The Grand Gallopa Gala has always been one of the most important and prestigious event in the kingdom, the attraction and passions it braught never fading despite the ages. This fact was curently reminded to Blueblood as his carriage was passing throught the last major town before the capital. While their temperary presence did not go unnoticed and brought its fair amount of attention, most ponies where most focused on trying to win invitations for themselves. In the end they just made their way through the main avenue, only stoping a few minutes to have a formal discussion with the mayor.

Vladimir was quite glad that it went this way, as since he and his expedition team had finally reached this accursed gate deep under his family's mansion, the voice beyond the gate had wormed itslef in the depth of his mind. Because of this, he desperently needed to put distance between himself and this outwordly place and fast. Unfortunately for him, while getting getting away from this dreaded place did diminished its influence, it was clear that it had already taken root deep into his very psyche, clenshing his soul like a hawk its prey.

However, when he informed his sister about it via letter a few days ago, she brought out a proposition that could help him relax. Knowing that his brother would pass near Ponyville on his way to reach Canterlot, he proposed him to stay there the night and take the opportunity to meet her fillyhood friend Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the elements. Desperate to have his mind distracted from the oblivion growing in his head, he agreed to her proposition as he would have the opportunity to finish his travel via the Equestrian express.

While a small smile crept on his face with the prospect of finally meeting the elements of harmony and Miss Twilight Sparkle himself, a long tired sight escaped his musle as he took a look outside. Remembering with disdain the frivolous event he will have to attend to at the capital. While The Grand Gallopa Gala has always been one of the most important and prestigious event in the kingdom, it was also the one he despised he most. Originally princess Celestia had created the event to give the commoners a chance to mingle with aristocracy, hopping to lower the social gap a bit between both classes.

Needless to say that it only achieve the exact opposit that what she had hopped for. This gala became nothing more than a grotesque theater play where both sides build up their ego as much as they could : the commoners acting and pretending to be part of nobility, while the nobles came to look down upon the poor and show how superior they were. As for him ? His experiences of the event was alwys the the same, trying to enjoy the festivites and the music in peace while having to deal with commoners and nobles alike, trying to get compliments or his support for projects by endlessly licking his hooves.

The worst, and by far were the mares. He was pretty sure that if the Gala was not public and this open, he would end up in an orgy, with dozen succubus like demons crowling all over him. While many stalions would have considered themselves in heaven in his place, their feable egos catapulted higher than any montain pics, he saw better. The world of nobles is a giant viper pit, a place where actual love between individuals is as rare an precious as the most looked out for crystals. Thankfully his ancestral house was righteous and truly worthy of being called a "noble" house, all of its members are well trained into seeing through lies and mind games, to break through masks and reach the truth in the eyes and the words of liars.

By virtue of being chosen as the heir since the young age of 5, his sister already making clear back then that she was not interested in the position, he was quickly trained for his future and mastering those kinds of arts. And what a master he has become ! It was not for nothing that he was known by his family and royal guard as the pest killer. In fact, Celestia once told him that he was almost getting to the level of her sister when it came to reading through her own mask. His answer to her was that, if it was indeed the case she should start getting more receptive to the idea of having another family member to to serve as a consultant, to talk to about her mental turmals and stress, to stop trying to keep all her problems for herself.

I know how important your image of an unshakable ruler is, but this eternal excuse disguised as a justification is getting on my nerves now. You admited yourself that you are no god, and while I doubt than that psychological tourment of yours will ever make you blow up in flight, it can lead you up to make mistakes. You should know better than anypony else how disastreous of consequences your failures can be. So please ! For the love of equus ! Act as the responsable ruler and older sister you supposedly are !

Vladimir will always foundly remember this discussion he had with Celestia. He never hidded the fact that, getting that face of pure shock and then look of pride from her, for being the only pony who ever dared to rase his tone against her beside her younger sister, was one of his proudest achievment. He was really not the kind of stalion to endlessly brag about his achievments. But right now ? As he was seeing the outskirt of Ponyville starting to appear far away ? Let just say that meeting the rest of his family after so much time will be the perfect opportunity to jab at her aunt again with that...

And of course, as he was finally enjoying a bit of time without thinking of what was waiting him back at the estate, the voice struck back with a vengence. Blueblood took a deep breath as he massaged his head, trying to diminish his headache. How ironic that he was proud of calling out his aunt Celestia for acting selfish and keeping troublesome secrets for herself, when he was doing the same with something he knew would change the world forever. How pretentious, dishonest and fake was it making him now ? Did he not vowed to never bring shame to his family's name ?

*sight* The truth is, he was terribly afraid. His morbid curiosity and the growing influence he know the voice exert over him had brought to this path and makes sure he continued to follow it. Was it shame, his fear, the will to protect his family with the proespect of a noble sacrifice, or like his aunt the foolish idea that he can face his biggest problem alone, that keep him from revealing his discoveries and asking for help ? The answer to this question, was unfortunatley not known to him. For now, he can only hope that his life will not end like his father, in endless regrets and despair.

Author's Note

Vladimir of the present is near his first interactions with the protagonists !
How do you think it will go ?