Becoming Twilight by RandomGreymane (Mike Hebel)

Chapter 1

For all of her life Twilight Sparkle had a routine. She got up, used the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and then stood in front of the mirror to brush her hair.

Now though the routine was broken. Somepony else stared out of the mirror at her. Somepony she didn't recognize.

It's not like her routine hadn't changed before but never on such a base level. This was...different.

Sighing and trying not to wake up Spike, she carefully put the hairbrush away and descended the stairs into the kitchen.

Even that was different as she felt her wings open slightly and brush the walls. The outer feathers catching on the wood.

Reaching the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator door with her magick and levitated the milk onto the table. In the process her wings brushed the sugar container and knocked it onto the floor. She sighed again as she levitated all the spilt sugar, and the container, and peered at the contents while in the air. Separating out any dirt she flowed the sugar back into the container and put it back onto the counter. Pondering a bit, she pushed it a bit further back than it was before.

"I guess I'm going to have to wing-proof the kitchen." she said to herself with a quiet chuckle.

Still bleary from waking, Twilight grabbed some cereal and a bowl from a cabinet and floated them to the table. Much to her annoyance they wobbled in flight. Carefully she filled the bowl with cereal and milk and started eating. And eating. And eating. Hardly stopping for breath she devoured the bowl in short order only to refill it a second and third time.

What in Tartarus is going on here? Why am I so hungry? she thought. She was hardly able to keep her focus over the continuous crunching sound of the cereal. I’m absolutely ravenous!

Without further thought, she floated another box out of the cabinet and set it on the table...

----

An hour or so later Spike woke. Brushing back his spines with his hand he headed down to the kitchen. “Twilight? Why didn't you wake...me?”

Aghast Spike stared at the kitchen in shock. Every cabinet was open...and also completely empty. Twilight was curled up in a corner with her stomach bulging and making gurgling noises.

“Ohhhh....” groaned Twilight “I think I’m finally full.”

“What the hay happened here?” Spike exclaimed. He automatically grabbed a broom, then put it back when he realized that while everything was empty it wasn't actually a mess. “At least you managed to keep it clean...” he muttered under his breath.

“Spike.” said Twilight weakly “I need you to send Princess Celestia a letter asking her about this. Tell her I've pretty much eaten everything in my house and am full but starting to get hungry again.”

“On it Twilight!” Spike said pulling a quill and scroll out of nowhere. Scribbling quickly, he rolled the scroll up tight and fired off the message with a blast of his breath. “It’s off! Now let’s see if we can’t get you into a more comfortable location than the kitchen floor...”

“That won’t be necessary Spike” a voice said behind him “We can take it from here.” Princess Celestia said as she emerged from the doorway into the main part of the library. She was quickly followed by Princess Luna and Princess Cadance.

“We have been here for some time.” Luna said softly “It’s not wise to interrupt the first feeding of the hunger.”

“Wha?” Spike sputtered slightly still taken by surprise “’The Hunger’?”

“It’s something that happens when one is completely transformed.” Celestia clarified “It’s something that’s happened to each of us when we first became alicorns. It’s not something that’s public knowledge so please keep that to yourself Spike.”

“Got it!” Spike said saluting. Almost immediately he began wringing his hands. “Is she going to be okay?” he asked softly.

“She will be fine.” replied Cadance “We’ll get her through this without too much trouble.”

Concentrating slightly, Celestia enveloped Twilight in her magick and lifted her into the air. (Despite Twilight’s protests that she was a grown pony and could walk.) With Twilight floating before them, the trio of alicorns headed single file back up the stairs to her bedroom. Celestia softly laid Twilight back into her bed and under the covers.

“Just rest Twilight” said Cadance “You’ll be over this in no time.”

“But I’m soooo hungry!” whined Twilight.

“Rest young one. We’ll resolve that in due time” Luna said softly “We've all been at this point in our lives. You forget that we are your friends as well as royalty Twilight”

“We’ll keep the larder overstocked the next few days. It varies but these things usually only last a couple of days before it goes away. You’re lucky we have so much food in Equestria these days. When Luna and I attained our higher forms there was very little food available. I still can taste the moss on my tongue.” Celestia said grimacing slightly.

“For me it was potatoes.” Cadance said also grimacing “There was a bit of a crop failure going on and all that was available was...potatoes!” she finished, making faces at Twilight as if telling a ghost story until Twilight couldn't help but laugh.

“We shall each take turns over the next week staying with you and making sure you fare well.” Luna said. Putting her hoof to her chin she continued “I think though that we should close the library and not involve your immediate friends. I’m sure we can come up with some excuse.”

“I don’t think you’ll be able to avoid telling her immediate friends.” Celestia said putting her hoof on the night stand next to a picture frame. “Their destinies are linked. And they are the most curious and strong ponies I've known in a millennium.” she finished with a smile on her face. “Spike would you mind sending each of them a discrete letter? We do not want all of Ponyville or indeed Equestria suddenly wondering why all of Twilight’s friends are rushing to her side. The stars know that would cause a commotion we definitely don’t want.”

“Your wish is my command your highness.” Spike said while bowing in respect. Once again Spike pulled scrolls and quill from nowhere and began scribbling madly.

“I've always wondered how he does that.” remarked Luna raising an eyebrow “One day I’ll have to look into it...”

“Dragon Magick” said Spike simply.

“Hmph.” Luna said as she focused again on Twilight who’s stomach had visibly started to shrink “I believe it’s time for more food.”

Upon saying that, four apple pies floated into the room from the kitchen stairwell. As he finished sending out the letters, Spike peered down the stairs to see members of the castle kitchen staff milling around the small kitchen. With bright flashes, they teleported food in from other locations around Equestria.

----

Applejack was busy stocking the root cellar for winter storage, and getting a jump on the season for once. Turning towards the stairs to the outside she suddenly heard some very distinct popping noises behind her. Rounding herself quickly, her jaw dropped at what she saw.

The cellar was completely empty.

Just staring, Applejack was suddenly blinded by a flash. In the center of the cellar floor appeared the largest pile of bits she’d ever seen along with a receipt from Canterlot Castle signed by Princess Celestia herself. As she was staring, and trying to conceive of what just happened, a note appeared in the air before her in a burst of green flame. Recognizing Spike’s handiwork she quickly read the note.

“Oh horse-apples.” she said quietly “Big Maaaaaac!” she yelled heading for the cellar stairs as fast as she could gallop.

----

“I wish I could say that I don’t think I could eat another bite but that wouldn't be true. I’m still extremely hungry!” Twilight complained in-between bites of apple fritter, and having already devoured the previous four apple pies. “You said this is actually NORMAL??”

“Perfectly normal my dear.” Luna replied “Your body has been completely transformed by magick but that doesn't mean that it doesn't need food. While the biological systems have been created, they need fuel to stabilize. The wings alone require so many extra muscles that they add at least a couple of inches of height, not to mention millions of nerves to control it all. Magick we may have, and magick courses through us, but in the end we are all ponies each and every one.”

“Does this mean that you and Princess Celestia aren't gods then?” asked Twilight still chewing.

“That is a matter that my sister and I have pondered for far longer than most ponies have been alive. We ourselves do not have the answer to that one. As great as we are, memories still fade with time. In the end we play the hoof we are dealt and do our best to make the universe better that it was when we first set hoof in it.” said Luna smiling “Now...some cake? Or is it time for lunch yet?”

“I think I could do with some hay fries...” Spike interjected his stomach rumbling.

Smiling broadly, Luna reached into the kitchen with her magick and brought up a gigantic plate of hay fries. That was quickly followed by another platter absolutely piled to the brim with sandwiches. Setting each down carefully, she watched her two subjects devour them with great enthusiasm.

----

Levitating another platter of food upstairs, Cadance sat next to Twilight’s bed as Luna left to attend to her royal duties for the evening. “How are you doing so far?” she asked Twilight gently.

“As well as can be expected I guess. I’m more weirded out by the fact that I don’t have to use the little ponies room after eating so much.” replied Twilight while downing a carrot cake muffin. “As Applejack would say that’s ‘downright strange’.”

“Well as I understand it almost everything you’re consuming now is going into the stabilization of your body. All your insides are changing and nothing at all is being wasted in that process. Thus...no bathroom needed for the moment.” explained Cadance “Trust me. I was weirded out by that too. But then when it happened to me I had a heavy fever as well so I was pretty out of it.”

“Was that the time you had the Trottingham Flu supposedly and they wouldn't let me see you?” Twilight asked, once again between bites of her constant food intake.

“Nooo...that was actually Trottingham Flu.” said Cadance rubbing one hoof on her leg nervously “This happened before you and I met.”

“Wait. I've known you all my life.” said Twilight with a puzzled expression on her face “You've always been an alicorn as long as I've known you.”

“Actually I’m a little older than I look.” said Cadance with a sigh. Taking a deep breath Cadance continued “I wish Celestia or Luna were here to tell you this but I might as well get it over with. One of the side effects of becoming an alicorn is that your aging slows tremendously. I gained my wings at an incredibly early age and it’s taken a long time to get to even this point.”

“But you and Shiny started dating in High School. How does that bucking work?” exclaimed Twilight becoming a little flustered.

Shuffling nervously again, Cadance dropped her head slightly and closed her eyes. “I knew I was going to have to explain this to you one day but I hoped it would be much later than this. To the first part - I had Celestia speed up my growth to match your brother. However old physically, it would have caused all sorts of talk if your brother started dating someone who looked almost foal-like. Aaaand to the next question - yes he knows. We’re in love and he’s dedicated to being with me until he’s old and grey even if I never become that in his lifetime.” Cadance smiled shyly.

“That’s my brother.” Twilight said also smiling “Underneath all that armor beats the heart of a true romantic.”

“More than you know.” mumbled Cadance blushing.

“Please - no offense but I really don’t want to try and bring up all this food I've just eaten.” said Twilight, sticking her tongue out comically.

Cadance giggled to herself and nodded to Twilight as she presented another platter of food.

“Actually...” said Twilight yawning “I think I’m a little tired.”

“As well you should be my faithful student.” Celestia said entering the room. “Your body needs a little time to rest. Cadance I’ll take over from here. I believe there’s a young stallion waiting downstairs for you.” she said smiling sweetly.

“Can I see my brother before I go to sleep? Please?” asked Twilight.

“As you wish but only for a little bit.” replied Celestia nodding. “You need your rest as this cycle is far from over. Cadance would you be so kind as to send Shining Armor up please?”

“My pleasure.” said Cadance walking down the stairs. "Oh Shiiiney!" she called playfully “Your sister will see you now.”

Almost immediately there was an incredible set of rapid hoofbeats on the stairs and Shining Armor appeared in Twilight’s bedroom. His chest heaved from the exertion. “Twilight! Are you okay?! They wouldn't let me see you all day!” he panted.

“Calm yourself Shining Armor.” Celestia said reassuringly “It’s unwise to allow a princess to be seen in distress. It creates a tension that’s not needed. And quite honestly your sister is fine. This too shall pass.”

Forcing himself calm, Shining Armor took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Sorry” he said “It just caught me off guard.”

It was Twilight and Celestia’s turn to giggle this time. “I’m fine.” said Twilight “A little tired now but fine. Everyone has assured me that this will last only a few days.”

Relieved, Shining Armor said “Well then I’ll let you rest. Coming here unexpectedly has given Cadance and I some quiet time to ourselves and I intend to take full advantage of that. See you again tomorrow Twilight!”

“Looking *yawn* forward to it BBBFF.” replied Twilight. She closed her eyes as her brother retreated down the stairs. Very quickly she was asleep. The stars in the window by the bed came alive as she drifted off.

Watching her faithful student sleep, Celestia adjusted the covers with her magick. “Oh Twilight. This is going to last far longer than you think. But in the end it’ll all be for the best. You’ll see.”

With those words, Celestia settled in on the floor next to the bed to watch her faithful student throughout the night.

----

Upon closing her eyes in her bed, Twilight almost immediately opened them somewhere else. She found herself sitting in front of a small round ebony table set with a clear teapot with steaming dark liquid in it. Clear cups adorned with glowing stars were also filled with similarly steaming liquid. A whiff of fragrance let Twilight know it was her favorite tea.

“One lump or two Twilight Sparkle?” Princess Luna said drawing Twilight’s gaze to her.

About to reply, Twilight noticed a dancing buffalo in a tutu pass behind Luna on a floating cloud. Suddenly things made a bit more sense “I’m dreaming...” she said.

“Oh Twilight you are the master of the obvious sometimes.” Luna replied giggling to herself a little. She floated a cup towards Twilight “Here...I recall you like your tea not too sweet and not too hot.”

“So...I’m asleep. But why am I here?” Twilight asked sipping the best tea she’d ever tasted. “Shouldn't I be resting to help my body adjust”?

“As your body has changed so has your spirit. It too needs nourishment during this time. It also needs protection. And you....” said Luna pausing to put down her cup of tea “need knowledge once again. And answers. That is why we are here.”

“I’m not sure where to start...” sighed Twilight “It’s all so overwhelming.”

“Take your time my dear. We have all night.” Luna reassured her while winking at her.

“Well...since we’re here alone...Cadance mentioned the lifespan thing. Am I going to have to watch all my friends die?”

“Always the first question asked by any pony of worth who becomes an alicorn. The sad answer is yes...and no.” Luna replied calmly as she watched Twilight carefully. “Your immediate friends are the Elements of Harmony and that affords them a choice. They will be faced with that choice at some point sooner or later. If they choose to pass beyond the veil of stars then their element will get passed on to another bearer. You will lose an old friend only to gain a new one.”. Sipping her tea again Luna continued “As for everyone else in your life. Yes. You will likely have to watch them pass one by one. It’s not fun and the pain of those missing friends and family never goes away. But the new friends, and sometimes family, that you gain far evens out the loss. Immortality is and ever shall be a mixed blessing.”

“I...intellectually I knew that. But emotionally...”, Twilight stopped as a large tear ran down her face, “...emotionally it’s a big thing to take in.”

Luna moved quickly to shelter Twilight under her wing. “To be certain. But never forget what I said this morning - we are not only royalty we are your friends as well. And we all will see each other through the good days and the bad for all eternity. Or at least I think so. There’s some question on the age of the universe and so forth.” Luna concluded looking a little quizzical.

For some reason that put Twilight a little more at ease. Drying the tears from her eyes she asked “So...what do I have to learn about my spirit?”

“Well...” said Luna, once again sipping at her tea, “for one thing you are by definition the Twilight Princess. You sit between Celestia and I and have some of the qualities of both of us as well as your own unique style. If necessary I have no doubt you could easily set the sun and raise the moon. Or for that matter lower the moon and raise the sun. You cover the times between the day and night regardless of if it is the end of the day or the beginning.”

“Wow. I never realized...” said Twilight

“You are also weakest in the middle of the day and the middle of the night. It’s a weakness you didn't have before. Most of us have cycles.” continued Luna. “Mine is obvious. My sister flares from time to time. Her cycle is much more random than either of ours.”

“And Cadance?” asked Twilight slightly perplexed.

“Young Cadance”, Luna replied, “is the Princess of Love or the Crystal Princess. She is weakest when someone dies without love or when love is shunned or overwhelmed by other emotions. She puts herself in great peril from time to time just being amongst the people of Equestria.”

“I can actually understand that one. I once saw her sag and almost faint when a funeral procession went by us one day.” said Twilight reflecting on the past “It turned out it was a very corrupt businesspony that had passed away. Cadance told me later that what she felt was so strong it overwhelmed her.”

“Hmm...old HoardBag. Celestia mentioned him once. The most corrupt businesspony in Canterlot. Being *cough* sequestered I never met him but his greed was legendary. He used to risk stealing from dragons. And ponies wonder why dragons don’t mix with our race much.”. Luna sighed softly “If I’d been here I could have prevented him. He supposedly had dreams of nothing but bits.” Shaking her head quickly she continued “One thing you must also be wary of Twilight is being lost in your memories. Especially regrets.”

“I’ll try and remember that. Unfortunately I...er...often become lost in thought as you know.” said Twilight frowning a bit “Another question - am I going to end up looking like you and Celestia?”

“No. Not at least for a very very long time. It’s taken my sister and I thousands of years to appear this way. However there are times when you achieve a brief existence in your final form if and when you need to use a large amount of your power. And believe me when I say this dear Twilight Sparkle - it WILL happen. My sister and I have faced so many opponents over the eons that I struggle to even recall some of them. In doing so you will find strength and power you never knew you had.” Luna said seriously then her expression suddenly softening “But you've already experienced some of that by now.”

“Also”, Luna went on, “you need to pay attention to your dreams each night. They will sometimes contain a glimpse of future portents. I suggest you keep a dream diary until you get used to remembering them.”

“I have so many other questions...” said Twilight “...like why am I suddenly glowing?”

“It’s getting to be your time of day my dear.” said Luna. “We’re entering the twilight of the morning. And you’ll soon awake to the second day of the hunger. We’ll continue this conversation again then next time you rest my friend.”

“Well...back to the feed bag...” said Twilight setting her cup down and starting to fade...

Twilight opened her eyes to the growing light from her window. She was immediately aware of Princess Cadance snoring slightly on the floor next to her bed. And her stomach grumbling loudly.

Cadance snorted and awoke. “So...ready for another day of eating Twilight?” Cadance asked with a yawn.

“Definitely!” said Twilight happily.

“Well then let’s get you something shall we?” Cadance smiled as she levitated a platter of food in from the kitchen.

----

An enormous amount of food and time later, Twilight could finally feel her hunger abating slightly. The final alert from her body that the cycle of hunger had ended was a sudden trip to the bathroom. It lasted so long that it caused Princess Cadance to have to divert others from knocking on the door asking if Twilight was okay.

Emerging from the washroom, Twilight looked Cadance square in the face and said “No more cheese.”. A moment later she burst out laughing so hard it caused Cadance to start laughing. Both of them to rolled on the floor in mirth.

Her hunger abated, Twilight sat in what a few years ago she would have never imagined - the company of three royal princesses. Ever more so that she herself could be counted among them.

“So...” said Twilight sipping some tea that Cadance had made “...what exactly are my duties as the Twilight Princess.”

“I see you've already had a chat with my sister.” Celestia said hiding a smile behind her eyes “To be forthcoming your job, including your friends, is to protect Equestria from any threat foreign or domestic.”

Twilight almost choked on her tea, “I thought that job belonged to yourself and Princess Luna!” I’m not refusing the responsibility but really? My friends and I?”

“I...will be uncharacteristically blunt.“ Celestia said taking a sip. “My defeat at the hooves of the changeling queen was not an accident. I truly was defeated and it was NOT because of the power that Queen Chrysalis absorbed from your brother. It was because you and the bearers of the Elements are now the ultimate power in Equestria. Thus I formally cede defense of the domain to you and your friends.”

“Twilight Sparkle please close your jaw it’s unbecoming of a princess of Equestria.” Luna commented before also taking a sip from her cup.

“Er...sorry...” apologized Twilight. She stared into the bottom of her tea hoping the leaves would provide some answers.

“Don’t take it too seriously. Oh wait...I forgot who I was talking to.” said Cadance, her eyes twinkling with the smile that matched the one on her face. “You've already defeated quite a few challenges in Equestria already. By now no doubt you've made a name for yourself already and all but the least dangerous will come calling.”

“Why THANK YOU Princess Cadance. I feel SO much better.” said Twilight with a glare at her sister by both marriage and station.

There was a pause, and without breaking eye contact both Cadance and Twilight broke into a fit of giggling that sent the entire room into fits of laughter that took several minutes to die down.

“All laughter aside my faithful student...no...you are MY ‘Dear Princess’ now...” said Celestia with a slight grin “I have complete faith in you as well as your friends.”. Suddenly rising to a regal standing position Celestia stretched her wings out to her sides “Princess Twilight Sparkle please approach.”

With some trepidation, but also a great amount of joy, Twilight got to her hooves and approached to stand directly in front of her teacher and long time friend. The remaining princesses joined Celestia, wingtips connecting the three of them to encircle Twilight.

“Sisters!”, Celestia said in her most regal voice, “ It is my duty to welcome our newest princess and share with her our hearts and hooves in her future duties. As well as our eternal friendship.”

With those words, Celestia’s horn began to glow with golden light that spread like water through the encircling princesses fluctuating in color and intensity until Twilight was surrounded by a ring of rainbow the exact color of Celestia’s mane. Twilight closed her eyes and for the first time in a long long time relaxed.

With a flash, the rainbow of light expanded inward from the ring surrounding Twilight. At that single instance she was the princesses surrounding her. They were all one being with one heart and one mind. She could feel the love, the anger, the fear, and all the other emotions. She was all of those emotions at once and many more that she’d never personally experienced.

In what seemed like an eternity, the light slowly leached away back into Celestia and each returned to their private existences. Twilight sensed a change though. There was no mistaking it. She could feel the other three princesses of Equestria standing there. She knew them as best as she knew herself and would know the moment one of them was in hurt or in trouble. She also knew that while the memories and feelings she shared would fade, likely within the hour, the bond would exist as long as she lived.

“Well!” Celestia exclaimed “That is something I've not done in quite some time!”

“Indeed.” Luna said smiling “I believe that we should make that a refresher every 500 years or so.”

“500 years...” Twilight said to herself “...I’m going to live 500 years.”

“Yes Twilight. 500 years. At the very least.” said Cadance overhearing her “I never told you how old I was did I?”

“No.” Twilight said looking up quickly “I just assumed you were slightly ahead of me on the age curve.”

“I am...206 years old.” Cadance said smiling “A ‘young one’ to the other two.”

Luna coughed slightly “207.”

“What?” said Cadance raising an eyebrow at Luna “I’m 206 and not a day older.”

Doing her best imitation of Rarity down to the batted eyelashes Luna said “There’s a statue I could show you that would prove otherwise.”

This time it was Princess Celestia who started giggling and couldn't stop.