"SO THEN, LET'S START THINGS OFF IN THE LOGICAL PLACE. IF MY CHILDREN NO LONGER REIGN OVER PONYKIND, I WISH TO KNOW MORE OF THIS YOUNG ALICORN WHO NOW STANDS IN THEIR PLACE."

Flash gave a quick bow of his head before replying. "Of course, Sir. Anything specific?"

"I WANT TO KNOW HOW SHE FIRST APPEARED ON CELESTIA'S RADAR."

"Well, while she may have been a relative unknown for the first few years of her career, details of her life began to trickle out after her ascension to alicornhood. From what I've heard she spent most of her life here in Canterlot, and one day she was inspired to study magic after witnessing Princess Celestia during the Summer Sun Celebration."

"THE WHAT NOW?"

"Oh, it's, well, it was an annual ceremony taking place on the longest night of the year, when Princess Celestia would publicly raise the sun for all to see. It was very popular with the children."

"I WARNED MY DAUGHTERS NOT TO LET PONIES GET THE WRONG IDEA ABOUT US, AND THAT RIGHT THERE SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE HOW CULTS START."

"...So...shall I continue?" Flash asked with understandable wariness.

"PLEASE DO."

Flash cleared his throat before carrying on. "Well, after that she tried to enter Celestia's special school, and during her entry exam there was some sort of magical outburst taking place. Celestia calmed the situation of course, but it was clear from the situation that Twilight was no ordinary filly."

"MY CHILD ALWAYS DID HAVE A KNACK FOR FINDING MAGICALLY-TALENTED PONIES. IF I KNOW HER, SHE TOOK TWILIGHT UNDER HER WING AFTER THAT ENCOUNTER, CORRECT?"

"Yes, Sir," Flash answered with a nod. "I imagine Twilight was pretty ecstatic about it. From then on she was her apprentice, learning all she could about magic. This will come as no surprise to you, but she was, without question, the most devoted and trusted follower Celestia ever had, at least during our generation. Sure, we all loved and respected her, but Twilight took it to a whole other level."

"AH, SHE WAS A CELESTIA FAN-FILLY. THAT EXPLAINS A LOT. STILL, I CAN GUESS SHE WAS SOMETHING OF A MAGICAL PRODIGY IF CELESTIA TOOK ON THAT LEVEL OF CARE OVER HER."

Flash glanced to the side. "I would guess so too, given that magic was how she ascended to begin with."

"OH? DO TELL."

"Her change, or so I've heard, came as a result of completing some old spell from the legendary Starswirl the Bearded. That, apparently, was enough of an achievement to transform her."

"STARSWIRL, EH? I CAN JUST SEE THE LOOK ON THE OLD ONE'S FACE. A YOUTH MANAGING TO FINISH SOMETHING HE COULDN'T. OH WHAT I'D GIVE FOR HIM TO BE ALIVE NOW."

"Um...he is. As well as the rest of the Pillars."

"...OKAY, ONE MORE TO ADD TO THE LIST OF THINGS TO TALK ABOUT. BUT, GETTING BACK TO THE NEW PRINCESS."

"Well, in addition to what I've said already, Twilight and her friends have gone on a number of adventures, saving Equestria numerous times and bringing us closer to our neighbours. Dragons, Yaks, you name them, we've befriended them."

"WHILE I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT EVERYCREATURE IS ALL FINE AND DANDY WITH ONE ANOTHER, I STILL WOULD HAVE PREFERRED THEM BEING DEFERENT TO US. STILL, THAT'S QUITE A RESUME FOR A YOUNG ALICORN. SMALL WONDER MY CHILDREN SAW HER AS A POTENTIAL SUCCESSOR. BUT YOU SAY SHE DID NOT DO THIS ALONE?"

Flash shook his head. "Oh no, Sir. By her side through every trial and tribulation were her friends from the village of Ponyville. Two pegasi named Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Two earth ponies, Applejack and Pinkie Pie. And what was a fellow unicorn, Rarity. Oh, and we can't forget her trusty companion, Spike, a young dragon whom she personally hatched during the aforementioned magical incident."

"AH, I SEE. AN ELITE SQUADRON, SET OUT TO THWART ALL ENEMIES OF EQUESTRIA WHEN THEY REAR THEIR UGLY HEADS."

"Well...yeah, kind of, I guess. I mean, they never went out looking for trouble, but they were always there to stand up for us when the bag guys turned up. I don't even want to think about how bad a state Equestria would be in if they hadn't been there for us."

"REMIND ME TO TELL YOU ABOUT LOOKING INTO PARALLEL TIMELINES SOMEDAY. IT'S QUITE A SIGHT."

"If you say so, Sir," Flash answered with some scepticism.

"AND NOW, AFTER ALL HER HEROICS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, TWILIGHT SITS UPON THE THRONE. A BIG RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PONY TO DO ALONE. PRAY TELL, HOW OLD IS SHE?"

Flash pondered that for a time. "Um...my age, I think? Maybe a touch younger?"

"WOW, THEN HERE'S HOPING THE KID'S GOT IT IN HER."

His guard, eyed him suspiciously. "So...you don't have any secret plans to resume rulership of Equestria again? Because I'll be honest, that's kind of the vibe I've been getting from you so far. What with all your talk about how disappointed you've been with the present state of things."

"I'LL PUT A PIN IN THAT FOR THE TIME BEING, IF ONLY BECAUSE THIS TWILIGHT PERSON SEEMS TO BE KEEPING THE SHIP AFLOAT FOR NOW. AND SPEAKING OF WHOM, YOU SEEM TO KNOW A GREAT DEAL ABOUT HER FOR ONE OF THE RANK-AND-FILE. DO YOU TWO KNOW EACH OTHER?"

Instantly, Flash's face turned as white as a sheet, and he stood upright. "Nope! Not at all! Barely said a word to her! We've no real association whatsoever and if anypony tells you otherwise they're totally wrong! Nope! Nada! I have nothing at all to do with her! So you don't need to trouble yourself with any questions about what she and I have together! Or don't have together! Because that's what we have together, absolutely nothing!"

All of his words had been rapid-fire, and naturally this led to some curiosity for the skeleton king. "OKAY, IF YOU WANTED TO THROW ME OFF THE SCENT, THAT WAS A PRETTY POOR WAY OF DOING IT."

Flash's eyes darted left and right. "No! Er, I'm not avoiding the subject, I...ah!" He reached to the side, pulling back what appeared to be a fully-armoured member of the Royal Guard, complete with face-concealing helmet. "How about this pony, who has apparently been here the whole time? How about we talk about them?"

"...SUSPICIOUS FLASH IS SUSPICIOUS."

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