Caballeron's Prize

"Absolutely not."

The two newly crowned nation rulers of the Snowrock Isles made their way down to the giant castle's royal lobby. Long ago the towering castle used to fill the sky above the mountainside, but time and the elements forced the dilapidating nation to humble it's ruling centerpiece. Now turned into a glorified brick compound similar to a large mansion.

Adorned with a purple cape with white frills and new leather eyepatch. The count itched his forehead with a hoof before shaking his head.

"No and that's final. I was open to other more elequent names but you missed the deadline and even if you didn't I'd still say no. It sounds like a cheesy comic book character!" He argued, seemingly in less of an irritated mood and more enjoying the banter at her loosened up whining. Which to him was somehow more comforting than brooding quiet from her.

Besides him, Scootaloo was covered witha more striking silver tiara, and a matching silver necklace with a ruby gem in the middle, imitating the princesses of Equestria. Her mane had grown to her shoulders and swayed to the side similiar to her old idols. "I know! That's why it's so cool!" She stopped as her ribs hit the end piece for the curved stair railing into the main lobby, finally flipping back on her hooves with a quiet grumble. "Withers thinks it's cool..."

"Withers wears sunglasses at night. Nothing cooler than brain damage from running into doors." He scoffed, their hooves finally reaching the marble like floor under the main lobbies chandelier as they made their way to the door. "Now enough. You're Countess now, so act it."

She huffed as they made their way to the two giant entry doors. Her back straightening up and flipping her slightly longer mane into a proper combover as they stood waiting at the entrance. Two nameless unicorn stallions in armor stood at attention before moving to the large handles to open the entrance.

"So who are we meeting this time? Another noble family with a weird son obsessed with his hoof fetish trying to seduce me?" She whispered with a sneer. "Oh! Or another wizard with a taste for vengeance against the old regime that he didn't realize was already buried! Come oooon, tell me!" The usual banter he partook with her fell flat as his unpatched eye turned more seriously.

"Perhaps you'll sober up once you find out."

The large doors slowly swung open as Scootaloo's eyes became pins.

"Welcome Princess Celestia. Princess Luna. I hope your journey was pleasant." Caballeron greeted as if it was another day, stepping forward as he lifted each Princesses hoof to respectfully greet with a royal peck.

Luna's jaw hung agape in shock while Celestia, whom hadn't been as familiar with the filly as much as her younger sister, continued unaware of who the filly was. Especially after three years. "Yes. It seems that Snowrock is finally being put on the map and we'd thought we would see how much things have improved." She answered as if in autopilot, not even tilting her head to look at Scootaloo yet as she went through what she thought to be normal pleasantries.

The Count turned to see the blue furred eldest staring at the overwhelmed filly, who was almost trembling in place. Why were they here? Was this a rescue? Or were they in cahoots with Caballeron the whole time!? "Ah, how rude of me. Allow me to introduce you to my fiance. Countess Ruby. Say hello, dear." He smiled warmly.

"H-hello. Welcome to Snowrock Castle P-princesses." She smiled awkwardly as the two titans of Equestria entered. "What brings you here?"

Luna's face of disdain begun to grow towards Caballeron as Celestia leaned forward with a polite bow to the "disguised" Scootaloo. "Well as you might know, we've retired from ruling and can finally spend our days visiting places outside of Equestria that would've consider our presence a hefty political ordeal before. Isn't that right, Count?"

"Your presence isn't a hindrance at all, dear Princesses. As a matter of fact, your visit will even more legitimize our humble country into a place that can become a household name." The old stallion smiled warmly, his eyepatch making it rather humorous.

"Of course. Which is why we won't be causing any trouble, sister." Celestia spoke firmly, bringing Scootaloo's attention to the large blue alicorn with her horn right against Caballeron's throat, who grimaced with a smug smile blended in. It seemed Celestia was playing along after all, and had much more practice in handling surprises such as this.

"You'll forgive me if I ask for proof that this filly isn't a citizen of Equestria." The smaller of the two large alicorns keeping her horn poking his neck.

"Luna. He wouldn't be showing her off if he didn't have papers, and contingencies." Celestia almost growled under her breath at Luna. The sight of Luna slowly backing away from Caballeron bringing a mixture of heavy confusion into Scootaloo. What was happening? They were Princesses so why wouldn't they save her after seeing her immediately!?

"Ahem. Of course. Countess Ruby is a citizen of the Snowrock Isles and under it's watchful protection. She's already hosted fou-"

"Honestly, I haven't seen such bold and vile acts like these since the olden days of the Equestrian kingdoms. We even had spears for thrones. Here I expected a benevolent count and his loving fiance and I find two dead Equestria natives. One a villian and one an innocent filly."

"... Four very large charity events. Wasn't even my idea."

"How lovely. Educate me on why I haven't tossed you into the sun just yet." The larger pale princess threatened, managing to get a nervous drop of sweat from the one eyed stallion.

"Because under the concordat the other big players have agreed to refuse trade with anyone who attacks my nation or person. Not only that, but Equestria isn't the only land with magical history. I have been very busy." He grimaced, leaning forward with a seemingly inconvienienced huff. "I've rebuilt this abandoned island you left hundreds of years ago, and they all have quite the grudge for what you did to their ancestors."

He spoke firmly. A small but impactful moment of hesitancy crossed her eyes before he slowly took a step back with a calming breath. "I've spent years stuck in tombs and swamps avoiding the law in Equestria when all I wanted was some pocket change for my archeological findings. MY WORK. You all forced me into this position so I intend to win, just like I did against Daring Do and Rainbow Dash." He declared, almost as angry as Luna now as his shorter stature seemed to impose the aura of an actual Count. "I would prefer we have a more productive and civil discussion, so perhaps I can have Countess Ruby escort you to the bathhouse to relax and we can reconvene when tensions are more loosened."

The two stared daggers into him before Celestia took in deep breath and shifted her demeanor back into business. "That sounds like a splendid idea. That boat ride made me rather woozy from the sea. It's okay if I vaporize any unwanted guests in the bathhouse while I relax, right? I'm sure the concordat will understand my nervousness when bathing in the island that holds such grudges against me."

"But of course."

"Fantastic. Lead the way, Countess Ruby.~" Celestia's mouth twitched as the three made their way further into the manor with Scootaloo leading, leaving the count to prepare up the stairs in his office.

"W-why are you guys here-"

"Hush. I want to enjoy the natural hot springs this place has to offer. No talk of business or politics please." Celestia huffed overdramatically like a spoiled teenager making Scootaloo grumble. No wonder she got kidnapped, with rulers this inept. "He's deranged."

The group finally reached the steam baths within the manor court yard, where a sizable bathhouse decorated the back of the garden they all entered. A giant gazebo of white stone sheltering the spring beneath.

"Mute bubble, please." Celestia winked as Luna lifted her head slightly, a large blue bubble within the bathouse surrounding the group as they settled into the bath. "A bit of privacy goes a long way, don't you agree Scootaloo?"

"I-I don't get what's going on. Why are you here? Are you planning to get me out of here?" Scootaloo asked rapidly, her head turning back and forth to the two.

"We're heavily considering."

The small pegasus paused. She almost immediately jumped at the oppurtunity but felt Withers lesson still imprinted in her. "I don't know. I'm doing a lot of good here than I even did back home. Ever since Daring and Rainbow Dash died it feels like I have to make up for it!"

"Rainbow Dash is alive, little Scootaloo."

"She..." Her eyes grew unblinking. The little countess with her longer mane and facade of royalty folded back into the true tomboyish eyes of the filly, her face folding into the ugliest cry she ever produced. Crossing the bath she hugged Celestia tightly as her eyes poured out all of her relief in laughing sobs. "H-how? She was buried alive in sand!"

"I don't know but she was found unconscious and has been in a coma for three years. Her heart is still beating though so that's a start." The alicorn rested her hoof on Scootaloo's mane.

"Can you get me out of here?" She sniffed, smearing her face against the princess.

The younger sister leaned back and cut in. "Unfortunately, not without starting a war. We granted this place independence long ago, but it seems 'The Count' has reignited their disdain for us. I also think Caballeron has something else up his sleeve. I've read the Daring Do books, he's too arrogant to be bluffing." Luna folded her hooves in thought.

Celestia joined her in quiet reflection, suddenly asking a more personal question to Scootaloo. "When are you two getting married?"

"Wha- um. In a month."

"Well then, I believe we can turn this into our favor. On your wedding day it's customary in Snowrock that a single creature who objects can chose to fight Caballeron to prevent the wedding. I'd do it myself, but Luna and I have too much history with the place for it to be accepted."

Luna dipped in the water with a hum. "What do you think sister? Perhaps Twilight can do it in our stead? A fresh face for Equestria could help bring the island back into talks to rejoin the mainland."

"I'd agree, but I think Twilight would be more productive after the fact. This place is old world. Luna. You remember. When they fight, it can be to the death." Celestia grimly frowned, looking down at the out of place filly within the royal marble bath house. "I believe Rainbow Dash could do it. A situation like this calls for somepony close to Twilight, but involved enough to not hesitate."

"Agreed. Though unless a miracle happened while we're away I believe she's still asleep, and we may have to do some work on her body when she awakens as well." Luna sighed, her mind seemingly unenthused. "We may have to wait until the week before the marriage. They're so difficult to grow." Luna explained.

"Rainbow would've been awake by now if you'd used the first set of wakingbell seeds instead of wasting time selectively breeding them! What's the point of having miracle flowers if you don't use them?" Celestia poked her siblings nose.

"Enjoyment of the process! Also I didn't want room for error!"

"You old bag."

"You're the eldest!"

The two paused as Scootaloo wiped her eyes with a solemn clearing of her throat. "I'm glad Rainbow's alive, but... It might be best if I just stay here." The little countess spoke more boldly. The two siblings turned with stunned eyes. "I don't think I can live normally if I go back anyway. Plus, Caballeron lets me wander freely and help the people here." She explained.

The old sun princess approached with misty eyes as her hoof rested on the filly's head. Her gaze proud at how strong this little pony was being. "Little Scootaloo... Brave Scootaloo." She sighed, blinking warmly as Luna watched on.

"Shut up."

Scoots paused stunned as the older mare continued speaking. "Caballeron still took you, an entire kingdom's national treasure and Daring Do's life. You can still do a lot of good here after we free you, but he has to pay." The princess spoke firmly, her hoof still over her damp mane before softening her expression. "I'm sure the citizens here will be happy to keep you. You might even get to stay a countess if things go well." The princess giggled to herself.

Scootaloo's eyes lowered with a mix of shame and understanding as the two elders caught on to her current thoughts.

"Don't mix his desire for you with love. We understand." Celestia lowered herself face to face with the filly. "At a certain point a switch flicks when you realize you can see yourself making do with your situation, and even enjoying it." She spoke bluntly, seeing the shameful redness crawl across the countess's face. "I've seen it before. Habit can become a comfort, and his desire can seem like genuine affection, but you have to prepare yourself to lose him." She explained. "It has to be done."

Celestia brought herself over to give her a firm hug as fresh tears poured down the pegasi's face. The little mare sobbed gently for awhile as the two solemnly comforted her for a few minutes. Scootaloo was relieved that she was finally seen but as she finally parted the embrace with a more focused demeanor, it was just when Celestia noticed a change to her belly when she revealed just how far things have gone these past few years.

"I'm pregnant."