//-------------------------------------------------------// Equestria Girls: Through the Mirror -by Apple Frost- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue Eleanor's POV. Wowsers! It's only been less than a day since Twilight became an Alicorn, and already we're getting ready for her first Princess Summit. Don't get me wrong, I'm not jealous. I'm proud of my friend to earn this title. I just wish a certain somepony was patient enough that she would be able to earn this title herself. I guess you can't beat a river into submission, huh? Twilight, the Girls, Spike and I took the Friendship Express to the Crystal Empire, where the Summit was taking place. "Hoo-wee! Your very first Princess Summit!" Applejack smiled, "You must be over the moon, Twilight." Twilight smiled back, "I am excited." Then she frowned, "But to be honest I'm a little nervous too." "You're nervicited!" Pinkie grinned, startling Twilight and Applejack, "It's like you want to jump up and down and yell, 'Yay me!'" She jumped into the air, then curled into a small ball, "But you also want to curl up in a teeny-tiny ball and hide at the same time!" Pinkie stood up and ruffled Twilight's mane, "We've all been there!" "I'm there almost every day." Fluttershy whispered with a sulk. "You got no reason to fret, Twi." Applejack assured, earning a nod from me, "Everything's gonna be just-" Before she could finish, Rarity dashed to Twilight and gasped, "Twilight!" She calmed and started looking around Twilight's head, "Oh, sorry, darling. But I just realized you're not wearing your crown." Then asked her, "You haven't forgotten it back in Ponyville, have you?" "It's in my bag." Twilight answered, gesturing to Spike and her suitcase, "I just feel a little self-conscious about wearing it." Then she unfolded her wings, "I haven't really gotten accustomed to these yet either." Twilight flapped her wings and jumped into the air. She was able to stay into the air for a few seconds before landing poorly on the ground. Looks like Rainbow Dash might have her work cut out with this one. Hehehe. Or, maybe since Rainbow said I was a natural, I should teach Twilight how to fly. Bat Ponies and Pegasi don't fly very differently. So Alicorns are no exception. "You are a princess now, Twilight. Embrace it." Rarity encouraged, as I helped Twilight back to her hooves, "I'm telling you, if I had a crown like that, I would never take it off. Why, I'd sleep in the thing!" I gave Rarity a slightly disgusted look, while Twilight rolled her eyes with a smile. I'm pretty sure Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadence don't sleep with their crowns still on their heads. That's just creepy and quite unhealthy. We continued into the castle. Inside the Main Throne Room, Crystal Pony Guards were lined along a purple carpet, playing trumpets in ceremonial welcome. Twilight was the first to walk in. She looked around in confusion, until she bumped into an amber-colored Pegasus stallion with blue mane and tail. Blue eyes and wore the same armor suit as the other guards. The two recovered and the Pegasus announced with a smile, "Her Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle." Cadence was to first to greet her sister-in-law, "Twilight!" The two shared a hug, "I haven't seen you since the coronation." "We have so much to discuss." Princess Celestia spoke up with a gentle smile, "But it can wait until tomorrow. You all look tired from your journey." Then told us, "Now, off to bed, all of you." Everyone agreed and made our way to our assigned rooms. I shared a room with Twilight and Spike. Twilight, Spike and I were unpacking our things, changing into our pjs and getting ready for bed. However, Twilight seems very troubled. She put her crown over her head and gave out a heavy sigh. Unfortunately, I was unable to speak, after what happened with Chrysalis, so Spike asked, "What's wrong, Twilight?" "I don't know, Spike. I'm just worried, I guess." Twilight answered with a small frown, "Princess Cadence was given the Crystal Empire to rule over. What if now that I'm a princess, Celestia expects me to lead a kingdom of my own?" "That would be awesome!" Spike smiled with excitement. "No, it would not." Twilight argued, then made her way to her bed, "Just because I have this crown and these wings, it doesn't mean I'll be a good leader." She put the crown on the bedside drawer, next to her bed. I gave Twilight an assuring hand over her shoulder and a gentle smile. Princess Celestia made you a Princess for a reason, Twilight. She saw something in you, you have yet to discover. You'll be fine. Twilight gave me a small smile back. Like she can hear me. "Aw, sure you will, Twilight." Spike assured, as Twilight tucked herself into bed, "But come on, you should get some shuteye. Big day tomorrow." He switched off the lamp and he and I tucked ourselves into our own beds. It was quiet, until we heard the sound of moving and Twilight sighing in annoyance. "Can't tuck!" Twilight growled, as she tried to keep her wings folded under the sheets, but was having trouble. She sat up and forced her wings to fold against her back, "Just trying to get comfortable!" Twilight tucked herself back under the sheets and closed her eyes. However her wings sprung open, throwing the blanket into the air. Twilight growled as the blanket covered her whole body. I gave a quiet giggle and made my way to Twilight's bed. I got the blanket off Twilight and started massaging her shoulder blades, where her wings were. Twilight let out a sigh of relief and relaxation. Her wings reacted and folded neatly against her back. I stopped and helped Twilight tuck herself into bed. Once the new Princess was asleep and relaxed, I went back to my bed and looked at Twilight's crown. Then I closed my eyes. In the darkness of my eyelids, I could still see Twilight Element of Magic. https://img.youtube.com/vi/E6IA8AVtC98/mqdefault.jpg //-------------------------------------------------------// The Crown Thief //-------------------------------------------------------// The Crown Thief Eleanor's POV. Twilight, Spike and I were sleeping soundly and quietly, until there was a sudden sound of falling and the door swinging open. Spike and I woke up with a gasp and looked around, "What?" Twilight woke up in a stir and saw a Pony at the doorway, wearing a hooded cloak, carrying her crown in her arm. Twilight gasped and shouted, "My crown! She’s got my crown!" The thief opened the door and charged down the hallway. Twilight and I jumped out of bed and chased after her, "Stop! Thief!" The others woke up and exit their rooms. Twilight dashed past them, "She’s stolen my crown!" Twilight and I chased after the thief. I took off into the air and blocked the Pony's path. The Pony and I clashed into each other. She tried to push me out of the way, but I was pushing back, to stop her from escaping. "Stop!" Twilight shouted and to ran to meet up with us. With a smirk, the Pony used magic to disappear in front of me, leaving the cloak over my face. She reappeared behind me and smiled at me. I removed the cloak and looked at the Pony. She was definitely female. A Unicorn mare with amber-golden fur coat. Cyan eyes and a red mane and tail with yellow streaks. She wore a purple tank top, with a leather jacket, and an orange-golden skirt. My eyes widened and I gasped. I thought I would never see her again. I thought she was gone for good. My blood ran cold. I couldn't move. Sunset Shimmer! Sunset Shimmer smiled at me and resumed running down the hallway. The other girls ran past me and chased after her. Twilight leaped and caught Shimmer. The two rolled into a study room, with a familiar mirror inside. The crown bounced out of Shimmer's arms and into the mirror. The Girls gasped, while Shimmer smiled. Twilight turned to Sunset Shimmer, "What did you do with my crown?" "Sorry it had to be this way..." Sunset Shimmer answered, then teleported toward the mirror, "Princess." Without hesitation, she charged into the mirror. Twilight and the girls gasped. "Who was that?" Fluttershy asked. Twilight turned to me, I rubbed my arm in discomfort, "You know her, don't you, Ellie?" Ashamed and shaken from what has happened, I nodded my head. "Well? Who is she?" Rainbow Dash asked me. "What happened?" Celestia asked, appearing from behind us. "A Unicorn stole my crown and took it into that mirror." Twilight explained, pointing to the mirror. Celestia looked at me, "Was it her?" I nodded. "Who is she, Princess?" Rarity asked. *Later, That Morning...* "Sunset Shimmer, a former student of mine and Eleanor's first friend in Equestria." Princess Celestia explained to Twilight and the Girls, "She began her studies with me not long before Twilight. But when she did not get what she wanted as quickly as she liked, she turned cruel and dishonest. Eleanor and I tried to help her, but she eventually decided to abandon her studies and pursue her own path. One that has sadly led her to stealing your crown." "She replaced Twilight’s with this one." Spike spoke up, showing us an identical tiara, except the gem was obviously fake. Celestia looked at the tiara, "I suppose Sunset Shimmer thought you wouldn’t notice right away that this was not yours." She started walking down the room, to the study, Twilight followed after her, "And by the time you did, it would be too late to go after your crown and Element of Harmony." "But I don’t understand!" Twilight shook her head, then asked, "Where did she go? Where did she take the crown?" "You’ll soon know more about this place than even I do." Celestia answered calmly. With that, the Princesses, the Girls, Spike, Twilight and I returned to the study, where the mirror was located. "This is no ordinary mirror." Princess Luna explained, "It is a gateway to another world, a gateway that opens once every thirty moons." Pinkie Pie put her hand over the mirror's surface. It sent ripples and a magical shine, like a magical pool of water. Pinkie smiled, "Sparkly!" Luna rolled her eyes and pushed Pinkie away from the mirror, "It has always been kept in the throne room of Canterlot Castle. But when Princess Cadence took over the Crystal Empire, we sent it here for her to watch over." Celestia let out a heavy sigh, behind us, "I had always hoped that Sunset Shimmer would someday use it to return, to come back to Equestria seeking my guidance. Obviously, this is not what has happened." I rubbed my arms. I missed Sunset Shimmer so much. I still blame myself for her leaving and this happening to her. If only I helped her stay in her room and focused her studies for the exams... Or said no... Princess Celestia put her hand over my shoulder, "It's not your fault, Eleanor. You did what you thought was right." I regained my smile. Then Cadence spoke up, "Twilight, you must use the mirror to go into this other world and retrieve your crown. Without it, the other Elements of Harmony have no power and Equestria is left without one of its most important means of defense." Twilight walked toward the mirror and nodded in determination. The Girls and I looked at each other. "Your crown does not belong in the place Sunset Shimmer now calls home." Luna explained, "And in her possession, your Element of Harmony will no doubt be used to bring harm to the inhabitants of this other realm. They will not have the power to defend themselves." Twilight grabbed her backpack from Luna. "You understand the importance of your task?" Celestia asked her protégé. Twilight nodded, "Of course." Celestia nodded, "Good. Then you must go at once." Twilight took a breath and approached the mirror. Rainbow Dash quickly jumped in front of Twilight, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. She’s going? We’re going with her." She turned to us, "Right, girls?" The Girls and I nodded in agreement. Pinkie grew a Cheshire grin, "Oooooh! I’m so nervicited!" "You do realize that’s not a real word, right?" Applejack asked with a raised brow. Twilight smiled, but Princess Celestia shook her head, "I’m afraid I can’t let you go." "What?!? Why not?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, stomping her hoof. "Sending all of you could upset the balance of this alternate world, creating havoc that would make it impossible for Twilight to get the crown back from Sunset Shimmer." Celestia explained, "This is something Princess Twilight must do alone." "Time is of the essence." Princess Luna spoke up, using her magic to show a projection of the moon, "On the third day, when the moon reaches its peak in the night sky, the gateway will close. And once it does, it will be another thirty moons before you will be able to use it to return." With that, Rainbow Dash stepped aside, letting Twilight approach the mirror. Twilight reached into the mirror, but hesitated to enter. She turned to Celestia, who nodded in agreement. Twilight took a breath then looked at me. I walked over to her. Twilight threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back. Stay safe, Twilight. Twilight released the hug and entered the mirror. Unable to fight back his instincts, Spike charged toward the mirror. The Girls cried, "SPIKE, NO!!" Spike pushed past me and entered the mirror. The impact of the collision caused me to lose my balance and fall into the mirror as well. The last thing I saw was a colorful vortex and powerful magic making my head hurt, before my vision went black. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Faith and The Shimmer //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Just a heads up. In my telling of this story, everyone in the Human Equestria will have human names. The only ones that don't are Spike, Twilight and Sunset, since they're from Pony Equestria. The Faith and The Shimmer Eleanor's POV. Twilight, Spike and I journeyed through the hall, trying to find a place to think. Until we heard a familiar, soft voice speak from the corner, "Oh, I’m really sorry." Twilight cupped her ear for a better listen, "I-I just found it and-and I thought I should give it to her." Twilight looked at me. I took her hand and lead her to the corner. Down the hallway, two teenage girls were talking. "I didn’t know you had dropped it." The voice finished. "Well, I did, and I was about to get it before you swooped in and ruined everything!" The other girl shouted angrily. All we could see was the back of her wavy, sunset-themed hair. Twilight and I gasped in recognition. The soft voice belonged to a young teenage girl. Her skin was a very light butter yellow. Familiar, hooded opal blue eyes. Long, cherry blossom pink hair that can cover her face. She wore a butterfly burette to keep her bangs from her face. A sundress with a white top and a green bottom with a familiar butterfly Cutie Mark. Along with matching green boots. Fluttershy! "You shouldn’t pick up things that don’t belong to you." The other girl finished. Fluttershy's counterpart moved a strand of hair from her face and answered, "It... It doesn’t really belong to you either." "Excuse me?!?" The other girl shouted, slamming her hands on the lockers around Fluttershy's counterpart. "Nothing." Fluttershy's counterpart squeaked, sinking to the ground. "That’s what I thought." The other girl smirked, getting a growl from Spike, "It’s as good as mine, and you know it. You really are pathetic. It’s no wonder your best friends are all stray animals." I had enough! I marched out of the corner and marched toward the girl. I grabbed her arm, forcing her to turn toward me, and slapped her across the face, hard. The impact of my hand on her cheek echoed in the hall. I got a good look at the girl's face. Aside from the flaming red hand-mark on her left cheek, her skin was a light amber-gold. Her eyes were a familiar cyan. She wore a familiar purple tank top and orange skirt. A black leather jacket and matching boots. The girl glared darts at me, but I stood my ground, unfazed. She grabbed my arm, ready to strike back, but Twilight stepped in and shouted, "Don't you dare hurt my friend!" The girl turned to Twilight, "What did you say?" "I said, Don't you dare hurt my friend!" Twilight repeated, marching toward me and the girl. Twilight and the girl glared at each other. The girl smirked, let go of me and flicked Twilight's chin, "You two must be new here." Then she walked down the hallway, "I can hurt anyone any way I want." As she walked down, the girl glared at a male teen. He gasped and hid in his locker. The girl continued down the hallway. Twilight looked at me, "Ellie, are you okay? Did she hurt you?" I shook my head, then offered my hand to Fluttershy's counterpart and helped her to her feet. "I can’t believe you two did that!" She gasped at me and Twilight. "I couldn’t just stand there." Twilight shrugged. "Well, it’s just that nobody ever stands up to Sunset Shimmer." Fluttershy's counterpart replied. Twilight and my eyes widen in surprise, "Sunset Shimmer?" I looked at my hands. I couldn't believe that I just slapped my best friend across the face. She blended in so well I didn't recognise her sooner. "You’ve heard of her?" Fluttershy's counterpart asked. "Sort of." Twilight answered, while I nodded. "I don’t think I’ve seen neither of you two around before." Fluttershy's counterpart thought back, then asked, "Did you just transfer to Canterlot High from another school?" Twilight thought for a second, then gave an uneasy smile, "Yes! Another... School." Then she bowed her head, "My name’s Twilight." And gestured to me, "And this is my friend, Ellie." I bowed my head in greeting. "I’m... Faith." Fluttershy's counterpart, Faith, introduced herself in a whisper. "Sorry, what was that?" Twilight asked, cupping her ear. Huh... Look at that... Deja vu... "It’s Faith." Faith answered, more quietly and quickly, backing a bit from Twilight. Twilight rubbed her chin, "It sounds like you’re saying 'Faith'..." Then looked at me and Spike, "But... How can that...?" In 3... 2... 1... Faith saw Spike and instantly smiled, "Oh, my goodness!" She dashed over and kneelt to Spike's height, as possible, "Who’s this sweet little guy?" "That’s Spike. My, uh... Dog." Twilight answered, unsure. Faith smiled, "Oh, he’s so cute!" Then she got a dog biscuit from her backpack and gave it to Spike, "Go on. Eat up, little pup." Spike took a small bite. He smiled and took the whole treat. "Oh, wouldn’t you just give anything to know what they’re really thinking?" Faith wondered, smiling happily at Spike. "He usually just tells me." Twilight blurted. I quickly covered her mouth as Faith turned to us, "Oh, wh-what do you mean?" Twilight, dogs can't talk in this world. Spike barked, turning Faith's attention back to him. Twilight removed my hand, recollected herself and shook her head, "Oh, uh, nothing. Never mind." Then she got straight to the point, "Sunset Shimmer said you’d picked something up, something that belonged to her. It wasn’t a crown, was it?" Faith turned to her in surprise, "How did you know?" "Uh, lucky guess?" Twilight answered, then asked, "Do you still have it?" Faith shook her head, "But you know what happened to it?" Faith nodded, then told her story, "This morning, I was passing out flyers for the animal shelter, like I do every Wednesday. Then the crown hit me at the back of the head." She sat down and petted Spike, "I have no idea how it got there. But I didn’t want anything to happen to it, so I decided to give it to Principal Cynthia. "'Principal Cynthia'?" Twilight repeated in confusion, "She’s the ruler here?" Faith nodded, "You could say that. Technically, I guess she and Vice-Principal Lauren do make the rules." "Where is she now?" Twilight asked. "Probably in her office." Faith answered. With that, Twilight and Spike dashed down the hallway in opposite direction. I closed my eyes, pushed my glasses up my nose and shook my head. Twilight and Spike quickly returned in embarrassment. "Third door on your left." Faith quickly answered with a smile. "Thank you!" Twilight replied, with me bowing my head. She, Spike and I took the corner, until Faith called us, "Oh, wait! You’re not really supposed to have pets on school grounds." She told us, pointing to Spike. Then she whispered, "Might want to tuck him into your backpack. That’s what I do." She turned to show her yellow backpack and a small white cat, a rabbit that looked like Angel Bunny, and a small red bird jumped out of her backpack. "They just get so lonely when I’m at school all day." Fluttershy told us, petting her pets. "Oh... Okay. Thank you." Twilight smiled. Then another bell rang loudly. Faith gasped in alert, "Oh, no! I’m late for class!" She scooped her pets into her backpack and made her way down the hall, waving 'goodbye' at us. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Fall Formal //-------------------------------------------------------// The Fall Formal Eleanor's POV. "Come in." A familiar voice answered, as I knocked the door. Twilight bowed her head and opened the door, as she and I enter the Principal's office. "How may I help you?" The Principal asked. Twilight stood up and looked at me and Spike in confusion. Twilight took off her backpack and laid it near the desk. She started to stutter, "Um, uh…" The principal laid the folder, she was reading, onto her desk and looked at us. Principal Cynthia looked very much like Princess Celestia. She wore a sunlight yellow blazer over a magenta and white striped shirt. With a sun broach on her left flap. Purple khaki pants and shoes. Twilight quickly shook her head and regained herself, "My name’s Twilight Sparkle and this is my friend, Eleanor Carter. We're new here and, well, I understand that Faith found a crown this morning and gave it to you. "Faith Summers?" Principal Cynthia asked, standing up from her chair, "Yes. I’ve had Vice-Principal Lauren put it somewhere for safekeeping." She walked over to a file cabinet and put the file inside, "No idea how it ended up on the front lawn. Were you interested in running for Princess of the Fall Formal this year?" Twilight shook her head, still stuck on a though in her head, "Uh, no, not exactly. The truth is... Well, the truth is, I... You see..." Principal Cynthia looked at me in confusion, "The crown is actually..." Then Twilight's eyes widen in clarity, "Princess of the Fall Formal?" Principal Cynthia nodded and marked an 'X' on a dry-eraser chart, "It’s Canterlot High’s big fall dance." Twilight regained her smile, "Like the Grand Galloping Gala." "Uh... Grand Galloping Gala?" Principal Cynthia repeated in confusion. Spike popped out of Twilight's bag, but Twilight quickly pushed him back in, "Oh, uh, it was a big deal at our old school." "And was there a Princess?" Principal Cynthia asked. Twilight nodded, "Yes." Then shook her head, "But she wasn’t exactly a student." I couldn't help but look at the portraits the Princess of the Fall Formal gallery. All of them were Sunset Shimmer. The first one she was younger in a dress, similar to Celestia's. She looked happy and star-struck. The middle one, Shimmer was older and wore a magenta dress. She was smirking and cocky. The last must have been the most recent. Shimmer was older again, and looked triumphant and had the eyes from before. The maniacal eyes from her reflection. The eyes with the demonic wings. Oh, Shimmer... I'm so sorry... "Here at Canterlot High, the students select one of their peers to represent them. She receives her crown at the Fall Formal." Principal Cynthia explained. Twilight scratched her chin in thought, she grabbed her backpack, then we made our way out. "You asked me if I was interested in running for Princess. Can anyone run?" Twilight asked. Principal Cynthia nodded, "Yes. You just need to let the head of the Fall Formal Planning Committee know you’d like to be on the ballot." Then she asked, "Was there anything else?" Twilight shook her head with a big smile, "Um... Nope, that was it." Princess Cynthia smiled back, "Well, if you do need anything else, my door is always open.' She closed the door. Twilight and I looked each other and walked down the hallways, so we could talk alone. Spike popped out of Twilight's backpack and asked, "Twilight, why didn’t you just tell her the crown was yours and ask for it back?" "Oh, I was going to..." Twilight answered, then added, "But imagine if one of them showed up in Equestria saying they came from a place filled with tall, fleshy, flat-footed, small-faced creatures with no wings or tails! We’d think they were crazy!" Insulted, I nudged the New Princess in her upper-arm. "Ow!" Twilight yelped, rubbing her arm, then glared at me, "What?" I gave her a strong glare and shook my head. Low blow, Twilight! I used to be one of those 'creatures'! As if she could hear my thoughts, Twilight gave me a sheepish, apologetic look, "No offence, Ellie." "You make a good point." Spike spoke up. "Looks like if I want my crown back, I’ll have to become Princess of the Canterlot High Fall Formal." Twilight summed up, growing into a large smile, "So that’s what I’m gonna do!" I raised a brow and Spike voiced my thoughts, "And how exactly do you plan on doing that?" "I have no idea!" Twilight answered. Suddenly, the bell rang again. Twilight and I braced ourselves for the horde of students crowded the hallway. I thought back to my memories and remembered something. It's afternoon. Lunch break in high schools! I grabbed Twilight's hand and journeyed to the cafeteria, which was behind a pair of double-doors. Inside, we found Faith lining up to grab a tray of food. Twilight and I joined her. Twilight followed Faith's lead awkwardly. "I know we’ve just met, but I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something.' She told the shy human girl. "Of course!" Faith smiled, grabbing a bowl of fruit salad. Twilight grabbed a bowl and announced, "I’ve decided to run for Princess of the Fall Formal, and-" Faith gasped and dropped her bowl of fruit. The contents splashed and juices caught Twilight's shirt. Faith gasped again, "Oh, gosh!" She looked around and grabbed a stack of napkins, "Sorry, it’s just..." Then she started cleaning Twilight's shirt, "Oh, running for Fall Formal Princess is a really bad idea." "Why?" Twilight asked. "Sunset Shimmer wants to be Fall Formal Princess..." Faith answered, putting the used napkins away, then added in a hushed voice, "And when she wants something, she gets it." Granny Smith's human counterpart gave her a red apple, "She’ll make life awful for anyone who stands in her way." Faith grabbed her tray and walked off, "Just ask the girl who ran against her for Princess of the Spring Fling." Twilight and I grabbed our trays and caught up with her. "I have to try!" Twilight told Faith. Faith shook her head, "Oh, I don’t think you understand. You’d have to convince everyone here to vote for you instead of her." Then she gestured to each table, which had a group of common teens hanging out our enjoying their lunch, "The Athletes... The Fashionistas... The Dramas... The Eco-kids... The Techies... The Rockers... Even the Darks." "Why’s everypony-" Twilight was about to ask, but I nudged her and shook my head, "Uh, everybody separated this way?" "Maybe it was different at your old school, but at CHS, everybody sticks to their own kind." Faith answered, taking a seat on a lonely table. Twilight and I joined her, "One thing they do have in common is that they know Sunset Shimmer is gonna rule this school until we graduate." Faith sulked and ate a spoonful of fruit. I put a hand of sympathy over her shoulder. "Not if I can help it!" Twilight replied, determined. She grabbed the apple and attempted to eat the apple whole, like back in Equestria. Faith looked at her in confusion. Twilight noticed and removed the apple from her mouth, with a sheepish smile. Then she asked, "So, uh... Where would I find the head of the Party Planning Committee?" //-------------------------------------------------------// Phillie and Abigail //-------------------------------------------------------// Phillie and Abigail Eleanor's POV. Thanks to Faith's directions, Twilight, Spike and I made our way to the school's Gymnasium. It was similar to the Gymnasiums in my human memories. A large stage on the far end of the Gym. The floor was wooden with white tapings of a basketball/volleyball court. Rows and rows of benches ran along to walls. It looked the party decorations were half-finished. Tables and chairs were everywhere, full of multi-colored decorations. But... Where was everyone? "Faith said she’d probably be in here." Twilight spoke up, unsure where to look. Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted, "INCOMING!!" A large curtain of streamers and confetti came raining toward us. Twilight and I braced ourselves, and stood up, seeing the entire Gymnasium was covered is confetti and streamers hanging from the catwalks. Twilight and I recovered and saw the person responsible for the rain of party decorations. It was another teenage girl. Her skin was a pale pink color, light blue eyes and her lower-back length hair was a raspberry pink. She smelled of cotton candy and cake frosting. She wore a white dress under a light blue blouse. The shirt was a light shade of fuchsia, with a Cutie Mark of balloons on the right side. A heart design on the chest area of the dress. A light violet sash tied around her waist, with a bow at the back. And matching, light blue boots. Pinkie Pie! The girl pulled on of the blue balloons from her skirt and started blowing into it. Twilight walked up to the girl and waved, "Hi. My name's Twilight Sparkle, and-" The girl turned to her. Twilight gasped in recognition, "Pinkie Pie?" The girl gasped, letting go of the balloon. The balloon released its stored air into her face. Once everything calmed down, the girl grabbed Twilight from her shirt and pulled her close to her face. "Are you psychic?" She asked. Twilight quickly shook her head, "Uh, no. I don’t think. So unless, of course, that’s something you can do here." Pinkie's human counterpart dropped Twilight and shook her head, "Not usually." Then she looked at me and extended her hand to me, "Hey there. I'm Phillie Piper. Nice to meet ya." I smiled a shook her hand. Phillie's smile fell a bit, "You know, you're supposed to tell me your name too." "Ellie can't talk." Twilight told her, then added, "Faith said this was where we'd find the head of the Fall Formal Planning Committee." Phillie turned to Twilight with a look of bitterness, "Faith, huh? Don’t let the whole shy thing fool you. She can be a real bitch." I quickly covered Spike's ears, while Twilight gasped in shock, "You two aren't friends?" Phillie regained her smiled and walked over to Twilight, "Waited a bit to get your name on the ballot, huh? Dance is day after tomorrow." "My friend and I are brand new here." Twilight explained. Phillie's smile brightened, "Ooooh! I thought you didn't look familiar." Then she started looking around Twilight, in a similar fashion that Discord did me, "Though now that I'm really looking at you..." Phillie took a step back and asked, "Do you have a twin sister who lives in the city?" She pointed to Spike, who was playing with a balloon, "Has a pet dog, named 'Spike', that looks just like that one?" My eyes widen with surprise and shock. There's a Twilight here too? Twilight shrugged her shoulders in uncertainty, "Uh, maybe?" Phillie nodded, "Thought so." Then dug out a clipboard and ball-tip pen from her hair, "Anywho, just need to fill this out and you are officially up for the coveted Princess of the Fall Formal crown." She gave Twilight the clipboard and pen. Twilight was unsure how to react. She took the pen and wrote her name onto the clipboard. She gave the pen back and Phillie looked over the clipboard. Phillie gasped in shock, "Wow! You have really bad handwriting. It's like you never held a pen before." Twilight looked at me with a sheepish look and scratched the back of her head with a nervous laugh, "Is it?" I just folded my arms with an unamused look. You have used magic way too long, Twilight. You don't even know you're left-handed. Suddenly, the doors opened and another familiar voice shouted, "Somebody order a dozen cases of fizzy apple cider?" The student entered and rested a case of apple cider on one of the tables near the entrance. Phillie smiled, raised her hand and jumped into the air, "Ooh, ooh! Me! Me, me, me! Me! Yeah! Uh-huh! Me!" The student that brought in the case of drinks was Applejack's human counterpart. Her skin was a light tan with freckles under her eyes. Light blonde hair, tied in a low ponytail and green eyes. She wore a white collared shirt with the top half being green. A denim skirt with a leather belt around her waist, with an apple buckle. Brown boots with a Cutie Mark of three red apples. And a familiar signature setson hat. The cowgirl turned to the entrance and asked, "Can yah bring in the rest?" "Ee-yup." A familiar deep voice answered, as a tall figure entered, carrying four more cases. Applejack's counterpart took the top case and the figure turned out to be the human counterpart of Big McIntosh. Applejack's counterpart turned and saw me and Twilight. She raised a brow, "Hey, I know you!" Twilight raised a brow, "You do?" Applejack's nodded, placing the case on a table, "Sure! You’re the new girls who gave Sunset Shimmer the what-for today." She grabbed a bottle of cider and opened it with her teeth. "Twilight Sparkle, here, is gonna run against Sunset Shimmer for Princess of the Fall Formal." Phillie told her, gesturing to Twilight, then blew another balloon. Applejack's counterpart spat out her drink in shock, then turned to Twilight, "Ah'd think twice about that." Then she shrugged, "Oh, sure, she'll probably approach yah all friendly-like…" She grabbed two balloons and drew two faces onto them. The heart-shaped one with Sunset Shimmer's face, and a yellow balloon with Twilight's face. "'I sure am lookin' forward to some friendly competition'." She quoted in a high-pitched voice, "'That's so good to hear'." She replied in a deeper tone, "But then... Here comes the back-stabbin'!" She added in her normal voice, popping the Twilight balloon with a hidden nail from behind the Shimmer balloon, "About the only girl at this school you can trust less than Sunset Shimmer is Robyn." "Robyn?" Twilight repeated in confusion. "She's the captain of, like, every team at Canterlot High." Phillie answered, bouncing behind us on a large balloon. That explains the trophies in the sports category. "She's also the captain of sayin' she's gonna do somethin’ for yah, and then turnin' around and not even botherin' to show up!" Applejack's counterpart added with a hint of bitterness in her tone. I couldn't help but raise a brow in suspicion. Sounds like someone has been busy during their time here. Twilight placed her hand over Applejack's counterpart's shoulder, "Thanks for the advice, Applejack, but this is something Ellie and I really need to do." Applejack's counterpart shrugged her shoulders, "Suit yerself." Then she corrected, "And it's Abigail. Not Applejack." Twilight scratched the back her head with a sheepish giggle, "Ooops. Sorry." Then Abigail noticed something, "'Ellie'?" Then looked at me, "Ah thought yer family moved into the city. What are yah doin' back here, Allie?" I raised a brow in confusion. 'Allie'? Is she my counterpart in this world? Twilight quickly took hold of my hand, "Well, uh, it was sure nice meeting you both." Then we left the Gymnasium, "I'm sure we'll be seeing you around!" And with that, we left Abigail and Phillie to their confusion. //-------------------------------------------------------// A Strange, Yet Familiar, New World //-------------------------------------------------------// A Strange, Yet Familiar, New World Eleanor's POV. Ugh... My head... What hit me? I gasped awake to the sound of screaming. My eyes shot open and sat up to my best ability. I rubbed the back of head, where it felt most sore. What hit me? The last thing I remember was Twilight entering the mirror, then Spike chasing after her. He must have accidentally knocked me in too. Sitting next to me, on my left, was a teenage, human girl acting like she has never seen hands before. Her skin was a very pastel lavender color. Her well-combed hair was a familiar sapphire blue with a purple and pink streak. Her eyes were a familiar violet. She wore a light blue t-shirt with a pink bowtie around her neck. A dark blue backpack on her back. A purple folded skirt with a familiar pink star and smaller white stars circling it. Matching purple leg-warmers that reach below her knees and black boots. I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes at the girl in recognition. Twilight Sparkle? To confirm, a familiar voice spoke up, "Twilight, you have to get it together!" I turned to my right and there was a small, King Charles Spaniel dog sitting casually. His fur was a familiar pastel purple with a light green underbelly. His ears were green, as well as a tuff of fur on top of his head. His eyes were a familiar green as well. His collar was blue and bared spikes and a name tag. Spike? Why are you a dog? Twilight took a breath and calmed herself down. She leaned forward and rested her hands on the ground. "What does the rest of me look like?" She asked Spike. "Um..." Spike started, tilting his head, "Like you, only not you. Your muzzle’s really small." "My muzzle?!?" Twilight exclaimed. She reached to her face and found her muzzle has shrunk to a cute button nose. Anxiety built up again and Twilight started to panic. I quickly put my hands over her mouth, before she could scream. "Are you gonna scream again?" Spike asked. Twilight shook her head and looked at me. She muffled something, but I couldn't make it out. I removed my hands from her mouth and Twilight repeated, "Who are you?" I tilted my head and raised a brow. Then I looked myself over. From my hands, I saw that my skin was a light charcoal grey, compared to my former ravenette fur. I felt my face and found that my ears are now at the sides my head, my muzzle has shrunk into a small nose as well. My tail and wings were gone too. Like Twilight, I became a human too! Even my clothes have changed. I wore a dark purple t-shirt with my Cutie Mark designed on it. A black, leather jacket. A denim skirt that reached half-way to my thighs with black leggings reaching above my knees. And matching black boots. I basically looked like a gothic rocker. My glasses, bandages around my neck and choker remained the same. But my gloves and scarf were gone. Where did they go? Twilight narrowed her eyes and tilted her head, "Ellie?" I smiled and nodded in confirmation. Twilight smiled and threw her arms around me. I returned the hug. After a few seconds, Twilight, Spike and I looked around where we were. "Where are we?" Spike wondered. Guys... I don't think we're in Equestria anymore... "I don’t know." Twilight answered, as she turned to the statue behind us, "But that must serve as the gateway back to Equestria." She reached her hand into the statue, revealing the portal, and a ghost image of her hand on the other side. She shook her head and regained herself, "We need to find my crown as soon as possible and get back there." Twilight turned to face a large, U-shaped building, "I suggest we start searching the castle first." I tilted my head. Looks like a high school to me... Spike smiled and hopped onto Twilight's back, "Works for me." With that, Twilight marched over to the building. Well... When I mean 'march', I mean that she was leaned forward and marching on her toes. I quickly followed and nudged her. Twilight looked at me in confusion. I took hold of her hands and positioned her upright. Then gently stepped on her feet until she was fully footed. I stepped away from her and showed her how to walk like a human. Twilight took her first step and started wobbling and stumbling toward the stairs of the building, to the main door. She quickly grabbed the railing and climbed her way up the steps, "Come on, Spike. Ellie. I do not want to be like this for longer than I have to." "Well, look on the bright side." Spike spoke up with a smile, "You don’t have those pesky wings to worry about anymore." Twilight and I glared at the baby dragon-turned-dog. Not helping, Spike! Twilight made it to the top of the steps and faced the door. She closed her eyes waved her hand and walked forward. However, the door didn't open and Twilight slammed herself into the door. Twilight recovered and tried again. The door didn't respond. Twilight gasped in shock, "My magic... It isn’t working!" "Makes sense." Spike spoke up, "You don’t exactly have your horn." "What?!?" Twilight exclaimed, then started to move her hair and try to see her horn. Nothing but a bare forehead. "We really need to find you a mirror." Spike sighed, as he pushed to door open. Twilight, Spike and I entered the building. The inside was a main foyer of a high school. Called it, by the way. There were blue banners and flags of equines and horseshoes. Must be a representation of their school mascot. A stallion? A mare? A WonderColt? Wait... Where did that thought come from? Twilight and Spike snuck deeper into the foyer. I quickly regained myself and followed. Twilight noticed the trophy display case and looked into it. "What do you think?" Twilight asked me and Spike, "Other artifacts she’s stolen from Equestria?" I looked at the trophies and looked over the names and categories. Not likely, Twilight. Who's this 'Robyn Dakotah Ambrose'? Or 'Phillie Piper' for that matter? Twilight looked at the glass and was able to see her reflection. She gasped, "What am I?" Suddenly, a bell rang and the entire foyer was filled with teenaged, human students. Spike, Twilight and I tried to stay close and avoid any contact from anyone. However our plan was ineffective. Twilight, Spike and I crawled out of the crowd of students, but Twilight got her foot stuck. Spike and I got her free and Twilight rolled into a teenage male. The boy closed his locker in surprise, "Whoa!" And offer his hand to Twilight, "You okay?" The boy looked like a human counterpart of the Pegasus guard that Twilight bumped into yesterday. He wore a white t-shirt with blue trimmings, under a black jacket. Blue jeans and sneakers. Twilight gave the boy her hand and the boy helped her back to her feet. Twilight nodded her head and the boy walked off into the crowd. Twilight watched him in curiosity. "I don’t think this is a castle." Spike shook his head. I nodded in agreement. https://img.youtube.com/vi/WB_FYvsTco0/mqdefault.jpg Twilight Sparkle I’ve never seen a place that’s quite like this, Everything is turned around, this crazy world is upside down. Getting on my feet, it’s the hand that I was dealt, But I don’t have much time with them, got to learn all that I can. Eleanor Carter They don’t use any magic or fly with any wings, Twilight Sparkle I don’t get these funny clothes, skinny legs or tiny nose. Everything’s confusing when it seems so new, Eleanor Carter But I look a little closer and it starts to feel familiar too. Twilight and Eleanor What a strange new world. [What a strange new world] I’m trying to make heads or tails of this strange new world. [What a strange new world] Sorting through the small details of this strange new world. What a strange new world...