The Derpy I Know And Love Volume 4: And The Children Shall Lead

My Dearest Student Twilight,

My sister informed me of your situation with the found feeling with your friends when it happened. Love is such a special thing, enjoy it and make the most of it. And for what it’s worth, I applaud you for being able to be public with such an issue which might be hard to explain to the common pony.

I also thank you for being up-front with me in you telling me you had to disclose the details about your position to your loved ones. In this case it was perhaps the wisest decision. Please, for now, keep the knowledge to the fewest ponies possible.

As far as suggestion of ‘living arrangements’, Luna and I have thought about it and we think it’s time for you to go to the next level of your education/training.

You and Dawn will rule Equestria one day. That day is still in the far future, but you need to start learning some of workings of statecraft, diplomacy and how a government is run. Plus it’ll make it easier on Dawn to get expanded training at the school without having to worry with the commute to and from Ponyville.

The two of you will also need to learn one of the most important parts of this position. The raising and lowering of the sun and moon. Along with my special position of guardian and guide of the dead.

This is going to be hard on you, especially after all you’ve been through. But you’ll not be able to learn these things in Ponyville.

And so, I’m officially recalling you to Canterlot to start the next phase of your life. Your wife(s) and family are of course welcome and I’m sure you’ll be able to use their talents. You’ll, after all, be needing your own advisors and cabinet members.

I’ll remind you that there’s plenty of room at Canterlot castle, but also the home owned by Muffins is a rather large dwelling and might meet your needs.

I’ll be expecting you to visit with me in the next few days so we can get this arrangement started. As well as planning the ceremony to elevate you to ‘Crown Princess’.

Yours,

Princess Celestia

Twilight had gathered all her friends and lovers along with the involved children. Twilight had already disclosed the contents of the princesses’ letter to Muffins, Rainbow and Pinkie. It was the first Rarity, Applejack and the others had heard of this, Twilight did skip the references to her position. All ponies were in a very thoughtful mood.

“Twilight Darling,” said Rarity, “I suppose for you in particular, you don’t have much choice in this, do you?”

“No Rarity, I guess I could resign but there’s no telling what the consequences would be for me.” Said Twilight, “but I really don’t want to quit, it’s what I’ve been training for most of my life.

My biggest concern is what it’ll mean to my friends here in Ponyville. I’ve lived here over ten years. I’ve made wonderful friends, found love, raised a family and have felt the pain of the loss of one close to me. Ponyville will always be an important part of the pony I am.”

“Twilight, Baby and I know we’ve not been part of your ‘inner circle’, and with all you’ve been through, it may’ve been a good thing.” Said Lyra Heartstrings, “but know the ponies of Ponyville have been proud of you being a member of this community. We’ll miss you and know Ponyville will always be here for you. And perhaps, if you don’t ascend too much on high, we could have an Old Mare’s Club meeting at Canterlot Castle sometime.”

“Most definitely!” said Twilight with a smile. “And I’m sure whatever pony goes with me, we’ll try our best to make the meetings.”

“And what ponies are going with you?” asked AJ.

“We’ve talked among ourselves and have come to a conclusion.” Said Twilight, “Muffins and Dawn are going to go with me, that goes without saying. Because of our situation, Rainbow and Pinkie are going as well.

The princess said that I’ll have to have a cabinet and advisors. I’ll be relying on help from Rainbow for my dealings with the weather bureau. Pinkie and Muffins are happy to be ‘house wives’.

Other positions will be filled as they come open.

But I mostly wanted to ask Applejack about looking into the situation at Sweet Apple Acres and how much help now exists with her cousin Carmel working there.”

AJ just gave a questioning look.

“I’m going to need an advisor on agriculture and I couldn’t think of a pony more well suited.

Plus I know Rarity’s dream has always been to live in Canterlot and design dresses for royalty. I’m not royalty, yet, but I’m going to be considered nobility. And I’m sure there will be enough state functions that proper dresses will be needed. Plus I can’t think of any socialite in Canterlot who wouldn’t want clothing from the designer that makes clothing for the Crown Princess.”

“Making dresses for the Crown Princess!” exclaimed Rarity. Her knees started to buckle, AJ had to prop her up, “in Canterlot!”

“I don’t think I’ve any choice now.” Said AJ with a smile. “If’n I said no, it’ll be very lonely sleeping by myself!”

“What about Spikie-Wikie?” asked Rarity.

“Princess Celestia has assigned him to the Crystal Empire for the time being.” Twilight said, sounding a little sad. “That’s because the crystal mountains are an ideal place for a dragon to take a nap. It turns out from time to time, a dragon has to take a special nap for them to grow correctly. I suggest all ponies who wish to see him off, do so as soon as possible. Dragon naps are one hundred years long. It’s doubtful any pony here will be able to see him again in their lifetime.”

“And what about us?” asked Dinky.

She and Scootaloo were standing nearby.

“Well my dear daughter,” said Twilight, “you and Scootaloo are adults. And I think you should be given the chance to live as such. You’re welcome to come with us to live in Canterlot. Or you can do what we know you can do.

Dinky, if you want, you’re the new Chief Librarian of Ponyville.

“And Scootaloo,” said Rainbow, “you’re the new head of the Ponyville Weather Department.”

The two mares looked at each other, Dinky nodded her head and smiles grew on their faces. However, the kiss they shared was a surprise. When they broke the kiss they looked at their parents.

“Well I’ll be!” exclaimed Rainbow.

“Dinky?” said Muffins.

Twilight and Pinkie tried not to laugh.

“We were going to tell you,” said Dinky.

“We’ve been keeping it secret for years,” said Scootaloo. “We’ve just kept it a better secret than you did. We couldn’t help it, now she’s my sweet little Cookie.”

“And she’s my Scootie,” said Dinky. “We are and have been in love for some time now.”

“We’re sorry,” said Scootaloo, looking a little embarrassed, “Dinky and I enjoyed the kiss during the Spin the Bottle game, just like Sweetie and Diamond.”

“Scootie and I ended up doing what Diamond and Sweetie didn’t do. With each other, not our dates.” Said Dinky, “but when we heard how proud you were of their control, we thought it best to keep it to ourselves.”

“What did you think we were doing when all of you were having your ‘get-togethers’, or when we were ‘studying’ late into the night?” asked Scootaloo, both mares blushed. “But we wanted and still want our mothers to be proud of us.”

“Oh Honey,” said Muffins embracing Dinky, “we would’ve been just as proud of you if we would’ve known.”

“And it might’ve been easier on you two if you would’ve been open about it.” Said Twilight joining the hug.

“And I can’t think of anything you’d do that would make us not be proud of you,” said Rainbow embracing her daughter. “You are my daughter after all.”

They all chuckled.

“We love you and want you to be happy,” said Pinkie pulling the six of them into a larger group hug, “and I approve of your marefriend. It kind of binds all of us together even more.

But Scootaloo, do you realize that you’ve been boinking your sister? ”

They all laughed.

When the group hug ended, Sweetie Belle, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Apple Bloom all gathered around and congratulated their two friends. They all were now fully in the adult world.

The remainder of the original Mane Six and Muffins start new lives in Canterlot. There they assist Twilight and Dawn in their path to their ultimate destiny. They stay in touch with their sisters and daughters who have stepped up to fill their horseshoes back in Ponyville. But the demands of court and the intrigue that can develop will test their metal.

For the ones left behind in Ponyville, there will be tests for them that will place them on the same footing as the six hero ponies that came before them. Can they face threats as dire as any the Mane Six had faced? And will they find inspiration from those who came before?