What had once been a dark and starry night had now been illuminated by the sudden and unexpected of a shining object high above. It was, without question, a giant cutie mark, floating through the heavens. Specifically, it was Twilight's cutie mark, and as it continued to float, her friends were down on the ground, chasing it as fast as they could. Fortunately, they didn't have to gallop long, for the thing finally set down right in the middle of Ponyville. All of the mares, and Spike, watched in awe as the bright light of the thing began to die down. Their surprise grew even further when they saw who was there when it was finally over. It was Twilight herself, lifting herself to her hooves and, in a move that shocked all others, actually spread out a pair of wings.

"T...Twilight?" Spike asked.

The new alicorn looked to her friends, happy to see them, but, she soon realised what it was they were staring at. She turned, looking upon her new appendages, and was as just as much in awe of them as they were.

"Well...this is new," she remarked.

Approaching, all of her friends were dumbfounded by this, including Rarity, who now walked closer to her.

"I say, darling! You've...you've become an alicorn!"

Nodding to that, Twilight then looked over to Fluttershy, who spoke up soon afterwards.

"You look just like a Princess!"

"That's because she is."

The arrival of the second voice caught all of them off-guard, and they turned in unison to discover that there, flying gracefully from the sky above, was none other than Princess Celestia. All were surprised to see her, and as she trotted along towards them, she bore a warm smile for her favoured student.

"My dearest Twilight...I am so proud of you."

Looking up to her, Twilight's expression was one of confusion.

"I...I don't understand."

Celestia's smile widened.

"You did it, Twilight! Through your friendships, you have created new magic! Magic that even Starswirl himself could never accomplish! And for this, you have earned what has happened to you today!"

Standing tall, Celestia looked as regal as possible, before giving out her next declaration.

"Twilight Sparkle...as of this moment, you are henceforth...a Princess of Equestria!"

Gasps of joy were shared by all of her friends, and through it all, Twilight stood there, utterly dumbfounded. As the moments passed, she appeared deep in thought, as a thousand different ideas and understandings passed through her. Then, at the end of it all, she actually cracked a small smile.

"This...this is wonderful!"

Celestia maintained her smile at this.

"I am glad you are pleased, my student."

Twilight nodded.

"Oh, I am, Princess! Now that I have this kind of position, there's all sorts of things I can do! All those different choices I can make for Equestria."

Though taken aback by this enthusiasm, Celestia was no less happy.

"Yes, you will indeed be a fine addition to the Princesses of this land, Twilight."

Twilight nodded again.

"Yes...and a fine replacement for you too!"

Celestia nodded back.

"Yes, a fine..."

Slowly, her expression morphed into one of confusion.

"...wait...what?"

Ignoring her, Twilight continued to smile.

"Oh, I can just see it now. Twilight Sparkle, new Princess of Equestria, ushering in a new golden age for ponies everywhere!"

The starry-eyed look she had in on her kept her from noticing the shocked looks on the faces of those around her, which was all the more evident when she kept on speaking.

"I'll get to work straight away! I think it'd be best for us to start tracking down all those dark magic artefacts that are just lying around Equestria. After my little run-in with Trixie this year, it's clear that it's an issue that needs addressing."

Turning away, she frowned.

"That they've just been out and about for anypony to buy off the shelves is just ridiculous. I mean, think of the children!"

Naturally, most of her friends weren't really sure how to react to all of this. And as for Celestia. she simply stood there, blinking a few times, before, at last, clearing her throat and putting on that small smile of hers.

"Um...Twilight? I realise you must feel quite empowered by your ascension, but you cannot simply expect Equestria to change simply because you command it."

Looking to her, Twilight nodded.

"You're right. I need to take an active hoof in this myself. I mean, you know all those ponies who keep complaining about how you never get involved? I can't have them talking that way about me, now can I?"

Celestia opened her mouth to reply, only to pause for a moment as Twilight's words sank in for her.

"Wait...what do ponies say about me?"

Again, Twilight simply smiled.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, Princess. None of them really knows what it takes to keep Equestria safe and the like."

Hearing that, Celestia let out a calming sigh.

"Yes...you're right, forgive me."

Still smiling, Twilight continued.

"Now, since I, on the other hoof, do know what it's like, I think it'd be prudent if I started assuming some of your duties as swiftly as possible. I know most will be surprised to the change, given that they're so used to you, but, in time, I have faith that they'll get used to it."

As before, Celestia stood with shock upon her face.

"Um...assuming my duties?"

Twilight nodded.

"Oh, certainly. I mean, nopony can possibly expect you to keep on working as you have been the last thousands years or so. That kind of pace, lifting the sun and the moon...it can't have been easy."

For a moment, Celestia looked away.

"Well...it was rather difficult."

Twilight nodded again.

"I can imagine. So don't you worry. Now that you've reached such an advanced age, I'm sure you'll feel much better knowing your role is now in the hooves of somepony capable."

Although she, at first, nodded in agreement, realisation then struck the elder Princess' face.

"Advanced age?! Twilight! I'll have you know that, by the magic of alicorns, I look far more youthful than most would at a thousand-plus years!"

Maintaining her happy expression, Twilight nodded in agreement.

"I couldn't agree more. Let's face it, most would expect a millennia-old mare to be much older, but look at you! You barely look a day over fifty!"

Smiling, Celestia looked rather pleased with herself.

"Why thank you, my student. I like to think I've kept..."

Then, her face was one of indignity.

"...did you say fifty?!"

Twilight, ignoring her yet again, started to walk around a bit.

"We're going to have to do some major clean-up duties too. I mean, having the Everfree Forest overgrow around the country's old capital? Nope! That simply will not do!"

As her friends watched on as this occurred, Applejack looked over to Rainbow, leaning in close and whispering.

"Um...shouldn't we stop her?"

Rainbow, who had long since gained a look of amusement, simply snorted.

"Why?"

Getting back to Twilight, the young Princess, having finally stopped pacing, looked to her mentor once more.

"Princess, I am honoured that you gave me this opportunity. You've done so much for me over the years, and now, at the end of it all, you've provided me with the chance to help my people in ways I never could before."

Though still indignant over her previous remark, Celestia nevertheless struggled to respond to that.

"Yes...but...I wasn't expecting...and you see..."

But, sadly, it was too far gone, and Twilight raised a hoof, gently patting her teacher's leg.

"You've done so much for all of us. Even when Luna was gone, and you ruled alone, you kept on going. We all appreciate that, and now, I'm giving you the chance to kick back and relax after all the work you've put into Equestria."

Celestia stared at her.

"...what?!"

Twilight giggled.

"Don't worry. I know retirement will be a difficult thing to adjust to, but I'm sure you'll come to enjoy the extra free time. Oh! And you know how you're always talking about never getting enough time to spend with Luna? Well, now you do!"

Clapping her hooves together, Twilight looked very pleased with herself.

"This is gonna be so great!"

Slowly, Celestia turned to the other mares, all of whom had long resigned themselves to what was happening, and watched as they all sighed and waved her goodbye.

It was late by the time Celestia got back to the royal palace of Canterlot, and when she did, entering her favourite relaxing room, she found that her sister was there, lounging on a sofa and reading a book. Luna looked up from it, seeing the confused and shocked look upon her sister's face, and raised an eyebrow.

"So...how'd it go? Is our newest Princess going to be okay in her new role?"

Slowly, Celestria blinked a few times, before finally speaking up in response.

"She...she retired me."

Luna stared at Celestia for the longest time, waiting for the inevitable "gotcha" that usually came with such statements. But, when none came, her eyes widened with surprise.

"Twilight?"

Celestia nodded, prompting Luna to continue.

"Your student?"

Another nod.

"Has retired you?"

Another nod. And here, Luna looked away for a moment, a blank look upon her face as she stared at the wall. Then, at the end of it all, she could not hold it in any longer, and threw her head back as she let out the loudest laugh anypony had ever heard her let out.

"Well, Tia! Looks like you don't have to worry about her not being comfortable with this anymore! Ha!"

Turning to her, Celestia frowned.

"That's not funny, Lulu!"

But, Luna simply shook her head.

"Yes, sister...yes it is."

Shaking her head, the elder sister simply started to walk off, head hanging low.

"Never mind...I'm just gonna do what I always do on down-days like this."

Luna raised an eyebrow.

"Cake?"

Celestia nodded.

"What else?"