Twilight was amazed at their beauty. Sol and Stella were truly the gods of this world's creation. You could tell by their cutie marks. Sol's Cutie mark was almost identical to Celestia's, however, there were two differences. In the center of the Sun, there was a depiction of the Elements of Harmony. Below the Sun was a mini version of Equestria, orbiting the Sun. Star's cutie mark was the same, except it was a full moon instead of a Sun. The royals from other races bowed before them. Even the Griffons and Yaks, who are usually extremely stubborn and proud folk. Twilight was lost in thought completely. Then, Sol broke the silence that had so entranced everyone.
"My friends, and my children. I am honored with your reverence towards me, however, today is not about me, nor will the next seventy days be. Rather, they are about Twilight Sparkle." On these words, everyone cleared a path for Sol to approach Twilight. As Sol approached Twilight, she felt warmer and more like she was in a father's loving embrace. His radiance and glory were truly greater than what Twilight had felt around Celestia as a filly. She could feel his joy, and he could feel hers.
"So this is the Princess of Friendship I've heard so much about," Sol said, now looking directly at Twilight.
"Indeed father. She has performed many great works and done many services to Equus and its many creatures." Celestia was bowing. Twilight had never seen this before, her mentor, her teacher, bowing before someone else. And Twilight understood perfectly why.
"Very well, my daughter, then it is time for her to take the oath that you once took all those years ago."
"Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. Do you solemnly swear to carry out the duties as ruler of Equestria?
Sol was using his Royal Canterlot voice, more powerful than Celestia's. It could be heard for miles, blowing away clouds and shaking mountains. Twilight was caught off guard by this, but she remained firm, nonetheless.
"I do!"
"Do you promise to rule justly and wisely, and to never let personal ambition blind your purpose?"
"I do!"
"Do you swear to live by and rule by the principles and virtues of Friendship and Harmony"
"I do!"
"Do you swear to keep the peace of Equestria, forever keeping the world in balance and ensuring that you will only use war as an absolute last resort?"
"I do!"
"And do you swear to guide Equestria in times of strife, and defend this world from all threats, internal and external?"
That last one caught Twilight off guard. What did Sol mean by external? She knew about threats within Equestria such as Chrysalis, Tirek, Sombra, and Cozy Glow. But to think that there was a danger beyond this planet, more so this galaxy was quite terrifying. But her answer was firm nonetheless.
"I DO!"
Everyone was shocked. Twilight had just used a Royal Canterlot voice! Ponies gasped in shock. Rarity fainted in shock. Pinkie Pie could barely contain her excitement. Fluttershy was a bit scared due to the fact she had never seen her friend this firm and determined before. Rainbow Dash went wide-eyed thinking that this was the (second) most awesome thing she had seen in her life. (First would be her first Sonic Rainboom.) Applejack's jaw dropped in sheer surprise. She had heard Twilight amplify her voice with magic before, but this was something completely different. It commanded authority and respect, wisdom and justice. Twilight was surprised that she had done this. Sol smiled when he heard. He knew this would happen. It had happened with Celestia and Luna when they took the oath. Now Twilight had done the same thing.
Very well. I hereby dub thee, Twilight Sparkle, PRINCESS AND GODDESS OF FRIENDSHIP!
Now everyone was even more shocked! Twilight, a goddess?! She knew the princesses were goddesses, but this, feeling for the first time that you're a literal god, was overwhelming. And it was because it was so overwhelming that she nearly passed out.
"Welcome to the Equestrian Pantheon, Twilight. You're one of us now."
The crowd cheered. Pinkie Pie went insane, bouncing around all over the place. Rarity fainted, again. Rainbow Dash's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Fluttershy celebrated in her little way (cuz she's humble like that). Applejack let out a celebratory "YEE(and I cannot stress this enough)HAW!" Everyone felt it was truly the turn of age.
"Welcome to the family," Sol muttered to Twilight.
And then, Sol hugged Twilight. Twilight started to cry straight-up tears of joy. Almost like a fountain. Star also joined in on the hug, the feeling of happiness was amplified even moment. And then, it was cut short by a scream...
The sky darkened and thunderclouds raged. Lightning struck all around and every creature ran for cover, except for Sol, Star, Celestia, and Luna. Luna seemed joyful but Celestia seemed a little on edge at this.
“I was wondering when he would arrive. Welp, now we all are here.” Sol spoke with a half-smile on his face.
A black chariot descended from the sky. It was pulled by pale, skeleton ponies, clad in black armor with a single red eye made out of ruby and onyx in the center of their chest plates. Once the chariot landed, the lightning seemed to cease, but the thunderclouds were still there. The pony on the chariot was in a cloak. As he stepped out, he started to approach Sol. The royal guards jumped into defensive positions, but Sol’s guard seemed at ease. The cloak started to dissolve into bats. The full features of the pony were revealed. He was Luna’s size, his fur was as white as snow, and his mane and tail were long and black, as black as a night with no stars and moon. So were his wings, and oddly enough, so was his horn. He didn’t wear royal armor, but rather he wore a suit, a red tie, and golden buttons (of course he doesn’t have pants, get your damn mind out of the gutter).
“Hello, father.” At these words, the clouds cleared.
“Ah, Nox, so glad to have you here. Always like to make an entrance don’t you.” Sol was being a bit snarky.
"Well, don't we all have our entrances? Besides, you put on quite the show with the solar flares."
"Well, I guess it just comes with the job."
And then, they both started laughing. Not in an evil laugh but rather a joyful one. Twilight was just straight-up confused at this point.
"It feels so good to be back on Equus." Nox said as he breathed in Equus's air for the first time in a millenia. "Yep, still smells like a massive flower garden." Nocturne paused and looked over to Luna.
"Lulu!"
"Noxie!"
They ran to each other and embraced.
"Oh, dear sister, it's been too long. How's your side of the dream realm?"
"Oh, busy as usual. At least I have you protecting the outskirts from the Dream Eaters"
"Actually, on that topic, there have been no Dream Eater sightings on the outer edges by the Gargoyles. I think they might have given up, or they flung too many of their kin at my forces that they're going extinct!"
"That's wonderful!"
"Not as wonderful as seeing you again."
Somehow this made Twilight feel at ease. Seeing kindness and compassion from what she would normally define as a monster who used dark magic. This was but one of many times Twilight would see light and darkness and light get along in the following months. Then Nox released his hug and looked over at Celestia.
"Tia," Nox said with a mischievous smile.
"Brother," Tia said with sternness. It was quite clear to Twilight that the relationship between Nox and Celestia was a bit shaky. "You didn't have to scare everyone with that show you put on."
Nox shrugged sarcastically. "What can I say? I'm quite the troublemaker."
Celestia frowned. "Still! You could have just ridden with father."
"I'm the Prince of Nightmares, it's my job to scare every creature."
Stella knew that this might blow over into another argument between the two and stepped in to diffuse the situation. "Tia, Nox, what did I say about differences?"
"Put them behind you and leave them behind you." They both answered simultaneously.
"Good. Now, while I do agree with Celestia that the scare factor was a bit unnecessary, I must also agree with Nox that it's in his nature. Maybe Nox could just limit it down to the bat cloak next time."
"Sorry, mom," Nocturne said embarrassed.
"It's okay my little bat. I don't blame you."
"Mooooooooom, don't call me that! It's embarrassing and we're in public."
Celestia snickered at her mother's remark.
"Oh, don't act like you're off the hook, sun-bun."
Celestia's face turned bright red at this remark. Luna started laughing, lost her balance because of it, fell over, and still kept laughing. Some in the audience snickered trying to hold back their laughter. even some of the royal guards found it funny. Nox was on the verge of laughing but knew if he did, he would get a sunbeam to face, and he didn't want to ruin his glorious mane.
“Alright, you’ve all had your fun,” Sol said with a chuckle. “You can all save your petty insults and name-calling for later. As playful as it is, I don’t want you two accidentally starting a civil war.”
“Are you kidding?! Celestia hasn’t blushed this much in AGES."
"Enough."
Nox shrunk in fear. "...ok."
"Creatures of Equus, without any more interruptions, LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!'