//------------------------------// // Coronation Part 4 // Story: Coronation of Compassion // by Echo Breeze //------------------------------// I walked into Sugar Cube Corner, and did a bit of a double take at what I saw. Sitting at one of the booths in the back was AJ, with none other than Gilda herself. I was the first one to arrive, I walked up to them and cleared my throat. "Applejack, darling," I started as I got nearer. "Not to be rude or anything, but what is she doing here?" She turned to look at me. "Hey Rarity," she said with a smile that set my cheeks aflush. I cleared my throat. "Gilda is here for a reason. Let's wait fer the others ta get here before Ah explain." She motioned for me to take a seat next to her on the bench. I took up the proffered seat just as the others arrived. Fluttershy and Pinkie took the open seats across from Applejack and I, right next to Gilda.  "Would anyone like to explain why Gilda is here? I thought she hated Sunset." Fluttershy said, earning a look of reprieve from Gilda, causing Fluttershy to flinch and hide behind her hair. "She's here because Ah invited her, and because she has somethin' ta say." Applejack replied, looking at Gilda. "Now's the time." Gilda nodded, gulped, then took a deep breath. The final preparations done, Snowflake and I set out to my room to get ready for the coronation. I looked at my reflection in the mirror as Rarity was putting the final touches on the dress. The yellow and red flowing gradient accentuated with rubies, followed by the matching tiara with my cutie mark emblazoned with rubies and topaz. I couldn’t help the lone tear that was falling down my muzzle. Rarity looked up and smiled, slightly concerned. “Are you alright, darling?” She asked, wiping the tear away with a kerchief. “I’m okay, Rarity,” I replied with a smile of my own. “It still feels a bit surreal. That’s all.: “You’re telling me.” Snowflake said from where she was waiting for her dress, one that I was told matched a dress made for Rainbow Dash for the Grand Galloping Gala, with a few tweaks. “My marefriend is a princess now.” That caused Rarity and I to giggle. “Never pegged you for a sap, Snowflake.” I said, teasingly. She blushed and stuck her tongue out at me. Rarity finished with the tiara, and turned her attention to Snowflake. “Right. Time to get you ready, and make you look fabulous!” Rarity said with a flourish, making Snowflake gulp. I giggled and waited for Rarity to finish. I looked at Gilda, not believing what I was hearing. “You mean to tell me that you actually had doubts about Sunset being Anon-A-Miss?!” I yelled out, my newly discovered temper flaring again. “Yes. That’s what I said, Fluttershy.” Gilda replied, flinching a bit at my harsh tone. “And you still decided it was a good idea to join in on the bullying?!” I asked, my voice rising to a small shout. “Not my finest moments. I know…” Gilda replied, looking genuinely sorry for what she did to Sunset. “I was angry. It looked a lot like what she used to do, before Princess Twilight came.” “She has a point, Flutters,” Applejack said, looking at me sadly. “We thought the same thing, remember?” I just nodded, looking away sadly. “I’m sorry, Gilda. It's been a rough couple of days.” I said, looking at Gilda. “No worries, Fluttershy. I can understand that.” Gilda replied, looking back at me with a wan smile. I smiled back and turned to look back at Applejack. “Anywho, Gilda here wanted to speak to Sunset, to apologize for what she did, but Ah warned her off because of a certain pissed off purple pony princess and Sunset’s mom.” Applejack said, causing Gilda to look away sadly and the rest of us to look on in concern. “If Sunset forgives you, then so will Twilight and Celestia, darling.” Rarity said to Gilda, reaching out a hand comfortingly. “I know- wait…” Gilda started. “Celestia?! As in Principal Celestia?!?!” “Principal Celestia’s pony counterpart.” Pinkie piped up from her spot before we could say anything. “She’s this super, mega, ultra Princess in charge of the sun and the day in Equestria, where Sunset and Twilight are from.” “I see…” Gilda replied, a thoughtful look on her face. The look was replaced by one of shock in a matter of seconds. “I BULLIED A PRINCESS?!?!” I cringed away from the sudden yelling, causing Gilda to look in my direction in embarrassment. “Sorry Flutters.” “It’s okay, Gilda.” I replied. “Eyup, pretty much did,.” Applejack replied to Gilda’s yelled question. “It shocked us when we learned about it too.” “Shit.” Gilda responded to that, slamming her fist on the table. “Shit shit shit! I gotta talk to her now.” “You’ll have to wait for her to return for that, Gilda.” I told her gently. “I know,” She replied. “I just hope she can forgive me, and Dash too, for roughing her up the way we did before they left…” “You. Did. WHAT?!?!” We all yelled in unison, causing Gilda to flinch, on the verge of tears. I gasped, knowing the signs of someone beating themselves up. “You feel like you messed up badly already, don’t you?” Gilda nodded, looking down. I could see the tears falling already. “Fucked up badly would be a better way of saying it, Flutters.” She replied. Rarity rested her hand comfortingly on Gilda’s arm, Gilda smiling gratefully. “Well, now we wait.” I said, looking out the window. “I need to get going. It's story time at the shelter now.” “Yeah, and Big Mac needs muh help on the farm.”Applejack said, getting up from her seat. “Good thing Cammy is good in the cold. Old faithful wouldn’t start this mornin’” “It was nice to talk to you like this, Gilda darling.” Rarity said, looking at her with a smile. “This is a side of you I have yet to see, afterall.” “Likewise, Rarity.” Gilda said, politely and with a genuine smile. “I guess I’ll see you all around.” We all walked to the door, Pinkie walking out after us, but hanging back, her shift starting soon. “See you around, Gilda.” I said, hitting the unlock button on my key fob and getting behind the wheel of my Prius.