"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 

One day Twilight had a vision about a great battle yet to come. Confused, she goes about her day as normal, yet she had the vision in the back of her mind. After a tour of the Canterlot castle, Twilight ends up in the gardens and meets an enigma of a creature. How would Twilight understand this vision and why does this Discord have a part to play in it?

When Discord got out of stone, he would have never expected to be assaulted with a vision of the future. Knowing who’s to blame for these visions. He seeks out a way to stop it from ever happening, but first, he must understand it, but a complication comes up. He has to deal with a mare that was in his vision. What will he do about her?

The time has come for Celestia to have a one-to-one lesson with her personal protege, Twilight Sparkle. She is, no doubt, a bright young unicorn and it doesn't take her long to understand the overall concept of the teleportation and transfiguration spell. That is not to say the lesson went perfectly well as Twilight's magic takes a haywire spin and does things unimaginable coming from a foal.

Edit: Oh the stars and galaxies, this thing got featured on 05/02/2023!!! Thank you!!!

Second Edit: OMG! This is the first time my story landed on top of the featured list. Thank you so much!!!

Third Edit: Audiobook version by The Mystery Fluttershy Fan! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbCgCNefS8A

Fourth edit: Featured on Equestria Daily

The Fire of Friendship has all but faded. One thousand years ago, Equestria fractured... those who disagreed with Celestia's rule left under the leadership of Princess Luna to found their own nation, their own way of life. Seventy years later, Celestia and Luna both disappeared during the first war, leaving the battered nations leaderless in their absence.

Over the last nine hundred years wars have frequently waged between Equestria and Lunaria, each seeking to unite ponykind under their own ideals. Equestria's mastery of magic often gave it the edge in battle, but never enough for a decisive victory. Peace reigns for now, but recent developments in Lunaria signal a shift in the balance between the two divided nations...

As a princess and a hero, Twilight's responsible for keeping Equestria safe. She must also complete her duties alongside the other princesses. Ponies don't see it, but the weight of the crown is more than they think. It carries so much. Especially since she's an alicorn, she wonders about her future.

Out in the rain, she discusses this with a secret aquaintance.

A dancer becomes more lithe. Legs toned and steps light. A boxer might become a solid wall. Some professions change us in some way, some more obvious than others.

When they do, you can feel like you've lost control of yourself, your future, and the expectations of those around you.

Twilight's a powerful unicorn. Her practice and study in spell and the magic arts has molded her body into one more capable in that art. She never expected following her passion would have some obvious consequences.

She does not handle it well.

Story contains implied self harm.

Friends aware of her problem help with her immediate needs, but they find themselves feeling helpless for something more long term. Rarity and Fluttershy contemplate Twilight's more invisible needs in this story.

Author's Note: I wrote this years ago.
But I never published it until today. Many reasons for that, many of them related to poor mental health and low self worth. The only way I could publish this now is by just submitting it without a final reading. Please keep in mind this is myself from a time five years or more ago.

I commissioned artwork for it from a friend, but they ended up dropping off the map before they finished it. I contemplated not sharing it in it's unfinished state. I decided that, much like the story, it's better to be seen than to be squirreled away into obscurity.

I hope this story finds you well. I hope above all things that it does no harm. Thank you for your time.

Celestia has always wondered why Twilight never replied to most of her letters. Fortunately Luna breaks the news 'gently'.

A rather silly idea that popped into my head this afternoon. I make no apologies.

Edit: As a few people pointed out, the title was really giving the story away; I've changed it on their (sound!) advice.

In a shared dreamscape, Twilight asks her fellow immortals: what gives meaning to an endless life?

Featured 08/05/2021 - 08/07/2021!

Princess of Harmony.
Princess of the Night.
Princess of Love.
Princess of Magic.

Twilight always assumed these roles were natural and unchanging - titles that merely reflected the inherent power of the bearers.

Now, she can't help wondering if that assumption was incorrect.

Featured from 8/5-8/8/2021, peaking at the #1 spot. Thanks, everypony!

Since she became an alicorn princess, Princess Twilight Sparkle has done her best in her role as one. However, while she had grown into a remarkable princess and even gained her own student in Starlight Glimmer, Twilight wasn't a true princess.

At least, she wasn't according to Princess Celestia. It was time for Twilight to take her place as one of Equestria's true princesses.

However, Twilight would not like what it would require her to do. She wasn't going to be the only one to not like it.

EDIT: featured through 07/20/21-07/23/21!!
#1 on the featured list on 07/20/21 & #1 with mature mode turned off on 07/21/21 & 07/22/21!!

There's a saying in Equestria that "Keeping the harmony doesn't come cheap." Many owe the saying to the countless ponies—and the Elements of Harmony themselves, no less—who have sacrificed so much to keep a lasting peace in Equestria against all threats.

Twilight just didn't anticipate a more literal component of this... or rather, a monetary one. On the bright side, she now knows to never trust her friends with money again.