The mirror world had seemed an anomaly in the beginning. Nothing felt the same. Upon Twilight Sparkle's first arrival, the magic of friendship had seemingly all but fallen. Her closest friends- those who should have been her closest friends- were all readily turned against one another. Her physiology was absurd. The "human" customs and societal traditions were confusing. And Twilight preferred not to think about "humanity"'s violent tendencies.

But now, things were almost normal. With the help of her friends and the newly discovered other worldly power of friendship, relative peace was periodically maintained in both worlds. With this new-found peace, Princess Twilight Sparkle found that she would, on occasion, be able to spare some of her time in order to visit the human world, simply for kicks. Her circle of human friends, which now included the redeemed Sunset Shimmer, as well as herself, was always excited to see her, and the Princess reciprocated.

It was uncanny, really. Aside from physiological physical appearances, Twilight's human friends were almost exact parallels of her pony friends. Their voices, mannerisms, life stories: all conspicuously correspondent and curiously independent-or dependent, as Twilight still was uncertain.

Stepping-or rather, landing-out on the distal end of the multidimensional portal, the formerly purple alicorn princess took a pleased note of the fact that she was finally becoming accustomed to the inertial feeling of disorientation that accompanied each and every trip to the human world. However, whereas her only visits up to that point were concerned with battling the forces of evil magic, this trip was entirely for purposes of socialization. Only earlier in the previous day had Sunset Shimmer sent a written request for a visit. Apparently, the time of year had come to winter in her friend's world. As Twilight Sparkle had been preparing to travel, she was able to come to the conclusion that the time of year was synchronous between the 2 parallel realms. And it appeared that her friends were eager to introduce her to the human holiday season.

The Princess could immediately see what was in front of her. Her vision was probably the least jumbled of her senses by this point. The Party Animal and the Farm girl were yet again trying their hands at cards. A look of discontent on Applejack's face could probably only mean that it was going much the same way it had the last time, while Pinkie Pie only expressed a smug grin.They were situated on a ledge in front of Canterlot High's main entrance, both cross-legged.

The fashionista and Sunset Shimmer had apparently engaged themselves in scrutinizing a new aesthetic fashion design. In truth, it seemed that Rarity had simply pulled Sunset into a discussion that most likely would not have occurred otherwise, but sometimes that was Rarity for you, ever the designer. They sat on the small set of stairs leading up to Canterlot High's front door. Sunset could have been leaning against the rail, but was instead leaning forward, too engaged in the conversation. Rarity was of course, nearly fully focused on the designs.

Lastly, the Princess of Friendship took note of the Athlete and the Caregiver. Although it did not strike any cord at first, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked happy and completely at peace. They were both situated on the same small set of stairs. Rainbow Dash leaned against the rail leading up to the door, with a single arm wrapped around her closest and oldest friend, while Fluttershy was content to lean into her lover's shoulder. Although Twilight could not tell simply by looking, the two had been through enough emotional testing and confirmation to feel entirely at ease with one-another. Their new-found relationship was just one piece of news that wait for the Equestrian Twilight.

The only absent body was Equestrian Twilight's human counterpart.

Taking a brief moment to dust herself off, and to take in the familiar surroundings, Twilight Sparkle relished at how normal her appearances in the mirror realm were becoming. Yet, this never stopped her friends from greeting her with a rather excited "Twilight!", all at once. She quickly regained her full senses, enough so that she could address her friends.

"Ugggh...", the recently transformed Twilight muttered, again pleased that the disorientation and confusion were ameliorated with each successful trip. "I'm baa-ack!", she stated coyly. Regardless of the ease or normality of the actual travel, her intrusions into a world that was not her own were still going to take some getting over.

"Hey!", called Rainbow Dash, in her usual extroverted manner. "What kept you, Twi?! I almost thought I would have to go in there and get you myself!" Much like her equine counterpart, this world's Rainbow Dash didn't exactly have an affinity for patience.

"Actually, I was talking to the other you, Rainbow. The conversation took longer than I'd expected, so I just rushed straight to the castle. But still, sorry about the wait." It was true, she had been having a conversation with her world's Rainbow Dash. She didn't mention it, but it had looked like Ponyville's Rainbow Dash was distressed about something, although there was no admission to any kind of problem. "So, anyways, aside from waiting for me, how have you all been? Where is...um... me?"

The small circle of humans all found humor in their friend's difficulty with the question. "They can laugh if they like, but it's so strange talking about yourself in third person, in every sense of the term", thought Twilight. "I mean I am thinking about myself, aren't I?" Such thoughts had been plaguing Twilight thoughts for quite some time. Were the counterparts really technically the same as one-another? The implications of this question were expansive.

As the giggles quickly died, Sunset decided to actually answer her question. "It's alright, Twilight. You're actually back in the city right now. I think you've got some family issues to take care of."

"Family issues?", Twilight thought to herself. If they were exact parallels, then familial issues were more than a little concerning. "Oh. Alright then."

"As for me Darling, I have been preparing myself for the upcoming holiday season. Winter is a time for both ugly and tasteful sweater-wear, and it is such fun to keep warm with physically appealing sweaters and jackets in the cold. Couple the warmth of the design with the naturally jolly sentiments of the season, and it makes for nothing short of a heavenly time of year!", exclaimed Rarity. It was easy to tell she was excited, as they all likely were. If this was anything like Hearth's Warming, then it was truly a momentous holiday season.

"Hehehe", chuckled the cowgirl. "Ah'm pretty much in the same boat. The family's always busy in the winter, on account of the increased demand for baked goods. We've got to have our products out and ready!" Makes sense. In Equestria, the apples were always Ponyville's defacto, primary source for culinary agriculture.

"I've been planning on throwing the bestest Christmas Party any of us has ever seen! I mean I know you've never been here for one of our Christmases but that makes it all the more special right? You get to see all the lights the snow the dark cold skies and the kids and feel all of jolliness and the warmth and feel everything great about winter and oh my gosh this is so exciting! You'll be able to make it right!?", exclaimed the party animal. On the average day, Pinkie is pretty excited, but now the universe has gone and given her a reason. "RIGHT?! I mean, how could you not?!"

"Well Pinkie, I'm going to try not to make any pinkie promises, but if the timetables align properly, then sure, I'd love to spend a "Christmas" with you all!", returned the princess. She didn't know exactly if Hearth's Warming and Christmas were concurrent. If so, then she would have seasonal responsibilities of her own, back in Equestria. Surely, the party animal understood that, didn't she? She probably did.

"Okie dokie Loki!", replied pinkie, armed with the impression that one of her smartest friends may very well experience her first human Christmas soon.

"I've been helping. With everything. Everywhere. Literally." Something about Sunset's tone of voice just rocked Twilight with the urge to break into laughter, and prompted the princess to attempt to suppress a goofy smile. For now, at least. "Because, between all of the hours involved in sewing, looking over designs, hauling crates, and handling party supply logistics, I think I've pretty much become an expert in all things holiday." It was always somewhat comforting to have someone near Twilight's level of competence, minus the physical activity, around for her friends. Not that her friends are incompetent, they're just generally... less well-rounded than Sunset Shimmer seemed to be.

Although Fluttershy had been sure to remind herself that today was going to be easy, she found herself unable to eradicate the smallest remnants of anxiety. They'd always known this moment was coming, but why did it have to be this hard? Why couldn't she just be brave, like Rainbow Dash? As Twilight stood, asking their various friends of their holiday plans, the shy girl couldn't help but just shake and tense up at the thought of how she might react to the coming news. She buried her face deeper into her Dashie's neck, trying in vain to hide from the impending disaster.

Rainbow could feel her girlfriend's nerve, feel her body tense up against her, and feel the shy girl's noticeable tremble. In a way, it was adorable. Otherwise, Dash hated seeing Fluttershy sad, or unhappy. She herself just couldn't feel joy if the love of her life was down. Using a single arm, Rainbow Dash gently tightened her grip around her oldest friend- her best friend in every sense of the word- her love, and pulled her even closer into the embrace, and rested her chin on the head of that glorious pink hair. At the moment, Rainbow wasn't concerned with how exposed or open they were.

As Fluttershy felt the comforting arm around her tighten its grip ever so lovingly, she involuntarily let out a slight, relieved sigh, calming enough to be something along the lines of being content to wait for her friends to turn to her, while at the same time enjoying Dashie's snuggle.

Eventually though, after several more minutes, the attention did come down to the two of them, as Sunset's discussion faded into close.

As she noticed 5 pairs of eyes descend upon them, Fluttershy's first instinct was to feel nervous, and to shy away. But the support of the girl next to her enabled her to, at the least, look up straight.

"So, what about you guys? What's been going on with you?", inquired the Equestrian. She had yet to recognize anything peculiar about Rainbow Dash's embrace.

Oh-Well you see, Twilight, R-Rainbow Dash and I have, u-uhm...", she trailed. She did still worry about what her cultured, regal friend would have to say. Rainbow Dash had promised that she would let her to make the announcement, in hopes of simply practicing public proclamation.

Having been able to predict that things would happen this way, Rainbow Dash resigned to stroking her girlfriend's hair. She wasn't really worried about Twilight's response. She just wanted to support Fluttershy in any way that she could. Fluttershy looked to her with an inquisitive eye. The athlete gave a gentle squeeze of the head as a sign to continue.

"You and Rainbow Dash...", the Princess purposely trailed with a smile. The situation was giving the Equestrian a pleasant sense of déjà vu.

"R-Rainbow Dash and I are... in a relationship. As in, dating", she declared, followed by a soft squeak. Rainbow Dash only gave a nervous smile, and resumed stroking the pink ocean.

Initially, the Princess's mind was blank. Tabula Rasa. "Really now?", she cumulatively thought to herself. "Really now?", she spoke aloud, quite loudly. She hadn't meant for those words to be spoken aloud.

At the sounding of Twilight's tone, the Caregiver's nerve partially rebounded. It wasn't a full blown panic, but she was now more concerned of just what their royal friend thought. Panic was warded off by her Rainbow's arm. "Yes", Fluttershy confirmed, in what could be considered a whisper.

Despite what she knew as the response her friends wanted to hear, Twilight found herself unable to give it. She was to be momentarily lost in her thoughts. "Rainbow Dash... and Fluttershy... together? Just what does this mean? Just what is time? What is will? What is fate? Why is this happening?", she pondered, to herself this time.

Twilight had yet to give a response. She simply stood, poker-faced, silently. To Fluttershy, this was not comforting, as was evident to all by her visible frown. Sensing the building tension where it was supposed to dissolve, Sunset Shimmer gave her sibling disciple a nudge. "Twilight?"

Shaking her head and steeling herself, Twilight Sparkle snapped out of it, remembering that she needed to say something. "Hm? Oh, uh, that's ... wonderful!" She tried her best to make it sound like she was nothing but happy for them, but the couple could still feel the uncertainty. "You two actually have REALLY good chemistry!"

Rainbow Dash wasn't having any of that fake reaction. Their pony friend may be the Princess of Friendship, and the Element of Magic, and on par only with Sunset the other Twilight in terms of smartness, but she was not the Element of Honesty, nor a very good liar. If Twilight was going to look down on them for their relationship, then Rainbow Dash wanted her to admit it. "Twilight, come on", said Rainbow Dash sternly. Some may look at such thoughts as hypocritical of the athlete, but hey, she wasn't the Element of Honesty either. She knew her loyalties. At least, now she does.

I'm sorry, I-", Twilight got out, before being once again impeded by a lack of words. She was just a little bit too preoccupied with her thoughts. Meanwhile, her friends continued to reflect a collective countenance of unease.

Sunset Shimmer could feel such disease, and attempted to lead her sibling disciple in her normally coherent trains of thought and speech. "You..."

I...uhm... ugh.", she sighed. She shook her head again, slightly harder this time, attempting to dispel some of the immediate atmosphere. "Look- don't take all of this the wrong way. It's great if you both are happy with one another, it really is, and I have no problem with the relationship in and of itself. It's just that I'm having just a little bit of trouble trying to understand". She was hoping those words came out as was intended.

Rainbow Dash supposed that was a start. It didn't sound like Twilight absolutely disapproved, but The Athlete was still unsure of whether or not to be at least a little offended. And so she gently brought her arm in closer still, around her girlfriend's shoulder. "What's so hard about it to understand? We're together. I like her, and she likes me. What about Flash Sentry? It wasn't off that he was a human, and that your were a pony princess? Hey, to each her own I guess, but that would be some pretty extreme stuff you're into, Twi.".

At the implications, the Princess could do little else aside from blush. Intensely. She didn't think things were THAT serious with Flash Sentry. She hadn't even seen him since she met her human counterpart. "N-No, it's not like that! Here's the thing, Rainbow. I'm glad if you two are happy together, but have you ever considered how your actions might affect your counterparts in Equestria? Or how their action might affect you? Haven't any of you ever considered whether or not your destinies are intertwined, whether or not you're destined to follow the same paths, and same timetables?" For the first time, Twilight was making these inquiries of someone else.

Although they were all silent at first, Twilight quickly noticed the new frown on Sunset Shimmer. It was almost as if she looked upset. Rainbow Dash only counter-questioned her royal friend.

"Twi, It's not like I've never thought about the other me, but what do I do? We've lived all of our lives without even knowing that your world existed! Besides, I'm sure the other me is almost just as awesome as me. Almost.

"i know, I know, it's just that this is something I've been thinking about quite a bit lately, and I can't seem to find a suitable answer. Therefore, it's rather difficult to determine whether or not love like yours is justified-". She was too late to stop herself. Immediately, Twilight realized that "justified" was the wrong word to use.

Alright, now Rainbow was kind of offended. At this point, although she was trying to keep her tone under control in consideration of the shy girl still in her arm, it was getting harder to do that. "Justified?! And what, Twilight, makes you think-"

"Alright, alright, alright. Let's just settle down.", Sunset Shimmer directed. This was neither the time nor the place for heated discussion. "Listen, Twilight, I know what you're thinking. I went through the same thing. In fact, I came here from Equestria at first, and I was the reason the girls were all estranged when you got here. I went and I stole your crown. I even tried to kill you all!". They all winced at the memory. "But do you think that these girls would have continued to be friends If I'd never come here? Do you think the other you would still go to Crystal Prep? Celestia, We've never even so much as heard of the other me! But this isn't the time." To everyone, this all seemed to come out of nowhere. Sunset Shimmer, meanwhile, was starting to think maybe she'd gone just a bit overboard.

Rainbow Dash relaxed next to Fluttershy yet again. All of a sudden, neither one of them felt all that tense. Rather, they were rather calm. The Athlete let out a sigh. "Sure thing guys, whatever." She then received a light jab in the side from the girl next to her. "S-sorry, I guess...", she struggled.

Despise the fact that Twilight's pondering was not at ease, she knew her friends were right.

"Sure thing, it's all fine, hehe. I apologize", admitted the Princess. And now they found that something more would need to be said, or the situation would turn awkward.

"So, Twilight, are you staying for the Holiday Season, or are you coming and going?", asked Sunset. Nobody has said it' but they all knew it would be ideal if Twilight were to spend a couple of nights in the human world. Then she would experience everything.

"You know what, Sunset Shimmer, I suppose I will. If Hearth's Warming isn't going to be a problem, then I'd love to!"

"Alright! Now that's what I'm talking about!", Rainbow yelled. This should make for an interesting week.

"Wonderful Darling! Oh, there's so much to possibly do, where shall we start?!", Rarity offered.

"well, actually, before we do anything, I should probably go back to the castle and get some things, right? I mean, I've never experienced a holiday with you all."

"Sure thing, Sugar cube. Go on and get whatever it is you might need! We'll all meet you all here in about an hour.", Applejack suggested. Things were looking better.

As Twilight stepped back out through the portal, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but crack a smile. If things went the way she was planning ,the this might prove to be the best Christmas ever. She nuzzled her head up against Fluttershy's, putting her face in the pink hair, as their multidimensional friend briefly returned to her own realm.

Twilight was pretty sure she was ready. Although things were better, she couldn't shake the anxiety about her logical dilemma. As she went about the castle, preparing to return to the human world, she naturally transitioned into a song. It just so happened that she was alone, but she sang passionately, nonetheless.

"I've been through all these thoughts before,
I've been in and out of both these doors.
There's little in this world that I can't comprehend.
In most ways it's objective, a definitive explanation.
Yet now i find that it may not be so simple.

I know there's more that's out there,
Discoveries that must be crowned.
I know there's more that's out there, Another rule that's not been found.

These worlds are full of beings,
But still they cannot see. They know only of themselves,
Absolutely lacking synergy.

But maybe it's better off unsolved.
Need I find what I'm looking for,
If there's no simple method?

Yet I know there's more that's out there,
Something to solve this conundrum.
I know there's more that's out there,
To set the two worlds in Tandem.

There's only so much the world makes clear,
And I'm not saying that it's unfair.
But I know there's more that's out there,
Lest the helplessness of Rare.

Beyond these worlds, beyond these thoughts.
There's so much to find, so much to have wrought.

There's something out there, mocking me,
A sort of solution that I just cannot see.

Because I know there's more that's out there,
Another truth, another find.
And I know there's more that's out there,
A stringent product of my mind."

As she stepped through the portal for the third or fourth time that day, she found herself hoping that her friends could alleviate some of this anxiety, and that "Christmas" was truly a wonderful time.

Author's Note

A lot of the time, I'm running hypothetical story plots in my head. This is the beginning of one of such plots.

If this sucks in any way, shape, form, or fashion, I'd like you to tell me how. This is my first time writing a real fanfiction.