//------------------------------// // Chapter 23: The Coronation (Part 1) // Story: Rise of Char // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// The Ashen Fields was becoming the talk of Equestria. The Coronation of Prince Smolder had finally come, and every pony that was some pony had been invited to this event. Ponies from all over showed up anyways just to join in on the festivities that were taking place, hoping to catch a glimpse of the new King and be a part of such a historical event. Some vendor ponies even set up shop along the main dirt roads hoping to pitch some of their wares, while other street performing ponies tried to catch the eyes of potential agents that might be passing by. Needless to say, the Ashen Fields had become more lively in the first few hours of the morning then it had been for nearly thirty years. General Hearth stood at the Main Entrance of Castle Char, the focal point of every ponies interest as more and more delegate, royal, and famous ponies were dropped off to attend the coronation. Greeting each guest was just one of his many duties as he also oversaw the crowd control of the rubber necking paparazzi ponies. The Royal Guard ponies only had to flare their manes a bit to get their point across for the on looking ponies to step back, but every time the Royal Guards did the ponies would ask to see them do it again. "General Hearth, sir." Spinel said aloud approaching him from entrance of the castle. "Yes?" General Hearth asked turning to him. "I have gone over the morning reports as requested. Squads one through eleven have secured all the known south and eastern mining tunnels as ordered. Squads twelve through twenty-two have closed the majority of the tunnels within the dungeons. Our scouts have reported little to no Spider activity following your orders." Spinel reported. "Continue to watch the main roads, we didn't expect so many uninvited ponies to show up and it may spell trouble if Spiders decide to have a snack." General Hearth ordered. "Right away, sir." Spinel replied throwing him a salute. There was a sudden commotion coming from the crowd of ponies gathering outside the castle. A carriage soaring down from the sky, flying in low from down the road and coming to a stop at the entrance as every pony shrieked in excitement. "It's Princess Cadance and Shining Armor!" A pony shouted from the crowd as nearly every pony withdrew a camera to start taking pictures. Sure enough, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor emerged from the carriage with Burning Sand also stepping out. Several ponies shouted to Princess Cadance, hoping beyond hope to be acknowledged by her, and their wishes were granted when Princess Cadance waved to them. "General, it's a pleasure to see you again." Shining Armor said approaching him. "Always a pleasure, sir." General Hearth replied bowing his head to him. "I wasn't expecting such a turnout for the Coronation." Princess Cadance remarked looking at all the ponies still taking pictures. "My Lady." General Hearth said bowing his head to her as well. "Did you miss me?" Burning Sand asked jokingly striding up next to him. "I would think so, having only Argo to speak with has become quite tiresome. How was your trip to the Crystal Empire?" General Hearth asked patting Burning Sand on the shoulder. "I think I would like to retire there, it is quite colorful." Burning Sand said happily. "It was a pleasure having you, Senator Sand." Princess Cadance said warmly. "The pleasure was mine, my Lady. I think it best if I inform Argo of my return." Burning Sand said excusing himself. "How is Smolder doing, General?" Shining Armor asked, smiling for the cameras. "He's quite nervous about today and quite stressed about other things." General Hearth replied. "There hasn't been any problems yet, has there?" Princess Cadance asked. "We haven't encountered any Spiders or possible threats, which in itself is a good thing. We're taking all the appropriate measures to ensure that we can allow Smolder a Spider free coronation." General Hearth said confidently. "Let us know if there is anything we can to help, General." Shining Armor insisted. "Of course, your Grace." General Hearth said bowing his head. Stitch Rose Shay was closed for business today, allowing only pick-ups for ponies that had placed orders days prior. Rarity was becoming increasingly nervous, her secret plan to get Rose to confess her feelings for Crow at the coronation had some minor hiccups. "What do you mean you're not going?" Rarity asked in disbelief. "We've been working nonstop these last few days to finish those orders and all the orders we got in between. I'm going home, eating a whole pie by myself and going to sleep." Rose said clearing off her work station. "But you can't miss this event, Rose darling. Every pony is going to be there." Rarity insisted, striding up next to her. "Which is why I'll be going home. Who wants to be around so many stuck up and pompous ponies anyways?" Rose asked rhetorically. "I can assure you that not every pony is like that." Rarity insisted, following Rose towards the door leading out into the shop. "Not interested." Rose remarked. Rose strolled over behind the counter to put in her time at work before clocking out for good. Rarity paced nervously, spying Stitch across the room, rearranging the hats on the shelf. Without a second thought, Rarity bolted over to Stitch and pulled her away from the hats with her magic. "Stitch, Rose is leaving and there isn't anything I can do to stop her." Rarity whispered urgently. "So?" Stitch asked looking puzzled. "Rose is supposed to be going to the coronation with Crow so she can confess her feelings to him and they can live happily ever after!" Rarity whispered aggressively. "What do you want me to do?" Stitch asked looking confused. "Keep her from leaving!" Rarity hissed. "How am I supposed to do that?" Stitch asked looking over her shoulder at Rose. "You two fight all the time, just think of something!" Rarity hissed impatiently. Rose stepped out from behind the counter, heading towards the door to leave. Rarity shifted uncomfortably the closer Rose got to the door as Stitch scratched her head for an idea. "Hey Rarity, did you hear that Crow was going to ask some pony to the Coronation?" Stitch asked aloud suddenly. Rarity watched Rose stop dead in her tracks, her mane flared for a moment. Glancing at Stitch, Rarity could see that she was looking a little nervous herself. "Why yes! I did hear something about that." Rarity replied loudly, trying to sound sincere. Rose refused to turn around, her mane kept flaring every few seconds. "I wonder who he's going to the Coronation with?" Stitch asked scratching her head once more. "I'm not sure but I bet she's-" Rarity was cut short as Rose was now glaring at her face to face; mere inches away. "Who… is… she?" Rose asked slowly. Rarity was already back against the shelf of hats, Rose's hot breath made her all the more intimidating as Rarity tried to reason with her. Stitch attempted to slip away but Rose was too quick and caught her back leg; dragging her back. "W-W-Well, darling, we simply don't… know." Rarity said nervously feeling as if Rose was peering into her soul. "But I bet she doesn't have a grip like an Owlbear." Stitch mumbled trying to free herself from Rose's hoof. "What?" Rose shouted lifting Stitch off her hooves and held her upside down. "Now, Rose, be reasonable. Stitch is rather young and doesn't understand the finer points of a lady's feelings when it comes to-" Rarity began but Rose's sudden glare had her back down once more. "I bet he's gonna ask her to marry him." Stitch said teasingly, letting herself hang from Rose's vice of a grip. Rose's mane exploded with fire, Rarity took a hat off the shelf and held it up in defense. "R-R-Rose?" Crow's voice came from the stairs behind the counter. Rose almost immediately dropped Stitch, who landed on the floor with a thud. Rarity could see that she was still very much upset and was now going to confront the unsuspecting Crow with all her fury. "Now Rose, let's not be too haste-" Rarity tried to intervene but Rose was already marching her way over to Crow. "I hear that you're going to ask some pony to the Coronation!" Rose said aloud as Crow appeared behind the counter. "W-W-W-Where d-d-did you h-h-hear th-th-th-" Crow seemed rather surprised, unable to get the rest of his sentence out. Rose's flaring mane started to suddenly diminish, seeing Crow struggle to speak caused her to take pity on him; even though she was livid. "Is she… at least kind to you, Crow?" Rose asked slowly, there was a hint of pain in her voice but she tried to hide it with her smile. "She has al-al al-always been th-there for me." Crow said, nodding. Rarity quickly leaned down to Stitch who was picking herself up off the floor. "Crow isn't really going to the Coronation with some other pony, is he?" Rarity asked in a panic. "How should I know?" Stitch asked back. "Well Rose really thinks he's going to the Coronation with some other pony and it seems like Crow actually has some pony to go with!" Rarity hissed in horror. "Well I guess it's just a coincidence." Stitch mumbled. "This can't happen! This isn't how it was supposed to happen!" Rarity hissed; pacing nervously once more. Rose looked very solemn, staring down at the floor. She wore a smile but just under the surface she was doing all she can not to let her emotions boil over. A rectangular stone box came into view in front of her, Rose looked up to see Crow shaking nervously as he held it. Carefully taking it from him, Rose looked down at the box and up at Crow who flushed something awful still shaking from head to hoof. "W-W-W-Will y-y-y-you g-g-g-g..." Crow struggled to speak, fighting very hard to get the words out. Rose opened the lid to the stone box to see an elegant dress resting inside, laced with roses and colored just like her fire. The fire on Rose's mane plumed, snapping it shut from embarrassment and feeling her face burn red hot. "Are you… asking me to the Coronation?" Rose asked slowly. Crow nodded his head very quickly, his eyes shut tight, his whole body shaking. "Unless you h-h-h-have other p-p-p-plans." Crow stammered. "No! No-no-no-no I'll go with you, Crow." Rose replied quickly stepping towards him. Crow perked up at these words. Rose seem flustered by this sudden invitation from him but she seemed rather relieved that Crow wasn't asking some other pony out. Rarity was silently congratulating herself, jumping in place as she was just ecstatic that her plan had come together. "Alright Stitch, phase one of our plan has succeeded. Phase two is now in effect." Rarity whispered to her. "What do you mean our plan?" Stitch asked looking confused. "Just start getting ready for the coronation, dear, I'll explain everything once we get to the castle." Rarity said hurrying her along. The Main Hall of Castle Char was more lively and cheerful then it had ever been in several decades. Royal Guard Flame ponies had passed out cloaks to every pony that walked through the front entrance of the castle, each one presenting the invitation and the cloak they received corresponded with the color they received. It was quickly becoming the hot topic between the guest ponies, as it allowed for them to have minimal physical contact with the Flame Ponies. Hooves were now able to be shaken, and for others a careful hug was even capable of being pulled off without difficulty. Wingston sat upon the edge of the platform connecting to the landing of the staircase. His staff resting over his lap, in his long fingers he held a stone slate, looking it over and crossing words off. "Wingston!" Princess Cadance called out. Wingston looked up to see Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia approaching him; every pony wearing smiles and the cloaks. Placing his stone slate down next to him, Wingston picked up his staff and got to his claws; balancing on his staff for support. "Lady Cadance, Lady Luna , Lady Celestia, and Lord Shining Armor, I'm glad you could make it." Wingston said bowing his head to them. The platform was raised high enough off the ground so that Wingston was almost head height with all the ponies. "Why are you sitting here all by yourself?" Princess Cadance asked curiously. "I found it easier to speak with ponies from here and it minimizes the chance of being accidently stepped on by hapless guests." Wingston replied. "How is everything coming along?" Princess Luna asked curiously. "We haven't had any incidents yet, everything is running as smoothly as we could have hoped for." Wingston answered looking around the hall. "Well these cloaks will minimize any accidental run-ins with Flame Ponies." Shining Armor mentioned lifting a part of his cloak. "Which brings us to why we're here." Princess Celestia stated looking over at Princess Cadance. "Wingston, would it be at all possible to see Smolder before the ceremony?" Princess Cadance asked looking very hopeful. "Before the ceremony? Are you planning on leaving before the party?" Wingston asked curiously. "Oh, no, it's nothing like that." Princess Cadance said hastily. "Cadance would like to hug Smolder for luck, seeing as her new cloak allows her to have minimal contact with Flame Ponies. That way she doesn't embarrass him in front of all the other ponies later tonight." Shining Armor responded, emphasizing the word minimal. "It's just one hug, dear. No need to get jealous." Princess Cadance replied, narrowing her eyes at him. "Who's jealous? I'm not jealous." Shining Armor said defensively. "Besides it wasn't just my idea, Princess Celestia was the pony who brought it up." Princess Cadance stated. "Although, it was Luna who thought to ask Wingston to see him before the festivities." Princess Celestia mentioned. "What purpose does Royalty serve if not allowing you to flex your position every now and again?" Princess Luna asked with a smirk. "So everypony wants to hug Smolder?" Wingston asked curiously looking over at Shining Armor. "I don't want to hug him. A high hoof or a pat on the back would suit me just fine." Shining Armor said looking even more defensive. "I'm sure Smolder would appreciate it very much, coming from you ponies." Wingston said bowing his head to them. Shining Armor assisted Wingston on to his back before allowing him to lead them to the Royal Chambers. Upon reaching the stone doors, Wingston reached out with his staff and knocked it a few times against the door. "Smolder, Princess Cadance, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, and Shining Armor are here to see you." Wingston said aloud. There was no response from the other side. Wingston looked quizzically at the door, as did everypony. "Smolder?" Wingston asked aloud, knocking upon the door again. Being met with silence once more, Wingston motioned to Shining Armor to open the door. Pushing against the door, every pony looked in to see that it was empty; much to every pony's surprise. Wingston slid off Shining Armor's back and limped inside the room rather quickly looking around. "Maybe he went for a leisurely stroll?" Princess Luna offered stepping into the Royal Chamber. "Of all days to get cold feet." Wingston mumbled shaking his head. "Perhaps Smolder left a note?" Princess Cadance offered looking around the room. "It's rather empty in here, isn't it?" Shining Armor asked looking around at the bare walls and little décor. Princess Celestia eyed the twisted metal remains of the Void mirror, she approached it and stood before it looking it over. "Hello?" Princess Celestia asked aloud. Everypony turned to see who she was speaking to and noticed the ruined mirror as well. Wingston, Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, and Princess Luna moved over to join her. "If the entity of this mirror is present, I would have it make itself known." Princess Celestia said to it. "…who's asking…" "It talks?" Shining Armor asked in surprise. "Where is Smolder?" Princess Celestia asked promptly. "…who…" "Don't play games with us, tell us where he is." Wingston demanded knocking his staff against the metal. "Why is this… thing talking?" Princess Cadance asked in a whisper to Princess Luna. "It is what remains of the Void Mirror that the Mad King once resided in." Princess Luna replied in a whisper. "So who's talking?" Shining Armor asked in a whisper joining in. "That is beside the point, if you have done something to Smolder, or known where he is, then tell us." Princess Celestia demanded. "…he's gone…" "Gone where?" Wingston asked impatiently. "…for tea…" "He went to a tea party?" Princess Cadance asked looking confused. "Doesn't sound like something Smolder would do." Princess Luna commented. Shining Armor perked up, waving his hoof in front of himself drawing the attention of everypony as he seemed to be remembering something. "I-I-I think I know what it means! I think Smolder went to get Tea!" Shining Armor said triumphantly; beaming with pride. "That's what it just said…" Princess Cadance said sounding disappointed with him. "You really should pay more attention." Princess Luna remarked shaking her head. "No! I meant Tea! As in Tea Herbal! The nurse pony back when we needed Smolder to come help us rescue those missing ponies! The case of the Nopes!" Shining Armor explained, watching Princess Cadance suddenly perk up. "Smolder went to go meet Tea Herbal?" Princess Luna asked looking surprised. "I'm sure Smolder realized that Ponyville is where Ms. Herbal's train would most likely stop, seeing as it doesn't run any closer to the Ashen Fields." Princess Celestia stated, smiling at the idea. Wingston rubbed his temples with his longer fingers, mumbling to himself. "...happy now..." "At least he's not flown the coop." Wingston said after a moment, seeming a bit more relieved. "I had no idea that Smolder and Tea were an item." Princess Cadance remarked looking very excited at the idea. "I don't think they're anything but friends at the moment." Shining Armor mentioned. "But why would Smolder go all the way to the train station to pick her up?" Princess Cadance asked trying to counter the idea. "Perhaps he fears for her safety, seeing as the Orc has sworn to wipe out the Flame Ponies; he's just being protective of her." Wingston replied limping towards the doors. "Well that's just part of it. A colt does a lot of things to show how much he cares for a special somepony." Princess Cadance insisted. "Surely Smolder hasn't already chosen Tea to be his queen yet." Princess Luna remarked following Wingston to the door. Princess Cadance gasped aloud. "You don't think it's that serious yet, do you?" Princess Cadance asked, her eyes lighting up. "They're just friends, Cadance. It would be best not to start any rumors, they spread like wild fire around here." Shining Armor warned her. "It would also be a good idea not to mention Princess Sapphire's late night rough housing with Smolder." Wingston pointed out reaching the door. "Princess Sapphire is here as well? And what the hay was she doing in his bedroom! At night!" Princess Cadance asked in shock following Wingston. "Sister?" Princess Luna asked aloud looking over her shoulder. Princess Celestia was standing over by the dresser where a stack of parchment rested. "I'll be along in a minute, let Sapphire know her parents will be arriving later tonight." Princess Celestia replied glancing over at her. "Alright, but you better not be snooping." Princess Luna warned her. "I'm not snooping!" Princess Celestia replied in surprise. Princess Luna narrowed her eyes at her, but eventually proceeded to leave the Royal Chamber. Princess Celestia waited a few moments to make sure that Luna was gone for sure before using her magic to untie the twine that bound the stack of parchments together. Magically lifting the first letter off the top of the stack, Princess Celestia quickly began to skim over it before moving on to the next one. "Aha!" Princess Luna shouted jumping out from behind the door. "Luna!" Princess Celestia shouted in surprise, trying to hide the letter behind her back. "You are so predictable." Princess Luna scoffed strolling over to her. "I was simply trying to restack this letter with the rest, as the twine… accidently came loose and caused it to slip off the top." Princess Celestia insisted looking very suspicious. "What did it accidently say?" Princess Luna asked curiously looking over her shoulder at it as Princess Celestia pulled it away from her. "I wouldn't have the faintest idea." Princess Celestia replied. "You are so easy to read, just like this ponies hoofwriting. By Celestia, her calligraphy is gorgeous." Princess Luna remarked taking a letter off the top of the stack. "Is it a formal letter? What does it say?" Princess Celestia asked quickly looking at it. "What is going on, sister?" Princess Luna asked suspiciously looking up at her. Princess Celestia raised her head back, trying to put on a royal presence, but Luna did as well to show she was not backing down. "Well, Lady Frost believed that I was Smolder's… godmother." Princess Celestia said looking rather uneasy. "Why would she believe that?" Princess Luna asked curiously. "From what she was told, Queen Sunbeam had mentioned it to Lady Frost just before Smolder's birth." Princess Celestia explained. "You were not made aware of this until recently?" Princess Luna asked in surprise. "It came as a surprise to me as well, seeing as that Queen Sunbeam did not go through with it. So..." Princess Celestia trailed off looking at the stack of parchment. "So?" Princess Luna asked waiting for her to continue. "I just happened to observe a stack of, what appears to be, letters written by Queen Sunbeam." Princess Celestia mentioned glancing down at the pile. "So you thought she might have explained why she didn't go through with it in one of her letters?" Princess Luna asked trying to piece it together. "I'm not saying I would have agreed to it, but why wouldn't she ask me?" Princess Celestia asked looking rather hurt. "Perhaps she had better options?" Princess Luna suggested. "I'm a great option!" Princess Celestia exclaimed seeming rather offended. "Shall we invade Smolder's privacy further to uncover the truth?" Princess Luna asked eyeing the stack of parchment. "We are merely observing the fine penmanship of her eloquent hoofwriting." Princess Celestia insisted picking up another letter and skimming it over with her eyes. I had to keep telling myself that this was a good idea. It was the only way to get the nagging Wingston voice out of my head. No pony would have let me leave the castle, not today and not with Orc and it's Spiders skulking about. Luckily I had wings and a loose pane of glass that Sapphire had shown me from the night she broke in. I wanted to make sure Tea was escorted safely to the Ashen Fields, not the Royal Guards or General Hearth, I wanted it to be me; no pony else. My only regret was that I was overdressed for the occasion, having already put on my ceremonial dressings before hoof and now I stuck out like a sore thumb. It was a very regal cloak that had so much detail in its design that it must have taken several hours just to do the stitching alone. It even had slits for my wings to rest comfortably in between the cloak so that I could still fly if necessary but hid my flames in the meantime. Needless to say, I was the best dressed pony standing off to the side of the platform there; the platform was still not Flame Pony friendly. No pony seemed to be around the train station, it was all but deserted and rightfully so as the festivities were in the Ashen Fields.I waited patiently for the train to arrive, unsure whether or not the train that did show up would have Tea aboard nor if she was already at the castle. I made up my mind so quickly that I didn't really think it all the way through; I just wanted to see Tea. I told myself that if she didn't show up when the train pulled up I'd go back to the castle, but that was two trains ago. I half expected Wingston to have sent some pony after me by now but I'm sure I was in for a couple good whacks to the head when I finally showed up. Regardless, I would have shown up before the ceremony and be ready to go before it became a problem. A faint whistle cut through the air, I perked up to see the train slowly coming into view in the distance. I could feel my heart beginning to beat faster, my mane flared in anticipation. The train grew nearer, the rumbling of the wheels on the tracks became louder as it pulled passed me;the breaks screeching and the bell ringing. Steam hissed from beneath the train, the doors slid open as spotted groups of ponies came bustling out pulling their luggage behind them. I stood patiently, my eyes darting from pony to pony wondering if Tea was somewhere in the mix. I caught sight of a light green earth pony stepping off of the train. Her dark green mane fell to one side, her cutie mark was a tea leaf and she looked about for where to go next. That's when she glanced over at me, standing off to the side of the platform. I couldn't help but smile, my heart seemed to dance around in my chest. Tea's eyes lit up, a smile broke out across her face as she approached the edge of the platform. "Hi... Tea." I said, choosing my words carefully; feeling my face flush. "Hello, Smolder." Tea replied with a smile.