Years after his departure to become a better pony, Prince Blueblood returns to a different Equestria with the goal of atonement in mind.
When Rarity blew up at Blueblood at the Grand Galloping Gala, it was a turning point for the young stallion. He learned once more to apologize, his beloved Aunt Celestia said she was proud of him for something of his own doing, and upon reflecting, it made Blueblood think;
Am I worthy?
Do I deserve to be here?
If so, why am I here?
Those questions, he could not answer. But that is why he left; to use the gift instilled upon his flank and find out those questions with the hope of returning as a better pony.
A good pony.
A great pony.
Warning: If you hate Blueblood, this is not a story for you. What would one expect from such a title?
I have no doubt you will come looking for me first, which is why this letter is addressed to you. Ever since the Grand Galloping Gala three months ago, the one that soiled my good and hollow name, I have been focused entirely on reviving my reputation to get back within the good graces of Canterlot. I was successful, but over that time, I developed a gentlecolt's facade whenever I attended an event. I detested it at first, you can guess, but it did not take long for it to rub off on me. I began thinking. Perhaps being a true gentlecolt is not such a bad idea, I thought.
But then something happened.
I was chosen by you last week to attend the ribbon cutting and the launching of the Saving Grace alongside Rarity, the same mare that became the bane of my reputation, and eventually, my spark. It was a jarring experience in it of itself to see her again, but over the course of the ceremony, I mustered the courage to do something I would've never even considered three months ago.
Apologize.
As soon as I did it, I felt like the weight of the world was lifted off of my back. She is the Element of Generosity, so there was no doubt she accepted my apology. Following the event, I came straight home to you. You did not seem particularly interested up until I told you about it. The look on your face was absolutely priceless! But when you said you were proud of me, that was infinitely moreso. Definitely something I will keep close to me, always.
Afterwards, I was thoroughly convinced that I could do better, achieve greater heights, find out who I really am. These last months, I know I have only touched the tip of the iceberg that is who I am, and I intend to finish my journey of self-discovery, wherever that may take me, which Is why I left you this letter.
I am leaving Equestria. Only when I feel confident that I have permanently changed for the better of Equestria, will I return home to see you again. Do not lose sleep worrying over me, as you have a nation to govern. I will return on my own accord, I promise. I do not know when, but I will return.
Until then, farewell.
Forever yours, Prince Blueblood of Canterlot
P.S. When Cadence finds out, tell her I miss her.'
XXXXX
That letter, Princess Celestia found on her nephew's bed five years ago.
Of course, as soon as she read it, the entire guard was sent to search for the missing prince, and catching on, many of the populace. Canterlot, Manehattan, Fillydelphia, even Ponyville was turned upside down to look for their prince. His abrupt disappearance made the headline of Canterlot's newspaper for months, even issuing a reward for Blueblood's return. However, he was already long gone.
Now, Blueblood's letter remains at her bedside, unread, unopened, and untouched for all that time. Celestia had spent a good portion of her time at the beginning worrying, grieving almost, but with royal duties and an ever-changing nation to mother and care for, it was almost inevitable that she'd forget and move on as the years went by. Without Blueblood to attend important public events, the royal sisters had their hooves full in adding Blueblood's role of royal public figure to that of their own, and the need for somepony to fill that role was ever-growing. Celestia detested the idea at first, as it would appear she'd be replacing her own nephew, but she was ultimately swayed by Luna that they both could not handle the increased workload forever, so they began looking for somepony that could step in and fill Blueblood's horseshoes. Following the Canterlot wedding, Cadence and Shining armor, their last immediate family, were out of the question. None of the Canterlot snobs, as Luna put it, were worthy enough to become royalty, and Elements of Harmony were all busy with their own lives. But perhaps asking for advice would bode a suitable solution. Twilight was the first one Celestia and Luna asked, and after quite a sit-down, the solution came.
Trixie.
...
Trixie.
The princesses shared their mixed reactions, to say the least. Celestia was left speechless, as if she had misheard the suggestion while Luna simply burst out laughing. It was only when they found out that Twilight was serious when they actually considered it. It was a laugh and another long talk later when the royal sisters set out in search for the show-mare. They caught wind of a performance of her's in Manehattan, and so they made to attend. The young mare showed great potential, despite her arrogance, and before the sentence that made the offer could be finished, Trixie accepted, albeit trying to still be collected about it. But with no time to waste, Trixie was taken under Luna's wing as her own personal student and princess-to-be.
As Luna's personal protege, the magician's rivalry with Twilight remained ever-lasting, and under Luna's strict and rigorous tutelage, Trixie became very adept at using her magic as well as being a suitable princess, undoubtedly deeming herself as Twilight's equal.
But that was up until Twilight herself found out the secrets of friendship.
With Twilight's ascension to alicornhood, coupled with Trixie finishing her teachings under Luna, both of their coronations went hoof-in-hoof. It was then that Trixie came to finally respect Twilight, and the realization that the purple mare will always be better than her was especially difficult to swallow. Nonetheless, Equestria had two new princesses.
But we're getting off topic.
Blueblood will return, but the Equestria he remembers is long gone. New Princesses, new empire, new lessons, the list goes on. But everything that goes on leads to one inescapable fact:
Equestria has changed, and when he returns, Blueblood will be in for quite the experience.
The calm silhouette of a pony trotted through the icy blizzard.
Cold, whipping winds were all Blueblood could hear as he trekked through the snow-covered lands of what was known to Equestria as the Frozen North.
The brown cloak worn over him did much to protect against the harshness of this frozen wasteland as he made his way south from the Crystal Mountains. He had been on the move for all of the past month, and he didn't plan on stopping until he was back home. He trudged on, undeterred by the wrath of the elements. One hoof after the other. Every place he traveled, he had came prepared, and given his impeccable sense of direction, worthy of his cutie mark of a compass rose, traveling became easy for him, whether it was trekking through the deserts of Saddle Arabia, the thick jungles where the zebras resided, or the blistering cold, like he's going through now. Every now and then, he would raise his head to assess his surroundings, and it went like this for a good number of hours.
That is, until he saw something.
Off in the distance. Far, far off, he saw what appeared to be a spire, one that was made of pure ice... or could it be crystal? It shone like a glorious beacon of light against the dim darkness of the blizzard, and as the wanderer he became, he was all too compelled to have a look.
Another tireless hour of walking, and he had made it to the Crystal Empire, or so the grand sign read as he neared the entrance. What was a hopeless blizzard became a brilliant blue sky, and the snow that covered the ground relentlessly was now lush, green fields. Blue and purple spires of solid crystal led the way to the entrance to the city with the massive, magnificent shining spire at its center. Blueblood curiously followed the marked, beaten path to the entrance of the city. Surprisingly, there were no guards of any kind to patrol the outside of the kingdom. Disaster? Special event? Or do they just don't care? Where he's been, it could be the latter.
Upon closer inspection, the traveling unicorn discovered that the shorter spires of crystal that he thought blocked off and guarded the city were, in fact, houses. Homes made of solid crystal, just as much as the rest of this kingdom. The spire that was the definite highlight of this kingdom was a grand castle that absolutely towered above the rest, and shone just as brightly up close as it did miles away.
As he walked by what was assumed to be a small merchant shop, he could clearly see his reflection; a cloaked and hooded blue eyed, white unicorn, a golden blonde mane noticeable from the locks that briefly poured out from the hood, and a tail poking out from under the other end of the cloak to match. Without the threat of the freezing cold, Blueblood pulled down his hood, unhooking his horn from the hole that accommodated it via blood blue magic. His mane was long and wavy, going fully down both sides of his head and neck, his coat was thicker and untrimmed, but his eyes were all the same sky blue they always were. With a nod at his reflection, Blueblood faced the door of the shop, which was shown to be open, and headed inside, the familiar sound of a bell ringing as he opened the door.
"Ah, a customer! And a wanderer at that!" came the cheery and upbeat voice of what Blueblood assumed was the salespony as a navy blue unicorn stallion arose from behind the counter.
The very sight of a fellow pony made Blueblood grin as he walked up to the counter to greet. "It's been entirely too long since I saw another pony." Blueblood spoke up in a friendly demeanor as he raised a hoof to shake.
"Isn't it always? The name's Globe Trot." the blue unicorn introduced, heartily accepting the hoofshake.
"Wander. Ever a pleasure." Blueblood replied, breaking the hoofshake. He'd long since came up with that name in his travels, and given his skills and cutie mark, the name fits quite well.
"Wander; simple an' straight to the point. Good name." Globe Trot complimented with a nod. "So what brings a traveler such as yourself here?"
"I simply stumbled into town and I've yet to find anyone." came Blueblood's reply, motioning with a hoof to the entrance. "Is there something I'm missing?"
Globe Trot's smile returned in a friendly laugh. "Oh, that's just the parade. On the other side of the kingdom, at the moment. Just about everypony followed the parade all around the kingdom! I tell ya, these crystal ponies are an excited bunch." that got Blueblood attention.
Blueblood raised an eyebrow of curiosity. "Crystal ponies?" Blueblood's mind ran at that, coming up with a plethora of ideas at what a crystal pony is, but before he could fully wrap his head around it, Globe Trot spoke again.
"Yep! Didn't the kingdom made of crystal tip you off?" he joked with an audible chuckle, motioning about the crystal structure they were currently in. "I could tell you all about them, but I'm just a merchant. It'll be quite the experience if you go see them for yourself."
"True. But speaking of, why aren't you yourself there? Surely, a parade would beget the excitement of anypony?" Blueblood reasoned. Deceptively easy to fall back into habit of saying 'anypony', as opposed to 'anyone'.
"Well, the focus of the parade is more of a crystal pony thing, and I'm not one of them. But you're more than welcome to go and have a look yourself." Globe Trot assured.
"I suppose I will. Perhaps after the parade, we may cross paths again." Blueblood said as he turned tail towards the door. "Until then, Globe Trot."
The pony in question waved him off. "Alright, Wander. Be seein' ya." and with that, Blueblood made his exit and he was outside again.
Minutes of walking later, and Blueblood was beginning to hear the faint sound of distant cheering. Walking through the empty streets, he saw incredible amounts of confetti, streamers, party favors, and the occasional dropped piece of cake. 'A parade, indeed.' A short walk later and Blueblood had found what he was looking for.
There were a number of things that caught Blueblood's attention, other than the deafening cheers, as he rounded the corner of a street to catch the parade. One was the fact that the city's occupants, though resembling earth ponies, all had incredibly shiny, incredibly gradient manes, coats, and tails. The very sight of them almost seemed ethereal.
'Is this an ancient city of spirits?' Blueblood pondered in his mind, digesting the sight of the excited, cheering populace. Luckily for him, he was far enough away from the masses of ponies gathered around the streets to not be in immediate danger of being seen. However, working against him was the fact that he was the only pony colored pure white, and that he had just about the only solid color coat and mane, other than his acquaintance Globe Trot.
The other thing that caught Blueblood's attention was the actual focus of the parade; a large chariot, pulling two distinct figures, one pink and one white, sporting the same shine and radiance as the populace. Blueblood had his suspicions, but he was too far away to be absolutely sure. With wanderer's curiosity, Blueblood began moving in, looking over his back once more to make sure he wasn't seen. The populace must really be focused on the parade if he still hasn't been noticed. He was just shy of the back of the crowd when he raised his head again, and when he saw who the focus of the parade was, it was another shocking discovery, to say the least.
'Cadance... and Shining Armor!? My sister together with such... such trash!?' Blueblood screeched explosively in his mind. Nowadays, Blueblood rarely loses his temper, if at all, but this was a definite exception. Ever since they were foals, Shining Armor and Cadance had it out for each other without a doubt, and Blueblood, being her younger sibling, detested Shining's very existence. However, their rivalry was incredibly one-sided, growing up. Blueblood was just about the only pony in Equestria that never liked the idea of Cadance and Shining Armor as a couple, and as a foal himself, was often reprimanded for his open criticism, whether it be by Celestia or Cadance herself. Shining simply ignored him at first, but as time went on, the ill feelings were inevitably reciprocated. Cadance was never one to pick sides in an argument, so the conflict between Blueblood and Shining Armor remained strong to this day. But getting back to the parade, Blueblood was at a total loss for words. Cadance... with Shining Armor. The two even wore wedding bracelets. Blueblood had long since knew they'd one day be married, but to see it on display, paraded as if it were some sort of worldly achievement was undoubtedly a slap to the face on Blueblood's part. At the prolonged sight of them, he sighed, deflating until his head faced the ground. His good mood was shot down by the one thing he can still say he hated.
'Well, I guess I should've seen this coming. The one true bane of my life, and it's thrown back in my face. Perhaps I should take my leave before I think about raining on their parade. I know I would've done it a long time ago, but not now. Cadance deserves that, at least. There is still work to do, anyway. Wonder what else Equestria has to throw back at me?' Blueblood thought to himself as he turned tail, but when he raised his gaze again to steal one last glance at his dear sister, his eyes widened and his blood ran cold...
... for staring back at him were a pair of light purple eyes.
Stared unto the eyes of Cadence as she stared right back with the same wide eyes and speechless expression, though their reasons were different. By now, Shining Armor, along with the rest of the crowd, had figured out what their princess were staring at, and all eyes went to Blueblood. Their gazes felt like a thousand suns baring down on him, and that was enough to break him out of his stupor as he shifted uncomfortably at the eyes burning into his soul. By now, every mare, stallion, and foal had went dead silent, curious as to who Blueblood was in relation to their princess. Their naivety prevented them from getting any hostile thoughts as so who Blueblood was, and that was a plus. Nonetheless, Blueblood did his best to remain calm before looking back up to where the royal pair were to find out that Cadence had disappeared.
Before he could even move, Blueblood felt himself forcefully moved to sit on his haunches. His eyes barely managed to register Cadence appearing right in front of him before he was grasped in the tightest possible bear hug. He could even feel his back pop.
Gasps of surprise and shock were heard throughout the crowd as they watched Cadence embracing a mysterious, white stallion. Blueblood himself was even more derailed at the sudden gesture, his mouth still slightly agape in surprise. He didn't object to Cadance resting her head on his shoulder, but he felt his heart plunge at the sound of quiet sobbing in his ear. Seemingly on pure instinct, Blueblood immediately threw his own forehooves around his sister, hugging as tightly as she did him.
"Brother, I... I missed you so much." countless emotions raced through Blueblood at that moment. Regret and rejoice were among the strongest, and they filled his heart and wrenched it at the same time. He didn't even take notice of the crowd around them as they exploded in screams and cheers, also rejoiced in the sight of their princess being reunited with her brother. No doubt Cadance went out looking for him herself when he left.
When Cadence finally broke the embrace, she held Blueblood across from her, her smile beaming, and her eyes filled with joyous tears. That in itself almost made Blueblood want to cry. He had always held Cadance close to him, as she was one of the very few that truly cared about him. Any strong emotion from her would surely get the same from him.
"It's... been too long." was all Blueblood could think of saying.
Cadence calmed down enough to nod in agreement, wiping the tears from her eyes. "It has, hasn't it? I'm so clad to see you again! Where were you all this time?" she asked as they stood up from their haunches.
"Well, it's a long story, but I'd love to tell you when the family's back together. I'm not trying to sound like my old self, but I'm looking forward to a big welcome when I get home to Canterlot." Blueblood explained with a healthy dose of mirth.
"Well, if there's going to be a special occasion, I look forward to being there. But speaking of special occasions, we can talk more during the parade." and with that, brother and sister made their way back to the carriage.
For the rest of the parade, Blueblood and Shining took seats on either side of Cadance in effort to avoid each other, but they kept up the facade of brotherhood surprisingly well. Blueblood merely sat and talked with Cadance while Shining kept up the 'smile and wave' routine. One thing Blueblood found slightly disturbing was the fact that the crystal ponies actually followed the parade all throughout the kingdom. The Crystal Empire was small and the streets fragmented it all quite nicely, but the entire populace following the parade still gave Blueblood the impression of timberwolves surrounding a prey item, except with excitement rather than hunger.
XXXXX
"Here we are, girls! The Crystal Empire!" Twilight exclaimed with glee, the rest of the group cheering in delight as they made their way from the train station.
"Ah can't wait ta show 'em Granny's home-baked apple pies!"
"I can't wait to throw the party!!!"
"I'll give 'em the most fun they've ever had!"
"I for one can't wait to prepare Cadance for the fair!"
As the girls continued to announce their excitement, they made their way into the city, no doubt receiving a proper hero's welcome. Reactions ranged from Applejack's modesty to Rainbow Dash's self-righteous boastfulness. The crystal ponies themselves seemed as excited as ever to see them, shouting, cheering, whistling as the group walked by. It was like so the whole trip from Ponyville.
That was, until Pinkie's pinkie sense went off.
As they walked, Pinkie's entire body began shaking violently, drawing the ire of the whole group. "Pinkie, what is it? Which sense is it?" Twilight asked as the girls took necessary precautions. Fluttershy hid behind Twilight, Rarity and Applejack to precautionary steps back, and Rainbow flew up a good distance.
"Ohhh, this one's a doosy! And it's waiting..." Pinkie took a quick moment to look about the area "... just outside the Crystal Spire!" she informed ecstatically, pointing a hoof to the spire in question, hopping up and down.
"Well, whaddya think's happenin', Twi?" Applejack asked as the group calmed down after Pinkie's apparent warning.
"Honestly, I have no idea. I spoke to Cadance just yesterday. If there was something worth sharing, she would've told me via letter. C'mon, girls. For all we know she could be in trouble." and with that, the group quickened their pace to a trot.
XXXXX
Eventually, the parade led back to the Crystal Spire where they were escorted back inside. By Cadance's persistent request, Shining headed to their bedroom to get ready for the fair, giving Blueblood silence to ask questions as brother and sister stood together at the castle's entrance. "So I've arrived just in time for a celebration, apparently. What exactly is it the Crystal Empire is celebrating, if I may ask?" he asked, casting a glance over at Cadance.
"We're celebrating our fourth anniversary of discovering and freeing the Crystal Empire. From the evil King Sombra." Cadence added, knowing Blueblood would ask.
"Care to explain?" Blueblood asked, looking over to her.
"A thousand years ago, he enslaved the populace and took over the city, but Aunty Celestia and Luna stepped in and imprisoned him, but not before he put a curse on the city, causing it and the crystal ponies to vanish for a thousand years. A few years ago, it reappeared along with Sombra, and so Shining, me, and the Elements of Harmony were sent to defend the city. When Sombra was defeated, all that was left was his horn." Cadence explained, making Blueblood raise a curious eyebrow.
"And so the populace chose you two as their new leader." a nod from Cadence assured him as they took in the afternoon sun from the entrance of the Crystal Spire. "But getting back to the celebration, I should get going soon. You have a lot more important things to do than talking to me." that caught Cadance completely off guard.
"Don't say that, Blueblood. Of course you're important! You're always worth my time." Cadance stated.
"As foals, I wasn't. What with you and Shining Armor galloping off into the sunset every night. And it stayed that way for a while." he reminded. There was no malice in his words, but a subdued sadness. He didn't know where it came from, but it felt right at the moment to get off his chest.
"I was busy, Blueblood. I always had to foalsit Twilight along with learning how to become a princess. And Shining was busy training in the royal guard. We barely had time for each other over the years." Cadance said with genuine sincerity with the hopes that her brother would understand. Blueblood breathed a deep sigh, but nodded, nonetheless.
"I still don't think Shining deserves you." Blueblood muttered, glancing down at the crystal floors.
Now it was Cadance's turn to sigh. "Blueblood, I can't stress to you how much that I love Shining Armor. I wouldn't trade him for the world, and you should know that." Blueblood could pick up on the lecturing tone that made its way into that last sentence. "Please understand that there's some things you just can't change."
"Trust me, I know. It's merely my opinion, I'll just live with it. Besides, it's been that way since we grew up." Blueblood concluded, straightening up and facing forward again. "I don't like it, but for truth, as long as you're happy, I'll live with it."
Cadance's expression brightened up again, happy that he was able to put it to rest. And on his own, no less. "That's very noble of you, Blueblood. Speaking of moving forward, what are you going to do now that you're back in Equestria, if you don't mind me asking?" Cadance asked, her interest peaking again.
"Well, now that I've had the pleasure of talking to you again, I suppose I'll be heading for Canterlot now. I'd like to make it there before word of me does. Hopefully, I can still get a big welcome. After that, I'll go right my wrongs. The fair sounds like fun, but parties and games can wait until after some much-needed rest." Blueblood admitted.
Cadance nodded with a sisterly smile. "I understand completely. I'm sure auntie will miss you as much as I did. But are you sure you don't want to stick around for something to eat or drink, at least? You must be famished after that long trip." Cadance figured. Blueblood shook his head, but smiled, waving a hoof.
"I'll manage. A big meal seems more fitting once I'm back home with Aunty." Blueblood replied. "You yourself should go get ready for the fair. I'm sure your... fiance is waiting for you." Blueblood reminded begrudgingly as he stood up, preparing to finish the rest of his trip back.
But before he could take his leave, he was enveloped in Cadance's embrace once more, feeling the soft fur of her cheek nuzzling up against the fluff of his own. "Please be safe, brother." the sheer emotion in her voice alone was enough to make his eyes grow hot.
"I will. I'll write when I get the chance." Blueblood assured as the pink princess finally broke her embrace. "Until then." and with that, Blueblood headed off back into the city, waving back at Cadance before the princess turned tail and headed back into the palace. Now by himself, Blueblood set course towards the train station...
... until he heard his name so excitedly announced.
"That's it! Blueblood! He's the doosie!" Blueblood lowered his head, scanning the area to find an excited pink mare hopping up and down, pointing a hoof straight at him, followed by the other Elements of Harmony as they rounded a street corner. He felt his breath get hitched in his throat as he recognized the bunch, namely the orange farm mare and the rainbow-maned pegasus. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, wasn't it? Blueblood ignored the off instinct to turn tail, taking note the fruitlessness of trying to ignore a pegasus or a unicorn as decorated as his sister-in-law. That realisation alone did aught to calm him as he straightened up, approached by the group, no doubt Applejack and Rainbow Dash first.
"By Blueblood, ya mean that no-good, un-gentlecolt-like snob that insulted ma food at the Gala?" with every insult spewed forth from Applejack's mouth, she closed in on Blueblood until they were snout to snout, her honest-to-truth glare trained on nothing but him.
"And the one the that was a total nutjob to Rarity for the whole entire party?" Rainbow added, butting in to take Applejack's place at pressing her snout to Blueblood's. Whether it be Applejack or Rainbow Dash, however, Blueblood didn't move an inch, regardless of how much the pegasus or the farm mare pushed against him.
"Yup! That's the one! And look! He's all big and mature now!" Pinkie exclaimed, reappearing on top of Blueblood's back messing with his grown-out mane.
"Girls, please." Rarity spoke up, pulling her friends back with her magic before walking over to Blueblood, standing across from him. "Prince Blueblood had long since apologized for that incident during the launching of an airship. Why, he even let me cut the ribbon!" Rarity's hearty explanation served to calm Rainbow down but Applejack's glare was still strong and trained on him.
"But that still don't excuse all those hurtful insults towards mine an Granny Smith's cookin'!" the farm mare pointed out, pointing an accusing hoof at the stallion. Rarity was about to speak up again in Blueblood's defense, but a hoof from the stallion in question stopped her, keeping her silent.
With a sincere frown, Blueblood looked towards the farm mare and spoke his mind. "Applejack... there's no excuse for my uncouth behavior during the Grand Galloping Gala, whether it be my manners towards Rarity or my petty insults towards your dishes. I can only hope for forgiveness when I say I apologize for the insults and any trouble it might have bought you." Applejack racked her mind for a response, and if her dropped jaw was anything to go by, she was absolutely, positively, and utterly speechless. So was Rainbow Dash and Twilight, who kept silent with Fluttershy during the whole confrontation. Pinkie was jumping up in silent cheers for Blueblood, and Rarity had a proud smile of admiration. The fashionista put a hoof to her mouth to stifle a giggle at her friends' expressions before she proceeded to prevent the awkward silence.
"Well Blueblood, it has been quite the treat to run into you again after all this time, as well as seeing you so different and matured. But alas, the girls and I must get to the Crystal Spire and help Princess Cadance get ready for the fair. I do hope our paths cross again soon, but until then, I speak for all of us when I say farewell." Rarity spoke, walking past Blueblood, but as her face passed his, she stopped. "I'd like a dance whenever possible to... cement our friendship." motioning with her head for the others to follow. The girls followed suite, and Blueblood watched them go inside the spire until he realized Twilight was still standing across from him.
"You girls go on ahead. I'll catch up in a minute." Twilight called to the group before she and Blueblood caught gazes. It didn't take long for Blueblood to take notice of the pair of wings adorning his sister-in-law's back. But instead of a jaw-drop of surprise. as Twilight expected, Blueblood simply smiled.
"So the rumors I heard in the griffon kingdom are true; Equestria does have a fourth princess. I must say congratulations." Blueblood spoke with a good deal of admiration. Twilight just gave a shy smile, nervously rubbing the back of her head. She fumbled for words, but Blueblood already ahead of her. "No need to thank me, I'm sure you've earned it. If Aunty thinks you're worthy, so do I, and I'm one to talk about being royalty. What did you want to talk to me about?"
Straightening herself out, the princess cleared her throat. "Well Blueblood, you've been gone for such a long time, and from what Rarity told me after you left, I realized that you've changed a lot as a pony." Twilight explained. "I've just been wondering your reasons for all this."
Blueblood stared at the ground for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "Well, long story short, before I made the decision to leave, Aunty finally told me she was proud of me for something I did by myself. After that, I took a good look at myself and thought I wasn't worthy of what I was given as Cadance's sister or Aunty Celestia's nephew. After that, I left and thought; perhaps one day, Blueblood could return and maybe be worthy of the title of Prince or my part in the royal family. You yourself are certainly worthy." he pointed out, making Twilight look down, her cheeks flushing a light shade of pink.
"Oh, stop. You're back now, Blueblood. So do you feel like you're worthy now?" Twilight asked, affirmed by Blueblood's nod.
"It's been a long time coming, and I feel as good as I can be. There won't be a better Blueblood than this one." Blueblood stated with a proud sense of finality.
"That remains to be seen. So I guess you're headed for Canterlot?" Twilight asked.
Blueblood nodded again. "I'd like to get there before word of my return does, so I look forward to seeing you at more opportune times in the future, sister. But right now, we both have important places to be." and with that, the two exchanged goodbyes and headed their separate ways. Alone again, Blueblood made his way back out of the Crystal Empire the way he came and towards the train station waiting just outside the entrance.
Against his better judgement, he was asked by Aunty to attend the launching of the Flying Grace. Honestly, he couldn't care less about being there to see an airship take off. Today, Blueblood just wanted to just spend the day with his Aunty Celestia, but it wasn't in him anymore to go against her wishes, so he just sighed and went along with it.
Making it to the mountainside where the crown jewel would be launched, Canterlot's elite made way for him and his escort of two guards. 'Two guards.' he thought, as opposed to six or so that would, in the past, escort his over-sized chariot, not including the other six or so that would pull the thing from place to place. Attending the event itself wasn't unlike anything he did before, but it was who exactly was at this event that would cause him to do something he's never done since he was a foal.
Blueblood was making his way towards the runway to announce the beginning of the party when he caught sight of somepony familiar. White coat, deep purple mane and tail... Rarity. He would've stopped in his tracks had it not been for his escort behind him, who would've likely asked him what was wrong, but instead, he slowed his pace so he could walk between his two guards, avoiding Rarity's gaze.
Giving the announcement was easy enough, with his experience in speaking for public events, and once the festivities began, he soon found himself at the outdoor bar, sitting alone. Being by himself gave Blueblood a clear mind to think. Rarity was at the party, and that potentially spelled bad news for him. He could already imagine the earful he'd be getting if she saw him again, and shuddered at the thought. However, like arguing with Aunty Celestia, he just couldn't find it in himself to blame her, being that he, in every way, shape, and form, knew he was the jerk and not her, as hard as that was to swallow. Apologizing to her came across his thoughts a number of times, but he never mustered the courage to do so. That, and the fact that she lives in Ponyville, and he's not used to interacting with the lower classes. If Rarity was a Canterlot pony, like Fancy Pants or Fleur de Lis, there would be a good chance he would have done it. But speaking of Canterlot ponies...
"... you two loveponies go on and have fun. I will treat myself to a refreshment or two. I'll meet with you and Fleur later." Blueblood would've admired the utter refinement and class in her voice if he wasn't frozen on the spot. Not only did he hear her over the commotions of the crowd, but she was headed his way. He had sent his guards off to enjoy themselves, leaving him with nopony to hide behind. It was already too late to subtly relocate, and running away would draw attention. Perhaps if he just faces away and cover his face, she won't-
"Pardon me, sir, but is this seat taken?" Rarity was right behind him, facing him, talking to him. Blueblood just said the first thing that came to mind.
"N-no... not at all." he was still facing the bar as Rarity thanked him and took a seat right next to him, asking for a drink. He figured she still didn't find out who he was, evident by the earful he still didn't get. Maybe with a good excuse, he could get away and-
"You're awfully quiet. Nervous?" Rarity asked as she leaned on her side against the bar, but her attention was diverted towards her served drink, which Blueblood noticed was mimosa. 'Good choice...'
"Somewhat... yes." the pale prince answered. In all honesty he was, something that easier to admit as time went on. He felt his cheeks grow warm upon hearing Rarity giggle.
"Not to worry. I won't bite... unless you want me to." Blueblood felt like he could have rolled over and died right then and there. 'Is she... flirting with me.?' this will just make the blow even harder once she finds out who he is, he figured. Yet, he couldn't just face her and take the punishment he knows he had coming. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rarity finally face him, looking him over. Blueblood couldn't move...
"Hmmm... might I know you from somewhere?" she finally asked.
Again, Blueblood acted solely off of instinct. "I... don't believe you'd be too pleased to see me again."
Rarity appeared to be utterly taken aback by his reply. "Nonsense! There isn't a single pony in Canterlot who-" Blueblood finally lowered his arm, revealing his face. "... oh." Blueblood winced at how fast her demeanor shifted. Sighing, he lowered his head to the table, looking depressed.
"This may seem obvious, but something tells me you're not the same uncivilized and uncouth Blueblood I met at the gala." at that, Blueblood felt even lower.
"... sorry." it was barely above a whisper, but Rarity stopped right there, a mixture of shock and awe on her face.
"My apologies, what was that?" Rarity asked, fully perking her ears.
"I'm... I'm sorry about the gala." Blueblood repeated nervously, staring down at the table. "I was a fool, and I won't bother with excuses." the alabaster prince raised his head and continued. "When you found out it was me, I was expecting an earful, but I'm relieved to find that that wasn't my punishment."
After the royal prince's words of apology, Rarity smiled again. "My my Blueblood, you have changed. But to be honest, I knew it was you the moment I walked over here."
"Then why... why..." Blueblood fumbled for words, but couldn't find him.
"Blueblood, you forget that I'm the Element of Generosity. If there is a pony in Equestria that wouldn't shouldn't or couldn't hold a grudge, it'd be me." Blueblood's demeanor relaxed considerably at that realization. Had he remembered that she was an Element of Harmony, he'd have apologized long ago.
"... then... then apology accepted?" he asked, looking to her again.
The fashionista giggled and nodded "Apology accepted."
XXXXX
Blueblood finished his daydream when he heard the announcement that Ponyville was but moments away, so he rose from his seat to wait by the exit. Hopefully, the townsfolk won't find him out while he bides his time for a train to Canterlot.
Stepping from the train, Blueblood looked about to see the station for the most part empty. It seems that nopony intended to leave the Crystal Empire with the fair that was happening at the moment. In fact, he was the only passenger that left the empire. Shrugging to himself, he headed off in the direction of Ponyville.
From the train schedule he picked up, the soonest train to Canterlot would arrive in Ponyville roughly two hours from now. He had a little time before the train arrived, so he might as well explore.
XXXXX
Meanwhile, it was high noon at Canterlot Castle.
Celestia was busying herself in the royal dining hall, preparing for lunch alongside Trixie and Luna, for which, this would be dinner. The princesses often used this time of the day to take a break from their duties and engage in idle chit-chat. But today was a little different.
Dishes were served, and Luna and Trixie were conversing in talk about Trixie's studies. Celestia, however, was silent, instead staring down at her large salad, idly swishing her food around with her fork encased in magic.
It didn't take long to notice. "You are not eating, sister. Is there something the matter?" Luna asked, looking over to the white alicorn.
"I suppose there's no point in hiding it." Celestia sighed aloud. "It's Blueblood, Luna." she admitted.
"Blueblood?" Luna asked curiously. "What about our nephew? I thought you had long since stopped worrying." the younger of the two reasoned. Trixie simply remained silent.
"I know, I know. I just started thinking about him again. He was so determined to change for the better, and I was just torn after he left. Now, I feel like I did then." came the sun princess' reply.
"Let us hope that you do not summon the entire royal guard to find him again." Luna said in an attempt at humor, but her grin withered and died when Celestia's expression fell even further. "Sister, I am sure that Blueblood will return soon. We must be patient. Who knows? He may return tomorrow, or even the next day. And if not, then there is always the next." Luna reminded with a sincere smile. Celestia sighed again, but nodded nonetheless. The sun princess stood from her meal and turned tail to leave.
"I'll be in my study. I just need time to think." Celestia spoke before Luna or Trixie could even ask. "I'll eat at dinner." and with that, the elder alicorn made her way out of the dining hall, gently shutting the door behind her. After watching her go, Luna turned her attention back to Trixie and her meal.
"So pupil, now that the subject has come to mind, what do you yourself think of Blueblood, hmm?" Luna asked, resting her forehooves on the table in a conversational manner.
"He is attractive in appearance, that much Trixie will admit, but Trixie still does not know him as a pony, other than stories and public image, so she cannot make a generalization." Trixie explained, running a hoof through her mane. "Why do you ask, If Trixie may be so bold?" the showmare princess asked, looking back to her teacher with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, just curious is all."
XXXXX
Blueblood, after some sideways greetings and some walking around, in that order, his stomach cried out in hunger, so he settled on a light snack to stake his hunger until he makes it back home. He hasn't eaten for days, and one snack will do well in quieting his hunger before the return-home feast. One establishment in particular, a bakery affectionately named Sugarcube Corner, caught his attention. He couldn't even remember what sugary sweets taste like, so he chose it as a place to grab a light snack.
As soon as he stepped inside, his senses were assaulted by the overpowering smell of baked goods. Pies, cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts, the list goes on. Licking his lips, Blueblood pulled his hood down and made way to the counter to make a selection. His long hair did well to hide his face, but unlike the hood, he didn't look shady. He wasn't short of greetings as the customers, predominantly mares, took notice of him and sent friendly waves his way, which he returned in kind. However, one mare in particular, young and pale magenta with an ornate tiara, rather than merely stealing a glance, gasped in surprise upon seeing the pale prince enter the establishment.
"That has got to be the worst thing a pony can wear." Blueblood perked his ears.
"He looks like he doesn't even come from Equestria, Di." came the observant voice of the young mare next to her.
"He might even be dead broke with those rags he's wearing." despite it being an insult, Blueblood paid her no mind as he proceeded to order a slice of blueberry pie. A personal favorite.
"Diamond, why do ya always gotta say bad things about somepony before ya even meet 'em?" a southern accented mare said in an accusing manner. Blueblood took a glance at the reflection from display counter glass to see a group of teenaged mares shift their attention to the pair that was talking about him.
"Yeah Diamond, that's not cool." a tomboyish voice joined in.
"Just look at him, Scootaloo! Tell me he doesn't at least look dirt poor!" Diamond exclaimed at the orange mare, pointing a hoof in his direction. At this point, all five mares tried to study him, but his back was still turned. Perhaps if he simply keep his face hidden, they won't notice him.
"He looks a lot like Blueblood, just with a longer mane." Blueblood felt like he should've seen that coming.
'So much for getting home before anyone notices.' he thought, waiting for the rest of them to make the connection.
"That can't be Blueblood, Sweetie Belle. Somepony as rich and handsome as him wouldn't dare wear something like that." Diamond stated. He felt flattered.
"Maybe he doesn't want anyone to know?" Blueblood already had his thoughts on each member of the group, but this Sweetie Belle was incredibly thoughtful. Almost like... Rarity. "I'll go talk to him." as the clops of hooves approached, Blueblood took a sideways glance at her, finally getting a good look at her. She looked remarkably similar to Rarity, given the snow white coat and the neat, curly mane, but unlike Rarity, she was lighter in mane, had spring green eyes, and had an eighth note as a cutie mark.
Sweetie Belle was the first to greet. "Hey mister, I'm Sweetie Belle." she introduced, taking a seat next to him, leaning on her side against the counter, facing him.
"I remember your sister mentioning you a long time ago." Blueblood spoke in a hushed tone, taking another bite of his pie. "But to answer your question, yes I am Blueblood. And I would appreciate it of you didn't tell anypony. At least, not until I make it back to Canterlot. To give your friends a story, I am just a traveler. And I should relocate before I'm noticed any further. I apologize about me being brief, but I don't want to be noticed before I return to the castle." and with that, Blueblood stepped from his seat, pulling his hood back on. With a respectful nod to Sweetie Belle, he turned tail to leave in haste, taking the rest of his pie with him. As he left, Sweetie Belle went back over to her friends, who asked who he was, and she replied:
Prince Blueblood stepped from the train that took him to Canterlot.
He was but a walk away from home, and he was more than ready to finish this long trip. Looking up, he saw that it was currently twilight, not long before Aunty Celestia would usually end the day court and be in her bedroom or her study, giving him the perfect opportunity to be alone with her for the greeting he's been looking forward to for quite some time. But the setting sun also made him think of his Aunt Luna. In the beginning, the princess of the night had little to no patience for him given his stuck-up and snobbish demeanor added to her high standards, save for after he reinvented himself following the gala, but that was only a small window of three months before he left to infinity and beyond. Blueblood felt a strong sense of disappointment in himself whenever he thought back to his previous life. But that's why he's here; to right his wrongs and to perpetuate the Blueblood he is now.
He thought of slowing down to see how much Canterlot has changed, but he had a one-track mind to get home, almost tunnel vision. Besides, he'd have plenty of time to see Canterlot after he reunites with Aunty Celestia. With that notion in mind, he trotted through the streets with a pep in his step, not paying the condescending looks sent his way any mind. Even before he left, he was well-adept in ignoring opinions. Blueblood, honestly, didn't give two flying parasprites.
XXXXX
Princess Celestia was in her personal study, immersing herself in a small book.
On a large cushion, she rested, and by her side was was an empty salad bowl. She was rested in front of a fireplace, the relaxing crackling of the sparks putting her mind in a state of ease as she read her story.
The book itself was a novel about a redeeming dragon that sought to break away from his monstrous and greedy nature. It was a book that she used to read to Blueblood when he was but a foal at quiet times like this to put him to sleep. Reading the book again filled her thoughts with happy, calming times she shared with Blueblood, long before he became the pony he became.
'He was always a momma's colt.' Celestia thought with a slight giggle. And that was how he always saw her as; a mother. Blueblood would dedicate his free time to her, especially after Cadence and Shining Armor found one another. His way of coping from spending less time with Cadence, she could only guess. The thought of the royal couple also reminded her of Blueblood's open distaste towards Shining, how protective he was over Cadence. But before she could think into it any further, her train of thought was interrupted by a knock at her door.
"Come in." the sun princess called, closing her book and placing it under her wing.
In came Princess Luna, concern written all over her face. "Sister, are you doing well? You departed quite abruptly during lunch, I made the assumption you merely needed time alone." Luna spoke, walking over to her sister.
Celestia simply nodded. "I'm doing fine, sister. Just thinking back on fond memories." Celestia replied, looking back at the fireplace.
Luna nodded in acknowledgement as she walked over to her elder sibling. "Of our nephew Blueblood, I have no doubt. Would you like to talk about him?"
Celestia smiled at her sister. "Luna, I didn't think you were the listening type." she commented.
Her sister gave a look of hurt. "Nonsense! I am a perfect listener, sister!"
That only caused Celestia to giggle. "If you insist, I'll take your word for it." Celestia said before looking out to her balcony. "But the duty of raising the moon still rests on you." she reminded.
"Ah yes, it brings back fond memories of us stargazing as young fillies." Luna said as she made her way to the room's balcony to finish setting the sun and start raising the moon.
XXXXX
By the time Blueblood made it to the entrance of the Canterlot gardens, it was dusk, almost full nightfall, and the moon was rising up into the sky.
Two night guards were posted at the gate entrance, spears in hoof, and as Blueblood stepped up to them, they blocked his path.
"Hold, you!" the one on the right ordered.
"None in this castle has time for the likes of a beggar like you! Now run along, before you waste any more of our time!" came the authoritative voice of the other guard, who, surprisingly enough, was a mare. It made Blueblood think back to his first encounter with Luna's own night guard, how they actually looked scary to him, but having experienced the world outside of Equestria, he doubted they could get a flinch from him.
But getting back to the situation at hoof, Blueblood placed his hoof on his chest in mock apology. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Blueblood said, lowering his head as if to bow. "I just thought that..." he continued as he reached for his hood "... Prince Blueblood of Canterlot might be able to enter the castle without being labeled as a waste of time." Blueblood finished as he pulled back his hood, throwing his head back up, swinging his mane back to expose his features. He was confident that they could still see him in the dim light of dusk, and judging by their eye-widened, limp-jawed looks of surprise, they could.
"P-p-p-prince? P-prince Blueblood?!" the two guards shared that look of pure astonishment before they fumbled for words. Blueblood could practically smell their nervousness as their minds rushed to the repercussions of talking in such a way to a prince, especially that he pointed it out. Something significant must have happened after he left for them to actually heed him respect now. Perhaps Luna raised her already high standards.
But alas, Blueblood soundly cut them off with a raised hoof. "Relax. I've long since gotten over losing my temper over petty things such as this. But I would like to find Auntie Celestia before she knows I've returned. Now may I enter?" almost tripping over themselves, the two guards stepped aside and opened the gate, allowing Blueblood to walk past them. Getting back to the objective at hoof, Blueblood made his way across the Canterlot Gardens, intent on getting to Aunty Celestia, and maybe even Luna, if she rears him any attention.
With the lunar guard patrolling the castle during the night, there were more than a few meetings and shocking revelations as Blueblood made his way through the castle. Knowing enough about Celestia's daily schedule, he knows she often spends her last few hours in her study reading or writing before finally leaving for bed. As a foal, he'd love to simply relax with her in front of the warm, crackling fire, listening to her read him to sleep. If there was another opportunity to enjoy the warmth of her wing draped over him and the sound of her heavenly voice immersed in a story, he'd jump at the chance with the same passion he had as a foal. Fond memories which bought a heartwarming smile to his face. As childish as it seemed, it was something that truly made him feel happy.
XXXXX
It was full on nightfall, and the moon was high in the sky.
"Getting back to our conversation, I have a question about our nephew." Luna said as she walked back in from the balcony.
"Yes?" Celestia asked, moving aside on her large cushion to give Luna space to sit, which she gladly took.
"When I first met our nephew, he was... how should you say, very... condescending. And bratty. Was he always like this?" Luna asked, looking up to her sister.
Celestia stared at the floor for a moment before shaking her head. "He wasn't always like how he was before the gala five years ago. Growing up, he was very kind. And intelligent. Almost to a fault, really."
Luna grinned. "I like the old him already."
Celestia nodded with a renewed smile. "Yes, he had that effect on people. I like to believe that's what resurfaced in him after the gala."
"What do you suppose bought about the unfortunate change?" Luna asked, her smile faltering at the thought of what could've bought about this change in such a pony Celestia herself considers kind and intelligent.
Celestia's own smile faltered at that. "The first time he's ever shown clear distaste towards anypony was Shining Armor. At least, when he and Cadence showed interest in one another. As a colt, he was often so protective over Cadence, and his feelings towards Shining only grew with time. Cadence and I even berated him from time to time, even punishing him for outbursts, but that never stopped Blueblood. I am grateful he never went as far as to do anything drastic, but the fact of the matter is that over time, that bottled up dislike began to change him. And I deeply regret never doing anything about it other than putting him down for it. I feel... I feel as if I betrayed him." saying that, Celestia lowered her head to the floor, her expression full of sorrow as she stared over at the fire.
In an act of sisterly love, Luna draped a wing over her elder sister, placing a tender hoof on her side. "Sister, you know I dislike it when you berate yourself over something. But protectiveness over one's family is something unavoidable in a family member. What do you believe my reasoning is whenever an over-confident dignitary attempts to woo you?" Celestia tittered at that, but it didn't last. "Blueblood was perfectly within reason in his distaste towards Shining Armor. I believe I would have likely done the same were I him and you Cadence, even If Shining would have been considered the perfect spouse. But at the same time, you should not blame yourself for what happened to him. It is all in the past, and so we must focus on the future. And besides, even through the berating on part of his aunt and his sister, he still loved you both. He still loved you and Cadence even when he became what he became, and it was still there when the good in him resurfaced. And there is absolutely no doubt it will still be there when he returns. No matter what kind of Blueblood he becomes, he is still the Blueblood that loves his family. I myself regret not treating him as such in the past, but as said, all I can do is focus on the future. I ask that you do the same, Tia." Celestia shifted somewhat at the use of her nickname, but Luna's words were gentle with a hint of hope, and the sorrow in Celestia's expression seemed to fade. "Until then, goodnight, sister. I love you." and with that, Luna rose up from her spot, nuzzling her sister in the cheek, and making way towards the door. "Just be patient. He will return." and with that, Luna opened the door, closing it gently behind her.
Now alone, Celestia had the opportunity to reflect upon her sister's words. She loved both Blueblood and Shining Armor as sons, that much was certain. But nonetheless, she still couldn't blame either of them for how Blueblood turned out. Shining's love for Cadence was as real as can be, proven on grand occasions, and Blueblood, as simple as the reasons are, loves his family, so much so that it even changed him, for better and for worse on different occasions. Whether or not everypony or nopony was at fault for Blueblood's outcome, Celestia felt like she herself was the culprit, blindly berating Blueblood for his own feelings instead of consoling him about it. Something she thought of as clear betrayal.
'I'm sorry, Blueblood. I wish I could see you again, even if to only right my wrong.' Celestia thought to herself with a sigh before she heard her door slowly opened.
XXXXX
Blueblood, as he traversed the castle halls, remembered remembered the labyrinthian patterns like the back of his hoof.
He suspected it was his impeccable sense of direction as well as the fact that he grew up here, but either way, he was headed straight for Celestia's study. He figured it must've quickly traveled amongst the night guard that he didn't want Celestia to know he was here since any guard that passed him gave him a small nod, which made him confident that Aunty didn't know.
As he made his way to the upper levels of the castle, near the princesses' towers, he ran into Luna, who even in the pale moonlight, was still able to recognize him. No doubt about that, given her title. But needless to say, it was a heartwarming moment.
"Ah, nephew, it is good to see you again!" Luna exclaimed as she used her magic to pull him over to her to hug him, crushing him almost as hard as Cadence did with a bear hug. "We didn't expect to see you so soon!"
"Nor I you, Aunt Luna. I'm glad to see you again." Blueblood replied, hugging back, thought not with the same intensity.
Luna let him go, putting a hoof up in objection. "Nonsense. I ill deserve affection from you after the way I treated you all those years ago."
That got Blueblood confused. "What do mean? I thought I deserved it, what with how I treated everypony. Not to mention I got over it." he reasoned. If Luna was willing to not glare at him on sight, that was more than fine by him.
Luna shook her head in disagreement. "You did not deserve any of it. Not when you were just trying to protect your family. I myself would have thoughtlessly done the same." Luna spoke.
The pale prince grew a bitter sense of realization at her words "So I take it you finally know my story. Well, in that case, we're not so different now, are we?" Blueblood asked with a raised spirit. He saw first-hoof Luna tell off any cocky stallion that attempted to capture his Aunty's ire. Of course, he would have done it himself, but Luna's words carried so much more weight.
Luna shrugged in agreement. "Afraid not. But I will not hold you back any longer. My sister is still in her study, thinking about you. Even after all this time, she still blames herself with how you changed from colthood. Perhaps you can, as you say, cheer her up?" Luna spoke, not giving him a moment to respond before trotting off in the other direction. "I look forward to hearing tales of your adventures outside of Equestria soon, nephew." and with that, she rounded a corner, out of sight.
'Hm. Another wrong righted, I suppose.' Blueblood thought before facing the staircase leading up to Celestia's tower. Taking a deep breath, he made his ascension up to her study. Every step he took bought him closer to Aunty Celestia. He's been waiting for this moment for all of five years from the day he left. He himself could hardly believe it was finally happening. His breathing became audible as soon as he stopped in front of her door, making it to the top of the spiral staircase, and so he took a deep breath to calm himself.
This was that one moment that Blueblood looked forward to for over five years from the day he departed on his journey. The moment where he and his Aunty Celestia met once more. The moment where he would be known as, not the bratty and disrespectful Blueblood that has been a soul-crushing disappointment, but the kind and matured Blueblood that he sees as one worthy of the title Prince. And now, seeing her again...
... he couldn't be more nervous.
"Blueblood..." Celestia whispered with wide, hot eyes, slowly rising to her hooves, not believing the sight before her eyes.
"Aunty." Blueblood said in kind, his mouth trembling for what to say next.
It was only a matter of time.
"Blueblood!" Celestia cried out in tearful passion as she broke into a gallop. At this moment, the little colt in Blueblood jumped out of him as he galloped towards her, his bright, happy blue eyes alight in unbridled joy with a confident smile to match. They threw their hooves around one another as they met in a loving, passionate embrace between motherly aunt and loving nephew. Blueblood buried his cheek into her warm, soft barrel, listening in on the tune of Aunty Celestia's thundering heart. Celestia, with joyous, teary eyes, rested her head atop Blueblood's, her cheek brushing against his horn. Throughout that moment, Celestia gradually calmed as she slowly rocked them back and forth, appreciating the feeling of her nephew wrapped within her gentle caress.
"Words cannot describe how much I've missed you, Aunty." Blueblood spoke, hugging tighter as he felt a drop of moisture drop on his head. She was crying. Because of him, just like Cadence. And like Cadence, Celestia made him want to cry himself. He did his best to hold it back as he tightly shut his eyes, but the whimper that escaped him refused to be bottled up inside. He tried to take a deep breath to calm himself, but his breathing was shaky and ragged.
Celestia chuckled quietly "There there..." she whispered, rubbing her nephew's back with the tenderness of a mother. "It'll be okay, Blueblood."
"I-I'm sorry I left."
"It's okay, it's okay." Celestia whispered softly. After they both calmed down after the heat of the moment, they pulled apart to take in each other. Celestia hasn't changed a bit; her alabaster coat was still flawless and neat, her long, ethereal mane glowed with an array of colors as it billowed in a non-existent breeze, and her pearl pink eyes reflected undying love and wisdom. On the other hoof, Blueblood has changed so much. His snow white coat was thicker, fluffy even, his golden blonde mane that used to reach only his neck now stretched downed to his shoulders, pulled back behind his ears so it didn't completely cover his face, and his ocean blue eyes betrayed maturity and a longing for loved ones. They stared, cheeks still wet with tears, up until Celestia spoke those words again.
"I'm so proud of you Blueblood."
Feeling a new wave of emotions, Blueblood lunged at her, embracing her once more with a fresh stream of tears, nuzzling into her barrel. "I love you... Aunty."
Celestia smiled with the warmth of the sun. "I love you too, Blueblood. So much." seeing her nephew, the same, momma's colt Blueblood, now so matured, still showing such emotion, made Celestia giggle with a prominent blush. She remembers him being just so happy when she first told him she was proud of him. It wasn't very long after that it dawned on her that that was all Blueblood ever wanted in life; for his family to be proud of him. Such words from somepony as important to him as her meant the world and more. "I only wish I could have been there for you the whole time."
Blueblood pulled away again, he looking back up to her. "What do you mean, Aunty? I don't understand." Blueblood, looking back to his old life, was largely a blur, considering his old self hardly ever thought much before pulling himself up or putting others down. Whenever he did think back to it though, he just saw it as simply a sad existence.
"I'm sure you never would have changed if I instead consoled you about your ill feelings instead of reprimanding you." but even given the blur of his pathetic existence, any moment that stuck out to him was his time with those he holds close, whether it be good times or bad, and lectures, scoldings and such certainly counted as bad. "I'm sorry for that."
Now it was Blueblood's turn to explain. "Aunty, you should know that I'll still love you no matter what happens to me or to you. You haven't changed at all, and I've changed so many times, it's hard to keep count. And here we are. You're still Aunty to me." Celestia would've hugged him again, but they both knew they had enough hugging to last a little while. Instead, she stuck with nuzzling his cheek.
"That's my little Blueblood." Celestia said before leading him over to her cushion, in the warmth of the fire. "Now that we're rightfully reacquainted, would you like to help me finish my little story? I was just getting to the interesting part." Celestia said, picking up the book with her magic, holding it in the light. So much time has passed, catching up on old times would be the rightest thing either of them has done over that time.
Needless to say, Blueblood recognized the cover almost immediately. "I would love to." Blueblood said before he began removing his cloak. No more need for it since he was back home. It disappeared easily with magic, and since he's been doing nothing but walking and waiting for the last few weeks, he took a nice, long stretch to relieve some tension, Celestia watching all the while from the comfort of her cushion.
As soon as she saw what was underneath his cloak, Celestia was seemingly frozen on the spot from her seat on her cushion. Blueblood now had the best body of anypony she's ever seen! His frame was incredibly strong, unbelievably so, even under his thickened coat, but it was still so slender. It wasn't at all bulky, like any royal guard, Big Macintosh, or even Shining Armor, for that matter. Blueblood seemed just as strong in all aspects, stronger even, but he was thinner, sleeker, and... Celestia couldn't even complete the thought as her eyes roamed over him. His forelimbs looked fit enough to move boulders, his belly was toned to the point Celestia could make out his abdominals if she focused, and his flanks... she felt outright shameful now, though she still thought he nicely surpassed Applejack in leg power. Even during his old life, Blueblood has always stayed in superb shape, staying pretty much on par with any other fit stallion, Shining included, though to maintain his public image more than anything else. But now, it was like he went through lunar guard training times ten and then some. She could only imagine what he must have went through to achieve such a body. "Wow." she breathed without her knowing.
Blueblood groaned lightly as he finished stretching. Hearing her, he looked back at Celestia to see her staring at him with a moony look. He had a good idea of what it was, but playing dumb would spare both of them the embarrassment. "Is there something wrong, Aunty?" Blueblood asked, tilting his head as he walked over her to take a seat.
Celestia blinked twice before shaking her thoughts away. "No, nothing. It's just that I'm still so happy to see you again." Celestia explained, but then Blueblood surprised her again. Instead of resting on his belly next to her, Blueblood relaxedly rested on his side, his back gently pressed up against Celestia. It was only sensible for her to do the same as she shifted positions so she faced the fireplace with Blueblood.
"So how far are we in the story?" Blueblood asked.
"Let me see where I left off." Celestia said with a serene smile as she opened the book, flipping through the pages.
XXXXX
It was around six in the morning, and Luna took it upon herself to check up on her sister to make sure she's awake to raise the sun.
She wasn't in her bedroom, so she could only assume she spent the night in her study after reuniting with Blueblood. As she made her way up the staircase to Celestia's study, she willed the door open with her magic to see Celestia awake and at the balcony. Blueblood was laying in the cushion, facing the now cold fireplace, still fast asleep. Careful not to disturb her nephew, she made her way across the room, she joined her sister at the balcony.
"Good morning, sister." Luna greeted, watching the horizon.
"Good morning, Luna." Celestia greeted in kind as she began focusing her magic, the rays of the sun making its way over the horizon, adding a light purple shade to the blackened sky.
"I trust that your reunion with our nephew was... stimulating?" Luna asked, starting up conversation.
"Very much so, yes. He's changed so much though." the elder sister commented, feeling the sun's warmth shine upon her and seeing the night sky turn into the morning sky.
"In what ways, other than the obvious?"
Celestia paused for a moment, blushing as she tried to come up with a non-embarrassing reply. "I'd see for yourself when he wakes up." she replied, her task in raising the sun now complete as the sun was now on the horizon.
Luna gave a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow with somewhat of a grin. "I'll... take your word for it, sister. I will proceed to plan his welcoming party in two days time. I will also send Twilight and Cadence invitations once they are awake, and I do believe Blueblood will remain asleep until then. He has not been asleep since he entered Equestria, else I would have sensed him dreaming. He has traveled far, so there is no doubt he will be getting much rest. Trixie and I will go inform the populace and set the time until the party. Perhaps after this, you and he can continue to make up lost time." Luna explained before turning tail to head inside.
"That would be nice." Celestia sighed happily before following her sister in.
"Blueblood?" Celestia whispered, nudging her nephew's side in an attempt to wake him up. "Blueblood." she repeated, nudging him again.
Blueblood awoke with a nice, long yawn, covering his mouth as he did so. "Yes, Aunty?" he asked, rolling onto his belly to push himself up to standing position. He couldn't remember the last time he slept that good, albeit still being a bit drowsy after sleeping so long. Regardless, he began cat stretching again, which gave her another good look at him, causing her to blush and look away for something interesting, finding it in the book by the cushion which she dutifully picked up and placed on a nearby shelf.
"Did you sleep well, nephew?" she asked, walking up to him.
"Like a foal." Blueblood replied with a drowsy smile.
That in turn caused Celestia to smile herself. "I'm glad to hear that. Are you ready for the afternoon, my little prince?" Celestia asked. Blueblood's eyes went wide as he looked up to her.
"It's the afternoon already?" he asked incredulously, causing his aunt to giggle.
Nonetheless, Celestia nodded. "I figured you've been through so much that a nice long sleep would do you nicely. And I've spent the morning clearing my schedule for today and tomorrow so we can have all that time to ourselves."
Blueblood brightened up at that. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, after lunch, I thought we could start with a little walk around the gardens and see what we can do from there." Celestia explained.
Blueblood nodded in acknowledgement. "A sound plan. After I freshen up and get reacquainted with my room, we can dine together." Blueblood spoke. "Speaking of, was anything done to it?" he asked, tilting his head curiously.
"I only stopped by once in a while to dust and keep everything clean. I made sure nopony set hoof inside since you left." that made the pale prince grin cheek-to-cheek.
"Have I ever told you I love you?" he asked, making his way past her to the door with a happy and content stride, Celestia blushing again at the sight of his toned flank.
"Since last night, I believe." Celestia spoke with an endearing giggle, turning tail to follow him out. But as soon as her words registered in his mind, he stopped in his tracks, his expression dropped like a stone. He shifted his gaze towards the floor, racking his mind for any other time he told her he loved her... only to come up with nothing.
"Nephew, what's wrong?" Celestia was at his side, draping a wing over him in a comforting manner, a clear look of concern on her face.
"I... I never told you I loved you before that, did I?" he asked, crestfallen in himself, hanging his head.
Realization washed over Celestia as she processed what he just said. Looking back at him, she rested her head atop his back. "Blueblood, you said to me yourself that you'll love me no matter what happens to us. I'll still love you, whether or not you say it. When I have a nephew like you, I just know it." Celestia explained as she nuzzled into his back.
Blueblood's mood brightened again, albeit only a little. "I only wish I could go back and have it again. But I'll settle for making up that lost time now." he said, picking up his head again.
"Glad to hear it, nephew." Celestia replied, retracting her wing. "I'll go prepare our lunch while you get freshened up. I won't start without you." and with that, the two took their leave and made their way down the tower.
XXXXX
When nephew and aunt parted ways, Blueblood made his way to his own room.
He was happy to see that his room was just the way he left it; neat, clean, and filled with the essentials. but he was eager to resume his day with his beloved Aunty Celestia, so he headed straight for his bathroom to take a shower.
When the hot, steaming water hit his coat, Blueblood could already feel some of the tension wash away. The blissful solitude gave him the proper state of mind to ponder, namely on what lies ahead of him past the time he'll spend with Celestia. He wouldn't go out of his way to plan a celebration for his return, but it would seem appropriate, and he wouldn't object if either of his aunts planned one for him already. But party aside, after everypony gets over their shock of seeing him, perhaps he could go and visit friends he's made around Canterlot and other cities. He could even go and see other places he's never had the chance to visit, like Ponyville, Apploosa, or even Cloudsdale with a well-placed cloudwalking spell. When he gets to those places, he can help out and apologize to whoever may still, for any reason, have ill feelings towards him. The new him was around for only three months before he left, and that was just Canterlot. A starting place where he can always see friendly faces.
"I have so much work to do." Blueblood muttered to himself as he began to wash. With his mind made up, the rest of his shower was a blur, and the next thing he knew, he was dried and dressed in his trademark formal collar, minus the rose. He'll get to changing that when he has time, along with his room to accommodate his new inventory. But he could always to that later. Now, he has an aunt to spend hours on end with. With a pep in his step, he made his way out of his room and down the grand hallways...
... which was where he ran into Luna.
The royal nephew stopped as she called to him from down the length of the hallway, closely followed by a pair of lunar guards, but the trio stopped in their tracks when they finally got a closer look at him, roughly a few yards away. It didn't take Blueblood to pick up on exactly why Luna and her two guards, both mares, stopped to look him over. When it happened with Celestia, he tried and succeeded in playing it off, but with Luna, he could feel his mane raise somewhat and and his skin tingle. Princess Luna, nor her guards are not known for their modesty.
On Luna's side, she was currently gazing at the fittest pony body she's seen in millenia, possibly ever. Whereas her jaw was slightly hung mostly from the prospect of being distracted, her guards, on the other hoof, their jaws were hung to the point that Blueblood could make out a small stream of drool from each of them. He should probably draw their attention before his coat catches fire.
"IIIIs something wrong, Aunty?" Blueblood asked, facing them, effectively cutting most of his body off from their line of sight.
Luna shook her head free of distractions as her guards did the same, wiping their lips clean of saliva. "I haven't seen such a fine body in ages, nephew. Possibly never. Pray tell, how were you able to obtain such a state of being?" Luna asked. As an individual who's dedicated maintaining a fine, fit body herself, Luna felt naught but strong praise and admiration for her nephew, among others.
'I do a lot of push-ups ans sit-ups.' Blueblood thought jokingly to himself. "I... have been many places that require a fit physique." came his explanation.
"Mmmm, no doubt. You've always stayed in shape nephew, but it seems now, you're worlds beyond." Luna spoke as she began to circle him, her escort staying put, but taking in what they can.
"Y-you think so?" Blueblood asked, their actions forcing an embarrassed blush out of him.
"But of course! One would think that I dedicate my time to discipline, etiquette, and fitness, and they would be correct, but I also admire others who are strong in those aspects. Ever since my return, your brother-in-law has been the fittest stallion I've seen, among others, you included. But now, there is no doubt you've the finest body of them all." Blueblood felt a smug grin at the mention of him being fitter than the one pony he doesn't like, and he had to laugh inwardly at the part of him that never changed.
When Luna stopped circling him, she had to get back on subject, waving the current one out of her thoughts. "But we can talk of perfect bodies at a later date. Are you doing well, nephew?" Luna asked.
"I am doing fine Aunty, thank you for asking. Why do you ask?" Blueblood inquired.
"Sister and I required the morning to plan your welcoming party two days from today." Blueblood figured as much one would've been the case, but with two free days to spend, he couldn't argue. He was about to ask something, but he decided against it.
"I suppose a welcoming party would be appropriate, if I am still a prince. Who's attending?" he asked. He already figured there would be an eventual party planned for him, and so he began racking his mind for anypony he'd still consider a friend. Fancy Pants had earned his respect and gratitude on more than one occasion, quickly reconciling after his reinvention, and his... wife? Colleague? Friend? Anyway, Fleur De Lis was just as respectable a pony, and he'd look forward to seeing them and their reactions if they showed up.
"Invitations have already been sent to Twilight Sparkle and the other Elements of Harmony, as well as your sister and brother-in-law. I will also send invitations to anypony of your choosing." Luna explained.
"There's not many I would consider close friends, despite me being a changed pony, but I could still form a list. Is that all?" Blueblood asked. He could catch out of his peripherals Luna's guards looking down slightly in apparent shame.
"Not at all. You've only returned last night, and would take at least another day or so to post flyers around Canterlot of you and your return, and another still for the populace to make time in their busy schedules to attend. Trixie and I have informed the castle of Canterlot of your return, and-" Luna stopped herself in mid-sentence as soon as she caught her mistake. She looked back to Blueblood, who raised a curious brow.
Figuring Luna knew what he was about to ask, he went on and asked it. "Should I be aware of Trixie the Showmare, Aunt Luna? I'm not one to judge anymore, but... her as my replacement?" Blueblood asked. In the past, Blueblood was often... hypocritical when it came to who was royalty and who wasn't. Some of it stuck with him, considering his biological family are all royal alicorns. Maybe it's time to start thinking about where he stands in the family again...
Luna sighed dejectedly. "I suppose now would be as good a time as ever to tell you." she adopted a high and strong posture to discourage her nephew from possibly losing his temper. It worked on just about anypony that knew who she was, and it kept her from using the royal Canterlot voice to calm things down. "In your absence, the increased burden of royal duties fell upon my sister and I, and with Cadence and Shining Armor taking sovereignty over the Crystal Empire, our options were severely limited." her explanation did little to raise her nephew's steadily lowering mood, but she continued, nonetheless. "We asked of Twilight Sparkle, and Trixie Lulamoon was her suggestion. I laughed at first, but Trixie proved to be a legitimate suggestion on Twilight's part."
Blueblood tilted his head, analyzing her. Luna began to grow nervous for a moment up until he relented. "I guess I am all to blame for that. But if all of you deem her worthy, I won't object. I suppose you're her teacher?"
"Correct. Trixie has many goals herself besides being my student or filling your place. But we are getting off topic again. I have no doubt you're eager to resume life in Equestria alongside your loved ones, so I will not stop you from enjoying the day with your elder aunt. Besides, I am still in the process of writing a speech for your welcoming party." and with that, Luna turned tail and headed down a branching hallway with her escort, leaving Blueblood to make his way to the royal dining hall.
XXXXX
Normally on afternoons, Trixie would either be sleep with her nocturnal schedule or studying and practicing magic.
But now, she's in the castle's spa, enjoying a nice, relaxing massage. Luckily for her, Luna was in a surprisingly good mood last night, so she agreed to go easy on her in their monthly sparring match. For Luna, it was a means to keep Trixie strong and focused. For herself, it was a means to get to Twilight's level, possibly even surpass her, especially considering Celestia nor Twilight dedicate to magical or physical prowess as much as she or Luna. But speaking of Luna, she could hear the metal boots lightly clinking against the marble floors before she heard the royal spa doors open.
"Ah, Trixie. I suspected I would find you here." the princess of the Night greeted as she walked up, laying atop the neighboring massage table, calling for one herself.
Eyes still closed, Trixie grinned somewhat. "This is starting to become a ritual following each sparring match we have."
"But I was hardly a challenge, last night!" Luna reasoned as she began removing her regalia. "Surely last night wouldn't work you to the point of a massage."
"Even when her opponent is holding back, Trixie still rises fully to a challenge." came the unicorn mare's reply.
"Perhaps Blueblood could prove a suitable challenge if that's what you seek." Luna suggested, resting on her belly as her masseuse began to work on her.
"Trixie recalls you telling her of his return, though Trixie has yet to finally meet him in pony. But regardless, her only goal is Twilight Sparkle. Trixie does respect her as a friend and a fellow princess, but surpassing her is still a high priority." Trixie explained.
"I admire your perseverance, Trixie, though not your speak in third person. Mmmmmm." Luna said with a chuckle as her masseuses reached her wings.
"One of Trixie's many... unique qualities..." Trixie sighed.
XXXXX
When Blueblood finally made it to his destination, two solar guards graciously opened the door for him, allowing him to proceed inside.
Celestia and Twilight were sitting at the end of the long, long dining table, idly conversing, and as Celestia said, their food was completely untouched. Celestia had a hearty slice of chocolate cheesecake, Twilight was served a couple of over-engineered daisy sandwiches to Celestia's left, and at her right, waiting for Blueblood was a sizable salad bowl of assorted fruits and veggies, blueberry cobbler, and a generous slice of blueberry pie with whip cream and oh... a cherry on top.
"Good afternoon, all." he called out, gaining the attention of the two princesses, who smiled and greeted him back. When he made his way over and took his seat, he began to start up conversation. "Aunty, with all the sweets, I'll have to work even harder to stay in shape." he said with a chuckle.
"Well, with how you are now, you could use some fattening up." Celestia replied, taking a forkful of her cheesecake.
The prince smirked at that. "But I thought you like the new me." he laughed inwardly as Celestia blushed and looked away. He turned his attention to Twilight, who's eyes were going over his body as if she was reading an encyclopedia. "Not you too, Twilight." Blueblood sighed, shaking his head.
The Princess of Friendship, realizing just how intensely she was looking over him, shook her head vehemently, fumbling for words. "Oh! W-w-was I staring? I-I-I wanted to look away, but -not look away because I didn't find you attractive- n-not that I don't find you attractive! I definitely do! You have such a chiseled and defined body! One fit for a horse! I-It's just..." Twilight would've kept going on and on if it wasn't for Celestia, who placed a calming hoof on her shoulder.
"Can you exactly blame her, nephew? I can only imagine Luna's reaction." Celestia spoke, her blush calming to an acceptable shade of baby pink.
"I've encountered her about that, actually. She was... very open about it." Blueblood said, recalling what happened mere minutes ago. Clearly, he'd surpassed even the lunar guard's standards when it came to physique.
"Luna wasn't known for her modesty when it came to topics such as this. But such things aside, has Luna told you about Equestria's fifth princess?" Celestia asked rather timidly.
Blueblood simply nodded. "She allowed it to slip about Trixie, and since she's explained it to me, I've been curious to see her." Celestia and Twilight calmed at the fact he's already been told, and so Blueblood decided to seal the deal to make sure no misunderstandings were a problem. "After I left, I imagined somepony would take my place. Trixie is a very... interesting choice, Twilight."
Twilight, who was still checking him out, snapped back to attention. "I-I just thought she had potential. And with Princess Luna's teachings, I was proven to be correct!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"What exactly happened over the time I was gone besides a new princess?" Blueblood asked curiously, beginning on his large meal.
"Well, it all starts sometime after you left..." Celestia said as she began to recall the events over the last five years.
"... and after Trixie and Twilight became princesses, things quieted down."
Blueblood fell back in his seat, digesting it all. Discord living in the palace, he couldn't wrap his head around, even after the lengthy explanation. Hearing about the changeling invasion during the wedding, he could honestly say he felt no ill feelings towards the buggers, being that he befriended them some time ago, he very well knows that they're a slowly dying race, and not to mention that nopony was seriously hurt. Parasitism is no easy way of life, especially for a changeling with the world against them. Cadence had already given him a solid summary of the Crystal Empire back when he was there, and other affairs, like Trixie and Twilight's ascension, satisfied his curiosity.
"I feel it'd be appropriate to share what's been happening with me over the last five years, but I'd like to share it when I've gotten our family together. I have a long story, and it's not one to repeat."
Once that registered with Twilight, she perked up. "You can write it! I could help you!" she exclaimed with glee. It seemed like a legitimate suggestion, and Blueblood hung his head to think on it before eventually agreeing.
"I suppose we can begin after the welcoming party, when things have calmed down." Blueblood confirmed, Twilight nodding and writing it down on her schedule in the form of a long scroll. Blueblood then turned his attention back to his aunt. "Aunty, now that we've finished brunch, shall we depart into the gardens?"
The alabaster mare nodded with a resolute smile. "Twilight, before my nephew and I depart to spend the day together, are you sure you can handle my duties for today and tomorrow? I've cleared some of it, but it's still a considerable amount with the welcoming party preparations." Celestia reminded, but Twilight was confident and determined.
"I know how important it is for you to catch up with Blueblood, Princess. And as one myself, I believe I should handle at least some of the royal duties." Twilight reasoned. Her justification was valid, and so Celestia wished her good luck and took her leave.
Blueblood hung back for a second to talk to Twilight. Walking over to her, he spoke. "Thank you, Twilight. This day with Aunty means a lot to me. After today, I would like to get to know my younger sister a little better, if that's okay with you." Twilight fumbled for words again, but was calmly stopped with a hoof on Blueblood's part. "I can meet you anywhere after the party, Twilight. How about the library? Perhaps I could even show you what new things I've learned over my departure." Twilight's only response was a slow nod. "Splendid! I'll see you later." and with that, Blueblood turned tail and trotted off after his Aunty, Twilight's eyes never leaving him until the doors to the dining hall closed behind him.
XXXXX
As they made their way to the gardens, Blueblood and Celestia engaged in idle chit-chat.
"So Aunty, I've been curious as to if there were any other suggestions for princes or princesses over my time away. Other than the obvious choices, of course." Blueblood said as they rounded the corner and made their way down a particularly lengthy hallway.
"Believe it or not, there were a few candidates other than members of our family. After Shining Armor and Cadence left, Luna even suggested Fancy Pants." Celestia replied, making Blueblood look up at her with a curious look.
"Is that so? What stopped him from taking the position?" Blueblood asked.
"Luna pressed and pressed, but Fancy Pants simply wasn't interested. He mentioned that more than being a royal figure, he felt he would also need to be part of our family, and that was a position for somepony who truly needs one." Celestia rehashed.
"So a family role just as much as a public one. I can attest to that." Celestia nodded in agreement. "But come to think of it, it was never clear on Fancy Pants' relationship with Fleur De Lis. I don't suppose you'd know anything about them?" Blueblood asked.
"I cannot say I do, nephew. But I am curious myself. It would have to be something to look into." Celestia concluded as they exited the castle into the Canterlot Gardens.
Seeing the old place in the bright sun felt like a breath of fresh air for Blueblood. Already, he recalls times past when he was a colt, getting chased by his Aunty in a friendly game of tag, enjoying rare tea outside, riding atop Celestia's back as she takes a dip in the pool... it's hard to pick where to start.
"So nephew, what's the first thing on our playdate?" Celestia asked, looking to him with an inviting smile.
Blueblood felt strange. It was always him following her or him asking her for or to do something. But to have Aunty Celestia ask him what they should do felt... nice.
Might as well start small.
"Tag. You're it." that and a tap on the shoulder was all Celestia registered before Blueblood quickened to a trot ahead of her. In times past, they'd spend hours running around the gardens, laughing, chasing, and playing. The rules of no magic or flying were already known amongst them both, and for once, Celestia wasn't sure she'd be able to catch her nephew this time. Even though she was a bonafide deity, she herself had limits. She couldn't even remember the last time she broke into a full gallop, or even flew for that matter, and the apparent lack of threats that called for her in particular chipped away at her motivation to stay in peak physical condition. The Canterlot Wedding made her think about it, sure, but when she finally addressed it and began exercising, she got a lot of strange looks. Regardless, she still had earth pony strength and a long, slender frame, so the outcome of her pursuit of Blueblood remains ambiguous.
On the other hoof, Blueblood was in the best shape of his life. From day one to year five, Blueblood had been traveling lands beyond Equestria. Numerous inter-continental quests and efforts of strenuous nature, combined with a nomadic lifestyle, put him on a whole new level of physique. He was no earth pony, but in terms of strength and stamina, he was overqualified.
"Da-na... da-na... da-na da-na da-na da-na da-na..." Celestia began singing the dangerous tune with her heavenly voice as she quickened to a trot, quickly closing in on her trotting nephew.
"Can you catch a full-grown and fit Blueblood, Aunty?" Blueblood asked provocatively, speeding up.
"That remains to be seen, my little nephew." Celestia rebutted before she broke into a full-on gallop. She was already a few yards behind him, and Blueblood barely had time to speed up himself.
For speed of their caliber, even the Canterlot Gardens proved to be a somewhat small place, and the botanical obstacles proved to intensify the pursuit. They weaved through the trees, sprung and bounded over garden patches and bushes, trekked up and skid down hills, all to keep up the chase. They'd call and taunt one another, trying to gain the advantage, but the chase persisted, even going in and out of the garden maze.
Never in a thousand years had Celestia felt so... alive. Chasing a goal with all the strength and speed her legs could command, heart racing, eyes trained, and the wind in her fur. Blueblood was mere feet ahead of her, yet he managed evading capture time after time. Blueblood never faltered as he kept up his evasion of her, and his long mane and toned flank were all she could see of him. In a way, it motivated her, and catching him was a hard-earned, but rewarding accomplishment.
Aunt and nephew tumbled about in the soft grass as she finally caught him, and when they stopped rolling, Celestia ended up on her back with Blueblood on top of her. For what felt like minutes they stared at one another wide-eyed, panting and blushing. It was a considerable amount of time later when they finally calmed down enough to do something.
Blueblood smiled...
... and then chuckled...
... and then broke out into laughter.
Celestia followed soon after as her nephew rolled off of her, into the soft feathers of her wing. After the laughing died down, Blueblood let out a long, content sigh.
"That was fun." he said, looking up at the late afternoon sky.
"Yes it was, nephew." Celestia agreed, pulling him close with her wing. "Yes it was."
Hearing that, Blueblood let out a long, satisfied sigh. "This is what I've been missing! I feel like a colt again!" he exclaimed, shifting so he rested against his aunty.
"I've missed our time together, Blueblood. I miss making you feel like a little colt." Celestia sighed, rubbing his belly, blushing again at the toned muscle under her hoof.
"You're the only one that can make me feel that way, Aunty." he stated, smiling back at her before looking back up at the afternoon sky. "We still have so much time."
"Well then, nephew. How does a relaxing cup of tea sound?" Celestia suggested.
"That would be lovely, Aunty." Blueblood agreed, getting up to his hooves, waiting for his aunty to do the same before the two made their way back to the castle.
XXXXX
A bucket of water was thrown over the sauna's heater, allowing the room to be engulfed in a thick cloud of steam.
Trixie and Luna relaxed on a pair of adjacent benches, decorative towels over their backs. The unicorn princess let out a long, relaxed sigh, resting her head in her forehooves.
"Getting back to our conversation, Trixie..." Luna spoke, using her magic to solidify her mane, making it lose its ethereal being in a sparkling flash, letting it drape over her back. "... we have today and tomorrow free to us with the day and night court closed, so how do you suppose we spend our time?"
"Hm. Perhaps Trixie could take a break from her studies for the time being. There is no immediate rush." Trixie speculated before nodding. "I have been interested in finally being able to meet Prince Blueblood. He now roams the castle and Trixie still haven't seen him." she reminded.
"True. There is no better time to introduce you to him like the present. I will have them meet us in the Canterlot Library after we are done here." Luna declared before relaxing again.
XXXXX
On the way to the royal dining hall to acquire a fresh brew of tea, Blueblood and Celestia walked through the hallways side by side.
Preparations for the upcoming party called for many hooves, so the hallways often had royal guards or castle staff going to or from the direction of the dining hall. Any mare that passed them would blush and look away. Any stallion would grow a look of envy as they sized him up, walking past. Blueblood remained casual about it while Celestia giggled at any occurrence, making the situation even more embarrassing for passerbyers. It did, however, make Blueblood feel somewhat complacent. He wasn't one to flaunt achievements anymore, but his body wasn't exactly something he could help, and he had to admit it feels pretty good.
"A rather... lecherous moment, wouldn't you say, nephew?" Celestia asked as they made it to the royal dining hall.
Blueblood merely shrugged. "I am not one to put on a display anymore, but this particular subject cannot necessarily be helped." he reasoned as they look about the now busy area, weaving around and between busy mares and stallions as they helped with decorations. "But I see it did not take long for you yourself to grow accustomed."
"It's difficult not to, given the fact that your flank was all I've seen of you for the last few hours." Celestia replied in a hushed tone, leaning her head down to tell him. She blushed vividly at her salaciousness with the matter, though she kept calm for the most part.
"Perhaps a... little more time." Blueblood concluded as aunt and nephew made it across the busy workspace and to the kitchen where the royal tea was stored.
Not far away, Twilight was immersed in making preparations, helping ponies, giving out directions, and checking off her lists. It wasn't difficult for a mind as strong as hers, and she was effectively on top of things. As the alicorn princess of friendship, it was a rather warming sight for her to see mares, stallions, and above all, friends working together to help put everything together.
"Twilight!" the princess of magic heard the unforgettable voice of Luna as she looked to see the princess of the night walking up to her.
"Yes, Luna?" the alicorn replied, facing her fellow princess.
"I look for my sister and nephew. Do you, by any chance, know where they are?" the princess of the night inquired. "I suspected they'd be in the royal kitchen for a routine brew of tea." Twilight was about to answer, but caught Celestia's bright rainbow colored mane out of her peripherals. With Blueblood in tow, she was carrying a steaming kettle and cups all on a platter. Luna caught on not long after. "Ah, sister! Nephew!" Luna greeted, motioning the two over.
"What is it, Aunt Luna?" Blueblood asked as he and Celestia walked up to Luna and Twilight.
"As I am aware, you and Trixie have been wandering the castle, yet you two are still due to meet. I proclaim that we all meet for tea in the Canterlot Library while the royal dining hall is being worked on." Luna suggested before she walked off, taking the platter into her own magical grip. While Blueblood and Twilight shared a glance of surprise, Celestia giggled.
"It seems there has been a change of plans. Come, Blueblood and Twilight." Celestia said, taking Twilight's clipboard and handing it off to a nearby guard, who immediately took the initiative and started reading the list for unchecked preparations.
"Do you think Luna engineered this or Trixie?" Blueblood asked Twilight before following his aunts.
"Both?" Twilight shrugged before following after them. "Princess, are you sure that you don't need me for the decorations?" Twilight asked, trotting up next to Celestia.
"You've done your part in organizing the preparations, and I am confident in our workforce, Twilight. Besides, It would not be a full family without you." Celestia replied, smiling down at her.
"Oh." was all Twilight could say, looking down with a strong, nervous blush.
Seeing this, the alabaster alicorn pulled her fellow princess to her side with her wing. "Remember, you're part of our family, Twilight. And a growing one, at that."
"Princess." Twilight whined embarrassingly as she subtly tried to slip away, but Celestia's wing was firm.
"And a loving one." Blueblood cut in from behind the two as he caught up to them on Celestia's other side. That just caused him to get pulled in by their aunt's other wing. But instead of blushing like mad, Blueblood smiled and nuzzled his aunty.
"A loving family indeed." Luna commented as she draped a wing over her sister, effectively smothering Twilight between them. "Oh, I can feel the heat radiating from you, Twilight. Perhaps we should get Trixie as well so that she can share your torment." Luna said with a mischievous glee as they made it to the Royal Library. On the other side of the large doorway were massive shelves, stories high, filled to the brims with books. With everypony away to work on preparations, they were all alone, save for a certain blue unicorn.
"Trixie." Luna called out, her voice bouncing around in the large, empty room.
"Trixie is in the reading area." came Trixie's return call.
"Shouldn't we be quiet in the libraries, Luna?" Twilight asked somewhat nervously.
"Though I do respect your compliance with basic library conduct, Twilight, you forget that we own the Canterlot Library. The only voice that can tell a royal figure to hush is another." Luna explained as the four of them followed the sound of Trixie's voice, finding her at one of the reading tables, namely one of the short ones short enough for mats.
At the sound of hoofsteps, Trixie closed her tome about ancient combat spells and looked up at her fellow princesses as they took their seats at the table.
"You're still trying to beat me, Trixie?" Twilight asked curiously, noticing the book Trixie was reading.
"Besting you in the art of magic is a feat I am not ready to put to rest, Twilight Sparkle. Even if we are family." Trixie stated resolutely before she caught sight of Blueblood as he took his seat. She looked him over with scrutiny, maintaining a dignified expression all the while she analyzed him. "Hm. You're every bit as impressive as Luna told me, Prince Blueblood. A pleasure." Trixie greeted, holding up one of the freshly filled tea cups from the platter Luna set on the table with her magic.
"The pleasure is all mine." Blueblood replied, joining her in clinking their tea cups together before taking a sip. Celestia, Twilight, and even Luna to an extent were surprised at the fact that Trixie didn't show the slightest sign of fawning over Blueblood, even remaining completely dignified as she greeted him. Celestia and Twilight couldn't even speak clearly as they looked him over, and even Luna went on and on about him. Blueblood himself didn't know what to make of it. He couldn't say he was impressed, since he wasn't trying to prove himself, but at the same time, he wasn't hurt from her lack of reaction.
Trixie, after taking her first sip of tea, caught Twilight's disbelieving look, and let out an exasperated sigh. "Twilight, I would think that by now, even you would know that the Great and Royal Trixie does not fawn over anypony. Stop staring." Trixie said, throwing her snout up, crossing her forehooves.
"I-I-I wasn't staring! I'm just surprised!" Twilight denied defensively.
"Yes you were staring! Trixie saw you!" Trixie insisted, leaning into her glare.
"It's not my fault!"
"Oh, and I suppose it's mine, then?" Trixie and Twilight would've kept going back and forth were it nor for the laughs and giggles coming from the other end of the table. The two rivals looked to see the royal sisters stifling giggles while Blueblood was more open with his amusement. Noticing this, Twilight and Trixie withdrew from their verbal duel, nervously looking around for something to draw their ire.
"Trixie, if I knew you were so quick to challenge Twilight, I'd ask to have set up a magic duel for the both of you." Luna said through her amused giggling before she almost uncharacteristically ceased her amusement. "Oh, and that reminds me. Blueblood, how adept is your magic?" Luna asked, looking over to her nephew.
"I'm... confident in my ability..." Blueblood replied.
"Confident enough to duel with one of us?" Luna pressed with a wide grin of interest.
"I wouldn't know what you, Aunty, Trixie, or Twilight were capable of. Is... there a reason to all this?" Blueblood asked, tilting his head.
Luna nodded. "As you may have seen, Trixie keeps her rivalry with Twilight Sparkle strong and everlasting. However, with her ascension to alicornhood, Twilight now trumps Trixie in every capacity." Luna explained, not minding the blue unicorn's pout or her glare. "This is why I would like you to duel with Trixie; she cannot best an alicorn, and keeping up this unavailing rivalry could prove... detrimental to all of us." the mood in the room just dropped several notches.
"These kind of situations are harmless in their initial state, but this one of the very reasons Nightmare Moon came to be. It was a process we did not see coming with Luna, and we'd all be devastated if we allowed such a thing to happen again with Trixie. We're a much larger family now than a thousand years ago, and so many more hearts would be broken." Celestia explained.
"I feel it's my duty and responsibility to help my family to my fullest, but the choice remains with Trixie." Blueblood reminded as the group looked to her for her opinion.
The former showmare shook away her confusion, but a realization later, she nonetheless nodded. "If you all believe that this is best for Trixie, then so be it. She will not like it, but if this prevents Trixie from falling prey to such corruption, there is no choice." she accepted, but it wasn't something she was about to do readily.
Celestia took the opportunity to remind her. "Trixie, I know how important this is to you. We all know. But you have already made peace with the fact that Twilight is better than you when you both became princesses. You've proven yourself a mature, responsible and beautiful mare on that day, just as much as Twilight had. But if you do not let this go, you can't keep growing into the mare we saw in you." Celestia's voice was that of a mother's as she walked around the table to her: soft, gentle, and compassionate.
"When the princesses came to me regarding who the new royal family member should be, you were the very first one that came to mind. And I wouldn't have picked anypony else for the job. When we became princesses, you did more than fill what Blueblood left behind, Trixie. You became a whole new part of the family. You're like a sister to me." Twilight cut in.
"Indeed, Trixie. But you will not see Twilight as more than competition of you continuously treat her as such. Which is why we are prepared to help you with this." Luna began as she walked over to her fellow princess, draping a wing over her. "Trixie, you have been like a daughter to me; the perfect one. I couldn't live with myself if I sat quietly and allowed you to turn into me. I say this because I love you, Trixie. I do with all my heart."
With each heartfelt explanation, Trixie felt herself break more and more. The mere mention of Nightmare Moon was more enough to get her attention. The fact that Blueblood so readily referred to her as a member of this family already spoke volumes. By this point, her eyes were already hot and teary. Celestia reminding her of what kind of mare she was and the potential she showed made her want to hug her like a daughter would her mother. Twilight stating that she was her one and only choice, and how important she became to the family made her want to break down and cry her eyes out right there. But Luna... it became too much.
In a high-pitched cry of love and anguish, Trixie threw herself at Luna, wrapping her hooves around the princess of the night as tightly as her strength would allow. Luna embraced the unicorn with total abandon, soon joined by Twilight and Celestia in a family hug with Trixie at the center.
Blueblood watched the events unfold before him with a serene smile. To see such a heartwarming family moment bought a few tears to his eyes. When he finished wiping his eyes, he saw the group hug break apart. "I believe this is what Fancy Pants meant by a family role."
"Indeed, nephew." Luna spoke, pulling Trixie close with her wing. "All Trixie needed was a family to tell her they love her."
"In the end, that's all anyone ever needed." Blueblood muttered.
"Quite. So Trixie..." Luna said, looking back down to the blue unicorn. "Are you ready to put your rivalry with Twilight Sparkle to rest once and for all?"
"Now more than ever." Trixie stated with a determined smile.
"Very well. Blueblood, in the case that you have forgotten, royal duels are held at the peek of Canterlot Mountain, in the arena. Tomorrow night should provide you enough time to, as you say, keep the rust off. And it should allow you to sleep soundly for your welcoming party the next day." Luna instructed.
The pale prince nodded in affirmation. "Sounds good. I'll start preparing right away."
Following the ordeal, Blueblood returned to his room to finally unpack his belongings.
But no sooner had he arrived at his bedside was when he heard a knock at his door.
"Come in." he called over his shoulder as he went over to his roomy, but empty closet, sliding open the double doors. It was Twilight who entered, Blueblood noticed from a quick over-the-shoulder glance.
"Evening, Twilight. Need anything?" Blueblood asked as he began summoning various sets of clothing with his bright blue magic, whether it be robes, cloaks, tops, or bottoms. Each article of clothing looked like it came from a different place, as some were made from wool, some from cloth, and some even had bits of armor. "Twilight?" Blueblood repeated, ceasing his actions, looking back over to her.
At the second call of her name, Twilight was shaken from her stupor. "O-oh! W-was I staring? Sorry. I was just uh... wondering if you needed any help." she replied, mentally kicking herself at the ridiculousness of that reply.
"Well, if this is about the duel, the point of it is moreso for Trixie's benefit rather than mine. Right now, I'm unpacking my belongings and souvenirs. The only thing I will probably need help with is finding a place for everything in my room. You're welcome to take a look." Blueblood offered as he made his way over to a ponnequin and summoned a set of armor before taking it apart and applying it to the model. The armor itself appeared silver in color, but had a steely gleam to it, and whereas the royal guard armor of the solar or lunar guards only covered vital parts of the body, this set of armor Blueblood had covered every inch of the wearer, even the horn, muzzle, and eyes.
"Where'd you find armor like that? Did the castle make it for you?" Twilight asked, approaching the armor set, analyzing it.
"Believe or not, nopony made it." Blueblood replied, standing next to her. "This armor was made for me by a dragon. A friend, actually." that got Twilight's attention. "Dragons have an affinity for anything associated with fire, or for that matter heat, such as forging, and they're capable of creating some amazing things. They can mold a molten lump of metal like anyone else would clay." he explained as he reached his hoof around the armor's collar and waved it over an encrusted sapphire. Limb guards and bits of the armor began to disappear and retract under the main back plates, and they themselves retracted under the mantle before the piece disappeared entirely, leaving the collar itself as the only piece still on the ponnequin.
To say Twilight was surprised was an understatement. "What was that?"
"Unlike ponies, who specialize in generating and even embodying their unique magic, dragons specialize in enchanting other sources, like amulets and armor. The enchantment placed on my armor allows me to summon or banish the full set at will. I've never used it myself, I got it as a goodbye present. But should I need to combat a threat, I'd probably bring this." Blueblood disclosed.
"What's it made of?" Twilight asked, feeling the cold metal under her hoof.
"It's a metal called titanium. It's said that only a dragon can forge it, given its strength and resistance. It didn't even redden when it stood up to a full fireblast." Blueblood answered. "It's unbelievably strong, but incredibly light." Twilight silently nodded in acknowledgement, fascinated with the armor and its claimed abilities. "But there's still a lot more than just clothing or armor I managed to stumble across in my travels."
"Where do you put it all?" the purple alicorn inquired, looking around for any kind of sac, bag, or container.
"I think it's much more interesting if I show you. If you like, I could give you a tour." Blueblood offered.
"Tour of where?" Twilight asked, brightening at the possibility of learning something new.
In response, Blueblood began charging his horn. "Hold on tight." he warned before they vanished in a bright flash of light.
XXXXX
When they reappeared, the first thing Twilight noticed was the thick bronze flooring. Looking up, she saw Blueblood next to her, rubbing his horn.
"Are you okay?" Blueblood asked, looking over to her.
Twilight nodded. "I'm used to teleportation. What about you? It seemed to take a lot out of you."
"Believe it or not, it doesn't take as much as you think when traveling miles up."
Twilight froze at that. "Miles up? From Canterlot?"
Blueblood nodded. "This place is fairly high in the atmosphere. Come, I'll show you." the pale prince urged as he began proceeding down one of the intersecting hallways, Twilight having no choice but to follow.
Twilight walked with Blueblood, taking in the grand hallways. The bronze that made up most of the hallways made this place look so ancient, yet the design looked so futuristic. It looked like something from a science fiction book. The studious mare was more than compelled to ask questions. "So Blueblood... what is this place?"
"It'd be long and tedious trying to explain it with words. It's much easier to show you. But to answer what I can, I found this place by accident. I was somewhere over the Eastern Seas when I was swept up in a storm. When the situation changed from bad to worsem I thought of teleporting to safety and ended up here. I wandered this place for hours, trying to find out what was it that bought me, but had no such luck. Ever since, I merely referred to it as The Sanctuary." came Blueblood's answer.
"The Sanctuary." Twilight repeated, making a mental note to remember it. "How long have you known this place?" she asked as they went through a section of the hallway lined with stained glass windows, covering the halls in a magnificent array of colors. In the center of each window was a green-eyed, gold alicorn. It looked an awful lot like Blueblood himself, plus some size and wings, but Twilight refrained from asking who it was. She doubted that even Blueblood knew since he didn't rear it any attention while passing it. Perhaps it's something worth asking the princesses about...
"It was around a few years ago that I found this place. It was entirely empty, but as my adventures went on, I've filled it with souvenirs and treasures." Blueblood said as he stepped into a small, dome-shaped room, facing Twilight. The studious mare curiously followed him into the room, looking about for its purpose.
"Brace yourself. Up." Blueblood said before Twilight had time to ask. There was a strong lurch, causing the purple mare to stagger before she managed to regain balance. When she looked up again, she noticed that the platform they were on was moving up at an almost alarming speed. It was obvious enough they were on some type of elevator, scaling one of the main towers of the apparent castle they were in. Looking out of the window, Twilight saw the rest of the island that the castle was built upon. Lush, green areas pocketed the landscape, dotted with colorful plants and flowers. It made Twilight curious as to where this place broke away fromt he ground.
When they finally slowed and eventually stopped, Blueblood walked out of the elevator with Twilight in tow. They walked onto the flat roofing of the castle. Looking around, Twilight saw that they were outside, given the orange, evening sky above. She followed Blueblood to the railed edge of the platform, and when she saw what was over the edge, she gasped, almost falling back from shock.
Under them, was all of Equestria!
Twilight looked around like a filly in a toy store. "We're so high up! This is amazing! Equestria looks so small from up here! I could make maps from this very spot!" she exclaimed as she spotted a nearby viewing scope on the rail. Galloping over to it, she looked through it, pointing it down at the land below.
"We're almost twice as high as Cloudsdale at this altitude. But nothing can see us." the pale prince explained, walking up next to her, resting against the rail.
"So have you used The Sanctuary to travel?" Twilight asked curiously, still immersed in the viewing scope, figuring out how to zoom with it.
"There's no place to pilot it. When I'm on it, it remains stationary. But when I travel, it seems to follow me. It is as if the thing is attached to me." he replied. Twilight finally pulled back from the viewing scope, staring down with a pondering look. In her mind, she already had a hunch that this place had a connection with Blueblood beyond him being its discoverer, if the alicorn in the stain glass windows was anything to go by.
"It reminds me of Princess Celestia with the sun or Princess Luna with the moon." Twilight pointed out.
Blueblood nodded. "Perhaps mine and Cadence's parents were in charge of something else. This very place could be their castle, for all we know. Asking about it would certainly make for an interesting conversation." Blueblood said, turning from the rail, facing one of the tower's elevators. "But I'd like to show you one more thing before we head back to Canterlot. Everypony might get ideas if we're out for too long." Blueblood said before he headed for the elevator they came up in. As soon as Twilight stepped in and prepared to descend, he nodded to himself. "Down." like that, they were descending, almost falling. Twilight had little problem, but Blueblood lowered on his haunches to keep the awkward feeling in his haunches down.
When they made it back into the castle hallways, Blueblood led Twilight into the castle's inner sanctum. Waiting for them was Blueblood's collectively amassed treasures. Piles of gems, piles of gold, exotic trinkets, foreign wares, arcane ingredients, they all were gathered here. The Griffon kingdom, the Land of the Dragons, the Zebra plains, even the horses of Saddle Arabia. It was almost too much for the alicorn princess to take in. Twilight trotted from pile to pile, item to item, analyzing everything in sight, Blueblood right behind her.
It was a rather amusing sight for the prince. "Twilight, I appreciate your interest in my treasures, but you will fall asleep before you're done analyzing everything I've to show you." Blueblood said as he caught up to her.
Twilight pulled her eyes away from a floating sigil, blushing at the fact that she got carried away again. "Sorry." she apologized with a sheepish grin.
Blueblood chuckled. "It's quite alright. We can always come back again when we have time, And I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. Let's head back." Blueblood said before placing a hoof on Twilight's shoulder as he charged a teleportation spell, and they were gone again.
XXXXX
Blueblood and Twilight reappeared in his room, right where they stood when they left.
"That was... amazing." Twilight said, her mind still fresh with what she saw.
"It's not every day you see something you never imagined existing. I've had the same experience several times in my journey." Blueblood said as he returned to unpacking. "But alas, I must finish unpacking. But enjoy your food for thought. Surely something worth mentioning to the other princesses." he said, summoning more sets of clothing to put away in his closet. Nodding and saying her goodnight, Twilight made her way out of Blueblood's room and down his tower.
Twilight was then on her way to the library, just wondering who she should talk to first. Celestia came to mind, but Luna seemed like one more in-tuned with ancient history. Cadence shared the same parents as Blueblood, and she could've been around to see things that Blueblood may have been too young to remember. She carried her thoughts with her all the way to the library, which was dark, only lit by the moon's luminescence and some candle light at the far end corner. Curious, Twilight quietly weaved between the shelves and aisles of the grand library until she heard the quiet conversations of Trixie and Luna. When they came within sight, Twilight noticed that Trixie was up against Luna's side, pulled close by the alicorn's wing. Before them was a closed tome of ancient history, and the two were simply conversing amongst themselves. It was an endearing sight to see, and it'd be almost rude to interrupt.
However, the choice wasn't hers before she heard Luna stop whispering to Trixie and call her name. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle! How very nice of you to join us!" the abrupt shouting made Twilight nearly jump out of her fur before she walked in to join them.
The purple mare approached them with a nervous blush. "S-sorry to interrupt. You two just looked so happy together. I-I just didn't want to interrupt it." Twilight explained, pulling up a cushion, but said cushion was taken away by Luna before she raised a wing for Twilight to lay under, opposite of Trixie. With little choice in the matter, Twilight took refuge under Luna's wing, blushing madly at how it must look.
"Indeed we are." Trixie spoke up, nuzzling Luna's side.
Luna nodded, tenderly rubbing Trixie's side with her wing. "Quite. So Twilight, is there something you wish to discuss?" Luna asked, giving Twilight her attention.
"Well... it occurred to me that Prince Blueblood and Cadence are siblings, and I was curious as to just who the rest of our family are." Luna seemed taken aback by such a question while Trixie seemed genuinely interested.
"As far as I am able to recall, sister and I have only had one other sibling prior to my banishment." the mares at her sides grew googly eyes of interest as they listened in. "I was but a foal when I saw him last, and I was far too young to remember much about him, other than his name. Where as Celestia and I were to control night and day, collectively Heaven, our brother Molaris was to control Equis' surface and all its phenomenon. We were given our duties by our parents, of whom, I cannot remember. But for our brother, as different kingdoms took root, control of the surface world's phenomena began to go to those that live on Equis, ponies included." every word Luna spoke, Twilight and Trixie were blown away even more, each new fact more amazing than the last. "There are few places now that nature is unbridled. Can you guess one place in Equestria?" Luna quizzed, looking between them for an answer.
"The Everfree Forest." the two chorused, Twilight a split second before Trixie.
Luna nodded. "Correct. That is all I can recall of my brother and his involvement in our past, but when I was a foal, Celestia was a filly. If there are facts beyond what I have told you, she would know them. But before you leave, I must ask; what bought about this sudden interest in our past, Twilight Sparkle?" Luna asked curiously.
"I spoke with Blueblood before I came here, and I just drew up some conclusions with some blanks left empty." Twilght explained.
"Well, Celestia seems like the one that can fill in the rest of them. Perhaps Trixie may join you. She seems as curious as you, not to mention the both of you are in need of some quality bonding. I myself have the night court to run shortly, so I must go prepare. Take care of each other." Luna said before getting up and taking her leave for the night court, leaving Trixie and Twilight to make their way out of the library themselves.
Along the walk, Twilight was the first to open up conversation.
"So uh... Trixie?"
"Hmm?"
"If I may ask... what was your family like? Your real family."
"The only family Trixie had growing up was a mother that always preached that Trixie would become something, but never did anything to make it so." the harshness in Trixie's tone made Twilight cringe, and mentally kick herself for asking. "Trixie finds it difficult to call her Mother, especially after she was never present to see Trixie's accomplishments."
"Did she lead to your career as a showmare?" Twilight felt compelled to ask.
"Partly, yes. Living in Canterlot, she was the stereotypical noblemare, despite my belief otherwise. Trixie... I... was in Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns when she left me for Manehattan and took the family fortune with her. Over the following years of being kicked out of the school, I put my magic to use and rebuilt myself as a showmare for another fall from grace at the hooves of you." that last statement made Twilight look down nervously, ribbing the back of her neck.
"Sorry." the purple mare apologized.
Trixie, however, shook her head. "Trixie deserved it, being the mare she was then. And because of you, Trixie is now higher than anything she could have ever dreamed of." Twilight was blown away again at how much Trixie has changed. "But that is Trixie's story. She dares not go into detail, but there you have it. Now come. Trixie is still curious as to who else makes up our royal family."
"... were you ever curious as to where your biological mother is now?" Twilight asked, looking to her hopefully as they climbed Celestia's tower via the spiral staircase.
Trixie refrained from looking back at Twilight before she had a reply. "... if she could throw me away without so much as a goodbye, should I have not done the same? ... I've rarely had somepony say they love me and mean it. This is my family." she said, gesturing broadly "You, the Princesses, Blueblood..." she listed before she gave the door before them a few gentle knocks.
"Come in." came Celestia's voice as they let themselves in.
After the family talk in the library about Trixie's plight, Celestia decided she'd give her and Luna some alone time together, so she gave them a wide berth and made her way out of the library with Blueblood and Twilight.
The next place she went was the royal dining hall to tell the castle staff to get some rest and pick up tomorrow before the lunar guard took over. Decorations were coming along nicely, and they should finish well before tomorrow night. Once everypony turned in and went to bed, it was well into the night, and Celestia decided to retreat to her study and maybe read a good book before dozing off herself.
She was on the third chapter of her novel when she heard a gentle knock on her door. "Come in." she called as Trixie and Twilight walked in. "Hello Trixie, Twilight. How was time with Luna?" she asked, closing her book, pulling up a couple of cushions for the both of them.
"Dear Luna has told us a story and left us with more questions than answers." Trixie said as she and Twilight took their seats across from Celestia.
"What are your questions?" Celestia asked, folding her hooves under her.
"Well, we wanted to know who Molaris is." Twilight admitted, somewhat nervously.
"And if you are able, your parents." Trixie added in.
Hearing this, Celestia rubbed her chin, pondering. It had been a long, long, long time since she's seen about her brother or even her parents. "I have not seen my brother or my parents for at least several thousand years. Not since we were tasked with taking care of Equis. But I am more than happy to share what I can recall about our origins." at that, Twilight and Trixie decided to get comfortable. "In the beginning, there were our parents; our father Gaius and our mother Soleanna. Our mother created the heavens, our father created the world, and together, they filled them both with life."
"Both?" Twilight asked, confused.
Celestia nodded. "The constellations were the first living things they ever created. Before life on Equis and even us." that came as a shock to both mares. "They were essentially experiments for when our parents were ready to move on. In creating them, Gaius and Soleanna were ready to create life on Equis. Science classes may have told you how life began on Equis, but they never covered how me, Luna, or Molaris came to be." Twilight and Trixie instinctively leaned in. "The first of my generation to be born was Molaris, and me not long after. From fillyhood, I was taught how to control the heavens, both night and day. Molaris was taught how to control the world and make new life. After Luna was born, our parents left Molaris and I to our duties. He soon left to continue with the rest of the world, and so I stayed with Luna and taught her how to control the sky and govern the night. As the centuries went by, ponykind came to be on account of Molaris, and I've been reminded of him from the lands he's formed and the races he's made way for. But between the heavens and the world, I believe that the most beautiful thing that came to be was life itself." the warmth of Celestia's smile could thaw even the coldest of hearts. "It's so remarkable. The world is filled with so many possibilities. Each living thing has an entirely unique experience. The sights they see, the sounds they hear, the lives they live... are so... complicated, yet so simple. It was all made possible by Molaris. Our father may have created life, but it was his son, our brother, that saw the potential in it." by the end of her story, Trixie and Twilight were at least a little misty-eyed.
"That was..." Trixie began, but couldn't find the word.
"Beautiful." Twilight finished.
"Thinking back to it brings fond memories. But that is my story." Celestia concluded, standing up, wiping her own eyes.
"What about Cadence and Blueblood? How do they fit into all of this?" Twilight, asked as she and Trixie got up as well.
"Cadence came to me as a filly with Blueblood as a foal. He did not even open his eyes yet. But ever since, I've taken care of them. You already know the story from then on, Twilight." Celestia explained with a smile. "They're not much older than you. In fact, I'd say you and Blueblood are near the same age."
Twilight sighed in content, happy and satisfied "Thank you for sharing this with us, Aunt Celestia."
"Yes. It has been... enlightening. Thank you." Trixie spoke up.
The alabaster mare giggled. "Ever a pleasure, you two. Now, be sure to give Trixie some good pointers, Twilight. Nopony knows what Blueblood is capable of but him. Good night, my little ponies." Trixie raised a brow at that as Celestia retreated into her room, leaving the two young princesses on their own.
XXXXX
By the time Blueblood was done with unpacking, his room was filled to the brims with his treasures.
Not a shelf, cabinet, drawer, nor table was free of space, and he doubted he made a dent in what he left in The Sanctuary. Emerging from his room, Blueblood thought he'd say goodnight to Aunty Celestia before dozing off.
He was on his way to her tower when he came across Twilight and Trixie, who had just came down from her tower. "Good evening, Twilight, Trixie. I trust you've gotten an interesting story out of Aunty?" the pale prince asked as the three stopped in the hallway.
"Yeah, it was an amazing story. Is that what you were on your way to do?" Twilight asked.
Blueblood merely shook his head. "I'll find out who my father is in time. I simply came to tell Aunty goodnight. Goodnight yourselves, Twilight and Trixie. I look forward to our duel tomorrow."
"Just so you know, Prince Blueblood, Trixie does not hold back in battle." Trixie gave her warning with a confident smirk.
"I would not expect one as strong as yourself to do anything of the sort. I would also like to see what kind of training Aunt Luna has put you through." and with that, Blueblood made his way past them and up Celestia's tower.
Alone again, Trixie and Twilight continued walking. "So Trixie, I take it you're looking forward to facing Blueblood?"
"A rhetorical question, Twilight. Of course. Blueblood comes off as a more than worthy adversary. And one Trixie feels she can best; a worthy goal that may be within reach." the blue mare explained "It was difficult beyond measure to make peace with the fact that Trixie will never best you in magic. For a long time, that was the driving force in Trixie's life; defeating you, and that has gotten Trixie far, but changing it is best for all of us, and change of that caliber is never easy."
"I still don't know if I should feel flattered or otherwise." Twilight chuckled.
"Be happy that you've been able to inspire a pony to truly become something in her life, despite how difficult the journey may have been." Trixie said, a grin pulling at the corner of her lips.
"I love you too, Trixie." Twilight declared with a sisterly smile, pulling her close with a wing.
The blue mare grinned "Trixie knows. And she loves you too."
XXXXX
It was morning again, and the castle was busy that morning.
The castle staff were finishing decorations and preparations for Blueblood's welcoming party, Luna was finishing up the night court, Twilight was training with Trixie, and Blueblood was spending more time with his aunty.
Blueblood stood in the open grass, blind-folded in the center of the clearing, just listening, sensing. His ears were high, his eyes were closed behind his blindfold, and his horn was aglow with a brilliant blue light. He heard the ambiance of the wind blowing in his ears, a smooth and gentle constant in his senses. He also heard the gentle breaths of his aunty as she rested under a tree, which also played a calming tune of blowing leaves in the wind. But what stopped him from enjoying the ambiance were the sounds of humming. Seven of them, to be exact. He could feel their presence just as much as he could hear them...
The magical orbs floated about, drifting far and near, goading him, testing him, but the pale prince refused to move, though his muscles were tense and his breath was held. Suddenly, the drone of humming stopped, and one intensified; one of the orbs fired a bolt of blue magic, but before the projectile could get to Blueblood, its attack was consumed by one considerably larger before it too had caught the blast, the source being Blueblood's magically lit horn.
One down, six left...
As if a hornet's nest was stirred, the six remaining orbs began flying erratically about the clearing. Blueblood's ears were assaulted with loud humming, and so he began to truly focus. He dropped into a stance, hardening his expression as he took a deep breath and readied himself. A hum elevated in pitch, and he could hear it heading for him. Acting swiftly, he lowered his haunches to avoid the shot, letting it soar over his back harmlessly. He heard another. Without a moment's hesitation, his hind legs shot forth from under him, springing him to an inverted position on his forehooves, nicely dodging the second shot which flew where his flank was a mere moment ago. He heard two more shots coming. Coiling and tensing the muscles in his forehooves, he sprung his body up, using the momentum to affect a glorious hoofspring. Before he even landed, he discharged his horn, letting out a burst of four shots. The humming lessened considerably.
Another four. Only two left...
The two remaining orbs, as if in a panic, began to pick up speed dramatically, now appearing as spiraling, coiling streaks of light, even in the broad light of the morning sun. Shots rung out, several per second, all aiming for the pale, perceptive prince. But said prince was ready. Acrobatically, Blueblood began dodging, putting even a pony worthy of a gymnastic cutie mark to considerable shame. He leaned back, forward, to the side, lunged forth, bucked back, rolled to the side, hopped up in a flip... he almost got wound up in the moment. As soon as he landed, he activated a spell he's been charging, indicative of his constantly lit horn. From what he could hear, every sound dropped several octaves, slowing to a crawl. The humming became more distinct in his ears, and became much easier to pinpoint.
Two shots later, and he was the victor.
When the humming stopped, the ambiance of the wind, the trees, and his aunty's breathing returned to his senses at normal speed, and the prince softened his gaze and smiled. His smile grew into a grin at the sound of the excited applaud of his audience.
Removing the blindfold with his magic, he looked to see the grinning, blushing face of Aunty Celestia as she applauded his performance, more than impressed.
"Your private performance was divine, Noble Blueblood." Celestia complimented in a posh tone.
The pale unicorn's response was to bring his forehoof across his waist in a polite, respectful bow. "Ever a pleasure to entertain thee, Princess of the Sun."
The princess bought a hoof to her mouth, giggling, her blush only intensifying. "For your service, it is only fair that I, as a princess, treat you to a feast. One so fit in in mind and body, not to mention one so eager to please, deserves only the best royalty can offer..." she said, standing up from her comfortable position under the shade of the tree as she approached him. "... brunch?"
"Brunch." came Blueblood's abrupt reply, nodding.
XXXXX
Meanwhile, inside the castle, Trixie herself was training.
Manifested in front of her was a sizable kite shield made from her magenta magic, held defensively by her as her focused, violet eyes scanned the dim-lighted gymnasium for whatever may want to do her harm. And it very much came in handy for deflecting the three raspberry red bolts that came at her from the same direction. Trixie did not even flinch. Looking up, Trixie focused in on the determined eyes of Twilight as she descended to the ground. Never one to take an adversary for granted, Trixie lowered herself to a stance with a glare of focus and intent.
Twilight Sparkle stood across from her, lowering into a similar stance, narrowing her eyes with a mischievous grin, pawing the ground, as if ready to charge. It was if the alicorn mare was mocking her, but Trixie knew better than that. Not intending to give Twilight time to make a move, Trixie charged and fired a bolt at her. It was soundly blocked by a magic shield of Twilight's own magic, but as the shot impacted, it burst into many other, all turning in the direction of Twilight. However, before the seeking projectiles could hit, Twilight took flight, allowing for all of them to follow her, only to impact uselessly against her bubble shield.
Trixie, however, saw this coming.
Twilight's maneuvers gave her enough time to launch a special bolt that effectively disrupted Twilight's shield, but by the time her shield disruptor managed to hit, Trixie had already teleported just below Twilight, firing a few bolts of magic flak, seemingly engulfing the purple mare in sparkling, magenta smoke. But by the time the stardust cleared, Twilight had already teleported away. It was well-known to all that Twilight was no combatant, but far, far from an amateur when it comes to using magic in situations like this, which makes her incredibly tricky to land a hit against.
Trixie saw Twilight reappear out of her peripherals, and she faced her adversary again, Twilight still wearing that smirk. It made Trixie smirk as well. One of the flaws Trixie had to work on and correct was her tenacity in a duel. Firing ten different kinds of blasts ten different ways in rapid succession was a more than impressive feat, but unless an alicorn, it was incredibly taxing for the shooter. It led to Trixie almost losing against night guards half her magical prowess. Now, so much more advanced, Trixie could do many more spells for much longer, but she knew she was still no true match for an alicorn, and there was no knowing what Blueblood was capable of.
But getting back to the task at hoof, Trixie began her move by starting off with a volley of bolts. Immediately, Twilight reacted by taking flight, but then Trixie was on the move. She teleported in the air directly in front of Twilight, firing a bolt a mere foot away from the other mare. Twilight teleported again, feet away, firing another one, Trixie replying with the same maneuver. For the next few seconds, their duel looked like a flurry of raspberry and magenta clouds and bolts disappearing and reappearing from place to place, one trying to hit the other and vice versa, but the cycle ended when Trixie Teleport to evade Twilight's bolt again, reappearing within a bubble shield. Twilight had ill time to shake away her anticipation before she fired a bolt directly into Trixie's bubble at point blank, the raspberry projectile ricocheting back at her, striking her in the horn, the sudden sting in such a sensitive place making her shriek and jerk back, rubbing her horn. It was guilty-pleasured music to Trixie's ears, but Trixie gave herself no time to celebrate as she fired another bolt while Twilight was still reeling. It caught the alicorn square in the chest, which dealt Twilight another stinging sensation.
Confident that she had won their brief match, Trixie gracefully landed, grinning as Twilight glided down to the ground herself, ribbing her chest.
"I hate it when you do that..." Twilight muttered, still rubbing her horn as she approached her adversary.
"A system that delivers you results is one you should not deviate from, Twilight." Trixie advised with a grin.
The purple mare grew a smirk at that. "We'll see what Blueblood has to say about that."
"Trixie looks forward to it. I have no doubts that he is as strong in mind and magic as he is in body. But we will see tonight. Now, let us away to lunch. It is almost noon." the blue mare said as they both made their way towards the exit, picking up their regalia as they left.
XXXXX
Lunch for the royalty was served out in the Canterlot Gardens.
The prince and princesses gathered in the courtyard near the bush maze, enjoying their food as well as each other's company. Well after lunch, the five of them stuck around well into the late afternoon, simply talking the day away. Spending time with the family as a whole felt rather different for Blueblood. He was undeniably fond of spending time with each of them, but having -almost- everypony together felt just as good. He could imagine how much more drawn together everypony would feel when they gather around for his big story following his welcoming party.
It was almost evening when they were visited by a unicorn guard. His hoofsteps through the grass alerted them to his presence. Blueblood recognized him as one of his personal guards that accompanies him when leaving the castle. "Stronghold? What is it, old friend?" Blueblood asked, getting up from the table, approaching his sentry.
The stallion bowed his head before he spoke. "My apologies for interrupting your family moment, all. But I assumed that you would want to be informed of any new upcomings, what with your very recent return. You've mail from Sir Fancy Pants sent from this morning. This is the letter." Stronghold said as he pulled the scroll from his saddle bag and presented it to the prince.
Taking it within his own magic, Blueblood opened it and read it to himself:
'Dear Prince Blueblood of Canterlot,
I was overjoyed to hear of your return to Equestria. I have not seen you since my business trip to Saddle Arabia sometime along your journey some three years ago. I feel a strong sense of admiration at how far you've gotten and how much you've changed, and I should tell you that Fleur is far more eager than even I am to see you.
Should the delivery of this message find you at a bad time, I do very much apologize, but I simply had to get the opportunity to speak to you again. Needless to say, Fleur and I will be attending your welcoming party, and we will be present early with the personal invitations we've received from Princess Luna. And please do tell the princess that I thank her for the invitation and that I look forward to meeting her at the party.
There's so much to talk about, but I should save it for the party. Until then, old chap.
Your friend, Fancy Pants of Canterlot'
Blueblood grinned, chuckling as he read the last of the note before rolling it back up, taking it someplace else with his magic. "Thank you for the message, Stronghold. Carry on." Blueblood said before returning to the princesses, allowing the guard to depart to return to his post.
"So who was it?" Twilight asked, curious.
"Our old friend Fancy Pants. He was just glad to hear I'm back." Blueblood explained. The end of the letter, where he mentioned Luna, did aught to confirm the speculation he formed when Aunty told him about earlier candidates for prince, and judging by Luna aimlessly looking off into the distance, he'd say she has something for him and the noblestallion knows it. "Oh, and Aunt Luna, he did want to thank you for giving him and Fleur that invitation." that got her attention as the night blue princess looked back towards him in delight with a gleeful smile. "He also said he looks forward to seeing you at the party." by how Blueblood delivered the information, he was intentionally messing with her, and the other princesses all had their own expressions of mirth, from Trixie's knowing grin to Celestia's hoof to her mouth in vain effort to hide her giggling.
Blushing like mad, Luna shot her nephew a glare. "Must you have said such a thing out loud, nephew? Why not shout my love interest from the rooftops?"
It was often difficult to actually tell whether or not Luna was really insulted in these situations, even for family members, but Blueblood would not have teased her if he couldn't simmer a pot he possibly heated up. "It was a harmless tease, Aunt Luna. I'd have thought that at least our family members would have known over the course of five years." he reasoned, reducing Luna's glare to a 'calmed, but still angry' pout. "But if it matters anything, I've had quite a crush on Fleur de Lis myself." that took most of the audience by surprise, namely everypony except for Celestia, who presumably knew as long as Blueblood himself.
"Oh? And does the mare herself know this?" Luna asked, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Blueblood already knew where this was going. "No, she does not. But you telling her at the party should provide fore some afternoon entertainment..." he figured with a cool expression. Intentionally giving her leverage on him, Luna was no longer angry, and in fact happy to take the leverage she was given, and that was good, but he seemed to have walked himself into a trap, but so long as Luna doesn't make him regret it too hard, he'll take it in stride.
Lunch continued on between the princesses and prince, up until early evening, where they left to make final preparations for the duel between Trixie and Blueblood.
XXXXX
It was early evening when the prince and princesses arrived to witness and participate in the duel.
A compliment of guards followed the group of royalty as they left the castle grounds and were on their way towards their destination. The way there was a mountain Path to the summit of Canterlot mountain, where waiting at the top was an old arena, which in a way resembled ruins at the fact that many pieces of the pillars that dotted the outside had bits of marble chipped away, some having been covered in vines and other vegetation.
The arena's interior, where the duel would be held, was very much the same, everypony noticed as all save for Blueblood and Trixie proceeded towards the royal stand where the royal sisters took seats in their respective thrones while Twilight took a seat right in front of them, the small group of guards accompanying them standing on either side.
Blueblood and Trixie walked out towards the center of the open, but decrepit arena, Blueblood taking one side, Trixie taking the other. The place was large, fit for racing, which would give them both ample space to give it all they had in this duel. As the two duelists faced each other, they fulfilled the formalities of bowing to one another before wishing each other good luck. "Best of luck, Trixie." the prince said with an encouraging smile before he fell into stance.
"I wish you the same, Prince Blueblood." Trixie replied in kind with a confident, focused expression, doing the same. Despite her outward expression, Trixie was nervous. She was confident in her own abilities, but she had no way of telling what magic Blueblood knew or his strong his magic was compared to hers. But despite these shortcomings, she was excited. Blueblood could potentially be that challenger she sought. Perhaps by besting Blueblood now or in the future, she could satisfy her life-long ambition to be the strongest unicorn. Few in Equestria came close, and Twilight has risen beyond her, she was well aware of that. Blueblood was the next best thing, and she'll give it all she's got.
On the other hoof, Blueblood stared back at his challenger with focus and the look a teacher would have, upon testing their student. Though Blueblood was far from her teacher, his role in this was that of her helper moreso than her adversary. He was here so she could accept him as a worthy opponent in hopes of allowing her to move past Twilight and allow the final remnants of their one-sided rivalry to wither and die. He was confident that Trixie is a strong pony in all regards, and he was happy that he was chosen to help her with this. But looked at this duel as a test of his own ability as well. He's learned much, but now, he'll finally put at least some of it to use.
Now, the two waited for one of the princesses to announce the start of their duel. The two's eyes were met, focused on each other, the rest of the world drowned out from their senses. All he saw was her and all she saw was him.
After a brief exchange of words with her sister, Luna stood from her throne and stepped forward, speaking in the Royal Canterlot Voice to make her words heard. "Princess Trixie, Prince Blueblood. The stage has been set, and your battle is underway. The match begins upon my word and the match ends upon the first five hits of damage inflicted. Prepare for battle! Ready!" Blueblood and Trixie focused again.
"Set!" their eyes narrowed, their bodies lowering, ready to react.
Trixie was the one to start the night off as the blue mare fired off a volley of magenta bolts before disappearing. Blueblood reacted accordingly by rolling to the side, avoiding Trixie's attack before he noticed her disappear. With his opponent out of sight, Blueblood raised his ears, listening for her reappearance.
He heard the blue mare reappear from his right, and going by the first thing that came to mind, he fired a scattershot in that direction. Trixie, however, predicted a reactionary attack, and so she formed a slanted barrier, letting the wall of shots harmlessly reflect and bounce astray. But what she didn't notice was one of the shots that bounced away was actually a seeker as it curved back in her direction, and before Trixie had the time to react, it struck her on the flank, right on the cutie mark, making her yelp at the stinging sensation, her hind leg jolting up in reaction.
"One-zero, in favor of Blueblood." the combatants heard Luna announce. At that, Trixie looked back to Blueblood with a pout and a glare, taking stance again. She had never faced an opponent that mixed attacks, and if Blueblood was half the mage she thought he was at this point, he was going to get creative.
Now it was Blueblood's turn to start off as he shut his eyes as he began charging his horn, but to Trixie's confusion, that was all the prince was doing, not attacking or even focusing on her for that matter. Not wasting the opportunity, Trixie fired two headshots.
Blueblood dodged them both with a tilt of his head as if he had sensed them coming. Put off, but not surprised, Trixie fired a volley of seeker bolts, confident that he'd have to act to evade them. Still charging his horn, Blueblood hopped off of his hind legs, fully onto his forelegs before sprung up from them, narrowly missing the volley of seekers. But as he was in the air, his horn that he'd been charging fired at Trixie, or rather, in her direction. The blue mare instinctively ducked under the shot, the directness and speed of the projectile telling her it wasn't a seeker. But after it passed her, she didn't notice the bolt ricochet off the wall right back at her, striking her yet again on the flank, right near the tail. Trixie yelped again at how close it came to her femininity, and that took her attention away from Blueblood, who, no longer being chased by her seeker bolts, fired off a single shot at her right as she jerked forward from the second hit, catching the third right in the chest. Trixie reeled back from it, and when she finally got over the stinging sensation on both ends of her, the cerulean princess shook her head free and focused again. Blueblood himself was standing across form her, just as focused as she.
"Three-zero, in favor of Blueblood." Trixie felt her heart jump at that. Already, Blueblood had a far lead, and they were barely sixty seconds into the match. But despite the near crushing lead, Blueblood was focused, not a whim of arrogance, satisfaction, or complacence visible on his features. But Trixie still took notice of Blueblood's horn, which was still aglow since he went on the offensive. Whatever he has in store, it must be extraordinary...
"It seems Trixie has under-estimated you." Trixie assessed as she began circling the arena, scrutinizing her opponent for any kind of opening.
"Then instead of winning, you should focus on how you may improve for next time." Blueblood advised, falling into rhythm as they began to revolve around one another.
"Even in battle, you give your opponents advice?" the blue mare asked curiously.
The pale prince chuckled at that "Just the good ones." he replied with a grin.
"Then Trixie will heed it." Trixie stated before vanishing. The unicorn princess reappeared at the other side of the arena and began firing non-stop. Each shot fired was a bolt essentially large enough to engulf an alicorn, let alone Blueblood, who began advancing. With powerful leaps and bounds, he dodged each large, unhurried shot, closing in on Trixie with every flying leap. But as the pale prince came within range with particularly high leap, Trixie changed her method of attack to a spread shot. Not seeing this coming, Blueblood took a full blast of several hits to the chest and face, but just as the shots seemed to have made impact, the pale prince vanished in a plume of blue smoke. In the split second Trixie took to assess what had just happened, she realized it wasn't teleportation, else Blueblood would have vanished in a bright flash, but disappearing into just dust means...
Trixie whipped around as quick as she could, and with a swing of her head, her magenta magic shot forth from her horn like a lance. As soon as she looked up from her attack, she saw Blueblood, his head off to the side, apparently falling victim to Trixie's attack, further evident by the bruise on his cheek.
"Three-one, favoring Blueblood." despite who the score still favored, Trixie felt pride begin to build in her chest.
Looking back at his opponent, Blueblood smiled "Very nice. You adapt quickly to new attacks." he complimented, dissipating his shield.
Trixie huffed at that "Expect nothing less than the best that Trixie has to offer."
"But is it enough?" came Blueblood's challenging response as he tightened his stance.
"We shall see." came Trixie's reply as they went at it again.
Within Canterlot's Grand arena, at Canterlot Mountain's very peak, epic battle took place. Spells went off like fireworks, illuminating the darkened sky, drawing the ire of many ponies down in the mountain's city, but only those who were battling in the arena and its audience knew what was taking place.
Trixie was aggressive, favoring offense in her tactics, even in the role of defense. In addition to trying to do Blueblood harm, her attacks were used to cancel out that of Blueblood's, despite the comparatively few he made against her. The blue mare, despite how taxing her extreme offense was, did not falter or even show any signs of it. Where Blueblood was, she fired, and where she predicted he would evade, she fired. But despite the maelstrom of magic fired in seemingly all directions, her opponent refused to be hit.
In stark contrast to Trixie's offensive stance, Blueblood was all defense. He dodged the seekers, deflected the beams, and evaded the broad swipes, all the while, his horn aglow, charging with spells only known to him. His mind raced at a steady pace, his focus divided between evading Trixie and charging his horn. The prince wouldn't say it was easy, but he wouldn't say it was difficult either.
This game of Cat and Mouse wore on for several minutes before Trixie ceased her attacks to face her opponent again. The cerulean princess was lightly panting as the exertion of her offense finally caught up with her. It seemed Blueblood knew exactly when to simply dodge and deflect and when to teleport when evading without magic wouldn't do. But speaking of magic, Trixie also noticed that Blueblood's horn was still aglow, no doubt charging something that will more than likely be something extraordinary. But either way, this far into the battle, Trixie already knew he was drastically holding back, else the match would have been long over. She found that thought rightfully aggravating...
"Trixie thought you weren't going to hold back. Is she not good enough to see your true power?" there wasn't any spite in Trixie's question, but the showmare was always tempted to fight an enemy, no matter how great.
"How else am I to prove that I am worthy enough to replace Twilight as your rival?" Blueblood reasoned.
"A good point, Trixie admits. But you seem to be keen on teaching me rather than fighting me." Trixie pointed out.
"What if I myself favor only worthy opponents?" came the pale prince's rebuttal.
"Then Trixie accepts your offer." she concluded before she prepared to attack again.
"Prince Blueblood is victorious!" Trixie heard Luna announce in the Royal Canterlot Voice some six seconds later. She couldn't recall much of what happened between then and her preparing for her next move other than her senses being overcome in all directions by blinding coils of white and blue light. One moment, she was ready to attack, and the next, she saw some bright lights and a warm tingling sensation all over. Once the blue mare could process what was going on around her again, she shook her head free of confusion and digested what she had heard about the match.
She had lost... again.
But this time, to her new rival.
As far as she was concerned, it was a start.
XXXXX
"Trixie... did not expect you to be so adept in magic, Blueblood. She did not think that time away from Equestria could teach one so much about the art." Trixie began as she and everypony else were making their way down from the arena.
"So many different places teaches you to use magic in so many different ways. Patience is key." the pale prince explained as he was walking next to her.
"It seems even Blueblood has taken notice of your weakness, Trixie." Luna pointed out over her shoulder as she, Celestia, and Twilight walked ahead of them. There was a hint of a grin on the night princess' face.
The cerulean princess slumped with a deadpan expression. "A fatal flaw of Trixie's..."
Blueblood felt he could relate to the blue mare. He remembered times when he challenged Shining to a duel in the Castle's courtyard. Of course, the latter of whom often accepted out of pity, and during the actual battles, he made it embarrassingly clear he was toying with the young Blueblood. Now, looking back on it, the pale prince thought he'd likely last longer if he wasn't so impatient. "I know the feeling."
Trixie raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh? Do tell."
"Shining Armor and I were... never on good terms while we were growing up. The rivalry was mostly one-sided, and everypony tended to side with him instead of me. I often tried to challenge him to duels, and whenever he gave out from pity, the duels were usually as one-sided as the grudge." down in front, he saw Twilight wince at that.
"Then it seems we have much in common." Trixie assessed, looking over to him.
"That we do."
XXXXX
"Well, that's enough fun for one night." Celestia said with a long, silent yawn. "I must be getting to bed. Blueblood has a big day tomorrow. Goodnight, my little ponies." with that, the alabaster mare her leave down one of the hallways of the intersection they made it to.
"I must agree. Night court and all. Goodnight, all." Luna said before she left down another stretch of hallway.
"Trixie will take an early leave. Battle does leave her worn and tired. Goodnight, Blueblood and Twilight." the blue mare said before following Luna.
Now left alone with Blueblood, Twilight looked to the pale prince. "I guess you're going to bed too?"
"I have time to converse if you do." Blueblood offered, offering a walk down the stretch of hallway that was still empty.
As the two began walking, Twilight sparked up conversation. "So Blueblood..." Twilight began, nervously looking about. "... are you excited for the party?"
"You can say that, yes. It's always good to see friendly faces." Blueblood reasoned. "But what about after the party? Do you yourself have any plans?" he asked, looking over to her.
Twilight couldn't meet his gaze, lest it wanders to the rest of him. "W-well, there's your uh, book." the purple mare reminded. "I still can't think of a good title."
"Redemption? That is certainly my drive." Blueblood suggested after a brief moment of thought.
"Oh uh, good name." the alicorn complimented nervously.
"Thank you. I look forward to getting started after the party."
And with that, they began talking the night away. The two just walked up and down the hallways, no real destination in mind. Their chat drifted to just about everything. Books, music, art, even food. Some would look and call them the best of friends. Others who ignored the prince and princess being siblings-in-law would've gladly called them coltfriend and marefriend. The Lunar Guard had much food for thought on the matter as patrols walked past them as they laughed, walked, and talked through the long stretches of hallway.
It was easy for even Twilight and Blueblood to lose track of time. "As much fun I had being here with you just walking and talking, I think it's best best if we go and get some rest. No doubt you'd be attending the party, correct?" Blueblood reasoned as they made it back to his sect of the castle.
When Twilight became aware of just how long they've been up and about, it hit her like a ton of bricks. "Oh Celestia, we have been up for a while, haven't we?" Twilight asked, nervously rubbing her arm. "Yeah, I think we should get to sleep. Goodnight uh, Blueblood." Twilight said before she started on her way. But a few steps in the opposite direction, she stopped in her tracks, nervously looking back to Blueblood, who raised a brow in concern. "A-and yeah; I'll be at the party."
Blueblood nodded with a smile. "I look forward to seeing you there. Goodnight, Sis." and with that, Blueblood headed off down the hallway, quite aware of Twilight's vibrant blush at what he had called her.
Blueblood was to arrive during the late afternoon as the sun goes down, that was when the party will truly start, and it will give the attendees ample time to make it from across Equestria. But Blueblood himself was gone as soon as the sun came up that morning, and he went out into Canterlot in order to bide his time.
Surprisingly, not a great many ponies are out and about so early in the morning, but that was fortunate for him as he had a destination in mind, and he wasn't yet ready to explain his life's story. But in the case that he would have ran into somepony, he bought along a rugged brown cloak from his inventory in order to keep away the snobbish. Fond memories...
It didn't take long to get to where he wanted to go, as the address was just a few blocks away.
The mansion he arrived at was a bit classier than the others neighboring it. The lofty estate didn't arrogantly flaunt in that it wasn't littered with statues or garden trimmings of the ponies that lived here, nor did it have massive gates at the entrance. It was simple, humble, and beautiful.
'Just like the ponies who live here.' Blueblood inwardly praised as he began his short trek up to the mansion itself, via the cobblestone road leading up to it. The following lawn lacked much of the identifying features found in other rich estates, but that in it of itself, was what made it special; it didn't go out of the way to have an identity, yet it showed its own by doing so. Yes, it perfectly reflects its residents.
Upon reaching the oak double doors of the mansion, Blueblood pulled down his hood and rang a simple tune with one of the knockers.
It wasn't long before the door was cracked open to be answered. And as luck would have it, it was Fleur De Lis, wrapped in a cozy pale pink robe. "Prince Blueblood?" the light pink beauty acknowledged, surprised yet reserved as to just who arrived at her door. "If Fancy Pants and I knew that you were coming, we would have made preparations. At least let us freshen up."
Blueblood gave a kindly smile at that. "No need for that, Miss Fleur. I wouldn't expect anything out of you or Fancy Pants, much less this early in the morning. Besides, I'm not in regalia at the moment." the pale prince pointed out, running a hoof through his naturally flowing mane. "May I come in, or are you busy?"
Fleur almost immediately stepped back to allow him entrance. "Oh please! Come in! It would be a treat to have you."
With a grin, Blueblood stepped inside.
"So what brings you our humble home, Monsieur Blueblood?" Fleur De Lis asked as she led her guest through to the kitchen.
"Just came to say hello, and if you were interested, engage in friendly conversation. I had a feeling we would not be getting much opportunity to do so during my welcoming party. After all, I am not to arrive until later on, and with most of Canterlot attending, I doubt even my aunts will be seeing much of me." Blueblood explained, catching the alluring scent of freshly brewed tea, the kettle and cups already on a table.
"How very considerate of you, mon'amie." Fleur complimented with a pleasant smile as she returned to her seat prior to Blueblood's arrival, while also pulling out a chair for him. After sitting, she gestured with a hoof for him to do so as well. "Care for tea?"
Blueblood found himself remembering just how much he loved that smile.
Before he proceeded to take a seat, he kindly accepted the offer and dissipated his cloak, allowing his Olympian physique to be seen by his host. Fleur was in the process of taking a sip of her tea when her gaze landed upon him, and she was grateful it was only a small sip, else she would have choked. Lowering the cup and saucer back to the table, she took a short moment to swallow and breathe again. "My, aren't you certainly a sight." it seemed that not even Fleur de Lis was immune to the awe-inspiring sight that is Prince Blueblood, if her gaze was anything to go by as she repeatedly tried and failed to steal glances at him.
The prince wasn't even done thinking about the smile when he caught her glancing at him. He smirked. "I could say the same. After five years of fun and adventure, you're still the one to leave me breathless."
"And to think there was a time you weren't the kind and considerate gentlecolt you are now." Fleur obviously didn't mean anything by it, but it clearly stung the prince as he lowered his head, rubbing the back of his neck. Immediately regretting her actions, Fleur tried to reach out to him to reassure him, fearing she'd hurt the stallion's feelings. "Oh Blueblood, I didn't mean..." she tried, but was cut off by a gently raised hoof.
"No no, you're right, Fleur. I wasn't exactly a good pony in the past. Thinking about it still gets to me sometimes." Fleur slowly retracted her hoof, but ushered him to go on. "No matter what I do or who I help, I always look back at the old me in disgust. That's why I came back. It's not eating at me, but the gap between myself now and then just gets wider."
Feeling satisfied at that remark, Fleur thought it safe now to ask, "But you were already such a good pony before you left, mon'amie, good enough to be a friend to anypony. Why leave in de firs' place?"
"To answer the big questions." saying something like 'the universe' wasn't exactly a conversation to be had so casually with a friend over tea.
"Did you answer them?"
"Not yet, sadly." Blueblood sighed, finishing off his cup of tea and pouring another. "Those can only be answered here at home. But enough about me." he insisted, his gaze meeting hers.
"What has Fleur de Lis of Canterlot been doing for five long years?"
XXXXX
This morning, after raising the sun, the first thing on Celestia's mind was Blueblood.
But before the princess could make it to her nephew's room, she was called by one of his personal guards patrolling the surrounding hallways. "Excuse me, princess." the white stallion called from down the stretch of hallway.
"... Maximus?" Celestia discerned, recognizing the identical guard she reassigned to Blueblood.
Approaching her, the stallion gave a deep bow before looking back up to her. "It is me, Princess. But Prince Blueblood wanted me to inform you that he would be heading out this morning, should you come to see him. He said he would be back before noon." came his reply.
With a sigh, the Princess rubbed her chin, wondering what her nephew could be up to. "Do I have permission to know where he went? Or did he tell you not to tell?" she asked with somewhat of a playful smile. Of course, he would have told her if she ordered, but she respects her nephew's wishes, even through the word of others.
"He asked me not to say, Princess." Maximus replied, taking his post at Blueblood's door.
"Then I suppose I will leave him be for now. If he returns before noon, do let him know that I stopped by, please." came the princess' friendly request.
"Yes, Princess. It will be done." Maximus replied with a deep nod.
With her own nod of approval, Celestia turned tail and left back down the hall. Upon passing the royal dining hall, Celestia saw some of the guards return to finish up the party preparations, of whom wishing her a drowsy good morning, which she returned with a gracious smile.
While trekking, she thought of any other ponies she could help pass the time with. Luna was likely preparing for sleep until this evening, Trixie has an unpredictable sleeping schedule, Twilight was still asleep if her previous visit was anything to go by, Blueblood had left this morning, the guards are either still asleep or busy, not to mention far too uptight, and it'd be just as awkward meeting with somepony outside of the castle, not to mention this early in the morning. It'd be narrow-minded of her, not to mention incredibly stupid of her to raise the sun a little higher, not that it crossed her mind...
Resigning herself to her fate, Celestia sighed and hoofed it back to her quarters. If she had to think any harder on ponies to kill time with, then it as bound to be a bad idea.
XXXXX
Blueblood and Fleur carried on their conversation well unto the afternoon.
By then, Fancy Pants had woken up and joined them, and whatever was left of the tea was now luke-warm, and satisfied, the three were leaned back in their seats, talking about anything they could think of to pass the time. Favorite books, funny accidents at parties and events, possible romance within the ranks of the Wonderbolts, anything.
That was, until a convenient ray of morning sunlight shined in the noble prince's face.
At that, Blueblood's eyes grew in realization before he jerked his head in the direction of the clock on the wall. It read eleven-thirty. "Eleven thirty? Time certainly flies!" he exclaimed before springing out of his seat, summoning his cloak back on his person, and faced his hosts. "It's been far too nice to speak to old friends again. But as much as I would love to spend this calm day here, I should get going." he took Fleur's hoof to give it a tender kiss, and then extended a hoof to lock forearms with Fancy, and then the three made their way to the front doors, exchanging goodbyes. "I'll try my best to see the both of you during the party. I doubt I'll be able to, honestly." he murmured over his shoulder before he began his trek down the steps and back up the cobblestone road.
"We look forward to it, old friend!" Fancy called after him.
Blueblood waved over his shoulder in acknowledgement before the two went back inside their home, leaving the prince back to his own devices. Reflecting back on the last few hours of nonstop conversation, Blueblood couldn't help letting out a content sigh. It's been years since he saw either of them last, even when he ran into Fancy Pants in Saudi Arabia, and even now, they got to talking as if they were never apart. But, in that entire conversation... he forgot to ask...
"What's their relationship?" he inquired under his breath, pondering for a brief moment before pushing the thought out of his head, ultimately deciding he'll ask them at the party. With that dilemma solved for the moment, Blueblood passed the gate, turning back onto the main road where he saw the castle off in the distance. It was almost noon, and he needed to get back to the castle and change before then. Stretching his limbs, reminiscent of a feline waking up after a nap, Blueblood prepared to sprint back while the roads were clear.
And like a racehorse after the sound of a gunshot, he was off in a cloud of smoke.
XXXXX
Prince Blueblood nodded to his reflection with a smile as he prepared for the party.
For the atmosphere of a welcoming party, Blueblood stuck with something simple, but at the same time, formal. A sharp black tuxedo with his signature bow, collar, and rose did quite nicely. And it should keep the partygoers' attention away from his indomitable body. His upper body, at least.
As for his mane, he pondered very carefully whether or not he should cut it, and after weighing the options, he just decided to trim and wear it back.
Nodding to his reflection in approval, Blueblood made his way for the door, greeting his two guards. "Good morning, Maximus and Flare. Ready for the party?" the pale prince asked the duo.
"Yes Sir!" the two chorused in unison.
"Are you sure? If you would like, I can give the both of you time to change into something else. Gold armor doesn't do much for protection. Or for having fun." such a proposal gave the two guards quite a shock. Their confused eyes met for certainty. Even as nice and as open-minded as the royalty is, the guards had always remained glued to the manual, hardly letting even themselves much freedom above normal, out of fear of making a mistake. Celestia would simply laugh off a helpless accident, as forgiving as she was, and anything serious would most always turn out to be reversible by her. Luna was much more strict of the freedoms she allow, and any mistake would be met with consequences ranging from demotion to being exempt from the Royal Guard of the Two Sisters. Buuut there wasn't anything foreseeably wrong with attending a party in attire different than their armor.
Maximus, presumably the higher ranked of the two, finally gathered the courage to speak up. "Uhh yes, Prince. We would be honored."
The pale prince grinned. "Good. I'll meet the both of you at the intersection leading to the library, just short of the royal dining hall. Bring something formal you're comfortable in."
Afternoon made way for evening, and the blue sky dimmed to an orange sunset, giving rise to the moon, and with it, Luna. With her symbol of her affinity displayed high in the sky, the princess of the night retreated into her chambers from the balcony to get dressed for the party already well underway.
Honestly, any dress in her wardrobe was more than enough for a welcoming party, as they were made by the lovely Rarity, though there weren't many. But Celestia was rather adamant on wearing something formal for her little colt's party.
She huffed at that. "I don't see how an event such as this would warrant the need for formal attire..."
"Trixie wouldn't hold it above ponies in Canterlot to try to become the bell of the ball." Luna looked away from her giant open closet to see her disciple walking in, adorned in a comfortable moon-themed midnight blue dress, complete with crescent sapphire earrings and a matching jeweled headpiece. "But in truth, why would it be a bad thing? Would it not be nice to see Fancy Pants again in his signature tuxedo?" the cyan princess' grin widened at her tutor's own badly hidden grin.
"Oh alright, you make your point, Trixie." the princess of the night relented, willing a respectable full moon dress out of er closet and onto her being.
"A full moon? Trying to outshine Trixie, are you?" that got Luna's attention.
"Oh Trixie..." Luna began, shaking her head in mock disappointment before turning to face her disciple. "... you know I'd never try to outshine you!" she chuckled, walking past the lighter mare with a grin. "I don't need to."
The expression was reciprocated by Trixie with a grin of her own. "Oh, is that a fact? You mean to outshine me with as much light stolen from your sister's sun as possible?"
"You say that like you do represent the moon!" Luna argued as the two make it down the moonlit hallways. "I don't see you raising it every night. Or living on it."
"Taking out that thousand years of frustration out on Trixie, are you?" the unicorn challenged. "Forgive her for at least trying to better herself." the sarcasm was thick and rich enough to be cut with a knife.
"Are you insinuating that I, Luna, Princess of the night and all it represents, unlike you, wallow in defeat and self pity?" the incredulous edge in her voice was as thick as the sarcasm. "If you're looking for pity, look no further than a unicorn using magic at a magic show! Ha ha ha ha!" it was hard to tell if that laugh was real or sarcastic.
"If you're looking for defeat, look at your battle with Twilight and her friends or Celestia! Honestly, you let it happen!"
"Oh! You're talking about Nightmare Moon, somepony else. But while we're on the subject of being beaten by ponies, rather a single pony, perhaps I could retrieve Twilight for you? Make two losses into three? Or was it three into four, what with that little sparring match before your coronation?" by this point, the princess of the night was grinning ear-to-ear.
"You truly are the best." Trixie bumped her flank against Luna as they proceeded down the long hallway.
"Baby, you know it." Luna said with a smirk, doing the same.
XXXXX
"Ah, Luna! Trixie! You're just in time." Celestia spoke up as she and Twilight were approached by the two. "For a welcoming party, this event has certainly garnered a lot of attention, wouldn't you say?"
"All of the princesses and the elements in one place? How could this event not attract attention?" Luna reasoned, standing by her sister, overlooking the newcomers as they came. Save for a very select few, it came as no surprise that Luna had little to no patience for the snobbish and supercilious ponies that comprised the majority of Canterlot's elite, and even just getting here, seeing them pour in slowly but surely dropped her mood.
Seeing this, Celestia leaned over to her sister to offer encouragement. "Cheer up, Luna. Perhaps Fancy Pants might come and sweep you off your hooves?"
"I doubt even the likeness of him could do anything to lighten the mood. If we weren't on this raised stage, we'd likely be swarmed by greetings and audiences, nevermind whom this event is actually for." Luna rolled her eyes at the prospect. "It'd certainly be a disheartening sight to see Blueblood overshadowed at his own party."
"Good point." Celestia surmised, meeting eyes with a few of the particularly renowned members of Canterlot's upper crust. And the sight of them idly biding their time at some of the festivities, circling almost like vultures, was a laughable one indeed. So much so, she had to raise a hoof to her mouth to stifle a fit of uncontrollable giggles.
Trixie scoffed. "They circle like vultures." Such a comment bought out a burst of loud, unshameful, but clearly deliberate laughter from Luna, that attracted the attention of quite a few partygoers. But she didn't care.
While the sisters were trying to make light of a bleak situation, Twilight and Trixie decided to get together and wandered off, and after a brief safari of poofy dresses, greetings, and hoof-kissing, they found themselves over by the snack table where Twilight's other friends were currently located. The girls were all gathered together, seemingly passing the time until something interesting happened while Spike was busy eating all the horderves, plucking them one by one, making a sizable pile of toothpicks.
"Well if it ain't Twa'light an' Trixie! 'Bout time ya'll decided ta show up!" Applejack called out, being the first of the group to notice. Immediately, the other girls followed suite, moving in to greet the duo.
"Finally! I was getting sooooo bored!"
"I'm with Pinkie Pie. This place is in dire need of excitement!"
"Hiya girls. I'm so glad you're not too busy."
"Quite right, Fluttershy. There's so little to do at the moment. Either way, it's great to get back together, even if after just a few days."
Twilight chuckled, nervously rubbing the back of her head. "Yeah, sorry girls. With Blueblood back, I was set on getting to know him, now that he's my brother-in-law." she explained.
"Can't fault ya fer that!" Applejack assured, walking up to place a friendly hoof on her friend's shoulder. "Especially considerin' he's a gentlecolt now!"
"He does make quite the duelist, if Trixie does say so herself." the blue princess spoke up.
"Speaking of Prince Blueblood, might either of you know when he's due to arrive? I believe he owes me a dance." Rarity wondered, poofing her mane with her hoof.
"Well, ah don't know about the dancin' part, but if yer lookin' fer Blueblood, then look no further." the farmpony advised, pointing a hoof to the stage as the lights dimmed down.
"Good evening, friends and partygoers!"
XXXXX
"That's our cue, gentlecolts." Blueblood proposed, readjusting the rosehead on his chest as he could hear his auntie Celestia giving her speech. Looking back to his two guards, both dressed in custom tuxedos, he gave them a grin. "Last check. Are you both ready?"
"Yes sir!"
"Tuxedos comfortable?"
"Yes sir!"
"Collars properly adjusted?"
"Correctamundo!"
"Good!" he exclaimed, turning back to the door leaning to the dining hall. He gave a knock on it, and received one in turn from the other side. "It's showtime."
XXXXX
"Ladies and gentlecolts! Coming back to Equestria! Back to us! We welcome with open hooves and open hearts, Prince Blueblood!" Celestia's announcement was immediately followed by the cheers of an excited crowd as the red carpet was rolled out and the large double doors opened.
In stepped two immaculately dressed royal guards, taking up residence on either side of the opened doors With a stamp of their hooves to signal that they've taken post, Blueblood himself proceeded to step forth into the spotlight. 'Ooh's and 'Aah's of fascination washed over the crowd as Blueblood made his way down the aisle, especially from the mares he had already passed. The aisle of ponies closed in his wake as he made his way towards the stage, and as he ascended the stairs to join his aunts up top, he exchanged greeting hugs before turning to the crowd.
"Good evening, partygoers and and in a few cases, esteemed guests..." he began, his gaze offhoofedly landing on Twilight and her friends. "Today, my friends and family have been gracious and considerate enough to welcome me back to Equestria after five long years away with this momentous occasion. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss Canterlot and its residents, years running around with griffons, dragons, and zebras will do that to a pony. But I won't keep you waiting. Whether you're a friendly pony who put time aside to join us tonight, or just an important pony gathering here with your fellow elite, I'd like to thank you for your time and your consideration. Now, the night is young, the wine is fresh, and the Prince has returned!" with that, the music picked back up again, the lights came back on, and the party was now in full swing.
Needless to say, Blueblood was swarmed by ponies. Out of the ponies who ran over each other to get his attention -a lot of the heat was taken off him thankfully- most of them were mares who tried to flirt with him.
A few were like shy schoolfillies. "Prince Blueblood, I-I never noticed until now just how... handsome you are." Adorable, but he's just not the one...
One tried the bold approach. "Blueblood, I'm not gonna beat around the bush, your flank is to die for." Ah Fleetfoot. He actually considered it...
But this was, of course, Canterlot, and the majority were something along the lines of "Ah, Prince Bluebood! You simply must join me sometime at..." he'd already lost interest.
However, despite the opposition, there was one Canterlot mare he most certainly did respond to. Seeing her greeting smile through the crowd, the pale prince smiled back and made his way over to them, through the crowd of rambling crowd. "At this rate, I thought you'd still be stuck at the front door." he laughed, making it to Fleur, and surprisingly enough, she was alone. But that gave Blueblood food for thought to admire the mare's choice of attire. As if Fleur wasn't already the envy of Canterlot without anything on, her dress accented all that already made her that way. Long and elegantly decorated white dress socks covered her legs, complimented with light pink hoofshoes. Instead of the giant poofy dresses large enough to easily hide a filly in, Fleur was conned in a stunning high-cut silk gown, cut just high enough to catch a glimpse of her cutie mark. The upper portion hugged her body down to the last inch. Her waist was sculpted in such perfection, it gave even her aunt and her sister a run for their money, and her barrel ans shoulders also showed off some tone of their own.
But before he could take any more of her in, "It was certainly a venture to get here, mon'amie. Especially with de rest of Canterlot's elite to find space away from." the mare in question replied after meeting him for a greeting hug, which he didn't hesitate to return.
After they broke, he smirked. "I must admit, one of them, I did consider entertaining."
"Was it Fleetfoot? Her personality is certainly... interesting. But why not set your sights a little higher? Perhaps Spitfire? I would certainly like to see you work your magic on a mare such as her."
Blueblood shook his head with a smile. "'Fraid not. There's one mare who's at the very top. By a wide margin."
"Oh? And she wouldn't happen to be dis one be-autiful mare with a lovely Prench accent, would she?" how she delivered it, from those dreamy, half-lidded eyes to the knowing and playful tone, it nearly made the prince shudder. Her gradually lowered voice, as well as her head leaning ever-so-closer, not to mention the thought of innumerable eyes on them just egged him on.
So he leaned in himself. "What if I were to say-"
"Ah! Nephew!" Blueblood probably sighed his deepest sigh ever, much to Fleur's unhindered amusement, before he turned to face his aunt Luna, who stood oh so prominently beside Fancy Pants. Despite her brazen attitude, she knew exactly what she was doing. "I believe this is what many would call a... double date?"
"Well Auntie, stallionhandle it in such a way and yes, I'd call it such." the pale prince did little to hide his irritation, and it only intensified with the amount of laughs that came out of it, whether from Luna herself, Fancy, who he greeted with a nod, Fleur, who consoled him with a hoof on his back, or onlookers. He could hear Rainbow Dash's scratchy voice in a laughing fit.
The pale prince groaned, massaging the bridge of his snout with his hoof. He contemplated fleeing to the Sanctuary, maybe look over his souvenirs again, or maybe take his titanium armor out for a spin, but he decided against, mostly out of courtesy in staying at his own party. Can't just leave because his aunt wants to mess with him. But seeing his lasting mood, Luna's smile dropped to a sad one as she approached, Fleur giving the two some space. "Nephew..." she beckoned, raising a hoof towards him. He looked up towards her, still irritated, but ready to listen. "I... do not mean any ill will towards you in doing... that."
"I know. It's fine." Blueblood sighed in assurance, picking his demeanor back up. "You're just... having fun." he surmised. He glanced at Fleur, who just gave an apologetic smile and a nod that assured him that nothing was wrong. Then back to Luna, who's smile dropped.
"No nephew, it's not." Blueblood noticed the commotion around them cease. He looked to see a soundproof bubble around them, courtesy of Luna's magic. "You're clearly irritated. Even after the fact." it was a true statement, though Blueblood did began to feel defensive. But he pushed those thoughts to the back of his head.
"It wouldn't have been a problem if I-"
"Nephew." she blatantly cut him off. "I only knew you for so long. That's not your fault so much as it is mine. But even so, I see that you have trouble in speaking up for yourself." Luna pointed out before moving to stand directly in front of him. "You were offended, were you not? Be honest." he slowly nodded. "And that's perfectly fine! I stopped you from romancing your mare, and you have every right to be! Don't take that lying down, nephew!"
"Then what do I tell you then, Auntie? You hurt my feelings, so knock it off?! Retort back with a snappy comment?!" Blueblood snapped. He couldn't imagine himself ever going back to anything near his old self. He made it a point to change and never go back. The mere thought of it made him adverse to the suggestion.
"Yes! That is exactly what you should be telling me!!!" she roared in her Royal Canterlot Voice, with a stone-cracking stamp of her hoof, but seeing her shielded nephew, Luna relented and sighed afterwards. "I'm sure you're aware there's many ways to deal with speaking up. I was actually looking forward to banter with you, what with us both being with our special someponies. I never expected you to... just take it."
"You're my aunt. My family. I'd never live with myself if I was anything like the old me towards any of you. If you didn't kill me first."
The princess scoffed. "That's what being family is all about! You think me and Celestia got along all the time? Or me and Cadence? Even she and Twilight has disagreements! Or me and Trixie! Thing is, don't let fear of disapproval get in your way, and don't let it bring you down. It's part of life. And any decent pony won't let you admitting you're hurt get in the way of their relationship with you. If somepony is bothering you, then let them know! The last thing I wanted to do tonight is upset you."
Blueblood could feel a tight knot in his stomach. Over time, he had gotten used to always being the one to reach out to others. So much so, he entirely forgot what it was like for someone to reach out and try to understand him. The realization of that just bought forth a wave of emotion in him. He could already feel his eyes getting hot. "Okay." he said with a nod. "I'll... work on it."
"That's all I can ask for." the princess of the night concluded, wrapping her nephew up in a hoof, Blueblood doing the same as the bubble dissipated. After separating, Luna wasted immediately no time in barking down the crowd away from their family moment before going off again with Fancy Pants.
Blueblood's humored chuckle at the spectacle was ceased by Fleur as she rejoined him by his side. "Blueblood." both ponies looked behind them to see Rarity trotting up to them. Exchanging a greeting hug with Fleur, the fashionista turned to him with a smirk. "Remember that request of mine back at the Crystal Empire?"
Blueblood sighed for the umpteenth time that night.
When Celestia and Luna had warned her and Cadence of Tirek's return, Twilight was more than willing to fight tooth and nail to defend Equestria from this threat. But determination quickly made way for disappointment as soon as she was told that Discord would be in charge of tracking the monster down instead of her. The studious mare eventually settled on studying with her friends to bide her time, having filled them in on what's happened, but after making connections between the tree of harmony and themselves, triggered by a run-in from Discord himself, Twilight was summoned again.
Sometime on the way, it donned on her that Blueblood was nowhere to be seen.
Twilight figured that he'd be right up there with her to defend Equestria, but even in her gallop through the castle, she didn't see any sign of him. Even Shining Armor and Trixie were present in the castle to try to protect it. As much as she'd like to think that the pale prince had a plan on the matter, she pushed it to the back of her mind as she reached the throne room to answer her teacher's call. It shouldn't have come to a surprise that Discord had betrayed them and sided with Tirek, but after their brief history together, she couldn't say she put it above him. Now, what was supposed to be a search for one weakened enemy quickly turned into defending against two powerful foes.
That was when the princesses agreed on hiding their powers away in Twilight, as her existence as an alicorn was not yet known to the centaur.
So here she was, out in the open, practicing her magic, trying to get a handle on herself. But luck nor skill was on her side as all she managed were sudden supersonic bursts of speed and random teleportations across Equestria. It was frustrating, to say the least. And With Tirek probably having already rampaged through Canterlot, she's in a race against time. He'll be looking for her, and there's no telling how strong he'll already be. She's out of options.
Unless...
"The Tree of Harmony!" with that realization, Twilight took to the skies again, in a zig-zag line towards Ponyville.
XXXXX
"I love you, Auntie." Blueblood spoke, teleporting away from the royal throne room after finding out that none of the princesses were there.
"But sometimes, I cringe at your decisions." he continued to nopony in particular, making it to ground level, his sights locked on exactly who he was looking for. After Tirek had departed with Discord after fuming at the discovery of Princess Twilight, Blueblood returned from the Sanctuary to follow in his wake and continue with his plan. And now, he's found step one.
"Trixie. Get up." he urged, prodding at her side.
"It was... terrible, Blueblood." the blue mare spoke, barely having the strength to stand, leaning against him for support. "Tirek, h-he-"
"Shh." he cut her off, resting a gentle hoof on her nose. Taking a step back form the wobbling mare, his horn began to glow, and aiming his horn at the former showmare, he struck her with a beam, but rather than burn her, knock her back, or explode, it encompassed her, gathering in her horn before dissipating. Trixie gasped, breathing frantically at the massive influx of raw essence before finally gathering her bearings. Figuring out what Blueblood had just done, she quickly tried a teleportation spell, and she did so with particular ease, but rather than the magenta light she was so used to, her magic was now the same deep blue hue as Blueblood's.
The realization made her gawk at the pale prince, bewildered, before looking back at her cutie mark, the symbil proving testament to her special talent now a compass behind a wand. "You didn't restore my magic, you-"
He cut her off again with another hoof. "Yes yes, I have you part of my essence. But forget about that now. I need your help." his hoof moved to her shoulder, and before she could object, they were away.
XXXXX
"The... Sanctuary? Why are we here? What's in here that could possibly help us?"
"Something special. Down." Blueblood replied before issuing the order, and they descended down into the basement. Rather than a closed off shaft, the elevator they were on had an open shaft, and as they neared ground level of the cavern they were now in, her eyes caught sight of a... giant gyroscope?
"Trixie doesn't like being left in the dark. So what's the plan, Blueblood?"
"At first, it was a simple matter of find whoever dares threaten my family, beat them to a bloody pulp, and then undo the damage done. But I know better, so I kept my distance and learned all I could about this Tirek." he began, leading Trixie off of the elevator platform and across the mote that surrounded the platform the gyroscope was comprised of. "I came across the storybook that Auntie keeps all of her and Luna's tales in, and learned about him that way. I wanted to lend them my magic, but then I surmised that in his sweep through Canterlot, Tirek had banished them and Cadence to Tartarus, same as they banished him. If previous ventures there says anything, they're still alive."
"So you would like Trixie to go to the kingdom of the dead to look for them, is that it?"
Blueblood shook his head. "I cannot ask that of you, so-"
It was Trixie's turn to cut Blueblood off. "Nonsense! You are the better combatant, you go and defeat Tirek. Trixie can go and fetch the princesses, provided she has a way back, of course." she herself has done her fair share of research on Tartarus, and with some justification from Luna, she knows that it's largely a prison for monsters and a recycling center for souls.
Taking it in stride, the prince nodded. "You share my magic, so the Sanctuary will let you and any guests you bring teleport here." he informed, stamping his hoof, and the gyroscope whirred to life, its rings slowly beginning to spin. "Are you absolutely certain, though?" it never hurt to make sure.
"A simple rescue mission. Trixie has read many stories and done much research. Not to mention she and Luna have our own share of monsters we banished there as night guards." Trixie assured, taking a step back as the portal began to manifest. Through it, both ponies could see the weakened alicorns, slumped and chained to the cold stone, flanks devoid of of their respectful cutie marks. If anything, it only spurred her even more. "Trixie... I... can do this."
"Very well. I have faith in you. This compass on my flank has saved me innumerable times. With any luck, the one on yours should do the same. Stay alive. Okay?"
Trixie Lulamoon smirked. "Trixie should be the one telling you that."
XXXXX
"Soon, there won't be a pegasus, earth pony, or unicorn that will be able to stand up. Against. Us." Discord monologued after Tirek had absorbed the magic of Twilight's friends. But it wasn't a sentiment he uttered without batting an eyelash. But it was eventually the case after seeing the look of betrayal on Fluttershy's face.
But even with victory within their grasp, the Centaur wasn't done yet.
"Us? Who said anything about 'us'." Tirek laughed as he began charging his magic again.
As soon as he heard the mockery in the centaur's voice, Discord was immediately filled with regret. "You did." he meekly tried to reason, but he knew it was a fruitless effort as he was pulled up by the tyrant's magic.
"You've helped me grow strong! You've provided the means by which I can obtain Princess Twilight's magic! And now, you're no longer of any use to me." and then Tirek proceeded to drain the draconequus' chaotic magic. The darkened stream of vivid, erratic magic drained from Discord's mouth and into Tirek's, causing the centaur to grow other several feet.
And without another word spoken, he turned tail and started for the Everfree Forest. "But you said that this was a sign of your gratitude and loyalty. A gift from someone close to you."
The centaur scoffed. "My brother who betrayed me. You're as worthless as he is." and without another word, Tirek's hulking form departed, leaving a magic-drained Discord to lament his actions.
"Surely you saw this comin'?" it was Applejack who tried to reach out to him.
"I didn't. I truly didn't."
"Girls!" everyone quickly looked up to see Twilight herself, still not in full control of her powers, land with a ground-shaking crash, skidding to a halt before she met the cage her friends were trapped in. Hopping back to her feet, one question raced to the forefront of her mind. "What happened?"
"Ask him!" Rainbow Dash retorted, pointing an accusatory hoof at Discord, who had just gathered the strength to get to his feet.
"Tirek tricked me into believing he could offer me something more valuable than friendship. But there is nothing worth more. I see that now." the lamenting Discord spoke up, holding the medallion. "He lied when he said that this medallion was given as a sign of gratitude and loyalty. But when I say that it is a sign of true friendship. I am telling the truth." and taking the accessory off, Discord walked up to Twilight and gently placed it around her neck. As she looked down at the medallion, it shined an all too familiar rainbow gleam. The realization made her gasp.
And she wasn't the only one who connected the dots. "Ya think that might be the last one we need?" Applejack spoke up.
"We have to get to the chest." with newfound determination and an empowering smirk, Twilight turned tail and hoofed it to the Everfree, her friends, all of them, right behind her.
XXXXX
Even from so high up in the sanctuary, Blueblood could feel the resonance of the alicorn magic that was imbued within Twilight.
So much magic in one pony made even himself seem like a tiny moon by comparison. But he didn't need boundless amounts of magic to beat an enemy such as this. He just needed skill, and he had more than enough. He could only hope that Twilight could hold out long enough for him to get there.
And if the moon and sun earlier today were any indication, she has trouble controlling that kind of power. But that was why he was here. If he can't defeat Tirek, he'll at least buy time for his sister-in-law to find a solution. But then again, he didn't intend on losing this fight. There was nothing else to it. He won't go down like the others. This pony has bested dragons, tamed seas, been to Tartarus and back, and cheated death countless times. If this monster wants power, then he'll find it, and the Pale Rider will be happy to send him back to Tartarus with a grave sculpted by him. Blueblood huffed. "There's always some fool who wants to rule the world."
With the use of the telescope at the top of the Sanctuary's ancient castle, he was able to find Tirek and his red hulking form rampaging through the Everfree, coming out of Ponyville. "Target sighted." Blueblood thought aloud as he stepped back and waved his hoof over the encrusted sapphire jewel on his titanium collar. The accessory responded, and out from under it, thick, elegant plates of metal extended to cover him. First his back, then his shoulders, followed by his flank and limbs, and finally, his neck, mane, and head. Not an inch of white fur, blue eyes, or blonde hair was visible. Now ready for battle, he wasted no time in charging a spell.
Blueblood was encompassed in a blue orb, amassing magic not just from himself, but from the entire floating island. He rose off the ground, raising his horn skyward to maximize his intake. There was so much magic radiating off from him, his fur began to gleam his blue magic hue. With his pure blue glowing eyes trained on the tiny red and black spec that not only threatened the livelihood of his little ponies, but also banished his family to Tartarus. The orb he was in, with a loud, powerful crackle of magic lightning, turned into a high-speed projectile, falling like a meteor to Equestria's surface, naught but a blue streak across the reddened sky.
Emerging from the portal, and encountering no monsters or anyone, the first thing Trixie was beckoned to do was take in the scenery. Before, when she thought of Tartarus, she always imagined a flaming kingdom of inferno guarded by a voracious, three-headed hellhound with one way in and no way out. Though, even after all that studying and storytelling with Luna, she was still bummed that all she got was... whatever this was.
A largely empty expanse of land, covered in patches of odd blue plants and harmless creatures of the night, landmarks and structures few and far between with, and rather than a sun, there rested in the darkened sky a swirling void that gave off a bluish hue.
Disappointment aside, Trixie couldn't help being fascinated with the ecosystem here that called Tartarus home. It was no sun, but Trixie could feel the slight warmth radiating from the singularity. It looked much like an eclipsed sun, being a black emptiness in the sky, outlined by a light trying to escape. The light it cast on the world below was dim at best, giving off slightly more light than a full moon, and it was about as warm as a cloudy autumn day, but the idea of a makeshift sun that's still able to drive life in a supposed kingdom of the dead was impressive, to say the least.
Making it through the field of blue grass, the showmare eventually caught sight of a high ridge, the trail she was currently on leading up to it. On which, there rested three... obelisks? Curious, Trixie went in for a closer look. There stood three bronze monuments, all with stain glass windows with stories to tell, and so she walked up to see what secrets they might hold. The design and the makeup of the structures reminded her of the same art and architecture found in Sanctuary from her many explorations in the floating castle, and looking into one of them, the story in it left her with more questions than answers.
Inside it was a golden... alicorn. That already explained a lot. The thought that this was possibly Molaris' domain for the duration of his absence from his sisters' side got her thinking...
... but she ruled it out when the royal sisters came back to mind. Ugh, stay focused, Trixie! Trixie mentally kicked herself for allowing her thoughts to get side-tracked. This was none of her business! Right now, she had to find the find the princesses and bring them back to Equestria, not look up their family history! Even as interesting and compelling that is. Besides, there'll be plenty of time to come back and snoop around after Tirek is dealt with, if Blueblood accompanies her.
But speaking of, she really wanted to put her fraction of the prince's strength to quality use and slay a demon or something This is Tartarus for crying out loud! but Tartarus was just... empty. As if every supposedly 'wandering' demon or creature here just packed up and left. Her mind drifted back to that one story of Twilight's where she opened the gates of Tartarus by accident, but pushed that out of her mind at the fact that demons running amok wasn't ever a problem until now, with this one centaur. Many would expect the surface to be completely overrun by ghastly creatures and grotesque figures the minute the gates opened, but when such a thing actually happened, surprisingly few consequences followed. The only real problem that befell any part of Equestria was Cerberus running into Ponyville, and that was resolved as quick as it came. Trixie still wondered what kind of magic could have had such an unwanted outcome though...
But on the note of magic, Blueblood's generous donation was certainly doing her well. Even given the awkwardness of channeling magic through her horn that's not her own, Trixie felt no different than before Tirek took her powers. Though it didn't replace her drained pool of magic, it was more than enough to give the mare her strength back, and enough to use an omniscience spell to point her in the right direction. She could only hope that Blueblood didn't offer her too much of it before he went off to hunt down Tirek. From her angle, there was no telling the outcome of that battle, though the prince definitely knew how to hold his own, even against stronger opponents, if his sparring matches with Luna was anything to go by.
XXXXX
Blueblood had prepared every fiber of his being for this battle.
He was about to dive head-first, literally, into battle with a giant, tyrannical centaur, not only drunk off of magic from hundreds of ponies, but also still thirsty for more. If his sister-in-law and her friends had a plan like they always did, then he'd see to it that they see it through by removing their only obstacle.
If it wasn't the fact that he was essentially a blue comet streaking towards the ground that made his stomach do flips, it was definitely how much that was at stake that did. Most of Equestria is drained of their magic, all but maybe one alicorn is missing, the others banished to Tartarus, and he was about to do battle with an ancient evil that was larger, stronger, and wiser than himself.
But there was still a great many things that keeps his spirit strong and high. Besides the obvious fact that he'd crush any anyone who would do harm to his little ponies, Prince Blueblood is no stranger at all when it comes to fighting larger, stronger opponents. Most evils as large and as ancient as Tirek, their arrogance alone gives him the element of surprise, and since he's been imprisoned for at least a thousand years, he's likely not grasped the many, many dynamics of magic-driven combat. Not only that, but centaurs, like unicorns, have a fundamental weakness. One he himself had to be cautious of.
When the tyrant saw the blue projectile headed his way, he immediately prepared and fired a blast, the recoil of the sudden discharge of magical energy enough to shatter the solid earth underneath his hulking form. The blast itself was broad enough to completely engulf someone of even his stature, easily capable of reducing a mountain to rubble in seconds.
Blueblood's vision was quickly engulfed in vivid, chaotic yellow, yet he did not falter. He didn't even flinch. Instead, his already alight horn flashed, and ahead of his path, there opened a portal. Two of them. The first, he flew into at high speed and quickly vanished while the second portal, much wider, accommodated Tirek's attack, engulfing the beam like a fast-flowing river into a tunnel.
"What?! What trickery is this-" Tirek, surprised that his blast garnered no explosion and simply vanished, began to vocalize his confusion, but was soundly cut off as the bright blue object he had initially fired at suddenly reappeared and collided with him, sending his hulking form reeling and bellowing, clutching his head. Blueblood, flying past the centaur, landed on his hind legs as he skidded to an earth-splitting halt.
But the armor-clad prince didn't stop there. With another blue flash of his horn, the exit for the second portal opened up directly under Tirek as he was clutching his head in pain, and before he could fall through the wide trap under him, he was immediately engulfed by the same attack he had fired. Such a blast, against his unprotected underbelly, Blueblood hoped dealt massive damage as he was sent skyward, akin to a cannonball fired fresh out of a cannon, deafening boom and all. The sound of a deep, raspy scream fading into the distance was music to the warrior prince's ears as he formulated another plan.
Once Tirek comes back down, he'll be stark-raving mad at the surprise attack, especially at the effect, but if that smoking, disembodied horn on the ground and Blueblood's somewhat dented heel boots were anything to go by, he was already at a huge advantage. But no reason to slow down now. With a loosening roll of his neck, Blueblood was gone again in a flash of blue.
XXXXX
Rarity's spool of rainbow thread became the Key of Generosity.
Rainbow Dash's golden wonderbolt pin became the Key of Loyalty.
Pinkie Pie's rubber chicken companion became the Key of Laughter.
Fluttershy's blue-petaled flower became the Key of Kindness.
Applejack's single bit earned from Shill became the Key of Honesty.
And now, in their darkest hour, Twilight Sparkle's medallion, once a deception and a lie, then a sign of truthful apology and gratitude, became the Key of Magic.
"Together! We do this together!" Twilight cried in determination as she and her friends wielded their keys and surrounded the box. In one uniform motion, they keys were locked in place and turned.
The box began to rise, and the entire crevasse under the ground was filled with a blinding light.
XXXXX
Pieces flew from Blueblood's armored form as he was sent careening to the ground like a meteor.
He was losing his focus. His magic was drained, his head felt like it was being drilled into by his horn, and his armor was in pieces throughout the battle-scarred fields. But regardless of the aching and the pain, the knightly prince rose to his hooves again to assess the threat.
Tirek's intact horn was covered in burns and was cracked in several places, but still remained whole in the side of the centaur's skull, channeling and casting magic, however unstable it may be. Without both horns, TIrek's magic was erratic and unpredictable, but still just as powerful. That didn't bode well for Blueblood, as it made anticipating and correctly countering nearly impossible, and every hit he took was devastating.
The trembling of the earth from Tirek's gargantuan footsteps shook the prince from his haze as he fired another blast at Tirek's injured horn, only for it to be caught and absorbed into the evil lord's hand and then consumed like a treat. Bad move. Blueblood began to back up.
Tirek's grin was as maniacal as it was self-righteous. "What's the matter, prince of ponies? Out of tricks?"
Blueblood kept a steady backwards pace. "Just thinking."
"What about? Your prayer before you die?"
Blueblood's flank hit a wall. He looked up to see a steep mountain face. In a flash of blue, he was overlooking his former position and an advancing Tirek. He looked off to his right, and his gaze locked onto a crevasse in the earth not too far away. 'If you have a plan Twilight, make it quick.' Closing his eyes and channeling all that he had left, his eyes and his horn was engulfed in a bright blue hue.
XXXXX
"Tis hard to believe Tartarus is so very empty. One would imagine this realm to be alight in flames and rife with monsters. Perhaps it was before Twilight opened the gates." Luna spoke aloud, forelimbs rested against the bars as she overlooked the barren underworld from their cage, perched atop this mountainous peak.
"I imagined we'd at least find our... brother." it took a moment for Celestia to gather the willpower to say that last word. She was on the other side of the cage, slumped on her side, facing away from her niece and her sister, so downcast. "And to think we never even tried to look for him..."
The princess of the night huffed. "Speak for yourself."
"Aunty..." Cadence piped up to try to deescalate the situation before it could start.
Celestia's expression hardened, but she still remained slumped and facing away. "You didn't even know him, Luna."
Luna turned tail, facing her sister with a hardened look of her own. "And I reserve the right to! Stranger or not, he is still my brother as much as he is yours! What have you done for the thousand years I was away?!"
Celestia looked over her shoulder, regarding her younger sibling with a look of exasperation. "I was mourning over what I was forced to do to you! Nightmare Moon took over you!" That fateful night was traumatizing! Was she not paying attention when she told her that she cried for weeks?!
But right now, Luna's thoughts and attention was on their missing brother. "And you didn't even think of him in all that time I was gone?! There's no telling his current fate, however good or bad it may be!" He could be dead, and she'd rather not know at all?!
"I didn't want him to come to Equestria and see what we became! We fought each other! I cast you away, and I regretted it every single day! He'd hate me! He'd hate what we did to each other!" Squabbles between siblings were one thing. But banishing one's own flesh and blood away from the world itself for a thousand years was unforgivable, no matter what bought about such an action. She knew that the moment she did it.
"You don't know that! He's our brother!" Ugh, the selfishness! If there was one thing she's learned since she returned to the world, it was that family stick together. True family forgive each other despite everything. Besides they were diving beings! Fights of such caliber was par for alicorns!
"I know him well enough to know that he wouldn't have wanted us to fight like we did! He'd be disgusted!" Rising to her full height, Celestia's emotions were running as high as her sister's. "Before you were born, he told me to take care of you. To protect you!"
Luna had enough. "And a swell job you did!" she cried, her eyes now reflecting hurt and sadness moreso than anger. "A thousand years, we could have been looking for him! A thousand years, we could have found a way to bring him to us! A thousand years, we could have been a family! So what if he felt cross about our behavior? If he was true family, he'd have helped us undo the damage and resolve it!" Luna indignantly stamped her hoof at that point. But with all the information laid out, a thought occurred to the princess of the night. "You're hiding something, aren't you?"
Celestia was at a loss for words. "What?"
"I've searched every corner of the world, from new beginning to bitter end, and there's no sign of him. Then came his daughter and son. The only other place he could ever be was here in this forsaken place, where he would not want them to live any kind of life. But how did he become trapped here in the first place?" Luna bared her teeth, and her face contorted with the rage of unanswered questions created in her train of thought. "Did you banish him too?! In the earth of his own world the same way you banished me to my moon?! Answer me that!" She slowly advanced on her sister, demanding an answer. If she had magic to channel, she'd be bursting at the seems now.
But despite being backed in a corner, Celestia still stood firm. "Luna, this is getting out of hoof!"
"Then tell me the truth!!!" Luna bellowed in what would have been the Royal Canterlot Voice.
"Fine!... fine..." Defeated, the princess of the sun returned to her position looking out of the cage, slumped to the ground. "The last thing Molaris ever told me, was to look after you when our parents were gone. He told me not to look for him as well. Not to ever mention him to you." She took e deep breath. "I knew something bad had happened after that last goodbye, but I had no idea where to look. I spent the last few months leading up to you just searching for him. But when you finally came to, I... had to give up. Long story short, our parents were gone, and all that was left... was us. And I never saw him again. I was a filly at the time, so if there was anything going on, I wasn't told." She looked back for a brief moment, catching her sister's thoughtful expression. "I'm... sorry I never told you, Luna. Part of me thought you always knew about him. But you never bought him up."
Luna was now beside herself. "I... am also sorry... about my accusation. I suppose we haven't yet gotten over what happened a thousand years ago. It's... clear something terrible has happened."
"Auntie..."
"There was so much going for us... we controlled the heavens while he controlled the earth..."
"Auntie."
"We could still find him if we can leave this place..."
"Auntie!"
"Cadence, can you not see we're having a pivotal moment in our relationship?!"
"Speaking of leaving this place...!" Cadence pointed a hoof out of the cage, and following its direction, there came a little blue spec walking its way up the path leading to their imprisonment.
"... Trixie?"
XXXXX
Blueblood was unconscious.
His form lays atop the ridge, unmoving, overlooking the shallow crater in the ground below, coming out of it, Tirek, shrouded in the steam and smoke his titanic frame gave off as he endured the last of Blueblood's magic, focused into one final attack. "All of your magic in one final blast. A poor choice, as opposed to fleeing like all the sane would." From the plume of steam came a giant hand, reaching to grab the limp stallion. "But it's far from the worst decision you've made today." But just before Tirek could seize the prince, something caught his attention.
A bright light. Shining out of a crevasse. Out of it came... Twilight! And her friends! Encompassed by magic! Tirek fired, but it had no effect. "How is this possible?! I drained all of you of your magic!"
The girls, carried by the guiding light they're giving off, approached the power-hungry centaur to face him down.
"Wrong, Tirek! I may have given you my Alicorn magic, but I carry within me the most powerful magic of all!" Twilight, nor did the other elements wait for a reply or a retort before their magic came together as one and engulfed the tyrant with every color of the rainbow.
XXXXX
"Sister! Cadence! Trixie! Look!" Luna called as she looked over Equestria from the peek of Sanctuary.
The mares raced to her side, and what they saw couldn't be described in words.
Light, in all colors of the rainbow, washed over the land, from the scorched earth where the phenomenon began to the many towns, regions, and cities of Equestria. The magical shockwave not only repaired the damage, but also bought color back to all that it touched. When it finally reached them, all four princesses could feel magic coursing throughout their body again. Quick glances backwards let them know their cutie marks have returned, and it was a silent moment of jubilation between the four. That is, until Trixie noticed something. "Blueblood's cutie mark. It didn't change!"
Quickly gaining the attention of the alicorns, Luna was the first to come to a conclusion. "Curious. Blueblood sent you to rescue us before facing Tirek. His magic imbued in you is of his doing, not the tyrant's."
"Then let us return it to him!" All agreed, and with the renewed magic of four, they were gone.
XXXXX
With a stir in a groan, Blueblood had awoke.
"Guys! He's awake!" Blueblood's bedside was quickly joined by six mares as his eyes fluttered open and he took in his surroundings. They were in the hospital. His everything ached. And his forehead still felt like it was being drilled with how own horn.
Seeing the host of familiar faces gathered around him, smiling down at them, all the bed-ridden prince could do was smile back up at them.
Twilight rested a hoof on his bedside. "Blueblood. Are you alright?" He nodded.
Looking at Rainbow, Blueblood was half-convinced she found a new idol. "Man, that was awesome! Facing down Tirek all by yourself? Dude!"
"Yeah! You was all like BOOM! And he was all like BAM! And you was-" Blueblood went ahead and drowned her out. "We gotta start planning for the 'Blueblood fights the MOST EPIC BATTLE' party!"
"I hope that meanie didn't really hurt you too bad. We're prepare to stay by your side until you're all better. It's the least we could do." He wasn't sure if it was the offer or just Fluttershy's voice, but he felt much more relaxed after hearing that.
"Quite right, Fluttershy. No doubt it took a great deal of strength and resolve to do what you did, Blueblood. I myself am beyond words."
"Hon, don't ya ever go an' scare us like that again, ya hear?" Applejack poked his strong chest to emphasize her point. "If a maniacal varmint wants all Equestria's magic, we stoppin' 'em together!"
Blueblood had an honest reply to that. "What good is a prince who doesn't protect his kingdom?"
Before anypony could come up with a retort to that, the doors burst open, and in came four princesses. "Trixie has a reply to that." The former showmare marched up to join her friends at his side. "What good is a prince who doesn't live long enough to see the day saved because he took it upon himself to save it?"
Blueblood pursed his lips. But she had a point. Hunting down Tirek was a bold and reckless move, especially since he went on thinking he could beat him. In reality though, Blueblood was just mad that his kingdom and its residents were threatened. Shouldn't any true leader be? "Alright. I dropped the ball on that one."
"I beg to differ!" Luna spoke up indignantly, coming around to stand behind the ring of ponies. "You did what you believed was necessary for the good of your kingdom! Your subjects were drained, your guards were incapacitated, your fellow royalty were imprisoned in the depths of Hell, and you were reduced to half strength! Yet, you so fearlessly trotted into the face of danger to save those you held dear! That is the true marking of a prince!" Luna's rant was received with the collective nods of the ponies who heard it, most fervently from Celestia and Cadence.
And just like that, Blueblood felt complete.
He rested a hoof on his forehead, almost not believing he had heard what he just heard. "T-thank you, Aunty!" He didn't even know how to receive such praise.
Nurse Redheart popped her head in the door, and quietly reminded Celestia that the prince will need to rest shortly. Nodding in acknowledgement, the princess of the sun cleared her throat, garnering the attention of her little ponies. "Trixie? Isn't there something you needed to return."
"Ah! Apologies..." Charging her horn with blue and purple magic, the blue shot from Trixie's horn and returned to Blueblood, and her cutie mark lost its compass, but retaining the wand and the magic wisp.
As Blueblood's magic flooded back into himself, his mane and coat became visibly more vibrant, and some of his cuts and bruises even disappeared. He exhaled a relaxed sigh, and gave Trixie a thankful nod.
"I'm so proud of you nephew." Celestia whispered as she walked up, leaning in to plant a motherly kiss on her nephew's cheek. His blush was adorable. "Go get some rest." And with that, everyone said their goodbyes and filed out of the room.
But Twilight hung back for a moment. After they were the only two in the room, she threw a forehoof around Blueblood's neck, wrapping him up in a tight hug. "Rest easy, Big Brother." She pulled away with a smile that radiated everything from pride to shear happiness. "We're gonna have quite the party over at the new castle once you're all better."
After his involvement in helping save Equestria by holding off Tirek for the Elements of Harmony to defeat him, Blueblood received naught but praise and good wishes.
He'd try to play it off, claiming that the elements were the ones to thank, since they actually did the defeating and the restoring, but Blueblood's story of how a half-strength prince went off to hunt down an ever more powerful foe was apparently a more popular tale than the girls' routine save-the-world gig. After the party held at Twilight's fancy new castle, Blueblood had attended several more social get-togethers in his honor. His face was headlined on the news in nearly every city for weeks. He could still remember the headlines.
'Equestria's Brave Prince!'
'Prince Blueblood Returns Better Than Ever!'
'A Stallion Finally Saves the Day!'
Blueblood felt that last one was a strong topic of controversy. But as the prince checked the castle gate for this week's newspaper, a solid three months after the ordeal, this headline proved to be just as interesting.
'Equestria's Most Eligible Bachelor?'
There was a picture of him just under the headline. "Oh my..." Picking up the new article, the prince turned tail and retreated back into the castle.
...
"Maximus, look at this!" The flabbergasted prince exclaimed as his right hoof stallion leaned in to view the newspaper encased in blue magic. The two were walking down the halls, and they got their share of odd looks from how a guard and a prince conversed as if the best of friends. "'It's not wrong if they're siblings-in-law'? 'A friend of a friend is still a friend'? 'A trophy wife or bachelorette'?"
Seeing the headline and the subtitles, the guardspony asked aloud. "Who are the candidates?"
"Listen to this. First is Twilight Sparkle, second is Fleur De Lis, and third is Sassy Saddles. I only remember meeting her a hoofful of times! Certainly not a basis for a relationship!"
Maximus had to rack his brain for the distant memory of that orange-maned beauty he recalled from somewhere. "Theee Canterlot Carousel manager?"
"The very same!"
The armored pony grinned, returning to his stoic posture as they walked down the long, sunlit halls. "I imagined Miss Rarity would've held that first spot."
Blueblood leered over at the gravel-voiced stallion before rolling his eyes and smirking. "I won't say I'm not good enough for a mare as beautiful and generous as Miss Rarity, but given our... turbulent history, I would say us being in a romantic relationship is... awkward at best."
Maximus just shrugged. "That night at the gala was one to remember. But who better to be in a relationship with than the very one who made you change in the first place? It was gradual with many other factors, sure, but it can't be denied that she planted the seed and watered the roots."
The young prince nodded in acknowledgement. "Point proven. You sound like you speak from experience."
"I wouldn't be the stallion I am today were it not for my wife, your highness." Mention of his wife was with a longing sigh.
And Blueblood heard all he needed to hear. "Very well, husband of the year. I'll consider your advice. If you take some time off, that is."
"Are you sure?" Maximus couldn't say he saw that coming, but he wrote it off as a pleasant surprise.
"Our talks are nice. But they're few and far between. A few days paid vacation wouldn't hurt anypony. Call this me thanking your wife for doing her part in making a good guard and friend such as yourself. Besides, if I can fight off Tirek at half strength, I can certainly look after myself at full strength."
"Thank you, Prince."
XXXXX
However, as good as Blueblood's morning was, the afternoon had in store for him nothing but frustration and aggravation when Cadence came along. What was supposed to be a surprise visit with exciting news turned out to be a train wreck.
"No! Absolutely not!" the pale prince exclaimed as he stormed out of the garden, Cadence hastily giving chase.
"But Blueblood, please-"
He went back into the castle, the empty halls filled with their raised voices and resounding hoofsteps. "But nothing! I made it clear I don't want anything to do with Shining Armor! It's bad enough you waited until now to tell me! Five months you were pregnant?!"
Cadence grew desperate to calm him down. "It was supposed to be a surprise!"
But it seemed every word only served to anger Blueblood even more. "And it certainly is! It was your husband's idea to keep me out of the loop, wasn't it?!"
"Blue, it's not like that!"
"Then tell me, what's it like?!"
"Blueblood, this is your niece! At least come and see her when she's born!" No matter what, their daughter to be was innocent in this. She'd at least be happy if Blueblood gave her a chance,
"It's not about her! But if you were worried about my bond with my niece, then telling me wouldn't have been a matter of when!"
"It was a surprise for Twilight!"
"And I suppose she was bursting at the seems!" They made it to his room, and as he non-too-gently slammed the doors behind them, they gently came open again after a pregnant moment of silence. By then, Blueblood was already at his balcony. He often enjoyed the twilight sky, especially when he wanted to cool off.
"Blueblood..." Cadence silently strode up next to him, the prince refusing to meet her eyes. "Blue, why are you so mad all of a sudden?" A pink hoof cautiously found its way on his shoulder. He flinched at the touch, but eventually relaxed. "Is it Shining?"
Just the utterance of his name got his blood boiling again. "Who else?!" Why was he so angry?
"This isn't healthy! Can't you two just talk this out? He's not the pony you make him out to be! I love him!"
"It's not about now, it's about then!"
"But Blueblood, it's in the past!"
"It's a wound nopony ever bothered to help heal!" Honestly Blueblood couldn't even narrow down the reasoning behind his unyielding rage. For the longest time, just seeing or hearing Shining Armor was enough to lower his good mood.
"But what happened doesn't matter anymore! It's behind all of us!"
In an instant, Blueblood whipped around, his piercing glare now aimed at somepony. "And there you go, disregarding me again! I'm surprised you're not the one I'm mad at if you feel that way!" Unlike every time before when he found himself glaring at her, he didn't falter in tone or in expression. "It takes more than fifteen years to get an apology from Aunty! I can only imagine how long it'll take to get one from you!"
"Blue, I'm... I'm sorry." Not even the hurt puppy tone did anything to calm him down.
He did that himself. Turning back towards the scenery, he ran a hoof through his mane with a heavy sigh. "Just get out of here..."
XXXXX
"He said that?!" Twilight just couldn't wrap her mind around it! No part of Blueblood she knew could be capable of so much as talking negatively towards Cadence, much less yell at her and tell her to leave! She couldn't even fathom what must have made him that angry, especially if not even his reinvented self couldn't move him past it.
"I'm afraid so. From what I got, he just doesn't want anything to do with Shining."
"That doesn't sound like him! We all know him! He wouldn't have done all the good things he did if he were the same pony!"
"It is, sadly. The only part that never changed." She sighed in disappointment. In nopony but herself. "He never liked Shining. We were just too blinded by our own love to ask why."
Twilight tried her best to lighten the mood. "Well, it was strong enough to repulse the Changelings and save Equestria, so it must be easy to get distracted."
But that sentiment, though it brought the tiniest of smiles to Cadence's face, did little to help. "But that distraction made my brother -my brother- hurt for Celestia knows how long.
Not that there were many, but Twilight was out of options. So she began thinking again. Cupping her chin, the princess of friendship pondered what she saw of Blueblood's relationship with her brother. "This is more than just sibling rivalry or brothers butting heads. If they even consider each other that."
"I remember way back when he first fount out Shining and I were dating. I just wanted them to get along and... at first I thought things were fine, but Aunty and I never talked to him about it, just... now that I think of it, nopony ever took the time to see his side of it. Combine that with Blueblood being a pony that would fight all-powerful tyrants alone to protect the ones he cares about." She herself tried to pull some humor, but the fact behind it just reminded Cadence how Blue must feel about the whole situation. "I just... don't know what to do!"
"Do Celestia and Luna know?" Surely, at least Celestia can talk to him, right?
The troubled sister simply nodded, however grim her expression was. "But Celestia doesn't know what to do, and Luna just sides with him. Neither were much help. I was hoping you could talk to him."
Twilight knew the proposal was coming, but she was taken back nonetheless. "Why me?"
"Who better to solve this issue than the princess of friendship? He really needs help in this. On his own, this grudge only got worse and worse. I'm scared it might affect his ability to ever trust Shining. Or Shining to ever trust him. I don't think he'll want to talk to me anytime soon, and I won't know what to do if he doesn't take the chance to meet his niece." Cadence reasoned, rubbing her belly with the developing foal.
The thought of a rift in the family made Twilight's stomach churn. "Well, what does Shining think?"
"I talked to him. He's willing to extend the olive branch, but Blueblood gets agitated at just the mention of his name." It was clear to both of them that if Shining and Blue can just talk, then he'll be well on the road to recovery.
That was a goal. And a goal has steps. The first of which, Twilight already has her crosshairs set on. She was gonna do this, and she was gonna get Blueblood in a better state of mind. The inspiring image of the two stallions brohoofing bought forth an infectious grin. "Well have no fear, big sis! The world's best sister-in-law has everything under control!"
And that was it for Cadence. Throwing herself forward, she enveloped her little sis in a crushing embrace, giddily rocking back and forth. "Oh, thank you thank you thank you, Twilight! You have no idea how much this means to me!"
"Don't sweat it Cadence! By the time you have your foal, Blueblood'll be more than happy to see you and Shining with the little bundle of joy!"
XXXXX
Following their argument, Blueblood stayed on the balcony to reflect.
No matter how much he thought about it, how much he wanted to move past this and make everypony happy like he's been doing for years now, he just couldn't. This was his little bout that his mind wouldn't let him put down, no matter who was involved and no matter how much he wanted to. Was there a deeper reason he was missing? Was he and Shining just not meant to get along? Was he just inwardly sick of letting things go for the sake of others?
Whatever the reason, he felt he'd be getting a little closer to it soon. Doubly so when looked back to the creaking doors of his room to see Luna stepping in. Seeing him, the princess of the night walked up to the balcony and took his side, offering a serene smile. "You seem to be spending more time in the castle as of late, dear nephew. Has the novelty of being Equestria's new hero finally worn off?"
"It did, after enough headlines about my... heroism." He uses the term 'heroism' loosely. More like brashness. Stupidity seems more like it. "But that's not why you're here to enjoy the scenery with me, is it?"
"I figured I'd begin with idle conversation, let you know I'm not here to take sides in that argument between you and Cadence. But I suppose if you're so keen on 'cutting to the chase', I should go on and ask it; what sparked that argument?"
"Cadence finally told me she was pregnant. And I'm just... mad."
"Ah. Given your past history with Shining Armor, I can imagine you did not take well the news of them cementing that love in the form of a foal?"
Blueblood thought that over in his head, and while it did deepen his frown, it was far from making him want to yell like earlier. "Well, they were married, so I should have seen a foal coming." He sighed. "Still though, I just can stand him."
"Why not?" It can't be prowess or success. Blueblood outclasses Shining Armor in nearly every regard, and she did believe if he sought to, Blueblood could find himself a special somepony. Cadence being Shining's true love had just been debunked as the reason, so even she was at a loss.
"I don't know! I tried to justify with a reason ever since, but it just keeps coming back to me loving my sister."
Luna thought that over. Sibling love. She herself would torch cities if it were for the sake of her dear sister. And even after her banishment, she still loved her sister just as much as when they were foals. "Loving your sister... hmmm..." It was clear Blueblood had his own turbulent relationship with his elder sibling, even if he wouldn't admit it. And taking their relationship into account, she picked up on one fact. "Think it over."
"What?" Think it over? Had he heart his aunt right?
"The last thing I would ever want is for you to turn your back on your dear sister, but you're clearly hurting by no fault of your own. Replay those old, repressed memories. Analyze them. You may uncover a fact that your young mind might have overlooked. Say what's on it. Tell yourself why you are angry. And when you find out why, talk to her about it." Luna didn't give him time to reply as she quickly turned tail and retreated, not that her nephew has food for thought.
As he watched her disappear out of his room, he looked back to the sky, now absent of the oranges and purples it had moments ago. She also joined him on the balcony to raise the moon, it seemed. And now, he was alone with his thoughts. "Think it over..." he echoed, heading back into his room to plop down on the king-sized bed.
He let his thoughts take over.
XXXXX
It was the late evening, and a pale, young colt was walking down the long halls of the royal castle, worry etched all over his face.
Blueblood hadn't seen Cadence for days now.
"Aunty, where's Cadence? I'm worried." he asked as he looked up to his tall aunt, eyes wide and as blue as ever.
For Celestia, it was positively the most adorable thing she's ever seen. She smiled down at her nephew, leaning down to console the little bundle of worry. She couldn't stifle the cute little giggle that escaped her lips. "There's nothing to worry about, Blueblood. Cadence is fine. She's just busy."
"She's... busy?"
...
It wasn't a week till he actually saw her again.
...
"Cadence! Cadence!" Blueblood's face lit up like the sun when he saw his dear sister navigating the halls. He galloped after her as fast as his little legs could carry him.
Cadence herself looked like she'd been caught with her hoof in the cookie jar. And her look didn't go away when she realized it was Blueblood. "Oh, uh... h-hey Blueblood!"
With teary excitement, Blueblood barreled into his well-missed sister, throwing his little arms around her neck. The young princess of love half-heartedly returned the embrace before trying to squirm out to no avail.
"I missed you..." he said with the happiest smile, resting his chin on her chest.
"I missed you too." she rested a hoof on his head, running it through his golden mane. "Is Aunty busy?"
"She's getting ready to lower the sun."
"Why not join her? I hear she gets really lonely, watching the sun set all by herself."
"Okay!"
...
Anytime they did meet, she was quick to get him out of the way. How could he miss that?!
...
"Say hello, Blueblood!"
"Hey, little guy! Your sister told me all about you. I'm Shining Armor." Blueblood looked up at the much older colt, but he couldn't find it in himself to smile. He didn't frown or glare, but he definitely didn't smile.
"I don't like him!" he suddenly cried with a little pout.
Pinning his ears back, Shining looked back at his marefriend for help, and so Cadence walked up to try and ease the tension. Taking her little brother's side, she draped an arm around him. "Blueblood, that's not very nice, you know." his expression didn't change. "Blue, Shining is a really good pony. You'll love him, once you get to know him! Aren't you happy?" she asked, playfully rocking him side to side.
Blueblood looked over to his aunt, around at all the ponies gathered together at the party, up at his sister, then back to... him. All of a sudden, Blueblood beamed. He gave the royal guard cadet a quick hug, and then left without another word. The split second he was out of sight, he made extra sure that his smile fell.
The dining hall behind him was filled with laughter.
...
He could hardly remember a time he was ever truly happy after that.
Shining practically took away his sister, and all anypony ever did was laugh. He became more vocal about his feelings as the months rolled by, not just towards Shining, but also in general, though nothing good ever came of it. But as he grew, he eventually just stopped caring. And it all went downhill from there.
From then on, his memories were mostly just a blur. An eternity-long succession of hateful days and spiteful nights. This went on for nearly ten whole years.
"What an amazing waste of time." he heard himself say aloud.
A long, quiet morning gave Blueblood time and thought to cool off from last night. But now that the scab was picked, the wound was open again.
For all this time, he just let himself hurt beneath the surface. He grew to resent everything, and everything just resented him right back. Just the very fact that once upon a time, he was a snobby, petulant waste of fur still vexed and disgusted him. It was only Celestia's motherly smile every morning that made him happy, truly happy, a privilege he jealously guarded. Even through all that, some part of him still to this day told him to call her Aunty. His Aunty, even if she didn't help and comfort him on his feelings towards Shining Armor, she was still always there for him, and thinking back to it, he felt a deep sense of gratitude.
But he thought back to Cadence, and his smile vanished. That was a first. But now that he thinks about it, the pale prince felt... enlightened now. She stopped their time together, time he enjoyed with all his heart. She practically avoided him for a time, and when he finally got his reason why, it sent him on his ten year road of deprivation until he was a pony that took five years just to fix. He was angry, and rightfully so.
But... was it all their fault?
Of course it was! Over those years, could he not have made it any clearer his feelings? He certainly didn't beat around the bush. Did anypony even consider him important enough to tell him of life changes? Did anypony even ask him what was wrong? Or take his plight seriously? 'No. They didn't.'
Doubt gripped at him again. 'I love him!' Like a hard slap to the face, that part of their argument suddenly rung like the bell at his aunty's school, and it gave him pause. Did he become a needy little snot when everypony else was moving on, all those years ago? Did he just have to accept that Cadence, at the time, just outgrew running around and having tea parties with her little brother? Maybe. 'But that doesn't excuse leaving me behind.'
His thoughts were cut short by a knock on his door. "Enter."
"Hey Blue. Holding up well?" It was Twilight. A nagging part of him told him that Cadence talked to her.
"As well as anypony else..." he grumbled before stepping away from the balcony and shutting its doors with his magic before turning towards his guest. "What did Cadence tell you?"
"Oh? What did she tell me? Pfft, she didn't tell me anything! I just stopped by to see if you wanted to... continue the story?" Lying Twilight as per usual; avoiding eye contact, incapable of speaking clearly, rubbing the back of her head...
In normal cases, Blueblood, or anypony else for that matter, would have just given her a leer, implying that they clearly didn't buy into whatever half-baked excuse Twilight nervously hacked out. But it was a shtick so overdone for this over-achieving studious learner that the novelty fell short on Blueblood's dampened mood. And he let her know that. "Twilight." She flinched at how he uttered her name. "I grit my teeth everytime you try to slap together excuses like that. Do you really think I'm that stupid?" He had a much sharper reply in mind, but he managed to dull it before it left his mouth.
Nonetheless, it still cut rather deep, evident by her dispirited and downcast expression. "Oh, um... sorry..." When Blueblood looked back to her, he saw that she was holding back tears.
And he knew he had made a mistake. "... Apologies."
Head still down, Twilight met his gaze. "No, it's fine. It's just... that hurt."
"Well, that's a habit you're better off without. Or you could become a better liar. I'm just not used to being this angry. Is that why you're here? Because I got angry with Cadence?"
"She wanted me to talk to you."
"To tell me her side or to finally hear my side?" Any outsider would look at this timeline of events and simply see that he just didn't like Shining Armor. Asking the deeper questions himself, he's remembering a lot.
"Both, if possible." It's clear now why Blueblood was angry.
"'It's all in the past.' 'It doesn't matter anymore.' I get that. But that doesn't change anything. If you want to change my mind about something, start with something other than that."
Twilight understood now. Blueblood felt ignored. Neglected, even. Was that why he became so snobby and bitter all those years ago? "Blue, did you talk to Shining about this yet?"
And here this goes again. "Shining isn't the problem."
That threw her for a loop. "He's not?"
"He wasn't the one who left me and made me feel like all the time I spent with my sister meant nothing."
That was a body blow. "Oh..."
"Now you know who did make me feel like that." The pale prince grumbled, walking about his room, laying down by the dormant fireplace.
"But that's why you need to talk to her again!" Instead of sulking, why not correct the problem?
"Not until she has her foal." In his mind, he surmised that if he just waits this out, he can eventually talk to Cadence without her worrying about his niece becoming part of the conversation. He'd actually be excited to see the new member of the family if it wasn't a surprise. There was no questioning why he didn't like surprises.
"But she's innocent in this!"
Blueblood launched to his feet, eyes wide in exasperation. "Ugh! My niece isn't the problem either! My problem is that Cadence won't listen to me as long as she's worried I won't like someone of hers! I'm just finding out that Shining was never the problem all those years ago, and our niece was never the problem to begin with!"
Twilight was at a loss for words. Shining's not the problem, their niece isn't the problem, and that just left Cadence.
But Blueblood didn't wait around for an answer before he stormed past her and out of his room, the pregnant silence following his outburst deflating his irritation enough to deem getting out to cool off as the best course of action.
That just left Twilight alone with her thoughts, bewildered and confused. 'It's just between him and Cadence...'
XXXXX
The thought of a nice, quiet breakfast slash dinner with Aunty and Aunt Luna was an appealing thought, but it would be anything but quiet with his business being all over the place. That, and Celestia could read him like an open book. He was never very good at hiding how he felt. And he had no intention of learning how.
So this morning, he opted for a breakfast out in town...
... only to find that just about every food place in Canterlot was the same, stuffy upper-class restaurant that served tasteless horderves in place of actual food.
By the time he got through checking every food place in Canterlot, it was almost noon, and he was still hungry. 'Maybe I should have taken that breakfast with Aunty and Aunt Luna...' His stomach grumbled again, and he changed course back to the castle. Time to raid the royal kitchen for lunch.
At least he has something to talk with Maximus about later on.
XXXXX
"You are still troubled." It made sense that Luna would come find him sooner or later. And considering the sun just went down, he was apparently the first thing on her mind.
'At least I'm on somepony's mind...' The bitter thoughts are starting to get to him. "Here to lecture, Aunt Luna?"
"To further advise." Luna explained, motioning with her hoof to join her on her balcony, much roomier than his own. Before he left, he used to complain about that. "Any revelations since last we spoke?"
The question shook him from his thoughts. "I thought about it, and now, I don't really blame Shining. Not entirely, anyway. I guess at the time, I just needed somepony to be mad at, and I was too much of a family pony to point hooves at Cadence. I'd have been fine with all of it if she had just told me and didn't step out of my life all at once. I just... waited for her to step back in for so long, I eventually forgot the reason I was waiting. And all I remembered over the years was that I didn't like Shining." He remembered how excited he was to reunite with her in the Crystal Kingdom, and the still-standing grudge against the new prince. "It's only now that I realize both of those sentiments were flawed."
Progress. Progress indeed. "Mhmm. Cadence had left behind time spent with you, and Shining wasn't the definitive reason you had grown used to. Curious; why not go to Celestia for love and affection? Surely, she picked up for your sadness?" For Celestia's sake, Luna hoped she did.
The prince nodded, resting his haunches. "I did, but I already had Aunty. I knew she'd never leave me behind. THat was what I told myself. I just didn't want Cadence to leave me either. A loss is a loss, no matter what you have to stand in its place."
Luna hummed in content, sitting down next to him. "As good a reason as any." she affirmed, looking up at the full moon. "I know how you feel, nephew. Being away from loved ones, especially at your tender age... feels so cold and lonely. You now resent Cadence for willingly enforcing that fate upon you, and the damage it caused only made the resentment grow." She looked back to him, losing the gleam in her eye from the moonlight. "But what does that resentment do for you besides hurt you even more? What is it that you hope to accomplish?"
Blueblood met her gaze for a moment, but eventually hung his head, shrugging. "I can't say, there's so much on my mind right now, I haven't answered many of the big questions. I can't forgive her though. Not now. Not for a while."
Luna tilted her head. "Are you afraid that the past will repeat? That she'll leave you again? Or perhaps that you will be neglected by somepony else close to you?"
That gave him pause. That must have been it. But if so, he does need to let Cadence know how he feels.
But Luna kept speaking. "You're the type of pony who would fight their whole life to keep their loved ones safe. As such, you're also the type of pony who would wait their whole life for an apology after they hurt you. But in this instance, too much time was lost and too much damage was done for a simple apology to suffice." Sounded about right. "The problem has been dug up, laid bare, and made clear to you. There is only one step left, nephew; resolution."
"How?"
"Make your feelings clear to Cadence. She's far too loving to not feel regret. Take her apology, and give her your forgiveness."
"Why?! I can't just put this all behind me and forget this never happened!"
Some part of Luna anticipated and knew full well that Blueblood would have difficulty letting go. But to hear him so brazenly refuse still made her flinch. Nonetheless, she pressed onward. "Forgiving and forgetting are two different things, nephew. You can't? Or you don't want to?"
"Neither!"
Luna reached over and rested a hoof on his firm back. That seemed to calm him down some. "Nephew, I speak from experience when I say that holding resentment will do nopony any good. Not you or anypony else. You need to learn how to let this go. Release your anger. For your sake, if nopony else's." He doesn't want to do this for Cadence. Not now, at least. But forgiving her for himself will still allow him to heal.
"But what's to stop all this from happening again?" The last thing he was ready for was to waste more of his life hating the world and trying to fix it. He's only mad at one pony now, the pony mostly responsible, and in his mind, that was a positive result.
"Nothing." Came Luna's simple answer. "Throughout life, choices are made, you know that. Call it fate if you wish, but things are set in motion through the choices we make. But those choices are all influenced by who and what life has in store for us. Cadence was in love with Shining Armor back then, and feared you may never accept him. Cadence now, is pregnant with foal, and feared you may never accept her. Her fears influenced her actions. Her fears of you." This brought to light an interesting point. "She cares more for you than you realize. The same way her wellbeing is important enough to you to fight demons, your opinion of her loved ones is so important to her, she'd do all she could to make sure you approve of them, even if you don't approve of her."
"Too bad for me then that she didn't do anything. I have no issue with my niece, I said that already, and I've come to not blame Shining for all that's happened, I've said that as well. My approval of them isn't the problem now. It never was, honestly." The debacle between him and Shining was just a misunderstanding at this point. He was the one Cadence ran off into the sunset with, but he wasn't the one who left him.
But that, in it of itself, only got Luna's point across. "All the more reason to confront her! Tell her how you feel! Make sure she never abandons you again!" Simply put, that was all there was to it. "It's clear this scarred you as a colt. But you're not a colt anymore. If, in the future, she forgets she has a brother, remind her! Remind her how much you love her!"
"Hard to argue with that logic."
XXXXX
Now, Blueblood knew better than to run off and find Cadence simply because he regained his resolve to do so. No, he'll wait for when the time is right. But in the mean time, he has something else on his mind. Something that'll go a long way in making sure he can one day put this behind him.
He'd found Twilight again earlier in the day, and they opted to talk about something else and do a little bit of work on that book. That was when he found about Trixie and the deal with her mother. And presented an opportunity.
He found her in the grand library, reading at a table with the aid of candlelight. "Trixie. A moment?" he whispered, joining her.
The magic princess looked up from her lofty tome to see her sparring partner slash adoptive brother slash fellow royal taking a seat next to her. "Ah, Blueblood. What brings you here?"
"I'd like some advice."
That piqued her interest. Shutting her book with a thunderous 'thoom', the blue mare listened in. "What with?"
"How do you cope, knowing someone important to you just... left you, once upon a time?"
"Well, Trixie... hmm..." Trixie thought way back to her talk with Twilight about just such a dilemma, but she's never been asked a question that required to think into it. "That... is a difficult question. But what makes Trixie smile in the end is all the good it's done. Trixie is a royal princess, a masterful wielder of magic, adored by the kingdom, and living alongside a family that loves her very much. Although she does wish she could have loved and been loved by her real mother, this is still a life well worth living."
Hearing that, Blueblood was given pause. His ascension wasn't as cut-and-dry as Trixie's, he was already a prince with a loving family, adored by the kingdom before it all went south. And after the fall from grace, he's been through resentment, hardship, and turmoil what wouldn't have made him any worse a pony, had he not changed for the worse to begin with. He didn't gain any new character or love for his family during those ten years of snobbish squalor or the five years of absolving it. He was back where he started, and he never stopped loving his family.
So what did he gain?
He gained the strength to protect the ones he cared about. To fight for the good of his kingdom alongside its other saviors. And he'll only come to rely on that strength more and more as he continues his service to Equestria as its prince. That was good, definitely. He gained a vast amount of knowledge about the world and gained the respect and friendship of the many he helped. That was also good. He even found out who his real father was, and made it a goal to meet him someday. That was a mystery waiting to be solved, but it was still a boon he very much welcomed.
But was all that worth the time he wasted? That was the question.
And just for the heck of it, he'll say it was.
"Thank you, Trixie." He shot her a grateful smile and stepped out of his chair to leave, having gotten what he needed.
But he didn't get far when Trixie called him. "Blueblood." He looked over his shoulder to see she stepped after him. "When you're given the choice, take it from the Great and Caring Trixie that the best choice is the one that allows you to heal."
First Luna, then Twilight, and now Trixie. Getting through this must be easier than he thought. "And forgive." He might as well give back.
"Hm?"
"I'm told you can't heal unless you forgive." Trixie was left to herself again, now in deep thought of her own.
XXXXX
"Blue... why don't you like Shining?" Surprisingly enough, it wasn't Blue that confronted Cadence tonight. It was her that sought him out. Either way, all that advice didn't make him any less angry to see her.
His back was towards her as he looked over the twilight balcony. "Now you care, apparently." Resentment just felt so... right, seeing her again. He regretted saying that the moment it was said, but that regret vanished as soon as it came. And the kicker is that she's doing exactly what he wanted; she's seeking to fix the newly opened rift between them. Why was he angry? Was it because she asked the wrong question?
Cadence's breath hitched in her throat, but she came this far, and now wasn't the time to give up. "Blue, please. I want to help."
"Me or him? You had plenty of time to help me. You had a long time... to help me." Advice from everypony he talked to today replayed in his mind, but as soon as a pearl of advice or wisdom entered his mind, it was smashed to pieces under the resentful stress it had to hold up to.
Cadence felt like she had been physically struck. She was never used to Blueblood speaking this way to her. Not even after every obstacle their relationship took. And now, it was all aimed at her. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea... "I know you're angry. And you have every possible right to be. I hurt you, and I never even knew it. But please, just this once. Tell me. Please. If I at least know, you can..." Her eyes grew hot, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. "... You can hate me, and I'll never bother you again. I... I promise."
Blueblood felt his stomach turn into a pit, but ushered the feeling away with a bitter sigh. That was the love in him talking, he knew that from his talk with Luna. And it quickly faded at the oncoming torrent of thoughts rushing to the forefront of his mind like a bursting dam. "You don't understand! I don't want to stop seeing you!" He took a breath. "Before Shining Armor, I cherished every moment we had together. Learning, playing, running around, having tea... that was my world. My happiness! Sure, I had Aunty, and I'm grateful for that. But I also had you. You, my sister." He looked back at her for the first time this evening, but it was only a brief glance. "And one day... it all stopped." He began to pace. "I didn't know why because nopony ever told me. Did you not like me? Was I boring to you? Why didn't you tell me? Did something happen to you?!" Cadence could make out the anguish in his features as he began replaying those troubling thoughts in his head, seeing just how much it affected his young mind all those years ago.
Cadence knew the questions were rhetorical, but to know that these were the things that troubled him so much it turned into somepony else, all because she was too wrapped up in her love of Shining to spare the time and console him, it stabbed at her heart all the more. "Blue, I-"
But one raised hoof reminded her that it was his turn to talk, years and years of bitter grief dug from its grave for her to finally hear. And she was going to hear all of it. "I worried about you! And I was happy to see you safe! I was always happy... to see you safe! And I didn't want Shining to take away our time together! Yet when it happened, everypony just laughed at me! Do you know how that feels?! To know that you just lost somepony important and have all those around you laugh?! But all this time, I never blamed you! I saw you and Shining together for the first time, and all of the blame immediately went to him! In my mind, this stranger took you away from me! And I never liked him since. But it wasn't until recently that I opened my eyes enough to realize that I blame you and not him. For not ever telling me. 'Hey Blueblood! I'm probably not going to see you much at all now because I met somepony!' Don't you think that's important?! To a pony like me, who cares for family more than anything?!" It was so incredibly liberating to finally get all of it off his chest, hidden because it wasn't until now that he asked himself why he was angry. He felt a crushing weight he was hardly even aware of lifted from his back. The very air itself felt lighter and cooler. But it took only a glance at Cadence for him to realize the sheer amount of damage he had just dealt in his rant. The weight came crashing down as quickly as it left, and he suddenly wished he took every word of it back. "Cadence, I'm-"
He'd beaten her back and forth with each sentence until all that was left was a grieving wreck of a sister. But now, it was her turn to raise a hoof. Even through the sniffling and the weeping, she knew. "Y-you... you're right." The sad smile she had when she looked up at him made that pit in his gut return. "Part of me always knew you weren't going to like Shining. At least at first. When you two finally met, and you said you didn't like him, I panicked. I'm not gonna come up with excuses. You're right to be mad at me. I'm sorry, Blue. More than you know."
Blueblood felt another rant coming, but hearing that apology took away some of the momentum, even if just a little. He wiped away his own tears, though his expression didn't betray any grief. "This all hurts, me yelling at you like this. And looking back at it, I was the only one who was ever hurt really hurt. All this time. It's not that I wanted you too to hurt, that's the last thing I'd ever want. But I want you to know what you put me through. You could say it was my responsibility to get over it, grow up like everypony else, and you'd be right, but I was also left to fall without anypony to help me. Is that not what family do? I certainly made my thoughts clear the day I met him. But because of everypony's neglect, it changed my life for the worse, turned me into somepony I'll hate for the rest of my life. I was that pony. For ten whole years. It took another five to fix it. And I'll never get that time back. I'm grown now, yet I feel I'm still back where I started. Even if I cared to acknowledge at the time that Shining was a good pony, I still wouldn't have liked him. Just because he was part of the reason you seemingly forgot I existed." Seeing that he was now just ranting again at this point, each word a scathing reminder, he took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts again. "What I'm trying to say is..." He looked directly into her eyes, hurt but understanding. "I just wish I was told. But now, I can't just forgive and forget. Not now." So much time was lost, and so much damage was done, the very thought of forgiving made him feel insulted.
Nonetheless, Cadence nodded, wiping her cheeks dry. "I understand. I can't find it in me to ask you to. And none of this probably would have happened if I did." But then came another torrent of tears, wiped up by her foreleg. "But even if it takes the rest of our lives to make it up to you, please..." She lowered a tender hoof down to her slightly plump belly. "Please at least give your niece a chance, when she comes. She deserves that. None of this is her fault. If..." She took a deep breath to steel herself to say these next few words. "If you don't want to forgive me for a while, then I won't force you to. But my daughter... your niece... deserves to see her uncle."
Blueblood turned away again, towards the balcony doors, took in a deep breath, and eased it out, hoping his anger left with it. With any luck, it did. "Okay."
"I'm glad we talked." Today wasn't a day he was happy to see her smile.
"... I'm glad you listened." He said that, but he had to convince himself she did. With their conversation over, he was on his way back inside. But before he passed the curtains, he stopped. "You know, I never could stand to see you cry. Even when you're crying tears of joy. I love you that much."
Cadence wish he had said that with a smile. And hers vanished before it even came to be. She'd say she knew he loved her, but after all that was said, she just couldn't.
...
"I love you too..." 'I hope you know...'
XXXXX
She had done it again.
For the second time in her life, she had put her own wants and desires before her brother's. The pony who was there for her since his beginning, who'd share his cookies simply because she finished all of hers, who'd fight till the end to save her, who'd cry simply because she herself was crying, whether from grief or joy... who hurt for fifteen years because she wasn't sure if he'd like her coltfriend.
And now, she knows it.
Her eyes burned from crying, her throat ached from choking, her head anguished from the guilt. He had poured out his heart to her, told truths unearthed from years of buried resentment, and all she could think about was if he'd approve of her niece. She understood his plight perfectly now, but seeing how he left, she might as well have not heard him at all.
"Cadence?" A soft, comforting voice called from outside of the room. Shining. Just the pony to help calm her down. Igniting her horn, she opened the doors, and in stepped her terribly concerned husband.
They joined in an embrace next to the bed, and with his help she calmed down enough to speak. "I-I talked to Blue..."
"What did he say?" It couldn't have been good, all things considered.
"He's hurting... a lot."
Twily told him about the situation, but a lot of blanks were left. "What's he hurting from?"
"... me." It took some mustering on her part to say it.
"How come?" One step at a time.
"I... haven't been a good sister."
Shining knew he to pick his next words carefully. "If you talked to him and this happened, then we'll just need time to make things right. Just give him some time. He'll come around."
"I hope." She sighed, breaking the embrace and plopping down on the soft bed. "If not for my sake, then for our daughter's."
Shining hummed in agreement, and after a minute or two of relative bliss in his wife's company, a thought occurred to him. "You know, I always respected him, in a way."
"How come?" She found herself asking. How was this possible if they couldn't stand each other?
"He was never afraid to share his thoughts. But now that I think of it, he did his part in communicating just fine. It was us that didn't think to meet him halfway. And since we were always together, it was my job too to look after him. Some brother I turned out to be..."
Cadence huffed, the first semblance of a grin tugging at the corner of her lip, the first positive feeling she felt all day. "Some sister I turned out to be..."
"Nowhere to go but forward. Let's give him some time, alright? There's still a good few months until you're due. That's plenty of time to cool off."
"Okay."
XXXXX
Blueblood slept pretty well last night. No nightmares, nothing looming over his head like yesterday morning. And he felt good enough to make amends. Make amends with Shining Armor.
With magic of his caliber, he was but one teleportation spell away from the Crystal Empire. After walking through the city, greeted and paid respects by its kindhearted people along the way, he asked around for Shining and found him by the stadium, clipboard and whistle in hoof. Being outside the stadium, he must be taking a break from whatever he was doing.
"Blueblood?" the older stallion asked, seeing the blonde prince roaming the city streets being quite a shock.
"Morning." Blueblood greeted, his voice absent of the typical malice, another shocking surprise.
"Are... you looking for Cadence? I thought you talked." Shining simply didn't know how to react. Every encounter they got into over the years, they either avoided each other alltogether or saved face until they could. Conversation was always the least of their concerns.
But today, it wasn't. "We did. I wish to break words with you." Blueblood picked relatively secluded spot next to the stadium's outer pillars, and beckoned him over.
When Shining joined him, it was safe to say his mind was racing. "What is it you wanted to talk about? Something happened? Is Cadence safe?"
Blueblood stopped his brother-in-law's stream of questions with a hoof, and a face that betrayed a certain grief. "She's fine. She's eating breakfast with Aunty and Aunt Luna. But right now..." A deep breath gave him resolve to gather his thoughts. "I've been wrong. All these years, I've been wrong. Wrong to judge you."
He was apologizing. "Blueblood, you don't-"
"You're right, I don't." He really didn't. "But I am. You do love my sister, that much was certain from the beginning. And we'd have probably been the best of brothers otherwise. But fate wasn't kind to me."
"I did wanna help at first..." It was worth mentioning, though their relationship quickly degraded into their famous one-sided squabble, then their mutual agreement to ignore each other.
"I was likely too blind to see it. But I know you never meant any harm." He turned to face him. "But too much was done to be water under the bridge. And I don't think I'll be able to recover from all of it. Not in this lifetime, anyway."
"Hey look, I'm really sorry you lost out on everything. It never was fair, especially after seeing the kind of pony you were before it was all said and done. When we first met, I kept in mind that you were Cadence's brother, and I was kind of afraid she would be torn between time with me and time with you."
"I suppose you found it fortunate that you didn't have to worry, then." Blueblood meant no ill will when he said that, but it was the sentence itself that made it impossible to sound like anything else.
"Well, not now, I don't..." That dropped his mood a bit, but he still understood.
"It's also fortunate I don't blame you anymore."
He quickly added that surprise to the pile. "You don't?"
The golden prince nodded. "You two love each other. I didn't understand love at the time, but now I do. You love each other so much, you're having a foal to celebrate it. I'm still mad, but now I get it. And it wasn't your fault that Cadence left me."
Shining couldn't deny that she did that. Their conversation and Blueblood's resentment was all the proof he needed, not to mention the conversation he himself had with his wife. "I'm... I'm sorry."
Blueblood had no idea why he just wasn't all that happy to hear that. But an apology is an apology, and he knew Shining meant it. "Thank you." It took courage to say it, but now that he did, he looked and Shining, and the resentment felt... far away. "Now, let's change the subject before I come to my senses and take it back."
"Hey, if you're still mad, I don't blame you. I'm fine if you just wanna keep business the same as usual." Them saving face in polite company grew to be the norm, and Blueblood was still justifiably angry. But he'd definitely feel better knowing they didn't keep it up because they despised each other.
Either way, that still wasn't the decision. "No, it's not that. I guess I just need more time to cool off. That, and well..."
"Cadence pushing the envelope about our foal?"
Took the words right out of his mouth. "All that and a bag of chips. I said my niece wasn't the problem, that wasn't even called into question, and I told her I stopped blaming you, but I had to convince myself that she actually listened to what I had poured my innermost thoughts to her about."
All the noble husband could do is shrug. "Well, she told me that she'd be happy as long as you didn't blame our daughter. She'd be willing to live with that, even if you didn't want to speak to her again."
That struck a nerve, however. "But your daughter is not the reason I'm mad! She never was! I'm mad because once upon a time, a colt named Blueblood was left all alone, it took five long years to right ten wasted years of wrong, and at the end of the ride, the one that caused it is worried about my relationship with her husband and daughter instead of doing everything she can to fix the one with her brother. All because she was afraid we wouldn't all get along!" But it was more of a complaining rant than an argumentative one.
"I love her more than the world itself, but her mood swings have been driving me a little crazy too. Provided her pregnancy is the reason she's been on and on about our daughter. At first, it was fine, but the later months have been pretty hard on the both of us."
'And the last fifteen years have been hard on me. But please, go on.' The sheer snark in that voice in his head made him bite back a laugh, suppressed with a grin. And Celestia, it felt good to want to laugh again! "Well then, if that's the case, then I guess I'll wait till the little one is born. Maybe by then, we'll get some closure and I'll be able to move on. There's too much on my mind right now for resolutions."
"I hear ya." The concept of feeling agreeable alongside the one pony that never liked him sparked just the craziest idea. "So uh, you wanna go out to eat this morning? There's some great places to eat in the Crystal Empire. Not that pish posh horderve stuff that took over Canterlot."
As the months rolled by, Blueblood had his mind on the Crystalling Ceremony that was to take place shortly after the birth of Cadence and Shining Armor's daughter.
Over the months that led up to that event, despite their new bond, Blueblood and Shining still didn't have much occasion to meet up. Not because they still harbored dislike for each other, far from it, but as princes, they had duties to uphold. Blueblood was a master wielder of magic, tutoring Trixie, a prominent public figure to attend parties and occasionally listen to the day court, an appointed ambassador once he made light of his friendships with the other races, and a guardian to Equestria, though that role never really needed to be exercised. Not by him, anyway.
Shining Armor was the co-ruler of an empire and had to deal with all the duties that came with the title, whether that be hearing the people in the court, managing the guard, the treasury, the stadium, and so on. But on top of that, he had the Crystalling to prepare for and the bundle of joy that brought forth the need for the ceremony.
A week ago, Blueblood had received an emergency letter from his friends in the dragon kingdom, calling for his help in dealing with wendigoes, as they had little defense against creatures that embodied the freezing cold. Celestia and Luna were distraught to see him go, so close to the birth of his niece, but Blueblood was adamant, refusing to ignore the call to help. But he did promise to return in time for the ceremony.
And speaking of, there was still a whole laundry list of things to do the day of, but progress was steadily being made with the added help of Trixie, who arrived at the crack of dawn with the princesses to see the little one.
When it was time to meet Twilight, Starlight, and the girls at the train station, however, Cadence was the one to greet them. There were bags under her eyes and her mane was a mess, but she still had an infectious smile that spread to Spike and the girls as they arrived.
But once they talked, the pleading tone in Cadence's voice couldn't be ignored. "Hi Twilight. Did Blueblood make it with you? Please tell me Blueblood was able to make it."
But Twilight was only confused. "He's not here? Didn't the princesses and Trixie get here earlier?"
"Well, they did, but Blueblood promised he'd come back to Equestria in time for the ceremony." But that begged another question. "You don't know?"
"I... guess I don't. Where is he? Is he taking a trip?" How could Blueblood miss one of the most important days in his sister's life? For his sake, she hoped it was for a good reason...
"About a week ago, he left to help his friends in the dragon kingdom. We haven't heard from him since."
"Oh, that's terrible."
"That's just so... so... unfortunate."
"What they hay is he doing in the dragon kingdom?! He knows today is the most important day of your life!"
"I'm sure it was for a good reason..."
"What reason can it be that can overrule meeting your own niece?"
"He'd better be here! He should be here!"
Of course, it was Applejack to be the one to talk her down. "Girls, let's jus' all calm down! Now, we all know Blueblood ain't the type uh' pony ta turn up missin' unless it were fer a good reason. If it's som' like his friends bein' in trouble, who're we ta stop 'im?"
And it was Twilight to get everypony back on track. "Applejack's right. Did he at least say what he was leaving for?"
"He just said he had friends that needed his help. He didn't tell me or anypony at the castle the details. Aunt Luna said he wanted us to focus on the ceremony. That's all we can do now."
"I can say with certainty that Blueblood now is not a pony to break his word. I, for one, have faith he will make it in time."
"Rarity's right. Let's move on. I can't wait to see my niece!"
XXXXX
"But I thought alicorn wings had to be earned through some great, princess-worthy deed!" It was safe to say that everypony, Rarity included, were utterly blown away by the display of wings and a horn on the little foal.
"Yeah. How can ya jus' be born with 'em?" Applejack inquired, unable to piece it together herself.
"The birth of an alicorn is something Equestria's never seen."
"Suffice it to say, Celestia and I were unicorns before we inherited day and night. The little one here is beyond even our understanding."
But that gave Twilight food for thought. "I thought you and Luna were both born alicorns."
Celestia shook her head. "Not until we inherited the heavens."
"We were but unicorns until then, Celestia and I."
"Okay, I am... made of questions right now." Leave it to Rainbow to speak the mind of everypony in the room. "Like, what was goin' on before you guys?"
As interesting as it would be to indulge the girls and their curiosity, it went without saying that they had more pressing matters to attend to, evidenced by the happily laughing and giggling winged ball of pink that Cadence had managed to catch with her magic. Celestia smiled. "It... is a discussion for another day."
Luna nodded. "I agree. Today is a celebration for the little one. Alas, it would not be fair if we spent our time worrying about our family origins or our absent prince, as pressing as the matter may be."
"Right! So, back to the little one..."
"I bet she's a super strong flyer and an ultra powerful magic user!"
"As far as super strong flying goes, I know all about it!"
"And Trixie, Starlight, Blueblood and I can keep tabs on her magic!"
"Trixie should mention that in the short hours before you arrived, we've come to learn that her magic is at the very least twice as strong as any unicorn foal. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. Parenting comes before flight and magic. And with a large family of aunts and uncles, biological or otherwise," Trixie gestured abroad to all in the room; Shining and Cadence, the princesses, as well as Twilight and the girls. "She can look forward to a very happy life."
"I can't agree more, Trixie." An elated Cadence then looked to her husband, bouncing the foal in her arms. "Shining, can you take care of things while I go get ready?"
XXXXX
Rarity nodded in satisfaction as she had just finished freshening up Shining's mane with a handy brush.
When the prince saw Cadence and the royal sisters arrive at the Crystal Tower's sanctum, he ran up to join her. "Okay! I chose the honor guard, picked the purity crystal, and I know exactly who I want to be our crystaller!" With everypony's help, preparations seemed well underway. "So, all we need is..." Drat, he always forgets the last thing on the list...
Cadence wasn't amused. "The baby?"
That was it! "Right! Twilight should be-"
"We're here!" Twilight cried as she, Pinkie, and the baby showed up on the scene. Twilight was the only one walking, while the foal was flying loops in Twilight's magic bubble, not even Pinkie Pie's weight being enough to keep her down.
"She's a reeealy strong flyer." Pinkie pointed out, evident to the aerial acrobatics she was taking part in on account of the foal she was holding.
Smiling, Cadence ignited her magic, creating another magic bubble from Twilight's, separating Pinkie Pie and the baby. But whereas Pinkie cheerily waved to the little one as she floated back down next to Twilight, the foal didn't want to be separated from her new friend.
Her lip trembled, tears welled in her teal eyes, telltale signs of a baby about to burst into tears. Cadence held her hoof out to catch the crying infant to comfort her, but what she had in store was more than anypony could have prepared for.
In a wail loud enough to shatter the bubble she was in and shake the heavens, the infant cried out, the sound rippling across the sanctum, all ponies present struggling to keep from being blown away.
But that wasn't the worst of it. After the wail had died down, everypony looked to see that the Crystal Heart at the center of the room stopped spinning. Hearts sank as cracks climbed up and all over it, and before a reaction could be made, it shattered, sending shards raining allover the floor under it.
"This does not bode well..." Luna murmured.
"I'm guessin' that this is gonna make it hard to do the Crystallin'?" Applejack piped up, inspecting the shattered remains.
"It's worse than that." Twilight started, moving over to the curtain that separated the sanctum from the outside. "Without the heart, the Crystal Empire's about to be buried under a mountain of ice and snow." She pulled back the curtain with her magic, and off in the distance, dark clouds and howling winds already began encroaching upon the kingdom.
"We need a miracle..."
XXXXX
"Push them back, my sister!" Celestia cried as she and Luna did their best to hold back the storm.
Ice and frost covered them horn to hoof, they were nearly encapsulated in ice, yet they kept the fight up. But try as they might, their magic was no match for the untamed and unruly winds and dark clouds of the storm. They were engulfed in seconds.
XXXXX
Sunburst cradled the alicorn foal as Cadence and Shining gave her a loving kiss on each cheek before joining their horns together, beginning the Crystalling. The giggling foal glowed with an awe-inspiring radiance as she floated up above them for the crystal ponies down below to see.
Rarity presented the purity crystal to Sunburst, who took it within his magic and announced, "Citizens! May I present the newest member of the Crystal Empire!"
The ponies cheered on and adored the majesty before them, awestruck by baby within the light.
"She's beautiful!"
"Oh, it's just so moving!"
As the Crystal Ponies bowed in respect to the newest member of the Crystal Empire, the streets below them glowed a bright crystal blue that spread throughout the entire kingdom.
With the purity crystal, Sunburst touched it to the ground, absorbing the manifested love and adoration from the streets of the empire and its ponies, and hurried inside to conclude the ceremony.
XXXXX
As the intact Crystal Heart absorbed the now full purity Crystal, it too glowed a blinding light as it reformed with nary a crack on its once more flawless surface. The Crystal Heart was spinning again. The Crystalling was complete.
But there was still one thing.
"Why didn't the storm leave?!" Starlight panicked as the black clouds were still hanging outside.
She looked to Sunburst, who was also panicking. "The Crystal Heart should be more than enough! I have no idea what's going on!"
"Trixie may have a reason why." the former showmare pulled back the curtains to show that overhead, ghastly, ghostlike creatures rising and dipping through the clouds, keeping the storm alive above the kingdom. "Wendigos."
"That's impossible! There can't possibly be a higher concentration of love than here!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Maybe the storm was enough to draw them in?" Celestia tried to reason.
But before anyone could act, what sounded like a thunderclap shook the earth, the deafening noise cutting through even the screeching winds of the storm still raging outside. Everypony looked up into the sky to see what appeared to be a ring of fire, one that burned red.
But once the shock of the first thunderclap died down, dozens more sounded in quick succession, like an all-out fireworks display. Rings of red, orange, purple, and even green burst into existence all around the sky, each ring large enough to encircle several homes. And then there was one last thunderclap. A blue ring burst into existence, wide enough to hoop the spire, and it was directly in front of it. But unlike all the others, the ring was of magic instead of fire.
What everypony saw next froze them where they stood if the ongoing storm already didn't.
Dragons. Lots of them.
Each fire ring, numbering in at least a dozen, brought forth a dragon, one fully grown with wings and a body large enough to cast shadows over entire streets.
The blue magic ring was the last to bring forth an occupant. But rather than a dragon, what came through it was much larger. A fortress, gleaming a gold, metallic finish, came through the portal, dwarfing all the drakes that flew around it, some even finding a perch among the earthy island the structure was built on.
Whether the ponies down below were fascinated or to terrified to move was anyone's guess. But there were no draconic shrieks that would typically be taken as a sign of hostility. Just.. a lot of big dragons flying around.
Rainbow flew off to chase Fluttershy, who streaked back into the spire, but unlike the other ponies present, who were either frozen or dumbstruck, Twilight's eyes widened in realization. "It's Blueblood!"
Cadence looked up, fixated now. "Blueblood?"
"That's his castle!"
Shining was at a loss for words. "He has a castle?"
"It's a long story." Twilight was grinning ear to ear now.
"Uh, if Blueblood has a castle, ya mind tellin' us what they hay he's doin' with a bunch a' dragons?" The question had to be asked.
"Perhaps these are the friends he set off to help, and they are returning the favor." Luna reasoned.
Everypony looked up, and one of the dragons, dark blue scales, black armor, with horns not unlike a ram, flew off from the floating castle and began barking commands. Everypony in the empire could hear the order, "Clear the storm!"
In following with the command, each dragon dove headlong into the black clouds, and in short order and many lights and spectacles later, the storm receded.
The floating castle's front turned to be face-to-face with the Crystal Spire, and as its drawbridge lowered, a lone figure, from the ponies' distance, a speck of white, stepped forth and disappeared in a flash of blue.
Blueblood appeared before them. "I... take it I'm late."
