Twilight Sparkle was in a panic. With all the effort of learning and adjusting to the Multiple Mental Occupancy and writing to Celestia, she hadn’t had time to figure out what to do about it in regards to her friends! The rational part of her mind tried to assure her that her friends would be helpful and supportive once everything had been explained, but that part was rapidly drowned out by neurotic worries over how to explain, and what everypony’s first reaction would be, and the fact that the first pony who was going to find out was the rather unpredictable Pinkie Pie. So wrapped up in her thoughts as she was, Twilight didn’t realize that Trixie had ceded control of their shared blue body and that she was pacing around until she heard the showmare’s voice echo loudly in the back of her mind. ‘Will you just calm down!’ Trixie insisted, ‘you’re driving me crazy in here with all this worrying about who’ll think what about us!’
“But I haven’t had time to plan anything!” Twilight wailed quietly. She squeaked in terror as she heard hooves climbing the stairs outside her room, accompanied by Pinkie’s voice calling for her. Twilight threw herself up against the door and cast a very sloppy locking spell on it as Pinkie reached the room and tried the door latch.
“Ok Twilight,” the pink pony’s voice said through the door, “I know you’re in there because you never lock your room, even when you say you need privacy because somepony’s being waaay to chatty, although you never tell me who’s being too chatty and…”
‘Does she ever stop talking?’ Trixie asked, distracting Twilight from Pinkie’s word tsunami for a moment.
Only once she makes her original point, Twilight responded wryly, the question is how long it’ll take her to circle back around to it. I’d rather not wait for that… She opened her mouth to call out Pinkie’s name, but then paused as she came up with an idea. She made a few ragged-sounding coughs and put a rasp in her voice before speaking. “P-pinkie?” she said weakly.
“Ah ha, I knew you were in there!” Pinkie declared, dropping whatever her latest train of thought had been.
“Pinkie, I’m not *cough* not feeling very good right now,” Twilight said, adding more coughs and a low moan to the end for good measure.
“Aw, that’s too bad,” Pinkie said, her voice dipping into melancholy for a second before returning to its normal chipperness, “Although, it’s strange that Spike didn’t mention that when I came in…”
‘Oh dear,’ Trixie said with clear sarcasm, ‘your little lie is already breaking down. Whatever shall we do?’
Just try not to switch with me when I blink, Twilight retorted. “What… *cough cough* what did you need Pinkie?” she asked, hoping to divert the earth pony onto a different, safer line of thought.
“Oh,” Pinkie said, remembering the original purpose for her visit, “I wanted to ask you for help with a surprise. You see, I was walking near the edge of town earlier and guess who I saw lurking around Whitetail Wood?” She paused to give Twilight time to guess, but the librarian pony kept silent, drawing a blank. “It was Rainbow’s old griffon friend Gilda!” Pinkie announced enthusiastically.
“Gilda’s back too?” Twilight exclaimed, forgetting to keep up her sick act. She winced as she realized her error and prayed that Pinkie wouldn’t catch it. Trixie did as Twilight had asked and held back against the exchange of body control when their eyes closed. That was the only good news.
“Twilight,” Pinkie said, sounding suspicious, “are you suuure you’re not feeling ok? You’re not trying to avoid me are you? We’re friends, right?”
“Yes Pinkie,” Twilight said, deciding just to abandon the act, “I’m just… dealing something really weird that just happened to me and I… let’s just say I’d rather not be seen in public until I fix it.”
‘Are you implying that Trixie is ugly or something?' Twilight ignored the showmare’s indignation as best she could, focusing more on the silence that had fallen on the other side of the bedroom door. Pinkie was processing Twilight’s new story and the unicorn hoped she was buying it.
“Okie dokie lokie,” Pinkie said at last, to Twilight’s relief, “Just don’t forget, me and Applejack and everypony else are always ready to help if you need us!”
“Thanks Pinkie,” Twilight said with a real smile. As she heard Pinkie’s hoof-steps head back down the stairs, she backed away from the door, undid the lock spell, and let herself relax.
‘Is it over?’ Trixie asked. Twilight simply nodded. ‘Very well,’ the showmare continued, 'I would like my body back for a minute or two; it is quite boring to simply spectate.’
“Well,” Twilight replied, mulling over the request, “I really should practice using your magic, like you insisted.”
‘Please,’ Trixie begged, ‘Just long enough get rid of the feeling that I’m just a puppet with a brain.’
“Fine,” Twilight said, blinking as emphatically as she could. As Trixie took control and stretch and revel in the freedom to move about, Twilight said, ‘You know we’re going to have to get used to long periods of not being in control if we go outside like this Swapping every few minutes around Spike is awkward enough.’
“Well then,” Trixie said, walking up to Twilight’s vanity to look at herself in the mirror, “we simply won’t go outside then.”
‘True, I could get away with that for a little while,’ Twilight demurred, ‘but-’ She stopped suddenly when she heard the distinct and currently very welcome sound of Spike belching, with an undertone of dragon fire. ‘The Princess wrote back!’ she exclaimed. Trixie made use of the mirror to give Twilight a good look at her confused expression. ‘Trust me on this Trixie,’ Twilight said with some amusement.
“Very well,” Trixie said, turning away from the mirror. As she headed for the door, the sound of Spike’s rapid footsteps could be heard, growing louder as he climbed the stairs.
Trixie stopped by the door and sat down, adjusting her hat and cape to look properly regal for Spike’s arrival. The footstep sounds were suddenly drowned out by a shout from downstairs that sounded like Pinkie Pie: “Ear-flop-eye-flutter-knee-twitch!”
“What in Equestria?” Trixie asked.
‘Pinkie sense,’ Twilight answered, racking her memory for the meaning of that combo. ‘Ear-Eye-Knee is…Uh-oh. Trixie, get away fr-’ she was cut off as the door flew open, smacking the pale blue unicorn in the face and sending her rolling backwards. Spike froze in the doorway, unsure whether to laugh at Trixie or be concerned that he’d just hurt Twilight. ‘Ow… I felt that…’ Twilight moaned as Trixie checked to see if her nose was bleeding. Her hoof came away free of blood, but her pride was more than wounded enough for her liking.
She sat up and leveled a glare at Spike. “You overgrown lizard!” she shouted, “Be more careful! Don’t you know how to knock?”
“Sorry,” Spike said with a roll of his eyes. He stepped into the room and held up the sealed scroll in his hand. Trixie looked at it expectantly as Spike broke the seal and began to unroll it.
Pinkie Pie’s head appeared from the doorframe, looking slightly concerned. “Hey Twilight, did you…” she trailed off when she saw Trixie in the middle of the room getting to her feet and keeping a neutral expression on her face. “Hey, I know you,” Pinkie said, pushing past Spike to enter the room, “You’re that magician pony Trixie!”
“That’s the Great and Powerful Trixie to you,” the showmare replied.
“Ok,” Pinkie said, giggling a little before putting on a very serious expression. “Now, what are you doing in here? Twilight didn’t say anything about having another pony in her room.” She looked around and spotted Twilight’s body lying on the bed, seemingly fast asleep. “There you are!” the pink earth pony declared, bouncing over to the comatose lavender unicorn. “Now Twilight,” she said in a lecturing tone, “Tell me the truth this time, because you don’t look very funny to me. Twilight?” She poked the body a few times, frowning when she didn’t get a response. “Are you pretending to be asleep Twilight? You’re doing a really good job with that and all, but I’m not leaving until I get some answers missy.”
“She’s not, is she?” Trixie asked in a low, disheartened tone.
“Nope,” Spike said.
‘Argh,’ Twilight moaned, imagining the act of rubbing her forehead in frustration, ‘Ok, we obviously can’t avoid it any longer. Trixie, give me control please.’
Why? Trixie responded mentally, she might just think I’m playing a trick by altering my voice or something.
‘She’s very perceptive,’ Twilight said, ‘And with the way her mind works, she’ll probably just take my word for it. If not, I’ll just have Spike read the Princess’s letter to her.’
All right, Trixie thought, but you’re taking full responsibility if this turns out badly. She blinked and the two mares exchanged places, putting Twilight in control of the body.
Pinkie had progressed from poking to shaking Twilight’s body gently. When she still didn’t get a response from the unconscious pony, she attempted to tickle it into wakefulness. The lavender unicorn didn’t even twitch as Pinkie lightly dug her hooves into its sides. “Oooo, you’re good,” Pinkie said, sitting back to think. Twilight decided that she wouldn’t have a better opportunity, so she cleared her throat and spoke Pinkie’s name. Pinkie’s ears went up and she craned her head around to look at the pale-blue pony in the purple cape and hat. “Twilight?” she said incredulously, looking from the comatose body to the one Twilight was currently inhabiting.
“Yes Pinkie,” Twilight said, “It’s me. I wasn’t lying when I said I was dealing with something weird. You see-” Pinkie interrupted her by dashing over to her, holding her mouth open with both hooves, and staring down her throat with one eye.
“Whoa,” Pinkie said, “Did Trixie magic your brain out and swallow it or something Twi?”
‘WHAT?’ Trixie exclaimed, ‘Where did… what?’
Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled. That’s Pinkie Pie for you, she thought before shoving the earth pony away from her. “No Pinkie,” she said, still smirking a little, “That’s not… quite what happened. Trixie and I were trying out a mind-switching spell and it didn’t work quite right.”
“Oh,” Pinkie said, grinning, “That makes much more sense! So, what’s it like?”
“It’s… interesting,” Twilight said simply, “I’m not sure how to describe what it feels like; you’d have to experience it for yourself. And no, I’m not going to let you talk me into adding your mind to this,” she added, seeing the interest in Pinkie’s eyes.
‘Thank you,’ Trixie said with a strange degree of relief.
“Okie dokie,” Pinkie said with a shrug.
“Ahem,” Spike said, waving the letter in the air, “I think you girls need to hear what Celestia has to say.”
“Oh right, sorry Spike,” Twilight said, turning toward the baby dragon, “Would you mind reading it?”
“Gladly,” Spike said, holding the letter in front of his face. “Ahem, ‘Dearest Twilight Sparkle,’” he began.
“I must admit your letter has caused me great concern. I will spare you any reprimands regarding the lack of reasoning and precaution that has led to your predicament, but only because I can see by the tone of your letter and what I could glean from a quick overview of the notes you sent that you are treating this with the care and seriousness it deserves. The spell that Trixie attempted to use is one that has not seen sanctioned use in several centuries due to the risks inherent in transferring a pony’s mind into another vessel; although neither I nor Luna can recall it ever resulting in something like your Multiple Mental Occupancy. As you read this letter I will be gathering the best spell-makers from both my school for gifted unicorns and other sources for the purpose of analyzing the spell and your notes to find a means to restore you and Trixie to normal. If Trixie can recall the precise way she altered the spell, please send that information to me as well. In the meantime, continue to study. I strongly suspect you’ll find a new lesson on the magic of friendship or two from this experience. I will write to you again once a solution has been found.
“Sincerely, Princess Celestia.”
“P.S. If possible, make sure to feed your unoccupied body; small amounts of thin vegetable broth should suffice every half hour or so.”
“Good,” Twilight said with a smile, “Between doing that and keeping Trixie happy by practicing magic, I’ll be well occupied until the Princess can fix things.”
“What about the surprise for Gilda?” Pinkie asked, “I don’t see why you can’t help me with that, and I promise it’ll be super-duper fun!”
“I’m sorry Pinkie,” Twilight said, “I’d like to help, but I can barely do any magic right now. Although, maybe Trixie…”
‘Trixie sees no reason why she should be lending her skills to some pony she barely knows,’ the showmare replied.
“…Trixie’s being a sourpuss,” Twilight said, not all that surprised.
“Well, you just said you were going to practice your magic,” Pinkie said, “Will you help once you’re good at it again?” She put on a pleading face that made Twilight swallow the refusal she was about to shoot out.
“Fine,” she said at last, “If Gilda’s still lurking around after I feel confident in my abilities, and assuming I can talk Trixie into playing along, I’ll help you.”
“Pinkie Pie Swear?” the party-pony asked. Twilight resisted the urge to blink in surprise; she wasn’t sure if Trixie was willing to hold back from taking control at this point.
“You must really want to do this,” the unicorn mused. Pinkie smiled and nodded energetically. “Tell you what,” Twilight said, “If you Pinkie Pie Swear not to tell anypony about me and Trixie, I’ll Swear to lend you a hoof with Gilda.”
“Deal,” Pinkie said. She and Twilight mimed the actions and spoke the words in unison: “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
‘I am not going to play along with a promise made in such a… foalish manner!’ Trixie protested as Pinkie left the room with her signature bounce-step.
“Too late Trixie,” Twilight retorted, “A Pinkie Pie Swear is as binding as a royal decree here in Ponyville. Now,” she added as Trixie continued to protest, “if you want me to learn your magic, you’ll need to be quiet so I can concentrate.”
Spike hid a chuckle as he went to file Celestia’s letter away. To him, it seemed that Twilight had things well under control.