Okay, this is still really funny and all… but all of this is starting to make me sad for Twilight.

Remember, kids: self-loathing is ADORKABLE!

wow twilight, just when I thought you couldn’t hate yourself more

@hype  
You got it too. In this series, Twilight’s defense mechanism seems to be giving up and agreeing with others that she isn’t good enough. But we know it takes it’s toll as we have now seen several comics of her very upset when she comes home.
 
It’s too bad. She promotes good, but can’t follow it herself, even if she tries to be positive to start out.

@Leapingriver  
I think it’s more of a defense mechanism tbh, I think everything is explained in the image well enough

@Background Pony #A73C  
People take pone way too seriously to notice the answer is quite simple it seems XD

@Leapingriver  
You are the only right person here. Lol!

@Cirrus Light  
Mm. That’s certainly a possibility.  
Though maybe it’s because she’s further inland than the original Diarchs. Harder to hit further away, and so on.

@BridleTimeout  
The comic isn’t saying Twilight sucks. It’s showing that Twilight thinks she sucks, because in the comics universe she seems to have pretty low self esteem.

@That One Guy  
Heh, yeah, just shows we’re both rather active on the site.
 
I like to think within the context of the show as much as possible as well, but really I could let this one thing slip…
 
After all, a lot of it comes down to culture and such. Maybe the Royal Guard is so traditionally locked on to Celestia and Luna, that they don’t think of escorting the other princesses. I mean, I bet Celly and Luna were around when things were rougher, but I’ll bet assassination attempts are unheard of in a modern context.

@PonyPon  
I’m not saying she’s obligated to have them, just that it’s strange in a logical sense that she doesn’t.

@VNagato  
I’m sure she wasn’t obligated to the crown or the castle either, but she sure as hell got em.

@Lokizade  
For the sake of the show, yeah it’s better that she is treated differently.  
But in a real logical sense…

@VNagato  
Yeah, she is different from them in some ways, I feel that also comes as part of her being the main character, and it’s not necessarily a negative thing at all, that’ll come down to personal interpretation, it’s an observation anyway.
 
I mean, I’m sure she could get guards if she wanted to, but again, she’s never shown an ounce of concern about it, while it’s not been explained in the show, I look at it like she’s never even really thought about it, or just doesn’t care.
 
As Cirrus Light also said below, it’s also probably a show preferential thing to a degree, like, would having guards for her flow well within the show? probably not.

@Lokizade  
Kinda weird how all the other princesses have guards while she alone doesn’t. Isn’t that a bit of a right itself? Knowing Twilight, she probably won’t want guards or the royal treatment at all, but it’s kinda funny in perspective how she doesn’t have, or isn’t “obligated” to a few things the other princesses have.
 
And I was talking in reference to the show, but in a sense where she is different in a lot of aspects compared to the other princesses, not if she actually feels that way.

@VNagato  
Well, Cadance has her own castle now also, I doubt she feels at all excluded over that, Luna may also get her own castle eventually too, but I’m pretty sure Twi is quite happy being in Ponyville and having her own castle.
 
Well, why is she obligated to have guards? yes she’s a Princess, but it’s not a necessity, and she’s never expressed a desire to have them, maybe she simply just prefers not having them or doesn’t really care.
 
In the comic sense yeah, but I thought we were talking in relation to the show, outside of the jokes.
 
Eh, no hard feelings anyway, sorry if I came off a bit aggressive :)

How is this adorable? It’s rather sad or weird.

@Lokizade  
I was saying that in a more joking sense, but okay  
1 - The “real castle” is in Canterlot, the one where Celestia and Luna lives (probably Cadance too before S3)  
2 - Why doesn’t she have the obligation for any guards?  
3 - That’s the joke, that she’s just short and stubby in comparison to the other princesses

@VNagato  
1 - She has her own “real castle”, loves life in Ponyville and being closely surrounded by her friends.
 
2 - She has no obligation to have any guards, and has never expressed an ounce of interest or concern about this
 
3 - She isn’t even fat, like, at all.
 
I get that this is meant more for comedy, but you wanted a genuine answer/explanation in relation to the show, so there you go.

@Background Pony #A73C  
Okay, but say that this is reference to the show, where is the lie?

Should be tagged reality ensues

I love how serious everyone is taking this comic. I’m pretty sure this was all in reference to this comics “universe of the show.” Not the show’s canon universe. Though I could be wrong since this comic tends to take reference from the show too.

@JP  
Agree on her having a cute amount of chubbiness. :)

Twilight doesn’t have guards* nor does she live in a “real” castle with the other leaders, because she wants to be close to her subjects. She doesn’t want to insulate herself from everything. She’s is a princess who feeds her earth pony friend’s pigs if needed. She’s fat because a little chubbiness makes her look cuter.
 
^{%*) but I think there should be at least a few of them hiding around the castle to stop potential intruders.%}

@Cirrus Light  
Well, yeah, in the context of a television show. I was more so thinking along actual strategic lines, running a government and such. But yeah, makes sense for a show.  
(Damn, I just replied to you somewhere else, too. Strange, innit?)