Canterlot's Hydra

The day had finally arrived. My coronation into an official Prince of Equestria, and I was late. I simply dreaded the whole thing. I felt sick to my stomach, ready to vomit as both the thought of being seen by hundreds of people, and the memories of all the ponies I had eaten just yesterday remained.

I fought to maintain control of my gag reflex, but the memories were too strong. A sickening squelching sound came out as I vomited all over my cream colored rug.

Singing was always an option, I had seven heads now, each as deformed as the second, and all it would take is for me to stop maintaining this individuality spell, and let their singing engulf me into imperceptibility too.

A knock came at me door, metal on wood, rough, a guard?

Gilded's face passed over my mind, and I shuddered.

"I'm... so sorry..." I mumbled, as tears threatened to fall.

Not having an answer, a white guard stallion with a blue mane and tail opened the door, and stood out of the way for the solar princess.

"H-hey, Celestia." I offered weakly.

She raised a brow at how dreadful I must have appeared. To her, I must be quite the mess, my mane was in disarray, unkempt. The carpet laid on the floor was covered in vomit.

"Are you well, Aurum?" She asked, her voice stern yet filled with concern. Approaching me cautiously, she stated, "You appear distraught."

I had to lie, she couldn't ever know... "Yeah, just..." I thought up something on the fly, "Just had too much to drink." A sheepish smile graced my lips before I remembered the other day again, and another wave of vomit threatened to make an entrance.

She seemed to buy it however, for now anyway.

The Princess stomped a hoof against the ground, and In walked a group of mares equipped with stylist wares. I was quickly surrounded, and they began making sure that I looked presentable for the upcoming events. They started taming my mane and brushing my coat, making sure I looked nothing less than princely.

I couldn't say that it was comfortable, but I was in no mood to fight back.

A small group of the stylists grabbed these tall, pink perfume bottles from their saddle-bags. The label said something in what I think is French, but I had to close my eyes at the first spray, so I couldn't read it. A heavy and thick cloud of flowery perfume descended upon me, from my horn to my flank. I smelled like a field of peonies after they were done.

As I wondered whether it was safe to open my eyes, I felt my body being picked up gently in someone's magic, and a tuxedo found it's way onto my person. Tentatively, my eyes opened and I looked into the mirror.

I looked sort of like Blueblood, but golden all over, and my tuxedo was solid black, with golden accents. My unkempt mane and tail had been replaced with a suave and well-maintained bundle of softness. I sparkled, seemingly like I had been covered in glitter, which I assume I had been from the perfume.

Celestia stepped closer to me, examining my appearance. She chuckled softly, nodding with approval at my now-tamed mane and sparkling coat. She said, "You look splendid! Like the regal prince you're meant to be. Now, I wish we had time, but we're late enough as is."

Her horn lit brightly, and she popped the two of us somewhere else in the castle, where we were alone, The room was decorated with fine tapestries and marble pillars.

Celestia turned to me, her expression becoming more serious. "Aurum," she began. "I know something's troubling you. And given how dreadful you looked before... well, I don't think it's just the typical jitters a soon-to-be prince would be having."

I had to cut off that line of thinking, "What do you need me to do out there? I've never even attended a coronation before."

Celestia paused, alerted by how rapidly I changed the subject. After a moment, she said, "Your role is simple. I'll be giving a brief speech, and then you'll address the audience with a few words, and then you'll be crowned. After that, we'll celebrate later tonight."

She gave me a gentle smile. "And don't worry about being nervous. It's to be expected. Just take it one step at a time, and you'll do splendidly."

I inhaled slowly and deeply, drinking in air like it was alcohol, before I stood up straight and pretended to be a Prince. My head was held high, and a smile, mimicking Celestia's grew onto my face. She seemed pleased with it.

"Perfect." She said, as she opened the door and led me towards the throne room.

We passed by many guards, each of which saluted both me and Celestia as royalty. Which I suppose, I would officially be, after today. I'm not sure what I'll do with myself, I'd like to do more than just drink all day, every day. Now without Gilded... I'll have to find new friends. Though, was Gilded ever a friend to begin with?

Princess Celestia reached the throne room door, and lit it with her magic before looking back at me. As she saw my confident and calm facade, she smiled and opened the door.

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I screamed internally at the sight in the throne room. Ponies, ponies everywhere. So many ponies. Ponies were flying, ponies were standing, ponies began playing trumpets, and I followed Celestia towards her throne.

All eyes were on me, and I wanted to run away. People like me aren't meant to be looked at. I'm a freak of nature, I belong in the sewers.

These feelings were not on display, however. I simply mimicked what I had seen of Celestia thus far, kind, calm, warm, and caring. I walked as a dear friend of all the ponies who looked upon me, despite my hatred for being seen.

My six extra heads wiggled and sang as the ponies watched this... pony eating monster take it's place right beside Celestia. Though, behind her, was Daisy, the mare who served us breakfast on my first morning in the castle. It felt like a century ago now. I had been through so much. Off to the side, was Princess Luna. She didn't seem happy, a busy night, I presumed. Now is probably the time when she's supposed to be asleep.

Celestia turned to greet her subjects, and raised a hoof to the crowd, causing all the ponies to quiet down instantly. She proclaimed loudly, "My loyal subjects of Equestria, I welcome you all here today. We have gathered to witness a momentous occasion: the coronation of Prince Aurum, the first alicorn stallion in over a thousand years, as the next Prince of Equestria."

The ponies in the audience applauded, and Celestia smiled as she turned to me, giving me a small nod. The floor was now mine.

Fuck, what was I supposed to say?

With a confidence and volume I didn't know myself capable of, I proclaimed, "Ponies of Equestria, it is my honor to stand before you here today. Being crowned a Prince of Equestria is a blessing that I will not take for granted," I continued. "And I shall do my best to embody the ideals this wonderful Kingdom was founded upon: friendship, harmony, and unity."

Cheers engulfed the room, and I fought the urge to shrink back. "LONG LIVE THE PRINCE!!" I heard amongst the crowd. Daisy approached from behind and sat a small golden crown adorned with a sparkling amethyst inside atop my head.

The crowd cheered from, as I smiled bravely for Celestia.

I stood at the top of the platform, looking out over all the ponies in attendance. I never dreamed that I'd be royalty. This wasn't my goal, but here I was. All I wanted to do was go to Equestria to escape from my world, and live in the far superior world here. Even the dregs of society here are practically saintly compared to the common man of Earth. Now, though... I was a Prince of Equestria, one of only three in the show. In the coming months, Cadance will marry Shining Armor, and then that would be it for Princes, I believe.

A new life awaited me, and I didn't know what the future held for me. The only thing I could truly be sure of though, was that I am Canterlot's Hydra.