If I Could Love Again...

Chapters

~ 01 ~ Stolen Crown
~ 02 ~ Stolen Counterparts
~ 03 ~ Stolen Corroboration
~ 04 ~ Stolen Companion
~ 05 ~ Stolen Conversion
Intermission: Chrysalis' Letter
Intermission: Three's A Crowd Aftermath
~ 2 ~ 01 ~ Tuned Out
~ 2 ~ 02 ~ Tuned Obediently
~ 2 ~ 03 ~ Tuned On
~ 2 ~ 04 ~ Tuned Oppositely
Intermission: Letters To A Princess
~ 3 ~ 01 ~ Two Benefits
Intermission: A Talk With Princess Cadence
~ 3 ~ 02 ~ Two Braventures
~ 3 ~ 03 ~ Two Besties
Intermission: Best Session Ever
~ 3 ~ 04 ~ Two Busymares
~ 3 ~ 05 ~ Two Bonds
~ 3 ~ 06 ~ Two Banes
Intermission: A Hearth's Warming Residue
~ 4 ~ 01 ~ Shifted Paths
~ 4 ~ 02 ~ Shifted Partnership
~ 4 ~ 03 ~ Shifted Phases
~ 4 ~ 04 ~ Shifted Passion
Epilogue: Shifted Fields
Prologue: Stolen Intimacy
Intermission: Catching Up With Old Friends

~ 01 ~ Stolen Crown

Twilight was looking out the window as she connected the different shaped and sized clouds into constellations of some sort. Seeing it in the image of someone precious to her had a shiver made its way down her back, she sent out the deepest and longest sigh she had ever let go, like she was composing herself before a test.

A soft yellow glow lit on its horizon as the moving platform she was currently sitting in with her friends went speeding on its train tracks, through a pitch-black tunnel, and going through a snow-covered area where droplets of white flakes were falling from the sky to the ground in the cold wind creating some sort of light blizzard unlike the one from a couple of months ago.

It had been a year since she had to let go of her crush to marry her brother, converting from a foal sitter to a friend to a crush to a sister-in-law, anything but a special somepony, and it had been a couple of months since the discovery of the Crystal Empire where her brother and sister-in-law now rule over and they are on their way over there right now.

Eventually, the train reached a halt in front of a platform with crystal ponies going in the train and ponies from inside the train going out. Twilight and her friends made their way over to the tall, majestic icy castle and when they went inside the doors opened to their arrival as well as the sound of trumpets blowing by the crystal guards on each side in perfect synchronization and key.

Too absorbed in the introduction, Twilight accidentally bumped into one of the guards but when she looked at him she realized he wasn't like any of the guards at all. Instead, he lacked crystal in his coat and mane, unlike the other guards. He looked like a normal pony, announcing the arrival of Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight had received an alicorn appearance when she completed a spell that had never been done before, not even a great unicorn bearded wizard could accomplish.

The next thing they knew, they were being sent to the dorms they were going to stay in for a while after a long day of travel. When Twilight and Spike went to their rooms, the latter began unpacking some of his mythical comic books he'd be reading overnight during the stay, on the other hoof, the former was looking at her reflection in the mirror while placing her crown on top of her head.

She released a sigh in which Spike heard, turning around to look at her.

''What's wrong, Twilight?'' he questioned, putting his comic book down.

''Spike, do you still recall my crush on Cadence?'' Twilight asked, and when she received an affirmative reply, she continued, ''the two of us are now princesses which would lead me into seeing her more often again which I'm already trying to avoid. What if Celestia offers me a kingdom to rule with responsibilities and alongside Cadence? Since she knows about this.''

Spike raised an eyebrow. ''It's that what you're worried about?'' he asked. ''C'mon, Twi. You've been handling fine hiding your emotions away from her after all these years.''

''Yes, but she's the Princess of Love!'' Twilight exclaimed as if she was stating the sky was blue not white. ''What if she can sense, Spike? What if she could always sense it but said nothing? What if she doesn't like me as a friend anymore, Spike.''

Spike sighed and walked over to her bed, draping the blanket atop her and tucking her in. ''I think you should go get some sleep, Twi. You've got a long day tomorrow. I doubt Cadence would do that to you.''

Twilight smiled lazily. ''Thanks, Spike,'' she whispered idly, covering a yawn up, and with that, she turned off the light lamp next to her atop the nightstand once the dragon went back to his bed.

The room was pitch black and quiet when they sounded off to slumber until in the wake of midnight the door slowly creaked open and had a hooded figure walking into the room, carefully and quietly, until they made themselves over to the nightstand where a pink star twinkled in the corner of their eye.

Placing it in their cape's pocket, they were about to trot back to the door but insisted on offering one last glance at the princess sleeping peacefully in her bed as one of her wings pointed upward.

They took a look at her face. She's beautiful...

When they heard a noise from behind, they began to hurriedly trot towards the door again but this time they tripped over Spike's tail in the process which caused him to wake up. They gasped, quickly rushing to the door but it was too late as the alicorn had already woken up and noticed her crown in the pony's pocket.

''My crown!'' she exclaimed, pointing a hoof at it. ''She's got my crown!''

When the pony rushed out the door, Twilight removed the blanket off her body and began to chase after the thief with Spike on her side as well as the rest of her friends following once they heard the commotion.

Twilight ignited her horn with a spark of magenta and teleported in front of the thief but, much to her surprise, the pony instantly teleported and all that was left was their cape on her face. She got rid of it and turned around, resuming their chase after the pony.

When Twilight thought she almost got her, they fell on top of each other to a dead end but it wasn't a dead end at all when the crown went through a mirror. Twilight gasped, turning accusingly at the thief.

''What did you do to my crown?'' she demanded an answer but received none only a smirk.

''It wasn't supposed to be this way,'' she said at first. ''Sorry, it has to, though.'' She ignited her horn with a spark of turquoise and teleported next to the mirror. ''Princess.'' And with that, she went through the mirror as well.

Having no knowledge of what that mirror was or who the pony was, Fluttershy asked as if they would know. They waited until the morning to explain to the princesses what happened and in turn received an answer.

''I had waited for this day to come but not like this,'' Celestia murmured, full of bitterness and remorse. ''Sunset Shimmer used to be a student before Twilight and similar to Twilight. The only difference was that she lacked the patience to get what she wanted. I told her to make some friends but it looked like it was I that lacked the patience towards her, knowing that she was trying so desperately hard.''

Sunset Shimmer, Twilight thought inwardly. The name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?

''Now I can't say I didn't help her,'' she continued. ''I tried to, but much like with my sister she turned her back away. Sorry, sister. But Sunset Shimmer was like a daughter to me.''

''So, uh, was Twilight like a replacement?'' Spike blurted out, getting nudged by Applejack.

''No, she wasn't,'' the sun princess replied, almost scoffing as if she would do such a thing. ''I could see the amount of potential Twilight had within her much as I saw within Sunset but I tried fixing the mistake I did with Sunset by not pressuring Twilight into making friends. I made her idolize me so then she would listen to me about making friends when she was older and more mature. Needless to say, Sunset had no one before I took her in but I failed her as both teacher and mother.''

''Mother?!'' everyone shouted in unison, eyes widening in shock.

''You're... a mom?'' Twilight spat out, her left eye twitching.

Luna laughed when Celestia was about to open her mouth.

''Of course not,'' the elder princess said. ''I meant that in a figurative way. But anyway, no time like the present. Twilight, I would need you and your friends to follow me.''

And so, Celestia led the group of ponies to the room where the mirror was kept.

When Luna began explaining about the mirror, Twilight stepped forward and ran a hoof through it, pulling it away with a gasp as she looked at her mentor.

Celestia nodded. ''Are you ready to begin your task?''

Twilight turned back to look at it, taking in a breath. ''I am.''

''Then go,'' she said. ''Go and retrieve your crown.''

Twilight looked around, her friends wishing the best of luck after being told that it could be dangerous for all of them to go into the other world. She turned to look at Cadence who wore that same smile she always wears.

''Go on, Twilight,'' she encouraged kindly. ''You can do it. I believe in you. Remember, without your Element of Harmony, the rest of the elements are no use and Equestria is without its important means of defense—''

She was suddenly cut off when Twilight quickly flung her forehooves around her sister-in-law, the latter's eyes melted until the former pulled away and cleared her throat.

''I'll see you guys soon,'' she said, taking another deep breath and stepping in front of the mirror. Refusing to turn around, she began to touch the mirror with a hoof at first before the rest of her body went through it.

Spike was standing at the back of the group of friends, biting onto his claws, until he quickly ran through the mirror as well before he thought it was about to close.

When the group of friends was about to pull him away, Celestia made an effort to hide her stiff expression and allowed the dragon to go as well; assistance was key.

Later, Twilight and Spike went through a swirling rainbow sparkling tube before they reached the end of it. When they opened their eyes, the former could see a ladybug crawling in front of them which she was about to jump had she not been so dizzy. Hearing Spike's voice, she glanced around to see where he was and in front of her she saw a purple dog with a touch of green and a collar around his neck.

''Spike... is that you?'' Twilight asked, on the verge of laughing. ''You're a... a...''

''Don't say it,'' Spike mumbled, his expression darkening.

Twilight's cheeks puffed with laughter until she maintained it for a while.

''Oh, you should look at yourself,'' Spike shot back. ''You look like, I... what are you?''

Now it was Twilight's turn to look at herself and when she saw five appendages attached to her hoof along with her two legs she began to scream as loud as she ever could. When she stopped, she breathed in and out, in and out, getting composed by Spike the Dog.

''Spike!'' she suddenly exclaimed, holding him up in the air. ''What do I look like as a whole?''

Spike tilted his head to another angle. ''Err, like those figurines Lyra used to have whenever she invited us and our Canterlot friends over after school.''

''What are these?!'' Twilight shrieked, too bothered by her appearance that she was unable to listen to him. ''Are these claws? WHAT ARE THEY?!''

''I don't know!'' he wailed. ''Though, I swear Lyra said they are called hands.''

''Spike! '' she exclaimed, clutching onto his shoulders which almost frightened him with the long five sticks as well as sharp nails attached to them but that wasn't the thing that scared him. ''These are amazing! You can hold and do absolutely anything with these.''

''Well... considering I've had those all my life,'' Spike pointed out.

''Okay!'' Twilight pronounced, trying to stand up from the ground having Spike help her keep balance. ''Okay. Let's check out that castle over there.''

''I dunno, Twi,'' said Spike, glancing at it. ''It doesn't quite look like a castle to me.''

But they went ahead and walked towards the building anyway, Twilight leaning against the rail when it was about time to climb the stairs. Spike easily ran towards the door waiting for her to catch up. Once she did, she instantly banged her head against the door thinking it was another portal.

''Peculiar,'' Spike muttered, pushing the door open. ''It doesn't quite look like you have a horn there, Twi.''

''What?!'' Twilight shouted, pulling at her hair.

When they entered in, Twilight glanced at her reflection in a glass display to properly look at herself, then she saw objects behind the glass, pressing her cheek against it. ''What do you think?'' she asked. ''Do you think it's possible for her to steal other objects from Equestria as well?''

Spike shrugged, and not even a second had passed, the room was packed with other beings in which Twilight had to pick him up from the floor and try squeezing their way out of the crowd. When they did, Spike fell out of her grasp and had Twilight roll towards a piece of metal before it moved away, being offered a hand for her to stand up from the floor.

''Are you okay?'' asked a male voice, and Twilight nodded in reply before he walked away.

''Hey, is that Lyra and Bon Bon over there?'' Spike pointed out. ''It'd be super dope if this world was full of our same friends from the other world but in a different form in this world.''

Twilight gasped.

''Do you perhaps...'' she asked meekly, glancing around, ''...maybe think there's a Cadence here, too?''

Spike deadpanned. ''Let's take this discovery for your lost crown adventure as another way of trying to take your mind off her?''

Twilight sighed and noticed him taking out his paw. She looked at her own and put it on top of his.

''Deal.''

Sealed.

Oh, brother, Spike thought inwardly. Let's just see how long she can last.

~ 02 ~ Stolen Counterparts

''Where do you think we should start, Spike?'' asked Twilight as she walked through the locker room with her dog companion taking a look around at all the strange things in this world.

''Do they have ice cream here?'' he asked, his tummy rumbling as he glanced around. ''I don't know about you, but I'm craving something sweet at the moment.''

''We'll see what we can find, Spike,'' she told him before the two of them could hear a familiar, soft-spoken voice in the distance, using the lockers as a lead to find the source of that intimate voice.

When they reached the end locker, they could see a person in the same color pallet as one of their friends being backed up against a locker by some other person whose back was facing their way so they couldn't make out who the other person was.

''Let this be a lesson and a reminder to you that when you see something again then you shouldn't touch it and give it to someone that doesn't belong to you or them.''

''Well, it doesn't quite belong to you either.''

''Excuse me?'' she stormed, slamming the locker shut loudly.

''Hey!'' called out a voice belonging to Twilight, making an appearance after eavesdropping along with her dog. ''Don't speak to her that way.''

The person finally turned around, aghast. ''What did you just say?''

''I said—'' Twilight stepped forward, now face-to-face with her, ''—you shouldn't be speaking to her that way.''

They stared at her for a tense second before breaking out into a grin. ''Are you new here? Because I can speak to anybody I want and there's nothing you can do about it.'' She dumped a kid's ice cream on the floor much to their sorrow as she walked away, Spike licking it off the floor.

''I can't believe you did that,'' said the shy person, astonished.

Twilight shrugged. ''Well, I had to do something instead of just standing there.''

''No, it's just that no one has ever talked to Sunset Shimmer like that.''

A sudden twinge of remembrance hit her. ''Sunset Shimmer?''

''You sound like you know her,'' noted the girl. ''Do you?''

''Sort of,'' Twilight replied, scratching her neck. ''Anyway, my name is Twilight Sparkle. What's yours?''

The girl gasped and instantly went back to being shy again.

''Can't hear you. I mean it sounds like you're saying Fluttershy but how can that be—''

''Oh, c'mon,'' Spike ignorantly said, rolling his eyes from the backpack on the floor. ''You're only now starting to be shy after just talking with us when we just literally asked for your name?''

Twilight immediately stuck a foot up his mouth but luckily the girl didn't hear him. When she had spotted him she lightened up and ran past Twilight making her twirl around in place, patting on the dog.

''What's your name, little buddy?'' she asked, clutching onto his collar.

''That's, uh, Spike, my... dog,'' Twilight replied. ''Anyway, I heard your conversation with Sunset Shimmer and she mentioned something that you've touched. You didn't by any chance touch a crown, did you?''

Fluttershy stood up from the ground. ''How did you know?''

''Lucky guess?'' she sheepishly said. ''Do you still have it, though?''

She shook her head which had Twilight deflate at that.

''But you know what happened to it?''

She nodded.

''Great! Where can I retrieve it? Who did you give it to?''

''Principal Celestia.''

''Principal Celestia?''

''Oh! That's right,'' Fluttershy replied, playing with the straps from her backpack. ''You're new here. Well, she's our principal here at the school.''

''So where can I find her exactly?'' Twilight asked, glancing at her surroundings.

''Third door to the left,'' she answered, pointing in the direction which led Twilight and her pet to run towards it.

A few minutes later, they came back out the door. ''Twilight,'' said Spike, ''why didn't you just tell her that the crown belonged to you?''

''Something tells me it's going to take a lot more than that to get the crown, Spike.''

''All right. Suit yourself.''

And, seeing Fluttershy again, they walked in the direction she was heading off to (the cafeteria) where they learned information about the place and how to get people to vote for them.

''Argh... I haven't eaten that much ever since Cadence took me out to a restaurant that one time.''

''I told you not to eat that much, Twi,'' said Spike inside her backpack as they made their way over towards the gym hall. ''And eating like a pony? Seriously?''

''Hey, I'm still getting used to this new, weird me, okay?'' Twilight shot back when they reached at two doors, pushing them open to allow themselves to enter in and when they did they ducked for cover as streamers went in their direction. When they got themselves out from the pile of streamers, she walked up to a pink person blowing a balloon. ''Hi. My name is Twilight Sparkle.''

When they turned around, realization struck her. ''Pinkie Pie?''

At the mention of that name, the person immediately let go of the balloon letting it deflate as they pulled the newcomer by the shoulders.

She gasped. ''Are you psychic?''

''I don't think so,'' Twilight replied, oblivious. ''I mean can you do that? Side kick?''

She sighed. ''No.''

''Anyways, so let's just get to the point, shall we?'' she pushed on, making herself look presentable. ''My name is Twilight Sparkle, I'm brand new here and I would like to know where the Party Planning Committee is.''

Pinkie dropped another balloon and took a look at her. ''Do you live across the street with a dog named Spike that looks just like him?'' She pointed which led the dog to drop the balloon and bark.

Twilight blinked. ''Oh, yes, definitely!''

Pinkie smiled. ''I thought you looked so familiar. Anyway, way to have your name on the ballot, huh? Just sign your name here and we'll be fresh out of the oven.'' She got out a pen and paperwork. ''Here you go.''

Being stared at to go on, Twilight shook her head and grabbed the pen by her mouth at first before holding it with her hand and writing wonkily on the paper. When she was done, Pinkie looked at it and had her eyeballs pop out of her sockets in surprise.

''Wow,'' she murmured. ''That's some bad handwriting you got there.''

Twilight looked at her hands, then at the pen, throwing it behind her and chuckling sheepishly.

Pinkie blinked. “I needed that back.“

“Oh, sorry,“ Twilight said, about to walk towards it to pick it back up and give it back to her until Spike beat her to it. “I thought you would have some sort of pen stash.“

“I do! But I still like to have my collection. How do you know?“

“Lucky guess?“ Twilight said sheepishly.

''Anyhoo~'' Pinkie started off, about to go back with her balloon blowing had the doors not slam open revealing another familiar person.

''Anybody ordered a box of cider?'' came a southern-accented voice which piped up the pink person as they brought the box into the hall, noticing the person staring at her. ''Hey, I know you.''

Twilight blinked. ''You do?''

''Yeah,'' she said, placing the box down. ''You're that new girl that gave Sunset Shimmer the whip today.''

''Twilight Sparkle here is going to compete against Sunset Shimmer for Fall Formal Princess.''

This led to Applejack spitting out cider at the news. ''I'd think twice about that,'' she said, facing Twilight again. ''Oh, sure, she comes to you all sweetly before—'' She got two balloons, one red and one purple, drawing Sunset and Twilight's faces on them before the latter got popped by a pin attached to the former, ''—BOOM! There goes the backstabbing.''

Twilight bit her lip, remembering when she thought the exact same thing about her sister-in-law when she saw her for the first time in so long.

She placed a hand on Applejack's shoulder. ''Thanks for the warning, A.J, but I really need to do this.''

Applejack shrugged. ''Suit yourself.'' Then realization hit her, arching an eyebrow. ''Hey, wait a minute. How did you know my nickname was A.J? I never told ya about neither mah name nor nickname.''

Wanting to avoid answering, Twilight picked up Spike from the floor and placed him inside her backpack before exiting the hall again. Next, a new arrival came in.

''This looks terrible!'' she exclaimed as she looked around the place. ''There should be fewer streamers and fewer balloons.'' She popped one balloon and held one bottle of cider. ''Fizzy Apple Cider? This is my coronation, not a hootenanny.''

''Well, it ain't necessarily your coronation, now is it?'' Applejack shot back.

''Is that so?'' she asked, getting in her face. ''You countryfolk really aren't that bright. Must be why the others think you're just a background character.'' She lowered the hat over Applejack's face which burst open in rage. ''Obviously, it's going to be my coronation. I'm running unopposed.''

''Not this time!'' Pinkie exclaimed, waving the checklist in the air. ''The newbie just signed.''

''What?!'' she shouted, snatching it away from her. When she saw the name signed, she lowered the checklist down and her expression darkened. ''Where is this Twilight Sparkle?''

Pinkie and Applejack looked at each other and she immediately shifted in the way the latter described she would do just a few minutes ago.

''I'm looking forward to the friendly competition,'' she said as she brought out a big smile before turning around and wiping it away as she exited the hall with her two minions. ''You two boys, I want you to do exactly as I say.''

Reaching a dead-end where lights were flickering, Twilight squinted in the dark to make out who was in the partial absence of illuminance with Spike peeking out of her backpack.

''I can't believe I didn't notice you earlier,'' came a familiar voice, revealing the owner of it once they came out of the darkness. ''I should have predicted Celestia would send her prize pupil after me. I also can't believe how you don't remember me.''

Twilight's heart skipped a beat, but she leered at the person. ''What do you want? My crown?''

''Isn't it obvious already?'' she asked sarcastically, and almost rhetorically. ''I'm tired of living in your shadow, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I'm tired of you forgetting about the ones in Canterlot now that you have some Ponyville dorks as your friends.''

''Who are you?'' Twilight asked, stepping back.

''I want you to figure it out yourself,'' said Sunset. ''But if you don't, I'll tell you when we get this whole thing over meaning I get to have everything you have right now.''

Twilight stamped a foot to the ground. ''I'm warning you.''

''No,'' Sunset thundered, stamping a foot to the floor in a similar fashion only this time knocked some lights out. She pinned Twilight to the locker with a hand while the other hand was brushing through the pinned princess' hair. ''You don't belong here, Twilight Sparkle. You wanna be a princess here too? Just how greedy you are and forgettable about us. And you say I'm the bad guy. You don't fit in with this place.''

Twilight's breathing went unsteady, caught in her throat, until Sunset walked right past her after giving her an unpleasant stare. However, Spike was still in her backpack, pawing at the ground.

She couldn't be, he voiced inwards.

''This is so cool!'' Spike commented as he clicked on a button with multiple of them on a board as he looked at the screen. ''Rarity still looks beautiful in this world too!''

Meanwhile, Twilight was sitting behind a bookcase, plotting down bullet points and writing information next to it on a checklist.

A few hours later of researching and making lists, Spike removed a giant fabric from an assortment of books that he made in the shape of a bed for the both of them to sleep in for the night. Receiving appreciation from Twilight, she showed him a book that held records of the school.

When it came to a page of five friends that they met with three already, Spike immediately cut Twilight off as she said all of their names apart from...

''There's a Rarity here?!'' he said, giddy like a puppy in which he already is.

''Oh, please,'' Twilight scoffed, rolling her eyes. ''We made a deal that I never think about Cadence until we get my crown back but you can think about Rarity?''

''Hey, at least Rarity is single, Cadence's not,'' Spike pointed out, huffing.

''Spike,'' she deadpanned, ''Rarity practically uses you, treats you like trash and makes you jealous by nearing herself with other stallions. Face it, it's unrequited love, Spike. At least Cadence treats me nicely.''

Spike had looked adorable when fuming before he turned himself away and curled on the edge of the book bed, mumbling inaudible tweaks before tightly closing his eyes shut.

Twilight sighed and lay down next to him. ''Good night, Spike.''

She turned her gaze upwards, observing the stars twinkling above as she reminisced where she was in the locker room with Sunset Shimmer, thinking to herself, what had she meant by that?

The next day Twilight was walking through the locker room she could hear people around her laughing at her, getting louder and louder in her head, confused about why they were laughing at her in the first place until she was dragged into a classroom hearing the locks turn.

Spike's head peeked from out of her backpack, noticing the person who had trapped them in the classroom was none other than...

Rarity, that was about to slip away from his lips had Twilight not blocked his mouth.

In the meantime, Rarity was searching through a wardrobe of clothes picking out the right one that could best suit Twilight as a disguise, putting a green dress on her along with a blonde wig.

Twilight glanced at it. ''Huh. I haven't worn something similar to this since Cadence and I played dress-up.''

''You don't mean Principal Cadance, do you?'' Rarity asked, eyeing her through a triangle made from her fingers.

''Uh—'' Did I say that out loud? Wait, there's a Cadance in this school? ''What are you—'' she was about to ask but Rarity started pinching Spike's cheeks.

''...just how adorable he is,'' she cooed, adjusting his collar. ''But I think I should make him look like a rabbit instead.''

''A rabbit?!'' Twilight repeated before the door slammed open, revealing all three of their friends' counterparts that they had met so far.

''Hey, Twilight!'' Pinkie greeted. ''I like your new look.''

''I do have an eye for fashion,'' Rarity said discourteously, crossing her arms.

''What are you guys doing here?'' Twilight asked them all.

Fluttershy cowered behind her mane. ''Oh... she hasn't seen it yet.''

''Seen what?'' she asked, being pushed into a seat as well as a device getting pushed in front of her on the table, clicking on the button to start the video. When it finished, Twilight immediately slammed the laptop shut and everyone exchanged nervous glances with each other. ''Is that why they were all looking at me that way? What am I going to do? No one's going to vote for me after they see this.''

She planted her face down on the table in which Fluttershy caressed her on the back for comfort.

''If it helps,'' she said quietly, ''I'll still vote for you. You were so nice standing up for me earlier.''

''If you still wanna run, then maybe I can help,'' Pinkie said gleefully.

''Word of advice,'' Fluttershy whispered to Twilight, ''don't ask for her help. She doesn't take anything seriously.''

Pinkie scoffed, crossed her arms, and sat down in a seat. ''Why do you gotta be so awful to me?''

''Oh, please, Miss Pie, you're no better than she is,'' Rarity butted in, and just like that, the four of them including Applejack started bickering back and forth with each other until Twilight shouted at the top of her lungs to get them to...

''QUIET!'' she vociferated which eventually got them to shut up. ''Now I don't know what happened between you guys but I think Sunset Shimmer had put a strain on your friendship with each other.'' She put the school's yearbook on the table into everyone's view.

Rarity placed a hand on her shoulder. ''Well, it's a great theory, darling, but Sunset Shimmer has nothing to do with it.''

''That's right,'' Fluttershy conceded rather assertively. ''Sunset Shimmer isn't the one who ruined my silent auction for the animal shelter by bringing fireworks and noisemakers. It was supposed to be a serious event and Pinkie Pie ruined it.''

''What are you talking about?'' Pinkie asked, looking through her phone. ''I got a text from you saying that you didn't want a silent auction, you wanted a big party.''

''I...'' She turned to look at her. ''I didn't send you that.''

''You didn't?''

''You don't think she's been the one sending me those emails, do you?'' Rarity asked. ''Every time I volunteer to help with the decorations at a school function, I get an email from Pinkie Pie saying she has plenty of volunteers and then I see that she's done everything by herself.''

In the meantime, Twilight was listening deeply to these and thinking carefully to herself. It also reminded her of a time when Cadence helped her find out who ate the cookies, suspecting it was her brother, but instead, it was her parents.

''I never sent you any emails,'' Pinkie replied, looking through her phone again.

''Maybe she's the reason Rainbow Dash didn't show up for my bake sale,'' said Applejack as she came from behind Rarity.

''Did you ever ask her why she didn't show up?'' asked Twilight, raising an eyebrow.

She pulled the brim of her hat, lowering it over her face. ''I guess I kinda stopped talkin' to her at all after that.''

''Maybe now would be a good time to start,'' Twilight advised, shifting her friend's hat properly with a smile.

Minutes later, they arrived at the school's sports pitch where Applejack and Rainbow Dash were in the center talking and making out with each other.

''They're actually...!'' Rarity trailed off, shifting on the bleachers uncomfortably. ''Oh, my.''

When Applejack and Rainbow Dash came over to join the others, they started explaining the situation that fractured their friendship and possibly relationship.

''So you wanna dethrone Sunset Shimmer and become Princess of the Fall Formal, huh?'' the latter asked Twilight. ''Gotta say I'd really love to watch that happen. I'll totally help you out. On one condition: to beat me in a game on one-on-one.''

Knowing how athletic she is from the other world, Twilight felt uneasy about going against her, and another reason is that she's still getting used to her new form.

On the pitch, in a few minutes through, Rainbow Dash was kicking the ball towards the goal where Twilight was shakily standing but was oblivious that the ball went in.

When she handed over the ball to her, Twilight was more than happy to pick it up but just when she was about to it got snatched by Rainbow Dash and kicked into her goal. This continued on by Rainbow Dash continuing to win and Twilight continuing to lose until the latter was suddenly worn out laying amidst the pitch.

''So,'' said Rainbow Dash, helping her up. ''How can I help you be princess instead of Sunset Shimmer?''

Twilight accepted her hand. ''But I *pants* lost.''

She rolled her eyes. ''Of course, I won, I'm awesome. But I won't help someone win who literally has no heart at all over someone who does. The Fall Formal Princess needs to have someone with resilience and determination and guess what you've proved you have 'em both.''

When Rainbow Dash brought her into an embrace, the rest of the friends started cheering on for Twilight.

However, behind the bleachers, a tweedle dumb and tweedle dumbass were snickering with phones in their hands as they had been taking photos during the whole time with Sunset Shimmer beside them breaking out into a maniacal grin.

~ 03 ~ Stolen Corroboration

Trickle of tears rolled down an alicorn mare's cheeks, sniffing as they gazed upward to see the face imprinted on the moon's surface until a golden filly approached her.

''Princess Celestia? Why are you crying?''

Celestia instantly turned to face the source of that voice.

''Oh! It's nothing, Sunset. What are you doing here?

Sunset took one glance at the moon she was currently staring at before sitting her haunches beside her mentor.

''I... I couldn't sleep, Your Highness. You know that pupil Twilight Sparkle that you took in under your wing? Well, I'm scared that... that I'm being replaced.''

Celestia gasped, putting a wing across the filly's back. ''I would never do such a thing, Sunset.''

Sunset's lips quivered. ''You mean it?''

''With all my heart.''

Sunset, in her present form, was looking out the window in her bedroom, reminiscing over the day where her former mentor had practically lied to her.

But Twilight Sparkle was on another hoof or hand. She remembered when she was thrilled about having someone to study with but that never happened, unseen by the violet unicorn filly as she was too absorbed with her own studying and not caring about making friends.

Just how smart she was in classes. Just how beautiful she had looked and still look.

Sunset, on the other hand, was entirely, completely, and utterly on a different level. She was jealous of Twilight Sparkle. She was meant to be there by Celestia's side, an alicorn princess with the crown, title, and glory. But instead, she was lied to and stolen from.

She sat upright in her bed, tweaking under her breath as she tightly clutched on her quilt.

''Twilight Sparkle,'' she muttered. ''I will get everything back in order that was stolen from me. Just you wait.''

''Thank you!'' Twilight gleefully said, taking her milkshake from the counter but when she turned around she accidentally splattered all of that on someone's chest, glancing up to see who it was. ''Oh, my gosh. That was not meant to happen. I'm so sorry.''

''No, it's cool. We gotta stop bumping into each other like this,'' said the guy that helped her up in the locker room earlier, kneeling down to grab her cup until another hand laid atop his. When they made eye contact, Twilight immediately got her hand away and stood up from the ground as well as him.

''So I'm just going to go over there now,'' Twilight quickly said as she walked over towards her friends' table as he went out the door with his milkshake.

''Don't even think about it,'' said Rarity, not turning around. ''You're already getting her crown. Who knows what would happen if you steal her ex-boyfriend too.''

''I wasn't trying to, I—'' she cut off. ''Ex-boyfriend?''

''Nah, you don't need to worry about that,'' came Spike's voice from the floor inside Twilight's backpack. ''She's already got someone waiting back at home.''

''Uh, who was that?'' asked Applejack.

Twilight kneeled down and held onto Spike's muzzle. ''Nothing.''

''Okay, guys,'' said Rainbow Dash. ''So what's the plan to dethrone Sunset Shimmer, huh?''

Everyone instantly began thinking until Rarity piped up from her seat that could've been heard all across the street until she cleared her throat at her indignance.

''I know we haven't worn these since kindergarten but deep down we're all Canterlot Wondercolts!'' Rarity exclaimed as she passed everyone's headbands with pony ears.

Spike looked at Twilight's. I swear this world keeps getting stranger and stranger. Then he looked at Rarity. But hot.

''Twilight Sparkle? That's your name, right? Well, I just came to ask you if you're free for a study group session tonight with Minuette and the girls?''

''Mhm-hmm.''

''So you'll join?''

''Mhm-hmm.''

''Great!'' Sunset exclaimed jovially, then at night, she and the girls waited and waited. ''Forget it. What was I thinking? She's not coming.'' She stormed inside her home, leaving the girls to look at each other.

Sunset looked in between the door to the cafeteria where everyone was singing and dancing, and when she turned around she noticed her minions were doing the same too.

''Take those off. I have something better for you two to do.''

Oh, Twilight. Didn't care about friends back in Canterlot but now you're overloaded with 'em, stealing all of them to keep the things that weren't yours, to begin with.

Vice Principal Luna slammed photos on the table in front of a biting-lip Twilight. They were all photos of her trashing the gym of her friend Pinkie Pie's decorations which she would never do.

She was trying to explain herself until a familiar voice entered the office.

''I found these in the trashcan,'' said Flash, much to Twilight's hope. ''Someone obviously photoshopped these photos to make it look like Twilight was involved with this.''

''I appreciate your search, Flash,'' said Luna. ''In light of this new corroboration, you may of course continue your bid to be crowned as Princess of the Fall Formal.''

Twilight's eyes immediately brightened up and ran over to Flash, hugging him in thanks.

''What did you want me to do?'' he asked rhetorically. ''Not prove your innocence? Wouldn't be much of a Canterlot Wondercolt, now would I?''

Luna stood up from her seat, about to leave the office. ''I'm afraid enough damage was done to the gym that we'll be having to postpone the dance until tomorrow night. If you'll excuse me, I need to let my sister know about this latest development.''

Twilight merely looked blankly in space until Flash spoke up.

''So, uh, I was wondering if you want to go to the dance with me tomorrow night?''

Twilight's cheeks heated up and laid her head against his chest. ''That would be—wait, TOMORROW NIGHT?! Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no!'' She ran out the door.

''One no could've been fine!'' called out Flash, defeated.

Meanwhile, Twilight ran towards Rarity's boutique with Spike in her backpack and hid in one of the changing rooms, putting her face on her wrapped knees after a few calls from Rarity.

She looked at herself in the mirror. ''Oh, Spike. What am I supposed to do? The mirror closes tomorrow night and I can only get the crown until then. I won't be able to see my brother, Celestia, my friends... and especially Cadence.''

An image of Cadence appeared in the mirror before it disappeared away like leaves.

''C'mon, Twi. I think it's time to tell them the truth. Let them know what's really going to happen if you don't get the crown tonight. They'll help you.''

''But what if they won't? What if they perceive me as something different?''

''Twilight, these girls are helping you so far because they saw what was in your heart. They aren't going to perceive you as something different if you tell them you're a pamby purple pesky pony princess from Equestria.''

A smile crept up Twilight's face, turning around and bringing the dog into a hug. ''Thanks, Spike. I'm glad you followed me here.''

''I'm glad too, Twi.''

And with that, they slid the curtains to the other side to reveal themselves to their friends.

''The Fall Formal isn't happening tonight.''

''WHAT?'' shouted Pinkie, dropping her dress to do a dramatic pose.

''It had to be postponed because Sunset Shimmer had Snips and Snails ruin all of Pinkie's decorations.''

''WHAT?''

''But the Fall Formal has to happen tonight.''

''WHA—'' Pinkie was cut off as Applejack placed a hand over her mouth.

Tension began on Twilight, letting go of a sigh. ''You see...''

Pinkie got rid of Applejack's hand over her mouth and started baffling. ''You're from an alternate world and you're a pamby purple pesky pony princess there and the crown actually has a magical element embedded in it that helps power up other magical elements and without it, they don't work anymore and you need them to help protect your magical world and if you don't get the crown tonight you'll be stuck in this world for a really, really long time!''

Twilight and Spike's mouths went agape at how Pinkie Pie knew all of that despite knowing how their friend is.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, not buying it.

''Nope. She's pretty much spot on,'' replied Spike.

''HE CAN TALK?!'' shouted out Rarity.

''Oh, yeah,'' Spike said, walking over to her. ''And back from where I came from, I'm not even a dog. I'm a ferocious fire-breathing dragon!''

Everyone was flabbergasted but Fluttershy was the only one who spoke up.

''This is so amazing!'' she exclaimed yet still quiet. ''Tell me, what are you thinking right now?''

Spike looked at a smiling Fluttershy to a shocked Rarity. ''Sure would like a scratch behind the old ears.'' When she was still in her trance, he reconsidered his offer. ''Maybe later.''

''How did you know all that?'' Twilight asked Pinkie despite knowing how she is.

''Just a hunch,'' Pinkie replied, shrugging.

''Wait a minute,'' called Applejack, processing her brain. ''Let me get this straight. You're a pony?''

''You're a princess?'' added Rarity.

''You're from another world?'' finished off Fluttershy.

Twilight's cheeks flushed, gulped, and nodded.

''That is...'' Rainbow began, then turned amazed, ''...AWESOME!''

Everyone began crowding around Twilight with Spike giving her the 'I told you so!' look.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the gym where decorations were trashed on the floor.

''If only I had this party cannon that could decorate everything super fast,'' commented Pinkie Pie, little did she know that that did exist in the other world.

Twilight was resilient, however, if they all worked together which was a trait Applejack was looking for in a Fall Formal Princess. Hand over hand, they all got to cleaning the place up by finding brooms in a storage closet much to everyone's disgust but they relented and got to sweeping.

Singing a catchy song, they all started playing hot potato with the trash bag until Pinkie was at the end with the trash can. Students from outside saw this and began to help them along as well.

Later, it was time for the decorating much to everyone's relief that the cleaning was over with the help of everyone involved. It went from hanging streamers from the ceiling to getting the stage ready.

Twilight looked around everyone helping, proud at her achievements of the difference she had made.

When the principals came in, they announced to everyone that the Fall Formal is back on for the evening much to everyone's happiness, telling them to get ready first and cast their ballots to choose who would be Princess of the Fall Formal.

Exiting out the door in a line, everyone mumbled out how they all got Twilight's back.

From the storage closet, Sunset could see everything.

She turned to her minions. ''You're lucky she could pull this off better than I thought she could. Next time I tell you to make a mess of things, try to burn all the evidence.''

Don't worry, Twilight. I'll make sure you'll never get back to the other world again.

Tears flying everywhere, filly Sunset Shimmer kicked at the decorations she had for the study group before the trio of unicorns came in.

''Sunset, stop!''

But she didn't. ''What's the point? I got no friends. Twilight has made it pretty clear that she doesn't know the other princess' protege and wants nothing to do with me. Moondancer, the kiss-up she always is, follows her every move.''

''But you got us, Sunset!'' wailed Twinkle Shine.

''Yeah!'' Minuette conceded in exclamation, not wanting to deflate.

But Sunset left the room in a state, deflating all three of the girls still in the room.

~ 04 ~ Stolen Companion

''The Princess of this year's Fall Formal is...'' Principal Celestia began, taking the paper with its name on it from out of its envelope, Vice Principal Luna on her side with the crown, and readout, ''Twilight Sparkle!''

The students all dressed up standing below the stage all erupted into a collective cheer, Twilight's friends hugging her as she made her way onto the stage where the principal gently placed the crown above her head. She turned around to face the audience, the pink star twinkling brilliantly.

If only a special someone was here to see her in that dress Rarity had made for her for the occasion.

All of a sudden, her ears perked up to the sound of someone familiar calling out her name, someone so dearly remotely precious to her.

''Twilight! Help!''

Glancing from both sides, she looked to the front where Snips and Snails were at the door strangling Spike in their grasp as they walked out the door.

''They got Spike!'' Twilight shouted, jumping off the stage and running across the crowd. She slammed the door open and ran as fast as she could through the corridor with her friends' counterparts behind her.

They stopped for a while, and Fluttershy asked, ''where did they take him?''

They glanced around at their surroundings. Nothing in sight apart from Trixie picking up a snack from the floor in front of the food machine.

''I got an idea,'' spoke up Rainbow Dash, walking towards the blue person. ''Hey, Trixie. Uh, I know we don't talk but do you think you can help us out with something? You see, have you seen Snips and Snails carrying a dog?''

Trixie raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. ''Oh, so now you want my help. Go do it yourself.'' She jabbed the food machine before walking away.

''That's Trixie for yerr,'' replied Applejack.

''Now what do we do?'' asked Twilight, worried.

''Don't worry, Twi,'' said the cowgirl, placing a hand over her shoulder. ''We'll find Spike if it's the last thing we do. C'mon, y'all. Let's separate ourselves.''

''Plan A,'' Pinkie began, wearing a detective's uniform with a notebook and pencil. ''We swim through the lemonade, find Spike and at the end, we'll earn a giant chocolate cake.''

Everyone around her looked at each other.

''What?'' Rainbow said, blinking a few times.

The pencil tapped her chin as she hummed. ''Maybe not a good plan. All right. Let's go to Plan B where we all wear ninja uniforms and—''

''No,'' Rainbow said rather firmly this time.

Pinkie sighed. ''Then Plan D!''

''You skipped C,'' Fluttershy pointed out.

''Yeah, I kinda already noticed that,'' Pinkie replied, scratching her head. ''Well, it's only because Plan C was a little too—''

''What the hay are we doin' wastin' time here for?'' Applejack asked, putting an end to her blubbering. ''We need to find Spike before Sunset does anything bad with him. So here's my plan. We all separate ourselves in the school cafeteria, classrooms, library...''

''What I was thinking, A.J,'' Twilight conceded, placing a hand over the cowgirl's shoulder. She faced the others. ''All right, gang. Let's do this.''

''Um... I don't think Spike can fit in there, Pinkie Pie,'' replied Fluttershy as she watched her friend looking through a telescope on the balcony in the library.

''You never know how Equestria works,'' Pinkie insisted, still checking through it. ''Who knows, Sunset might use magic to shrink Spike like Ant-Man!''

''If she has magic, then how come she's never shown it off before or how come she hadn't used it on us?''

''Maybe because she was using her magic secretly so she could do something worse once her plan is done.''

''I doubt that, Pinkie Pie,'' Fluttershy said with a blank expression.

Pinkie scoffed. ''And you don't doubt Twilightverse?''

''We have to find Spike, Pinkie,'' Fluttershy instead said, descending the staircase to the bottom floor and searching through the piles of books scattered across. ''Strange. This must've happened because of Sunset and she's hidden Spike in one of these piles.''

''Or maybe because Twilight and Spike were researching and sleeping here?'' Pinkie pointed out.

Fluttershy turned to her. ''It's worth a go searching here.''

''And what if we don't find him here?''

''We keep looking,'' she simply replied, already trying to dig into the pile of books.

Rainbow Dash exited the school and walked across the school's sports pitch, meeting the center. The nighttime sky above made it difficult for her to see in the dark even if there were stars dot by dot twinkling and surrounding lamp posts flashing.

''Where the heck could she have taken him?'' she questioned herself before going back into the school's building and finding Trixie staring at her. ''Well, if you're just going to stand there looking at me, you may as well help us out.''

''I have better things to do,'' said Trixie, ignorant.

Rainbow arched an eyebrow. ''Like staring at me?''

Trixie sneered and, again, banged a hand against the locker as she walked away.

Irritated, Rainbow Dash sighed and walked in the direction of a classroom.

''Seriously, Rares?'' called Applejack's voice from Rarity's boutique. ''Do you really think Sunset would be here with Snips and Snails coming all the way here to bring Spike to her?''

''Well, just like it says in Shadow Spades,'' Rarity explained, wearing a black skirt. ''You got to look everywhere and I, they, mean everywhere!''

Applejack rolled her eyes. ''Uh-huh. Well, I'm gonna go on ahead back to the school to find him there.''

''If you insist, I'll come along,'' Rarity sneered. ''But, uh, a word?''

The cowgirl turned back to look at her. ''Yeah?''

Rarity bit her lip. ''You know, I, we, did see you and Rainbow Dash making out after rekindling.''

Applejack's face turned to beat red, hiding it by lowering her hat. ''What about, Rarity?''

''I just want to ask... how long have you two been, you know...''

''Well, uh, after we started talking again we also started speaking out our feelings so until then.''

''Oh. I see.'' Rarity nodded gently.

''Why do you care?'' asked the cowgirl, raising an eyebrow.

Flushed, Rarity immediately turned away from her. ''Never mind, dear.''

Applejack quirked an eyebrow, stepped forward, and examined her face. ''Rares, I... do you like me?''

''What?'' Rarity spat. ''Absolutely not! How absurd. A lady would never contribute to something like, like...'' Her ears fell, turning to Applejack. ''I can't believe you'd suggest such a thing!''

''Well, then, enough chit-chat and goofin' around. Let's try and find Spike.''

When she exited out the door, Rarity dropped a sigh of relief. ''Thank Heavens.''

“Found anything, Pinkie?“ Fluttershy asked, searching through the book piles.

Pinkie sighed. “No. You?“

Fluttershy shook her head. “Oh, I'm scared, Pinkie. What if Sunset did something to him?“

“Stop trying to think pessimistically, Fluttershy. We'll find him!“ Pinkie encouraged emphatically.

“But what if we won't?“ Fluttershy cluttered her teeth as she shivered with wide eyes.

Pinkie stared her down. “Fluttershy! Please?“

Fluttershy sighed. “All right.“

Pinkie smiled softly. Then she looked up at the dome. “Hey, Fluttershy. You saw that, didn't you?“

“Saw what, Pinkie?“ Fluttershy asked.

Pinkie didn't answer. Instead, she sighed.

“Pinkie?“ Fluttershy called out. No answer. “Pinkie, what's wrong?“

“Can...can I tell you something?“ Pinkie asked softly.

“Sure. What's up, Pinkie Pie?“

“I...think I like Rainbow Dash. And even when our group split apart because of Sunset Shimmer, I still didn't have any feelings of hate towards her.“

“Oh, Pinkie. It was pretty obvious to not tell of your feelings for her,“ Fluttershy pointed out as she wrapped her arms around her friend.

“Yeah, but what can I do?“ Pinkie asked, biting her lip. “It's too late. She's dating Applejack.“

“Everything will work out in the end, Pinkie,“ said Fluttershy. “Even Rarity has feelings for Applejack, and those two were each other's first kiss.“

“Me and Rainbow Dash were each other's first kiss also,“ Pinkie confessed, biting her lip further.

“Oh, Pinkie.“ Fluttershy squeezed her hug around her further.

When Applejack and Rarity arrived at the school, they found Rainbow Dash roaming the hallways.

“Hey, babe. Found anything?“ Applejack asked.

Rainbow sighed. “No. And it doesn't help with Trixie being a big jerk and not helping either.“

Applejack and Rarity looked to see the blue person still standing beside the vending machine staring.

“Rarity, how about you sort this problem out while Rainbow and I can continue looking at other places?“ Applejack offered.

Rarity walked away from them.

Applejack walked up to Rainbow Dash with a big smirk.

“So. Where were we now?“ she asked.

Rainbow grinned as the two girls placed their hands on each other's hips and pulled each other into a kiss, and started full-on making out. When Rarity came back over, she was not pleased.

Rarity fumed as her cheeks puffed up. She lightly banged a locker before storming away.

Lights continued to flicker in the depth of the locker room, making Twilight believe she'd meet Sunset here again in addition while also finding Spike. However, when she made out the darkness, a sigh escaped her lips.

''Spike!'' she called as if he'll come running towards her. ''Spike, come on. Where are you?''

When she walked past a classroom with its door falling to the ground, she immediately came back to it and peeked inside. Inside, she noticed chairs had three legs instead of four, and stools had fallen on the ground. The room was unilluminated, and she tried making out what was in the darkness by squinting her eyes.

But then she felt something brush against her naked ankle. She looked down and what she saw was...

''Spike!'' she exclaimed, picking him up from the floor and nuzzling him. ''Where were you?''

Spike frowned, his ears clamped against his skull, and simply pointed a paw to the right side of the room.

A silhouette of a person was seen on the walls as a torch laid on the floor and lit it up. Soon, the person revealed themselves, walking away from the darkness.

''Well, well, well,'' came a familiar voice. ''I knew you would come and find me.''

~ 05 ~ Stolen Conversion

''Hey, Twilight Sparkle. Wanna play catch with me and the trio?''

Twilight finally looked up from her book and looked at her with a blank stare. ''Who are you?''

Sunset's ears fell. ''I'm... Sunset. Sunset Shimmer.''

''Nope. I'm good.'' Already, Twilight was looking down at her book in front of her.

Sunset's teeth gritted and stomped off, splashing the puddle of water over Twilight's book but she hadn't realized it was now soaked up.

''I knew you would come and find me,'' Sunset said rather snarkily. ''That little pest kept annoying me.''

Knowing he was being referred to, Spike immediately perked up and barked at her.

Sunset kneeled downwards. ''Aw...'' she cooed mockingly, then when she was going to get her finger bitten she immediately stood back up with an impassive expression. ''Anyway, give me the crown and I'll let you go back to Equestria tonight to meet your little friends and Cadence.''

Twilight glanced up to see her crown above her head, then turned to Sunset with a cross expression. ''No.''

''I knew you'd say tha—'' Her grin faded, surprise washing over her, and turned to look at Twilight, ''—Not even for your friends?! Cadence?''

''Why are you doing this?'' Twilight instead asked, stepping forward.

Sunset tried to hold it in but then burst out: ''Why? Why?! Have you still not figured it out yet? I want everything that was supposed to belong to me had I not been replaced!''

Twilight's eyebrows furrowed. ''You weren't replaced. Princess Celestia—''

''Oh, blah, blah, blah,'' Sunset ignorantly babbled, rolling her eyes. ''Give me a break. Princess Celestia lies just to cover up her own fault. She may be seen as the pretty pony perfect princess but she's just a...''

''Don't say it,'' Spike warned her.

''...fake,'' she completed.

Twilight sighed.

''I get it you think that,'' she said. ''But trust me when I say that when I first discovered you Luna told me how Celestia couldn't stop talking about you after you left her. Celestia even said she—''

''First discovered me?'' Sunset repeated, scoffing. ''So you really didn't know me before?''

''You...'' Her ears fell, stepping back, ''...keep saying that.''

''Right. I'll just go straight to the point if you can't remember through your thick skull. And you're supposed to be smart. Well, listen here, Twilight Sparkle, I. Was. In. Magic. Kindergarten. With. You.''

Twilight blinked. ''You were?''

Sunset choked a laugh. ''I knew it. After so long of me trying to get you to notice the second princess' protege, only now when I steal my crown from you do you notice me.''

Ears clamped against the skull, she stammered, ''I'm sorry, Sunset. You must know that I was focusing on my—''

''Studies, I know,'' she interrupted. ''But that didn't stop you from making friends.''

''I know. It's just that I never cared about making friends, Sunset, until Celestia sent me off to Ponyville.''

Sunset snorted, turned away. ''And Celestia was being harsh on me instead of you for not having any friends when I tried so hard and you didn't even care.''

Then did Twilight's memory suddenly clicked.

''Wait a minute. Didn't you have Minuette, Twinkle Shine, and Lemon Hearts?''

''So now you remember,'' said Sunset. ''After all these years. Anyways, yes, and they also tried so hard to get you to notice them.''

Twilight fell to her knees. ''So you're doing all this shit all because of me?''

''You still don't get it,'' she sneered, rolling her eyes. ''I want everything back that you've stolen from me.''

''Well, I'm sorry but Princess—''

''Must it always be about Princess Celestia?'' Sunset interrupted, irritated. ''By the way, she did tell me a few things or two about you.''

''Really?'' A grin from Spike as he perked up. ''Like what?''

Sunset grinned back. ''I think you already know. Twilight Sparkle, the reason why I threaten Cadence against you is that Celestia told me of your childhood crush on her until you got heartbroken when she was going out with your brother instead. I mean what did you expect for your naive, friendless young self, huh?''

''Sunset, I—'' Twilight frowned. ''Please, Sunset. We can work through this another way.''

''It's too late,'' Sunset told her.

Twilight's words were cut short when she fell on top of Spike when someone had pushed her from behind, her crown bouncing from wall to desk to Sunset.

''I'll take that,'' she said, taking hold of it. ''Nice work, boys.''

Tweedle dumb and tweedle dumbass saluted as they began watching what would come next.

Sunset laughed insanely as she looked at the crown.

''No,'' Twilight whispered with Spike in her arms, panic-stricken.

''Finally. More power than I can ever dream,'' Sunset said before placing the crown above her head.

''NO! '' Twilight and Spike shouted at the same time, but it was too late.

A sense of blackness started coloring the star on the crown, seeping out of it and coloring Sunset's eyes. When she opened them, she was being hovered above the ground and rotating in place before transforming into a fiery she-demon. She looked at her minions and transformed them as well but less significantly.

Sunset grinned and turned around, smashing the wall and relocating to the front of the school as her minions followed behind. Twilight and Spike followed them in a panic with the rest of their friends.

Teenagers started running around in fright, trying to exit the school when they saw the she-demon but Sunset pushed them all back in, turning them into zombies.

''I have tried so long just to get my hands on this crown,'' Sunset said in a distorted voice. ''It was mine, to begin with, had destiny not shift paths. And now, Twilight Sparkle will pay. She had ruined my plans one too many times already.''

All of Twilight's friends' counterparts began to surround her.

''We're bringing the band back together!'' exclaimed Rainbow Dash, standing defiant.

Twilight smiled genuinely and appreciatively at her friends before turning back to Sunset, looking at her with some sort of pity building upon her face. ''Sunset, please...'' she said, frowning. ''We can talk about this.''

The fiery she-demon gritted her teeth and powered up flames in both of her hands, directing them at the group of friends before she heard screams from the school building and threatened them with fire next. When they became quiet again, she turned to look at the group of friends and got ready with her power source.

A somewhat wide grin plastered on her face showed her bare fangs, hissing. When Twilight was protected by her group, this only made Sunset angrier and so blasted her ball of energy onto the group of friends, waiting to see what'll happen next. She laughed evilly until when her eyes opened back up she realized that a pink barrier was covering them whole, each of them holding their hands.

Twilight's eyes opened and realized this as well. She grinned and pointed at the crown. ''The magic contained in my element was able to reunite with those that help create it.''

Sunset looked at her annoyed until a spark ignited from the pink star on the crown on her head, sending it to descend to the group of friends below and transforming them all with wings, tails, and ears. A giant rainbow emerged and went through Sunset as she screamed ear raping everyone in sight.

The group of friends was seen lying on the floor until Spike approached Twilight licking her face to wake her up, when she did she quickly brought him in a quick, affectionate hug. Twilight and her friends spotted a big hole beside them standing up to see Sunset Shimmer in a state they wouldn't have expected her to see. Everyone from the school came out when Twilight started saying a few words down to her.

Sunset looked up at her, tears welling up in her eyes. ''I'm so sorry. I didn't know there was another way.''

Twilight looked down at her sympathetically. ''The magic of friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria. It's everywhere. You can seek it out, or you can forever be alone. The choice is yours.''

Sunset climbed up from the hole to look at her, hanging from the edge as tears dropped. ''But all I've ever done since being here is drive everyone apart. I don't know the first thing about friendship.''

Twilight took hold of her hand to pull her up, then pointed at her friends. ''I bet they can teach you.''

After Principal Celestia had given the crown to Twilight, they all went back inside to party until it was time for Twilight to get going back to Equestria with her crown and Spike after sharing one last hug with her friends.

''You'll look out for her, won't you?'' Twilight asked when she saw Sunset standing in the distance.

''Of course, we will,'' said Rarity a bit hesitantly, then turned away with her arms crossed. ''Although I do accept some sort of apology for last spring's debacle.''

''I have a feeling she'll be handing out a lot of apologies,'' Twilight replied absentmindedly before Flash Sentry came running up to her with his suit still on and his car parked in front, ready to go. ''Flash?''

Twilight's friends giggled at her and went away for a bit to give the two some privacy.

''Twilight!'' Flash exclaimed. ''Look, I'm not ready for you to go yet. What we had was... amazing. So you don't mind spending a moment with me alone?''

Twilight looked at the moon in the sky before turning to look back at him. ''I'm sorry, Flash, but my presence there awaits. Besides, I might come back next time.''

Flash's face softened from hope. ''C-Can I at least give you a goodbye kiss?''

Twilight blinked, her cheeks flushing a bright red. ''Wow! I- I never expected you to be so... so bold!'' She cleared her throat. ''But, uh, I think I would need to decline that.''

''What?!'' Rainbow exclaimed before Pinkie ducked her back into the bush.

''What?'' Flash asked.

Twilight placed a hand over his shoulder. ''You're a great guy, Flash, but I'm thinking of saving my first kiss and, well, it's complicated.''

''O-Oh, I see,'' Flash said, nodding slowly.

''Sorry,'' Twilight whispered, turning around to face the portal. All her friends came out of hiding to say their final goodbyes to her, and soon, she and Spike went through the portal where they met themselves go through another dizzying tube.

They eventually came out of the mirror where all their friends were surrounded, waiting for them.

''Twilight! Spike! You came back!'' Their friends all went over each other until they had made it clear that they wanted some rest after a long day.

They walked along the crystalline corridor where Twilight bumped into that same guard.

''We gotta stop bumping into each other like this,'' he said, bringing her back up and walking away, all her friends staring at him as he went past them.

When Twilight started walking again, Rarity examined the blush crawling up her friend's cheeks.

''Somepony has a crush,'' she teased as she giggled.

''I do not!'' Twilight protested, feeling her wings tied behind her back.

Cadence giggled. ''Aw. Just to think it's been a year since I foalsat you. Now you're all grown up with a crush!''

Twilight's stomach began to hurt, her ears falling back in place, only Spike had noticed this as he is the only one who knows of her secret.

''Hm.'' Her sister-in-law tapped her chin. ''Maybe I could introduce him to you and the two of you could~''

''DAMN IT, CADENCE!''

She was cut off when something brushed against her lips, everyone on the side gasping, Spike was the most shocked out of them all but then eventually a smug expression overcame him.

''That's my girl, woohoo!''

Twilight disconnected away from her, biting her lip as she attempted to look away after that.

Cadence was quiet for a moment, no idea what to say.

Fortunately, the silence was interrupted when Shining Armour had spoken up which was unfortunate for Twilight however as she had just kissed the pony her brother is married to and that brother was in front of her staring down at her.

''S-Shining, I—'' she stammered out before her brother put up a hoof.

''Shh, it's okay, Twily,'' he said in an assuring voice. ''I would have minded if it was any stallion chick hooking up with my beloved but my sister? I don't mind.''

''You, what?'' Twilight asked, puzzled.

Shining rolled his eyes. ''Honestly, I sort of already knew. You're not really a pony who is hard to tell, Twily. I knew you'd have feelings for my wife A.K.A your sister-in-law or Princess Celestia.''

Spike stepped back, eyes wide. ''Woah.''

Shining sighed and pushed frozen Cadence forward. ''C'mon, Cady. Let's get some shut-eye.''

When the two of them left, Twilight's friends all turned to her in a mix of surprise and shock.

''What was all that all about?'' Applejack questioned, wanting an answer.

Twilight's head hung low. ''I'm so embarrassed. What will she think of me now?''

''Aw, there, there,'' Pinkie assured her, patting her on the back. ''Just speak to her about it tomorrow when you have your rest. You've had a long day today!''

''Yeah... I guess you're right, Pinkie,'' Twilight agreed, smiling at her before resuming her walk to her dorm.

Meanwhile, Spike was speaking with Shining Armour when Cadence went inside to sleep for the night.

''So you knew of her crush on her?'' he asked him.

''Not really,'' he said. ''I was just as surprised as the rest were. But I don't mind if she kissed my wife. I don't know why. It's weird.'' He turned to the drake. ''So you knew?''

Spike twiddled with his fingers. ''It was obvious to Celestia and me. We found out and tried everything we could to get her mind off of Cadence after she started going out with you and married you.''

''Wow.'' Shining stared blankly in space. ''And I thought I knew her well enough. Guess I was wrong. But Spike my boy, what do you say we catch up tomorrow? You know, bonding like the old days?''

Spike grinned. ''Oh, yeah.''

Intermission: Chrysalis' Letter

I remember when I was a little foal, training to be heir to the throne, I was a lonely naive brat that would escape the hive multiple times for some fresh air and 'fun time'.

'Fun time' does NOT call for desperate measures AT ALL if you're training to be queen or king.

Anyway, I was out in the open, amidst a grassy meadow where little ladybugs and butterflies were crawling around me. Ugh, nature's absolutely disgusting and revolting! I can't believe I even came there, I regret it. But from then I heard some shuffling in the bushes and so I approached closer to see what it was.

It pounced. But as the brave changling I am, it didn't scare me at all. It merely shook me with annoyance. Ugh. The worst part was that the being that pounced from the bushes was a little pink pony.

Huh, I mumbled inwardly as I took sight of her. She had a candy-colored mane which I already wanted to taste the love out of her, but I also noticed wings and a horn on her. Ooh. This pony is a special case so I better take good care of her before she runs or flies or teleports away.

''Hello,'' the mare spoke, bringing out a hoof. ''What's your name? I'm Cadence.''

I pretended to act all shy and innocent so she doesn't suspect me.

''H-Hi, I'm Chrysalis,'' I said as I ruffled my bug-like wings in place.

''That's a nice name,'' she said with a smile, which surprised me.

''What's yours?''

Cadence giggled. ''Well, my full fancy title is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza but I really prefer Cadence.'' She took one look at me. ''What are you doing out here, Chryssy? And what are you?''

''I—'' I coughed to change my voice. ''I was out here looking for some food. I'm a changeling where you feed on love that helps you to survive.''

''Oh?'' Cadence had looked intrigued with me, it sent chills down my body. It felt satisfying but I'm guessing it means I should feed on her already. ''Do go on! I know a mare that once drained ponies of their love with a necklace! Wow, you must be so cool and fascinating to learn from!''

My eyes twitched and I laughed hesitantly.

"What are you doing here, little filly?" I asked her instead, stepping forward and Cadence didn't seem to flinch.

Instead, her head lowered. It had seemed like she had wanted to escape the castle grounds as guards were always behind her and this Princess Celestia would always treat her like a foal.

Huh.

"You remind me of me," I said eventually, my wings starting to glimmer which caught Cadence's eye. "I'm training as heir to the throne but my mother still treats me like I'm a foal so I came out here while she suspected I go hunting on love."

"Oh," Cadence's voice was soft. "If you don't mind me asking, how does it feel to, you know?"

I dusted my hoof along with the ground. "Well, since I'm changeling, and we are hungry, we feed on love and it satisfyingly fuels us."

''Weeell.'' Cadence twirled herself around. ''If you're hungry, I'm sure Auntie Celestia won't mind if I bring you into the castle for some food!''

Oh, yes! A chance to feed on that tasty love. ''No thank you,'' I said, which shocked me even. Why did I say that? I just lost the perfect opportunity to- to-

But something told me not to do it in front of this mare. This mare had given me chills from the moment I met her! What is wrong with me?

''Oh, well, suit yourself!'' Cadence shrugged. Her voice had sounded so sweet, so innocent. I bet her love would taste like it too.

Immediately, I began hissing. Cadence jumped and backed away. ''Sorry!'' I blurted out. What? Since when does this changeling say sorry? I'm above all else in this world!

''What was that?'' she asked me.

I hesitated. ''I, uh... it's a sign that I'm hungry.''

''Hm, and you're sure I can't give you anything to eat?''

Your love.

''NO!''

As I said, I was such a stupid dork back then. From then on, I started visiting this place, and the more I saw her, the more butterfly-like feeling rose inside of me. We played and chatted, something I wasn't able to do in the hive. All we did was work to build an army.

One day, I flew over to the meadow we would always meet at while holding a bunch of roses in between my teeth when I saw something that would surprise me. I didn't know it would hurt me either.

I saw her nuzzling against a white unicorn colt, his fur as soft and white as the clouds above, with his silky blue mane and his cutie mark in the form of a shield that represented his nature.

When I showed up, the colt instantly stepped in front of Cadence until she stood up and greeted me.

''Chryssy, hey!''

''Chryssy?'' he repeated, turning to her as I saw an eyebrow raise on him.

''Yep! She's my friend I met here. Shining, meet Chrysalis. And Chrysalis, meet Shining.''

I continued to stare at her and said nothing and he decided to do the same. I could sense some electricity between him and Cadence, and I knew what that meant, and for some reason, it made me angry, until he spoke up.

''What's up with your legs?''

''Shiny!'' Cadence yelled in a hushing tone. ''You can't just say that! She's a changeling!''

''A what?'' Shining asked.

Cadence facehoofed, much like how I would towards him.

''You're so cute,'' she said next, giggling as she gave him a quick peck on his cheek. Again, the same similar feeling filled my body but only this time a dagger shot at my chest.

I turned myself around and fled, buzzing off somewhere far, far away from the two. I went back to my hive and never went to that place again... until the day of their wedding. I was still new to the queen position but my mother has always said I was meant to rule over and that I had always been a great queen since the moment I was born.

On the day of their wedding, I created a plan. I made my changeling drones to kidnap the soon-to-be bride, trap her in the Canterlot caverns where ponies had forgotten it existed, and I shapeshift into her pretending to be the bride.

It almost worked except for one certain pony. Twilight fucking Sparkle. But the good thing was that no one believed her. I sent her into the caverns as well until she and Cadence so cleverly made it out of there and on time stopped the wedding. I would have gotten the love I wanted hadn't it meant for those two brats!

But then I felt something.

The same strong electrical current formed around Cadence and this Twilight. I gritted my teeth, and my horn blazed with green fire but I composed myself down for now.

When Twilight and her so-called friends went out to find the elements of harmony, I put Celestia into a cocoon hanging from the ceiling after I defeated her majesty. Cadence, I merely glued her hooves in the same substance to prevent her from escaping and her soon-to-be husband was still stuck in his trance.

That little weakling. If only Cadence had picked me, then this wouldn't have happened.

When they came back, I mocked how my clever little changelings had got to them. I told them the reception was closed! But then I looked out the window singing my catchy song again because I'm such an amazing singer, though I realized Cadance didn't join me this time, not because Twilight said it was a shitty collaboration, nope, but because they were fucking. Seriously, I realized a white flash washed over me from behind and I turned around to see the two.

Cadence and that colt hovering gently above the ground and in the shape of a heart, their bodies intertwined. While the love was quite tasty, I gritted my teeth, but I couldn't. The love was too much for even us to handle. It sent us back to where we all came from.

Ugh!

Like brother, like sister.

CADENCE IS MINE AND I WILL GET YOUR LOVE SOONER OR LATER!

Twilight hummed as she walked along the corridor and entered the room where the mirror was kept. She was planning on visiting it again to do a little research when all of a sudden the mirror shivered, and out came a yellow unicorn with a fiery mane standing wobbly on two hooves before getting down on all fours.

The purple alicorn in the room gave out a gasp, flaring her wings out as she got ready with her horn.

''No, Twilight, wait!'' Sunset protested. ''I'm good. I just came to visit you.''

She eyed her skeptically.

Sunset sighed. ''You're the last one I should be apologizing to, so I'm sorry. I know I did some terrible things and there's no reason to excuse all that, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm truly, deeply sorry and I won't bother you again.''

Soon, Twilight's eyes melted. ''Oh, Sunset...'' She approached closer and gave out her hooves to bring her in for a hug. ''But you also need to apologize to Celestia.''

Sunset bit her lip. ''I know, but not now, okay? I'm just not ready.''

Twilight nodded. ''I understand. But also, I'm sorry too. I'm sorry for not acknowledging you back in school.''

''It's cool.'' Sunset waved off with a hoof. ''I realized that I was being just a teensy bit dramatic about it, I mean you weren't interested in friends and I totally get that because you didn't acknowledge anyone else so I can't say you were ignoring me.''

Twilight laughed. ''Still, I'm sorry.''

''I'm sorry too,'' Sunset murmured as she moved closer for another hug.

Twilight pulled away and looked at her. ''How are you here, though? Didn't the mirror close for 30 moons?''

Sunset shrugged. ''It somehow let me.''

Twilight looked at the mirror. ''Strange.''

A spark occurred behind them which urged them to separate from the hug and look around to see a scroll laid on the floor.

''Huh. I haven't seen that there before,'' Sunset said aloud, which Twilight also thought the same.

Twilight picked it up with her magic and brought it towards the two to unfurl the scroll. They began reading through it until they found what they read to be a surprise.

''Wow,'' Twilight breathed. ''I can't believe this. Chrysalis and...''

''Cadence,'' Sunset finished, then she turned to Twilight. ''But what did she mean about you and Cadence having a strong electrical current?''

Twilight's cheeks heated up.

Sunset gasped. ''No. No way. How does she know that?''

''Changeling magic?'' Twilight guessed, shrugged, then glanced around. ''I kissed her yesterday, though, after I came back with my crown.''

Sunset was surprised. ''But isn't she married to your brother?''

Twilight nodded meekly. ''And the weirdest part was he actually didn't mind!''

''What?!'' Sunset exclaimed, then quieted down before anyone could hear them. ''I mean you're not even my sister and I'm already in disapproval with you and Flash since you know, him being my ex-boyfriend and all.''

''...You noticed that?'' Twilight asked, then quickly said, ''I don't like him, I swear!''

''Hey, now, it's cool,'' said Sunset. ''I get it. That guy is into ponies.''

Twilight giggled.

''Sooo...'' Sunset said after a moment. ''How did Cadence react to it about it?''

''Oh, she was literally frozen like my brother had to push her to bed.''

''Gee.'' Sunset sucked her teeth. ''What're you going to do about it?''

Twilight's ears clamped against her head. ''I was thinking about talking to her about it after I did some research on this mirror."

''Well, I'll get going and you go talk to her,'' Sunset offered, getting ready to go through the mirror again.

''You sure?'' Twilight asked unsurely.

''I'm sure,'' she replied, nodding. ''See ya!'' And with that, she was gone.

Twilight took a deep breath to compose herself and opened the doors to exit. When she did, she was surprised at the face of her older brother.

''Shining?''

''Come with me, young lady,'' he said, taking her hoof where he dragged her to his and his wife's bedroom. He left, leaving her inside where she met a pink alicorn in view sitting sophisticatedly at the edge of her bed.

Uh oh. Twilight immediately knew she was in trouble, gulping down a lump stuck in her throat.

But then Cadence wore that friendly smile she would always wear and patted on a spot next to her, beckoning her to sit down and so she relented, though, she walked over silently and sat down awkwardly.

''You've grown,'' she whispered blissfully. ''So much.''

Twilight was confused. She didn't understand. Isn't she supposed to be mad at her? ''I'm sorry!''

Cadence was taken aback, then her sweet smile reappeared. ''For what?''

''For... for kissing you!'' she blurted out. ''I'm sorry. I didn't know what I was thinking. Just somehow I felt this sudden urge after you started talking about my love life, and—''

Cadence delicately placed a hoof on Twilight's muzzle before letting it go.

''It's okay, Twilight,'' she said sweetly. ''I can never be mad at you. That kiss you gave me actually woke me up.''

Twilight blinked a couple of times. ''Pardon?''

Cadence leaned back. ''I'm sorry for not recognizing your feelings. Some Princess of Love.''

So she didn't know?

''But that kiss...'' She turned to Twilight, ''...I felt was a sign. A sign that we were meant to be had I paid attention and not onto stereotypical straight relationships.''

Twilight's teeth gritted. ''But it's too late now. You're with my brother.''

''I know and I'm sorry,'' she said in that warm voice of hers. ''It could've been us in a different world, but Twilight, just know that just because we can't be together does not mean that I don't love you. I love you, Twily, as my friend, sister-in-law, and—'' She giggled, nudging her, ''—filly I used to foalsit that had a crush on me.''

A flush decorated Twilight's cheeks causing her to stammer words out. ''I... I...''

Cadence blooped her nose and giggled as she followed along.

''You wanna have breakfast?'' she asked in a soft whisper.

''Of course!'' Twilight replied. ''But I have to show you something first.''

''Oh?'' she said, tilting her head.

''A letter, uh... follow me!'' Twilight offered before hopping off the bed and galloping out the door as Cadence followed along while giggling.

Twilight was just happy she got a positive response when she found out and that there was no awkwardness between the two. She's glad that everything's still the same.

Or she thought.

When Cadence exited, her husband was waiting outside until he squealed. ''How did it go?''

Without saying a word, she pecked him on the cheek. ''Come on. I'll make breakfast.''

Shining touched his cheek where she kissed, then turned around to see her trotting off before following after her. ''Coming!''

Intermission: Three's A Crowd Aftermath

Fluttershy hopped on the train and as it began to move she bid her friends goodbye until she was nothing but a speck in the distance, Pinkie trailing after the train until a red balloon brought her back to the station.

“I'm a bit nervous about Cadance's visit,“ Twilight said worriedly.

“What could you be nervous about, Twilight?“ Applejack asked. “Princess Cadance just loves you to pieces!“

“I know, but I really want her visit to go without a hitch.“

“Why wouldn't it?“ Pinkie asked, saddened by the escape of the balloon she finally got ahold of.

“Well, the last few times we've seen each other haven't exactly been worry-free. Especially when I kissed her when she was married to my brother.“

“And the fate of Equestria had hung in the balance during most of your visits with her,“ said Rarity.

“Exactly. Spike and I haven't really gotten the chance to enjoy being friends with Cadance again. The last time I could remember was when she was foal sitting me and Spike. This is why it is so important for Cadance, Spike, and me to get some real quality time together.“

“I'm guessing you've got a plan to keep it that way,“ Applejack said.

Twilight told them about the Starswirl the Bearded traveling museum.

The sound of the next train pierced through the air which got Twilight excited. When the train screeched to a halt, Cadance and a pair of guards exited.

“Your Highness,“ Twilight said as she and her friends bowed in Cadance's presence.

“We're sister-in-law's, Twilight. We don't have to be so formal,“ said Cadance.

One of the guards gave Twilight a small smile. Twilight blushed mildly. Her friends giggled and Spike nudged Cadance.

Cadance rolled her eyes playfully and nodded to her guards as they went back inside the train and traveled back. The princess walked with Twilight and Spike off the station.

“Knowing you, you've made some plans,“ Cadance said to Twilight.

“Boy, have I,“ Twilight replied. “Hang on just one second.“ She went back to her friends. “You guys...“

“Now, don't you worry about a thing,“ Rarity interrupted. “We will make sure that nothing but nothing interferes with your date-I mean, visit.“

“You really are the best friends a pony could ever have,“ Twilight said as she hugged Rarity, ignoring the slip up. Soon, she walked off the platform and away with Cadance and Spike.

Twilight sighed as she and Cadance walked into the Golden Oak Library. Twilight landed her face flat on the floor while Cadance composed her by rubbing circles on her back.

“There, there,“ said Cadance. “It's okay.“

“Why did he have to ruin the only day we could finally hang out like we usually did when we were small?“ Twilight grumbled.

“Not everything comes out perfect as you hoped, Twilight,“ Cadance stated.

Twilight lifted her head and blankly stared at her. “That's easy for you to say. You're perfect!“

Cadance shook her head when Twilight put her face back on the floor. “Nopony's perfect, Twily.“

“Oh yeah? You're living happily married to my brother aka captain of the royal guard and is a motherfucking princess!“

“You're a princess too, don't you forget,“ Cadance reminded. “And you'll find someone someday. How about my guard Flash Sentry? I hear he'll get promoted to a higher position soon and is pretty much high over heels for you. I saw the way he looked at you when I arrived.“

A blush marked Twilight's cheeks. “Yeah, but... never mind. He's just not you.“

Cadance's ears flicked. “Pardon?“

“He's just not you, Cadance. It's not the same,“ said Twilight.

Cadance shook her head. “And what. I'm sorry I didn't widen my options sooner and maybe I would have chosen you, but what's done is done. As I said, maybe we were made to be in another universe but you gotta continue looking. I already found mine in this universe.“

Twilight sighed deeply.

Cadance frowned, figuring she was not helping, and merely extended her hooves to bring her sister-in-law in for a hug. Twilight scooted closer to put her chin in the crook of Cadance's neck, letting her tears gradually fall.

“There, there. It'll be alright,“ she assured. She lifted Twilight's chin. “I still got a few minutes left here. Why don't we spend it?“

Twilight sniffed and smiled softly. “I'd love that.“

They got up and started walking out the door. Cadance went out first while Twilight giggled on the spot like she was a foal craving after her foalsitter again before clearing her throat and diligently walking out the door after her.

“Coming!“

~ 2 ~ 01 ~ Tuned Out

It had been a few months since Twilight had to go to another world to retrieve her crown and it had been a few months since she had kissed her crush even though they were married to her brother; her brother didn't mind.

Twilight sat in the throne room of the castle she earned after unlocking a six-key lock chest with her friends. It had only been a week since they got the castle. Her eyes were skimming through a book while her friends were doing their own stuff, such as Rarity sewing onto a dress, Rainbow Dash napping on her throne, Pinkie Pie blowing through a balloon, and Spike reading through his Power Ponies comic.

Peace filled the air until a huge crate moved into the room as Applejack and Fluttershy helped the mail pony.

''Excuse me, princess,'' he said. ''Where do you want me to put all these books from Princess Celestia?''

''The library,'' Twilight answered lively as if it was an obvious question. ''Third door to the left.''

''Even the one up there vibrating?'' he asked, looking up.

Twilight put down her book for now and glanced up to see a buzzing book at the very top of the pile. She used her magic to levitate it towards her where her friends came around as she started flipping through pages until she stopped at one when she found out it was the last page with a text.

''It looks like a message to Princess Celestia from my friends at Canterlot High.''

''How is that even possible?'' Rarity asked.

''I have no idea but,'' Twilight said, looking through it again, ''it sounds like they need my help.''

They got to the library where Twilight picked out a book about three mythical creatures that Sunset had described. She laid it flat out on the table to show everyone and explained its backstory of it.

''That world must be the one where my Canterlot High friends live,'' Twilight concluded as panic got to her face.

''But Starswirl must have sent them there ages ago,'' Applejack pointed out, confusion adding to her expression. ''How come they're just surfacing now?''

''I don't know, but if my hunch is right, and it is the Sirens who have come to Canterlot High, this spell they've cast is just the beginning.'' She closed the book and walked away. ''My friends need me. I have to get back to them.''

Rainbow spread out her wings and landed in front of Twilight. ''I hate to burst your bubble, Twilight, but the connection between their world and Equestria will still be totally cut off for a super long time.''

Pinkie zoomed in on their faces. ''Okay, first of all, if there was bubble-blowing going on, why wasn't I told about it? And secondly, if the connection is totally cut off, how was Sunset Shimmer able to get a message to Twilight?''

Twilight gasped. ''Pinkie, you're a genius.''

''Yeah, I get that a lot,'' Pinkie said, pulling Rainbow Dash by the neck. ''Now about those bubbles!''

Twilight walked across the library as she levitated all kinds of objects, her friends looking at her with curiosity. She tried mending her equipment together, eventually, there was a mirror with machines connected to it. When she finished, she began explaining it with scientific terms which got everyone jumbled, however, Pinkie Pie summed it up for all of them.

The journal then levitated over and was placed on top of the mirror where all the wirings went through an electrical current, eventually causing the mirror to flash a bright pink which meant open.

Everyone was amazed at it, and Applejack asked, ''don't suppose we could join you this time around?''

''Better not,'' Twilight said, unfortunately. ''It could make things pretty confusing if Canterlot High all of a sudden had two of all of you.''

Everyone looked at each other, then back at Twilight, nodding in understanding.

''But I still get to go, right?'' Spike asked, puffing out his chest. ''There isn't another one of me at Canterlot High and you never know when you might need your trusty assistant.''

Twilight nodded to him which got him excited, then she assured the others that it wouldn't take them long and they all came into a group hug. Eventually, they broke apart and Twilight got in position with Spike to get ready and run through the mirror together.

Through another dizzying tube that Twilight and Spike are not sure they will get the hang of, they reached the end of it where they fell to the ground and met all five of their friends' counterparts, then a hand reached out for Twilight where she stared at it and smiled, taking it as she stood up from the ground.

Sunset blushed a bit, feeling something buzz between the friction as both their hands met and touched. All of Twilight's friends' counterparts ran up to bring her in a group, long-time hug.

''Hey, girls,'' Twilight greeted back before putting on a serious expression as she explained, ''I have some bad news about those three new girls.''

''Oh, I do hate that you had to return at a time of crisis,'' Rarity pouted after everyone relocated to a nearby cafe. ''We have so much catching up to do!''

Twilight smiled, rehearing a similar sentence in her head. One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance.

''For starters,'' Applejack chimed in with a shameless grin, ''a certain blue-haired guitar player was just asking about you.''

''Isn't that nice,'' Twilight said as she made slurping noises when drinking her milkshake through her straw, trying to sound uninterested because she was.

Rarity picked up her teacup, her pinky finger pointing out. ''Perhaps you could give us just the slightest bit of gossip from your world?''

''She's got an official title now,'' Spike replied, later using his doggy biscuit as a trumpet before announcing: ''The Princess of Friendship!''

Sunset looked surprised. ''That's really impressive.'' Her eyes averted downward. ''Guess you really were Princess Celestia's prized pupil.''

''She even got her own castle,'' Spike added.

''A castle?!'' Rarity shouted out, pulling Twilight by the shoulders and spilling her (Twilight's) drink in the process. She looked around and cleared her throat at her indignance before wiping Twilight's shirt with a towel.

Twilight turned to the others. ''What's new here? I mean besides your school becoming the target of dangerous magical creatures from Equestria.''

Sunset rubbed her arm in offense to that, but Twilight didn't notice this as Rainbow Dash brought out her phone and showed the latter a video of her transforming with pony ears, wings, and tail which surprised her much as the others were.

Twilight rubbed her chin and put down her drink as she started talking out her thoughts on why this might be.

''...We can use that magic on the sirens, just like we were able to use it on Sunset Shimmer when she turned into that horrifyingly awful winged monster!'' Twilight finished, lowering her hands as she glanced at Sunset with a cleared throat. ''No offense.''

Sighing, Sunset rolled her eyes. ''None taken. I'm used to it.''

''Any idea where the Dazzlings might be?'' Twilight asked afterward, getting back to the topic at hand.

Pinkie tapped her on the shoulder from behind, getting watched to finish up her milkshake before she could begin. ''There's a big party tonight for all the bands who signed up to be in the showcase. That would include the Dazzlings.''

Twilight turned to the others, then brought a napkin to wipe Pinkie's face. ''Looks like we've got a party to crash,'' she said, which brought a big smile to Pinkie's face.

At the school gym, the party was like a silent auction where people would only give others glares occasionally. Flash went ahead to get some punch when all of a sudden he bumped into someone he didn't know he'd meet again despite a promise. He caught her just in time before she could fall, his hand around her waist.

''Twilight?'' he said, surprised.

Nervously, Twilight twiddled with words. ''Bumped into always doing...''

''What are you doing here?'' he asked, bringing her back up as a sense of happiness filled his voice when he saw her again. ''You came back for the big friendly competition, right?''

''Something like that,'' Twilight said unsurely before getting drowned in his talking about his band winning. It hadn't been long since he confessed to her about his feelings and she felt guilty for toying him on and he already had enough of that with another girl. Thankfully, she was tapped on the shoulder by her friend Rainbow Dash who urged her to look in the direction where the three new girls were. She excused herself as she followed her friends.

Alas, in the middle of the Dazzlings' talk, Twilight and her friends excluding Sunset got ready in formation and exclaimed: ''There isn't going to be a Battle of the Bands!''

Twilight looked around her friends with a determined face, all of them holding their hands.

''Friendship... is... magic...!'' Twilight exclaimed as they prepared themselves but they only found themselves to be in a room of silence where people were watching them with dumbfounded looks at this unforeseen act.

''Weren't there rainbows and lasers and stuff last time?'' Rainbow whispered to Twilight after she blinked an eye open to see nothing happening.

''I don't understand,'' Twilight mumbled, glancing around. ''We're all together again. Why isn't this working?''

Spike climbed upon Twilight's shoulder to whisper in her ear: ''You, uh, really need to go ahead and do that whole 'magic of friendship' thing now.''

''I'm trying, Spike,'' she told him. ''I thought the six of us standing together against the sirens would bring out the magic we needed to defeat them. That's what happened before.''

''Talk about throwing down the gauntlet,'' Adagio said at the top of her voice to have all eyes lay on her. ''This group is obviously serious about winning. A little cocky though, aren't they? Claiming there won't really be a battle. Seems they think they've already got this thing all locked up.''

''Not if the Great and Powerful Trixie has anything to do with it!'' Trixie shouted out, which caused conflict between the people, a gust of green seeping out of them unnoticed.

The sirens all stood proud and standing tall as they let the green magic seep into their pendants.

Adagio took a look at the group of friends, confirming her thoughts as she turned back to her sisters. They looked at her muddled until she exclaimed: ''Magic! Don't you see? Everyone else has fallen under our spell, but not these girls.'' She watched them escape. ''These girls are special.''

Twilight and her friends including Sunset sat on the staircase outside their school as the former started thinking about what all went wrong in there.

''To defeat me—'' Sunset took hold of the contemplation, ''—you drew magic from the crown I was wearing. The sirens' magic comes from their music... so maybe you have to use the same kind of magic to defeat them!''

This got Twilight's attention and she was quite impressed by it.

''Or maybe not.''

She turned to Sunset. ''No, I think you're onto something!'' she protested before analyzing more onto Sunset's point. ''It's when you play music that you transform now, right? So maybe the way to use that magic to defeat the sirens is by playing a musical counterspell.''

Fluttershy brushed her hair away from her eye to gaze at Twilight. ''You mean like a song?''

Twilight nodded. ''And in order to free everyone who's been exposed to the sirens' spell, we'll need them all to hear it.''

Rarity gasped and stood up. ''The band competition! That's the next time we can be certain everyone will be in the same place at the same time.''

''Guess the Rainbooms are the band to beat,'' Applejack chimed in, placing a hand over Rainbow's shoulder.

Rarity frowned at this but brought her smile back when she turned to Twilight. ''And I believe you, Twilight, just became the Rainbooms' newest member.''

Twilight grimaced at this before everyone brought her into a hug, Sunset frowning as she was being left behind which she thought was pretty understandable but still. She looked at Twilight seeing her having friends and everything that she didn't have before.

She wasn't jealous of her anymore, no, but merely shook that she was being led on into this friendship path she was taken into but then forgotten.

Being taken into a sleepover at Pinkie's for her time spent in this world, Twilight sat on Pinkie's bed wearing pajamas as she was allowed access to Fluttershy's notebook where she could write down her counterspell and at the moment she was writing it down she was failing terribly.

''Thanks for letting me use your notebook, Fluttershy,'' Twilight said to Fluttershy. ''I really like the song you wrote for the Rainbooms.''

''Thanks.'' Fluttershy smiled before sighing. ''Hopefully one day we get a chance to play it.''

When the doorbell rang, Pinkie immediately knew it was the pizza she ordered for the sleepover and so raced out of the room where everyone followed her, leaving Twilight alone in the room until Pinkie came back with a slice of pizza in her mouth.

''Don't you want any pizza?'' she asked, and Twilight nodded, putting Fluttershy's notebook away in a drawer.

After they finished eating pizza, night fell over the horizon where everyone was snoring off to slumber in Pinkie Pie's bedroom except for Twilight who stood up and glanced around to see everyone asleep, then tiptoed gently over to Pinkie's drawer where she put Fluttershy's notebook in where she wrote her counterspell in.

She took it with her as she made herself over out of the bedroom and into the kitchen to try and write her counterspell in silence but she was unfocused as she didn't know how to write in her new form and she had no ideas on what to write. Grumbling, she ripped off the paper and scrunched it up into a ball before tossing it out in the trashcan.

''Hey Twilight,'' came Sunset's voice which alerted her, stepping forward. ''You're up late.''

Twilight blushed, covering her work. ''Just looking over the counterspell. We only get one shot at this. It has to be perfect.''

A light blinded her sight as Sunset opened the refrigerator to reveal a whole stack of whipped cream bottles, wondering who would need all of this, but then again this is Pinkie Pie.

''It must be nice to have everyone always looking to you for answers to their problems instead of waiting for you to cause a problem,'' Sunset said absentmindedly as she looked through the whipped cream.

''Just because everyone expects something from you doesn't mean it's guaranteed to happen,'' Twilight said quietly, showing her disappointment in herself.

''But that doesn't stop them from expecting it.''

''...Which only makes things harder because the last thing you want is...''

''...Let everybody down,'' Twilight and Sunset finished at the same time until they realized this and blushed at each other — looks like they found something in common and a liking too. The latter closed the refrigerator where she scared herself when she caught sight of someone.

''Boulder was hungry,'' said the monotone voice of Pinkie's sister Maud.

Sunset backed herself to the dining table where Twilight was standing, the two of them watching Maud taking out a box from the cabinets and pouring it on top of the rock in her hand, leaving a trail behind as she began walking off.

''I still can't get over the fact that she's related to Pinkie Pie,'' Sunset whispered to Twilight.

''You and me both,'' Twilight whispered back.

Similar thinking, too. Looks like these two will get off on the right hand.

When Sunset turned to leave to go back to sleep, she said some things to Twilight that the latter wasn't able to keep herself in but eventually she became determined to have to do this.

~ 2 ~ 02 ~ Tuned Obediently

After an earraping song from Twilight, they all went to the school gymnasium where everyone was arguing again with a gust of green smoke seeping into the sirens' pendants, again that was unnoticed. They were all waiting for their turn in an audition.

After an unrehearsed audition from Snips and Snails, it was time to see what the Rainbooms had got, Sunset stood backstage as Twilight instructed her band members to play good but not that good till the point their magic from within them peaks through — it could lead the sirens to create with some plan about this. However, this had happened with Rainbow Dash taking over the stage as a solo but Sunset jumped at her much to the band's disappointment when she was only trying to help them not unleash their magic.

When the audience saw the school's oppressor, they immediately started booing at her until they all went off the stage and out of their sight. They went somewhere private to discuss that which only ended up in them arguing and blaming each other when they initially blamed Sunset.

Eventually, they walked into the locker room where Twilight bumped into Flash again.

''Twilight, hey, wait up,'' Flash called out for her, which got her to turn around and look at him. This got him even more nervous. ''Look I know you said we're only friends, but do you wanna come over and catch up?''

Twilight turned to her friends who all urged her on, Rarity giving her a smirk.

''Yeah, uh, sure... just hold on a minute.'' She looked at the girls. ''What do you say, girls? Mind practicing without me for tonight?''

''Oh, it'll be no problem at all, darling,'' Rarity said before drawing closer to Twilight's ear. ''Besides, who knows what could happen between you two. Pull-on your act, dear!''

The blush on Twilight's cheeks only reddened and heated, then her friends left her alone with Flash in the locker room and he led her to his car where he drove her to his house.

''This is where you live?'' she asked, gawking at the sight before her two eyes. ''This is amazing!''

''Thanks,'' Flash said. ''My parents are rich — they earn a lot of money, and sometimes, they leave the house to me. What do you say? Wanna come in?''

A hand was brought out and Twilight stared at it before putting forth her own, being led inside and she admired the interior. If Rarity was here, she would absolutely fantasize about living here herself.

Flash brought Twilight to his bedroom where she only gawked further until she turned back to him.

''So why did you bring me here?'' she questioned him before seating herself down atop the edge of his bed.

''I wanted to catch up,'' he replied, sitting next to her. ''Alone, that is. I figured we didn't do so the last time you were here which was also the first time I met you.''

Twilight looked into his gaze and held onto his hand, his smile becoming broader. She touched his face where a piece of dirt lay, then realized what she was doing and immediately took her hand away. They both pretended as if nothing happened.

''So, uh, what have you been up to while I was away?'' Twilight asked, feeling the blanket beneath her to distract herself from the awkwardness.

Flash blinked, getting back to reality. ''Oh, you know. Stuff, music. You know how it goes.''

Twilight nodded. ''Uh-huh.''

Silence.

Flash turned to her. ''Twilight, I...''

Twilight stopped him as she held up a hand, then looked at her hand herself before lowering it down.

''I know what you're going to say,'' she said, frowning. ''I'm sorry. What we had was amazing like when I was new to this world, you were the first one to help me get back up. Literally.''

Flash laughed. ''I still remember that.''

She smiled fondly. ''I'm not saying I don't like you — I mean you're a really nice guy, and anyone would be lucky to date you, but I just don't think it could work between us like I'm from Equestria and you're from... here.''

''Well, we can try to make it work!'' he said, trying to show determination.

Twilight shook her head. ''To be honest, I'm not even sure if I like you in that way.''

His ears pinned back, the hope on his face draining away, but then he brightened up when an idea struck him. ''Well, what if I kissed you right now? Would that help?''

''What?''

And so, much to Twilight's surprise, Flash kissed her on the lips. But the most surprising thing was that Twilight actually escalated it. She connected her lips with his again, only this time a bit longer, allowing the both of them to breathe before reconnecting their lips again.

''So?'' Flash breathed.

''I...'' Twilight didn't know what to say. The kiss was hot, she admitted, but was this really what she wanted? Did it feel like a soulmate's kiss? Was there a spark between them like she had with Cadence the other day she kissed her?

Alas, she shook her head out of those thoughts and wanted to keep going. Flash asked her if she wanted to take it slow, but she felt feisty in this intimate moment. She insisted on him doing something more intense to the point where more butterflies filled her stomach, and so, Flash's hand slid under Twilight's shirt to unhook her bra.

Twilight blinked. How did he know how to unhook a girl's bra? From what she was taught by Rarity, only girls wear them not boys.

She pulled away for a moment. ''How are you so 'pro' at this as people say in this world?''

''Well...'' Flash blushed, looking reminiscent. ''I did do this with my ex.''

Twilight frowned.

''Don't think of it as you being a rebound!'' he protested. ''I really, really like you!''

''Was she... hot?'' she asked, smirking at him.

Flash stood upright, then rubbed his neck. ''Maybe,'' he said. ''But you're way hotter. Truth be told, though, she was top and aggressive.''

Twilight's smirk deepened and pulled him by the neck into another deep, saucy kiss.

The next morning, Twilight lay on Flash's muscles as they were tucked in bed, slowly opening their eyes to the sunrise and birds chirping outside.

''Had a good sleep?'' Flash asked in his sleepy voice, which had sounded rather attractive.

Twilight frowned. ''Flash, I... Listen. Last night was lovely, but...''

''Oh no. You're talking as if there's bad news.''

Her ears pinned back and said nothing for now.

''Oh no. There is, isn't there? Oh, go on. What did I do this time? Was it something I did wrong in bed?''

''No, no!'' Twilight protested. ''You were amazing. It's just that... I don't think you're the one.''

Flash blinked. ''What do you mean?''

Twilight placed a hand on his shoulder. ''I didn't mean to lead you on, but I only wanted to see if I liked you like that. Don't get me wrong — you're hot, and I'm sure any girl would want to date you, but... you're just not my soulmate, at least not in this world. Erm, mentally.''

''Oh, I see,'' Flash said, nodding.

''I'm really sorry,'' she said before standing up and wearing her bra and shirt back on. ''I gotta go. My friends are probably needing me for practice.''

After Twilight had put her shirt back on, Flash escorted her outside where it happened to be raining so he went back inside to grab her an umbrella on her way there. When he came back with one, he passed it on to Twilight but he opened it for her as he guessed she still might not be used to this world.

''Thank you,'' Twilight said, the sounds of trickles dropping on the base of the umbrella. ''I had a nice time.''

She walked off into the distance where Flash watched her go when she became nothing but a speck. He sighed, feeling rejected as he was, and went back indoors.

When Twilight and her friends walked into the locker room again, she bumped into Flash for what has been the umpteenth time. Instead of receiving a smile from him, he begrudgingly turned away from her.

''Do you guys hear something?'' Flash asked his friends who all shook their heads.

''I said we have to stop...'' Twilight tried to say again a bit louder this time only to get brushed off by him again.

''There it is again,'' he interrupted, turning away. ''So annoying.''

''Why are you acting like this?'' she asked him. ''Is this about last night? I thought we've already established and cleared things.''

Flash lost it within him and blew it out on her. ''Yeah, and then you decide to come back here just so you can beat me in the Battle of the Bands.'' He looked at her pleadingly. ''I want this, Twilight.'' Then he turned away sharply. ''And you're trying to take it from me.''

''That's not why...'' Twilight tried to say had Applejack not pulled her way to avoid conflict, Flash's yelling trailing behind which made Twilight tear up. This was all her fault. She had never seen him like this, not towards her, since the time she knew him.

From behind a locker, Adagio chuckled at the scene and turned to her sisters.

''Tears already?'' she pointed out. ''This is only the initial heat.''

They all started laughing evilly before the announcement came up about Trixie coming up the stage to audition where the sirens were after her.

~ 2 ~ 03 ~ Tuned On

In a disappearing act of the Great and Powerful Trixie, blue smoke erupted which caused all the members of the Rainbooms including Sunset to cough before, quite literally, their hearts skipped a beat as they all made their way falling down once the floor made a hole when Trixie pulled the liver.

Now at the bottom, the floor which was now above them had shut closed, the room in complete darkness until Sunset felt something against her ankle and picked it up where it allowed light to shine on the walls.

In an hour of being stuck there, they began hearing music, singing, and applause up there.

''Great!'' Rainbow Dash cried out, kicking her guitar to the side. ''Now what? She's trapped us when it was our time to shine!''

Fluttershy stood up and looked down at her. ''Ours?! You've been making this all about you!'' She slouched down as she crossed her arms. ''We never even got to play my song yet.''

''It's the finals!'' she shouted back. ''We have to make it awesome in order to win! What? You think we will be able to with your little bird song?''

Fluttershy gasped, taking offense to that, and they began glowering at each other until Applejack stepped in between to separate them.

''Hold it!'' she exclaimed, sending both equal glares. ''Listen to what y'all be arguing about. We're the Rainbooms; we're supposed to be a team, not a solo act, Rainbow.''

''Well, it should be!'' she protested, pushing Fluttershy to the side in an attempt to look at Applejack eye-to-eye. ''I am awesome at this!''

When she was pushed, even if gently to move away, Fluttershy took this as strong offense and fell on one of Rarity's dresses she prepared for their performance.

Rarity gasped, glaring at Rainbow. ''Really, Rainbow Dash! Just how ruthless can you be? Do you know how long I've spent on those dresses?''

And at that, Applejack had begun to lose her temper over this. ''Enough with the dresses! We don't care what we're wearing, Rares!''

Rarity scowled and shouted rather indignantly, ''I care, Applejack!''

Soon, Pinkie Pie joined in and they all started arguing with each other, a sense of green smoke seeping out of them which was only noticed by Sunset. She looked at Twilight who was sitting on the floor, back leaned against the wall, as she planted her face on her knees, arms wrapped around them.

Sunset's ears flicked to the sound of the Sirens' singing above and noticed the trail of green smoke from her friends was leading upwards.

And so, Sunset decided to take charge and step in. ''Stop! You have to stop!'' When she finally got everyone to stop arguing, she began frantically explaining: ''This is what they've been after all along; they're feeding off of the magic inside you.''

''How can they be using our magic?'' Applejack asked, confused. ''It's the magic of friendship.''

With a frown, Sunset looked at Twilight and then began explaining further: ''Ever since you started this band, you've been letting little things get to you. I never said anything because I didn't feel like it was my place. Not when I was so new to this whole friendship thing. I still have a lot to learn, but I do know that if you don't work out even the smallest problems right at the start, the magic of friendship can be turned into something else.''

On the floor, when everyone looked at Sunset benevolently, Twilight began thinking to herself before getting up from the floor and joining her friends.

''I can't believe I didn't realize all these things when it was right underneath my nose,'' Twilight said as she frowned. ''I'm supposed to be the one with all the answers, but all I've done since I got here is let you down.''

Sunset looked at her sympathetically, then a smile appeared as she placed a hand on Twilight's shoulder.

''I don't think anyone is supposed to have all the answers,'' she explained in a gentle voice. ''We're a team and we're supposed to help each other.'' She then turned to the others. ''And listen and share ideas.''

After a few empathetic gazes and warm smiles, a determined smile began to make its way on Twilight's face and launched herself at the door as she beckoned everyone to follow her motion. After a few pushing attempts, the door finally opened by itself — or so they thought.

Below them, they spotted Spike wiggling his tail joyously until Twilight picked him up from the ground to nuzzle him. In front of them, they saw another person.

''Sorry I took so long,'' Spike apologized. ''I had to find someone who wasn't under the Sirens' spell to get you out.''

Twilight looked at her who waved. ''Why isn't she under their spell?''

Spike shrugged. ''Never takes off her headphones.''

They all looked at each other and they had all thought up a genius idea, then Rainbow broke out of their ideal trance and walked over to Fluttershy.

''Fluttershy's written a really great song for us to use,'' Rainbow announced which beamed the other girl up.

''Come on! We'll be late for our concert, Cadence!''

Cadence was seemingly out of breath but tried to catch up with the energetic filly.

''I'm coming, Twilight,'' she told her, and she did. In front of them was a crowd of ponies all directed towards a stage. ''Come on. We need to get backstage.''

Twilight nodded and followed her around the crowd where they ended up behind the stage. They waited a few minutes for the other performers to finish until it was their turn. Twilight was as giddy as a horse but Cadence pushed her out onto the stage into everyone's view but then she began to feel a sense of nervousness.

''Don't worry, Twilight,'' Cadence said in a soothing voice to compose her. ''Remember; cool, calm, and collected.''

Twilight looked up at her and nodded, following the gesture as she took in a breath.

Then the two mares got into a position where everyone was looking at them. A sound as blissful as morning sunrise came up and Twilight and Cadence started jogging on the spot, facing each other.

''Sunshine, sunshine,'' they said at the same time, then put their hooves to their eyes. ''Ladybugs awake!'' They began clapping each other's hooves now. ''Clap your hooves, and...'' They began swishing their tails together. ''Do a little shake.''

The audience had looked stunned by this act that they were speechless. Twilight felt odd about this and was ready to turn back with her head down until, much to her surprise, the noises of cheer erupted behind her, and now it was Twilight who was speechless.

Twilight beamed and ran to Cadence for a hug, then spotted her brother within the crowd smiling genuinely and fondly at them. She frowned on the inside but attempted to wear the happiest smile ever.

They did it.

They thought it was over, that there was no hope for the Rainbooms.

Until...

Until Twilight looked behind her where Sunset was still standing with Spike in her arms. She saw a spark; not a hope of defeating the Sirens but a whole new level of hope for the Rainbooms and for her.

Twilight gasped. ''Sunset Shimmer, we need you!''

At the sound of those words, the kind of words that she had always wanted to hear, Sunset felt her heart spinning several loops. She looked at the floating Sirens above and swallowed a lump down her throat. Placing Spike next to her friends laid on the floor, she picked up a microphone and took off her jacket.

Twilight was only amazed by this whole new side of her when she threw her jacket across. She could feel her heart beating but tried to focus on Sunset's chance to shine.

The DJ turned on the music again so Sunset could begin and they all watched her.

''You're never gonna bring me down...''

Surprised, her voice had sounded so smooth like velvet to Twilight's ears and she began eagerly following through the tune, her heart dancing along.

''You're never gonna break this part of me.'' Sunset pointed up at the Sirens floating closer to them. She helped Twilight back up, and so the others stood back up again. ''My friends are here to bring me around. Not singing just for popularity.''

And then Twilight also held onto Sunset's microphone, their fingers intermingling, and she began singing along. All their friends around them started playing their instruments.

This caused the Sirens to be angry and soared down to them, but the Rainbooms never gave up. When Sunset and Twilight waved their hands about, all of them moving within the beat, a sense of magic sound wave erupted out of them and washed over the crowd causing them to snap out of the Sirens' spell and sing along.

The Sirens noticed this after the magic wave went through them. They continued singing, and the Sirens' red eyes began to disperse and they weakly looked up at their enemies.

While the Rainbooms had already Pony-uped, Harmony forgot one pony or person. Sunset Shimmer began lifting gently above the ground next to Twilight as they all watched her yet continued to sing as she flashed like the rays of the sun. Ears appeared on her head and her mane became slightly longer for a tail.

The Rainbooms all hovered beside her, and together, a rainbow came out of them directed towards the sky where it created a giant alicorn. The alicorn spread its humungous wings and stood its ground against the Sirens where it blasted its rainbow power at them.

The Sirens were seen on the stage on their knees, their pendants broken in front of them glowing a faint red. They collected the pieces to their chests and tried singing for their audience but it only sounded awful, causing the audience to start throwing food at them before they got out of their way.

Sunset picked the pieces up. ''Guess that explains why these were so special to them.''

''Without those pendants and the magic you brought here from Equestria,'' Twilight began to explain, ''they're just three harmless teenage girls.''

''Rainbooms rule!'' erupted a voice, and came grasping onto Twilight. They spinned her around into a hug.

All of Twilight's friends looked at her chuckling except for Sunset who turned herself around.

Twilight pushed herself away a little to take a look to see who it was. When she recognized, a faint blush made its way to both of their cheeks.

Well, that's one thing that's never going to change.

...Or will it?

~ 2 ~ 04 ~ Tuned Oppositely

After the Rainbooms had defeated the Sirens, and after another puff of smoke but only this time to Trixie's defeat, the leftovers of the audience had started departing ways until the Rainbooms were the only ones on stage along with Sunset and Flash.

''You know,'' Rainbow said, ''Twilight is going back to Equestria soon, and the Rainbooms could really use someone to help Fluttershy on backup vocals.''

Sunset smiled before grabbing a guitar and started playing epically on it much to everyone's surprise.

''I also play guitar,'' she said with a hint of innocence through everyone's disbelief.

Flash rolled his eyes. ''That's my Sunset.'' He looked at Twilight. ''Uh, I mean—''

After Twilight wordlessly told him it was okay, Rainbow broke out of her trance, and added, ''we'll see.''

Sunset beamed from cheek to cheek before she was pushed from both sides as every one of her new friends gripped her into a group hug.

Soon, they were at the portal saying their goodbyes for Twilight and Spike to depart ways from them.

''I do wish your stay was permanent,'' Rarity pouted.

Twilight smiled. ''Me too, but I have responsibilities over there in Equestria. I'll still come and visit you guys once in a while. Its citizens need me. But now I can go through the portal whenever I need to so this won't be a goodbye — it's just goodbye till next time.''

She looked over her shoulder at Spike. ''Ready?''

''Ready!'' he barked excitedly.

They gave another smile to their friends before they were about to go through the portal until a hand grabbed onto Twilight's arm. Confused, she looked around and saw Sunset holding onto her.

''Sunset?''

''Don't go yet,'' she said. ''I... I want to say something. Alone, that is.''

Everyone looked at each other confused before they went away for a while for the two to talk.

Sunset took in a deep breath. ''I know what you're going to say, and there's no hope for me this time for this but... I just want to let you know.''

''Let me know what?'' Twilight asked, tilting her head.

She sighed and stepped forward. ''I felt something between us. I thought you could feel it too. Didn't you also?''

Twilight's ears clamped against her skull. ''Actually, I did.''

''Then why didn't you say something?''

''Well, because it will only complicate things,'' Twilight replied. ''I mean come on, Sunset. I literally told you not too long ago that I liked Cadence who is married to my brother. You've literally dated Flash who then began liking me. And now us two?''

''But we don't have to overthink and complicate it like that!'' Sunset protested, frowning. ''I really, really like you, Twilight. I mean it. I think I've always have but I've only now just started realizing it.''

''Still.'' A frown attached itself to Twilight's lips. ''We're going to be living in separate worlds. How are we—?''

''You said you can come here any time now,'' Sunset cut her off. ''Besides, we can write to each other and catch up through that journal Celestia and I would always used to use.''

Twilight frowned and folded her arms, turning away to the side. ''Still, I'm not too sure about this. I mean Flash likes me — or you? How will he react?''

Sunset held onto Twilight's hand, and straightforwardly said, ''we'll tell him.''

Eyes wide, Twilight pulled her hand away. ''What? Are you crazy?!''

''Don't you want to be with me?'' she asked, frowning.

''I... I do,'' Twilight attempted, her heart beating after saying that. ''It's just that...''

Sunset sighed frustratingly and pulled Twilight into a kiss before she could say any more or react. She placed her other arm around the latter's shoulders as she lengthened their kiss.

''Oh my!''

''Eek!'' Twilight squealed as she broke apart, noticing all her friends staring back at them.

They were all speechless, looking at them with their mouths hanging open.

''That...'' Pinkie started. ''Was... AWESOME!''

Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy even started beaming from ear to ear until Rainbow Dash was the last one.

Twilight bit her lip and turned away for her reaction but she felt something held onto her hand. She looked at Sunset who gave her one of her most assuring smiles and she returned it.

However, Rainbow walked over to them with a blank expression until she wrapped her arms around the two.

''Well, I never quite have imagined it,'' Rainbow said. She turned to Sunset, and said in a whisper, ''but if you break her, I swear I'll—''

Applejack pulled her away before she could say any more. ''That's enough now.''

Rainbow huffed but never tore her eyes away from Sunset.

Sunset only felt insecure now, but Twilight managed to comfort her just by rubbing her back and smiling.

''Well, we'll go now,'' Twilight finally said. ''Your counterparts are all probably waiting for us.'' She and Spike hugged everyone again and when they broke apart she gave Sunset a brief goodbye kiss before they made their way through the portal.

Watching them leave, Sunset absentmindedly wore a sad smile before her friends began hyping her on what just happened, Rarity the most thrilled for the details.

Hey Twilight...

How's life back in Equestria? Must be really nice to be up there with lots of friends — especially now with royalty. Of course, Celestia doesn't really count considering she taught us and Cadance was my friend and your foal sitter.

Still, I can't help but feel numb without you like I lost my other half after our fingers slipped away from each other even though we still are able to contact each other. Just not physically.

So Flash Sentry kept asking me about you and saying how he misses you and stuff. Heh. Who could blame the guy?

But I do still feel incredibly guilty for stealing his girl, but I also feel like I've won...

Never thought I'd let my ambition brag about like that again, especially over a girl.

Anyways, everyone misses you. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I were in your position. Must feel great to have everyone feel like that about me.

About Flash Sentry, I'll handle him so you don't have to worry the next time you see him. He also told me how the two of you slept together. Wow. I never thought I'd see you as the feisty type, Twi.

Well, that's my time. Rainbow Dash just brought us all over to a place called 'McDonalds', apparently, it's similar to Hayburgers over at Equestria, except instead of hay it's made of meat. Animals. But I'm a pony! Well, was, but I still am! So I decided to take a vegetarian burger.

Yours Sincerely,
Sunset

Twilight looked up from the journal and had a flattering smile make its way over her lips. Her heart was beating as fast as ever and she could still imagine her kiss with Sunset Shimmer — it had felt wonderful, much like with Cadence but even better.

She felt like they were soulmates but she didn't want to jinx things and so she levitated over a quill and began jotting down her reply, giggling along like a foal.

Dear Sunset,

I sure have missed you and the others too, but mostly you. How have the others been by the way? Sorry I couldn't be able to come back there — I've had a lot of royal duties lately that Celestia had thrust upon me. But don't worry I'll come back and especially for you.

He told you that? Well, guess what, you nosey sneak. He told me how you were so good in bed. Top and dominant and aggressive, huh? We sure have to put that to the test the next time we meet.

Your 'Friend',
Twilight

Intermission: Letters To A Princess

Hey Twilight,

So today my friends and I had this really big assignment to do. Turns out Pinkie Pie is a psychologist — you know how she is. So for the project, we had to partner up. Since we're an even number without you, it was easy to pair up and not let one of us get left out. That'd probably be me even after everything — you can't erase people's memories of what you've done so I'm only reaping the damn consequences.

Applejack and Rarity got together after Rainbow Dash was annoyed that she wasn't with her girlfriend but I told her no as they would only be making out. But gee, who could have guessed how long Applejack and Rarity would be arguing for? Seems like they are already starting to bicker like lovers.

I'm pretty sure Rarity has a crush on her or something. But I mean I don't think it would work out since, you know, Applejack is dating Rainbow Dash instead. There's a love triangle there.

But anyways, Pinkie was so obligated to work with Rainbow Dash when initially Rainbow Dash found her annoying but then they started warming up a bit. And they are pretty cute together...

Wow! Who knew I'd be a shipper of all ponies? I'm pretty sure Cadence would be mad at me.

Speaking of Cadence, did you tell her about us? That you got over her because you met another sexy mare?

Anyhoo, so back to the topic at hoof or hand, I had to partner up with Fluttershy, and oh my gosh! She is so annoying with her timidness; is she always like this? Does she ever warm up to you? Gosh, this is so fucking annoying to be with her. I have to do all the talking and work.

So yeah, the project was about anything, to be honest. Team Rarijack did about mystery since you know Rarity. Team PinkieDash did about baking... 'science version', which honestly, really doesn't have any difference. And last but not least, Fluttershy and I (notice how I didn't do a team name? I don't like her and I'm taken — with the exception of Applejack and Rainbow Dash) did about elements (fire and nature).

Ugh, so that's that, and hey, I know these are your friends or at least your friends' counterparts but friends can still have opinions of each other whether it's good or bad.

Like I'm with Rarity, where's the gossip in that?

Yours,
Sunset

Dear Sunset,

Tired already, huh? Believe me, this is only the start. I've been with them for quite a few years now and I got tired of them the second I met them which of course was because I wasn't interested in friendship... but now that I am, I still find them annoying at times.

Pinkie and Rainbow are the worst with their pranks, though, and yes, I do ship them too. Rainbow Dash didn't end up with Applejack here though or maybe it'll occur late. I hope not because I really want PinkieDash, but oh well. We can't have things our way. We reap the consequences.

Rarity is also annoying with her whining and drama like LADY! That's not very ladylike and full of dignity of you. And stop being such an attention whore.

But I ship Rarijack, nonetheless. They're just too cute! They already bicker like lovers... I remember having that sleepover with them and that's when I started having wet dreams of the two.

DON'T tell Celestia. I already made Luna promise not to tell her sister if she wanted to see more of these wet dreams of Rarijack.

I ship Fluttershy with Discord. You know, the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony? Yeah, apparently, Fluttershy reformed him as Celestia's request. And now Discord's all wrapped around her little hoof.

Or at least I hope so.

I guess I agree with you and Rarity. Gossip. Is. Everything. However, I don't like to use that term. How about 'Friendship and Chill'?

Yours,
Twilight

To Twilight,

WHAT?

Friendship and Chill? Are you serious?

Sunset

P.S. Friendship and Chill is an internet slang term used as a euphemism for sexual activity. Basically conveying 'Friends With Benefits' or whatever. I can't believe you didn't know that!

To Sunset,

Oh my gosh! So I've been using that term in front of Rarity and Princess Celestia and Cadence? Why didn't anyone tell me about this?! No wonder they all kept laughing at me and Rarity kept fainting. I really thought she was being dramatic during our weekly gossip talks but NO! I was using the wrong term!

Somepony please come and save me.

Twilight

P.S. You're a lifesaver.

P.S.S. What's 'Friends With Benefits'? I call my friends that all the time!

To Twilight,

Hey, at least you said something sexy to your crush dumbfoundedly...

But you did just embarrass yourself in front of your crush.

But it's all in the past now! Remember; my past is not today and I'm sexy! So you can 'Friendship and Chill' with me any time.

Sunset

P.S Oh dear lord, are you adorkable. Friends With Benefits are friends with whom one has an occasional and casual sexual relationship.

Hey Twilight,

Where should I start? Long time no talk.

I would really like to catch you up with what happened in this world lately but something big has just occurred. Okay, so where shall I start? I was writing to you outside of our school when all of a sudden I saw someone doing something to the portal. I shouted out for them to turn around but I couldn't make out their face under the hood and they ran as quickly to an upcoming bus.

So I told my friends about it and they started saying how she might be from the other school who is in competition with us. Crystal Prep. For years, there have been activities between the two schools and our school would always lose. Pathetic. No wonder it was easy to break apart the five who knew so much about friendship than everybody else.

Anyways, you won't believe what happened but you have to. I was talking to my friends about the games when apparently another version of you came in. But the worst part is she goes to the other school. However, we could see how she was an outcast and everyone hated her.

Turns out she was the one behind the draining of our Pony-ups. I confronted her but I ended up shouting at her and ran off crying. Stupid me. I was going to ask for a threesome but I didn't know she was going to be EVIL!

Now, now, evil might be a little bit wrong, don't you think? She was just misunderstood, like me... but I guess I was just a little bit much worse.

This version of Spike couldn't talk before until magic got to him and he now has the ability to articulate — why am I talking like Rarity? But yes, your counterpart finds this creepy.

And guess what! Flash Sentry bumped into her as expected because what else does he know how to do? So when he did, Twilight immediately up and left. She actually rejected him, though. I feel bad for the guy. No one wants to date him. He's only a guy of 'love at first sight', I swear he needs character development.

Also, it looks like this Twilight only wanted to learn magic at our school through that strange magic absorption device she created.

Her principal and her students were pressuring her to unleash the magic as they were falling behind for the very first time since we had wings and magic this time but now their Twilight drained it. I tried stopping her but it was too late. Much like me, she ended up becoming a monster. But luckily, much like you, I reunited with all my friends and I turned into an angel like hell yes girl! I've been waiting for my transformation like my past is not today!

So I ended up talking 'Midnight Sparkle' out of it and she changed back. When the Crystal Prep students turned their backs against their principal after seeing friendship from us, the principal literally up and left like you would like to see that priceless expression on her face!

So yeah, I'm totally asking your counterpart if she wants to join in on a threesome. Like two Twilights? Damn, girl. I would have given her to Flash Sentry but considering she's practically rejected him twice... oh well. Two Twilights would be hot, though.

Yours Sincerely,
Sunset

~ 3 ~ 01 ~ Two Benefits

The Friendship Games had ended with both teams winning, and Twilight has decided to switch schools to Canterlot High. She was having a picnic with her new friends in front of the portal when all of a sudden the portal shuddered and out came a person that quite surprised her.

Alas, staring at what felt like to be an eternity finally broke apart as the Twilight that just came through the portal broke out of her trance and shifted her stance.

''...Make that the second strangest,'' Twilight said, her eyes slowly coming back to their normal size.

''Woah Nelly!'' Applejack voiced out as she tipped her hat. ''Never imagined there'd be a day with two Twilights walkin' and talkin' around.''

''Yeah...'' The other Twilight nervously chuckled as she rubbed an arm, resettling her glasses above her nose.

''No offense, but I really thought the other me would be just a little bit sexier than me.''

''Aw, come on.'' Sunset grabbed the two Twilights. ''This will be great! Sci-Twi already agreed with the threesome so it's going to be a crazy weekend!''

''What?'' both Twilights said at the same time, startled.

''Sci-Twi?'' said Twilight.

Rarity's eyes twitched and she fainted over Applejack's lap which caused Rainbow Dash to angrily swat her away from her girlfriend.

''Okay...'' Fluttershy said quietly. ''So while Applejack deals with two girls, how about you, Sunset, can go off somewhere quiet with the two Twilights, and oh, um, make sure to use protection.''

Sunset raised an eyebrow. ''Don't really need to unless one of us is a guy, Fluttershy.''

''Oh, yes, um, I was just making sure.''

Sunset nodded with understanding for her just looking out nature and turned back to the two Twilights. She yanked both of her arms across both of their shoulders as they started making their way across the street yet the two were startled about this.

''Oh, wow!'' Twilight exclaimed as she and her other self were laid on the bed with Sunset on top of them. ''Flash Sentry was right. You really are good in bed!''

Sunset rolled her eyes and started massaging both of their backs.

''Oh, yes, right there— *moans* —yes, yes, YES! *moans* oh, Sunset...''

Sci-Twi sighed and purred. ''So about that Flash Sentry... what's up with him anyway towards me?''

Sunset looked at Twilight, then at Sci-Twi. ''So, uh, Flash Sentry used to date me and then Twilight. I swear that guy has no game. He seriously needs character development. Though, he is beneficial for sex...''

Twilight gasped. ''You didn't!''

Sunset nodded with a grin. ''I did, but I don't care. Do I feel bad for the guy? Yes. Did I feel satisfied with him benefiting me? Maybe.''

''That's so messed up!'' Sci-Twi exclaimed, then came a wicked grin. ''But good!''

The three girls all cheered each other on.

''Erm, hey, Twi.'' Sunset turned to Twilight. ''I know you're self-conscious about your new form, but don't worry — I got used to it and Sci-Twi is the other you! Besides, weren't you literally nude when you slept with Flash?''

Sci-Twi gasped. ''She slept with him?!''

''Mm-hmm.'' Sunset nodded. ''And so did I.''

''Wow. Do you think he'd be up for a foursome?''

''Maybe! If we suggest it,'' Sunset offered, liking the sound of that.

There was a brief silence for a while, until Sunset said, ''did you know that Rarity also used to date Flash Sentry?''

''No. Really?'' Sci-Twi asked, mind blown by this new piece of information.

''Uh-huh.'' Sunset nodded. ''I've been trying to hook up with Rarity but Flash wanted to and I felt bad for rejecting him.''

''Well, she is hot, but that yellow girl is an undercover sex mare, I swear. She just reminds me of one.''

''Oh em gee. I thought the same!''

When the two girls started talking, Twilight rolled herself around on the bed and glanced out the window.

''Don't even think about it. You're already getting her crown. Who knows what would happen if you steal her ex-boyfriend too.''

''Just ask the girl who ran against her for Princess of the Spring Fling.''

''You'll look out for her, won't you?'' Twilight asked when she saw Sunset standing in the distance.

''Of course, we will,'' said Rarity a bit hesitantly, then turned away with her arms crossed. ''Although I do accept some sort of apology for last spring's debacle.''

Maybe, she was talking about herself too?

Twilight was brought back to face the girls when Sunset rolled her over and caressed her cheek. She noticed the former's expression.

''What's wrong, Twi?'' Sunset asked, concerned.

''Rarity...'' Twilight softly murmured. ''Fluttershy mentioned how you ran against a girl for Princess of the Spring Fling. That wasn't by any chance Rarity, was it?''

Sunset's cheeks heated up and she rubbed her neck. ''Err, yeah.''

''And Rarity even told me not to steal your ex if I'm already going to steal my crown back.'' Twilight absentmindedly smoothened out the fabric of the bed. ''And judging by her expression, and to what you just told me, she didn't look pretty happy to know another girl was onto her ex. She also said she expected some sort of apology for last spring's debacle, which I'm assuming was the Spring Fling.''

Wow, Sunset muttered inwardly. She really is smart.

''Yes...'' Sunset said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. ''But that was the old me! I tried splitting the two up because Rarity is popular enough for everyone to notice me but I also fell in love with her and not Flash.''

''Oh.'' Twilight slowly nodded. ''I see.''

''...That's it?'' Sunset asked, a little disappointed by her response.

Twilight said nothing, however, and went back to the mission at hand. In front of them, much to their surprise, she slowly slid off her shirt and rubbed her arm sheepishly.

Sunset's heart skipped a beat. ''Wow. Just wow.''

''Wow indeed,'' Sci-Twi agreed absentmindedly, staring at her other self naked.

Twilight's face turned a deep shade of crimson before an even greater surprise occurred — she pushed Sunset onto the bed with Sci-Twi and started sharing kisses with the two.

''Oh! Twilight!'' Sunset said at first before deeply moaning once Twilight started pressing her lips against her stomach. ''Oh, oh! Yes, Twi!''

Then it was Twilight vs Twilight time.

Twilight looked competitive at her other self. ''You think you're better than me? Please, we'll have Sunset be in charge of that, but right now...''

Both Twilights turned to Sunset with devious smiles which almost startled her before they attacked her.

The next morning, the three girls were laying in bed as Sunset was in the middle having both of her arms around both of the Twilights.

''Well,'' Sunset said in her tired, sexy voice, stretching, ''we can most definitely say that that was something.''

''Mhm,'' Twilight agreed before turning to her side. ''I have a question. Did you by any chance have a crush on a girl called Cadence in this world?''

Sci-Twi turned immensely red. ''Err, yes, I have. Even though she married my brother. It's... complicated. But, uh, how do you know?''

Twilight grinned. ''Let's say our universes are parallel to each other.''

''Ooh.'' Sci-Twi seemed fascinated. ''Tell me more.''

''Well...'' Twilight began to say, but Sunset interrupted her by giving her a peck on the cheek.

''That's enough, Twilights.'' Sunset chuckled. ''Gosh, just calling you both 'Twilights' is so sexy.''

Twilight rolled her eyes. ''But you're mine since we're both from the same world. Sci-Twi, you can have your world Sunset if you do stumble across her. But I have to say, you're not bad in bed.''

Sci-Twi blushed. ''You're not so bad either.''

Sunset rolled her eyes playfully and chuckled, turning to Twilight. ''Have you ever liked Princess Celestia in that way before, Twi?''

Twilight's eyes widened, her face becoming frantic. ''How do you know of my other crush on her?!''

Sunset blinked. ''Wait, so you did? Me too!''

''Uh, Princess Celestia?'' Sci-Twi said, enunciating the word 'princess' as she was seemingly lost.

''Ah, right.'' Sunset cleared her throat. ''Well, she's our ruler over there much like how she's technically a ruler at our school.''

''Oh. Well, how is she?'' she asked.

''How is she what?'' Sunset tilted her head.

''How is she like in general? Both of you said you had feelings for this princess. She must have been great.''

Sunset chuckled. ''She was our teacher and, I don't know, probably every citizen liked her. I mean why wouldn't they? She's benevolent, beautiful... gosh!''

''I know, right?'' Twilight agreed. ''It's a good thing Cadence can't sense affections as I thought or that'd be just embarrassing. She might try to hook me up with my mentor!''

''Hah! I'd love to see that!'' Sunset teased, showing a toothy grin. ''But, uh, do you think Celestia would like to join us? I mean come on. Two Twilights and sexy Sunset!''

''I don't know, but I am not asking her otherwise it'll just be awkward!''

''Aw, come on,'' Sunset pouted. ''You know I'm not ready to talk to her yet and she might benefit you and damn, her big horn can stick into our—''

''ERM.'' Twilight loudly cleared her throat, blushing furiously. ''Anyway. I've only had sex in this world but I feel this would be much better than in Equestria.''

''Oh, trust me, it is,'' Sunset said as she began to comfortingly close her eyes.

Twilight turned to her other self. ''So other me, how's your sex life?''

Sci-Twi blinked a few times, taken aback by the question. ''M-Me? Oh, well, this was really my first time actually.''

''Really?'' Sunset asked, knitting her eyebrows in surprise. ''Then that might happen to make you into a natural!''

''Well, she is me.'' Twilight laughed, then sighed as she laid down back next to Sunset. ''Last night was amazing...''

''It sure was,'' Sunset murmured, sighing.

''Do you think we will be able to do this more often?'' Sci-Twi asked. ''I had really fun and I would really like to write about my time with you guys.''

Twilight gasped with her. ''Science!''

''Fanfiction!'' she added, with a wide grin.

The two girls jumped out of the bed and began racing to a table where the princess sat on top of the 'ordinary' girl's lap as she had already begun writing words down.

Sunset, still in bed, looked at them from the other side of the room and gave a mere shake of the head as well as a good-natured laugh. ''Yep. Same person, same abilities, and same as a whole.''

She then wondered how it would be if she ever did it with her other self.

Intermission: A Talk With Princess Cadence

The sound of humming refracted amongst the crystalline walls as Princess Twilight Sparkle made her way through the corridor in the Crystal Empire, reaching the big doors leading to a throne room.

''Princess Twilight?'' said a guard. ''Is everything all right?''

Twilight looked at the guard and it was the same guard she kept bumping into. She then shook her head and gave the guard a mere nod in reply.

''Yes, Sir Sentry,'' she replied. ''I'm all right. I just need to talk with Cadence.''

Flash nodded and stepped out of the way as the unicorn guards began using their magic to open the big double doors for the princess to skip her way inside. Inside, Twilight's heart still fluttered with butterflies at the sight of a beauty of a goddess. She still looked so regal and majestic, but then she snapped herself out of it.

No, Twilight. You've talked this out with her and besides, you have a girlfriend.

That's a reason why Twilight wanted to come and see her sister-in-law.

''Twilight!'' came the friendly voice of Cadence. She stepped down from her throne and ran towards the violet alicorn to give her a quick hug. ''I'm so glad you came. I was starting to think you wouldn't since it'd be awkward for you.''

Twilight rubbed the side of her hoof with her other hoof as she sheepishly tittered.

''I'm really sorry about that, Cadence,'' she apologized, head hanging low. ''But I do have good news for you!''

Cadence tilted her head and smiled. ''Oh?''

Twilight glanced from both sides to see no one listening in. She stepped closer and leaned in.

''I...'' she started to say, ''...have a girlfriend!''

Cadence's usually soft eyes grew their size. ''Really? I'm so proud of you, Twilight! Wait till I tell your brother!''

When she was about to walk toward the doors, Twilight instantly gripped her hoof.

''Actually, I'm not ready!'' she exclaimed in a rush.

Cadence turned around to look at her, noticing the frown on her sister-in-law's face. Her eyes softened again, and her head nodded with understanding.

''I understand,'' she said, smiling. ''I won't if you don't feel comfortable.''

Twilight smiled.

That's what she liked about her; always so caring and considerate.

''Thank you,'' she whispered.

''No problem,'' Cadence said, nuzzling her. Then she pulled away with a smirk. ''So, who is the mare?''

Twilight's cheeks heated up and turned a shade of red. ''Well, you know Princess Celestia's former student who stole my crown? Well, in the process, we... fell in love.''

Cadence gasped, covering her mouth. ''Twilight...''

''And, well, she's really great!'' she continued, visibly sweating. ''When she kissed me, there was a spark much similar to when I kissed you but this one was better. I'm not saying you aren't a good kisser; it's just that...''

And at that, Cadence placed a hoof amongst her muzzle.

''I get it,'' she said softly. ''I'm just glad you found a mare that could make you happy.''

Twilight smiled and took out the breath she didn't know she had been holding for this long.

''And about that Flash Sentry,'' Twilight continued. ''After we slept together, I realized how he wasn't the one.''

Cadence's eye twitched. ''You... what?''

Twilight sheepishly grinned. ''Oops?''

''Twilight,'' Cadence said, taking on a more stern tone. ''Don't you think that's a little fast?''

''I know, I know.'' Twilight sighed. ''But he was a really great kisser! So I just...''

''You played with his feelings, Twilight,'' Cadence said, now strict.

''I know,'' Twilight said quietly, not needing to see the disappointment in Cadence's eyes.

But then Cadence's eyes softened; a sense of empathy filling her pupils. She lifted Twilight's chin to meet her gaze with her usually friendly one.

''But I get that you were only trying to see for yourself,'' Cadence said understandingly. ''Sometimes you have to be willing to take a risk to know what you need even if it might be able to hurt the other.''

Twilight looked into her eyes, her heart was beating. A sense of motherly nature gripped her.

A smile took place on Cadence's lips and she pulled away. ''Now, care to stay over for dinner?''

''I'm... I'm fine,'' said Twilight, smiling. ''T-Thank you.''

Cadence's smile softened and she brought her sister-in-law into a warm hug, Twilight's tears slowly letting loose.

Twilight eventually pulled away and sniffed, wiping at her eyes. ''Cadence, about my new pupil I took under my wing. I think she has something going on with my arch-nemesis.''

Cadence arched an eyebrow. ''Didn't you forgive Trixie, though, and gave her a hoof in friendship?''

The younger alicorn frowned. ''I did, but she's just so... arrogant. Even worse than Rainbow!''

Cadence shook her head. ''Twilight, she's a stage magician. Stage magicians are like that. Of course, she overdoes it but it's just in her nature. All you have to do is understand her.''

Twilight looked thoughtfully on the ground, then brought her gaze back up. ''Okay.''

The Princess of Love smiled. ''And yes, I also see something between the two. StarTrix and Sunlight.''

''But what about Sunburst?'' Twilight added. ''He and Starlight are childhood friends and they reconnected!''

''No offense, Twilight, but I don't think Sunburst is meant to be with Starlight or anyone per se. He and Starlight barely even made it through the friend stage so who is to say there will be something more between them?''

''But!'' she wailed.

Cadence put up a hoof. ''Stereotypical straight relationships?''

Twilight's mouth hung open, but Cadence gently put it back up again.

''Now.'' Cadence put her hoof on the crystal floor again. ''Where were we? Oh, yes. Would you like to stay for dinner, Twilight?''

''I would love to, but I promised AJ and Rarity to go to a restaurant here.''

Cadence giggled at that. ''Very well, then. The greatest restaurant here would probably be the Crystal Palace. That's where Shining and I have dates after leaving Flurry with Sunburst. I just hope you do a good job of pairing the two up.''

Twilight's mouth opened wide. ''How do you... how do you know I was going to do that?''

She rolled her eyes. ''I'm the Princess of Love, Twilight.''

''Yeah, but...'' Twilight frowned. ''You didn't know I was in love.''

''Probably because you were so well-hidden,'' Cadence explained. ''By the way, did you by any chance like Celestia too?''

Twilight's eyes went wide and her wings flared open. In an instant, she rushed her way out the door, leaving Cadence releasing a set of smitten giggles.

~ 3 ~ 02 ~ Two Braventures

Dear Twilight,

So your counterpart continued to have nightmares about her becoming Midnight Sparkle again after telling her that it wasn't her fault. We went on a trip to Camp Everfree where we've decided on Sci-Twi to get her mind off it.

Fluttershy and Spike wanted to see all the woodland creatures. Well, Spike only wanted to chase them. You know, dog stuff. Applejack wanted to experience camping the traditional way, you know how the southerner is. Even if Rainbow Dash mentioned they'll provide us with food and tents, she still insisted on doing it anyway, the enthusiastically stubborn one she is.

Rarity wanted to relax since it's been a busy year and while Pinkie Pie listed all the villains we faced she just HAD to mention Midnight Sparkle in front of Sci-Twi who still haven't recovered yet. I got over mine, of course, and I wanted to help her out.

Flash so hopelessly tried to make up with your counterpart but she wasn't interested in him at all like you were. Instead, she was interested in this guy named Timber Spruce, the brother of our camp director Gloriosa Daisy.

We started giving out suggestions or, well, it was mostly Rainbow Dash until I hushed her down. We got put into partners for the tents where I was with Sci-Twi, Applejack was with her girlfriend, Rarity was with Pinkie, and Fluttershy was with Vinyl Scratch. Which is perfect...

Our camp director Gloriosa was hiding something relating to Filthy Rich. Sci-Twi didn't seem to care as she was probably thinking about Midnight Sparkle again or fantasizing about Timber Sprice.

But hey, what the heck? Sci-Twi started levitating things! What about me?! But she thought it was because of Midnight Sparkle so she told me not to tell our friends.

And guess what! Flash is jealous! Priceless! He heard Timber at the bridge after catching Sci-Twi using one of those cheesy lines, ''I know I'm charming but you don't have to fall for me.'' Seriously?!

So Applejack decided to suggest rebuilding the dock for safety while Timber thought differently as he didn't want everyone to miss out on their activities just because they were rebuilding a dock for future campers. Rainbow Dash backed her girlfriend up because why wouldn't she? And she did have a point also.

Also, AppleDash is SO funny despite me or us not shipping them.

''Huh. Nice hammer,'' Applejack said after watching her girlfriend push a nail in. ''Where'd you get it?''

''Uh, duh, the toolbox,'' Rainbow simply answered.

''That's cool,'' said Applejack, showing her hammer with tape wrapped around it. ''I've made mine.''

After fixing the dock and making lanterns, we started sharing camp stories over the campfire where Rarity's story literally sucked. Timber told us the story of Gaia Everfree where many years ago his great grandparents tried to adapt to this forest we are currently at until Gaia Everfree came and told them that they were trespassing on her land. They begged her to let them stay and build their camp — to share this wonderful place with others. She finally agreed, however, but warned them that they were not able to keep it forever. Someday she will return and reclaim the forest as her own, so if you see a trail of gem dust you'll know that it is her.

While everyone was scared, I just thought the story was some stupid make-believe, but hey, we live in a world with colorful talking ponies where friendship is used as a weapon.

Again, our stupid friends just HAD to mention Midnight Sparkle again. Really, and they're supposed to be friendship role models here!

So the next day, I tried to convince Sci-Twi to figure out what's going on with her magic and because why I don't have them. But she refused, and disasters kept happening around which made Sci-Twi believe it was her.

I went searching for her and I asked Spike to help me after waking him up from a dream about chasing squirrels and it turns out your counterpart was having some streamy yum yum with that new guy.

One by one, all of my friends started receiving their powers except for me... WHAT?

It was time to let the lanterns that we've made fly, but Pinkie's one weighed down as it was made out of marshmallows but she ate it anyway. It was time to asleep and I caught Sci-Twi and Spike running away so I gave chase after them. It turned out she wanted to leave and Spike so bluntly pointed out how she thought I'd talk her out of it because I would and I did.

But when I touched her arm, I started seeing through things that could be her mind? Wait, does this mean I have powers too? Heck yes, baby!

Okay, but not going to lie — your counterpart is really irritating. I prefer you <3

We met Timber Spruce and apparently he was chopping wood in the middle of the night. As skeptical as I was, Sci-Twi walked back to the camp with him where Spike and I were behind them seeing a trail of dust coming from Timber's pocket.

When my friends were rebuilding the dock, they were all struggling with their new powers until I came over and we sang a catchy song together to embrace the magic and find its uses. Also, when I looked into Pinkie Pie's head, you do NOT want to know what goes in there, although you'd probably already know.

We finally managed to accomplish building the dock and Rarity insisted on making it a runaway for her fashion show. But I told them to wait a minute so I could tell Sci-Twi to embrace the magic too but I overheard Gloriosa and Timber arguing. I then bumped into Flash who wanted to thank me for the tough love, telling him that he should get over you since there's no contact between you two and you're already taken from yours truly.

But get this, he wanted to get back with me! But I turned him down and said to just remain as friends. I wanted to tell him but I chickened out, thinking it wasn't the right time to.

I noticed Timber going into the woods so I decided to follow him and I saw a cave beaming a flash of magenta. And I knew he was definitely up to something so I texted Sci-Twi to meet me at the rock quarry. When she came with Spike, I showed them the cave and confirmed my thoughts on it.

We went in and the place was absolutely beautiful and I could sense Equestrian magic. Instead of Timber, we saw Gloriosa. Well, it looks like I misunderstood the guy. I looked into Gloriosa's memories and everything clicked. After Filthy Rich said he'll take over the land, she was crying in the forest where she found magic leading her to the cave with five colorful gems. She grabbed them and turned them into a necklace.

It turns out she was the one behind the disasters even though she was just trying to help her fellow campers.

Timber was covering for her, I admitted. After we tried convincing her to stop, she decided to take the other two geodes which transformed her into Gaia Everfree.

So I'll just sum it up. Instead of saving the land, she ended up covering everything in vines and I convinced Sci-Twi to use her magic to let us escape the cave we were trapped in. After getting out, we went and helped our friends. We all pony-uped and Rarity made a barrier for us to protect us from the vines and we tried getting Sci-Twi to use her magic again and we helped her defeat the Midnight out of her.

Eventually, the geodes transformed us one by one and blasted the vines. We managed to drive Filthy Rich mad out of town and we held a party within the cave.

By the way, Sci-Twi and Timber already managed to kiss, WHAT?

Yours Sincerely,
Sunset

Dear Sunset,

That's all so interesting and fascinating. Meanwhile, in Equestria, the changelings had come back but they managed to capture all of us this time. Me, Spike, my friends, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Shining, Flurry Heart, and Sunburst.

My pupil Starlight along with Trixie, Discord, and Thorax managed to get to the hive without magic as apparently because of Chrysalis' throne magic was unable to use. That's some seriously strong, clever shit. Celestia and Luna should have this system.

But Discord ended up sacrificing himself (I know, can you believe it too?) but all because there were so many changelings in the form of his beloved and it had gotten to his head. When a changeling in the form of Discord was leading Starlight, Trixie, and Thorax the wrong way, Trixie decided to sacrifice herself too and put faith in Starlight.

Wow. This is wholesome.

So Thorax decided to enter the throne room in the form of Starlight where the real Starlight was trying to destroy the throne with a rock. Yes, a rock. Because no magic. Duh. When Chrysalis saw this, she started blasting magic her way and Starlight decided to speak up about how the changelings can have love another way, a positive way.

This eventually one by one got all the changelings to transform into colorful beetles. Which I pretty much prefer their old versions but hey, at least they're reformed now so there's that.

Starlight all took us to the party she was invited to by her old village and tried to reconcile.

But as Rainbow Dash said, someone really needs to catch us up on what we missed. Because Trixie and Discord bonding? Riding on pigs? Hah!

But then we hosted the four a celebration and gave them medals of honor where Discord made me think I was a horrible teacher and that Celestia had something big prepared for me but I didn't have anything prepared for Starlight except for a picture frame of her with her new friends.

So I took Celestia and Spike with me on a tour of all the fantasies I had if I sent Starlight off to the dragon lands to learn about dragon culture from Lord Ember, Crystal Empire with Sunburst, Trixie's wagon... much like how Celestia sent me off to Ponyville.

But it turns out Celestia was laughing at me because she had the same fears I was having. She sent me off to Ponyville to make some friends even though she had fears that something was to happen to me. Of course, things did happen but I faced them together with my friends. So Starlight and I both didn't want to leave each other and that's that.

Anyway, I sure have missed you.

Yours Sincerely,
Twilight

P.S. May I mention: Twilight technically did send Starlight to Ponyville to make some friends so I don't know why she needed to send her away again? And why follow Celestia's example? - Spike

~ 3 ~ 03 ~ Two Besties

After saving the day at the portal once again with Starlight Glimmer's help, Sunset Shimmer took out her journal from her bag after feeling it vibrate. Aloud, she started reading out the message sent to her.

Dear Sunset,

Some lessons are better learned in action and you girls are great teachers. Starlight should stay for a few more days. Enjoy the premiere!

A chorus of cheer erupted as Sunset yanked an arm around Starlight.

Grinning, Sunset asked, ''wanna stay over at mine?''

''Sure!'' Starlight agreed as she returned her smile.

''Erm, Sunset?''

Sunset perked up from her journal and looked up to see Starlight holding up the pajamas she gave her and was wearing a confused frown.

''How do I...?'' she tried to ask.

''Oh, uh,'' Sunset stammered, her cheeks heating. ''Just, you know, take off your shirt and wear those.''

Starlight tried to lift up her top but Sunset immediately stopped her.

''Not in front of me!'' she said hurriedly. ''Wear it in the bathroom, over here.''

Starlight's cheeks tinted pink and she made her way over to the room her friend was leading her to.

''Uh, do you mind if you can...?'' she tried to say, gesturing to her and her clothes.

Sunset's eyes went wide. ''I'm dating Twilight!''

Starlight was taken aback by the sudden tone and context.

''Uh, I mean I'm sure she won't mind.'' Sunset chuckled sheepishly and made her way next to the girl where she started lifting her top, her eyes widening. ''Wow. You're... not bad.''

''I don't get it,'' said Starlight, not understanding what the problem was, puzzled.

Sunset then shook her head and gestured downwards. ''Now you can take those off and put on the pajamas.'' She quickly went out and slammed the door closed, heaving a sigh of relief.

She went to her journal and started writing with her pen.

Dear Twilight,

You can't believe what just happened! Your pupil Starlight didn't know how to take off her shirt and trousers so I had to do it for her! Not going to lie, but she's pretty hot. But not as hot as you are!

The two of you look the same... any idea if she's up for a foursome with us?

Your love,
Sunset

A magenta light effect occurred and she opened her journal to read the reply.

Dear Sunset,

I still don't get this 'nakedness', like we ponies don't wear clothes!

By the way, Starlight is already onto someone else. Trixie.

Twilight

Sunset's eyebrows furrowed in surprise, then heard the sound of the door closing seeing Starlight in her pajamas standing in the doorway.

''I'm sorry for being nosey,'' Starlight meekly said. ''But you said how you're dating Twilight, the Princess of Friendship.''

''I said that?'' Sunset asked, hiding her cheeks with her journal. ''I don't know what you're talking about.''

Starlight arched an eyebrow. ''You don't have to lie to me.'' She trotted to the bed and sat next to the flushed girl. ''Tell me, is Twilight good?''

''I...'' she stammered, darting her eyes around.

Then Starlight started laughing and nudging Sunset in the side. ''I'm just teasing.''

''Yeah. Ha, ha.'' Sunset gave out a fake, ungenuine laugh.

There was silence between the two girls, and Sunset attempted to flip through the pages of her journal and tried to hide the book from Starlight's nosiness.

''Sorry!'' she shrieked. ''Twilight warned me about having manners.''

''It's quite all right,'' said Sunset, looking through her book again.

''Sooo...'' Starlight began. ''Are we just going to sit here and do nothing?''

Sunset slammed the book closed and was eye-to-eye with Starlight. ''Listen here, missy. I'm the only student of Twilight, you hear me? The best one.''

''Uh, Sunny?'' Starlight tilted her head. ''You all right?''

Sunset sighed. ''I'm sorry, Star. The truth is, yes, Twilight and I are a thing and I feel like I'm being replaced. You know, by you. She's told me how powerful you are and you're really pretty.''

Starlight's eyes widened. ''Wait, so you think Twilight and I have...?'' Her cheeks puffed up, and out came a burst of laughter that could rival the Lord of Chaos'. ''C'mon, Sunny. I'm flattered she's calling me powerful and all, but didn't she also tell you that I have a thing with Trixie?''

''Yes...'' said Sunset sheepishly, rubbing her neck.

''And besides.'' Starlight put a hand over her shoulder. ''I doubt Twilight would feel that way about me. I mean I'm a pony that's done a couple of mistakes while Twilight on the other hoof is flawless which she won't say of course.''

''Oh, trust me.'' Sunset grinned. ''You haven't seen things yet when it comes to her.''

Starlight shrugged. ''Still, Twilight may or may not speak of you. She said you're an amazing pony and is really great in bed.''

Sunset's cheeks went red. ''She said that?''

''Mhm!'' She nodded her head, then the sound of a doorbell pierced the air, and she got up to make her way over to the door and retrieve it.

''Sunset?'' came Starlight's voice. ''What's pizza?''

Sunset held the gasp caught in her throat, and smiled understandingly and with deja vu. She got up and went out of her room.

After eating a couple of slices, both the two girls had felt quite full and they leaned their heads against each other due to their throbbing headache.

''You know what would suit this best?'' Sunset asked. ''Whipped cream!''

''How—'' Before Starlight could say any more, Sunset grabbed her hand, and the two of them up and left the room where they made themselves to the kitchen. The latter opened up the fridge and took ahold of a whipped cream bottle.

Soon, they came to the room.

Starlight noticed a flirty, drunken look from her friend when there was a lack of drinking.

''Sunset?''

''You know,'' Sunset whistled. ''Have anypony told you what really nice eyes you have?''

''Well... Rarity and Trixie have, but nopony else. I desperately wished Sunburst would but he was a stuck-up bitch, making me become evil just for him.''

''Don't mind him,'' Sunset said in a soothing voice, caressing Starlight's cheek.

''S-Sunset, I—'' Starlight tried to say, uncomfortable. ''You're with Twilight and I'm with Trixie!''

At that, Sunset brought her lips pressing against the other, as hard as two rocks bashing against the other.

Starlight's eyes went wide, but she felt the amount of lust and passion buried within this kiss. It made her feel... desperate for more. And so, she returned the kiss and deepened it further, Sunset sliding her hand under Starlight's shirt to unhook her bra and climbed on top of her on her bed.

Sunset was on her knees while Starlight was laid on the bed with eroticism in her eyes, the former shooted whipped cream in her own mouth and feistily took off her own shirt. She deeply kissed Starlight, then disconnected.

''No wonder Pinkie Pie has that many whipped cream bottles,'' Sunset murmured. ''That secret fucker. I bet she's hard in bed.''

''Pinkie Pie?'' Starlight asked, eyes wide.

Sunset let out a moan in her purpose of whining and connected her lips with Starlight's, putting in apathy to the kiss. They were so apathetic in this intimate moment that they forgot about their love lives.

A light flashed in the distance where the book was buzzing with a daily magenta, not much to Sunset's attention.

Dear Sunset,

I hope Starlight is having an amazing time over there. I might come back just so we can have a little fun.

Yours Sincerely,
Twilight

Meanwhile in the other world what they didn't know was that Twilight was doing the same thing with an azure-colored Great and Powerful unicorn.

Intermission: Best Session Ever

Twilight made her way over to Carousel Boutique by skipping and humming a playful tune for her weekly sessions on Equestria's latest hot juicy gossip and love lives. It had been a while since her last one and this time the session was taking place over at her friend's house.

When she arrived, she was about to knock on the door when someone called out for her.

''Twilight!'' came a familiar voice, and in Twilight's view came the Princess of Love. ''I'm so glad you could make it! It's been a while since we've had these.''

''I know, right?'' Twilight agreed, hyped. ''I'm so excited to hear what's hot in Equestria!''

Cadence giggled. ''Well, let's get inside. Auntie Celestia will be arriving shortly.''

Twilight nodded and finally knocked on the door where it opened seconds later to reveal their friend with a beaming smile. They went inside and were offered cups of tea for each.

''It certainly has been a long time,'' Rarity said, then turned to Twilight, batting her eyelashes. ''So, Twilight, how's your love life been going?''

Cadence giggled at Twilight's intense blushing.

Then the latter was saved by knocks coming from the door. Rarity perked up and made her way over to retrieve it and in her view, there was the Princess of Equestria herself.

''Good morning, Rarity,'' Celestia greeted with a smile as she was being led in, Rarity had also offered her a cup. ''So what were you all talking about without me, hm?''

''Nothing really...'' Twilight sheepishly replied, trying to hide her blush.

''Well, I asked Twilight if she—'' Rarity was cut off when Twilight zipped her mouth closed.

''Princess Celestia!'' Twilight exclaimed, facing her former mentor. ''Anything new?''

Celestia made slurping noises from drinking her tea before putting her cup down on the table.

''Not quite. Well, Luna did get into a heated argument with a guard. Ugh, the nerve ponies have these days!''

''Ooh.'' Twilight seemed intrigued to know more.

Cadence nudged Celestia, and the latter asked: ''How about you, Twilight? I've heard from a little birdy that you've been getting close with my old student.''

Twilight and Rarity both gasped, and the former exclaimed: ''Cadence!''

''I've only told Auntie!'' Cadence protested. ''No one else. That counts, right?''

Twilight smacked a forehoof to her forehead.

''You must tell us more!'' Rarity squealed, shaking her friend by the shoulders.

The younger alicorn in the room gave out a sigh in defeat. ''Well, Spike and I did a bet that while I retrieve my crown I will also get over Cadence. Flash and I slept together just to see if there was a spark similar to the one I had when I kissed Cadence. Sunset and I then fell in love, and...''

''Soulmate material!'' Cadence interrupted with an exclamation, clapping her hooves in delight. She hugged Twilight. ''I'm so proud!''

Rarity's eye twitched. ''Are you kidding me? Me, still not having somepony, but YOU?!''

Twilight sheepishly tittered as she rubbed her hoof. ''Sorry, Rares.'' She turned to Celestia who seemingly spaced out. ''Celestia?''

''Hm?'' Celestia murmured, then perked up to reality. ''Oh! Yes, I'm so happy for you, Twilight.''

''Thanks.'' Twilight blushed mildly. ''But while I extended Starlight's stay in the other world, the real reason was that I knew Sunset would try to hit on her. I also wanted to experiment with sex in this world so I... hooked up with Trixie.''

''You WHAT?!'' Rarity shouted, hooves flung to her head. ''But why?! Why Trixie of all ponies? You could have, I don't know, done it with one of your friends! I'm sure Rainbow Dash wouldn't mind, seeing the ruffian pony she is.''

Twilight shrugged. ''I promised Trixie to get close with her and I also wanted to see how Great and Powerful she was in bed, and surprisingly, I was amazed by how the results have turned out.''

Rarity didn't make a sound and instead had her eye twitch. Cadence knew that this was the time when she would move the couch into view where Rarity fainted on top.

A few minutes later, Rarity's eyes fluttered open as Cadence waved a fan over her. She could feel her face feeling pale and she felt faint.

''Wha...? What happened?'' she weakly asked, then looked around. ''Oh! My dear. I fainted again during one of our sessions, haven't I?''

''We're used to it by now,'' said Twilight as she shrugged her shoulders.

Rarity visibly relaxed on her couch and released a sigh. ''I'm so sorry.''

''It's quite all right,'' Celestia said, smiling understandingly. ''I would react the same way, to be honest.''

''Not really,'' Twilight muttered to Celestia, but the latter shushed her down.

Rarity touched her forehead, then looked at Twilight. ''If you don't mind me asking, dear, but is your relationship with Sunset open?''

Twilight blinked. ''Pardon?''

''Are you and Sunset in an open relationship?'' Rarity asked again with clarification. ''You know, a relationship where both partners agree they have sexual relations with others.''

''I... I don't know,'' said Twilight which was quite surprising. ''I think so? I mean the two of us didn't mind if we slept with Starlight and Trixie.''

''Have you talked to Sunset about it?'' Rarity asked.

''Not really,'' Twilight said.

''What do you mean by 'not really'?'' Rarity asked. ''Then maybe it's time that you should!''

''...Okay,'' Twilight replied, conjuring up her journal in front of her. She was about to write something down until she stopped and looked at Rarity. ''Only if you and Applejack make out with each other.''

Rarity choked. ''What?''

Celestia and Cadence both giggled at that.

Twilight on the other hoof rolled her eyes playfully and took that as an agreement accepted. She levitated her quill and started writing down words on a fresh new page in the journal.

Dear Sunset,

I'm sorry if I'm interrupting you, but I just have one question to ask you.

Are we in an open relationship?

Yours Sincerely,
Twilight

''And now we just have to wait...'' said Twilight and they all waited. Suddenly, the journal vibrated and took on a vibrant red flash of light. She opened the book and read the reply.

Dear Twilight,

I'm free for you any time.

Us? Open relationship? Gee, I've never really dwelled on it. I mean if you want to? Sci-Twi, Starlight, Trixie, and Flash Sentry are always down. I just need to get Rarity and Celestia interested.

Yours Sincerely,
Sunset
Element of Ambition
Your Incredibly Sexy Girlfriend

Twilight's cheeks reddened as she looked around her friends. ''Uh...''

''Well?'' Rarity pressed on. ''What did she say?''

Closing the book, Twilight turned to Rarity. ''Rarity, what do you say about you and Applejack joining us?''

Rarity blinked. ''Seriously, what is up with you saying that?''

Twilight rolled her eyes, then walked toward her mentor. ''Princess Celestia, are you down?''

Celestia's smile wavered at the question. Her voice took on a lower tone than usual. ''You mean it?''

The Princess of Love examined the hope growing on her aunt's face.

Sheepishly, Twilight nodded with a smile. ''Uh-huh.''

''Twilight...'' said Cadence with a frown. ''Can I speak to you, alone?''

Twilight looked confused but said: ''Sure.''

Cadence led her sister-in-law to her friend's room and closed the door behind them where it was just the two of them in the room.

''Twilight, do you really mean what you say?'' Cadence asked, disbelieving. ''Celestia can get the wrong idea and you know how fragile she is despite being a ruler and all.''

''What do you mean, Cadence?'' Twilight questioned, tilting her head. ''Are you jealous? You know you and Shining can join too if you want. Of course, Shining is my brother so that'd be weird...''

Cadence shook her head. ''No, Twilight. Celestia likes you in that way. She really does. Her affections are sincere towards you and you don't want to mess with them by leading her on for your benefit.''

A variety of butterflies fluttered through the void of Twilight's stomach and that was all she needed to compose her hunger. Her head was trying to take in this newfound piece of information. Her breathing was caught in her throat as she didn't—couldn't believe what her former crush was telling her.

''Celestia? Liking me? Pffft! There's no way! She's a perfect Sovereign Ruler of Equestria. Why would anyone like her be liking an introverted bookworm such as me? You do know she was also my crush, right?''

''Yes, I do know that,'' said Cadence. ''But believe me when I say that Celestia feels the same way. So don't mess with her, Twilight.''

Twilight's smile became broader and she became as giddy as a filly. She crashed through the door and stood in front of her other crush.

''Twilight?'' Celestia tilted her head. ''What's going on?''

Twilight gasped and yanked her forehooves around her mentor's neck as she connected her lips with hers. Much to Rarity's surprise, Celestia was also shocked and absentmindedly unraveled a wing to cover Twilight's back, pulling her close.

They soon disconnected and breathed. ''I... I...'' Twilight stammered through her now red face.

Celestia sighed and brought her former student into another kiss.

''Eek!'' squealed Twilight Sparkle as the others backed away into another room.

~ 3 ~ 04 ~ Two Busymares

A bountiful of cheerful laughter pierced throughout Pinkie Pie's living room where Twilight was gathered up with her Canterlot Highschool friends after so long. They were catching up on what both worlds have missed out on and so on, so forth.

''Oh, but dah-ling!'' Rarity acted out dramatically, holding her teacup with her pinky finger. ''That's not the only thing that's happened while you were gone. I was in my boutique the other day when this person mixed up a shirt and a hat! I really thought they were joking.''

''I really don't think that's funny,'' Fluttershy muttered quietly, some bit of frosting from her milkshake added to the side of her lips. ''I mean what if he was blind?''

Rarity rolled her eyes. ''I can assure you that he wasn't. If he was, I would know. Thanks for your concern, darling.''

Fluttershy shrugged and was being helped by Sunset wiping the frosting away from her mouth with a towel.

''Oh, that reminds me,'' Rarity said as she got up. ''Can anybody be a dear and grab some more whipped cream from the kitchen?'' Nobody volunteered, then she looked at Twilight. ''Twilight?''

There were two Twilights sitting next to each other and the two of them looked at each other, pointing fingers at themselves. ''Me?'' they said at the same time.

''Anyone!'' Rarity replied, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

Applejack placed a hand over her shoulder. ''You okay, Rares?''

Rarity sighed and touched her forehead. ''No. I've been having a mild headache for quite some time.''

''Maybe you need to relax,'' Applejack advised, concern adding to her expression.

''I can't relax, darling!'' Rarity protested. ''I have a pile of orders.''

''But you're not doing them right now, so...'' Applejack took her hand and placed it behind Rarity's head as she gently lowered her down on the couch. Rarity's heart fluttered at this act, and let out a sigh as she rested her head on Applejack's lap.

Fluttershy looked at them in awe and was blushing behind her mane covering her face, but then from the corner of her eye, she spotted Rainbow Dash literally fuming at the scene.

''I'll go,'' Princess Twilight volunteered, getting up from her seat. She made her way over to the kitchen and was surprised to see Sunset Shimmer following her.

Twilight's cheeks turned pink but she focused on her task. She walked up to the fridge and opened it up to see a can of whipped cream on the side. She grabbed hold of it but she realized how another hand had already beat her to it.

Her eyes met with Sunset's and her blush only started intensifying. She quickly got her hand away from the whipped cream and made her way over to the counter, fiddling with some utensils laid out. Sunset brought the whipped cream over to the counter to place it on top and just stood there next to Twilight.

Slowly, Sunset started moving her fingers next to Twilight's until the latter pulled it away.

''Not now,'' Twilight whispered. ''Not here. What if they see us?''

Sunset rolled her eyes. ''They already know, Twilight, and I'm sure they won't mind. I mean have you seen Rarity and Applejack? Rarity knew Applejack's taken by Rainbow Dash, but she still did it in front of her anyway!''

''My heart fluttered at that.'' Twilight nodded. ''But still...''

''Do you know what else will make your heart flutter?'' Sunset asked, grinning. Her hand squeezed onto Twilight's shoulder as her other hand pulled her by the waist.

Twilight pushed her away and turned around, crossing her arms insecurely. ''Please, Sunset,'' she insisted, frowning. ''I just don't feel comfortable.''

A frown marred Sunset's face and her hand pulled away, her head nodding with understanding.

The two of them just stood there by the counter in silence.

''I guess I'll bring this whipped cream over there,'' said Sunset as she began making her way back to the living room, Twilight having no choice but to follow her.

''There you are!'' Pinkie piped, snatching the whipped cream bottle away and pouring some into her mouth. ''What took you lovebirds so long? Making out?''

For once, Twilight didn't blush and just looked away. Sunset noticed this and sighed, taking Twilight's hand as she brought the two back to the kitchen for a talk.

''Okay. What the heck?'' Sunset asked. ''What's wrong with you? Are you mad at me?''

Twilight sighed and took her hand away. ''No, I'm not mad at you.''

''Then what?'' Sunset pleaded for an answer. ''Don't you love me anymore? Did I do something?''

With a sigh, Twilight looked Sunset in the eye. ''I can't take it anymore, Sunset. I stepped down from my princess position. These stupid wings won't go away. I'm taking my anger out on you. I'm confused about my love life. We're in a fucking open relationship. I just want a relationship with just us two. I know I didn't say anything before, but...''

Sunset looked at her with concern and brought her into a hug as she let her girlfriend cry onto her, being there for her as support right now was what she needs.

''I'm tired, Sunset,'' Twilight mumbled through sobs.

A few pats on the back composed her down little by little but it still wasn't enough. Sunset wiped Twilight's eyes clean and looked at her fresh, sparkling magenta eyes.

''I'm sorry I couldn't be there,'' Sunset said as she, too, began to drop a tear down her cheek.

Twilight sniffed. ''It's not your fault, Sunset. I just needed to lash out at someone.''

''You can to me anytime,'' Sunset said as she brought her close, the warmth radiating back and forth.

The sound of the shower suddenly stopped as Twilight came outside with her body draped with a towel and her head covered with another towel. A refreshing, warm shower was all she needed and Sunset was waiting for her outside with the others.

Twilight looked around to search for some clothes to wear. This was Pinkie Pie's house so she doubts she would have any mature clothes that she would like.

She thought wrong when she walked over to her cupboard and opened it to see a variety of clothes. She probably got these made by Rarity for occasions. From ear to ear, Twilight grinned and searched through the number of clothes.

A few minutes later, she finally found the one that she liked. She wore a simple pink skirt with a sleeveless white top that could see her cleavage. Nonetheless, it made her look sexy and Twilight loved it. She was a pony—or person, that loved clothes to be simple but ever since she had met Sunset she craved for something more... seductive.

And so, with her new outfit in check, her head was hung high as she looked at herself in the mirror and she made her way to the door. When she opened it, the first thing she saw was the face of her girlfriend which made her trip over and fall onto the person in front of her. Luckily, Sunset caught her.

''Woah,'' Sunset said. ''You gotta be careful there, Twi.'' She balanced her girlfriend on two feet again and eyed her outfit. ''Woah, Twilight, I—''

Twilight's cheeks burned and purposely laid her head back into Sunset's chest, the latter's eyes widening and melting and so placed her hand on her girlfriend's back.

Sunset lifted Twilight's chin to look her in the eye but Twilight looked away with a blush.

''You look beautiful,'' Sunset whispered, and then did Twilight look into her eyes, her blush deepening.

Sunset sighed and really wanted some so she pulled her girlfriend into a kiss. They pulled away for a while.

''I really want you so bad right now,'' Sunset said, hopelessly desperate.

Twilight inched forward. ''You can,'' she whispered, taking her girlfriend's hand and interlocking their fingers.

And so, Sunset brought her lips with her girlfriend's and chewed on her lower lip. Her hands slid from Twilight's thighs to Twilight's rump, lifting her skirt up to squeeze her cheeks. They made their way over to the counter and they continued kissing deeply.

Twilight pulled away for a while as she took off her crown from above her head and placed it on the counter next to her, letting her hair wave all about and fall gracefully and naturally amongst her shoulders.

This caused Sunset to simply stare at the princess. The beauty was unreal. Twilight's eyes sparkled as her girlfriend pulled her back into the kiss, the amount of lust and passion buried within the kiss was increasing as Sunset never got her lips away from Twilight and pushed her to sit on top of the counter. Sunset wanted her so bad and only her and she had her. She didn't want to leave her. And so, she took off her girlfriend's shirt and began admiring her body.

''Wow.'' Sunset was in awe as she watched Twilight from up to down.

Twilight blushed. ''Shut up. You've already seen me.''

''I know, but...'' Sunset stared at her. ''Wow.''

Twilight's grin became broader and pulled Sunset by the neck much to the latter's surprise and kissed her intensely on the lips, never wanting to slip away.

But when they did to grab a grasp for some air, a string of spit came out of both of their mouths but they didn't care as they were locked into each other's eyes, thirst and desire increasing.

''Wanna go to Pinkie Pie's bedroom and finish this off?'' Sunset asked mindlessly. ''I'm sure she won't mind.''

Over at Pinkie Pie's bedroom, Sunset strongly pushed her girlfriend onto the bed and pounded her own body against hers. Twilight had her hands around Sunset's body and pleaded to unhook her bra but Sunset did it herself and continued kissing with intense satisfaction. Oh, they were indeed satisfied.

That wasn't until...

''Who... wants cupcakes?!'' came Pinkie Pie's voice as she came crashing into the room with a tray of freshly baked goods. Sunset and Twilight immediately stopped kissing to her arrival and Pinkie instantly regretted coming in and so backed away while closing the door.

Sunset and Twilight looked at each other.

''Don't worry; it's just Pinkie Pie,'' Sunset assured her as she pinned her girlfriend to the bed again.

Outside, Pinkie Pie was leaning against the door until Rainbow and Applejack came holding hands.

''Sugar?'' Applejack asked. ''Are you all right?''

Pinkie chuckled hesitantly. ''Never better!'' Her eyes twitched. ''I totally never saw anything!''

''Well, it is okay if we can use your room for a while?'' Applejack asked, her eyes oozing over lovingly when she focused her attention back on her girlfriend again.

''You can't!'' Pinkie cried, instantly guarding the door with all her might.

''Uh, why not?'' Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow at her weirdness even if she was Pinkie Pie.

''Because somebody else is in there!'' Pinkie blurted out, then covered her mouth.

Applejack and Rainbow looked at each other, then nodded with understanding. Pinkie wiped the sweat away from her brow and blew a sigh of relief and slowly left the door.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy came to the door and opened it.

''OH FOR CELESTIA'S MOTHERFUCKING—''

Fluttershy immediately closed the door and leaned against it, embarrassed.

Sci-Twi came over with a towel wrapped around her body until Fluttershy pulled onto her chest with her eyes twitching telling her to not go into the room. She then realized what she was doing and looked down to see where her hands were.

Fluttershy got her hands away from Sci-Twi's boobs and cowered as her blushing intensified.

~ 3 ~ 05 ~ Two Bonds

Dear Sunset,

Say... now that you've got everyone's memories back, do you think you can ask Wallflower to collect the leftover pieces of the Memory Stone so I can use it to wipe memories of the ones we've had a threesome with?

So anyway, you're probably tired. Well, I have a solution for that. Come over to mine and we can 'Friendship and Chill'.

But also, Cadence really wants to see you. Probably to talk about me, right? Hah. Well, I'll come to pick you up by the mirror you'll come from and we'll get going to the Crystal Empire. Instead of teleporting there, let's get there by train so we could have some fun we weren't able to have for a while.

Yours Sincerely,
Twilight

The mirror shivered, flashing a beam of pink light as Sunset Shimmer made herself out, much to Twilight's happiness, as the two of them spent for a good long time wrapped in each other's embrace.

''I take it you haven't seen Ponyville before?'' Twilight guessed. ''I'll show you another time, but right now we're heading off to the train station to visit Cadence.''

Sunset rubbed her hoof. ''About that,'' she said. ''I don't think I'm ready, Twi. I haven't seen Cadence in years and I don't know what will happen if we do.''

''Don't worry,'' Twilight assured her. ''Cadence is a nice pony. Heck, that's one of the reasons why I liked her.''

''Truth be told.'' Sunset rubbed her neck. ''You weren't the only one.''

''What do you mean?'' she asked, tilting her head.

Sunset shook her head. ''I'll tell you later.''

The train arrived and the two mares stepped on once the conductor had announced its line. Twilight and Sunset managed to get some privacy where all the suitcases were kept.

''Now can you tell me?'' Twilight asked as she inched forward, tickling her marefriend's belly.

Sunset giggled before saying: ''All right, all right.'' She took a breath so she could begin. ''Well, before you came to Celestia's school, Cadence and I were classmates and friends. Like really close. I even fell in love with her! But I noticed how she had a thing with the colt in our class, your brother.''

Twilight blinked and her neck inched slightly backward. ''I had no idea. I'm sorry, Sunset.''

''Nah, it's cool.'' Sunset shrugged before nuzzling against her marefriend. ''I have you now.''

Twilight giggled. ''Likewise. Who knew the two of us had a crush on the same mare and are now dating each other? Well, at least your crush didn't become your sister-in-law. That'd be awkward.''

''You're right,'' Sunset agreed. ''That would be awkward.''

''Well, after reconciling with Celestia, I think it's only fair if you do the same with Cadence.''

''...I guess so.'' Sunset hated to admit it, but her marefriend had a point.

Twilight rolled her eyes playfully but laughed anyway as she began tackling her marefriend with more tickles.

They then stopped for a while and leaned against each other as they blissfully looked out the window.

“Who was your first kiss, Sunset?“ Twilight asked, her eyes giving off a dreamlike look.

Sunset bit her lip. “Cadance.“

Twilight removed herself from Sunset's shoulder and looked her square in the eyes.

“Seriously?“

Sunset slowly nodded. “Cadance's first kiss was Shining though, but during their dating, I wanted to test my first kiss and who's better to do it on than your only best friend? So Cadance obliged and I got my first kiss from her. Even though butterflies would rise every time I see her, more butterflies rose when I had that kiss with her. I think it was a soulmate's kiss. But anyway, Shining didn't seem to mind.“

“Wow. So not only did we both like her but we also had our first kiss with her. I think I know why Shining didn't seem bothered when I kissed her.“

The train stopped, they stood up and made themselves out and onto the platform.

''Wow,'' Sunset murmured as she gazed at the sight before her two eyes. ''This is amazing!''

''Wait till you see the actual thing!'' Twilight said. ''You've only seen the corridor, my dorm, and the room where the mirror was kept. That's not all, you know.''

''Right, well, lead the way, princess!'' Sunset encouraged as her marefriend led her towards the crystal city where crystal ponies were looking at their princess but Twilight paid no attention to them and kept her eyes on Sunset. Soon, they made themselves over to the castle where they went inside and were greeted by two guards.

''A pleasure into seeing you again, Your Highness,'' said one of the guards.

''Flash, again, I am not your princess anymore as I've stepped down,'' Twilight said, taking on a more stern, frustrated tone. ''So please get up.''

Flash and Lace both got up from their bowing positions. ''Sorry, Twilight,'' apologized Flash. ''It won't happen again.'' He turned to Sunset whose cheeks tinted red. ''Miss?''

Twilight looked at Sunset and realized what was going on. She rolled her eyes and pushed her into the throne room, away from the guards. Sunset then shook her head and was soon faced with someone that made her nervous the most, that she had not seen in a long, long while.

''Cadence!'' Twilight exclaimed as she rushed up to her sister-in-law for a hug. ''How've you been?''

''Not bad,'' Cadence replied, never taking her eyes off the yellow mare. ''What about you?''

''I've been good.'' Twilight nodded, then brought Sunset over. ''So I'll just leave you two alone now.'' She trotted back out of the throne room, leaving Cadence and Sunset alone.

There was silence between the two and no eye contact as Sunset stared down at the floor while rubbing her hoof, Cadence sheepishly glanced around the crystalline throne room.

Accidentally, however, they made eye contact which caused Sunset's eyes to widen and fumble for words.

''Cadence! I—'' she blurted out, covering her mouth with both her front hooves and losing balance because of that. ''Look, I'm sorry. I really am. Oh gosh, this is so fucking awkward.''

But Cadence instead started laughing out of nowhere.

Sunset blinked. ''W-What? Why are you laughing? Are you... are you laughing at me?'' Her eyes turned back to the floor again, a frown making its way on her face.

Then Cadence stopped laughing and took a moment to breathe before lifting Sunset's chin up to have their eyes meet. ''Sunny, I would never laugh at you.''

Sunset's eyes melted. That nickname.

''More or less, I was laughing at how our relationship has gone from literally talkative and mischievous to silence and awkwardness.''

That only made Sunset's heart hurt more. ''I guess that was my fault.''

Cadence shook her head. ''No, Sunset. It was no one's fault. You were just hurt that you had to leave Equestria. Sure I missed you but you've become a better pony. No offense to Celestia, but she really drove the ambition out of us. Heck, even I feel like I need something more. I mean Twilight gets way more than me.''

Sunset smiled. ''You still haven't changed a bit.''

Cadence returned her smile. ''Then I'd like to keep it that way.''

''By the way, I heard you had a baby with that colt you've been eye-goggling on during school. What was her name again? Flurry Heart, was it?''

Cadence rolled her eyes. ''What can I say? True love. I'm sure one of you or Twilight would pop the question soon and find a way to get a foal.''

Sunset's eyes widened and jumped back. ''That's way too soon, Candy. I mean come on, we've only just started dating! Or, well, it's been a few years now but still!''

Cadence giggled. ''I'm teasing, Sunny. And Candy? Seriously, with that nickname still?''

''Hey, it's not my fault your mane is of candy colors,'' Sunset pointed out as she rolled her eyes. But it's pretty. Only difference was that from the last time she saw her was that her mane was loosened out of a ponytail and was luscious and long, gentle curls focused to the tips.

''Oh well.'' Cadence rolled her eyes. ''Hey, remember that colt that liked you back in school? Well, guess what. he's one of my guards now which I'm guessing you've already seen.''

''Did you seriously have to do that?'' Sunset begrudgingly asked. ''I told you many times I had no interest in him whatsoever, even if he was in me!''

''Still, it's pretty cute.'' The Princess of Love shrugged but giggled.

Sunset rolled her eyes. ''Okay, okay. You've had your fun. Now I would really like to see this little Flurry Twilight keeps talking about. Did she really destroy the Crystal Heart just by crying loudly?''

Cadence nodded to her question which caused Sunset's eyes to widen in reply.

''Wow. That's some powerful being you've got there.''

''Well, she is a natural-born alicorn and the first,'' Cadence explained briefly. ''By the way, have you met her yet? You know, she's been thinking about you a lot since you left.''

''I have today.'' Sunset nodded. ''And she helped me to discover the Memory Stone that got sent to my world and this girl called Wallflower Blush used it on my friends and the whole school.''

Cadence knitted her eyebrows together in surprise. ''Ooh. Tell me more about it over lunch with Shining and Flurry. You've got to stay longer so we can catch up some more!''

Sunset laughed goodnaturedly as Cadence pulled her by her magic out the door.

''How could I not?''

~ 3 ~ 06 ~ Two Banes

Dear Twilight,

Okay, what the hay? You seriously didn't invite me to your Friendship Festival? Seriously? Me, your MAREFRIEND? But hey, the hay is with Songbird Serenade getting more treatment than you? I mean you're a motherfucking princess! Or was, at least.

So you're telling me this broken-horned unicorn came with a bunch of bodyguards and a hedgehog under the influence of the Storm King as he promised her that he'll repair her horn if she gathers all four alicorns. What about Flurry, though?

But that Tempest must be really naive to trust that guy. I mean I get it she lost faith in ponies because of her past, but seriously?

You gotta admit though that without Derpy, you and your friends wouldn't have saved Equestria so thank her ass for getting petrified in replacement of you.

Your Upset Marefriend,
Sunset

P.S. Who names their child 'Fizzlepop Berry Twist'?

Dear Sunset,

At least you didn't get your ass stoned like the others.

Or you could have run away smartly like my friends and I did.

Twilight

A few weeks later, Sunset burst her way into Twilight's library along with her world Twilight and Rainbow Dash, except they didn't come from the mirror but they explained it all when Twilight and Spike brought the three over to the throne room.

''We should probably come over again next time,'' Sci-Twi suggested as she got ready with Sunset and Rainbow to save their friends. ''We can extend the threesome.''

Sunset looked at the red faces of Twilight, Rainbow, and Spike. ''Yeah, Twi. I'll make sure I'll ask Wallflower for that Memory Stone.''

An hour later, Twilight and Spike found themselves seeing all of their friends including background characters barge into the library, seeing all of them in exhaustive states.

''That would be one big threesome, Twi,'' Spike pointed out. ''How will you take on all of them?''

Twilight's face burst red and she screamed.

Dear Sunset,

Okay, well, it was nice seeing Flash again but I chickened out too on telling him. Oh well, we'll tell him another time that feels appropriate.

Twilight

Dear Twilight,

Deal.

Sunset

Dear Sunset,

So after releasing the Pillars from limbo and destroying the Storm King, the cutie map decided to enlarge to Equestria beyond. So I, in turn, decided to open up a Friendship School for not just ponies, but for griffons, changelings, yaks, hippogriffs, you get the picture!

The EEA did not approve of this as for the first impression my students created a bit of mischief. My friends were horrible teachers anyway. But I sank into depression and my friends tried everything they could to cheer me up. Starlight eventually talked me out of it by being brutally honest and I did make her into a Guidance Counsellor for the school.

I fucked the EEA and only needed Celestia to back me up. And now school is back in session! But hey, if you ever come back here then I'll make sure to make you Vice-Principal.

Your New Headmistress,
Twilight

The bell for the school rang which meant students had to go to their classes and begin their lessons. Twilight made her way over to the school auditorium where her class was held and Spike was keeping her spot nice and warm for her.

''Goodmorning, class,'' she greeted them. ''Now for today's lesson, we will be learning about The Other World.''

Confusion settled amongst the students and Smolder put her claw up.

''Uh, Headmistress Twilight?'' she called out. ''What do you mean The Other World?''

''Excellent question, Smolder!'' Twilight said before nodding to Spike as he flew out of the classroom. ''You'll be meeting someone that is very knowledgeable on The Other World.''

A few minutes later and Spike had come back in alongside Sunset Shimmer.

''I can't believe I'm an alicorn and you've earned wings, too!'' Sunset said before noticing she was in a room filled with creatures looking back at her.

''No way!'' Sandbar exclaimed. ''Another alicorn!''

The class murmured as stares bounced on the yellow alicorn.

Twilight trotted towards Sunset. ''How did you...?''

Sunset shrugged. ''I don't know either.''

''Well, I can't say you don't deserve them.'' Twilight smiled. ''Just don't show them off and definitely do not show Starlight.''

''Why?'' she asked.

Twilight whispered in her ear.

''Oh... heh.''

Twilight gave a stern nod. ''Well, I'll leave you to tell the class about The Other World.''

Sunset's neck inched slightly backward as her marefriend pulled out a mysterious voice and act. Soon, she exited the auditorium leaving Sunset standing in front of the creatures.

''Well...'' she began to say.

''ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!'' erupted a voice that yelped Sunset as Starlight came bursting through the doors, a worried Twilight on her side. ''You got wings and I didn't?!''

Sunset sheepishly smiled as Twilight teleported to her side and whispered: ''I told you.''

Sunset smacked her forehead with her forehoof.

Intermission: A Hearth's Warming Residue

After cleaning the place up with her magic, Twilight took a moment to breathe and collapsed on the floor in the library due to exhaustion. Night had fallen and all her friends left to go home after finishing up the pudding — indeed, they were quite full after that.

''I'm never letting Flurry Heart enter the kitchen while I'm cooking again,'' she murmured as she planted her face down on the floor again.

Her head perked up once she heard the sound of hoof steps in front of her when she realized she had all her friends sent back to their homes. She looked up to see the grinning face of her marefriend.

''Hiya, Twilight,'' Sunset said as she extended a forehoof out to help her marefriend get back up.

''Ah.'' I knew something was missing tonight. ''You're here! But I thought you were celebrating 'Christmas' with your friends over there?''

''I was, but then it was time for everyone else to go. So I decided to come here and spend the last of the Hearth's Warming with my super sexy girlfriend!''

Twilight giggled. ''I'm glad you're here. Wait till I tell you what happened.''

''Ooh. Go on!'' Sunset pressed on, but Twilight grinningly went out of the library and came back with a tray of two cups of cocoa. Both of them took each cup with their magic and started drinking it once they settled in the living room nice and warmly with the crackling sound of the fireplace that brought warmth and light.

Twilight put a straw in her cocoa and started making slurping noises as she began drinking. Once she put the cup down on the table, she began telling her marefriend what happened today.

''Wow,'' Sunset said, eyes wide. ''We played Hearth's Warming Helper too but we call it Secret Santa over there. But your niece sure is sneaky, huh?''

''Quite,'' Twilight conceded as she wiped the frosting from her muzzle and gave out a giggle. ''So what happened over there when you were doing 'Secret Santa'?''

''Well... nothing much,'' she said at first. ''No, hold that. Let's start from the beginning, shall we?''

Little dots of snow came descending from the sky and everyone was all snuggled up in warm jackets while playing snow angels or creating snowmen. However, Sunset and her friends stood amidst the snowy field as they all picked up small pieces of paper from Applejack's hat.

Pinkie gasped, about to spill it out, but before she could, she quickly ran away.

''We'll meet at sundown,'' Applejack said, putting her hat back on. ''Sound good?''

Everyone agreed and walked away trampling their boots on the squishy layers of snow.

Sunset caught up with Rarity. ''Hey, Rarity! Who did you get?''

Rarity turned herself around to look at her and a faint blush came across her cheeks.

Sunset gave out a knowing gasp. ''No way. Well, I got Rainbow Dash.''

''Well, I now know for sure that she didn't get her girlfriend,'' Rarity said as she blew a sigh of relief.

''Wanna go shopping together?'' Sunset asked, offering her arm which Rarity swished her arm with, and they got going. They walked through the road of local shops. ''Now I think I'm going to get her a sports kit since she said she really needed one as her one ripped.''

''Well, I'm thinking about making a dress for her,'' said Rarity, and Sunset raised an eyebrow at that. ''But a suitable one that she would prefer!''

''Very well. After I'm finished, I'll meet you at Carousel Boutique and we'll head off to the school at sundown.''

''Sounds perfect.'' Rarity smiled and made on her way while Sunset went the other way.

Rarity was humming as the sound of her sewing machine dribbled, moving along with the dress she was sewing for a very special friend of hers. She heard the doorbell pierce through the air.

''Already?'' she said, making her way over to the door. ''I'm coming, I'm coming. Who is it~''

Three figures were in her view wearing headbands of reindeer antlers.

''We hope you have a very warm Christmas,'' one of them began. ''Make sure it doesn't go a mess.''

''With your one true love, you've been apart,'' said the other, ''but express your feelings from the heart.''

They disappeared in a puff of green smoke which received a look of puzzlement from Rarity until she went back inside again to finish her dress.

A few hours later after grabbing gifts for the person they got, they all met up in front of the school's faculty lot.

''Here you go, Dash. I got you this.'' Sunset gave Rainbow Dash a blue box where the latter opened and saw sports clothes neatly folded.

''Awesome, thanks!'' said Rainbow as she gave Sunset a quick hug.

''Ooh, ooh!'' Pinkie piped on over to Sunset's side with a red box. ''Open it!''

Sunset rolled her eyes and took off the lid from the box to see two bottles of whipped cream and a cooking book. ''You really suck at cooking!'' Pinkie exclaimed as she made a grimacing frown.

Sunset grumbled, then turned to Fluttershy who gave Pinkie Pie a teal box with a cupcake inside which Pinkie had already eaten in one whole.

Next, it was Sci-Twi's turn and she gave Fluttershy a pink box with clothes and food for her little animals.

And finally, it was time to see what Rarity and Applejack got for each other.

''I'll open it first,'' Applejack offered, and took the gift from Rarity's hand and opened it to reveal a simple green dress.

''I know you said you loved the other one, so I decided to do the same dress but in a different color coordination!''

Applejack got her arms out and wrapped Rarity in a hug. ''It's nice. Thank you, Rares.''

Rarity's eyes melted and she squealed. Next, it was her turn to open Applejack's gift and she got a pair of earrings and a necklace in the shape of an apple which she had found to be absolutely charming.

''You don't like it?'' Applejack said, biting her lip and rubbing her neck.

''No,'' she said at first, admiring the necklace and then hugging Applejack. ''I love it!''

''I'm glad you do,'' Applejack mumbled as she sighed with relief.

Rarity pulled away and their lips were almost a mere inch away from each other's which only resulted in Rarity's blushing intensifying, however, Applejack immediately pushed herself away and connected lips with Rainbow.

Sunset looked at this through despondency from afar then she caught a twinkle in the distance where stars were surrounding the portal. She knew she was missing something today, and so she trudged through the snow and made her way over and through the portal after saying goodbye to her friends.

''That sounded like a lovely time,'' Twilight said as she rested her head atop her marefriend's shoulder.

''But that's not all,'' said Sunset which got a puzzled look out of her marefriend and so she dug into her saddlebag to pull out a mistletoe, waving it above them.

Twilight looked at it to see what it is. ''What is it?''

''Well.'' Sunset shuffled, getting ready to explain. ''Every year for Christmas, we have a tradition for couples. Whichever two people or ponies are below the mistletoe then they get to kiss!''

Twilight looked at it floating above them then saw a look of satisfaction from her marefriend. A blush crept up her own cheeks which got them feeling hot, or was that the fireplace?

Sunset grinned and launched herself over at Twilight, planting her on the ground, firmly within her hold, and gave her marefriend all the kisses in the world.

''S-Stop it!'' Twilight tried to say, but her giggles got the best of her. And then did Sunset stop, but Twilight immediately climbed over her and kissed her on the lips for a long moment.

Outside the window, much to their invisibility, three reindeers looked over them and one of them spoke up: ''With your one true love, you've been apart, but express your feelings from the heart.''

~ 4 ~ 01 ~ Shifted Paths

''You're retiring?!'' Twilight exclaimed, showing a hint of anxiety in her voice as panic had gotten to her face after she heard the announcement.

''Princesses can retire?'' Spike asked, flying up to the height of Twilight's face.

Luna chuckled at Spike's innocent question.

''Of course, we can. I, for one, am looking forward to a little R & R, maybe a trip to Silver Shoals.''

''And you want me to take your place?'' Twilight clarified, speaking a bit louder further showing the apprehension in her voice.

Both of the princesses nodded to her question, and Luna added, ''with the help of your friends, of course.''

''We can't think of anypony more worthy,'' Celestia began, spreading out her wings to fly over to them to join the group. ''Over the years we watched you grow, you faced task-after-task.''

''Challenge-after-challenge,'' Luna added, joining the group as well.

''Countless adversities, yeah, yeah, yeah, we get it.'' Discord slid across the room, laying on his back in mid-air.

''And you always prevailed,'' Celestia included, about to speak further when a voice did first.

''I decline.''

Everyone stared at the youngest alicorn in the room in shock and bewilderment, Celestia folding back her wings and tilting her head with a look of puzzlement on her face.

''Pardon?'' she asked, taken back by the response.

Twilight took a breath before she could begin. ''I'm sorry, Princesses Celestia and Luna. I understand why you would like to retire after centuries of ruling but I really don't think you would know how to sort this out fairly.''

''What do thou mean?'' Luna asked, folding back her wings.

''Well,'' Twilight continued, biting her lip, ''let's say we already know who you're going to be giving the throne and responsibility to. Me.''

''That's not true,'' Celestia said. ''As we said, with the help of your friends—''

''Of course, you're going to say that at first to make this all seem better,'' Twilight interrupted. ''You really haven't taken the reason to my descent in alicornhood into acknowledgment, have you?'' She rolled her eyes and continued, ''I stepped down because I felt it wasn't fair to my friends that I was getting the royal life and glory but they were not. Heck, Rarity even said ponies don't even know them even after saving their flanks several times.''

''It's true, dear,'' Rarity conceded.

Celestia and Luna's ears flattened against their skulls, and one of them tried to speak up but Twilight refused it as she was not done.

''I know I said I wanted something more which I then received a castle all to myself, but I didn't realize how selfish I had been that I got an upgrade whereas my friends had not. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to disappoint you but now that you are giving me this big role, I knew that I had to say something.''

''We are awesome, Your Highnesses,'' Rainbow continued for her friend. ''But what I don't like is that, what Twilight said, why does she get all the glory? I mean I get she was your student and all and she's gifted so you trained her along the way to be your heir but she isn't the only one that's saved Equestria countless times.''

''And given that you gave Twilight the title 'Princess of Friendship','' Fluttershy added on, ''I really don't think that would be necessary. I mean she doesn't own friendship or anything and she's not the only one who spreads friendship throughout Equestria, we do that too. Like you said, 'what is the Princess of Friendship without her friends?'''

Pinkie joined in. ''Not to mention we all have our separate lives; we all got responsibilities in Ponyville and Twilight will have to reverse into staying in Canterlot again which will make us all so sad after years of creating memories with her and she will have all the fun ruling which will make us all so sad.''

''And you said Equestria's been living in harmony for recent years but that ain't true one bit,'' said Applejack next. ''Considering we had to face and conquer countless villains such as Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, Sombra, Tirek, and plenty of misguided ponies.''

''And in conclusion, we all were in this adventure together,'' Rarity concluded. ''So why give Twilight the throne alone, hm? That doesn't seem fair on us, does it?''

''No, I suppose not,'' Luna said slowly.

''Well, that does it!'' Rarity said confidently, but Twilight shook her head at her for getting carried away.

''Princess Celestia, I get why you would want to retire since you ruled for many years and even had to cover for your sister so Princess Luna, I don't quite understand why you would want to when you were away for a thousand years.''

Luna rubbed her neck. ''Truth be told, we only wanted to spend time with our sister.'' She turned to Celestia. ''We are sorry, sister, for ruining the vacation we were going to do.''

''It's okay, sister. You should have just told me that a part of you didn't want to retire.''

''But that doesn't stop you from retiring or taking a break,'' Twilight jabbed. ''Maybe Luna can take on both responsibilities to make up for a lost time, whereas you can take a break for how long you want it to be. My friends and I can be Luna's royal advisors.''

''Ooh, ooh!'' Pinkie piped up. ''Or Twilight can take over Luna's night, whereas Sunset can take over Celestia's day! Problem solved, and it would be so romantic!''

''Yeah, I'm sure Twi already confirmed that she would not be ruling unless it's with all of us,'' Rainbow pointed out. ''Unless Starlight and Sunset can take over the day and night!''

''They are powerful ponies,'' Rarity murmured. ''Very diligent.''

''But ain't Twi and Sunset both alicorns?'' Applejack pointed out, scratching her head. ''Maybe they were destined to be heirs to the throne?''

''They were but Sunset made it clear that she wanted to stay in the other world,'' Celestia explained.

Twilight frowned. ''So you let Sunset make a choice and shift paths, but you put this ruling Equestria upon me without giving me a choice?''

''It's not like that...'' Celestia mumbled.

''I... I'll see what Sunset and Starlight would say and if they say no, then we'll stick to Plan B. Luna will take on both responsibilities, and my friends and I will be her advisors, and you can take a vacation.''

''Then it's settled!'' Rainbow concluded, flying into the air.

''And you're all dismissed?'' Luna reluctantly announced where everyone began leaving the throne but Twilight stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at Celestia with an increasingly deep frown.

Two knocks occurred on the door of Starlight's office where a voice erupted: ''Come in!''

Twilight made herself in and sat in a chair. ''I'm sorry for bothering you, Starlight.''

''Pffft. Me? Busy? Please, I'm never busy for the Headmare of the Friendship School and especially for Trixie.'' Her eyes oozed over ever so slightly, her pupils in the shape of hearts.

''Well, Princesses Celestia and Luna wanted to retire after so long of ruling and they gave the position to me.''

''Of course, they would,'' Starlight said absentmindedly as she trimmed Phyllis.

''But I declined,'' Twilight said much to Starlight's surprise. ''I realized that it would only be me ruling even though my friends were on this adventure with me so we came up with Plan B. Since Luna's reign was cut off for a thousand years, I offered her to take on both responsibilities whereas Celestia can take a vacation on how long she wants it to be.''

''My friends and I would be Luna's advisors,'' she continued. ''But there's also Plan C. For you or Sunset to take over day and night once Luna equals her reign with her sister.''

Starlight blinked and dropped her scissors. ''Did I hear that right?''

Twilight nodded.

''...So if you give me the position, then I get to be an alicorn?'' Starlight asked, hope growing on her face as Twilight nodded.

''You have shown to prove yourself, Starlight,'' Twilight added with a smile.

''But I also decline.''

Twilight's eyes snapped open. ''What?''

Starlight leaned back in her chair. ''Well, I've seen how you were with your royal duties and you always go Twilighting all the time and I don't wanna go Starlighting all the time either. But I do deserve to become an alicorn so I'll take up on that offer.''

Twilight deadpanned. ''So you're still power-hungry?''

''Nope!'' Starlight said with a smile. ''I just think that with all this power I possess, I don't think a unicorn form would suit all that.''

Twilight sighed. ''Fine. I'll give you my alicorn form because I do want to become a unicorn again.''

''Yay!'' Starlight clapped her hooves and hugged Twilight. ''You're the best!''

She wheezed into the hug. ''Yeah...''

Dear Sunset,

Princess Luna is going to be taking on both responsibilities to equal her reign with her sister when initially they gave both positions to me and me alone but I declined as I felt like it wouldn't be fair when my friends had worked twice as hard in this adventure with me.

But would you like to take over their positions? I know you've always wanted to and you've proven yourself lately that you're capable.

Oh, and also Starlight is becoming an alicorn while I turn back into a unicorn again.

Twilight

Dear Twilight,

I'm flattered but I really don't think I should — I don't want to leave my friends with whom I've made memories over the years and I actually don't think I'd be suitable to be a ruler even if I've shown that I am.

But I am proud of you for standing up for yourself and your friends.

With pride,
Sunset

When Twilight read the letter, a sense of familiarity washed over her and a smile appeared on her lips.

A chorus of birds filled the air as the Guardians of Friendship went onto the balcony clutching onto their dresses the Guardian of Generosity have made to prevent them from getting dirty.

One by one, they faced the crowd and started saying their part, Celestia and Luna on the side smiling with pride.

''Citisens of Equestria!'' Twilight announced in a diligent voice. ''For many years, my friends and I have faced villains that could come in our way and we defeated them to keep peace and harmony balanced all throughout Equestria. That and Princesses Celestia and Luna have looked over this land for hundreds of years.''

''Of course,'' Rarity continued, clearing her throat, ''because of a force that cut Princess Luna's reign short, Princess Celestia had to cover for her.''

''So only this time,'' said Rainbow, ''Celestia will take a vacation for how long she wants it to be and Luna will cover both responsibilities from now on to equal her reign with her sister's.''

''You may be wonderin' what would Princess Twilight do?'' Applejack asked rhetorically. ''Well, 'fraid she ain't princess no more, and instead, we got Princess Starlight Glimmer!''

A lavender alicorn appeared into view with a teal dress and part of it was longing behind along with a yellow alicorn with a red dress and part of it longing behind. They arrived at the balcony and gave waves to the creatures below.

''If ready and necessary,'' said Fluttershy, ''Princesses Starlight Glimmer and Sunset Shimmer will take over as the next sun and moon princesses.''

The crowd gawked.

''But that won't happen,'' said Starlight sheepishly. ''We just don't think it's right. Celestia and Luna have ruled this land for many years but after a vacation, I'm sure they'll manage to rule again. They are suitable for the job after all and no one else.''

''Not even I,'' Twilight said, looking down the balcony. ''If my friends aren't with me, then how would I be suitable for the job? After all, what's the Princess of Friendship without her friends?''

''So instead the Guardians of Friendship and Spike the Brave and Glorious,'' Spike spoke up, ''will tend to be the royal advisors to Princess Luna!''

The crowd erupted in cheerful applause.

''That was amazing!'' Pinkie exclaimed as all her friends gathered around the food court.

''I know, can you believe it?'' Rarity asked. ''So Starlight and Sunset, have you figured out what your roles and titles are for your new princess form?''

Starlight and Sunset looked at each other.

''It took me a year to realize mine,'' Twilight deadpanned.

''We were thinking Sunset to be the Solar Sorceror,'' Starlight replied, ''and me to be the Lunar Sorceror.''

''Ooh, cool!'' Pinkie piped up. ''What do they do?''

''Well,'' Sunset began, ''in short, they deal with magic and we are pretty powerful.''

''Indeed.'' Rarity nodded. She was about to speak up until she felt something tug onto her dress and she looked down to see a small colt staring up at her.

''Excuse me, but are you Lady Rarity?'' asked the colt.

Rarity kneeled to reach his height and rub his mane. ''Why, yes. It is I, Lady Rarity. What can I do for you?''

''Nothing. I just would like to say how beautiful you are and we're so grateful for the Guardians of Friendship!''

Rarity tilted her head and giggled. ''Oh? Is that so?''

The colt nodded and ran away much to Rarity's delight. She turned back to her friends where they all smiled.

''Looks like you really are noticeable, Rares,'' Applejack mentioned.

''Ah. Well, I suppose. But then that 'notice' would wear off sooner or later.''

''Well, even if it does, I can always notice you!'' Spike said as he floated mid-air with hearts circulating above his head, everyone laughing and Applejack rolling her eyes at him. Rarity cooed with him for a while before nuzzling with Applejack.

Twilight's good-natured laughter was short-lived when a hoof tapped on her shoulder. She turned around to meet her marefriend's gaze.

“Sunset,“ said Twilight, nuzzling her marefriend's hoof still wrapped around her. “I'm so proud of you.“

Sunset smiled and whispered, “I love you.“

Twilight's eyes melted. “I love you too.“

The two shared a kiss.

Princess Celestia then trotted over and smiled gently. “I see that my two students are finally close.“

Sunset rolled her eyes. “Oh, by the way, I know this is random but I just think it needs to be said. Not only did Twilight and I like Cadance and had our first kiss, but we liked you too.“

Celestia laughed graciously and wrapped her students in her wings. “The feeling was mutual for both of you.“

''Like I said,“ Cadance spoke as she came over, “alternate soulmates.“

''It's fillies like these who often get to feel the breeze quite lately, oblivious to know the partner that they've been searching for comes from the most unexpected places after a couple of embraces.'' The familiarity of their zebra friend stepped forward as she lifted her head away from her hood to make an appearance.

Twilight smiled and hugged the zebra, saying, “thank you.“

Sunset said, “I think you and I have had crushes and kissed the same ponies, Twi.“

“What?“ Twilight turned to her.

“Our first kiss was Cadance, then Flash, then each other, then Celestia...“

“Oh...“

They then looked to see Fluttershy sharing an embrace with Discord.

“Oh, come on,“ Spike whispered to Discord. “Aren't you going to make a move?“

“Spike, we already shared our kiss and are dating.“

“Oh, right. It's just that the two of you act like a newly-wed couple.“

They all shared a good laugh as love and friendship went around.

Author's Note

Twilight went from Cadence to Flash to Sunset to Celestia.

The point is that you think your life revolves around one person but then you meet someone new.

And yes, I got that from Ralph Macchio in Cobra Kai but it's true.

:twilightsmile:

~ 4 ~ 02 ~ Shifted Partnership

Dear Twilight,

Oh boy, I am so happy that I don't even know where to begin! Okay, so Rarity gets hired by Vignette Valencia as her new designer for a theme park parade which has apparently been her dream since pre-school as Rarity pointed out.

Rarity and Applejack have been best friends for Celestia knows how long that one of them ends up gaining a crush on the other. When Applejack sees Rarity is quickly best friends with Vignette and completely forgetting about her initial, Applejack quickly fumes and gets jealous. Gee, I suppose she does understand what it's like for Rarity not to be noticed by her crush.

But apparently, Vignette was trapping us one by one if we didn't do what she asked for us to do and Applejack was the witness of it all, trying to warn us but Rarity was the only one that didn't listen.

I along with Sci-Twi, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie got trapped in Vignette's phone while Applejack and Rarity confessed their feelings to each other so we totally missed all that. And it turns out your counterpart is a dumbass when trying to hack out of Vignette's phone. Turns out we weren't shrunk into her phone like we were when Juniper Montage trapped us in her mirror. Only this time we were in a fucking white room!

Applejack and Rarity smartly found the door by sensing which one we were behind from the outside.

All your counterpart knows how to do is mash up scientific terms together.

Your Frustrated But Still Satisfied Local Rarijack Shipper,
Sunset Shimmer

Dear Sunset,

So you're telling me just when we broke up Rarijack happens? This is doing me dirty. But I guess I deserve it considering I always get what I want. So it's about time things don't go my way.

But anyway, for my friendship school I brought one of Ponyville's oldest traditions: The Fetlock Fete! A pony dance party, however, I've decided to extend it to every creature naming it the Amity Ball.

So apparently Sandbar asked Yona out to the dance and Yona tried all she could to try to fit in as a pony. She bumped into Rarity first and instead of reminding Yona she's perfect just the way she is, what does Rarity do? That's right; she changes her! Seriously? Has my friends not learnt anything when Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack also decided to help change her?

So because of this, trying so hard to be something she's not, she created a mess at the Amity Ball. I scolded my friends and when she came back with Sandbar I made them apologise to her. You know, we've been having the students teach the professors a lot lately...

Like remember that Teacher of the Month incident with Rainbow Dash and Applejack?

Yeah, so Sandbar and Yona got together which they actually seem pretty cute.

Twilight

Dear Twilight,

Finally, you admit it! Do you know how long I've waited to draw out imperfections from you? Despite you saying how no one is perfect, I tried so hard to believe that that was your case too but you made it so hard for me to believe it.

Ever since you were a filly, you've just been seen as perfect in my eyes.

Anyways, your two students Sandbar and Yona, huh?

Sunset

Dear Sunset,

Did you know that I was diagnosed with OCD at a young age?

Twilight

~ 4 ~ 03 ~ Shifted Phases

Sunset,

I've been doing some research and it looks like you found another long-lost Equestrian artifact: The Time Twirler.

I don't know how it found its way into your world but when activated it has the power to loop time. What you're experiencing isn't simply magic run amok or a wish gone awry, somepony is using the time twirler to cause this.

Thanks for the info, Twi! We initially thought it was the Sirens that were using the time twirler but apparently, they were stuck in the loop too since they're Equestrians like me and it turns out the ones who were using it were my idols because they wanted to erase imperfections so fans would love them.

Pinkie and I broke the time twirler and taught them how imperfections are what fans would like. Eventually, they got us to play in their concert! Oh, and I told Rainbow Dash to record it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YljRPUCSr4

Thanks,
Sunset

The alarm from Sunset's phone woke both Sunset and Pinkie up from their sleep, noticing how they had stopped the time loop. The two of them went outside to see their friends having pancakes for breakfast and Sunset ducking away from Rainbow's wooden board.

''Get your own chicken coop~'' Applejack started before getting squirted at by Fluttershy spitting orange juice at her and laughing. Sunset felt a twinge as her eye twitched but Pinkie placed a hand on her shoulder and that was enough to know that the time loop had been broken.

Pinkie gave out a big gasp. ''What do you call a post crush fan with three—''

''Hey, Pinkie Pie?'' said Rainbow Dash from behind. ''Post Crush's concert was yesterday.''

Pinkie looked at Sunset. ''And you saw us, right? Right?!''

Rainbow's neck inched slightly backward. ''Err, yeah. You asked me to record it. Why are you acting super extra Pinkie Pie today?''

''Oh, no reason.'' Pinkie started admiring her nails before giving a wink to Sunset who returned it back.

''Okay...'' Rainbow rubbed her neck. ''Well, I would like to spend the rest of being here doing something exotic with you, Pinkie Pie.''

Pinkie's eyes twinkled. ''Really?''

''Yes, really.'' Rainbow moved away slightly. She took Pinkie's hand and the two of them went on their way.

Rainbow caught up with Pinkie with her super-fast speed as Pinkie went from station to station. First, they arrived at the cotton candy stand then played at the arcade then ate churros then gave some churros to their idols, and then finally stopped on top of the hill where they could see everything from up there.

''That sure was a day, huh, Pinkie?'' Rainbow asked her as she laid comfortingly on the grass, the sky becoming darker and stars peeking through.

''Uh-huh!'' Pinkie conceded. ''That was a lotta fun!''

''Heh. And it's been a long time since we've hung out like this, don't you think?''

''Dashie?''

Rainbow's eyes oozed as she stared at Pinkie tipsily. ''Hm?''

Pinkie moved away from a little. ''...Are you okay?''

''Never better!'' Rainbow replied, puckering her lips as she closed her eyes.

Pinkie's neck inched slightly backward until she jumped away causing Rainbow's eyes to snap back open.

''Woah.'' Rainbow stared dumbfoundedly. ''I didn't know what I was thinking. Sorry, Pink.''

''I-It's okay,'' Pinkie slowly said, sitting back down. ''Though, did you mean to do that?''

''What? This?'' She briefly puckered her lips, then rubbed her neck. ''Uh, maybe? I don't know. I mean you're really pretty and you can handle my energy, I can handle your energy...''

Pinkie looked down at the grass. ''You like me?''

''Well, 'course I do! You're my friend, Pinkie.''

''N-No. I mean do you like me the way you liked Applejack?''

Rainbow's eyes darted back and forth. ''I, uh...''

''It's okay if you don't,'' Pinkie said, nodding softly.

Rainbow Dash groaned, she wasn't good with words so she figured she only needed to act it out, and so she pulled Pinkie Pie to face her way as their lips made a connection. The latter's eyes widened once they met, the former's arm draping across her back as the wind swept past them and the moon shone over them.

They pulled away for a moment just to look into each other's eyes, to see if Pinkie liked it and to see if Rainbow wasn't lying.

Once they found out, they brought each other back into bliss as everyone else was too having the exotic time of their lives below the hill.

~ 4 ~ 04 ~ Shifted Passion

Sunset helped Twilight get back up from the ground as she came through the portal. They weren't sure if they will ever get the hang out of it.

They walked up towards the school and climbed the stairs to reach inside. Once they got in, the bell rang and everyone was soon crowding the area which felt like deja vu to the two girls. After making themselves out, they walked toward the gymnasium to see all of their friends holding onto drinks.

''Hey girls,'' Twilight greeted once they came over. ''Did I miss anything?''

''Nope,'' Applejack replied with a smile. ''With Sunset tellin' you everything through that journal of y'all, you didn't miss a great darn thing.''

''Well, that's a relief.'' Twilight wiped the sweat from her brow and blew a sigh of relief.

''We also heard the latest news from Equestria too,'' said Rarity.

Twilight smiled and then excused herself, and went to grab a drink. She walked over to the table where there was a bowl of punch with Pinkie's head sticking out.

''Hiya, Twi!'' Pinkie said with a bright smile, and Twilight didn't dare question this.

So instead Twilight grabbed hold of a cup and had Pinkie pour pineapple juice into her cup. Twilight thanked her and went back to join her other friends, but when she was about to, she bumped into Flash Sentry because he's only a mere accessory to desperate love life.

Panic got to Twilight's face as she stared at Flash tensely, sweat dripping down the side of her forehead. Her face became pale; she had not planned to talk to him today.

''Flash!'' Twilight blurted out, surprisingly wrapping her arms around his waist. Then she immediately pulled away. ''I, uh... what are you...?''

''What are you doing here?'' Flash asked first, giving a cheeky grin.

Twilight laughed it off as he did the same with her, Sunset looked at them from afar and merely rolled her eyes.

''Flash, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for quite a long time now.''

''Is this about the time we've slept and you rejected me?'' Flash blabbered. ''I forgive you.''

Twilight shook her head. ''No, no, no. It's nothing like that! Well, the truth is... the truth is that I fell in love with Sunset.“

Flash looked at her in surprise. ''Well, that was quite unexpected.''

''I know you're going to hate me—what?'' Twilight stared at him.

Flash squeezed her shoulder and walked around her as she turned herself around to trail her gaze after him.

''At first, I really thought you rejected me,'' Flash began. ''But it turns out you were just trying to see for yourself if we were meant to be. You and Sunset were surprising, but sometimes you're able to take a risk in life in order to know what you need, and what you need had been right in front of you all this time.''

Twilight's smile grew soft, thinking back to how she and Sunset had been through so much together. Despite the similar crushes/kisses they had, they ended up together in the end and they were happy and that's what really matters.

''Thank you, Flash,'' Twilight whispered with a smile.

''It's no problem at all,'' Flash said as he returned her smile. ''Just make sure you come back again so we can talk more and maybe we can share our love lives.''

Twilight giggled. ''it's a deal.''

And with that, she walked back to her friends who all gave her teasing smiles.

''What?''

''I gotta say, Twi.'' Rainbow put an arm on Twilight's shoulder. ''Even though you're dating Sunset, you're still pretty cute with practically anyone.''

''Oh, you mean TwiDash?'' Pinkie asked as she popped her head to the surface of the bubbling punch bowl.

Rainbow's cheeks heated up. ''No, Pinkie Pie!''

''Oh, good.'' Pinkie wiped the sweat from her brow.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and kissed her girlfriend on the cheek who instantly jumped out of the punch bowl to wrap her hands around her girlfriend even if it made her get soaked.

''Ugh. Pinkie Pie...''

Sunset walked over to Twilight's side and kissed her cheek. ''Also, about Princess Celestia...“ She frowned and turned away.

Twilight frowned in turn. ''She forgives you and I've hurt her many times before too. But she's a kind-hearted, benevolent ruler who forgives and gives ponies a second chance.''

''I guess you're right about that,'' Sunset agreed with a smile and noticed Rarity talking with Flash Sentry. Her frown returned, but then a grin of pride took place.

Sunset and Twilight watched as the moon began to rise over the horizon. The stars peeked through as the clouds got cleared away, and the moon slowly rose over the skyline, the light making its way down and shining across the meadow and everyone else.

Twilight breathed in and out a satisfied sigh, a grin making its way on her face. She laid her head on her crossed arms on the cold grass as her girlfriend took off her jacket and wrapped it around her withers to keep her warm. But Twilight could also sense that Sunset was feeling cold too so returned the favor of draping the jacket on Sunset's shoulders too.

Flattered, Sunset smiled down at her girlfriend. ''I love you,'' she whispered, nuzzling her.

''I know you do,'' Twilight replied with a child-like giggle before resting again, her head leaning against her girlfriend as the warmth radiated back and forth. ''I love you too.''

With a winning smile, Sunset reached downward to nuzzle her muzzle against her girlfriend's until she planted a light smooch on it, petting it like a teddy bear.

Biting her lip, Twilight looked up and there was a hint of lust in both of their eyes. She made the move and kissed Sunset on the lips, never wanting to pull away and adding continuous passion to the kiss. When Twilight made herself over her girlfriend, she opened her eyes and disconnected their lips once she realized what she had done.

''I'm sorry I-“ Twilight quickly apologized, bowing her head. “I guess I got carried away.“

Sunset frowned and grabbed her girlfriend's hand, interlocking their fingers. “Twilight, you know you can steal a kiss whenever you'd like. I'm all yours, babe.“

Twilight's face flushed red. “It's hot when you say 'babe'.“

Unfortunately, Sunset had heard that. She gave a mischievous smile and lifted her girlfriend's chin. “Babe, look at me.“

Twilight's blush deepened as she looked away. Sunset's grin became broader and pinned her girlfriend to the ground, stealing a kiss from her. They continued to stay like that for a few good minutes or so.

Sunset hardened and put pressure on the kiss, deciding to use her tongue. Twilight's cheeks colored red despite enjoying it and just went with it.

They departed for a while and Twilight spoke, “you know, it's weird. I used to be a filly so interested in books but also filly fooling for my mentor and foal sitter. And now, I'm currently with somepony who's experienced the same love life.“

Sunset smiled and lay on her back. “I guess we really were meant for each other.“

Twilight lay next to her as well, and Sunset outlined her girlfriend's face.

“You know...“ Sunset continued, “if there's anything I learned about love from Cadance is that Destiny always has a way of doing things. Celestia and Cadence may be our soulmates but Destiny, no, Harmony gave you to me and me to you for a reason.''

“Funny thing is we lost faith in harmony...“

Sunset frowned deeply.

But Twilight sniffed and nodded, a small smile slowly making its way, and a lone happy tear dropped onto her girlfriend's shirt and they nestled into one's embrace.

Rarity had entered the cafe to spot Sunset Shimmer waving at her seated at one of the tables. She smiled and walked over to sit down next to her friend.

''So what did you want to talk to me about, Sunset?'' Rarity asked, taking ahold of her milkshake on the table Sunset had ordered for her before her arrival.

Sunset glanced down. ''I, uh... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I know I have before, but this time I'm not apologizing for myself. It's about you and Flash.''

Rarity's face turned bleak. ''Oh, err...''

''The old me was really cruel, I know, but truth be told I've actually wanted to split the two of you apart because I wanted to be with you.'' She paused to see Rarity's reaction. ''I mean I noticed how beautiful you were and still are, but I also needed to use your popularity to get me to be known here. But then I... fell in love with you.''

''I...'' Rarity was speechless. She didn't know what to say but just smile, smile not because she wanted to but because of her friend's sake. She grabbed Sunset's hand and looked at her with a subdued smile. ''Truth be told, darling, Flash and I were going to break up eventually. I figured that he wasn't the one for me.''

Sunset blinked. ''What? But the two of you would always be prom king and queen and—''

''—And that doesn't mean we are truly meant for each other,'' Rarity pressed on, still wearing that smile. ''I realized that I had loved Applejack all along ever since we first met. She even felt the same way till then but gave up on trying to get through my 'snob' side, as she phrased it.''

''Yep. Sounds like you,'' Sunset agreed as she giggled, leaning back with relief washing over her.

''But still. It's nice we've talked about this. I've actually wanted a girl's talk just the two of us.'' She then looked at Sunset with teasing, flirtatious eyes. ''Sooo how is your relationship with Princess Twi...I mean Twilight Sparkle?''

“Oh, she's wonderful,“ Sunset responded with dreamy eyes.

Rarity giggled. “So I could tell. Anyway, how about your, uhh, friendship with Flash Sentry?“

''Ugh, don't even get me started!'' Sunset averted her dreamy gaze to roll her eyes. ''Seriously, he wanted to get back with me then Twilight finally had the guts to tell him that we're dating. I swear that guy has no game. I don't know what you used to see in him, Rares.''

''Trust me, I don't know either. I don't know what on earth I was thinking. Though, he was charming at times... like I remember the time he brought me roses of my favorite color! He remembered...'' Her eyes oozed over ever so slightly, then sat back up and cleared her throat. ''Alas, despite Applejack's... rustic nature, I do say she is quite rustically charming.''

''Ooh. Let me guess, she takes you out on dates to that hill where a gazebo is in her apple orchard?''

''Bingo!'' Rarity grinned. ''The sunset is quite beautiful up there. It's especially romantic and... personal to the two of us. I'm lucky to have her.''

Sunset leaned forward, grinning wide. ''You know, we have all been shipping you two...''

Rarity blinked. ''You have?''

Sunset gave a sheepish smile.

''It's just too cute!'' she protested. ''So which one of you is popping the question up?''

Rarity rolled her eyes. ''It's a bit too early now, don't you think? After all, we've barely graduated. I'm sure Applejack would after graduation.''

''Just because she's masculine?'' Sunset asked, raising an eyebrow.

''...Quite,'' she replied, grinning sheepishly. ''I know ladies can do it too now but I much prefer the traditional way. I'm sure Applejack prefers that way too as she is a mare of her word and a traditionist. Or perhaps we'll try to propose at the same time through a trick we'll play on each other?''

''Ooh.'' Sunset seemed intrigued, leaning forward. ''And what trick is that?''

Rarity bent forward to whisper, ''well...''

Epilogue: Shifted Fields

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

So Grogar came back after recovering to his full strength without his bell. He's already taken three of us into darkness and I'm scared that we wouldn't fix this as we've always had.

My faith in Harmony is slowly slipping away. I don't know what to do.

If anything happens to me, or anyone else, or Equestria, I hope you have a way of fixing this for us. Before the darkness seeps into your world or closes the portal permanently, I'll try to cast a spell to close the portal so the darkness won't get into your world.

I love you, Sunset, and I'll always will. Harmony may have shifted, but so has my faith in Harmony. I just hope that one day someone is able to fix this.

Twilight

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

Grogar has taken more of us and now it's just me facing him with the help of Celestia and Spike.

This would probably be my last message to you so I'll do the spell I told you I would do.

Goodbye, Sunset. I hope we meet each other again. But now is not the time.

Love,
Twilight

Twilight's breathing was caught unsteady and part of it stuck in her throat as she watched her mentor, her friend, the love of her life, get consumed by the darkness, her eyes oozing out tenebrosity. Her whole posture couldn't move, she didn't what to do but just stare.

Watched all her friends get consumed by the darkness right in front of her eyes.

As much as Celestia pained her the most, she still had some of her pieces left but that was only until she watched Spike give into the darkness as well and so did her whole world crumble away.

Each step she took towards the ram felt heavier and heavier and her scowl slowly melted as well as her magic dimmed. She didn't have the energy to fight him and his accomplices off, not alone anyway. She had watched all her friends get consumed in front of her and even if they all believed in her she didn't believe that she could do this alone, without them.

Harmony doesn't work that way.

Harmony? Twilight had lost faith in harmony after seeing what it had done to her friends and family.

Especially Celestia.

And Spike.

Shadow claws had already attempted to approach her and she didn't dare to step back and run away. Instead, she let the darkness consume her too.

Without wincing in pain, she was muted as it swallowed her whole. Her sight turned pitch black and the last thing she saw was the horror of Grogar's grin lingering.

Dear Twilight,

Grogar is back? He's taken everyone away? Hold still, Twilight. I'm coming to save you all, just don't let the darkness get to you too.

Don't lose faith in Harmony. You were the one who taught me the Magic of Friendship, remember? Without you, I... I don't know what I'd do. You're my whole world and if you're gone, so would I. So please, hold on.

Sunset

Dear Twilight,

No, don't close the portal! I'm coming to save you and you can live here with me and then you can close the portal. I know it will hurt you knowing you've lost everyone you love but you can renew memories with their counterparts!

Shit, you've closed the portal.

Twilight? Please reply...

Author's Note

So I finished What If... and If I Can Love Again... and since those two stories are connected, I'm going to write about how the Guardians of Friendship were separated in the lands of unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies. Living with guilt, they roamed through the town in invisibility form.

That was until Sunny and her friends brought the tribes together and magic back. And blah, blah, blah, you get the picture.

Prologue: Stolen Intimacy

Two knocks occurred on the door instead of three as it was the hour of Tartarus, and Twilight was up in the middle of the treacherous Everfree Forest until she reached a halt to Zecora's hut. The door had slowly creaked open, revealing a weary zebra in her pajamas as well as her buzzcut mane in a mess.

She glanced from both directions and then turned to Twilight, rubbing at her eyes to see if she wasn't imagining things because why would someone come to her hut so late at night?

''Princess Twilight?'' she called out, repressing a yawn. ''What are you doing here in the middle of the night?''

A few weeks ago, she had been ascended into an alicorn princess for completing a spell that had never been done before, not even a great unicorn bearded wizard could be able to accomplish.

''Zecora, I... I'm sorry if I interrupted you from your slumber,'' Twilight apologized, peering inside the hut. ''Do you mind if I can come inside for a while for us to talk?''

''Of course,'' she allowed, stepping back inside as the other entered in. ''Tell me what's troubling you, little horse.''

Twilight's ears pinned back as she watched the zebra walk over towards her counter and open a cabinet as she got out two mugs. She poured in the special kind of tea that she usually likes to make and placed the two cups on a table as the alicorn seated herself on the opposite end of the table as the zebra began to do the same.

''So, tell me, your highness,'' Zecora began, ''why were you out there in the darkness?''

''I had a dream,'' Twilight replied, fidgeting with her cup in her grasp. ''I couldn't sleep after that.''

Zecora nodded. ''Could you please elaborate? Analysis would be great. When you have a nightmare, it's always better to speak it out of your hair.''

''Right. So,'' she continued, ''let me start off to where it all happened. When I was small, I had this foal sitter. Cadence, I think you know her?''

''Ah. The Princess of Love,'' the zebra pointed out, nodding. ''What of?''

''Well, you see, it took me some years to make me realize that I was in love with her ever since that one Hearts and Hooves Day which got me to celebrate it on my own. I began to think it was a stupid holiday just because of one heartbreak.''

''I see,'' Zecora said, drinking from her mug. ''And did she bring you glee?''

''Of course!'' Twilight replied almost too quickly. ''That was practically the reason why I fell in love with her. She was just so beautiful, so kind, positive, and perfect like Celestia. But I didn't know what I was thinking when I thought I could have a chance with her. I mean she's my brother's age so obviously, she would—''

''It's good to get this off your mind,'' Zecora interrupted. ''But do you know the old saying: love is blind?''

Twilight stretched her eyelids. ''About a hundred times, yes.''

Zecora hummed as she was seemingly deep in thought before speaking up again. ''Now I recall you telling me of Spike's crush on our friend Rarity,'' she pointed out. ''While it's absurd, love is full of sincerity. So, what is this nightmare you are having, dear?''

''I... Well, it's kind of stupid if you ask me,'' Twilight responded as she let go of a breath she had been holding when speaking. ''I was dreaming how Cadence was suddenly captured again but this time I wasn't going to ever see her again and the worst part was, my brother was part of the capturing. I know it sounds silly, but the other part was that I didn't seem to care — that I had somepony else far better than her since she didn't choose me.''

''And Princess Luna didn't talk to you about this?'' the zebra asked. ''She can't have this be dismissed.''

''That's what I was saying to myself,'' said the alicorn, gulping down the last of her tea before the zebra offered her if she wanted more she kindly declined. ''Where was Luna when I was having that dream? Isn't she supposed to guide ponies through their nightmares?''

Zecora placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder as she let her tears stream down her cheeks.

''I've promised myself all these years to forget about her,'' Twilight murmured through shaky breaths. ''Celestia knew. Spike knew. I wouldn't even be surprised if Shining and Cadence knew too.''

''These sort of things happen all the time,'' Zecora assured her. ''Sometimes, it's tough to climb. You try to focus on the things you find happiness in, even if it keeps coming back to you like a bowling pin. It's hard, but eventually, you'll get rid of the negative card.''

Finally, Twilight wiped at her tears and let go of a breath she didn't know she was holding for that long.

''Thanks, Zecora,'' she said softly. ''I owe you one. And hey, you don't mind if you give me a recipe for this tea here, do you? It actually tastes delicious.''

Zecora laughed goodnaturedly. ''A friend of mine, you can have it anytime.''

When the zebra stood up from her seat, she escorted the alicorn princess to the door and opened it to reveal the murkiness of the forest's trees as well as the gloomy nighttime sky above.

''Again, thanks for the talk,'' Twilight said as she was being draped with a cloak. ''You're pretty good.''

''Come any time,'' Zecora said, waving as the alicorn started trotting away from the hut. ''Good luck to your first-ever royal summit, avoid grime!''

As Twilight continued to trot deeper and deeper, when she was seen but a speck in the distance, Zecora closed the door behind her and chuckled while also mumbling something to herself.

Intermission: Catching Up With Old Friends

Twilight fell face flat on her pillow after a long day recreating a party for her old friend that she had missed out on all those years ago.

''Well, that was exhausting,'' she mumbled once she got her face off her pillow.

''You know it isn't over yet,'' Spike said, holding a quill and checklist in his claws. ''We still need to rekindle with Lyra Heartstrings who actually moved to Ponyville on the same day as us.''

This caused Twilight to have her head perk up.

''How could I have not noticed?'' she said in a low whisper.

''Probably because you were too into the whole Nightmare Moon event and you thought that 'the fate of Equestria did not rest on you making friends'?''

Twilight gave him a death stare that failed to eat away at his impassive expression. However, she figured he was right and a sense of guilt somehow clung to her chain of emotions.

''You're right...'' she slowly said, jumping off the bed. ''Pack your bags, Spike. We're going back to Ponyville.'' She paused. ''After saying goodbye to my friends that is.''

Spike looked at the night sky out the window. ''Now?''

Twilight and Spike headed off to the train station the next morning after saying their goodbyes to their friends promising them that they will come to visit them soon, Spike had doubts about that.

The train screeched to a halt, Twilight and Spike making their way onto the moving platform when the conductor announced his line. Spike had noticed how forlorn and quiet Twilight had been during the whole ride, never getting her eyes out the window.

When they finally reached, they got off the train and Twilight turned to Spike who still had the checklist in his claws. ''Well?'' she pressed on.

''Let's see.'' Spike skimmed through the checklist. ''I've visited Lyra Heartstrings a few times but I'm not sure if she's moved. I heard that she and Bon Bon have recently got engaged.''

''Well, let's go to her initial house first and we'll see.'' Already, as if on cue, Twilight was on her way while levitating the checklist in her view to see what the location is.

They tried navigating it down using the checklist's description and they were soon met up with a house with a pineapple tree on the side. Twilight and Spike made their way over to the door and gently knocked on it a few times, later revealing an old mare.

''Yes?'' she said at first, then shifted her vision and gasped. ''Princess Twilight!''

Twilight grinned sheepishly. ''Yes, hello. Sorry to interrupt, but do you by any chance know where Lyra Heartstrings live? Didn't she use to live here?''

''Oh, yes she did but recently she's been engaged to that Bon Bon mare and they moved somewhere else. Eh, still in town that is. Let me just jog my memory a bit.''

It took a while for the mare to remember but Twilight and Spike were patient.

''Ah, yes! They live just around there.'' She pointed a hoof in the direction. ''A yellow house with a white fence embroidered around.''

''Thank you!'' Twilight said before walking in the direction alongside Spike. They turned around a corner and noticed a house the old mare had perfectly described.

When Spike walked up to the door, he noticed that Twilight was still standing by the gate.

''Come on, Twilight.''

''I don't know, Spike. What if she doesn't want to see me? And it would be ridiculous if I came to visit her after so many years not knowing she lived in the same town as me.''

''Look, Twi. It's up to her to react. If she reacts indignantly, then it would be understandable. But if she reacts understanding, then she's a keeper I tell you.''

Twilight took a breath. ''Okay. Let's do this.''

Spike knocked on the door and the two of them waited for a couple of seconds. Nothing at first until the door slowly opened, Twilight's nervous state increasing by tenfold. Spike was about to compose her until a mint-coated unicorn came out the door.

''Twilight?'' they said. ''Sorry, that's Princess Twilight now. Eh, what are you doing here?''

Twilight tried putting up with a smile. ''Long time no see, Lyra! Mind if we come in to catch up?''

''Uh...'' Lyra's neck inched slightly backward, looking over her shoulder.

''Who is there, pumpkin?'' came a voice where a buttermilk-coated earth pony with a candy-colored mane came from behind Lyra Heartstrings. Unlike her fiance, she burst out, ''Princess Twilight!''

Twilight meekly waved. ''Hi.''

''Oh, my gosh. Please come in. I'll get the tea ready.'' Bon Bon went back inside and so did Lyra, Twilight and Spike could've sworn they had heard a sneer coming from the mint-coated unicorn.

Settling themselves in the living room, Bon Bon came with a tray of cookies and tea, setting it down on the table in front of them. Twilight used her magic to pick it up while Spike picked it up using his claws.

Bon Bon sat opposite them. ''So why the sudden visit, princess?''

''Just wanted to meet up with an old friend,'' Twilight replied with a smile as she looked from Lyra to Bon Bon.

''Oh, that's right. Lyra mentioned the two of you were close in Princess Celestia's school.''

''And I heard the two of you recently got engaged.'' Twilight beamed. ''Congratulations!''

Bon Bon giggled. ''Thanks!'' She nudged her fiance. ''Honey?''

Lyra's foreleg was on top of the other, then she snapped out of it. ''Hm? Oh, yes. Thanks.''

Twilight's smile wavered and silence settled in between the three mares and dragon until Bon Bon cleared her throat and spoke back up. ''So that bugbear sure was a hoof full, huh?''

''Likewise,'' Twilight agreed, setting her teacup down. ''Thanks to you. We wouldn't have done it without y—''

''Oh, give me a break.'' Lyra set her forehooves down. ''Don't act like you care, princess.''

Bon Bon gasped. ''Lyra! That's not very nice!''

''Not very nice?'' Lyra repeated. ''You should have seen how little miss princess here used to be and maybe then you can see what's 'not very nice'.''

Oh boy. Spike turned to Twilight, who didn't look at him back and instead pawed at the floor.

''You're right,'' Twilight said quietly. ''I was an awful friend. I've never acknowledged my friends, especially you, back in school. When Princess Celestia sent me to Ponyville to make some friends, I didn't even see you had come to Ponyville that day too. And which is why I am here, to make it up to you guys.''

Lyra's stoic expression shifted.

''I know that what I've done, what I didn't do, cannot be forgiven but I'm only asking for you is for us to start afresh.'' Twilight looked up to see Lyra's face. ''I'm asking for your acceptance.''

Lyra did not know what to say; she had felt bad about the way she had acted but it was only understandable. Still, she should have handled things differently, more sensibly.

''I'm sorry, princess,'' Bon Bon said. ''This isn't normally like her.''

''It's fine, and by the way, you don't have to keep calling me that. Just call me Twilight.''

''Sure thing... Twilight.'' Bon Bon gave a smile.

''I—'' Lyra choked. ''I'm sorry.''

''No.'' Twilight shook her head. ''You shouldn't be the one to be sorry. I am.''

Lyra's eyes started to leak as she made sniffing noises, Twilight made her way over to sit down next to her and drape a wing across her back.

''I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry,'' Lyra kept on saying.

''No. Stop. I'm sorry.'' Twilight started to drop tears too yet continued to compose her old friend.

Lyra put her face in the princess' coat, none of them caring if tears were being strained against each other.

From then on, Twilight and Spike continued to meet up with their friends only this time Twilight engaged in their hangouts instead of engaging in a book.

Laughter was being heard from Twilight's library, and Bon Bon asked, ''that really happened?''

''Uh huh,'' Minuette replied as she giggled. ''I still remember.''

Lemon Hearts rolled her eyes. ''I thought I told you we never spoke of that again.''

Twilight laughed but her laughter was shortlived when she glanced around the room. She noticed all these happy faces but she still thought it wasn't enough.

There was Moondancer, Minuette, Twinkle Shine, Lemon Hearts, Lyra Heartstrings, Amethyst Star, and even Bon Bon, but there was still one more left.

When everyone continued talking with each other, Spike noticed Twilight slowly making her way over to a table in the corner where a journal lay. Her horn lit up as she brought a quill over to her and sat down.

Dear Sunset,

I don't know what you're doing at this time, but it would be really nice if you stopped by.

Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle

They weren't even friends anymore, in fact, they were something even beyond that but Twilight thought it had sounded appropriate to go with just 'friend' at this moment.

She turned back and joined her circle of friends.

However, the mirror shivered much to everyone's attention and Sunset Shimmer came rolling out.

''Ow...''

Everyone gasped. They all stared at the yellow unicorn for a long time.

''Oh, yeah,'' Twilight remembered.

Sunset got up from the ground once she recovered and she looked around to see everyone staring at her, but not just that, she noticed that all of them were her friends from kindergarten. Well, except one.

''Hey.''

''Sunset!'' they all exclaimed as they each got up from their seats and rushed up to Sunset for a long-time hug.

''We missed you.''

''We thought you hated us.''

''We really need to catch you up.''

''No need,'' Sunset interfered with their questions. ''Twilight already has.''

''Twilight!''

''And you didn't tell us?'' Twinkle Shine said, hurt.

''We've been friends with her longer than you.''

''Sorry, girls. Sunset and I met on a rainy day and truth be told I've kinda forgotten about you all.''

Minuette sighed. ''Yeah, we understand.'' She pulled Sunset in with a hoof around her shoulder. ''But I guess you need to catch us up, Sunset.''

''Oh, sure, totally.''

A few minutes later of Sunset explaining what happened with them not around, and they all burst into a collective set of ''oohs'' and ''aahs''.

''So you and Twilight, huh?'' Twinkle asked, smirking at the two.

''Gee, and here we thought Twilight would either end up with Princesses Celestia or Cadence,'' said Minuette.

Twilight gasped. ''Sunset! You told them?''

''Err, yeah... after Celestia had told me.'' Sunset shrunk in her seat as Twilight scowled at her.

But then Twilight's scowl melted. ''Oh well. I suppose it is karma for not acknowledging you lot.''

''And haven't you all realized that you all have been leaving me out?''

They all turned around to face Spike.

''Gee. Sorry, Spike,'' said Minuette. ''I guess we were all catching Sunset and Twilight up.''

Spike rolled his eyes, his arms crossed. ''I was the friend one, not Twilight.''

''True and we're sorry; we didn't mean to, Spike.''

''Well, anyway, shouldn't we also invite Shining and Cadence along? As they were a part of our school year.''

While everyone was more than happy, Sunset grimaced. ''Uh, maybe another time, Spike.''