The Equestrian Zone

by Revenant Wings

Episode 9 - The Changing of the Guard (TEASER)

Celestia stood at the entrance of the balcony, taking in a large sigh. She could hear the crowds outside, ponies filling the courtyard that marked the entrance of Canterlot Castle. There was a large commotion outside, with music and others speaking outside, though the Princess herself was quiet and reflective. A short ways away, her sister, Princess Luna, stood in a dress that few others knew was somewhere more than a thousand years old, preserved by ancient designs. Celestia looked over at Luna and noticed her wearing the dress.
“I… cannot believe you have kept it for so long,” she said quietly.
Luna shook her head. “Do not concern yourself with what I am wearing,” replied the alicorn of the night gently. “Those ponies out there are waiting for you to make your speech as they have all day. ‘Tis a momentous occasion for you.”
“Yes… but it isn’t the same without the rest of them here to celebrate.”
Luna walked over to Celestia and put her muzzle under Celestia’s chin. “I know. It’s been hard for all of us. Cadence has either been shut up in her room for the past week or in the secret corner of the gardens with her vigil. She seems to be unreachable during this time of year. But you… you have to stand strong. If not for them, for me.”
Celestia nodded. “I shall try, dear sister.”
Celestia heard the triumphant fanfare that was due to mark her appearance and walked, in all her regalia and a bright, sparkling dress, out on to the balcony reaching over the crowds of ponies, all standing silent and with bated breath for Her Majesty to speak. A microphone was standing in front of her, and multiple speakers surrounded the courtyard for the best sound quality so that all could hear the Princess’ speech. Celestia took in a breath and pulled herself closer to the microphone and began to speak, hearing her voice echoing far and wide across Canterlot and Equestria.
“It is a pleasure to speak to you all on this, the evening of the first day of my two thousandth year as your Princess. I should hope that my next thousand years, I will continue to lead this fine nation through thick and through thin, and to stand by you all as not only your ruler, but as your kin. I wish for all of you to think of me not as a nigh-immortal being, but another pony like you.
“For, as we gather here this day to celebrate the beginning of a new millennium in Equestrian history, we also gather here to pay our respects to six of you. Two Earth ponies, rulers of the land. Two pegasi, rulers of the air. And two unicorns, rulers of the magic throughout the land. If we were to examine the lives of these ponies, they would be just like you: a farmer, an animal care-taker, a party planner, a librarian, a dress maker, and a weather team member. Yet they have managed to do some extraordinary things. I advise you all throughout this year and the coming years, to remember the strength and courage that these six had, and though they accomplished things that most would only ever dream of, that they were all once just like you.”
“I now read a poet that was a favorite of the late prestigious magician Twilight Sparkle, former Element of Magic:
When I was one and twenty, I heard a wise mare say:
‘Give emeralds and sapphires and bits, but not your heart away.
Give pearls and rubies, but keep your fancy free.’
But I was one twenty; no use to talk to me.
The heart out of the bosom was never given in vain
‘Tis paid for size aplenty, and sold for endless room.
Now I am two and twenty and lo; tis true… tis true.”*
The crowds stood silent, as though they knew not what to think of what the Princess had just said.
“I now shall quote the magician herself form a statement she made in her later years,” Celestia continued. “‘Do not give your lives to meaningless pursuits of greatness, for greatness is not searched for and found, but searches for and finds. Instead, give your lives to your talents and your abilities, and delve into them with all your heart. Even the smallest of you has something to give if you give it your all, and if you do this… greatness shall come to you.’ My little ponies: stay true to your talents, your marks… and yourselves. I see in front of me a crowd of little ponies, some young and some old, who I have watched over from the very first day. I have a feeling that potentially all of you will grow to become fine young mares and stallions who will make their marks and leave their marks, as the Elements of Harmony have done so long ago.”
Upon finishing with her little speech, Celestia backed away from the microphone and bowed her head in respect as the crowds thundered their approving applause towards her. Celestia waved to the masses for a short while before the bands struck up again and the Solar Princess retreated into the quiet hallways of Canterlot Castle, where Luna stood with an approving smile.
“You did well, dear sister,” she said.
Celestia sighed and smiled back. “Come. We should find Princess Cadence and join her vigil for a moment. The celebration of my two-thousand year reign has fallen at a bad time.”