Redux: Lineage

The day of our adventure arrived, with all four of us standing in front of the three Equestrian thrones, ready to be given our send-off. The three Alicorn were sat, each dressed in formal attire and sitting up straight and rigid in their large thrones, waiting for the time to strike midday, as was custom with this Rite... apparently.

"Is small talk allowed?" I asked anyone. "Because it's not noon for another five minutes and this is really awkward."

"I agree," Luna said, adjusting the collar of her dress and toying with the large ponytail she'd been forced to have, fidgeting with several lips and hairpins at the back. "It's made even worse by the fact I need to wear this stupid get-up."

Celestia rolled her eyes, crossing a leg over her knee and lounging back, sighing in relief as she did so.

"It's a formality," Celestia said. "And it's only for a while."

"Formality is the word that turns a party into a function," Luna growled. "And that makes it shit."

"I can attest to that," Annerose nodded.

"Good girl," Luna said with a wink, pointing at Annerose with a smirk.

"So what prompted a dragon?" Zane asked, cutting through the conversation. "They're not usually high on the hit list for people."

"He has a point," Grael nodded, looking between the Alicorn. "They're as intelligent, if not more so, than we are, have their own rules and hierarchy, and follow them quite well. Why do we need to go kill this one?"

"She's gone rogue," Celestia answered. "Broken as many of her kind's laws as she could, has been exiled from her clan, even been disowned by her own family, from what I heard."

"She have a name?" I asked, crossing my arms and cocking an eyebrow.

"Heimili," Luna answered.

"Was there a reason to keep that a secret?" Zane questioned. "Dragon's aren't like your Bloaters or your Conjoined. They're sentient beings that are considered practically human in terms of rights. Would nobody raise a stink about us just going out and killing one?"

"I imagine they would," Luna nodded. "That's why I avoided selecting one that wasn't needlessly murdering humans."

"You didn't mention that before," Annerose said with a raised finger. "Wasn't it important enough to tell us?"

"Did you view it as important enough to ask?" she responded. "Honestly, I was quite disappointed that none of you immediately asked about the what and the why of the situation. You're obviously asking why now, but it seems a little late, no? A king and his men should know why they're fighting an enemy before signalling the charge. Try to ask more questions next time, rather than blindly agree to something."

Celestia chuckled quietly to herself, her eyes moving to the large clock built into the wall above the entrance to the throne room, seeing it strike twelve. She cleared her throat, Luna falling silent, and the eldest Alicorn got to her feet, walking down the small row of steps and standing in front of me, hands behind her back and eyes forward.

"There is usually a speech recited during this ceremony that speaks of the duty, honour, and nobility of our race. It tells of our need to protect and safeguard those who cannot do so themselves, and how we alone were trusted with the task of ensuring the safety of this world and its inhabitants from all threats, otherwordly or not," Celestia said in a serious tone.

There was a long moment of silence, all four of us stood at attention as we waited for her to continue, the clock ticking loudly behind us before Celestia dropped her serious stature, her warm, loving eyes lowering down to my level, and she cocked her head with a beautiful, heart-warming smile as she placed both of her hands on my shoulders.

"But I believe that I'll receive no scolding from our High King if I skip the dreary old thing, move onto the more pleasant speech, and just tell you how proud I am to see you step up to your responsibilities," she continued, the other two Alicorn smiling to each other as they got out of their chairs, and walking down to me.

"We've been by your side every step of your life, training and preparing you for today," Celestia spoke. "Equipping you with incredible skills-"

She cast her eyes to the three behind me and nodded in a thankful manner.

"-and even more incredible companions," she finished, looking back at me. "Today is the day you, all of you, set out to leave your marks on this world, and to write a new chapter in the history books of the world you're destined to change. Keep your hearts warm, your minds strong, and your bonds stronger, as together, there isn't a challenge in this world you cannot rise to."

Luna stepped forward at this point, placing a hand on my back and smiling at me, taking over the role of the speech from her sister.

"And while we've all seen you struggle, we know deep down that every hardship and failure you've endured has only served to make you stronger, a notch in your belt that you can wear with dignity and grace now that you've learned from every one of them," she said, speaking loud and clear. "Your skill and wit will make you stronger than any foe, and the might you four possess will make even the mightiest of armies tremble in fear."

Cadance now took over, placing her hand on the other side of my back, gently rubbing circles as she spoke.

"And while your fights may be hard, it is the bond between your friends and family, the love you all share for one another, that will give you the fortitude to strive ever onwards, be it through the hardest days and the darkest nights, you all grant each other the strength to be unbeatable," she said, smiling sweetly at me, tearing up slightly as she looked me over once more, all three of them stepping forward and embracing me in a warm, loving manner.

"Walk Tall, My Son," the three of them said in unison. "And May You Never Look Back In Sorrow."