.”

“You mean he does this a lot?”

“Everyday” the maid replied as she searched her cart. “More than a few staff members have quit because of him.” Seeming to find what she was looking for, the earth pony mare started to scrub the bright red stain.

As he watched, Shadow’s mind began to turn. How could he have looked up to this plot head? Why hadn’t he listened to Spike, or taken the hint from Twilight or the guards? That was a mistake he’d have to atone for, and he had a good idea on how to do so. “Let me help you” Shadow said, as he ignited his horn. Focusing on the stain, the colt slowly massaged the wine out of the carpet. As the last drops leaped from the carpet a few minutes later, the alicorn tossed the ball of red liquid into the pot of a nearby plant before turning to the mare “How would you like to get some payback?”

The maid looked around to make sure they were alone “What do you have in mind?”

---

From a balcony on one of the palace’s tallest towers, Celestia and Luna stood silently. Below them, Canterlot was a hive of activity as thousands of ponies went about their lives. From this far up, the city’s residents looked like nothing more than brightly colored ants, though both princesses knew that they were anything but ants. “How are final preparations going” Celestia asked as the breeze tried to play with their manes.

“As well as anypony could expect.” Luna replied. “Captain Steel Gaze assures me that our ship will be ready to depart as soon as we are on board.”

“That’s good.”

Luna looked over at her sister. “Sister, I am getting the feeling that you asked to speak with me for more than simple small talk.”

Celestia smiled. You’ve always been the more perceptive one. “There is, Luna.” Turning around, Celestia beckoned her sister to follow. “To tell the truth, I’m worried.”

“About Shadow?”

“Among other things, yes, though not as much as you might think. I know that between you, Twilight, Cadance, Shining Armor and everypony onboard, he’s in good hooves.” Settling into a plush sofa, the larger alicorn pushed a rolled up scroll over to her sister. Silently, she watched as her darker sibling opened the report and read it.

“Another ship?”

Celestia nodded “With all hooves onboard.”

Luna looked over the report one more time before setting it on a nearby table. “Believe me sister, if we see that thing, I will deal with it.”

“I have no doubt, Luna, but there is something I want to show you.” At this, Equestria’s Solar Diarch ignited her horn, bathing the room in golden light for a moment. As the light cleared, a scroll lay next to Luna.

“What is this” Luna asked as she looked over the arcane sigils on the scroll.

“It is an extremely powerful spell I created centuries ago.”

“What does it do?” The younger alicorn had a vague idea of what the answer was, but she had asked anyway, hoping that she was wrong.

“It takes the life-giving power of my sun, and turns it into a tool of pure destruction.”

Luna looked up at her sister in shock before turning back to the open scroll. “How powerful is it?”

“Do you remember New Dawn Island?”

Luna nodded. “I’ve been meaning to visit it but...” the dark alicorn’s voice trailed off. “What do you mean, ‘remember’?”

“When I developed this spell, I needed to test it someplace remote and… well… there’s a reason why you can’t find New Dawn on any modern maps.” For her part, Celestia didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about the revelation.

“New Dawn was over two square kilometers in size, sister” Luna said as she absorbed what Celestia was saying. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but have you ever had to use it since then?”

“Only once and, thank the fates, it wasn’t in battle.” As if sensing her sister's next question, Celestia continued. “Roughly six hundred years ago, the Gryphon Emperor began making threats against our land. I initially brushed his threats off as the empty, hollow words they usually were.” Celestia shook her head. “It wasn't long after that I began to receive word of the Gryphon military being mobilized. Our military has never been considered incapable, and I still have no doubt that we would have won the war, though it would have taken years and countless lives.” Celestia closed her eyes as if reliving the moment. “On the night before the first battle, I asked for a meeting with the Emperor to talk peace. Unsurprisingly, he was interested in what I'd be willing to give for him and his army to march home. I told him that if he and his army left Equestrian territory at daybreak, I'd let them live. Naturally he scoffed.” Celestia shook her head as an amused parent might; chuckling at the memory. “In the far distance, there was a lone mountain that had served as a landmark since the time of Clover the Clever.” The smile on the older alicorn's face vanished as she looked away from her sister. “I reduced it to a mile deep crater in less than a second and every creature in the valley saw it happen. The Gryphon Emperor and his army were back in their territory by noon.”

Luna left her spot and sat down next to her sister, wrapping her legs around her a second later. “Does anypony else know about this spell?”

“No” Celestia replied a couple moments later. “I was never really proud of it and at the time, I figured that it was too dangerous for it to be common knowledge.” The solar princess chuckled mirthlessly “Not that it matters much. You and I are the only ponies who could use it, and I would know immediately if anypony tried to use it.”

From where she sat, Luna looked at the spell-containing scroll. “Thank you for trusting me, sister. I hope I never have to use it.”

“I hope so too, but I didn’t want you to go without knowing it.”

“Thank you, though I think you’re worrying too much. My ship has the latest in shield spells and arms. If anything, I’d worry less about me and more about whoever tries to do something stupid.”

Celestia chuckled. “I’ll try.”

---

Shadow sat alone on the bench, slowly munching on a cookie. Next to him, a small silver tray sat uncovered, half its contents having disappeared as the colt waited for the prince. The maid had been surprisingly eager to help him get back at the egotistical stallion. As he had explained his plan, Shadow quickly realized that they would need help. Sure, he could have taken off his vest so he could fly and get what they needed, but both Twilight and Luna had suggested that he hide his wings to avoid attracting any unnecessary attention. The maid, Sparkle Shine, had solved the minor problem by enlisting the help of one of the palace’s window washers, who happened to be a pegasus. After that part of the prank had been dealt with, it had become a matter of marking the prince as the target. Again, Mrs. Shine had the perfect answer to their problem. Taking a break from her duties, the maid led Shadow to the palace’s kitchen.

To say that he had been overwhelmed as soon as he stepped into the kitchen would have been an understatement. For a couple minutes, Shadow had simply stood there; images of Sugar Cube Corner’s kitchen springing to mind as he watched the palace’s cooking staff prepare hundreds of meals in a space that had more room than his home had. The two unexpected visitors had stood to the side for a couple minutes, watching the aproned staff banter back and forth as they worked in a manner that spoke of years of experience. Eventually, the two had been spotted by the head chef, an aged mountain goat with a goatee that had started to turn white. Though he probably shouldn’t have been, Shadow had been surprised to learn that the chef had a bone or two to pick with Prince Blueblood, and was more than happy to help them. The results of that help were now sitting next to the colt as he waited.

Yawning as he finished his latest treat, Shadow started as the door next to him opened. Through it strode a number of important looking ponies. While he didn’t care about them, the young alicorn noticed that not only were they all dressed, they were all unicorns. Near the end of the procession, Prince Blueblood slowly walked out, still deep in conversation with another noble. Sitting up, Shadow watched as the two spoke for a couple minutes before parting ways. Knowing that everything was in place, the colt smiled. This was going to be fun. “Good afternoon, Prince Blueblood.”

“Good afternoon, Shadow. I hope your wait wasn’t too boring.”

“Not at all, sir. When a passing maid told me how long your meeting was going to be, I decided to explore the palace.” Seeing the prince nod, the colt levitated a small covered platter. Pulling the cover off, Shadow revealed a half dozen miniature muffins. “I may have accidentally wandered into the royal kitchens and instead of being mad, the head chef gave me a quick baking lesson.” The alicorn gestured to the muffins.

“You made these?”

Shadow nodded “With a little help.” It was a bald-faced lie, but the colt didn’t care. He could see the older stallion looking at the offered treats with barely contained desire. “The chef said I need to practice, but I got some talent.” Seeing the prince’s resolve crumbling, Shadow created an almost imperceptible breeze that blew over the muffins and the across the larger unicorn’s face.

“I suppose one wouldn’t hurt” Blueblood said as he gently picked one off the tray with his magic. Watching the older pony eat the muffin, Shadow could barely contain himself. While he had been waiting, he had cast a small spell over the muffins. “Not bad” the prince eventually said, after downing two more muffins.

“Thank you, my lord” Shadow replied, bowing his head. Mentally, he was counting down the seconds they had left until the spell took effect. “What do you have planned now?”

“Hmm” The lone prince seemed to contemplate the question. “Since I don’t have any meetings for the next few hours, how would you like a proper tour of the palace grounds?”

“That sounds wonderful, sir.” Inside, Shadow was practically dancing.

“Excellent. If you’ll follow me…” Turning to follow the prince, Shadow looked back at the ragged mare who had gone into the meeting with the prince. If anything, she looked even more worn out and it was barely past midday. Catching her eye, the colt pointed to the tray of cookies he had left behind before winking and mouthing a very obvious all yours before grabbing the muffin laden tray. It might have been his imagination, but Shadow thought he saw a tear run down the mare’s cheek.

As they passed a stationed guard, Shadow glanced at the armored stallion, trading a small nod with him. Glancing back as they rounded a corner, the colt watched as the guard brought a hoof to his helmet before whispering into it. Any second now…

As if they had heard him, a half dozen pitch black storm clouds quickly turned the corner Shadow and Prince Blueblood had just taken. Ladies and gentlecolts; let the fun begin. For the first few seconds, nothing happened as the clouds slowly stalked the two lone ponies. Smiling to himself, Shadow stepped to the side, a smile on his face as his guide continued on, oblivious. Igniting his horn, the young alicorn waited until the last cloud had passed him before triggering the simple spell. Immediately, the clouds spat out bolts of lightning, the resulting thunder leaving the colt’s ears ringing.

Jumping at the sound, Blueblood turned. Like a pack of timberwolves, the six clouds leaped at the lone Prince. While he may have been the bane of the palace’s staff and a general annoyance to everypony who had to deal with him, Prince Blueblood wasn’t a pony to let his position go to his waistline. As such, he made sure to keep himself in shape, lest he became slow and ponderous like so many of the less worthy nobles he had to deal with on a daily basis. This constant training was the only thing that kept the stallion from being surrounded by the attacking clouds. Letting out a scream reminiscent of a small filly in a haunted house, the noble unicorn bolted down the hall, his young charge completely forgotten as the clouds chased him.

Laughing, Shadow tore off down the hallway as fast as he could, trying to keep up with the prince.

---

Celestia slowly strode down the hall as her main attendant updated her on the results of the noble meeting that had ended a couple minutes earlier. Next to them, the pair of guards glanced at each other. It was a minor thing, but the solar princess noticed it. “Is everything alright, sergeant?”

The pegasus mare on the princess’s left jumped slightly at suddenly being addressed. “Yes, ma’am…”

“But…” Celestia stopped at the distant sound of thunder. I thought the schedule was for clear skies today. Glancing at the mare next to her, all the princess got was a shrug. As if to answer her, there was another crack of thunder, this time much louder. Trotting to the intersection ahead of them, the princess got her answer as her nephew raced past her, his blonde tail ending in several inches of scorched hair. Behind him, a number of clouds chased after him, spitting small lightning bolts every few seconds.

Seconds later, a familiar colt tore past her before skidding to a halt. “Hi princess” Shadow said, trying to plaster the most innocent looking smile on his face. In the distance, everypony heard a series of thunder cracks echo down the hall “Um… bye princess!” Without waiting, the colt turned and ran down the hall.

Princess Celestia looked down at her assistant. “So… Where were we?”

---

Prince Blueblood could barely breathe. Panting, the stallion raced around another corner, barely missing the edge of the wall, but not the vase that had been on display there. Barely hearing the sound of two hundred year old porcelain shattering against the floor, the prince didn’t miss a step as he raced down the hall. Behind him, he could hear the thundering rumbles of his pursuers. Why he was being chased by enraged thunder heads was well beyond the stallion’s thinking at this point. Taking another corner too wide, Blueblood barely managed to jump over the large potted plant that had suddenly appeared in his way. Occupied with nothing else but escape, he didn’t notice how his back hooves connected with the plant, snapping it and sending it and the dirt in the pot flying across the carpeted floor.

Spotting a series of windows, the lone noble felt his heart leap. He knew where he was in the palace. If he could just get outside, maybe he could turn his magic on these infernal clouds. The smile that had started to grow on his face froze before vanishing. Outside the window, a pair of clouds hovered threateningly just on the other side of the enchanted glass. Just need to get… to… The stallion’s thoughts ground to a halt as a member of the palace’s cleaning staff opened a window ahead of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a pair of dark grey blurs streak by as the two clouds outside raced past him, before flying through the open window, cutting the stallion off.

Skidding as he tried to stop, the prince saw an open hallway flash past him. Beyond thinking, he ignored the sudden pain in his side as he slammed into the hallway’s side. Taking a quick glance behind him, he groaned as his pursuit followed. Taking another corner, the stallion’s long run came to a sudden halt. Ahead of him, the hallway ended in a wall of marble. Spinning around, he felt his heart stop as the clouds that had been chasing him filled the hall behind him, cutting off his only escape.

---

Panting, Shadow paused to catch his breath. Finally able to breathe again, the colt admitted to himself that, even for a pompous windbag, Prince Blueblood could run. Just down the hall, he could hear the final part of the prank playing itself out. Now that they had cornered their prey, the spells controlling the clouds brought everything to a head, ensuring that the prince wouldn’t forget this moment for a long time. Tiphoofing his way down the hall, Shadow peaked around the corner. Backed up against a wall, Prince Blueblood was cowering on the floor. Around him, the clouds shot bolts of energy every time he moved. Unable to so much as twitch, the stallion was forced to take the tongue lashing of the one pony who frightened him above all others, though he would never admit it: Princess Luna.

Unable to contain himself, Shadow pulled himself behind the corner before all but collapsing as he laughed. He had first thought of this prank over a year ago, after a particular unpleasant incident involving him, his sister and a group of bullies. Oh Star, I wish you were here to see this. Opening his eyes, the colt’s laughter died as she stared at the bright silver-colored shoes standing before him. Slowly looking up, Shadow swallowed nervously as he followed the dark blue fur of the shoes owner. Remembering where he was, the young alicorn scrambled to his hooves, smiling nervously “Hello, Princess Luna.”

“There you are” Luna said, raising an eyebrow. “We have been looking all over for you. Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor arrived a short time ago and-” anything else the lunar princess said was lost as the nearby clouds erupted in a display of light and sound that left the two alicorns and the princess’s escorts blinking rapidly as their hearing returned. Holding up a hoof, Luna stuck her head around the corner, taking in everything before her in a single glance. Pulling back, she glanced at the young colt “I take it you saw how he treats the palace’s staff?”

“Yup.”

“Pay back?” Around the corner, one of the clouds cracked with thunder before laying into the cowering noble with Luna’s voice. Seeing the young alicorn nod vigorously, the princess slowly smiled. “May I?” Nodding her thanks as Shadow swept his leg, the dark alicorn took a moment to compose herself. Taking a deep breath, Luna strode around the corner, well aware that she was being watched. Igniting her horn, she dispersed the dark clouds with a sweep of her head. Before her, her ‘nephew’ lay cowering on the floor. “In all my years, I have never seen such disrespectful and ignoble behavior from somepony with your rank! DID YOU THINK I WOULDN’T NOTICE? DID YOU THINK I WASN’T WATCHING YOU?” Luna’s Canterlot voice echoed across the palace. “WE HAVE SEEN HOW YOU TREATED OUR STAFF. WE HAVE WATCHED AS YOU USED THEM AND ABUSED THEM FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD IT IS TO HIRE GOOD STAFF THESE DAYS WHEN YOUR REPUTATION TAINTS EVERY INTERVIEW?! WE HAD HOPED THAT YOU WOULD CHANGE YOUR WAYS ON YOUR OWN, BUT APPARENTLY WE WERE WRONG! I DOUBT A SLUG WOULD BE AS DENSE AND THICKHEADED AS YOU!” Luna leaned down until she was less than an inch from her cowering nephew. “I will only say this once, so you better listen” she whispered. “You will clean up every speck of dirt you spilled, every mess you made, and you will do it without magic. I will have the palace cleaning staff watch you, and if you complain, or use your magic, or do a less than perfect job, I will know.” The tone of Luna’s voice dropped until it could have frozen a desert oasis solid. “If I ever hear that you have abused even one more member of the staff, or if you fail to completely clean up the mess you made, I will make such an example out of you, ponies centuries from now will use you as an example of what happens to those who anger me. Understood?” Seeing the prince nod, she smiled. It was not a comforting smile. “Good. Now get out of my sight.”

Without a second’s hesitation, the prince vanished.

Sighing to herself, Luna turned and trotted past the stunned colt and pair of guards who had watched the whole thing. Hearing them fall into place next to her, the princess took a couple seconds to compose herself. Though she wouldn’t admit it, lest she encourage him, she was impressed by the prank that Shadow had pulled. It showed creativity and resourcefulness. She had never heard of such a use of clouds, and she sincerely doubted that she’d see its equal for quite a while. “That was a most… interesting prank and-” Luna paused mid-sentence as the colt levitated a scroll from one of his saddlebags. Taking the offered scroll, the princess unrolled it, glancing at the instructions and diagrams on the paper. “Thank you” she said as she rolled up the scroll. She’d study it more later but she could already feel herself thinking of ways to use this on Celestia.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Luna increased her pace slightly as she lead the colt and their escorts down a flight of stairs. “As I was trying to say earlier, we have a train to catch.”

Comments

[tkepner]

Excellent use of muffins and cloudy weather!