Preparations were underway for the Summer Sun Celebration with Twilight leading her family to make sure everything was set. Celestia and Sombra watched the whole thing from their castle balcony, seeing their daughters, sons-in-law, and their grandchildren helping out.
Fire Spark, who was eleven years old, was Twilight and Flash's son and he was having his four-year-old sister, Starling-who took after her mother but had a darker purple coat and light blue highlights in her hair and was a unicorn just like her mother used to be before becoming an alicorn-hold decorations for him.
Dignity, who was eleven as well, was doing something similar with his sister, Gemstone-who was four and a half. They were Rarity and Fancy Pants' children. Whirl Wind, eleven and was Rainbow Dash and Soarin's son, was hanging decorations that no one else could reach. Cotton Candy, who was ten years old and Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich's daughter, was helping her parents set up rides.
The rest of the kids, Screw Ball-Fluttershy and Discord's daughter-and Apple Jewel-Applejack and Spike's daughter-were five-year-olds. They helped their parents with decorations and were having a fun time.
The king and queen went back to watching their youngest daughter, who would one day take the throne for them and felt proud that she was doing such a great job preparing for the celebration. They were also proud of how she helped her sisters run a kingdom of their own in the Everfree Forest. They knew then she would take up the throne much sooner than she thought…
Sombra turned to his queen and said, "My dear, I think it's time…"
Celestia nodded, "I think you're right."
Moments later, Twilight and Flash were heading to the throne room where they have been summoned.
Flash asked his wife, "Any ideas about what this is about?"
"I don't know." they stopped in front of the doors, "But I guess we'll soon find out…"
The princesses and their husbands were enjoying lunch in the dining hall when Flash and Twilight came in with weird expressions on their faces. Rainbow noticed them and asked.
"So, what did Mom and Dad need?"
Flash helped his wife into her chair and sat next to her.
Twilight stood silent for a bit and finally sputtered out, "They… They…" But she found it hard to finish, so her husband finished for her.
"They want her to be queen…"
The whole room gawked and then random congratulations and questions came out.
"Whoa! Easy there, guys!" Flash waved his hooves. "One at a time! This is big news for us and Twilight is still getting used to it happening."
"But why? Aren't you more excited?" Fluttershy asked.
"Well… I would be, but I never thought… I would become queen now. I thought I didn't have to worry about that till, like, maybe later, like twenty years or so."
"So what you're really saying is…" gestured Discord, "…is that you don't want the throne, and yet… you have five older sisters who could easily take the job instead…" He nudged his wife, "Isn't that right, sweetie?" he winked.
"Me, queen? Oh… I couldn't…" she hid behind her mane. "It would be disastrous! I would ruin the whole kingdom!"
Rainbow pointed, "I don't think you could ruin a kingdom. Your husband, I can see, but not you… But you are better at dealing with animals than you are with ponies…"
Fluttershy nodded, "It's true."
Discord motioned, "Then what about the rest of you? Surely one of you would jump at the chance to take the position of queen."
Rarity stated, "While I love the idea of wearing the crown jewels, the pressures of running the kingdom would be too much for me and would run me into exhaustion, causing wrinkles at an early age. Something I would like to avoid, thank you very much."
Applejack pointed, "I like to get things done ASAP, so for me to sit on a throne all day going over paperwork makes me feel frustrated. That's why I like taking turns on royal duties in the Everfree Kingdom so I don't have to do all of them every day, but that's exactly what's going to happen if I'd be queen."
Rainbow nodded her head, "That's how I feel, too. I can't sit around in meetings when I can get stuff done on my own, so you can count me out for wanting the crown and throne."
"I don't think it would be so bad. I could decree that everyone would have a party everyday to make them feel happy and smile!" Pinkie's eyes gleamed.
"Sure… then we have ponies check into the hospital for overpartying…" Rainbow muttered.
"It's a sweet objective, sister dearest," said Rarity, "but the kingdom needs more than just a party every day."
"Oh, poo…" Pinkie sulked.
"That just leaves Twilight," gestured Applejack. "And I just know that she has all of the qualities of being a queen and more."
The sisters agreed.
"She's the one who keeps us all organized and tells us what needs to be done. She has the patience of staying in one place and can negotiate very well."
Rarity noted, "Not to mention that she's cultured and refined."
"She's kind and wise," Fluttershy pointed.
"Sure, she's an egghead, but that just proves how smart she is!" Rainbow declared.
"And she's funny and knows when to have fun!" Pinkie confirmed.
Flash smiled and lifted his wife's chin, "And she cares about others and those she loves…"
Twilight was blushing, "This is all very flattering, but-"
"We're just trying to prove to you that you really are the best princess for the job and that we're lucky to have you…" AJ mentioned.
Everyone around the table nodded in agreement.
She gave a small smile as she looked at her family, "Thank you…" But then she thought dismally, …for reminding me just how important this entitlement is… Mother and Father had hoof-chosen me since my fifth birthday… I didn't understand then what a great honor they had given me, but as I got older, I began to acknowledge it and began my studies so I could prepare myself for the day I did become queen. I thought I would be ready by the time I would have to be queen, but now that the time has come, I realize that I'm not ready for this and maybe… I will never be…
She started standing up and Flash asked, "Where are you going?"
"To go find Fire and Star and give them the news."
"Oh, okay, but don't you want lunch first?"
"I'm not really hungry at the moment. You go on ahead." she gave a small wave to her sisters and headed out the door.
Discord said, "So, Flash, now that Twilight's going to be queen, does that make you king?"
"Well, no. While ponies are going to refer to me as their king, I will actually be Prince Consort. I will be by Twilight's side offering support and advice if she asks for it."
"That's it?!"
"Pretty much, except share some of the work that Twilight would have to do."
Discord did a yawn, "Yuck, sounds so drab and boring." Then he looked down at his wife and smiled, Makes me so glad that Fluttershy didn't get chosen or want the throne. Being king, or rather Prince Consort, would have been so uninteresting that it would ruin my rep for being Master of Chaos! Good thing,Twilight is taking this so calmly…
Twilight was pacing in the room that she, her husband, and their kids were staying in. She had just told her son and daughter the news. They were shocked at first, but Starling was jumping for joy for her mother while Fire Spark looked like he was smiling, but he had seemed to be dreading something as well. They went off to go tell their cousins what they knew and left her to her own thoughts.
Queen Twilight Sparkle… Queen Twilight Sparkle… she said in her head since it would sound strange to her if she had said it out loud. Ruler of Canterlot and all of Equestria… To any other pony, they would be thrilled to think that being the ruler of all was amazing, but to her, it was a moment of dread. Every pony was counting on her to be the best ruler there was. Her parents, her siblings, her husband, her children…
She wished right then and there that she had another sister who could fulfill her duty instead. It was true she had three other sisters, but one of them was already going to be a queen for her husband and the other two had made their choice of staying with their sister. Their destiny was set and so was hers. Twilight then went out to the balcony and looked beyond the streets of Canterlot, seeing Ponyville in the distance and the hills beyond the town. She wished she could go past those hills and be far away from here…