Episode 222 (S9 E26): A Difficult Decision

Chapters

Return to Ponyville/Advice Seeking
Parental Visit
Twilight's Decision
Telling Her Friends

Return to Ponyville/Advice Seeking

Right after the defeat of The Legion of Doom and their subsequent punishment, Princess Celestia couldn't be more proud of Twilight. Given everything that had happened and how Twilight overcame her doubts that were caused by Discord, she decided to address her,

"When I sent you to Ponyville, I had high hopes. When you became Princess of Friendship, I knew I made the right choice. But nothing could prepare me for how proud I am right now. Equestria is definitely in the right hooves. You are ready."

While everypony else thought that Twilight was ready, Twilight remained skeptical, "Princess Celestia, are you sure about that? Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow nearly caused me to throw everything I stand for out the window. They caused me to nearly give up hope entirely and yell at my friends!"

Celestia replied, "Twilight, what matters is that you overcame that doubt. That right there is proof that you're ready."

Twilight knew that Celestia made a good point but she didn't feel ready still. She knew that the coronation would likely not be far away but wanted to buy herself some time, "Princess, I know you're wanting to do this coronation right away but I just need some time with my friends down in Ponyville to really think about this, away from all the stress."

Celestia and Luna looked at one another and then at Twilight, both gave her a smile. Celestia replied, "Alright Twilight, take your time but like I said, you're ready for this."

Luna added, "I know you'll be perfect for this."

Twilight nodded before joining her friends, friends who seemed a bit shocked that Twilight wasn't wanting to do this right away. Rarity asked, "Twilight darling, what is wrong? You've proven to everypony that you're ready for this!"

Rainbow added, "Yeah, what we all just did was awesome and if it weren't for you, it wouldn't have happened!"

Twilight replied, "Girls, I just want some time to prepare myself for all of this, away from the stress of Canterlot."

Her friends continued to tell her and reassure her that she was ready until she finally bolted and took flight back towards Ponyville. At that moment, even thinking about becoming the sole ruler of Equestria was something she wanted to avoid, much less being told she was ready for it. All she wanted was some time alone and she knew exactly where she wanted it.

When Twilight arrived in Ponyville, she immediately rushed to her castle and locked herself in the library. As she looked around at the wealth of knowledge that surrounded her, she began to think about the life that she had wanted back when she was Celestia's protege,

"All I ever wanted was to become as well learned and as powerful as Starswirl, I never wanted to rule Equestria!"

Twilight then levitated the books regarding the most advanced magic to herself and began to read them. She thought that perhaps studying magic so advanced that even she didn't know a ton about it would occupy her mind and give herself a sense of normalcy. It would not be long into her studying that she had forgot all about the events that were approaching, she felt a sense of peace as her mind continued to absorb the information in the books.

Soon she got to theoretical magic, magic that had never been done nor even attempted. She became so lost in it that she didn't even hear knocking on the door. Her concentration would finally be broke when she heard a voice yell, "Twilight, are you ok?"

It was that of Spike. She was unsure as to whether he was alone or not but unlocked the doors and allowed them all in. It was not just Spike, but it was all her friends. She looked their way and said, "I know what you're probably going to tell me but I just don't want to think about it right now."

Applejack was the first to say anything, "Twilight, Princess Celestia thinks you're ready and Ah feel the same way. We have all done so much over the years and without you, none of it would have happened."

Pinkie added, "Yeah. Without you we never would have beat those meanies!"

Rainbow Dash continued, "Yeah, like what Celestia said, you're ready."

Fluttershy added, "Twilight, Princess Celestia wouldn't have said you were ready if she didn't mean it."

Rarity continued, "Twilight darling, I thought you would be excited after we defeated Tirek, Cozy Glow and Chrysalis. I thought you'd know more than ever that you're ready."

Spike finished, "Twilight, this is the destiny Princess Celestia has likely always had for you. Don't you want to fulfill it?"

Twilight let out a scream, "I know but nopony seems to understand how I'm feeling! You're so dead set on this that nopony even knows how I'm feeling."

The one friend who had remained silent finally spoke up, "Twilight, if you need to talk, I'm here. You did make me the guidance counselor so if you need advice or even somepony to talk to, I'm here."

There was something about what Starlight said that made Twilight think. While the friends she had had the longest seemed to be all focused on what Twilight's new role would be and her fulfilling her destiny, Starlight seemed to care more about her feelings. She addressed her friends, "Girls, Spike, do you think Starlight and I could talk alone for a bit?"

Her other friends looked at her in shock. For so long they had been the ones she looked to for advice but here she was wanting to get advice from just one of them. Out of all of them, Applejack seemed to be the most shocked, "Twilight, for so long we've always helped you. Are you sure you don't want us all to discuss this?"

Twilight replied, "I just need to discuss some things with my guidance counselor."

Her friends simply sighed in frustration and left the library, leaving Starlight and Twilight alone in there. Twilight said, "Starlight, it seems like all they care about is me taking over and thinking that I'm ready for this!"

Starlight replied, "Twilight, I think you're ready for it too but I can tell there is a lot more going on than you're letting on." She paused momentarily before continuing, "Twilight, I know how you are and if something is bothering you, you need to get it off your chest."

Twilight could see the sympathetic look on Starlight's face and felt like she could reveal to her everything that has been bothering her, not just recently but for years.

"Starlight," Twilight began, "Back when I was Celestia's protege before I got sent to Ponyville, I wanted more than anything to become as powerful and as well learned of a unicorn as Starswirl the Bearded. At the time I wanted nothing to do with friendship, I thought that as long as I could study as much as I wanted, I could achieve my goal."

Starlight nodded and Twilight continued, "Then Celestia sent me down here to set up the Summer Sun Festival and I met my friends and together we defeated Nightmare Moon. That was the first time I really opened myself up to friendship and they became a very important part of my life...." Twilight's voice began to break, "but now she's wanting me to move away from them...." she began to cry, "She wants to take me away from my friends! She always emphasized friendship before she sent me here but now she wants to take me away from them!"

Starlight put her hoof around her and replied, "Twilight, this is something you really need to talk to Princess Celestia about. You need to let her know how you are feeling."

Twilight stood there for nearly a full minute processing what Starlight had told her before replying, "Starlight, I don't know. I don't want her to be disappointed in me and I know that if I don't do this, she'll be disappointed, maybe even angry."

"I can understand why you feel like this, she groomed you to become the sole leader one day." Starlight looked Twilight straight in the eyes and continued, "But I can tell that this isn't what you really want. I can tell that if you do this, you will be miserable."

Twilight again stood there in silence processing everything she heard but then it hit her, Starlight knew what she was going through. Unlike her other friends who seemed to simply think she was happy, Starlight knew her better than they did this time.

"Starlight, you're right." Twilight began to sob, "I don't want to be Equestria's sole ruler, I don't want to have to leave my friends, I don't want to leave Ponyville, I don't want to leave the school and I don't want the stress she has! I love my life right now and I don't want to leave it!" She calmed down before continuing, "You're right Starlight, I have to talk to her about this. I will be nervous but I have to do this. It is either this or be miserable."

Starlight gave her a warm smile, "Twilight, all this is up to you. I know most ponies in this situation would jump on the opportunity to be the sole ruler but you have to do what you want to do. Just follow your heart and do what you think will make you the happiest." She saw a slight look of doubt in Twilight's eyes and continued, "I know you're worried about what Princess Celestia will think and I'm sure you're worried about what our friends will think but you have to do what will make you the happiest."

Twilight stood there momentarily in thought before replying, "Alright Starlight, I know that Celestia and our friends will be disappointed but I want to stay here, with them. I want to stay here and run my school and I want to maintain the life I love."

Starlight gave her a smile, "Alright Twilight, good luck. Hopefully Celestia will accept your decision."

"I hope she will too."

Twilight then took flight towards Canterlot. She knew that Celestia would likely be disappointed and maybe even a bit upset but she knew that Starlight was right. She knew that she had to make the decision that would make her the happiest and that was declining the role of being sole ruler of Equestria.

Parental Visit

As Twilight was flying towards Canterlot, so many things were running through her mind. While she had said that she was going to tell Celestia about how she truly felt about everything, she still had her concerns that Celestia would be disappointed and perhaps even angry. She knew that Celestia had been grooming her for this for years but in her heart, ruling Equestria was not what she wanted.

As Canterlot became visible, she began to get very nervous. She even began to question whether she should even decline this but she knew that she had to, her mental well being depended on it. When she finally landed, she initially began to head to the palace but then felt like there were two ponies that she needed to talk to before she would go and tell Celestia her decision.

As she headed through the city's residential district, she was greeted warmly by everypony she met. Many knew about her upcoming coronation and congratulated her while others congratulated her over the defeat of the legion of doom. She thanked each pony with a smile despite the ones bringing up her coronation were stressing her out a bit.

When she finally arrived at her parents' house, she knocked loudly on the door, hoping somepony would answer and let her in before anypony else would bring up her upcoming coronation. Very quickly her mother would answer, "Twilight, it is so good to see you!"

Twilight asked, "It is good to see you too. Do you think I could come in?"

Velvet motioned for her to go in, "Of course you can sweetie."

When she arrived in the living room, she was greeted by her father, "Twilight, how is my princess doing?"

Twilight replied, "Alright I suppose." She then turned to her mother and continued, "I need to talk to you two about something important. It is something that is really bothering me."

"What's wrong Sweet Pea," asked Night Light, "is something going wrong between you and Princess Celestia?"

Velvet asked, "Is she not going to retire after all?"

Twilight replied, "Yeah she is still planning on it but it is about the coronation and ruling Equestria on my own." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Thing is, I don't want to rule Equestria alone, I love my friends and I love Ponyville. I don't want to leave them or my life. I just don't know how to tell Celestia this."

Both their jaws dropped. Night Light was the first to say anything, "Really Twilight? You really don't want to rule Equestria on your own?"

Velvet added, "But isn't that what Princess Celestia has groomed you for ever since you entered her school?"

Twilight replied, "Yes but that isn't what I want in life. Back before Celestia sent me to Ponyville, I simply wanted to be as learned and as talented as Starswirl. When I got sent to Ponyville, I was happy spending time with my friends. When I became a princess and my life didn't change that much, I was still happy."

"Are you still happy?" questioned Velvet.

"Yes," replied Twilight "I am. I enjoy running my school and I love everything else about my life down there but if I take over for Celestia, all that will be gone. I won't be able to relax any, at all. I will always have one event or another keeping me from even getting to see my friends and I know Celestia's job is stressful and that is something I don't want."

The two remained silent before Velvet addressed something, "Twilight, aren't you afraid that the princesses will be angry? I know they've been wanting to retire but if you do this, they won't be able to. What if they get mad at you?"

Twilight replied, "Mom, at this point I really don't care. I had a discussion with one of my friends and she told me to do what my heart is telling me, she told me to do what would be best for my mental health. My heart is telling me to keep doing what I'm doing and I know I'll be miserable if I'm parted from my friends like this."

Velvet had a slight look of disapproval on her face but Night Light would receive the news differently, "Twilight, if this is what you want, I think you should go for it. It is obvious this friend cares about you deeply and wants you to be happy."

"She does," Twilight replied, "she is the guidance counselor at my school. Ever since we became friends, she has provided me with as much advice as I have her. It was thanks to her that I stood up to the EEA and didn't let my school remain closed."

Velvet could tell that the pony who told her to follow her heart did indeed care about her. While she still had concerns over how Celestia would react she gave Twilight some advice, "Twilight, I was looking forward to having my daughter be the sole ruler of Equestria but if this is what will make you happy, who am I to try and steer you away from that happiness?"

Night Light added, "Don't worry Twilight, we will support you in whatever decision you make."

Twilight thanked, "Thanks mom, thanks dad. Now I feel more confident that I can go and approach Princess Celestia over this." She knew that it was now or never and continued, "Well I should get going, I need to go and talk to her about this now."

Night Light replied, "Good luck Twilight. I'm certain that the princess will be supportive in whatever your decision is."

Twilight gave her parents a good bye before leaving their house. Twilight did feel more confident after leaving her parents' house but still felt a bit nervous. She knew though that if she was to continue the life that she currently lived, that she would have to likely discuss this with both princesses. She was admittedly nervous about talking to Celestia about it but had a feeling that if Luna was really wanting to retire, that discussing this with her would be less than pleasant.

Twilight's Decision

As Twilight departed her parents' house and headed towards the palace, she was still nervous. She wasn't as nervous as she was before talking to her parents but she still had her concerns over how Celestia and Luna would react to her not wanting to become the sole ruler of Equestria. She knew that she couldn't let it get to her though, she knew it was either tell them how she feels or wind up being thrust into a role she didn't want.

When she arrived at the palace, she was allowed entry by the guards with no question. When she arrived in the throne room she was greeted warmly by Celestia, "Twilight, it is so good to see you!"

"It is good to see you too Princess but I was wondering if we could talk about something."

Celestia gave her a smile, "I take it is about your upcoming coronation and you taking over for my sister and I?"

Twilight didn't want to just come out and say it. While that is what she would normally do, she wanted to bring some things up first so that maybe Celestia would understand where she is coming from and she had plenty to bring up.

"Well sort of but just let me talk." Celestia nodded and Twilight began, "Princess Celestia, I remember how I was before you sent me down to Ponyville. I wanted nothing to do with friendship. I thought that if I studied hard enough, that I could achieve what my real goal was. I thought that I could become as talented and as well learned as Starswirl. I will admit, I was not happy when you sent me to Ponyville."

Celestia had a curious look on her face, "Twilight, what are you trying to tell me?"

Twilight continued, "But then after my friends and I reunited you with our sister, we began to grow close and became friends, very good friends. We did so many things together including stopping Discord, Chrysalis, King Sombra and most importantly, we simply had fun and were there for each other. I will admit, I was concerned that things would change when I earned my wings."

Celestia nodded as Twilight continued, "And as we found our keys, went on to defeat Tirek and I got my castle, I truly believed that only death would ever keep us away from one another. I always believed that we'd always have time in our schedules for one another, I always believed we could just meet up any time, well maybe except during zapapple season, and have fun."

Celestia asked, "Twilight, are you saying...."

Twilight interrupted, "And when I opened my school, I remember what a wonderful moment that was. I remember how wonderful it was for my friends and I to be able to run a school devoted to teaching friendship. That was like a dream come true to me, being able to teach creatures about friendship." Twilight's voice began to break as she continued, "but, but...."

Celestia began to realize what it was that Twilight was telling her, "Twilight, are you saying...."

"But now I feel like everything is being taken away from me! Everything! My friends, my school, my castle, the life I love! I feel like everything is being taken away from me." Her cry turned into an ear splitting screech, "I don't want to take over for you! I don't want to leave my friends! I don't want to leave my school and I don't want to put up with everything you do!"

After hearing everything Twilight had said, Celestia was in a state of shock. She had been grooming Twilight to take over for her ever since before she ascended her. She also couldn't help but wonder why Twilight would wait until now to bring this up instead of telling her that being the sole ruler wasn't something she wanted back when she and Luna first announced they were retiring.

"Twilight," Celestia asked "why didn't you bring this up when my sister and I first announced we were retiring? Luna and I have been looking forward to retirement for quite some time and with this coming up, we will have to at least delay it."

Twilight became a bit nervous when Celestia brought up that they had been looking forward to retirement. Unlike it would have been in the past when she feared disappointing Celestia in the slightest, Twilight wasn't about to simply cave in, "I'm sorry Princess Celestia but I don't want to give up everything I love, I don't want to have to rule over the whole country."

Celestia was in a state of shock that Twilight would just flat out say it the way she did. One part of her wondered if this wasn't a matter of Twilight simply not feeling ready or if it truly was a no go on her end. "Twilight, is this a matter of you not thinking your ready, not wanting this role yet or not wanting it at all?"

Twilight replied, "Princess Celestia, I'm honored that you think I'm ready to be the ruler of Equestria but to be honest, it isn't something I really want. To be honest, I'm happy living the life I am right now and as far as ruling all of Equestria, I don't think that will ever really appeal to me."

Celestia let out a sigh of frustration, "Twilight, I groomed you for this position. I knew early on that this would be perfect for you but you really don't want to rule Equestria?"

Twilight let out her own frustrated sigh, "Like I said, I love the life I have right now. I love everything I do with my friends, I love running my friendship school and I love it down in Ponyville. I just don't want to be parted from my friends or my school."

Celestia could tell by the look in Twilight's eyes that she wasn't joking, none of this was an act nor was she simply being overly dramatic. She could tell that Twilight really didn't want to take over. Celestia was admittedly disappointed and a bit irked over this but she could tell that Twilight would not be happy being Equestria's sole ruler. At that moment she made a decision,

"Twilight, while I know you're ready to take over for me if you need to, I'm not going to force this on you. If you truly do wish, you can return to Ponyville and keep doing what you're doing."

Twilight asked, "Really? So you're not going to retire after all?"

Celestia replied, "No, I am not. Equestria has done well the way it is and besides, I have a feeling I'd go stir crazy if I went into retirement."

Twilight embraced Celestia and exclaimed, "Oh thank you Princess, I was so worried you'd be mad at me and still force me to take over."

Celestia replied, "Twilight, the most I am is a bit disappointed but I'm happy to see that you're happy."

Twilight broke the embrace and said, "I can't wait to tell my friends! I know they'll be so happy we won't be parted!"

Celestia replied, "Alright, you go tell your friends. I'm sure they'll be thrilled."

Twilight thanked her again before leaving the palace and flying back towards Ponyville. What had been stressing her out so much was no more. Deep down she knew that some of her friends would be a bit disappointed but given who had the most to lose by her not taking sole power was the one who encouraged her to tell Celestia about her feelings, she knew that Starlight would definitely be happy for her.

Telling Her Friends

When Twilight got home, the very first place she headed was the castle since Starlight and Spike would likely be home. She knew well enough what Starlight would likely be doing given she was gone, studying magic. She headed into the library and sure enough, there was Starlight with a pile of books, studying the thing she loved the most.

Twilight had a huge smile on her face as she addressed Starlight, "Well I did it! Celestia understood!"

Starlight immediately embraced her friend, "Twilight, I'm so happy for you." She broke the embrace and added, "You certainly look less stressed."

Twilight exclaimed, "I am! You have no idea how happy I am right now."

Spike would then chime in, "I take it you told Celestia about how you are feeling? I'm assuming you won't be taking over yet."

Twilight replied, "Well it is more like I'll continue to be The Princess of Friendship and run my school. She has decided to not retire at all."

Spike gasped, "What? She's not retiring now?"

Twilight replied, "After I told her about how much I love my current life and how I didn't want to rule Equestria on my own, she understood and decided not to retire."

Spike had been looking forward to Twilight going on to rule the country and was slightly disappointed but he was happy to see the one who had been like a sister to him happy, "Well I'm happy for you Twilight. I was looking forward to seeing you rule but since that isn't what you want, it looks like everything turned out fine."

Twilight laughed, "Yeah, now the most stress I will have is winning that third trivia trot in a row."

Starlight asked, "You've won two in a row haven't you?"

Twilight replied, "Yep and I'm ready for number three but for now, let's go tell our other friends. I bet they'll be so happy!"

The three left the castle and headed towards Sugarcube Corner assuming that is where they were. Sure enough, when they got in there they all noticed a huge smile on Twilight's face. Applejack was the first to say anything, "Hi Twilight, you look happy."

Twilight replied, "Well I just got back from Canterlot and I have some wonderful news."

Pinkie immediately became excited, "Oooh, oooh, do we get to throw you a I'm the sole ruler of Equestria party?"

Twilight replied, "Even better, Celestia's not retiring and I get to stay here with all you guys!"

All five of them gasped in shock. Rarity gasped, "But Twilight, why are you so happy? I thought you wanted to be the ruler of all Equestria."

Twilight replied, "I don't and luckily Celestia understood that I enjoy the life I have and I don't want to leave any of you, I don't want to leave Ponyville and I don't want to leave the school."

Rainbow asked, "But Twi, wasn't this what Celestia had groomed you for, us for? So now we won't get to rule Equestria?"

Twilight replied, "Girls, I would have been the one that had to handle all her duties and I would be the one sacrificing everything I love. She did groom me to rule Equestria but I chose all of you over that. All of you mean so much more to me than ruling the country, which like i just said is something I don't want."

Fluttershy chimed in, "Uhm, well Twilight I am happy that you're happy." She turned to the others and said, "I know we were all looking forward to this but what matters is that Twilight is happy and leading the life she wants."

Twilight embraced her and replied, "Thanks Fluttershy, I knew you'd understand."

Applejack then became curious about something, "But if you're staying, what about Starlight being head mare? You promised her that...."

Starlight interrupted, "Applejack, that doesn't matter to me. Twilight being happy is what matters and besides, I'm perfectly happy remaining the school's guidance counselor."

Pinkie then pulled her party canon out, fired it and exclaimed, "I guess we get to throw a 'Twilight's happy she can stay' party instead!"

Twilight laughed, "Definitely and let's do that now! I'm ready to celebrate!"

Everypony agreed and headed to Twilight's castle to throw a party celebrating Twilight not leaving Ponyville. As they were heading there, something from when Twilight first got her wings so long ago crossed her mind. She thought to herself, "Everything's going to be just fine!"