“What’re we doing here waiting around for anyway?” Dash asked with a bored look on her face. The world around her was turned upside down as she lay across AJ’s back. “It’s been so long already!”
Twilight wanted to tell her to be patient for the fourth time, but she had a point. They had waited for quite some time now. She gave a glance over to her other pegasus friend, wondering how she would fair with her swollen stomach. The mare held a delightful conversation with Pinkie. A baby shower being the main focus between the two as Fluttershy’s second child planned to be due the next month.
Twilight tapped her chin and looked to the lighter pink earth pony that rested on Luna’s throne. “Diamond Tiara, would you have any clue where the queens might have gone?” Within the last couple years, Luna and Celestia had gotten into relationships. Although, Luna had gotten married in this time frame. Due to this, and other events, they both decided to take on the roles of queens.
The young pony perked up at the sound of her name. “Huh? Uh, Luna said she doesn’t want anyone else knowing right now. The only reason I know about it is because has a tendency to pace and rant to my father. Especially when the Houses do something stupid… again.” She rolled her eyes to emphasize her point. “Though, I’m not exactly sure what they’re planning.”
Rainbow Dash groaned again. The words, “I had a date tonight,” muttered through gritted teeth.
“I don’t like it anymore than you do, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity retorted. “You weren’t the only one with important plans, I’ll have you know. Some of us already have kids to take care of.”
“Rarity, you’re the only one without kids.”
She retorted. “That doesn’t mean you all don’t.”
Not too much longer past before the doors on one side of the thrones opened up. Celestia stepped through the doorway alone and the doors shut behind her. “I apologize for keeping you all waiting.”
“We have our reasons, I assure you,” Luna followed.
“Is everything alright, Celestia?” AJ asked, concerned at the tone the queen tried to hide. Everyone could sense the worry in Celestia’s voice. They knew her too well that her false confidence was fruitless.
“Due to recent events, my sister and I have decided that…” Celestia paused. She looked away for a passing moment before back to the awaiting group. She wanted to state her thoughts in a more formal manner, but she knew it would only take longer. “We both are aware you will not like this news, but someone needs to be reformed. It will be no easy task, I assure you, but we both have faith that you will be able to succeed. You have with Discord, Tempest, and many others throughout the years.”
“You hold a lot of faith in us, Queen Celestia,” Fluttershy spoke up. “But… What if this turns out to be like Chrysalis or Tirek? They were unable to be reformed.”
“Weeeelllll,” Pinkie began, “Chrysalis hasn’t been seen in a very long time. Who knows where she could even be at this point! And Tirek’s a power-hungry, manipulative jerk that’s stuck in Tartarus forever! So I doubt it’s going to be either one of them.”
“Funny you should mention that,” Luna stated, stepping out of the way for Tirek to come into view. A collective gasp mirrored throughout the group. Fluttershy gave off a worried squeak and hid behind Pinkie who put a protective hoof around her.
Celestia opened her mouth to speak when Dash interjected. “No! There is no way we’re going to have anything to do with him!” She snapped an angry hoof in his direction.
“Queen Celestia-” Twilight spoke up but Celestia held up a hoof to silence her. The purple alicorn pursed her lips reluctantly.
“We already know your concerns, as they are ours as well. Measures have been taken to ensure a problem won’t happen again.”
“What are we to do in this case?” Twilight once again spoke up.
“He’s going to be staying in Ponyville with one of you.” Luna stated with haste. “I must apologize, but you won’t be able to choose which of you he stays with.”
“You can’t be serious!” Rarity exclaimed. “What do we do with this brute in one of our homes?!”
Tirek narrowed his eyes at the white unicorn. Her attitude and whiny voice was already pushing him away. Celestia turned back to glance to Tirek. “Choose wisely, Tirek.”
He gave a low growl of annoyance and took a step forward. He examined all the ponies in front of him, looking over the ponies one by one, thinking over his options. One of them he ruled out almost immediately: Pinkie Pie. Remembering a few years back during his escape, Discord had told him about the mares here and there. The pink one was the most hyper of the six.
He passed, moving onto Twilight; the bookworm, the know-it-all. She seemed the most logical in the group and perhaps an easy choice. She did hold the title as princess of friendship after all. Putting her aside for now, his gaze wavered to the others.
Rainbow Dash glared at him. It was almost as threatening as her ego. He found it amusing. Competitive, brash, and mischievous. More like a pain in the ass, he thought to himself. The pegasus’ disposition made her more trouble than she was worth.
Glancing over to the unicorn that insulted him, he glowered at her. She returned one back at him before she hmph’ed and turned her nose up. He rolled his eyes, not wanting to have to associate with her. Mostly due to that whiny voice of hers.
His attention turned to the pegasus behind Pinkie who, in turn, squeaked in fear again. Fluttershy, he knew, would be an easy target. And yet, one problem wormed its way into his thoughts like a rat scuttering in the wall: Discord. That fool rambled on nonstop about her. Though, he could potentially make an easy…. Wait, was she pregnant? Choosing her now became a hesitant decision with Discord's child in her. No wonder why she reeked of his scent.
And finally Applejack. Unlike the others, she didn't seem that phased. The years had toughened her demeanor and made her a stubborn foe. Tirek knew for a fact that if he choose her, he would have to deal with her family and that farm. What a joke that would be. Pass.
It appeared that Twilight was his only option. His fingers pinched and massaged the bridge of his nose. His eyes glanced one last time over all the others, hoping to find something to sway him. Something caught his eye. A gleam; one he knew all too well. A sudden gleam of fear in the eyes of the unicorn. He had to stop himself from smiling. Not only did she insult him, she was also afraid of him. How could he pass up this delicious opportunity?
Tirek crossed his arms and stared straight at her in hopes of intimidation. “Her. The unicorn.” Rarity’s eyes went wide and she let out a high pitched gasp. The others were equally as shocked.
Luna spoke up before anyone could retaliate, “Very well, then. You may all go home. We will have Tirek come in tomorrow to stay with you, Rarity.”
The mares knew it would be no use arguing. They stood up and left, talking amongst each other after they left the throne room. Celestia glanced at Tirek before turning her gaze to the pink filly. “Diamond Tiara, could you please escort Tirek to the cafeteria. Now that he is out of Tartarus, I’m sure he’ll work up an appetite soon.”
The mare perked up at her name, snapping her out of her daze and also a bit of fear at the notion. “I, uh, yes, ma’am!” She hopped off Luna’s throne. She took a few steps towards the doorway before turning back. “This way, sir.” Tirek snorted but followed her regardless.
Luna shot a glare at her sister. “Tia!” she hissed.
“She will be fine, Luna. Tirek won’t harm her.”
“That is not what I’m worried about!” Luna stamped her hoof to emphasize her words. “The plan was for him to choose Twilight, not Rarity!”
“It is too late now, Luna. He’s made his choice. If we have any chance at this, we can’t go back on our word.”
“Then we must prepare her for anything -”
Celestia interjected, “No, we mustn’t. She must figure out how to do this herself and with the help of her friends.”
Luna sighed in frustration. She knew her sister was right in her way of thinking, but she couldn’t shake the growing worries that once again plagued her mind. It was just more to vent about to Rich later on. Perhaps he had some advice to calm her anxieties.