> Being a Princess
>  by PonyTom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Concerns
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Twilight Sparkle.

It had a nice ring to it, she had to admit.

Twilight stared at herself in a mirror in her old apartment in Celestia's castle, pondering over her new life.  She had to confess it; she was thrilled, but at the same time, extremely terrified.  This wasn't some Librarian position, or being a Teacher, or even a scientist...

She was a Princess of Equestria.

The thought both excited and horrified her to no end.

Spike waddled into the room, wearing a tux, eating a muffin.  "So! Princess Twilight Sparkle! Who'da thought, huh?" He took a bite of the muffin, wondering if a certain wall-eyed mare somewhere felt her spirit die a little at a muffin she could not eat.

"I know, right? I mean... I guess I should have seen it coming, being Celestia's protegé... it was probably the only logical conclusion."

Spike stood next to Twilight.  "Yeah, I mean, what else could have happened?"

Twilight looked to her companion.  "Well... I don't know.  I figured it'd be like... a thing of recognition... maybe a high diploma of the studies of magic.  I didn't expect to be made into royalty..."

Spike quirked a brow; he couldn't help but notice that Twilight's expression was not one of joy, but one of deep uncertainty.  "Yo, Twi, you feeling alright?"

The lavender Pegasus-Unicorn gave a glance to her assistant and gave a reassuring smile, although he could see clear as day it was a mask.  "Oh, I'm fine... I guess it's just a lot to take in..."

"You're a princess... is that bad?"

Twilight sighed.  She stared into the mirror as if she was facing down an unknown enemy.  "I don't know... Spike... this is no little thing.  I'm a PRINCESS for Luna's sake... “She waggled the tips of her wings.  "I mean... what.... what is to be expected of me? What am I to expect?"

"Oh, you really do take everything too heavily, you realize this right?"

Spike and Twilight turned around to see none other than Discord sitting on her bed, eating un-popped popcorn kernels from an ice cream bucket.  "So you've got pretty wings now.  It's no big deal."  Twilight scowled a bit - Discord had just been reformed, and she was, admittedly, not wholly convinced of his reformation.  Either way, he was in her home, uninvited, and unannounced.

"I'd ask how you got in here without making a noise, but I've realized that with you the question is often the answer in some backwards way."

Discord placed a hand on his chest in mock disappointment.  "Twilight, I'm shocked! I just came here to say hi to my third favorite princess!" He inexplicably appeared on her other side, whispering in her ear.  "Nothing personal, but you're way too serious.  Celestia at least knows how to have fun, and Luna's socially awkward enough to guarantee hours of entertainment."

Twilight waved her hoof to shoo him away, but he was already back in the bed where he had originated, spitting fully-popped popcorn from his mouth after eating the kernels.

"What do you want, Discord?"

The Draconequus poofed the bucket of kernels away.  "Why, who says I want ANYTHING, 'PRINCESS' Sparkle? Maybe I just came by to say hi? See how you were doing? Play a game of ping pong?" He snapped his fingers, and instantly, a ping pong table appeared, Twilight was in a shirt and short shorts with a headband on, as was Discord, and he was wielding a tennis racket.  He threw a ball in the air and swatted it.  Twilight flinched, bracing for impact, but it never came.  When she opened her eyes, the ping pong ball had stopped just in front of her, and had Discord's face on it.  "You see? Way too serious.  Celestia would have at least attempted to hit the ball, and Luna would have asked the rules to the game or turned the ball into a spider or cheated unintentionally or something!"

Twilight groaned.  "Discord! I'm not in the mood for your shenanigans! If you want to speak to Fluttershy, she's in the garden!"

Everything returned to normal, Discord's tail holding the rest of him up.  "Oh Twilight, I know that.  Who do you think sent me here?"

Twilight quirked a brow.  "What? Why would Fluttershy send you here?"

Discord held up his eagle claw, which inexplicably had a pink mane and green eyes, and spoke with Fluttershy's voice.  "This is really big for Twilight, and she doesn't seem to want to speak to anypony, if you could be a sweetie and go speak to her for me? Make sure she's okay? I'd really appreciate it..."

Twilight's eyebrow seemed like it might have raised a bit more.  "You're here to check up on me?"

Discord shrugged.  "That seems to be the gist of it.  I'm only sad to say that that stick up your flank might be beyond even MY powers to remove!"

Twilight's face reddened and she glared at the master of chaos with contempt.  "Well fine! You checked on me! You can leave!"

Discord simply trotted up to her, arms crossed.  "Give me SOME credit, Twilight.  You're way too serious, but if I can take even a small amount of that away, I've done my job."

Twilight was more confused now than ever.  "What do you mean?"

Discord sighed.  "So, you're frustrated about this whole... PRINCESS thing."  In a flash of light, he had a tiara on and a long, flowing mane of lovely hues resembling Celestia's, and large eye-lashes, as well as her cutie mark drawn poorly onto a piece of paper taped to his leg.  "If you're so bothered, why not go talk to a Princess? Clear your head a bit!"

Twilight held up her hoof and opened her mouth to respond, but stopped.

She thought about it for a second.

"You know... I have to admit... that's surprisingly good advice from a being that lives to sew chaos..."

Discord simply stuck his tongue out.  "I promised I'd do good.  I might enjoy a prank here and there but I've made a promise to keep it to the level of being harmless.  Now, if you wake up with fingers and toes, then you can blame that on me."

Twilight hummed a bit and tapped her chin with her hoof.  "Yeah... I guess Celestia WOULD be able to help... it might calm my nerves, or at the very least, help me accept the change..."

Discord slapped her back, knocking her tiara off her head.  "THAT'S the spirit! Now, go out there and talk to that princess!"

He disappeared and reappeared on her bed, wearing a dirty, sleeveless shirt, a pair of worn denim jeans, sporting a large gut, a tattoo that says "Mom" over a heart, and an unseemly mullet.  A TV appeared in front of the bed and a remote in his hand.  "Oh, and while you're out, could you get some stuff for sandwiches?"

Twilight's door opened, and Discord flew out, his rear in the air.  "See you later!" he said as he crashed into some nearby trees.

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Celestia sat at a table, sipping on a cup of tea as she read a few documents that sat in front of her.  "Ugh... why does Parliament send these things to me...? I mean, do we REALLY need a pay increase for Government officials? ... I'm going to say no, just to see how they react."

Celestia put a hoof to her muzzle and giggled.  "Oh Celestia... you are such a troll..."

There was a gentle knock at her door.  "Come in!"

A guardspony stepped in and saluted.  "Your highness! Princess Twilight Sparkle has arrived and would like to speak to you!"

Celestia gave a warm smile.  "Send her in."  The guard gave a nod and trotted back out of the room.

Shortly after, Twilight stepped in, and smiled at her mentor.  She trotted towards her and wrapped her forelegs around her, Celestia returning the gesture.  "Hello, my prized pupil.  I am pleased to see you."

Twilight nodded.  "As am I to you, Princess Celestia!"

Celestia hoofwaved.  "Oh Twilight... you're a not only a Princess now, but you were also my protégé for the longest time.  You can be a little less formal."

Twilight nodded.  "Yes, of course... uh..."

Suddenly, Twilight's disposition seemed to turn.  Her wings drooped, her ears lay against her head, and she stared at her hooves.

"... The change is getting to you, isn't it?"

Twilight shot up to look at Celestia in surprise.  "Wha-- how did you..."

Celestia smirked.  "I know you well enough, Twilight.  I admit I would have been surprised if you took it so well.   No offense, my dear student, but you never did do well under pressure."

Twilight gave a silly grin.  "Yeah, I guess not..."

Princess Celestia patted a spot next to her, and Twilight trotted to her and sat.  "So, my student, how may I help ease your spirits?"

Twilight sighed a bit and looked up to her mentor.  "... Celestia... I was wondering... wh...... what happens now?"

Princess Celestia quirked a brow.  "What do you mean, Twilight?"

Twilight stared at her hooves.  "I mean... I'm a Princess... I... I've achieved a status so many ponies spend their whole life dreaming of, never believing they can achieve it..." Twilight looked up to Celestia once more.  "... what does it mean to be a princess?"

Princess Celestia smiled.  "Oh Twilight... is that what this is about?" She sighed and looked up as if to ponder.

"Well... being a Princess is a big responsibility.  It's not so much a position of power as it is a title, recognition... Cadence was given the title when she was found to be very kind, using her love magic to quell arguments, reveal hidden feelings, and bring about peace of mind to troubled ponies that otherwise may have been beyond hope."

Twilight did not speak, just listen.

"Being a Princess means you are a pony who helps ponies.  You serve Equestria, you work for the common good, and your gifts and talents serve the community in positive ways."

Twilight did not seem to be too eased by this.

"... It is big, I admit.  You're no longer the simple student of Magic you were when I took you under my wing."

Twilight gulped.  "So... being a Princess... what does it mean to be one?"

Celestia smiled.  "It means you do good, basically.  You've helped Equestria and beyond to such an extraordinary level that you were deemed worthy to be given the title of Princess, and the magic it entails... I won't lie, it comes with some responsibilities... ponies will look up to you, and you may be called to do things for your country..."  This seemed to take some of Twilight's mood down, until Celestia grinned.  "But, as the Element of Magic, you already had those didn't you?"

Twilight seemed to ease up, smiling a little.  This made Celestia happy.

"Sure, more will be expected of you by the ponies of Equestria... but you will still be you.  You will still be Twilight Sparkle in my eyes.  You are, to them, a teacher, a role model, and even a scientist."

Twilight felt a bigger smile on her face for a minute.  "It sounds like everything I could want..." her smile then drooped.  Twilight looked to Celestia with eyes that seemed to fear the answer to the question she was going to ask.

"Celestia... am I..... will I...

Celestia quirked a brow, waiting patiently for Twilight to continue, but the smaller Princess just seemed to be stuck.  "Yes, Twilight?”

Twilight sighed and took a breath.  "... I love my friends, Celestia.  I care for each and every one of them... but... will I... stay young... and have to watch them all..."

"Pass on?"

Twilight's eyes filled with tears as she heard it out loud.  She bit her lip and gave a nod.  Celestia put a hoof on Twilight's chin and raised her to look at her.  "Twilight... your caring for your friends is endearing... and it warms my heart to see you care for them so much you'd even dread living an eternal life without them... and it breaks my heart to say it... but...."

Twilight choked a bit, squeezing her eyes shut.

"You will not have eternal life."

Twilight's eyes shot opened and she looked up to her mentor.  Celestia smiled a sad smile at her face; one of a pony who knew the inevitable, knew the loss would come, but ignored it for the time being.

"I'm surprised you didn't notice that other Alicorn Princesses aren’t wandering around..." Celestia sighed and looked up.  "Every once in a while, Luna and I will promote a pony to Princesshood.  We grant them status, as well as the innate magic of Earth and Pegasus ponies... but we cannot grant them everlasting life.  At best, your lifespan maybe lengthened... but I've seen many Alicorns grow old and pass on."

Twilight seemed at once happy and at the same time kind of sad.

"It saddens me to know I will not be able to hold onto you forever... that one day, I will see you pass into eternal sleep.  You are, after all, not my first student.  Not the first student to be promoted.  And, sadly, I doubt you will be the last of either situation."

It was then Celestia gave Twilight a surprising hug.  More surprising when Twilight felt tears from her mentor soak her ear.

"I can only do so much... but I can give you this..."

Twilight sniffled a bit, hugging her mentor tighter.  She had never known Celestia burdened so much; how could she not have known? For just a short time, she feared losing her friends.  How many friends did Celestia watch pass on? How many loved ones did she have to part with? Twilight, for the first time, felt sorry for her mentor; for all her power, there were some things beyond even her capabilities.

Even Celestia is still only a pony; albeit a long-lived one.

Eventually, the two broke away.  Celestia smiled.  "It's funny... you know, I'm not even certain Luna and myself are immortal..."

Twilight, interested, looked up to her mentor.  "Really?"

Celestia gave a nod.  "Yes.  A few theories posed by scholars have been considered.  Some say that our innate connection with the sun and moon helps extend our lives far beyond that of normal ponies... "  Twilight hummed.  She had never considered that, but wondered if it'd be worth an experiment? Celestia grinned; she knew Twilight was letting scientific gears turn in her head.

"Worry not, Twilight.  Even should you be separated from your friends by time, I guarantee your separation will not be eternal.  You are still a pony, a unicorn at heart..." Celestia gave a comforting smile.  "You've just got a few extra perks... such as no longer needing to cast spells to walk on clouds."

Twilight sighed.  "I like casting spells..."

Celestia chuckled.  "Oh Twilight, you can still use magic.  You know I wouldn't hinder your ability to do the thing you love most!" Twilight smiled and nuzzled against her teacher, who wrapped a fond wing around her student; despite Twilight's change, she was still as small as she always was.  She was still Celestia's protégé.

"And don't think you're done learning either, my little pony.  Life is a class room, and I'd still appreciate a friendship report every now and then if you can spare the time."

Twilight giggled.  "Of course, Princess Celestia."

The two ponies lay there, Twilight laid her head down next to Celestia.  “Oh Twilight... you’ve made me so proud...”

They sat there in silence for several minutes.  Soon, Celestia heard the sounds of snoring; no doubt, Twilight had lost sleep over all her fears and worries.  She smiled to her pupil and nuzzled her gently.  "So very... very proud..."

Just then, the door opened gently, heralding the entrance of the Lunar Princess.

"Sister! We're sorry to intrude, but we were wondering what you would like us to have the kitchen cook up for---"

Celestia looked up to Luna and held a hoof over her muzzle in a gentle shushing manner.  Luna bit her lip and nodded, smiling a little, and stepping out of the room, gently closing the door behind her.  Celestia lay her head down to notice Twilight had already fallen asleep.  A small smile fell onto her face as she closed her eyes and slowly slipped off into slumber herself.

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Luna stepped into the dining hall to find Discord spinning three plates on sticks – one in each hand, one on a foot, and balancing on his tail on the table.  He looked to Luna and jumped up, each and every plate hitting the floor, one of them exploded, the other turned to goo as it hit the ground, and the last one bounced like a bouncy ball.

"Oh, hello Lulu! I’m glad I found you! I was wondering if you'd perhaps like to take part in a recent Canterlot Coronation custom with our dearest Twilight and Tia?"

Luna furrowed her brow.  "Coronation Custom? How wouldst thou know of a custom we do not, Chaos Beast?”

Discord huffed.  “I’ll have you know, unlike yourself, I am socially adaptable, and I listen to what’s going on.  It just so happens that I learned of this custom just this morning listening to some nobles who said ‘Gee! I wonder if they’ll put Twilight through the Coronation Custom! I’d feel so let down if they didn’t!” Discord feigned mock despair as he said that last part.

Luna stared silently, before her glare softened.  “We... admit we’re still a bit behind on recent customs... well... what IS this custom you speak of?”

Discord grinned and placed a claw on his mouth, hoping not to laugh too soon.  "The traditional sticking of sleeping ponies' hooves in bowls of warm water! As a sign of friendship and trust! Of course, we’ll do it with Celestia too, just to show her that we care for her SOOO much!”

Luna seemed to ponder this over.  “Yes... yes, it would be a shame if we did not include Sister on the trust!” Luna smiled brightly.  “We shall partake of this ‘custom’ of yours! We shall gather the materials... will you be joining us?”

Discord snorted a bit.  “Oh no! No, I’m just going to sit here and eat... I’m sure Twilight has had enough of me for the day.  Just give her and ‘Tia my best!” His eyes widened and filled with tears as an idea hit him.  “Oh! And wait for them to wake up! It’s most effective when they know who the pony who put them through it is! As a sign of trust!”

Luna nodded happily, her smile growing wide.  “Yes! Of course! It makes so much sense!” She trotted off happily.  “Sister Celestia and friend Twilight will be so pleased with us!”

As Luna went off to collect the materials, Discord remained still for a few seconds.

He turned his back, eyes clenched shut, tears building in the corners, a massive grin on his face as he clenched his teeth shut holding back what was perhaps the biggest laugh he had felt.

“Welcome to the royalty club Twilight...”

He burst into laughter and fell on his back, kicking his legs, holding his sides.
> Some Advice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What are we doing now, Twilight?"

Twilight looked to Spike.  "Well, Spike, we're going to see Princess Cadence."  Spike sighed and looked out the windows of the train, watching as the hills moved slowly past them, and several trees, rocks, and whatever else might be closer passed at a quicker pace.  "I figured THAT much, Twilight, but what I don't understand is WHY."

Twilight rolled her eyes.

"Well, after my conversation with Celestia, I decided it might be to my benefit to see Cadence.  A few of my concerns have been cleared, but I'm still a little nervous."  Twilight shifted to trot away from the window and lay on her bed.  She had purchased a private car; not that she felt too high and mighty to be among other ponies, so much as she felt the need for space.

Of course, there was also that hope of not making the other ponies around her nervous.

Twilight sighed and looked out the window next to the bed.  She could see the crystal mountains over the horizon; it wouldn't be long before they crossed the border.

"Well, I'm going to take a nap, Spike.  Tell me if anything happens."  Spike threw his hand up to his head in a salute, which made Twilight smile.  She closed her eyes and laid her head on her forelegs, letting out a gentle yawn.

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Shining Armor and Princess Cadence lay in the grass, enjoying a simple meal.

Despite being the royal leaders of the Crystal Empire, Shining and Cadence still had very simple desires, and enjoyed them unhindered -- well, mostly.  They DID have guards that were stationed around the area to assure they were undisturbed, but that was for their own sake.

"The weather sure is lovely today... “ said Cadence.  "I still find it amazing that the crystal empire seems to be immune to the otherwise arctic weather of this region..." Shining only chuckled.  "Yeah.  Twiley once said she had hopes to study it and discover why that is... she's fascinated that the weather here seems to control itself without Pegasus aid."

Cadence levitated a teacup to her muzzle and took a sip.

"Excuse me, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza? Prince Shining Armor?"

The two ponies turned to face the guard who approached them.  "Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria, the lord Prince's sister, has asked to see you."

Both Shining Armor and Cadence looked to each other and smiled.

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Twilight sat in a royal apartment, waiting for the arrival of her brother and sister in law.  She was reading a book on advanced polymorphics when a guard stepped in and saluted her.  "The Princess and Prince shall see you in the royal chambers."  Twilight stood and looked over to Spike, who lay on the bed snoring loudly.  "Is it okay if he stays here? I'd hate to wake him up..." The guardspony nodded.  "The Princess says we should make you comfortable while you're here, so he is welcome to stay until deemed otherwise."  Twilight smiled a bit and followed the guard out of the chamber.

They trotted down the halls, and Twilight found two other guards had flanked her; this was normal for dignitaries, in case of assassination attempts.  She doubted anypony would attempt to assassinate her, but then she remembered that's usually when ponies in history WOULD be assassinated, is when they least expected to be.

The walk seemed to last forever, although eventually, they reached a large pair of double doors guarded by yet more guardsponies.

They swung open, and at the very end of the hall were the royal couple on their thrones.

Stepping before Twilight was another pony who saluted.

"Presenting, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria!"

Twilight stepped forward, relaxing a bit as she trotted closer to her family.  A smile on her face as she stopped just before the throne.

A smile shared by Cadence and Shining Armor.

"Hello, Twilight.  To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Twilight looked around; she was a bit nervous.  She had, honestly, wanted this to be a private thing, between her and Cadence.  Shining Armor, she wasn't sure if he would be good to speak to, considering he became a prince through marriage, AND he had been the captain of the royal guard before that.  Of course, she had been the royal protégé herself...

"Well... I was hoping to speak to you of private matters... is there any way we could have time alone?"

Cadence looked up to the guards and smiled.  "Please leave us to my sister-in-law?" The guards looked to each other for a bit, and then nodded.  In formation, they all left the room, and shut the large door behind them.

Cadence shifted her attention back to Twilight.  "Now... what did you wish to speak of?"

Twilight bowed her head and sighed.  She looked back up at her brother and sister-in-law, and thought of her words carefully.

"I've... been trying to cope with this whole... princess thing for the past few days now..." she raised her wings up to emphasize her point a little.  "... and I've talked to Celestia about it... and while her words did put me at ease, I felt it important I talk to somepony who... somepony who knew about this a bit more than I did..."

Cadence smiled a little at Twilight.  "I see... so you're nervous about being a Princess?" Twilight gave a slight nod.  Cadence and Shining Armor looked to each other, to which he simply nodded to her.

"Come Twilight, walk with me."

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The two ponies trotted through the gardens at a slow pace, with no particular place in mind.  Twilight looked up to the sky and admired the beauty, the sounds of birds chirping, and the breeze in the wind.

"So... what exactly do you want to know about?" Twilight put a hoof to her chin and pondered over that question.  "Well... I think I'll start with the basics... when and how did you become a Princess?"

Cadence smiled a bit.  "Well... that's a funny question..." she turned to look at Twilight.  "It was actually a short while before I started foalsitting you."  Twilight raised a brow.  "What? Really?" Cadence nodded and looked back to the path.  "Mhm.  Nopony is just freely given the title; it is one a pony must earn.  A pony must do things that benefit Equestria, often at their own expense." Twilight gave a soft nod.  "Yeah, Celestia told me that much... and while I got some answers from her, I admit I was concerned she might not be the best pony to talk to, having been a princess longer than most ponies have been alive."

Cadence giggled in response.  "She DID tell you you're not likely going to live forever, right?" Twilight nodded.  Cadence looked about and leaned in, stage-whispering to the smaller princess.  "To be honest, Celestia tells me it's overrated anyway."

Twilight giggled a little at that notion; she could see how living so long would grow tiring... that was actually a major concern for her not too long ago.

"But, it's not just that..." said Twilight, "I'm concerned... will my life change? Will I change?"

Cadence stopped and looked to twilight as if she had no idea how to answer the question.

"Well... a little bit of yes and no on the first count, and the second one is really up to you."  Twilight was obviously confused by this, so Cadence sighed and thought it over.

"Well... Princess is a title given to ponies who are beneficial to Equestria, you know that much... but I suppose it could be explained to greater detail what exactly that means to you, and how it may affect your life."  Twilight smiled a bit; finally, she felt like she might get the answers she needed.

"It might seem hard at first.  Ponies will recognize you wherever you go, unless you do what I did for a short while and conceal your wings..." Cadence giggled a bit and blushed at this; she looked to Twilight to see the smaller mare didn't get the joke.  Cadence sighed and cleared her throat a bit.

"Well, anyway... first and foremost, you'll be a bit of a celebrity in the eyes of other ponies now.  Some ponies might be a bit more nervous around you, treat you differently, and worry about offending you..."

Twilight's ears flattened to the back of her head as she became visibly worried.  Cadence smiled sympathetically.

"Good news is... it will pass..."

This seemed to lessen her despair a little.

"Ponies view a princess with great reverence.  You're important; ponies will want to invite you to parties, things like that..." She giggled a little.  "But overall, you won't have to worry."

The two ponies stopped and Cadence turned to face Twilight.

"You're still you.  In time, your friends, family, and other loved ones will come to realize this.  When I became a Princess, I remembered that there was a while nopony came near me cause they were afraid if they touched me I'd have Celestia banish them to the moon.  In time, however, my life became much like normal."

Cadence shrugged.  "True, your life will never return entirely to normal... you're a Princess.  Ponies will recognize you.  You'll be seen as inspirational, and ponies will see you with greater authority..." she giggled a bit.  "Which I always found funny, because the only princesses with authority are Celestia and Luna."

Twilight quirked a brow.  "What? I don't have authority?"

Cadence hummed.  "Well... yes and no.  Ponies will be likely to take your word over others, but you're more like higher nobility than actual royalty."  Twilight's confusion seemed to grow.  "Wait... I'm... not royalty? But there was a coronation and everything..."

Cadence sighed.  "It does get confusing... it's perhaps best I say it like this; there is one seat of power in Equestria, which Celestia holds... Luna herself, while part of the royal family, is not a ruling member, and while she can make decrees, she can be vetoed by Celestia or the Parliament."

Twilight seemed to listen.  Cadence cleared her throat and continued.

"Truth be told, even Celestia's power is balanced out by the Parliament.  They can collectively vote against her if they deem it wrong for Equestria, and the parliamentary is chosen well; none of them are afraid of being banished to the moon for displeasing the princess."

Twilight hummed.  "I guess that makes sense... I knew the Parliament balanced out Celestia, but I didn't know about Luna's role."  Cadence giggled.  "You'd be surprised what Luna has tried to decree since her return... at one point, she tried to outlaw charades when she couldn't figure out what Celestia was trying to act out."  Cadence tapped her chin.  "Probably wasn't fair that Luna had no idea that you loved books and had frequent panic attacks and, indeed, had only just acquainted with you a year earlier when you defeated Nightmare Moon and had no further exposure to you..."

Twilight furrowed her brow.  "Wait, what?"

Cadence opened her mouth to continue before realizing what she said.  "Oh... uh... forget that last part... " ignoring the look of indignity on Twilight's face, Cadence continued.

"In a sense, you are and are not royalty.  You're considered part of the royal family, but you don't have the power Celestia does, or even Luna herself.  You share the same amount of legal power as... oh... say.... Prince Blueblood."

Twilight cringed a bit, remembering the Gala from a few years back.

Cadence smirked.  "Speaking of... watch out.  Blueblood knows you're not related to him biologically, and he might start trying to get in your good graces as a publicity stunt."  Twilight quirked a brow.  "Isn't he already a prince?" Cadence sighed and nodded.  "Well, yes... but he got the title due to inheritance.  His blood relation to Celestia is far removed to the point there's no real link between the two beyond being a branch off on the family tree..."

Twilight pondered this over.  "So... wait... if that's true, then are YOU related to Celestia?"

Cadence smirked.  "Funny you should ask.  I am, in fact, not related to Celestia OR Prince Blueblood..." She hummed in thought.  "At least, as far as I know..."  Cadence shook her head and turned to Twilight.  "My princess status was earned entirely.  Truth be told, I sometimes wonder if Prince Blueblood is truly a prince, or if the 'Prince' is part of his name."

Twilight pondered that over.  "Seems kind of arrogant to name ones' foal Prince..." Cadence smirked.  "Look at Blueblood himself... I don't think it's out of the question that he may have had parents who wanted to spoil him."  Twilight shrugged, conceding to this idea.

The two turned and walked back the way they had come.  It was silent for a bit, Twilight and Cadence listening as the birds chirped.  "So... I was wondering... will any doors be closed to me as a Princess?"

Cadence smirked.  "Well, that depends on how much you care about what other ponies think of you."  Twilight gulped.  Cadence giggled.  "I was kidding... some ponies might not always agree with how you do things, or how you live your life, but there will always be that.  The only difference, as a Princess, a lot more ponies will have a greater interest in how you do things."

Twilight bit her lip.  "Like what?"

Cadence hummed and thought.  "Well, when everypony first learned of my engagement to Shiney, some thought it was a 'travesty' for a Princess to marry a Royal Guardspony."  She smirked.  "They said that a Princess should only wed Nobility and other Royalty, and that me marrying a Guardspony was scandalous."

Cadence gave a shrug.  "Of course, nopony cares now that the deed is done, and before we became the Prince and Princess of the Crystal Empire, ponies were lining up to shake hooves with him and tell him what a great husband he was for a great princess like me."  She giggled.  "Nobility always voices their opinions beforehoof, perhaps hoping they might have a chance at winning a Princess over, but once the deed is done, they stop caring."

Twilight pondered a bit on this.  She had to admit, she was receiving a lot more information about this than she thought she might from Cadence, and it was helping ease her worries.  Cadence smirked.

"Really, Twilight, being a Princess means whatever you make of it... but I'm certain, that with time, you'll come to see your life won't be negatively affected.  At worst, some ponies you've never met before and will probably never have an extended conversation with will expect more of you than you might live up to."

The two ponies stopped as Cadence turned to Twilight.

"But..."

Twilight gulped.  "But...?"

Cadence stared Twilight in the eyes.  "You do have a responsibility now.  Ponies will look up to you, to be their light, to solve their problems... you're more than just a Princess, you are also a beacon, a sign of hope.  Do not be surprised if some of them magnify everything you do, or look to you for advice."

Cadence then smiled softly at Twilight, seeing the worry in the Pegasus-Unicorn's eyes...

"But... don't forget... you are still you.  The same lover of magic, books, and sciences.  One of the elements of harmony.  While you have a responsibility to serve as an icon to the ponies of ponyville... do not let that responsibility consume you, otherwise you'll lose what Celestia saw fit to make you Princess for to begin with."

Twilight nodded softly, her mind still racing with new thoughts and questions as she tried to piece them together.

"You know... I should have figured that out myself..." said Twilight, with a little relief in her tone.  Cadence smiled.  "Oh? And why is that?"

"Why in the world would royalty foalsit for ponies on the lower rung of the social ladder if they were so powerful?"

Cadence giggled and hugged Twilight.  "You see? Now you're getting it."

She broke the hug and the two trotted down the street.

"And the answer? You were fun to play with, and your brother was hot."

"I'M NOT HEARING THIS! LA LA LA LA LA!"
> The Moon in Twilit Dreams
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The night sky was dressed in stars as a mare who was ready to attend the Grand Galloping Gala.  Standing out, however, was not the stars glittering the darkness, but the massive, pale, rounded body that was the moon that seemed to forever rule it.

Standing on a balcony, staring into the sky, ever vigilant as she guarded her little ponies through the darkness, Princess Luna's gaze drifted across the land, keeping an open eye and an open mind for those little ponies whose sleep was restless, and whose dreams were bathed in darkness and uncertainty.

Her gaze stopped upon Ponyville and she noticed a disturbance; one pony this night was not having a peaceful sleep.  Closing her eyes, Luna's horn burned with eldritch power, and she let her consciousness plunge into the ether...


*******************************


"Princess Twilight Sparkle, good to see you!"

Twilight trotted through the town as any normal day.  Everypony greeted her with gentle waves, with smiles, and with kind words; but something felt off.  They were very forced, very artificial.  Ponies that she used to barely know feared her, and ponies she had known better were even a little tense around her.  It stung, but this was her life now.

Eventually, she reached Applejack's apple stand.  Everypony who had been waiting there quickly drew their distance, allowing the princess a great berth.  Twilight sighed and stepped up to the cart and looked to her friend; they had known each other a few years now, and she considered Applejack one of her closest friends.

"Oh! H-hi Twilight! Ah mean, Princess Twilight! Ah mean, Princess Twilight Sparkle... ma'am...? Heheh..."

She was also the worst at lying or concealing anything.

"Hi Applejack... you know you can just call me Twilight, right?"

Applejack laughed nervously.  "Uh, y-yeah... uh... thanks... T..... Twi.... Princess Twilight..."  Twilight wanted to roll her eyes, to groan, to respond in some way to show her displeasure, but she knew if she did, her friend would fear for her life.

"... Can I please purchase some apple fritters?"

Applejack nodded nervously and enthusiastically, reaching into her cart and pulling from it several apple fritters and putting them on the cart.  These were special; they had Twilight's cutie-mark branded into them... how she did that, Twilight didn't know.  She knew how it COULD be done, mind you, but rather it was burned in there or food coloring or--

"There y'all go..."

"Why do these have my cutie-mark..?"

Applejack's eyes widened and she began to sweat horribly.  "Ah, we.. ah, we at Sweet Apple Acres jus' wanted t' be sure that... that if'n we were graced with yer presence that... uh... we'd... be prepared is all, Yer Majesty...." She grinned a big, nervous grin.

Twilight stared at her friend with sad, heart-broken eyes.  "... Applejack... why can't we be like we used to be? We were friends... we went on adventures together... we talked, we joked, we shared secrets, we had slumber parties..."

Applejack bit her lip and looked around.  "Ah, yeah, an' we still are friends! Those were right great times, Ah jus'... uh... well, Ah... er...."

Twilight hung her head in defeat.  "It's okay Applejack..." She reached into her saddlebags and pulled out some bits, setting them on the cart before the orange farm pony.

"Wha? You d-don't have t' pay fer those! They're on th' house!"

Twilight glared at Applejack, whose response was to fall over herself in fear.  If she was going to become somepony everypony feared, she would still do what was right.  Taking the fritters that she had, proudly she would add, paid for, Twilight turned to head home.

And then, the skies turned black as clouds formed above them.

A bolt of lightning struck the ground a short distance before Twilight, causing ponies to run away screaming in terror, and even Applejack ducked behind her cart.  Twilight stared in awe as the smoke churned and twisted, before a random wind seemed to come from nowhere, blowing the smoke away, revealing none other than the lunar princess herself.

"Princess Luna...?"

Luna simply gave a nod.  "Princess Twilight."  She looked around at all the ponies who trembled and ran away, keeping an even greater distance from Luna than they had been Twilight.  Luna's brow furrowed, a scowl on her face.  "This was an experience I was none-too upset to be past..."

Twilight looked around at everypony.  "I think you just scared them... "

Luna shook her head.  "No, I did not scare them.  They've been made to be scared by the world in which they inhabit."  Twilight was obviously confused.

"Are you saying we live in a scary world? I mean, I'll give Equestria isn't all sunshine and rainbows... or... is it..?"

Luna shook her head and looked to Twilight, a smile on her face.  "No, it is not that... of course you wouldn't know."

Twilight was more confused now than before.  "Wouldn't know what...? Has something gone wrong? Is there another ancient evil on the loose that the elements will have to deal with..?" Twilight looked back at the apple cart, a frown on her face.  "If so... I have to warn you... I don't think we're quite... in tune as we used to be to do the job..."

Luna looked to the apple cart.  "Yes... it would seem that way..." She then looked upon Twilight.  "But that is not why I am here.  I am here to speak to you."  Twilight sighed and looked at all the ponies.  "Maybe we should go somewhere less... crowded.  These ponies won't return to their daily lives until we're out of here."

Luna shook her head, then trotted towards a bush.  Reaching a hoof in, she pulled a random pony out, whose eyes were wide open with fear.  Looking to Twilight with a deadpan expression, Luna, out of nowhere, slams a hoof into the face of the pony, who was rendered unconscious as a result.  Twilight let out a gasp, putting her hooves to her mouth.

"Princess Luna! What are you doing!?"

Luna dropped the pony in the bush and bit her lip, stifling a laugh.  Twilight's expression was nothing short of horrified as the lunar diarch fell to her back and rolled around laughing.  "What's so funny!? You just hurt that pony!"

Luna finally sat up, wiping tears from her eyes, trying to regain her composure.  "Oh.. T... Twilight... it's... it's just a dream! They're not real! They're figments!"

Twilight shook her head.  "What!? That's not true! If it was, then Applejack would have the head of an--"

Just as Twilight turned around, Applejack's head had been replaced with an apple and started talking - the upper half of the apple moving up and down, and the only words coming out being muffled gibberish as she spat apple juice all over the place.

Twilight turned back to Luna.  "Alright, so, Applejack's head is an apple.  This is a dream.  So what?"

Luna, finally letting the last bit of her laughter roll away (although admittedly Twilight's disturbing figment of Applejack with an apple head helped), stood to her hooves.  She looked around at all the horrified ponies.  "Sister didn't lie... you truly are bothered by your new status, are you not?"

Twilight sighed, hanging her head.  "Yes... " She gasped, holding up her hooves.  "It's not that I don't appreciate it... it's just... it..."

Luna smiled.  "You feel unsure.  You don't know what to expect.  Even attempts to consol you seem like just that."

Twilight nodded, before she realized something.  "Wait, how do you know that?"

Luna waved her hoof around.  "Please, Twilight Sparkle... what is it the youth are saying these days...? Ah yes! Calm thy tits!"

Twilight blushed.  "Luna!"

Luna, however, ignored Twilight's voice.  "I have been through this myself, upon my return to Equestria as one of its glorious rulers! It took much getting used to the nobility, to the scheduling, and to the parliament..."  She shook her head.  "When last I was here, parliament only had three members, one from each tribe... how things change..."

Twilight nodded, forgetting that Equestria had evolved a lot since Luna had been there last.  She sat on the ground, sighing.  "... I've talked to Celestia and Cadence... and I've gotten a lot of answers and help... but at the same time, I worry.  I feel like it means nothing..."

Luna sighed and looked about.  She was not sure what to say.

"... Twilight... I will be the first to admit something my sister might never be able to bring herself to say..."

Twilight leaned forward, wondering if she was about to receive a great deal of insight.  Some advice from Luna that Princess Celestia might not admit? Was this going to be top secret type stuff? Something to solve all of her problems?

"... as the young ponies say... I know not what the buck you are talking about."

"Luna! Language!"

Luna shook her head.  "Twilight, the first thing that you should know is that Celestia and I are... unique."

Twilight quirked her brow, confused.  Luna sighed.

"Celestia may not have explained it to you, but there is a difference between us and Cadence and yourself."  Luna turned to trot down the street.  "Celestia and I... our princess hood... no... our alicornhood... we were particularly... groomed... to be as we are."  This ushered another confused stare from Twilight, understandable.

Luna sighed.  "I... cannot go into explanation about what I mean, as I have promised my sister that I should not... but for now, let's just say our alicorn nature is different from yours."  She trotted to Twilight and focused, her horn glowing.  Suddenly, Twilight's body was enveloped in a magenta glow... wait... that wasn't Luna's magic...

"Yours and Cadence's alicornhood was born from your own innate magic, expanded and reconfigured... in a sense, it does little more than imitate what Celestia and I are."

Twilight looked at her hooves.  "Imitate...?"

Luna nodded.  "Yes.  Celestia and I are connected to stronger forces than yourself.  Truth be told, while Celestia may make claim to have turned you into an Alicorn... but you became one under your own power."

Twilight paused, gears turning in her head once more.  "Wait... under my own power? I thought Celestia turned me into an Alicorn...?"

Luna hummed and tapped her chin.  "Well... yes and no... it's quite complicated to explain..."  Luna cast a spell on the ground, lifting a chunk of dirt into the air, and then transforming it into clay.  "Magic is like clay... it is shifted, it is twisted, and it takes new shapes..."

As she explained, the clay did indeed change; first into a bunny, then into a bear, and then a parasprite.  Twilight tilted her head, taking in all the information.

"In essence, she did cast a spell... but she did so by coaxing your own magic out, and reshaping it."  The clay shifted to a unicorn, and then, wings were added to it.  "Celestia, bless her soul, has always felt that change must come from within, not from without.  Change from without is perversion, invasion, unnatural... but change from within is beautiful, natural, and elegant..."

Twilight put a hoof to her chest, staring at it.  "So... I was changed... by my own magic?"

Luna gave a soft nod.  "Think of it as a spell she cast on you to change you from within... adapting your magic to pegasus and earth pony gifts..."  Twilight hummed, gears spinning in her head once more.  Luna knew that look.  "Uh... Twilight... for the record, I don't think it's a spell you can pull off.  It takes magic on par with my sister or I to manage... besides, even if you could manage it, it would be very irresponsible and disrespectful to my sister and I to go turning ponies into princesses without our permission."

Twilight nodded in understanding.  "Right, I get it... not anypony can become an alicorn, otherwise it cheapens the title."

Luna nodded.  "Indeed..." The moon princess chuckled.  "From what I've been told, this is a fact that has left mine and Celestia's nephew... by a long line of descent anyway... Blue Blood very distraught... supposedly, he has begged my sister on many occasions to make him into an Alicorn."

Twilight giggled a bit, shaking her head.  "That sounds like something he'd do."

It became silent and Twilight hummed.

"Say... if this is a dream, does that mean I could do anything I wanted?"

Luna nodded.  "Uh... yes... yes, I do believe it would.  Why?"

Twilight blinked and then grinned.

Suddenly, in a loud poof, everything changed.

Into a giant laboratory.

Luna quirked a brow.  "Really...? Twilight... I have seen enough ponies' dreams to know this is not what ponies usually do when they realize they're dreaming..."

Twilight quirked a brow, wearing a lab coat and a pair of goggles.  "What do most ponies do?"

Luna opened her mouth to speak, but stopped.  "... You know what? This is a very good dream, yes.  Certainly a nice dream.  You enjoy your science Twilight!"

With that, Luna faded from view.

"What was that all about...?"

Twilight turned to face several stallions (some of which she knew in the waking world) who also wore lab coats and similar goggles.

"I have no idea! Now!"  Her grin turned almost seductive, and her tone as she spoke matched.  "Who wants to study biology?"


************************


Celestia looked at the cake before her, mouth watering.  "... I promised on my new year's resolution I would cut down on the snacks... it's so unbecoming of a princess to gorge herself..."  She traced a hoof over the icing, bringing it back to her own muzzle and licking it off.  "Mmm... so tasty... Oh I just can't!"

She leaned down, very close to the cake.  "But... it's so tantalizing... maybe... maybe nopony has to know?" A grin formed on her face.

Celestia looked left.  Nopony there.

She looked right.  Nopony there either.

The door swung wide open, the younger of the two sisters entering the room and trotting forward, amused concern etched on her face.  "Sister, I think we need to talk about your student, Twilight Sparkle, I do believe she--"

Luna stared at Celestia, who stared back, mouth wide open, an entire cake levitating before her, as if she were a snake readying to eat it's prey whole.  There was naught but awkward silence for what seemed an eternity as neither sister said anything, content to only stare at what lay before them.  Luna, without a word, slowly backed out of the room, her magic enveloping the door and then slowly pulling it shut, the sound of a click indicating the latch had sealed.

------------------------------------------------------------

TO BE CONTINUED...
> A Little Insight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight stared into the night sky, letting her vision gaze over the various dots and specks that illuminated the abyssal universe.  It was not uncommon for her to seek guidance from them; well, not from them, really, so much as enjoying their company while her thoughts relaxed and pulled together everything in a peaceful manner.  There was always something comforting for her in those stars, that inspired artist and scientist alike.  It made her feel small in the greater working of things, but at the same time, like she was part of something greater.

"Why hello, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight jumped a bit and turned to face her mentor, Princess Celestia, as well as Princess Luna herself.  Twilight had not expected them; especially not in Ponyville, of all places (or, more accurately, a hill outside of Ponyville), so she was more than a little surprised to see not one, but two of her fellow princesses accompanying her tonight.  In the distance, she could spot two chariots with waiting guards who had pulled them, likely at the ready for when the princesses returned to canterlot.

"My sister informs me that you are still troubled?"

Twilight sighed a bit and looked up to the stars.  "Yes, Princess Celestia, I am..."

Celestia's gaze seemed to become sympathetic, looking upon her student sadly.  "Twilight Sparkle... do you not want to be a princess?" Twilight was taken by shock, but she did not show it.  She tried to pretend she didn't hear; truth be told, she wasn't entirely sure herself what she wanted.

"... I had hoped that when I gave you the title of Princess, it was a dream come true... that I was giving you something you truly wanted... certainly deserved..."  Twilight simply stared at the stars, letting the Princess say whatever she wanted to say.  Celestia seemed to hesitate.

"Twilight... if this is not what you want... I can take it back..."

The younger alicorn simply moved to slowly turn to face her mentor, her eyes visibly tired and watery.

"... It's... I really don't know, Princess..."

She sniffed a bit and looked at her hooves, pawing at the ground.  "... It's a wonderful thing... but I feel so... exposed..."  Twilight lifted her hoof to rub away a tear from her cheek as she tried to contemplate her words.  "... I mean, logically speaking, even once your teachings were done, there was a low probability I would have just become some normal pony... I kind of expected to be important... but... I'm worried... I'm worried that being a princess maybe too much for me..."

Celestia frowned a bit and looked to Luna, who simply stared at her sister with an empty expression.  The solar diarch sighed and put a foreleg around Twilight's shoulder.  Twilight, in return, leaned against her teacher and sniffed a few times.

"... I mean... what if I fail, Celestia? If everypony will look up to me like some kind of hero, or some kind of... symbol... what.... what if I mess up and disappoint everypony...?"

Celestia smiled and cooed gently.  "Twilight... you underestimate yourself, my little pony..."  She nuzzled against the smaller mare's mane.  "... You've proven yourself a capable pony, worthy of the title Princess..."  Celestia held Twilight back some and stared into her student's eyes.  "Twilight... I would never have given you something I didn't think you were ready for..."

Twilight sniffed again, still not seeming to change her demeanor.  Celestia grinned as she came up with a plan.

"Twilight... did you know the Unicorn Royals, from before the founding of Equestria and when the tribes were seperate, were all alicorns?"

Twilight seemed to stop and looked to Celestia.  "What...?"

Celestia smiled.  "Oh yes.  The 'alicorn gift' was reserved for only royals and particularly trusted guards and heroes, much as it is now; or had you failed to notice our alicorn guards?"  Twilight seemed to ponder this over.  Celestia nodded.  "It was tradition, usually, to convert those of royal blood into alicorns shortly after birth, as a sign of superiority.  Heroes and honored guards, however, were offered princehood or princesshood for great and heroic deeds, as a sign of the respect of not only the royal family, but so that all would know their greatness upon sight."

She looked up to the stars.  "Many ponies forget... I admit, the knowledge has been lost to time, and is probably hidden in tomes even you haven't read... yet."

Luna stepped forward, next to the two.  "Sister, why not tell her about Star Swirl the Bearded?"  Celestia's smile brightened.

"Ah yes! He was, in fact, one such unicorn who was to be blessed!"

Twilight quirked her brow and pondered this over.  "But... I've never once read anywhere about him being an Alicorn OR a Prince..."

"You wouldn't have.  He refused."  This seemed to make Twilight's eyes widen a bit.  "You see, he had done much in his time.  He was a hero, an adventurer, and some even say, a heart breaker... but, above all else, Star Swirl was a scholar."  Celestia looked to the sky in contemplation.  "He was offered the gift one day by one of my own ancestors... but, he denied it."

"What? Why?" said Twilight, her expression making it obvious she was enraptured with the tale.  Celestia smiled.

"For that very spell you finished."  Twilight's expression showed hints of confusion and at the same time awe.  "He had tried many things to finish the spell.  In the process, he had switched the destinies of his neighbors, and had to cast the spell repeatedly to fix the damage done...  He was so ashamed by his failure that he declared that he would not accept the royal blessing until his spell was finished.  With that, he disappeared and was never heard from again."

Twilight stared up to Celestia as she finished her story.  "... You mean... he died without ever gaining his reward?"

Celestia giggled.  "What? Oh, who knows, Twilight? He was a very capable unicorn... it wouldn't surprise me if he was alive to this day."

Twilight quirked a brow.  "What!? But he'd have to be older than you!"  Celestia nodded.  "And I'm fairly old.  As is my sister, Discord... even Sombra lived longer than he really should have... magic can do many things once you know how to use it...."

Twilight seemed to think this over.  "So... what if he came back?"

Celestia snorted and guffawed, almost uncharacteristically so.  "He'd have to do something else! If that pony was still alive, then he'd have a thousand years worth of making up to do for all the problems he ignored!"  Luna herself couldn't help but chuckle.  Twilight laughed a little herself, although it was insincere.

Celestia sighed and shook her head.  "... Joking aside... Star Swirl... his major flaw was, as much as he did for his fellow ponies, he was never one to form friendships... they say his only true friend was his apprentice, Clover the Clever, who also never figured the spell out, though she also gave up fairly fast, fearing that if she did discover it, she would be taking what was rightfully her mentor's.

In the end, Twilight... Star Swirl had the drive, but not the capacity to understand friendship.  You have the drive AND the heart... you defend the weak... you're loyal... and you've always remained diligent, even in the face of despair.  You're brave, you're strong..." Celestia offered a smile.  "You're everything a Princess needs to be."  Twilight smiled, tears in her eyes, and gave a gentle nod.

The three princesses once more were gazing at the night sky, silently.

"Hey, Princess Celestia?"

"Yes, Twilight?"

"Do you really think I'll be okay?"

"I know you will."

"... Sister?"

"Yes, Luna?"

"... I know it was you who farted and ruined Hearth's Warming Eve last year..."


THE END