//------------------------------// // 09. Coronation // Story: Synchronicity // by Sev //------------------------------// “I have logged more miles on these hooves tonight than I have in all my life,” Rarity muttered darkly to herself. Rainbow snorted. “A little walking never hurt anypony,” she replied by default, not wanting to appear weak. The fact of the matter was the pegasus pony did a lot more flying than walking herself. The burn in her legs told her they'd logged some considerable distance over the past hour, trotting in the dim light of Canterlot's apparently extensive underground network of tunnels. Many of the branching off-shoots were labeled and led off to places that varied from high class restaurants to alleyways Rarity could have swore had been condemned years ago. Apparently, some locations in Canterlot were a lot more important than their exterior suggested. The concept of being more than what met the eyes was one that Rarity herself was finding more and more to her liking, be it from the current company of three of the Council of Harmony, or her psychic connection to Twilight. Even now she could hear Twilight's conversation with Windswept in the back of her head, like listening through a thin door. She'd relayed Pinkie's performance to Rainbow as it had transpired, and been met with a wide grin. “Sometimes,” Rainbow had said, “she's some kinda wonderful.” *Have you a plan, Twilight?* Rarity asked the unicorn as she continued the trudge through the halls. *You'd know it if I did,* Twilight replied, and Rarity could sense the concern in her thoughts. *I think our best bet right now is for you two to get to Princess Luna and ensure her coronation goes as planned. The sooner we can get the Equestrian Military on board with all this, the better. Right now we've just got too many ponies going too many directions.* *What about Princess Celestia?* Rarity asked, her brow furrowed in worry. It was a blessing that she was currently at the back of the line of traveling ponies, should any of them see her face, they might be concerned for her well being. *You heard the problem,* Twilight replied, *Kelopolis is apparently an awful lot of ground to cover, if it’s even ground at all. Right now the only hope we've got is that this 'Princess Aurora' has made some headway in locating Celestia. If she hasn't...* Rarity didn't need her to finish. No pony in Equestria was going to sit by and let their beloved Princess be killed. But with no knowledge of whom they were dealing with, and no immediate way to contact them, the only way any pony was going to buy Celestia time was to give in to the Lord's demands and surrender, in some fashion obvious enough to catch their attention. That job would no doubt fall to Twilight, who was the only Equestrian close enough with any semblance of official clout. Rarity walked in silence for a bit, both in the hall, and in her head. *Rough day, huh?* Twilight asked, and Rarity could taste the mirth in her thoughts. Her friend's sarcasm mirrored her own mood and brought a smile to her face. *I've had worse,* Rarity replied, restraining a sarcastic reply in lieu of something more supportive. *All thing considered Twilight, our little accident has proved… mercifully beneficial. I've appreciated the support.* She could tell from the warmth in Twilight's thoughts that the feeling was mutual. *I hadn't wanted to bother you with this, but,* Rarity chanced, *do you think it’s, you know, permanent?* *No,* Twilight responded quickly, *I mean, I don't know for sure, but that's sort of against the nature of magic. Enchantments tend to wear off. It might take a few days, like your wings were supposed to, but eventually we should be back to normal.* *That may explain why Princess Luna was so nonchalant about it when I mentioned it to her earlier,* Rarity considered. *Yes,* Twilight replied, *but you only mentioned the telepathy. There are spells for that sort of thing. The part I'm worried about is the missing Elements of Magic and Generosity. If it turns out we need those soon, we're going to have a problem.* *Princess Celestia will know what to do, Twilight,* Rarity assured her, *and you'll find her. One way or another. I, for one, am unconcerned. I believe in you.* Twilight had heard as much before, but this was the first time she'd actually felt it telepathically. *You… really do, don't you?* Twilight asked, and Rarity could feel her surprise. *In matters of social grace? Perhaps not. Romance? Maybe with a little polish. Fashion, oh heavens no.* She had to hold back a giggle at Twilight's growing feelings of indignation. Her next comment, however, dismissed them entirely. *But in a crisis, when the fate of Equestria hangs in the balance and all the lights of Canterlot flicker in fear? Completely. You, Twilight Sparkle, are a hero. And I believe in you.* Rarity felt a tear roll down her cheek, and blinked. When she put her hoof up to it and it came away dry, she smiled. She'd felt Twilight's face, rather than her own, and could hear the other unicorn laugh softly as her heart beamed with gratitude. *Windswept wants to know why I'm crying.* Twilight told her, with a little chuckle. Rarity grinned. *Tell her you're having boy trouble,* Rarity replied, *always worked for me when I needed ponies to leave me alone.* *Oh that's likely,* Twilight scoffed, her mood a little brighter for the banter, *me with boy anything would be grounds for serious investigation into a potentially stolen identity. You know,* she mused, *I'd always wondered about that, I even put it in a letter to the princess once.* Rarity skipped a step and blinked. *Put what in a letter to the princess, exactly?* *Your status as a single,* Twilight replied simply, *I was researching, you know, relationships, and I got to wondering why you of all ponies didn't have a boyfriend. Stallions trip over themselves whenever you bat eyes at them, so why didn't you have one of your own? I swear, it drove me nuts! It’s like working through some giant math problem and ending up with a number that doesn't proof, even when you're sure you're doing it right. So I asked the princess what she thought.* *TWILIGHT!* Rarity hissed back at her. *What?* Twilight replied, *I'm supposed to write to her about friendship, and relationships are part of that!* Rarity withheld comment about personal privacy, but was rather certain Twilight could feel her opinion on the matter through their link. Morbid curiosity compelled the white unicorn to ask for Celestia's response. *She told me I was nosy,* Twilight replied remorsefully. Rarity couldn't help but laugh. She knew Twilight and Celestia shared a more casual friendship than she and the others had often seen, but that it sat on a border with a rather strict student and teacher relationship. How they decided when to be proper and when to joke around was the subject of many of Rarity's own musings. *But she also told me that, sometimes, ponies love so intensely that they don't have room to split their attention,* she continued, *and that love didn't always have to be two ponies. At the time I wasn't sure what to make of that, I sort of peeked around to see if you might, I don't know… have a griffin boyfriend or something.* Rarity laughed out loud, and was mercifully spared embarrassment as it coincided rather perfectly with a joke Fancy Pants was making. He shot her an appreciative look and she smiled rather nervously in response. *I assure you, Twilight, no such alien lover exists,* Rarity replied, *I'm not sure what the princess may have meant, but my bachelorette status is due entirely to a love of the chase, more than the capture. There's more thrill in it, that's all.* She smiled, but it faded a bit as she felt Twilight worming around in her brain, probing her memories. *I think,* Twilight replied, *it’s your work.* *My...* *Your work. Your art. It consumes you. Every moment of every day, you dwell on fashion. You cry when you can't get along with it, you revel when you find a pattern that agrees with you, you equate your value to what you can put on a mannequin. You love it, Rarity. I just hadn't realized that sort of love could be so much like what other ponies call 'real' love until I got into your head and felt it myself. I think you've never given your heart to somepony else for anything more than a week long fling because you already have a love of your life.* Rarity listened to the words in her head and felt her hooves grow heavier against the stone floor. It wasn't a revelation to her; she was the first to tell anypony that business came before pleasure. But now, with Twilight in her mind, seeing her thoughts as they truly were, the magnitude of her devotion was laid a tad more bare to her than normal. *I have… passed up a few personal opportunities in the name of fashion,* Rarity admitted softly. *It’s like any relationship, Twilight. There are goods and bads, and ups and downs. If the downs beat the ups often enough, you stop. Some days, the downs have beaten the ups rather soundly. I wouldn't call my marriage to my work to be… without complication.* *But you still do it.* Twilight observed. *Every day,* Rarity confirmed, *to a creature that creates, the option to 'not create' simply isn't available, Twilight. It would be like… snuffing out the sun. Like living in loneliness. I don't make dresses because I want to. I make them because if I didn't, I would surely go mad.* Her words didn't carry the usual degree of flair and embellishment Rarity was known for. They seemed almost bittersweet. She smiled inwardly. *There's an old stereotype about artists suffering for their art, but it’s not the art we suffer for.* Twilight listened not just to the words, but the thoughts and feelings that filtered in with it. Strange explosions of light and color she recognized as 'inspiration', but had never seen in this context. It never ended; every new sight, every new thought, every new experience brought on more and more creations in a deluge of creative endeavor. *It’s the fact that there's only twenty four hours in the day, and we have to sleep away some six or eight of them every night,* Rarity explained, *and eat, and drink, get sick. Survive. What time remains will never, ever, be enough time to create everything we need to create. In the end, Twilight, it is the curse of every artist to never finish their life's work. It is, at its core, dreadfully unfair.* *Being artistic actually sounds a little… psychotic.* Twilight replied in a troubled tone. *It is, a bit,* Rarity replied, *but at least the hours are dreadful and the pay near non-existent. Thank Celestia I'm a unicorn. Doing my job without magic would bankrupt me in a week!* Rarity chuckled at the thought. *That, and I make expensive dresses. There are certainly less profitable outlets for creative energy, I just happen to be a rather savvy business pony on top of a fabulous designer.* Her usual mask of dignity and confidence had returned, and she shifted the subject. *Besides, Twilight, you're one to talk about over-dedication to a cause. If you're not shopping for food or supplies I don't think you leave that tree of yours.* Rarity felt Twilight groan inwardly. *Pleeeeease don't remind me about the library,* she pleaded, *all that organizing, all those books, all my work!* *All those things you keep under your bed...* Rarity added. The jolt of shock that lit up in Twilight hit Rarity like a one of Mrs. Cake's famous sour apple treats. She had to hold back tears of laughter as she felt Twilight's abject terror welling up in her chest as the purple unicorn realized for the first time since the accident that the contents of her bedroom were likely strewn all over downtown Ponyville. *WE NEED TO GO BACK TO PONY-* *Nopony is going back to Ponyville, Twilight.* Rarity told her firmly. Twilight's replies were less 'words' and more various mental whimpers and feelings of overwhelming mortification. Rarity could barely restrain her laughter, and was mildly surprised her grin wasn't lighting up the tunnel with its intensity. *At least they don't know who gave it to you.* *It was sort of a… gag gift, in her defense.* Twilight insisted. *She'd suggested I make use of the harem and I'd-* “Harem?!” Rarity exclaimed aloud, and the ponies in front of her paused and looked back, puzzled. “S… sorry, er… Hair-um. My… hair, is um… out of… place.” She smiled nervously and made a show of adjusting it. “Ja, quite,” Photo Finish agreed, and the walk continued. *Princess Celestia has a harem?!* Rarity shot to Twilight once she'd regained her composure. *Well yeah,* Twilight replied, as though it should be obvious. *She's the Princess of Equestria. It’s actually in a reeeaaally beautiful building, I've been in there a few times just to see it. Shallow pools, great big stained glass ceilings, great big… beautiful… uh...* The mental image alone was enough to cause Rarity to flush red. *And she let you IN there?* *I'm her personal student!* Twilight replied proudly. *The whole palace was open to me, except for a few rooms here and there. I just never really… you know. I mean she kinda suggested I should, but I didn't really have the uh… well there was studying to do and… things.* *Twilight Sparkle,* Rarity thought, in as even a tone as she could manage, *if you were not the very definition of the best friend a pony could have, I would murder you with my mind for passing on that opportunity.* *Er… I'm not sure it works like that-* Twilight replied warily. *For this, Twilight,* Rarity fumed, *I would find a way.* *Oh dear.* “So that's the real story behind the Wonderbolts, Rainbow,” Fancy Pants said definitively, “and the rumors about Spitfire and Soarin are grossly exaggerated I assure you. Well, somewhat exaggerated. Well, slightly- Oh look! We've arrived!” Rarity snapped out of her internal conversation just in time to avoid a rather embarrassing collision with Rainbow's rear end. She peeked up over her friend's shoulder and watched as Fancy pushed open a door not unlike the one they'd exited earlier, which flooded the tunnel with temporarily blinding light. The sound of voices followed it, and when Rainbow's eyes adjusted, the full expanse of the room came into view. “Pony Parliament, ladies!” Fancy announced. “Er, by means of the VIP entrance.” Rarity had emerged with the others atop a wide white stone balcony overlooking the expansive Pony Parliamentary corral. The building itself was huge, with wide, stacked rows of seats for various representatives from communities all over Equestria. Most of those rows were filled now, with ponies Rarity recognized from campaign posters and advertisements she'd seen during her trips to fashion shows and fabric shops. The place radiated upper-class, from the posture of its population to the perfect placement of its inlaid gold and silver filigrees and fine royal motifs. “And none of this...means anything?” Rainbow asked. Rarity would've asked herself had she been a bit more in the moment during the trip through the tunnels. Talking to Twilight had been a welcome distraction from an otherwise dismal situation. “It’s not quite as… useless… as all that,” Fancy replied quietly. In their current position they were largely out of view, save for any pony on the front speaking dais that might look in their direction. At the moment, there were two: a unicorn Rarity didn't recognize, probably some member of the cabinet, and Princess Luna herself. Seeing her alive and intact sent a wave of relief through Rarity that radiated down the line to Twilight. Finally, progress. “We don't run every little tiny detail of every little tiny thing,” Fancy explained in a hushed voice, “there isn't a need for that, to say nothing of the mountainous amount of work it would imply. We run things on a scale of such magnitude most ponies wouldn't know, or care, what the result was. The ponies you elected down there do perform some manner of governing, but their tasks are… let’s call them 'menial'.” He pondered that a moment, before appending, “'Domestic' may also work. If a pony wants to build an addition to their home, it goes through all the circles of bureaucracy you'd expect it to go through. If the railroad needs an upgrade or the Weather Factory needs more distributors, these ponies handle the hoofwork. But when the sphinxes in the southern wastes beyond Equestria are mobilizing for war, or when the dragons demand some exchange or another in return for not invading en-masse, no pony here hears about it. The princesses do, and we do.” “They've… done that?” Rarity asked in shock, and Fancy smiled and winked. “Not as yet they haven't, my dear,” he replied with a hint of pride in his voice, “you're welcome.” “Twilight Sparkle has more in common with Starswirl the Bearded than she knows,” Princess Luna said, amusement showing on her face. The sudden proximity of her voice made Rarity and Rainbow jump in surprise. She must have noticed them while Fancy was speaking and made her way to the balcony, because she currently stood behind them. “He too kept friends who had an odd love for showing up in places they were instructed to leave.” “Princess!” Rarity and Rainbow exclaimed together. Somehow speaking to her directly helped cement her existence in Rarity's mind. Finally catching up to her had made her realize just how slim their chances had been in finding her to begin with. “Not as yet.” Luna replied, in response to her title. She nodded out over the balcony, “but soon. Why are you two here? Specifically you,” she poked at Rainbow's chest, who shrank back a bit, “whom I specifically instructed to commit your party to escaping Canterlot.” Rainbow was about to stammer a response when Rarity cut her off. “Rainbow is here to look after me, Luna,” the white unicorn said in her friend's defense. Using Luna's name without her title still felt odd, but she'd insisted on it during Nightmare Night, and in all their meetings since, 'Princess' had rarely come up. A degree of familiarity seemed beneficial now. “Twilight has discovered crucial information about your sister's whereabouts, and we needed to get it to you. Since Twilight and I seem to be able to talk to each other, uh… mentally, I was sent to find you. Rainbow came with me to improve my chances.” “I'd expect no less from the Element of Loyalty,” Luna replied, and smiled at Rainbow momentarily, before Fancy handed her the scroll containing the demands of the Lords of the Sea. It unfurled before Luna's eyes and Rarity could see her brow furrowing as she traveled down every line. By the time she'd finished, her eyes had narrowed into a glare harsh enough to slice the stone of the balcony's floor. Rarity swallowed and spoke up as Luna completed the letter, in hopes of filling in the blanks. “Twilight found one of the kelpies,” Rarity explained, and Luna fixed her icy glare on her. “Well, er, rather one of them found her. Apparently there are two parties of them, you see, and one half-” “One half took the Princess and ponynapped her and wrote this ransom letter thing, because they need Equestria to help in this big huge battle they think is coming-” Rainbow cut in, speaking quickly and urgently. Rarity nodded and picked up during Rainbow's breath. “Right, and the other half works for Princess Aurora, and she sent her student, who was going to try and convince Twilight to convince Princess Celestia that Equestria needed to help willingly or no pony would be able to survive-” “Because it’s like a global problem, right?” Rainbow continued, “And Windswept-” “That's Aurora's student,” Rarity inserted. “Right, she was about to tell Twilight all this when these other kelpies came in and ponynapped Princess Celestia and-” Luna's eyes had been darting back and forth between the yammering duo as they spoke, and she finally tired of attempting to string their conversations. “Enough!” she said firmly, and brought both ponies to a screeching stop. Rarity and Rainbow tightened their lips closed while Luna considered. “Aurora would not kidnap Celestia,” she said after a moment, but with solidarity in her voice. “They've quarreled for years, but there are centuries of history between us. She would never.” Rarity breathed outward, and flicked that thought to Twilight. *It would appear Windswept is on the level, Twilight.* *Or one heck of an actress,* Twilight replied, *but this adds weight to her story. At least we're traveling in the right direction.* “I've not heard of the 'Lords of the Sea',” Luna continued, “but this wouldn't be the first time Aurora has had trouble with internal affairs. To take Celestia though,” she shook her head. “What battle?” she asked firmly. “What could they possibly want her for? The kelpie nation has never expressed a collective desire to control Equestria. There's nothing here they want! They live in the ocean!” Rarity bit her lip, and exchanged nervous glances with Rainbow. Neither of them looked forward to having to explain the reasoning behind the kidnapping. The line between the creature known as Nightmare Moon and the playful Luna they'd come to love had always been fuzzy at best, and her exact physical state while banished to the moon had never truly been explained. All things considered, they hadn't wanted to ask her. Luna saw the worry in their eyes, and her own look softened, but her voice was still urgent. “Please,” she repeated, “if you know what's going on here, you have to tell me. Why have they taken my sister? What battle?” Rarity took a breath and looked into Luna's eyes. “Luna,” she asked softly, “can you remember anything you… anything Nightmare Moon may have done while on the moon? Any promises she may have made?” Luna looked confused. “Promises?” she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice. “It was a thousand year incarceration, Rarity, I can't-” “Stars.” Rarity said, and Luna grew silent. Rarity reached into her mind, and pulled the ancient text from Twilight's memories, where it sat in a cold, dark corner surrounded by emotions of fear and urgency. “‘On the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she'll bring about everlasting night.’” Luna's expression had transitioned from urgency and determination to a pallid mask of fear. “No...” she whispered softly. “Princess,” Rarity continued, “the kelpies think the stars are coming here. Their story of Nightmare Moon doesn't end where ours does. They don't seem to know how, or why, but they know it’s coming, and they think its going to take every creature on the planet to survive it.” “I promised them everything,” Luna said, her voice so small and muted that Rarity could barely pick it up. Her wings had tucked in close and her legs were wobbling slightly. Rarity leaned in to support her, and Rainbow took her other side, draping a wing across her back. “Princess,” Rarity said in a gentle tone, “what are they?” “Insanity.” Luna replied, finding her voice again. With the support of Rarity and Rainbow, she put strength back into her legs. “Madness incarnate. I can't...” she swallowed. Rarity could see troubled memories swimming in her eyes. She didn't let go for fear Luna would fall without her assistance, and Rainbow brushed her back slowly with her wing. “They don't speak,” Luna continued, the words flowing quicker now. “I can't tell you what Nightmare Moon told them. It took centuries of steadily decaying thoughts, like… like sliding inch by inch down a well, with the light at the top getting smaller. And they were at the bottom, in the dark. All she wanted was darkness, and there it was. And they were in it, and they… we...” Luna swallowed, and a sudden rush of determination flooded into her eyes. Her brow furrowed and she stood upright. “I need to stop them,” she said firmly, stepping free of Rarity and Rainbow. “Luna, wait-” Rainbow said, reaching a hoof out. Luna rounded on her and shook her head fiercely. “No waiting, Rainbow Dash,” she replied. “The kelpies are right. Nightmare Moon wanted a world of darkness, and gave no thought to what was in it. She made a promise clad in rage and pain, and they delivered their end of the bargain. They're coming to collect.” “What was the promise?” Rarity asked. Luna looked at the floor with her wings drooped. “Everything.” she said simply. “She promised them everything. A world of darkness, in return for liberation. Nothing else mattered. Some part of me saw the madness in all of it and tried to warn somepony, anypony, of what she'd done. That's where the prophecies come from. Little thoughts I sent to the world, in silent hope somepony might notice.” She looked up and stepped forward to Rarity and Rainbow. “I knew this was coming, but I couldn't see it coming. They aren't the memories of any sane creature, it’s all dark worms and mist and tiny specks of light that hover in the sky like… eyes in the dark.” Rarity could almost feel Luna's heartbeat in the air, fluttering in restrained terror. For the goddess of the moon, this was a far more personal enemy, and a far more personal failure. “I brought this down upon us,” she whispered, “I have to stop it.” “Princess,” Fancy Pants spoke in gently. He had been standing close by in silence. Hoity and Photo had descended earlier to organize the coronation ceremony, and the conversations in the theater below had dropped to a quiet murmur. “Equestria needs a ruler. I understand your desire to be on the front lines but if you don't take the throne, the war begins here, and Celestia becomes its first victim.” Luna looked back and forth between Fancy, the girls, and the crowd below. She chewed her lip a moment, before nodding, not to him, but to herself and her own internal decision. She looked at Rarity and Rainbow, and pointed toward the stairway firmly. “Come with me,” she said, “both of you.” Rarity and Rainbow had taken positions just off the dais as Luna stood for her role in the coronation ceremony. Rarity had expected a certain degree of pomp and circumstance she'd come to recognize in official functions, but under current circumstances much of it was lacking. “It’s not just the circumstances,” Fancy had explained upon her asking, when all ponies had assumed their positions, “it’s the ceremony itself. You're not watching the public coronation, that takes all day. This is the emergency coronation. The protocols for this ceremony dictate that it be swift and purposeful. When you consider what it means, it shouldn't be happening at all unless something has gone terribly wrong. Normally the princess would simply choose a replacement herself.” “Then this only happens...” Rarity considered softly, and Fancy nodded. “If there is no princess to speak of.” He finished. “By the power vested in me by the royalty of Canterlot,” Long Winded, the elected Prime Minister of Canterlot, said in his most somber voice, “and in the presence and unanimous agreement of the population of the Parliament of Equestria, I do declare thee, Luna, Princess. Let all in this great land recognize the sovereign ruler of Equestria.” There was a sudden, tremendous flash of light that radiated upward from the crown on Luna's head. The magic rippled outward in a wave that distorted the air in a prism of energy and washed over the assembled host in a wave of warmth that made Rarity gasp. She hadn't realized until that moment just how much the presence of Princess Celestia could inspire a pony. Celestia was absent, but a new princess, whole in title and power, stood in her place. Princess Luna had assumed her full height, transformed into the body formerly known as Nightmare Moon. Instead of the helm of the Night Mare on her head, she wore the crown of Equestria, tall and pointed as Celestia's had been. Her body radiated a comforting force of moonlit solitude, as Celestia's had always embraced Rarity with warmth and companionship. The feelings were different, but equally pleasant, and for the first time she could look up at the imposing figure of Nightmare Moon's silhouette and smile. Princess Luna had taken the throne. Rarity hadn't noticed when the applause had started, but Luna brought it to a close with a swift clop of her hoof on the floor. “I wish I had the liberty of enjoying the welcome,” she said softly, “but there isn't time.” She turned from the now silent parliament and descended from the dais to meet Rarity and Rainbow, who waited at the bottom. “Rainbow Dash,” she said, and Rainbow descended to her knees. Luna ushered her back up with a wing. “All in Equestria will have felt the transfer in sovereign authority, but the simple act of me being here won't inform everypony of our current situation. For that, I need a messenger. I need the fastest wings in Equestria to travel as far as they can, as quick as they can, and bring all who can lift their hooves in war to the front lines.” Rainbow looked up in awe, her wings trembling at the opportunity. “The call to arms has ever been entrusted to the Wonderbolts, Rainbow,” Princess Luna said, “there's a reason they value speed above all else. I've already sent Fancy to collect them, but they're going to need help. Between reuniting the Pegasus Guard and sending word to every major city in Equestria, they're shorthooved.” “You want me… to join the WONDERBOLTS?” Rainbow asked, her voice cracking in excitement. “I thought you might do me a special courtesy instead,” Princess Luna replied, and Rainbow panted and nodded her head without question. “Long, long ago, there was another team of champion fliers in Equestria. They haven't existed for centuries, but in their time, they were every bit as renowned and respected as the Wonderbolts were. And what's more, they were mine.” The Princess lifted one hoof, clad in a cold, elegant silver, and placed it on Rainbow's head. Swirls of violet and deep hues of blue raced around her body in a spiral that hugged her every curve and left fabric in its wake. When they had dissipated, the pegasus stood clad in a uniform of deep purple, with brilliant yellow lightning trim and a midnight black hood. Golden goggles lay draped around her neck, and she looked up at the Princess in in speechless surprise. Luna smiled at her, and leaned down so speak at her height. “I've made this offer to you before,” she said, “but it was under very different circumstances, and I was a very different pony. You wisely refused.” Rainbow blushed a little as Luna continued. “Now, I'm asking you to reconsider. Rainbow Dash, I would have you be the first of the new generation of Shadowbolts. Do you accept?” Rainbow had to bite her lip to avoid letting out a flood of unintelligible babbling, and her wings twitched frantically as she struggled to figure out the best way to express her gratitude. Rarity smiled big and bumped the pegasus with her hip. “She accepts,” the unicorn said. Rainbow saluted with a snap and vigorous nodding. Luna smiled, but it faded after a moment. Time was more a factor now than it had been. With a new princess in place, the Lords of the Sea might see fit to step up their deadline. The door to the outside cracked open on ancient hinges, and the darkened streets of Canterlot came into view. The sound of heavy hooves accompanied the approach of Captain Midnight and his personal guard, flanked on both sides by Spitfire and Soarin of the Wonderbolts, presumably the only members not already deployed. When the Captain arrived at Princess Luna's feet, he bowed low. Luna lifted a brow at him when he stood, and he assumed an attentive stance. “Our service is, as it has always been, to the throne,” he said simply. Luna was quiet for a moment while she considered, but ultimately nodded. “I shall withhold doubt on your commitment then, Captain. Wonderbolts,” Luna called, and the two pegasus ponies stepped forward and bowed. The princess nodded toward Rainbow, who waved nervously. Recognition passed over Spitfire's face and, after a bit of a delay, Soarin's. He'd been face deep in pie the last time he'd seen the rainbow maned mare. Recognition of the uniform came shortly thereafter, and to Rainbow's shock, both Wonderbolts saluted her. She returned it nervously. “Rainbow Dash now leads the Shadowbolts,” Luna said firmly, “and is reporting to the Princess directly. The three of you need to make way toward the griffins and spread word to the non-pony races of Equestria of the upcoming threat. When you've done all you can, report to the front.” “Princess,” Spitfire said tentatively, “we don't have any sort of official rapport with the griffins. They're notoriously stubborn, if we don't have some sort of leverage, they may just blow us off.” “I do,” Rainbow said, finding her voice for the first time. The Wonderbolts looked at her curiously. “I went to flight camp with the chief's daughter, we were uh… friends.” Rarity knew there was a second half to that story, but didn't mention it. It was going to be hard enough for Rainbow already, some things were more important than previously bruised feelings. “That's all the leverage you're going to get,” Luna said. “We can't spare anything more. Follow Rainbow's lead.” The Wonderbolts nodded obediently, and Rainbow's eyes widened a bit. “My lead?” she whimpered, and Rarity nudged her. “Make it count,” the unicorn told her, and pushed her gently until she realized she should walk forward and join them. Luna turned back toward Rarity and took a breath, before casting another look around the room. She looked as though she were preparing for something. “Princess?” Rarity asked. “Are you alright?” Luna smiled and nodded. “Fine, Rarity, fine. It’s just funny what life brings you. I've wondered what it would be like to stand in my sister's place for over a thousand years. Now the moment has come, and the best thing I can do for my ponies is to give it up.” Rarity blinked in confusion, and Luna leaned in. “I'll be needing command over Equestia's military once the transfer is over. We can't let fine print waste anymore time.” “Transfer?” Rarity asked in confusion. She internally fretted that she'd missed something, but the Princess's explanation followed shortly. “I am needed on the front lines, Rarity,” she said. “With the exception of my sister I am the most experienced combatant in Equestria, and among the most powerful ponies in the world. And more than that,” she chewed her lip, “this is my fault. I cannot stand idly by. But Equestria needs a princess they can see on the throne and speak to, a face they can look toward for security. My sister's reign has left peace in this land for a very, very long time. There are a lot of frightened ponies out there. With no sunlight and no Celestia, my face isn't the one they want to see. They need somepony a little… warmer.” she smiled a small, almost apologetic smile. “So I'm giving them you.” Rarity's breath caught in her throat. “M… Me? You don't mean-” “I do,” Luna replied, and her horn began to radiate magical energy. “As sovereign ruler of Equestria, and in the presence of these witnesses, I hereby name Rarity, guardian of the Element of Generosity, as my successor to the throne.” There was a flash of prismatic light, and Rarity's hair lifted gently off her shoulders, held aloft by forces unseen but for a soft, golden aura. She looked up at Luna, who gave her one last smile, before stepping backward. “And I relinquish my title as Princess.” Luna's crown erupted in light that shot upward like a pillar, arched, and descended over Rarity like a waterfall of luminescence. The unicorn's white body shone brilliant gold, and Rainbow, who was shielding her eyes, could barely make out her limbs lengthening and her body extending. Rarity's horn lengthened proportionately, and a ripple of royal energy much like the one that emanated from Luna earlier extended from her body. When it cleared, Rarity stood transformed, with a body and posture akin to Celestia's, and the Mare in the Moon's. Atop her head sat a gleaming golden crown, and her hooves were adorned in similar metallic to Celestia's. Her purple hair had lengthened and now hung in a one long, elegant curve rather than its usual series of curls, and gave her shape a continuous, flowing movement in its aesthetic. Around her neck sat a large golden necklace as it had sat on Celestia's, but held in the middle was an object Rarity found of particular familiarity, and was almost as much a shock to her as the transformation itself. “The Element of Generosity...” Rarity breathed, looking down, before turning to view the rest of herself. “Oh… my goodness...” she swallowed, “I'm a princess. I'm actually a princess. I'm Princess of Equestria...” she turned a slow circle, “and my ass is amazing!” She held back her laughter for fear it would break into hysterics from the sheer intensity of it all. “Take that, Applejack.” Luna had retained her height, but now bore the smooth, familiar crest of Nightmare Moon on her head. She smiled in amusement and cleared her throat. Rarity eeped and turned to face her. It was so strange to be at eye level with a being most ponies took to be some form of god, stranger still to look down on Rainbow, who she'd been at eye level with since they'd met. She smirked at the blue mare's reaction, and lifted an eyebrow at her. Spitfire glanced over to Rainbow beside her and coughed. “Erm… Rainbow,” she whispered, “wings down, hun.” Rainbow blushed hard and snapped her wings to her side, and was spared further scrutiny as Luna stepped forward and gave a courteous bow. “Princess,” she said, “the army.” Rarity eeped and cleared her throat. “YES, UM, THE ARMY SHALL-” “Easy on the Royal Canterlot Voice, Princess,” Luna cautioned, smiling at the irony. Rarity giggled. “Sorry, I just always wanted to try that. Um, so I just… right.” She turned to face Midnight and brought herself to her full height, which was now considerable. “I hereby name Luna as Supreme Commander of Equestria's military. All branches will answer to her authority.” “As commanded, my princess.” Midnight responded, and took to a knee with the rest of his attache. Luna nodded, and stepped close to Rarity so they could speak privately. “Your ponies need you,” she said, “I apologize for this, Rarity. I'm sure becoming a princess sits somewhere in every filly’s heart as a position worth wishing for, but I have landed you in one hell of a mess.” She tapped the gem on Rarity's chest. “You hold the Element of Generosity. It is as much a power alone as it is in conjunction with the other Elements. When Celestia and I first defeated Discord, Generosity was one of the Elements she took possession of. You are in fine company.” “Company...” Rarity said, and realization caused her to look inward. “Twilight,” she said, alarm in her tone, “I can't hear Twilight anymore!” Luna shook her head, and tapped the royal crown with her horn. “This,” she explained, “is more than a symbol of authority. It’s a tool of your post, and it protects your mind from coercion and manipulation. When you became princess, it broke your bond to Twilight. All the more reason for me to get to her quickly.” Rarity swallowed and nodded, before whispering “Princess, I've never done-” Luna shushed her, and smiled. “I'm not the princess,” she said softly, “you are, and you've done more than you think you have. That necklace sits over your heart for a reason, Rarity. Trust yourself. The Council of Harmony will assist you.” Rarity could only nod as Fancy Pants and Hoity Toity stepped up beside her. Luna herself stepped away, bowed, and turned toward the Pegasus Guard and the Wonderbolts. Her glare was stone, and her voice was likewise. “Rainbow,” she said firmly, “I'm counting on you. Go. Spread the word.” Rainbow nodded and took off toward the door to the chilled night of Canterlot with Spitfire and Soarin in her wake. “The rest of you, gather your forces. We make for the sea.” Rarity watched the company depart, and swallowed. “Princess,” she heard a voice say. It took her a moment to realize it was directed at her. “Y..Yes?” She replied to Hoity, who was indicating toward the door. “The palace, your majesty,” he said, and she nodded, following his lead. “Bit of a shock, eh?” Fancy Pants asked her as they exited the Parliament building. Rarity laughed with a voice indicative of slight hysteria. “A bit, yes,” she replied when she could compose herself. “Is there anything you'd like to know before we arrive?” Fancy asked. The simplicity of the question was ridiculous in and of itself. Anything she'd like to know? Encyclopedias could be written on all the things Rarity was unclear about at the moment. She didn't even know where to begin. How did ponies know she was the real princess? How could she ease everypony's fears about the coming fight? Should she even tell them a fight was coming? Who should she see? Who should she avoid? Where should she sit? Fancy looked at her expectantly, and she sighed, and lifted a brow at him. “Is there really a harem?”