//------------------------------// // Chapter 30: Such A Big Day // Story: Dancing With The Shadows // by Vocal Sweets //------------------------------// Seven months later… Harmonia looks at her appearance in the mirror, she’s been through a lot in the past couple of years. All leading up to this specific moment.  She takes in a deep breath, as Flurry brushes her mane. “You look beautiful, Harmonia.” Flurry said, giving her a small smile.  “You really think I’m ready to help mom rule Equestria?” Harmonia asked, looking at her reflection back in the mirror.  “I mean she almost ruled over us, I don't think she needs help.” Flurry mutters.  Harmonia turns to look at her cousin. “What?” She said.  “Nothing… The point is I help my mom rule over The Crystal Empire as The Princess of Light. And like you I’m more like my mom’s equal in ruling not her successor.” Flurry explains.  “Wait… I thought you were a part of The Crystal Guard?” Harmonia asked, confused.  Flurry giggles. “That was temporary. Also because my dad just dumped the responsibility on me at the last second.” She mutters the last bit to herself.  Harmonia lightly giggles.  There was a knock on the door, to reveal Twilight all dressed up in coronation attire.  “Are you ready Harmonia?” Twilight asked her voice soft and gentle.  “Of course…” Harmonia said, softly smiling at her.  *** “Citizens of Equestria and beyond! My sister and I have ruled this land for quite some time, but even we know that change eventually comes to us all. And though we know it can be unsettling, it's as natural as the rising and setting of the sun and the moon. Both of which my sister and I feel confident leaving in the hooves of the pony’s daughter who will come after us and herself.” Celestia announced.   “And so without further ado, I give you the next Princess of Equestria - Princess Harmonia Sparkle!” Celestia announces.  The double doors open to reveal Harmonia in all of her former glory.  Harmonia smiles at both Celestia and Luna, her mother off in the corner with tears in her eyes. Kunzite held Harmonia’s crown, which Luna uses her magical aura to replace Harmonia's old crown with her new one.    The transition from Princess to well Princess of Friendship and Chaos was fairly quick and easy.  Heck, for a moment there she thought she would have to give a speech.  The ponies cheered. Harmonia breathes a sigh as she gladly accepts her crown and waves, but before she has a chance to walk away Celestia lightly nudges Harmonia’s side. “Say something Princess.” Celestia lightly whispers to her.    Well so much for no speech. Harmonia slightly tenses up at the thought of giving a speech why couldn’t this have been a grab and go moment?!  “Any time now, say something!” Celestia said, speaking through a smile.  “.....”  “Harmony, sweetie…. what are you doing?” Twilight thought.  “.... a speech! Right I- I prepared one.” Harmonia said slightly baffled.  She forces a smile at the crowd before her, as she pulls out her mini flash cards/cue cards.  “Citizens of Equestria, I want to-“  Only to clumsily drop them off the balcony.  She looks back up at the crowd, who starts to murmur.  “..... okay well umm I did have a speech prepared as you can see the wind took it, apparently it wanted to hear it as much as you guys did.” Harmonia announced.  The crowd lightly giggles.  “Look I’ve just become a crowned Princess for you guys not even five minutes ago and I’m already screwing up. I’m new to this and as you can see giving speeches are not my strong suit.” She admits.  “Yeah! We’ve noticed!” Someone in the crowd shouts.  Confetti glares daggers at them.  “But what do you say to everyone on such a big day?” Harmonia mumbles to herself.  Harmonia clears her throat, closes her eyes and clears her mind, she then opens her eyes to face the crowd. "Everypony, I thank you all for being here, at this time of ceremony in which my family and I waited for!"  Harmonia looks at her mom who smiled at her, gesturing that she should continue. "We may be of different species, I myself know that, but that doesn't mean that we should look down on them like they are outcasts to the eyes of many."  Harmonia looks at her friends who were at the front row, Cotton Berry and Confetti Pop tears up. "I've been through a lot to be here with you all, the hardships, the trials we face as an individual who strives to be better, something we yearn for." Twilight smiles at her daughter, feeling the message that came from Harmonia's heart. "But I wasn't alone, my friends made me see the importance of what friendship can do to an individual." HoneyCrisp and Prism couldn't hold back any tears, letting them fall. "Friendship is what drives us to do something that nopony has ever done! Save the world, saved a civilization from being ruled, drive out the evil that plagues it!"   Harmonia says proudly, everypony in the crowd smiles, some tears up feeling the message. "I may never be as good as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, or even my mother, Princess Twilight, but I promise everypony that I'll do my best, to keep us safe and sound!" Harmonia looks at Twilight, tears welling up in her eyes. "For that's a Pinkie promise, and with that saying, the magic of friendship will always be and everywhere, give us the strength to push on, our hearts shining through darkness!" The royal guards pound their spears to the ground, giving out their battle cries. "Generosity, Kindness, Loyalty, Honesty, Laughter, Friendship. The six that we should never forget that makes us who we are." She looks at everyone with a smile, then finishes off with a magic spell. "I, Princess Harmonia Sparkle, am proud to be your ruler! Long live Equestria!"  Harmonia shouts out a colorful blast of magic to the sky, it explodes into a colorful magenta firework. "Cheers for Princess Harmonia Sparkle!" Luna yells out, everypony in the crowd cheers, throwing roses in the air, Harmonia's friends went up the stage to give Harmonia a group hug. "We're proud of you!" HoneyCrisp nuzzles Harmonia, she giggles. The Princesses, Tempest and the other Unicorns fired colorful magic orbs at the sky, they exploded into fireworks, colorful sparkles filling the air. Everypony cheered.  *** “Now that’s how you pull off an epic coronation!” Cotton Berry said, pumping his hoof in the air.  “I can't believe this day has finally come. After everything that has happened, I thought that my crowning would have to wait for another year or so.” Harmonia said, she couldn't help but keep touching her crown.  “After everything you have been through you definitely deserve it.” Illusion said, giving her a small smile.  “You look very beautiful, Harmonia.” Prism said.  “Indeed!” Mystic said, smiling at her. She actually looked happy for once. “Wait- When did you two get together?” Cotton Berry wonders.  “Oh it's a wonderful story.” Beams Mystic.  “Did it involve a musical number?” Smirks Confetti Pop.  “I believe it did.” Smiles Mystic, who was still swooning over Prism. “Well they are both made for each other. You two are both have major ego problems.” Snarks Illusion, but gives them a playful smile.  Mystic rolled her eyes at her brother, but looked at Prism. “Oh, I love this song. Come dance with me Prizmmy.” Mystic said.  “Fine. Only for you.” Prism said, leading the two towards the dance floor.  Harmonia continues to greet her guests and give thanks to the ones congratulating her.  “Congratulations princess.” Said one of her guests.  “Thank you.” Harmonia said, smiling at her.  “Do you mind if I have this dance, Princess Fuzzball?” Asks a familiar voice.  Harmonia turns around to come face to face with Discord.  Harmonia slightly teared up. “O-of course.” Mumbles Harmonia. Discord held out his paw and guided his daughter to the center of the ballroom. “I am so proud of the young lady- er draconequus- you have turned into. I know you will make a great princess with your mother's help.” Discord said.  That statement made Harmonia tear up even more. She embraced her dad in a hug. “Oh Dad.” Harmonia said, a soft smile played onto her lips.  Illusion watches from afar, quietly observing and smiling at the scene before him. He patiently waited for Harmonia to finish. He breathes a sigh of relief, once he realizes she was free. “Hey, Harmonia. Would you care to dance?” Illusion asks, holding out his hoof.  Harmonia blushes. “I actually just got done not too long ago dancing with dad, but I would love to.” she mutters.  Illusion smirks at her then whisks her away onto the dance floor.  The two danced elegantly, lightly gliding across the smooth shiny floor. “You dance beautifully, your highness.” Illusion said, his tone light, airy and somewhat romantic.  Harmonia blushes. “Please just call me Harmonia. I'm not all into titles yet, I don't want anypony to address me with that form of title especially my friends unless it's of importance only.” Harmonia explains.  “Got it!” Illusion said.  “So Princ- I mean Harmonia- do you have any new laws to bend upon Equestria since you are crowned?” Illusion asks, his tone playful.  “Who are you the news reporter?” Harmonia asks, her tone bashfully.  Illusion smirks at her. “I'm just trying to figure out who you are.”  “You already know who I am. I'm just a simple mare who wants to make everyone happy, but now I've got to find my own happiness. Which I think I have.” Harmonia said, softly smiling.  Illusion smiles back. The song then shifts to a different soundtrack. “Mind if I cut in darling?” Ophelia purrs.  Illusion looked at Ophelia and gave a nod. “Of course.If you need me Harmonia I will be right over there.” Illusion said, before vanishing into the crowd of the party goes.  Harmonia nods. “So what were you and the pretty boy talking about?” Ophelia said.  “Just stuff.” Mutters Harmonia.  “Oh, really?” Ophelia teases as she smirks at the newly crowned princess.  They glide the shiny ballroom floor with elegance and grace.  After the song was finished, Ophelia gave a gentle smile to Harmonia. “Thank you for the dance.” Mutters Harmonia.  “No problem darling.” Ophelia said.  “But…. I think I need more time. I mean after everything that has happened-” Harmonia said, trying her best to explain, but Harmonia was cut off by Ophelia's kind, but flirtatious gaze.  “It's okay, darling. I understand.” The young feline whispers softly.  Ophelia then leaves Harmonia to tend to her own thoughts before her mother, her mother's personal guard and Aunt Starlight come over to her.  “Sweetheart, I am so proud of you. I love you very much.” Twilight said.  “I love you too.” Harmonia said, but she couldn't help but keep her mind off of other things.  *** Stormy stands beside her mother, who claps her hooves together for her "sister", but does not smile for her, only distaste and hate filled her mind. "If only dad was here, I would've been a  princess instead of her..." Stormy muttered to herself as she trots out of the area where her mother was, she then looks at the crowd, cheering for Harmonia. "Everypony does love you, you good for nothing fuzzball..." Stormy says in jealousy as she eye'd the crowd still cheering. Stormy felt a sharp pain in her head, her eyes turning green, with purple mist coming out slowly, she grits her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the pain. "My head!" Stormy calls out, Twilight hears her daughter and rushes to Stormy. "What's wrong Stormy?" Twilight looked at Stormy's eyes, it was what Sombra had, but she doesn't know where the source is coming from. "Princess Celestia, I need help!" Twilight calls out, Celestia makes her way to Twilight, looking at Stormy's eyes, her eyes widened from the sight. "It's a code red, I'll alert the guards!" Celestia rushed to the guards lined up on the side of the stage. From the crowd, a pony with a black cloak and a hood covering his face was staring at Stormy, his grin wide, Stormy looked at the pony, pain still took control of her. "Who are you..." Stormy asked herself, the pony who stared back communicated to her back in mind. "The time is near..." The pony said as he ran out of the crowd, soon enough Stormy was now on the ground, exhausted from all the pain she felt, Luna, Celestia and Twilight helped Stormy get up slowly and rushed her inside the castle. "It's ok baby, mommy's here!" Twilight said as she opened the castle doors, letting Stormy inside for treatment. *** Twilight sat there in silence, the door swinging open to reveal the Princesses. "She is going to be okay." Celestia said, smiling at her. Twilight lets out a sigh of relief, Celestia guides her inside the room, only to see Stormy laying down on the couch, she sits down beside her daughter, stroking her mane. "What happened? I felt dark magic radiate inside her mind." Twilight asks, her tone filled with worry, Celestia could not find the answer, nor can Luna. "Somepony in the crowd must have triggered a compulsion, and it gave a big toll on Stormy's telepathy." Luna figures, a guard approaches them, with a sad look on his face. "Princess, we couldn't find the suspect, no traces either." The guard informs as he sheathes his broadsword, Luna sighs. "Alright, thank you for your assistance, sister let Twilight be with her daughter, we have other important matters to attend to." Luna orders, as she leaves the room with the guards, Celestia smiles at Twilight. "I'll be seeing you around, Princess." Celestia leaves the room, Twilight gives out a smile, but fades quickly into a saddened look. Harmonia enters the room, seeing Twilight with Stormy. "Mom, is everything ok with her?" Harmonia asks, Twilight smiles at Harmonia. "She's fine dear, some bad pony managed to get through her." Twilight says as she strokes Stormy's mane, Harmonia then approaches the two. "Stay here and guard your sister, I'll be outside with aunt Rarity." Twilight says as she stands up, and leaves the room. "Bye mom!" Harmonia calls out, Twilight gives her a smile before leaving the room, meeting up with Rarity.   Harmonia sits down beside Stormy, who was still out cold from the pain. “I can’t believe this is how the rest of my coronation has to go.” Harmonia mutters to herself.  “However, what did happen?” Harmonia wonders, looking down at her sister, who stirred in her sleep.  She heard a soft groan from Stormy who was coming to. “Hey are you okay?” Harmonia asked, her tone soft.  “Yeah, I’m-” But Stormy stops talking when she realizes who she was talking to.  “Oh, it’s you. What do you want?” Stormy asked, her tone cold and bitter.  “I just came to check on you. I heard what happened from the Princesses so sorry if I care.” Harmonia said, her tone slightly defensive.  “Care? I don’t need anypony to care for me. I can take care of myself.” Stormy said.  “Well judging from where you’re at now, it doesn’t seem like it.” Harmonia said.  “No one asked you to be here for me.” Stormy said, her tone stern.  Harmonia gritted her teeth, Stormy took notice and backed away a little, tears left Harmonia's eyes as she glared at Stormy. "What's wrong with you!" Harmonia screams at Stormy who's eyes widened at the sight. "All I wanted for us to be siblings! Mom wanted us to do the same! And here you are being a jerk because you can't accept the fact that we're now on the same boat!" Harmonia stands up, she glares at Stormy, Stormy's ears flopped down as she stares at the ground, her eyes narrowed. “Oh! Really? We’re in the same boat?! More like Mom has always been in the picture with you! Where was I at?!” Stormy shouts.  "I'm sorry for what happened to you! I'm sorry if I can't give you the comfort you need! But I'm your sister!" Harmonia stomps her hooves on the ground, Stormy got startled from the impact of the hooves. "And it's your job to tell me how you feel so I can help you!" Harmonia speaks in a serious tone, she wipes her tears, finishing what needs to be said. Stormy and Harmonia went quiet for a few moments, Harmonia sat at the opposite chair, while Stormy stared at the ground, gripping the blanket. Stormy looks at Harmonia, who was rubbing her forehead as if she was massaging it, Stormy got up and sat beside Harmonia.  “How do I know you’re not going to hurt me.” Stormy asked, her tone still nonchalant and defensive.  "Hurt you? That was in the past Stormy, you did something wrong and it was your mistake in the first place! But I forgive you." Harmonia states, snapping her fingers, making a cup of chocolate appear on the table in front of them. "How did you-" Stormy asks but is stopped by Harmonia. "Chaos magic." Harmonia said, as she took a sip on her cup, she snapped her finger, making another cup appear in front of Stormy. "That's so cool!" Stormy was astonished by the spell, Harmonia smiled a little at that as she drank her chocolate. "You have to teach me!" Stormy demanded, Harmonia laughed and looked at Stormy. "You gotta earn my trust first." Harmonia teases. "Oh, it's not gonna be that hard." Stormy replies back, her eyes narrowed at her. "See, you're doing it again, you gotta act chill." Harmonia drinks her cup of chocolate, then sets the empty cup aside. "Chill?" Stormy asks as if she was alienated with the word, Harmonia nods. "Yes, chill, as in- relax and don't be a grumpy pony like you are now?" Harmonia says sarcastically at Stormy, Stormy rolls her eyes and drinks the cup of chocolate with her magic. "When did you start doing this?" Stormy asks. "When I was still a filly." Harmonia replies to Stormy, this time her tone soft. "When was the last time you had chocolate?" Harmonia asks. "What does chocolate have to do with our situation?" Stormy questions, looking at her sister. "Chocolate helps ease the mind, and believe me it works." Harmonia takes a sip on her cup, savoring the sweet goodness. Stormy looks down at her cup. She sighs. "What happened to my life?" Stormy voice was slightly inaudible however Harmonia still overheard.   "What do you mean?" Harmonia asked. "It was actually normal, before you came along." Stormy said, still staring at her warm liquid.  Harmonia sucks in a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “So taking over the Crystal Empire, Canterlot basically all of Equestria was your everyday normal for you?” Harmonia questions.  “Yes! Blowing up buildings, fights, studying the Dark Arts…. All of that was considered normal for me!” Stormy shouts.  “How do you expect to move on to a new sense of normality when your whole life you were raised to know only the Dark Arts?” Stormy asked.  “Maybe you need a new sense of normality then.” Harmonia suggested.  “W-where do I even begin?” Stormy asked.  Harmonia giggles. “..... I think I have a few ideas, besides we’re sisters.” she smiles down at her sister, embracing her in a hug.  “Half sisters.” Stormy corrects.  Harmonia sighs playfully. “....Oh Stormy.” she said, pulling her into a hug.  Twilight witnessed the entire thing from the ajared door, watching, she smiled to herself.  “..... That’s my girls.” She mutters to herself.  As she begins to walk down the hallway, basking in the last rays of Celestia’s sunlight of the last hours of Harmonia‘s Coronation.                               She couldn’t help but think of all the time she had wasted not being there for Harmonia, her capture with Sombra for the last nine years, tears filled her eyes, but she blinks them back as she noticed two new stained glass windows one was of Harmonia and her friends celebratory defeat against Sombra the other must a have been put in hours ago which was of Harmonia and her being crowned Equestria’s newest Princess.  “It’s a wonderful feeling isn’t it? Knowing that your daughter has overcome everything in her life just to get to this moment.” Celestia asked softly.  “Yes and I couldn’t be prouder of her.” Twilight mumbles.  Celestia lays a comforting wing on Twilight’s back, they stay in silence for a moment just staring at the two stained glass windows before Celestia turns to leave, leaving Twilight alone with her thoughts.  Maybe she had to go discuss important means with Luna, about Stormy’s connection with whatever dark magic she was feeling. However, she remembered the bond Harmonia and Stormy shared back in that room.  “Yes, everything is going to be just fine.” Twilight mutters to herself before walking away.