The sound of trumpets echoed through the city of Canterlot. Ponies gathered in the clearing outside the castle, which was specially designed for large gatherings like this. Flash, Twilight, Cadence and Shining Armor walked out to the royal balcony.
"Long live the King and Queen!" Rainbow Dash, former Element of Loyalty and Captain of the Royal Guard exclaimed to the gathering audience. The ponies in the streets of Canterlot began to bow down to the Royal Couple.
Flash noticed that some seemed a little hesitant about bowing, but eventually complied with the tradition.
"His Majesty, King Flash Sentry!" Rainbow called out. Ponies began to rise from their bowing positions as Flash stood at the edge of the balcony overlooking Canterlot.
"Citizens of Equestria!" The King greeted his subjects. "As you know, you are gathered here today to hear an amazing announcement from myself. Today, the future of Equestria begins."
Ponies below began looking at each other. Some whispered to their friends "What could he mean?" or "What's going to happen?"
"It is my honor to announce, today on the sixteenth day of the fourth month, that my wife, Queen Twilight Sparkle and I, are expecting our very first foal!" Flash beamed.
After a few moments of silence, the city broke out in cheers. The Royal Band began to play the Equestrian National Anthem on their trumpets as ponies celebrated the news of the soon to be Prince or Princess of Equestria.
Twilight walked up beside her husband and waved to the crowd. The cheers got even louder.
Though, some ponies were not cheering. They were looking up at the King and Queen. Looks of confusion, even disappointment on their faces. These were the same ponies who were hesitant to bow at the start of the event.
"What's up with those guys down there?" Rainbow asked as she walked over to Twilight and Flash. "They don't seem too thrilled about the news."
"I've noticed that too." Twilight said to her pegasus friend. "It's almost as if they're saddened by the news."
"Maybe they just don't know how to react." Flash suggested.
"I don't know." Twilight said. "They seem disappointed."
"Twilight, darling!" Rarity, former Element of Generosity and Twilight and Flash's personal stylist greeted the Queen as she trotted out onto the balcony.
"You're running late darling. We need to get you and Flash ready to go to lunch with Cadence and Shining Armor this afternoon." The white unicorn informed Twilight.
"What? Already?" Twilight gasped. Her and Flash followed Rarity back inside.
Twilight and Flash met Cadence and Shining Armor in the castle entrance hall when they were ready. Shining Armor was in his red suit while Cadence was dressed in her blue dress and her mane was the same way it was on her wedding day.
"Alright everypony, I'm your escort to the café but I have a new recruit following me around today, so she'll be coming with me." Rainbow Dash entered the hall. A young mare with an orange coat and purple hair followed her. A pegasus with a scooter for a cutie mark.
"Scootaloo?" Twilight gasped when she recognized the mare. "You can't be old enough to join the Royal Guard!"
"Actually." Rainbow Dash pointed out. "Scootaloo turned 17 last week. This is like, her third day in recruit training. She's following me around because she wants to become your personal escort when she actually becomes a guard."
"Alright then. I don't see a problem in her coming with us." Twilight smiled. Flash nodded in agreement.
Just as the group were about to leave the castle, a guard came running down the stairs.
"Your highnesses!" He yelled as he got to the bottom. "News from Ponyville!"
"Ponyville?" Twilight asked. "Is everything alright?"
"No!" The guard answered, trying to catch his breath. "The Everfree Forest is expanding again. Though according to my sources, it's happening much quicker than last time. We need to take immediate action!"
"That can't happen. We put the Elements back in the Tree of Har- Oh no..." Twilight squeaked. "I completely forgot about the consequences of removing the Tree of Harmony! Come on, we have to go!" Twilight pushed the doors open and flew up into the sky.
"Come on Scootaloo, this could be some good training for you!" Rainbow Dash flew up after Twilight, soon followed by Scootaloo.
Flash turned to Cadence and Shining Armor. "Would you guys mind looking after the castle while we're gone? You're guests of the state and we can't risk you two getting hurt in the Everfree."
"Of course." Shining Armor answered.
"Thanks so much, Shine." Flash took off after Twilight and the two guards. Leaving Cadence and Shining Armor alone in the castle as the royal guards were deployed to keep the vines away from Canterlot.
Ponyville, and the rest of Equestria, was in grave danger!