Princess Twilight Sparkle was now as tall as Princess Celestia. It's been twenty years later, since she became ruler of Equestria and moved back to Canterlot, where her time with her former-mentor started. Sure, Canterlot was Twilight's home at first, but Ponyville became her new home after Celestia sent her there. At first, Twilight thought that the five mares she met - Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy - were all crazy with their ways on how they live amongst themselves. But then, at some point, it came to her senses that they were that bad after all.
Twilight missed them and Ponyville so much, that she's been laying on her bed, uncovered, and the memories of them trapped in her mind. In fact, being the same height as her friends is what she missed the most. This is her life now. Wearing a crown on her head, her four hooves in golden slippers, and a chest-piece that goes around her neck. Not to mention, her mane can flow as well.
The new tall princess has been in there in silence with the moonlight shining through the window for quite a while, until she heard the noise of a door opening. Not to her expectations, she can see her royal advisor, Spike emerging from the doorway, before closing it behind him. "Hey, Spike.", she greeted with a smile. "What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to see how you're doing.", Spike said, planting his rear into the side of the bed. "Considering that it's been a few weeks since the last time our friends visited us. It's kinda nice seeing their faces again. Even with Rarity's gotten pretty old, but still has her beauty. Pinkie Pie has her own child. Fluttershy, still the most amazing mare we know. And Rainbow Dash and Applejack are a couple, which is what I didn't see coming."
Twilight nodded and faced the ceiling again with a frown. Her belly rising and falling with one slow breath. "I miss this.", she whispered.
Spike couldn't catch what she said. "Parden?", he asked.
"I miss this, Spike.", Twilight repeated.
"Miss what?", Spike asked.
"Being with my friends.", Twilight said with full honesty. "Even having the same height as them."
"Hmm, I see.", Spike said wondrously. "That was like back when we were shorter than Celestia and Luna and before you became an alicorn."
"Precisely.", Twilight giggled. Her cute happiness turned to sadness once more. "But, being just a little pony and having fun with my friends was what I admire most about myself. Going on picnics, relaxing at the spa, shopping, everything. I loved that life so much, that I thought it would last forever, but it didn't." She was now on the verge of tears. She squeezed them closed, allowing the liquid to run down her cheeks. "And just look at me, I'm tall as Celestia, and all I can worry about are these duties that she and Luna gave me." She covered her eyes dramatically with her hooves. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but being a ruler is pretty hard." She threw her hooves off her face and landed by her sides, revealing her bloodshot eyes.
Spike stared compassionately into Twilight's crying eyes. He was little, just like how Twilight was, although most of the ponies in Ponyville were taller than him. He took Twilight's hoof into his claw. "You are right, Twilight.", he crooned, wiping her tears away with the other claw. He turned her head to face him with her cheek buried in his palm. "I know how that feels, and I miss that life too. But, you know you can't just turn back time by clapping your hooves and expect it to work. Sometimes, we all have to move on. And you know that, right?"
Twilight wiped the tears off her other cheek with a hoof. She then smiled and sat up. "You're right, Spike.", she said more calmly. "I know I said that being a ruler is pretty hard, but it is always good to give it your best shot."
"That's the spirit.", Spike chuckled. "And hey, the princesses and our friends might send you letters. And they can still visit us if they're available to do that."
"And the students at the school?", Twilight asked.
"And the students at the school.", Spike echoed. "And hey, we can talk about all the memories that we all had together."
"Right.", Twilight chirped.
"Like the time when you, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity saved me from Garble.", Spike reminded.
"We did, didn't we?", Twilight asked.
"And that one time when you were standing super still, I showed Rainbow Dash how ticklish you were, even when you were trying not to laugh."
Twilight stared at him with a scowl. "Didn't I tell you not to mention that again?", she asked.
"Oh, yeah, right.", Spike said with a sheepish grin. "But, still it was pretty fun, and you are pretty ticklish."
"Not as ticklish as you.", Twilight teased, slowly moving a hoof to one of his sides, in order to tickle him.
Spike quickly grabbed her hoof and gently placed it down. "Don't even think about it.", Spike said, scowling back, although he was smiling.
Twilight giggled. "Sorry.", she said. She looked out the window, thinking she would see the Crystal Empire stadium, then back at Spike. "You remember when you saved the Crystal Empire for the second time?"
"During the Equestria Games.", Spike reminded.
"Yep.", Twilight replied. "That was my favorite. Which is why I wanted to ask you. Out of all the memories that we had together, which one is your most favorite?"
Spike tapped his chin. "I think I'll have to go with me riding on your back."
Twilight stared at him blankly. "Really?", she asked. "That was your most favorite?"
Spike nodded. "Uh huh.", he said. "To me, your back feels like a soft pillow on a couch, unlike when I'm asleep, it feels like I'm on a fury bed. I like that feeling."
Twilight blushed as she looked down. "I guess you make a point.", she remarked. She plopped down against her bed. "You're really good at thinking of memories, Spike."
"Hey, we've been doing some really good thinking.", Spike said. "But, I think it's time we put the thinker down now and get some sleep." She patted her belly a few times, then got off the bed. "You want me to-"
"Don't worry about me, I do it myself later.", Twilight said, closing her eyes.
"Ok.", Spike said, walking to the door. He opened it and exited the room. "Good night." He finally closed the door. He waited to hear Twilight say it back to him.
But, it turns out that Twilight was already asleep, waiting to dream about her friends and her old size.
