Twilight Sparkle continues to write letters to Princess Celestia & Princess Luna after becoming a princess herself, but this time as a friend rather than a student.
Twilight Sparkle continues to write letters to Princess Celestia & Princess Luna after becoming a princess herself, but this time as a friend rather than a student.
--------------------------- 1 part episode analysis, 1 part character analysis, a dash of comedy, and a sprinkling of feels. I hope these are fun and relaxing to read, if that makes any sense. They have been fun to write, so far.
It is with some amount of hesitation that I write you today. I’m sure you noticed that this letter came by normal post, and not via Spike. To be honest, I didn’t want him to know I was sending this. I’ve been thinking a lot about some things, and writing down my thoughts has always helped me to sort them out. You know me and my lists.
I know you told me that now that I’m a princess, we would be equals, no longer a student and a teacher. At the very least, you said that I would no longer be your student in the same way. I’ve graduated from many courses of study before, and I’ve advanced happily in my studies through many successes. However, this time it felt different. There was a melancholy feeling that I was not expecting. I was made a princess, transformed into an alicorn, and coronated. It’s like a dream come true, certainly different than the sort of job placement most students expect after graduation, but there’s still this uncertain feeling inside of me. At first, I thought that it might have been nervousness related to my new duties as a princess, but I’m just not sure anymore. After all, it is still unclear what my duties even entail.
When you and Princess Luna vanished last week, I had responsibility suddenly thrust upon me, and even though things turned out well in the end, it wasn’t without issue. To be honest, I didn’t know what to do. All of the sudden, I was being looked to for guidance and orders. I was being relied upon not as just another pony, but as a princess - as an authority figure. Somepony who would have all the answers, and yet I didn’t have anything but doubt.
My uncertainty, of course, is only one reason why I’m writing to you. There is a deeper reason. You recently sent my friends and me into your old castle home in the Everfree Forest. More correctly, you sent me there, but my friends all ended up there as well for different reasons. We eventually came across a secret study, and within it was a journal that you and Princess Luna kept a thousand years ago. As I flipped through the pages of that book, I realized the castle wasn’t such a scary place, at least not as scary as I had initially thought. However, looking down at the pages, seeing your writing, imagining all of the words as if you were speaking them, filled me with a great feeling of nostalgia, but also comfort. It also filled me with longing.
I decided that the girls and I should keep a journal as well. Since we’re not going to be writing any more friendship reports for you, I thought it would be a great way to keep track of what we’ve learned and experienced as a group.
I don’t think that’s really why I wanted us to keep the journal, though. Here is where I will have to confess something to you about why you’re even reading this letter right now. To be honest, I miss writing you letters. When I was sending you reports on the magic of friendship, I had a reason, an excuse, to write to you every chance I had. There is something about writing a letter and sending it, knowing that when you get it you will read it and hear my words in your head that I find so very appealing. I love it. I thought that writing in the journal could be a replacement, but I have quickly come to realize that a replacement is impossible. There is nothing in this world that could replace the act of writing to you, sharing my thoughts and feelings with you, even sharing my frustrations with you.
So, in closing, I must ask you a question. If it’s not too much of a bother, would you mind terribly if I continued to send you letters? I await your response.
Your Faithful Student Fellow Princess,
Twilight Sparkle
P.S. My goodness, I can’t believe I wrote “Your Faithful Student” there. It’s just such a force of habit.
My Dearest Twilight,
There is no need to be worried, and there is no need to be so formal. I was your teacher, and you were my student, but more important than that: We were friends, and we still are. There is nothing wrong with friends writing letters to one another, and I would never find a letter from you to be anything but a joy to receive. Of course you may continue to write me letters. In fact, I encourage it! If writing to me brings you happiness and comfort, I think that it is an important activity for you. After all, you must keep yourself level-headed and well-grounded. I, too, have always found that writing helped me to organize my thoughts and relax, and when you’re writing to a friend, it can fill you with such joy.
In other words, nothing you said is anything you should be embarrassed about, nor should you think that you’re strange in thinking the way that you do.
Here is a little confession of my own, just for you: The life of a princess here in Canterlot can sometimes be so drab and dreary. Every time I got a report from you while you were studying the magic of friendship, it was a highlight of my day. There were some days when I would insist that my schedule be rearranged and some of my more boring duties be dropped so that I could read your report and reflect upon it myself. Your letters about friendship may not have always taught me something new, but they were always lessons to reflect upon and remember.
So, please, continue to write to me! Your letters will surely brighten up my day, and if you don’t mind, I would like to share them with Princess Luna as well. Believe it or not, she has become quite fond of you, but I think she feels that her relationship with you is not as close as mine. Between you and me, I think she may have been feeling a little bit left out, even a little bit jealous. Don’t feel bad about it, though! I’ve assured her that it was just because you were my personal student. Now that our letters will be friendlier in nature, rather than academic, I just know she will be overjoyed to be included.
So, you found our journal, did you? I cannot believe you were reading our personal and private journal!
Just kidding! I knew you would find the journal eventually. It has been so very long since Luna and I wrote upon its pages. Did you take it with you, or leave it at the castle? I may want to pop down to the area at some point and spend an afternoon reading it, myself. Now that the memories of those times are not as darkened by the weight of banishing Luna to the moon, I may be able to joyfully relive those past days in my mind. How I long for those simpler days, sometimes. Always hold onto your past dearly, Twilight. Your precious memories are an irreplaceable treasure of the heart.
I look forward to hearing all about the things you’ve experienced and done, particularly now that you’re a princess. Always remember, if you ever need any advice, I’ve been doing this for a rather long time and just might have some for you.
Sorry I didn't immediately write you back after getting your last letter. You know me, I can be a bit scatterbrained at times. The journal that you and Princess Luna wrote in has been left in the castle right where we found it. Also, I would be happy to write to Princess Luna as well! (As you can see from the first line of this letter.)
I was overjoyed when I received your response to my previous letter. I should have known better than to think you would be troubled by my writing to you, but you know how much of a worry-wart I can be. As mentioned, of course you may share my letters with Princess Luna. In fact, I would love you to! I’ve always wanted to get to know her better, so Princess Luna, if you’re reading this, hello! I hope you’re having a wonderful day or night!
Speaking of days, though, mine was not so wonderful today. I happened to meet a pony who is somewhat of a celebrity, and yet also rather reclusive. As somepony who appreciates her private time, I can fully understand that! Anyway, the pony in question was one A. K. Yearling, author of the popular Daring Do series of books. It was recently announced that the next book in the series had been delayed, and that news hit Rainbow Dash sort of hard. I turned her on to the series back when she was injured in the hospital. It was the first fiction series she’d ever read, so I can understand being so attached to it, but she took it to new levels today, and sadly, I was an accomplice.
Rainbow decided that she wanted to make it her personal mission to go and meet Ms. Yearling in person and see why the book had been delayed. She wanted to do anything in her power to help Ms. Yearling so she could write the book. Her heart was in the right place… well, mostly in the right place, but it was honestly none of her business why the book had been delayed. I fell right into line with her, too. Maybe it was the fact that I was a fan of the series as well. I researched and found out where A. K. Yearling lived. I’m sort of ashamed of that fact. As you know, my mother is also an author, and she has connections to Yearling, so I used her to get the information. Not very princess-like, don’t you think? It was really sneaky of me, and I feel so bad about it. I should write her a letter and apologize as well.
In any case, we tracked down A. K. Yearling and made a rather surprising discovery. You can’t tell anypony else, but did you know that Yearling actually is Daring Do? In the flesh! She’s real, and she really does go on adventures! After we so rudely invaded her privacy, no doubt bothering her while she was focused on something far more important than her next book, she was attacked and kidnapped! Looking back on it, we should have helped her out a lot sooner than we did, but we were all just so awestruck, we couldn’t move.
In the end, the villainous Ahuizotl’s plot was stopped thanks to Daring Do and Rainbow Dash. We helped as well, but it was mostly those two. Rainbow Dash was finally able to make friends with one of her heroes, it just took a little time and a world-threatening plan to thwart.
As well as things turned out in the end, I still have some unanswered questions. Was anypony else aware of Ahuizotl’s existence? Were you? If so, you never told us that there was a threat to Equestria like him just roaming around wreaking havoc. In fact, outside of the Daring Do books, I’d never heard of him at all, nor of the magical ruins he nearly used to cause so much suffering.
That question aside, this situation made me think of something else, too. What if now that I’m a princess, I’ll be faced with ponies trying to invade my privacy? I wouldn’t appreciate it very much, and yet I took part in doing that very thing to somepony else. Regardless of the outcome, it was wrong. It makes me nervous, maybe a little paranoid, that someone could be snooping around the library right now, staring into my window or following me everywhere I go.
I’m sure I’ll get past the uneasiness. I know my friends will help me through it. I know you will, too.
Your faithful friend,
Twilight Sparkle
Dearest Twilight,
You're still so formal! We shall have to get you out of that habit. You can just call me Celestia. In fact, I insist that you do, at least in these letters. There is no need to use titles between the two of us, right?
So, you met Daring Do, did you? I am glad to hear she is doing well, although still mixed up in the same trouble as always. When I heard the latest book was delayed, I must admit, I was a bit worried, but not for the same reason as Rainbow Dash. You see, Daring Do is a close friend of mine, or rather, her mother was. I suppose Daring is more of an acquaintance than anything. Before the return of Nightmare Moon, we didn’t have you six wielding the Elements of Harmony. I had to make certain Equestria was defended in different ways. I’m sure you know by now that I cannot be everywhere all at once, and I have to call upon my friends and subjects to step up to the task of keeping this nation safe. In the case of A. K. Yearling, her mother was one such guardian of Equestria. Her mother is sadly no longer with us, but Daring Do continues to carry the torch, defending Equestria in her own way. I hope you understand, the reason I never mentioned any of this to you before was because I knew that Daring preferred to work alone. Her reasons for this may be due to everything she's gone through in her life, but I respect her decision. The Daring Do books are not only entertaining stories, they’re also her way of reporting what’s happened to me. In a way, they’re like your friendship letters were, but instead they are a letter to all of Equestria. With each publication, she is saying ‘I’m still here. I’m okay.’ So, even if she may seem a bit distant or reclusive, she really does care about everypony. She just doesn’t want the reality of the dangers she’s facing to scare the populace, and I can appreciate that. Of course, the money she makes from book sales allows her to live out where she does, so that’s a perk.
You say Rainbow Dash made friends with her? I’m rather shocked, honestly, but I’m also glad. It’s good to hear that she’s allowed at least one pony into her heart, even just a little bit. There was a time shortly after the death of her mother when I had tried to comfort her. I invited her to the castle, and she accepted gracefully, but from the moment she arrived it became clear that she didn’t want or appreciate my affections. It felt so hopeless; I can’t tell you how bad I felt for the poor dear. She had nopony to turn to, and I thought that I would let her turn to me, but even that was not accepted. Perhaps I had felt that in my own loneliness, she might find a kindred spirit. Perhaps I was looking for such a kindred spirit, too. Alas, nothing came of it, and she returned home a few days later. When I saw the first Daring Do book hit the bookshelves the following year, I was awash with emotion. I was glad that somepony was carrying on her mother’s legacy, and not just anypony, but her own daughter. I was also deeply saddened, too. She was carrying on by herself, the death of her mother still a fresh wound. I was moved to tears. I knew she’d chosen her path on her own terms, and there wasn’t anything I could do but silently support her. I made sure to buy several copies of the book, distributing it to all the libraries in Canterlot personally. If you read a copy from one of the libraries in Canterlot as a child, it was likely one of the books that I purchased.
Now, to answer your concerns about privacy, I’m afraid I can’t alleviate your fears much. As a princess, you will no doubt be faced by ponies who want to watch your every move. I believe Ponyville is a much better place for a princess to live than Canterlot, at least on that front, but who knows what might happen. You may even be faced with a crazy situation someday where a large group of school children are trying to follow you around everywhere. Time will tell, but I’m sure you don’t have that much to worry about. Me on the other hoof, I am not only a princess, but one of the two rulers of the nation, so the scrutiny to me is doubly so. Luna is actually having a lot of trouble adjusting, as well. As you know, she hasn’t been back for very long, and a lot has changed since she was gone. Perhaps she could offer you some insight. I will let her take over, here.
GREETINGS PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE! IT IS I, PRINCESS LUNA!
Did I trick you? Did you think I was going to keep writing in that fashion? Celestia has now fallen over on top her cushion and is laughing quite heartily! It would appear I should try my hoof at humor! Perhaps I shall ask Pinkie Pie for advice.
On the subject of the public following you, watching your every move, sneaking in the shadows and stealing pieces of food that you drop on the ground, I can assure you it is all true! However, I have found that if one communicates with the peasants more frequently and in a friendly manner, that they feel less of a need to stalk you. I also learned recently that it is not right to command your royal guard company to confiscate a camera from another, even if the flashing light blinded you briefly and you felt dizzy. Do not try and use the dizziness as an excuse! Nopony will believe you!
Celestia has now informed me that I should not refer to our subject as peasants. Perhaps I shall begin to use the word commoner. Okay, apparently that’s no good, either. I shall let you know when I have discovered the proper, politically correct term! Please continue to use whatever term you were previously using until then!
Lastly, always remember to take the affections of the public in stride. I am told they mean you no malice, though I still have my suspicions. It may be wise to keep a guard with you, but at a distance, so as not to scare anypony. Perhaps since you interact with the citizens of Ponyville so intimately, you will not have such a problem with this. I pray that this advice has been helpful!
Your Royal Highness,
Princess Luna
P.S. Sorry about the Royal Highness business! My sister said that I should write this post script. She has informed me that this is a casual, friendly letter! I do not understand, though. That is why I signed it “Your Royal Highness” rather than “Her Majesty and Princess of the Night”. All of these changes in formality are going to take some getting used to!
P.P.S. It’s Celestia again. We look forward to your next letter, Twilight.
See? I’m trying to get away from using your titles in these letters. I must admit, it’s rather difficult given how I’ve always used them. I will persevere, though! Also, Luna, I think the term ‘citizen’ is just fine. I’d avoid ‘peasant’ or ‘commoner’.
As you have likely heard, we are in the midst of a celebration here in Ponyville for three talented little fillies who have really done the town proud today. To be honest, though, it’s not as big a celebration as I make it sound. Just a little get-together at Sweet Apple Acres for family and friends. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo really put on a great act and will be carrying the flag for Ponyville at the Equestria Games. Their sisters are so proud of them, especially Rainbow Dash, even though she isn’t actually related to Scootaloo.
It wasn’t easy for the three of them, though. It was hard work, and Rainbow Dash has told me that two of their classmates made it even harder for them. It appears that Scootaloo can’t fly due to a developmental issue with her wings and the two fillies in question were teasing her about it. She’s usually so upbeat so you wouldn’t think something like that would bother her, but I guess we all have our inner fears. We all have our own fragilities. Rainbow Dash was really concerned about the whole situation and came to me for advice after the performance. To give a little background, she’d gone on a camping trip with Rarity, Applejack, and the girls a while back. During that trip, Scootaloo confessed that she’d always looked up to Rainbow Dash and had dreamed of having a big sister like her. Rainbow kindly agreed to take that role, but she has no experience with having a young sibling. I don’t either, so I’m not sure why she came to me, but I was flattered that she did.
She hadn’t noticed how insecure Scootaloo was about her wings until today. She said that ever since she’d agreed to take Scoot under her wing and be like a big sister, she’d actually not been that involved with her. She didn’t want her to feel like she was abandoning her, and the fact that she never noticed something like that made her nervous about what else Scoot might be bottling up inside. She’s worried that Scoot thinks she doesn’t really care about her that much, but that’s actually far from the truth. She hadn’t noticed the bullying going on, either, and didn’t know what to do about that. In the end, I decided to defer to Applejack, and Rainbow begrudgingly went to her for advice. I am sure whatever Applejack tells her will help. After all, Applejack is one of the best big sisters I know. I did mention that spending a little more time with Scoot couldn’t hurt, though.
I should really get back to the party instead of sitting here in the corner with my thoughts and this letter. Everypony is waving me over. I will ask if you have any advice on the situation, though. I feel like there must be something else I could have done, particularly about the bullying. I’m a princess, after all, and three little friends of mine are suffering under the hooves of bullies. Let me know what you think!
Yours Truly, Twilight
Dear Twilight,
As Princess of the Night, I cannot abide by these bullies you mention! As I write, I am formulating a plan! I will tell you all about it soon!
I am familiar with the filly named Scootaloo, as well as the camping trip that you mentioned. During that trip, she was full of fear and doubt, which is something else that I am familiar with. I entered her dreams and helped her discover the solution to her problem, but in the end she was the one who had to recognize and face that fear. Giving advice is good, especially if you have been through something similar, but you ultimately cannot control how something will turn out. I believe Rainbow Dash has a similar fear to face, now, and she will have to make a decision. Just as Scootaloo feared Rainbow Dash not wanting to spend time with her, or to use the slang of the children these days, thinking that she is not ‘cool’, Rainbow Dash must now face this fear that Scootaloo does not feel appreciated or loved. The solution is simple, of course—she need only spend more time with the filly. However, to one who is in experiencing it, the answer is less clear and harder to achieve.
There was a time in the past when I felt unloved, as well. Everypony knows how that turned out. I doubt Scootaloo will become the embodiment of darkness, but she may feel that way inside. While you may feel like you should help Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, it is something that the two of them should face together, but on their own. From what you have written, I believe Rainbow Dash is on the right path.
Now, those bullies you mentioned, you must tell me who they are! We shall bring them to justice for their cruel acts! We cannot sit idly by and allow—
Celestia taking over here. I think perhaps the bullying is something that those involved should handle. The fillies and their families and teachers can work it out, I am certain. It just may take a little bit of time for the girls doing the bullying to grow out of that phase in their lives. It can be a complicated situation, too. The ones doing the bullying may be bullied, themselves, outside of school. It is a tragic situation, but not one that even a princess can solve all by herself.
You did right by Rainbow Dash, today. Applejack truly is a loving older sister, and I think Rainbow Dash can learn a lot from her. Perhaps you can, as well. You do have a little brother living with you, you know, although he’s a dragon. You might just have more experience with a younger sibling than you initially thought.
I know from experience that sometimes we can be a little absent-minded about our little siblings, especially as they grow older, but just being there for one another can go a long way. It's not all that different from friendship, don't you think? Our siblings, young or old, are also some of the best friends we'll have in our lives. A little love goes a long way. Speaking of which, I may wish to go restrain Luna in a hug. She’s at the door to our room shouting commands to a guard—something about organizing an anti-bullying squad to head to Ponyville.
Write again soon! We love hearing all about the goings-on in Ponyville!
Your Friend, Celestia
P.S. Crisis averted! Luna has calmed down now. There’s no anti-bullying squad heading to Ponyville.
P.P.S. This is Luna once again! I have called off the hunt for the fillies! We shall allow them to remain free for another day! However, I make no promises about not going into their dreams! The Anti-Bullying Squad, or ABS, shall someday rise! Maybe!
Sorry that I have to pen you such a formal letter, but It has been brought to my attention that Spike recently bought a book from a store in Canterlot called “The House of Enchanted Comics”. The reason I am letting you know this is because that store has been shut down for ethical and legal violations. Their books were all enchanted, allowing the reader to physically enter the story and live it out as they wish. As I’m sure you’re aware, this type of magic is dangerous as the chances of somepony getting trapped within the book is rather high. There’s also a chance that somepony could lose a grip on reality and not want to leave, much to their own detriment. On top of that, and I don’t want to cause you to worry, let’s just say that the shop in question was a front to some rather questionable activities involving enchanted books for grownup ponies. That’s the main reason the shop was shut down. I’m not saying that we should suspect that Spike was buying any of their legally questionable books, but they can be particularly dangerous, and I hope his curiosity didn’t get the best of him. He is a growing dragon, after all.
So, how have things been in Ponyville? Luna and I are looking forward to your next letter.
Write back soon! -Celestia
Dear Celestia,
I cannot believe somepony would use magic for such a dubious purpose! Fortunately for me, the book Spike bought wasn’t one of those. In fact, it was a superhero comic, and all of us ended up getting sucked into it and taking on the roles of superheroes in the world of the Power Ponies. At first, it was confusing and a little bit scary because we had to face a villain with a long mane which she could control just like the rest of her body. The stuff of nightmares, let me tell you! Fortunately, with Spike’s help, we were able to defeat her.
I know the shop was shut down, but when I think back on our experience, I can’t help but feel sad that we won’t get to do it again someday. It was actually a great experiment in perspective. When you think about superheroes, you get an image in your mind of ponies with powers far beyond those of normal ponies, so entering a world where you could have great power seems rather enticing. For me, though, it felt stifling. It made me realize that even though we were taking the forms of super-powered ponies, we still really had to fight hard in order to win. That went doubly so for Spike! He took the place of a sidekick character that usually only plays a small role in the story, but he ended up being the real hero and saved us all. If anything, I think it was a big confidence boost for the little guy. Whether it’s Spike or Humdrum, sometimes you just need to believe in yourself, which can be difficult, even if you have friends who believe in you, too.
To go back to the earlier point, all of us had difficulty fitting into our roles at first. I said it felt stifling for me, so let me explain. Pinkie Pie got super speed, Applejack got a magic lasso, Rarity got special construct magic, Rainbow Dash got really cool weather control powers, and believe it or not, Fluttershy got to be super strong if she got angry. That might have been scarier than the villain we were fighting, actually. The powers I got, however, were more of a downgrade. I could use my horn to freeze and crystallize things, but I can already do that. My magic in this world of superheroes was actually less than in reality. It took a lot to finally figure out the best ways to use my magic when it was so limited. It made me dream up a different sort of magical training regimen, one where unicorns would have to solve magical problems, but be limited to certain schools of magic or certain spells. Has that ever been done before? If it has been, I’d love to hear about.
Yours in Ponyville, Twilight
Dear Twilight,
It sounds to me like you had a good experience with the enchanted comic, but believe me, there’s been nothing but headaches for the last few days. We’ve had ponies suffering from what we’re calling extreme post-com depression. When they return to their mundane lives, leaving the fantasy world behind, they long to go back. It’s all they can think about. Thank goodness you and your friends have not suffered this effect.
A limited training regimen for magic? I suppose for a student of the magical arts, it could be an interesting sort of brain-teaser. I do believe there was an order of pony monks that practiced magical limitation as part of their spiritual rituals. If I recall correctly, they felt that limiting the use of the horn would lead to more meaningful and enriching experiences when it was used. That, however, was a complete denial of all magic, and some scholars have written contradicting reports, believing that the underuse of the horn can cause ill health effects in unicorns. I definitely think it’s healthy for a unicorn to use their horn regularly. I’ve been using mine every day for my whole life, and look at me! I’m over a thousand years old!
I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Honestly, your idea sounds like it would be a really fun activity for young unicorns who are just learning about different kinds of magic.
Luna wishes to have a word, so I will let her write the rest of this letter.
Your friend, Celestia
Dearest Twilight Sparkle,
We have tried using the books from that store, and we can assure you, we know what you mean! Our royal powers were so diminished that we didn’t know what to do! Yet, once we left the book, it left us thinking, perhaps some dark thoughts.
Sorry, I just realized I was writing using the royal we again. We must I must practice restraint and try to communicate like the normal ponies of this era.
In any case, my dark thoughts after leaving the book reminded me of my time spent as Nightmare Moon, and how I wanted ponies to grovel before me. I stepped back, looked at my powers and how I, how all of us alicorns, must seem a bit intimidating to other ponies. We are so powerful and different, perhaps they fear us. Perhaps they fear me… even though that is not what I desire. It is true, you showed me that sometimes ponies wish to be frightened when I visited you on Nightmare Night, but a new fear has entered my heart. A fear that even though I have tried to show the ponies of Equestria that I am just like them in heart and spirit, that they may still fear me because I am so different.
That is why it is so very important that you are here now, Twilight. You were the thought that brought me back down from this fear. You, who were just recently a normal unicorn, are still in Ponyville, still living your life reasonably close to how you had been. Indeed, perhaps it is one of your duties as the princess of friendship to help everypony understand that we alicorns are still ponies. I hope that makes sense. Perhaps someday soon, I will travel to Ponyville again and see my friends there. It has been quite a while.
Yours, Luna
Luna,
I would very much love it if you could come to Ponyville sometime soon and have dinner with all of us at the Hayburger. I’m sure everypony would love to have you.
