Royal Reformation - The Encounter

Chapters

First encounter
Second Encounter
Close encounter

First encounter

Author's Note

Welcome, If you are a new reader, feel free to freely enjoy!

If you are a reader from some of my other stories, I hope you enjoy this as well, but I do not wish to get your hopes up or down. I am still juggling myself with the grace of an elephant seal on rollerscates. But i just needed to finish this.

First encounter

“B-But my prince, this is really import-”

“It can wait until AFTER Brunch!”

With a clear huff, the poor maid was left behind in the hallway, as the white unicorn stallion had more important things to take care of. Specifically, his royal vitality. Prince Blueblood the 57th would not have his brunch waylaid by any sort of insignificant missive.

The prince was finding himself in a cheery mood that day however, despite the interruption. His auntie’s sun was hanging perfectly in the sky, and the birds of the canterlot gardens was adding a pleasant tune to his step. He may have slept in till 11, but today was his day off! He had no official business on his callender, only a day of socializing and mingling. And no meddling maid was going to change his mind to that effect!

But first things first. Brunch!

The prince sauntered down the Castle hallways, only occasionally stopping to marvel at the decor. While he lived here his entire life, with all the incredible events that had happened over the last couple of years, even Canterlot castle could change. Sometimes for the better!

The stained glass windows were especially eye catching. While they usually marked the aftermath of a major catastrophe in Equestria´s recent history, they did still provide that heroic tint that such murals and artistry were intended for.

A few more hallways and pushing open the door with his magic, the Prince made his way into the grand dining room, which to his great surprise was not empty.

At the end of the long feasting table, nursing a cup of steaming coffee, sat his auntie Luna. Her normally ethereal, starrey mane was only making a limp attempt at movement, resembling more an air inflated tube rather than a representation of raw lunar magic. She was slumped over in the chair, face pressed half against the table, other half against the cup. Blueblood still could not understand how she could handle such malignant temperatures, but Luna was surprising him day after day. So, deciding to be a good nephew, he took a seat next to her. But before addressing her, he turned to one of the guards in the corner of the room.

“Tell chef Whole Loaf that His prince would like a strong breakfast. Oats, fried haybacon and eggs. And a glass of spirits.”

The Guard bowed her head and disappeared off down the hall to fulfill her task. The Prince smiled brightly. It was quite pleasant to have such helpful staff.

“Good morning to you too, Nephew…” Groaned either a dying whale, or Princess Luna.

Blueblood turned to address the latter.

“Auntie! I Am surprised to see you up.” He said, trying to not be too loud, already sensing that she was on edge.

Another groan, this time resembling a dragon with a stomach ache.

“We don't want to make a habit of it.” She tightened her grip on the cup. “Thankfully such occasions are rare.” She sighed, lifting her head only so she could take a tentative sip from her cup.

Blueblood stared as the boiling coffee seemed to be no concern for the Princess, even through her sip.

Shaking his head and simply looked back at the door, hoping his food would get here soon.

“You should take better care of yourself, Auntie. You look absolutely harrowed” Blueblood chastised, letting a backhoof tap gently against the floor in impatience.

With a mildly amused huff, Luna looked weakly over at her Impertinent nephew. “That is what they said!”

Blueblood simply turned an unamused glance back at Luna. “Auntie, not only was that inappropriate, but also it doesn't work like that. The expression is ‘that's what she said’ or ‘that's what he said’. Making a ‘They’ just makes it too non-specific.”

Now that made Luna turn sour. “W-Well… Who's to say we did not have a ‘They’? There could have been multiple!” She tried to salvage the (in her mind) well placed and humorous line.

“Oh please.” Blueblood scoffed. “If you had anypony courting you, no one´d be allowed to sleep, and all of equestria would be getting inappropriate dreams all at once.”

Stunned to momentary silence, Luna´s wings flared out like an angry hawk. She took care not to knock her Nephew over, but it took much of her restraint to not pull the Royal canterlot voice back from retirement.

More infuriatingly, Blueblood was completely oblivious as, at the same time of her display, the door opened and a maid arrived with the prince's breakfast.

The maid placed the platter in front of her prince, and only shaved around three years off of her lifespan from locking eyes with Princess Luna before she skidded out of the dining hall.

The prince let out a delighted sigh after sniffing the lovely morning dish, and without a care in the world levitated the cutlery to begin his breakfast.

“So, if you are done with terrible jokes, would you tell me what kept you up, Dear auntie?” Asked Blueblood, still not looking at her, and took a full piece of bacon and (like a prince) devoured it.

Luna was about to let her frustration with her nephew be known, but her breath died in her throat as she reran what he had just said through her head. Her wings lowered slowly and she tilted her head in confusion.

“You… Don't know what happened yesterday?” She asked in utter disbelief.

Blueblood, quite taken with his brunch, did not catch the sheer amount of confusion in Luna´s tone of voice. “Oh I was out on a date with Duke Aldermann´s daughter yesterday. And it was so delightful that I went straight to bed afterwards, so I have not caught up upon yesterday's affairs.” He finally turned to gaze upon Luna, seeing how confused she looked. “Oh dear. Did something bad happen?” He asked in a mildly concerned tone.

The princess paused. He didn't know. He had no idea what was going on. Absolutely no idea. And the more that fact sank in, the more did her smile return to her lips. Even if its friendliness was a complete facade, meant to mask up the malicious giddiness that was bubbling up inside of her, it looked patient and afterwards even shifted into a mildly coy smile.

“Oh my dear Nephew. I… I embarrassed myself quite dramatically at Night Court yesterday” She strung together her lie in a web of half truths and wrapped it up in her smile. “I shouted viciously at many who didn't deserve it, and I acted quite childishly! Oh I was so embarrassed that I could hardly do my duties as keeper of the night! And I have not gotten a wink of sleep. It’s positively dreadful!” She lamented.

While by obligation unhappy to hear his aunt in such distress, Blueblood smiled softly and lifted a hoof to aid in his admonishing. “You should learn to control your temper more, Auntie Luna. Why perhaps you could take a few more cues from myself and my legendary composure?”

Her smile strained for a second, but Luna managed to squash down the belly laugh which wanted to announce itself into the room. Barely.

“Maybe, I will consider it.” Luna eyed a clock on the wall as she spoke, pretending to only now realize the time. It was 11:55, Perfect. “Dear me. I will need to head out. Celestia and I have many things to discuss in the Gardens today at Noon, you'll have to excuse me, Dear nephew!” She picked up her coffee in her magic and slowly rose back to her hooves again. Then with an overly dramatic sigh, she spoke aloud, as if lamenting to herself: “And I had so been hoping for a pop in the great spa this morning. Oh well. I guess it will just be left to disuse.”

“Oh do not say that Auntie!” Blueblood called after her as she began to make her way towards the door. “I was planning on going there already, but I will be certain to tell the servants to expect you!”

Pausing at the door to look back at her nephew again, Luna smiled softly and nodded. “I appreciate that, Blueblood. Excuse me, and have a lovely day.”

Thus the princess disappeared from view and Blueblood could return to his belated breakfast. He was already quite a ways through his meal, but Luna reminding him of the Great Spa was enough to urge him to scarf down the last bits of his plate with as much princely dignity as possible.

He dabbed the sides of his mouth with a provided handkerchief and sighed contently.

“Could be better, but I am satisfied.” He thought aloud before walking away from the table to the hall, leaving his cutlery behind.

With a full belly and a jolly jaunter, Blueblood was looking forward to that extra bit of morning pampering. He had prepared his own hair and dress, because he was not some lost lamb, no matter what those foul presses said about him. But whoever claimed that a spa could be enjoyed without some staff helping out, was just factually wrong according to the Prince.

After a couple of minutes of walking through the labyrinthine Canterlot Castle halls, he finally made it to the eastern spa. The Prince seemed to remember it was added a long time ago for… some reason… If he could be bothered, he'd have to research that.

Caught up in that chain of thought, he paid little mind to the guard that was posted next to the door. Only giving a small nod as the soldier lifted a wing to salute him, the Prince paid little mind further and simply pushed his way inside.

The spa was not huge, as it was not supposed to house more than at most a dozen ponies at a time. Or fewer larger guests such as dragons, minotaurs or Saddle Arabians.

And the Princesses of course. There was; however, no staff permanently stationed in it, as his Auntie much rather prefered private baths.

The steam was surprisingly thick, and the heated air almost trying to force its way under his coat. But then again, that's what he liked about the spa baths.

The thought struck Blueblood, just a she was in the process of undoing his suittie, that it was odd that there was a guard posted, if there was no staff in here. And he didn't try to keep him out so nopony would be in the process of cleaning. And on that note, why was there no staff in here? He wanted his pampering, damnit!

His reverie was interrupted by the sound of shifting water.

“Uhm, Excuse me?” Blueblood questioned into the steam clouded room, looking in the vague direction of where the tub was supposed to be.

There was a low, deep groan in return.

More mild water splashes. Blueblood edged himself slightly closer, narrowing his eyes to try and ascertain the source of the noise. A small niggling of annoyance building in his stomach at the idea of having to share the spa with anypony else. There wasn't supposed to be any guests in here, was there?

An outline of what appeared to be a darkly coloured pony was obscured by the steam. They were coming his way.

As their visage became clearer, Blueblood raised a confused eyebrow.

It was a gray fur coloured stallion, looking like he had quite the muscle behind him and yet, had not had a good meal in a while. His shoulder length mane was a deep coal black which clung to the sides of his face, and around his strangely smooth red horn.

That was when Blueblood noticed there was a small iron ring around the base of that discoloured horn. He felt a mild chill go up his spine. That felt like a warning bell he should be listening to. It looked all to similar to a magic suppressor ring to ignore.

“What are you staring at?” The dark stallion grumbled in a deep bassey voice, which almost echoed in the steamy room.

The prince wanted to snap back at whoever this commoner and reprobate considering he was wearing a magic suppressor, but he froze up and felt his throat tighten as he locked eyes with the strange Pony. His eyes were a peculiar ruby red colour, with the irises a more muted red rather than the normal black.

Now was the time to save his pride. And the rest of himself.

“Ah- Ahem.” Blueblood cleared his throat and did his best to redo his suit tie. “M-My apologies. I did not realize anypony was in here.” He said through gritted teeth as he slowly backed away from the strange unicorn, letting his visage fade back into the steam of the room.

When back outside, parts of his mane was already sticking to his skalp from the damp air and he felt far dirtier than he had been when he walked inside. His nerves calmed back down, and royal indignation began setting in.

“Something wrong, my Prince?”

The voice of the guard next to the door snapped Blueblood back. He turned with a mild scowl towards him.

“Why is there a pony with a suppressor ring in the Royal Spa?”

The guard seemed to blink in confusion. He paused, turning his eyes aside as if to look for some superior officer or someone pulling his leg. Then he turned back to his prince.

“Because he is scheduled to be given access to the spa, sir.”

Blueblood felt his jaw slack for a moment in confusion, but he snapped back quickly. “What do you mean he is scheduled? Who scheduled some… ruffian, to have access to the royal spa!?” He asked indignantly.

The Guard, now turning his head fully towards his prince rather than the regular stoic forwards, looked upon him in confusion.

“Princess Celestia of course, my lord. As agreed upon the meeting yesterday, Sombra Krystalsmith is to be contained within-”

“Hold on!” Blueblood cut in, “Sombra… As in King Sombra?”

“Yes sir.”

“As in, Despot Sombra?” The Prince continued.

“Deposed despot, Sombra yes Sir.” The guard answered raptly.

“As in ‘Almost Usurper of the Crystal Empire’, Sombra?” Blueblood asked again.

“Exactly Sir.” Answered the guard with firm nod.

“As in, ‘Enslaver of thousands’, Sombra?” The Prince´s voice became ever slightly louder in disbelief.

“Yes sir.”

There was a pause. A time when nothing was exchanged between the two. The guard hoped he had properly responded to his lordship's questions.

Finally, Blueblood´s horn lit up, he adjusted his suittie slightly and made sure his mane was back into its pristine form.

“Soldier.” He addressed the guard, who stood at attention as he was addressed. “Take me to Celestia. Immediately.”

Whatever minor protests the guard wanted to put up he could sense would be fruitless. His Prince looked positively frazzled and would not take No for an answer.

So with as much speed as was permitted by his highness (walking), he lead the prince down the west wing of the castle, leading to the outside tea garden. So called because the Princess enjoyed having her tea there year round. It had a great view of the royal gardens and had a retractable gazebo style roofing, hanging over luxurious mahogany wooden floorboards.

Celestia was in the process of sipping from a cup of ‘Eternal Life’ tea as her nephew came almost barreling through the doors, with one of her guards in tow. Next to her sat Luna on an ornate silken pillow, looking far more energetic than thirty minutes ago.

“Auntie!” Blueblood almost shrieked. “What in all of Equestria is going on!?”

Celestia raised an inquisitive eyebrow. Then floated her tea cup a little higher for emphasis.

“Tea, dear nephew?”

“No I would not like any tea! And that's not what I meant!” The prince slammed a hoof on the small table in between the two Princesses. Cups and cutlery moved violently back and forth but was deftly caught by the magic of the night princess who carefully positioned it back on the table. “Why is there a VILLAIN in the castle!? And the castle baths of all places!?! Have you gone completely mad!?”

There was a short pause, as Celestia turned her gaze back and forth between Luna, her nephew and a couple of the guards.

“I assure you, Blueblood, I am quite sane-”

“Then why is King Sombra here and not in the dungeons!?!?” Blueblood leaned further forwards, almost making the table buckle under his weight.

Celestia suppressed a frown at the sudden display of anger from her nephew. She floated her teacup back in front of her face and took a dainty sip before responding.

“Blueblood. That was decided yesterday evening. Did you not see the debrief?” She asked, her tone even to mask her mild annoyance.

“Debrief!? What debrief!?” Blueblood asked in frustration.

“Why the debrief which was brought to your room in the morning?”

The Prince paused. His mind rewinding in an attempt to figure out when and where said debrief would be. He remembered waking up, grooming himself, heading off to breakfast after some maid had attempted to pester him about some stupid rapport before his breakfa- Oh!

oh…

“N-No! S… Somepony must have misplaced it!”

Celestia eyed Blueblood critically. “I was quite certain it was hoofed directly to your chambers first thing in the morning.”

“I-In any case!” Blueblood quickly deflected. “I still am shocked at you Auntie! What possible reason could you have to bring King Sombra here of all places!?”

Sensing that this was not going to end just with a quick dismissal, Celestia eyed the small clock provided for her to ensure she was on schedule. There was still a bit of time. She mentally sighed, not relishing in having to give up her tea time for this. But, it had to be done.

“Please, take a seat Blueblood. Luna would you help with the visual aid-”

“Already got it!” Luna said cheerily, lighting her horn and showing a sort of magical monitor in front of the table.

That actually caused an eyebrow to be raised inquisitively at Luna. Why was she so chipper all of a sudden?

The same suspicion was not shared by their nephew however as he he seemed far more intent on grilling Celesta.

“So?” He asked impatiently.

Clearing her throat, Celestia gestured towards the screen which showed a stylized map around the Crystal empire.

“Well you see, my dear nephew, About a week ago a strange flash of energy was traced to the edges of the region of Frostfelt, even further north than the Crystal Empire. Luckily, a detachment of Equestrian troopers were up there for military exercises and environmental acclimation training.”

A couple of stick pony soldiers were hopping back and forth in an area.

“After a bit of searching, the source of the flash turned out to be Sombra Krystalsmith. Or at least, what was left of him.”

Blueblood felt a strange nausea setting over him. He was preparing for some morbid reality to set in as he asked: “What was left of him?”

Celestia noticed this and smiled softly, shaking her head reassuringly.

“Nothing quite as morbid as you are imagining, I assure you. It appears that he had been living in a cave under the mountain for several months now, subsisting on berries and other means he could get his hooves on. However, as the soldiers arrived, it appeared that he had taken up a fight with a rather large pack of frost direwolves. And was loosing.”

The screen now showed a crude drawing of the crystal despot and a rather cute direwolf smacking against each other, until the unicorn fell over, and the wolf began hopping up and down on top of him.

“The division rescued him, and took him into custody.” Explained the sun princess, taking a final sip of her teacup as it sadly was emptied. “When the report came to me, I immediately ordered him to be covertly brought to Canterlot.”

“But whyyyy?!?” Asked Blueblood as if Celestia had just grown a second head. “Why not send him off to the Crystal Empire, let them put him on trial and be done with it?”

“The crystal ponies deserve their justice, yes, but their magic is strongly tied to their emotions. If they were to realize that Sombra was back for a third time, we worry for the ramifications it may have to both them, and Equestria at large.” Celestia explained calmly.

Blueblood chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment to prevent another outburst, knowing that Auntie had already settled on this weird decision.

“Then why heeere?? And why as a guest of all things!?”

Luna peeked her head just sliightly to the side to get a better view of Blueblood´s face, silently mouthing: ‘here it comes’.

Celestia smiled softly. “Why so that he can be reformed of course!”

Aaaand the record broke for Blueblood, as his face dropped. Straight down onto the table to the rattling sound of tableware.

“Of course… Of course so that he can be reformed…” Blueblood groaned to himself quite frustratedly. He raised his head from the flat tabletop to meet the slightly concerned look of his auntie. “Why don’t you just send him to Sparkle´s school of friendship or something? This should be a job for the elements, not Canterlot royalty!”

Now Celestia's face turned just mildly sour, as she stared down at her nephew. “Blueblood, Twilight is Canterlot royalty now as well. And you know just as well as I that the elements are no more in their old form.”

“Yes, yes, whatever.” Blueblood waved a hoof dismissively. “Whatever the case, She is the one who does all the reforming nonsense, so why is he here??”

Luna was doing her best to suppress her giggling, turning off the magical screen in favor for hiding her face behind her coffee cup.

Celestia meanwhile breathed deeply. “Sombra is… a sensitive subject. Both for myself and for the Crystal Empire. We are planning on taking extensive care not to make rash decisions in this case. So it was decided on a meeting yesterday evening… Where were you by the way?”

“On a Date with Minty Aldermann, what was decided??” Blueblood urged on.

“Oh, yes. It was decided that we will house Sombra here, as so that we can ensure that he will not do anything to the students of friendship academy, as well as control the message of his survival to the Crystal Empire.”

There was a pause as Celestia waited for Blueblood to react. The prince seemed to just be processing what he was hearing. She waited patiently.

And then he burst.

“This has got to be the most horrendous idea you have had in millenia, Auntie!!” Blueblood let out in an indignant shriek. “Keep a despot here for reformation?!? I can think of nothing more time consuming, poorly thought out and futile!”

“Now now Blueblood, no need to be cynic-”

“No Auntie!” The prince cut off the princess of the sun. “This is exactly the time to be cynical! I have absolutely no idea what it is with you and attempting to reform villains, but I swear to you Celestia, this has ruin written all over it!”

Celestia´s nose scrunched for but a moment, preventing her from a sudden outburst and let her Nephew continue his ranting.

“I do not know what it is with Sombra, but this is far riskier than anything you've ever done before, Auntie! And I cannot abide by it! If you will wish to have a go at instilling feelings into a psychopath, then be my guest!”

“I assure you, Sombra is no Psycopa-”

“Misunderstood then, whatever!” Blueblood raised his nose dismissively. “Whatever the case, I will not trust some slaver to be on their best behavior!”

“Now Blueblood, please-” Celestia tried to interject but her nephew seemed too taken on his own monologue. The rant sort of faded into the background as the Princess could almost feel her eyes roll into the back of her skull. She turned to her sister for advice, but was only met with what appeared to be a strained smile.

Celestia blinked in mild confusion. Was Luna… Laughing silently?

Her eyes darted back to their nephew. Curious about both what was with Luna and if perhaps she could convince her nephew to calm down, she took a deep breath.

“Dear nehpew-”

“Excuse me, Princess.”

While Blueblood was still going on and on, Celestia turned to see a cream coloured unicorn w a brown mane done up in a bun. Mrs Raven Inkwell, her secretary.

“You are due a meeting with the representative of the Northern Council within ten minutes. If you want to be there in time, we must move post haste.” She urged her monarch in a calm but concerned tone.

Frustrated, but understanding, Celestia restrained the urge to sigh and simply turned to her nephew with a polite smile but spoke in a firm tone.

“Blueblood, I am very sorry that you do not agree, but the decision is final. He will be our guest here, and I would ask you to please be on your best behavior. Now if you'll excuse me.”

Blueblood, interrupted halfway through some brilliant metaphor which would no doubt convince her auntie of the error of her ways, was stunned to silence. His mouth opened in an attempt to retort as he just stared at the Princess of the Sun simply walk away, on with her duties and not take care of the obvious security threat she had invited into the very heart of Equestria!

As the door gently announced Celestia´s leave from the room, Blueblood let out a loud frustrated groan, unable to suppress his displeasure any further.

“I can't believe it.” Lamented Blueblood. “I mean, Reforming villains is all well and good, but there have got to be some kind of line. Auntie Celestia is now just being irresponsible!”

Oblivious as ever of the boundary he so casually overstepped, he did not notice the angered eye twitch of his other Auntie. He simply stamped a hoof on the floor with a loud clop and a huff. “Well, if she will be renting out the castle for former villains for the future, I will be rescheduling my work. I'll be taking a couple of months off for vacation in Prance. The Royal Chateau have not been graced with my glorious self in such a long time.” Blueblood gave an almost dreamily smile, recalling the grand operatic halls of the Chateau De Equestria. Yes, that would certainly be a place for royalty such as him while his auntie had her ridiculous flights of fancy crash and burn.

“Auntie Luna.” He didn't even looking at her, “Would you please follow up and tell Mrs Inkwell that I cancel all my upcoming events and will be moving them to Chateau de Equestria?” Said Blueblood, already taking the first steps to make his way back to his chambers so he could decide what to pack.

While Luna for a moment imagined the absolute terror on the royal secretary's face should said task be thrust upon her, she quickly melted into a well practiced smile and a honeyed tone.

“Why of course, dear nephew of ours. We will make sure to mention it to her.” She said, making an exaggerated motion as if she was about to leave, only to then pause. “Such a shame though, You'd make a good Governor.”

Like a record flying off of a vinyl player, Blueblood spun immediately on the spot. “G-Governor?!? T-There is a new Gouvernerrial position available?!?” Asked Blueblood in a mixture of childish glee and amazed disbelief.

Luna turned her face away to mask her cheshire like grin.

‘Hook… now for line.’

She turned her head back and said nonchalantly.

“Oh yes, our dear sister is planning on examining potential candidates for the Govanorial post of Northern Frostfelt. See the population has become so numerous, and so mixed between both crystal ponies and regular equestrians, that Celestia thought it would be prudent to send someone from the capitol to administer it. A sort of, sign of good faith.” Luna explained, lifting a hoof and casually looking her regalia over to feign disinterest. “The vetting program will begin in a three months time.”

Blueblood was vibrating in excitement like a foal before hearth's warming.

“D-D-Do you think that position would come with an estate? Like a proper governor's estate?”

“Oh yes!” Luna assured. “An entirely new, fully modernized estate would be built, on the behest and payment of the crown! It would be quite the marvel to be the one living in it.”

Blueblood wanted that. Oh how he wanted that!! His very own estate, where he could hold his own social gathering, on his own terms and invite whoever he wanted! He'd have his own staff, he´d be his own master! This was the perfect opportunity.

Ideas were racing wild in Blueblood’s head. He needed to impress Celestia somehow!! But what to do?!? He´d not begin to do charity drives, gods no. Those were usually so boring and often filled with all sorts of manual labour he chafed under. A ball then? No no, auntie would not find that impressive, she'd be deviously trying to sideline it for her own entertainment. No he needed something solid, something impressive, something that could really edge in his name in her mind when the words ‘Governor Candidate’ came up in her mind.

The moon princess sighed with extra effort.

“It is sad that you decide to leave now, dear nephew. Of course, we understand that you’d not want to be around as Celestia attempt to figure out some way to reform Sombra. It is after all such a grueling task. Though anyone who could help with that would after all show off their bravery,” Lamented Luna as she eyed her nephew for reactions.

Blueblood’s head lifted.

“Their valor,”

An ear twitched wildly.

“Their desire to please the Kingdom,”

Light bulb slooowly rising. Just gotta turn it on.

“And their incredible charisma and leadership capabilities!”

Aaand the light was on, and the hook had thoroughly sunk into the eager flesh of the Prince.

“ON SECOND THOUGHT!” Near shouted Blueblood, barely able to keep back his excitement. “I believe i shall stay in the castle. I mean, after all, what would Canterlot be, without my blessed self?”

Luna smiled brightly. “Oh? That's wonderful dear nephew.”

“In fact!” Added Blueblood with newfound enthusiasm. “I should go and share the presence of my blessed self with our newest guest! Uhm, Where did you say that he was situated?”

The moon princess struggled to not burst out grinning, seeing her Nephew so easily manipulated. “Oh he is lodged in room four in the Costella wing of the castle, but I believe he is probably somewhere else now. Possibly in one of the lounges in the east wing?” Luna pretended to guess, not divulging that she knew exactly where his scheduled boundaries were supposed to be.

“Well then I shall see my way to him then! Thank you Auntie, you are ever so helpful!” Blueblood quipped before almost dashing out of view, down the hallways, fueled by an incredible enthusiasm for a potential reward.

‘Like stealing leaves from a sloth’ Luna grinned and rubbed her hooves together in sadistic glee. This could only go one way, and it was going to be hilarious. While perhaps it was not nice, if anyone deserved a bit of a comeuppance, it would be her dearest nephew. Now unable to suppress her schadenfreude giggling, Luna allowed herself to have it all. This was the most evil laugh she had allowed herself in ages.

Second Encounter

Now out of view of the princess of the night, Blueblood´s brain went into high gear. He'd gotten himself a new goal. A quite lofty one.

‘More like an impossible one’ A thought intruded, as he remembered his wild ranting at Celestia in the tea garden. A pang of guilt stabbed away at his chest, but he quickly buried it.

No no no, It was not impossible. He had simply been… Overly protective of Equestria´s interests. That's it. Also, if there was anypony who was going to be doing the impossible, it was going to be him, right?

The pang seemed to shrink as his reasoning felt sound enough. It was still there, but now only a fraction of its former self.

‘I will buy Celestia a bouquet later. She will understand what i mean. No need to dwell on the past’. The prince convinced himself and continued his saunter down the hallways. It was not long to the lounges, and Sombra knew exactly where some malicious former monarch with a megalomania complex would be. In the grand lounge of course! The one with the grand view over Canterlot and greater Equestria! Surely he would be wandering back and forth there, cackling and plotting his next evil scheme.

Which of course Blueblood would put a stop to. And he would then begin to teach that reprobate a thing or two about good and proper manners.

‘Will it really be that easy?’

The pang returned, but Blueblood shook his head. “Of course it will be easy. After all, it´ll be ME doing it! Ohoho!”

The prince quickly covered his mouth with a hoof, realizing he had just said that out loud. A quick scan around thankfully told him nopony had heard.

“Okay. One step at a time.” He reminded himself just as he made the last turn towards the grand lounge door.

He took a deep breath, readjusted his suittie and pushed the doors open.

“Greetings and salutations honoured guest! Welcome to cant...er...lo..t?”

Nothing.

The grand lounge was devoid of life. No great villain cackling, no planning no nothing. It was empty.

“W-What? That can't be right. I would could have sworn he would be here!” Blueblood grumbles mildly.

“Who would be Sir?”

A rather unprincely yelp escaped him as the Prince spun around, seeing the white armor plated frame of one of the house guards.

Clearing his throat and quickly saving face, Blueblood snapped back. “The Guest! Celestia´s newest guest… S…” He paused for a moment, wondering if mentioning his name would be a good idea. Erring on the side of caution, he conceded with: “S...S-that dark Unicorn.”

“Oh him.” The guard responded with a dutiful nod before pointing down the hallway. “The guest you are searching for is in the Dipper lounge. Just down the hallway to the left”

“Th-The Dipper lounge!?” Blueblood repeated in abject confusion. The Dipper lounge was in no way the opulent place he´d imagine a former despot to be residing in. In fact, The Dipper lounge was rather quaint if he would allow himself to swear like that. It had darkened windows and most of the furniture was just for… laying down in. It was almost like an extra bedroom!

“Yes sir.” The guard repeated dutifully with a nod.

Gathering himself again, Blueblood gave a firm nod back at the Guard, dismissing him to continue his duties and took off in the direction given him. However that did not stop Blueblood from ruminating.

‘I was wrong. Already’.

‘Now now, no need to panic. We may have been wrong with the initial intention, but we can salvage this.’

‘But if we start off this poorly-’

‘No! This is fine! Everything is fine! This is just a setback!’

His thoughts were cut off when he became aware of the doors before him. The ultramarine coloured lettering painted on the door, with multiple stars depicted in the text told him that indeed, this was the Dipper lounge.

And the guard posted outside did give him some confidence that this time, he was right.

The Prince did not bother even glancing over at the soldier, just accepting the salute and pushing past as to get inside the lounge and begin his plans.

The insides revealed themselves just as he remembered them. Drab and darkened windows, giving the room a far more subdued atmosphere even with the heightened temperature, with the lanterns hanging from the ceiling mimicking stars in too many different constellations that Blueblood could bother to name. The furniture, a mixture of pillows and fainting couches were all bereft of use with the exception of one.

And that is where he was.

Blueblood could now finally get a perfect view of Celestia´s newest project. Even with the blackened windows, there was good enough light to see.

He was laid lazily across his back, neck only craned up by a couple of pillows on the couch, staring up into the ceiling. A small quiver to the ruby colouring suggested that the stallion may have been deep in thought. One forehoof was laid across his chest while the other dangled off of the side of the couch, swaying slowly back and forth.

What drew Blueblood´s attention however, was the despot´s hind legs. The left one of them were resting easily, but the right seemed, cramped. Like a muscle in the calf was forcibly tensed. The Prince suspected that may have been a remnant of that supposed fight with northern direwolves which his auntie told him about.

“Who… dares… to disturb my rumination?”

The same bassey voice from back in the spa made the Prince´s hairs stand on end and he could feel a lump form in his throat. His attention snapped back to the face of the former monarch, only to be captured by the same steely gaze he had met before. The same sensation of cold water rushing down his back and desire to flee for his life rushed him, but he managed to hold his ground. If only barely.

“Uhhm… I…” The Prince could feel the momentary absence of his legendary confidence, so threw himself onto the bluff. “Tis I! Prince Blueblood Könichstein Einesdorf Edelsblöt The 57th!” He half shouted, using the words to shield himself as he was gathering his confidence again.

It seemed to work, as the dark unicorn simply gave a cold stare at the prince rather than pressing further. This gave Blueblood enough time to quickly scrounge together his second line.

“And I! Am here to most graciously welcome you to our most esteemed kingdom! As from one of royal blood to another!” Blueblood´s voice chipper and yet regal. Showing off his glory and strength of character!

Strength being immediately tested as the two ruby slivers of eyes focussed itself upon the young Prince. He held his ground against this assaulting stare!

“Hmh.” A boorish grunt sounded from Sombra. “So they send a foppish princeling to torture me? Already?”

Blueblood could have sworn he´d just heard someone shatter a mirror somewhere, considering how bluntly the dark despot had just taken that potshot at him.

“F-Foppish!? Excuse me Sir! But I´ll have you know that I have the greatest style on this side of the continent and I am adored far and wide for my grace and beauty!” Blueblood insisted, reaching a hoof up to ‘humbly’ brush some imaginary dust off of his shoulder. “I am in no way a fop! And I am not here to torture you!”

“Then why are you here?” Growled Sombra like a moody cat.

“Why to welcome you, and to aid you in the first steps on your wondrous journey towards reformation!” The Prince said with a flourish, showing off his good side! (Then again, he only had good sides).

Sombra turned his head back to glare back upon the ceiling.

“Then you are a rube, on top of being a fop.”

The prince´s jaw dropped at the brazen attitude of his target. How on earth could he not have yet been bedazzled by the prince of equestria??

‘Maybe because we haven't done anything yet?’

The dark unicorn shifted on the couch, rolling over onto his side facing away from Blueblood, wincing slightly as his right leg stretched in a wrong way.

“Why don't you go have dinner with your friend Narcissus, and leave me to my misery.”

This injury to his ego was quite substantial, but the prince restrained himself from acting out for now. This was after all a part of the greater plan. So maybe his initial assault against the monarch had not gone ideally, but he could recover!

Perhaps appealing to his baser instincts would work. Despots in stories always tended to be simpletons, slaving despots even more so.

So the prince exaggerated a scoff while walking around the fainting couch and spoke up with synthetic merriment.

“Oh no need to be so dour, Sir! You managed to escape the jaws of the beyond, claw your way back to life, and now you are audienced in the grandest kingdom in the known world! Surely there is more to do than simply lie and mope!” The prince insisted, placing a hoof on the side of the couch, being very careful not to touch the former monarch. “Why, imagine the hearts a mature stallion as yourself could break in the modern streets of Canterlot! Why I myself just returned from a lovely courtship just yesterday!”

Blueblood did his best to maintain a facáde of an optimistic grin as the dark despot turned his head back towards him. The red eyes seemed to almost be having embers emanating off of them as he scrutinized the equestrian prince.

Silence reigned uncomfortably. Blueblood thought that would certainly bring out Sombra´s interest like any healthy stallion, but instead he seemed just to observe the prince.

It was unclear if Sombra had found whatever he was searching for in his scrutiny, however the dour expression upon his face told otherwise.

‘It didnt work! THINK OF SOMETHING!’

“Uhm, what I was trying to say-”

“Excuse me, My Prince?” A voice interrupted.

Feeling saved by the bell, Blueblood turned quickly to look at the source of the voice. Yet another of the Celestial guards, this one a unicorn mare, gray coated, most other features obscured by the armor.

“Yes, What is it?!” Blueblood asked.

“A Minty Aldermann is here to see you. She says it will only take a m-” The guard tried to explain before being swiftly cut off by an overly enthusiastic Blueblood.

“Aldermann! Of course! Of course I will see her!” He said, his eyes almost glowing with excitement. “In fact, Bring her here!” He ordered.

The guard, while sending a small side glance over at the dark unicorn on the fainting couch, bowed her head and complied. “As you wish, M’lord.”

As the guard disappeared back out into the hallway, Blueblood could feel the excitement bubbling inside of him. Minty Aldermann, why had he not thought of this before? After all, she was a lovely young mare, no doubt some company could lighten the sour despot´s mood! And in that turn, thereby make him far more amicable to the Prince´s influences. And in turn make him easier to reform. Hah, Blueblood sometimes wondered what he had done to deserve being so brilliant.

‘If… it works…’

Which it would.

While waiting, the prince looked back at Sombra with a certainly well deserved smugness.

The dark lord meanwhile only glanced back with a mixture between annoyance and mild disbelief.

A minute later, the door opened once again, revealing the visual of Minty Aldermann.

Just as Blueblood remembered her from yesterday, she was a jade coated and lime mane´d Earth pony mare. Dressed in fineries more befitting that of a business visit than a social visit, a black suitlike coat with a longer grayish skirt, but still adorned with gems and golden embroideries denoting her status as a noble of canterlot.

She turned towards Blueblood, revealing in the turn that under her foreleg she held a bouquet of white and red roses. The Prince for a moment tilted his head as he seemed to remember giving her that bouquet yesterday, but dismissed the idea, instead opting to think she must have bought one similar to give to him.

Her eyes, a deep saphire blue, seemed apprehensive. Like she was trying to find the right words to open with.
No matter! Her lovely Prince would rescue her from sure desperation.

He walked forwards, took her hoof in his and gave it a kiss.

“Miss Aldermann! Such a joy to see you at the castle again so soon! Even if it was barely a night since i have seen you, you are still no less stunning!” Blueblood said with a bright grin.

Aldermann didnt seem as enthusiastic, her returning smile far more polite.

“Uhm, Thank you, Prince Blueblood. I… I just wanted to say somethin-” She tried to ease onto the topic, but was interrupted.
“Oh you can say whatever you wish, My Dear!” Said Blueblood with great enthusiasm, reaching a hoof over her shoulder to pull her into a quick embrace, before turning both of them in the direction of Sombra. “But first, there is someone I´d like to introduce you to!”

Aldermann tried to protest, but before she knew it, she was dragged further ahead and looking at a strange pony she had not seen before.

Sombra in the meanwhile, simply looked on stoically back and forth between the Prince and his seemingly reluctant courtship.

“Minty! This is the newest royal guest in canterlot! He is quite a far away from home and could no doubt use some genuine friendship and company, which we could no doubt provide!” Blueblood almost sang as his plan now was being voiced, its genius no doubt stunning both of them into awed silence.

Minty, still trying to gently push the prince off of her side, gave a sideways glance to Sombra. Her face paled slightly as she swallowed her spit and turned back to Blueblood with growing annoyance.

“Uhm that is awfully nice of you, My prince, but you see-”

“Oooh of course!” Blueblood placed a hoof across his eyes in exaggerated despair. “I have not formally introduced you yet. How awfully rude of me. Now Lady Aldermann this is…” He paused for a few seconds as he gestured towards Sombra. “... Krystalsmith of Frostfelt.”

Much to Blueblood´s confusion, Sombra seemed to get a little bit of a smile back upon his lips. It tugged at the side of his mouth with an almost smirk like quality to it.

He felt a slightly stronger push from Aldermann.

“That is very nice Blueblood but I really want to-” The mare´s voice was far more insistent but had no purchase on the prince.

“Oh dont you worry!” The Prince cut off quickly, not wanting to loose the momentum. “I shall be sure to book us all the greatest restaurants, theater displays, Wonderbolt races. Why we shall have the grandest of times in all of Equestria-”
And at this point, Blueblood felt a genuine shove. He staggered a couple of steps to the right, thankfully not tripping over anything before turning back towards Aldermann and getting a bouquet tossed straight into his face.

The flowers broke from their wrapping and scattered everywhere, some sticking in his mane, some sticking in his waistcoat while a single somehow managed to land in his mouth.

Blinking in confusion and reflexively biting down into the rogue rosebud, Blueblood became fully aware of just how furious Lady Aldermann appeared. Her previous apprehension had all but vanished and been replaced with seething anger.

“I came to give you this bouquet BACK. And to say that I would APPRECIATE if you did NOT try to write or call me again! I do not care what my father says, I have never before met such an bullheaded, moronic and pompous stallion in all of my years! And I used to go to BOARDING SCHOOL!”

Each beratement struck the prince out of the blue, as it all seemed completely unreal that such a cultured pony such as Minty Aldermann would say such ghastly things about him.

While trying to reboot his brain and find some sort of response, Minty saw fit to turn her nose up at the Prince.

“I can scarcely believe I ever saw anything in you. And whoever will get stuck with courting you in the future officially have my PITY!” Minty hammered in the last words of her rant as she loudly huffed and marched out of the room, slamming the door after her for good measure.

Left bereft of his composure, Blueblood opened his mouth to try and say something, yet it ended up more looking like a fish attempting to breathe air.

“Eh-heh-hehheh-heh-ha-ha-ha-Ha!”

And Sombra´s hideous chortle didn't help him at all.

“Now that!” The darker unicorn stretched out his hooves on the fainting couch. “Was pathetic.” He judged with a malicious smile spotting his lips.

“O-Oh yea!? Well I´d like to see you do better!” Blueblood snapped back, not enjoying being made fun of in general, but while his pride was hurt, it stung a little further.

Sombra simply knocked gently against the little metal bracelet around his fractured horn. “I'm a Prisoner remember? Your precious aunt have warned ponies against me.”

“She told them to give you a chance! She is treating you as a guest!” Blueblood trotted up and pressed his nose angrily against Sombra´s.

“She put a magic suppressor on my horn, despite the fact i'm basically a declawed invalid!” Sombra scoffed, not bothering getting angry at the naive whelp or move his nose. “Might as well give me a leper bell to go along with it.”

While Blueblood could not immediately come up with a proper response to that, he was good at switching and dodging subjects, so he simply went back on track; “So what you´re basically saying is that you couldn't do any better.” Blueblood smirked.

“Didn't say that.” Sombra grunted, and pulled his face away to stop the scrunch battle the two were having.

Blueblood chuckled victoriously. “Oh you don't have to be so coy Sombra, you can simply confess to being inferior to me in the grand game of romance. There is no one here but us, and it is only natural.” The white unicorn flipped his mane back for emphasis on his superiority.

This made Sombra turn his head back to glare at Blueblood. “I am inferior to no one. Especially no prissy equestrian prince!” He stated in a firm tone.

While Sombra´s glare was quite vicious and Blueblood did almost feel like the grim reaper was sneaking up behind him the longer he stared into those glaring rubies, he did also know that Sombra was declawed. And he was a prince of Equestria! He would not back down!

“Oh please,” Blueblood scoffed as he casually strolled aside, feigning interest in a piece of tapestry. “You were King of a slave state. Whatever conquests you might have had were handed to you on a silver platter. Probably coerced out of your serving staff. No royal worth their salt would consider that a proper conquest.”

Making sure not to look in Sombra's direction, as to really hammer to emphasis home, Blueblood waited for a response. But with the blissful silence met him, he pressed harder.

“I mean, I have had courtships offered from Saddle Arabia to Nova Gryphonia! All of them powerful, rich and beautiful in their own rights. All of them willing to fight over the affections of the Handsome Prince Blueblood.” He ran a hoof through his own mane. “And yet, none have met my standards. That, is the level I am upon, Sombra. So it is fine to simply confess your inferiority.”

Confident that he had laid the smackdown of the century, Blueblood grinned at his own brilliance, waiting for the inevitable to happen. Except, it didn't.

“So, how many of those courtships came to fruition?”

“Excuse me?” Blueblood blinked in confusion.

“I asked; How many courtships, have actually had a conclusion that was Not, them tossing flowers in your face?” Sombra asked cynically.

Blueblood paused for breath. “Uhhh…” He mentally scrambled for anything to say. “I mean, t-that's not the point. The point is that I am on their minds-”

“So is meningitis. Have you actually managed to get in their hearts or their chambers?”

Another pause. Blueblood didn't want to turn around, not wanting to acknowledge the no doubt self satisfied smirk on Sombra´s face. “Well, I… th… They were all very prudish! And I.” Blueblood brushed his shoulder to try and maintain some level forced decorum. “Am a Prince of Equestria. I am too high a prize for any of those lowly seductresses to win.”

Nervously, the white unicorn craned his head just sliiightly, praying to his auntie that he had somehow dumbstruck Sombra with his amazing personality and logic.

He was met with the most bored expression he´d met on anyone.

“You're an idiot.” Sombra grunted from his comfortable lounge.

“I am NOT!” Snapped Blueblood back at the former monarch, turning fully to face him. “You will retract that insult immediately!”

“I´ll retract that insult when you stop claiming the egg on your face is makeup.”

Baffled, Blueblood actually touched a hoof to his face, his panic for a moment making him wonder if he actually had egg on his face.

Sombra in the meanwhile, slowly got up from his lounge and strolled (as smoothly as his limp could allow) towards the tongue tied prince.

“Courtships are not be-all-end-all. The importance of courting is to get to learn the target of your affection or lusts.” He explained, while pushing his chest forwards, almost touching with a scared Blueblood who was now doing his very best to backpedal, literally.

“You need to find out what makes them tick. What is it you like about them?” Sombra continued, as he slowly followed one step along with Blueblood for every step the prince took backwards. “Is it their appearance? Do you think there is enough in their visage to warrant your time and energy?”

Blueblood almost squeaked audibly as he loudly bonked his rear against the back wall, realizing by now he had backpedaled away from Sombra across half a room. He was not happy with Sombra being close to him generally, considering that (despite his duties) he was still scared of the foreign ex-despot. He held his breath, not wanting the bastard to get any closer. He promised himself that if the crippled warlock tried anything further, he'd call for the guards immediately!

In fact, why wait?

He took a deep breath.

And… Paused.

Because Sombra´s demeanor changed.

As opposed to the threatening towering that had scared, i mean, forced Blueblood into the corner, the black unicorn now seemingly lowered himself, making himself smaller, more reserved.

“Or, is it something about them else you want? Does your fascination lie deeper? Is it then worth the risk of exploring this? Are they, worthy of showing your weaknesses?” Sombra continued on his impromptu courtship lecture, his voice now softer and more vulnerable.

In fact, the darker unicorn even seemed to be, backing off?

Blueblood could barely understand what he was seeing, and instinctively took a step forwards as Sombra took one backwards, freeing himself of the corner.

“Then, you need to learn what they want.” Sombra slowly and submissively limped backwards.

Blueblood was, so confused. He had been scared enough to call for the guards mere moments ago, and now he almost felt like consoling him for… something? Blueblood had to admit, Sombra definitely knew how to spin emotions.

Sombra backed up more and Blueblood followed.

“Do they have a type? Is it the demeanor they are looking for? Do they like feeling like they are in control?” Sombra's eyes were cast to the floor, avoiding Blueblood like a doe eyed virgin, even… forcing on a blush?

Blueblood opened his mouth for a rebuttal, but nothing came out. Was… Was Sombra actually blushing or was he just acting? Could actors even fake blushing? No actor he had ever seen before could do that!

The former monarch, even as he was limping, continuously backed away from Blueblood, dragging him along by the invisible leash of interest, and pulling at it like a puppeteer.

“Do they have hidden desires you can bring out? Perhaps, something they would never show others, yet in a moment of weakness, you glean it from their eyes?” Sombra whimpered as he now bumped against the far wall of the room, posturely dwarfed by Blueblood.

There was a strange surge in Blueblood’s chest. He recognized it, but it felt out of place. He felt the same tension like with young mares who´d hope to win his heart. This strange mixture of flattery from being desired, this superiority knowing that you are better, that deep… desire… To follow through.

His eyes flickered all over Sombra´s face, for moments getting lost in his brilliant ruby coloured eyes which at this very moment looked gentler than a midwife, then catching to his lips which were soft, at that moment completely indistinct from a mare´s. It would be so easy… So easy to just, lean forwards and claim them at this very moment. He was in control. He was the strong one. He was Prince Blueblood, royal blood of Equestria, and he… he…

And he just got snubbed again, as Sombra casually smirked and scoffed.

“I thought so.” He said, returning to his regular poise and squeezed himself out from the corner and the prince, taking extra care to flick his tail at Blueblood´s nose, snapping him back to reality. “Until you learn that, and to control yourself, you will remain without a consort, Princeling.”

Blueblood rubbed his sore nose and looked back at Sombra as the former monarch casually strolled over to the door.

He opened the door and announced loudly to one of the guards standing outside: “I will head back to my room. Don't bother me.”

With that, the lounge returned to absolute silence, with only a very confused Blueblood left alone with his thoughts. A silence broken by the same flabbergasted unicorn.

“What in the name of Faust just happened?”

His attention was ripped over to the side of the room as an old grandfather clock rang out, announcing it was now 15 O’Clock, forcing the prince to shake his head.

“15. Okay… okay… what was I supposed to do at 15? I uhm… I… I had something to do… Somepony to meet, I... Urgh! INKWELL!!!”

Close encounter

The rest of the day seemed to fade into obscurity as the prince´s social encounters forced his attention away from the strange occurrence with Sombra, even as it was constantly gnawing at the back of his mind, like a particularly nasty parasite. He could barely even remember who he had been engaged with after the encounter.

It wasn't until 20 O’Clock that Blueblood found himself back in his own chambers and alone with his thoughts again, that he had the time and energy to once again burst out into the very confused: “What in the name of Faust happened???”

The Prince paced back and forth inside of his ornately decorated chambers, his conundrum completely tearing away that previously so isolated and luxurious admosphere of which he had specifically requested his room be designed with. His massive bed with space for himself as well as a thorough number of partners should he need it, with silken bedsheets and phoenix feather mattresses which always seemed to have an almost siren like call towards him, was completely snubbed in the Prince’s distress.

“I mean, I know what happened!” Blueblood postured aloud. “That cruel buffoon toyed with me! Like one would a kitten with a piece of string!”

He continued pacing back and forth in frustration, only occasionally stopping to stomp into the ground or kick against something in impotent rage.

“This was not the way it was supposed to go! He was supposed to be dazzled by my blessed self! Realize the error of his ways and then rush off to gush about my greatness to Auntie Celestia!!” The Prince paused. “And of course… become reformed and become a better pony and all that pish posh” He added with a dismissive flick of his hoof.

“But instead he taunted me! Insulted me! Besmirched my honour!” Blueblood said angrily as his pacing took him to his bedside window, allowing him to gaze out over greater canterlot and to see the slowly dimming light of a reflected sunset.

“Such callousness. He should be grateful that I did not challenge him to a Duel right then and there! I could have struck him down. And done Equestria a great service in the meantime!” he continued his self righteous ranting.

“And even worse! Attempting to manipulate me with his… foul words! ‘you will be without a consort’, what nerve!” He ran a hoof through his mane, the motion reminding him of the flowers tossed at him earlier that day. “He was simply exploiting Miss Aldermann hysteria. Trying to rattle me, like a manipulative fiend.”

Replaying the scenario in his head, a strange constricted feeling came in his chest as he remembered how easily he had been strung along by the former monarch. That way he had wrapped him around his hoof to… what end?

“No! I was not manipulated. I was simply… Playing along… Yes, that's it!” He insisted to a world which even if it was listening couldn't care less. “I was playing along so that I was not thrown off by his advan…ces?”

As the word barely managed to escape his lips, the prince began to feel a little hot under the collar. Had, Had Sombra actually made advances towards him?? Those ‘courtship lessons’ seemed quite a lot like thinly veiled flirting now that he was considering the situation in his blessed, completely unbiased point of view.

And as that thought had embedded itself into the Prince's consciousness, the rest of the signs all seemed to begin pointing the same way. Like if someone had tossed a tile puzzle out on the floor and they all landed to form their intended picture.

“He… He was attempting to seduce me!!” Concluded the prince in a somewhat shocked and scandalized tone. Nervously, he could feel his magic activating in its own, pulling the curtains on the windows and readjusting his collar and vest. “Oh no no. This cannot be! This is terrible! I cannot have a stallion attempt to seduce me. Think of the presses! Think of the heartbroken mares across Equestria! Think of my reputation!!!” The self sufficient loop of anxiety filled rambling torrented from his mouth.

Now now, the logical side of his brain told him, there was nothing wrong with stallions coming together, and hardly any gave any couple the side eye these days.

BUT, burst in his anxiety again, a prince is supposed to get their princess. Get heirs, become old and glorious.

That's not the point, added another intrusive thought, the point is that he was being eyed by an unwanted admirer!

Though would that be all that bad?

Of course it would be bad, for if Sombra was desiring him, there was no way that Blueblood could reciprocate. After all, he had never before had any sort of attraction to his fellow stallions. And he was certain he never would! Whatever, strange, draw towards the former monarch must have been some sort of lapse of judgement. Perhaps a relapse from the sudden rejection of Lady Aldermann.

So that meant this was a completely one sided arrangement.

Blueblood froze in the middle of his mental rant. A thought occurred to him, overshaddowing all the other thoughts.

If Sombra was attempting to seduce him, he must be having some sort of emotions towards him. Which would mean...

“Oh no!” Whined the prince in despair. “My irresistible charms have woven up another into its tangled web of broken hearts!! What am I gonna do!?!?” He flopped backwards onto his bed and rolled back and forth. “My handsome visage has betrayed me! Now there is no way I can reform him. He'll be crushed!”

Then the metaphorical bulb appeared, as the prince burst up from the otherwise perfectly comfortable bedding of despair with a thought:

“Wait no!… It's not over yet. He may have fallen for me, and of course who could blame him, but I do not have to do anything about that! I can simply explain to him carefully that I am not interested in Stallions!” He summed up to himself, a small smile appeared on his lips as a surge of relief came over him. “Yes, he may be heartbroken, but if I play my cards right, I may in fact be able to help him get beyond his obvious infatuation with me. And if I do that, he would no doubt be grateful!”

The Prince rolled out of bed, getting back on his hooves and took to readjusting his mane and vest to make sure he looked perfectly presentable while he continued his summary. “And with my brilliant social skills, that should be a piece of cake! I may in fact be able to help him find a nice mare around town. Or perhaps Fancypants knows some seedier establishments that could cater to a former monarch. Maybe… Maybe if I just befriend him!”

That was it! The plan was set! And perfect in its simplicity:

Help a heartbreak, make a friend.

With incredible excitement over the fact that his position for guvnor was not yet completely lost, Blueblood cantered out of his room and made his way down through the castle! The faster he´d initiate the plan the better. If he could nip this in the bud before the Monarchs obvious affection turned into resentment, then he´d no doubt have befriended him by the end of the week. None could stand against the Prince of Equestria´s handsome charm.

Although perhaps now he would have to lament that he was so desirable.

“One problem at a time.” He reminded himself as he continued his good speed down the Hallways of Canterlot castle, it now being illuminated in the dull light of the lamps on the walls.

Completely unaware of his surroundings however, so taken with his own genius was he, that this passed the Prince by without any notice as he simply continued on his path. And a short canter later, Blueblood was in the hall that Luna had told him about.

‘Lets see, Room four. Thats this one down here. Silken King sized bed in there.’ Thought Blueblood, a tiny chuckle escaping him over the irony. But being a stallion on a mission, he went up to the door and with all the confidence of an emperor, he knocked on the door.

A few moments passed with nothing, So he knocked again, but only got to the third knock before the door opened up slightly, in the small gap behind revealing a sliver of Sombra´s grumpy visage.

But Blueblood was prepared! He smiled brightly and yet courtly.

“Why good evening Sombra! I take it you are enjoying my Aunt´s hospitality?”

Sombra stared back at the prince of Equestria in dulled disbelief.

“It's in the middle of the night.”

Blueblood paused, finally looked around himself and seeing the blackness outside the windows and the dulled light from the lanterns in the hallway. Embarrassment flushed his face red, forcing him to clear his throat to try and mask his blunder before turning back to looking at Sombra through the gap in the door.

“Yes it is!” He said, a tone too loud, quickly trying to ease it down. “You will have to forgive me, I was terribly busy up until now. You understand the responsibilities of royalty, yes?”

The Prince´s previous confidence was already rocking enough on its own, but seeing Sombra´s unimpressed expression made it all the clearer that he wasn't buying it.

‘J-just keep talking, don't give him time!’ Blueblood thought to himself.

Another awkward clearing of the throat.

“Well you see, I come to clear up a terrible misunderstanding-”

“A misunderstanding?” Sombra interrupted in a bored tone.

“Yes! A misunderstanding. A terribly unfortunate misunderstanding which has been planted between us! Your uhm… Helpful advice earlier today, had quite the unfortunate implications!”

Blueblood brandished his best courtly smile, dismissive and superior. “And such implications, while flattering in their most bases form, are thoroughly improper and impossible. For while I understand it must be an insurmountable task to resist my legendary charms-” He lifted a hoof to ‘casually’ inspect it for anything and appear just mildly disinterested. “I must ask you to bear with it, for I am not interested in the intimate company of Stallions.”

Finishing his explanation, a wave of relief washed over Blueblood. He had said it, and in a perfectly presentable manner! There could be no denying nor misunderstanding his message! Now was the time for damage control!

There was a pause. Nothing exchanged between the two Stallions. At most a small wavering of the door as Sombra opened the door a little more and looked back at Blueblood with what appeared to be a mildly perplexed expression. Then he turned his face away, his features masked by the doorframe.

Blueblood bit on the inside of his cheek. He just had to hold out.

Sombra looked back at Blueblood, holding an unreadable mask.

Then, his face twisting into a solemn frown as his head fell, he spoke. “Oh, I see. I understand… I’m, sorry for, my forwardness.” His voice was soft and tender, a small shiver even sneaking in.

Blueblood felt a slight cold chill go down his spine. This would be problematic if the former villain was, too heartbroken. He'd have to salvage this somehow.

The dark unicorn slowly put his hoof up to gently close the gap in the door, pausing only to give a great sigh. “And to think, I was ready to throw myself on my knees and offer myself to you.” Lamented the former monarch.

That slight chill from before turned to absolute ice, as Blueblood felt himself straighten up in a confused mess of panic and embarrassment. His face lit up in warmth even as his body froze. H-Had he actually been… That eager??

“Y-You were??” Blueblood asked in a rather high pitched voice, uncertain what to feel about this, as he was receiving lots of mixed signals from himself. Plan and Ego battling like tigers over who were to receive the boon of this sign of affection.

For just a moment as Sombra´s face was obscured by the door, a foul smile returned to his lips, before he sealed it away and revealed his face once again in the opening.

“But of course, Young prince. You´ve said it yourself, you are a beautiful specimen of Equestrian royalty, with legions of heartbroken lovers laying in your steps. And no doubt a veritable harem of followers, willing to serve you at your slightest whim.” Sombra spoke forlornly, like one would about a treasure just out of your reach.

“I-I am?” Blueblood asked, only for his ego to kick in as he snapped back. “I mean, I am!”

The door almost closed, but still large enough for a hoof to come in between, Sombra slowly reached out a hoof, being incredibly careful and gentle as he placed it on Blueblood´s shoulder. “Yes, Such a handsome prince.” He said, tracing the hoof slowly up from Blueblood’s shoulder, up his neck and tenderly making small circles in the Prince's soft groomed furr. “With no doubt a tender touch for the mares, those who swoon at your mere gaze.”

As the metaphorical butter slipped down Blueblood´s ego, everything around him seemed to fade away, and right now he was just staring at another stallion. Not just any though, a former monarch. He may have been evil, but he was acknowledging him! Him! Prince Blueblood! He was recognizing him for the pony he was born to be… that so few seemed to recognize! And he slowly became aware of the gentle warm touch of Sombra´s hoof, which had reached the side of his face. The tender touch was just tickling his nerves, feeling such electric warmth as he felt himself forgetting it was attached to Sombra and just wanted that hoof to reach up and rub his head or perhaps massage his ears. And then suddenly, the magic moment was gone.

“Ah but Alas.” Sombra pulled his hoof back and placed it back on the door. “I guess it was not meant to be.”

Blueblood stared forlornly back at Sombra´s hoof like an abandoned puppy for a moment before forcing his gaze back to the dark unicorn´s face.

“I-It would appear so!” Blueblood shakely said.

“Quite regrettable.” Mused Sombra, his face turning to a more soft smile, as he was already certain he had him.

“Q-Quite…” Whispered Blueblood as he faced away, trying to regather his thoughts.

And so, Sombra thought it was time for the undignified Coup de Grace.

“So, would you like a roll in the hay?”

“Yes please.”

Blueblood blinked in confusion with himself as he barely realized what he himself had just said, before he felt a strong hoof reaching up to his collar and yanking him forwards. His face was pressed against the former monarch´s, his mind abuzz with mixed messages, as his body just rolled with the sensation of being kissed, and returned the gesture.

About as abruptly as it started, Blueblood found himself lip locked with a guest of the royal castle and dragged inside their room, the door slamming shut behind him.

Outside the room, unbeknownst to the Young prince, someone finally could not hold themselves back anymore. And a massive burst of giggling began echoing through the hallway, as the Princess of the Night flipped over from her hiding place and began rolling on the floor.

“Oh this is Delightful! Ohhh just wait till Tia hears about this! This will certainly be the BEST Night EVER!” She announced for herself, trying to subdue the volume to ensure nopony heard her.

As much as the princess of the night wanted to just lie there and wallow in the sheer mirth of the scandal that had just witnessed from her hiding place, there were better places to do this. Oh she just hoped she was able to restrain herself and keep this under wraps. Except for her sister of course. Even if she had WANTED to keep this from her, it was simply too golden to not let her know. The Prince of Equestria and the usurper of The Crystal Empire? It´d be like a fairy tale. At least if everything went ideally.

Though, what if it didn't?

A small shameful stinging in her chest formed as she began to realize what a less ideal result might entail. Anything from an unreformable Sombra, to a heartbroken Blueblood. Perhaps she had been too cruel in her encouragement of this little prank? Was Luna being a bad Pony?

“Princess?”

A voice roused Luna from her reverie as she noticed one of the Night Guards, who were looking perplexedly at her.
Clearing her throat and getting back up to her hooves.

“Uhm, We were just… Laying down. In the hallway. Because we could.” She explained dismissively. The guard did not look convinced, but she knew they had to accept it, as she waved her hoof at him. “Carry on Soldier.”

Confused, but following orders, the guard simply continued on his patrol path down the hallway.

However, as he was just about to reach the door of the Castle´s latest ‘guest’ the door burst open again. The Guard´s jaw dropped as he and Luna witnessed a very disheveled Blueblood bolted out of the room and down the hallway, past both Guard and Luna, seemingly not even registering them as he looked so incredibly spooked.

The Princess and the Guard exchanged puzzled expressions before he took the next steps to look inside the room and figure out whatever had spooked the prince.

His eyes widened and seemed to freeze with an exclamation of “By Celestia!”

Luna´s heart lodged in her throat for exactly two seconds, as she feared the worst. But then had said heart hammered straight back into her chest, and almost crushed by a new fit of giggles as she heard the frustrated snarl of the former Crystal Monarch:

“What!? Have thee never seen a stallion with cum on his face before!?!?” And the door slammed shut.

Luna was a very bad pony. Because she fell over again and burst out laughing.

Author's Note

So yes, that last line from Sombra, that was the line I based this entire story off of. My brain just told me that in the middle of the night and something clicked. I felt like maybe i could try to squease my unease out of my body by just going with something really weird and force some more crude writing in. It was originally supposed to be far more raunchy than this. But well, much like how all my plans go, as i began writing, i far less felt like writing the actual hypothetical raunchy bits, as i just felt like writing about character concepts which I had in my brain.
I had originally thought this would all be just a one chapter story, but the more and more I wrote, I felt like there just was a few natural places to put some dividers and allow people to take a breather if they wanted to, rather than force people to invest a massive amount of time into just the one chapter.

So this story is finished, kinda. "The Encounter" is over. But I could hypothetically continue Royal Reformation at some other point. However I am trying to see if I instead can focus that energy to finishing Crystal Castle and Changeling Teacher. But with how sporatic my brain is, it may take a very long time.
Hope at the very least those of you who are here, enjoyed this strange ball of weird I came up with here.

Sincerely
Skrive Flip
Pony on!