“So, um…that’s when they threw me off of Mane Street. They told me I could never come back.” Fluttershy looked down and away, her bangs falling in front of her eye. Rarity had to keep her jaw from falling to the road as she walked with her friend. After all, standing in the middle of the road, mouth agape and staring would be terribly rude.
“M-My Fluttershy. That is, erm, quite a story…” The fashion designer said nervously, trying to think of a polite response. “Such a shame, I was hoping we could go to some of the salons there sometime.” Turning her head to continue heading forwards, Rarity stopped short, nearly running into a pony’s backside. “E-Excuse me!?” Rarity exclaimed, looking at the pony standing in the middle of the town square. The brown stallion looked over his shoulder for only a moment, just long enough to ‘Sh’ her, before returning his attention to the front. “Why I- What is so fascinating that you’d be so rude!?” Rarity demanded, shouldering her way to the front of the crowd, much to the complaints of the other show-goers. Fluttershy meekly made her way to the front, following in the wake of her friend.
In the front, dead center of the semi-circle, was a table. On one side, the side closest to the crowd, was a lime green Pegasus, with a darker green mane and short tail, staring intently at five cards held in his hooves. On the other side stood a pure white unicorn, his messy mane black, falling to his shoulders in an untamed, un-brushed mess. His tail, a fair length, flipped once, his red eyes watching the pony in front of him more than his own cards, currently bathed in a faint red, visible only to unicorns, levitating them in the air in between them. On the male’s flank was 5 cards, all black, a royal flush.
“Cards? They’re…gambling?” Fluttershy said to herself, disapproval obvious in her voice.
“I can’t believe it...It’s so terrible…” Rarity spoke softly, horror leaking into her tone. “How could…how…” She swallowed, shaking her head. “How could he possibly leave his home with his mane looking like that!?” If the male heard her, he ignored her. The green stallion grinned, dropping his cards. The white unicorns face dropped as he regarded the other cards, his own sliding down, each sliding gracefully in a straight line.
“Well, such a shame.” He said, his voice low and calm, far to calm to be right. “It seems you’ve won. You’re a real natural at this, good sir. You know, I’ve seen plenty of ponies make good bits by playing this game, putting up a few bits, winning a few more. Would you like to try again?” The white male asked, a smile on his face. Of course, the Pegasus nodded, dropping five bits on the table. Another game, and the strange unicorn lost again, and deposited five bits on the table. “Congratulations. Would you like to play again?” With a nod, and more bits put on the table, another game began.
At the Rock Farms of Equestria, Inkabella Marie Pie, known to her friends and sister as Inky Pie, sat at her desk, another hard day of work behind her, ready to continue what she had discovered to be her special talent: Writing. She didn’t know why, but when Inkabella sat to write, the words flew onto the page, nearly writing themselves in a perfect symphony of prose. Her parents loved it. Almost as much as… Inkabella felt her grip tighten on her pen, her teeth grinding against the modest pen. Whenever she thought of her older sister….Whenever she thought of….her… Pinkamena… With a grunt, she slammed her hooves down on the desk, the impact caused the desk to shudder, her prized inkwell, one that had been bought for her cute-cenra, perfectly matching her cutie mark, falling off its place, and the ink spilling all over her fresh piece of paper. Panicking, Inkabella scrambled to get her ink blotter, to try to contain the mess. But then she looked at her paper. The ink, instead of spilling randomly, seemed to form words on the paper of their own volition! Shocked, Inkabella leaned her head closer, reading the words. The font seemed disjointed, seeming almost to jump from one style of writing to another with every letter, almost like a ransom note like in the movies, letters cut out from different magazines. It seemed so…hectic. Ignoring this, Inky began to read.
I can feel your rage.
You wish to get revenge on her, right? To take vengeance on the mare who gave you joy only to snatch it away, leaving you and your sister on this dreary and droll farm? ___
You want to show her your fury, and make her understand? ___
Inkabella shook her head. She had to be dreaming. Words didn’t just form themselves, with two perfect lines after each sentence. It was almost like the spilled ink was asking for her answer. Inkabella chuckled to herself.
‘Don’t be silly.’ She mentally admonished herself. ‘What would pa say if I told him I was taking this seriously?’
“He’d be furious.” A voice that wasn’t her own answered from everywhere and nowhere. Startled, she fell back, looking around. “How DARE you think ill about our favorite daughter!” Inky’s fathers voice swam in the room, but he wasn’t there. Anger rising in her, she snatched the pen in her mouth, and responded.
I can feel your rage.
You wish to get revenge on her, right? To take vengeance on the mare who gave you joy only to snatch it away, leaving you and your sister on this dreary and droll farm? _YES_
You want to show her your fury, and make her understand? _YES__
As soon as Inky lifted her pen, to her shock, the letters bled down further, forming more words!
Will you accept my help? I can help you show her the error of her ways. I can help you make her beg for forgiveness. Do you want me to help you show her the power of Anger? _____
Inkabella couldn’t help, despite her shock and disbelief, but notice that the A in anger was improperly capitalized. She didn’t take any time to dwell on that as she picked up her pen and signed her response.
Will you accept my help? I can help you show her the error of her ways. I can help you make her beg for forgiveness. Do you want me to help you show her the power of Anger? _YES__
It had been hours since Rarity and Fluttershy had first approached the game playing pony, and they had long since moved on. They had met with their friends, spending the day at the spa, at Rarity’s insistence, sans Rainbow Dash, who, to this day, refused to go into a spa, for fear of someone finding out she was even in one of those places and spreading it around again. Afterwards, the group had retired to Sugarcube Corner to enjoy tea and a bit of cake. They had been ready to wrap up their time together, the time having been spent to enjoy the peace since the latest disaster at the royal wedding, when the door opened, revealing the white Stallion from earlier, his mane still a mess. Before they even realized she was out of her seat, Pinkie was in the stallion’s face.
“Hi there! I’m Pinkie Pie! What’s your name? Are you new to town!? Wait, that’s silly, I know you are! Fluttershy and Rarity told me!” The male blinked, backing his head away from the hyperactive pony unconsciously.
“Erm, hey there. I’m Sly. Sly Deal. Good to meet ya.” He looked over to the group, smiling. “Wow, I must’ve stumbled into the promised land. Six lovely mares in one room? I must be dreaming.” The reaction from the group was instant, but diverse as the ponies themselves.
“Oh, why, thank you dear.” Rarity spoke, used to the admirers, and responding gracefully.
“Yeah, yeah.” AJ waved him off, knowing his silver tongued, city slicker type.
“Oh…um…[size=8] thank you[/size]..” Fluttershy responded in her characteristic meek voice, nearly hiding under the table until only the top of her pink mane was visible, her face turning apple red.
“Yeah, Yeah, I’m awesome. I know.” Rainbow Dash grinned, basking in the praise she was so used to.
“Oh! Um, I..well, I don’t know what to say. I guess, thank you would be correct? Right?” Twilight said, looking to the others, a faint blush growing on her cheeks. She really didn’t know how to respond.
“Dreaming? Don’t be silly! You can’t be dreaming! But what if you are? Do you need me to pinch you?” Pinkie asked, getting close again.
“Uh, no. That’s ok.” Sly said, backing up. “Look, I hate to interrupt, but I was wondering if I could buy a snack? Donut preferably.”
“Of course you can! This IS a bakery, isn’t it?” Pinkie said with another grin, trotting over to the counter and getting the stallion what he asked for. “Here you are, that’ll be two bit- Ohmygosh!!” She suddenly nearly shrieked, the sound causing Sly to jump, almost dropping his freshly purchased snack. ”I totally forgot! I’m so sorry!”
“W-What!?”
“I forgot to throw you a party! I’m so sorry! I just-! I’ll throw you one right now!” With that, Pinkie began to dart around the room, setting up party decorations from seemingly nowhere.
“Pinkie, it’s too late for a party. Everypony is probably about to head to bed. I don’t think that many ponies will come tonight.” Twilight said softly but firmly, trying to make sure every word sank in. Pinkie stopped, looking like she was thinking. She stood, nearly stock still for almost a full minute, a thoughtful expression on her face. Suddenly, she grinned.
“Ok! Well, then I’ll just have to throw you a surprise party tomorrow!” Sly blinked slowly.
“Um, but, you just told me so…it’s won’t be a surprise anymore…”
“Oh, it will be…”Pinkie said softly, almost with a dire tone. “I never told you where the party would be, did I?” She chuckled maliciously, slowly edging out of the room but never seeming to move an inch. Sly blinked, staring after her as Rainbow Dash spoke up.
“That’s just how she is.” The cyan pony sighed and shook her head. “Don’t worry about her.”
“Erm..Ok..” The unicorn responded, unsure of what to say, and for a moment, the six ponies simply looked at one another, before the male chuckled softly, speaking up.
“So, I don’t suppose any of you fine mares wants to tell me what I’m in for?”
Blueblood wandered down the halls of Canterlot castle, taking in the marvelous sights of his home. Well, okay, the home of his aunts, but he lived there too. A small smirk crossed his face as he watched servants either scurry out of his way, or bow and ask what they could do to please him. Though, the royal stallion wasn't sure how he felt when he saw the female servants wince as they asked, or look worried, as though nervous of what his response would be, but still willing to do their duty to ensure his happiness. Such things brought him a great amount of pride, and why shouldn't it? It showed these peasants, these commoners only their place. But Blueblood didn't like that their fear made him feel...right. He worried what that'd make him, what his Aunts would think...but no matter. The servants knew better than to talk, and it was only a brief thought. Dismissing it from his mind, the prince continued to his room, heading towards his bed. It had been a long morning of keeping the servants in line, and he deserved a nap. However, he stopped when his reflection caught his eye. How dreadful, in his busy state, he'd allowed a hair to fall out of place. Taking a moment to fix himself, the prince inspected himself once again, and, finding everything to his liking, smiled.
"Well, who's that handsome future ruler of Equestria?" Suddenly, his reflection moved on its own, responding in his voice!
"That's a fantastic question. All I see here is the princesses’ favorite pet." Indignation washed over him at once, taking the feelings of shock and fear far away.
"How dare you! I am not a pet, I am a prince, nephew of..." "Yes, yes I know. No need to bore me with details. But really, Blueblood, do you believe that? That you are any more than a creature the princesses care for out of affection for a lesser creature?" Blueblood bristled, rising to the bait.
"How dare you!? I don't care if you do appear to be my reflection, I'll not have you insult me while Alicorn blood runs in my veins!"
“But all the Alicorn blood in the world couldn’t grant you the mare you truly desire, could it? Couldn’t stop her from tearing you down and dragging your name, not to mention your suit, through the mud and muck could it?” Blueblood was shaking, rage clouding his mind and his vision, red flooding before his eyes. Rearing up, he slammed his hooves on either side of the mirror, his horn touching his reflections, his eyes mere inches from his own, unable to ignore his mane fall out of place.
“Shut up!! I don’t know who you think you are, but you won’t talk to me about her! I refuse to let you even bring her up in my presence!!” Blueblood heard the door open, and a small voice spoke.
“M-My lord?” The maid asked, shocked at seeing the prince in such a state, yelling at the mirror.
“Get out!!!” He shrieked, whirling his head to face her, further ruining his glorious locks, eyes narrowed in rage. The slam of the door was satisfying, even if she no doubt thought him a mad pony. “She had no right to do that to me! No right, you hear me!?”
"I know, my dear self, I know. But that's why I'm speaking to you. I wish to give you a gift." As his reflection spoke, Blueblood dropped himself from the wall, watching the image in the mirror twist and spin, stopping to show Blueblood, a king! And an Alicorn. In awe, he stared, but the image was gone the next moment.
"All you need to do for me is to show Celestia how it feels, show her how you feel. The pain of Betrayal." The prince dropped his eyes, thinking, his head sinking down, what was left of his perfect mane-do falling free, shielding his eyes making the regal stallion look more like one of those wild, uncivilized ponies, those…ugh…horses he’d always heard about. But he didn’t care. Slowly looking up at the mirror, at the horse he had become, Blueblood whispered three words that’d change his life forever.
"As you wish."
