I am writing this story to test my abilities as a writer. Enjoy. Read my other stuff too.

AFTER CELESTIA'S TIME

It has been over 100 years since Nightmare Moon was defeated and returned to her former state. The days of Twilight Sparkle living in Ponyville are over. Celestia has stepped down from her post as Princess to live quietly in a quaint countryside home. She hasn't seen Twilight and her friends for ages and the ponies have lost touch with each other… mostly.

Twilight's eyes opened in a flash. She had been sleeping rather heavily and forgot to wake up early this morning as she had planned. She hopped out of bed and landed with a loud *CLOP*. Her room had the finest amenities and upholstery and her bed barely touched the ceiling. The room had crimson carpet and golden drapes over the one window that overlooked Canterlot. Twilight was much taller now, due to her enhanced use of magic. It gave her the presence of a deity to the other ponies, even though she did not have wings. Her legs were longer and her mane easily passed down the entire length of her back.

She walked over to the window and peered outside, but there was nothing unusual about today. She gazed upon her subjects; ponies playing with each other in fields, studying books containing histories of magic, and other Pegasi flying high over head. "Well… another day…" she paused and let out a sigh, then continued, "without my friends." She had an image of her friends appear in her head as she stared blankly out the window. Her new life wasn't what she thought it would be.

"She shouldn't have given it to me. I shouldn't have been the successor."

She remembered the occasion in her head, nearly 50 years ago.

The princess had called for Twilight to immediately come to Canterlot, as if there was dire urgency. She had arrived in a Pegasus pulled carriage and galloped to the castle at full speed. There were many unicorns and earth ponies gathered outside. The Royal Guards allowed only Twilight to enter out of the crowd. Inside the vast foyer of the castle Twilight could see Celestia, standing atop the walked up to her concerned, yet very curious.

Celestia's white coat shimmered like the sun."Do you know why you are here Twilight?" she said. "No princess, forgive me but… I honestly don't." Twilight managed to say.

"Do not sound so tense, my apprentice. The greatest day of both our lives has arrived." Celestia sounded assured and calm as was expected of her. "You see Twilight… I have done my Royal duty for over a thousand years… and I think Equestria needs a change of pace, don't you?"

Twilight looked stunned. She contemplated what the princess was going to tell her, yet somehow she already knew. "No princess, I don't want it to change... but whatever you decide I must respect." She looked at the floor, nearly depressed.

Celestia walked down the stairs slowly. There was no one else in the vast hall. It was eerily quiet.

"Don't look so glum my pupil. I knew this day was coming years ago and I also knew I would have to relinquish my position sooner or later." Celestia now stood by Twilight, who was nearly as tall as she was. "You've no doubt noticed the changes within yourself over the years, correct?"

Twilight still stared at the blue marble floor. "Yes… but… I didn't want this to happen necessarily. I always wanted you to be there for me."

"And I always will be… Twilight. Will you look me in the eyes?" Celestia said. Twilight raised her head, a tear forming in her left eye.

"Now now Twilight, you need to relax. This is a grand, momentous occasion. You act as though I am leaving Equestria or something of the sort. I am merely handing my responsibilities to the pony I have found the most capable and reliable. I have seen Equestria since the beginning and no doubt ever crossed my mind that you weren't the ideal successor to my throne. You are my protégé after all and you're diligence you have had in your life has helped you conquer any challenge you faced. You have also become quite skilled with magic, nearly reaching my own level. We are truly on an equal plane."

"But princess… why now and why me?" Twilight barely squeaked.

"Because my apprentice… my work is done and you know everything you should. I need time to relax and meet my subjects across Equestria who I've barely even met. I have worked too hard over the years and want to see this entire world, for it is the last adventure for me, and for you someday. And do not worry… you can still do as you please, you will be royalty after all." She said this with her head held high as if looking out to see all of Equestria.

"But what about the sun and the…"

Twilight slipped out of memory and came back to reality.

"Your majesty! Forgive me for intruding but you must come quickly!" The royal guardsmen had come into her room in a panic.

Twilight's spoke more calm and collected nowadays and had an air of experience and knowledge in her voice, like the princess had. " What is wrong knight?"

"Your majesty, there has been an intruder. I need you to come with me for your own safety." said the helmed knight. Twilight was quick to add "Of course good sir, right away." She trotted down the steps from the Royal bedroom to the grand hall where she had her conversation with Celestia, although now there were at least fifty of the elite knights standing at attention.

A sky blue alicorn came through the main doors to meet with Twilight. "Ah… hello Kinetis. Can you tell me exactly what is going on?" She spoke as though this was an everyday occurrence.

The alicorn trotted slowly to Twilight. He had a bright yellow mane and brilliant orange spheres for eyes, he stood only half as tall as the princess.

"Your highness… we believe there is a Pegasus pony on the premises who has not been authorized flight clearance. What do you wish for us to do?"

"Well Kinetis, as my advisor I wouldn't expect you to go through all this trouble because of one Pegasus pony sneaking on to the castle grounds. It's probably just a young colt or filly." Twilight said. Kinetis blushed with embarrassment. "Of course your majesty, but we've lost sight of the pony and reports say it was most likely an adult mare."

"Is that all Kinetis?" Twilight looked down at him with a smile. With her royal duty Twilight had also learned the virtue of patience with her subjects. Kinetis looked around the hall nervously. " But princess, she could be anywhere around here."

"I think you underestimate me Kinetis. Celestia did not pick me as her successor for no reason. I already know who and where this 'intruder' is." Twilight turned around and looked behind her. "Fluttershy, you do know you could have just asked the guards to come in through the front door, right?"

Fluttershy slowly descended from the ceiling where she was hiding. She was slightly taller after a hundred years and her pink mane started to lose its color. She had wrinkles under her eyes and her wings were much broader than her days of youth. She spoke in a manner that was nearly inaudible "Hello your majesty."

Twilight gave her a half smile and lowered her head. "Fluttershy… you'll always be my friend, and I'll never consider you beneath me in anyway. It's okay to call me Twilight. Plus… you are just as old as I am, which is older than all of the ponies in this room. You are as experienced as me in every way."

Fluttershy lifted her head and twiddled her front hoof in a circle pattern. The guards all maintained their posture and Kinetis was still astonished that the princess knew where the intruder was the whole time and that it was a friend.

"Oh thank you Twilight, it's amazing to see you in Princess Celestia's place instead of her." Her eyes gleamed in the light of the chandelier which hung overhead. Her expression changed after a moment to one of sorrow. Twilight took notice. "Fluttershy, what's the matter? I haven't seen our friends for a few years and I've been so busy. What's wrong with them?"

Fluttershy's grief turned to shock. "How did you know it was our friends I was going to mention?" Twilight had a grin grow across her face. " I can use my magic to read minds to a limited extent. You'd be surprised what I can do." Twilight looked more intently now into Fluttershy's eyes. "Tell me the rest though."

Fluttershy turned her head slightly away from Twilight toward the ground. A tear rolled down her cheek. "It's about Applejack and Pinkie Pie…" she stopped and struggled to catch her breath.

Twilight knew her next words were going to be difficult.

TO BE CONTINUED

Reviews would be greatly appreciated