//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: The Trip Home // Story: A Royal Getaway // by IronStories //------------------------------// Celestia and Novo were all nestled in their train cabin, having just departed from Ponyville. They would be arriving at Canterlot first thing in the morning. As much fun as their vacation together was, they were ready to get back to their royal duties. "So, did you enjoy your vacation?" Celestia asked Novo. "I sure did, despite some minor bumps." The hippogriff Queen replied. "But I'm ready to get home and see my subjects again. And my daughter, too." "I know exactly what you mean." Celestia yawned. She nestled in her bed, her eyelids starting to feel heavy. "Well, I'm calling it a day. I need my beauty sleep." "So do I." Novo said, trying her hardest not to fall asleep. "I'm exhausted. Goodnight, Celie." "Goodnight, Novo." The Princess replied, turning off the light. The two were quickly fast asleep as the train continued on towards Canterlot. Morning approached, and the train finally arrived at the Canterlot station. Celestia and Novo got up just in time, and they got their luggage and exited the train. "Feels nice to be back home." Celestia was relieved that she was home again. She and Novo made their way towards Canterlot Castle, where Celestia would unpack and then take the chariot to Mount Aris to drop Novo off. Once they finally arrived, they saw Luna in the throne room, having wrapped up a meeting with some delegates from the Crystal Empire. "Luna!" Celestia came to greet her sister. "Looks like you did well in my absence." "I don't even know how you manage to keep things running, dear sister." Luna replied. "Remember your part of the deal, you cover my night shifts next week." "And I remembered to get you a little something on my trip." Celestia then pulled out the Zapapple Jam she got in Ponyville and handed it to Luna. Luna was very delighted. "You know, you should go on vacation more often." She beamed. Celestia headed to her room, with Novo following behind her. She also waved to Luna. Once they arrived at Celestia's room, the Princess unpacked her things. There was a lot of stuff, and Novo was stating to get antsy. Celestia realized this and felt it would be better to organize later. She and Novo headed to the royal Chariot. "Where to, your majesty?" One of the guards asked. "We're heading to Mount Aris." Celestia replied. "Think you can get us there quick?" "Is a Rainboom sonic?" Another guard chipped in. They saddled up and Celestia and Novo boarded the Chariot, departing for Mount Aris. While they were on their voyage, Celestia noticed that Novo was looking a bit worried. "Is everything okay?" She asked. "Oh, I'm fine." Novo replied. "I just hope Skystar wasn't overwhelmed with all those responsibilities I gave her. You know how she is..." "I'm sure she handled things just fine." Celestia reassured. They were able to see the home of the hippogriffs in the distance. At long last, they had made it to Mount Aris. The Chariot landed with only the most grace, and Celestia helped Novo get her luggage. "Hah, home sweet home." Novo said. She and Celestia made their way to the palace and check up on Skystar. The hippogriffs were very happy to see their Queen back, waving at her and greeting her. Some even asked how her vacation was. "Looks like your subjects missed you. And nothing seems amiss either." Celestia looked at all the happy hippogriffs. "Even so, there's still one griff I have yet to see. And I hope to Neptune she did as she was told." The Royals managed to make it to the palace, and not a moment too soon. For when Novo opened the door, she saw something she never thought she would ever see in her home. Hundreds and hundreds of red crabs crawling about. "What in the name of the Seven Seas?!" Novo was completely surprised. "SKYSTAR!!!" Suddenly, the yellow hippogriff flew in, unaware that her mother just arrived home. "Oh! Mom! I wasn't expecting you to be home so soon!" Skystar tried her best to stall. "Care to explain why there are all these crabs are scurrying around the palace? And why this is the first thing I see when I come home from my vacation?!" Skystar was starting to sweat. "Well, you told me on the list to keep an eye on the red crab population on the north side, but everygriff was complaining that the crabs were heading towards the beach where we always go to and disturbing the guests. So I thought it would be best to bring the ones that were on the beach here to keep an eye on them!" "Well, you gotta give her some points for creativity." Celestia chuckled. "That's no reason to bring all of them here!" Novo scolded. "You should have put them back to the north side. Now help me get them all out of the palace-OW!" A crab managed to pinch one of Novo's tail feathers. It was a little painful, it not a minor annoyance. Skystar gave a concerned smile and Celestia chucked again. Novo was far from thrilled, however. "I suggest we make haste." The Queen groaned, removing the crab that pinched her. "And we do so before any more injuries happen..." With quick thinking, they all wrangled up as many crabs as they could find, and there were plenty that managed to get into some tight spaces. Fortunately, Celestia was able to use her magic to get some of them out without harming the little creatures. It took a while, but all the crabs were caught and returned to the north side. Once that was taken care of, the three flew back to the palace. "Not exactly how I was hoping to have coming back home, but at least you didn't do any major damage." Novo told her daughter. Skystar frowned a little. "You have to give her some credit though," Celestia chimed in, "She managed to keep everything in order. Well, minus the crabs..." "Yes, and here I was worried that you might have done something reckless like you tend to." Novo looked at Skystar, and her stern face turned into a proud smile. "But I am glad that the place is still standing, and you managed to take in such a huge responsibility. You're on the fast track to becoming a great Queen. I'm proud of you, and I know your father would be too." "Thanks, Mom." Skystar chirped, and she hugged her mother. Celestia watched the two griffs share their moment, when she looked into the sky. "Well, I suppose I should get going. The Sun needs to be lowered. Gotta get back into reality sometime." Novo chuckled. "Seems like every time we go on some big adventure, it always kind of ends like this. Well, thank you so much for taking me on the best vacation ever, Celie." "You are more than welcome, Novo." Celestia replied, as she gave Novo a departing hug. She then trotted out of the place and headed to her chariot, ready to depart back to Canterlot. Later in the evening, Novo and Skystar were having dinner. The Queen was baking some of her famous kelp soufflé, and Skystar was intrigued with how her mother's vacation went. "So how was it? Did you have fun?" "Oh, certainly." Novo replied to Skystar's question. "I got to do stuff like zip-lining, got some gifts for your aunt and cousins, visited a bird sanctuary, and ran into some old faces. And don't worry, I did get you some things, too." She pulled out her travel bag, which had several gifts in it. Three of them were for Skystar, including a signed Coloratura poster and other trinkets from Manehattan, some shells from Vanhoover, and the cupcake Pinkie Pie made. "Oh my gosh! Pinkie Pie made this for me?!" The hippogriff Princess squeaked with excitement. "I love it so much!" "Figured you would, sweetie." Novo smiled. "Now then, how was your week as Temporary Queen?" "Oh, it wasn't too bad." Skystar said, taking a bite out of her cupcake. "I did everything you wanted on the list and had Silverstream help me out a little. I don't know how you managed to do all of this by yourself. It's hard work!" "You get use to it after a while. Though things were a lot easier to manage when your father was around. I was so worried that I put too much pressure on you, but you pulled through just fine." The two griffs looked out the window and watched as the Sun went down and the night arrived. "You think that next time you decide to go on vacation, you could bring me along?" Skystar asked. Novo looked at her daughter for a second, and smiled at her. "Honey, I would love to." She held Skystar close to her wing and they watched the stars in the night sky twinkle through Mount Aris. It was good to be back home.