//------------------------------//
// Some explainations 
// Story: Twilight's Canterlot: RotE Episode 6 
// by Dream Volt 
//------------------------------//

	I sighed.  Pinkie and Dash were being very silly.  Silent Sky and Fluttershy were still talking in the corner, and Applejack was reading a book on royal property law that just so happened to be the only book in the room.  It was a waiting room of some sort, a large window with a great view of Canterlot.  Rarity was still unconscious on the couch.  I think she had to fully understand what my title meant, and then of course blew it way out of proportion in her own mind.

"No, you first Lady Pinkie."

"No, I insist, you Lady Dash."

Then they both broke into laughter.  Again.  I don't think either of them had even a sip of their tea yet.  Then I suddenly felt myself in a magical grip, and was spun around to face a very awake Rarity.

"You will explain in full.  Now."

I sighed.  "Its not that complicated.  I haven't liked telling ponies for a while.  Honestly I don't even think about it much, and everypony in Canterlot already knows.  I don't get a vote and my estate consists entirely of my house.  It's no big deal."

"No big deal?  Even if the position has no power now it is still a terribly important position.  Everypony knows that."

"I don't." said Dash

"Me neither, Countess Rarity."  Pinkie then reared up and opened her mouth, twin fangs sticking out like a vampire."  She then laughed as she flopped to the floor.

"Ah don't know neither by the way."

"I don't really either." Said Fluttershy

"I do of course, but I spent most of my time in an ancient library." Added Sky

"I see.  Well then I will explain." Said Rarity  "It is very simple.  This mountain was named after one of the three founders of Equestria."

"Prior to Canterlot Platinum City sat upon the mountain."  I added.  "In the age of insanity, which the events of are now considerably more clear, the mountain ate the city.  I used to think that was figurative, but under a literal interpretation the ruins found inside the mountain make considerably more sense."

"The important point is while the three tribes made peace, each created their own great city within a small distance from each other.  Platinum Mountain eventually became the name of smallest duchy in the kingdom as it did define it most clearly."

"Yea, Cloudsdale was the Pegasai city, but we were so awesome we didn't build a new one, we just moved it all the way over here.  Cool right?"

"Ooooo" added Pinkie

"And the last one was castle Everfree and it's surrounding village." I added

"What?" echoed everypony but Sky and Fluttershy.

"Obviously this was before Discord.  Clearly the records during the age of insanity were corrupted because of him, but one thing was clear enough.  Before Discord the castle and surrounding town were built on a relatively featureless plain.  After there was a wild uncontrollable forest with only the castle remaining."

"That varmit probably dun messed up the ground too."

"Oh my."  Said Fluttershy.

"It obviously became known as the castle of the pony sisters because it was the only appropriate structure still standing."

"Hmm, very interesting Twilight, but we believe you are trying to leave out the most important part on purpose."

I sighed.  "Even then Equestria's government was an odd mix of the Unicorn's monarchy, the Pegasus Republic, and the Earth Pony Democracy.  The Unicorns kept most of their titles and prestige, but their power was considerably reduced."

"You're still stalling.  Tell them."

"Ultimately this means Equestria always had a queen, but in a effort to keep succession simple and the best candidate chosen, the next in line was always give a certain position.  Though the post hasn't been filled for literal centuries, it still exists."

"And it is of course the Dutchess of Platinum Mountain." Said Rarity.

Now everypony but Rarity and Sky gasped.

"But it doesn’t mean anything." I said  "If Celestia and Luna were gone yes I suppose I would be called to rule in absentia under the law, but in practice, it's meaningless.  If they were gone the sun and the moon would fail to move.  It wouldn’t matter."

Everypony looked down.  It was a horrible thing to even think about.  Then Celstia and Luna entered the room.  They both looked around, smiles on their faces fading slightly.

"What is this."

I shook my head.  "Nothing important.  Just thinking about something that can never happen anyway, right girls."

"Oh yea, Duh." Said Pinkie

"Right."  Echoed everypony else 

"So have you yet told the tale of why Sunny gave thee your title?"

"No."

"Then I think I would prefer to tell it myself Twilight."  Celestia smiled  "You see young Twilight was a filly in a castle full of nobles but no title of her own."

"Ah think ah see where this is going."

I blushed

"At first there were no problems, but eventually some nobles began to order her about because they realized she would not question them and do as they ask.  Eventually it got so bad she would often be reduced to tears.  Which she vainly tired to hide."

"I still don't understand how you knew every time they picked on me."

"I decided this simply could not continue.  I asked for a list of vacant titles.  I asked them to be complete as possible, and saw one even I had forgotten.  On a lark I decided it would quite funny to grant her that title."

"Of course there were some rules about titles even then, but they weren't as strict."

Pinkie laughed.  "Oh, I get it.  You're why they changed them."

Celestia nodded.  "Indeed.  I granted Twilight her title for her great service to Equestria.  Specifiacally her bringing me my tea up from the kitchens during any night study sessions."

"That's it?" asked Rarity

"I thought for a minute some were about to object, but for some reason the room remained quiet, no pony saying anything."

The room was silent for a moment then Pinkie burst into laughter.  Rarity glared at her, but Celestia was still smiling, and soon everypony joined in.  Then the door opened and Spike rushed across the room to hug me.  He was still colored like Dash.

"What the hay." Said Dash

"Oh you know me, sometimes I'm not too great in a crisis."

"Twilight I was so scared."

"Don't worry Spike, everything is okay now."

"No, I mean her."

He then pointed at Moonfire as she trotted in the door.  She looked at Luna and Celestia a brief moment, then walked over to me.

"How rude." Said Rarity

"Oh come on you big baby, it wasn't that bad."  Then she blinked.  "Oh, I guess you literally are a big baby, at least relatively speaking.  Though taking into account the size of a full grown dragon you're unusually small but…"

"May I ask who you are?" asked Celestia

"Oh I'm Moonfire, Twilight's pen pal."  She didn't bother to turn around

"Thy insolence does thee no favors.  Twilight speaks highly of thine intellect, but clearly your manners are sup par at best."  Luna lightly glared at her

"Neither of you have done anything to earn my respect, so I feel no need to offer you any extra respect in return.  Simple as that."

I couldn’t keep my hooves still.  What to do?  "Oh she doesn't mean that princess.  Really Moonfire is a nice pony she simply…"

Celestia held up a hoof and smiled.  "There is no need Twilight.  It is actually somewhat refreshing to meet a pony who isn't afraid of me."

"Yea.  I mean why should I be.  Even if you reduce me to ash I'll be fine.  I mean I'm not looking to get an entire government angry at me, that's never fun, but just because you have power doesn't mean I should respect you."

"Well said." Added Celestia.

I let out a breath I wasn't aware I had been holding.  Okay, so she managed to not get herself incinerated.  That was a very good first step.  It seemed like Celestia even liked her.  Luna was still glaring a little but hopefully everything would be fine.

"Uh, what the hay do you mean by you'll be fine?"

"Also while we're at it, what did you do to poor spike?" asked Rarity

"Huh, oh, I just teleported him here.  He didn't like it.  You girls were already gone and he said he wanted to get here as quick as possible, and here we are."

"I'll never complain about your teleports ever again Twilight." Said Spike

"What about mah question?"

"Well that's a bit, complicated."

"I can help with that."

Silent Sky walked forward, Fluttershy behind her.  Moonfire immediately glared at Sky, but then sighed and her face became more neutral.

"It's clear he wasn't exaggerating."

Moonfire sighed, hanging her head.  "Let me guess, Dream Volt?"

"Yes.  He is a lieutenant serving under me.  Before you ask by royal order and for a good reason.  As you can see my wings look somewhat different."

"Ah, so that stayed the same."

"Oh, I get it now." Said Fluttershy

I laughed.  "So you're from a different universe?  Why didn't you just say so?  I knew you sounded a bit weird, but I could have suggested some books."

Moonfire blinked.  "Wait, that's all you have to say?  Just oh, now I get it?"

"So she is truly ignorant of the way of things here?" Said Luna

"Ah, so she literally was never taught proper manners."

Moonfire opened her mouth but I shoved a hoof in it before she could say anything.  I knew she really did know how to act, she just had a problem with authority.  We didn't talk about our lives too much, so I didn't realize how strongly she felt about it.  She then sighed and said nothing, calmly removing my hoof from her mouth.

"Wait, she still ain't answered mah question."

"Before I came here I was a phoenix.  Sort of.  I literally can't explain exactly what I was because of the filter, but even though I'm mostly a normal unicorn I still retain one ability of a phoenix.  I can die, but it's temporary."

"Oh, you mean if something horrible ever happened to Philomena even if she wasn't due to molt for some time she'd still be fine?" asked Fluttershy

Celestia nodded.  "Yes.  That is most certainly the case.  It is a somewhat odd ability for a pony to possess, but far from the oddest I've ever heard of."

"Really?  I have to admit this place is way more interesting than I thought it would be.  If he just explained it right Dream wouldn’t have had to trick me into the portal at all."

"I think he will be quite eager to see you.  Your majesties, may I?"

"Yes." Said Luna

"Of course.  Unless you have something more to say."

"Not really.  I guess I'll see you later Twilight."

"You mean you're staying?"

"Yea.  I mean Dream is a huge dweeb, but he's my dweeb."

She then followed Sky out of the room.  I decided a spell to fix Spike's colors now was probably a good idea.  I was pretty sure what I must of used and sure enough with a flash the counterspell worked perfectly.  He finally let go of me, but was still a little wobbly.  He probably needs more rest.

"Oh, your majesty."  Rarity then gave a very slight head bow and turned to Celestia.  "Could you please say why you liked my dress so much."

"Because it greatly resembles one my mother made long ago.  So greatly in fact that I did not wish to discuss it in public."

"But I've never see such a dress before.  It was strangely easy to make, almost like a was simply making a variation on a dress but I assure you your majesty I didn't work form a picture of any kind or…"

"Of course not my little pony.  There is no such record, of that we have no doubt."

I gasped.  "She scryed the distant past, without even realizing it?"

"I am not sure that is entirely accurate.  However I am more strongly convinced than ever Luna is right, and you are the elements made flesh.  The ability to know what a pony truly wants and needs would fit generosity well I think."

Then the door opened and four guards entered.  Two of Luna's moon guard, and two of Celestia's normal guards.  They all saluted, and then one of the white pegasai spoke.

"It's time."

"Ah, perfect timing.  Come now, we must be off sister."

Luna sighed.  "Of course."

Then they left. Did Celestia really plan to be interrupted at just that moment?  Rarity was just standing there, saying nothing.  Everypony else seemed to agree with her.  I certainly couldn’t think of anything.