Through the Cavern

Ricky knocked on Twilight's door and stepped back. He silently urged her to hurry up, when suddenly it swung open and she stood there in her royal attire "Morning, Ricky!"

"Hey, Twi. I'm not too early, am I?" Ricky stepped inside and removed his cape. Twilight shook her head "Nope, your timing is perfect."

"Awesome." He made his way to the sofa and sat down "Any idea when our ride is coming?"

"It should be here in the next 20 minutes or so." Twilighr replied "You must be really excited for this!"

"Got that right. I'm amazed I got to sleep at all." Ricky said "So, is Spike ready yet?"

"He should be. SPIKE!" Twilight called, and the dragon entered a second later, a scroll in hand.

"You don't have to yell..." Spike said crossly "Looking sharp, Ricky!"

"Thanks. Are those more instructions?" Ricky asked, pointing to the scroll. Spike groaned "Well, more like lousy news. It says we're being met by a member of the royal family when we arrive..."

"Really? How is that lousy?"

"You didn't let me finish. It's...ugh...Prince Blueblood." Spike seemed to bristle with rage at the name.

"What's so bad about him?"

Rolling his eyes, Spike said "He's nothing more than a complete jerk, and I know this because he treated Rarity horribly at the Gala last year."

"I'd have to agree with Spike, although I probably would have worded it a bit differently." Twilight said. Ricky was surprised to hear this "Really? Why are they sending him to meet us, then?"

"No idea, but it's best if you just put up with him. It'll only be for a few minutes, so I'm sure you'll be fine." Twilight said "Besides, it'll totally be worth-"

A blast of trumpets sounded from outside "Finally! Let's do this!" Spike said happily, running to the doors. Twilight sighed "Relax, Spike. You don't want to wear yourself out again."

They stepped outside where a large, gold carriage sat, four Pegasus stallions in armour at the helm. A fifth stallion sat inside the carriage. At the sight of him, Twilight lit up "Big brother!"

"Surprise!" The white unicorn said happily, using his magic to open the door "How've you been?"

"Great, but that can wait for now. Shining Armor, this is Ricky, the human we've been hosting! Ricky, this is my older brother!"

"We actually vaguely met already..." Shining Armor said, blushing lightly. Ricky was momentarily confused, then suddenly recalled "Oh yeah, from the bar! Celestia called you a dork."

"Yeah, don't remind me...so, how do you like it here so far?"

"Great! Your sister and her friends have been really good to me. Frankly, I don't give a damn if I ever go back to my world." Ricky said, joining Shining Armor in the carriage "There's nothing much for me to miss, honestly."

"Really? You don't miss your family at- OW! What the hay was that for?" Rubbing his flank, Shining Armor glared at his sister. Twilight glared back "Well, asking a personal question like that, for one."

"I don't care, really. My dad was the only one who gave a damn about me, but he's been dead for four years, and my mom's been shacked up with some rich asshole since. She paid my tuition, sure, but that was really only to get rid of me for several months. Hell, she probably thinks I'm still on that cave tour." Ricky said quietly, pulling out a smoke "So, no. I don't miss my world at all."

"Oh, Ricky..." Twilight's voice hitched, but Ricky shook his head "Don't worry about it. I keep it bottled up for a reason. Besides, I don't want to ruin this for everyone."

"I agree. Look, I'm sorry for bringing that up, Ricky, I-" Shining Armor began, but Ricky stopped him "Again, it's ok."

"If you say so. Alright, team, let's move out!"

At the sound of Shining Armor's voice, the stallions pulling the carriage suddenly took off into the air, sending Ricky back against his seat. As he regained his composure, he stared in amazement at the ground disappearing, and instantly forgot about what they were discussing, as if his cares were literally drifting away...

***

"Arriving from Ponyville, Princess Twilight Sparkle and company!" The announcer said. The four of them walked along the hall, the royal guards standing to attention. At the other end, a tall, white unicorn stallion was gazing into a mirror held by an attendent.

"Ugh! This mirror is unacceptable!" Ricky heard the unicorn say as they approached "It doesn't flatter me at ALL!"

"Um...it's a mirror, your highness..." the attendent stammered "H-how else is it..."

"Oh, forget it! I have a public to greet." Tossing his mane, the stallion stepped forward "I see you are in awe due to my presence. I don't blame you in the slightest."

Ricky just stared at him, a half-disgusted, half-shocked look on his face. Noticing this, Twilight sighed and said "Ricky, this is Prince Blueblood. "

"Honored, I'm sure." Blueblood said, extending a hoof. Ricky shook his head clear, saw what was happening and grasped it, saying "It's a pleasure. I-"

The next thing he knew, Ricky was on the ground, bleeding from the lip. Blueblood was frantically waving his hoof "What makes you think you have the right to touch me, creature?!"

"What the fuck, man?!" Ricky tried to stand, but was dazed from the blow. Spike ran to help him while Twilight faced Blueblood angrily "What in the hay was that for?! He was trying to be polite!!"

"Polite? POLITE?! In what universe is trying to defile one's hooves considered polite?" Blueblood demanded "He's lucky I don't have him imprisoned for this!"

"For touching your hoof?! And I suppose it'd be fine if he had been kissing it?"

"Well, it'd certainly be-"

"ENOUGH!!!!!"

Twilight and Blueblood jumped back as the doors slammed open, revealing Princess Celestia. She looked downright furious "Would somepony please tell me what is the cause of this?!"

"Ricky hurt his lip, ma'am." Spike said innocently. This got Ricky smirking, but the pain made him stop abruptly.

"Ricky tried to shake Blueblood's hoof, your excellency." Shining Armor said "As a result, your nephew felt it was necessary to strike Ricky."

"Completely untrue! This peasant all but tackled me due to-"

"Oh, that is complete horse-"

"SILENCE!!!" Celestia took a deep breath "Are you alright, Ricky?"

"I'll live." Groaning, Ricky stood. One of the guards handed him an ice pack, Ricky nodding his thanks.

"Now, please tell me what really happened."

A moment later, Celestia was nodding "I see. Thank you." She abruptly faced Blueblood "I honestly don't know why I put up with you."

"Um...Auntie?" Blueblood asked meekly, but Celestia held his lips shut with her magic.

"Now, you listen here, Blueblood. Regardless of what you may believe, he is our guest of honor for the weekend. Therefore, you will treat him with the UTMOST respect. Do you understand?"

"Mhm!"

"Excellent. Now, Ricky: Hit him back."

"Uh...what?" Ricky was surprised at this, but saw Celestia give him a quick wink. He quickly caught on "Alright, if you think that's fair."

Balling up a fist, he stepped forward. Blueblood yelped and tried to run, but he was cornered "Auntie, please, I'm sorry!!"

"Too late." Ricky brought his fist back, and Blueblood shut his eyes and clenched his teeth. Ricky swung...

***

"So, it was merely a jest, then?" asked Fancy Shmancy, sipping his tea.

"Course. Why would I want to hit him? I'd look like an even bigger jerk than he did." Ricky replied. The two of them sat near the end of the long banquet with Shining Armor and his wife, Princess Cadance. At the other end, Twilight was laughing it up with Princess Celestia. Blueblood was nowhere to be seen. Ricky drained his drink and continued "Besides, the old punch-turned-cheek pat is a classic. He took off like a bullet."

"Quite befitting of a fool like him." Fancy chuckled "Excuse me a moment, would you?" He got up from his seat.

"Do what you gotta do." Ricky poured himself another glass of cider, while Princess Cadance leaned over "So, tell me, Ricky, how long will you be staying in Canterlot?"

"Just for the weekend. I'm going to be accompanying Princess Luna on her rounds tonight, and then whatever tomorrow holds."

"Well, there will be a small ball held tomorrow, so I hope you brought your dancing shoes." Cadance giggled, causing Ricky to shake his head "Worst dancer ever, right here. I can't even do the Y.M.C.A."

"The what, now?"

"It's a group dance...kind of irritating, really. Anyhow, I'll probably just mingle." Ricky stood up "I'm gonna grab a litttle fresh air, do you mind?"

"By all means." Cadance smiled, her husband nuzzling her neck. Ricky decided to make haste before it got awkward. Pulling out his smokes, he made his way to a nearby balcony. There were a couple of ponies with pipes already there.

Sitting on a bench, he lit up and sighed. The reception had gone along smoothly once Blueblood ran off. Ricky was half hoping he would run into him again, but had a feeling the stuck up prince wasn't planning on showing his face again.

Glancing around, Ricky saw that he was alone. He pulled out one of the joints he stashed before leaving, intending on having a couple of quick pulls before rejoining the party. However...

"Message for you, sir!"

"Thanks. And its Ricky!" But the departing messenger didn't hear him. Sighing, Ricky looked at the scroll in his hand.

"Ricky- Be in my chambers in an hour. Luna."

He turned the scroll over, but nothing else was written. Shrugging, he lit his joint, figuring he'd get directions later.

He got halfway through then put the rest out. Standing, he walked over to the balcony edge and looked down. Blueblood was standing with a pair of mares, both of whom looked uncomfortable. Ricky grinned then gave a sharp whistle. Blueblood started, looked up and froze. Ricky waved and clenched his fist and Blueblood ran away, screaming. The mares started laughing, and one of them waved at Ricky. Nodding in return, Ricky turned and headed back inside.