//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Princess's and Suitor's. // Story: The 7th Element Season 2: Part 1, The Rise of Maelstrom. // by Rojack79 //------------------------------// 7, 20, 1000, C.E. 5:00 P.M. Canterlot Castle. Canterlot. Midnight paced back and forth as she thought about her speech. Her mind was racing. "Ok calm down you can do this. You wanted to shroud the whole world in darkness. Now you can go out there and tell the pony's of Equestria of how wrong you were to try and do that. Just calm down!" Then she began to hyperventilate. Gadget walked into the room and saw her. He laughed as he went over to her and began to pat her on the back. "Don't worry so much Midnight. Trust me you'll do fine." He said trying to reassure her. She looked at him. He was decked out in a fine silk robe with is sword slung across his back. He really is handsome. Her face flushed as the thought crept into her mind. "Gadget?" She asked looking out over the balcony of her room at the arriving crowd of pony's. "Yes?" He answered not taking his eye's off of her. "Do you think there's such a thing as fate?" That's a strange question to ask. He thought about it. "Well Princess i think that most of our lives are what we make of them." She looked at him. "What i mean is no. I don't think there's some cosmic force controlling our live's. I do believe that there is a great creator out there. And that he's always watching out for us. But i don't think he like's to play puppet master like a lot of people believe." He said as he sat down. Midnight was puzzled. "So you believe in a higher power but not that that power can control or dictate our live's?" Gadget laughed. "Oh trust me if it wanted to that power could annihilate the whole universe." Midnight looked horrified. Gadget shook his head. "But it doesn't because that would not be very useful to anyone." He said smiling. "How can you believe in such a thing?" "Because your highness if it wasn't for that power i wouldn't be here right now." He said looking forlorn. She was shocked. How could something so powerful be so contradictory. If there was a being as powerful as that why would it allow anypony to live? Finally Midnight shook her head. "So your answer to my question is 'somewhat'?" She said looking slightly disturbed. Gadget chuckled. "My answer is complicated." He said sticking out his tongue. Midnight just starred at him. Then she narrowed her eye's. He knew what that look meant. "Uh oh." Before he could shove the door's open he was hit with a bolt of lightning. "Yahhhhh!" He screamed. While Gadget was getting his snarky ass handed to him by Midnight, Princess Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were getting ready for the grand banquette for there newest addition to the royal family. Prince Blue Blood was overseeing all of the guest's seating as well as looking out for the foreign dignitary's. "Ah!" His voice rang out through the hall as he welcomed the King and Queen from Saddle Arabia. "Right this way." He said leading them to a massive table at the end of the hall. This table was meant for all of the royalty that would be attending this event. A few hour's later the whole hall was packed. Gadget and Midnight had arrived to see the banquette abuzz with conversation. As soon as they both entered the hall however all eye's were on them and all conversation stopped. Gadget stood by Midnight's side as they made their way down the isle to the grand table. As the two trotted to their seat's Gadget used his magic to pull out Midnight's chair for her. She giggled at this. "Why thank you Sir Sky-Rose." He grinned. "You are welcome Lady Midnight." He said with a bow and then to his surprise a seat was pulled out next to Midnight's. He looked at the aura and identified it as Princess Celestia's. He looked to her and she gave him a soft smile. She inclined her head. "Go ahead Sir Sky-Rose. You have more than earned your place at this table." She said glancing at the other dinner guest's. Gadget looked around. Pinky Pie waved enthusiastically at him. He saw the other girl's were there as well. They all gave him a smile. He waved back and sat down. He heard a 'Psss' to his left and looked over to see his parent's sitting further down the line. He waved at them. Now that every pony was present the festivity's began. 7:28 P.M. The whole table was abuzz with conversation once more. All through the night Midnight had answered question after question as best as she could. When she couldn't Gadget was there to help. Now the banquette was coming to a close and the grand ball was about to start. As Gadget and Midnight got up from their seat's they were approached by a pony no one had expected to see. It was a thestral. Gadget and Midnight all starred at him in shock. Guess i shouldn't be so surprised. Gadget thought. They do live quite away's away. The thestral in question was defiantly royalty from what Gadget saw. He dark grey coat was immaculately groomed. His jet black hair was tailored and flowed in the hot Autumn breeze. His Dark Green eye's had an air of confidence about them that bordered on arrogant. But his confidence was not false. His blood red cape and silver breast plate were made of the highest quality material Gadget had ever seen. Wow he must a prince. Gadget thought. The Thestral had cleared his throat. "Greeting's your majesty." His accent reminded Gadget of Dracula. He suppressed a snicker as his brain brought up some random image's of this pony playing him in a movie. He quickly got a hold of himself tho as the thestral looked at him with disdain. "Is something funny?" He said shrewdly sizing Gadget up. Gadget got his composure back. He knelt bowed his head. "I am truly sorry your majesty. I meant no disrespect." He said. He brought his head up and smiled. The thestral just looked at Gadget as if he was a piece of dirt. He then looked to the Princess. He bowed his head. "As i was saying." He said taking Midnight's fore hoof. She was hesitant at first but didn't want to make a scene. "I am Prince Charlemagne Of the Kingdom of Romania." He said kissing her hoof. Midnight blushed at this and she bowed her head in respect. Charlemagne let go of her hoof and stood tall before her. "It is an honor to finally behold the beauty of Equestria's newest Princess." He said as he looked her up and down. Midnight blushed even more at his flattery. Gadget just rolled his eye's. He had seen this song and dance before. He looked around to see the entire royal family chatting it up with some one else. He was brought back to the conversation by his name. "Sir Sky-Rose?" He looked back to Midnight. She was curious. "Yes Midnight?" He answered. Her response was cut off by Prince Prissy pant's sputtering out his cup of tea. "My most humble Sir." He said addressing Gadget. Gadget looked at him. What has your underwear in a twist? Charlemagne looked at Gadget with the utmost seriousness on his face. "Do you have no manner's?" He asked looking angry. Gadget looked at him like he was crazy. "Um yes i do. What your deal?" He said. The Prince looked like he was about to have a heart attack. The prince just dismissed Gadget and looked at Midnight. "Your majesty not to be rude but just who is this pony and how did they become a Knight?" He asked looking worried. Midnight looked at the prince and then to Gadget. "Well your majesty." Midnight said as she gave Gadget a snarky look. She laughed. Just thinking about him and how they met was enough to bring her to giggle's. "We met on a dark and stormy night. He saved me from a monster and he has been in my employ ever since." She said giving Gadget a wink. He laughed back. The Prince just looked bemused. How could this simpleton ever become a knight? Let alone save her highness form anything? Charlemagne just shook his head. "Well... I will have to hear that story in greater detail sometime." He then looked around. The great ball was about to start. Then he got a brilliant idea. He cleared his throat. "Your Majesty?" He asked Midnight. Her ear's perked up. "Yes Sir Charlemagne?" He extended his hoof. "Would you care to join me in a dance?" He asked. Midnight was stuck. She really just wanted to get the night over with. Her Last duty was to choose her Knight Protector and then she and the other delegate's could go to their room's and retire for the night. She looked at Charlemagne's hoof. Plus she had had enough of Charlemagne's haughty attitude. She shook her head. "I am truly sorry Sir Charlemagne." She said giving him a bow. "But i must decline your gracious offer. I feel that the day's event's have sapped me of most of my stamina." She gave him a smile. "Perhaps another time?" She said as she stifled a yawned. Charlemagne bowed. Midnight and Gadget them left the prince standing there and went to go and find the other Princess's. They were all huddled in there own little corner. The day had not been kind to them either. "Hey peep's." Gadget said as he waved to them. "How's it hangin?" He asked as Midnight and him sat down before the royal group. The group all smiled at Gadget's antic's. "Well," Celestia said as she got to her hooves. "It is almost time for your Knighting." She said pointing a hoof to Gadget. He grinned. "Are thow ready for such an honor?" Luna asked. Gadget thought about it. "I think so." He said not entirely sure. He sighed. "I'm sorry if that wasn't the answer you would like to hear but it's the truth. In all honesty i really never thought i would ever in a million year's become a knight." He looked at them all. He was shaking form excitement, and fear. This was going to be a huge responsibility for him. Here's hoping i don't screw this up. He took a deep breath. Then he gave them all a big smile. "You know what let's just get this over with." He said putting on his bravest face. Princess Celestia smiled. "You will do fine little one." said as she gave him a soft nuzzle. He blushed at the contact but he returned the affection non the less. The rest of the royal family took turn's giving Gadget a hug or some other form of encouragement. As Cadance came up to him she gave him a hug. "You are going to make some pony really happy one day." He whispered into his ear as she embraced him. He just blushed. As she let go of him she gave him a wink. His face darkened even more. What was that all about? He heard a loud cough and brought himself back to the present. Midnight was looking at him with a soft smile. She then giggled at him. "Come along Sir Sky-Rose. Let us make your Knight Hood official." She said with glee. The Princess's plus Gadget made their way through the crowd. They all stopped at the center of the great hall were the floor was raised up to create a little platform. As Celestia cleared her throat Gadget covered his ear's. Midnight saw this and used her magic to shield herself. "My dear Pony's and gracious host's from far away!" Celestia's royal voice resounded through the great hall bringing all other conversation's to a stop. When she had everypony's attention she continued. "As you are all aware we are here tonight to crown Equestria's newest princess." The whole hall erupted in applause. "But what you all may not know is that we have one more ceremony to complete before the night is over." there was some muttering going on through out the crowd. Princess Cadance took over from here. She looked over the crowd. "As some of you may know Equestria has not had a knight crowned in century's." What!? Gadget mentally screamed to himself. He retained him calm composure but inside he was getting all knotted up. Princess Luna come up. "But now there is cause for great jubilation. For tonight we have the honer's of granting the title of Knight to a very special pony." She stepped down and Celestia spoke once more. "This title is not given lightly." She said looking through out the crowd. Every pony held there breath. "Will Gadget Sky-Rose please come forward?" She paused. Gadget gulped and shook his head to clear his mind. He came forward and bowed to the Princess's. "Your Majesty's." He said still bowing. Then Midnight came up. "Gadget Sky-Rose please rise." She commanded. He obeyed. Then Celestia came up once more. "Gadget sky-Rose. You are summoned here tonight to be crowned as a Knight in the service of Princess Midnight." she said. The air itself was charged with all of the excitement. Gadget looked at the Princess as she continued her speech. "Gadget. You are a rare pony in our time's. Over the course of the last 7 month's you have shone the Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, and Kindness of a true Knight. You have rushed to the aid of your fellow pony even when that pony had tried to claim your life." she said. Both Gadget and Midnight flinched at that remark. "So in recognition of your valiant effort's We the Princess's of Equestria have deemed you worthy of the title of Knight Protector of the Royal House Hold." All of the pony present gasped. "What?" Gadget asked to himself. He looked all around. There were look's of shock all around. The Princess went on. "Gadget Sky-Rose." Celestia asked. Gadget looked up to see Celestia's stern face gazing at his own. "Yes your majesty?" He squeaked. "Unsheathe your sword." she asked. Gadget did as he was told. He levitated his long sward up to the Princess. She caught it in her golden aura. Then the three other Princess's came up. "Sir Sky-Rose." "Yes Celestia?" "Do you swear to uphold the tenant's of Honer confided upon you by us the royal family?" Gadget blinked. "I do." He answered. Celestia's horn flared and Gadget's sword glowed yellow. Then the sword was passed down to Luna. "Sir Sky-Rose." "Yes Luna?" "Do you promise to uphold thine tenant's of Loyalty to the royal family placed upon thee by us the royal family?" "I do." Luna's horn flared to life and the sword glowed a dark blue. Then it was passed down to Cadance. "Sir Sky-Rose." "Yes Cadance?" "Do you pledge yourself to uphold the tenant's of Generosity as set forth by the royal family?" "I do." The sword was engulfed by a light blue. Finally it was passed to Midnight. The two starred at one another before Midnight cleared her throat. "Sir Sky-Rose." "Yes Midnight?" They both looked into each other's eye's. "Sir Sky-Rose do you vow to keep to the tenant's of kindness that have been lied down by the royal family?" He smiled. "I do." With that his sword glowed a soft shade of fuchsia. Then the blade was passed back down to Gadget. It now shined in a rainbow of color's. Each one was of the Princess's magic. Then Celestia and the princess's all bowed to Gadget. "By the power's vested in us the ruler's of Equestria we now bestow upon thee the title of Knight and the status of Royal Protector." They all smiled as they saw the looked of excitement and happiness on Gadget's face. He was in tear's. He bowed to them as well. "T-t-t-thank you!" He said trying to keep his footing. His leg's felt like jelly. He grasped his sword in his magic. It them glowed a bright Emerald Green. He looked at the sword then to the Princess's. Celestia spoke once more. "Sir Sky-Rose as a knight of the royal family you now hold one of the strongest weapon's in Equestria. Your sword is now indestructible, and will only be weldable by you and any other you wish to use it." She looked at him and then the crowd. "When you need it most in will come to you. When your loved one's are in danger it will shield them." Her gaze went back to Gadget. "Your weapon is your authority. It will be able to pass judgment upon your foe's with deadly accuracy." Princess Cadance spoke next. "This responsibility is not to be taken lightly. With this power you will be asked to take on more burden than before." Princess Midnight spoke up. "Sir Sky-Rose do you have anything to say?" He shook his head. "In all honesty Princess's i only have a few thing's to say." He thought about it. He stood up on the platform with the royal family. "Dear Pony's of Equestria and beyond." He smiled. "I make you this solemn promise. As a Knight of Equestria i will do my best to serve both you and the royal family to the best of my ability's." He looked around. He saw his friend's and family in the crowd. He smiled. "I will make sure you are all safe from the evil's that dear to make our peaceful land there home. I will find any and all form's of monster's and purge them from our great land." The whole crowd applauded at this. "Know this. You will all sleep well this night and for the night's to come." He looked over to Midnight. "I will be there to protect you from any who would dear to harm you." He smiled as he ended his speak. Midnight just blushed and looked away. This did not go unnoticed by Prince Charlemagne. He gritted his teeth. So the Knight think's he can play prince? Well i'll just have to knock him down a few peg's. Charlemagne looked at Midnight. She is one of us. One way or another she will become my queen.