A quiet town with quiet ponies that has "loud surprises" as the mayor calls them. These surprises might have happened every so often, but have grown more frequent over the last three years.
For example, you could be relaxing on your porch not a care in your mind. You're laying back in your chair, enjoying the Celestia-given sunshine and there is nary a cloud in the sky... and then your house would get devoured by the most adorable spawns of Tartarus. Speaking of Tartarus, Cerberus actually paid the town a visit one time. It would have been positively terrifying if everypony wasn't [mostly] prepared for such a catastrophe.
Catastrophes such as these have avoided several injuries mostly in part of Twilight Sparkle. For Ponyville; has contributed in organizing public events, offered her home open to anypony with the desire to learn and a library card, and has prevented the destruction to both Ponyville and Equestria as a whole. Multiple times.
Right now, she was being granted an audience with her princess. Or rather, her fellow princess.
"Huh?!"
"Hold on a second!" Exclaimed Pinkie Pie, who drank a glass of water and spit it out in surprise.
"A... a princess?" Twilight said fearfully. Celestia's hoof on her shoulder stopped her.
"Since you've come to Ponyville; you've displayed the charity, compassion, devotion, integrity, optimism, and of course, the leadership of a true princess."
Despite her friend's smiles and Princess Celestia's comforting words, Twilight's mind was a cold storm of doubt. She was never one to question the word of her princess... but still. Why a princess? Why me? Why is this my destiny? Is she just leaving me behind?
"But, does this mean I won't be your student anymore?"
"Not in the same way as before." Her princess answered. "I'll still be here to help and guide you, but we are all your students now, too. You are an inspiration to us all, Twilight."
And with that, she bowed.
Rarity immediately followed Celestia with a bow of her own. Then Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. All of her friends willfully lowered their heads to the ground in respect until the line ended with Spike. At that moment, Twilight could no longer pretend that this was a dream. Her friends, Spike, her princess, were all bowing.
To her.
Twilight Sparkle. The new princess of Equestria.
Oh my gosh. I really am a princess. Now, what do I do?
"But what do I do now?" Twilight asked. "Is there a book about being a princess I should read?"
There has to be right? They've seen me, I'm almost nothing without my books!
Celestia merely chuckled. "There will be time for all of that later."
Twilight smiled, glancing away in embarrassment. Relax Twilight. It's not like fulfilling your destiny and becoming a princess is a big deal or anything. Wait... my destiny?
Twilight went silent, her sheepish grin scrunched up as she began to ponder what her "destiny" meant.
If this is my destiny, then... then the princess always knew about it. She sent me Star Swirl's unfinished journal knowing I would finish it. I don't understand why I have to be a princess? I'm not able to run a country. Why not an archmage? I've MET them before. Equestria already has three princesses, it doesn't need me!
"Twilight?" Celestia spoke, failing to grasp Twilight's attention.
Why would anypony, let alone Princess Celestia, think we need another princess? Unless... unless she won't be the princess anymore?
Twilight's eyes widen in panic.
Am I just... a replacement?
"Twilight?"
This time Twilight looked up at her teacher and her subjects. They were giving her that same look of worried confusion they always give her whenever she gets wrapped up in her thoughts so much her hair stands on edge. She glanced at her hooves, searching for the words.
"Princess," She said with a shake in her voice. "is this really my destiny?"
Celestia slightly tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Please just tell me the truth.
"I was just thinking-"
"There's a shocker." Rainbow Dash whispered to Applejack, earning a snicker from her and Pinkie Pie.
"About?" The Princess asked, ignoring the giggling.
"I was thinking about everything that's happened today. Actually, I was analyzing more than thinking. Such as the significance of Star Swirl the Bearded's spell and how it relates to my destiny. A destiny that you most likely knew about, Princess. Why else would you send me his journal without knowing I would finish it? I mean; believing I could do it is one thing, knowing that I will is another. And for that matter, how does finishing his work make me worthy of being a princess?" Twilight's pacing began to match her frantic dialect.
"Not to say it isn't a privilege to even read even a page of Star Swirl the Bearded's work, it's just that- that... I don't see how in the name of..." She points to her sovereign. ", you, can a finished paper assignment make me worthy of being in the same ranks as you! I'm not advancing to the next grade, I'm ruling a COUNTRY for pony's sake!"
Her friends jumped back at the outburst, but Celestia remained impassive to Twilight's verbal rampage.
"Did you just think that I would be okay with becoming a princess?! Was asking me too difficult for you? Did you think I would just go along with it, no questions asked? Well I have a lot of questions I want answered! What is gonna happen to me? Are you just going to dump me into some region of Equestria to rule? Do I have to just pack my bags and never come back?! What about my family? What about you.. and Luna? What..." Twilight's anger petered out as tears pooled around her eyes. "What... what about my friends?"
Despite an effort to stay calm, stray tears trickled down her cheeks and her knees shook from her nerves. I can't do this. I can't leave my friends, they mean too much to me. I'm no princess. I can't. I can't-
A white wing pulled Twilight into an embrace of infinite tenderness. She let her head fall into the crook of Celestia's neck and cried. She cried for the bright student she once was. She cried for the little town she has called home for three years. Cried for her future, which seemed more terrifying than ever. She cried for the loved ones she would have to abandon for her new life.
"There, there Twilight. Sssh, ssh, ssh." Celestia soothed. "Everything is going to be just fine."
Celestia pulled away for the ponies and dragon to come together in a group hug. Twilight sank into the pony pile. Fluttershy and Rarity offered gentle reassuring words like "We're not going anywhere." Applejack and Rainbow Dash delivered some encouraging optimism. Pinkie Pie and Spike just held her tight, silently telling her that they would do whatever they could to stay by her side. She took a few calming breaths and rubbed the tears off her face.
"Twilight, why did I choose you to be my student?"
Twilight answered with a sniffle. She remembered everything about that day. "Because my magic was unlike anything you've ever seen?"
Celestia nodded, sinking into 'teacher mode'. "True. You had the makings of a great pony in a way that I haven't seen in years. Even the greatest magic users in Equestria couldn't do what you did at your age back then. Now, why did I send you to Ponyville in the first place?"
"Because... I needed to learn about friendship?"
Again Celestia nodded. "Very good. Then can you tell me why you needed to learn about friendship?"
"Because I had to stop reading books and get out more?" The faithful student side was still there.
"Well, yes." Celestia said. "But, you also needed to understand what friendship really meant. You were not going to learn about it if I just told you to. You always strived to learn everything about magic but you secluded yourself in your books. You had to discover it for yourself, and that you did. You found great friends in just a day and you didn't want to leave them then or now."
"So you see Twilight, it wasn't finishing the spell itself that was important. What was important was that you understood the full nature of friendship and have unlocked the full potential of its magical power. You created new magic because you understood friendship You do not need to learn about it any further. You have mastered your Element. You have mastered friendship."
Twilight let the words sink in.
My Element. I'm such an idiot for not seeing it sooner! It isn't a mistake at all.
She smiled. Her eyes were wet again but she knew they were happy tears.
"Do you understand, Twilight?"
Twilight wiped her face clear of any stray tears. "I guess so. But what about my friends, Princess? Will I have to leave Ponyville forever? Will I ever see them again?"
Celestia didn't answer her right away and instead looked over the worried faces of her little ponies. They all shared the same scared look as if they were expecting the worst. The alicorn fell silent. It seemed like she was pondering.
Then she smiled. "Twilight Sparkle; I have one final assignment for you as my student."
An assignment?
"Spike take a letter please."
My final assignment.
"On it Princess." Spike declared as he drew a scroll and quill.
"As Princess of Equestria, I hereby assign my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, to take on one final assignment. She shall enjoy the remainder of her time here in Ponyville until her coronation as the newest princess of Equestria in one weeks time." Princess Celestia decreed as Spike scribbled down on the scroll. "I should also advise her not to take this as a regular assignment but to simply enjoy herself and cherish the time she spends with her friends as the week passes."
The ponies cheered and fell into another pile. For they could spend a little more time with their beloved pony and new princess. They all secretly feared it may be their last time. Twilight stood in happy silence as her friends cheered and hugged her joyously. She felt the build up of tears behind her eyes again. She wasn't even sure if they were really happy or sad and for the moment, she didn't care. Thank you.
"I hope you girls enjoy yourself as much as you can," Announced Celestia as Spike finished up the note. "I must be off now. Princess Luna and I have a lot of planning to do back in Canterlot."
"Princess! Wait!"
Celestia turned just as Twilight tackled her in a thankful embrace.
"Thank you. Thank you so much." She whispered. "I don't know what I would do without them. I've known them for too long to give them up." She gripped her neck a little tighter. "Thank you for letting me stay with them... just a little longer."
Celestia returned the hug and softly kissed Twilight's forehead. "Everything is going to be just fine, Twilight." She said reassuringly. They released their embrace and Celestia flared her wings to take off. "And if you have any questions, and I know you do, I'm just a letter away."
With that Celestia launched into the sky for Canterlot, leaving Twilight and her friends in the still empty streets of Ponyville. It was a real surprise how the town could be dead asleep after what happened. Sometimes the residents of Ponyville missed the more special moments.
Then, without warning, Twilight was tackled into another group hug.
"All right!" Cheered Rainbow Dash.
"Oh my gosh! I gotta work EXTRA hard for my Alicorn Party!" shouted Pinkie. "I gotta make cakes, and cupcakes, and party gifts, and drinks, and set up a DJ. I'm pretty sure Vinyl is still in town. At least I think she's in town. And-" She paused to gasp. The kind of gasp that says, she just had the greatest idea in the history of greatest ideas. "I just gotta invite EVERYPONY! Because it's not a Pinkie Pie Party without everypony!"
"Girls please! I need room to breath!" Twilight cried, gently breaking the group hug.
"Ooh! It's been quite the day hasn't it?" Rarity dived for conversation.
"You said it!" Agreed Pinkie Pie, who was jotting down notes for her "New Princess/Alicorn Party".
"'Ah still can't believe Ah was stuck making dresses earlier." Applejack commented.
"Well, I suppose we all can't be great fashion designers." Rarity said, posing with pride.
"Or weather mares." Rainbow Dash snarked to the now blushing fashionista.
As the girls fell into an animated conversation, Twilight stood in the same spot. Just standing there, and watching her friends laugh at the day's events. She felt a few tears in the back of her eyes again. One more week. One more week till they're gone.
"Um.. Twilight?" Said a timid voice.
Twilight's reverie was broken. She turned to see Fluttershy looking at her, concerned.
"Are you okay?" She asked in her usual Fluttershy way.
"Oh, yeah. I guess I was just thinking about what Princess Celestia said." Twilight said with a soft sigh.
"Are you nervous?"
Yes. A lot. So much you can't even comprehend how terrifi- "A little, I guess. But at least I get to spend some more time with you guys. Although I feel like I should plan for something for us to do this week."
"Oh, Twilight. You don't have to plan anything. The princess wants you to just enjoy your time with us." Fluttershy reminded in a sweet confident voice.
Oh, Fluttershy. Twilight smiled. "You're right."
"Hey Fluttershy, Twilight!" Shouted Spike. "Pinkie's throwing a 'Yay! We're Back to Normal party'. Wanna go?".
"Sure." "No thanks."
Fluttershy turned at Twilight's polite refusal. "You don't want to come?"
"As much as I'd love to party with you girls, and I really would, I have had a pretty long day. And I need some sleep." Twilight said, with a yawn.
"Okay, Twilight." Said Pinkie Pie, dragging her into a hug that nearly crushed her new wings. "But don't worry, you'll have the biggest, bestest most awesomest New Princess/Alicorn Party ever!"
Rarity and Fluttershy took their turns to her goodnight. "We'll see you tomorrow, darling. Er- I mean, Your Highness."
Twilight hugged back, her wary smile going unnoticed. Princess. Right.
Applejack hugged her tight. "G'night sugarcube."
"Night, AJ." Twilight pulled out of the hug only to be yanked into another one.
"See ya later, Twi." Rainbow said, giving her a noogie. "We'll get you flying soon enough."
Twilight tore from the noogie and looked at Spike. "Are you going to the party?"
"You think I'm gonna miss a Pinkie Pie party? No way!"
Twilight shook her head but smiled at his childlike excitement. Lowering down she hugged her little dragon brother. "Okay. I'll leave the light on for you."
"Come on, Spike!" Pinkie Pie said, appearing out from under him and on her back. "Let's see who can eat the most ice cream without getting brain freeze."
"You're on!"
"Hey, wait up! I don't want to miss this." Hollered Applejack, trotting after them. Rainbow gave chase as she declared to play winner.
The rest of the party goers followed and left Twilight alone at her doorstep. She waved as her friends trotted away. Wow, you make a big deal about not wanting to leave your friends and then you leave your friends to go be alone. Some grateful friend you are. Twilight shook with the comment out of her head.
"There's nothing wrong with a little alone time." She tried to convince herself. Her face drooped, realizing how pointless that argument was.
She walked inside, muttering to herself. "I'm just not in the mood to celebrate right now."
Twilight had trouble falling asleep. She was honestly tired after the day she had, but not tired enough to warrant immediate sleep. She tossed and turned in her bed, her new wings rubbed and bundled underneath her. Grunting in irritation, she rolled over until the offending wing was resting by her side.
Definitely going to need some getting used to.
She raised her right wing up above her so she could see it. Even in the dark room, there was plenty of moonlight shining through the window that allowed her to clearly see the wing above her face. For some reason, it didn't feel out of place, and it didn't really feel like a new part of her body even though it was. It felt strangely... natural. Like it was a part of her that she always had. I wonder.
Lowering her wing, she grasped a feather between her teeth and gently pulled it out. She felt a shiver run through the appendage and down her spine. It almost felt like plucking a hair. Its real, all right.
It was. It was so very real. Everything was real and not some fantasy. And everything kept repeating in her mind. From waking up without a care in the world only to discover her friends out of their Elements, apart and unhappy. Feeling the joy of reliving so many memories, be it happy, sad, hard but worth it all. Joining Princess Celestia in the... space filled with her memories. Fulfilling her destiny. Yet in spite of that, what kept flashing through her mind the most, where the faces of her friends.
My friends...
Her mind drifted to what the week would bring.
Is this really my last week with them?
Then what will happen after the week?
Will I be as good a princess as Princess Celestia?
She turned over and looked at the moon shining through her window.
Or Princess Luna?
She magically shut the blinds, casting the room into full darkness. She was reminded of what Celestia said about taking it easy. So she found a more comfortable spot on the bed and laid down under her sheets to wait for tomorrow, smiling a determined grin.
The Princess is right. I should take it easy and enjoy my time.
Her smile turned downcast.
For now at least.
She gazed at something on the nightstand. It was a framed picture of her and her friends. It was the same one she had on the wall in the lobby, but after today she decided to move it to her bed. Closer to her. She stared at all the smiling faces in the photo, focusing intently on her. She looked so happy. So carefree. So... normal. Just the way she remembered herself.
Just a regular old unicorn.
I'm gonna miss you.
She gathered the picture into her hooves and tightly held it to her chest. She closed her eyes and waited for sleep to take her away from this day. The words her teacher had told her to steer her from her worries now made her more frightened than ever.
Everything is going to be just fine, Twilight.
As tears leaked out from her closed eyes, one final pleading thought went through her mind as she slowly fell into sleep's embrace.
A mark of ones destiny singled out alone fulfilled.
Wait. That's it! I can't believe I didn't see it before.
"That's it! I know how to fix the spell!"
I dash back to the library so fast that the others could hardly catch up. Only Rainbow Dash did.
"Twilight! What's the rush for?"
"I figured out how to finish Star Swirl the Bearded's spell Princess Celestia sent me last night."
"Is that's what caused all this cutie mark cacophony?" Applejack inquired.
"I promise, I'll explain everything as soon as I can." I tell them right as I reach my door. I sprint inside the lobby, right where I left the journal. Quill! "From all of us together, together we are friends. With the marks of our destinies made one, there is magic without end!"
And... period. It's finished.
Before I could say a word, my big crown thingy did something. Then the other Elements did too. Beams of magic came at me from all sides. They circled around me and spun faster and faster until the colors faded together into a bright white light. It didn't hurt, in fact it felt almost comforting. The light was like a hug from magic itself.
It felt right.
Twilight woke up. It was just a dream, or was it a memory? A dream of a memory? Dreams are weird.
When she cracked open one of her peepers, Twilight could tell it was not the right time to do anything that wasn't sleeping. It seemed her room was trying to refute that hope. The peeking dawn was peering inside with that pesky sliver of open curtain she could never fix, and cascaded itself across the pillows. She buried her head in the soft mounds and did her best to drift away. Now that she was not asleep, the other senses sprang up; the room smelt of oak, mouth tasted of morning gunk, the star sheets felt like lilacs against her feathers and-
*Tap-tap-tap-tap*
Great, now a branch is tapping the window.
*Tap-tap-tap-TAP*
Just ignore it. Drown out the sound like everything else.
*TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP*
"Uuuggghhh..."
Twilight forced herself to her hooves and shambled over to the noise. Standing there with whistle and coach hat was Rainbow Dash, who looked far too happy for whatever-time-it-was in the morning. Why did it feel like she hasn't seen her in years?
"Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to get you flying, princess." She answered, letting herself in.
"Flying? But it's six in the morning."
"Exactly. What better time to get started than with the rising sun?" A smirk oozed her slyness. "Nice morning wing by the way."
"Wha?" Twilight looked and saw her wings standing at full attention. She didn't know why, but she was knew she was supposed to feel embarrassed.
"Relax, Twilight." Rainbow chuckled. "It happens to every pegasus. Me especially."
A loud snort broke through the room. Spike was still sleeping in his basket, mumbling some nonsense about watermelon gems and Rarity catfish. Eyes met in silent agreement and the ponies quietly tip-hoofed out the room. Once downstairs Rainbow let loose her capped enthusiasm.
"So what do you say Twilight? Are you up for the toughest, fastest, and most awesome flight lesson you'll ever have in your life?"
"Ugh. Can I-" Yaaawwn. "-at least get breakfast first?"
Rainbow Dash groaned impatiently. "Make it fast."
"I'll do my best, Dash."
Dash grumbled not at all quietly while flapping over to the young adult section. Bread was set to toast and coffee began to bubble as Twilight scribed a note explaining her absence to Spike.
Dear Spike,
Rainbow Dash came over while you were still sleeping and insisted that I take her flight lessons. I hope to be back by the end of the day. Remember to do your chores and to let Owlowiscious out to fly. Also, don't eat too many gems because I will know. Keep the tree from burning down
-Twilight.
With the note finished, the alicorn placed it where it could be seen on the rotunda. There was a rough, scratchy feeling under her hoof, almost like sandpaper. She looked and a shiver streaked down her spine that fluttered her wings. In the middle of her library was an ugly, black star shaped scorch mark.
"Rainbow?" Her eyes honed in on the star.
"Yeah?"
"What happened after I disappeared?"
Rainbow didn't answer, her eyes fixed on the Daring Do book she was skimming through. Perhaps she was looking for the words to say. "Well... we panicked. Applejack wanted to get a search party going, Rarity and Fluttershy started crying. None of us knew what to do."
Twilight scratched the mark lightly. "Did you do anything?"
"Well Spike sent a letter to the Princess about what happened. She came down and explained that everything would be okay and to wait for you." Rainbow swallowed before continuing. "So we waited... for hours. It wasn't until night time til you came... sparkling back."
Pregnant silence. Pregnant with triplets. Rainbow hemmed at the floor, avoiding eye contact. Twilight stared at the black star on her floor, already knowing what Rainbow didn't want to say.
Ding!
"Toast is done!" Quick as a Rainbow Dash, she zoomed into the kitchen and came back shoving the toast into Twilight's mouth and her out the door into the dawn.
Rainbow flapped back and forth in front with a military swagger. As per her instructions, Twilight stood ram rod straight in attention. She felt silly and tired, but if Rainbow wanted to feel more like a Wonderbolt captain, more power to her.
"Now, what do you know about flying?"
"Tons!" Twilight answered enthusiastically. "I've read all kinds of books on the subject. Like-"
"Well you can FORGET all about that stuff! I took you under my wings because you don't know anything about flying! Everything you think you know flying, you forget now! You came to me to learn how to fly. Not just flap your wings, but to FLY! And by the time I'm finished with you, you will be a great flier! Not the greatest flier if I have anything to say about it!" She shouted, invading Twilight's personal space at the last sentence.
"But you will fly nonetheless, because you are a pega... er... part pegasus! And as part pegasus you will fly with the wings Celestia has graced you with. Anything that has wings and cannot fly is a chicken!" Dash violated Twilight's personal space again with the epic finisher. "Unless it's a dodo!"
Twilight decided not to try to fight the urge to give her the blankest of blank looks possible. "Rainbow Dash is this really necessary?"
"Of course it is, princess." Rainbow didn't notice Twilight wincing at the nickname. "This is the same attitude Spitfire gave us from got two good wings that aren't broken? You always gotta motivate the non-fliers. And what better motivation is there than somepony screaming in your face? It works for Spitfire, so it'll work for me. Plus I bet Applejack I could get you to fly by the end of the day."
"Wha-You made a bet on me?" Twilight sputtered.
"Twilight, it's not really a bet. It's more like a friendly wager... that Applejack will easily lose."
Twilight groaned as if to say "Again?".
"Come on, Twilight. I never got to teach anypony before. Can you go along with it? Please?" She dropped to her feet to beg.
Never taught somepony? What happened to Scootaloo?
Twilight sighed. "Okay, Rainbow Dash."
"Awesome!" Rainbow said before blowing her whistle with a loud TWEET! "NOW DROP AND GIVE ME 20!!"
Twilight obediently "dropped" to the ground and started a set of push ups. A TWEET rang through her ears.
"No! Not like that!" Rainbow scolded. "Use your wings, maggot!"
Twilight wasn't confident in the strength in her wings but eased her weight onto the ground nonetheless. Her wings almost immediately buckled under her weight. There was no way she could be this heavy or this weak in the wings. The grass tickled her belly as she strained her muscles to push against the ground. They had hardly locked in place before they gave out and she collapsed onto the ground.
"One." She gasped pitifully.
Rainbow shook her head with a sigh. "This will take a while."
********
Twilight jogged in place with her coach the ready.
TWEET!
Her wings pounded the air. She flapped and flapped her wings until giving out, plopping her to the dirt.
TWEET!
"On your hooves, maggot!" ***
Twilight sprinted alongside Rainbow Dash. At the whistle she flapped her wings steadily. She hovered a few feet off the ground, swerving to and fro. ***
Up, down. Up, down. Up, down. The same easy rhythm of wing push ups was made somewhat tougher with Rainbow Dash on her back sirening commands in her ear. ***
Twilight turned her open wings side to side.
"So this will help with my direction of lift, right?" She asked but received no reply. "Rainbow?"
Rainbow wasn't looking at her but off at the distance where two ponies were playing. It was Thunderlane and Rumble. They were tossing the hoofball back and forth, no true game plan. But they were happy.
Rainbow looked... almost sad.
"Rainbow?"
TWEET! "What am I paying you to stand around and gawk at the air? KEEP TURNING!"
TWEET! ***
Twilight's teeth ached as she fought back with all her wing power but try as she might, she couldn't match Rainbow Dash.
"Pull harder, maggot!" She could still yell order with a mouth full of rope. ***
More flapping, same as before.
She kisses the dirt with a thud.
TWEET!
"On your hooves, maggot!" ***
Thud.
"Maggot!" ***
Thud.
"MAGGOT!" ***
Thud.
"I'm being extra nice to you right now, maggot!" She screamed at her dirt smashed face. ***
TWEET!
About the time the sun was at its highest point in the sky, Twilight was done. With everything; trying to fly, with the demands, with maggots, but mostly standing. Standing was the worst thing to do at the moment. She had crumpled to the ground in an exhausted heap and would question why there was no shrill whistle from Rainbow Dash if she wasn't too focused on the throbbing pain in her... everywhere.
"I think... we should... take... a break?" She suggested between big gasps for air.
"Aw come on, princess. You won't be flying with an attitude like that."
Twilight would make her "coach" eat those words if she could make herself do anything more than breathe. "Rainbow Dash, I've been training for hours. I need to rest."
"Okay, okay. Take five."
"I'll take as many as I need." Twilight grumbled as she rolled onto her back.
It must have been bad luck or another cheap shot from faith that she had to be training mercilessly on a day where the weather called for "sunny skies and no clouds". Which is why the cool water splashing onto her face came as a grateful surprise. Twilight took the offered water bottle, guzzling down the Celestia kissed liquid.
"How you feeling?" Dash asked.
"Like my wings are about to fall off."
After some executive thinking, Rainbow Dash came to the conclusion that- "I don't think this is working for you."
"Maybe I'm just not flying material."
"Aww come on, Twilight. Anypony with a pair of wings can get themselves off the ground. You just need the right motivation."
"Then what do you suggest?"
Rainbow Dash leaned in close, nearly touching Twilight's ear. In a secrety whisper she said, "The mantra."
"The mantra?"
"It's a little something I say to myself. Everyday when I wake up, I look in the mirror and chant it as many times as I need to. I say it in my head if I'm losing my head, like a prayer. It's what motivates me to get out of my bed. It's what reminds me of why I love having these wings."
Unshakable pride could be seen in Rainbow's magenta eyes was as much as it could be heard in her voice. "May I hear it?" she asked.
Rainbow stood straight at attention, adorning her familiar determined stare and confident grin. And when she spoke, she spoke with more conviction, and belief than Twilight had ever heard from her before.
"I have wings so I must fly. I fly to soar. The sun shines, the grass grows, and I fly. When I fly, I fly fast. The sky is my home. I am home when I fly. My home is the sky, you can't take my home from me. I fly fast! I fly free! I fly the best! I fly to soar! I fly to win! I fly because FLYING! IS! AWESOME!"
Nopony could have said it better.
"Now repeat after me. Flying is awesome."
"Flying is awesome." The alicorn echoed.
"Now say it louder."
"Flying is awesome." Her voice raised in pitch.
"Louder!"
"Flying is awesome!" Twilight said, using her outside voice.
"Louder!" Rainbow hollered back.
"Flying is awesome!" Twilight shouted.
"Loouuudeerrrr!!" Rainbow practically screamed.
"FLYING! IS! AWESOME!" The librarian screaming at the top of her lungs to the attention of the other ponies in the park.
"Flying!" Twilight flaring her wings to add extra emphasis
"What's flying?"
"The act of flight or moving through the air!" Oops. "Uh- I mean, awesome!"
"Yeah?" Rainbow stoked the fire in Twilight's belly.
"Yeah!"
"YEAH?"
"YEAH!"
"YEAH!!" Bellowed Snowflake.
"YEAH!!" Twilight shouting Snowflake back from where he came.
Heart racing. Adrenaline speeding. Twilight has never been more pumped for anything in her life. Not since the Librarian's Expo back in Canterlot at least.
"You ready to fly princess?!" Rainbow shouted in Twilight's face.
With a determined stare into the horizon; our princess-to-be jogged in place. Too anxious to wait for her signal, she rocketed off the starting line. Her wings beat the air in a practiced steady rhythm. ***
Run, jump, then glide. Run, then jump, then glide. Another 10 meters, leap, 20 meters. Touch the dirt, it has germs, fly over them! ***
Twilight felt the burn of her muscles as she pushed herself through another set of twenty. She also felt her ears ringing from the whistle that blared like an air raid siren from the coach that stood on her back. ***
When Twilight pulled the rope, Rainbow pulled twice as hard. ***
Drops of sweat fell from her fur. ***
TWEET! ***
Wings push against gravity. ***
She's off the ground. ***
In the air. ***
Victory.
********
She leans her nose near the ground. Flared wings at the ready. Not yet, wait for the cue.
The whistle sings. The lavender zoom spun the anemometer fan fast enough to win an impressed nod from her teacher.
"7.2 wing power. Not bad, princess."
"Whoo-hoo!" Twilight danced on her hooves jubilantly. "What's next? A tug of war rematch? Ooh! How about another set of wing ups?"
"Nope." Rainbow came down with a puffy white cloud between her hooves. "Nap time."
"Huh?"
"If you train your body for hours then you gotta rest em for just as long. Why do you think I take so many naps?"
"Because you're secretly lazy." Twilight suggested as she lit her horn for the spell.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. No need for magic, princess." Rainbow said, fluffing the cloud for maximum prime comfort. "Just step on."
Oh, right. Twilight eyed the cloud studiously before a cautious step onto the chunk of stratus. It curdled her hoof in a comforting foundation. She settled down on her belly, absorbing every nano-meter of comfy from the amazing hug of the cloud. Never before has Twilight cuddled something so... so.... cuddly!
Rainbow perched next to her. "Comfy, princess?"
"Mmm! I can tell why you love napping so much." She said, snuggling deeper into the cloud. "I forgot how soft these clouds are."
"Why wouldn't I? I always nap after a good flight practice."
"And a job shift, lunch break, every other day around 4:15."
"Like you don't read a book every hour on the hour."
"As much as I'd love to, my work load from Princess Celestia has been pretty heavy the last few weeks." Her wings ruffled their feathers. "At least now I know what that work went into."
Rainbow smiled. "So. How does it feel to have wings?"
Her wings vibrated again, unconsciously. "It feels weird. Not that they feel weird, it's that they don't feel that way. It's almost like these things always were a part of my body, but I just didn't know it until now. Sometimes I forget they are even there."
"They aren't giving you any trouble?"
"Ugh, only when I try to sleep." She groused. "They keep bunching and opening on their own. I can hardly lay down properly without them bending under me."
Rainbow chuckled. "Wow. I never had that problem before."
Twilight growled irritably and sunk back into the cloud.
"Relax princess." Rainbow said, playfully nudging her in the wing. "It's only natural. Besides, you'll get used to it eventually right?"
Rainbow had a point. "I guess you are right. If there was anything you taught me today it's perseverance. Even a foal could do it right?"
Dash's confident smirk vanished and her gaze leaked into the cloud. This didn't go unnoticed by Twilight.
"Rainbow. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Course I am." She said putting on her smirk again.
"Are you sure? Is something the matter?"
She knew Rainbow Dash wasn't the type to admit something that might smudge her Cloudsdale sized ego, even if it was something as silly as confessing she wanted to read. Which was dumb because reading books is the best thing in the world. But she also knew a facade when she saw one.
"Rainbow?"
The pegasus sighed in defeat. "Did we ever tell you when Applejack, Rarity and I took the Crusaders camping?"
"I... think so. Yeah, I think Rarity said you girls went to Rainbow Falls for a weekend."
"Yeah that's right. Well... on the trip I made a kind of big sister/little sister bond with Scootaloo. She told me how much she wanted me to take her under my wing and be a sister to her. And why wouldn't I ya' know? Scoots is awesome. When we got back I promised her we would do flight lessons and get her off the ground sometime soon. Then, a few days later..."
Twilight knew what happened next. "You were accepted into the Wonderbolt Academy."
"I totally forgot about it until I got back. I haven't seen her at all since then. I think she's been avoiding me because I didn't keep my promise." Rainbow sniffed, her head sinking lower and lower into the cloud. "I don't want her to hate me Twilight. I'm supposed to be her big sister. But what kind of sister am I if I can't keep one stinkin' promise?"
"Oh Rainbow Dash, knock it off."
Rainbow Dash gawked at the alicorn with big gawking eyes. That was one of the last things she expected to hear.
"Scootaloo doesn't hate you."
"But I-I failed her. I didn't keep my promise-"
"Rainbow, do you love Scootaloo?" Twilight interrupted softly.
"Of course I do."
"Does she love you?"
"Love me?! Are you kidding? She practically worships the air I fly! Everything I say or do, she'll do it in a heartbeat. She made a fan club in my name, Twilight! A fan club!"
"Then what do you have to worry about?"
Rainbow went quiet. "But..."
"Rainbow Dash, you are the most loyal pony I know. But loyalty isn't always about keep your promises or caring deeply about the ones you love. Sometimes it means standing by them no matter what. Didn't you quit the academy when we were put in danger? It was your dream, Rainbow Dash. And you were willing to give it up for your friends. You can't say you're not loyal if you were willing to do that for us. And you shouldn't worry about Scootaloo. I'm sure she won't be mad when she hears that her big sister tried out for the Wonderbolts."
Rainbow Dash was silent in contemplation. She took off her hat and looked at the golden lead pony badge on the cap. She smiled.
"You're right, Twilight." She said with a teary smile. Then she yawned loudly and contagiously. " I'm tired."
Twilight snuggled back into the comfy napspace. Just before drifting off, Rainbow Dash said spoke again.
"Hey Twilight."
"Yeah."
"You're gonna be a great princess."
Twilight peeked a look at her friend before the crashing relief pulled her eyes shut.
At least she will be happy when you leave them forever.
Then Twilight fell softly to sleep.
********
"Twilight? Twiiiiiiilight? Hey, Twilight."
Twilight gave a tired moan, smacking her gunk tasting lips. When she opened her eyes, Rainbow Dash's overeager face had enveloped her vision. A strange and tense silence fell on the cloud. Each blink of the pegasus's unending close up gaze stirred the melting pot of awkward.
"How do you feel?"
Uncomfortable. "Um, fine."
"Well rested?" She could count all her teeth, that smile was so big.
"I... guess?"
"That's good." She said and helped Twilight to her hooves.
"Just remember: I got you. Okay?"
...
"Okay."
Rainbows hoof lay on her shoulder. "Okay."
Then, with a light push, Twilight fell. First thing she felt was her stomach lurch from the loss of balance. That feeling was quickly replaced with shock at how much higher she was than when she fell asleep. Fear kicked in when she noticed the ground as she dropped closer and closer to it. Her entire body seized.
I'm falling! I'm falling! Rainbow Dash if I don't die on impact I'm gonna kill you!!
Thinking of Rainbow Dash, Twilight remembered what she said about a controlled descent. She turned over and leveled her body. It gave her a few seconds of reaction time, but she couldn't open her wings. Come one wings. Fly! Fly!
"Twilight!" She heard. Rainbow's hooves wrapped around her barrel and carried her up higher into the skyline.
"I gotchya Twilight!" She shouted over the wind. "I'm gonna drop you again when you're ready!"
Twilight felt more at ease as they climbed away from the dirt. More than that she felt more confident.
Okay Twilight, focus. Rainbows got you. You can do this. You've got... let's see... carry the one... 27 seconds before you reach the ground. All you got to do is open your wings and fly. Come on. You can do it. Fly!
Hooves released her.
Open your wings and fly!
Lavender wings flared open, rising with the wind. Each flap lifted her higher and higher. The wind danced around her body, as if it was saying "I've got you". Twilight pumped her wings higher to the sky, she was so close she could touch it. At the peak of her ascent; she leveled out her body, her hooves just barely touching the bits of cirrus. She looked down at the houses hiding under the clouds. She felt... so powerful up here.
Smiling a Rainbow Dash smile, Twilight angled her wings for a drop. When she dropped it was like nothing she ever felt before. The speed, the wind through her feathers, the freedom, seeing the world beneath her; it was like meeting an old friend after parting for too long. Building momentum, she rose back up, her stomach brushing the blades of grass as she glided before lifting into the air. She never slowed down for a moment, the rush was too good.
Twilight rose back into the sky, flying fast. She was free.
She had found a home among the clouds and sky.
She found a home in flying.
Because flying was awesome.
********
Rainbow Dash was on the ground watching her trainee with the pride of a hard day's work paid off. She had no doubt that Twilight would have succeeded. As often as she joked her for being a bookwormy egghead; she knew Twilight was strong. If fixing the fabric of reality wasn't number one on the list of accomplishments she had done, she was tougher than first glance.
Her thoughts drifted to Scootaloo. In hindsight, it was silly to worry if the squirt would hate her, but... she did leave you for Mare-Do-Well. No! She's your little sister, she'll love you no matter what. Rainbow reached into her hat, pulling out the silver Wonderbolt Wing Pony badge.
Every lead needs a wing pony.
"WA-HOOOOOO!!"
"Hey, Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow turned to see Thunderlane walking up to her, a droopy eyed Rumble lying on his back. "What's up Thunderlane?"
"Nothing much." He replied casually, strolling up next to her and trying to see what she was. His eyes went white and his mouth dropped at what he saw, Rumble stared in awe.
"Isn't that..T-Twilight?" he sputtered out at last.
"Yeah."
"How can... is she...isn't she a unicorn?!"
"She used to be."
"USED TO BE?!"
"Yeah. She messed up a spell and changed reality or something, but she fixed and then we blew her up and then Princess Celestia gave her wings." She explained in the most blase way possible. Thunderlane was still stammering like the idiot he kind of was. "Oh and she's a princess now."
"P-P-PRINCESS???!!!" he half shouted half squawked.
"Wow!" Rumble said with the wonder that only a child could possess. "Can I be a princess too, Thunderlane?"
Twilight had her fill with her feet off the ground and flapped back down in front of the proud pegasus and the mind blown brothers. "Wow! That was..amazing!!" she shouted breathlessly.
"Congrats Twilight, you're my official fly buddy." Rainbow said, sealing the deal with a hoofbump.
Twilight's attention turned to the brothers that joined Rainbow. She smiled sheepishly at their stares of both disbelief and admiration, tucking her wings in instinctively.
"Hi.. boys." She said, channeling her inner Fluttershy. It was like the actual Fluttershy but more booksmart. And purple.
Well, secrets out now.
"Hey...uh... Twilight" Thunderlane murmured, his cheeks turning a little red.
Oh great. You scared him with your demonic wings of purple!
"You okay Thunderlane?" She asked concerned.
"I'm fine." he responded, looking at the ground "I just... need to lay down until tomorrow. C'mon." He turned to leave, but Rumble wouldn't have it.
"But Thunder, I wanted to talk to Twilight." He said tugging his buzz cut mane.
"Not now, Rumble." He said bitterly "I just want to go home, okay?"
Rainbow waved bye to the little tyke, she then noticed the murderous stare Twilight was giving her. "What?" she asked, not sure why Twilight was mad.
"Why did you tell them I was a princess?!" She shouted.
Rainbow still didn't get her frustration. "Why not? I mean its not like it will be a secret in a week right?"
"NO! I- yeah well- okay yes but- grmmph." Twilight sputtered out like a grumpy kindergartner.
"Relax Twilight. Everypony's gonna know eventually right?"
"I know that! But did you see how he reacted when he saw me?"
"He did kinda freak out when he saw you flying and when I said you were a princess." Rainbow pondered seriously, but decided on a not as serious answer. "Or he just thinks you're cute."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Hey, you want to head down to Sugarcube Corner. I haven't eaten since breakfast."
"Nah you go ahead." Rainbow answered, holding up the wing pony badge. "I gotta go find Scootaloo."
Twilight smiled. "Okay Rainbow." Rainbow answered with a nod before flying away. Twilight turned to walk to the bakery, but stopped before she took a step.
On second thought, I'll fly instead.
********
The jingle of the bell announced the alicorn's arrival to the quaint bakery. It smelled as sweet and tasty as its namesake. She always wondered who first called it "Sugarcube Corner". Maybe it was Pinkie, it seemed like a Pinkie Pie name. Maybe it just came to the Cakes while making a gingerbread house. Coincidentally, that's just what the two bakers were doing. Carrot Cake's eyes were harrowed with intense focus as he and his beau delicately centered another addition to their gingerbread... manor.
His sugary wall crumbled in his hooves. "Oh! That was the fourth one!"
Cup walked to the counter as Carrot struggled with the colossal treat.
"Good evening Twilight." She greeted sweetly. Then she noticed Twilight's new attachments. "Wow. Looks like Pinkie was telling the truth."
"Pinkie told you about... these?" She asked, giving her feathers a ruffle.
"Well from what I could get out of her. She came back late, shouted something about a 'Super-Duper Alicorn Party', something about you being a new princess, went to her room and hasn't come out since."
"She must be party planning." She summed up.
"So.. are you really a princess now?" She asked with a big grin and twinkling eyes.
"Well..." Her cheeks lit up. "Not technically. I am to be coronated by the end of the week, but I will be soon."
"Well then, what can I get you, your highness?" She asked jokingly.
"I just came for a late snack. So... a dozen muffins please."
"Coming right up."
A loud SLAM was heard at the top of the stairs, Pinkie tumbled down the stairs with her usual bounce. Confetti decorated her mess of a mane while splotches of paint served as eyeliner.
"Twilight!" She shouted, gripping her in a tight hug that constricted the already aching muscles.
"Easy Pinkie. I'm still sore."
She immediately left the hug. "Oh sorry, Twilight. Did you get another reading cramp?"
"I was flight training with Rainbow Dash all day. She got me flying, but right now it's a pretty hard earned reward."
"Oh that reminds me! What do you think is Rainbow Dash's favorite color?" She asked, invading personal space.
"GENIUS! Wait!..No, I don't think they make rainbow candles." Her own hooves shot into her mouth.
"Candles?" Twilight asked curiously.
"Don't think about it! It's part of a surprise!" The bubbly earth pony commanded with a glare Twilight wasn't sure was serious or not. "Pick a different color!"
"Okay, uh... red I guess?"
Pinkie gasped that "great idea gasp" and dashed upstairs. A silhouette of dust as the only evidence of her being there. The three ponies stood there open mouthed, bewildered, and another synonym for confused.
"I still don't understand her sometimes." Carrot murmured bringing a fresh box of warm muffins to the counter.
"That was quick."
"Oh, we always keep a fresh box for whenever Ditzy comes in. She has quite the fix for them."
"How much?"
"Oh please, Princess take these free of charge." Cup said graciously
Princess. Looks like they are already treating you different.
"Please need for formalities, and I can pay for it."
"No, I insist dearie."
"Well I insist further."
"It's fine, you don't need to pay."
"Sugar Plum, is this necessary?" Carrot asked, putting himself into the debate.
"I want to be courteous to the princess."
"Well, we also have a business to run." He argued. Twilight smiled, its not often someone joined her side of an argument.
"Yes but-"
"Cup Cake," Twilight said with polite authority. "As Soon-To-Be-Princess of Equestria, I order you to let me pay for my own meal."
Cup Cake smiled in defeat. "Okay."
Twilight hoofed over the bits, and hauled the box on her back. She said her goodbyes to the bakers and made her way back home.
********
Few things in the world could match the euphoria of warm water splashing down on sore muscles. But for Twilight, the post-shower cuddle up with a good book feeling was worth a silver medal. It felt good so snuggle down into a bed of stars, surrounded by a moat of books. She had taken out the small number of etiquette books stored in the shelves and had surrounded herself with the tomes.
She took a bite out of another raspberry muffin and began the next chapter in The History of Being a Princess for Foals. It was a good read, even if things seemed a touch over simplified.
Chapter X
Dinner Time: Or What Would I Ever Need a Fish Knife For?
Around 1500 years ago, when the metaphorical tree of social classes was planted, the upper branch thought to themselves of another way to look down on lower classes for trivial things with how they eat. They created the "Proper Dinner Etiquette", which was like a better way to the hay off the ground. This began with sitting in the recently invented chair upright to preserve posture. With the royal buttocks seated at the table she can then begin learning all the various silverware. To the far right the fork, used for main dishes. To the forks left is the salad forks, which some mistook as a backup fork. It is moments like these that begat rumors that common sense belonged only to the commoners On the-
Bluurpsh!
Twilight looked away from the book at the sound of the fiery belch coming from downstairs. That could mean that Spike ate too fast or-
"Twilight! Letter from the princess!"
Perfect timing. She ate up the cursive text on the scroll.
Dear Twilight,
I hope I am not interrupting anything important you might be doing. First things first, your coronation. I am writing to you on behalf of the reception committee. They are expecting your arrival in Canterlot the day before the ceremony to allow time for you to rehearse your part. I have also allowed your input to be considered no matter how minute the detail.
Yours eternal,
Princess Celestia.
...
Was... was that it? No. No, that can't be all. There was nothing on the back, it was just this stale reminder of her weekend plans. There was nothing that implied any genuine interest in her day, nothing that felt warm and kind, nothing that felt like... Princess Celestia.
Twilight let the phony letter drop away. Why would the princess send her such a fill in the blanks letter? It wasn't something she would do. She knows I am going through a hard change. I'm not asking for a fix-it-everything spell, I just need somepony to talk to. Is she so strapped for time that she can't write one measly letter?
No, no. Don't think like that. She is the princess after all. She had to write a letter for the committee on top of everything else she must be doing. There are and will be times when she and you will be so busy we won't be able to talk to each oth-
"Ugh. I'm doing it again."
She was rambling. It was a defense she had garnered through years of persistent top of her class perfectionism and insistent on-the-dot, on time assignment turn in mentality. She was lucky to catch herself early. If she hadn't she would have been pacing long into the morning hours and every inch of her floor would have a 4 foot groove in it. That didn't stop her mind from frantically buzzing like a nest of furious hornets.
She set the muffins and books off the bed,feeling tired again. She needed to relax. Whatever bridge is next on her road she'll cross when she comes to it. With her wings comfortably folded against the still cool bedding, she set her weary body to rest.
