Chapter One: New Wings
She closed her eyes, blinded by the magic that Princess Celestia had conjured up. A pleasant warmth enveloped her, penetrating her flesh and bones.
The heat shifted to his back, and a slight itch concentrated in the bones of the spine. She felt the flesh moving and the bones getting longer. It did not hurt, on the contrary, it was an ecstasy.
The light finally faded, the heat turned away. Twilight heard the ground again under the hooves. She opened her eyelids a couple of times, trying to get used to the sight again.
She was in front of her Ponyville tree house, surrounded by her friends. They looked at her smiling, their eyes full of tears of joy. Princess Celestia was close to them, with a proud smile. Twilight tried to ask what had happened, but a green and purple stain jumped on her, throwing her to the ground.
"TWILIGHT!" Spike shouted, holding her between his paws. He was crying. "You were... we thought... we thought... " he stammered through his tears.
The lavender pony smiled and hugged him. "I'm fine, calm."
But the little little dragon moved away and looked at her in surprise, his mouth open. "T-Twilight? Your back..."
Twilight, confused, looked at the others present. They too were staring at her in amazement. Princess Celestia smiled. Caught by curiosity, she touched her back with her hoof, feeling something soft and delicate.
When she understood what they were, she became white as a ghost. Snapped on her hooves, and the sudden movement opened her feathered wings in a spasm.
"WINGS!?" she screamed as looked at the new limbs, shaking without control.«But how... what...» she made a quick reasoning and turned to Princess Celestia. "Why did you put these wings on me?"
"Is not it obvious Twilight?" The princess chuckled with a clog to cover her mouth. "A princess needs wings."
"Of course." After a few seconds, those present, Celestia excluded, lost their jaws to the ground. "WHAT?"
The white alicorn approached her. "I, Princess Celestia, Princess of the Sun and legitimate co-ruler of Equestria, make you, Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship and Magic."
Normally Twilight would have fainted and Spike would have to use the strongest salts in the country to awaken her. Strangely, she just nodded.
"Why me?" She asked. Her voice was extremely calm, almost cold.
"Because you deserve it, I've never known ponies so gifted with magic and command, if ever one day Luna and I were to disappear, my heart would be calm knowing you will reign after us."
Twilight felt a whirlwind of emotions attack her. Joy, happiness, anger, shame, merit, demerit. The princess of the sun lifted her face with hoof, giving her a warm motherly smile.
"I saw you grow, improve and become the gorgeous pony you are today. You will be a magnificent ruler, believe me."
Twilight, with tears in the eyes, smiled. Princess Celestia had the power to reassure her everytime.
As soon as the Princess of the Sun had gone away, the friends of the new alicorn jumped on her. Fluttershy and Pinkie shook her, worried as Spike. Dash and Rarity complimented the new wings, with the stylist who immediately thought of new clothes and the sprinter who could not wait to teach them to fly and race. Applejack limited himself to a hoof on the shoulder and some compliments.
Twilight was happy.
Chapter One End
Chapter Two: New Duties
"What do my eyes see? The young Twilight Sparkle returned to Canterlot, and with her his faithful little dragon. I have not seen you for months!" exclaimed Donut Joe. "Always the usual, guys?"
"Thanks Joe, but no. We just went to say hello." Twilight smiled at him. It was beautiful once in a while to hear someone turn to her just like Twilight and not 'Princess' or 'Your Majesty'.
"In fact, I would like a donut with..."
"Emeralds, is not it?" said the owner, pulling a donut from under the counter. Tiny green fragments glinted above it. Spike smiled as usual.
"I'll never understand how you do..." the little dragon murmured, grabbing the donut and giving it a bite.
"Magic and talent as a barman, dear Spike» he replied with a smile. «Then Twily, I do not think you've come all this way just to greet a poor unicorn and buy a donut."
"We have come to propose to Princess Celestia new ideas to improve the lives of the inhabitants of Equestria."
"Uh, big stuff. You'll see that Celestia will listen to you, you've always had brilliant ideas."
Twilight nodded and smiled at him again. "Thanks Joe." Then she turned to the little reptile "Come on Spike, or we'll be late."
"I c-mmh-mhh" he chewed the words, literally, and followed the princess.
"Good luck and welcome back to Canterlot!" Joe screamed.
The road to the castle was like Twight remembering it. The Way of Alicorn was always full of noble ponies in elegant dresses covered in jewels. Some greeted her very kindly, bowing to the ground, but he knew that those ponies were just a nest of vipers. Being Princess Celestia's student let her learn a lot of things.
The castle as usual was full of people. Solar guards flicked the walls or stood motionless at the door, while servants ran everywhere to execute orders. Finally there were the nobles who jostled each other to have an interview with the princesses, who had to talk about serious problems or for a party.
It was with a strange satisfaction that Twilight passed those haughty ponies in the waiting room, entering the throne room. No one spoke, but their looks betrayed their anger, making her smile. Being alicorn had many advantages, but this was one of the best.
The thrones hall was immense. Two rows of huge white and blue columns with golden and silver decorations respectively. The windows on the sides threw a rosy aura on the whole room. The huge hall was also called Hall of Memory, and as he walked he looked at them, remembering ancient stories and recent events.
The defeat of Discord, the war against King Sombra, the betrayal of Nightmare Moon, the 200 years war with the griffins, the invasion of zebras and minotaurs. She had studied these events for a long time, especially now that some sick fanfiction author seemed to hurl ancient and monstrous enemies against them as pebbles every month.
The most recent windows, however, were the ones most dear to her. Nightmare Moon's defeat when she found her friends and Celestia had found her sister. Discord and Queen Chrysalis, who had tried to divide her from them, failing. King Sombra, when she learned the meaning of sacrifice.
The last window showed her triumphing over the monstrous Lord Tirek. They were still mounting it. It had only been a week since that fight, and since then many things have changed.
She had lost her beloved library, but now she had a castle of her own, full of thousands of books. Discord had betrayed them and repented, again. She still did not trust him completely, but wanted to give him one last chance.
However, power was the biggest change. Even if only for a couple of hours, she has had the power of four alicorns. This had brought to her some great ideas.
At the back of the room, sitting on one of the twin thrones on the platform raised above the floor, was Princess Celestia. The rainbow mane swayed in ethereal wind, with the golden crown behind the long white horn. Behind her, engraved in the throne, there be her cutiemark, joined to her sister's moon.
Despite knowing her from all his life, Twilight was always shocked by his divine aura. She bowed. "Princess."
The solar diarch chuckled. "You're too, Twilight. You do not need stupid ceremonies among us, you know."
Twilight blushed. "It's a habit" she apologized.
"Enough with the pleasantries, follow me. I had some black tea and a great chocolate cake made for me." Exclaimed the princess of the sun. The two alicorns headed for the tea room, where a round table was waiting for them.
But something was missing.
"Princess, half the cake is missing."
"My sister was very hungry this morning, you know how she is" Celestia said with a nervous smile.
"Sure. I know very well how it is "Luna"" Twilight commented with a giggle.
They sat down and took both a sip of tea. Princess Celestia spoke first. "In your letter you said you wanted to talk to me about some ideas."
"Yes..." Twilight stammered. Although she had become an alicorn she still felt small compared to her mentor. She took a deep breath as Cadence had taught her.
"You see, after the events of the last year and especially those of a week ago, I have reasoned about our situation. Equestria is too vulnerable. I have compared the reports, and the army of our kingdom is less than half of the Winged Empire of the griffins. Moreover, equestrian has not seen a real war for nearly 300 years. There are a too few real soldiers among us."
Celestia nodded. "True, but don't forget we have unicorns and magic. In addition, experienced soldiers from the wars of a thousand years ago live in the Crystal Empire."
"That's why they're not a good defense" Twilight replied. "The war evolved while they were trapped. I do not deny that the strongest troops in the world remain, but today's technologies can overcome them. One of those dog rifles can pierce flesh and crystal, and I don't imagine what their cannons can do."
"Besides, against enemies like Discord or Tirek, our magic has not helped."
"Tirek was a monster out of the ordinary" the princess replied. "And Discord is now our ally again. Moreover, against these powerful enemies the elements of harmony have always won."
"Yes, but they will not be there forever..." she looked down. Twilight did not like to think of that unstoppable event. it caused sadness and anger in her.
The diarch nodded. "And what's your plan?"
"I want to organize a compulsory military leverage and a stricter training for the troops. The Academy Supreme Council will teach more complex and efficient spells for unicorns in battle, and we will do the same with pegaus and their aerial infantry skills."
"For what age is this leverage obligatory?"
"Sixteen years. The bodies of adolescents develop better."
The princess of the sun looked at her for a moment, in silence. Then she sighed. "I've never been a skilled warrior. According to Luna, my heart is too soft. I do not like this idea but I know you're right. I will send this project to my sister."
"Thanks Princess» Twilight said. «However, I would have another idea to propose."
"Speak then."
"In fact, more than an idea is a plan, in case the worst scenario becomes reality. I called him Last Flight."
"And what does this 'Last Flight' consist of?" The sun's alicorn was beginning to get curious.
"In case an enemy, be it monster or army, defeats us, the four princesses will gather in the Crystal Empire and pour their magic into one of us. I have personally experienced that power, and I know what it is capable of. Nobody could resist our counterattack."
"No" the princess replied with a dry refusal. Twilight remained slightly stunned.
"But... why not?"
"Such power should not belong to a single pony. It would be uncontrollable. Neither do I know how to keep it too long."
"It would take a hard training."
"And in that case the carrier could become a tyrant not unlike Sombra or Tirek." Her voice became hard.
"But I..."
"You still do not know what it means to reign, Twilight Sparkle!" The princess leaned forward and raised her voice. Her shadow seemed to grow, enveloping the entire room in a dark aura. The mane suddenly darkened, while the violet eyes shone with rage. "I do not mean to risk the safety of my people, not even from my own caste!"
After the outburst, the darkness withdrew and everything seems to return to normal. Twilight remained bent for ten seconds, hooves high up to protect her head. Some tears were forming in the corners of the eyes.
"I don't mean to repeat myself, Twilight Sparkle. Abandon this crazy idea" said the princess, her voice hard but normal. The Alicorn Of Magic nodded shaking.
"All right..."
"Now, I'm very busy. Have you anything else to tell me?" Celestia asked coldly enough to hurt her. It took a few seconds before Twilight found the courage to open the mouth.
"Well... It's been three months since my transformation into the alicorn, but I have not received any important assignments yet. I only attended parties, ceremonies and inaugurations like a wax statue that people enjoy to greet."
"And what would you like?"
"Give me a piece of Equestria like you did with Cadance. You will see that I will know how to reign as best as you, Princess."
Celestia stared at the ex-student for a few countless seconds, remaining silent.
"Very well. I will assign you Ponyville and its territories to the Everfree Forest. You will have more power than the mayor, but you will have no influence outside the borders or superior to the other princesses."
"Actually, Princess..." she murmured, nervously turning her hoof to the ground. "I was hoping for a city like Manehattan or Las Pegasus..."
"You're too young Twilight Sparkle. You'll improve over time, but I do not intend to deliver thousands of lives in inexperienced hooves right now."
"But Cadence..."
"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza trained for years to govern. In addition, your brother has also been a great leader, while you are still young and without experience. Be grateful that I gave you this chance and stop insisting."
Once again Twilight bowed her head and nodded.
"Now, i have to deal with many important things" she said, getting up and heading for the thrones hall. "Good day, Princess Twilight."
"Good day... Celestia" Twilight Sparkle murmured. The last word came out suffering, angry.