Twilight's Life As A Teenage Pony

... The courage I need

I need the courage to control my instincts
...The courage I need to face my fears
I need the courage to see the future
...The courage I need to compare facts and opinion
I need the courage to think right
...The courage I need to see if my friends trust me
I need the courage to ask questions
...The courage I need to survive
I need the courage to convince myself to do something
I have to prepare myself for anything that comes up...

• Daniel Vango

oOo

No one was talking. Not one word, not one sound for forty two minutes, and ten seconds. I watched the clock like a hawk, leaning against my desk in the middle of the three girls. Rarity and Pinkie Pie to my right, and Rainbow Dash on my left. I could feel their eyes glaring at one another, boring a hole on either side of my head. I wasn't sure I could take another half hour of this.

"Psst," I felt spittle on my right cheek, "psst," just ignore her, Twilight Sparkle, "PSSST! Hey, Twilight," Pinkie Pie...whatever she had to say, I didn't care. My whole body was sore, and deeper purple than normal. She socked me one good time in the jaw, so it was too swollen to tell her to shut up and leave me alone...

"Leave her alone, bitch." Rainbow Dash, however, had thrown most of the punches, so her jaw was fine for talking smack, unfortunately...

"What did you just say, whore?!" Pinkie threw her chair behind her, standing up, glaring.

Rainbow did the same, both girls leaning over me, I covered my head, bowing down into my desk, "I said, shut up, bitch." Rainbow spat, shoving her back with a fierce finger poke to the chest.

"Uhg!" Pinkie growled, bouncing back with a hard shove, knocking her into the desks behind her, clatter ringing throughout the room, "Don't you dare touch me, I might catch your herps!" She snorted, dusting off her chest, a look of disgust on her face, tongue sticking out.

"Why, you-"

"Oh, stop! Both of you are ridiculous!" Rarity snapped, standing sharply, grabbing one of Pinkie's arms, pulling her back down into her seat. The Pink party planner gasped in shock, glaring at Rarity, then a snickering RD.

I wasn't sure what was worse, being stuck in this small corner class room with two girls that were both mad at me as well as one another, or the fact I had a crown, along with a dragon to find, and a home to very well save. My heart pounded at the thought, blood pressure raising.

"Keep your hands off of me too bitch," I could faintly hear the girls snapping at one another, all three now hovering over my head. I ducked down closer to my desk, almost smashing my face into it.

I needed to get out of here, I needed to find Spike. He would know what to do...oh Spike, he was the real brains. He was always there at the back of my mind, giving hints, clues to what prize my eye should really be on. He was the real hero of the crystal empire, not I. He was the real reason I even went to PonyVille in the first place. Without him telling me it was good for me, I wouldn't had made friends. I wouldn't had found myself wrapped up in the Elements of Harmony, or surrounded by true responsibility. He followed me against all wishes, and demands to this...this horrible place. Full of drama, and a cruel pony, Sunset Simmer. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was behind this all...

"She's behind it all..." I whispered, putting the pieces together, slowly rising from my desk. Rainbow Dash was being blackmailed by her. Flash Sentry was wrapped around her finger...Pinkie Pie was scorned because of this..."She's behind it all!" I squeaked, jumping up, patting myself on the back. Oh, if only Spike was here to see this!

"What?" All three girls stopped bickering long enough for me to head to the front of the class room, spinning around, and lean against the desk, as if I was a teacher myself. I smiled lightheartedly, gulping as I looked them all over.

I started softly, careful not to step on anyone's toes, "Pinkie Pie, you're mad at Rainbow Dash because of Flash Sentry," she nodded, a snarl on her face, eyes rolling-

"Hey! What are you, on her side now?!" RD snapped, but I held up my hand, continuing.

"And Rainbow, you're being blackmailed over...everything," I bobbed my head, not wanting to cause more problems for her, and the party planner, "and I know she has the whole school wrapped around her finger," I twirled my hand around, walking up to them, "but, think about it, without her, would any of this be happening? Would Pinkie even know of his betrayal, would you even be scared for your very future? Is it really a fight you should be taking up with one another, or her?" I asked, almost knowingly, as if I was Celestia giving myself a lesson in life, true responsibility.

They took a moment, looking at one another, then back at me, "Um...who might you be talking about, darling?" Rarity asked, the other two a bit prickly at the topic.

I took a deep breath, I was sure they knew who I was talking about, just too blinded by rage, need for revenge running rampant through their hearts, "Sunset Simmer."

We all four stood silent for a minute, or two. Honestly I didn't really count, could've been hours for all I cared. I had figured out the link to these girls, and I was sure her evil doings ran deeper than this false face. The slim surface of the school I was sure I could peel back, revealing years of mistreatment, horrors caused by this...pony, if you could even call her that. Causing such pain to others, and for what? She was no pony of my kind.

"Twilight, what are you going on about?" Rainbow asked quietly, as if she'd spook me, or the others by entertaining my dull idea.

"She's why you're so worried, why Pinkie Pie's mad, why Flash is warped, too nervous to even talk to either one of you with honesty. Think about it-" I wanted to go on, but Rainbow looked as if she had just been hit by a truck. Pinkie side eyed her, a look of...knowledge in her eyes? An understanding almost, like that of a young fool when math finally clicks. "Rainbow? Pinkie?" I asked gently, reaching for both of their hands.

Pinkie was the first to snap out of it, almost whispering, "He...broke up with me the day he met her..."

Rainbow next, just as softly, head bowed, "The only reason I even went to that party, was because of her. The only reason I met him was because he said she told him I was really fun..." they both slowly brought their heads up, looking at one another with understanding.

I frowned, putting the pieces together. She wrecked Pinkie's relationship, stole him for her own somehow. Then, without remorse, threw him at Rainbow Dash, as if her getting pregnant was her plan all along, then snatching him back, warning both of the consequences if they breathed a word. "But why..." I asked myself aloud, why would she indeed. Why would she need to wreck these good people's very spirit? For her own amusement? No...that couldn't be it...

"Rainbow, Pinkie Pie?" Rarity cooed at them softly, leaning against her desk, taking their pale faces in. They were lost for words as their eyes slowly came up to meet one another, then dart to some other spot in the room to bore a hole through.

She had a bigger plan, I thought to myself, withdrawing from the girls, last thing I could make out was Rarity lightly pushing them toward conversation. Sunset knew what she was doing, planned it out to the T. She wanted Flash for herself, to hurt Pinkie Pie. Then, without a second thought, threw him at RD, who quickly fell for him, and worse, fell pregnant...as if, all according to plan.

"She planned this...all of it...to the last detail...but why?" I said under my breathe, mind running wild with many ideas. She clearly was part of this world for a long time, much longer than I first thought. Years, years, and years to plot. To set up tests, tests for people to fail, fall into her web of lies and deceit. She wanted all of this chaos, this sorrow, fear to well up in the school. It was practically bursting at the seams with woes, not just for these girls, but for everyone. The students, the teachers, Celestia, her own mother seemed to be warped by her plots. Even Luna wanted to stay clear, even though she seemed the most level headed. And she started something for me-

She started something...for me..."Pinkie Pie?" I shook lightly, locking eyes with her cool blues.

"W-what?" She asked, hugging herself, side eyeing Rainbow Dash, still deciding rather, or not she could be in the same room with her.

"Did...did Sunset Simmer say something to you? To make you upset with me?" I had seen Rainbow chat with AppleJack, along with many other people of the school, yet she was only cross with me. Why?

"Well..." she started quietly, unwilling, unwanting to go on.

"Pinkie Pie, please, this means more than you could ever begin to understand." I pleaded, shooting a look at the other two girls. I don't know why, but I felt I needed their help, that I couldn't move forward without them. They gave me a familiar strength.

"Well, yeah. She told me that, well, that you told Flash I was jealous of Rainbow Dash. That I was a bitter troublemaker for them...their new relationship." She ended on a dead note, eyes welling up with tears, sniffling.

"Why would you even listen to her?" Dashie almost yelled, mouth dropping to the floor, hands on her hips. Rarity agreed silently with her, Pinkie looking both ways, then at me, shrugging.

"She made you. You didn't have a choice to listen." I could only imagine the power she had over the school, much less over one small being. If she could control such a free spirit, what chance did I have against her, without the Elements of Harmony? Without my friends, without Spike? Spike...my heart sank. Suddenly, the picture was becoming very clear, between the lines almost to easy to read.

"What? No, I just bumped into her in the bathroom, I was going to jump her, but...something...stopped me..." She slowed, pondering what that could've meant, and Rairty and RD shared a look, then darted their eyes toward me.

I took in a deep breath, "Pinkie Pie, I...I need to tell you something." Rainbow and Rarity both gave me a sober look, nodding in unison. I took in a deep breath, closing my eyes. I stilled my rampant thoughts, and took one last breath-

"I'm not human, I'm a pony from a different world." I talked so fast, I wasn't sure if she could understand what I was saying, but I couldn't stop, "I have magic running through me, my friends. Together, we can do many things. But they're not here, so I don't really have the power, or strength...but with them," I smiled at Rainbow Dash and Rarity, "I can almost feel that magic, and I can also feel something terribly wrong here. I can feel," I pounded my hands on my chest, cupping them, a look of agony on my pale purple face, "I can feel her torturing you all. Not just you three, but the whole school. I have a job to do, to find a crown, it's my...magic, it's what allows me to protect my home, my empire. But..." I stuttered, eyes drifting, I was lost for words, but I pushed forward, "I-I think I have to help you. All of you, here in this world. To protect you from her. Sunset Simmer is not human, nor pony I think. I can feel something wrong with her, rooted deep in her very soul. I have to stop her!" I panted, the words had fallen out too swiftly, I wasn't sure if she understood anything I was saying. I could only pray she comprehended.

We stood in silence for a long time, again a time that could not be measured by a mere ticking clock. I bit my lip, while drawing into an invisible shell, cradling my confused heart, and beaten down will. I needed for her to understand, I just knew if she was on my side, we could do what needed to be done...we all could. All six of us. Just at that moment, my heart pounded fiercely. I knew what I needed, what this world needed.

Before I let her settle, I moved on, "Rainbow, do you know where Fluttershy, and AppleJack live? We need them." I asked boldly, dropping my arms, balling up my fist. A new fire was being forged inside of me, one that burned bright for the future. I knew what I had to do, and I was scared crap less. Though, I knew with these girls, all five of them, I could do anything. Just like back home. They were the glue, the last piece that needed to be played in order to save this dreadful world. To save their relationship. Friendship is magic, and I could spark the match that showed them, with loyalty, kindness, honesty, generosity, and laughter, that we can master, conquer anything!

"Wha-honey, I think we need to give Pinkie Pie a bit more time-"

I cut her off sharply, piercing their ears with a crisp order, "No! I don't have...we don't have time for this!" I stomped my foot, and Pinkie shook her head, leaving her frozen, confused state. She gave me a solace look, unsure, she opened her mouth-

"I...if you're from a different planet, and so is Sunset Simmer..." her eyes started to shine, ripping my heart apart with a sorrow filled, desperately hopeless look, "magic, you have magic," she pointed my way, sitting down slowly, as if she'd faint any minute now, "can you, change what she's done? To all of us?" She asked, looking at the two girls. Rainbow Dash looked like she wanted to yell at her, but held her tongue. Rarity was taken aback, unsure what that meant.

"They're is nothing wrong with us, darling." Rarity intervened, sitting down herself, clearly a bit winded as well from all of the excitement of the day.

I shook my head, "She's right, nothing's wrong with you. But as for the magic," I tapped my chin, strolling down a small section of the room, then twirling, and repeating, "I-we, might be able to summon the Elements of Harmony if we're all together!" I stopped, snapping my fingers, not daring to smile. I was to afraid it wouldn't work. That my world, this world, Spike, my friends, would all fall in to despair with this...demon-was all I could think to call her. Even Discord didn't cause this much chaos in someone's life. Not enough to send them falling into despair and sorrow, almost wanting to take their own life with the heartache that pounded inside their very soul.

"Elements of Harmony?" Pinkie asked breathlessly, all the color in her face leaving. Rarity went to comfort her, but I cut in between her, leaning infront of her desk, taking her hands, smiling, nodding.

"Yes! Loyalty," I cut my eyes to RD, "generosity," I once again cut my eyes, but this time to Rarity, "laughter," I looked right into Pinkie's eyes, my smile failing a bit. I wasn't selling it as well as I wanted, but I went on, "And kindness, which is Fluttershy, and honesty-AppleJack. Don't you see? With them-with all of us together, we can do anything!" I declared, jumping up, throwing my arms in the air, breath not daring to invade my lungs.

"And how are they supposed to help, honestly Twilight, this is the human world. Magic doesn't work here." Rainbow noted, sitting down, leaning coolly against the back of the chair.

I smiled, wiggling my finger, "Oh, clearly it is! No one would have laid a hand on Fluttershy's animals, unless she made them. With magic." I smiled. They all just stared blankly at me, Pinkie slightly more lost. I sighed, rolling my hand, walking a small strip of floor, "Annnd, Pinkie Pie would had never been mad at me without her own protection from her. She was gonna whoop her booty!" I raised my hands, squealing now, eyes wide, "I mean come on! Flash Sentry would never had given you the time of day without her demanding, forcing him to be with you!" I finished, nonchalantly gesturing at Rainbow-

Wait, what did I just say? Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood slowly, almost laughing, darkly at that, "Oh, I see. He would never wanna be with a girl like me? A real woman." She stole a glance at Pinkie Pie, and went to leave. I called after, disgusted with myself.

"Rainbow Dash! Wait, please! I need you, all of you!" I almost begged, wanting to follow as she left the room, but my feet felt like stone. Hard and heavy, unwilling. Rarity sighed, standing harshly, slamming her hands down on the desk, earning a jump from myself and Pinkie.

"Good going, Twi. Look what you've done. Got another person in on this whole mess, and worse you upset Dashie! How could you say all that?!"

"Because she's right." We both looked at Pinkie, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn't place my finger on, "She's right, she really is. Flash loved me, body and soul. He would never hurt me. Heck, I would never jump someone I hardly knew. And Fluttershy...it all makes sense. The whole school does!" She jumped up and across her desk, grabbing me in a tight grip, hugging on for dear life. I gasped for air, barely patting her arms as she pinned mine down with an iron grip. But just as I thought I was going to die from lack of air, she let go, "Here, I have to show you something!"

She rushed behind the desk, grabbing a book off the small bookshelf behind it. She blew on it, dust flying, and slammed it down, flipping through old pages faster than the eye could see. After a few brief seconds of wildly flipping, she stopped, "Here, come look at this. You too Rarity." she asked, gesturing for us both. We side eyed one another, but obeyed nonetheless.

It was a picture. A picture of...us.

"Is...is that you Twilight? I thought you said you were from..." wonder filled me, along with so many questions. Parallel. It was a parallel universe .One different, yet the same. That's why Celestia didn't want my friends following me!

"Look! There's Spike! What the heck, and we're all together..." Both of our mouths dropped, "But, how?"

"Parallel universe." Pinkie answered, smiling. I nodded dumbly, staring at this other me. She had the same hair, same smile, same...Spike.

"Odd that I haven't ran into her..." I mumbled, leaning into the girls, trying to get a better look at the picture.

"That's because she's gone!" Pinkie answered my unasked question, "In fact...she disappeared the day Sunset Simmer showed up." My mind was spinning with all of this.

"Why are we all in the picture together though?" Rarity asked, glancing at her. Clearly, my mind was mush right now. I couldn't answer what two plus two was. Much less try to gather what this could mean.

"We were all friends. Don't you remember?" Pinkie asked, distressed.

We were friends? My...other self was these ponies...these...other 'us'es was friends with the other me.

"What happened to her?" It was more rhetorical than a real question, but nonetheless, she answered, a bit too gentle. As if it was something that could break me.

"She...you...the other you? Her," she pointed to the picture, taking a deep breath, "she moved to the city, right after Sunset Simmer blessed us with her presence." She rolled her eyes.

I nodded slowly, my heart aching. I could feel my bones stiffening, I could almost picture her pain. She didn't move...I just knew something bad had happened. "Why didn't you stay in contact with her? Why would she send me...her away? Why would she break you all up?" I already knew that answer. She was afraid of the powers they had together. Just because we were worlds apart, that didn't mean that we couldn't summon the Elements of Harmony to stop her from whatever she planned. She was running scared. Suddenly, I felt bitterly better about all of this. If she really thought we were all together that we could stop her, that had to be it, then that was just what I would do.

I slammed the book shut, and shoved it under my arm, "We have to find everyone. Rainbow, AppleJack, Fluttershy, we all have to be together." I looked at each of them, a small grin breaking out over my stiff lips. I could tell they still didn't know what to think of all of this, but I could also see something else. Something that I had seen many times back home, on my true friends faces. Hope. Hope that we could do anything together. If we had each other, there was nothing we couldn't do!

They looked at one another, "You up for this...craziness? Even with Rainbow Dash?" Rarity almost begged for a yes with her eyes. She needed something, something to look forward to, something to work toward. She may be prideful, but in this world, where Sunset Simmer had brought everyone down, she was broken. Beaten. No longer the kind, giving girl I'm sure the other me knew, she was frail and hurt. Almost friendless. She needed this just as badly as I did. Just as much as my empire.

She nodded, taking both of our hands, smiling that bright, well known Pinkie Pie award winning smile, "I think I am...I'm ready for my life to be better. If you think you can help me," she glanced at me warmly, "then I'll stand by you. Through whatever hell fire we have to deal with. I want things to be better. I want the truth..." she stumbled over the last bit, shying off.

I knew she wanted more than I could give. She wanted Flash back, but I didn't know if shutting down Sunset's operation would fix anything, truthfully. But if there was one thing I did know, redeeming their friendship would at least amend their hearts to some degree. And moreover than that, it would bring Spike back to me. The Elements of Harmony would be safe again, Sunset would be back in my world, where she can be watched. Could be stopped before she ever got started. I knew the Twilight of this world didn't move. Something happened. Something horrid happened. Something taboo. Blood heated under my itchy skin. I was dying, in true pain of the joyous thought of stopping this witch from causing anymore pain.

With these girls, I could find the courage to beat back the demon within her.