What the Sun is Cooking

by Anonymous Writer

Chapter 4: Arrival

Same old silence. Celestia mused to herself.

Thankfully it would seem that the morning was relatively uneventful. Having learned their lesson from yesterday, the ponies in charge of the organization of the daily activities of the Canterlot royalty took far more care in making sure that there was no repeat of the insanity that occurred yesterday. Celestia in particular was somewhat more relaxed than the rest, her schedule being exceptionally shorter than the one from yesterday, her current and final duty for the morning was the appearance she and Luna were scheduled to attend.

The trip though the city was rather dull. Having seen the pure white marble buildings and the blemish-less roads of Canterlot so many times before, they had lost their sense of wonder for Celestia, a feeling that left any newcomer to the capital of the country speechless and filled with awe only sparked minor memories for her. the occasional tree and statue only added minor variation to the pure white foreground of the city.

The occasional subject would wave and callout in praise or shock of seeing her, the children jumping around giddy with excitement, or the occasional guard patrol of the city bowing upon her approach.

Celestia sighed, same old Canterlot…

The rumble of the magic carriage as it sailed through the roads of the city created a somber rumbling that sounded almost soothing to the old princess. At the very least, the automated carriage provided some uniqueness to Celestia's evening. Being a recent invention that had changed nearly all of how Canterlot functioned by making shipping far faster and easier than ever before. At the very least it made Celestia's life easier in regards to shipping laws.

And most importantly, cake got to the castle faster.

She was also thankful for the rather spacious room the doorway and the inside of the carriage provided, being made to accommodate the size of an alicorn rather than the typical pony, though Celestia would deny it to anyone who mentioned it. A common problem with previous royal carriages was that they were built with the size of a large pony rather than a towering Alicorn, so while traveling somewhere in one of them was not uncomfortable, it felt somewhat cramped.

A rather embarrassing moment that happened once, that Celestia would have denied to anyone who mentioned it, was an incident where her butt got stuck in a doorway. Luna didn't let her live that one down for a long time. She could almost still hear the stifled laughter.

Taking her mind off her boredom and embarrassing memories, she focused her thoughts on counting the rumblings of the carriage and the mild thumping, with the magical whistle easing her wandering mind for a time. Which quickly got boring. Instead Celestia decided to reminisce on the meeting between her and Luna.

A small smile wormed its way onto her face at remembering Luna's reaction to the offer of making an appearance at the arena, a child-like giddiness reminding Celestia of the childhood she and her sister had shared.

Though she would never admit it, she missed the simpler times between her sister and herself, when things were much simpler. It was just them and nothing else. Every day was an adventure, and every adventure was world-changing. Sombra, Tirek, and Discord, while incredibly dangerous and held the fate of all in the balance, Celestia would be lying if those adventures didn't share one thing.

Fun!

Luna was quiet throughout the journey, a rare occurrence for her, especially considering her rather upbeat reaction in the castle. Usually the two sisters would make idle small talk during the many trips they always have every day.

Looking at her sister’s face, Celestia noticed Luna's face seemingly mirrored her own deep contemplation, but the big contrast was the big smile that was spread ear to ear. Luna also seemed to have a slight bounce in her posture, one that was far too exaggerated to be caused by the mild thumping of the carriage.

She always gets like this when she's excited. Celestia remembered with a smile.

This was one of the few unchanging things that Celestia didn't grow bored off. The cute little wiggle her sister made whenever she was exited for something. The little shake of her rump combined with the slight wag of her tail she would do as a filly when she saw a cookie, or the near full-on dance she made when she was allowed to raise the moon for the first time, her tail practically waving like a happy dog.

Celestia would never forget the squeak Luna made when she did it.

Even as an adult, Luna still has yet to grow up.

Celestia smiled at the memories, the little warm and fuzzy feeling they sparked in her causing some relief from the weird feeling she had been feeling as of late.

As if sensing the somewhat elated mood of her sister, Luna broke the silence.

“Have you ever heard of this E.M.W.L before sister?” Luna asked in earnest in an attempt to make small talk. “It sounds like the most splendid of places.”

”No I have not,” Celestia responded, “it would seem that among the many things I've had the pleasure of knowing, wrestling was not at the forefront.” Celestia half-lied, as she had heard of things like this before, but never on a scale such as this. So she was aware of its existence due to the extreme popularity, but she had no idea as to what, precisely, it was. All she had to go on was based on the descriptions of her subjects and her sister. And the little Busy Body had told her.

Rolling her eyes at the slight sarcasm, her energy never dieing down. Luna spoke up again.

“By what the old stallion said it sounds wonderful, Almost like the gladiators of old!”

Luna always did love those.

Smiling, Celestia reminisced on those ancient fights, unlike most other cultures, the Equestrian gladiators didn’t fight to the death, but rather to the first yield. In some way it would seem that made the fights all the more intense. Luna absolutely loved watching those fights as a young mare. The young Celestia watched it for the hot colts.

“Indeed Luna, though it would seem that this is quite a bit more popular, and no shortage of flashiness if what we were told is anything to go by.” Celestia said. “It seems almost nostalgic appearing in an event like this before the masses.”

Nodding in agreement Luna opened her mouth to speak “I-”

“We are hear your majesties!” the loud voice of the guard driving the carriage interrupted Luna with his loud report.

Luna’s ears perked up like a cat when she heard this, followed by a small giggle of giddy excitement.

Looking out the window, Celestia saw the imposing black dome covering nearly all of her vision, though her view wasn't exactly the greatest due to it being obscured by the masses of ponies, various of which belonged to the press, being held at bay by the local guard to the best of their meager ability. It would seem the stallion who ran this wrestling company spared no expense at taking full advantage of the news of having the princesses’ themselves appear at this match.

Waiting a moment for a hole in the sea of her subjects, Celestia opened the door and proceeded to step out of the cart. An uproarious torrent of questions bellowed out of the press ponies at the sight of the Sun Princess. A roar that got ever louder once Luna stepped out as well.

No matter where I go the press follows.

Having grown used to this, Celestia took a moment for a breather, then put her trademark smile on before the ponies, her trained eyes having grown used to the almost constant bright flashes of camera lights. Though her ears still seemed to protest at the deafening sound of the interviewers’ combined shouts.

As if she was parting a sea, Celestia began walking through the crowd, the guards working, far harder than any stallion had any right to, to keep a steady path through the crowd to make sure their princesses’ path was as unobstructed as possible.

Giving small nods and polite waves to the ponies, Celestia cast a glance back. It would seem that Luna still wasn't completely used to the attention her subjects gave her. It would seem she was still used to the silent and obedient crowds of olden days. While Celestia tried her best to get Luna more used to the modern way of things, it would seem that despite her best efforts, she still needed some work.

Shooting a glance of sympathy at Luna in her disgruntled disposition within the crowd, with the press hot on her heels like a predator stalking a limping prey. Celestia pressed onwards, making her way towards the grandiose entrance to the dome before her.

As she made her way towards the entrance, through the sea of ponies and paparazzi, Celestia began to notice what could only be described as billboards. Made like a giant curtain, they were hanging from various parts of the dome where various images of what Celestia could guess were the contenders of the sport. Masked mares littered the expanse of each display, each standing in a proud and dominating pose.

The most stunning of them all hung way above the entryway, the symbol E.M.W.L., printed in large golden letters, stood proudly out in the center of the cloth. Beside it were the images of two mares staring at each other, a big VS inbetween the two.

It didn't take Celestia long to guess what the main event was, as if it was not obvious already, and to top it off underneath the title sign and the images of the mares, imprinted in a manner similar to the title, was this ‘championship title match, who will go home with the belt? Join us tonight at the E.M.W.L.!’

An impressive advert as it is. Celestia would give them props for going all out in such a thing, although at the very bottom of the advert was this, which Celestia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at.

‘Making a special appearance tonight, the princesses themselves. If the princesses’ are attending, you should to! Join us tonight, see you there!’

Seems that they wasted no time in using the princesses appearance as part of the ad. They must have worked overtime just to advertise that part on the massive cloth in just a day’s time. Celestia rolled her eyes.

Guess to some ponies i’m just a walking publicity stunt.

Celestia smiled somberly as she approached the door, with Luna trailing behind her, having survived the mob of paparazzi and press that seemed more reminiscent of a zombie outbreak.

An earth pony, of large stature, who would be imposing to most dressed in standard security guard awaited them. Upon their reaching the doorway he politely but silently opened the door and gestured them in.

Celestia and Luna offered a silent nod in return as thanks before making their way into the building, the security guard closing the door behind them with a less-than-graceful slam to cut off the mass of ponies outside attempting to make a dash to them. Celestia could see the guard fending off the crowd to the best of his abilities, with the aid of a few guards whom had broken off from the main escort to offer some assistance for the desperate guards outside. An admirable but herculean task, clearly they weren't paid enough for this.

Returning her gaze to what's in front of her, Celestia couldn’t help but be impressed by what she saw. A massive hallway stood before her, littered with various ponies, each going about their business, most likely either stragglers about to attend the match or, as the majority would suggest, employees scurrying about making last minute preparations for the event, and the closing of several food stands.

The scale of the room could rival some of the bigger rooms in Canterlot castle, while nothing compared to some of the biggest rooms, it could easily put to shame most of the medium-sized areas, not saying that the size was to be sneezed at, and could probably fit thousands of ponies within this hallway, and judging from the size of the dome from before, Celestia doubted that this was the biggest this place had to offer.

Though Celestia was marginally impressed, her sister was a different story. Luna’s mood took a huge shift from the one she had outside, her shy and confused look replaced by a sense of wonder, it came as no surprise to Celestia, as Luna was still getting used to the new ways of architecture of the modern era. She was staring at everything with a sense of wonder, like a child seeing their hero for this first time.

“This way your majesties,” one of the remaining guards said to them. Breaking Celestia and Luna out their little worlds, the guard gestured for them to follow him. “We have been given instructions as to where you will be attending, please follow me.”

The guard made a small gesture with his hand as a motion to follow him, to which Celestia and Luna followed behind, the little march of the princesses and the platoon of guards accompanying them had drawn a fair bit of attention from the surrounding ponies, each one either gasping in surprise or nearly headbutting the floor in a reckless bow. The latter would have been amusing, if it wasn't so tiring to be bowed at all the time.

Eventually Celestia figured out where they were being led to, a section that contained far less ponies, was a layout that was far more upkept than the rest, a big V.IP. sign hung overhead the doorway, several guards ponies stood at attention at the door, their posture straightening out even more at the arrival of the princesses.

Though what drew the princesses’ attention was the familiar face awaiting them at it. Busy Body stood idly by, leaning against the door in a showcase of some tiredness, which quickly vanished at the sight of the princesses. Giving off a tame but excited wave, he waited patiently until the princesses had reached the door.

Upon reaching their destinations, the guards filled outwards, each taking positions surrounding the door, while some went on ahead into the V.I.P. section to check to make sure the way is clear. Busy Body stood before the princesses, scanning their faces and letting loose a smile at Luna’s never ending grin.

“Welcome, your highnesses, so glad you can join us!” He proclaimed with honest happiness. “I hope your trip was comfortable?”

Was until the press mob.

Celestia smirked a little. While not the nicest of thoughts, it wasn't far from the truth. The ride was somewhat pleasant until the mob of paparazzi all but mauled them on their way into the building, the guards and security had at least tried their damndest to make it work.

As if like a psychic Busy Body read that smirk like a book, a small frown and a slightly sad gleam came over his eyes.

“So I see you encountered the press I suppose? I didn't think it would be that bad…”

Luna scoffed a little at this, clearly the less tolerant of such a welcome, eying Busy with a silent silent malice.

“Bad is an understatement…” Luna muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Celestia and Busy to hear.

His ears going flat for the briefest of moments, Busy Body had what was what Celestia thought was a look of apologetic regret forming over his muzzle, even his tail seemed to drop a bit, until he perked up slightly before speaking once again.

“I guess I should have known. It wasn't a very well-kept secret that you two would be joining us tonight, and the press is hungry for any news as of late.” He said this with slight bashfulness, probably embarrassed that he hadn't thought of that before.

Celestia wasn't one to hold a grudge over such things, stuff like this was nothing new to her, very rarely did the higher-ups of companies spare any chance of using the princesses as flagships for their marketing whenever possible. The amount of times cake companies still bring up that embarrassing news story is something Celestia would never live down.

A slight rumble emanating from behind the door where Busy was currently standing, seemingly out of nowhere, caused Busy Body to shed his slightly upset aura and replaced it with the familiar weird energy the old stallion carried with him. His face brightening up as if he just remembered something.

“Well the past is the past I suppose! But unfortunate beginnings aside, that is not the reason we are here no? Please follow me.” he beckoned the princess forward to the door, the guards parting at his words. “I don't think the ponies could wait any longer anyways.”

As if the energy was contagious, Luna seemed to shed her rather sour mood from before and regained her giddy excitement once again, especially so at the mention of a crowd.

The princesses offered only a nod in agreement, which Busy took as a good sign before passing through the doors and standing to the side, motioning for the princesses to go first as a show of respect. Making their way into the hallway before them, with Busy Body trailing behind them, the guards closed the door behind, and opened his entrance.

The sight that greeted Celestia definitely held up to the V.I.P. label outside of the door, the hallway held a certain class to it that the main area of the building certainly lacked, a cleanness that was unfitting for a public arena of this stature and a scent that carried a hint of roses wafted around the hall.

Images of various mares adorned in flashy attire with faces obscured by masks were plastered throughout the hallway, each one bearing no similarity to another. Each striking a imposing or confident pose that carried its own charm, in a way. It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine these were the more popular of the athletes that were in this federation. The pictures added a sense of authority and age that complemented the grandiose-like layout.

Several guards that had separated from the main group lined the hallway, saluting out of instinct at the entrance of the princesses. The majority of them were standing by one of the doors near the princesses, and from the quality of the frame alone compared to the others, it wasn't hard to guess where the princesses would be seated.

Silently they approached the door, not a long trip due to its somewhat close proximity to them, before Busy Body spoke up once again.

“I hope you do enjoy your stay here princesses, we have spared no expense at making this our best event to date!.” He proclaimed this with honest enthusiasm, before moving aside and opening the door for the princesses to enter.

Celestia let loose a mild sigh, time to get the show on the road.

Author's Note:

good things come to those who wait.

the action will be coming very shortly...

Comments

[Coranth]

"OH MAH GAWD; CELESTIA FROM THE TOP ROPE!"

"Wait a minute, what's she--CANTERLOT SUNSET!!!"

"OH MAH GAWD! OH MAH GAWD! CANTERLOT SUNSET! PRINCESS CELESTIA HAS JUST PERFORMED A SPECTACULAR CANTERLOT SUNSET DIVE OFF THE TOP ROPE! WHAT A SLOBBER-KNOCKER!"

[Anonymous Writer]

8461326
BAH GOD SOMEONE STOP THE DAMN MATCH! THAT MAN HAD A FAMILY!!!

ITS OVER MAN ITS OVER!!!

(this is coming soon my friend )

[AppleDJack]

Nice.

[Skywriter]

And the story progresses! Good to see. We're still running into distractingly copious errors in inconsistent capitalization, tense, homonym typos (plus some outright garden-variety typos: "rminictint"?) and punctuation difficulties. You've done a good job capturing and conveying both princesses' attitudes during this whole affair, so kudos for that. Eventually to avoid becoming a broken record here I should probably stop bringing them up and only mention it when I notice significant improvement, so since future comments may not mention it, let me say just for the future that something is going wonky with your proofreading process. If your betareader(s) reviewed this before release, you might need to enlist additional betareaders with a keener eye for your particular brand of pitfall. (All authors have stuff that they routinely get wrong, which is why you need pre-readers who are particularly good at noticing what you do poorly.)

Glad to see this story continuing. Keep it up!

[Anonymous Writer]

8464975
Moral of the story. Don't post things without your editor looking at them first

[Skywriter]

8465080

It’s a good lesson to learn!

[Anonymous Writer]

8465661
I kinda had instant regret when I published it without the editor, mainly because I spotted dozens of errors upon my reading of it...

Should be fixed really soon, editor just got done with it