As the city came into view, Princess Twilight Sparkle could hear the teeth grinding of the mare next to her, and suppressed a sigh. She could only hope the guard did not ruin this. Too much was riding on this visit.
"I still think we should have brought more than just a couple of Royal Guards," the Pegasus grumbled next to her grumbled as she glared down at the city.
Twilight rolled her eyes for what felt like the thousandth time since they had left Canterlot. "Yes, Captain Rose. As you have been telling me ever since we left Canterlot. You would think we were entering an active war zone with how often you have told me this."
Pearl Rose bit her lips. She knew she was treading a very fine line with the princess on this. But as she had often been told ever since becoming Princess Twilight's personal bodyguard, speaking her mind was something Twilight encouraged. "What do you want me to do, Twilight? You didn't let me plan this out. I've got nothing to go on with any potential threats. For all we know, this is a trap."
Twilight's ears fell. She could feel the anger and frustration in Pearl's response, but something more as well. "That is not all to it I feel?"
Pearl shook her head as the airship began to descend, allowing her a better view of Zephyr Heights. "Some of my family was banished here when it was first founded. On pain of death if they ever returned to Equestria."
Twilight's eyes widened. This was news to her. She knew members of the Storm family had been among the city's founders, but nothing like this. "Why? I have never heard of this."
Pearl nodded. "Plotting to have you murdered. Not everypony was happy when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna retired. Some even less so than others. My great-great-grandmother found out about it and banished them. We never mentioned why because she feared our whole family would pay the price."
Twilight's heart fell right out of her. While she had been many things in her earlier years, she would have never done that. It wouldn't have been fair to punish all for the sins of a few. "Then let me put those fears to rest, Pearl. I never would have done something like this. Why should your whole family pay?"
Pearl smiled at this, for she knew that when Twilight made a promise like this, she truly meant it. A Pinkie Promise in all but name, if she remembered her fillyhood stories right, as they finally touched down, allowing her to see the welcoming party below.
Twilight saw them as well and smiled widely as Pearl and her squad fell into line. "Let us not keep our hosts waiting, shall we?"
Pegasi guards snapped to attention as Princess Twilight and her entourage exited the HMS Harmony. Pearl eyed them like a hawk, assessing just how much of a snowflake or a real guard they truly were. She was impressed that none of the stallions looked too comfortable. Maybe there was hope yet.
Twilight's eyes, however, were on the three Pegasi that awaited her at the end of the red carpet. While considerably shorter than Twilight herself. Queen Haven carried herself with the dignity and respect of a true ruler. Only a slight shiver showed her nervousness, something Twilight could relate to.
Next to her, Princess Zipp tried her best to look the part, but Pearl could see she would be rather anywhere else but here. Princess Pipp wasn't even trying to hide how bored she was with all of the formality as they stepped forward.
Coming to halt several paces away, Twilight bowed. "Your highness."
Queen Haven and her daughters next did the same. "Your Highness. Welcome to Zephyr Heights. I never thought I would see the day the Ruler of Equestria would visit," she intoned formally, but with respect as well.
Twilight chuckled as they rose. "The honor is all mine, Haven. I only wish I had come sooner. Your city is beautiful." She gestured to Pearl, who was doing her best to look imposing. "This is my personal guard, Pearl Rose. She will be with us throughout my stay. Please make her as welcome as I am."
Zipp, meanwhile, was eying something on Pearl's breast. An intricately carved broach, before looking at the guard's flank, and seeing the same symbol. Her eyes widened. "Is that what I think it is?"
Pearl sighed in annoyance as she looked down at her broach, her own cutie mark fused with Princess Twilight's own. Here it came. "It's nothing special."
Haven saw it as well, and her smile grew. "Most would say otherwise, Knight Paladin Pearl Rose. It is truly an honor."
There was an audible gasp from the family's Royal Guard contingent, earning an eye roll from Pearl, and a giggle from Twilight. "It's no big deal. I don't even notice most days."
Pipp gasped, whisking out her phone in excitement. "Are you kidding?! There's only ever been two Knight Paladins. Two, counting you. She died centuries ago if the stories are true. Is it true? Soulbound to your princess, never to die unless she dies? Or releases you from your bond?"
Pearl blushed as Twilight laid a wing around her. "It is. Sadly, I didn't know Luna's for very long, but she was as loyal and brave as Pearl is from all she told me. Refusing to follow her princess into darkness. Going into exile in shame for what Nightmare Moon tried to do."
"Next time, I'm letting the dragon eat you," Pearl grumbled, but she was smiling all the same.
Everyone chuckled as Pipp typed furiously into her phone. Her Pippsqueaks were going to love this. Haven, meanwhile scratched her chin. "But why go around the Everfree Forest? Surely there is nothing you need to worry about, Princess Twilight?"
Twilight shook her head. "I learned long ago that it is better to leave the Everfree alone. It is what its guardian wants, and I will respect his wishes on the matter. He is very passionate when it comes to his forest."
Zipp blinked. "Wait. Are you saying the Everfree is alive?"
Twilight nodded. "In a way. It is hard to explain. I met him not long after my coronation, and while calling us best friends is a stretch, I like to think we have gotten along quite well ever since. Leave the forest alone, and the guardian does not care much about what ponies do otherwise."
Pearl rolled her eyes. Not this again. She still didn't buy into any of this the princess said, and from the looks the royal family was sharing, they were thinking the same thing.
After a moment, however, Haven shook her head. "Shall we move this inside, Princess Twilight? There is a storm scheduled for later, and I would rather not get caught out in it."
Twilight nodded, as their guards fell in line alongside them. "Let's."
what?
Im comfused.
Did the whole Opaline threat, magic disappearing and ponies dividing never happen?
11465306
Nope. All G5 characters but Opaline are still around though.
11465304
What? It's world building. Even though it won't be explained further.
I like where this story is going and am curious to see this progress.
Oh. So this is a story where pony kind was never seperated? Interesting idea for an AU. It would have been interesting to see how Twilight reacts to that but it would still be fun to see her interact with the G5 cast.
11465304
this is in reference to one of my OC characters. well, his adult full nine tail spirit form at least.
11465304
As shown in the MLp G4 Comics the Kingdom of Everfree is run by the Deer, they are militantly protective of it and have a level of control over how it grows. So the Guardian of the Everfree aka The Heart of the Forest is the king of the deer, and while not openly hostile towards Equestria isn't really an Ally of Equestria. How canon was understood to work in G4 was any official material was cannon unless specifically contradicted by the show itself. So there are several other kingdoms that where introduced in the comics and novels.
Guessing we've going to see Maretime Bay as founded by Earth Pony saliors and Bridlewood by Unicorn Hippies? Might we even see some of the G5 ponies haveing opinions or misconceptions about the Legendary Elements of Harmony? Sunny of course will remain a huge Twilght Fan girl, but what about Zipps feelings about the Legendary Rainbow Dash? What does Pipp think of the OG Fashionista Supreme Rarity? Does Izzy idolize Pinkie Pie makeing her a outcast (separatist unicorns would shun someone who idolized an Earth Pony). Will Hitch ask Twilight for parenting tips on baby dragons? How far did the prejudices go in these monotribe colonies?
11465325
Thanks .
11465345
Yep, Maretime Bay and Bridalwood are also around. Won't see them of course. All of the G5 characters, minus Opaline, are also here.
11465352
Nothing from the comics is canon to this story. So forget everything you think of the Everfree. 11465349 can explain it much better. No comment on the rest.
11465325
Likewise, even though I have not seen any G5, this story has my interest.
Also, is there a Downvote Bandit on the loose?
11465304
I believe the character she’s talking about is from the IDW comics.
11465317
So Opaline never existed, Twilight didn't have to seal magic away because of that so ponykind never divided.
Which means that the mane 5; first Izzy and Sunny, would never meet up and go on a mission to restore magic and friendship to Equestria.
They wouldn't be the new generation of the Guardians of Harmony.
https://images.app.goo.gl/HsLeVRWg8m3hQ3NC8
Also means, No Opaline; no Misty. Also Sparky wouldn't be born or found.
ITS JUST LIKE THE ALTERNATE TIMELINES. Where one thing changes the entire future
11465416
Downvote bot or a user who has made it their mission to run me off the site, and I have an idea of who it is. But I won't name names because it gives them legitimacy.
11465630
Or you could stop assuming anything and see where the story goes.
11465441
Nope. Comics are not a thing here. See 11465349's coment.
11465317
So magic didn’t disappear. Ok.
11465352
The comics are not cannon in mine or Mystic's stories. In this case the heart of the Everfree forest is ruled by MY character A kitsune named Kohaku "Forestsong" Everfree. a fully formed nine tail kitsune. who at this point has become not only it's guardian but also, it's living embodiment.
This story looks intriguing!! I’m quite excited to see what happens next. That being said, I find it really difficult to believe that Twilight would still be ruling Equestria, let alone paying a visit to Zephyr Heights. Think about what G5 has presented us with. The pony tribes WERE divided and the Mane 6 and their adventures were believed to be nothing more than legends or bedtime stories. There is no way that Twilight would let any of that happen during her reign, which is why I believe G5 takes place long after Twilight stopped ruling the land. Judging by how the ponies address her here, it’s clear she’s still sovereign and that’s kind of a head-scratcher, especially since everything that’s happened in G5 so far is considered 100% canon to your story according to your words. There’s no way Twilight wouldn’t’ve gotten involved in Sprout’s war crimes in the movie or that magical catastrophe in the special unless there’s some kind of a treaty in place saying that she can’t. I think Twilight still being ruler is the Achilles heel here.
Other than that, this is a really intriguing setup and I look forward to seeing what happens next. The dialogue is on point, the descriptions are great, and everypony is in character. Can’t wait to see more.
11465765
... Are you ignoring the AU tag? I never said everything that's happened in G5 is canon here. Most of the characters and locations are canon, but not everything that's happened.
11465812
I see the AU tag, I just mistook your words to say everything is canon. My mistake.
Alright, right away this seems a bit different from the other G4/G5 crossovers I've seen. Definitely got my attention.
Hmm. Have to say, this AU one-shot doesn't look half-bad at all. Definitely appreciated the dialogues and that the three tribes are obviously still unified in this AU. About the only sad part is that Twilight has probably outlived all of her friends EXCEPT MAYBE Spike (as dragons have extremely long lifespans), who is mostly likely either busy with his essentially second-in-command duties or taking one of those "hundred year naps" and, at any rate, would be much too big to fit in most buildings by now anyway. Also appreciate that Opaline didn't get a chance to mess things up in this universe.
I could certainly see Sunny and Izzy being grad students at the Friendship School (which is probably still up and running, being operated by the descendants of Starlight and most of Twi's other old friends). I could also see Sparky being one of Spike's descendants as well. But those are just wild guesses and more likely to be wrong than right.
Anyway, intriguing work on the one-shot.
11466200
Who said this was a one-shot?
Yikes every comment is littered with dislikes, either way this story certainly piqued my interest! Excited to see more of it