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Sequel to Democracy
“Twilight could we try not to go to a library or a museum? Just once?” Spike wearily asked from his seat on Twilight’s back.
“Spike going to the museum is still a wonderful way to spend a vacation.” Twilight replied.
Spike sighed then turned his head to face Celestia who was walking alongside Twilight. He gave his best pleading look in hopes of turning away one alicorn from their planned trip.
Celestia shook her head, “I am also interested in seeing what artifacts the museum chose to put on display. I believe the exhibit is on the Kingdom of the Unicorns.”
Twilight nodded, “Yes, from the second kingdom.”
“Second?” Spike asked.
“The Kingdom of the Unicorns nearly fell twice, so most especially scholars and historians preferred to separate the timeline of the Kingdom along those time periods.” Celestia said, “I lived during the third and final Kingdom when the Royal House was House Aster; a House that sadly no longer exists as its last descendent married into House Blueblood making House Aster extinct.”
“The second kingdom was founded by House Nobilis who are also extinct as their last known descendent died defending the Kingdom from invaders.” Twilight said continuing from where Celestia left off.
“So we’re here to see old Unicorn stuff?” Spike asked.
Twilight sighed, “I wish you wouldn’t just define it as old, these are artifacts. These are means for us to study and learn about the past. The exhibit is supposed to be about the whole second Kingdom of the Unicorns from its rise with House Nobilis to its fall under House Adamas. It’s also supposed to include a little about House Aster who rose and led the Kingdom of the Unicorns in its third and final iteration.”
“House Aster….” Celestia said reminiscing, “I can still remember vaguely the last King who did everything he could to protect his Kingdom. But in the end, all of that, the weight of protecting the Kingdom would fall to his daughter Queen Platinium.” Celestia shook her head, “Hopefully the exhibit will not weigh itself down in names and titles, I do remember Platinum’s being quite long.”
Twilight’s focus turned to Celestia at her mention of Queen Platinum, “You met her? I knew you were alive during that time, but still I didn’t think you would have met her.”
Celestia chuckled, “I did and I met her on more than a few occasions. I attended her Court a few times, more often as I rose through the ranks of the Dawn Raisers. Since the control of the Sun and the Moon were still under Unicorns at the time, some of their highest ranking members were often present at Court to present any issues and concerns along with providing regular reports. Platinum was an interesting mare to meet especially that first time. She was kind, hard-working, and very dedicated to her duties and to her people. She was younger than I was and she took the throne at a young age but she handled it fairly well.”
Celestia paused for a moment, “Although I did learn just how dedicated she was, how cunning, ruthless, and manipulative she could be to outmaneuver her enemies and she had many enemies both within the Court and outside the Court. Many thought she was unfit for the throne given her youth but she would prove them all wrong when she managed to finally negotiate for proper peace after the Windigos were gone.”
Twilight stopped walking when she had noticed that Celestia’s strides had slowed then stopped, Twilight walked over to give Celestia a gentle hug, “You sound like you knew her well, like you two were quite close.”
Celestia leaned into the hug and noticed that Spike had also joined in, “I did, over the years she became a close friend and it was her who officiated the ceremony for my first marriage.”
It took sometime before the three broke up the hug and continued walking towards the museum.
“Are you sure you still want to go to the museum today?” Twilight asked.
Celestia nodded, “I do, Platinum was a good friend and I still remember her but I have learned that allowing the past to weigh me down is not a good idea. Besides I want to see how they arranged the exhibit and I hope they did represent House Aster well in this.
Spike sighed, “I guess that would be good but I do wish we could go somewhere other museums.”
Twilight and Celestia looked at each other and gave each other a brief nod.
“Well you did choose dinner last night,” Celestia chuckled at the memory of last night, “I am thankful you broke us up instead of continuing to allow us to argue. But I think we could spend some time away from the museums this trip.”
“I checked the city for sights before we left and I believe there is a large comic book store here. So if you want to, after the museum we’ll go there for a while?” Twilight asked.
Spike nodded, “I liked that.”