Fool Moon, Part 23(All-Time Adored)

"The Friendship Express? Really?"
>Rarity glares at you from beneath her hat, and Sweetie Belle giggles.
>"Anonymous. Please, the name isn't important."
"But....Really!?"
>Rarity sighs to herself, but then relents.
>"The name is rather silly, but you don't need to make a scene about it."
>You glance around yourself, noting the amount of ponies glaring at you.
"Right, sorry. So how does this train thingy work, anyway?"
>Sweetie Belle giggles at you.
>"They didn't have trains where you come from?"
>You shake your head in the negative as the door...slides open.
>That's just fucking freaky.
>Rarity turns to Sweetie Belle as you gape at the terrifying train.
>"Alright Sweetie, Anon and I are going to Canterlot. Mother and Father's train should get here within the hour. You'll be alright by yourself?"
>Sweetie blows a raspberry at her sister.
>"Of course I will! It's the P0nyville station, what's the worst that could happen?"
>Rarity frowns at her sister's reaction, and you stare at both of them in disbelief.
"You're okay with her staying by herself? Isn't that...unsafe?"
>Rarity raises an eyebrow at you.
>"I'm more worried about what mischief she'll get up without my supervision."
>Sweetie rolls her eyes.
>"I'll be FINE, I promise."
>Rarity eyes her warily before sighing.
>"I suppose that's all I can ask for. Come along, Anon."
>You gulp as you look at the giant, clanking train in front of you.
>Yeah, the name was silly, but it was HUGE.
>And metal.
>Even the dark half was NOPEing the fuck out in your head.
>Okay Anon. Time to man up.
>You take a deep breath and step onto the train.


>Oh God it was worse than you ever could have imagined.
>Rarity had bought you both a small room, with some sort of couch/bed thing.
>You sat clinging to it, shivering, and counting every small bump and twist and shake this train made.
>Rarity sits across from you, a teacup grasped in her magic and a single eyebrow raised at your...predicament.
>"Anon? Are you going to be alright?"
"M'fine."
>"You certainly don't seem fine."
"Fffffffiiiiineeee."
>You hug your chest to stop the shaking.
>Rarity struggles to stilfle a giggle at your reaction to the train, holding a hoof to her mouth.
>You glare at her, and her giggle grows stronger.
"S'not funny. This t-t-t-thing doesn't s-s-stop moving. It's t-t-terrifying."
>That does it.
>Rarity starts laughing at your terror, almost losing control of her teacup in her mirth.
>You scowl and start to stand up, but freeze when the train makes a turn, falling onto your side with whimper.
>Rarity trots over to you and gives you a quick peck on the cheek.
>"My brave, brave Anonymous. I promise this will be over soon. We're an hour out, at most."
>Your eyes travel to hers.
"And you're going to enjoy my misery the entire way, aren't you?"
>"Oh, of course. I have tea, I have cakes, I have a wonderful view of the countryside, and an even better view of my wonderful stallion whimpering like a child on the floor."
>She bats her eyelashes.
>"What more could a girl want?"
"I hate you."
>She smiles at you and responds in a sing-song voice.
>"No you doooon't."
>You don't, but still.
"Never. Doing. This. Again."


>Rarity was telling the truth.
>You stumble off the train gratefully, taking a deep breath.
>Rarity trots out after you, still giggling at your train-induced trauma.
"It's really not that funny."
>"It really, really is."
>You sigh and follow her as she trots ahead of you.
>This was Canterlot, then?
>You hadn't gotten a true view of the city when Blueblood had tossed your naked ass in a chariot and paraded you around like a trophy.
>It was...fantastic.
>Spires of alabaster capped with purple roofing dominated the architecture.
>The streets were clean and beautiful, with ponies of impeccable grooming talking animatedly to each other.
>You got more than a few glances, some of hate and disgust, a few of indifference, and one or two of silent approval.
>Some version of what had happened with Sweetie must have gotten around.
>You stare at the ponies with their bulging saddlebags, their fancy jewelry, their hats and monocles, and...
>Your fingers start twitching.
>This...this was heaven.
>They were so...unobservant. Even the glaring ones just stared long enough to express displeasure and went right back to being oblivious.
>Rarity eyes you and your twitching fingers.
>"Anonymous?"
"Graaaaw?"
>"You're drooling."
>You wipe your mouth, your eyes staying on the walking four legged piles of money in front of you.
"Hey Rarity, you go where we're staying, I'll join you in a s-"
>"No."
>You glance down at her, and she glares at you.
"But I-"
>"No, Anon. No stealing."
"But they-"
>"No. "
>She sniffs and starts to trot off.
>You wait for her to get away, and then you start walking towards a chatting pony.
>A blue glow covers your arm and pulls you away.



"Rarity come on, it's not like I was going to rob ALL of them!"
>"Anon, no!"
>You scowl at her as she continues to drag you up a set of stairs with her horn.
"Aww come on, why the hell not? I wouldn't get caught!"
>Rarity gives you an annoyed glare, and you shut up.
>"Anon, we've had this discussion, have we not?"
>You grumble.
>"You can't steal from ponies, Anon! Especially not now!"
>She pouts at you as you open the door to the tower room the two of you had rented.
"Why not now!?"
>"Because your reputation is at stake! Ponies talk, Anon! Especially after what happened with Blueblood. You're the hot topic of gossip around Canterlot, and if you ever want to stay here peacefully, you HAVE to be on your best behavoir."
>You grimace.
"But I-"
>"Anon."
>Rarity turns to you, frowning and quivering her lower lip.
>"Please? Please be good, for me?"
>You sit down on the fancy bed to your rented room, sighing.
>Rarity trots over to you and leans up, putting her hooves on your legs so she can talk to you at an equal height.
"I don't know..."
>You trail off as she nuzzles your neck, her soft fur sending little shocks of sensation straight to your brain.
>"Please? I did all this for us, Anon. A get away, a little home away from home. Can we just enjoy it?"
>She leans away, and you follow her with a short-lived kiss.
"Okay. No stealing. No trouble making. I promise."
>She smiles at you.
>"Thank you. Now, wash up and get ready to go back out."
"What? We just got here!"
>"And I have a pair of tickets to a play at the Canterlot Theatre. We're going out, end of discussion."



>The Canterlot Theatre was a masterpiece.
>Masterpiece didn't even do it proper justice.
>It was a work of art, a crafted dedication to the arts.
>You clap politely along with the ponies stamping their hooves on the ground, smiling as Rarity leans her head on your arm and giggles.
>You couldn't exactly follow all the historical references in the play, but it was apparently a historical comedy.
>And the jokes were hilarious. The incompetent Chancellor Puddinghead, the stuck up Princess Platinum, and the hyper-aggressive Commander Hurricane were all amusing characters.
>"I acted in this play, you know."
"Really now?"
>"Mhm. There's always a special, yearly performance of this play, and I was chosen to play the part of platinum."
>You look down at her, grinning.
"You know, that's incredibly fitting."
>She sticks her tongue out at you.
"Oh dear, Rarity, how incredibly unladylike!"
>"Oh, shut it."
>You both laugh and then quiet yourselves as the play begins again, with all six of the main ponies laying claims to what would become Equestria.
>You were more than surprised about the amount of strife between the different races of pony.
>What little you'd seen of pony society so far had been...
>Harmonious. Peaceful.
>You chuckled at the silly, overdramatic arguments the ponies on stage got into on that little green hill.
>Your chuckling slows, however, as you notice something.
>Snowfall. Before your eyes, a lighthearted scene of spring becomes one of winter.
>You hear a polite cough from your right, and Rarity gasps.
>You hear her give out a short whisper shriek into your ears.
>"Oh my CELESTIA!"
>You turn your head to the mare who tried to get your attention.
"Can I help you, miss?"


>You watch the curtains close for intermission as the mare adresses you.
>The mare standing to your right is, well, tall.
>Really tall.
>She's thin, and curved, and frankly, beautiful.
>You aren't sure whether it's because of Rarity, or just because of time spent among ponies in general, but you can recognize her beauty even at a glance.
>You'd almost say that she outshines Rarity herself, were it not for one thing.
>Her smell. It was...faint, almost undetectable, but she smelled sort of...chemical.
>She smiles at you and responds in a soft, cultured accent.
>"Ah. You must be the fabled, 'Anonymous'. And of course, Mademoiselle Rarity. A pleasure to make your acquaintance again."
>Rarity seems to be having a heart attack.
>"F-f-f-f-f-fluer de Lis?"
>The mare gives a short bob of the head.
>"The very same."
>Rarity gives a short giggly short of exhalation.
>"Oh, Anon, this is Madame Fleur de Lis, perhaps the most famous model in Equestria!"
>Fleur blushes.
>"Please, Rarity, you flatter me. I am famous merely for modeling clothes that other ponies, such as yourself, put so much effort into."
>She laughs to herself.
>"But enough about me. I'm curious about you two. There's so much talk about you two."
>Rarity blushes.
>"All...good, I hope."
>Fleur laughs.
>"Not all of it, unfortunately, but a good bit. You are the talk of Canterlot. Such a strange couple you make."
>You frown.
>Fleur must note the expression on your face.
>"But I can see that you two love each other very much."
"How...how can you tell?"
>She smiles demurely.
>"I just have a knack for that sort of thing. The bonds between you two are just...obvious, to me."


>Rarity's eyes light up, and you immediately realize how taken with your impromptu guest she must be.
>"Really? You can just look at us and tell?"
>Fleur gives a husky chuckle.
>"Why...yes, of course. Such a loving bond between two beings is hard to miss. How did you two meet?"
>Rarity gives you a pointed glance and a smirk, and you cough, embararassed.
"I...err...I..."
>"I didn't quiet catch that, sorry."
"I tried to rob her."
>Fleur's expression of shock immediately makes you feel terrible.
>"Why would you do something like that!?"
"Well, at the time, I was desperate.
>Something flickers in Fleur's eyes.
>"I...I can understand desperation, Anonymous."
>She's silent for a moment, before asking another question.
>"What made you two...ah, how to put this delicately...fall for each other?"
>You and Rarity smile at each other.
"It's a...long story."
>Rarity blushes, and Fleur lets out a soft, "awwww."
>Then she giggles.
>"Oh, you must excuse me, but I am a TERRIBLE gossip. I simply had to know how Equestria's most exotic pair met!"
>You gulp.
>Fleur winks.
>"How would you two like to join me in the balcony? We can take the conversation up there without fear of interruptions."
>Rarity leaps at the chance, a grin splitting her mouth from ear to ear.
>"Oh, Madame Fleur, we'd LOVE to. Come with me, Anonymous."
>Rarity and Fleur begin trotting to the balcony seating, and you follow along.
>As you make your way to her balcony, a voice calls out.
>"Anonymous, Madam Rarity. So good to see you again."
>A chill goes up your spine.
>Blueblood.


>You see him reclining in the shadowed portion of the balcony, his mouth stretched in a condescending, tightlipped smile.
>Razor and Amethyst Star flank him, Star in a pretty dress, Razor still wearing beaten up Royal Guard armor.
>Fleur picks up on the sudden tension in the room immediately and closes her mouth nervously.
"What the hell are YOU doing here?"
>His grin remains.
>"Why Anonymous, I make it a point of pride to attend this sordid little play every showing. Every night, showing, anyway. I've been so busy during the day lately. I take a sort of sick joy in watching my noble ancestor's good name get torn apart for the appeasement of the masses."
>You start scowling, but before you can respond with a completely uncouth retort, Rarity speaks up.
>"Blueblood. How...wonderful to see you tonight. I see you remain as charming as you are gallant."
>Blueblood detects the unsubtle jab and rises to it, his grin growing into a sneer.
>"And Miss Rarity, how good to see you as well! You remain as beautiful as you are intelligent!"
>And that's when it starts.
>Cultured snarks begin to fly back and forth between the two white-coated ponies, and you slide past Rarity to take a seat in the balcony.
>You...you aren't going to be much help in this verbal battle. Backhanded compliments aren't really your thing.
>Fleur joins you, her face the picture of confusion.
>"Did...did I do something wrong?"
"Nothing you could have predicted, Miss Fleur. They're going to have it out no matter what."
>Her snout scrunches up in concern.
>"What's the source of all this animosity? In a play about ponies coming together, this seems out of place."
"Well, ya see-"
>"The truth is, we don't care for monsters."


>You jump at the dry mare's voice coming from behind you.
>At a quick turn, you catch a pair of hard, violet eyes glaring at both you and Fleur de Lis.
>Fleur flinches, to your confusion, as Amethyst Star continues.
>"Our great Prince has been trying to protect his subjects from this monster since his arrival, but he continues to elude the justice he so rightfully deserves."
"Justice for what, exactly? Punching that self-absorbed nutjob in the face when he deserved it?"
>Amethyst Star's eyes flash.
>"An uncounted number of crimes, including the corruption of a filly-"
"Whoa, slow down there, purplebitch. Corruption of a filly?"
>She frowns at you.
>"You turned her into a monster."
"Are you serious? What the hell gave you that idea? Hell, you were there when I SAVED her. Trying to stop me, as I recall. Who told you different?"
>She hesitates.
>"Prince Blue-"
>You roll your eyes.
"Sweet God, the sun does NOT shine out of that guy's ass, whatever he tells you."
>Fleur giggles, and Sparkler shoots her a look of absolute hatred.
"Why are you so devoted to him, anyway?"
>Sparkler's cheeks color, and she scowls at you.
>"I don't have to answer that."
>Fleur giggles again.
>"Methinks this one was bit by a looove bug."
>Sparkler glares at Fleur again.
>"Stay out of this, bimbo."
>For the briefest of moments, you see something dark and very cruel flash in Fleur's eyes, before it vanishes.
>"I see. I think I'll take my leave. Tell Blueblood I will contact him after the play."
>Fleur gets up and trots off, her nose in the air.
>You turn to where Rarity and Blueblood are still fighting.


>"...Furthermore, I have NEVER encountered such a foopish, femanine stallion in all my life!"
>You watch Blueblood's placid, annoyed expression, and you immediately know who has the upper hand.
"Rarity."
>"You....hmm?"
"I think we should go."
>"Nonsense, Anon, the night's just getting started!"
>She's furious, and hiding it behind spite and snark.
>You carefully put an arm on her neck and give her a quick scratch.
>She tenses up, slowly turning to look at you.
>She opens her mouth to say something, perhaps to admonish you, but you stop her with a look of your own.
"No trouble making, remember? It's our first night in Canterlot. And it's supposed to be a trip for us, right? Let's not waste it with this clown. Let's go do something we can enjoy."
>She glances up at Blueblood, and you see something in her eyes harden.
>You scratch behind her ears, and she shivers.
>"I...alright. Let's go then. The night is still young, as they say."
>She turns and trots towards the balcony exit, her tail lifted in the air and her expression locked in one of disdain.
>You turn to follow her, when you hear Blueblood's voice ring out.
>"Anonymous."
"What?"
>"I thought you should know. I hold no hard feelings toward you, truly. I only did what I thought had to be done."
"Uh huh. Sure. You want to sell me a bridge next?"
>He gives that same close-lipped smile.
>"I am being sincere. I'll prove it to you. I'm hosting a royal Garden Party at the end of the month. You're invited."
"Uh...I'd say thanks, but since I know you're a nutter, I'll just say, 'fuck that.'"
>You turn and walk out the door.


>As soon as you're outside the door, Rarity bumps up against you, giving you a devilish grin.
>"Well that was fun."
"If your definition of fun counts as running into the craziest motherfucker in the nation, yeah, I suppose."
>She sniffs.
>"I thoroughly enjoyed trouncing that trollop of a stallion."
"Yeah, too much. If I hadn't scratched your ears we'd have been their all night. I honestly didn't expect that to work."
>She blushes.
>"Speaking of that...how to put this...pony ears are quit sensitive, Anon. And mine are...a little more sensitive than most. So..."
>You look at her with concern, and then that concern transforms into devilish glee as you realize the implications of what she's saying.
"So you mean your ears are..."
>You trail off, and she sighs as she sees where you're going.
>"Let us just say that if there's one way to override my impeccable self-control, it's my ears. Especially, with those...ahem...fingers."
>Her blush deepens as you trot back towards your tower room.
>You give her your most wicked grin.
>She gives you a sultry smile.
>"Careful, Anonymous. That was a warning. Try to play with fire too much, and you might end up getting burned."
"Maybe I don't mind a few burns."
>You grin at her as the pair of you walk towards your temporary home.
>Her smile widens as the pair of you get to the door.
>"Well, then. Perhaps you're equipped to play with fire after all."
>Your grin widens.
>"But not tonight."
>She smiles at your frown, and giggles to herself.
>You both walk in, undress, and climb into the bed.
>She snuggles up lightly against your chest, smiling to herself.
"Hey marshmallow?"
>"Hmm?"
"Does Canterlot have any bars?"

EPILOGUE-Blueblood's Perspective.
>You idly swirl your wine glass as you wait for Fleur and her little allies to arrive.
>The dreadful little play was finally over, thankfully.
>You scowl at the thought of it, once more reminded of how far Celestia would go to drive your family name into the dirt.
>Sparkler's voice breaks you out of your brooding mood as she opens your doors.
>"My Lord? 'Fleur de Lis' has arrived. Along with her....guards."
>Your ears flick forward at the disgust in her voice, and you smirk as Razor rumbles at your side.
>You watch as the elegant mare strides forwards with her...accompanying guards.
>Six ponies, all identical, black pegasi.
>It was evident how their appearance mirrored Celestia's all white Royal Guard, and you reflected on the arrogance of your guest as she approached.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Fleur."
>The elegant mare regarded you coldly.
>"'Humble' is not what I'd call this mansion, Blueblood. You have not seen humble."
>You smirk.
"No, I suppose I havn't. Humility is for the poor and stupid."
>She smirks at you.
>"I cannot say I disagree. So, down to business. This....Anonymous creature."
"You know what he is?"
>She hesitates.
>"I...do not. I've never encountered his like. Examining him was...a unique experience."
"But you do think you'll be able to handle him?"
>"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
>You smile.
"Fleur de Lis, of course."
>She smirks.
>"Touche'. So, have you given our deal some thought."
"Of course I have, dear Fleur. "
>"And?"
"I'll accept your deal."
>Sparkler looks at you sharply.


>Sparkler leans in to whisper.
>"My Lord? Are you sure!? Your subjects-"
>You smile.
"The wonderful thing about subjects is that there will always be more of them, my dear Sparkler. Now please, cease your rudeness. Our guest can hear every word you speak."
>Fleur smirks.
>"That I can. Now, how can I be assured that this plan of yours will be successful? You are asking me to commit much to your little scheme. The Princesses-"
>You finish off your wine.
"Dear Fleur, please. Have faith. We are speaking of succession here. Leave the Princesses to me. If you and yours handle Anonymous and the Royal Guards, it will be only a month until I am King of Equestria, and your people will never go hungry again!"
>Razor snorts from next to you.
>"I still do not understand the reason for all this subterfuge. What will we do with the Princesses?"
>You chuckle.
"In the end? Kill them, of course."
>"How will you manage that? Even I could not defeat Celestia."
"Simple cunning, Razor. I will slay the both of them with my own hooves. All you must do...is be prepared."
>You get to your hooves, grinning.
"Prepare for the coup of the century. Prepare for the murkiest scheme. Meticulous planning..."
>You lift the ruby pendant from it's place around your neck with your magic.
"Tenacity spanning, decades of denial, is simply why I'll be king undisputed, respected, saluted..."
>You spin, looking at Fleur.
"And seen for the WONDER I am!"
>Fluer smiles with a mouthfull of sharp teeth as her guards vanish in a burst of green flame.
>"And every King, no matter how wondrous..."
>She blinks, and when she opens her eyes, they glow a luminous green.
>"Needs a Queen."