“Ugh… wha?” Flash woke up in a bed “Did I fall asleep playing Guitar Hero again?” Flash rubbed his head and stretched his wings… wings…. Wings? WINGS?! When did he get-

“Glad you're awake sleepy guy!” Twinkle said and Flash turned to see a purplish-pink humanoid pony… most people would be more surprised but he’s seen enough pony unusualness to maintain his cool.

“Twinkle… so this… I’m in the pony world?” Flash said.

“Yeppers, you accidentally fell in here when Scootaloo tripped, but now that you're awake we can talk, I remember you wanted to talk about something,” Twinkle said.

“Um… yeah… can I just have a moment to get used to this, I’ve been a human my whole life and humans don’t generally have wings,” Flash said reaching up and grabbing the unusual appendage.

“Understandable, give me a call when you want to talk,” Twinkle said before walking out.

After a few moments, Flash gave a long sigh.

“I wanted to come here and clear the air with her… but not this way, i guess them turning into humans coming to my world it makes sense it works in reverse,” Flash stood up… only to wobble and fall back onto the bed.

“Right… I got hooves now,” Flash said before getting up and trying to balance on his new hooves, he eventually found that extending his wings a little, after getting used to extending them, helped him balance a little better and soon he was taking wobbly steps around the room.

“She makes this look so easy,” Flash commented before he heard a snicker and turned to see a figure sitting atop a bookcase.

“Your like a foal taking its first steps,” Twinkle chuckled.

“How long have you been there?” Flash said.

“I never left, I climbed up here and went invisible,” She said.

“But I saw you leave the… never mind,” Flash said remembering she’s half Pinkie… that’s actually what he wanted to talk to her about.

“Um, Twinkle, can I ask you something?” Flash said turning around carefully.

“Sure!” Twinkle teleported right up to him surprising Flash a little.

“Ah… well,” Flash began “I just want to know…” Flash hesitated knowing that asking if there truly is no way to diffuse her back into Twilight and Pinkie would upset her… so in a moment of hesitance he said something else “Iiiif there’s a place to eat here… I’m a little hungry after crossing a dimensional rift,” Flash mentally facepalmed.

“Sure there is,” Twinkle's face brightened up before grabbing his hand and dragging him out of the room.

“I’ll work up to it eventually,” Flash said internally.

Twinkle dragged Flash out of the castle and he managed to regain his footing.

“Where are we going?” Flash asked.

“To Sugarcube Corner,” Twinkle said as she skipped.

“Sugarcube Corner? You have one here too?” Flash asked to make conversation.

“Yeppers!” Twinkle dragged Flash to the building.

“Seems different here,” Flash said.

“Different yet tasty as ever!” Twinkle giggled and she walked to the door, Flash tried to follow but he was still wobbly on his hooves.

“Oh yeah, here watch me,” Twinkle said before showing him how to properly walk a slow stride.

“I will admit walking as a pony is very different then walking as a human,” Flash said following her walking pattern and he seemed to quickly get the hang of it.

“I can remember Twilight’s times in the human world, just step while balancing on the flat part of the hoof instead of leaning forward with every step,” Twinkle said not caring that others are watching a mare teach a grown stallion how to walk.

Flash seemed a little more sheepish and he quickly tried to get it right, Twinkle could sense this.

“Don’t worry about them, roll with the punches,” Twinkle giggled.

Flash found himself blushing a little when she giggled and he managed to walk up to her.

“See you got it!” Twinkle said cheerfully.

“Yeah, I think I’m getting used to it,” Flash said with a smile.

“Alright, come on in, careful, the tiles are a tad slippery,” Twinkle said as she trotted into Sugarcube Corner and Flash followed… only to slip on the tiles.

“Ow!” Flash grunted.

Twinkle giggled again “Told ya, here, take my hand,” She said reaching for him.

Flash blushed more in embarrassment this time and he took her hand as she helped him up and she helped him to a table.

“Brb!” Twinkle said before skipping away.

“Heh, yeah, okay,” Flash said, sighing when he was sure she was out of hearing range.

“Remember why you came here Flash, you want to talk to her about the future of us…” Flash said to himself.

“Why not accept her as is?” Discord asked.

“Because I don’t know this pony, I know Princess Twilight- huh?” Flash looked up and saw Discord.

“....Uuuh…hi?” Flash said not expecting such a bizarre creature to pop up out of nowhere.

“Oh don’t pretend you don’t know me, you saw my pictures right?” Discord chuckled.

“Not really, just pictures of everything else,” Flash said managing to calm himself.

“Hmm… odd, well what might a human be doing in Equestria that is not canonically supposed to be here?” Discord asked.

“I… fell in on accident,” Flash said.

“Hah! That’s funny, so are you and the resident alicorn on a date or something?” Discord asked.

“I wouldn’t really call it a date, I came here to-”

“Discuss your future with her, I heard, and I beg the question, what do you see your future with her being?” Discord asked.

“...I want to cut things off…” Flash whispered.

“Why on Equus or your planet would you do that?” Discord asked.

“I…I avoided it because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but the longer I stick around the more she’ll miss me, and I’ll miss Twilight, I think it best I end things before they get too complicated between us, and she can move on,” Flash sighed.

“Oh dear, how foolish can you get?” Discord asked.

“Huh?” Flash responded.

“You're going to leave her because she’s no longer a hundred percent the sweet bookworm you knew? Because she’s got Pinkie Pie laced humor now? Your drawing assumptions on how she feels, tell me, do you know what happened between her and her brother?” Discord asked.

“No,” Flash said.

“He rejected her, flat out, basically told her he wants nothing to do with a pony who is only half Twilight, tell me will she be more hurt yearning for a pony who could visit occasionally and keep her company or when another pony she admires turns his back on her? Do tell?” Discord said.

“...” Flash was stunned to hear Shining would reject her like that, he immediately felt guilty he was about to do it to her as well.

“Give this new Twilight a chance,” Discord said.

“...Ok…” Flash nodded “Why are you here anyway?” Flash asked.

“I was out of the story for awhile so I decided to drop in, also I was retrieving a brownie platter for Sweetie Belle at Charity’s request, to celebrate Sweetie becoming and alicorn,” Discord shrugged.

“Gotcha,” Flash said scratching his head.

“Anywhoo toodles, I got to get some brownies, remember what I said,” Discord said before walking away.

“See ya…” Flash said before going back to his thoughts.

Twinkle came back a few minutes later with a milkshake with two straws.

“Sorry I’m late! The twins woke up again and Cheese was slammed cleaning a mysterious stove fire, btw if you wanted to order a carrot cake it may be a tad overcooked,” Twinkle said bouncing into her seat.

“I think I can guess what happened…” Flash thought.

“So! Anything interesting happening with you?” Twinkle asked.

“I turned into a pony,” Flash answered.

“Hahaha! It’s funny because it’s true,” Twinkle giggled taking a sip of her milkshake.

Flash also drank some and decided to ask Twinkle the same thing “You?”

“Well, we discovered an evil former student of Celestia’s is back and is fusing ponies into stronger ponies and is causing havoc in Equestria and it is up to me and my friends to stop him,” Twinkle said.

“...Is that all?” Flash said honestly blown away by what was on her plate “Do we really have time to be lounging around then?” Flash asked.

“Oh don’t worry, the princesses are looking into it!” Twinkle waved him off “And the best part is we got three new alicorns with untapped potential being trained by Luna as we speak!” Twinkle cheered.

Luna ducked a magical bolt that exploded a lamp.

“No no no! You must focus or else the magic will misfire!” Luna said at the end of her rope.

“Sorry…” Apple Bloom said.

“Easy Luna, two of us weren’t magic users before this,” Scootaloo said.

“Yeah, no need to shout,” Sweetie said.

“Back in my day this is how we did it,” Luna said before magically conjuring three more targets “Now aim and fire,” Luna instructed.

“Ok…” The three sighed.

“She’s worse than Mrs Cheerilee on a bad day,” Sweetie whispered.

“Tell me about it,” Scootaloo said as Luna went on with her lecture.

“I’m sure they're having a blast!” Twinkle cheered.

“Nothing really gets your goat does it?” Flash asked as he had some more of the milkshake.

“Not really, when I was Twilight I was such a worry wart, but now, I’m carefree!” Twinkle giggled.

“Heh, I guess so,” Flash chuckled as well “So what else did you gain from the fusion?” Flash asked.

“Stronger magic, Twinkle sense, smarts in more categories, a hunger for waffles, and this!” Twinkle plonked the straw into her mouth and blew so hard that the milkshake flew out of the parfait and landed in her mouth.

“Whoa!” Flash exclaimed.

“Wait till you see this!” Twinkle said before magically flipping the parfait and it landed without breaking.

“Tada!” Twinkle said.

“Wow, that was cool,” Flash complimented.

“Thanks! Now that we’ve eaten let’s fly this coop!” Twinkle said getting up.

“Where are we going? Flash asked.

“Flying silly,”

“What?...” Flash asked.

“Well, I’m an alicorn you're a pegasus, let’s do some flying! I bet you’ve always wanted to,” Twinkle said before teleporting them both outside.

“Whoa!” Flash fell over because he was still in a sitting position.

“Now let’s start testing your wings!” Twinkle said putting an army cap on.

“Uh, Twinkle this is a little sudden, I don’t even know how to operate these,” Flash said getting up.

“No prob, you’ll learn in due time, follow me,” Twinkle said and she skipped away.

Flash sighed “She’s random that’s for sure,” Flash said following her.

Luna sighed as they hit everything… except the targets… she looked out at the burnt land around the targets.

“You must-”

“Focus, we get it, come on, Pone Hedge wasn’t made in a day,” Scootaloo said.

“I am saying that you-” Luna was cut off again as a familiar voice called out to her.

“HIIIII!” Twinkle called.

“Hmm?” They all turned to see Twinkle and Flash approaching.

“Hi Twinkle!” The three fillies called as they ran over to her.

“Perhaps you can take over? I am struggling to convey the instructions as we have not had to teach any new alicorns in so long,” Luna said.

“I’m actually bringing Flash out here to teach him to fly,” Twilight said.

“Can humans not fly where he comes from?” Luna asked.

“No,” Flash responded.

“What an unfortunate thing to hear,” Luna said but before she could continue a soldier approached her.

“Princess, I have an urgent summons,” The guard said.

“Hmm? Urgent?” Luna turned and took the note and saw the writing before her eyes widened and she turned back towards the group.

“This conversation shall continue later, it seems that Shining Armor has found some intel on the situation,” Luna said.

“On what?” Twinkle asked.

“No time, I must leave, take care everypony,” Luna said before walking away.

“Shiny…” Twinkle said as her mane deflated a little.

Remembering what Discord said Flash put his hand on her shoulder.

“Let’s focus on flying,” Flash said to cheer her up.

“Alright,” Twinkle sniffed a little before refocusing on Flash.

“Alright! Let’s get flappin!” Twinkle cheered.

Luna made it to her carriage and got in.

“To the Crystal Empire, and make haste,” Luna said.

“Right away princess,” The guard saluted before closing the door and going to hook himself up.

“This better not be about Twinkle Shining,” Luna said.

The carriage took off and headed… for the south?

“Hmm?” Luna looked out the window and saw they were going in the wrong direction.

“Guards! Where are you going? The Crystal Empire is that way!” Luna called through the window.

“Oh they know, but more importantly, is what you know,” a familiar voice said.

“HUH?!” Luna spun to see the flash of a light.

“And pump it! Really flap those wings!” Twinkle said encouraging Flash who panted as he pumped his new wings, it took him awhile to learn how to properly move them but soon he was flapping them like they were a third and fourth arm… which they kinda were.

“Faster!” Twinkle called.

“I’m trying!” Flash said as he managed to float off the ground a little.

“That’s right! Yer getting it!” AB cheered.

“Try to keep your wings balanced it’s easy to pull something when your not careful!” Scootaloo called.

“Ok!” Flash said and soon he was in the air high enough to see over the rooftops.

“I-I’m doing it!” Flash said sounding amazed.

“Wow! So much quicker than me! Which is a good thing!” Twinkle said flying up to him.

“Yeah, it’s not so hard when you get used to it, this is great!” Flash laughed as he flew higher, Twinkle used her magic to pull him down a little.

“Don’t go too high, your not ready yet, trust me,” Twinkle said.

“Alright, I’m getting a little dizzy from how high up I am right now anyways,” Flash said managing to keep his balance.

“Now follow me,” Twinkle said.

“How do I-”

“I’ll guide you until you get the hang of it,” Twinkle said using her magic to keep him aloft.

“Ok, thanks,” Flash said.

“Bye girls! Go to Charities for a surprise brownie party! You earned it!” Twinkle called before flying off with Flash.

“...Which house!? She has two!” Scootaloo called but they were too far away to hear.

“I guess… we pick one, probably at the cottage,” Sweetie shrugged.

“Onwards then! To brownies!” Apple Bloom called and the three ran off in that direction.

“Whoo hoo!” Flash said as he flew through the sky after Twinkle, little did he know she had relaxed her magical grip awhile ago, he was starting to get used to flying on his own.

“That’s the colt I fell for,” Twinkle chuckled, and she knowingly steered towards a lakeside.

“Um, Twinkle? Why are we heading towards that lake?” Flash asked.

“Surprise!” Twinkle landed and so did Flash and she pointed to a picnic with Cheese sitting there.

“What the? When did you have time to set this up?” Flash asked.

“Back at Sugarcube Corner, me and Cheesie had the idea,” Twinkle said.

“So the stove catching fire was made up?” Flash asked.

“No, we did this first then took care of that,” Twinkle said.

“...Gotcha,” Flash said.

“Hey guys!” Cheese Sandwich waved them over “Got the sparkling water!” Cheese Sandwich said pointing to the bottle in hand.

“Alright! Let’s go!” Twinkle said extending a hand and Flash saw her standing in front of the shimmering lakeside and honestly felt a blush as he took her hand and she guided him to the blanket.

As they sat they looked at eachother and just decided for now to let the moment sink in.

“So… Cheesie here knows about you already, because of the connected sense, but I don’t know if you know Cheesie here,” Twinkle finally said as she took a sip of the sparkling water.

“I don’t know this version,” Flash said.

“Well, then let’s make it official, hi I am Cheese Sandwich, Twinkles first coltfriend,” Cheese Sandwich extended a hand.

“...Coltfriend…Boyfriend, wait are you saying you two are already-” Flash looked surprised but Twinkle put a hand on his shoulder.

“He is my friend who is more than a friend, but I gathered you two here to discuss that,” Twinkle said.

“...So you already have someone…” Flash admittedly felt disappointed but Cheese just lightly punched his arm.

“Yeah, you,” Cheese said.

“What?” Flash said.

“And me!” Cheese added.

“You're not implying-”

“Allow me to explain, Pinkie liked me, Twilight liked you, and now that they are one, we can share, I’m fine with sharing, question is, are you?” Cheese said.

“Your suggesting Polygamny? I…” Flash seemed a little hesitant.

Twinkle seemed a little disappointed he was uncomfortable about the idea, but she acknowledged it was his call.

“Your free to do as you please Flashy, but I was thinking… maybe we could find a way to make it work? I’m not asking you to abandon your human life to live here with me, but, my heart yearns for you just like it yearns for Cheesie here, I can’t help it, so I ask that at least… visit sometime and we could, hang out?” Twinkle suggested trying to find a common ground.

“...I deeply appreciate it Twinkle, really I do, but like you said I can’t leave my life back on earth behind to be a second boyfriend, I care about you, alot, but… I can’t,” Flash sadly said.

Twinkle teared up a little but she nodded understandingly “I understand, it’s actually better we get this out in the open, leaves less yearning in the end,” Twinkle said.

“You… could hook up with the Flash of this world, right? That way you can have what you want with no consequences,” Flash suggested.

“He’s not you though, I’ve met him, as Twilight, he doesn’t play guitar, he’s busy being a Crystal Empire guard and he’s… not you…” Twinkle sobbed and Cheese Sandwich patted her on the back.

“...I appreciate it, but would you be able to handle a long-distance relationship, dimensions wide,” Flash asked.

“No…” Twinkle said.

Flash tried to think of a way but couldn’t, so he gave Twinkle a hug.

“I’m sorry,” Flash said.

“It’s alright, can I at least visit you sometimes?” Twinkle offered.

“Sure,” Flash said.

“C-can I ask something else too?” Twinkle said looking up at him.

“Yeah?” Flash said.

“Before you leave, can I ask you to take me on a-”

“PRINCESS!” A voice called and the three turned to see a guard stumbling towards them.

“Huh?” Cheese said.

“A royal guard? What’s going on?” Twinkle got up and walked over to him “Calm yourself, what’s going on?” Twinkle asked.

The guard seemed out of breath and he tried to explain “Princess Luna… she’s been….” He wheezed.

“Calm down, what’s happening? Luna went to attend an important errand right?” Twinkle asked.

“She’s been kidnapped!” The guard said seriously.

“What?!” Twinkle exclaimed, “How do you know this?” Twinkle said.

“I was going to go grab a snack for the road, but when I came back I saw the carriage taking off and I saw a flash of light, I heard Luna scream,” The guard said.

“We gotta get Spike! He can inform Celestia!” Twinkle said before turning to the other two stallions.

“Cheesie, get Flash back to the mirror, something bad could happen,” Twinkle said before teleporting.

“Got it!” Cheese said folding the picnic up in three seconds and grabbing Flash “Let’s get you home,” Cheese said.

“What’s happening?” Flash asked.

“Whatever it is, Twinkle can handle it, come on!” Cheese said and the rest of the group ran off to the castle.

In the snowy mountains

Dusk approached a cave with several other ponies.

“Sir, what are we going to do once we get there again?” The brown and green pegasus asked.

“We’ll have our key to the second greatest weapon the Box of Celtus has, the means to advance our plans well ahead of schedule, all we needed was an alicorn, and now we have one,” Dusk said glancing back at a certain blue and black alicorn, walking in a daze.

“Alright, Luna, go fetch the Keystone,” Dusk said as they arrived at the cave.

“N…no… I…” Luna seemed to be slowly snapping out of it but Dusk flashed her again with the Lantern of Subjugation.

“Alicorns are surprisingly resilient to the lantern's effects, but hopefully this will keep her going under my control,” Dusk said.

“...Fetch…” Luna said before she walked up to the cave and put her hand on the barrier, she used her magic to bore a hole through it and she walked in and a few minutes later she walked out with a runic stone and handed it to Dusk.

“Yes, now to move forward,” Dusk said opening the Box of Celtus and dropping the stone in, it glowed and a pearl the size of a baseball levitated out.

“Finally… it’s mine, and with it, the manuscripts will be mine as well,” Dusk Heart said before lighting his horn and the pearl floated and glowed.

“I wish to have the Manuscripts of Celtus,” Dusk said and the Pearl suddenly gained a five on it before the five turned into a four before it dimmed and the box shuddered.

Dusk reached in and pulled out old-looking papers with strange writing on them.

“Their mine, at long last, The Wishing Pearl and The Manuscripts of Celtus, with these two objects, Equestria will have only two choices, submit to a new age of prosperity by my hand, or rebuild from the ashes,” Dusk laughed.

The ponies around Dusk cheered and chanted Dusk's name…

…But a tear fell from Luna’s eye.

Author's Note

Don't count Flash out yet, we got a good romance chapter and some super important plot points.

What is the Manuscript of Celtus, and why is Luna so afraid?

Things are picking up the pace, hope you all enjoy it!