What They See

The day started so beautifully. After I had raised the sun, the chefs had a special surprise for me at breakfast. Day Court was sparingly short for some reason. And even the nobles behaved like responsible adults for a change. So I thought I could have a stroll through Canterlot and just appreciate the warm summer day before Twilight Sparkle's lesson would start. Even my guards seemed to be a little bit more relaxed than they were usually, I think one even blinked today.

But then we walked past a simple carpenter shop, when a shout echoed through the street. “D-Down with the S-Solar Tyranny.” I was so shocked by the Earth Pony jumping from the balcony to attack me, that I didn't even think about raising a shield or grabbing him in my magic. My guards were luckily quick enough and subdued him before anything could happen him.

“Your Highness, maybe it would be safer to return to the castle.” I looked down at the guard who had spoken to me and simply nodded, not trusting my voice right now to be steady. I watched my guards escort my attacker away, restrained by their magic. I barely registered anything on the walk back to the castle, my mind was occupied with the attacker. One of my little ponies had attacked me. Had I wronged him? Had I passed a law that drove him to do it. Was that how I was seen? A Tyrant?

We eventually reached my chambers, but before I could go inside I was stopped by the Captain of the Guard ”Your Highness, I heard about the attack, is everything alright?”

“Yes, Captain Iron Hoof, I am unharmed.” He looked down, just for a fraction, but I still noticed. He probably wanted to say, that that wasn't his question. If we were not surrounded by a whole brigade of guards, which had formed around me in response to the news of the attack, he probably would have.

“Very well, your Highness.” He bowed deep. “I will head the investigation myself.” Another bow, he left and I went into my room.

I sat down on my bed and tried to relax, but my thoughts, while a bit more ordered now, were still whirling around that Earth Pony. Solar Tyranny? My eyes drifted to an ancient

His battlecry rang inside my head and I realized something. I had heard a lot of battle cries in my long life. The stampeding roars of the buffaloes, the barking of the dogs of war, the bellowing warchants of the minotaurs and sadly even the warcries of my little ponies. But this one, it lacked conviction. Something was wrong here.

My thoughts were interrupted by some rather forceful knocks on my door. I got up and walked towards the door. “Yes?” In hindsight, I should have been more careful, especially considering the prior attack. I never even saw the projectile that slammed into me.

“Princess Celestia, are you alright. I came as soon as I could. Is there anything I can do. When ...” I stopped little Twilight's questions with a gentle hoof over her mouth.

“I am fine, my faithful student.” She looked at me with honest worry in her eyes, making me feel better and slightly stupid for my earlier thoughts. I took a quick glance at my clock. “You are quite early for your lesson.”

She blushed a little and became rather interested in her hooves “I came a soon as Captain Iron Hoof told me what happened.”

I guess I should have a word with the good captain about what is suitable to discuss with a small filly.

Yet I couldn't deny that Twilight's presence made me feel better about myself. I gently returned the hug of my most faithful student. “Thank you, Twilight, I am feeling better. Now, since you are here already, why don't we start you lesson early.” Her happy smile almost threatened to split her face apart and it lifted my spirits too.

Even if the mystery of the attacker remained, it could wait until after Twilight's Lesson.