Twilight Sparkle's pov

The last two days have been incredibly eventful to say the least. The first big one being the princess sending her and the other elements bearers, invitations to the Grand Galopa Galla at Canterlot. Which is a descision she had yet to make sense of, since it is mostly some king of exibition tournament for the nobles to show how superior they were to the "commoners" while those ponies of lesser status tried to look like them. She really could not see any kind of good friendship lesson she could get out of it, especially with the description of the event given to her by Cadence.

Well, in reality, it was the description of her brother Vladimir Blueblood, about the event and the nobles. One that she had relayed to her. And what a description it was ! Cadence had always told her that Vladimir was a master orator and brilliant with words, something he had herited from their father. She had even showed her some letters she had previously received from him, and they were indeed quite beautiful. But this speech about the Galla and the nobles ? That, was something else. She never thought that somepony could verbaly demolish an event or a social class like that, while still keeping a high level of refinment and poetic class in their elocution.

One thing was sure, Blueblood did not held his own social class in high regards. Which, without a doubts, made her secretly even more enthousiastic about meeting him.

Speeking of her fillyhood friend's brother, he ended up being the second big event of those last 31 hours. While meeting him at the Grand Galla was expected, him knocking at her door at late afternoon the day prior the event, was certainly not. When Spyke had barged in her bedroom in panick, informing her of their new guest, she was not prepared at all. Words could not described how akward and clumbsy she had been when greeting her guest, if he had not been so understandable she would have died of embarrasment multiple times. Fortunately, Vladimir prooved to be far less severe and unforgiving that his posture, look and gaze appeared to be.

In fact, now that she had all taken the time to know Blueblood better, she had discovered many things about her fillyhood friend's brother. Although all the qualities and flaws that Cadence had listed about him revealed themselves quite quickly, It was clear that meeting him face to face was very differed from what she had originally imagined. Now, in the train Express to Canterlot with her friends and Vladimir, the young prince has shown unexpected traits since their original meeting. And to be truthful, he was making her... very... very warry, unconfortable and unsetlde.

Most ponies would probably overlook them, as Blueblood was impeccable in his manners, polite, and without a superiority complex like all the other nobles, which was incredibly rare. But she was not most ponies. It is hard to truely describe it, but her new stepbrother felt... distant. His manner, his way of speaking, his gaze... they were haunted, distant, dark. When there were a few moments of silence or when he was left alone, I could see him staring out with his eyes fixed on nothing... with the same look you have when you are trying to forget a nightmare that haunts you.

But putting herself asside, she was mostly worried about his well being. Cadence and Celestia had told her many times that he was a pony of many responsabilities, a workaholic with a very grim view of reality, and a stalion that always put too much pressure on himself. She had no idea of how bad it really was. It has been 8 hours since he arrived now, and she has yet to see him show even the shadow of a smile, despise her and the other girls best efforts. Now with the express just reaching Canterlot and knowing that he will despise the Galla, she can only hope that Cadence and the Princesses will be able to help him get better...

Vladimir Blueblood's pov

Here we are... Canterlot, the heart of the princesses kingdom, the center of ponykind, and where the most persistant kind of filth swarm and camouflage themselves behind their immense wealth and the most luxurious clothes. When the news of the changeling invasions reached our household and were brought to my attention, it would be lying to say that I found the situation quite ironic. A literal kind of parasitic bugs, fattening themselves on another kind of vermin. Telling you which one of the two is the most harmful to Equestria is quite a challenge.

At least, I can boast of having traveled this morning in good company, even though the elements of generosity, loyalty and laughter proved themselves to be mildly tiresome. I would not condemn miss Pinkamena's endless positive and cheerful energy, but the two others are a different story. I asked myself if miss Dash's obnoxious boastering was due to a dire need to prove herself or overconfidence, both being incidious poisons of the mind by their own. As for Miss Rarity and her disturbing obsession with me, it remains to be seen whether it comes from genuine admiration and love, or from a desire for my fortune and family legacy.

My utmost thanks to provide me great company in this trip to Canterlot, ladies of Harmony. Twilight Sparkle, dearest stepsister, you have my deepest grattitude for hosting me last night. I will ensure that you are compensated in proportion to your generosity.

There is really no need fo that Vladimir, helping a member of my familly is the least I can do !

Once again, your generosity honors you, dearest stepsister. But when aspects of harmony are put in actions, a reward is to be given, to inspire others and protect them from their own inner darkness. Evil and violence appeals to us by being the easy way, and all beings are selfish by nature. Only with greater rewards can we keep somepony on the righteous pass.

Wow... that was one badass way to say it !

What an ellegant and beautiful talent, you have to put thoughts into words your Majesty ! But... isn't calling out everypony to be naturaly selfish a bit too much ?

Ye-yeah... nopony is naturally b-bad... right ?

Y'all be suprised of how right he is, girls...

Miss Rarity, if you do wish to be appart of the "noble" class of this diarchy, I suggest you embrace this truth before we reach the castle. This part of society is a viper nest, a vicious, despicable war field where apperence is your armor maneurism your shield, and oration your weapon. Once in their presence, you'll quickly see how those pompous individuals dressed in gold and silk, are not so different from the insectoid vermine that ruined my sister's weading.

I could see the seven of them shudder at the recall of this disastreous and unforgivable event. As we proceed to resume our walk towards the castle of the capital, I secretly sight in desperation at how much this event ha marked them. I must make sure that Celestia never send them out to rectify my mistakes and end the cataclysm I'm about to unlish on our world. What will came out of this infernal gate combined with the results of my experiments would break them.

Arriving at the castle, seeing all the guards bowing to me and the amount of attention already provoked by my presence as some buttlers were already sprinting inside to annonce my arrival, I mentaly prepared myself. The "nobles" would not be a problem as I have dealt with them countless time before. In fact a great groupe of them coming straight manehattan had come in our estate to participate in a party I had organised. While they lost themselves in luxure and all vices known to ponykind, I used the dark rituals and a sacrifice to turn them into what they truely are, insects of the plague that ravages this society ! while the original reason was because they had suspicions on my nefarious deeds, I could not denied the dark satisfaction this horrible act brought me.

No, the problem would be my royal aunts and sister. They are unfathomably perseptive and knowledgeable, and while the darkness and nightmarish horrors inside my being are burried deep, they are thousand times more pottent that whatever Grogar at his worst could ever produce. They cannot found out before the time is right, before my work is done and the void rightfuly claimes me. I will endure their hate and disgust over me, but what must happen must occure as it should be. I would not have it any other way...

Author's Note

Re everyone !
Sorry for taking so long but I really needed some holidays.
Anyway, happy new year and enjoy this chapter !