What is wrong with these six ponies? All I'm doing is sleeping away the rest of this train ride, and one of the feels the need to scream 'surprise' in my face. Her reason behind this, and I quote, 'because I wanted to know if you would be my friend and I had to if the next chapter was ever going to be started.' The first part could be understood is she was just a filly, but this was a full grown mare. The other part made absolutely no sense, especially in my half conscious state. After answering my questions the same mare proceeds to ask me what seems like an unending number of her own, even when her friends grabs her muzzle.
"Sorry 'bout that sugar cube. Pinkie can be a little..."
"Over ecstatic?" Completely insane.
"Yea. Ahm Apple Jack." The orange mare said, presenting the hand that wasn't busy keeping the pink questionnaire mostly quit.
"I'm Arctic Gale." I say as I grab her hand. Big mistake.
"Nice ta' meet ya sugar cube." Sometimes I forget how strong an earth pony can be, but this mare gave me a STRONG reminder. Seriously, what's her mark, boulder throwing? Thankfully, my arm was released before it was ripped off. Although I could have sworn she let go before it stopped shaking.
"Same, and is she still going?" I ask, pointing to the pink one who was still trying to talk through the hand on her mouth. Apple Jack looked over at the pink mare and moved her hand.
"... And I was like..."
Bad news, she was still going, good news, Apple Jack has very good reflexes. Luckily the other ponies decide to help get the mare under control. Only problem is that one of them started screaming bloody murder when she got a closer look at me, causing all of us to jump back with wide eyes.
"What is that!"
"... What?"
"Nonono this will not do! That shirt does NOT match your fur OR mane color. And the condition of your clothes, don't you know anything, darling?" Oh no, it's one of those ponies. By the gods, I'm already getting a headache, and she's still going.
"Excuse me, miss."
"Oh, my apologies. I sometimes forget my manners when I see... Well, lets not get into... That." I could see her eye start to twitch, then it got worse at the end. "My name is Rarity, darling. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you as well. Now may I ask for the names of your friends here?" Just keep talking and I might just avoid another nut case and their 'fabulosity,' whatever that is.
Got the names of the other four passengers. There's Fluttershy, a very shy yellow Pegasus with a pink mane. Fluttershy, Fluttershy, why does that name sound so familiar? Whatever, I'll worry about it latter. Rainbow Dash, the hothead of their little group, blue coat and rainbow mane. Pinkie Pie, do I even need to say which one she was? Also she's pink, ALL PINK. And lastly we have Twilight Sparkle. The Princess of Friendship.
...Don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh.
*pfft.*
"Did anypony hear that?"
"No."
Everything seem to settle down after that. We explain why we were heading up to the side of the mountain. I had a feeling Twilight was going to see the other Princesses, but I had no idea as to why she didn't take a chariot, or ride in the royal on the train. She forgot she could do the first one and tried to say that she wouldn't leave her friends. Imagine her surprise when I tell her she could have just brought them with her. I may be a Merc, but I spent enough time in the castle with Sunset to pick up a few things.
I only told them that I was meeting somepony in the castle about a job. I don't want to go running around with a princess in the brown nosing capital of the word, that and I've learned that keeping my jobs confidential can lead to a longer life.
I wonder if that sheriff is still looking for me?
"Sunshine Sunshine Ladybugs Awoke, Clap Your Hooves, And Do A Little Shake!"
In the throne room of Canterlot Castle, all the princesses, element bears, and two other guys were currently gathered for an important meeting. But before any of that could begin, two full grown mares had to act like excitable fillies. They were quickly reminded that they had an audience of their close friends and family. Some of which could never act their age.
*WHISTLE!*
"THAT'S NOT FUNNY!" Said a certain alicorn that was quickly changing her coat color to a very deep red.
"Well, now that everypony is here we can proceed. Would you all please follow and we can get this meeting started." The tallest of all the pony people said as she made her way up to the throne, along with her sister.
Mean while, the ponies behind the were having a 'discussion' of sorts going. In other words Rarity and Blueblood were glaring at each other. The intent to tear into the other could clearly be seen in their eyes. Present company being the only thing stopping them, or in Bluebloods case, his aunts, from actually starting.
As the two old as dirt mature alicorns got to the wall behind the throne, their horns glowed an the stones of the wall started shifting into a new position. Quickly forming into a doorway leading down to a hidden section of the castle. Once that was done, both of them cut off their magic and turned to address those gathered before them.
All present were surprised at the reveal of the new passageway, but quickly snapped out of it when they saw the looks Both alicorns had. Having only ever seen a motherly smile on Celestia and a friendly, or irritated in Blublood's case, on Luna. Each pony was at least a little unnerved by what they were seeing. Any trace of emotion had completely left them, leaving a blank and uncaring expression.
"Before we go any further, understand that everything you are about to hear is complete fact."
"If any of you even considers speaking of this to anyONE, you will be held for high treason, stripped of everything, and banished to a place where you will only be heard from by those who are already there."
"If you want to turn back now, then this is the time, but all memory of this day shall be removed from your mind."
"If you wish to learn some of Equestria's deeper secrets. Then follow us now."
"Take your time and think on you decision, for this will be the only chance you have at learning what is behind the veil."
With that, both princesses proceeded down the corridor. Neither caring if any followed or left.
I have never seen princess Celestia look like that. She always seemed like a loving mother, but this, this was nothing like the princess I know. Is this what the nobles mean when they say the princess is always wearing a mask? Did I just see the Real Celestia?
She looked like nothing in the world mattered. Just...
...dead...
"Twilight?" Wait, what?
"Huh? Oh, Fluttershy is something wrong?"
"Oh, ah, sorry, but should we follow or do we leave? I mean if that's okay with you."
"Honestly Fluttershy, I'm not sure what to do."
"Oh please, this is clearly just another one of my aunts pointless pranks. I can't believe she would actually waist MY time on this. Now I will have to rush the servants just so I can make the party at the RIGHT time, and still look better than those lesser nobles." Is it wrong that my opinion of him hasn't changed since I was just a filly?
I can the others are of a similar mindset. Wait, is Rarity smiling? She must be happy that Blueblood is leaving.
"Yeah it's not like this could end up pushing the nobility further from the throne." That sound like pinkie, and why did Blueblood stop walking?
... No...
"OR this could the princesses deciding who to pass the throne to."
No.
"OOOOR this could be the secret for turning stallions into alicorns!"
"PINKIE!"
"That's me!"
"Well we better not keep the princess waiting now shall we." Said Blueblood as he walked through the door.
"Wait, when did Blueblood learn to teleport?" Asked Shiny.
"When did his magic get strong enough to teleport?" Asked Cadence.
"Why are we still standing here?! We have to make sure that disgrace of a prince does NOT become an alicorn!" Screamed Rarity. She then starts running to the doorway, and while she might be over reacting, I can't help but feel she has the right idea.
I'm currently standing in the throne room of the castle trying to figure out what to do. When I had arrived I had to put up with the guards 'standard procedure' for letting anypony in. By that I mean having to strip for the mares and put up with a lot of harassment, nothing worth getting mad over. They were professional about it, mostly.
I'm getting side tracked. After the guard deemed me 'a fine stallion,' I was asked why I was here. I explained, a guard brought me to the throne room and shoved me inside without a second thought. All I was told was that the princess was expecting me and just head in.
Now I'm trying to figure out if I should go down the hall behind the throne that I know was not there last time I was. Then again it had been years since I was last here, so what do I know?
"Well V did say to go down the path behind where the tyrant of cakes listens to the cake less. I swear he talks like that just to tick ponies off."
With that thought in mind, I head to what is most likely Celestia's private cake stash. What I hear is not something that I want to deal with.
"But aunty, why do they have to come as well. Most of them are just mere commoners and the other one is just Cadence." I would know who that voice belonged to even if I was death. I can already feel my expression turn into a predatory grin.
"Blue~ Blood~."
A little while later, Gale had caught up to the girls, the crystal couple, and BlueBlood. All of who had finally caught up to the royal sisters. In the moment, multiple things had happened. Luna had grabbed Arctic and slammed him into a wall. Shining Armor through up a barrier with the mane six, Cadence, Celestia, and BlueBlood on one side and himself, Luna, and Gale on the other. Though he meant to have Luna with the girls and BlueBlood in danger. lastly Arctic had pulled out a scroll with a seal that was familiar to Celestia.
Also BlueBalls hid behind his aunt like a filly would hide from a full grown manticore.
Celestia quickly took the parchment and told Luna to hold him. She would have let him go, but with the secrets that were buried down here, neither princess was willing to take that chance. Celestia read the message from the one she thought was coming to help her. By the end of it everypony could tell that she was not happy with what ever was written on that scroll. She started breathing deeply, dropped the scroll and started walking away. One of the other ponies cautiously approached the paper and picked it up, then started reading it out loud.
Dear Celestia,
You are probably curious as to why your old friend, Arctic Gale, is currently at your current location, somewhere in that "secret" path you think no one knows about. Why, the answer is simple my dear.
I sent him.
Now would be about the time that most would give there "reasons" as to why they can say no to you. I only have two, a minor one and a major one. The former of the two is that I am to busy with my own problems to be bother with something you could have been doing for the last +1000 years you have spent trying to make cake an endangered pastry.
The main reason is actually quit simple, so simple that I could put it in five words. But I'm going to keep that to myself for the time being.
Leaving you with nothing without at least telling you why would be very bad for business, so I sent my second best employee to help. I would have sent my best, but I'm needed hear. And from how I understand it you and Gale have a bit of a history, so I figured I would follow our newest princess's example and help reunite two old friends.
Best of luck to you and you little group,
VP.S. I know every mare has their "needs" and Gale is of age, but please stick to using your guards and not my employee for "those games." I rather like that colt and would prefer if he didn't return as a broken horse.
Thank you.
To say the group were shocked would be like saying dragons don't like to share. Except Luna, who was pounding the ground trying not to laugh. None of them had thought it possible that anypony could be so disrespectful, let alone would actually do it.
I can't believe that no good, back stabbing, stubborn mule would dare to mock me. I did not seek him out just so he would have an excuse to mock me, Me!
"Princess?"
I ruled over Equestria for the past thousand years!
"Aunty?"
I fought in the coliseum games against the strongest warriors of other counties!
"Sister?"
Battled along side my sister against Discord and won!
"Tia?"
I move the BUCKING SUN and HE MOCKS ME!? The next time I see you V, you WILL regret it.
"Celestia!"
"WHAT?!"
*Sigh* "Your on fire again, sister." Looking at myself I find that my sister is, on fact, right. Sometimes I hate being the alicorn of the sun. Okay, breath in, breath out, breath in, think of cake, breath out...
*moan*
... I hate myself.
Once everything had calmed down, the group started making there way to the destination. As they made their way down, the royal sisters started explaining some of the history that happened before the secrets that were about be revealed. Of course one prince was only interested in when he would get his wings. never.
Before Hearth's Warming had taken place, the pony lands were ruled over by two alicorns. These were the parents of both Celestia and Luna. One day the king had to leave to fight in a war that threatened to spread to the kingdom if it did not end soon. With the aid of the alicorn king, as well as many other powerful beings that decided to fight, the war had ended. Even though it had ended far sooner than it would have other wise, many of those that joined had fallen in the battle. The king was one of the exceptions, though not how one would think. The king had been killed, but it was by the hand of one he once called family, the black king Sombra.
When word of the king's fate had reached the kingdom, many of the noble house sought the chance to become the next ruler. Alliances were formed, lines were crossed, and the kingdom suffered for it. Three houses in particular gained other noble families as support for themselves. Through bribery, threats, or empty promises of power, these three proceeded to split the nobility into three groups. Then the kingdom into three tribes, all demanding that their noble house be made ruler. The queen could not accept how a country built on unity and harmony could so easily fall to such a corruption. The queen refused any attempts by the ponies to sway her decision, and focused on trying to keep a falling kingdom standing.
As years passed, the three tribes continued their arguing over who had the right to rule, until the storms started to set in. The queen did everything she could for the country, often times having to leave her daughters to do so. While the mother was away, the nobles would play. The three houses often times had other nobles look after the two young alicorns so as to have them 'sway' their mothers decision.
As time went on, the corruption got worse, and so had the storm. Because of this, the three houses sent their eldest daughters off to find a new home land. Each believing that if it was their daughter that found a knew land to rule, then their house would be made ruler. From their, the tale of hearth's warming had begone. After that, the queen had taken all the ponies within the kingdom to start anew. Well, except the heads of those three houses, they were banished from this new paradise long before it had been found.
From here, the secrets shall be revealed once more.
"So if this is all true, then why isn't it in any history books, princess?"
"Because Twilight, this information was either to dangerous to be common knowledge, or some powerful magic was used to ensure that it was forgotten."
"Then how come I was never told of such things until now, aunty? I'm more royal than any of these commoners."
"You are a descendent of Princess Platuinum, but that does not make you instantly worthy, BlueBlood." Luna said with no small amount of irritation in her voice.
*humph* "That still does not explain why you would tell me at the same time as these commoners."
"I'm starting to wonder why I thought bringing you here was a good idea in the first place." Celestia muttered only loud enough for those who were paying close attention would hear. These were Luna, Cadence, and Arctic, if the snickering was anything to go by.
As the group reached the end of the hall, they came to a set of metal doors similar to the royal vault. This one how ever seemed to have been made to be used by two ponies instead of just one. On the left appeared to have a mirrored image of Celestia's cutie mark, while the right one had a Luna's mark only backwards. Of to each side of the doors is an unlit torch hanging of the wall. Both sisters walk over to their respective mark and turn to face the group.
"Before we go any further I am going to remind you all that you CAN NOT speak of this to anyone. You all have already chosen to follow, so you do not have the option to turn back anymore." Luna said to the group
"Now I know you all have more questions about this, but I must ask that you please refrain from asking anything else until after my sister and I have explained everything, understand?" Celestia said, receiving a collective yes. With that both sisters turned to the torches and used their magic to light them, leaving a silver flame. After that, they both turned toward each other and traded sides. Once on the side with the others cutie mark, they both stuck their horns into the lock. As soon as their horns were in all the way, they activated their magic, causing the locks in the door to come undone. Without removing their horns, the doors began to separate an open diagonally.
"Now, shall we begin?"