Young Again

Young Again
By GaryTheGriffon

It was a normal morning In Canterlot for the princess of the sun. She was scheduled to meet with dignitaries from Griffonstone to discuss subsidies for the poor nation. Celestia may have been a princess of ponies, but she still felt guilt when she saw the state the griffons were living in.

They live in squalor while my subjects and I live in paradise.

She shook her head and turned her attention back to the official documents in her magic’s grasp. Paperwork wasn’t her favorite thing to do; in fact, it was her least favorite part of being a monarch. But there was a reason behind this most boring of tasks, for it was through paper and quill that she ruled Equestria.

Celestia furled the scroll and gave it to the earth pony mare waiting patiently by the throne.

“Here is revised budget for Hoofington. Tell them that I expect an answer by next week.” The mare took the scroll in her teeth, bowed and left the throne room.

“Proper Conduct?” she asked a unicorn buck near the throne. He was just one of many servants that she had at her disposal at all times. He bowed low and replied

“Yes Princess, how may I be of assistance?”

“Could you send word to the kitchens, and have them send some tea please?”

“Of course, your Majesty.” He said with another bow. Celestia smiled and thanked him. She sometimes grew tired of the way ponies always curtsied to her, but it was something she had grown used to.

Being the ruler of Equestria for more than a thousand years, it was something she had to get used to it.

While she waited for her tea Celestia was subjected to another half dozen tax forms. The delegates of Equestria’s cities were always arguing about which of their cities deserved the most gold from the monarchy, and it was Celestia’s duty to approve each budget by hoof. Celestia closed her eyes and groaned inwardly. Ten more hours, just ten more hours.

One advantage of controlling the sun was that Celestia always knew the time of day. The disadvantage was that she was aware of every minute as it passed by, seemingly slowing her work day to a crawl. Though she loved the day and the warmth it brought she relished the privacy and peace of mind that came when the day was done. She planned on reading a fiction novel that Twilight Sparkle recommended, that night, and maybe even have a cake sent from the kitchens.

Celestia’s mouth watered at the thought of the delightful confection.

“Your Majesty?” Proper Conduct said timidly, snapping Celestia out of her reverie. “I have your tea.”

“Thank you, Proper.” The stallion held a platter with a pot, teacups, a bowl of sugar and several colorful pastries. “Oh Proper. You always deliver don’t you?” she said with her kind and motherly voice. He flushed and stammered something about it being no trouble.

“Do take your morning break, Proper. I won’t be needing anything for the time being.”

“Are you certain Princess?” he asked.

“I am. And please tell the guards not to disturb me for the next hour and a half. These scrolls are a little more tedious than usual.” Celestia planned to finish the scrolls within half an hour, then relax her frayed nerves and nurse the headache that was beginning to form.

“Your wish is my command, Princess.” He bowed and informed the Royal Guard in the throne room of their ruler’s order. The half dozen stallions in golden armor followed Proper Conduct out the mane doors of the throne room; closing them carefully behind them as they did so.

“Finally.” Celestia put the financial documents down in favor of the tray of sweets before her. Pastries had always been her greatest weakness and she knew it wasn’t the healthiest of habits; but right now she pushed it from her mind and dug into the treats with a vigor she rarely displayed. I’ll have to give Gustav a raise. He really outdid himself this time! Celestia thought happily as she sampled the master pastry chef’s confections. She even grabbed a spare scroll to write an official notice to the castle head of staff.

Once she finished the pastries she returned to the official documents. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “I almost forgot.” Her horn glowed gold as she lifted her cup of tea off its saucer. She inhaled the heavenly aroma, and then sighed deeply. Daisy, honey and a hint of mint. She licked her lips and took her first sip…

The teacup shattered on the floor of the throne room, splashing the hot tea and pieces of ceramic over the scrolls.

***********************
“Spike!” Twilight called to her faithful assistant. She was sitting on her throne in front of the magical map of Equestria. Rainbow Dash and Applejack just left for Appleloosa an hour earlier, Pinkie Pie and Rarity went to the Crystal Empire, while she was left alone in Ponyville. She went to Fluttershy’s cottage only to find out from a mail pony that she had to rush to Cloudsdale for the opening of her brother’s hair salon.

“Yes Twilight?” the little purple dragon with green spikes came into the room, holding several scrolls in his arms.

“Is Starlight back yet?”

“Twilight, you know Trixie’s tour doesn’t end for another three days.” He said tiredly. Twilight had called him into the room every couple hours to ask this, he knew that she just missed Starlight and wasn’t exactly pleased that she was doing a traveling show with Trixie of all ponies, but he was getting tired of it. “Twilight, you shouldn’t be sitting in here waiting for the map to tell you to do something. Why don’t we go to Canterlot and see Moondancer?” Twilight opened her muzzle to retort but ended up saying nothing. She rubbed her muzzle. Maybe it would be good to get out of the castle. She smiled despite herself and Spike wrapped his arms around her in a comforting hug.

“That’s my girl. Should I pack a bag?”

“You know what? Yeah Spike. Pack a bag, we’re going to Canterlot!” the purple dragon smiled brightly and jogged towards the door; only to stop halfway and grab his stomach. “Spike, what’s wrong?” she asked, concerned. In response, Spike belched loudly, and a cloud of green smoke and fire accompanied by a scroll with a Royal seal erupted from his mouth.

“It’s a letter from Princess Luna.” Spike said, picking up the scroll and unfurling it.

“Dear Twilight Sparkle, I need you to travel to Canterlot immediately. I need assistance in a matter concerning my sister, and you are the only pony I can trust at the moment.
“I expect you in Canterlot within a day. If you do not arrive I will have to send the Royal Guard to escort you here. I urgently need your help.
Signed; Princess Luna of Equestria.”

Twilight’s reaction was exactly as Spike expected it would be. She cried put in panic, packed a few dozen books into her saddlebags, and then grabbed Spike with her magic before teleporting to straight to Canterlot.
Twilight dropped Spike unceremoniously on the floor of the throne room; Luna, upon seeing the two of them smiled. But she still didn’t look very happy. There were bags under her eyes, glowed brightly as she worked her magic.

“Oh thank the stars, Twilight Sparkle you’re here. While I am happy I wasn’t expecting until the next day.” Twilight rushed to the hoof of the throne.

“What’s wrong! Did Tirek escape again? Has Queen Chrysalis taken Princess Celestia? Have the changelings turned on us again? What if…?” Luna, in an unusual act of showing emotion scowled and shouted in her Canterlot voice.

“BE STILL!!!” Twilight stopped mid-sentence, her pupils shrinking to pinpricks. Luna took a moment to compose herself before speaking again.

“Twilight, I am happy to see you and Spike, but I have a terrible headache. We are not under attack, nopony has been harmed, and we are not at war with the changelings. I simply need your assistance with a spell.” She stood up from the throne and tiredly waved a hoof for Twilight to follow. Twilight, nonplussed by Luna’s lack of explanation looked to Spike for help. The little purple dragon shrugged and jogged to catch up with the night princess. Twilight followed the baby dragon then in turn, Princess Luna until she turned onto a spiral staircase. As Luna moved Twilight noticed that her movements were forced, as if this short trip through the castle was exhausting her. Twilight noticed that her horn was still glowing.

“Luna… are you alright?” she asked quietly. In response Luna sighed deeply, and shook her head.

“I’ll explain when we get there.” As they trotted down the hall, Twilight began to hear singing. It was a mare’s voice, sweet and vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place it; or the song the mare was singing. The singing grew louder and louder until Luna stopped at a simple wooden door. It was the room that Twilight stayed in when she visited Canterlot.
Luna threw the door open, unfurled her wings and flew into the room. Twilight followed close behind while Spike stood in the doorway, his mouth wide open.

“What the…?” he stammered.
Inside the room were two ponies. Or, one pony and a draconequus. Discord was floating above the bed in the corner, holding a book with a blue cover in his talons. He wore an amused expression on his muzzle as one of his eyes scanned the pages while the other watched the only pony in the room. She was a white coated mare with Pegasus wings, a unicorn horn and a flowing pink mane and tail. She wore headphones over her ears and the volume was cranked up loud enough that Twilight could hear it from the doorway. The alicorn mare was dancing vigorously and singing loudly while Luna watched her with an agitated expression, one of her eyelids twitching.

“You are so young, and you are so free! But you're aimless and I can't help but see!” Discord turned his gaze to Twilight and snickered.

“You know Twilight; I think dear Luna prefers Celestia when she’s not singing. Personally, I find it refreshing.”