Their Names Across The Multiverse

It was completely silent in the kitchen, as the only noise was the fighting from outside the other room. Flurry Heart hung her head in shame as she finally told Spark what she had done to Braver all those years ago. She kept her eyes on the kitchen floor, her tears dropping and hitting it. She feared what Spark would do to her after seeing how mad and powerful she could get.

"I-I didn't mean to! I'm sorry! I was upset and mad and wasn't thinking clearly about everything else as I was going through a phase. I'm sorry. Please, don't hate me," begged Flurry.

"It's okay."

Flurry looked up and saw Spark looking at her with a smile. "What?"

"You did the right thing, telling me." Spark looked at the floor and listened to the fighting. "I guess Braver had it rough, too, huh? When she grew up in this Equestria, did she feel like this, too? Thinking she was making things worse by inserting herself into this family?" She looked back at Flurry, who had a confused expression. "Don't worry about it. Maybe we deserved it? Not to be part of this family?"

"Why do you think that?" asked Flurry, tilting her head.

"Well, I've been doing nothing but causing them trouble. So maybe it's right to kick me out? Maybe..."

Flurry suddenly saw the flashes of young Braver crying and looking at her.

"Maybe it is better that I never came here. My mothers deserve better than what I can give them. Somepony who can make them proud and not worry about the problems...I'm just a burden to them..."

"NO, YOU ARE NOT!"

Spark looked at Flurry in surprise. She was standing up, and tears were running down her face. She looked angry—not at Spark but at herself.

"Don't say that...Braver said that too when I hurt her three years ago..."

three years ago

Billion blue and yellow balloons shot into the air, and music could be heard. The whole part of the castle's secondary garden outside became a party for Braver's birthday. This year's theme was based on the Wonderbolts, as Braver wanted her mother and the Wonderbolts to platform a night show. Everyone arrived dressed up as Wonderbolts.

"This is so exciting!" said Cadance, walking out to the garden in a pink and heart-themed Wonderbolt suit. She held a birthday present with her magic. "I can't wait to see everyone else in their outfits."

Shining walked in, wearing a shield theme version of the suit. "I must say, Dash went all the way out for this theme! Oh, even some of the Wonderbolts are doing autographs!" He turned back, waiting for someone to join them, but sighed after a few seconds. "Flurry, come on now. This is your cousin's birthday! Come out of the shadows already."

The two parents watched Flurry enter the bright, sunny garden, but she wasn't dressed up. Instead, she was emo-looking, even with her black mane hiding one of her eyes. Shining sighed at seeing his daughter going through an emo phase.

"Whatever. I don't know why I have to come. She's not even my cousin!" she hissed, walking past her parents and heading for a tree, where she would spend her time reading and ignoring everyone else.

"She'll grow out of this. It's a phase. Just give her time." said Cadance, putting her wing over her husband. "...I hope."

"It's starting," stated Shining, looking up at the sky, where the Wonderbolts and Rainbow Dash were getting ready to introduce the birthday mare.

Flurry sat down and sighed, seeing everyone gathering and looking at the clear blue sky. She took out her book and started to read, but she couldn't focus, as the music was too loud. She looked back and saw some ponies talking to her parents and showing off their outfits. She growled, got up, and headed inside the castle, trying to find somewhere quiet. Soon, the music went off, and the loudspeakers had Sunset's voice.

"Alright, everyone! It's time to welcome the birthday mare!"

Flurry looked up and saw the Wonderbolts soaring by, leaving behind colorful smoke. Soon enough, following them was Dash. Dash zapped across the sky, doing tricks and finally stopping in the middle of the sky, where Fluttershy came up to her and handed her a mic.

"You thought that was something? Then look at her!"

Soon, Braver flew into view for everyone to see. Unlike her mother, Braver wasn't going fast, but she didn't care. She was enjoying her time with Wonderbolts, from current members to former members like Spitfire, joining her side and giving their birthday greetings to her. Braver stopped and looked down at everyone. She saw her friends, creatures she befriended and helped over the years, and she looked back up, flew over, and stopped in front of her mother, who was smiling and proud of her. This was one of the greatest days of her life.

"Mommy!" shouted Braver happily, tackling her mother in mid-air.

Dash couldn't help but smile at her daughter. Braver's happiness made her the happiest mare in Equestria. She was about to speak into her mic, but she could see Braver looking around after letting go. No doubt, she is looking for Twilight. Dash covered the mic with her hoof and touched a crystal in her ear with the feathers of her wing.

"Hey, Sunset, where's Twilight? She was meant to hover down between us right now."

"I'm not sure, but she said she was taking care of something and would meet you two soon," Sunset explained.

Dash sighed. "Oh, Twilight. You better not be lost in your head again." Dash coughed and floated to her daughter. "Hey, sweet pea! Mom is running late, but she'll be here soon!" She could see her daughter's ears flopping down in disappointment. "Hey, don't be like that. How about this? Why don't you open my gift first? Here!" Dash was gone in a flash and returned in ten seconds flat, holding a small gift-wrapped package. "Open it!"

Braver smiled and looked down at her mother's gift. She carefully took off the paper, not wanting to ruin it.

"Hurry up, blockhead!" shouted Cozy, getting annoyed at how long it took, but Luster smacked her side, telling her to shut it.

Braver finally unwrapped the gift, and her eyes were filled with pure joy. In front of her was an official Wonderbolt suit; she lowered it and saw her mother smiling.

"Happy birthday, sweet pea!"

Braver used her slime to get into the suit quickly and hugged her mother. Soon, the party fully started.

"Tsk, lame." coldly said Flurry, looking away and entering the castle, away from the happy party and its music.

She was looking for a good place to read her book, somewhere dark and quiet, but she didn't get far. Walking down the hallway, she could hear Twilight talking to herself in her office. Flurry slowly approached the door and saw her aunty blushing as she held her purple Wonderbolt suit against her chest.

"This is so embarrassing..." whispered Twilight, trying to control her blush. "Why am I getting so worked up? It's just a costume party."

"It's not a costume party. It's a birthday party," corrected Spike, who was in the room with her and putting away the paperwork that Twilight had finished not too long ago. "And you should stop overthinking this and relax. Braver wants to see you."

"I know... I know." sighed Twilight. "I'm just worried."

"Worried about what?" asked Spike, looking at her now.

Twilight sighed and put the suit back into the box.

"Braver wanted a Wonderbolt theme party, but..." she didn't want to tell Spike the truth, as he might laugh at her. "But...isn't she getting too old for costume theme parties?" she lied.

Spike looked at her and rolled his eyes. "Twilight, stop overthinking everything and enjoy your daughter's birthday. Have fun with everyone. You can't stay cooped up in here." He put the last paper away and headed for the door. "I'm not staying here! Pinkie made her Endless Cake for this party! So tasty!" He licked his lips. "I hope no one falls in again like what happened with AJ. She still talks about that weird yellow room she saw."

Flurry hid behind the opened door and watched as Spike headed to the party outside. She peeked inside again and could see Twilight picking up the Wonderbolt suit. Like before, she blushed.

"Aunty?"

Twilight quickly put the suit away and looked to the door, where Flurry stood.

"Oh, hey, Flurry. Sorry, but your aunty is busy. Have fun at the party, and I know Braver wanted to see you again."

"Umm..." said Flurry, looking away and thinking about what she was about to say. "Are you...are you going to wear that?"

"Huh?" replied Twilight, surprised that her niece was asking about that. "What do you mean?"

"Wonderbolt suit. Are you going to wear it?"

Twilight blushed and looked away, not wanting to tell her the truth. But she looked back and noticed that her niece wasn't wearing the themed outfit but looked all...gloomy. That's when she remembered what Cadance told her in the letter.

"So, I heard you going through an emo phase? Well, that's nice, but could you at least wear something that matches the theme, like the Wonderbolt outfit Rarity sent you?"

Flurry walked past her aunt, sat in her office chair, and put the book on the table. "It's not a phase, Aunty! This is who I am now!" she turned the book's page. "And I'm not wearing that silly outfit!"

Twilight watched as her niece got comfortable in her chair and started to read her book. Twilight sighed and walked over to her.

"Flurry, this is Braver's birthday! She wanted a Wonderbolt theme. Please, for her birthday, at least try to have fun."

Flurry looked up from her book and saw Aunty looking at her with a soft and kind smile. She blew her black mane from her eye a bit. "Why should I wear that lame outfit? Even you don't want to wear it, Aunty!"

Twilight sighed, knowing that Flurry was right. She didn't want to wear the outfit.

"See? Why should I wear such a lame outfit?"

"Because we're doing it for Braver!"

"That doesn't change anything, Aunty." Flurry shut her book, annoyed that Aunt was trying to convince her. "I don't want to wear it, and I won't wear it. It's just a stupid Wonderbolt suit."

"Braver loves Wonderbolts," argued Twilight.

"Stop it, Aunty, I'm not wearing a lame outfit! It's embarrassing."

Twilight looked at her niece. She could see Flurry's anger and annoyance and was getting annoyed by how Flurry acted.

"Look, you are right. Wearing this outfit might be lame, and I don't want to wear it too, but it's-"

"Lame?"

"Huh?" Twilight looked to the doorway; her heart sank when she saw her daughter there, looking heartbroken. "B-Braver?"

"Lame? You don't want to wear it, mom?" she asked, tears forming.

"What? No, I didn't mean—"

"She did mean it. Aunty even told Spike how you are acting like a foal, still doing theme parties for your birthday," teased Flurry, putting her book back into her saddlebag.

"W-what?! Flurry!" yelled Twilight, glaring at her niece.

"No, it's okay, mom." Braver smiled sadly. "It's okay. You don't have to lie to me. I can see it."

Twilight watched as her daughter turned and left.

"Braver, wait!" Twilight ran toward the doorway and looked out, seeing Braver disappearing as she turned a corner. "Sweetie!"

Flurry watched as Twilight went after Braver, leaving her alone. After getting it back out from her saddlebag, she opened her book and started reading, but something bothered her. She tried to focus, but no matter what, she felt something was eating away at her. She shut her book and put it in her saddlebag once more. She left the office and went back to the entrance of the garden.

"Huh?" Flurry was surprised to see what was going on. Her aunt nervously smiled, greeting everyone while following Braver, who was ignoring her. She saw Dash also noticing this and flew over to Twilight, asking what was wrong.

"Sweetie, there you are," said Cadance, holding a plate of food. "Have you decided to join after all?"

"No," said Flurry, looking past her.

Cadance sighed at her daughter's antics. "Fine, can you at least say happy birthday to your cousin?" She turned to where Braver was now, which was in the gazebo. "Odd, she looks upset; I wonder why?"

When her mother said that, Flurry started to feel the same feeling as before.

"I need to go."

"Huh?"

Flurry dashed away and towards the gazebo.

"F-Flurry? Oh, I guess she wanted to be with Braver after all!" She picked up a hot grilled corn and was about to eat it when she heard Dash yelling at Twilight. She wasn't the only one who noticed; Twilight's friends did as well. "What's going on?"

Flurry stopped at the gazebo; she breathed in and entered it. "Hello?"

"Huh?" said Braver, turning to her cousin.

"Hey, uh, I wanted to tell you that..." she wanted to say sorry but stopped herself as she saw Braver's face. She went back to her emo ego. "...I'm not going to wear that dumb Wonderbolt suit. If you don't want me here, then I'll leave."

"N-no!" exclaimed Braver. "I want you here!" Braver got closer to her cousin, happy she had come.

It was quiet between them. Flurry didn't know what to say or do, and Braver just looked at her, trying to find the words. It was an awkward silence.

"So, why haven't you returned any of my letters?" Braver asked, breaking the ice.

Flurry didn't want to answer her, so she shrugged.

"Oh..."

Silence again. Flurry didn't want to be here.

"I'm going to go—"

"Can we hang out sometime?"

Flurry looked back at her cousin, and Braver was smiling worryingly.

"W-what?"

"We've grown apart, but I'm glad you're here. I missed you. And, well, I wanted to see if you wanted to spend some time with me." she put her hoof out to her, hoping she would take it.

Flurry thought about her cousin's offer and looked at the hoof. She wanted to take it, but she smacked it away.

"No thanks, and we are not 'grew apart.'"

"Yes, we did," she replied, returning her hoof. "We never spend time with each other. We haven't spoken since—"

"I never saw you as a cousin or part of my family!" Flurry turned away from her and snapped her tail at Braver's nose. "There was no growing apart like you think!"

Braver touched her nose, feeling the sting. "So, I'm not part of your family?"

"Nope, and I have no problem saying it." she eyed her. "You aren't even a pony like me or my family. You have no place in this family at all."

Before Braver could say anything, the two could hear fighting coming from where Braver's parents were. They could see Dash was really mad at Twilight, but their friends were trying to defuse the situation.

"Mommy? Mother?" whispered Braver, wondering why they were fighting.

"It's because of you!"

Braver was surprised by Flurry's sudden answer.

"You are just a burden to my aunt, you know. She's just putting up with you for your birthday. She's only nice to you because she doesn't want to hurt your feelings after taking you in and can't stand you. She probably hates your guts." Flurry had no idea why she was saying all this. Why was she so angry at Braver?

Braver looked down, tears falling from her eyes. "I-Is that true?"

"Why would it not be? She never loved you and—"

Flurry stopped and looked at her cousin, who had tears running down her cheeks. Braver was sobbing...and her body started to turn to slime and melt. Flurry's heart was racing as she remembered why she was angry at Braver.

"Monster! Trying to be a pony when you're not! I hate you, and my aunt does too!"

"No, she doesn't!"

"Yes, she does, and you know it! Why do you think she doesn't want to wear the outfit?! You're just a burden and nothing but a monster! Forcing my aunty to love you!"

Braver started to get mad, her slime body turning black and her eyes turning white. Flurry started to back away, scared.
"Braver?"

"No! She doesn't! She's my mother! She's the nicest and best mother in the world!" Braver unleashed a slime mass at Flurry, pushing her out of the gazebo.

Flurry hit the ground and landed hard on her rump. She got up and glared at Braver, who had her head low, crying. Her slime covered the gazebo and soon spread the whole garden. Everyone quickly took notice and started to back away from it.

Dash and Twilight saw the spreading slime. With her anger gone, Dash was worried and looked back at Twilight, who looked scared.

"Braver! I'm sorry!" yelled Twilight.

Braver's slime started to destroy everything in the garden, making everyone flee to the castle as it got bigger.

"She's going to blow!" yelled Pinkie as she and her family jumped into the endless cake. Soon, a group of hooves popped out and made the cake disappear into the castle.

Everyone, including the staff, hid inside the castle. Twilight and Dash stayed outside. Twilight was going to try to stop her, but Dash grabbed her.

"You did enough, Twi! You are just going to make it even more worse!"

Twilight glared at her. "How dare you!"

Dash and Twilight return to fighting with each other, making Braver hear them fighting once more. This broke her heart so much...without warning, she called back her slime and covered the gazebo with it, closing herself from the world.

The fighting and the shouting ended, and everything was silent. The only sounds were Twilight and Dash pounding on the slime walls and hearing Braver crying.

"Braver!? Sweetie! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings!" shouted Twilight.

"We're not fighting anymore; you don't need to be upset! Please, let us in!" pleaded Dash.

No matter how much they yelled, Braver didn't let them in.

"She won't let us in," said Dash, leaning her forehead on the slime.

Twilight tried to use her teleportation magic to enter it, but she was tossed out immediately. Twilight kept doing it over and over again, but it kept failing.

"Sweetie!" cried Twilight, leaning on the wall of slime, putting her forehead on the wall like Dash did. "Please..."

Twilight's friends and family got closer, while Braver's friends joined them. They were trying to help get through to Braver, but Flurry couldn't understand why. Why did they care for a fake pony—a slime monster trying to be something it wasn't? Her anger grew again, and she just shouted at them.

"Why!? She's just a monster! Why do you all care about her? Why do you keep pretending she's not a monster?"

"Flurry!" shouted Shining, surprised at what his daughter yelled.

"It's the truth, Dad! Ever since I saw that newspaper photo of her when she saved New Ponyville, looking like a slime monster, I was disgusted! I can't believe my aunty took in and raised such a disgusting monster, a fake pony!"

"She's not a fake!" shouted Twilight, glaring at her niece.

"Yes, she is, Aunty! You can't deny it, can you? You have a fake pony daughter, and you know it." she could see her aunt walking toward her. "She doesn't belong in this family! She doesn't deserve the love that you or anyone here gives her! She's a monster and nothing else!"

"Enough, Flurry!"

Flurry looked at her mother and saw her looking mad.

"No, Mom, Aunty needs to hear the truth, and maybe that 'thing' can-"

Slap

Flurry could feel her cheek in pain. Her eyes widened as she couldn't believe what happened as her brain was still processing the pain. Her aunt had slapped her.

"Don't. You. Dare. Call. My. Daughter. A. THING!" screamed Twilight, using her Royal Canterlot voice, her eyes glowing bright purple. "SHE'S MORE OF A PONY THAN YOU ARE, FLURRY! SHE'S MY DAUGHTER, AND I LOVE HER, AND THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE!"

Flurry looked at her aunt and saw her angry expression. She had never seen her aunt be mad or even hit her. She felt so small as she lowered herself to the ground, scared.

"THE THINGS MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN THROUGH! LOSING HER REAL PARENTS! NOT ABLE TO SEE HER TWIN SISTER ANYMORE! LOSING HER HOME!" She lowered her head and became face-to-face with Flurry. "SHE KNOWS SHE'S DIFFERENT! SHE KNEW OTHERS WOULD JUDGE HER ON HER APPEARANCE AND WHAT SHE WAS WHEN THE TRUTH CAME OUT! BUT SHE KEPT MOVING FORWARD! THROUGH ALL THAT PAIN..." Flurry flinched as she saw her aunt dropping to her knees, sobbing and voice being quiet. "She's so brave, like her namesake...I was so happy when I could take her in and love her like a real daughter. Protect her from getting hurt ever again, but to see one of my family members calling her a thing...hurting her feelings like this."

"...a-aunty, I-I..." but Flurry had no words.

"Even more so, coming from you, of all ponies." Twilight looked up, and Flurry could see the betrayed look on her face. "When Braver first met her new family, you welcomed her with open arms. You were her best friend, her cousin." Twilight looked down at the ground. "She loved you so much. She would talk about how you would play games and talk about romance books. I'm surprised that's even a thing you both enjoy."

Twilight just sat there, softly crying. Flurry wanted to say something to her, but she heard her mother's voice, which she rarely heard from her...disappointment.

"You need to apologize, Flurry." Cadance had a cold tone as she walked towards her. "You upset your cousin and called her a monster. Twilight also told me what you did in her office. Now look what you created!" Cadance pulled Flurry by her ear and, using her wing, pointed to everyone gathering and trying to reach out to Braver. "If you are really going to judge someone by their looks or origins, then you're no better than those who hurt other creatures! Look around you; different races are all here! The ones Braver met and helped with her friends over the years! Everyone here cares and loves her! They don't see a monster or a fake pony; they see her as a wonderful creature worth the world. And right now, your cousin needs a lot of support from her loved ones."

Cadance let go of Flurry's ear and sighed. "And you are one of them. Just by looking at that regretful expression on your face..." Cadance could see tears falling from Flurry's eyes, ruining her emo makeup. "Deep down, you know what you said was wrong and not true."

Flurry was now crying, and she knew it. She hated herself for all the pain she had caused her cousin and her aunt, and she didn't know how she was going to fix it. She looked at the slimed cover gazebo and knew what to do. She looked back at her aunt, seeing Dash trying to comfort her.

"I'll bring her back."

Everyone turned and watched Flurry teleport into the gazebo, only to be tossed right back out. She quickly stood and tried again. Over and over again, she kept being tossed out, but she kept at it, and the wet slime washed off her makeup and mane dye, making her look normal again.

"BRAVER!" shouted Flurry, using all her magical energy, becoming a bright, very light yellow orb of aura. "COUSIN! I'M NOT BACKING DOWN! PLEASE, LET ME IN!"

Flurry teleported in with the last of her energy, and finally, the slime stopped. Flurry was now inside the gazebo and saw Braver was crying. Braver looked up at her.

"Maybe it is better that I never came here. My mothers deserve better than what I can give them. Somepony who can make them proud and not worry about the problems...I'm just a burden to them..."

"NO, YOU ARE NOT!"

Flurry rushed up to her and hugged her.

"I'm so sorry for saying all those awful things to you, cousin. It was wrong, and I shouldn't have said any of it."

Braver pushed her away.

"Why would I believe you?"

"Because it's true. I am sorry. I never meant to hurt your feelings. I love you, and you are my family!"

Braver wasn't sure Flurry's words had any weight, so she changed into her real form, a slime creature with a pony shape.

"Even when I look like this? I'm not even a pony," said Braver, sounding like she was speaking through an old radio

Flurry smiled and hugged her. "You don't need to be a pony. We may have our differences, but you're still a wonderful cousin."

"What about—"

"My mom was right; I'm judging you based on looks and where you came from, not who you are! Family!" She held Braver tighter. "It shouldn't matter if you aren't blood-related to us and were taken in by my aunt! Family is the family you make by loving them!" She pulled back and smiled at her cousin. "You're my cousin, and that will never change. Please forgive me."
Without warning, Braver grabbed her and hugged her with all her might.

"I do! Cousin!"

Flury smiled, but her expression became painful as her face changed to purple. "Braver! TOO TIGHT!"

"Oh, sorry!"

Flurry could breathe again and rubbed her back. The two looked at each other and laughed, laughing as the slime walls started to melt away and back into Braver's body.

"I was such an idiot back then when I was going through that stupid phase." She looked back up at Spark but couldn't look her in the eyes, not after telling her what she had done to Braver. "Family isn't meant to hurt one another. We are meant to be there for each other."

Spark looked at the floor, thinking what Flurry had said and what even Dash's parents had said to her.

"Families always stick together and protect each other. Family aren't meant to hurt one another. We are meant to be there for each other." She looked back at Flurry, stood from her chair, and walked over to her. Spark could see her flinching when she stood before. "Flurry..."

Flurry closed her eyes hard, fearing Spark would hurt her, and she deserved it. But what she felt wasn't pain but a warm hug...

"H-Huh?"

"It's like you and what my mom's parents said to me. We aren't meant to hurt each other! We are meant to love and be there for one another!" Spark's eyes were filling with tears. "You might have hurt my sister, but she forgave you, so I forgive you, too. I want to start things right between you and the rest of the family! I want to know you better and even have the honor of having you call me cousin!"

Flurry couldn't believe it, but she knew it was real. She was crying, and she couldn't help but cry and hug her new cousin.

"Thank you, Spar-cousin!" she corrected herself, happily crying.

The two pulled back, smiling and crying at each other. They let go, and Spark stood up and turned to the doorway. She could still hear the fighting from before, but it was less loud. She knew she needed to step in and fix what was happening, and no doubt was related to her somehow. But before she could do it, she turned to Flurry, asking her a question.

"Wait, Braver reads romantic novels?" She was surprised when Flurry told her that. Spark never liked that kind of boring book, but Braver did. "I thought she was clueless on love until a week ago?"

Flurry laughed at that. "Well, she never read the novels for the love stuff. Only about the love interest being a great pony and helping those around them and their dearest love!"

Spark shook her head in amusement, knowing that was such a Braver thing to do. But another question filled her mind.

"Why didn't mom, Twilight, want to wear that Wonderbolt suit?"

Flurry blushed red as she awkwardly smiled. "...well."

After patching up with Braver and being grounded for the month, Flurry steps back into the garden. Seeing the birthday party is back on track. It was nighttime, and before gift opening could start, there was the happy birthday song before Braver could blow out the candles on the cake. She flew and sang along to everyone as Braver stood above the giant cake. Dash was at her side, but Twilight was nowhere to be seen. As the song ended, Braver was about to blow out the candles when the candles floated away.

"Huh?" said everyone, watching the candles floating to the sky and stopping near someone.

Braver eyes went wide with joy as she saw her mother hovering there, wearing her theme Wonderbolt suit. Braver flew off with Dash behind her.

"Mom!" shouted Braver, hugging her.

"Sorry, I'm late, sweetie."

Braver shook her head. "Nah, you're fine."

Twilight kissed her daughter on the cheek, and Dash arrived. Soon, both started to sing Happy Birthday to her while sky dancing around her.

Everyone down below watched in awe, happy to see Twilight singing Happy Birthday and Braver enjoying her time with her mothers. As the song ended, all three returned to the cake with the candles back in place. Braver blew them out. She cut herself a piece and flew up above everyone.

"EVERYONE! GET YOUR SLICES!" shouted Braver.

"EVERY CREATURE FOR THEMSELVES!" shouted Pinkie, running to the cake. Soon, everyone followed.

Flurry couldn't help but chuckle and was glad everything was returning to normal. But before she could fly to get a slice of cake, Twilight, and Dash landed near her and heard Dash asking Twilight a question.

"Come on, Twi. Tell me why you didn't want to wear that Wonderbolt suit. I highly doubt what you said was true anyway. Besides, It looks good on ya!"

"Dash, I don't want to talk about it, okay?" Twilight said in her authoritative voice.

But that didn't stop Dash. "Come on, Twi! I'm not going to stop bugging you about it!" she teased as she grabbed a drink from a passing maid who was handing out drinks.

Twilight sighed, knowing Dash would bother her nonstop about it. "Fine...just..." her cheeks went red. "Just don't laugh..."

"Okay."

Twilight gulped and turned her back towards Dash.

"It makes my rear look big...no?"

Dash spit her drink out and started to cough. Dash looked and quickly went red.

Twilight even went red in the face as she got her answer from Dash, whose wings stood up. She quickly faced Dash and coughed.

"See! This is why I didn't wear it! Now you know and-"

"...makes your butt look huge..."

Twilight froze, not believing what she heard. "What?"

Dash, still blushing red, rubbed the back of her neck.

"I mean, uh, I don't mind, Twilight. Your butt looks fine, but with that uniform, it looks...it brings out your figure..."

The two became quiet, both blushing like shy little fillies.

"...w-well, uh, um..." Twilight couldn't say anything.

Meanwhile, Flurry couldn't stop giggling when she heard all that.

Spark laughed at what she heard.

"Mom was worried about the suit making her butt look big. That's why she was so nervous about wearing it!? Oh my gosh!" She was laughing more.

Flurry chuckled, feeling good.

Flurry stopped and looked at Spark's hybrid form. She knew Spark came from another universe, where Spark's parents were a version of her aunty and Dash. "Even if you aren't related by blood in this universe, you carry my aunty genes."

Spark turned, confused, as she didn't understand what she meant.

Flurry slowly glared at Spark's huge chest, laughing a bit. "Just more top heavy than bottom heavy!"

Spark was even more confused. She didn't understand that, but she felt...happy? She had been given a compliment...about having Twilight's features.

"Thanks?"

Spark looked back at the doorway and breathed in and out. She was ready to fix the problem with her new family.

In Luster's dark bedroom, Twilah lay still sleeping, havingn't woken up yet. Even though she slept, she still looked like she was suffering, as her sweating forehead and heavy breathing were evident.

Twilah's body started to twitch. Her face scrunched up, and her breathing quickened. She was having a nightmare as well.

Dashie was still asleep in the chair at Twilah's side. She hugged the blanket and moved a bit. The small robotic dragon sat on the dresser, S.P.I.K.E. was in sleep mode.

Soon, a bright flash of light quickly disappeared as a young girl stood by Twilah's bed.

Her outfit was a runner's outfit with a purple jacket. Her long hair was a slightly mandy pink with hints of yellow. She took out a small bottle of purple liquid and looked at it. She slowly clutched it hard as she looked back at Twilah.

"If you save her, then things won't go your way. You will only cause pain."

The girl looked behind her and saw a cloaked purple figure standing there. Reading a book, not even looking at her.

"You need to accept what happened."

The girl growled and looked back at the bed, seeing Twilah still breathing and not waking up.

"I'll tell you this. If you undo her fate, you are dooming the one you love." The figure shut her book loudly. "To never exist."

The girl looked back and saw the cloaked figure gone, and the room was now dark. Once again, she looked at the bottle, back at Twilah, and then over to Dashie. The young girl looked so sad, like she wanted to call out to them, wanted them to notice her, but she couldn't. She felt alone and lost, not knowing what to do.

"Damn it...it's not fair..."

The girl put away the bottle and hung her head in sadness, only to turn around as a bright light appeared. She heard a voice from it.

Twilah started to hear something like two people talking and speaking.

"Dashie?"

She weakly opened her eyes and saw no there.

"H-Huh? Twilah!?" answered Dashie, waking up and fully. "What's wrong!? Are you in pain!? I'll get-"

Twilah weakly grabbed the lover's arm, stopping her from leaving.

"Dashie, why are you here?" asked Twilah.

Dashie blinked and was confused by that question. "Um...what?"

"You should be with Spark, helping her...helping her with her issues." Twilah let go, as her strength was leaving her again. "She's our family! She's our daughter, like Blitz. She needs to know that. Know that there is always room for her...she always has a home with us."

Dashie just watched, listening to Twilah's words. She was right; she should be out there, helping Spark. She was their family, and she should be there for her. Dashie wanted to be by Twilah's side when she was like this, but what she was doing wasn't helping anyone right now.

"Right!"

Dashie softly grabbed Twilah's hand and kissed it.

"I'll be going then...just be here when I return!"

Twilah smiled at her.

"I can't never outrun you, silly..."

Dashie sadly chuckled at that and kissed her. She turned and headed towards the door and stopped. She could hear fighting coming downstairs. Wondering what was happening, she hurried out of the room and closed the door.

Twilah's eyes felt heavy once more, and she slowly fell asleep. But she could see a bright purple bubble revealing itself as the sleep took her once more.

Standing alongside the young girl was a human hybrid purple unicorn wearing a familiar jacket. They were holding hands, but the young mare turned to the girl.

"...we need to go. Everyone is waiting for us."

"..."

The girl let go, took a few steps, and looked at Twilah. It was only a minute, but the young mare sighed, as she didn't like this one bit. She was going to say something, but the girl spoke.

"...this is the second time."

The young mare knew what she meant by that.

"I understand how you are feeling." The mare looked to the door, hearing everyone downstairs, hearing 'her' voice. "Believe me, I want to change it, too. But we can't..."

"...but...but it isn't fair..." said the girl.

"No...it isn't." agreed the mare.

The young mare looked to the doorway and looked back at the girl.

"...come on, everyone is waiting."

The girl wiped her eyes and turned around, following the mare through the prism-glitching portal and leaving the room silently.

End Of Chapter 18