Chapters It was another regular day in Ponyville, as Princess Celestia's sun shined brightly. Princess Twilight walked down the path leading to Sugar Cube Corner, for another one of Pinkie Pie's parties. Just as she neared Sugar Cube Corner, what she saw made her stop in her tracks. A figure, standing near a shallow well, was gazing in her direction. Twilight could see this figure was wearing a cloak, so it was impossible to see it's features.
"Hello?" Twilight called out, unsure. The pony simply stared at her. " Who are you? " Twilight called again, this time in a slightly louder voice. "Twilight Sparkle?" The pony called back, her voice hoarse.
"Um.. Yes, that's me." Twilight replied going nearer to the cloaked pony. The pony went closer, and Twilight found out she was a mare. " What business do you have here? "
" I must deliver a message to Princesses Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and Cadence. " said the mare. " I take it you are Princess Twilight?"
" Yes, I am, and I would gladly take you to the Princesses, but I need to know identification first. " said Twilight firmly
" I hope Pinkie won't be to mad... " Twilight thought, as she remembered the party she was going to.
" I am afraid I cannot tell you my identity, Princess. " said the mare, bowing slightly. " would you please take me to see the Princesses? "
Twilight thought a little bit about it. She had just met this mare, but she seemed trustworthy enough. A nagging voice at the back of her brain told her she was making a great mistake, but she paid no attention to it.
"Ok, I will take you to see the Princesses, and deliver your message." Twilight said finally.
" Excellent... " said the mare, and though Twilight could not see, a small smile had curved on her lips.
When Twilight and the mare arrived in Canterlot, they went to Celestia's castle, where Luna, Cadence, and Celestia were at the time. When they arrived, the Princesses were most surprised to see Twilight and the mare, who wrapped her cloak tighter around herself.
"Twilight!" Exclaimed Cadence, hugging her.
"Fair greetings, Twilight" said Princess Luna, standing half concealed in the shadows.
"What brings you here Twilight?" asked Celestia. "I thought you were to stay in Ponyville tonight?"
"Well, I was , but then..." Twilight broke off, staring at the cloaked mare. The Princesses turned their attention onto the mare, who was standing in the doorway, waiting. When the mare saw she had attracted the Princesses attention, she sank low into a bow.
'' Your Highnesses, it is truly an honor'' said the mare, rising from her bow.
''Er..who is this?'' asked Luna, as she came out of the shadows and eyed the mare.
''Now ,Luna, don't be rude.'' said Celestia sternly.
''Oh no, its perfectly fine, she does not know me, she has the right to be suspicious.'' said the mare, as if this was something that happened everyday.
'' Um.. so this is...um... i never really got your name ....'' Twilight said.
'' Oh, just call me Rose.'' said the mare, her face still covered from the Princesses.
'' Ok Miss. Rose,'' said Celestia, '' Why have you come here?''
''Well, she says she needs to deliver a message..'' Twilight began.
'' A MESSAGE?'' Luna burst out, '' THOU HAS COME ALL THIS WAY FOR A MESSAGE?! ''
''LUNA!'' shrieked back Celestia, her emerald eyes burning, '' CONTROL YOURSELF!!''
Luna took deep breaths after Celestia's outburst, still glaring at Twilight and Rose, who were standing as though glued to the floor.
'' Aunt Luna? '' asked Cadence, speaking after a long time, '' Are you alright?'' she said, approaching Luna slowly, as if she expected her to blow up at any moment.
'' I'm fine'' said Luna, a bit harshly, still glaring at Rose and Twilight.
'' Good.'' said Celestia, ''Now that we got that settled," she turned to Rose, " What is the message you need to be delivered?"
Rose took a deep breath, " Listen closely, because it will only be repeated once." She said, "Inside the forest green, a creature awaits, big and mean. If you approach this creature, it's secrets revealed, the power of them, you shall wield. " she finished. Celestia was staring blankly ahead, so were Cadence, Twilight, and Luna. Twilight was still trying to make sense of it all. Cadence thought that she had not heard correctly, and Luna and Celestia were repeating the message to themselves. Rose have a hidden smile under her hood, and sank into a bow again. "Well, thank you your Majesties, for this wonderful audience. If you excuse me, I must go." said Rose, turning hoof towards the door.
"Now, wait just a second." said Cadence, a puzzled expression still on her face.
"Yes your majesty?" said Rose, turning back around.
"You still haven't told us where that message came from."
"Oh.. it.. Um..." said Rose, starting to panicked a little bit. Suddenly, she turned again and ran straight out the door. Realizing what was happening, the Princesses followed in pursuit. Rose ran, and ran, until her hooves got so tired of running, she collapsed. The Princesses found the mare in a few moments, and the expression on their faces was murderous.
"Uh oh.." Rose whispered, before passing out completely.
The first thing Rose felt as she regained consciousness, was that she was lying on something soft. When she dared open her eyes, she saw that she was lying on a bed with silk sheets. Wondering how she had gotten there, she sat up a little. Then, she was able to take in her surroundings better. She realized she was in a white and golden room, that was decorated with a desk and chair. On a hook nearby, she realized her cloak was hooked on top of it. As the realization crashed over her, what the Princesses must have found out, a voice next to her made her jump.
"I see you are now awake." said Princess Celestia, who was sitting on a pillow on the floor, next to the bed Rose was upon.
"H-how.." Rose stammered.
"Well, you had passed out, so we brought you here, and-" began Cadence, who just entered, but was interrupted by Luna, who rudely pushed her way in front of Cadence.
"THOU HAD HIDDEN MANY SECRETS, BUT WE HAVE DISCOVERED THOU'S GREATEST!" she said in the Canterlot Royal Voice.
"Lulu, please." Said Celestia patiently.
"Princess Celestia?" said Twilight, poking her head through the door, " I analyzed the fur and feather.."
"Wonderful Twilight, what did you find?" asked Celestia. Twilight stayed in silence, biting her lip.
"So it is true.." said Celestia softly, staring at Rose. Everyone turned to face Rose, who blushed a deep crimson. Finally, she sighed.
"Yes, it's true.." Rose said, " I am an alicorn."
Everyone just stared, until Cadence broke the silence.
"But..how?" She asked. Rose sighed.
"Its a long story." She said, biting her lip.
"Well, it's wonderful thee has plenty of time." Luna snarled.
"Luna.." Celestia said, warning in her voice.
"It all begins with a unicorn called Star Swirl the Bearded..."
"Star Swirl the Bearded was wandering down a dirt path, when he came across a young unicorn filly. He felt sorrow for the filly, and took her in to be his adoptive daughter. She became his very first apprentice, and was very obedient. Then, one day, when Star Swirl and the filly were going to town, a unicorn stallion saw the filly, and thought she had made herself special in desires to get in with Equestrian royalty. He attempted to take the filly down, resulting in a harsh battle with Star Swirl. Star Swirl suddenly charged a blast at the filly, who found herself with a pegusus wings the next moment. Star Swirl told the filly to flee, and she did, but not before hitting the stallion with a spell that made him rise up into the air, and fall back down. In relief, Star Swirl turned to the filly, only to find she was gone. He never saw her again, and she was never heard from since then. Star Swirl despaired in thoughts for the filly, and what became of her. But, before he passed on, strange sightings of a mysterious pony in a black hooded cloak began appearing all over Equestria, and Star Swirl was happy knowing she had survived. " Rose finished her story with a few tears falling down her muzzle. The Princesses were just staring at her, Cadence and Twilight with tears falling down their muzzle.
"So, there you have it.." said Rose, watching them.
" Rose..." began Twilight, her voice slightly watery.
" Please don't Princess Twilight." said Rose, with a sad smile on her face. "Any comfort that could've been given to me is long gone."
" we're you really Star Swirls daughter?" Asked Luna, with a twinge of surprise and awe on her face.
"Yes, but I was his adoptive daughter, not his real one." replied Rose.
" you do know what this means right? " said Celestia, her eyes wide.
" what?" Said Rose, a confused expression on her face.
"You will become a Princess." whispered Celestia, awe on her face.
Rose was anxiously awaiting for the Princesses outside the royal hall. They had told her to wait here while they had a meeting, considering what was going to happen to Rose, now that they had found out she was an alicorn. She placed back and forth in front of the door, waiting. After a few minutes, the door burst open, and the Princesses stepped outside. Rose waited for whatever they were going to say. They all stared at each other for a moment, before Celestia broke the silence.
'' Rose?'' she said, staring down at her.
Rose gulped. '' Y-yes?''
" We have decided..." Celestia continued, pausing for a moment. Rose bit her lip. "We have decided you will be crowned Princess." She said, with a smile upon her face, as she saw Rose's tense eyes fill up with excitement.
" Yay!!" Rose exclaimed happily, a relaxed smile upon her face. But then it fell. " But, Princess, won't ponies wonder where the hay i came from? If they found out.." Her face looked now scared.
Celestia smiled. "Don't worry. Me and Luna have found a perfect back story for you." she said.
A few days passed, and Rose's coronation day finally came. Ponies did indeed wonder where the hay she came from, but seeing as she seemed the lovable type, kind, funny,and adventurous, they relaxed at seeing her crowned. She was said to be found by Celestia herself, as the princess was strolling around Equestria. Soon, rumors that she had been born an alicorn spread, and she was no longer doubted by ponies. As the ponies were waiting for the ceremony to start, a very nervous Celestia came to where Rose was getting ready. When she got there, she lightly knocked on the door.
'' Rose?'' Celestia said, opening the door and stepping inside.
'' Oh! Hello Princess Celestia!'' said Rose happily, as she saw the Princess entering. Rose had now gotten used to living in the palace, since she had not a real home. "Princess? Is something troubling you?" she asked, for Celestia looked nervous and sad at the same time.
"Oh, it's just that.." Celestia smiled and continued," you remind me of myself when I was a filly. We share the same enthusiasm."
" Your Majesty!" said a royal guard suddenly, approaching at the door.
"Yes?" replied Celestia, turning to face the guard.
"Your Majesty, the crowds are getting impatient. Some demand the ceremony begin immediately." he said, a look of disbelief and annoyance on his face. Celestia turned to the hoofmaiden near the wall.
" Are we ready?" She asked the maiden.
" Yes your highness, the ceremony can begin." She replied.
" Good." Celestia said, " Rose, are you ready?"
Rose gulped. " Yes Princess, I'm ready."
Celestia nodded and both stepped out onto the long hallway. Rose then made her way to the front of the main royal hall, while Celestia had to go to the center of the hall.
" Fillies and Gentelcolts, we are gathered here today to present a new Princess, somepony who just came out of the blue " she glanced at the other Princesses next to her before continuing. " And with that said, i am proud to present.." the doors flung open, " Princess Rose!
Rose nervously walked down the aisle toward where Celestia and the other Princesses were standing. She had a very happy and nervous smiles on her face, something the Princesses had not seen her expression show before. As Rose walked down the aisle, she saw something that nearly made her stop in her tracks. The stallion. The same stallion who had tried to attack Rose when she was a filly. What's worse, the stallion saw her too, and Rose did not like the expression on his face. However, Rose continued walking. She would tell Celestia about him later. When Rose reached the aisle, it was Luna who spoke.
" Now, before we crown Princess Rose, is there anyone who objects?" she said. There was silence for a moment. Then, something happened that had never before happened.
" I object!" said a stallions voice. Everyone gasped and turned to where the voice was issuing from. The Princesses just stared at him in disbelief. The stallion then smiled mischievous.
"Thou... objects?" asked Luna in disbelief, her eyes huge.
"Why yes, didn't you ask who objects?" said the stallion, his smile still on his face.
"Yes, we did but we...." said Luna.
"You didn't expect anybody to object." said Rose angrily, stepping up, " But Enton is not a regular pony.."
" Rose! Little filly, it's so good to see you again." the stallion said, still smiling.
" Dont be cheeky Enton. Why are you here?" growled Rose, as she narrowed her eyes.
"Why, I just wanted to see your" he laughed a little, " wonderful coronation."
" I know all my subjects names, but I am not aware of you Mr.Enton" said Celestia, with narrowed eyes.
"Oh of course you haven't heard of me." said Enton, staring up at the Princess, "but now sadly, I must do this."
"Do.. what?" said Cadence, speaking for the first time.
Enton suddenly shot a magical blast out of his grey horn, and it hit Rose directly over her heart. She shrieked and fell to the floor. It was on. Luna and Celestia looked murderous, and conjured shields for almost everypony in the room.
" CITIZENS OF EQUESTRIA, EVACUATE AT ONCE! " said Celestia in the Royal Canterlot voice. It was a scandal. Ponies running everywhere, Cadence next to Rose, who lay on the ground, not moving. Celestia and Luna still making shields for the last ponies in the room, and when everybody had evacuated, they focused on shooting spells at Enton. It was proving to be much harder then it sounds. Enton was clearly an agile unicorn. He gracefully teleported and dodged every spell the Princesses shot at him. He shot some of his own, and one hit Luna, who gave a small whimper of pain as blood poured out from the open wound.
"ENOUGH" screamed Celestia, and she trapped Enton in a magical bubble, which he was unsuccessful to get out of. "Now, Enton." She said, eyes burning with fury.
"Ooooh, what are you going to do now, Princess ?" he asked playfully, eyeing her.
Celestia leaned in closer to him, and said in a deadly whisper, "You'll see..."
Enton was walked down the narrow hallway by two, stony-faced guards. He tried talking to them on the way, but they did not respond. Enton knew where he was being led. Rose had sentenced him to death. He was basically walking to a Death trap. He could not let this happen. Things were not meant to turn out this way. He had to get out of this....... Enton suddenly stopped walking. The guards tried pushing him, but he remained rooted to the spot.
"Hey!" Said a guard. "Walk, you!" Enton shook his head. Then he suddenly head-butted the guard, who bound him in invisible ropes. Enton squirmed, and eventually managed to kick the guard in the shin. The guard stumbled, but didn't fall. Enton had an advantage, because he couldn't be knocked unconscious. He had to be sentenced to death alive, of course. Enton kicked the other guard, who let go of him. Then he ran down the hall, and into the courtyard, where hundreds of ponies were. Near the middle were Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Rose. They had seen him. Rose growled in anger and flew towards him. She landed directly in front of him, and ponies made a gap where she could face Enton. Nopony moved. Nopony spoke.
"Hello Princess. Nice day, huh?" Enton said, smiling.
Rose growled. "You are aware you are standing in a courtyard with a noose on the center, no?" She asked. "Or 's your mind so incapable of thinking that, Enton." She spat at him.
"Oh no Princess. I have come with a request." Enton said, still smiling.
Rose was taken aback by this. "A request?"
Enton took a deep breath. "Swirl never died. He transformed. I know who he is. He looks for you. I can take you to him."
"S-swirl....." Rose held back tears.
Enton smiled. "Rose, darling, you know you want him. I can take you to him...come with me...."
Rose looked as if, for a moment, she was going to accept, but she apparently thought better of it. "I would never go with you, if it was a life or death choice."
Enton grinned. "I guess you're never going to see Swirl again..."
A single tear flowed down Rose's cheek.
Celestia and Luna flew there. "Thou best be escorted to.." Luna gestured toward the noose.
Enton shook his head. "Nope, sorry Princess." He took off running, which caught the princesses by surprise. The ponies, out of fear, parted to let him pass. Enton made it out of the courtyard, but by then the Princesses were on his tail. Enton turned, and out of fear and satisfaction, produced the most powerful spell the Princesses had ever seen. It created roaring black flames that swallowed the Princesses long enough for Enton to escape. The last thing he heard, Rose's shout....
I swear to Celestia, I will find you Enton!!!!
Enton groaned. The last thing he remembered was going out cold when Princess Celestia captured him in that magical bubble. He thought to himself, 'Well, at least i wont have to suffer banishment. ' Then heard the sound of hooves clopping on the cold stone floor of what he now realized was a prison cell. He sat up straight and smiled as he waited for the pony to appear. Shortly after, it was not Celestia, nor Luna who appeared. It was Rose. She had one bandage near her wing, and winced slightly with every step. Still, she surveyed Enton with much dislike on her face.
"What do you have to say for yourself, Enton?" she asked, with as much courage and command she could muster, but Enton could tell she was afraid.
"What I have to say is...Princess, I never knew you had such a beautiful mane." said Enton, eyeing her purple mane.
"I would've thought you had seen enough of me that day you attacked Star Swirl." Rose spat.
Enton tilted his head playfully. "Well, I must say I was more paying attention to Swirl more than-" he began. But by the Rose had already walked to the door, and burst through it with tears swimming in her eyes. Enton just sat there, knowing soon, he would know of his fate.
* * *
Rose ran back up to the room where the other Princesses were waiting, but when she stepped inside she found she could go on no longer. She collapsed onto the floor in a heap of tears, crying as memories of Star Swirl and that sweet little filly reached her mind. Princess Celestia seemed to figure out what was happening, and took her wing and wrapped it across Rose. It truly was very warm in there...
"Rose...What did he say?" asked Celestia, still hugging Rose.
" H-he sa-said..he t-talked about St-Star Swirl..." was all Rose could say, before a fresh wave of tears came over her. By then, the other Princesses had walked over, and sat down with Rose and Celestia. They were in silence for a minute, only Roses sobs filled the air.
"Shh, Rose, it's ok..." crooner Celestia, her wing still wrapped around Rose. "Have you decided his fate yet?"
Rose's expression was stony." I've decided.......he must die.... "
