Princess Twilight Sparkle remembered the times when she was a mere unicorn, living in a library, going on adventures with her friends and writing letters to her mentor about what she learned that week…
But today, in a few minutes, she was going to join Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and rule Equestria together.
Me, Twilight Sparkle, an equal to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Twilight thought excitedly as she stood on the balcony of her very own room in the Canterlot Castle. Second room, of course. She couldn't abandon her castle at Ponyville just like that. It was what she had dreamt of for a very long time, and it came true!
But that warm feeling faded away pretty quickly. Will she be able to see her friends again? What will become of them? Twilight was sure they would be fine but she couldn’t help but worry for them. Or was it because she didn’t want to leave them?
Yes, that was it.
She didn’t want to be apart from them. With the royal duties she was bound to have, she was sure she would barely meet her friends after this. It wouldn’t be a problem for her but will her friends think she is avoiding them on purpose? Would they forget her?
Don’t be silly, of course they won’t, Twilight assured herself but the worry wouldn’t leave her alone. It was bothering her. Yes, she wanted to become a princess and rule with the princess she admired so much but… What about her friends?
She put her forehooves on the railing and lowered her head, a troubled look etched on her face.
“Hey Twilight,” Spike said, keeping a door slightly ajar as he peeked in. “Princess Celestia wants to see you.”
“Oh- alright! Where should I go?” Twilight said, standing on all four.
“She’s actually on her way here,” Spike looked outside. “Oh! There she is! Hello, Princess!”
“Hello, Spike,” said Princess Celestia’s voice. “Will you let me in?”
“Oh! Of course!” Spike immediately opened the door, letting the alabaster alicorn walk in. The dress Celestia had on made her look even more regal and majestic than she already was. Twilight felt under-dressed as she admired her former mentor before snapping back to reality.
“Princess Celestia! What did you want to talk about?” Twilight approached her.
“Spike, could you give us a bit of privacy?” Princess Celestia asked politely.
“Of course! I’ll go check on Rarity - and the rest.” Spike said, closing the door. They could hear him running to wherever Rarity was.
“My friends are here, too? I thought they hadn't arrived yet?” Twilight asked, looking up at Celestia.
“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk about,” Celestia said, sitting at the edge of the bed, Twilight joining. “Before that, how are you feeling?”
“I feel…” should she be honest or lie and say she’s alright? She sighed and decided to tell the truth. “I don’t really feel excited about this… Don’t get me wrong, this is what I’ve always dreamed of since I was a filly but… What about my friends? I know I will be seeing them again but I’ll be busy with all the royal duties and meetings, right? What if they think I don’t want to spend time with them? What if they hate me for it?”
Celestia smiled softly. “They’re your friends, Twilight. They will never hate you because you’re busy. All of you have your own lives, your own jobs, but that’s never stopped you from being friends before, am I right?”
“I guess you’re right,” Twilight nodded, a small smile forming on her muzzle. Suddenly her worries seemed so silly. Of course they wouldn’t hate her or forget her because she’s a princess now. “Sorry for being worried, it just sounds so silly now.”
“No worries, Twilight,”
“Oh, yeah, what did you want to talk about?” Twilight asked.
“Right, well, I knew you would be worried about this, so I was thinking of creating a Council of Friendship, the members being your friends,” Celestia informed her.
Twilight gasped. “Really?”
“Of course. Perhaps you could be the leader of the council.”
“It would be an honor!” Twilight said, happiness radiating from her. “Thank so much, Princess Celestia!”
“We are equals now, aren’t we? There is no need to call me ‘princess’ anymore.” Celestia chuckled.
“But that’ll feel weird, I mean… That’s what I’ve been calling you my entire life,” Twilight said.
“Well, whatever makes you happy,” Celestia chuckled once again, getting off the bed. “The ceremony’s about to start. We don’t want to be late.”
“Oh, of course!” Twilight was by Celestia’s side immediately. While walking down the hallways, she asked, “Do my friends know about it? About the Council of Friendship, I mean.”
“Of course they do! Why do you think they’re here?” Celestia smiled.
“Right,” Twilight smiled sheepishly. “But what will this council be about?”
“Perhaps you could deal with friendship problems as usual, and perhaps we could improve the court? The one we have is small and isn’t very effective. Not to complain, but it can be tiring dealing with the law sometimes.”
They laughed together.
Twilight smiled. Perhaps things will be okay, after all. She has nothing to worry about. She had her friends and family by her side.
As she stepped into the main hall, she could see her family looking at her with pride, just like her friends’ families were looking at their respective daughter and sister (son for Spike, whose father attended the ceremony). Her mother was wiping her tears of joy, looking proud of her daughter. Different leaders of different creatures were there, too, sitting at the front row with Cadence, Shining Armor and Flurry Heart.
Twilight looked to her left as Celestia gave a speech. There was Luna, Pharynx and Sombra (who had recently gotten married months ago), looking at her with pride. She looked to her right and saw Discord and Thorax (who had gotten married with the Sun Princess just a few weeks ago) with her friends wearing clothes Rarity had designed, having an excited and proud look. They looked at Twilight, who gave a small smile.
It is hard to believe they were all once just normal residents of Ponyville, occasionally going on adventures and solving friendship problems. Things are going to change now. But that’s alright, it is a good change. Look how far they have come.