Twilight stirred. She was tired from doing her duties as Princess of Friendship, but she chose not to sleep in nonetheless. She sat up and looked at her alarm clock in her bedside drawer. "5:30, good! I got time to get ready for the day," She thought to herself. Usually, Twilight preferred to wake up on time, but today was a special day for Twilight. A very special day indeed.
Celestia was up bright and early as well. She knew this was the beginning of an important day as well. For a new era was dawning in Equestria on this day. An age of peace, and true harmony.
They both went through their normal morning routines but at a bit of an increased pace. Celestia had to prepare the palace and the city of Canterlot altogether. The preparations were for a massive festival that had not occurred in many, many millennia, and Twilight would be at the center of all of it. Twilight knew she had to get to Canterlot as fast as she could to not keep Celestia waiting. She figured her friends were already there.
Twilight had assumed correctly, they were in Canterlot, but they were sleeping in a hotel room. Besides, they still had a few hours to sleep anyways. All snug in their beds. Except for Pinkie Pie. Pinkie was wide awake.
"I can't sleep! It's impossible to sleep! Not on a day like this! ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! Can you believe it?! It's so exciting! I can't wait any longer! EEEEEEEEE-"
"PINKIE!" Applejack yelled, obviously annoyed at Pinkie's rambling, "Can you please go back to sleep for at least thirty more minutes? If you haven't noticed, we're trying to get some rest before the big day today."
"Well, that's why I'm excited! Today is a big day for Twilight! And I'm excited for- wait, what's happening again?"
Applejack sighed. Everyone was half awake at this point. Rainbow Dash had covered her head and ears with a pillow. Fluttershy was just waking up, groggy as a bear just coming out of hibernation. And Rarity? Even with earplugs and a sleeping mask on, she still was woken up by Pinkie.
"By Celestia, this is the eighth time I've had to explain this to you. OK, so, today is the beginning of a massive festival called the Coronation. It's a festival that hasn't happened since Celestia and Luna became princesses. Today is the first out of seventy days of this entire event, with different events planned every week. Today is one of the most important because Celestia and Luna's PARENTS are coming down from the Sun and Moon to give Twilight their blessing, and to stay on Equestria for the entirety of the seventy days of the festival. Then, once the seventy days have passed, Twilight will begin to go through a metamorphosis of sorts."
"Like a caterpillar making its cocoon and turning into a wonderful butterfly," Fluttershy added before she collapsed back onto her bed.
"Yes, thank you, Fluttershy. For ten days, Twilight will start to turn into a true Alicorn. The thing is, Twilight must not be disturbed during this time, otherwise, the whole process will fail and Twilight won't get another shot at this. After those ten days, Twilight will emerge on the balcony of the Palace. Then we'll get to see her raise the Sun on her own without any help for the first time."
"And that's it?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes, that's it. Of course, there's saying goodbye to Celestia and Luna but of course, that will be more of a personal event for us."
"Oh OK, I think I get it. Could you run that by me again?"
Everyone groaned simultaneously.
At the turning of the age, when a new Princess is crowned...
It was almost noon. The press had lined up for photos, guards had been stationed at areas of key importance. Every pony and creature was ready for the big announcement, except for Twilight. She was scared, more than she ever had been in her life up to this point.
"Now Twilight, there's no need to worry about anything right now." Celestia was speaking in a soothing tone to help try and calm Twilight down. Sadly, it wasn't working.
"ARE YOU KIDDING?! I AM WORRIED ABOUT EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW! I'M ABOUT TO MEET YOUR PARENTS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN SEEN IN... FOREVER!"
"Twilight, I too am anxious about seeing my parents again. Truly it has been a while since I last saw them in person, but trust me, they're lovely."
"THAT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY! THEY'RE YOUR PARENTS! THEY'VE KNOWN YOU FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE! THEY ARE THE MOST POWERFUL BEINGS IN ALL OF- of- wait, would it be this solar system?"
"Galaxy." Luna chimed in. Celestia shot her a look that clearly said "As much as I love you, you're not helping."
"Right, THIS ENTIRE CLOPPING GALAXY!" Celestia summoned a paper bag which Twilight started breathing into immediately.
"Relax Twilight. Just act natural. Be yourself."
"ARE YOU KIDDING, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO CREATED THIS ENTIRE WORLD. I AM BUT A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK COMPARED TO THEM! THEY PROBABLY THINK THAT I'M JUST SOME DUMB LITTLE FILLY ON A POWER TRIP!"
"They think quite highly of you," Luna said with a smile.
"Wait, really?" Twilight was dumbfounded.
"Of course!" Celestia said with a bit of a laugh. Twilight started to calm down. "Remember how you sent letters to me about what you learned in friendship?"
"Yeah, those were key elements in the friendship lessons."
"Well, my sister and I have been writing letters to our parents explaining how far you've come. Ever since the beginning when you became my apprentice. They were overjoyed to hear about how you freed Luna from the darkness when you defeated Nightmare Moon. They've heard all about you and your adventures, fighting evil and always remaining true to the ways of friendship and harmony. We've even told them about your friends as well. Needless to say, they are quite impressed."
"Well, that helps at least." Twilight was still a bit anxious, but a little calmer. Still, she wanted this day to go perfectly. "But what if I say the wrong thing, what if I offend them, what if-"
"Twilight," Celestia took hold of Twilight's face with one hoof and aligned it with her own. "You. will. be. fine."
Twilight felt comforted by Celestia's kind words. She hugged Celestia as tears of joy dripped down her face. "Thank you," Twilight whispered through a whimper.
"You're welcome Twilight," Celestia hugged with one hoof back.
"Awwww, how cute." Rarity said, causing Twilight to jump in surprise.
"How long have you all been here?" Twilight asked in embarrassment.
"We just got here!" Pinkie said. "I made you a congrats-you're-about-to-become-a-goddess cake for this celebration."
"WAIT I'M GOING TO BECOME A WHAT?!" Just like that, Twilight was back to panicking.
Just then, the clock struck noon and the Sun flared. Everyone looked up in amazement and wonder. No one had ever seen a solar flare before. The way the sun seemed to let loose and let its streams of sunlight dance around. It truly was a beautiful sight to see. One stream was bigger and brighter than the others and it was headed for Canterlot.
"Looks like dad is finally coming!" Celestia said excitedly.
"Don't forget about mom!" Luna nudged her sister playfully.
"Let's go see them, I'm SO EXCITED!" Pinkie was the first one out onto the courtyard.
When gods descend from the heavens to greet their next generation...
A chariot of fire pulled by four Pegasi, their manes like fire, their coats black as a solar eclipse. Wheels of pure gold turned with all haste. Upon the front of the chariot was a depiction of the Elements of Harmony and the royal seal of the Sun and Moon. The chariot touched down in the courtyard just as everyone entered. The ponies that stepped out of it were different. The first had fur as white as snow, his mane and tail were of the sun itself. He commanded a sense of authority, yet you could still feel the love within him. He made anyone who was around him feel warm and welcome. He was adorned in gold, much like Celestia, only with more gems depicting the elements and more armor. In the center was a depiction of the sun made of spessartite. He was an inch taller and a bit bigger than Celestia. The second had blue fur, a shade darker than Luna's, her mane and tail were colored streams of purple and blue. In her mane and tail, you could see stars and constellations, much more than you could see in Luna's. She commanded a sense of motherhood. Stern yet loving. She wore an outfit like Luna, but more mystical. Encrusted with Amethyst and an opal gem in the center. She was but a little bit taller than Celestia.
One of the Pegasi stepped forward.
"Mares and Gentlecolts, I present to you, King Sol and Queen Stella. Father and mother of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Gods of Equus, and creators of Ponykind."
Celestia and Luna bowed before them. Twilight just stared in amazement.