Canterlot's Hydra

I felt sick to my stomach, all eyes were on me as I was led to the castle. Eyes seared my flesh, I could hear people whispering, and knew it had to be about me.

"My goodness, who is THAT?" Rang out the voice of Blueblood from somewhere behind me.

"He's covered in dirt... and why does he smell like the sewers?" I heard another voice, one I didn't recognize.

The streets were filled with ponies, and I wanted so desperately to sing and hide again. But it was too late, I'd have to sing nonstop until they eventually stop searching for someone they don't remember. Even then, as soon as I stopped singing, I'd be remembered.

Come to think of it, why didn't the few ponies who saw me before report anything? I've stopped singing plenty of times for them to remember. Maybe they just don't have the reach that Dusty Pages had. At least I assume it was Dusty Pages who sparked this. She did sound concerned when she saw me.

As we entered the castle, it looked just as it did in the show. White and purple checkered tiles, giant columns, and pristine walls of what I can only assume is marble. The guards kept leading me though, and I kept following.

I wondered if I could convince Princess Celestia to call off her guards and let me go. I could use the book as evidence that I'm no threat. I could have stolen it, but I didn't, that has got to count for something.

Deeper into the castle, we find the throne room, lined strategically with more guards. At the end of the massive hall, on top of her throne, was Princess Celestia, though... she didn't seem angry, or even... shocked?

The guards led me forward a ways until we were just a few bounds away from her throne, Celestia smiles warmly at me, a look of cheerfulness on her face.

"Howdy." I said simply, with a wave of my golden hoof towards the solar monarch, who waves her hoof, and the guards that have surrounded me since I was found leave the throne room, to my shock.

"Well, hello there. You must be Aurum, the alicorn stallion Dusty Pages told me about." She rises from her seat and slowly approaches me, her hoofsteps echoing in the quiet throne room.

"I was... kind of hoping she wouldn't have..." I said, looking down at the perfectly clean carpet.

She chuckles softly at my words, before her expression turns to a more concerned one. "Though, I see her description of you was not inaccurate. How have you come to be covered in so much filth?" She asks.

"I've been," I struggled to find the words, do I just tell her the truth? How much? "I've been living in the sewers, it seemed like a good place to hide."

Celestia blinks a few times, the concern on her face growing, "In the sewers? Who were you hiding from, down there?"

"Everyone." I said, meeting her eyes. "I've been hiding from everyone since I got here. The first per-," I caught myself. "The first pony I've spoken with was Dusty Pages."

I lit my horn and produced the book I checked out from the library from under my wing.

"I was an earth pony before," I lied, "So I checked out a book that might help me understand magic a bit better."

She studies me for a bit, but after a few moments of contemplation, her expression softens.

"I can understand needing shelter, but surely there were better places to hide. Why have you not come to me?"

"To be honest, I... I wasn't sure how you'd react." I answered truthfully.

"You were afraid I'd do something to you?" She asked, sounding concerned.

"I've been hiding for a while, nobody ever manages to find me. Not without help anyway." I contemplated singing again, interacting with people burned harsher than the sun.

She gazes upon me with a gentle and encouraging expression, "I promise I won't hurt you. I have no intentions to, nor any reason to. I would however, like to offer you something."

I gulp, wetting my throat in case I need to hide quickly, the song burgeoning at my throat. Fear on my face, I reply, "Y-yes?"

She picks up on my uneasiness, but remains calm and composed, "I'd like to offer you a safe place to stay. A room in the castle— it's spacious, warm, safe, and clean. You don't have to stay in the sewers anymore."

I was at a loss for words. Unsure to accept or decline. I probably could go back to hiding in the sewers... I could hide in the castle, right? And in here.. maybe the guards would be protecting me, instead of searching for me?

She leans closer, a motherly smile on her face, "Would you consider it, at least? And if you refuse, I won't force you to stay."

I'd like to stay... who wouldn't? Can I though? Be seen?

As thoughts ripple through my head, her smile becomes warmer to me, almost as if she knew what I was thinking about.

"You won't remember me..." I say in a conflicted tone.

"What do you mean?" Mild surprise and confusion show on her face.

"If... I... If anyone... ugh..." I close my eyes and collect my thoughts with a deep breathe.

The more she looks at me, the more worried she looks. It'd be better if she just didn't see me at all.

"Just... let me think about it, please?" I ask with a hopeful expression.

Her expression softens and she nods in response, "Of course, take all the time you need."

I let out a breathe I hadn't realized I was holding in, "May I go?" I ask, just in case.

"Of course, I'll be aw-" She took on a neutral smile as she began to walk back to her chair, our conversation forgotten for the time being as I began to sing.

Silent murmurs fall, piercing through the shroud.

I crept my way back towards the exit of the castle, thinking about what just happened.

I spoke! With Princess Celestia! Holy shit!

And she wants me to stay? Here? I couldn't, could I? But I'd love to. Oh but all the people! But it'd be so much nicer than the sewers. We live in the sewers to stay out of sight. We could hide in the castle too, though.

I'm not sure I'm up for this, I've been seen too much already, maybe I should just leave town?

As more of the song passed through my lips, I held my face in my hooves, as two sides of myself fought to decide what I'd do next.