Twilight closed her eyes, all of her senses dimmed as a white orb enveloped her body. The second she was fully engulfed, an icy sensation rushed through her body, followed by warmth; as if the air had become as thick as a blanket. Taking a chance, Twilight slowly opened her eyes and Immediately noticed the white alicorn standing in front of her.
“Princess Celestia? Where are we?” Twilight asked while giving her teacher a hug. Twilight couldn’t help but feel calm; looking at the soft pastel colors that made up the space they were in.
"This is my realm, Twilight. It’s a parallel universe of my own creation.” Celestia turned around and started walking the opposite way. Twilight quickly followed, a million questions racing through her mind.
“Why are we here though? Why did you...or rather the Elements send me here?”
Twilight heard a small wisp of wind that sounded like a melody, before Celestia started singing a gentle ballad.
You’ve come such a long, long way...
and I’ve watched you from that very first day…
to see how you might grow…
to see what you might do…
to see what you’ve been through…
and all the ways you’ve made me proud of you.
Videos of Twilight’s memories since moving to Ponyville, started to appear before them. “Now it’s time for you to make a choice. You have proven that you’re ready.”
“Ready? Ready for what?” Twilight took a step back, waiting for a response. A couple seconds later, Celestia smiled before nuzzling Twilight.
“You have proven that you’re ready to become an alicorn. To become a princess of Equestria.”
“A...princess?” Twilight felt her legs buckle, making her fall to the invisible floor. Shaking her head, Celestia walked over to Twilight and placed a gentle hoof on her withers.
“I understand that this is a lot to take in, and consider.”
“Why...why me?” Twilight whispered, looking down at her hooves.
Celestia let out a little sigh, thinking of the best way to answer her question. “Since moving to Ponyville you have demonstrated that you hold all the aspects required, by learning from your friends, along with your successes and failures. Ever since the first day we met, I’ve always known you were special.”
“Did you plan on ascending me, this entire time?” Twilight interrupted, while mentally going through the day of her entrance exam.
“No. When I first met you, you were such an amazing filly. Not just because of your magical abilities, but rather your integrity and ability to grow. Afterwards, you had received your cutie mark. The mark of the Element of Magic. What most ponies don’t realize, is that the Element of Magic is based off more than just a ponies magical ability. As with the other Elements, they choose their own barriers. They looked into your soul, and saw who you truly are, and to find themselves. In other words, they are a part of you.” Celestia casted an illusion spell, allowing Twilight to see an image of her crown.
Twilight stared at the crown for a couple seconds, before looking back towards her teacher. “So, the Element chose me to become a princess?”
“In a way, yes. The Elements allow all who have used them, to share a connection. The Element’s power had turned to Luna and I to make the decision to give you one final test, in order to make sure that you were ready.”
Twilight took a deep breath, starting to understand a little more about the Elements and the situation. “Wait. You threw my life, and my friends lives into more chaos than a drunk Discord, as a test?”
Celestia couldn’t help but pale slightly, before letting out an ‘innocent’ cough. “In my defense, Luna had chosen the spell to give you.”
Taking another deep breath, Twilight stood up before helping Celestia stand up. “Princess, with all due respect to you, Luna, and the Elements, I’m afraid that I can’t do it.”
Celestia took a step back, slightly in shock. “You’re rejecting the ascension?”
“My entire life I have faced one struggle after another. From depression to my OCD, the deaths in my family, to bullying and all the way up to fighting a literal God of Chaos. While I wouldn’t take away anything from my past, I’m afraid that becoming an alicorn and a princess will become too much for me to handle. That’s not saying that I wouldn't change my mind in the future, but as of right now my life is going pretty good. I don’t want to change that. I want to live and die with my friends and family. I want to live as normal of a life that I can get...”
Twilight started rubbing her right forehoof with her left, trying her best to maintain eye contact with her teacher. “As a princess, I wouldn’t get that opportunity. I’d have a responsibility to Equestria, greater than that of what I already have. The cost is just too large for me to pay at the present moment. I’m sorry Princess.” Looking down, Twilight felt herself start breathing harder. Sadness and guilt running through her veins, causing her body to go cold.
Celestia gently lifted Twilight’s head with her hoof. Twilight looked up to see a soft motherly smile that made her feel like a filly again. “Only you can truly know when you’re ready. If and when you are, I hope you know that we will always welcome you with open hooves.”
“Thank you, Princess. And I’m sorry for disappointing you. I can only imagine how much you were looking forward to this day.”
Celestia wrapped her wing around Twilight and pulled her close, into a hug. “I’m not disappointed. In fact, I’m proud of you. You thought it through, instead of rushing into a decision. That’s a sign of a true and confident leader. I doesn't matter that you’re not a princess, or even that you’re an Element barrier. You are an amazing mare, no matter what. I can only imagine what you’re going to accomplish in the future. I’m proud to call you my daughter.” Celestia smiled, noticing Twilight start to tear up. It took every bit of willpower, not to start tearing up herself.
“I love you, Twilight.”
“I love you too, Princess.”
Breaking the hug, Celestia used her wing tip to wipe the tears from Twilight’s eyes, her motherly instincts taking over. “Now let’s get you home. It’s been a long day.”
