Chapter Eighteen: Apotheosis
Chapter 18: Apotheosis
Celestia held Applejack’s gaze for a while, her eyes narrow, but her mouth smiling. “Well then, I believe you. You also accept your role as princess of the realm?”
“Ah do.”
“No sense in waiting around then. To business!” Her horn flashed in a sudden blaze, the walls gleamed and a small pile of scrolls on a side table levitated and then blinked away. “We have a coronation to prepare you for! You may be a princess by right and power, but it pays to do things by the book.”
“Uh, ok, when do ya want ta have it?”
“Hmmm… Let’s say five o’clock this evening. Yes?”
“Ain’t that a mite soon? Ah, mean, Ah would think it would take a bit ta organize.”
“Nonsense, I’ve had almost a week to plan. Now, go spend some time with your family. I’ll be in touch for the details. You don’t have to worry about a thing.” With that, Celestia shooed her out the door.
***
One military escort later, Applejack found herself standing at the gate to Sweet Apple Acres. A pair of unicorn guard ponies stood watch on either side while a couple of pegasus warriors circled overhead. In front of her she could see the slightly different shade of red where they had replaced the wall Luna had blown down. She sighed, whatever happened, things wouldn’t be the same. She signaled the guards to stay behind. Slowly, she trotted up to the door. Inside she could hear Apple Bloom chattering excitedly to somepony. AJ chuckled, that girl loved to talk.
Applejack pushed open the door, inside her family was sitting around the old parlor. As soon as they saw her, they rushed her and tackled her in a massive hug that almost threw her on her back. “Woah, Nellie! Apple Bloom, haha, Ah still need ta breathe… Well, Ah still enjoy it anyway. Mac, Granny. It’s only been a little over a week. Ah’m fine. Hay, Ah’m back.” She wrapped her family in her massive wings. Apple Bloom giggled as the feathers tickled her. The four of them sat there for a minute, just happy to be together. Finally, Applejack drew back to look at her siblings and her grandma. “So, Ah assume Celestia talked ta y’all?”
Big Mac nodded, “Eeyup.”
“Did she say anythin’ ‘bout nobility?” asked AJ.
Another nod, “Eeyup.”
Apple Bloom piped up, “She said that Ah could be a princess too when Ah grow up! Jest, not with wings ‘n’ such…”
Applejack smiled down at her little sister, a hint of worry in her eyes. “Are ya sure ya want that, sugar-cube? Luna knows, tha life of a princess could be pretty rough.”
“Yeah, but yer one, so it cain’t be all that bad.”
Applejack ruffled her sister’s hair with a hoof. “Thanks, Blooms. What about you Mac?”
“Eeyup. Ah’m there for ya.”
“Y’all don’t have to be. Ah can jest split mah time between here ‘n’ tha castle. Ah know ya ain’t tha most sociable of ponies, and Ah don’t want ta put’cha anywhere ya ain’t comfortable with.”
“Nnope. ‘Sides, Ah don’t buy it when Celestia says she can hide us. Ah need ta keep ya out of trouble anyhow.” He smiled and poked her with a hoof.
“I’ll need somepony with a mess a common sense. And what about you Granny? Do ya know what’s goin’ on?” asked Applejack.
“A-course Ah do! We’re gonna go see tha princess! Ah haven’t been this excited in ages.”
Applejack smiled at her grandmother. “Eeyup, we’re gonna see her this evening. Now, Ah need a bath first. Also, y’all seen mah hat?” Her siblings shook their heads. The hat had been missing since the fight with Luna in the kitchen. “It’ll turn up. Jest keep an eye out.”
***
A couple of hours later Merry May arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, accompanying Applejack’s friends. AJ came out to meet them and hug each one individually before leading them inside. They managed to squeeze in around the kitchen table. “Ah guess Ah’m gonna have ta get a bigger kitchen if Ah’m gonna be a princess.”
Fluttershy’s eyes sparkled, “Oooh, you could get a rosewood table and have velvet chairs and put down soft plush carpets with a cozy fire. It’d be just like a fairy tale. Um. If you like that sort of thing.”
AJ chuckled, “That sounds lovely, Fluttershy. So, why are y’all here as a bunch? Ah’m glad y’all stopped by, but Ah’m guessin’ Celestia had somethin’ ta do with it since Merry came along too.”
Twilight cleared her throat. “Yes, Celestia did send us over to discuss the coronation arrangements. Pinkie needs to discuss the decorations while-”
Rarity tsk-tsked at Twilight, “Darling! I understand that time is short, but not so much that we cannot chat a bit. Applejack, how are you holding up? This must be so much at once.”
“Well, yeah, it’s all got me a mite mixed up inside, but Ah figure it’s fer tha best. Ah can deal with it, Ah jest don’t know how Ah feel about draggin’ y’all and tha whole family inta it.” said Applejack.
Rainbow Dash nodded, “Yeah, fame gets to a pony. It can really mess you up, and it can mess up your friends too.”
Twilight rolled her eyes, “Thanks for that, but I really think we should get to organizing the event. We have a really short time to plan and we can discuss feelings later.”
Applejack sighed and nodded. The sooner this all got planned and done with, the better.
***
The afternoon went by in a whirlwind of decorating, fitting, and the occasional small argument. Everypony seemed a little tense. Applejack shrugged it off as nerves. Four o’clock rolled around, time for the rehearsal. Luna and Celestia would ascend the dais first to declare their right as rulers, then would come Applejack to receive her regalia of office and tiara. She would accept the vows of office and her new titles would be declared, then she in turn would invest her siblings and grandmother with their titles and offices. Following the short ceremony would be a massive party on the Ponyville greens. The next day would see the nobles and dignitaries back to Canterlot and her first day as an official princess.
The crowd started to gather in front of the little stage. Her friends were standing front and center, while she waited with her family to one side. The town clock chimed out five. As soon as the last bell sounded, Celestia strode onto the stage in perfect passage. Unusually for her, she was clothed in a sheer white dress that draped across her regal frame in flowing folds. Taking a position on the right, she reared back and landed with a loud, assertive crack.
“By the will of the ponies of Equestria and of Harmony itself, I am the Lady of the Dawn, Her Serene Immortal Highness of Equestria, Daughter of Harmony and Endless Light of Life, Mother and Guide of the Herd, Once-Bearer of Kindness, Laughter, and Magic, Duchess of Canterlot, Van Hoover, and Cloudsdale, Queen of the Scattered Clouds, the Very High and Very Powerful Princess Celestia, and I rule by Power and Wisdom in the dispensation of Justice and Mercy.”
With a mighty flare of her horn, the Sun moved backwards in its course to hang at a perfect forty five degrees to the horizon. Applejack blinked in shock. That hadn’t been part of the rehearsal.
At that signal, her sister also mounted the stage in similarly graceful fashion, more akin to ballet than a simple trot. She was wearing a shimmering blue garment that blended almost imperceptibly with her tail and mane. She reared and stomped as Celestia had, and orated in a somewhat louder tone.
“By the will of the ponies of Equestria and of Harmony itself, I am the Lady of the Night, Her Serene Immortal Highness of Equestria, Daughter of Harmony and Conqueror of the Midnight Skies, Avenger of the Herd, Once-Bearer of Honesty, Generosity, and Loyalty, Duchess of Zebrica, Stalliongrad, and Manehatten, Queen of the Distant Isles, the Very High and Very Powerful Princess Luna, and I rule by Power and Wisdom in the dispensation of Justice and Mercy.”
Her shadowy magic flowed forth in massive waves as the eastern sky darkened and the moon slowly rose well before its time. The sky directly overhead shimmered in an unnatural aurora as the night claimed its half of the heavens. Applejack was thoroughly cowed at the display.
Celestia called out, “Applejack, come forth and be recognized.”
Applejack slowly walked forward, her head down and her gait hesitant, just as had been practiced. She found her place in front of the stage and bowed low.
Luna spoke, “Stand before thy Ladies and Masters.” Applejack rose. “Thou hast been called before us to receive our Blessing and Crown to stand in Holy Office as Princess of Equestria. Wilt thou stand with strength before our enemies and against all calamity, to give thy life and might to secure the welfare of the ponies thou hast been chosen to defend?”
Applejack nodded once, adjusting into a smooth Manehatten accent, “I will.”
“Then stand and show thy Power.” Luna swung her hoof mightily, connecting with Applejack’s cheek. They had practiced this part. Applejack called upon her magic, rooting her firmly in the earth itself. Luna’s hoof struck with an immense crack, louder than gunfire, but she might as well have been hitting solid steel. “Thus I prove you and find you worthy to be girded as a Princess for war.” She summoned Applejack’s peytral of office and clasped it around her neck, it gleamed like burnished bronze and was inset with lapis and malachite on the front in the shape of her cutie mark.
Celestia then called to Applejack, “You have been proven worthy to fight for Equestria, but the true end of war is sacred Peace, whose survival depends on mercy and self-mastery. Will you stand with love and fellow-feeling as a beacon to the nations of the world, giving consideration to even the lowliest of your subjects and passing fair judgment without respect to pony, not returning evil for evil?”
Applejack nodded again, “I will.”
Celestia reared back, “Then stand and show your Wisdom.” Her hoof connected with Applejack’s other cheek with a sound louder than a cannon. Again, Applejack stood as immovable as eternity. Celestia had explained this part during the rehearsal as showing her willingness to refrain from returning violence. “Thus I prove you and find you worthy to be crowned as a Princess for judgement.” With a flash of magic, she summoned Applejack’s Stetson. This also hadn’t been part of the rehearsal. The trusty old hat had been cleaned and re-formed perfectly. A faint glimmer of enchantment hung about it, a bronze hatband had been placed upon it, set with perfect orange garnets, and around the brim had been fitted a bronze trim. Applejack couldn’t help but smile as Celestia placed it reverently on her head.
Now that she was fully crowned, Celestia and Luna gestured her onto the stage to stand between them. Applejack was a little unsure of her step, but managed to take her position with grace.
Celestia began declaring Applejack’s new titles in a call-and-response with Luna. “Ponies, before you stands the Lady of the Soil!”
“Her Serene Immortal Highness of Equestria!”
“Daughter of Harmony and Wellspring of the Harvest!”
“Benefactress of the Herd!” As they continued, Applejack reached out gently with her magic for the depths of the bedrock beneath them. She wasn’t about to let Celestia and Luna have all the fun.
“Bearer of Honesty!”
“Duchess of Ponyville, Appleloosa, and the Southern Expanse!”
“Queen of the Fertile Valleys!”
This last bit was hers to say. They had spent a lot of time earlier picking out an appropriate formal name. Applejack reared back and abandoned all pretense of a sophisticated accent, instead lacing her words with power and force. “Ah am tha Very High ‘n’ Very Powerful Princess Mara!” As she struck the stage with her hooves, she fired a burst of magic deep into the soil. The very earth around them shuddered slightly and rumbled deafeningly. Celestia and Luna both looked at Applejack in slight shock as the little tremor settled.
As the crowd regained its bearings, a massive cheer burst from their throats, affirming the ceremony that had just taken place. The rest of the investiture passed in an elated blur. She first crowned her grandmother as a dowager queen of Equestria. Her brother and sister were crowned as the illustrious prince and princess of Everfree and San Palomino counties respectively. Thankfully there was much less hitting and far fewer titles to deal with in those ceremonies. The audience had cheered all of them on as if they would never stop, but stop they did. After all, there was a Pinkie party to attend afterwards.
***
The party had been wild and hectic. Pinkie, once again with the royal coffers backing her plans, had set up a whiz-bang show, complete with a country hoedown to celebrate Applejack’s coronation. Applejack had met dozens of foreign ponies over the course of the evening, each eager to offer the new ‘Princess Mara’ some impressive gift to win her favor. They had come in all shapes and sizes, from stately griffons to imposing minotaurs and even a smallish drake. A crystal pony was also present, offering the regrets of Empress Cadence and Shining Armor for not being able to attend on such short notice.
Celestia and Luna had set the sky back into its natural order and dusk had long since fallen by the time the Apple family staggered home, laden with gifts. Merry May accompanied them home, pulling a cartload of presents as well. Granny Smith and Apple Bloom had been put to bed immediately. Both were far too exhausted to argue about it. Applejack, Big Mac and Merry sat around the kitchen table, each nursing a mug of cocoa.
Applejack took a small sip of her mug, then set it down and turned to Merry May. “So what’re yer plans? Ah’m guessin’ Ah have ta knight’cha properly one a these days. Is that really whut ya want?”
Merry nodded, “It is. You do need somepony who gets you and can also do what you ask. I don’t think your friends would like it if you started bossing them around, but I wasn’t your friend before. I can be a servant too. As well as a friend, I mean. Um. A different sort of-”
Big Mac chuckled into his mug as Applejack interrupted her. “Ah get it. And, thanks. Ah’m gonna need all tha help Ah can get…” AJ lowered her head to the table in thought. “A lot of tha old stories my ma used ta read me had a happy ending ‘n’ the heroine was thrown a party ‘n’ that was it. Ya wondered whut happened to them afterwards. ‘Cause, happily ever after jest don’t happen in real life. Ya might have the best or worst day ever, but ya wake up tha next day and ya find out that ya still got work ta do and fields ta plow.”
Big Mac tossed back the last of his drink and set it down with a thud. “Eeyup.”
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There we go. At long last. This is, I think, the longest work of literature I have ever written.
In the meantime, there will be a dance party scheduled in my blog a few minutes after posting.
As an important note, Mara was a Latvian goddess of the earth and the head of that pantheon. Since Celestia demonstrates that the connection between the formal name and the domain don't have to be direct, and also because Terra and Gaia are terrible names, I chose that one. Also because it makes an interesting play when you consider the origins of that goddess and the Assumption of Mara that occurs in this chapter.
I am already hard at work on the sequel to be titled, "In the Service of the Goddess" It will generally be a comedy like this one, but from a slice of life perspective as Applejack and co. settle in to their new roles and make some waves. Before that goes live I will also update the second half of The Shadow of the Goddess.
I have learned a lot over the past couple of months, and gotten a lot of feedback, good, bad and irrelevant.
I only hope that I can make the sequel even better.
Many thanks once again to my pre-readers for their suggestions and support.
Finally, thank you, readers. You have given me the motivation to keep at this and not give up. Your support means more to me than you know.
This was a fun and exciting story to read I very much look forward to the sequel <3
Great story, I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel!
-Minty
Generally, "coco" is spelled "cocoa", I believe.
...
Wow.
I've... I've never... I've never seen someone end a story like THAT! THAT was AWESOME! Lampshading the expected "The End" and subverting it? Brilliant~!
Looking forward to the sequel.
brilliant
I expect an amazing sequel
Fantastic. This was one of my favourite stories on this site, and I can't wait to start reading the sequel.
And now for the question on everyone's minds: What happened to Merry's turban? Can she keep it? Or swap it for a fez? Turbans are cool, but not as much as a fez!
Well, it got a little dodgy in the middle with the Princess' origins, but overall you have made a good solid story.
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If it pleases Loki it's good enough for me. Well done.
Congrats on a well crafted story!~ can't wait to read the sequel, and thanks for the fast updates
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Don't let them change ya Applejack. Stick to your guns.
Very nicely done; I can't wait for the Sequel!
My word, THIS IS EXCELLENT!
Happily awaiting further releases!
This was a great story, hope to see some more.
SEQUEL NOW!
Great stuff! The coronation was really nicely handled.
Looking forward to the sequel!
I've never actually seen a better-written crowning ceremony on this site. You've obviously gone to a lot of thought about the political and religious elements to it. Well done on those touches!
Of course, there is no such thing as "happily ever after". There is only "the beginning", with the knowledge of the very, very different lives ahead and hard experiences that fall upon immortals who live and love in the world of mortals.
Good ending with allusions to sequels?!
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1758278 Will you make a blogpost on this story once the sequel is here?
plz sequel
1758338>>1758357>>1758368>>1758374>>1758381>>1758411>>1758430>>1758434>>1758441>>1758479>>1758495>>1758499>>1758503>>1758540>>1758590>>1758596>>1758610 Thank y'all a bunch! I do hope to make a blog post or maybe notify you in the form of an epilogue, if that isn't too gauche.
1758427 There will be turban.
1758583 Thanks, I didn't want to just copy a European style coronation, but I did use European styles to craft each of their titles. It took a bit of pondering and research. I decided that a more knightly ceremony would better fit the role of an Equestrian princess.
1758361 Oy, I reread this a dozen times till I thought I had it perfect. Apparently not.
Complete? noooo... But seriously, amazing story. I flipped out when I got home and found a new chapter. And btw, don't take any buck with the backstory. I love that sort of thing.
1758669 Whoohoo!
1758669 That works!
Oh, a sequel shall be written? I guess I have to watch you now.
Anyway, good story but I'm pretty sure Mara is one of the nine divines from the Elder Scrolls. I think... I might have to check. Anyway, decent ending and even if the story didn't really have a consistent first second and third acts or a real central villain, I enjoyed it. I hope the sequel is better structured.
That was awesome. I can't wait for more.
Great story bro, can't wait for the sequel
1758669 I wouldn't mind if the alert is in the form of an epilogue.
1758669 Please inform us, though an epilogue isn't really needed, since it could propably just be a part of the sequel, right?
YES! Wonderful story all around. You know that feeling you get when you watch or read something and it seems to just flip every correct swirch in your brain? This did that to mine, I'm left wanting more and will probably reread at least once. If this was made into a spin off miniseries I would watch it as devotedly as the main show. I'm so glad you're making a sequel because this is a story my heart doesn't want to be over anytime soon. If I could I would shove this story against hasbro's window and shout, "Hire this writer and make this!"
Yay! Good job and congratulations are in order. Good job and congratulations! You successfully entertained me.
1758669
You are very welcome.
1758669 1758735 1758742
Agreed.
Bravo, Bravo! Encore encore! A truely riviting read, sadly ended but satisfactory in all the right ways. I look forward to seeing what you do with this setting next.
Not sure if sequel coming, or just witty ending.
Anywho, I loved this. It's a shame that this one had to end, but I hope a sequel will be forthcoming.
congrats on 1,000 comments
Well this was indeed enjoyable.
That was excellent, and I am really looking forward to both the sequel and whatever else you may write.
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awwwww complete but it is sooo gooodd
"The Begining" eh?
I refuse to miss what that entails. I'll be tracking
Your
Every
Move Now O.O
Applejack is no longer a farmer. She's now The Farmer. She will stand high as several overalls-wearing farmers stand by her side. They will raise their hoes and baskets in pride as the grass and soil muddy their hooves!
Well, if Applejack doesn't like to be pictured as a Princess in a traditional sense, then maybe she could be seen as something like above. She will be the one that cares for the laborer more than anyone else!
... no, I'm not talking about Communism.
I'm probably missing something but did you ever tie up that plot thread with the letter that Merry found?
I understand Terra but why would Gaia be an awful name?
Also... that sun and moon thing... was hilariously over the top showboating.
... (headcanon error)
One of the sisters being Shogun in Absentia of Neighponese Islands was in a completely different fic, wasn't it?
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*SLAP*
You're a Princess now!
Sir/Ma'am/Honorific-of-nonspecific-gender, I must know:
When you've wrapped up such-and-such, what are the chances of applying this to somepony else? Twilight and Rainbow have been done to death, but I'd be interested in reading Fluttershy's reaction to this,
and I bet Pinkie could be fun as well once she realized being a Princess (capital P) would mean not being able to goof off anymore... 
Not Rarity, though. Rarity's boring.
I've followed this story from the beginning, and it was quite the jolly good show!
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I wanted to wait until the end to comment. I know from writing a thing or two myself that nothing bests feedback for your work so I will gladly give it. In the immortal words of The Lady of the Night, Her Serene Immortal Highness of Equestria, Daughter of Harmony and Conqueror of the Midnight Skies, Avenger of the Herd, Once-Bearer of Honesty, Generosity, and Loyalty, Duchess of Zebrica, Stalliongrad, and Manehatten, Queen of the Distant Isles, the Very High and Very Powerful Princess Luna, and I rule by Power and Wisdom in the dispensation of Justice and Mercy.
Okay enough fan fare, there were some rough patches in the story. Most of them are little nitpicks on my part I won't go into detail as they are, again, nitpicks.
However, I felt that overall you tightened it up and executed it all well. The most notable factor of the story was the fact that the chapters were relatively short. This made the story very accessible and I wanted to read more! It gave the story that feeling of a lot happening in a short span. I liked the dream sequence with Luna as well. I think it may have gone on maybe a chapter longer than it should have because you were cramming a lot of stuff in there that was a bit excessive, but again overall worth it for the interesting insight into your thoughts on Luna and Celestia's back story. I should note that I have not seen another story that has portrayed Celestia and Luna in such a light so well- being less than noble prior to what we see in the show. Although, the reason you pulled it off well was because it was different times than AJ was used to it showed that from your premise of how the Princesses are made, it's them adjusting themselves. It was a refreshing take on how the princesses come about and you took advantage of the natural conflicts that arise from such a scenario (I like how AJ handeld the situation IC and also completed the set of Princesses with one from each type of pony). The most notable highlight for me was Luna's duel with AJ- I played One Winged Angel when meteors were chucked around (must note I am not a FF7 fan, but I am a Luna fan). I felt that it was in character with my view of Luna. Luna is much less of a pony-person so to speak and her resorting to force (while making a convenient excuse for a fight scene) was done well because you used it to the service of the story. Also, I can see Luna being a better brawler than Celestia while the "older" sister is more powerful magically because of her unicorn origin. You tied up most of the loose threads well leaving lots of freedom for the future.
I am eager to see what else occurs in the future. If you want a recommendation from me, I would say to wait until Season 3 is done to publish but write while it is airing. It may give you new insights, and gives you room to address things that you feel were unaddressed or in your own way. There is no telling what may pop out from the creators that may inspire you in new directions. I was amazed in episode 4 to see that Equestria has Movies!
So many possibilities! Princess Mara fights a dragon! Cadence's reaction to all this! AJ making her guard! Blueblood's reaction! Running Sweet Apple Acres from Canterlot (since she can manipulate the earth it isn't too far out of the question)! How will traditions like Running of the Leaves fare? What are AJ's new royal duties? How will Applebloom being a Princess affect the CMC? What happened with that Alicorn amulet that Trixie was using?
What's this I'm sitting on? Is that... a box of soap? Huh, might need to get off of it.
Well, in any case. Good work kind sir, and I wish the best for you and your future adventures!