3

✶The coronation was upon me, at last.
✶I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself.
✶My dress was gorgeous, a light pink that accented my mane highlights, adorned with some yellow, purple and even light orange decorations and patterns. 
✶It truly did resemble my very name. Twilight Andromeda Sparkle.
✶I sighed and brushed through my styled mane with a hoof, careful not to disturb any of the hard work Celestia’s hoofmaidens put in.
✶I unfolded a wing and looked at it. It was different from Celestia and Luna’s wings, which reflected the color of their coats. 
✶My feathers possessed a sort of gradient, from my coat’s lavender at the base to a dark indigo at the tips. 
✶Fine glitter had been sprinkled and brushed on, making the tips of my primaries look just like the night sky. In fact, the only part of me that wasn’t dusted with glitter was my mane, which was a sort of mix between Luna and Celestia’s manes. 
✶My hair was real, but seemed to drift on an invisible wind and glittered like the very stars I now represented.
✶Suddenly I heard a firm knock at the door of my dressing chambers.
“Come in!” 
✶I called out, folding my wing back up and making sure I was straightened up for my first public appearance.
✶The door opened, and none other than Shining Armor Sparkle, my brother, walked in.
✶He gasped a bit upon seeing me, and a proud smile spread across his muzzle.
✶”Man, my sister, a Princess… I knew you were destined for greatness, Twily.”
“Ha.. Yeah, I suppose.”
✶”What’s the matter?” Shining furrowed his brow, “not getting stage fright, are you?”
“Of course I’m nervous, Shiny… It’s all so much, so fast! The past few days have been nothing short of overwhelming!”
“I’m going from a relatively normal librarian to a ruler of Equestria! In three days, Shining! Three! And the only reason it wasn’t two was because Luna couldn’t find a griffonian caterer available until today! WHY ARE THE GRIFFONS EVEN HERE FOR THIS?!”
✶”Woah, woah, calm down sis. You’re going to be amazing. Listen to me.”
✶Shining chuckled and sat next to me. He put an encouraging hoof on my own and took a deep breath.
✶”I know it’s scary. Believe me, I’ve always been more scared than anypony. For you, for Cadey, for our country. Heck, it’s how I got my cutie mark.”
“You never told me… When you drove off those bullies?”
✶”Yeah. I was scared spitless. But you know what scared me more? The thought of you getting hurt because those foals were going too far.”
✶”But look at us now, Twily. We’re still scared, but we face down manticores, evil kings from the shadows, and Changelings anyways.”
✶”You’re a part of something bigger, but you know what doesn’t change? Who you are. You’re Twilight, my LSBFF, Element of Magic, Liberator of Luna and Vanquisher of Chaos. Most importantly, you’re the smartest, kindest, bravest mare I know next to Cadance.”
✶”You can do anything. I know you can. I’ve seen you do the impossible… And I can think of no finer mare to serve Equestria as a ruler than you.”
✶I sniffled, brought to tears by my brother’s encouraging words, and nodded.
“Thanks BBBFF… I’ll make you all proud.”
✶”Aw man, Twily. You already have.”

✶”We are gathered here today in celebration of a momentous occasion!”
✶Celestia began her speech within the expansive ballroom. It once served as a wedding hall for my brother’s wedding, and now it would serve as the main hall of my coronation.
✶”My most faithful student, Twilight Andromeda Sparkle, has done many extraordinary things since arriving in Ponyville two years ago. She has vanquished Discord, liberated my sister, Princess Luna, and even soundly assisted in the defeat of the Changeling invaders from the South.”
✶”However, three days ago, she accomplished something extraordinary. Something so incredible that even the stars themselves sang her name for the first time since she was marked fifteen years ago.”
✶”Twilight created new magic, proving to the very heavens, and this country, that she is ready to be crowned Equestria’s newest Princess!”
✶”Fillies and gentlecolts! May I present for the very first time…”
✶”Princess Twilight Sparkle!”
✶That was my cue. I turned my muzzle up in a gentle smile and walked with my escort of hoofmaidens carrying my new royal crest on flags through the large double doors with the procession.
✶I saw so many familiar faces, many of which were overjoyed and misty-eyed. Family, friends, and even acquaintances and old classmates.
✶I also saw frowns, scowls and impassive faces from many unfamiliar faces as well. Nobles, courtiers and… reporters? Who let them in?
✶I waved as I walked down the carpeted aisle, a million thoughts passing me as my destiny neared.
✶Right ahead of me… Celestia, Luna, Cadance and my friends.
✶I took a breath, kneeled before Celestia, and took my oath.

✶The afterparty was a blur. After my speech, the celebrations began in earnest, and boy did they go all out.
✶A Princess’s coronation was a once in a several lifetimes sort of shindig; Applejack brought her finest cider, Rainbow Dash busted out her most dangerous moves, Fluttershy arranged a bird choir with additions from the royal conservatory, Rarity had decorated to the max, and Pinkie Pie had brought it all together into the biggest celebration Canterlot had seen since Luna’s return.
✶In a moment of humble amazement, I had to stop and just experience it all.
✶The lights, the colors and the overwhelming joy everypony had expressed for me… They had done it all for me…
✶As the night winded down and ponies returned to their homes, visitors checked into hotels and travelers hopped aboard the final trains, I found myself in my new royal chambers.
✶I wasn’t sure how they cobbled together the Dusk wing of the castle in just a few days, but I wasn’t about to ask.
✶Even so, I sighed to myself as I watched the stars twinkling above in the sky.
✶Were they always so alive…?
✶There was a particular dragon who’d insisted on staying. In fact, he’d been very upset that I had decided to leave him behind at all.
“Spike? Can you fetch me a quill and paper?”
✶”Uh, sure. Do you want me to…?”
“Not this time. It’s… a little more personal, if you don’t mind.”
✶”Seriously? I’m just glad to have a break for once.”
✶I giggled.
“You’ve earned it, Spike.”

✶”Dear Princess Celestia,”
✶”I hope this letter finds you well. I know you don’t want me to call you ‘Princess’ anymore, but indulge me just this once, please.”
✶”I wanted to thank you for everything. For taking me on as your student, teaching me everything about magic, and most importantly, about friendship.”
✶”I used to think I never needed friends, but without them, I’d be a very different pony today. I suppose I would have always become the stars’ chosen even if I never went to Ponyville, but I wouldn’t be able to handle it like I’ve been handling it.”
✶”It’s important to have friends beside you during difficult times and times of change, because they can help you carry the burden. When we rely on each other, we can do anything.”
✶”This may be my last friendship report, but I will never stop learning.”
✶”Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.”
✶With the final word on the paper, I yawned and glanced to Spike. He had already fallen asleep, apparently. I hummed softly and shook my head with a smile.
“Guess I’ll do it the old-fashioned way…”
✶With a quiet pop of my magic, the letter dissipated into thin air, on its way to its recipient.
✶I crawled into my silken bed and rested my head upon the finely decorated pillow. Rest soon came for me, leading into yet another dream.
✶A dream full of stars.