Waking Up Different

Twilight's POV

"Food?" she called, a clipboard floating beside her.

"Eeyup," Applejack and Big Mac answered in unison as Applejack's green magic gently set the last apple in place. Check!

"Dresses?"

"Got them all, dear." Rarity trotted in, a rack of six dresses faithfully following her, towed by her blue magic. They were oddly reminiscent of their Gala dresses, enhanced and repaired after any damages that might have been done to them, and the dresses sparkled with new gemstones.

"They're beautiful, Rarity," Twilight gasped. Check! "Crowns, seating, choir?"

Princess Celestia entered the room, a pillow with six crowns resting on it floating beside her. "Got them all, Twilight." All of their crowns had some resemblance to their Element of Harmony - Rarity's crown was adorned with sapphires and amethysts, Applejack's with fire opals and emeralds, Twilight's was, of course, her Element of Harmony, seeing as it was already a crown, Rainbow Dash's with rubies and rainbow topaz, Fluttershy's with pink tourmaline and aquamarine, and Pinkie Pie's with sky-blue topaz and pink sapphires. Check!

Ding! Many chairs appeared, all neatly in rows. "Ooh! How about these?" Pinkie asked. Ding! The chairs became pews, like what you'd see at a church. "Mmm, too uptight," Pinkie decided. Ding! The pews became long, comfy couches, and Pinkie nodded in satisfaction. "Got them, Twi!" Check!

"And the choir's ready, Twilight." Princess Celestia added. Check!

"Alright, then we should be ready to begin." Twilight's clipboard vanished. Not going to need that anytime soon.

"Wait!" Rarity called. "We have to put on our dresses! We can't get crowned princesses if we're naked."

"Rarity, we hardly ever wear clothes anyway," Rainbow pointed out.

"That certainly doesn't mean we should be crowned naked!" Rarity's magic enveloped those of the mane six who were not already in their dresses - in this case, all of them - and led them into a room on the side, where they all changed.

They emerged looking fabulous.

Princess Celestia trotted over swiftly to them. "The coronation begins soon - come and stand up here." They took their places at the top of the pedestal.

"Guards, let in the audience."

The two guards who stood by the large double doors nodded. Their magic - seeing as they were both unicorns - pulled open the doors, and many ponies galloped in, taking seats and settling in. Among them, Twilight was able to make out Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, some members of the Apple family, the Cutie Mark Crusaders…

"Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today in celebration of a momentous occasion. My most faithful student and her friends, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie have done many extraordinary things since they met in Ponyville. They've reformed Discord, they've reunited me with my sister, and they've saved Equestria multiple times! Fillies and gentlecolts, may I present for the very first time, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Magic and Friendship, Princess Applejack of Honesty, Princess Fluttershy of Kindness, Princess Rarity of Generosity, Princess Rainbow Dash of Loyalty, and Princess Pinkie Pie of Laughter! Together, they are… the Princesses of Harmony!"

Each stepped forward as their name was called. Princess Luna levitated Rainbow's, Pinkie Pie's, and Applejack's crowns onto their heads, and Princess Celestia levitated Twilight's and Fluttershy's onto their heads, but just as she was about to levitate Rarity's…

"Stop!" cried an all-too-familiar voice. The doors flew open, and a white stallion stepped in. He was covered in dirt, twigs, and bruises, and his golden mane was unkempt and messy. Sky-blue eyes gazed with anger and hate upon the only Alicorn who did not wear a crown. It was Prince Blueblood.

Princess Luna's POV

What is that spoiled 'nephew' of Celestia's doing here? The Princess of the Night snorted. "Prince Blueblood, why dost thou interruptest the coronation of Equestria's greatest heroes?"

"Because that… that beast does not deserve to be a Princess!"

Celestia stepped forward - Tis good to see that she is doing something about it. "Prince Blueblood, whatever do you mean?"

"I mean what I say!" He pointed an accusatory look at Rarity. "She came into my room and treated me most horribly, and I demand that she be punished for it!"

"And what did she do, if anything at all?" Princess Celestia's normally serene gaze was cold. The Prince shivered, but pressed on foolishly.

"She entered my room, woke me from a beautiful slumber, and slammed me against the floor! Multiple times! Then, the ruffian hurled me out the window!"

"Rarity, is this true?" Celestia's gaze flicked to Rarity.

"It is." Rarity scoffed. "He deserved it! He is a pompous, spoiled brat!"

Sweetie Belle called, "He did, Rarity! He deserved it for crushing your dreams at the Grand Galloping Gala!"

Luna could've sworn she saw an amused smile fly across Celestia's face for a split second, but it vanished. "Prince Blueblood, Princess Rarity, you will meet me outside after the coronation."

"No! I demand that she be punished *now*!" Prince Blueblood stamped a hoof, a loud, angry snort flying out of his nostrils. "And why aren't I an Alicorn! I'm a Prince too!"

The Princess of the Night was annoyed. How dare he interrupt a coronation? The anger rose up in her, and she stamped a hoof. It made a loud crack. Her wings spread, Luna confronted him. "How darest thou interrupt the coronation? Thou dost not deserveth to be a Prince! Go and lie down and cry like the foal thou art!"

Everypony was shocked.

The Prince stepped forward as well. He looked much angrier now. "Begone, you fool of a princess!"

Celestia's gaze turned a little colder. "Princess Rarity, Prince Blueblood, we will talk about this after the celebration. Until then, Blueblood, hold your tongue."

Blueblood's jaw dropped. "Wait 'til my father hears about this!" Blueblood stomped off.*

Fluttershy's POV

Princess Celestia placed the last crown on Rarity's head, and the choir began to sing. Their director has done a great job with them.

When the choir finished, they filed out professionally.

"Everypony, there are refreshments on the tables if you so choose. You're all welcome to stay a few hours and wait for your trains home. Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Rarity, I would like you all to follow me."

They followed Celestia into another room.

"Now, as you may have noticed, Princess Cadence has a castle and Princess Luna and I have a castle."

"Eeyup, we've noticed," Applejack assured her.

"Now, I'd like to ask you all a serious question - would you like castles of your own or a large castle together or…?" Princess Celestia's voice trailed off, waiting for their answer.

"Why, I would love to have a castle!" Rarity gushed. "With lots of beautiful tapestries and stained glass windows and - "

"Eh." Rainbow shrugged, cutting Rarity off. The white Alicorn - Rarity, not Celestia - shot her an annoyed glance. "I'm fine in my cloud house, but if the rest of you want to live in a castle together, I wouldn't mind joining you."

"Ah don't know if Ah can leave the farm…" considered Applejack. "Ah love it a lot there, and goin' off to some castle wouldn't exactly be the same. Big Mac needs me at the farm, and so do Granny Smith and Apple Bloom."

"Couldn't you just get some ponies in from town to help you?" Rainbow cocked her head. "And I'm sure Apple Bloom's big enough to help."

"Well… She helps already, and what if Big Mac gets hurt? Who'd harvest the apples?" Applejack's ears went down. "Apple Bloom can hardly buck, and the other branches of the Apple Family would be busy with their own apples!"

"Would it really be so hard to just hire some work from town?" Rainbow challenged.

The two continued bickering.

"It would be a lot of work relocating my animals, but I could make it work…" Fluttershy cast her gaze out the window. Of course, the castle would have to have very expansive gardens for them all, and possibly near the Everfree Forest, because that's where many of my animals live...

"Would there be a large library at the castle?" cut in Twilight. "If so, I'm all for that idea." How did I know she was going to ask that question? Must be because of how much she loves books. I'd hate to meet any sorry soul who takes any one of her books...

Pinkie Pie was silent, a rare occurrence for her. Her pink hair was slightly deflated - not like it had been when no pony would come to her party for Gummy, but not fully inflated either. "I like it at the Cake's… I'm so settled in there, and they need me whenever they can so I can foalsit Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake."

"I'm sure you could just fly over there if needed," Rarity reassured.

"True…" Pinkie brightened up, and her hair returned to its normal state. "Then, I absolutely want a castle!"

"So that's a Yes, a Yes, an Undecided, a Yes, a Yes, and a Yes?" Princess Celestia checked.

"Sounds about right."

"Now, would you each like your own individual castle, or to share one? You didn't really answer my question - yes, you confirmed that you want one, but you didn't specify what type." Princess Celestia chuckled, an amused smile spreading over her face.

"I'd much rather share a castle! One big, lonely, empty castle can get really lonely!" Pinkie's big smile grew. "And you said in your big speech-y thingie that together, we're the Princesses of Harmony! We can't be the Princesses of Harmony if we're apart!"

"That's a very valid argument." Twilight nodded in satisfaction. "I myself agree with Pinkie."

"Me too," Rainbow said in unison, Rainbow and Applejack having finally emerged from their argument.

"Well, Ah suppose the farm can last without me," Applejack decided.

"As do I." Rarity shrugged. "It's not like I'm going to need my fashion business or Carousel Boutique, now that I'm a Princess. I may still make dresses for fun, though."

"But then where will Sweetie Belle live?"

"With her parents, who also live in Ponyville."

"Ah."

"So it's decided?" Celestia asked. "One large castle that you'll share?"

"Yep!" Fluttershy snapped out of her daydream. "Can the castle be built near the Everfree Forest? I'm still going to have my animals, and as many of them live in the Everfree Forest… and there will be plenty of gardens, right?"

"And a large balcony?"

"And a - "

"Ponies, ponies," The regal white Alicorn chuckled. "It will take a few years for the castle to be built, so don't move out just yet. Plan out how you want the castle to look, both inside and out. Then give your plans to the head builder, and let them build it. Be as precise as you like."

"I brought extra parchment and quills," offered Rarity. "We can map it out on that!"

"Is there anything else, Princess?" Pinkie asked. "I'm kinda hungry for some apple!"

"No, of course not, Pinkie. You all may rejoin the festivities if you wish." Celestia poked the door gently with her horn, and it swung open dramatically, slamming against the wall. Everypony's head turned towards them.

Rarity chuckled sheepishly. "So much for a quiet re-entrance, eh?"

Applejack's POV

The orange Princess trotted to the refreshments table. To her surprise, most of the treats were untouched. She shrugged, and ate a wide selection of them.

As she did, Princess Cadence and Shining Shield - no, his name was Shining Armor - trotted over.

"I must say, congratulations on becoming a Princess," Shining Armor said with a grin. "Now if only I had some wings…"

"Why, thank you both," Applejack nodded towards the treats. "Ah'm surprised nopony's touched the apple products."

"We were waiting for our newly crowned Princesses to take the first bite," Cadence admitted.

"Is that a new custom 'round these parts?"

"Well, no, but we always did that at birthday parties when we were foals."

"Ah see." Applejack's green gaze swept over the lonely-looking apple treats. "Well, there's a wide selection for you to choose from, so take your pick."

"Where do I start?" demanded Shining Armor. "It all looks so good!"

Applejack smirked. "Ah'd say start small, have a slice o' pie."

Rainbow Dash's POV

She trotted out onto the balcony, then launched herself off it. Just as she was about to touch the ground, the cyan Alicorn flew back up again, flapping her wings to bring her into the sky.

They've got to let me become a Wonderbolt now! I'm a Princess! Rainbow whooped, and performed a Sonic Rainboom. They'd have to be mad not to let me in. Since I'm a Princess now, I can just order them to let me in! And who wouldn't want the mare who can perform the Sonic Rainboom for a teammate?

Rainbow landed on the balcony, and trotted inside. The party had completely stopped, and a record scratched loudly somewhere.

"What's everypony lookin' at?" she asked.

Twilight didn't answer. She only pointed a hoof at the Rainboom.

"Oh yea, that!" Rainbow struck a pose. "Aren't I fabulous?"

The doors slammed open once more, and Lightning Dust stalked in.

"Why hello, Rainbow," Lightning growled. "Why wasn't I invited? I, your friend from the Wonderbolts camp?"

"We stopped being friends when you only started a tornado that could've killed my friends!"

"Yea, but it didn't!" Lightning smirked and glanced to her crown. "Oh, and congratulations, Princess Rainbow Dash." With a flourish, she stepped onto the balcony and flew away.

What a bitch. Rainbow rolled her eyes, and helped herself to an apple fritter. The party started again as usual, but Dash mainly stayed at the refreshments table, eating apple-y stuff - she couldn't bother to remember the names - and mainly just chilling. Because chilling was cool.

"Rainbow Dash!"

She'd recognize that voice anywhere, and turned to see. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom were there, Scootaloo with a massive camera.

"I figured since we're like sisters now, d'you wanna take a picture together?"

"Absolutely!" Rainbow posed with Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom took the picture. "Did you like my Rainboom?"

"We did!" Sweetie Belle chirped, bouncing up and down. "D'you know where Rarity is?"

Rainbow scanned the room for her, and found her talking to some members of the Apple family. "She's right over there," the Alicorn pointed. Sweetie Belle rushed over, Apple Bloom on her heels.

"I can barely believe you're an Alicorn!" Scootaloo reached up to touch her horn. "What does your magic look like? How many spells can you do? Actually, can you do any spells?"

To answer her question, Rainbow lifted an apple pie with her magic.

"Whoa…" Scootaloo stared in awe. "I bet you can fly even faster now that you're an Alicon… Alicororn… Alicorn!"

"You wanna come flying with me?"

"But…" Scootaloo flapped her small wings. They got her a few inches off the ground. "I'll just fall."

"Pfft, I'll catch you!" Rainbow started a trot towards the balcony, and the sound of a second set of slightly smaller hooves alerted her that Scootaloo followed.

Rainbow stood on the edge of the balcony. "Come on, squirt, you'll never be able to fly if you don't even try!"

"O- Okay!" Scootaloo took a deep breath and jumped off. Rainbow leaped after her as the young filly twisted and turned. Finally, she got a good wind, and it brought her up. She flapped her wings some more.

"Doin' good, squirt!" Rainbow grinned. "I gotcha if you fall, don't worry."

But she didn't need to catch Scootaloo at all. She was able to fly, albeit shakily, but it was still flying.

"I can't believe it!" Scootaloo gasped. "I'm flying!"