Rustic Royalty

by Bakmah Genesis

Enlisting Her Teacher

Celestia had always enjoyed sitting down and relaxing in the late evening. She was able to let her mind unwind after the days events as she prepared to fall into the comatose state that was known as sleep.

She sipped her tea quietly, her eyes closed as she listened to the sounds of the always busy city of Canterlot. Ponies were scrambling home as others made their way for another night shift at work. Ponies laughed happily as they entered the bars and clubs. There was no real place in Canterlot where you could escape the sounds of the city, even in the castle.

The goddess hummed to herself, imagining what it would be like if she was able to have a somewhat normal life such as her little ponies, instead of being stuck inside the castle and dealing with the nobles. She knew it wouldn't happen, that it was only a mere dream that she could only indulge herself in, but that was enough for her.

The loud, clear rap of ordinate hoofwear on the door to her study pulled Celestia from her evening dreams. Celestia took a second to collect herself before setting her cup aside. "Come in."

As she expected, Luna walked in, her body seeming more relaxed as she slowly got accustomed to the less strict way of ruling that Celestia had adapted. She walked around with a more happy expression as her stone features were slowly chipped away with her teachings.

Smiling warmly, Celestia relaxed her posture. "Ah, Luna. I see you finally are awake, unless you have been awake all day. It has been a bit of a long day, so I am sorry if I have not seen you." It was true. With the sudden appearance of the crystal castle that Twilight had inhabited recently the nobles have been trying to find ways to make it theirs since she is not royalty in their eyes. It had been a long battle to make it an official building and place it under Twilight's ownership and care. Once it was her's, it was then a battle between Twilight and herself against the nobles to make it under the juristriction of the Princesses. In other words, she had grown to hate that Castle within it's recent existence.

"I have been aware sister. I myself had viewed the second proceedings, I find it very humorous how the nobles can speak down upon Sparkle, yet quiver under her glare," said the lunar princess with a giggle. "That isn't why I am here, though. I came here asking for your help satisfying a curiosity of mine as of late."

Celestia cocked her head in interest. "Oh? In what area of today's society have you become curious about now?" It wasn't strange for her to be questioned about today's society. Just the other night, Luna came to her questioning her about the newly created calendar system that had changed over the millennia. Needless to say, Celestia didn't get much sleep that night.

"Well, I have noticed that during my time year, the Earth Pony race is no longer... inferior," said Luna, rolling her hoof a bit. "All of the Earth Ponies I have seen have had some grip in business or otherwise. Even one of the Elements of Harmony is one of Equestria's top apple providers. From what I have seen, her produce reaches the corners of the globe, despite owning only one plot of land and being family owned and operated.

"What I am curious about is how the lowest of farming races have changed to become our top providers in food and gems, top business owners, and even engineers that control the rails that lead from Equestria to her neighbors." Luna sat herself in front of Celestia, waiting patiently for her answer. Celestia blinked at the question, it wasn't unusual for her to ask such large questions, but this was ridiculous.

"Luna," said Celestia slowly. "You do know the magnitude of your question, yes? I cannot sum up the rise of the Earth Pony race and their innovations in mere hours, it would take me months to recount to you how they have risen through society and have become as respectable as any other pony here in Equestria." The goddess shook her head as she felt a slight headache starting to form just thinking about how she would be able to sum up hundreds of centuries to her sister.

The lunar goddess huffed. "Then how do you expect me to understand this generation if you refuse to recount to me something of this size? Sister, we used Earth Ponies as lower class servants, slaves even back before my banishment. Now they run everything from entertainment to the very food that is placed in front of us during dinner!" Luna stood up, placing her hooves on the desk before her. "You cannot keep how they became this way from me!"

Celestia sighed as she realized that this was true. Even after the founding of Equestria, Earth Ponies were still the lowest of the races. It had gotten so bad that there was a rebel group consisting of mainly Earth Ponies that raided the Unicorn estates and killed any influential Pegasi when they were on the ground. Those were dark times. It wasn't until an Earth Pony farmer had the gall to tax his crops.

Others, of course, refused to pay his prices. It soon led to a slow starvation as he refused to let his goods travel out to cities and markets. He had hired many armed guards to keep all of his massive orchards and crops safe from pillagers. It wasn't until almost a month that the others gave in and started paying his taxes. The farmer reopened the lines and made it so that all the crops went through him. This not only put more bits in his pocket, but ensured that the other Earth Pony farmers were able to make more of a living off their crops.

Later, another Earth Pony by the name of Wrought Iron, after graduating from Bale University with a bachelors degree in mechanics, went ahead to create the first steam engine. The next ten years he spent battling with politicians before he was able to start laying tracks across the country, connecting all the major cities and providers of resources. It didn't take long before the entirety of Equestria was linked by the railroad.

"And that is only a small part of their history," said Celestia, shaking her head. "There is much more to them than anything I can tell you. In fact, most of their success has come from their farming knowledge which is more important than the trains that transport them. The only way you will be able to learn everything you want is to actually learn from an Earth Pony. To say the least, I can't help you there."

Luna huffed as she sat back in her seat. She crossed her hooves as she thought about her situation. Her sister was right on the field that she needed to learn the ways of the Earth Ponies from one, but there was the problem of finding one she was able to trust enough to stay with over a long length of time.

Her ears perked as she remembered back to one of her earlier points. The Element of Honesty, Applejack: Element bearer, farmer, Earth Pony, family mare, and truthfully honest. She had been a part of many of the efforts against Equestria's threats plus much more.

"Sister." She got back onto her hooves, a small grin on her face. "Wouldn't it be possible to place me in the care of Miss Applejack to educate me of the ways of the Earth Ponies? She is probably the most trustworthy pony we can have for this endeavor."

Celestia hummed thoughtfully, rubbing a hoof under her chin as she looked over the option. "We could. Not sure how she would take to having babysit a Princess out of her time, but I can say it is our best bet... Do you have a length of time that you want to spend with her in mind?"

"One year," said Luna without hesitation. Celestia blinked in surprise before shaking her head.

"Is one year really necessary, sister? I understand a few months, but placing yourself out of rule for one full year is a bit excessive. Cadence isn't here to help me rule and Twilight is still new to the prospect of ruling a country." She sighed. "Poor girl was having troubles with our debate today."

Luna nodded. "I understand this, but one year is the only way for me to make sure I have enough time to learn what I need to. You have to understand that it is with a heavy heart that I remove myself for that long," she sighed, sitting herself back down. "The best I can guarantee a few visits throughout the year, but other than that, you must brave the courts alone."

Celestia bit her lip. She didn't want her sister to leave, let alone for an entire year while they were in the middle of cleaning up the mess that Tirek left behind from his tirade, but Luna had a point. Sighing, Celestia nodded her head.

"Then your wish is granted. By the day after tomorrow, you will be able to go to your lessons as a free mare. But, I advise you prepare an attire for going out onto a farm in the meantime, as well as alert Applejack and her family of your coming beforehoof."

Luna let out a squee as she jumped over the desk, wrapping her sister in a death hug. "We think you sister! We appreciate your patronage and will work right away on preparing ourselves! We bid you goodnight." The mare detached herself from Celestia, allowing the goddess to breathe again, and skipped out of the room.

Once the door was closed, Celestia let out a loud groan before falling face first into the desk. "You are going to be the death of me, Sister."

Applejack snorted as the bright morning rays pierced her curtains and found their way over her eyelids. She attempted to block out the ever present morning by rolling herself over with a grunt. However, after a few moments, the heat on her back from the sun proved to make it impossible for her to resume her sleep, forcing her to pry herself out from under her covers.

Yawning, the Earth Pony dragged herself over towards the vanity on the far side of the room. As she gazed into the mirror, she wasn't surprised to find her face mostly covered in a mop of untidy mane. Her straw colored mane had strewn itself all over the place, sticking up in places as well as dangling over her face. She was afraid to look at her tail at that moment, knowing she would find a similar mess of knots there.

With a sigh, Applejack plopped herself onto a stool, grabbed her brush, and began the horrendous task of brushing out all the knots and trying to make her mane it's normal, tidy self. She grunted every time she yanked one out, watching as her mane slowly began to straighten. After close to half an hour of this, Applejack grabbed her mane and pulled it into a neat ponytail, grabbing her hair tie and placing it around the end of her mane. She then positioned herself so she could get to her tail and repeat the process. Once both messes were tamed, she grabbed the Stetson she had on her bed post and started her way out of her room.

The farm house was quiet, most of the other occupants still waiting to wake up. Winona perked her head up at the sound of her master coming down the stairs. She let out a happy bark, only to be silenced by a stern glare from Applejack as the mare made her way to the front door.

Stepping outside, Applejack took in a deep breath of the early morning air. The sound of birds chirping in the trees of her apple orchard greeted her ears as she walked down the path towards the front gate.

Stopping in front of the mailbox, Applejack gave the post a firm kick, watching the hatch swing open. Fishing out the mail, she began the common task of sorting out her mail as any other pony. A millionth card from her cousin in Applaloosa trying to date her, a subscription renewal for one of Big Mac's 'magazines' that she had no care in looking into further, a scroll wrapped in the seal of the Lunar Princess, a death threat from the Fli-

Applejack blinked as she pulled the scroll back out from her pile, setting herself on one of the porch chairs outside of the house. Setting the other mail aside, she broke the seal and unravelled the scroll.

Dear Applejack of Ponyville

As of recent, I have found myself rather... intrigued by your race, Earth Ponies that is, and how they have seemed to change drastically since my banishment.

With permission from my dear sister, I have decided to take one full year off of my royal duties as a Princess of Equestria to come and learn the ways of the Earth Ponies from you.

The day after this letter reaches you, I will begin my flight to your farm and thus will start my one year of observing your kind. Hopefully, I will not prove any hindrance to your chores or business.

Your temporarily resigned Princess,
Luna

Applejack read the letter over multiple times, soon having the ability to recite it without problem. She slowly set the letter aside before relaxing into her seat.

"Oh buck me..."