A Princess's Courage - FiMFetch.net (2024)

The next day, everypony gathered for Twilight's ascension to the throne of Equestria. Her entire family was there, and they were all beaming. Her mother, father, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and a plethora of excited aunts, uncles, and cousins had all journeyed to Canterlot to see their "little filly" become the leader of an entire nation.

It was a day full of family pride and heavy emotion, but nopony emoted better than her mother. Her buckets of happy tears could have filled a river and then some. "My little filly," she said in happiness as the tears rolled. "Oh, Night Light, I'm so proud of her!"

"You and me both, sweetheart," her husband replied, "you and me both."

Backstage, Twilight was a nervous wreck. Her friend Rarity was attempting to fit her into her dress, but she just couldn't sit still. "Twilight, darling, if you continue moving about like that, I shall have to pin your hooves to the floor!"

"Sorry, Rarity," Twilight said sheepishly, "but I'm about to become the leader of Equestria! It's kind of a big deal and I don't know what to do and I'm super nervous and-"

She was quieted by a hoof to her mouth. "Relax, Twilight," the pretty white fashionista said soothingly, "it's all gonna be okay." Seeing that her calming words were doing nothing to help steady her friend's nerves, she decided to try a different approach. "Whenever I'm getting ready to have dresses modeled at a big fashion show, I tend to get these small panic attacks, too. So I've devised a method of deep breathing exercises that really help get my nerves under control. Maybe they can help you too, darling. Follow me. Breathe in…" They both took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds. "…And breathe out," Rarity finished.

They did this exercise a few times and Twilight found that it did help calm her just a little. But the burden that Celestia and Luna had placed on her shoulders still weighed heavily. There had been numerous times since her talk with the Princess of the Day the previous afternoon that she had felt like she would have to bear it alone. But then she remembered Celestia's idea, and she felt warm all over again.

She finally settled enough for Rarity to finish preparing her. The fashion obsessed unicorn stepped back and looked at her handiwork. "Let me look at you," she said before her jaw dropped. She thought she had never seen a more ravishing sight. Twilight looked, for all intents and purposes, absolutely stunning. She was wearing an updated version of the gold dress Rarity had made for her first coronation. Now it was overlaid with an extensive amount of purple. Shimmering stars dotted the outsides of it. Her mane had been done exquisitely, and her teeth flashed when she smiled.

"You are ready, Twilight!" Rarity said in excitement. She couldn't wait for Twilight to become the ruler of Equestria, mainly because it would mean more trips to Canterlot for her. She loved the grand city, and wished with all her heart that she might reside there someday. But for now, she was happy with the small boutique she ran in the town. She was also deeply honored to have designed and made a dress for somepony so special.

Before she could stop herself, she ran and gave Twilight a sincere hug. "I know I don't need to tell you this," she said, "but…I cherish our friendship, Twilight."

The Princess of Friendship happily returned the embrace. "I cherish it too, Rarity. But you're saying that like this is goodbye forever." Rarity sniffed as tears came. "I know it isn't goodbye forever, darling, but…we sure will miss you around Ponyville." Twilight had to force herself to keep Celestia's idea a surprise, but warmly smiled and acknowledged Rarity's words. With that, her friend pointed the way towards the staging area and Twilight marched over and stood at the head of a group of soldiers and singers.

At the sound of booming trumpets, Celestia began the ceremony. Cadance and Luna stood beside her, and Twilight's sister-in-law was absolutely bursting at the seams with pride and joy. The raiser of the sun stomped her hoof and the hall fell silent. "Friends, neighbors, family members, and fellow citizens of Equestria. Welcome to this momentous occasion. In the history of Equestria, we have only had two ruling princesses: myself and Luna. Cadance is a princess in her own right, but she rules The Crystal Empire, which is technically its own nation. We harbor a deep friendship and trust with the Empire, so she is allowed to stand on this dais with us today.

My sister and I have ruled this land for nearly 4,000 years. We hope we have left behind a legacy of love, compassion, and friendship. We also hope that the fires of bravery, courage, and resistance in the face of evil have burned brightly during our reign. But now it is time for us to move on, and leave Equestria in very capable hooves. It is time for a third ruler to join our pantheon. Mares and Gentle Colts, citizens of Equestria, I give you The Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle!"

At this, the double doors at the back were thrown open and Twilight marched in with her entourage. The singers belted out the same hymn that had been sung at her first coronation, and she couldn't help but notice her mother bawling her eyes out. She warmly smiled at her parents as she went by, and they graciously returned the gesture. Her entourage split and went down two separate rows as she made her way to stand before Celestia. She noticed a gleam of sheer joy in her former teacher's eye.

"On this day, I hereby abdicate my position as ruler of Equestria to somepony very deserving of the job. My sister abdicates as well. For the first time ever, Equestria shall have only one ruler. My dear Twilight, do you accept the position laid out before you? Do you promise to defend Equestria and its constitution against every enemy that shall come against you? Do you swear to protect friendship as the core tenet of our nation?"

"I do," Twilight said sincerely.

"Then by the powers vested in me by Star Swirl the Bearded, I hereby grant you the title of Princess Amicus Usque in Sempiternum. Your new title means "the princess of friends who are forever" in Pony Latin. You show friendship, you exude it. I'm very proud to grant you this title and all the power that goes with it."

With that, Celestia and Luna stepped together and breathed magic over Twilight. Instantly, Twilight felt a mixture of emotions. She felt the soothing warmth of friends. She felt the care of a mother. She also felt the pain of letting something you love go, and the fierceness and bloodshed of battle. She felt the blaze of the sun and the coolness of the moon. In one instant, she saw an entire country under her control.

When she came down, she noticed that, while she wasn't tall like Celestia or Luna, her mane and tail were perpetually flowing. The stars sparkled in them, and they shimmered in the morning light. She smiled up at Celestia, but then backed up a bit. Celestia and Luna had shrunk to her size! They no longer had wings! They were simple unicorns. Celestia's mane and tail were a bright, beautiful pink. Luna's held a mysterious blue. The things that hadn't changed were their cutie marks. Those were forever. Celestia walked up to Twilight and smiled.

"Everypony, you may notice that my sister and I have changed drastically. That's because we were fillies when we were crowned. Twilight is a full grown mare. She has no need to grow any further in physical size. But she will always be growing mentally. She now has the power to raise both the sun and the moon. In my last official act as ruler of Equestria, I hereby bestow both my crown and my sister's upon Twilight's head. This signifies the unity of the day and the night, and the official beginning of Princess Amicus's reign over Equestria!"

With a smile, she sat the royal gems on Twilight's brow and the entire hall erupted in cheers and applause. Twilight smiled down at her family, who couldn't stop jumping up and down in excitement. She turned to her friends, who stood beside her, and saw that everypony, even Rainbow Dash, was crying with delight.

She waved her hoof and instantly the hall became silent. "Thank you, Celestia. I would like to congratulate you on your retirement. May the rest of your years be as happy as these first few thousand have been." This earned a chuckle from the audience, as they all knew that Celestia and Luna were no longer as long in the tooth as they were before.

Twilight turned to the crowd once again. "There are so many ponies I need to thank for my place up here before you. It would take too long to name them all, but just know that I love each one of you. However, there are six in particular that I would like to bestow special honors upon. Celestia, will you help me?"

Celestia bowed in respect to the new ruler and went and used her magic to float a small bundle over to where they were. She set it down and opened it up to reveal six medals. Twilight smirked. She had a special surprise for the sixth pony.

"Applejack, please step forward." Applejack, with a look of surprise, came and bowed before Twilight. "You have displayed the honest spirit of a true friend. I am honored to be able to call you that and, as my first act as ruler of Equestria, I want to invite you to sit on my new advisory board as Equestria's first ambassador for honesty. I would also like to invite you to move and live in Canterlot." Applejack looked totally shocked, but then smiled widely, graciously accepted her orange medal, and returned to stand with the others.

"Rainbow Dash, please step forward." So Dash did and Celestia prepared her multicolored medal. "Rainbow, you have been an integral part of my life for a long time now. Your loyalty and determination are unmatched in our nation. I would like to also invite you to sit on my advisory board as Equestria's first ambassador for loyalty. This also comes with an invitation to live in Canterlot." Dash's smile widened as Twilight's words went on and she took her medal and fairly flew back to her friends.

"Next, Rarity." The fashionista came forward and offered an eloquent bow. Twilight returned it and Celestia floated a bright blue medal in the air. "Rarity, you are a kind, generous soul who would bend over backwards if it meant helping somepony out. You exude a selfless spirit, and that's what I want on my board. If you accept this, you will be the Equestrian ambassador for generosity. You would also be the official royal fashion designer. I'd also like to invite you to-"

"YES! YES!" Rarity suddenly burst out. Her dream of living in Canterlot had finally come true. But she realized she was making a bit of a fool of herself, and she backed away sheepishly. All Twilight did was laugh at how excited her friend was, and this was followed by laughter of all kinds in the hall. Rarity blushed a bit as she went to sit with her friends.

Twilight finished chuckling and then called Fluttershy to the front. "Fluttershy, you are kindness incarnate. I have seen you overcome so many obstacles with a kind word or a simple gesture. I want you on my board as Equestria's ambassador for kindness. You too, would live in Canterlot." Fluttershy accepted her yellow medal, but she was shaking a bit. After all, she had never been an ambassador before. But she knew she would do anything for her friends, and she felt honored that Twilight was entrusting this position to her.

"Pinkie Pie, please step forward." Pinkie bounced over to Twilight and stood in utter admiration of her friend. She couldn't believe she was personal friends with the ruler of Equestria! "Pinkie, your smile is exuberant. Your laughter is infectious. Now, I want you to spread that laughter throughout the world, not only as the new royal party planner, but as the official Equestrian ambassador for laughter, parties, and all things related to them." Pinkie burst at the seams as she received her pink medal. She bounced back over to her friends and they all shared hushed exclamations of excitement.

"Last, but certainly not least, my school's guidance counselor, Starlight Glimmer." Starlight smiled and walked over to Twilight. She bowed and Twilight bowed back. "My dearest Starlight, you and I have been through thick and thin together. From our battles as enemies to fighting side by side to protect our land, I know there's nopony else like you out there. That's why I am honored and thrilled to bestow the following title on you: Princess Starlight Glimmer."

Starlight looked absolutely shocked as the hall filled with cheers. They began chanting Starlight's name in respect and admiration. "Me? A…princess?" She asked in disbelief. Twilight smiled, nodded, and shot Starlight with a magic blast. Immediately, Starlight grew a beautiful new pair of wings. She looked at them and a smile burst over her face.

Twilight called for quiet and continued. "I can think of nopony else I want running the friendship school in Ponyville. You, Starlight, are the new Princess of Friendship!" Starlight, in shock but humbly accepting of the position, turned and spread her wings along with Twilight. Celestia and Luna stomped their hooves in applause and Cadance stepped forward and hugged both of them.

With this coronation, a long era of peace and happiness began for Equestria. Twilight ruled with kindness, justice, bravery, friendship, and dedication for thousands of years. Starlight and Cadance did the same, and if you were to walk up to anypony on the street and ask them about Twilight's reign, they would say that it was the friendliest time in Equestrian history.