Thirty Minute Pony Stories

Celestia hummed to herself quietly as she leafed through the latest set of tax reports, making sure that everything was in order, before stamping the documents with her official seal and sending them to be filed away in the official archive. She shrugged and flexed her wings, stretching her muscles after a long morning of desk work, and looked around her almost-empty office. Her personal tastes had always tended towards the spartan, but now her few momentos and knick-knacks had been packed away for transportation, while the various objet d’arts had been, by mutual agreement, deemed the property of the nation of Equestria, and had been catalogued and placed in storage, ready for the new administration to decide what to do with them.

There was a knock at the door. One of the, for now, Royal Guard, peered around the door and announced respectfully that Miss Twilight Sparkle had requested an audience with the Princess.

“Thank you, Bright Feather.” The Princess said. “Please, show her in.” She rose as the little purple unicorn trotted into her office.

“Twilight-” She began, only to be cut off when her student ran up to her and burst into tears.

“Oh Princess, I’m sooooo so sorry.” She sobbed. “I never meant for this to happen!”

“Really Twilight, it’s-”

“It just seemed like a natural extension of by friendship studies! If a group of ponies, bound by the magic of friendship, could work together to solve problems, then it seemed logical that ponies working together could successfully rule themselves. I didn’t think anyone would actually want to try it!”

“It’s fine, Twilight, really.” Celestia reassured her. “I don’t mind, honestly” She hugged the crying unicorn. “There there. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“But- but… you’re being deposed!” Twilight protested. “All those ponies went and told you they didn’t want you to be Princess anymore!”

“Well, yes, but they were very nice about it. I’ve had a month to make sure everything is in order so the handover should go smoothly. Really, I’m sure most ponies won’t even notice the difference.”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t understand.” She said. “Aren’t you angry? You’re being thrown out of your own palace!”

“Oh, I don’t mind that. I’ve lived here for the better part of nine hundred years, a change of scenery will do me good. I’m told that Las Pegasus is quite an enjoyable place. I may wander over there and relax for a while.” Her student looked unconvinced, so Celestia sighed and gestured for the smaller pony to sit beside her. “Twilight, the only reason I’ve ruled Equestria for as long as I have is because I believed that my ponies wanted me to, that they wanted me to take responsibility for all the difficult decisions that affect a country like ours. But I always knew that it was only a matter of time before my little ponies grew strong enough to carry that burden for themselves. And I have to confess, it’s something of a relief to be able to finally pass that responsibility on. I think I’m owed a bit of a break, don’t you?”

“But what if we need you?” Twilight pleaded, looking up at her beloved mentor. “What if…”

“Twilight, you of all ponies know that the ponies of Equestria can handle anything if they stand together. I will never regret my time as princess, but it’s time for me to step aside.” She nuzzled her student fondly. “Besides, it’s not like I’m going to vanish into thin air. My faithful student will always be able to come to me with her problems. And even if you don’t have any problems, I still expect you to write to me, Twilight Sparkle! Just because I won’t be Princess anymore doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear about you and your friends, is that clear?”

<TIME>

Twilight sighed and leaned against her teacher. “Yes Prin- Celestia.” She said, then grinned up at the older mare. “I think you’ll always be the Princess to me.” She admitted.

“Oh, you reactionary!” Celestia joked. “Twilight Sparkle, enemy of democracy!” The two ponies giggled. “Well, I think I still have enough pull in this place to get someone to bring us some tea. Would you care for a cup?”

A week later, in a public ceremony, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna formally resigned the rulership of Equestria (Princess Luna slightly less gracefully than her sister), waved to the crowds who, with mixed feelings, watched them fly away while the provisional Government took charge of the nation and made plans for the upcoming elections.

It took two days for the first riots to start.

Ex-Princess Celestia reluctantly set aside the novel she’d just been getting into as a deputation from the provisional government politely asked her to resume her royal duties. Through the window she could see the skyline of Las Pegasus in the afternoon sunlight. Parts of it were on fire.

‘Oh well,’ she thought, ‘another few centuries. Maybe they’ll get it right next time.’

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Bookman’s comments

I adored your Celestia here. She was funny, charming, and avoided the usual Tyrantlestia cliches. She was a treat to read. And her nonchalance about the democracy failing, more akin to slightly irritated resignation than disappointment, was hilarious. I loved the detail about the novel she had just gotten into. Nice work!