Who Wants to Marry a Prince?
By NocturneD
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Note: OC pony slots have been filled. Sorry folks.
Chapter 5: The ratings are in!
Celestia has raised her sun once more to greet the day. The ponies had a good night rest the previous night, some didn't. The television crew was one of them busy editing and re-editing so to the make the show flawless. Once all the footage was set, a unicorn used their magic to send the beta-tape to headquarters to finally get the show rolling. Roll Em must of been on her eight cup of coffee working with the editors. It sure was a long night. Stage Light on the other hand slept instead of helping her coworker. Roll Em didn't mind, her friend needed her sleep as she was the only thing that was holding her back from going off the deep end.
Staying at the castle had its perks. Only problem, if you were going to compete you probably should of cleared out your schedule for the new few months before considering on joining. Over half of the ponies had to make phone calls to hire assistants or ask family to take care of their property while they were gone.
Today was going to be a free day from recording anything since the camera crew had to hand in the tape back before they heard another word. Surely this made a lot of the ponies nervous. Being on camera and making sure not to make a fool of themselves. Twilight was super nervous about this, her mother practically shrieked over the phone once she found out she was in. Twilight knowing her mother would call up all her relatives just to tune in and watch. Bad thing was, some of her cousins were definitely going to watch it and comment on clopper saying how their cousin Twilight is on the show and going to bag herself a prince.
The morning started off with an early breakfast for whoever wanted to attend. Contestants, camera crew, and friends. A large variety of food was placed across the serving table. Pancakes, waffles, eggs both fried and scrambled along with omelets, cereal, toast, bagels, french toast, bacon, sausage, slices of ham, hash browns, cinnabons, donuts, slices of fruit. Makes any pony's mouth water doesn't it?
Pinkie Pie looked at the table with her eyes glittering. It all looked so good. Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash weren't too far behind her as they each took a plate, Pinkie being the spark she is took two or three, she planned on getting thirds. The pink pony dug in and started piling her first plate with pastries, her second with pancakes with fruit on top, whip cream and syrup the works, her third plate was a mixed portion. Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack backed off from Pinkie as they saw her plate was nearly a mountain.
"My word does she really plan on eating all of that?" A white unicorn with a long blue mane and tail; named Shaphire Dreams watched in disbelief. Her cutie mark was a sapphire gem on a cloud. Pretty slick.
Rainbow Dash turned her head, "That's nothing. She once ate an entire story tall cake by herself."
Shaphire Dreams blinked, "How does she stay like that?"
Apple Jack smirked, "Like what missy?"
Shaphire Dreams traced her own body frame, "I mean fit?"
"She bounces around daily. Probably helps burn off those calories." Rainbow Dash made circles with arm as an example, "Most ponies that eat the stuff she eats can never lose the weight that easily."
Shaphire Dreams blinked again, "I'm envious."
"Most ponies are." Apple Jack sneered. "I apologize I'm Apple Jack. I help run Sweet Apple Acres."
"Shaphire Dreams. I run the jewelry store called Dream Jewels." Shaphire smiled.
"Never heard of it." Rainbow Dash frowned.
"Um. It's one of the best shops in Canterlot." Shaphire tried to maintain her lady like composure.
"So. Why did you join?" Dash asked as she slid an omelet onto her plate.
"I'll admit. Money is always good but marrying a prince my chances of franchising will quadruple." Shaphire smiled. "Why did you join um... miss?"
"Rainbow Dash. Future wonder bolt!" Dash posed in a dramatic stance. She eased her pose then tapped her own chin, "Don't really know why myself. The money could always help. Would like to buy a fancy flying suit and have some bling on it." Dash pondered for a moment, "Maybe I'll give your jewelry store a try if that happens."
Shaphire nodded, "I would enjoy your business."
Apple Jack looked to her left, then to her right then noticed something. "Hey Dash. Notice many of these ponies around here?"
Dash did a complete three sixty herself to see some of the contents were indeed familiar, "Yeah. Half of the girls here are from Ponyville." Her face turned puzzled, "Or atleast I figure some of them are."
"Ain't that Trixie over there?" Apple Jack pointed.
"Or Cheerilee? And Bon Bon?" Dash pointed to the two ponies sitting at a round table having coffee and enjoying their meal. "Wasn't she dating your brother?"
"Was..." Apple Jack rolled her eyes, "Pretty much broken up for right now. Never thought she would wind up on a reality show."
"Eh. That doesn't tick you off does it?" Dash took a few steps back.
Apple Jack frowned, "A little..." The blonde pony sighed, "Well maybe this will do them both some good. Not like she's the only pony in Big Mac's life anyway."
"Say what now?" Dash reached for a glass of orange juice.
"Nothing." Apple Jack reached for some pancakes along with some apple slices.
Further down the serving table Fluttershy and Rarity were looking over the fine selection. Twilight was close behind them worrying about how she was going to be on the show. She remembered staying for awhile just sitting at the bar reading a book instead of having fun with the others then she left to get some peace. Thoughts repeatedly crossed her mind what exactly was the show going to make her. She didn't want to have a lot of shots taken of her, but then she didn't want too little either then her family would be wondering where she was the entire time.
"Darling there is enough to make a fruit salad out of." Rarity used her magic to gather some random fruit onto her plate. "Fluttershy you should try these with your..." Rarity stopped to see that Fluttershy was looking back and forth what to get. "Fluttershy dear it's quite simple if you're going to keep fit for the prince you have to eat like a princess."
"I didn't know a princess got to choose from a buffet table." Fluttershy blinked.
Rarity turned her head to Twilight, "Twilight?" She frowned, "Twilight? Hello?"
Twilight snapped back into reality, "Oh sorry. I was just thinking."
"About how your fairy tale book prince is waiting for you at the finish line?" Rarity smiled.
Twilight felt the flush in her cheeks, "No. No why would you think that?"
Rarity puckered her lip and tilted her head, "Twilight are you okay?"
Twilight sunk her head lower, "I... uh... just don't like the idea of being on camera."
Fluttershy joined in, "Oh yes it's scary. All those ponies watching your every move."
Rarity put both her hooves on her own cheeks, "And I heard the camera adds ten pounds!"
Twilight puckered her lip and narrowed her eyes. "Rarity that should be the least of your worries. It's just what I'm worried about is that my family gets pretty iffy when it comes to me being on camera."
"How so?" Rarity put her hooves down back on the floor.
"Well... one story involves me being in the Hearths Warming Eve pageant when I was still in Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. I had one speaking role, instead of saying it." The purple unicorn rubbed the back of her head while trying to explain this easier, "I ended up freezing up on stage seeing all those cameras and.. ended up crying on stage that my mom had to get me off." Twilight explained, her face flushed in embarrassment.
"Wait. We did that one pageant and you didn't freeze up." Rarity brought up.
"That's because it wasn't televised." Twilight tried to hide her face, "So the tape is still flying around out there. Plus my parents still have a copy."
"Twilight we all got those moments we're not proud of." Rarity laughed.
"Yeah well. That's one of them." Twilight quieted herself as she grabbed a plate.
"And the other?" Rarity asked.
Twilight didn't answer. She grabbed a single waffle and moved ahead.
The unicorn and pegasus only looked at each other then back to their friend who was just grabbing any random thing to avoid answering a question. The girls would always share their stories and if anything was bothering them they could always talk it through. Rarity raised her eyebrow at the thought of Twilight admitting she cried on stage, "You would think that would be the thing she didn't want us to know about?"
Fluttershy eyed the cereal selection then back to Rarity still carrying the conversation, "You wouldn't think she was taped doing something bad do you?"
This shocked Rarity also it left a deep feeling in her stomach, "I sure hope not."
Watt was sitting at the royal table reserved for family and friends. On his left were Celestia then Luna. On his right was his father Sleipnir, then his friend Aquamarie, then Ed, then his other friends who were willing to come. A red earth pony named Redwood sat next to Ed. Then next to him sat an elegant white unicorn with red hair named Crystal. Then next to her was a blue earth pony named Toby. Other friends started joining in on the table.
Celestia smiled at all the friends that her son made during his time with his father that were willing to come out and support him. The ponies were on their best behavior since they were in front of royalty. Worried that they might disgust the princess they waited for her to make the first move. Sleipner found their nativity cute.
The princess looked to her left then to her right only to find her son again not being in a fun filled mood. Observing he was just playing around with his food instead of eating it. "Are you not well today?"
Watt lifted his head to only look at her. He tried to smile but only lowered his head again, "The therapist you and dad hired wants to speak with you two whenever you have the time."
Sleipnir put down his iced water after taking a good sip, "Tell her I'm available whenever."
"She asks for you two to be together on this one." Watt used his magic to lift the fork that held a single grape.
Celestia's first instinct was to wrap her wing around her son, but with over fifty girls within the room along with friends that idea had to be canceled out. She knew that late teenagers and young adults don't like their parents babying them in public, that she learned from television specials. She gently nuzzled his cheek with her snout, "Don't worry. I'll make sure this is my top priority."
Celestia turned her attention to the eight legged earth pony on Watt's side. "Sleigh." She called him with a cheery chuckle.
Sleipnir almost choked on his waffle breakfast. He used one of his money arms to pick up his water then drank it down. He coughed again and again, "...Tia... that's... it's been awhile since you called me that." Watt's friends looked at their teacher in surprise then laughed seeing him act like a goon instead of a swave bad ass or a likeable teacher like he usually is back at home.
Celestia let out a gentle laugh, "How about we visit Watt's therapist together after breakfast?"
Sleipnir as he said was fine with anytime, "It's fine with me Tia." He finished his water then licked his lips, "I have to admit Tia. The refreshments always taste better here." He smiled like a sly flirt, "Like from a cool mountain stream."
Celestia smiled in the same way. As if she enjoyed it. No pony could come close to flirting without a disgusted shock from an the audience. Mostly from nobles.
"Uh oh. I sense something between the princess and the professor." Redwood let his voice jokingly extrood. The friends let out an oh and awe but mostly a laugh.
Celestia was amazed at Watt's friends. They were so full of life and just loved being around each other, much like her student Twilight Sparkle with her friends. She looked back at Watt who slowly ate his grape fruit. Then back to Sleipnir, "Well I'm impressed Sleigh. Your students are full of life. I'm assuming you're an outgoing teacher?"
"The best one." Aquamarie lifted her glass with her magic.
"Oh..." Sleiphnir blushed, "Wouldn't say I'm the best."
"Oh come on!" The ponies at the table rolled up their napkins into balls and threw them at the eight legged pony.
Pinkie Pie was eyeing the fun at the royal table while stuffing her face. "What am I doing here? I should be over there." She smiled but then looked at one of her food plates. She was still hungry and tried to eat quickly before any of the ponies at the other table left. Pinkie ate like a pig as she stuffed her face into the pile of pancakes. Unaware that she was making a mess all over the table totally disregarding the pony that was sitting next to her.
"Ugh..." The white unicorn put on a disgusted expression. She wiped a piece of pancake from her long red mane and wanted to get up and move to another table. "I'm sorry but do you always eat like that?"
Pinkie lifted her head as she chewed on more pancakes then swallowed, "Oh I eat a lot of treats but once you see a buffet table like that how can you help it?"
"It's called conserve on what you want first then going up for seconds." The white unicorn nodded.
Pinkie continued to munch and munch, she threw up her hoof, "My name is Pinkie Pie. What's yours?"
"Era... Camellia." The white pony figured, why not make an ally and shook hooves with the pinky pony.
Just then a brown unicorn came in between them as her cutie mark was of a wagon. "Oh my gosh did you say your name is Pinkie Pie?"
"Sure did!" Pinkie bounced.
"Then you must know Twilight Sparkle! I'm such a huge fan!" The brown unicorn left an eerie smile across her face, "My name is Starlight Fixit!"
"Pleased to meet you!" Pinkie continued to bounce.
ooo
Celestia and Sleipnir sat sat down with psychiatrist in the assigned room. Pretty much was fitted to suit the doctor's need with shelves and shelves on pony behavior and other subjects. The psychiatrist Celestia hired was from the city of Fillydelphia. The psychiatrist was an yellow earth pony with a bee hive hair style. She wore small glasses and dressed very professional.
"Ah. Princess Celestia, Professor Sleipnir pleased to meet you finally. I'm doctor Peace and thank you for coming to this evaluation." Peace bowed in respect to the princess then told them to sit down in front of her desk. "So far so good is that Gigawatt told you to come here and he met up with his promise. So it's off to a good start."
"So what did you gather doctor?" Sleipnir asked.
"So far. Gigawatt is functioning fine, it's just that he seems to be in a state of denial. Saying over and over again that it was his fault for a matter I'm sure you two already know about. He's using other addictions to cover it up like drinking along with taking dangerous amounts of asprin and stress relievers. But from what Gigawatt described, he felt that there was nothing left for him back at the academy but feels out of place here in Canterlot. Obviously, he's suffering from social anxiety." Dr. Peace brought out a clipboard and flipped over some pages, "Not only that he described his childhood as him pretty much not fitting in. Also even said he feels like he doesn't belong anywhere."
"If I can interrupt doctor?" Sleipnir raised a hoof but kept his voice calm.
"Yes professor?" Doctor Peace adjusted her glasses.
"Pretty much from him being seven years old he was often picked on even was left out of a lot of things as the other children often ignored him. I admit I wasn't there for him all the time as princess Celestia and I trusted him into the care of Sky Dancer." Sleipnir sighed.
"Ah yes. This Sky Dancer pony that Gigawatt mentioned from time to time. You two made her legal guardian of Gigawatt until he came to age?" Dr. Peace flipped back a few pages on her clipboard.
"Yes. That is correct." Celestia confirmed.
"How would you two describe Sky Dancer?" Dr. Peace asked.
Celestia turned to Sleipnir only for her to met by a nod for her to go first, "Sky Dancer when she was in my employment was full of spirit. Pretty much an up and comer as she always tried to outdo herself. Practically she was few of my female guards and had her advantages. Though she never really got a long with some of the senior guards as they felt she only got in because of her family tradition of being a royal guard." Celestia smiled, "She never really was into girl things but always loved being around me. Never asked for a pay raise, always was a listening ear." Her face saddened, "Then she eventually became a mare and wanted her own family. She had relations with another guard then were going to be married. But an incident occurred that had her performing one last task of protecting me. It costed her ability to have children. After that she felt like an empty shell."
"Hmmm..." Peace jotted down some of Celestia's words. "What eventually became of her after that?"
"She transfered to the academy. Pretty much like Celestia said she looked emotionless and would talk in monotone. Was a wonderbolt for a bit from what I saw in her records. She carried out being a soldier and instructor of the academy. Voted best fitness instructor along with being a personal martial arts trainer." Sleipnir added.
"And this is where Gigawatt came in I trust?" Peace played around with her pencil.
"Yes." Sleipnir nodded, "Celestia gave the option to Sky Dancer to raise Watt."
"I take it as retribution?" Peace bit her lower lip.
Celestia sighed, "Guilt. If she haven't thrown herself in front of me to take the hit then she would of been happily living a happy life. Seeing her own children grow up as much as I envied."
Peace set down her pencil, "I got two of my own that finally grew up and left." The yellow pony sighed, "You look forward to seeing them grow up and make something of themselves but once the day finally arrives you just want them to stay young again."
Sleipnir looked down at his feet sadly, "Yeah... that's... pretty much true."
Celestia looked over, "Are you alright?"
The eight legged pony just nodded as he turned his head, didn't want the princess to see him in a weaken state. "Yeah. Yeah sorry."
"There's nothing wrong with feeling that way professor. I looked over Gigawatt's credentials and was impressed, you helped raise a fine young stallion, it's just that he can't deal with the lose of some pony who was a strong mothering role. From Gigawatt described her as she was... the strongest pony he ever knew when growing up." She looked at Celestia. "Princess, now that Gigawatt is back in your life. How do you feel about this?"
Celestia gulped at first, was a loss for words, "I'm just glad he's back. But..." She sniffed, Peace offered a tissue. "It's just that I missed a lot in his life. The pictures that Sky Dancer sends I feel is not enough at times but I put my trust in her. At times I wanted to take him back but then how would she feel if I just took my gift to her back?"
"Now princess it's not anyones fault. Gigawatt grew up fine, you can be proud of that can't you?" Peace asked.
Celestia wiped her face with the tissue, "It's just that I feel that he resents me. Whatever I try to do for him it just ends up making him feel worse."
"He is just in a new environment. Changing one life for another isn't always easy." Peace assured the princess. But what she didn't know it wasn't the half of it. "Now that he is back in your life. What do you two plan on doing to support him?"
Celestia looked at Sleipnir, then the eight legged pony back to the alicorn in slight confusion. "Gigawatt also told me that when you first met up again for the first time face to face in years you were fighting over his well being. Poor thing had to leave the room just to avoid you two. To him that made him question his own existence. Sure parents fight but what that does to a child it leaves them thinking everything is their fault."
"I won't beat around the bush. I feel that Gigawatt is willing to share some things but really there are things he won't even budge on. All I can say is, make sure he feels welcomed and that he actually matters to society. I know about the show and I'm not criticizing, it would be good for him to get exposed to society, get to know his interests." Peace tapped her pencil on the desk, "As far as I understand not only he has family. He's got his friends here to support him and that's good. It won't make him feel alone." She rested her arms on the chair sides, "I told him my door is always open and he shouldn't be afraid to come see me. If you two are willing to sit on one of his sessions that would be good too. Other than that, I think we can discuss other things another time. Hopefully about you two."
Sleipnir had one of his hooves pressed against his chin. As to show that he was indeed thinking long and hard but paid attention to what Peace had to offer. Celestia did the same but as a dignified female with no slouching involved. Peace ended the meeting leaving the two with some things to answer for. The psychiatrist left the room and figured they would want to talk this amongst themselves.
"You know... he wasn't always this moppy. He had fun like any normal kid, teen, young adult. Sky Dancer kept him in line though." Sleipnir craned his neck to Celestia.
"Regardless." Celestia mumbles, "Thank you for letting him come back into my life."
"I feared this day." Sleipnir added, "Sure he had a thousand years to grow up but sometimes I think of him as the little tike that always wanted to ride on my back or wanted to try on my old armor. But now, almost a mirror image of me now he's going to take on the world." He sighed and played with his shirt pocket button. "He's not going to need his dad watching over him anymore." He sunk lower into his chair wiggling his wrists slowly against the arm chair.
"Just means that you were a good father and you took it to heart." Celestia nodded. With a deep breath she said, "I'm just never going to get that chance ever again."
"Come on. You a princess I'm sure you had plenty of opportunities to be happy without me."
"No. Not even close." Celestia sighed, "After every pony we knew left or died. My life was so empty."
"I know what you mean. Sometimes I was hoping for a little more sunshine in my own life." Sleipnir chuckled. "But my students are my sunshine. They look up to me and love what I had to teach. Sometimes I even think of them as my kids."
"Yes. I know what your saying about special students." Celestia smiled at the thought of her faithful student. More importantly she was hoping on her to get very far into the contest.
ooo
The ponies and crew were once again gathered in the banquet room to enjoy a royal dinner. Instead of separate tables like for breakfast all the contestants sat at a large T shaped table sitting next to and across from each other. The royal family and guests sat at the long end. The servants brought out the meals and set them in front of the contestants who were busy chattering.
Suddenly the purple unicorn Roll Em came back into the dining room where every pony was socializing and eating. For once she was in a good mood, she met up with her partner Stage Light and shared the news, "It's certainly worth giving a toast to." She stood up on a chair to get every pony's attention. "I'm sorry to interrupt this fabulous dinner every pony but the results just got back!" Every pony was dead silent. "We're number two in the ratings! That means we can go on for a full season!" The ponies cheered and clopped.
"Good. Now I can work my way into his heart. And other things." Nightengale smiled devilishly.
"Ohhh..." Willow Cloud moaned in her thoughts, "I really don't stand a chance against all these other beautiful ponies."
"Maybe we need to raise the waves to get this show going." Crashing Waves smiled confidently.
"I'm going to win this!" Camellia raised her hoof in determination
"I'm going to make this competition shine!" Shaphire Dreams gleamed.
"ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT!" Starlight Fixit said aloud.
"Where's the booze?" Jane Storm craned her neck.
The mane six looked at the seven ponies across from them in stunned expressions.
"And I thought the ponies in Ponyville were crazy?" Twilight murmured.
"Wait weren't we supposed to watch something before we knew the ratings?" Apple Jack brought up.
"Who cares we're number two!" Pinkie Pie bounced.
"But what are we behind?" Rarity asked.
"Apparently the show that took the number one spot is..." Roll Em read off the report, "Puppies and Kittens with funny hats." An image on the screen showed a kitten with a bowler hat and a tiny monocle. Every pony in the room was all gushy from seeing the kitten meow while trying to tap on the cup of tea.
Fluttershy was happy, "That show deserves to be number one."
"Well... atleast my show is being beaten by a jar of mayo on the screen for twenty five minutes." Watt thought to himself.
to be continued... please review.
Note: yep. pretty random, trying to work in a celestia x sleipnir relationship on the side while watt gets flooded with girls wanting to be his bride. also, i took this chapter to introduce the remaining OC characters. Yay you all made it in! Give yourselves a bat on the back. Thanks for the ideas; Love My Writings or Else and also kudos to Cardcaptor Angry Email as she followed this story pretty closely. Thank you.
Oh by the way. I would watch a show about a jar of mayo sitting there for twenty minutes instead of the bachelor.
