The Moon's Light

Not even three days later, Celestia had put together a press conference together. Luna the while focused on her daughter’s coronation. And ignored that Twilight would prefer not to be crowned. Spike just told her, “Come on! This will be awesome! Not to mention, the ponies will treat you like a princess either way.”

“You’re right, Spike.” She has the wings, her mom is Luna. Even without a crown – that isn’t the element of magic – she will be seen as a princess. Better embrace it and make the best out of it. “I hope this doesn’t change too much.”

“Oh, Twilight.”

The Press conference was in the throne room. Celestia and Luna stood in front of the overrated chair. Twilight stood besides Luna, Cadence with Celestia and Radiant Hope stood slightly behind Cadence and Celestia.

“Are you nervous, Radiant?” asked Cadence.

“A bit. I am still getting used to having my body back.” replied Radiant. Her arctic blue eyes looked over to Twilight. “If someone is nervous, it is your cousin… sister in law? It is still weird.”

“Exactly.” agreed Cadence. “I can’t wait to the commoner’s reactions to this!”

“I hope they react better to Twilight then their ancestors.” hoped Radiant.

“Times changed.”

“But that is not always a good thing.”

Their talk ended when the doors opened. Lady Quill – a classy gray unicorn with a white mane, yellow eyes and a scroll cutie mark - lead a multitude of reporters and photographers into the throne room. Before the conference officially commenced, somepony took a photo – the light of the snap hard to miss – and someone said shocked, “Two Alicorn's?!”

Celestia sighed and said in her royal voice – something she rarely does – “We will explain everything! But I ask you to be patient, stay calm and do not interrupt each other!” She sighed again, “Now, who has a question so we can start with this? Quill Snap, are you here?”

“Of course, your Highness!” answered a stallion unicorn. He was similar to Lady Quill. It was easy to see they were related in some way. “I would say we start with the Summer Sun Show Down – I did not coin that name – between the changeling and your student. And what happened to the Changeling? Why aren’t we invaded if their queen is imprisoned?”

“Ah, I knew you would pick a good starting point, Quill Snap! Chrysalis used to be Queen Radiant Hope of the Crystal Empire. A millennia ago, a potioneer called Daunting Potions tried to whoo her with the first ever love potion.” explained the Princess. “It backfired and turned her into Chrysalis. Her changelings are a manifestation of the curse, so we assume they disintegrated when Radiant Hope was healed. Radiant, could you show yourself?”

“Of course, Celestia.” Radiant stepped in front, closer to Celestia. “I want to apologize for the things I had done as Chrysalis, I wasn’t of mind.”

“I see. But it is good you’re well again.” said Snap.

“Now that you’re back, who will rule the Empire? Princess Cadenza did a swell job, the crystal ponies love her.” asked a reporter from Vanhoover. As a Vanhoovern – living close to the cold north and the Empire – she is curious about its politics.

“I know. While I will take over the throne, Cadenza will be my heir.” explained Radiant happily. “She will take the throne when I can’t anymore. She had proven to be a capable ruler. There is no better heiress I could ask for.”

“Aren’t you worried the kingdom of Roam may require her?” asked a pegasi.

Cadence chimed in, “I have so many siblings and cousins, I doubt this will happen anytime soon.”

“Now, what about your student? How is she an Alicorn?” asked an earth pony. She added unsure of what to say, “That Alicorn is your student, right?”

“It is true that Twilight Sparkle is an Alicorn, but unlike Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Twilight did not ascend.” explained Celestia as calmly as she could. “Twilight was born an Alicorn, we just kept it a secret.” As she said that, all cameras in the room made pictures and the reporters muttered to each other. These news shocked her.

“Silence!” yelled Lady Quill sternly, using a voice booster spell to make sure everyone hears her. “Do I need to remind you of what the princess said not too long ago? Now continue in order!”

Quill Snap took the cue and asked orderly, “What do you mean with ‘we’, princess? You are known not to use the royal We.”

“I meant we, as in Mi Amore Cadenza, Twilight’s adoptive parents, the viscounts of house Star and I. We kept her a secret as her being an Alicorn would have caused unwanted attention.” she said. “How would you feel if you were an Alicorn as a child?”

“We won’t have had a peaceful and normal childhood!” said the earth pony from before. “Oh, I see. That makes sense.”

“Wait, what do you mean with adopted?” asked the vanhoovern reporter. “Who are her real parents? Is this why she is an Alicorn?”

Instead of Celestia, Luna answered, “Yes, her biological parentage is why Twilight was born an Alicorn. Now to answer who, Twilight is my daughter. As for why she was here before I returned… my sister send her into the future – those reasons are classified-”

“Partly. I wanted to reunite them. I didn’t want to take parenthood from Luna… but I missed the time spot by two decades…” admitted Celestia. “Time spells are so fickle…” This announcement galvanized the media representatives. Celestia didn’t feel like bothering to silent them. She nod to Lady Quill – she shouldn’t either – they wait for the masses to calm down on their own.

“Will she be crowned as a princess or is that unnecessary?” asked Quill Snap. “This maybe a stupid question, but is Twilight Sparkle her birth name. It is kinda an odd name for Princess Luna to choose…”

“Snap…” Lady Quill considered that question to be rude, she let him feel that.

“I am in the process of planning her coronation.” said Luna happily, “Her birth name is Aurora Dawn, but Celestia felt the need to change it. If Twilight wants, she could change her name back to it.”

With that, all attention was on Twilight. Radiant empathized with how overwhelmed Twilight felt. Everything was deemed as overly important just because one is an Alicorn. Radiant was happy the attention wasn’t on her right now.

“I actually consider to fuse both names.” admitted Twilight. “But I have yet to decide a name combination.”

After the biggest questions were answered and the media ran out of irrelevant ones, the press conference ended and the princesses felt tired. With Quill Snap leaving the hall last, Shining Armor and Spike approached Twilight. Shining said, “You did well for your first outing as an Alicorn, sis.”

“I think I could have done better.” she answered.

“Of course you said that.” muttered Spike.

The news letter was set aflame after Amethyst read it to her family. They all stared at the pile of ash, processing the news.

“Yak dung.” said Amethyst.

“Turns out, she is a princess…” said her sister Twilight Veil. “Well, that explains why they were risen to viscounts.”

“Why didn’t they tell us!” complained their father.

“Well, you have been mean to her from the start, Alcor.” said the late Radiant Twilight’s husband. “Of course they didn’t tell you about this…”

"Why are you even here, Easy Light?” asked Veil.

“The necklace, you know which one.” he answered. “Unlike you, I don’t want issues with the royal lawyers!”

“Calm down, Easy.” said Amethyst. “We’ll give the necklace to her.”

Easy Light just grunted annoyed. He just could not believe her. Then Lilac Twilight’s older sister spoke up, “Considering what had happened at last year’s Galloping Gala, this will reflect terribly on us.”

“You’re right, Rosy Shine.” admitted Amethyst. “But I am sure we can fix that! She will be the princess of friendship, one aspect of friendship being forgiveness. She has to forgive us!”

“Eh, but there is no element of forgiveness.” chimed Lilac in. “And even if Twilight forgives us, I doubt aunt Velvet and the other Stars will.”

Her older sister agreed, “Lilac’s right. Not to mention, we’re still banned from the palace.”

“Ya shouldn’t have bullied an orphan!” said Easy Light. “I am leaving, dung heads!”

“The coronation is open for everyone, maybe we can apologize there.” proposed Veil, “Princess Celestia is always very clear in her language and how she formulates things.”

“Aye, but maybe we risk to embarrass our house even more.” added Alcor. Amethyst hated how true this is. “Now that we’re all in one spot, girls, do not use the names Aurora and Dawn!”

“Figured.” said Lilac.

Twilight was nervous the morning of her coronation. The whole razzle dazzle made by Rarity who made a last few changes to her dress didn’t help. When the fashionista finally left, Luna came into her room at the palace. She hugged Twilight, “Are you excited?”

“Yes? Mainly about the name I choose for myself, though.” admitted Twilight. “Otherwise, I am very nervous. And confused.”

“Confused?” wondered Luna. “Why confused?”

“Nothing big, I just expected a stronger reaction to my odd horn.” she said darkly. “It looks like Sombra’s… apropos-”

“No, no! Don’t think about him on your big day!” scolded Luna her, flapping with her wings. “Leave him to your aunt and me.”

“Thinking of Celestia as my aunt is still so weird!” said Twilight, “Not as weird as Cadence being my cousin and sister in law at the same time, though. And I suppose it is nice to have a caring aunt for a change.”

“Apropos these ponies… considering the name ‘Twilight’ has an important meaning for them and Velvet, will you keep it?” asked Luna.

“Yes. While I do not consider to be family with Veil, Amethyst and the others, Velvet is still mom.” explained Twilight. “She raised me, it feels unfair to her to get rid of the name. Even if I have you now, mother.”

“Understandable. You know, ‘Twilight’ grows on me. It does have a night theme after all.” mused Luna.

“Why did you choose Aurora Dawn?” asked Twilight. “Don’t get me wrong, it is pretty name, but Dawn has no night theme.”

“I choose Aurora because I spend a lot of time in the north, watching the northern lights. They were beautiful.” remembered Luna. “And Dawn… I choose it in wishful thinking that Celestia would accept you if I were to give you a day related name.”

Twilight was surprised, “You were worried about that?”

“Stupid in hindsight, I know.” admitted Luna. “Now, we need to go. The coronation should start soon.”

Lilac Twilight was nervous when her family stepped into the grounds of the palace. She was sure those guards recognized them but let them in as the coronation was ‘open for all’. Apparently Veil was right for once. Not that she thinks her aunt is stupid, she just isn’t right often.

Either way, in preparation that her family gains negative attention, she decided to stay close to Easy Light for the event. And the didn’t want to risk that her older sister forces babysitter duties on her. Rosy Shine does that way too often for Lilac’s liking.

“Radiant Twilight was right, little Sparkle will go far in live.” mused Easy Light. “Not even in the middle of her twenties and already princess, ha!”

“Yes.” she agreed. Radiant had a smell for ponies achievements – even her cutie mark related to accessing other’s potential – but becoming a princess? Even Radiant won’t have known that. “I feel bad for what my family did to her.”

“Don’t feel bad, Lilac.” he told her as they waited for the coronation to start. They found a spot in the middle, while the others were more behind.

“Huh?” She was so surprised to hear that, “But…”

“Your family was terrible for her for something so stupid as adoption, but you didn’t actively partake in it.” he said. “Lilac, you’re young. Have you ever done something to her in your short live?”

“No. How? Mom never let me interact with her.” stated Lilac, “Even though I really want to ask some questions about Spike! Having a dragon is so cool!”

“See. You have done nothing, so no need to feel bad.” said Easy, “Oh, it begins!”

As everyone was seated or found a spot to stand – some pegasi flew in the air – the door to the balcony opened and all the Princesses came out, wings wide open and dressed in the finest dresses. Twilight kept close to her mother.

“Mm, they’re close now…” Lilac’s orange eyes noted her aunt Velvet in front of them.

“Velvet, she won’t stop seeing us now.” said Night Light. “Don’t worry. Luna even said we’ll share our daughter.”

“Still…”

Lilac whispered to Easy, “Do you think she’ll keep the name Twilight?”

“Sure, but it will be for her mom, not your mother and the others.” he guessed.

“Figured.”

Their attention snapped to the front, “With that, I crown Twilight Aurora the newest princess of Equestria, the Princess of Friendship and Magic. Then again, Friendship is Magic!” Celestia then added, “Now, if interested, we continue the celebrations indoors!”

“Twilight looks nervous.” mused Lilac.

“She is always nervous.” he answered. “Always was, always will be. Now let’s get it! I won’t miss free cake.”

Lilac laughed, “Never change, Uncle Easy.”

The ball to celebrate the coronation was in full swing. Velvet and Night Light were the first ones to approach Twilight – Velvet with a hug when the party started.

“You kept the name!” celebrated Velvet. “I am so happy about this!”

Celestia chimed in, “Velvet, now that Twilight is officially crowned, would you two like to rise in the ranks?”

“Not really.” said Velvet. “What about you, Night Light?”

“Me neither. We’re happy as we are.” he answered.

His son said, “Come on, dad! You just don’t want even more responsibilities!”

“And? We’re getting old and you and Twilight have your hooves already full as it is, Prince Shining.” answered Night Light. “And I don’t think my mom would survive if I climb again.”

“How’s Gramma Eclipse doing anyway?” wondered Twilight.

“The usual, bragging about you and Shining at Bingo.” said Velvet. “Then again, just the last year gave her enough reason to do so.”

As the Star family talked, Celestia and Luna observed the celebrations. Their foreign guests should want to talk to the newly crowned princess at some point. The only foreign monarch she saw was Radiant Hope.

“Could I borrow Luna for a second?” she asked, her blue eyes shining with a mischievous gleam Celestia hadn’t seen in a long while. Even for Alicorn standards.

“Of course.” she said. “While you two talk, I’ll get some cake.”

“Define ‘some’, sister.” muttered Luna as she walked to Radiant. “You know, for the longest time, I never thought this day would come.”

“Understandable, my friend.” answered Radiant. “Now… I don’t know if this is a good moment to talk about this, but… Luna, I think I know who her father is. Like Pinkie said, it takes two ponies to make a third.”

With that, Luna got read. “Well, yes…”

“Calm down, if it isn’t who I think it is, I won’t judge you.” she said. “I am just bummed that my attempts at matchmaking with you and Silver Shimmer didn’t work.”

Luna remembered that crystal pony. “That was you?”

“Yeah…” answered the queen sheepishly. “To my defense, I meant it well.”

“Of course. Matchmaking! No wonder you get along with Cadence!” realized Luna. “Now lets go before my sister eats all of the cake.