Twilight awoke with a start to the sunlight streaming into her eyes. How long had she been asleep? What time was it? Celestia had asked to see her – oh, she might be tardy! Pausing for only a second, she magically freshened herself up and rushed out into the hallway, almost galloping towards the great throne room. Celestia's guards stood aside and opened the door with a salute as Twilight rushed past them, not paying them any heed.
She stopped and stood stock still, keeping her distance, as she saw the princess deep in conversation with an important-looking pegasus, probably one of her high advisers. While she waited, she looked around the throne room, observing the various stained glass windows, and smiled at the one depicting her and her friends' victory over Discord. After only a couple of minutes, the pegasus thanked Celestia, and walked out of the door past Twilight, giving her a deferential nod.
Once the doors swung shut, Twilight walked up to Celestia, and the ruler gave her a warm hug. “How do you feel, Twilight?”
“Well, Princess. I was a bit tired last night, but I'm fine now. I'm not late, am I?”
“Of course not, Twilight – I see you are as conscientious as ever. Your tiredness last night was only to be expected. And please, I'm sure Luna told you to call us by our names – you are royalty too, now. In any case, I called you here to talk about your future.”
“My... future?”
“Well yes Twilight, of course. You weren't expecting to go back to Ponyville and start taking care of the library again? You'll have to stay in Canterlot, dear: one of the finest rooms in the castle is being prepared for you to stay in. It will take a lot of time and training to fully develop your alicorn powers. You should learn how to fly, and how to control your magic which is much more powerful now than your already considerable previous level. Luna and I will be your guides in all this and any other questions you might have.”
With a sinking feeling, she realised the princess was right. “And my friends? The library?”
“My dear, there's no problem! As a princess, this palace is now also yours – they can come and stay whenever they like. On the other hoof, nothing is stopping you from visiting Ponyville either, the palace guards will take you whenever you want. As for the library, I'm sure the town can find someone to run it, especially with Spike's help. I gather he's quite the experienced assistant now, thanks to you.”
“It's not quite the same thing, Celestia.”
At that point, the ruler of the day injected an almost imperceptible note of steel into her tone. “No-one said being an alicorn was going to be easy, Twilight.”
Twilight had spent her whole life in utmost awe of her teacher and mentor, and immediately backed down. “Of course, you're right. What happens now?”
The hardness in Celestia's voice vanished and she was back to her jovial benevolent self. “Like I said, this castle is also yours now. Nothing is barred from you. Feel free to browse the library, explore the building, or even go out into the city, if you so desire. You'll find money to be no object – all ponies in Canterlot, and indeed most of Equestria, will send an invoice to the palace for any services, if not provide them to you for free, now they know of your status. Whenever you have questions, of any kind, simply find me or Luna and we will do our best to assist you.”
“Thank you, Celestia. I think I'll go and see my friends now.”
“As you wish, Twilight. Until later.”
Twilight turned and left the throne room, the unicorn guards outside magically detecting her intent to exit and opening the door for her without her even having to pause. Belatedly, she realised that she hadn't asked her friends where their rooms were last night, so she first went back to where she'd stayed, and then set off in the general direction she'd seen them leave towards. She came upon a cloister, with rooms all around, and a light green earth pony with a leaf cutie mark tending to the plants at the centre of the area. As soon as the pony turned and noticed Twilight, she dropped her tools and made a deep bow.
“Please, Miss...”
“Flitter, Princess Twilight,” the pony said obsequiously.
“Well, Miss Flitter, could you tell me where my friends are?”
“Oh of course, Princess. They left me very specific instructions on what to tell you. Your brother and Princess Cadance had to return to the Crystal Kingdom as a matter of urgency. They give you their most sincere apologies. Your parents returned to their home in the city and would appreciate your visit if and whenever you can. Your friends and the dragon are still in the castle, having breakfast in the guests' hall.”
“Thank you, Miss Flitter.” Twilight turned to leave but realised too late in her movement that she had absolutely no idea where the guests' hall was.
The earth pony guessed the reason behind Twilight's hesitation. “The hall is right this way, Princess. I would be honoured to lead you there.”
Twilight followed the pony's lead, concentrating on the layout of the palace. It was a huge place, and she could easily imagine getting herself embarrassingly lost in here. Celestia was right, she mused, she would have to go to the library, look up some of the plans and explore the castle if she was to remain here.
At last they reached an ornate door which the pony opened for Twilight, bowing deeply once more as she went through into a hall, decorated richly but much more intimate than the Great Hall the celebration had been in the day before. A few paintings were hung on the wooden-panelled walls, depicting views from and of Canterlot and the palace, and a stone fireplace was blazing away at one end of the room, filling the space with a comfortable warmth.
“Hey, look guys, it's Twilight!” came Spike's enthusiastic cry, as he ran up to her and gave her a hug.
“Ya feelin' better, Twi?”
“Much better, thank you, Applejack. I'm starving though!” she said with a grin.
She took her place at the table, seeing plates of toasted bread garnished with flowers piled high. Taking one, she started munching happily away as her friends giggled.
“What did the Princess want, Twilight?” Rarity said. “It must have been important for you not even to be able to talk a while with us last night.”
Twilight's face fell as she considered her answer. “Bad news... I've got to stay in Canterlot, guys.” A gloomy mood came upon the room as her friends became aware of what that meant.
Fluttershy protested, “But, um, Twilight! Who's going to take care of the library now? You've been such a good friend to us all and... eep!” she trailed off as she realised the futility of the argument.
“I'm so sorry, my friends. Celestia asked me to stay. Spike, you'll have to be extra good now that I'm not there, ok? Find someone to take care of the library, would you?”
“B-but how will I manage without you?” Spike whined in a tremulous voice.
Twilight forced herself to control her own voice. “You'll have to be brave, Spike. I know you can do it.”
Pinkie Pie chipped in. “Aw, Twilight! I was planning a super-dooper party for all of Ponyville celebrating you! Royalty living in our small town! It was going to last for days! There were going to be streamers, and cake, and purple icing, just like your coat, and balloons everywhere and now you're going to be a huge party pooper and not turn up? How could you?”
“I'm an alicorn now, guys. I've got to learn what that means – Celestia and Luna will give me a hand, but I need to learn how to fly, study more magic and countless other things that I can only do in Canterlot. Besides, I'm not leaving you at all. You can come and stay here whenever you like, and I'll try to visit if I can as well.”
Applejack's face hardened. “T'ain't the same thing, Twi.” Getting up, she continued, “I getcha. You're a mighty Princess now, an alicorn. Yer' too good fer the likes of us now, ain't that right?” Turning, she stalked out of the room with her head lowered.
Twilight called out, “Oh come on, Applejack, that's not what I meant! Come back!” but received only the fading sound of clopping hooves through the door. Her friends got up as well, and Dash turned to Twilight as they began to go after the farm pony.
“It's ok Twilight, we'll talk to her.” She hurried after the others out of the hall, and as Twilight waited until they were out of earshot, she thought back to what Luna had told her. It really was going to be a lot harder than she expected. Only when she was sure she was alone and no-one could hear her did she rest her head in her hooves, shout, “Oh, damn it all to Tartarus!” and begin to cry bitterly.