Episode 222 (S9 E26): A Difficult Decision

by StormLuna


Parental Visit

As Twilight was flying towards Canterlot, so many things were running through her mind. While she had said that she was going to tell Celestia about how she truly felt about everything, she still had her concerns that Celestia would be disappointed and perhaps even angry. She knew that Celestia had been grooming her for this for years but in her heart, ruling Equestria was not what she wanted.

As Canterlot became visible, she began to get very nervous. She even began to question whether she should even decline this but she knew that she had to, her mental well being depended on it. When she finally landed, she initially began to head to the palace but then felt like there were two ponies that she needed to talk to before she would go and tell Celestia her decision.

As she headed through the city's residential district, she was greeted warmly by everypony she met. Many knew about her upcoming coronation and congratulated her while others congratulated her over the defeat of the legion of doom. She thanked each pony with a smile despite the ones bringing up her coronation were stressing her out a bit.

When she finally arrived at her parents' house, she knocked loudly on the door, hoping somepony would answer and let her in before anypony else would bring up her upcoming coronation. Very quickly her mother would answer, "Twilight, it is so good to see you!"

Twilight asked, "It is good to see you too. Do you think I could come in?"

Velvet motioned for her to go in, "Of course you can sweetie."

When she arrived in the living room, she was greeted by her father, "Twilight, how is my princess doing?"

Twilight replied, "Alright I suppose." She then turned to her mother and continued, "I need to talk to you two about something important. It is something that is really bothering me."

"What's wrong Sweet Pea," asked Night Light, "is something going wrong between you and Princess Celestia?"

Velvet asked, "Is she not going to retire after all?"

Twilight replied, "Yeah she is still planning on it but it is about the coronation and ruling Equestria on my own." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Thing is, I don't want to rule Equestria alone, I love my friends and I love Ponyville. I don't want to leave them or my life. I just don't know how to tell Celestia this."

Both their jaws dropped. Night Light was the first to say anything, "Really Twilight? You really don't want to rule Equestria on your own?"

Velvet added, "But isn't that what Princess Celestia has groomed you for ever since you entered her school?"

Twilight replied, "Yes but that isn't what I want in life. Back before Celestia sent me to Ponyville, I simply wanted to be as learned and as talented as Starswirl. When I got sent to Ponyville, I was happy spending time with my friends. When I became a princess and my life didn't change that much, I was still happy."

"Are you still happy?" questioned Velvet.

"Yes," replied Twilight "I am. I enjoy running my school and I love everything else about my life down there but if I take over for Celestia, all that will be gone. I won't be able to relax any, at all. I will always have one event or another keeping me from even getting to see my friends and I know Celestia's job is stressful and that is something I don't want."

The two remained silent before Velvet addressed something, "Twilight, aren't you afraid that the princesses will be angry? I know they've been wanting to retire but if you do this, they won't be able to. What if they get mad at you?"

Twilight replied, "Mom, at this point I really don't care. I had a discussion with one of my friends and she told me to do what my heart is telling me, she told me to do what would be best for my mental health. My heart is telling me to keep doing what I'm doing and I know I'll be miserable if I'm parted from my friends like this."

Velvet had a slight look of disapproval on her face but Night Light would receive the news differently, "Twilight, if this is what you want, I think you should go for it. It is obvious this friend cares about you deeply and wants you to be happy."

"She does," Twilight replied, "she is the guidance counselor at my school. Ever since we became friends, she has provided me with as much advice as I have her. It was thanks to her that I stood up to the EEA and didn't let my school remain closed."

Velvet could tell that the pony who told her to follow her heart did indeed care about her. While she still had concerns over how Celestia would react she gave Twilight some advice, "Twilight, I was looking forward to having my daughter be the sole ruler of Equestria but if this is what will make you happy, who am I to try and steer you away from that happiness?"

Night Light added, "Don't worry Twilight, we will support you in whatever decision you make."

Twilight thanked, "Thanks mom, thanks dad. Now I feel more confident that I can go and approach Princess Celestia over this." She knew that it was now or never and continued, "Well I should get going, I need to go and talk to her about this now."

Night Light replied, "Good luck Twilight. I'm certain that the princess will be supportive in whatever your decision is."

Twilight gave her parents a good bye before leaving their house. Twilight did feel more confident after leaving her parents' house but still felt a bit nervous. She knew though that if she was to continue the life that she currently lived, that she would have to likely discuss this with both princesses. She was admittedly nervous about talking to Celestia about it but had a feeling that if Luna was really wanting to retire, that discussing this with her would be less than pleasant.