Harbingers of Discord

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."