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Being a Princess

by PonyTom

Chapter 1: Concerns

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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.

Author's Notes:

I decided to edit this a little and re-upload it. :) The changes aren't too big, so I hope there's no real issue.

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