A Tale Of Heroism

It was a calm morning in Canterlot when the news arrived. It started with a simple announcement from the guards requiring everypony to gather at the central plaza, followed by the activation of a projection crystal which promptly shot a clear image into the sky. Prince Blueblood quickly appeared, surrounded by reporters and standing on a podium. A collection of groans was soon heard everywhere as the citizens started to leave, believing this to be a waste of time. Yet their complains quickly died out once someone pointed out how instead of the smug smile the public was used to, the prince seemed to be more serious and calm like he had been thinking. Not only that, but his head was bandaged and his mane was slightly burned. Overall, it was clear that he was injured and at the moment appeared to be in Manehattan, something that just kept increasing the citizen's curiosity.

It was clear that this was not one of his usual smug speeches where he just stroked his own ego for hours, leaving the question to linger on the air; 'What did he want to talk about?'
All around, mixed feelings began to blossom in the growing audience, some in happiness thinking karma finally struck, some in wonder, and some even in shock seeing their 'friend' reappearing, injured and beaten.

A few minutes earlier, at City Hall

"Five minutes your highness." A stallion wearing headphones and a clipboard informed the prince from the door frame before going away. The prince in question was in the middle of some breathing exercises, trying to keep calm as Princess Celestia walked inside.

"How are you feeling Blueblood?" She asked in a motherly tone, as she made her way towards him.

"Oh you know, just trying my best not to have a panic attack and make the story as convincing as possible." He told her with a nervous chuckle. "So…great, all things considered."

The princess just giggled and nuzzled his face ."You will be fine Blueblood, the story you came up with is really convincing, plus with those fake injuries on you and the information we delivered, there is no way any pony would suspect a thing after today."

"Perhaps, but then again I'm still a bit sad that we were forced to burn that entire building for this plan to work. I mean, I was just expecting a room to burn, not the entire thing."

"Ah wouldn't sweat it, partner," Applejack mentioned as she and Rarity made their way inside. "As I told you, my Uncle and Aunt Orange bought that thing years ago as a business experiment they tried. It never took off and was only bleeding them bits. Honestly, buying and then burning it down was a favor, the building was too old, so renovations would have cost a fortune, and, the new empty space can be used to build something better. Plus, with how it stands, Rarity and Coco Pommel had a reason to ask the pyrotechnics team in Manehattan to be more careful handling their equipment, right Rarity?" She told her friend, but she only stayed quiet looking to the side until Applejack jabbed her in the side.

"Yeah, thanks Blueblood." She mentioned in a cold tone, confusing the prince as Applejack just sighed and shook her head.

"Anyway, the point is, that there is nothing to be afraid of. I'm not usually the one that likes to make lies, but considering that this is to trick those stuck-up nobles who probably would sell their own moms for a bit, I'd say that I could make an exception this time." She said with a chuckle. "They sure are gonna get a surprise."

"That's the idea." Blueblood mentions with a smile, now more relaxed.

The stallion re-appeared once more. "We are ready, your highness."

Sighing one last time the prince looked at everyone. "That is my cue, wish me luck."

"You will do great Blueblood, don't worry." Celestia gave him one last nuzzle before letting him go.

The walk to the podium was tense, to say the least, as the prince could feel the eyes of everypony falling on him, judging him and rolling the eyes in expectation of the narcissist nature of his old self. A mix of anxiety and excitement was coursing through the prince's mind. With one single speech he was about to change his new home for the better, and that idea was enough to fill his being with resolve.

Once he reached his destination, both the press and the audience put all of their attention on him waiting for the worst. Instead, they were given a surprise.

"Citizens of Manehattan- no, rather, citizens of all of Equestria, thank you all for coming. The reason I gathered you all here is that I have an important message to deliver. A week ago I was contacted by my aunt for a proposition meeting with a generously large group of changelings, who even though were recently reformed still yearned for the sweet and luxurious life that we nobles have the blessing of living with."

A collective of groans was heard both in Manehattan and Canterlot, which was soon silenced by the prince as he told them the last thing they were expected. "Yeah I know, almost all of you must be sick and tired of nobles saying that." The prince almost flinched the moment he saw so many eyes widen to the size of dinner plates, and jaws dropping left and right in front of him.

Ok, that is slightly disturbing

"But in their defense, if any of you got to our position, I personally challenge you not to brag about it. You say you would be humble now, but trust me, once rich it's not so easy to avoid bragging." He mentioned, earning a couple of chuckles "Anyway, as much as I would love to continue to talk about it, that is not the reason I summoned all of you here, so let's continue. As you all might have guessed, I was against the idea of such proposal at first but, very soon realized the potential behind it. New creatures and assets for me to used and swear loyalty to me? How could I say 'no' the possibilities behind that?"

"That slimy silver tongue brat." Jet Set said, holding his hoof up in anger at the image of the prince. "By Tartarus! Why didn't I think of that?!"

"Oh, you naughty little prince..." Scarlet mentioned with a smile "You bad boy, going away without telling me a thing? ~Some pony is playing hard to get~"

Upper Crust just sighed and look down. "So much for that theory of the prince having amnesia eh Sharp Shot?" She said, looking at her friend as he continued to look at the image in front of them.

"By Celestia, I was so shallow and heartless." The prince said in guilt shaking his head, before continuing. "Just like I had done before, I took this opportunity to seek subservients and amused myself as they crawled and begged for my help. I will confess to you right here and now, from the beginning I wasn't going to give any a single chance, perhaps not even the small group I deemed worth keeping. Yes I'm ashamed to admit it, but my actions during that meeting were less than friendly, but you can take solace…"

He stepped out from behind the podium so the ponies could see the full extension of his 'injuries' which even if not permanent were still many."…poetic justice was imparted that night." The audience wanted to boo and yell at the prince, but looking at his condition, they just couldn't find it in their heart to voice their opinions.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Rarity whispered harshly as she and Applejack were behind stage seeing everything unravel.

"They really are eating this up?"

"Rarity please shhh!" Applejack silenced her with a small glare. "I know you are not in his fan club but at the very least think of the changelings." Her friends begged her.

She bit her tongue and looked away. "I'm sorry for this Applejack but its Blueblood we are talking about, and he is getting his way once more."

"Rarity, he is not…" She stops herself before looking at the prince and then at her friend. "Can't we please not do this here?"

"Fine!" She snorted as she marched away.

"Rarity wait!" Applejack is about to go after her but ultimately sighed and let her go, thinking she only needs some air, while ignored a certain stallion in a suit looking at them both with a raised eyebrow.

The press didn't miss the chance, and Blueblood let the millions of photos be flashed of his body, resorting to close his eyes and letting them have as many as they want. When he heard them stop, he opened his eyes again and stood back to the podium to resume. "I don't know how the fire started in the first place, and to be honest I couldn't care less at the moment."

He held his head in sorrow. "My mind hasn't let me forget the events that transpired that night. Everything happened so fast, and like a coward, my first instinct was to run away to the nearest exit, not caring for the safety of my companions, and in my rush I ended up underneath a pile of stone and burning wood. Panic and flames were everywhere, and when I was about to curse all the changelings for letting me die, I was meet with an unexpected surprise."

The prince paused for tension, and saw how all of the audience subconsciously moved their heads forward, waiting for the end.

Perfect, I got them exactly where I need them, time to bring it home

"One of the changelings that I previously shamed and laughed at, returned to that hell until she came face to face with me. Not only that, she was one of the unlucky ones that got a particularly nasty bit of verbal abuse from me when I rejected her wishes to be one of the first changeling nobles, something that I could see she still remembered very clearly. It was a moment of revelation for me, and for the first time in my life I saw the consequences of my actions and the full extension of how much my words could hurt someone. Ashamed, the only thing I could do was look away. No pony or changeling would have said a thing, she could have easily walked away and let me die in that inferno. It would have been an accident, a clean, well deserved revenge. Instead, she choose to save my life. A changeling who I humiliated and gave a broken heart, against any logic or reason decided to save me. Prince Blueblood, the royal prick of Equestria."

Everyone gasped and more flashes go off as the press went nuts for his story. The prince kept a solemn and calm face as he closed his eyes in thought, remembering the events before looking at everyone again.

"No matter how much I try, that image remains in my head, even now. Even when I didn't show any friendship toward that changeling she still offered hers to me, and thanks to that, I could see the teachings that my aunt and cousins were so proud of in action. In the past I thought that the idea of friendship was just a cute slogan to attract allies or give false confidence to your enemies, but now, for the first time in my life I can see it's true power and the importance of it."

His expression turns into one of more determination. "Recently Twilight Sparkle open a school who welcomes all species wishing to learn about friendship, one of the most important values here in Equestria. Today I say that we must follow her example and let others join into our culture and ways of life." He looked to the side and extended his hoof. "And with that I want to welcome and officially introduce the first noble changelings of Canterlot." From backstage three changelings walked in, one green, another red, and another orange, all of them waving at the audience as they cheered, and the press went nuts at their appearance. Princess Celestia also appearing, carrying a medal with her.

"Jade, Temptress and Mirage" Blueblood said, pointing at them in order. "Great and passionate changelings who wish to join part of the world of jewellery, modelling and couples counselling of Canterlot." He said, pointing at Jade, Temptress and Mirage in that order, the last one confusing everyone and make the prince chuckle. "I will let Mirage explain soon enough, for now, I wish them and all the other families of changelings that want to join in, good luck." He told them with a smile before taking the medal in his own magic and thanking his aunt, before presenting it to Mirage. "Consider this as my personal thanks for saving my life and helping me realized my mistakes,"

"There is nothing to thank, your highness, I just did what any other would have done." She bowed and let the prince give her the medal before he brought her into a hug. "The press is going to eat you all alive very soon, you know that right?" He whispered into her ear with some worry, making her chuckle. "Let them try your highness, we are ready for them." Mirage whispered back confidently. "Thank you for giving us this chance."

"Anytime" Once the hug ended, he went and shook the hoof of the other changelings who smiled, and brought him in for a hug as well, and once finished the prince stood back. "I will let these lovely ladies answer any of your questions now. Oh and ladies, feel free to jab your husband's ribs now for staring at Tempress too much."

Much to the prince's surprise, those that didn't laugh actually did what he told them, as he left the stage and let the changelings be swarmed by the press, all of them dealing with it like professionals.

Once sure that no eyes were on him, the prince let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding and kneeled on the ground from the pressure. "Oh god that was one terrifying experience..."

"It's not so easy right?" Celestia told with a smile before helping him stand up once more.

"There ya go, partner." Applejack told ,him fanning the prince with her hat. "Just take a deep breath."

"You were spectacular out there Blueblood! Not only did you find a way to re-introduce yourself into society but also help king Thorax and his people be a part of the noble family!" Celestia beamed with a smile as she looked at the changelings dealing with the press. "Something tells me that things are about to change for the better very soon."

"I really hope so," He said, still a bit shaken up. Celestia smiled and give him a small push. "Why don't you go to your dresser and get some air, we can go for some ice-cream after this."

"Do I need to go back out?"

Celestia giggled and shook her head. "I would just tell every pony that you are still weak from your injuries and need to rest, there is nothing to worry about."

"Love you, aunty." He told her, giving the alicorn a small kiss on her check before going to his dresser.

"Have to say, princess, I like this prince. So far my experience with nobles, minus Shining Armor have been...well, pretty rotten." Applejack mentioned.

"It's a nice change of pace isn't it?" Celestia commented before looking around. "Have you seeing Rarity?"

Applejack sighed and shook her head. "She is probably outside yelling or something." She looks at the princess "Out of us, she seems the one against this new prince the most."

"I see." Celestia said with some worry. "That is unfortunate to hear."

"Oh, don't feel bad princess, I'm sure she is just being stubborn now, and only needs time to calm down. She'll eventually come around" Applejack mentioned with a dismissive voice.

"Let us hope so"

Back in another room

Stellar and Amber received the prince with a smile, Stellar even giving him a bottle of water.

"You were incredible back there your highness, everypony loved your speech." Amber said.

"Thanks." He took the bottle and start to drink before spitting it out everywhere in fright, discovering Rarity sitting on a chair. "Oh Rarity, it's just you. Boy, you just gave me a scare." He said with a chuckle as he held his chest but she just remained stoic, confusing the prince.

"Rarity?"

"You think you have won all of them over do you?" She said, not looking at him and instead, deciding to admire her hoof.

"What?"

Rarity stood up and start to walk around him. "Must be nice right? The princesses love you, the elements like you, being surrounded by supermodels…" She mentioned looking at Stellar and Amber who look confused, but the tension is putting them on edge as they got closer to the prince as though she was a threat. "…and now Equestria thinks that you are a poor prince that wishes to make things right."

"Rarity what is happening?" The prince said, approaching her. "Why are you acting so weird?"

"Acting weird?" She glared at him. "So far I think I'm the only one acting normal around you." She said, jabbing her hoof at his chest, once making Amber act and place herself in between the two.

"Ok that is enough."

"You stay away from this Amber!" Rarity yelled at her "This is between me and that miserable colt there." She points at Blueblood.

"What?" Blueblood looks at her in annoyance. "Ok, that is it, seriously Rarity what is your problem?"

"My problem? I will tell you what it is. I'm angry that a certain prince who utterly destroys my heart, and wanted him gone forever from my life suddenly reappears and thinks that he can do whatever he pleases."

"I told you, the prince you knew is gone." He mentioned, taking a step forward toward her in anger.

"Is he really gone?" Rarity said, matching his expression as their foreheads connected. "You sound like him, look like him and just now acted like him. If you could tell a lie with a straight face like you did just now, why would I believe anything you said during your confession?"

"I didn't lie." He remarked.

"Forgive me for finding that hard to believe."

"So what? After everything you have seen, you honestly think this is just some big trick? To what? What do I gain for any of this?"

"Oh no prince I believe that you have a new soul, I just don't believe that that is not enough to make you change. The princess said that you were once a nice colt, what guarantee do I have to tell me, that you will not revert back to being a jerk after a while?"

"Wow, you really know how to hold a grudge, don't you? Seriously what horrible thing did my predecessor did to you? Because according to Sweetie Bell, I was just an ass that made you do everything and then mess your dress."

In that instant Rarity slapped him so hard that it drew some blood. "Don't you EVER say my sister's name again!" She snapped as his guards gathered next to him, glaring at Rarity.

"Twilight told me to give you a chance, so this is it. I will step away from your way and will just watch on the side to see how you would crash and burn like the bastard you are. But I warn you now your highness, you dare to hurt my friends and I don't care what happens to me, I will make sure that your social life ends permanently." She threatened as she headed to the door.

Amber is about to go after her but the prince stopped her. "Let her go!" He grumbled.

"But your highness, she just attacked you!"

"I don't care," He said, cleaning his face. "Responding to that would just prove her ridiculous point. If she thinks I will stoop to her level, she has another thing coming." He mentioned as Stellar treated his wound. "I'm sick and tired of trying to please everyone around me. If she wants to spend the rest of her life loathing and bitter than so be it. I'm the master of my own life and I will live it as I please." He said with a glare before sighing in disappointment and looked at his guards, who still glanced at him with some worry.

He smiled and approaches the two. "Let's not think about it anymore. Now tell me girls, what is your favorite ice-cream flavor?" He asked, trying to change the subject, while outside the room a stallion started to stalk Rarity from the shadows as she made her way outside the building.