//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Pony POV: Princess Gaia's Rule 
// by RuBoo 
//------------------------------//

…Hm? Oh, it's you three again. What is it this time?

…Princess Gaia Day? Yes, that's tomorrow.

…That's not it? …You want to learn more about it? Where have you been the last several years?

…Fine, I'll tell you. But only because Princess Gaia wants me to answer any and all questions you present to me.

Princess Gaia Day… Well, it starts with the fog, which is normally magically contained within and around the castle, spreading throughout Equestria. The fog is not like normal fog, though; Anyone it touches has the option to become an innocent young filly or colt again, until the day's end. Some choose to take up the offer, adding their pain to the burden we share. Those who decline are unaffected in any way. A few are offered temporary Knighthood; Again, those who accept become a Knight for a day, while those who decline remain unaffected. As for the other Knights, well… They are allowed to freely travel within the fog. For most, it is the only time they can leave the castle. Of course, they are not relieved of their duty. Indeed, this day is one where the Knights actually work more than usual. Somepony has to keep an eye on all the young foals, after all.

I recall a current member of the Crusaders, by the name of… Ditzy Doo, I believe? Yes, she was often one of the few temporary Knights, and particularly kept an eye on her daughter. Not too difficult for her, I suppose, given her "condition"… What? Can't a guy crack a joke from time to time? I don't joke often, I'll have you know! Probably only a few times a year! …*sigh* I digress. Anyway, at some point, she and her daughter, Dinky… Was it Dinky? I think so… Well, she and her daughter decided to become permanent members of our little society. Crusaders, of course. And Ditzy refused to allow her daughter to accept some of our pain. She took twice her recommended amount to make up for it. That was a big mistake, as she found out the next time Princess Gaia Day came along. She spent the whole Day writhing in pain, screaming for it to stop. Needless to say, it was a harrowing experience for little Dinky. I actually feel a little sorry for the poor girl… The day after the next, I'll explain why in a bit, she asked Princess Gaia take back some of the pain. Being the kind Princess she is, she refused to refuse, taking half of the mother's pain. Of course, unbeknownst to either of them, I took it for myself. The following Princess Gaia Day actually stung a little.

…Alright, I was almost writhing in pain myself, but only because I took as much of the pain as I could before the Princess forced me to stop, back when I first took some of the pain. Still, it just added a little sting compared to the previous.

Another recurring peculiarity of Princess Gaia Day, Pinkie Pie, who is normally bouncing around everywhere throwing parties and such and being an all-around annoying pony… She becomes calm. She mostly stays in the castle for the entire Day, simply trotting around, looking slightly… Depressed. She still smiles back when somepony smiles at her, but… There's no real joy in it. It's like she's a completely different pony. Seeing her like that… Even I get depressed, sometimes. And then I really do start writhing in pain. Not the best thing to think about when you're carrying a fraction of Equestria's burden on your shoulders. And that's just a fraction! I cannot bear to think what pain the Princess is in every single day.

…Right… Well, that's about everything there is to know about day one. Day two… Is far less eventful, normally.

Princess Gaia disguises herself as a pony greatly resembling Fluttercruel. She says it's her original form, and she takes it because the previous day's events drained all her power, but I know that's at least partially a lie. She still has a fair bit of magic left. She then chooses a seemingly random town, city, rural area, wherever she feels, and, together with myself, Cheerilee, and the Eternal Knights, heads there. Why? To give a speech. I was told she hates giving speeches, but… This one day, it seems to be an exception. The first few times it was about how she was sorry that the first time didn't turn out as well as she'd wanted, how she was a naïve pony with no guidance, and stuff like that. Several times, some of the gathered ponies tossed rocks at her, ranging in size from tiny pebbles to small rocks. I feigned catching them with my magic each time, it was actually her snatching it out of the air before dropping it for Cheerilee to stomp on. Crushes it to a fine powder, too. Never anger an earth pony. And she continues her speech as normal while all this is going on.

Anyway, eventually, the rock-throwing died down, and the Princess, at some point, decided to change her speech into something… Happier. She often focused on the happy things that happened on the previous day to those in the audience at the time. At times she mentioned family members who were away who enjoyed the day, or, rarely, included the name of one of the Knights or Crusaders who enjoyed some happy time with a local family member or two. Or, in Apple Bloom's case, three or four. Then, when the speech was over, she enjoyed a chat with her friends, who were often accompanied by a small, white filly with a sunflower cutie mark. I couldn't put my hoof on it, but I could feel something familiar about the little filly… Almost everypony knew not to interrupt this chat, of course; It seemed to be her favorite time of the year, every single year. Cheerilee sometimes joined in with the group, me, I just listened, occasionally throwing in my two bits about something unimportant. They rarely discussed important matters, just a group of friends casually chatting the remainder of the day away.

And, that's it. What, did you expect more? Go ask Princess Gaia if you want to learn more. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some mental preparations to make. I fear this year will be especially taxing.