Long Live The Princess
Chapter 1 – Ascension
A burning sensation scalded Twilight’s throat and nose as she knocked back the glass of whiskey. She came up spluttering, the drink was not a familiar one -- not to a tongue accustomed to the mild wines and ciders of social gathers and luncheons. Yet, as the liquid fire dived into her stomach and set alight her insides, warming her and steadying her nerves, Twilight knew she would need the liquid courage for this day. It was an honor, a momentous occasion. Everyone was so proud, so inspired, or at least that's what she had been told. She knew better though, as she had witnessed the scornful looks, the sneers barely hidden behind a hoof or a napkin, the whispers of the envious lords, the tittering of the elite. Outsider they called Twilight, not born to the blood yet the command of the Two said otherwise. By imperial decree she, Twilight Sparkle, would be adorned as a noble lady of Equestria with all its rights and privileges and would be given lordship over Ponyville and it's associated territories.
Twilight’s breath caught in her throat, her heart a flutter with heavy thumps as a weight settled in her stomach, like she had swallowed a ball of lead. A shiver of anxiety caused Twilight to press her forehead against the nightstand, the pressure bordering on pain grounded her for just a moment. Just long enough to grip the bottle by way of magic and shakily poured herself another glass. Her trembling translated to nearly spilling the glass as she shakily downed it. The fire entered her and did away with the shaking, melting the lead ball inside of her. 'Twas a small comfort, temporary perhaps, but there were precious few other options.
Righting herself, Twilight poured another drink, taking a moment to inspect the bottle. Imperial Reserve, distilling since 1780, triple distilled, matured and bottled in Trottingham. A drink fit for a Princess, or in this case, a lady.
“How did it come to this?” Twilight spoke aloud, with only the walls to listen to her. She knocked back another drink, the foul stuff nearly turned her stomach.
Twilight recalled when Celestia had come to her with this. Tt had been seven years since Tirek had risen, five years since she had wielded the power of all the gods. She had a hard time recalling her battle with the demon, but she was told that it was a spectacle to witness. Yet all Twilight recalled was burning fire, her horn sparking painfully, and flashes of light. Many things had changed since that day, many things had come and gone.
“You shall be Lady Twilight of House Sparkle, and I shall grant you lordship over Ponyville,” Celestia had said onto her, after summoning Twilight to Canterlot.
“M-me? A noble lady? In Ponyville?” Twilight had stuttered, overwhelmed by the prospect. “But… I'm already a Princess! A-and that territory has been coveted by the neighboring lords since it was settled! They’ll take my ascension as an affront to their authority.”
“Exactly!” Celestia stated, looking down upon Twilight with an unreadable expression. “Too long have these lords of broken and false houses stood against me, plotted and conspired against my every move. They have denied the divine right of the Alicorns, and that is where you enter in my dear Twilight.”
“I don't understand,” Twilight said nervously.
“Then allow me to simplify it,” Celestia said harshly under the guise of gentleness. “I don't trust half of these noble lords, the other half may be plotting against me anyway. However, to act against them directly would provoke them, and for all their petty squabbling they shall band together like a pack of wolves should they feel I am overstepping what they believe to be the boundary of my authority. I would like to have you enter this game of theirs as a new player -- you shall be my light in the dark, you shall work within, gain support, allies, and challenge those whom would look to me in envy. You shall be my agent, so that I may defeat their plots and not have the crown blamed for breaking them.”
“So... You’re shifting blame, painting a target on my head rather than your own!?” Twilight exclaimed, her anger sparking suddenly and burning bright. What betrayal was this? “Will they not come for me? What then? Would they not blame you when your soldiers rise to my defense?”
“My soldiers would not come,” Celestia said with such cool cruelty, a blade that cut deep into Twilight’s heart and threatened to spill moisture from her eyes. “You shall stand alone, unbridled against the fury of these lords, and you must not yield. Your motivation is your life, do not take my decision lightly, for I would not do this if I believed you would fail. Consider this a lesson in how to rule. You are a princess now and the time will come for you to take up the responsibility and all in which that title implies. By comparison a lordship is small and irrelevant, but shall serve as a suitable test of your ability to rule.”
“I suppose I don't truly have a choice?” Twilight asked bitterly through clenched teeth. The pain of being tossed into this by one whom she trusted was great indeed.
“No,” Celestia had said expressionlessly. “I suppose you don't.”
“A test indeed,” Twilight spat to no one, returning her mind to the present as she poured another drink. This one she sipped away at as she grew more accustomed to the flavor and the sting of the drink.
Twilight glanced at a nearby mirror, noting how the servants had adorned her lavishly. She wore a long flowing dress of deep purple just a shade darker than her fur. The silk hugged her form just enough to tantalize the minds of stallions, but not too much as to leave her without shame. Around her was a silver choker embedded with black opals, with more black opals studding her ears from base to tip. Her face had minimal makeup, only some gloss to her lips and black eyeliner adding intensity to her eyes. Her mane and tail had been brushed to a shine and her mane had been styled to one side with a hairpin in the shape of a star holding it in place. She looked noble, regal, a lady... A princess.
‘Twas all a shame, a show for the masses. She was the favored thespian.
Next to the mirror lay a tall kite shield, wooded panels coated over in thick steel upon the sigil of what would soon be House Sparkle was painted. A deep purple field in which a single six pointed star lay, not unlike Twilight’s mark. Next to the shield was a carefully folded banner that also bore the sigil. These were the only gifts that would come from Celestia, the banner and shield of a false house.
A knock would soon come to Twilight’s door, and as she knocked back the final glass of what was swiftly was becoming Twilight’s favored drink, she answered the door to Celestias servants. The time had come. Twilight’s own servants carried the sigil-born shield as she walked the grand hall. Whatever doubts, whatever the anxiety that plagued her, she mustn't show weakness, for these high lords would sniff it like a dog tracking meat. She would appear strong and proud, like the lady they wanted to see. Her head held high and her posture straight as she entered through the huge double doors to the place of her ascension, the grand hall, where a thousand oaths worn by lords and ladies most noble echoed. On either side of the aisle is where they stood, the nobility of the court. Sons of small Canterlot housings, merchants whom paid their way here, nameless knights of minor deeds, and smaller houses of lesser sons. Then again, the strength of a wolf is the pack, not its title.
None were overly pleased to be there, nor to look upon Twilight as she strode pass in all her regality and splendour. Some looked completely livid while others masked their distaste well. Twilight thought for a moment, fleetingly, that she spotted Rarity amongst them. Carrying one of the few smiles within the crowd, but it could be a trick of the mind augmented by the whiskey. Twilight looked at none of them. In this moment she was above all of them and they meant nothing to her. Their pettiness could not reach her.
The Two Princesses stood at the end of the hall upon their twin thrones. Celestia wore her usual smile that Twilight had learned was a plastered mask. Luna was expressionless, save for a slight stern crease to her brow. However, what stirred her anger was unknown. The din and whispers of the crowd quieted swiftly as Celestia and Luna stood.
“It is on this day that we honor a great servant of the crown and of the realm,” Celestia said with practiced tones.
“It is our will that our loyal servant, Twilight Sparkle, be granted the title of noble lady and given governance over the holdfast of Oathtree with its attendant lands and incomes,” Luna said with clipped tones. Oathtree was Twilight’s castle in Ponyville. “That her children and her children's descendants shall hold these honors after her, and until the end of time.” The whispers and murmurs sprouted up again, for as an Alicorn Twilight was immortal by all means, she would not pass by virtue of time, so the sentiment that her holdings be passed to her children following her passing was a rather moot one. She was a lord eternal.
“Are there any whom would to themselves honor by pledging their fealty to this new and noble house?” Celestia asked the crowd.
Twilight knew there were some, another one of the few gifts Celestia would give. She had sought out members of the guard whom would be willing to pledge themselves to the new lady. Thankfully there had been a few good stallions willing to answer the call.
“I shall,” A voice called from the crowd. A middle-aged stallion stepped forward. “Day Break of Fey.”
“And I, Wind Rider of the Stormclouds, pledge my sword and the swords of those who follow me.”
“And I, White Sand of the Red Rocks. I pledged myself and my men.”
There was a pause where they waited for more even though Twilight knew there weren't any. She heard Celestia take a breath to speak again but just in that moment a voice called out.
“I too pledge my sword,” a familiar scratchy voice called out and in a flurry of color, Rainbow Dash emerged from the crowd. She wore a simple iron breastplate, greaves, and gauntlets. A simple longsword hung under a cloak which was worn from travel. Yet it was her face that Twilight studied. Her hair had been cut short, and she sported a few more scars then the last time Twilight had seen her. Yet it was her eyes, where the last time Twilight had seen Rainbow, those eyes had been withdrawn, empty, naught for the fire of determination.
The years had been hard on Rainbow Dash and the world. Tensions had risen and come to open conflict between Equestria and the Gryphon Kingdom, resulting in a relatively short but extremely damaging and costly war. When the throne had called upon the lords of Equestria, to pledge their swords to the defense of their home they hesitated, and they stalled. Equestria was without the majority of her armies, so seeking a solution Celestia pushed for conscription, and the re-militarization of the Wonderbolts. Gone were the days of fanciful and awe-inspiring air shows for children and adults alike. The Wonderbolts dominated the skies, the airborne sword of the imperial crown. Rainbow Dash had been amongst them.
Last time Twilight had seen Rainbow Dash was when her friend had been on leave just half a year after the war had ended, three years ago from the present. She had been unharmed save for a few scars here and there. Yet, the most notable change had been her manner. Granted, she spoke when needed but often without the energy and warmth of old. At times she would often stare into nothing with a stricken look upon her face. Perhaps her mind was back in those skies raining blood. Rainbow had gone back into service after that, refusing to return home on leave, and replying to letters with only curt and to the point responses. And yet here she was, pledging her sword to Twilight.
Twilight stared at Rainbow Dash’s face for a good long while, trying to goad anything from her face, but the gaze was iron. The questions that rose from within Twilight’s mind would have to wait to be asked at a later date. Twilight turned back to look at Celestia, whom seemed to also be studying Rainbow Dash as well. Twilight could've sworn she saw contempt flash in her eyes. Celestia then looked at Luna whom to Twilight’s confusion suddenly looked very pleased.
“Very well,” Celestia said after a long pause. “Do you, Lady Twilight, accept these brave souls into your service?”
“I shall,” Twilight answered, regaining her focus to the front. “I accept their hearts, their spirits, and their bodies into my service. I swear by my newfound titles to treat them with fairness and to honor them as deserved.”
“Thus, by decree of I, Celestia of the Eternal Sun.”
“And I, Luna of the Holy Moon.”
“We declare you, Lady Twilight Sparkle of Oathtree. May your reign be long and prosperous,” Celestia declared. “Hail! Twilight!”
“Hail Twilight!” The crowd chanted back, sounding more like they wanted Twilight’s head than anything else.
“Hail Twilight!”
“Hail Twilight!”
“Hail Twilight!”
