> The Road to Democracy > by WriteAboutHorses > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The King and Queen > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Queen Twilight Sparkle descended the steps of the Canterlot Castle entrance hall. Two important visitors had just arrived at the castle. "Welcome to Canterlot, Emperor Shining Armor and Empress Cadence." Twilight bowed to her brother and his wife. 3 years ago, Princess Celestia announced that the time had come for her to leave Equestria and go to the world where all ponies go at some stage, The Great Beyond. It was Celestia's last day on Earth that Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry were married. After the vows had been said and the rings had been exchanged, the ancient pony formally announced that in a few hours time, she would be ascending. She then announced that Twilight and Flash would be the new rulers of Equestria. After the coronation, she went to the Royal Sanctuary where she used all of her magic to bring herself to the spirit world permanently. Princess Luna stayed behind, since she was sealed away in the moon for 1,000 years, it was only fair that Luna could stay in Equestria for another thousand years. A few months later, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor informed Twilight that they had decided to split the Crystal Empire from Equestria. Once the split was made official, Cadence and Shining Armor became Emperor and Empress of the Crystal Empire, and Shining Armor became an alicorn. "A pleasure to be here, Queen Twilight." Cadence also bowed respectfully, as well as Shining Armor. "It's been so long since you two have been here, I can't wait to show you the new Harmonic Garden!" Twilight beamed excitedly. "Harmonic Garden?" Shining Armor asked. "Twilight told me about it in one of her letters." Cadence explained. "After the coronation, she uprooted the Tree of Harmony from the cave underneath Everfree Castle and brought it here to be re-planted in a lovely garden." "That's right." Twilight smiled. "The garden is inside a huge greenhouse, it's decorated to equally show off each of the six Elements of Harmony." "Fascinating." Cadence replied, she was clearly very interested in this garden, as was Shining Armor too. Twilight led the Imperial Couple to a greenhouse at the back of the castle. It was absolutely huge! The roof was half the height of the castle itself. A beautiful garden was kept inside, it was divided into seven parts. Six of them were shrines dedicated to the Elements of Harmony. In the very center of this stunning garden, the Tree of Harmony was standing tall and proud, glimmering as beautiful as the day it first sprouted. "It's beautiful, Twilight!" Cadence admired some flowers growing inside the Shrine of Kindness, they were a most beautiful mixture of yellow and pink. "The greenhouse took no time to build, and on the day the Tree of Harmony was replanted, every single seed we had already planted a couple days before sprouted straight away. Shining Armor was looking at a stone water feature at the back of the greenhouse, the water from it poured into a trail dug into the ground to create an artificial stream running through the garden. "So, who's idea was this?" The Emperor asked his little sister. "Well, I was the one who came up with moving the Tree of Harmony to Canterlot, but it was Applejack and Fluttershy who suggested we dedicated an entire garden to it." Twilight explained. "And I was the one who approved it." Everyone turned to see King Flash Sentry standing in the doorway of the greenhouse, looking quite spiffy in his crown and robe. Flash Sentry an alicorn when he was crowned King of Equestria. "There you are!" Twilight smiled as she trotted over to her dashing husband. "I was looking all over for you!" "Did I not tell you that Rainbow Dash asked me to observe the Royal Guard's training session today?" "I don't think so." Twilight searched around in her head, trying to remember if Flash had ever told her. "Hey Flash, I haven't seen you since the last Continental Summit, how's my one and only brother-in-law doing?" Shining Armor casually greeted the King. Before Twilight and Flash's wedding, Shining Armor was Flash's mentor as a Royal Guard, and the two became good friends. When Flash became King and Shining became Emperor, the two agreed that they should only use formalities when in public. "Oh fine, Twilight and I have had our hooves full for a while, what with Twilight being-" Flash was cut off by Twilight quickly pinching his mouth shut with her magic. She looked nervous. "Are you ok, Twilight?" Cadence asked. "What was Flash about to say?" Shining Armor also questioned the Queen. "Oh, nothing important. It's just that.. um... has an important speech tomorrow, yeah, and he uh.. needs to rest his vocal chords." Cadence and Shining glanced at each other. They knew better than to question Twilight when she was stressed, so they decided to leave the subject. "One second, I just want to talk to Flash.. alone!" Twilight dragged her husband into the hallway and closed the doors into the conservatory. "What were you thinking!? You know I don't want to tell them yet!" Twilight scolded Flash. "Why not?" Flash asked. "Because if Shining Armor knew about it, he would freak out! I need to find the right time to tell him!" "Twilight, my speech tomorrow is about that! If you don't tell Shining Armor before I officially announce it to the world, he'll freak out even more." Twilight looked down, knowing Flash was right. "Remember Cadence and him got married? You didn't even know they were engaged until you got the invitation. You were ticked off, right?" "Yeah.. I was." Twilight sighed. "You're right. I'm going to have to tell him. But not now, I want to get him alone first." "Good, I'm sure he'll be totally fine with it." Flash smiled. "Come on, let's get back out to them." Twilight opened the doors again as the two walked outside to greet Shining Armor and Cadence. "Well that was quick. When Cadence and I argue it normally lasts an hour." Shining chuckled. "What? We weren't arguing!" Twilight gasped. "I'm kidding, Twily." Shining laughed again. "Oh.." "How about we go see the rest of the castle?" Cadence proposed. "I hear you've expanded the Royal Library." "Oh, yes I have!" Twilight snapped out of her nerves and smiled. Books always did that to her. "Follow me ladies and gentlemen!" Later that day, after dinner, Twilight led Shining Armor into one of the drawing rooms and shut the door. "What did you want to tell me Twily?" The emperor asked. "Well, it's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while, but I want to tell you before anyone else besides Flash knows..." Twilight turned to face her brother. "What is it?" "Well, Shining Armor... I'm.... > The Big News > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What!? Did you just say you're... you're..." Shining Armor was in disbelief at what Twilight had just told him. "Pregnant, yes. I just told you that." Twilight answered her brother. "I'm going to have a foal." Shining Armor fought hard not to collapse on the floor then and there. His little sister was pregnant! "How could this happen?" Shining asked himself. "You were in school for that day in health class, Shining Armor. I think you know how this happened." Twilight answered the question. "No, obviously I know how it happened, I just didn't think something like this could happen to early. I mean, Cadence is a good ten years older than you, and we still haven't had a foal." "Some ponies are just different. Flash and I decided that the sooner Equestria has a new prince or princess, the better. So we.. um.. y'know.." Twilight explained. "But we all know for a fact that Equestria isn't completely out of danger, Twilight. Back when you lived in Ponyville, you faced some thousand year-old super villain, like, every other week. What if something happened to the most important pony for Equestria's future?" Shining Armor worried. "You worry too much. Rainbow Dash has trained the Royal Guard to be the very best possible. We have the best military in the continent, and Canterlot Castle is almost impenetrable." "Yeah, nothing says impenetrable like having the front door of the castle plopped down in the middle of one of Canterlot's busiest streets." "This castle is over a thousand years old, you know that wasn't by decision!" Twilight snapped. "I never said it was!" Shining Armor yelled back. "Is everything ok in here?" Flash opened the door and walked in. "I heard yelling." "Yes, dear. Everything's fine.." Twilight glared at her brother, who still had a look of anger on his face. "You sure? It sounded a lot like you were fighting." "We're fine!" Twilight gritted her teeth, trying her best to keep a smile on her face. "I think I'll turn in for the night." Shining Armor walked out of the room. "Good night, you two." "You can tell Cadence if you want to." Twilight called down the hall to her brother. "Whatever!" Shining walked down the hall. "Is everything ok, Twilight? Shining Armor seemed a little.. uncomfortable last night." Cadence walked out to Twilight's balcony the next morning. Twilight was just sitting at the edge, watching the clouds. "Twilight?" Cadence said again. This time, Twilight turned around. "Morning, Cadence..." Twilight sighed. "Are you alright?" The Crystal Empress asked her dear sister-in-law. "Did Shining Armor not tell you?" Twilight asked. "Tell me what?" Cadence asked. "I'm pregnant." "You are!?" Cadence beamed with excitement. "That's fantastic Twilight! I'm so happy for you!" Cadence smiled in delight. "Glad you're taking the news better than Shining Armor did." Twilight sighed again. "Is that why he was so upset? Is that what's up with you?" "When I told him, he freaked out. He had himself convinced that some big bad guy was gonna pop up out of nowhere and do something to the baby." Cadence began to chuckle. "Twilight, you know how over-protective Shining Armor is. He was just shocked. What would you say if you found out I was having a foal?" "I'd be happy or you, Cadence." Twilight answered. "I certainly wouldn't get all super freaked out and worry about everything. I don't do that." Cadence glared at Twilight. "I don't!" Twilight giggled. "Ever since I became Queen of Equestria, I knew I couldn't freak out about little things, I mean, I still do sometimes, but most of the time I need to control it. What if I set the entire Royal Guard on an illegal immigrant? Or had some sort of magical meltdown just because I didn't file some paperwork on time?" Cadence laughed. "I'm sure Shining Armor's calmed down. Come on, Flash's speech is starting soon. I'm guessing it's about your news and I think you should be there for it. "Ok, just give me a minute." Twilight trotted into her and Flash's bedroom. She picked up her crown, the same crown she had been given for the Summer Sun Celebration of 1001 ACLR. She followed Cadence down to the balcony where Flash was about to make his speech, announcing to the world that there was life growing inside of Queen Twilight Sparkle. > Telling the World > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sound of trumpets echoed through the city of Canterlot. Ponies gathered in the clearing outside the castle, which was specially designed for large gatherings like this. Flash, Twilight, Cadence and Shining Armor walked out to the royal balcony. "Long live the King and Queen!" Rainbow Dash, former Element of Loyalty and Captain of the Royal Guard exclaimed to the gathering audience. The ponies in the streets of Canterlot began to bow down to the Royal Couple. Flash noticed that some seemed a little hesitant about bowing, but eventually complied with the tradition. "His Majesty, King Flash Sentry!" Rainbow called out. Ponies began to rise from their bowing positions as Flash stood at the edge of the balcony overlooking Canterlot. "Citizens of Equestria!" The King greeted his subjects. "As you know, you are gathered here today to hear an amazing announcement from myself. Today, the future of Equestria begins." Ponies below began looking at each other. Some whispered to their friends "What could he mean?" or "What's going to happen?" "It is my honor to announce, today on the sixteenth day of the fourth month, that my wife, Queen Twilight Sparkle and I, are expecting our very first foal!" Flash beamed. After a few moments of silence, the city broke out in cheers. The Royal Band began to play the Equestrian National Anthem on their trumpets as ponies celebrated the news of the soon to be Prince or Princess of Equestria. Twilight walked up beside her husband and waved to the crowd. The cheers got even louder. Though, some ponies were not cheering. They were looking up at the King and Queen. Looks of confusion, even disappointment on their faces. These were the same ponies who were hesitant to bow at the start of the event. "What's up with those guys down there?" Rainbow asked as she walked over to Twilight and Flash. "They don't seem too thrilled about the news." "I've noticed that too." Twilight said to her pegasus friend. "It's almost as if they're saddened by the news." "Maybe they just don't know how to react." Flash suggested. "I don't know." Twilight said. "They seem disappointed." "Twilight, darling!" Rarity, former Element of Generosity and Twilight and Flash's personal stylist greeted the Queen as she trotted out onto the balcony. "You're running late darling. We need to get you and Flash ready to go to lunch with Cadence and Shining Armor this afternoon." The white unicorn informed Twilight. "What? Already?" Twilight gasped. Her and Flash followed Rarity back inside. Twilight and Flash met Cadence and Shining Armor in the castle entrance hall when they were ready. Shining Armor was in his red suit while Cadence was dressed in her blue dress and her mane was the same way it was on her wedding day. "Alright everypony, I'm your escort to the café but I have a new recruit following me around today, so she'll be coming with me." Rainbow Dash entered the hall. A young mare with an orange coat and purple hair followed her. A pegasus with a scooter for a cutie mark. "Scootaloo?" Twilight gasped when she recognized the mare. "You can't be old enough to join the Royal Guard!" "Actually." Rainbow Dash pointed out. "Scootaloo turned 17 last week. This is like, her third day in recruit training. She's following me around because she wants to become your personal escort when she actually becomes a guard." "Alright then. I don't see a problem in her coming with us." Twilight smiled. Flash nodded in agreement. Just as the group were about to leave the castle, a guard came running down the stairs. "Your highnesses!" He yelled as he got to the bottom. "News from Ponyville!" "Ponyville?" Twilight asked. "Is everything alright?" "No!" The guard answered, trying to catch his breath. "The Everfree Forest is expanding again. Though according to my sources, it's happening much quicker than last time. We need to take immediate action!" "That can't happen. We put the Elements back in the Tree of Har- Oh no..." Twilight squeaked. "I completely forgot about the consequences of removing the Tree of Harmony! Come on, we have to go!" Twilight pushed the doors open and flew up into the sky. "Come on Scootaloo, this could be some good training for you!" Rainbow Dash flew up after Twilight, soon followed by Scootaloo. Flash turned to Cadence and Shining Armor. "Would you guys mind looking after the castle while we're gone? You're guests of the state and we can't risk you two getting hurt in the Everfree." "Of course." Shining Armor answered. "Thanks so much, Shine." Flash took off after Twilight and the two guards. Leaving Cadence and Shining Armor alone in the castle as the royal guards were deployed to keep the vines away from Canterlot. Ponyville, and the rest of Equestria, was in grave danger! > Wrath of the Everfree > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The black vines from the Everfree Forest were already nearing Canterlot. Large groups of ponies could be seen fleeing Ponyville and heading towards Canterlot, unaware that the great city would soon meet the same fate. "This looks ten times worse than it did last time it happened!" Rainbow Dash gasped. "I know! And without the Tree of Harmony we might not be able to stop it this time." Twilight replied. "Maybe if we got it at the roots?" Flash suggested. "There's got to be thousands of vines. We'd be at it for too long. It's growing too fast and if we don't act quick Equestria is going to turn into an overgrown nightmare!" Twilight said. She began to descend from the sky when she saw Everfree Castle below her. Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash and Flash followed. The grotto which used to be the home of the Tree of Harmony was the literal root of all the vines. Where the Tree of Harmony used to stand was a hole. A huge vine about as tall and much thicker than the Tree of Harmony had sprouted up from the hole. About a dozen vines branched out from at, and more vines branched out from those vines and so on. "This could be easier than we thought." Twilight said. "If all the vines are coming from one root, all we have to do is take the center out and they'll all be gone!" "Scootaloo, fly back to Ponyville and help any ponies that are still there to get out!" Rainbow Dash ordered her recruit. "Yes, ma'am!" The orange pegasus saluted before flying out of the cave and back to Ponyville. "So how are we going to get rid of this gigantic thing?" Flash asked. "Really big bottle of weed whacker?" Rainbow suggested. "I think I know a spell we can use." Twilight answered. "It'll vaporize this thing right down to the roots." "Well then let's do it." Flash lit his horn. Twilight lit her horn too. The two alicorns shot a magical beam at the center vine, which instantly began to disintegrate, along with the branches upon branches of vines coming out of it. "It's working!" Twilight said. She increased the power of her spell to speed the job up a little bit. The vines began to vaporize even faster. It wasn't long until they were all gone and Equestria was saved once again! "Uuuugh..." The trio heard a groan behind them and turned around to find Luna on the ground, dazed and confused. "Princess Luna!" Twilight ran over to the blue alicorn and helped her up. "How did you get here? Was it the vines?" "I can't believe she still calls Luna a princess." Rainbow whispered to Flash. "She lost her title the day you two became King and Queen." "Force of habit?" Flash shrugged. "I'm fine, Queen Twilight, really." Luna stood up. She looked almost like any other pony without her necklace, shoes or crown, which she relinquished the day her title as Princess was lost. She was skeptical about Celestia handing over such responsibility to such a young pair of ponies, but so far, Luna had no reason to doubt Twilight and Flash. It was then that Scootaloo returned to the cave. "The vines have been cleared and ponies are starting to return to Ponyville, though they seem a little ticked about what's happened." The orange pegasus informed everyone. "Not that anypony could blame them." Twilight chuckled. "I'd be annoyed too." "No, I mean really ticked off. I'm pretty sure I heard somepony cursing you Twilight." "Oh..." Twilight's smile turned to a frown. "We should get back to Canterlot. Cadence and Shining Armor are probably taking complaints as we speak." The three alicorns soared off into the sky, followed by Rainbow and Scootaloo. "I assure you, Queen Twilight was not trying to destroy Ponyville. That was her home and her closest friends live there." Cadence answered a reporter on the steps of Canterlot Castle. The large group of reporters turned and hurried over to the King and Queen as they landed in the castle courtyard. "Queen Twilight!" One reporter said to her. "Is it true that you were responsible for the black vines attack in Ponyville and areas surrounding the town?" "Yes." Twilight sighed. "When I ordered the Tree of Harmony to be uprooted a few years ago, I completely forgot about the consequences. I hope that after a while, Equestria can forgive me for this mistake." "Hey! Give her highness some space!" Rainbow yelled as she landed behind the two alicorns. "We'll have somepony around to answer all your questions soon. Until then, the King and Queen need time to rest. They just saved all of our flanks y'know!" The reporters began to back off, and the group entered the castle. "So what do we do?" Flash asked his wife. "Bring the Tree of Harmony back to the Everfree?" "No, there's no need for that. We destroyed the root of that central vine. They shouldn't be coming back." Twilight answered. "I think we should station some guards down there for a while, just in case they do come back and we can get an early warning before the vines reach Ponyville." Rainbow suggested. "Good idea, Rainbow." Flash said. "Station a group of guards outside the grotto and tell them to report anything strange that might be happening." "Yes, your majesty!" Rainbow flew off to the barracks to find a group of guards to send over. "Alright, y'all! If'n ya got any questions about what's happened today, direct 'em over here to me." Applejack, former Element of Honesty and the Royal Public Relations Pony, announced to the waiting reporters outside the castle. One of the reporters spoke. "Newsworthy, of The Canterlot Times" The reporter introduced herself. "Queen Twilight previously confirmed that she was responsible for the attack of the vines, but has she done it on purpose?" "You've got t'be kiddin' me." Applejack facehoofed. "Queen Twilight has told me that she is responsible for what's happened, but she most certainly did not do it on purpose!" The earth pony stomped her hoof on the ground for emphasis. Newsworthy wrote down an answer on her notebook, before sitting back down. Another reporter stood up. "Typewriter, of The Cloudsdale Gazette." The pegasus introduced himself. "If I understand correctly, this entire mess was caused by a mistake Her Highness made?" "Exactly." Applejack said. "The Queen had forgotten of the deadly consequences of uprooting the Tree of Harmony from the Everfree Forest, an' t'be honest, I think she's feelin' right upset about it." "So, obviously, Queen Twilight is planning on returning the Tree of Harmony to the Everfree Forest, yes?" Typewriter asked again. "Well.... no." Applejack answered. This caused the entire group of reporters to start murmuring and whispering to one another. "Now hold on just a minute!" Applejack said, everypony quietened down. "Twilight has told me that the Tree of Harmony will not be returned to the Everfree Forest, because she is almost certain this won't happen again. Captain Rainbow Dash has also informed me that she's stationing a group of guards permanently at the grotto where the tree used t'be, so that if it does happen again, Canterlot'll get an early warning so it can be taken care of before it gets out of hoof. King Flash Sentry has informed me that if it does happen again, the Tree of Harmony will definitely be returned to the Everfree. Are there any other questions?" The reporters began murmuring again to each other, then they all began to stand up. "Thank y'all kindly for coming out so we could set this all straight. If'n ya got any more questions later, I'll be down at Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville." "Are you alright?" Flash asked Twilight, who was lying in bed, a few hours later. "Nopony's seen you since you told Applejack what to tell the reporters, and that was hours ago." Twilight turned to face her husband. "I just feel so ashamed that because of one little mistake I made, I almost put all of Equestria in jeopardy." "It's ok." Flash sat down on the bed beside Twilight. "Everypony makes mistakes, even the most important of ponies. Just yesterday I almost told Cadence and Shining Armor about the baby, didn't I?" "Yeah, but if you had let that slip, it wouldn't put all of Equestria in danger, would it?" Twilight frowned. "Well, no, but it was just an example." Flash sighed. "Look, I'm sure this will all blow over by tomorrow." "You think so?" Twilight asked. "I know so." Flash kissed Twilight on the forehead, he took off his armor and robe and got into the bed beside Twilight." "Good night, Twily." "Good night, Flashie." "Your highnesses!" Flash and Twilight were awoken the next morning by a knock on their bedroom door. "Ugh." Twilight climbed out of bed. "Who is it?" "It's Scootaloo, Captain Rainbow Dash asked me to bring this to you." Twilight opened the door to find Scootaloo holding a newspaper under one of her wings. Twilight levitated it over to her and read the headline. Queen Twilight's Big Mistake! Twilight fainted. > The Morning After > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I can't believe this!" Twilight gasped as she read through the newspaper Scootaloo had given her. "Queen Twilight almost put Equestria in jeopardy yesterday after black vines caused by the uprooting of the Tree of Harmony began invading Ponyville and the surrounding areas." "That is what happened Twi, you can't be shocked over that." Flash said. "It's not that!" Twilight shrieked. "In a press conference a few hours later, the Royal Public Relations Pony confirmed that the King and Queen have no intentions of returning the Tree of Harmony to the Everfree Forest, meaning Equestria is in danger of this happening again!" "What? But Applejack told them about Rainbow stationing the royal guards in the Everfree and that if it happens again we will definitely be returning the Tree of Harmony!" Flash growled. "And listen to this: A group of ponies in Canterlot have formed a group knows as The Anti-Twilight Sparkle Society who's main aim is to de-throne the queen and replace her with a more competent ruler." Twilight threw the newspaper on the floor and put her hoof over her face. "I can't believe this is happening!" "What's wrong?" Shining Armor asked Twilight as he and Cadence entered the dining room for their breakfast. "This newspaper reported on the Everfree Incident yesterday, but didn't write down the full story of the press conference." Flash informed the couple. "It only says that Flash and I aren't putting the Tree of Harmony back. It says absolutely nothing about the group of guards that are going to be stationed in the Everfree Forest, or that we'll put the tree back if it happens again!" Twilight added. "It's just one newspaper, Twilight. I'm sure the other ones have the whole story down." Cadence assured her sister-in-law as she picked up the newspaper and read the name of it. "I bet nopony even reads The Weekly Whinny." "Did you say The Weekly Whinny!?" Twilight gasped. "That's only the most popular newspaper in all of Equestria! And now I see why, because they only include the intresting parts of really important stories. Everypony reads this!" "Breakfast!" Pinkie Pie, former Element of Laughter and Canterlot Castle's head chef announced as she trotted into the dining room, followed by waiter ponies carrying in the four breakfasts. "Today's main course is... pancakes with smiley faces on them!" "How.. exotic." Cadence chuckled. It'd been a while since she enjoyed a nice, simple breakfast. "Really, Pinkie?" Twilight asked her friend. "I knew you were feeling a little blue, Twilight. And smiley faces on food always cheer ponies up, but since it's a little tricky to put smiley faces made from whipped cream on croissants and pain au chocolat, I got you pancakes instead!" Pinkie Pie smiled. Flash, Cadence and Shining Armor all laughed at Pinkie's attempt to cheer Twilight up, but Twilight still felt a little upset by what was going on. "If you're still hungry after your pancakes, we've got French Toast with smiley faces back here too." Pinkie told everyone as she walked back into the kitchen. "Bon appetit!" "These are delicious." Cadence beamed as she ate her breakfast. "Yeah..." Twilight sighed as she took small bites out of her pancake. "Come on, Twi." Flash comforted his wife. "It was a simple mistake. Ponies always overreact over stupid things. And besides, stress is bad for a pregnant pony." "I just feel like I've seriously messed up, Flash. If it wasn't for the spell I remembered, Equestria would've been doomed." "Twilight, everypony makes mistakes, big or small. Mistakes are made to be learned from." Shining Armor smiled to his sister. "You'll feel better soon, I promise." "Queen Twilight, King Flash!" A guard burst into the dining room and bowed before the monarchs. "Yes?" Flash asked. "The Mayor of Ponyville wishes to speak with you. She is waiting in the entrance hall." The guard informed the King and Queen. "Please excuse us, Emperor and Empress." Shining bowed his head humbly to Cadence and Shining Armor as he hopped off his seat and walked out of the dining room. Mayor Mare paced back and forth by the great staircase in the castle's entrance hall. Twilight and Flash soon appeared. "Your majesties." The earth pony bowed. "What is it you wish to discuss Miss Mayor?" Flash asked the Mayor. "I wanted to give you an update about how Ponyville is doing." The Mayor said. "You do?" Twilight asked. "Yes. For the record, I'd just like to say that personally, I'm not upset by your mistake, Queen Twilight. I understand that you've saved Ponyville more times than you've put it in jeopardy." "See?" Flash nudged Twilight. "Nothing to worry about." "Actually, there is." The Mayor said. "It appears that your castle in Ponyville has been occupied by a group of rebels who call themselves the Anti-Monarchists." Twilight and Flash gasped. "The castle? Why the castle!?" Twilight stuttered. "They believe the castle is an ideal base of operations, because they feel that, just like Equestria, you have abandoned the castle." The Mayor explained. "I have never and would never abandon Equestria!" Twilight fumed. "What has so many ponies rallying against me for making one simple mistake?" "I don't know." The Mayor said. "Perhaps you should send the royal guard to Ponyville and arrest these rebels for treason." "Perhaps we should." Flash said. "I'll ask Rainbow Dash to send her most trusted guards to Ponyville at once." "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Madame Mayor." Twilight thanked the earth pony in front of her, and turned to follow her husband back to breakfast. > Royals on the Run > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Alright everypony. The castle in Ponyville has been occupied by the Anti-Monarchists." Rainbow Dash announced to a group of guards she had summoned to the barracks. "I want you to get to Ponyville and arrest them all for treason. They are plotting against the Queen and so, they will be harshly punished." Scootaloo entered the room wearing her cadet uniform. She whispered something into Rainbow Dash's ear." "WHAT!? What do you mean the rest of the Royal Guards refuse to perform their duties!?" Rainbow Dash shrieked. "Get to Ponyville on the double!" Rainbow commanded her special group and then flew outside to the training grounds. "What exactly is going on out here?" The rainbow-maned pegasus asked the first group of guards she saw. "We refuse to serve Queen Twilight!" Steel Blade, a white-coated unicorn told his superior. "Excuse me?" Rainbow Dash grew angrier. How dare all of her guards defy not just her's, but the Queen's authority? "As Captain of the Royal Guard I command you to get back to work at once!" "No." Steel shook his head. "Is anypony going to back me up!?" Rainbow yelled. All the guards besides Scootaloo took a step back from the Captain. "This cannot be happening. Scootaloo, get me the king ASAP! He'll set everypony straight." Rainbow commanded her cadet and only serving soldier. Scootaloo galloped off into the castle. Twilight and Flash were accompanying Cadence and Shining Armor to the train station, the Emperor and Empress were returning to the Crystal Empire. "We wish we could stay and help you out with what's going on, really we do, but we've gotten word that there are rebels in the Crystal Empire too." Shining Armor explained. "I understand, a ruler's own kingdom always comes first." Twilight sighed. "Sorry we had to cut our visit short, Twilight." Cadence comforted the younger alicorn. "When this is all over we'll come back and continue, okay?" "Have a safe trip." Flash said as the couple boarded their private train to the Empire. The Imperial Couple waved as the train pulled away from Canterlot Station and towards Northern Equestria. "Your majesties!" Scootaloo cried as she arrived at the station. The teenage pegasus panted as she stopped beside the King and Queen. "Scootaloo?" Twilight asked. "What are you doing here?" "The Captain requests the presence of the King as soon as possible, the guards are rebelling!" Scootaloo informed them. "The guards!?" Twilight gasped. "Not them too!" Flash galloped away with Scootaloo, Twilight was flying close behind. "Halt!" The pair of guards outside the entrance to the castle blocked the door with their wings. "What do you mean halt!?" Flash growled. "We are the King and Queen. Let us in!" "By order of the Captain of the Royal Guard, nopony is allowed enter the caslte, royalty or otherwise." "Rainbow said that?" Twilight asked. "Rainbow Dash is no longer in charge of the Royal Guard. The orders came from Captain Steel Blade." The guard on the right said. "What in the name of Faust is going on!?" Flash stomped his hoof. "As the King of Equestria I demand entrance to the castle at once!" The doors suddenly burst open as Rainbow Dash flew out quickly followed by Scootaloo. The two mares grabbed Twilight and Flash and fled the castle. "Rainbow, what's going on?" Twilight asked the pony carrying her. "It's not safe in Canterlot anymore. Heck, I don't even think it's safe in Equestria now." The rainbow-maned pegasus sighed. "Rainbow and I decided that the best thing to do is hide out until all this dies down." Scootaloo continued. "Stop them! All 4 of them are under arrest!" Steel Blade yelled from the ground as a group of pegasi launched into the air after the escapees. "They're gaining!" Flash cried. He shot a beam from his horn at one guard, who whirled out of control and crashed into the castle. Rainbow positioned herself behind Scootaloo, then flew off at top speed, pushing Scootaloo in front of her and leaving the pursuing guard dazed and confused. "We'll make camp here." Rainbow said as she landed in a wooded area south of the border. Not only were they out of the Royal Guard's jurisdiction, nopony would find them. Twilight and Flash conjured up two tents. One for the two of them, and another for Rainbow and Scootaloo. Flash removed his crown and used a fire spell to scorch it slightly. "What are you doing?" Twilight asked. "I'm going to lead the guards away. If I leave my crown here looking this rough, they might think we were ambushed. You should do the same." The former King said. "I don't know..." Twilight took her crown off and looked at it. It was the same crown she had been given after she returned the Elements of Harmony so many years ago. She refused to accept a new, bigger crown after becoming Queen. The gemstones at the top of each prong sparkled from the light of the rising moon. Twilight lit her horn. "You ok Twilight?" Flash asked. Twilight's crown was enveloped in flames. Tears falling from the fallen Queen's eyes. She quenched the fire. The shiny gold crown was reduced to a sooty black piece of bent metal. Twilight dropped it on the ground and walked right over it. She had lost. Equestria didn't want her, so they forced her to leave. "Twi!" Flash walked over to his wife. "I know this is hard, but we will get through this. I promise." "I don't know, Flash. Equestria hates me. They'll never want me back." Twilight sobbed. "Twilight. You have a baby on the way. Life is inside you. If you want this baby to be born healthy you can't be getting stressed and upset. Don't do it for me, don't do it for Equestria, do it for our foal, Twilight." Flash kissed his beautiful wife and rubbed her belly. "I'll try...." Twilight murmured.