Greatest Fear: Volume 3

by Natedogg2006

Rating: everyone
Tags: Comedy, Romance, Equestria Girls, Sunset Shimmer, Slice of Life, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 5811

A brief dissertation on the nature of friendship becoming romantic affection and how that has led to my love of Sunset Shimmer. A study by Twilight Sparkle, peer review pending.

Twilight Sparkle has been attending Canterlot High long enough to learn some things. The first is that despite the school's more limited resources, the fact that the other students are more welcoming and accommodating means her studies are actually less hindered than they once were. The second is that other students being accommodating to her studies makes it easy for her to get close to others. Third is that she really likes being close to other people, certain people especially. Fourth, she might like girls. Fifth, Sunset Shimmer is really hot and Twilight just might be in love with her.

Not knowing how to handle this situation, Twilight falls back on what she knows best: studying and research. Can her new friends help her with her latest research project, or will she have to improvise? The horror.

The end of the year holiday encroaches ever further into our spooky good time. So I wanted to show more Halloween love this year. I believe this is my first time writing for the human Twilight, so I'm personally looking forward to the experience. Hope you all have a Happy Halloween and leave me either a trick or treat in the comments.

Published 2022-11-02 15:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2022-11-02 15:10:00 UTC

Peer Review

"And that is why I believe that I have fallen in love with Sunset Shimmer and that we would be a very compatible couple. Are there any questions?"

Twilight turned to face her audience, sliding her extendable pointer closed and smiling her best attempt at a winning smile. That faltered some when she saw the state her friends were in.

"So that was the 'brief' subject you asked us to give you advice on?" Applejack was the first to respond, a slight sneer in her words.

"Yes," Twilight responded hesitantly. Feeling she'd misread the situation she attempted to correct course right away. "But I thought for sure I'd cut too much. If you'd like to hear the full dissertation I can start over..." She was already making her way back to her computer to restart the slide show she'd been presenting through a projection this whole time.

"Twilight!" Applejack's outburst caught her off guard as she halted. "We've been here since eight o' clock."

Twilight took her phone from her pocket, illuminating the screen before showing it to her audience. "It's only eight thirty though."

Applejack hunched down, crossing her arms tightly and scowling. "P.M. Twilight. 8:30 pm."

Twilight gave a start, dashing over to the window she'd covered to keep the light out for her presentation. She was shocked to see no light beyond it. "Oh," she said sheepishly, "I can see why that would be a problem."

"Yeah, that's one Saturday I'm never getting back." Applejack leaned back in her chair, head lulling in boredom.

"Yes, indeed. I'm not sure what you hoped to accomplish with this little... not so little presentation darling. I'm more than happy to hear that you've opened yourself up to the idea of love, but do you really think it's best to approach matters of the heart so... clinically?" Rarity had managed to wrestle herself out of the stupor the lengthy presentation had put her in. She pulled out her compact, frowning as she noticed she now had scowl lines in her makeup.

Twilight blushed slightly at this. "It's just what I do. Whenever I'm curious about a subject I do as much initial research as I can before I start experimenting."

Rarity looked up from fixing her makeup, curious. "Experimenting? What, pretell, were your plans for experimentation?"

Twilight finally smiled again at this, her confidence from the end of her presentation restored for the moment. "Well, now that I have people to give me a proper peer review on my dissertation, I can make a proper presentation to the relevant party and proceed with the outlined procedures in section 42 of my dissertation. I can see why there is some confusion, that was one of the sections I trimmed down for my abridged presentation. I can elaborate further if you'd...."

"Twilight," Rarity cut in firmly, hefting her copy of Twilight's dissertation from the table she'd been sitting at. She strained as she held the phone book sized binder out to the scientifically minded girl. "This, this right here is the antithesis of romance. If you are planning on giving this to our dear Sunset as a method of asking her out, I'm afraid I must intervene because wherever this goes," she shook it for emphasis, "romance will die."

Twilight looked very disheartened at this. "Was my dissertation really that bad?" Twilight asked, strain evident in her voice.

"I loved your dissertation Twilight," Pinkie Pie now chimed in. Twilight turned to her, hope returning briefly. That faded when she noticed that Pinkie was currently buried waist deep in her seat, surrounded by origami animals of all shapes. She was pulling out another sheet from her binder as she continued. "If anyone else doesn't want theirs, I can totally use them to throw an origami party."

Twilight deflated more. "Was it really that bad? There had to be something worth all the time and effort, right?" She glanced to the rest of her friends.

To the side Fluttershy seemed to be sitting stiffly, slightly in front of Rainbow Dash and smiling a slightly too big smile. She spoke up suddenly. "Well Twilight, you definitely put in a lot of time and effort. I think that's very admirable and I think Sunset will definitely be impressed by that." She seemed to wince slightly as the collective gazes of the room flicked to Rainbow Dash behind her. "Rainbow thinks so too," she added quickly.

Rarity seemed suspicious. "Is that true Rainbow?"

Fluttershy scooted more in front of her as her smile grew bigger. Rainbow didn't respond.

"Rainbow?" Twilight asked hopefully.

Fluttershy didn't react quickly enough as Pinkie launched a newly folded paper airplane at Rainbow Dash. The moment it bumped into the side of her head they all heard a snort. She lurched, her head falling back and arms falling limply by her sides.

Applejack scooted around a now blushing Fluttershy to check Rainbow. "Yup, she's out cold." She flicked the athlete firmly between the eyes. After a moment she did it again, then again. "Dang, worse than in Cranky's history class. Impressive. And did she really draw eyes on her eyelids?"

Fluttershy blushed deeper. "They're stickers actually. She ordered them a while back. I didn't think she'd use them for this."

Applejack looked vaguely impressed by this information. "She really don't deserve ya' Shy. Make sure she passes her classes at least will ya'." Fluttershy nodded before beginning the sometimes arduous task of waking her girlfriend.

"So it really was terrible," Twilight said this while slumping down the wall next to her laptop. She eventually came to rest with her knees in her chest and her face resting in her arms, looking defeated. "All my research is wrong and Sunset will never love me."

Rarity was suddenly aghast, coming to kneel next to her fallen friend. "Darling no. We never said Sunset wouldn't love you. It's just your presentation. Matters of the heart are delicate dear. You can't treat them like a scientific investigation."

Twilight's eyes were slightly puffy as her head lifted from its spot. "But I don't know any other way to handle this sort of thing. I was terrified when I realized I might have feelings for Sunset. The only way I could start to handle it was to break it down, scientifically. By the time I finished it I was no longer scared, I was excited. I don't see how it can be that bad."

Rarity drew back, sensing the girl's distress and feeling she'd gone too far. "No no no, Twilight. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply your feelings are wrong. However you came about them is fine, but how you move forward is important. Not everyone is quite as... studious as you are. I'm sure Sunset would be happy to learn of your affections, I just think you should find a more traditional way of doing it."

Twilight seemed to perk up slightly at this. "Do you really think so?"

Rarity smiled, encouraging the rest of their friends to show their support. "Darling, you are a catch and Sunset would be crazy not to notice that."

The rest of her friends smiled to her. Applejack helped her up from where she'd been sitting. "But, if I don't use my dissertation, how else will I tell Sunset how I feel?"

Rarity looked elated to be asked. "Oh dear, there are so many ways. I wouldn't even know where to start." She paused and seemed to consider for a moment. "If I may ask darling, how did you come to realize your feelings for Sunset?"

Twilight dropped her face to a deadpan. "It was in my dissertation." Those of the group paying attention winced. "As per section 9, subsection 5..."

"Twilight," Applejack cut in. "English. Plain, simple, English. What made y'all fall for Sunset? No science stuff."

Twilight gave a huff. "I first realized I had feelings for Sunset when we were doing science together." Hands met faces across from her. "She had over four thousand pages of handwritten notes on all the magic incidents you all had been dealing with before the Friendship Games. Between her accounts and the readings I'd been getting on my equipment in my home lab we combined on a project to create an all encompassing study on all known magic phenomena and their known and projected consequences on both realities. Somewhere along the line though..." a small smile came to her lips, "it became so much more. And not just the other studies we ended up combining on. She had amazing ways to get us back on track when our research was stalling. Her note taking procedures are so amazing they have influenced my own. She makes the best study snacks. She somehow still looks amazing even when we pass out working and wake up sitting at a desk. She's so smart, and funny, and just...." She finally paused, noticing she'd drawn even Pinkie and Fluttershy's attention. "What?"

Rainbow now spoke up, clearly still only half awake from her nap. "I tuned out before the third subsection of section two, and even I can tell you got it bad. I'd say, defer to Rarity on some kind of story book confession and I'm officially leaving to enjoy my Saturday."

"It's already past sundown Rainbow," Fluttershy informed her gently.

Rainbow's eyes went large before darting to the now exposed window. "I am so dead," she exclaimed as she stood and bolted from the room.

Fluttershy looked pained as she turned between the door Rainbow had just left through and the rest of her friends. Rarity seemed to gesture to the whole group. "I think I've got this from here, you all go and attempt to recover some of your weekends." The rest of the girls were all too happy to oblige. They departed the room quickly, Pinkie leaving a trail of folded paper as she went. "As for you dear," she now turned to Twilight. "You need a brief lesson in romance, and I know just where you can find it."

***

Twilight Sparkle was struggling to keep her breathing steady as she walked through the doors of Canterlot High. While she was absolutely certain Rarity had meant well, she couldn't help but feel the fashionista was attempting some sort of revenge over what had happened over the weekend. The romance mindful girl had indeed had resources for Twilight to use in confessing her feelings to Sunset, though they were far from scholarly.

Currently in her backpack was a small collection of love stories. Love stories that her mother would call dramatic, and her father would call trashy. After staying up late to read as many of them as she could,
she felt she would agree with her father more. Worse yet, by the fifth book she could definitely say there was no connective chain of logic between any of them. She had charted it, and literally every point made in one book could be contradicted with the information from no more than two other books.

Utter madness in Twilight's opinion. There was literally only one thing Twilight had taken from her time with Rarity, and it only made it harder to keep her breathing regular. A time limit. Twilight could not fault the idea that her revelation of her feelings had come at a good time as the school was hosting a Halloween party that would be perfect for a first date.

So that meant she had less than 8 hours to complete her assignment.

Twilight paused, her nerves making it legitimately difficult for her to remember the combination to her locker. So she had no plan. There were worse things in the world. At least she knew what wasn't an option. She debated offloading a several inches thick binder into her locker. She honestly wasn't sure why she had even brought her master copy of her dissertation. It was a little too heavy to carry around all day and she wasn't sure it was a good idea to leave it exposed in her locker considering who used the locker just opposite her.

"Hey Twilight."

Twilight froze. She had really been hoping to have at least a little more time. She'd been so busy all weekend with revising her mindset on her situation she hadn't had time to prepare much for this encounter. She'd gotten to school early in the hopes of putting off her first meeting with Sunset long enough that she could at least take some action or make some inquiries. Those few plans she was able to make now slipped away. She turned, shifting her heavy backpack to keep it away from the girl in question as she did.

And Twilight was officially hyperventilating.

"Looks like both of us decided to go for something quick and easy today, huh?"

The goggles too, why?

Sunset smiled a smile that made Twilight melt as she approached her locker. They both found each other to be wearing a clean white lab coat. A simple scientist costume for the holiday. And yet somehow Sunset made the drab apparel look so much more enticing. Twilight didn't know why the goggles always seemed to add even more appeal to the look, but it was the look for Sunset she liked the most. Twilight could barely keep herself from drooling as she watched her crush turn away to open her own locker.

Twilight found herself second guessing every decision she'd made so far in the day. She wished she'd at least decided to wear her nicer glasses, even if that wasn't what she normally wore in the lab. But if she did Sunset would notice that and realize something was off... somehow. Right? The fiery haired girl bobbed her head as she dropped stuff off before turning back to Twilight. Her pleasant look turned to curiosity as she did. Twilight realized she'd been prompted and should probably have answered by this point.

"Oh, yeah. Ha ha ha, I just figured it was appropriate. Had to show everyone the mad scientist that I am right." She internally cringed at the words. But for some reason Sunset smiled at this.

"Ha, yeah you're right. Honestly the scientist is more like your normal state and the regular student is the costume you put on to blend in. Kinda like Superman, you have to pretend to not be amazing."

Twilight's brain flat lined at that, especially the smile Sunset flashed her at the end. She was lucky the other lab coat clad girl turned back to her locker at that moment, but no amount of distraction would have been enough. Twilight did her best to recover, but with the few plans she had been able to hold onto now completely gone from her head she couldn't help but to stay frozen on the spot.

Sunset turned back to her, and immediately noticed something was wrong. "Twilight, are you OK?"

Twilight immediately screwed her face into the most convincing smile she could manage. "Me? Of course I'm alright, why wouldn't I be alright?"

Sunset's look now turned suspicious as she drew closer. She came up to Twilight's face, so close the goggles over her eyes nearly bumped Twilight's nose.

Twilight had never been good at improvising on the spot, but as she felt her lips open she decided to not stop what might come out. "I've just never celebrated Halloween at school before so I'm a little nervous. That's also why I chose this costume, I just wasn't ready."

Sunset drew away still looking suspicious, but then smiled. "Ok, I'll believe that for now. But you know you can tell me anything, right Twilight?"

Twilight managed to calm some. "Yeah, I know. You tell me that all the time."

Sunset smiled wider. "And yet you still always wait until the last second to tell me anything. I'm your friend, I'm here to help." Twilight didn't know how to feel about the words, but Sunset's expression did put her at ease. There was some relapse however when she grabbed Twilight's hand and began pulling her along. "Now let's go, Ms. Cheerilee is gonna love how ready we are for science class."

As Twilight was pulled along, barely able to close her locker in time, she knew two things. She couldn't do this on the fly, and thus she needed to come up with a plan.

***

Thirty five minutes, how had it come to this?

Twilight's last class of the day was close to over, and she had still not managed to come up with anything. She had at one point excused herself to the restroom, only to sit in a stall and power read through as many of the books Rarity had given her as possible. Nothing seemed right. All the information they gave seemed so... shallow. Not something that seemed like it would work on a girl like Sunset.

Speaking of whom, she was right next to Twilight once again. The pair had their last period together which had always been convenient for them. It meant that if they had a project they were working on they could start immediately after school. All it did now was remind Twilight of how spectacularly she had failed so far.

She glanced over. Sunset had clearly finished the last assignment of the day already. The smile on her face was one Twilight knew as when she was reading over her work to see that it was all correct.

Why did she have to be so perfect?

In the time she'd had today Twilight had only had time to figure out why she was so helpless to tell Sunset anything. She finally realized that this was how she had felt when she first discovered her feelings for her friend. Confused, scared, and a few new emotions she'd still been working out.

Why couldn't she just give Sunset her dissertation? It would be so much easier.

But the girls had been clear. The massive tome would not be received well, and thus she was back to how she felt before getting all of her new feelings out and onto paper.

Speaking of which, that was another reason for frustration. Sunset had apparently been concerned for her, which was alright on its own. But this meant Twilight had had no chance to leave the thick study in her locker all day. The strain on her shoulders was a reminder of her disappointment every time she lifted her bag.

Twilight groaned, unable to perform the usual checks to her own assignment as she normally would. Unfortunately the noise apparently caught Sunset's attention, who seemed to be finished with her checks and looked over to Twilight curiously. Twilight smiled a shakie smile to her.

"What's wrong Twi, Mr. Sombra's assignment too hard for you?" It was a silly joke, one that made Twilight laugh even in her current state.

"What? No, of course not. Math is one of my best subjects you know."

Sunset looked concerned as she looked down at Twilight's paper. "Considering your only weak subject is gym, I tend to agree. But since you forgot to put your name on it I think you might want to check again."

Twilight's eyes went wide. She looked down to notice her friend was right. Several time limits hit her all at once as the bell rang and the teacher stood to collect the assignments.

Twilight scribbled her name quickly then proceeded to administer the fastest check over her answers she'd ever done. Her nerves were in tatters as she felt the instinct to grab her paper back from the teacher as he took it. She thought she was OK, but she couldn't be absolutely sure. That idea terrified her, and it was only compounded as she felt eyes upon her.

Sunset stared with scrutiny. "Twilight, are you OK?" It wasn't the first, or even second, third, or fourth time she'd asked today. Twilight attempted to put on a fake smile like she had every time before, but Sunset wouldn't let her respond this time. "That's a no. Come on."

Sunset proceeded to grab both of their bags, pausing briefly at the weight of Twilight's, before taking Twilight by the hand and dragging her from their final class. The Halloween party didn't start until half an hour after the final bell, so all the students were moving to prepare for it. Sunset and Twilight seemed to be moving in the opposite direction.

Once they found themselves to be in a reasonably private area, Sunset turned to Twilight. "Ok, I'm serious this time. What is wrong?"

Twilight was scared now. She was out of time, out of nerve, and still had no plan. She tried to put on a smile again but couldn't tell if it was in any way convincing. "Nothings wrong, I just..."

Sunset was close to Twilight's face again. She pulled the goggles she'd been wearing off, now showing a raccoon-like circle around her eyes. It was something Twilight always thought was adorable, but that just added to the confusion she currently felt.

"Twilight, something is wrong. I know you well enough to know you've been freaking out all day." Why did she have to be so smart, Twilight thought. "I'm your best friend, you're my best friend, I'm here for you. So just tell me so I can help."

Twilight's smile was definitely failing. Her body started to shake as she forced whatever words she could from her mouth. "I want... but it's just so... I'm sorry I..."

Her words cut off as she felt arms wrap around her. "No no no, I'm sorry Twilight, I pushed way too hard there. Calm down, I'm not going to push you anymore."

Twilight realized there were tears running down her face as they started soaking into the other girls' otherwise clean lab coat. She only now realized how close she was to a full blown panic attack as she heard her rapid breathing muffled against Sunset's shoulder. But the knowledge that she was panicking did not make the panic any easier to handle.

"Sunset, no. I have to.... no time, no plan..."

Her words were cut off as one of Sunset's hands came off the panicking girl's back and pressed her face into her collarbone. "You don't have to do anything right now except breathe." She then looked around to see exactly where she had stopped them before this encounter. "Let's get you somewhere familiar and safe."

A few minutes later they were in the school's chemistry lab. Both being honor students of a caliber never before seen at the school, the teacher had been willing to leave them unsupervised when they had asked to use it as a quiet place. Once inside Twilight was sat down on her favorite lab stool and Sunset placed a DNA model in her lap. After a few minutes of deep breathing she was relieved to see Twilight begin to adjust the model which was somehow always slightly off.

"You doing better there, Egghead?" Sunset inquired gently.

Twilight nodded softly as she set the model down. "Yeah, thanks to you Baconhead." They shared a small laugh at their breakfast based humor. "Sorry I can be such a burden."

"This will never be a burden Twilight. I'm here for you whenever you need me." Twilight felt her heart flutter at the knowledge of just how true she always found that statement to be. "So if you're ready to talk, I'm here to listen."

Twilight now felt her heart flutter in a completely different way. Her fried social nerves once again got in the way as she tried to explain. "I wanted... there was something I convinced myself I needed to do today. But I think it's just something that isn't ever going to happen."

Sunset looked puzzled at the words. "That's not really like you. You're the girl who managed to scientifically reverse engineer literal magic. If you want something I believe you can do it." She smiled the most encouraging smile she could to Twilight.

As much as Twilight loved that smile, she knew she couldn't take the compliment. "It's not really a science thing though." Sunset's face now showed that she understood. Twilight nodded in verification. "As much as you and the other girls have tried to help, I'm still lacking in certain interpersonal skills. And I just don't think I have the skill sets necessary to fix the problems."

Sunset seemed to think this over for a few moments. She then seemed to brighten at an idea. "But you do have your own skills." Twilight quirked her head in inquiry. "No one is good at everything. But there are so many things you're amazing at, so why don't we just use one of them."

Twilight now became hyperaware of the bag next to her feet that Sunset had been so gracious to bring along with them. There was no way it could be that easy, right? While Twilight was the type of person who could, and frequently did, read scientific studies for fun, she was a major exception to the norm. She'd always known that. No one else would willingly read a fifty five part study on what her problem was.

Sunset snapped her fingers. "I've got it. We've got a little time before anyone comes looking for us. Maybe before the Halloween party you can throw together a quick study on your problem. Something going over what it is and why it's bothering you. You don't need to go into too much detail if it is something that's hard for you to talk about, but you know I love your writeups. I could do a quick peer review, totally unbiased, and tell you what I think."

The fluttering in Twilight's chest made her wonder how she could hear Sunset over the sound of so many butterflies. "Do you... really like my dissertations?"

Sunset smiled even more brightly. "Of course, they're the best. So detailed yet so personal. As much art as science."

Twilight looked down to her feet. She did so in a way that allowed her ponytail to drop and obscure her face. She did this in an attempt to hopefully cover the full face blush that currently was making her ears feel as though they'd been set on fire.

"W... would it be weird if I... already had one made?"

Twilight felt her heart swell at the sound of Sunset's delighted giggle. "I should have figured. You're awesome like that."

The fluttering in Twilight's chest grew as she reached to her backpack. She stopped before undoing the zipper. "You did say you'd be completely unbiased, right?"

"Pinkie promise," Sunset assured.

With a heavy released breath Twilight opened her bag. She barely remembered hefting the binder bound deforestation out until it landed on the counter in front of Sunset with a loud thud. Sunset then laughed boisterously.

"Oh, so just a short little study than huh," Sunset joked as she pulled it over to herself. Shouldn't take me more than a month to get through this and give you a.... what?"

It took considerable effort, but Twilight was able to look up to Sunset. The fear of the outcome once again came back as she met Sunset's eyes. Eyes that looked like they belonged to a deer staring into the headlights of an eighteen wheeler. "You said unbiased," she blurted out.

The statement caught Sunset off-guard. Something in her seemed to click and she seemed to reel her emotions back some. "Yeah, yeah I did." She paused for a moment, looking back down at the title of the paper on the front of the binder once again.

'A study on friendship becoming love: Why I believe I have fallen in love with Sunset Shimmer and that we would make perfect girlfriends.'

The title was eye catching and to the point, just like she'd always been taught a scientific writeup should be. It still made Twilight cringe at the bluntness. This abated some as Sunset reached down to her own backpack. She pulled out some supplies and opened the first page.

"Unbiased," Sunset repeated as her eyes began to scan the pages.

Twilight felt calmer even if her heartbeat was still rapid. For some reason this rapid pace felt different however. The fear she'd felt was largely subdued, this felt more like anticipation. She'd been through peer reviews of her research before, and this felt strangely familiar. She found herself occupying her mind in much the same way she did in those times. Did she format everything correctly? Did she use good references? Were her references cited correctly. She was going over her mental checklist of her final edit for about the fourth time when there was the telltale sound of a book closing.

Twilight looked up. Her eyes widened. She looked to the clock on the wall. She felt fortunate that she was sitting. The tremor that went through her legs would have probably left her on the ground if she was standing. It had been less than fifteen minutes, and there were enough sticky tabs sticking out of the binder that Twilight was certain that Sunset had read it through thoroughly.

"So, Ms. Sparkle. Are you ready to hear my unbiased opinion on your dissertation?" Sunset said this in a professional manner, one that Twilight still found cute.

Twilight simply nodded her consent.

"The first point I'd like to make," Sunset began, "is that this paper is perfect from a technical standpoint. I know it's been an issue you've obsessed over before, and it shows. I noted no spelling or grammar errors, your citation is flawless, and though your scope is wide reaching you manage to always stay on subject. Very impressive."

"Thank you," Twilight responded curtly.

"There were a few points you didn't have complete information on, so you made some reasonable assumptions based on what data you did have. First of all, your subject's potential future plans and how that could affect your outcomes." Twilight gulped. "Your assumption in this regard was correct, this is my home now and I have no intention of returning to Equestria for anything more than a visit." She broke her professional demeanor for only a moment so they could share a smile.

"That's, good," Twilight responded hopefully.

"Then there's your assumption of your subjects' potential compatibility based on what you know of Equestria and how they might feel about what is seen as alternative lifestyles in this world." Twilight only nodded as she felt her cheeks warm again. "Once again, you assumed correctly. Equestria has few prejudices against any kind of romantic relationship, and I'm no different."

Sunset paused for a minute, seeming to let the statement sink in. Twilight's breathing was heavy again and she was finding it hard to not become excited. She managed to maintain her composure as she responded. "Equestria seems like a great place."

Sunset nodded as she went on. "The rest of your research is solid. I see no fault in any of your logic and the conclusions you draw are sound in theory." Twilight smiled hopefully. "On a more personal note, if I may?" Twilight nodded her approval. "Disregarding any notions your subject might have had prior to engaging with this study, your arguments are quite, convincing. Some of the ideas you present are extremely relevant, especially when presented together in one place. It leads to a confidence that the conclusions you come to truly are the best outcome for all parties involved."

Twilight could barely contain herself at this point. She couldn't help but notice that despite trying to conduct herself professionally, the last statement had caused a slight blush to come to Sunset's cheeks. "There's just one thing missing." Twilight's smile dropped a little. "Practical data."

Twilight was taken aback a little. "Data? You mean...?

Sunset smiled and nodded before opening the dissertation to a tab she'd left near the end. "We are scientists Twilight. Even if I wasn't interested in the least, you've made a very convincing argument. Even if it's for the sake of disproving your hypothesis, I think I'd have to approve of at least one experiment."

Twilight didn't let her hope fade. "Which one did you have in mind?"

Sunset smiled at the confidence the girl now showed for her research. "This last minute addition to section forty nine seemed like a great candidate, if you wanted the experiments to commence quickly."

Twilight's heart fluttered as a smile overtook her face. "Really, you really want to?"

"Ah ah," Sunset cut in, raising a finger. "Procedures are important." Sunset turned the text to Twilight, indicating a specific passage.

Twilight only smiled brighter, not needing to read the new passage of her work. She stood, the fires of discovery igniting her resolve. "Sunset, will you be my date to the Canterlot Halloween party?" She exclaimed gleefully.

Sunset stood too. Taking Twilight's hands in her own. "I'd love to." Twilight couldn't help but to prance in place in excitement. Sunset had to speak up to continue. "But I think we need one other experiment before we do."

Twilight paused at this, a blush coming to her as various experiments she outlined in her research came to mind. "What.. what were you thinking?"

Sunset smiled deviously. "How do you feel about subsection nine?"

Twilight blushed brighter, but nodded enthusiastically. Both the girls could hear the others' hearts pounding as they leaned in close to one another. Their lips met, and Twilight felt all of her anxiety from the day melt away.

As they pulled away from one another, both seemed to give a shutter of delight. Twilight managed to respond first. "I think that was a successful experiment."

Sunset let out a sigh. "I think your hypothesis has been confirmed."

Author's Note

Obviously I'm a little late for Halloween, but to me it's still the Halloween season, so happy Halloween everyone. I'm a little late because my wife has been keeping me busy for the holiday, so the only thing I regret is making you all wait for the latest volume of Greatest Fear.
I still firmly believe Halloween needs more love, so I do think I'm going to keep making these stories. This time around Twilight gave a fear of having to do something without a clear plan, a true terror for her and one I felt going into this. I truly couldn't have pulled this off without my wife's help this year, so thanks to her are in order. I'm so glad I finally told her about my writing.
Hopefully this keeps the spirit of Halloween alive for those who enjoy it. If you feel like, leave a trick or treat in the comments, I'll enjoy either. Happy Halloween and have a great November everyone.