Faustian Marcel was standing behind the curtain of the abandoned venue, peacefully waiting for the minutes to pass by as the cries of his followers continuously called out his name. He was layered out in his signature white cloth, patterned with a black lining surrounding the edges of the cloth, which covered his whole body up until his hooves. He adjusted his gray scarf to be symmetrical on each side, and ran his hooves through his slick red mane, as he turned to see one of his assistant, bowing his head at his presence.
The stallion rose up, and made his way towards Marcel. “Your holiness, the people are waiting to see you dearly.”
“Yes I know.” Marcel responded, attentively listening to the crowd chant his name. “Go tell them that their leader is ready.”
The stallion got up eagerly and rushed towards the end of the curtain. Marcel kept his eyes closed as he heard the steps of the young pony frantically reach the stage, sending the crowd into a dead silence. He closed his eyes as words of praise were said about the pastor, himself, before hearing applause from the crowd. Marcel took note and made his way to the center of the curtain.
“Now, please my beloved mares and gentlecolts!” the assistant said, practically feeling the presence of Marcel behind him. “Please give a warm, holy welcome to our dearly loved pastor, Faustian Marcel!”
Like he never missed a beat, Marcel stepped through the curtain with hooves outstretched and a knockout smile that made everyone in the crowd erupt with cheer and praise. Lights directed their attention to the pastor as he trotted towards the podium, giving him a view of the rows of unicorns of all ages, sizes and genders, lined up to eagerly hang on his every word.
He lifted his front legs to adjust the microphone placed upon him before laying them down on the podium, and began his speech with his ever-booming voice.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen!” He introduced, sending the crowd into a roar of merriment. He signaled the crowd to settle down as he continued on. “I would like to thank you all, those who decided to take their time to come and listen to the wise words of the holy deity that we all believe love. Now, I would you like all to stand for a prayer before we begin.”
As soon as the command was given, immediately every unicorn followed as he said, demonstrated by the militant rise of the unicorns, placing their hooves on their chest, and all chimed their prayer in unison.
Our holy mother,
We thank you for your blessings,
For your willingness to bring nature in our lives,
For your kindness by keeping us healthy,
For your insightfulness as to giving us the power we truly deserve,
For your intuitiveness for realizing we are the superior ones.
Our holy mother,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
Amen.
The last words stuck the crowd with meaning, as they echoed through the building for what seemed like an eternity. Marcel scanned the audience, watching the faces of each unicorn almost ready to burst at what he has to say next as they took their seats. But something caught his eye, new faces that he wasn’t familiar with before. He cleared his throat and went back to the microphone.
“I would like to ask for those new to our ceremonies, please rise.”
Slowly but surely, the few newcomers rose from their seats, wearing a worried expression on their face upon being called on by the well respected pony on stage. Marcel gave them a reassuring smile and the tension on the ponies’ faces slowly faded away.
“I would like to extend a VERY warm welcome towards you few that had just joined us in our holy mission.” He said, still wearing his ear-splitting smile. “We are always thankful about you, for you are the ones who took the initiative to see the light; to join us on our climb towards the celestial path.”
The newcomers smiled, removing any fear or doubt the previously had, and sat down. They were looked upon other audience members and greeted merrily as murmurs ran through the crowd. Marcel slowly hushed them as he started up again.
“Now, we are gathered here to bask in the glory of the sacred ruler of Equestria, our Princess Celestia, for she helped us all rise from the ground as young, insignificantly unintelligent ponies, to a group, no, an assembly of wiser, better knowing unicorns, who know the truth about Holy Celestia’s divine plan!”
The crowd erupted again, enthusiastically clapping along at Marcel’s preaching. “We are the ones, the unicorns of Equestria, who truly know about what the Princess expects of us! We are the ones that will soar to the heavens, unlike the filthy earth ponies and the sinful Pegasi, who bring shame to the honorable Celestia!
“We, the faithful unicorns of Celestia’s kingdom, will rise above all and become a part of her holy kingdom! I’ve seen the light, and the path towards totality is nearing us! We must put our complete faith in our Princess, for when the time of ascending has come, those who believe in the words that I speak, the words that come from the very goddess we believe in, will be accepted with open wings and welcoming hooves!”
The crowd was blown back by the powerful words of the pastor, leaving the crowd speechless and a few mares in tears of joy.
“I thank you for coming to hear the words of the divine princess! Without you all lending your ears, this message of purity cannot be passed around. I bless your hearts with the greatest of pleasures, and hope that you spread the word about the true race of ponies, and justify that we are the divine ones that Celestia will take towards the next life!!”
And with that, an onslaught of cheering exploded from the crowd as Marcel raised his hooves in glory. The followers, clapping with pride and joy in their hearts, chanted the pastor’s name in confidence. Marcel, basking in the glory of the praise he was receiving, bowed his head towards the crowd and directed his attention back to the microphone one last time.
“I’d like to thank you all, for attending the Westline Bronco Church.”