Celestia placed a hoof over her heart, the mare counting her breaths and carefully breathing in, then out. She focused her mind on the task at hand, thinking only about what she was going to say, and what she was going to do. The hushed conversation occurring just outside the door may as well have been shouted from the rooftops as Celestia heard everything. Before her were the closed doors of the Canterlot castle, beside her were a handful of carefully selected guards who stood idle, waiting for their time to move.

All while behind her, six ponies stood in varied levels of confusion, and anxiety.

Twilight paced just behind the alicorn and to her right, a clipboard held aloft in her magical glow and a pencil sticking out of her mouth. Chewing idly on her writing utensil, the pony stopped, and looked over her list once more before triple checking that the guards were all in place. Her assessment was cut short when a scroll popped into existence, and was quickly unrolled and read.

Twilight breathed a little easier once she had finished reading it, and quickly disintegrated the peice of paper. “Everything is ready for you Celestia. The crowd is gathered and the guard is in place, you have but to give them the signal.” Twilight informed her.

Celestia smiled. “Thank you Twilight.”

The unicorn nodded. “Just doing what I can.”

Fluttershy draped as much of her right wing over the alicorn’s side and leaned against the large mare. “Remember, we’ll be right here for you once it's all over.” Whispered the pegasus.

Celestia’s smile grew and she nuzzled the pegasus affectionately. “Thank you, Fluttershy. Maybe once this is all over we can enjoy some nice tea.”

“I’d like that.” Replied the shorter mare.

The alicorn hardly had a chance to move before she got a face full of pink, a donut getting all but shoved into her mouth. “Here, I baked a few super special pick me up donuts if you came down with a bad case of the jitter hooves.” Pinkie Pie announced.

Celestia accepted the bake good, and chewed it slowly before swallowing. “Thank you Pinkie Pie, that was just what I needed.”

The party pony grinned, and planted a quick, happy kiss on the alicorn’s lips before bouncing back. “Knock em dead!” She declared, only to stop mid bounce. “You know, metaphorically. Unless they start insulting you again.”

“I know what you mean.” Celestia replied quickly, a smile on her face.

“Pisha, this is Celestia were talking about, she's got this. Right boss lady?” Rainbow Dash declared confidently.

“I think I do. Thank you Rainbow Dash.” Celestia remarked, giving the airborne pegasus a nod.

“Heh I knew it, sometimes I think your almost as awesome as me. Almost anyway.” Rainbow Dash added with a hasty wink.

“Well I think our dear leader is looking quite fabulous today. If they have anything bad to say about her, it will not be about her looks.” Rarity exclaimed, standing proudly beside the alicorn.

Celestia’s smile grew ever so slightly, and she adjusted her regalia slightly, as well as the horn ring that now sat at the base of her skull. Unlike the rest of what she wore, it was primarily made of silver, and had a band of color for each one of her unborn foal’s parents. The colors were taken from the color of their fur, making an almost complete rainbow that encompassed the small silver ring.

“And it is all thanks to you, Rarity. I would have never gotten everything in order before the speech was supposed to start without your help.” Thanked the alicorn.

Rarity blushed, and batted a hoof at the mare. “Pish posh darling. Even if you walked out there with nothing you’d still knock em dead, as Pinkie Pie said.”

“Still, thank you.” Celestia pressed, giving the unicorn a short squeeze around the shoulders.

“Yes, well. Let's not get too mushy. Wouldn't want to have to redo your makeup now would we?” Rarity stated, as ladylike as she could before slipping away.

Applejack meanwhile, just leaned against the wall next to the door, giving the alicorn a firm nod, and a slight smile. “Good luck out there.” She added.

“Thank you, I’ll need it.” Celestia muttered, the distant crowd becoming more audible by the second.

The alicorn straightened her back, squared her shoulders, and dawned the same regal stance she had so many times. As she strode towards the door, and readied herself for facing the crowd, she felt her heart begin to flutter, and she gazed back at the ponies behind her. While Celestia felt doubt begin to stir inside her, the elements of harmony stood firm, each one confident in her ability.

They all smiled, or stood there with confident expressions, even Fluttershy stood tall and proud, unflinching under Celestia’s gaze. The sight of those brave ponies all standing resolute in their shared confidence of her success filled the alicorn with determination. It made her shoulders which had already begin to sag, stand firm once more, for her hooves to stop fidgeting mere moments after she had set them straight.

She could do this, if not because of her own strength, then because of the strength they gave her. The crowd which had daunted her, sent her running, and gave birth to a persistent doubt that had plagued the alicorn for weeks could be beaten. It was not as impossible as it seemed, and with those six great ponies there waiting for her, it might even be easy.

“Alright, lets go.” She declared, turning to her guard.

Who nodded, and lit his horn, using his telekinesis to open the two great double doors that marked the entrance to Castle Canterlot. The aged wood swung open utterly soundlessly, well oiled hinges making the task of opening the enormous portal an easy one. As it opened, Celestia was greeted with the sight of a packed front lawn, ponies of all shapes and sizes squeezed between the entrance and the walls of the castle itself. At the front were the various reporters she had hoof picked for just such an event, this time quite sure there would be no tabloids amongst the more respected journalists.

Guards lined the walls behind the crowd, stood amongst them, and flew over them, nevermind the handful that stood by the door itself, or between Celestia and the faceless mass. It was a reassuring sight, knowing that the royal guard was so close by, ready to jump at the slightest hint of trouble. Reassurance she needed when her gaze fell upon the many, many ponies waiting for her to speak.

When that fear, and guilt rose within her, she stomped it out quickly as she was ready for its arrival.

Celestia strode to the forefront of the stairs, and cleared her throat, consciously exuding the confidence she felt deep inside. Instantly the small, scattered conversations that could be heard throughout the crowd, died, leaving behind only a pregnant silence. “My fellow ponies. I know it has been quite a while since I spoke to you from the steps of the castle, and that the practice of delivering press briefings in such a manner has fallen out of favor.” Celestia began, her voice even, and unshakable.

“But I had hoped to revive this aged tradition, as it is necessary for me to deliver this information in a more intimate scenario.” Celestia continued, taking a moment to look out over the crowd, and gauge their reaction.

Some seem confused, others angry, but the vast majority were passive, whether that was to withhold judgement or to better come up with something to yell at her, she wasn't sure. “To start with, I have one simple thing to say. I screwed up.”

A small hush fell over the crowd. “A potentially catastrophic event came about, and I overreacted. I rushed to enact back up plans so that everypony would remain safe and secure in the knowledge that nothing could threaten peace.” Celestia announced. “I am sorry that I cannot go into details, but suffice it to say, my rushing created another problem when the first issue turned out to have never been that big of an issue in the first place.”

The crowd remained silent, allowing Celestia to continue unabated. “I deeply apologize for the continued mystery that surrounds this situation, but I refuse to lie to you. I know this does not satiate every question you have, or clear things up perfectly. The world is often confusing, and refuses to fall into neat categories of right, and wrong.”

The alicorn smiled, as she looked out over the faces of her many subjects. “One thing that has always remained throughout my over a thousand years of public service has been my steadfast commitment to peace and prosperity. And though I may not be able to answer every question, and assuage every worry, I swear to you, my faithful subjects that in time, that will change.”

She paused, and looked out over her gathered ponies, happy to see that a good majority of them seemed to be warming up to what she has to say. “Lastly, I would like to address my recent drop in public appearances, and court sessions. To be frank, and completely clear, I can't handle it all, while I am in such a state. Don't worry though, my sister, and my many advisors, and administrators have done an excellent job picking up the slack and I have no doubt that they will continue to serve you all with the same dedication I have given you for over a millenia.”

“With all that being said I’m afraid that is it.” Celestia stated simply. “I have messed up, but not so bad as to make me regret anything. There is no great threat looming on the horizon, and I myself will simply be taking a bit of a back seat while I take some time for myself. Furthermore I hope you’ll forgive me for taking my first vacation in over a thousand years.”

That had the effect she wanted, and a good chunk of the crowd laughed at her comment. “Now, I will leave you in the capable hooves of Miss Sunshine Springs who will answer some of your questions. I have a bowl of ice cream with my name on it waiting for me.”

The alicorn didn't wait for the crowd to respond before she disappeared in a flash of light, reappearing just inside the closed doors of the castle. Immediately she was pounced by a group of six mares who all hugged her as best they could.

“Well said princess.” Rarity complemented.

“I agree, anyone who says something stupid is going to look like an asshole.” Rainbow Dash added.

Pinkie Pie nodded. “Oh yeah, they would have to be super meanie heads to do that.”

“And it seems like they agree as well.” Twilight added, gesturing to the door.

Pulling away from the pony pile, Celestia listened closely, only to find that the faith she had in her ponies had been rewarded. There was a scattered cheering throughout the crowd, but that wasn't what really made the alicorn’s heart swell with pride. No, it was the respectful, and kind questions being leveled at the assistant Celestia had left behind.

Questions about if she was okay, and what they could do to help could be heard. Among those questions were even a few apologies for judging too hastily, and though there were a few negative questions, in the mix, they were few and far between. On the whole, it was quiet, respectful, and made Celestia remember that her ponies werent brainless herd animals that believed absolutely everything they heard.

It was reassuring, flattering, and ultimately made the mare remember why she had devoted herself so fully to them for so long. I can't wait to introduce my foals to the world. Celestia thought to herself, safe in the knowledge that things would turn out alright, in the end.

When finally she looked back at the ponies who had given her all those foals, the alicorn couldn't help but smile. They were waiting with bated breath, studying her features, and sitting there as she listened intently.

“That was so nice of that one pony to apologize like that.” Fluttershy remarked.

Celestia nodded. “Indeed it was. It seems as though my worries were all for naught, and that Pinkie Pie was right after all.”

“Heck yeah I was.” Pinkie Pie declared, only to blink. “About what though?”

“You were right to ask that I wait, that we figure this out together.” Celestia elaborated. “I don't know if I would have been able to elicit such a positive response if I had gone into this when I was so clouded. Furthermore you were right when you said that ponies trust me, and that they don't need to know absolutely everything.” Noticing Twilight looked a little guilty, the alicorn laid a gentle wing on the unicorn’s back. “But I also know where you were coming from, my little star, and I know it was a good place.”

“T-thanks.” Twilight whispered, the mare shufflign a little closer to the alicorn and smiling faintly.

Applejack snorted. “Well that's silly, course everypony trusts ya. Yer princess Celestia. If you haven't earned a little trust after a thousand years, then nobody would trust anybody.”

“Though inelegantly put, you are quite right darling.” Rarity added.

The farm pony shrugged. “The truth doesn't need to sound nice to be the truth.”

“And speaking of truth.” Interjected Celestia. “I have one last truth to deliver to you fine ponies. But it will have to be told somewhere a little more private.”

“Oh? Like what?” Asked Twilight.

“Don't tell me it's another speech.” Groaned Rainbow Dash. “Cus that last one was good, but I don't know if I can sit through another so soon.”

The alicorn chuckled, and batted the pegasus playfully with a wing. “Well now that you say it like that, I might just make it into a speech after all.”

“Alright, I’ll be nice. Sheesh.” Complained Rainbow Dash, grinning all the while.

“So where are we going than?” Applejack inquired.

“Just back to my room, for now.” Celestia answered, before turning to Twilight. “I’m feeling rather tired, so I will meet you all there.”

All six mares nodded, with Rainbow Dash reacting first and shouting. “Last one there’s a rotten apple!” Before taking off in a flurry of motion.

“Yippee! Let's go!” Shouted Pinkie Pie, who bounced after the pegasus.

“Consarnit Rainbow Dash, this isn't a race.” Applejack muttered, trotting off the pair at a more sedentary pace.

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Celestia hasn't even left yet.” She muttered, before turning to the alicorn, and giving her a soft nuzzle. “I will see you soon darling.”

Celestia smiled, and nodded, before turning to the two mares still standing around. “Let me guess, you are going to teleport ahead of them.”

Twilight grinned. “Yup, we’ll meet you there Celestia.”

Celestia breathed deeply and lit her horn. “Alright, let's do this.”

Author's Note

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