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// 17 Royal Meeting 
// Story: Alternate Beginnings: Year Two 
// by Doug Graves 
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Rarity, Fluttershy, and Doug slowly walk down the road leading to Sweet Apple Acres. Doug explains, "So, Applejack should have told this to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, but we got a package from Princess Celestia. We're holding a herd meeting to go over what it contains. The package also included a message from Princess Celestia; she wants to meet with us, and talk to us about our foals and our plans for the future."

Fluttershy nods while Rarity asks, "But, darling, why would Princess Celestia concern herself with us? Did we do something wrong?"

Doug shakes his head, "No, but she seemed really concerned with our foals. In fact, one of the things mentioned in the letter was that there was a team of unicorns that would be able to research and hopefully fix the problems Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo have."

Rarity nearly misses her next step, "Really? Oh, dear, that would be wonderful!"

Doug nods, "Well, there were the disclaimers that nothing was for sure, but just the fact that they will be looking into it says a lot."

Rarity says, "Well, of course, but still! Did Pinkie throw a party yet to celebrate?"

Doug shrugs, "Well, she probably has a little set up for when we get there. On a different note, did your parents let you know their plans?"

Rarity shakes her head, "No, they just wrote that they hope to see me soon. I think they're going straight from their cruise in the Marapagos to a stay in Las Pegasus."

Doug raises an eyebrow, "I thought that was a cloud city?"

Rarity nods, "Well, it is, but with the amount of traffic it is getting now there is a large push to make it more ground pony friendly. Lots of cloudcrete walkways and buildings. It's amazing how quickly things can progress, ever since Trenderhoof wrote about it a year ago."

Doug opens the gate to Sweet Apple Acres, following the two mares inside. He remarks to Rarity, "So, I guess it'll be awhile before you see them, then?"

Rarity replies, "Yes, well, while I would have liked to see them today, work around my store is starting to pick up. I don't suppose I can leave Sweetie Belle with you during the day tomorrow?"

Doug shrugs, "Sure, that's fine with me. Have to figure something out, either I can bring her to you for lunch or you can come here."

Rarity considers, "Hmm, we might need to do one of each with how frequently she eats. It'll be nice once she can walk the roads by herself." Rarity looks back at the dusty road they just crossed, using her magic to pull out several brushes, using them on her coat as they make their way past the porch. Doug opens the door and each pony takes a seat at the dinner table. Pinkie has set up a bit of decorations on the table, as well as a medium sized cake. Their food has already been placed, so each pony starts digging in as Doug greets each mare, including Pinkie, with a kiss.

Pinkie giggles as Doug breaks away; he ruffles her mane before taking a seat, starting on his dinner. Applejack asks, "So, did ya tell them?" Doug nods, his mouth full of bread, so Applejack continues, "Well, Ah brought what Princess Celestia sent us, in this box over here. Lemme test it, see if it's still hurting Doug." She lifts the lid off, pulling out the package. Doug readies himself but doesn't feel anything as Applejack pulls the contents out. She breaths a sigh of relief, removing the rest of the package and setting it at her spot at the table. Applejack reads through each of the three letters. Doug clears away the dishes as Applejack finishes, each mare looking around the room at each other.

Rainbow asks, "So, she wants to know if we're having foals this year, which we aren't. She wants to know when we plan on having them. I guess next year? But, why would she want to know that?"

Pinkie Pie suggests, "Maybe she wants a cute little cuddly foal of her own?"

Applejack raises an eyebrow, "But, Ah thought she was celibate. Or infertile? On account of she's an alicorn, and there aren't any male alicorns or something?"

Rarity responds, "Well, she has tried in the past, but I think it's been more than three hundred years since she officially took a consort. And nothing has ever come from any of her unions."

Applejack nods, "So, maybe she thinks that since Doug was able to conceive with us, she could conceive with him?" She looks over at Doug, a slightly mortified look on his face. She peers at him, "What's got into your applesauce?"

Doug shakes his head, trying to clear his worried look, "Well, if that's the case, do I have a choice? Could she just, I don't know, take me away from here, away from you? Or if she just wants a foal, do I have the option to refuse? What would the nation say, when Celestia starts showing?" He rubs his forehead with his hand, looking at the table.

Rarity moves a hoof towards Doug, "Princess Celestia would never do something like that, Doug. She might be disappointed that you aren't cooperating exactly how she wants, but she won't force you do to something you don't want to."

Applejack nods, "That's why she is having this meeting, so we can all come to some sort of agreement. If she wanted a quick roll in the hay with you and wasn't inclined to take no for an answer she would have just summoned you to the castle. As in, poof, there you are."

Doug shudders at the thought as Pinkie remarks, "Hmm, do you think Princess Celestia prefers being on top?" Doug smiles at the thought of the half ton alicorn resting on top of him, hopefully holding herself up with either hooves or magic.

Applejack frowns at the thought of her stallion being poached by the Princess, even if only for a day. "Well, Ah think we've speculated as to her intentions long enough. Does anypony object to letting Princess Celestia know we are ready now?"

A horrified look comes over Rarity's face, "Now? NOW? But, my mane! My coat! AAhh!" she screams, hurtling towards the bathroom while dragging her bag behind her.

Applejack smiles, "Anypony else?" She looks around the room; everypony is either fidgeting or still snacking on the remaining food. She looks at Fluttershy, who is quieter than normal, and Pinkie Pie, who is much quieter than normal. "You two okay with this?" Fluttershy slowly nods her head as Pinkie rapidly nods up and down, then back and forth. She starts doing circles with her head as Applejack looks over to Doug and Rainbow. Rainbow has relocated, sitting in his lap and making out with the side of Doug's head as he smirks, trying to continue eating his trail mix. Every couple pieces he'll hold one out for her, which she grabs with her tongue before sucking on his fingers and then going back to his ear.

Applejack smiles at their antics before seeing Rarity emerge from the bathroom, looking exactly the same. The unicorn mutters to herself, "I suppose we will be seeing the Princess in our work duds. Oh, how embarrassing! I knew I should have accessorized before leaving the Boutique. No matter. Rarity, you are a paragon of beauty and composure. Breath in, breath out." Rarity takes her seat at the table as Applejack pulls out the card. 

She writes in the time slot - 7pm 2/30 - 6am 3/1 - before setting the card down on the table. She looks at each pony, "So, how long do you think it'll take?"

Everypony nervously glances around the room. Applejack goes to the front door, opening it up to the last rays of day. She returns to the table when nothing happens. After a minute Doug asks, "So, who wants to play a game?" When nopony says anything he goes back to eating his trail mix, Rainbow happily shifting around in his lap. Rarity levitates a brush over to Doug and he takes it, slowly brushing Rainbow's coat. The mare coos, rubbing her hoof along Doug's leg as she relishes the contact. A sultry look comes over her face as she sets her head down on his thigh.

Before Rainbow can start anything the sky darkens, the moon rising in the sky. Suddenly a bright flash of light comes from outside and each mare looks to the front door. Rainbow frowns at the interruption, though Doug continues his brushing. Two sets of heavy hoofsteps can be heard outside; Rainbow can feel Doug tense underneath her as his arm moves back and forth.

Princess Celestia's entrance to the farmhouse is heralded by her celestial mane waving through the doorway. Each pony takes a bow as Doug gets up and looks awkwardly around; even Rainbow Dash is bowing her head while she is laying in his arms. He inclines his head as Princess Celestia moves through the doorway, her large stature barely fitting. She looks around the room at the gathered mares, saying, "Rise my little ponies, it is good to see you." She looks over at Doug; the human is still standing, holding Rainbow who is glancing back at him nervously. The alicorn chuckles, "It is not often I see eye to eye with my little ponies, dear Rainbow." Princess Celestia looks past her at Doug, "Or my little human, for that matter. I am Princess Celestia, as I am sure you can guess."

Doug readjusts Rainbow as he says, "Doug Apple." He raises his arm, making a fist and holding it towards her. She smiles as she raises her foreleg, pressing her hoof against his hand. Doug sits back down as Princess Celestia settles back, then all eyes turn towards Princess Cadance. 

The pink alicorn flicks her violet, rose, and gold mane back with a hoof, giving everypony a smile. "Hello, everypony. I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but you can call me Cadance." Rarity gives a quiet gasp, trying to suppress her reaction with her hooves. Princess Cadance chuckles, "Or, if it makes you feel better, Princess Cadance." Rarity forces a smile on her face, putting her hooves back on the floor. 

Princess Celestia winks at Doug and Rainbow, "Well, some of you already have, but please make yourselves comfortable. I know the hour is getting late, and some of us have work in the morning." Rainbow yawns, her head raising upwards as her mouth spreads open. She immediately realizes her impropriety and grimaces, her eyes darting back and forth until she sees Princess Celestia mimic her, yawning towards the ceiling.

A few smiles are traded around the room as Princess Celestia quips, "Finally! Somepony who appreciates a good yawn. It has been ages since anypony has relaxed enough around me. I don't want you to see me just as your Princess; I have the same thoughts and desires that you have. That is why I called you together; I wanted to discuss one of those desires - possibly the deepest, most ingrained desire a pony can have."

Princess Celestia moves to the window, looking out at the moon. Applejack tentatively offers, "You wanted to talk to us about... foals?" 

Princess Celestia continues looking at the moon before turning away and responding, "About family. You see, I have tried many different things to try to conceive." Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance share a smile, moving close and nuzzling each other's necks. They break apart and Princess Celestia continues, "But, I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I? I don't believe we've met before." Princess Celestia looks to Applejack.

The earth pony stands shakily on her hooves, "Oh, Ah, Ah'm Applejack, lead mare of Herd Apple," she stammers, looking around the room, "Next to me is Rarity, she runs the Carousel Boutique in Ponyville."

Rarity adds, "Oh, Princess, I love what you have done with your mane, it is so elegant!"

Princess Celestia smiles, "Thank you, my little pony." 

The Princess looks back at Applejack, who continues, "You know Rainbow Dash, currently sitting in Doug's arms."

Rainbow smirks, "Ya, and I can see how envious everypony is! Well, if he actually let me go I suppose I could share." Rainbow mock struggles in Doug's arms, and he merely tightens his grip on her, moving her side to side. She grins, sinking again into his chest.

Applejack smiles at the mare before looking to the side, "This is Fluttershy."

Fluttershy looks up at Princess Celestia, coming out from behind her mane, "Hello, Princess Celestia, it's nice to meet you."

Princess Celestia nods in greeting as Applejack motions, "And last is prospective member Pinkie Pie."

Pinkie Pie's tentative hold on herself breaks, the mare excitedly pronking around the room, "OmygoshPrincessCelestiait'ssonicetomeetyou! I have a big huge tremendously fabulous exciting party that-" 

Noise stops coming from Pinkie Pie as a pink bubble surrounds her. She can be seen still talking as Applejack grins, "Thank ya kindly, Princess, the foals are asleep in the other room."

Princess Celestia nods over at Applejack, "Oh, it was no problem at all." Pinkie Pie appears to have quieted down and the bubble around her dissipates. She gives a sheepish grin before taking her seat, putting away a few of the noisemakers and balloons she has pulled out.

Princess Celestia continues her tale, "The history books list a few of my consorts, or at least the more famous ones. But they do not list the magics, the rituals, the lengths that I have gone to fulfill that desire. I have taken on students, but they fill the void like a rock fills one's belly. When I took on Princess Cadance as a foal, as my niece, that was like a single bite of hay. When Cadance ascended, it was like I had my first full meal. Unfortunately, though, all my research until this point has merely shown that alicorns must ascend, they cannot be born. The... attempts at further research eventually became too much for me to bear."

Fluttershy tentatively asks, "If you don't mind me asking, what happened?"

Princess Celestia gives her a sad smile, "When I would attempt to conceive with a stallion, the seed would take. However, at the first division the foal would terminate itself. There was no stopping this; delaying the division had the same results, even if transplanted to another willing pony. Princess Cadance made a single attempt." Princess Cadance begins to tear up as Princess Celestia continues, "When the results were the same, the trauma was too much for her, and she was unwilling to try again." Princess Cadance sniffs, a solitary tear rolling down her face.

Princess Celestia moves over, lifting Princess Cadance's face with a hoof and nuzzling her again. She whispers, "Don't worry, love, we'll make it work this time." Princess Cadance recovers, holding her head up as Princess Celestia continues her tale, "When I attempted with other species: zebras, yaks, even dragons, nothing happened. My heat was not quenched, no seed took, nothing. So, when I heard about Doug and his... success, well, I felt a hope I had not felt in many years."

Doug carefully studies Princess Celestia, "So, you want to join the herd? Or just have me, um, stud for you?"

Princess Celestia grins, "Well, I suppose those are options, but I was actually thinking of my niece here," she nods to Princess Cadance, who is giving a shy smile, "As the Princess of Love, Cadance expressed a strong desire for having a foal, much stronger than that I felt. That is partly why her lack of success hit her so hard." Princess Celestia pauses, clearing her throat, "Princess Cadance is formally applying for entrance into Herd Apple. I will be able to assist and, should things go well with Cadance," she winks at Doug, "We can explore other options."