Ponid-19

Twilight watched with droplets in her eyes, only now, they were happy tears. The happy citizens of Canterlot bounced and reveled in their new freedom below her, and she couldn’t help but smile. She could not believe all that had transpired in the past few hours. Celestia had revealed herself to be a tyrant, secretly dictating the lives of everypony while waiting for just the right moment to unleash her horrifying concoction. While The Princess of Friendship did not know the exact motivations behind such a sinister plot, she knew that it could not go on uninhibited. But then, when all hope had seemed lost, and she had been defeated even as she had sent Celestia into a deserved grave…help came from the youngest among them.

“Kite…how in Equestria did-“ Her mother began.

She was suddenly interrupted by another blaze of magic, only this time it was reddish in color. It matched Kite’s coat, and burst throughout her small body. It lifted her off the ground and she seemed to soar within her own emotions. As the ponies watched, Kite went through a string of convulsions, and the visions that the magic showed her were ones that very few ponies were privy to. She saw both the laughter of foals, and the cries of their pain or fright. She saw her platonic brothers and sisters discovering their cutie marks and individuality for the very first time. She also saw the tense and strenuous wars waged with others while maturing and fighting for a spot in life. She saw beauty, love, joy, laughter, sadness, misery, and pain all wrapped up into one. She even beheld the very dichotomy of life and death itself.

She tried to let out a scream of confusion, as her young mind became overwhelmed at the rapidity with which the visions came. It was juxtaposed with the time outside of her small magic covering. It lasted an eternity for the ponies watching, but inside, it seemed to go by in a flash. Some of the things she saw were absolute horrors, and she wanted to reach out and help the ponies who were being hurt or neglected. Yet other things were absolutely stupendous, and she wanted to participate in them. She also noticed that all of her visions seemed to revolve around foals. As she looked on, she felt a sharp pain in both her back and her head, and once again, she tried to let out a yelp. She didn’t know where her mother was, and in that moment, those thoughts became the most frightening of all.

But then, a soothing light happened upon her, and two new figures stepped into the realm. Their manes blazed like fire, and their eyes glowed. Their hooves carried golden horseshoes of importance, and upon their heads sat two crowns of the same complexion. They were Alicorns, but instead of two wings, they each carried four. Their tails were streaks dotted by the very stars of the heavens. As they moved further into her field of vision, Kite recognized Princess Luna and Princess Twilight. She didn’t know what form they had taken, nor how they appeared to her so suddenly, but she bowed low in obeisance and reverence. They looked like goddesses, though she knew better than to worship anypony.

“Your Majesties,” she said solemnly.

“Kite String,” Luna said in a voice that bequeathed the breath of the wind, and the thunder of a Cloudsdale storm, “welcome.”

“You have entered the Realm of Princesses,” Twilight said in the same tone, “and now it is our privilege, honor, and joy to give you a very special gift: the gift of becoming one of us.”

Kite’s mouth nearly fell to the floor. “But…I…I am not worthy of such an honor.”

“Yes, you are, dear filly,” Luna said with a smile, “for you have done a great deed in our eyes this day. You have saved Equestria from my sister’s terrible affliction.”

“I…I don’t understand,” Kite sputtered, “I don’t even know HOW I did it!”

“It’s because you hold the true magic of friendship in caring for your fellow pony,” Twilight said, “you placed the health and wellness of all Equestria on your back today, and everypony owes you their very existence. You’ve defended freedom and friendship above all else, and for that, we are giving you this title.”

“But Princess Twilight, you had to study and work for years to get your wings!”

“Yes, I did,” the purple Alicorn responded, “and unfortunately, the pony who gave them to me turned out to be the biggest traitor of all. But that does not rescind their importance, nor does it denigrate what we’re here to do for you.”

“Kite String,” Luna said, “do you swear to uphold the Equestrian Constitution, defend friendship and freedom, and protect the ponies of Equestria from all enemies, both foreign and domestic?”

“I…I do,” Kite said as a smile crept over her face.

“Then by the power vested in both of us,” Twilight said, “I now pronounce you Princess Kite String, The Princess of Foals. You shall rule Equestria on an equal level with both Luna and myself. We are both very proud of what you’ve done today, and your mother and new friends will be thrilled.”

“But…I…I still don’t understand,” the new Princess said as she felt her new wings and horn for the first time, “I mean, I’m ecstatic beyond belief at this gift, and I will never be able to give enough thanks for it, but I still don’t know just how I did it. All I did was follow a small voice that spoke to me.”

“That was the spirit of harmony that resides within those who have a close connection with the concept,” Twilight explained.

“No offense, Your Maj-er-Twilight, but you were blubbering on the floor while all of it was happening. Did…you believe in the spirit?”

“I will admit that, for a few moments, my faith was shaken,” Twilight said, “until I realized that everypony was abounding in their restored friendships. Then, and only then, did I think back to when I was crowned a Princess and how Celestia taught me about the spirit. I only wish that she would have been a legitimate believer in it. If she had, and had cared about the hopes and dreams of everypony, we might be looking at something completely different right now.”

“But that does not negate the great things you’ve done today, Kite,” Luna said, “no matter what has happened in the past, we must continue to move forward as a nation. Now, let’s get you out of the realm and show you to your mother. I am certain that she will be as proud of you as we are.”