Stuck In The Middle

by Bigwig6666

Rating: mature
Tags: Slice of Life, Romance
Length: 34347

Twilight Sparkle finds herself the subject of both princesses' affections.

Later chapters will contain shippadge and cloppery.
—
Twilight Sparkle finds herself the subject of both princesses' affections. How will she cope when her life slowly crumbles around her?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-26 00:08:39 UTC

Stuck In The Middle - Role-playing Games

Stuck In The Middle

Role-Playing Games

Twilight paced frantically about her friend's room.

"I don't know what to do, Rarity, things are really getting out of hoof now," she said.

Rarity gave a sympathetic nod and sipped her tea with shaking hooves. "Twilight, darling, do calm down. Everything will be alright in the end."

"In the end means I might end up locked away in Tartarus!" Twilight shouted, and immediately covered her mouth up, eyes fixed on the door.

Rarity sighed. "Nopony's in, Twilight. I would not have one of my dearest friends talk about such private matters with just anypony listening. It's just you and me. Please, sit, dear. Have some tea."

The purple unicorn ran a hoof through her mane and reluctantly sat down, slightly shivering.

"Now, first things first: Which one do you love the most?"

Twilight blinked. "Luna. No wait, Celestia. No! Luna! Oh! I don't know!" she wailed and covered her face up.

Her friend sighed again and patted her on the back. This is going to be harder than I thought. "OK, from the top, list the things that make them special for you - oh, dear! You're crying! Oh we shan't have that, come here. Blow."

The weeping mare sniffed and blew her nose on her friend's handkerchief. "Thanks Rarity. You're the only pony I can talk to about this."

It was true. Rarity was the only one of Twilight's friends who knew of her... situation. Mainly due to Rarity being Rarity and having a sort of Rarity-sense, like Pinkie-sense, about extremely juicy bits of gossip. And this was probably the juiciest thing ever.

Rarity smiled back and gave her a reassuring nudge. "Think nothing of it, dear. Now, from the top. List their pros and cons. Cons first, they're more juicy," she giggled, trying to ease the tension.

Twilight tittered back. "Alright, Luna's cons: She can be scary at times, she doesn't connect with me as much as Celestia does, she's a bit... awkward every now and then..." she trailed off.

"OK, and now Celestia. This is good, Twilight." Rarity assured her.

The lavender mare smiled weakly. "Celestia's cons: She's... not Luna."

Rarity facehoofed. "Ohhh... Well, Twilight. Back to square one," she muttered and levitated her tea to her mouth again. "So what do you intend to do? What about this vacation to Prance - as wonderful and romantic as it sounds."

Twilight cringed. "I know. I want to go, I think it'd be great. Just me and Luna... it would be wonderful..." she murmured, beaming with the thought of it. "But then..." Her face fell. "I don't know what Celestia would do if she found out... or if I disappeared for a week or so."

"You can hardly be in two places at once. Not even you could do that magic," the pale-as-Celestia unicorn snorted.

She stopped and thought about something. "I... sort of had an idea though," she whispered.

"Oh? Do tell," Rarity replied, while sipping her tea.

Twilight took a deep breath. "Well, changelings can appear as anypony, right? So I thought... maybe I could ask one to... be me for a bit?"

She flinched as tea sprayed over her.

"What?! Twilight! You can't do that!" Rarity sputtered, "sorry, dear, I'll help you get dry, but who knows what would happen if they fed off of Celestia's love for you!"

"But what else can I do?" Twilight grumbled as Rarity passed her a towel. "Tell Celestia I'm going on a romantic vacation with her sister, or tell Luna I can't go on a romantic vacation because I'm dating her sister?!" she yelled as her horn flared up. She vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving Rarity to clean up the mess she'd made.

"I do hope you sort this out, dear," she murmured sadly.

~~~

Princess Luna spun around in a circle as she waited for her young lover to arrive once more. Only seven hours to go.

She squeed with the thought of them spending a week together in Prance - the most romantic holiday zone for couples these days, the guide had told her.

"Luna? Mind if I have a word?" her sister's voice called from the other side of the door.

The giddy pony bounced over to the door and swung it open, throwing her hooves around her big sister's neck. "And hello to you, too, Tia."

Celestia looked own, quite surprised to see her sister hugging her. "And hello to you, Luna, what's gotten you so happy this morning?"

Luna grinned and tapped her nose as she released her forelegs from around the white neck. "I've been thinking about this vacation. I'm so glad you agree," she giggled and skipped back into the room.

Her sister followed, and smiled at the large trunk, packed with swim suits, sun cream, towels, and other assorted holiday-based items.

"It seems you've been planning this for a while," she said as Luna bustled about the room, happily humming a tune to herself.

The Night Princess grinned and spun in a circle. "I suppose I have. She is a very special mare." More-so than you could ever know. "She deserves this."

Celestia chuckled. "Just who is this 'wonderful' mare you keep talking about? It sounds like I may want to meet her someday."

I think you know her already, sister. The younger sibling thought and grinned even wider. "Now, now, that would spoil the surprise wouldn't it? Perhaps after the vacation we'll show you."

"Heh. Speaking of which, I might take my special friend on a vacation too. She is very special to me, and she could use a winding down. Perhaps we'll go to Prance alongside you, so I won't have to wait to see her." The elder sister grinned like a Cheshire cat.

Luna frowned. "But who would look after the kingdom? We can't both go on holiday." Plus, we can't both see each other's little secret, now could we? Discord knows what would happen if she found out about Twilight and I.

Celestia sighed. "Perhaps you are right." That's a valid point, actually. Who knows what would happen if she found out about Twilight and I. "And both princesses can't exactly leave a nation to it's own ends. Unless we let Discord rule for a week or something."

Both sister laughed at this and nuzzled one another.

"Or," Luna continued, stifling a bout of giggles, "we let Chrysalis and her changelings take over for a while."

"Think of the madness," Celestia laughed back. "I'm happy to see you like this, Luna. A few weeks ago, we wouldn't have been caught dead laughing together like this. I'm glad whoever this mysterious mare is has changed you."

"Thank you, Tia. You, yourself seem spring and looser than usual. Has your little pony fixed your odds and ends?" Luna chuckled.

"Hmm. Perhaps."

Celestia craned her neck and cracked a few muscles in her wings. I should have gotten Twilight to help me with this, she thought and flexed one wing out. "Well, I should return to my duties. I just came by to see how you were getting on."

Luna smiled and nuzzled her, still beaming. "Thank you, dearest sister."

The milky coloured alicorn smiled back and turned to go. "And Luna, stay safe on this holiday. Try not to let... her come out. I think your friend would not appreciate her."

The indigo pony shivered and turned away. "I won't," she grunted bitterly to the sound of the door closing, and began stuffing some more clothes into the trunk. When she was sure her sister was gone, she let ut a sigh of relief and left the trunk, making sure to clasp it shut.

"Now to actually invite our little Twilight," she giggled to herself and exited her chambers. The two Night Guards on either side of the door saluted, tucking in their razor sharp, bat-like wings and straightened their necks. "Whisper, Ghost," she commanded.

They turned to face her.

"Ready my chariot. I must make for Ponyville immediately."

~~~

Twilight Sparkle sat with her head under the covers, groaning about her problems. Thankfully, she heard neither hide nor hair of her dragon companion, Spike, and frequently talked with herself about said problems.

"Rarity was right, that was a stupid idea. Just how am I supposed to get one changeling to take my place for a while? Let alone feel safe enough to leave it alone with Celestia."

She groaned again and poked her head out, glaring at the sky. "Faust damn me for being so stupid and careless. I should have ended it with one of them before this whole thing even started."

But how do you break up with a princess, without fear of death, banishment, death or banishment and then death? her own voice argued back inside her head.

"Exactly," she grunted and buried her face in her hooves.

A knock at the door made her shrike and jump out of bed.

"Twilight? I wish to speak with you," came Princess Luna's voice.

Twilight felt butterflies in her stomach. She hurried downstairs and flung the door open. "P-p-princess, what a nice surprise," she stammered and made to hug the navy princess.

Luna held a hoof up. "Not here," she whispered.

Twilight backed away immediately. "Oh, of course. Come on in, pr- Luna."

The princess smiled and entered the tree-home. "My guards will remain outside, as to prevent any unwanted visitors from entering," she said, and nodded to the guards.

Ghost bowed and flexed her wings.

Whisper didn't move a muscle, and stared ahead at the world, glaring at anypony who walked past.

Once inside, Twilight moved closer to the princess. "Now can we..."

"Yes."

They threw their hooves around one another and hugged.

"I thought I wouldn't see you again until tonight, at least!" Twilight happily cried as she stroked the indigo feathers on the alicorn's back.

Luna sighed contently. "Yes, my little Twilight, neither did I, but I had a wonderful idea. Come, let us sit somewhere."

Twilight's butterflies vanished, as if a toad of guilt swallowed them whole. She led her company over to the pair of comfy chairs, both climbing into one and nuzzling each other as they did so.

As casually as possible, without trying to hint at the fact that she knew what it was, Twilight asked, "so what do I owe the pleasure of the Princess of the Night?"

Luna grinned. "Well, what do you say to the two of us, and just the two of us, taking a vacation to Prance?"

Twilight gave a dramatic gasp. "Oh, Luna, I'd love to, but-"

She was cut off by the princess's muzzle suddenly around hers. "How wonderful, Twilight! I knew you would like it, I've already got my case packed, and I'll gladly help you with yours. I'd love to see your cute little flank in a swim suit."

The plum coloured mare sighed and gently pushed the princess away. "But."

Luna's face fell drastically, and her eyes filled like water balloons, ready to burst. "But? But what, Twilight, my love?"

Twilight winced. "Never mind. I'd love to come to Prance with you."

The indigo pony's eyes returned to their normal condition, and out came another set of nuzzles and kisses.

Now you've gone and done it, Twilight. Get to work on finding a changeling, as soon as possible. She scolded herself. Or come clean with the princesses. Your choice-

"Twilight, my love, I have another proposition for you," Luna said quietly, interrupting her thoughts.

"Mhm?" Twilight responded, and lay against her chest, listening to their heartbeats.

"Well..." The princess leant down and whispered something in the unicorn's ear, making her giggle uncontrollably.

"I think that is... most agreeable, my lady princess," Twilight said, still giggling in a very Pie like fashion.

Luna rose out the chair and smiled, her eyes twinkling with glee and alicorn's mischief. "Very well, Clover the Clever, thou art to accompany our royal self to thy quarters. Lead the way, if you please."

'Clover' giggled at their role-play. This was another great thing about Luna: She could just slip in and out of any role given to her. "Of course, your majesty. This way."

She led them both across the room, and up the stairs, where she began giggling as Luna placed a hoof on her flank, and gave a gentle squeeze.

"Thy chambers are illustrious, Clover, we request you direct us to the bed, where we may begin the ceremony," Luna said.

"Yes, Princess Platinum. Right over there." Twilight pointed over to her rather ordinary and hardly illustrious looking bed. "Should we begin the 'ceremony' immediately, or- ahh!" she cried as Luna picked her up and thrust her onto the bed.

Twilight quivered with anticipation as a hair's length separated their noses. They lovingly stared into each other's eyes, purple against teal, lover against lover.

Luna sat up and began unfastening the clasps on her breastplate. She kicked her silvery slippers off and flung her crown into a corner. As the armour fell away, Twilight gazed upon her beautiful, bare body. Luna leant forwards and opened her mouth.

Their tongues immanently found each other, like siblings lost to the ages, and lovingly embraced.

"Luna... I... I..." Twilight whispered.

"Shhh, love. Don't say anything," Luna cooed and broke the kiss. She moved her head slowly down Twilight's body, tenderly kissing as she did so.

Twilight moaned in pleasure and felt her loins burn. She squealed in surprise and grasped at the bed sheets as Luna's teeth grazed her teats.

The princess pulled her head away cautiously. "Twilight? Did you not like that?" her sweet voice asked and caressed the purple body. Her words sounded like they were dipped in honey, and laden with candy and sugar.

"Yes... very much... Luna... take me."

Luna smiled and climbed back up Twilight's body. Their fair sexes pressed up against each other, both soaking wet and both very, very, intimate.

They both moaned as they rested heads against each other and their bodies slowly rocked up and down.

Luna opened her eyes and smiled down at Twilight's scrunched up face. She leaned down and rubbed noses. TWilight opened her own eyes and smiled back.

"Are you ready?" she whispered, biting her lower lip to stop her crying out in delight.

The indigo pony nodded and reached down. Her hoof tenderly stroked Twilight's marehood, making her whinny in approval and lust. "It is time, my little Sparkle."

Twilight nodded eagerly and kissed Luna's neck. She used her own hoof to stroke the moon cutie mark, tracing it with the edge of her hoof, and stroking her dark underbelly.

Luna pressed down again, letting her own sex wilfully press against that of her young lover's once more.

Again, Twilight had to bite her lip, or instead force her tongue down the princess's throat. She chose the latter. They both moaned into each other as their marehoods pressed up together.

~~~

Luna stroked Twilight's mane as they nestled under the covers, legs wrapped around one another once more, and tails woven together in a strange yet beautiful pattern.

The smaller of the two squeaked out another yawn and nuzzled her companion.

The larger of the two nuzzled back and smiled. "Sleep, my love. We shall leave tomorrow, where we can do this every day, if you so wish."

Twilight sat up as Luna hopped out the bed and began to regain her regalia. She stopped and looked around. "Where is my crown, Twilight?"

The lavender mare felt something resting on her ear. She used her magic to grasp whatever it was, and smiled as she revealed it. "Right here, princess."

Luna smiled and deftly removed the crown. As she was placing her sparkling slippers back on, she stopped and looked at the last one. "I wish one more thing of you, my love," she murmured, gazing at the slipper.

"Anything, Luna," Twilight responded and gazed at her with wanting eyes.

"Here." She gave the slipper to Twilight, pushing it onto one hoof. "A size too big, but I wish you to have it."

Twilight gaped at her, now sparkling, hoof. "Luna... this is wonderful... thank you," she gratefully said and held the slipper close to her. "I shall treasure it always. But... what if somepony notices you're missing a shoe? Won't they ask questions?" Namely one pony and a series of questions, possibly ending in banishment.

Luna chuckled and took the hoof in her own. "They won't. I'll make sure of it. Now I must return to Canterlot. We leave tomorrow. You should pack your things. Remember to bring a swim suit," she giggled and kissed the hoof goodbye.

The lavender mare watched as she left. She gazed at the back of the princess's head sadly as she trotted down the stairs.

She heard the rustle of wings and saw the chariot disappear into the orange sky. "She can move really fast when shewants to," she murmured.

"Finally! What in Equestria were you two doing?" Spike's grumpy voice called from downstairs.

Twilight jumped at the sound of his voice. Duh! Spike lives here too, remember? "Hello, Spike. Sorry we had to keep you for so long."

She froze, suddenly realizing what Luna had said. Tomorrow? As in, tomorrow tomorrow? The next day? Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear. "Spike! Pack me a case, I need some swim suits and... sun cream. See if there's anything else I have for vacations!" she shouted down.

Spike appeared at the top of the stairs. "Why? Are we going on vacation?" he asked.

"Not you. Just me. It's sort of a get together with... Platinum," she lied, thinking on her feet.

One of his eyebrows raised. "Who's Platinum?"

She fidgeted on the spot, thinking fast. "She's... Princess Luna's... student. The princess was asking me to spend some time with her, make her feel comfortable around royalty, seen as how I have Celestia."

Oh I bet you do. And I bet she has your head on a spike by the end of the week.

"And another thing, find me a book about changelings. I need to do some research. But tell nopony, understand?!"

The dragon nodded and saluted. "Got it. So is this Platinum... cute?" he murmured.

Twilight blushed. "I guess so." Oh yes, so very much so. "No time for chit-chat, Spike, I need to pack my cases."

He nodded and pulled out a large trunk, then he placed his claws on his hips and frowned. "Uh, Twilight? Did you say swimsuits?"

"Mhm. Why?"

"Well... you don't have one, I think Rarity would be willing to-"

"Oh! Rarity!" she cried and slapped her forehead. "I just remembered something really important! Got to go, Spike, start packing those cases!" she commanded and galloped off, towards the boutique.

Spike was left with a bewildered expression. He shrugged it off and turned to go, but not before he noticed a sparkling shoe beside Twilight's bed. "Huh. Weird," he grumbled and picked it up. "I guess the princess forgot it. But why would she leave a shoe behind?"

He glanced around to make sure nopony was looking, and gently slipped his foot into the slipper, grinning like a madpony.

"Thou shalt calleth me, Prince Spike of the Sparkling Shoe!" he cried, in a very bad Luna impression. He eventually got bored and took it off, placing it by Twilight's bedside table, and began to pack her case.

Then he stopped, realizing she's never been on vacation before, and thus had no holiday based items of her own. "Maybe she'll get more from Rarity than she realizes."

Stuck In The Middle - A Serious Problem

Stuck In The Middle

A Serious Problem

"RarityRarityRarityRarityRarity!" Twilight bellowed as she banged on the door to the boutique, ignoring the funny looks and hushed whispers from passers-by.

The door swung open, and a red-faced Rarity stared at her. "Hello, Twilight. Can I help you with anyth-"

"I said yes!" Twilight wailed. "I need help! I said yes!"

Rarity's eyes grew twice their size. "Come in." She bustled her friend inside. "Have a seat."

Twilight obeyed, hanging her head in shame.

"Now, tell me what exactly happened."

"W-well... she came around shortly I left here,  oh, I feel so stupid for just leaving like that-"

"Pshaw, Twilight. You were upset, it's highly understandable," Rarity said and nudged her.

Twilight smiled and took a deep breath. "So she came for a visit, where we got to talking, sort of, and then there was definite..." she trailed off.

Rarity nodded and turned her hoof, motioning to continue. "What?"

"...Cuddling."

"Oh. Oh! Oh... oh, mental image! I'm... sorry for intruding, darling," Rarity apologised, turning them both bright red.

Twilight gave an embarrassed laugh. "It's alright. So before... that, she asked me to go to Prance. And I said yes."

"Wa ha ha! Good for you, Twilight-"

"No no. No 'wa ha has', this is a serious problem," Twilight grumbled. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

Rarity frowned and scratched her chin. "Oh." She rested her cheek on her hoof as she thought about what her friend could do.

Twilight sat with her head in her hooves, frantically going over all the possible options she has: One: She tells Celestia she's going to Prance for a week with her sister, thus won't be able to visit for a while, and eventually end up on the moon or in the sun for cheating.

Two: She tells Luna she has to back out of the holiday because she's dating Celestia, and probably end up on the moon or Tartarus for cheating and breaking her heart.

And the third choice, probably the worst of the options, but the one she's most willing to go with: Find the changelings and bargain with them. So far, that one was winning.

She took a deep breath. "Rarity..." she murmured.

Rarity came out of her thought process. "Yes, Twilight? Have you come to a decision?"

Twilight nodded slowly. "I... need to find the changelings..."

"No. Absolutely not." Rarity shook her head and stood up. "Twilight you can't do that. You know you can't."

"But what else can I do?" Twilight whined and covered her ashamed face up.

"Break up with one of them!" her friend told her.

"I can't!"

"Why not?"

"I love both of them!"

A tense and awkward silence fell between the two. Twilight quietly curled up in a ball and let her eyes flicker back and forth across the room.

Rarity sighed and placed a hoof on her back. "Listen, Twilight, I won't stop you if you really want to do this - even if it is just about the worst idea since my mother's dress sense."

Twilight looked up and tried to smile.

"But, here's a better idea. Just tell Celestia you're going on a trip. Somewhere else. For an even longer period of time. Then after you're done in Prance, go there, and send Celestia a postcard. Is that not far simpler?"

Twilight blinked and thought about that. "That... may actually work... I wasn't really looking forward to meeting the changelings again. Thanks, Rarity," she said and gave her friend a grateful hug. "Now I should go and help Spike pack my cases. Oh by the way." She turned to Rarity. "Could you possibly help me find a... swimming suit? Luna said I might need one."

Rarity beamed. "Why of course, darling, as luck would have it, I acquired some of that material this morning, and I already have your measurements, so this shouldn't take long at all! Feel free to come pick them up in the morning," she said.

As Twilight turned to go, Rarity bit her lip and gave a polite cough. "Um... Twilight?"

"Yes, Rarity?"

"You... have... something... on your tail."

Twilight turned scarlet and pulled her tail between her legs.

"Bathroom is down the hall to your right," Rarity said, just as red as her friend, and pointed a shaking hoof down the hall.

"Thanks."

The lavender mare disappeared down the hall, quietly cursing to herself she hadn't noticed this sooner. What if somepony saw? What if one of Celestia's guards just decided to take a stroll through Ponyville? Huh? Or worse, what if my brother just decided to visit his little sister?

She stopped furiously scrubbing the, uh, you know... from her tail, and cocked an ear out. Rarity was talking to somepony.

"Why yes, of course, your highness, wait right here."

She heard hoofsteps approach the door to the bathroom.

"Twilight?" Rarity's voice whispered from behind the wooden door.

"Yeah?"

"Are you decent?"

"Y-" Twilight glanced around, and winced at the mucky brush. "I guess. Why?" she asked and opened the door ajar.

"You have a visitor," came the fashionista's mysteriously sullen voice. "And she seems like she has big news for you."

Twilight paled and felt her heartbeat increase. "Is.. is it?"

"Yes."

"Oh... Faust has a curse on me, I'm sure of it," Twilight grumbled and opened the door. As she past Rarity's attempt a hiding a grin, she cass a glance back into the bathroom. "Sorry about your brush."

Rarity peered in and recoiled immediately. "N-never mind, dear. Go and see your beloved."

Twilight paled even further as she entered the large living room.

"Hello, Twilight my dear. Your friend Rarity was just telling me you had to freshen up. Is anything the matter?"

As our little double-booked protagonist gazed at the great white alicorn sitting on the couch, she felt her heart flutter and soar. "Princess, what a wonderful surprise!" she cried and made to hug her.

Rarity watched from the doorway, silently 'awwing' at the sight. This I can see working. Luna on the other hoof... well... it's not my place to say, really, she thought.

Celestia glanced up and noticed Rarity watching. She gently pushed Twilight away and flicked her eyes to the door.

"No, no, it's alright, princess, Rarity knows how to keep a secret. She's the only one who knows about... us," Twilight said and nuzzled her princess's chest.

Said princess gave an obvious sigh of relief. "Alright, if you trust her, then so do I. But I wish you had consulted me when speaking to others about our... relationship." She smiled at Rarity and nodded politely.

"I suppose I should give you two some... privacy..." Rarity murmured and darted out the door, leaving the princess and her student alone.

Celestia leant forwards and kissed the top of Twilight's head. "Well, now. It seems we have the place to ourselves."

Twilight blushed and couldn't help but giggle. "What are you doing here princess? if I might ask?"

The princess smiled sweetly. "I just wanted to pay my favourite pupil a visit. Seen as how we were interrupted by my sister this morning."

They leant forwards and rubbed their noses against one another.

"Plus, I had an ulterior motive for visiting," Celestia whispered.

Twilight pulled back. That toad of guilt from before? It was back. And it was angry. Please don't say what I think you're going to say, please don't say what I think you're going to say. "And... what was that... princess?"

"After speaking with Luna, I had an idea."

Oh Faust. Oh Faust, oh Faust, oh Faust, no, don't say it. Don't you dare say it.

"And... Twilight Sparkle, would you like to go on a... vacation with me? Just the two of us."

Run. Leave. Exit. Depart. Get out while you still can! Twilight's conscience screamed at her.

After a few moments of silence from her companion, Celestia frowned and chewed her lower lip. "Twilight?"

OK, don't run. But say something. Anything.

More silence. Celestia was beginning to feel impatient now. "I would like an answer today, my little pony."

Oh my Faust, this is the longest anypony has ever not said anything, ever.

Now Celestia began to feel anxious. Did Twilight not love her as much as she thought? Did she think this whole thing was just a game? "Twilight?" she asked, feeing sadness and anger well up inside her.

Say! Something!

"I... think that's... a wonderful idea, princess."

No! Not that! *Anything but that, you stupid filly!***

Celestia beamed. "I'm so glad you think so. But may I ask, what took so long with the response?" Phew. You need to control that temper of yours, Tia.

"...It's just an honour that you'd think of me like that." Twilight smiled and hugged the princess's midriff.

"Really, Twilight? Do you still think of me as your princess and teacher?" the ivory alicorn chuckled and kissed her on the cheek.

Twilight felt hot. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead and landed on the princess's muzzle. She gingerly opened her mouth and explored her lips. "Where was it... you were thinking... of taking me... princess?" she asked as her tongue stroked the muzzle pressing into hers.

"Hush, my dear. And call me..." Celestia breathed and whispered into Twilight's ear, "Celesssstia..."

"Ohhh..." Twilight moaned and felt shivers run along her body. And that wasn't the only thing she felt. Celestia's hoof explored her belly and lovingly stroked her mane, eventually finding it's way down to her nether regions.

Celestia smiled as her student gave another gasp and kissed her neck.

The white hoof slowly rubbed up and down on Twilight's marehood, making her blush profusely.

"Celestia... could we...?" the filly asked in between kisses.

"I see no reason why not. I trust your friend has a guest room?"

"Mhm. This-"

The princess blew into Twilight's nose, making her giggle uncontrollably.

"-Way."

Twilight got up and took the princess's hoof in her own. Celestia followed obediently, grinning from ear to ear, and resting her head on Twilight's flank.

As they approached the door to the guest room, the lavender mare cried out in surprise as Celestia placed her head under Twilight's hind legs, scooping her up and onto her back again, and carrying her over to the bed.

Celestia levitated Twilight onto the bed in a warm, golden glow, and then she crawled on herself, planting a hoof on either side of the little mare. She moved one hoof down the purple body, lovingly caressing and stroking her silky coat.

"Give me your hoof, Twilight," she said.

Twilight grinned and obeyed.

The princess took the hoof and kissed it, smiling with twinkling eyes at her friend, then she moved the hoof down her own body.

Twilight took it from here. She felt further and further down, eventually coming to a small sun. She smiled and stroked the princess's cutie mark, giving a gentle squeeze as she did so, and used another hoof to stroke her white underbelly.

Celestia lowered her head again and nibbled on Twilight's neck, making them both whinny with appreciation.

The princess sat up, and flicked her golden slippers off, licking her lips in anticipation. Twilight felt the urge too great, and rubbed her own marehood with her hoof, gasping for air and a want for Celestia.

As the crown hit the floor, and the necklace came away, Celestia leaned down and nuzzled under her partner's chin.

The unicorn gasped out again and removed her dampened hoof, caressing the silky white body above her.

Celestia reared back and flipped Twilight over. Determination was in her face, as Twilight saw, and they both moaned as they pressed up.

The princess rose up and gently lowered herself again, flicking Twilight's tail out the way, and fondling her plot. She raised up again when her partner spoke, however.

"Princess... please..." Twilight moaned.

Celestia chuckled and lowered her hind quarters again, teasing that tender area. Then she lowered her head and began to nibble the back of Twilight's neck, grazing her teeth along the purple coat, and licking behind her partner's ears.

The tortured mare moaned and bucked upwards, thrusting her genitalia into the princess's own.

"As you wish, my little pony."

Celestia lowered down for the final time, and began moving up and down, rubbing her marehood onto Twilight's rump. To Twilight, the feeling was sensational. The time she spent with Luna talking about the stars and such, that was wonderful, but the sex? It needed a touch improving, if anything. But Celestia's talks consisted mostly of her studies of friendship, and the occasional new spell to learn, whereas her sex was phenomenal.

Oh Faust, is this really who I am? She suddenly thought, and bit her lip from outright proclaiming her love for Celestia then and there.

The princess panted and thrust again, placing her hooves on her partner's back and bucking forwards. Who says stallions get all the fun?

Twilight's thoughts were dashed by the princess's most recent buck. She made a noise in her throat, an almost primal growl of pure lust and want. "Pri-i-i-nce-e-essss..."

Celestia felt her mane cling to her like a moist towelette, and she panted with the same amount of lust as her small friend. Eventually, she felt something burn in her, and the same must have happened to said friend, for they both felt warmth and pleasure explode  where they were rubbing.

Twilight gasped and released her hold of the bed, panting and sweating like she was in heat.

The princess rolled off of her, lovingly stroking the small mare's back and mane. And there they lay, cuddling and nuzzling one another after that of the most pleasurable devices.

~~~

"I have something else for you, my favourite pupil," Celestia chuckled as they cleaned themselves up.

"Oh?" Twilight replied, and rinsed her tail out again. Better safe than sorry, after all.

"Yes." Celestia flicked a wing out and reached around with her neck. She gave a quick tug, and pulled a feather out. She smiled at Twilight's awwed expression and placed the feather above her ear. "For you, my little love."

Twilight swelled with pride. "Thank you, Celestia. I will always keep it close to my heart."

Something felt terribly familiar about this, and poor Twilight began to feel sick again. What the princess said next, however, well...

"As to your question: I was thinking... perhaps... Prance?"

Time froze for Twilight. The cracks in her life began to swell and burst, spewing their lifeblood everywhere, obscuring her vision, and she began to feel a migraine coming on. The princess's face took on immediate concern.

"Twilight..." she said. Her voice sounded muffled and far away, with a slight echo. "Your nose is bleeding... what's wrong?"

Twilight slumped forwards without a word, and the whole world turned black.

Stuck In The Middle - Pink And Purple

Stuck In The Middle

Pink And Purple

Twilight Sparkle's eyelids fluttered open. Her head still hurt slightly. Why was that again? Oh yeah, the princess asked her to go to Prance. Both of them.

She groaned and lay her head back down on the pillow.

"Wait," she murmured. "Where am I?"

"You're in Ponyville General," a kind and soft voice said from her right.

She jumped and turned her head, seeing a beautiful, pink alicorn sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Cadence! What a wonderful surprise," she cried and hugged her old foalsitter. "This might sound a bit strange, but... how did I get here? And how long have I been here?"

Princess Cadenza chuckled. "Less than a day, so don't worry too much. Princess Celestia herself carried you here. She left shortly after, muttering something about how this was her fault. Your friends are waiting outside for you."

She winced and flayed her ears back. "Perhaps I did overreact a bit," she muttered.

"Come again?" Cadence asked.

Twilight looked at her. "I, uh... I'm not really sure," she lied.

Cadence frowned. "Twilight. Don't lie to me. I can see through you better than Shiny can. Care to explain what Celestia meant?"

Twilight bit her lip. She's the bestest foalsitter ever! You can tell her anything. She loves you, Twilight. "Well, I suppose I should. But please, Cadence, tell nopony. I don't know what will happen if..." she trailed off, choking on a sob.

"Shhh. Hey, come here, it's alright," the alicorn cooed and rocked backwards and forwards with her. "Shhh."

The lavender mare let the tears flow freely. "I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry! I don't know what to do, Cadence. I'm scared. So very scared of what will happen..."

"If what happens Twilight? What's been going on?" Cadence pulled Twilight away from her and looked deep into her eyes. "Tell me."

Twilight sniffed and fought back another wave of tears as Cadence wiped a few away.

"There, much better. I knew there was a lovely little mare underneath those tears."

The unicorn chuckled and nuzzled her foalsitter. "Thanks C-Cadence."

"No problem, Twilight. You're my little sister, and I love you. Now tell me what happened."

Twilight took a deep breath. "Well..."

~~~

It all started about six months ago, I was sitting at home one day, studying, when I got a knock on the door. Spike, my assistant, was out at the time, so even he doesn't know this.

I opened the door and gasped at who it was.

"Princess Luna!" I cried and sank to my knees. "What a lovely surprise."

"Indeed, Twilight Sparkle. We hope we are not intruding upon anything?" she asked and peered inside.

I shook my head. "No, no, of course not. Heck, even if you were, I'd make time for a princess. Why don't you come on in then?"

She nodded gratefully and whispered something to her shadows. I jumped when the shadows moved, turns out they were Night Guard. Anyway, she picked something up and moved inside with it, closing the door behind her.

"Princess? What is that?" I asked and looked at the thing. It looked like a rolled up blanket.

She blushed. "We - I hope you will... agree to this, Twilight Sparkle. I must make a confession: I have never had any friends, barring yourself and a few ponies on Nightmare Night."

I blinked. This was weird, I thought. I didn't know what she was doing here, or why she was telling any of this, or why the blanket unfurled itself.

"And thus, I have never had a..." she frowned. "One moment," she apologised and pulled out a book from her bag. I recognized the book immediately: How To Have A Slumber Party. "A 'sleepover' or 'slumber party'."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Princess, do you want a sleepover with me?"

She nodded and turned bright red. "If that is no trouble-"

"Of course it's no trouble! I'd love to teach you how to have a slumber party," I cried, enthusiastically.

She smiled. "That is... good then. Thank you, Twilight Sparkle."

The princess shuffled forwards, kicking her bag and blanket into a corner. She looked at me weirdly.

"What?" I giggled, feeling my cheeks flush red.

"Nothing, so what is the first activity that we do?"

I blinked. "Uh, princess you do know that it's midday, right? Slumber parties usually don't happen until when it's night, when everypony goes to... oh," I murmured, suddenly realizing everything.

Luna shuffled on the spot and turned her head away sadly. "Usually, this is when I would sleep. During the day, and take over at night."

"I'm... sorry, I-I didn't understand, princess." I placed a hoof on her shoulder, just out of habit when I saw one of my friends upset or anything.

She flinched and looked at me. Then she looked down at the hoof on her shoulder.

I immediately retracted it and blushed. "I'm sorry, p-princess, that was just out of habit, I didn't mean-"

She held up a hoof and silenced me. Then, with the same hoof, took my hoof and placed it back on her shoulder, smiling. "It is alright, Twilight."

As my hoof rested on her shoulder, I felt something stir inside me. Evidently, she felt something too, 'cause she moved her own hoof to my shoulder.

I giggled and bit my lip.

"So what are the first activities in a 'midday slumber party'?" she asked and removed her hoof, almost reluctantly.

I furrowed my brow and removed my own hoof. "Well, normally, we would sit and tell stories, maybe do each other's make-up, that sort of thing."

I noticed she was staring at me, edging slowly just out vision.

"What are you- oomph!" I cried and fell backwards as a pillow slammed into my face.

Luna fell backwards, giggling and waving her legs in the air.

I spat out a feather and grinned. "Or we could start with this," I chuckled and catapulted a pillow at her, catching her in her face and sending her tumbling over. "Ohmygosh, princess! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you that hard!" I cried and helped her up.

Her mane was all frizzy and wild, she blinked at me, her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. I immediately regretted agreeing to this and backed away a bit. "As you should be, hitting a princess like that. You shall have to be punished. Come here, Twilight Sparkle."

I reluctantly obeyed and shut my eyes, awaiting whatever was to come next. Perhaps Tartarus? The moon? The dungeons under Canterlot? What was the punishment for hitting a princess with a pillow?

"On your back," she commanded, still glaring at me. I noticed her mouth twitch upwards, though, so I thought this might just be a joke. I hoped so, anyway.

I obeyed and rolled onto my back. As I gazed at the princess, I saw another 'something' tug at her mouth, curving it upwards. She pinned my hooves down and brought her muzzle to my exposed belly.

Her warm breath made me giggle, but what came next, nothing could have prepared me for.

"Thffffffffffffrpt!"

I howled with laughter and fought for freedom. The princess was blowing a raspberry on my stomach! "Princess!" I cried out. I could barely breathe I was laughing so hard. "Please! I'm sor- AHAHAHAHA!"

She repeated the punishment.

"Thfffffffffrpt!"

"No more! No more!" I begged, still rolling about with laughter, and tears of laughter flooded my vision. Thankfully, she didn't continue, deciding I learnt my lesson.

She helped me up and blushed profusely. "I apologise, Twilight, 'twas merely a jest."

I waved my hoof. "It's fine, princess. It was funny," I giggled.

She stayed red. "Even so, a princess should not behave that way when with company."

I frowned. "Princess, you need to loosen up a little. This is a slumber party after all. C'mon, let's get some food, I'm starved," I said.

Luna reluctantly got up and looked around. "If it's all the same, Twilight Sparkle, call me... Luna."

"Sure. And you can call me Twilight, if you want."

"Yes... Twilight."

I got the feeling she wanted to say something more, so I stopped and looked at her carefully. "Is everything alright, prin- Luna?"

She nodded stiffly and chewed on her lip.

"Luna, friends don't keep secrets, do you want to tell me something?"

She shook her head. "Yes..." she whispered. "I mean no! No, nothing."

"Princess Luna, please tell me what's wrong. Have I done something? Is Discord back? Is that why you really wanted to come around? To warn me?" I persisted.

She shook her head and sealed her lips shut, turning as red as blood.

I sighed and turned to go, deciding she wasn't going to tell me, or didn't trust me enough to tell me. When...

"Wait, Twilight Sp- Twilight," she quietly added.

I turned back to her and smiled. "Yes, Luna?"

"...Come here... once more."

"Oh no, I'm not getting tickled again," I snorted and crossed my front legs.

"No, no. I don't want to tickle you again," she said. "As enjoyable as that would be..." she muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.

I frowned and slowly crossed over to her. "Princess? Is everything alright?"

She looked at me, and her big eyes seemed to shine like stars. Her hoof extended gingerly and placed itself upon my shoulder. "I... have something I need to tell you..." she whispered and leant in.

I leant in too, expecting her to whisper something in my ear, so I turned an ear towards her. When she turned my head back and closed her mouth around mine, well... let's just say I wasn't expecting that, now was I?

So we stood there, mouths working against one another, in broad daylight, in just about the best slumber party ever.

~~~

Twilight finished her story and blushed a bit.

Cadence stared at her with wide eyes. "I had no idea my aunt was like that. I mean, she's always been a bit... socially awkward... but that? Well, I'm happy for you, Twilight. You deserve it." She leant in for a nuzzle, but Twilight pushed her away.

"No. That's only half of it," the purple mare muttered.

The foalsitter's eyes grew wider. "What do you mean?"

"There's... another..." Twilight squeaked as her voice broke.

"Another what?"

"Princess."

"Well of course there is, one takes care of the sun, the other takes care of the moon, and I take care of you," Cadence laughed as she nuzzled her little sister.

Twilight sighed and choked back a few more tears. "I mean... another... princess," she said slowly.

Cadence gasped and pulled away. "Twilight, are you... dating both of them?"

The unicorn nodded and covered her face up with her hooves. "I'm horrible. I don't deserve anypony, not if I do this to them."

"But... but... Twilight! You can't love two ponies, that's not how it works!" Cadence cried, getting upset at her sister-in-law being a cheater.

"I know! I know!" Twilight wailed. "But I do! I love them both so much..." she whispered, lowering her voice.

The alicorn sighed. "Well, tell me how you and Celestia... 'met' then."

Twilight took another deep breath.

~~~

I sat in my house, watching clock, counting down the seconds until I saw Luna again. After we kissed, I didn't really know what to do. Neither of us did. So we agreed to meet the next day, and that time was in about six or seven hours from now.

I heard a knock at the door, and my heart leapt up into my throat. "She's early," I mumbled and combed my mane. "Do I look fine?" I asked my reflection.

I didn't get an answer.

Feeling hot and flustered, I placed a small bow just behind my ear, thinking it looked cute, and opened the door. "Hello, Princess... Celestia?" I sputtered.

Celestia stood in all her glory and smiled at me. "Hello Twilight. Were you expecting somepony else?"

My jaw worked up and down. Somehow, I decided that telling Celestia I had kissed her sister did not seem like the best course of action.

Her eyes moved up into my mane. "Love the bow. It looks cute," she giggled.

I blushed and waved her in. "Come in, princess, what can I help you with?" I asked as she strode forwards.

"I just wished to visit my favourite student. How is everything, Twilight?" she said and walked around the room.

"Uh, fine. I guess," I replied as I watched her, curiously.

"Good."

As she walked about, tittering at the quaintness of my tree-house, I couldn't help but keep glancing between the clock, and her.

"Princess, is there something wrong?" I asked.

She laughed and shook her head. "No no. Nothing of the sort. Is it a crime for a teacher to visit her student every now and then?"

"But..."

"Shhh." She stopped just in front of me and placed a hoof on my lips. "Your friendship report this week was wonderful, Twilight. It really made me think about things," she murmured and cupped my face in her hoof.

I blushed, feeling a tad uncomfortable at such close proximity to the princess. "Th-thanks, princess. I guess."

"No, no, thank you, Twilight Sparkle. It has given me a lot to think about."

I felt my heartbeat increase as she stared into my eyes. "Princess? I don't-"

"Shhh. Let me speak. I have always admired you, Twilight. You were the best student I have ever had the pleasure of teaching."

Were? Was she cutting ties with me? What have I done? I wondered, feeling fear slowly creep it's way through my body and into my mind.

"But now, I'm afraid I have to do the unthinkable," she continued in a whisper.

My eyes grew wide and tearful. "P-princess?"

"Twilight Sparkle... I'm afraid that... I love you..." she whispered and sealed her mouth around mine.

At first I struggled, out of utter bewilderment and confusion. Then I relaxed as she embraced me in a hug. When she broke it, a small, silvery strain of saliva (try saying that three times fast) connected our lips.

She immediately blushed and turned a deep red, as did I.

No words could say what was going through my head. Did this mean we were going out? But what about Luna? This is when my troubles started.

Her lip trembled as she got up and quickly tried to leave. Tried being the key word. I quickly moved in front of her and stared up at her.

"Twilight, I-" she began.

I merely nuzzled my face against her chest. I had had a crush on her ever since I first met her, just a student to teacher crush, I never actually expected her to love me back.

She left shortly after that. Then my friend Rarity came around. Feeling flustered and still not fully aware of what was going on, I told her everything, knowing she can keep a secret. Being one of my closest friends and all.

~~~

"And now you, the bestest foalsitter in the world knows, and you hate me," Twilight wailed and hid under the hospital blankets.

"Twilight, I don't hate you. I'm worried about you. It seems you do love both of them, but what does that have to do with you ending up in hospital? The doctors said stress, is that it? Why did Celestia carry you in?" Cadence asked and assured her.

Trying very hard not to curl up and die, Twilight raised her head and gazed into those beautiful eyes of her old foalsitter's. "Well, Luna wanted me to go to Prance with her, so I said yes, because when I tried to... actually I didn't try to refuse, but when I was about to say something, she looked at me in a way that just made me..." She fidgeted. "I just couldn't say no."

Cadence frowned. "And Celestia?"

"Well, Celestia visited me... yesterday? Was it? Yes, yesterday. I was talking to Rarity about... what I said to Luna, and then the princess came to visit."

"And that's it?"

"No..."

"Oh."

"Mhm... anyway, before, she asked me to go on vacation with her. And after, she said... Prance, then I passed out."

Cadence frowned and gently nuzzled her.

"Thanks Cadence. I need somepony to help me. Rarity's great but... she wants what's best for me... I need somepony to help me," she repeated and hugged the alicorn in front of her.

Cadenza Mi Amore hugged her little sister and stood up. "Don't worry, I'll help you, Twilight Sparkle. We'll sort this whole mess out, right after you get better. Alright?"

Twilight sniffed again. "Thanks, Cadence."

The door opened and the nurse bustled in. "Miss Cadence?" she asked.

Cadence nodded and got up from the bed. "I'll speak to you soon, Twilight. Don't worry, I'm here to help you. Just remember to take it easy." She left the room, leaving Twilight and the nurse alone for a few moments.

"Well now, up and about are we?" she asked, smiling sweetly.

Twilight nodded. "Yeah."

The nurse smiled at her. "You've five visitors. I'll send them in, shall I?" she asked.

"Please, if it's not too much trouble," Twilight responded and smiled.

The nurse smiled back and left the room, to find the five friends waiting.

Fluttershy burst through the door and threw her hooves around Twilight. "Oh my goodness! We thought you were really badly hurt!" she wailed.

Twilight gagged and fought for air. "Fluttershy... can't... breathe..."

The pegasus released her grip. "Oh! I'm so, so, so, so sorry, Twilight," she whispered and cringed away.

Applejack chuckled and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Easy, sugarcube, y'all didn't hurt her." She turned to Twilight. "And how are you feeling, Twilight? Y'all shoulda seen the look on the princess's face when she brought you in. Why, she looked like she'd just murdered you."

Rarity winced. "Applejack, please try to be more... diplomatic when speaking about matters such as these." She eyed Twilight nervously.

Twilight smiled back and winked. it's fine, I'll explain later. The wink said.

The white unicorn breathed a barely noticeable sigh of relief as the pink earth pony bounced forwards. "Gee Twilight, you should have seen the party they threw for you as they brought you in. It had sirens and everything!"

Rainbow Dash facehoofed. "Nice try, Pinks, but that wasn't a party. That was an emergency," she snorted.

"Still. Sirens, Dashie! Sirens, everywhere..." Pinkie trailed off.

Twilight sat up. "Listen girls, while I appreciate you coming down here, I really need to speak with Rarity for a moment."

They all nodded somewhat reluctantly. "C'mon girls, let's go," Applejack said as they all walked (and one bounced) out of the room and into the waiting area once more.

Rarity turned to her friend. "Tell me. Everything. What brought this on? Why was Celestia carrying you? What happened? Was that Princess Cadence we saw coming out of here just now?"

"Yes. It was," Twilight sighed.

The pristine, ivory coloured unicorn furrowed her brow. "OK, tell me what happened."

Twilight took a deep breath for what felt like the hundredth time today. "Celestia... asked me to go to Prance with her..."

Rarity grimaced. "Well then... that's a problem. So what are you going to do?"

Thinking off the top of her head, the hospitalised mare answered with: "Go with both of them."

Rarity stared at her. "You're not serious. You can't do that!"

"Why not? You did something similar for my birthday when you were up in Canterlot!" Twilight snorted, bitterly.

"Twilight... that was a momentary loss of sanity, I didn't plan on going on two vacations at the same time, with all powerful rulers, now did I?" the white unicorn declared and turned her nose up.

The plum mare flared her nostrils. "You still did it."

"And I was caught! Twilight, do you know  what will happen if either of them find you cheating on one with another?"

"No, because they won't. I'm going to find the changelings and get one to impersonate me. I've got it all worked out," Twilight lied.

Rarity threw her hooves up. "You won't listen, will you?" she said, crossly. "Well, I said it before and I'll say it again: I won't stop you if you must do this. But I advise you not to. I really do, Twilight."

Twilight gave a sharp nod of her head as the nurse came in.

"Twilight Sparkle? You have another visitor."

"I'd better leave, lest I do something I should regret," Rarity muttered darkly, and quickly exited the room, casting a worried glance over her shoulder as she rejoined their friends.

Twilight face-hoofed. "Sorry Rarity... I'm sorry... but I need to do this. Send the other visitor in, nur-"

The door flung open before she even finished speaking.

Princess Luna rushed to the hospital bed and enveloped Twilight in a hug. "Twilight, my... little pony! What on Equestria  happened?" she demanded and closed the curtains once more.

The patient across from Twilight shrugged in a mild amusement and nibbled on some grapes a relative of his had left.

"The doctors said you... passed out from stress?" Luna whispered.

Twilight nodded. "Apparently."

The princess threw her forelegs around the little mare in the bed. "Was I putting too much pressure on you to come to Prance with me? Are we moving to fast for you?"

Twilight smiled weakly and nuzzled the dark blue alicorn hugging her. "No, you were fine... it's just... things..." she murmured.

"Your friends said Celestia carried you in? May I ask what she was doing?" Luna asked quietly.

The lavender mare blushed and turned away. "She... asked me to keep an eye on you, on this vacation... seen as how she's going too," she lied. Applejack would have a fit if she knew just how many lies had been told in the past six months.

Luna scowled. "I told her she was not to take a vacation. Who will look after our subjects?"

Twilight paled. She hadn't considered that. But if Celestia was taking a vacation, surely she had a plan for everypony right?

The princess's brow furrowed in thought. "Bah! No matter. We will have a week to ourselves, we don't have to worry about anything, my dear," she said and kissed Twilight's nose.

Just as she pulled away and straightened herself, the door opened once more, and Celestia stood in the doorway with some flowers in her mouth.

"Hello, Luna," she said.

Luna glared at her. "Hello, Celestia. Come to wish Twilight a full recovery?"

"Why wouldn't I? She is my best pupil after all."

Twilight cringed and shook with fear. Oh no, oh please don't say anything. She repeated in her head.

Both princesses looked at her with worried expressions. Both afraid of each other and both unwilling to comfort their little love with each other watching.

Celestia placed the flowers by her head and watched her carefully. "Luna, could I have a word with you please?"

Luna nodded and made to move towards Twilight, then stopped herself and pulled away. "Of course. Give us a moment, Twilight."

Twilight shook under the covers, turning a deep shade of red as they left the room. She quietly wept and moaned to herself once she heard the door close. "I can't do-o-o this anymore..." she moaned and flared her horn up. "I wish I wasn't here anymore," she wailed, and without thinking or realizing it, she was gone. Teleported to who knows where.

Stuck In The Middle - A Chat With The Doctor

Stuck In The Middle

A Chat With The Doctor

Twilight groaned and rubbed her head. "Wha- where am I?" she asked and looked up in disbelief. She was in a large, circular room, with a large pillar thing that glowed in the middle, and a light brown pony that let his hooves dance over the controls.

"Ditzy? Could you throw the wibbly lever over there?" he asked.

"Sure. What for?" the unmistakable voice of Ditzy Doo responded.

The guilt-ridden mare staggered to her feet and blinked in confusion at the sight. "Ditzy?" she murmured.

The grey, wall-eyed pegasus jumped and looked at her. "Oh, hi, Twilight. Doctor, we have a visitor," she said, merrily unaware of what was happening.

The light brown stallion spun around and stared at Twilight. "Oh hello, who are you? A friend of Ditzy's?" he asked with a kind voice.

Twilight nodded. "Sort of. Excuse me, but... where am I? And who are you? And how did I get here?"

The stallion bowed and straightened the tie around his neck. "I'm the Doctor. Pleased to meet you. You already know Ditzy Doo-"

Ditzy waved and, rather comically, fumbled over a box of muffins.

The Doctor chuckled. "And you are?"

"Twilight Sparkle."

His eyes went wide. "Oh yes, I've heard about you. Saved Equestria several times, didn't you?"

Twilight blushed. "It was really nothing-"

"Aha! Modesty! I know how you feel, Twilight. Mind if I join you?" he asked and gestured to the grate floor beside her.

She blinked. "I... guess. But where am I? And how did I get here?"

"Ahhh. Feels good to have a sit down every now and then, especially when everypony, thing and alien wants you to help." The Doctor hunkered down next to her, smiling at Ditzy as she gobbled up some muffins. "As for where you are? Well..." He glanced around. "You're in the TARDIS."

Twilight blinked. "What's the TARDIS?"

He frowned. "Time And Relative Dimension In Space, of course. Everypony knows that-"

"Doctor," Ditzy warned.

"Right, sorry. Was I being rude again?"

"Mhm."

"Rude and not ginger. Typical. Sorry. Well, Twilight Sparkle, you're in the TARDIS. It's a time machine, capable to go anywhere in space and time. Now, the big question," he chuckled as he helped his floor-buddy up. "What are you doing here?"

Twilight shrugged. "I... don't know. I was in the hospital bed, wishing I wasn't there, then I was here." She looked around with a bewildered expression.

The Doctor pulled away and eyed her suspiciously. "What were you in a hospital bed for?"

"I... had an incident with the princess," the lavender pony murmured.

Ditzy choked on another muffin. "Really? Gosh, Twilight, what kind of incident?"

Twilight cringed. "I'd really... rather not... say..." Tears swelled up in her eyes as she finished and sat back down, letting her rump hit the cold, weird floor.

"Hey, hey... c'mere," the Doctor murmured and pulled her into a hug. "You don't have to explain anything. Ditzy."

His assistant leapt up and saluted.

"Oh don't salute."

"Sorry."

He smiled. "See if you can get the TARDIS to run a diagnostic scan for any crystallizations of magic. It should be that big doo-hickey over there."

The grey pegasus and trotted around the large pillar thing and eyed a few buttons and levers, each looking as ridiculous as the last.

"So, Twilight, you say you wished you weren't there, and then you were here, yes?" the Doctor asked and turned back to the purple unicorn, pulling out a weird, silver device with a glowing blue top.

"Yeah. What's that? It looks dangerous, oh please don't hurt me," Twilight whimpered as he held it up to her.

He pulled back. "What, this?" He twiddled the thing in his hoof. "This isn't dangerous. It's a screwdriver. It's harmless."

Ditzy shot him a glare as she glanced back from the console thing.

"Well.... mostly harmless."

Twilight eyed the 'screwdriver' suspiciously as he examined her with it.

"Say ahhh."

She opened her mouth. "Ahhhh."

"Very good. Ditzy, hows that scan going?"

The pegasus shrugged. "I don't know. I have no idea what you wanted me to do, my bad."

The Doctor sighed and left Twilight. She watched as he nuzzled his assistant and pointed her in the right direction, then turned back to her.

Twilight frowned. "Are you two..."

Ditzy beamed. "Yeah."

The Doctor blushed. "Sort of."

"Well, I'm happy for you. At least someponies can find love and not ruin it..." Twilight muttered

The screwdriver wielding pony frowned. "What happened, Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight harrumphed and turned away. "None of your business. Now get me home."

The Doctor sighed again. "Twilight... Ditzy, you see if you can get anything out of her. I'll fly the TARDIS."

Ditzy hopped forwards and nudged Twilight. "Hey, Twi. What's up?"

"Nothing. Help the Doctor fly the... TARDIS. Wait, did you say a time machine?"

The Doctor grunted in acknowledgement. "Mhm. Only one of her kind. Last one, actually. Like me..." Ditzy immediately bounced up and threw her hooves around him, nuzzling his neck gently.

Twilight smiled. It felt good to see ponies like this. She only wished she could do that with Luna too.

"Well, anyway," the Doctor finally said and nuzzled Ditzy back. "Where do you want to go?"

"Well, befoe home... I was wondering... if this really is a time machine, could you... send me back in time?"

"Oh, of course."

Twilight beamed. So everything will be fixed! I'll tell Celestia I don't want to date her, and only date Luna. Everything will be perfect!

"But I won't. Dabbling in one's own timelines is dangerous, Twilight Sparkle."

Every hope she had was gone. Erased from her mind. "B-but... I need to do something. And I've already done it before."

He gaped and stared at her. "What? Explain. Now."

Twilight flinched at his tone. "W-well, one time, I went back in time to warn myself about a disaster - using an ancient time travel spell in the Canterlot archives."

"Oh. Magic then?"

"Well... yes. Isn't that what the TARDIS is?"

The Doctor threw his head back and howled with laughter. "Oh goodness no! It's TARDIS. Completely different to magic." He opened his mouth to say more, but the large pillar thing in the middle room began to make a grinding noise and something moved up and down inside it.

"Ahhh!" Twilight shrieked and covered her ears up. "What's it doing?"

The Doctor frowned. "Ditzy? Did you drop a muffin in her again?"

"No! I don't know what's going on," Ditzy declared, rather indignantly too.

The time travelling pony rubbed his chin thoughtfully and pulled out a red toolbox. "Where is it, where is it?" he murmured and flicked things over his shoulder. A regular screwdriver, a book about muffins, a fez... "Ah. Here we go." He pulled out a large spanner and smiled at Twilight. "Now, this won't hurt a bit."

She whimpered again and backed away.

He frowned at her as he struck the console with said spanner. "You didn't  think I was going to hit you did I?" he asked her as the noise subsided, and Twilight uncovered her ears.

The purple mare blushed sheepishly. "I... no. Please, Doctor, is there anything you can do to help? I really need something..."

The Doctor sighed and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Well, I can put you somewhere on Equestria-"

Something beeped.

"Aha! Now we'll know why you appeared here. C'mon."

Twilight reluctantly followed, gingerly tiptoeing around the console in the centre of the room and following the light brown stallion. He punched in a bew buttons here and spun a lever there, and eventually, he turned back to her.

"You say you 'wished you weren't there' right?"

She nodded. "Yes. Why?"

He scratched his head. "Well, the TARDIS sort of... heard your wish. She must have locked onto your sudden burst of magic and brought you here. I didn't know she could do that."

Ditzy clapped her hooves. "The TARDIS can grant wishes now?" she cried happily.

The Doctor frowned. "Maybe. No. She just happened to lock onto Twilight's magic. That's all. Anyway, after this I promise not to ask again: What happened?"

Twilight stared into his hazel eyes and smiled. "Alright... both princesses..."

~~~

Ditzy gaped as she finished.

The Doctor sat back and gaped at her too.

Twilight shuffled on the spot. "And now I think they want me dead. So do you still want to help me?"

He nodded. "Of course! I never turn away a chance to help somepony, someone, something, or other." He sat and thought for a few moments, letting the gears turn in his head.

The yellow maned pegasus coughed nervously. "Uhh... Doctor? I think I know what to do."

They both turned to her.

"Well... Twilight, you should talk to them. Your friends already told you this, yeah?"

Twilight nodded.

"Well, if it were me, I'd speak to them both and explain why you did it. Perhaps they'll listen, if they love you so much as you think. Then, apologise to them both, and apologise for leaving."

Again, Twilight nodded. "I guess... I don't know why I would do something like this in the first place. I really do love both of them, Ditzy."

Ditzy gave a sympathetic nod. "I know. But you can only love one pony at a time. Like I do the Doctor."

The Doctor coughed nervously. "Yes, well... you need to sort this out for yourself. I'm good for aliens, Daleks, Cybermanes, the Sontarans, the Slitheen-"

"Doctor," Ditzy giggled. "You're getting off topic."

"Sorry. Point is, you need to work this out for yourself. With Luna and Celestia. And think about this for a moment, would they really be willing to hurt the pony they claim to love so much?"

Twilight shook her head shamefully. "No..."

"Exactly. Now, where do you want to go, Twilight Sparkle? Maybe your house? Maybe the room where you left?"

Twilight thought for a moment. Home first came to mind, then the hospital, then Rarity's... then, strangely enough, the abandoned castle in the Everfree. Something just felt right going there. Like something - or somepony was waiting for her.

"Well, there is this one place..."

~~~

"Thanks, Doctor. Take care of Ditzy, will you?"

He chuckled and put a foreleg around the pegasus's neck. "You bet," he said and went back inside the time machine.

Ditzy merrily waved goodbye and stepped inside with him. As the blue, ordinary looking box faded into thin air with that awful grinding noise, Twilight Sparkle looked around.

"Well... I'm here..." she murmured and gazed at the large doors leading to the old castle in the Everfree. She took a deep breath and walked forwards. Why had she come here? Surely her house would have been a better choice? maybe even the Canterlot castle?

But something was calling for her, reaching out for her. Crying for her.

Crying.

Loud, long sobs echoed around the ruins, making Twilight cringe with anxiety. She followed the heartbreaking sound at a fast trot, eventually breaking into a full gallop as she came to the area where she freed Luna.

The terrible, heartbreaking sobs echoed around the cold walls, and appeared to originate from some dark mass up ahead.

Twilight's hoofsteps seemed to break the sound barrier they felt so loud. She cringed with every step as she approached the sobbing mass.

"Pr-... princess?" she whispered.

The mass moved, unfurling it's jet black wings and letting it's cat-like eyes stare at the small mare before her.

Twilight Sparkle opened her mouth in horror. "Nightmare Moon!" she whimpered and fell to the ground, trembling with fear.

Stuck In The Middle - Heartache

***Stuck In The Middle

Heartache***

Nightmare Moon rose to her full height, glaring at the two-timing pony, without a single word. Her gaseous tail flicked with annoyance, making Twilight back away with fear and awe.

"N-N-Nightmare Moon, p-p-please d-d-don't h-hurt m-meee!" the terrified mare wailed.

The Night Empress continued to stare at her, those green eyes darting over her small body. "You lied to us. You hurt us. Cheated us. We should hate you. We should want to destroy you more than before you freed us," she growled.

Twilight took a step back and flayed her ears back. This wasn't her princess. This was something evil. Something that hated her, just like she feared. Something that wanted her dead.

"And we would gladly take your life for what you did to us," Moon continued, taking a step forwards. "We loved you, Twilight Sparkle. I loved you."

"Princess... please... I'm sor-" Twilight wailed.

"Silence!" the Nightmare roared. "Do not interrupt us!"

The purple pony shrieked and covered her face up again, giving loud sobs that racked her body.

"I loved you. And now... you do this! Betray us to our own sister! Did our love mean nothing?" Nightmare Moon raged. "Did you ever even love us?"

"No..." Twilight bravely whispered and opened her eyes.

The jet black alicorn stopped and stared at her. "What?" she hissed, her voice laden with malice and contempt.

"I never loved you," Twilight stated and held her head up high. "I loved Princess Luna."

Nightmare Moon shrieked in anger and grasped her with a magic talon.

Twilight struggled in the magic grasp, tears flooding down her cheeks and falling onto the cold floor below. The magic talon drew her in close, so they were eye to eye. The terrified mare fought for control of her bladder as she gazed into the once beautiful eyes of her princess.

"Princess Luna, please come back..." she whispered and pressed forwards.

Moon's eyes widened as her captive's mouth pressed against her own. She kissed back, then suddenly pulled away with a shocked and horrified look in her eyes.

Twilight yelped as the talon dispersed and she fell to the ground. She rubbed her hoof and gazed up at the stunned alicorn.

"P-princess?"

A single tear rolled down the Mare in the Moon's cheek. She turned her head and looked at the little pony, sinking to her knees and gaping in horror.

"I did this..." she murmured.

Twilight felt glad as she started to shrink and return to normal form.

Princess Luna reared her head up and blinked at her surroundings. "Twilight... oh Twilight...I'm..." she whispered and turned away. "Go."

"Luna, please-"

"Just... go. I don't want to hurt you. Tell Celestia she can have you, and lock me away in the moon again."

"No. You didn't hurt me," Twilight assured her. "I'm fine, see?"

Luna shifted her gaze back to the beautiful, little mare. "I almost killed you..."

The purple pony nodded and winced. "But you didn't. Something stopped you. I don't love Celestia... please forgive me... I love you..." she murmured and blinked back tears.

The princess felt her neck move of it's own accord as she leant forwards as well. She rested her head on Twilight's neck, still weeping softly.

Twilight reached around and wrapped her hooves around the princess's back. "I love you," she repeated.

Luna pulled away, tears shining in her eyes like stars. "I love you too, Twilight Sparkle... I'm so sorry-"

"No, I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner, I should never have started anything with Celestia. You are the only pony I will ever love, princess," Twilight declared and pressed her nose to the princess's.

Luna allowed a smile to tug at her mouth and kissed back. "While it may take a while to forgive you for this heartache, Twilight Sparkle," she said, pausing for the reaction.

Twilight cringed and hung her head. "I'm really, really sorry-

"Shhh," Luna cooed. "Shh, my love. While it may take a while to forgive you, the first thing we should do is leave this horrid place. I wish never to return here, to the place I almost killed my beloved." She began to choke up on the last few words, prompting Twilight to nuzzle her and kiss her on the nose.

"We should leave," she continued and smiled at her purple pony. "Your friends, most of Ponyville, and... my sister are worried about you."

The lavender unicorn fidgeted on the spot. "Alright. I suppose. I'm glad you've forgiven me, Luna-"

Luna held a hoof up. "Not yet. After we confront Celestia, I will have forgiven you."

Twilight winced again and nodded. "That's understandable-"

Suddenly, the heavens opened up outside. Thunder raged around the ruined castle, making Twilight shriek and hide behind her princess.

The princess tittered. "Have no fear, Twilight. I shall protect you. My little love." She glanced out the window. "It seems like quite a storm. We may be here for some time. We shall have to find a way to amuse ourselves while we wait."

Twilight blushed.

"Oh not that," Luna chuckled and put a wing around her. Then her face fell and she took on a serious tone. "Why did you run, Twilight?" she asked.

The unicorn squirmed. "I don't know... I guess I was just scared."

"Do you really fear me so?" Luna murmured with a hurt look in her eyes.

"No!" Twilight cried and made to hug her again. "No, of course not. It's just... I didn't know how you would react, or what... Nightmare Moon might have done," she whispered

Luna turned to her. "Never speak that name again, my love. She almost killed you, and without you... " She choked on another sob.

"Shhh," Twilight comforted her. "It's OK, princess."

The princess sniffed and smiled at her. "You've started calling me 'princess' again," she giggled.

The unicorn smiled back. "Sorry. Luna."

They both giggled and rubbed noses as the storm raged outside.

~~~

Celestia paced around the Town Hall. Rarity said Luna had flown off towards the Everfree, and their old castle that lay within. I do hope she doesn't do anything foolish. And if she does find Twilight first, I hope it ends well for her. For both their sakes. She thought.

The Mayor bustled about around her, profusely apologising over and over again for being in the way.

"It's really no trouble, madame Mayor." The princess smiled.

"Even so, your majesty, this is a difficult time for us, what with Nightmare Moon Returning and all."

Celestia flinched. "She is not returning. My sister merely had... an episode," she said.

The Mayor shuffled awkwardly and kept glancing towards the door, fearing Celestia's wrath more than the rumours right now.

"You are excused."

"Thank you, your highness. I will see you are not disturbed by anypony, unless they have news of Twilight Sparkle."

The princess nodded and turned to the window. A large cluster of dark clouds were forming over the Everfree. "I do hope you're alright. Both of you..." she murmured and rubbed the dark spot on her chest where Luna... not Luna. Nightmare Moon's dark bolt had collided with her.

She worried about her sister. Luna's emotions ran hot with jealousy at Celestia anyway, and this whole ordeal with Twilight may have pushed her over the edge. She only hoped that Luna would come to her senses before she hurt the little pony.

And that was another thing: Twilight Sparkle. While Celestia had worded it better than outright proclaiming her love for her student, she was still furious that Twilight had cheated on them both. With each other, no less. The love she had for her little pony however. That may be a problem when confronting Luna again.

"Princess Celestia!" a voice cried as the door burst open.

Celestia turned and smiled at the Captain of the Guard. "Hello, Shining Armour. How is Cadence?"

"She's fine, is what she told me true? Is Twilight... in love... with you?" he demanded, rather brazenly.

The Sun Goddess hung her head. "I'd rather not speak about that, Captain," she muttered and turned from him.

"Shining... let me speak to her. Alone," his wife's voice told him.

Shining Armour stepped back in disbelief. It just didn't seem right to him. Twily, in love with the princesses? Both of them? Not right. Not right at all. And now she's reportedly gone missing because of it?

Cadence nuzzled him as she walked past and up to her aunt.

"Darling, would you please give us a moment?" she asked him with a sullen expression.

He nodded and kissed her on the cheek, then quickly left.

Cadence turned to her aunt. "Auntie? What happened? Why has Twilight gone missing? What's that dark spot on your chest?"

Celestia glanced down. The mark Nightmare's bolt had left was larger than she though. "I'm fine, Cadence. My sister and Twilight on the other hoof... she may be in danger..."

The pink alicorn of love nuzzled her. "She told me what happened. About you and her. And her and Luna."

The Sun princess sighed. "I'm ashamed of myself. I couldn't tell Luna hat I am truly in love with my student. I fabricated a lie to... keep her under control, I suppose. It didn't end well. She transformed back into Nightmare Moon and... lost her temper." She gestured to the dark spot.

Her niece gasped. "And what about Twilight? Why did she leave?"

"Before Luna and I... fought... I asked her to speak with me, privately. I take it Twilight panicked, and the poor dear fled, not wishing to see our reactions. Granted, I can't blame her. Luna was... not in her right mind... when she flung the doors open. If Twilight stayed, I fear she may not be alive right now."

Cadence gasped again. "So... what is happening? Where are they?"

"Twilight is still missing, her friends are out looking for her and Luna is searching the Everfree. She's gone to wait in our old home in the forest. The ruins where she was transformed back into Luna from Nightmare Moon."

The alicorn of love sighed. "Celestia... tell me about this love you have for Twilight. I'm afraid she loves Luna more, but she seemed quite torn between you two."

Celestia nodded. "I got that feeling. Alright, it started six months ago. I realized over the years I had developed a... crush on Twilight. Everything about her made me want to love her and take care of her. But I heard a rumour that Luna loved her too. I couldn't stand it. I'm deeply ashamed of it now, but I was jealous of her. Jealous that she would be spending... time with my student."

She took a deep breath and felt the anger rise in her voice. Cadence sensed it too, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Auntie..."

The larger princess sighed and gave a stiff nod. "I am sorry, Cadence. I was jealous. It drove me to a rash decision, which I now regret horridly, even with the good times." A tear rolled down her cheek. "Now my student, and one of my dearest friends, is missing along with my sister, who's emotions may run rampant and threaten to end them both!"

The smaller alicorn felt a tear of her own breach the borders of her eyes. "Celestia, why didn't you tell me sooner? Everything could have been avoided-"

"But it won't have been. Regardless of whether or not 'Luna got there first' I still love Twilight Sparkle," Celestia mumbled, on the verge of breaking down in tears.

Cadence rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Well, once they get back, we'll all talk. I'm sorry, Celestia, but she needs to make her own decisions. Like I've always said: There are bigger fish in the ocean. There will be other ponies like Twilight."

She glanced up and out the window. A storm was raging over the dark forest. I hope they're alright. She thought and looked back at her aunt, who was also staring out the window.

"Auntie?"

"I-"

A flash of lightning lit her front up, and the thunder rolled across the peaceful town. She noticed several ponies scurry inside the nearest house.

"I'm fine. Cadence. I worry about them both. Who knows what's going through Luna's head right now..."

~~~

Princess Luna sat and watched Twilight as she slept. So peaceful, you could almost say nothing happened today to change anything between us. She thought.

But that was a lie. Truth was, she didn't know if things would ever be the same. Celestia called it a test. An outright fabrication is what Luna called it. No way in Tartarus would Celestia be willing to put her student and her own sister through so much grief if it was a test. A joke. A sick prank gone wrong.

And yet... what else could Luna believe? That her little love was also in love with her sister? That her sister, who claimed to always look out for her and love her - love them both - was intimate with her student? That Twilight willingly did everything?

What was it Celestia said?

Apparently, she is willing to please both of us, and that takes great courage and determination to keep her friends happy.

Yes. That was one way of looking at it. But still...

She cast a glance over at her sleeping partner.

But she still did it. Did their love mean anything? Was it all a sham? Was there anything between them-

Lightning flashed overhead, making Twilight twitch in her sleep.

Luna instinctively placed a wing around her and nuzzled her.

Yes. Of course there was. She had only experienced love once, over a thousand years ago and it had end badly, to say the least.

She pushed her head in between her sleeping love's forelegs and nestled down.

Of course there was something between them. How could there be anything else? Celestia be damned if these two were never going to be together again. At least they had now.

Luna brushed her mane aside and lay her head down, draping one purple leg around her body, and pressed her tail against her love's.

Twilight's tail sensed there was something brushed against it, and began to twine itself around the intruder in a beautiful pattern. Purple with a pink stripe against a starry night sky.

In that moment, Luna realized something. She loved Twilight Sparkle. She simply adored her. She wanted nothing more than to please her and look out for her. To care for her and love her for all eternity.

And she wanted something else. Something that belonged to both of them. That was a part of both of them. But that could wait. For now, she had her little love. Her little Sparkle. And Twilight had her.

She closed her eyes and pressed their noses together, singing softly to herself as she drifted off to sleep.

And there they slept. The storm eventually died down outside, and rays of sunshine poked through the cracks in the castle walls, illuminating the two ponies on the cold, damp floor.

Stuck In The Middle - Resolution I

Stuck In The Middle

Resolution Part I

Twilight Sparkle sat in a darkened room, whimpering and shivering at her two captors: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Both glaring at her with disgusted expressions. They had called her into the room a few minutes ago, and hadn't said a word since. Just stared at her.

Every time the purple pony tried to speak, Celestia silenced her with a wave of her pristine hoof.

"We are very disappointed in you, Twilight," she said. her voice seemed to echo around the darkness of the room.

Twilight whimpered and petted her tail nervously. "P-p-p-please..."

Luna snorted. "Please what? Forgive you? Neither of us could forgive you for what you did. Leading us both on. You almost plunged Equestria into darkness again. Your friends warned you. Even Cadence warned you. I am ashamed to say I once knew you."

"I'm... so sorr-"

"Silence," Celestia growled. "Your punishment will be severe, Twilight Sparkle. No dungeon will hold you, I will not allow it. No pony dungeon anyway."

Her sister nodded. "Indeed. Only a God's prison will keep you for your crimes. Betraying both princesses trust like that. I am utterly disgusted in you, Twilight. So for the remainder of your days, you shall decorate the gardens, right next to Discord. perhaps you can swap stories on betrayal."

Twilight felt her lower lip trembled. So it's true. They really did hate her.

"But before you are locked away for eternity, we feel that you be made an example of. Your friends and family are waiting outside. You will greet them," Celestia continued and reached around. "With this on."

She slammed a large, metal head over Twilight's, with the word 'whore' and other insults written on it. The poor pony whimpered as the metal dug into her skin, making it itch and bleed.

As she squinted out the two, small eye holes, she saw Luna smirk. "Very fitting," she chuckled, evilly.

Twilight whimpered again as Celestia dragged her out the chair. "Move," she commanded.

As the daylight hit her, a chorus of laughter went up around the crowd, making the prisoner's heart sink deeper and deeper into a dark abyss.

"Well looky what we got here!" a familiar voice cackled. "Twilight's gone and gotten herself all dolled up for her big day!"

Twilight turned and saw Applejack leering at her, making kissing noises and slapping her own cutie mark.

Something hit her side, making her stumble and fall in some mud. She twisted her neck and saw the smooshed form of a tomato planted on her side, it's horrid juice rolling down her legs and dripping onto the ground, resembling blood.

"Heh, nice shot. Pinks," Rainbow Dash drawled and raised her own rotten tomato. It hit the metal casting hard, making it's wearer stumble again.

As Twilight wept in the mud, squinting out her cage, she heard her other friends cackle and call her names.

"Excuse me, Twilight, could I ask you to raise your tail? Oh what am I saying, I don't need to ask, do I?" Fluttershy giggled and prodded her side with a sharp jab.

"Really now Fluttershy, you should always treat a lady with the respect she deserves," Rarity's voice sneered as Twilight seemed to sink into the ground.

"But we are, Rarity! Twilight deserves this, remember? She is a big, ol' meanie pants after all," her bubbly, pink friend giggled and clapped her hooves. "Now hold her still."

Twilight struggled as her 'friends' pinned her down. She pleadingly gazed at the two princesses, also cheering and readying their own rotten fruit. As were their niece, Cadence, her own brother, Shining Armour, and probably the worst of all: Her parents.

They turned their heads away at the sight of her, she managed to catch a glimpse of utter disgust and resentment on their faces before they turned, though, making her entire body shake with sobs.

She felt her heart reach the bottom of this abyss it was travelling to, and eventually disappeared through some dark crack in the cosmos as her friends lashed her to a large wheel in the centre of town.

"Whore! Harlot!" a few members the crowd jeered.

"Princess, help!" Twilight squeaked, her muffled voice unheard by her assailants. Celestia turned her head away and smirked at her misery.

"Not worth two bits!"

"Twilight Sluttle!"

"Please!" Twilight wailed, this time to Luna. "Luna, please stop this!"

Luna snorted and flicked her tail in annoyance. She turned her head away and joined her sister's side again.

"Filthy tramp!"

The crowd's jeers continued, eventually fading out as both princesses walked forwards, with not even a trace of happiness on their faces. Then everything went black.

~~~

"Please stop!" she screamed and sat up.

The figure next to her shot up and blinked at her. "Twilight? What's wrong, my love?" Princess Luna asked and slipped a hoof around her waist, keeping their tails entwined, like a beautiful tapestry.

Twilight looked at her and sobbed. "I'm so... so-o-orry... please forgive me... please..." Her voice broke as she collapsed in tears again and buried her face in the princess's body.

Luna immediately brought her other hoof around and held her in a tight embrace. "Shhh. What happened? Did you have a bad dream?"

"Bad doesn't cover it... please forgive me... and Celestia, I hope she forgives me..."

"My sister will forgive anything you have done, my little love, as will I."

The princess gave a gentle tug and released her misty tail, stroking the purple one with a loving hoof. "We should go back. Celestia will most likely be levelling the forest to find us. We didn't exactly part on the best of terms..." she murmured as her eyes brimmed with tears.

The lavender pony wiped her eyes for her and pecked her cheek. "And I didn't exactly leave well, either." She slumped down to the ground with an utterly miserable expression. "I feel so stupid for running like that..."

"Shhh," Luna cooed and gently squeezed her closer. Their noses pressed up in a tender gesture. "We shan't talk more of this until we reach my sister. But words will be spoken," she added, sternly.

Twilight nodded and hung her head. "I know." She glanced up and shivered at her awful nightmare. "Is it just me.. or is it really cold in here?"

The princess smiled and extended a wing around her shivering companion. "It is rather." She allowed the smile to turn into a mischievous grin as Twilight shakily rose to her hooves.

"Luna, I - Ahh!" she cried as Luna's head appeared in between her hind quarters, sliding up her silky body and eventually cradling the small pony on her back. "Don't do that!" Twilight scolded and nestled down, promptly almost falling off one side.

"Hmmm." Luna frowned. "It seems I am not big enough for you, my passenger. You shall have to sling yourself in between my wings. Unless you'd rather somepony else carry you?"

"I don't need carrying." Twilight pouted and leant across the princess's body, feeling hot -faced and blushing profusely as she felt a nibble on one of her hind legs.

The princess chuckled. "They why do you let me?"

Twilight fell silent, her face a deep shade of red, redder than Big Macintosh, and felt about as awkward as Fluttershy was in spring. Animals and such.

Luna set off at a steady pace, taking long, powerful strides through her old home, trying to shake the feeling of something eyeing Twilight - or more specifically - her cute little rump. She giggled and blushed, winking at her passenger as she turned her head again.

She silently 'dawwed' as she watched her little friend. Twilight had fallen asleep again, draped over the princess like some sort of trophy.

"She is a good trophy, Luna," a voice sneered.

Luna shook her head and tore her gaze away from Twilight. "Leave me be, foul creature," she growled as she passed a puddle. The grinning face of Nightmare Moon looked back and winked.

"But she is, is she not? And you would not have her like this if not for me."

"You tried to kill her. You hurt her! I hate you so much. You also tried to hurt my sister. My only sister-"

"Who stole our Twilight from us!" Moon shouted back.

Luna recoiled and hurried along. The reflection was gone, but her voice wasn't.

"Where would you be without me? The pony you once were, alone and afraid to open up to anypony, living in constant shadow of your sister and resentment of your subjects," Luna's dark passenger sneered. "Without me, you would never have met our beloved morsel and gained... ugh.. friends."

Luna covered her ears up. "I'm not listening to you. If not for you we would not have lost our sister for a thousand years. And don't you dare talk about Twilight like that! She is our love, our life, our-"

"Our sister's love and life too. Oh yes, you forgot that part didn't you, you stupid girl?" Moon gleefully responded in a quieter voice. "She was the one who stole Twilight from us, she was the one who wanted to keep her for herself. Why not just do away with her? I could do it, nopony would know..."

The princess stopped and shifted Twilight on her wings. "Leave me alone. Leave us alone, you... monster..."

"Monster? Ha! There's a laugh. You made me, Luna. Remember that." Moon's voice faded into emptiness once more.

After a few moments of silence, Luna decided that her dark alter ego had left, and shuffled out the ruins. The trees overhead were dampened with the past night's storm, and a few droplets of water splashed down onto the two as they walked through the forest.

Meanwhile, Twilight listened with her eyes shut. The thought of Nightmare Moon being in love with her made her tremble with fear, and a hint of curiosity.  The same thought made her feel a tad afraid of Luna, which upset her greatly.

She debated with herself whether she should say anything for fear of upsetting Luna and letting Nightmare Moon get out.

Our beloved morsel.

Those three words sent shivers down Twilight's spine. The beloved part made her cringe with fear, and the morsel part made her feel sick.

As the princess's hooves crunched the damp floor, Twilight pretend to remain asleep, going over what she was going to say to Celestia, Cadence, Luna, and her friends. She silently groaned and squirmed on Luna's back.

Luna glanced over and decided she was having a dream. She turned back to the path and thought about what she was going to say to Celestia, Twilight and Cadence, surely Cadence would know about matters like these, being the alicorn of love after all.

They trotted through the forest silently, each thinking about what to say and each coming up with ways to resolve it all. Luna's thoughts kept drifting back to that dark place in her fragile psyche, with her.

Twilight's thoughts, however, kept coming up with ways to 'keep' both princesses. To love them both - however sick it made her feel.

She decided on doing some research when she got home; asking Cadence more about the love of two - or three - ponies and reading a few books on the matter.

~~~

Princess Celestia stood on the edge of the Everfree, glaring at the dense forest before her. "Captain?"

Shining Armour stepped forwards, clad in golden armour. "Your highness?"

"Ready the troops. We may encounter Nightmare Moon, if so, leave her to me." She hadn't been this worried since last time Nightmare Moon made an appearance, threatening to plunge the world in eternal darkness.

The Captain of the Guard saluted and turned to his troops. "Alright, lets do this quickly and neatly. Here's what you are to do: Spread out and search the forest for any signs of my little sister, Twilight Sparkle, and Princess Luna. Princess Luna may not be in her right state of mind, and Nightmare Moon may be in her place. If so, do as Celestia says and let her step forwards."

Celestia nodded, approvingly. "Alright, ponies, we move for the old castle-"

She froze.

Her sister strode out of the forest with her head held high. She stopped when she saw the battalion of guard, however. "Celestia? What is going on here?"

"Where is Twilight?" Celestia growled.

Luna moved more out of the shadows and revealed the form of Twilight on her back, still with her eyes shut, having actually fallen asleep now.

What went through Celestia's head: Something had happened to Twilight, and Luna was now keeping her as some sort of pet or trophy.

She raised a hoof and pointed it at her sister's chest. "Release her, Luna. She is not yours to keep."

What went through Luna's head: her sister's jealousy of her and Twilight had grown too great for her to control and forced her hoof in a gesture of war. Or, lowered her head, rather.

"Neither is she yours, and how dare you insinuate that I think of her as property!" she replied and steadied Twilight's body on her back and flared her nostrils.

Twilight opened her eyes and looked around. "What's going on?" she whispered.

Luna snorted. "It seems my sister thinks of you as property to be owned, my dear."

"That is a lie!" Celestia cried and spread her wings, suddenly realizing that the Guard were still behind her.

"Then why proclaim it, dearest sister?" The Moon Goddess demanded and scraped her hoof on the ground.

Twilight squirmed and tried to climb off. "Help me off, please."

Her carrier nodded and levitated her off, planting her on the ground next to her.

The purple pony looked at the two sisters, suddenly feeling very awkward and in the open.

"Shining Armour. Take your sister and your soldiers. This is between myself and my sister," Celestia commanded with a steely tone.

Shining Armour nodded and trotted over to Twilight. "C'mon, Lets go see Cadence," he murmured and took his helmet off. He smiled at her and put a hoof around her neck. "I'm glad you're OK, Twily."

Twilight nodded and obeyed him, trembling with at the thought of what the sisters would do next.

If the world ends because I cheated on them both, I'm giving up love. She told herself as she miserably followed her brother back to Ponyville, the Royal Guard in tow, torn between helping their princess and obeying their princess.

~~~

Celestia glared at Luna, having raised her head slightly at seeing her sister release Twilight. "Luna, we need to return to Canterlot to resolve our differences."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why? We need to end this futile debate about whether Twilight should be with either one of us."

"Why?" came the agonizingly calm response.

The Sun Princess raised her head and took a deep breath. "Because I am not sure what will happen if we continue this. I don't want to fight you, Luna, but if I have to, I will. You will not harm Twilight Sparkle."

Luna glared at her and scraped a hoof along the dirt again. Another storm was brewing. Except this time, it was between the two sisters.

A storm 'twixt day and night.

And Twilight was right in the middle of it.

Stuck In The Middle - Resolution II

***Stuck In The Middle

Resolution Part II***

As soon as Twilight left the two princesses, she immediately started worrying. Why would she leave? She loves them both, and they were undoubtedly going to to something awful.

This was her mess. Her fault. Her responsibility.

"So I have to do something," she declared out loud.

Her brother gave her a wary glance. "You have to do what now?" he asked.

Twilight looked at him and blushed. "I have to find a way to solve this, I just can't let them tear each other apart... over me." She cringed at the thought of being fought over. Even as a filly, when young colts would fight over her, she felt weird. So two immortal God-Princesses, who would probably end up fighting for her love made her feel... sick, to say the least.

Shining scuffled her mane in an affectionate, brotherly way. "Well, lets see Cadence first. I'm sure she'll want to see you, Twily. C'mon."

He led her deeper into the small town, and up to the Town Hall, where her friends and Cadence were waiting.

The pink alicorn threw her hooves around the little filly she loved so much, and hugged her greatly. "Oh I'm so glad you're OK, Twilight!"

Twilight smiled and hugged back. "Yeah, I'm fine. Hello girls," she said to her friends.

Applejack tipped her hat. "Howdy Twi."

Pinkie bounced over and hugged her, nuzzling under her chin as she did so.

All of them patted her on the back and welcomed her home.

"You all make it sound like I've been gone for days!" she laughed. "Thanks, Pinkie, but I'm fine. Really."

"No, you're not. Really," Shining Armour stated and steered her to a chair. "Why did you run, Twilight? What's really going on?"

Her friends all quickly and quietly shuffled out and closed the door.

Cadence placed a hoof on her husband's shoulder. "Take it easy, Shiny. She's been through a lot." She smiled and nestled down near Twilight. "Tell us what exactly's been happening, Twilight. From the beginning, so Shining can understand."

Twilight nodded and began the tale of this whole fiasco once more while her brother watched and listened.

~~~

Princess Celestia stared at her sister. Would it really come down to fighting like savages? Over a simple mare?

But Twilight wasn't like any other mare. She was special. As gifted with magic as she was beautiful, everything about her seemed perfect.

So why had it come to this?

Was she really worth fighting over?

What if the two sisters just couldn't resolve their differences and had to fight? What then? Either the sun would eventually fade out with it's avatar dying, or the moon would crash into the planet, having it's own avatar dying?

She wilted at the thought of her dead sister. As did Luna. Neither of them wanted to do this, and surely Twilight would not want them to fight.

Celestia held her ground with a worried stare as she watched her sister.

Luna straightened up and tried to ignore the harrowing in her skull.

While she's not expecting it! Drive your horn into her! Make her pay for touching Twilight! Nightmare Moon screeched.

She shook her head and felt her knees tremble.

Celestia saw her sister's face strife with turmoil. "Luna... please can we not just resolve this peacefully?"

Luna glanced up, shaking with anger, fear,  and sorrow. "I want to, Tia. I want to so much. But..."

The elder sister hung her head. "But?"

Luna's coat flashed from dark blue, to the blackest night, and back again.. "But... you will take her from us."

"No! No I won't," Celestia protested and moved forwards.

"Stay back!" Luna growled and spread her wings. "You will. You want her for yourself. You won't let us have her... you'll take her from us..." she hissed.

The Sun Goddess frowned. "Where would you get that idea? Luna, you're my sister and I love you, do you really think that-"

The Night Princess shrieked in anger and covered her face up. "Do not talk to us of love! You ruined ours! And now!" her body contorted and twisted into a larger form of itself, as black as night and her eyes changed once more. "You! Will Pay!"

Nightmare Moon charged at her 'sister' in a fit of rage, shrieking like a hyena savage in a bloodfury.

Celestia instinctively put up a protective spell around herself. "Luna! Please stop this!"

"We are no longer Luna. Nightmare Moon rides once more! Feel our wrath, Celestia, look upon us and tremble!" the Nightmarish creature roared and slammed against the shield.

The struggling alicorn gritted her teeth and held her ground. "Luna. Control yourself. I do not wish to fight you, but I will if I must. Please do not do this..."

"Fight us! Fight for your beloved Twilight Sparkle!"

"I said. No."

Celestia pushed the shield back, making Moon stumble momentarily. The white alicorn saw her chance and turned tail, deeper into the woods, closer to their old home. Perhaps if I can distract her long enough to talk some sense into her, she won't hurt any other ponies. She thought.

"Celestia!" the rage induced voice roared from the forest as she fled. "You can't run from your own shadow!"

The fleeing princess glanced back and saw shadows creeping towards her. "Bring my sister back!" she yelled and fired a golden beam back at one.

It hissed and retracted, forming Nightmare Moon once more. "Perhaps we shall take Twilight as our student and teach her the blackest of magicks. She will learn much from us. And eventually, maybe, she will carry our dark gift." The hideous abomination of Princess Luna grinned manically and crept forwards.

Celestia grunted and flicked her tail. "Liar! She will never help you! She will never listen to you! Luna! Come back to me!"

"Never. It's our time now!" Moon chuckled.

The Night Empress reared up on her back legs and charged, her horn pointed straight at her sister's chest.

Celestia parried it away and retreated back a step. "Luna, I will not fight you. Please... come back to me, we'll go back to Canterlot - sort this out. But please, think of Twilight-"

"We are!" Moon roared again and made another lunge.

Again Celestia parried it and sent a shield up, knocking the monster back and retreating further into the forest. She could see the castle's entrance just up ahead. Almost there.

~~~

Shining Armour stared at Twilight as she finished. The idea of his little sister - the cute little bookworm, Twilight Sparkle - as some sort of 'item' of the princesses was... was...

"Whatwereyouthinking?!" he yelled.

She cringed and buried her face in Cadence's shoulder. "I didn't-"

"Didn't what? Didn't think that cheating on both princesses, both, would have consequences? I thought you were better than this, Twilight, I really did... my own sister... Twily... a cheater... just imagine what mom and dad would say!"

Twilight started crying. Whenever her brother shouted at her it was for really, really bad things. There were only two incidents where he raised his voice, the first at the wedding, and the second was right now. And he was furious.

Cadence scowled at him. "Ease of, Shining. She's been in turmoil with this whol affair. The last thing she needs now is her own brother yelling at her."

"Ease o- ease off?!" Shining continued. "Our family may be disgraced, I'll lose my position as Captain, you'll be kicked out the royal family, or worse, we'll be separated, and Twilight will be left in the gutter to raise her tail for bits, raising some fatherless foal!"

Twilight whimpered and brought her tail between her legs. "Shiny, please..."

"Shining Armour," Cadence said, standing up and covering her sister-in-law with a wing. "Enough is enough. Go wait outside until you're calm enough to discuss things rationally. Now."

Her husband flared his nostrils and stormed out.

She slowly exhaled and nuzzled the whimpering unicorn beside her. "I'm sorry about him, this must be difficult for him to understand. Don't listen to him, Twilight."

"But he's right... I've probably doomed the family, I know I've hurt both the princesses, which I can be executed for-"

"Enough, Twilight. They would never hurt you, you know that. "The foalsitter brushed her charge's mane aside and kissed her forehead. "Besides, myself, your brother and your friends would stop them."

Twilight sniffed and looked up. "Thanks, Cadence... but I'm still not sure... I had a dream last night," she mumbled and shuddered at it's vile memory.

"What about?"

"The princesses... you, my friends, my parents... hurt me. It was... awful..." she trailed off, and started to shake on the floor as she slumped off the chair.

Cadence quickly slipped a leg around her shoulders and nuzzled her cheek affectionately. "It's alright, Twilight. Shhh."

Twilight sniffed again and nuzzled her face into the pink foreleg. "Th-thank y-you..."

The door slowly creaked open. "Twilight?" Shining Armour's head murmured.

She sniffed and looked up at him.

"I'm... sorry... it was just a big shock," he apologised.

She nodded and hung her head again.

The captain pushed the door open wide and shuffled inside.

Twilight merely reached her legs out and feebly gestured for a hug from her big brother.

He obliged and quietly moved to her.

Cadence smiled as he patted her back and cradled her in his legs.

"Alright... I've had some time to think about it," he finally said and pulled away from her.

Twilight sniffed and smiled at him.

Her brother smiled back and brushed some of her messy mane out her eyes. "And while I think it was a terrible idea to start with, I am happy you've found that special somepony. Ponies. Princesses. Oh for-"

Cadence giggled and shushed him. "You're getting worked up again," she stated.

"Sorry. Point is, I'm happy for you, Twily. I just wish you'd come clean sooner."

Twilight nodded. "So do I," she bitterly admitted. "So do I... I'm so worried, Shining... I'm worried of what will happen to Luna and Celestia, I'm worried about what will happen to me, to you, to our family..."

He nodded, letting the gears turn in his head, taking in what she said. If he had to defend his sister from his beloved princesses, then so be it.

"I didn't mean what I said, Twilight, you know I didn't," he said and hugged his sister again.

"Heh. The big and touch Captain of the Royal Guard is just a big softy when it comes to his sister isn't he?" Cadence chuckled and kissed them both.

Twilight smiled weakly and rubbed her temples. A light throbbing had started up. Probably just stress about the princesses. She thought.

She must have shown she was in slight pain, for Shining took her hoof and led her to the door. "C'mon, Twily. I'll take you home. Didn't you have a little assistant?"

"Mhm. Still do. Spike, he's one of my best friends. He'll take care of me when I get home."

"OK, good. Your friends will want to speak with you too, so I'll tell them to go easy..." He watched her face for a few moments, then turned back to Cadence. "Will you be alright, dear?"

The alicorn of love nodded and smiled as the siblings walked away.

Shining turned back to his sister. "I'm still disappointed you hadn't told anypony about this sooner, Twily. But I'm glad you explained yourself... So you really love both of them?"

Twilight nodded dumbly. "So much. I... I don't think I could ever choose between them."

The captain grimaced and rubbed his chin as they approached the magical, and quite literal, tree house. "Well... maybe there's something Cadence could do. I'll ask her when I go back. But you should take it easy, Twily. Don't strain yourself. See if there's anything in those 'marvellous' books of yours," he chuckled.

Twilight pouted and scowled at him. "They are marvellous. But I'll see if there is anything. Surely there's got to be something right?"

"That's the plan, Twily. Take care. Try not to overexert yourself."

The elder sibling smiled and trotted back to his wife, ready to bombard her with more questions about Twilight's relationship and see of there was anything she could do. The thought of both princesses with his little sister made him feel sick, they were - no offence, of course - so much older than her after all. But the though of her heartbroken made him feel dead inside.

Just as Twilight opened the door to her house, a small, purple blur threw it's arms around her neck and hugged her greatly.

"Twilight! You're back!" Spike cried as he hugged her. "Applejack said you were safe and sound. What happened?" he interrogated, as any concerned friend would do. Especially if they were mostly clueless about the whole thing. Like the baby dragon was.

The lavender pony smiled at him and hugged him back. "I'll explain later, right now I need to find a book about love. Can you help me look for one?"

He thought for a moment and scratched his chin. "Love as in one of Rarity's books? Or love as in... 'love'?"

"Spike!" Twilight turned a deep shade of red. "Just... a book about love. About the love of two ponies. Or three. You look over there and I'll look over here."

The dragon nodded and began searching, as did the pony.

~~~

The two sisters battled furiously in their old home, where they had so joyously been reunited with one another after a thousand years of solitude. And now, here they were again, fighting over the love of one mare.

"We trusted you, Celestia!" Nightmare Moon raged as her sister deflected yet another bolt. "You betrayed us! You broke our heart by stealing the one we gave it to!"

Celestia flinched as her shield faded momentarily. "No, I didn't Luna. I would never to anything to hut you, you know that. Please just put aside your jealousy and-"

"Jealousy?" Moon cried incredulously. "You think we are jealous? Pah! Hardly. We want revenge on you for taking or little Sparkle," she stated and fired another bolt.

Celestia's shield absorbed it and flickered again, eventually fading out of existence as it's caster fell back behind a pillar.

The Sun Princess's mane was all bedraggled and hardly befitting of a princess. The pounding in her head increased with the strain of her shield eventually fading out and Nightmare Moon's energy blasts taking their toll on the victim.

Yet she knew she had to keep it up as much as possible. Or at least, long enough for her sister to see reason, lest she would die, and Equestria be plunged into darkness, and Twilight would become as much of a monster as her sister was.

As they both were.

Celestia felt sorrow tear through her body. "Luna... I only did it because I was jealous of you. I only wanted a somepony like you had," she confessed, finally feeling happy that she'd opened up.

The jet black mare stopped her barrage and listened for a moment.

"I wanted somepony like you had," Celestia repeated. "I wanted to be in love, and I saw Twilight. I heard a rumour about the two of you and couldn't stand it. I thought of her as mine. I'm sickened by my actions now..."

Nightmare Moon was silent. Did this mean Celestia was guilty? Did this mean that she would surrender and let the Empress and her lover be?

"You lie."

"No I don't. I'm truly and deeply sorry. Could you ever forgive me?"

A few moments of the deadest silence.

"Luna?"

A quiet sobbing echoed around the old castle.

"Oh Luna..." Celestia murmured as she looked around. Nightmare Moon sat in a heap of self pity and loathing.

The elder sister stepped forwards and outstretched a hoof.

The sobbing sister saw this as an act of aggression in blind fury and lunged at her with her dark magic.

"Luna.. please..." Celestia mumbled as darkness closed around her throat.

The darkness released itself as Moon stumbled backwards. "No! No, we won't go back! We are the strong one, we are the rightful owner of Twilight Sparkle's heart! We are the... monster I have become..."

Moon glared at Celestia as she rubbed her throat and readied her own counter spell.

"Once I told you I was trying to impress you. Do you remember, Tia?" a different voice asked quietly and sat back.

The elder sister glanced up and saw her sister's eyes staring back at her. "Yes. We were fillies and just starting to raise the sun and the moon. I remember how excited you were at your first eclipse... I was so proud..."

"I know. We both were. I- AHHHH!"

The younger sister screamed and suddenly twisted herself back into Nightmare Moon. The evil mare rose up with a renewed anger and snarled at her sister.

"And I once told you, I would kill you myself. There are no Elements here, Celestia."

She plunged her head downwards in a stabbing motion with her horn.

Celestia just barely dodged and found herself beside her sister's dark form, obsessed with paranoid jealousy and revenge.

"Luna, please, enough of this. Strike me down if you will, just to end it. I can't bear seeing my beloved sister like this. My beautiful, loving sister whom I care about so much so  I would raise Tartarus just to see her again. Keep Twilight Sparkle. I just want my sister back."

Moon baulked.

The white alicorn started taking off her regalia and throwing her crown away. She kicked her golden shoes off and spat out some white spittle.

She stood, stark naked and ready to be executed, eyes shut and all.

Nightmare Moon saw her chance and reared her head back, ready for the kill.

And yet.

She couldn't.

She couldn't kill the one pony who could tear her and Twilight apart.

She couldn't dream of hurting her sister.

She couldn't bear the look on Twilight's face when she found out her other lover was dead...

"Oh... Tia...." she whispered and backed away.

Celestia opened her eyes. Fresh tears stained her battle-weary cheeks. "Luna..."

They stared at one another as the Nightmare slowly changed back into her smaller, kinder self.

Her jaw worked up and down as she sunk to the ground with a disgraced and utterly disgusted look on her face.

The elder felt her knees wobble as she staggered over to her sister. "Luna... I... I'm sorry...."

Luna reached her forelegs up and wrapped them around her big sisters neck. Her quiet weeping had turned into loud, raucous sobs of regret, shame and sorrow.

Celestia's own tears fell too as they embraced one another.

"I meant it, Luna. While I do love her, I only started our relationship because I was jealous. I didn't like the fact that my own student preferred my sister over me. In a moment of blind jealousy, I visited her and confessed my love for her. Can you ever forgive me?"

Luna sniffed and shook her head slowly. "I want to... but I can't. Neither of us can... but... but please promise me... let us never fight again."

Celestia gave a single laugh and nuzzled her baby sister. "Agreed. Come, let us visit Twilight, and put an end to this once and for all."

Stuck In The Middle - Resolution III

Stuck In The Middle

Resolution - Part III

Twilight threw another book over her shoulder. "Nothing in that one either!" she grumbled, running a hoof through her mane. "Hoof me that one, Spike."

Spike sighed and passed her a large tome. "There's nothing in that one, I've looked," he murmured.

Again, the unicorn huffed and flicked through it, ignoring his comment. Indeed, the book contained nothing on what she was looking for.

"Agggh! Again, nothing!" she cried and flung the book away.

Spike watched with a gaping jaw as she so carelessly discarded a precious book. "Twilight... you just-"

"I know," she snapped.

The baby dragon raised his claws. "Alright, Twilight, take it easy. Perhaps if you actually told me what you were looking for I'd find it," he snorted and sulkily slumped down into a beanbag and picked up a tub of ice-cream.

Twilight sighed and rubbed his spines. "Sorry, Spike. Just everything that;'s been going on, I'm just really trying to find a way to work it all out."

He looked at her hopefully.

"So I guess I'd better tell you."

His mouth opened in awe and desire for some gossip. Rarity's influence had rubbed off on him a bi, it would seem, as he eagerly leaned in.

"I've been dating both princesses. I'm very much in love with both of them and recently, they both found out. If I don't find a way to resolve everything, I may have to either..." She winced. "Dump - oh that sounds horrible - them both, or choose between them. So I'm trying to find a way to... 'have'... both."

She winced again at her choice of words.

Spike blinked once. Twice. Then fell back laughing. "You? Dating both princesses?" he cried and held his sides together.

Twilight scowled and nodded. "It's true."

"Bwahahaha! Twilight Sparkle: Official bed-buddy with both princesses. Yeah right, Twilight. That was a great joke, now tell me really why," he chuckled and wiped a tear from his eyes, hunching forwards and grinning manically at her.

The unicorn scowled at him again and felt her cheeks burn red with indignity. "It's true," she repeated. "And I am not their 'bed-buddy'. I'm deeply in love with both of them... which is exactly the problem," she muttered.

Spike stopped laughing and gaped. "You mean... you were actually... in love with... both?" he asked, incredulously.

Twilight nodded and shamefully turned away. "And I still am. And I think they're... fighting over me," she admitted quietly.

He scratched his head. "So... what exactly are we looking for?"

She blinked. "You still want to help?"

"Of course I do, Twilight! It's what friends do. So what're we looking for?"

Twilight smiled at her assistant. He was always there when she needed him, whatever it was. "Just something - anything - about the love of three ponies."

Spike grinned. "So... like one of Rarity's books?"

Twilight blushed. "Not exactly like that. But sort of."

"No, no, see, she was telling me about one; where there was a young mare who was in love with two stallions, and she didn't know how to tell them both. So eventually, she ended up dating both of them. At the same time."

The unicorn blinked again and furrowed her brow. "Is that even possible? With both of them knowing?"

"Yeah. In the book, anyway. Maybe that's what you should be trying to do?"

"Well... I was... sort of dating both of them behind their backs. I wonder if they'll agree to a... schedule or something..."

The gears started turning in Twilight's head. Sure she'd considered this option, but from what she gathered, the sisters...might not want that. And of course, she thught it was the best option for her, seen as how she didn't say no to either of them and-

No.

No this wouldn't work.

But could it?

She sat and pondered this for a while.

Spike sat up and puffed his cheeks out. "Well, I'm gonna go tell everypony you're alright. See you later, Twilight."

Twilight mumbled something which sounded like a response. The dragon took it as one and quietly left the library. As soon as he was gone, she quickly scrambled up to her feet and flicked through the books, looking for the one SPike had mentioned.

"No," she grumbled as she cast another book behind her. "No, no, no no...where is it?" she murmured and searched through them.

A knock made her jump a bit, wiping her mind momentarily.

"Who is it?"

"Your friends. Open the door, Twilight," came the chorus of voices.

Twilight sighed and opened the door. "Hello girls. How is everypony?"

They stared at her.

"Uh... Twi? You OK, sugarcube?" Applejack asked carefully.

Twilight nodded. "Fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Especially when you've got a plan like mine.

"It's just... um... you sort of... ran away..." Fluttershy murmured.

The purple pony's ears fell. "That was pretty stupid wasn't it?"

"No, of course not darling, it was a bit... strange... though," Rarity said and shuffled nervously as Twilight turned to her.

"I take it you told them, then?"

"Well I had to darling! We were all worried about you. And when you went missing, I thought it was my fault-"

"It's OK, Rarity. I'm honestly glad you told them. Besides, I think I have a way to end all of this."

Rarity retracted her lower lip and eyed her friend. "How do you mean?"

Rainbow Dash glanced between the two. "So what's up? What do we do?"

Twilight frowned. "We, Rainbow?"

"Well yeah, ah wouldn't let any of y'all do anythin' like this by yourself. We're all in this together, Twi, whether you want us to be or not," Applejack chuckled and clapped her bookish friend on the back.

Fluttershy nodded but said nothing. Evidently, the idea of Twilight being a two-timer was unnerving to her.

Twilight looked at all her friends. "Well, Spike said Rarity showed him one of her books-"

The white unicorn giggled uncontrollably. "Oh yes. Sorry. I remember that. Go on, Twilight."

"And apparently there was a young mare who was in love with two ponies. At the same time, like me and the princesses-"

"So you're actually in love with both?" Fluttershy murmured.

Twilight nodded. "Yes, Fluttershy. So very much so."

"What's that like?"

Everypony in the room seemed to be shocked at her question.

"I mean... if you don't mind telling me..." the butter yellow pegasus whimpered and flayed her ears back. "I've just always... admired that sort of relationship."

All her friends' eyebrows wandered up into their respective manes.

"Really?" Rainbow Dash asked and tapped her friend's wing.

Fluttershy nodded as her cheeks turned a rosy-pink.

"Well, Fluttershy... it's hard. Or it was," Twilight explained. "I mean, it was great when I was with them-"

"What's Celestia like in bed?" Pinkie Pie so delicately put, making all her friends facehoof and choke up on the embarrassing question.

"Pinkie! You do not talk that way about a princess!" Rarity scolded.

The bubbly, pink pony smiled, blissfully unaware of her friend's reactions. "What? Well, how was she, Twilight?"

Twilight sputtered and fought for control of her brain. "I... guess... she was great."

All her friend leaned in, suddenly very excited to learn about their friend's love life.

"How so?" Dash asked and flexing her wings.

Fluttershy's own wings were extended as well.

"Well... she would always do this thing, right here." Twilight pointed to a spot just above her cutie mark. "Just right, and it would always made me giggle uncontrollably."

"And Luna?" Applejack asked, nudging her to continue.

"Luna... oh afterwards we would just stay up and watch the stars..." The five friends fell silent as the lavender of the bunch trailed off and looked up at the sky. "It was wonderful... anyway!" she cried, bringing herself out of her memories. "Spike told me what happened in the book, was the mare ended up dating both of them. With a schedule of something. And my idea was this: Seen as how I can organize, surely I could somehow arrange a schedule for spending time with both the princesses?"

Her friends sat back and thought for a moment.

"Well, Twi... that sounds like it could work, but-" Applejack began.

"I know! Isn't that the great thing? This way, nopony's heart gets broken, and I can keep living, not as a statue in Canterlot, but real!"

The farm pony placed a hoof on her purple friend's shoulder and shushed her.

Twilight looked around, her smile faltering as she saw her friends shaking their heads sadly.

Rarity sighed and nuzzled her. "Twilight, that story was just that. A story. A novel. Fiction. if somepony did that, there might be terrible consequences. What if the princesses didn't agree? What if they thought you were brash and arrogant for thinking they'd go along with it?"

The lavender mare felt tears burn in her eyes again. "B-but... but... I don't want to lose them. Either of them... what else can I do?"

"Break up with them?" Rainbow Dash suggested, making Twilight cringe with fear and reluctance.

Applejack scowled at the cyan pegasus. "Rainbow!" she hissed and brought the crying unicorn into a hug. "She can't do that. Everypony's heart'll be broken. And ah won't see my friend Twilight upset. Ah won't see any of you," she warned and pointed an accusing hoof at each of them.

Pinkie Pie smiled wearily. "But what else can she do? She's not a big ol' meanie pants. Are you, Twilight?"

Twilight sniffed and shook her head. "I know I should just end it with one, or both, or neither and keep them both... but I just don't know..."

"Perhaps we can help."

Princesses Celestia and Luna slowly opened the door and smiled at the purple unicorn.

Twilight cringed and tried to hide behind her orange friend.

Applejack chuckled softly and forced her forwards. "Go on, have a talk. We'll be here if any of ya'll need us."

The unicorn looked between the sisters and her friends and hung her head. "Alright," she squeaked.

Luna instinctively placed a wing around her and steered her out the door.

Celestia smiled to the five friends and closed the door after her.

Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash all shared worried glances as they watched Twilight disappear with the benevolent rulers.

"Ah hope she's alright..." AJ murmured sadly and rounded on Rainbow. "And how could you just outright tell her somethin' like that?"

Dash snorted. "Like what? The truth? What she should have done?"

"That's not what ah mean. Y'all need to quit being so gosh darn hard headed, Dash, this here's a very delicate matter and it means a lot to Twi, which means it means a lot to us too."

The pegasus glared at the earth pony, before eventually snorting again and lounging on the couch. "So what now?" she grumbled, sulkily.

"Now, we wait. Twilight needs to do this on her own from now on. We've given her as much help as we could. So now we wait," said a strangely profound Pinkie Pie.

Rarity nodded. "I agree. While that novel idea is good, and seems like the best option, I fear she may have to eventually choose between the two - as much as I would hate to see her distraught - it's the right thing to do..."

The remaining Elements nodded and murmured in agreement.

~~~

Twilight gingerly shuffled in between the two sisters. Her two lovers. At least they aren't fighting. And they're both alive. That's good, right?

"Twilight... we need to talk," said Celestia.

The unicorn nodded her head stiffly as Luna's wing unfurled around her.

"Agreed. Twilight Sparkle. You have... dishonoured both of us with your ways," Luna said, rather harshly.

The little mare felt even littler as she readied herself for her dream to come true. Any second now, Celestia was going to plant the metal casting over her head and throw rotten food at her.

"Yes. But..." Celestia continued.

Twilight looked up hopefully, into the kind eyes of her beloved princesses. She wasn't expecting a 'but'.

"We have both agreed that this cannot continue. Something terrible almost happened, my student. Do you know what it was that happened?"

The unicorn shook her head dumbly and stared at the ground, forcing the tears back.

Luna stifled a sob. "I almost killed my dear sister. Over you, my... Twilight. If that had happened, I would have forever held you responsible."

"I know," Twilight squeaked and felt shivers run up and down her body, still avoiding to meet the princesses' gazes. "I would gladly accept any punishment. The moon, Tartarus, being turned to stone, I deserve everything..."

Celestia frowned. "Why would you be punished? Yes, you did wrong, but it was because you love us, is it not?"

Twilight nodded and slowly looked up. "Yes..."

"Both of us?" Luna asked, clearly on the verge of another breakdown.

"Both... so much... I'm so sorry..."

The subject of both their affections started crying, breaking both their hearts in the space of roughyl five seconds.

"Shhh," Luna whispered and moved to hold her. "We know you are sorry. And..." she glanced up at her sister, who joined in the embrace.

"We forgive you. Come, Twilight. Let us return to Canterlot and sort this whole sordid mess out once and for all," said the Sun Princess.

Twilight sniffled and rested her head on the dark princess's shoulder. "Wait, Canterlot?" she asked and pulled away, wiping some tears away.

"Just for a while, Twilight. Then we can return here, if you wish. Depending on how 'negotiations' go," Luna chuckled and brushed her little love's mane away.

Celestia coughed and motioned for her sister to move away. The younger did so reluctantly and watched as the elder moved forwards and nuzzled her student. The dark alicorn was green with envy, but held her tongue, and refrained from calling objections.

She did not need another bout of Nightmare Moon. Not in front of her beloved...

After the hugs finished, leaving Twilight stunned and confused, the Sun Princess ushered her towards an illustrious golden chariot.

"You too, Luna."

Luna obeyed and climbed aboard, nestling down next to the purple mare and opposite her sister.

The Royal Guard pulling the chariot saluted and quickly rose into the air.

The Night princess couldn't help but smirk as she watched her sister's face.

Celestia watched her back. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, your guards. They're just so... slow compared to the Night Guard," Luna chuckled.

The elder sister smiled a warm smile.

Twilight was even more confused. Had the princesses stopped fighting over her? What had they agreed on anyhow? Where were they going again? Oh right, Canterlot. But why?

"Um... princesses?" she murmured, flinching as they both stared at her. "Um... what exactly is going on?"

Celestia smiled. "Luna, would you like to explain, or shall I?"

Luna smiled back and nuzzled the purple mare. "We have come to the agreement, that we are both in love with you, and you  us."

Twilight paled.

"But, we have also come to the agreement, that you shall have your choice of princess. Choose whomever you do wish, Twilight Sparkle. It is your decision. Not ours."

The unicorn shivered. So they really were asking her to choose between them. What was she going to tell them? "Sorry, I can't choose because I love you so equally much?"

Perhaps...

"But, um, I... had another idea..." she whispered.

Celestia nodded for her to continue. "Yes, Twilight?"

Her student gulped. "Um... what if... I... date.. both... of you?"

The chariot screamed to a halt as both princesses gaped at her with wide eyes and open jaws.

She winced and squeezed her eyes shut, praying that this was just another horrible nightmare.

It wasn't.

Stuck In The Middle - The Choice Is Yours

***Stuck In The Middle

The Choice Is Yours***

Celestia gaped at her student and sister.

Luna gaped back.

"Twilight... do you realize what you just said?" she hissed.

Twilight flayed her ears backwards. "Um... yes?" It came out like a question. "I mean... oh... I don't know..."

The Sun Goddess reached over and tilted her head upwards. "We shall speak no more of this until we get to Canterlot. Guards. Post haste."

The guards pulling the chariot whinnied and charged forwards, casting careful glances at overhearing what the purple pony just said.

Luna flared her nostrils and took deep breaths, making sure to avoid her lover's eyes whenever they glanced at one another. How dare she suggest this! she furiously thought. Did anything she say in the castle mean anything? Was it another lie? Did *everything** she say mean nothing?*

She thought back to what Twilight had said.

"You are the only pony I will ever love, princess."

It made her sick. She shot a disgusted look over at the depressed looking unicorn and felt something stir inside her. While she disliked Twilight's suggestion, she knew that it was because she loved both of them that she had said so. She was trying to make both of them happy, Luna realized, fighting back an urge to hug the beautiful mare.

Celestia felt somewhat the same, although she did not hear the cries in the old castle, nor did she hear the declaration of love. She thought about Twilight. She's very talented and very beautiful, and would be a shame to tie her down to an old pony like me, she thought and cast a careful glance at her sister and lover. But... I don't think I could say goodbye, unless she said... What would she say?

I don't want to see you anymore?

I'm in love with your sister so we can't be together?

The thought sickened her. Yet why was all she wanted to do, was hug her and hold her tight and whisper: It'll be alright, my love.

The Solar Princess sighed and shook her head sadly. I wonder how Luna is coping with this. We don't exactly need another bout of Nightmare Moon. She turned and watched the miserable expression on her student's face. And she certainly doesn't need any more grief...

Twilight stared at the floor of the chariot and wished and WISHED she hadn't been so stupid. How could I do this to them? she thought. How? They're the two most wonderful ponies ever, and I've gone and broken both their hearts. Perhaps I should be banished somewhere. Somewhere I can't hurt any more ponies, or suggest really stupid things....

She stole a glance from Luna and shivered under the gaze of those sad, teal eyes. She turned her head and saw Celestia watching her, with much the same expression.

The lavender mare turned back to the floor and shuffled on her seat.

Silence fell upon them as they thought about Twilight's proposition.

~~~

All three of them walked in a solemn line, as if they were attending a funeral, which Twilight suspected she was: Her own.

"Twilight, take a seat over there. Luna over there," Celestia wearily told them as they reached her oval shaped office.

The sister and the lover reluctantly agreed and sat down at the large, golden table.

Philomena flapped her wings and eyed the discussion with her beady bird eyes.

The Night Princess stiffened as she saw Twilight looking at her. She turned away and gazed out the window.

The young unicorn opened her mouth to speak. "Um... princess?" she squeaked.

Both of them turned to her. Celestia stood on her hind legs, placing her front hooves on the table and leaning forwards intensely.

"I'd just like to say... I'm so, so, so sorry. I've been stupid through this whole thing and I wish I could just.... go back..." Once the lavender mare started, she felt she couldn't stop. She had to continue, to try and salvage anything of this whole debacle. Luna quickly shut down that aspiration though.

"To what end, Twilight Sparkle? A mere few hours ago, you told me I was the only pony you'd ever love. Was that true?"

Twilight felt her lower lip tremble as she cast her gaze downwards to the floor.

Luna flared her nostrils and restrained herself. "Very well. It wasn't." She trailed off and stood up, corssing the room to gaze out the window.

Celestia watched her student sadly. "Twilight... why would you do this?"

Twilight twitched and said nothing.

"You have dishonoured not only myself and my sister, but yourself, my lo... student. If only you could change anything. And you..."

Luna took up the conversation again. "You had the audacity to suggest we be in a relationship together. Are you aware that I nearly killed my sister over you?!" she yelled,  making the small pony yelp and bury her face in her hooves.

Twilight whimpered and shook her head. "N-no..." She paled. Had the princesses nearly killed themselves? I deserve to be locked away, she told herself. I really do.

The Sun Princess raised a hoof. "Luna, enough. She knows what she's done."

Her sister nodded and turned back to the window. "I know... I know... it's that which makes it hurt more, though. Twilight." She spun around and faced her small love once more.

Twilight looked up. Tears streamed down her face, turning the purple coat a slightly darker colour.

The younger alicorn moved closer and placed a wing around her shoulders with a pained expression.

Celestia felt sick. Her heart raced and her breath came in short whisps. She moved closer and placed her own wing atop Twilight's shoulder, and atop Luna's wing.

"I... regret everything," she whispered.

Both Luna and Twilight looked up, surprised.

"Remember what I told you, Luna? To get you back? To stop Nightmare Moon?"

Luna nodded slowly and retracted her wing.

"It was true. Everything that has happened, happened because of me."

Twilight gaped. "Wh-what? No! I... dated both of you. I cheated on you! With each other! It's my fault-"

"Shh, Twilight. I came to you because I heard a rumour, with no way to prove it, about you and my sister. Furious that it may be true, I acted out of blind jealousy."

The unicorn continued to gape, making a smile creep across her mentor's face.

"Yes. Not even I am immune to the trials of greed and jealousy."

Celestia's smile faded as she continued to speak.

"I was wrong. If the rumours were true, which I now see they are, I would have been happy for you two. I would have loved you like a sister, Twilight. Yet as I came to you that night, I couldn't help but feel something. I realized then that I love you, Twilight. More-so than my own sister."

Luna sniffed, fighting back tears of anger and sorrow.

"And I regret to announce that while I would be happy with you two together, I... I don't... I don't want to lose the only pony I will ever love. Nor will I allow my sister to be heartbroken."

Twilight paled as white as her teacher's coat. What Is she asking?

Luna straightened up. "It is her choice, Tia. We cannot control her life. She is a fully grown mare who has the right..." she trailed off, gazing into the purple eyes of her young love.

Celestia cleared her throat and nodded. "It is her choice."

Both sisters strode away, turning to face Twilight with sullen expressions. Both of them felt their hearts pounding away, knowing that one of them will be forever envious of the other.

Twilight gaped. "You... you can't be asking me to do this!" she squealed.

Luna stiffly nodded and spread her wings. "We are. There is only one way to settle this, my love. You have to choose."

"No! I can't choose between you! I love you! Both of you! Please don't make me do this!" the unicorn wailed and sank to the floor.

Celestia instinctively moved forwards, stopped by her sister's outstretched wing and a small shake of her head. The elder sister reluctantly held back and hung her head.

Twilight continued to wail on the floor as she was presented with the impossible choice:

Celestia, her beloved mentor and the one pony who she felt she could tell everything (besides this of course). The immortal god-princess of an entire nation. The pony who loved every inch of her, and believed in her when confronted by Nightmare Moon and Discord.

Luna, the first pony to she loved. The first pony she had the chance to perform that sacred act with. The other immortal god-princess of an entire nation. The pony she shared more in common with than most of her friends.

Both of them were willing to forgive her. Forgive her stupidness. Forgive this ugly mess and everything she'd done.

She gazed between them, letting the gears turn in her head.

Luna...

Or...

Celestia?

She took a deep breath...

...And made her decision.

Stuck In The Middle - Luna

Stuck In The Middle

Luna

Twilight made her decision. Her eyes flickered towards Celestia in a sad and heartbreaking gesture.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Celestia... princess... but... I ... choose Luna."

Luna sank back on her haunches and let the tears flow.

Celestia felt her heart break the second her student opened her mouth. She moved forwards with a sad smile and hugged the small unicorn. "Know that I will always love you, Twilight Sparkle. Always. Now go, embrace my sister. I will give you some time."

She was clearly on the verge of breaking down in tears, yet she knew that of she did, Twilight would be even more torn, and may change her option. Still, she was happy that this mess had been resolved. And it proved how much the unicorn loved them both by the decision she's made.

Twilight nuzzled her chest and pulled away, gazing at the weeping form of Luna. Her princess.

The blue alicorn slowly rose to her feet, unsteadily, and very sorrowful. "Twilight..." she whispered as the unicorn moved forwards.

She broke into a canter and embraced her princess, sobbing and letting her emotions flood outwards.

Celestia repressed a sob as she quietly exited her office, giving her student and her sister some personal space.

Luna hugged Twilight back, letting their horns touch in a tender gesture. "Twilight... I... I love you."

"I love you too, Luna," Twilight sobbed and felt herself rock backwards and forwards, with a hoof cupping her hind leg and raising it slightly.

Instantly, both of them felt the need to do something. To celebrate them ending this mess once and for all.

The princess picked up her lover and carried her, on her back, to the large door.

The guards started back in surprise as the Princess of the Night strode out with a mare on her back. She galloped off towards her own chambers, refusing to stop for anypony.

They raised their eyebrows at one another and shrugged. First Princess Celestia comes out looking extremely depressed, and now Luna comes out with a mare on her back, who looks ready to rut anything in sight. very strange.

Celestia trotted back into view with a sad smile. Her eyes were red, indicating she'd been crying. "I'm fine, good sirs," she told the guards as they dropped their spears and fussed over her. "I'm fine. Just a bit tired, that's all. I trust my sister just left?"

They nodded and assumed their positions again.

"Very well... I hope they are forever happy together."

~~~

Luna kicked her doors open, ignoring the protests and whimpers of her Night Guards, Whisper and Ghost. "Leave us. Make sure we are not disturbed," she commanded them.

They saluted and disappeared into the shadows once more.

Twilight slid off her back and felt her loins burn with desire. She made to nuzzle the princess and kiss her on the mouth, but Luna moved quickly and pushed the unicorn towards the bed.

"Luna?" Twilight murmured as her princess bolted the door.

The princess turned around, flicking some of her mane out her eyes. Her eyes which had pupils the size of pinpricks. The lavender mare suddenly felt afraid. Oh no. Have I just made an awful decision?

As the princess moved towards her and outright shoved her onto the bed, lowering her mouth and instantly wrapping it around her lover's, her questions were silenced.

"Wait here, my love," she whispered like a succubus.

Twilight nodded silently and bit her lip to restrain herself from pleasuring herself then and there as she watched Luna's flank wiggle out of sight.

She took a deep breath and gazed at the ceiling. The open windowed ceiling which revealed the sky, and would normally be where the princess 'painted' the night sky, so to speak.

Something moved just outside of her peripheral vision.

"Twilight, my love... won't you look at your princess?"

She turned and felt her mouth water with anticipation as Luna strode into view, wearing long, flank high purple and pink striped socks. She seductively brought her tail around to her front and stroked Twilight's face with it.

"Oh... Princess Luna... you look... gorgeous," she confessed and felt her hoof move of it's own accord. Some part of her felt ashamed that she had discarded Celestia so quickly, yet a larger part of her thought this couldn't get any better. She whimpered as her hoof grazed the surface of her lips.

Luna moved quickly and pressed herself on top of her young lover, letting her warm breath send shivers up and down the unicorn's spine.

Their mouths interlocked once more. Twilight felt the princess's tongue press against her teeth, urging ot be let in. She willingly opened her mouth and let the two tongues press against each other, eventually wrapping around one another, much like their bodies were.

Suddenly, Luna pulled away and roughly flipped Twilight onto her belly.

The unicorn closed her eyes once more and took deep breaths as she felt the body heat of the princess press down on her back. her marehood burned with indignation at being left alone thus far, and cried out for something to please it.

Luna smiled as she lowered her hind quarters atop her lover's boddess, more specifically, the base of her tail.

Twilight raised her tail and whinnied in approval as Luna lay on top of her, and began to rhythmically move up and down, feeling her loins burn with intensity and the heat of the moment.

They panted and sweated as they worked together. Twilight bucked upwards a few times, accidentally knocking her princess off, but Luna remained undeterred. Every time she got knocked off, she was roughly the same size as her lover after all, she climbed back on and began thrusting her hips downwards.

Twilight panted heavily as Luna rolled her over and began kissing her neck, slowly working her way downwards. And then, out of nowhere...

"Thrrrrrrrpt!"

The unicorn howled with laughter as the alicorn blew a raspberry on her silky underbelly.

Luna grinned and lovingly stared into those purple eyes. No words were spoken as their mouths pressed against each other once more. Then the princess broke away and rolled off of her, frowning slightly.

Twilight sat up and looked at her, wishing to Tartarus that she didn't teaser her like this. "Luna? What's wrong?"

The dark blue alicorn stroked her mane and smiled softly. "I worry about my sister. Perhaps you should say goodbye. Properly. Then we can begin our life together, away from shadows and secrets. Speaking of which, no more, you understand?"

Twilight nodded. "Of course. No more secrets from anypony. What do you mean say goodbye, properly?"

"She loves you, Twilight. Like I do. And you have known each other far longer than I, you. I suggest..." she leant down and whispered something in the unicorn's ear, making her giggle and blush uncontrollably.

"And you'd be alright with this?" she cautiously asked.

Luna nodded and tapped her flank. "Now go. I'll be waiting."

Twilight felt the blush return as she watched her fillyfriend seductively stroke her own flank and give it a light slap.

"Go."

~~~

Twilight Sparkle once again stood in front of her mentor and teacher's office. The guards on either side nodded at her arrival and pushed the doors open.

"A: Miss Twilight Sparkle to see you, mum," they said in unison.

The princess looked up from her desk and frowned at Twilight. "Hello Twilight. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you and Luna be tending to your business?"

"That's why I'm here, Cel - Princess. She asked me to come say goodbye." Twilight smiled at the guards as they left and shut the door behind them. "Properly."

Celestia furrowed her brow further. "Oh? Do tell, my faithful student."

The unicorn winced at her unforgiving tone.

The princess must have noticed it because her eyes immediately softened. "I am sorry, Twilight. It's hard seeing you with somepony else, that's all. I mean no disrespect to your choice, however." She got up and crossed the room to the small unicorn, who felt even smaller at the moment. "So tell me, how did you come to say goodbye?"

Twilight summoned all her courage and reached up on her tippy-hooves, planting a big kiss on the princess's lips.

Celestia's eyes widened in fury. "Twilight!" she snapped and wrenched the mare away from her. "Have you learned nothing from this debacle?"

The unicorn turned away with an ashamed face. "B-but... Luna said this was the best way to say goodbye. By letting 'us' happen one final time. Is that not good?"

Celestia's face softened up once more. "No, my student. it isn't. While I think it would be a marvellous idea, we have to separate. It's for the best."

"Oh." Twilight felt like a foal who knew nothing. "Sorry, then... I'd better get back to her."

"Indeed."

The unicorn trotted over to the door and swung it open. "Celestia?"

The princess looked up. "Yes, Twilight?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Twilight Sparkle."

The End.

Stuck In The Middle - Celestia

Stuck In The Middle

Celestia

Twilight made her decision. Her eyes flickered towards Luna in a sad and heartbreaking gesture.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Luna... princess... but... I ... choose Celestia."

Luna felt her heart break the moment Twilight opened her mouth. Tears flooded her vision as she sank to the ground in a heap of self pity, all the while fighting the urge to summon Nightmare Moon.

Celestia's mouth opened slightly as she walked over to her student. "Are you sure, Twilight?"

*Sniff* "Yes."

Twilight looked with and forced a smile out as she hugged the princess. Her princess.

"I... I need to go," Luna mumbled and stood up, facing the ground as she bolted from the room, giving loud, mournful sobs of grief.

Celestia watched her go sadly and turned back to the unicorn before her. "You should go to her, Twilight. Comfort her. But not before we have... words."

Twilight looked down with an ashamed face. "I know, Celestia. It's just-"

She was silenced as she felt something engulf her muzzle. The princess's purple eyes bore into that of her student's and swelled up with tears.

Twilight, although a tad confused, kissed back, allowing the princess's hoof to stroke along her body and down to her cutie mark.

"Princess..." she whispered as the princess broke the kiss, leaving her student with her lips slightly parted and her eyelids fighting to stay open.

Celestia smiled and brushed some of her purple mane aside. "Twilight, my love. Let us speak no words as of now. Come."

She took her student's hoof in her own and led her to the staircase, where they both ascended with grace and poise.

In the bedroom, Celestia held her lover's chin up with a soft hoof and kissed her again, then, without a word - or warning - she picked up the small pony and plopped her onto the bed, making her yelp in surprise.

Twilight watched as her mentor flicked her golden shoes off and sauntered over to the bed, levitating her crown off and casting it aside. Then she climbed onto the bed and gazed down at her prized pupil.

She opened her mouth and leant down, letting her tongue trace along Twilight's neck as she moaned in pleasure.

Both of them suddenly bucked into each other, making them both giggle like schoolfillies.

Twilight blushed and rested her forelegs on her love's chest, kissing and mewling like a suckling babe. As she spread her hind legs and readied herself, her princess smiled and stroked her wet marehood with a tender hoof.

She gasped out and clutched at the covers of the bed. "Oh... ohhhh.." she moaned.

Celestia removed her hoof and lowered her head once more. She kissed her love's belly tenderly, allowing her teeth to gently raze against her small, pink teats, eliciting a delightful yelp of surprise and want.

As the princess worked, she began to stroke her own marehood tenderly, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths. When she opened her eyes, Twilight had turned away and was biting her lip, squeezing her eyes shut and trying to contain herself.

"My love. My little pony. Come here," the princess whispered as she rolled onto her back, allowing the small pony to climb atop her and rest against her soft body.

Twilight whinnied with pleasure as their tender areas touched. She moaned as they began to work together, massaging each other in that most special of places.

Caught in the heat of the moment, she completely forgot that she may have just broken Luna's heart.

Celestia was not so quick to forget, however, and gently pushed Twilight off, smiling at her as they gazed into each other's eyes. "Twilight. My sister is in need of comfort. I suggest you go and say your final goodbye to her, final goodbye as a lover that is," she said.

The unicorn's eyes widened. "Oh... yeah... what should I say?" she asked as her princess ushered her towards the stairs.

"I believe you will think of the correct thing to say. Just... don't push her any further."

"I know, princess. I'll try and... let her down nicely."

~~~

Twilight stood in the dark, ebony coloured door of the Night Princess's chambers. She thought it was starnge how the couple of Night Guard weren't there this time.

"Perhaps she gave them the day off?" she murmured and knocked on the door.

The door creaked open at her touch, revealing a sight she never expected, or wanted, to see.

Luna straightened up and wiped her mouth. "Hello Twilight Sparkle," she said coldly. "Why are you here?"

Twilight gaped. "I... I..." she stammered, unable to speak.

The Night Guard who were 'attending' their princess blushed and quickly turned away, trying to hide their rock hard members as they shuffled away from their queen and the small intruder.

Luna glared at her. "You are interrupting, Twilight. I do hope you have not come to gloat."

Twilight winced. "No, of course not, princess. I came to... apologise... and say goodbye."

The princess twitched and gestured for her guard to rejoin her. "We forgive you. Now kindly leave and let your princess do as she wishes."

The lavender mare watched as one of the Guard shuffled over and was immediately grabebd by his princess. SHe smothered him in kisses and lowered her head to his-

"Princess! Please!" Twilight squealed and turned away.

Luna sighed. "Fine. Leave me, boys. I will see you later, if I need you."

They saluted, crushed at their time with their princess over, yet relieved at the same time, and quickly left.

The princess glared at her former lover. "You may speak. We are listening."

Uh oh, thought Twilight. She started referring herself as 'we' again. That's not good. "Cel-Celestia said we should talk. Say our final goodbyes. I am sorry, princess."

Luna snorted and sat on her bed. The musky smell of stallion filled Twilight's nostrils, making her wince with indignity.

Then the princess hung her head and shook it slowly. "I should apologise, Twilight Sparkle. This is not how one should act. We - I! Am sorry. I am... happy... you found love. I'm just upset it wasn't with me.

"But that's the thing, princess," Twilight said and slowly crept up to her. "I do love you. And I always will."

Luna raised her head sadly and gazed into those beautiful purple eyes. "I love you too, Twilight Sparkle... and I truly am happy or you and my sister. I forgive you for everything. And I hope you forgive myself for my actions."

"Princess.... you're upset, it's understandable. Like my friend Applejack says: When you get bucked off, just climb back on and try again. There will be other ponies."

The princess's cheeks turned a nice shade of red and she giggled a bit. "I believe you, Twilight Sparkle."

They watched each other sadly, then Twilight leaned in and gave her a small peck on the cheek. "I love you, Princess Luna."

"I love you too, Twilight Sparkle. Now, be a dear and send those boys back in, please? I must apologise to them now."

"Sure thing, princess."

The Night Princess's mouth twitched upwards in a smile as her ex-love left. Ex? Nay. I shall always hold her in my heart. The doors swung open and revealed two uncomfortable looking guards.

She thought back to what Twilight had just said.

"Indeed there will be other ponies," she murmured and smiled at the pair of colts. "First of all, I wish to apologise for any... mistreatment of my Guard. And secondly... I request you help your princess get over her heartbreak."

On the other side of the door, Twilight began to feel hot, and quickly left to join the mare waiting for her in the other tower. Luna's cries of pleasure still rang in her ears as she heard Celesta's own.

The End.

Stuck In The Middle - Let Us Put An End To This

Stuck In The Middle

Let Us Put An End To This

Twilight made her decision. Her eyes flickered back and forth between the princesses. Her princesses.

"I'm... I'm sorry... but I... can't," she mumbled as tears welled up in her eyes. "I can't choose between you... I love you both... so much..."

Celestia hung her head. "So it is true, then," she murmured sadly, avoiding the crying form of Twilight before her, and resisting every single fibre of her being telling her to hug and kiss her little Sparkle. "You do love us both so dearly, you cannot let either one of us go."

The unicorn sniffed and nodded sullenly.

Luna's eyes welled up as she hung her own head as she resisted similar urges. Her mouth opened to protest, and demand that the unicorn choose one to end their suffering. But nothing would come out. As hard as she tried, she just could not simply tell off the one pony she loved most dearly, and needed right now.

Twilight slumped to the floor and covered up her eyes. "I... I'm sorry. I just... can't..."

The younger princess's fiery temper reared it's ugly head again as she turned to her sister. This is your fault. All of this. We were happy, Twilight and I. Why do you always ruin EVERYTHING?! she silently screeched.

Celestia's eyes drifted over to that of her sister's, seeing the anger and frustration they held within. "Luna," she said coldly. "A word."

Luna begrudgingly nodded her head and turned to follow.

Twilight watched the door slowly close as they both exited the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Her lip quivered as anxiety took hold. "So... stupid..." Her eyes became dull and lifeless as utter despondence and resent took hold of her, and she slumped to the ground once more and covered her face up.

Outside the room, Celestia took Luna for a walk through the castle. Emotions ran rampant through them both, mostly anger and bitterness.

Luna fumed as she restrained her dark ego from taking hold again. Her jaw clenched shut as she twisted her neck around and down the corridor to the room which held Twilight. "Where are we going?" she growled.

Celestia flinched and said nothing, merely taking long strides forwards and bristling her wings.

Silence fell upon them as they marched.

~~~

Eventually, they came to a stop outside a large, ornate door.

Luna scowled.

Celestia stared ahead with a steely expression. "Inside," she commanded.

The younger sister obeyed reluctantly, storming past her elder and into the large, dark room. The elder entered after and quietly closed the door and flared her horn up, illuminating the darkness.

"Do you know where we are, Luna?" she asked in a monotonous voice.

Luna looked around, still scowling. "The Royal Archives. Only you or I may enter here."

"Yes. And what is kept in the Archives?"

"The oldest and most sacred of our laws."

"Precisely."

The sisters shared a moment as they stared into each other's eyes. One pair, a magenta colour that revealed nothing of her plans; and the other pair, a teal blue colour that showed only anger and sorrow.

Luna snorted and broke the gaze. "Your point is?" she growled.

Celestia continued to stare at her. "My point," she said calmly, "is that there is a way we can end this. Once and for all. A way you, me... and Twilight can all be happy."

Luna reared up and stomped her hooves. "Do not mention her name!" she yelled, just barely containing Nightmare Moon inside of her. "She has betrayed us! She deserves to-"

"To what, Luna?" Celestia asked in a tantalizingly calm voice. "To be punished? Need we bring back capital punishment for your jealousy? For my foolishness? For her misfortune of being in love with us both?"

"She doesn't love us anymore! She loves you!"

"She loves you too, Luna. You know that."

Luna's face burned red with anger. Her jaw opened and closed of it's own accord as she fought for words. Coherent words that weren't insulting in the slightest. Her eyes teared up as she sunk to the floor, bawling her eyes out.

Celestia looked down with pity and sorrow. "Let it all out," she murmured, fighting back her own tears of anger and resentment.

"I... I..." the crying pony mumbled. "I... hate... you..." she whispered.

The elder's face fell. "I can understand why," she said sadly. "But we are here for a reason. I have an idea that will make us both happy. As well as Twilight. Is it not her who matters most?"

Luna sniffed and said nothing, merely pushing herself away from her sister and huddling herself up on the floor.

Celestia looked up at the ceiling. "The ancient laws..." she murmured as she rose into the air and began inspecting the categories.

Suddenly, Luna thought she had an inkling of what her sister had in mind. "Cel... sister... are you planning... what I think you're planning?" she mumbled.

The elder ignored her and murmured something to herself as she levitated books out. "Counselling... partnerships... marriage... love..."

Luna rose to her hooves, sniffling and wiping tears from her cheeks. "There is a law that prevents what you are trying," she warned, unable to bring herself to actually say her sister's name. Evidently, Celestia picked up on this and looked down with remorse.

"I know. So we'll have to change that. Won't we? We are well within our rights."

"But Twilight could face charges..."

"We own this law, Luna. We can do whatever we want with it."

The elder sister flew down, stack of books nestling in between her wings as she approached her counterpart.

They stared at one another with teary eyes.

Luna nudged forwards and craned her neck ever so slightly forwards, waiting for the response.

Celestia did the same.

Their noses met in a tender gesture as fresh tears formed in their eyes.

"OK. Let's get down to business. We have a lot to cover if we are to do this," Celestia said as they pulled away. Luna nodded and smiled weakly.

They silently shared the books between them and poured their eyes over the information.

~~~

Twilight sat in a panic-stricken state. She'd been shaking ever since the door closed, leaving her alone with her thoughts. What's taking them so long? she wondered frantically. What are they taking so long with anyway?

Her eyes wandered around the room, looking for any indication as to what Celestia planned for her. If anything less than banishment, imprisonment, or banishment then imprisonment in the place she was banished to.

The door creaked open.

"Twilight?"

Luna's abnormally quiet voice called.

"Are you in here?"

"Yes," Twilight squeaked.

The princess's full body came into view as she walked through the doors and approached the unicorn. "Just making sure you hadn't ran again," she chuckled weakly.

Twilight cringed away and looked at the ground. "Are you here to banish me?" she mumbled.

Luna looked down sadly and said nothing.

At the silence Twilight Sparkle began to cry. This is it. The moon. The sun. Tartarus. That would be more fitting. *Tart*arus. she thought.

The younger princess felt her eyes water and bit her lip. Stick to the plan, Luna. "Come with me, my love. I want to show you something," she said, ominously, and placed a hoof on the unicorn's back.

Twilight allowed herself to be taken away with her head hung low.

They walked in silence, save for the filly's weeping and their hoof falls. The corridors were completely empty. No servants. No guards. No witnesses to the deed about to be performed.

"In here," said Luna as she turned into a room.

It was dark. And cold. Twilight shivered as she followed the faint outline of the princess.

"You're both here?" came another voice. Celestia's.

"Yes," Luna replied sternly.

"I want to hear her voice."

Twilight sniffed. "I'm here, p-princess..."

"...Good. Let us put an end to this, then."

The light came on, revealing the last thing Twilight expected.

Pinkie Pie sat, beaming with pride. "Hi Twilight. Glad you could make it, we're gonna have a huge party after this, just you wait!" she giggled.

Twilight blinked and sniffed again. "Pinkie? What are you doing here?"

"Marrying you, of course," said the pink one.

Twilight gaped. "Excuse me?"

"Well, I'm not marrying you, they are. I'm the one doing the ceremony, see. It's weird they call it that. I wonder if there's another name for it?" Pinkie gabbed.

"Ahem. If you would, Miss Pie?" Celestia coughed.

"Oh yeah, right, sorry princess!"

Luna smiled.

Celestia smiled.

Twilight felt her knees wobble and definitely did not smile. Her mouth worked up and down as she attempted to process what was happening. Or going to happen. "Would... somepony... please tell me what's going on?" she squeaked.

"Alright then," Celestia said, still smiling. "Luna and I found an ancient law regarding bigamy. Until recently, it was illegal to have more than one wife or husband in Equestria. But, seen as how you love both of us and can't bear the thought of hurting us, we agreed we would change this law. For you."

"But a problem arose when we took this to the council," Luna spoke up. "Apparently, they needed an example of the proposal before they approved it. As it happens, the Pie family is the leading practitioner of bigamy and fully endorses it. As well as having your friend Miss Pie here be a reverend in the matter," she explained.

Pinkie beamed with pride. "Yep. Great-great-great Grandma Pie had two grandaddies. It's an old thing passed down since the formation of Ponyville. I wonder why they outlawed it, though," she murmured.

Celestia coughed again. "We outlawed it roughly a thousand years ago, after Luna and I... fell out about something so delicate."

Through all of this, Twilight stayed silent.

"Twilight? Are you OK?" asked Luna.

The unicorn blinked once. "So... you don't.. hate me?"

"Of course not," both princesses said.

"But... b-but... but why?"

"Why what?" asked Celestia.

Twilight gaped. "Why don't you hate me? Both of you? I lied and cheated... and... why?"

Luna pawed at the ground sadly. "Truthfully, we don't know. I resent my sister greatly for what has happened, but I am as willing to set things right as she is. Now, Twilight Sparkle, we have something to ask you," she said, lowering her front legs and raising her horn.

Celestia performed the same act.

The unicorn gasped and backed away with wide eyes. Is this really happening?

"Twilight Sparkle," they both said.

Oh... this is happening... it's really happening...

"Will you marry us?"

Oh it just happened.

Sobs racked the filly's body. She sank to her knees with a huge smile on her face and moved forwards, resting her head in between her princesses.

"Yes. I will. And I'll love you both for ever and ever. I do love you both, I do, I do!"

Pinkie cleared her throat, suddenly taking on a business like tone. "In the name of Pie, double booking and Faust, I hereby pronounce you wife, wife and wife. You may kiss the bride. S."

As if overtaken by some force, the princesses pounced their love and lavished her with kisses.

"Reverend" Pie smiled and quietly exited the room. "Better get started on that party, then," she told them with a wink.

Twilight squealed with delight as she embraced her princesses.

She howled their names for the remainder of the day and long into the night.

For there was no other place she'd rather be, than caught between night and day.

The End

Note. This is literally the best I can do. Don't like it if you don't like it, but it's done. Never going back to it. Finito. Thanks for waiting and I appreciate the sh*t you put up with and this story. Now... I go.

Stuck In The Middle - Mistresses

Stuck In The Middle

Mistresses

Twilight Sparkle purred like a kitten. She sat, curled up in a large, dark blue bed.

Whose bed was this, you ask? Well, who is dark blue and lives in the royal palace?

Yep. Her.

She opened one eye and squinted at her bedfellow. "Morning," she squeaked through a yawn.

Princess Luna smiled and brushed her mane back. "Good morning. Sleep well?"

"Oh yes, princess. Very well."

In a playful manner, the small, purple unicorn put a hoof around the princess's waist, hugging her close and pressing their smooth bodies against one another.

Luna glanced up at the sun and tsked. "You're late again. Soon ponies will start wondering where it is you go to, Twilight Sparkle. And do stop calling me 'princess'."

Twilight blushed. "Sorry, pr - Luna, I guess it's just out of habit." She extended her neck for nuzzles and a kiss. The princess gladly obliged her and rubbed their noses together.

"I'll miss you," Luna murmured as Twilight hopped out the bed.

Twilight's ears went back. "Oh don't say things like that, they make me feel terrible," she said and perched on the edge of the bed, next to the princess.

"Good. You should stay here then. Maybe you could be punished?" Luna grinned and winked.

Her lavender mistress chuckled and placed a hoof on her leg. "Maybe, but I have to get going before anypony notices I'm gone. See you tonight, Mistress Luna?"

Luna laughed and gently nuzzled her. "See you tonight, Mistress Sparkle."

Twilight's cheeks turned pink as they kissed. Oh how I wish I could stay with you, but... duty calls, she thought and broke the kiss. She nodded politely and gathered up her things and headed upstairs.

~~~

She rapped on the door to her mentor's chambers. The guards nodded to her and swiftly turned away, making sure her 'advanced studies' with the princess remained undisturbed.

Celestia smiled as she spotted her student eagerly waiting at the door. "Hello, Twilight. You're early. What if somepony misses you?"

Oh, nopony will, I've already been to her. "I told them I was visiting for some advanced tutelage, nopony's the wiser," Twilight replied as the princess ushered her in.

The bedroom of Princess Celestia was even more extravagant than that of her sister's. It looked like something out of a fiction novel; The entire room was spherical in shape, about fifty feet across and fifty feet high. At the back of the room was the office, where Celestia performed most of her royal duties, and a large, golden coloured staircase sat in the centre of the room

The alabaster princess gently stroked Twilight's face as she led them around the room. "Did you sleep well?" she asked casually as they nuzzled one another.

Twilight giggled and nodded.

"Good."

They stopped, just before the stairs, as the century old alicorn grinned as she placed a hoof either side of her student's face and leant in for the kiss. Her tongue gently grazed against Twilight's teeth, searching for an opening.

Twilight giggled again and let her own tongue stroke against her mentor's. She moaned gleefully as she felt a hoof graze her chest and run along her belly.

Celestia smiled as well and held her pupil close, cradling her in her forelegs. Her hoof withdrew from Twilight's belly and joined the other hoof at her back.

They sat for a moment, enjoying the silence, and then Celestia picked her up.

"With you being so punctual, we must have some time for ourselves," she chuckled and hoisted Twilight onto her back.

Twilight squeed with delight and nestled in the large white feathers. The princess felt so soft, just like a cloud. Both princesses did, actually. They both felt as soft and as lovely as silk sheets on a Sunday morning, as Rarity would say

Celestia carried her small friend up the stairs, taking great care to make her rear dip, just so Twilight would land with her forelegs around the top of her royal flank.

The lavender unicorn cried out as she started slipping further and further, and the princess's tail collided with her vision. The pastel-rainbow coloured tail smelt like sweet honey and rosemary. Just like she herself did on mornings like these.

Just as Celestia pulled her back up onto her back and lay her down on the magnificent bed, a knock came at the door.

The princess groaned and held a hoof to Twilight's lips. Twilight nodded and remained as quiet as possible. If anypony should find her, questions would be asked, and then Luna would find out, and Twilight would be done for.

"Who is it?" Celestia called as she trotted back down the stairs, straightening her crown and sitting down at her desk.

"Your sister."

The white princess forced a smile out. Wonderful, what have you come to complain about now? she bitterly thought. "Come on in then."

Twilight cringed as she heard the happy voice.

"Greetings dearest sister, I merely wished to declare that I will be going on a vacation soon," a rather brazen looking Luna said.

Celestia stared at her. "Beg pardon?"

The Night Pony nodded. "Yes, I know it's rather short notice, but I feel that you have everything under control here, and... I would have company."

Her sister's eyebrows wandered up into her mane. This is new. "Oh? And who would that be?"

Twilight froze. Was the princess thinking of taking her on vacation with her? Oh that would be wonderf- no wait... Celestia would notice something's missing. Namely her. Oh... buck.

Luna's cheeks turned slightly pink. "A friend of mine. As far as I can tell, it's nothing serious, but I should wish her to join me for a small vacation, away form Canterlot." And nosy sisters. "Perhaps Prance."

The unicorn upstairs nearly squeed with excitement. A royal holiday with Princess Luna? Who could say no to that? Especially Princess Luuuuuuna. She drawled out the last word, grinning from ear to ear and listened intently.

Celestia's shocked expression pretty much said everything. "You have a special somepony? And a she?!" she cried.

Luna grinned. "I thought you'd be surprised at that. Like I said, It's nothing serious as of yet, but I hope to... progress with this vacation."

"Well... of course, by all means, dearest sister. I have my own... secret that nopony knows about," the elder sister giggled.

Now it was Luna's turn to be shocked. "Really? Oh you must tell me, dearest sister, else I shall denounce you as the meanest sister in the history of Equestria!" she joked.

Celestia smirked. "You first."

Luna baulked. "Ahh... maybe not then. We wouldn't want to spoil our secret's... secret, now would we?" she chuckled.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Twilight was frozen with terror. If any of them even mentioned her, that was it, she was done for. Condemned to a lifetime in the dungeons, perhaps the moon, or even Tartarus.

Dammit, Twilight, why do you get yourself in these sorts of messes? She silently scolded herself.

Down below, Celestia was laughing. Both princesses were.

Uh oh, I missed some of the conversation, what are they talking about now? Twilight wondered and strained to hear.

"...I was just telling Twilight the other day, imagine if Luna had a special somepony, a secret somepony too," Celestia chuckled.

Luna giggled back. "I had a similar conversation with her. Last Nightmare Night, when I visited Ponyville. She is a dear friend to us," she said.

Time seemed to slow down for Twilight. Oh please don't say anything, oh please don't say anything...

Celestia nodded. "Yes, she is. Well, I presume you will want to plan for this vacation of yours, do you need anything else?"

"No. All I need now is to actually tell her, then we'll leave in the morning. Perhaps I'll tell her tonight. See you soon, dearest sister, and you'd better tell me more about your secret suitor. I would like to meet her - her or him?"

"Her."

"Her, then, you sly dog you, one day." Luna hugged her sister and went to leave, happily humming a song to herself as she skipped away, back to bed, still laden with Essence of Twilight.

The trying (and failing) not to jump with excitement filly upstairs wanted to cry out and whoop with joy at the possibility of a vacation with her princess. Then she stopped and thought for a moment. "But what if Celestia notices?" she whispered.

"What if Celestia notices what?" Celestia asked as she appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Ahhh!" Twilight cried and fell off the bed. "Princess! I wasn't - I didn't -"

The princess chuckled and strode over to her. "I can understand if you were eavesdropping, Twilight, it is a rather bit of juicy gossip, wouldn't you say?"

Twilight's ear twitched. "What is? I wasn't paying attention."

Her teacher laughed and lay down on the bed, motioning for Twilight to climb on top. "You're a terrible liar, my favourite student."

I know. That's the problem. The student grimaced and lay down on her mentor's chest. She still smelt wonderful, and sooooo soft...

"Princess?" she asked.

"Hmm?" Celestia replied and stroked her mane, while tracing a hoof down her small spine.

"N.. nevermind..." Twilight shivered and whinnied with delight.

She felt the forelegs around her tighten in a gentle hug.

The large, enchanted grandfather clock downstairs boomed the time out: 10:45.

"Bother," Celestia muttered and gently pushed Twilight off. "I am sorry, my dear, but I must return to my duties. And you had best return to Ponyville, before anypony notices you were gone."

Twilight reluctantly agreed and yawned. "I already said. They think I'm just getting extra lessons about magic."

"Think?"

"I mean... you are... and, um... oh..."

Celestia threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, Twilight, come here." She embraced her student in another hug, gently kissing the base of her horn. "I shall see you soon, my dear. My little love."

Twilight felt time slow down again. A sick feeling, burning hot in her gut, took hold of her. Maybe I should come clean with one of them...

Oh, but Luna seemed so keen on that visit to Prance, and it would be wonderful. You wouldn't want to break her heart, now would you?

Well, no, but how could I tell Celestia I don't...

But you do.

Exactly.

The kissing of her horn turned into a gentle licking, making the dilemma afflicted pony shudder with excitement. She leant in for a kiss on the mouth, only to be stopped by her tormentor.

"Now, now, Twilight, we really must go our separate ways for now. I shall see you in the morning, my little pony."

"Of course, princess." And that's another thing: Celestia never wants me to stop calling her princess. Luna seemed angry about it the first few times. Oh, you're an idiot, Twilight Sparkle. And what about the vacation? Hmm?

That was a scary thought. What if she failed to meet the princess? She couldn't keep running back and forth between Prance and Canterlot, now could she?

Or could she?

Stuck In The Middle - Things Go From Bad To Worse

Stuck In The Middle

Things Go From Bad To Worse

Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy (well, maybe not Fluttershy) glared at Rarity, awaiting an explanation.

Rarity pretended not to notice them and turned to go.

"Hold up, sugarcube, just what exactly is goin' on?" Applejack said.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, dear," Rarity replied, without turning around.

The farm pony stomped her hoof. "Consarnit, Rarity! We're Twi's friends too, we deserve to know what happened! Now tell us."

"Shan't. I am sworn to secrecy. Pinkie will back me up on this, won't you, Pinkie Pie?" the ivory friend snorted.

All eyes shifted to Pinkie Pie.

The pink, party based life-form shrugged, rather non-committally. "Well, as Twilight's friends we should know why she got the super awesome party with sirens and everything, but we don't and Rarity says she can't tell nopony, so she can't tell us. That's the rules."

"Thank you, Pinkie. Now, let us go about our business until Twilight gets better-"

"Not so fast, Rarity!" Rainbow Dash snorted and flew in front of her, blocking her view. "You know something, don't you?"

Rarity's lips stayed shut and she turned away from the pegasus barring her path. Dash quickly moved and pressed her face into her friend's.

"Don't you?!"

"Dash, ah think y'all better lay off for a while. Fluttershy's gettin' upset," Applejack said and tapped her leg.

Fluttershy, meanwhile, was quivering, murmuring very quietly, "Oh please don't fight, oh please don't fight..."

Rarity sighed. "Fine, let's not fight, but Twilight made me promise. And I shall never reveal another friend's secrets. Ever," she muttered, mainly at the brazen, cyan pegasus before her.

The butter yellow pegasus slowly removed her hooves from her face and looked around. "Um... I think I know what happened..." she whispered.

Nopony heard her, and she was grateful for that, but something nagged at her as she watched her friends bicker and squabble.

Tell them what you think.

Oh, but what if I'm wrong?

And what if you're not?

But I will be...

Just do it. Be assertive for once in your life, Fluttershy. And do it right this time.

"Excuse me," she said, rather loudly, for Fluttershy anyway, and made all her friends stare at her. "But, um, I think I know what happened..." As eyes fell on her, she felt herself shrink and shrink.

Dash leaned forwards. "Oh yeah, Flutters? What happened then? Why did Celestia carry Twilight into the hospital, from the boutique, on her back?"

"Now, now, let's be reasonable, Fluttershy, sorry but you couldn't possibly know what... happened. You weren't there, she never spoke to you, else she would have told me and we would have all discussed it together," Rarity said, feeling the seat form on her brow.

Evidently, Rainbow Dash saw it too, and pointed an accusing hoof at her. "Aha! Go on Fluttershy, tell us what you think happened?"

Fluttershy squeaked something out. "Um... Celestia is in love with Twilight."

Her friends, minus Rarity, who paled even further and rang her hooves together, leaned in. "Uh, sorry 'Shy, could y'all repeat that a bit louder?"

"Celestia is in... love... with... Twilight..." the terrified pegasus repeated, slightly louder this time.

Again her friends leaned in and huddled around her, almost pressing their ears up to her mouth to hear.

"Say again, Flutters? I thought you just said Celestia loves Twilight," Dash chuckled.

"Celestia. Loves. Twilight," Fluttershy repeated, feeling hot and flushed at them not listening.

"Once more, sugarcube?" said AJ.

"Celestia loves Twilight."

Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Applejack stared at her for a few moments, then fell about laughing.

"Aw shucks, Fluttershy, y'all had us goin' there for a sec, "Applejack chortled.

"Yeah, heh, good one, Flutters. Celestia loves Twilight, pffft," Rainbow snorted.

Pinkie just giggled and began to sing. "Celestia and Twilight, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

Fluttershy cringed and glanced at Rarity. Her sullen expression and cracked lips seemed to speak thousands more than she could ever say.

"It's true," Rarity croaked.

Their friends stopped laughing and looked at her.

"Seriously?" Dash asked and tilted her head. "No, you're bluffing to get out of the real thing. C'mon, what actually happened?"

Rarity glared at her. "Fluttershy's right. They are. And not just Celestia. Luna too." She clamped a hoof over her mouth at the sudden outburst. "Forget that!" she cried and glanced around. Thankfully, nopony seemed to be in earshot, so she could breathe once more.

Applejack whistled. "Wow, uh... wow."

Pinkie shook her head. "Silly Rarity, Twilight doesn't two-time, that's what a big ol' meanie pants would do. Not Twilight. Twilight's a little, young, nicey-pants!"

"Yeah, cheating's for uncool, dumb... buckers, and Twilight isn't a cheater. Or dumb," Rainbow Dash declared.

"Yes, we know that, Rainbow, thank you, but it's true. She made me swear to tell nopony, but now she's in hospital because of it," Rarity sighed and sat down, placing her head in her hooves. "If only I'd told somepony! We might have gotten this sorted before it even started!" she wailed.

Applejack coughed nervously and helped her up, trying to ignore the looks from the hospital staff. "C'mon, Rares, let's get you home, then y'all can explain it to us. Then we'll come back and help Twilight."

Rarity sniffed and nodded. "Sorry.... but it's been bottled up for both of us for so long..."

They all murmured in a stunned agreement and followed Rarity to the boutique.

~~~

Luna paced in front of her sister in an empty room in Ponyville General. "Well?" she snorted.

Her sister eyed her suspiciously. "Well, what?"

"What were you doing with Twilight that put her in hospital?"

"I wasn't doing anything, and I don't see how it is any of your concern. She is my student, Luna. Not yours. We all remember how yours turned out, don't we?" Celestia responded harshly.

"How dare you?" Luna hissed. "That was your fault, once more! if you hadn't-"

"Enough!" Celestia shouted and slammed her hoof down. "Enough with the petty squabbles, Luna. We shall speak later, not here. Not in public. Now, I'm going back to tend to Twilight. I suggest you leave."

Luna's nostrils flared with indignation. "I may be younger than you, Celestia, but that does not mean you can boss me around like you do your subjects!"

"Enough," the Sun Princess repeated. "Luna, enough of this. Go home. Go back to Canterlot, before she comes back."

The Night Goddess snorted and stormed out. She soon came to another empty room, seemingly having gone in a large circle. "What am I doing?" she muttered and leant against the wall, sobbing quietly, eventually slipping down and letting her rump hit the floor.

Her ears pricked up when she heard approaching hoofsteps, and heard something slide down the wall next to her.

A white foreleg formed around her shoulders, cuddling her in a sisterly way.

"I'm sorry, Tia. I didn't mean..." she murmured.

"Shhh," Celestia whispered. "I'm sorry too. Things have been tough lately. Perhaps I should come clean with you."

Luna sniffed. "Me too."

"I'm in love with Twilight Sparkle," they both said, and frowned at one another.

The Night Pony nodded. "You first."

"No, no, you go first," Celestia said.

Luna nodded and took a deep breath. "I'm in love with Twilight Sparkle. We've been secretly seeing each other for about six months now. We didn't know how to tell you, and what your reaction would be, she being your student after all."

Celestia flinched and clenched her jaw. Oh I should have gone first. "Well, Luna. That is very... interesting. truth be told, I felt there was somepony else," she murmured.

The younger pulled back. "What do you mean somepony else?"

The elder hung her head. "I've been... seeing her too."

Luna's eyes grew wide and her jaw fell open.

"Yes, I know. I have actually known about you two, or something of that calibre, for a while. And I had my suspicions it was you. I was testing her, to see how strong her relationship bonds are. Apparently, she is willing to please both of us, and that takes great courage and determination to keep her friends happy. Wouldn't you agree?"

"You lie..." the Night Alicorn hissed and stood up.

Celestia frowned and placed a hoof on her shoulder, "Luna-"

"No! Get away from me! She wouldn't do that! She couldn't do that!"

"Luna please, calm yourse-"

"Shut up! Shut up!" Luna screamed and lashed out at her sister.

Celestia caught her hoof before it struck her. "That's enough, Luna. It's true. Calm yourself."

The baby sister lashed out again and again, struggling to free herself from her sister's icy grip. "Let me go! Liar! You lie!" her voice started to breakdown and sobs racked her body. "She wouldn't... she loves us..."

The Sun Goddess frowned. "Us?"

Luna reared her head back. "Yes. Us. The Mare in the Moon. You caused this!" she bellowed as her coat began to turn the deepest shade of black, and she grew about a head in height, as high as her sister. Her pupils changed colour and shape, taking on a green, cat-like appearance, and her mane became more of an essence, less corporeal and more like a strange mist.

Celestia's lip quivered. "No... not again... please, Luna. Don't make me do this again, I don't want to lose you again," she murmured and clasped her sister's hoof in her own.

"Spare me your begging, Celestia," Nightmare Moon hissed and wrenched her hoof out of her sister's. "You deserve everything you get. As of now, we are no longer sisters." And with that, she turned and sped down the corridors, towards Twilight's room. The shrieks and cries of the hospital staff, and a few patients, made Celestia scramble out the door, fighting back tears.

"Oh what have I done?" she murmured, and chased after her 'former' sister.

~~~

Luna's life shattered in that moment.  She and Twilight were deeply in love, she was certain of it. Why would she claim to love both of them? It made no sense. Celestia couldn't be telling the truth. She just couldn't be. It had to be some awful prank that got out of hoof.

As she raged through the hospital, scaring the living daylights out of the staff, she came to a stop at Twilight's door. Her green eyes cast a glare around, and she bared her fangs at any who stared at her.

They immediately fell to their knees and begged for mercy.

"Luna!" her sister's voice called from somewhere behind her.

She spun around and lowered her horn at the white alicorn. "Leave us, traitor! We seek our beloved, and you shall not stop us!" she bellowed.

Celestia didn't even try to defend herself as a dark blue lightning bolt struck her in the chest. "Luna... please..." she whimpered and fell backwards.

Nightmare Moon snarled and kicked the doors open. "Twilight Sparkle! Celestia declares you a cheater and a cheap harlot! Is this true?" she raged to the room.

No answer.

"Is it true?!" Moon demanded and charged over to the bed. She tore the covers off and stared down in disbelief. Neither hide nor hair of her little love was in the bed. "What?" she murmured and searched around the room.

She felt herself shrink and return to normal size, heart racing in fear and anxiety.

Celestia staggered over to the room and peered inside. "Luna?"

"Where. Is. She?" Luna growled and stared at the bed.

Her sister blinked and followed her gaze. "Twilight?"

Nothing except the whimpers of the terrified hospital workers answered her.

Both sisters turned to one another, fury in Luna's eyes, a great sadness in Celestia's.

"Luna... I do not know where she is. I truly do not."

Luna's heart beat increased. Does this mean it's true? Had she decided to flee her problems rather than confront them? Did this mean that she and the princess were nothing? Nothing but a game? A fly in a spider's trap?

"I... need to go..." Luna muttered and spread her wings.

Celestia moved towards her, extending her neck for nuzzles.

The younger forcefully pushed her away and galloped out, tears flowing from her face. The crowd parted and darted out of her way, whispering amongst each other.

The elder sister stayed and stared at the empty bed. She flared her horn up and cast an essence of magic detection spell around the room and bed. Sure enough, a few crystallized bits of magic formed around the latter.

"Oh Twilight... I'm so sorry..."

The doctor quivered behind her. "Um... princess? Wh-what's going on?"

She rounded on him. "One of your patients has gone missing, doctor. Gather up some ponies and find her immediately. She is in a vulnerable state."

He jumped up and nodded. "Of c-course, princess, but what about... Nightmare Moon? Has she returned?"

Celestia blinked. "No. At least, I think not. I shall speak to her, go out and find Twilight Sparkle. Hurry!"

He jumped again as she shouted the last word. "You there, get the message out: Twilight Sparkle is missing. We need to find her immediately. Move it!"

The princess sighed and heaved her chest. "I'm so, so sorry. To both of you."

~~~

"Extra, extra! Twilight Sparkle vanishes from Ponyville General! Anypony with any information is to report to Celestia immediately! Located in Town hall!" the paper boy cried as the crowd surrounded him, forking over bits left, right and centre.

"Hey, kid! How much for a newspaper?" demanded Rainbow Dash.

"One bit, ma'am," he replied and held a paper in his mouth.

She snatched it from him and flung a few bits his way. "Keep the change," she muttered and darted her eyes back and forth. "Oh... buck, Twilight... Guys!" she cried and sped towards Rarity's house. "Everypony! Get up off your lazy flanks and move!" she yelled as she barged through the door.

Rarity scowled. "Rainbow Dash, I do not appreciate it when guests call my flank 'lazy' or when they reference to it in anyway."

The pegasus flung the newspaper in her face. "Twilight's vanished! We need to go find her! Like, now!"

"Hold up, sugarcube, what the hay do you mean,Twi's gone missin?" Applejack drawled in her southern accent. "She's still in her hospital bed-"

"No. No she isn't," Rarity mumbled and showed her the paper. "It says here that Nightmare Moon raged through the hospital, declaring Twilight a 'cheater and a cheap harlot'. Then after a few moments of silence, it was revealed that Twilight Sparkle has vanished without a trace. Celestia is waiting in Town Hall for anypony to come forward with news."

The five friends gaped.

Fluttershy began to cry, burying her face in Pinkie's shoulder.

Pinkie frowned. "That doesn't sound like Twilight. That sounds very... meanie-pants..." she murmured as her eyes filled with tears and her mane drooped.

Applejack flicked her hat. "Well, what're we waitin' fer?" she cried and stood up.

Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. "Yeah, why are we still here I'll go tell the pegasi to look for her, Fluttershy, you go tell your animal friends and see if they know anything."

Fluttershy wailed and nodded her head vigourously.

"Pinkie Pie and Rarity, y'all go to Celestia. Ah'll check up on Big mac an' fill him in. He'll get some of his buddies to look," AJ declared.

They all nodded in agreement and made for the door, which was now obscured by a large, winged unicorn.

Princess Luna glared at each of them in turn, each falling to their knees in fear.

"...I want to find her..."

The five friends nervously looked up, and saw the tears streaming down the princess's face.

"Uh, sure, princess, you can..." Applejack murmured and scratched her head. "You can..."

"You could... ch-check the Everfree?" Fluttershy squeaked in terror.

Luna nodded and sniffed. "Yes... perhaps the castle..."

Rainbow Dash slapped her forehead. "And Zecora! We could get Zecora to help look. Twilight might have gone there."

They murmured in agreement, and Rarity noticed the princess's shuffling.

"You go on ahead, I'll speak to the princess about... this..." she murmured.

Four heads nodded and quickly left the room. Leaving Luna and Rarity alone.

"Princess? Are you alright?"

Luna sniffed again. "What do you think, Miss Rarity? Our - my... little... Twilight has gone missing... and we - I... think it's because she.... she..."

Rarity winced as the princess broke down in tears. "There, there, princess. We'll find her. And if it helps, she really does love you. She told me herself."

She squeaked as Luna rose up before her. "She spoke to you of our relationship?" she growled.

"W-well, she said she needed an ear, what with Celestia-"

Luna roared in anger and flung a chair out the way. "So it is true! Twilight is nothing more than a common whore! Did our love mean nothing?!"

The white unicorn dove under the table in sheer terror.

The princess sighed and sank back into a depression. "I am sorry, Rarity... we - I did not mean to... scare you."

"Scare is an understatement," Rarity muttered as she crawled out from under the table. "If I may, princess?"

Luna nodded and stared at the floor.

"Twilight really does love you. She was thinking of confronting Celestia about it a few day ago, but now..."

"But now she fears we will hurt her for... cheating..."

"Exactly. I think you all need to have a talk. The way you are reacting, it's most reasonable, princess."

Luna blinked in confusion. "What do you mean? Almost killing my own sister is reasonable now?"

Rarity winced again. "Well, maybe not that. But distraught she's gone missing. That's true love, Luna."

The princess looked up and stared into those crystal blue eyes. "You assume I'm distraught because she's missing?" she murmured, on the verge of growling.

The ivory unicorn cringed away. "Well, I-"

"I am furious that it is true she is... intimate with both myself and my sister-"

"Was. Was intimate, princess," Rarity interrupted. "After today, I don't think she may love again, not after all the worries it's caused her."

Luna blanched. "Worries? What worries?"

Rarity stared at her. "She's been frantic about not letting the two of you know, frantic about working to appease both of you, and extremely worried what should happen if she found out."

The princess quivered. "Perhaps... she was just protecting her own interests..." she murmured, defiantly.

"Hmmph. If she was protecting herself she would have ended it with one, or both of you long ago. Princess, very few times have I experienced love, but what Twilight has for you and Celestia-"

Luna snorted and inspected her hoof.

"And Celestia," Rarity continued, "is something far greater than mere fairy tale romance. I believe she was trying to keep both of you happy, because she just cannot choose between her two princesses. Would you say no to yourself, if you were Twilight?"

A few moments of silence.

"No..."

"And could you say no to Celestia? if you were in Twilight's position?"

"...No... by the Moon... what have I done?" Luna murmured and suddenly stood up. "Thank you, lady Rarity, but I must find my love. And apologise to my sister. When we get her back, we shall all talk about this, and resolve it. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you," she cried and hugged the advice giving unicorn.

"You're welcome, princess. Now go, go find Twilight. Bring her home." Rarity smiled and patted her on the back.

"At once."

Luna released her prisoner from the hug, and sped out the door, flapping away with powerful wings, laden with love.

Rarity smiled and quickly went to the Town Hall, where Celestia was frantically pacing outside, with Pinkie Pie yapping away about something.

"Rarity, please tell me you have news. Miss Pie said that my sister visited you? I apologise if she hurt you, this is a difficult time for her," the princess said, cutting off another one of Pinkie's rants about the metric system.

"So I said metric? Are you crazy? Oh, hey Rarity."

Rarity nodded to her friend. "Don't worry, princess. Your sister and I talked, and I think she has forgiven you."

Celestia turned away miserably. "She will never forgive me."

The unicorn sighed and sat down next to her pink friend.

The princess turned her head towards her. "So you have no news?"

"Luna is looking for her as we speak. I suppose we just wait and see what happens now."