Prelude to Action. 1
Technically speaking, it is still the same old Ponyville, and none ever bothered to go over the paperwork required to legally change the name. Even the sign at the road still is the same. On the paper and in ink, it is still all the same. Yet, that is just ink on a paper.
Arriving by train, you see the spire of a large royal castle all the same. A castle only a decade old, mind you. A castle all the same. A sign of the new age and the Princes.
Most would seem to be just the same as the old. Cottages built daily or weekly. Ponies moving in. In search of the booming economy and the blazing glory of the new Princess.
Ponyville may still be the home of noble Apples all the same, same as it was from day one, back in the days as Princess Celestia granted the Apples the land at the rim of the forest, home of terror and danger. The garrison still stands, tended by the very same family, even if a few generations had been born into the call.
At the center of the community is the Carousel Boutique, still owned and managed by Rarity and her daughter Sweetie Belle. Formalities and details you can easily sweep under a rug is easily forgotten. Yet, the honour and honesty is still riding high, just as on the olden days.
Not too far from the Boutique, the Café is erected, home of the Cakes, the Sugar-Cube Corner still a centre of activity. Only now, the twins can partake and help out.
Aloe and Lotus still owning and managing their SPA. It is a place for Ponies to relax and rejuvenate. Important to all who see themselves as important.
Zecora’s hut is still out of the village, in the Everfree forest, yet close to the Apples. On that note, the Sweet-Apple Acres has been expanding steadily, year by year. In part due to growing demand. The fact that Apple Bloom grew large enough to help, but the demand still forced them into hiring outside hooves in order to manage.
For a while, Filthy Rich feared for his business, only to realize the tide turned all the way around. He now imports food and goods from all over Equestria. From far and wide, both Griffon Stone and Yak Yakistan. Filthy was not slow, or late, when he sniffed the first scent of an opportunity. Finally, he can actually claim that his is pulling his weight. Just as good as he was when it came to carry goods out, he is when it came to pull food and goods back into the community. Prices had already been high enough, no worry for profits there.
Strangely enough, prices were finally starting to drop. Just not enough to scare Filthy Rich out. Business is business, and it is still booming.
They may be few in numbers, but the influence they have is still felt. Not that Ponies know or worry. Zecora, the Zebra has been known in Ponyville since the day Twilight Sparkle and her friends introduced her.
Discord, the only known Draconiquus in Equstria to have been seen in modern times. A dear friend of Fluttershy, and an ally of the Princess.
On the matter of Apples, they are still as modest and honest as they ever were. Ignoring the weight of Nobility.
The Apples obviously still are simple farmers, close to the seed collectors and gatherers they had been when they were given their land and position. What gave them what they have is still true and through the core of the very same Apple.
With Rainbow Dash managing the local weather, and Fluttershy keeping the wildlife and local critters in check, life is a breeze. Are the Ponies moving in to blame for hoping to have their slice of the life in the mild, gentle breeze?
Of course, with every Pony, Donkey and Zebra practically eating out of Pinkie Pie’s hoof, morale is a breeze, or easy as Pie. The way some would love to put it. Pinkie Pie had once and for all proven her mettle, and her strength several times over in event after event. Just pick your choice, and point at it.
As worried as I had been, when I ascended to the throne, after Cadence was given the Empire, but these fears all came to naught. There is nothing to fear, a Pony will be by my side, and we will be standing tall and stop what ever phantom is thrown at us. We have done it in the past, Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, Tirek, Sunset Shimmer, the Sirens and Starlight Glimmer. They had all failed, and we prevailed. What’s the point of threat, after all these?
Fluttershy may be prone to worry, about a great many things. I have my share of worries, but in my position, who could blame me? I have responsibility. The Ponies who are my subjects are depending on me and what I do for them. They may be my subjects, but only because I have proven that I can live up to their trust. It is the core of my worries.
Of course, I have a castle, but I happily share it with my closest friends. The tree of harmony gave it to us, in order for us to take up responsibilities. It guides us in the task and we strive to perform. To better the lives of the Ponies of Equestria.
I am happy I can make a difference. Why wear the crown, if I have no purpose, no role to play. I live for my friends and my subjects. Just as I marvel at what they do for me.
Maybe Pinkie Pie is the one I marvel the most over. How many friends she manages, as if it was nothing. Yet, she put her soul into it, to manage and throw parties and keep us all smiling. Maybe she is a Princess in her own right, even when she never care to have, or wear a crown.
I had taken my place in my seat, with Spike at my side. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash in their respective places. Gathered around the round crystalline table on which a map appeared, showing our position in Equestria. Our marks floating, hovering clearly above the city of Ponyville. Only now, the city is much larger than the village had been as the map originally revealed itself, upon asking that one critical question. The tree had answered our call and sent us all off to that village with no name.
“We are all gathered!” I stated, pointing out what may feel obvious, seeing as each mark lit up in torn on the back of the seat of each of our respective thrones.
“Yes, we are!” Rarity echoed for formality.
“Second!” Spike put forth after counting all present.
“The castle has been here for ten years, a cause to celebrate. The Ponies are rejoicing, and our village is booming like never before!” Pinkie Pie pointed out.
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