Blue-Blooded Rivals Pt. 1

>The orange glow of the setting sun glares through the pub window.
>It's not quite night yet, obviously, but there's still a few p0nies gathered here.
>Some are the standard Canterlot bunch, others seem like they're just visiting.
>Fairly busy, if anything.
>You sit at a table alone with a pint of draft beer, taking a few sips occasionally and swirling the delicious foam with your finger.
>You feel somewhat solemn.
>Zoning out and staring out the window, you take a deep breath and allow yourself to relax comfortably.
>The soft hum of talking voices and the clinking of glasses fills the room.
>Suddenly, you hear the door open, with a few gasps following suit.
>You raise your eyebrow, then turn your head to see who's entered.
>A built, white unicorn with a blonde mane and an eight-pointed star-like cutie mark stands at the entrance.
>Many other p0nies in the establishment start muttering to themselves, while others simply go about their business.
>The unicorn narrows his eyes, moving his pupils from left to right, as if scanning the environment.
>He then takes a step inside, and a few p0nies gasp and turn away.
>"Hello Prince Blueblood..."
>"Good to see you here, Your Majesty!"
>"Sire... what are you doing in an establishment such as this?"
>The unicorn answers none of these questions or acknowledges any of the greetings.
>Instead, he walks across the pub, past the bar and a few tables, right up to you.
>He stops, and stares you down.
>All eyes in the pub are on you.
>You take a sip of your beer, then place it down to the wooden table with a soft thump.
"...Can I help you?"
>You finally say, after a few seconds of silence.
>He beams his eyes into yours.
>"Peasant... I regret to inform you that you're in my favorite seat," he says condescendingly.
>You laugh a little through your nose and crack a small smile.
>"I'm asking you to move."
"Oh, didn't realize."
>You take another sip of beer.
"But, you see,"
>Continuing on, you raise a finger and place your beer back on the table once more.
"I was here first. Have been for a bit, and I don't feel much like moving."
>The prince narrows his eyes angrily.
>The on-looking p0nies are now all dead silent.
"So why don't you fuck off?"
>Loud, piercing gasps come from the rest of the pub.
>One classy mare actually faints.
>You say nothing more, only looking into the prince's eyes as you take another sip of beer.
>He scrunches his face, and his eyes beam seething hate...
>You simply continue staring at him.
>Many p0nies in the pub are completely on edge.
>He grits his teeth.
>...But...
>He can't hold this face for long.
>He soon after bursts out into laughter.
>You do too, very shortly after him, almost choking on your drink.
>You slap the table a few times with your hearty chuckle.
>Some p0nies look to each other, absolute confusion on their faces.
>They mutter questioningly to each other.
>A few others laugh as well, shaking their heads.
>"I can't believe some folk still fall for the antics of those two..." an old p0ny says to his wife.
"Ah, enough fucking around, sit down, buddy, good to see you again!"
>You say happily, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and beckoning him to sit.
>"Dear barkeep, I'll take a pint of what Anon is having!" Prince Blueblood calls to the bartender as he takes a seat.

"Never gets old, does it, my royal friend?"
>Prince Blueblood finishes off his pint, then places it back to the table with his magic.
>"I must say, it doesn't. These jests never fail to amuse me," he says, patting his lips with a napkin.
>You sigh happily, taking another sip of your own pint.
>You gaze out the window, which now shows a night drenched Canterlot landscape.
>A server mare trots up quickly, placing down another two pints for you two.
>"Thank you, darling," Blueblood says, levitating one of them off toward him.
>The mare stutters a few times, then blushes, scurrying off shyly right after you grab your drink from her.
>You laugh.
"Come a long way, huh?"
>"Hmm?" he inquires with a smile.
>You put on a shit-eating grin.
"You were a total prick when I met you. P0nies around here say you were for a while before then, too."
>He nods in agreement as he swallows his beer, then levitates his pint around conversationally.
>"And some p0nies still believe I am. It's a curse that shall follow me for life, my dear friend."
>You reach over and slap his shoulder.
"Well those p0nies just don't know Blueblood like I know Blueblood."
>He smiles at you, and you return it.
>You pick up your beer with a content sigh and take another gulp.
"I think most of Canterlot knows now, anyway."
>He nods. "This is also why our little ruse fails to work as well as it had in the past."
"Yeah... yeah..."
>Your ear picks up a passing word from a nearby conversation.
>Using your peripherals, you spot two snooty looking mares talking to each other in a way they believe inconspicuous, leaning in towards each other.
>"I still don't see what the good Prince sees in that hairless ape," one mutters to the other.
>You raise your eyebrows at this statement.
>Prince Blueblood catches on to this, also hearing the conversation.
>"I know... there are countless noblecolts and good, high-class p0nies he could spend his time with... I suppose we'll never understand him."
>You laugh a little, taking another drink.
>Blueblood leans in to you. "Hey... don't let such worthless guttertrash such as them get to you," he says softly, glancing over to them and smiling.
>The mares see this, mistakenly assume he must be complimenting them, and smile and wave.
>Blueblood laughs a little to himself, then leans back in to his seat.
>You wave your hand dismissively.
"It doesn't bother me, man. Don't worry about it."
>And you mean it.
>The snooty, high-class population of Canterlot really doesn't seem to completely accept you here.
>There are a few good p0nies, many very welcoming and warm to the single new member of a species that appeared half a year ago, but most consider themselves superior and act very condescending. It doesn't bother you, per se, but it is a little annoying.
>It's why you've seriously considered moving to somewhere quainter, and are only now acting on that.
>"Well, you are my very best companion, now and forever," he adds.
>You smile, and raise your glass.
"And you to me. Cheers to that."
>You two clink your classes together and each take another gulp.
>You sit quietly for a moment, enjoying each other's company.
>"...So tomorrow is the big day, eh friend?" he says to break the silence.
>You nod, just finishing off your pint.
"That it is, that it is... finally leaving the grand city."
>"I'm happy for you. You deserve so much better than what you get here."
"It's not THAT bad,"
>You start, waving off a server mare coming by with more beer. You've had enough for now.
"It'll just be nice to live with p0nies who, hopefully, see me as their equal."
>You fiddle around with your empty glass a bit.
"Although, I'm fairly certain that whole 'What is that thing!?' phase will have to be done over completely."
>You laugh a little at your own kinda-joking-but-not-really observation.
>Prince Blueblood chuckles with you.
>"Where is it you are relocating to again?"
"P0nyville."
>"Ahh, that's right... have you finished packing your belongings?"
"Just about."
>"Excellent," he says, finishing off his pint as well, "I'll have Aunt Celestia prepare a moving chariot for you in the morning."
>You smile at your friend.
"Thanks buddy. And you said you wouldn't be able to make it?"
>The server mare comes over and grabs your glasses, clearing your table.
>Blueblood shakes his head with a scrunched face.
>"Unfortunately not, my companion. Humorously enough, I DO have royal duties to attend to."
>You smile and laugh, then give a playful punch to the white unicorn.
"As if YOU ever do anything over in that castle!"
>He gives a toothy smile while laughing through his nose. "Hey, it's true!" He looks down to the table, still smiling. "I may actually inherit a small kingdom just outside of Equestria..."
>Your eyes widen, and you gape your happy mouth, a baffled breath escaping it.
>He notices this.
>"Well, nothing is final! We are all still going about the business of whom it will be that does, but... there is a chance."
>You simply gape again, opening your arms in a grand manner.
"Wow... KING Blueblood? I don't know if I could deal with that."
>You give him another shit-eating grin.
"Your subjects would probably all starve to death or some shit."
>He laughs, then playfully throws a napkin at you with magic.
>"We shall cross that bridge when it comes!"
>You sigh a content sigh, then look out the window.
"...It's late, buddy. I should probably head home and get some rest."
>Blueblood stands to his hooves, nodding.
>"As should I... good barkeep! Please, put it on my tab!"
>You stand up too, laughing.
"Ahh, the perks of a royal friend..."
>He returns your very own brand of shit-eating grin.
>"Do not get used to it, dear Anon. In P0nyville, YOU will be buying the first round." You pat him on the back and laugh. "How else will we pull our devious prank in the town of P0nyville?"
"True, true... I expect you there one of those nights after I move to visit me. You're still my best bud, cities away or not!"
>"And you to me, my good chum. May our tie of friendship always be strong."
"Okay, now you're just getting sappy on me."
>You both laugh, stepping out of the pub into the cool night air.
>"Well, Godspeed, Anon. I shall see you as soon as I can."
>You grasp Blueblood's hoof in a brotherly handshake.
"Ditto, my man. Good luck with those duties, yeah?"
>"Thank you. Have a safe trip!"

>The next day, around 11:30 in the morning, you finally stood in front of your new home.
>You wave goodbye to the pegasi guards, who take the golden chariot up and away, back into the sky and toward Canterlot.
>It'd be nice to have some help with the boxes from them, but...
>Well, it's not like YOU're royalty or anything. They have things to do.
>It was a favor for Prince Blueblood rather than you.
>But you're grateful regardless.
>Going on the train would suck ass.
>Your house is in town, not too close to the square or the hustle-and-bustle, but not out near the forest either.
>You have a couple neighbors whom you haven't seen yet, probably out at work or something.
>All in all... a pretty good spot.
>You bend down and pick up the first of many boxes and carry it into the house.
>It's got a fresh, new smell. Recently built.
>You've got a loan to pay off now.
>But hell, it's worth it for this place.
>For now, you just place the box down in the living room area before going out and grabbing the next.
>You do very much the same with the next, then the next, until you have a nice pile of boxes there.
>You dust off your hands, then scope out the area.
>You'll need a couch... a coffee table... some chairs, maybe...
>Yeah, this could look nice.
>You'll go out tomorrow maybe and grab some furniture.
>You take a peek into the kitchen, which is thankfully already equipped with a refrigerator and stove.
>Looks pretty nice...
>The bedroom is upstairs, so...
>You sigh.
>You walk outside and get ready to haul the final few things:
>Your mattress, bed frame, and box spring.
>These are going to be a bit of a pain.
>You bend down and pick up the mattress first, hauling it up and over your shoulder, and slowly carry it into your house.
>With a bit of a wobble, you shuffle upstairs, down the hall, and into your bedroom.
>You toss the mattress into the middle of the room.
>Fuck it, you'll arrange it later.
>Speaking of which... yeah, a dresser would be nice. Add that to the list.
>Okay, time for the rest.
>You briskly step down the stairs and out toward the rest of your things.
>But, to your surprise, along with your box spring and bed frame, you see two p0nies out to greet you: a purple unicorn and yellow pegasus.
>The purple one's eyes twinkle with delight, and her mouth opens into the biggest, wide-mouth smile you've ever seen a p0ny perform.
>"Oh, so you ARE here!" she says with excitement. "Princess Celestia said you were coming today! I'm so honored to meet you!"
>Princess Celestia?
>How does this p0ny know the princess so personally? Why would she be told?
>You don't know the princess all that well yourself. You've met her once when you first arrived, but haven't seen her much since then.
>You don't even think she knows about your friendship with her great great great great... --however many greats-- nephew... however many times removed.
"Likewise."
>You say to the jittery purple p0ny.
"I'm Anonymous. Anon for short."
>You hold out your hand for a shake.
>The gesture apparently goes over the unicorn's head, as instead of shaking it, she clasps your hand between her hooves and examines it thoroughly.
>It catches you off guard slightly, but you end up just rolling your eyes.
>This isn't something you haven't been through before.
>She takes notice of your facial gestures, and retracts her hooves quickly as a result.
>"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaims. "Where are my manners? I'm Twilight Sparkle!"
"A pleasure, Twilight. And..."
>You turn to the quiet yellow pegasus, who hasn't said a word up to this point.
"And you are?"
>The mare looks up to you, then shyly looks away, hiding behind her mane.
>Twilight quickly shuffles over and wraps a hoof around her.
>"Sorry Anon, this is my friend Fluttershy. She's a little, well... shy."
>Makes sense.
>"I brought her to meet you because Fluttershy here is an expert on animals and creatures... I thought she'd like to see you, being the only of your kind here."
>Also makes sense.
>Fluttershy looks back to you, observing you up and down.
"Well I'm not really an animal per se... I mean, I'm sentient and all that."
>"Oh no! I didn't mean it like that!"
>You laugh a little to yourself.
"No worries, I know you didn't. Regardless..."
>You kneel down to the level of the shy p0ny.
"I'm sure we can all be great friends."
>You put your finger under her chin and elevate her eyes to yours.
"Yeah?"
>Fluttershy blushes and opens her mouth, but no words come out. Instead, she turns away again, smiling with a red tint to her cheeks.
>Cute...
>You stand back up and stretch your back.
"Well, better get the rest of this crap in the house..."
>"Oh! Let me help you!" Twilight says cheerily.
>Her horn glows, and your box spring and bed frame levitate into the air.
> You admire it, nodding slowly with a smile.
"Magic... forgot how useful that is. My buddy back in Canterlot is a unicorn, too. Thanks Twilight."
>"Not a problem!"
>She carries it into your house, and you and Fluttershy follow her.
>"Once this is done, Fluttershy and I can show you around town! Does that sound good?"
"Yeah, that sounds perfect, actually."
>Man, not even here an hour and already making friends.
>Shit is so cash.
>All you need is your buddy Blueblood here and you'd be in paradise.
>Looks like you were right... this was a smart move.
>You're seriously looking forward to life here.

End of Part 1