Prince Sugar Hoof of Equestria

Canterlot is a sight to behold, and it's always a joy to revisit such a magnificent place. Although I couldn't help but notice that it could benefit from a few more plants, like any place. The purple and gold architecture lent such a regal atmosphere to the capital city of Equestria. As I strolled through the streets, I couldn't help but wonder if any of these ponies recognized me or had any idea of who I really am.

Ponies gracefully moved along the street, each with their own intentions. I, on the other hand, found myself leisurely strolling without a specific goal in mind. With ample time before my scheduled meeting with Princess Celestia, I embraced a sense of calm and tranquility. I had made a specific request to meet at a particular time. While she appeared unsure, I understood that the current political environment made it difficult for her to decline outright.

I doubt any of the leaders back home would be able to decline properly. They would probably try to have me killed under the same circumstances. I wonder if Celestia is even willing to go that far. Then again, royalty is hard to keep without at least a little blood on your hooves.

As I reached the upper rings of the city, I began to smell something odd, but I ignored it for the time being as it wasn’t from anywhere near me. I take a quick sniff of my fur and realize that it has been quite some time since I last showered. I can definitely tell that I don't smell fresh. Instead, I have a scent of dirt, plants, and sweat.

I shouldn’t be too surprised, I did spend the earlier parts of today either underground or on a mountain. The bell I retrieved sat idle in my bag still. It radiated a cold and surgical magic, that would surely make any pony squeamish if they knew what it was. Most of this planet is riddled with creatures who rely on magic for every day existence, and I am much the same. So a bell that absorbs the very capacity for magic was certainly deserving of being locked behind a magical barrier.

I made my way towards a local spa in a quick-paced manner but noted that smell seemingly stronger as I approached the spa.

“Can you believe anypony would walk out of their houses looking like that?” I heard a snobbish whisper from behind me. I slowed down, but continued on to the spa.

“Honestly, some ponies should simply be kept off the streets. He’s likely some homeless stallion, likely hasn’t had a bath in years.” Another pony answered, a mare this time.

Looking back, I saw a grey unicorn stallion and a yellow unicorn mare staring back at me. Upon seeing my facial expression, they broke off into laughter as they continued walking away.

I exhaled sharply before continuing on to the spa.

After some searching, I was able to locate a spa. It came as a surprise to me how challenging it was to find one, but it seems that there are quite a few options available in the city. The specific spa I stumbled upon is exclusively accessible to individuals who belong to the nobility, affluent residents, or members of the monarchy. The location had evident signs of being well-funded and adorned, giving it the appearance of a magnificent marble castle. I was pleasantly surprised by their attention to the care and maintenance of their plants, although I did notice a few that appeared to have been overwatered. Despite my initial inclination to comment on this observation, I chose to refrain from speaking up.

As I looked around the lobby at the beautiful architecture, a well-groomed mare approached, “I’m sorry, sir, but this spa is only for those specifically selected by Princess Celestia.”

“Does that imply that there is a list of the people who are allowed to enter here?” I asked, feeling agitated. The ponies who insulted me earlier on the street, along with this mare, are precisely why I prefer practicing and researching magic. Preferably, alone. In an underground cave where nobody even knows I exist. Talking to others has never been my strong suit. I can handle it in small doses, but this entire situation is just exhausting.

The mare looked snobbishly into the air, seemingly amused by the ceiling. “Of course, darling. Here at the Marbled Mare we pride ourselves on security, you see.”

“Is the name Sugar Hoof on there?” I asked.

The mare bit her lip and hmm’d, before turning away and saying, “Please wait here, I’ll be right back.” With that, the mare left and went deeper into the spa.

If I had known it was going to be so much trouble, I may have just went back in the caverns… I’d prefer neither, but I wonder which is better. Is it better to be showered in praise or is it better to be treated as scum? While being showered in praise is appealing, this praise can become too much very quickly. As for being scum, it’d be easier to be ignored assuming you could stay out of the way.

I was brought out of my praise or scum internal debate by the sound of an elderly stallion and the mare from before whispering. They approached me and the stallion put on a fake smile typically seen in customer service.

“Oh, please forgive me, my prince.” He bowed, and the mare soon mimicked him. “We’ve never been given the honor of having you as a customer, and we didn’t recognize you.”

I was already annoyed, but I remembered my place in the world and shook off my ill-mannered attitude. “Don’t worry about it. I probably should’ve reserved or… told you I was coming or something.” I think people have to reserve time at a spa? Maybe? I don’t really know, the closest thing to a spa I’ve ever been to was that little bear village on Lemuria.

The old stallion smiled and rose from his bow. “Now then, can I offer you anything today? A relaxing mud bath? A deep tissue massage, perhaps?”

“I don’t suppose you have a… well, just a bath, actually.” I didn’t really want anything fancy.

“A-Ah yes, of course.” He turned to the mare, “If you’ll please follow Daisy Melon here, she’ll take you to the royal baths.” He gestured to the mare, her wide-eyed expression making it clear she didn’t truly anticipate this turn of events. An awkward giggle escaped her lips but she quickly regained composure.

The mare turned back towards the doorway deeper into the spa and swung her mane as she looked back at me. Her eyes were half-lidded as she fluttered her eyelashes at me. “Please, follow me.” She said, seductively.

I didn’t respond at first, simply looking onward, but soon followed her. First, this mare didn't know who I was, and now she's acting flirty. I truly feel better off in the cavern, nobody has such crude thoughts there, except for Greg and Tempest, apparently. The mare walked ahead of me, guiding me along a hallway. Throughout the walk, she would occasionally ‘unintentionally’ reveal her flank, giving me a clear view of her marehood. There was no time for such things, so I paid the mare no heed.

The room she brought me to was beautifully decorated. The old stallion called it the Royal Baths, but I didn't expect it to be this nice. Back home, the royalty often lived in squalor, or at least that's how I perceived it. Perhaps I was mistaken, and they actually lived comfortably while I had an unconventional lifestyle. In the middle of the room, there was a large, round pool filled with water that sparkled as if it had been infused with glitter.

I was broken out of my thoughts again by the mare, “If there’s anything else you need. Don’t hesitate to ask.” She said, again trying to be seductive. Thanking her, I set my bags down by the tub and walked into the pool.

Multi-tasking was often seen as a sign of talent, and while I didn't consider myself talented in anything except magic, I was determined to give it a try. I pulled out some vials from my bag and started selectively infusing the peculiar smell that had been assaulting my nostrils since I arrived. At the same time, I washed myself with lavender-scented soap, ensuring that I’d smell fresh for later. The warm water relaxed my body and my analysis relaxed my mind.

The vial was soon filled with a wavy, gaseous, yellow mist. Runes waved around helplessly under my watch. Against my better judgement, I even began to speak to myself.

“These runes don’t follow magic law, which likely means it’s either old, or illegal magic.” I said as I began washing my mane. I clicked my teeth and began taking notes of the runes, and that was when I remembered.

Many years ago, as a college student, I was sent to compete in a magic tournament with a rival school. It was a preppy school for rich and lazy students who cared more about their personal comfort than their knowledge, and I, as I do, began taking odd jobs there to pass the time in between fights. There was a school of magic that was taught there, well, I say taught, but it was more of a theorizing school. Most magics taught there were theoretical in nature.

“These runes are oddly similar to chaos magic, but… more active.” While at that rival school, I read some of their books and these runes repeatedly came up. “This… this doesn’t make any sense. How does a fake school of magic end up all the way onto another world?”

After cleaning myself, I leave the spa and head to the source of the chaos magic.