The Son of the Sun

To say that, Mother was thrilled about the news that not only did I have a date to the Gala, but my first ever date would be an understatement. At eighteen years of age, I hadn’t had a chance to date anyone, that would be because of the fact of I never really had a chance to, or anypony that tried to date me was that of high nobility that family were known to try and get into the royal family one way or another. Blueblood surprisingly alienated many of the mares he dated as even the ones only wanting to use him in hopes of an easy life, could not deal with him!

I remembered a few years back that there was one mare, a sister of one of Blueblood's victims, who seemed to try hard with me. But I could see from her eyes that every time she tried to flirt with me, her eyes judged me by how I looked. I couldn’t blame her; being the only human in the world, my looks wouldn’t be on the top of many mares' lists. Of course, that wasn’t always the case.

My mother wouldn’t know, however, when I went to Manehatten, there was one mare who seemed too interested. Not because I was a prince; that was the icing on the cake for her. No, she was very blunt with her desires, that she was interested in lovers who weren’t ponies and wanted to see what I had to offer. I nearly spat my drink out at that point, as Shining Armor was with me as my guard who only laughed at my beat-red look.

Still, as the days came up closer to the Gala, Mother was like a little filly always coming to me asking what I would be doing to show her a good time, and even tried again the whole ‘talk’ thing with me. Even though I told her no such thing would happen. She waved it off saying times had changed, that even first dates could spend the night together. I reminded her this was not a date like she thought, but to keep her safe from what Blueblood was like, in case she somehow caught his eye at the Gala. However, I would remind her of this. as she would only nod her head a bit with this look of ‘really?’ Type of look, leaving me to give up on reminding her. With how, Mother was, sometimes; you had to pick your battles with her!

Twilight would send me letters about how excited Rarity was, working almost day and night on her friend's dresses and her own so she could be ready for the Gala, as well as news to her parents who lived in another city were coming over. Twilight teasing that I would at least get to deal with that protected father cliché that seemed to always happen in those old stories or plays when the stallion would come to pick up the date. It would be rather amusing to see how this would turn out.

Still with it now being the night of the Gala, I was fixing up my outfit as I checked in the mirror and with the help of Spirit who had a lint remover brushing it along my back and leg to make me look as good, as I could be. The outfit I had on was one I wore in the last Gala, a white shirt and pants, however with red undercover along the open collars. The shoulders seem to overlap on top with the designs making it more or less not a simple design. A shoulder cape clipped along the right side that I could either push along my back or even cover my arm. The top had a spilt tailcoat that outlined and the underside was the same bright red that also came along my front, that would match with a red stash acting like a belt of sorts to keep it in place, a golden buckle.

My pants were a bit baggy but held the same design of my top an almost overlapping-like look to keep it looking from too simple. However I also worked to clip on my sheath and sword along my left hip, something I wore a lot as it was more of a royal thing something my mother thought would look good mostly for Rarity…a princely knight came to pick up his date. With again, Shining laughing when he and Cadence were in the room, I made the joke that I should wear his armour, so I could say I was her knight in Shining Armor. His Alicorn girlfriend snorted out a laugh as he frowned at me. “Spirit, don’t worry I think everything is good now,” I said as I finished tightening my sheath belt to make sure I could walk with it not falling off.

“Oh I'm sure it is, but you have to look good for your first date don’t you?” I rolled my eyes as she chuckled a bit. “I know you are always saying it’s to keep this Rarity safe from…him, but this is still a rather big day, and can still be considered a date!”

“Yeah, I suppose,” gazing back at the unicorn; seeing her lips curling up as she stared up at me, as I did one last check.

“Moreover, why are you always fiddling with your outfit if you don’t consider it a true date yourself?”

“Yeah, yeah,” I waved my hand as she giggled softly. “Anyway, are you going to enjoy your night off?” She only nodded a bit and added.

“I have a date tonight, I met him a few days ago...he knows I’m with foal, but doesn’t seem to care!” I only smiled at her when hearing this. “I hope it turns out well.”

“I’m here rooting for ya,” I said smiling as I held my hand out to her as she placed her hoof in my hand. “Here’s to a good date for us both then,”

After getting into the carrier and telling the Pegasus where we were going, I would sit back and relax as they flew me down toward Ponyville. Learning that, Twilight and her friends would be going up to Canterlot on their own as Rarity would be with me, so they would all meet up and spend some time together in the Gala later. Landing outside of her home, however; I noticed a few shadows inside, but not enough to be of her other friends. Once I was out and making sure my suit was clean again, bringing a set of wrapped-up flowers in my hand mostly thanks to my mother.

I went up toward the door, knocked and waited for a moment before it opened, however as I gazed down; I had to look even further down, as it wasn’t Rarity I was currently looking at, but a filly.

Her mane seem poufy with a bit of a curl along the bangs as well as the tip of her tail, a shade of two colours of purple and pinkish like shade; almost reminding me that of Cotton candy. Green eyes narrowed up at me as her greyish-white coat was seen, and before I could say anything, she spoke first. “So you’re taking my big sister out on a date?” Oh, that made sense that this being Rarity’s sister, I don’t know why my mind wandered if this was her foal when either she was too young looking, or I didn’t see her before hoof.

“Well, I’m taking her to the Gala yes,” I answered as I knelt so I was closer to her level, she puffed her cheek out, and my eyes gazed upward behind her for a moment, not seeing the others in the house either they didn’t hear the knock or asked the young filly to answer.

“So it is a date,” she confirmed as she even poked my chest with a hoof. “I don’t care if you are the prince,” she proclaimed and even puffed her little chest out. “You better not make my sister upset!” I blinked for a moment my mouth slightly agape I even let out a soft chuckle at this as I placed my hand over my chest.

“I don’t plan to, that’s not how my mother raised me after all,” I said chuckling again as she demanded, with a stomp of her little hoof.

“You gotta Pinkie Promise.” I stared at her with a look of confusion, I remembered when I was a kid in my old world what a Pinkie Promise was, where one would hold a pinkie and interlock it with another, but how would I… it seemed I got my answer when she sat down on the ground and started to make some movement, making a cross over her heart and then sticking her hoof…on her eye. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” And she just stared at me before pointing said hoof at me and said. “And Nopony can break a Pinkie Promise!” I could only blink for a moment, as I saw her do this, but I could see that she was serious about this I smiled a bit and I did the same; tracing my fingers across my heart with a finger and placing my palm over my eye.

“Cross my heart hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” And for some reason when I said it, I had this strange feeling, like a doom feeling that if I indeed broke it something bad would happen.

“Sweetie who are you..oh Prince Brandon!”

Rarity had come from around the corner allowing me to see her in her dress, and I had to admit she looked rather stunning. A puffy like red candy dress with yellow outlines dotted around with what seems like gems, along her neck, a pulled-out collar the same shade of red. She even had earrings and a red ruby-like necklace hanging along her neck. And lastly, a tiara that sat below her horn. As I already said she looked rather stunning and I could’ve sworn she was like a princess from another land, as I stood up, one hand held behind my back as I bowed my head slightly.

“Even, Lady Rarity,” I spoke and held the bundle of flowers to her. “I hope all is well?” She smiled widely as she used her magic to take the flowers smelling them for a moment before taking them to the living room, placing them in a vase as she filled said vase, with water. Her sister trotted along inside. She even pointed a hoof to her mouth; making a funny gagging noise. “Had a pretty good talk with your sister as well.”

“I hope she wasn’t a bother,” she admitted to me giving her sister a quick stern look. I chuckled and shook my head. “My parents decided to come and visit so they are spending a few days here, and I guess she got the idea of…eyeing you up from my father.”

“Ah,” I said as I had a feeling this would happen as I added. “Would it be best if I wait and let him have his moment? This would be the first time I had the father stare down.” I admitted myself as she only giggled hiding her lips behind a hoof.

“If you don’t mind humouring him?” I only shrugged softly at this as she led me off toward another part of the home.

The room she was leading me to seemed to be the dining room, it was just as flashy as even the main floor where All her Clients could see and buy her premade outfits. Sweetie Belle was already in the room with the other two adults allowing me to meet her parents. Her father a white manned unicorn with a brown mane and a matching brown moustache seemed to lock his blue eyes with me the moment I walked in, I could feel the way he was staring at me and I had to admit, for a unicorn, he was rather big. His cutie mark I couldn’t tell what they were, three brown-like objects along his flanks. The mare beside him, her coat seems a lighter shade than twilight, her mane done up with two different shapes of a greyish blue and possibly purple. She seemed as well along the bigger sides, mostly because I was so used to seeing mares in Canterlot being slim and small; though it suited them both well. “Mother, Father, I like you to meet the prince of Equestria, Brandon!” She spoke and even held a hoof up toward me as I smiled and gave a small bow toward them.

“A pleasure to meet you both,” I said at least trying my best to be on their good side, though I could see her Father's eyes still locked on me, as he stood up from where he was sitting to walk toward me. After coming close enough, though smaller than I was in height, I still felt rather intermediated by the stare-down he was giving me before he then spoke.

“So you are taking my daughter then, Prince?” He questioned as I could only nod my head a bit and kept my hands along my sides. “I hope you will not do anything unbecoming of her, even if you are a prince I….”

“Father!” Rarity breathed heavily as she quickly stared between her and me, but I only smiled a bit and shook my head.

“My mother wouldn’t allow for such a thing of me, sir,” I promised him, bowing my head to him. He still gave me a narrowed-eyed look, until Rarity’s mother spoke up.

“Hondo, leave the poor colt alone!” She chastised her husband as she then took a sip of the drink she held in her magic. Said stallion looked back to her and then back to me, before splitting into a grin.

“Sorry, your highness I couldn’t quite help myself.” He said as he gave a rather small but hearty laugh. “When we learned our little filly was invited to the Gala, but then found out also going with a prince, how could I ever let it passed up, that I gave the ‘what are the intentions with my daughter,’ type stare down?”

“I can understand,” I promised chuckling again and rubbing the back of my head. We spoke for a bit more but had to excuse ourselves as it was time to go, giving their daughter a hug and a goodbye, I waited by the ride that would take us to the party of the year, my hand down, to help her climb in.

She spent most of the flight looking out the window and watching as we got ever so closer to Canterlot, the palace alive with lights as many nobility from the other kingdoms came as well. With her reminding me that she would still like to spend some time with her friends at the gala, I only nodded and agreed as it would only be fair for her after all. Still, as we landed the doors were opened as guards came to escort and help Rarity down from the Carriage, already some of the help, asking if she needed anything. She seemed to be enjoying this but not in a way of someone enjoying the power, just the idea no doubt of beings dotting on her. We walked together toward the palace as she was taking it all in, the guards outside seeing me quickly stiffened up and held their weapons up. “Even, Prince Brandon!” One spoke in a clear voice as I held my hand up for them to be at ease. “The Gala is not to start, for the next little while, your mother wishes to see to you, and to your date for the night.” I rolled my eyes a bit but responded all the same.

“I’ve figured as much, Is she in the lobby?” I asked as they nodded, Rarity seemed now a bit worried, but hopefully not too much.

As we made our way I could already see my mother, she was working on the last bit of work before the Gala would officially start, she still wore her normal outfit of shoes, neck brace and crown. She said something about not many ponies got a chance to meet her, and she always hated wearing a lot when it came to the Gala. Seeing me walking up with Rarity in tow, she smiled a bit as the latter bowed toward her princess who only could let out a chuckle.

“There is no need to bow, Rarity,” she spoke waving her hoof a bit. “More so seeing how you are on this date with my son,"

“Of course!” She spoke but still kept her head down for a bit longer before nervously looking up at my mother who was only smiling.

“I am just happy my lovely child has found a mare that he wishes to spend the night with,” and she gave me a side-eye look as I only raised a brow. “I thought for the longest time he would NEVER be willing to date!”

“Mother…” I exclaimed in a low voice, narrowing my eyes at her as she playfully stuck her tongue out at me.

My date looked either very confused or in a slight look of shock. “I jest,” she waved her hoof again. However, looking at the unicorn she asked. “However, if you do not mind, after I announce the Gala to be ready, would you mind that I borrow my child for a little bit?” She questioned before adding. “His Aunt is here with a few guests, and I’m sure they wish to meet again, but also; there is a little bit of a family matter we must speak of .”

“Oh, yes, of course, I can always go and see how my friends are doing as I wait!” Rarity exclaimed, gazing at me with a small smile before then moving off to find her friends.

As more ponies piled into the palace, Mother soon made her speech welcoming all, not only the pony nobility and those who were invited in one way or another, but some other allies from other nations were among the crowd, griffins, and some large pony like beings from the east. Zebra in rather amazing-looking outfits that seem to pop from the boring same look I was always looking at when it came to Canterlot nobles. There were even some small dragons, as unlike how many didn’t know. Many dragons had the skills to shrink themselves. Some called it magic but it was an evolution-type skill. From what I was told many dragons hated to do it; pride being one reason, but another it made their body feel…tight like wearing an outfit two sizes too small.

Still, as everyone moved to their little group, I could already see many of the nobility trying to crowd around Mother, mostly the ponies that were in Canterlot trying to butter her up in one way; shape or form. After she was able to get away from them, she moved her hoof to the side asking me to follow her; I did so, as we walked side by side, away from the bustle of the ball.

“So,” Mother started as she turned to gaze at me. “Any reason as to why all of a sudden you wanted to have a date to the Gala?” She asked looking at me and even raising her brow at me with a small smirk.

“Mother, I’ve already told you,” I said almost more so annoyed than anything. “She is one of the Elements holders, and she wanted to come along on a date, so I thought, because she saved not only you, and Aunt Luna; why not give her a royal escort.”

“Mhm,” she hummed looking forward again as we walked, the sound of her good shoes and my own echoing throughout the floor as we made our way toward a hallway. “Now do you want to give me the REAL reason?” I stopped for a moment as she turned to me, I could see in her eyes she knew I had another reason for my reason on taking Rarity on this date, and after a moment I sighed a bit and said.

“Because she was hoping on trying to get a date with Blue Blood, and I did this in hopes of saving her from that disaster of a train wreck.”

Mother just stared at me for a long moment, before sighing heavily a bit, her head down and shaking as she added. “Brandon, you must understand with Blue Blood, after what happened with that young maid I possibly don’t…”

“I’m not taking any chances,” I cut her off as she stared at me. “Moreover with one of Twilight’s new friends.” My mother just gave me another look, and I’m not sure why, for years Blue Blood had been like this for as long as I could remember. Someone who felt like he was above everyone around him, belittling everyone; and using them for his gain, and for what?

“Brandon, do you mind doing me a favour?” She asked me as I hummed but still looked toward her as she then added. “After the Gala is done, tomorrow, go down to the archives and look for his family name. I’m sure looking up his background may shed some light on him.” My arms crossed as I kept my stare on her, as my Alicorn mother turned fully to look at me.

“Mother, I highly doubt…”

“For me, please, you may see why I am more lax with him, but I do understand, I have been far too lax with him.” She sighed a bit and shook her head from side to side. “I can’t change the past I know that, and I know now I have to try my best in hopes that he doesn’t turn out any worse than he is, though I hope that you can see why the way he is and maybe be a bit understanding.”

“Understanding about what?” I questioned her, and though she was about to answer me I stopped her and added. “Mother, whatever happened to him in the past; to be a crutch and a reason for him to be the way he is now.” I gave a small pause for her to listen, before going on.

“That’s like me saying I should hate every pony out there because of Twilight’s magical mishaps that brought me here, would I be allowed to treat ponies like Blue Blood treats others because of what happened to me? No of course not.” I crossed my arms and looked away for a moment. “He may have a past that may contribute to why he acts the way he does, but I will never allow him to get away with this, he belittled all the workers in the castle, spends all his bits you give him on things to make himself look good and demands more, and even forced himself on the maid now under my services and is pregnant with his foal. Any small amount of sympathy you think I should give him; I’ve none.”

It may have been a harsh thing to say, but to me, it was the truth of the matter, I know at least she was trying now, trying to correct him on many things, to make sure he learns something, but to me it’s too little too late; and one-day Blueblood may push the wrong person over the edge and he will have only himself to blame.

After our little meeting, I left and found Luna as the Gala was in full swing; she was with a few of the Bat Ponies as they wore outfits that seemed more battle-ready with metal chest pieces, but still, something one could wear to something like this…almost like a military dress/suit. We exchanged a few words, as she said she would be coming back to Canterlot soon, and that the nation of the Bat Ponies would be willing to open up trade between Equestria and themselves. A great first step, though before all that would happen, an Ambassador would be picked to stay here, and they would personally pick one that would go and stay there. She made a joke saying she wished it would be me but knows that it’s not a duty I would truly want. After giving a few more goodbyes, I left to find Rarity.

After finding the unicorn who was ready to spend the night with me after spending a good amount with her friends, we enjoyed the Gala, helping to give her drinks, holding the door open for her, and even giving her a flower that she was eyeing up that I knew I was allowed to take. Of course, some of the nobility came toward us, and she seemed to enjoy the attention when I said that she was my date and that her dress was something she designed herself. The fawning over it, but I could see through the lies; buttering her up, in hopes of making themselves look good to me. As the night went on, I had taken her toward the royal garden, the moon high in the sky as she sighed heavily and leaned against the railing. Looking toward her and seeing the smile on her face I smirked a bit back.

“Enjoying yourself?” I questioned as she quickly gazed over at me.

“Oh yes, of course!” She exclaimed turning around to fully face me, falling back on all hooves.

“This has been a wonderful night and you have been such a gentle colt to me.”

“Well, my mother did raise me right.” I pointed out as she hid her muzzle over a hoof and laughed. “You wish to return to your friends soon, and spend the rest of the Gala with them?”

“Oh, well I couldn’t possibly leave you without your date,” she pointed out, but I waved away the thought with my hand.

“Mother didn’t invite you all together because you are Twilight’s friends.” I pointed out as I chuckled. “It’s fine either way, I may retire after a bit, or spend it with my mother; I just wanted to make sure that you had a good time.”

“Well I did, again thank you, Prince Brandon,” she answered as I chuckled and rubbed the back of my head a bit.

“Brandon is just fine, I never did like those…”

“Well, well, what is this.” I frowned, hearing the voice and knowing who it was. “I’ve heard that the monkey had a date, but I never expected it to be true.”

Both of us turned over to see Blueblood standing nearby, standing there with this smug look along his face, and more so the air of his self-worth. Rarity did bow her head and body a bit, to show her respect to the noble before her, as I crossed my arms to stare at him. “I must say, however, for a monkey you do seem to have some good taste at least.” I could see from the corner of my eye, that Rarity seemed rather shocked at how he was speaking to me, but with all the years of insults and belittling, I’ve learned to bug him more; it was as simple as to not to give him the satisfaction of responding to such trivial things.

“Uh..pardon me, Prince Blueblood, but I do believe that is rather rude to speak to, Prince Brandon as such,” Rarity spoke up to defend me as the stallion unicorn scuffed a bit as she went on. “And calling him such horrible names.”

“You will learn to keep to yourself, you common folk!” He shot back as my body tensed and even moved to block her a bit, as I stared dagger at him. “What gives you the right that you believe you can even try and speak to me as such, I can say whatever to whomever I wish!”

“Wouldn’t have the balls to say it to Mother though would you?” I questioned as he shot his eyes at me. “Now what do you want Blueblood, or are you just going around trying to cause issues, knowing no one will try and talk back?”

He scuffed again and said. “As I said, heard rumours that someone like you had a date, and I could acquire one.” Gee, I wonder why, is what I said to myself as I looked at him. “At first I thought it a joke, I mean I still believe it to be.”

“Right well,” I placed my hand softly along the back of Rarity's shoulder to move her a bit.

“You can laugh at your little joke, we have a gala to return to.” Watching him as we tried to walk past, ready for any other vile things he would say. When he didn’t, I thought we were in the clear…before I then heard…

“Perhaps when you’re done with her, I can find her and find out what she charging you, as no doubt she is nothing more than a common night worker!”

I stopped rather quickly when I heard this, for as long as I could remember, he has belittled me, called me named, insulted me, but never once ever called someone that was just near me in such a way just because they were there with me. He had said some words about Spirit Shine, but nothing like this! “What did you just say about me…you…you…” I heard Rarity spatter out. “You oversized pompous Creighton!” I had to admire her choice of words, as I turned around my eyes flashed with rage toward the stallion, whose horn seemed to glow ready to use some sort of magical retaliation.

“You dare speak to me in such a…”

—-CRACK—-

My body moved on its own as I quickly moved over to him and brought my fist down hard across the left side of his head, square in the eye as he hollowed out in pain and stumbled to the ground. His body twitched as he held his face screaming out in pain, if anyone heard in the gala I didn’t care. Before he could look back to curse me out, I grabbed him by his tux top, dragged him up and slammed his back to a nearby tree as I breathed heavily and lifted him just a few more inches before saying slowly. “Let me make this very clear to you, you poor excuse of a stallion.” I started my voice even having a hint of a growl, as I started to feel the throbbing pain in my fist, I bet I hurt it pretty bad, but I didn’t care at that moment, my anger toward him was too much. “Call me what you want, drag my name through the dirt because you and those plot-sniffing nobles mean NOTHING to me. Dirt under my shoes has a better purpose than you and those inside just wanting to better themselves and not those around them. Call me a Monkey, or whatever coltish little jokes you think will make you feel better..but do t you EVER,” I tighten my grip again causing him to gasp his eyes widening and pinprick.

“EVER insult anyone near me, because let me tell you something, you, don’t deserve the title of Prince, lording those over you because they are too scared to speak up…I’m not, you are nothing to fear, a stallion forcing a mare to bed him and the. Demand they terminate the child,” I could hear the intake of breath from the mare behind me and I didn’t care to let her know the prick this pony was.

“No more, no more will I sit around and watch as you belittle everyone around you, you do anything like that again to ANYONE and I find out…I’ll make sure they can’t even figure out who you are!” And I roughly dropped him, before he scattered off quickly. I watched him go seeing his eye already swelling shut, but it seemed I cut above his eyebrow with the blow, blood already dripping down. As I worked to calm myself down taking a few steady breaths, I could feel the pain throbbing heavily on my hand.

“P…Prince Brandon…” I looked over seeing Rarity was shocked, maybe scared look, as I turned away, and moved to grab a handkerchief from my pocket to cover my hand slightly flinching at the stinging.

“I’m sorry,” I said as I held my other hand over the wounded one, wiping the blood off of my knuckles that were bleeding. “I…I should’ve had better control of myself, but when he…”

“Hush darling,” she spoke and came closer. “Let me see your hand,” I gave her a confused look as she said. “I’m a fashion, designer, I’ve hurt myself plenty of times to learn some healing magic, and cut myself far too often to not learn a thing or two, come.”

She led me off toward a bench and sat me down, sitting next to me, she gently took my hand and removed the handkerchief, tsking as she checked the wound. We were by a flowing river in the garden, so moving to wet my handkerchief, to clean the hand, I would jerk at times before she could see what she was dealing with. “Not a too deep cut, hold still.” I listened as I watched her horn glow, seeing the skin meld back together. It didn’t take long before she was done as she leaned back to check her work. Me flexing my hand, as she nodded her head. “There, as good as new, and without a scar, I say that quite the work yes?” I didn’t say anything as I gazed at my hand before she placed a hood over it. “Thank you,” she spoke as I gazed at her, her muzzle showing a soft and tender smile. “Thank you for trying to defend my honour…I must say, seeing a prince do that, it’s like the old stories.” She said and smiled with a soft chuckle. “And to think once…I wanted that…brute to notice me.”

“That was the plan for me asking you to be my date…” I admitted as she stared at me. “She. Twilight told me she overheard you possibly trying to catch Blueblood's eyes…well…” I sighed and shook my head a bit. “Perhaps I should’ve been more clear with you or…” I stopped when I felt her leaned over and plant a soft kiss along my cheek. I blinked and looked over as she smiled.

“Isn’t it custom for a saved damsel to kiss her hero?” She asked as I coughed and blushed heavily. However when I thought things would calm down…I looked over as it seemed it wouldn’t…Mother was there standing under the archway…and Blueblood beside her.

Buck me sideways…