Chapter 3: Twilight: Act Like a Princess!

"So, who would like to go next?" Rarity asked, looking around.

"I would!" Twilight said excitedly, clapping her hooves together. She had only played Truth or Dare once when the storm in Ponyville forced Rarity and Applejack to stay at the Golden Oak Library for the night. It hadn't turned out like Twilight thought it would be. But now was a time when Twilight could play Truth or Dare with all of her friends.

"What do you choose, Princess?" Pinkie asked, bouncing up and down.

Twilight paused. What would she go with? Picking truth would help her friends know more about herself and establish more trust between them all. But dare would prove Twilight was willing to have as much fun as everypony else. Such indecision!

She finally picked what she would do: "Dare!"

Something clicked in Rainbow's head. Princess...Twilight didn't like ponies addressing her as Princess or Your Highness. So what were to happen if Twilight had to use those titles, as well as her crown?

"Alright, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash said. She flapped her wings, flying inches below the ceiling. "I've got a real good dare for you!"

"So what dare do you have for me?" Twilight asked. The dare could be anything, from drinking hot sauce or racing her across Equestria. At this point, Twilight was beginning to regret choosing dare.

"I dare you to spend one hour acting like Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Rainbow Dash declared. "30 minutes outside of this castle, and another 30 minutes with us!"

"What?" Twilight's jaw dropped. She shook her head, trying to process the dare. "You want me to spend 30 minutes acting like a princess in Ponyville, and another 30 minutes acting like a princess with all of you?"

Rarity giggled. "My, my, Dashie!" she said. "What an excellent dare. It'd be marvelous to see Twilight act like a princess!"

"You know, you can back out of the dare!" Pinkie Pie said in a sing-song voice to Twilight.

Twilight sighed. "No. I will not back out. I chose dare, and if it means I have to act like a princess, then so be it," she said. On the inside, Twilight was anxious. She never acted like Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, or Princess Cadance. Everypony treated her like she was special, and Twilight acted like it was nothing. What would ponies think of her when she took on the title of Princess Twilight Sparkle----and actually use it? Would they whisper rumors and tell neighboring cities about her behavior? Would her reputation as the Princess of Friendship be ruined? Will ponies still trust her?

You're worrying too much. That's what Spike would have said, were he with them.

"Wanna start using your thirty minutes outside?" Rainbow Dash.

"Just to get this over with," Twilight replied.

"Somepony should go with her, to make sure Twilight acts like a princess," Rarity said.

"Ooh! Ooh! Applejack should go!" Pinkie exclaimed. 'She's the Element of Honesty, after all!"

Rainbow Dash was suddenly in Twilight's face. "You better keep an eye on Apple Butt, too," she said.

"Soarin's in Cloudsdale. Applejack is an earth pony," Twilight said. "You're overreacting a bit too much."

"And you don't?" Rainbow asked.

Twilight remembered the time she had to choose a friend to go to the gala with. She tried to make sense out of Pinkie's Pinkie Sense. She had panicked when she didn't have a lesson to send to Princess Celestia. There were dozens of times Twilight worried too much. And she had worried just now.

"Touché," Twilight replied.

Twilight and Applejack left the room, leaving the four ponies to continue playing. Twilight grabbed her crown and scepter from her room and threw on a red cape. As they reached the door, Twilight levitated her crown onto her head.

"I regret choosing dare," Twilight admitted, staring at the doors.

"Ah regret picking truth," Applejack confessed. "But ya got this, Twi. It's just thirty minutes. It'll be fine."

Twilight smiled at her. "Thanks, AJ," she said.

Applejack opened the doors for Twilight with little difficulty.

Twilight levitated her scepter with her magic and walked down the steps.

Princess Twilight and Applejack walked into town. Ponies glanced at them and then stared. Applejack could understand. Twilight never wore her crown, and never carried a scepter and wore a cape.

One pony, Amethyst Star, kneeled as Princess Twilight passed. The princess smiled down at Amethyst.

Other ponies followed her example. Applejack said, "Behold! Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship."

"Hi, Princess Twilight!" said Lyra Strings.

"Good evening, Your Highness," giggled Berry Punch.

"Good evening, citizens of Ponyville," Princess Twilight said. She passed by kneeling ponies and occasionally signed autographs. Ponies squealed and chattered excitedly.

"You're doing good, Princess Twi," Applejack said with a wink.

"That's Princess Twilight," the princess said, but she was smiling.

"Isn't this amazing, Spike?" Starlight asked.

"Yeah! It's awesome!" Spike replied.

Starlight Glimmer and Spike were at the entrance of the Star Night Festival. Lit lamp posts were scattered around blue-and-purple tents and booths. White and yellow flag banners were hung from a cord, tied at lamp posts. Some banners had small jars filled with fireflies hanging from them. Ponies trotted from booth to booth, winning prizes and spending bits. Some booths sent delicious fragrances into the air like baking popcorn and nachos dipped in melted cheese. Most importantly, ponies were having fun. An announcement could be heard from a large tent: "The Constellation Contest will begin in fifteen minutes. Telescopes will be provided as well as quills, ink, and paper. Come and have a go!"

"I guess we have fifteen minutes before the contest," Spike said.

"Mm-hmm," Starlight agreed. "So what do you want to play first?"

"I've always loved that water gun game," Spike said.

They walked into the festival grounds. "A water gun game?" Starlight asked.

"You haven't played that?" Spike asked.

"I was kind of busy creating a picture of equality as a filly," Starlight said, embarrassed. She blushed and her head drooped.

"Well, now it's time for me to teach you!" Spike said excitedly.

They searched around the festival booths. They found several food booths and even a water-dunking station, and, at last, found the water gun game. The booth was called, "Water Gun Balloon Blast!" Six ponies were waiting for another two players to begin playing. There were three shelves, lined with prizes. The first row had replicas of Princess Luna crowns and donut pillows. The second shelf was stocked with dark blue masks, as if for a masquerade, and blue-and-yellow striped rubber balls. The third row had Princess Luna plushies and white water guns. The countertop ponies sat in front of was lined with water guns. Below the shelves were red-and-white target boards. In the center, where the bull's-eye would be was a hole. There was something on top of the boards.

Starlight and Spike took their seats. The booth pony said, "It's two bits per player." The booth pony was a mare, with light blue hair in a bun, a yellow coat, and magenta eyes.

"It's on me," Starlight said before Spike could take out his bits. Starlight gave the booth pony four bits.

"Alright, my little ponies, the game begins in ten seconds!" the booth pony said.

Starlight panicked suddenly. She turned to Spike. "How do you play?" she asked frantically.

"Relax!" Spike said. "Hold the button on the side of the gun. You have to aim the gun at the bull's-eye. Your balloon grows if you get the water in. If your balloon pops, you win!"

"Ready? Set? Go!" the booth pony said.

Starlight barely had time to register the words as she instinctively held down the button. She aimed at the bull's-eye like Spike had explained, but the target board was moving.

"Nopony told me the target moves!" Starlight exclaimed.

"Some games do that, others don't!" Spike replied.

Starlight managed to catch up with the target. She glanced up at her balloon as well as the others. Her balloon was catching up with the second pony's balloon. She went back to her target and focused on the movement. The water spewed into the hole and the balloon gradually became bigger.

Bam!

Alarms and blue lights went off. Starlight stared at her balloon and saw it was gone, pieces of it strewn everywhere.

"I won?" Starlight looked around. The other ponies clapped politely. Some left to play another game.

"Congratulations!" the booth pony said. "What'll your prize be?"

Starlight stared up. She really wanted the Princess Luna crown, but then took another look at the other prizes. Finally, she made up her mind. "I'd like the water gun, please!"

The booth pony took out a stepping stool and reached for the water gun. She gave Starlight the water gun and said, "Thanks for playing!"

"Wow! Congrats on the win!" Spike said.

"Beginner's luck," Starlight said modestly.

"Hey, how about we buy some food before the contest?" Spike asked.

"Sounds delicious!" Starlight said.

Spike laughed. The two went back to the food booths and bought two strawberry smoothies and hay fries.

Starlight and Spike found a place to eat, a few yards away from the Constellation tent. Spike asked, "So, you having fun so far?"

"Considering I've played only one game and won myself a water gun, yes!" Starlight said. She popped some more hay fries in her mouth. "And shoon, we're gonna win that contesht!"

"Everypony, look! It's Princess Twilight!" Starlight and Spike suddenly heard a pony exclaim.

"Princess Twilight?" Spike asked slowly.

"But Twilight never uses her title," Starlight said, swallowing her food.

"I guess Twilight's changed her mind," Spike said. "Let's go check it out before the contest starts."

Starlight and Spike got up from their seats and trotted past a few booths. They saw Twilight wearing her crown and a red cape. Her scepter was levitating in the air. Ponies kneeled as she passed. Applejack walked with Twilight.

"Hey, Twilight!" Spike greeted.

"It's Princess Twilight, actually," Princess Twilight said, forcing a smile.

"Princess Twilight? What are you all up to?" Starlight asked Applejack.

"Rainbow dared Princess Twilight to act like a princess for 30 minutes outside of the castle," AJ explained.

"I'm famished. I think I could go for some popcorn," Princess Twilight said.

"I'll get you some popcorn!" said one pony.

"Here! Take the rest of my popcorn!" another said.

"I make the best popcorn in Ponyville!" said a third pony.

"Applejack, would you please buy me a bag of popcorn?" Princess Twilight asked.

"No problem, Your Highness," Applejack said. She trotted around to find some popcorn.

"How's it going, Twi----Princess Twilight?" Spike said.

"I am doing well," Princess Twilight replied. "Though this cape is starting to get bothersome." She took off her coat and folded it with her magic. She gave it to Spike and said, "When you get back home, bring this with you. I have some business with the princesses later on."

"Ladies and gentlecolts, the Constellation Contest is about to begin!" an announcer declared.

"That's our cue," Starlight said. "See you later, Princess Twilight."

Princess Twilight smiled. "I wish you two the best of luck!" she said. She watched Starlight and Spike run towards the contest area.

"What are you going to speak to the princesses about?" a pony next to Princess Twilight asked.

"A very important matter that involves a compromise between the both of them," Princess Twilight replied.

As soon as Applejack came back, Princess Twilight said, "My little ponies, I am afraid I must leave to Canterlot! It was lovely seeing you all tonight!"

"Huh?" AJ asked, puzzled.

"Applejack, we are going to Canterlot to meet with the princesses about an important matter," she explained. Princess Twilight waved goodbye to the ponies. She cast her teleportation spell and the two ponies were in Canterlot Castle.

"Ya know, ah never did get a good look at this place," Applejack said.

"As a filly, this castle became my home," Princess Twilight explained. "I remember it even after a long period of time."

Princess Twilight traveled with Applejack to the Throne Room. On the way, Princess Twilight acknowledged the Royal Guards and conversed with them. She also snacked on the popcorn Applejack bought.

Finally, Princess Twilight reached two recognizable huge doors. Two unicorn Royal Guards stood in front of the doors.

"Princess Twilight." The Royal Guards kneeled before her.

"Good evening," she said. "Are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna busy?"

"Not at the moment, Your Highness," one guard replied.

"Excellent. I would like an audience with them both," Princess Twilight said.

"Of course, Your Majesty," the second guard said.

The Royal Guards moved out of the way and opened the doors with their magic.

Princess Celestia was talking with Princess Luna, occasionally chuckling and smiling.

Princess Twilight walked forwards, Applejack following from behind.

As the two ponies drew closer, Princess Celestia turned. She looked surprised to see Twilight with her crown and scepter. Applejack couldn't agree more. Princess Luna looked up, as well. They exchanged looks and Princess Celestia said, "Twilight! Applejack! good evening. What brings you to Canterlot?"

"It's actually Princess Twilight," the princess corrected.

Princess Celestia blinked. She turned to Applejack for an explanation.

"It'd be better hearing it from Her Highness," Applejack said.

"Well, Princess Twilight," Celestia said, "what can we do for you?"

Princess Twilight cleared her throat. "You see, Princess Celestia, the bearers of the Elements of Harmony and I are playing the game of, 'Truth or Dare.' On my turn, I chose dare. I was given the dare of acting like Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"And this involves us how?" Princess Luna asked.

"You see, I was dared to act like this for an hour. It will be a long hour. And the game ends at midnight. But the game needs to keep going so there can be more fun and truth and dares done. And fun revenge," Princess Twilight explained. "Make midnight never arrive until I give you the word. Let the game last so I can get back at the pony who has dared me to act like Princess Twilight."

"Princess Twilight, you understand what would happen if we were to set back the time?" Princess Celestia asked sternly.

"Yes. And I have created a solution," Princess Twilight replied. "There can be two special days. They shall be called Daylight Savings. One day, ponies will gain one more hour of sleep, setting the time back by an hour. On the other day, the ponies will lose a day of sleep, and the clock will go forward."

"And you suggest Daylight Savings to be today?" Princess Luna asked.

"Yes," Princess Twilight replied.

"Give us a minute to consider this," Princess Celestia said. The sisters raised their wings, as to make their conversation private.

"Princess Twilight, are you sure about this?" Applejack asked.

Princess Twilight nodded. "I am. Acting like I am currently is strange, but fun seeing how ponies react to me as Princess Twilight. And I love this game. I would like for it to continue for a long time."

"It'll only be an extra hour," Applejack pointed out.

"Then an hour I shall have."

Princess Celestia turned. "Princess Twilight, we accept your suggestion. We shall alert Equestria of these changes," she said. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to come back and ask."

"Thank you for your time," Princess Twilight said. She cast her teleportation spell once more and they were back in the Mane Room.

"Not a second too soon!" Rainbow Dash said.

A smile pulled at the corners of Princess Twilight's lips. "Rainbow Dash, you are in the presence of Princess Twilight Sparkle. This goes to everypony else when I say kneeling must be done before me."

Pinkie Pie giggled. "That's the spirit, Princess Twilight!" she said. They all kneeled to Twilight, including Applejack.

"Hey, Applejack didn't cause any funny business, did she?" Rainbow Dash asked sternly, suddenly in Princess Twilight's face.

"No. She was fine," Princess Twilight replied. She turned to face everypony else. "As Princess of Friendship, I request that the next turn shall go to Rarity!"

Rarity looked surprised. "Me?" she asked.

"Yes. As a personal request from the princess," Princess Twilight said.

"Hey! You're not done with your turn!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Do you want to wait another hour for the next turn?" Princess Twilight asked.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "I guess not," she said. She flew onto her bed and said, "Your go, Rarity!"