Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer and Twilight Sparkle all decide to have a friendly magic duel. It sounds innocent but when a spell goes horribly wrong the three find themselves in the other's hooves, literally. While trying to find a counterspell they have to deal with their new bodies, and learn a little bit about themselves along the way. What was going to be a day of fun competition soon turned into a mess of self discovery and revelations. Though as they say, what does not kill you can only make you stronger. Although no one said it was easy.

Slight shipping involved towards the end. Hence the romance tag.

Enjoy

The spell was lifted, her friends had been sent home, and her student had learned her lesson. 

In theory, everything should be fine. At least, that’s what Twilight kept telling herself. The Fiducia Compelus episode was nothing more than a mistake, and once apologies were handed out tomorrow, everypony would be able to put it behind them. Everything was absolutely fine. 

Why, then, were there sobs coming from Starlight’s room?

Featured: 04/26/2024 - 04/29/2024
Behind-the-page: Relapse
Proofread and edited by: JinxJTL

It was supposed to be a simple lesson in consent.

After Twilight discovers that Starlight Glimmer placed their friends under mind control magic, she proposes some turnabout to demonstrate the importance of consent. Instead it reveals one of Starlight's deepest secrets.

Now Twilight must decide if she's willing to take things further to help her friend, even if it takes her far out of her own experience.

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

Twilight keeps Starlight very close, until she is sure she can trust her former enemy. Within backstabbing range, specifically.