//------------------------------//
// Royal Entitlement 
// Story: Taismo: The Equestria Games 
// by RockStarMLP 
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A surprise through silence spread across the room once more from what Luna had said. The mentioned filly and her family, however, were in a form to be audible as their jaws dropped down and left their mouths wide open. Eyes became needle pricks, and the metaphorical cogs of the younger ponies' minds failed to mesh together.

When reality clicked back on in her mind, Twilight shook her head and collected her thoughts to speak clearly. "I guess it is true," she said. "I had thought about how Nyx and Spike are both affected by my title, but I didn't actually believe she had automatically become royalty."

"Wait, I AM a princess?!" Nyx said, sounding as if she was disappointed.

Celestia took her calm demeanor to address the filly and say "According to Luna's logic, and the rules set on royal statuses, yes you are." Her attention then turned to her former student. "You had thought of this yourself, Twilight?"

The purple alicorn nodded her head. "It was a few months ago. I was teaching the fillies here some things they wanted to learn about, our Twilight Time as we started calling it. It seemed that some other fillies at their school were bullying them again, so they persuaded Nyx to remind them that their mother was a princess, and that would make her a princess, too."

Feeling like the entire room was looking at them, the four Cutie Mark Crusaders crouched down where they were sitting and flopped their ears down in embarrassment and shame. What they did back then wasn't the best of ideas to get a couple certain spoiled brats to leave them alone and show that the four of them were just as great as anypony else. Their Twilight Time was almost over for good, and Nyx was almost grounded for a good while until Nyx's trio of friends confessed everything was their fault. Twilight forgave them, so long as they learned their lesson, and that was when she told her daughter that she could be a princess, so long as she wanted the title that she turned down. Nyx just wanted to be Nyx, and Twilight was very proud of her for that decision.

However, the thought of royal status rattled around in Twilight's thoughts from time to time since then. She knew her new title would have an effect on those around her, and she has seen many examples from ponies bowing when she was present to being approached for autographs like a celebrity. Spike was never really affected by it, other than having longer checklists to help her write and check off that resulted in some more frequent claw cramps, so nopony bothered him too much about it. But for Nyx, it was a different situation of its own.

"I always thought that Nyx could fall under a royal title because of a technicality, but I didn't consider it to be something official," she went on to say. "As time went on, I began to think that it wasn't mandatory for her to be a princess, at least not until she was old enough and be asked."

"That may have been an option if time went that direction, but instead we are where we are at today," Luna stated. "As you earned your royal title, your daughter has received it as well."

"No! I don't want to be a princess!" Nyx yelled with a whining tone that would go against everything she learned about being a proper mare.

Attention was drawn towards the filly after her outburst, and Rarity was the first to address it. "Why Nyx, what reasons would you have with not wanting to be a princess?"

"Yeah! You thought you were one before, and now you really are!" Pinkie added cheerfully.

"But I don't want to be treated like a princess," Nyx said. "Ponies will start starting to see me as some kind of important pony, just like when I was Nightmare Moon, and I hated that. I don't want ponies to be forced to treat me different because I'm royal again. Why can't I just be me? Why can't I just be Nyx?"

On the verge of entering a temper tantrum again, Twilight leaned her head down and gently nuzzled her cheek, but picked her head back up to give a glare just firm enough to try and keep her in check. Luckily it worked, as it only managed to work only so often with a stronger glare or having to say something. Wanting to help as well, Cosmo took her arm once wrapped around Tails and wrapped it around Nyx.

Commenting next was Yugi, who, although with chagrin of going against the filly's feelings, went on to say "It does make sense. Anyone closely related to a king or queen, or princess in this case, does inherit their own status."

Celestia followed with "It isn't my more favorite way to approach what has been going on with Blueblood and other ponies who share his mindset, but the damage he has done brought this to our attention. If Nyx was still Nightmare Moon, then none of this would be an issue, but Nyx is not Nightmare Moon. She is a pony of her own identity with the past sins of a former identity."

"But those disbelievers, would they argue about Nyx being a princess of her own right?" Night Light began to question. "I can understand the legality of it, but that still doesn't change how Nyx's presence is as pleasing as-"

"Dad!" Twilight yelled, almost appalled by what her father was saying, the rational stallion that he was.

Luna spoke next with "My judgment on how Nyx is the pony she is today is an action that is still my responsibility. Ponies who do not appreciate that have to answer to me, because they cannot question my decisions through anypony else."

No one else could find the right words to say, other than Nyx, who just wanted to argue against the idea more and more. Twilight even tried to argue the idea, saying how her daughter had the right to choose to be a one if she wanted to again and again, but both Celestia and Luna were firm with their observations. The Master Four couldn't think of a way to help the situation, and Yugi felt guilt for accidentally causing more harm than good with his comment, but at the same time, it was not their place to say much at all.

"Do I have to be a princess?" Nyx asked, almost pleadingly.

Before one of the two sisters could reply, Tails decided to give his own say on the matter. "Like what Twilight said, only if you want to be." Eyes turned towards him as he continued to speak. "It seems like that there's another aspect we haven't touched upon yet, and that's what the title does in opening opportunities for you."

Nyx looked up at the fox curiously. "I don't care about opportunities. I just want to be me. Why do I have to be a princess and not just Nyx?" she asked. 

"Well," Tails said, putting on a pondering expression as his hand was placed on his furry chin, "for starters, you couldn't avoid it if you tried. You are an alicorn after all, and so you may end up becoming Equestria's princess one way or another. Plus, seeing who your mother is, the odds are too likely you will be very excelled and become an incredibly gifted pony, maybe more than you could ever dream of. Such great potential can really come useful with protecting Equestria, just like what you promised to do and earned your cutie mark.

"Second, this means that it breaks down boundaries. No one will be able to say you are not allowed in certain places because you have rights that cannot be overruled. This would mean that, if you choose, you can place yourself wherever you think it's best for you to be at, like by Twilight's side for anything that may take place from dinners to appearances... even suites."

He began to think harder about other reasons. "Come to think of it, just because you would be a princess doesn't mean that you wouldn't always be treated as a princess. There will be anybody who will just see you as Nyx, the daughter of Twilight Sparkle, or just another filly in a group of foals. Besides, we know princes and princesses and kings and queens from all different dimension, and they let us drop formal respect if they know us so well. I don't think anyone here will have to treat you different just because you're a princess. Isn't that right, Cosmo?"

"Of course not," said the Seedrian, hugging the filly a little tighter. "We always respect someone's title and authority, but they're still our friends to the end."

Nyx felt a little comfort from that, but it still wasn't enough to shake her dislike of being a princess. Perhaps Tails was right about what he said and how true it actually was when she thought about it more. She thought of when Twilight became a princess and, with only a couple exceptions she came to understand, her friends never treated her any different than before. Anypony that got close to Twilight for that matter acted just the same, and Nyx and Spike just thought that she was just a more important pony in the eyes of Equestria, but still the same mother and caregiver to them.

Those same things could be the same in Nyx's life, yet it still wouldn't change everything. Princess or not, she needed to keep having to deal with ponies still angry at Nightmare Moon and her one-time reign. Even if Luna said they would have to answer to her if they braved to question royal judgment, not all ponies would accept it.

The whole scenario did not appeal to the alicorn filly, but it still all came down to one problem. That problem was her wanting to be a princess in the first place, and now Nyx went from being completely against the idea to becoming conflicted. She did not want the lifestyle and power that came with the title of a princess, yet the opportunities that came with it would allow her to do what Twilight could do and what the other Princesses have done themselves. She could grow up and become the greatest defender she wants to be as her cutie mark shows, protecting the citizens of Equestria from whatever threat that could lurk.

"Nyx," said Luna, interrupting Nyx's train of thought, "I know you must feel overwhelmed by this, but I'm afraid there's no changing the facts. You are a princess in your own right, and there is no escaping it when you become older. In the end, this is still a fact that I did not consider when Twilight earned her own title, and it is only fair I make this right for you. Now tell us, will you finally accept the truth and your royal title?"

Twilight began to glare at Luna with more disapprovement than before with her peer's pressuring on Nyx. Her rationality and level-headedness began to be pushed aside in order to decline in the name of Nyx as what this was being very unfair to put on a child, let alone her daughter. Her mouth opened as a breath was taken in to say-

"No."

Without a word to escape, Twilight heard Nyx give her answer. Eyes around the room jumped back and forth between the filly and Princess Luna, who began to look disapproving herself. Nyx then escaped from between Tails and Cosmo and stood on her hooves, facing Luna with a look of absolution.

"I don't want to be a princess. It's not fair. I feel like I'm pushed in a corner by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon while they bully me for being who I am, and that happens too much as it is. If I have to be a princess, I need to earn it."

Nyx's words sank in, and although Celestia raised a hoof to try and ease the filly and speak herself, Nyx went on again. "That's why I'm not going to choose until I do exactly what you did with me: I want to ask my friends and family and see what they have to say. If they think I'm good enough, then I will be a princess, but if just one of them says no, then I'm not changing my mind and I will not be a princess... at least until I'm older."

"But Nyx, there is no choice-"

"No, my sister," Celestia said, cutting off her sister with an extended wing. "She is right in her eyes, and forcing this is still not in my personal favor. Allow this and let's see where this goes."

The dark blue alicorn did not have a choice in this matter, and started to see what she had been putting Nyx through with this topic. Against her stubborn will to refuse, she just let out a long breath through her nostrils, shut her eyes, and nodded. "Very well, but if one decline is made-"

"Just be patient, Luna," Celestia insisted, trying to keep her in check. The grand alicorn then turned to Nyx with a content smile and said "Very well, Nyx. You may ask for judgment, but only those who you feel will give the strongest opinions. We can't do too many, given how many we have here already and how little some know you."

Jason leaned towards Ash and whispered "She's got a point. Perhaps we should leave this to the family."

"I know," Ash replied quietly, "but there's no leaving at this point."

"I know," Jason said, knowing his suggestion would be shot down. "Still, we'll talk to Gohan and Yugi later tonight. We're going to have to discuss how open of borders between Team JAG and Equestria should be made." Ash nodded in agreement.

The attention of everyone in the room was drawn back to Nyx, who thanked Celestia for allowing her the opportunity to judge what others have to say. "If I want to know if I'm good enough to be a princess, there's only a few here I think can give me the best answers," said the filly. She then focused on her three best friends in the world to ask first. "Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, you told Applejack what you thought how I should be punished as Nightmare Moon, and you stuck up for me. I need to know what you really think about me being a princess-"

"JUST DO IT!" yelled the Cutie Mark Crusaders in unison. Then in the same order they were named, they told their friend what they thought.

"You're goin' to be a princess no matter what. Why not now and be super important?"

"It's not like you'll have to be super important all the time. You're still you and can still be the same best friend."

"And you could be the ultimate CMC and help ponies looking for their true talents and earn their cutie marks all over Equestria!"

"So you wouldn't mind me being a princess?" Nyx asked again.

"Not at all. You practically are a princess already," replied Scootaloo, "and don't forget that we always got your back."

Nyx didn't expect anything less from her best friends, and she smiled as she felt a little better about becoming a princess. "Thanks, girls. You're the best," she told them, and the trio just stood in their spots smiling back.

"Now," she continued, "I need to know what my family thinks." She walked over to where her extended family was sitting, but closer to where her uncle and aunt were sitting. Her grandparents, not being too far away from them, were close enough to address as well.

"Uncle Shining, Aunt Cadance... Grandma and Grandpa, I want to know what you think, too. I want your opinion because you're my family, and I've already done things none of you really liked. Do you all think I should be a princess?"

Her family was not as immediate with their answers where the Crusaders didn't even let Nyx finish her question. The reason why she asked them for their opinions wasn't too hard to understand why. After all, everything Nyx has done had really started when Twilight brought her into their family, and even though they never knew Nyx directly before the Hearth's Warming after the return of Nightmare Moon, they managed to spend more time with her since. Nyx could see their minds in thought and in questioning, and she immediately began to fear them not supporting her.

But what the filly failed to see was what those thoughts actually were. Twilight Velvet, never having disapproved of Nyx as compared to her and Night Light's questioning of their daughter as a parent sooner than she should have been, thought back to that holiday season if being introduced to Nyx, and bonding with her so close that she spiraled when the filly ran away. She also thought of times that followed when Twilight and Nyx, together or just the latter, came up to Canterlot and stopped by for a visit, including the times of Twilight's coronation and during the time while Tails and Cosmo first found the ponies in Ponyville. She got to know Nyx even more and grew closer to her granddaughter, and at one point, forgot all about Nightmare Moon's reign unless it was brought up negatively, which she fought back with rage-shifting fury.

Similarly, Night Light shared the same thoughts about Twilight and Nyx's actions and decisions, but he never showed disapproval of his new granddaughter. The more he began to know Nyx, the more he saw the filly that she was, and the strong resemblance she had with both his daughter and his wife, of course more so in the former. He was never a pony to hold a grudge, or even become disgruntled or mad unless he needed to be that for his family, and even with everything Nightmare Moon had done, Night Light never took that into consideration when Nyx's adoption was finalized, just how young Twilight was to take on the role of a mother.

"To be honest, Nyx, I can't be one to tell you if you're ready or not for a lot of things," Night Light said to her. "I can't tell you if you're up for this or not, but I will do what I did for Twilight and Shining Armor. Whatever you decide, your grandmother and I will always support you, because we know you will try to make the right choices for yourself."

"So, it's not a no, right?" Nyx made sure to clarify what he was saying.

A gentle smile crossed his face as the unicorn stallion replied "I'm not saying no. I'm just saying you do what you feel is right, and we'll support you however we can."

Twilight Velvet nodded and added "Your grandpa's right, Nyx. I think you deserve to be a princess, and that's solely because I have no doubt that you'll be a great leader when you grow up, but that's up to you to decide. And to see my son, my daughters, and all my grandchildren all become such important ponies, that would make this old pony proud."

Nyx had an eyebrow arched at the last statement Velvet made. She took in what she had said prior to that, but the last part wasn't something she thought was true. "But you're not old, Nana Velvet. Who told you that?"

The grey unicorn mare couldn't help but laugh a little, charmed by her granddaughter's observations. "It's just what I am, Nyx, but you are the sweetest thing for saying that. And remember, whatever you decide here, Grandpa and I-" She was interrupted when Nyx made a quick gallop over to nuzzle between her grandparents for a moment. Both unicorns returned the affection, and let her get back to the matter at hoof. The filly walked back over to her aunt and uncle, who just said what they had to say before the question could be repeated.

"Becoming a princess does mean more responsibility and a proper image to show other ponies," Cadance said, "but you wouldn't have to worry about that for quite a while. In that time, I'm sure you'll grow up to be a great alicorn, so I have no reason why you shouldn't be a princess. Besides, it's only a title you've earned, and doesn't change who you are now."

Shining Armor followed up on that with his own thoughts. "Cadance is right, but I'm with Dad when I say it isn't my place to say much about what your choice should be. However, I will say that it's unfair for you to feel as if you don't have a choice, Nyx. Your identity is all up to you, and how you go about it are decisions you will have to face, just like how I acted at Hearth's Warming last year. If this is what you want, then your Aunt Cadance and I will have your back if anypony complains. Nopony should disrespect my niece as much as some have already."

The approval from her extended family made Nyx feel better, but not accepting, of the subject as she knows that the family she once feared wouldn't accept her have shown their loving support. She tried to walk up and hug her aunt and uncle, but ended up finding herself under Uncle Shining's playful nuggying first, and instead got a nuzzle from each of them and a hug from an open-hooved and happy Skyla. Nyx didn't try to ask the foal as the pegasus filly showed her support with a big smile and no fear as compared to how other foals have acted around her: kindness.

Then Nyx was left with only a few others to ask. She decided that, because of the little she feels she knows about the majority of Team Sonic, Team JAG and the Team JAG Band, and how short of time they've known her, it wouldn't be right to ask them such an important question. Even Twilight's friends, who were in a sense her adopted aunts, were ruled out as well, seeing as if there were just so many ponies and beings in that room and only so many she wanted to ask overall.

She walked over to where Spike was, who had still kept himself isolated however possible. When she saw him, the first time she really got a good look of him since much earlier, he looked very depressed. He looked defeated, as if he competed in every event in the Games and lost every time. She took a minute to reconsider asking him what he thought of her being a princess and put the attention onto him instead. He just laid against the furniture, not having any investment to show, even if how he felt differed. Spike didn't need to be dragged into something when Nyx thought he'd need others more than she would, because that's what she learned about families doing that for each other.

That's the word that she wanted to focus on next: family. Her family, her mother and brother, who had stuck by her side longer than anypony else. Above all others, what they had to say would have the most importance for her, but to see one of them upset, clearly more than how she felt at that moment, made her own issues seem meaningless. She'd rather ignore the very alicorn that granted her the life to be with her family in order to help those that could use her however she could help. Her cutie mark defined her as the pony who would help others who would need her. Her family were those she would do anything for no matter what, just as they did for her.

She put her intentions aside. She couldn't worry about being a princess when she sees her brother in such a crippling state. Sitting down and facing him, she gave a try in getting his attention. 

"Spike? Why do you look so sad? What's wrong?" Spike didn't give Nyx a response, keeping his eyes staring out in a glare as the sound of hoofsteps of an approaching mare making her way over. "Are you sad about before, Spike?" Still no answer. "Is it from Tails and Cosmo's story? Talk to me, please." Nyx put a hoof on his shoulder and leaned her head in closer in hope of gaining his attention. The most she got was his eyes making a quick glance over to her, and then darted back to look into an empty space.

"You should do it," he finally said, but his voice sounding hollow and no enthusiasm to show. "You deserve to be a princess, and to be recognized as a hero ponies forget you actually are. Take the honor and don't do what I would when you get it."

Nyx was taken aback by Spike's words. What he said was supportive, but it didn't have the feel of support that those words would emit. She knew that it wasn't that he didn't care, because she knows that he cares about her and their family very much. It just seemed that what was happening with his time during the Equestria Games was taking a far worse toll on him than many would anticipate. But the filly knew her brother, and the way he was acting wasn't going to be broken through easy, not unless some sort of extreme was taken to get him to snap out of his behavior and break through to him with such opportunity.

She knew it wouldn't do much, but Nyx leaned her head in and gave a "Thank you" to the little dragon, and then nuzzled the side of his face. As expected, he didn't try to do anything back during the nuzzle. But as she began to pull her head back up, he reached an arm around her neck and brought her head back down for a quick cheek-to-cheek kind of hug. His eyes were shut for the moment the hug lasted, and he said nothing else, but it was just the kind act Nyx's family has always shown her. When the hug broke, she picked her head back up as Spike repositioned himself into his solemn state of attempted absence.

That left the last one in her family for Nyx to ask. Although the opinion was probably what she expected, Nyx felt that it was only right for her to hear the full truth in order for her decision to have proper judgment. She walked around, sat down, and began to ask her mother for her thoughts.

"Twilight, you're the only pony left I really need to ask. You know I don't want to be a princess more than anypony, and you don't like me being forced to be one like this. But I need to know this because there's nopony I trust more than you." Nyx's eyes stared up, showing her curiosity but some worry as well.

"Do I have to be a princess? I don't want to be one, but if I do have to become a princess, do I need to be treated and act like one every day? Would I be good enough to be a princess someday, a princess just like you? Would you support me no matter what I choose?"

The answers to those questions were ones Twilight already expressed to Luna and Celestia. She did not want her daughter to be forced in a corner and accept something that shouldn't be forced on anypony. But that was her opinion, which couldn't be Nyx's decision.

If anything, Nyx was handling this very well, and very maturely too. She made her choice already, and yet she was willing to change her mind by asking her family and best friends for their opinions. It was exactly what she had intended, to act as how Luna did when the Princess of the Night had to make her own judgment on how the former Nightmare Moon needed to answer to her actions. On top of that, Twilight became a princess in a similar method, but her title was one she earned through her studies on friendship and magic, and the combination of the two, something that weighed on her mind as she argued earlier.

Perhaps, just perhaps, she was wrong. Maybe Nyx did deserve to be a princess. Disregarding how the title would be given, it was something that would have to be focused on after Nyx had gotten older. If it was inevitable, would it be best to deal with it right then and there? Maybe it would be best to-

"Twilight?"

That's when Twilight realized that, as she was taking her time to think, she left an awkward silence in the room. She noticed that the eyes of everyone in the room were focused onto her as they waited for her opinion. If it wasn't for Nyx saying her name, she may have not snapped out of her thoughts for a while longer. She raised a hoof to her chest and exercised Cadance's breathing technique, and then looked down at her daughter to weigh in on the subject.

"I'm sorry, Nyx," she said apologetically. "I don't think you deserve to be a princess like this. Like you said, you want to earn the position of a princess, just like how I did." Nyx began to drop her head, her ears drooping and her eyes trying to form tears. Twilight reached a hoof down and raised her head back to finish.

"Don't cry, Nyx. I'm not done yet. As inevitable as this is, this is up to you and you alone. You told me you didn't want to be a princess and to just be you, and I think that you're just as special being just you as you would be a princess. If you want to change your mind, I will not stop you. I will support you no matter what you choose. Yes, some ponies will give you some different treatment if you become a princess, but you don't need to be a princess every day. You should be who you choose to be every day, and no matter what you decide-"

"I'll always be your little girl?" Nyx interrupted with a smile and a more positive attitude.

"Yes, you'll always be my sweet little filly. Princess or not, no matter what may happen. You'll always be my little pony, my little Nyx Sparkle." Twilight paused at the thought of pronouncing her daughter's name. "You know, I never thought of that."

"Thought of what?" asked Tails.

"I don't think I ever mentioned this before," the alicorn repeated, and then explained herself. "When I filled out the adoption papers, I had to choose what Nyx's second name would be or check off one of two boxes. One box said there was no second name, and the other saying it was open for Nyx to change when she was old enough. I was so excited about it all that I gave Nyx my second name. It may have been selfish of me, but I wanted her to be as close to her family as she could be."

"And that decision is what strengthens the reasons Nyx is a princess," Luna stated. "The adoption papers on file showed Nyx's name as Nyx Sparkle, hence the closer connection with you, Twilight. The files were more than enough to support my reasons, but it was your desire to have her as close to your family as possible that supports it even greater."

Nyx had turned her head back from facing Luna for those few moments, looking at her mother in disbelieving joy. "You really shared your name with me? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because the morning I got back from Canterlot to finalize the adoption, you tackled me to the floor for a hug before I could show you. Then you began to jump around the room like Pinkie Pie to let out your excitement." Twilight had a small laugh while Nyx blushed in embarrassment.

"But Nyx, I want you to remember that whatever you choose to be, you will always be Nyx Sparkle. Knight Nyx Sparkle, Princess Nyx Sparkle, Cutie Mark Crusader Nyx Sparkle, and whatever else you can be, that will never change who you are. Everybody who cares about you, especially those in here, will support what you choose, and I promise to do the same."

Nyx felt a lot better after hearing all of that, and even more so after the new nugget of information about her new second name. 'Nyx Sparkle' echoed in her mind over and over, and she enjoyed the sound of it the more it repeated. She sat up on her hooves and walked up to nuzzle against her mother's neck, all the while wearing the happiest smile. "Thank you, Twilight. You're the best mom ever."

Twilight reciprocated with wrapping a leg around the filly's back and leaned her head down to kiss her on the forehead. "Have you made your decision?" she asked. Nyx nodded her head while she was still nuzzling. "Then go ahead and tell Celestia and Luna."

The embrace was broken, and Nyx took a deep breath before she turned around to face the Royal Sisters. Her questions were answered by her closest friends and family, and as her mother said, she felt supported by everybody else she called a friend. Her face showed confidence and absolution behind a strong grin and focused eyes. She took two steps forward to face the princess, the only two she was allowed before a voice stopped her.

"Wait, Nyx," Cosmo said, "would you mind hearing one more opinion?"

Nyx turned her head towards the nearby Seedrian, her once confident face now expressing curiosity. "You have one, too?"

Cosmo nodded, and she got up from her seat to walk in front of Nyx and kneel down to be as close to eye level as their different heights can get. "I know you've only known me for a couple days, and Tails and all our friends from Team JAG, too. However, I wanted to tell you something that I discovered about you after all the time we spent together and all that we learned about one-another. You see, it may not make too much sense to you, but I see you as a kindred spirit."

"What's a kindred spirit?"

"It means Cosmo sees something about you that she also sees about herself," Tails answered for the curious filly, before allowing his beloved to continue.

"You see, Nyx, you and I are a lot alike. Much like how you felt lost about who you were and what you were meant to be, I had to deal with that myself when I traveled with everyone on the Blue Typhoon fighting the Metarex. I didn't know what I was meant to do, what my purpose was, but during the final battle of the Metarex War, I made that discovery. Just like how it took you realizing what you did as Nightmare Moon was not what you wanted to be and felt lost, I felt lost period. But then I discovered what I was to my friends, what I was meant to do for my galaxy, and regardless of what happened with that final battle, I got my second chance.

"You felt lost as Nightmare Moon, and then you discovered what kind of pony you believed you were meant to be. You weren't a threat, you were a guardian, a hero who others could count on to help. I had my confidence in knowing who I was and what I wanted to be for everyone I cared for, and I see that same spirit inside of you. That's why I have absolute confidence that, whatever your decision is, you would be an incredible pony and a wonderful princess. You have the support of so many who care about you - your friends, your family, your mother and brother - just know that you have the support from Tails and I, too."

Tails kept sat in his seat with his arms crossed and a smug grin. "No one could word that even better. Of course she'll have our support," he said.

Nyx reached up on her hind legs to wrap her forehooves around Cosmo's neck for a hug. Cosmo gladly returned the gesture and had the hug last the few seconds that it did. When she got back on her hooves, the filly said "Thanks. I'm glad my mom's friends support me, too."

"No, Nyx," Tails said, having the need to correct her. "We're not just Twilight's friends. We're also your friends, so don't ever forget that, either."

After giving an affirming nod, Nyx asked for Cosmo to let her pass. She then walked up towards the Royal Sisters, more specifically Luna, and wore the same look on her face as she did before Cosmo decided to say something. It was finally time to share her judgment to the very alicorn that granted Nyx her life as it is.

"Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, before I tell you what my decision is, can I say something?"

"Of course," Celestia replied.

The filly took a deep breath, keeping herself calm when she was feeling very nervous deep down. "I just want to say thank you. It means a lot to me how much you care about me to have time with Twilight and my family and friends. One day I hope to be just as important to other ponies like any princess, but not too soon." Luna's eyebrow arched, sensing the answer wasn't going to be to her liking. "With all due respect, I refuse to be a princess."

"WHAT?!" Multiple voices across the room cried out simultaneously upon hearing Nyx's decision. The Princess of the Night, however, only showed a disliking frown on her face.

"I don't care if I am a princess, but I don't choose to be one. Twilight worked hard and earned to become a princess, and if that's the case for anypony, then I'd rather do the same if I don't have a choice. I want to enjoy being who I am, to be Nyx Sparkle, but not be a princess if it means it's forced upon me."

The words sunk in with everybody for a minute. Each one that Nyx had asked for their opinions were the same, to support her no matter what the choice was, and this was the resulting judgment. With all the positive reinforcement, some would admit that they thought she'd accept her royal title. Instead, they saw a filly who knew what she wanted and who she wanted to be, just like how she surrendered to the Royal Sisters. It may not have been the result some had anticipated, but something stronger took that place. They were proud of Nyx and her stance, and nopony felt more proud than Twilight.

As for the Royal Sisters, Celestia just stood in place calmly and collectively, maintaining a poise that kept her still as stone. Luna was very different and more expressive. "Nyx, I do respect your judgment, but I'm afraid one fact still stands. You are a princess's daughter, and as such you inherit the title whether you want it or not. Ponies will recognize you as-"

"No thank you," Nyx interrupted.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, Princess Luna, but no thank you. I don't want to be a princess like this. If I have to be one, let me earn that right. I want to be my own pony, but I want to earn things just like Twilight did."

"I'm afraid that isn't an option. You are a prin-"

"Luna, stop." Celestia interjected between the two alicorns before things could escalate, and knowing her former pupil, she knew that more ponies would be involved. "Nyx has made her choice."

"B-but my sister, surely you don't suggest we let it go like this. Nyx is, to her right, a-"

"A pony of her own free will, Luna. We have to respect that. I do agree with you, and that Nyx has the right to be a princess. That, however, cannot change what Nyx chooses for herself, and we have to take her wishes into consideration." She paused to let a gentle smile form on her lips. "Perhaps we can find a different avenue to take and form a compromise."

This was the point Twilight had to step up beside her daughter. She didn't know what the princess had in mind, but much like how she wanted to be in the same room where Luna's judgment was passed, she needed to make sure she was at Nyx's side. "What kind of compromise, Celestia?"

Celestia, having a more optimistic tone in the idea she had in mind, looked down at Twilight to make her reply. "If Nyx only wants to be a princess by earning the title one day, then let's settle on what that day will be..."






/)∞(\






The description Shadow made was very accurate to a certain fox. The night sky was a marvelous sight in the Crystal Empire's skies. The stars were beautifully designed, and the occasional aura from the Crystal Heart made it even more beautiful. Tails, unable to fall asleep quite yet, stared up at the night sky lost in thought. Not wanting to disturb his beloved, he left the bedroom they shared to look out the window in the Team JAG Band's practice room, where he wouldn't disturb anyone as no one wished to practice so late into the night.

His mind was racing with everything that had transpired during the last couple days, more so from the most recent moments. He shared the history of creating his relationship with Cosmo in full detail for the ponies and princesses, his darkest memories resurfacing to front of his mind once more. It wasn't something he regretted, because he and Cosmo chose to tell the story as a compromise of learning of Nyx's history, but it didn't change how much he would hurt from it. Cosmo felt the same, if not more, from those memories, and yet she was sound asleep in bed as he could not sleep.

The discussion following the history of the first Metarex War was an equal reason for being awake. Princess Luna addressing Nyx's royal title was something no one, especially him and his friends, would see coming, as it seemed too private to bring up with the large group that was together. How it was handled by the Princesses, and most of all Nyx, was very impressive and understandably conflicting with the Sparkle family. Yet the end result, the suggested compromise from Princess Celestia, found a way to meet both sides in the middle and avoid inner conflict between ponies. The subject, although very important to Nyx and Twilight, was handled better than Tails found in several worlds from his travels with Team JAG and his friends.

But from that unexpected conversation, Tails's thoughts stirred around. Was it necessary to go to such lengths to let a mother and daughter enjoy quality time together without having to worry about others' judgments? Is the judgment Luna had given Nyx needed to be taken by such a young filly? Did the telling of his and Cosmo's love life go into too much detail for the younger ponies to take in, or give a wrong impression to the three princesses who heard it all for the first time? How would it affect relationships between Equestria and all the worlds beyond the nation?

More and more questions surfaced in his mind, but at one point he needed to stop thinking. Perhaps he was taking the events of the past and present too seriously, and not taking the after the fact of it all into consideration. Cosmo was happy, his friends from home and the Band were happy, his Equestria friends were happy, not taking the downsides of their time at the Games and having it weigh down their spirits. That is, saving one certain baby dragon.

Before his train of thought could continue, the two-tailed fox began to sense something. He sensed a very faint power level, coming from outside the practice room and in the hallways. Weak it may have been, it was drawing closer to him, making it easier to pinpoint just how close the source was. Only when it reached the room's door was he able to read whose energy signature that was, and found it standing still on the other side.

The door creaked open and revealed a magical glow emitting a couple feet off the ground. The figure stepping inside was indeed one of the ponies, as the source of light was the purple aura of a certain mare's magic. However, the light from the magic revealed a concerned look across the mare's face, and dark lines underneath her eyes from lack of sleep.

It looked like Tails was in for some company after all, and perhaps a long discussion with one of the princesses. “Couldn’t sleep either, Twilight?” he asked the entering alicorn.