//------------------------------// // Celestia // Story: Equestrian Ending // by StapleCactus //------------------------------// The grand building wasn’t too far away from the restaurant, as it only took a few minutes to reach. In that time, I was lost in my thoughts of Pan and how I could improve our relationship. We ascended the castle’s first set of stairs, something that was much easier to do than going down, and were stopped by a couple guards standing in front of their small guard houses. “Halt. State your business in Canterlot Castle,” one said. “I have important information regarding suspicious activity I feel needs to be addressed directly by Her Majesty, Princess Celestia,” I said, recalling my time as her knight in her services. “Very well, wait here and a page will escort you to the Grand Hall, where those that seek audience wait.” The guard on the left stepped into his small station and pulled a rope, ringing a bell it was attached to and calling the aforementioned page. We only had to wait a moment before a young stallion appeared and walked us through the front lawns and into the building. Riches looked around in awe at the design and extravagance as I walked slowly through the halls, used to the structure as I was. Soon enough, we were brought to the large hall just to the side of the throne room used as an overflow area for excess ponies wishing an audience with royalty, when not used to hold balls on special occasions of course. A steward stood behind a podium near the side door and noble-looking ponies mingled about. I trotted over to the stallion and added my name to the list, hoping that the urgency of my request was understood. Nearly there, just have to wait for these others to get through. I have to remember to be polite, as Celestia doesn’t remember me. Furthermore, how am I even going to convince her? No one knows about the Titans, so maybe I can use that. And surely, she wouldn’t want me to talk about them in front of an audience. I’ll just have to wing it as I always have, even if it makes me seem completely compulsive. “Dex and Riches of Slade, please step forward,” the steward called as a guard opened the side door to the throne room beyond. That was way too quick. I walked over, with Riches behind me, and saw many ponies look at me in anger. They were there before me, I believed they were thinking. Once again, the filly was awed as she took in the splendor of the room when we stepped over the threshold. Princess Celestia was sitting upon her throne, listening to a pony ramble on about taxes or building supplies, I wasn’t sure. We took our place behind a familiar looking pony as we awaited our turn, in the loosest description of a line. There was a general structure to the line, but many of the ponies stood next to each other or turned to face one another as they chatted quietly. Now that I have to wait, I feel bad for Celestia, having to deal with so many petitioners every day, I thought as I scanned the assembled. About half an hour later, I stopped worrying over talking with the princess and my mind started wandering. This pony in front of me... I know I’ve seen him before. The stallion in question was white with blue hair wearing a fancy suit. His three, stacked crowns as a cutie mark didn’t help me recognize him at all. “Excuse me,” I heard Riches say as she stepped past me a bit and tapped the stallion on the leg. As he turned to look at her, she continued. “My dad recognizes you, but he can’t place your name.” Ssssss, Riches, how do you know that? What happened to my natural blank face? Did it go away when I turned pony? The cultured pony turned around completely. “Well I say, you only needed to ask, my good stallion. I am Fancy Pants, and you are?” he asked and we spent the remaining wait talking about whatever came to mind. I mentioned the garden party, just to waste time, and we shared our interest in meeting with the princess. Eventually, it was his turn and I bid him farewell. That helped me loosen up a bit. Fancy isn’t such a bad guy, considering his noble stature. Well, just one pony to go and I can finally get some answers of my own. “I don’t know how you knew, but thanks for that, Riches,” I said quietly to her as the stallion finished his request. “You’re really easy to read,” she returned just as quietly. So I did change my facial appearance. “When did that start?” “Other than the doughnut shop, around when we walked through the park.” Huh... Fancy Pants bowed low with one leg bent when Celestia finished her speech and took a few steps back before turning around and trotting out of the chamber. The princess turned to me and I gave a polite bow, as I was unsure of my stability still, with Riches doing the complete action. She called me up to the steps and I complied before speaking. “I apologize for the short bow, Your Majesty. I have not had time to get used to this body, yet.” “It is quite all right. Does your request for an audience deal with your second statement?” she asked, unfazed by the implications. “Yes, but I feel it would be best to speak in private about such matters. There is sensitive information involved.” She smiled. “Would it have anything to do with the Titans?” I stood, frozen in place for a moment, before working my jaw trying to find a response. What? She knows? But how? “I see I am correct. Please wait a moment,” Celestia added at my confused expression before calling for privacy. The guards ushered the ponies out of the room. Just as the last one left, the guards shut the doors behind them and stood watch on either side. Celestia stepped down from her throne and stood tall in front of me. “Dex, it is good to see you.” She turned and gave a nod to the filly beside me. “And you must be Riches. Dex has mentioned you a few times in the future past.” If Doctor Hooves really is a Time Lord in this dimension, he must be going crazy right about now, not that I’m understanding this much either. “Celestia, I-” She raised a hoof to silence me before speaking. “I am sure you have many questions, and I have answers to most of them. First, I would like to ask you something.” I gave another small bow, nearly losing my balance this time. “As you wish.” “What were the terms of your punishment?” I repeated what the Titans had told me. “What are you doing now?” “Trying to reunite with my friends.” “Is that not against the rules you have been told to follow?” “Not really. They didn’t specify that I couldn’t do so.” “But you are using your knowledge to influence them, just as you must have done to Precious Metal, here.” “Y-you know my name?” Riches asked. “I know many things. Your name, I learned from Dex,” the princess said to the filly before turning back to me. “Harmony is allowing it, as you do not follow Order’s plan directly, but there may be consequences if you continue. Do you understand?” “Yes.” Harmony said I was doing fine, now that I’ve started listening to my heart. Maybe, as long as I just get Pan and Stone back, I can still play with electricity and be fine. “Very well. Now, let me head off your questions with the most likely answers. I am Order’s charge, so I know what he tells me and he wanted me to make sure you follow Order as much as possible. “As for your friends, you were the suspicious activity I asked the Guard to watch for, as I knew you would return, but not how you would act. So far, you seem to be adjusting well. If you would like, I can get you a tutor in the use of magic, and” --a smirk played at her lips-- “maybe you should get physical therapy to learn your new body.” So I’m not the only one with a Titan watching over me, and she said she’ll help me! This day is getting better! “Celestia, what about Pan? She felt something when we met earlier.” The princess smiled down upon me. “Love is a strong magic, my knight. It can bridge the gap between realities themselves if it must.” ‘My knight’? “What was that about being your knight?” “Well, surely you haven’t forgotten your oath to me?” I shook my head. “I think I can get away with giving you your old job title back.” “But Princess, I can barely stay upright when I do so much as bow! How am I to help you?” “By learning, of course.” “What of my talent? I’m an engineer.” “You do not have to do everything I had you do before. I am sure you want a family and a normal life here. I will only call on you when the need is great.” I stood transfixed on the spot. Can it really be so easy? Can I really have my life I had back, without the chaos of before? How is this allowed by the Titans? I thought this was a punishment, yet here I am, a knight with training in front of him and a brighter future than ever before. “The Titans are not cruel, Dex. They saw your want of a better life for all, and they gave you the options to do so. Do not forget that all that you have, you gained through your actions and intentions.” There was a pause as I let her words sink in. “Now go, enjoy what you have. I will send word.”