In the lands of Equestria, being an alicorn comes with certain things. Good and bad. The power of all three tribes of ponies, the ability to make the world a better place.

An infinite lifespan, among many other things.

But what stands out for many of us that are not, is the constant companion each alicorn receives. What they call themselves we do not know. But the common pony has a single name for them.

We call them Ettins.

How they came about none but Celestia and Luna may know. Many things about them are unknown and many have tried to discover. But several facts are known.

Though they are two minds sharing one body, their two heads share coordination that is not seen in any other creature. Though they may disagree or argue, they will never turn on each other.

But what truly stands out is their commitment. Only two are known, but I will be so bold as to say that they would lay down their lives to protect Celestia or Luna if need be.

That is another thing about them. For all intents and purposes, their one and only loyalty are to their respective alicorn. That is not to say that they are not friendly to other ponies.

But they will strike down without mercy those who would do them harm. I have seen it myself several times. Some assassin will get it in their head to try and kill them, or some noble with more money than brains will attempt to seize power by removing them.

None have ever succeeded. And it is best not to think about the nobles who have tried and what became of them.

Some say there is more to it than just loyalty, that Celestia and Luna are not just protected, but have found their soulmate.

When I asked them about this, all I got was a wink, and blush followed by a quick teleport away. So take from that what you will.

In short, I feel the safety of Equestria is in good hooves. Not only because of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. But because of those who stand beside them.

From the Journal of Clover the Clever.

***

As Twilight Sparkle closed her current read, her brow furrowed in thought as to what she had just read.

She of course knew about the mares who never once left Princess Celestia's side. All of Equestria knew about them. Even before becoming her student she had known about them.

Of course, she had met the two who never left Cadance's side either. Even when she was her foalsitter they never left her side. At first, Twilight had been scared of them, for at that age they made her most other ponies she knew look normal by comparison.

Even the Royal Guard looked plain and rather dull in comparison to the sisters, and the two that stood by Princess Celestia herself.

But they turned out to be just as friendly as Cadance herself was. Reading the journal, however, somethings now began to click for her. The looks they had shared, the wings over back that seemed more than just friendly. It would explain why Cadance and Shining Armor had never become more than friends.

Princess Celestia's however... She still remembered a certain day not long after she had become her student. She had grown tired of the two of them just standing there during their lessons, doing nothing.

And she had finally asked them point-blank why they should even be there when it was clear Princess Celestia didn't need them.

The glare they had given her was enough that Twilight had immediately shut her yap and ran to the other side of the room away from them. She had never spoken to them since.

Princess Luna's were an even harder nut to crack. They held themselves like their companions, but there was something, more to them than the others.

And now there was Twilight herself. Her ascension was just recently and her coronation after-party was just winding down outside her bedroom windows. She had left sometime before, exhausted from the party and celebration earlier that day.

As she had left, however, Princess Celestia had slipped her this journal, saying that it might be a good night's read before she turned in. She had accepted of course and was now glad she had.

But now that she had read it, what did all this mean for Twilight herself? Was she ready for that kind of thing? Her fellow rulers did fine with them But would she herself?

Knowing thinking like this would get her nowhere, Twilight decided to sleep on it and hope tomorrow might give some answers.

Finally clicking off her light, Twilight soon passed into a dreamless slumber.

***

From far below, Princess Celestia watched the light go out in Twilight's window, her mind awash with conflicting thoughts and emotions.

Contrary to what some were already saying she had in fact not fully planned for Twilight becoming an alicorn. Oh of course she had one just in case, but even she didn't know what the spell would do.

In fact, her biggest idea was for Twilight to maybe one day become an ambassador for Equestria. Or maybe even the Court Mage seeing as Ivory Fire, the current Mage, was retiring soon after a long and illustrious career.

But she would be lying if she said that Twilight didn't deserve her new title. As she had said in Ponyville she had already displayed everything that made a true princess.

It was what came with that that worried her. She remembered her and Luna's reactions well. 1,111 years ago as they had been.

Cadance had taken her own rather well considering. But then she had had time to prepare to see Celestia as much as she had.

And she would say loud and clear that she could not be more proud of her niece for all that she had done. Both for Equestria and the Crystal Empire.

Twilight on the other hoof... She still remembered the so-called Lesson Zero incident a year ago. For all her brilliance, Twilight had a bad habit of overreacting to a lot of things.

She just hoped this wasn't one of them.

Celestia started slightly when she felt a wing drape over her back. Looking over she found her own Guardian giving her a concerned look. It helped that the three of them stood eye to eye.

"You don't think she's ready do you?" Rainbow Dawn asked. Her multicolored mane, almost an exact match for Celestia's own, covered much of her face but she could see the concern in her eyes.

Celestia nodded. There were no secrets between them. There had been once, and it was a memory none of them wanted to dig up.

Rainbow nuzzled her as Solar Aura spoke up. "She's done fine with everything you've thrown at her so far."

"You know those were different Solar. Saving Equestria is one thing. This is a commitment, a relationship that will last for all time." Celestia replied.

"Cadance took it well," Rainbow said.

Celestia sighed. "It helped that Ivory Charm and Ivory Light are sisters. They gave Cadance something she had never had."

"And more besides." Solar snickered, her blond mane bouncing with her mirth while Rainbow batted her eyelashes.

Celestia blushed. Even after so long they had that effect on her. "Yes. That too. But Twilight is different. She has never shown any interest in romance. Mare of stallion."

"Neither did you at one time. And now look at us." Solar said as she and Rainbow rotated their shared body so that Solar was now facing Celestia directly.

Celestia smiled softly. "And I wouldn't change it for the world." She said as she leaned in, and Solar met her in a heartfelt kiss, Celestia's wing extending to touch Solar's own.

She felt Rainbow's, blue with crimson primaries, touch her other at the same time.

They held the kiss for a moment before breaking. "No matter what, we think Twilight is ready." Rainbow and Solar said together. "We will all be there for her when the time comes."

Celestia nodded, her own mood swinging up.

***

From a short distance away, Cadance too watched the light go out in Twilight's window. Her thoughts also were on Twilight, but not for the same reason as her aunt's.

Of course she was excited that Twilight too was now an alicorn. She was like a sister to her and had been for years.

But now they shared a bond that very few others had. Cadance had already talked to Fluttershy about Twilight learn to use her new wings. She had no doubt about Rainbow Dash's ability to teach her.

But they had agreed that as much as Rainbow could teach her, Twilight might not survive the training regime. So they had agreed to broach the subject with her at a later date.

Of all things she couldn't wait to help Twilight with, however, was when it came to for her own Guardian to stand beside her, and she needed all the help she could get.

She had. But Aunt Celestia and Solar and Rainbow had been there all the way to help ease them into their new roles.

Cadance remembered well the first time she had met them. Quite frankly, they had scared her at first. But what filly that age wouldn't be? But over time she had come to trust them and even be friends with them. Their first loyalty was of course Celestia, but she knew they still cared about her.

It had made her own transition easier. And speaking of her Guardian. She leaned into the wing that was suddenly draped over back. Looking over, she found Ivory Light giving her a knowing look.

"You're thinking of what might happen when Twilight comes into her own." She said.

Cadance nodded. "Yeah. All I hope is that it doesn't come too fast."

"Why not? Twilight is a smart filly. She can take it." Ivory Charm said. "Besides, you took it great when you got us." Charm finished by letting her brown mane fall over one eye while wiggling her brows.

Cadance smiled. "That's because I had time to get used to the fact that having somepony always be by my side was coming to me eventually."

"So does Twilight. Unless she forgot about us." Light said.

"I hope not." Charm said. "The three of us foalsat her for years."

"You mean I foalsat her." Cadance huffed, but there was no malice in it. It was a running debate among them od who had sat for Twilight the most. Cadance really was the one who had done the most, but Charm and Light had done just as much.

Of course she would never admit it. Her pride as a foalsitter would never allow it.

"So dd you think hers will be as fun in bed as we are?" Charm and Light said together, Light letting her sky blue mane fall over one eye and wiggling her brows suggestively.

Cadance blushed profusely. They always had that effect on her. "Well if they don't, I suppose you two will always be there to help them along."

The girls smirked at each other before rounding around to Cadance's front. "Well, we have learned from the Princess of Love herself." Charm said.

Cadance smiled softly as the three of them leaned in for a kiss, Charm on her lips, and Light to her cheek. She felt their wings reach out and run alongside her cutie mark.

They took a while before they broke off. But Cadance still felt their wings caressing he flanks. Green with blue primaries. "That you did." Her smile dropped though. "Do you think she's ready though?"

Charm and Light shared a look before answering. "We both think Twilight is more than ready. She will have all of us there to help her when the time comes." They said together.

Cadance nodded, her mind more at ease now.

Author's Note

Just need to give a big shoutout to Dizzyspot over on Deviantart for the awesome cover art. Couldn't have asked for anything better than that one.

This should be a fun universe to do. I have one more chapter for this one. And then the prequel that will show Fluttershy and Pinkie's life up till this story begins.

Chapter 3 will pick up from there.