Chapter 7

A Place to Grow as Equals

“It’s happened!” Cried the cloaked stallion as he and the rest of the guards accompanying him raced back up the city to the castle. “It has happened!”

All around doors opened and curious heads peeked out to see what was going on. What started as a few followers quickly became crowed of multicolored ponies. All of them had come out of their homes to follow the galloping guards. As they waited outside the castle doors, whispering started.

“What’s going on?” asked a mare from the crowed.

“Didn’t you hear?” asked an excited voice in response. “A decision has been made! Finally we can put this whole thing to a close!”

Inside the Castle, the cloaked stallion and Snap Shot raced to the throne room doors and flung them open completely winded but ready to give their report. Seeing that the Princesses weren’t there, they tried the next best place. The doors to King Night Shade’s study swung open showing the two stallions clutching the stich in their sides. The Phoenix gave a loud screech at being startled by the sudden intrusion. Celestia and Luna who were looking over more paper work looked up.

“Snap Shot,” said Celestia raising an eyebrow. “That was quite an entrance but the execution needs a little work.”

“Sorry for the-intrusion your highnesses!” said Snap Shot panting. “But we have brought-news!”

“It has happened!” exclaimed the cloaked stallion smiling. “The tribes have made a decision!”

Celestia and Luna gave a sigh of relief, but the time for wondering what their next plan of action should be would have to wait. Just then they heard the doors to the outside open. Snap Shot took off to see what was going on. The grey Earth Pony, Celestia and Luna followed behind. Reaching the top of stairs Snap Shot looked down in disappointment.

"What’s going on out here?! I thought I told you let nopony inside until her majesties say otherwise!”

“Please forgive them Princesses!” pleaded a cloaked Unicorn.

It was Clover the Clever. He was bowing in respect to Celestia and Luna who looked on as from behind the guards two more representatives of the remaining tribes stepped forward and bowed as well. The guards waited for Snap Shot to give the order to relieve them, but Celestia stopped him from doing so. Clover raised his head to look up at the Princesses and began to explain what had happened over the night. When he reached the part about the Windigos making an appearance, and how it made him sense their magic the sudden increase in magical energy they had felt started to make sense. When Clover had finished, one thing was yet to be said. What did the tribes decide on? Who was going to claim the land outside of the city? Or, was anyone going to? Before any of them could ask, the front doors opened again. This time, it was the three leaders who entered the castle. All three wore a look of apology and determination. Commander Hurricane reached the three companions first and saluted the Princesses.

“Our apologies, but we have something we need to discuss with his majesty!”

“Excuse me Commander,” said Snap Shot seriously. “But his majesty isn’t around to discuss anything you and the rest have to report!”

“But we are,” said Luna suddenly. “You can discuss any matter that deals with your territories with us.”

“Or they can speak to all of us,” came a soft voice from behind.

Everyone looked up to see Queen Star Bright and King Night Shade coming down the steps to be beside their daughters. Two mares followed close behind in a worried manner.

“My liege!” exclaimed Snap Shot ready to help them keep their balance if they needed it.

“Mom, Dad, you should be resting!” said Luna, unsure about them being back on their hooves earlier than expected.

“Rest?” questioned King Night Shade, reaching a hoof out to pat Luna’s head. “Rest when our daughters and kingdom need us?”

“Are you two alright?” asked Celestia looking up at her mother whose tired eyes looked down at her, but she smiled warmly in response.

“You and you sister have done wonderfully Celestia. Commander Hurricane, You said that you had something to tell us? Well, we are all ears.”

Together, the three-tribe leaders along with their accomplices and the rulers of Canterlot, gathered inside the throne room to discuss the outcome of last nights meeting. Celestia, Luna and even Snap Shot hovered awkwardly in the background. Ready to step in if the King and Queen underwent threatening signs of exhaustion. But to their surprise, the two sat perfectly still on their thrones. Deeply invested into what was being said. Commander Hurricane started off by apologizing for his and the rests childish behavior. The King and Queen smiled down at the six, clearly delighted that they had put their differences aside and came up with a solution for the unclaimed land. “So, it has been decided your majesties,” said Princess Platinum happily. “That the three tribes will leave the land for all the races of ponies!”

“And I assume you stand by your decision Princess,” said Queen Star Bright delighted by the decision.

“Yes my queen! The land below this city will be for all the races! A place where Unicorns, Pegasus and Earth Ponies can live and learn together in peace!”

“And we are pleased to hear that!” chimed in King Night Shade.

“Now, are you all sure that this is your final decision?”

The six exchanged looks before proclaiming proudly. “Yes, this is our final answer!”

Outside the castle, a large crowed had formed. Everyone waited to hear what had happened last night. The guards on the ground and on the balcony of the throne room stood at attention. The herd waited eagerly to find out what would happen to the land below them. The tall front doors opened, revealing Snap Shot who stood tall and important. He came down the steps and approached the silent onlookers. Looking around he started to scan out as many ponies that were from each tribe who were closest to the front of the herd. His eyes settled on a family of Earth Ponies, a single Unicorn stallion and one of the Pegasi that were hovering above the massive crowd. Pointing his hoof at each of them, he said allowed so that they could hear.

“Alright, Everypony listen up! I need all those who I pointed at to come with me!”

“Why?” asked one the Earth Ponies looking worried.

“Don’t worry you’re not in trouble,” said Snap Shot reassuringly to the nervous ponies before him. “But, their highnesses wish to see you!”

The crowed motioned for the chosen ponies to do as they were told. Quietly and still a little nervous the chosen Earth Ponies, Unicorn and Pegasus followed Snap Shot back inside the castle. All of them looked around taking in their surroundings. From the clean tile and rug floors, to the neatly dressed staff and fancy decorated halls it became clear that each of them wished that they were dressed in something more appropriate for meeting royalty. The stallions and mares of the Earth Pony family took off their hats and straightened them out. While the Unicorn and Pegasus checked themselves out in their own way. It wasn’t until they were inside the castle that Snap Shot realized how big the Earth Pony family was. The adults continued looking over each other’s appearance while the fillies and colts talked excitedly about being inside a massive structure. One of the smallest fillies pointed out a case and was about to take a closer look when her mother warned her to not break anything. The doors to the throne room opened and Clover the Clever let them enter. Inside, the King and Queen sat patiently at their thrones while Princess Celestia and Luna talked heavily to the rest of the tribe leaders. The Earth Ponies looked worried about the tracks they had brought in and so did the Unicorn, but the King and Queen simply smiled at them. This seemed to ease their nerves a little as they were welcomed by each of the tribe leaders.

“Right then,” announced Princess Platinum clapping her front hooves. “Down to business!”

“Excuse us Princess,” spoke a stallion form the Earth Pony family. “But why are we all her?”

“Oh, that is easy to explain,” answered Princess Platinum happily. “As you all have probably heard already, our problem has been settled and a decision has been made!”

Clover the Clever unrolled a piece of parchment proudly and held it up so that they all could see it. On it in clear writing was a treaty of peace signed by all of the tribe leaders. All that was missing was a title for the treaty. In the description it read:

“By order of the King, Queen and Princesses of Canterlot we here by give the land below the city to the Earth Ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi. May they use it to grow and live together in peace and harmony.”

Below that were the vows taken by each of the tribe leaders and their signatures were signed below each of them.

As the family and the two other representatives got to the end of the treaty some began to grow teary eyed as their mouths formed the words “Peace and harmony”.

“T-thank you my liege,” said one of the mares crying tears of happiness.

“No,” said King Night Shade holding up a hoof. “Thank your tribe leaders and representatives. They are the ones who came up with the treaty. We are just the ones who signed and passed it.”

An old stallion took Commander Hurricane’s hoof and shook it.

“Thank you Commander. Thank you for giving us all a place to live!”

“Your quite welcome,” said Commander Hurricane holding a straight face. “And that’s not all. You see, we decided to go forward with both of our plans.”

“You mean…”

“Yes, your race will be able to grow the crops you wish while those of us in Cloudsdale will begin to work on a way to construct a weather pattern that will benefit all of us. And if the Unicorns have anything to contribute, we will be more than happy to consider!”

At this point the old stallion lowered his head and started to cry silent tears. A gentle hoof was placed on his shoulder. He looked up to see Princess Celestia smiling at him. The Stallion shocked by this unexpected comfort shot his head up, wiped his eyes, took off his hat and cleared his throat.

“It’s alright,” said Celestia kindly. “You can all relax now.”

Once everyone had settled down, a new topic arose. What should they call this new land and since it was going to become a part of the growing map, and they were all going to be treating everyone fairly not just in the new territory, but in every land near and outside of Canterlot. What should they call the whole region?

“It needs to be something simple,” suggested Chancellor Puddinghead.

“Yes,” agreed Princess Platinum “Something that represents each race.”

Celestia and Luna listened into what was being said and together they went over a list of names. The King and Queen stepped into pinpoint the location of the new addition to the map with their cartographer. Again, the only thing missing were titles. Celestia led the Earth Ponies out to the balcony and pointed over to where the new land was perfectly visible. Below them the crowd stood in bewilderment as they saw Celestia saying something while she continued to point. One of the stallions joined in on the pointing and gave simple nods of agreement and remarks. Luna came outside a few seconds later with a smile on her face.

“Sister,” she said happily. “We have an idea for what to call this nation!”

“Oh, alright. What is it?”

Luna approached her big sister and whispered something into her ear. Celestia looked at Luna thoughtfully.

“Are you sure?” she asked curiously.

“Yes, I mean. It only makes since doesn’t it?” replied Luna confidently.

“You know something, Luna? I think you’re right.”

They all headed back inside where the rest were still going over ideas. They looked up when Celestia addressed them.

“Excuse my interruption, but my sister and I might know what to call the nation.”

From behind them, the family of Earth Ponies along with the Unicorn and Pegasus were talking heavily about something as well. They stopped to listen into what had to be said.

“We think the name of the entire region should be called… Equestria!”

All was silent. Everyone began to take in what had just been said. Commander Hurricane looked over the list of names he and the rest had scribbled out on a piece of parchment. With a final nod he wrote down the name Celestia had suggested and went over the list one last time. Chancellor Puddinghead and Princess Platinum gathered around and in one pleasant nod to one another they came to an agreement.

“Very well, Princess!” exclaimed Puddinghead in delight. “We agree with that name! Your highnesses what say you?”

“We say,” began Queen Star Bright sweetly. “Let it be so.”

A silent swell of excitement swept around the room as the name of the region was made. Now, all that remained was a name for the new land below Canterlot. They didn’t have to wait long. One of the Earth Ponies approached the rulers and said cheerfully, “What about, Ponyville?”

Together they watched as the cartographer wrote down the names on the map and passed it to the King and Queen for their final say. With a nod of approval Queen Star Bright wrote down the title of the peace treaty and folded up the map.

Back outside, the front doors opened and the representatives of each race stepped outside to region the curious crowd. A few minutes later, the balcony doors opened and the royal family stepped outside to speak. Everyone expected the King or Queen to announce what had just happened, but to theirs and the Princesses surprise. Queen Star Bright nudged Celestia forward so that she was looking down over the guards and curious citizens of Canterlot. Taking one last look at her parents and little sister, they smiled back encouragingly. Celestia took a deep breath before speaking loud and clear.

“Attention Citizens of Canterlot! A decision has been made! The Three Tribes have made a peace treaty! You can put your differences aside and rejoice!”

A quiet whisper grew throughout the crowd as the looks of excitement and relief spread. Celsestia continued, confident in what had to be said next.

“As for the land below this city. It is has been decided that it will belong to not just one race, but to all three! From here on out, the land will be known as Ponyville! There, Unicorns, Earth Ponies, and Pegasi will be free to live together as equals! Let the fighting come to end as we embrace a brighter tomorrow and live together in peace and harmony!”