//------------------------------//
// The Coronation 
// Story: Aeterna Solara - The Dawn of a New Equestria 
// by Etherium-Apex 
//------------------------------//

Daybreak took hold in the cliffside castle of Canterlot, its silver and gold spires awakening in the warm light. The gentle roar of the waterfalls as they fled from the mountain now sparkled in the warm air, and the front doors were parted. This was a day like no other, and it was not long before the cobblestone paths and paved streets were thriving with the clamor and excitement of many from every corner of Equestria. The smells of hot food and the sounds of many trumpets and fiddles, in the keep of the royal family's ancestors carved in stone. This great nation had long been under the charge of King Aurelius and his Queen Lucretia, immortal and powerful alicorns with power over the sun and moon. Passed down with each generation, Aurelius could still recall the Solar Empire of his youth, ruled by his father and spanning far beyond the borders of Equestria.

The crowds flocked to the entrance of their castle, still shuttered and peaceful as it were. They were eager to see the royal family's two daughters, Celestia and Luna, and waited impatiently for the gates to be opened. The two daughters had been alive now for eighteen years, and had fully matured. As was tradition, a ceremony was to be held in their honor, crowning them as princesses and bestowing upon them the right to rule over their father's land. No such ceremony had been seen in a millennium, since Aurelius himself had been young. The outside walls beyond their blooming courtyard were alive with gossip, with mares and stallions discussing whether any new legislation would be passed, if such and such princess would be able to handle the pressure, even such mundane things as Luna's newest hairstyle.

Far above the commotion, Celestia watched from the window of her quarters, ablaze with excitement. She had always loved to see new faces and meet people, and could not wait for her parents to open the gates. Her eyes like amethyst gems glistened in the sun, as the gentle morning breeze ruffled her rosen and wavy mane. Her glossy white coat reflected the outside light as she dropped from the window and galloped down the stairs toward the entrance.

"Hey, calm yourself!" A warm and soothing but deep voice echoed from the lobby, stopping Celestia in her tracks. Her father Aurelius stood before her, grinning as if admiring her young innocence. He was surely a sight to behold; his mane and tail were as fire, a bright magic that licked the air and sparked yet left no mark. His yellow eyes glowed brightly, and were filled with nothing but love and kindness. A magnificent crown bearing garnet gems and diamonds glowed bright and rested on his brow, accentuating his large stature and the luminescent gold armor covering his chest and hooves. It would have appeared that the sun itself had come to life.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Father, I'm just so excited! All the new faces, and the new people! Just imagine what they have to say, where they've been!" She trotted into their expansive lobby, sleek with marble and gold trims, and gave her dear father a hug.

"All in good time, my dear daughter," Aurelius said. "The gates will open soon enough! We just need to make some final preparations. Do you like your new chest piece? It's truly fitting for Equestria's new princess."

Celestia looked down at the golden accessory hugging her neck, with its violet diamond gem encrusted over her chest and matching the golden shoes covering her hooves. "It's beautiful! I can't wait to see what my crown will look like. May I have just a peek?"

"You will see it once you are crowned as Princess, my dear. Just enjoy the surprise!" Aurelius smiled and turned toward the stairs. "Now come, let's go check on your sister."

Luna could be found in the washroom of her private quarters, brushing her mane with her magic. She had a somewhat different outlook than her sister regarding the coronation; She looked forward to receiving her crown, but felt more anxious about being presented to the large masses of people. Her anxiety did not stem from insecurity, but rather the fear that they would overstep her in favor of Celestia. She had always been in her sister's shadow, with their subjects being drawn to her outgoing and bubbly personality. She could see her father and Celestia entering her room through her mirror, and she placed the brush back on the counter to greet them.

"Oh, good morning! Do I look alright? I want to ensure that I'm at my best for the ceremony," Luna said.

Luna's azure mane, while not as wavy as her sister's, curved gracefully around her head and neck, with her piercing blue eyes and cobalt coat being complimented by the obsidian chest piece adorning her neck, a gift from her mother and engraved with an image of the moon at its center.

"You look lovely, my sister!" Celestia said, smiling. "I promise no one will notice that bald patch above your ear."

"What?!" Luna's eyes widened, and with a sudden look of fright she whipped her head back to the mirror and frantically began filing through her mane searching for the spot. From behind Celestia could then be heard giggling at her jest. She covered her mouth, and then extended an arm around her sister. 

"Gotcha." Luna appeared unamused, and she began to glare into the mirror. Any other time she would've appreciated the light-hearted humor, but it only added to her nerves during her coronation. Aurelius smiled, reminded of his mother's playful nature.

"You look lovely, dear Luna. No bald spots to be seen."

There was then a knock on the door, and upon answering Aurelius was greeted by the captain of the Royal Guard. "Pardon the intrusion, Your Highness, but we are ready to open the gates, and noon is approaching." The guard bowed and then raised his head. "Shall I give the order?"

Aurelius nodded, and the guard took his leave. "So, the time has finally come for my daughters to ascend the throne of our forebears," he said. "I have the utmost confidence in you both." Celestia was beaming, while Luna carried a soft grin. "Come, to the upper balcony."

Down below the guards in the courtyard opened the front gates as ordered, and immediately the town denizens and guests excitedly began to crowd in front of the castle, eagerly awaiting the princesses. With the sun nearing its apex, Aurelius and his daughters emerged from the tower in its highest perch, overlooking the crowds below in the courtyard and gathered in the streets of Canterlot. The sounds of roaring applause and cheering could be heard in every direction. Celestia was practically dancing in place as she smiled brightly at all the people who had come to see her, while Luna whispered quietly to herself to relax and remain poised. Aurelius stood between them, and began to address the crowd with his thunderous royal Canterlot voice, the crowd becoming silent and attentive.

"Stallions and mares of Equestria, fillies and colts, our loyal subjects! Before you stands the future of our great nation - Princess Magna de Celestia and Princess Magna de Luna!" Aurelius at that moment placed their new crowns on their heads. Celestia's tall and curvaceous golden crown shone brightly in the sun, its central gemstone matching her eyes and sparkling in the light. Luna's crown was of obsidian, matching her chest piece, and while much more subtle than her sister's would still cement her role as keeper of Equestria's nightfall as her sister would rule the sunlight. Celestia's first thought was to find a mirror, anxious to see her new crown, but also of her new place as ruler. She was not yet aware of the responsibility being placed on her shoulders, and instead saw the exciting new chance to help her subjects and make them happy. Her sister knew what was coming however, and spent her time thinking of her planned policies to protect her subjects and keep them safe. Aurelius then continued his speech.

"From this moment, spanning the brilliance and blackness of a thousand moons and suns, until the hour of lasting darkness and desolation when the age of Equus crumbles to ashes, from this millennium to the next, Equestria will be guided by the terrible and gentle embrace of my two daughters! From Eastern to Western sky, Dragon Lands to Griffonstone, Frozen North to Mysterious South! May their mercy be just, their hoof ever-reaching and strong, their wings ever soft and soothing! May Galaxia guide them, and may the flame of Magnus give them strength!" Aurelius then raised his hoof to the sky. "AETERNA SOLARA!" The massive crowd, from just below their castle to the far edges of Canterlot, returned his gesture and roared back this ancient phrase, once the salute of the Solar Empire's legions.

The sun reached its final climb to the top of the sky, casting a spotlight onto the tower. The ground began to rumble, startling some but leaving others unphased. A swirling mass of white light began to gather around the castle's highest spire, and then in an instant there was the sound of a thunderclap and the light exploded upward like a powerful beam into the sky, pushing the clouds aside to meet with the sun, culminating in a halo that burst from the sun and spread across all corners of Equestria. This was met with thunderous applause, as this act of magic on Aurelius' part cemented the princesses' place as Equestria's leaders.

Aurelius stepped back, and looked to his eldest daughter, his voice now normal. "My young Celestia, is there anything you would like to say?" The new princess smiled at him, and then stepped forward to address the crowd, taking the chance to practice her own royal Canterlot voice, greatly amplifying her voice so she could be heard at a great distance.

"Fillies and gentlecolts of Equestria, my new lovely subjects! I am greatly honored to have been granted the opportunity to care for and watch over so many wondrous and admirable ponies, and I shall make it my vow to continue the work of so many generations before me and keep every one of you safe, happy, and healthy! You shall every one of you feel the warm love and shelter of my great wings!" She then spread her wings, shedding many feathers in the process, a wave of applause and cheering erupting among the crowds. Luna rolled her eyes and shook her head. Such theatrics. "In order to give us the opportunity to spread out our plans for our new reign, however, we will unfortunately be cancelling today's celebrations."

There was then a still silence in the city. Ponies began whispering to each other, a look of confusion and disappointment on their faces. After a few moments, Celestia grinned warmly and leaned down to the crowd. "Gotcha!" There was another moment of silence, and then there was a burst of laughter and the cheering resumed.

"My sister," Luna said quietly, "this is not the time for jokes. We've just become the guiding hands of Equestria, and we need to make an example."

Celestia chuckled. "And I am! I'm showing them that their new leader loves to laugh and is approachable. Is there an issue with that?"

"Mm, I would not have made such a joke myself, dear daughter," Aurelius remarked. "Not because it creates a bad example though, but because I don't like the thought of disappointing anyone if I don't have to. Was there anything you wanted to say to your new subjects, Luna?"

"I think by this point, Father, they're anxious to begin the celebrations," she said, "but in any case, I'm not cut out for addressing crowds."

Aurelius nodded and approached the edge of the balcony once more. "You'll have to find your courage, my child." He then faced the crowd and amplified his voice. "With nothing further to address, let today's celebration commence!" A cluster of fireworks fired from his horn and lit up the sky, and the ponies below cheered and scattered to whatever activity suited their fancy, be it a morsel from the numerous food stands that had set up shop along the courtyard and the streets, lending an ear to the traveling musicians and their various instruments, or observing the number of performers who had set up stage in a number of places across the city.

The royal family returned indoors, and descended from the tower into their quarters to relax for a short time after their address. Princess Luna had her new responsibility in mind. As the new matriarch of Equestria's night, she foresaw herself taking Lucretia's position of governing her subject's dreams. A skill taught by her mother, she had already mastered the art of traversing to the dream realm and would frequently visit her sister in their slumber to explore new mystical worlds together. The thought of entering the dream realm and visiting her numerous subjects as a nightly duty felt daunting, but if this was indeed to be her fate then she would find a way to manage it.

Princess Celestia had nothing more than the festival outside on her mind, and only intended to free her mind of the responsibilities bestowed upon her, and to rest her legs after standing for as long as she did. Although aware of her new position as matriarch of Equestria's day and Lady of the Sun, she was bothered little by its importance and saw it as a way of meeting new people and making friends. Of course she understood her new duties as protector and ruler, but it never swayed her mind nor dampened her bright spirit. Her father would always be around to guide her, she thought, and she would have plenty of time to grow accustomed to her new position. Feeling rested enough, she descended further to the throne room of their castle, where Aurelius and Lucretia could be found for the last time in their respective seats.

"It feels heavy, does it not?" Aurelius asked Celestia, having spotted her approach.

"The end of an era, the beginning of a new dawn," Lucretia added, appearing contented. Her visage was like spotting an anomaly in one's dream; her hairs were of living shadow piercing a hole in reality. Her appearance was like a distant nebula, glittering with the twinkling night sky interspersed with violet and blue light. Her voice was gentle, yet striking and pronounced, truly fitting for a matriarch of her stature.

"It does, yes.." Celestia said, standing before them. "...But even so, I believe that I can do it. After all, I am your daughter, and I am destined to reign, the lone heiress of our nation. I do not believe that I would have been chosen for this position if I wasn't fit for it."

"That is a great way to see things, my daughter," Aurelius said, looking upon his princess with pride. "You have such optimism within you, inspiring to both your family and anyone within your reach. It's no mystery why our subjects already adore you. I know you will be a great ruler, and we both foresee many wondrous things in your future. There will be hardships, yes, even a great deal of tough decisions, but none everlasting. In the wake of adversity, we have seen a kingdom grow, we have seen our royal lineage bear fruit, we have seen as well the opportunity to pass your knowledge on to a chosen protege and their friends."

Celestia briefly closed her eyes and smiled, lowering her head before looking back up at her parents with a more solemn expression. "And what of this hardship?"

"There is no clarity, no solidity in my vision.." Lucretia replied, standing from her throne and slowly approaching her daughter. "Nothing is certain, all is clouded in abstraction save for one thing: you will be forced to cast away a loved one, to banish their spirit to a millennia of exile. Who or why are beyond my knowledge..."

Celestia then appeared troubled, and looked to the floor. If her new position didn't feel heavy before, it did now. She felt her heart sink just a bit, and hoped with all her being that Lucretia's prediction would not come true, or could be prevented. She had absolutely no desire to rid anyone she loved from the face of the Earth, and this lingering thought took her mind away from the outside festival. Before it could for long, her mother noticed Celestia's downtrodden look, and lifted up her daughter's chin with a warmer and brighter look on her face.

"...But as with all things that have not yet come to pass, the future may be altered if one has the will to do so." The princess managed a slight smile, and Lucretia planted a delicate kiss on her forehead. "I expect you wish to take part in today's festivities?"

"Not without the company of our guard," Aurelius sternly interjected, stepping from his throne as well. "I understand your excitement, Celestia, but you have just been coronated as the new highest leader of Equestria in the view of thousands of ponies. All will be eager to get up close to you, and without the protection of our royal legion you will be overwhelmed."

Celestia, having now been able to set aside the dark premonitions, looked to her father and smiled. "Is that not for me to decide now, Father? I am the new highest leader after all."

Aurelius started to speak, but stopped himself. "If that is your wish." He returned to his throne, and Lucretia returned to hers. Celestia found herself slightly confused by the lack of argument, but shrugged it off and left the throne room for the castle gates.