Author's Note

Here ya go! Next chapter! And a super duper extreme deluxe extra special THANK YOU! to the extremely awesome, absolutely fantastic friends who helped me with alot of the content in this chapter! (And a super duper thank you to them for assistance with any chapters after this chapter!)

9. Meeting Royalty

Having thrown the doors wide open, I walked boldly inside, Bluebell so close she was all but running into me with each step. The Royal Sisters, along with Twilight, were of course, waiting. I stopped a few feet from them.

"Alright, we're here." I stated in a no nonsense tone. "Ready to chat."

Celestia looked slightly amused, while Luna arched an eyebrow at my somewhat bold behaviour. Twilight looked absolutely horrified, and moved to stand somewhat between me and the other two.

"My-my apologies, Princesses." She stammered out before looking at me in disbelief.

"What?" I asked, confused, while I heard an amused snicker from Cap.

"Are you crazy?!" Twilight demanded, looking ready to have some kind of stroke. "You're supposed to bow to them! Not just march in here like some...some..."

She sputtered, and couldn't finish. I blinked once as her words sank in.

"Well, you never told me that!" I said, frowning.

"It never crossed my mind that I would have to!" She retorted.

I rolled my eyes and bowed slightly to the two sisters...though it was more of an exaggerated nod than a bow.

"Fine. There. How's that?"

Twilight facehoofed so hard I was sure she was going to have a black eye later. A chuckle made me look at the other princesses. Celestia grinned at me.

"Do not concern yourself too much with that formality." She said, clearly amused. "Unlike my faithful former student here, I do not expect you to bow. You are not of this world, and you do not know our ways."

"True enough." I said in agreement, not missing an indignant sputtering noise from Twilight. "In my world, I'm not in the habit of bowing, since the chances of me meeting royalty are, well, very slim to pretty much non existant. Anyway, its nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all ours, I assure you. I am Celestia, a diarch of Equestria. I rule the day and move the sun. This is my sister, Luna. She rules the night, moves the moon, and visits ponies' dreams." Celestia smiled. "And of course you already know Twilight, Princess of Friendship, and Element of Magic."

"I'm Liz." I replied. "Your typical, average human dropped into Equestria. And that's Bluebell, she's traveling with me."

I pointed at my friend, who was intensely scrutinizing a stained glass window, apparently oblivious to the rest of us.

"Twilight has informed me you wish to find the one told about in the prophecy." Clestia gazed at me intently.

"I do." I nodded. "I have been told that they will save Equestria, and I want to find them quickly, cause no offense, but you guys need major help."

"Indeed we do." Celestia replied solemnly. "And we are grateful you have taken on this task. We wish to give you any assistance we can. You can begin as immediately as you wish. We have heard tales about such a creature being here in Canterlot. But they are only rumours. Ask around, someone will tell you."

I nodded as Luna cleared her throat to speak.

"We have also decided that we would like to give you access to the Canterlot Archives, which will possibly aid you should you find yourself stuck in your quest. They are quite extensive."

"Indeed, and Twilight can offer you her assistance there as well." Celestia added. "She knows every inch of the archives. She will be able to help you find anything you need."

"Of course she will. I'm aware how much into books she is. Anyway, thank you for that. The archive access, I mean. It should be very helpful."

Celestia and Luna looked at each other and then both stepped towards me, serious expressions on both thier faces.

"Liz." Celestia stared intensely at me. "We cannot thank you enough for this. For your help. We only wish we had something more beneficial and definitive to offer you."

They both looked apologetic and I quickly jumped in to reassure them.

"No, no. Think nothing of it, Princesses." I spoke firmly and determinedly. "You're busy with fighting your enemies, don't worry about this. I'll handle finding the hero. No worries. I got this."

"WE GOT THIS!" Bluebell yelled from where she was studying another window, prompting a smile from the sisters and a slight snort from me. "I GOT YOUR BACK, LIZ!!!"

"Fair enough." I said. "We got this. So like I said, no worries."

"Correction, if I may. We got this, all of us, together." Twilight pointed out. "And I will gladly help any way I can. However, I can't accompany you to the archives right away, as I have important meetings I can't get out of. What if we send a couple of royal guards to show them to the archives, Celestia? Then I will join them there later."

"Excellent suggestion." Celestia nodded. "But first, I believe our guests will need a good meal. I'm quite certain they are hungry. The trip to the archives can wait until they have eaten."

"That works." I agreed.

"Ooh! Gaurds?? And did you say food?!" Bluebell appeared beside me. "Yay! I'm starving! Which is funny, cause I had a dozen cupcakes, three sundaes, a milkshake annnnnd a chocolate cake for breakfast!"

"Wait, what?" I stared at her in shock.

Celestia simply laughed at Bluebell's announcement before speaking.

"Follow us to the dining room, then. We will have food prepared. Twilight, will you send two guards to meet us there on your way to your next meeting? Then these two can begin thier search after dinner."

"Of course." Twilight nodded. She looked at me. "I will join you at the archives later, after my final meeting."

"See you then." I responded.

"Byeee!" Bluebell cheerfully supplied.

Twilight left the throne room, a quill and notepad appearing in her magic before she vanished from sight.

"Shall we?" Celestia led the way from the room.

"Food! Food! Yay!" Bluebell chanted, bouncing happily alongside her. "Ooh, Princess, do you like cupcakes??"

"I believe that would be similar to asking if the sun rises each day." Luna offered, smirking, to which I snickered. "You have no idea how much my sister enjoys them."

Celestia, as I thought she would, glared at Luna briefly before continuing down the long hallway, Bluebell still bouncing alongside her. I shook my head and tuned out the rest to converse with my more silent companion.

'Well, that went well.'

'Indeed. Now put your mission out of your mind until you have eaten. Then you can focus better. Just remember, this is a vitally important quest. Equestria needs that hero.'

'Ok, so, Cap...you literally just told me not to think about it til later. Now you're saying think about it. Which is it?'

'Think about it in greater detail after you eat, lets put it that way.'

'Got it.'

I turned my attention back to the others, as we turned down another corridor.

"So the archives. How big are they, exactly, and do they cover literally everything in Equestria?" I asked.

"Oh, they are quite extensive, as I told you earlier." Luna stated.

"Indeed. With several large wings." Celestia agreed. "It is my own personal and vast collection that I have put together myself over countless millenia. But that is not counting the restricted section."

"Restricted section. Ok, gonna guess I'm not allowed in there, then." I mused aloud. "Eh, no matter. The rest of the archives should do nicely. Although, I don't suppose I could-?"

"Absolutely not." Celestia's tone was polite but firm. "Many of the contents of that section are far too dangerous for those that know how to use it, and they are certainly too dangerous for one with zero knowledge of it. No, the areas you have access to should be sufficient."

"Oh, so its basically Area 51 and no one but super top officials are allowed. Got it." I said.

"Excuse me?" Celestia enquired, looking completely confused.

"Oh, uh, nothing. A reference to my world. Nevermind."

"Hm. Anyway, here we are. Dining room."

We had gone around a few more corners during our chat, and had finally arrived at our destination. The long table in the middle of the room was set with a white tablecloth and fairly expensive looking dinnerware. A pony in a chef's hat and a couple of waiter ponies stood nearby, ready to serve however needed.

Celestia waved a hoof. "I will have my usual." She said, before looking to me. "You may order whatever you wish, Liz. I believe we even serve fish-based dishes for the more carnivorous species, such as griffins. No doubt that will suit you better than our more herbivorous mainstays."

She took her seat, Luna following suit after a word to the chef pony. I nodded.

"Oh, thanks. Hey, can you make a lemon seasoned baked salmon? I really love that. Oh, and some potatoes and carrots too, please."

"Can I make it??" The chef seemed insulted."Bah. Of course. In my sleep. Is there anything else? Dessert, perhaps?"

"Hm. How about a strawberry mousse topped with fresh strawberry slices, drizzled with chocolate sauce?"

"You have exquisite tastes." He stated, approvingly. "Consider it done. And for the young mare?"

His eyes went to Bluebell, and I had a sudden instinct to urge him to run. I had no clue what would come out of her mouth. She was likely to order everything under the sun she could think of.

"Well..." Bluebell inhaled deeply and dramatically.

'Oh brother, here it comes.' I thought, bracing myself.

I was fairly sure afterwards that not a one of us could have been prepared for her response.

“I'll take a double triple bossy deluxe, on a raft, four by four animal style, extra shingles with a shimmy and a squeeze, light axle grease, make it cry, burn it, and let it swim.” Bluebell inhaled deeply again to recover the breath she'd just lost on that order.

I felt very sorry for the chef, who stood staring at Bluebell with his mouth hanging open, trying desperately to process what he had just heard. I had no idea what she had just said, and I didn't feel like encountering a headache by trying to figure it out.

Before the speechless chef could formulate a response, Bluebell held up a hoof.

"Wait! Never mind!" She said excitedly. "I'll have that another time! Bring me all the cakes you got left in that kitchen, chef! And don't worry about a fork cause I don't need it!"

The flustered chef glanced at the princesses, then scrambled off to the kitchen, likely wondering what manner of insane pony had descended on the castle. Celestia stared hard at Bluebell, her expression seeming to me to say "I'm watching you.", then she looked to me.

"So, Liz, have a seat and tell me about what being in a world that is not your own is like." She said, motioning to the chair to her left.

I took a seat, staring with mixed amusement and curiosity at Bluebell for a moment before I returned my attention to Celestia.

"Not gonna lie." I said slowly." It was, uh, well, it was really weird finding myself here. And at first, I was really angry about it, and all I wanted was to get out. But now, I dunno. I'm actually kinda enjoying the adventure. Minus a few hiccups here and there."

"It brings me great relief to hear that." Celestia stated. "After hearing from Twilight of your recent adventures, I was afraid you would demand I find a way to send you home immediately. I am glad you did not."

"I might have to start with." I replied, my tone slightly sour. "But then I had that run in with Chrysalis. She really just made me incredibly angry. I have a score to settle with her. " I smiled at her. "Plus, I really want to help you. I want to see Equestria unite into one whole land of peace and friendship, not remain divided as it is now."

Celestia gazed at me intently, seemingly studying me, as she caught up her water glass and took a long sip. Setting it down, she smiled back.

"You have a good and noble heart, Liz." She said. "With that conviction and attitude, I have no doubt you will find yourself surrounded by countless friends and allies."

"Yeah exactly!" Bluebell chimed in, bouncing in her seat like an excited filly. "Wait. Isn't she surrounded by friends and allies already? How many more are we going to pick up? Five? Ten? A thousand? Eight thousand, nine hundred and fifty-two?!!" She gasped suddenly. "Ten thousand?!"

I snickered at her as Celestia and Luna both smiled.

"I do not believe that it would be that many, though if you had a following such as that we would certainly have no issues with winning." Luna remarked.

"Why wouldn't we have that?" I demanded, frowning. "The way I see it, the more on our team the faster we win. Unless there is something I don't know about. Is this thing worse than I thought?"

The entrance of the chef and a couple of waiters interrupted any reply from the sisters, and the food was given to each of them. Luna and Celestia both had salads, and a large piece of yellow cake sat on Celestia's tray. The chef placed a tray containing my food in front of me, while a tray loaded with cakes was placed in front of Bluebell.

"YAY! FOOOOD!" She cheered, before diving into the massive stack of sweet treats.

I rolled my eyes and ducked a flying piece of cake frosting while taking a bite of my own food.

"Oh that's good!" I said, then frowned as a piece of frosting landed on my plate. "Hey, Bluebell, watch it, you're making a mess over there! And over here."

She appeared from behind her sugary tower and blinked at me sheepishly.

"Oh...sorry."

She resumed eating, but not as forcefully, and I returned to my own meal. The door of the dining room opened and two guards entered, posting themselves on either side of the door and staring straight ahead, unmoving and unblinking. I stared at them, intently studying them.

One had a dark blue coat, with a slightly darker blue and violet mane and tail. The cutie mark he bore was an upright sword set against a night sky background. The other guard had a white coat, like Celestia, and a bright yellow and deep gold colored mane and tail, and a golden sun cutie mark visible.

"Our guards, I'm guessing?" I asked Celestia.

She nodded. "Yes. They will be accompanying you and showing you the archives. My sister and I must go, its nearly time for us to move the moon and sun. Enjoy the rest of your meal and we will see you both again soon."

I rose when they did, and gave both of them a slightly more improved bow.

"Thank you, Princesses." I said politely.

"Mmffmmfst!" Bluebell attempted around a mouthful of cake.

"I'm guessing that means bye." I said drily.

They grinned at Bluebell, nodded at me, and took thier leave. As soon as they did, the darker guard stepped forward and spoke.

"We will escort you to the archives whenever you're ready, miss." He said. "I am Lunar Blade. This is Solar Shine."

"I think we're about ready." I looked at Bluebell. "You done, Bluebell?"

"Mhm! All done!" She leaped to my side. "Ooh. Guards! And look, Liz. Aren't they just so...so..."

I could have sworn her pupils took the shape of hearts. I huffed slightly.

"Ok, guess we're ready." I said.

"Follow me." Lunar instructed, leading the way.

We did, Bluebell removing the last remnants of frosting from her muzzle and gazing starry eyed at Lunar while I simply shook my head and sighed in exasperation as we left the dining room.