Memoirs: The Princesses of Equestria

by Nugget

Princess Twilight Sparkle & Princess Cadence: “Earned, not Given.”

Princess Twilight Sparkle & Princess Cadence
“Earned, not Given.”

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Within the depths of the Castle of Friendship, an entire section of Twilight’s Library was converted from a cozy study to a studio production room with bright lights, movie cameras, and microphones for voice recording. At the front of the set, three chairs were laid out. Occupying two of those chairs were the regal Princesses Twilight Sparkle and Cadence. Meanwhile, a reporter, simply named Scope, sat in the chair opposite to the Equestrian Princesses.

At their request, this entire interview wasn’t going to be something as simple as talking about recent policy changes or what-the-hey they like eat from time-to-time. Instead, they wanted to finally address the reporters about an issue that has bothered them for a while. To them, this was an issue they felt was too personal for just an article in a newspaper. They had go in-depth about it, so they had to call Scope to do the story.

Scope, a veteran reporter for the Canterlot Herald and Princess Celestia’s personal press secretary, likely obliged upon their request.

“Good Evening,” he bowed.

“Good Evening,” both princesses replied.

“Now before we begin this interview, is there any last-minute thoughts or objections towards what we are about to talk about? I understand that some of the subject matter we are about to get into might not be favorable in your image. Thus, my princesses, if you wish to still speak about it and risk changing the outlook of how the citizens of Equestria view you two, my majesties, then I won’t stop you two from going any further beyond this point,” Scope clearly stated.

Twilight nodded, “I understand your concern, Scope, but me and my aunt want to finally talk about it openly.” She looked over at the pink alicorn, “So, without any further delay, I say let’s do this.”

Cadence agreed, “Lets. The further we don’t discuss about the elephant in the room, the more ineffable it becomes to talk about it.”

Scope sighed, “Alrighty then.” He looked over the production crew, “Are you guys ready?”

Few subtle nods could be seen before the director put his hoof up, signaling to the interview that the cameras were set and ready to begin recording. “5, 4, 3,” the stallion said before mouthing the rest of the count down. At the end, a red light shined above the cameras, meaning they were now filming.

Scope turned his attention back towards Twilight and Cadence. “Good evening, your majesties. It’s an honor and a privilege to be talking to not just one, but both of you about an issue that you two seem to have a problem with recently.”

Twilight, hesitate from being a bit camera shy, tried to simply focus on what the interviewer was trying to say to her. She replied, “Umm, yeah. I mean, it’s about time we got down and address this issue in an almost one-on-one setting like this.”

Cadence, having a bit more experience with dealing with the press, was calm and collected with her speech. The Princess of Love then added, “I agree with my cousin here. It’s about time we talk about what has been dragging through our minds over the past few years. You know? To kind of settle it once and for all?”
“Certainly,” Scope nodded with a smile. He then looked down at his notes, written on a plan piece of paper. Looking back up at the princesses, he began is interview by asking, “So just to recap here, it has been a few years since, you, Princess Cadence was crowned a princess by Princess Celestia herself, right?”

Cadence nodded, “Yes.”

“And just recently, you, Princess Twilight, was crowned a princess yourself by the same alicorn, right?”

Twilight shook her head and agreed, “Correct.”

“So, and this question goes out to both of you,” Scope cleared his throat. “How has that change affected your lives?”

“Well,” Cadence clarified, “It’s interesting how you put it. On the one hoof, being crowned a Princess at such an early age didn’t really give me a chance to experience the normal life of a pegasus. I’ve been so used to being an alicorn by now that I don’t even remember the times of which I didn’t have a horn. So, on the other hoof, I guess I can say that the change caused me to never really experience and remember my life as a pegasus in the first place.”

The reporter turned towards Twilight, “And you?”

“Wellll,” she dragged, “It did have me go from being a sort of-lonely book horse to a ruler of all things related to friendship in Equestria. So, in contrast to my aunt, Cadence, I think I can say that my change affected me more personally than her’s did.”

“How so?” Scope asked.

“Well, besides sprouting wings,” Twilight retorted, “I was put into my role rather quickly, compared how Cadence naturally, over an extended period of time, had the opportunity to get to use to her position in Equestria.”

Scoped looked over at Cadence. “Is this true?”

“Yeah,” she thought for a moment, “Kinda-sorta? I mean, the change to me was a surprise as well. While I always thought Twilight, here, was a wonderful, and very bright, pupil of Celestia, I never thought she would grant Twilight the gift of becoming an alicorn so soon. I thought it would happen a little bit later, maybe some time when Twilight is in her thirties, when she has had the time to be trained up and fully involved in her friendship role. But, I guess Celestia just had other plans.”

“Did Princess Celestia consolidate you about Twilight becoming an alicorn?” he asked Cadence.

“Yes,” the Princess of Love replied, “And I condoned it at first for the very same reasons I just explained to you.”

Twilight nodded her head. She knew Cadence’s concerns about her becoming an alicorn after the events transpired. “It’s true,” the purple alicorn admitted.

“I simply thought she wasn’t ready.” Cadence explained, “I thought she wasn’t mature enough to handle the stress and weight of baring such a role that could, and thank Celestia that it hasn’t, overwhelm her to the point where she would simply give up and betray her regal mentor-”

“But Cadence!” Twilight interviewed, shocked by what her aunt said. “You know that isn’t true! I would never turn my back on Celestia of all ponies!”

“I know that,” Cadence said in a calming manner. “And I’m glad I was wrong about that, but when Celestia asked me about turning you into one, I had to lay all crazy, but reasonable possibilities out on the table. To which, that is how that scenario came to be!”

The pink alicorn clarified, “But, I knew and believed it wouldn’t happen. So, after some more discussions with Princess Celestia, which included her giving me ideas towards how your professional development would be furthered along as an alicorn vs. remaining as a unicorn, I finally approved our mentor’s idea of you becoming a new alicorn princess.”

Cadence then held a front hoof out in front and touched one of Twilight’s, “You earned the right to become an alicorn because you have gone far and beyond the expectations of being the pupil of Princess Celestia. Once she told me about the amazing things you have done up to that point, all the things I didn’t know that you have done, it changed my mind.”

Water built up around Twilight’s eyes. She smiled, “Thank you.”

The reporter couldn’t help but crack a smile as well, “That’s very touching.”

Cadence nodded, with a smile, “You’re welcome.” She then levitated a glass towards her lips, taking a sip of water.

Wiping a tear from his eye, Scope then asked, “Now, after Twilight’s coronation, the press seemed to stir around the new Princess of Equestria, wanting to know more about Twilight’s personal life, her favorite things, hobbies, possible love interests-”

Cadence almost spat out her drink, giggling to herself. Meanwhile, Twilight groaned as she rolled her eyes upon the mere thought of liking another pony beyond a friendly relationship. Scope, surprised the reactions, felt dumbfounded.

“Did I say something taboo?” he hesitantly asked, not wanting to offend his rulers.

Cadence couldn’t stop giggling, “Oh, no!” she waved a hoof, “Not at all! It’s just, I tease Twilight all the time about finding a special somepony.”

“Really!” Scope scratched his chin, “And?”

“And!” Twilight command, “Nothing! Move on!”

Cadence scowled, “Now Twilight, you can’t just-”

“I said move along!” Twilight huffed, crossing her front hooves, “I don’t wish to talk about my personal love interests on camera! Ok?”

The Princess of Love sighed, “Alright then, Miss. I-Love-Flash-Sentry!”

“Hey!”

“Mooooving along,” the reporter chuckled, “As I was trying to say, the press was wanting to know more about the new princess, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Yeah,” the purple alicorn groaned, still annoyed by her aunt’s comment, “They certainly did.”

“But some others weren’t so fixated upon getting to know their new princess,” Scope scrolled through his notes, “They said a lot of things about you not earning the title of Princess, despite the objections from Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence, and that your achievement was only given to you since you’re personal friends with Princess Celestia.”

The reporter lifted a hoof to his chin, “What do you have to say about that?”

Twilight took in a deep breath as a hoof touched her chest. Exhaling, she calmed herself down and focused upon the reporter's question, ignoring Cadence’s remark from earlier. “I say, it’s simple. They don’t know me, or the things I did to earn the title of the Princess of Friendship. They look at my success and only see the mere image of what I’ve done in the public eye. However, they have no idea about the all the other stuff I’ve done in local areas, away from the bigger cities in Equestria.”

“Such as?” the reporter asked, leaning towards Twilight.

“Well,” Twilight scratched her head, “I’ve helped Princess Luna become a more social pony during Nightmare Night, saved Ponyville from being covered in smog from a sleeping dragon, organized Winter-Wrap-up, and saved Ponyville, again, from a crazy, magical unicorn named Trixie.”

The reporter glanced at Cadence, “Is this all true?”

“Yes,” she smiled, “All of that was true, and it surprised me as well. I never knew, until Celestia told me, that she has done so much for the town of Ponyville.”

“Yeah, well,” Twilight giggled, “I mean, I did do a lot now that I think about it.”

“However,” the reporter confirmed, “The press seemed to think your connection with Princess Celestia was the only reason you were given the title “Princess” along with your transformation.”

“It’s sort of true?” Twilight clenched her teeth, “But, I still don’t think the role and alicorn-ness, transformation, whatever, was given to me. It was earned, not given. I worked hard, nearly my entire life. I’ve been under the wing of Princess Celestia since the day I passed the test that allowed me to attend Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns until she granted to me the position of “Princess” some twenty-one years later to the day!”

“Earned, not given?” the reporter questioned.

“Yeah. It was earned, not given to Twilight,” Cadence agreed. “And those newspony’s, along with the rest of the common ponies, will never understand that. To which, I say, I understand their lack of knowledge as well. They're never around Twilight 24/7, and they never will be. They will never understand how hard she has worked to become the mare she is today. All they will ever see, along with me as well, is the mere image of a Princess who loves her subjects.”

“I see, I see.” Scoop looked over at his director, who was pointing at a clock in the room. The time for the interview was almost up, therefore, Scoop had to wrap things up. “Well, is there any final words you two wish to let the rest of Equestria know?”

“Nah.”

“Nothing.”

Scoop bowed his head. “Thank you, my Princesses.”

“You’re welcome,” they both replied.

---

“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.” - Pope Paul VI

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Comments

[Mystic Sunrise]

Very important question. When the hay did Cadance become Twilight's aunt? Or did I read that part wrong?