Mistress (Adagio's Big Comeback)

Act 3: Guiding (Twi)light

“Strictly speaking, you're in the Crystal Empire,” Twilight continues as you just stare, “but that's not important. It's good to finally meet you,”

A talking horse... you know you've been expecting this. You've meditated on it, but you're still kinda freaking out. Now's not the time for panicking, though, you need to make a good first impression, but you also need to gather your bearings.

You're in a room with a chandelier, bookcases filled with thick tomes, tables and chairs. Everything seems to be made of a glassy, crystalline material, including the floor based on how hard it is. An elaborately decorated mirror with a set of stairs leading to it sits nearby, which glows ominously. It's like you've stepped into a fantasy novel or something.

“Don't worry about the others,” Twilight says, “Sunset and Adagio will be here in a couple of minutes or so. Usually the portal is nearly instant, but it's suffered some wear and tear that's done strange things to the passage between worlds. It's usually in my castle in Ponyville, but now it's here in the Crystal Empire for repairs, the Arcane Fabrication Workshop. The same place that's going to be repairing your friend's necklace, in fact!”

Castle? Oh, shit, that reminds you. “You're a princess, right?” you ask. “Should I bow, or...?”

She giggles, “let's focus on just standing up for now, hmm?”

You flail your limbs a little as Twilight back's up to give you space, but the joint orientation is all weird. Muscles and bone are all misaligned from your life as a biped. “Uh... could I get a little help, please? I'm not used to the lack of lateral motion in my limbs.”

Twilight chimes, “no problem.”

Everything takes on a pink sheen, and you feel weightless for a moment as you're lifted off the floor and flipped the right way up. You see Twilight's horn is glowing as she slowly lowers you.

Holy shit, she just used magic and literally picked you up like you weigh nothing.

“Now, you're going to want to bend your legs juuust a little for comfort,” she says, and you comply. “Perfect!”

You're placed on the floor, and surprised by the distinct clop as your feet... hooves make contact with the hard surface; you expected it to be like standing on a rock hard shoe, but it has some degree of spread. You just stay still as you get used to your new quadrupedal form. It's only now you realise that Twilight's taller than you by a good half a head, horns notwithstanding. You have no frame of reference, but it's not far off the difference from when Adagio was a little over six foot to your five eight. Strange, you don't remember her being anything but average as a human.

Most of all, you forgot she's an alicorn; wings and a horn. You wish you could scan her but right now, even standing feels like a challenge.

“Don't worry,” Twilight says, “take as long as you need getting used to your new pony form. It certainly took me a while getting used to not only standing upright as a human, but using fingers to manipulate things. Oh, and don't get me started on toes! Having to flex and bend them to master walking or dancing was an absolute nightmare!”

You can't help but smirk and remember this is the same Twilight seen mashing her fists on the library computers back in CHS. “It's still hard to make the connection that you're the same girl that visited Canterlot High School. Ah, but damn, I'm being rude.”

Damn? You feel really awkward about cussing, even in that simple format. You can't tell if it's because you're in the presence of royalty or something else...

Never mind, try and play it cool, Radian.

After a longer-than-comfortable pause, you nod and say, “thank you for helping Adagio. I can't stress how much it means to me.”

Twilight smiles and nods. “Well, don't thank me yet. We've yet to repair the stone. But don't worry! I've assembled all but one of the best ponies for the job! Almost, anyway. Our best mineralogist is sadly busy elsewhere, but everyone else is ready for you to join the pair tomorrow and together, we'll help your special somepony and her sisters yet!”

Somepony... the weird vernacular seems oddly proper. You even winced a little when you said 'girl' earlier. You should have said filly, or mare, depending on-

Wow. This place is definitely having a weird effect on you.

“Oh, but we should get you walking,” Twilight says and trots beside you, so she's standing side by side. “I developed a mnemonic sequence that helped Sunset's friends when they've visited on occasion. Consider your hooves for a moment.”

You look down at the cumbersome looking things, your knobbly knees, your... dark blue coated legs.

“Let's go left to right, and front to back. So front left and right is one and two, while the back left and right are three and four. Got it?”

Okay, that makes sense, so you nod.

“Now, the sequence is one, four, two, three,” she says and makes slow, deliberate movements with her corresponding legs. “Go one at a time, and once you're confident, you'll be able to start moving the next hoof before the first one is even in contact with the floor.”

Some might think these directions were condescending, but she's speaking your language by making this scientifically simple. You move your front left and say, “one,” back right, “four,” front right, “two,” back left, “three...”

It works! You repeat, and begin walking around the room. The motions become very natural in the flow, and you settle into mentally thinking the numbers in time with the tap of your hooves on crystal floor.

It's only when you walk in front of the mirror, you notice you're naked, except the strapped emitter. It's bigger than you remember. The machine can't have grown, so you can only assume ponies are smaller than humans. Also, the nakedness seems oddly... acceptable.

You also can't help but stare at yourself. Dark but almost washed out blue coat, your hair- uh, mane is the same green with yellow stripes as a human, in your simple, short style though you have it extending down the back of your neck. You have a tail that's just a short, messy sprout of the same colours. Your eyes are still the same shade of brown as well.

“Once you're familiar with a walk, you can move up to a trot,” the mirror flashes and obscures your reflection. “Ah, we'll get back to that in a moment. I assume this will be Adagio.”

You were so caught up in the moment, you almost forgot. You walk to the side as the mirror's glow intensifies and a mass of yellow fur and orange curls shoots through the portal, landing with a thud.

“Son of a biscuit, that hurt!” Adagio says. Also naked, although curiously, her spiky hair ornament is still there, keeping most of her massive mane raised.

Something's off... and Twilight sees it too.

Adagio's huge.

She struggles about, but seems to fare better than you did in at least climbing onto her front. After a few moments, she stands on shaky legs, and her mass of a mane and tail stop covering her. She's clearly the equivalent to her human seven foot height and expanded form. Since she's a full head taller than Twilight, and with your limited frame of reference, she's powerfully built. You also realise (due to no small part of your wandering gaze over your girlfriend's body) that her flank has a tattoo-like symbol. A musical note, a treble clef you think it's called, which fits her singing prowess, with a golden diamond slightly off to the side and in front of it.

Your pony brain tingles at her wide rump, thick thighs, broad, powerfully built body... damn it, Radian, stop, now's not the time. Clearly keeping Adagio's true size a secret as an ace in the hole has failed. Not a good start to the plan.

“Adagio Dazzle! Welcome home to Equestria! You're... bigger than I was expecting,” Twilight says, cocking an eyebrow. Do ponies even have eyebrows?

Adagio blinks and looks around, dazed and confused. Her eyes are distant as she sways. She almost falls over before Twilight's horn glows again and she catches your girlfriend mid-fall.

Either because of the magic or the near-miss, Adagio shakes her head, sending her thick curls whipping about, before she seems to try and focus. You know she's usually sharp enough to think on her hooves for this mess up of the plan, but she continues to struggle.

Far quicker than the gap between you and Adagio's entry, the mirror flashes to life again. Another pony, who you recognise as Sunset Shimmer thanks to her distinctly coloured mane and eyes, walks through on her hind legs, takes a few awkward steps, then drops to four hooves with a sigh. The pouch containing Sonata's stone is now tied around her neck.

Twilight breaks from her confusion and rushes to the newcomer. “Sunset! It's great to see you again!”

“Twilight!”

The two hug by hooking a foreleg and necks over one another's shoulder and pulling each other close.

Sunset breaks from the hug, smiles and nods to you, but then notices the still vacant Adagio. “Uh... why's Adagio twice as big as the rest of us?”

“I was hoping you would be able to tell me,” Twilight says, then they both glance at you.

You have to cover for Adagio or the suspicion is just going to keep building. “Uh, I believe I can explain,” you say, and pause as both stare at you while you try to make an excuse, racking your brain for everything you know about her. Oh, that would work. “I believe she's suffering some form of physiological, uh, inertia? I seem to remember that sirens were large beings, as grand as dragons. Perhaps, while the transformation due to the lack of their gems has made them earth ponies, some mass has been retained?”

The silence... oh damn, the silence! They're on to you, it's coming apar-

“Oh, I hadn't considered that!” Twilight suddenly smiles and brings a hoof up to tap her chin. “Mass is a bit like energy in that regard, where it doesn't just vanish, it-”

“Needs to be converted,” you finish.

Twilight beams a huge smile at you that makes you feel tingly.“Exactly! It's a little looser here in Equestria, since magic can be converted into mass and vice-versa, but many arcane phenomena still generally hold to the principles of energy conversion.”

Sunset glances between the two of you, then looks at Adagio again. “Well, I guess at least she's as big as her ego used to be.”

It comes as no surprise as Adagio finally snaps from her reverie, and glares at Sunset, then blinks. “I just feel a little weird, it's nothing,” she says, shakily and hushed.

“It may be some lingering vertigo from the portal,” Twilight says reassuringly. “Just tell someone if you feel worse, I'm sure we can get some ginger tea or have you see the palace doctor if it gets worse. Now,” she says and approaches the large mare, “allow me to formally greet you, Adagio. Welcome back to Equestria. You simply cannot know how humbling it is to see you approach us for help.”

Adagio nods, then stretches out her forelegs in an attempt to bow. She seems a lot better, as she puts on her best, ever so slightly forced smile. “And I can't tell you how grateful I am that you would accept me back, after what happened between us before.”

Twilight shakes her head. “Water under the bridge! Everyone deserves a second chance, and Sunset told me how you'd changed. I somewhat expected you to reconcile with your sisters in time, but to accept not only friendship from a human,” she says and briefly glances at you, “but love? I'm proud of you! Nothing makes me happier to see somepony accept another they once looked down upon so stringently. It's very noble.”

Sunset moves beside Twilight and adds, “it may have even been Radian that gave her the strength to talk to her sisters again.”

Twilight smiles at you and says, “a special somepony indeed! I think you'll fit right in, Radian. Oh, but it's getting late, and unfortunately I have a long day of meetings for the summit tomorrow. I'll see you in the morning to show you to the workshop, and I want to talk to you as well so we can get to know each other. I just had a few questions for Adagio before I let her go. Sunset? Could you escort Radian to the guest rooms? I take it you still remember the way from when you,” Twilight winks and finishes, “you know, performed your heist?”

Sunset awkwardly coughs, but nods. “Sure thing. Here, Twilight, take Sonata's stone.” Sunset's horn glows pale blue as she lifts the pouch off of her neck, the whole thing wreathed in the same colour, and she passes it to Twilight. The glow shifts colour to pink, and Twilight puts it in a small wooden box to the side.

Sunset then nods and trots up beside you. “Follow me. I wanted to talk to you for a bit anyway.”

You follow her to the exit, which she opens with her magic, and you head into a long corridor. Lots of doors, lots of glowing light fixtures, all of it crystalline and brightly coloured, but you start making note of where you're going; it could be crucial for a rapid escape. Even so, it's impossible not to be awestruck by the whole situation.

“This is all so unreal,” you say.

“I'm not surprised. It's not exactly easy going the other way, either. I may have mocked Twilight when she arrived in CHS, but I went through much the same awkwardness. Now, a few important things. Firstly, don't feel offended, but you're going to be watched while you're here. In the palace here, the guards have been advised to keep you wandering. Tomorrow, as Twilight said, she'll escort you to where they'll be repairing Sonata's stone and you'll meet your team, Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst. They're both brilliant. Star's one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria, and Sunburst knows just about everything about... well, everything. You'll be helping them with your know-how on the stones and magical energy.”

“I'm guessing it's just going to be an advisory role? I can't exactly push any buttons with these hoo-” you say, and stumble as you go to lift a foreleg and crash to the floor. “Shit, ow...” you say, still compelled to self censor.

Sunset grimaces, but grins, “careful! You'll see ponies pull that move off, but it's a little advanced. You kinda have to hop on your other front leg while still keeping your back legs in the usual flow.” She helps you up, and you continue walking. “But no, Twilight's sent a book to your guest room that has instructions, usually meant for injured unicorns, on how to master their magic again. It should get you started with learning telekinesis. And since it's still early back in our world, I imagine you'll be up for a while as well. Hopefully you'll have plenty of time to study up.”

“What about Adagio? What will she be doing while I'm helping restore the stone?”

“Ah, she gets to enjoy the company of Twilight's closest friends! They're the same circle that me and our Twilight has; Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. They'll show her around the city.”

“I guess some people are just drawn together, huh?” You've theorised a few times that maybe your world is the reflection of Equestria... stuff like this just cements this stance.

“Like you wouldn't believe!” Sunset giggles. “Would you believe me if I told you that if Twilight and her friends hadn't met, Equestria would have been at serious risk? So many dire threats over the years. I don't know how much that holds true for us back home with me and the girls, but... I feel like if we can come to terms, you could well be pretty instrumental too.”

You hesitate and almost stop, which makes you stumble again. “And what will you be doing?”

“I've still got some old debts to pay, especially with Princess Celestia. Back when I lived here, I was still the same bully that... well, you know.”

You notice her ears flatten down... embarrassment or shame?

“She's forgiven me already, but there's still so much I've wanted to catch up on with her. Though the day after tomorrow, I was hoping to join Adagio with the others so we can start bonding!”

“I'm surprised you aren't going to be keeping an eye on one of us the whole time,”

“Hah, nah, I'm sure it'll be fine, but...” Sunset turns and nibbles her lip, and again her ears flicker back. “Look, Radian... I know you and Adagio are up to something. Twilight knows it as well. I may not have got a good read on it, but we're not idiots.”

You narrow your eyes. “Then why are we here? You could have said no.”

She nods. “We could have. I admit I would have. Twilight said otherwise. Despite everything, what I said to you when I read Adagio's mind was true; she does want to change and become better, and she definitely has feelings for you. That alone has given Twilight hope. But... I have my doubts. Especially since Adagio has refused to tell you what happened to her.”

“She said she would tell me, at least in time.”

Sunset stares you in the eyes for a moment, then bites her lip. “I can show you.” She raises her foreleg. “Take hold of my hoof.”

“I don't think so,” you say and scowl, “you've already dug through my head.”

Sunset smirks, and says. “What's Adagio like in bed?”

The fuck? “Hey, what the hell are you playing at?”

You notice her eyes glow white, as well as the blue glow around her horn. “Ooh, I always figured Adagio would either be a clean shaven or a thick and curly kinda girl,” she says as her eyes return to normal as you realise what she's just looked at. “Get your jaw off the floor, Radian. I can't just read thoughts through touch. Sometimes when my powers are stronger by the weird flow of magic back home I start hearing thoughts passively, albeit only surface thoughts. I can do it here too, but at will since my magic's just naturally stronger as a unicorn. More importantly, I've refined my powers enough that I can now share these memories with others, but that's still limited to touch.”

This feels wrong. A betrayal of your girlfriend's trust.

But... what could Sunset have seen that would make Adagio just shut down like she had before she met you? That outrage Adagio felt when Sunset saw it. Hell, the fact that Twilight still wants to help despite knowing you're both up to something?

You grimace; maybe it's scientific curiosity, or maybe you're weaker than you wish you were, but this could be drastically important. You balance on three legs, and hook your forelimb around hers.

And her eyes glow once more.

* * *