Author's Note

Just a fun oneshot.
Some minor warnings for stuff like body image issues, and some weight related health issues towards the end but nothing super dark or detailed.

Twilight's Gain

Twilight Sparkle was starting to gain weight, Spike noticed. Peering up over the top of his comic book, he could see his friend and mentor chewing on an apple fritter as she read one of the books from the latest shipment from Canterlot.

Moving to Ponyville had been great! After the initial fright and adventure. Twilight had friends, and so did he. He got to see ponies, talk with them. Seeing Twilight interact with them was...well it was more than a little exciting. Spike was always excited when one of the girls came to do something, or even just to talk. It helped unstick Twilight’s neurotic mind, made her take breaks, and she seemed genuinely happier. Even after all the strange week to week issues that always seemed to have a lesson involving friendship attached.

It’d been...Spike counted in his head, two months? Since they’d left Canterlot, and in that time a lot of things had changed.

Twilight’s routine for one. Canterlot, and Celestia’s School in particular, had anti-teleportation wards up. Canterlot’s were a security measure, meaning ones magical signature had to be keyed into the system to allow teleportation. The school’s were more strict, allowing only faculty and security to teleport in and out. Meaning Twilight had walked everywhere.
She lived in a library, and while Twilight had had a stash of books in her tower home in Canterlot, she was always trekking to the Royal Archives for more. Sometimes spending entire days in there, only stopping when Spike or Celestia or her parents brought her food and drink. While Twilight still needed the Royal Archives for her research, she just ordered them. And they came to her door. Since they now lived in a library.

Her lessons with Celestia were gone too. Usually Twilight accompanied Celestia on walks in the garden, using her magic and burning off significant amounts of calories. To the point where Twilight was usually underweight. Not dangerously so, but it had been a problem most of her life.

Spike watched as Twilight’s hoof pressed against the empty plate to her side. Her face momentarily shocked as she encountered nothing but air and porcelain. There’d been two dozen fritters there when she’d started.

“Oh. Erm...Excuse me.” Twilight muttered, putting the book down to slide off the chair. Her magic levitating the plate near her head and out of the way.

Now she was upright, Spike could better see Twilight’s growing problem.

Twilight was about average height for a unicorn, far shorter than her brother and father, but looking a lot like her mother in terms of body shape. Well, her normal body shape anyway. Twilight looked thicker and heavier than her mother ever had, her stomach hanging from a wider barrel.

Even Twilight’s Cutie Marks had expanded, looking a little faded and stretched out because of the new fat clinging to her flanks. Her hips and flanks had melded together, and it would take a real idiot to not notice the stallions and mares staring after Twilight as she moved past them.

The rest of her was fat too. A thicker neck, a poofy pigeon chest, chubby cheeks, a double chin, and thicker legs completed the picture. Spike wasn’t a gambling dragon, but if he was, he’d gamble on Twilight weighing at least fifty pounds heavier than she’d been when they arrived.

What made matters worse, was the fact that Twilight was also eating more. Pinkie Pie always needed taste-testers for her new creations, and Applejack worked hard to make Twilight feel at home in a place that was still strange.

Spike nearly bit through his lip when Twilight returned. Huffing and puffing, carrying a new tray. Cupcakes this time, so definitely Pinkie.

Spike would write to Celestia and Rainbow Dash that night. If they couldn’t fix what was going on, then nopony could.

(LINE BREAK)

Twilight’s growling stomach, and the pangs of hunger that accompanied it, were what brought her to consciousness one dreary, spring morning.

The weather was perfect. Sunlight and a beautiful breeze peering through her thick curtains. The weather pegasi, and Celestia, had outdone themselves in crafting this day.

Not that it mattered to Twilight. A beautiful day couldn’t stand up to what she was facing. Not a friendship problem, not a test, not somepony scribbling in one of the library books.

No. Twilight had to face a diet. The thoughts sending shudders down Twilight’s spine at the thought.

Her stomach growled again, and Twilight did her best to soothe it with a gentle hoof rub, feeling her hoof sink into her flab was so alien yet so pleasurable-

“RISE AND SHINE!” The dread intensified when Rainbow Dash’s loud, hoarse voice sounded from outside. “TWILIGHT SPARKLE! MARCH YOUR FLABBY PLOT DOWN HERE ASAP!”

Twilight whimpered, the dread settling in all the harder. But she remembered the look on Spike’s face, and the sincerity of Celestia’s letter, and hauled herself out of bed. Trotting to the bathroom to start her morning. Rainbow could yell all she wanted, Twilight had to use the bathroom and brush her mane at the least.

Tackling the mess that was her tail, Twilight couldn’t exactly blame Rainbow and Spike for their concern. She’d been packing on the pounds recently, almost seventy if her scales were right. The first ten had been an accident, the rest...well, Twilight could never articulate how nice it felt to be fat. How pleasurable it was to eat until your stomach ached. Watching your body expand with each day. Seeing how the numbers climbed ever higher.

Until Spike had caught onto her weight, anyway.

Twilight tackled her mane next, yawning. Her research had suffered, she hadn’t realized that it had become second nature to snack as she worked. Applejack’s delicious treats were being uneaten, and other ponies got to try Pinkie’s creations first. It just wasn’t fair.

Another yell, more indistinct because of the closed door, and Twilight let out a ragged sigh. Splashing her face with cold water, and drying off, before turning her slow, unexcited steps to the downstairs.

Spike was there, foot tapping against the ground. Though he perked up when he saw Twilight. Holding out two plastic bottles. One with a healthy smoothie, to be drunk during Twilight’s warm ups, and then a bottle of cold water for the jog around Ponyville.

The stretching was as bad as it always was, with what felt like half of Ponyville staring at the fat mare and the pegasus yelling at her to get fit.

The stretching was slow going, at least. Rainbow had changed her strategy after Twilight had puked into a bush that first morning, only ten minutes into the stretching. Still, it didn’t take long for Twilight’s exercise starved muscles to start burning. Her face growing hot from exertion and embarrassment as her sides started to lather with sweat.

By the time the stretching was over, Twilight usually felt nauseous anyway. And the weak jogging she managed to pull off only made the smoothie cling cloyingly to the back of her throat, the burning acid threatening to come back up.

Still, Twilight swallowed it down. Soothing her stomach with some water. Fur damp and slick with sweat, mane messy and wet. Feeling her heart hammering in her chest, the sweat prickling at her skin. It was no wonder people stared as she trundled by. Between her heaving, wheezing breaths and Rainbow’s ‘encouragement’ it was a wonder Celestia couldn’t hear them from Canterlot.

Twilight slowed to a stop, leaning against a tree. Gulping from her water, hoping to rest for a few moments, a minute at most, before continuing.

It took Rainbow a few seconds to realize that Twilight had stopped, and when she did the pegasus came back. “What’s going on! Come on Twilight! Move that plot! You’ve got a lot of fat to burn! Pick up those hooves and get moving-”

Rage that Twilight had been suppressing for almost a week erupted. Throwing the water bottle down with enough force that it cracked, spraying water to douse the two friends. Twilight’s eyes welling up with tears, face scrunched up in malcontent.

“That’s enough!” Twilight huffed, “Rainbow that’s it! I’m...done!”

“What?” Rainbow looked like a deer caught in the middle of the road. Gaping, clearly in shock.

“I’m done!” Twilight repeated, blowing harshly at a bit of mane that was sticking to her face rather than her neck, “Go yell at somepony else!” Finding the strength in weak and shaky legs to storm off effectively, leaving Rainbow standing in the middle of the park looking dazed.

Twilight didn’t intend to go to Sugarcube Corner, but she must have made an impression. It took seconds for Mrs. Cake to take over for Pinkie at the counter, so Pinkie could escort Twilight upstairs.

“What happened, Twilight?” Pinkie didn’t seem to mind that Twilight was having to take so long on the stairs, the unicorn’s flabby legs were shaking with exertion, but Pinkie was staying nearby anyway.

Twilight sniffled, trying and failing to hold back tears, trying to explain but it was just a mess. She felt like her world was tumbling down around her. That she was a useless student, a bad friend, a terrible pony. Because she had no desire to lose this weight, to cut back, to do anything her friends wanted her to do.

Somehow, they got upstairs, and Pinkie ran her a bath. Listening to Twilight’s worries as Twilight worked to wash the sweat from her coat.

Twilight, once she was dry, had been pushed into the nearest chair an plied with a cup of cocoa with whipped cream. Tentatively, Twilight began to sip at it. Even as part of her recognized how unhealthy and fattening this would be.

“Twilight, you’re not happy doing this diet, are you?” Pinkie asked. Her bluntness actually making Twilight choke on her drink, sputtering uselessly.

Twilight looked down, licking suddenly dry lips. “No.”

“Then why continue it? You’re a little overweight, sure, but you’re still active! You went after that monster last week really well!” Pinkie beamed, “You’re still a great pony, even if you have a little extra pudge! Nothing wrong with that. All ponies have different weights. You should see me by Hearth’s Warming! We can be pudge buddies!”

Twilight couldn’t help but flush a little, “Really? You don’t mind me being heavy?”

“Nope! I just want you to be happy. How about you head on home, and I’ll wrangle Spike and Dashi and talk to them? Okay? I promise everything will turn out fine!”

“Pinkie Promise?”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” Even as Pinkie went through the ridiculous motions, her tone was serious.

Twilight drank down the rest of her hot chocolate. Stopping downstairs to order herself a dozen cupcakes to take home. She deserved it after all. That smoothie hadn’t done much to take off the edge of her hunger.

(LINE BREAK)

Spike ate his toast, trying to keep his face neutral as Twilight cooked herself a feast for breakfast.

Pinkie had been right, Spike had to admit. The diet had been making Twilight miserable and she’d been hurting. She was happier now. But her weight was rocketing up again, with Pinkie and Applejack still plying her with all kinds of food and sweets.

Unbidden, Twilight’s portion sizes grew right along with her. It was hard not to look at a portion of hashbrowns and not think of the fat that was sure to accumulate around her barrel or across her plot.

She wasn’t just chubby anymore. Twilight had left that categorization a long while ago. She was obese at best, her weight tugging on her and slowing her movements. Yet it didn’t stop her face from lighting up whenever Pinkie brought her something new to try, or Granny Smith made too much soup for the family to finish.

Twilight was humming, seated on a reinforced stool that was creaking under her weight. Using her magic to flip a pancake. Smiling widely at the sight of the golden brown side. She’d already made hashbrowns, which she was eating, eggs, vegetarian sausage, and waffles. All large portions, and Spike could only hope the pancakes were it. He wasn’t sure if he could watch Twilight gorge herself for much longer.

Twilight had blown up in weight since she’d quit her diet and exercise regime, months ago. Packing on the weight, she’d still been mobile and healthy. Helping her friends tackle the weekly problems that popped up like clockwork.

Until last week, she’d gotten her hips stuck in the doorway of Golden Oak library. It’d taken Spike and Rarity half an hour to get her unstuck, by which time the others had dealt with the timberwolf threat.

Twilight had gorged herself on three cheese pizzas that night, before ordering renovations on the library. Sturdier furniture, wider doors. Easier stairs to climb. A bigger bed.

She’d gained at least ten pounds since then, judging from the new chin that joined the three others. Her barrel was wide and flabby, marred with stretch marks and cellulite. Folds marked her back and neck. Sagging chins and jowls melded with an even saggier neck. Her stomach hung well below her knees, pulling the pigeon chest down to meld with it. Her plot was massive, her cutie marks constantly faded out and stretched.

Twilight could walk around when she had to, wandering the library contentedly enough. But ask her to go anywhere else and she’d teleport.

Spike didn’t understand. He could hear her struggling for air at night. Had thought she’d stopped breathing on a few occasions, could hear her well enough when she complained about her ankles and hips hurting, but she did nothing to stop herself.

When Twilight started to eat the first of her pancakes, Spike took the time to slip out of the room. Hoping to go do...something. He didn’t quite know what, but it was better than watching his friend eat herself to death.

(LINE BREAK)

“Hi Twilight!” Pinkie’s cheerful voice broke through the haze of sleep that Twilight had been in, making the obese mare blink awake. Her magic lighting to automatically remove the BiPap machine from where it was strapped to her face.

Twilight had finally reached immobility, to the horror and curiosity of those around her. Eating herself into her own fatty prison. Pinkie visited often, Applejack as well. Usually they brought things, even though Twilight could hear Spike arguing with them downstairs.

Three days ago, Twilight had been unable to stand up. Her hooves meeting only air and her own fat. She’d set up wards for this possibility, letting her remain clean and comfortable, but it had still been a shock.

“Pinkie?” Twilight questioned, yawning, “What’s going on? What time is it?”

“Morning!” Pinkie bounced in place, as energetic as ever even though she’d put on a few pounds since she’d started getting ready for the holiday season. “I thought I’d bring you something.”

“Really?” Twilight blinked blearily, “Didn’t Spike say...anything?” Letting out a breath that was more of a wheeze than anything else. The weight of her body pressing into her lungs enough that breathing was a struggle all the time.

“Yup! And yup! That’s part of why I’m here!” Pinkie’s tone and face became more serious, “You see....I thought I’d check in. Are you happy? Weighing this much?”

“What? Pinkie...I’m not...awake…” Twilight whined, licking dry lips, “‘M tired.”

Pinkie huffed, reaching over to poke a hoof into Twilight’s chest. Leaning into the motion to let her hoof sink into Twilight’s soft flesh, “Silly-billy! Are you happy?”

Twilight sighed, looking at Pinkie, thinking about it.

By all rights, Twilight shouldn’t be happy like this. She was immobilized by her own fat body, taking medications daily to keep herself alive, using oxygen and a BiPap to help her breathe, getting home visits by the doctor regularly to make sure she stayed as healthy as a mare her size could expect.

Twilight was super morbidly obese. Her stomach pooling underneath her, her barrel bunched up and covered in rolls. Her hind legs trapped between her growing plot and stomach, Just able to wiggle her nub-like hooves. Her front legs were little better. Being encroached upon by her chest, shoulder, and stomach fat. Spread wide to accommodate her fat, she could hardly twitch them. Relying solely on her magic to do what she had to.

But Twilight was happy. She could eat what she wanted, when she wanted. She was comfortable, warm, and soft. Well looked after by those around her. Still studying, still learning.

“Yes?” Twilight said after a moment.

Pinkie pouted, “That doesn’t sound like the right answer. Are you happy?”

“Yes.” Twilight repeated, with fire in her eyes.

Pinkie smiled again, moving to one side to reveal a cart laden with food, “Good answer! Now open up! Your best friend Pinkie has brought you some real treats today!”

Giddy with excitement, Twilight opened her mouth. Ready and willing for the calorific buffet Pinkie was sure to push into her gullet.