The covert tour was fun and insightful, it was fun and chaotic, the tour was great way to help me adjust to becoming an Equestrian; but fun times were over and I now faced my work ahead, my most challenging...My Parliamentary Address, where I stand before Parliament and speak to them so I can convince them I am worthy of the crown of my mother, Princess Celestia, Princess of the Sun.
My palms sweaty...Eyes on me in the room....I felt small before, now I felt like a microbe before my audience...Well, here goes nothing.
"My fellow Equestrians, members of Parliament's two houses the House of Lords & Congress; I stand before you today to give you your reasons why I am worthy to accept the title as 'Heir Apparent' for the 'Throne of the Sun," I started off.
"Not bad, I think that sounds quite official," Rarity chimed sitting on a couch in the middle of the group; she was on it with Aj and Sunset; Aj, RD, and Fluttershy were on the couch on the groups right with Pinkie on the floor with legs crossed.
My mother, Luna and Twilight shared the other couch.
This was the starting process to having a speech prepared and written for my Parliamentary Address, we decided to have it written out first then go through a trial run with the audience I had of The Mane 6, Sunset, Luna and Celestia; the location was Twilight's study in her castle, the room was quaint and homey, with a fireplace and bookshelves, 3 couches of red material along with a simple desk yet elegant in design similar to the one in Queen Elizabeth's study.
"Respectful, humble, and just the right amount of assertiveness," my mother observed.
"Good start bro," Sunset complimented.
"Interesting choice of wording, you may want to change 'Your reasons why I am worthy' to a more assertive 'My reasons etc.'," Twilight suggested.
"I think that would be a good change but the reasons I worded it that way are to appease them; that is why I said 'your reasons' not 'my reasons'," I explained.
"True that makes sense to appease them while throwing back into there faces the attitude of them asking for a reason why they should take you seriously," Luna started reasoning, "But it may be too hostile and aggressive to take that approach, you want Parliament to at least respect you not feel challenged by you," she finished.
"I see....Okay so scratch that," I said editing the speech as this, 'My fellow Equestrians, members of Parliament's two houses the House of Lords & Congress; I stand before you today to give you your my reasons why I am worthy to accept the title as 'Heir Apparent' for the 'Throne of the Sun',I now had.
I then showed the change and they gave their encouragement to continue which I did.
"I understand fully your mistrust of me, my loyalty, and dedication to the job/responsibility I am to take up and put upon me as your Heir Apparent to the Solar Throne," I continued pausing to see if there were any suggestions, none given so I pressed on.
"It is true that I spent years in a foreign country on a foreign planet and grew up adopting the culture, politics, and beliefs of humans on Earth; it is true my heart is torn between the land I was raised and the land I was born, but I assure you I know where my loyalties lie and I wish to express that desire to accept the land and planet of my birth," I spoke in addition.
"Doing good so far, but you may want to get to the case you wish to present and not keep them waiting; this is great don't get me wrong but you could compress it just a tad," Twilight suggested.
"I would agree there Bro; shorten it a bit," Sunset said agreeing with Twilight.
"Take your time with the change," my mother said kindly.
I had to admit this is a hard process speech writing; it was naturally an art and it took time and skill to perfect or rather be adequate to pass inspection and be passable to be accepted and appealing to the listening audience I will be placed before.
"Perhaps this might be a better," I said as I took a while to edit it and then changed it in writing.
"It is true that I spent years in a foreign country on a foreign planet and grew up adopting the culture, politics, and beliefs of humans on Earth; it is true my heart is torn between the land I was raised and the land I was born, but I will tell you my steps I took to accept Equestria as my country," I said quickly getting to the edit.
"That's better, now you are getting to the point and stating the case itself," Twilight said smiling; I thanked her and kept going.
"The first steps are often and are the most important; it may seem like a simple and not very defining step but it made a large impact on me in more ways than one," I began,
"I started by taking a covert tour of the intimate places of the mares known and the 'Ladies of The Elements of Harmony', national and global heroines of Equestria and Equus; with this I was able to get to know the places that meant so much to the mares that became the saviors of Equestria and Equus during the return of Nightmare Moon, Discord, The Changeling Invasion, foreign assistance of the Crystal Empire twice, and the Global Tirek threat,"
"I toured places of Ponyville and Cloudsdale; again these were just small and what would be seen as insignificant places in the larger scale but sometimes one place can define a land and lands around, I know it makes no sense but you would be amazed how just those places and the ponies that accompanied me helped me go from a young man insecure, afraid, and depressed about being taken from a home he knew, and turn me into a confident, bolder, and optimistic stallion ready to take on a responsibility greater than anything one could just jump into cold fish," I added onward.
"That is all pretty good," Rainbow said.
"Most flattering how you mention us dear," Rarity chimed.
"But this worries me David," my mother said near gravely.
"Why?" I asked looking perplexed and concerned.
"You seeing only 2 locations in Equestria....That is a problem, you may lose the only argument you have in your defense of your reason to be trusted as my heir," my mother explained looking rather regretful having to tell me this information....I could only stare in horror as I swear I turned a pale navy-blue...Things just got complicated.....
"So what am I going to do?...What more can I say??" I asked looking desperate; suddenly I was that insecure man I was all over again, the wind had been sucked from my sails, the steam had been released from my locomotive...I was a gun out of bullets...And I hated it.
"Now calm down David...no need to panic okay Bro?" Sunset said trying to soothe my anxiety.
"Calm? Calm?! You ask for calm!?" I said when Sunset groans then stood up and barked 'Enough!' catching me off guard.
"You are not going to do this to us now you hear me?! Don't! Just don't! No more foalsitting you!" Sunset raged,
"You need to calm down and think, panicking and getting all insecure is not going to help you or mom got it!?" Sunset snapped looking enough to emasculate me with looks alone which emotionally she did.
All in the room were stunned at Sunset's harsh strictness and sudden blunt honesty and point of fact tone, this itself had me inside reeling like a scolded child....It hurt...She was right...In that harsh expression there was no room for coddling...Just straight up discipline incarnate as Sunset glared me down.
"Sunset?" my mother said as if to attempt to call Sunset off but Sunset was having none of that.
"No mom! Not this time; it's about time David learned tough love, I am done foal-ling him mother!" Sunset shot back,
"He'll screw everything up if we walk him step by step this way, you shed enough tears as it is and lost enough sleep I am not going to let David kill you with his insecurity!" Sunset snapped finishing her rant leaving all and my mother stunned like each have been slapped.
"Sunset....." My mother said looking in shock.
" I'm sorry but it had to be said," Sunset replied calming from her rant.
All I could do is stand there hurt and feeling rather vulnerable, you would think after dealing with harsh words I would handle it....But now? It hurt worse than I ever felt, and coming from Sunset? It was salt, and vinegar on a gash and I swear I was near tears.
"David...I'm sorry it hurts; but Sunset is right...This is a time to get tough and rough, you need to just calm down and focus on what we should do about the limited places you saw here and continue working on the speech," Twilight said trying to do damage control from Sunset's rebuking.
"Twilight; no...." Sunset said near coldly.
"No Sunset....Look, I am agreeing with you okay? David needs to toughen up but this is not the way to do it, he heard you once, no need to keep beating him up with this and not giving him room to breathe," Twilight retorted,
"I get tough love Sunset but this is just overbearing, you made your point don't hit him while he's down," Twilight finished.
"Well said Twilight; Sunset? I agree with you but both of you have your points not just Twilight, I love you alright? I am happy you're trying to make it easy on me with David's return but it's perfectly fine Sunset,"
"I actually welcome working with your brother, it is the first time I am doing this ever as it was the first time having you back after your return from the other Earth," my mother said finishing with her signature tone of patience, calm, and maternal love.
"Thank you mom....Twilight," I said gratefully even though I wanted to express this toward Sunset but I guess I was too hurt by her blunt talk to say anything; Sunset I saw must have picked up on this because she then softened her expression in what I could guess was her trying to make peace with me.
"I will admit I was out of line there....I love you David, I said what I said out of love; I am not being mean or spiteful," Sunset said standing up to approach me.
"Siblings fight, they get tough with them....But they love and care in the end," Sunset said pulling me into a hug, "Love you bro."
"You too," I replied hugging back.
"Shall we continue on this?" Luna asked.
"I think we could take a breather, he has time still enough for that," Sunset said turning to face Luna.
"Good idea; besides regretfully we have some business of state to do, duty calls...It was still a good session, we'll do this again but Twilight can help you," my mother said standing up, "Goodbye David, see you later," She said in addition hugging me tenderly.
"Thank you mom, love you," I replied lovingly.
"Love you too," She replied before walking off.
"Until next time David, farewell nephew," Luna said also hugging goodbye.
"See you later too bro, I'm heading back to Canterlot; Peter and I are going to have a date today," Sunset said hugging me again.
"Okay Sunset, see you later," I said hugging back; soon my mother, Luna, and Sunset left the room leaving Twilight and the others behind.
"Well it's been fun but I promised Scootaloo a hang out," Rainbow said stretching her wings and herself.
"That is fair, who else has plans?" I asked.
"I'm free David," Rarity chimed.
"I got something to to with Spike today," Twilight said getting up, "See you later," she bid as she waved before leaving.
"Okay Twilight; the rest of you?" I said next.
"I got nothin' to do," Applejack informed.
"Nothin' for me!~" Pinkie chirped.
"I have a clear schedule," Fluttershy piped in.
"That is wonderful; so those free what sounds good for today?" I asked.
"Well...That is a good question..." Rarity said looking in thought tapping her bottom lip with her left index finger.
"You've visited all the places here, but I suppose you could see them again," Aj suggested.
"Wait! *gasp* Idea!~~ How about we decide who's home in Ponyville he can stay at?" Rarity suggested.
"That could be an idea but I think I have an idea if I had not thought of one already," I informed.
"Oh? Who David?" Rarity asked.
"Twilight's would make sense because I could not impose on the rest of you, also because Twilight has the room for guests," I explained and reasoned my logic.
"I suppose that does make sense....Also I don't think Twilight would turn ya down," Applejack said mulling on the idea scratching her chin with her right hand.
"I guess it would make sense to be in Twilight's castle...So that's that on housing in Ponyville; now back to an activity for the day," Rarity summed up heading back on track.
"Well....I am a little hungry," I confessed.
"I could get a bite to eat," Rarity admitted.
"I famished a little," Aj added.
"I'm hungry," Fluttershy piped.
"I guess lunch it is!~" Pinkie sang hopping to her feet.
"Where to?" I asked.
"Ponyville Cafe," Rarity selected.
"The Hayburger sounds tasty," Applejack chose.
"The Hayburger?? Honestly that place adds to your hips," Rarity said snubbing her nose at the idea.
"Well that puts us at an impasse here..." I said shaking my head.
"How about we hit both?" Pinkie suggested, "We hit the Hayburger for something small then the cafe for lunch," she added.
"That sounds like a great idea Pinkie," Fluttershy chimed.
"That sounds more like it," Rarity said in agreement.
"Alright we have our plan," Aj said sounding relieved we came to an agreement; so we later that day had lunch at the two places.
After lunch we headed our separate ways and went about the rest of our days in peace doing whatever came to mind; I simply hung out in Twi's place and took a walk around the place.
When night fell I was in a guest room waiting for Twilight to return from whatever she was doing; eventually I headed to the Thrones Room to see if Twi was there, she was not so I checked her study again, there she was at her desk.
"Hey Twilight," I said.
"Oh; hey David, what's up?" Twilight asked.
"We will have dinner shortly after Twilight is done with some papers," Spike explained.
"Sounds good; I was under the impression and the others suggested that I would be living here during my stay?" I asked hoping I was correct.
"Ah right; yes you are correct David you can live here during your stay," Twilight confirmed with a kind smile.
"Thank you Twilight; I am happy you allow me to move in like this," I said gratefully.
"Why would I not? I'm sure of course the others would let you move in too but with me it's a given I feel, you're not just a friend your family," she began to explain.
"You are my Sister-in-Law's cousin, although not by any blood you still are family to me, I love family and it is only right and a familial love I do this," she finished getting up from her desk and walking to me.
"We love you; I love you, we may have been together as friends and family for a brief while but you impressed me David,"
"You are an amazing stallion and you earned the love of those around you; your insecurity doesn't make us think less of you, it humbles you and shows the real pony inside, one who's genuine, loving, caring, loyal, generous, quite honest, and in all one I believe as Celestia does who is worthy of Celestia's throne, to be her heir and son," she added on tenderly.
"You're an awesome dude I can tell, you're friendly, kind, and fun loving; you're gonna do great, can't wait to hang out more with you once you're a prince officially," Spike said kindly from his seat.
"Thank you....All of you..." I said in tears from the kind words as I then hugged Twilight, she returned it warmly and soon Spike joined in; I felt love before, this was particularly special.
"So, what'cha like for dinner?" Twilight asked looking rather cute expressing herself with ears.
"Oh I am not sure; what you have?" I asked.
"Spike makes a mean pasta," Twilight stated.
"It's true," Spike chimed.
"You spoke my language," I said salivating at the idea.
"White or Red sauce?" he asked.
"Red please; same with wine if that is drinks option," I selected.
"Hmm~ Good choices," Twilight cooed smiling; eventually Twi and I headed to the Thrones Room and while she and I set table Spike was hard at work on dinner itself.
After the table was set we patiently wait for Spike to arrive, once it was served the 3 of is first started with communion which was real unleavened bread and our wine, I know very Catholic but actually...Not really, this was proper Christian/Way Seeking etiquette in starting dinner, plus grace as well before the meal began, boy it was as Twilight said amazing!
During dinner it was eventually brought up again....My speech and what to do to give me something to use in addressing Parliament to convince them I can take my place as Celestia's heir.
"So? What am I going to do about this Twilight? Best get planning now to help tomorrow," I asked then reasoned.
"That I wish I could help you with David; I have no clue at the moment...I wish I did..." Twilight said near gravely mostly remorseful in her tone over the fact she could not aid me.
"I could take time however to brainstorm with you," She said more cheery which helped me a bit.
"Right; so a few places, what can I do about that?..." I mused.
"More than that David; you need to say more than just these places warmed you up to Equus and Equestria," Twilight informed.
"What can he say Twilight? It's like they have him in a corner," Spike observed somehow expressing my thoughts exactly.
"I don't know Spike; he needs a point that goes beyond, he needs a statement that he has accepted our culture, politics even, traditions, Faith, and our nation & planet in general," Twilight listed.
"A statement?...What kind of statement?" I asked near exasperated.
"I don't know; it has to be impacting....Something 'patriotic' for us...Something-...." Twilight suddenly trailed off as she had an expression of an oncoming idea.
"You may not like this, but it may defeat part of the speech but it may be the only option I see...." Twilight said looking concerned and conflicted about the idea in her head.
"What is this idea?" I asked interested yet antsy about her thought.
"You make your return, now." Twilight said low and serious.
"What?!" I exclaimed being in total disbelief of what I heard.
"I don't like this either but what choice do we have David??" Twilight asked her hands in front gesturing.
"We have none," I sighed in defeat slouching back in my seat, face in my hands best I can.
"So I make the return and what? Do community service and stuff?...." I asked curious to see where Twi was going with this.
"That could be an option," Twi said shrugging in an honest un-surety.
"Let us tell Celestia about this before we act," I suggested with another sigh.
"It's only fair..." Twilight conceded.
"Then it is settled...Prince David, makes his return early....Maybe," I summed up, though inside I was regretting it; after dinner we all headed to bed, sleeping was going to be hard for me....Not sure how Twilight would fair this night too but it may be as uneasy as me.
It is 12:30AM and and hit the pillow at 10PM; I am not doing well on sleep...I many thoughts in my head and not enough strength to deal, I would think as I did this would give me a stroke...But no, just insomnia.
1AM, Now just nodding off; I will be a mess tomorrow.
I am walking down a hall in Canterlot, judging by surroundings I am off to Parliament; I saw the place before in a book about the government, I had to see where I was going to so I read up.
I now am at the doors to Parliament ready to enter to address the House of Lords & Ladies as well as Congress, the House of Commons for England in another term; upon entering the crowd lightly applauds me as I enter, respectfully I wave or nod at the ponies as I made my way to the podium, there was my mother and aunt applauding as well in two seats behind me.
The hall was that similar to the Senate floor of the US Legislative branch, it had however a more royal decor with paintings or deceased and/or honored Parliament members, white pillars with purple at top & bottom, the ceiling had two of the twin sister's National crest and in the dead center of the roof was the *Royal Coat of Arms.
Once there I raised my hand to silence them, they ceased all sound and sat waiting for me to speak.
Calmly I take out a sheet with my speech on it to examine as I addressed, upon unfolding it I placed it on the podium without looking at it, taking a breath I looked to the paper...It was blank?!
"Uh....Well this is embarrassing, I forgot the speech I prepared," I said trying to make light to situation; it did not......
"Well?~" One member asked looking impatient.
"Get on with it!" Another hissed; soon all were hissing and booing me some even insulting me.
I fumbled to speak but my words died on my mouth...I looked behind me and my mom and aunt were standing up?
"You disappoint me David...You dishonor me; you're not my son," Celestia said leaving with head hung low refusing to look me in the eye.
"It's not your fault sister...Blame the world and humans he was raised by, and his inability to adopt our own and accept us to be your heir,"
"At least you have Sunset Shimmer to rely on," Luna said coldly following Celestia after shooting me a murdering glare.
"What?! No! Wait!" I cried out at them, the moment I turned to face Parliament an apple hit me in the face.
I tried to protect myself but it seemed they had great aim, suddenly my wings were gone and useless in shielding me!
I looked and my hands and saw I was human again, Parliament members soon turned aggressive and began to get from their seats.
"Get him!" One member shouted.
I made a run for it! I never ran so fast in my life; faster & faster I ran from the horde of Parliament members hot on my heels.
But as fast as I ran I was losing ground to my adversary, it seemed I was dead...Then I felt something strike me in the leg, hot, small, and burning & stinging...I then saw a Parliament Lord with a single-shot pistol smoking in his hand.
Soon they slowed and walked toward me, then one pulled a knife!
"No! Please! Spare me!" I begged.
"Why should we you impostor!" A mare screeched.
"You dare come here? Disgrace our Princess! Address us? Try to be Celestia's heir? Then ask for mercy?!" A stallion said holding the knife, I only cowarded before him as he approached.
"No....You die now!" he shouted before lunging forward with his knife! I merely tried to shield from it when a blinding light stopped the mob and my assassin in his tracks....
"Enough! You shall not harm him!" a booming female voice shouting with an echo, it was all to familiar to me.
Suddenly the crowd vanished screaming before then a Midnight blue Alicorn stood in their place, along side her...Sunset??
"Jeez bro this was hairy," Sunset said offering her hand to me; by now my leg stopped stinging and I could now stand with Sunset's help.
"Thank you Sunset; thank God!" I said tearing up hugging her.
"Hey it's okay David...It's okay now," Sunset soothed me tenderly.
"It's a good thing we showed up," Luna said softly, "This was an awful nightmare."
"It was; I never felt so scared..." I said weeping a bit.
"I know bro...I know, maybe I've been more hard on you than I thought," Sunset said nuzzling me lovingly.
"Also nephew...Come hither," Luna said softly; I then did so only to be hugged tight to her as well, her chest acting as a rest for my head.
"Listen and listen well....What you saw me and my sister do? We would never EVER leave you like that; nor would we be disappointed for the reason you dreamt,"
"Your mother and I love you my nephew," Luna said tenderly while nuzzling my head finishing with a peck on my forehead.
"Love you Aunt Luna; Sunset, I needed this...But wait," I said then breaking the hug.
"What is it David?" Luna asked.
"Twilight & I had an idea....I am not wild about it but it looks like the only way," I said.
"What are you thinking about?" Sunset asked.
"I make my return early," I said.
"WHAT?!" Luna & Sunset said in surprise.
"You're doing what!?" Luna exclaimed.
"Are you crazy? What possible reason has you wanting to return early??" Sunset asked looking like I went nuts.
"What other option do I have Sunset?" I asked in a tone like I am trying to sound sane, "Huh?? You have a better one? Because unless you can help with my malnourished speech I have no choice!"
Sunset and Luna could just stand there unsure what to say, both having nothing to say at the moment.
"That is what I thought; this is why I must do this," I said sighing.
"At least let us talk this over?" Luna asked.
"That is what I planned," I stated.
"Good," Luna sighed, "Because I hope you planned on talking with Celestia."
"That was also my plan as well Aunt Luna," I said.
"I'm pleased you decided to think this over first and also run this by me," Luna said sighing relieved.
"I am not stupid," I said.
"We never said you were David," Sunset said smirking.
"Of course; so...Why you here Sunset?" I asked.
"Well since I did not have a foal, Sunset is my heir; hence she will be taking over my Dream Guarding," Luna explained.
"Ah I see." I said.
"Well since you have been 'rescued' from this dream we'll leave you in peace David," Luna said.
"That is okay; thank you again, see you in the morning," I said warmly.
"See ya," Sunset said hugging me.
"Farewell Nephew," Luna said smiling warmly; it was then I woke up in darkness which was my room in Twi's castle at....2:30 AM.
"That was crazy...." I said as I then eventually drifted off completely abuzz about all that happened and what will happen, and whether or not this will help me before my stand before Parliament as Prince David, Heir to the Solar Throne.
TO BE CONTINUED.
