The Derpy I Know And Love 4 or And The Children Shall Lead

CHAPTER NINE

A New Way To Live

My Dearest Student Twilight,

My sister informed me of your situation with the found feeling with your friends when it happened.  Love is such a special thing, enjoy it and make the most of it. And for what it is worth, I applaud you for being able to be public with such an issue that might be hard to explain to the common pony.

I also thank you for being upfront with me in you telling me that you had to disclose the details about your position to your loved ones.  In this case it was perhaps the wisest decision.  Please, for now, keep the knowledge to the fewest ponies possible.

As far as suggestion of ‘living arrangements’, Luna and I have thought about it and we think it is time for you to go to the next level of your education/training.

You and Dawn will rule Equestria one day.  That day is still in the far future, but you need to start learning some of workings of statecraft, diplomacy and how a government is run.  Plus it will make it easier on Dawn to get expanded training at the school without having to worry with the commute to and from Ponyville.

The two of you will also need to learn one of the most important parts of this position.  That is the rising and lowering of the sun and moon.  Along with my special position of guardian and guide of the dead.

This is going to be hard on you, especially after all you have been through.  But you will not be able to learn these things in Ponyville.

And so, I am officially recalling you to Canterlot to start the next phase of your life.  Your wife(s) and family are of course welcome and I am sure that you will be able to use their talents.  You will, after all, be needing your own advisors and cabinet members.

I will remind you that there is plenty of room at Canterlot castle, but also the home owned by Bubbles is a rather large dwelling and might meet your needs.

I will be expecting you to visit with me in the next few days so we can get this arrangement started.  As well as planning the ceremony to elevate you to ‘Crown Princess’.

Yours,

Princess Celestia

Twilight had gathered all her friends and lovers along with the involved children.  Twilight had already disclosed the contents of the princesses letter to Bubbles, Rainbow and Pinkie.  It was the first Rarity, Applejack and the others had heard of this.  All ponies were in a very thoughtful mood.

“Twilight, Darling,” said Rarity, “I suppose that for you in particular, that you don’t have much choice in this, do you?”

“No Rarity, I guess I could resign but there is no telling what consequences that would have on me.” Said Twilight, “but I really do not want to quit, it is what I have been training for most of my life!

My biggest concern is what it will mean to my friends here in Ponyville.  I have lived here over ten years.  I have made wonderful friends, found love, raised a family and have felt the pain of loss of one close to me.  Ponyville will always be an important part of the pony I am.”

“Twilight, Baby and I know that we have not been part of your ‘inner circle’, and with all that you have been through, that may have been a good thing.” Said Lyra Heartstrings, “but know that most ponies of Ponyville have been proud of you being a member of this community.  We will miss you and know that Ponyville will always be here for you.  And perhaps, if you do not ascend too much on high, we could have an Old Mare’s Club meeting at Canterlot Castle sometime.”

“Most defiantly!” said Twilight with a smile.  “And I am sure that whatever pony goes with me, we will try our best to make the meetings.”

“And what ponies are going with you?” asked A.J.

“We have talked among ourselves and have come to a conclusion.” Said Twilight, “Bubbles and Dawn are going to go with me, that goes without saying.  Because of our situation, Rainbow and Pinkie are going as well.

The princess said that I will have to have a cabinet and advisers.  I will be relying on help from Rainbow for my dealings with the weather bureau.  Pinkie and Bubbles are happy to be ‘house wives’.

Other positions will be filled as they come open.

But I mostly wanted to ask Applejack about looking into the situation at Sweet Apple Acres and how much help now exists with her cousin Carmel working there.”

A.J. just gave a questioning look.

“I am going to need an adviser on agriculture and I could not think of a pony more well suited.

Plus I know that Rarity’s dream has always been to live in Canterlot and design dresses for royalty.  I am not royalty, yet, but I am going to be considered nobility.  And I am sure that there will be enough state functions that proper dresses will be needed.  Plus I can’t think of any socialite in Canterlot would not want clothing from the designer that makes clothing for the Crown Princess.”

“Making dresses for the Crown Princess!” exclaimed Rarity.  Her knees started to buckle, A.J. had to prop her up, “in Canterlot!”

“I don’t think I have any choice now.” Said A.J. with a smile.  “If I said no, it will be very lonely sleeping by myself!”

“What about Spikie-Wikie?” asked Rarity.

“Princess Celestia has assigned him to the Crystal Empire for the time being.” Twilight said, sounding a little sad. “That is because the crystal mountains are an ideal place for a dragon to take a nap.  It turns out that from time to time, a dragon has to take a special nap for them to grow correctly.  I suggest that all ponies who wish to see him off, do so as soon as possible.  Dragon naps are one hundred years long.  It is doubtful that any pony here will be able to see him again in their lifetime.”

“And what about us?” asked Dinky.

She and Scootaloo were standing nearby.

“Well my dear daughter,” said Twilight, “you and Scootaloo are adults.  And I think that you should be given the chance to live as such.  You are welcome to come with us to live in Canterlot.  Or you can do what we know that you can do.  Dinky, if you want, you are the new Chief Librarian of Ponyville.  Scootaloo, you are the new head of the Ponyville Weather Department.”

The two mares looked at each other, smiles grew on their faces.  Sweetie Belle, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Apple Bloom all gathered around and congratulated their two friends.  They all were now fully in the adult world.

EPILOG FOR PART TWO

Passing the Torch

From here our story will take divergent paths.

The remainder of the original Mane Six and Bubbles start new lives in Canterlot.  There they assist Twilight and Dawn in their path to their ultimate destiny.  They stay in touch with their sisters and daughters who have stepped up to fill their horse shoes back in Ponyville.  But the demands of court and the intrigue that can develop will test their metal.

For the ones left behind in Ponyville, there will be tests for them that will place them on the same footing as the six hero ponies that came before them.  Can they face threats as dire as any the Mane Six had faced?  And will they find inspiration from those who came before?

So join us for the next two episodes of;

The Derpy I Know And Love Saga