Twilight Sparkle didn't get much sleep. In fact, it was a wonder that she got any sleep at all! The thoughts about the clone kept her mind awake for a long time, then when she finally felt sleepy her new wings would feel extremely awkward in her favorite sleeping positions. When she had finally fallen asleep, it felt like her eyes had been closed a total of two seconds before she could feel Celestia's sun shining on her face. Giving a groan, Twilight turned over in an attempt to shield her eyes from the sun for a few more moments of precious sleep. Unfortunately her new wings became uncomfortable in the new position, so after rolling around in bed for 5 minutes Twilight gave up.
The purple librarian yawned and walked downstairs. Thankfully Spike was already making breakfast, and the smell of hay bacon and eggs made Twilight salivate. She walked into their kitchen and started pouring herself a cup of coffee as Spike cooked. Thankfully her number one assistant knew when to make coffee for her after so many late nights of studying. "Morning Spike." Twilight said tiredly.
"Morning Twilight!" Spike cheerily replied. "How'd you..." Twilight looked at Spike, wondering what caused him to stop talking. After a moment she realized that Spike was staring at her new wings and facehoofed. She had sent Spike to bed while she worked on fixing Starswirl the Bearded's spell, and with Spike being such a heavy sleeper the baby dragon didn't wake up until morning. Twilight would have to tell him about the events that occurred the night before.
"Spike, I promise that I'll explain exerything, but please wait until I've had my coffee." After a slow nod from Spike, Twilight poured some half and half into her coffee and stirred it before sitting at their kitchen table and taking a few sips. Spike meanwhile continued cooking, but often stole a glance at his big sister. When the food was done Spike loaded the food onto two plates and set the table. Twilight and Spike put some food on their plates, but ate slowly. Halfway through the meal Twilight started to feel the coffee start working. "Okay Spike, I'm ready, Ask away." Twilight said. Spike finished chewing his current mouthful and swallowed before asking his first question.
"Why do you have wings?"
"Well," Twilight began, "last night, when I finally completed Starswirl the Bearded's spell, I was teleported to this weird ethereal space. I'm not sure exactly where it was, but I saw Princess Celestia there. It seems that the only way to complete the spell was to truly understand friendship, and completing the spell caused me to become an alicorn." Spike seemed awe struck.
"So you're like the princesses now, Twilight? That's awesome!" Spike said, jumping up to stand on his seat "You could be a princess!"
Twilight took a bite out of her hay bacon and shuffled in her seat. "I'm not sure about that Spike...I know that Cadence became a princess when she became an alicorn, but I'm not sure I could handle the responsibility." Twilight looked down at her food, her ears drooping to show her worry. Seeing this, her assistant walked over to her and gave her a hug, which she returned.
"Aww, don't worry about that Twilight. If it ever gets to be too much you can always count on your friends! Besides, I'll be by your side the entire way!" At this Spike proudly put a balled fist to his chest.
Twilight smiled at the young drake. "Thanks Spike, I really appreciate it. Why don't we finish breakfast and clean up. Everypony else should be here by lunchtime, and even Princess Celestia is coming to finish explaining things."
Spike went back to his seat and ate some more food before asking his next few questions. "Princess Celestia is coming by? Why wasn't everything explained last night? Did something happen?"
Twilight finished her current mouthful before answering. "Well, I'm not sure what exactly happened....but it may be better if we finished eating before I tell you." Spike shrugged, his curiosity satisfied for the moment anyways. They ate the rest of their meal in quiet. When they finished they both started cleaning the kitchen. Twilight, deciding that it was okay to answer Spike's question, started talking.
"Okay Spike. When I reappeared in Ponyville, I came back in a ball of light. Right after the light and magic dissipated around me, it reappeared above us. Not even Princess Celestia knew why it came back, but when it reached the ground, the light dissipated and revealed another me!" In his surprise, Spike dropped the plate he had been washing.
Twilight quickly caught it with her magic and washed it herself. She was glad she waited until Spike's mouth wasn't full of food, as he probably would have spit it all out. "Another Twilight? Like, a clone?" Spike gave a visible shudder. "What if she's an evil clone who will replace you and try to take over Equestria?" He asked with a panicked look.
"Oh Spike. While I admit she is a mystery, she was created with the power of the Elements. It would be impossible for her to be evil. Besides, she and I don't look exactly alike. For some reason, only I have wings. My...clone, I suppose, is a regular unicorn, like I was yesterday. So with how I am now, the lack of wings would tip anypony off about who she is."
"Well that's good." Spike said, relieved. "So, if she's your clone does that mean she's just like you?"
"I'm not sure. While she seemed to look exactly like me, except the new wings, she was asleep. I'm not sure if she will be like me personality wise however. The Princesses took her to Canterlot, and I'm hoping to ask Princess Celestia about her. I'm sure the girls have questions as well." With that Twilight had Spike and herself focus on getting the library cleaned up, making sure to put a 'Closed' sign on the library's front door.
With Princess Celestia coming over at noon, Twilight wanted to make sure that the library was as clean as possible. Thankfully, the spell only caused a few loose pieces of paper to fly around. Though it did leave a large scorch mark in the shape of Twilight's cutie mark that they couldn't remove.
Twilight and Spike had woken up late in the morning, so they didn't have to wait long before some of Twilight's friends began to arrive. First to arrive was Rainbow Dash. The prismatic pegasus flew in through an empty window. She talked to Twilight about going flying with her after everything was said and done, and Twilight agreed as long as Rainbow would be patient while teaching her to use them. So, after holding a conversation for a little while Rainbow grabbed the first Daring Do book from one of the library shelves and started re-reading it.
Next came Rarity. She came in through the normal means and, after a quick hello to the pegusus absorbed in her reading, struck up a conversation with Twilight. After asking a few questions about how she felt, Rarity offered to make her a dress to show of her new, "absolutely marvelous" wings. Twilight accepted, though she still felt a little nervous about the situation despite Spike's assurances.
Applejack and Fluttershy arrived at the same time and greeted the 3 that were already there. Fluttershy and Applejack expressed their happiness for their friend's new alicorn form. Had Spike not been paying such close attention to Rarity, he may have brought up the discussion of Twilight being a princess. Twilight was happy he didn't. Pinkie Pie dropped in soon after that, quite literally in fact. She had dropped in front of the conversing group of friends with a rope tied around her middle, and scaring Fluttershy. She had a ice cream cone stuck to her forehead and cardboard wings taped to her sides as she swung side to side while still attached to the rope.
"Pinkie, what are you doing?" Twilight asked the pink party pony. The pony smiled in response.
"Isn't it obvious Twilight? It's a surprise alicorn party! Whee!" With that Pinkie swung around the room, attaching ice cream cone horns and cardboard wing to all who needed them, including Spike. While a few ponies were unamused, namely Twilight, Pinkie was unfazed. She swung into the kitchen before swinging back into the room with a cake to set on one of the empty reading tables. Twilight noticed that the cake was decorated to have a horn and wings as well. For a final touch, Pinkie Pie pulled out her party cannon out of her mane and fired it, sending confetti everywhere, but also decorating the room with alicorn themed banners and table clothes, balloons covering the ceiling.
Twilight brought a hoof to her head. "Ugh....Pinkie! Princess Celestia is coming! What will she say if she comes for a serious talk with us and she sees this?" Twilight would continue, but she heard a voice behind her that made her freeze.
"Actually, Twilight, I'd say that a party would be a refreshing greeting." Said Princess Celestia behind her. Twilight immediately turned around to see her mentor walking inside the library, her carriage right outside.
Twilight and the others quickly bowed, except for Pinkie, who was still hanging by a rope. "Sorry about the mess Princess...we'll clean it up right away!" At that Twilight's mentor gave a chuckle.
"Do not worry Twilight, this is fine. After all, I've simply come to talk." The Princess walked over to the cake and put the cake on one of the plastic plates Pinkie had put by the dessert when nopony was looking.
"Princess, are you here to tell us about Twilight's clone?" Spike asked. "I'd like to know more about her myself, Princess." Rarity added.
Princess Celestia ate a bite of cake before speaking. "You have baked quite a delicious cake Pinkie Pie, I must say." She said to the pink mare before answering Spike's question. "While I will talk about her and tell you what I know of her, that isn't the main reason I'm here. I'm here to discuss Twilight's coronation."
The librarian frowned, her worry growing. "My...coronation, Princess?" She asked. The Solar Princess smiled softly.
"Yes Twilight, your coronation as a Princess of Equestria. You've shown the traits that your friends here exemplify, and it has shown in your ascension. Loyalty, Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Magic. You understand now the true meaning behind those Elements, namely Magic.
Magic is the center of all the Elements, and the balance point of all the aspects of a friendship. It is important to stay by your friends, but you must not let your loyalty blind you to what they could be doing, or how they affect others. Honesty is the best policy, but there are times where you must be careful about the truth to help your friends. To show kindness is something to strive for, but you must know when to stand firm. To help others out of their darkness you must help them laugh, but know when it is time to be serious as well. Giving to your friends at your own personal cost is a noble thing to do, but you must not let your generosity overtake your own prosperity.
Twilight Sparkle, you understand what the Elements mean, and how they are connected. How you and your friends are connected. This understanding is what has bestowed upon you the title of Alicorn Princess of Friendship."
Twilight's worry must have shown, because she suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder. "Don't worry Twilight," she heard Rainbow Dash say, "we'll still be here with you. You can always count on us!" Applejack came by as well.
"She's right, Twi. We'll all stay by yer side no matter what happens." Soon, all her friends were around her, giving her confidence.
"If being Princess ever becomes too stressful, you'll have us to help." Rarity added.
"Who said you had to act like a Princess anyways? You can stay our friendly librarian and have all the fun and silly parties you want!" There was Pinkie's two bits. Fluttershy simply hugged Twilight at first.
"Being a princess won't change who you are, Twilight." The yellow Pegasus said. "All you have to be is you." Soon all Twilight's friends were hugging her.
"I told you Twilight!" Spike said cheerfully. "You don't have to worry with all of us here by you every step of the way!" With that the baby dragon joined the hug as well. Princess Celestia simply watched with a warm smile and a few bites of cake. Twilight, feeling much more confident, hugged all her friends back.
When the hug was over, got up from her sitting position in the middle. "Okay Princess Celestia, when will the coronation be?"
Princess Celestia finished the last of her cake before responding. "It will be held in Canterlot in three days, Twilight." She said with her warm smile. Twilight's ears immediately dropped.
"Three...days?" She repeated. Princess Celestia nodded.
"Don't worry Twilight, I'm sure you can organize everything for your coronation in time. A good princess must be ready for such events on short notice." Twilight's mane began to fray as she started to enter freakout mode. She tried to use Cadence's calming technique of putting a hoof to one's chest when they breath in, and fully extending it forward when breathing out. It became apparent, however, that it wasn't working. Twilight was about to tell Spike to get all books relating to Royal Ceremonies when she heard a chuckle. Looking at Princess Celestia, she realized that she was the source of it.
"Everything is already in place, Twilight, so you don't have to prepare anything. I just ask that you come to the castle with me, that way you don't have to worry about staying in one place until the ceremony. That invitation extends to all of you as well, should you wish to come. Otherwise I shall send a chariot the day before the ceremony so you can be there with her." Twilight relaxed at Princess Celestia's words while her friends responded to the Princess's words.
"Ah'd love ta go," Applejack started, "but ah'm still needed at the farm. Ah'll have to stay fer now." Fluttershy spoke next.
"I have my animals to take care of, so I can't leave on such short notice. I'm sorry Princess..."
"Don't worry Fluttershy, I understand." The Princess replied warmly. "What about you three?" She asked, looking at Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity.
"I have no problem going. I just have to dash down to town hall and leave a note on the weather pony roster and I'll be taken care of." Rainbow said, meanwhile Pinkie frowned.
"Aww, I really wanna go and help plan Twilight's super duper princess party, but I promised the Cakes that I'd watch the foals." Rarity mentioned her state last.
"I can go as well, as Sweetie is at our parent's house and I don't have any commissions that require my immediate attention."
With who was coming and who wasn't confirmed, Princess Celestia nodded. "Now, I believe you all would like to know about Twilight's clone." Immediately, all ponies (and dragon) gave the Princess their full attention. Twilight felt her excitement grow. She was curious to know what she was like, she had a few theories, but she wasn't sure. "I'm afraid we don't know anything for certain, as she was still unconscious when I left Canterlot. We do know that she will have a connection to you all because of her creation by the Elements. This may cause her to wake up with the mind of any one of you, Twilight more likely than any of you. We hope this is not the case, as it would be hard for her to cope."
Celestia have mercy on our souls if she becomes a unicorn Pinkie Pie, Twilight thought as Princess Celestia continued. "My sister and I pray that she is more of a blank slate. If she has no memories, then she can become her own mare. Whatever happens, however, I ask that you all help her adjust to her new situation." All the ponies gave confirmation that they would.
Princess Celestia smiled. "Now I belie--" She was interrupted when a scroll teleported in front of her. She opened the scroll and read it silently for a moment. Twilight was about to ask her what it said when the Princess spoke aloud. "It seems our friend at the castle is awake." There was a brief silence. Spike was the one to ask the question they all thought.
"What's she like?"
Princess Celestia looked over the letter once more. "It seems that she has none of your memories, as we hoped. It seems, though, that she lacks basic knowledge of the world and only knows speech. When she woke up, she didn't know how to walk and had no idea who or even what she was, it seems. Needless to say, she is quite nervous."
"O-oh my goodness, that's terrible! Is she okay?" Twilight shared Fluttershy's concern, but wondered what she would have expected, if she was shocked to be a pony. After all, the clone was based on Twilight herself, and the Elements that created her have only been used by ponies. It struck her as odd that her clone would be surprised to be a pony if she could talk. Twilight kept her thoughts to herself however. All that mattered was that the clone was made by the Elements, and so she must be inherently good.
"My sister said in her letter that Twilight's clone has calmed down. She has requested a teacher, and my sister has mentioned that she will teach her herself. She hopes that during that time the clone will think of a name, and perhaps begin to create a sense of self." Princess Celestia rolled the scroll up and set it on a nearby table. "Now, I ask that everypony except Twilight and Spike leave. I simply wanted you all to know what would go on, and to see who would be coming. I need to talk to Twilight personally about an issue. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, please be back within the hour with everything you need to stay at Canterlot Castle."
"Of course, Princess!" Rarity said cheerfully. The girls said their goodbyes and soon only Princess Celestia, Twilight, and Spike stood in the room, which was still decorated with party supplies.
"What did you want to talk to me about Princess?" Twilight asked curiously.
"Twilight, what would you think about having a twin sister?" The Princess asked.