It's time for Charles to learn a lesson.

Disclaimer: I own only the following: Charles and his parents, and anything that doesn't happen in the show proper.

Chapter 35: Sweet and Elite

It's morning at the Golden Oaks Library and Charles is asleep in his bed and Twilight's birthday is this weekend when suddenly a knock was at the door Charles was sill asleep to hear it but he know Twilight is home and he hear her open the door. "Oh hi Rarity what brings you over!" Twilight's voice said. "Oh I just wondering if I borrow Charles for a bit?" Rarity's voice asked. "Huh. why?" Twilight's voice asked. "Me and Opal are going to visit Canterlot to pick up some fabrics for the boutique so I've thought I need an escort so since your'er busy I'll thought Charles will come." Rarity's voice said. "He'll be happy to! I be back with him in one second." Twilight's voice said.

Charles heard Twilight come upstairs and saw him asleep. "Charles ugh not again what should do ah!" Twilight's voice said as she got an idea. She got close to Charles ear and say what Pinkie says not too often when somepony broke a pinkie promise "YOU PINKIE PROMISED!" This got the stallion up and he was scared, and dangling from the ceiling, and his eyes as wide as saucers he look down and saw it's only Twilight. "Twilight don't scare me like that!" He said. "Sorry about that, but Rarity wants to see you." Twilight said. "Me why?" Charles asked. "She and Opal are going to visit Canterlot to pick up some fabrics for the boutique and she needs an escort would you like to be her escort?" Twilight asked. "Canterlot?!" Charles said Hum I haven't seen my parents in a while since I joined the Musketeer ponies He thought. "Okay I will!" Charles said. "You will? great!" Twilight said as the two unicorns from Canterlot went downstairs. "Charles say he will!" Twilight say this got Rarity excited and hug him "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Rarity said as she went to pack her things.

Spike who just woke up "What did I miss?" he asked the two remanding unicorns. "Oh Rarity was here and asked Charles if he will escort her to Canterlot and he agreed." Twilight said. "What?!" Spike said. "Sorry pal next time okay." Charles said. "Oh right!" Spike said. "Spike since you're up I what to send a letter to the princess." Twilight said. "But it's not Tuesday yet!" Charles said. "It's not an friendship letter. It's just I want Princess Celestia to accommodate Rarity and tell her that you are coming." Twilight said "Spike, take down a note.", The baby dragon was already on it, whipping out a quill and blank scroll to take her dictation. Dear Princess Celestia, My dear friend Rarity will be going to Canterlot for a visit. She needs to gather some things for her shop and I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Could you, perhaps, accommodate her to Canterlot? I would really appreciate it! Please respond as soon as possible! Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. P.S. Charles is coming. "Done!" Spike said. "Great! Send it." Twilight said as Spike burnt the scroll. A few seconds later Spike belch out a scroll and read it. Dear Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I'll be glad to accommodate your friend! In fact, I'll give her a suite in the castle. I'm sure she'd love that. Sincerely, Princess Celestia. P.S. I'm glad my fateful Musketeer pony is coming. "Well I go pack." Charles said as he when up stairs to pack his things.

Canterlot, Noon

Charles, Rarity, and Opal arrived at Canterlot where Princess Celestia leads Rarity to the guest room at the castle with Opal and Charles by her side and a poor Porter trailing behind her with all her luggage. Rarity grew an immediate surprised face with widened eyes, throwing a gasp in as well. "Here? I get to stay here?" Her voice echoed through the large room presented before her. The room contained a large magnificent bed, looking almost like the one Rarity has in her home, a vanity mirror, and some other furniture for her needs.

"Twilight Sparkle said you were coming to Canterlot for a visit, and asked if I might accommodate you." Princess Celestia replied.

Opal began getting comfortable as she patted her paws delightfully on the bed. "Thank you so much, Princess." Rarity announced as she continued to observe the room.

"You're very welcome."

"No, really." Rarity rushed over to her. "This is so nice of you."

"It's nothing, really."

"Oh, but it isn't nothing, it's everything! I, I just don't know what to say but thank you, thank you!" She quickly bowed down and kissed Princess Celestia's hoof. "Thank you!" She kissed her hoof again. "Thank you!" As she kissed her hoof yet again, Princess Celestia began looking at me very awkwardly and slightly uncomfortable. Charles could only shrug as Rarity continued to bombard the Princess's hoof with kisses. "You are very we—

"Thank you!" Rarity exclaimed, cutting off her sentence.

Finally when the Porter had managed to climb up all the stairs with her luggage, he presented himself by the door, panting. "Your luggage, mademoiselle?" His legs began shaking with all the weight.

"Well I'll have to go now!" Charles said.

"Charles darling where are you going?" Rarity asked.

"Home!" Charles answered.

"But you just got here you just can't leave Canterlot." Rarity said.

"Not home to Ponyvile, my home here." Charles said.

"Your from Canterlot too?" Rarity asked.

I guess I haven't told her yet. "Well yes and no, I'm from Canterlot but a part of it called Gaspony." Charles said.

"Really?" Rarity asked.

"Yes it's one of the reasons I come with you." Charles said.

"And what is it?" Rarity asked.

"It's because I haven't seen my parents in a while." Charles said.

"Your parents?! Who are they and what are they like?" Rarity asked.

Aw buck what I'll say about my parents they haven't meet my new friends yet what should I say. "Uhhhh... they are kinda shy that's it haha. Like to chat with you see you later Rarity bye!" Charles say as he bolted out the door. "Uhhh.... okay bye." Rarity said after Charles left.

Later at Gaspony...

"Ah! Home sweet home!" Charles said when he reach his home Borough. At Gaspony all unicorns living there have a curved horn instead of a straight horn. Charles had reach his home. The home is a four room Mansion that's a size of a house(1).

"Okay take a deep breath I haven't seen my parents in a while." Charles said he was nervous because he haven't seen his parents in a while. He went to the door and knock on it. "Just a second!" A female voice called. An adult Blue unicorn mare open the door she has yellow eyes, her Mane color is white and golden yellow, her tail is orange and red, and she has an sunflower as her Cutie Mark. "Can I help you?" She asked. "H..Hi m..mom." Charles said. The mare who knows that voice of her young colt who had become an Musketeer pony those four years ago. "Ch.. Charles?!" she said hugging her son. "It's been a long time mom." Charles said. "Look at you. My you grown!" She said. "Francisca, honey who's at the door?" A new male voice asked. "If's it's more of the Princess's Guards I'm going to..." Charles mother now knows as Francisca looks around and saw another stallion this one is also blue, his eyes are also blue, his hooves is also blue, his mane and tail is the same style as Charles but its crimson, and he has an compass as his Cutie Mark, "Bertrand look who's back." Francisca said. The stallion now knows as Bertrand looks at Charles somepony he haven't seen in four years. "Ch... Charles?!" he said. "Hi dad." Charles said. The family of three (yes Charles is an only child) now reunited went inside the d'Artagnan Mansion. "Charles when did you get here?" Bertrand asked. "This noon." Charles answered his father. "How long are you'er hear for?" Francisca asked. "For a week. Then I'll head back." Charles answered his mother. "Back where?" both Bertrand and Francisca asked. "Uhhhh..." Aw buck me what should I say. If I say I now live in Ponyville my parents would think I had gone country. Wait if I'll lied to Rarity maybe I lie to my parents. A little white lie can't hurt right?! "Umm... Back to Canterlot castle. Got to do royal duties as a Musketeer pony haha." Charles said as he rubbed the back of his head. "What royal duties?" Bertrand asked. "To protect the Princess's student." Charles answered his father. "Princess Celestia has a student?" Francisca asked. "Yes her name is Twilight Sparkle." Charles answered his mother. "How old is she?" Bertrand asked. "About the same age as me." Charles answered his father. "Is she an alico-" Francisca asked. "I know what your about to say mom no she not an alicorn. She's an unicorn like me." Charles answered his mother. "Oh look at the time your mother and I should be going." Bertrand said. "Where are you going?" Charles asked his parents. "Your mother and I are going to the Wonderbolts Derby." Bertrand answered. "The Wonderbolts Derby? Why are you going there?" Charles asked his father. "You see my friend Fancypants have invited us to it. Humm... Charles how you like to come with us?" Bertrand asked him. "Really dad?" Charles asked. "Yes your old enough." Bertrand answered his son. And so the family of three dress in good clothes left the d'Artagnan Mansion for the Wonderbolts Derby.

Later at the Wonderbolts Derby...

Charles and his parents arrive at the Derby the stands were obviously packed with ponies who had come to see the Wonderbolts race. Every seat was full and the tension for the upcoming race was palpable. So when they reached the VIP box. At first, it looked like the unicorn guard there wouldn't let them in, until the well-dressed Fancypants arrived.

"Bertrand, jolly good to see you! So glad you could make it. And your wife too." Fancypants said, then he turn to Charles. "And who's this teen?" he asked. "Fancypants this is my son Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan." Bertrand said. "H... hi." Charles said nervously. "Well the more the merrier. Please, step this way," he invited, when the guard pulled aside the rope to let them through.

They were led up to the box, where Fancy was immediately surrounded by a group of his friends, chatting indistinctly to each other.

"Everypony, this is my friend Bertrand." That got them murmuring even more, all eyes on him. "His wife Francisca." That got them murmuring even more, all eyes on her. "And their son Charles." This got a lot of murmuring being a Musketeer pony in all.

"So Fancypants is that everypony?" Bertrand asked. "No my friend I've invited one more." Fancypants said. "Really who?" Bertrand asked. "An young mare about the same age as your son, and she is really sophisticated." Oh no don't tell me he invite Rarity too. No it can't be there's some mistake. Charles' thoughts was interrupted when he heard his fashionista friend called. "Pardon me. 'Scuse me, 'scuse me!"

"That's her right now." Fancypants said as he went down the VIP box and came up with Rarity. "Everypony, this is Rarity. She's staying at Canterlot Castle." That got them murmuring even more, all eyes on her. Oh no she can't see me I got to hide. Charles try to hide quickly that he forgot the Invisibly Spell when Rarity saw him. "Charles?! What are you doing here?" Rarity asked him. "Oh h... hey Rarity nice to see you here." Charles said. "Charles do you know her? Is she your mare friend?" Bertrand and Francisca asked their son. This got Charles really nervous. "She's not she's not she's not we're friends!" He said and then he turn to Rarity. "Rarity can I speak to you alone." Charles said and the two young unicorns went a distance from the adults. "What's the matter darling who are those two unicorns that asked you?" Rarity asked. "Rarity I'm sorry I lied to you." Charles said. "Lied to me about what?" Rarity asked. "About my parents." Charles answered. "Wait are those your-?" "I know what your about to say Rarity yes those are my parents." Charles said. "Wait if Fancypants invite them then that means-?" "Yes I'm the son of nobleponies." Charles said. "Wow Charles I'm going to tell them how good Ponyville is and-" "No!" Charles said. "Charles darling what's the matter now?" Rarity asked. "I've also told a little white lie to my parents and told them I still live at the castle if I told them now I live at Ponyville they think I'm gone country. So please don't tell them?" Charles asked. "Your secret safe with me Charles." Rarity said. "Oh, thank you Rarity!" Charles said as the two young unicorns went back to the adults. "So how do you know her?" Bertrand asked his son. "Umm.... She's the Princess's Seamstress yeah that's right." Charles answered. "But didn't Fancypants says she's staying at Canterlot Castle?" Bertrand asked his son trying to see thew the lie. "Ummm... That's because she's from umm..... Manehattan yeah that's right." Charles answered. "Oh. Okay." Bertrand said. "Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to the Wonderbolts Derby!" came the voice of the announcer. "The competitors are taking their places at the starting line and the race will begin momentarily!"

"I'll be rooting for Rapid Fire, of course," sad Fancy Pants confidently. "He's sure to take home the grand prize." The others all agreed with him again.

"I don't think he has a chance against Fleetfoot." They all gasped and stared at Rarity, who forced a smile while she sweated.

Returning the favor, Charles saved her. "I am in much the same mind. Fleetfoot is more than a match for Rapid Fire."

Charles parents gasped at what their son said.

None of them had the time to comment, as the Wonderbolts took their place on the starting line. On the sound of the horn, they were off. Due to their speed and the shortness of the track, the race was over in seconds, resulting in a victory for Fleetfoot, as they had said. While Charles and Rarity celebrated, the other elite all stared in disbelief while Fancy smiled in admiration.

"Bravo, Rarity and Charles. I say, how did both you know Fleetfoot would be victorious?" he asked.

"Our friend Rainbow Dash talks about her all the time, She says what Fleetfoot lacks in size, she makes up for in speed," finished Rarity.

"And who is this 'Rainbow Dash'?" asked one of the mares.

"Go ahead son tell us?" Francisca asked her son trying to see thew the lie.

"Well, she's-" Charles was thinking what to say, when Rarity cut him off.

"She's um… Uh... Why... she's... she's the... the Wonderbolts' trainer, of course," she lied, under their impassive gazes.

"Yeah that's it!" Charles added in the lie.

Along with the others, Bertrand and Francisca was staring at them, though more with surprise than scrutinizing judgement. Rarity just lied about one of her friends. Charles too he didn't just lie about not one but two of his friends.

Fancypants was first to speak. "Staying at Canterlot Castle, is friends with the my friend's son, and she knows the Pegasus training the Wonderbolts. I told you all this was an important pony."

They all chattered in agreement, Charles was surprise that Rarity also lie.

"Three cheers for Rarity and Charles, my new favorite party guests!" proclaimed Fancy, lifting their hooves in the air.

While Rarity looked very delighted as the other ponies cheered them on, Charles was a little delighted having to lie to his own parents.

They spent some time after the race mingling with the others and making conversation.

"Oh, Charles, wasn't today simply the best?" Rarity sighed, when she went to talked to Charles.

"I suppose," he shrugged. "But, to me, I feel guilty about it."

"Why?" Rarity asked.

"It's because I lied some more to my parents I hope it won't end well." Charles said.

A few days later....

It's Twilight's birthday and Charles arrived at his home. Charles have to say goodbye to his parents. So he knock at the door and saw his mother dress up. "Mom why are you dress up like that The Gala isn't for a few months?" He asked. "Oh this is for the Canterlot garden party. Charles how you like to come with us?" Francisca asked. I wanted to say goodbye but since I'm gown up. Ohh I can't resist. Sorry Twilight. "Okay." Charles says as he went with his parents to the Canterlot garden party.

Later that evening, Charles and his parents arrive at the Canterlot garden party. "We'er here!" Francisca called.

It was fine until Rarity shows up. Wait why is she here I'll go talk to her. Charles walk to Rarity. "Rarity what the hay are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be back at Ponyville celebrating Twilight's birthday?" he asked. "Oh Charles I was going to asked you the same thing but Twilight asked Pinkie Pie if it wouldn't be too much trouble to move her birthday party here, so I'll wouldn't have to miss it!" Rarity answered. "Aw buck me I was going to say goodbye to my parents but my mom asked me come with her and dad to here. So what shall we do?" Charles asked. "I'm making excuses to attend both parties why don't you help me?" Rarity asked. "I don't know lying to my parents is one thing but tricking them is another." Charles answered. "But Charles I kept your secret so now you have to return the favor." Rarity said. "Oh all right." Charles said.

And so Rarity runs off to both parties and making excuses to go to the other. One is Charles doing a magic act and use his Invisibly Spell to turn stuff Invisible and reappear. It was fine until Charles recognized a booming sound Aw buck me don't tell me. Charles then turn around and saw the girls acted in a manner more befitting one of their own parties. Pinkie literally stuffed her face with cake, Fluttershy fed some birds, Rainbow tried her hoof at croquet, adding her own twist to it and Applejack seemed a little confused about the term 'garden party'.

"How come y'all aren't doin' any gardening?" she asked the guests while they backed away like she had a contagious disease. "This is a garden party, isn't it?"

During these events, Charles saw Twilight dancing to the music in a rather… well, cringeworthy way, not that he meant to judge. He was fine with dancing, but he thought if they were going to do it, they might as well do it a little better than that.

Rarity was by him, drinking a glass of punch.

"Can you believe what that pony is wearing?" a male pony announced to Rarity.

"It's just so plain." His wife finished.

Rarity laughed nervously. "Yeah."

Charles just whistle away.

Twilight was really having a great time. She was partying hard as she continued to dance with a scrunched nose and a stuck out tongue until Fancypants walked up to her. "Excuse me, might I ask where you got your ensemble?" He had used his monocle to analyze Twilight's dress.

"Why yes, yes you may." Twilight responded happily. "A very, very close friend of mine from Ponyville made it for me."

Rarity watched as she was drinking more punch, but suddenly spat it out when she heard Twilight's sentence. She walked over to the two as the two ponies were drenched in punch.

"Ponyville?" He asked in a sort of lifeless tone. "You don't say?"

Uh oh.

"I do say. Her name is—

"Fancypants!" Rarity exclaimed, cutting off Twilight. "Come with me! I'd like to show you this, er, thing, that's over there. On the other side of the room."

"In a moment, my dear." He held his hoof up. "This lovely filly from Ponyville was just about to tell me who made her charming dress."

"That dress? Oh come now, who cares, it's just a plain old—

"Oh don't be so modest. This dress you made is beautiful!" Twilight's response caused all the other ponies to return a loud and immediate gasp as they dropped the things they were carrying. The ponies surrounding them only stared in shock. The rest of the girls had joined Twilight. "We all think so!"

"You know these ponies?" Fancypants asked Rarity. As Rarity bit her lower lips in nervousness, she observed the other ponies chattering behind her. She looked back at them, causing Twilight and the others to switch their grins in reverse. She walked towards the "sophisticated" ponies and opened her eyes.

"Yes. Yes, I do know them." She answered in a bold tone. "They may not be as sophisticated as some of you Canterlot ponies, but they are my best friends." She looked back at them with a smiled. "And they are without a doubt the most important ponies I know." the other girls smiled.

"Important ponies? These ruffians?" Jet Set questioned, mockingly.

"Don't make me laugh!" His wife added, and the both of them began laughing arrogantly.

I new it. Charles thought. Fancypants took a good look at them and returned his attention towards the two. "I, for one, find them charmingly rustic." His comment caused them to shut their laughter and ponies behind them to gasp.

What?! Charles thought. Fancypants then walked towards Twilight. "And I think the dress you made for your friend is lovely. Mmhm, I dare say every mare in Canterlot will be wanting one."

The wife immediately popped up near Rarity. "Oh, I'd like to place my order right now."

"I think you should get two. Hm?" The husband joined.

Their behavior of always wanting to always conform to the crowd caused Charles to shook his head.

"Er, yes, now then. How about you introduce me to your friends?"

"With pleasure!"

Before Rarity did that Charles went up to his parents. "Mom, Dad I'm sorry." he said. "About what son?" Bertrand and Francisca asked. "About lying to you!" Charles said "Huh?" Bertrand and Francisca said. "Yes; first off my friend Rarity is not the Princess's Seamstress nor is she is from Manehattan, second my friend Rainbow Dash is not the Wonderbolts' trainer she's just a fan, thirdly I don't live at Canterlot castle anymore I live at Ponyville now. I'm sorry I'd lied about everything except for protecting the Princess's student that's the truth if you say I've gone country just go ahead and laugh." Charles said. Charles was expecting his parents to laugh but got something different. "We are proud of you!" Bertrand and Francisca said. "Parents say what now?!" Charles said surprised. "We are very proud of you coming clean to us." Bertrand said. "But you shouldn't told us the whole truth in the first place and not to come up with little white lies." Francisca said. "I'll knew that!" Charles said. "Come on why don't you like to introduce us to your friends." Bertrand said. "Okay." Charles said.

After the party, the girls began to prepare to leave. Charles told them that he would meet up with them after he do some thing first.

When Charles arrived at Rarity's suite, he heard her writing a letter to Princess Celestia.

"Dear Princess Celestia, I wanted to tell you about the important lesson I learned during my visit." Rarity began.

Princess Celestia had appeared out of nowhere and walked towards her. "Now that I would like to hear."

Rarity was surprised by her presence, but turned around to began walking around the room. "I learned that no matter where you go in life, you should never forget that you are the product of your home and your friends. And that is something always to be proud of, no matter what."

Princess Celestia smiled and closed her eyes. "Hm, a very valuable lesson to have learned."

"Mm-hm." Rarity agreed. "Wait?!" Charles called. Both Celestia and Rarity turn around and saw him. "What is it Charles?" Celestia asked. "Rarity isn't the only one to have a lesson learn." he said. "Oh I love to hear yours." Celestia said. How dose she knows that? "Okay 'Dear Princess Celestia, I wanted to tell you about the important lesson I learned today it's okay to lie a little bit but if you lie to your Parents a lot it can get you into a lot of trouble so Honour your father and your mother(2) and tell the truth and not to come up with little white lies'."

Princess Celestia smiled and closed her eyes. "Hm, a very very valuable lesson to have learned."

The Porter from before cut in. " It certainly is! But... might I ask that we hurry things up a bit?! Oh no!" Charles and Rarity look at Celestia wonder what to do.

Notes:

(1) Those who haven't played Luigi's Mansion the design of the d'Artagnan Mansion is the Rank D Mansion.

(2) Charles lesson at the end comes from fourth of the Ten Commandments, Honour thy father and thy mother.

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