The party had run late and Pinkie was very pleased by the results. Something about the clandestine arrival of the Princesses, combined with the private nature of the party had given everypony a chance to relax and really enjoy themselves for once. Twilight seemed especially happy being able to spend so much quality time with Celestia and Luna without anything on the agenda, and both princesses seemed to feel the same.
While everypony had congratulated the newly formed couple, it was obvious that there were mixed feelings on the subject. Rarity seemed to think it was all terribly romantic, while Applejack seemed more than a little disturbed. It wasn't quite clear what Fluttershy thought about the subject, while Rainbow Dash just seemed amused.
The music was muted, and the Princesses were saying their reluctant farewells when Applejack got a chance to speak to Cheerilee again, next to the most recently opened cask of cider, and conveniently just out of earshot of most of the others.
"Ain't it weird?" Applejack blurted out without preamble. "I apologize if my words are a bit rough, but... ain't it weird, him being, well... not a pony?"
Cheerilee nodded, smiling softly. "It is very weird. Of course, we've been roommates for months now. I'm quite used to how... different he appears, but yes, it's still more than a little strange sometimes."
Applejack wrinkled her nose. "And... that's OK with you? I mean... not to be indelicate or nothing... but it sounds like you two are thinking about getting married... or somethin, right? That means... you know... mating, n'stuff."
Cheerilee blushed. "It generally does, yes."
Applejack was blushing too, then shook her head. "So... it's not weird, kissing, and... you know... doing stuff with him?"
Cheerilee thought about that. "When it comes to the purely physical side of things, I suppose he's not what I pictured when I was a filly. I haven't changed that much, really... when I think of the perfect stallion, I still think of somepony like... well, more like Big Mac than Johnathon."
Applejack's eyebrow twitched at the mention of her brother, but she nodded. "So... why him? How did you end up wanting to be with a critter as strange as a human?"
Cheerilee shook her head. "It was so gradual at first I didn't realize what was happening. I liked him right away, of course... he seemed like somepony that I could be friends with right off the bat. He was so... earnest, and pleasant... and hard working, and intelligent... and brave...." she blushed. "I fell in love with his mind... his personality. He went from being my friend... to being my best friend before I knew it. I knew he'd have to leave eventually, but that started to become more and more difficult to accept as we became closer. And yet... I knew that he would go, and we both knew how much it would hurt. And then... suddenly, I have a chance to keep my best friend in my life... and all I have to do is give up being a pony."
Applejack looked incredulous. "All...? But... that don't make sense. How can giving up everything you are be that easy?"
Cheerilee frowned lightly, trying to explain. "It's both easier and harder than I would have expected, if I'd given it serious thought. At times, I'm scared... frightened to death that I'll lose myself, that I'll stop being the pony I was because I'm in this strange new body... but... as time passes, I realize I'm still the same pony inside, and that really, nothing has changed except the way I look," she frowned again. "I'm not saying this right... I mean, yes, I miss being a pony. I miss my hooves, and my fur... and... well, for some odd reason I really miss my cutie mark most of all! I've been afraid that without it, for some reason, I'd stop being a good teacher...."
Applejack looked worried. "But... you're still... er... yourself?"
Cheerilee smiled softly. "It seems so. I still love teaching... and I still feel like I'm good at it. Maybe I'm fooling myself, but... well, Twilight says I'm still an Earth Pony in one way... I still have my Earth Pony magic inside of me... and I think that means more than just being strong... it means that I'm still me in the ways that count. My cutie mark, my special talent, I think that's still a part of me as well," she shrugged. "And that's enough."
Applejack frowned. "Really? Don't you miss running on four hooves, and... I don't know... not having to wear clothes all the time?"
Cheerilee nodded. "I do miss those things. But it's not all bad being a human. It's taken some time to get used to it, but it's kind of nice, being taller. And I do like having hands. You can't imagine how much easier they make the most ordinary of tasks! It's almost like being a unicorn, the way I can manipulate objects now!" she shrugged again, sheepishly. "And... well, they're more sensitive than my hooves ever were. They were very strange at first, but... I'm actually growing rather attached to them."
"So... being a human ain't all bad then?"
"It's not bad at all," Cheerilee assured the orange cowpony. "Strange, certainly, but not bad."
Applejack nodded slowly to herself. "But... what about... him? You've been kissin... and all... ain't that part weird?"
Cheerilee thought about that. "At first, yes. I wasn't really... physically attracted to him... not just by looking at him. He's not unattractive, so much... he's not unpleasant to look at, certainly. I do like the fact that he's attracted to me, and... he is quite skilled with his hands."
Applejack blushed crimson. "Er..."
Cheerilee blushed slightly as well, although she was obviously much less embarrassed. "His enthusiasm is rather contagious, actually, and I find that after a short time, his... attentions have a rather pronounced effect on how I feel. I've been learning about what I like in this form... and what he likes. Just because he's not what I would consider handsome as a pony doesn't mean he's not attractive in his own way, and I'm starting to appreciate that a bit more now. I don't know if I'll ever find him as attractive as I would a stallion, but I don't think I care anymore. I do love him, and I enjoy being with him... including the parts where we kiss."
Applejack was still blushing slightly, but at the same time she started to frown again. "I reckon I can understand that, I guess..." she began, "but there's still something that bothers me about this. How come Johnathon ain't offered to become a pony like you? Why do you got to make the big change. There aren't a whole lot of humans about here, you know, and you two are going to be the only ones. Him becoming a pony would make more sense, right?"
Cheerilee frowned at that. "He's staying here in Equestria to be with me. Isn't that enough? He's giving up a chance to go home... to be with his own kind, because he loves me."
Applejack grimaced. "Yeah, because he doesn't have to give up his own kind anymore... you're a human now. He gets everything he wants, and you have to give up being a pony because of it."
Cheerilee was starting to look upset. "Applejack... please... just let it be. I can't ask him to do that. What if he decides that it's too much? I don't want him to leave."
Applejack was getting heated now. "Well, if he'd leave just because of something like that, then he's not worth...."
"Hey Applejack!" Pinkie said abruptly, bouncing up to the farmer abruptly. "What's up?"
Applejack hesitated, remembering her manners, and shrugged. "Eh... nothing much, Pinkie, just having a chat with Miss Cheerilee here."
Rarity walked up primly, followed by Fluttershy who was walking in the unicorn's wake as if trying to hide. "We're not interrupting anything, are we, darlings?"
Cheerilee glanced at them with a hesitant smile. "That's alright, Rarity. We were just about done anyway."
Applejack frowned, then sighed. "I reckon I may have said a bit more than I should have anyhow," she admitted, glancing apologetically at Cheerilee.
Cheerilee shook her head. "You were just telling me what you honestly feel, Applejack, and I can't say that I blame you for it."
Rarity frowned at the cowpony. "I suspected that you were over here causing trouble, Applejack. Why can't you see how utterly romantic this is?"
Applejack grimaced. "Not everything is like your silly romances, Rare... this here's serious... I don't like the thought of one of my friends making a mistake."
"I thought Johnathon was your friend as well, Applejack." Cheerilee said quietly. "Doesn't he deserve your concern as much as I do?"
Applejack hesitated. "Well, I'm not saying he ain't a nice fella... a good sort an' all, but...." she hesitated. "If he was a colt, I'd think you made yourself a hell of a match, to be honest, but...." she sighed. "I reckon I just don't know how to deal with the whole idea. He's a swell fella, but he's not a pony. If he was a pony, I might have been tempted to... er... take a run at him myself...." she trailed off, looking embarrassed.
Rarity's eyes glinted. "Ah, so you're actually jealous!"
Applejack grimaced. "No, consarn it! It's just that it don't sit right, Cheerilee having to change herself just to be good enough for him! He was going to leave, then just because she's the right species he's willing to stay? Doesn't that seem kinda shallow?"
Cheerilee looked thoughtful at that. "Colts can be a bit shallow at times. They gravitate towards a pretty mare and ignore the plain ones, but this isn't that straightforward. Johnathon comes from a world where there are no other intelligent species. He's never considered the possibilities of an inter-species romance. He was very unhappy about leaving me before I was transformed... I know he was very tempted to stay regardless. Afterwards, well, we got closer, and yes, I suppose my becoming human had something to do with that, but... it wasn't as if that's the only reason he wants to stay."
Applejack frowned. "It's a big part of it, I expect."
Cheerilee thought about that. "He's a widower, as you probably recall. He's used to being in a romantic relationship. He wants to have that again, and here, that wasn't really possible, not really. He likes us... he likes all of us, quite a bit, but he has friends and family on his world as well," Cheerilee hesitated before continuing, lowering her head and staring at the floor. "In the end... I made the selfish decision to keep him here... to take him away from his friends and family on his world. I chose to pursue this... our relationship, knowing I'd be taking that away from him. Does that make me a bad pony?"
Pinkie Pie patted her on the back. "Not at all silly. You're not a bad pony. You're a human! You're a nice human though!"
Fluttershy nodded in agreement. "It's not bad to want the one you love to stay... I think you both are doing the right thing for yourselves."
Applejack had been taken aback by Cheerilee's statement, but she slowly started to nod as well. "I suppose I've been a bit hard headed about the whole thing, a mite. Being in a relationship with somepony means you have to make choices... and changes. You're both choosing this for yourselves, and I reckon you know what you're getting yourselves into."
"We do." Cheerilee agreed softly. "We're both giving up something to be together, but it's worth it."
Applejack chuckled. "This kinda seems like something I ought to be putting in a letter to the princess...." she joked, and then looked confused as the ponies (and human) around her looked behind her with widening eyes. "She's right behind me, isn't she," the orange cowpony stated flatly, her ears lowering in embarrassment.
"It would make for an excellent letter, Applejack, but I think I got the gist of it," Celestia commented mildly. "And I quite agree with your conclusions. A real relationship almost always requires sacrifices on each pony's part to make things work. I believe Johnathon and Cheerilee understand this truth very well," the solar alicorn smiled warmly at the group. "I wanted to say my goodbyes. Luna and I really must be going, but it's been a splendid party."
"Thank you Princess!" Pinkie said happily. "I worked really hard on it!"
Celestia smiled warmly at Pinkie, nodded to everypony, then turned to go, walking back across the room to rejoin her sister.
Cheerilee glanced across the room to where Johnathon and Twilight seemed deep in conversation, and Luna appeared to be laughing at something Rainbow Dash was saying, then looked at the others. "I know you meant well, Applejack, but Johnathon already feels guilty about allowing me to stay human for his sake. Please don't bother him about it any more."
Applejack hesitated, then nodded. "If that's what you want. I reckon he probably is beating himself up a mite about all of this... he's a thoughtful fella, that one. Bit like our Twilight, now that I think about it. Kind of thinks about things a bit too much sometimes."
Cheerilee grinned at that. "You have no idea."
*****************************
They were holding hands, walking close together on the way home after the party. "Wow it's late." Johnathon muttered softly. "Great party, but tomorrow is going to be rough."
"It was worth it though," Cheerilee decided cheerfully. "Wasn't it wonderful, seeing the Princesses able to relax and have fun? Weird, but wonderful."
"I guess they don't get many chances just to enjoy themselves," Johnathon mused. "What with them being the supreme rulers of Equestria, having to control the sun and moon... and all that."
"It's a bit sad, really," Cheerilee agreed with a slight frown. "They give us so much. I never really considered how stifling their lives must be until I started to get to know them. If Twilight hadn't... turned herself into an alicorn, and needed us to come up and help, I might never have known what their lives were really like."
Johnathon nodded slowly. "Still, Twilight will be able to give them some time off pretty soon. She's got the spell down pretty well now," he looked thoughtful. "I wonder if Celestia will pretend to be Elegant Note again? Or what she'll end up doing during her vacation? She's probably done a little bit of everything in all the time she's been alive."
"It's probably been a very long time since she could walk among her subjects without being recognized, though." Cheerilee said thoughtfully. "She couldn't use transformation or illusion magic on herself before, isn't that right?"
Johnathon nodded. "I suppose that it would have been extremely difficult to disguise herself, since she's pretty much the tallest pony around. Even if she could hide her horn or wings, her size alone would be a dead giveaway. Being a regular unicorn really will be a pretty unique experience, even for her, I guess."
"Do you think she'll come here to Ponyville?" Cheerilee wondered aloud, a worried expression passing over her face. "Not that I wouldn't love to spend time with her as a regular pony, but... I'd be worried that I'd accidentally give her away... or that she might get hurt or injured while she's just a mortal pony. I'm not sure if I could act normally around her, even if she was in disguise...."
Johnathon squeezed her hand. "If she does come here, I'm sure you'll do fine. And she won't get hurt. Ponyville is a very safe town... most of the time."
Cheerilee nodded. "I suppose you're right."
Johnathon hesitated. "Speaking of transforming... I wish you'd reconsider letting Twilight change you back into a pony."
Cheerilee blinked, looking astonished. "Why? I thought you liked me like this?"
Johnathon shrugged. "I can't deny that... but Cheerilee, you never chose this. Not really. You became a human because of that love potion. If you really want to be a human for me... I guess I'm not selfless enough to stop you, but... I'd feel better if I knew it was your own, honest choice, and not you just being forced into it."
Cheerilee stopped walking, pulling on his hand to stop Johnathon as well. "Listen to me. I may have not really chosen to become human in the first place, but it is my own decision to remain this way. You're not the only one being selfish, you know. I'm staying human because I want you to stay here, in Ponyville with me, and not go home to your own world. That's my own selfish choice."
Johnathon's heart seemed to skip a beat, and a gentle, calm expression came over his face. "I told you that all you needed to do was ask me to stay, and I would. I'm going to stay, whether or not you change back into a pony."
Cheerilee shook her head. "No... I couldn't ask you...."
He reached up and put a hand against her cheek. "I know that. But I realize now, that... even if you did become a pony again, I wouldn't want to leave you."
"You wouldn't love me as a pony... not in the same way...." Cheerilee said softly, then smiled faintly. "Not that I can blame you! You want someone of your own species to share your life with. There is nothing wrong with that."
"I would love you regardless." Johnathon told her. "Perhaps I wouldn't want to... make love to you, the way I'm very much in the mood to now, but... I'd still love you. I'd stay, and I'd be happy just being your friend."
"My best friend," Cheerilee corrected. "You're my best friend. You do know that, right?"
"You're my best friend as well," Johnathon confirmed. "But I'm serious. You really don't have to stay human to keep me here."
Cheerilee frowned. "Johnathon... I know you... that you really mean that," she smiled then, and nodded firmly. "I do know it. You've never lied to me, and I know you mean what you say, but won't you be happier with me like this?"
Johnathon hugged her. "I'll only be happy if you're happy, Cheerilee. That's why I can't ask you to stay human, not if it makes you unhappy. I've seen how uncomfortable you've been as a human. I can imagine how weird... and how terrifying it must have been. Twilight can change you back... maybe not today, but any day now she'll pull off the counterspell properly, and we both know it. You don't have to do this for me anymore."
"No I don't." Cheerilee said quietly, returning his hug and closing her eyes as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Not for you. It's for me as well. Yes, I'd be happy if you stay. I can't lie... I do miss being a pony, and... if you had been born a pony, then I'd want nothing more than to be one again myself... but the... the man I love is human, and that means I want to be one too. You're not the only one who wants more than friendship here. I want what you want... a real relationship... love, and marriage, and yes, children. To have that with the one I love, I have to be human, and so I'm not doing it just for you... I'm doing it for me, as well."
"I could be a pony," Johnathon offered quietly. "For you... I'd let Twilight change me."
"You shouldn't do that," Cheerilee said. "It's not the same. I'm already starting to get used to being human... but I know how much you value being... what you are. You like being human. You like having hands... and being tall, and being... yourself. It would hurt you to give all that up. I can't hurt you like that."
"Heh," Johnathon chuckled softly, sounding like he was laughing to keep from crying. "How do you think I feel about it?"
"Guilty," Cheerilee told him softly. "You feel so very guilty. Especially now," she pulled away slightly, so she could look him in the eyes. "Please... please forgive yourself. I have. It's not wrong to want what you want. You would never force me to stay human. You would change yourself to spare me having to be something I'm not... but... I... I actually kind of like being human, you know? It's not the same... it's weird in a lot of ways. I get cold too easily... and my feet hurt when I've walked too far... but... deep down, inside, I'm still me. I'm Cheerilee, I'm a teacher, and a good one. I love my job, and I've still got the magic that makes me special," she grinned at him. "Besides, hands are really nice."
Johnathon laughed. "You're crazy, you know that?"
"Damn straight," Cheerilee told him firmly. "But you love me anyway."
"Damn straight," he agreed.
*********************************
It was mid afternoon in Canterlot University's history department. Briar Rose was giving a lecture to a classroom filled with students.
"Archeology is the search for fact... not truth," the grey haired mare told her students firmly. "If you want truth, Professor Vector's philosophy class is right down the hall," there were a few scattered laughs, and she continued. "So forget any ideas you have about lost cities, exotic travel, or digging up magical artifacts. We do not follow maps to buried treasure, and X never, ever, marks the spot. Seventy percent of all archeology is done in the library. Research, reading... we cannot afford to take mythology at face value..." Briar Rose broke off as, to her astonishment, Princess Celestia herself slipped through the classroom's door to stand politely by the wall, waiting for the lecture to finish. "Even if it walks in the door while you're giving a lecture." Princess Celestia chuckled and nodded to Briar Rose with a gentle smile.
Briar Rose glanced at her class of now completely distracted students and sighed. "I think we'll end things there... class is dismissed. Next week, I'll expect you to have finished the section on pre-Canterlot history and the studies of the under-city that followed Canterlot's construction. There will be a test," there were a number of quiet groans, but the presence of the Princess of the Sun had most of her students too awestruck to protest... for once. Under their professor's powerful glare, they filed out quickly, sensing that loitering around to find out why Celestia had come to THEIR classroom to talk with their professor, while highly tempting, would probably not be worth whatever punishment Professor Rose would dish out in response.
"I suppose this is about the expedition you're mounting into the Everfree forest," Briar Rose said calmly. "It must be important for you to come to me in person."
"I think it very well might be quite important indeed," Celestia returned calmly. "If Mister Dwire's research is accurate, it might lead us to the last refuge of the unicorns."
"That old pony tale?" Briar Rose said dismissively. "Half a dozen expeditions have searched... hundreds of ponies have tried to find the legendary last refuge... but if it even existed, it's been lost since before even your time. No pony has been able to find it."
"The Elements of Harmony may be the key to succeeding where everypony else failed." Celestia told Briar Rose calmly. "I believe there is a very good chance..."
"The Elements?" Briar Rose said in surprise. "The Elements..." she muttered again, more thoughtfully. "Yes, of course, the Elements of Harmony are rumored to have the ability to find secrets... among other things," she shook her head. "But I'm getting too old for this sort of thing. Why come to me?"
"There is no pony with more experience in this sort of thing than you, Professor Rose." Celestia told the aging mare with a gentle smile. "And nopony else I'd prefer in charge of such an expedition."
"What about the human? This... Johnathon fellow. From the newspapers I've read, he seems like an adventurous sort. He managed to uncover a major find on his own world, didn't he?" she chuckled lightly. "Of course, that's why he's here... got in over his head, I expect."
"Much like an adventurous young archeologist I used to know," Celestia said lightly, smiling down at Briar Rose fondly. "Don't tell me that Daring Do isn't up for one more adventure?"
"Those silly books," Briar Rose said dismissively. "They hardly got anything right."
"They get more right than you'd have ponies believe," Celestia said with a chuckle. "And I'd be the one to know."
"I'm old, Celestia. My adventuring days are behind me," Briar Rose said with a sigh.
"Perhaps... perhaps not," Celestia said calmly. "But my little ponies... my faithful student, Twilight, and her friends, are young and inexperienced. They could use someone with your wisdom to aid them."
"The Element Bearers?" Briar Rose asked curiously. "I've been wondering how you've kept them out of the press so long. No pony seems to remember what they've done, even though you've enshrined them in stained glass in your very throne room."
"You seem to remember."
"More like I put two and two together." Briar Rose said gruffly. "As if I'd miss the signs. I did my thesis on the Elements of Harmony, if you'd recall. I expect that there is some sort of protective effect from the Elements themselves that keeps their bearers out of the limelight... pretty handy, if you ask me."
"You used to like the limelight, Briar Rose," Celestia noted with a small smile.
"Like a foal, I liked the excitement, the danger... but I was never all that fond of the press," Briar Rose corrected. "Which is why I insisted that they use a different name when they wrote those... stories."
"You could have corrected them. Told everypony what really happened. The author would have been happy to hear your side of the story."
Briar Rose shrugged. "Eh, let them have their stories. They're more interesting than the truth. They sell better. I get half a dozen young idiots every year wanting to be the next Daring Do."
"And you never let any of them know who that is?"
Briar Rose hesitated. "One or two, maybe. I have had a favorite student or two myself, you know. Still, I made them promise not to spread it around."
Celestia chuckled. "Twilight is a big fan, you know. She'd be thrilled to know who she'll be working with."
Briar Rose rolled her eyes. "Do me a favor and don't mention it, will you, Celestia? I can live without the hero worship. Besides, from what I've heard, she's got nothing to be ashamed of in that area herself. Your student and her friends have managed some pretty impressive things... and they're all still so young."
"We were all young once," Celestia said with a smile. "Even you, Briar Rose," she paused, then raised an eyebrow. "So... will you lead this expedition for me?"
"Are you going to make that a royal command?"
Celestia shook her head. "No. It's your choice, of course. I never could get you to do anything you didn't want to do anyway."
Briar Rose snorted. "I'm not a naive foal anymore, Celestia. You had me wrapped around your hoof back then... I threw myself into harms way more than once because it was something you'd want... and somehow I never could resent you for it."
Celestia sighed. "It's true, it may be dangerous... and you've already done so much for Equestria. I can't ask any more."
Briar Rose chuckled. "Like that ever stopped you before," she shrugged. "Of course I'll go. Whatever else it'll be, a chance like this doesn't come along every day. There is supposed to be a vast archive of forgotten lore in the legendary last refuge of the unicorns. There is a reason so many ponies have tried to find it over the years... myself included. Of course I'll come."
Celestia beamed. "Wonderful. I have every confidence in your abilities... Daring."
Briar Rose rolled her eyes. "Celestia! Stop calling me that!"
*********************************
Twilight answered the door on the third knock, and smiled at the indigo maned unicorn outside the front door of her library. "Come on in, Rarity!" she told the white unicorn brightly. "Thanks for coming!"
Rarity was still wearing the white silk cloak she had been wearing the previous night, in order to conceal her wings, and she came inside quickly before stifling a yawn. "Not at all dear, although I must apologize for my appearance. I know I must look a fright, but I simply haven't had the time to fix my face properly this morning, what with the party last night."
Twilight raised an eyebrow at that. "What are you talking about Rarity, you look fine!"
Rarity rolled her eyes theatrically. "You don't have to flatter my ego, darling, I know how horrible I look. It's not that I'm not used to a late night or two... but I positively dread the way the bags under my eyes look in the morning...."
Twilight took a longer look at the white mare, noticing that Rarities eyes did look just slightly bloodshot. "Oh well, it's hardly noticeable, Rarity. I really do appreciate you coming, but we could have postponed if you haven't gotten enough sleep."
Rarity waved a hoof dismissively. "I wouldn't dream of canceling on you, darling. This is a very important assignment from the princess, after all. I must admit, I am intrigued by the thought of learning a new spell. It's quite the honor to be instructed by Princess Celestia's personal student, after all."
Twilight blushed. "Oh Rarity, it's not that big a deal."
Rarity smiled and gave her a quick hug. "You are so cute when you're being modest, darling, don't ever change."
Spike popped his head out of the kitchen, wearing an apron. "Oh, hey Rarity! Good timing! I just finished with lunch!"
Twilight's stomach growled slightly, and she giggled. "Lunch first is probably a good idea. It's never a good idea to work on a new spell on an empty stomach."
Rarity smiled and nodded, walking into the kitchen. "Twilight says you're an excellent chef, Spike darling, so I'm sure lunch will be just delightful!" her horn glowed, and she levitated her cloak off and onto the back of a chair nearby, stretching her new wings lightly as she settled herself on a short stool next to Twilight's kitchen table, where a pair of very nice looking salads were waiting.
"Those wings look... great on you." Spike stammered, looking at Rarity with something akin to awe.
"I know!" Rarity beamed, then sighed. "It's just unfortunate that I can't show them off, don't you think? I absolutely love them! It's such a shame that we have to keep Twilight's success with her transformation spell a secret."
Spike nodded agreeably. "Yeah... too bad she can't transform anything but ponies."
Twilight frowned. "Actually, I'm just about ready to try non-pony transformations now. I've got the details of Strangehorn's spell worked out pretty well now. The next stage is testing."
Spike looked surprised. "You mean, you can transform non-ponies now?"
Twilight blinked. "Well, in theory, yes."
He hesitated, looking like he was both hopeful and worried at the same time. "Er... did you need volunteers, then?"
Twilight frowned. "Well, I was planning on doing my initial trial on a houseplant... but yes, I suppose I will need a volunteer sooner or later."
Spike swallowed. "Well... um... I am supposed to be your assistant. Want to try the spell on me? Er... when you're ready, I mean?"
Twilight blinked. "Well, that's really brave of you, Spike, but unfortunately, Dragons are pretty resistant to magic. I can do minor changes... like giving you a mustache, but a full body transformation on you would be quite a bit more difficult. It's hard enough just doing the spell on a pony, but trying it on a dragon would be... well, I'm afraid I'm not going to be up for that for quite a while, if ever."
Spike looked slightly relieved and slightly disappointed at the same time. "Oh... that's too bad," he said finally. "I was hoping I could help you with your research."
Twilight smiled at him. "You already help me a lot, Spike! You are my number one assistant, after all!"
Rarity gave him a gentle smile as well. "That was a very brave offer, Spikey-wikey! You're such a gentledrake."
Spike's eyes became slightly glassy as he shrugged with false nonchalance and turned to go. "No big deal. I help out with Twilight's magic practice all the time, you know?" he glanced back at Rarity as he exited the kitchen, careening off the door jam on his way out. "Er... I'll just, um... get your notes on... er... detection magic ready, Twilight," he said quickly, then hastened out of sight. Several moments later, a muffled whoop came from the library.
Twilight smirked slightly at the noise, then glanced at Rarity. "I think you just made Spike's day."
Rarity just smiled politely back. "Whatever do you mean, darling?"
Twilight frowned. "Rarity, you have to know how Spike feels about you by now...."
Rarity sighed and nodded. "Of course I do. It's quite sweet, of course, and I do love my Spikey-wikey... although perhaps not in quite the way he would prefer."
Twilight sighed. "He's going to get his heart broken one of these days...."
Rarity looked thoughtful and a little sad. "Not, I hope, today. He's still quite young, after all. There is time yet."
Twilight frowned. "Time for what?"
Rarity waved a hoof slowly at her, trying to explain. "I've seen this before, darling. A crush like this is... puppy love. I take it that Spike hasn't fallen for anypony before this?"
Twilight shook her head. "No... you're the first."
Rarity sighed. "Ah, first love. I remember mine...." she sighed. "And what a disappointment HE turned out to be."
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Not Prince Blueblood?"
Rarity shrugged helplessly. "The very same. My parents and I were in Canterlot for the Summer Sun Celebration quite a while ago, and I saw him for the first time. When I learned who he was, I made up this absurd fantasy in my head about how we'd meet and fall in love... how he'd make me a princess...." she shrugged again. "Of course, we both know how well that worked out."
Twilight couldn't quite keep the surprise off her face. "I find it hard to believe that he was your first love. Hasn't there been any pony else?"
Rarity shook her head. "Unfortunately, no. I was so caught up in my dream of marrying a prince that I never really gave any other colt more than a second glance," she considered that. "Well, I admit I have looked at a handsome stallion or two, but more for... aesthetic reasons than anything romantic," she looked thoughtful. "After the gala, for quite a while, I was too devastated to think about anypony in a romantic light, although more recently... I have found myself considering looking for a special somepony."
Twilight's eyes were wide. "Really? Anypony I know?"
Rarity winked at her. "Well, I made an absolute foal of myself in front of Princess Celestia when she showed me my room at the castle. She was very kind about the whole thing, however... and naturally I know that she is well out of my league."
Twilight's eyes were saucers. "You... Princess Celestia? What did you... what did you do?"
Rarity giggled at the reaction she was getting from the studious unicorn. "I MAY have been rather too forward with my thanks... but as I said, Princess Celestia was quite understanding about it, and I managed to regain my composure before I made too much of a foal out of myself."
Twilight shivered slightly, but looked fascinated. "Rarity... I never knew you liked mares... that way?"
Rarity looked thoughtful. "I hadn't really given the matter much thought before. I really was fixated on my imaginary prince... but I think it's more of an appreciation for beauty... wherever it may be found. There is a reason why most of the most famous fashion models of the last few centuries have been slender white unicorns or pegasi, after all. I think just about everypony has a bit of a crush on our dear princess. She is exquisitely beautiful, after all."
Twilight nodded slowly. "Well... yes. I just... I never really thought about her like that."
Rarity sighed. "I envy you, you know? You two are so... casual around each other. I can tell she really cherishes her time with you, darling."
Twilight hesitated. "I... do miss spending time with her. She's always so busy, but even so, we had our weekly study sessions for the longest time. Last night's party was the longest I've spent with her in over a year!"
Rarity looked sympathetic. "If it's any consolation, darling, I can tell she feels the same. She simply lights up in your presence."
Twilight sighed, and smiled wanly "I suppose it helps a little," she shook her head, as if clearing it, and smiled with interest at the white unicorn. "So... you've been thinking about finding a special somepony?"
Rarity nodded slowly. "Just... daydreaming, I suppose. Oh, I may tease about the Princess, but that's just me being silly. I'd be much too self-conscious around her," Rarity chuckled. "I don't know if I could be comfortable with any pony so much more beautiful than myself, after all," she winked. "Although, as for that, I was surprised by how many simply gorgeous ponies there are in Canterlot."
Twilight blinked, looking interested. "Oh? Anypony I know?"
Rarity shrugged. "Well, Blueblood, of course. I hate to admit it, but he is ridiculously good looking. It's unfortunate that such good looks are spoiled by such a rotten personality," she looked thoughtful. "There was Fancy Pants'... friend, Fleur de Lis. She has the most fabulous look... and she seemed quite pleasant as well," Rarity smiled slightly. "To be truthful, Fancy Pants himself is quite the gentlecolt for somepony so influential and popular. He was absolutely splendid company during my stay in Canterlot, although I'm sure he was just being kind."
Twilight looked thoughtful. "He did seem nice, didn't he?" she looked curious. "So... you liked him?"
Rarity nodded slowly. "He's a dear friend... and I feel privileged to say so," she smiled softly at Twilight. "Almost as privileged as I feel being friends with you, darling. If I haven't expressed how very lucky I feel to have you as a friend, I do wish to be clear, you are very precious to me, Twilight."
Twilight beamed at her. "You're very special to me too, Rarity."
Rarity smiled back, a slightly evil grin coming over her face. "Speaking of special someponies... how about you, darling? Have you had your eye on anypony?"
Twilight blushed. "Me... oh... no... no...." she shook her head quickly. "I haven't really... given that sort of thing much thought."
Rarity looked skeptical. "Surely you have some idea about what sort of pony you find attractive?"
Twilight hesitated. "Well... not... not really. I suppose I have had a few daydreams when I was a little filly, but...."
Rarity beamed. "Oh? Do tell!"
Twilight giggled. "Well, for a while, I thought the royal guards ponies were quite handsome in their gold armor. But I was just a little filly."
Rarity smiled. "Well, I must admit they do have quite the classic look, if you like the strong, silent type," she looked thoughtful, and grinned evilly again. "Speaking of the strong silent type, our very own Big Macintosh would look quite handsome in gold, don't you think, Twilight?"
Twilight giggled. "Well, he is very strong looking...."
Rarity snickered in glee. "Isn't he? All that applebucking certainly hasn't done him any harm. I'd love to get him into a nice suit... or out of one...." she chuckled. "Although I can't imagine the look on Applejack's face if she heard us going on about her brother...."
Twilight giggled, then noted. "Applejack has very nice muscles too...." she blushed. "I mean, er... she's very pretty... if you like muscular mares, that is."
Rarity goggled at Twilight for a second, then nodded thoughtfully in agreement. "She does clean up most satisfactorily. It's a shame she takes such poor care of her coat... the poor girl has no idea how good looking she is!"
Twilight rolled her eyes. "I know. I swear, if I had a bit for every stallion I've noticed checking out her flank...."
"You wouldn't need the Princess's stipend, I expect," Rarity concluded for her. "And Fluttershy! If she was even the tiniest bit less shy, she'd have half a dozen suitors in a moment. There is a reason I wanted to use her as my model, you know. Photo Finish has quite a good eye for beauty herself."
Twilight smiled softly. "Poor Fluttershy. She really did hate all the attention. She's so gentle, and pretty. She could have any stallion she wanted if she was a little more confident."
Rarity nodded agreeably. "I quite agree. I do hope that if she does find somepony special that she likes, she isn't too shy to make her feelings known."
Twilight frowned. "Yeah, I can see that might be a problem."
Rarity frowned as well, then brightened. "Well then, when the time comes, we'll just have to help her."
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Help her? How?"
Rarity smiled and winked. "I'm sure we'll think of something."
Twilight nodded slowly, a doubtful look on her face, then changed the subject. "So... are you ready to try this spell? I think you'll find it's not all that much different from detecting gemstones. I've simply modified a basic life detection spell to be more specific. If it works, you should be able to detect both Johnathon and Cheerilee... I find that Johnathon's... er... signal, comes in a bit stronger, but that's probably because I used him as a reference sample when I created the spell."
Rarity frowned slightly. "If you say so, darling. My gem finding spell is really the only detection magic I know... I've never really worked very hard on my spellwork, you know."
Twilight looked surprised. "But you're really very good! Your illusions are excellent... and you are very adept at transmutation!"
Rarity shrugged. "Well, I use those in my work... a good illusion can be a valuable tool for designing or for impressing a client... and of course, transmutation can be an excellent shortcut in dress making... especially when I'm in a rush. I prefer to hoof stitch, of course, for more detailed work."
Twilight looked thoughtful. "I suppose that makes sense. You learned spells that would help with your work," she brightened. "Still, I'm confident that you'll be able to learn my modified human detection spell in NO time. I did make some small changes to the basic life form detection spell, of course, to enable you to scan across a dimensional barrier. It should work... in theory, anyway. Unfortunately, we won't be able to test whether it can actually scan through a dimensional gate until I open one for you to try and scan through."
Rarity smiled at her. "If anypony can figure it out, it's you, Twilight."
Twilight snorted unhappily. "I hope so. I know Johnathon says he doesn't need me to get him home anymore, but I do want to do this. If we're successful in locating Johnathon's home dimension, and if I can open up a stable portal, perhaps he could return home... and then come back here afterwards! That way he could let his friends and family know that he's alright, and he could still return and be with Cheerilee!"
Rarity smiled at Twilight. "That would be the best of both worlds. I'll do everything I can to help you, Twilight, of course."
"I appreciate it, Rarity, I really do," Twilight told her sincerely.
The two unicorns smiled at each other, then started on their neglected salads together, eating in a comfortable silence, lost in their own thoughts.
As they were finishing up, Twilight turned to Rarity. "You know... most ponies I've met think you're the prettiest mare in Ponyville, Rarity."
Rarity blinked in surprise, then shook her head modestly. "Oh, anypony could look as good if they took care of their looks properly. I just happen to be vain enough to put a bit more effort into my appearance than most."
Twilight looked thoughtful. "I'm not so sure, Rarity. I've spent a lot of time around ponies who spent quite a bit of effort on appearances in Canterlot... and you put them to shame."
Rarity blushed slightly. "Well, it's very kind of you to say, Twilight darling."
Twilight sighed. "It's true. I know I'd never look half as good, no matter how much effort I put into it."
Rarity raised her eyebrow indignantly. "Don't be silly! You're absolutely gorgeous, darling! Why, you have the most lovely mane... and I know that most of the stallions in town think you're the cutest librarian our town has ever had. You looked absolutely fabulous in your gala dress as well, I'll have you know, and I certainly can't take all the credit for that. You are a very pretty mare, Twilight."
Twilight was blushing now. "Rarity... you're embarrassing me! Any pony would have looked good in one of your dresses."
Rarity shook her head. "I may be a good designer, but there is a reason I was so thrilled to have you as one of my models for my big fashion show this year. If you ever wanted to take a break from being Equestria's brainiest and most powerful unicorn, you could be a big hit on the fashion circuit... with the right pony behind you, anyway."
Twilight grinned at her. "I thought you learned your lesson with Fluttershy?"
Rarity nodded. "Oh, I did, darling. Never let anypony steal your model! Photo Finish may have gotten Fluttershy away from me, but I won't make that mistake again!"
The two mares chuckled for awhile before Rarity turned serious, although her eyes were still twinkling. "Well, back to work, I suppose. Could you demonstrate the spell for me first, Twilight? I think that will be the best place to start, don't you?"
**************************************
Pinkie came to the library door and found it closed and locked, so she knocked loudly. "Twilight? Twilight, are you in there?"
After several long moments, Spike pulled the door open for her. "Oh, hey Pinkie. Twilight and Rarity are in the basement. Did you want to come in?"
Pinkie nodded and headed for the stairs, barely pausing to answer. "Twilight hasn't transformed anypony else, has she? She promised I'd be next. I really want to go next! It'd be so cool to be a unicorn... or a pegasus... or a princess! Princess Pie! Doesn't that sound really cool? I'd create a national holiday to celebrate parties! And we could all party on Party Celebration Day! Doesn't that sound neat?"
Spike walked along behind her, considering. "Don't we have a party during most holidays anyway?"
Pinkie hesitated, thinking about that. "Well... yes, but this would be a special day to celebrate parties specifically. It'd be a day to party like no other!"
Spike grinned and shrugged. "Sounds cool to me."
Pinkie grinned back, then turned toward the stairs, her eyes going wide as a bright blue light started coming from the basement. "Wait for me, Twilight! I'm next, remember?" she rushed downstairs, then breathed a sigh of relief to see that it was Rarity's horn that was lit up, and not Twilight's. "Oh good... I'm not too late."
"Too late for what?" Twilight asked in confusion.
"To get transformed!" Pinkie said anxiously. "I do get to go next, don't I?"
Twilight hesitated. "Well... I did say when I needed another pony test subject, you'd be the next pony I ask... but I was planning on using a house plant for my next test. I really need to work on non-pony transformations now...."
Pinkie blinked. "Really? I thought you weren't looking for a way to transform Cheerilee back anymore?"
Twilight frowned. "Well, just because Cheerilee doesn't want to turn back right now doesn't mean I shouldn't be ready if she changes her mind. It's my fault she became a human in the first place, after all."
Rarity coughed, her horn still flaring. "Excuse me... Twilight? I hate to interrupt, but... I believe I am sensing something. It's faint... but...." she nodded toward the westernmost wall. "Some distance that way, I believe?"
Twilight blinked, then concentrated, her own horn lighting up faintly. "Yes... that would be Johnathon. I can feel Cheerilee is with him... very close in fact." she blinked. "Hmm... I believe they're in physical contact. Their signals are practically overlapping! In fact...." the purple unicorn's face started to turn a bit red. "Er... right... I think you have the spell down now, Rarity. You can stop now."
Rarity's horn stopped glowing, and her expression became rather amused. "Ah, to be in love. I suppose we should give them their privacy."
Twilight was blushing harder as she cancelled her own spell. "We don't know that they're... er... doing anything...."
Rarity nodded agreeably, although she couldn't seem to keep a wicked grin off her face. "Of course, of course. It's probably something quite innocent. I don't know WHAT I was thinking."
Pinkie was grinning as well. "Aww... I guess I should leave them alone today, huh?"
Rarity chuckled. "That might be for the best, PInkie."
Twilight was trying to stop blushing. "Er... anyway... um... you seem to have the detection spell down nicely now, Rarity. Focusing it through a dimensional portal shouldn't be all that much more difficult. I'd suggest we practice with some pinhole dimensional portals, but... I think it might be best if we wait till we're in at the Castle of the Pony Sisters before we try. I've been doing some thinking, and I suspect that creating multiple dimensional breaches in one location might cause a... weakness in the fabric of space-time... which is not the sort of feature one usually wishes to be sleeping above every night."
Rarity blinked, then nodded. "I'll take your word for it, darling. So... seeing as, thanks to your excellent tutoring, I've apparently mastered your human detection spell, was there anything else I can help you with today?"
Twilight hesitated, then shrugged. "Actually, Rarity, there is one more thing. I know you like your wings and everything... but would you mind if I returned you to normal now? I really don't want to risk somepony finding out that I transformed you into a winged unicorn, no matter how superficially."
Rarity sighed. "I quite understand. It's a shame though. I really do look marvelous in wings."
Twilight smiled at her. "You do look great, Rarity. Sorry about this."
Rarity shook her head. "Not at all. Please, go ahead. I'm ready," she threw off her cloak and stood back, her head tilted back and away, her eyes closed as if resigning herself to a blow.
Twilight took a firm stance, and concentrated, her horn lighting up the basement as she gathered the energy needed for the complicated spell. There was a flash, and Rarity was back to normal. Twilight was sagging on her hooves, looking a bit ragged. She shook off her fatigue in a moment, however, and straightened up. "Hmm. That actually wasn't so bad. Returning you to normal seemed to take less energy... although I suppose that makes sense...."
Pinkie sighed. "So... I guess you're going to be changing some plants next?"
Twilight nodded. "I was thinking of turning a fern into a sunflower... something simple. It's probably better if I keep the transformations from like to like until I get better at them. I'd hate to think what might happen if I tried to turn a house plant into something complex... like a pony."
Pinkie looked interested. "What WOULD happen?"
Twilight hesitated. "Actually... the idea worries me. It would have the body of a pony, but no real... memories. It would probably gain a pony's capacity for sentient thought as well... which would... complicate things if I wanted to change it back to a plant again."
Rarity frowned. "Oh dear... that does sound... rather questionable, doesn't it."
Twilight nodded. "I don't think I'm going to try transforming anything without a brain into something with one... at least not without giving it a whole lot more thought. Actually if I do end up transforming anything into a pony... I'd want to start with something else that already is relatively intelligent, to avoid that sort of... ethical problem. I'd prefer a volunteer, frankly, but since Spike's out of the picture, I'm not sure who I could ask."
PInkie frowned. 'Why not just ask Johnathon or Cheerilee?"
Twilight nodded. "I may have to do exactly that... but Cheerilee said specifically that she doesn't want to change back to a pony... and I want to respect that, even if I'm not exactly sure why."
Rarity spoke up. "I think she thinks she would find it... painful to be returned to her old form, only to have to go back to being human again anyway. As she is now, she can accept staying... human, but I think she's afraid if she became a pony again, she'd miss it more afterwards."
Twilight hesitated, then nodded. "I suppose I can understand that."
Pinkie looked curious. "Twilight... when will you need another pony test subject, anyway?"
Twilight hesitated. "Well... I suppose there is one thing I haven't tested yet. I haven't tried transforming another pony physically and magically at the same time. Not deliberately, anyway. For completeness at the least, I should confirm if my theory about that is correct, and that I can transform a pony into another type of pony, completely, so long as I have somepony to use as a template nearby," she grimaced. "But... I can already foresee some dangers with that sort of experiment."
Rarity frowned, looking concerned. "What sort of dangers?"
Twilight shook her head. "I"m not completely certain that my theory is correct... and frankly, I'm not certain that I can safely change a pony's magic. I seem to have managed to do so to myself... but I could be missing something," she shook her head. "I'm almost certain I could reverse whatever I do... but... I'm not absolutely sure... and theory alone will only take me so far. To be sure, I'll actually have to try it."
Pinkie nodded. "I believe in you, Twilight. I'm willing to risk it!"
Twilight smiled. "I appreciate that, Pinkie, but to be honest, it wouldn't just be you at risk. Whatever pony that agrees to be the template would be at some risk as well. I THINK that the spell wouldn't take any energy from the template if the two ponies have similar energy levels... but I can't be completely certain until I try it."
Pinkie blinked. "Oh. So you'd have to get somepony else to volunteer as well?"
Twilight nodded. "If I'm going to try this, yes. I'd want them to be fully aware of the risks as well. I'd use myself for a template... but I'm not sure I could do so while casting the spell."
Rarity wrinkled her nose. "Well, if it would help, I'd be willing to volunteer once more, if you wished to turn Pinkie into a unicorn?"
Twilight hesitated. "It's tempting, but it'd make any empirical testing tricky. It's easy enough to test if a pegasus has their magic working or not... but it might take quite a while for a new unicorn to learn how to use their magic... and frankly, it might be dangerous, using the magic of a full grown unicorn without having slowly increased their power over the years as most adult unicorns have."
Pinkie looked disappointed. "So we need to find a pegasus to volunteer?" she brightened a moment later. "Oh! I bet Dashie would volunteer! She'd never leave her pony's hanging, right?"
Twilight frowned. "Pinkie, I don't want you coercing Rainbow Dash into anything...."
Pinkie was already racing up the stairs. "Don't be silly, Twilight! I'm not going to sing at her!" she paused halfway up the stairs. "Well... I might, but I'll probably ask her without singing, since this is supposed to be a big secret, right?" she raced away again before Twilight could finish protesting.
"Coercing, not a chorus line!" Twilight called after the Pink party pony helplessly. "Oh well. I'll just have to explain to Rainbow Dash what the risks are," she decided, then grimaced. "Oh! I forgot... we should have made sure you didn't have any pegasus pony magic before I changed you back, Rarity."
Rarity smiled. "I'm pretty sure I didn't, Twilight. I tried flying... well, I flapped quite hard, trying to get off the ground, and I was quite land bound, I'm sorry to say."
Twilight winced. "Rarity, that could have been dangerous!"
Rarity shrugged. "I have had a pair of wings before, you know. I'm sure I'd have managed alright. In any case, I certainly was not capable of flight... or even hovering, which I expect I would have managed if I'd had true pegasus magic."
"Not necessarily." Twilight disagreed. "You might have had some minimal pegasi magic... not enough to take off from the ground without more practice, perhaps, but maybe enough to cloud walk? We really should have gotten you a cloud to try."
Rarity looked thoughtful. "Well... there will be time for that some other time, Darling."
Twilight sighed. "I suppose so. We should have a cloud on hand next time, though. It'd make for the easiest test."
Rarity nodded. "An excellent suggestion," she looked thoughtful. "I've always wondered what clouds feel like to walk on. I've never actually had the chance."
***********************************
Cheerilee cuddled into Johnathon's side with a sleepy, satisfied smile on her lips. They lay together on the bed in his room, under a light sheet. The unexpected sound of somepony knocking at their door stole the smile from her face, and she sat up, the sheet falling to her waist as she peered toward the the hall.
"Who could that be, at this hour?" the school teacher wondered aloud, then started to get out of bed, grabbing one of Johnathon's shirts and pulling it on over her head to cover herself as she did so.
Johnathon yawned, watching with a certain smug satisfaction as the woman he had decided to marry walked out of the room wearing only his shirt. "Want me to get it?" he asked politely.
"That's alright, I'm already up," Cheerilee answered, directing a fond smile over her shoulder at the man. "I'll find out what they want, and then I'll come back to bed."
Johnathon grinned. "Sounds good to me," he put his arms under his head and grinned up at the ceiling to avoid leering at Cheerilee's backside as she walked out of the room.
Cheerilee made her way to her front door, as a second series of knocks sounded, causing her to frown and throw the door open quickly. "Yes? Can I help...?"
An older mare with a dark blue coat and a white mane looked up at her face, a look of concentration coming over her features as she spoke in badly accented English. "Hello... Mister... John a thin?"
Cheerilee gaped, her mind going blank with surprise. "Mom?"