The Queen visits Ponyville

The ponies of Ponyville had gathered in the main square to await the arrival of Queen Faust. Both Princesses were there to welcome their mother. Celestia was a little nervous, a light sheen of sweat starting to form on her coat, but it was much more under control than yesterday. Luna was practically shaking. She was so excited that she had magically reverted to her younger form, the one seen when she was cured from her bout as Nightmare Moon. Her mane no longer had the ever-flowing, semi-transparency she had as an adult, but was once again a solid blue.

Vinyl Scratch was off with the group of musicians Celestia had called in to announce the queen with some fanfare. Vinyl would be able to get some background music going with her large sub-woofers that she reserved for special occasions, while the main orchestra would be led by Octavia and Lyra. It would be a grand moment, one that nopony would forget.

Celestia checked a nearby clock. 11:58. The queen should be arriving within two minutes. She looked around anxiously, the moment of truth just around the corner. It was thirty seconds to twelve when a speck appeared in the sky. It was the queen.

The chariot grew closer and closer, and circled the town a few times. Finally, it landed right in front of the crowd with precisely two seconds to spare. The music fanfare started, with the orchestra and Vinyl's booth working together to make the most welcoming music.

It was a closed chariot, and the door opened. Out stepped the queen, with a mane and tale of deep red, almost brown. Her fur was pearlescent white. Suddenly, the crowd before her cheered, and the music got livelier. Confetti cannons boomed and rained tiny bits of paper down onto the ceremony.

Luna ran toward the queen. " Mommy, mommy, it's been so long since I've seen you! " She shouted as she nuzzled with her mother. Celestia calmly walked toward the queen.

" You always liked being right on time, didn't you Mother? " Celestia asked, with humor in her voice. Her tension was gone now that her mother was actually here.

The queen spoke, with a voice of a thousand crystals tinkling together with the slightest wind, " Of course, my dear Celestia, of course. Punctuality is never a bad thing now is it? "

" I suppose not. So, what do you think of Ponyville? "

" It's quite the rustic place, just as I made it. "

" What do you mean, 'just as I made it'? "

" Do you not remember our last conversation? I recall it quite clearly. "

" What are you...Oh. That. Yes, I remember now. "

" Oh, but let's turn to lighter subjects, eh? Show me around, introduce me! "

" But you already know everything about these ponies, how they act, what they do, what they're like... "

" Well of course I do. But they hardly know me at all. "

And so it went. Celestia had taken on the task of introducing all of the town's residents to the queen. The line was... " Gigantihumongonormous! I can't believe we're at the back of the line! I help set up the party for the queen. And what do I get in return? The end of the line. Great. " Said a sour Pinkie Pie.

" Oh Pinkie Pie, don't worry about it. If the queen is anything like Celestia, then she'll be kind enough to meet everypony, even the ones at the back of the line, " Twilight said.

Pinkie hmph'd and sat on the ground, grudgingly eating a cupcake. Twilight had awaited this moment ever since she got Celestia's letter. It was quite exciting. Twilight was joined by the rest of her friends in line. Applejack was walking the line, trying to sell some of her apple products. Rainbow Dash looked bored out of her mind. Fluttershy was trying to hide behind Pinkie Pie, she was so nervous with so many ponies around. And last but not least Rarity had shown up, in a gown of dazzling purple.

Her dress accentuated her feminism. The daring purple had been traced with outlines of white stitching and embroidery. Each stitch held a small cluster of rubies. It went alone well with Rarity's mane and tail, and the rubies seemed to pay tribute to the queen.

However, Rarity was quite distraught. " I go through the huge effort to make this one-of-a-kind dress, and I get stuck in line? " She whined. There was no consoling her. Just as she was getting to the point where none of her friends or nearby ponies could handle her, a re-transformed Luna walked up to them.

" Hello there girls. You shan't have to wait in line much longer. " Luna said.

" What do you mean, Princess? " Asked Twilight

" We, as in, I, are escorting you to the Royal Palace. Princess Celestia has asked the queen, Queen Faust, for a private audience with her star pupil and her friends. We shall depart immediately. "

Before Twilight, or anyone else, could say another word, Luna worked her magic and teleported them into the castle.

" Now, you all shall be staying overnight, for the audience is in the morning. It will take the rest of the day, at least, for Mother to visit Canterlot and Cloudsdale. " Explained Luna. " You are free to roam Canterlot for the rest of the day, and you are to be back before nightfall. Any questions? No? Good. " And with that, she walked down the hall, and entered her own chambers.

The group headed out to do their own things. Rarity had gone out to do some shopping, Applejack had gone out to try to sell more of her wares, and Twilight went to visit the library. The rest had stayed behind.

" Thanks, but no thanks, " Said Rainbow Dash. " I don't like Canterlot's hoity-toity attitude. I'd rather fly around instead, maybe head back to Ponyville for a bit."

Pinkie Pie had went to bed straight away, still sour about the line issue. Fluttershy had also went straight to bed, her fear and nervousness on overdrive.

The three that went out were not out for long. It was sundown faster than they knew it, and they found themselves in their respective chambers, exhausted from the day's events. They all went to sleep, eager to wake up and meet the queen for themselves.

After a night's peaceful sleep, they were woken by the sun. Each stretched comfortably on the soft, silky beds that they had been allowed to use.

They had been shuffled into the throne room by some of Celestia's guards.

And there, In between her daughters, was Queen Faust herself. She was a large, almost intimidating alicorn, for she was easily at least one and a half times the size of Celestia. She would have been scary, had she not had such a motherly attitude and bearing. She spoke.

" Ah, hello there Twilight Sparkle. Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy. Applejack. Rarity. Pinkie Pie. It's such a pleasure to meet some of Celestia's personal friends. She's told me so much about you! You all slept well I presume? " Faust said.

" Yes, Your Majesty, thank you very much for your generosity. Luna has told us you wanted a private audience with us. May I ask what for? " Inquired Twilight.

" All will be answered in good time. For now, I have to make something up to Miss Pinkie Pie. " Faust said as she turned toward the pink mare. " I understand that you are upset. I apologize for the inconvenience, and as an apology, let me throw YOU a party! "

Without another word, her horn flared, crimson magic flowing. Out of nowhere, a party appeared. Snacks, beverages, music, balloons, all popped out of nothing. Everything needed for a party was there.

The ponies had a grand time, dancing, singing, and just partying in general. Even Luna stepped in to dance, but her moves were a bit...dated. As their little soiree came to a close, the music died down, and eventually, the entire party vanished, back into the nothingness from whence it came.

" That was fun, don't you think girls? " Asked Faust.

" Definitely! One of the best parties I've ever been to! " Said Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie walked up to the queen and stared at her for a second, before closing the distance to squeeze her into a bear hug. " That WAS fun! Apology accepted. "

" I'm glad you accepted my apology. Now, onto more serious matters. Celestia told me you six are the best to handle...odd situations. I have something to explain to you, and I'm not quite sure how. Celestia, help me out. "

Celestia chimed in, " Girls, as you know, this is my mother, Queen Faust. She is the oldest of all the alicorns there ever were. She is the first alicorn. She is more powerful than anything else in this world, able to create and destroy with simple thought. I have chosen you six to bear the truth. "

Twilight was confused. " What do you mean? " The rest of the group listened intently.

" Well, my faithful student, I'm saying that she is the Creator. Of this entire world. Of me and Luna. You. Your friends, families, neighbors. Everyone and everything was made by her and is controlled by her. "

Everyone in the group was having trouble taking this in, but Twilight was the only one who spoke. " So... You're saying we have no control over ourselves? Everything about us, even down to our very core, is not really ours?.. We've... We've never had free will. This whole time, nothing was ours... " Twilight started to tear up.

After a moment, she began full on sobbing. She didn't know what to think, and neither did her friends, who stood there, looking on in shock. Twilight felt betrayed. Without thinking, she teleported the group back to her library and hugged them all as she was wracked with sadness. Every single one of them felt their minds go numb with the shock of what had been said. What were they going to do? They didn't know. Nothing seemed to matter at that point.

Back at the castle, Celestia confronted her mother. " You knew that would happen! These ponies are fragile! They aren't like the alicorns of the old days! " She shouted.

" I know, but they'll be able to handle it. And when they get back, I'll explain what needs to be done. Do not fret about that. I know what has to be done, for the better of everypony. I know what I must do. "