A legendary magical discovery leads the protagonist Twilight Sparkle through a chain of events that not only explain Celestia and Luna's history, but a history about herself that even she could not have imagined. Co-Author profile link.
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‘It’s so dark and quiet. Time isn't even something that can be kept track of in this dungeon so deep underground. Sigh One small slip up and now I’m in chains… funny how life works like that.’ My wings shift around in a feeble attempt to get some comfort in the cold chains. I move my neck to try to get as much comfort as one can get in this situation. Though the chains really don’t help in that respect. It still gets rid of some of the soreness in my wings and neck. While escape would be easy, I don't dare to run. I have to face this head on, and I’ll just have to trust in my friends to get me out so I can explain myself. And to think this all just started as an innocent experiment.
A while back
--(POV Past Twilight)--
“SPIKE! Do you have that book I asked for?”I asked in my strong, yet loving tone.
“I need that to finish my research on this spell!” ‘Honestly that baby dragon, while the best and nicest being I know, he can be really lazy at times.’ While waiting I sit down, silently enjoying this moment of respite, looking around at the crystalline walls of the- no of my castle. I shift my wings a little, trying to get a small cramp out. All the while waiting silently for my number one assistant to show up.
“Got it Twilight!” A soft creak of the door marks his entrance, and at the same time reminding me of the need to oil the hinges of that door. I turn to him, my little brother Spike, holding a book for me. A smile grows on my face from seeing his dedication.
“Thanks Spike, that’s all I need for the rest of my study hours. Feel free to go out and have fun.” He responds in the fashion expected by a boy his age.
“Thanks Twilight! I’ll see you in a few hours.” He leaves with a nod, and a little jump in his step. Probably happy that he can go and help Rarity, finish a comic he was reading or some little thing to keep his mind off of time.
As for me? I’m studying hard, currently researching into some of Starswirl's more comprehensive texts and a certain spell has really piqued my interest. Thus I am making sure it is safe and that it is castable… without a big mess happening. An hour later the book closes with the soft hum of my magic. Everything adds up and everything seem in order. I wake up Owlowiscious to have him give a note to Spike and have Spike tell the girls about my new discovery. The spell only works for one, and it's just a short step and jump into the past. I'll be gone and back before they know it. And if I do get caught up? Well…. I can just teleport back to this moment and I wouldn't even be gone for a moment longer.
But first…. I better pack!
‘Now what does one bring on a trip to the past? Some food… never know how much energy this may take, water, maybe a sleeping roll. If I have to rest for a day after the spell is casted it would be good to have.’
Contemplating, I constantly pace through the castle thinking. What should I bring with me? The only time I have ever gone through time is just for a quick warning to my past self for around three minutes… A day in the past is certainly not something the old me would have ever expected to be able to do, at least, not this easily.
Even if the spell is set to a certain date in the past. It will still be a fascinating trip! Going back to ancient equestria is something that may lead to great breakthroughs in the discoveries of history!
I begin gathering my things, just my saddlebags, some food and necessities. As my walk takes me by my dresser, I stop to look at my tiara, and I just stare at it for a good moment. ‘Why not?’ A soft hum of my magic surrounds it, picks it up and slides it into my saddlebags. My gaze goes about the room for a brief moment, just taking it in. ‘This place isn’t as bad as I first thought. Though I was being a little silly back then. This is home now, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.’
I walk back to the library after saying my small good bye to the castle. ‘Though to the castle I would be back in about a millisecond and- I’m overthinking things again, yeesh. Maybe I should relax a bit, the spell says specifically to not perform it when stressed.’ I take a seat with a nice relaxing book, but my eyes wander back to the book on its stand. I take a deep breath and force myself to read my fiction book just for a short while. Though after about twenty minutes I can’t hold myself down anymore.
I walk over to the book and- Owlowiscious flies right in my way. “Owlowiscious, now isn't the time for this. Can you please move?” Typically Owlowiscious leaves me alone after asking, but this time he was a bit more persistent. He simply grabbed my book and started flying away with it. The nerve!
“Hey!” I chase after him, but for such a small Owl carrying such a large book he moves fast!
The chase lasts a good ten minutes before I recall my magic and wings and simply take the book back with magic. I glare at the little owl who hoots at me, before flying off. ‘What got into that little owl? Ugh I’ll get into it with him when I get back.’ I walk back to my library, and ignite my horn preparing to cast the spell. The complex spell is of many parts and takes assorted portions of other spells into account. The magical drain would normally be too much for a normal unicorn. If I were still a unicorn I probably wouldn’t be able to pull it off myself. My smile grows again and my thoughts project aloud.
“Well, let’s do this!” My horn releases the energy it has stored from the start of the spell and a flash envelops my vision. A white field taking up my vision as my body and mind is sent into the past.
Slowly my vision returns to me as the white fades from my sight. I look around and check my surroundings to see where I ended up. All there is in front of me is…. a hedge?
“What?” I say with a confused tone as I try to dig my way out of the green that has currently overtaken my entire cone of awareness. As I exit the hedge I find that I’m in a very dejavu situation.
As I look around more, a realization crosses my face,“This…. looks exactly like… the hedge maze in Canterlot! Wow!” I walk around, having really never been able to actually experience the hedge maze without constant worry of Discord over my head. As my walk continues my ears pick up hoofsteps behind me. Still anytime I turn my head to check behind me I cannot spot anypony. Eventually my walk takes me to the center of the maze. Oddly enough I can’t see any flowers or anything blooming. Which is always a common sight in the hedge maze, Well, according to Celestia it's a common sight...
“Where are all the flowers…? I’m sure there should be some here.” I think aloud, asking no one in particular but a little, adorable and high pitched voice answers me anyways.
“Well the flowers were just planted two days ago. They probably won’t grow for a while.” The voice startles me as I flip around on my hooves to face the voice. The voice continues saying, “Wow, that was cool! I’ve never seen anypony do that without falling on their face!” My gaze traces around the area and II look down to see a small white filly standing there, looking at me with a pair of big adorable light purple eyes. Though the confusion is visible in her look. She seems to be much more interestested in my turn rather than why I’m here.
“Oh hi! Um…Sorry, I was just exploring around, and got a bit lost… and…” I seem to recognise the filly from somewhere, but I just can’t put my hoof on it….
“What’s your name if I can ask ma’m?” The little filly stole the words right out of my mouth, but seeing as the castle is nearby it wouldn't be wise to stay quiet. Who knows who the filly could belong to.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, I’m a traveler around these parts and well…. I got a bit lost…” I rub my mane to try to add to the effect. I was lost but the question wasn’t location, but date, “Um, do you mind if I enquire your name little filly?”
The filly looks at me with an appalled face for a moment before responding, “You’re the first pony I’ve met that doesn't know me by face! Wow, you must be from out of town.” She speaks with a childish glee that only a young filly could have… Or me when I remember the day my cutie mark came in. She continues saying, “Nice to meet you! My name is Celestia Solace! Princess of Equestria!”
If my mouth could hit the ground it probably would have, ‘This little filly who followed me is my teacher...’ My thoughts transverse to stammering and pacing,
The fill- Princess Celestia looks at me quite confused. She seems to either be young enough to have that cute naivety or she’s already figured everything out. She says, “It’s year 65 actually.” She blinks a bit, clearly trying to figure it out. “Are you a time traveler? I saw you appear with magic anddd” She trails off in disbelief. While lying would probably be the obvious option... I still tell her the truth.
“Yes, I am… I learned the spell about,” I think again, “65000 years from now and ended up here.” During her silence my mind goes to thinking, and I check to see if my energy is high enough to get home today. After a short while it is made clear to me. Currently the only reason I’m awake right now is all the adrenaline I have. Luckily it seems it’s around the afternoon so I could rest and not totally throw off my sleeping schedule.
“Thats cool! but um. You look really tired… and it’s late. Mom and dad are probably waiting for me by now,”she pauses for a moment, “After my lessons in the morning… could we play a bit together? My sister is such a fuddy duddy and well. I really don't have any friends to play with…” The adorable filly who will grow up to be my teacher ticks her hooves while she looks at me. There is no way anypony with a heart could say no to that face.
I say with a smile, “I was planning on staying for a while to explore old Equestria, or would it be just… Equestria?”I shake my head as to get back on track for the conversation, “So I’ll be around for a week or so. Just… Make sure nopony follows you, okay? The last thing we want is to have to explain it to your... Wait, parents? There was very little about your parents in any books. Do you mind telling me about them some time? I am here for research purposes too.” My excitement returns at the prospect of learning something new about history, ‘Well old, new old, ugh.’
“Sure! But after we play okay? I’ll answer all your questions!” The filly says this while hopping around, extremely excited at the prospect of having a friend to play with. She continues further to say, “We can meet up here okay? The garden is my chore anyways! The gardeners get all the outside of the hedge maze while the inside circle is mine!”
A curt nod and a smile is my answer, saying, “I’ll be here. See you tomorrow alright?”
The filly gives a squee and hugs me, “I knew you were a nice pony when you showed up! Yay! Best friends!” She breaks the hug as a voice can be heard calling her home, “Oh! I better get going! It was nice talking to you Twilight!”The little filly runs off, probably heading home to get dinner. I pull out my bedroll and sit down, munching on an apple that I brought, ‘This is the start of something huge and boy the excitement is killing me.’ The apple is devoured before the core gets put back in my saddlebag and I lay down to rest under the stars.
The next morning I woke up when the sun was just being risen. This fact pulled a lot of questions for me. ‘Who raises the sun? Who lowers the moon?!’ These questions kept circling in my mind as I silently waited. Granted I wanted to explore but it wouldn’t be wise to try something like that. So I opted to explore the maze garden a little bit. I avidly avoided any staff that would be working the gardens, of which there were actually only a few. This is how I spent my morning, albet I wasn’t there to see the flowers. I was thinking the entire time about what questions I would ask Celestia
--(POV Filly Celestia)--
‘YAY yay yay!’ I silently thought to myself as I happily bounced through the halls ‘I finally have somepony to play with!’ As I continue my little jaunt about the inside of the castle I bump into somepony that I was trying to avoid.
“Gah!” I yell out as I stumble and fall on top of the dark blue form that is my sister causing a small chain of events leading to a broken vase.
“Get off of us sister! Thou art crushing our wings!” Said the blue form under me, in a very upset voice.
“Sorry sis!” I quickly jump off of her letting my younger sister get up.
Luna gets up slowly, dusting herself off with her wings. She then turns to me with a questioning look. I internally groan knowing what is coming just by seeing the raised eyebrow and that dull look on her face she gets when she is dissapointed. “Sis? Our older sister should know better than to use common speech. Especially when speaking with their own sister.”
‘Ugh…. common speech is so much better. But dad really has Luna under his hoof.’ I rub my forehead for a moment before responding
“Forgive us sister, but you know how much we despise talking like this in a casual setting. It is…. very very booorrring.” I groan this out. ‘Common speech is so much easier and well, This form of speech always sounds so snooty.’
My sister shakes her head and says in a reserved voice “Well at least we can’t be found at fault for breaking the vase this time.”
‘The vase! Oh no... ‘ I look at the shattered vase and back at Luna “Sister you have to help us! Please help us hide the vase! I’ll do anything!
My sister giggles for a small moment before saying “For two weeks of our chore we will be more than happy to help our sister.” I nod agreeing to this and we get to work putting the various pieces of the broken vase in a nearby potted plant.
A short while later the vase is stored away in some potted plant. Thankfully my sister is always there for me. Even if she is really annoying at times. Continuing my skip down the halls I exited out to the back of the castle. There I will look for the greatest find I've ever had the chance to find... A new friend.
Skipping my way to the hedge maze I go down my usual path to the center where I found the mysterious alicorn's little camp. I look around for her but I first notice how little she ate last night. I pout and head back to the castle thinking 'No friend of mine will eat so poorly!'
I go to the castle kitchen and go inside, sneaking around until I reach my quarry. A nice salad bowl filled with greens and tomatoes. Nopony would really miss it, besides, I'll only need a plate.
I wait until the cooks exit the kitchen to grab more ingredients to add to the salad and with my magic I quickly prepare a plate of salad for my new friend, running out with the plate. I happily walk with the plate in my magic as any guards I pass by don't question it. I head back to the garden getting several smiles from the gardeners as I go to my paradise. My personal area in the center of the maze, where my new friend is staying.
--(Past Twilight's POV)--
Arriving back after a few close calls. I see this little hopping white form entering the center of the garden. Smiling to myself I wave as the little filly shows me.... A salad dish? I take the dish in my magic.
"Sorry.... I couldn't get you a fork... I thought you might be hungry." Said the sweet filly.
I say "This is very thoughtful of you Celestia. Luckily I can just use something from my pack..." Searching through my saddlebag to find a bit of bread. I pull two slices out and put the various bits of lettuce and tomato in said bread eating it like a sandwich.
"Wow.... I woulda never thought of that!" The little filly smiles happily
"Sometimes you have to think out of the box, then, and only then, will the right answer come to light." saying this with a smile. That lesson was one of the first Celestia taught me when I had just become her student. It was nearly the same situation too, giving me something to eat but no utensils. It was a fun and slightly messy lesson.
I munch down the sandwich, while it was good, nothing can beat Spike’s cooking. I smile as the little filly walks around exploring my little camp.
“This stuff is so cool, I’ve never seen this stuff before! Mom and Dad never take me to do anything really fun. I haven't even been let out of the castle grounds in a while…” The filly trudged the ground lightly, before saying. “That’s why I was so happy to meet you. To have somepony to play with!”
“But don’t you have a sister?” I asked. “Why don’t you play with her?”
The filly sighed before sitting down and answering “My sister is such a killjoy most of the time. She takes after my dad the most. Believe me, she’s no fun and neither is my dad.”
I sit back thinking about it. From what I know about Luna this didn’t come much of a surprise but… “Like your dad? What’s he like?”
The filly giggles “We had a deal~ First we play then you get to ask all the questions you want.”
‘How fast can this filly run?!’ I thought to myself as I chased after the white mass that is this time’s Celestia. By now I should have already figured her out, having been here for the last two days. Throughout that time whenever I wasn’t eating or hiding from the guards, Celestia would come along to give me some food and then we would play. Afterwards she would answer any three questions I had before being called home. She knew a lot for her age, but her knowledge was strangely restricted to the goings on of the castle. Sure she had a basic idea of how everything outside was working, but otherwise it was easy to tell…
She's never left the castle grounds, ever.
I caught on to that after one of our sessions yesterday. Just before dinner.
--1 day ago, year…. something--
<Twilight’s POV>
‘How hard can it be to find a white pony in the middle of all this green!’ I thought to myself.My hoofsteps crunched the various leaves on the ground that the Princess left behind. It was almost like she was teasing me for not being able to fin-
“Ah,” It was faint… But the little gasp was right nearby. It was right in that thicket… Just near the wall. As my approach showed the jig was up, she bolted out, with me giving chase right behind. It didn’t take long for me to catch her. Making a heavy diveright in front of her and grabbed her with my front hooves.
“Awwwwwwwwww….. You got me….” She said with a groan “I knew it was over when you got so close.”
I giggled a little before asking “You really know your way around the garden, don't you?” After I asked, I let her go.
She giggled alongside me, “Well yea. The garden is really the only place I have a chance to go to…. My parents keep me and my sister really busy.” We began our trek back to the center of the maze as she explained.
“Typically, my usual day is wake up, eat some breakfast, and get to studying about something. Everyday is a little different. In between I might get a little bit of free time, and that's when my day leads me here, usually to garden, or now to play with you!” She smiled widely “Though it’s not gonna last is it? You’re going home soon….”
Those eyes made crushed my heart but yes, I was planning on heading home soon. I missed my friends and everypony. I missed Owlowiscious, Pinkie, AJ, RD, Rarity, Spike, Fluttershy, and all my friends back in Ponyville. I didn’t and still don’t belong in this time. So, simply put, all I did was smile sadly and say.
“Yea… I am.”
--Present past--
We got back to the little camp and she answered my questions. Then she left. As usual it was very on time of her to only have to answer three questions…. I suppose her life really is just that regulated.
I silently pull out a apple to eat ‘my bag only has enough provisions for another few days anyways.’ Trying to justify to myself ignoring that adorable face.
A very happy and jauntful tune marks the princess’s approach. That song that everypony seems to know somehow, filling the quiet.
“Hi Twilight!” Says the happy filly as she approaches, bouncing along “I brought you some sweet bread!”
I raise an eyebrow, such a delicacy had to be hard to get from the kitchen. Taking the bread saying. “Thank you so much, I haven’t had this in ages.” While indulging myself by eating the bread, the filly sits next to me humming happily.
‘I’ve seen that look so many times… She wants something doesn't she?’ Thinking to myself.
The filly pipes up “So uh…. Twilight…. I was wondering…” here we go…
“Can you…. take me out of the castle? Pleaseeeeee? My mom and dad haven't taught me how to fly or teleport yet so you're my only hope of getting to see the outside! Pleassseeeeeee i promise I'll be good! I even got all my studies done for the day so nopony will be the wiser! Pleasseeeee?” She looks at me with those huge eyes. How could anypony say no to that...
“Princess… if I do that it's gonna end up horribly if we get caught! I'll be arrested for basically kidnapping you!”
She begins the lip quivering and the quiet sobs and frankly, you would have to be colder than Sombra to say no to her.
“But…. Ugh…. alright…. But only for a little! We aren’t going to be out any longer than a hour!”
She hops happily “YAY YAY!!!!!! I get to see the outside!!!!” She says in a sing song voice “I owe you so much for this! I know we won’t be able to see the town but show me what you can okay!”
I landed for the 3rd time this week in the center of the garden maze. I just couldn't say no to the little filly and have taken her outside around 4 times now. She is just so much happier outside of these walls than inside... I'm going home tomorrow. From my past experience in time travel I know this stuff was just pre destined to happen. Knowing that I played a part in my teacher's life beyond being her student gives me jitters and a warm feeling. I wonder if the princess will even remember- remembers this.
'Gotta think present tense Twilight' saying to myself as we land and after taking a seat on my sleeping mat.
"That was so much fun! The flying and all the nice animals!" The little filly talks on and on about our most recent adventure outside. On our first trip we found a very lovely clearing with a empty cave and wild flowers. Princess Celestia loved it so much. She wanted to go into town at first, but I reminded her that even she said it would be a bad idea.
Luckily, that was the end of that talk and we found the place. Which we were going to constantly for the last 3 days. We went to the clearing twice today, which means I should probably be expecting anything at this point. On the upside while she was playing around in the clearing she would answer any question I had. Always unrelentingly and happily giving information about her family and Equestria.
Apparently Equestria is comprised of only close towns,(Manehatten hadn't even been created yet). Only the oldest towns have been made and are still quite small in population. Canterlot being the largest in terms of size and population estimating to be about the size of four Ponyvilles.
Ponyville obviously doesn't exist yet and I've been keeping it out of conversation. That is one thing I have no plans to try my luck with.
"One last time tomorrow?" The mass of white says in front of me jarring me from my thoughts.
"Sure. I'll leave when I bring you back." I respond happily. "Just-”
"Be prepared for the worst, yea I know." The filly interrupts and continues,"I'm not too worried. We've gotten away with it till now haven't we?"
I think for a moment then say,"That's what worries me. Keep doing something and you're bound to be caught."
The filly hugs me,"Don't worry about it right now. You'll be home tomorrow with all your friends."
There really are few words that can explain this hug. If I had to explain, the only passable explanation would be to say it was the warmest, cutest, and just relaxing hug ever.
"Right..." I simply say as the filly breaks the hug off and begins leaving
"See you tomorrow Twilight!" And she hopped off.
--Present Twilight, back in the dungeon--
Maybe if my guard had been up the sound of rustling behind me would have been more distinct. As it was though all I heard was the crack of the blunt object hitting me on the back of the head. When I woke up I was here. I haven't seen another pony since. They probably left me here to rot at this point.
‘Escaping is always an option.’ My thoughts continually tell me, though if I escape I'll be labeled worse than just a traitor and that doesn't just vanish over time.
I don't even want to imagine what would happen if I failed to escape. I've read books on old Equestrian torture and this is even older than that.
‘Stop. Thinking about it. You're gonna make yourself panic. Celestia will fix this.’ I just keep telling myself that while using Cadence’s breathing techniques to help me stay calm.
Some water and food appears in my cell. Ironically though it's just out of my reach with a note simply reading “2:30” assuming that's when my food will actually be in hoof’s reach I'll just have to bear a bit of hunger. Time doesn't exactly have any presence when you're in a dark cell with no windows. My chains only have enough slack to let me move a little bit without destroying my wings, by making them run through their metal holds.
‘I know what I did was wrong. And dumb, but if the option to change it arose, I wouldn't change it. She was so happy. It was worth it for a little bit of pain.’
I heard the sound of hooves, though the same sound has been around for the last hour. It seems my location is well hidden, likely a closed off cell somewhere deep in the castle.
“Hi!” A nearby high pitched voice says. The hall in front of me is pitch black to the point where seeing those in there isn't an option.
I respond, some social interaction is always healthy when you're in isolation most of the time. “Hello?” I tug on my chains a bit too much and I feel some feathers nearly getting pulled off. I quickly re adjust myself before the damage gets too high.
“Who's there?”
The voice finally responds “Did thou injure our sister in any form m’am? And please keep thine voice down. Our parents don't know we are down here.”
Luna… Always straight to business even when she's this young. “No I didn't hurt your sister Princess. Simply put she asked to go outside and so we did.”
The voice is silent for a moment then says “thou knows of us by mine sister. What else has mine sister told thou?”
I think for a moment gathering my thoughts. “Your sister has told me many things, my bag has a journal with all the information she's given me.-
My chains definitely moved I tense up a lot in response.
“We asked thou, so we will get our information from thou!”
I stay silent trying to figure out the sudden hostility ‘This. Is really bad. I have no intentions of losing my feathers today. But, why would she… Oh her parents probably have all my stuff and are handling this themselves.’
“Well? Are thou going to answer or shall we continue?” The shackles on my wings shift more
“Okay! Stop I'll tell you!” I say quickly, jarred from my thoughts
“Look all your sister told me were little things, like facts about the kingdom, a bit about her family. I was just trying to make a friend.” Saying this all as calmly as possible when in this situation. The feeling around my wings tenses up, then relaxes as the magic stops and the shackles slide back down to the base of my wings.
“If thou art lying thou will regret it.” She moves my food and water closer to me, and leaves, her hoof stepssignalling her exit.
‘... Enough thinking, food.’ I shift the tray closer to me and eat, it's not too much but it seems Celestia is pulling some strings. This is certainly better food than criminals get normally bac home. Which does worry me a little, hopefully this isn't like an execution preparatory cell.
--Meanwhile--
(Little Celestia POV)
“Let her go!” Ordering my guards to let my new friend go.
The guards responded, “You know we can't do that princess. Your father has her locked up. Just forget about her.” They are currently carrying the little princess to her room
“No! She's my only friend!” I wiggle and squirm. My personal guards had orders to take me to my room. Apparently I was grounded for lying.
‘If only my mom was home…’
Walking into my room head hung I sit on my bed. The door slams shut and a clink marks the door locking.
--No POV--
Two sighs ring through the castle as two ponies come to terms with their situations. One crying herself to sleep and the other barely sleeping that night.
“What a night…” I say to myself aloud as I get up off the hard ground. The hay really didn't help with padding my back.
“Good, you're awake.” The voice that spoke is gruff,commanding. His voice is reminiscent of the Royal Canterlot Voice. Only without the extreme volume. Anypony no matter how high or low would likely listen to him… If not out of respect, out of fear.
“Guards retrieve the pony and bring her to the interrogation room. We will be there shortly. We want this all settled before the Queen arrives later today.” I shudder, if I were a guard his voice alone would have had me cuff myself. The guards quickly unbind me, tying my wings down with rope. Tiredly trudging behind them I get a glimpse at the King of Equestria… His crate is black as the night sky and his mane/tail is a mixture of a dark deep blue with a hit of yellow red outlining it. I could not get a glimpse of his cutie mark but one thing is for sure. He was an alicorn.
And that's all I saw before entering a hallway. With many cells along the sides, this clearly was the main dungeon. The cells were empty, fairly too, as they were clearly unused for a good amount of time. Quietly, they push me into a room and sit me down. Getting a feel for the room, which is almost blindingly white, finding that there is very little ambient magic here, so for its use it would be a power struggle between two magical beings. It seems the king is very sure of his magical ability, something that, while I'm sure I could contest, I do not want to test.
The king walks in. I'm not facing the door, but his presence could be felt a mile away, if you had a clear line of sight that is.
He sits in front of me, while he circles I see his mark. An eclipsed sun… Or is it an eclipsed moon? It seems to change as he steps and is almost impossible to say which is actually his mark.
“Let us start with our formalities shall we?” He says, his tone isn't cruel. But he certainly has some form of anger behind him.
“Uh… Of Course.” Having never been in an interrogation or being the subject of one I've never had any practice with this! I should have been more prepared with some sort of studying in case that this was going to happen!
“Well? We are waiting alicorn.” He says commandingly.
“I'm Twilight Sparkle, a traveler through time. I c-”
“Twilight Sparkle, thank you” He says cutting me off.
“Our name is Eclipse, King Eclipse, father of Celestia and Luna, one of which you kidnapped.” He says with a hint of resentment
“She wanted me to take her out though! She was tired of being stuck in the same cycle over and ove-”
“SILENCE.” I shut up really quickly after he said that
“You illegally transferred our daughter beyond the walls of the castle which is grounds enough for execution alone! If you weren't an alicorn you would not have this chance to explain yourself Princess. So we suggest you use this chance to explain yourself before we do have grounds to execute you. As far as we have gathered from our daughter though. You do not have any way out of this do you? Also we suggest you start speaking properly for your status, common speech is not allowed from a being of your status.
I gulp he's got me cornered there. “I-”
“We” he corrects
“R-right, we don't really.” I sigh “I- uh we just wanted to see the princess happy…”
“Sometimes what thou wants isn't what her parents want. Unfortunately as we have come to this, thou will be kept in the dungeons until further notice. We must converse with our queen when she returns.”
I hang my head in some form of defeat. “Of course…”
“We trust thou willst be smart enough to prepare for a trial. Alicorns are not immune to the law, we are sure that has not changed much in the future.” He walks around me observing.
“Now that business is over, we can get to the more interesting things. Tell us about thyself Twilight Sparkle.” He says in a more smooth voice, interested.
I take the next hour or two to tell him as much as I'm able to, though he was knowledgeable enough to stop me before I got into anything that could damage the timeline though..
After a while, the guards are called back and return me to my cell. Fully bound in my chains again I rest on the floor and wait. Occasionally food and water would come along, which has “special gifts” from above. I smile to myself knowing, that there is still one pony up there looking out for me, as I eat a delicious sweet roll.
--Meanwhile--
--Little Celestia POV--
I listen half heartedly to my teacher. Since I was grounded, the only place I'm allowed to go aside my room is the library for my studies. Luckily the guards were nice enough to let my request for my friend to go through. I hope she's enjoying her meals still, it's the least I could do for getting her into this mess.
“Princess, are you even paying attention?” Asked my teacher, she was a light purple earth pony with a book and quill as her cutie mark. Her mane is a bright pink. Kinda like mine.
“Not really ma’am…. I'm worried about my friend.” Saying this with a sigh, I play my strengths knowing that my teacher wouldn't call me out on common speech if I looked sad.
She sighs “Princess what you and that mare did was wrong, if it weren't that you asked her to do it she would likely already be executed.”
‘Pfft. If only you knew.’ I think to myself
“Let us just continue our studies…” Speaking in royal tongue again preferring to just be in my own thoughts rather than actually listen to what I've been told many times already.
‘My mom is coming home later… She will fix all of this. I know she will.’
The loud booming voice of my father was replaced with a strongly toned inside voice, “Agggg! Thou art always like this! We say that the mare should be executed for her treasonous actions!”
My heart stopped
A soft, caring voice responds “Now dearest, calm thine self. Thou is thinking with thine sword rather than mind.”
And it started again, I silently move away from the door and run off, mom always knows best… And when I'm spying.
--later--
The minutes tick by like ages as I throw and catch a weird sphere that Twilight gave me. It was amusing… Kinda like the balls I played with only smaller, and you could squish it without popping it.
Then the door basically got blown open.
A large groan occurs as my father enters the room. “Thou sister is siding with thou mother. Where doest th-” He sees the ball, contingency 8. I throw the ball out the window and look at him cutely.
“Sorry father dearest, sister gave that to us to keep us amused while we waited for mother to finish speaking with thou! It was amusing for the moment!” I strike when his guard is down with a hug!
He chuckles and says, “ah… What would we do without you?” He envelops me in a tight hug… Too tight…
I squeak out, “Father……. air….. please….” I am let out of the bear hug very quickly.
He nuzzles my forehead, “Sorry sweetie, we hath never expected to be cornered by thou mother and sister. It… is frightening.”
I sigh, “Forgive us father, but we agree with our dearest mother and sister. Slaying the alicorn is unnecessary, and by all accounts she did that to make our sister happy, and we believe it!"
He looks like he was struck by an arrow. Then his gaze softens, “Very well…. we shall think of a plan to prove her innocence.” He then trods out of the room, going elsewhere to think.
--Celly’s POV 20 minutes later--
I walk into the room, my death room I’m sure. My dad’s office is adorned with shimmering banners of the various noble houses. With the large banner of an eclipsing moon behind his desk. The lights are even off so they're basically my onl-
“Stop inner monologuing and look me in the eyes, Celestia Sol.” My father grunts out. He is so impatient.
I do what he says, looking him square in the eyes. Hoping that my fierce face that I’ve practiced is coming out. “Yes, father?” I squeak out… well there goes any signs of confidence.
“You directly disobeyed me. Allowed a stranger to take you outside of the walls. Stole from the royal kitchens outside of lunchtime, and neglected your studies for an entire week in exchange for some, He gags, Fun.”
“Y… yes we did father….” I sigh, he pretty much hit all the main points.
“But! Your mother has convinced me to spare you and your friend. You are no longer under disciplinary action, but are required to assist her in any way, shape, or form you possibly can for her task of redemption.”
I gulp, “It's nothing dangerous right, father?”
He sighs and pulls out a VERY long list. “You two will be planning the very first party for the upper echelon of nobility. We are calling it the Grand Galloping Gala. You both must plan several things, to start: food, music, entertainment, schedules, appetizers, dress codes for the guests, dress code for the servants, timing, brightness of the sun/moon, location within the castle, hedge size, hedge length, hedge height, servant visibility, servant invisibility, greeters, greeting, housing for visiting dignitaries that may or may not be invited... “ I pretty much zone out here, completely overwhelmed as I fall on my back splayed out
“I would've rather taken a beating…” I say with circles floating over my head “That was only page one my dear daughter, we still have 200 more things to go through.” He says with a obvious grin.
“Helllllllpppppppp”
--Twilight’s POV--
“I’M DOING WHAT?!” I say before a hoof makes contact to my face in a snap out of it slapping motion
“Thanks, but I’M DOING WHAT NOW? I’m planning a party for… ohhhh I’m gonna be sick…” I gag, I’m pretty sure I just screwed up every timeline possible. No no, time doesn't work like that.
The beautiful white mare in front of me with a gold wavy mane speaks in her soft voice. “Do not fret, princess. You should be happy that my husband was able to be convinced so easily. Though having the entire family averse to killing aside him helped quite a bit.” She giggles again, it's calming, and reminds me a lot of Celestia when I was a filly in her tutelage. Only to an extensive degree.
“Still, is this the only way? I should have been home days ago.” It’s true… I’m starting to lose minutes. While the spell kept my location in time and space suspended, such suspension gets weaker. Over time a year here will be about…. carry the two…. *Gulps* 144.99424626006936023 hours back home…
She sighs, “very well, let me just get your banishment papers read-”
“No no no! That won't be necessary!” I interrupt almost immediately
“Glad we came to an accord then. Now let us go over what you must do…” She materializes a list.
“Ahem… You both must plan several things, to start: food, music, entertainment, schedule, appetizers, dress code, dress code for the servants, timing, brightness of the sun/moon, location within the castle, hedge size, hedge length, hedge height, servant visibility, servant invisibility, greeters, greeting, housing for visiting dignitaries that may or may not be invited, Invitations, snacks, snacks for the workers, the people we are hiring for the setup, the setup, taking care of my daughters that night and your personal hygiene. That is all.” She steps out of the room
I blink, “Wait, what was that last one!?” I chase her out of the room but in typical alicorn fashion she’s gone and out of sight.
‘What did she mean by that…?’ I ponder to myself while walking down the hallway
Then a speeding white bullet hits me. Right in the chest.
“You're okay! You're okay! Sorry for getting you stuck in prison for 4 days, but you're okay!” The white bullet hugs me tightly
“Ugh, getting plowed into wasn't how I imagined our first interaction when I got out of here.” I giggle and hug the filly back
“What can I say? I'm happy that I can finally see you again! But we better get to work… we've only got a month for planning.”
I nod, “right! We need to..”
We then say simultaneously. “make a schedule!”
Somewhere, across time, Spike got a random hankering to make a list.
Things really cleaned up from there on for Celly and I. Our partial planning made short work of the huge list. Most of the days were spent simply working on my ticket back home, but this day was different from the others…
I was given a small house in the city after being released from the dungeon. A simple one story home with a bedroom and all the necessities. Celestia and I called it, “home-base” and it's where we do most of the planning. As such, the entire living room is full of notes and books. Today on the list of things that need doing, we need to find the ponies for the: Music, entertainment, food, snacks, and the line of clothing for the royals. I have JUST the ponies in mind.
The front door swings open as the small form of my teacher bounces in with a literal spring to her step, “Got the census! We’re all set for today right?”
I nod, while their names aren’t my common knowledge, a simple picture along with a scrying spell will do. There can’t be THAT many ponies that look like them, right?
“AHHH! Twilight! Your mane looks like a tornado ran through it!” She screams… again, it's fairly common for her to say this to the point where I expect it and just play along
“Huh?” I look back at it, it's sure a mess. Five weeks of not being cut or groomed really did a number on it, and It’s growing long.
“Nah, a quick brush should fix it up, but we don’t have time to spare to get a full spa day in our schedule. We’re barely cutting it by with 8 hours of sleep.” I respond to her not so quiet question.
“I know…. Oh! Mom taught me this for when I get older! Let's see if it works.” She flares up her horn and it sparkles its golden color. She fires two puffs of magic, and as they hit my mane. it gets significantly longer. There was a pause, then nothing happens.
Glancing back at it, “This didn’t help Cell-” Now the second spell activated etherialing my mane and infusing it with my magic. Making it all wavy, like Luna and Celestia’s mane in the present.
She squees “I call it, The ‘wavy spell!’ Keeping my mom from having to do her mane since 18000 years ago!”
I was quite literally flabbergasted because that was the way I ended up learning this spell. Out of all ways I could’ve was this one in particular is quite urking. “Thanks, Celly. This will cut down on a lot of wasted time in the morning. Now let's get digging through this.”
We spend the next few hours digging through the census book. Unsurprisingly the book was nice and organized down to the last name of every pony. We copy down the names of each of the perspectives and both cast the scrying spell to see them. After just a couple of hours we finally locate the 5 we are interested in seeing.
“Got them!” My voice rings out as my spell hones in on the six
Celestia asks me, “What’s so special about these ponies anyways Twilight? You know them?”
Giggling I respond “No, but I do know of them. C'mon, let’s go and get them all.”
Trotting out the door, bringing along my list. We head out to meet my closest friend’s… ancestors.
--Celly POV--
Twilight looked really happy as we traveled through town, I could only guess why…. It was really obvious okay? These ponies must remind her of her friends back home! They might even be family of them!
The Apple Family were a family of farmers working at Canterlot Outskirts, at least, until they could finish the paperwork to found a town proper within the next year. For now they're just simple farm ponies near the base of the mountain. The Belle family were center ring nobility, but though they’re only a fourth or fifth house. They’re famous for their influence on Pony culture. Well, infamous is the right word, their stuff is really ahead of the times. Usually taking two to three years to actually be in style. I’ve never heard of the Dash Family before, but Twilight said that she saw this one working on some stunts in the air that looked really cool. The Pie Family were a family of rock farmers and jesters. Really flips of each other 99% of the time. Typically each Pie Family generation has 2-4 stoic boring children and 1-2 that are really really really crazy. Finally, through the scrying spell, we found a pony that seemed to have quite the symphony of animals of varying size and shape. Never heard of her otherwise.
Phew…. we’re gonna have a long day ahead of us.
--Back at home Celly POV--
We decided to begin with the Apple Family, and by all counts, Ambrosia Apple was more than happy to help with the gala. They were going to handle half of the snacks for the more healthier section. She was a bright yellow pony with an auburn mane and a cutie mark of a appletree. Consequently, she was actually the cook of the family rather than a full time farm worker. Twilight really looked in her element talking with her even though the Apple Family coined their own accent.
She spoke to them so nice and brightly like they were family friends for years. ‘She's just… So coooooollllll.’ I let out a loose squee.
“Hm? You say something Celly?” She asks me
“Nope! Just, uh, you’re pretty cool and all…. Thanks for showing up. My life before you popped up was just so boring. Too constrained and annoying.”
The lavender alicorn smiles and nuzzles my forehead. It feels really nice and full of an almost motherly love? ‘No… It's something a little different.’
A-anyways, after the apple family agreed we ordered our dresses from the belle family. Unlike most nobility they were surprisingly really nice. Glimmering Belle and Twilight became fast friends over some tea. The dressmaker took some measurements and casts a simple spell to make our dresses appear out of thin air! Even Twilight was fairly amazed by the feat. Apparently Glimmering taught Twilight the spell, even though it's bounded by bloodline. Maybe she figured out where Twilight came from just by looking at her?
I hear a giggle and then Twilight asks me, “Whatcha up to Celly?”
“Hm? Oh! I'm keeping a journal of your time here. A little narrative. To remember you by!”
She smiles, “Oh? May I?”
I nod and pass her the book she smiles as she reads through the entries. “Hey, if you want I can fix up the spelling and grammar so you can enjoy a personal touch from me.”
Squeeing, I nod, “but first lemme finish the section I was onnnn!” She smiles and returns the book to me. Sitting back down I get back to writing.
Next we met one of the most awesome ponies in Canterlot, known as Prismatic Dash, Apparently, the entire family has a rainbow colored mane. I'm fairly sure my sister would just latch onto and snuggle one all day. We caught her in the middle of some flight practice, and she was pretty good. I was a bit skeptical at first, since Twilight didn’t want to use my mom’s professional team. She simply said that, “this is a time for the masses to get some notability. Let's just give her a chance alright? Besides the official team could use the rest.”
Then we met Cinnabar Pie. Uh, I really can't explain how that was like. Just, read a book about the first gala or something.
Then we met Sweet Breeze. If my mom’s niceness and Twilight’s niceness were to mix together to make a pony... Sweet Breeze would be the result. She's a calm brown Pegasus. She seems to be able to talk to animals even though her talent is more suited to being a singer pony. She gave me a hug that honestly could addict somebody and kill a changeling with the amount of unconditional love it had. Twilight asked her to help out with making the garden feel a little more natural, by inviting animals to live in it. Supposedly there’s something therapeutic about it.
Then it was just a bunch of boring planning for the weeks following. I did get to spend a fun day with my parents a couple times, since this is exempting me from my studies.
“Note to self, write about that next.” Closing the book I hoof it over to Twilight who smiles and pulls me in with a wing.
“Here, let me show you my proofreading methods.” She warmly states.
“Sure.” I say before getting comfy as she teaches me how to proofread efficiently.
Canterlot castle is quiet, the hallways are empty aside the rigid guards, and the gardens are empty aside some small statuettes. Everything is perfectly silent, and it is a perfect time for reading, relaxing, and having a lazy day. With Celestia out everything is absolutely-
“Booorrringggg.” I groan out with a flat undertone as I rest on my bed.
“Why does sister get to have fun outside as a punishment of all things while we're still stuck in here slowly fading into total and absolute boredom…” We said to nopony in particular as we pace around our bedroom, following the ball that sister got us.
“Father won't even allow us to help with Celestia’s project! Why won't he allow us to assist at the very least.” She says to her doll with a pout
“We could be helpful too! That's it! We shall go talk to him. Thanks for listening” Hugging my little doll mother got me for my birthday a few years ago, I rush out of the room after placing him on his perch in my bookshelf safe from all prying eyes. I go to my father’s study, where he should be at this moment. Sadly I find it empty aside a maid cleaning it.
“Uh have thou seen my father anywhere servant?” Asking with a smile on my face, knowing how easily we can manipulate a servant.
The servant caves easy, more likely due to the simple question than the cute filly. “Yes, he is in his room right now Princess.” Smiling and turning around I give a small thanks before running off again.
I trot up to the large door and knock waiting for the pony inside to hear me as I fiddle with my mane. I prepare a small pounce and as the door opens it reveals... Mother. Of courseeee. I groan a little bit. It's not that I don't love my mother, it's just that we don't see eye to eye on things very often, namely the great pie debate of 110.
“Hello, sweetie.” Mother smiles warmly and sweetly at me. I can't help but smile in return. She has an aura of love and comfort that nopony else has. I give her a tight hug.
“Hello mother. Is father around?” I ask, as I don't see him in his room. Making a mental note to put a dead fish in that maid’s bed later today.
“No, you just missed him sweetie. He went out to check on some commotion between some of the new nobles.” She picks me up and nuzzles my cheek, hugging me.
“New nobles? Oh okay. We just wanted to ask father if he would allow us to assist our sister…? Possibly?” I ask her, trying to play the adorable card. It doesn't work as she just holds me tight in a hug.
“No, allow your sister to do this Luna. She needs to grow up sooner rather than later. You know your father and I cannot lead this nation forever.” She levitates a brush over and brushes through my mane with it.
“We know but that's still a long time away… Besides, I'm getting a little lonely.” We say sadly, ever since Twilight showed up Celestia has been really busy. Although that doesn't mean we haven't had the chance to join them once or twice on their outings. Not that mommy or daddy know that.
“Well how about thou spend the day with your parents today and thennnn we can send you with the books Celestia and Twilight requested. And if thou so happened to stay with them and not come back until late at night, well we couldn't do anything about that.” She grins. We love this mare. We hug her tight
“Thank you mommmaaaa!” We say with a squee as she nuzzles me.
“Anything for you my sweetie.” She says with a smile. Mother and I don't usually get along too often, but she still knows how to raise our spirits.
After a small chat, we settle on finding daddy first before we figure out what we’re going to do today. It takes a short search, but we eventually find him in the gardens tending to his favorite flowers no nobles in sight as they have probably left. A nice large patch of the gardens was set aside for him to use for his own flowers. Our little patch is empty and sister has the center of the hedge maze. Lucky her…
My mother’s patch is still a bit destroyed from the results of our last argument… Whoops.
Ignoring that, my mother speaks up. “Eclipse, we think it's high time we spend some quality time with our daughter. It's been a bit too long. Don't you think?”
My mom gives me a quick nuzzle as she talks. My dad continues his gardening for a short moment before standing up. “Sounds lovely. You two can have fun. We have plenty of work to continue at this moment.” My mom proceeds to frown and grab him by the ear.
“Work later dear. Right now we have reservations at a restaurant in town. And we refuse to be late to our daughters first outing outside the walls.”
‘Whoops’ I think to myself. I just smile brightly
“Fine. Taxes can wait we suppose.” He says expecting mom to actually react to that ‘Threat’
“We are sure the ponies will be very thankful in that case. Come, let’s go.” The surprised stallion walks next to momma and we leave out. The gates are actually opening for us! We can't help but let out a squeal in happiness as we trot out of the gates. For once there was actually some wind to explain how my mom and dad’s mane do that wavyyyy thing and we finally get to see what the town proper looks like! My saddle bags are hoofed to me by my mom, one side with the books I'll be ‘delivering’ and the other side with a snack and some gold pieces.
‘Finally, a day for just us, no Celestia in sight.’
I hug my mom and dad and we leave to go out into the town for the first time as a family.
Luna’s adventures outside the walls were truly a gift. Her personal restraint had prevented her from truly enjoying her outings with her sister and Princess Twilight. The ponies in town are currently looking at the three royals, surprised that they would be out and about among the common pony, even if it is only for a short period of time.
“That must be the little princess!” Says a bystander
“You mean the littlest princess. I wonder where Celestia is?” Another bystander mentions.
The civilians of Canterlot curiously watch the royal family walk through the town. Some colts and fillies excitedly bouncing, being held back by their parents. For them, it was a great day. Many common ponies have never seen any part of the royal family, and many foals wanted to be friends with the young Luna. Some were just farmers wearing nothing. Some were the more humble workers such as writers or iron workers. All of which were wearing some form of clothing typically themed around their job. The multi colored population of Canterlot were all eagerly watching, trying to get a good view of the royal family. Some even going as far to start laying small cheap coats or their aprons in front of the family, so they wouldn’t have to step in the dirt road.
“Father, why are they all staring at us? It’s really creepy…” Said Luna. Holding onto her father’s leg.
At that notion, the large crowd quickly clears up. Leaving Canterlot empty of nearly all life, at least on the streets.
“Well. At least they’re still quick. Be careful of what you say around the ponies, sweetie. They’re a little shy about us alicorns. It's not often the common pony gets to see us.” Eclipse says to Luna. Picking her up and letting her ride on his back.
Luna quickly asks. “Why?”
“Well, that’s because not everypony is of nobility. So to make our job easier, we use the nobility as a sort of middle pony.” Responded Eclipse.
Luna would tilt her head. Her big blue eyes blinking. “Why?”
“We can’t exactly see everypony, right Solace?” Says Eclipse in response, asking for backup of his wife.
“It’s true. We cannot exactly see everypony. There are far too many commoners.” Solace responded.
Luna would then puff her chest out. “When I’m Queen I’ll make time for all the ponies! One way or another!” An adorable squee escapes Luna
“Well that is some time away.” Solace would then nuzzle Luna. Who giggles a little bit.
The King of the Night smiles widely. “Come my family. A feast awaits.”
They arrive at a very nice restaurant. The posh exterior built to look like the style of what will be the French, Multiple marble columns and a overhang give the outside of the restaurant a very homely look. If homely is living in a expensive hotel everyday. The building itself oozed exclusivity, both figuratively and literally if the bouncer ponies outside were anything to say about it. A steady stream of ponies, all nobility, are constantly entering and exiting the building. Next door is a small cafe which seems to be having quite some good business for some reason. But that is not what the royal family came for.
“Remember Luna. These are all your ponies. They will listen to you and their actions will be based on how you act. They can fear you or…” Eclipse trails off lightly.
“Or they can love you, sweetie.” A soft nuzzle comes in, joining Solace’s voice.
“It’s all about how you act. Some ponies need to be treated harshly if you wish to get their loyalty. Remember your duty is to make sure the crown survives to bring order.” Eclipse says with a soft voice.
“Remember. Do not let ponies stomp over you Luna. Do what must be done.”
With that, they enter the fancy restaurant. Many ponies trying to get a table near the royalty only to be disappointed when the family gets a private table in an enclosed area.
Next door there sits two alicorns. Enjoying a humble sandwich as they talk gleefully in the cafe. Sitting outside under a simple wooden awning among the common pony.
“Just a sandwich…?” Asks Celestia, poking the bread.
“Just try it, Celestia. I promise you it will taste good. Besides, it’s quick food for energy and we still have a lot of work to do.” Twilight says with a smile. Starting on her food.
“I know… but where is the salad… the tasty ice cream?” Celestia says with a pout.
Twilight giggles lightly. “Not everypony gets to eat that way you know.” She shifts her spot at the table to sit next to the filly. Putting a wing around her lightly.
“Yea. I know. But the royal family doesn’t get to interact with the common pony… like ever.” Celestia responds looking around at all the ponies watching the two. Of course, the commoners quickly turn back to their food.
“That’s a shame. You’ll never find more important ponies than the commoners, Celestia.” Twilight responds, taking a bite of her sandwich.
“What do you mean? Isn’t the royal family the most important out of all the ponies?” Celestia asks, eating her sandwich finally. Quite liking the taste, but knowing better than to show it.
Slightly appalled Twilight responds “Of course not, Celestia. The royal family would be nothing without their common ponies. The royal family has a duty to their subjects over themselves. And you’ll find that the best way to get to know the common pony is simply, sitting down, and having a good snack in public. You may even make a few close friends that way…”
Celestia uncomfortably shifts in her seat. As ponies look at her curiously.
“These are your subjects, Princess Celestia. To protect and serve. To treat as well as possible, and make sure that they get their fair share. Because, while you’ll one day run the country, their children will be turning the gears. A general is nothing without her army, and an army cannot run if they do not trust who is giving orders.” Twilight says as she nuzzles Celestia, who gets a shine in her eyes.
“So… you’re saying that these ponies will one day be just as important as me?” Celestia asks quietly.
Twilight responds with a smile. “They’ll be some of the most important ponies to you. Never forget that. That's why you have to make sure that those that are in charge of them are treating them right. That the commoners are happy, even if you have to sacrifice for them. These are the ponies you lead. But they're also the ponies you protect and if you protect them, well, then they’ll protect you back. They’ll give their lives, homes, food and money to keep you safe. Just as long as you return the favor when they need it the most.”
Celestia hops off the bench of the table. Quietly.
“Just remember… they’re only curious. This is one of the first times we’ve eaten out in public like this.” Twilight says worriedly, wondering what Celestia is planning.
Meanwhile, Luna is happily eating her parfait. Looking around the neatly decorated room, art hanging from every wall and the table so neatly carved to look ornate. Solace has left the room at the moment to use the washroom to freshen up after her meal.
“So remember Luna. The Nobility are the most important ponies to you. They’ll keep the common ponies in line. If they aren’t happy, then the crown isn’t safe. Nothing would run and Equestria would come to a grinding halt. The common ponies are replaceable… disposable. You will need to only watch them when there is a group without a noble over them. Otherwise, they are not worth your time.”
Luna nods happily. Gulping down her scoop of Parfait. Staying seated.
At this moment. Celestia moves from her spot on the ground and walks over to a family. Smiling happily at them. “Hi! My name is Princess Celestia Sol! What’s your names?”
“Hard work and dedication really go a long way! This stuff is amazing!” Said the White Sun Filly. With no less grandeur than one would have when they see their hypothetical tree bear fruit. The castle, especially the ballroom, is currently full of ponies. All of which are working hard at putting up everything necessary for a party. Everything is to be perfect, while Twilight could easily return home, the effects on the timeline are completely unpredictable at this point and considering that she could easily be labeled as a criminal she wouldn’t be able to escape it by going forward.
Nevertheless, the purple alicorn is hard at work with diagrams and measurements, micromanaging harder than she ever has had to. Sometimes, she wonders how Pinkie is able to plan such large parties without help.
“This is exhausting.” Said Twilight as she sits in a chair. Resting from the constant work that she has had to do since dawn.
“We not only have to plan the party, but your dad really wants the castle set up so he can approve the design by seeing it in practice.” Twilight spoke out as she levitates a cup of water to herself. Taking a sip.
“Well at least you’ll be able to go home soon!” Says Celestia with a squee. “After this my daddy won’t have a reason to keep you here… I’ll miss you Miss Twilight. Er. Princess. Er… uh.”
Twilight giggles softly “Just Twilight. I’m no princess in this time period. Eventually though. Keep your eyes out for me. I’ll be kinda hard to miss.”
The filly tilts her head looking confused “Hard to miss?”
Twilight simply responds with a simple, “Let’s just say I tore the roof off of the place. Literally.”
Of course Celestia couldn’t be much more than confused by the statement, shrugging awkwardly after a moment and sitting in her chair. Thinking to herself, ‘Only a week left… I’m gonna miss her. Sneaking out won’t be as easy as it was with her.’ The filly giggles happily, which gets her a small confused smile from Twilight.
“Funny thought?” asked Twilight
“Uh huh! But enough about that! We have work to do!” Celestia says happily before trotting off to help out.
Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, a blue filly is slowly going through her daily chores and studies.
“And the tax document c…” A small silence goes over the room. Her teacher perking up slightly.
“Well. I’m done with this.” Luna proceeds to close her book and hops down from the desk chair.
“Princess you aren’t done with you-” The door slams shut
“I’m done! So done! I get to go out of the castle for the first time in literally forever and then immediately get confined back! Sureee I got to spend one day with them helping them plan. But that was over three weeks ago! I’m going to help my sister whether my daddy likes it or- oof” The black filly, in the middle of her rant has run into a large sea of white.
“Hi… mommy… uh… thou coat is extra comfy today?” The lunar filly of course squees. Trying to sell it as much as she can.
Of course it fails. Terribly. Getting nuzzled and picked up by her mom. “Where did thou think thou were going sweetie? Thou still have another hour of studying to do.”
Luna squirms. Trying to escape the loving embrace. “We just wanna go help sisterrrr. It was fun to help them plan. But we wanna see the ponies working. Pleaseee mommy, can we go watch?”
Solace smiles and nuzzles Luna “Okay… you can go. But on one condition. No seeing daddy today. He’s a little sick and we know how you like to pop in on him sometimes. Alright?”
Luna nods happily. “Okay! Give him a flower for us as a get well soon present!” The filly quickly scampers off. Watching the working through a window. Solace smiling… the smile breaking quickly as Luna is out of view.
The large alicorn slowly makes her way out of the hallway to her room. Staying quiet inside of it. Just thinking to herself. ‘I knew something terrible would happen the moment we’d leave the safety of the castle.’ Silently moving to the window. She looks outside and watches the small town’s hustle and bustle. Everypony excited for the party, even those that can’t attend it for one reason or another are still eagerly preparing for festivities. Easily seen hopping around was Cinnabar Pie. The bronze colored pony hopping around town, helping them prepare for any festivities they need.
‘That is very odd. I thought she was supposed to be helping Twilight and Celestia with the preparations…’ Solace thought to herself. Attempting to keep aware of as much as she possibly could.
‘It’s almost time… Hopefully we’ve taught them well enough. Although I do wish this day would never come. Luckily both of them have friends in the staff and… Twilight of course. I know Eclipse will hate me for what I’m planning. But we are almost out of options… Soon then.’
Solace sits down on her bed. Casting a simple spell on her wall. Watching Celestia and Twilight work, Luna of course quickly volunteers to help after a short time. Everypony in the room seems to brighten up from the two young princesses playing and working. Even some of the more stoic guards crack a smile from the adorable nature of the fillies. Twilight all this time smiling and giggling. Before looking straight at Solace through the one way spell and waving to the queen.
Twilight mouths out “Should be done in a few more hours queen. Get ready to get your crown blown off by how awesome it is!” Twilight then hops up and walks out of view, assisting with the finishing touches for the decorations and getting back to micromanaging. Her mane taking to the wavy and magical form perfectly and already showing signs of becoming more ethereal like Luna’s future mane.
Solace simply smiles and says to herself. “Perfect.”
“Curious. Curious. Curious. Remember to be curious. Mornings are so droll that they always begin the same way. Even after the alicorn showed up, the mornings and evenings always stay the same. Interacting with the purple alicorn is asking for trouble- no, there is something about her. The air around her is dangerous. Her work is mediocre, but when she got her allies it only improved. I certainly do not believe that she has any notion of hurting my nation. Of course I don’t. Ponies hate her just as much as I do, her work outside is negligible and everypony is suspicious of her. Luckily, my daughter was kind enough to keep an eye on her. It was a simple price to allow her to skip on her studies. She was always smarter than her sister, although which one I am speaking of I will allow you to figure out.” I said to no one as there were no ponies in the room aside myself. Shortly after my conversation, I begin coughing violently from a simple illness I contracted from being with the common ponies.
“Bah, I should invite those common ponies over for dinner some time. Once I find them of course. Give them some wine that is equally tasteful to the vintage they gave me. I’m certain we have some Coppinghart’s Holdings in the cellar. Infact I shall go there now. Do not wait for me.” I leave the room as empty as it started, a short trot to the cellar could do me some good. The cold air in the basement has always done wonders for my head and I have writ many a laws down there. “Hum, I knew we had some of the vintage left. I should speak with my wife about it later. Perhaps over a bottle of it. Considering this… mess of a gala will be beginning in only three days I am certain she will be happy to share one with me. Before we throw the alicorn back in the dungeons where she belongs.” Holding the bottle, I go back to the upper layers of the castle. A simple query to the maid of the wing gives me a direction to my wife.
‘Why she ever married a being like me is simple to answer, I asked her first. The other stallions that vote for her hoof were unharmed in the aftermath of course. I am a gentlecolt and would never hurt a pony for no reason.’
I arrive shortly and after knocking I portude my head into her room. Well I call it her room but it is actually the throne room. She handles most of the civilians and common ponies for me as I have far too much on my plate to pay attention to them for even a momentary second. The nobility keeps me completely busy and I rarely have a moment to myself. ‘I do not intend to wake you Solace. Perhaps tomorrow we shall enjoy this wine together.’ I softly remove my frontal neck from the doorway and close the door before walking through the castle in a mechanical routine. Electing to pay a short visit to the western wing. Of course, I do not spend much time there. The western wing, comprised of all the bedrooms and studies, for myself and my wife, is my least trodden wing. I spend most of my time outside, painting or being with other nobles. There we speak about extremely important queries such as which of Princess Platinum’s descendants get the title of prince this year. The first alicorn’s direct descendant, who helped create several nations, including mine, still deserves reverence and their descendants have earned nobleship through blood. However, that blood only runs so thick. It takes a intense effort to find which of the descendants has the most of it.
“Now my daughters are in the ballroom, both of them keeping an eye on the spy of an alicorn. It seems that the room has been improved… tastefully. It is obvious which sections my daughters have done and which my dear friend of an alicorn has done. There is a clear difference of quality between the two.” I say to the air of the room before I continue walking down the corridor towards the eastern wing.
Finally, I reach my destination. “Here, we find all the homely commodities. Such as the bathrooms, the various working rooms for the staff and the all important dining room. Of course, I always eat in the dining room. As conversing with the staff is an all important part of my day.” I say as I assist a maid who fell over herself. Dropping quite a bit of expensive tea all over the floors. Her face turns a dark red as she cleans up the dropped plates and dishes, trotting away to a different room. “Her name is Ann and she is the second most important maid in the castle. Why you ask? Because she is the one who brings me tea. That’s why of course. The only one more important to that job is the one who brings me the all important black coffee in the mornings. Although, recently I have had to stop drinking it, else one of them try to convince me to give them a taste.” Laughing haughtily, I decided it was a wonderful time to grin at your confusion. That is to say no one’s confusion. Because there was nopony else in the hallway… at all.
I proceeded to walk to the back yard. No one decided to follow me, apparently they all are very capable of ignoring me when ordered to do as such. “It is a rare moment when I, the King of this budding nation, am capable of being out in the garden with no escort. I hold a secret disdain for my escort of course. It is why I reassigned them to escort our new alicorn ‘friend. Only imagining the pain she suffers through every day. Having guards bothering you about this and that, pointing spears at the wrong ponies constantly. Especially, when you can defend yourself as well as one of us can. That does beg the question of course, why didn’t she just escape? I left her without nullifier in the dungeons for weeks and yet no escape attempt. Of course, I was well prepared to make her an enemy for all eternity, for as alicorns live forever she could never escape. She would be trapped running from the law for the rest of her life. Shame it didn’t happen that way.” I pluck a flower from the ground, one of the special flowers my wife and I got planted in the garden to represent us. They are several different colors at once. To represent the radiance of the day, while at night they are completely black to represent the darkness of the night. Fitting for us, yet not so for our daughters.
Finally, I return to my room. It takes me no time at all to arrive at the scene. Laying in bed for the day. “I must get my rest for the party you see.” I say yet again to no one.
“Tell the maid to wake me tomorrow at the usual time.” My yawn stifling my words as I speak to you. Exhaling deeply as I lose a breath and darkness overtakes my sight. But of course, there is no one there and I will wake tomorrow, as always.
The king was dying. I wasn’t sure how, but there was no denying the tendril of magic that was extinguishing belonged to him. Such a mass of pure magic and power dying out like a light was a horrible feeling. Like when a author of a great book series cancels the series just before the final book is released. How I ever got this linked up to magic over my time here is hard to say. But, all I know is that Solace is weakening just as fast. Regardless of any pretense, I intend on at least being there. Running to Solace’s room, ignoring the confused looks from the fillies as I rush out. I barrel past any guard, maid or noble in my way. At this point most, if not all of them, know me quite well. I am sure they’ll understand later. There’s no doubt in my mind that I would never make it to see the king die. So, I could at least see the Queen who showed me such mercy when I first arrived.
The weakened alicorn perks up lightly and looks at me. Her usual shining, white, and perfect coat dimmed tremendously. All I can say to her is “How did this happen? I thought most, if not all the ponies in Canterlot loved you. This doesn’t make any sense!”
Of course it didn’t make any sense, Celestia never talked about her parents, or her fillyhood for that matter. She always dodged the question even if she got verbally cornered. I should have guessed something like this was possible. “Ponies don’t kill ponies wher-, when I come from. Especially not their beloved rulers.”
To that Solace just chuckles. Saying to me softly, yet with a certain tone. “We... no I am one hundred percent certain that the assassination was not for me. Likely, I was a bit of collateral damage. Although, I doubt the assassin in question is very happy about this resolution.” She sighs and stares at me.
“The one time we don’t check the wine of course. I do say though, it was a crime against wine for poisoning that bottle. It was delicious.” The alicorn giggles weakly before requesting my assistance to bed. So of course I help her, moving her to the large, fluffy pink bed behind her. It’s bright and clearly has some form of cloud in it.
There is a stale silence in the air. Oh how I wish Mage Meadowbrook wasn’t still a foal in this time. She could fix… whatever this is. Suddenly, as if reading my mind. Something I wouldn’t doubt that she is capable of doing. The alicorn smiles “Cinder flowers my young alicorn. They burn up your magic core and then slowly kill you from the inside. Dangerous things of course. But, do not fret, I know what you’re thinking,”
I step back a half stride. Had she already seen through the reason I came? It’s very likely that she did. She giggles, saying after a violent cough. “Revenge is not the pony way Twilight. As much as my husband would say so. Let them go, I doubt they will be glad with the results. As my last act as queen, I personally pardon them. On the condition that if they are found and arrested, they must be sorry for what they did.”
I have nothing to say at all. Looking at the queen completely confused. “But, they killed you and your husband! You’re just going to pardon them for that?! I don’t understand, even back where I come from they would at least be banished for it. Why are you being so nice to them??? They killed you! You’re leaving two fillies behind! Doesn’t that make you angry?!”
The alicorn just smiles and shakes her head. “I lived a healthy life Twilight, and I know for a fact that I’m leaving the nation in capable hooves.” Her smile breaks into a pretty heavy grin as she looks at me.
“On that note, I have a request for you, Twilight.” She says as she looks at me.
I think for a moment and look at the queen. “Okay, shoot.”
“Take over Equestria as High Queen when I die.” She takes a momentary pause, just looking straight into my eyes.
“Also take care of my fillies.” She says simply, as if knowing I’ll accept immediately. I just stand there and look completely surprised. I don’t know how to react, I’ve never run the country entirely before, much less know how to be a mother!
“I can’t! I’m not qualified! I’m not even slightly skilled enough for it!” I think for a moment. No… I can do this. I have to. I can’t just leave two fillies to run the nation. Who knows what could happen!?Beyond that, I’d never forgive myself for doing something that heartless.
The queen looks at me with a somber look, likely due to my denial. “Well… I am sure that the fillies can handle their job. They were-”
“I’ll do it!” I yell. Interrupting the queen. Buck it, buck it all! “I have to! I can’t leave them. They’re like family. No. they are family. I may not be able to replace you ever. But, I swear I’ll take care of those two until they can run Equestria as confidently as you did!” I say. Afterwards, the weight of what I just said really hits me, but I don’t care. I steel my resolve and thrust my chest forward with confidence! Of course, just then a thought hits me.
“I can’t raise the sun or moon though.” I say with a slightly dumbfounded look.
The alicorn giggles “No worries, Eclipse transferred the power of the moon to you when you were sleeping several days ago. I was just getting mileage out of giving you my power. Now come forward, Queen Twilight. It’s your turn to be leader of Equestria.” I blink surprised. I look over myself in silence. Missing a important detail signifying my ability to move the moon in my haste. How could I not feel the power boost gained from being able to move the moon? Have I grown that much over this short of time?
I tentatively approach the queen. After a moment. She casts a spell on my horn and I feel a massive surge of energy just flow into me. Magic beyond my wildest dreams. Old magic, but powerful magic. “I can feel the sun.. It’s warm… but nice. Do you alway-” I look at the alicorn, she is still, but with a smile on her face. She looks so peaceful, even in death. Finally, I notice the maid that was standing there the entire time.
“Wait the entire time?!” I say to myself in surprise as my brain finally registers the pony’s presence.
“H-Hello. My name is Spectator. The Queen asked me to be here to be a witness to the transfer of royalty. Forgive me your highness. I didn't mean to pry or be rude.” The mare finishes and bows deeply. How I didn’t notice her until now? I have no idea, and it likely has something to do with her talent, or something to do with magic. But, that isn’t important right now.
“Very well. Spectator, please arrange for the Queen to be buried I’ll go speak with the fillies.” I move to leave but the mare stops me for a moment, holding some papers.
“In a moment, I require your majesty to sign these adoption papers for the princesses before I go. Lest they get adopted by some of their more… undesirable family members.” I look at the papers before me. I sign them after a moment. If not just for official sake. Although I must admit Celestia is almost like a daughter to me now. Maybe… just maybe.
“Done, now excuse me, I’ll need a couple of hours. Delay the gala until midnight and alert the guards searching for the murderer to capture and not kill. Old queen’s orders.” I say to Spectator. The maid smiles and bows before retrieving one last thing from the room. Quite a beautiful set of regalia.
“From Solace. When you were ready. She always had a knack for seeing the future in her dreams. And well, now you do too so make it count. Although we’ll have to get the cutie mark changed.” As she says that I quickly jump and look at my flank. It looks exactly the same. Except there is a moon and a sun in the mix of my starburst. It looks nice, but it certainly is different. But, the time for freaking out is later. For now.
“I really appreciate all of this but I REALLY have to go, Spectator. If there is anything else feel free to come to me in my study later.” I say with a smile, trying to hide my impatience at this point. The mare smiles and bows saying shortly.
“Very well, I shall present the other 20 gifts to you after you have had your moment with your new foals.” The maid bows and leaves without a trace… literally. Only the door, which is now open, shows the signs of her having left. I take a deep breath and exit the room, and there is only silence in the castle. A somber air around. I silently head to the ballroom, the only room with any form of joy. I feel horrible for what I have to do here.
As I enter the room the two fillies look at me happily, before seeing my face. They tilt their heads in a way showing their confusion and curiosity. They haven’t heard the news, they likely aren’t even aware of the state of the castle. I tell them to sit down and sit down in front of them.
“Celestia, Luna, sweeties, I have something to tell you.”
--3 hours later.--
The castle is quiet, the sun and moon are still in space. Whatever joy there was in the castle was drained out completely. It was a simple funeral. Nothing big… nothing crazy. There wasn’t any procession. There wasn’t anything fancy. The Queen was very specific. All she wanted was to be buried with her flowers. Her husband on the left and her on the right. Even her selfish wish, which was to not have Celestia and Luna be there was obeyed. Of course, the fillies were there. I just had their names changed for the day to find a good loophole. The funeral took a hour after of which I spent time with Luna. Celestia refused to have anything to do with me, but I expected as much… I wouldn’t like the pony who told me about my parent’s deaths much either. She’s a smart filly though, so she’ll come around. As for Luna, I never truly realized how much younger she was to Celestia until today. The little blue filly was only 6 and that's what she told me. I’d place her more around four to five and a half. I guess ten year differences don’t have much of an effect when it comes to alicorns.
Said filly finally looks up to me. Tears streaming down her face. “I-If mommy and daddy aren’t coming back, who will make me go to my studies! Who’ll read me bedtime stories?!” The filly hugs me tightly and I hug her back. I just rock her while hugging her as she stammers on about the many things she won’t be able to do anymore.
“I promise, I’ll take care of you. I promise my filly. I won’t let you be sad. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you happy. Keep you safe. Same for your sister- Oof!” Taking a sudden hug from a ball of white, crying filly could cause any heart to melt.
The family hug lasted long enough to the point where the two were asleep. They must have been tired. Shame that we had to be thrust directly into a party. I’ll let them sleep for now though. Their dresses and other miscellaneous items are all set for the night. If I can, I’ll figure a way to not have them need to show, but for now we cannot show weakness. Who knows what the gryphons, dragons, or even our fellow ponies would do if they saw even the slightest chance to take Equestria. I will protect this nation. If not for my fillies, then for the future and for my friends in that future.
If there is anything that I am not happy about right now, is finding out that I created this eventual monstrosity of a party. Even as all my friend’s ancestors are excited beyond relief (and general sanity) all I can really do is wait and listen. After having put the fillies to sleep and letting them rest for a couple of hours, the fillies. No, MY fillies have been fairly distant from everypony. Luna typically hides around me or under my wing, but the one I really do worry about is Celestia. She seems to be taking the death of her parents the hardest. While she is still a very obedient child, she seems to have some sort of spite to me. Hopefully, this spite won’t stand the test of time. Could make it awkward when a younger me becomes her student later in life.
“Hey!” I blink as I notice a hoof has been waving in front of my face for a while now, as well as the pony waving it. “We’re alllllll done! The party and everything is great and set for fun fun fun!” A mass of bronze colored pony hopping directly in my face was amusing and slightly nostalgic. I giggle, of course, It’d be rude not to.
I smile at the ancestor to one of my best friends. Tightening up my wing in response to the filly under it shyly getting closer. “Good job Cinnabar. I really appreciate it. It all looks great too! How many parties have you managed before this anyways? You’re much more experienced than you look.”
Cinnabar tilts her head at me and giggles. “This is the first party I’ve ever planned! It was so much fun though! Meeting the other ponies that you found and becoming friends with them. I think I’ll do this more often. Because while rocks are shiny, parties are shining!” She punctuates this by spinning her body around to show off the glimmering gemstones on her dress. Then turning to gesture not to the expensive decorations aligning every bit of the hall, but to the smiling faces of the ponies who witness it. One that’s mirrored on my own.
I curiously circle around Cinnabar. Or, I try to, but the filly under my wing latches onto my leg, preventing me from moving without hurting her. Luckily, It seems Cinnabar got the idea and spins to show me her side, revealing a party favor cutie mark. I tilt my head “Doesn’t that mean you’re a party planner? Or something similar to it?”
Cinnabar giggles and starts laughing before saying. “No silly! I’m a Jester according to the mark, but I guess the two really crossover.” She pauses, her mane deflating a small amount. “I’m just not nearly as good as my other family members that are jesters. So I’m usually stuck at the rock farm doing boring things, like counting stones.” She then brightens up quickly, pulling some balls out of her mane to juggle animatedly. “But, that’s not what I’m doing right now! I’m going to make the most of it, you hear?” She giggles and starts to brighten up more before she swings her hoof a bit too far to catch one of the balls. Slingshotting it into one of the tapestries and loosening it lightly. She giggles awkwardly and puts up the rest of the balls before she causes anymore damage.
I smile softly. “Well, I’m glad that I was able to provide an outlet for your work, Cinnabar. Maybe in the future we can do business more often.” I smile at Cinnabar, who gives me a big hug before zooming off to put on some last minute touches. Luna making a big squeak at how close Cinnabar got. So, I take the time to peek under my wing at the blue alicorn nestled in firmly against my leg.
“Wanna come out yet sweetie?” I ask the filly. Who, in her current state just shakes her head no. “Well, mommy needs to move so hold on tight.” I levitate Luna very softly under my wing and set her to rest in it, carrying her in it. It’s not the most comfortable position for myself, but it gives me the freedom to move and approach Ambrosia. Said pony is currently preparing the food and drink table. We have a short chat, nothing truly important except one thing.
“Ambrosia” Saying just before I finish excusing myself from our earlier chat. “Please make sure that you keep a close eye on the food and drink. While I have no doubt that the villain who killed the queen is still out there-”
“It is better to be safe than sorry correct?” A voice directly in front of me. Standing next to Ambrosia speaks up as I finally notice Spectator. Ambrosia jumps quite high up in surprise. “Queen, the nobles are arriving in the next ten minutes. But, they demand that the commoners participating have a designated space away from them.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Not happening. That’s wasted resources and wasted time. If the nobles want to be that petty, then they can miss the gala. I know at least 20 nobles that would jump at the chance to butter up the new queen and I doubt they’ll let the others hear the end of it.” The mass in my wing shifts a bit as she voices a small amount of disapproval, but the white filly in the corner actually gives me a half smile. She quickly wipes it off of her face when she notices that I was watching her, but I caught it.
Spectator bows, now suddenly behind me. “Very well, I shall go spread the news then.” The maid then exits. Probably. She vanished into thin air in the moment I blinked.
Ambrosia frowns a bit “I don’t like that maid. She gives me the heebie jeebies.”
I open my mouth to respond. However, nothing comes out. I can’t voice an alternate opinion here because truly, deep down, I feel the same way as Ambrosia. Something is just completely off about that maid.
Either way, I have no way to look into it right now. The way I planned this gala means I’ll only have to spend about three hours greeting. A glad change of pace compared to the previous gala I attended. I gather up the princesses and straighten myself out before heading outside. Ready to greet the masses.
--Two Hours later--
--Twi’s POV--
I dust off my hooves, having been fixing one of the tapestries that had decided to obey gravity and fall to the floor.
“Lives may be in disrepair, but that does not mean the castle should be similarly so.” Were the words stated curtly by another one of my friend’s ancestors, Glimmering Belle. A beautifully gem-encrusted and purple ball gown modeling her figure quite perfectly. A relaxed smile gracing her muzzle while her horn glowed and parted her mane back ever so slightly. Her mane baring quite the resemblance to Sweetie Belle’s rather than Rarity’s.
With Belle’s help, it was pretty quick and painless. As such, I was able to get straight back to providing a hiding spot for Luna. While the party is going very well, mostly due in part to there being no disasters, it feels kinda sad being here without my friends. But, I better get used to it. I won’t be seeing Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow or Fluttershy for who knows how long. Sure, for them it will be only a couple of days, but for me, it could be years.
Luna, who was under my wing peeks out and looks at me. She then smiles and hugs me saying “Thanks, momma.”
Maybe it won’t be as hard as I thought.
--??? POV Just before the Gala--
This queen, this new ruler seems far more capable than I gave her credit. Regardless if I wanted to kill her, I doubt I would be capable of doing so. My success in defeating the previous rulers was complete happenstance. It was a chance that only occurs once in a pony’s life. Right place right time as it were. Who woulda guessed that they like to share wine with each other. I laugh to myself in amusement at that thought. Honestly, how stupid were the previous rulers?
I watch the newly minted royal family as they receive guests and friends. Luna, bless her, is still clinging to her new mom like it’s the end of the world. Unfortunately, as far as my orders are concerned, I am stuck with a dilemma. Could I possibly even defeat this new queen? She seems to be much smarter than the previous rulers. Removing Luna is the final thing on my list. However, I doubt it will be that sim-
I feel it. The crunch of very strong wood on the back of my head. All I manage to say as I blackout is “H-how?” The last thing I see is a very upset white mass being carried away.
--Uncertain hours later. After the Gala--
Ugh. Whatever hit me was completely over necessary. Of course, the queen was quick to snatch up the chance to pardon me. But, I don’t want that. Execution seems like a good adventure to enjoy.
“So am I sorry for what I did? Tartarus. No.” And with that, my fate is sealed.
Guess I’m to die tomorrow. I hope they make it good. Not every day a killer of royalty is executed after all. The sounds of the struggling fillies trying to strangle me through the bars just makes it all the more sweet.
--Forty Years Later, High Queen Twilight Sparkle’s POV--
I yawn, waking up from my two and a half hour power nap. For the last 40 years I haven’t been gifted with very much continual sleep. Usually, it’s broken up by night duties and day duties. Lucky, all the edicts I’ve put in place have very much leaned things in my favor. I get every morning with my family like I always wanted. Celestia and Luna have grown so much over the past fortyish years, although I do suppose they couldn’t always stay tiny.
Extending out my magic I vanish from bed, appearing directly in front of my mirror. After applying a liberal amount of makeup on my face I finally look semi acceptable. The lack of sleep has not been kind to my complexion. Lucky for me though, with all the power boosts I have found that I only need around half the sleep I used to for functioning. I smile at myself in the mirror before vanishing and appearing in the kitchen. Cooking for the princesses has become one of those little things that I do every day. It may be mundane, but it isn’t paperwork or going to war. That just in general makes it very enjoyable. I don’t mean to brag, but I think I finally figured out where Celestia learned all her pancake skills.
As of recently though, my thoughts have been on going back. As of 39 years ago I could have left whenever I wanted. The return spell has been completed over and over now to the point where I could accurately return within the week I left. Yet two things have kept me here as always. Only by their say would I ever leave.
The two princesses enter the room happily. Luna jumping giddily as she goes straight to eating. Celestia on the other hoof is frowning at her food as she thinks intensely about something. I just laugh a bit and appear suddenly next to Luna with a napkin. “Eat slower, the food isn’t trying to run away from you.”
Luna replies with a full mouth of food. “Sorry mom. I just wanna make it to magic practice before Celestia.”
Celestia snorts a bit with a small grin and just giggles. “Actually if you remember we do have something to say to Twilight before then.”
Luna stops eating for a moment. “That’s today? But… My birthday is next week! Can’t we push it off till then?”
I calmly eat my food while the two talk. Whatever they’re planning isn’t malicious or I would already know it. I’ve long enchanted the castle to scan for malicious intent, even if it sometimes goes off when the two are playing dodgeball or some other game outside. I still check every time it does though, or we might have another “Tennis” situation again.
The two princesses finish talking and are eating quietly. After they have consumed their fill they both stand up. Celestia speaking up first. “Twilight. Uh, these last couple of years have been fantastic and even if I give you a tough time over it, you were still a great mom. But, we have been noticing that you’ve been more sad as of recently and well… We agreed to invoke what you told us fifteen years ago.”
That’s correct, fifteen years ago I did tell them to tell me when they were ready to take over Equestria… “Are you two sure about this?”
Luna then speaks, although she’s holding back some form of tears. “If you want to go home, back to your time. Please go. We’re ready to take over Equestria, if you’ll give her to us. We want you to be happy! Not so… half happy, half sad.” Luna bites her own lip. She clearly doesn’t want me to leave, but understands that it was going to happen eventually.
I just sit there, slightly taken aback as both princesses look at me forlornly. They honestly surprised me with this. But, it doesn’t even slightly phase me emotionally. I curse myself mentally for being so headstrong. Celestia levitates my saddlebags that I brought with me oh so long ago into the room. I giggle a bit, not a true giggle as I tear up a little and allow some to escape. “Don’t cry, either of you. I’ll see you both again before you know it. Besides this means you two are gonna have foals for me in the future righttt?” I hug them both closely, wings and all, before taking my bags. Luna sputtering and blushing while Celestia is just giggling at the idea. I think to myself after the hug. ‘Future Celestia having foals. Rightttt.’
I giggle to myself on that thought. Only a little though as I tell the Princesses that I’ll be leaving in about two and a half hours. I leave the castle shortly after telling them that. I spend about two hours going out to see my friend’s ancestors. Saying goodbye to them. It wasn’t a huge thing, but it was heartfelt. Each one got a very personal goodbye from me. Afterwards, I return to the castle. The princesses waiting anxiously where I left them.
Casting the return spell with my horn, a swirling blue and white portal appears. I look back at my fillies one last time. Opening my mouth to say. “Alright you two! Remember, bedtime is at ten pm! No late night snacking, and, Celestia! Be nice to your sister. Luna! Listen to your sister.” I hug them both tightly one last time. “I love you both. See you two soon.” Giving them both a kiss on the forehead I walk through the portal. Luna narrowly missing a jump into the portal as it closes. I believe in those two fillies. They’ll do great.
Now I wait. The return trip will take about one hundred years in this magic tunnel. I exhale as the path home appears, rectangular panels lining the floor leading me home. I just smile and giggle to myself as I teleport to the end of the path. One hundred years is way too long, and I don’t want to wait.
I exit the portal appearing back in a slightly familiar crystal tree house. I shake off the cobwebs that were forming in the room. According to the sun I have only been gone a week. I do suppose that’s long enough for dust to accumulate in this small ish room. Then I hear a “Who?” from behind me.
Suddenly from the podium with a open book on it a slightly familiar owl flies up to me. Before landing on my back and giving my neck a hug. I smile a bit and nuzzle the owl. “I’m home… finally.” Setting my bags on the ground and using a wind based combat spell (only I really toned it down) I clean the room in an instant. After the owl ruffles his feathers a bit, we exit the room. I look around the castle, re-familiarizing myself with it. It’s extremely empty and quiet, but it’s home. I set my bags in the master bedroom before continuing exploring. It seems Spike isn’t around. While I am anxious to see him, I have two ponies to see first. I nuzzle the owl who immediately gets the idea. He flies off to spread the happy news through Fluttershy while I again vanish with no light or fanfare. Appearing just out of sight behind a painting in the throne room. Luckily, the princesses never found these old tunnels I made to sneak around the castle and now… I just have to...
The random noble leaves, giving me my queue. I freeze time, something that I can only do for about three or four minutes at a time. It is a great asset in war though and a great asset when you need to clear a room. I put all the guards outside and appear in front of Celestia and Luna. Both of them look surprised, then look at each other and I just smile. “I’m back you two. Sorry I’m late!”
There is a moment of silence before they both leap from their seats. Diving at me. Luna yelling quite loudly. “Mother!” While Celestia is just happy to see me return after a week of being missing. Always the tough one, guess some things never change.
I get tackled, hugged, shaken and even looked over by the two over the course of twenty minutes. Both of them are tearing up and just extremely happy to see me. Honestly, I could never be more proud of my two fillies. They’ve lived longer than I have, seen so much more than I could imagine. I say to them with a bright smile and a very happy feeling in my chest. “I may not be the main leader of Equestria anymore. In fact, I don’t intend on making my title as Queen public. Either way, I could have never asked for a better pair to become the leaders of my nation. I’m proud of you both. Very much so.” I smile brightly and pull them into a tight hug. Everything is just perfect right now. I may not be at the top of the food chain in politics right now, but no mother in the universe is as proud as I am right now.
--??? POV--
The Journal shuts with a magical glow around it. “So that is the secret of Princess Twilight… Oh I’m going to use this. And it won’t be pretty. I better continue my research though. Still another book to go. I will finish what you started ancestor. Equestria will thank me thousands of times over, and you will finally be given the notoriety you deserve!” the reader laughs intensely into the air before taking the book from its pedestal. Leaving the decrepit church that the book’s long rest began.
8/3/2016 Check the source for the artist. (permission was given)