Chapter Two: Royal Duties
Princess Celestia sat on her unnecessarily huge throne, her eyes aching as she struggled to keep them open. She had already seen twenty seven of the ninety-five ponies who had requested an audience with her today, and the sun wasn’t even fully out from behind the mountains. She felt honored that every pony admired her and came to her for advice, but she wished that they would learn to solve some of their own problems for once. “Bring in the next pony.” She said calmly. A gray stallion with a box cutie mark trotted in and sat down before her. “Princess Celestia, one of my friends went missing while picnicking near the Gryphon border yesterday. She’s not the practical joker type, and she’s also not the type to scare her friends like this. We’re all afraid to go looking for her ever since the town wizard warned us not to go near there.” He said, bowing his head respectfully. Celestia’s ears perked up at the mention of the border. “What town wizard? And what exactly did they say?” Celestia questioned. “The fabulous and amazing Dixie; or at least that’s what she calls herself. And she warned us that a great darkness was coming from the north, so we started blockading the town.” He explained. “I haven’t heard of this ‘Fabulous and amazing Dixie’. How many times has she made predictions that have come true? And you needn’t blockade the town; I’ll send some soldiers to protect it if you’re all really that worried. I’ll also look into your missing friend, as well.” The princess promised as she dismissed the pony. She leaned to her side and whispered to a guard, who then took a step forward. “The princess has suspended all audiences until after sun high.” He announced rather loudly before taking a step back. Celestia sighed at the over formality of the whole royalty thing and called for Starswirl and her sister. Soon, her old friend was by her side, but Luna was replaced by a guard who informed them that she was nowhere to be found in the castle. “When was the last time you saw her, Celestia?” Starswirl questioned. “This morning when we were talking, but- Oh, Starswirl…You don’t think she heard us and went off towards the border, do you?” Celestia exclaimed. “I wouldn’t put it past your sister…” he sighed. “What will you do? Your guards are spread thin, being in Ponyville and at their castle stations.” Starswirl continued. Celestia trotted over to an open window and stared out into the distance, trying to form a plan in her crowded mind. Why did she have to attend to such petty things like a flower patch not growing? Or paint not drying fast enough? She rudely cursed the ponies she had seen earlier under her breath and immediately regretted it. She had a duty as ruler to take care of all the ponies in Equestria; no matter how petty their problems seemed. She stomped her hoof down triumphantly as she figured out a plan. “Starswirl,” she growled. “Send messengers to Cloudsdale and Ponyville announcing a militia volunteer request. I’m putting an end to this nagging issue once and for all.”. Starswirl bowed his head respectfully and galloped off. Celestia was tired of the suspense around the issue of the breach in the magic barrier; and she was about to get to the bottom of it.