When I next opened my eyes, I was a pony again. Even without my glasses—or what was left of them—to mitigate the blur of my damaged eyesight, it was incredibly hard to miss the familiar presence of my muzzle. Surprisingly, I found comfort in it. I'd only been a pony for a little over one Equestrian month—at least in theory—but it felt right being back in this body.

That said, I wasn't in my bedroom pillow nest. For one, I didn't typically sleep on my back. I was also staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. That, coupled with a rhythmic beeping, something clipped to my ear, and what I could only assume was some intravenous line in my left forelimb, I could only assume that I was in a hospital. That, and the uncomfortable sensation of something being pressed up into my nether region, which was probably a catheter. But am I in Ponyville, or did I have to get moved to Canterlot?

"Hello?" I called out with a groan. Doing that might've been a mistake, because it made me painfully aware how dry my mouth was. It wasn't like I could sit up and look around, though. The rest of my body felt pretty damn weak, and it felt like I might've been strapped down. That said, it did seem to be a large room—too big to be Ponyville General. "Is anyone there?"

For a while, there wasn't anyone around. Just me, my thoughts, and the beep of a heart-rate monitor. If I wasn't so concerned about everything that had happened back in the other world, and how everything had turned out, I might've been content to go back to sleep. I also knew I had information to pass on to Twilight, Sunset, and maybe Celestia... but right now my head hurt a bit too much to be able to focus on it. Way too many ponies around and yet not around...

That said, I also needed to find out what all had happened to me. The other world's Nurse Redheart said I probably had a skull fracture, and I definitely bled a lot on Dash. I flexed the muscles in my front-right leg and winced. It felt like my leg had been run through and yet somehow missed my cannon bone, which made sense, given the conversion. I could also feel stitching at both sides, along with a tight bandage wrap.

Eventually, I heard an opening door and the clip-clop of hooves on stone flooring—two ponies, if I wasn't mistaken. When a white and pink blur popped into my field of view, I thought for a second I was looking at the familiar nurse, but the pink mane on this pony was more vivid, and she had a horn and was dressed as a maid. When a white and cornflower blue blur popped up, also sporting a horn and a maid's attire, it hit me: I was in Canterlot Castle, and these were the maids that helped me learn how to pony.

"Dearest sister," came the familiar monotone of the pink-maned sister who'd begun teaching me to read. "I do believe she's awake."

That elicited a giggle from the blue-maned sister. "That she does, darling sister," was her response. It always caught me off guard how the pair were identical in almost every way, except in the way they kept their manes—the parting of their long bangs was mirrored—and the way they spoke; Ms. Pink was serious and monotone, whilst Ms. Blue was vibrant and playful. "Good morning, sleepyhead."

"H-hi, you two," I croaked, a fresh bit of guilt washing over me as I recalled that I'd never learned their names in the thirty days I'd lived here. I smacked my lips as I tried to convince my salivary glands to work. "What am I doing in Canterlot Castle? Shouldn't I be in a hospital?"

Ms. Blue quickly fetched a glass of water from somewhere outside my field of vision and pressed it to my lips as she sat me up. Despite not being nearly as nice as the water I'd conjured for Emerald Breeze—Canterlot had too much calcium in the water for my liking—I drank greedily. "You're in the hospital wing of the castle," Ms. Pink explained in the meantime. "Many experts not available in Ponyville were required to treat your injuries. Princess Twilight Sparkle made the decision to transfer you here once you were stabilised."

I nodded weakly. "When can I see Starlight and Aunt Twilight?" I asked, feeling a bit antsy. "...and Sunset, too!"

The pair shared a look, although without my glasses, I couldn't really tell what sort of look that was. "Miss Starlight Glimmer and a doctor can be brought in," Ms. Blue answered in a rather apologetic tone. "Princess Twilight and Sunset Shimmer currently in a meeting with Princesses Celestia and Luna discussing a diplomatic issue."

My ear twitched at that. For Sunset to be involved—and even speaking to Princess Celestia—something serious must've happened. Hopefully not something I caused... "Definitely wanna see Starlight and the doctor," I said, relaxing back into the bed. "Maybe she has my spare glasses, since that psycho b—" I caught myself before I could swear, remembering that, per the rules, I was supposed to be cutting back on it around ponies. "—bully ruined my good pair when she broke that <> bat on the side of my head."

"We shall mention them to her when we fetch her," Ms. Pink offered, turning away from me. "If there is nothing else, we shall take our leave." When I refrained from answering—I swear I wasn't just trying to decide whether or not to ask them for something sweet—the kind sister also turned away, and the pair exited the room in sync. "Somepony will be with you shortly."

That left me alone with my thoughts. Although I was definitely curious about what sort of diplomatic issue had come up, I found my thoughts drifting back to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Oh the human trio definitely deserved whatever they got, but they weren't what was on my mind. It was my friends. Were they every bit as capable of doing what their human counterparts had? If so, could I guarantee that they wouldn't turn on me? Or should I distance myself and seek friends elsewhere?

That thought only made me feel guiltier. Am I really considering ditching the first friends I made here because of what they might be capable of doing? I stared up at the ceiling, trying to blink away a few tears that were risking turning me into a crying mess. It'd make me no different than Sunset's 'friends', but I had to admit that I was scared to get hurt again. One of the few people I'd ever let in had killed himself, and now I was terrified that my friends were secretly some of the evilest, most vile ponies I'd ever meet.

Luckily, not long after, I was visited by a unicorn doctor. Not so luckily, I had to ask him not to infantilise me, and just explain what was up. He wanted to wait until I had a guardian in the room with me, but I needed to know, so reluctantly he told me. The long and short of it was that after they'd stopped my bleeding and got some fresh blood into me, I'd been put into a medically induced coma for about a week until the swelling in my brain went down. During that time, several mages were brought into to investigate and treat microfractures detected throughout my skeletal system unrelated to my skull fracture, up to and including my vertebrae. Similarly, a lot of the muscle fibre in my legs was found to have suffered microtears coinciding with said fractures.

In the end, the mages couldn't determine what had caused that sort of damage. All they could guess was that my body had been under an insane degree of stress for a little filly. They'd pumped me so full of healing magic to stitch my bones back together that in the end that my body couldn't take any more. That left me with the hole in my leg that would have to be closed up the old fashioned way. The only upside was that my muscles were only gonna end up stronger because of it.

He also didn't buy it when he asked what exactly I'd been doing and I simply said 'testing custom spells'. You know, typical unicorn supremacist attitudes—because nobody but unicorns can make and test their own spells and shit. I didn't feel like trying to get into fight with the stallion who ultimately determines whether I get unstrapped from the bed. I'll light him on fire later.

He left me shortly after unstrapping my forelegs and taking out the IV line, assuring me that a nurse would be by to remove the catheter and the rest of the restraints. That left me alone with my thoughts until Starlight showed. Well, this is exactly why they say creating spells can be so dangerous, especially when you test them on yourself, I thought, holding up my bandaged hoof and staring at it through blurry eyes. Despite risking crippling myself for life, I don't regret it, though. If it hadn't been for that spell working out as well as it had, I would've had to make more... lethal spells for my self defence.

Now that I was fully conscious, I was more alert to the comings and goings of ponies in the hallways. It wasn't a particularly busy part of the castle, but I imagined that this was where the castle-stationed royal guard contingent received care as well. That was reinforced by the many stoic presences that accompanied the sound of hooves on marble. That said, I wasn't convinced that I wasn't in some sort of special suite; even for a castle, this was far too large a room for a singular patient.

Eventually I picked up on the return of two particular stoic presences, leading along a very concerned somebody. Not long after the doors opened, to a proclamation of "As promised, Lady Glimmer, here is Lady Anonymous." That's new, I decided as Starlight rushed over to my bedside. Since when do I have a title?

"Thank you, Natural Talent, Refined Skill; that will be all." Although my body was plenty sore, I managed to sit myself up as Starlight started to fuss over me. "Oh thank goodness you're awake!" she cried out before pulling me into a gentle hug. "How do you feel?"

I nuzzled into her shoulder, her familiar scent bringing me comfort. "Like I've got an 'I told you so' or two coming my way," I murmured. "The doctor told me just how bad a strain that spell put on my body, even if he didn't buy that I was using magic at all, and I know how irresponsible it was." Once she released me, I held up my bandaged hoof, rubbing at my temple and wincing as I touched a set of stitches. "I'm honestly lucky to even be alive."

When Starlight stepped away from the bed, I saw that she was wearing saddlebags, and she quickly aided my sight by levitating out the back-up pair of glasses we kept at Twilight's castle. Then, the moment those glasses were on my face, she levitated out the four medallions I'd made. I watched as she glanced at the light and fire medallions, quickly placing them down on the mattress. The force amp spell levitated closer to her face as she examined it.

"I take it this is what did most of the damage to your bones and muscles?" When I nodded she sighed. "Having seen the form you took on the other side, I can understand the perceived need for the extra strength, but as you've already seen, your safeguards weren't quite enough to fully protect you." The mana coalescing around her horn pulsed brighter for a moment, and the medallion slowly disintegrated. When she saw my ears begin to droop, she just shook her head and smiled, levitating out my new notebook. "When you're better, we can go over the notes and I can point you to where you went wrong, but I want you to promise me that you won't play with any more enchantment spells until we think you're ready."

I nodded. I honestly expected a lot more chewing out. "I promise that I will not prototype or cast any more enchantment spells until you and Auntie Twilight give the go-ahead," I agreed, although I almost expected her to pressure me to make a Pinkie Promise. Then again, she might have felt bad for me having gone through everything I had. Besides, there was a bigger question on my mind. "So... how long was I gone? What've I missed?"

~ 30 ~

It was now Thursday the twenty-forth of October. In the time that I was gone or otherwise indisposed, a lot of things had happened. In just days of me leaving, Pinkie went to Yakyakistan and became an honorary yak, and Twilight published a book and caused a culture war over who wrote the best lessons, all while Rarity ended up on the cover of Vanity Mare magazine with her new punk hairstyle. The Crusaders ran a 'Cutie Mark Day Camp', and Spike almost caused an international incident between the reformed changelings and the dragons. Not long after, Rainbow and Pinkie went down to some place called Somnambula and fought a villain from A.K. Yearling's Daring Do novels...? Umm, what.

That all paled in comparison to Twilight and friends saving six historical figures from a thousand-year entrapment in a magical prison... along with the evil 'Pony of Shadows' that had been sealed with them. Oh, they managed to solve the issue eventually, and now Star Swirl the Bearded—I only even remember his name because he's the one Twilight has a lady-boner for—was alive and kicking now. Apparently he's fairly interested in meeting me, as well. Lovely.

I noted, of course, that she'd refrained from discussing anything pertaining to the other side. All that she'd said was that Sunset had for the time being chosen to remain in Equestria, and that she'd made some degree of peace with Princess Celestia. That was good, but I was interested in discussing a few things with her and the big boss before she decided on whether or not to stick around for good. Not that I wanna split them up if they've made their peace after so long.

Eventually, the maids returned with a nurse, so our discussion was put on hold while my catheter was removed. Before I was fully unstrapped, however, the nurse put my injured leg in a sort of sling to keep it immobile. It was really weird, because unlike as a person, where it'd be slung across in front of my chest, it was instead put in the position it would naturally assume when I was lying on my belly with my legs beneath me—'in loaf position' so to speak. Sitting upright in the bed like a person just made it look like I had a question.

Eventually, I gave up on sitting up and assumed the loaf position. I'd have rather snuggled up with Starlight, and just enjoyed her company while she told more stories about what she and everyone else had been up to aside from defeating an ancient super-villain. That said, before the nurse left she oh-so-tersely warned me 'not to get out of this bed unless there's a fire or you need to use the restroom'.

Not long after the maids once more departed with the nurse, I started to doze off. Unfortunately, I never fully fell asleep, because the moment I started to slip away, the crunch of Lightning Dust's wrist and her subsequent screaming would replay in my head and then I was fully alert again. The worst part was that Starlight could tell something was up, but I couldn't even put into words what was wrong... Why do I feel so guilty about what I did to her? That bitch fucking stabbed me!

You did to Lightning Dust what drove the Emerald Flicker of that world to suicide, a nagging part of my mind whispered. The worst part was I knew that I couldn't deny it. Even if she only ever played soccer, she'd probably never have the use of that hand again. That was a life-changing injury I inflicted, and I couldn't even claim it was entirely accidental. I may not have wanted to maim her, but I did want to make it hurt. Warning her to back off doesn't wholly absolve you of what you did.

'I'm not an irredeemable monster,' I'd said after breaking Lightning Dust's wrist. At this point, there was no denying the accusation made by Chrysalis so many weeks ago. I am a monster, just as she said, but that doesn't make me a bad person. No, monsters were aggressive and dangerous, but not inherently good or evil; it was their actions that defined them. After all, Discord was considered monstrous, and caused some of the darkest times in recorded history, but he was now apparently besties with Fluttershy. But what if that's what Harmony wants me to be? A useful monster?

By the time Twilight showed up with Sunset Shimmer, my state of agitation had only grown. On top of having been unable to get a nap in, the spare glasses weren't the same large lenses I was used to, but rather small square ones with solid frames. She was barely three metres into the room when I looked up at her, tilting my head back so I could actually look her in the eye and letting out a snort. "If that table ever summons me again, I'm getting a fucking restraining order," I said aloud. "That was not a safe situation to be in. If I was just a normal filly, I'd be fucking dead."

The pair looked uncomfortable, but didn't say anything. There wasn't anything to say to that. Harmony, be it fully sapient or not, had put me into an incredibly dangerous scenario, and only my own paranoia had gotten me through. I could feel the guilt radiating off of her.

"I swear to whatever magic goddess visited me in my sleep on the other side," I grumbled, pushing my front half upright, "if Harmony dares try and treat me like a tool just one more time, I'm going to... I'm going to... UGH!" I went from the upright seated position to a stand, starting to pace on the bed. "I don't get any damned breaks!

"You'd think after the shit first life I got, what with my asshole murderer for a donor put me through, my first and only friend in adulthood killing himself after just a few weeks into that voyage across the <>, and then getting into that fucking wreck, I might finally get some peace in a new chance at life," I ranted, looking angrily from everyone in the room to the floor that I was only allowed to hop down onto in event of an emergency. I could feel my cheeks heating up as my eyes misted, but I continued on. "Look at me! I'm a fucking mess of scars and trauma! First day of school? Scalded, nearly blinded; had to make a kid eat his own fucking teeth. Then you got bug-bitch with a vendetta against all of you trying to use me as a food battery before finally kidnapping me for whatever brain-dead scheme she had... As if that wasn't bad enough, I'm pretty sure I'm either a squatter in a dead filly's corpse at the behest of Harmony, or I was reincarnated, had such an awful childhood that I repressed all of my memories—only to remember my just-as-bad first life—and spent two years in stasis, and Harmony would still be to blame!"

I went to pick up my pillow to throw it across the room, but I was so worked up that I'd forgotten about the sling, and ended up falling onto my side. Instead, I hugged the pillow against myself and started kicking the shit out of it as a cat would. "Ain't fuckin' done with me though, oh, no no no," I cried, pausing to scream into a pillow. Everyone just watched in stunned silence, radiating alarm and horror. "No, it's gotta send me into a wildfire situation where I got jumped and concussed once, and met the sweetest damn <> I've ever met in my lives—even more so than my own mother—and put her through so much more grief just by existing... Then I had to choose between saving my own skin, or doing the right thing and letting the three doppelgangers of my friends face proper justice by ensuring they don't get fucking lynched. What do I get for it? Stabbed and nearly fucking killed by some psycho cunts who reckoned they ought to be judge, jury, and executioner!"

All energy left me, and for the first time since Chrysalis, I felt truly vulnerable. All of my built-up anger and resentment had been peeled away, leaving only the scared child I was. All that was left was fear of what I risked becoming, what the future held, and the worry that my friends were psycho. Did they know exactly what I'd done in the other world? Were they silently judging me for it?

Colour me surprised when Starlight magicked a very familiar plush doll out of her bag. The moment her levitation field released that plush possum pal of mine, I released the pillow and started hugging it. I'm sure the with sigh of relief I released when the enchantment kicked in, I would've made for an awful cute sight if not for the bandages, sling, and the stitches at the side of my head.

Once I settled down, Twilight levitated my pillow back into its proper place, and physically helped me back into an upright position. "I'm so sorry, Anon," she whispered, nuzzling into my mane as she stood on her hind hooves. I'm pretty sure she was doing it to make sure I wouldn't see her tears. Joke's on you, though; I'm something of an empath, remember? "Up until being summoned to Hollow Shades, we always trusted the Cutie Map would never put a pony in any truly dangerous situations. We didn't even consider the fact that you would be in physical danger."

"Worse, we never determined if you would even get the all-clear signal with the portal closed," Starlight added, joining in the hug. "For all we know, the moment you convinced the other five to believe in Sunset's innocence, you were free to come home and let things reach their natural conclusion."

In other words, I thought bitterly, as I scowled down at the blankets. Me getting into a fight was completely unnecessary bit of trauma I went through. Honestly, talking about that table wasn't doing anything to improve my mood. If anything, I was only getting more agitated.

Thankfully, Sunset came to the rescue with a well-timed redirect. "You mentioned encountering a magic goddess on the other side of the portal," she said, with an expression of curiosity. "You didn't mean Lady Magia, the Mother of All Faiths, who once blessed the world with magic, do you?"

That helped me perk right back up. "I didn't get her name," I answered, earning a confused look that I felt compelled to dispel. "Principal Celestia woke me up in the middle of it, but the rest matches up." Once Twilight and Starlight finished hugging me they stood back to pay attention. "I tried calling out to Harmony, since it has to have some sort of reach into that world and I needed answers, but you know how it goes. You shout out into the darkness, and everything out there knows where you are... Many somethings seemed to check me out, but Magia was the one who answered the call."

"Really?" Sunset asked, a question that was mirrored by the other two. "Why?"

"Curiosity, mostly," I explained, pushing my glasses up so that I didn't have to look down my muzzle at the others due to the smaller lens profile. "She knew I was from Equestria, and asked how it was that I possessed the form of Emerald Flicker, because 'She is with Us.'"

I recounted the exchange to the group. Even though my stomach was protesting its emptiness, I continued on. From explaining everything I knew about my existence and the portal transition, to how I used the dream to show my memories of my encounter with Harmony. Even her request that I spread belief in magic while there. I spared nothing, not even the living history of the world I saw.

"She almost sounds lonely and wanted someone to talk to," Sunset commented as she sat down and rubbed at her head. That was when I finally noticed the bandages I'd seen when I sent her through were gone. "I certainly know how that feels." I nodded, unwilling to bring up the other five yet. She doesn't seem like she's at risk of self-harming now, so I won't push her. The same could be said regarding her decision as to whether or not to stay. I'll bring up the idea of taking up the role of being Magic Jesus (with 100% less crucifixion) later. "What I'm curious is about how you were able to pony up so easily. None of us—" Twilight nodded emphatically at this. "—were ever able to force Ponying Up; it always just happened."

It kinda felt awkward explaining to two subject-matter experts how I was able to achieve something they hadn't. That I was able to do so using a centring exercise from Your Horn and You embarrassed both them and myself. At the same time though, even as Twilight and Sunset shared a look, I understood why it would've escaped their minds to try it.

Think about it, for a minute. You go through a portal, and you're unexpectedly in a different form. On top of being a different species and losing your magic, you have to figure out how to blend in with another species, and how to use your new body. Chances are you're gonna have a lot more on your mind than some exercise you might've done a few times back when you were just using magic. Hell, being used to magic working a certain way and then it just being inert... I'd probably panic and not think clearly too.

"I'm glad that I figured it out though," I admitted. "I feel like my runic spells were all that stood between those fillies—er, girls—and a lynching." For some reason, I felt compelled to look to Aunt Twilight when I next spoke. If only I were able to withhold the desperation from my voice. "At least my friends would never do anything to inspire such a reaction... right?"

When the silence went on a bit too long, I saw Starlight look anxiously to the sole alicorn in the room. Sunset, on the other hoof, averted her eyes as her emotional aura began to fill with recognition sorrow. "Well, Anon..." Twilight said, unable to meet my eyes. "Two years ago, they did run a gossip column for the Foal Free Press." My jaw dropped, and my ears folded back completely. "It wasn't done out of malice like Anon-a-Miss was, but a lot of ponies were angry with them for a long t—"

I held up a hoof and croaked out a "Stop." No no, no-no-no... My grip on my possum tightened as I held it against my chest. The enchantment wasn't working, though. Rather, if it was, it wasn't sufficient enough to overcome the panic welling up in my chest. What the absolute fucking fuck!? My girls were supposed to be better... "I... I need to be alone."

Although Starlight attempted to hug me once more, I pulled away. "Anon, I can't..." she whispered. I didn't quite care how much it hurt when I turned and threw myself face-first into my pillow, glasses be damned. "You're hurting and—"

Twilight was thankfully more understanding. "It's okay, Starlight," she interjected. With the tinkle of unicorn spell-casting ringing in my ears, I felt the comforter come up and over my back, tucking me in gently. "Anon's been through a lot, and she needs time to decompress and address her feelings." The three ponies stepped away from the bed, and retreated towards the door. "We'll be attending a banquet with Princesses Celestia and Luna tonight, Anon. It may seem like a bad time, but there's an announcement that I'd like to make, and I really would like for you to be there."

I just waited until they exited the room and the doors closed behind them. Once the sounds of their hooves and their emotional presences faded away, I stopped holding back. I screamed and cried into my pillow until I was hoarse, and then screamed some more. What is it with me and the people I choose as friends!? I asked myself as I sobbed. Am I really so bad at picking friends that the only ponies drawn to me are those without the will to live or those who turn out to be borderline sociopaths? How can I even face them now?

~ 30 ~

At some point, I must've passed out at some point, because I found myself being gently shaken awake. I slowly turned over, struggling slightly against the blanket, and with my left fore-hoof I pushed my glasses back into their proper position. Standing there in the slight evening gloom was the pink-maned maid—I think Starlight had called her Natural Talent. As always, her face was a mask of stoicism, with only her eyes revealing any of the kindness held within.

"Lady Anonymous, it is almost time for dinner and you have been deemed well enough to transfer out of the infirmary," she announced, her horn alighting with a cornflower blue aura as she helped free me from the blanket. "Shall I take you to the baths while my dearest sister prepares a room and has your belongings brought there for you?"

Although many guest suites possessed an en suite bathroom, complete with with a full-sized bath-tub, I knew from my previous stay in the castle that there were a few chambers dedicated to communal baths for guests and staff of the crown. Up until Miss Talent and Miss Skill determined that I was capable of sufficiently grooming myself on my own, I was often brought there and assisted. Of course, nobody ever batted an eye at it. Ponies are herd creatures, and it wasn't uncommon to aid one another in grooming, especially as a means to bond.

The part of me that wanted me to remain solitary for the moment insisted I assure her that I was fine and needed only to be pointed in the right direction. My failed attempt to stand up on my own, brought on by forgetting momentarily that my right foreleg was immobilised, pushed that from my mind. I just had two days of being independent of Twilight and Starlight, before spending a week unconscious. I think I'm willing to let my dignity slide a bit for the sake of convenience.

So that's exactly what I did; I let Natural Talent guide me to one of the baths, and when she removed her maid's attire, she stored my possum, glasses and sling in the same cubbyhole. As for my bandages and stitches, she caught me off guard by zapping my foreleg and temple with a spell. I was not, she explained, the first injured guest to the palace that she had helped to care for, and had been trained in ways intended to ease the discomforts of guests. In this particular case, it was a waterproofing charm that caused all external liquids to just slide off affected areas.

Unsurprisingly for the time of day, most of the other patrons of the palatial baths seemed to be servants—likely getting off a shift and coming to relax—although there was at least one pony there who I was able to recognise without my glasses. After all, I'd set the pompous clown on fire enough that even surrounded by mares who were attending to him, he was unmistakable. Probably the only way he can get mares to touch him.

As she used her magic to rub a shampoo through my coat at one of the pre-bath shower nooks, she saw where I was looking. "You should know that he will be present at this evening's dinner," she warned, turning my head away from that group as she carefully started rubbing shampoo into my mane. "Officially, Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia has asked that you not engage in your typical antics if he attempts to provoke you."

"Officially?" I whispered. "And unofficially?"

I'd shut my eyes to keep the suds out, but I didn't need to see her face to feel the mirth. "There may or may not be some clay present in the room for you when we return," she answered in that familiar monotone. "Now, nopony is condoning any outbursts, but so long as there is no use of fire or grievous bodily harm, some lenience would be granted. After all, you have only just recently awakened from a harrowing ordeal."

That brought a smile to my face. Unofficially, I've been given permission to smack a bitch if he talks shit, I thought as I mentally detached from the situation at hand to plot. It's not like there was a lot I needed to do that I couldn't take care of on auto-pilot. That left me free to quietly giggle to myself as I thought of how I might tweak his nose. It felt good to have something to take my mind off the feelings of betrayal.

Let's see... Fire was already ruled out, and I didn't think they'd be very happy if I fired an ice spike or a rock at his head, even if it'd probably save them so much paperwork. Similarly, I knew I couldn't just conjure water over his head. Hmm, directly attacking him shouldn't be a priority either. An idea struck me. I still remembered the formula for the air bullet spell. Now, firing off from a finger is impossible—Would the spell interpret it as a point inside my foreleg and just blow my leg off?—however, it was entirely possible to configure it to fire off from the space above my forehead, like with that adapted light spell I'd made when Shining Armour and Princess Cadance were visiting with Flurry. Hmm...

Since we did have an objective, we didn't have much time to soak in the massive bath, but what little time we did get was nice. She probably wasn't supposed to be able to relax like this while on the job as a maid assigned as an attendant, but I wasn't gonna fault her in the least for enjoying a quick soak in the lightly perfumed waters. I'd have preferred lavender, but lilac is nice too, I suppose.

The moment we were out of the baths, and spell-dried—and dressed in the case of the maid—we were back on the move through the castle. From the path we were taking from the baths, it seemed that we were headed to the wing of the castle that I'd stayed in the first time, and that was fine by me. Sure, it wasn't the exact same room she was leading me to, but at least it was familiar enough for me to know my way around. Soon enough, we got to the room I'd be staying in.

As we entered the opulent chamber, we were greeted by the sight of the blue-maned Refined Skill in the corner, arranging a large number of bed pillows into a neat pile. "Princess Twilight Sparkle has informed us of your peculiar preferences for sleeping conditions," she explained, smiling slightly at how poofy my coat was. "Your preference has certainly evolved, hasn't it?"

I just shrugged, and looked to the four-poster bed. "It makes me feel safe," I answered, noticing much of the clothing I'd worn on the other side was laid out on the bed, even the sailor blouse, loafers—which had split into four shoes that were suited to a pony's shape—and skirt I'd come out wearing. Much to my embarrassment, so too did the undergarments. Ponies who wore clothes typically didn't wear anything like panties or boxers unless it was for the bedroom, so I'm sure me coming back through the portal in what was effectively horse lingerie made for a child raised some questions. Hell, that everything came through also raised some major questions.

What I found interesting was that the white t-shirt, the yellow and black track jacket, and skirt I'd worn on the second day looked good as new, as if I hadn't bled all over them. In fact, it looked as though somebody had gone and embroidered my cutie mark on the back of the jacket. Honestly, it was pretty cool now, and reminded me slightly of those varsity jackets I'd see at parties back home.

"I get the impression that this dinner is pretty important," I asked as I made my three-legged shuffle over to where a jar of white clay sat on the room's writing desk, along with an awl and a jointing knife.Oooh, can do some professional finishing on this, too. One of the two helped me up onto the stool while I was climbing up, but with my back turned, I couldn't see whose magic. "Is there a dress code, or is this just a 'show up and look nice' affair?"

The maids looked on in surprise was I got to work one-hoofed, rolling out a ball of clay big enough for a fire spell to bake the clay, and another big enough for the spell I had in mind. Maybe it was just the way I casually set to work one-hoofed, like nothing was wrong, or the sheer relaxation that I exhibited when I asked the question. After all, how often do you get asked a question about dress-codes by someone who doesn't seem the least bit concerned.

"If you choose to wear clothes, you need only look presentable," said Talent as I finished inscribing the fire spell and started levelling and smoothing out the clay for the new spell. "Your mane and coat still need to be brushed out as well. Other than that, there's the matter of presenting you."

While I worked, Skill took a seat beside me with a set of mane and coat brushes. "Although Lady Glimmer still calls you Anon, Princess Twilight has been increasingly mentioning the name Emerald Flicker in regards to a request you made of her," she asked, simultaneously running a brush through my mane and coat with her magical aura. "Is this perhaps a name you are considering taking on? If so, should we present you by that name."

"Nah," I murmured, carefully etching in the latest iteration of the spell. This time, I made sure to add in a five second firing delay so that I could be sure of my target. "Long and short of it is... before the pony you know as Anonymous awoke, this body belonged to a filly by the name Emerald Flicker. I either reincarnated and lived the first several years of my life as her, only to repress it all and awaken this persona, or Harmony placed me in her body. I'm almost certain at this point."

The brushing paused, and I could tell they were sharing a look without even turning away. "Most ponies wouldn't sound so blasé about it," Natural Talent commented, stepping up beside me, and dipping her head in so that she could make eye-contact. "Are you really okay with such a thing?"

That got a laugh out of me. "Absolutely not," I muttered. "I'm a mess, and I don't even know what's holding me together right now." I set down the awl, looking over my work and double-checking it. "Although..."

~ 30 ~

Standing outside the doors to the royal dining hall, I found myself seated on the floor fussing with my jacket while Refined Skill spoke with one of the guards in whispered tones. Although Natural Talent assured me that I looked fine with it not done up all the way, folding the unused section into lapels and allowing what little of a tuft I had to poke out, it felt odd to have on as a pony. Then again, that might've been a result of not having a shirt on beneath it; that would've been another chance to accidentally tug at the stitches in my leg and fuck up my mane. It wasn't like this jacket went particularly well with the sailor blouse either, and if I'd worn the blouse, I'd have had to wear the skirt, and God help me if Evening Script were somehow in attendance—that bat would be all over me, guard professionalism or no.

Once the pretty maid was finished speaking to the unicorn guard, he gave me a look and angled his head toward the door. I hopped up onto all three of my free hooves, and gave myself a once-over in mirror polish of the floor. I still hated these square framed glasses, but at least they went well with the silver barrette that was keeping some of my fringe tucked out of the way. They also didn't look half-bad with the winged look I'd had the maids brush into my mane, inspired by what form it naturally took on the other side of the mirror. Yep, all good.

He tapped his spear twice, and opened the door with his telekinesis. Even as he turned to stand in the doorway to present me, I made my way up beside him, the rubber soles of my pony-loafers muffling the sound of my hooves somewhat. My eyes flicked up to the guard when he took in a breath. "Presenting Lady Anonymous Flicker of the Sparkle household," he announced in a deep, baritone voice. More quietly, he gave me directions to my place. "You are assigned a seat between Ladies Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer."

As I stepped into the chamber—and unfortunately quite slowly down a short set of stairs—there was a low murmur filling the room. Almost all of it was coming from the side of the food-barren long-table occupied by what looked to be a number of nobles. In addition to that ~~Prince~~ prick Blueblood, and several of the toadies I'd seen with him throughout my original stay in the castle, I saw a rather gentlemanly looking unicorn with a moustache, monocle and a suit-jacket. Beside him to one side was a slender unicorn mare of white and pink, who I'd seen in the odd magazine. To the other side of him was a grey unicorn stallion in a crimson tunic who had an unpleasant look about him. At the far end of the other side of the table sat a familiar flame-haired mare in military dress-blues: Spitfire.

All eyes were on me with varying degrees of interest or disdain. Come to think of it, besides some of the pegasi in the honour-guard, I'm the only pony in the room without a horn, I mused as I navigated my way to the designated seat. Someone had at least had enough forethought to place a large stool at my spot in lieu of a cushion, so as to provide me ample access to the table. There was still the matter of getting onto it, but thankfully Starlight was on the ball and helped me up, giving me a quick reassuring nuzzle.

"Anon, it is so good to see you up and about again," the Sun Horse said, beaming at me as I settled in. Her eyes flicked from my face to my leg in the sling. "Are you in much pain?"

I shook my head and gave her a smile of my own. "Surprisingly, no, Your Highness," I said, managing a laugh that got some raised eyebrows. "The transition back through the mirror made it weirder than it needed to be, but it only really bugs me if I touch it or try to walk on it. I think that medically-induced coma helped heal a lot in real-time." Or there's some nerve damage I've not considered.

That got a nod of approval from both senior princesses. "Excellent news," she replied, before looking to everyone else seated at the table. "For those of you who have yet to meet her, this is Anon. A former resident of another world and mature beyond her apparent age, she is currently a Crown Ward and studying under her guardian, Princess Twilight."

"If you have heard Our nephew mentioning a Green Terror," Princess Luna cheekily added, "this is the 'little monster' you have likely heard so much about." That caused several of the toadies to radiate embarrassment, while the gentleman and the model gave him a rather unimpressed look. "Only just recently, she's returned from a mission on behalf of Harmony itself, where she unexpectedly engaged in glorious battle against several ruffians in the name of preserving justice."

That actually caused my ears to dip somewhat. There was nothing glorious about that, Luna, I wanted to say. It was a curb stomp, and I almost became a monster. There's nothing to be proud of. To my surprise, Sunset tentatively reached over and gently patted my back. The guilt bleeding into her emotional aura was almost enough to make me forget my own moment of self-loathing, as she no doubt blamed herself in part for what I'd ended up going through.

The gentlecolt in the suit-jacket scowled, and I could swear he muttered something to the mare next to him about sending children off to war, but things were quickly redirected by Celestia. "We're gathered here in honour of Princess Twilight's recent accomplishment of rescuing the Pillars of Old Equestria from magical imprisonment," Celestia announced. "But for their civilian lives interfering, the other Elements of Harmony would also be present. Regardless, this is a momentous occasion and I do believe Twilight has an announcement she would like to make after the meal."

With a synchronised flourish of their horns, the Sun and Moon Horses conjured up a veritable feast. There were dinner rolls, garlic bread, bruschetta, soups, and pasta and rice dishes galore. Then came salads of every kind, flowery sandwiches, cheeses, sweet fruits and more. There was even a small portion of grilled salmon that appeared plates at a few spots on the table, such as the ones in front of Princess Luna, Spitfire, and myself. Then of course there were several bottles of wine, pitchers of water, and even a steaming carafe of coffee! All of it made my mouth water and reminded me how hungry I felt, but I wasn't sure where to start.

My mood feel somewhat is all the horny ponies at the table just started using their magic to take their fill, heaping food upon their plates. All the while here I was with very short forelegs, a leg down, and super limited reach. Luckily, Starlight and Sunset came to my rescue, and were willing to snag some stuff that I pointed out. In the end what piled up in front of me—in addition to the fish—was some Waldorf salad, two dinner rolls, a portion of French onion soup, a chunk of some sort of Pepper Jack derivative, some bruschetta, and a pasta salad.

At first the girls looked unsure if I'd actually be able to eat everything in front of me. It was a lot of food, but I was hungry. The moment the princesses tucked into their own meals, I did unspeakable things. If I had such a thing as an inner Pinkie Pie, I was channelling it tonight. Given that I hadn't had any solid food in a week, it was kinda understandable. My meal started to disappear so quickly—much to the disgust of Prince Blueblood, who was pacing himself and enjoying a glass of wine—that I didn't doubt Starlight was worried I'd start eyeing up her meal.

Still, the food was a step above what I usually got at home. The Waldorf's dressing had a hint of Greek yogurt, making it quite light on the stomach. My soup, on the other hoof was rich and flavourful, going quite well with the fluffy rolls. It was actually my first time eating bruschetta, but it was super yummy. There was nothing really special about the pasta salad, but it was a nice counterbalance to the spices in on the grilled salmon.

Once I was done inhaling my food, I set my fork and knife down atop the plate pointing at the 11 o'clock position. Dabbing at my mouth with a napkin, I looked around the table. To my left, Sunset was disinterestedly picking at her meal, her eyes drifting over to the Sun Princess. Celestia and Luna were of course the models of grace, although it seemed like the former was on a sprint to the finish. The unicorn in the crimson tunic was looking about with a disdainful look that all but screamed 'Why am I here?' The gentlecolt and his lady-friend seemed to be glancing at me occasionally with concerned looks. Blueblood of course was giving me dirty looks while engaging in quiet conversations with his toadies.

It was kinda surprising to see Twilight engaging with Spitfire—the Wonderbolt seemed more Rainbow's speed than hers, some pun intended. Still, it seemed like she was asking the mare for advice about something, because while she ate and questioned Spitfire, there was a scroll and quill floating beside her, taking notes. What was more interesting was the fact that Spitfire was actually fairly eager in engaging her. I couldn't really make it out over the din of the dining hall however.

Then of course, there was Starlight. I didn't need to be an empath to see that she was worried about me. She tried to hide it, but she kept casting furtive glances at me. It was clear that she was watching me for some sign that I was less than okay than I let on. Can't blame her. After my earlier freak-outs, I'd be worried about me too.

Once everyone else at the table had finished their meals, the royals at the head of the table waved their horns, and all place-settings were cleared. In their places, a small plate bearing a single Red Velvet cupcake appeared before each member of the table, save for Celestia. She of course had a small chocolate cake before her. Then there was the huge eclair in front of Luna. We have the longest horns, so we get the best treats. Showoffs.

Several ponies on the noble's side of the table, Prince Blueblood included, picked up their cupcakes with their telekinetic fields and were prepared to eat them. Before they could, however, Princess Celestia stood up and tapped her wine glass with a knife repeatedly. "Now, before we all begin with our deserts, there was a reason we were all here," she announced. She looked to the bloke in the tunic and nodded. "This pertains to your fields of expertise as well, Chancellor Neighsay, Sir Fancy Pants, so I wish for you to give this some serious consideration." She glanced down the table to my guardian. "Twilight?"

She perked up, and began beaming. "Right, yes!" Looking up and down the table, she began, "Fillies, Gentlecolts, and Prince Blueblood—" That got a lighthearted chuckle from everyone but the named Prince. "—although we are primarily gathered here today to celebrate the return of the Pillars of Old Equestria, I would like to take this opportunity to announce my intention to form a school. Just as Princess Celestia has her school for gifted unicorns. I shall be establishing a school for friendship, not just for ponies, but for all races."

She quickly broke off into a short speech about the travels she and her friends did on behalf of Harmony, ignoring the dark looks from several of Blueblood's butt-kissers and that Neighsay dude. She explained how despite being said to be the most harmonious of races, even ponykind was not without its flaws, and many of its problems boiled down to a lack of education in regards to friendship. There was even a wry joke thrown in that what should be common sense was surprisingly not so common, and this of course led to moments of disharmony.

To my surprise, she made way for Starlight to speak up. She even explained her own history with Twilight, Cutie Marks, and Friendship. She explained how even the smallest thing like two friends being driven apart could have wide-reaching ramifications that could spiral so far out of control as to threaten the world itself. A school for friendship was but the first step to helping ponies like her—who couldn't make friends, or didn't know how to—adapt. It would be the first of many supports designed to help others.

Then came Sunset. She spoke up to how she'd been orphaned when she was but a filly, and had—before the time of Twilight—been taken in as an apprentice to Princess Celestia. Looking back, she could see now that she was being groomed for the role that would later be passed off to Twilight, but at the time, she'd never had any sufficient explanations as to why friendship was important, and there was only so much that her former teacher could do for her. She explained how she'd become arrogant and headstrong, seeking power but none of the responsibility that came with it.

That led into her self-imposed exile on the other side of the mirror, how just when she'd actually begun making a friend—she couldn't help but glance at me when she said this—that friend met a tragic end. She blamed herself for not being better at friendship, and she blamed the whole world for not helping to support a girl who so desperately needed it. Who was to blame her for becoming bitter, and manipulative? If a girl who sacrificed so much didn't deserve to be happy, nobody did. Then, several years later, Twilight came, and with the help of five girls she'd driven a wedge between showed her another way.

That wasn't where Sunset stopped, however. She detailed that even after being purged of all the bitterness and the darkness in her heart, all was not well. It took her a lot of time and hard work to earn the trust of the school, and even that was fleeting. A trio of young girls, who had admittedly valid concerns, took it upon themselves to destroy everything she had worked so hard to achieve out of fear that she would take off 'the mask' and pull the rug out from beneath them.

Then suddenly I was put on the spot, as she explained how badly things spiralled, and thus Harmony sent the pony best suited to fix the problem. She pointed out that although problems caused by friendship seemed innocuous on the surface, they could have deadly repercussions. A child's bigoted family could lash out at a daughter. An innocent could be driven to the point where they want to end it all. Vigilantes might wish to impart their own 'justice', leading to fights like the one I had been injured in.

"I know to many of you, friendship seems like a trifling thing," Twilight concluded, looking at each pony at the table, "but I hope that you will all support this endeavour of mine. I truly believe that if we offer a place for creatures to learn about friendship, we will create a better, more harmonious world, and hopefully what happened to Sunset and Anon in the mirror world never has to happen again." That was met with a number of ponies calling out "Hear hear!"

Before ponies could tuck into their cupcakes, I stood up on my stool and cleared my throat. This earned a dirty look from several nobles, and Blueblood looked and felt as though he were ready to tell me to remember my place, although a quick look from Celestia stopped him. "On the topic of friendship," I said, looking specifically to Celestia and Luna. "I have something of a proposal for the crown as well, stemming from the time I spent in the mirror world."

I waited for a sign to continue. She shared a look with Sunset and then nodded to me. "During my time in the other world, I inadvertently came into contact with the embodiment of magic of that world, a deity Sunset tells me is known as Magia," I explained. "I was asked that during my time there, I begin making the first steps toward restoring belief in magic in their world, as she believes the <> past the folly of their ancestors and the new generation is ready to be given a second chance with magic. The long and short of what I propose is that Equestria enter official diplomacy with the world. In exchange for their technological expertise—which could catapult ponies into the Information Era within a few decades—we could provide mages to educate and guide <>kind's magical growth. We could even offer a place for those interested at Aunt Twilight's school, although they might not be enthused about what the portal does to them..."

Celestia looked questioningly from me to Sunset, but it was Luna that spoke first. "Of what use is this otherworldly technology to us?" she asked, earning a murmur of approval from the nobles. "Surely what these <> can do, we can do better with magic."

That caused Sunset to shake her head. "Yes and no, your highness," she admitted. "This technology is free to anyone to use, regardless of species, so long as you possess the understanding to use it. Magic in Equestria has, unfortunately, largely been dragged into the domain of unicorns, and its knowledge hoarded. Anything that requires a unicorn to use is useless to a pegasus or earth pony. For example..."

I listened as Sunset extolled the virtues of the technologies we could gain from them. Global communication networks, vast libraries available at a creature's hoof-tips, new forms of entertainment media and creativity to explore, she covered it all. My favourite example was the 'viewing box' that she used in place of television. She asked the nobles to imagine that they are sick and bedridden, and a play they desperately wish to see has announced tonight will be its final showing. With a video broadcast, they could see the play from the comfort of their own bed, without worrying about the indignity and judgement of going out not looking their best.

That seemed to sell a lot of nobles, especially Fancy Pants and the model—Fleur de Lis, that's her name! However, that came to a stop when Prince Blueblood scoffed. "Why should we help a bunch of apes from another world use magic?" He waggled his still levitating cupcake. "Magic is and always has been the domain of unicorns—" With a quick glance to Celestia, he quickly added, "—and alicorns, and that is why only we can use it! That is the natural order, and that's the way it should remain."

I sat back down and balanced myself, quickly dipping my loafer-clad forehoof into my sling, and gripping the octagonal spell medallion I'd tucked in there after getting dressed. From the outside, it probably looked like I was crossing my arms in contemplation. I nodded thoughtfully before a smirk split my face. A blue light glowed above my forehead as I locked eyes on Blueblood's cupcake. Several jaws dropped, and so too did a few cupcakes. "Good news, Auntie Twilight!" I declared in a loud tone of false excitement. "Based on Prince Blueblood's flawed logic, I've been promoted to unicorn! Isn't that great? Now I just need to master flight and I'll be promoted to alicorn in no time!"

As if to punctuate my words, the light in front of my forehead went out as a capsule of magic-encased air shot out from that spot. It flew fast and true, striking the cupcake. It sunk in slightly before detonating, blowing it apart, coating the prince's face, the table, and one of the nobles to his left. Several of the nobles cried out in outrage, several guards tensed, but the display got a bunch of snickering from the princesses, Sunset, Fancypants, and Spitfire.

"Magic is the domain of all beings who posses the capacity and desire to use it, Your Highness," I announced, after a moment of stunned silence, withdrawing the medallion from my sling and holding it up for all to see. "Runic magic, for example is magic that any pegasus, earth pony, or quite possibly even dragons could use with some training—or are you so quick to forget all times I've inadvertently set you aflame? In my research, I've found that the only difference between what I do, and what you do is the form it takes. What I achieve with this—" I carefully tossed the medallion over to Fancy Pants for him to examine and pass down the table for the other nobles to look at. I then tapped my forehead and then chest "—you accomplish up here and in here. They are both built on the same foundations, but you're building the matrix internally and projecting it through your horn, whilst I have to build it outside. To believe other beings are incapable, or don't have the deity-given right is folly."

I looked around as the medallion was levitated back to me. Twilight looked stuck between being proud and mortified, but Celestia was radiating mirth. "Well said, Anon," she agreed. "I will take yours and Sunset's opinions into account when we make a decision, but it may be some time before one can be reached."

Inclining my head toward the prince, I pushed my cupcake toward him, and quickly hopped down from my stool. "Thank you for your time, Your Highnesses," I said softly. "If it's not too much trouble, I shall take my leave. I've still yet to fully recover and I grow tired."

"Of course, dear Anonymous," said Princess Luna. "We wish thee a good rest."

I started to make my way towards the guarded door. It finally felt like I had achieved the goal I had set for myself when I met the goddess Magia in my dream in the other world. One less thing I had to hold strong for... But then, that just means it was one less thing to hold me together, too.

Pausing behind Twilight and Starlight, I sighed and whispered. "When I'm well enough to travel, I'm going to the Crystal Empire to meet that therapist," I whispered. "I won't be returning to Ponyville until then."

As I exited the dining hall, and the doors shut behind me, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. Before I could collapse like a marionette with my strings cut, Refined Skill and Natural Talent were at my side, ready to support me. It took them zero prompting to begin guiding me back to my room. They, without prompting, even helped me undress and get into my pillow pile. It was where I belonged right then, and I was so happy to bury myself in their fluffy embrace.

Despite all that had gone wrong, and all that I had no time to address, things somehow felt right.

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay on this one. I really wanted to make sure I got everything down, and as I
kept finishing scenes, it just kept getting longer, and longer, until finally, this became the longest chapter in the story.

As we have seen, despite things largely staying the same, things are still playing out slightly different from canon. We see here that Twilight is announcing her intention to start a school for friendship before the Storm King's invasion event has triggered. We already know that any arc pertaining to Season 9 would be vastly different what with the changes to Chrysalis, but only time will tell just how much things will change.

This arc is all but finished. There are only a few loose ends that need tying up... A heart-to-heart with Sunset. After that, there will be a short time skip, and then we'll be starting off the next arc with a bang.

And yes, it is now official. Anon has accepted Emerald is a part of her, whether she is occupying her body, or she is her. Thus she has taken on the second name, Flicker, making her Anonymous Flicker. This will actually be a part of the discussion with Sunset.

There will be a week or two hiatus while I try to give myself more time to better plan out the next arc. The entirety of the 'bang' opening is pretty much all planned out, and it too is shaping up to be a long one.