“It is a rare event in and of itself that there is a Full Royal Petition. But this is the first time ever that one so young has come to make such a request. You should be proud of yourself, Sunny Joy. You have made history.”
Captain Brave Heart winced in sympathy for the young filly. Princess Luna may have meant well with her statement, but it seemed to only make the yellow coated unicorn tremble more. Her orange mane was steadily becoming more frazzled.
“It is alright. Calm yourself, young one. My sister was just commenting on your commitment, something very remarkable in any age. Now, take a deep breath,” at which point Sunny’s belly expanded, and her cheeks puffed out comically, “And exhale.” A whoosh of air. “Now breathe in again, and exhale. In again, and exhale.”
As always, Princess Celestia was calm; ever able to help. While all ponies enjoyed the company of young children, Princess Celestia was noted for being one of the most motherly ponies in all of Equestria. “Do you feel better, my little pony?” A nod. “Good. Did you know that you are not the only nervous one here?”
“Really?” The voice was more of a squeak, an awkwardly high pitch.
“Indeed. You see, this is Princess Twilight’s first time at a Full Royal Petition. Both of you are doing something new, and I have full confidence that everything will go well.” Sunny’s legs had stopped shaking, which was good. What was great was the adorable red tinge on Princess Twilight’s face.
“Now, I believe you have a problem or a request that you felt was serious enough to be brought before the triarchy.” It was a statement, not a question.
Sunny nodded. Her eyes darted across the room, before settling on a softly smiling Princess Celestia. Brave Heart wished that smile was directed at her. It always felt like mother smiling at you for doing something well. Sunny opened her mouth-
“Iwantyoutotakevacations!”
The Royal Sisters simply blinked. Princess Twilight had a much more amusing reaction. “Er…what?”
“I want you to take vacations.”
Again the two blinked. “Why?” Princess Twilight had a perplexed look, having obviously encountered something she couldn’t understand.
“I think Princess Twilight is asking ‘why do you request that we take vacations?’ I am interested in the why too, but also in the story of how you came to the conclusion that we need vacations.” Princess Luna may have looked unfazed, but her voice was vexed.
“Well, uh…I guess I got the idea kinda-sorta from Calm Meadows.” A hoof rubbed back and forth on the ground. “You see, Meadows is one of those places for old ponies to rest. I mean old ponies, like over fifty years old.”
Brave Heart quickly swallowed a chuckle. Ah, the young were truly amusing in their lack of scale. At least the young filly was calming down as she told her story.
“You see, there is this old lady there. A Miss Belle. She is such a nice lady, always playing hide and seek with us, weaving scarves, or telling stories. She tells a lot of stories about you, Princess Twilight.”
Said princess was no longer looking at the young filly. Her gaze had clouded over, seeing things only she could. “Yes…yes I’m not surprised. I believe I know of who you speak. She is a younger sister of a good friend I once knew.”
“She might have mentioned something like that. Oh, she tells such funny stories about you. I love the one about Smarty Pants.”
Once again Princess Twilight’s face lit up in that lovely red, though it was obscured by her mane. Princess Luna let out a single laugh.
“While I enjoy hearing stories about my former student, I would much rather hear yours.”
“Huh…oh right! Anyways, Miss Belle is always smiling, always happy. Well, there is this other mare who lives there, and she is crabby. She’s always going on about how ‘this generation can’t ever get their cutie marks’ or ‘why do I still have to take care of the family financials? Can’t my grandchildren take care of it?’ She is never smiling!”
“Just of curiosity, does this mare have a tiara as a cutie mark?”
“How did you know that?” Stars seemed to shine in Sunny’s eyes as she beheld Princess Twilight in awe.
“Oh, it’s just something we princesses do.”
“That’s so cool…anyway, I don’t like her. She never smiles! She has…has…what was it Mom said under her breath? Oh yeah, she has a stick up her butt!
I don’t like her having a stick up her butt. It makes her mean. But then I thought about what was causing her to have a stick up her butt, so I tried to remember who else had them. Then it came to me, Dad is always complaining about Nobles being ‘straight rammed from the stick,’ so I figure he must be talking about sticks up their butts.”
Princess Twilight was now trying very hard not to laugh, forelegs covering her mouth. Princess Luna was grinning like a filly on Hearth's Eve, and even Princess Celestia had a small smile.
“So then I got to thinking: what do all these ponies have in common? Well, they are all rich, all old, they have important jobs, and they don’t go out and play. That was when I realized something important.”
A hoof pointed at the three Princesses. “You are all old. Like really, really old. Like ancient old. At least over a hundred.” At this Princess Twilight had an offended look on her face. Really, she had just turned ninety.
“And you are rich! I mean come on, you are princesses. You have to be rich. And you have the most important job of all. And I have never heard of you coming out to play. So I became worried. What if you ended up with the largest sticks shoved up your butts?! That would be a disaster!”
Captain Brave Heart was a decorated officer. She had fought and defeated a cult of Sombra worshippers, discovered a changeling plot, and had actually succeeded in putting Philomena in timeout after a pranking spree. Today, she failed her first battle, collapsing on the ground in a fit of silent laughter. At least she was behind the filly, who hadn’t noticed the captain’s…behavior.
“So my Full Royal Petition is this: That you, as princesses of this land, take a vacation at least once a month, to go out and have fun. Run outside, tell stories, do hoofpainting, or, or, or something.”
The yellow furred filly collapsed on the ground, suddenly out of breath. “Anyways, that’s my request.” Behind her, the captain stood up, and snapped to attention, as though the break in protocol had never happened.
The three princesses looked at each other. A series of nods went around.
“Sunny Joy, we, the three Princesses of Equestria, have heard your Full Royal Petition. We have agreed to it. Let it be known that from this day forth, every seventh day of a month shall be a royal break for the princesses, barring a national emergency. So mote it be.”
For once, Princess Celestia’s voice carried the authority she wielded. It was as if a great power had entered the room, only to leave. Everypony stood straighter, prouder.
“Wait…today’s the seventh! That is so cool. I have to show you to Miss Belle. Come on, follow me!” The filly turned around, and started to strut out of the throne room. Strut!
Laughing, Princesses Luna and Celestia followed. Princess Twilight, the Princess of Magic, simply teleported next to the unicorn filly. Formerly hidden servants darted about, trying to account for the sudden change in the schedule. “So Miss Belle has been telling stories about me? Did she ever tell you any stories about herself? Say, the love potion incident? No…well let me tell you what happened…”
Sweetie Belle rocked slowly back and forth in a wooden chair. It was a simple chair, it’s only really defining feature a carved apple, with the initials AB. It was also one of her prized possessions, and was actually over fifty years old.
She was basking in the sun in large yard that was a part of Calm Meadows. Canterlot, with its gleaming spires, surrounded the yard. The trees kept the noise and bustle of the city out, but the area was clearly within the city. Above was the castle of the Royal Sisters.
She was knitting a red scarf. It was a simple design, one her sister had taught her when she was young. She never had her sister’s talent, but she could still do basic knitting with the best of them. It was almost finished, and she was sure Sunny Joy would enjoy it.
A loud commotion caused Sweetie to turn her head. She smiled, realizing it was probably Sunny Joy and her many friends that were making all the noise that was swiftly coming towards the elderly mare. It really was a smart idea on Spike’s part to put the retirement home next to the daycare, as well as the large playground. It gave her and the other older mares and stallions an audience who hung on their tales.
Yes, yes it was Sunny Joy and her many friends. The innocent filly had such a carefree air about her, and you always ended up enjoying her company. Of all the young foals that came to hear her tales, Sunny was her favorite. Not that she would tell her that, it would be unfair to the others.
Wait…was that Twilight Sparkle with them? Yes, yes it was. The last time she had seen that mare had to be…oh, at least six months ago, during her birthday celebration.
There was a twinkle in Princess Twilight's eyes that belied the oddly stiff and formal posture off the princess. “Miss Sweetie Belle, resident of Calm Meadows, do you know why I am here?” That voice…oh, so that was how this was going to go. Well, she could play along.
“N-no. Should I?” Her lips trembled slightly.
“Yes, indeed you should. I have heard that you are telling inappropriate tales about me to these young foals! Isn’t that right, young ones?”
A chorus of “yes” and “that’s right” and other such affirmatives rang around.
“T-they must b-b-be mistaken! I w-would never s-say anything b-b-bad about y-you, Princess Twilight.” Eyes darted about, as though looking for an escape. The chair rocked back and forth more vigorously.
“So you deny the charges! You deny telling stories about me?”
“I-“
“You deny telling about the Smarty Pants Incident!”
“I-I confess!” Her head was now bowed low. “I did indeed tell stories about you Princess Twilight, including one about your doll Smarty Pants. Please have mercy on me!”
“Mercy? You tell these stories about me, and you dare ask for mercy? No! Your punishment shall be this: You shall sit there all afternoon…and listen to my stories about you!” A hoof was pointed dramatically.
“NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Two hooves clutched her chest, right over the heart. And her magic kept on knitting the scarf.
“What is going…Twilight!” A green and purple tall bipedal dragon latched onto the Princess with all the enthusiasm of a filly hugging her mom.
“Spike!” Wings folded partially around the owner of the lands. “It is good to see you. You don’t visit often enough.”
He laughed, and slowly pulled away from the embrace. “It is true, but I am busy running everything here. Speaking of which, what are you doing here?”
“Well, thanks to this brave young filly here,” Sunny Joy beamed at the praise “I now have every seventh off. And when I heard that Miss Belle here was telling stories about me, I knew I had to respond in kind.” The youngest princess sat herself down neatly on the grass. “Now gather around foals, so I can tell you of a special group: the CMC, or more commonly known as-“
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS YAY!” Diamond Tiara jumped at the noise. No, it couldn’t be…
She quickly shuffled over to the window. It was! The crusaders were back…and there were more of them! She had to warn her grandchildren about the impending disaster!
It had been a long time since Luna had truly taken a day to be with the common people. The last time had been the rather embarrassing, if later enjoyable Nightmare Night in Ponyville. Really, that was the only time she had gone out among the public. Before then had been the Old Times, when she and Celestia had been aloof from the public, as proper rulers should. As a result, she hadn’t heard much about entertainment these days. So when Sunny Joy’s sister, Bubbling Laughter has suggested to Luna that they go to a…waterpark…with some of Bubbling Laughter's friends, Princess Luna had been dubious. What the hay was a waterpark anyways?
“THIS IS THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD IN A CENTURY!” As it turned out, it was a blast. Her body was soaked, she was slightly dizzy, and it was great. The giant inflatable she was on with Bubbling Laughter and one of her friends spun round and round as it slid up and down the giant funnel. Screams of joy echoed in the enclosed area.
With a final crash, the yellow inflatable landed in the pool below, spraying water in the air. Glorious! “Princess Luna, it is time to get off.” There was a pair of small splashes, followed by a larger one as the three ponies disembarked from their inflatable. They waded to the edge of the pool and stepped out. A quick shake flung most of the water out of their fur.
Squeals and cries of laughter echoed behind the trio, as a group of four fillies were flung out of the funnel. “Told you that my friends and I were right.”
“Indeed. I apologize for my previous doubt.”
“Come on, there are plenty of other rides to show you!”
Princess Luna was slightly nervous. “You are planning something devious. I know it.”
“What us? Why would you think that?”
“A word of advice, batting your eyelashes like that makes you look even guiltier.” Still, there was no way she was going to back down from this challenge. “I shall do as you ask.” She then proceeded alone up the stairs. At least the line moved fast.
It was high up, there was no doubt about that. She couldn’t see exactly where it went, but this slide was a long, enclosed tube. “Challenge accepted.”
At the life guard’s command, who wasn’t nearly as surprised at her presence as he should have been, she shoved off and down.
The tunnel was nearly pitch black, with only the glow of small stars embedded in the tunnel giving off light. She was tossed and turned, with waterfalls occasionally dumping water on her. With little warning there was a surprise around each corner. Luna shrieked with delight as she sped downwards.
Still, she was getting more and more nervous. There was obviously something further along, something that those fillies were trying to prank her with. What could-OH FAUST THAT WAS A BIG MOUTH WITH SHARP TEETH THAT SHE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER!
She gathered her magic in preparation to save herself…and then noticed that the mouth was gone, and she was flowing through some sort of tank, with sharks swimming lazily by. Before she could fully comprehend what had happened, the Princess Luna was spat out of the tunnel into a small pool.
In front of her were six fillies, laughing at her confusion. “That…that was a good prank. Well done.”
“It’s not quite done yet. Let’s see how they turned out.” Luna blinked, and looked around. They were in some sort of shop. She stepped out the pool, following the fillies to the counter. They were all looking at some sort of screen…Luna was mortified.
There on the screen was a picture of herself. Eyes were bulged in fear, mouth wide and tongue out, wings extended and hooves raised as if to brace herself. It was clearly just before she had entered the mouth.
“Wow, the illusion got you good, Princess!” Bubbly Laughter turned to the mare behind the counter. “How much for six of that in large?”
“Eighteen bits dear.” The silver unicorn hoofed over the bits, and six large pictures of Luna were spread among the fillies.
“One for me as well, as a reminder to never underestimate young ones.”
The tour of the aquarium had been interesting. Luna especially enjoyed the parts where she could crawl to the inside of the tank through a tunnel, and observe the fish from every angle.
The simulated surfing had been interesting for a time. The wave pool, not so much. She wasn’t much of a swimmer, and neither were the fillies.
This though, this was glorious. “FORWARD! FOR THE LUNAR REPUBLIC!” A blast of water from her back mounted water gun punctuated her cry, as the six fillies rallied around her. Water balloons exploded around the group as they pressed forward in the sandy battlefield. In the stands above parents cheered for their children.
It was the thrill of war without the danger. Shrieks of joy, courageous charges into enemy lines, what more could a princess want?
“Ambush!” From behind! They were coming from behind!
“For Princess Twilight!” Oh no, now they were facing both enemy groups! They were being double teamed!
“They have us surrounded, the poor fools!”
The battle lasted ten full minutes, with the Lunar Republic weathering the combined assaults of the Celestial Kingdom and the Twilight Federation. All too soon, the fun came to an end.
“I do decree, that was a well fought battle. Now, it is time to eat.”
“Yay!” The group charged forward to the dining zone. Soon they were surrounded by shakes, hay fries, and veggie burgers.
It was simple food, and it really couldn’t compete to the food served at the palace. Still, Luna was hungry, and she did enjoy it. “This has been a glorious day!” The food had disappeared from the table.
“I am glad my park was able to provide such entertainment to you, your majesty.” The voice was soft, yet strong. Luna turned to see a very old earth stallion, one that was familiar.
“Sir Pipsqueak, is that you?”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“You look good since we have last seen you. It is nice to see that you are still in shape since your retirement from the navy. My friends, this is Captain Pipsqueak, a good friend of mine, and a former Captain in the Royal Navy.” The fillies gasped and awed appropriately.
“My thanks for your kind words. I trust you enjoyed everything?” Words of confirmation echoed around him.
Looking up, Luna saw the sun on the horizon. It dipped, and dropped below. Her horn lit up, and the moon rose into the sky.
“Come young ones. It is late, and time for you to go home.” There were of course complaints, but the fillies still complied.
“Sir Pipsqueak, it was good to see you again. I…I haven’t visited you often enough these past years. I am going to change that. Expect a visit soon.”
Pipsqueak smiled. “I look forward to it, your majesty. Perhaps in a week? My granddaughter is to be married in two days, I would love to talk to you about the wedding.”
Painting? She has the day off and she chooses to spend it painting? Clearly this called for an intervention.
Captain Brave Heart knocked on the simple door to the cottage. “Coming.” The door opened to reveal a cute yellow with pink mane pegasus. “Can I help you Ms…”
“Captain Brave Heart. I could use you help Ms. Fluttershy. Do you know where Discord is? I need to speak to him.”
The pegasus’s eyes widened slightly. “No, but I can contact him. Why…he didn’t do anything wrong did he? He hasn’t had a relapse for decades!” The voice was soft, worry clearly present.
“No, nothing of the sort. I need his help actually.”
“Oh…please come in.” The cottage was pleasant, full of pictures and a very homely air. Small animals darted back and forth. It was well kept, not a speck of dust or dirt anywhere.
“Please, sit down at the table. I will call for him, and then make some tea.” The young mare did so, taking further stock of the area. She was curious how Fluttershy would call Discord.
The young looking pegasus pulled open a drawer…and pulled out a giant rubber chicken. She squeezed it twice, eliciting two squawks from the device. Brave Heart blinked.
“I guess I should have expected something like that…” Fluttershy laughed, and began to fill the kettle. Soon the pot was on the stove, merrily heating under the fire.
“So…how is life in Ponyville?”
“Its…been hard these last few years. Though the town hasn’t changed much, the ponies…most of them are gone. Granny Apple Bloom is still kicking in Apple Acres, but the rest…”
“I heard that your husband had passed away recently. I am sorry.”
A single tear gathered in Fluttershy's right eye, and slid down.
“I miss Big Mac. He was so sweet…I do visit the children often on the farm, but, it is hard knowing I will outlive them. Still, I will be happy for them. There is no need to push my burdens onto my children, or this town.”
Brave Heart nodded. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like. Immortality had been a surprise gift from Discord. Speaking of the devil; there was a poof of smoke, and there he was.
“You rang, Fluttershy?”
“Yes I did. Captain Brave Heart here is looking for you.”
“Indeed. I am in need of your talents.”
“Oh?” Sunglasses that hadn’t been on his face before were lowered by a clawed hand. “Do tell over the tea.”
Princess Celestia was finishing the painting of Canterlot’s skyline. It had taken several hours, and couldn’t compare to a true master artist’s work, but it was still nice. There was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“That’s a nice painting, Princess Celestia.”
“Why thank you, Fluttershy. You always have such kind things to say.” Her horn flashed, and the sun was lowered. On the other side, hidden by the castle, the moon began is rise through the sky. “What brings you to Canterlot?”
The eternally young pegasus slowly walked to the balcony. “I heard you had today off, and decided to visit. Why painting?”
More strokes of the brush. “I may not be the best at it, but I do enjoy painting. It helps me to relax, and to think.” A few final strokes. “Done.”
“I like it. I heard that Twilight and Princess Luna are out with some foals?” Celestia nodded. “Why aren’t you with them?”
“It wouldn’t be…right. As much as I enjoy the young ones, I above all other princesses have an image to maintain. Let Luna and Twilight have fun among them. I will still be happy hearing their tales. Much like I am reading your letters, or talking with Spike.”
Fluttershy nodded. “I see. Brave Heart was right, you do need help. Discord?”
“My pleasure.”
Princesses Twilight and Luna had met at Sunny Joy’s and Bubbly Laughter’s house, dropping off the young ones they had spent the afternoon with. The two were walking back to the palace when there as a sudden pop.
In the air appeared Discord, along with a giant stage. The avatar of chaos was in a well ironed suit and tie, complete with a black hat.
Tied up neatly, complete with a bowtie, was Princess Celestia. “Mares and Stallions of Canterlot, I present to you this production: The Tickling of Princess Celestia!” A snap, and then there were feathers light rubbing on the Sun Princess’s belly.
Twilight and Luna, along with a good portion of Canterlot, watched slack jawed as Princess Celestia was mercilessly tickled by the feathers. Uncontrolled laugher escaped from her as she rolled around on the stage, trying desperately to get away.
“What in Faust’s name?”
“She was painting.” The two princesses turned to the captain.
“She was painting for her vacation. She ‘couldn’t’ be among the crowds; she had an image to maintain.”
Twilight blinked, and thought about it. It was always Princess Celestia. Even now she still called her former mentor that sometimes. It just seemed like she never wasn’t a princess.
“I see. Well, I will have to deal with this. Coming Luna?”
“Oh yes. I agree, this must be dealt with at once!”
There were a pair of flashes, and the two remaining princesses were on the stage. “Discord, we are displeased with your actions.” The feather’s stopped, and hope rose in Celestia’s chest.
“Indeed. Only four feathers? Not nearly enough. By royal decree, the tickling has been tripled!” With that bellow, Luna and Twilight talked Princess Celestia, and the tickling resumed for full two minutes.
By the end, Princess Celestia was a mess. Her mane was dusty and tangled, and no longer flowing. She was coated in sweat, which shined in the street light of Canterlot. Her breathing was ragged, and her crown knocked off.
Princess Luna marched to the front of the floating stage, where the ponies of Canterlot looked on in disbelief. “Citizens of Canterlot, you have just witnessed Princess Celestia be tickled. Now I ask you, because of this, do you think less of her?”
“No.” There were a few voices in the crowed.
“Do you think that she is unfit to rule?”
“No!” The voices were louder, and more numerous.
“Is she still the Princess you love?”
“YES!” It was a roar now.
“Then our point is clear.”
Twilight stroked her former mentor. “You don’t have to always be a princess. You can be silly, and have fun, and we won’t mind. We will still love you. Sunny was right to worry about that stick.”
An offended look crossed her face, and then a thoughtful one. “Perhaps she was indeed. What a wise filly.” She slowly stood up.
“Thank you, citizens of Canterlot, for being so accepting of me. I promise that I-“
“Yah yah, enough of that, time for something fun!” A snap of the fingers, and the platform was gone; the princesses on the ground. Also, there were pillows lying everywhere. “Pillow fight!” Chaos ensued.
Captain Brave Heart was quickly finding out that being in a guards armor simply made one a more promising target. She was being bombarded from all sides by pillows.
A unicorn ran past, three pillows circling overhead. “Down with the princesses! For Queen Chrysalis!” The now clearly false unicorn was charging straight towards the area where the princesses were dumped, only to be blindsided by a pillow to the face. The false unicorn disappeared into the crowed.
Brave Heart blinked, and then shrugged. She was off duty, and it wasn’t like any changeling who shouted that could be a threat. There would be time later to find it.
Discord was having a blast, sending pillows every which way. Sometimes simple chaos was the best. A pillow fell on his head…and another…and another.
“Huh?” He looked up, and a full load of pillows fell onto of the Lord of Chaos (reformed).
His arms flailed, and he saw the culprit: Fluttershy on a cloud! She jumped up and down, and out rained more pillows!
“How did you know?” She simply smiled.
“I know you very well Discord.” He laughed, and jumped up on top of the cloud.
“Let’s get the rest!”
“For Calm Meadows!” With her magic, Sweetie Belle launched the pillow across the battlefield into the enemy line. Fillies and colts flung some towards her in retaliation.
Spike, being a full head taller than anyone else, was a prime target for both sides. His hands did give him an advantage, and he took it in stride. Pillows flew from him in all directions, landing with surprising accuracy.
What was far more surprising was Diamond Tiara wading into the battle. “Foals! Quit disturbing my peace!” She grabbed a fallen pillow in her mouth, swung herself in a circle, and released.
Just for old times’ sake, Sweetie flung a pillow onto Diamond Tiara. Apple Bloom was going to be so jealous when she read about this!
The Great Pillow Battle of Canterlot lasted a full hour. Everpony was involved, and even some non-ponies. Diplomats from foreign kingdoms, Diamond Dogs and Zebra’s selling their wares, everyone was involved. Surprisingly little damaged resulted from the fight.
“Well Celestia, did you enjoy your vacation?”
The solar princess was panting happily. “Yes…yes I did. Thank you.” There was a sudden slap, and Celestia turned to find Sunny Joy holding the pillow that had hit her rear.
“Got your butt!”
There was a short silence. Then a few chuckles, and then finally deep belly chuckles as everypony around started laugh. Everpony was happy.
There was a flash, and a circular yellow smiley face appeared on Sunny’s flanks.
