[Normal][Comedy]
Author: Geldon
Description: Despite her best efforts to the contrary, Prince Blueblood has returned for Rarity! It's up the other mane five and Spike to bring about a happy ending to this fairy tale. This fanfic endeavors to capture a fairly standard episodic feel to it.
All Chapters + Story 3 After the break!
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equestriadaily 
Link leads to the Google Docs homepage. This has happened to me a couple times today with other fics, such as Tabluna Rasa.
Link leads to the Google Docs homepage. This has happened to me a couple times today with other fics, such as Tabluna Rasa.
mane five??
mane five??
That was a wonderful story that really did read as a good, single episode. And the final few scenes were priceless. Excellent Work.
That was a wonderful story that really did read as a good, single episode. And the final few scenes were priceless. Excellent Work.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
@Pen StrokeThanks! I really hope everybody enjoys it.
@Pen StrokeThanks! I really hope everybody enjoys it.
This was probably the best story I've ever read, if only because of the sudden twist towards the end (which I won't spoil for obvious reasons).
This was probably the best story I've ever read, if only because of the sudden twist towards the end (which I won't spoil for obvious reasons).
This was really cute. And unlike some other fics involving cursing and references to sexuality (not that I mind those, because I don't) this one actually feels like it could be a real episode.
This was really cute. And unlike some other fics involving cursing and references to sexuality (not that I mind those, because I don't) this one actually feels like it could be a real episode.
Good Clean fun
Good Clean fun
I dunno why, but I felt like Luna should have been in there somewhere. It just would have fit.Still a great story. Really feels like an episode.But ouch, the iron cake platter?
I dunno why, but I felt like Luna should have been in there somewhere. It just would have fit.Still a great story. Really feels like an episode.But ouch, the iron cake platter?
[Psychoshy]]WHY DOESN'T THIS STORY HAVE A SIX STAR RATING YET???[/Psychoshy]
[Psychoshy]]WHY DOESN'T THIS STORY HAVE A SIX STAR RATING YET???[/Psychoshy]
Yet again another great fic. :3And another reason among many to hate Blueblood.
Yet again another great fic. :3And another reason among many to hate Blueblood.
SPOILERSLoved when that little son of a bitch Blueblood got his cummupins from Celestia. I always wondered why she completely ignored his impudence at the gala, seeing as he's probably always like that. It's off to Krastos the Glue Maker with you, Blueblood!
SPOILERSLoved when that little son of a bitch Blueblood got his cummupins from Celestia. I always wondered why she completely ignored his impudence at the gala, seeing as he's probably always like that. It's off to Krastos the Glue Maker with you, Blueblood!
Ok, THAT was a really good read. I enjoyed it and loved the twist at the end. It is exactly why I kill off Blueblood in the fic I have stirring around in my head.
Ok, THAT was a really good read. I enjoyed it and loved the twist at the end. It is exactly why I kill off Blueblood in the fic I have stirring around in my head.
Your fic is well written, has good pacing and very well working jokes. Clearly one of the better works featured on ED./Spoiler/I must confess though that I really REALLY hoped for a different twist at the end, but… Ah. That's life. We have numerous storied of Gilda's tragic past and inner turmoil, Trixie runs the full spectrum of Villain to lost little girl, and we have stories featuring a heroic Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon, of all ponies. So how come this guy can't catch a break? Whenever people write him into a story, it's either to make him suffer or to make him downright evil so he can suffer even more.I just don't get it…
Your fic is well written, has good pacing and very well working jokes. Clearly one of the better works featured on ED./Spoiler/I must confess though that I really REALLY hoped for a different twist at the end, but… Ah. That's life. We have numerous storied of Gilda's tragic past and inner turmoil, Trixie runs the full spectrum of Villain to lost little girl, and we have stories featuring a heroic Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon, of all ponies. So how come this guy can't catch a break? Whenever people write him into a story, it's either to make him suffer or to make him downright evil so he can suffer even more.I just don't get it…
Just a random thought, but I don't think Applejack wheres a 10 gallon hat, but it's just a minor detail.So far it's been good, can't wait for the prince's plan to backfire!
Just a random thought, but I don't think Applejack wheres a 10 gallon hat, but it's just a minor detail.So far it's been good, can't wait for the prince's plan to backfire!
Prince Blueblood: The living embodiment of the phrase "bourgeois buttmunch."
Prince Blueblood: The living embodiment of the phrase "bourgeois buttmunch."
Absolutely beautiful! This has to be one of the best fan fiction stories so far. Highly recommended, it has the feel of a real episode of the show.
Absolutely beautiful! This has to be one of the best fan fiction stories so far. Highly recommended, it has the feel of a real episode of the show.
@AnonymousAll the other characters leave us wondering why they are like they are. They are fun to explore motives and backgrounds. Prince Royal Pain has nothing to make him interesting, he's like silver spoon and diamond tiara, just a spoiled brat born to privilege that has never known work or being useful.
@AnonymousAll the other characters leave us wondering why they are like they are. They are fun to explore motives and backgrounds. Prince Royal Pain has nothing to make him interesting, he's like silver spoon and diamond tiara, just a spoiled brat born to privilege that has never known work or being useful.
SPOILERSI didn't like the ending, it was really a confusing downer. The author built up all of Blueblood's chivalry and redemption in the eyes of Rarity…just to throw it all away just by randomly saying the prince was lying the entire time.As an earlier anon put it, "So how come this guy can't catch a break?" I mean, the end makes me feel like I wasted my time reading by expecting any reformations on Blueblood's part (which is what I expected, a redemption fic), and I've seen more reform for EVERY OTHER ANTAGONIST (that was a pony or griffon, anyway) in other fanfics.I just don't understand this. Even the description says, AND I QUOTE: "It's up the [other] mane five and Spike to bring about a happy ending to this fairy tale".Apparently the author's definition of 'happy' is an angry rejection, blaming others (how can we know Spike didn't put HIMSELF in the barrel to gain sympathy? and Rarity herself was the one who hit Spike with the cake, not Blueblood), and everything generally going back to Square 1.
SPOILERSI didn't like the ending, it was really a confusing downer. The author built up all of Blueblood's chivalry and redemption in the eyes of Rarity…just to throw it all away just by randomly saying the prince was lying the entire time.As an earlier anon put it, "So how come this guy can't catch a break?" I mean, the end makes me feel like I wasted my time reading by expecting any reformations on Blueblood's part (which is what I expected, a redemption fic), and I've seen more reform for EVERY OTHER ANTAGONIST (that was a pony or griffon, anyway) in other fanfics.I just don't understand this. Even the description says, AND I QUOTE: "It's up the [other] mane five and Spike to bring about a happy ending to this fairy tale".Apparently the author's definition of 'happy' is an angry rejection, blaming others (how can we know Spike didn't put HIMSELF in the barrel to gain sympathy? and Rarity herself was the one who hit Spike with the cake, not Blueblood), and everything generally going back to Square 1.
(Contains spoilers. Original writer, here.)Ah, poor Blueblood, I'd like to see him catch a break as well, but he wasn't so fortunate this time around.For what it's worth, he did everything in his power to be conniving snake worthy enough of his just desserts this time around.I do like to think that he may actually have a shot at turning over a new leaf after having a very stern conversation involving Princess Celestia and his mother (probably about getting his inheritance cut off).Apologies about the misleading, "happy ending to this fairy tale" description. It's a bit of a bonus joke: the implied meaning would be seeing a happy royal couple living happily ever after, but the actuality of it is that the happy ending is seeing the villain's plan fall to ruin.
(Contains spoilers. Original writer, here.)Ah, poor Blueblood, I'd like to see him catch a break as well, but he wasn't so fortunate this time around.For what it's worth, he did everything in his power to be conniving snake worthy enough of his just desserts this time around.I do like to think that he may actually have a shot at turning over a new leaf after having a very stern conversation involving Princess Celestia and his mother (probably about getting his inheritance cut off).Apologies about the misleading, "happy ending to this fairy tale" description. It's a bit of a bonus joke: the implied meaning would be seeing a happy royal couple living happily ever after, but the actuality of it is that the happy ending is seeing the villain's plan fall to ruin.
While it's plausible that Trixie could be redeemed (Gilda, I doubt), I don't see Prince Blueblood being like that, so I was okay with how this story came out, especially the ending (the image of Celestia dragging her nephew by the ears is very hilarious to me).And it's nice to see Spike being the clever one for once.
While it's plausible that Trixie could be redeemed (Gilda, I doubt), I don't see Prince Blueblood being like that, so I was okay with how this story came out, especially the ending (the image of Celestia dragging her nephew by the ears is very hilarious to me).And it's nice to see Spike being the clever one for once.
You know, stories like this always make me sad.Oh it was an excellent story, don't get me wrong. Five stars. But what always makes me sad is how stories like this that are so great and would make such excellent episodes will never BE episodes and will likely never be animated in any way shape or form. :(But my personal unattainable wants aside, excellent job!! 😀
You know, stories like this always make me sad.Oh it was an excellent story, don't get me wrong. Five stars. But what always makes me sad is how stories like this that are so great and would make such excellent episodes will never BE episodes and will likely never be animated in any way shape or form. :(But my personal unattainable wants aside, excellent job!! 😀
@Anonymous (2 above this post):Apparently Gilda (in some fanfics) had a bad childhood, leading to a Freudian excuse for her behavior. Also, in (our world's) mythology, in which gryphons were know to EAT horses (thus ponies too, assuming similar biologies). Apparently this means Gilda shows quite a bit of restraint (or Celestia is a tyrant who intimidates visiting gryphons). Combining these two (or with an author just liking her), there is potential for Gilda to be redeemed in fanfics.Or you could just see Gilda as being Dashie's possessive (lesbian) girlfriend instead of evil.
@Anonymous (2 above this post):Apparently Gilda (in some fanfics) had a bad childhood, leading to a Freudian excuse for her behavior. Also, in (our world's) mythology, in which gryphons were know to EAT horses (thus ponies too, assuming similar biologies). Apparently this means Gilda shows quite a bit of restraint (or Celestia is a tyrant who intimidates visiting gryphons). Combining these two (or with an author just liking her), there is potential for Gilda to be redeemed in fanfics.Or you could just see Gilda as being Dashie's possessive (lesbian) girlfriend instead of evil.
@Geldon YetichskyI find it ironic that you say you'd like to see Blueblood catch a break, and then in the next paragraph say he deserved it this time.I am not contesting his behavior in the episode, but your comment confused me.Since YOU'RE the author (if I did not misinterpret the first line of your comment), YOU have the all-mighty power of deciding his personality and intentions (since we know little from canon, and this is not a canon situation as of before season 2) 'this time around' (in this fanfic). Thus, YOU are the one deciding whether he is a 'conniving snake' or not.If you DID want Blueblood to catch a break, then why did you write him as not getting one and still being a jerk?
@Geldon YetichskyI find it ironic that you say you'd like to see Blueblood catch a break, and then in the next paragraph say he deserved it this time.I am not contesting his behavior in the episode, but your comment confused me.Since YOU'RE the author (if I did not misinterpret the first line of your comment), YOU have the all-mighty power of deciding his personality and intentions (since we know little from canon, and this is not a canon situation as of before season 2) 'this time around' (in this fanfic). Thus, YOU are the one deciding whether he is a 'conniving snake' or not.If you DID want Blueblood to catch a break, then why did you write him as not getting one and still being a jerk?
Well, for what its worth, I saw the whole trick coming from the foreshadowing in the first couple paragraphs of the story. And really, this story was as much about Rarity taking Spike for granted as anything with Blueblood: Rarity learned her lesson, which I think was a pretty happy ending.
Well, for what its worth, I saw the whole trick coming from the foreshadowing in the first couple paragraphs of the story. And really, this story was as much about Rarity taking Spike for granted as anything with Blueblood: Rarity learned her lesson, which I think was a pretty happy ending.
@Anonymous(Contains spoilers, original author speaking.)It's because, even though I wanted to see Blueblood catch a break, I didn't feel I could reasonably do that until he learned his lesson.Oh my, did he ever get schooled this fanfic. However, in order for that to work, I had to decide on which side he fell: simply ignorant fop, or genuinely malignant jerk?Moreover, though, there was another villain of the story who received just desserts:Rarity herself. She learned firsthand that what she was doing to Spike was not all that different than what Blueblood was doing to her back at the gala, and felt terrible about it when she realized it. (The cake was the parallel there.) Enough so to drag her out of her boutique for a week to deal with soiled bandages in order to clear her consciousness.
@Anonymous(Contains spoilers, original author speaking.)It's because, even though I wanted to see Blueblood catch a break, I didn't feel I could reasonably do that until he learned his lesson.Oh my, did he ever get schooled this fanfic. However, in order for that to work, I had to decide on which side he fell: simply ignorant fop, or genuinely malignant jerk?Moreover, though, there was another villain of the story who received just desserts:Rarity herself. She learned firsthand that what she was doing to Spike was not all that different than what Blueblood was doing to her back at the gala, and felt terrible about it when she realized it. (The cake was the parallel there.) Enough so to drag her out of her boutique for a week to deal with soiled bandages in order to clear her consciousness.
@Geldon YetichskyI don't think I really established Rarity's moment of realization very much. Which is sort of embarrassing considering that was a large part of what I wanted to do from the start.I made a little fix after "the true gravity of Rarity's inadvertent crimes."
@Geldon YetichskyI don't think I really established Rarity's moment of realization very much. Which is sort of embarrassing considering that was a large part of what I wanted to do from the start.I made a little fix after "the true gravity of Rarity's inadvertent crimes."
Photo finish's accent came off reading as a mixture of french and scottish to me.
Photo finish's accent came off reading as a mixture of french and scottish to me.
This was a fun little story.
This was a fun little story.
@Geldon YetichskyGood thing that you did that. When I first read your story, the part about Rarity recognising her behaviour went completely over my head (perhaps that happened with other readers as well).
@Geldon YetichskyGood thing that you did that. When I first read your story, the part about Rarity recognising her behaviour went completely over my head (perhaps that happened with other readers as well).
@Geldon Yetichsky"It's because, even though I wanted to see Blueblood catch a break, I didn't feel I could reasonably do that until he learned his lesson"Sooo… sequel? Pretty please?
@Geldon Yetichsky"It's because, even though I wanted to see Blueblood catch a break, I didn't feel I could reasonably do that until he learned his lesson"Sooo… sequel? Pretty please?
> Good thing that you did that. When I first read your story, the part about Rarity recognizing her behavior went completely over my head (perhaps that happened with other readers as well).Good! That was a point I really to make and before I made that change it was there but not underscored heavily enough for my liking.> Sooo… sequel? Pretty please? I'm definitely kicking around some ideas along those lines, but making it have as much punch as this story will take a bit of thought.
> Good thing that you did that. When I first read your story, the part about Rarity recognizing her behavior went completely over my head (perhaps that happened with other readers as well).Good! That was a point I really to make and before I made that change it was there but not underscored heavily enough for my liking.> Sooo… sequel? Pretty please? I'm definitely kicking around some ideas along those lines, but making it have as much punch as this story will take a bit of thought.
@Anonymous"…we have stories featuring a heroic Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon, of all ponies."Seriously? When did that happen? I have to read those!
@Anonymous"…we have stories featuring a heroic Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon, of all ponies."Seriously? When did that happen? I have to read those!
I dare say Rarity leant a lesson the hard way. As for Prince Charmless (yes, that's a trope), I feel like he got off easy, at least as far as what we saw is concerned.Oh, and the guards' reaction to Fluttershy: priceless! It was by far the funniest thing I've read all month, and I can easily see it being used in an actual episode.Great work. Five stars.
I dare say Rarity leant a lesson the hard way. As for Prince Charmless (yes, that's a trope), I feel like he got off easy, at least as far as what we saw is concerned.Oh, and the guards' reaction to Fluttershy: priceless! It was by far the funniest thing I've read all month, and I can easily see it being used in an actual episode.Great work. Five stars.
@AnonymousRead "The Stars Above Know". Mind you, that story has only begun…
@AnonymousRead "The Stars Above Know". Mind you, that story has only begun…
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This comment has been removed by the author.
I like the ending to Returns much more than Redemption itself, but eh; to each his own.
Both stories had me reeling. Both flowed well, and both delivered competant, funny, and sometimes sad plots that had me enamored for a good hour and a half. 5/5 stars.
Hey, Seth? It may be just me, but the first for Blueblood's Redemption(DeviantArt) leads to blogger.com.
@Asgard314After all the effort, I'm glad to hear it. Thank you!@AnonymousWell spotted. I sent him an email about that first link getting dropped. Meanwhile, here it is:http://fav.me/d3km3pi
Trixie x Blueblood? It makes more sense than you'd think!
Probably makes more sense then most pony shipping…
one word … EPIC .. i loved it :D… truly a masterpiece 😀 …well done.i don't think i was ever proud to be a brony as i am now :))
Wonder if the sequel fanfics will be called 'Blueblood Forever' followed by 'Blueblood & Robin'
@Anonymous>Wonder if the sequel fanfics will be called 'Blueblood Forever' followed by 'Blueblood & Robin'…which will be so terrible that then he'll have to reboot the franchise by writing the 'The Dark Prince' trilogy.Also, I enjoyed the second story a lot, as I mentioned over on ponychan. Thanks for continuing the story!
I'm maybe 1/4 done with the second part, and it is even better than the first. Humanizing villains with plausible back story is always an entertaining read.
Spoilers, kinda.Redemption started out really strong in the first two chapters. You got me laughing out loud several times. It seems to loose steam a little bit towards the end. Perhaps the love between Blueblood and Trixie, though it was rather obvious it was going to happen, still is a bit to quick and easy. However, there is over a week of time we don't see, so that has to be taken into account. And the mirror argument is very compelling indeed. Makes a lot of sense.All in all, this is heaps better then Blueblood's Return (which wasn't bad, but a not mind blowing either) and I did enjoy reading it.But those poor guards 😛
"It seems that I have even outsmarted myself"And then Trollestia trolled herself.Part 2 was even better than the first story, I think. Redemption-through-backstory fics are obviously nothing new, but this is one of the very rare ones I've seen that manages to pull off a plausible explanation for their personalities (for two characters, even, though I don't really agree with that interpretation of Trixie I feel must be said) without using the explanations as excuses for or reasons to justify their behavior.
Blueblood's Redemption was really great. Going to far as to make Blueblood appear sympathetic and replace Twilight as the pony I'd most like to see hook up with Trixie is a pretty impressive feat.Attributing all of his bad behavior to one of Celestia's schemes is going a bit far in terms of trying to redeem his character, imo. Though, I suppose with all the crying coming from this very comment section you probably felt pressured to do so. It doesn't exactly paint Celestia in a good light. Particularly the part where she shames him in front of the entire nation when he was only doing what she programmed him to do.I don't really see what everyone likes about Hans and Fritz either. They just seem like faceless pawns with no personalities of their own. I do like that they seem to symbolize the feeling of domination that lingers with Blueblood even after he leaves Canterlot. When they disappear it's like he's finally free to be his own self.Blueblood Returns is episode material, plain and simple. I don't see why nobody seems to agree that he most definitely got what he deserved. Perhaps if the Spike abuse had been more descriptive…
@Stephen CawkingGood observations all. I knew that when I wrote this that there would be some room for interpretation because of the depth of what I was going for, and I decided that rather than let that bother me I was going to say that having different interpretations of it is a good thing.Those particular things did hit me while I was writing it. You might be interested in knowing why I went in this direction anyway:In the case of Celestia making Blueblood what he was, the idea I had there was that there would need to be a good reason this immortal who is so good at guiding her ponies would allow Blueblood to turn into this villain. It hit me that being a figurehead would be good use for such a character, and the potential harm of Nightmare Moon's return would provide adequate motivation to even turn on her own kin to do it (putting the needs of the many ahead of the few and such).Hans and Fritz I underplayed deliberately because I respect that a lot of fanfic readers like to have little to no OC influence, as OC deviate from the show they know and love. What they ultimately were was standard Equestrian Guardsmen who we've already seen, but with the comedic misfortune to be assigned to be Blueblood's personal guard. I gave them names and a slight appearance difference because I knew their increased role in this story would require they do a little more than just tag along.I had decided that Blueblood Returns was going to be a lot more "episodic feeling," I even mentioned that right up there in the description of both stories. I decided that I had to write Blueblood's Redemption somewhat differently because the subject of a villains motives and redemption would have to go a bit deeper than the fun surface impression that episodes are written to project. The cartoons are primarily a visual medium. I did, however, focus heavily on implementing humor and characterization because, in my interpretation/opinion, these are the two greatest appeals of MLP:FIM.@BareeIndeed, I also felt that loss of steam towards the end, but I had a reason: I was trying to communicate this message of how Blueblood's insufferable attitude made sense, and why Trixie turned out to be the perfect ship to pull him out of it, so I had to underscore it pretty heavily. Earlier drafts didn't have as much heavy exposition, but the proofreaders missed why Trixie was there and why Celestia was involved.
One more thing to mention. What I could have done is where you start a second story with the idea of redemption and suddenly the villain isn't villainous at all, just misunderstood. I'm sure we've seen more than a few "redemption" fanfics like that.I didn't want to do that, because I wanted to establish that Blueblood was indeed nothing less than a villain. Throughout the story he's still inclined to behave as one. What we learn by the end is that his tragic life is what made him one.But I didn't want to stop there, I wanted to see our villain be reformed enough that he can get a happy ending. By the end of the story he gets a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel, and Celestia explains how she intends to rescue him from being the villain. (Not to mention how she – and anyone else who was looking out for the good of Equestria – was responsible for putting them there in the first place.) Also, you know, getting the love of a beautiful significant other is a bit of happy ending in and of itself.
OMFG… Please write a funfic about Blueblood and Trixie's foals!For once we have a non-lesbian ship, I want to see this through.
If I did continue this story, I think it might be fun to start with Blueblood and Trixie raising havoc inside of Castle Canterlot and see where it goes from there. There'd also be the potential to pull back in the mane 6 and Spike and see their take on Trixie x Blueblood.
Very good way not compromise BB's personality. I can't believe this is the first Trixie/BB, it works so well
I… I absofricken' love Redemption.I'm the Anon above (5, If I count correctly) who decried Bluebloods' usual role as handy boogypony, by the way. And I have to say, you managed a truly impressive feat: Make both Trixie and Blueblood into a character that can be related to, without absolving them from their responsibility for their actions. They're both still egotistic jerks, but they have the chance to get beyond that; As the title suggests, redemption.I can also see Celestia acting like she did. After all, her response to her top students (legitimate!) concerns about the return of an ancient eldritch evil was, to put it bluntly, 'get a life'; She's clearly used to shaking others form their confort zones. Not to mention, he had it coming. Boy did he have it coming.Lastly, as surprising as it may be, this is actually the second story I've read that proposed this pairing, although in the other one it was more of a looming threat XD.Clearly, this ship appears to be working for some. Myself included: These two deserve each other. Either to heal each other… or drive each other crazy. (as Sartre wrote: Hell is other people)PS: Now I'm curious what the Ponyvillians might think of this pair. The best revenge is a life well-lived, eh?
If you do write another story, then I demand it be called 'Blueblood Forever'the batman reference is too good to be allowed to go to waste
@Stephen CawkingThat Batman reference was great, and took me completely by surprise. The actual link I had there was "re-turns" versus "re-demption."If I were to call the next one Blueblood Forever, would I call the one after that Blueblood Forever After?Hah, four potential titles in and I've yet to come up with good enough idea to be the core revelation of the third story.
I feel like I shouldn't pity Blueblood, but this story makes it impossible not to.