Big Mac had been the last and perhaps most reluctant to leave. Twilight wouldn’t blame him or any of the other members of the Apple family. After all, hearing that a close relative was in critical condition would have made her drop everything and rush over as well. The large red stallion gave her a somber nod on his way out the door. He knew it would be alright now. The recovery was slow but certain.
Twilight took a seat next to the Earth pony’s medical bed. “Holding up?” she asked simply. It wasn’t that she didn’t know. They had the hivemind, of course. But it was the very action of it that gave the sentiment its meaning.
“Like a hog in a mud pit,” Applejack croaked jokingly. “Just glad I’m the only one hurtin’. Besides Chrysalis, I mean.”
“Yeah,” Twilight breathed out with a lowered gaze. “Lots of other ponies did get hurt throughout the city, but at least there haven’t been any deaths. Except for a few that were perpetrating the attacks – like the ones that tried to kill you.”
Applejack closed her eyes and centered her head on the pillow. “Equestria is a land of harmony. A place where friendship grows. Why do they want to bring such hatred and violence to it?”
Twilight didn’t answer immediately.
“Did we...do something wrong?” Applejack opened her eyes and looked straight up at the ceiling from her medical bed.
“No,” Twilight replied this time, her tone soft but decided. “Equestria is a large land with many ponies in it. It has a history that stretches back long before even our grandparents were alive. The things that have happened might have been triggered by the absence of The Two Sisters, my ascension, or even Chysalis’ rehabilitation. But they were long in the making – sentiments that were looking only for an excuse. We can never be responsible for the wrongdoing perpetrated by them. Otherwise, there would always be some scapegoat to justify this kind of hatred.”
Applejack groaned. “So what do we do? You are the Queen of Equestria, after all.”
The purple pony looked to the painting on the wall across from Applejack’s bed. It had been put there by a thoughtful Guard on the medical team who realized the stone prison was not the most conductive to a healthy recovery. The piece was not some famous work of art but it was perhaps even more beautiful because of that. It showed the expanse of wooded hills that lead up to Equestria’s western border. The tall ascension of the western mountain range could be seen amongst the mist in the distance.
“I think it’s time we went back to Ponyville,” she finally said.
Applejack took up her meaning via their connection and her thoughts echoed back that way along with the thoughts of the other hive members. You think the local groups can handle the responsibilities without a leader in Canterlot?
“Las Pegasus has been more than a success,” Twilight assured. “Since the residents there reclaimed control, the city has been undergoing a renaissance. In fact, some of the new leaders that have arisen there have blown my own ideas out of the water. This is why we have to go through with it. It’s foalish to believe that even with our combined wisdom, our own ideas are superior to theirs – the ideas of tens of thousands of ponies that know their own situation better than we ever could. I wouldn’t be surprised if Turnip Toss can get the east city to supply the construction of Pegasopolis single-hooved.”
Every city is different, though, Spike pointed out over the hivemind.
“Yes, of course,” Twilight shifted in her seat. “I won’t be giving up all power and not all at once either. Just pulling back until each region is stable enough on its own. We’ll be going over the details in Canterlot in just a few days. I’ve received notice that the royal court has settled on a major ruling.”
The initial coup investigations have resulted in a first round of sentences and reforms, no? Rarity asked.
“None of it is public yet,” Twilight nodded. “But the court is of course in the know. We’ll see what they’ve made of it soon enough.”
“You know what I’m looking forward to?” Applejack cut back in, a smile back on her face.
“Sweet Apple Acres?” Twilight returned the happy sentiment.
“Those trees are going to be as sweet as honey to see in the sunrise,” Applejack sighed as her head rested back once more on the soft pillow.
“It would be,” Chrysalis spoke with a pause due to the exertion, “very pathetic for me to die from this given what I’ve already been through in life.”
“You’re a tough cookie,” Twilight kidded her with a grin. She refrained, though, from knocking the changeling’s side in jest.
“But ever so soft for you, Twily,” Chrysalis began to grin back from her pillow before a wince of pain flipped it back into a frown.
Twilight rubbed the larger being’s foreleg that rested over the sheets. “Take it easy, Chrysy. You’ve got all the time in the world to heal and I promise we’ll have some fun times just to relax together once you’re up and out. Back in Ponyville too.”
Capital of Chillaxing, Rainbow Dash added.
“Town of Friendship officially. But yeah, I would call it the Town of Chillaxing too,” Twilight giggled.
We get to come over, right? Spike asked hopefully.
Only if you and Rarity don’t get too frisky in the hot tub, Chrysalis smirked and the look transferred over quite well through her hivemind tone.
Rarity, being quite done with such teasing, just gave an even return. Only if you promise to do the same with Twilight, darling.
Chrysalis pursed her lips at the comeback.
“Alright, you guys,” Twilight rolled her eyes but smiled all the same. “It won’t be for a few days at least. More likely a week. So rest and heal. I’ll be handling the rest.”
“A massive magical eruption occurred where Applejack was. The scroll activated a Nightmare of the Sun spell – one of the deadliest and dangerous scroll weapons normally held under tight lock and key by the Royal Guard. As I mentioned before, this garrison was never authorized for it. Only two armories in Equestria house such super weapons: Canterlot and Manehattan. After the coup, the Canterlot armory was carefully checked for any missing weaponry. Everything checked out but Manehattan never took an inventory after that date. There was an uprising there but we didn’t perform a review because the only trouble detected was on the other side of the city.”
Twilight nodded to Storm Sword’s analysis. The garrison lighting was as moody as ever and she would be happy for once to be leaving it for Canterlot today. “A distraction to sneak out the scrolls.”
“Exactly,” Storm seethed, though more at herself for not being more careful. “Obviously we will be revising our security.”
“What about the origin research? We don’t want anypony replicating the scrolls based on the research that led up to it.”
“That would be Fire Scream’s tomes. Her work was in turn built off of Starswirl’s fire magic studies. Starswirl’s is obviously under lock and key at the Canterlot Archives. Fire Scream’s was secured by Celestia herself. She once assured me it was safe within the restricted section. Whatever that means. Only she would know and I trust it’s safe wherever that happens to be. After all, Celestia is quite intimate with the power of that kind of magic.”
Being reminded of Celestia made Twilight stop. How long had it been now since she had left with Luna and Discord? How long would they be gone? How long before she should begin to worry…? No, she had to stay focused.
“Thank you, Storm,” Twilight hefted her saddle bags back off the map table. “I trust you to carry out the remaining work here in Baltimare. Look after AJ and Chrysy. I’ll be back for them as soon as I can. There are things to be done in Canterlot.”
Storm Sword saluted in a mocking manner. “Give ‘em Tartarus, my queen!”
Twilight chuckled. “Will do, captain.”
“Today is the dawn of a new age!” shouted Morning Glory with the rest of the Golden Dawn leadership around her. “Peace, love, and harmony will be upon us for time eternal!”
The announcement was mere cake decoration. Morning Glory gave the words from Canterlot Castle’s Royal Balcony facing the wide runway leading from the castle gates to the close-knit districts of the old city. There were, in fact, many actual cake decoration downstairs upon the rows of cakes freely offered to the public during the festivities.
And oh did the public show up in droves! The city might have finally lost most of the Cloudsdale refugees that had occupied the place for a time but Canterlot was a densely populated place to begin with. And everypony had been acutely aware of political events since the attempted coup. That meant that the royal court’s passing of the Declaration of Harmony had not gone by without every mare, stallion, and foal knowing about it.
In any case, Twilight was sure to enjoy the downstairs treats as well when she returned within the hour, Morning Glory thought. Although the final ratification of the new Equestrian Declaration of Harmony was incomplete without her signature, the Queen of Equestria was not likely to bring this momentum to a halt. What little public opinion that was still in opposition was quickly dying off after news from Baltimare began to stretch throughout the land.
Golden Dawn was now the sole remaining political party with any notable power. The remaining parties had been unofficially absorbed into a sort of half-existence with Golden Dawn making all of the decisions. Celestia had entrusted emergency control of the royal court to her, Morning Glory, and she was quite satisfied with the results of her efforts.
Well, there was perhaps one small iota of a doubt but she could simply talk to the queen about it later.
“Long live the Queen of Equestria!” shouted the packed crowds below as many of the ponies within waved purple flags emblazoned with familiar stars. “Long live Queen Twilight Sparkle!”
Morning Glory grinned. A quick check of the ancient miniature sundial on her hoofstrap told her how much time she had until the queen arrived. Princess Celestia had given her this sundial when she was only a filly and the fact that it now told her of the return of the princess’s heir only made her feel all the warmer inside.
Best get some cake before the formalities resumed.
“I guess I can accept the post-party planning,” Pinkie pursed her lips in a pout.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as another pony nudged up against her. This place was way too cramped for her. Was all of Canterlot crowding into the castle’s forward wing? Not that she could blame them. This was probably the safest place in Equestria right now with it crawling with Royal Guard loyalists and Golden Dawn supporters. That and Twilight's personal guards. Still, Rainbow hated how the party dress was keeping her from flying above the crowd.
“Do I have to wear this?” she asked for the millionth time. “It’s hot enough with all these ponies crammed in here. All I want is some cake and then we can find Twi again.”
“Rarity had to stay in the Crystal Empire with Spike so I have to fulfill her every wish as if she were actually here, Dashie!” Pinkie insisted as if it were the law. “And Rares says you have to wear it!”
At least wear something for my sake, Rainbow Dash, the fashionista ordered over the hivemind.
“It’s not like Twilight’s going to keep with this whole ‘give me all the power in Equestria’ empress non-sense,” Rainbow countered. “It’s a party over nothing.”
That caused Pinkie to gasp so loudly that it caused all the hundred or so ponies in the cake-stocked dining room to go silent. The pink Earth pony grabbed Rainbow’s cheeks and stared deep into her eyes.
“There’s no such thing as a pointless party,” she stated in a very serious and also very convinced tone. “Repeat with me, Rainbow Dash. There is no such thing as a pointless party.”
Rainbow groaned but knew better than to argue. “There’s no such thing as a pointless party.”
“Opposition?” Twilight inquired in the private side room. The cushions she sat against were good enough for royalty, which she supposed she was. It was a technical thing and, in spite of her confidence and resolve she had found in her official position, she did not think much of the egotistical aspect of her social standing.
“Broken,” Morning Glory answered simply before detailing. “Political groups were shattered beyond the point of cohesion due to the web of involvement in the coup. As for unorganized public opposition, the mood has been dying. Even ponies that disagree have begun to understand that opposing the new declaration is worse than what they fear will come of it. The Twenty Hours Coup, Cloudsdale, Las Pegasus, Baltimare, and even word of events in the Crystal Empire have deadened hope that returning to the status quo is even an option. Ponies have seen the destruction and bloodshed that the opposition groups have brought and they are more than ready for peace.”
“Indeed,” Twilight nodded with a dark frown. She turned back to the window but did not go to open it. “Some doors shut and may never open again.”
“Would you like for me to order your remaining things moved here from Ponyville, my queen?” Morning Glory asked, her tone perfectly satisfied before even a reply was given.
“No,” Twilight returned her gaze to the mature mare. “Please have the belongings I currently have here transferred to the Golden Oaks Library instead. I will be returning there after I can have Applejack and Chrysalis safely transported there from Baltimare.”
Morning Glory blinked. Her expression failed to change even as she mouthed a “what?”
“I’m making a revision to the declaration, Morning Glory,” Twilight leaned back into the cushions. “Much will remain as your party has seen fit. However, I wish to relax my involvement and secure greater autonomy for the regions. I will return to Ponyville and only mediate should the situation become so serious. Golden Dawn’s responsibilities will not become such a burden, though. New leadership is forming in Baltimare as it did in Las Pegasus. The Declaration of Harmony already took most of this increased autonomy into account – for which I’m very grateful.”
Morning Glory’s exuberance fell but she maintained a disappointed smile. “The extent of your personal leadership is, of course, of your own discretion, my queen. We did make an effort to match the declaration to your own philosophies formed from years as the Princess of Friendship and also recent inclinations towards releasing regional control.”
“Yes. Also, thanks for grabbing me some cake,” Twilight smiled before taking a bite.
The lemon flavor of the cake was a pleasant change of pace from the usual vanilla even though the white icing was of that particular flavor itself. She couldn’t help but wonder if switching back and forth between that and the purple-frosted chocolate cake made for such a pleasant flavor combination merely because Pinkie’s bizarre preferences had crossed over and messed up her taste buds. In any case, those large purple-frosted cakes that had been iced with her cutie mark gave her an unsettled feeling when they had been cut for serving.
Morning Glory’s crestfallen state eventually came out in a weak plea. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider residing here instead?”
Twilight swallowed but failed to wipe the frosting off her mouth before replying, large cake-filled plate still hovering in her purple magic. “I’m sorry, Morning. I did grow up here in Canterlot but then I spent many years in Ponyville as well. I love that town and it’s more...peaceful than Canterlot. Besides, it would be easier on my friends – and special someponies – if we returned there. Rarity can move her sewing work if she wishes but AJ can’t just move the orchard. Neither can Fluttershy move all the animals she has grown to know and care for. There are other concerns too. It would just be easier. And it’s what I want.”
“I see,” Morning Glory sighed. She let a silent moment linger and the queen take a few more bites before speaking what remained on her mind. “You don’t resent what we’ve done do you?”
When Twilight was able to reply once more, she turned curious. “I didn’t think you were such a worried pony. I took you for the pushy overconfident type. No offense.”
Morning gave a weak chuckle at that. “None taken. And maybe I am that way. But I was raised to give every part of myself to what I believed in. Celestia gave me an enormous responsibility when she allowed me into the royal court. I love Equestria and now that we’ve got this far...got the new structure of Equestria ready to implement...I just want to feel one hundred percent certain that I’ve done the right thing.”
“From the one pony left who can be Celestia’s voice of assurance to you?” Twilight said, her plate now lowered and mouth wiped. Her own voice had nearly become somber at the thought of her absent former mentor and second mother. “I get it, Morning. Really. When you’re in the moment and you have tomorrow’s goal on the horizon, it’s easy not to second guess. Then you get everything you ever wanted. The goal is achieved and you still have to live your life...”
“...wondering if you did enough,” Morning Glory finished and finally copied the tired smile on the purple alicorn’s face.
“I know why you and Golden Dawn felt it had to go this way,” Twilight breathed out deeply. Though the air was cool, she could feel the warmth from the fireplace across the room. Looking to it, she wished they had rearranged the furniture to be closer to it when they first walked in. “I might have done the same. Besides, the ponies of Equestria are scared. They want something stable. Something to make them feel like tomorrow will be okay. Nopony can blame them after what has happened. I’ve carefully reviewed Golden Dawn’s plan. With my revisions, everything should be okay.”
“You know, my queen, you aren’t the inexperienced filly I once worried you would be,” the mare even grew a slight humor to her mood.
Twilight tapped her head. “Having a hivemind helps but then me and my friends have already been through quite a lot before I ever became an alicorn. I learned a lot. Though I have to admit that a couple pegasi of mine have taught me the most about courage and that has been particularly handy of late.”
That almost got a chuckle out of the mare.
“I’m not perfect,” Twilight explained in humility. “I don’t always remember the lessons I learned and sometimes things don’t go well even if I do. I try to do the best I can. It’s all anypony can do.”
“Lucky for us, Equestria has you and the Elements of Harmony,” Morning Glory remarked, her confident posture coming back.
“And it always will,” Twilight said before resuming the cake eating, all the while blissfully unaware of the royal shoes she had come to fill. Delegating authority so she might be the protector and guardian of the land of Equestria for time eternal.
And eating lots of cake in the meantime.