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I had been summoned to the throne room of Canterlot's royal palace. The Crystal Empire was saved. Sombra had made a successful return, but James and amazingly Kendra managed to hold him off long enough for the crystal ponies to activate the Crystal Heart to power the Crystal Empire's defense systems to erase him. That was a close call. If Kendra had not been the first to rush to our defense, things would have likely ended badly.

But it is done. We succeeded. And I can still vaguely feel it in the air. Princess Celestia was not wrong about the Crystal Empire's properties. The Crystal Heart's energies are faintly filling the air. I am sure I will cease to notice in time and I doubt the rest of the world is even aware of it, but I am sure Equestria as a whole will benefit from its positive energies.

If only I knew the true nature of this 'test'... I stood before the doors to the throne room and waited before they both opened inward. And there they were. Princess Celestia bordered by her sisters. King Orbash and Queen Sunflare were absent, but I did not think much of it. Princess Celestia was who I needed to see. I bowed my head before my beloved mentor before we shared a gaze. "You wanted to see me?"

Something was wrong. I could see that Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon had looks of unease or even caution on their faces. But I knew that Princess Celestia would never steer me wrong. At least not about the most dire of subjects. She smiled at me as she asked, "I have heard good news from Shining Armor. And I can feel it in the air. Your mission to defend the Crystal Empire was a success?"

The doors closed behind me as I felt so proud of myself knowing we had succeeded in flying colors. And so I gave a brief recollection of recent events. "Yes! We located the Crystal Heart and managed to return it to its proper place. Sombra did almost get to us, but Kendra and even James managed to hold him off long enough for us to figure out how to get the Crystal Heart to work. It turned out that only the crystal ponies themselves could activate it. And... Well... I really don't think we'll ever have to worry about Sombra again after that."

All three of the royal sisters before me looked very relieved at that. Princess Celestia then asked, "And may I ask what approach you took to solve this problem?"

"I went with what I knew best. I worked with my friends. We all did what we could to save the Crystal Empire. Doing it together with them has never failed us before. And it didn't fail now." I replied honestly. What other choice did I have? I would have been a fool to try and solve this on my own. I would have been nothing without them.

Princess Celestia gave me her proudest smile. But as she did, the looks of unease in her sisters' eyes became expressions of alarm. They glanced at each other as if to whisper, but I think they eyes said enough. What were they so worried about? In hindsight, I should have had the presence of mind to ask. But Princess Celestia has always guided me without any reason to doubt her. She would never force me into a difficult situation against my will..... Right?

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp8yZI5Vgdo[/embed]

"A wise choice indeed, Twilight. Step over here." Princess Celestia said before guiding me to a tall mirror against the wall nearby. Her sisters followed us, their gaits stiff with anxiety. I thought nothing of it. I had unwavering faith in my mentor. As I always have, foolish as such a thing to admit it is. "You have performed admirably time and again. Even in events we could not have foreseen. And now I believe the time has come. Your graduation and promotion is at hoof."

"Promotion...? To what?" I asked before we stood before the mirror. It was shrouded in a curtain. Was it even a mirror at all?

Princess Celestia smiled calmly as she used her magic to grasp the curtain and fling it aside. As she did, she spoke to me. "To join me and my sisters at our sides. Princess Twilight."

I looked in confusion, shock, and awe at what I was seeing in the mirror before me. My reflection gazed back at me, mirroring the look in my eyes and my most minute movements. It was me, but...different. I was clad in a stunning pink royal dress, a crown upon my head. And spread wide at my sides were two fluffy feathery pegasus wings. Just like those on Cadence. And standing in a row just behind my reflection were my dearest friends. Pinkie Pie. Applejack, Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy. Rarity. I turned and pivoted to get a better look at myself. And I must admit, I was quite impressed at first glance. I was a princess! An alicorn just like Princess Celestia!

All sorts of thoughts ran through my mind. The possibilities of this new power and authority. But...they were only momentary distractions. As the seconds went by and the initial excitement faded, I began to think more logically. Yes, my reflection depicted me as a princess. But...I have never once in my life entertained the thought of being a princess. Sure, I sometimes played and pretended as a filly about being a princess. Dressing up in little costumes and wearing cardboard wings and crowns. Shining Armor would sometimes indulge me in my fantasies like a butler waiting on his princess while she sat pretty on a throne. But now that I was seeing myself as one...

If I was having doubts or second thoughts about the whole thing, what happened next only cemented my choice. My reflection slowly became hazy. Distorted, like it had suddenly become a kind of funhouse mirror. And when the reflection cleared, I was greeted by a very different sight. I still saw myself before me, but my reflection no longer responded to my movements. I was much taller. Clad in jewelry not unlike that worn by Princess Celestia. My mane and tail were so much longer... And billowing ethereally. I... I had become just like Princess Celestia herself. But I could barely even look at myself because my attention was focused on something else. The row of lifelong friends standing in a row behind me. "No..."

They were still there, but...different. They had changed, wearing varying types of attire. But...I could see subtle changes in their faces. They looked...older. At least twenty years older. But when I looked up at my future face... Nothing. Not a single wrinkle or any other hinting at the passing of time. Fear took hold of my heart. It did not take a foal to see what was going to become of me. I was not merely like Princess Celestia in form. I had gained her immortality as well. "No..."

I tore my gaze away from my reflection to look at my friends. Tears suddenly formed in my eyes as their reflections began to fade. Turning translucent as they faded in an allegory of their inevitable deaths. I briefly forgot I was only seeing a projection and reached out in futility for those who give my life meaning. "No!"

I lunged at the mirror. My hoof slammed against it. They were gone. The mirror cracked. And yet my reflection remained. I gazed up at myself as she gazed back at me with a quiet empty smile. Untouched by time. Never fading. Never aging. Doomed to forever lose those who made her what she is. I could see my future looking back at me. A future that I was now deathly afraid of. And through my tears, one question drifted through my mind.

How could I ever choose forever over friendship?

"Twilight...? Are you all right?" Princess Celestia's voice reached my ears as my senses began to return to me. I sighed heavily as I tried to bring myself to look away from my false reflection. I was afraid... Not just for my future, but for what her response would be. I wanted nothing to do with the life that I had just seen. In more ways than one. "Is something wrong? Do you accept your place at my side as a princess of Equestria?"

Steeling my nerves for the disappointment that was sure to come, I dried my tears and turned to face my lifelong mentor. I breathed sharply through my teeth. This was going to be a difficult admission. "No... I'm sorry, but... I have to...decline your offer, Princess Celestia. I...refuse to become a princess of Equestria."

I noticed just behind her that Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon were breathing noticeable sighs of relief. They must have feared that I would have made a choice I would regret. Their responses to my words filled my heart with a glimmer of relief. I knew that I was making the right decision. But as I turned my gaze up to Princess Celestia, I felt that confidence fade as she looked at me with a much more...neutral expression. Fear filled my heart. Had I displeased her? "Are you certain that is your choice?"

I gulped hard. I needed to provide more than just an answer. I needed to provide a reason. I had one more question to ask. I needed to be sure that what I saw in the mirror was a true projection of what I would become. "One more question... What I saw... Is immortality a requirement to join your ranks?"

She made no attempt to hide the truth. "Yes. To serve Equestria, you must become like us. Unbound by time so you may serve and guide our people for centuries to come."

It was as I feared. And so I reaffirmed my decision. "Then...my answer is no. I can't... I won't...resign myself to a life where I have to go on forever without them. I... I am nothing without them. If I have to choose between friendship and forever.....then my answer is friendship."

I felt a glimmer of confidence fill my heart. I knew I was defying my mentor's wishes. I knew I would probably regret it. But...as long as I had them... Pinkie Pie. Applejack. Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy. Rarity. And of course...Spike. James. And now Kendra. As long as I have them, I know everything will be fine at the end of the day. But as I looked up at Princess Celestia, her face displayed absolute relief. She bowed her head with eyes closed, a rather loud sigh of relief coming from her. "I am...so very glad that is your decision, Twilight."

"You... You are?" I asked in confusion. I had assumed I had disappointed her. But she had hoped I would refuse in the end? "Then...why would... You... You saw what I saw, right?"

Such a sad frown form on her lips. "I was not going to hide anything from you, Twilight. Not this time. I wanted to make certain you knew what would come with the title. And the...sacrifices that you would have to make for it. I... I knew you would come to hate it. Immortality is not something that meshes well with the minds of mortals... You chose well, Twilight. And I am proud of you for that."

"Then...why even... I don't understand. Isn't this what... Haven't I...been working towards something as your student? What... What is the end goal? I... I just now realize I haven't even given it much thought for a long time... Like...the journey was the destination..." I began to muse as I started to wonder why I was even under Princess Celestia's tutelage in the first place. Was my promotion to royalty the true end goal? It could not be... She would never...

Her thoughts must have mirrored my own. Princess Celestia's eyes looked elsewhere as a look of extreme guilt filled her face. She brought herself to gaze at me and said, "No more lies... No more deception... Twilight, what I am about to say is difficult for me to admit to you, but... You need to know this. Even if you hate me for it. I love you and I want you to be happy, but you need to know the folly I nearly forced you into."

I thought for sure she was only exaggerating. She... She would never put me into a bad situation like that. All I did was nod. I had no idea what sort of world-shattering truths she was about to reveal to me. "When I took you under my wing so many years ago... I confess that there was no deception then. I did intend to train you in the art of magic. But...the end goal I had intended for you was...unambiguously selfish. I took you as my student...to mold you into my successor."

The sting in my heart was weak at first. And it would only continue to grow the more she spoke to me. "For years upon years, doubt gnawed at the back of my mind. I knew the consequences my actions would bring. Even moreso after you became the bearer of the Element of Magic and established the unbreakable bonds you have with the other five bearers. But I would always push it down with excuse after excuse. It won't be that bad, I would tell myself. She will become accustomed to it in time. I'm just overreacting. She is used to solitude. Give her enough time and heartache won't bother her anymore. What lies I told myself... All to keep my goals in sight while doing everything I could to...keep you in the dark."

My heart was breaking. How could she have ever even considered such a thing... I always had nothing but absolute faith in Princess Celestia. I could trust her with my life! And this... This is what she had planned for me? I felt so used... Like a puppet on strings... And yet, she continued to speak as tears flowed down her face. "It was only recently that I could no longer keep doing this... I couldn't do that to you, Twilight. Not after everything you've achieved and come to cherish. I could not take that away from you. And so I allowed you to choose for yourself rather than simply blindly follow a path I set out for you. And I am so dearly glad that you chose well."

Her words of praise did little to soothe the sense of betrayal in my nerves. My mind was a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. I will never know how I found the will to restrain my emotions before she could finish. "I... I very nearly forced you into a situation you would never be able to escape from... All because I was too shortsighted and too angry with myself to see past my own self-loathing. No one should never be forced to give up everything they have for a role they never asked for. Twilight... Hate me if you wish. But know this. I could not be more sorry for what I have done if I tried..."

I waited for her to continue speaking. But she did not. Ten seconds passed as the throne room was filled with a painful silence. Tears finally starting to run down my face again, I could grit my teeth to try and contain the feelings of confusion, betrayal, and rage in my heart. "What am I..."

I could not contain it any longer. I practically screamed at the mentor I had looked up to for more than half my life. "What am I to you?!"

They flinched. All three of the royal sisters really did not expect me to yell. And I could not stop yelling. "All these years...! All this time! I respected you... I loved you! I had nothing but admiration for you! But this... I never wanted this! I never even dreamed of being put on the throne! And at the cost of everything?! Being forced to watch everyone I love fade away?! Why?! What could drive you to do that to me?!"

Seething with rage and unable to stop my tears, all I could do was stare at my mentor. But she said nothing. She could not even look at me as her own tears flowed down her face. Even in my rage, I could not bring myself to stay there. I needed some air. And some time to process all of this. I made my way to the door to get out. I heard Princess Luna call for me, but I just snarled at her. "Not now...! I... I need some time alone..."

I all but galloped through the halls. Trying to get outside. I was not even really paying any mind to where I was going. I just wanted to get away. Next thing I knew, I was near the drawbridge leading into the main hall from the outside and just looking at my reflection on the surface of the moat.

Tears oozed down my face while I just lied there. Brooding over what I had heard. Just that morning, I was so proud of myself and so eager to report back to Princess Celestia to hear her praises. And now just the thought of her made bile boil in my gut. I cannot remember the last time I felt so furious, confused, and upset in my life. All those years... All while just being a puppet on strings for some master plan I never wanted anything to do with...

"What was I thinking... Sending me to Ponyville... Just to make friends and..." I grumbled to myself frustration, so mad at myself for being too naive to think that Princess Celestia was some sort of paragon of goodness without ever considering there may be some sort of ulterior motive behind her choosing me to be her star pupil. But as I thought about that fateful day, my thoughts went to something happier. My thoughts became ones of my friends.

Again... Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity. Thinking of them soothed some of my anger. I was eager to go home and just get together with them for maybe a nice meal and a cold drink. My thoughts went back to the very first day that I met them. And I came to a startling conclusion.

My eyes went wide before I abruptly lifted my head from my arms. The entire reason I even know them is because Princess Celestia insisted I go to Ponyville that day. Angry as I was at her, I could not deny that it was thanks to Princess Celestia that I even knew them. Going to Ponyville may have been the most important decision of my life. And... Well, I would be lying to myself if I said I would have found the initiative to do it myself. I was quite the recluse and Princess Celestia knew it. She would have to use a roundabout tactic to get me to start socializing. And it worked. And I became so much happier for it.

I could not deny it to myself. As disgusted as I was with her, I had to admit that I owed Princess Celestia much for what she helped me achieve. With my heart warming just enough, some of my anger faded and I began to think more logically. And I remembered every word she had just said to me. Over the course of a half hour, I thought and muttered to myself. Trying to rationalize with myself and analyze her words. Why. That was the question that stuck with me. Why did she so desperately wanted to step down and have me take her place? After so many centuries of guiding Equestria as well as she has?

I took a long deep breath and stood up. I was not in a hurry to see her again so soon, but I needed answers. Now more confused and frustrated than anything, I made my way back inside the palace. I did not go far before I found Nightmare Moon waiting for me inside at the bottom of the grand staircase. "Are you well, child?"

"Not really... I need to talk to Princess Celestia. I have some questions." I said quietly before Nightmare Moon began to lead me through the castle until we were outside Princess Celestia's private chambers. Princess Luna was standing just outside the door. "Is she in there...?"

Princess Luna looked towards the door before looking back to us. "Yes. And I do believe she is finished crying now."

Without a word, I opened the door and stepped inside with Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon right behind me. Celestia was motionless on her bed before the fireplace. She did not respond to my presence. She almost looked asleep. I stepped forward and asked, "Hello...?"

"Do you hate me, Twilight...?" She asked pathetically with so very little soul in her voice. She was exhausted. And probably very angry with herself.

"No... At least... Not really..." I muttered as I tried to not let my disgust get the better of me. I walked slowly until I was standing over her, my mentor's eyes looking up at me halfheartedly. Fresh tears stained her face. She really had been crying. "I mean... Don't get me wrong. I'm still mad at you. But...I need some answers."

Princess Celestia looked so defeated as she lay before me. She did not even speak. I think she was just as hurt as I was and was probably beating herself up in her own head. Assuming that she was waiting for me to speak, I made the first move as I got comfortable on the floor. "Why...? What drove you to do that?"

Her voice was soft. She had very little will to speak, but forced herself to do so anyway. "Too many mistakes over the course of my reign... I tried to learn from each of them, and yet I continued to falter time and again... An eternal sovereign has no room for recurring mishaps of elevating magnitudes. I had doubts... I wondered if I should turn back time and again, but...the changeling invasion was the final straw... I could not trust myself with Equestria's future after that..."

That day again... My brother's wedding. That was a dark day for all of us. So many mistakes. So many warning signs. And even I did not make the best arguments I could. I even doubted myself for a moment. I felt I could not stay angry at Princess Celestia over that day. And so I whispered to her. "I... I don't fault you for what happened... We all screwed up here or there..."

"I challenged the invader and was overpowered before all my subjects... I had the opportunity to rectify my mistake and failed... And everypony saw it... So many failures...topped off by one that I could not hide..." She muttered with her eyes directed to the floor. "I know... I know now that mistakes are inevitable in life, but...even now, it still weighs heavily upon me. I truly tried, Twilight. I really did..."

I did not feel comfortable talking about that day any longer. So I tried to change direction. "Well... Was I the first? Were there others before me you tried to make your successor?"

The name she spoke was one that sowed dread in my soul. "The first was Cadence..."

My heart jumped into my throat. Was that why Cadence has always been an alicorn for as long as I have known her? Had she already been bestowed with immortality? "You... She's not... Is she?"

My panic caught her attention as Princess Celestia gave me a more serious gaze and shook her head. "No, I never forced her to become immortal. I did get hasty and bestowed upon her the basic physical changes, but I withheld the full treatment until I was certain she was ready for the throne. But I ultimately decided that she was not an ideal choice and simply raised her like she were my own."

That was a big relief. I sighed loudly as I felt my nerves relax. "Oh, thank goodness... Wait... Then... Sunset Shimmer? Was she next?"

"She was. Although we both know why that did not happen." Princess Celestia replied while a more bitter look filled her eyes. Those were probably some very unpleasant memories she had just dug up. "Putting her on the throne would have been a mistake..."

"And then you found me..." I muttered quietly as my curiosity on that subject was satisfied. Much of my anger and disgust had faded for the moment. But there was one more question on my mind. "Then... If you had been planning to find a replacement for this long... What made you stop?"

A humble smile spread across her lips. "Let's just say... In the same way that you would be nothing without your friends..."

She then looked over her shoulder at Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon as they waited by the door. "I would be nothing without my sisters to give me a push in the right direction now and then."

"You could not be more right, sister." Nightmare Moon declared smugly with quite a smirk on her face. Princess Luna too gave her sister a wing smack while they gave each other matching smirks. I almost giggled. The levity was appreciated.

But I was still not satisfied. There must have been more. To follow that plan for so long, only to give up on it when the end was in sight... It is an incredibly difficult thing to do. I have seen just how difficult it is to give up something like that after so long. And so I asked, "Was that all?"

Princess Celestia sighed deeply as she once again turned her gaze to the floor. "I learned...that my views of my failures belonged only to me. I have always been...to shortsighted to understand that every time I stumbled, my people never lost faith in me... And I never noticed. I was always...too wrapped up in my own bitterness to see that my mistakes were...inevitable. I always sought to prevent more. Not to...properly learn from them..."

She then lifted her head to gaze at me while I gave her my full attention. "But I understand now. Even an eternal sovereign like me will stumble from time to time. But if the people continue to stand by me, then I have not failed in my duties. I have always been too hard on myself... I truly would be nothing without the support of my sisters. I cannot thank them enough for their unwavering support. And...for making me see the folly of my intentions before I could...force you down a path that there is no coming back from... Forgive me, Twilight. For all the lies and deception I have put you through. I hope this satisfies your curiosity. If you never wish to speak to me again... I understand."

A twinge of disappointment still lingered in my heart. But the revelation of all the hows and whys did a lot to soothe my troubled mind. The anger was gone. And I could not help feeling nothing but respect for my mentor for confessing and acknowledging her shortcomings and her drive to improve herself. I could not hate her. Not now. "No, I... I don't want to say goodbye... I'm not angry anymore... And... I... I would be lying if I said I did not get anything important out of everything we've done together. If you...never sent me to Ponyville when you did...I would not be where I am now. I'd still be immersing myself with books. Completely oblivious to the joys of friendship."

Princess Celestia looked completely shocked. I guess she was not kidding about being hard on herself. I am assuming she expected me to hate her. So I continued to explain. "Without you, I never would have met them. I never would be this happy. I... Even if there were less than respectable intentions behind some of your actions, I...I would be lying if I said I owe you nothing... And most of all... You found the strength to stop when your goal was within reach. After years, if not centuries, of planning. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to finally admit the truth to yourself and stop. The longer you stay invested, the harder it is to get out... But you did. You made the right choice in the end. And...it was incredibly brave to tell me this. I'm still...a little upset with you, but...I can't hate you for this. Not now..."

I could see tears building in her eyes. And so I decided to not deny my heart any longer. I crawled forward and rested my head in the crook of her neck. "I don't want to say goodbye... I'm... I'm so proud of you right now... Thank you for everything you've done for me... And for doing what was right for both of us in the end."

She was trying so hard to not burst out bawling, but Princess Celestia could not contain her tears. She wept and held me, crying so hard. So many years of frustration and doubts, all coming out at once. Everything was going to be just fine. And she knew it. I put an arm around her. For years, she had always been there to comfort me on a bad day. Now it was my turn to comfort her. "Everything's going to be just fine..."

"I know... I know..." She muttered through her tears. All I could do was hold her. Waiting for the tears to cease. At last, that pitiful sobbing came to a stop. And she whispered gratefully to me, "Thank you...for forgiving a pathetic old fool like me..."

"You're no fool, Princess Celestia... You never were... You were just...too hard on yourself..." I said softly while rubbing my hoof over her back. I have never seen her so vulnerable. I was hoping it would be the last time. Of course, I still felt the need to clarify some things. "Though to be fair... While I liked the dress...and I could probably get used to the wings..... I can't remember the last time I ever had any interest in being a princess."

"Oh...?" She muttered before we pulled away before she wiped her tears away. "Please... Do explain."

I sat before my mentor as I started to do what I do best. Give lectures. "I mean... I did get a thrill out of it for a few seconds at first. Being a princess is virtually every little filly's dream. But...those was just foalhood fantasies. They don't know better. And that silly little obsession fades over time as they start to understand what they really do like and what their real interests are. I can't remember the last time I ever sincerely thought about myself on a throne. It's not me... The life of royalty...just isn't for me. And...beside that..."

I then looked at her and her sisters over yonder. And I smiled reassuringly. "If I'm to be completely honest... You don't need me like that. You have centuries of experience behind you. And you have your sisters ruling Equestria beside you. And there's your parents. They assist you as royal advisors. There's really nothing I would be able to add in the grand scheme of things. You're doing fine... You'll always do fine. Just like you always have."

She was at a loss for words. Celestia's eyes kept darting back and forth. So I stepped forward and embraced her. My doubts where gone. I understood the situation now. And I knew the problem had been resolved. "I forgive you... I do. It's all OK now..."

"Thank you, Twilight..." She whispered as I felt her wing drape itself over me. "You really have surpassed my expectations... In more ways than one... You truly are prepared to graduate, dear Twilight."

I went silent in thought. I began to think back to what I had just learned. And what that meant for everything that has happened since the day Princess Celestia took me under her wing. And there was only one thing I could say to that as I let go of her. "With all due respect, your highness... I must decline. I'm not ready."

"You're...not? But...why? You have convinced me that..." Celestia began to say before I silenced her with a raised hoof.

"I was never really your student, was I?" I said while keeping any signs of joy hidden. This was not something to say lightly. "I was...your replacement in training, wasn't I? Doesn't that...undermine my entire curriculum?"

All three of the princesses before me could not even really look at me for long. But still, I managed to smile as I found the good of the situation. "I think...we should start over. I wouldn't mind studying under you a while longer. We'll just call it...a case of extracurricular activities."

Princess Celestia sighed before she gave me a very warm smile. "I...wouldn't have it any other way, my star pupil. So be it. Let's...start over. No more lies. No more tricks. Like it should have been."