Princess Ocellus and her five friends all stared at Princess Twilight in surprise.
"Princess of Friendship?" Ocellus echoed, "But, you're the Princess of Friendship."
Twilight just smiled and said, "Friendship is hardly something restricted to one race, nor should it ever be. All creatures can experience friendship among their own kind and with other kinds. Look what it has done for the Changelings, and Griffonstone is getting a little better day by day. Plus, Yaktakistan, the Dragon Lands, and the Hippogriffs have been interacting peacefully with the rest of the world more than ever! Everyone deserves friendship, so it stands to reason to other lands, all lands, should have their own special champions of friendship to make sure it spreads. Friendship can and will change the world, and I truly believe that you, Ocellus, will be one of the creatures to ensure that happens."
Ocellus was awestruck by this, and she nervously ran a forehoof through her long mane and said, "Wow. . . I had no idea. I mean. . ." A smile slowly spread across her face, and she said, ". . . It's almost like being a Princess of Friendship is something that I've always wanted. . . but never thought of!"
Twilight nodded in understanding, "Believe me. I know how it feels."
Smolder suddenly stepped forward and said, "So, wait a minute. What exactly is Ocellus gonna be doing now as the Changeling Princess of Friendship? I mean, you always seem really busy Princess Twilight, so. . ."
"It's simple, actually," Twilight replied confidently, "The thing about being a Princess of Friendship is that you never stop learning-."
"Wait, NEVER!?" Silverstream exclaimed in shock.
"I don't mean just in a classroom," Twilight clarified quickly, "Sure, Ocellus will continue to attend classes with the rest of you for the full extent of your time here. But after that, she will still be learning through experiences. Friendship is a part of life, it needs to be experienced by going through the joys, trials, adventures, problems, and emotions that come with having friends."
Spike flew over to the group of young creatures and said with a cheeky smile, "Translation: Ocellus being a Princess won't split you up! It'll make your friendship stronger!"
For the first time since she broke out of the cocoon, Ocellus finally looked truly excited about being a Princess. "Yes!" she said happily, "It makes sense! I mean, what's a Princess of Friendship without her friends, right?"
"Exactly," Twilight said, "After all, it was all the care and concern your friends showed you that triggered your transformation. Remember?"
The six were all awestruck when the realization hit them.
Princess Ocellus nodded, "You're right. I certainly am lucky to have such great friends in my life."
Yona nervously stepped forward and asked, "Yona is good enough friend for Friendship Princess Ocellus?"
Princess Ocellus stepped over to Yona and put a foreleg around her, appreciating the fact that her increased height allowed her to give her yak friend a proper hug.
"Of course, Yona. I couldn't be happier to have you as a friend," Princess Ocellus said kindly, then she turned to look at her other friends and added, "And the same goes to all of you."
Gallus cracked a mile and said, "Heh. I guess when you're best friends, it doesn't really matter where you've come from. Right?"
Silverstream grabbed Gallus by the talon and pulled him over into Yona and the Princess' hug, laughing all the way. "Well, yeah! It was silly to think that this would split us up," Silverstream said gleefully.
Sandbar shyly slipped in close to the Changeling Princess and said, "I'm just glad I- we all still get to spend time with you."
Smolder just shrugged and said, "Eh, I knew there was nothing to worry about here."
As Smolder stood with her arms folded, the other five merely stared at her with a look of impatience. Eventually, she smiled warmly and said, "Aw, what the hey. Make room for me."
As the six friends all shared the group hug initated by the new Princess, Twilight and Thorax shared a nod. Then, Thorax said, "I think it goes without saying that you five would definitely be the guests of honor at Princess Ocellus' coronation."
Sandbar answered for the group, "We wouldn't miss it for anything."
The entire Changeling kingdom was gathered within the hive's throne room. It was an amazing spectacle of color all around. King Thorax sat on his throne, looking prouder than ever. To the left of the Changeling King stood the new Princess' four broodmates and Equestria's Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle, dressed for the ocassion. To his right were the five guests of honor, also appropraitely dressed, compliments of Rarity.
Stomping applause rang out as Princess Ocellus walked into down the room, honorably flanked by General Pharynx on one side and a recently appointed Colonel.
Changelings played flutes and lyres in a melodious song of triumphant honor. No words were needed to express the joy and excitement within every Changeling's heart, brought on by the hope for the many great things the new Princess would bring to their homeland.
Before long, Princess Ocellus had made it up to where King Thorax sat. He gave her a brief nod, and she turned around to face the large crowd of Changeling gathered before her.
"Just like we practiced," Thorax whispered encouragingly, his lips scarcely moving, and his voice just barely audible to Ocellus with the ambient music reaching its end.
Then there was silence, and the Changeling Princess of Friendship cleared her throat.
She then took one sweeping glance over the crowd before her, and smiled as she spoke confidentially to them all, "Not to long ago, I would've said that me, standing her, before all of you, to speak. . . would be impossible. And it would not be just because I wasn't a Princess, but because of my own shyness and meekness. I felt that I simply did not have the courage to make a difference in the world, or to let others know me too closely. But that all changed when King Thorax chose me to come to Princess Twilight's School of Friendship."
Princess Ocellus turned to her friends and said with all the care and love she could muster, "The five true, true friends I have made. . . Yona, Gallus, Sandbar, Silverstream, and Smolder. . . they not only helped me grow in self-confidence and courage, they also provided me with on of the purest, most innocent, sweetest love there is. The love of friendship."
The five of them were all pleased and touched by the words. Yona was a tremble with glee, while Gallus gave a quick wink and grin. Smolder just smiled proudly as Sandbar blushed bashfully and Silverstream was nodding so much it seemed like her head would fly off.
Princess Ocellus looked back out at the crowd and said, "Over time, as we supported each other, built each other up, fought and made up, solved problems, went through tough times, faced our fears, and overcame obstacles; that love got stronger as we gave it, received it, gave it back, and received even more. Eventually, it got so strong that it caused me to ascend to the form you see before you now. And it is my belief that it is the ability to appreciate the aspects I have listed, and to understand their value, no matter how small the gesture may seem to be on the surface, that it is key to truly becoming a Princess of Friendship."
The entire crowd stomped out their applause, much to the new Princess' delight. When it finally died down, Princess Twilight stepped forward, and Ocellus turned to face her.
"As the first Princess of Friendship," Twilight began, "I ask of you, Ocellus: Will you uphold the six Elements of Harmony; honesty, loyalty, kindness, generosity, laughter, and magic?"
"I will," Ocellus replied with certainty.
"And will you uphold the six virtues connected with them; strength, bravery, healing, beauty, hope, and sorcery?"
"I will."
"And will you always spread the magic of Friendship wherever you go and to all creatures; from the lands you call your home to the ends of the world?"
"I will."
Twilight smiled broadly, and gave Thorax a nod.
Thorax levitated a golden crown that could be described as a golden combination of Queen Chrysalis' crown and the crown Twilight wore after the Element of Magic had been returned to the Tree of Harmony. He placed the crown gently on Ocellus' head and declared, "I present to you. . . Princess Ocellus!"
The crowd went absolutely wild, the two younger broodmates were jumping up and down and cheering, the two older ones had tears of joy in their eyes, and Twilight gestured for the five young creatures to join their friend.
Princess Ocellus did not mind the roaring crowd before her at all, a feat that she would not have believe possible for herself at one time. But right now, as she stood with her very best friends around her, all she could do was smile and say, "Yes. . . everything is gonna be just fine!"
The End