Chapter 27

We Are the Princesses of Equestria

To be honest, Celestia didn’t know what her little sister was going to do to the new pony, but after a drawn out awkward silence she finally spoke with a frown.

“So, a Unicorn eh?”

“Yes,” said the grey Unicorn with a weak smile. “Look, I know what I was doing was wrong, but you have to believe me, I wanted to help the King and Queen get better, honest!”

“Then why lie to us?” demanded Luna looking the Unicorn in the eyes.

“Because it was all part of the plan the Guild had,” said the stallion ashamed. “I was lied to as well. The Unicorn Guild promised me that they would help me cure my sister of her illness if I helped them.”

“They didn’t!” Celestia said in shock.

Their family had heard nasty rumors about the Unicorn Guild before but to lie about something as personal as this was low, even for them.

“They did,” said the Unicorn nodding sadly. “I had to leave to check up on her! But it was too late, she was gone.”

“I’m so sorry,” said Luna her anger toward the Unicorn fading as pity took over.

“It’s alright,” said the Unicorn seriously. “We’ve all lost somepony important to us! I couldn’t believe it when I heard the King and Queen were gone! Prince Noble Heart sent me a letter letting me know when the funeral was! I knew the Unicorn Guild was bound to be here too so I followed them out of the Empire.”

After the Unicorn had apologized to the Princesses for lying to them, he and Luna went for a long walk around Ponyville. Snap Shot wasn’t ready to forgive the Unicorn as quickly as the rest of the royal family. Celestia approached the Captain blushing furiously.

“You know, if you are that worried about her, we could go too.”

“D-don’t be ridiculous!” he barked. “Aren’t we supposed to be preparing the castle for Aurora and Noble Heart?!”

“I see why it can’t wait till tomorrow,” said Celestia simply.

“Listen Princess,” began Snap Shot but stopped when his eyes met hers.

He found himself staring at her lips and his face went as red as a Phoenix feather.

“D-do whatever you want! I’m getting the staff together to start reconstruction!”

And he flew away, his face still red and shook his head as a faint memory flashed before his eyes. A vision of him self wrapped in Celestia’s wings; her soft lips touching his. He let out a frustrated yell as he continued on his path.

Luna returned to the Caslte late that night in a lighter mood. She told Celetia that the Unicorn wishes to keep in contact with them and is honored to consider them his friends. When Celestia pointed out how Luna had originally thought about them keeping their friends, she blushed and stormed out of her big sister’s room.

A month had passed without incident. Discord’s stoned body had been placed in the castle grounds outside of the maze. There the Princesses would be able to keep an eye on him incase he broke free form his imprisonment. Inside the castle, the stained glass windows had a new art piece added to them. It was an illustration of Celestia and Luna hovering above Discord with the Elements of Harmony circling them. As for the Elements of Harmony, she and Luna had no idea what to do about them. In the end, it was decided that the elements would be kept in the mysterious blue room below the castle for safekeeping. While Aurora and Noble Heart took on their new responsibilities with great pride, Celestia and Luna continued their Princess training on their own. They gave their new tiaras back to the crafter telling him that they weren’t ready for them just yet and continued to wear their old ones. The crafter accepted their choice and told them that he would put them somewhere for safekeeping until the time was right. After he had added that something was missing. Celestia and Luna had no idea what he meant or where that safe spot was, but they didn’t bother to figure out were it was either. During their training, every now and then they would get the staff and Royal Guard to help them. When the staff would praise the two sisters on their progression, they couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Usually they would accept the amount of compliments being thrown at them, but now they felt like they weren’t worthy of such praise. Their growing doubt was met with an unexpected visit from Scorpan one night. As it turned out, even though Scorpan had pleaded with his older brother, Tirek was determined to follow through with his and Discord’s plan after all. He told them that Tirek was headed for Ponyville and once he arrived, he would stop at nothing until the kingdom had fallen. Putting the safety of the citizens of the kingdom first, Aurora and Noble Heart ordered the Royal Guard to set up posts around the city and alert Commander Hurricane of the approaching threat. Needless to say the Pegasi of Cloudsdale sprung into action and wasted no time in setting up their posts in the clouds. Scorpan wished the ponies of Canterlot the best of luck before he headed back to his homeland where his kingdom needed their king to return to them.

“Do you think Tirek will get far?” Luna asked Celestia later that night.

“I don’t know,” said Celestia truthfully. “But if he’s anything like Discord, than we will have to be carful!”

“I don’t think so!” said Aurora appearing at the bedroom door.

“What do you mean?” asked Luna shooting up. “Of course we’re going to fight along side you and Noble Heart!”

“Not this time!” said Aurora seriously. “We need you and Celestia to look after everypony once they’re all safe in the city!”

“But,” Luna began to retort but Aurora raised her hoof for silence.

“I need you two here to protect everyone if things go wrong in Ponyville!”

“But…” Luna started up again, but Celestia intervened.

“Leave it Luna!” she said refusing to meet her little sister’s eyes. “If Aurora and Noble Heart can handle Tirek on their own, we should let them!”

“Celie, you can’t be serious!” shouted Luna angrily. “We can’t let them face that monster on their own!”

“We won’t be alone!” said Aurora reassuringly. “Thank you Celestia. We don’t know when Tirek will arrive, but when he does, we need both of you to stay here and protect everyone!”

And without another word, she left the two in deafening silence. A whole week had passed before one of the Pegasi came flying toward the Castle warning the Royal Guards of the approaching threat! Aurora and Noble Heart hurried outside to hear what the frantic Pegasus had to say.

“It is happening your highnesses!” he shouted from the sky. “Tirek is on his way!”

“Get everypony out of Ponyville as quickly as possible!” commanded Noble Heart.

Behind him, Luna appeared looking worried.

“Luna, find your sister and make sure everyone here is out of harms way!”

“I’ll go with her my Prince!” Snap Shot said looking important. “Troops, help them get the ponies of Ponyville to safety!”

The rest of the Royal Guard obeyed their Captain and flew off with Aurora and Noble heart bringing up the rear!

“Luna, where is your sister?” demanded Snap Shot.

“Last I saw her, she was in the throne room passing again.”

“Good!” boomed Snap Shot as he and Luna soared back inside the castle. “If we hurry, we can reach her before she moves on!”

But Celestia was no longer in the throne room. She was upstairs in her parent’s bedroom. After one of the staff allowed her to enter she unlocked the door and began looking around the room. All the tapestries and things that belonged to the former King and Queen were packed away in wooden chests and boxes. Standing next to the wall was a single case covered by a white sheet.

The staff outside was in a ruckus as the one that allowed Celestia to enter her parent’s bedroom entered with Philomena resting on her back and called out to her.

“Quickly your majesty! You must hurry! The kingdom is under attack!”

“Haven’t you heard?” said Celestia smiling pleasantly at her. “Luna and I are to remain here while Aurora and Noble Heart keep Tirek at bay.”

The mare closed the door behind her and placed a hoof on Celestia’s forehead.

“What are you doing?” Celestia said chuckling. “Luna and I have been asked to stay behind this time!”

“And you are actually doing as your told?” questioned the mare in disbelief.

“Now enough!” said Celestia seriously as she swiped the mare’s hoof away. “We were told to stay behind and we must do what we think is the right thing to do!”

“And is this really what you think is right?” asked the mare.

“I-I don’t know!” snapped Celestia. “Honestly, this is supposed to be a new start for me and Luna! We can’t go back on our word now! We will protect everypony and we can do that from here!”

“Oh, alright,” said the mare casually. “But before you head off and find your sister, I think you should have something.”

The mare walked over to the boxes pilled up next to the window and pointed at a letter that lied on top.

“This letter is addressed to you and Princess Luna. Oh, and so is that case.” she added pointing at the tall thing covered by the sheet.

She left the room leaving Celestia in a confused state. Even the firebird didn’t stay behind with her. Walking over to the window, Celestia spotted the letter and glanced down at the Canterlot seal. She looked back at the concealed case and with a sigh she levitated the letter up to her opened it. The letter was indeed written to them and her jaw dropped when she realized who had written it.

Dear Celestia and Luna,
Your mother and I can’t begin to tell you how proud of you we are. As I write this letter to you two I want you to know several things. One being is that your mother and I must leave you soon. But I don’t want you to fret, for we will meet each other again one day. As one chapter closes another begins and yours is yet to take flight! I will not deny that that there will be dark times ahead. Times where you two will fell all alone in the world, but I want you to promise me that you will hold on to the friends you got!
And second, being a Princess is more than just being born with royal blood. You must be patient with those you care for. Show them wisdom you have learned in your time of rule. When others see nothing but darkness and despair show them compassion. And when they all they know is fear and power pity them.
I know you two can do this! I have complete trust in you! Be strong, look out for one another and no matter how dark things may get, you must never give up! This world needs its rulers! Show them who you were born to be!

We love you.
King Night Shade and Queen Star Bright.

Celestia reread the signature right next to her fathers. It was her mothers. Celestia couldn’t control herself as she felt tears run down her face. Placing the letter on her parents bed, she approached the covered case and with her horn glowing she made to lower the sheets.

“Celestia!” cried Luna barging in the bedroom at top speed. “That mare told me I’d find you in here! What are you doing? We have to go!”

“Your right Luna,” said Celestia sniffing herself back to seriousness. “We have to go. But I think you should read this first.”

Celestia made her fathers letter hover over to Luna who took it and began reading. When she had finished she to was in tears and sank to the floor.

“Don’t you know what this means?” asked Celestia turning to face her little sister.

“What?” sniffed Luna, rubbing her eyes.

“Dad’s right! We have a duty to fulfill!” said Celestia eagerly.

“Celie,” said Luna straitening herself up. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you to say that!”

Celestia patted her little sister on the back and led her over to the covered case. With her horn glowing again, Celestia pulled the cover off the case and a smile formed on their faces as they saw what was inside it. The case they were looking at had glass doors and inside it was their new tiaras and royal jewelry. Celestia’s was all golden with a purple jewel in the center of her tiara and neckpiece while Luna’s tiara and neckpiece were black and her horseshoes cornflower. A white crescent moon was etched into the center of her neckpiece. Between the new attire were the Elements of Harmony.

The two sisters came flying out of their parents bedroom, a new found sense of pride kept them going as they swooped down the steps and saw the Mare waiting at the bottom, smiling up at them. Landing on the marble floor Celestia hugged the mare.

“Thank you,” she said in gratitude.

“Think nothing of it Princess!” said the mare rubbing her eye as she smiled at the two Alicorns. “You two look amazing! Now hurry before…”

“Celestia! Luna!” came a voice from the top of the stairs.

It was Snap Shot. When he spotted the two Princesses he kicked off the ground and flew down blocking their way to the front doors.

“Geez I turn my back for one minute and both of you are missing! Where did you find those?”

“As much as we would love to stay and chat Snap Shot,” began Celestia anxiously. “We have no time to sit around here doing nothing! Aurora and Noble Heart need us!”

“Alright then,” said Snap Shot but Luna cut in.

“Captain please, we have to do this! If Tirek is anything like Discord, Aurora and Noble Heart will need us out there with them!”

“I know that Luna, now…”

“Snap Shot, you have to trust us!” pleaded Celestia not hearing what he had just said. “We can stop Tirek before he causes too much damage! But we have to act now!”

“Celestia listen to me!” Snap Shot roared just as loud bringing both her and Luna outburst to a halt.

Sighing in relief, Snap Shot went on before they interrupted again. “I know you have to go. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree. If anypony stands a chance against this Tirek, it has to be you two!”

Celestia and Luna stood frozen to the spot. Surly they hadn’t heard what they thought they had. Snap Shot looked at one to the other and groaned.

“Well, what are you waiting for?! We have to go! Don’t look at me like that Celestia! My troops need me down there just as much as…”

But whatever Snap Shot was about to say next was never heard. Celestia had flung herself at the Captain and pressed her lips against his. At first Snap Shot’s eyes widened in surprise but then closed as he returned the kiss. Luna felt her cheeks grow red as the mare behind them clapped her hooves to her mouth and squealed in delight.

“Um, excuse me you two!” she called out. “If we want to save whatever is left of the kingdom, we have to leave now!”

This made Celestia and Snap Shot pull away from each other and blushing furiously they kicked off the ground and followed Luna out the castle doors leaving the mare in her own silent squeaks of happiness. Outside, the ground shook as a large red centaur made his way down the panicked town of Ponyville and began to head toward Canterlot. From high in the clouds, Cloudsdale answered the cries of fear from below and sent a number of its best flyers to stall the approaching threat! Leading the assault was none other Commander Hurricane! He and his team of flyers dove at the red target, breaking away just in time as a hand reached out to snatch them out of the sky!

“Form right!” barked Commander Hurricane, turning around for another attack.

The massive form of Tirek held up two hostage ponies and hurled them at approaching flock! The Pegasi dodged the airborne ponies and quickly dove after the falling bodies! Draining another Unicorn of his magic, Tirek took carful aim and threw. This time, he hit his mark! The Unicorn smashed into one the speeding Pegasi, sending them both falling to the ground! Forgetting about his own safety, the falling Pegasus grabbed the Unicorn, holding him close. He hit the ground with a hard thud. Opening his wings, The Unicorn rolled away alive, but out cold. The Pegasus felt his back ache as he tried to get up. He wasn’t getting up for some time after that plummet. Commander Hurricane and the rest of the fleet continued to dive at the frustrated horned monster. Tirek swiped at the sky again. It was like trying to wave away a swarm of annoying insects that wouldn’t leave him alone! With his temper rising, he let out bull like roar before a ball of magic began to form between his horns! The Pegasi only had seconds to react before a red lightning like strike came from the red orb! They scattered just in time as Tirek took aim and fired. The red giant turned his head firing again at the retreating flock! The strikes of red magic hit three of Pegasi making them cry out in pain before they fell. Their remaining comrades dove after them while Commander Hurricane flew into the Tirek’s line of sight! The tall monster fallowed the brave leaders retreating back before reaching out his arm! The distraction worked! The falling Pegasi were saved, but the Comander felt long red fingers wrap around his body! He tried to wiggle his way out of the beast tightened his grip. Commender Hurricane let out cry of agony as he felt his wings make a crunching sound. Tirek brought the trapped Pegasus down to eyelevel where they glared at each other.

“Ugh! Do your worst fiend!” shouted Commander Hurricane. “I’m not scared of you!”

Tirek smiled wickedly at his helpless prey. “With Pleasure.”

He opened his mouth wide and inhaled. Commander Hurricane felt as if his fighting spirit had been whipped from existence. He felt his flank give hard throb as his cutie mark disappeared and his eyes grew dim and unfocused. He became limp in monsters hand and gave up the struggle.

“You’re in my way little insect!” growled Tirek tossing the weakened Commander over his shoulder.

His fellow Pegasus caught him and brought him gently to the ground.

“Oh no!” cried one of the Pegasus in shock. “What do we do know?!”

“W-we keep fighting!” the Commander said sounding less brave by the second.

“What can we do? He’s enormous!”

“If we don’t come up with something fast, He’ll destroy Canterlot!” shrieked a frightened mare from Ponyville.

Just then the ground stopped shaking as the ponies of Ponyville and Pegasi of Cloudsdale looked at the frozen form of Tirek. From the direction of Canterlot came rapidly approaching dots. As they drew near the crowd smiled as the approaching bodies of the Royal Guard came into view. Leading them was an armored Alicorn. They landed on the last slope of the mountain and stared down at the scared ponies and the red giant that snarled his displeasure of seeing an armored Alicorn land in front of the Guard

“Impossible!” Tirek cried out. “You’re not…”

“Who I am is none of your concern!” spoke Princess Aurora.

Tirek growled at the tan Alicorn and made his red ball spin dangerously before firing a streak of red magic at the stationary Canterlot defenders. The dark magic collided with an invisible shield making a loud snapping sound! Tirek wasn’t finished yet. As soon as the first attack faded away he sent another blast of magic at the shield! Prince Noble Heart appeared beside the Alicorn and added on to the protective shield with his own magic. He grit his teeth as he struggle to keep the shield up with his wife. Behind them, the Royal Guard prepared to take immediate action! Tirek snickered wickedly as he sent another strong blast of dark magic at the shield. Aurora and Noble Heart braced for impact when a much louder pop went off as Tirek’s dark magic collided with a secondary shield that had appeared out of thin air!

Looking back up at the sky the red beast glared up at his new approaching challengers! Noble Heart couldn’t hold on any longer. He let the magic in his horn go out. Aurora smiled at the two young Alicorns who had just landed across from them. Maybe it was out of disbelief, or the fact that there were now three Alicorns in the herd of Canterlot protectors that Tirek dared not to attack. The two young Alicorns approached their aunt with Snap Shot following close behind looking anxious.

“S-sorry we’re late,” panted Celestia.

Her golden attire glimmered in the sunlight. Luna’s darkened attire made the serious presence she was giving off stand out. Their new tiaras sat perfectly still on their heads.

“Princesses,” Noble Heart began. “What are you doing here?!”

“Our duties Noble Heart,” said Luna with a wink.

“What’s going on?!” demanded Tirek angrily. “Is this your idea of a joke?!”

“Thank you for standing up for us,” Celestia said to her older sister and brother-in-law. “Now let us take over from here.”

Celestia and Luna stepped out in front of the herd and looked out at the towering monster that continued to growl at them.

“Citizens of Ponyville!” Luna’s magnified voice rang out. “We, your Princesses, implore you to get out of harms way immediately!”

Feet away from Tirek, the scared ponies of Ponyville helped take the weakened protectors away from what was about to take place before them. Tirek turned his head for a brief second before Celestia called out to him.

“Hey, Tirek! You wanted us right! Well, here we are! We will not allow any more harm to be put upon these ponies! This is your last chance! Return all the magic you have stolen from your victims and go back to your homeland! Your brother…”

“My brother is weak!” spat Tirek madly. “He couldn’t handle the fact that his so-called “friends”, are the cause of our troubles! I will not run away like he did!”

He stomped his large hoof making the ground shake violently.

“Well, so much for trying to end it peacefully,” Luna sighed.

“One Alicorn or three of you, it doesn’t matter to me! I will destroy every last one of you! Now get down here so I can start with the two of you!”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “You want me and my sister to come down there so you can destroy us?”

“Yes!”

“We’ll be right there.”

“Celes- I mean Princess, are you sure?” asked Snap Shot approaching the two sisters.

“Oh, Snap,” said Celestia turning to face the Captain of their Royal Guard. “This is us you’re talking about remember?”

Snap Shot looked at his Princesses and faced the fact that there was no way he was going to talk them out of facing Tirek alone. He straitened up and returned to his troops. But not before saying, “Go get him.”

Tirek swore as he stomped the ground once more.

“Enough! This ends now!”

“Such a foul tempered brute!” said Luna frowning. “Well sister, shall we?”

Celestia smiled confidently at her little sister. “Together!”

Tirek had already shot an orb of dark magic at the pair of them. It hit another invisible shield and exploded covering the Alicorns and defenders of Canterlot behind it in smoke. Tirek stared at the spot watching it carefully. From the thick cloud of smoke came two Alicorns who flew directly at the massive beast. Tirek, started to back away, sending out more beams of dark magic that the two sisters who deflected them with ease. They were closing in on Tirek who made his hands begin to glow bright green. With the Elements of Harmony circling them, Celestia and Luna made their horns glow as well. They were inches away! Tirek held out his arms preparing to counter their head on assault. Celestia staid on course while Luna shot up above the giant foe! Surprised by the sudden change of tactic, Tirek looked up allowing Luna to shoot a flash white light. Tirek covered his eyes and by the time he looked back up all he saw was a beam of rainbow colored light come crashing down on him. His angry cry of disbelief rang out as he felt his vision fade to black.

Author's Notes:

While writing this chapter, these two songs came up on my I Phone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDGp0VkMicE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBiQCZd8UII