Ponyville's always quiet at night.
Well, no, that's not exactly true... I can think of one, maybe two nights where Ponyville was anything but peaceful. There's the time where Rainbow Dash was so concerned for her perceived reputation that she was convinced that petty larceny was easier than asking her best friend the librarian for a book.
And then there's the time where Princess Luna was so convinced that ponies feared her that she almost cancelled a national holiday.
...And the time a rainstorm sent a tree through my window...
...And then there's the whole vengeful-sister-returning-from-the-moon-to-usurp-the-throne-and-plunge-the-world-into-eternal-darkness thing...
...Of course, there's also the time that an eggheaded purple unicorn exploded in a pillar of light, only to return with a new set of wings and the title of Princess...
Okay, I was lying. Ponyville is anything but peaceful, time of day notwithstanding. But tonight it's quiet, and most importantly of all, it's home. If only for a moment, I can find solace in that.
The chariot carrying my friends and me lands uneventfully in front of the library. A magenta glow snakes out from my horn, unlatching the front door, and I quickly wave my friends inside. They shuffle in one at a time, ragged from exhaustion, speaking words of congratulations or waxing nostalgic about something or other. I file in afterwards, closing the door behind me.
A quiet snore issues from a purple bundle nestled gently on Fluttershy's back. She giggles quietly. "I'll just put this little guy upstairs... if that's okay with you, Twilight." She looks to me for permission - as if she really needed it. A gentle nod sends her on her way.
I breathe a sigh of relief. "Thank Celestia that's all over with," I groan. My legs finally give in to the unrelenting force of gravity as I slump to the floor with nary a shred of dignity.
Pinkie Pie giggles. "Thank Celestia, huh? So, how many months before everypony starts taking your name in vain?"
I snort, feigning offense. "Pinkie Pie, that's not how-"
"Holy Twilight!" Rainbow Dash exclaims, pointing in a random direction. "How could this have happened?" Her mock expression has the usual air of mischief behind it, and my fake frustration turns into genuine annoyance.
Applejack catches on quickly, composing herself into a dignified pose and placing a hoof over her heart. "As Twilight is my witness, Ah solemnly swear..." The pair of athletes quickly dissolve into laughter on the floor.
Rarity clears her throat and places a hoof to her forehead. "By Twilight Sparkle's magical mane!" she cries out. I growl as four ponies take various levels of amusement at my expense.
Pinkie Pie lifts a hoof, as if to make some grand pronouncement. Her mouth opens, and I'm already cringing in anticipation. "Uh... Twilight's... er, Twilight's... sparkly... Oh, shoot." She pouts and settles onto her haunches, clearly frustrated at her lack of ingenuity.
I take advantage of the momentary lull. As great as that "magical mane" one was, it wasn't right of me to just let this all go quietly. "You know," I start, "just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I'm a goddess. There is no causal link between the alicorn race and divinity." At least... as far as my studies have shown. A sample set of four does not a conclusion make.
The girls continue to smile at me, and it takes a moment for me to register exactly what they're smiling at. Suddenly acutely aware of my new appendages, I snap them once before folding them at my sides. "Still have to get used to these..." I mutter absently, ignoring the unsettling feeling of having one feather be slightly out of alignment.
"That reminds me," Fluttershy's voice says from above, "you shouldn't snap your wings like that. It could lead to..."
I ignore the mare's warning and flare my wings out and in once more, just to hear that satisfying snap- "Oh, OW! Sun and moon, OW! Wing cramp!"
Fluttershy is suddenly right behind me, stifling her own laughter as she digs her hooves into the base of my errant wing. I can't help but let out a little moan of pleasure as I arch into the firm pressure on my back, feeling countless days of tension just melt away.
Rainbow Dash hovers above us, enjoying a little moment of schadenfreude to herself. "Serves you right for turning down my offer to be your flight coach."
I can't even muster up the desire to reply, so Applejack ends up doing it for me. She clucks her teeth. "Don't be like that, RD," she says.
Rainbow shrugs. "I'm not going to cut her any slack, just because she's a princess. In fact, she has a responsibility- no, a duty to be that much awesomer!" Poor conjugation aside, I appreciate the sentiment. She continues her rant by turning to me. "That said, my offer still stands. Any time you want to start on your coolness training, just let me know!"
I nod my assent, and open my mouth to reply before being instantly cut off.
"Just... not tomorrow." Rainbow's face falls. "I've got some work to do getting the weather team together to fix Rarity's mess. It's gonna be a long day..."
Rarity gasps with what looks like genuine shock. "It wasn't that bad, surely!" She looks defiant at first, but withers as five pairs of eyes set upon her. I mean, come on. Checkered skies? Who does that? "Okay, it was that bad," she relents, "but not as disastrous as what Applejack did to my boutique!"
Applejack holds her tongue. "Speaking of total disasters," she says, "I've got to hit the hay myself. I'm hoping to get an early start and make up for the lost time."
"And the animals probably need me, as well," Fluttershy continues. "What about you, Pinkie Pie?"
Pinkie Pie blanches. Her eyes shift left, then right, then left again. "Nothing! No plans! No surprise anything! Not yet, no ma'am!"
Wait a minute... I put a hoof to my lips. "Pinkie, did you say... 'not yet'?"
Pinkie's pupils shrink to pinpricks. I can almost see her heart leap into her throat. "Get out of my brain!" She creeps backward out of the library, giving us all a pointed glare as she shuts the door behind her.
"...Pinkie Pie," somepony says. And that was all that needed to be said.
The rest of us linger just a little bit longer, basking in the warmth of companionship. Eventually, I notice the lateness of the hour, and we say our goodbyes... leaving little old me.
Twilight Sparkle.
Princess Twilight Sparkle, gotta get used to that. I feel my cheek muscles contract, pulling my face into a silly grin that persists even as I trudge upstairs. Just as the fatigue finally claims me, I shove my dress and raiment off into the corner of the room.
I don't even remember hitting the mattress.