//------------------------------// // To Settle Things Clear Between Friends // Story: What If... // by Petalled //------------------------------// ‘’So what do you prefer, Tia? Dislestia or Fluttercord.’’ It’s been a few weeks ever since Twilight had rejected the offer the princesses were going to give once they step down their thrones. And here they are now, sitting on their thrones having nothing else to do but bother each other. All of their duties were postponed today to deserve a little break. There were fewer creatures coming to them for assistance which led them to finish early. Water was heard rushing swiftly beside the two high thrones. ‘’That’s an easy question,’’ Celestia responded, head held high. ‘’Fluttercord of course. I was the one who had that pegasus reform him after all.’’ ‘’Wait so you knew all along?’’ Luna asked, aghast. ‘’Do you time travel, Tia, to see how things may turn out? Then how didn’t you see Twilight rejecting our offer coming? And after putting Starlight Glimmer through a meeting with her time travel situation.’’ Celestia rolled her eyes. ‘’I don’t time travel, Luna. I just could tell that Fluttercord was meant to be if Fluttershy reformed him because I remember watching over the labyrinth where Fluttershy was being so friendly with him and Discord almost fell for it, turning her into the mean Fluttershy.’’ ‘’Ah, we suppose that makes sense,’’ Luna said, hoof to chin. Seconds later, a guard that was on duty outside came inside to inform the princesses of guests which got the two of them hyped up in their thrones, finally released from boredom. When the guards pushed the door in, six ponies and one dragon entered themselves. ‘’Twilight?’’ Celestia said, tilting her head. ‘’What brings you all here?’’ Twilight rubbed the bridge of her nose with a hoof. ‘’Sorry to interrupt, princesses, but Rainbow Dash practically insisted that we come to visit you to talk more points out about why we shouldn’t rule Equestria. Apparently, we missed quite a lot of points out.’’ ‘’We wrote them all out on a chalkboard,’’ Rarity pointed out. ‘’You won’t believe how much was on it that we missed out. It was practically covering the whole board that we were going to be needing a second board.’’ There was a squeaky noise that caused them all to cover their ears as Pinkie Pie pushed the board that they were talking about into view. At this point, no one dared to ever question the pink pony and her possibilities. ‘’Very well, then.’’ Luna leaned back. ‘’Please indulge yourself, it’ll also enlighten us from the boredom.’’ And at that, Twilight felt guilty to decline their retirement. Being a princess was hard work, she found out when she became one. But she didn’t tell them they couldn’t take breaks and Princess Luna needed to fill in the time she missed out on because of her imprisonment. ‘’Well, let’s start out with Rainbow Dash,’’ Twilight offered, biting her lip. ‘’We all know her; fast, athletic, winner, but she’s also lazy. If she was being asked to take over Equestria, she’d literally sleep through the duties or even have one of us handle it for her.’’ Celestia looked to Luna who said, ‘’what? It’s our duty to sleep to enter the dream realm!’’ Rainbow grinned. ''Then I don't mind taking over Luna's duties.'' Applejack stepped forward, adjusting her hat properly. ‘’Sorry for this, Rares, but despite being a princess was her fillyhood dream and she’s elegant enough to smile and wave as you Celestia, uh, no offense.’’ She turned to Celestia apologetically. ‘’But, uh, I think Rarity would take her new princess form for granted like showin’ it off if you know what I mean.’’ ‘’And if you make everyone beautiful, Rarity, then it will just be considered as uninteresting,’’ Twilight pointed out, wincing a bit as the unicorn turned away from her and scoffed. ‘’Well! I say,’’ Rarity huffed, frowning. ‘’Applejack here wouldn’t be qualified to be a princess as she will just be about apples, apple pies, apple cinnamon rolls. Goodness, she might as well be the Princess of Apples.’’ ‘’Well, sure,’’ the cowgirl grumbled. ‘’But, uh, didn’t we mention that it’s obvious we’re never going to actually be by Twilight’s side with the ruling? We’ll just be living with our same lifestyles is all.’’ ‘’That’s true,’’ Pinkie replied, nodding effusively. Twilight turned to Celestia. ‘’Princess? Is there a way to make them all princesses like me to, you know, settle equality as we all were in this adventure together? I remember when I got turned into one, I thought I wasn’t suitable to be with all these responsibilities and such but then I got the hang out of it eventually and I’m sure my friends will be the same too.’’ ‘’Apart from Rainbow Dash,’’ Applejack muttered, rolling her eyes. ‘’Or if not because it’ll break the balance of Equestria or any other reason, then I suppose it would be nice if you take away my wings again instead.’’ ‘’What?!’’ all of Twilight’s friends shouted in unison in complete and utter surprise. ‘’Twilight, darling, why on earth would you want that? You’ve finally got the hang out of these wings and all these responsibilities and you’re willing to give it up just like that?’’ ‘’Well, if it suggests I’m doing it for my friends’ sake then so be it,’’ Twilight said, defiant. ‘’Twilight...’’ Fluttershy said softly. ‘’You’re willing to do this? For us?’’ ‘’Of course,’’ Twilight replied, smiling. ‘’Equestria was handling fine when there were only three alicorns.’’ ‘’Yet we thought there were two since we didn’t know Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,’’ Rainbow Dash pointed out. ‘’Well, I did. I just didn’t know her by her long fancy title is all.’’ ‘’Sounds understandable,’’ Applejack commented. ‘’Oh, and about that ‘not listening to your friends’ at the practice Canterlot Wedding even though it’s been years now?’’ Twilight pointed out, arching an eyebrow. ‘’I’ll get you all back eventually. I hope you understand me the most, Applejack, after the whole ‘Rara’ incident.’’ Applejack pulled the brim of her hat over her face. ‘’Ah’m sorry, Twi. We really are.’’ ‘’While I still accept your apologies, I’m still getting you all back.’’ ‘’But didn’t you say that revenge is never sweet?’’ Fluttershy said quietly behind her mane. ‘’Yeah!’’ Rainbow conceded. ‘’And didn’t you say it was because Chrysalis fooled us all? Who knows if they cast the spell on us too just like with Shining Armour.’’ ‘’Oh, I know she didn’t because you all were already gullible.’’ Twilight formed a wicked grin. ‘’But in some circumstances, revenge can be sweet...’’ Every one of her friends around her had their pupils shrunk. ‘’Just kidding,’’ she said afterward. Everyone leaned back. ‘’Okay, now back to the topic at hoof,’’ Applejack reminded all. ‘’Right.’’ Twilight cleared her throat. She turned to Luna. ‘’While it’s reasonable for Celestia to retire since she’s been ruling her whole life, you spent one thousand years relaxing on the moon.’’ ‘’Well, it wasn’t our fault,’’ Luna muttered, turning away from her sister. ''It kinda was,'' Rainbow blurted out, getting nudged in the ribs by Applejack. ‘’And I’ve always wanted to ask you this,’’ she said sheepishly, waving a hoof. ‘’What did you even do over there on your ‘precious moon’ Celestia called it?’’ ‘’Did you eat cheese?’’ Pinkie asked, wearing a spacesuit. Everyone looked at her. ‘’What? I heard Grandpa Pie said the moon is made out of cheese.’’ Luna facehoofed. ‘’No, my moon is not made out of cheese. I actually, well, are you sure you all want to know?’’ She turned to them, frowning. ‘’It’s not very... dignified.’’ ‘’Just say it,’’ Celestia ignorantly interrupted, pressing her hoof to her cheek against the arm side of her throne. ‘’Okay. Thou asked for it.’’ She took a deep breath before beginning, ‘’during my exile on the moon I’ve spent all of my time giving ponies nightmares since, you know, Nightmare Moon. I didn’t reform on the room but when the elements of harmony struck me the second time.’’ She turned to the surprised faces. ‘’You may be wondering what I was doing when I was not giving ponies nightmares. I conjured up astronaut food which actually tasted good. Or maybe it’s because of my Nightmare Moon form. I have to taste it again later.’’ Everyone stared at the night princess in shock and wonder until Rainbow Dash spoke up. ‘’Woah, Woah, Woah.’’ Rainbow Dash had a face of... ‘’You’re kinda awesome.’’ ‘’What?!’’ her friends shouted out in unison once again. Rainbow winced but perked back up. ‘’But, uh, did you also give nightmares to those that were born after Celestia sealed you on the moon?’’ Luna shook her head. ‘’Only those that were there such as Applejack’s grandmother. Granny Smith, was it?’’ ‘’I...’’ Applejack blinked, tilting her hat, ‘’gotta make sure to ask Granny about this.’’ ‘’Please do.’’ She nodded. ‘’And tell her we said hi.’’ ‘’Will do,’’ she replied, stepping a few hooves back and standing next to Rarity. ‘’Hmm.’’ Spike hummed in thought, tapping the tip of his quill to his chin. ‘’You know, that’s another thing why you all aren’t capable to rule. You are all such gullible, scardy ponies. And no, I’m not just talking about Fluttershy.’’ Applejack looked the most offended out of them all. ‘’Forgive me for being blunt, Spike, but just because of that one incident you call us gullible?’’ ‘’Yeah, and I’m never scared,’’ Rainbow exclaimed, hovering in the air and folding her hooves. Twilight raised an eyebrow at Spike. ‘’And don’t you get scared, Spike? Want me to reveal your fears? Besides, everyone has fears but they just eventually overcome them. A bit hypocritical coming from you, Spike.’’ Spike groaned and rolled his eyes. ‘’I wasn’t talking about me and you’re right, Twi, everyone does have fears. I guess I wasn’t thinking before speaking again.’’ ‘’Maybe leave the points to us, Spike,’’ Twilight advised, smiling. Inaudible mumbles escaped from his lips. Twilight turned to Celestia again. ‘’I forgot to mention this but when Cadence turned into a princess she didn’t have a kingdom to rule just handling some duties here at Canterlot as part of her training. However, with me, I was being selfish in that I didn’t get to do anything, not look at my friends, and then earn a castle for myself only. Cadence started ruling over an empire, yes, but I’m expected to rule over the entire world?!’’ ‘’That seems a little too much,’’ Fluttershy said. ‘’No offense. I mean Twilight is capable but...’’ ‘’Did you two get drugs from Pinkie Pie here?’’ Rainbow Dash asked much to everyone’s surprise. She turned to Pinkie. ‘’Did you drug them?’’ ‘’No, silly. Of course, I didn’t,’’ Pinkie replied, on the verge of laughing but bit her lip to refrain. ‘’Anyways,’’ Twilight finally said, putting aside that for now. ‘’I know you two both had good intentions, wanting breaks after so long of ruling. Now I understand how tiring and stressful it is to be put on a pedestal and have all these responsibilities. But shoving them all on me, only one pony, isn’t right. And stop saying because I am worthy. No, I am not. I mean yes everyone believes in me but to be honest I never wanted this, have you ever thought of that?’’ Celestia remained quiet. Luna was about to speak but was interrupted. Twilight sighed. ‘’I am honestly so so so sorry for being like this, especially with you two. I hope you can forgive me later on.’’ ‘’I’m just proud of the pony you have grown into,’’ Celestia merely said, giving one of her amiable smiles. ‘’You never fail to disappoint me. You and your friends. I’m sorry for not acknowledging your friends as well.’’ Twilight put up a smile for a while before it disappeared. ‘’And that’s another thing. Please don’t say ‘Twilight and her friends’ because it makes them look like afterthoughts, you know?’’ ‘’Thank you!’’ Rainbow exclaimed, letting go of a breath. ‘’Finally.’’ ‘’Then,’’ Luna mumbled, ‘’what else do we call you all?’’ Rarity faced her friends and stepped forward. ‘’We were actually thinking about the title ‘Guardians of Friendship’ since for obvious reasons.’’ ‘’And I’m stepping down as the Princess of Friendship,’’ Twilight added. ‘’Very well,’’ Celestia took into acknowledgment. ‘’We might be able to undo your alicornification.’’ ‘’Without time travel, of course,’’ Luna added. Celestia scoffed. ‘’Wasn’t dreaming of it.’’ ‘’Okay,’’ said Twilight, not understanding what the fuss is about. ‘’So are we doing it now or...?’’ The alabaster alicorn nodded, splaying her wings apart. She flew down to approach the group of ponies along with her sister. ‘’Everyone apart from Twilight, please stand in the side.’’ And with that, they all did as told. Celestia and Luna prepared their horns at the ready, directing them at the other alicorn. ‘’Ready?’’ ‘’Ready,’’ Twilight repeated, determined. They ignited up their horns and joined their magic together, creating a giant orb of powerful magic, pointing it towards the terrified alicorn before it released from their horns and enveloped the mini alicorn, floating her up into the air, blinding everyone’s sight. A few minutes later, in a bright spark of light, Twilight eventually gently floated back down to the ground and revealed her back to have no appendages. Twilight twisted her head around to look at it herself. ‘’You guys did it!’’ She ran towards her friends and levitated them all into a group hug before pulling apart to admire her old self. ‘’I did miss this unicorn me just having fun with my bestest friends without any worries over princess duties.’’ Celestia smiled genuinely and proudly. Twilight looked at her with a frown before trotting up to her and surprising her with a hug. ‘’Thank you. For everything. For listening to me and my friends. You’re the only suitable ruler along with Princess Luna.’’ Celestia’s eyes softened, her heart melting from within, and returned the heartfelt embrace. ‘’You’re welcome, my faithful student or students.’’ The rest of the Guardians of Friendship joined the group hug as well including Luna herself. ‘’Hey,’’ Spike spoke, frowning. ‘’Aren’t I in the group as well?’’ ‘’C’mere you,’’ Rainbow said, pinning him into the group hug as well.