Ménage à Liaison

Chapters

Chapter 1: Two Is Better Than One
Chapter 2: Couple Retreat
Chapter 3: Visions Of The Past
Chapter 4: Revelations
Chapter 5: Facts

Chapter 1: Two Is Better Than One

Author's Note

Note: In this story, that bit at the end of Friendship Games with the real Twilight coming through did not happen.

Chapter 1: Two Is Better Than One

“It’s going to be okay Sunset.” Fluttershy said in an attempt to calm her friend down. The two of them were in Sunset’s home, one that seemed a bit luxurious for her. It seems the town likes people who save their world from being torn inside-out by power hungry copies of best friends. She was of course thinking about Twilight. Sunset was sitting on the edge of her couch, tapping a foot onto the hardwood floor.

“I know. I’m just… this is the first time since the sirens that I’ve seen her. I’m just nervous.” Sunset said, biting on one of her knuckles. She just couldn’t keep her eyes off the front door, staring meticulously at it.

“Oh, but there’s no reason to be nervous!” Fluttershy reassured, “After all, she’s our friend. Even though it might begin to become a little confusing with two Twilights.” Upon seeing Sunset’s hands continue to tremble, Fluttershy realized that, as sometimes happened, her comforting only made things worse.

"I know, I'm just nervous, excited, scared, happy..." Sunset's hands slid up and covered her face.

"Oh. Um... I'm just excited. Because we haven't seen Twilight- um, Equestria Twilight in a really long time, and it'll be fun spending time with her again." Fluttershy smiled.

Sunset's eyes revealed themselves as her hands slid down. "Oh, yeah. You're right. I don't know why I'm freaking out so much. This is just the first time she's visiting without having to fix our problem. I just want things to be perfect." She sighed, looking at the door again.

Fluttershy nodded, "I'm glad you're starting to calm down. The most stressful thing I think we'll have to deal with is making sure Equestria Twilight and Earth Twilight don't get confused when they're both participating in a conversation." Fluttershy giggled momentarily, before turning her gaze to the tall grandfather clock. "Though, I suppose she is a little late..."

"I hope she's okay." Sunset's eyes grew slightly with concern. Fluttershy saw the twinkle in her eyes. It brought back a memory that was fuzzy. What did it remind Fluttershy of?

A sudden jolt of realization hit Fluttershy, causing her to giggle. It reminded her of the moment Twilight's dog Spike first met Rarity. That same little twinkle.

"She might be hungry. Should we order pizza? Maybe take-out?"

"Perhaps we should wait, and then ask Twilight what she would like." Fluttershy said, putting a comforting hand on Sunset's shoulder.

"You're right, I know you're right..." Sunset smiled, tilting her head and laying it gently on the back of Fluttershy's hand. "Thanks for being here Fluttershy. I really appreciate it."

"I'm sure the others would be here if they hadn't been busy." The pink haired girl replied.

Sunset found herself looking at the bathroom. "Would you listen for the door if I freshened up?"

"Of course!" Fluttershy chirped.

Leaning over and giving her friend a quick hug, Sunset gave her thanks and hopped to her feet. Scurrying into the bathroom, she closed the door and paused. Her eyes were glued to the door. She didn't know what to do next. Sunset was over thinking things. Strangely, even realizing she was over thinking wasn't helping any. Her head slunked forward, hitting the door with a thunk.

A startled squeak emanated from the room beyond the door.

"A- Are you okay Sunset?"

"Just a spider." Sunset called back. She tilted her head back and once again bonked her forehead into the door. "And another..." She continued, hitting her head yet again.

"Oh... Um, that's a lot of spiders..." Fluttershy mumbled.

"Don't worry, they're running scared." Sunset deadpanned, her head going limp and falling back. Staring up at the ceiling. "Scared..."

Fluttershy hummed, missing Sunset's obvious fib. "Spiders are really scary, aren't they?"

Rolling her eyes, Sunset approached the mirror and stared into the two aqua globes gazing back at her. Leaning closer, she scanned her face methodically. First she looked at her lashes, eyebrows, cheeks, mouth, chin. Everything seemed in order. Until a faint aroma wafted into her nose. She grabbed a chunk of her hair and wrapped it forward to the front of her face, inhaling the scent. Biting her lip she mumbled, “Haven’t washed in over a day…”

Scurrying to the door, she shouted out, “Fluttershy, how long do you think before she’s here?”

“Oh, well, the message said one o’clock at the earliest, and three o’clock at the latest, and it’s ten after one.” Fluttershy said, “So she could take almost two hours, or she might be here in five minutes.”

Slamming her forehead into the door again, Sunset uttered “Do you think I’ll have time to shower?”

“Well…” Fluttershy hummed, thinking for a moment, “I suppose if you were quick, you’ll have enough time.”

“Okay!” Sunset beamed, pivoting around and striding to the shower. Bending through the open sliding door, she twisted the knobs and shivered as the cold water hit her arm. Straightening up and shaking the liquid from her skin, she glanced back at the bathroom door. “I’m wondering if I have time to… Mm, never mind.”

Sunset shook her head and was quick to slide her shirt off, swiftly taking her bra with it. A gentle thud on the other side of the door reached her ears as Fluttershy sat down in front of it.

“Um, Sunset? Are you sure you’re okay?” Flutter’s voice asked.

“I’m fine, really. Why? Something wrong?” Sunset said after clearing her throat. Putting her hands to her waist, Sunset dropped the last pieces of clothes. A soft, generous handful of bulging flesh, something she was still getting used to, made her sigh as the restrictive pants gave way and flooded the skin with the cool air of the room. “Cuz I’m feeling juuuust fine.”

“Well, it doesn’t seem like you’re fine.” Fluttershy insisted, “Ever since Twilight went back to Equestria, you’ve seemed kind of… Sad.”

“Oh, that?” Sunset tried to be as enthusiastic as possible, but her face was showing just what she was feeling. Her frown made it clear to all but her reflection how Fluttershy’s words reminded her of the past couple months. But even her reflection was growing distant as steam filled up the room, making her eyes glisten at the sight of being truly alone. She had her friends, yes. But she felt like something was missing. Like a piece of a puzzle being left out of the box. You can get the picture, you can finish the puzzle. But there’s that jagged square that sticks out like a sore thumb. You know what it looks like, but it’s just… not the same.

“What do you mean by ‘that’?” Fluttershy inquired.

Sunset’s head snapping to attention, her wandering thoughts were jostled away like a surge of electricity in a fish tank. “I uh, that was just a funk I guess. I think I might have been sick.”

“Oh, that’s not good!” Fluttershy gasped, “You should have stayed at home if you were sick!”

“After everything we’ve done, I’m not gonna let a little stomach ache keep me out of school. I’m sure it was just something I ate.” Sunset’s eyes closed when she stepped in the shower, groaning quietly when the water washed over her. She grabbed the handle and slid the frosted glass door closed.

“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better… But… Maybe you’re homesick?” Fluttershy suggested.

Feeling her heart skip, Sunset grimaced. “I am home. Unless that’s what Pinkie called those green cupcakes.” She joked half-heartedly.

“This is your home now, but, um, Equestria is your home too.” Fluttershy mumbled, just barely loud enough for Sunset to hear.

“I don’t know what you’re-” Sunset paused, staring off into blank space momentarily. She swore she could feel Applejack drilling her eyes into the back of her head. Sunset felt her shoulders slump down. “Maybe…” She uttered.

“I mean, Princess Celestia was your teacher for a long time. And there must have been a few ponies you were fond of. I remember Twilight- um, Earth Twilight, telling me that for a long time, her best friend was the librarian. Even when she was so asocial, she was fond of the old man who took care of all those books.” Fluttershy continued.

“It has been a couple years since I’ve seen Princess Celestia. The last time I saw her was when I…” Sunset trailed off, closing a palm over her mouth.

“I’m sure she forgives you… Maybe one day you should visit Equestria. I think that it might help you a lot to be able to tell her how sorry you are. I’m sure that there are people- or, uh, ponies that would be happy to see you.” Fluttershy’s words pierced Sunset, but they were warm, and comforting.

“You think Twilight is putting a good word in for me?” Sunset laughed.

“Yes.” Though Sunset’s comment was a joke, Fluttershy’s reply was purely genuine. Sunset felt her cheeks growing warmer, and it wasn’t because of the water.

“I can’t tell if you’re being dense, or just your kind self. Either way… thank you.” Sunset cracked a small smile and dunked her head forward into the stream of practically boiling water and letting her hair grow matted with the soul-cleansing liquid.

“And… If it isn’t homesickness, um, m- maybe you’re love sick…” After a long pause, Fluttershy continued, “I, um. I think you should tell Twilight how you feel…”

Sunset’s eyes had closed as the water warmed her. They certainly weren’t now. She straightened up, getting a stream of the water straight in her eye, cringing and reeling back a few steps. “Huh?” She uttered.

“You, um, you like Princess Twilight… Or… A- Am I wrong?” Fluttershy’s voice suddenly filled with worry. Sunset had her mouth open, and one painfully throbbing eye shut. There were absolutely no words from her end of the door, leaving Fluttershy in uncomfortable silence.

“Oh no… I- I was wrong, wasn’t I? I’m sorry Sunset please forgive me!” Fluttershy said rapidly.

Sunset put her hands on her face and just stood there for an extra few moments. “Fluttershy…”

“I- I should never have assumed anything!” Fluttershy continued.

“No, it’s not that…” Sunset’s voice was stammering.

Fluttershy finally stopped letting out panicked squeeks, and listened intently for Sunset’s next words.

“Please don’t tell Twilight.” Sunset’s words came out slowly and quietly.

“I won’t… But, please try to tell her yourself.” Fluttershy encouraged.

“I don’t think it’s that easy.”

“It is that easy if it’s what you’re really feeling.” Fluttershy’s voice became even softer than usual.

“But we’ve been friends for so long. What if it ruins everything? I don’t want to risk what… what we already have.” Sunset’s voice started to crack near the last bit of her speech.

“That won’t happen.” Fluttershy said firmly, “She values you so much Sunset… If she doesn’t return those feelings, there is no way she’d ever stop loving you as a friend.”

Sunset spoke after another couple moments of silence. “You’re probably right.” She said. Her voice was a little shaky, but what Fluttershy couldn’t see were the tears liberally coating her cheeks. “You’re… I um...”

“Yes?” Fluttershy prompted.

“I’m gonna wash my hair now.” Sunset choked out, snatching one of the shampoo bottles. Once her hair was lathered, she let her arms drop to her sides. Staring into the stream shooting down from the showerhead, she shivered, and it wasn’t from the water.

"You know, I've been spending a lot of time with this world's Twilight. Not that I don't like her, but it'll be nice to hang out with... Twilight." Sunset grinned happily. Sinking her head forward again, the soap slowly trickled from her hair like a wrung towel.

"Oh... This is already getting a bit confusing..." Fluttershy fretted.

"You know what I mean. The other Twilight. OUR Twilight."

"W- Which is our Twilight? The Twilight from our world? Oh goodness..." Fluttershy's voice dripped with nervous confusion.

"The Twilight from Equestria!" Sunset corrected.

"Ohhhh. Okay." Fluttershy said, "Now I understand why you were nervous... all that confusion of having two Twilights is kinda worrying."

"Heh, yeah..." Sunset huffed. A sudden tingling filled her as a thought occurred. "I could only imagine the two of them meeting." She continued. A still alien pressure was felt building below her waist. "Two of them..."

"I don't know how I would be able to take part in a conversation with two Twilights. Just one Twilight can be confusing sometimes... Especially when she talks about Equestrian magic. Or advanced theoretical physics, in Earth Twilight's case." Fluttershy continued, not hearing Sunset.

"Yeah, couldn't imagine." Sunset seemed adrift in thought. The concept of two lavender geniuses in one place. Both the same in design, yet worlds apart. The thoughts drove Sunset insane.

"I'm sure they would get along very well. They're both really smart, and have a lot to talk to each other about." Fluttershy giggled, "I can just see them taking turns being the teacher. Equestria Twilight teaching about Equestria and its magic, and then Earth Twilight teaching um... I think she called it... advanced electrical engineering?"

"Sounds interesting." Sunset spoke half-focused on her growing appendage as it throbbed to its' full size. Why she went from nervous, to horny was beyond her. Did all boys really deal with this problem?

"Twilight built me an automatic feeder, so if I'm sick, or really busy, the animals at the shelter won't go hungry." Fluttershy said. Though her voice didn't really reach Sunset, who was slowly dragging her fingers down the thick appendage. It wasn't even completely hard, and still she could barely wrap her fingers around it.

"And uh, what do you think she's wearing?" Sunset cleared her throat.

"Which one?" Fluttershy asked, "Because Earth Twilight usually wears that really nice skirt, and sometimes a dress shirt. Though, her clothes are usually really dishevelled... And Equestria Twilight always comes through the portal wearing the same thing, so I think she'll be wearing that."

"Yeah, that skirt. Really messy..." Sunset seemed to drift in thought momentarily, her length giving a twitch.

"Though I heard that Earth Twilight visited Rarity over the weekend, because Rarity wanted to get her a new wardrobe. I'm... not sure if it went well, though." Fluttershy sighed.

"Heh, she usually needs new clothes when she gets here, but always wears those same raggedy outfit. It's kinda cute." Sunset grinned, hugging the appendage to her stomach. Her eyes rolled back as the images of Twilight coming through the portal. The same dusty clothes that seemed to materialize with her as she entered this dimension. She rarely changed from them, not that Sunset minded. They did suit her after all.

"I'm just glad Equestria Twilight was able to set aside enough time to stay all of reading week." Fluttershy continued.

"It'll be nice to spend some time with her." Sunset sighed, wrapping a hand around the tip and adding some pressure. She bit her lip gently and eyed the small beads of pre washing from it down to the drain.

"O- Oh?" Fluttershy chirped, "Oh! S- Sunset, I saw Twilight through the window! She's here!"

Sunset tensed, her teeth clamping together and panic setting in, she looks at the bathroom door.

"You sure?"

A knocking on the front door made Sunset cringe, looking down at the rock she was gripping tightly. Letting go and watching it bob, she put her hands to her head. "Okay, time to hurry." She begged, pleading for the orange cock to shrink.

"Oh! I didn't expect this..." Fluttershy's voice was heard as the front door was opened. Sunset quickly reached forward and cranked up the cold water. Stifling a squeal, the water sank to blood freezing temperatures, taking the small spire of flesh with it. Once it was reduced to a squishy wet sack, Sunset stumbled back, smacking into the wall opposite of the showerhead and gasping loudly, her chest heaving as a wave of shivering overtook her.

"S- She's just in the shower." Fluttershy said to a muffled voice, and a moment later, the front door shut.

Stumbling from the shower, Sunset reached back in, carefully avoiding the water as she twisted the knobs off. As the water lessened to a trickle, she practically tackled the towel from the nearby rack and started to dry off.

"This is a rather nice place." Twilight's voice reached Sunset's ears, causing her to redouble her efforts.

Hopping on one foot as she slid her underwear and pants on, she didn't even bother with the bra, brushing her hair immediately as the shirt slid on her body.

Hairbrush clanking onto the sink, Sunset swung the door open and smiled the next instant. "Hey Twilight! Sorry about that, I was ju-" Sunset slowed to a stop as she saw a little more than she expected.

Three people stood there. Fluttershy flashed Sunset a pleasant smile, as both Princess Twilight from Equestria, and Twilight from Canterlot High.

"Hi Sunset!" Princess Twilight said gleefully, as she ran up and gave Sunset a hug.

Frozen with her arms out, Sunset stared at the other Twilight, glancing between both identical ponies. Say for their hairstyles and wardrobe. "H-hey..."

Fluttershy giggled, before gasping as she glanced at the clock. "O- Oh goodness! It's nearly two o'clock! I- I have to get back to the shelter."

As Fluttershy made for the door, a still-speechless Sunset's arms flailed in her direction as if pleading the yellow woman to stay.

"Alright. We'll be just fine." The human Twilight assured, rushing over and joining in on the hug with Sunset and her alter ego.

"Have fun!" Fluttershy giggled, shutting the door with a reassuring smile at Sunset.

Being nuzzled from both sides, Sunset's face was turning red. "You too..." Sunset babbled gently.

"Hey, things might get a little confusing if we're both called Twilight. How about one of us chooses a different name. At least, while we're both here." Princess Twilight suggested, releasing Sunset and turning to her four-eyed counterpart.

"Ya. It was already confusing enough just referring to you in normal conversation. If anyone mentioned you, for a moment, I think they're talking to, or about me." Earth Twilight nods, pushing her glasses back up her nose as they slipped off. "I don't mind being referred to by a nickname, or... Just a different name, if it's necessary."

"Hmm... How about Dusk?" Princess Twi suggested.

"Okay, that's one." Earth Twilight said, "What about you Sunset? Do you have any ideas?"

"Nightmare..." Sunset added, still half-spaced in her own little world.

"Uh... Let's ignore that one..." Twilight murmured.

The princess in the room perked up. "Not nightmare... Midnight!"

"Huh... I kinda like that. Midnight it is." Twilight said, pleased with her new nickname.

Clapping her hands happily, Twilight opened her arms for a celebratory hug. Sunset sighed "Glad to contribute."

"Um, you okay Sunset?" Midnight asked, "You almost sound like you haven't slept."

"I just didn't... uh, expect two of you in one day." Sunset shrugged. "Not really used to it."

"Ah. Well, that's understandable." Midnight chuckled, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly.

"But!" Sunset stammered out quickly. "I would love to have you both here. You're already perfect, and now I have two of you. It's like a dream come true..."

Twilight gave a gentle smile, her face heating up without any visible trace of red showing on the purple face.

"I know!" Midnight exclaimed excitedly, smiling at Twilight, "We were only walking together for about twenty minutes, and already I've learned so much about Equestria!"

"And I can't wait for the summary." Sunset shook her head and laughed. The three of them made their way to Sunset's room, hopping onto the bed and giggling as they settled.

"So, I'm gonna teach Twilight about machinery, and Twilight is gonna teach me about Equestria!" Midnight said happily, her glasses flashing as they caught the reflection of the overhead light.

"And I'll be right here to listen." Sunset's smile seemed more forced as she relaxed back against the stack of pillows at the headboard.

Twilight slowly started to frown, unable to take her eyes off Sunset.

"Oh, I didn't mean right now, but it's something we could do. I'd prefer to teach her in my lab, to be honest." Midnight said, beaming at Twilight, before noticing her gaze, and following it to Sunset.

Sunset didn't respond, still seeming a tad down. Twilight bit her lip and scooted closer, taking one of Sunset's hands. "Sunset." Twilight squeezed. That redness once again appeared on the fire haired girl's face. "I came here to visit you. Seeing her on the side isn't going to pull me away. Count on it."

Sunset's smile became an ounce more genuine. "I know..." She said, turning her gaze to Midnight. "And uh, Midnight... I care about you so much. There's just a lot of history between Twilight and I. And I see both of you together, and I get these emotions I just don't... I don't know what to do with."

Midnight smiles and nods in understanding. "I know, I sorta worked out who you meant when you said that'd you wanted to do the same for me as someone once did for you."

"It that obvious?" Sunset grinned, her eyes darting between the two. The three fell into a quiet slew of giggles.

"Well, I for one think this is going to be the funnest week yet." Twilight hugged Sunset in an attempt to wring out any doubt left in the nervous friend. Sunset's burning face grew even warmer, her smile growing instinctively.

Midnight's smile grew, before joining the hug herself. "And I'll do my best too!"

The hug lasted until a sudden realization blossomed in Sunset's mind. The smile faded to an almost emotionless stare. "So this means you'll both be spending the week here? At my place?"

"Um... I guess?" Midnight said, "I mean, I'm still in the process of relocating from the city, and my place isn't quite ready..."

"We could always stay at Pinkie's like when I was here for the sirens." Twilight shrugged.

Quickly interjecting, "No!" Sunset sputtered. "Here is fine. Really."

"Wonderful!" Midnight said, clapping her hands together.

Eyes traveling side to side, Sunset straightened up and smiled. "How about I get us something to drink?"

"Okay." Twilight nodded.

Hopping out of the bed, Sunset turned back to the two. "There's some pajamas in my closet if you wanna look for something to wear. Everything in it is new and practically untouched."

Twilight turned to Midnight, a smile slowly curling her lips.

Midnight returned the smile, before they both launched into enthusiastic conversation about the most advanced magic and technologies.

Leaving the room and entering the kitchen shortly after, Sunset opened the fridge and sighed. "Maybe this won't be as bad as I thought." Her eyes wandered down to a pitcher of iced tea. Then to some soda, and orange juice.

Settling for D, All of the above, Sunset scrounged around and pulled all of the drinks out and set them on a platter. Maybe she'll make some food too? Oh right, they were going to order food. Or were they? She just assumed they'd want to do that. Maybe she should ask them?

The front door yanked Sunset from her thoughts with a skip of her heart. Quickly scurrying toward the noise, Sunset peeked out the door and saw Fluttershy on her porch. "Oh, hey Fluttershy. What are you doing back?"

"Eep!" Fluttershy jumped, "I- I was... um... making sure you were okay..."

"Yeah, I'm fine... We're a little busy, did you want-..." Sunset trailed off as she gazed to the tray of drinks, then to the source of busy chatter from her room. Shoulders slumping, she continued, "Eh, did you want to come in?"

"U- Um... no... But... I was wondering if you'd still be able to tell Twilight with... um, Earth Twilight here." Fluttershy said quietly.

"Tell her what?" Sunset asked, leaving the door cracked as she made her way back to the counter. Fluttershy cracked it open wider and peeked inside.

"A- About... how you feel."

Sunset paused in her stride, nearly slipping on the tile of the kitchen. She was left blinking, as that was about all she could do.

"S- Sunset...?" Fluttershy asked, gently putting a hand on her friend's shoulder.

Nearly leaping out of her skin, Sunset spun around to face her friend. Fluttershy snapped her hand away with a squeak, the two staring wide-eyed at each other. "S-sorry! You just..." Sunset couldn't even finish the sentence as she trailed off into Fluttershy's earlier point. "I don't know if I can..."

Fluttershy gave Sunset a comforting smile, wrapping her arms around the trembling girl. "I know. I know you can."

"They're just so similar... I don't know... They're both amazing."

"Then... Um... It might be a bit... weird, but maybe tell them both...?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"But is that even possible? I thought I had to choose, but how can I? They both know so much. This world's Twilight knows everything about this world, and 'princess' Twilight knows everything about Equestria. Sure I was born there, but I've been away so long, I've fallen out of touch. Heck, I've been here long enough, but I feel like I've barely scratched the surface. I love Twilight, because we've been through so much. But I see this new Twilight, and I see what COULD be. Princess Twilight isn't going to be here forever, she's just visiting. And... and I..." Sunset's voice started to crack, covering her face. "I can't choose... I... I don't want to."

Fluttershy remained silent for a long time, before sighing, "I... Um... Do you h- have to choose?"

Letting out a sniffle, Sunset didn't respond. It was clear, however, that she was listening.

"You know t- that Princess Twilight is only here for a while... but... why not cherish the time with her? But- B- But you shouldn't... um..." Fluttershy's entire face flushed hotly, "W- Why do you have to choose one?"

Her words didn't seem to be working, only making Sunset's figure sulk lower.

"O- Or, m- maybe you could even visit Twilight, occasionally..." Fluttershy continued.

True silence from Sunset indicated that something was working. Peeking over her hand, she stared at Fluttershy.

"But... even they s- seem to really enjoy each other's company..." Fluttershy whispered, as if she was afraid someone might overhear her, "W- What I'm saying is... m- maybe... choose... b- b- Um... Both?"

"And... and they do sound like they're bonding. That's just more reason for her to visit down the road." Sunset suggested, her tone still slow and uncertain.

"Um... I... I just want you to be happy... a- and I thought really hard about this... But I really think the best decision is... t- to love them both..." Fluttershy said, her voice barely audible.

Sunset's gaze was on Fluttershy for only a few moments before staring at the wall past her. Her brows were furrowed, and Fluttershy could see that thoughts were flying.

"I- I know it's not really... a normal thing... but, with all the magic a- and evil creatures from a magical land of ponies... Normal doesn't really... exist for us anymore." Fluttershy said with a small smile, "So, I- I think... that a- all three of you should... um... love e- each other."

Suddenly Sunset's face lit up, eyeing Fluttershy as if she was about to tackle the shy pink head.

Fluttershy made an eep as Sunset nearly knocked her off her feet with a hug. No words came from the orange haired girl, but the way she squeezed and clung said it all.

"I- I take it that y- you like that idea...?" Fluttershy giggled.

Putting a rough kiss on Fluttershy's cheek, Sunset sealed the deal with two simple words, "Thank you."

"I... I'm more than happy to help." Fluttershy blushed, putting a hand to the cheek Sunset had kissed, "Anything to m- make my friends happy..."

"Hey, I gotta bring those drinks up before they get warm. I don't know what I'd do without you." Sunset rattled off as she snatched the tray up. "I owe you so much. Talk tomorrow?"

"Y- You don't owe me..." Fluttershy mumbled, before nodding, "And I- I guess I will talk to you tomorrow..."

"I'll tell you how things go. Take care!" Sunset was as cheery as Fluttershy had heard her the entire day. Disappearing into the hall that lead to her room, Fluttershy was left alone at the front door.

The pink haired girl stood there for a moment, before reaching up and feeling the place Sunset had kissed her again, giggling softly, before turning, and walking out the door.

Bursting into the room happily, Sunset interrupted whatever conversation may have been going on. "I didn't know what you'd like, so I brought some variet- t... ty." Sunset slowed to a stop. The two Twilights had changed into pajamas that she barely registered had come from her closet. The curvaceous sleepwear was nothing to bat her eyelashes at, and the fact that their hairs were now identical. Midnight had undone her ponytail and now they both looked the same. She had even taken her glasses off and set them on the nightstand.

The two lavender women were huddled against one another, smiling up at Sunset and scooting apart, motioning the guest to cuddle in between.

"Try to guess!" One of the Twilights giggled.

"Uhhhhh..." Sunset droned momentarily, that familiar tingling making her reel slightly.

"Set it down and get over here." The other Twilight beamed, motioning Sunset to join them.

"Uhhhkay." Sunset nodded in an almost hypnotized state. Dragging her feet, she approached the nightstand and set the tray down before crawling onto the bed. Slipping between them and becoming the meat of the sandwich, so to speak, she grew further entrenched in silence. Maybe she could wait till morning to spill her feelings...

Chapter 2: Couple Retreat

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Chapter 3: Visions Of The Past

“It’s weird having someone else wash my hair.” Midnight mumbled, staring at the wall while Twilight ran her hands through the soapy locks of her hair.

“Well, I’m thoroughly enjoying it.” Twilight replied. Each bundle of hair was wrung like a sponge, slowly stretching it out. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt, but actually felt nice in a way. Like a massage you’d get at some kind of spa.

“Twilight… Something’s been bothering me.” Midnight began, waiting for Twilight to reply. A gentle nuzzle was given, notifying Midnight that Twilight was listening. The warmth over Twilight’s face even outdid the hot water. Twilight’s hands went from the hair, to the waist, embracing Midnight with her full attention.

“How… are there two of everyone? Who act similarly? I mean, yes, we are technically the same person, but… From what Sunset has told me, Pinkie, Rarity, Dash, AJ, and Fluttershy are nearly identical personality wise as well.” Midnight sighed, “But there has to have been some things that happened differently between our worlds. I didn’t turn out the same way you did, so… Why does it seem that nearly everyone else are the exact same person, or pony, in both worlds?”

“But they’re not the exact same. They may have the same personalities, but they don’t have the same memories, experiences… It’s different. Personality is only a small part of who you are. Especially you… there’s so much more.” Twilight smiled.

“That’s exactly my point.” Midnight said, “There must be something in their past experience that would change who they are. Like… with, you and me. I mean, we’re both really smart, and really like books and reading, but my experiences have changed who I am. How can two sets of completely different experiences create the same personality? Evidently, this doesn’t happen with everyone, you and me, for example. We don’t even come close to how similar Pinkie and the others are to their counterparts. But what’s bothering me is… why? Why are we ‘dimensionally’ different?”

“Well, I grew up and didn’t really care about having friends. I didn’t see a point. I was so enveloped in studying that I didn’t see how amazing friendship was. Then I moved to Ponyville, and met the gang.”

“... But I didn’t.” Midnight hummed thoughtfully, “That’s what I don’t understand. Why didn’t I ever meet them in this world? What made me so special to have such an impactful deviation from this… Dimensional link in everyone’s lives?”

“Well the worlds aren’t the same. There’s no magic in this world, but there is in mine. It was my studies of magic that lead me to trying out for the magic academy in Canterlot. Before that, I wasn’t really anyone special. Then I met Princess Celestia for the first time, and she asked me to be her pupil. Well, I had met her, just not… met her. Maybe you just hit that point where you’re at my start. But regardless, you’re you, and I’m me. We aren’t the same, and we are. We may never know why, but the point is we’re here. That’s all that matters...” Twilight tilted Midnight’s head back so she could look the double in the eyes. “Right?”

“Well… yes, b- but… We’re so radically different when compared to the others.” Midnight muttered, blushing as she gazed back into Twilight’s eyes, “I… I just can’t understand…”

Growing closer to Midnight’s face, Twilight said one final thing. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

With a gentle gasp from Midnight, their lips connected once more, Midnight submitting to her double’s advances, letting Twilight’s tongue lead as a blissful fog filled Midnight’s mind once more. The lips weren’t all Midnight had to deal with. Twilight’s palms were squeezing her waist, slowly tracing her hands up her body and stopping just beneath the breasts. Every sensitive area seems to be read by Twilight like a book, and she was giving it a thorough read.

Suddenly, Midnight pushed Twilight off, “U- Um! I d- don’t really think it’d be a good idea to, um… Ya…”

“Hey, you don’t have to be afraid. I’ll stop if you want, but I want you to see that this part of a, uh, relationship? Life? Is something you don’t have to worry about.” Twilight started, pausing to give her partner a chance to retort.

“I worry when I forget when I last replaced my toothbrush.” Midnight sighed, “Worrying is practically my job.”

“Well, I am your new boss.” Twilight stated, turning Midnight around to face her. “And your boss says that you need a vacation.”

“M- My Boss?” Midnight giggled, “Does that mean you’re going to boss me around?”

“If that’s what you want. It’s your vacation after all.” Twilight winked, giggling as well. “And what you said earlier, about afraid of losing control?”

“Losing control…” Midnight echoed, “I- I remember.”

“This is all about losing control. Which is strange coming from me, because I’m the one that had to get used to this…” Twilight pantomimed toward her crotch. “And not getting it to jump around in public. But we’re not in public. We’re together. We’re alone… and we’re naked.” She spoke with more emphasis as she held Midnight tighter. “And I want you.”

Midnight could only whimper now. Conflicting desires were tearing her mind to shreds as they battled. “I… You want me…?”

“Of course I do, silly.” Twilight laughed, shaking her head slowly. “Why else would I be trying so hard to make you comfortable? Why would I be trying so hard to prove I love you, even though I don’t think that was a problem.”

“I… W- W- Want…” Midnight stammered, her lip trembling.

“Why don’t we step out. The water is getting cold.” Twilight squeezed Midnight’s hand and shook her head in the direction of the bathroom door. Only when Twilight said that did Midnight register how icy the water had really gotten.

“A- Yes.” Midnight responded, quickly turning the water off. “T- Twilight…?”

“Mmhm?” Twilight was already out, slipping a towel around her and beginning to dry herself.

“Um… I want… T- To... with S- Sunset too…?” Midnight squeaked.

Looking back, Twilight nodded. “I hoped so. She might have been waiting for me all this time, but I’ve seen the way she looks at you too.”

Shivering, Midnight looked over her shoulder, before turning and stepping out of the shower. “M- Maybe we can try a few things too…” She blushed, taking a second towel from the towel rack. The door cracked open and the towel clad girls walked out, heading toward the bedroom once more.

Pausing in her stead, Twilight fell into thought. “I feel like we’re missing something.”

“What do you mean?” Midnight inquired, stopping beside her pondering friend. The creak of floorboard snapped their heads about-face. A blank look was on Sunset’s face. Oh yes, Sunset was still there.

“Oh yeah… somehow I completely forgot about that.” Twilight mumbled to herself. Sunset’s eyes were the only thing moving. They were wide, moving in a pattern that would be described as a rectangular motion. Sunset looked at Midnight’s eyes, then her barely covered breasts, then even further down. Once that was finished, she gazed to the left and reversed the order up Twilight’s body, then finally back to Midnight’s eyes.

“Oh. O- Oh god.” Midnight said, her voice quickling filling with dread.

“I… I was looking for you… for over an hour.” Sunset stammered out while trying to maintain eye-contact. “I was um, worried.”

Midnight’s breath was starting to get dangerously short again as she felt Sunset’s words pierce her, and Midnight’s mind immediately jumped to the worst. It was her fault Sunset had spent an hour scared and worried, searching for her. Without a second thought, Midnight flung herself forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Sunset.

“I- I’m sorry.” Midnight whimpered, “I should’ve just… said. I shouldn’t have made you worry.”

“That’s okay! You don’t have to be sorry Twi-” Sunset paused, looking at her hair, then looking at the other. Both were wet and hanging down, making the two indiscernible from each other. “Midnight?”

Twilight nodded, giving Sunset a breath of relief. “Midnight, I’m just glad you’re safe. I get to worry about Twilight every day because the only thing I hear about her is from that book. I don’t get to be with her every day, like you.”

Twilight slowly started to ball her fists, eyes fluttering slightly. “You… never said you worried about me.” Twilight drew her words out for a moment.

“I worry about both of you. It’s just that I have to worry about you more, Twilight. But if something happened to Midnight, that would be even worse…” Looking from Twilight to Midnight, Sunset continued. “I don’t get to keep an eye on Twilight as much as I do you, so it would be that much worse if I wasn’t there to save you if you needed me.” Sunset found her shoulders slumping as her hands finally wrapped around the nerdy bundle of velvet.

“S- Save me…?” Midnight asked in a trembling voice, “You would come save me i- if I was in danger?”

“And I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I couldn’t.” Sunset shrugged.

“That… means so much…” Midnight whispered, sniffling. A third person joined the hug, now all three of them entwined together.

“You really know how to swoon someone, Sunset.” Twilight was absolutely beaming. Sunset went from smiling, to gazing blankly at the two girls attached to her.

“Uhh, what?” Sunset blinked.

Midnight blushed subtly, glancing at Twilight and frowning. Twilight tilted her head to Midnight and shrugged. “Sorry…” Twilight whispered.

“I wasn’t trying to, I mean… swoon.” Sunset swallowed slowly along with a short pause. “But is it working?”

“Yes…” Midnight whispered, her arms tightening around Sunset.

“Most definitely.” Twilight nodded. Sunset started smiling again, returning her limp hug to full strength and nearly crushing the two. At least, that’s what would have happened if they were at all aware of anything besides clinging to Sunset like a tick.

“I thought that I needed to really, you know, think? Think about what I wanted. But I can’t really choose between you two. So I’ll just… stay between.” Sunset chuckled as the sandwich grew tighter, this time from the other two violet girls. Sunset couldn’t help but become a little weirded out. Something wasn’t quite right, and she hadn’t noticed til this point. Her hands slowly slid down, touching their backs and searching for something. Something she did not find. Once it clicked in her head Sunset found the feel of their bodies to be much warmer than it should be. And that was what confirmed her suspicion. “Hhhhuhhhhh…” Sunset shuddered, her hands detaching from their backs and hovering above the skin. “You, you ah, uh…”

Midnight and Twilight tilted their heads, before casting her gaze down and shrieking. She and Twilight had let go of their towels when they had hugged Sunset, and they now sat in two rumpled piles on the floor. Faster than anyone could speak, Midnight had already pounced, grabbing her towel and rushing back to Sunset’s room, slamming the door behind her. Twilight, however, hadn’t moved an inch. Well, except for her hips that were desperately trying their hardest to stay as far away from Sunset’s. Looking back at her towel, Twilight bit her tongue and teethed on it. “That’s very, very unfortunate.”

“Shhuuure. Yeah. That.” Sunset’s face was lit up like a Hearth’s Warming Tree.

“Was this part of your planned week with me?”

Sunset took a longer pause than expected before simply saying, “No.”

“You worry about me a lot don’t you.”

“Yeah…” Sunset nodded.

“You think about me a lot, don’t you?”

Sunset continued to nod, albeit slower this time.

“I’ve been really busy lately, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about you too.” Twilight loosened the hug and sighed. “This is an awful first day.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Oh?” Twilight hummed, perking up at her friend’s words. “What makes you say that?”

“I just… don’t.” Sunset shrugged. “All I ever wanted was for you to come back. Anything after is just… a bonus.”

“Aw, that’s sweet of you to say.” Twilight smiled, “But you did write to me about something you needed help with, and from what you described from your transformation during the Friendship Games, it was rather simple to figure out what that something was.”

“What? How is it that simple?” This time it was Sunset’s grip that started to loosen.

“Well, I wasn’t sure, but…” Twilight’s subtly gestured downwards, pulling Sunset’s gaze to the slight bulge in her jeans.

“I suppose I wasn’t very subtle with how I hid it. Maybe something ba- bag… baggier.” Sunset trailed off, her eyes gazing a little bit north.

“I went through a transformation similar when I became an alicorn.” Twilight’s cheeks grew redder by the second.

“I can tell.” Sunset mumbled.

A long pause dominated the hallway, before Twilight broke the silence, “But do you realize what this potentially means?”

“That magic is weird.” Sunset couldn’t stop staring down at Twilight’s anything-but-little friend. “Really… really fricken weird.”

“No!” Twilight said, shaking her head as her voice grew rather excited, “It means that, quite possibly, you ascended to alicornhood! I mean, I got it right after I became an alicorn, and you, um, noticed it the night after the Friendship Games!” Twilight was now bouncing on the balls of her feet, “There’s the possibility that you gained the power of an alicorn without the use of pony magic!”

“Uh, well… I wouldn’t say that.” Sunset coughed lightly.

“What do you mean?” Twilight cocked her head.

“I sorta, kinda, maybe took in all the elements of harmony into my body at once.” Sunset stretched each word out as slow as possible, as if embarrassed about the fact she neglected to tell her friend that part of the transformation.

“Wait…” Twilight stopped, her eyes widening, “You… Took all of the elements’ magic into your body. Singularly, your body. Alone.”

Pressing the tip of her index fingers together, Sunset nodded.

“And… The magic flowed into you of its own accord. You didn’t call upon it?” Twilight continued, nodding slowly at her own words.

“I gathered it with this device Twil- Midnight made. And then released it, and just… sank into it.”

“But there is a major difference between what happened to you, and what happened to Midnight.” Twilight said excitedly, “She was swallowed by the magic she released, while the magic you released flowed into you.” With every word, Twilight’s grin grew wider.

“Well, it was kind of forced when it happened to her. She was pulled into it. But I had purpose… I just kind of wanted it. I wanted to show Midnight there was another way, and it was almost like breathing.” Sunset shrugged, her gaze falling low to the ground. “I did the same thing she did, only… I wanted it more. I needed it more. I had a reason to have it, other than just to have it.”

At this, Twilight ceased bouncing, and began pacing, “Did it… feel like it was calling out to you?”

“No, not really. I thought she had taken the magic, but then I looked back at my friends. I saw something… like it wasn’t entirely gone. It was all me, I think.”

Twilight stopped pacing, “Did it feel like the magic… Guided you in any way? Did you experience anything…” She snapped her fingers as she thought for an appropriate phrase, “Anything ethereal?”

“Well, now that you mention it.” Sunset blinked, almost like she was hit by a memory the size of a brick. “I… I felt something. It was probably nothing, but I can’t help but think it was more. I felt like someone was tapping me on the shoulder. But when I turned around, there was no one there. And that’s when I saw it…”

Twilight couldn’t keep still, awaiting the answer eagerly.

“You.” Sunset finally looked up at Twilight. She could obviously see the confusion in the princess’ eyes. “I don’t know what I saw. It was just an image. I was scared, I didn’t know what to do. The portal was gone, and… and I thought that I’d never see you again. I was looking up at Midnight, then there was this sound.”

“A s-sound?” Twilight grew quiet, her eyes flickering momentarily.

“I heard someone crying. I just thought it was one of the many girls witnessing what was happening. But it was different. It sounded like… it just sounded different.”

“What do you mean different? Like she was in pain?” Twilight started to breath a little heavier.

“It wasn’t the kind of crying like when you’re afraid. It was worse than that. It was the kind of crying someone does when they realize…” Sunset’s stomach twisted into knots as two voices finished the sentence.

“They’re all alone.” They both mumbled. Sunset put a hand to her chest and stared at Twilight. She was as surprised as she’s ever been. Both their hearts were racing at a thousand miles per hour.

“I… I don’t understand.” Sunset stepped forward, approaching the disgruntled girl. Twilight stepped back, making Sunset pause in her stead. Twilight was starting to shake, and her heart was going so fast it hurt. Sunset could see that something was desperately wrong about her friend, and she didn’t know what to do. “Twilight, what’s going on?”

Twilight twisted around and bolted for Sunset’s room. Sunset was in quick pursuit, nearly tripping on the wet towel Twilight had left in a heap. As soon as the door flew open, Midnight, who was listening through the door, was sent back to the floor. A squeal was made as she hit the ground, gazing in shock up at Twilight. Twilight shut the door and locked it. She had never been happier to see a lock than at that moment. A series of bangs startled Midnight, who squealed again.

“Twilight!” Sunset shouted. The banging continued.

“What happened? Did something go wrong?” Midnight tracked the scurrying purple copy as she bounded for the closet and started to dress. “Are we going somewhere?”

“I’m just getting dressed, that’s all.” Twilight shot back. Midnight was leaning away, still in a prone position. She stood up and started for the closet.

“I heard everything. I’m sorry I ran away, I’m just not used to being naked in front of people. Besides you of course. Or, is it me?” Midnight smiled running a hand up Twilight’s shoulder gently. Her caress was shrugged off, literally. Taking a step back and gathering her hands up to her chest, Midnight stared awkwardly at Twilight, like she did something wrong. “Ah, sorry… I just thought…”

“It’s fine, I just need time to think.” Twilight sounded distant. This was unlike her in every way that was possible. She was usually the most friendly girl they knew, and now she was acting like a complete stranger.

“Oh, okay. Should I get dressed to?” Midnight asked. Glancing back, Twilight saw that Midnight still hadn’t redressed. She took in the thought before uttering, “Fine.”

Eyes fluttering, Midnight seemed to shrink, sitting at the edge of the bed and folding her hands into her lap. She knew when she should shut up, and this was one of those times. There was something wrong with her better half, and she wasn’t going to know anything unless Twilight wanted to tell her. It still didn’t stop her from worrying.

“I just need some air. I’ll be back in a little bit okay?” Twilight was on route to the window already as the second sleeve of the shirt slipped into place. Opening it and stretching a leg out, she paused, sitting on the windowsill and leaving the room in silence. Even the banging had stopped. Midnight was looking, but didn’t utter a word. “I’ll tell you two later. Just, please… let me think for a little while.” Twilight forced a smile and waved. Hopping the rest of the way out the window, Midnight’s attention slowly turned back to the bedroom door. She saw the shadow of someone under the door. The shadow folded as the figure slid down the door and to the ground, leaning on back against it. Sunset brought her knees toward her chin, hugging her legs tightly. All either of them could do was think. What happened? What was said that offended Twilight so much?

“Did you want to come in now?”

Sunset sighed and tilted her head, pressing her cheek to the door almost lazily. “If you feel like it. Doesn’t really matter.”

Silence once again flooded their ears. Midnight had stood up and was prepared to unlock the door, but didn’t. She had nothing to respond with, nothing to say at all. Both of them were going through something, and she didn’t even know if she wanted to get involved. What right did she have? All she could utter, were the simple words,

“I’m sorry…”

Sunset found her mind being dragged back to reality. “Excuse me?”

“I’m sorry if I did something wrong to either of you. You’re both acting weird, and it’s because of me isn’t it?”

Quickly putting her hand up to the door, Sunset interjected, “No! Of course it’s not. You’re welcome here more than anyone else.”

“People keep telling me that, but each time it gets harder and harder to believe.” Midnight sank back onto the bed from her feet. “You’re not from here, I get it. Neither is Twilight. That’s why you love her. You love her because she’s not me. She’s the only piece of Equestria you have left, and you don’t want to let it go. I was there that day, of course I was. I was the cause of everything that went wrong. I saw you on the ground in the scattered mess of panicked people. I saw the look in your eyes. You’re so stoic, so brave, but… you were scared. You were afraid, and you were sad.”

Sunset grew silent. Now it was her time to listen, because she had nothing to say again.

“You were worried about Twilight because she wasn’t responding. But after I took the portal away, you weren’t worried anymore. You could care less about Twilight’s safety, because you knew that thread that kept you two linked had been cut. That wasn’t worry in your eyes I saw… it was horror.” Midnight choked on those last words, feeling her eyes burn suddenly. “You want Twilight because she’s the woman you love. And I almost took her away. You forgave me because that’s who you are, but you will never love me like her. I’ll be here on the sidelines, a flawed product while you enjoy the full priced diamond sparkling in the sun. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Midnight wheezed for a split second as the pain in her eyes started to sink down her cheeks and drip onto the bed.

“Wha- I…” Sunset’s voice quaked as she tried her hardest to dismiss the sadness in her own tone. What was rippling through her voice wasn’t even sadness, it was confusion. Confusion, dread, fear, pain. She wouldn’t even know where to start if she wanted to hide any of it. “Why? I don’t understand.”

“Because I love you. I love you more than anything in this world or yours, and I want you to be happy. If that means being second best, then I’d like that. So long as I get to go along for the ride.” Midnight spoke those final words and fumbled off into a mix of wheezes and choked sobs.

Sunset’s mouth was open, whether it was to speak was unknown to her. The salty taste of her own tears filled her mouth. She didn’t know what to think. Was everything Midnight said correct? All those smiles, all those laughs, all the butterflies in her stomach. Was it only a phantom limb, flexing its’ fingers joyfully, when the truth is you’ve been cut off?

Sunset gasped, only able to whimper in response. Something was wrong, horribly wrong. Of all the emotions spilling from her, something stuck out. It wasn’t fear, it wasn’t anger, pity, sadness. It was out of place, something that shouldn’t be there. It was happiness… But why? What right did she have to be happy if Midnight wasn’t? Midnight’s cries made her happy, but that was disgusting… what was wrong with her? No, it wasn’t her sadness that brought joy, it was the sound itself. A familiar image flashed through Sunset’s mind, she remembered, but she didn’t. She could remember the image, but she couldn’t think of why she saw it.

What she thought previously was wrong. She thought she saw Twilight because she was desperate. Hope had all but flickered out. The world was dark, and she treaded through it with those she called friends. Dim fireflies lighting each step and guiding her. But she was empty, missing something. A gear that wasn’t working, that had been stolen, stolen from her. She’d never work properly again. Yet some part of her kept trudging along. A whisper in the back of her mind asking for help, and she wanted to answer it. She was a broken machine barreling down a hill with no breaks.

Again, she saw her face. Twilight Sparkle, on the ground. She was crying. Why was she seeing this? She didn’t remember this at all… but it was so vivid. There her friend wept, painfully so.

"Why...?"

Sunset’s heart skipped a beat as the ghostly memory spoke.

”It’s not fair… why did she send me away?”

Send her away? What does she mean by that? Sunset reached out, she wanted to help. She had to help. But she was too far away. “Twilight!” Sunset shrieked, not even knowing the tears bleeding down her face.

Then, it stopped…

The sobbing lavender woman had frozen. When their eyes met, it was like time stopped. But now Sunset could see she wasn’t looking at Twilight anymore. She was looking at Rarity. Then Pinkie, then Applejack, and the rest. They were all gathered around, helping other students get away from the portal leading to the world below. But as she stared, she didn’t just see her friends. She saw a light. A glow flicker from each friend, seeming to radiate life. Gasping, the path lit beyond her. Gears were grinding again, the world wasn’t dark after all. The sun had just set… and now it was rising again.

Looking up, she spoke clearly, “This isn’t the way…”

“W-what?” Midnight’s mumble was heard through the door.

“I’ve been wrong the whole time. And so are you.” Sunset stood up, wiping the tears from her face. “You’re not flawed, you’re you. You’re the most precious thing this world has, and I’ve been neglecting it just because it’s different than the one from mine. But you are perfect. You’re not on the sidelines, and you’re not some mirage that I can just ignore. I will always love Twilight more, I know… but when I say I love you, Midnight… there is not another man, woman, or child in this world, that will ever hear those words from me. They belong to you forever...”

Curling against the door as the prolonged silence became deafening, Sunset felt her heart clench. Being broken from the numb soundless house, footsteps were heard. Sunset looked up as the lock to the room clicked, and a familiar glimmer of glasses was seen peeking through.

“Would you like to come in?”

Chapter 4: Revelations

Sunset and Midnight were lying on the bed, staring wordlessly up at the ceiling. Neither of them really knew what to say or to talk about. They were both thinking about what to do next, alongside worrying about Twilight.

Midnight let out a small sigh, “What’s going to happen now?” She breathed out, almost dreading those words.

“The only thing that we can do. Wait.” Sunset said in an almost unnaturally calm voice. Midnight was about to question it, but Sunset elaborated shortly after. “Twilight needs to be alone. We’re not going anywhere, and if she wanted us to know what’s wrong, she would have told us. She will be back, don’t worry.”

“I’m… not worried about her not returning… I’m just worried about what she’s going to say when she does come back.” Midnight said quietly.

“Whatever she says, we have to make sure we’re here to listen.” Sunset took Midnight’s hand and let her head fall to the side to look at the purple haired girl. When Midnight glanced back she saw Sunset had a smile on her face. Even after as long as they’d known each other, that smile still found a way to make Midnight’s heart flutter.

Midnight smiled wearily, “Yeah… we will be here for her.” She said quietly, staring momentarily at Sunset. There was still the faintest hint of tears on her face, though they had long since stopped. Sunset scooted closer and brushed a hand through Midnight’s hair.

“Everything’ll be fine. We just need to be patient. No matter what I say, or what I’ve said, I ‘do’ love you.” Sunset cooed as softly as possible.

“I love you too.” Midnight, wrapped her arms around Sunset, hugging her tightly. It only took a few moments before Midnight let go of Sunset, now slowly sitting up.

“What’s wrong?” Sunset joined the violet girl and switching to an upright position.

Midnight gave Sunset a small smile, “Nothing anymore.” She let out a soft sigh, now resting up against Sunset, her head laying on the orange girl’s shoulder.

“That’s good to know.” Sunset closed her eyes and inhaled the aroma from Midnight’s hair. She instinctively wrapped an arm around Midnight’s waist, pulling their bodies together more snugly. Midnight blushed at the more intense closeness, her arms now wrapping back around Sunset.

“This… is um, really nice.” Midnight stammered, closing her eyes as she tried to relax.

Wondering something, Sunset decided to ask something she had been wondering about. “Midnight… did you and Twilight…” She said quietly, as if reluctant to even ask. “Do anything? Together?”

“No.” Midnight shook her head, “We just… showered and it was awkward… like really awkward.”

“You showered?” Sunset blurted, yanking herself away and snapping a surprised look in her direction.

“Yes.” Midnight said slowly, raising an eyebrow. “Why is that… I mean other than her having a dick, why is that weird?”

Blinking, Sunset gazed off into space for a moment, picturing it in her mind. “So… what was it like?”

“It was… different, and embarrassing…” Midnight started quietly, a blush coming across her face.

Sunset seemed to share the blush, returning her arm to Midnight’s waist. “Are you, umm… still feeling dirty?”

Midnight weighed the meaning of Sunset’s suggestion, her glasses beginning to fog up. “I’m… I guess I missed a spot.” She uttered in almost disbelief of herself.

“Why don’t we go wash off then?” Sunset slowly stood up, grabbing Midnight’s hand and pulling her up to her feet.

“Ohhkay.” Midnight said immediately, allowing herself to be dragged to the bathroom. The door was shut behind them, and Midnight just stood there silently.

“Is something wrong?” Sunset asked, now stopping dead in her tracks as she looked at Midnight.

“Y-you’d think it’d be easier with experience, but…” Midnight crossed her arms and seemed to shrink out of embarrassment.

Sunset laughed quietly, she smiled warmly at the violet girl, “If we do this, it is entirely up to you.” She assured, “If you want we could just go back and lay down for a while.”

“Just… get in the shower and close the doors.” Midnight asked, turning around and covering her eyes, even though her fogged glasses had already taken care of them.

Sunset bit her lip and slowly undressed, after she was completely naked she turned on the water and stepped inside, sliding the glass doors shut behind her. Upon hearing the door collide with the wall, Midnight took her glasses off and glanced back, making sure the glass was blurred by steam. With a deep breath, she set her eyewear on the sink and took off her shirt, then bra. With a bit of hesitation, she leaned in and wiped away some steam from the mirror and looked at herself. She perked her breasts and bit her lip in an attempt to boost her confidence. Deciding it was time, the rest of her clothes melted down her hips and onto the floor.

“Just… close your eyes, okay?” Midnight finally said.

“Whatever you want.” Sunset said, bring her hands up to completely cover her eyes.

Slowly, Midnight peeled open the sliding door and gazed upon Sunset’s body. The way her wet skin glistened was enough to take her breath away. That was about all she wanted to see for now, stepping in behind the fiery haired goddess. “I’m in. You can open your eyes, just don’t turn around.” Midnight swallowed dryly. Sunset uncovered her eyes and remained looking forward.

“Alright! Since you’re behind me… did you want to get started and wash my back?” Sunset suggested.

“I guess that would make the most sense.” Midnight slowly approached. Sunset felt weight against her back as their bodies touched. “Can y-you hand me the soap?”

Sunset reached forward, grabbing a bottle of soap and handing it right to Midnight. “There…” She breathed softly. “You know… your body’s so soft.” She complimented.

“Not as soft as yours... “ Midnight’s face was heating up, and Sunset could feel it radiating from behind. The bottle was opened and Midnight poured the cool liquid on Sunset’s back, making her shiver. Midnight giggle and closed the soap. “Sorry.”

Sunset smiled widely, “It’s fine…” She laughed, “Just don’t let me get too cold.” She joked.

Midnight’s grin didn’t falter, placing her hands on Sunset’s shoulders. Her digits dug into the flesh and slowly spread the soap around. The soothing touch made Sunset’s body start to relax. “You’re really tight.” She exclaimed.

“Mmm, I bet you are too…” Sunset said softly. She could feel Midnight’s hands tremble, alongside the sound of a suppressed moan.

“Shut up…” Midnight squeaked, her hands beginning to descend regardless of what her mind was telling her.

Sunset giggled, “Make me.” She teased, wiggling her butt.

Midnight was having a difficult time controlling her breathing, especially as she touched Sunset’s flank. Her fingers sank into the plush posterior, and sank, and sank. She had her breath taken away by the mere sight of how deep the digits went. “Ohhh wow.” She blurted quietly.

“Oh, you like that do you?” Sunset let out a bated breath. Midnight watched as the orange woman’s appearance began to change, the plush flank only growing softer and more encompassing. Though it wasn’t just the wings, or her ass that grew… though those two things were all Midnight could see right then. “How about now?” Sunset cooed.

Midnight felt the need to sit down, but felt as though sinking to her knees was enough for now. She was absolutely starry eyed at the transformation. “It’s just like anime…” She breathed.

Sunset rolled her eyes, slightly spreading her legs apart, “Oh, you have no idea yet.” She bit her lip. Sunset slowly turned around, towering over the violet girl on her knees. The steam only grew thicker in the shower, but it did nothing to obscure the beauty before Midnight. Sunset’s breasts were now at the very least a full F cup, maybe even closing in on G, but that was overshadowed by the cock held in her hand, though it was pulled back from Midnight. Sunset had been turned on by the entire situation and her shaft was now firmly tucked against her body, pressing up just against the bottom of her breasts, showing they were just as soft and malleable as her ass was. The beast was nearly two and a half feet, and Sunset’s large hand couldn’t really contain the full girth.

It was at this point that her knees weren’t quite enough. Midnight fell back like a falling tree, plopping down onto the shower floor and staring awestruck up at the futa angel towering above. Her legs and thighs were pressed tightly together, but it didn’t lessen Sunset’s desire. The orange alicorn knew exactly what hid between Midnight’s legs, and it made her throb just thinking about it.

Sunset licked her lips and slowly sunk down, her massive sack now jiggling just as much as her breasts. She planted her hands on either side of Midnight. “Hi there…” She breathed, her hot breath running over Midnight’s face. “I take it you love how I look…”

Midnight was speechless, but didn’t want to leave Sunset hanging, so to speak. She just nodded, sizing up Sunset’s body and shaking as she took it all in.

Sunset leaned in and stole a soft kiss. Her entire body now so close to Midnight that she could feel the heat coming off of it. “I’m glad. I love how beautiful you are too…” She caressed Midnight’s cheek.

“I take it all back… I’m extremely dirty.” Midnight mumbled dreamily, putting her hands on Sunset’s shoulders and tracing them down to her practically glowing chest.

“Oooh, we both are.” Sunset chuckled, guiding Midnight’s lips back to her own.

Almost mechanically, Midnight’s legs spread and let Sunset’s body and hers collide. The girl underneath gurgled pleasantly and her eyes rolled back, embracing the amazon. By the end of the kiss, Midnight was soaked with something other than just water. “Do whatever you want to me…” She babbled breathlessly.

Sunset just grinned, now shifting up, giving the hapless girl a full view of her throbbing, and achingly hard cock. The scent coming off of it was intoxicating and it didn’t help that the liquid leaking from the tip looked so delicious.

Midnight did the first brazen thing so far. Shifting back to her knees, she took the leaking member and pressed her face into the painfully full sack, her body quaking as she inhaled the scent. Sunset’s hand grabbed the back of her head, rubbing her against the two orbs, smothering her in the scent.

“Good…” Sunset breathed, her other hand tugging on one of Midnight’s silently telling her to stroke. The lust addled woman couldn’t refuse, taking it a step up and wrapping both hands around, groping, squeezing, and milking it like some sort of toy.

"Aah, good job... you're doing so well." Sunset moaned loudly, letting go of Midnight's head. "Maybe you should give it a taste, since you seem to love how it smells."

The command forced a whorish moan from Midnight. The journey up to the flare was slow, but very worth it. Her tongue started at the base, licking all the excess pre that had drooled down it. The show ended with her lips sucking the head into her mouth, and her body sinking forward. The rest of Sunset's hardness was enveloped by Midnight's own globes, clothing it in velvety softness.

"How does it taste?" Sunset moaned, "Is it what you hoped for?"

Midnight's answer made Sunset's legs tremble, catching herself by grabbing the wall. The suction increased, and all of Midnight's fingers were kneading Sunset's sack masterfully. The fact that the supply of pre doubled only made Midnight squeeze them harder.

"Oooh... I can't wait to fuck you raw..." Sunset groaned, pushing deeper into Midnight's throat. "And I will fuck you for as long as I can..."

Glancing down at Midnight, Sunset's eyes traced down her back, all the way down to the plump, heartshaped rump. Her cock gave a hard twitch, and suddenly Midnight yanked her head off in a coughing fit. When their eyes locked, Sunset saw just why she had choked. Where she thought would be a woman who just took her cock too far into her maw, was a sight that nearly broke Sunset. Midnight had cups of frothy cum running from her chin, and coating her breasts. All of that had been deposited in Midnight's mouth. It was no wonder she choked. The fact that simply looking at Midnight's ass caused such a large burst told Sunset that there had been more than enough foreplay.

"Why don't you turn around... let me get your back."" Sunset cooed, biting down on her lip. Her cock now becoming even harder, if that was even possible.

Midnight was waiting for such an order. Standing up once again, Midnight spun around and bent forward, placing her hands on the wall in front. The look Sunset got when Midnight glanced back was enough to drive the rest of Sunset's sanity down the drain, though that didn't stop Midnight from making Sunset shiver with one simple phrase. "Make me your dirty little bitch."

Sunset lunged at Midnight, their lips colliding. Her cock now pressing against Midnight's virgin pussy. She wasted no time in sinking into the woman, spreading her so wonderfully wide, the massive dick spearing her deeply, kissing her depths in such a magnificent way. Sunset's balls ached to release in the tight cunt she was buried in. "I WILL get you pregnant..." Sunset breathed teasingly, thrusting roughly into Midnight. "How does that make my new cumslut feel?" She slapped Midnight's ass, groping the soft cheek.

"PLEASE!" Midnight screamed, pleading Sunset to let her womb taste every drop of her addictive virility. Her pussy was definitely taking the reins, tightening around the already strangled fertility goddess's cock.

Sunset groaned, her wings tightly wrapping around Midnight as she thrust into her new toy, leaving nothing but an aching feeling whenever she nearly pulled out. "They'll be sooo smart... and so cute..." Sunset nipped her neck, playing with her breasts, her balls slapping relentlessly into Midnight's leg, leaving no question as to what would happen when she finally came. The shaft burst through the violet woman's deepest parts, "You're already such a slut..." Sunset breathed, "And now I'm going to use you every... single... day." She moaned loudly, squeezing Midnight's breasts roughly.

The dirty talk alone was enough to have Midnight creaming herself, adding her own juices to the pool seeping down toward the drain. Words turned to babbling mush, and her legs had failed already. Midnight was being supported entirely by the rigid breeding tool, supporting her where here skeletal system failed.

Sunset grimaced, her balls contracting as cum forced its way into her cock. "Aaaghhh!" She screamed, the hot liquid forcing its' way into Midnight's womb, flooding it and staining it permanently. She could feel the seed flooding deeply into every part of her body, everything was made sacred by the goddess' seed.

Midnight arched her back into Sunset's chest, her toes curling as they dangled above the floor. The sound of her choked gasps and moans were only drowned out by the lewd slurp that echoed through the room every time Sunset's cock twitched with bursts of potency that only seemed to grow louder and more forceful.

"Take... every... drop..." Sunset groaned loudly, her eyes closing tightly. "All of iiiittt..." She shivered, wrapping her arms tightly around Midnight. "This way... I'll make sure you get pregnant..."

Midnight could only whimper with every passing second. Sunset's orgasm inevitably tapered off, the violet girl dangling off her hardness like a sex toy and giving an occasional twitch. The state she was in made Sunset's heart skip, feeling as if she had gone a bit too far.

Sunset slowly pulled out of Midnight, making sure to slowly set her down. "M-Midnight?" She asked through her panting. "Are you... alright?"

Midnight was in a daze, her eyes trying to focus on anything in order to pull her back to reality. "What happened?" Were the first words she could utter.

Sunset let out a long sigh, "We just had sex..." She laughed quietly sliding back against the opposite wall.

Midnight's eyes locked on her swollen belly. Her face was a deep crimson almost immediately. "Oh gosh... did the condom break?" She asked absentmindedly.

"We didn't use a condom." Sunset said, letting her head fall back. "It'd be... kinda too small?" She motioned to her slowly softening cock.

As reality sank in, Midnight's breathing grew more and more desperate. Sunset immediately could see the incoming panic attack.

"Midnight, don't worry... unless you're a pony you can't get pregnant from me!" Sunset said quickly, trying to calm Midnight down.

Midnight's wheezing steadied, but only slowed slightly. "Wh-what?" She babbled amidst a sea of clouded thoughts.

"If... there was a chance, I'd have taken a bit of precaution. That's... not something I want to saddle anyone with, if they aren't one hundred percent wanting to." Sunset continued, smiling slightly at Midnight. "It's uuh... something Twilight and I found out. I could literally spend all day, or even all week pumping you full, and there'd be zero chance of you getting pregnant... just you'd look it." She motioned to Midnight's swollen belly. "If... that's what you're worrying about..."

"B-but all the... the boasting. Knocking me up, you... I don't..." Midnight had calmed, but her blush was threatening to make her face explode.

"It's um... you know... dirty talk? I got really carried away I know... but it was hard to hold back." Sunset laughed weakly, giving a small shrug. "I mean, knowing you... I probably should have warned you beforehand but... we both got swept up in the moment." She rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry..."

Midnight's face was crimson, her face scrunched up from the sheer embarassment. "Oh... wow. I'm an idiot."

"It was your first time dealing with it... you weren't an idiot." Sunset assured, smiling a little at Midnight.

Midnight couldn't help but stare at her pudgy belly. Sunset noticed the faintest hint of a smile on the violet girl's face. Who knew what kind of fetishes Midnight had, but this (without a doubt) gave her a new one.

"Ooh..." Sunset grinned, sitting beside Midnight. "Someone likes getting stuffed..." She teased softly, caressing her stomach.

"Like you don't. That's like... the hottest thing I've ever seen. You cum like a horse." Midnight said, what she said not seeming to click in her own brain.

"Mmm..." Sunset chuckled, shaking her head as she wrapped an arm around Midnight. Midnight frowned, glancing at the bedroom door.

"What's wrong?" Sunset asked.

"What the heck are we doing?" Midnight fell back, covering her face with both hands. "Twilight is still gone. We should have went after her... instead we're..."

"Midnight... she'll come back when she's ready to come back." Sunset said calmly. "We can't force her to return... Going after her would have just made it so much harder."

"I know you're right. It doesn't make it any easier though." Midnight sighed, allowing her arms to fall to her sides.

"No, it doesn't... all we can really do is wait." Sunset hugged Midnight close.

“Why don’t we get cleaned up before she gets back. It might be a bit awkward…” Midnight couldn’t help but laugh at the mess they were both in, despite still being in the shower. This even made Sunset blush, realizing just how dominant she had gotten with this sexually innocent girl.

“Yes… we should.” Sunset nodded. “And… um, maybe get you drained out a little…” She added quietly.

“Girls?” Twilight’s voice, followed by a few knocks, made both mares lock up. “You in there?”

“Wow…” Sunset mumbled quietly, “N-no time for that I guess…”

“Yeah! We’re taking a shower. Sorry we couldn’t wait for you… running off just really scared us. Sunset figured you needed your space, so we stayed here.” Midnight offered back to Twilight as honest as possible.

“I understand… that’s actually what I want to talk about. Whenever you’re done, meet me in the living room.” Twilight’s voice faded alongside her footsteps.

Midnight bit her lip, giving Sunset a concerned look. “This doesn’t sound good.” Midnight said.

“We should… get ready quickly then.” Sunset agreed.

“You first. I uhh, need to…” Midnight glanced down at her still bloated belly. The cum barely oozed out on it’s own. The thick, potent cream was just too determined. “Yeah…”

“Um… if we… push a little on it?” Sunset suggested, giving a soft push to the cum-belly. Just as much leaked out as had naturally. “Well… that’s a thing.” She sighed.

“Just get out of here. I’ll be out soon.” Midnight leaned forward, giving a long, meaningful kiss to Sunset’s lips.

Sunset pulled back after several seconds, “Alright. I’ll see you when you’re finished…” She stood up, walking out of the shower and drying off. She walked slowly out into the living room. “Hey, Twilight…”

“Oh hey! Where’s Midnight?” Twilight scooted herself toward the armrest of the couch and pat the center seat suggestively.

Sunset sauntered slowly over, sitting down on the seat. “She’ll.. Be out soon. Don’t worry.” She smiled.

Twilight’s smile seemed forced, as if her thoughts weren’t as happy as the smile implied. Once Sunset realized, Twilight’s smile faded. “This is the last time we’ll get to see each other.” Twilight’s words froze Sunset’s heart.

“Wha… what do you mean?” Sunset dreaded the answer, not wanting to give up seeing her closest friend.

“The only thing that connects our worlds are the books. When Midnight destroyed the statue at the Equestria Games, it severed the mirror’s connection. Normally even without the book, we’d be able to use the mirror if we waited long enough. But the book’s magic is running out. Right now, I’m the only thing keeping our worlds connected. Once I go through... “ Twilight closed her eyes, not wanting to finish her sentence.

Sunset couldn’t even speak. “That… there has to be…” She shook her head, barely choking out the words.

“I came back because of you. I had to tell you. And I had to give you a choice… do you want to stay here? Are you happy?” Twilight took Sunset’s hand and scooted closer to Sunset.

Sunset closed her eyes. “I…” She couldn’t truly think of an answer, both sides… hurt someone so close to her. She didn’t want to choose.

“We have a week before the magic runs out. Celestia gave me a crystal to take with me.” Twilight pulled a red ruby from her pocket. It glowed gently, beautiful to look at. “This used to shine like a star. But it’s fading…”

“A… a week…” Sunset repeated the words, all blood draining from her face, “I… I can’t believe… this is happening…”

“I’m not going to pretend to know Midnight like you do, but I can tell you like her. I just don’t know if it’s because she’s a good pon- girl, or because she reminds you of me.” Twilight’s words hit Sunset as if she had just read her mind. Was that true? She didn’t know anymore. Sure, Midnight was kind, but… Sunset couldn’t deny the feelings she had for Twilight ever since she took Sunset’s hand in forgiveness. It was because of Twilight that she was here right now, redeemed for what she had done back at the prom. Sunset didn’t know anypony back in Equestria. The friends she met here were her true friends, friends that she never had before. But how could she choose between the pony she loved, or the world that showed her the light.

“I…” Sunset stammered out. “I don’t know…”

“I’ll be honest with you. You’re still connected to Equestria. Once I go back, I won’t be able to return. But you can still come back as long as the statue doesn’t take anymore damage. But when you come back, it’ll be closed forever. I just… I’m such a horrible pony.” Twilight put her hands on her own head and cringed, feeling sudden guilt, stoking Sunset’s curiosity.

“Twilight… i-is something else wrong? You… you aren’t a horrible pony.” Sunset said quickly, putting her hand on Twilight’s shoulder.

“I hadn’t even planned on saying you could come back at any time. I was rushing you into making a choice because I… wanted to see you. I wanted to get to know you more. Reading you is more interesting than any book I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying.” Twilight looked as if she was about to start sobbing. Sunset had no idea that Twilight felt the same emotions she had. Despite the devastating news, Sunset’s heart fluttered like a schoolgirl who just had her first hug from a cute boy.

“Twilight…” Sunset hugged her tightly, nuzzling against her. Both women were on the verge of tears now.

“I spent weeks trying to find a way to stabilize the portal, make it stronger, even last longer. But I failed. I just wasn’t good enough. Oh gods…” Twilight finally started to cry with the broken resolve of a woman who couldn’t accept what was happening. Sunset didn’t last much longer, breaking down into sobs as well.

“This is just… so horrible…” Sunset whined, holding Twilight as tightly as she could.

“You should go with her.” Midnight’s voice brought silence to both of the young ladies, along with their attention to Midnight.

“W-what…” Sunset looked up at Midnight.

“Listen girls, you showed me kindness I never knew existed at my old school. You showed me there was more to life than my work. I made friends that will last a lifetime. But Sunset, I read your book. All the things you and Celestia used to talk about. You belong where you’re needed. You came to this world to learn a lesson. A lesson Celestia knew very well what could go wrong, and it did go wrong. You turned into a monster… but in the end it was Twilight that pulled you back. It’s Twilight you love, and think about every day. My friends and I will be just fine… but as long as you’re still here, everyone in our town will be at risk from more evil bad guys. I can’t tell you what to do, but I’ll tell you what will happen if you go back to Equestria.” Midnight sat on the other side of Sunset and took her hand. “Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie will live happily ever after… but not before showing this world what it could be with friendships like ours.”

“I…” Sunset whimpered quietly, “I… at least want to spend… a bit more time with you… with both of you. Before… I… go.”

“I wouldn’t dream of letting you go without saying goodbye. Even if that goodbye takes a whole week.” Midnight smiled and nodded. Both Sunset and Twilight were in utter awe. All the things they have learned together was was enough to make Twilight and Sunset beam. Midnight was sounding more like a leader. They both knew she and her friends would be just fine without Sunset and Twilight. It certainly didn’t make it any easier to let go, but it added some comfort.

“I love you both… so, so much…” Sunset hugged the two woman tightly.

“As much as I hate to say it, but… it’s late. I think we all deserve a rest.” Twilight suggested. The three shared a simple nod, finally making their way to the bedroom and cuddling in one big threesome pile.

“We… can decide how to tell everyone else… tomorrow. Tonight, let’s just… spend it together.” Sunset sighed, kissing both women.

Chapter 5: Facts

The three of them hadn't moved at all, twiddling their thumbs on the couch as they thought of what to do. As sad as this made them... they knew each other would be okay, no matter what Sunset decided in the end. "So..." Midnight droned.

"Maybe we should... go out and do something?" Sunset sighed, "But... what could we do?"

"I dunno. Why don't we have a picnic?" Midnight suggested, seeming excited at her own suggestion.

Sunset smiled slightly, "We do have to tell the others about what's going on." She said, "So... why don't we invite someone along with us?"

"I was waiting for someone to invite me!" Pinkie cheered. The other three screamed, diving for cover behind the couch. Midnight peeked her head out, then Sunset, and finally Twilight. "Tell us what?"

Midnight and Twilight cringed. Of all the people to tell, Pinkie was going to hurt the most. They both looked at Sunset with a scared gaze. All they did were shake their heads, as if saying not now.

"It can... wait, you don't have to worry about it right now." Sunset said.

"Oookay! I'm gonna go bake some snacks. You three should bring something too." Pinkie bounced from her position on the armrest of the couch and to her feet. "I'll be back when they're done, don't leave without me!"

"Alright..." Sunset mumbled.

Once Pinkie left the house, the trio sighed and slumped into each other. "This is gonna suck..." Midnight facepalmed.

"Soooo badly..." Sunset groaned. "This'll be horrible!"

"Let's just not think about it." Twilight put an arm around both girls and pulled them into a loving hug. "We'll save it for the end of the day. Until then... what should we make for the picnic?" She asked, giving a smile so genuine that both Sunset and Midnight couldn't help but smile too.

"Ooh boy... that's a great question." Sunset sighed. "I'm sure Pinkie's going to make a lot but, we still do need to bring something."

"Yeah, maybe some actual food. My pancreas can only handle so much Pinkie." Twilight said, making Midnight snort into a fit of cute laughter.

"Right." Sunset chuckled. "Hmm, why not some sandwiches?"

"What kind of sandwiches does Pinkie like?" Midnight asked. Silence rang in their ears, blinking slowly as the three of them thought. Pinkie was a sweets junkie. They had never actually witnessed her eat normal food. They all genuinely were baffled at the question. None of them had ever considered. And now the thought was eating away at them. They were all curious, and they needed to know somehow.

"We could... you know text her.., or just ask and hope Pinkie's Pinkie." Sunset shrugged.

Midnight was already halfway through typing the message on her phone. Sunset and Twilight shook their heads and just laughed. The nerdy poindexter looked up at them, cocking her head curiously. "What?" Midnight blinked.

"Don't worry." Sunset grinned.

The three women had received a strange and definitely Pinkie answer.

"Why did she..." Midnight muttered reading over the long and intricate description for the sandwich.

"Don't question her." Twilight sighed. "Just... don't."

"Well... um since we can't make that, why don't we do ham sandwiches or something?" Sunset offered.

"New text! Yes." Midnight said.

"Great!" Sunset hopped up, let's make them and... hope our sugary death comes swift."

"Well, we have the food written down. But where exactly are we going to take this picnic?" Midnight asked, glancing between the two for answers.

"The park perhaps?" Sunset suggested. "Just... maybe slowly edge it on. If Pinkie takes it well... it'll be easier to tell the others."

"That's a big if." Midnight sighed.

"We can hope... regardless they'll all have to accept it." Sunset sighed quietly.

"They don't have to accept anything. I know what Midnight said, but if you want to stay, you can. No one is forcing you, Sunset... the only thing I want is for you to be happy. As long as staying makes you happy, I'll be happy." Twilight took Sunset's hand, her words making the orange girl's heart flutter.

"I know..." Sunset sighed quietly.

Twilight stood up, stretching and motioning the two up. "Well let's go! Pinkie probably already knows where we're going and is there already. We have a pic to nic!" Twilight beamed down at the two.

Sunset and Midnight grinned, standing up to follow Twilight. "Let's go!" Midnight agreed.

It took the trio about half an hour to reach the lakeside camping area. The blue skies were clear to let the sun give the lake a beautiful shimmer. And of course, Pinkie was already there waiting. The moment they were spotted, Pinkie waved frantically.

The three walked over to join Pinkie. "Hey." Sunset smiled as she approached.

"Hiya! Whatcha been up to?" Pinkie asked, kicking her shoes off to the side.

"Just talking, what about you?" Midnight asked.

"Jumping and hopping to see you three!" Pinkie dove and belly flopped onto the three of them, sending all four ponies to the grass.

The three woman laughed and hugged Pinkie.

"That's great!" Sunset smiled.

"Why today of all days to invite just mwah to a picnic?" Pinkie took the blanket and rolled through the grass, unraveling the blanket into a neat square for them all to sit.

Sunset glanced to Twilight and Midnight for an answer or advice.

"Oh, well... I don't know exactly how to say this, but..." Midnight bit her lip, scratching her head as she tried to gain the courage to speak the words.

"Something really... big came up..." Sunset continued

"The portal to Equestria is fading... When Twilight leaves, she won't be able to come back. Sunset and Twilight are in love." Midnight closed her eyes after speaking, not even wanting to look at anyone.

Pinkie was quiet, looking between the other three women. "Really?" She asked quietly.

Twilight frowned and nodded. "I don't belong here. You all proved that you don't need me anymore."

Pinkie closed her eyes. "And... you want Sunset to come back with you... right?"

"I want her to make a choice. It doesn't matter what she does... no one can fault her for either decision." Twilight said softly.

"If... you both go, won't that mean all the magic will go with you two?" Pinkie asked.

"Magic is part of you girls. You don't need us anymore. You're some of the bravest girls I've ever met... I know you'll be just fine." Twilight gently hugged Pinkie.

Pinkie hugged Twilight back, "That doesn't mean it'll be easy to get over you never coming back..."

"Pinkie, let me tell you something." Twilight leaned back, keeping an arm around the pink mare. "Back in my world, that world's version of Pinkie Pie is a hero. She helped save the world. So much so that I had witnessed a world without you. It's a world without laughter... fun... parties... without you, there would be gloom. I don't care what universe we're in, you are destined to be great. This world needs heroes... this world needs you Pinkie. And it needs you to be strong... be strong for me." Twilight had her forehead pressed against Pinkie's forehead, their eyes unable to look away from the other's.

Pinkie smiled slightly. "Twilight, don't worry about me." She squeezed the violet woman, "I'll be fine, we'll all be fine. I already know that. We have each other to lean on. And that's what we need."

"And don't you ever stop partying!" Twilight giggled.

"You'd better not either!" Pinkie giggled back.

Twilight's smile shrank slightly. "I'm glad you're taking it this well. I'm... afraid to tell the others." She said sadly.

"Don't be, they'll understand." Pinkie assured. "Sure, they'll miss you... but I know you'll miss us too. That's what friendship is about, right? Being there to understand what your friends are going through, and being there to help and support them! You've done all of that for us, we should be there to see you off. Even if we'll never see you again..."

"Hey, Midnight?" Twilight turned her gaze to her doppelganger.

"Yeah?" Midnight replied.

"I don't mean any offense when I ask, but... maybe I can have a day alone with each of your friends. You know... to tell them myself. Give them each some time with me." Twilight smiled, though it seemed slightly forced.

"Alright... I don't see why not." Midnight nodded slowly.

"But in the meantime... Sunset, why don't you keep Midnight company?" Twilight gave another smile to Sunset. This one felt much more genuine, and sincerely happy as her eyes met with the fiery haired woman.

"Okay!" Sunset smiled, nodding as she moved to hug Twilight for a few moments.

Twilight returned the hug. Everyone there saw Twilight's face shifting to a light red.

"Don't have too much fun without me..." Sunset whispered teasingly before she pulled back.

Twilight didn't let her go that easily. She stepped closer, surprising the orange girl with a slow, wet smooch on the lips. "Fun is subjective... you're objective. It just doesn't exist without you." Twilight said confidently.

Sunset blushed lightly, "Oh you..." She laughed quietly.

Twilight walked to Pinkie and took her hand. "Well! What's on the itinerary for today?"

Pinkie just smiled her usual excited smile. In that moment Twilight felt a twinge of fear, she'd just asked Pinkie what she wanted to do. Not even the gods could foresee what this chaotic woman would want or do.

Thankfully however, it appeared Twilight had truly caught Pinkie on a 'sane' day. They'd only just ended up at a pizza parlor, but it was more than clear Pinkie had even more surprises planned for Twilight. Something told the purple woman that Pinkie had already planned for this all to happen and that only made her worry more.

"Wow. Any reason you wanted to come here in specific? Or are you just craving some pizza." Twilight chuckled, walking Pinkie to a booth off to the side.

"Here they can't listen to us!" Pinkie said, plopping down into the booth.

"They?" Twilight mused uncertainly as she unfolded her menu.

Pinkie leaned in close, "The Lizard people! They're everywhere..." She whispered in a hushed tone.

Twilight blinked a few times, slowly pulling her menu up between the two.

"Good..." Pinkie pulled back. "So, what did you want to get?" She asked, picking up her own menu.

"Maybe some nice herbal tea? Oh, and maybe some tea cakes too." Twilight beamed back at Pinkie. Though Pinkie was stuck in some kind of logic loop, not seeming to believe what Twilight had just asked for.

"You're weird. We're at a pizza parlor." Pinkie now put her menu up in between them. "Herbal tea... psssh... coke's much better..." She muttered quietly.

"Coke works." Twilight nodded with a shrug. "You know, I've never actually had pizza. What's good?"

Pinkie dropped her menu. "What."

"Oh sorry, I'll have a coke too." Twilight smiled back at her, clearly oblivious to the problem.

"No, I mean what. You haven't ever had pizza. Do you live under a rock or something?" Pinkie said. "How have you never had pizza?"

"I think the only pony I know who lives under a rock is your sister." Twilight joked.

"She lives in a cavern, thank you very much." Pinkie corrected, crossing her arms.

"And what are caverns made of?" Twilight's smug face reached a new level.

"Now you're acting like you've never heard of a metaphor." Pinkie retorted. "Miss Smarty Pants."

"Clearly I can't be that smart. I've never had pizza. What's wrong with me, right?" Twilight's entire expression shifted to more genuinely happy tone. There was no condescension in her voice at all, and Pinkie felt her heart flutter happily. Then it only made her think of how much she was going to miss Twilight.

Pinkie was quick to slip over to Twilight's side, wrapping her arms tightly around the purple woman. "I'm going to treat you to only the best." She smiled widely.

"I already have the best. You're sitting right here." Twilight returned the embrace with a giggle.

Pinkie giggled quietly, "So, when were you gonna tell everyone about your extra feature?" She asked, the sudden change in topic startling Twilight to no end, but she immediately remembered she was dealing with Pinkie.

"Huh? Ohh... well that's..." Twilight was blinking rapidly, avoiding eye contact. "I'd say never... Midnight, Sunset, and I guess you, are about all I can handle at the moment."

"What's wrong? It's part of you, why should you be embarrassed or scared by it? You know, if I had one I'd be sharing it with everyone!" Pinkie said cheerfully.

"Yeah, you say that a lot." Twilight's brows furrowed. Her words confused Pinkie.

"What do I say a lot?" Pinkie asked.

"That I shouldn't be embarrassed, like it's that easy. I don't mean you, I mean the Pinkie from Equestria. It's easy for you to say how easy it is when you're the most shameless creature in the world. But I'm not you, Pinkie." Twilight sighed.

Pinkie's brow furrowed. "Fine." She stated, waving the waiter over. She was quick, and somewhat uncharacteristically curt with him, placing what the two woman wanted before she shifted back to the other side of the booth. Now they were left in silence. "I understand you aren't me. But friends like me, and the other girls aren't going to judge you for being you. But, if you don't believe me that's fine."

"Don't do that... don't make me feel like the bad guy. It has nothing to do with..." Twilight's voice was filled with something Pinkie had never heard from the stoic violet princess. Pinkie heard sadness. And a growing one at that.

"I'm not trying to make you feel bad. If you want to keep it a secret. Than do it. I won't tell anyone, it isn't for me to tell." Pinkie said. "You don't have an obligation to tell, and we don't have any right to know. It's your choice to tell, I just want you to understand, I know none of us will judge you."

Twilight was silent for a few moments. "Imagine being born expected to succeed. You're loved, and they support you. But no matter how hard you try, you can't get better. No matter how hard you train, or practice, you feel helpless. Then one day, during the biggest test of your life, you panic. In that flurry of emotion, you accidentally unleash magic that impresses the Princess of the Sun herself... You're filled with disbelief, awe, and above all, hope..." She pauses, closing her eyes and finding the energy to continue.

Pinkie stared at Twilight, clearly not expecting this of all things. "O... okay." She said quietly.

Twilight took a deep breath before continuing. "You couldn't be happier. You're Celestia's prized student, and the world's biggest bookworm. Then one day she tells you she's sending you to Ponyville to learn about friendship. It was something I never wanted. But once I had it, I couldn't let it go. That first year in Ponyville was hell. I would have preferred fighting Nightmare Moon, or even Discord again. But the thought of losing your only friends? It's easy to believe, and it's even easier to doubt. I can't say the same for you, because I honestly don't know... I learned to live with the fear that some friendships don't last, and it could end quicker than it started. Especially when you're put on a pedestal for ponies to stare at... they see a new alicorn, a new princess. How would you feel about revealing my secret if you were in my shoes?"

"I'd be scared too." Pinkie said quietly, her entire being drooping a little bit.

Twilight wrapped her arms around Pinkie tightly, catching the party girl by surprise. "Fortunately, you know. And you're here right now. So I don't have to hide it right now... and I couldn't be happier."

Pinkie smiled a little again, returning the hug. She seemed a bit brighter now, but still not completely back to her normal bubbly self.

Twilight’s smile shrank, but still remained warm and friendly. “You know… when I first met you in Equestria, you drove me crazy. The singing, the laughing, everything. It was the polar opposite of what I was used to growing up. But then you know what happened?”

“What?”

Twilight closed her eyes, picturing a certain pink pony hopping through Ponyville with a mob of colts and fillies chasing after. “I saw what friendship was capable of. You smiled, and it made everypony else smile. You laughed, and other ponies laughed, sometimes not even knowing why they were laughing. I made a mistake a while back, one that almost cost me my friends, and nearly ruined everything we built together. It was also the same mistake that made me a princess. But in the arduous quest it took to fix what I broke, I saw a glimpse of Ponyville without Pinkie Pie.” She said, cupping Pinkie’s cheeks. “You may not make the sun rise, or hold the moon in the sky. But you are the life of the town. There wouldn’t be a me, without you.”

Pinkie’s bright bubbly nature returned in full. She tightly hugged Twilight, pulling her into the tightest hug she had received yet.

“Thank you Pinkie… don’t ever stop smiling.” Twilight buried her face into the pink girl's neck.

“I already told you, I won’t.” Pinkie squeezed her a bit more, just holding Twilight for a few moments.

“Hey…” Twilight’s smile grew significantly.

“Yeah?” Pinkie asked curiously.

“I think our pizza is ready.” Twilight and Pinkie turned to see the waiter standing beside, smiling down at them with a large platter that looked far too heavy for him to hold with one hand. Yet he held it effortlessly.

“Great! Let’s dig in then, pizza is literally the greatest thing ever!” Pinkie said happily. The waiter set the pizza down on the table, leaving the two to eat the entire massive pizza laid out before them.

Twilight stared down at the pizza with a few blinks between. “Does it come with a knife and fork?”

“Silly, you eat it with your hands!” Pinkie said, lifting a piece up and putting it on a smaller plate and handed it to Twilight. She scooped another piece for herself and began to chow down on it.

Twilight lifted the plate, staring down at the slice. She brought the plate close to her face and slid the piece of pizza slowly off the plate and into her mouth, biting a large chunk off.

Pinkie just started laughing, “No, you have to pick it up!” She giggled. “And I don’t mean the plate!”

Twilight, her mouth full, slurred out something inaudible as she chewed.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full! You’ll spit out all the pizza if you do!” Pinkied said, giggling even harder.

Even Twilight seemed to be struggling not to laugh and choke. Her eyes were clamped shut, and she pressed her face into the table.

Pinkie grinned widely, leaning over and hugging Twilight, smearing her in pizza grease.

Twilight swallowed the mouthful in one big gulp. With her mouth empty, all Twilight could do was sputter and laugh, trying to shove Pinkie away.

“I’m so happy you’re enjoying it so much!” Pinkie said gleefully.

Twilight’s smile began to die down. There was almost what Pinkie felt as dread creeping up in her stomach. She knew it was all coming right from Twilight. “Who should we tell next?”