To Be A Princessby lavendernoodleChaptersDestinyEncounterHistoryGuidanceEvaluationCoronationDestinyPrincess Twilight Sparkle let out a sharp breath with every step. Her pace was quick, but she knew that it would do her no good to rush. If the Princesses wanted to see her immediately, she would have to go back to Ponyville to warn her friends of oncoming danger, if there were any. It’s no use, Twilight mumbled to herself, The Elements of Harmony are powerless and I haven’t any time to worry about the new spells piling up on my desk from Celestia. The doors of Celestia’s study brought close, even warm feelings to Twilight. She remembered the first time she had been brought in, as a filly. She was a new student to the Princess, and she was terrified. Twilight laughed. Could I ever have guessed this would be my future? Twilight stopped before her hand pushed the sunset-painted doors open. It has been years since my coronation. My friends grow old without me, yet I stand here as regal as I have ever been. Everyday I wake and ask myself, is this really my truest destiny? Oh great, now I’m even talking like them. This must be my destiny if they rest this power so delicately on my shoulders… Delicately? Twilight shook off any extra thoughts before pushing into the room. Celestia and Luna had been facing away from the entrance to the study, faces deep with concern. Twilight looked at the walls, unable to make eye contact. They were lined with bookshelves so thick and tall you couldn’t even see the walls. In the middle stood a grand desk lined with papers, quills, and ink. “Twilight! What a pleasure it is to see you,” Luna said, possibly with too much enthusiasm, while Celestia put on her signature Princess-smile. Twilight tried to copy it. “As for you, Luna.” Twilight put her hand to her chin, and coughed. “If I’m not mistaken, this was of utmost importance, was it not?” Twilight, will you shut up already? Celestia frowned. “Maybe not of utmost importance per se, but... just have a seat.” Twilight sat, noticing the worried expressions of the two Princesses faces. Celestia cleared her throat. “Twilight, Luna and I both know that ever since your coronation 20 years ago, you have never felt fulfilled with your duties.” Luna bit her lip. “It has been a very long time since we have seen you smile. You don't have any friends to talk to, and Spike was...killed many years ago, so you are all alone.” She turned her head to Celestia. “Remember when she sang the song about you, Cadence, and I had our own kingdoms and things to raise and set and rule?” Celestia nodded, and Luna turned her head back to Twilight. “Twilight, when was the last time you sang?” The question hit Twilight like a bus, and left a hearty sting. Twilight’s lip curled back into a snarl that was very un-ladylike. “I’ll have you both know that I am very happy with everything that I have, and...I am trying! Trying my best to find friends!” She was yelling. “I don’t need to sing! Why should I?” Celestia only blinked. A silence filled the air until: “Please don’t lie.” “What?” Twilight growled. She was an animal, no princess. Luna shook her head quickly. “There’s no need, Princess Sparkle. We came here today to give you an assignment.” It felt as if someone knocked the wind out of Twilight. Yet she smiled. “Really?’ Celestia nodded, calmly. “Twilight, you remember what happened to Cadance, don’t you?” Twilight froze. When Cadance announced to her family and friends that she had a “bun in the oven” as she put it, for one of the few times in her life, Twilight was ecstatic. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Flurry Heart. Twilight didn’t think Cadance could become any softer, but she did. But Cadance was overwhelmed. Ruling a mini-empire is no walk in the park, and with a child it is no easier. Cadance overdosed on caffeine and no matter how hard she tried, she barely ever spent time with her daughter. Shining Armor knew this would happen and warned her multiple times but Cadance would not give it up. She said that the Crystal Empire needed an heir, and though Shining Armor tried to say that they could vote for a prince or princess to rule or something, he eventually went along with having a child. Shining Armor wrote his sister a dreadful letter explaining Cadance’s meltdown. She screamed and cried for hours about how she was an awful mother and hated being a Princess and wanted to die. Twilight knew it was a call for help but Cadance refused and Shining was afraid of his own wife’s capabilities. Some said she was insane. She never showed herself. Cadance pleaded to the elder Princesses to rip off her and her daughter’s wings and strip them of their magic so they could be normal. The Princesses always said that there was no spell allowing them to do it unless the victim committed an awful crime and that no pony offered that kind of surgery because it was too dangerous. So she did it. Cadance murdered her husband. Twilight was so in shock that she couldn’t cry. All of her memories of her BBBFF and her foalsitter faded. She couldn’t be sad or angry. She felt powerless and frozen, as if there was nothing she could do. All of Equestria felt the same way. No villain had ever murdered anyone, (not to say they didn’t do awful things but no murdering) none the less a Princess. Celestia was ashamed to call Cadance her niece. She ripped off her wings and magic and sent her to jail without trial. When Twilight went to visit, she felt not in control of herself. There was no way anypony else was forcing her there, though. It was her mind, loose from the shock. Cadance didn’t even look like herself. She was dirty, had cut off almost all of her mane, her eyes were completely bloodshot and she picked at her fingernails the whole time. When Twilight asked what made her do it, all she said was, “My Flurry Heart. My lovely Flurry.” Flurry, however, was stripped of her wings, magic, and memory and was shipped to an orphanage in Trottingham with a new identity never to be broken. Celestia didn’t even have to force the Crystal Ponies to leave. They were so disgusted they did it themselves. Some asked to be normal ponies with new identities, ashamed to ever follow such a monster. The Crystal Empire was destroyed, with all files left in the Canterlot Secret Archives. Twilight sighed. “How could I forget?” Celestia and Luna hung their heads. Celestia spoke after a moment. “You see, Twilight, it’s time to bring Flurry Heart home.” Twilight felt shocked. “What? Bring her home?” “She has been gone for seventeen years, Twilight,” Luna spoke for her sister. “She doesn’t know who she really is, and we have watched her grow into an amazing woman. She deserves to be a Princess once again.” Twilight tried to grasp her thoughts. “But...Cadance…” Celestia’s face hardened. “It is not Flurry Heart’s fault what her mother has done. And we never said that Flurry has to….meet her mother, or anything drastic of the sort.” Twilight squinted. “Do we really need more Princesses in Equestria?” Celestia pondered it for a moment. Just a mere 6 years ago, Sunset Shimmer was pronounced as the Princess of Redemption, even though Sunset didn’t really plan on staying in Equestria forever. Besides, most kingdoms outside of Equestria needed no more than one figurehead. Celestia then shrugged. “We don’t need more, Twilight, but wait until you meet Flurry again. For all Luna and I care, she could be the Princess of Appleloosa.” The elder Princesses laughed. Twilight groaned. “Is that all? You just wanted to warn me about my competition?” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Of course not. We want you to mentor her.” Twilight’s mouth fell open. “What? Me? Why…” Luna put a hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “As we said before, everyone and their mother knows that being ‘Princess of Friendship’ was never what you desired, even after you became the Element of Magic.” Twilight bristled and Luna removed her hand. “Please, Twilight, Equestria is counting on you.” Twilight had no time to even think of what to say before Celestia covered her mouth with her hands and began to cry. Luna stood up and began to rub her sister’s back and coo a sweet tune. Twilight bit her lip, and Luna shot her a hard look. “I’ll do it,” Twilight said as she straightened her back, but her mentor did not stop crying. Luna squatted and ran a finger across Celestia’s cheek. “She said she’ll do it, sister,” Luna cooed, and Celestia wiped her tears away with a handkerchief. So regal, Twilight thought, and shifted uncomfortably. Celestia sighed. “It’s not that.” She looked at Twilight, her crimson eyes shining with guilt. “I have always known you weren’t satisfied, but I believed that you would find something to do to occupy yourself.” Twilight rubbed her arm. “But, now I see that you are truly unhappy. Why should I make anyone a Princess if there are no more tasks that need to be done?” Celestia lowered her head into her hands. “It ends up with disastrous results, anyway.” Twilight had no choice but to lean to her Princess and hold her tightly. “Do not worry yourself, now.” Twilight tried to mimic the words and tone that Celestia spoke in when trying to calm Twilight. “I’ll help you, Celestia. The Crystal Princess shall return.” Celestia’s head was still in her hands, but she smiled. “So,” Twilight asked, “what do I do first?” Luna turned to Twilight. “Go to the Peace Blossoms Orphan Home in Trottingham, where you shall ask to adopt a young mare named Glowing Prism. I’m positive that you shall recognize her, but if not…” Luna pulled out a small scroll from her pocket. “She is a tall young woman with baby pink and blue locks cut short, and she has brilliant, blue eyes. She’s often found playing piano or helping younger children.” Luna handed Twilight the scroll. Twilight nodded her head with thanks. “I shall pack my things immediately,” Twilight said. The words rolled off her tongue like sweet syrup. Twilight was welcoming the thought of being a true Princess. She left the castle feeling proud. EncounterTwilight flew all the way to Trottingham. She twirled and flipped in the air as she was filled with adrenaline. Her memories as a unicorn flooded back into her mind. All she ever did was read. Mostly about Starswirl the Bearded, the greatest mentor ever known. Twilight stopped twirling. This is all I have ever wanted. Why? Twilight frowned. Though she was still happy, she knew that when she was a unicorn, she dreamed of having enough knowledge to share. But now? What was she willing to teach Flurry Heart? What is she willing to learn? Twilight landed. She stumbled on her feet as she looked up. What she saw was a neighborhood, a rough ghetto. Broken windows and trash stood all around her. Tall buildings hung eerily overhead. A building stood before Twilight. It was made of brick and wasn’t as tall of broken as the others. A sign hung above the door: “Peace Blossoms Orphan Home.” Twilight unrolled the scroll and looked at it with fear. She was unsure of what to expect, even though Luna had drawn a very descriptive drawing. The woman in the drawing was sitting at a piano, singing. Notes flew from her mouth, and Twilight could almost hear her sweet song. Twilight’s heart opened at the thought of mentoring Flurry Heart. There was no fear. Nothing could go wrong now. Twilight pushed the door open, slowly. The room that stood before her wasn’t much to look at. It was dark, with no lights, only small bits of sunshine flowing through the windows. Black and white tile on the floor was dirty and chipped, as well as the walls with wallpaper peeling. Twilight shuffled forward to a desk where a woman was writing something in a notebook. The woman had long, crescent moon glasses and a picture of a kid on her desk with a big goofy grin and her two front teeth missing. Twilight smiled at the woman’s friendly face, her fear fading once again. What am I so afraid of? The woman coughed. “Can I help you...miss?” The woman had looked up to see the Princess of Friendship standing before her. She stumbled to her feet before bowing, but, as she always did, Twilight waved the bow away. “Yes, I am looking for…” Twilight checked her scroll. “Glowing Prism. I would like to adopt her.” The woman smiled, her face wrinkling. “Your Highness, you are just in time for her concert. Right this way please.” The woman let out a hand towards a dark corridor. Twilight rose up the stairs with as much elegance as she could muster. Her heart was beating fast, and she was excited. She would see Flurry Heart play, not as Glowing Prism. As Flurry Heart. The true Crystal Princess. Twilight found a surprisingly large concert hall, with children sitting in ragged seats, bouncing up and down eagerly. Twilight sat and put her hood around her face, hoping no one else would recognize her. The lights dimmed, and a spotlight shone on Flurry Heart, who had entered the hall quietly, Twilight not even noticing. Flurry Heart was beautiful. Her chiseled features were cut gracefully by the spotlight, and her hourglass figure was cut by a maroon cloak, surprisingly not all that different than the one Twilight was wearing. And then she began to play. Twilight started crying immediately. The tune began slow, and sad, but rose. Rose into a melody so perfect that Twilight could have listened to it over and over and over until she hated it. Twilight recognized it as one of the older Crystal Empire songs, a song of hope and glory, but above all: redemption. As if Flurry already knew her past and her future, she played the song greater than any musician before her. When the song was over, the crowd cheered and sobbed and threw roses and cheered some more. Twilight couldn’t move as she wept and wept, the song reaching down into her heart and soul and holding on tight. Her memories of her BBBFF flooded back into her mind, as well as her memories of Cadance. There was no way that Flurry could disappoint her. The concert was over then, and Twilight along with the orphan children to congratulate Flurry, or Prism as they called her, before she disappeared into the shadows again. Flurry thanked everyone and hugged and kissed them all on the cheeks. Twilight sighed with bliss as Flurry spoke. Her voice reminded Twilight so much of Cadance, who had been Twilight's number one source of comfort when she was a child. Twilight tapped Flurry Heart on the shoulder, pulling her hood on tight to make sure that no one but Flurry would see her. Flurry waved goodbye to the last child as she turned around and looked as if she was about to scream. “Princess Twi---” Twilight clapped her hand over Flurry’s mouth, which made Flurry shut up and reel back a bit, as it must have hurt. Twilight said sorry over and over as she led Flurry into a corner. “I’m gonna let go, and you’re not gonna let anyone know that I’m here, ok?” Flurry nodded and sighed as Twilight let go. Flurry leaned in and whispered, “Princess Twilight?” Twilight looked around the room before removing her hood and shaking free her long mane. She smiled. “That’s me.” “What are you doing here? Does anyone else know that you are here? Why shouldn’t I tell them?” Flurry asked, speaking so rapidly that her words blended into one long sentence. Twilight waved her hand. “One at a time, kid. Listen, we have to talk. Is there somewhere private we can go?” Flurry nodded and reached for the Princess’s arm. Twilight did not object as Flurry pulled her along. Flurry led to what Twilight assumed was her room. The walls were painted baby pink and the carpet probably used to be white. Toys were scattered across the floor (that Twilight assumed were other chidrens’) and posters hung on the wall. Flurry told Twilight to sit on her bed and Flurry pulled out some tea to brew. Flurry handed Twilight a cup, and they took a few sips each. Twilight smiled. It was peppermint, Cadance’s favorite. “You know, you really are a spitting image of your mother.” Flurry Heart lowered the teacup from her lips. “Excuse me?” Twilight reached for her niece’s hand. Flurry did not pull away. “I need to tell you some things.” So all throughout the afternoon, Twilight wove the tragic tale of Flurry’s parents and how Twilight wished to mentor Flurry. Flurry, however, kept a straight face until the end, when she began to cry. Twilight pulled her niece into a hug. “I’m so sorry. This isn’t going to be easy. I know. And it can’t be any better hearing this all at once.” Flurry pulled a handkerchief out of her nightstand and wiped her eyes and nose. “So...I’m the lost Crystal Princess?” Twilight nodded and Flurry sighed. “I think that would be magical but...my parents…” “When your father was alive, he loved you more than anything. Your mother loves you too.” Flurry bit her lip. “I’ve been Glowing Prism as long as I can remember. I’m the reason that this orphanage is still in business, and the reason that some of these kids haven’t killed themselves yet. I can’t just leave this all behind. Besides….” Flurry pulled up her robes to her waist, revealing her cutie mark, a crystal heart with a snowflake carved into it. “This is why I have this.” Twilight touched the mark gently. “You do realize how similar this is to your mother’s, don’t you? And that only princesses receive their cutie marks?” Although everyone comes up with their talent in their lifetime, Princesses magically receive tattoos of their talent turned into a design on both of their thighs. Flurry released her robes from her tight grip. “I thought I was just special. You are the only person I have ever shown those marks to.” Tears filled her eyes again, and she reached for Twilight’s grip. A compassion had filled Twilight’s heart, one that she had never felt before. It was quite motherly, in a way. Flurry pressed deep into Twilight’s embrace, and Twilight hummed and stroked Flurry’s mane soothingly. Very quickly, Flurry stopped crying. Twilight whispered in Flurry’s ear. “It’s going to be ok, I promise. I’ll be your mother now.” Flurry laughed and Twilight kissed her forehead. HistoryTwilight and Flurry agreed that when Flurry was Princess of the Crystal Empire once again, the Peace Blossoms Orphan Home would be moved to the Crystal Empire so the children would never have to be apart from the woman they lived for. Twilight and Flurry rode the train back to Ponyville, and Flurry must have cried out all of her tears because she was acting more excited than Twilight had ever seen Pinkie Pie get. “So when do I get my wings and my magic?” Flurry asked again, stroking Twilight’s left wing delicately. Twilight sighed. “I’m afraid that won’t come for a while. We will finish your training and then Celestia will test you, as she did me. If she feels you are ready, she will give you your wings, magic, and most importantly: your kingdom. If not, we will go back to training.” “What is there for me to learn anyway?” “Plenty of things, including flying and magic lessons before and after your coronation so you won’t be a total dork like I was,” Twilight said with a smirk. Flurry laughed, but then frowned. “Did Celestia not teach you?” Twilight did not know what to say for a moment. “Well, you see...Celestia had taught me everything she knew about magic, and that with the fact that my friends had taught me about friendship were the reasons I became a Princess in the first place. But, Celestia didn’t really care about teaching me anything else.” Twilight folded her arms and snapped her wing back into place behind her back. “She’s not as good of a mentor as she’s cracked up to be. But don’t tell her I said that.” Flurry rested her hands in her lap and began to swing her feet. “So...Celestia is my grandmother? Wow.” “Great-aunt,” Twilight corrected. Flurry cocked her head and raised and eyebrow. “Then who is my grandmother? Certainly not Luna...right?” Twilight shook her head. “Chrysalis is your grandmother.” Flurry’s eyes and mouth opened wide. “What?” Twilight nodded. “Don’t worry about it. You’re mother was a gift from Fausticorn, like Chrysalis, Celestia, and Luna were. Your mother had no father. There are millions of pony-changeling hybrids and the like because Chrysalis is the Hive Queen now.” “What do you mean, now?” “Well, Chrysalis is Celestia’s twin sister, and she used to be the Ruler of the Land while Celestia was Ruler of the Sky, until Luna came along and the two split their duties. Chrysalis got discord-ed and by the time Celestia found her, because Chrysalis had run off and began her Hive, it was too late. And that’s how changelings were made, basically.” Flurry still looked confused, so Twilight added, “And to finish your ‘History of Equestria’ lesson, the three elder princesses were born as earth humans and given godly powers by Queen Fausticorn as they grew older.” Flurry’s eyebrow was still raised, but she muttered an “Oh.” It was less than a minute before Flurry’s head was in her hands and she was crying. It startled Twilight, and she reached over to give her “daughter” hugs. “What made her do it?” “Who?” Twilight asked. Flurry looked up. Her eyes were flooded and red. “You know who.” Twilight sighed and nodded. “You know what, kid, she loved you so much. More than anyone or anything. She just wanted to spend time with you and honestly....I still don’t understand why she was so overwhelmed. I know raising a child isn’t easy, but she had your father and nothing ever happens in the Crystal Empire. She was just a bad ruler.” Flurry began crying again. “But hey, don’t worry about it. She doesn’t matter anymore. And, if you’re worried about ruling, like I said. Nothing extreme ever happens there.” Flurry stopped crying for a moment, suddenly. “Is she still alive?” Twilight was surprised at the question. “Yes. Celestia thought about killing her because that was what Equestria wanted, but Luna and I managed to hold her in a cell for the rest of her life. She won’t get out.” “Well, if I have one, I want her at my coronation.” Twilight yelled, “What?” “You heard me. I know you will be my mother now, but she gave birth to me. I need her there.” Flurry’s voice was stern, and she still had her head buried. Twilight sighed and hugged Flurry once more. “If that’s what you want.” Twilight began rubbing her forehead. "What's the matter?" Flurry asked. "Well," Twilight said, "I just remembered that I am probably going to be flooded with questions from ponies all across Equestria about you. Not that that's a bad thing really, it's just...I can feel a headache coming on already." Flurry said nothing. Twilight got nervous that she had offended her daughter on her first day of adoption in seventeen years, but after a while, Twilight checked and saw that Flurry had fallen asleep on Twilight's chest with her hands still holding Twilight tightly. GuidanceThe Crystal Castle was always silent. There was no need for sounds now, ever since Spike was killed and Twilight pulled away from her friends, so there were no more parties with music to drift through the hallways. Twilight hated the castle, truly. Her fellow Elements of Harmony had given her the roots of her old library home to make her feel better, but when the elements became worthless and the friendship became stressful, Twilight hated the roots, and threw them in the castle basement. All she ever did those days was read silently, and she never needed to leave the castle for that. But Twilight had never felt happier to give a tour of the Crystal Castle than when she gave the tour to Flurry Heart. She took her daughters hand and pulled threw the hallways, into the corridors, out in the gardens that had grown throughout the years. And, of course, the libraries. However...Twilight could tell that Flurry was bored. Very bored. Twilight knew in her heart that Flurry wanted to begin her training, but Twilight had no idea where to start. Hopefully I can mask that by jumping around like a schoolfilly, Twilight thought. She even went all out with the cooking for every meal. The two chatted over dinner for a while, until things got strangely quiet and Flurry began picking at her food. "Is everything ok?" Twilight asked. "Everything is wonderful," Flurry responded, setting down her fork. "I'm really excited to start training tomorrow but...I just am suddenly filled with incredible doubt about all of this." Flurry sighed. "What do you mean?" "Look at you. You are a bloody princess, Mom. You are so regal, and so perfect in everything that you do." Twilight resisted the urge to laugh. "But...you hate it. And I can see why. I mean, your whole life has gone downhill since you were made a princess. As for me, apparently I've been a princess my whole life but I only just found out. I'm not cut out for this." Flurry stood up and walked back to her room. Twilight stood up. This is what I was afraid of. She quietly shuffled over to Flurry's room and put her head to the door. She could hear quiet sniffling, like a head pressed into a pillow. Twilight bit her lip as she knocked on the door and walked in. Flurry's head was pushed into a pillow, and she did not look up when Twilight walked in. Twilight sat on Flurry's bed and reached for Flurry's hand. "Why don't you think you can do it?" Flurry looked to Twilight. Twilight went on. "You are the most beautiful, and talented, and regal person I know. More than me, more than Princess Celestia, more than Princess Luna..." "More than my mother?" Twilight wiped away a tear on Flurry's cheek. "More than your mother." "What was she like?" Flurry asked quietly. Twilight frowned. "Well...I was very young when I first met her. My brother, your father, was her best friend for a long time before they dated, so I must have been a few months old, at most. She had loved me since the moment she layed eyes on me, not to brag. I always wanted to play with her, until I was your age, I suppose." Twilight brushed a strand of pink hair out of Flurry's eyes. "But I wish you remembered the way she looked at you. There was nothing in her life that she wanted more as a filly or valued more as an adult than a daughter. I know that she would have wanted to have more children but...you know." Flurry said nothing. "I hope you understand that you can do this." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Flurry passed through the training faster than Twilight had expected. She was an amazing public speaker, a whiz in all subjects, and could act as regal as a queen without even trying. She did take a while to learn to "fly," but that was mostly Twilight's fault because she had no idea how to teach somepony how to fly, none the less somepony without wings. All Twilight was worried about was Flurry's evalutation. EvaluationSeeing the sunset-painted doors of Celestia’s study twice in one week was nothing to Twilight. When she attended the School for Gifted Unicorns in her youth, she had entered those doors every morning, afternoon, and night for her twelve years of school. Twilight needed to see Celestia that often, back then. But now, Twilight was incredibly nervous. Deep in her heart, she knew that Flurry Heart would do just fine, but the overpowering thought of “Celestia will be so disappointed” hung over Twilight’s head like a storm cloud. Flurry pushed the heavy doors open. Celestia sat there, with her hands folded neatly, resting atop the large desk. Her eyes showed curiosity, but her lips curled upwards, as always. Twilight once again felt minor. She was standing in a room with two Goddesses, ultimately beautiful, talented, intelligent, above all: Powerful. Why didn’t Celestia invite Luna and make it a party? “Flurry Heart, what an honor.” Celestia said, her words calm and a bit surprised, Twilight suspected. Flurry quickly bowed. “It is my honor, My Queen.” Twilight resisted the urge to face-palm. She knew what Flurry was doing. Normally, in any kingdom, including Equestria, flattery was highly accepted, and very much appreciated in a non-modest way. Flurry was only trying to make herself lesser, and Celestia higher. Twilight knew that Flurry was in no way ready to be known as The True Crystal Princess, and Flurry was trying to get her evaluation off to a good start, but Celestia hated being called a Queen. She had once told Twilight that she felt that it was incredibly disrespectful to the true Queen of Equestria, Queen Lauren, who was currently only a spirit that drifted through dimensions, taking many different forms, and ruling over all in secrecy. Lauren was of course, not Celestia’s real mother, but did decide in her Fate form that it would be young Celestia and Luna to rule Equestria for the next few eons. But how was Flurry supposed to know? Celestia merely raised an eyebrow, and said nothing. She rose from her chair, and directed Flurry and Twilight outside. The three Princesses found themselves in a small room. There was nothing but a table and two chairs. Celestia, politely, asked Twilight to go have a look around, see what’s changed, for that part of the evaluation would take a while. Twilight had toured Canterlot Castle probably thousands of times, and knew nothing would ever change, so she sat. And waited. It took hours, and Twilight was growing nervous. Finally, Flurry and Celestia emerged from the dimly lit room. Celestia whispered to Twilight that she would speak with her later, and Flurry sat and sighed as Celestia walked away. Twilight sat next to her daughter. “What happened in there?” Flurry didn’t look up from her lap. “Well, she just asked me if I, honestly, wanted to be a princess, and I said…” “No,” Twilight finished for her. “Yeah. I’m really sorry, but...like I told you, that’s what I honestly think. Then, she told me that she would help me, and that…” Flurry put her head in her hands. “What?” “She told me that she knew that you weren’t that good of a mentor, and then she called you a bad mother, and I was afraid to say anything because, you know, she’s Celestia. I’m so sorry Mom, I don’t think that you are either of those things.” Flurry paused, and looked up to Twilight. Twilight said nothing. “Then,” Flurry went on, “she sat there, waiting for me to say something. But I was afraid. And then we were done.” Flurry sobbed. “I’m awful! I can’t ever be a Princess!” Twilight still said nothing. She held Flurry’s hand, and pulled her out of the chair. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “You called me a bad mother! What is wrong with you!?” Celestia pursed her lips. “I said nothing of the sort, I can assure you.” Twilight slammed her fists on Celestia’s desk. “Of course. The Princess never lies, I can assure you. I said nothing of the sort, I can assure you. You’re a terrible mother, I can assure you, even though all of my children have died, and it was my fault. I have never seen your parenting skills, I can assure you, though, they are awful.” “Twilight…” “Shut up. Shut up. I swear on Queen Lauren that I will kill you if you ever talk to me or my daughter again. Do you even know how hard that I am working to make sure that she feels loved, and appreciated, and capable? She is the most amazing young woman I have ever met, and I admire her more than I have ever admired you. I can’t believe that you would ever say something like that to anyone, including her.” “Do you really think, that that will change anything?” Celestia folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t even think you understand how selfish you sound right now.” Twilight left, slamming the doors behind her. CoronationThe door slammed open. "I'm here!" "Rarity!" Twilight ran over to Rarity. "What took you so long?" Rarity stepped back a bit. "It's a train, darling. It only goes so fast. Besides, you only told me that you needed me here this morning, so---" Twilight threw her hands up in the air. "I'm sorry! I know we haven't talked for a while and now we have some issues, but Flurry has nothing to wear, no makeup, no extravagant hairstyle...do I need to go on?" "No, dear. I've got it." Rarity quickly went to work. Flurry sat in silence, wringing her hands. Twilight was worried. Rarity finished quickly enough. Twilight took her daughter's hand and led her to the balcony of the Crystal Castle. The crowd cheered. Flurry waved and smiled as she walked to the edge of the balcony. Celestia cleared her throat, silencing the crowd. "We are here today, to honor our Crystal Princess." More cheering. "For seventeen years, the Crystal Empire has survived without a ruler. Today, your broken Crystal Queen is here as well." Twilight gasped. "What?" Out of the door to the balcony, Cadence came. She had slipped into a light, pink gown and someone had gotten her a wig. Twilight grabbed Flurry's hand and pulled her away. "Why is she here?" Flurry pulled away. "I wanted her here. She is my mother." Celestia went on, silencing the 'boos'. "But, Flurry Heart has shown that she is worthy of the crown." Celestia took the beautiful golden crown and placed it on Flurry's head. Flurry smiled. Twilight took Flurry's hand and lifted it into the air. "Your new Crystal Princess, Flurry Heart!" The crowd went wild.
DestinyPrincess Twilight Sparkle let out a sharp breath with every step. Her pace was quick, but she knew that it would do her no good to rush. If the Princesses wanted to see her immediately, she would have to go back to Ponyville to warn her friends of oncoming danger, if there were any. It’s no use, Twilight mumbled to herself, The Elements of Harmony are powerless and I haven’t any time to worry about the new spells piling up on my desk from Celestia. The doors of Celestia’s study brought close, even warm feelings to Twilight. She remembered the first time she had been brought in, as a filly. She was a new student to the Princess, and she was terrified. Twilight laughed. Could I ever have guessed this would be my future? Twilight stopped before her hand pushed the sunset-painted doors open. It has been years since my coronation. My friends grow old without me, yet I stand here as regal as I have ever been. Everyday I wake and ask myself, is this really my truest destiny? Oh great, now I’m even talking like them. This must be my destiny if they rest this power so delicately on my shoulders… Delicately? Twilight shook off any extra thoughts before pushing into the room. Celestia and Luna had been facing away from the entrance to the study, faces deep with concern. Twilight looked at the walls, unable to make eye contact. They were lined with bookshelves so thick and tall you couldn’t even see the walls. In the middle stood a grand desk lined with papers, quills, and ink. “Twilight! What a pleasure it is to see you,” Luna said, possibly with too much enthusiasm, while Celestia put on her signature Princess-smile. Twilight tried to copy it. “As for you, Luna.” Twilight put her hand to her chin, and coughed. “If I’m not mistaken, this was of utmost importance, was it not?” Twilight, will you shut up already? Celestia frowned. “Maybe not of utmost importance per se, but... just have a seat.” Twilight sat, noticing the worried expressions of the two Princesses faces. Celestia cleared her throat. “Twilight, Luna and I both know that ever since your coronation 20 years ago, you have never felt fulfilled with your duties.” Luna bit her lip. “It has been a very long time since we have seen you smile. You don't have any friends to talk to, and Spike was...killed many years ago, so you are all alone.” She turned her head to Celestia. “Remember when she sang the song about you, Cadence, and I had our own kingdoms and things to raise and set and rule?” Celestia nodded, and Luna turned her head back to Twilight. “Twilight, when was the last time you sang?” The question hit Twilight like a bus, and left a hearty sting. Twilight’s lip curled back into a snarl that was very un-ladylike. “I’ll have you both know that I am very happy with everything that I have, and...I am trying! Trying my best to find friends!” She was yelling. “I don’t need to sing! Why should I?” Celestia only blinked. A silence filled the air until: “Please don’t lie.” “What?” Twilight growled. She was an animal, no princess. Luna shook her head quickly. “There’s no need, Princess Sparkle. We came here today to give you an assignment.” It felt as if someone knocked the wind out of Twilight. Yet she smiled. “Really?’ Celestia nodded, calmly. “Twilight, you remember what happened to Cadance, don’t you?” Twilight froze. When Cadance announced to her family and friends that she had a “bun in the oven” as she put it, for one of the few times in her life, Twilight was ecstatic. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Flurry Heart. Twilight didn’t think Cadance could become any softer, but she did. But Cadance was overwhelmed. Ruling a mini-empire is no walk in the park, and with a child it is no easier. Cadance overdosed on caffeine and no matter how hard she tried, she barely ever spent time with her daughter. Shining Armor knew this would happen and warned her multiple times but Cadance would not give it up. She said that the Crystal Empire needed an heir, and though Shining Armor tried to say that they could vote for a prince or princess to rule or something, he eventually went along with having a child. Shining Armor wrote his sister a dreadful letter explaining Cadance’s meltdown. She screamed and cried for hours about how she was an awful mother and hated being a Princess and wanted to die. Twilight knew it was a call for help but Cadance refused and Shining was afraid of his own wife’s capabilities. Some said she was insane. She never showed herself. Cadance pleaded to the elder Princesses to rip off her and her daughter’s wings and strip them of their magic so they could be normal. The Princesses always said that there was no spell allowing them to do it unless the victim committed an awful crime and that no pony offered that kind of surgery because it was too dangerous. So she did it. Cadance murdered her husband. Twilight was so in shock that she couldn’t cry. All of her memories of her BBBFF and her foalsitter faded. She couldn’t be sad or angry. She felt powerless and frozen, as if there was nothing she could do. All of Equestria felt the same way. No villain had ever murdered anyone, (not to say they didn’t do awful things but no murdering) none the less a Princess. Celestia was ashamed to call Cadance her niece. She ripped off her wings and magic and sent her to jail without trial. When Twilight went to visit, she felt not in control of herself. There was no way anypony else was forcing her there, though. It was her mind, loose from the shock. Cadance didn’t even look like herself. She was dirty, had cut off almost all of her mane, her eyes were completely bloodshot and she picked at her fingernails the whole time. When Twilight asked what made her do it, all she said was, “My Flurry Heart. My lovely Flurry.” Flurry, however, was stripped of her wings, magic, and memory and was shipped to an orphanage in Trottingham with a new identity never to be broken. Celestia didn’t even have to force the Crystal Ponies to leave. They were so disgusted they did it themselves. Some asked to be normal ponies with new identities, ashamed to ever follow such a monster. The Crystal Empire was destroyed, with all files left in the Canterlot Secret Archives. Twilight sighed. “How could I forget?” Celestia and Luna hung their heads. Celestia spoke after a moment. “You see, Twilight, it’s time to bring Flurry Heart home.” Twilight felt shocked. “What? Bring her home?” “She has been gone for seventeen years, Twilight,” Luna spoke for her sister. “She doesn’t know who she really is, and we have watched her grow into an amazing woman. She deserves to be a Princess once again.” Twilight tried to grasp her thoughts. “But...Cadance…” Celestia’s face hardened. “It is not Flurry Heart’s fault what her mother has done. And we never said that Flurry has to….meet her mother, or anything drastic of the sort.” Twilight squinted. “Do we really need more Princesses in Equestria?” Celestia pondered it for a moment. Just a mere 6 years ago, Sunset Shimmer was pronounced as the Princess of Redemption, even though Sunset didn’t really plan on staying in Equestria forever. Besides, most kingdoms outside of Equestria needed no more than one figurehead. Celestia then shrugged. “We don’t need more, Twilight, but wait until you meet Flurry again. For all Luna and I care, she could be the Princess of Appleloosa.” The elder Princesses laughed. Twilight groaned. “Is that all? You just wanted to warn me about my competition?” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Of course not. We want you to mentor her.” Twilight’s mouth fell open. “What? Me? Why…” Luna put a hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “As we said before, everyone and their mother knows that being ‘Princess of Friendship’ was never what you desired, even after you became the Element of Magic.” Twilight bristled and Luna removed her hand. “Please, Twilight, Equestria is counting on you.” Twilight had no time to even think of what to say before Celestia covered her mouth with her hands and began to cry. Luna stood up and began to rub her sister’s back and coo a sweet tune. Twilight bit her lip, and Luna shot her a hard look. “I’ll do it,” Twilight said as she straightened her back, but her mentor did not stop crying. Luna squatted and ran a finger across Celestia’s cheek. “She said she’ll do it, sister,” Luna cooed, and Celestia wiped her tears away with a handkerchief. So regal, Twilight thought, and shifted uncomfortably. Celestia sighed. “It’s not that.” She looked at Twilight, her crimson eyes shining with guilt. “I have always known you weren’t satisfied, but I believed that you would find something to do to occupy yourself.” Twilight rubbed her arm. “But, now I see that you are truly unhappy. Why should I make anyone a Princess if there are no more tasks that need to be done?” Celestia lowered her head into her hands. “It ends up with disastrous results, anyway.” Twilight had no choice but to lean to her Princess and hold her tightly. “Do not worry yourself, now.” Twilight tried to mimic the words and tone that Celestia spoke in when trying to calm Twilight. “I’ll help you, Celestia. The Crystal Princess shall return.” Celestia’s head was still in her hands, but she smiled. “So,” Twilight asked, “what do I do first?” Luna turned to Twilight. “Go to the Peace Blossoms Orphan Home in Trottingham, where you shall ask to adopt a young mare named Glowing Prism. I’m positive that you shall recognize her, but if not…” Luna pulled out a small scroll from her pocket. “She is a tall young woman with baby pink and blue locks cut short, and she has brilliant, blue eyes. She’s often found playing piano or helping younger children.” Luna handed Twilight the scroll. Twilight nodded her head with thanks. “I shall pack my things immediately,” Twilight said. The words rolled off her tongue like sweet syrup. Twilight was welcoming the thought of being a true Princess. She left the castle feeling proud.
EncounterTwilight flew all the way to Trottingham. She twirled and flipped in the air as she was filled with adrenaline. Her memories as a unicorn flooded back into her mind. All she ever did was read. Mostly about Starswirl the Bearded, the greatest mentor ever known. Twilight stopped twirling. This is all I have ever wanted. Why? Twilight frowned. Though she was still happy, she knew that when she was a unicorn, she dreamed of having enough knowledge to share. But now? What was she willing to teach Flurry Heart? What is she willing to learn? Twilight landed. She stumbled on her feet as she looked up. What she saw was a neighborhood, a rough ghetto. Broken windows and trash stood all around her. Tall buildings hung eerily overhead. A building stood before Twilight. It was made of brick and wasn’t as tall of broken as the others. A sign hung above the door: “Peace Blossoms Orphan Home.” Twilight unrolled the scroll and looked at it with fear. She was unsure of what to expect, even though Luna had drawn a very descriptive drawing. The woman in the drawing was sitting at a piano, singing. Notes flew from her mouth, and Twilight could almost hear her sweet song. Twilight’s heart opened at the thought of mentoring Flurry Heart. There was no fear. Nothing could go wrong now. Twilight pushed the door open, slowly. The room that stood before her wasn’t much to look at. It was dark, with no lights, only small bits of sunshine flowing through the windows. Black and white tile on the floor was dirty and chipped, as well as the walls with wallpaper peeling. Twilight shuffled forward to a desk where a woman was writing something in a notebook. The woman had long, crescent moon glasses and a picture of a kid on her desk with a big goofy grin and her two front teeth missing. Twilight smiled at the woman’s friendly face, her fear fading once again. What am I so afraid of? The woman coughed. “Can I help you...miss?” The woman had looked up to see the Princess of Friendship standing before her. She stumbled to her feet before bowing, but, as she always did, Twilight waved the bow away. “Yes, I am looking for…” Twilight checked her scroll. “Glowing Prism. I would like to adopt her.” The woman smiled, her face wrinkling. “Your Highness, you are just in time for her concert. Right this way please.” The woman let out a hand towards a dark corridor. Twilight rose up the stairs with as much elegance as she could muster. Her heart was beating fast, and she was excited. She would see Flurry Heart play, not as Glowing Prism. As Flurry Heart. The true Crystal Princess. Twilight found a surprisingly large concert hall, with children sitting in ragged seats, bouncing up and down eagerly. Twilight sat and put her hood around her face, hoping no one else would recognize her. The lights dimmed, and a spotlight shone on Flurry Heart, who had entered the hall quietly, Twilight not even noticing. Flurry Heart was beautiful. Her chiseled features were cut gracefully by the spotlight, and her hourglass figure was cut by a maroon cloak, surprisingly not all that different than the one Twilight was wearing. And then she began to play. Twilight started crying immediately. The tune began slow, and sad, but rose. Rose into a melody so perfect that Twilight could have listened to it over and over and over until she hated it. Twilight recognized it as one of the older Crystal Empire songs, a song of hope and glory, but above all: redemption. As if Flurry already knew her past and her future, she played the song greater than any musician before her. When the song was over, the crowd cheered and sobbed and threw roses and cheered some more. Twilight couldn’t move as she wept and wept, the song reaching down into her heart and soul and holding on tight. Her memories of her BBBFF flooded back into her mind, as well as her memories of Cadance. There was no way that Flurry could disappoint her. The concert was over then, and Twilight along with the orphan children to congratulate Flurry, or Prism as they called her, before she disappeared into the shadows again. Flurry thanked everyone and hugged and kissed them all on the cheeks. Twilight sighed with bliss as Flurry spoke. Her voice reminded Twilight so much of Cadance, who had been Twilight's number one source of comfort when she was a child. Twilight tapped Flurry Heart on the shoulder, pulling her hood on tight to make sure that no one but Flurry would see her. Flurry waved goodbye to the last child as she turned around and looked as if she was about to scream. “Princess Twi---” Twilight clapped her hand over Flurry’s mouth, which made Flurry shut up and reel back a bit, as it must have hurt. Twilight said sorry over and over as she led Flurry into a corner. “I’m gonna let go, and you’re not gonna let anyone know that I’m here, ok?” Flurry nodded and sighed as Twilight let go. Flurry leaned in and whispered, “Princess Twilight?” Twilight looked around the room before removing her hood and shaking free her long mane. She smiled. “That’s me.” “What are you doing here? Does anyone else know that you are here? Why shouldn’t I tell them?” Flurry asked, speaking so rapidly that her words blended into one long sentence. Twilight waved her hand. “One at a time, kid. Listen, we have to talk. Is there somewhere private we can go?” Flurry nodded and reached for the Princess’s arm. Twilight did not object as Flurry pulled her along. Flurry led to what Twilight assumed was her room. The walls were painted baby pink and the carpet probably used to be white. Toys were scattered across the floor (that Twilight assumed were other chidrens’) and posters hung on the wall. Flurry told Twilight to sit on her bed and Flurry pulled out some tea to brew. Flurry handed Twilight a cup, and they took a few sips each. Twilight smiled. It was peppermint, Cadance’s favorite. “You know, you really are a spitting image of your mother.” Flurry Heart lowered the teacup from her lips. “Excuse me?” Twilight reached for her niece’s hand. Flurry did not pull away. “I need to tell you some things.” So all throughout the afternoon, Twilight wove the tragic tale of Flurry’s parents and how Twilight wished to mentor Flurry. Flurry, however, kept a straight face until the end, when she began to cry. Twilight pulled her niece into a hug. “I’m so sorry. This isn’t going to be easy. I know. And it can’t be any better hearing this all at once.” Flurry pulled a handkerchief out of her nightstand and wiped her eyes and nose. “So...I’m the lost Crystal Princess?” Twilight nodded and Flurry sighed. “I think that would be magical but...my parents…” “When your father was alive, he loved you more than anything. Your mother loves you too.” Flurry bit her lip. “I’ve been Glowing Prism as long as I can remember. I’m the reason that this orphanage is still in business, and the reason that some of these kids haven’t killed themselves yet. I can’t just leave this all behind. Besides….” Flurry pulled up her robes to her waist, revealing her cutie mark, a crystal heart with a snowflake carved into it. “This is why I have this.” Twilight touched the mark gently. “You do realize how similar this is to your mother’s, don’t you? And that only princesses receive their cutie marks?” Although everyone comes up with their talent in their lifetime, Princesses magically receive tattoos of their talent turned into a design on both of their thighs. Flurry released her robes from her tight grip. “I thought I was just special. You are the only person I have ever shown those marks to.” Tears filled her eyes again, and she reached for Twilight’s grip. A compassion had filled Twilight’s heart, one that she had never felt before. It was quite motherly, in a way. Flurry pressed deep into Twilight’s embrace, and Twilight hummed and stroked Flurry’s mane soothingly. Very quickly, Flurry stopped crying. Twilight whispered in Flurry’s ear. “It’s going to be ok, I promise. I’ll be your mother now.” Flurry laughed and Twilight kissed her forehead.
HistoryTwilight and Flurry agreed that when Flurry was Princess of the Crystal Empire once again, the Peace Blossoms Orphan Home would be moved to the Crystal Empire so the children would never have to be apart from the woman they lived for. Twilight and Flurry rode the train back to Ponyville, and Flurry must have cried out all of her tears because she was acting more excited than Twilight had ever seen Pinkie Pie get. “So when do I get my wings and my magic?” Flurry asked again, stroking Twilight’s left wing delicately. Twilight sighed. “I’m afraid that won’t come for a while. We will finish your training and then Celestia will test you, as she did me. If she feels you are ready, she will give you your wings, magic, and most importantly: your kingdom. If not, we will go back to training.” “What is there for me to learn anyway?” “Plenty of things, including flying and magic lessons before and after your coronation so you won’t be a total dork like I was,” Twilight said with a smirk. Flurry laughed, but then frowned. “Did Celestia not teach you?” Twilight did not know what to say for a moment. “Well, you see...Celestia had taught me everything she knew about magic, and that with the fact that my friends had taught me about friendship were the reasons I became a Princess in the first place. But, Celestia didn’t really care about teaching me anything else.” Twilight folded her arms and snapped her wing back into place behind her back. “She’s not as good of a mentor as she’s cracked up to be. But don’t tell her I said that.” Flurry rested her hands in her lap and began to swing her feet. “So...Celestia is my grandmother? Wow.” “Great-aunt,” Twilight corrected. Flurry cocked her head and raised and eyebrow. “Then who is my grandmother? Certainly not Luna...right?” Twilight shook her head. “Chrysalis is your grandmother.” Flurry’s eyes and mouth opened wide. “What?” Twilight nodded. “Don’t worry about it. You’re mother was a gift from Fausticorn, like Chrysalis, Celestia, and Luna were. Your mother had no father. There are millions of pony-changeling hybrids and the like because Chrysalis is the Hive Queen now.” “What do you mean, now?” “Well, Chrysalis is Celestia’s twin sister, and she used to be the Ruler of the Land while Celestia was Ruler of the Sky, until Luna came along and the two split their duties. Chrysalis got discord-ed and by the time Celestia found her, because Chrysalis had run off and began her Hive, it was too late. And that’s how changelings were made, basically.” Flurry still looked confused, so Twilight added, “And to finish your ‘History of Equestria’ lesson, the three elder princesses were born as earth humans and given godly powers by Queen Fausticorn as they grew older.” Flurry’s eyebrow was still raised, but she muttered an “Oh.” It was less than a minute before Flurry’s head was in her hands and she was crying. It startled Twilight, and she reached over to give her “daughter” hugs. “What made her do it?” “Who?” Twilight asked. Flurry looked up. Her eyes were flooded and red. “You know who.” Twilight sighed and nodded. “You know what, kid, she loved you so much. More than anyone or anything. She just wanted to spend time with you and honestly....I still don’t understand why she was so overwhelmed. I know raising a child isn’t easy, but she had your father and nothing ever happens in the Crystal Empire. She was just a bad ruler.” Flurry began crying again. “But hey, don’t worry about it. She doesn’t matter anymore. And, if you’re worried about ruling, like I said. Nothing extreme ever happens there.” Flurry stopped crying for a moment, suddenly. “Is she still alive?” Twilight was surprised at the question. “Yes. Celestia thought about killing her because that was what Equestria wanted, but Luna and I managed to hold her in a cell for the rest of her life. She won’t get out.” “Well, if I have one, I want her at my coronation.” Twilight yelled, “What?” “You heard me. I know you will be my mother now, but she gave birth to me. I need her there.” Flurry’s voice was stern, and she still had her head buried. Twilight sighed and hugged Flurry once more. “If that’s what you want.” Twilight began rubbing her forehead. "What's the matter?" Flurry asked. "Well," Twilight said, "I just remembered that I am probably going to be flooded with questions from ponies all across Equestria about you. Not that that's a bad thing really, it's just...I can feel a headache coming on already." Flurry said nothing. Twilight got nervous that she had offended her daughter on her first day of adoption in seventeen years, but after a while, Twilight checked and saw that Flurry had fallen asleep on Twilight's chest with her hands still holding Twilight tightly.
GuidanceThe Crystal Castle was always silent. There was no need for sounds now, ever since Spike was killed and Twilight pulled away from her friends, so there were no more parties with music to drift through the hallways. Twilight hated the castle, truly. Her fellow Elements of Harmony had given her the roots of her old library home to make her feel better, but when the elements became worthless and the friendship became stressful, Twilight hated the roots, and threw them in the castle basement. All she ever did those days was read silently, and she never needed to leave the castle for that. But Twilight had never felt happier to give a tour of the Crystal Castle than when she gave the tour to Flurry Heart. She took her daughters hand and pulled threw the hallways, into the corridors, out in the gardens that had grown throughout the years. And, of course, the libraries. However...Twilight could tell that Flurry was bored. Very bored. Twilight knew in her heart that Flurry wanted to begin her training, but Twilight had no idea where to start. Hopefully I can mask that by jumping around like a schoolfilly, Twilight thought. She even went all out with the cooking for every meal. The two chatted over dinner for a while, until things got strangely quiet and Flurry began picking at her food. "Is everything ok?" Twilight asked. "Everything is wonderful," Flurry responded, setting down her fork. "I'm really excited to start training tomorrow but...I just am suddenly filled with incredible doubt about all of this." Flurry sighed. "What do you mean?" "Look at you. You are a bloody princess, Mom. You are so regal, and so perfect in everything that you do." Twilight resisted the urge to laugh. "But...you hate it. And I can see why. I mean, your whole life has gone downhill since you were made a princess. As for me, apparently I've been a princess my whole life but I only just found out. I'm not cut out for this." Flurry stood up and walked back to her room. Twilight stood up. This is what I was afraid of. She quietly shuffled over to Flurry's room and put her head to the door. She could hear quiet sniffling, like a head pressed into a pillow. Twilight bit her lip as she knocked on the door and walked in. Flurry's head was pushed into a pillow, and she did not look up when Twilight walked in. Twilight sat on Flurry's bed and reached for Flurry's hand. "Why don't you think you can do it?" Flurry looked to Twilight. Twilight went on. "You are the most beautiful, and talented, and regal person I know. More than me, more than Princess Celestia, more than Princess Luna..." "More than my mother?" Twilight wiped away a tear on Flurry's cheek. "More than your mother." "What was she like?" Flurry asked quietly. Twilight frowned. "Well...I was very young when I first met her. My brother, your father, was her best friend for a long time before they dated, so I must have been a few months old, at most. She had loved me since the moment she layed eyes on me, not to brag. I always wanted to play with her, until I was your age, I suppose." Twilight brushed a strand of pink hair out of Flurry's eyes. "But I wish you remembered the way she looked at you. There was nothing in her life that she wanted more as a filly or valued more as an adult than a daughter. I know that she would have wanted to have more children but...you know." Flurry said nothing. "I hope you understand that you can do this." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Flurry passed through the training faster than Twilight had expected. She was an amazing public speaker, a whiz in all subjects, and could act as regal as a queen without even trying. She did take a while to learn to "fly," but that was mostly Twilight's fault because she had no idea how to teach somepony how to fly, none the less somepony without wings. All Twilight was worried about was Flurry's evalutation.
EvaluationSeeing the sunset-painted doors of Celestia’s study twice in one week was nothing to Twilight. When she attended the School for Gifted Unicorns in her youth, she had entered those doors every morning, afternoon, and night for her twelve years of school. Twilight needed to see Celestia that often, back then. But now, Twilight was incredibly nervous. Deep in her heart, she knew that Flurry Heart would do just fine, but the overpowering thought of “Celestia will be so disappointed” hung over Twilight’s head like a storm cloud. Flurry pushed the heavy doors open. Celestia sat there, with her hands folded neatly, resting atop the large desk. Her eyes showed curiosity, but her lips curled upwards, as always. Twilight once again felt minor. She was standing in a room with two Goddesses, ultimately beautiful, talented, intelligent, above all: Powerful. Why didn’t Celestia invite Luna and make it a party? “Flurry Heart, what an honor.” Celestia said, her words calm and a bit surprised, Twilight suspected. Flurry quickly bowed. “It is my honor, My Queen.” Twilight resisted the urge to face-palm. She knew what Flurry was doing. Normally, in any kingdom, including Equestria, flattery was highly accepted, and very much appreciated in a non-modest way. Flurry was only trying to make herself lesser, and Celestia higher. Twilight knew that Flurry was in no way ready to be known as The True Crystal Princess, and Flurry was trying to get her evaluation off to a good start, but Celestia hated being called a Queen. She had once told Twilight that she felt that it was incredibly disrespectful to the true Queen of Equestria, Queen Lauren, who was currently only a spirit that drifted through dimensions, taking many different forms, and ruling over all in secrecy. Lauren was of course, not Celestia’s real mother, but did decide in her Fate form that it would be young Celestia and Luna to rule Equestria for the next few eons. But how was Flurry supposed to know? Celestia merely raised an eyebrow, and said nothing. She rose from her chair, and directed Flurry and Twilight outside. The three Princesses found themselves in a small room. There was nothing but a table and two chairs. Celestia, politely, asked Twilight to go have a look around, see what’s changed, for that part of the evaluation would take a while. Twilight had toured Canterlot Castle probably thousands of times, and knew nothing would ever change, so she sat. And waited. It took hours, and Twilight was growing nervous. Finally, Flurry and Celestia emerged from the dimly lit room. Celestia whispered to Twilight that she would speak with her later, and Flurry sat and sighed as Celestia walked away. Twilight sat next to her daughter. “What happened in there?” Flurry didn’t look up from her lap. “Well, she just asked me if I, honestly, wanted to be a princess, and I said…” “No,” Twilight finished for her. “Yeah. I’m really sorry, but...like I told you, that’s what I honestly think. Then, she told me that she would help me, and that…” Flurry put her head in her hands. “What?” “She told me that she knew that you weren’t that good of a mentor, and then she called you a bad mother, and I was afraid to say anything because, you know, she’s Celestia. I’m so sorry Mom, I don’t think that you are either of those things.” Flurry paused, and looked up to Twilight. Twilight said nothing. “Then,” Flurry went on, “she sat there, waiting for me to say something. But I was afraid. And then we were done.” Flurry sobbed. “I’m awful! I can’t ever be a Princess!” Twilight still said nothing. She held Flurry’s hand, and pulled her out of the chair. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “You called me a bad mother! What is wrong with you!?” Celestia pursed her lips. “I said nothing of the sort, I can assure you.” Twilight slammed her fists on Celestia’s desk. “Of course. The Princess never lies, I can assure you. I said nothing of the sort, I can assure you. You’re a terrible mother, I can assure you, even though all of my children have died, and it was my fault. I have never seen your parenting skills, I can assure you, though, they are awful.” “Twilight…” “Shut up. Shut up. I swear on Queen Lauren that I will kill you if you ever talk to me or my daughter again. Do you even know how hard that I am working to make sure that she feels loved, and appreciated, and capable? She is the most amazing young woman I have ever met, and I admire her more than I have ever admired you. I can’t believe that you would ever say something like that to anyone, including her.” “Do you really think, that that will change anything?” Celestia folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t even think you understand how selfish you sound right now.” Twilight left, slamming the doors behind her.
CoronationThe door slammed open. "I'm here!" "Rarity!" Twilight ran over to Rarity. "What took you so long?" Rarity stepped back a bit. "It's a train, darling. It only goes so fast. Besides, you only told me that you needed me here this morning, so---" Twilight threw her hands up in the air. "I'm sorry! I know we haven't talked for a while and now we have some issues, but Flurry has nothing to wear, no makeup, no extravagant hairstyle...do I need to go on?" "No, dear. I've got it." Rarity quickly went to work. Flurry sat in silence, wringing her hands. Twilight was worried. Rarity finished quickly enough. Twilight took her daughter's hand and led her to the balcony of the Crystal Castle. The crowd cheered. Flurry waved and smiled as she walked to the edge of the balcony. Celestia cleared her throat, silencing the crowd. "We are here today, to honor our Crystal Princess." More cheering. "For seventeen years, the Crystal Empire has survived without a ruler. Today, your broken Crystal Queen is here as well." Twilight gasped. "What?" Out of the door to the balcony, Cadence came. She had slipped into a light, pink gown and someone had gotten her a wig. Twilight grabbed Flurry's hand and pulled her away. "Why is she here?" Flurry pulled away. "I wanted her here. She is my mother." Celestia went on, silencing the 'boos'. "But, Flurry Heart has shown that she is worthy of the crown." Celestia took the beautiful golden crown and placed it on Flurry's head. Flurry smiled. Twilight took Flurry's hand and lifted it into the air. "Your new Crystal Princess, Flurry Heart!" The crowd went wild.
