Borrowed Wings
The day I became a princess was unreal. Spike called me 'Princess Sparkle' almost felt like a dream. I wanted to bite myself just to see if I would wake up in my own bed. As a regular Unicorn - not an Alicorn...
I'm still getting used to that word.
Sure he meant it as a joke, but it felt so bizarre, so out of this world ... I am royalty now. No longer a boring old unicorn living in Ponyville. I had to be responsible for an entire country. Millions of ponies to care for and protect them from any possible dangers, this was too much for one day... Or had I anyway? If I should be the princess, who would be my subjects? Gosh - I didn't want to think of other ponies as anything other than friends. Where would my ... the ponies I had to be Princess for live?
I don’t mean to repeat myself but it was unreal and a bit scary.
* * *
After the coronation ceremony finally was over, someone led me to a gathering in the castle gardens. Hosted by the one and only Pinkie Pie. Open for everyone, willing to attend, the Royal Parks surrounded Canterlot Castle were nearly bursting by guests. However, my friends - Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie - seemed to have learned from the last year's Gala and stuck together like glue.
I was getting some refreshments at the snack table, until I became aware of the sky growing dark, gaining a red tone. The night was slowly taking over however the day still had some fight left in it. But besides the flaming, astonishing sunset, stars began to sparkle everywhere, dotting the horizon with twinkling golden lights. I couldn't look without a second not seeing a glittering star it was truly beautiful.
The Princesses outdid themselves and I pondered, if it... if I was worth all this effort. All of a sudden I heard a quiet voice calling my name. Curious I looked around for a second before spotting a pale lilac Earth Pony filly with a cyan mane. About Apple Bloom’s age, I guessed.
She smiled at me and said her name was Faith. Further, she exclaimed that I was the prettiest princess ever - causing me to blush while I thanked her for the kind words. I smiled back at her. But then I noticed… the wheelchair, she sat in. How did I miss that first? Maybe it was a long arduous day full of shaking hooves, smiling small talking. Maybe the crowd of guests, slowly blending in a colorful blur of coats and manes. Perhaps it was Faith's outgoing nature that caught my attention at first. Whatever it was it worked. She said wants to just be like me and she looked up to me since I saved Equestria from Nightmare Moon three years ago. I told her I couldn't take all the credit because I had a little help from my friends.
However, Faith seemed to ignore that detail and I still was her most favorite princess ever. Faith explained to me she didn’t have many friends. She always was very shy and thought most foals didn’t want anything to do with her because of her wheelchair. Somehow this touched me more, than the entire day that lay behind me. I felt some connection to this shy little filly, having trouble finding someone to hold on to. Maybe because of other reasons - but she reminded me of myself. Expect I was responsible for my... loneliness myself back then.
She had heard my story of finding friends in the end and this had given her the strength to actually talk to other ponies. This way she learned, that many fillies didn't mind her wheelchair and she now has many close friends. Sometimes, however, she does feel left out when her Pegasus friends play tag in the sky, or when the unicorns use their horns to have magic games and she couldn't join in. But that's not as bad - as no Earth Pony could join to such play. Her earth pony friends love wrestling in the mud. I asked her what was wrong with that? Thinking that she could do try that and not seeing the harm in that. She replied that her chair gets stuck in the mud. She once stuck in there for what felt like hours before her mother came to get her out. Since then she had been banned from playing in the mud. I admit I found that a little funny but I kept my face straight for her sake. Keep it together, Twilight.
Her smile faded from her face - sad, but hopeful and happy at the same time - nearly broke my heart. I had to hold on to myself to don't shed tears. After all - I couldn't cry like a filly at my own coronation party, could I?
Didn't Celestia tell me, that being a Princess means to inspire others? Should she be right in the end? I chuckled at this thought. When I was her age all I ever desired was to read books or study. I never had friends other than my older brother before I moved to Ponyville. But I discovered how the magic of friendship really is and met the five ponies I feel closer to than anything. I might still love reading with passion but I don't let it cage me up and block me from being with my friends. Unlike me, Faith was trying to fit in.
She needed a push in the right direction, I not knowing of, gave her. Her disability was holding her back and it was truly heart-breaking. Of course, she’s not the only pony in a wheelchair. But that didn’t matter to me at this moment. After all, I was the Element of Magic, the Princess of Friendship. What would these titles be worth? If I couldn't even help one little sad filly? Could there be away? Did I read of something? I didn't know. But for once I was sure. I would do everything within my power.
I wouldn't stay a bystander.
***
Before Faith and her mother, introducing herself as Blossom before they left the party, I told them to come to the castle in a week from now for a surprise, I told them. Then, right after the party, I rushed straight to my room to begin my research. I was certain to find a spell, or a potion to help the poor filly. I read through countless books on healing. Alas, it seemed every search was in vain. I searched and searched, read and re-read any written piece of paper I could get my grip on. The fear to miss my only opportunity to help the sad young mare worried me beyond belief, every time I had to skip a text. No matter how hard I tried to focus my thoughts circled around Faith.
***
Six days had passed with no luck. I had produced a complete mess finding that spell that may possibly transform Faith’s life. My friends had left days earlier to return to Ponyville. Now my once perfectly neat room was a clean freak’s nightmare with books and scrap paper littering the room. I simply didn't mind putting them back in their proper place. The walls filled with chalk markings and notes. I tried literally everything. Spells, potions. Incantations. Later even curses and hexes, well knowing that they won't work at all. Shortly before I despaired on my fruitless search, shortly before I was ready to admit, that I had to let down Faith someone knocked at my door. Surprised I bid my welcome to whomever.
The visitor turned out to be Princess Celestia, a former teacher now my mentor and a friend for sure. She asked what I was doing, to keep myself inside my room for most of the day. So I told her about the filly I met at the party who opened up to me and explained to me what I was up to. The princess seemed to be impressed with my plan but she also wondered if this was in fact what I wanted. Quickly but determined I affirmed.
So the Princess led me down the castle hallway to a room that I’ve never been in before. She guided me into the chamber not speaking a word. Instead she hoofed me a worn-out book, a red bookmark sticking out. Later she told me to read the marked page and to decide if I really wanted to do this.
With that she left me alone.
The moment Celestia left my room I started to read the spell, only to realize it was the very solution I was searching for days! But.... there was a catch in performing the spell. A cloven hoof was so big I couldn't wrap my head around, the first time I read. Then, slowly I realized, that nothing is granted without a price. Breathing heavily I stood there. The one thing I could do within hooves reach. Only held back by the one burning question. Was it worth it? Would I be ready to pay what it took? I didn't sleep this night. But as the sun rose above the horizon,
I had made my decision.
***
The next day Faith and her mother returned to the castle. I met both in the throne room. Nervous I stood in front of them. Yet I had the chance to change my mind. To step back from what I was about. I shivered by the fears, questions, and implications running through my brain. No. I had promised to help. No matter what. I had made my decision and I would hold on to it. The little smile Faith gave me, brightened my worried self, like a Pegasus clearing the clouds, letting the sunshine down on me. It was her untainted innocence that gave me the last shove.
Calm I asked if joining in her Pegasus friends was what she really wanted. She nodded. Her greatest wish on earth. This was all I needed to hear.
My horn began to glow as magic accumulated around it. The field of cerise light, woven by me wrapped around her body, slowly lifting her out of her chair.
As her body floated I intensified the force, formed the spell - magic so complex and dangerous, that a little error would lead to a disaster. With a final silent explosion of light, dazzling anyone around it was done. Weak as I felt, I used my last concentration to put Faith back in her chair.
Curious the filly looked out her body to if there were any changes. Then her face lit up when she saw them for the first time. Her wings. She stretched them out, flapping. Unsure first, but with growing vigor. Then - without warning - Faith lifted up, left her chair hovering, and fly the same minute.
I stared at my wingless back.”Incantesimo di trasferimento or in English “Transfer Spell' it was called. Dangerous, advanced, and just for a high price. Which meant for me to be able to use it, I had to give up something of mine and the other pony got I had in trade for something of theirs. I had chosen my wings to be that gift. Since Faith was an Earth Pony nothing was given to me.
I would still be a princess... just a unicorn princess now.
I knew it was too late now, I knew it couldn't get changed back. But for a moment, regrets formed in my brain. However - the moment got cut short as Faith flew up to me and gave me an unexpected hug. Tears of joy were in her hazel green eyes. The words she whispered to me I will never forget.
“Thank you”.
No. Nothing to regret. I had done the right thing. I would never have it any other way. That smile alone was worth it.