“You can’t keep this from me forever you know!” I shout to a guard as he goes back to make his rounds. Don’t think I can’t see him shake his head like that, the jerk! With a sigh of exasperation, I go to head back to the library before seeing an older pony make his way in my direction. With a premature victorious grin, I gallop to him, sliding right on up to his side and carrying on with his pace as if I’ve been walking with him for a while.
“So! I gots some questions to ask.” I say in a superior tone, clearing my throat like someone important asking someone of lower stature would.
“Stormfury, good afternoon. Do you not have something more important to be doing.” He didn’t even look in my direction as he addressed me so commonly! The insolence! Eh, whatever.
“Wow, Raven. Didn’t know you could be so rude!” I laugh with a nudge to his shoulder, “I know ya know what I want to know so if you could just let me know that would be great.” Again with the uppity tone. Come on, I like acting all big and important. Makes me feel nice!
But of course the cool and ever so sophisticated Raven looks at me with a coy look and says, “Sorry, young master, but I haven’t the slightest clue of what you’re talking about. If you’re talking about what I think you are then I don’t think I’ll be telling you about any of that in any case. It isn’t your place to be concerned about it.” That earned him a glare.
Now, you might be wondering what it is that I want to know. Well, it isn’t anything life threatening. I don’t think anyways. Just something life changing. For many ponies, and more importantly, for me and my brother. Our parents were killed. Apparently, it was an accident with a recently built bridge. Something about one of the supports being poorly built and with a storm that created a flash flood in the river under the bridge it weakened it to the point where a carriage could bring it down.
Right. Likely story.
With an indignant huff, I stomp a hoof against the marble floor, creating an echo throughout the corridor. Which earned me a warning glance. Rolling my eyes I continue along with what I want to say, “It isn’t my place to be concerned? That doesn’t make very much sense when it is my parents that were killed in that ‘accident.’ Raven, a fast moving river can not bring down a STONE bridge! That would take so long for something like that to happen. A few months isn’t very long. You can’t tell me that that isn’t in any way suspicious!”
I’m not dumb. I may not be the best student but I’m not the worst either. The studies they have me take are all the usual boring crap for school and such, but I get a few extra courses that I just find appalling. Can’t I just act how I want and make everypony deal with it? “Also, quit calling me ‘master.’ It’s annoying.”
He laughed at that, causing me to frown, “You find any title annoying. Which is why I call you those things. But you have to get used to them, you know. I’m surprised after all these years you still haven’t.”
“Yea, well, I didn’t. Not going to either. I may act like a big shot jerk but that’s only to those I like. And you. ‘Cause I can.” He laughed again. This time, it was acceptable because I was being funny.
Another explanation. I meant it when I said I don’t like being referred to by a title. It never sat right with me in any way. That doesn’t really go well since I’m the prince of this kingdom. The great country of Rismia. Yup. That means that my parents are the king and queen of this country. And they are both currently dead. Murdered. I know that’s what happened. I just need to prove it.
“In all seriousness, though, I am going to find out who did this to them and bring them to justice. Alone or with help. There is no way you’re stopping me.” I say matter-of-factly, as we traverse the halls, lined with murals of ponies lost to history. Some depicting heroic acts, like one fighting a dragon, or another at the head of an army. Others were of acts of greatness, bringing peace between us and the Thestrals and creating trade routes to Equestria. Kinda hard to see that as a painting in my opinion.
Raven slowed to a stop, looking at me with sympathy. I think. I don’t like it either way. I don’t need sympathy. “Storm. Your parents were kind people, and everypony loved them. There would be no one alive who would want them dead. And even if someone did kill them, you must ask yourself this. Would your parents want you to worry and fret over this so much that you lose yourself to it? Not even your brother is thinking about this. He dealt with his grief and moved on.”
“Dealt with his grief? Ha! That’s a funny thought.” Scoffing I stopped and turned to face him scowling the whole time, “So beating half the guard black and blue is dealing with the death of our parents. Good to know. So which guard should I start with?”
He frowned in return and walked right up to face me, “Sparring and senselessly beating ponies are two different things. That and it was his way to deal with things and the guards understand.” His look softened as he said, “And we would all understand with whatever you decide to do.”
I only narrowed my eyes at him, “Are you suggesting that I am going to cry? Because that isn’t going to happen.” Crying was a waste of time when the tears were shed for the dead.
Shaking his head, he didn’t drop that stupid, sappy look. “Not at all Storm. I just mean that we are here to support you. For whatever, you may need.” With that, he continued to walk. As he walked by I felt his wing brush against mine.
And before you guys get any funny ideas, no there is nothing going on there. He is just being the concerned adult he always has been. Yea, I love him, but it’s platonic. More like family than anything. The guy was basically my uncle. Like a cool one. Who is also a lame one… He is confusing sometimes.
Following after him, I match his pace again. Think I’m going to move on to something else before Raven here decides to play therapist for me and try to root through my head. Not a good idea for anyone really. Pretty big ball of random up in there that’ll get anyone lost in seconds.
“So… where are you heading anyway? Seems we’ve been walking quite a bit.” We’ve also passed by a few guards here and there, but hey. That’s normal in a castle.
Actually, now that I think about it, I think I know where we’re heading, “I am on my way to the council chambers,” called it, “To discuss some rather important topics.” Oh?
Giving him an innocent and pleading look, I turn to him and ask, “Can you tell me what you’re going to be talking about? I know you won’t let me in after that incident.” I may or may not have gotten bored during a meeting one time and created a storm that nearly flooded the chamber. Totally not my fault. I’ll ah… explain later.
Hopes were high that Raven would at least tell me something. Even small details on what was going to be happening in there, dashed upon the rocks with a single look, “Sorry Storm. But I am not entitled to disclose that information. It isn’t of your concern.”
“Bu-I…” You activated my trap card! Taking a second to collect my thoughts I turn to Raven with a smug smirk, “Well, I do believe it is of my concern. You see, I can make a safe assumption of what is going on in there, “ Instantly I switch to my, ‘smarter than you’ act and start listing off everything I know, “First off, the meeting is no doubt important. Secondly, the recent death of my parents leaves the throne empty, and an empty throne is a dangerous one. Third, other than the fact that you won’t tell me now, you’ve kept it secret from quite a few ponies who would love to have input on who is the new king. Lastly, the more I talk about this the more irritated you look. So narrowing that all down I can safely assume that it, in fact, is of my concern.”
It seemed that by the time I ended my explanation, we had reached the doors. And no one decided to let me know that as I walked straight into them. I gave the guard who was standing there snickering a hard glare before I turned back to Raven.
He sighed in annoyance and shook his head, “Too inquisitive for your own good… Yes, that is exactly what we’re going to be discussing. And you obviously know you’re not going to be with us when we make this decision.” I expect because he assumes I may sway it one way or another.
“Raven, you know me. I can’t change anyone’s mind for the life of me!” Another innocent look for Raven and the equivalent of a light magical punch for the guard who snorted. Man, this guy had no idea what he was doing now did he? Guards were always stoic and in no way entertaining. I like him.
The guard gave me an upset look for that, but apparently decided to let it go. Instead, opening the door up for Raven who walked right on in. “You’ll tell me the results won’t you?” I call after him.
“Not at all, young master.”
I scowled and yelled, “You’re a dick you know that!” Childish I know but let me have my satisfaction.
He surprised me when he popped his head out to smirk and said, “Language, Storm. Language.” before sliding on back in. Did he just-
“YOU DIDN’T EVEN DENY IT!” I yelled again. This time, the guard just couldn’t hold it in any longer. She all but fell to the floor laughing. Yes, she. The only way I could tell it was a she was because her helmet fell off. On second glance I find that it wasn’t actually just a random guard either. It was a very dear friend of mine! Aura Shift!
"Aura what are you doing here! Dressed up as a guard nonetheless!” I was by no means mad. Quite happy actually!
She came to a stand and tossed back her maroon hair that fell in front of her face after her little outburst. She had to take a moment to breathe before actually replying to me, “I thought it would be nice to pop on by to give you a surprise!”
Sad to say but I wasn’t really surprised to see her here in the least. Mainly because she was one of the main reasons I can get out of the compounds so frequently with so little incident. Just the occasional lucky catch.
Aura Shift and I go way back. Like kindergarten, back. Obviously, we didn’t go to the same school or anything. I didn’t go to school at all! I got a bunch of private tutors that would lecture me all the time and wow was that boring…
Well, technically we were in the same school. If you could count the castle as a school. One day I got exceptionally bored and decided to hoof it on my own. Stumbled upon Aura here who was doing the same and we both had the magical idea to ditch class and head out to town. I must admit that it was probably the best days I have ever had. I say days because there are nights that can one up that day pretty thoroughly.
“Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in months at least. What? Find someone else to hang out and do tricks with?” Tricks being another name for pranks. We were pretty devious, what with my illusions and her expertise in the art of disguises and acting.
She only shook her head with an amused look, “Something like that,” Looking over at me her smile grew a bit softer and she got that look in her eyes that everyone seemed to get when they looked at me. Pity. I know what she’s about to say, “I’m sorry about your parents,” That, “If there is anything you need me to do I will help you.”
I was about to say something along the lines of ‘I was fine and I didn’t need the reassurance,’ but it died on my lips when I heard that she was offering to help me. With a grin and some dastardly plots I give her a more friendly response, “Gladly! Next time I have a need for someone who can put on a suit and act like an aristocrat I’ll be sure to give you a shout.”
There was a trick that we came up with a few years back when we found a suit lying about. Thankfully it was small enough for Aura to wear. It was going to be a short little thing where she walked around all important like and scare some people. She got stuck in that suit because of how many ponies were coming to her, actually thinking she was some important noble with some plans and all that involving the different towns and how the bits was going to be distributed for all of it. It lasted hours!
Giving me a dry look she walks over and punched my arm, “Ow! Jerk! What was that for!” Stupid earth pony strength… Glaring at her she keeps walking without looking back to me as she said, “You want to see the meeting right? Well, why don’t we see if the skylight doesn’t offer us some satisfaction, eh?” It was then she looked back to offer me a wide grin.
Oh, that genius! I knew there was a reason I liked her! Following her out of the corridor and into the castle garden. Of course we had one, and I rather like it. It’s filled with flowers that have the color range of a rainbow and is usually very well kept. Not a single dying flower around. I usually hang out here when nothing happens.
Once we reached around the other side of the building Aura and I both checked to make sure nopony was around before flying up to the roof and landing right next to the skylight. Well, I flew. Aura had somehow appeared on the roof beside me. I was just about to ask her if she needed help! When I asked how she even managed to get up here so fast, I was met with a smirk but no answer. Jerk.
With a huff I walk over to the skylight and look down. They were just starting the meeting it seemed. Raven was the last one to enter, and now ponies were discussing who would be speaking and about what. I felt a hoof on my shoulder and when I looked over to an Aura who had whispered that we need to hide our presence. Shouldn’t be too hard.
I touch my horn to the glass and made sure that our shadows wouldn’t accidentally fall into the round room below with a small illusion. Essentially it was a one way mirror now. Except instead of them seeing themselves they’d see the sky right above the window.
With a quick glance to each other, we press our ears to the glass and listened in to the droning of the council ponies below. Hoping that something interesting would pop up and give me some tasty lil tidbits to snoop around with.
Aaaaand I fell asleep. After a while, I grew so bored of just listening to numbers and statistics and foreign relations with Equestria and the Griffin kingdom, the Thestrals and all those others. It was funny how many allies we actually had since we’ve been attacked so many times by neighboring countries.
The throne has a rumor that we haven’t been able to erase since it’s creation so many years ago. Now I should explain that whole incident about me flooding the council chamber. Everyone knows that alicorns are royalty and have power over something. the Princesses of Equestria seemed to be the only ones that are the most well known, inside of Equestria. Ponies are smarter out here.
Us? We have the power over destruction. Nothing chaotic. Just destruction. Natural disasters. Large storms that can’t be formed by weather stations and earthly events that would take thousands of earth ponies stomping all at once to reach just half the strength of what we do.
How it all started was a bit different than how the princesses of Equestria came to be. Our ancestors weren’t created to be gods. Only to carry this power and train the next generation to do the same then leave this place behind. We still live to be a very old age mind you, but we aren’t immortal.
Anyways. The rumor was that whoever sat upon the throne would have the power over the storms. That wasn’t really the case. What it was, was that we had whoever it was who was supposed to create the disaster sit upon the throne and do it there. As a show of sorts. Showing off the power we have so that no one tries to dethrone us and take it for themselves. No one else can handle such power.
I have the absolute most amazing power over all storms that come from the sky! Kinda. Tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, all that good stuff. Can’t exactly do all of it at full power yet. I can make some smaller stuff. It was my father who could make the big stuff! He doesn’t have to make it extremely big, but if he wanted to he could do some serious damage!
My mother used to have command of the earthly stuff. Along with my brother. Earthquakes, volcanoes, etc. Etc. I never bothered really focusing on all that. Wasn’t really my problem.
Back to the here and now!
Aura nudged me awake just in time for me to hear somepony state that the next topic was about who would take the crown next. I already knew who it was going to be, I was just here for the drama that came with it. Landslide, my brother. He was older than me by a couple of years and far more responsible and better at dealing with politics and people with uppity attitudes.
“We must take into account of everything the brothers are capable of. Not just age. Not just how strong one is compared to the other,” I could barely hear who it was that was talking but as I took a look, I found that it was good ol’ Raven. I wasn’t really surprised to find he was the one leading the debate. He was pretty cool in that respect.
Watching carefully, I look over to Aura and cast one more spell to help amplify the sound coming from the window. Jeez I’m using a lot of magic… kinda. I’m not the greatest even with my ‘amazing alicorn gift.’ Apparently magic wasn’t something that comes naturally. Well, all kinds anyway. I’m great at illusions! Crap, sidetracking.
“We need to focus on how the people respond to them. Now, we all know that Landslide is a great face for the people, they trust him and believe he is a great warrior and leader, but-”
“But what?” Another, more… burly, pony cut in quickly, “It’s pretty much obvious that Landslide would be the best choice, the only choice, to make king! And think about it, he’s the eldest! It’s basically a given!” I could never remember names all too well. Less so when I really didn’t care about them. And this guy was rather annoying.
Raven had been giving the stallion a stern look for the interruption but it didn’t seem as though he was done, “Seriously, if you even consider that other brat to be king, there is something wrong with you!” Ok, maybe less annoying and moreso aggravating.
I may agree with him, in the sense that I really don’t belong up there on the throne. A crown on my head or anything like that. But the way he was presenting me… yea… I’m kinda wishing I waited to flood the chamber till now. Though after giving a soft huff, I notice Raven, the wonderful stallion he is, leap to my defence. Figuratively. He actually just stood up slowly.
“You will still your tongue with that talk about the young prince! If he were in the same position as you lay claim to, we wouldn’t have one area of the kingdom where we have to watch for a revolt that might happen!” That really got the stallion to shut up. For a few seconds.
As soon as Raven stopped talking, the stallion was up on his hooves slamming it on the table and practically shouted, “Don’t you tell me what that kid can do you over exaggerated babysitter! You’ve been coddling that boy for far too long, holding his hoof since the day he could walk and now you want to give him the crown? He’s spoiled as it is!”
Raven was quiet for the longest time, I was getting worried that he was going to give up and let the guy walk all over him. He was even wearing a smug look as though he’d one. Then Raven looked up with a look in his eye that I had seen only once before. When I had found my way into the castle’s armory. No, not the one for the troops or anything. I mean like the secret one that was meant for the kings and queens. Well, think. Cause that’s all I saw lining the walls. Other than some rather interesting crystals. Quite a few different colors of them too.
“You do not have a say in how Storm was raised. He was given the best because that's what royalty deserves don’t they? You clearly live off of that fact.” Did I forget to mention that the stallion who drew upon the wrath of the Raven was also pretty fat? Also didn’t mind lining his coin purse with some gold from the treasury. He was pretty much your grade A jerk of a Duke. Or whatever his title was. It’s quite surprising that the guy has been here for so long. Goes to show how nice my parents were.
Getting a bit defencive about his weight and his situation, the stallion shifted before suddenly launching his own assault, “Well how goes telling Storm what really happened to his parents hm? I doubt you’ve even told him they died. Probably said they went on an extended trip or something and they’ll be back with presents! Ha! Coddled that boy. Can’t even handle the truth.”
At that point, Raven had went from angry to cold. Something far more different than what I was used to seeing. Looking at the pony, I swear I saw an eye twitch when he said, “Sit down and shut up. We will no longer discuss such trivial matters. We’ve got a far more pressing one at hand. We must decide on who takes the throne, and I highly suggest you all consider Stormfury to be the one to do it.”
Completely ignoring the burly pony, they went on to start discussing the options and the pros and cons of their choice. I needed a break from all this nonsense… Sitting on my flank, I huffed and let my wings fall out to my sides and relaxed before Aura noticed I had moved and looked back to me. Giving a soft look, she moved over and sat beside me before nudging me, “Hey, come on, cheer up. You know those guys aren’t dumb enough to have LS sit on the sidelines like that. He’s too good a leader.”
As much as that sounded more like a condescending comment about my skills, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. If I didn’t make it clear, I DO NOT want to be king. I don’t even want to be prince! I constantly have to remind people when I go out that I’m just another pony, like them. Aura is the only one who knows that. And is pretty much alright with it. Wrapping her arms around me in a hug, we sat like that for a moment before turning back to the skylight. Nudging her teasingly before settling down.
Coincidentally, we just caught them as they started settling down as well. I still wasn’t excited for what was to come, but hey, ya gotta have a little faith that you slip under the radar and away from such responsibilities. “Then it comes to a vote…” Raven looked around the table, looking each of the council ponies in the eyes before saying, “All for Landslide, say aye.”
Out of nine, one voice was raised instantly. We all know who that one was. Looking to each other, a few more voices were heard before the total came to about four. With one wavering. “Come on! You know just as well as any of us that Landslide is a better choice. Military training, combat experience, leadership skills and all of the sort. What can Stormfury do?”
“Lots of things you pig…” I mutter indignantly, earning a laugh from Aura. Smiling with my result I watched when Raven then called for my votes. Again, just four. The one who had wavered the first time was still reluctant to give his answer. Looking down at the table, I looked from above and muttered in an almost chant like way, “Make the right choice… please…” For the longest time, there was quiet before Raven calmly ushered, “A choice must be made.”
Looking straight up, right where we were, I was honestly scared he could see through my illusions. With a breath the pony said, “Stormfury.”
