Studying Abroad

As the weekend came to a close, Monday came at last. 'Twilight' sat with the girls and they began to talk:

"So...the musical showcase is in a couple weeks; are you girls going to participate?" she asked.

"Most likely...if our other band-mate can come, we'll make it 20% cooler!" Rainbow Dash replied ad Pinkie Pie laughed hysterically.

"Why are you laughing?" Sunset asked.

"Because the author is laughing too!" Pinkie laughed as everyone shot her confused looks.

"Anyway, where is this 'other band-mate'?" 'Twilight' asked.

"She's...huh...out of town..." Sunset replied.

"Oh, is that so? Interesting...I mean, hopefully I can meet her some time..." the other Twilight said, rather suspiciously.

"Ok...so Sunset have you heard anything from her now that we bring it up?" Rarity asked.

"Not yet. I don't think the sun has even risen yet where she is...I think there's like a four hour difference between us..." Sunset replied.

"Are you serious? Four hours? So it's like...4:30 in the morning where she is? How does she manage to contact you this early then?" Rainbow exclaimed.

"I honestly don't know...I know for certain that she doesn't really sleep much...she's typically up all night studying something, so I guess she just notices my messages from time to time and answers them..." Sunset explained.

"But wasn't the last message you sent her on Saturday?" Pinkie asked.

"Who knows why she hasn't answered. Maybe she's off saving the world again or something. Maybe she's having tea with my...mother..." It had been a very long time since Sunset Shimmer even referred to Princess Celestia as her mother; it almost hurt her to remember what had happened oh so long ago.

"Wasn't she like her mentor or something?" Rainbow inquired.

"Yeah. Though I barely remember seeing her, but she was living with us since we were both like eight...I was a bit of an anti-social outcast back then..." Sunset explained.

After discretely jotting down a few things, 'Twilight' excused herself. she was going to re-read everything she wrote and see if there was anything useful.

"She's a little...strange isn't she?" Applejack said once 'Twilight' was out of earshot.

"I think she might be on to us...we cannot let her find out about Equestria...she's obviously one of those 'I don't believe in magic and if I did find out it exists, I'd totally tell everyone' types..." Sunset replied.

"I have to agree with Sunset on this one..." Rarity shimmed in.

With that, the six friends parted ways to go to their classes. Sunset had English first. She had hoped that Princess Twilight would have replied by now.

'Wait. Why am I thinking like this about her? It's not like I love her or something...or do I? Ugh! I don't know anymore...' she thought to herself.

She spent her French class and chemistry class thinking about her feelings for Twilight; she finally admitted to herself that she was in love with her, but was scared to tell her that because she doesn't want to ruin their friendship. The fact that she did love the Princess of Friendship wasn't too shocking to her; she had always preferred mares over stallions back in Equestria. Even when she was dating Flash Sentry, she didn't really feel any love for him...she had never told anypony-or anyone for that matter- about it, not even Princess Celestia knew. Now all Sunset could do was wonder if Princess Twilight felt the same way or not...

Back in Equestria, Princess Twilight along with her friends were all at Twilight's castle talking and enjoying each other's company. Twilight was actually deep within her thoughts: the way she had written her last letter to Sunset...did she love her? It was possible...her thoughts then shifted to yesterday, she was curious to see Sunset Shimmer growing up, so she and Celestia spent most of the day going through pictures of her. Now that she thought about it, Sunset was indeed a gorgeous mare...even if the most recent picture of her in Equestria was taken three years ago...Maybe Twilight did love Sunset Shimmer? Who knows...

"Twilight!" Rainbow half-yelled to get the lavender alicorn's attention.

"Huh? Sorry Rainbow, I was...huh...deep in thought..." she replied.

"You're still thinking about her aren't you?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Who?" Twilight asked even if she knew all too well whom Pinkie was referring to.

"Oh come on Twi! We all know you're thinking about Sunset Shimmer..." Rainbow replied.

"What? No I'm not!" Twilight replied slightly panicked.

"Ah! She is!" Rarity replied, making Twilight blush ever-so slightly.

"Ah think somepony's in love!" Applejack exclaimed.

"No I'm not!" Twilight replied, growing redder and more panicked.

"We were just kiddin' arounf Twilight..." Applejack said.

"Look! You girls just don't get it! You have no idea..." Twilight replied.

"Then why not try explaining it to us, darling?" Rarity suggested. Twilight sighed in defeat.

"Ever since I was a filly, everypony's always told me that mares marry stallions and vice-versa. That was the norm. I assumed that was the case, until I grew older. As I grew up, I got to that small awkward stage where you start to gain an interest in finding a very special somepony. Believe it or not, but I actually did go on a few dates when I lived in Canterlot. Though it never felt right...that's when I realised I wasn't attracted to stallions, but to mares...My parents had confronted me about why I was turning down stallions every time they'd ask me out. I just told them I wanted to focus on my studies. They still don't know the truth to this day. Even Shining Armor doesn't know, but I'm not so worried about talking to him about it. My parents on the other hand, that's another story...They're a little more...huh...old fashioned...Do you know how hard it is to try to hide that from your family...?" Twilight explained.

"Oh Twilight, we had no idea..." Fluttershy replied softly.

"So...you're a...huh...filly-fooler?" Rainbow asked.

"Y-yeah, please keep this between us...nopony else needs to know this..." Twilight replied.

"You know what Twi? You're not alone. I'm a filly-fooler too!" Rainbow Dash replied, getting somewhat surprised looks from her friends.

"Really?" Twilight asked as the cyan Pegasus nodded and hugged her.

"Believe me Twi, I know what it's like...my parents weren't exactly thrilled that their daughter liked mares...of course, that kind of stuff spreads like wildfire in Cloudsdale...everypony knew about it the next day...the other colts and fillies would pick n me, but I didn't let it get to me...for the longest time, I wondered what was wrong with me, but in the end, you just have to embrace that you are what you are and nopony can change that! Hopefully one day you'll be able to tell your folks, Twi" Rainbow Dash replied.

"Thanks Rainbow" she thanked.

"So do tell us Twilight, do you have a crush on Sunset Shimmer?" Rarity asked as Twilight sighed in defeat.

"Yes. But I don't want to tell her, because I'm afraid of it ruining our friendship..." she replied.

"This is so like a romance novel that the author's mom would read..." Pinkie said as everypony looked at her in confusion.

"What?" Applejack asked.

"Nevermind that! The point is, egghead here's in love!" Rainbow teased.

"Haha. Funny." Twilight replied. A hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"You need to tell her how you feel darling" Rarity said.

"I...I don't know girls...maybe I shouldn't..." she replied.

"Oh come on Twilight! It won't be the end of the world..." Applejack daid.

"I might tell her...after the musical showcase in a couple weeks..." Twilight replied.

"Musical showcase?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"yeah, the 'Rainbooms' are playing in Canterlot High's musical showcase; the one that won't turn into a battle of the bands this time...they also wanted me to perform with them again..." she replied.

"I suppose it would be too much chaos if we went with you?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah, especially when we will already be dealing with two me's and two Sunset's...I can't imagine how they would react to two of all of you too!" Twilight replied.

"Wait. There;s another you there?" Rainbow inquired as Twilight nodded.

"Yeah, and apparently she's graduated high school and is going to university. I think she's planning to expose magic to the world..." she explained.

Back to where Sunset Shimmer was, she enjoyed lunch with her friends, then she had history and finally math. Luckily for her, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were in her math class.

"So, anything from Twilight?" Rarity asked.

"Nothing yet..." Sunset said, and just as she said that, the book began to glow and vibrate. The message read:

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

Sorry it took so long. I was having a discussion with Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadance when you sent me your last message. I also spent most of the day with Princess Celestia yesterday, so I'm writing to you now. I'm glad to hear that you've learnt something about friendship! Any new developments with our 'other selves'?

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle

"Well, nothing's new with Twilight...though she did spend all day yesterday with Princess Celestia..." Sunset said.

Soon enough, math class was over as was the school day. The girls had decided to practice a bit for the musical showcase. They decided to play 'Rainbow Rocks':

Youtube Video

As they were playing, the girls 'ponied-up'! Little did they know that the Twilight from this world had seen it all-she had even recorded it on her smartphone!

"Aha! I knew there was something off about this school!" she examined as she emerged from her hiding spot, cellphone in hand.

"Where'd you come from? Nevermind that, what do you plan on doing with that footage?" Sunset asked.

"I knew there was something odd about this school! Now it all makes sense...I can't believe I'm saying this, but magic is real! This is magic!" Twilight replied.

"What are you going to do with that footage?" Rainbow demanded.

"I'll most likely give it to the media to broadcast worldwide!" she replied.

"Sunset, send a message to Princess Twilight. Now!" Rainbow whispered to Sunset as she lunged at the other Twilight.

Sunset went to the corner where her backpack was and began writing to Twilight:

Twilight,

We need you to open the portal! The other Twilight has proof of our magic and we need your help!

Sunset Shimmer

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash and Twilight were still battling over the phone. Though Rainbow had the upper hand, Twilight was holding up rather well against her.

'Twilight, please hurry! We need you!' Sunset silently prayed that Twilight would come back.