“I understand why the Princess might want to see the six of you, but why us?” Asked Sweetie Belle, it wasn't an odd question by a long shot. Normally whenever the Elements of Harmony were summoned, it was to deal with an occurring or ongoing catastrophe. There would be no reason to put foals like Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle in harm's way. The group of ten worked together to theorize about why Celestia would want the Cutie Mark Crusaders with the group.

“It has to be some weird political issue.” Stated Spike who brought along for the ride, being a resident of Ponyville, any circumstance that could be dire enough for Celestia to bring forth her oft-time champions affected him as much as it would the rest of Ponyville.

Spike's theory was the agreed upon theory among the passengers of the royal carriage on a course for Canterlot. And yet, there was just as much reason to dismiss this theory. Whatever the problem was, it involved the noblepony who was to inherit control over not just Ponyville, but all of Everfree Province. Noblesse Oblige, still being a minor, was not beholden to the Equestrian media as his older peers were, so little was known about him. The group dismissed the possibility that Noblesse Oblige was a danger to Equestria the same way that Discord or the Chrysalis Hive of Changelings was, but any way that the young noblepony could be a danger would be a job better suited for the Equestrian Supreme Court, or even direct intervention by the ruling Princesses of the land.

The large group didn't have long to discuss the possibilities, as within less than a half-hour, the carriage was landing in the Canterlot Palace landing site.

The Elements of Harmony and their siblings (surrogate or otherwise) was exiting the carriage, when Twilight noticed that the Royal Guard Ponies that had flown the group to the palace had looks of anxiety on their faces, however subtle.

The Royal Equestrian Guard was known for their stoic professionalism, loyalty to the Princesses, and their apparent lack of fear. Twilight knew this better than anypony, as she herself grew up within the walls of the Canterlot Palace.

Twilight traced the unusually nervous guard ponies' gaze, to a strange looking colt that was approaching the group.

It was not odd to see a foal in the palace. Servants usually brought their children with them to work as their jobs were demanding and had little time for their own homes. It was also common practice for the foals of servants to become servants themselves, if Twilight remembered correctly, the family of Celestia's majordomo had served for no less than five generations.

But Twilight couldn't help but stare at the odd colt coming towards her group. This did not go unnoticed by her friends. “Twi'? What's wrong sugarcube?”

It was then that the group, now aware of their friend's distress, and that of the guard ponies, looked to the source of their nerves, and couldn't help but cringe.

Equestria went through a sudden and long lasting period of isolationism, enforced by Celestia after her sister's fall to madness and subsequent banishment. However, Ponies were still known around the world for their upbeat personalities and bright vibrant colors to match. The Unicorn colt approaching the group was a blatant exception to this rule.

The colt in question had a dark, metallic, gray coat that was eerily similar to the metals used by other nations to forge weapons and siege engines. His hooves were a pitch black with had bold streaks going up to his knees. Anypony familiar with the Canterlot Elite would know that some ponies had a genetic defect that caused their hooves and lower parts of their legs to be a different color than their coats, often forming a fleur-de-lis pattern on their legs. The Princesses were also affected by this defect, which was why the fleur-de-lis was made into the symbol of the nobility, but even the Canterlot Ponies' discolored legs were still supposed to be bright colors. The colt's mane and tail were a dark yet glistening brown, oddly reminiscent to copper, a metal used to insulate electrical wires. When the colt was almost within speaking distance, some members of the famous bunch could see the colt's eyes. The eyes were supposed to be the brightest part of a pony's anatomy, supposedly being the windows into the soul, but even here the colt was different. His eyes were a a dark reddish-brown, given the colt's metal coloring, the group of exalted ponies could only think of rust when looking into his gaze.

The colt stopped at speaking distance and bowed politely. “Good morrow Elements of Harmony, mine mistress sent me to act as thy escort to the audience chamber.”

The colt's voice caused most of the ponies present to flinch as he spoke with a similar tone of voice to that of the rest of the Canterlot Elite. Rarity and Twilight, being the only ponies with the group who were familiar with the residents of Canterlot, were the only ponies who noticed the distinct lack of self-superiority that usually accompanied the words of the Canterlot Elite when speaking with 'the common rabble.'

“We're not Elements.” Said Apple Bloom, gesturing towards her friends and Spike. “And why 'er ya' talking like that?”

The colt raised from his bow and turned to the palace. This gave everypony a chance to see his unique Cutie Mark. A mirror with the silhouette of a pony with one of his/her hind legs and fore legs raised so that, were the silhouette colored, you could almost see the whole pony. But what really caught everponies' eye was the fact that the silhouette in the strange colt's Cutie Mark was an Alicorn of all things.

Before either of the Crusaders could ask the Unicorn about his Cutie Mark, their guide started to answer Apple Bloom's questions as he walked to the interior of the palace.

“Thy sisters were awarded with knighthood for their contributions to Equestria and her peoples and so, thy families share the titles of thy sisters.”

Sweetie Belle gasped in astonishment before she followed her group into the palace as Scootaloo said the catchphrase she shared with her honorary big sister. “Awesome!”

“Thou art exempt from this, Scootaloo. Or hast thou forgotten that Dame Dash is not thy blood sister?”

This caused the group the pause for a short time before continuing with their guide. It was one thing to know of the ponies that saved Equestria multiple times, but the details of their families shouldn't be public knowledge. Celestia made sure that the Parliament ratified laws that limited what the press could print without the consent of the ponies they wanted to write about.

“How the hay do you know that?” Asked Rainbow Dash, irritated that some stranger somehow knew some details about her family. But Rainbow was more upset at the colt because she perceived the colt's comment as being rude towards her little sister.

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders are famous, even here in Canterlot, for their antics in Ponyville, and inadvertently freeing Discord from his stone prison.” The gray Unicorn replied to Rainbow's question, yet nopony could be sure if he spoke with resentment or any emotion at all. This strange Unicorn colt had yet to speak with anything other than the professionalism expected of the palace staff, and strangely didn't seem to mind the group's questions.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders cringed at the mention of their greatest blunder, but the colt continued to answer Apple Bloom's second question. “And I speak this way for the same reason that thou speak'st with an accent, 'twas how I was taught to speak.”

It was at this point that Twilight Sparkle interjected. “You see Apple Bloom, even though the majority of Equestria no longer speaks in Classical Equine, some small communities in rural Equestria speak that way. In addition to these rural communities, the ponies who are raised by the palace staff also speak this way for tradition's sake.”

“I for one think it's simply charming,” Said Rarity, giving her two bits on the subject.

“What does your Cutie Mark mean?” Asked Scootaloo, while not interested in Twilight's lecture, she was still some what enthralled by the mysterious Unicorn's Cutie Mark.

“Mine mark represents my fascination with psychology and anatomy,” The colt was quick to answer cheerfully.

The group of ponies being guided to their Princesses' audience chamber was somewhat glad to see that their guide wasn't completely emotionless.

Before anypony could speak again, the group saw the large and luxurious doors to the palace throne room. The Unicorn's horn was coated in a Stygian black as the handles to the doors were also covered in a solid ebony before opening.

In the throne room, the ruling Diarchs sat on the Twin Thrones of Equestria with their usual entourage of guards.

“Guards, leave us,” Commanded Celestia.

When the doors closed with their usual banging, Sweetie Belle couldn't help but look back at the ornate doors. Her gaze centered, not on the doors, but on their strange guide who she thought would've left with the guards.

Sweetie hurried her pace and bowed with her friends and sister before the Princesses of Day and Night.

“You do not need to bow to us,” Said Luna as she gestured for everypony to get back on their hooves.

“I am glad to see you all answered my summons,” Said Celestia as she looked at her beloved student and her friends. Her head turned to look at Spike before she spoke again. “It is good to see you again as well Spike.”

As much as Twilight would've liked to continue with pleasantries, she knew that their purpose here this day was urgent, “Why did you summon us Princess? All your letter said was that it involved Lord Noblesse Oblige.”

“I wouldn't mind meeting him today while we're here,” Said Sweetie Belle, thinking about how nice it would be to meet her town's new lord.

“I believe the lot of you have already my grandfoal,” Replied Luna with an amused smile on her face as she gestured to the group's grim looking guide.

The group forgot how rude it was to show your back to members of the nobility, especially the royalty, as they practically spun around with horrified looks on their faces to the colt.

Lord Noblesse Oblige looked about as amused as Luna when he spoke, “It pleases me that mine subjects art as excited as I by the fact I rule over them,” His voice practically oozing with sarcasm at his subjects dismayed reactions to their revelation.

“Ah didn't know ya'll had foals!” Exclaimed Applejack, still dealing with the fact that the soon-to-be lord of Ponyville seemed to have a personality that drastically clashed with that of the residents of Ponyville, and now dealing with the fact that this intimidating colt was royalty.

“How else could I have nieces and nephews like Prince Blue Blood?” Asked Celestia who couldn't help but find the humor in the situation at hoof.

“Can we please not mention him of all ponies?” Asked Rarity as she turned to face the Sun Princess, disdain clear in both her voice and demeanor at the mere thought of the Blue Blood.

Only the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who were still looking at Noblesse Oblige with looks of awe, caught the brief venomous glare he shot at Rarity when she denounced Prince Blue Blood.

Nearly everypony in Ponyville knew about the atrocious behavior displayed by Blue Blood at the Grand Galloping Gala ten months ago. Not only was Rarity popular among the residents of Ponyville for her exquisite works of fashion in her store, Carousel Boutique, but she was also a famous gossip, in both volume and accuracy, albeit slightly exaggerated at times. With testimony from Rarity's friends, namely Applejack, everypony in the small town knew how poorly Rarity was treated.

“Dame Rarity,” Noblesse Oblige started speaking again. Though his glare was gone, anger still coated his voice like poison on a blade, “I would appreciate if thou refrained from insulting mine uncle while in my presence.”

“Do you know he treated me?!” Exclaimed Rarity surprised that a member of the nobility was defending that snob instead of apologizing for his behavior.

“Dost thou know'st why he treated you that way? And don't thou dare'st say because he is a snob.” The Elements of Harmony were taken back at the lord's vehemently defend somepony who was so openly rude. Twilight deduced that there was more to the story that she and her friends didn't know, given that neither Celestia nor Luna was intervening.

“One of the many responsibilities of the Royal Order of Knights (ROoK) is to watch over populace whenever an event like the Grand Galloping Gala is nearing. They do this because many of the guests are targets for things like scandal stories, assassinations, and seduction. In Equestrian Law, it is considered an act of treason to seduce a member of the nobility or royalty for the sole purpose of elevating one's social status, and thou made thy intentions for mine uncle clear during the 'Ticket Master Fiasco.'”

Once again, the Elements of Harmony were surprised. Events during that inspired Twilight's friendship reports were rarely public knowledge, the events of the so called 'Ticket Master Fiasco' weren't even known by most residents of Ponyville. So for this noblepony to know such an obscure piece of the friends' history was beyond bizarre.

“How do you know about that?” Asked Rarity, genuinely curious as to how somepony who most likely spent his entire life within the walls of the Canterlot Palace could possibly know about that particular event.

“Agents of ROoK were in Ponyville watching thy backs for anypony whom would try and take advantage of thou, and so they saw the whole thing and reported it to Auntie Celestia. As this information pertained directly to the Noble Court of Canterlot, we are all aware of thy heartfelt speech of thy future with mine uncle.”

This made Rarity wince at the thought that the ponies whose ranks she always dreamed of joining, imagining how lowly they might think of her.

“'twas well within mine uncle's rights to have thou incarcerated for conspiracy against the holy thrones, but nay! Despite the urging of his peers, mine uncle decided to not press charges against thou, and even allowed you to attend the Gala. Even still, mine uncle refused to have you thrown into prison for not only attempting to seduce him, but actually assaulting him when thou failed, when most, mineself included, would've have thou swing from the gallows for thy transgressions!” Noblesse Oblige then stomped on the floor once, cracking the tiles beneath his hoof, showing that he was not lacking for strength despite being an entitled Unicorn. Righteous fury overtaking his cool demeanor and filling his regal voice. Some ponies in the room made the comparison to Luna when she upset at the Ponyville populace last Nightmare Night, only thankfully, Noblesse Oblige didn't use the Royal Canterlot Voice.

“Didn't the Princess outlaw capital punishment?” Asked Apple Bloom, slightly worried at how the angry Unicorn would react.

“Aye, Celestia made the declaration three-hundred and forty-one years into her sole reign. However, that law only affects commoners, nobleponies are prosecuted much more severely as they are born an incredible amount of power over Equestria and her people. Dame Rarity, being knighted for her contribution to Luna regaining her sanity, is vulnerable to punishment that commoners are not.” The young lord replied, seeming to have calmed down significantly.

This revelation made Rarity's skin blanch into the same color as her coat.

The group of ponies could hear Celestia giggling to herself, “He is certainly your grandfoal sister.”

Both princesses laughed at Celestia's joke and calmed themselves before they spoke, though it was Celestia who spoke first.

“My nephew did show a large amount of restraint when dealing with you Rarity. I was genuinely afraid I was going to have to bribe him to spare you punishment, though he admitted that he went too far by using you as an equine shield.”

Luna decided that this was where she should solicit her input, “Prince Blue Blood confided in us both that he felt that embarrassing you at the gala and crushing your hopes of a fairy tale wedding, would be more fitting of a punishment than the Canterlot dungeons.”

Before anypony could say anything, Celestia hastily spoke, “Spike, would you and your foal friends here like to go to the game room?”

The look on the Crusaders and Spikes faces light up like beacons, “That sounds like fun! What do you girls think?”

The Crusaders looked to each other than to Spike, “Ah think that would be fun,” Said Apple Bloom cheerfully.

Luna nodded, “Noblesse, would you please show our young guests to the game room?”

Noblesse Oblige swiftly looked to his grandmother and great-aunt before smiling, “Gladly your grace,” He turned to the doors and left with the Crusaders and Spike in tow. Though they might have still been shaken by the lord's display of anger, the foals and Spike were glad to have an opportunity to alleviate themselves of the boredom that quickly took hold of them after arriving.

Both Princesses sighed in relieved before Luna spoke again, “I think he saw right through us, at least he didn't seem to mind.”

Applejack turned to her Princesses, obviously upset at something, “Can y’all tell me why you sent my sister and 'er friends off alone with that psychopath?” It took all of Applejack's self control to keep from bolting after her sister and her friends.

Rainbow Dash decided to try and calm Applejack herself, “Relax Aj, he won't do anything to hurt Apple Bloom or any of the others. Right?” Rainbow Dash looked to Celestia and Luna, while she didn't think that anything would happen, she couldn't shake the worry she herself had for Scootaloo.

Celestia motioned for the two of them to calm themselves, “Noblesse Oblige won't lay a hoof on them unless they try to do something illegal, in fact he, may very well be the only one who can protect them from any of his peers that would try to pull rank on them.”

Twilight was confused by her mentor's words, “Shouldn't the fact that we're royal knights keep them safe?” Twilight didn't fully comprehend the laws governing the nobility, but she knew that knights in direct service to the Princesses should be safe from the ambitions of the nobles.

“The six of you are protected,” Answered Luna, “But your siblings, while not our knights, still hold the title of Knight. Meaning that any noblepony with the rank of Baron or higher can order them around like servants.”

Celestia picked up where her sister left off, “Though he is the Count of Vanhoover and Everfree Province, his direct blood ties to us also makes him a Prince of Canterlot, the highest rank of the nobility below the Alicorn Princes, meaning he can use his rank to keep his peers from doing anything sinister with your siblings.”

“Like what exactly?” Everypony was curious as what their rulers meant, but only Rainbow Dash responded.

“Like trying to use magic to make them agree to a legal marriage or to sleep them,” It was neither Diarch, but Twilight who answered.

Twilight's friends were aghast at the suggestion, “Ahn't them kind'a spells illegal?” Asked Applejack, again having to keep herself from running to her sister's side.

“The same magic that town guards use to keep prisons from starting starvation riots or from escaping during transfer, can be used to manipulate ponies into doing devious tasks. That same magic can also be used to make would-be assassins turn themselves in,” It was Celestia who started to explain, “That is why the nobility is permitted to use such magic, Noblesse Oblige himself has had to use that kind of magic for self defense,” Celestia temporally lost her natural composure as she cringed, “That is in fact why I called for you.”

The six saviors turned to their Princesses once more, all having grim and confused expressions on their faces, not liking the implications behind the Sun Princess's words.

Celestia waited to see if anypony was going to speak, but given the dark implications of her words, her subjects were content to wait for their Diarchs' explanation, “My little ponies here in Canterlot have a very negative opinion of my young nephew. They see his 'unique' appearance as a blemish on Equestrian society, and the fact he's a noble upsets them even more. Before my sister returned, my other nephews and even my own grandfoals, saw him as a minor lord that was lucky enough to have an important coastal city like Vanhoover in his small assortment of assets. When Luna did return, the nobility scanned the royal family tree to see who was closest in blood to us, imagine their horror when they discover that their little cousin whom they had mistreated for so long was in fact, closer to Luna than anypony else in blood save for myself.”

Everypony present winced in sympathy for the Noblesse Oblige. Even though they were not necessarily political inclined, they could only imagine how unpleasant much of his life was, given that they already knew he was an orphan.

Luna continued explaining for her older sister, “My grandfoal has eidetic memory, meaning that he remembers everything with perfect clarity. Every joke at his expense, every rude gesture, every time his was excluded from something,” Luna had to pause for moment to further collect her thoughts, “The wounds, mental or physical, that he has suffered because of his peers are forever fresh in his mind, this makes it very hard for him to forgive as he cannot forget.”

Pinkie's mane and tail had lost their curls as her colors seemed to darken. Fluttershy shed a few tears of sympathy for the strange colt. Applejack adjusted her hat to hide the grim look on her face as Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs with a pensive look on her face. Twilight was visibly saddened, though not crying as her Pegasus friend was, “Oh my,” Was all Rarity could say as she thought about how hard life must have been for the colt.

While nopony had a positive impression on the small gray Unicorn, no creature deserved such harsh treatment, especially for something as unimportant as appearance. This also helped explain his cold personality and seemingly short temper.

Luna cut their thoughts short as she went on explaining what the problem with Noblesse Oblige was, “I assume you all noticed the strange way in which Noblesse Oblige spoke? When his parents died, he was only two months old and so, he was raised by the staff. Though he did not grow up here in the palace, he was sent to one of the Under-Cities.”

“What!” Twilight nearly screamed in horror at that last statement. Her friends did not know what would have caused their rational friend's sudden outburst.

The Sun Princess took their confusion as the queue to explain, “When Luna went mad, many Ponies felt responsible as it was their neglect that drove her insane, so these Ponies migrated into the vast chasms underneath Equestria. These Ponies established settlements in these Chasms, known as Under-Cities,” Celestia sighed sadly thinking about these Under-Cities, “The Ponies of the Under-Cities had to preform blood rituals to survive in the hostile subterranean environment that they banished themselves to. It is these blood rituals that turned the Pegasi into the Bat-Ponies,” That statement elicited gasps from those not in the know, “I also know that these blood rituals mutated the Ponies from the other tribes into what they are today, whatever they are today.”

“S-s-so, so,” Surprisingly, it was Fluttershy who began to speak, “So the Bat-Ponies don't use illusions? Th-they actually look like that?”

“Aye,” Responded Luna sadly. Though she had kicked that habit of using the Royal Canterlot Voice and using Classical Equine, she still used some ancient words in place of modern terminology, “They quickly discovered that creatures living in the chasms were hostile towards Pony kind. Some of our extra-continental enemies have tried using the underground passage ways to invade our fair nation. This makes the Under-Cities a very hostile place to live, as all living there must undergo military training practically from birth in the case of attack.”

“Why would you send your infant nephew to one of these Under-Cities?” Rainbow Dash, though she didn't have a high opinion of her family and vice verse, still believed in the importance of family and was horrified that their benevolent Princess would knowing send a small foal, related to her or not, to someplace she knew was dangerous.

“Noblesse Oblige's innate magic revolves around what others would call, 'Witchcraft,'” Explained Celestia.

This caused Twilight to gasp and Rarity to bring her hoof to her mouth, “Oh dear.”

“Um, what's Witchcraft?” Asked Fluttershy. The darker aspects of arcane history were rarely known by non-Unicorns, as there wasn't as much need to impress caution when using magic for Pegasi and Earth Ponies.

“Witchcraft,” Twilight started to lecture again, “Is the general term used for forbidden magic, typically revolving around destruction, though there are spells from all schools of magic that have been outlawed and branded as Witchcraft.”

“Aside from myself, the denizens of the Under-Cities were the only Ponies who could safely train Noblesse Oblige how to use his magic without somepony being in danger,” Celestia explained herself.

“If all'o his spells are forbidden spells, why did you allow him to get training fer it?” Applejack was still slightly confused as to why Celestia would let her nephew practice magic that was outlawed.

“He isn't of practitioner of Witchcraft as other prosecuted mages were,” It Luna who was explaining now, “Noblesse Oblige was born with dangerous magic. If he didn't receive proper training for it, he could weave firestorms or agitate the elements into hurting countless Ponies any time he got slightly upset.” Luna's expression was serious, “There would be no humane way of keeping him from using his magic, so the alternatives were either ending his life or ensuring he had the training to restrain himself.”

“So you're afraid that Noblesse Oblige could lash out at other Ponies for the abuse he's suffered?” Pinkie's mane and tail were still straight, but now the usually vibrant mare had tilted her head in confusion.

“It's not just that,” started Celestia, “Because of the circumstances of Noblesse Oblige's birth, he will have unprecedented power over the Equestrian Parliament.”

“Don't you have to be elected into Parliament?” Asked Rainbow Dash. She was confused at this point because she knows she has voted for Ponies running for office before.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight was shooting her polychromatic friend a deadpanned look. She understood that Rainbow Dash was not exactly into politics that didn't involve The Wonderbolts, but she should have a basic understanding of how the Equestrian government works.

“That is only one of the three houses of Parliament. There is the House of Electives which the common Pony votes for, there is the House of Nobles where the various noble families of Equestria chooses a representative, then there is the House of Officials who earns their positions through promotions after becoming apart of smaller organizations within the Equestrian Government.”

“Twilight Sparkle's analysis of how the Equestrian government is accurate,” stated Luna, “The problem with Noblesse Oblige, is that he ancestry gives him power over Vanhoover: the industrial center of Equestria, and all of it's surrounding territories as well as the agricultural communities in Everfree Province. He would have to exercise little power to affect the three houses of Parliament, and should he marry a noblepony or business magnate, he will only have more power over Equestria. Theoretically speaking, he and his descendants could gain more power over Equestria than my sister or me.”

The facts told to them, caused the Elements of Harmony to pause. A noble family with more power over Equestria than the Alicorns was a more than starling revelation.

Seeing that her sister was out of breath, Celestia continued in Luna's place, “Our concern, is that Noblesse Oblige will grow into a stallion, resenting the Equestrian peoples. As you've noticed, everything about him from his appearance to his inner magic goes against much of Equestrian society. If he sees Equestria as a land that does nothing but makes him suffer, he will gladly use the power fate has given him drive the Equestrian people into the ground out of vengeance, and there will be nothing the Alicorns can do about it. He will sacrifice Equestria's happiness for power, as there are so few Ponies that have shown him compassion and kindness.”

“What do you want us to do?” Asked Twilight.

“We want you to show my nephew the good in Pony kind, and to purge him of the loneliness and scorn that haunts him. That is also why we invited the Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Celestia would've continued, but Rarity interrupted.

“Is it your intention that he falls in love with one of them?” Rarity's expression was a mixture of excitement and fear.

“Not necessarily,” Now that Luna had caught her breath, she was more than happy to speak again, “He needs friends his age, and we knew that your sisters would ignore his 'quirks.'”

Author's Notes:

I think now is a good time to mention that while I gave this story the gore and dark tags, this story will be nothing like 'Cupcakes' or the grimdark grimdarkness of Warhammer 40k.