Twilight's Sun, Celestia's Starsby JKinsleyChapters3. Invention (implied dark)4. Chandelier5. Cracker6. Union7. Rumors8. Epiphany9. Invention redux10. Excessive11. Expedited12. Relevance13. Misconstrued14. Pomp15. Competition16. Kalon1. Silliness2. Shampoo3. Invention (implied dark)Twilight stood on the gantries of her large laboratory. Technicians ran to and fro, some with materials, some with print-outs from instruments, and still others scribbled notes or shouted orders. Twilight sighed. The shouting and banging reminded her too much of the events that lead to her being in this lab in the first place. Best not dwell on those thoughts. It wouldn’t do well to have the other researchers seeing you in such a state, she thought. “Months, Celestia. Months we’ve been at this, and finally, maybe, we’ll have a working product,” Twilight said. Her voice struck a tone between desperation and excitement. “The finest minds and hooves of Equestria toiling away on this secret project, and today might be the day it all comes together.” “Let’s hope this is worth it, then. But I am glad you’ve been here, my darling. Before you started the research, well,” Celestia said, and then dropped to a whisper in Twilight’s ear, “let’s just say that I had a few too many nights with naught but my hooves and warm thoughts of you.” Twilight blushed profusely and turned away. Her smile betrayed the seemingly indignant huff that followed, and when Celestia wrapped a wing around her to bring her close, Twilight lovingly nuzzled Celestia’s soft chest and shoulders. “I missed you too, sweetheart. So much,” Twilight whispered back. The cuddles were soon interrupted by a large earth pony mare who climbed onto the gantry. Her coat was several shades darker than its usual light brown; her work left her covered in a dark grey soot. “Doctor, Princess,” she nodded quickly to both ponies. “Doctor Twilight, the experiment is ready for its final run. We’re waiting on your orders.” She handed over a clipboard with several charts and diagrams, along with a detailed report. Twilight skimmed through the information to double-check that it matched what she was hoping to see. She nodded and hummed until she finished reading the material. “Very good, Steel Forge. Start the test." Steel Forge nodded curtly and turned around to climb down to the lab floor. She spoke quickly to the gathered ponies, and a pair of large stallions wheeled out a large metal tube. A unicorn mare slid a long, thin package down the tube, followed by a ball of the same diameter. Everypony had already cleared the area when another unicorn mare brought a small torch to the rear of the tube. It was closed, save for a tiny opening with a string sticking out. She lit the string with the torch and it started to spark. She ran for cover like the others. "Cover your ears," Twilight said to Celestia, before covering her own and casting a semi transparent shield around them. Celestia clasped her hooves to her ears just in time to see a furious cloud of smoke come from the open end of the tube. A moment later, the loudest noise Celestia heard assaulted her ears. Were they not covered, she was sure she would have suffered hearing loss. Once she saw Twilight uncover her ears, Celestia did the same. “Twilight, what in Equestria was that? It sounded like you were trying to blow up the lab.” “Well, it was technically an explosion. Just a very controlled and directed explosion. I give to you two things: gunpowder and the cannon.” Twilight hugged Celestia tightly. “I know it’s frightening. My hope is that we only need this once and we can never, ever return to such awful measures.” Celestia softened and her shoulders relaxed. “I know, that’s my hope too.” She stroked Twilight’s back and wrapped her neck around Twilight’s. “Will this work, though? Can you really use it against those... monsters?” “Yeah...” Twilight mumbled. “But I worry we might become monsters, too.” 4. Chandelier“No!” “It’s fine, trust me.” “It’s not! It doesn’t fit.” “Twilight, please, it’s lovely!” “It still doesn’t fit!” Celestia hung her head low and took a deep breath. “Twilight, you know I love you, but you’ve never exactly had the best... aesthetic sense.” “I think you’re beautiful.” “Touché.” Celestia chuckled. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re getting hung up on what’s a lovely gift.” “Ugh!” Twilight groaned. “I’m not saying it’s not pretty, I’m saying it doesn’t fit!” “It does! It’s not in the way!” “No... It’s...” Twilight sighed. “It’s not me.” “You think it’s gaudy.” Celestia wrapped Twilight into a tight hug. She held Twilight against her chest and gently rubbed her back. “It’s not. It’s a marvelous work of craftsponyship. And you have to admit, the way the sunset makes it... It’s gorgeous. I think it’s a gift for both of us, to be honest.” Twilight finally smiled and turned her to look at the pillars of multicolored light dancing around the room. “Fine, I’ll keep it,” she said. *** Twilight opened the door to her new home and greeted her friends. “Come on upstairs, girls, there’s something you have to see.” Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all followed Twilight up the spiral staircase to their throne room. All five mares gasped when they entered the room. “Twilight, why is yer cutie mark hangin’ from the ceilin’?” asked Applejack with her head tilted to the side. “And why’re the colors all wrong?” “Honestly, Applejack. Orange, blue, white, pink, and yellow? I wonder why,” Rarity replied and rolled her eyes. Applejack shot her a dirty look. “It’s lovely, Twilight. Where did you get it?” Fluttershy gingerly approached the center of the room, trying to get a good look at all of its angles. “A gift, actually. Officially from the Crystal Empire, but Cadance said she did a lot to help put it together.” “It. Is. Awesome!” Rainbow said, now hovering off to the side. “And this is a big bunch of crystal. How’d they get all of this?” Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ll have to talk with Cadance more.” “Twilight, I know it’s super duper fun to be with friends, but why are we here so late?” Pinkie asked, stopped mid-bounce. Twilight chuckled. “You’ll see.” She kept her friends occupied with a lecture on the various trace minerals that gave each crystal its particular color. Pinkie Pie quickly lost interest and glanced around the room. She watched the sun setting in the large window behind them. The sunlight filtering into the room turned from yellow to orange and lit up the chandelier hanging in the room. It cast its brilliant rainbow across the gathered ponies. “Twilight! This what we’re supposed to see! Isn’t it?” shouted Pinkie. Twilight nodded. Applejack raised a hoof and an eyebrow. “Hold up, you said this was a gift. What for?” “Well.” Twilight giggled. “You know how Celestia and I celebrated our one year anniversary together back in Canterlot?” Everypony nodded. “She, uh...” Twilight bit her lip and smiled brightly. She parted her bangs around her horn, revealing a white gold band inlaid with amethysts. “Let’s just say there’s going to be another royal wedding.” She was quickly tackled by her friends and they all laughed and hugged. 5. Cracker“Anything else I can get you beauuuutiful ladies?” Pinkie Pie asked, her widest possible grin on her face. “No, thank you, Pinkie Pie. The cupcakes are wonderful. Our compliments to the chef,” Celestia replied. “No problemo!” Twilight finally let her shoulders down. She hadn’t realized how tense she was. This is supposed to be fun! Just you and Celly, here, alone, in Sugarcube Corner with nopony to bother you, she thought. Except Pinkie, hovering like a... pony feathers. Like a bee? No... Ah, forget it. “Everything alright, dear?” Celestia asked. “Yeah... uh, yes. I’m just—” “Stressed?” Twilight nodded. “We hardly ever get private time to ourselves. I love Pinkie Pie dearly, but...” “I understand.” Twilight took a bite of her cupcake and chewed slowly. She ruminated on the few other occasions she’d had private moments with Celestia in the past six months of dating. They tried to get together every weekend, but some odd event or emergency would come up and steal their time together. And while this year’s Summer Sun Celebration heralded the first with four Princesses presiding, everypony and their pet turtle wanted autographs or pictures. It was the Grand Galloping Gala all over again. “—And that’s how Mr. Cake met Mrs. Cake!” Pinkie finished and leaned on the table. “Fascinating,” replied Celestia. Her chin rested on her folded hooves. “Say, could you fetch us two glasses of apple juice?” “Yessirree! Two glasses of Sweet Apple Acres finest, coming up!” Pinkie hopped off to the kitchen, once again leaving Twilight and Celestia alone in the dining area. Twilight’s head hung down. “I spaced out again, didn’t I?” “You did. I worry.” “It’s OK. I was just thinking.” Celestia chuckled. “Somehow, ‘just thinking’ sounds like trouble.” Twilight sighed. When Pinkie returned with the apple juice, she mumbled her thanks and stared intently at her glass. “And said, ‘Cracker? I ‘ardly know ‘er!’” Pinkie broke into a fit of giggles that made her fall to her back and kick her hooves. Celestia joined in with a good-hearted snicker, but Twilight kept silent. “Twilight?” Pinkie asked. “Yes?” “Are you OK? You didn’t laugh...” Pinkie Pie frowned and her bottom lip pushed up. “No...” Tears welled in Twilight’s eyes. “Pinkie, I... thank you for trying, but can you, uh, give us some space? I wanted to have some alone time with Celestia.” “Alrighty. I’ll be in the back if you need anything.” Twilight opened her forelegs for a hug. “It’s not that I’m mad, Pinkie, I’m just a little bummed. We’ll talk more tonight and I’ll tell you about the rest of the day.” Pinkie perked up and hugged Twilight back. “Okie dokie! I’ll see you later then.” She bounced back to the kitchen and sprang through the doors. “What do you say we just finish up the juice and get to the bookstore? I hear Ponyville got a choice shipment of classic Dostrotesky,” Celestia said as she stroked Twilight shoulders. Twilight reached a hoof back to grip Celestia’s. “I’d like that, yeah.” And for the first time since she saw Celestia that morning, she smiled. 6. Union“Nervous, darling?” Rarity asked. “No... Yes. It’s a big deal, you know?” Twilight sighed. “If it were up to Celestia and I, we might’ve just eloped. But the wedding’s as much for the kingdom as it is for us.” She shook her head. “All of these decisions up to this point, though. Months of planning. Do we have Princess Luna or Princess Cadance perform the ceremony? Who’s going to be on my side, who will be on Celestia’s?” She took a few deep breaths, and Rarity continued making the last adjustments to Twilight’s flowing white gown. “I know today is going to be special. And I’m happy beyond words.” Twilight beamed. “I love Celestia. More than any of my books could have ever lead me to believe, I well and truly love her.” “Luna, am I doing the right thing?” Celestia asked. “Marrying Twilight? I mean, yes, she’s an adult. But you and I, we’ve been around for so long.” “Celly, you love her, no?” “Of course. I’ve...” Celestia chuckled. “Wow, I’ve never been happier.” “Then there is your answer, sister dearest.” Luna pressed her hoof to Celestia’s shoulder. “You have ponies all around who love you both, and you both love each other. I can’t see how any of that is wrong.” Celestia leaned her head against Luna’s hoof and smiled slowly. “I’m glad you could be here, Luna. I love you.” “I love you too, Tia. Now come on, let’s get dressed. You have your gown to get in and I need to figure out this strange contraption Rarity came up with.” Luna stood at the top of the raised platform in the ceremony room. Across from her were Rarity, Spike, Shining Armor, and Applejack. Next to her were Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Flutershy, and Discord. Trumpets sounded and the doors opened. Celestia blushed ever so slightly as everypony turned to face her. She walked down the aisle and she nodded and smiled at the gathered ponies. Friends and family of Twilight mingled with guards, students and teachers from Celestia’s school, and foreign dignitaries. Celestia ascended the steps and took her place on the right, next to Luna. She beamed at her sister and nodded to her niece. Cadance stood at the center of the altar in simple black and white robes. “You ready for this, Auntie?” she asked. Celestia nodded and took several deep breaths. “I am.” “Good, because here she comes!” Cadance giggled. Trumpets once again sounded, this time admitting Twilight Sparkle, resplendent in her white gown and escorted by her father walked the very same aisle. She gave her father a quick kiss to his cheek and a brief hug before taking her place atop the platform as well. Twilight blushed heavily and smiled and Celestia did the same. Cadance then stepped forward. “Fillies and gentlecolts! We are gathered here today to witness the union of Princess Celestia of Equestria and Princess Twilight Sparkle, two ponies who are unabashedly in love and prepared to commit themselves to each other for life. If anypony has any objections to this union, speak now.” Nopony spoke up, so Cadance continued. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, do you take Princess Celestia of Equestria to be your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both live?” “I do.” Twilight said. “And do you, Princess Celestia of Equestria, take Princess Twilight Sparkle to be your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both live?” “I do.” Celestia said. Cadance summoned a pair of identical horn rings from behind her, each gold band inlaid with alternating stones of citrine and amethyst. She lowered each onto Twilight and Celestia’s horns before speaking loudly enough for all to hear, “Then I now pronounce you mare and mare! You may kiss the bride.” Twilight leaned forward first, and was quickly met with both a hoof cupped to her cheek and then Celestia’s lips on hers. The kiss lasted for but a few moments, and once it broke, Twilight and Celestia stood side by side, smiling and waving to the gathered ponies. Celestia leaned down to Twilight’s ear and whispered, “Reception?” A quick nod. “Reception.” 7. RumorsCELESTIA IS PREGNANT! Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes at the ludicrous headlines being spouted by the tabloids. Of course Princess Celestia wasn’t pregnant. She sauntered into the dining hall and sat next to her definitely-not-pregnant wife and kissed her on the cheek. “Good morning, ‘Tia. Had a chance to read the headlines yet?” Celestia giggled. “You mean that rag that thinks you got me knocked up?” Twilight nodded and burst out laughing. “That’s the one, yes.” Celestia shook her head. “Where in Equestria do they get these ideas? I mean, how could I be pregnant?” She then nuzzled Twilight’s neck and planted a kiss on her cheek. Twilight smiled brightly at the affection while she smeared apricot jam and peanut butter on her banana pancakes. “Not the faintest idea, sweetie.” “I mean,” Celestia said as she rubbed Twilight’s belly, “it’s fairly obvious that you’re the pregnant one.” 8. EpiphanyCelestia stirred awake. Her forelegs felt surprisingly empty, and she cracked her eyes to find that her dear Twilight was not in bed. “Twilight?” she called. No reply. Celestia tossed the sheets aside and stumbled out of bed. She grumbled and shuffled to her balcony to raise the sun. No sense in keeping the rest of Equestria waiting for dawn. Might even help me find Twilight if I can see her. “Twilight!” Celestia called again. Still no reply. She set and wandered the castle, calling for Twilight and searching high and low. “Twilight, I swear, I’ll have the guard out looking for you if I don’t hear from you in the next thirty seconds!” “I’m here, Tia,” Twilight shouted from down below. Celestia leaned out of an open window overlooking the gardens and saw Twilight standing in their shared patch of garden. “What are you doing down there?” Twilight waved her hoof, beckoning Celestia. “Come down and see, I have something to show you.” Celestia cantered through the various hallways and corridors and stairs until she reached the gardens. She spotted Twilight sniffing one of the many rose bushes in their personal collection. Despite keeping her hooffalls light, Twilight turned around quickly and pulled Celestia into a surprise hug. “Good morning, ‘Tia.” “Good morning, Twi.” Celestia nuzzled the back of Twilight’s neck. “What is it that you have to show me?” “This.” Twilight stepped aside to reveal a single red rose, hovering off the ground and spinning slowly in place. “Remember, back on our first date? Those roses? Yellow tipped with red? I got to thinking last night, and I felt it was time.” “How could I forget?” Celestia smiled fondly at the memory. “So, then this means...” Twilight nodded, blushed, and rubbed her shoulder with a hoof as she kept looking into Celestia’s eyes. Celestia leaned forward and brushed Twilight’s mane along the back of her neck, inching closer and closer. “I love you too, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia whispered. And then she kissed her. 9. Invention redux The language of flowers, more formally known as floriography, took root during the Victorian era as a result of their obsession with covert communication. The specific colors, arrangements, and species selected were designed to send a detailed but subtle message. For instance, white roses alone could mean virtue, purity, or innocence; red roses mean true love. Yet a combination of white and red roses mean unity or reconciliation. Twilight tapped her hoof to her chin. “Luna’s return,” she muttered, returning to her reading. Most symbolic meanings of flowers relate to love of some sort. Roses are the most common flowers associated with the practice, but other flowers associated with a form of love include honeysuckle (devoted affection), tulips (various meanings depending on color), daisies (loyal love), daffodils (unrequited love), chrysanthemums, carnations (various meanings depending on color), cloves (undying love), primrose (eternal love), morning glory (love in vain), moonflowers (dreaming of love), aster (symbol of love), magnolia (love of nature), lilacs (purple: first emotion of love; white has a separate, unrelated meaning), and rainflowers (I love you back). “Celestia clearly knowns flower language, too. I wonder...” “Special delivery for Princess Celestia,” said a unicorn stallion as he approached her chambers with a brown package held aloft in his magic. “From whom?” inquired one of the guards stationed at her door. “A ‘PTS’ apparently.” The other guard mumbled something under his breath and beckoned the courier forth. “Leave it with us, we’ll take it in to Her Majesty.” The courier nodded and set the package down and trotted back to his other deliveries. Once he was out of sight, the two guards faced each other and broke out laughing. Celestia poked her head out of the door of her chambers and the guards snapped back to attention. “Ma’am!’ they said in unison. “Something amusing, gentlecolts?” Celestia raised an eyebrow and cast a meaningful glance down to the package sitting between them. “No, ma’am. A package arrived from a ‘PTS’ just moments ago. We were about to inform you.” “Very good. See to it that I’m not disturbed for the next few hours. I have... private matters to attend to.” Celestia carefully shut the door behind her and gently unwrapped the package. It contained a vase and one of the most beautiful arrangements of flowers Celestia had seen. A little note was tied to the stem of one of the roses. Tia, I got a new book and wanted to try my hoof at something new. Let me know what you think. xoxo Your little lavender lover Celestia chuckled at the note and leaned in to smell the delightful arrangement. Blue, red, coral, and lavender roses, all thornless, stood with purple lilacs. As Celestia sniffed, her smile became more and more blissful. Passionate first love at first sight. Twilight, you charmer. A trip the gardens is order, I think. A sharp rap on her balcony window roused Twilight from her book. She set a silk bookmark on the page and drew the blinds to see who would be coming to her balcony and not the front door. Her eyes shot wide and she flung the doors open as she flung herself at Celestia. “Oof!” Celestia said mockingly as she rubbed Twilight’s back with her hoof. “You got my flowers, then?” Twilight asked as she looked up. Her eyes glimmered and her ears perked forward; she eagerly awaited an affirmative answer. “Indeed, and might I say, well done. So well done, in fact, I have a little something for you, too.” Celestia’s magical grip brought a dozen rainflowers to Twilight’s face. She lit up and hugged her Princess tightly. “Celestia... thank you. Maybe we should get those inside and in water?” Her grin turned salacious. “And maybe we could get ourselves a little, well...” 10. ExcessiveA light violet unicorn with a tousled mane finished the last of her edits. A neat stack of parchment stood next her on the desk and she flipped through the pages one more time. “Good, good,” she muttered. She bound the sheets of parchment together and pulled a fine piece of dyed blue leather to herself to cover her new “book.” It was more of a collection of free-form poems than a cohesive story, but she had high hopes. On the front and spine of her newly-bound book, the mare wrote the title, The Collected Works of Poetry for Princess Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia and signed her name as “J. ‘Aurora’ Kinsley.” Twilight and Celestia sat in their chambers, currently occupied with a friendly game of “Go Fish.” A knock on the door caused Celestia to get up and check who would be bothering them at this hour. “Everypony knows not to disrupt the weekly game session,” grumbled Celestia darkly. She still put on a benevolent smile as she cracked the door to poke her head out. A nervous guard stood there with a rectangular package held aloft in a magical aura. “Your Highness, sorry to disturb you,” he started and bowed deeply, “but the Royal Archivist said it was an urgent matter. She felt she could not, in good conscious, admit this particular tome to the archives without your consent.” “Never, in all my years ruling this kingdom, have I come across a book that I felt should be banned or barred from the Archives,” Celestia said. She shook her head, this book must be dangerous. “Very well, Twilight and I shall consider its merits.” The guard simply nodded and passed her the book. With that, the guard scurried off and Celestia shut the door and turned to Twilight. “It seems like we have a rather dangerous book on our hooves, Twilight. The Royal Archivist won’t allow this book to be admitted without my consent.” Twilight tilted her head. “Dangerous indeed. As I recall, there are time travel spells, dark magic, even books that will try to eat whoever wants to read them.” Twilight shuddered at the memory of The Monster Book of Monsters. “You could find them in the restricted section, of course, and there was always supervision and checks.” Celestia set the book between them on the table. “We might as well get it over with. On three. One, two, three!” Celestia unwrapped the book from its paper prison as Twilight readied an anti-magic shield. The paper fell away and... nothing happened. Twilight instead picked up the book and read the title aloud. “The Collected Works of Poetry for Princess Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia. Huh. That doesn’t sound dangerous.” Twilight opened to the first page when a small note fell out. She picked it up and read it aloud as well. “Princess(es), while this book isn’t dangerous in the traditional sense, after you have read it, you may feel it necessary or otherwise advantageous to not include this book in the Archives. While it would not preclude the author from otherwise publishing this book (since actually suppressing the publication invites any number of issues related to freedom of speech and expression), barring it from the Archives would keep any ‘damage’ isolated to a small period of time. I therefore defer to your wiser judgement on this matter. Signed, Summer Mane.” Celestia sat almost perfectly still while she reflected on those words. Her face dipped briefly into a frown before she regained her usual composure. “Celestia?” Celestia looked up and blinked a few times. “It seems we have little choice but to read the book. If the title mentions you as well, then I suppose we can read it together.” Twilight smiled and patted the cushion next to her. “Only if you let me cuddle.” “Very well then.” Celestia chuckled and wrapped a wing around Twilight as she brought the book to bear. She flipped the pages to the first “poem.” Both ponies’ eyes scanned the page, but their faces shifted from mild interest to curiosity and finally to shock. “I... I have no idea where she got those ideas about us,” Twilight said, eyes wide and affect flat. She flipped to the next page and her and Celestia continued to read. The shock returned. “That seemed more... painful, than anything. I do hope we don’t ever have to be in that position,” mumbled Celestia. Another page flip, another shocker. “That one wasn’t so bad,” reasoned Twilight. Indeed it wasn’t; either through the literary equivalent of Stockholm Syndrome or just because the poems were not as outlandish, Twilight no longer wished to acquaint herself with the porcelain gods. Celestia merely nodded and turned to the next page. Both heads tilted. “Huh,” they said in unison. “That’s... that sounds kinda fun.” Next page. More nods of agreement. Twilight levitated a notepad and quill to take notes. “Just one more poem,” said Celestia as she flipped to the last poem. Her voice carried a mixture of relief and resignation. Twilight and Celestia read through it together, their pace matching perfectly. Bright crimson blushes graced their faces as they continued reading. By the time they finished, Twilight was intently studying her hooves. “She was awfully descriptive in that last one.” She chuckled nervously. “She certainly has a way with words.” “She seems to think you have your way with me,” Celestia muttered. “Well, there are some good ideas in there. They just got presented... a little over-the-top.” “You’re quite right.” Celestia sighed. “So what shall we do about... this,” she said while she poked the book. “Try that last chapter out before passing judgement?” 11. ExpeditedThe slumber party was ready to start. Pinkie Pie had somehow managed to get Princess Celestia and Luna down from Canterlot to join them, too. Rarity was thrilled. Too often the demands of her schedule and Luna’s affinity for the night kept them apart more than they liked. When they first arrived, they shared a long hug and many whispers. Twilight didn’t mind. Rarity and Luna were happy together, and it made her smile to see that Rarity finally found her happy ending. Rarity and Luna had their own ideas, of course. The whispers were much more than simple I-missed-you’s. It was such a simple plan... The slumber party was in full swing. Applejack brought over 4 cases of Sweet Apple Acres’ Finest. Two bottles remained. Everypony was laughing and swaying slightly in their circle surrounding an empty bottle. “OK! Next pony who spins gets Seven Minutes in Heaven with whoever it points to!” shouted Rarity as she leaned against Luna’s side. “Twilight, I think it’s your turn.” Twilight complied and spun the bottle with the tip of her hoof. House rules dictated no magic when spinning. But as Twilight leaned forward, she missed the wink shared between Rarity and Luna. The bottle spun and spun, and slowed. Twilight swore she saw the faintest aura of blue around it as it stopped in front of Celestia. Instead, her heavy blush and maelstrom of emotions kept her occupied. “Aha, Celly, off to the closet with you!” Luna chanted. She pushed her sister closer to the door and Rarity did the same for Twilight. “Excited, dear?” Rarity asked. “No! Yes! I don’t know!” Twilight huffed. “It’s... it’s Celestia! It’s complicated,” she finished lamely. “Then uncomplicate things. Go for it.” Twilight rubbed her foreleg with her hoof and kept glancing at the ground. Celestia sat across from her with her usual stoic smile. “Twilight, really, there’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s Spin the Bottle, there was always going to be a chance this would happen.” Twilight looked up with her eyes wide. She threw her hooves in the air. “That doesn’t make it better! Just... I have a tremendous amount of respect for you. It would feel odd to be... like that. I can’t wrap my head around it.” Celestia chuckled. “Maybe this will help, then.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips gently to Twilight’s. She followed through with a hoof behind Twilight’s head, running through her mane. Twilight’s mumbled protests fell on deaf ears while Celestia pressed on, leaning further and further until Twilight bumped into the wall. Her mumbled protests faded to moans. They continued lip-locked until the other partiers poked their heads in to check on them. Fluttershy was the first to speak up. “Um, Twilight? You’ve... been in here for seventeen minutes.” Twilight’s furious blush coupled with nervous laughter. “Uh, that didn’t feel like seventeen minutes. Time flies, eh?” 12. RelevanceAuthor's Note Warning! This is seriously borderline teen. 12. Relevance Twilight looked at the letter in her hooves. It simply told her to come to Celestia’s private quarters for a private meeting. Twilight found the note odd as it didn’t mention any other details. She glanced around the normally bustling halls. Nopony walked through them but her. Not only that, the normal compliment of guards next Celestia’s doors were conspicuously absent. Twilight frowned. She reached the doors and knocked. Her hooves wouldn’t stay steady, so the knock started with a few light taps followed by two solid hits. “Princess?” she asked, her voice low. After no reply, she raised her voice. “Celestia? You asked to see me?” she called. One of the doors opened slightly, and Twilight noticed the faint yellow glow surrounding the inside handle. Celestia stood across the room with her back to Twilight. She stared out of the wide windows at the setting sun. “Twilight, you made it,” she said without turning to face her. Twilight nodded. “You sent for me. A private meeting?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Is there something I need to know?” “In a moment, but rest assured, it’s nothing sinister. It’ll be fun. But first, you and I need to get changed. You’ll find what you need to wear in the bathroom.” Celestia pointed to a door off to the side, slightly ajar, with a neatly stacked pile of clothes just visible. “I’ll fetch you when I’m ready.” Twilight obeyed and walked into the bathroom. She took the top article of clothing, a loose white blouse, and slipped it on. Underneath was a blue-and-red pleated tartan skirt and underneath that were a pair of... Those panties are awfully lacy, Twilight thought. Nonetheless, she put on the skirt and panties. And tight. When Celestia didn’t knock or call for her, Twilight looked herself over in the mirror. From the front, there was nothing amiss. The blouse fit well and wasn’t cut too low or revealing. The skirt, on the other hoof, barely covered her cutie mark. Twilight tried to adjust it down, but to no avail. And though the panties covered everything, the way they sat made her tail stand almost straight up, which did not help the short skirt situation. “Twilight! Are you ready?” Celestia called through the closed door. Twilight glanced around. With nothing stopping her, she opened the door and stepped out, keeping her head held high; her body language was at odds with the short steps she took as she exited the bathroom. Her jaw nearly dropped to the floor. While she was in some sexy schoolgirl outfit, Celestia sported a tan suit jacket, an equally short black skirt, and dark grey stockings that ran all the way up to her middle thighs. Twilight swallowed as her face started to glow crimson. “Twilight?” Twilight then looked up at Celestia and tried her best to smile. “I-I’m ready,” she stuttered. “Good,” Celestia said. She turned in place, but her flowing tail blocked Twilight’s view. Celestia trotted back to her bedroom and a blackboard was set up, complete with a lesson plan. Twilight stood still and simply gawked. Celestia somehow managed to set up one of her greatest fantasies, without Twilight ever mentioning it. Does she share the same fantasy? Twilight mused. Celestia tsked as she stood next to the blackboard. She held her head high, with a slight frown and her eyes just slightly narrowed. “Twilight Sparkle,” she said in a hoarse, sultry whisper. “You’re late to class. And do you know what that means?” Twilight gulped and did her best to hide a growing smile. “Y-yes, Headmistress.” “You have been a very bad student. And do you know what we do to bad students at this school?” Twilight nodded rapidly. “P-punish them, Headmistress.” She slinked up to the blackboard and bowed to Celestia. “Indeed we do. Bend over.” Twilight obeyed and presented her rump. Her tail instinctively flicked to the side, and all that was keeping her from being completely exposed were the lacy panties still in place. Celestia wielded a fabric-wrapped paddle and landed her first blow; Twilight winced slightly, but it was a pleasurable pain. “Oooh, Celestia,” she gasped as the second blow landed and her muscles tensed. A third blow landed, and she cried out once more. “Perhaps you need to learn more of a lesson, hmm?” Headmistress Celestia whispered sultrily into Twilight’s ear. She slipped her hoof into the waistband of her panties... And Twilight found herself being roughly shaken awake. “Augh!” she shouted. She blinked her eyes to clear the sleep from them and sat up, seeing Spike still shaking her shoulders. “Spike! Why are you waking me up?” “You were moaning and thrashing around. I thought you were having a bad dream,” he muttered while looking down. “Yeah,” Twilight chuckled nervously. “A bad dream alright.” “Anyway, it’s nearly morning, and Celestia sent this urgent letter. You’re needed in Canterlot for a private meeting. Her chambers.” Twilight gulped. 13. MisconstruedTwilight looked at the letter in her hooves. It simply told her to come to Celestia’s private quarters for a private meeting. She glanced around the normally bustling halls. Nopony walked through them but her. Not only that, the normal compliment of guards next Celestia’s doors were conspicuously absent. Twilight frowned. This is way too... this is EXACTLY like my dream. But then, if it’s exactly like my dream, and with no Spike around... Twilight broke into a lopsided grin and knocked on Celestia’s chamber doors. Three solid hits and Twilight could hear the reverberation in the chambers. “Celestia!” she called. One of the doors opened slightly, and Twilight noticed the faint yellow glow surrounding the inside handle. Celestia stood across the room with her back to Twilight. She stared out of the wide windows at the setting sun. “Twilight, you made it,” she said without turning to face her. Twilight nodded. “Of course. You sent for me, a private meeting?” Twilight raised an eyebrow, still with a hint of a grin. “Is there something you have planned for me?” “I’m surprised this has slipped your mind. Nonetheless, it’ll be fun. But first, you and I need to get changed. You’ll find what you need to wear in the bathroom.” Celestia pointed to a door off to the side, slightly ajar, with a neatly stacked pile of clothes just visible. “I’ll fetch you when I’m ready.” Twilight obeyed and walked into the bathroom. She took the top article of clothing, a loose white blouse, and slipped it on. Underneath was a blue-and-red pleated tartan skirt. Just like earlier, Twilight thought. She lifted the skirt, but found nothing underneath. Despite the omission, it only served to make her more excited. She’s naughtier than I thought. She still slipped on the skirt and then looked herself over in the mirror. From the front, there was nothing amiss. The blouse fit well and wasn’t cut too low or revealing. The skirt, thought, was much too long. Perhaps Celestia just doesn’t have my exact measurements. Twilight hiked the skirt to reveal much more of herself. Much better. She then waited patiently for Celestia to come knocking. “Twilight! Are you ready?” Celestia called through the closed door. Twilight glanced around. With nothing stopping her, she opened the door and stepped out, keeping her head held high; her smirk matched the long, confident strides. “I am. Do you like?” Twilight twirled around and cast a sultry glance over her shoulder. Celestia quickly blushed bright red and coughed into her hoof. When Twilight stood facing her once more, Celestia placed a hoof on the younger mare’s shoulder. She looked serious and the blush was fading, albeit slowly. “You do remember why we’re here?” Twilight pulled her head back and blinked several times. “Yes? We’re playing teacher and student.” Celestia sighed, relieved, and nodded. “Teacher and student, yes.” “And when I show up to class late, you have to punish me with the paddle, but when I enjoy it, you decide another course of punishment is in order, and slip a hoof under my skirt—” Celestia coughed and her eyes bulged. “Twilight!” “Yes, Headmistress?” Twilight purred. “I... I don’t... We are playing teacher and student, yes. But for the school variety pageant. For fillies and colts and their parents. We talked about this in several letters, most recently yesterday, when I reminded you that today was the dress rehearsal. Where in Equestria did you get the idea that this was... sensual, in nature?” “My, uh, dream. This morning. It went exactly like this. Not exactly, obviously. But.” Twilight hung her head low as the color drained from her face. “I’m so sorry.” “Dream? Luna... No, she knows not to,” Celestia mumbled. She put a hoof to her forehead. “I understand that you would be quite embarrassed right now—” “You have no idea.” “So let’s just... How about we get some breakfast first, a little tea or coffee, and then come back and do this properly, OK?” Twilight still stared at the ground and pawed at it. “Yeah, let’s.” Celestia leaned in closely and whispered into Twilight’s ear, “And maybe if you do really well with the dress rehearsal, we can try it your way.” 14. Pomp“Because, dammit Luna! I have been alone for a thousand years!” Celestia shouted with tears streaming down her formerly pristine coat. “And this bright, inquisitive young filly damn near blows up my school trying to hatch a dragon egg. She’s scared, she’s showing off more raw power than most unicorns will show in their entire lives, and she’s in need. And I help. I’m there to calm her down on the most stressful day of her young life. And I’m rewarded with a personal student who wants nothing more than to be the very best student of magic she can be, because she fell in love with how I rose the sun.” Celestia sniffled and kicked the ground. Luna sat on her haunches across from her, not moving: even her mane stayed still and lifeless. “She’s the closest thing I’ve had to a daughter. I’ve cared for her for so much of her life, Lulu, and now she needs me again!” Celestia slumped to the ground and covered her face in her hooves. Through her hooves, Celestia muttered, “You know what it’s like to be alone with no one there. Banishing you to the moon remains my deepest, most bitter regret. But you don’t know what it’s like to alone for so long, surrounded by ponies who care only what you can do for them. Every relationship was business or politics. There was nopony for me, Luna. Twilight changed everything for me. She brought me joy and purpose again. And she brought you back. I would do anything to pay her that kindness.” Luna settled down next to Celestia and stroked her older sister’s withers with a hoof. “You’re right, as always, dear sister. But still, I worry this princesses-only-slumber-fest is for your benefit, not hers. All pomp and circumstance and nothing to help her heal.” “It is for her benefit. All she wants is to be loved, Lulu. Like anypony else. Like you did.” Celestia nestled further into her hooves, whispering to the pillows. “Like I do.” 15. CompetitionAuthor's Note A sequel of sorts to Arguing Pizza's Blaze prompt, set in the same AU and used with permission. 15. Competition Applejack trotted back to the barn, her saddle-baskets laden with the day’s harvest. “Phew, am Ah glad we got that Golden Delicious orchard harvested. Ah bet Big Macintosh that we could get it done before lunch, and since Ah won, he’s gonna walk through town wearin’ one o’ Grannie’s girdles! Ha!” Celestia huffed and puffed behind her, equally laden with a mound of apples in her saddle-baskets. “I’m glad we’re finished, too. I could eat a house.” “Don’t let Pinkie hear you say that, she might either break off a piece o’ Sugar Cube Corner or ban ya steppin’ near, dependin’.” Spike, sat on Celestia’s back, rooted through the baskets searching for the perfect apple. “No, no, worm, no...” “Would she really?” Celestia asked, eyebrow raised. “Break off a piece of her house, I mean. Is that possible?” “Ah haven’t the faintest.” Spike belched green flames and smoke as another apple bounced off of Celestia’s head. A scroll sealed with a series of starbursts materialized and fell into Spike’s outstretched hands. “Ahem!” he said. “Her Royal Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria cordially invites you to the Grand Galloping Gala. Held annually at Canterlot Castle, the Grand Galloping Gala promises the best night of the year. Blah, blah, blah. Enclosed are two tickets for Celestia Solaris and one guest!” Celestia gasped. “Princess Twilight said she’d invite me once I came of age!” She squealed. ‘The Grand Galloping Gala!” “Say, sugarcube, any chance Ah could be yer plus one? An opportunity to peddle the ol’ Apple family sweets wouldn’t be amiss. Might even go so far as ta make ya an honourary member. If’n that’s alright with ya.” “I—I— Let’s get these apples into the barn, and, uh, let me think about it. I know we have this magical and powerful connection, and I’d love to give any of you girls my second ticket, I— well, that’s just it, isn’t it? I’d give any of you the second ticket. Celestia covered her muzzle with her hooves while her friends argued all around her. “STOP!” she shouted at the top of her lungs. Everypony froze. “I can’t choose, OK? Each of you, all of you! You’re dear to me. You’re my friends. I can’t make a decision like that and then live with disappointing even just one of you, let alone four.” Celestia looked down and to the side while she summoned a small bit of parchment and a quill. “So if we all can’t go, none of us will go. “Dear Princess Twilight,” she recited while writing, “While I appreciate the invite to the Gala, I’m afraid I will not attend unless all of my friends can come with me. Even if I could make two of my friends very happy, I could not live with disappointing even one of them. As such, I’m returning the tickets with my sincerest apologies. Your ever faithful student, Celestia. “Send it, Spike.” Celestia magicked the scroll over to the young dragon and in a puff of green flames, the letter sped away in a beeline to Canterlot. “Admit it, you were scared to death that she’d outright say no.” “Hush, Shiny,” Twilight muttered, betrayed by the cursed red blush staining her normally pristine lavender muzzle. “She’s a grown mare and can make her own decisions as to how she spends her time, even if I had made promises for years that she could spend the Gala by my side. I did stipulate that she needed to become of age, Gala rules and all, but...” “Chasing jailbait, eh?” Shining Armor found himself pummeled from all sides with pillows, the least enjoyable of which seemed to be some sort of hard, formed foam that became a particular pain in his neck, in spite of its intended purpose. Furious scribbling followed Prince Armor’s slow crawl to consciousness. To my faithful student Celestia, why didn’t you say so? Here are eight tickets and carte blache, if you will, to invite anypony you see fit. I hope to see you soon. Yours sincerely, your mentor, Princess Twilight. “Hold up, eight tickets?” “Haven’t I talked about my sister, Luna? She’s... well, not exactly Princess Twilight’s personal student, but she attends the school on an astronomy fellowship made just for her...” 16. KalonAuthor's Note Sequel to Competition, the Twilight/Celestia inverted AU originally developed by Arguing Pizza 16. Kalon “Thank you so much for hosting this little get-together, Mr. and Mrs. Cake. I can’t begin to tell you how rewarding it is to take a day off and spend time with my favorite student.” Twilight smiled at Celestia across the room and took a sip of her tea. The moment she set it down, it was refilled. Twilight chuckled good naturedly. She took another sip, set down the cup, and watched as it was refilled again. Her smile broadened. She levitated the cup and made a loud slurping noise, but did not drink. True to form, however, one of the Cakes tried to refill her full cup and it overflowed. “Gotcha,” Twilight whispered, and all three shared a hearty, if somewhat embarrassed, chuckle. Celestia turned her attention back to the conversation in front of her, however, a debate between Rarity and Rainbow about whether Shining Armor was really going stag to the Gala or if it would just be Prince Blueblood in attendance. “So how well would you say you know Princess Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked casually. Celestia chuckled. “I am her personal student, so I would say I know her as well as anypony else would in my position. I’ve long admired her wisdom and compassion, that soft, easy-going—” “How personal are we talkin’ here? Ya got any special ‘positions’ you’re fond of with her? I bet she’s loud, too, right?” Rainbow Dash waggled her eyebrows. “Rainbow Dash!” Rarity hissed. “Must you be so crude?!” Celestia fumed silently for a few moments while she waited for her blush to subside. “It’s nothing like that! Princess Twilight is a paragon of magic, friendship, and leadership. She has done more in my lifetime to benefit Equestria than you could hope to learn in twenty of yours!” “Yeah, yeah,” Rainbow waved her hoof dismissively, “it still sounds like you’re going to be her plus one, so that just leaves Prince Hunky Armor and Prince Blue Balls—” Rainbow got smacked on the back of her head. “Whoa, hey, miss Princess Wannabe. I’m just telling it like it is. You wanna bag the princes, and I want all the Wonderbolts. I mean, all we hafta do is agree to stay out of each other’s way and get Zecora to mix up a couple special potions so we’re not regretting anything in the morning, if you know what I mean. Maybe even a little something extra for you, because if his wings are anything to go by, I think Shining Armor might be an endurance flyer.” Another smack cut Rainbow’s innuendo laden train wreck short, and Rarity nearly made a move to strangle the offending pegasus. “You uncouth little s—” “Girls!” Celestia hissed through gritted teeth and burning cheeks. “Enough!” Rarity and Rainbow quickly ducked their heads in a short bow, and Celestia turned to see Princess Twilight gracefully striding over to them. “My little ponies, is everything all right? I heard raised voices.” Celestia bowed further than either of her friends in clear deference. “Princess! I’m sorry, we were just having a discussion and things got out of hoof.” Rainbow Dash muttered something Celestia couldn’t hear, and earned a swift smack upside her head from Rarity. Rainbow’s glare was severely undercut by the grin she shot Celestia’s way. “Princess Twilight, if you don’t mind,” Rarity interjected, “I believe we were just trying to clear up a few matters of the Royal Family.” “Ah, curious about my brother, Shining Armor, are we?” Rainbow Dash snickered, Celestia rolled her eyes, and Rarity stammered, “W-well yes. B-but not just him! I’m lead to believe you have a niece and nephew, as well?” “It’s not quite as simple as all of that, but that is my living family. What did you want to know?” As Rarity peppered Twilight with questions, Celestia looked over the table the Princess had just left and spotted Fluttershy behind it, opening the cage and plucking the sickly Philomena from her “prison.” “Oh, you poor thing! I’m sure Princess Twilight is just very busy and hasn’t got around to getting you the care you need.” Oh horse apples, Celestia thought darkly before she excused herself from the party and dashed after Fluttershy. A pile of ash gathered in Fluttershy’s outstretched hooves, and tears streamed down her face. She had failed. Failed herself, failed Philomena, failed Celestia, failed Twilight. She would surely be banished, imprisoned, or both. “Princess Twilight! Please!” Celestia stepped in between Fluttershy and Twilight. “This is my fault. I asked Fluttershy to do this. I’m the one responsible for Philomena going missing.” Celestia cast a somber glance back to Fluttershy. “I’m the one who should be punished.” “Punished? Whatever for?” “For taking Philomena without asking and allowing her to...” Celestia couldn’t bring herself to say it. She just gestured to the pile of ash still held in Fluttershy’s shaking hooves. “Allowing her to burst into flame?” Twilight offered. Celestia barely nodded her head. “Surely, my dear student, you remember what kind of bird Philomena is?” An almost imperceptible shake. “Philomena, dear, stop fooling around and worrying everypony.” With all the drama of a stage actor, a glorious red-and-gold bird with a wingspan to rival that of a pegasus lept from the ashes and soared above the gathered crowd before landing on Twilight’s outstretched foreleg. Celestia visibly relaxed and wiped her brow. “Of course. Philomena’s a phoenix. She didn’t die, per se, she just regenerated.” “That she did, and she was a touch mischievous about it, too. Have you been talking with my brother, hmm?” Twilight playfully chided. “I think you owe poor Fluttershy an apology.” Philomena hopped off of Twilight’s leg and swooped over to Fluttershy. She nuzzled Fluttershy’s cheek and cooed. Fluttershy dried her eyes and offered a smile. Philomena hopped into the air and left behind a long, red tail feather. Twilight smiled, too. “You must be an exceptionally dedicated caretaker, Miss Fluttershy. Phoenixes do not part with their feathers lightly, and that she offered one to you speaks volumes. I am overjoyed that Celestia has friends like you, even if she is quick to rush to their defences with hairbrained ideas of being banished.” Twilight pulled Celestia close and nuzzled her. “Take care, my faithful student, and try to stay out of trouble. I look forward to seeing all of you soon!” 1. Silliness“Oh, come on! Luna and Rarity helped us out, remember?” Twilight pleaded. “No, Rarity helped. Luna... was mischievous. Her heart was in the right place, but good Heavens, my sister does not understand social boundaries.” Celestia sighed. “But we should help them, yes. And you’re sure Rarity is genuinely interested in Luna?” “For the fifteenth time, yes. Rarity said she wants to ‘court Princess Luna.’” “Court?” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Her words.” “Court. Hmm.” Celestia tapped her chin with her hoof for a few moments. Twilight stayed curled up in Celestia’s wing, having just returned to bed after several hours of studying basic physics as a refresher for her upcoming guest lecture. Celestia nodded slowly at first, but proceeded to nod vigorously. “There is a little known courtship ritual that dates back to the founding of Equestria. A contest of sorts, consisting of three parts. It’s an obstacle course, basically. The idea was that the friends of the ponies courting one another would try to come up with three situations they would have to overcome in order to bring them closer together.” “Like offering Rarity a lucrative design contract that will make her world-renowned, but she can’t speak to Luna and has to move to, say, Dodge Junction to make it happen?” Twilight offered. Celestia nodded and chuckled. “Something like that, yes. Although, I recall one of the more popular options was simply to try to seduce both parties.” “That’s a little blunt,” commented Twilight. “And yet surprisingly effective. A fair number of ponies have failed that test when it came to picking between me or Luna. They were after the power, not the pony.” “And now that’s a little disheartening.” Twilight frowned. “We should make it fun for them, then. Enjoyable obstacles.” Twilight grinned and raised her voice. “Like... a Pinkie Pie party! And a double date with us! And, um.” “A big team pillow fight? Rarity and Luna on a team, you and me, and then let Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy figure out their own teams?” Celestia offered with a wry smile. “OK, now that’s an obstacle. I remember Rarity and Applejack really going at it the last time we had a pillow fight. I’d hate to see what happens when we get teams and princesses involved.” Twilight chuckled. “But yeah, I think that’d be a lot of fun. Team pillow fighting, two versus two versus two versus two.” 2. ShampooCelestia sighed happily. Warm water surrounded her in her large bathtub, and a few scented candles surrounded the tub, too. Her wings hung loosely at her sides and her head rested against the back of the tub. Little clouds of steam rolled off the surface of the water, which made the candlelight dance and twist. Celestia looked up when she heard a few knocks on the bathroom door. “Who is it?” she called. “Guess who?” Celestia chuckled. “Come on in, Twilight.” Twilight poked her head in first, and spotted Celestia in the tub. Celestia could just notice a slight blush, but didn’t comment. “Are you here to join me, my dear?” Celestia asked. Twilight shook her head. “That wasn’t my intention... but if you’d like, I could help...” Celestia grinned. “I would like that.” She turned over on to her belly, exposing her back. “Do you think you could...?” she asked as she cast a glance over her shoulder. This time, Twilight nodded with a sly smile, and grabbed the bottle of shampoo on the rim of the tub. She hopped up onto the tub before lowering herself into it, and on to Celestia’s back. She squirted some shampoo into her hooves, and massaged it into Celestia’s coat. Celestia hummed appreciatively. She set her hooves on the back of the tub and rested her chin on top of her folded hooves. “Twilight,” she murmured, “I hope you know how good that feels.” Twilight nodded but didn’t otherwise reply, instead focusing on her massage. Her hooves pressed hard into Celestia’s croup. They worked in little circles, lathering up and cleaning Celestia’s pristine alabaster coat. Twilight then kissed higher along Celestia’s back and moved her massage further up. She continued with her lathering circles and pressed her hooves hard into Celestia’s tense muscles. “Twilight, have I ever told you how amazing you are?” Celestia asked. “Once or twice.” Twilight kissed Celestia’s wings before she massaged the stiff joints. At first, gentle rubs loosened the muscles, but Twilight quickly followed with more pressure. Celestia cooed and finally turned her head around to face Twilight. A sultry smile graced her face, and she bit her lower lip at Twilight’s next pass near her wings. “Ooooh, that’s... that’s what I needed,” Celestia whispered, eyes shut but mouth smiling. “I’ll bet,” replied Twilight as she brought her massage to Celestia’s withers. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against Celestia’s. Her kiss made Celestia moan, but she kept up with her massage, even pressing harder into Celestia’s shoulders. Twilight finally broke the kiss once she finished with her attentions to Celestia’s coat. She grinned and slid off of her lover, dunking herself in the water to rinse off. “How was that for help?” “I could see that happening again soon. Perhaps I could help you next time. Maybe return the favor?” Celestia waggled her eyebrows. Twilight blushed and hid her chuckle behind a hoof. “Maybe later, then.”
3. Invention (implied dark)Twilight stood on the gantries of her large laboratory. Technicians ran to and fro, some with materials, some with print-outs from instruments, and still others scribbled notes or shouted orders. Twilight sighed. The shouting and banging reminded her too much of the events that lead to her being in this lab in the first place. Best not dwell on those thoughts. It wouldn’t do well to have the other researchers seeing you in such a state, she thought. “Months, Celestia. Months we’ve been at this, and finally, maybe, we’ll have a working product,” Twilight said. Her voice struck a tone between desperation and excitement. “The finest minds and hooves of Equestria toiling away on this secret project, and today might be the day it all comes together.” “Let’s hope this is worth it, then. But I am glad you’ve been here, my darling. Before you started the research, well,” Celestia said, and then dropped to a whisper in Twilight’s ear, “let’s just say that I had a few too many nights with naught but my hooves and warm thoughts of you.” Twilight blushed profusely and turned away. Her smile betrayed the seemingly indignant huff that followed, and when Celestia wrapped a wing around her to bring her close, Twilight lovingly nuzzled Celestia’s soft chest and shoulders. “I missed you too, sweetheart. So much,” Twilight whispered back. The cuddles were soon interrupted by a large earth pony mare who climbed onto the gantry. Her coat was several shades darker than its usual light brown; her work left her covered in a dark grey soot. “Doctor, Princess,” she nodded quickly to both ponies. “Doctor Twilight, the experiment is ready for its final run. We’re waiting on your orders.” She handed over a clipboard with several charts and diagrams, along with a detailed report. Twilight skimmed through the information to double-check that it matched what she was hoping to see. She nodded and hummed until she finished reading the material. “Very good, Steel Forge. Start the test." Steel Forge nodded curtly and turned around to climb down to the lab floor. She spoke quickly to the gathered ponies, and a pair of large stallions wheeled out a large metal tube. A unicorn mare slid a long, thin package down the tube, followed by a ball of the same diameter. Everypony had already cleared the area when another unicorn mare brought a small torch to the rear of the tube. It was closed, save for a tiny opening with a string sticking out. She lit the string with the torch and it started to spark. She ran for cover like the others. "Cover your ears," Twilight said to Celestia, before covering her own and casting a semi transparent shield around them. Celestia clasped her hooves to her ears just in time to see a furious cloud of smoke come from the open end of the tube. A moment later, the loudest noise Celestia heard assaulted her ears. Were they not covered, she was sure she would have suffered hearing loss. Once she saw Twilight uncover her ears, Celestia did the same. “Twilight, what in Equestria was that? It sounded like you were trying to blow up the lab.” “Well, it was technically an explosion. Just a very controlled and directed explosion. I give to you two things: gunpowder and the cannon.” Twilight hugged Celestia tightly. “I know it’s frightening. My hope is that we only need this once and we can never, ever return to such awful measures.” Celestia softened and her shoulders relaxed. “I know, that’s my hope too.” She stroked Twilight’s back and wrapped her neck around Twilight’s. “Will this work, though? Can you really use it against those... monsters?” “Yeah...” Twilight mumbled. “But I worry we might become monsters, too.”
4. Chandelier“No!” “It’s fine, trust me.” “It’s not! It doesn’t fit.” “Twilight, please, it’s lovely!” “It still doesn’t fit!” Celestia hung her head low and took a deep breath. “Twilight, you know I love you, but you’ve never exactly had the best... aesthetic sense.” “I think you’re beautiful.” “Touché.” Celestia chuckled. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re getting hung up on what’s a lovely gift.” “Ugh!” Twilight groaned. “I’m not saying it’s not pretty, I’m saying it doesn’t fit!” “It does! It’s not in the way!” “No... It’s...” Twilight sighed. “It’s not me.” “You think it’s gaudy.” Celestia wrapped Twilight into a tight hug. She held Twilight against her chest and gently rubbed her back. “It’s not. It’s a marvelous work of craftsponyship. And you have to admit, the way the sunset makes it... It’s gorgeous. I think it’s a gift for both of us, to be honest.” Twilight finally smiled and turned her to look at the pillars of multicolored light dancing around the room. “Fine, I’ll keep it,” she said. *** Twilight opened the door to her new home and greeted her friends. “Come on upstairs, girls, there’s something you have to see.” Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all followed Twilight up the spiral staircase to their throne room. All five mares gasped when they entered the room. “Twilight, why is yer cutie mark hangin’ from the ceilin’?” asked Applejack with her head tilted to the side. “And why’re the colors all wrong?” “Honestly, Applejack. Orange, blue, white, pink, and yellow? I wonder why,” Rarity replied and rolled her eyes. Applejack shot her a dirty look. “It’s lovely, Twilight. Where did you get it?” Fluttershy gingerly approached the center of the room, trying to get a good look at all of its angles. “A gift, actually. Officially from the Crystal Empire, but Cadance said she did a lot to help put it together.” “It. Is. Awesome!” Rainbow said, now hovering off to the side. “And this is a big bunch of crystal. How’d they get all of this?” Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ll have to talk with Cadance more.” “Twilight, I know it’s super duper fun to be with friends, but why are we here so late?” Pinkie asked, stopped mid-bounce. Twilight chuckled. “You’ll see.” She kept her friends occupied with a lecture on the various trace minerals that gave each crystal its particular color. Pinkie Pie quickly lost interest and glanced around the room. She watched the sun setting in the large window behind them. The sunlight filtering into the room turned from yellow to orange and lit up the chandelier hanging in the room. It cast its brilliant rainbow across the gathered ponies. “Twilight! This what we’re supposed to see! Isn’t it?” shouted Pinkie. Twilight nodded. Applejack raised a hoof and an eyebrow. “Hold up, you said this was a gift. What for?” “Well.” Twilight giggled. “You know how Celestia and I celebrated our one year anniversary together back in Canterlot?” Everypony nodded. “She, uh...” Twilight bit her lip and smiled brightly. She parted her bangs around her horn, revealing a white gold band inlaid with amethysts. “Let’s just say there’s going to be another royal wedding.” She was quickly tackled by her friends and they all laughed and hugged.
5. Cracker“Anything else I can get you beauuuutiful ladies?” Pinkie Pie asked, her widest possible grin on her face. “No, thank you, Pinkie Pie. The cupcakes are wonderful. Our compliments to the chef,” Celestia replied. “No problemo!” Twilight finally let her shoulders down. She hadn’t realized how tense she was. This is supposed to be fun! Just you and Celly, here, alone, in Sugarcube Corner with nopony to bother you, she thought. Except Pinkie, hovering like a... pony feathers. Like a bee? No... Ah, forget it. “Everything alright, dear?” Celestia asked. “Yeah... uh, yes. I’m just—” “Stressed?” Twilight nodded. “We hardly ever get private time to ourselves. I love Pinkie Pie dearly, but...” “I understand.” Twilight took a bite of her cupcake and chewed slowly. She ruminated on the few other occasions she’d had private moments with Celestia in the past six months of dating. They tried to get together every weekend, but some odd event or emergency would come up and steal their time together. And while this year’s Summer Sun Celebration heralded the first with four Princesses presiding, everypony and their pet turtle wanted autographs or pictures. It was the Grand Galloping Gala all over again. “—And that’s how Mr. Cake met Mrs. Cake!” Pinkie finished and leaned on the table. “Fascinating,” replied Celestia. Her chin rested on her folded hooves. “Say, could you fetch us two glasses of apple juice?” “Yessirree! Two glasses of Sweet Apple Acres finest, coming up!” Pinkie hopped off to the kitchen, once again leaving Twilight and Celestia alone in the dining area. Twilight’s head hung down. “I spaced out again, didn’t I?” “You did. I worry.” “It’s OK. I was just thinking.” Celestia chuckled. “Somehow, ‘just thinking’ sounds like trouble.” Twilight sighed. When Pinkie returned with the apple juice, she mumbled her thanks and stared intently at her glass. “And said, ‘Cracker? I ‘ardly know ‘er!’” Pinkie broke into a fit of giggles that made her fall to her back and kick her hooves. Celestia joined in with a good-hearted snicker, but Twilight kept silent. “Twilight?” Pinkie asked. “Yes?” “Are you OK? You didn’t laugh...” Pinkie Pie frowned and her bottom lip pushed up. “No...” Tears welled in Twilight’s eyes. “Pinkie, I... thank you for trying, but can you, uh, give us some space? I wanted to have some alone time with Celestia.” “Alrighty. I’ll be in the back if you need anything.” Twilight opened her forelegs for a hug. “It’s not that I’m mad, Pinkie, I’m just a little bummed. We’ll talk more tonight and I’ll tell you about the rest of the day.” Pinkie perked up and hugged Twilight back. “Okie dokie! I’ll see you later then.” She bounced back to the kitchen and sprang through the doors. “What do you say we just finish up the juice and get to the bookstore? I hear Ponyville got a choice shipment of classic Dostrotesky,” Celestia said as she stroked Twilight shoulders. Twilight reached a hoof back to grip Celestia’s. “I’d like that, yeah.” And for the first time since she saw Celestia that morning, she smiled.
6. Union“Nervous, darling?” Rarity asked. “No... Yes. It’s a big deal, you know?” Twilight sighed. “If it were up to Celestia and I, we might’ve just eloped. But the wedding’s as much for the kingdom as it is for us.” She shook her head. “All of these decisions up to this point, though. Months of planning. Do we have Princess Luna or Princess Cadance perform the ceremony? Who’s going to be on my side, who will be on Celestia’s?” She took a few deep breaths, and Rarity continued making the last adjustments to Twilight’s flowing white gown. “I know today is going to be special. And I’m happy beyond words.” Twilight beamed. “I love Celestia. More than any of my books could have ever lead me to believe, I well and truly love her.” “Luna, am I doing the right thing?” Celestia asked. “Marrying Twilight? I mean, yes, she’s an adult. But you and I, we’ve been around for so long.” “Celly, you love her, no?” “Of course. I’ve...” Celestia chuckled. “Wow, I’ve never been happier.” “Then there is your answer, sister dearest.” Luna pressed her hoof to Celestia’s shoulder. “You have ponies all around who love you both, and you both love each other. I can’t see how any of that is wrong.” Celestia leaned her head against Luna’s hoof and smiled slowly. “I’m glad you could be here, Luna. I love you.” “I love you too, Tia. Now come on, let’s get dressed. You have your gown to get in and I need to figure out this strange contraption Rarity came up with.” Luna stood at the top of the raised platform in the ceremony room. Across from her were Rarity, Spike, Shining Armor, and Applejack. Next to her were Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Flutershy, and Discord. Trumpets sounded and the doors opened. Celestia blushed ever so slightly as everypony turned to face her. She walked down the aisle and she nodded and smiled at the gathered ponies. Friends and family of Twilight mingled with guards, students and teachers from Celestia’s school, and foreign dignitaries. Celestia ascended the steps and took her place on the right, next to Luna. She beamed at her sister and nodded to her niece. Cadance stood at the center of the altar in simple black and white robes. “You ready for this, Auntie?” she asked. Celestia nodded and took several deep breaths. “I am.” “Good, because here she comes!” Cadance giggled. Trumpets once again sounded, this time admitting Twilight Sparkle, resplendent in her white gown and escorted by her father walked the very same aisle. She gave her father a quick kiss to his cheek and a brief hug before taking her place atop the platform as well. Twilight blushed heavily and smiled and Celestia did the same. Cadance then stepped forward. “Fillies and gentlecolts! We are gathered here today to witness the union of Princess Celestia of Equestria and Princess Twilight Sparkle, two ponies who are unabashedly in love and prepared to commit themselves to each other for life. If anypony has any objections to this union, speak now.” Nopony spoke up, so Cadance continued. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, do you take Princess Celestia of Equestria to be your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both live?” “I do.” Twilight said. “And do you, Princess Celestia of Equestria, take Princess Twilight Sparkle to be your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both live?” “I do.” Celestia said. Cadance summoned a pair of identical horn rings from behind her, each gold band inlaid with alternating stones of citrine and amethyst. She lowered each onto Twilight and Celestia’s horns before speaking loudly enough for all to hear, “Then I now pronounce you mare and mare! You may kiss the bride.” Twilight leaned forward first, and was quickly met with both a hoof cupped to her cheek and then Celestia’s lips on hers. The kiss lasted for but a few moments, and once it broke, Twilight and Celestia stood side by side, smiling and waving to the gathered ponies. Celestia leaned down to Twilight’s ear and whispered, “Reception?” A quick nod. “Reception.”
7. RumorsCELESTIA IS PREGNANT! Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes at the ludicrous headlines being spouted by the tabloids. Of course Princess Celestia wasn’t pregnant. She sauntered into the dining hall and sat next to her definitely-not-pregnant wife and kissed her on the cheek. “Good morning, ‘Tia. Had a chance to read the headlines yet?” Celestia giggled. “You mean that rag that thinks you got me knocked up?” Twilight nodded and burst out laughing. “That’s the one, yes.” Celestia shook her head. “Where in Equestria do they get these ideas? I mean, how could I be pregnant?” She then nuzzled Twilight’s neck and planted a kiss on her cheek. Twilight smiled brightly at the affection while she smeared apricot jam and peanut butter on her banana pancakes. “Not the faintest idea, sweetie.” “I mean,” Celestia said as she rubbed Twilight’s belly, “it’s fairly obvious that you’re the pregnant one.”
8. EpiphanyCelestia stirred awake. Her forelegs felt surprisingly empty, and she cracked her eyes to find that her dear Twilight was not in bed. “Twilight?” she called. No reply. Celestia tossed the sheets aside and stumbled out of bed. She grumbled and shuffled to her balcony to raise the sun. No sense in keeping the rest of Equestria waiting for dawn. Might even help me find Twilight if I can see her. “Twilight!” Celestia called again. Still no reply. She set and wandered the castle, calling for Twilight and searching high and low. “Twilight, I swear, I’ll have the guard out looking for you if I don’t hear from you in the next thirty seconds!” “I’m here, Tia,” Twilight shouted from down below. Celestia leaned out of an open window overlooking the gardens and saw Twilight standing in their shared patch of garden. “What are you doing down there?” Twilight waved her hoof, beckoning Celestia. “Come down and see, I have something to show you.” Celestia cantered through the various hallways and corridors and stairs until she reached the gardens. She spotted Twilight sniffing one of the many rose bushes in their personal collection. Despite keeping her hooffalls light, Twilight turned around quickly and pulled Celestia into a surprise hug. “Good morning, ‘Tia.” “Good morning, Twi.” Celestia nuzzled the back of Twilight’s neck. “What is it that you have to show me?” “This.” Twilight stepped aside to reveal a single red rose, hovering off the ground and spinning slowly in place. “Remember, back on our first date? Those roses? Yellow tipped with red? I got to thinking last night, and I felt it was time.” “How could I forget?” Celestia smiled fondly at the memory. “So, then this means...” Twilight nodded, blushed, and rubbed her shoulder with a hoof as she kept looking into Celestia’s eyes. Celestia leaned forward and brushed Twilight’s mane along the back of her neck, inching closer and closer. “I love you too, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia whispered. And then she kissed her.
9. Invention redux The language of flowers, more formally known as floriography, took root during the Victorian era as a result of their obsession with covert communication. The specific colors, arrangements, and species selected were designed to send a detailed but subtle message. For instance, white roses alone could mean virtue, purity, or innocence; red roses mean true love. Yet a combination of white and red roses mean unity or reconciliation. Twilight tapped her hoof to her chin. “Luna’s return,” she muttered, returning to her reading. Most symbolic meanings of flowers relate to love of some sort. Roses are the most common flowers associated with the practice, but other flowers associated with a form of love include honeysuckle (devoted affection), tulips (various meanings depending on color), daisies (loyal love), daffodils (unrequited love), chrysanthemums, carnations (various meanings depending on color), cloves (undying love), primrose (eternal love), morning glory (love in vain), moonflowers (dreaming of love), aster (symbol of love), magnolia (love of nature), lilacs (purple: first emotion of love; white has a separate, unrelated meaning), and rainflowers (I love you back). “Celestia clearly knowns flower language, too. I wonder...” “Special delivery for Princess Celestia,” said a unicorn stallion as he approached her chambers with a brown package held aloft in his magic. “From whom?” inquired one of the guards stationed at her door. “A ‘PTS’ apparently.” The other guard mumbled something under his breath and beckoned the courier forth. “Leave it with us, we’ll take it in to Her Majesty.” The courier nodded and set the package down and trotted back to his other deliveries. Once he was out of sight, the two guards faced each other and broke out laughing. Celestia poked her head out of the door of her chambers and the guards snapped back to attention. “Ma’am!’ they said in unison. “Something amusing, gentlecolts?” Celestia raised an eyebrow and cast a meaningful glance down to the package sitting between them. “No, ma’am. A package arrived from a ‘PTS’ just moments ago. We were about to inform you.” “Very good. See to it that I’m not disturbed for the next few hours. I have... private matters to attend to.” Celestia carefully shut the door behind her and gently unwrapped the package. It contained a vase and one of the most beautiful arrangements of flowers Celestia had seen. A little note was tied to the stem of one of the roses. Tia, I got a new book and wanted to try my hoof at something new. Let me know what you think. xoxo Your little lavender lover Celestia chuckled at the note and leaned in to smell the delightful arrangement. Blue, red, coral, and lavender roses, all thornless, stood with purple lilacs. As Celestia sniffed, her smile became more and more blissful. Passionate first love at first sight. Twilight, you charmer. A trip the gardens is order, I think. A sharp rap on her balcony window roused Twilight from her book. She set a silk bookmark on the page and drew the blinds to see who would be coming to her balcony and not the front door. Her eyes shot wide and she flung the doors open as she flung herself at Celestia. “Oof!” Celestia said mockingly as she rubbed Twilight’s back with her hoof. “You got my flowers, then?” Twilight asked as she looked up. Her eyes glimmered and her ears perked forward; she eagerly awaited an affirmative answer. “Indeed, and might I say, well done. So well done, in fact, I have a little something for you, too.” Celestia’s magical grip brought a dozen rainflowers to Twilight’s face. She lit up and hugged her Princess tightly. “Celestia... thank you. Maybe we should get those inside and in water?” Her grin turned salacious. “And maybe we could get ourselves a little, well...”
10. ExcessiveA light violet unicorn with a tousled mane finished the last of her edits. A neat stack of parchment stood next her on the desk and she flipped through the pages one more time. “Good, good,” she muttered. She bound the sheets of parchment together and pulled a fine piece of dyed blue leather to herself to cover her new “book.” It was more of a collection of free-form poems than a cohesive story, but she had high hopes. On the front and spine of her newly-bound book, the mare wrote the title, The Collected Works of Poetry for Princess Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia and signed her name as “J. ‘Aurora’ Kinsley.” Twilight and Celestia sat in their chambers, currently occupied with a friendly game of “Go Fish.” A knock on the door caused Celestia to get up and check who would be bothering them at this hour. “Everypony knows not to disrupt the weekly game session,” grumbled Celestia darkly. She still put on a benevolent smile as she cracked the door to poke her head out. A nervous guard stood there with a rectangular package held aloft in a magical aura. “Your Highness, sorry to disturb you,” he started and bowed deeply, “but the Royal Archivist said it was an urgent matter. She felt she could not, in good conscious, admit this particular tome to the archives without your consent.” “Never, in all my years ruling this kingdom, have I come across a book that I felt should be banned or barred from the Archives,” Celestia said. She shook her head, this book must be dangerous. “Very well, Twilight and I shall consider its merits.” The guard simply nodded and passed her the book. With that, the guard scurried off and Celestia shut the door and turned to Twilight. “It seems like we have a rather dangerous book on our hooves, Twilight. The Royal Archivist won’t allow this book to be admitted without my consent.” Twilight tilted her head. “Dangerous indeed. As I recall, there are time travel spells, dark magic, even books that will try to eat whoever wants to read them.” Twilight shuddered at the memory of The Monster Book of Monsters. “You could find them in the restricted section, of course, and there was always supervision and checks.” Celestia set the book between them on the table. “We might as well get it over with. On three. One, two, three!” Celestia unwrapped the book from its paper prison as Twilight readied an anti-magic shield. The paper fell away and... nothing happened. Twilight instead picked up the book and read the title aloud. “The Collected Works of Poetry for Princess Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia. Huh. That doesn’t sound dangerous.” Twilight opened to the first page when a small note fell out. She picked it up and read it aloud as well. “Princess(es), while this book isn’t dangerous in the traditional sense, after you have read it, you may feel it necessary or otherwise advantageous to not include this book in the Archives. While it would not preclude the author from otherwise publishing this book (since actually suppressing the publication invites any number of issues related to freedom of speech and expression), barring it from the Archives would keep any ‘damage’ isolated to a small period of time. I therefore defer to your wiser judgement on this matter. Signed, Summer Mane.” Celestia sat almost perfectly still while she reflected on those words. Her face dipped briefly into a frown before she regained her usual composure. “Celestia?” Celestia looked up and blinked a few times. “It seems we have little choice but to read the book. If the title mentions you as well, then I suppose we can read it together.” Twilight smiled and patted the cushion next to her. “Only if you let me cuddle.” “Very well then.” Celestia chuckled and wrapped a wing around Twilight as she brought the book to bear. She flipped the pages to the first “poem.” Both ponies’ eyes scanned the page, but their faces shifted from mild interest to curiosity and finally to shock. “I... I have no idea where she got those ideas about us,” Twilight said, eyes wide and affect flat. She flipped to the next page and her and Celestia continued to read. The shock returned. “That seemed more... painful, than anything. I do hope we don’t ever have to be in that position,” mumbled Celestia. Another page flip, another shocker. “That one wasn’t so bad,” reasoned Twilight. Indeed it wasn’t; either through the literary equivalent of Stockholm Syndrome or just because the poems were not as outlandish, Twilight no longer wished to acquaint herself with the porcelain gods. Celestia merely nodded and turned to the next page. Both heads tilted. “Huh,” they said in unison. “That’s... that sounds kinda fun.” Next page. More nods of agreement. Twilight levitated a notepad and quill to take notes. “Just one more poem,” said Celestia as she flipped to the last poem. Her voice carried a mixture of relief and resignation. Twilight and Celestia read through it together, their pace matching perfectly. Bright crimson blushes graced their faces as they continued reading. By the time they finished, Twilight was intently studying her hooves. “She was awfully descriptive in that last one.” She chuckled nervously. “She certainly has a way with words.” “She seems to think you have your way with me,” Celestia muttered. “Well, there are some good ideas in there. They just got presented... a little over-the-top.” “You’re quite right.” Celestia sighed. “So what shall we do about... this,” she said while she poked the book. “Try that last chapter out before passing judgement?”
11. ExpeditedThe slumber party was ready to start. Pinkie Pie had somehow managed to get Princess Celestia and Luna down from Canterlot to join them, too. Rarity was thrilled. Too often the demands of her schedule and Luna’s affinity for the night kept them apart more than they liked. When they first arrived, they shared a long hug and many whispers. Twilight didn’t mind. Rarity and Luna were happy together, and it made her smile to see that Rarity finally found her happy ending. Rarity and Luna had their own ideas, of course. The whispers were much more than simple I-missed-you’s. It was such a simple plan... The slumber party was in full swing. Applejack brought over 4 cases of Sweet Apple Acres’ Finest. Two bottles remained. Everypony was laughing and swaying slightly in their circle surrounding an empty bottle. “OK! Next pony who spins gets Seven Minutes in Heaven with whoever it points to!” shouted Rarity as she leaned against Luna’s side. “Twilight, I think it’s your turn.” Twilight complied and spun the bottle with the tip of her hoof. House rules dictated no magic when spinning. But as Twilight leaned forward, she missed the wink shared between Rarity and Luna. The bottle spun and spun, and slowed. Twilight swore she saw the faintest aura of blue around it as it stopped in front of Celestia. Instead, her heavy blush and maelstrom of emotions kept her occupied. “Aha, Celly, off to the closet with you!” Luna chanted. She pushed her sister closer to the door and Rarity did the same for Twilight. “Excited, dear?” Rarity asked. “No! Yes! I don’t know!” Twilight huffed. “It’s... it’s Celestia! It’s complicated,” she finished lamely. “Then uncomplicate things. Go for it.” Twilight rubbed her foreleg with her hoof and kept glancing at the ground. Celestia sat across from her with her usual stoic smile. “Twilight, really, there’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s Spin the Bottle, there was always going to be a chance this would happen.” Twilight looked up with her eyes wide. She threw her hooves in the air. “That doesn’t make it better! Just... I have a tremendous amount of respect for you. It would feel odd to be... like that. I can’t wrap my head around it.” Celestia chuckled. “Maybe this will help, then.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips gently to Twilight’s. She followed through with a hoof behind Twilight’s head, running through her mane. Twilight’s mumbled protests fell on deaf ears while Celestia pressed on, leaning further and further until Twilight bumped into the wall. Her mumbled protests faded to moans. They continued lip-locked until the other partiers poked their heads in to check on them. Fluttershy was the first to speak up. “Um, Twilight? You’ve... been in here for seventeen minutes.” Twilight’s furious blush coupled with nervous laughter. “Uh, that didn’t feel like seventeen minutes. Time flies, eh?”
12. RelevanceAuthor's Note Warning! This is seriously borderline teen. 12. Relevance Twilight looked at the letter in her hooves. It simply told her to come to Celestia’s private quarters for a private meeting. Twilight found the note odd as it didn’t mention any other details. She glanced around the normally bustling halls. Nopony walked through them but her. Not only that, the normal compliment of guards next Celestia’s doors were conspicuously absent. Twilight frowned. She reached the doors and knocked. Her hooves wouldn’t stay steady, so the knock started with a few light taps followed by two solid hits. “Princess?” she asked, her voice low. After no reply, she raised her voice. “Celestia? You asked to see me?” she called. One of the doors opened slightly, and Twilight noticed the faint yellow glow surrounding the inside handle. Celestia stood across the room with her back to Twilight. She stared out of the wide windows at the setting sun. “Twilight, you made it,” she said without turning to face her. Twilight nodded. “You sent for me. A private meeting?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Is there something I need to know?” “In a moment, but rest assured, it’s nothing sinister. It’ll be fun. But first, you and I need to get changed. You’ll find what you need to wear in the bathroom.” Celestia pointed to a door off to the side, slightly ajar, with a neatly stacked pile of clothes just visible. “I’ll fetch you when I’m ready.” Twilight obeyed and walked into the bathroom. She took the top article of clothing, a loose white blouse, and slipped it on. Underneath was a blue-and-red pleated tartan skirt and underneath that were a pair of... Those panties are awfully lacy, Twilight thought. Nonetheless, she put on the skirt and panties. And tight. When Celestia didn’t knock or call for her, Twilight looked herself over in the mirror. From the front, there was nothing amiss. The blouse fit well and wasn’t cut too low or revealing. The skirt, on the other hoof, barely covered her cutie mark. Twilight tried to adjust it down, but to no avail. And though the panties covered everything, the way they sat made her tail stand almost straight up, which did not help the short skirt situation. “Twilight! Are you ready?” Celestia called through the closed door. Twilight glanced around. With nothing stopping her, she opened the door and stepped out, keeping her head held high; her body language was at odds with the short steps she took as she exited the bathroom. Her jaw nearly dropped to the floor. While she was in some sexy schoolgirl outfit, Celestia sported a tan suit jacket, an equally short black skirt, and dark grey stockings that ran all the way up to her middle thighs. Twilight swallowed as her face started to glow crimson. “Twilight?” Twilight then looked up at Celestia and tried her best to smile. “I-I’m ready,” she stuttered. “Good,” Celestia said. She turned in place, but her flowing tail blocked Twilight’s view. Celestia trotted back to her bedroom and a blackboard was set up, complete with a lesson plan. Twilight stood still and simply gawked. Celestia somehow managed to set up one of her greatest fantasies, without Twilight ever mentioning it. Does she share the same fantasy? Twilight mused. Celestia tsked as she stood next to the blackboard. She held her head high, with a slight frown and her eyes just slightly narrowed. “Twilight Sparkle,” she said in a hoarse, sultry whisper. “You’re late to class. And do you know what that means?” Twilight gulped and did her best to hide a growing smile. “Y-yes, Headmistress.” “You have been a very bad student. And do you know what we do to bad students at this school?” Twilight nodded rapidly. “P-punish them, Headmistress.” She slinked up to the blackboard and bowed to Celestia. “Indeed we do. Bend over.” Twilight obeyed and presented her rump. Her tail instinctively flicked to the side, and all that was keeping her from being completely exposed were the lacy panties still in place. Celestia wielded a fabric-wrapped paddle and landed her first blow; Twilight winced slightly, but it was a pleasurable pain. “Oooh, Celestia,” she gasped as the second blow landed and her muscles tensed. A third blow landed, and she cried out once more. “Perhaps you need to learn more of a lesson, hmm?” Headmistress Celestia whispered sultrily into Twilight’s ear. She slipped her hoof into the waistband of her panties... And Twilight found herself being roughly shaken awake. “Augh!” she shouted. She blinked her eyes to clear the sleep from them and sat up, seeing Spike still shaking her shoulders. “Spike! Why are you waking me up?” “You were moaning and thrashing around. I thought you were having a bad dream,” he muttered while looking down. “Yeah,” Twilight chuckled nervously. “A bad dream alright.” “Anyway, it’s nearly morning, and Celestia sent this urgent letter. You’re needed in Canterlot for a private meeting. Her chambers.” Twilight gulped.
13. MisconstruedTwilight looked at the letter in her hooves. It simply told her to come to Celestia’s private quarters for a private meeting. She glanced around the normally bustling halls. Nopony walked through them but her. Not only that, the normal compliment of guards next Celestia’s doors were conspicuously absent. Twilight frowned. This is way too... this is EXACTLY like my dream. But then, if it’s exactly like my dream, and with no Spike around... Twilight broke into a lopsided grin and knocked on Celestia’s chamber doors. Three solid hits and Twilight could hear the reverberation in the chambers. “Celestia!” she called. One of the doors opened slightly, and Twilight noticed the faint yellow glow surrounding the inside handle. Celestia stood across the room with her back to Twilight. She stared out of the wide windows at the setting sun. “Twilight, you made it,” she said without turning to face her. Twilight nodded. “Of course. You sent for me, a private meeting?” Twilight raised an eyebrow, still with a hint of a grin. “Is there something you have planned for me?” “I’m surprised this has slipped your mind. Nonetheless, it’ll be fun. But first, you and I need to get changed. You’ll find what you need to wear in the bathroom.” Celestia pointed to a door off to the side, slightly ajar, with a neatly stacked pile of clothes just visible. “I’ll fetch you when I’m ready.” Twilight obeyed and walked into the bathroom. She took the top article of clothing, a loose white blouse, and slipped it on. Underneath was a blue-and-red pleated tartan skirt. Just like earlier, Twilight thought. She lifted the skirt, but found nothing underneath. Despite the omission, it only served to make her more excited. She’s naughtier than I thought. She still slipped on the skirt and then looked herself over in the mirror. From the front, there was nothing amiss. The blouse fit well and wasn’t cut too low or revealing. The skirt, thought, was much too long. Perhaps Celestia just doesn’t have my exact measurements. Twilight hiked the skirt to reveal much more of herself. Much better. She then waited patiently for Celestia to come knocking. “Twilight! Are you ready?” Celestia called through the closed door. Twilight glanced around. With nothing stopping her, she opened the door and stepped out, keeping her head held high; her smirk matched the long, confident strides. “I am. Do you like?” Twilight twirled around and cast a sultry glance over her shoulder. Celestia quickly blushed bright red and coughed into her hoof. When Twilight stood facing her once more, Celestia placed a hoof on the younger mare’s shoulder. She looked serious and the blush was fading, albeit slowly. “You do remember why we’re here?” Twilight pulled her head back and blinked several times. “Yes? We’re playing teacher and student.” Celestia sighed, relieved, and nodded. “Teacher and student, yes.” “And when I show up to class late, you have to punish me with the paddle, but when I enjoy it, you decide another course of punishment is in order, and slip a hoof under my skirt—” Celestia coughed and her eyes bulged. “Twilight!” “Yes, Headmistress?” Twilight purred. “I... I don’t... We are playing teacher and student, yes. But for the school variety pageant. For fillies and colts and their parents. We talked about this in several letters, most recently yesterday, when I reminded you that today was the dress rehearsal. Where in Equestria did you get the idea that this was... sensual, in nature?” “My, uh, dream. This morning. It went exactly like this. Not exactly, obviously. But.” Twilight hung her head low as the color drained from her face. “I’m so sorry.” “Dream? Luna... No, she knows not to,” Celestia mumbled. She put a hoof to her forehead. “I understand that you would be quite embarrassed right now—” “You have no idea.” “So let’s just... How about we get some breakfast first, a little tea or coffee, and then come back and do this properly, OK?” Twilight still stared at the ground and pawed at it. “Yeah, let’s.” Celestia leaned in closely and whispered into Twilight’s ear, “And maybe if you do really well with the dress rehearsal, we can try it your way.”
14. Pomp“Because, dammit Luna! I have been alone for a thousand years!” Celestia shouted with tears streaming down her formerly pristine coat. “And this bright, inquisitive young filly damn near blows up my school trying to hatch a dragon egg. She’s scared, she’s showing off more raw power than most unicorns will show in their entire lives, and she’s in need. And I help. I’m there to calm her down on the most stressful day of her young life. And I’m rewarded with a personal student who wants nothing more than to be the very best student of magic she can be, because she fell in love with how I rose the sun.” Celestia sniffled and kicked the ground. Luna sat on her haunches across from her, not moving: even her mane stayed still and lifeless. “She’s the closest thing I’ve had to a daughter. I’ve cared for her for so much of her life, Lulu, and now she needs me again!” Celestia slumped to the ground and covered her face in her hooves. Through her hooves, Celestia muttered, “You know what it’s like to be alone with no one there. Banishing you to the moon remains my deepest, most bitter regret. But you don’t know what it’s like to alone for so long, surrounded by ponies who care only what you can do for them. Every relationship was business or politics. There was nopony for me, Luna. Twilight changed everything for me. She brought me joy and purpose again. And she brought you back. I would do anything to pay her that kindness.” Luna settled down next to Celestia and stroked her older sister’s withers with a hoof. “You’re right, as always, dear sister. But still, I worry this princesses-only-slumber-fest is for your benefit, not hers. All pomp and circumstance and nothing to help her heal.” “It is for her benefit. All she wants is to be loved, Lulu. Like anypony else. Like you did.” Celestia nestled further into her hooves, whispering to the pillows. “Like I do.”
15. CompetitionAuthor's Note A sequel of sorts to Arguing Pizza's Blaze prompt, set in the same AU and used with permission. 15. Competition Applejack trotted back to the barn, her saddle-baskets laden with the day’s harvest. “Phew, am Ah glad we got that Golden Delicious orchard harvested. Ah bet Big Macintosh that we could get it done before lunch, and since Ah won, he’s gonna walk through town wearin’ one o’ Grannie’s girdles! Ha!” Celestia huffed and puffed behind her, equally laden with a mound of apples in her saddle-baskets. “I’m glad we’re finished, too. I could eat a house.” “Don’t let Pinkie hear you say that, she might either break off a piece o’ Sugar Cube Corner or ban ya steppin’ near, dependin’.” Spike, sat on Celestia’s back, rooted through the baskets searching for the perfect apple. “No, no, worm, no...” “Would she really?” Celestia asked, eyebrow raised. “Break off a piece of her house, I mean. Is that possible?” “Ah haven’t the faintest.” Spike belched green flames and smoke as another apple bounced off of Celestia’s head. A scroll sealed with a series of starbursts materialized and fell into Spike’s outstretched hands. “Ahem!” he said. “Her Royal Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria cordially invites you to the Grand Galloping Gala. Held annually at Canterlot Castle, the Grand Galloping Gala promises the best night of the year. Blah, blah, blah. Enclosed are two tickets for Celestia Solaris and one guest!” Celestia gasped. “Princess Twilight said she’d invite me once I came of age!” She squealed. ‘The Grand Galloping Gala!” “Say, sugarcube, any chance Ah could be yer plus one? An opportunity to peddle the ol’ Apple family sweets wouldn’t be amiss. Might even go so far as ta make ya an honourary member. If’n that’s alright with ya.” “I—I— Let’s get these apples into the barn, and, uh, let me think about it. I know we have this magical and powerful connection, and I’d love to give any of you girls my second ticket, I— well, that’s just it, isn’t it? I’d give any of you the second ticket. Celestia covered her muzzle with her hooves while her friends argued all around her. “STOP!” she shouted at the top of her lungs. Everypony froze. “I can’t choose, OK? Each of you, all of you! You’re dear to me. You’re my friends. I can’t make a decision like that and then live with disappointing even just one of you, let alone four.” Celestia looked down and to the side while she summoned a small bit of parchment and a quill. “So if we all can’t go, none of us will go. “Dear Princess Twilight,” she recited while writing, “While I appreciate the invite to the Gala, I’m afraid I will not attend unless all of my friends can come with me. Even if I could make two of my friends very happy, I could not live with disappointing even one of them. As such, I’m returning the tickets with my sincerest apologies. Your ever faithful student, Celestia. “Send it, Spike.” Celestia magicked the scroll over to the young dragon and in a puff of green flames, the letter sped away in a beeline to Canterlot. “Admit it, you were scared to death that she’d outright say no.” “Hush, Shiny,” Twilight muttered, betrayed by the cursed red blush staining her normally pristine lavender muzzle. “She’s a grown mare and can make her own decisions as to how she spends her time, even if I had made promises for years that she could spend the Gala by my side. I did stipulate that she needed to become of age, Gala rules and all, but...” “Chasing jailbait, eh?” Shining Armor found himself pummeled from all sides with pillows, the least enjoyable of which seemed to be some sort of hard, formed foam that became a particular pain in his neck, in spite of its intended purpose. Furious scribbling followed Prince Armor’s slow crawl to consciousness. To my faithful student Celestia, why didn’t you say so? Here are eight tickets and carte blache, if you will, to invite anypony you see fit. I hope to see you soon. Yours sincerely, your mentor, Princess Twilight. “Hold up, eight tickets?” “Haven’t I talked about my sister, Luna? She’s... well, not exactly Princess Twilight’s personal student, but she attends the school on an astronomy fellowship made just for her...”
16. KalonAuthor's Note Sequel to Competition, the Twilight/Celestia inverted AU originally developed by Arguing Pizza 16. Kalon “Thank you so much for hosting this little get-together, Mr. and Mrs. Cake. I can’t begin to tell you how rewarding it is to take a day off and spend time with my favorite student.” Twilight smiled at Celestia across the room and took a sip of her tea. The moment she set it down, it was refilled. Twilight chuckled good naturedly. She took another sip, set down the cup, and watched as it was refilled again. Her smile broadened. She levitated the cup and made a loud slurping noise, but did not drink. True to form, however, one of the Cakes tried to refill her full cup and it overflowed. “Gotcha,” Twilight whispered, and all three shared a hearty, if somewhat embarrassed, chuckle. Celestia turned her attention back to the conversation in front of her, however, a debate between Rarity and Rainbow about whether Shining Armor was really going stag to the Gala or if it would just be Prince Blueblood in attendance. “So how well would you say you know Princess Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked casually. Celestia chuckled. “I am her personal student, so I would say I know her as well as anypony else would in my position. I’ve long admired her wisdom and compassion, that soft, easy-going—” “How personal are we talkin’ here? Ya got any special ‘positions’ you’re fond of with her? I bet she’s loud, too, right?” Rainbow Dash waggled her eyebrows. “Rainbow Dash!” Rarity hissed. “Must you be so crude?!” Celestia fumed silently for a few moments while she waited for her blush to subside. “It’s nothing like that! Princess Twilight is a paragon of magic, friendship, and leadership. She has done more in my lifetime to benefit Equestria than you could hope to learn in twenty of yours!” “Yeah, yeah,” Rainbow waved her hoof dismissively, “it still sounds like you’re going to be her plus one, so that just leaves Prince Hunky Armor and Prince Blue Balls—” Rainbow got smacked on the back of her head. “Whoa, hey, miss Princess Wannabe. I’m just telling it like it is. You wanna bag the princes, and I want all the Wonderbolts. I mean, all we hafta do is agree to stay out of each other’s way and get Zecora to mix up a couple special potions so we’re not regretting anything in the morning, if you know what I mean. Maybe even a little something extra for you, because if his wings are anything to go by, I think Shining Armor might be an endurance flyer.” Another smack cut Rainbow’s innuendo laden train wreck short, and Rarity nearly made a move to strangle the offending pegasus. “You uncouth little s—” “Girls!” Celestia hissed through gritted teeth and burning cheeks. “Enough!” Rarity and Rainbow quickly ducked their heads in a short bow, and Celestia turned to see Princess Twilight gracefully striding over to them. “My little ponies, is everything all right? I heard raised voices.” Celestia bowed further than either of her friends in clear deference. “Princess! I’m sorry, we were just having a discussion and things got out of hoof.” Rainbow Dash muttered something Celestia couldn’t hear, and earned a swift smack upside her head from Rarity. Rainbow’s glare was severely undercut by the grin she shot Celestia’s way. “Princess Twilight, if you don’t mind,” Rarity interjected, “I believe we were just trying to clear up a few matters of the Royal Family.” “Ah, curious about my brother, Shining Armor, are we?” Rainbow Dash snickered, Celestia rolled her eyes, and Rarity stammered, “W-well yes. B-but not just him! I’m lead to believe you have a niece and nephew, as well?” “It’s not quite as simple as all of that, but that is my living family. What did you want to know?” As Rarity peppered Twilight with questions, Celestia looked over the table the Princess had just left and spotted Fluttershy behind it, opening the cage and plucking the sickly Philomena from her “prison.” “Oh, you poor thing! I’m sure Princess Twilight is just very busy and hasn’t got around to getting you the care you need.” Oh horse apples, Celestia thought darkly before she excused herself from the party and dashed after Fluttershy. A pile of ash gathered in Fluttershy’s outstretched hooves, and tears streamed down her face. She had failed. Failed herself, failed Philomena, failed Celestia, failed Twilight. She would surely be banished, imprisoned, or both. “Princess Twilight! Please!” Celestia stepped in between Fluttershy and Twilight. “This is my fault. I asked Fluttershy to do this. I’m the one responsible for Philomena going missing.” Celestia cast a somber glance back to Fluttershy. “I’m the one who should be punished.” “Punished? Whatever for?” “For taking Philomena without asking and allowing her to...” Celestia couldn’t bring herself to say it. She just gestured to the pile of ash still held in Fluttershy’s shaking hooves. “Allowing her to burst into flame?” Twilight offered. Celestia barely nodded her head. “Surely, my dear student, you remember what kind of bird Philomena is?” An almost imperceptible shake. “Philomena, dear, stop fooling around and worrying everypony.” With all the drama of a stage actor, a glorious red-and-gold bird with a wingspan to rival that of a pegasus lept from the ashes and soared above the gathered crowd before landing on Twilight’s outstretched foreleg. Celestia visibly relaxed and wiped her brow. “Of course. Philomena’s a phoenix. She didn’t die, per se, she just regenerated.” “That she did, and she was a touch mischievous about it, too. Have you been talking with my brother, hmm?” Twilight playfully chided. “I think you owe poor Fluttershy an apology.” Philomena hopped off of Twilight’s leg and swooped over to Fluttershy. She nuzzled Fluttershy’s cheek and cooed. Fluttershy dried her eyes and offered a smile. Philomena hopped into the air and left behind a long, red tail feather. Twilight smiled, too. “You must be an exceptionally dedicated caretaker, Miss Fluttershy. Phoenixes do not part with their feathers lightly, and that she offered one to you speaks volumes. I am overjoyed that Celestia has friends like you, even if she is quick to rush to their defences with hairbrained ideas of being banished.” Twilight pulled Celestia close and nuzzled her. “Take care, my faithful student, and try to stay out of trouble. I look forward to seeing all of you soon!”
1. Silliness“Oh, come on! Luna and Rarity helped us out, remember?” Twilight pleaded. “No, Rarity helped. Luna... was mischievous. Her heart was in the right place, but good Heavens, my sister does not understand social boundaries.” Celestia sighed. “But we should help them, yes. And you’re sure Rarity is genuinely interested in Luna?” “For the fifteenth time, yes. Rarity said she wants to ‘court Princess Luna.’” “Court?” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Her words.” “Court. Hmm.” Celestia tapped her chin with her hoof for a few moments. Twilight stayed curled up in Celestia’s wing, having just returned to bed after several hours of studying basic physics as a refresher for her upcoming guest lecture. Celestia nodded slowly at first, but proceeded to nod vigorously. “There is a little known courtship ritual that dates back to the founding of Equestria. A contest of sorts, consisting of three parts. It’s an obstacle course, basically. The idea was that the friends of the ponies courting one another would try to come up with three situations they would have to overcome in order to bring them closer together.” “Like offering Rarity a lucrative design contract that will make her world-renowned, but she can’t speak to Luna and has to move to, say, Dodge Junction to make it happen?” Twilight offered. Celestia nodded and chuckled. “Something like that, yes. Although, I recall one of the more popular options was simply to try to seduce both parties.” “That’s a little blunt,” commented Twilight. “And yet surprisingly effective. A fair number of ponies have failed that test when it came to picking between me or Luna. They were after the power, not the pony.” “And now that’s a little disheartening.” Twilight frowned. “We should make it fun for them, then. Enjoyable obstacles.” Twilight grinned and raised her voice. “Like... a Pinkie Pie party! And a double date with us! And, um.” “A big team pillow fight? Rarity and Luna on a team, you and me, and then let Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy figure out their own teams?” Celestia offered with a wry smile. “OK, now that’s an obstacle. I remember Rarity and Applejack really going at it the last time we had a pillow fight. I’d hate to see what happens when we get teams and princesses involved.” Twilight chuckled. “But yeah, I think that’d be a lot of fun. Team pillow fighting, two versus two versus two versus two.”
2. ShampooCelestia sighed happily. Warm water surrounded her in her large bathtub, and a few scented candles surrounded the tub, too. Her wings hung loosely at her sides and her head rested against the back of the tub. Little clouds of steam rolled off the surface of the water, which made the candlelight dance and twist. Celestia looked up when she heard a few knocks on the bathroom door. “Who is it?” she called. “Guess who?” Celestia chuckled. “Come on in, Twilight.” Twilight poked her head in first, and spotted Celestia in the tub. Celestia could just notice a slight blush, but didn’t comment. “Are you here to join me, my dear?” Celestia asked. Twilight shook her head. “That wasn’t my intention... but if you’d like, I could help...” Celestia grinned. “I would like that.” She turned over on to her belly, exposing her back. “Do you think you could...?” she asked as she cast a glance over her shoulder. This time, Twilight nodded with a sly smile, and grabbed the bottle of shampoo on the rim of the tub. She hopped up onto the tub before lowering herself into it, and on to Celestia’s back. She squirted some shampoo into her hooves, and massaged it into Celestia’s coat. Celestia hummed appreciatively. She set her hooves on the back of the tub and rested her chin on top of her folded hooves. “Twilight,” she murmured, “I hope you know how good that feels.” Twilight nodded but didn’t otherwise reply, instead focusing on her massage. Her hooves pressed hard into Celestia’s croup. They worked in little circles, lathering up and cleaning Celestia’s pristine alabaster coat. Twilight then kissed higher along Celestia’s back and moved her massage further up. She continued with her lathering circles and pressed her hooves hard into Celestia’s tense muscles. “Twilight, have I ever told you how amazing you are?” Celestia asked. “Once or twice.” Twilight kissed Celestia’s wings before she massaged the stiff joints. At first, gentle rubs loosened the muscles, but Twilight quickly followed with more pressure. Celestia cooed and finally turned her head around to face Twilight. A sultry smile graced her face, and she bit her lower lip at Twilight’s next pass near her wings. “Ooooh, that’s... that’s what I needed,” Celestia whispered, eyes shut but mouth smiling. “I’ll bet,” replied Twilight as she brought her massage to Celestia’s withers. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against Celestia’s. Her kiss made Celestia moan, but she kept up with her massage, even pressing harder into Celestia’s shoulders. Twilight finally broke the kiss once she finished with her attentions to Celestia’s coat. She grinned and slid off of her lover, dunking herself in the water to rinse off. “How was that for help?” “I could see that happening again soon. Perhaps I could help you next time. Maybe return the favor?” Celestia waggled her eyebrows. Twilight blushed and hid her chuckle behind a hoof. “Maybe later, then.”
