In the Memory of a Princess

by CatFlash

First published April 30th, 2014 21:40

When Celestia and Luna pass away, Princess Celestia puts the Mane Six in charge of running the kingdom. She guides them through her dead words and leaves important magic for them to use while ruling Equestria.

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Nine
Chapter One
Chapter Eight

Prologue
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In the Memory of a Princess

Prologue

The warm sun trickled through the castle window, shedding its light on the floor of the chamber.
Princess Celestia was sitting at a vanity brushing her radiant, flowing mane very, very slowly.
The princess sighed and set the antique bush down.
“I wish it wouldn't have to end like this.” Celestia thought to herself.
Several minutes ticked by as she sat, absorbed in her thoughts of the possible day ahead.
“I know that he is coming sometime today! This premonition has been bugging me all week! Oh, I just wish I could have one more chance to see everyone before I go!”
There was nothing for the princess to do but wait and try her best to prepare for the festival.
“It would be worse if he came during the ceremony. Oh yes! That would be catastrophic. The last memory my people will have of me will be me in the middle of the program talking to some invisible pony!”
Princess Celestia absentmindedly began to apply eye shadow to her eyelids as her thoughts swirled around in her head like a twister.
A quick knock on the door resounded through the large dressing chamber.
“Come in,” Celestia called in a calm voice, though her heart was secretly sinking. She quickly stuffed the eye shadow back in the vanity drawer.
The door opened a crack, and a tall, dark figure entered the room.
The figure quickly, but quietly closed the door.
“You have finally come for me, have you not?” asked a rather unhappy Celestia.
“So it seems I have.” replied the shadow. His voice was deep and raspy, and would make any ordinary pony shiver with fright.
“I would have thought that after all this time you and your sister have evaded me, you would finally be ready.”
“I may be ready, but my people are not. They need my help to guide and support them.”
“You are so unprepared today, Celestia!” the figure exclaimed. “Do you have any pony or ponies that could take your place while you take your permanent vacation?”
“Well,” Celestia began. “There are six very qualified ponies who might be willing to take my place. I have to say, I think they will make life here very interesting…”
“Oh yes,” the man said. “They will do just fine. Let’s see- one will create a holiday named ‘Fashion Friday’, another will have donuts every day for lunch, and yet another will create plans for an animal shelter to be built here in the palace. You chose well, Celestia.”
“Thank you. Now, just give me a few minutes.”
Princess Celestia turned around and opened the vanity drawer. She took out a quill and piece of parchment and began to write.
When she was finished, Celestia rolled up the parchment and sealed it with a stamp. Just above the seal, she wrote, “For Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack.”
Next, she walked to the other side of the room to a gold chest decorated with a large, burning sun; Princess Celestia’s cutie mark.
She unlocked it using magic and opened it. Lying on the bottom of the chest was an ancient, but decorative box.
Celestia picked it up and walked back to the vanity. She set the box in the middle of the cleared table next to the rolled up piece of parchment,
The princess took a deep breath and slowly turned to face the dark figure again.
“Good. Very good.” he whispered. “Are you finally ready for your final journey? You sister will be very disappointed if you abandon her in hell. Although, your placement has not been decided yet. Who knows. You might just get lucky.”
“WHAT? You already claimed her? Our deal was that if we ever agree to go with you, I would be the one to be taken first, NOT HER!”
“Calm down, Celestia.” the man said in a strict voice. “I gave her a little visit to inform her that you would be making the decision today. She told me to take her first."
“Well, we don’t really have much of a decision any more, do we? You would take us either way.”
“True, but isn't a heads up nice once in a while?” asked the cloaked figure.
“Maybe it is, or maybe it isn't.” was her snappy reply.
Silence filled the air for a moment or two.
“One final question,” Princess Celestia blurted out. “Will you leave my body behind?”
From beneath his cloak, the figure smiled.
“If you wish your body to be left here, you may have it that way.”
“I wish for my body to not be left behind.”
Again, the man smiled.
“So be it.”
They were silent for a moment until Celestia’s voice broke through the noiseless air.
“Let’s go. I am ready to join by sister.”
“Let us not keep her waiting any longer then.” the shadow rasped.
The man began to hum a strange tune, and then he started to sing in a primeval tongue.
The princess closed her eyes as a warm, numbing feeling started somewhere in her chest. Celestia knew that her heart had ceased, and she was no longer a living being.
The sensation continued to spread throughout her body. When her whole self felt as light as a feather, she and her guest began to rise up into the air.
Together, they passed like ghosts through the palace ceiling and continued to gain altitude.
Princess Celestia took one glance at her kingdom; she looked down upon Canterlot, Ponyville, Manehatten, and all the other corners of her empire.
“Good luck Twilight. I will always be with you.” Celestia uttered these words before she and the man entered another kind of world.
“Don’t you worry,” the man reassured her. “Looking at her future, she will do many great things, and some wrong doings. Putting all of them in charge was a smart move; they can keep each other in line and correct each other.”
Celestia’s view of Equestria vanished as they passed through thick, white clouds which obscured her vision.
Princess Celestia was gone for good.

Chapter Two
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter Two

“‘My dearest Twilight and friends Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy. I am so sorry to leave you, but you have to go when death is literally standing outside your door.’” After these words fell out of Twilight’s mouth, she paused to take in what she just read.
“Oh. I get it! She’s gone to save somepony or something! Here, let me keep reading.”
So Twilight began again with her uncertain friends standing around her with confusion and concern plastered across their faces.
“‘I know what you are probably thinking; it is that I am off somewhere saving somepony from death, and, oh boy! I wish that were true. To make it clear, Twilight, right now, while you are reading this; my sister, Princess Luna and I are deceased.’’”
Twilight looked up from the letter. Her face was a mask of horror and sadness.
“Oh Twilight!” cried an upset Rarity. “It’s OK!”
All five ponies rushed in to embrace Twilight as she stood motionless with an expression of blankness.
All the while Twilight’s head was spinning.
“She can’t be dead… she can’t be dead… she can’t be dead!”
“Sugarcube,” Applejack began, “I think that ya need to sit down and take a lil’ break.”
Twilight shook her head suddenly and spoke in a wavering, but firm voice.
“No. I need to know what happened to her and what is going to happen.”
Again, Twilight started to read.
“‘ I realize that you are going to be very sad because of our departure, but this is the way things have to be. Luna and I have evaded death and age for far too long. When the spirit of death came to take us himself, there was no way to escape.
“‘Once again, I apologize. Because of the fact that Equestria no longer has her rulers, I have had to decide who would be best for the job. After pondering this problem for about five seconds, I have just decided that you, Twilight, as well as Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity shall be the new Princesses of Equestria!’”
Twilight looked up from the piece of paper and stared at her friends in awe. They too were just as shocked as Twilight.
“Me? A PRINCESS?!” Rarity squealed.
“WHAT?!” yelled Applejack and Rainbow Dash in complete dismay.
Twilight turned her gaze away from them and back to the letter.
“‘ I understand that Rarity has a busy schedule as a big name designer, Applejack is preoccupied with her apples, Fluttershy has to tend to many creatures, Pinkie is throwing a plethora of parties, and Rainbow Dash is a Wonderbolt; I am not asking for all of you to stay at the palace and perform royal duties 24/7. You all have your own specialities and paths in life.
“‘Now, you all may be wondering what it takes and how to be a princess, especially you, Twilight. There is a list inside the box on what you need to know. Don’t look at it now, I need to tell you a few more things. Also inside the box are six diamonds, each match the color of your coats. They are light blue, orange, yellow, white, pink, and purple. After your coronation, it is necessary for all of you to swallow the diamond that matches your color. They are not any ordinary diamonds; they come from the center of our world and are able to transform all of you into alicorns whose appearances will be similar to mine, Luna's, and Cadence's.’”
“HOLY MOLY! WOWIE POWIE!” cried an enthusiastic Pinkie Pie.
Despite this outburst, Twilight kept reading.
“‘I have soaked these gems in a changereloadmaticinlictalt potion. By doing this, you now will be able to change back to your current selfs any time you want. This will especially come in handy when Rainbow Dash needs to perform, or Rarity is modeling her designs.
“‘Sadly, I must depart now. Death is ready to take me away. Everything you need is in the box. If ponies don’t believe this, you can show this letter to Princess Cadence who will be able to confirm your new status as well as what has happened to my sister and I. I hope with all my heart that things turn out well, and that Equestria will prosper.
“‘Goodbye Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.
“‘Yours truly, Princess Celestia.’”

Author's Note

Sorry it took so long to get this out! I've had a lot on my plate lately.

Chapter Three
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter Three

Everypony in the room stood shocked and still like statues. Applejack finally spoke out.
“Well then. I don’t think that Equestria would want to have a princess like me-”
“Me too!” Rainbow Dash interrupted.
Applejack began again. “I think that they would want one to be graceful, and formal, and, and- froo froo. Like her.”
Applejack pointed at Rarity.
“Well,” she began. “I am the one with a real sense of class.”
Twilight was strangely not sad anymore. Indeed, she was a little lonely, and felt rather blind. She had no real idea how to run a kingdom.
“Guys, do we accept this role or not?” Twilight asked.
“SURE!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “That way I’ll be able to throw the biggest and bestest parties in the biggest and bestest place! The palace!”
“Oh, I don’t think my career would mind sharing with the new role as a… as a… PRINCESS! OH!” Rarity fainted as she proclaimed these words to everypony.
“I could take care of the animals here, and my new assistant Calm Breeze could look after my Ponyville animals.” Fluttershy said quietly.
“NOPE!” Applejack and Rainbow Dash shouted at the same time.
“Why not?” asked a very flustered Rarity as she became conscious again.
“I need to work at the farm!” replied Applejack.
“But Braeburn is working there now after they kicked him out of Appaloosa. Also, like Princess Celestia said, you don’t need to spend 24/7 here. You can visit your family on weekends.” Rarity said in a strained voice as she tried to persuade Applejack.
In response, Applejack just grunted.
“And you, Rainbow Dash!” Rarity huffed. “You can keep training and flying with the Wonderbolts and stay here. It all works out!”
“I will if A.J. will.” was her answer.
Everyone looked at Applejack. Rarity was doing her sad puppy eyes.
She sighed. “Oh, all right. I get to visit every weekend, EVERY WEEKEND! Ya hear?”

-A Week Later-

It was again another warm, sunny day in Canterlot. Before the Summer Sun Celebration was to begin, Twilight and her friends announced to everypony the depressing news of Princess Celestia’s death.
Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had been contacted and informed of what had happened.
Now, standing with Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, and Fluttershy in front of crowds and crowds of important ponies, Twilight and the others waited for their inauguration ceremony to begin.
“Rarity!” Rainbow hissed. “This dress is too tight!”
“Sorry, but I was running out of that kind of fabric, and it’s not cheap, you know!”
All six ponies were standing at the front of the hall dressed in hand crafted dresses made by Rarity.
Movement towards the center of the hall caught Twilight’s attention, and she turned to see Princess Cadence stepping forward to begin.
“Guys!” Pinkie Pie whispered really loudly. “I think that she’s about to start!”
The hall quieted down and Cadence began to speak.
“My fellow citizens!” she began in a loud voice which echoed through the vast hall. “We are here today to welcome our new rulers in Equestria! Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle!”
The six ponies stepped forward and made their way over to Princess Cadence. They stopped when they came to stand next to her.
Cadence began to talk again, but Twilight just zoned out.
Suddenly, Twilight was aware of clapping occurring all around her and she looked at Princess Cadence who was making her way towards the six ponies.
Six regal looking stallions came out from behind Pinkie, Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Twilight, each holding a puffy purple pillow with a unique crown on top.
One guard stood to the left of each pony, standing straight and tall.
Cadence began to crown the ponies one by one; first was Pinkie Pie, who’s crown had gems in the design of small balloons. Next was Fluttershy, who had little butterflies, then Rarity with gems shaped like diamonds.
When Cadence reached Rainbow Dash and tried to crown her, Rainbow moved her head out of the way of the crown that was going to be placed on her head.
Realizing what she had done, Rainbow shook her head as if to clear her head. She sighed and nodded to Cadence who then crowned Rainbow.
Applejack grimaced a bit when her crown was placed on her head.
Finally, it was Twilight’s turn. As the crown was being placed upon her cranium, she looked up at Cadence and smiled.
Princess Cadence stepped back and proclaimed in a loud and strong voice, “Behold! The new Princesses of Equestria!”
Everypony began to cheer enthusiastically as the new rulers took a bow. Then they looked at each other and winked.
Twilight reached into a small pocket in her dress and pulled out a purple diamond that shone brightly in the light of the hall.
She looked back at her friends and they all nodded; Twilight took a deep breath and opened her mouth. She placed the small gem on her tongue and swallowed.
As the diamond went down her throat, a burning sensation raced after the jewel as it descended to her stomach.
Once it reached her stomach, Twilight’s whole body was burning. She had to close her eyes as a white light began to shine from her coat, slowly getting brighter and brighter. There was a blinding flash, and then the light was gone along with the pain.
Breathing heavily, Twilight looked down at her body; her legs seemed much, much longer and had gained a sense of elegance. Glancing at her sides, she saw that her wings had become bigger and more decorative. Everything about her seemed to have changed, but Twilight still seemed like Twilight.
Twilight heard the many rows of ponies begin to cheer and whistle.
Looking over at Pinkie, A.J., Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy, she saw that the diamond had the same effects on all of them.
She thought to herself with a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, “I do have to admit. This is pretty awesome.”

Author's Note

Sorry if this chapter seems a bit worse than the others but I really wanted to get another chapter out. I might be editing this just a bit, nothing major. Another chapter will be coming out soon! Enjoy! :)

Chapter Four
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter Four

The newly crowned and newly formed began to walk in a procession down the long hall to the large doors at the other end. One by one they exited the room full of screaming ponies.
The second all six of them had stepped out, the great doors closed with a quick whoosh.
Silence filled the tense air for a moment.
“OH MY GOODNESS PUDDING!” screamed a delighted Pinkie Pie.
“I do have to agree with Pinkie!” squealed Rarity. “I’m now absolutely gorgeous! I mean, really! Look at these wings!” She elegantly spread her wings and went into a modeling pose. “And my legs!” She then extended a foreleg in a very slow and flirtatious manner.
“That’s nice, Rar.” Rainbow Dash cut in. “But all this new strength and the size of my new wings are sure to make me fly at a wicked speed!”
“Yeah!” Added Applejack. “I bet you in this form I could buck all the apples on the farm in one day!”
“One question though.” Fluttershy softly interrupted. “Are we able to use magic now? And if we are, how?”
“Well,” Twilight began. “You would just need a little practice.”
“And how in the hey are we supposed to change back?” Applejack incredulously asked.
“Let me try something…” Twilight mumbled.
She closed her eyes and thought to herself, “I want to go back to normal! I want to go back to normal! I WANT TO GO BACK TO NORMAL!”
Nothing happened.
Taking a deep breath, she tried something else.
Still with her eyes clamped shut, she began to picture herself as she was earlier that day.
Twilight kept focusing on this image and suddenly, she felt a familiar burning throughout her body, although this time it lasted for what seemed like a millisecond.
After the pain had vanished, she opened her eyes and looked down at herself. Twilight saw that she was back to her original self.
“Thank god!” Rainbow exclaimed. “If you didn’t figure out how to do that, I would have been kicked off the team because of my ‘unfair advantage.’”
“Whatever did you do, Twilight? asked a curious Rarity.
“I pictured myself as I normally am and focused on it. How about you guys try it?”
There was a jumbled agreement as the five other ponies closed their eyes. A look of concentration was plastered on all of their faces.
Suddenly, at around the same time, the ponies standing before Twilight shone bright, but the light quickly died.
Standing before her were Twilight’s plain, old friends.
“Good ta’ know.” grumbled Applejack.
“Can I go to my room, PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?” asked a very anxious Pinkie Pie.
“Well, I think we all should. It’s been a long day. Good night, everypony!” Twilight called a as she began to walk down a corridor that headed to her new suite.
She heard choruses of ‘good night!’ and ‘pleasant dreams’ as she walked along.
Truthfully, Twilight was exhausted, but she needed some time and space to get used to the new changes going on around her.
As Twilight was turning a corner, she bumped into a pony who was standing against the wall.
“Oh sorr-” she began but then she realized who it was.
“Hello, Twilight my dearest.”

Author's Note

Sorry it took so long to put up another chapter, but at school I've had a lot of tests recently. I hope you like it! Also sorry this chapter is really short, but it needed to be short. My other ones in the future will be much longer.

Chapter Five
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter Five

Twilight was staring in surprise at the pony standing before her.
In a cold voice, she asked, “What are you doing here, Blue Dream?”
The attractive stallion looked her in the eyes.
“Twilight, I think we are both smart enough to figure out why I am here…”
“If that is the reason, you can forget it, and-”
The dark blue horse put his hoof up to Twilight’s mouth to silence her.
“Shhhhh… Twilight. Please. Even though you are a very important princess and all now, I would hate to see what lies in your future if you start that conversation up again. Now. Here is the deal. You do what I say, or your friend here dies.”
The prince pulled out a small, purple dragon from behind his back. The dragon was trapped inside of a bubble, and he was pounding on the cage with his fists.
“Spike!” Twilight cried.
The stallion smiled cooley and began to chuckle a bit.
“Now. You will do as I say.”
With that, the chortling pony made Spike vanish into thin air. He took Twilight by the arm and tried dragging her to her suite.
“NO!” she cried out. Immediately, she was stuck by the angry stallion.
“Shut up, or you will not get Spike back!”
Prince Blue Dream lead a struggling Twilight to her suite.
The door slammed shut behind them.
“So. How long did you think you could avoid me for?” He asked this with a cocky grin as he began to back her up towards the bed.
“You know? I’ve been thinking. Maybe what happened last time was a big mistake. I know that you were scared, and …” Blue Dream continued to talk as he slowly backed her up, but Twilight wasn’t paying any attention to what he was saying.
Behind him, the door had slowly opened, and standing in the doorway was a pony with a gamboge colored coat and a moderate sapphire blue mane.
His eyes opened wide when he saw what was occurring.
Twilight quickly looked back to Blue Dream so she would not draw any attention to the pony.
“... so Twilight. Let us begin.”
As the dark stallion began to advance on Twilight, he suddenly flinched and fell to the ground. Behind him was the gamboge stallion, holding a chair above his head.
“Wow. Didn’t expect him to get knocked out that fast!” exclaimed the pony.
Twilight was looking at him in wonder.
“How did you find me?” she asked tentatively.
“Oh. I heard you yell.” he replied as he set the chair down.
“Forgive me,” the stallion continued. “My name is Flash Sentry, one of the guards here, and I’m guessing that you are none other than the royal princess Twilight Sparkle. Am I right?”
“Yes.” Twilight said as she put magical hoove-cuffs onto Blue Dream’s wrists. She closed her eyes and there was a sudden pop, and Spike appeared.
“Wha?… whaaaaaa!”
He began to run around in circles screaming, when he finally noticed the two puzzled ponies staring at him.
Spike stopped and laughed nervously.
“Ha… ha?”
Twilight rolled her eyes as Spike took in his surroundings. He noticed the evil stallion in hoove- cuffs and grinned.
“Thanks Twi!” he exclaimed. “I’m… I’m gonna go to bed…”
Spike gave Twilight a hug and ran out of the room.
There was an awkward silence as Twilight and Flash stood in the chamber looking sheepishly at the ground.
Flash cleared his throat.
“Um, I guess I’ll see you around, Twilight.”
A grin slowly crept onto his face as he looked at her.
“Yeah, it’s good to meet you.” Twilight said in a quiet and embarrassed voice.
Flash walked over to the unconscious pony on the ground and stood in front of him. Flash’s horn began to glow and Blue Dream stirred from his slumber of sorts.
Flash helped the unicorn up from the floor and walked him out of the room.
As they were leaving, Flash looked over his shoulder to glance at Twilight. When they made eye contact, he gave her one more sheepish grin before the door closed behind them.
Twilight smiled to herself.
“Oh my god! He’s soooo hot! Wait- why am I getting all mushy over some guy? I mean, he’s just a guard. But he is cute.”
Twilight flopped onto her bed and sighed.
She was so tired, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Flash Sentry, the brave, handsome unicorn that saved her from the utter horrors of being raped by the dastardly Prince Blue Dream.
“I would have been able to protect myself… probably. But, last time I wasn’t! He is possessed with a strange but strong dark magic. He’s not evil, he just uses his powers in bad ways. I am more powerful now… but if I had tried to stop him, I could have killed him! I would have been arrested! I have no control over my new powers, so I dared not use them against him in my defense.”
These thoughts played through her head again and again. Twilight thought she would never fall asleep.
But, as she rolled over, her mind slipped away into a deep, peaceful slumber.

Author's Note

Sorry for the slight wait! I hope you like it!

Chapter Six
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter Six

“Wakey wakey Twili! It’s time to wakey wake UP!”
Twilight groaned as she tried to shun the annoying, high pitched voice out of her head.
“Come on, Twi!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
“Give me another hour Pinkie.” Twilight sighed as she rolled onto her stomach and covered her head with a pillow.
“But Twilight!” Pinkie said in exasperation. “We have a very important meeting with the very important ponies from that place right by us! I think it’s called… um…”
“Gallopger?” Twilight asked in a sleepy voice.
“Oh Oh OH! THAT’S IT! And guess what, bud?”
“What?”
“They’re here!!! Can you believe it?”
“WHAT?!” Twilight exclaimed as she jumped out of bed.
“Yupper Duppers! They’re here! But they’re kind of impatient, so you might wanna shake a leg! In the conference room in five!”
With that, a very energetic Pinkie Pie bounced out of the room.
An “Oh crap!” ran through Twilight’s head as she ran around her suite trying to hurriedly get ready.
A light pink dress was laid out on a chair with matching shoes and jewelry.
Twilight began to force a brush through her knotted mane while she began to pull on the dress.
As she ran to the bathroom to brush her teeth, she slipped on her shoes and put on the necklace and earrings.
Twilight furiously squirted a lump of toothpaste onto her toothbrush.
As she was brushing her teeth, Twilight hastily applied some light eye shadow to her lids and blush to her cheeks.
Running out of the bathroom, she summoned notebooks, folders, pencils and pens to fly into a saddle bag. Putting it onto her back she dashed out of her room.
Twilight soared through the ostentatious halls with her new wings, trying to get to the conference room as fast as she could.
Finally, Twilight arrived; she burst in, panting heavily and thanking the gods above that she had not crashed on the way.
Everypony looked up from the round wooden table to stare at Twilight.
All five of her friends were there along with two other mares Twilight did not know.
She slowly walked over to the open space between Applejack and Rarity.
As Twilight took her place, the gold colored pony with a regal outfit and attitude began to speak.
“Hem hem. Now that we are all here, we may begin. I am Gold Quill, mayer of the city of Gallopger. This is my assistant, Gloria.”
She gestured to a light pink mare sitting beside her taking down notes.
“Now, I would like to begin our meeting with a budget report. This year’s budget was to be ten million bits, but we exceeded this with ten million and one bits. I am asking if I can have a loan for one bit to fix this financial disaster. I will consider paying with interest in our negotiations.”
She waited for a response from the princesses, but there was none.
Gold Quill looked at them in annoyance.
“Well?”
“Uh…” Applejack began. She reached into a pocket in her pale green dress and began to dig around for something.
She finally pulled out her hoof, and with it, a bit.
“Here ya’ are. Anythin’ else?” Applejack asked in a flat tone.
“Oh, and there’s no need to repay m- us. Just in case you're wondern’.” she added.
Gold Quill let out a “hmf!” as she reached across the table and took the bit.
“Now.” Gold Quill started again.
“There is one other concern that I would like to bring up, and it is urgent. There have been thefts throughout the city for quite some time now. There is an average of about ten thefts per night that have all been associated with some violence. Ponies see Gallopger as a clean, prosperous city. These occurrences are ruining our pristine image. I am asking that fifty guards can be stationed in my city to help protect our ponies!”
“I think we can do that,” Fluttershy said. “We can get them there by Saturday. Will that be ok?”
“Fabulous.” was Gold Quill’s reply.
Rarity stood up and offered her hoof to Gold Quill.
“It has been a pleasure meeting you, and you too.”
She shook Gloria’s hoof as well.
“I am sorry to rush this, but all of us have another appointment in about five minutes. We will be sure to send the guards over to Gallopger as soon as we can.”
The other five stood up and shook hands with the mares as well.
As they were leaving, farewells and thank yous were exchanged, but all stopped as the door slammed shut.
The six mares walked through the halls and corridors, passing many exquisite masterpieces that adorned the mammoth walls.
They stopped at a familiar door.
Twilight turned the knob and pushed inward.
The door swung open, revealing the wonderful room behind it.
The girls walked into Princess Celestia’s dressing chamber for the second time, once again marveled by it’s breathtaking beauty.
The door swung shut and there was a moment of still silence.
Laughter burst out from all of the girls as they recalled the events of the meeting.
“Oh, I need one measly little bit because, heaven forbid, we went over the budget- by a bit!” Rainbow Dash imitated Gold Quill.
The others began to laugh even harder if it was at all possible.
“Did you see her face?” Pinkie Pie gasped. “She was all like laaaaaaaaaaa and blaaaaaaaaaaa! He he!”
It took a few moments for the girls to calm down before Twilight began to speak again.
“Ok, ok. That was a weird way to start out a meeting. But let’s get serious here. We have no idea how to do this!”
“Twilight is right!” Rarity proclaimed. “We need to find some way to run this kingdom without bursting out laughing at every meeting.”
“Maybe Celestia gave us some tips. Is the letter still over there?” Applejack asked.
“Yeah, just a sec. I’ll get it.” Rainbow zipped over to the vanity and grabbed the letter. In a flash, she was back.
Twilight took the paper from Rainbow Dash and began to skim through it’s contents.
“Ah. Here we go. She wrote this, remember? ‘There is a list inside the box on what you need to know.’ I didn’t see a list in that box, did you guys?”
All of them shook their heads.
“Let’s check it out again.” suggested Fluttershy.
The ponies walked over to the vanity where the box was sitting.
Twilight carefully opened the container and peeked inside.
There was nothing.
“WHAT?!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Hmm…” Twilight began to ponder the situation.
She looked at the inside of the box’s depth and how tall it really was.
Twilight turned around.
“Guys, I think that there is a secret compartment in the box.”
Twilight turned back to the box and started to examine the inside.
Frowning slightly at a slight imperfection on the bottom, Twilight lightly touched the bottom.
“What if…” Twilight thought.
“Ok, everypony, change form.”
There was a mumbled agreement before a hushed silence came over the mares.
Twilight closed her eyes and thought of her new alicorn form.
The wildfire struck and then receded.
She opened her eyes to the sight of her friends in their new forms.
“Everypony, touch the bottom of the box.
Twilight’s friends gathered around the antique box and reached their hooves into it.
Twilight did the same, but she did not meet the bottom of the box instead her hoof hit the rougher texture of yet another piece of parchment.
She heard her friends let out tiny gasps in surprise as they came in contact with this foreign object.
“I think we all need to pull it out at the same time. Everypony, take ahold of part of it.” Rarity instructed.
They each did so and therefore slowly pulled out the parchment.
The six set it gently down on the vanity.
“How to be a Good and Proper Princess, written by Princess Celestia of Equestria.” Twilight read off from the paper.
“I think that that will be verrrry helpful!” Applejack exclaimed in a sarcastic voice.
Everypony began to laugh once more and a feeling of relief washed over all of them.
“Maybe with her help, this will be a little bit easier.” Twilight thought to herself.

Chapter Seven
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter Seven

Twilight suddenly became groggily aware of somepony knocking at her door as she laid sprawled out on her king sized bed.
“Whoozare?” she asked as she let out a yawn.
“Flash Sentry, your highness.” the voice called out. “I have been sent to come fetch you for a meeting with the other princesses.”
Twilight by that point of time was sitting straight up in bed and was fully awake.
“Thank you!” she blurted out rather loudly. “I’ll be out in a sec.”
Again, Twilight hurried around the room, getting ready for the day. When she was fully satisfied that every strand of hair was in place and that she had just the right amount of perfume on, she headed towards the door.
Twilight opened it to see Flash casually leaning against the wall. He smiled at her and began to lead her through the halls.
Twilight silently followed him, occasionally sneaking glances at him, but mainly, she kept her eyes glued to the floor.
Flash cleared his throat and began to talk.
“So… at these meetings, do you discuss, eh, princessy stuff?”
Twilight had to laugh.
“Yes. We discuss princessy stuff. I mean, what’s the chance? We’re only princesses, right?”
They both laughed at this, and Flash stopped walking.
Twilight, confused looked at him.
“What are you doing?”
“Uh, we’re here…” his voice trailed off as he looked at her.
“Right!” Twilight said briskly. She flashed him her widest smile and entered the room.
As Twilight slowly closed the door behind her, a voice from inside the room spoke out.
“Well, glad you could make it today, Sleepin’ Beauty.”
“Hi Applejack… and everypony else.”
“Heyya Twilight!” sang Pinkie Pie.
“Enough chit chat,” Rarity broke in. “We need to read that thingy- that guide- so we know what to do.”
“Right,” Twilight said again, and she hurried off to the vanity.
Seconds later she returned. Twilight opened the paper and began to read.
“‘ Thank you for reading my guide on how to become a better princess. Today or any other day you will be reading this, I hope you pay close attention and make mental notes as you go along. Now, I proudly present to you, How to be a Good and Proper Princess, written by Princess Celestia of Equestria. One. Dress up for every event you attend, no matter how small it is. This shows the guests that you care about them and what they have to say.
Two. Shower every night. If you smell, that’s bad.
Three. Master your new skills in your new forms. This is crucial in the event of an attack or disaster.
Four. Have good manners and social skills; these are important when you are meeting with other ponies.
Five. Work together to solve your problems.
Six. Think of your citizens before yourselves.
Seven. If you feel the need to pass new laws, you have the right and ability to do so.
Eight. Educate yourselves on the different sections and regions of Equestria. This allows you to stay informed and up to date on events occurring.
Nine. Be aware of the dangers that threaten our land.
Ten. Remember to relax and have fun once and awhile. Being a princess can be very taxing, but it is one of the best jobs a pony could ask for.
Best of luck, Princess Celestia.’”
“Well then.” Rainbow Dash said. “That’s nice. I’ve got to get to practice. See ya’.”
Rainbow Dash headed for the door.
“Remember there’s a dinner party tonight!” Rarity called out as the door slammed shut.
“Uh, I think that we need to work on this princess thing a bit.” Fluttershy said.
***Six Hours Later***
Twilight and her friends sat awkwardly at one side of the table uncomfortably eating their food. The delegates from Saddle Arabia were on the other side eating their dinner with a certain look of ease. The whole mood seemed to be tense as the meal was eaten in complete and utter silence.
“It is so nice to finally formally meet our new princesses.” the mare said to break the silence.
“Yes it is.” replied Twilight.
“I hope that we can grow to become close partners in politics and business matters alike.”
“But of course,” Rarity said with a small smile. “That would be simply lovely.”
The meal fell into silence again.
“Excuse me, Princess Applejack. Would you be ever so kind enough to pass me the potatoes?”
“Yup.” Applejack said in a jiffy.
As she was reaching over to pick up the bowl, Applejack knocked over an elegant pitcher full of ice tea.
The pitcher was hit with such force that it slid down across the table a foot or so before it toppled over and spilled it’s contents on the mare.
“Aye!” she screamed.
“Let me help you with that.” Pinkie offered and so she was hopping around to the other side to offer her assistance when she tripped and fell onto a passing waiter.
The waiter dumped his tray onto the stallion delegate’s head.
With a shout, the stallion jumped to his feet.
Breathing deeply, he said, “Why! I never!”
He then walked quickly out of the room with his chin up.
The second delegate was quietly sobbing as she rushed out of the room after him.
The six friends were stone still as they processed what had just happened.
Rainbow Dash cleared her throat.
“So, eh, do you think they like us?”
The others turned and glared at her.
“Guess that’s a no.”
“Girls,” Rarity spoke up. “Tomorrow, we are starting finishing school, because oh boy do you need help!”

Chapter Nine
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter Nine

Several weeks had gone by, and by the looks of their progress, Twilight and her friends had progressed well in the studies of their new magic.
The first couple days passed with many incidents and broken vases.
One excerpt might have looked something like this-
“NO! Fluttershy, s-l-o-w-l-y! Wait! That wasn’t supposed to melt!”
“I’m sorry Twilight! I can’t control it that well.”
“Focus! Not… that hard.”
“Ahhh! Why does it have Angel’s head! That isn’t normal behavior for a vase… is it?”
Or this.
“Look! I can make balloons appear! WEEE! WAIT! WHY ARE THEY GETTING BIGGER? Creepy!”
“Pinky!”
“Sorry Rarity! I didnt mean to make your fake eyelashes grow too! Ooooh! They look like fans! But they're kinda gross. No offense.”
And so on, and so on, and so on.
Apple Jack, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Fluttershy had adapted well to using of magic. It was not long, only a couple days, before all four of them had mastered basics, such as levitation, and were moving on to more complex skills.
One day, Twilight realized how strong they actually were when she accidentally summoned up a horse sized ball of electric energy. The next moment, one of the stained glass windows was laying in colorfully shattered pieces on the floor.
As time went on, the six princesses became more accustomed to their new selves.
About a month had passed when Rainbow brought up their next challenge- flying.
“Come oooooooon! Flying with these babies will be sick!”
“Well, I’m comfortable on my own four hooves!” Apple Jack retorted to Rainbows remark.
“But you have wings! They are made for flying!
“Nope. Still not doin’ it.”
Applejack's face showed that she thought she reigned victorious.
But Rainbow was not giving up that easily.
Rainbow levitated her into the air and placed her onto the highest chandelier.
“Wha- HEY! RAINBOW! WHAT THE HAY! YOU PUT ME DOWN, NOW!”
“Nope!” Rainbow slyly replied. “You have to fly down! And if you're all stubborn and crap and decide to jump, I won’t save you! Have fun!”
“Agh!”
Applejack tried to levitate herself back down to ground level, but she quickly realized that Rainbow had placed a shield around her.
She was then about to jump when Applejack realized how hard the ground looked.
“I really dislike you Rainbow!”
Applejack spread her wings with caution. Examining them closely, she realized how muscular and powerful they looked.
“These better not be for show.” she muttered under her breath.
Applejack slowly began to flap her wings, which were a bit heavier than she realized. The force of her flapping began to lift herself into the air.
Feeling shaky, Applejack angled her wings to propel herself forward, and then down.
As she was descending, Applejack became aware of Rainbow Dash flying in circles around her on her back.
“So. How’s it goin?” Rainbow asked casually.
“I’m ganna trample you! You are so dead!”
Rainbow Dash’s relaxed expression changed to being very surprised as Applejack ferociously lunged at her.
Rainbow swerved and narrowly avoided being tackled by the strong farm pony.
“ARGHHH!”
Applejack darted towards Rainbow again but this time Rainbow was ready.
Applejack willed her wings to accelerate her speed, but Rainbow was well ahead of her.
“Darn you!” Applejack yelled to Rainbow. “No fair you’ve had wings your entire life.”
Rainbow grinned “You’re not going to catch me if you stay in one place, you know.”
Rainbow Dash grinned as Applejack started towards her.
As Applejack was almost on top of her, Rainbow dived down to the floor. Applejack followed, but then stopped.
“What’s the matter, scaredy pants? Afraid of hights?”
“Na, just wondern how fast I can go. I’ll be outside.”
With that, Applejack headed towards the door.
“Ha! That was a sinch!” Rainbow exclaimed. “One down, four to go!”

Chapter One
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter One

“Hey guys. Can I please have your attention?” Twilight Sparkle shouted over her chatting friends.
The girls were in a hotel suite at the heart of Canterlot getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration.
“Guys? Hello? BE QUITE!” Twilight ended up shouting.
The room went quiet.
“Thank you,” Twilight began again, “I would like you to know how much I appreciate all you coming down here to help out with the festival. Thank you-”
Twilight was interrupted by a very exuberant Pinkie Pie.
“Yeah! You go Twilight! Best speech EVER! WHOO!”
“Pinkie! I’m not finished yet!”
“Oh. Sorry!”
“Anyways,” Twilight continued. “Thank you Fluttershy for arranging your bird choir, Rarity for designing the theme, Pinkie-”
“THAT”S ME!”
“YES Pinkie, that’s you. Thanks for throwing the party, Rainbow Dash, we thank you for yours and the Wonderbolts’ performance coming up, and Applejack, great appreciation goes out to you for your wonderful cooking!”
“How much longer ‘till this thing starts?” asked a very impatient Rainbow Dash.
“We still have three hours, Rainbow.” replied Applejack.
“Perfect!” squealed Rarity. “That’s the perfect amount of time for us to get prepared! Fluttershy, darling, do you want me to throw something together quickly for your little bird friends to wear?”
“Oh no thank you.” Fluttershy said very quietly.
The girls began to hustle around, putting on dresses, applying make-up and doing each others manes.
In the midst all this commotion, there was a knock at the door.
As Twilight walked across the room to open it, the noise inside the room did not waver or even stop.
Twilight opened the door, and in the doorway stood a Royal Guard with a straight face and no emotions.
“Hello.” the guard greeted her. “Are you Princess Twilight Sparkle?”
“Yes I am.” Twilight said. “Is there something wrong?”
“Indeed. Some kind of incident has occurred at the palace. I am also looking for a Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkamena Diane Pie.”
Hearing the guard call her by her full name, Pinkie Pie was at the door in a flash.
“Did somepony say my name? Oh that must have been you!” she exclaimed. “Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie! What’s yours? What’s your favorite color? Do you like peaches? How about candy? How fast can you run? When’s your birthday? What’s your social security number? I love pizza! Do you? Can-”
“PINKIE!” Twilight shouted.
“Oh hi Twilight! I was just talking to my new friend- wait. You never said what your name is!”
The guard turned to Twilight and hissed in an urgent voice.
“It’s very important that you and your friends come down to the palace immediately!”
“Ok I understand.” Twilight said to the guard. She then turned around and yelled, “Girls, something’s up at the palace. It’s important that we get down there ASAP! Now, lets move!”

-Thirty Minutes Later-

The six ponies were walking through the corridors in the palace. The whole building was hushed in complete silence as if everypony in the castle was in deep sleep.
It seemed as though they walked, or in Pinkie Pie’s case, hopped, through the entire castle.
“May I ask, good sir,” Rarity began, “Where are you taking us and for what reason?”
“This may come as a bit of a shock to you all, but Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have gone missing. The only clue of where they may have gone is in Princess Celestia’s dressing chamber. She left all of you a note and something inside a box. Since these things may have spells on them, the security here including myself thought it best if you six open these things first.” the guard explained.
The group came to a stop in front of a door.
“Here we are!” the guard said.
He opened the door and stood aside for the ponies to enter.
The room took everypony’s breath away- the whole room seemed to glow.
Floor to ceiling windows lined the back wall, letting the sun’s light cover the smooth white marble floor. A grand chest with Princess Celestia’s cutie mark sat against the east wall with a large, gold vanity facing towards this same wall. The room was painted a light but shimmering silver with gold swirl designs chasing each other on the silver background. Although the room itself was small, the beauty of it was very profound.
“Why, it’s absolutely GORGEOUS!” cried a delighted Rarity.
“Whoo, golly!” breathed Applejack.
“Isn't it lovely?” asked Fluttershy.
“Eh, it’s nice I guess.” Rainbow Dash bluffed.
“Pretty!” cooed Pinkie Pie.
As Twilight looked around the room, she noticed an antique box and note sitting next to each other on the vanity.
Turning to the guard, she asked, “Is that the box and note you were talking about?”
“Yes, Ma’m. You can go ahead and open both if you like. I’ll stay outside to give you some privacy.”
“Thanks.” Twilight said.
After the guard stepped outside the room, Twilight headed towards the vanity.
With her magic, Twilight picked up the parchment, broke the seal and unrolled it.
In a clear and concise voice, Twilight began to read from it.
“‘My dearest Twilight and friends Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy. I am so sorry to leave you, but you have to go when death is literally standing outside your door.’”

Chapter Eight
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In the Memory of a Princess

Chapter Eight

“Now- remember! It’s CRUCIAL! Very crucial! To ALWAYS, always, always… BRUSH YOUR HAIR?! Hem hem. I am sorry, but how hard is it to run a comb through your hair at least twice a day? This is the FIFTH day I’ve told you all this! Especially you Applejack! And Rainbow Dash! What are you doing with your hair? Is that… peanut butter in it? Honestly! And Fluttershy! Your due for a haircut! I think that I could hook you up with a stylist…”
It was the tenth day of having to endure Rarity’s constant nagging and teachings of mannerism.
Twilight sighed.
It was getting useless- Twilight knew that Rarity had taught all she could, and to drag this… process on was a waste of time.
Twilight also knew that she and her friends should start to harness their new powers.
Anything could happen.
“… and Twilight.”
Rarity smiled as Twilight looked up at her.
“Yes? Twilight asked in an irritable tone.
“Have you ever considered curls?”
Twilight stood up suddenly and looked around the giant living room. Everyone was comfortably reclining on a lightly toned lavender couch stuffed with air cloud technology.
Rainbow Dash looked like she was dozing off, while Fluttershy was staring with wide eyes at her.
“Wha-Whatever are you doing, darling?”
“Listen,” Twilight asserted. “I think that we know enough about how to hold a stupid tea cup, or properly host a party. What we all don’t know how to do is control and use our new powers. Don’t you all think that that’s important?”
There was a murmur of agreement from her friends.
“So…” Rainbow Dash started. “Should we… start? And ditch this fuc- I mean ditch this lame hair brushing thing.”
Rainbow stole a glance at Rarity and winced when she was hit by a hairbrush thrown at her.
“Yes. Let’s move to the Throne Room. There’s more space there.”

Author's Note

Hello Equestria people! Thank you as always for reading my story/stories! I apologize for the lack of productivity going on with my writing. Although summer is upon us and everything, it is very hard to write and type when your arm is in a cast! This is also partially why this chapter is so short! I will hopefully be publishing more in the near future! Thanks again!