Flash and Twilight arrived together the next morning, Twilight back in her regular clothes. The two chatted as they walked up to the school. Fluttershy was at the entrance, handing out some kind of flyer. The two approached as Fluttershy tried to hand one to Trixie.
“Twilight's actually really nice, and I was hoping-” Fluttershy started.
“Oh please, I'm not voting for that goody two shoes. I'd sooner vote for Sunset.”
“O-okay.”
“Besides, I have a rehearsal tonight. What's it to me that some bookworm gets to be a princess of a high school when I could be a world-famous star?”
“Sorry to bother you,” Fluttershy mumbled as Trixie left. She perked up when she saw Flash and Twilight approach.
“I thought you'd be handing out some flyer for the animal shelter,” Flash said.
“Well, I thought about it, and I decided that if I can find the courage to stand up for animals, then I can do the same for a friend. Some people said they'd vote for you when I told them what you did for me.”
Twilight smiled. “Thanks, Fluttershy. I know how hard it must have been.”
A commotion broke out at the top of the steps. The trio turned to see Trixie backing away from a positively livid Sunset. “I don't know what you're talking about! I just got here!”
“Then where are those idiot freshmen that follow you around? Did you tell them to destroy the gym?” Sunset kept walking, backing Trixie down the steps.
“I don't know where they are! Do I look like their keeper?”
Sunset grabbed Trixie by her shirt and brought her close. “Do I LOOK like I'm in the mood for your attitude?”
“I don't know where they are, I swear! I don't even know why you're so mad!”
“Sunset, calm down and let go of Trixie. What happened?” Twilight asked.
Sunset took a deep breath and released Trixie, who fell, then turned to Twilight. “SOMEONE destroyed the decorations for the Fall Formal. And I think this little nuisance is behind it.”
“We just saw her arrive. We should find evidence that she was even involved before we make accusations,” Twilight said. Fluttershy moved to help Trixie up.
“What do you think I'm doing here?”
“You can't get answers out of people by threatening them!”
Sunset sighed. “It's called 'interrogation,' Twilight, and it's a very effective way to get answers out of reluctant people, I've found. People like Trixie don't just give you the answers you want because you ask nicely.”
“Have you tried?”
Sunset stepped closer to Twilight, scowling. “You assume I haven't tried to be kind to her before. It was thrown back in my face. I do NOT extend the same courtesy twice.”
“Girls, how about we both take a step back and breathe for a minute.” Flash said, stepping forward. “Let's look at this rationally.”
“Um, may I interrupt?” Sunset rolled her eyes and stepped back as the others turned their attention to Fluttershy. “I don't think Trixie was responsible. Wouldn't wrecking the gym get her expelled with her record?”
“She's got a point. Maybe Snips and Snails acted on their own?” Flash said.
“Which brings us back to finding out where they are right now,” Sunset recited, annoyed.
“One of them had the bright idea to frame Twilight for something, but I told them not to do anything too harsh. They probably got carried away with whatever it is. They're always eager to impress me, and can you blame them?” Trixie spoke up.
“So they probably did destroy the gym, thinking they'd try to frame me for that,” Twilight said. “And since we don't know where they are, we tell the principal if she doesn't already know, and get them into her office. She can find out from there. Flash, how would someone frame me for destroying the Fall Formal?”
“Probably take pictures and try to replace them with you in it. I'll check the computer labs and the library for any clippings or photos they left behind and give them to the principal.” Flash left to see to his task.
Before Twilight could speak again, Sunset whirled around and left. “Okay, I guess she's going for the principal.” Twilight turned to Trixie. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”
“I usually meet them out here, but they must either be late or inside. They're not too bright. Oh, by the way,” Trixie said, shaking off Fluttershy, “this doesn't make us friends. At all. Okay?” She started to walk away, then stopped and looked back at Twilight and Fluttershy. “But thanks for having my back.”
Twilight and Fluttershy watched Trixie walk away, only then becoming aware that they had an audience. Applejack approached the two. “Told ya she was hidin' somethin'.”
“I've never seen Sunset like that before,” Fluttershy said. “Usually she's so much nicer.”
“Indeed. It's like she was someone else.” Rarity approached, Rainbow Dash following.
“So, what's going to happen to the dance now?” Twilight asked.
“Principal Celestia was just on the PA, saying it was delayed.”
“Oh no. No no no no no! It has to happen tonight!”
“What's got you all worked up?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight took a breath, then motioned for the others to follow her. Spike poked his head out of Twilight's backpack when they reached a tree well off to the side of the school. “I haven't been entirely honest with you guys, either. The truth is, I'm not from this world.” Spike leapt to the ground as Twilight began to explain who she was and why she was there.
“It's true, every word,” Spike said. “Flash found out last night when he overheard us talking.”
The other four girls simply stared at Twilight. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak. “Okay, what? You're a magic pony? For real?”
Twilight nodded. “There's even counterparts to each of you on the other side. It's how I knew your names without having met you.”
“So, we're just like these other ponies?” Applejack asked.
“Well, mostly. I mean, you've grown up differently than the ponies I know, so you're going to be different from them in some ways. But deep down, you have the same values that made me friends with your counterparts back home.”
“How cool is my pony version?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“The fastest flier in Equestria. You even have a fan club.”
Rainbow Dash mouthed the word “nice” as she nodded her head.
“What about mine?” Rarity asked next.
“You own your own boutique and have had many successful commissions from very important ponies. In fact, you've become something of a big name in the big cities, but it never dampened your generous spirit.”
Rarity squealed in delight.
The others asked about themselves, and Twilight explained. “Like I said, deep down, you share the same values as my friends back home, but you're still yourselves. I'm glad I met all of you, and I hope you can forgive me for lying to you all this time.”
Everyone was silent for a moment. Finally, Applejack spoke up. “Shoot, I guess I can understand. If your dog didn't talk, I'd say you were crazy.”
“If other me trusts you, I can. Besides, being a pony doesn't change what happened in our game yesterday,” Rainbow Dash added.
“Me too. You've already shown us who you are, and that's someone with a kind heart,” Fluttershy said.
“As if I could say no to a princess. And even if you weren't, I'd still support you,” Rarity said, smiling.
Twilight smiled back. “All right. The dance has to happen tonight, so we need to get the gym fixed up by then. If all six of us work together, we might be able to pull it off. And we'll have to get Pinkie up to speed on all of this.”
The others nodded, and they all headed for the gym.
~
Twilight and the others entered the ruined gym, Pinkie Pie curled up in the middle of it all. Twilight stepped forward as the others looked around. She knelt next to Pinkie. “Are you okay?”
Pinkie's only response was a sniffle. Her usually curly hair was completely straight.
Twilight frowned. “Look, I brought the others. We can fix all this, and we could really use your help.”
Pinkie sat up. “Others?”
Twilight gestured behind her, showing her friends. They all waved.
Pinkie sprang up with a squeal of glee, her hair poofing back to its usual style. “But even with all of you, this is going to take all day.”
“Well, we have to try. Maybe if others see what we're doing, they'll lend a hand.”
“Okie dokie lokie! Let's get started!”
“Before we start, there's one thing we have to get through first.” Twilight briefly explained what she had told the others, including her counterpart.
Pinkie was silent for a moment. “Wow. I have GOT to meet the other me. Between the two of us, we could have the best, most awesome party anyone's ever seen!”
“Well, let's start by fixing the gym up first.”
The six of them moved about the gym, sweeping up the dirt and destroyed items, repairing what they could. As they worked, students who had a free period, or even a few minutes to spare, would enter and volunteer their services, which Pinkie was glad to accept. Flash arrived as well, and stayed for the duration. By the time the lunch bell rang, the gym had returned to a usable state and the cleanup crew had grown to twenty students.
Principal Celestia walked by and saw the progress, then entered the gym. “All of you did this? I'm impressed.”
Applejack finished unfolding a new folding table. “Yep. It was Twilight's idea.”
Celestia nodded. “Well, it looks like the dance can happen tonight, as scheduled. Great work, everyone!”
A cheer went up from the students at the announcement. Behind the crowd, Spike and Twilight high-fived. And behind the principal, Sunset looked into the gym and smiled.
As the students cheered, Flash approached Twilight. “So, since the dance is back on, I guess we should find someone to go with. Did you want to be my date?”
Twilight blushed. “Sure. That sounds great.”