“Oooh, doubles!” Exclaimed Sweetie Belle celebrating her luck.

As the Elements of Harmony and the Princesses of Night and Day discussed the psychological problems affecting Noblesse Oblige and the dire circumstance that could be caused by them, the foals and Spike went off to the game room in the Canterlot Palace.

Celestia established the game room shortly after she moved the seat of government to Canterlot from the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. The game room was different from the staff break rooms, in that it was meant for the children who often worked with their parents and the nobleponies who were too young to serve in court.

“If ya roll doubles again, ya have ta spend three turns in jail,” Apple Bloom reminded her friend of the rules with a smile on her face, despite the fact that she was losing.

Apple Bloom, Noblesse, Spike, and Sweetie Belle decided to play a game Maneopoly while Scootaloo played on the rather large trampoline nearby. The group briefly entertained the playing Twister, but realized the game would quickly become awkward considering that they would be playing with mixed company.

“I wished I had your luck Sweetie Belle,” Said Spike, somewhat surprised by how well the Filly had done so far in the game.

Spike had figured that Sweetie Belle would have the hardest time with game. He actually either that Apple Bloom or Noblesse would be doing the best at the game, considering that Apple Bloom's family owned a monopoly on Equestria's apple market and Noblesse's family had a long history with politics. But Sweetie Belle had proven very cunning when choosing when and where to buy properties, she had at least one whole set of properties on each side of the board, almost all of her sets had houses on each of their properties, and she had deprived the Bank of five-hundred dollar bills. She also keep rolling doubles twice in a row on each of her turns, only to roll a high odd number on the third roll Sweetie's dice gave her. Though given the circumstances, Noblesse had done very well.

Noblesse had all but two properties on the bottom side of the board with scattered properties on the other sides of the board, preventing anypony/dragon else from even getting a whole other set. Though Noblesse didn't have nearly as much money as Sweetie Belle did, he had enough to at least get past Sweetie's vicious tolls whenever he landed on her properties. If only Apple Bloom had a modicum of luck on her side.

Apple Bloom's only property throughout the whole game, was also the most expensive property on the board. She had apparently used up all of her luck within the first seven turns when she bought the property. Any other properties she had acquired over the course of the game, she had to either mortgage or sell, or both whenever Sweetie felt like expanding her already vast imaginary corporate empire.

“How can you four stand to do something so boring for so long?” Asked Scootaloo as she got off the trampoline.

Scootaloo was most enamored by the trampoline because, unfortunately, she was a grounded Pegasus. Jumping on the bouncy flooring of the trampoline made her fell like she was flying, even more so than fluttering on her scooter. Though the two infamous bullies at her school had yet to mock her inability to stay airborne, Scootaloo had the sneaking suspicion that they were catching on. Scootaloo did not look forward to the day when those brats, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, learned that she was a late bloomer.

Scootaloo had expressed concerns to her parents (whenever they were actually home) that she might have been born hooficapped. Scootaloo's father, being the only Pegasus of her parents, sat her down and explained a part of his family history to her. Scootaloo's family on her father's side had this bizarre genetic quirk that delayed the maturity of the 'magical blood vessels' in their wings. Every Pegasus in his family had experienced the lack of flight that concerned Scootaloo, even her father was no exception to this. And if he was to be believed, their ancestors actually migrated to Ponyville because of this hereditary defect. Scootaloo's father also impressed the fact that there was no Pegasus in his family that couldn't fly because of their messed up genes.

While Scootaloo was anxious about being able to fly, her father had purged any fears that she would never fly in the sky, that didn't mean that she was going to appreciate the inevitable teasing until then.

“Ah rats,” Said Apple Bloom as she landed on Spike's most prosperous property, it was also apart of the only set that Spike own, “Ah guess I'm out then.”

“Ugh, finally!” Spike's excitement would've been considered rude, had this not been the first time that somepony had landed on either one of his properties in twelve rounds. Quickly realizing how inappropriate his behavior was just now, Spike apologized.

Apple Bloom shrugged it of as she turned to her orange Pegasus friend, “Hey Scoots, do ya see that toy fencing set over thar'?”

Scootaloo didn't know what 'fencing' was at that particular moment however, her excitement peaked as she turned to where her friend was looking and saw the masks and blunt swords hanging on the wall.

“Last one there is a rotten apple!” Scootaloo started running towards the wall, leaving Apple Bloom in her metaphorical dust.

“Hey, no fair”! The jovial look on Apple Bloom's face and her giggling betrayed how much fun she was having, and though she would never admit it, how funny she thought Scootaloo joke was.

After seeing her friends run off to jab each other with plastic sticks, Sweetie Belle gathered the courage to ask her new friend a question that had been on her mind since her group was inside the throne room, “Why did you get so angry with my sister,” Sweetie Belle winced in fear and anticipation of the colt's reaction.

Noblesse sighed as he rolled the dice and moved his piece appropriately, “Please accept my apologies, Uncle Blue Blood not only was one of the few Ponies who treated me well, but he is also my only real family.”

Noblesse's words confused Spike. He could understand defending one of the few ponies who didn't make a point of trotting all over you, but everypony who had royal blood was technically his family, “What do you mean your 'only real family'?” Spike was no where near as afraid of the noblepony as his foal friends were.

“Mine uncle is the only branch of the family tree that is even close to being related to me. Mine other relatives that are alive are so distantly related to them, that I could sire their foals without incest,” Noblesse explained without haste, implying that he was conditioned to find the same topics uncomfortable as his current company, as evident by Spike and Sweetie Belle flinching at the mention of incest.

Though his casual mention of intimate relations caught the young Dragon and Unicorn off guard, it did help explain why his much of 'family' treated Noblesse so poorly. If he had common ancestry, but wasn't actually related to the other nobleponies, than his existence could get in the way of claims on land and inheritance.

At that moment, one of the doors into the game room opened. Everyone but Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, who were too caught up in their fencing match to notice, saw a teal Unicorn with a mane and tail of white, red, and amber stripes. When the filly completely entered the room and started looking for something to do, they noticed a image of a mallet stamping a pile of paper emblazoned on her flanks.

Spike and Sweetie Belle turned to Noblesse for answers

“That filly is Legal Procedure,” Explained the colt, “Her father is the head of Celestia's staff, though not nearly as bad as my other cousins, she still thinks fairly highly of herself.”

“It's not very often you see a Dragon,” Said a clear, pleasant, though still haughty, voice behind the pair.

Spike and Sweetie Belle looked behind them to see that the teal filly was behind them with a small smile on her face. The two who were unfamiliar with the filly, noted that her coat was the same color as the eyes of Nightmare Moon.

“I never thought I'd see Auntie's guests mingling with the help,” Though Legal Procedure's words might have been considered rude the filly was obviously joking, most likely at Noblesse's expense.

Noblesse rolled his eyes to the back of his skull with a happy smile on his, “'tis nice to see thee as well Legalese.”

The Dragon and white Unicorn were both confused by Noblesse's behavior His words suggested that he wasn't exactly happy to see this new Unicorn, yet his behavior was oddly jovial, and neither one of the two thought that he was faking.

“Everypony!” Noblesse called out as to catch the attention of both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, “This is the most pleasant of mine cousins, Lady Legal Procedure: Scion of Celestia's Court and Princess of Canterlot.”

Legal Procedure bowed politely before speaking, “Please call me Legalese, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

At this point Sweetie Belle noticed the similarities between Noblesse and Legalese's voices, namely that neither Pony seemed to be talking down to the Commoners in the room. Though that could be because she and her friends were technically knights.

“What did you mean by 'the help?'” Asked Sweetie Belle, not fully understanding the joke.

“After mine parents passed away, I was raised the palace staff here in Canterlot,” Noblesse wasn't being completely dishonest. He was taken in by the palace staff after his parents' death, only for a few months' time. He did not feel comfortable sharing stories about his time spent in the Under-Cities just yet, and certainly not the reason why he sent underground, “Because of that, I spent a large amount of time working with the serving staff. 'The Help' is a phrase that is often used when referring to servants, and mine cousin here likes to tease me about it, all in good fun mind you.”

“I swear, he was the only servant in the whole palace that could remember exactly how everypony took their orders,” Legalese started to giggle at this point. She knew that particular feat wasn't as impressive as she made it sound, considering that her cousin had photographic memory.

Legalese looked down at the ongoing game of Maneopoly and started to laugh, “Gee, I wonder who's winning.” She looked at Sweetie Belle with a jovial look.

“Speaking of which,” It was Spike who spoke, “I must concede defeat.”

“I believe I should do the same,” Agreed Noblesse.

Sweet Belle was about to put away the game set, but the jovial teal Unicorn beat her to the punch as a light brown glow encompassed the game pieces. “Allow me,” Legalese happily put the game away despite the fact that she hadn't even played.

Just then, a thought crossed Noblesse's mind, “Dost thou know'st what thou shalt do for sleeping arrangements?”

“The Princesses will probably give us rooms here at the palace,” Suggested Scootaloo.

“Unlikely,” Replied Legalese, “We here at the palace are going to be hosting delegates from Maretonia, Griffonstone, Saddle Arabia, Japoni, and the Zebran Isles.”

“Then I figure we'll just head home,” Said Apple Bloom.

“No need,” Said the only colt currently in the room, “There are plenty of rooms in my family's housing-tower,” Noblesse started walking to the nearest door.

“I'll go ask thy legal guardians, feel free to have fun without me,” With that ending comment, Noblesse left the room.

As soon as he left, Legalese turned to the Crusaders and Spike with a look of astonishment on her face, “You four must have made quite the impression on him, he's usually cold towards strangers,” Legalese's expression changed from astonished to mischievous, “I wonder if has anything to do with the three cute fillies he meet today,” Legalese couldn't keep herself from laughing at looks on faces of the three fillies.

Sweetie Belle's face instantly turned scarlet, though she did find the lord to be quite the gentalcolt. Apple Bloom was having trouble processing the information, it never occurred to her that Noblesse was hitting on them and her confused expression reflected this. Scootaloo was, paradoxically, hysterical unamused.

Spike couldn't help but laugh at the Crusaders' expense, “Yeah, I bet he's going to ask one of you're sisters for your hoof in marriage!”

“Really?” Asked Legalese, “Because I think that he's going to ask for permission to marry all three of them!” Legalese and Spike were rolling on the ground laughing at the Crusaders, for their mouths were agape in complete surprised at the suggestion.

“Doesn't he have friends of his own?” Asked Applejack with concern in her voice. Though she was concerned about Noblesse's social development, Rarity's earlier comment made her concern more about her sister and the lord bonding too much.

“His friends are all eccentrics that are not welcomed in most social circles,” Celestia started to explain, “The only friend he has above ground is Polished Gong's daughter...,” Celestia was trying to remember Legalese's name with little success, she has had several hundred relatives over the centuries after all, “I believer her name is Authorized Approach,” Celestia knew that wasn't right, but it wasn't important at the moment.

Before anypony could say anything else, the throne room doors opened to admit the subject of their conversation.

Noblesse Oblige walked swiftly to the group, “Excuse me, what are thy plans for sleeping arrangements?”

Despite the odd question, a response was given quickly, “Why wouldn't we sleep here?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

Just then, Luna facehoofed as she realize the problem, “I completely forgot, we're hosting ambassadors from a half dozen other countries, all of our guest rooms are taken.”

“I came here with a solution to that predicament,” Said Noblesse, “Even with the staff, there are at least a dozen other rooms in my family's private housing-tower here at the palace.”

The Elements of Harmony were looking at Noblesse with looks that spoke of their appreciation, though Applejack and Rarity were somewhat suspicious of him having anterior motives, but neither of them saw the looks of surprise on the Diarchs' faces.

“That's unusually generous of you Noblesse,” Commented Celestia.

“Ah don't suppose that yer gunning for one of our sisters are ya?” Asked the apple farmer.

Most of Applejack's friends were looking at her agape, never did they think that Applejack would be so blunt, especially with somepony who could have a serious impact on her future. Though Twilight was astonished by Applejack's direct question, she had her gaze focused on Noblesse Oblige, namely because he had look of mischief in his eyes that was similar to that of Celestia whenever she had thought of a prank for one of the more stuck up nobles or a harsh member of Parliament.

“Thou art quick to even assume that I am attracted to fillies at all, perhaps I mine gaze set on the knowledgeable wyrmling that accompanied thou here.”

Though most were shocked by his joke, Noblesse Oblige and his great aunt and grandmother were tittering at the jest. Even Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were actually on the floor laughing.

Applejack was notably not amused by the joke. She was already worried that this strange noblepony might try to manipulate the Crusaders, namely Apple Bloom, in a bid for power. But now she felt like she had to worry about Spike as well.

“Thou hast thy own pick of the rooms, so long as they are not occupied,” Noblesse bowed politely before addressing the Sublime Sisters, “With thy leave, I shall rejoin our guests.”

Luna gestured with her hoof for him leave, as he did everypony noticed that Applejack was glaring at the colt until he left.

“Applejack darling, what's wrong?” Rarity was slightly concerned for her sister for the same reason as Applejack. The nobility was famous for manipulating commons and lesser nobles in various ways. While Rarity was certainly unsettled by the colt, she thought that Sweetie Belle and her friends would be a good influence. Rarity may or may not also have had hopes of Sweetie Belle getting the fairy tale wedding that she was denied so viciously at the last Grand Galloping Gala.

Applejack was only too eager to explain her discomfort with the colt, “That colt has mind altering magic, has a short fuse, and casually jokes 'bout hooking up with our siblings. Ah can't rightly say that Ah'm comfortable with a Pony like that being alone with mah sister and her friends!”

Before anypony could try to assure Applejack that her fears were unfounded, she galloped after the colt and quickly left with the doors slamming behind her.

“I'll go make sure that she doesn't do something stupid,” With that, Rainbow Dash flew after Applejack. It didn't hurt that she now had a legitimate excuse to keep an eye on her honorary little sister.

When Rainbow Dash left Fluttershy asked a question that had been on her mind, “What did you mean that Noblesse's friends were unwelcome in most social circles?”

“By the time Ponies had migrated to the Under-Cities, the prophesy about my return was well established. So the Under-Cities Ponies made a point of keeping their culture and society as unchanged as possible, so that I would have a retreat to go to whenever somepony rejected me for either my transgressions or my inability to fit in. They were absolutely successful,” The nocturnal Diarch explained grimly.

“Because these Ponies raised him for most of his life, my nephew has an incredible amount of trouble fitting in here on Equestria's surface,” Celestia was not happy that she had to send her nephew to these awful underground settlements, but she did what had to. That didn't mean she didn't blame herself for Noblesse's predicament.

“Wait!” Rarity exclaimed. While she wasn't as studious Twilight, she did enjoy history, “They didn't keep the Faiths did they?”

Celestia only nodded in the affirmative. “What are the 'Faiths'?” Asked Pinkie Pie. While she wasn't an idiot, history wasn't exactally her strong suit.

“The Faiths are what the ancient Equestria religions are called. And to this day, the Under-City Ponies hold the Alicorns to be gods,” Explained Celestia.

“I thought that you refuted her god-status after she banished Luna to the moon,” Pinkie's mane and tail had regained most of their poofiness as her thoughts were dragged away from the past of the unfortunate noble colt.

“The Under-Cities justify their worship of us by pointing that we are not infallible, and thus could be wrong about our lack of godhood,” Luna explained with an embarrassed blush on her face.

“Insisting on the ancient religious rituals of the Faiths immediately made him undesirable in the eyes of the Canterlot Ponies,” Celestia had started speaking again, “Some of his most valued possessions are idols of us three Alicorn Princesses and the six of you.”

While Twilight was very scholarly and one of the most intelligent Ponies in Equestria, even she didn't know as much about the seclusive Under-City Ponies as she would've liked, she was completely ignorant of any changes to their religious text concerning her sister-in-law and apparently her and her friends, “Why would he have idols of us?”

“When the six of you saved my sister, the Under-City clergy declared you all to be modern day saints. Some have even gone so far as to say that you are the reincarnation of the six Ponies who originally unified the Three Tribes,” Luna decided to explain this part of the Under-City religious lore.

Applejack had been running for three minutes in an effort to catch up to colt. She was actually surprised at fast the colt must have been moving, especially with the sedate pace that Noblesse Oblige used to leave the throne room.

Applejack wouldn't have been nearly as paranoid about something happening to her sister as she was, if it wasn't for her age. Though it hadn't happened yet, Apple Bloom was at the right age for her to have her first heat. Even though the Apple family was known for being virtuous throughout Equestria, Applejack couldn't put a number to how many of her cousins got into trouble the 'family way' at Apple Bloom's age. Even her parents had a shot gunned wedding when they found out that Big Macintosh was on the way. She doubted that Apple Bloom was foalish enough to even experiment at her age, she didn't like the thought of her being close to a colt that could, in theory, use his magic to influence her decisions.

Applejack had to stop to look down the different hallways that she had come across. To her left, was the noblepony that would probably cause her paranoid nightmares for who knows how long.

In her haste, Applejack didn't realize how close she was to Noblesse Oblige, and started to gallop towards him. The colt had heard her stop at the crossroads behind him, but didn't look to see who it was. He also heard Applejack barreling behind him.

Noblesse Oblige was no stranger to assault thanks to his time in the oft dangerous Under-Cities, and started to charge his mana for telekinetic strike against whoever was after him.

Applejack immediately halted her advance in fear of attack and braced for impact. When the colt saw that it was Applejack, he instantly dispelled the hostile magic gathering in his horn, “Oh! My apologizes Dame Applejack. I thought you were an attacker,” Noblesse laughed the near-incident off as he found it to be a silly notion that one of Equestria's most highly praised Ponies would attack him for no reason.

Applejack however, was horrified at how close she had come to injury – possibly death – and was more scared than ever for her sister. Chills went through Applejack's body as the colt seemed to be laughing at her fear.

After a few minutes, Applejack noted that there was noway that the colt could have made the distance from the throne room that he did with the pace he was using now, not in that short amount of time anyway.

Applejack supposed that he could have just teleported, but then why wouldn't he have warped all the way to game room? Applejack's best guess was that he either wanted Applejack to catch up to him or – more mundanely – was just being polite.

Applejack wanted to know as much about this colt as possible, and the best to do that now was to talk to him, “So, how do ya like mah sister?”

“I like her just fine, I think that she's a friendly filly,” Noblesse's response was surprisingly non-hesitant and cheerful, almost as though he hadn't nearly maimed Applejack.

Applejack would've pressed the conversation had a polychromatic blur not rushed past and startled them.

Rainbow Dash landed calmly in front of the duo, and started giggling at their astonished expressions.

“Heh heh heh, hey Applejack, I thought that watching over four foals and a Dragon would be a bit much by yourself.”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were escorted to the game room where they met Legalese: Noblesse's (approximately) twentieth cousin four times removed. Night quickly came as the foals and Spike played with Rainbow Dash under the watchful gaze of Applejack, though the night spent in the House Platinum Housing-Tower, the older farm filly still didn't completely trust the noblepony that was soon to call Ponyville home.

Author's Notes:

The third chapter of Culture Shock is done! I hope everyone reading enjoyed. I know it's cliche to use Applejack as the antagonist in these kinds of scenarios, but her character is best suited for it I think. I believe now would be a good time to mention some things. First: this story was partly inspired by my favorite MLP fanfics, namely Foal of the Forest and the rest of the Savage Skies series by moguera, the Friendship's New Flight saga by Masterob, and Head in the Clouds by Calm Mind. I would highly recommend looking up these amazing stories, keep in mind one of these suggestions is only good in concept and is loaded with typos. I will also mention that not all characters of importance have been tagged because FIMfiction only allows five character tags per story. I apologize if the end of this chapter was hastened, but I didn't want this chapter to be too long, not that I succeeded in preventing that. Also, next chapter we finally get bakc into Ponyville!