The Promenade

As Twilight Sparkle, the last Equestrian Princess, felt her immortality slowly ebb away, her final thoughts were of parade floats and hurricanes of confetti that floated down from the sky one thousand years ago.

She could remember barely being able to hear over the roar of the crowd, the blare of the marching band and the thousands upon thousands of ponies lining the streets welcoming their new princess and her faithful friends.

Confetti filled the air so thick that she could hardly make out the sky above. A snowstorm of a dozen different colors swirled around the parade floats, sticking in her mane and coating the ground with an inch of brightly colored paper strips. Flowers of every different kind flew from the crowds and landed at her hooves; tokens from her future subjects.

Ahead of her was Rainbow Dash and Applejack’s float. Applejack tipped her hat and received her praise with her usual modesty while Rainbow Dash drank in the feeling of being in a royal procession, flitting above the float, snatching roses out of the sky and bowing in midair. Beyond them, Fluttershy did her best to melt into the cushions of her parade float, meekly smiling and waving from behind a bouncing Pinkie Pie who was throwing hooffuls of candy back into the audience. The only one who looked happier than Rainbow Dash had to be Spike who shared a float at the front of the royal parade line with Rarity. Spike posed on the bough of the float belching great gouts of green flame in the air while Rarity did that little half hooved princess wave that seemed to come naturally to her.

The only one who didn't seem to share the manic energy of the rest of the parade was Princess Celestia. Seated at Twilight’s left, the new princess would occasionally look up to see her mentor gazing at her with a sad sort of smile. Before Twilight could say anything, the look was gone and Princess Celestia was back to beaming at the crowds.

It was a look of sadness, pity and regret that most ponies are incapable of understanding; one that Twilight wouldn't fully understand until she was much, much older.

“Uuuughhhh…I’m stuffed.” Rainbow Dash sighed, flopping to the patio floor in a heap. Inside the royal palace, the crème de la crème of Equestrian high society milled about making small talk, mostly about Princess Twilight’s coronation. But outside, on a balcony just off the second floor ballroom, Twilight had given the uncomfortably chummy nobleponies the slip and reclined on a cushion in the company of the only ponies she cared about.

“I don’t think I’m gonna be able to eat anything until next Hearth’s Warming Eve.” Rainbow Dash said with a raucous belch unfit for a royal coronation ball.

“Oh, well if that’s the case, ah’ll just send down to the kitchens to cancel the order of fritters ah’d saved for you.” Applejack chuckled.

“You brought fritters?!” Rainbow Dash said, perking up immediately. “Why didn’t you tell me that before I had my sixteenth garden roll?!”

“How in creation can a mare your size put away sixteen garden rolls?” Applejack said.

“Years of practice.” Rainbow Dash said, patting her stomach. The door to the patio opened and Fluttershy and Pinkie dashed through with two bottles of cider before quickly snapping it shut behind them.

“Did anypony see you?” Twilight said, uncorking a bottle and refilling her glass. “I really can’t deal with any more “royal introductions” tonight.”

“Not a chance, Twilight Princess!” Pinkie said. “We made a run for the kitchen when Rarity emptied her glass all over that jerkface Blueblood’s head…or was it that jerkhead Blueblood’s face…hm…”

“Ah can’t believe he’s got the nerve to try and get sweet on her after what happened at the Gala just because she’s in good with the new princess.” Applejack said. “The things that someponies do…glad Rarity put that braying jackass in his place.”

As if on cue, Rarity glided through the patio door with Spike riding on her back, stuffing his face with doughnuts. “I swear if one more noblepony asks me to introduce them to their new princess, I’m going to pull my mane out!”

“Amen, sister!” Applejack said. “Buncha no good, scum suckin, freeloadin bottomfeeders if ya ask me.”

“Well, that’s an odd sentiment coming from Equestria’s newest duchess in her own right.” Rarity giggled to Applejack’s embarrassment.

“Ah wish you’d stop reminding me of that.” Applejack mumbled, pulling her hat over her face. “What’d Princess Celestia go and give us them fancy titles for anyway; ain’t like they’re worth a lick of spit in this day and age.”

“About time, if you ask me.” Rainbow Dash said. “I mean, I always knew we were six in a million, but there’s something about a royal title that just makes everything nice and official.”

“And it simply, wouldn’t do for our newest princess to been in the company of anypony less than royal peers.” Rarity said with a curtsey in Twilight’s direction.

“Rarity, do we need to have the “Princess” talk again.” Twilight sighed. “Things are weird enough for me right now without my friends bowing and waiting on ceremony.”

Twilight choked on her cider and the patio erupted in a fit of laughter. “Oh come on, I was drinking!”

“Oh, FYI, I know Twilight’s not down with the whole royal title business, but I fully expect you all to call me Sir Rainbow Dash the Valiant of Cloudsdale until instructed otherwise or I come up with a better title.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Rainbow, darling, the proper address for a duchess is “your grace” or-”

“Shh!” Rainbow Dash said, suddenly sitting up, and cupping a hoof to her ear. “Do you hear that? I think that’s…yep, that’s definitely the sound of me not giving a flying-”

Twilight turned around to see Princess Celestia hovering off the edge of the balcony. “Oh, Princess! I-I wasn’t hiding from anypony, I swear! We were just-”

Princess Celestia chuckled softly. “It’s your coronation ball, Twilight; you shouldn’t have to spend it making small talk with ponies who are…ah, how do I put this delicately?”

“Philandering self-important layabouts lacking the social graces of a common lungfish?” Rarity said bitterly.

Princess Celestia actually snorted and tried to cover it up with a cough. “Something like that. Girls, I don’t mean to intrude, but may I borrow Twilight for a few minutes? I’d like a chance to speak with her privately.”

“Of course, your highness.” Rarity said. “Come on, girls, let’s give our princesses a moment alone.”

“Oh, hush, I’m teasing you.” Rarity giggled, leading the rest of the girls back inside. “We’ll find you when you’re done; we’ll probably be hovering around the dessert table trying to keep Pinkie from eating all the cupcakes…again.” With that, the door clicked shut behind them and Twilight sat alone with Princess Celestia on the balcony.

“Rarity…I swear she’s more excited about my new...position than I am.” Twilight said, downing the rest of her cider in one gulp. “I know she’s joking but-”

“You don’t want your friends to start treating you any differently?” Princess Celestia said. "That's perfectly understandable."

“It’s just…I spent half of tonight shaking hooves and making small talk with ponies who would have barely looked at me before today and now they’re all smiles and curtseys and inviting me to society functions that I’ve never even heard of.”

“It takes some getting used to.” Princess Celestia admitted. “You’re going to have ponies who want you at their parties just to elevate their own imaginary status. Ponies are going to pretend to be your friend just so they can call a favor in at a later time. It gets hard sometimes to tell who really likes you for you and who just...enjoys being close to a princess.”

“Just remember who was there for you when you needed them.” Princess Celestia said. “Surround yourself with ponies who want to be friends with you rather than being friends with a princess. But I wouldn't worry about your friends right now; they’re just drunk on the moment.”

“I know.” Twilight said, blushing. “It’s just embarrassing is all, having ponies in my face all the time.”

“Well, I’m glad you made the time to talk to me alone.” Princess Celestia said. “I’ve been meaning to talk to talk to you more about all of this.”

“Among other things.” Princess Celestia said, laying down and pouring herself a glass of cider. “I understand that all of this is sudden and I wanted to see how you were taking all of this…new royal fans notwithstanding.”

“I would be surprised if you didn’t have misgivings about your new duties.” Princess Celestia said. “It’s important to remember that-”

“Oh, I wasn’t talking about that, Princess.” Twilight said. “I’m just having trouble getting used to these wings!”

“W-wings?” Princess Celestia said. “You’re just worried about…the wings?”

“I mean, it’s not every day that you gain an extra pair of appendages is it?” Twilight said, flapping her wings awkwardly. “I’m probably going to have to get Rainbow Dash to show me how these things work or-” Princess Celestia suddenly burst into laughter. “Uh…Princess? What’s so funny?”

“O-of all the things to be worried about on your coronation day, Twilight Sparkle, the only thing you’re bothered by is your wings?!” Princess Celestia collapsed into another fit of giggles, much to Twilight’s embarrassment.

“Th-they’re really weird okay?” Twilight stammered, folding her wings back and struggling not to blush. “St-stop laughing at me!”

“I’m sorry, Twilight.” Princess Celestia said, wiping a tear away with her hoof. “It’s just that I’m fairly sure this is the first time wings have been an alicorn’s biggest worry.”

“What else is there to worry about?” Twilight said. “You said that I can go back to Ponyville for now and I don’t really have any pressing political concerns to worry about.”

“Yes, well all that might change someday.” Princess Celestia said gently. “There may come a time when you’re called upon to give of yourself for the greater good of Equestria. That might mean taking over a task you’re not comfortable with or sacrificing something dear to your heart. Princesshood is not an honor as you may think it is now; it’s a serious duty that often goes unappreciated.”

“Ponies are going to look to you for leadership now.” Princess Celestia said. “They’re going to come to you with problems and expect that you can fix them by magic...whether you can or not. Your every deed carries greater clout; a careless action or word can seriously affect another pony’s life for better or worse.”

“I understand that, Princess, but why are you telling me all this now?” Twilight said. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

Princess Celestia sighed, regarding her former student with a solemn gaze. “I want you to understand that this is not a reward, Twilight Sparkle. This is no gold star for a job well done and I wouldn’t have asked you to do this if…I didn’t need you.”

“Twilight…I can’t tell you everything now. There’s going to come a time when…I won’t be able to help you anymore. And I’m so, so sorry for that.”

“Princess, I-I don’t understand.” Twilight said, laying a hoof on Princess Celestia’s foreleg. “Please, talk to me.”

“I don’t expect you to understand.” Princess Celestia said, affectionately patting Twilight’s hoof. “But…I do hope that you may forgive me for all of this, someday.”

“Princess, there’s nothing to forgive!” Twilight said. “I know that things are going to get more complicated for me here on out but I promise, I’m ready for anything! I’m ready to take my duties as a princess seriously and I’m confident that there’s no challenge I can’t overcome as long as I have my friends with me!”

Princess Celestia looked down at Twilight eagerly looking up at her, eyes alight with untarnished idealism. In her eyes, Celestia was reminded of a younger princess who thousands of years ago still thought her life would be an adventure without end.

“Twilight…there’s something you don’t quite understand.” Princess Celestia said but before she could say anything else, there came a keening cry from inside the ballroom.

Twilight and Princess Celestia shared a worried look before quickly barging through the door. There, a flabbergasted Rainbow Dash stood mouth agape with a hoof clasped between Blueblood’s forehooves. His lips hovered over the back of her hoof in mid-woo and the rest of the girls stood around looking dumbstruck at the scene before them.

“I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!” Rainbow Dash cried, turning to Applejack in shock. “APPLEJACK, IS THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW OR HAVE I LOST MY BUCKING MIND?!”

“Well apparently after Rarity blew off Prince Charming here, he got it in his head to try hittin on all of Princess Twilight’s friends to see which one of them was gonna get his fat royal flank in with you.” Applejack said.

“Why you ill-bred little nag! You will not refer to me in such a-” Blueblood hissed, only to realize he was on the receiving end of two baleful royal glares courtesy of Princesses Celestia and Twilight. “I-I-I mean, g-good evening Princess Twilight. Th-that dress certainly highlights y-your lovely figure.” Twilight blankly glared at the offending for a few agonizing moments while Blueblood cast around for a quick getaway.

“Hey, Twily!” Twilight broke her glare to see her brother approaching from out of the crowd. “Where’ve you been all night?”

“Shining Armor, this stallion said that my flank looks fat in his dress.” Twilight said without preamble.

“I-I apologize i-if I caused any offense y-your majesty.” Blueblood stammered, inching away from the advancing stallion as quickly as possible. “I-I only meant-”

“And he referred to Her Grace, The Duchess of Sweet Apple Acres as an ill-bred nag.” Princess Celestia added, apparently enjoying Blueblood’s discomfort.

“A-a joke, I assure you!” Blueblood laughed nervously. “A-all in good fun, r-right Your Grace?”

“He talkin to me?” Applejack asked. “The “nag” is suddenly “Your Grace” now?”

“And he had the nerve to approach me after he humiliated me at the Gala two years ago!” Rarity chimed in.

“C-can’t blame me for trying again, can you?” Blueblood chuckled, nervously wiping a bead of sweat from his brow as Shining Armor was apparently trying to glare him to death.

“And he kept hitting on Fluttershy after she told him to leave her alone!” Rainbow Dash added.

“I-It’s just that I was…er…struck by her beauty and c-couldn’t resist her…feminine…charms?” Blueblood squeaked, now trying to slide his way out of the ballroom.

“I was really looking forward to eating it…” Pinkie said sheepishly, scuffing the ground with her hoof.

“Well…there’s that too.” Twilight said sharing a bewildered shrug with her mentor.

“Shining Armor.” Princess Celestia said. “I understand that your days in my private guard have passed, but might I impose upon you to do me one final favor?”

“Yes, Your Majesty?” Shining Armor said, now merely inches from the petrified prince’s face.

“Kindly escort my nephew from this ballroom at your earliest convenience in the most expedient way you can imagine.” Princess Celestia said.

“With pleasure.” Shining Armor said grabbing Blueblood by the collar of his shirt and dragging him off through the startled crowd.

“W-wait Aunty, I can explain, please let me-get your filthy teeth off my suit, it’s cashmere you…wait, where are you taking me?! Nonononono, wait, this suit isn’t water proof! I just got this back from the cleaners! No, stop!”

There was a shrill, high pitched squeal as Blueblood was pitched out the second story window to land with a dull splash in the fountain below.

“I am sorry about that, ladies; we’ll keep him off the guest list next time.” Princess Celestia said.

“Not your fault, Princess.” Applejack said with a tip of the hat. “Much obliged for the assistance though.”

“I’m still not even sure why I still invite him to these occasions.” Princess Celestia sighed. “His parents were such lovely ponies that I’m still surprised at what a pompous ass he turned out to be.” Celestia looked down to see everypony looking up at her in shock. “Oh dear, did I say that last part out loud?”

“Yes, well, now that that’s out of the way, do you feel like hitting the dance floor, Your Majesty?” Rarity said, turning to Twilight.

“Pinkie’s in position to hijack the DJ booth if you’re ready to show these peasants how real royalty gets down.” Rainbow Dash said. “You in, Twilight?”

“Um, actually, Princess Celestia had something she wanted to say to me before Blueblood mucked things up, didn’t you Princess?”

Twilight looked up at her and for a brief moment, Celestia wanted to tell Twilight everything. She wanted to tell her about the thousands of lonely nights she spent as Equestria’s sole defender. About all the mistakes she made, all the ponies she hurt, all the friends and enemies she buried over the years. About all the unseen scars form the millions of times her heart had been broken over the years.

But, in a moment of weakness she would regret until her dying breath, Princess Celestia held her tongue.

“Oh…It’s nothing important.” Princess Celestia said. “Go enjoy the party; there’ll be time to talk later.”

“If you say so.” Twilight said and with that, she was whisked into the crowd by her friends. The classical chamber music suddenly stopped and was instantly replaced by a bubbly pop tune Princess Celestia had heard in passing on the radio. The dance floor cleared and Twilight began to flail her hooves about off beat with the music playing. As ridiculous as Twilight looked, she was happy and surrounded by friends, which was all Princess Celestia could ask for at the moment.

Princess Celestia gave a slight start as Princess Luna materialized behind her. “Oh, stars, Luna, you have to stop scaring me like-”

“Have you spoken with Twilight yet?” Princess Luna said, cutting her sister off.

"No, Luna, I didn't." Princess Celestia sad tersely. "I just...didn't see the need to yet."

"Oh spirits, I knew you would lose your nerve." Princess Luna sighed wearily. "Celestia-"

"There will be plenty of time for such unpleasant talk later." Princess Celestia said. "We're not wanting for time and the festivities don't need to be dampened by bad spirits."

"Because I thought we agreed that we'd be honest with Twilight." Princess Luna said. "I only agreed to this little...princess scheme of yours because you swore to me on the bones of Bellerophon that we would be honest with Twilight from the very beginning. And you promised that you'd speak to her-"

"I have every intention of doing right by Twilight, Luna." Princess Celestia said. "But I will do so at my discretion, Luna; not yours."

“If you don’t tell her the full story about all of this, I will.” Princess Luna said. "I have the utmost respect for your judgement, Celestia, but I'll not stand idly by while you place a crown on that poor mare's head, throw her a party and bribe her with finery without telling her about-"

“And what good would that do now?” Princess Celestia said, turning to face her sister. “Are you really so eager to break that girl’s heart?”

“That girl is a grown mare now.” Princess Luna said. “She deserves to know the truth, the whole truth, about what you’re asking of her.”

“What we’re asking of her.” Princess Celestia corrected. “Don't pin this all on me; you want this as much as I do.”

“Yes…that’s true.” Princess Luna said. “But it is wrong to keep these things from her; she still believes that we will be with her forever. We must tell her-”

“Go tell her now if you want to so badly!” Princess Celestia hissed, pointing across the dancefloor. “She’s right there; go pull her aside and tell her everything because I can’t right now, Luna, I just can’t!”

"You're being irrational." Princess Luna said. "You're letting your affection for Twilight cloud-"

"My judgement?" Princess Celestia said. "Of course I am. How can I not? I've spent the better part of two decades watching Twilight grow from an awkward little filly into a powerful young mare worthy of respect. I have raised her, Luna, not you. So do not dare to presume that I am not concerned for her well-being. I alone have that right; I alone have that responsibility and you would do well to remember that."

Princess Luna recoiled from her sister’s sudden outburst. "I...concede to thy wishes, Your Highness." She said stiffly. "If that is thine judgement, then I shall take my leave to resume my duties-"

“Wait, Luna.” Princess Celestia sighed, wearily rubbing her temples. "I shouldn't take my frustration out on you. I'm sorry...I spoke too hotly."

"A common occurrence these nights." Princess Luna observed. "I would have thought thy temper to be tempered by time but...it seems to only grow hotter by the day."

"I know...and I'm truly sorry." Princess Celestia said. “A thousand years later and I’m still so quick to take my anger out on you…sometimes I wonder if I’m not the same silly filly I was when I first ascended to the throne. I wonder how you've managed to tolerate me all these years”

“You are my sister.” Princess Luna said, gently nuzzling her sister. "You are a part of me that I cannot separate myself from."

Princess Celestia let loose a snort of laughter. "I promise...I will speak to Twilight about everything."

"On the graves of our fellowship." Princess Celestia said gravely. "On the sacred memory of those that await us, I will speak with Twilight Sparkle about the extent of her new duties."

“No…tonight’s her night.” Celestia said, watching as Twilight was tossed high in the air by her friends. “Let her enjoy her friends...while she can.”

And so, the two ageless alicorns watched as Twilight laughed and danced and sang badly along with the music on the stereo. Solemn duty and hard goodbyes could wait for another night because tonight, was Princess Twilight’s coronation ball. Tonight, all of her friends and family came out to honor her achievements and celebrate her new life.

But years and years later, Twilight would remember that night as the last time she saw everypony she loved in the same place, at the same time.

siderealSandman presents

The Last Equestrian Princess

A story about the cost of living forever.

The Last Equestrian Princess

by Dr_DeDeDe

Prologue: The Promenade