A New Age

Spike had expected a lot of crowds over by the edge of the village, but it really did seem like every pony here was gathered for this event, as well as ponies from surrounding locales. Squinting, he couldn't see anyone coming over the hill where their visitors were going to be heading from, but he could definitely make out a cloud of dust no doubt being kicked up by their approach. Thankfully, he was soon given a good spot from which to see it all when Applejack spotted him, waving to him and stepping to one side so as to give a gap in the rows of ponies. Spike smiled and nodded to her in thanks, and soon he was into the fray, right between her and Pinkie. Rainbow, naturally, was hovering above them all, and ahead of the group, pacing up and down in her usual worried manner, was the mayor, an older mare with spectacles who was clearly letting the stress of the visit get to her, as evidenced by the sweat pouring down her face. Eventually though, everyone's wait paid off, and the first figures could be seen coming over the aforementioned hill. Chatter grew louder among the crowd, and Spike gave a quick chuckle. "Well, here we go."

Before long the gathered ponies could see a host that at least matched the size of their village, if not more so. They all knew that there was a bit more to the city than there was to be found out here in the countryside, but seeing it was something else altogether. Soldiers of gleaming armour, royal attendants of every stripe, and at the centre of it all was the shining silver carriage, the very focus of everyone's attention. The soldiers all made an orderly row, as if they were a living wall dividing the carriage from Ponyville, and in the centre of their line was an older stallion, unclad in armour, who stepped forward and cleared his throat before addressing the crowd. "Citizens of Ponyville! Rejoice! For the jewels of our domain have come before you today! The daughters of her royal Highness, Queen Majesty. Princess Fluttershy and Princess Rarity!"

That did the trick, as all of Ponyville, with the obvious exception of Spike, began to stamp their hooves on the ground to mimic the sound of clapping. Within the carriage, a single eye could be seen poking out from the open door, and within it there was a single intake of breath before a hushed and timid voice finally spoke. "Alright...I can do this."

All eyes were on her as she set out from the carriage, the wind blowing at just the right moment to give her mane the exact windswept look one always imagined followed royalty. That, coupled with a convenient shaft of sunlight pouring down from a parting in the clouds above, created the image of a mare that all should look upon with awe. And indeed they did. Mares and stallions, fillies and colts, all looked to her with near sparkles in their eyes. Here, before them, was the heir to the throne. The one who would one day reign over all ponies. Here, at the doorstep of their own home, was the one who would eventually become the most important pony of them all. Of course, with such grandeur upon her, it was no surprise that her sister did not get the same kind of attention as she exited their transport. Although, to her credit, she was not put off by this, instead looking to the now-regal figure of her sister and smiling. "Well now, that's more like it!"

With nervous step after nervous step, the elder sister made her way towards the rear of the row of guards that barred her path from Ponyville, and upon her approach those warriors instinctively stepped aside in the centre of the line, allowing her passage. It was a motion Fluttershy had no doubt seen them display towards her mother many times, but having it be done for her sort to took her aback, as shown by the near back-step she took. Though her knowledge that she needed to keep up the proper appearance kept her from actually going ahead with that step, instead putting on a small, if wobbly, smile and giving a slight nod to the guards who'd let her pass. They, of course, said nothing, remaining as stoic as ever, and so the princess moved past them, with all of Ponyville watching her every move. Had they been closer, they'd have definitely noticed the sweat coming down her forehead over this, as every inch closer made Fluttershy increasingly unsure about the situation. But, eventually, she made her way to the appropriate distance from the crowd, and after pausing for a moment, she recited in her mind everything she knew she'd have to say, before finally speaking. "Ponyville...I greet you all on this pleasant day. I am honoured to be welcomed here, and I am pleased to look upon your village and know that it is well."

To Fluttershy's eternal relief, the initial greeting seemed to go over well, as the ponies of Ponyville repeated their earlier jubilation of her. The mayor, who was clearly waiting for her part in all this, finally trotted up to the princess, with the latter's guards keeping a watchful eye on her. Once there, she bowed, as was expected, and her rise saw her smiling for the first time today. "Princess Fluttershy, I cannot even begin to express our gratitude to you for wanting to come to our humble, little corner of the country. I promise you, your visit here will be one to remember."

With the two leaders having exchanged words, several of the unicorn guards began to change their formation, with a squad of ten lining up and igniting their horns, while the previous speaker for the royals called out once more. "In the name of the princess, ten unicorn salute!"

The order given, the unicorn guards shot off their magic into the sky, much to the delight of the other ponies, many of whom had likely never seen magic before. It was an impressive display of many coloured lights as the spells shot off into the blue, but Princess Rarity, who had finally walked beside her sister, narrowed her eyes at something far off in the distance. "Oh my, that poor little bird over there is right in the line of fire."

Her tone might not have had much urgency to it, but it was nevertheless one of genuine concern, and it was one that triggered curiosity in Spike, whose hearing was good enough to have picked up her words across the assembled noises of the other ponies. Looking over his shoulder, he did indeed see some flying dot in the sky where the fired spells were heading. Only a moment passed after that before his expression became one of horror, and he spun around instantly to look upon what was happening. "That's...THAT'S NOT A BIRD!!!"