POV Rio
I was waiting for something very important to happen. I had sent the materials to Sunset for her final trial, and I had to admit I was a little nervous. It had been three days, and I knew she was very close, but she wasn't fully there yet.
Amore: "Would you stop pacing. You've worn a groove into the floor!"
I looked down and sure enough, there was a massive groove in the ground. We were in the gardens, so it wasn't that big of a deal. I just hopped out of the groove and used Earthbending to fix the damage.
Rio: "Sorry, but I am just nervous."
Amore: "She will pass. You trained her well, and you know that she meets all the requirements."
Rio: "Sigh. Yeah, you are right."
Amore: "Of course I am. I am your mother."
We both freeze and stare at each other. After a few moments, we burst into laughter.
Rio: "Hahaha, ah, I needed that."
We chat for a while longer until suddenly I feel it. I smile widely and teleport to the Astral Realm.
POV Sunset Shimmer
I was disoriented and confused. I had just completed a new Force technique, and then a massive flash of light blinded me.
'Did the spell fail? Am I dead?'
My vision clears, and I find myself in a seemingly endless starry canvas. I decided to call out to see if anyone was there.
Sunset: "Hello? Is anyone there? Or here? Or wherever here is. What is this place anyway?"
Rio: "Congratulations, Sunset, I knew you could do it."
Sunset: "Rio, I don't understand. What did I do?"
Rio: "You did something that's never been done before. Something even the greatest scholars of the Force were not able to do. Because they didn't understand magic like you do. The lessons you learned under my tutelage have taught you well. You have proven that you're ready, Sunset."
Sunset: "Ready? Ready for what?"
(AN: Play MLP:FiM | Music | Celestia's Ballad | HD on YouTube for the music or MLP:FiM - Celestia's Ballad [Instrumental Only][1080p / DVD] for the Instrumental. )
Rio: "You've come such a long, long way.
And I've watched you from that very first day.
To see how you might grow.
To see what you might do.
To see what you've been through.
And all the ways you've made me proud of you.
~
It's time now for a new change to come.
You've grown up and your new life has begun.
To go where you will go.
To see what you will see.
To find what you will be.
For it's time for you to fulfill your destinyyyyyyyyyyy."
I start to float, and as I get nervous, I look to Rio, who gives me a reassuring smile. I was sure what was happening, but I was sure that it was meant to happen.
POV Rio
I watch as Sunset disappears, and I head back to the palace, as I know she will appear there. Once I get to the palace, I see the massive star in the sky that slowly descends to the royal gardens. Once it lands, it breaks apart, and Sunset is revealed. I walk up to her, and she is shocked, speechless.
Amore: "You broke her!"
Rio: "Just give her a minute to reboot."
Sunset: "I, but, uh, what? W-what was that place?"
Rio: "That place can be called many things: Caelum, the Astral Realm, the Alicorn Realm, the Birthplace of Alicorns, Heaven. But its name is unimportant; just know that only Alicorns can access that realm."
Sunset: "Alicorn, so does this mean I ascended? But I-I thought that Celestia said that I could never ascend."
Rio: "Celestia was wrong. She didn't know what was needed to ascend. She was throwing darts in the dark and hoping to hit the target. You met all the requirements. Including the hardest one. You had to give up wanting to become an Alicorn. Which you did when you faced your fears on Dagobah."
Sunset: "So what does this mean?"
Rio: "It means you have done what you were always meant to do. You are now a Princess. Should I ever be unable to rule for whatever reason, you will co-rule with my mother until I can return or until Lucario can take over."
Sunset: "But I-I can't rule."
Rio: "Sunset, since you began learning under me, you have displayed the compassion, devotion, integrity, hope, and leadership that a true Alicorn represents. I have confidence that you will succeed in whatever you choose to do next."
Sunset: "What do I do now? Is there a book about being a Princess I should read?"
I explode in laughter. Sunset gets really flustered and confused, and Amore laughs with me, but likely for a different reason.
Rio: "Hahaha, sorry, sorry, it's just that Twilight said the exact same thing when she ascended. But yes, there are some books you can read that will help, but if you want more training, you can ask Luna, Celestia, my mother, Anastasia, or me. We will all be willing to help. Now we should start the preparations for your coronation. I am sure the entire capital saw the massive light show. Some will know what it means, but an official announcement will be needed."
Amore: "I will take Sunset and give her some training. If she is going to be a Diarch, she will need to act like one."
Sunset gets a shiver down her spine, and she looks pleadingly at me.
Rio: "Oh wow, what lovely weather we are having."
Sunset starts to get dragged away, and Sunset screams for help.
Sunset: "Master, help me!"
Innocent whistling
I look away and pretend I didn't see anything. Her screams of terror are drowned out by the nice bee that flies past my face. Once I am sure they are gone, I go make the announcement. Then, I set up the coronation to take place in three weeks. I wanted to make sure she had time to complete the needed training and give everyone time to clear their schedules.
3 Weeks Later...
Millions came to see Sunset's coronation, and I had to deploy large portions of the military to make sure everything went smoothly. I was in the Throne Room with many of the most important guests. Standing next to me were Chrysalis, Lucario, and Amore.
Rio: "We are gathered here today in celebration of a momentous occasion. Today, we celebrate Sunset Shimmer doing something extraordinary. She created new magic. Proving without a doubt that she is ready to be crowned the Crystal Imperium's newest Princess. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present for the very first time, Princess Sunset Shimmer."
The doors swing open, and Sunset walks in with a choir singing for her.
Choir: "The Princess Sunset cometh
Behold, behold
A Princess here before us
Behold, behold, behold
Behold, behold (behold, behold)
The Princess Sunset cometh
Behold, behold (behold, behold)
The Princess is The Princess is here!"
She approaches and bows, and I give her a small bow. The audience applauds. Once they are done, Sunset kneels.
Rio: "A true Alicorn in any world leads not by forcing others to bow before them. But by inspiring them to stand with them. I hope you always remember that Sunset Shimmer."
Sunset: "I will."
Rio: "Now repeat after me. By the light of the Crystal Heart, and the love of all who dwell within these shining walls, I pledge this solemn vow."
Rio: "I swear to guard the Crystal Imperium with wisdom, courage, and compassion."
Sunset: "I swear to guard the Crystal Imperium with wisdom, courage, and compassion."
Rio: "To rule not through fear, but through harmony."
Sunset: "To rule not through fear, but through harmony."
Rio: "To honor the legacy of those who came before me."
Sunset: "To honor the legacy of those who came before me."
Rio: "To protect the hope that gleams in every citizen's heart."
Sunset: "To protect the hope that gleams in every citizen's heart."
Rio: "I shall be a beacon in dark times."
Sunset: "I shall be a beacon in dark times."
Rio: "A voice of calm when tempers rise."
Sunset: "A voice of calm when tempers rise."
Rio: "A humble servant to the land that crowns me."
Sunset: "A humble servant to the land that crowns me."
Rio: "To speak with truth, act with mercy, and reign with honor."
Sunset: "To speak with truth, act with mercy, and reign with honor."
Rio: "May the light of the Imperium shine ever brighter through me."
Sunset: "May the light of the Imperium shine ever brighter through me."
Rio: "So I vow, as monarch of the Crystal Imperium."
Sunset: "So I vow, as monarch of the Crystal Imperium."
Rio: "Now and for as long as I am worthy."
Sunset: "Now and for as long as I am worthy."
I place her crown upon her head.
Rio: "Princess Sunset Shimmer, you may rise."
She rises, and another round of applause is given. Then we go to the balcony so she can give her speech.
Sunset: "My friends... my family... citizens of the Imperium and beyond... Today is not just my coronation. It is the culmination of a journey I never imagined would bring me here. A journey that began with ambition and mistakes, but grew into one of friendship, redemption, and hope. There was a time when I believed power was something to be taken. That leadership meant control. I was wrong. Through the kindness of others and the magic of friendship, I have learned that true strength lies in humility and that real leadership means lifting others up, not standing above them."
She takes a breath and then continues.
Sunset: "As I take on this new role, I vow to lead with the very values that saved me: compassion, honesty, loyalty, generosity, laughter... and magic, not the kind you cast with a horn, but the kind you feel in your heart. The kind that brings people together. This crown is not a reward. It is a responsibility. And I promise to wear it not as a symbol of power, but as a beacon of unity, safety, and understanding. Let today mark not the end of a story, but the beginning of a new chapter. One, we will write together. Thank you. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart."
The crowd erupts into screams of joy and happiness. I have to make sure it doesn't overload the Crystal Heart with the terrifying amount of positive emotions. Once that was over, we went to the main ballroom for the celebrations. The entire Imperium was going to have a week-long celebration to commemorate this occasion. With some moderation. I won't have everyone get black out drunk, but they can drink in slightly higher amounts than they usually could.
Sunset: "Thank you, Rio, for your support and tutelage. I never would have gotten here on my own. Sniff. This is my biggest dream come true."
She is tearing up, and I hug her.
Rio: "You are welcome, but I think this was always meant to be your destiny. You just needed a little push."
I see Celestia from the corner of my eye and smile.
Rio: "Now, I think someone else wants to congratulate you."
Sunset sees her and walks over. I leave them be. But as I approach the Royal section of the tables, I see Yularen approaching me.
Yularen: "I hate to bother you, sir. But there has been a development on the other Earth. It will be ready for your perusal whenever you get the chance."
Rio: "I understand. I will send a clone to review it and then give you my thoughts later. Unless it is urgent, in which case I will send another clone to let you know."
Yularen: "As you wish, your highness."
I didn't want to leave the celebrations as this was a very important day. And I figured that the Other Earth would be fine for a little bit.
What I didn't know was how wrong that statement was...
-------------------
Authors Note:
I was planning this since Sunset Shimmer was first summoned. I just needed some time to pass that I felt made sense. I mean, she met most of the requirements. But anyway, a bit of a cliff hanger at the end, but also kind of not. Who knows. If you want an easy-to-read to read version of the Oath, here it is. Until Next Time, Ciao.
By the light of the Crystal Heart, and the love of all who dwell within these shining walls, I pledge this solemn vow.
I swear to guard the Crystal Imperium with wisdom, courage, and compassion.
To rule not through fear, but through harmony.
To honor the legacy of those who came before me.
To protect the hope that gleams in every citizen's heart.
I shall be a beacon in dark times.
A voice of calm when tempers rise.
A humble servant to the land that crowns me.
To speak with truth, act with mercy, and reign with honor.
May the light of the Imperium shine ever brighter through me.
So I vow, as monarch of the Crystal Imperium.
Now and for as long as I am worthy.