“You’ve come such a long way,” I said as I walked down the lengthy hallway leading to the castle balcony. Two stark white alicorns were in tow, each covered in golden regalia and blue ceremonial garbs from hoof to neck; their heads remained bare.

“We couldn’t have done it without your help, Princess Twilight,” Crescent said as she gave a short respectable bow, just enough that her yellow mane bobbed as she moved.

“Yeah!” Crescent’s brother Gibbous cheered from the other side. “I mean… you were the one who practically taught us everything we knew in one way or another. Besides, I’m sure you’d have taken care of that whole falling moon problem if we weren’t here.”

“Heh, there is no need to be so modest. Both of you stepped up when we needed you most, and for that the kingdom and I are grateful,” Twilight said as they slowly walked, taking as long as they could to savour the few moments they had before everything changed. “But today is your day, and you should celebrate.”

“I know,” Crescent said with a small sigh. “It’s just that… this is it. We’re going to be the next rulers and you’re stepping down. It seems so soon.” She stopped in her tracks. “Do you think we’re ready for this? Like, I know you think we are… but are you really sure that we’re ready for this?”

Even Gibbous’s confidence waivered on his face, glancing at his sister a few times. “Yes,” I said simply and watched their tense forms relax ever so slightly… at least for a few moments. “Two ponies. The prophesies foretold of this; stopping the moon from crashing down and ending all of ponykind as we knew it. If I didn’t know better, I think that you two matched the specifics perfectly. Don’t you agree?”

The two blushed a little and nodded.

“Besides, it’s not like I can rule forever. I was going to need to retire eventually,” I said with a small smile before sighing softly as I looked over at the balcony. I started to move my hooves and they followed as we neared ever closer to the noises of the crowd outside.

“We’ll take on anything that comes our way,” Gibbous said as he moved over to his sister, bumping up against her shoulder and nuzzling her cheek. “I think we’re ready.”

She just rolled her eyes but nuzzled back and shared a small kiss. “You’re always ready.” The two chuckled together, right up until they were at the door and the reality of their next steps was becoming known again.

“To think that you two came to me when you were but little foals, playing through these halls without a care in the world, and now, you’re walking along, ready to take up the biggest responsibility of all.” They stepped out into the blue sun shining above and were greeted by a melodic choir of cheers from below. “Probably more responsibility than either of you two realize.”

Ponies from every corner of the kingdom were down below: friends, families, and everypony else coming together in this day of unity. “Greetings, everpony!” Twilight said as the three of them waved and the crowd started to settle down.

“For a thousand years I have ruled this land alone, watching and guiding you all, keeping this land safe from any who threaten us. But when prophesies foretold of the moon to come crashing down, it was my two students, Crescent and Gibbous who stepped up. They saw the signs of the stars joining together, plotting, and waiting until the last summer solstice to eclipse our great sun.

“As you are well aware, the darkness was pushed back once more when my students put the moon back to where it belonged. With it, they discovered a new lunar magic that rivalled anything I’ve seen in my rule. I believe this is the next step for us all; a way forward to safely grow and thrive.

“Today we are in an age of peace and prosperity, but yet we are also in an age of change. Princess Crescent and Prince Gibbous,” I said as I stepped back, letting them take center stage. “These are the new rulers of our kingdom, to bring all of ponykind into the future as one; staying as strong as the bonds of friendship that has hold us all together.”

“It is time for you two to fulfill your destiny.” My horn lit up, lifting the crown from my head and high up into the air for all to see. A brilliant white glow came from it, mixed in with heavy purple bolts as it split down the middle, separating and morphing into two distinct crowns: one with a sliver of moon, and the other with a sliver of darkness decorating the center.

The magic around the crowns quickly cooled and then gingerly settled down upon their heads. It was almost like their nervousness had completely disappeared; they stood proud, confident… regal; like they were born for this very moment.

A sad smile crossed my face as we looked up to booming in the sky. Fireworks sent high up erupted and flooded the sky in brilliant colours. The smoke left behind swirled in to the center until it resembled the two royal siblings.

Their friends had taken care of most of the arrangements and added a few personalized details to the whole affair: rehearsing with the orchestra that was making itself known just now, choosing the tigers standing dutifully at attention, quiet enough that one could easily not even notice them when walking onto the balcony. Even the artistic arrangement in the sky was one to marvel at.

It all was truly an excellent display for this royal coronation; worth the many hours of practice that I helped them plan out to make everything perfect. This was what I imagined a coronation should always have been, but to be fair, this was the only true one that I could remember. I never really had a formal coronation to start my reign; I more just assumed this power from the two others from long ago and held onto it through my long life.

As the royal siblings started their speech to the crowd, I wondered just how perfect my coronation would have been too. If I was in their place, it would have been spectacular; expertly planned just as this. But even if I did, I would never have known exactly what I was taking on at the time; what cruel fate we were celebrating.

I sighed as I looked at the two. They smiled and looked so happy in the moment, greeting the crowds as new rulers for the first time and hear the roar of applause and appreciation. It looked as exciting to them since the time they became alicorns. Right after the moon was set back onto its stable path, we met on an ethereal plane; all three of us there for a special occasion.

The perfect two to take up this mantle was clear then; as clear as it had ever been. Raw magical talent right now, but with care and focus they could rival or even surpass my own. Who knew what these two would be able to do if their time was as long as mine. Would one eventually have all our power, or would they share it equally? I wondered if I would even know. Maybe the future would finally have a mysterious veil covering it that I would never see behind. I smiled, only hoping that was the case.

With another loud roar from the crowd signalling the end of their speech, the two lit up their horns. The cheers quickly silenced as everypony watched up with amazement. The moon was surrounded in a blue and green aura as it swiftly started to move into position where the light from our blue sun bisected the moon; half covered in a bright glow and the other half cast in shadows. Even for ponies that weren’t here, this was something the whole world would have seen; they would know that change has happened.

But just as fast as everything had happened, an applause came about for one last time as the two siblings waved goodbye, officially ending the ceremony.

This was it.

As they came walking back in I took a long breath, expecting the air to feel different but it never did. Everything felt the same and yet still seemed as fleeting as every breath I took.

“Whew!” Gibbous cheered loudly as the balcony doors swung closed. He pranced in place with an energy that looked like he was ready to start bouncing along then walls. “Oh that was fun. Exciting! Phew, I was sure I was going to flub at least a part of that speech.”

“But we didn’t! And now we’re officially royals!” Crescent joined in, staring right at Gibbous’s blue mane and new golden resident perched upon it. “I don’t think I can get enough of looking at your crown.”

“You two remind me of some ponies that I knew a long while ago,” I said, taking the lead as we walked. “Graduating magic kindergarten, the two siblings were so happy to be passing with top marks and joining under my tutelage. It was a dream come true for them and probably the most important thing they every thought they could do at the time.”

All three of us shared a glance and a smile until I followed up. “At least we didn’t need to stop the astronomy lab from burning down right after.”

“Hey!” Gibbous retorted. “Are you going to keep bringing that up forever? It was one little flame and we got it put out without too many ponies getting hurt.”

Crescent just rolled her eyes. “Really, I still don’t understand how a telescope catches fire like that. I guess there’s a reason why we thought you were always exceeding our expectations.”

“Oh really?” Gibbous sceptically asked. “I seem to recall you being partially responsible for that fire too.”

“I don’t remember. It must have been too long ago,” she said with a teasing smile, sticking out her tongue a little.

That time still felt fresh in my mind, almost like it was yesterday. I could have set the record straight every time they brought it up, but there was always something so fascinating about watching them reach back that far, trying to grasp at the very fringes of their memory. It seemed almost trivial of a feat to do, but relatively, it was a lifetime for them yet a blink of an eye for me.

“Besides,” Crescent continued. “We don’t need to think about the past like that when we got our whole future to plan out.” She paused, almost as if she thought the words we held more weight than intended. “How long are we planning for? Do you think it will even come close to yours? Like, you’ve reigned for a thousand years.”

“Yes, that is what the history books say.” My smile stayed on my face for as long as her curious eyes pried. “I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” But even though her questions barely scratched the surface, she seemed content with that; they both did. It was hard to even think about offering an explanation to somepony else who was truly searching for an answer.

They would ask in time, but at this moment it wasn’t on their minds; they probably didn’t even notice the light that I gave them when they ascended to their alicorn forms either. But for right now, it was my time to retire and be free to be left behind.

At least they had each other to spend the rest of forever with, instead of the island of solitude I remained in. Now it was I who could be with the ones who I had left along the way. This burdensome gift left to me by the two goddesses would now find another.

“I think we can do it,” Gibbous said, smiling and nodding confidently at his sister. “Together.”

“Together,” she copied, smiling back and sauntering up close. “Celebrations back in my room?” Her tail wrapped around his and tugged as they walked.

A subdued whinny came from him instantly, as if she just pressed several buttons in exactly the right way. “It’s like you read my mind.”

Soft giggles started between the two, like two foals going on a date for a first time and poorly hiding it from their parents. The sides of their muzzles were pressed up against each other, lips barely meeting the faintest definition of a kiss. They were leaning against each other’s sides as they walked, threatening to fall over and take this to a whole other level.

Hopefully they would be able to make it to the bedroom first beforehand, but if not… I guess it didn’t really matter. They were the rulers now. It’s not like I could have given them a timeout like when they were younger and trying to sneak away to every corner of the castle; where they thought was free from my watchful eye. It was an indulgence that I never imagined being able to partake in after being born to walk alone like this. They had each other though, so maybe it might be different for them… or maybe it was only wishful thinking.

I looked at the blue sun outside through the window. Something nagged at the back of my mind like a dream from long ago, but I couldn’t put my hoof on exactly what; like a breeze I knew something had been there, but it was now gone.

Maybe it was the time? It was almost late afternoon once all the celebrations had been finished. There were still many more hours until evening was here, but those two looked like they had tonight already planned.

I reached the door at the end of the hallway and gave a sigh as I pushed it open. The two had been trailing back further, too preoccupied to keep pace while they whispered sweet words into each other’s lips. Whether for good or ill, they would be able to spend as many nights together as they wished from now on, burdened with each other and time forevermore.

“Good luck,” I said before whispering under my breath. “And I’m sorry.”

“Hmm? What was that?”

“I said good luck… and I’m happy for you.”

Author's Note

Thanks for reading up until this point. I hope that you did enjoy the extension of this initial idea and Twilight’s future far further than she’d ever think of. Here are some of the songs that I was listening to while writing: My Only Friends and Better Tomorrow.

If you have any thoughts or comments, please let me know below!