Romance and the Fate of Equestria

Okay, I'm back. Reeeeal sorry for my lateness once again. My computer went on the fritz, it took me forever to get it into a repair shop, they forgot to call me when they finished fixing it, and then… then, I don't know why I kept delaying after that, but I did.

So, DarthLink22, who I mentioned, oh, about 16 months ago? He showed up during that latest inadvertent hiatus. Really great to have you on board! What I had originally hoped to gain was a big spam campaign: "If you like The Nuptialverse, you'll like RFE!" But heck, I don't even know if that's true, because I still haven't actually found the time to read the Nuptialverse. I based that entire premise on both stories having an uncannily similar origin (picked up where Season 2 left off and still going, edgier and sexier with a very elaborate continuity that now counts as AU since the show is still going…) But what I got, the author actually being interested in continuing to read this story, why, that's an even better gift! A real treat to have you here like this, a real treat.

Also, until just now, this story had 144 chapters and 441 reviews. How cool is that?

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Five

The airship was moored outside of Canterlot Castle. Princess Cadance, never one to wait in the throne room, trotted briskly through the hallways, intercepting Twilight near the castle's entrance.

"Twilie," she said, in as formal a tone as the nickname allowed. "Well, from what I've heard, your weekend in Manehattan was even more eventful than we expected."

"Yeah, no kidding," Twilight muttered, smirking.

"So, the guys who hijacked the Colossus…" Cadance prompted.

"They're not saying a word," said Twilight. "We don't know who they are or what they were planning. But they've been put in the anti-magic ward of the prison on Alcatrots Island."

"And the Colossus itself? Removed from the museum, correct?"

"Yes. Its body is in the cargo hold of the airship, along with every piece of it we could find after it blew its own knees out, and every piece of information that the museum had on it. We don't want anything like this to happen again, but we also want to preserve the history the last colossus represents, so… It? She? Needs to be kept in a safe place."

"I agree," said Cadance. "Any ideas on where this safe place should be?"

"The Everfree, I think," Twilight said seriously. "Near Zecora's property. The forest isn't the 'eldritch location of no return' it once was, but few outside of Zecora's immediate social group dare to venture that far without a guide, so it should be safe there. She should be safe there…?"

"It's a fine line, isn't it?" Cadance mused. "Well, sounds like you've got all of that under control. And the, ah, diplomacy?"

"Oh, that went well!" Twilight said enthusiastically. "That went very well. Almost too well to be particularly memorable, to be honest. Between Fluttershy's engagement and the hubbub at the museum, the diplomatic meeting was kind of an afterthought."

"Understandable."

"It went well, though. Here's our trade agreement." She passed a binder to Cadance.

"Ah, very good," said Cadance, scanning the agreement.

After giving her a moment to read it over, Twilight said, "And you know, it was very interesting to meet them. I, ah… I didn't realize caribou could actually fly. I thought that was just a myth."

"Oh, yes," Cadance said absently. "That legend was proven true by some scientist, oh, not long after Song Li was put in charge. Or shortly before, maybe? I don't remember. They call 'em reindeer."

"Reindeer?"

"Yeah, 'cause they used to pull sleds and stuff, back in ancient times," Cadance explained. "Flying sleds."

"Ah, I see."

"Well, this seems to be all in order," said Cadance, shutting the binder. "So… Fluttershy! Fluttershy is engaged. I should go talk to her. Give her a blessing or something. Bless her engagement! I think it's extra-important for me to do things like that right now… it's not just the love thing, now I'm, like… in charge. So, yeah, gonna do that." She laughed. "Those two are so cute!"

"Just about the cutest," Twilight agreed.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Prince Blueblood, burdened by saddlebags and dragging a suitcase along, walked determinedly down the road just outside the gates of the castle.

"Hey!" someone called.

Blueblood disdainfully looked over his shoulder to see Shining Armor galloping out of the castle in pursuit.

"Where you going, little cousin?" Shining Armor asked seriously.

"I don't owe you any explanations," Blueblood spat.

"Come on, we're family," Shining Armor insisted. "I'd worry about you if I never knew where you went. Where are you headed?"

"Out," he said bluntly. "I'm done being a part of this family."

"Why?"

"Oh, I don't know!" Blueblood fumed. "Maybe because this family's done nothing but make smart remarks at me all my life. I didn't ask for a lifetime of rote memorization disguised as education, or my head being filled with dreams of being an important part of this country's government! I'm useless! Nopony ever lets me do anything, so I never learned how to do anything, I get covered in cake by the only mare who's ever treated me like a prince, I get rejected by an adventuring party for absolutely no reason… what is WITH my life? I tried to escape months ago, but the adventurers wouldn't take me. I got rejected at the damn Bazaar, the place where everyone is welcome! And now I'm finally getting a chance to make a difference, I'm allegedly part of a ruling council, but you, and your wife, and even Annihilara, who doesn't even know me, just use me as the resident punching bag!"

Shining Armor hung his head humbly. "Blueblood, I… I'm sorry."

"Not your fault," Blueblood said coldly. "Apparently there's just something wrong with me. Damned if I know what it is. So I'm going to go out on my own and… become somepony new. Maybe then… I'll be treated with a measure of respect. Like… well, I don't know what like. I've never been respected."

"Is there anything I can say to change your mind?" Shining Armor said solemnly.

"No. Definitely not."

"Then… good luck. I wish you every happiness, cousin."

Blueblood mulled that over. "No you don't," he decided.

He departed, disappearing into the city.