Checklists. Checklists were what Princess Twilight Sparkle lived by and the habit had passed to Sunset via her journal. The list that sat before her now was a short one, a single sheet. 'Things to Pack' was the title. Considering it was for a trip away, the list was exceedingly short.
Scientific Calculator
Notebook
Pack of Pens
Satchel
This was for a trip with a difference though.
Sunset Shimmer was going back to Equestria.
-*-
With vacation time upon them, Sunset hadn't needed too much persuasion to convince her family to make a visit to Equestria. Since 'Sunny Skies' had visited, Celestia had been intrigued to go. Luna had caught on to the idea pretty quickly, loving the idea of meeting her other self. The prospect of no Luna for at least a week had got Chrysalis tagged onto the party and Discord had invited himself too.
-“You promise you will come back?”- Sunset read the message on her phone from Twilight. Her human friends had been concerned when they had heard about Sunset's plans.
-“Yes, I will come back Twi'. This is my home. I think I am due a visit to Equestria without it being urgent! :)”- Sunset sent of the text with a smile. She dropped the phone to her bed and wandered out of her room. This was the night before they stepped through and there was plenty to do.
In the hallway she could hear the sound of muted singing in Celestia's room as she finished chores. Hearing a familiar laugh below Sunset took the stairs quickly and was soon in the lounge.
“Hello Sunny!” Discord was sat in one of the comfy chairs leafing through a book. “I hope the ponies go au-natural, seeing as I have not packed a stitch!” He grinned and twitched his brows. Since he had moved in she had gotten quite attached to him. The anarchic man loved her background and origins when she had shared her story. A visit to another world had captured his imagination.
“Essentially.” Sunset flopped onto the couch and lay across it. She looked over to the lanky man, “Ponies are covered in a coat of hair, so we're not exactly naked. Clothes are a status symbol or a practicality. It's dressy fashions or work-wear.” The teen rolled over and looked to the ceiling, stretching her arms up. “Hats are popular though. Lot's of ponies like to wear them.” Right now she was very happy to be thinking of her former home, excited to visit and not treading over past guilt or racing to fix a magical problem.
Discord pouted “You should have said, I have a number of dashing chapeaus that would have looked quite stylish whatever form I take. I'll never choose the perfect one now!”
“Heh, sure thing Dad.” Sunset laughed. “Come to think of it though, I have no idea what you will turn in to.” She rolled over on her couch to look at the man. “I mean, I at least know that Mom, Luna and Chrys will be pony shaped. Though Chrys might be a little bit of a surprise.” Sunset mused a moment. “Discord in Equestria is a god of chaos and well, discord.”
“A surprise? How exciting!” The man grinned. “So long as I am taller than 'Tia all will be well. It would be quite frustrating if I was to be a ferret.” He smirked and Sunset laughed.
Whatever he turned out to be, there was a high chance that he would be able to turn into anything he desired. Hopefully pure and easily accessed magic would not come as too much a shock to her human family.
-*-
Bright and early the next morning the little family were at the school. Chrysalis and Luna had met them by the portal, their own bags in hand.
Celestia was locking the doors to the school and checking them one last time. She had stowed the book in the office safe, deciding it was better to keep it there than risk it anywhere else. Her own and Luna's car keys were in there too, holding onto the school keys instead of multiple keys when they were in another world was the most sensible plan.
“There. We're all ready.” She placed the ring of keys into her simple purse, Sunset had advised everyone travel light and with a basic bag so the magic didn't have to work too hard to change things.
“Princess Twilight should have the portal ready soon.” Sunset supplied, watching the plinth as it quietly began to become a portal once more. She tapped it gently and watched her hand push through the surface. “We're good to go.”
“So we step through and Shazam! Pony-faces right?” Chrysalis poked a finger through the formerly solid stone.
“Pretty much.” Sunset looked to her family, “I haven't gone through with any more than two at a time though. So I think it would be better to stick to that.” She moved to step through. “I'll go first so I can help anyone on the other end. I've sort of made a habit of transforming.” Her laugh was a little self-deprecating but mostly humour. “The landing is a doozy.”
“I'll come with you.” Celestia said, she was still more than a little concerned about her daughter taking an extended visit to Equestria. Though the teen had assured her that she was not planning on staying, there was still a chance to lose her.
“Alright then.” Sunset held out her hand. “Another two can follow in a few minutes. Then one more after that.” When her mother took hold, Sunset put her arm into the portal. “See you all there.”
They both stepped through, the sensation of travelling and changing was something Sunset still hadn't really got used to. The landing was still a nuisance too. They ended up sprawled on crystal floors.
Sunset slowly got to her hooves and smiled, it was nice to be a unicorn again. Magic just wasn't the same in the human world. “So that is what you look like.” It was Celestia's voice, but not the princess. Princess Celestia had more gravity to her words, more depth of age. This voice was just as familiar though.
“This is me, Mom. But what are you?” Sunset turned around, wondering what her mother had become in the world of Equestria.
A just-barely-pink shaded mare a little taller than her, stood examining herself. Her mane was muted pastel shades but she was exploring under one impressively spread wing so Sunset couldn't see her face. “New limbs, interesting...” Her mom turned to face her. No horn, but the same eyes as ever looked back at Sunset.
“You're a pegasus.” Sunset smiled and stepped forward, trotting around the mare her mother had become. While the pastel shades of her hair were still present, the hint of pink and lack of horn would simply make her a pegasus who resembled the Princess a little instead of a shocking twin.
“Hmm, interesting parallel. The creatures of human myth existing as normal beings here.” Celestia fluffed her wings, seemingly enjoying the sensation of two new limbs. “I wonder if the portals between our worlds are responsible for that, or if it really was a coincidental development.”
“Exactly what I have been looking into.” Twilight Sparkle was in the library, a wide smile to greet her friend. “Hello Sunset, Celestia. Its good to see you.”
“Twilight.” Sunset trotted over and hugged her friend. “Aunty Luna, Chrys and Discord are on their way now. We didn't want to tax the portal too much, trying to come through all at once.” The unicorn explained. “And I wasn't so sure how Mom would end up this side of the portal and one extra princess is easier to handle than two.” She chuckled.
“We were having to plan for the possibility of two sets of princesses around and all the problems that would have caused.” Twilight giggled.
“Mom being a pegasus is much easier, we'll have to get Rainbow to give her a crash course in flying.” Sunset laughed. “Hopefully not too much crash though.” The mention of flying seemed to garner Celestia's attention.
“Wait, I get a chance to use these?” Celestia sounded almost giddy with excitement. She had not been surprised to see Princess Twilight with wings and a horn, Sunset had explained about princesses in Equestria. She had been adjusting to her new form and the mixed signals extra and re-purposed limbs were giving. It was strange to have four legs to consider.
“If you like. Rainbow isn't the most patient teacher but she does like a chance to show off her knowledge.” Twilight smiled. Like Sunset, she trotted around the human turned pony. “Oh, your Cutie-mark.” She looked a moment. It was slightly simpler than the Princesses, but still a sun of the same shape. “Not too similar... I wonder if this is because there is already a Celestia here with that mark?”
“We have a lot to study about the portal Twilight. It is a project I was going to request of you and Sunset.” A benevolent voice said as Princess Celestia entered the room. “Hello Sunset, welcome ho- Back to Equestria.” Her tone faltered at the slip up, she had been informed quite certainly that Sunset's home was the human world.
“Princess.” Celestia said, a greeting yet she stepped beside Sunset, unconscious pegasi instinct drew a wing over the smaller pony.
“Principal.” The Princess inclined her head. She towered over the pegasus, tall though she was, but there was a glint in those eyes she had seen many times in a mirror. Most often before battle for her ponies. “We'll have to come up with an assumed name for you and all your party. Bar Sunset of course.”
Twilight looked between the two mares and then caught Sunset's eye. The unicorn looked slightly pleased if a little flustered at how protective her adoptive mother was being. “I was thinking of that.” Twilight interjected to cool the tension. “Sunlit Sky isn't registered and is a more traditional pegasus name.” She smiled to the two Celestias.
“That sounds nice.” Sunset agreed. “Everyone knows that Sunny Skies is the Princess in disguise, so you can't use that. Sunlit Sky is a good name to use.”
“It sounds acceptable, if you think it suits this pony-self then I can adopt it for the week.” Principal Celestia allowed.
“It only needs to be in public Mom, and only for the others. I'm going to carry on calling you Mom.” Sunset nuzzled against her mother, it had been a very very long time since she had done this as a pony and it was bringing joyful tears to her eyes.
Her mother noticed. “You're crying.” She said softly, ignoring the others in the room and drawing her wings around the unicorn. Instinct was a powerful thing and the extra limbs that had concerned her on arrival were proving themselves useful.
“I'm happy. I was a little filly last time I could nuzzle my Mom.” Sunset said, the sensations she had missed bringing a rush of happiness.
“I think this trip was a good idea then.” Celestia nuzzled Sunset, marvelling at how right the gesture felt.
There was an awkward cough and they looked up, Spike had entered. “Uh hi... I'm not interrupting anything am I?” He looked to their visitors and then to the Princess and Twilight.
“Spike?” Sunset said, grinning to see the dragon. “You're right, you look much more, ah, fearsome as a dragon than a puppy.” She said, going over to look at her friend.
“Hey Sunset. Looking good on hooves again. Much better without the grim cloak.” He joked and gave a fist bump, or claw to hoof bump anyway.
Behind them there was a crash and some grumbling and a quiet pained groan in voices she recognised. Luna and Chrysalis had arrived. Time for a little surprise and some explaining. “So much spinning.” Luna commented.
“I thought you enjoyed the rides at the theme park, wasn't it quite the same Lu?” Principal Celestia said, she walked over to give her sister some help to stand up. She had landed on Chrysalis who was still lying dazed on the ground.
Luna had become an earth pony. Still deep blue with a lighter mane and tail, just like her hair in the human world. Her cutie-mark was a simple crescent moon. “Aww, still shorter than you.” She bumped against her sister.
“Oh! You look just like she did all those centuries ago!” Princess Celestia couldn't contain her glee at seeing the little earth pony.
Luna looked up and up some more. “Okay then, an even bigger sister. Hi.”
“Luna will be quite tickled to see you when she arrives. It is still a little early for her to wake though, so we will see her in a while.” Princess Celestia said. “It is lovely to meet you.”
“Whoa hey, I'm all tall and spindly.” Chrysalis said, standing up and examining herself.
“What!” Twilight prepared her magic. Princess Celestia was poised to attack too.
“Wait, wait!” Sunset teleported from beside Spike to between the combat ready princess and her almost aunt. “I thought I had explained! This is human world Chrysalis. Aunty Luna's girlfriend.”
“Chrys is Chrysalis?” Twilight shouted, face-hoofing. “I always thought it was short for Chrysanthemum...”
Princesses Celestia didn't look too surprised. She recalled the offhand mention of Chrysalis from her counterpart when they'd had a chat.
“Ah, my bad.” Sunset said sheepishly. “The book doesn't have predictive text, I am so not going to write Chrysalis out every single time.” She looked to the tall changeling and then back to her native Equestrian friends. “Yeah, um.. Meet Chrysalis, if those pair would ever get on with it she'd be my other aunty.” That one earned a kick from the changeling and a glower from Luna.
“Okay... So we have the double of the Queen of the Changelings ready to walk about the place.” Twilight looked like she had a headache coming on.
“Just a second. I have an idea.” Chrysalis said. In a swift flash of flame-like magic the hole-legged insect-equine was a unicorn in dusty black, a mask on her flank as a cutie-mark, with the same teal mane and eyes. “Ooo, it worked.” At the shocked looks she grinned slyly. “I've been studying.”
All eyes turned to Sunset. “I told her a lot about how magic felt and how it worked... I didn't think she would pick up on it so quickly.” The unicorn smiled. “I must be a great teacher.”
Celestia swatted her with a wing. “Ow, mom!” Sunset protested with a smile for the smirk her mother was wearing.
“Alright, that solves one issue.” Twilight looked at the changeling. “As long as you keep that form consistent then nopony should panic.” The alicorn paused a moment. “We need a name though.”
“Just call me Mirage.” Chrysalis grinned again, still slightly fanged. She turned to Luna and ran her tongue along her teeth. “You are legitimately adorable. I look forward to snuggling tonight.”
“Having hooves is weird.” Luna commented instead of engaging. Eyeing up her partner and family she pouted, “How come you all get wings or horns and I have nothing?”
“You're an earth pony Aunty Luna.” Sunset said, trotting over to look at the pony her aunt had become. “Extra strength, more stamina and an affinity for plants and the earth.” She took a look over her aunt. “I am sure one of Twilight's earth pony friends could tell you more.”
“Were you and Princess Luna a pegasus and an earth pony then?” Sunset asked the Princess as she looked to see what cutiemark Equestria had given to the second Luna.
“Yes we were, a long time ago.” Princess Celestia said, amusement in her voice as her counterpart attempted a little flight.
“So, why do I have a crescent moon on my butt?” Luna said, looking at the plain white crescent.
“No one pony shares the same cutiemark.” The voice that spoke was a new arrival but Sunset heard some similarities between the newcomer and her aunt. “Thus you, my counterpart, have a somewhat simpler representation of our talent.”
“Princess Luna?” Sunset said, looking to see the alicorn, she had not really had much of a chance to talk with the other alicorn on her last visit.
“Hello Sunset Shimmer. It is good to see you under less trying circumstance.” The Princess of the night approached the group. She looked to her counterpart and the double of her sister. “Ah, it has been a long time since we saw us like this.” She smiled. “I do sometimes miss it.”
“Wowser.” Discord had arrived, passing through the mirror had changed him just as the others. A pair of claws clicked on the crystal floor. “How do I look Sunny?” He struck a pose.
“Like another Discord.” Twilight groaned, hoping this one wasn't as prone to teasing her as the native Equestrian Discord.
“Two Discords....” Spike said aloud an idea dawning, “Say, do you like tabletop role-playing games?”
“Oh! I do!” Luna called out, finding a surprising turn of speed from her new pony form and joining the little dragon quickly.
“Aaand we've lost her.” Chrysalis said, trotting to the Princesses and Sunset. “So, what have you ponies got to do around here? I was hoping to spend a lot of vacation time by a pool.”
Poor Chrysalis, she just lost her girlfriend to a long game of O&O.
Well, now. This is going to be fun.
No, I'm pretty sure that you were hoping to spend a lot of time in Luna's arms.
....Hooves? Embrace?
Bed, y-you were hoping to spend a lot of time in Luna's bed.
9195219
Gotta be polite when giant horse-goddessess are knocking around...
This can only go well.
uh celesta and luna where always alicorns this has been stated by the writers several times even post flury heart
Well, there's no way this could possibly go wrong ...
Offering some corrections ... since I can't seem to stop myself ... (I've done too much of this recently)
off
laugh below, Sunset took
circumstances
Can't wait to see this totally not go wrong at all ...
I love it when updates for this story come across my feed! Can't wait to see where this story arc goes!
Really looking to see the shenanigans that the human counterpart of the Princesses (and Chrysalis and Discord) will have in Equestria!
ooohhh dis gonna be good
And now I have an image in my head of Pathfinder (Sojourner?) looking at the moon and saying "This is a rock," in Maud's voice.
Let a mom war begin!
been waiting for this. wonder if Chrys will give all her loving to Luna, and end up keeping some of the magic?
edit: always pictured them as an unicorn and a pegasus myself. it's just something about their personalities.
Ohboi. This is gonna be a good time. I have an excitement.
Can't wait to see more of their vacation... really hope this is not just a 'teaser' and suddenly back to normal next chapter. This small excerpt of them could be an entire story itself :3 I wonder what Chrys will think once she 'tastes' Luna's love for her... since that's how changelings get their love energy (food ...???) from... Hope to see more :)
9195995
My headcanon is that in a pinch Pinkie Pie or Maud could move the moon if needs be.
I love VP Luna! I can just imagine the look on her pony face. That last line from Chrysalis was exactly what I was thinking.
And Principal Celestia is just adorable with her possessiveness of Sunset around the Princess!
I am really looking forward to seeing what you have planned for this little arc you have started!
But seriously, so much cute in one glorious chapter.
OMG I JUST HAD A THOUGHT! WHAT IF THE PORTAL HAS ISSUSES ON THE RETURN TRIP AND HALF OF THEM GET STUCK? Really hope it doesnt happen though. I just want to see Twilight greeting Sunset with a huge hug as soon as she gets back and Luna or Chrysalis saying something about Twilight liking her.
9195307
Yeah but I'm pretty sure Cirrus did it like this for the sake of the story to focus more on the events and not worrying about having four princess opposed to two. It was really the easiest way to get past it.
9195587
Dude me too!
9196086
YESS ALL OF THE YES! I would like to see more of that drama.
9196106
they were before the had to get the E.O.H. we find that out in one of the episodes
I need to see discord meet discord.
Really looking forward to seeing the next few chapters.
9195307
That's why it's called FAN FICTION. Alternate Universe. What the writer says goes.
9195307
Then why, when Flurry was born they were surprised? They even said there's never been a natural born alicorn before, indicating that they too, were born one of the three tribes.
Hell even Cadance was a Pegasus before ascending.
9195227
Though I am surprised. The more popular theory is that before ascending, Celestia was a Unicorn and Luna was a Pegasus, not a Pegasus and Earth Pony
This hit all the happy centers in my brain! I can't wait for the next chapter!
9198632
the line about flurry heart was just a simple plot hole every thing before and after has stated celestia and luna where born alicorns
hell they are different than other alicorns note that they are the only ones wih the mystical manes
they are the only ones who are immortal other alicorns have been stated to age like regular ponies
9198938
I just did a little research and I stand corrected. It was stated by a former writer said that they were born Alicorns and the reason as to why they were surprised by Flurrys birth is because they weren't from Equestria. They were from a race of Alicorns from outside Equestria.
So I was wrong
https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/148428/were-celestia-and-luna-born-as-alicorn
Okay, right.
I had the headcanon, when I thought that the Princesses ascended and were not born alicorns, that they were a Pegasus and an Earth Pony. Part of it was for my own amusement, I loved the idea that Maud was a few giant rocks away from becoming a princess. I like the idea of Celestia having grown up as a pegasus, making it even more of a clever thing that she moves the sun.
This is also something of a leftover from an old fic that I lost when I lost a thumb-drive. I had the princesses disappear from Equestria (also the crystal empire went missing) leaving Spike and Blueblood to try and run the country and the leftover elements look for them. Luna is found as an earth pony, Celestia was a pegasus (I never got as far as Twilight).
This is my fanfic and I wanted to use my own headcanon, and it would have been an annoyance to try and overcome the "OMG TWO CELESTIAS OMG TWO LUNAS" problem. So I dropped in the pair of them as normal ponies and got on with figuring out how Principal! Celestia and Princess! Celestia try and polite each other to death.
9199202
i did not mean to create a debate in your comments sorry i was just pointing things out not even trying to have you make a correction just sharing some information
9198938
Actually, the line was "The birth of an alicorn is something Equestria has never seen." Implying that, if Celestia and Luna were alicorns-by-birth, they were born before Equestria's founding. And if Celestia and Luna were the last of the alicorn tribe, it would make sense that they would have little understanding about an alicorn-by-birth.
Now I wonder what happens when Human Discord meets Equestria Discord?
I look forward to more.
Oh man. This is so good. I love your stories my dude. They're just so heartwarming. Your stuff always puts a smile on my face. I really love rereading your older chapters when I feel down, and it also helps keep me refreshed on the story for when you update.
Funnily enough, one of my own characters goes by Chrys and is named Chrysanthemum XD
This ought to be very interesting.
Lost it
I'm hoping Chrys will have some fun with her new abilities. Would be especially fun if she meets some familiar SMILE-y ponies and confuses the heck out of them.
And there isn't even a question that both Discords will have fun together.
this should be fun, two chrysalis and two discord in one world lol
Oh boy, this is likely gonna be a problem once someone other than princess twilight meets the counterparts.
Yep, something they'll all be shocked about.
Well at least no one will known the difference at least.
Really twilight, really.
Well that makes things ten times better.
How am I not surprised.