//------------------------------// // Solaris's Help // Story: Universe 63 // by CarmenColor //------------------------------// Solaris re-entered his chambers a few minutes later, a large volume held in his magical grasp. Twilight and Dusk watched him pace as he read a few pages. He looked up from his book and closed it. "Twilight, my little pony. How do you feel?" She smiled at him. "Better, thank you." She eyed the closed book suspiciously. "What's that?" Solaris levitated the thick object over to Twilight, where she grabbed it with her hooves, too wary of magical exhaustion to try levitation herself. "'Magical Maladies and Magical Mingling'. What's this for?" "Dear Twilight, is it not true that you were under the influence of allergies when you arrived in our universe?" The confused unicorn nodded. "So it is also true that you were under the same influence when I tapped your magic?" She nodded again. "But, Prince Solaris, I don't get it." The prince smiled at her and nodded. "I know, Twilight. Not many ponies know the consequences of a tap other than restricted magic, and, for most unicorns, it is not a problem. You, however, are not most unicorns, Twilight Sparkle. I believe I, as well as my gender reversed duplicate from your universe, should have taught you both this earlier. We should've been more careful, but I'm sure we both figured that you would never be tapped at all, except during lessons, and if you were, surely the circumstances would not be this." The solar prince looked at the ground. "I am so sorry I did this to you, my little pony." "Please, Solaris, you do not have to apologize. It was a mistake." Twilight opened the book and flipped through the pages. "But...what are the consequences of the magic tap?" Solaris used his magic to flip the book to the proper page. Twilight read aloud, "'The magical tap can reek havoc on the magical pool of the unicorn being tapped if that pony is weakened, hurt, or inflicted with any sort of illness or allergy, causing dizziness, nausea, and other symptoms similar to the flu whenever he or she uses large amounts of magic. At first even simple spells can cause symptoms, but after the first day of lifting the tap, the unicorn can usually do simple spells. The more powerful the unicorn, the longer this illness will persist before the unicorn can use their full magic again.' Oh, no. How long could this go on?" She scanned the rest of the page. "'The longest ever account of a magic tapping sickness was one month, by Starspiral the Knowledgable, as a test of the magical relapse.'" She blinked in confusion. "Who is Starspiral the Knowledgable?" Dusk jumped up, surprised at Twilight. "Starspiral the Knowledgable is my idol! She's one of the greatest unicorn's in history. Here, I have a picture." He held out a piece of paper to her. The pony looked rather familiar. "Oh, whoa! She's your version of Starswirl the Bearded!" The realization of who that test had been testing struck her. "Oh, sweet Celestia... A month!? Is that how long I'm going to be like this?" Solaris looked at the ceiling, slightly awkwardly. "Well, no. Your abilities and Starspiral's are not evenly matched. Her magic pales in comparison to yours and Dusk's... I would expect your illness to last at least three times that long." "THREE MONTHS??" Solaris winced at Twilight's outburst and nodded. She jumped off of the bed. "There isn't anything you can do?" "I'm sorry, my young Twilight, but I am powerless in this matter. Perhaps you should just find a place to stay for the time being. I could allow you to be my student for the time being, if you wish, and you may stay with Dusk in Ponyville. You can explain to his friends about who you are and what has happened. Now, I must go address the guards. Please show yourselves out, my students." The two purple unicorns trotted out the door and out of the castle. "Three months, ugh! This is going to be forever..." Twilight mumbled. As they came to the ring of guards, they were surrounded. "Dusk Shine, who is this? Where is your other guest?" Oh, no. They had forgotten to put Twilight's disguise up again, and now they were surrounded by some very angry guards. "Why does this pony look so much like you?" "Guards! What are you doing to my little brother?" Twilight's eyes widened as the captain of the Royal Guard approached them. The ponies hair was long with stripes of light and dark blues in it. It looked just like her brother, except she was a mare. "Shimmer Shield!" Dusk breathed, relieved. Twilight stared at the pony in awe. She had always wanted a sister to talk to. Not that she didn't love Shining Armor, but he didn't always understand. "Big sister! It's been so long!" The guards dispersed to let her in. "Too long. Don't worry guys, I'll handle them." She led the two lavendar unicorns away from the guards. "So who's the girl, little brother?" Dusk glanced at Twilight. "She's...uh..." "I'm him," Twilight spoke up, "I am the gender switched version of your brother. My name is Twilight Sparkle." Shimmer Shield stared at her, confused. "I'm from an alternate universe where everypony is the opposite gender. I have a brother named Shining Armor." "But how?" They sat down on the grass, and Twilight explained the situation. "...and now my search for a way back has been slowed considersbly because I can't perform my spell anymore," she finished. "Wow, well... Dusk, keep an eye on her, and Twilight, when you do find a way back, don't forget to visit if you can." She stood. "I'd love to chat more, but I need to get back to my shift." They said their good byes and Twilight and Dusk made their way to the train station. They boarded and sat silently as the train returned them to Ponyville. "So..." Twilight ventured as train came to a halt, "How do we tell them?"