Twilight Sparkle grumbled when she woke up this Saturday. The day itself was fine, but her sleep had been fine too, and she’d rather have liked to have gone back to it. But after trying to do as much, she found that she was unsuccessful and that she couldn’t return to snoozeland, so she reluctantly got up from her bed and went to perform her morning rituals.

She stared at herself in her bathroom mirror, wearing nothing but her bra and panties. Her bra wasn’t fitting right, as if it was half a size too small, but that couldn’t be right. She’d just bought it a week ago.

“What?” Twilight put her glasses on and inspected her reflection. Either she was going crazy, or her rack had grown by a tiny but not insignificant margin. She cupped her boob and played with it a little, feeling if it weighed more than she remembered it weighing, which it did.

Twilight sighed. Guess I’ll have to make another shopping trip soon.

It doesn’t make any sense, Twilight thought to herself as she just brushed her teeth. I just bought this bra like, three days ago! How could this have happened?

Come to think of it, her memory had been a little blurry lately, a little foggy. Sometimes she forgot small things, like remembering to pack an apple when she headed for school that morning, or that she had scheduled to meet with her friends this or that weekend, and whether it was for ice cream or frozen yogurt. But still, it was mostly small stuff. The kind of things that it made sense for an asocial bookworm like herself to forget. But her bra size? That seemed troubling that she couldn’t remember that, nor could she remember going through a growth spurt recently. But boobs don’t lie, sense they were just sacks of flesh and fat, and hers were heavier than before.

She didn’t think she was the type to get implants … then again, they did feel natural, just heavier than she expected. She really couldn’t remember her own measurements?

“Ugh,” Twilight groaned. “I need to get my mind off this.” She finished up the rest of her morning routine, though every now and again she was struck with a perverted urge to play with her boobs again. She resisted it, however, and kept about her day while trying to make notes about when the urges struck, how often they struck, and how long they lasted.

After drying off from her shower, Twilight got on her phone and called the first person that came to mind who might be able to help her out.

“Hello?” Twilight asked when the phone beeped affirmatively that the person on the other end had picked up the call. “Sunset Shimmer?”

“Hello, Twilight, it’s me,” Sunset answered, “what are you up to? What makes you call me at this time of day?”

“I’ve just been a little out of sorts lately,” Twilight said, “I was hoping I could use a friend to take my mind off things.”

“And by friend you mean me.”

“Pretty much.”

“No worries, Twi. I got you covered. I was about to talk a long walk through the neighborhood. Why don’t we find somewhere to meet and you can join me?”

“That sounds wonderful,” Twilight answered, blushing intensely.

“Great! I’ll see you soon. Bye!”

The phone hung up, and Twilight didn’t care. She was going to take a long walk with Sunset Shimmer. Just her and Sunset, out on the street, alone, together, with nobody but each other for company. Twilight didn’t know why it made her heart beat so much, but it did. She didn’t think she was attracted to Sunset, but … and there was another thing, too. There was another part of her. A part that was angry at Sunset Shimmer. Angry at Sunset for … for … for something. Twilight couldn’t remember what, and she reasoned that if she couldn’t remember what she was mad about, then it really wasn’t worth being angry about in the first place, in all likelihood. The fact that this was yet another thing she couldn't remember was something she paid no mind to. She was just glad to hang out with Sunset.

Twilight finished getting dressed and headed out to meet with Sunset, meeting at a halfway point between their houses.

“Hey, Twilight,” Sunset waved her hand. “You feeling okay?”

“Fine,” Twilight said, insisting that her little memory lapses were nothing serious, just the forgetfulness that plagues everyone from time to time.

“You sure?” Sunset asked, reaching over and placing an arm on Twilight’s shoulder.

“I’m sure,” Twilight said. “Let’s walk.”

They walked down the sidewalk. Twilight was off in her own little world, so it didn’t register until after a few blocks were past that Sunset still had her hand on Twilight’s shoulder.

“Sunset, could you take your hand off me?” Twilight asked. “I don’t mind you being affectionate every now and then, but someone’s going to look at us and think we’re a couple or something.”

“Right,” Sunset nervously took her hand away. She sounded disappointed, as if she wanted them to be a couple, but Twilight being her asocial self, she didn’t pick up on it.

They continued their walk in silence for a few more blocks before coming up on Canterlot High.

“The school sure looks peaceful on weekends, doesn’t it?” Twilight mused as they past. “No students going in or out of there making any noise.”

“Yeah,” Sunset said. “I imagine it’s a lot more peaceful looking when there’s not some monster or something trying to take over the world every other week.”

“Heh. There sure does seem to be a lot of those, aren’t there?” Twilight replied.

“Equestria is a very magical place,” Sunset said, resting her arms behind her head. “This place is kinda like a mirror Equestria. Maybe it’s just as magical, but it’s taken it awhile to catch up to where Equestria was when I first left it.”

“Gosh, I hope not,” Twilight said, adjusting her glasses. When that proved insufficient, she took them off and wiped the lenses with her shirt before replacing them. “I don’t think I could handle living in a world with as much magic as Equestria.”

“It has its benefits,” Sunset said. “Of course, this is nice, too.” She looked around and pointed

Twilight’s attention at a tree which had just dropped a green leaf.

“Autumn must be coming early this year,” Twilight mused.

“Or maybe it just got knocked off,” Sunset said. “Who knows?”

“Sunset, stop.” Twilight put a hand out to block Sunset, accidentally groping Sunset in the process. Sunset’s teeth digging into her lip and her blush suggested she was trying hard not to let it show that she didn’t mind.

Sunset cleared her throat and focused. “What is it, Twilight?”

“My old classmates,” Twilight answered, pointing ahead, where the Shadowbolts were loitering around in a circle, discussing something between themselves.

“What are the Shadowbolts doing at Canterlot High?” Sunset asked. “On a weekend?”

“I don’t know,” Twilight said, “and frankly, I’d rather not find out. Let’s walk a different way.”

Twilight turned to walk in the other direction, but Lemon Zest noticed her and pointed her out to the group.

“Twilight!” Indigo Zap called. She and the Shadowbolts ran up to her. “Twilight, wait up. We need to talk to you.”

Twilight froze. Her arms shook with rage, but she controlled herself and turned around. “What could you possibly have to talk to with me about?”

“Funny you should ask,” Sour Sweet said. “You see, the truth is ... “

“We had been wondering …” Sugarcoat said.

“That is, to say …” Indigo said

All of the Shadowbolts kept on like this, muttering, mumbling, trailing off and never actually getting to the point.

“What is it!?” Twilight snapped. “Tell me what it is and why I should listen to anything you bullies have to say, or am I turning this horse around right now and walking that way!”

“But that’s just it!” Lemon Zest said. “We don’t want to be bullies anymore!”

Twilight tilted her head. “You … don’t?”

“Yeah,” Indigo said.

“After the Friendship Games, we all realized what a horrible person Cinch is and deliberately creates an atmosphere of competition so she can control the students of Crystal Prep, and we decided we didn’t want to be like that and play her game anymore,” Sugarcoat said. “You transferred from Crystal Prep to Canterlot High. You got out and stopped being in a toxic and negative relationship with everyone around you. We were hoping maybe you could teach us how to do the same thing. How to … be good friends. How to be good people.”

“I don’t know,” Twilight said.

“Yes!” Sunset answered. “Yes. Yes. Absolutely yes. We would love to help you.”

“Uh, Sunset?” Twilight said nervously. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Of course!” Sunset slapped Twilight on the shoulder. “It’s a wonderful idea! We’ll be the best of friends.”

The Shadowbolts all looked at each other, then at Sunset. They resumed hemming and hawing and stuttering and muttering.

“Thank you,” Sugarcoat finally blurted out, “for giving us a chance.”

“No problem,” Sunset said. “What are friends for?”

The Shadowbolts all turned to leave, leaving the school together in a huddled mass of dark plaid clothes.

“Sunset, this is a terrible idea!” Twilight hissed. “Why would you agree to this? Do you have any idea how mean they were to me? How much they bullied me? I mean, it was practically their fault I turned into Midnight Sparkle!”

“Twilight, believe me, I know,” Sunset said seriously. “But I also know that bullies can change, if
they’re willing. Take it from experience. I used to be just like them. Arrogant, haughty … thinking I was better than everyone else. But I know better now. Twilight - uh, the other Twilight - Princess Twilight - showed me the magic of friendship and taught me a better way. I’m just passing it on.”

“Mm, alright,” Twilight said. “But I still don’t entirely believe them. What if it’s a trick? What if Cinch put them up to it?”

“Whoa, calm down there, Twilight,” Sunset said. “You’re starting to sound a little paranoid. I guess maybe their bullying got to you worse than I thought.”

Twilight sighed. “No, it’s not that. That’s just what Crystal Prep does to you. Makes you suspicious, paranoid … thinking that there’s always someone out to get you, someone out to sabotage you and make sure you don’t get your way.” Twilight brushed her hand across her forehead.

“I’m sorry, Sunset,” Twilight said. “Suddenly I don’t feel like walking anymore.”

‘Are you sure?” Sunset asked.

“Yes,” Twilight said. “I just want to go home and read a good book. Maybe think about what we’re doing to do with the Shadowbolts.”

“I’ll come with you,” Sunset said eagerly, “if that’s okay, of course?”

“That’s fine. I could probably use the company. Somebody needs to make sure I eat instead of just reading books all day.”

“Trust me, I know the feeling,” Sunset said. The two of them had a good laugh.

Twilight and Sunset returned to Twilight’s house. Twilight settled in and got comfy, getting a book for a companion to join her in her bean bag chair she kept inside her study.

Sunset joined her, sitting with her legs crossed on the floor. She inspected Twilight's rooms, examining the bookshelves and all the books Twilight had on them on various different subjects.

All Twilights were the same, Sunset mused. Whoever they were, wherever they wore, they shared the ability to get passionate about reading a good book, no matter how dull, dense, boring
or plain inane subject matter.

“Nice place you got here,” Sunset said. “It all yours?”

“Shining Armor helps pay the rent,” Twilight said.

“Of course he does. You know, I gotta say, I didn’t take you for the type to enjoy bean bag chairs, Twilight.”

“Shining Armor insisted on it,” Twilight said. “He said someone who reads books as much as I do needs ‘various ways of setting to make it easier on their backs.’”

“Mm,” Sunset said. “Must be nice, having an older brother to look for you like that.”

“It has its advantages,” Twilight answered with a smile.

“Could I find something to read?” Sunset asked, getting up.

“Sure,” Twilight said. She popped her nose out of her book. “Oh, but whatever you do, don’t go into the backshelf. That’s Shining Armor’s private … collection.” Twilight’s eyes widened when she saw had lost track of Sunset among the shelves. “Sunset? Did you hear me?”

“What? Oh, yeah, sure, whatever,” Sunset answered. She proceeded to bump into a shelf and knock a few books over. “Ow.”

“Sunset! Are you okay?” Twilight threw her book into the bean bag and ran towards the noise.

“Yeah,” Sunset answered, rubbing her sore shoulder, but standing. “Just wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and smacked my shoulder on the edge of the shelf. Here, I’ll clean this mess up.” Sunset got on her knees and began picking up books.

Twilight gasped, realizing they were in the exact section Twilight didn’t want them to go. “Oh no. Shining’s private collection!”

“It’s fine, Twilight,” Sunset said. “I heard you. I wasn’t actually going to read any of them, I was just on my way to another shelf when I bumped into it. Besides, how bad could it be? It’s not like Shining Armor has …” Sunset trailed off, noticing the title of the book she was holding.

“Anything naughty like … 101 Tips and Tricks For How To Treat Your Leather Slave?”

‘What?” Twilight asked.

Sunset set the other books she was holding down and flipped through the book. “Apparently it’s a bondage book. I didn’t think Shining Armor would be into bondage.”

“What? No way. My brother would never be into weird stuff like this.”

“Don’t kink-shame, Twilight.”

“Let me see,” Twilight swiped the book out of Sunset Shimmer’s hands and skimmed through it, before flipping through the pages. She walked back and forth, reading the book in earnest. She giggled.

“Twilight?” Sunset asked.

Twilight closed the book with an authoritative slam. She turned to Sunset with a wicked grin on her face. “Sunset, I just had an idea about what we can do with the Shadowbolts.”

“I both do and do not like where this is going,” Sunset said. “Do, because I’m ready to get freaky, and don’t, because I have concerns about possible ethical violations.”

“Don’t worry, Sunset,” Twilight opened the book up again. “We’re not gonna hurt them. Well, maybe we will after I read this chapter on pain …”

Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, Indigo, Sour Sweet, and Sunny Flare were called into into Twilight’s house. They sat at the dining table, awaiting their hostess.

Twilight and Sunset entered through the door, Twilight wearing her old Crystal Prep uniform and attempting to look dignified.

“Why are we here?” Sugarcoat asked her. Lemon Zest nudged her in the elbow. “Ow. I mean … ahem. May I please ask why we are here?”

“I suppose you’re all wondering why I’ve called you here today,” Twilight announced as if she didn’t hear Sugarcoat. “You see, the explanation is very simple. You have all expressed the desire to become better people. I’m not sure I believe you. I’m not sure I buy it. It could be a trick. It could be a ploy that Cinch put you up to to get revenge on me for running the Friendship Games for her.”

“Or it could be an honest attempt but people who realized they’ve done wrong to try and improve themselves and become better people,” Sunset interjected.

“Silence,” Twilight said, holding out her hand. “Now, if there’s one thing I’ve learned since leaving Crystal Prep, it’s that arrogance gets in your way of thinking. Thus, you need to learn some humility before you can learn. So I’ve figured that the best way to test if you’re being honest about your intentions is with this.”

Twilight slammed the book onto the table.

“101 Tips and Tricks For How To Treat Your Leather Slave?” Sugarcoat read aloud.

“The ultimate test of humility,” Twilight said. She scooted the book across the table to Sugarcoat.
Sugarcoat picked it open and read a few pages, blushing when she saw what the book was about.
Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare leaned and read over her shoulder.

“Each of you will spend one day with me, following the examples and rules set out in this book to the letter. If you survive, if you make it all the way through the day without quitting … then I’ll know your intentions are real, and you’re not lying.”

“You can’t expect us to do all this!” Lemon Zest protested.

“Yes, I can, and yes, I will,” Twilight said. “Of course, if you’d rather not have my help in teaching how to be better people and friends, you can all get out of my house right now and we can forget the whole thing.” Twilight examined her nails idly.

“Wow,” Indigo Zap said. “It’s like you took one look at this book and instantly gravitated towards the whole ‘dominatrix’ thing.”

Twilight chuckled. “Perhaps so. So, what do you say? Do we have a deal?” Twilight offered her hand.

The Shadowbolts looked at each other for assurance. They inhaled sharply and put their hands on top of Twilight’s, one by one.

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

“Eh …”

“Come on, Indigo Zap,” Sugarcoat said.

“Fine. Deal.’ Indigo added.

“Excellent!” Twilight said. “Now, who wants to be my leather slave first?”

The Shadowbolts all looked at each other. None of them wanted to volunteer.

“I’ll do it,” Sunset offered, raising her hand.

“You’re not a Shadowbolt, Sunset,” Twilight said. “Besides, you of all people don’t need friendship lessons. Certainly not from me.”

“What if I want to be a leather slave, huh? You ever think of that?” Sunset asked.

“Do you want to?” Twilight asked.

“No. I just thought maybe I’d be make it easier for them if I volunteered,” Sunset answered.

“Tell you what,” Sugarcoat said. “We don’t have to start right now, do we? Let us conference and we’ll get back to you.”

“Fine,” Twilight said. “But make it quick. I don’t have the patience to wait forever while you drag your heels.” She left the room. Sunset gave a broad, but uncertain smile and two thumbs-up at the Shadowbolts before following Twilight out.

“So,” Sugarcoat said, tapping her fingers together, “who’s going first?”

No one answered. Some of them tried to make pitiful excuses about having band practice, or soccer practice, or needing to see a doctor for their quote-unquote ‘cephalapoditis’, which Sugarcoat knew was a bogus condition.

“Really?” Sugarcoat asked. “None of you are going to do it? If we want Twilight’s friendship lessons, we are going to have to do this.” She glanced around. “Oh, fine. Since clearly, none of you are brave enough to honor your part of a contract, I will do it.” Sugarcoat stood up and left the room, calling after Twilight. “Twilight! You have your first volunteer!”

Author's Note

Think is the first time a commissioner actually explicitly requested a prologue.