For Twilight Sparkle, the hardest part about being a princess was the lack of free time. Just a week ago, she was living happily in Ponyville with her five best friends. Oh, and Spike. But then Princess Celestia said those words that Twilight hated hearing.

"My Sister and I have decided...it is time for us to retire!"

Flash forward to a few weeks later, and Twilight was here, listening to citizens complain, filling out paperwork, and, her least favorite part, stressing out.

Am I doing something wrong? I hope I filled out this paperwork correctly! Oh! I am so sorry to hear about your son! I hope he gets better soon!

And so it was.
Day after day, responsibility after responsibility with no time for herself.
But at least her friends were there to help. On the announcement of their Retirement, Princesses Luna and Celestia surprised everypony with the coronation, by coronating not just Twilight as the riser and lowerer of the sun and moon, but also by coronating her five friends as Princesses, as well. Twilight remembered smiling as Pinkie Pie began zooming around the castle with her new pair of wings, and how Rainbow Dash couldn't stop staring at her new horn for the next week.

"Excuse me, I'm here to see a Princess Twilight?"

Twilight flashed back to the present to see Ponyville's resident mailmare, Derpy Hooves, smiling up at her. "Derpy, hi! To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Oh, I'm here to deliver this package to you! It's from Celestia!"

"Huh. Why didn't she just send it through Spike?"

"Well, I don't know".

Taking the parcel, Twilight smiled at Derpy. "Thanks,
Derpy! I hope you're having a good day!".

"I am! How about you?", the wall-eyed mare responded curiously.

Twilight sighed. "I'll be fine. I've just been working all day, I don't know when the last time I caught a break was".

"I'm sorry", Derpy sympathized. "Well, I have to get home. See you later!"

"Bye".

As Derpy flew off, Twilight turned her attention to the parcel in front of her. Using her magic to open the box, she found a note at the top of the package.

My Dear Student,
I am aware of the stress that has been put upon you during this new chapter of your life. I want you to remember that you have your friends to help you. However, in case you need some extra help, I have sent in this package a gift for you. Use it wisely, and only when necessary.
Sincerely,
Celestia

That was odd. Of course, she remembered her friends! Just earlier today, she had a wonderful lunch with Fluttershy. Of course, it was cut off when Fluttershy received word of her rabbit, Angel. The poor guy was undergoing a terrible sickness, and Fluttershy rushed home immediately. Then there was Rainbow Dash, but she had her hands full with the School Of Friendship. Applejack? Well, realizing she could harvest all the apples in a split second with her new horn, she took to assisting Rainbow with the school. The two of them had their hooves full all week, so Twilight didn't want to disturb them just because she was feeling stressed out. What about Rarity? Ah, yes, she had flown off to Manehattan for the week to attend a fashion gala. Twilight remembered her making a big deal about it. "Oh, I must simply make this the best gala possible!", she had exclaimed. "The cast of Hamareton will be there this year!". Why the cast of a famous Skyway show was attending a fashion gala, Twilight had no clue. Oh, and then there was Pinkie Pie, who found baking much quicker and easier with her horn. This surprised Twilight, however. Pinkie had this odd ability, even before she became an alicorn, of producing a freshly-baked dessert before you could even blink your eyes.

Wow, Twilight realized, all her friends were really busy now. Still, she looked forward to the weekend, when all of this would be over and she could finally relax with her friends. Twilight was busy thinking about her friends when Spike came in from the kitchen.

"Hey, Twilight. I just heard Derpy. Was there anything for me?"

"Wha-? Oh, hey Spike. No, there wasn't".

"Aww...", the dragon began grumbling.

"However, there was this package from Princess Celestia. Here's the note she sent with it".

Handing Spike the note, Twilight turned her attention back to the package. Inside was a green bottle. Inscribed on it was a foreign dialect, but she could just make out what it said.

"Mountain Dew. I wonder what that is."
Next to the bottle was a sleek, silver box with strange characters on it. She picked it up, but couldn't make heads or tails out of the characters.

"Hey, Spike, can you read what this says?"
Spike looked up from the note. "Oh, sure."

He took the box in his claws and read it aloud. "Super Quantum User Intel Processor. Huh, I wonder what that means. Can I open it?"

"Sure, I guess."

Spike opened the box and pulled out a glass vial, with what appeared to be a strange grey pill inside. Attached to it was a paper. Spike began reading. "Twilight Sparkle, welcome to your Super Quantum User Intel Processor, or SQUIP. Before you begin, there are some things you must know. First off, the SQUIP is a small computer inside of a grey pill that one ingests."

Twilight stopped him. "What's a computer?"

"I don't know. But there's more to this note. Listen. The SQUIP implants in its user's brain and instructs the user in how to keep calm under severe pressure, as well as how to behave in a calm and positive manner. The SQUIP's purpose is to serve its user, to make life better, and easier, for those under pressure. To activate your SQUIP, ingest the pill, and wash it down with Mountain Dew. The chemicals in the Mountain Dew trigger its neural implant transmitter. To turn off the SQUIP- "

"Stop."
"What?"

"Just stop! I can handle myself just fine! I don't need to take a pill to make my life better! I'm offended that Celestia would distrust me like this!"
"Do you want me to keep reading, or-"

"No! No. I need to...take a walk. I'll be back later."
Spike nodded, SQUIP still in hand. "Okay, but what do you want me to do with this thing?"

Twilight shook her head. "I dunno, just...go put it in my desk or something".
"Okay".

Twilight landed in front of Fluttershy's cottage. Sighing, she knocked the door. She waited for a few moments in silence, thinking about Celestia's little "gift".

I can't believe that after all we've been through, Celestia thinks I can't handle myself! She said herself I;m her number one student! How could she just-

Fluttershy opened the door, her sullen face lighting up like a Christmas tree. "Twilight! It's so good to see you! How are you? Would you like some tea?"

Twilight's thoughts were cut off by her friend. "Hi, Fluttershy. I'm...yeah, I'd like some tea, if it's not too much trouble."

"Well, come in."

Twilight followed suit behind her friend. "How is Angel doing?", she asked, remembering her friend's sick pet. Fluttershy ducked her head. "He's...not himself. I don't know why, but...he won't eat much, and he keeps turning down all his usual favorite activities. But...I love that little rabbit, and I am going to get him to a nurse as soon as I can. How are you?"

Twilight filled Fluttershy in on the day's events, and told her about Celestia's "gift", and the questions it brought Twilight with it.

"...and I just don't get why she thinks I need a pill to help me with anything that's not a sickness! Fluttershy, I don't know what to think about her anymore!"

Fluttershy nodded understandingly as she gave Twilight her tea. "Twilight...she's done questionable things before, right?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"And they always work out fine, right?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"If Celestia sent you that...computer, or pill, or whatever it is, she must have done it for a reason. And...maybe, whatever that reason is, it will work out in the end. Has Celestia ever given you reason to distrust her before?"

Twilight sipped her tea and shook her head in defeat. "...no, she hasn't."

"Then why would she do something untrustworthy now? She didn't say you have to take it, did she?"

"She said to take it only when necessary".

"Then trust your teacher, Twilight."

Twilight Sparkle hugged her friend. "Thanks, 'Shy."

"Any time."

"Well, it's getting late. I have to get home to Spike. I'll see you later.

"Okay. And Twi? It's all going to work out. You'll see".

Derpy Hooves flew into the cave, smiling all the way. Her eyes began to glow green, as she revealed her true form. Approaching the throne room, she bowed her head to the figure sitting on it. "My queen."

"Has the deed been done?"

"Yes, my queen. She doesn't suspect a thing".

"Good. The plan is in motion."

Derpy looked up at the queen, still bowing down to her all the while. "What do we do now, my queen?"

Queen Chrysalis grinned, a wicked smile crossing her muzzle. "Now, we wait. For the Summer Sun Celebration".

Author's Note

Ooh, I wonder what Chrysalis is up to this time?

In all seriousness, I love, love, love Be More Chill, and when the trailer for Season 9 dropped a few weeks ago, I eventually realized that working the SQUIP into a Season 9 timeline would work perfectly! (I hope it does, at least).

Also, please keep in mind, I do NOT condone or support the taking of drugs. This is simply a "What If?" scenario.

Let me know in the comments what you liked or disliked about the chapter, and what I could improve upon for the next one!

God Bless, and have a great day!