The Royal Sisters War Barding (Patreon)

Having enjoyed our morning brunch in my Equestria dreamscape we left the garden pavilion and preceded to the main grandstands to observe the Service to the Crown Parade. Much too many a ponies’ disappointment neither of the Royal Sisters had appeared at the brunch.

    It was only a short stroll through the park to the grandstands, and with Petina, Carousel, the Apple Family, Spike, Zecora and Mane Six’s company it made for a pleasant journey. Rainbow Dash walked alongside Applejack. Granny Smith was in fine form and was amusing little Applebloom with a funny story about why squirrels bury acorns. Big Mac brought up rear of our party and kept Fluttershy’s company. The air was full with sound of birds singing and the distant notes of a brass band playing somewhere nearby. The scent of springtime flowers mingled with the aroma from food vendor’s tents. Soon our little band merged with a larger crowd of ponies that were also making their way to the parade route. Ponies both young and old coming together to see sights and honor those who worked and served the kingdom. The streets already were lined with pony onlookers, and many a father had a foal or two perched on his back to watch the festivities.

    Our progress slowed as we arrived at the gateway that controlled access to the grandstands. Much to our surprise we discovered that our passes admitted us not only to the VIP section but also to the area usually reserved for visiting dignitaries. In fact we would be sitting along the Mane Six and Zecora directly behind the sisters as they watched the procession. Neither of the Royal Sisters was present. Applejack muttered that Princesses really didn't have to go to so much trouble for them but she admitted that they'd have a fine view of the parade. Twilight was the first to notice that there was a new gate installed that led directly on to the assembly grounds where the parade would end. She had attended many of these parades over the years and never seen this gate before. To one side of the stands a modest brass band sat on a pavilion and kept the growing crowd entertained with catchy, festive tunes.

    As time passed and the start of the parade approached the continuing absence of the Royal Sisters became more and more evident. Twilight started muttering that unless they made an appearance soon they'd barely have time to settle in before the of the head parade arrived. Off in distances one could hear the distance sounds of cheering crowds and the music of an approaching marching band. The band on the pavilion had stopped playing and its bandleader looked over at the podium where Celestia and Luna should be standing by now. He noticed their tardiness and quickly removed a brass pocket watch from the front pocket of his red silk vest. A quick examination of it confirmed that it appeared to be in proper working order but the sisters were late for some reason. He muttered something under his breath and then took his seat with the rest of the band. The sound of marching hooves could now be heard over the rumble of the crowd. Twilight was chewing her lower lip and slowly rocking back in forth in her seat, uncertain what if any action she should take. About this time two Royal Guard pegasi ponies in gold plate parade armor came swooping down out of sky and landed on either side of the vacant podium. Without a word they assumed their stony face attention, apparently unconcerned by the lack of royalty.

    Rarity had brought a pair of opera glasses with her and was levitating them as she surveyed the direction that the parade would be coming from. She had her usual composed demeanor to her but even I caught her eyes flicking over to the space empty of two alicorns. The sound of the approaching parade was growing louder by the moment. The pounding thunder of thousands of hooves marching in step was starting to make the air pulsate. Trumpets filled the bright morning air with fanfare. Great kettledrums thundered with an almost hypnotic beat that made one want to stand up and start marching under their spell. Suddenly Rarity exclaimed.

    "Oh dear here comes the parade!" Once again her eyes flicked over to where the Royal Sisters should be standing. "It appears the sister are going to be late…” Her voice trailed off as she peered through the glasses again. Something seemed odd about the procession. After moment she slowly lowered the glasses. A look of awe and just a hint fear filled Rarity’s eyes. She swallowed and in spoke slowly.

    "Twilight, I know where Celestia and Luna are."

    At front the procession were two figures from fables and fairy tales. Legends led the parade. Valkyries were at the vanguard. Like beings of myth Celestia and Luna marched into the review area wearing their royal war barding. No pony alive had seen the two sisters wearing their armor side by side in parade. Not in over a thousand years had the world beheld such a spectacle. Every pony gathered in the stands went silent. The sister’s hooves thundered over sound of all others, and the ground trembled beneath their stride. The very air around the two sisters seemed to ripple and roiled like a heat mirages. At first I thought it was just that, but then realized it was something else. It was magic that produced the rippling aura. Even as a pegasus I could feel the magic emanating from them and it made my flight feathers tingle. It felt as if they could crush a hurricane with a glance. Their armor seemed to be as much a weapon as it was protection. Petina, Rarity and Twilight just sat there dumbfounded as waves of raw magical energy washed over them. Rainbow Dash stared on confused as if she was trying to determine whether this was a dream or not. Fluttershy looked like she was trying to melt into her seat. The Apple family, Zecora, Carousel and I watched in wonder. Pinkie Pie had a dumbfounded look on her face.

    As the procession approached the podium the two sisters turned to the right and marched toward it. The rest of the procession continued on its way past it. Celestia's horn flared and the gate opened and both her and Luna entered their designated viewing area. Once inside the gate swung closed. Silently, their gaze swept over us and I felt myself tremble. Without a word they turned their back to us and watched the rest of procession. Up close I had a good chance to really examine the two sisters armor.

    Celestia's armor was a mixture of shimmering white gold plate and scale. The surface of the armor plates were covered in a flowing patterns accented in rich yellow gold. The tassets on the back of her armor were embellished with the same symbol of sun that graced her flanks. Her helmet covered much of her face and was decorated in the same rich ornamentation. The helmet had a long flowing crest that mimicked the prismatic colors of mane and tail. Perched in front the crest was a pair small pair of flared wings made from some slightly translucent paper-thin white material. The gold ribs that held the wings also framed a gold sun symbol similar to that on her flanks. Segmented armor plates protected the back of her neck, and shimmering scales of white gold sheathed her throat. Most her legs were encased in segmented plate armor of similar finish and ornamentation.

    Luna's was very different but equally impressive; her armor was a mixture of glistening blued metal with rich silver swirling accents on it. Luna's armor was a bit lighter in construction; in places where Celestia's might have scale or plate Luna had chain mail of highly polished blued metal. Her helmet was of a more open construction and was finished in fashion similar to rest of her armor. It was adorn with a crest of cobalt blue that sparkled every so slightly. Like stars in her own mane and tail. Like her big sister Luna's armor and helmet had her cutie mark fashioned in silver on them.

    Silently they watched as the parade moved past the platform. Canterlot had been a marshaling point for many of the regiments that had been shipped north to deal with the dragon incursion; after the cessation of hostilities many of the wounded were sent back to Canterlot for treatment. It was decided that many of the regiments would stay in the capitol so they could participate in this year’s parade. In light of the sacrifices they'd made in the conflict the sisters felt it would be only appropriate to recognize them personally. In neat rows they now marched past the reviewing stands.

    Unicorns in gleaming plate paraded by in neat rows. Their armor hissed and glistened in the morning sun and their brilliant pennants flapped in the breeze. Companies of earth pony fusiliers with black shakos perched jauntily on their heads marched by. Their deep green jackets and black leather harnesses gave them a dashing quality. Behind them came the artillery units pulling their field guns. The gun carriages were so festooned with flags, sashes and flowers that they almost looked like parade floats. Overhead flew V formations of pegasi ponies in various uniforms. Out of the morning sun dove the Wonderbolts. They pulled up over the grandstands in a flower petal pattern leaving their signature trails of smoke and lightning.

    However Service to the Crown Day is not just about the military. Behind the armed forces came representatives from branches of the government. Pegasus ponies from the Weather and Postal service passed over in formation towing banners of their departments. Doctors and nurses from Canterlot General Hospital marched along with astronomers from Royal Astronomical Society. Schoolteachers from numerous campuses around Canterlot led their students past their princesses in an orderly fashion. It was a testament to their instructors that students continued marching by in step, although many a foals eye flickered over to take in the sight of the armored sisters. Librarians bearing flags promoting literacy and great authors followed members of the Royal Survey Services and other scientific organizations. Firefighting ponies with gleaming brass helmets and scarlet jackets marched in formation along with constables in navy blue jackets and caps from Canterlot. Even the street sweeper of Canterlot got their recognition today.

    Behind them came representatives of other organizations and groups not directly connected to the kingdom but were essential to every day functioning of the kingdom. Members of agricultural granges from around the area paraded. Rail workers who brought their crops to cities throughout the kingdom marched behind the farmers. Taxi operators pulled their freshly painted cabs. Seated in them were elder ponies no longer able to march in the parade but who’s past accomplishments and deeds were worthy of further recognition. Representatives from various professions and trades today got a chance to be in the spotlight to.

    As each group marched on to the review field they passed review stands then proceeded for a distance before making a hard left turn. Then one by one under the guidance of parade coordinators they were marched to an area designated on the review grounds. Slowly the vast assembly of ponies formed before us, thousands of them. Most once they found their location simply stopped but all of the military units continued marching in place. Pegasus units landed but at once started marching in place. Soon the air was throbbing with the force of thousands of hooves moving in step.

    When the last group had found its place Celestia looked over to Luna and nodded her head once. Luna silently acknowledged and took one step forward. I had already heard Luna use her Royal Canterlot Voice on Nightmare Night. Maybe it was because of all the excitement of seeing them in the armor, but her voice suddenly thundered with even more force.

    "COMPANY HALT!" A hush fell on the parade grounds. The sound of flags flapping in the breeze and deep humming rumble filled the stands. After a moment I realized that a humming sound was coming from the Royal Sisters armor. It was like standing under a high voltage electrical line. Luna spoke again. "AT EASE!" Then she took one step back.

    As she did this both of her and Celestia magical released the straps holding their helmets. In one smooth motion they levitated them up and off their heads. The humming subsided from both of them. They had tied their long flowing manes into intricate braids. The effect was amazing. Suddenly Celestia and Luna went from being goddesses of war to being devoted mothers willing to walk through fire, pain, horror, and war to protect those they held dear. Once again I understood why everypony strives so hard to be a little like them and why for many the thought of failing Celestia or Luna was unthinkable. Celestia took one step forward and looked out at all the ponies assembled before her. She gave a small smile and then began her speech.

To be continued.