The morning of my coronation was everything but relaxing. After I was awakened at 6:00, I was rushed down to wardrobe to try on ten different dresses, which took...about an two hours. Afterwards, I had to go over some last minute Princess Etiquette, and then go over how the ceremony was going to happen. Scroll was going to say a few words on my father's behalf, then announce me. I would walk into the hall, down the carpet, and up to the throne to sit. After I took the Ruler of Equestria vows, I would sit on the throne and everypony would applaud. It was a simple process, but practicing for it was not. I had to do retakes six different times just because I needed to walk the right way. At first, I was walking too fast, then too slow. I was finally able to get it right on the seventh time, but even after that I wasn't finished. I still needed to choose which types of food I would want served, the choice of a band to perform, and what color of sashes I'd want hung in the hall. It was quite the stressful morning.
Finally, by 3:00, the guests had started to arrive, so I was asked to get ready in my room. It was tradition that nopony saw the new ruler before he/she was reveled. Ponies could have sworn that with all the preparations that I was getting married. Luckily for me, it wasn't anything THAT extreme. As the hoofmaidens prepared my dress and did my mane, I looked at myself in the mirror. What I saw was a completely different pony. The previous day, I was a little princess, just playing pretend of ruling the kingdom. That day, I WAS the ruler, or at least I was soon to be. I watched myself transform as the maidens finished my makeup and mane from young princess to soon-to-be all-time ruler over the entire land. After they had finished, the maidens bowed and left me to think. As I looked at myself, I couldn't help but realize that most of my fear was gone. Discord had taken my fear, and helped me realize that I COULD be a great ruler as long as I was myself. Of course, that didn't help the fact that I was still a little nervous. I mean, it WAS my coronation after all.
"You look beautiful."
I jumped a little at the voice as I turned around. There, standing in her own dress, was Luna. I smiled as she walked up to me. She had grown up so much as well. "As do you little sister," I replied.
"Nervous?" she asked as we both looked in the mirror.
"Maybe a little," I responded, "but I'm not as afraid as I was all those years ago."
Luna smiled and placed a hoof around my shoulders. "That's good." We both just stared at our reflections for a little while, probably thinking the same thing; where had the years gone? Luna turned to look at me as she continued to smile. "It seems like only yesterday we were playing make-believe on the hills outside the castle huh?"
"Indeed," I said back. "And just think, today is my coronation, but in just a few years, YOU'LL be the one receiving the title of Princess of the Night, just like mom." Luna lowered her head a bit as her face fell.
"I hope I'm able to make our parents as proud as you are today," she mumbled.
"Even more!" I said sweetly as I lifted her head. "I guarantee that you'll be the greatest Princess of the Night in all of Equestria."
Luna chuckled a bit, "I'll be the ONLY Princess of the Night sister."
"More reason to be proud of you," I snickered, "but just remember. No matter how old we get, I will still see you as my little sister, and best friend." Luna smiled as a tear fell from her eyes. We embraced and held it until a knock came at the door.
One of the hoofmaidens peeked her head in and said, "We're ready for you Princess."
"Thank you," I replied as she closed the door. I looked at Luna and we both gave a nervous sigh. "Well, this is it. Let's go." And as we walked down the corridor towards the Great Hall, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming feeling of pride and nervousness all rolled up into one. I was just hoping that Discord could watch me.
Once we approached the Hall doors, Luna went in due to the fact that she had to stand at the throne area to wait for me. She gave me one last "Good luck," as well as a hug, and went on in. As I stood there, listening to the trumpets starting to play, I could feel my heart racing even more than before, like it was going to beat right out of me if it went any faster. If there was ever a time that I needed Discord and his words of encouragement, it was then. Suddenly, I heard Scroll start to talk, and I waited and listened for my cue.
"Citizens of Equestria, we are gathered here today to witness a glorious event. The coronation of a new ruler. She is the eldest daughter to the late King Solarus and Queen Cosmos, current Princess of the Sun, and is more honored than anypony to receive such a title. You have waited for five years, and now it's finally time. Stallions and Gentlemares of Equestria, it is my greatest honor to present to you...Princess Celestia!"
At that moment, the doors opened, and without even thinking, I started to walk in with my head held high, and my chest puffed out, as was rehearsed. Though my eyes faced the front, I could see, out of the corner of my eyes, all the ponies looking at me. As I made my way up to the throne, I stopped in front of Scroll, who was holding my new tiara, a true symbol of my rule. I looked beside him, and Luna smiled and nodded. I did it back, and then lowered my head to receive the tiara.
"Celesta, daughter of Solarus and Cosmos," Scroll announced as he held the tiara over my head, "Do you swear to protect the citizens of Equestria with all of your might and ability, and see to it that all ponies are treated fairly?"
"I will," I answered strongly.
"Do you swear to uphold the laws set down by your father and his father before, and rule over Equestria justly and fairly?"
"I will."
"And do you swear to keep the peace in Equestria, delivering justice to those who deserve it?"
"I will!"
With every line, I became more and more passionate. I WAS ready to rule. I WAS ready to uphold the laws and keep the peace. I WASN'T afraid anymore. And as Scroll lowered the tiara onto my head, I turned around to face the citizens of Equestria. There must've been over 200 who showed up. As I stood there, full of newly found courage, Royal Scroll finished his announcement.
"Citizens of Equestria, your new ruler, Celestia: Princess of the Sun!"
At that moment, the whole Hall erupted in a thunderous applause that shook the entire room. I looked around at all the ponies, earth, pegasi, and unicorn alike, stomping their hooves and cheering for me. But out of all the applause, there was something missing. No, somepony. I looked hastily around for Discord, but I couldn't find him. Had he not wanted to see me, or was he just too scared of all the ponies? Either way, I was truly saddened.
That is until I looked over at the back window and smiled. Discord had disguised himself inside a stained glass window, back behind everypony else, and was applauding and giving me a big thumbs up. I smiled and waved, my self-esteem restored by the sight of my best friend. Everything. Was. Perfect.
After the coronation, there was a big feast held in the gardens in my honor. The whole thing was prepared ever so wonderfully. A large table was set up front for the royals, including Royal Scroll, Luna, and myself, surrounded by smaller round tables for everypony else, a giant ice sculpture/fountain was set up in the middle, proper music was being played by the finest violinists in the kingdom, and a long table was set up with a smorgasbord of fancy hors d'oeuvres. Everything was so proper.
But that still didn't take away from the fact that it was boring as dirt.
I was well aware that the whole setup was tradition, but it didn't help. I may have been the new ruler, but I still wanted others to celebrate and be merry. It wasn't just me though. I happened to notice that the other ponies looked just as bored as me, mostly due with the fact that there was no celebration. It was like a dinner you have after a funeral, like it was tradition, but there was nothing to celebrate. It seemed the only one enjoying himself was Scroll, who made sure that everything was done by tradition. I just sat at the front table with a bored expression on my face as others came by and congratulated me. All I could think was how much I needed a glass of chocolate milk, or a bit of cotton candy. Anything to liven up the event. My boredom did NOT go unnoticed by some.
"Sister," Luna said as she sat beside me, "is everything alright?"
"It's fine," I replied with a sigh. "I was just hoping that everypony would be a little more...festive. I mean, it IS my coronation celebration."
"I know," Luna sighed, "but as Royal Scroll said,"
'Tradition is everything!' we both said in a mocking Scroll voice. We giggled a bit before sighing again. The party really needed something to liven it up.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out, stopping the party. "What is WRONG with you ponies? What is this; a celebration or a funeral march?" Everypony looked around, wondering where the voice came from. I knew exactly who owned the voice, and grew a bit nervous at what was going to happen. "You just got yourselves a great new ruler!" Discord called out. "You should be partying like there's no tomorrow! C'mon! Let's turn this into a REAL party!" Just then, in a burst of light, Discord appeared before the crowd wearing a white zoot suit and fedora. The ponies gasped as soon as he appeared, and Scroll glared with anger. With a snap of his fingers, things started to go down! First, the fountain started to squirt chocolate milk instead of water. In another snap, the hors d'oeuvres were replaced with heaping piles of junk food, and then noise-makers and buzzers appeared on each table with funny hats appearing on ponies' heads. Even through all of this, the ponies continued to look at Discord in horror as he tried to liven things up. Luna looked at me with worry, and I looked back with just as much. I feared that Discord might have just ruined the party.
Just then, amongst the quiet staring at Discord, a small chuckle was heard. Everypony looked around to find one of the sophisticated unicorns, who just happened to be a duke, twirling one of the noise-makers and laughing like a little kid. Just as everypony wondered what had gotten into him, another pony started laughing as he twirled his funny hat. Seeing this made more ponies laugh, which led to more join in. Pretty soon, a roaring of laughter erupted throughout the gardens. I couldn't help it. I started laughing as well, as did Luna. The only one who WASN'T laughing was, you guessed it, Royal Scroll.
"Citizens! Don't get sucked into his chaos! He'll drive you all insane!"
Unfortunately for him, nopony was listening. They were too busy sticking their goblets under the fountain to get some milk, or blowing into their noise-makers. Discord looked the situation over before snapping his fingers again and replacing the slow violinists with face-paced fiddlers, playing a fun folk tune that ponies started to truly dance to. Despite all of the fun that was going down, Scroll still wasn't happy. He was trying to calm everypony down, but to no avail.
"This is NOT tradition! Not tradition I say!" he shouted angrily.
"Some traditions are meant to be changed Scroll," I said happily as I sipped my chocolate milk. "Now stop being such a party-pooper and enjoy yourself." Scroll looked at me with his jaw dropped in both disbelief and frustration, but I didn't care. Nopony cared. They were having fun. For the rest of the evening, Scroll sat in the corner, moping like a little colt. But not even he could ruin the party. As I looked at all the citizens of Equestria actually having fun and being merry, I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. Not only had the party turned into a real celebration, but it seemed that Discord was finally being recognized for what he could do and how he acted, not for how he looked. Everypony forgot about how he looked and even were talking to him and asking him to do tricks. I watched as he juggled a variety of items to woo some of the younger crowd, and I laughed as I saw them clapping and begging for more. He had finally been accepted. At that point, I started to think that maybe Discord WOULD be a good adviser, and couldn't have been happier for him.
"Who knew Discord was such a party animal!" Pinkie laughed. "I outta see if I can get some tips from him."
"Yeah," Rainbow nodded. "He really was a fun guy!"
Everypony nodded as Twilight spoke, "So Princess, what happened next?"
"Well, the party went on for quite a while," Celestia continued, "and it seemed like everything would end swimmingly. But..." The others frowned suddenly as the Princess continued.
As the party winded down, Discord decided to go out with a bang. Literally. He summoned a whole bunch of fireworks for a finale. He called for everypony's attention as he snapped his fingers. "I would just like to say personally, that I am honored to have Princess Celestia as the new ruler! Am I right?" The crowd cheered as I felt a blush coming on. "She is everything right in the world. Kind, considerate, just, compassionate, gentle, and quite the dancer!" The blush deepened as I heard Luna snickering a bit. I couldn't help but crack a smile myself. "I would like to dedicate this finale to our esteemed leader. TO CELESTIA!"
"TO CELESTIA!" the crowd shouted happily as they looked at me. Discord then lighted the fireworks, and in an instant, dozens of rockets were shooting up into the sky and blowing into many colors and shapes. The crowd "oohed" and "ahhed" with each explosion. It was definitely a great ending to a great night.
The festivities were cut short, however, by a loud scream. At that moment, somepony pointed out towards the town and shouted, "A HOUSE IS ON FIRE!" Everypony stopped and turned to see that a house HAD caught on fire and it was already blazing. The laughing was soon replaced with gasps and panicking as they gazed upon the blazing inferno, engulfing the roof of the house.
"Guards!" Scroll shouted. "Head for the house! Look for anypony who needs help and put out the fire with your water spells! Make sure the fire doesn't spread!" The guards quickly did what they were told as they hurried out into the town. Pegasus guards started making rain clouds over the house while unicorns sprayed water from their horns, causing the flames to die down. Everypony just watched with worry as the fires were fought, and after about 15 minutes, they were extinguished. Everypony sighed of relief as the guards started to return.
"Was everypony alright?" I asked the head guard.
"We made sure that everypony was rescued from the area," he responded, but then his face fell. "However, there was a soul trapped inside the inferno." At that point, my face dropped to horror. "We tried to get to him, but the insides collapsed before we could reach him. I'm afraid that he has...fallen." A choir of gasps and shrieks sounded throughout the gardens. My insides felt like they were going to burst. Somepony died. It was all so much to take in. How could it get worse? Well, the next guard who showed up was levitating something large, wrapped in a blanket.
"This was found at the scene your Highness," he said as he unwrapped the blanket. Everypony, including myself, gasped at what we saw.
It was the burnt remains of a firework.
Murmurs filled the area as ponies talked amongst themselves. I was still trying to take it in. It had to have been a coincidence. It couldn't have...he couldn't have...
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT MONSTER!"
Everypony looked to see Royal Scroll, madder than he had ever looked, pointing at Discord, who had an expression of shock.
"YOU were shooting those things! YOU caused all of this!"
"He's right!" somepony shouted out angrily. "It's HIS fault! He killed an innocent life!"
Other ponies started to turn to that realization too, as they turned to Discord with scowls and started to shout that it was his fault. Discord looked at all the ponies ganging up on him, a look of terror on his face. "No! No I swear! I didn't mean to! It was an accident!"
"An accident indeed!" Scroll sneered as he turned to the crowd. "This monster is a KILLER! He has always been one to spread chaos and despair! His NAME implies it!" Ponies started to shout even more as they called Discord a monster and killer. I watched in horror as they all started to shrink back in fear again, as well as shout at him.
"Seriously!" Discord panicked. "I didn't mean to cause anypony harm!"
"Something like this deserves proper punishment!" Scroll shouted. The crowd roared in agreement and started to chant, "Punishment! Punishment!" Scroll then looked to me, who at this point, was still in shock at all of this happening.
"Your Highness!" he snapped. "I urge you to BANISH this...this monster from the kingdom! He is NOT fit to live here anymore!"
"Please Scroll," I pleaded over the crowd's yelling. "This is nopony's fault. It is a sad moment, but it was an accident. Discord will be wiling to apologize, but he doesn't need to be banish."
"Are you saying," Scroll suddenly shouted for all to hear, "that you will NOT punish the killer?" At that moment, the entire garden went quiet as everypony turned their angry eyes to me. My heart suddenly felt like it stopped as they looked at me. Something about them, looking at me that way, made me start to worry. I started to hear murmurs go through the crowd.
"She won't punish him?"
"What kind of princess doesn't bring out justice?"
"Does she not care about us?"
As I heard these comments, I started to sweat. They were thinking things about me. They were judging me by my actions. I always knew that they would judge me, but not like this. I looked out at Discord, who looked like he was about to cry. His eyes were pleading with me. Pleading to have mercy.
"Please Celestia," he called. "You know me! I wouldn't hurt anypony on purpose! I'll do anything! I'll apologize. I'll serve community service. I'll even serve time, but PLEASE don't make me leave! I'm lost without you!" His pleads were tearing my heart apart. He was fully prepared to take responsibilities for his actions. That should've been enough to protect him. But then, Scroll spoke again.
"That isn't enough monster! You have caused the death of an innocent! And the laws that set this kingdom say that anypony who kills should be sentenced to exile!" The crowd shouted in agreement. Scroll then turned to me. "Princess, you vowed to uphold the laws of your father, and if you do not banish him, then you do nothing but build on a reputation as a ruler that doesn't care about rules...or the ponies you promised to protect." The ponies started to shout again for banishment. I didn't know what to do. Normally, I would've defended Discord in a heartbeat, but at that moment, seeing all the citizens of Equestria judging me, and ready to turn against me if I did not appeal to their wishes, made me feel conflicted. I turned to Luna, but she had the exact same look of shock as I did. My heart began to race as I glanced from Scroll, to the crowd, to Discord, and back to Scroll. I was stuck between helping my friend and satisfying the citizens of Equestria. Suddenly, as I thought of what to do, Scroll started to whisper in my ear.
"The only other suitable punishment for this crime is execution. If you do not banish him, I will take it upon myself to make sure your 'friend' is properly punished, and no matter what you say, I WILL have the ponies on my side. Your choice."
My heart dropped. He was threatening to have Discord killed if I didn't banish him. Even if I did stand up for Discord, the ponies would get to him either way, and Scroll would make sure that the ponies get their revenge. It was too much. The citizens were too riled up to listen to reason. I HAD to save Discord. Even if it meant doing what I promised I would never do. Gathering up all of my courage and willpower, I silence the crowd with a hoof and looked at Discord. A small smile appeared on his face, which made it even harder for me. I could feel my lip start to tremble, but I couldn't show signs of tears. So with my head held high, and doing my best to hide my quivering voice, I started to speak.
"Discord. Y-you have broken a sacred law of...Equestria. A-and by the p-p-power invested in me as Princess...I...I...banish you...from Equestria...FOREVER!"
The crowd cheered at my announcement as I quickly turned around. I started to feel the tears starting to come. I didn't want Discord to see me like that. I didn't want to see Discord's reaction. After a moment, I heard him speak, and when he spoke, I could hear the shock and disbelief that his voice was giving off. "B-but Celestia," he said softly, "you know me. I'm willing to pay my time! I-I didn't mean it! You know I'm not threatening! I mean, we're friends right?"
The tears started to flow even more as he finished. I could hear more murmurs go throughout the crowd, questioning whether or not I really was friends with Discord. I couldn't stand the pain anymore. I HAD to say something to get Discord away from here. For his own safety. Gathering up what composure I still had, I...I said, aloud for everypony to hear, something that I regret to this very day.
"A Princess...could never be friends...WITH A MONSTER!"
The silence that filled the area was horrible. I knew that I had just stabbed Discord, my greatest friend, in the back, for good reasons or not. I stood there, my back turned and silent tears flowing down my cheeks.
"Celestia..." Discord's broken voice said softly. I could hear the pain and sorrow that had entered his voice in the way he spoke. "You...you said you would never treat me as a monster. You...said that you would never call me a monster. Y-you promised me..." Another silence filled the air as I took in every word he said and let it out through my tears.
"YOU PROMISED!!"
I jumped slightly at the outburst. I could hear that he was probably tearing up as well, and who could blame him? So much pain. So much agony. It was just all too much. Even so, I continued to keep my back to him. As much as I wanted to look at him, I had to drive him away. I had to protect him. After another short silence, Discord spoke again. And this time, his voice was filled with not only pain and sorrow, but also mixed with...anger.
"Very well Celestia," he said menacingly. "I'll leave. I should've seen this coming. I should've known that this was all for nothing. Did any of the times spent together mean ANYTHING? Was I just a toy to you? Something that entertained you for a while, but you would throw away after you got bored? Well, I'm sorry I was a big waste of space to you! I'm sorry that the monster ruined your life! I hope you have a great life! Thanks for everything...YOUR HIGHNESS!" And with the sound of a snap, he was gone.
As everypony sighed of relief and started to murmur about what just happened, I couldn't take it anymore. I was literally going to explode if I didn't release everything. Without saying a word, I sprinted out of the gardens, tears flowing like rivers. As I left, I heard Scroll announce, "It's alright everypony! The situation has been taken care of! Thanks to your wonderful princess!" I couldn't stand it. I had NO right for that title. I had just driven out the greatest friend I had ever had. Whether my intentions were pure or not, I just couldn't stand myself. I hated myself. I hated everything that I had said. I ran out of the town and onto the hills where Discord and I once sat and talked so much. As soon as my legs gave out, I dropped down and started to bawl. Much harder than I ever had. I was in so much pain. I was so hurt and scared and ridiculed. My bawling echoed over the plains, but I didn't care. I just wanted my friend back. As I sat there, creating puddles, all I could say was the same thing over and over again.
"I'm sorry Discord! I'm so sorry!"