Act III

Spike averted his gaze from the closed door. “I’m surprised you took it this calmly, Twilight. I thought for sure you’d faint when they said that they are both going on a date with you.”

Twilight nodded slowly. “Would you mind handing me that pillow, Spike?”

“This one?” Spike brought her a fluffy purple pillow from the couch.

“Thank you.” Twilight took the pillow into her magical grasp and placed it on the floor.

She sighed and in a slow motion let herself fall onto it snout first. Her head rested there for a moment; the whole room went quiet. Twilight took a few deep breaths and, on the last one she let go of a high pitched scream stemming from the abyss of her soul. The deafening noise shook the entire tree, causing books to tremble and roles of parchment to fall down to the floor.

The library went quiet once again.

Twilight got up from the floor, single strands of her mane clinging to the pillow and looked at Spike.

“Feeling better now?” Spike was relieved to see some kind of a normal reaction from Twilight.

“Yeah, that’s what I needed right now,” she answered, her calm reclaimed. “You know, Spike if I didn’t know better I’d dismiss this as a nightmare and have you pinch me.”—Spike moved closer—“But this seems a bit too real to be a dream, and don’t you even dare do that.” Spike frowned and dropped his claw.

“It’s just that I still can’t believe that two mares like them could be interested in me. I mean there’s nothing special about me. I’m just an ordinary librarian that happens to be an Alicorn and slightly better at magic than others. I don’t see how that’s attractive.”
Twilight sighed and went to her desk. Maybe some writing would sooth her worries.

“I don’t know Twilight. There were plenty of ponies back in Canterlot that were interested in you. You just never gave them a chance to prove their worth.” Spike intently studied his claws.

Twilight looked up from her parchment. “Yeah, I know, but this is different. Neither of them cares about my status or me being Celestia’s student. Those opportunists always left me alone as soon as some resistance showed, but in this case both of them want to make it work no matter the cost. They even arranged it so that we could have both dates on the same day!”

“You know, Twilight I think there’s just one way to figure this out.” Spike paused, giving Twilight a chance to think.

“When we’re on our date I’ll just ask them why they are that interested in me.” Twilight shot Spike a relieved grin. “Thanks for helping me out, Spike. I guess I should be going to bed now. Good night.”

“Good night, Twilight,” Spike said, making his round through the library to check if all the windows were closed and the candles out.

Twilight found herself restless in her bed. Too many thoughts running through her head, too many things to contemplate. What was she to do in this situation? Don’t worry, she told herself, everything will be fine. Twilight slid deeper under her blanket and gathered all of its cosy comfort.

She contemplated her ceiling. Why was she doing this? Going on two dates really wasn’t like her.

“Oh brain, why can’t you help me with this?” Twilight sighed.

Maybe she was overlooking something. What was that feeling every time her mind wandered to the previous night? Was she growing fond of those two brash ponies? Being wooed like that was frightening, so unexpecting, but part of her was starting to like it. Two dates… the least she could do was trust them to do the right thing.

“Am I… no, that can’t be.” Twilight turned to her window.

The moon’s cold, white light illuminated her room. She wondered if Luna and Trixie were looking at the same moon. She noticed stars sparkling slightly, as if telling a tale only they understood. Moon and stars, united in the darkness of the night.

Twilight’s heart skipped a beat; she sighed. What was that? This wasn’t her usual sigh of mental exhaustion. It carried something different, something new.

Maybe it was...

She groaned: confusing feelings had never been her forte. But for once it didn’t make her freak out completely, she reveled in it, took it in. It was warm, like the feeling when she used her magic for the first time. She knew that with this she could take on anything.

If only she could hold it. A cloud shrouded the moon’s light, leaving Twilight alone in the dark, prisoner of her mind. This was something she was more used to. The whirl of her emotions encompassing everything, attempting to drown her.

A gentle wind pushed the clouds away, reinstating the reign of the brilliant night sky. An anchor of pure light put an end to her inner turmoil, unleashing her mind. Soaring up high she overlooked all of Equestria. She watched the slow respiration of her body, moving in tact with the trees of the Everfree and the ocean’s tide.

The slow movement of the world lulled Twilight and with a last sigh she let go of the day and fell into a deep slumber.

________________________________

A single leaf gracefully danced in the calm night wind and fell down to the clearing. A pink hue illuminated the otherwise dark surroundings, giving the leaf a surreal shadow.

Suddenly a strong gust emanated from the magical glow’s centrum, throwing the leaf out of its plunge and into the darkness of the surrounding forest.

The glow became brighter, engulfing the shadows and the light of the stars. It reached its peak and abruptly disappeared.

“Ugh!” Trixie stomped a hoof in frustration. “Why does this spell have to be so difficult? Can’t fate be less cruel to poor Trixie?”

She turned her eyes back to the makeshift pedestal on which laid a slender silver hoof-ring. It was embroidered with an emerald on the right side, a ruby on the left side and a sapphire in the middle. The stones still had a faint glow from the magic they had been forced to absorb, but it slowly dissipated as Trixie waited for her magic to recover.

“Alright, let’s try this again.” Trixie sighed and took a step towards the pentagram she was using to check it for mistakes.

“This rune goes here, that goes there. Hm… Oh! How could Trixie not have noticed that?” Trixie lighted her horn and redrew a rune that had been incorrect due to a bump in the uneven forest ground.

“And this is why you should be inside to enchant things,” Trixie grumbled.

She stepped back and with a flick of her head she drew on every ounce of magic she had left in her body.

The forest was vibrant with energy and the pink glow was overthrowing the night’s peace once again. A whirl of wind started to form around Trixie, carrying figments of branches and leaves and lifting her off the ground.

One hoof up in the air, Trixie channelled her magic into the tip of her horn. She took a moment to check her position and, after readying herself for the rebound, she unleashed all of her force into a single beam, pointed at the centre of the circle.

The pentagram began glowing, emitting a low hum while devouring every drop of magic the unicorn fired. As the magical circle absorbed more and more energy, the hoof-ring’s jewels started pulsating in unison with it, slowly drawing from its magic and filling themselves with all their forms could keep.

Trixie noticed the tell-tale ringing, signalizing that her task was complete. Exhausted, she gradually decreased the beam’s size, letting it shrink into nothingness.

“Hah,” she huffed, “Trixie was powerful enough after all.”

She waited for the glow to dissipate and went to pick up the ring.

“And now that all preparations are done, there’s nothing that can go wrong tomorrow.”

She dragged herself to the nearby trailer and into her bed.

“After tomorrow, Twilight’s heart will finally be mine.” Trixie used a last glow of her magic to close the window and, before even turning around she was already fast asleep.

_________________________________

“Good morning, Luna,” Fluttershy chirped.

Luna mumbled an incoherent phrase into her pillow, trying to block out the sunlight as best she could.

“Pardon?” Fluttershy questionably looked at her guest.

Luna rolled around, her mane bedraggled and bags under her eyes. “I said that I hate the intensity with which my sister’s celestial body enlightens this room.”

Luna groaned and heaved herself off the couch. She took a look out of the window, only to perceive a familiar shadow moving around the cottage.

“I’ll go for a quick walk. Could you wait for me with breakfast?” Luna asked, already halfway out.

Fluttershy nodded and went to the kitchen to turn down the heat on the pancakes.

Luna stepped outside and after creating some distance between herself and the cottage, she took a right to enter the Everfree forest.

The place was ever so quiet, the only noticeable sound being the princess’ hooves breaking leaves and twigs scattered on the forest ground.

“I’m glad you’re finally awake.” The shadow stepped up next to her.

“Took you long enough to get here, but it’s good to see you.” Luna grinned. “But what are you wearing there?” She pointed at the black full-body suit.

“Oh, it’s the top recommendation in Pinkie Pie’s newest book: How to be a spy and get away with it. Don’t you like it?” The mysterious pony gave Luna a hurt look.

“It looks lovely on you. Black really complements your mane. Now down to business, do you have what I asked for in my letter?” Luna looked back at the cottage, worried that Fluttershy might come looking for her.

“Why, yes of course.” The pony held a flask with a mysterious pink liquid in her magical grasp. “But you have to promise not to use it unless it’s really necessary.”

Luna contemplated the liquid, planning for the best way to use it. “You have my word as a princess.” She took the container into her own grasp. “Are you certain that this will work? She is a strong pony and we don’t want her to resist this after all.”

“This essence won’t fail you and now get going, your host is getting curious and might come over here. You don’t want her to find out about this, do you?” The pony pointed at Fluttershy, walking towards the border of the forest.

“Farewell then, we’ll meet when all of this is over.” Luna hid the flask in her mane and hastily made her way to the exit of the forest to go back inside with Fluttershy.

The pony in black grinned. “Even after all these years one thing has stayed true: all is fair in love and war.”

_____________________________________

“Trixie?” Twilight gave her date a surprised look. “How did you know that this is my favourite place in this entire town?”

Trixie grinned. “Let’s just call it a lucky guess. Shall we?”

Trixie held the door open with her magic and motioned for Twilight to enter.

Once inside, a cacophony of sounds clashed with Trixie’s thoughts.

Children running around; parents shouting; employees cleaning tables and serving food. This most definitely wasn’t how she had imagined her first date with Twilight, but she was none to complain: her future marefriend was looking around blissfully as they made their way to the counter.

They dodged a couple of foals rolling on the floor to find themselves in front of a brown earthpony server with a greasy blond mane.

“Oh, welcome Miss Twilight,” the young stallion said with a smirk. “Will that be the usual for you?”

Twilight blushed fiercely, noticing Trixie’s unbelieving stare.

“Yes, the usual. What will you have, Trixie?” Twilight futilely tried to regain her composure.

“Trixie will have the same. How about you go look for a table while I wait for our food?” Trixie wanted to keep an eye on the overly friendly server.

The stallion decided to ignore her as best he could while placing half a dozen burgers, four serves of hayfries and two cokes on the tray.

“That will be fifty bits, ma’am,” he said, looking everywhere but into Trixie’s eyes.

Trixie’s jaw dropped. “Fifty bits?! You’re lucky Trixie is in a good mood or you wouldn’t get away with this outrageous robbery.” Trixie took her bag and handed over most of her money.

“No tip?” the stallion asked disappointedly.

Trixie turned around with a loud harrumph and taking the tray she made her way to Twilight’s table.

The alicorn, impatiently thumping her hoof on the floor, was looking in awe at Trixie’s cargo.

“Alright, here we go.” Trixie set the food down and, while she was getting seated Twilight snatched the first of her burgers and started fiercely devouring it.

Several foals had stopped their play just to watch the famous librarian take in what looked like it was her last meal before exile. Stories of banishments to the moon had been quite popular lately.

Trixie couldn’t believe what she was witnessing: her precious almost-marefriend, engaged in a battle against burgers and fries while she barely managed to eat her half of the share.

Twilight wiped her mouth after an especially juicy bite and noticed Trixie’s diffidence. She gulped down and, looking at her surroundings she became aware of the number of eyes resting on her.

“So, Trixie,” Twilight began, “how have your shows been going recently? I heard you’re quite successful at the moment.”

Trixie took a sip of her coke. “Yes indeed, Trixie can’t even find the time to visit all the places that want her to perform. It is marvellous to have so many ponies wanting to see the great and powerful Trixie show off her amazing skills. But she always has time to visit her friends whenever she feels like it.” She gave Twilight a not so subtle wink.

Twilight smirked at the hint, but the previous night’s worries crept back into her mind. “Say, Trixie, would you mind me asking a question. You know, even after all of this still I’m wondering why you want to be my marefriend, heck even take on a princess just to gain my affection. Aren’t there far more interesting ponies out there that are worthier of your attention,” Twilight blatantly asked.

“Twilight Sparkle!” Trixie got up and looked deeply into Twilight’s purple eyes. “There is no other pony out there that rivals your amazing talent, beauty, intelligence and kindness and that is why I cannot be without you.” Trixie slid her hoof into her saddle bag, taking out a small silver hoof-ring.

“And that is why I want you to have this,” Trixie said, “as a sign of my eternal affection.”
Twilight’s eyes fell on the precious jewellery. “Oh, Trixie you shouldn’t have… I don’t know what to say.” A radiant smile split her face.

Taking Twilight’s hoof into her magic, Trixie lifted it and gently slipped the hoof-ring on. “Just take this and remember me whenever you look at it.”

Trixie grinned at Twilight’s reaction and she waited for…something to happen. Yet nothing happened. They just sat there, Twilight looking at the ring and Trixie waiting.

“I can’t thank you enough for this, Trixie, but I think we have to go now. It’s getting late and I want to rest before my date with Luna. Me falling asleep during that would be kinda rude and unfair.”

Trixie sighed and nodded. “Very well, let’s leave this place then.”

She placed their tray on the counter and followed Twilight outside.

“This has been a wonderful date, Trixie.” Twilight leaned in and gave Trixie a kiss on the cheek.

“You’re welcome,” the showmare stammered, the surprise at one dream come true making her blush furiously.
She watched Twilight walking back to her tree, lightly swaying her hips, fully aware of Trixie’s stare.

______________________________

“Twilight, Princess Luna’s here,” Spike yelled, hoping that the alicorn could hear him through the bathroom door.

“Thank you, Spike,” Luna said, stepping into the library. “Twilight, doesn’t know yet, but we’ll go do some stargazing and have a picnic. I didn’t find any blankets to use at Fluttershy’s, could you maybe look for something appropriate?”

“Yes, of course, I think we still have some old ones lying around.” Spike walked to the closet and disappeared in the dark room.

Luna took in the sight of the library: despite all the order it still reminded her of its inhabitant. Subtle hints like parchment on the floor, a number of quills distributed according to an unknown scheme, single books on the tables. It may be a library, but it was clear who spent most of their time in these commodities.

Upstairs, the bathroom door opened and down came Twilight, her mane shinier than usual and her fur nicely groomed, a light note of lavender girdling her.

Luna gazed at the apparition. She had been in love with the slightly disordered, bookish mare, not caring about her unkempt mane or the bags under her sleep deprived eyes. Twilight’s astounding beauty took her emotions to a new level.

Twilight became aware of the alicorn’s dreamy stare and gave her a slight grin.

“Good evening, Luna, it’s nice to see that you’re on time. Shall we go?” Twilight stepped closer to Luna.

“I asked Spike to get something we’ll need soon enough, so let’s wait until he gets back.”

On command the purple dragon appeared with a bundle of heavy blankets in his claws and handed them to Luna. “There you go, Princess. I hope those are alright.”

“They’re just what I needed, thank you. Now, Twilight, are you ready?” Luna took the blankets and, surrounding herself and Twilight with her midnight blue magic she broke the limits of space and teleported both of them to a hilltop outside of Ponyville. Why walk when you can use magic?

All across the sky stars were twinkling, the moon bathed the scene in a pale white light, giving everything a mystical hue.

Luna placed the blankets and silently the baskets with their dinner moved out of their hiding spot.

Twilight was delighted. She looked around in awe at the evening sky. Too long had it been since she had the time to just sit in the dark and look at the stars.

Luna watched the young alicorn with a smile and, quickly nodding she unleashed a shower of shooting stars, scintillating brilliantly before disappearing.

“Twilight, I’ve got something for you.” Luna’s deep solemn note drew Twilight’s attention.

Luna stepped forward, contemplating her creation for a bit and, in deep relieve that this part of her plan had gone perfectly she sighed and looked deeply into Twilight’s purple eyes.

“Each night while gazing through my restless mind
the fright of powers old and long forlorn,
in fortress doomed it had been torn;
soul purged to leave all foolishness behind.
The dark gate flooded by emotions fast,
a sombre whirl relentless, strong and fierce
devouring all and nursed by mighty fears;
the gates can’t hold, in shadows soul is cast.
And yet the moon in holy light remains.
For all of darkness’ fangs is battling one
who’s light outshineth all. Desire of my
relentless search for one who never feigns,
we met down deep . The purple eye has won
at last. Now moon and stars can meet in sky.”

Tears dwelled in Twilight’s eyes. She was breathless, overwhelmed by the amazing gift she had been given.

“I can’t even begin to thank you enough for this, Luna. No one has ever done something that romantic for me.” Twilight pulled Luna into a hug, drying her tears in the taller alicorn’s mane.

“I’m glad you liked it, Twilight,” Luna mumbled, “but I think we should start eating before our sandwiches get warm and spoil.”

Twilight nodded and, letting go of Luna she dropped her saddlebags, sat down on the blanket and took a daffodil sandwich out of the basket.

Luna smiled and took out two glasses and a bottle of aged cider. Since Twilight was busy eating she found herself responsible of filling the glasses.

So far the evening had been amazing, it truly couldn’t have gone better and yet she had doubts if the alicorn would take the right decision. Luna hadn’t been there to observe the first date, being too busy with preparations. Who knew what mischievous tricks Trixie had up her non-existing sleeve? She wouldn’t take any risks now, not after coming this far.

While opening the cider Luna sneakily pulled a transparent flask out of her mane. One drop would suffice. She filled Twilight’s glass with cider, but without catching her attention, Luna let a single pink tear meet the drink. Quickly putting the potion back into her mane she motioned for Twilight, who was still indulging in her meal, to take the glass.

Soon her lips would meet the mixture and everything would be over, she would have won.

“Noooooooo!” An azure flash shot from the close-by bushes, hitting the glass out of Twilight’s grasp and spilling the cider on the ground.

Twilight met Trixie’s panicked look. “Trixie? What is happening here?”

Trixie run a hoof through her ruffled mane and shot Luna an aggressive glare. “Trixie didn’t trust the Princess to play fair, so she watched your date from that bush over there. She didn’t want to interfere, but after she saw what was happening she couldn’t help herself.”

Trixie leapt forward and pulled the flask out of Luna mane. She opened it and, when poured on the ground, the liquid emitted small magical pink hearts, telling Twilight everything she needed to know.

“Luna, why did you do this?” Twilight’s eyes showed her heart breaking, tears welling.

“I, I didn’t…” Luna stammered, but soon enough she focussed her anger on Trixie. “How dare you interfere with royalty, lowly unicorn.” The use of the royal Canterlot voice fazed Trixie and had her stumble back, setting her hoof right into Twilight’s saddlebag.

Luna watched curiously as Trixie’s pupil’s shrank, only to widen suddenly while a magical buzz filled the air. Trixie pulled her hoof out of the bag and now she was wearing a stylish silver hoof-ring.

Trixie gave Twilight an unfamiliar look and turned her head to direct her gaze at Luna.

Upon seeing the midnight blue alicorn, Trixie’s pupils dilated once again and she shot forward, pulling her into a tight embrace.

“I love you, Luna,” Trixie screamed from the top of her lungs.

Twilight watched the grotesque play: her suitors in a tight embrace, one struggling over and over and the other pulling her back. Her heart ached.

“How could the two of you betray me like this?” Twilight’s silent tone carried more emotion than yelling ever could.

Luna tried to look past Trixie to get a better view of Twilight. The young alicorn was lost in thoughts, rambling incoherently.

“Twilight, please.” Luna tried to escape Trixie grasp.

“No, it’s over.” Twilight’s face was coated in tears, eyes broken, ears drooping. Voiceless sobs shook her limp form. The air around her became vibrant with purple magic. All emotions let loose, flooding the outside world.

There she stood: a sorrowful deity in the midst of a maelstrom of energy.

Luna gasped.

In a blinding purple flash Twilight vanished into the darkness of the night.

Author's Note

Much serious business in this one .