"3" Princess

Twilight sat at the table, waiting for the meeting to begin. The other three Princesses were there as well, Luna across from her, Cadance on her left, and Celestia at the head. She had already tried to ask what this was about, but each time she had been shushed, so she took a sip of her tea.

Finally, Celestia turned her gaze to her. "Twilight," she said, a small smile on her lips, "how do you like being a Princess?"

Twilight smiled, looking up at her mentor. "I love it, Princess. I'm honored that you would make me--"

"Oh, 'twasn't my sisters decision, Twilight Sparkle." Luna looked very grim.

Cadance scowled. "Luna, we are supposed to take things slowly with Twily."

Twilight looked between the three Princesses. "What are you talking about?"

"Twilight," Celestia said. "This is your naming ceremony. But first, we must explain what it means to be a Princess in this realm."

With a nod from Celestia, Cadance wrapped a hoof around Twilight. "See, Twily, I'm the Princess of Love. Luna is the Princess of the Night, and Celestia is the Princess of the Day. You must choose your name. What you want to be Princess of."

Twilight's brow furrowed in confusion. "That still doesn't explain what Luna said."

"That is because it is not so simple." Luna fixed Twilight with an unreadable expression. "To be the Fourth Child of the Goddess is large step. Long ago, before even the three tribes, the Noble Alicorn stood tall and proud. But out numbers have fallen, so that now it's only mine sister and I."

"The Goddess chose us from foal hood to be eternal. And now, she has chosen you, Twilight. There are two important questions you must answer."

Twilight swallowed, nodding. "Okay."

"First, eternity is a long time. Do you want to live forever?"

"No," she hook her head. "I couldn't stand leaving everyone I love behind, for all eternity."

Celestia smiled. "No more than I expected. Second, Twilight. What are you the Princess of?"

Twilight sat for a moment. "Friendship. It's the magic of friendship that got me here, after all."

"Very well. Now, the ceremony. We must all touch horns."

The four Alicorns leaned across the table and, after a little jostling, found a position for all of their  horns to touch. A blinding light flashed, and Twilight felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her body.

The light died and the others pulled away. "I feel...the same."

"Yeah, it doesn't feel any different. But watch, Twily, you'll start picking up on a lot of friendship feelings. Except those directed at you. I'll help you get used to it."

Welcome, my fourth child.

Though the voice sounded in her head, she was comforted by it. "Thank you," she whispered.