Friendship has Changed

The glass window, which portrayed the downfall of Queen Chrysalis nicely, permitted a beam of sunlight from outside into the room found in Celestia's quarters, often noted for its gallery of window art depicting important events in Equestrian history. The beam of light had irritated Twilight's eyes, for the light had directly penetrated her vision through her glasses; many years of studying had slowly degraded Twilight's vision. Twilight's magic could transform her vision from poor to perfect with ease, but she actually liked the way her glasses had made her look more mature and aged-more important. Surprisingly, Rarity had wholeheartedly agreed with Twilight's decision with the accessory amidst her biting criticisms against fashion she considered disgraceful; it was obvious that Rarity's statement about her glasses looking divine on Twilight were sincere, for in the world of fashion she is very sincere. Twilight waited in agony; her anxieties bit at her judgment and senses, just like it always has when she was under stress.

A few minutes passed, a laughably audible sigh was heard, and Celestia had entered the room before her pupil.
Twilight hesitated with an air of uncertainty before she inquired, "May I ask what you have summoned me here for, princess?" The princess knew her pupil's bluntness was not coming from insincerity, but from dismay over the possibility of bad news being delivered to her. The princess was extremely upset as well because she knew that today she had to tell her.

"Twilight Sparkle," she said her pupil's name formally like she typically did, "today is the day we have both dreaded. A long time ago I saw your incredible potential when you were a filly, and we both know your potential has been reached. Honestly, your magical powers are much greater than mine. I hate to be blunt, but I need to become a queen who has a king, and I need you to do a large chunk of my royal duties," pausing wondering if the next thing she would say would help or hinder. "Of course, in return you will get many privileges," the princess had stated, feeling the weight of the words leave her shoulders as she saw it be stacked onto Twilight's. The stress of the words she had to say left her, but the guilt from separating Twilight from her friends did not.

About a year ago, Celestia had told Twilight this day was to come. When Twilight was first told, she was as shocked as she was flattered. Twilight had spent the year until this day pondering what her life would be like from now on. She would still see her friends of course, but barely at all. Her life would become one of solitude, similar to her life before she ever set hoof in Ponyville; however, Twilight wondered how much more lonely she would feel this time around after knowing the magic greater than any other, including her own, which was the friendship her close friends gave her. This dismay tore apart Celestia as much as it did Twilight, for she knew what she was going through, and she also cared deeply for her talented, loyal pupil. Yet, both mentor and pupil alike knew that this must happen because they both knew it would be wrong to have mentored Twilight years for nothing.

As painful as it was, Twilight could not bring herself to stop thinking about her friends. Applejack had taken over Big Mac's place of importance in the family because Big Mac had aged badly, although he was not broken in the least bit because he was still fond of working-he just couldn't work enough to be in charge anymore. Rarity had finally gotten the big break in her fashion career that she so heavily desired, and she had grown closer to Spike as a friend after his crush on her had waned. Twilight wondered if Spike would decide to become Rarity's pet dragon, or to still stay with her. Honestly, Twilight would miss Spike horribly, but knew it'd be better for somepony else to keep the friendly dragon company because she knew she'd have little time needed for the talkative dragon to feel cared for, and that'd he'd soon get tired of having to work even more than he already had been with Twilight just to have her company. Pinkie Pie, feeling lonely from all of her close friends becoming less and less available and with the Cakes's children too old to be babysat, had opened up her own club with DJ Pon-3 and became close friends with Derpy. Fluttershy, having learned pony skills from her close friends, had become a doctor's assistant on the path to becoming a skilled, timid, and friendly nurse. Rainbow Dash had been admitted into the Wonderbolts, and easily became the most skilled out of all of them due to her hard work ethic.

"Alright Princess, where do I begin?" Twilight had asked, with sadness apparent in her voice. "When do you next see all of your friends, Twilight?" the Princess asked kindly.

Startled, Twilight replied to Celestia's question with a question in a shocked tone, "W-what?" "Please, Twilight, just tell me," the Princess had stated in a tired tone.

"I don't know when Princess," Twilight had said earnestly.

"Well then, as a favor for all your hard work over the years I will help you arrange a picnic with your friends, if you are fine with the occasion being a picnic." the Princess said with kindness.

"Why of course that is fine!" Twilight had exclaimed with glee. The arrangements were made within a few days; all of Twilight's friends could come.

Rainbow Dash was the second pony there, the first being Twilight herself. Both glee and unease for the bittersweet occasion affected both ponies.

Trying to keep their minds off of soon not seeing each other at all(or barely so), both ponies started to converse.

"So, what's it like being a Wonderbolt, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked her friend in good spirit.

"Oh you know, pretty awesome of course," Rainbow Dash had stated almost factually, "but, of course the wonderbolts aren't as good as friends as…"
Rainbow Dash didn't need to finish her sentence. Twilight already knew what it was going to be.

Twilight agreed with her sentiment, and had said,"Yeah…." The two ponies waited for their four friends to arrive in silence.