Coronation After Thoughts
In the lands of Equestria, being an alicorn comes with certain things. Good and bad. The power of all three tribes of ponies, the ability to make the world a better place.
An infinite lifespan, among many other things.
But what stands out for many of us that are not, is the constant companion each alicorn receives. What they call themselves we do not know. But the common pony has a single name for them.
We call them Ettins.
How they came about none but Celestia and Luna may know. Many things about them are unknown and many have tried to discover. But several facts are known.
Though they are two minds sharing one body, their two heads share coordination that is not seen in any other creature. Though they may disagree or argue, they will never turn on each other.
But what truly stands out is their commitment. Only two are known, but I will be so bold as to say that they would lay down their lives to protect Celestia or Luna if need be.
That is another thing about them. For all intents and purposes, their one and only loyalty are to their respective alicorn. That is not to say that they are not friendly to other ponies.
But they will strike down without mercy those who would do them harm. I have seen it myself several times. Some assassin will get it in their head to try and kill them, or some noble with more money than brains will attempt to seize power by removing them.
None have ever succeeded. And it is best not to think about the nobles who have tried and what became of them.
Some say there is more to it than just loyalty, that Celestia and Luna are not just protected, but have found their soulmate.
When I asked them about this, all I got was a wink, and blush followed by a quick teleport away. So take from that what you will.
In short, I feel the safety of Equestria is in good hooves. Not only because of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. But because of those who stand beside them.
From the Journal of Clover the Clever.
***
As Twilight Sparkle closed her current read, her brow furrowed in thought as to what she had just read.
She of course knew about the mares who never once left Princess Celestia's side. All of Equestria knew about them. Even before becoming her student she had known about them.
Of course, she had met the two who never left Cadance's side either. Even when she was her foalsitter they never left her side. At first, Twilight had been scared of them, for at that age they made her most other ponies she knew look normal by comparison.
Even the Royal Guard looked plain and rather dull in comparison to the sisters, and the two that stood by Princess Celestia herself.
But they turned out to be just as friendly as Cadance herself was. Reading the journal, however, somethings now began to click for her. The looks they had shared, the wings over back that seemed more than just friendly. It would explain why Cadance and Shining Armor had never become more than friends.
Princess Celestia's however... She still remembered a certain day not long after she had become her student. She had grown tired of the two of them just standing there during their lessons, doing nothing.
And she had finally asked them point-blank why they should even be there when it was clear Princess Celestia didn't need them.
The glare they had given her was enough that Twilight had immediately shut her yap and ran to the other side of the room away from them. She had never spoken to them since.
Princess Luna's were an even harder nut to crack. They held themselves like their companions, but there was something, more to them than the others.
And now there was Twilight herself. Her ascension was just recently and her coronation after-party was just winding down outside her bedroom windows. She had left sometime before, exhausted from the party and celebration earlier that day.
As she had left, however, Princess Celestia had slipped her this journal, saying that it might be a good night's read before she turned in. She had accepted of course and was now glad she had.
But now that she had read it, what did all this mean for Twilight herself? Was she ready for that kind of thing? Her fellow rulers did fine with them But would she herself?
Knowing thinking like this would get her nowhere, Twilight decided to sleep on it and hope tomorrow might give some answers.
Finally clicking off her light, Twilight soon passed into a dreamless slumber.
***
From far below, Princess Celestia watched the light go out in Twilight's window, her mind awash with conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Contrary to what some were already saying she had in fact not fully planned for Twilight becoming an alicorn. Oh of course she had one just in case, but even she didn't know what the spell would do.
In fact, her biggest idea was for Twilight to maybe one day become an ambassador for Equestria. Or maybe even the Court Mage seeing as Ivory Fire, the current Mage, was retiring soon after a long and illustrious career.
But she would be lying if she said that Twilight didn't deserve her new title. As she had said in Ponyville she had already displayed everything that made a true princess.
It was what came with that that worried her. She remembered her and Luna's reactions well. 1,111 years ago as they had been.
Cadance had taken her own rather well considering. But then she had had time to prepare to see Celestia as much as she had.
And she would say loud and clear that she could not be more proud of her niece for all that she had done. Both for Equestria and the Crystal Empire.
Twilight on the other hoof... She still remembered the so-called Lesson Zero incident a year ago. For all her brilliance, Twilight had a bad habit of overreacting to a lot of things.
She just hoped this wasn't one of them.
Celestia started slightly when she felt a wing drape over her back. Looking over she found her own Guardian giving her a concerned look. It helped that the three of them stood eye to eye.
"You don't think she's ready do you?" Rainbow Dawn asked. Her multicolored mane, almost an exact match for Celestia's own, covered much of her face but she could see the concern in her eyes.
Celestia nodded. There were no secrets between them. There had been once, and it was a memory none of them wanted to dig up.
Rainbow nuzzled her as Solar Aura spoke up. "She's done fine with everything you've thrown at her so far."
"You know those were different Solar. Saving Equestria is one thing. This is a commitment, a relationship that will last for all time." Celestia replied.
"Cadance took it well," Rainbow said.
Celestia sighed. "It helped that Ivory Charm and Ivory Light are sisters. They gave Cadance something she had never had."
"And more besides." Solar snickered, her blond mane bouncing with her mirth while Rainbow batted her eyelashes.
Celestia blushed. Even after so long they had that effect on her. "Yes. That too. But Twilight is different. She has never shown any interest in romance. Mare of stallion."
"Neither did you at one time. And now look at us." Solar said as she and Rainbow rotated their shared body so that Solar was now facing Celestia directly.
Celestia smiled softly. "And I wouldn't change it for the world." She said as she leaned in, and Solar met her in a heartfelt kiss, Celestia's wing extending to touch Solar's own.
She felt Rainbow's, blue with crimson primaries, touch her other at the same time.
They held the kiss for a moment before breaking. "No matter what, we think Twilight is ready." Rainbow and Solar said together. "We will all be there for her when the time comes."
Celestia nodded, her own mood swinging up.
***
From a short distance away, Cadance too watched the light go out in Twilight's window. Her thoughts also were on Twilight, but not for the same reason as her aunt's.
Of course she was excited that Twilight too was now an alicorn. She was like a sister to her and had been for years.
But now they shared a bond that very few others had. Cadance had already talked to Fluttershy about Twilight learn to use her new wings. She had no doubt about Rainbow Dash's ability to teach her.
But they had agreed that as much as Rainbow could teach her, Twilight might not survive the training regime. So they had agreed to broach the subject with her at a later date.
Of all things she couldn't wait to help Twilight with, however, was when it came to for her own Guardian to stand beside her, and she needed all the help she could get.
She had. But Aunt Celestia and Solar and Rainbow had been there all the way to help ease them into their new roles.
Cadance remembered well the first time she had met them. Quite frankly, they had scared her at first. But what filly that age wouldn't be? But over time she had come to trust them and even be friends with them. Their first loyalty was of course Celestia, but she knew they still cared about her.
It had made her own transition easier. And speaking of her Guardian. She leaned into the wing that was suddenly draped over back. Looking over, she found Ivory Light giving her a knowing look.
"You're thinking of what might happen when Twilight comes into her own." She said.
Cadance nodded. "Yeah. All I hope is that it doesn't come too fast."
"Why not? Twilight is a smart filly. She can take it." Ivory Charm said. "Besides, you took it great when you got us." Charm finished by letting her brown mane fall over one eye while wiggling her brows.
Cadance smiled. "That's because I had time to get used to the fact that having somepony always be by my side was coming to me eventually."
"So does Twilight. Unless she forgot about us." Light said.
"I hope not." Charm said. "The three of us foalsat her for years."
"You mean I foalsat her." Cadance huffed, but there was no malice in it. It was a running debate among them od who had sat for Twilight the most. Cadance really was the one who had done the most, but Charm and Light had done just as much.
Of course she would never admit it. Her pride as a foalsitter would never allow it.
"So dd you think hers will be as fun in bed as we are?" Charm and Light said together, Light letting her sky blue mane fall over one eye and wiggling her brows suggestively.
Cadance blushed profusely. They always had that effect on her. "Well if they don't, I suppose you two will always be there to help them along."
The girls smirked at each other before rounding around to Cadance's front. "Well, we have learned from the Princess of Love herself." Charm said.
Cadance smiled softly as the three of them leaned in for a kiss, Charm on her lips, and Light to her cheek. She felt their wings reach out and run alongside her cutie mark.
They took a while before they broke off. But Cadance still felt their wings caressing he flanks. Green with blue primaries. "That you did." Her smile dropped though. "Do you think she's ready though?"
Charm and Light shared a look before answering. "We both think Twilight is more than ready. She will have all of us there to help her when the time comes." They said together.
Cadance nodded, her mind more at ease now.
Author's Note
Just need to give a big shoutout to Dizzyspot over on Deviantart for the awesome cover art. Couldn't have asked for anything better than that one.
This should be a fun universe to do. I have one more chapter for this one. And then the prequel that will show Fluttershy and Pinkie's life up till this story begins.
Chapter 3 will pick up from there.
Meetings and Stories pt. 1
The next morning, Twilight found herself drawn to her mentor's chambers. The revelations last night had left her with so many questions and who better to ask?
It helped she was staying in Canterlot for a few days while Celestia, Luna, and Cadance helped her adjust to her new role. Though Cadance would be quick for she had to return to the Crystal Empire soon.
Months after Sombra's defeat, there was still so much to do helping the crystal ponies get back on their hooves. It helped Cadance was so well-loved and that Equestria had promised to help as much as possible.
Getting used to her constant companions? Well, that was something that was still ongoing. Nopony held anything against them. But their relationship was something that was new to all.
The fact that they more or less put the Crystal Guard out of a job had been a sore point in early meetings from Twilight had heard. Not only were they mares in a stallion only club, so to speak.
But they put the best of them to shame. In fact, Captain Quartz Ruby himself had challenged them to one on one combat, to see what they were really made of.
Twilight gave him credit. He lasted longer than most who faced them did. After being defeated, Quartz had admitted that they were the better guards and that they had the full support of the Crystal Guard.
Cadance had made a proclamation later that day saying that Light and Charm were only her personal guards and that she would not do away with what had gone before.
Now the Crystal Guard provided security for the empire as a whole instead of for the princess. It helped that Silver Streak, the Guard Commander in Canterlot, had been doing his best to help bring them up to modern techniques, with some success.
Twilight herself, well she honestly wished she had the same kind of relationship they had. Not only as sisters but with Cadance as well.
Being an only child, she could admit she had been jealous of seeing other fillies and colts with siblings. Partly whys he latched onto Cadance, Light, and Charm as she had.
They were the closest thing to siblings she had. And now with all that she knew, her oldest friends outside her mom and dad.
The rest? Well, Twilight had always preferred mares over stallions. So that helped One of her biggest questions to come was how her fellow alicorns had met their, well soulmates as they had.
Right now though, her biggest worry was with who else she would meet in Celestia's room. The time had come for her to face Rainbow Dawn and Solar Aura and own up to how much she had spit on them.
It had taken her moving to Ponyville to ram home how much she owed them an apology. Forgetting that she was a filly at the time, what right did she have to say that to them?
More so because of what she had with Ivory Light and Ivory Charm. She had known how much Cadance valued their friendship. So what had made her say that when it was probably no different with Celestia?
Realizing that worrying about it was getting her nowhere, Twilight focused on what she could do, and hopefully make it up to them.
***
"Do you think she will own up to her mistake?"
The question came from Rainbow and caused Celestia to raise a brow in confusion. "What do you mean?" She asked, even though she had an idea of what she meant.
"Her little outburst years ago about us," Solar said. "She was a smart filly, but that shouldn't have given her the right to question how much we've done for you."
Celestia felt her choler rise. She of course knew what they were talking about. "In her defense, she was ten."
"And knew more than most fillies her age as well," Rainbow replied. "Should we have told her of how many times we've saved your life? Of how many of those were by ponies you trusted?"
"Of our Damocles Oath?" Solar asked.
Celestia blanched at that last one. "She wouldn't know what you meant even if you had."
"Then it is time she did." Rainbow and Solar replied together. "For her own will come in time. For when all hope is lost. The Final Sanction."
"If I should ever turn to darkness and all hope is failed, my life is forfeit and all oaths are void. To strike me down." Celestia finished. It was something that had only come to light after Luna's fall.
They would kill her if she ever became that which Luna had. Celestia had no clear hope that the Elements of Harmony would be able to save her.
It was an oath they all hoped would never need to be made good on.
***
Twilight steeled herself as came to Celestia's door. Thought it wasn't the first time she had been to her mentor's private chambers, now there was more weight behind her visit.
It almost made her wish for the old days when her life had been less complicated. But she quickly shut that train of thought down. She would never be like that again if she could help it.
Knowing that just standing there was getting her nowhere, she finally knocked three times and waited.
"Enter." Came Celestia's faint voice from behind the door. Gathering her courage, Twilight pushed it open and entered the room beyond.
The first thing Twilight noticed was the heat. Her mentor's room had always been warmer than most but Twilight had never asked why. Maybe it was just a quirk Celestia enjoyed?
Pushing that thought aside, Twilight took stock of the room. It had not changed much since the last time she had visited. A cold fireplace sat along one wall with a small stack of logs ready for use next to it.
Bookshelves covered most of the other walls. Many were novels and stories one could find in any bookstore. Some were more ancient. But Twilight's favorites were those composed by Celestia herself.
One whole bookcase was filled solely with material Princess Celestia had done herself. Stories, poems, music, and even artwork on just about every subject under her sun lay there.
Twilight had once asked why her mentor never allowed them to be seen by the public. She was no expert on some of the subjects, but she knew none the less they were beautifully done.
But Celestia had said that they were too private to be shared with all. And some were on subjects that were better off not known to all. Twilight had agreed there, as some had made her queasy.
On the far wall was a queen-sized bed neatly made. In the middle of the room lay a mound of pillows the princess liked to make use of before retiring for the night. Twilight could not count the number of times she had fallen asleep there as a filly after a long lesson.
Twilight saw that Princess Celestia was already there, smiling that same benevolent smile of hers. But it was the two beside her that held her attention.
Rainbow and Solar watched her enter with what could be described as expectation. It only made it clearer that this was something she should have done a long time ago.
Celestia seemed to notice it as well for her smile slipped slightly. "Good morning Twilight. Luna and Cadance should be here at any moment. But I feel that the three of you need to iron something out first."
Twilight nodded. Gulping down her nervousness, she approached Rainbow and Solar. Neither made a move, but she could almost feel the expectation now.
Firming herself she looked them straight in the eyes. "Rainbow, Solar. I owe you two an apology. I said something years ago that I had no right to. I know it's not much. But I'm sorry."
The two shared a look. Both could feel that Twilight meant what she said. But were they really ready to forgive her for that little comment?
Coordinated as they were, they had differing feelings on the matter. Solar was more than willing to let bygones be bygones (maybe a relic of her unicorn past), but Rainbow wasn't so sure.
Call it a relic of her pegasus past, but it still stung years later. She had been ready to knock Twilight upside the head for questioning them as she had. But she would've never heard the end of it from Solar and Celestia if she had.
And no matter what, she couldn't stay mad at her forever. Maybe in time, it would go away, but not right now.
Twilight must have noticed it for she didn't press the issue instead of turning back to Celestia. "I read the journal last night. But I still have so many questions."
Celestia chuckled. "I'm not surprised. Clover was a smart mare, but even she didn't know it all. And we didn't tell her much."
Twilight nodded. She looked back at Solar and Rainbow. "I guess the biggest one I have right now, were you girls born like this?"
Rainbow chuckled. "No, we weren't." She and Solar shared a look. "In fact, we didn't even know each other up until, well..."
Twilight tilted her head. "Until what?" She asked.
"The Calling that brought the three of us together," Celestia said, then continued seeing Twilight's confusion. "It is something that all alicorns experience at some point."
Twilight nodded. "So how did you all meet?"
The three of them shared a loving look. "Oh what a story that is," Solar said.
Twilight made herself comfortable as the tale began.
