> Tiny Twilight Tales
>  by Foals Errand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Break
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Almost, almost, almost!” With her hooves planted firmly on the floor, Twilight kept her focus fully on the ball she levitated—her little tongue sticking out as she concentrated. A few sputtering sparks fell from her horn as she pulled her tongue back in and gritted her teeth.  Princess Celestia had left the room a few minutes ago in distress—something about a pony or something that Twilight had been too absorbed in her lesson to really listen to— though she had heard Princess Celestia tell her that she’d be back within the next hour and for her to continue to read the chapter they had been discussing. Twilight had tried—she really had— but at four years old, her attention span was far shorter than even a filly double her age. So when she had seen that globe behind her teacher’s lectern, well, what better chance to work on her levitation?

“Come on, come on, come on…” the ball wavered in her magical grasp, “No! No, stay up, stay up!” Twilight strained, but it was just too much. Five feet from the floor, her horn sparked out and the globe smashed into the ground, shattering into hundreds of pieces across the tiled floor.

It took exactly five seconds for two facts to hit Twilight harder than a buffalo at full charge. One, her magic was a lot weaker then she remembered and  two, Princess Celestia’s globe, which was probably hundreds of years older than Twilight could ever hope to be, was laying on the floor, smashed into at least thirty three pieces. “Oh no, this is bad! This is really, really bad!”

Twilight grabbed at her ears and stared at the globe, as if trying to force time to go back to when it hadn’t been smashed. Unfortunately, time didn’t work that way, and the globe remained shattered. 

“Okay, okay, I can fix this,” she said as her little voice rose with her panic. “I can! Option one: I run away and leave Equestria and become a... what did mommy call them? A gypsy pony… No, not a great option. Okay option two: I search the Princess’s desk for some type of paste and fix the globe!”  Her eyes brighten. “Yes, that sounds much better!” With a nod to herself, she began searching Princess Celestia’s desk, causing various office supplies to fly from the drawers because of her search.





A worn sigh escaped Princess Celestia as she made her way back to her study. The fact that she had been taken from her lessons with Twilight for something as mind numbing as a complaint of social etiquette was enough to drive anypony batty.  I swear, sometimes I think that the nobility would be unable to wipe themselves if I didn’t give them permission to do so. 

A huff escaped her. At least she’d never have to worry about Twilight Sparkle acting like that in front of her. She glanced at the clock as she passed it by and winced. It had been over an hour since she had to leave Twilight alone but she knew the little filly was very studious. Well we can end the lesson a bit early. Maybe go outside and play hide and seek? Yes, that will be nice! With a smile back on her muzzle, Celestia opened the door to her study and stared at the sight in front of her.

Twilight Sparkle sat on the floor with a haphazardly glued globe in front of her; her fur caked with paste. Celestia’s lips twitched as she stared at the sight. 

“Twilight Sparkle?” She called gently to see the little filly’s head lift in shock, her eyes wide and her bottom lip trembling.

“I’m so sorry, Princess Celestia! I was just trying to practice my levitation! I didn’t mean to break it!” Twilight’s ears pinned back and bits of her mane sprang up. “Please don’t make me go away and become a gypsy pony!” 

Celestia blinked a few times before a laugh burst from her muzzle.

The little filly lowered her gaze to the floor, her body quivering. “I-I’m so sorry, Princess Celestia.”

Getting her giggles under control, Celestia smiled down at her. “Oh Twilight! I would never send you away, especially just because you had an accident.”

Twilight sniffled, wiping her eyes with a pasty hoof. “R-Really?”

Celestia nodded and wrapped Twilight in a gentle, winged hug. “Really. Now; since you are going to need a bath anyways before bed, why don’t we go out to the garden and play hide and seek?”

Twilight immediately perked up, her tears gone just as fast. “Oh yes!” Her ears pinned back for a moment, a sheepish look playing on her face. “Um, Princess? Do you think that maybe…” Twilight gestured for Celestia to bend her neck down so she could whisper in her ear.  A warm smile tugged at Celestia’s lips as she bent down to listen.  

Minutes later, several guards were wondering if something had been added to the water as Princess Celestia galloped past them—a lavender foal on her back giggling wildly. “Giddy up Princess,” the filly squealed as she clung to Celestia’s mane.

One of the guards blinked before returning to stand next to his partner. “Did you see…”

The older guard gave a gruff shake of his head. “No, and neither did you.”
> Smarty Pants
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight Sparkle sat on her haunches with a mostly empty saddle bag beside her. At first she had packed it until it almost burst from all of her magic books, but realized while struggling to zip it up that in all likeliness, Princess Celestia’s library probably had a copy of every one of them plus ones which Twilight had only dreamed of laying her hooves on. So with a small sigh, she had painstakingly reshelved every single one of them in perfect alphabetical order. 

She had finished the normally enjoyable chore several minutes ago and since then had simply sat looking around the room that had been hers for her whole life. She wiped her eyes with her fetlock and sniffled. She hadn’t even realised she had started crying till then. The reality was hitting her now though. Tomorrow morning after breakfast her mommy and daddy would be taking her to the palace where she would be living from now on.

Twilight wiped at her eyes angrily. This is no time to cry! My greatest dream is about to come true! She sniffled once more before her ear twitched at the sound of a quiet knock on her door.

“Twily? Are you awake?”

Twilight wiped at her eyes one final time before she trotted over and opened the door with a pulse of magic to reveal a tall white unicorn colt a dark blue mane falling into his eyes. As he smiled down at Twilight, she noticed his horn was glowing.

“BBBFF!” Twilight beamed before nuzzling against his foreleg. If there was anypony who could get her out of the slump she was in, it was her big brother best friend forever Shining Armor.

Shining Armor wrapped a foreleg around Twilight, giving her a bit of a noogie. “I’m glad you aren’t asleep yet, I have something for you! Been working on it since you got your cutie mark… mind you Cadance did help… A bit.”

Twilight wiggled out of the embrace and smoothed out her mane before cocking her head. “A present? For me?!”

Shining Armor laughed and from behind his back floated out a small brown pony doll with big button eyes and polka-dotted shorts. He gently set it on the ground in front of Twilight “Here you are Twily! A new study buddy just for you! She even has a notebook and quill so she can do homework with you!” He set the two small objects next to the doll. “Her name is Smarty Pants.” He sat down trying not to wince as he moved his injured forehooves recalling Cadance tsking as she once again treated his knicks due to him repeatedly stabbing himself with the sharp needle.

Twilight circled the doll a few times looking her over and Shining Armor swallowed hard Oh no, what if she doesn’t like it? I worked so hard on it and I don’t have anything else for her…

“Shiny?” Twilight asked finally looking up at her stoic big brother.

Shining Armor licked his lips before glancing down at her, a single bead of sweat forming on his brow  “Yes Twily?”

“Did…. are you sure she’s made for me?” Twilight asked while pawing at the floor a bit nervously.

“Of course she is Twily! She’s made just for you so that when you are lonely and I’m not there, you’ll have somepony to talk to.” Shining Armor gave her a nuzzle and grinned as she wrapped her little hooves around his face and nuzzled his cheek.

“Thank you so much Shiny! I love her so much!” She picked Smartypants up in her forelegs and hugged her tightly. 

Somehow she wasn’t so worried about leaving home anymore.
> My Little Human Convention!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Please? Please, please, please, please, pleaseeeeee?" Twilight begged as she maneuvered around Celestia as they walked down the hallway, a small poster held within her magical aura. "Oh pleassssseeeee?"

"Twilight, I'm sorry, but I just don't think it's a plausible outing. with you only recently entering into my teaching, and not to mention how difficult it would be for me to get the day of—"

"Pleasssseeeee?" Twilight stared up at Celestia with large gleaming purple eyes. The poster which she had been carrying around since she had found it at the playground trembled in her grasp.

Celestia sighed, shaking her head as she took another look at the poster which showed the image of a small being standing on two legs. The being had a long blonde mane and was wearing a dress. Standing beside her was a tall white alicorn and under the image was the wording "My Little Human, Friendship is Magic," along with three dates relating to the next weekend. 

She looked back at Twilight and realized the filly hadn’t let up with that adorable look of hers. "You realize, Twilight, that I should reclassify that look as a weapon of mass cuteness."

Twilight's bottom lip jutted out at that statement, her ears pinning back by the smallest amount.

Celestia shook her head and gave a helpless laugh. "Alright, alright. I will see if we can go for one day. Is that satisfactory, Little Miss Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight's ears perked right back up and she leaped into the air, poster fluttering to the ground. "Yessssss!"





Twilight stared into the mirror, her tiny tongue sticking out as her horn glowed. The blonde wig on her head adjusted by the smallest amount. “There!” She stood back and smoothed out the blue skirt which went halfway down her legs and lifted up on her hind legs to make sure the white shirt she was wearing wasn’t wrinkled at all. Satisfied that her cosplay was perfect, she circled herself a few times in glee before her ears flicked from the sound of a soft knock on the door. She stopped so quickly that when she opened her mouth to tell the pony knocking to come in, she got a mouthful of her own tail. “Phoo!” Spitting out her own tail.

A soft chuckle was heard above her. “Twily, what have I told you about chasing your tail, LSBFF?”

“That only puppies chase their tail and I’m far too um...telligent and adorable to be a puppy?” Twilight answered automatically before peering up at her laughing big brother. “It’s not that funny, BBBFF.” She jutted her lip out a bit, crossing her fore legs before cocking her head slightly. “Hey that’s not your cadet armor that’s solar armor!”

Shining Armor stood up proudly, the slightly too big armor hanging just a bit off his chest. “That’s right, Twily!”

Twilight pursed her lips together, her eyes narrowing. “Shiny, did you take somepony’s armor? The Princess isn’t going to be happy with you.”

Shining Armor rolled his eyes while booping her nose. “No, Twily, this is my armor.” He lifted a hoof and rubbed his neck “Well, it will be after I graduate. My commander found out about what the Princess and you are planning today, and since the Palace is closing the courts for the reason of her highness being ill, they can’t afford for any of the normal guards to be seen with her.”

Twilight stared up at him, her eyebrow raised

“Yeah, I know, Twilight, I don’t understand it either. But I get to go with you to the convention, so thats pretty cool, right?” Shining Armor grinned

“I don’t know know… are you cool enough to come with Princess Celestia and me?” Twilight stuck her tongue out and her brother tackled her to the ground, giving her a noogie. “Noooo! Shiny, my costume!”





Celestia sighed, looking up at the convention center while Twilight practically bounced next to her. Shining Armor took careful steps behind her, his gaze sweeping the crowd. For the fifth time since leaving the palace, she shivered at seeing her bare hoof. ‘Oh, Twilight, I do hope you enjoy yourself here. For truthfully, without my regala, on I feel rather… naked.’ She shivered a bit before smiling at a young stallion wearing a t-shirt with Princess Blaze on it. “Excuse me, could you tell me where registration is?” 

The stallion grinned “Of course! Head upstairs and turn left, third room on the right.” His eyes traced over her and he smiled wide. “Oh, oh wow! That is one of the best Princess Blaze cosplays I’ve seen! Your wings look almost real and your enlargement charm. Brilliant!”

Celestia simply gaped for a few moments before she felt Twilight wiggle out from between her forelegs.

The stallion looked down to see the little filly cosplaying as Aurora Dawn and laughed. “Oh man, and you have your own Aurora Dawn and a shield pony! You three are awesome.” He held his hoof up to Twilight. “Human boop me, little kid!”

Twilight giggled before touching her hoof to his. “Can we go register now, Princess, please?” 

Celestia looked a bit nervous but the stallion just laughed and walked away. “Man, they really are going all out,” he said as he disappeared into the crowd.

Celestia blinked “Well, yes. Alright let’s go get registered.” She blinked as Twilight took off at a gallop straight up the stairs. “Twilight! Slow down, young filly!” She took off at a fast canter after her, catching up at the door to the registration—Shining Armor following close behind. “Twilight, you will stay with me while we are here understand?”

Twilight’s ears fell back a bit. “I’m sorry, Princess, I promise that I will stay with you. Can we go into register now please? Oh please?”

A soft huff blew through Celestia’s nose and she nodded.  ’While that young stallion may have assumed me in cosplay not everypony here will be so easily fooled and if something were to happen to her…’ 

They started walking over to one of the ponies with bundles of scrolls and lanyards. A mare wearing a green shirt with the word ‘staff’ on it finish scribbling down something and gave them a pleasant smile as Celestia spoke. “Good morning I’m here to register two adults and a filly for today only.”

The staff member nodded. “How old is the filly?”

“Oh, Twilight is four.” Celestia blinked a bit, puzzled by the question.

The mare chuckled. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad. she's just what is known as a little kid here at the convention. There's a few things she gets, such as first chance at the voice actors for autographs. Also, her registration is free.” She glanced down at the eager Twilight. “Wow, that’s a great Aurora Dawn costume and your Mom is cosplaying as Princess Blaze. That’s very cool.” She looked back up at Celestia. “Alright, so a day’s registration for two grown-ups is 60 bits.” 

Celestia hoofed over the bag of coins. ’These conventions are expensive...’

The mare took the offered bag of bits and passed over the lanyards which flashed as they come in contact with them. “That will make it so only you can wear your badges. Make sure they are visible at all times.” She passed over the trio of badges. “There are schedules on the table behind you. Have a great time at the Con!”

Twilight grabbed a schedule in her wavering magic and gasped. “Oh wow, Princess! Princess Blaze’s voice actress is here signing autogra...autogr...phs?” She looked up to see Celestia nodding that she had pronounced it right. “In an hour! Can I get her autograph please, Princess?”

Celestia took the schedule in her magic. “Well, there are lots of things to do here today. Some panels with several voice actors—even ones with writers—a cupcake eating contest, cosplay, and even the My Little Human trading card game! My goodness.” Celestia gave a helpless chuckle “Well, lets make a plan of exactly what we want to do. Okay?”

Twilight frowned but nodded. “Kay.”

Celestia smiled at that adorable frown. “Don’t worry, Twilight, she’ll be signing autographs again from four until six. We can catch her before we go.”





“GO GO GO GO GO GO!!!!”

Celestia would never be able to tell anypony exactly how it happened but she was now sitting on her haunches, blindfolded, and going head to head with several other ponies on who could eat three cupcakes the fastest without using magic or their sight, then down a bottle of cider.

“DRINK! DRINK! DRINK!”

Celestia stood up and whipped her blindfold off after finishing her cider and grinned in the realization she had won. “And our winner is... Princess Blaze!”

Celestia smiled and took a small bow, giggling a bit as she cleaned her muzzle of frosting. ’Oh my, if any of them realized who I really am, my reputation would be destroyed!... But it was so much fun!’





Through out the convention, several ponies stopped the group to take pictures. Celestia just smiled but Twilight was over the moon every time some pony complimented her costume. The day just seemed on super speed from one stop to the next. With Celestia often chasing after a very excited Twilight, until they reached the vending hall. Twilight seemed to be drawn straight to a stand where a mare was selling plushies. She smiled down at Twilight as the little filly reached up with her forelegs to look over the selection. “Hello little, Aurora Dawn, are you here looking for Princess Blaze?”

Twilight looked over the plushies and squealed when she found a simple one in the design of Princess Blaze. The vending mare smiled as Celestia walked up. “Ah, Princess Blaze, is this your Aurora Dawn?”

Twilight looked up with those bright eager eyes of hers. “Oh Princess, could I have one? Please?”

Celestia looked over the plushies with a careful eye The sewing is good, the stitches strong, a bit better then Smarty Pants I’d say. “How much for the Princess Blaze plushie?” she asked.

The mare frowned thoughtfully, rubbing at her chin. “Well, normally I charge fifty bits per plushie, however I just can’t let Aurora Dawn go away without her best friend, Princess Blaze.” She levitates the plushie down and Twilight grasps it in her magic with a gasp.

“Oh wow! Thank you so much!” Twilight held the plushie in her fore hooves, cuddling it.

Celestia nodded her head to the merchant and turned to leave when the merchant laughed.

“Hey. Hold on, Princess Blaze, you can’t go without your best friend Aurora Dawn, now can you?”

Celestia smiled down at Twilight and shook her head before levitating fifty bits onto her table, taking the plushie of the human filly. The merchant blinked at the bits and levitated over a shield pony plush. “Here, complete the set.” She gave them a wink. “Have a great day!”





Twilight was starting to slow down as they stood in line waiting for the autograph hall to open. She slumped a little against Celestia until a staff pony came by.

“Is she alright?”

Celestia looked at the tired filly and nodded. “Oh yes, just a little sleepy. It’s been a long day.”

The staff pony nodded before poking her head into the room for a few minutes and looking back at Celestia. “Who are you here to get an autograph from? The director, one of the writers, or Night Wind?”

Celestia blinked, thinking back to the cast list from when she listened to the show with Twilight the day before. “Oh, just Night Wind.” She pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Though if we have to wait much longer, it may not be worth it…”

The staff pony smiled and opened the door just enough to let Celestia and Twilight in. Twilight blinked, seeing a dark furred unicorn smiling down at her with a plaque in front of her saying ‘Night Wind, voice of Princess Blaze.’

“Well, I was wondering where my best friend Aurora Dawn was all day! You’ve been hiding from me haven’t you, little girl?” Night Wind smiled down at the beaming Twilight. She took a picture of Aurora Dawn and Princess Blaze before signing it. “But that's okay. Have you been having fun?”

Twilight bobbed her head eagerly. “Yes, Princess Blaze, I have been having lots of fun but um…”

“Why do I look like this, my little one?” Night Wind asked with a knowing smile.

Twilight simply nodded as Night Wind hummed a bit. “Well, Aurora Dawn, even princesses need a day off don’t you think?”

For a single moment, Celestia felt the voice actresses’ eyes on her and smiled as Night Wind gave the faintest of respectful nods. 

Celestia felt an eyebrow inch upwards. ’Wait is it possible does she know?’ 

Night Wind smiled as Twilight tried to keep her eyes open. “Well, I think Aurora is ready to return home don’t you think, Princess?” She leaned forward and Celestia mimicked the motion until Night Wind’s muzzle was to her ear.

“Thank you for coming, Princess Celestia, I hope you enjoyed our Con. I’d leave now though, the press will be arriving soon I have an interview scheduled and I don’t want your day to end on a sour note.” Night Wind pulled back and levitated Twilight onto Celestia’s back. “Don’t forget your autograph, Aurora Dawn! Thank you for coming to see me. I’ll be back at the castle soon!”

Celestia smiled and turned, walking to the exit to see Shining Armor finally catch up with them. She glanced to his saddlebags which were full of something she didn’t recognize. “Shining Armor? I was wondering where you were.”

“Ah, well, after seeing that you and Twily were alright. I decided to try my hoof at that My Little Human Card game and well I just kept advancing.” He shrugged

Celestia laughed as they walked down the street to where several pegasi guards were waiting to take them home. “That’s fine. Just remember once you are graduated, things will be different.”

Shining Armor nodded saluting her with a smile. “Yes, Princess. Did you and Twily have a good time?”

Celestia felt her smile grown and she gave a soft nod. “Indeed we did.” 





Celestia pulled the covers up over Twilight after a quick dinner of soup and bread. The little filly was past tired—barely keeping herself awake through dinner! “There now all tucked in with Princess Blaze and Smarty Pants.” She leaned down and pecked Twilight's forehead

Twilight gave a soft moan. “Princess?”

“Hmm? What is it, Twilight?” Celestia asked sitting next to her on the bed..

“Did you know that Aurora Dawn and Princess Blaze are best friends?” Twilight asked with a yawn, snuggling deeper into her bed.

“I did. Why do you ask, Twilight?” Celestia smiled as she watched Twilight struggle to stay awake long enough to finish her thought.

“Well, I was thinking about it a lot today, Princess, and well… You are MY best friend.”

Celestia struggled to blinked back the tears that suddenly filled her eyes at such an innocent statement. She leaned forward and nuzzled Twilight’s cheek. “And you, Twilight Sparkle, are my best friend. Now sleep well. We have classes tomorrow.”

Twilight nodded, her eyes closing as Celestia left the room. 

She stopped at the doorway, looking back at the sound asleep filly before looking at the ceiling above her. A best friend... Oh, Luna, I hope that when you return we can all be best friends together.	
> So... Cheesy...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight licked her lips as she leaned back to glance at the service entryway for the third time in five minutes. Her tiny tummy rumbled and she frowned, rubbing it in hopes it won’t growl at her loudly. “Yeah I know i’m hungwy too, but Dawn Light said that the chef said that our lunch was almost ready!” Twilight harrumphed  laying her chin on the table and glanced  at the clock which hung on the wall nearby. 

She groaned and thumped her head on the table. “It’s been forever!”

The door opened, causing Twilight’s ear to twitch. She sat up straight, just a proper mare should, and smiled as the unicorn stallion carried a plate and small glass of milk.

“Here we are. Sorry it took so long. The chef is experimenting with recipes from other parts of Equestria and has decided you shall be the taste tester for this recipe from Mexicolt. I believe he called it a... Kaycidiya?”

Twilight cocked her head. “That's a funny name.” 

The servant shrugged, setting the plate and small glass of milk in front of Twilight. “I agree, but that’s what Dinner Bell called it.” 

Twilight took a look at her plate and an eyebrow inched up. There was a tortilla folded into a crescent shape. Next to the tortilla was a sweet pepper salad and a small amount of salsa. “It looks really good and I’m awful hungry! Thank you, Bon Appetite!”

Bon Appetite smiled before bowing his head and leaving the small dining room. 

Twilight lifted her fork and poked the tortilla— with her tongue poking out the side of her mouth. Satisfied that it wasn’t going to explode, she took a large bite of her salad before lifting the quesadilla and dipping it in the salsa and taking a big bite. “Mmm” ing at the taste before setting it down to chew, she frowned as the cheese stretched out from her mouth back to the plate. She grabbed hold of the cheese but it just continued to stretch. Twilight growled and grabbed hold with all four hooves.

“Huh?” Twilight cried out as all four of her hooves got covered in the very stringy and sticky cheese. “No you are not gonna feat me! I am Twilight Sparkle Faithful student to the princess!” Twilight growled and grabbed hold of one of the strands of cheese with her teeth and yanking on it. Unfortunately, she yanked a bit to hard and lost her balance; landing so the her left rear hoof got stuck to her tail.

“Oh no! No,no,no!” Twilight lit up her horn before stabbing into the cheese, rolling across the floor as she quickly realized that her horn was now stuck. She tried shaking it loose until she hit the wall with a thump. 

“Th-this isn’t fair… I’m Twilight Sparkle I… I” She sniffled and began to try to push away from the wall.





Princess Celestia sighed as she looked behind one of the suits or armor in the hallway. “Twilight? Twilight Sparkle? Play time is over. You are late for our lessons.” She sighed as once again there was no answer. If she hadn’t had to search for Twilight so many times in the last several weeks, she’d have been petrified several minutes ago. As it was though, she was able to keep her anxiety under control—barely. She paused in front of the door which led to the private dining room where she and Twilight ate. Her ear flicked as she heard a soft noise coming from inside. “Is that... Twilight?”

Celestia walked into the room to see her very small student stuck to the wall, sniffling as she weakly tried to pull away from it. Her fur was covered in a sheen of yellow goo and her horn stuck to the wall with a large glob of, ’Is that cheese?’

After several minutes of gentle pulling from Celestia and tears from Twilight, Celestia summoned a servant to bring a pair of scissors.





Dinner Bell took a small sip of the soup he was preparing when he heard the sound of a throat being cleared behind him. He turned to see Princess Celestia standing there with a patient smile, the remains of the lunch he prepared for Twilight in her telekinesis. “Princess, is everything alright?”

“Oh, just a small mishap. May I make a request though?” Celestia asked before setting the quesadilla in the trash.

Dinner Bell nodded “Oh, yes of course, Princess, anything!”

Celestia smiled. “Might I ask that you don’t serve this dish to my faithful student again.”

He blinked before responding, “I, er—y-yes of course. Did she dislike the taste?” Dinner Bell asked worried about what else he would have to cut from the menu.

“Actually, they were just a bit too cheesy for her.” With that Celestia turned to leave allowing Dinner Bell a glimpse of where Twilight was rocking back and forth on her mentor’s back, half her mane cut off and several tufts of fur and bits of her tail missing.

“...So… cheesy…” 


 
	
> Barracks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight glanced left then right before releasing a deep sigh and sitting down on her haunches. It was official, she had definitely taken a wrong turn past that third staircase. Her ears pinned back as she swallowed hard, determined not to cry. Mommy had always told her to stay where she was if she got lost. But does that count in a big dark scary hallway? She shivered a small sob escaping her.

“H-hello! Is anypony around? I’m lost!” Twilight called down the hallway her voice echoing. After a few moments the echos stopped and she was surrounded by silence once more. 

“Helllo! Anypony!” Twilight called out again, this time though she felt her ear flick. She had heard something and it was coming right towards her!

Quickly, Twilight laid down on the floor trying to hide herself. She trembled, her irises shrinking down as she was certain that whatever was coming was a monster. A very hungry monster who liked to eat curious fillies! As it neared she squinted her eyes shut, certain that it was all over!

“Well hello there! Why don’t you sit up so I can make certain you are all right, Twilight”

Twilight opened an eye. She couldn’t be positive but she was almost positive that monsters didn’t know her name, and she was positive they didn’t sound like..

“Mr. Honed Edge! I’m so glad you are here. I was scared and lost!” Twilight sat up and held tight to the very familiar pegasus guard.

The white coated stallion chuckled, leaning down to nuzzle Twilight. A lock of his dark blue mane tickling her cheek and she giggled, his grey eyes bright with humor 

“You need not worry, Twilight, you are in no danger anywhere in the palace. In fact, you are just a few doors away from the safest spot you could be aside from under Princess Celestia’s wing. Why don’t you come with me to see?”

Twilight cocks her head. “See what, Mr. Honed Edge?” Her eyes glanced at Honed Edge’s cutie mark, a sabre. ’Just to make sure!’ as he encouraged her to move forward.

Honed Edge chuckled a bit as he walked forward. "Well, Twilight, you are just a few steps away from where I live."

Twilight's eyes widened as they walked into a large room with a bunch of different things in it. She could easily recognized the pool table and dartboard. There were three ponies gathered around the pool table, two of them held pool cues in their hooves as the third watched them. They glanced up from the last shot to see Honed Edge enter with Twilight and he grinned at them.

“Hey, Honed Edge, good timing. Whirl Wind is just about to lose.” The charcoal unicorn mare motioned towards the yellow pegasus stallion who seemed to be chewing his lip as he gazed at the last shot made.

“You guys think you can take a break? I have somepony for you to meet.” Honed Edge gently nudged Twilight into the room. “Twilight, I’d like you to meet my team. This is Silent Shadow.” The unicorn mare bowed, a lock of green mane falling out of the bun she had it in. “Silent Shadow is going to be your guard when the Princess can’t be with you.”

Twilight trotted up to Silent Shadow and smiled at her. “I really like your cutie mark. What does it mean?” She pointed a hoof at the almost invisible mark, a small shimmer of silver.

A soft smile spread across Silent Shadow’s face. “It means I’m good at blending in. At times, it even seems that I can even vanish.” 

“Wow! Princess Celestia says mine means I’m good at magic… She thinks anyway.” Twilight giggles a bit.

“These too are part of the day guard,” Honed Edge motioned to the other two. “Princess Celestia’s personal guards. Whirl Wind. He’s a bit cocky. I’m told it runs in his family though.” 

Whirl Wind, gave a cocky grin before raising his wings and sinking the eight ball. “Yo.” He blew a strand of white mane out of his eyes.

 “And Royal Resolve.” Honed Edge smiled at the tall white unicorn stallion. “A noble who disgraced his family to join the guard."

“Yes. Mother was very unhappy but I think my little brother is noble enough for the both of us.” Royal Resolve shook his head so lightly that, to Twilight’s amazement, every strand of his blonde mane stayed in place.

“It’s nice to meet all of you!” Twilight chirped eagerly. Twilight’s eyes traveled to the pool table “Hey can I play? Please can I? I promise to be careful!”

Silent Shadow shrugged “Sure, why not. I’ll hold Twilight in my magic I think that practice cue is almost small enough for her to use right, Resolve?”

Resolve sized it up, frowning pensively.  “Yeah, that should do. Whirl, show the kid how to hold it?”

Whirl Wind shrugged. “Sure, no problem. Okay, kid, take it under your right fore leg.”

Twilight wiggled around a bit, floating in thin air, poking her tongue out she tried to hit the white cue ball. She brought her stick back but missed, causing her to flail  into Silent Shadow. The stick just missing her horn as Silent yipped and jerked her head away. The magic holding Twilight faded away and she fell onto the pool table—knocking several balls into the holes with her horn.

She rubbed at her horn with a groan. “Ugh… Did I win?” 

Royal Resolve laughed, lifting Twilight off the table. “Yeah. You win, kid, good job!”

Twilight’s ear flicked as she heard the sound of hooves almost racing down the hall before coming to a stop. Twilight looked up to see Celestia’s head in the doorway a look of relief in her eyes.

“Twilight! Oh dear, Twilight, here you are you had me worried!” Celestia stated as she walked in the door.

“It’s okay, Princess, I was with Honed Edge! He introduced me to his friends!” Twilight raced to her teacher for eager nuzzles which were returned in kind. “Do you think I can play with them more often? They even let me play pool!”

Celestia gazed at the four ponies and chuckled. I should’ve known… “Oh yes. I think the four of you will have lots of fun together.”
> The Bell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“And that, Twilight, is why focus is essential to the study of magic.” Celestia looked up from her notes with a gentle smile on her lips. “Do you have any questions, Twilight?” She frowned to herself and turned. “Twilight?” She looked at the empty, small desk that she could have sworn had been occupied by her tiny student a moment ago before lifting a hoof to her forehead. “Oh dear, not again.” 





Twilight Sparkle stuck her tongue out of the corner of her mouth as her horn sparked. Above her on the counter, was her prize—Princess Celestia’s personal cookie stash. 

“Ngh! Almost...almost... Woah!” The cookie jar wobbled a bit and Twilight’s eyes widened before she pushed the cookie jar back. “Phew, that was way too close.” 

She frowned to herself. How am I gonna get up there? 

After a few seconds of searching, she grinned slowly before opening up the drawers to form a staircase all the way up to the countertop.  Slowly, she crept closer to the jar before reaching out with a hoof. The jar was solid, and the lid on tight. 

Again, a frown formed on her muzzle. Tipping it over would be next to impossible, not to mention all the noise it would make. Twilight circled the jar once, her eyes darting around as if expecting to be jumped on at any moment, before climbing onto her hind legs and slowly pushing off the lid.  

Twilight winced at the loud noise as it clattered on the tiled counter and stood perfectly still. Her ears flicked to see if she could hear any hoof steps approaching.

Silence

Twilight breathed out and poked her head into the cookie jar, licking her lips at the sight of the triple chocolate peanut butter clusters. Her horn glowed a bit before cringing at the feedback as it sparked.

Okay, using magic to get these cookies just isn’t going to work… Slowly, she poked her head further into the jar and grabbed the first cookie in her mouth—biting down with a satisfying crunch. Quickly, she finished the first cookie and moved on to the second. A third cookie followed and so on as she slid deeper into the jar with each cookie eaten. 

Finally, only one remained just out of her grasp. She wiggled a bit more into the jar—her little hoof slapping at the cookie before she felt the jar begin to teeter. 

“Uhoh…”





Princess Celestia sighed as she checked Twilight’s favorite hiding spots for the third time. She really couldn’t blame the filly for having the attention span she had. After all, she was little more than a foal. Nor could she blame Silent Shadow, Twilight’s guard, either as she wasn’t quite graduated from the academy. 

There must be a way to keep track of her though. It’s only by Harmony’s good graces that she hasn’t gotten hurt, but what can I do? I shouldn’t need to assign more guards. I don’t want to interfere with her curiosity…

She continued on a moment more before her eyes widened.Mm… yes! That’s it! Satisfied with her decision, Celestia walked into her personal kitchen to see an odd sight. Two tiny, purple back legs bicycled madly as they stuck out of her favorite cookie jar. As a navy blue and purple streaked tail wagged back and forth, Celestia quickly figured out what had happened. A smile played across her face as she shook her head.  Getting her giggles under control, she slowly lifted her student out of the cookie jar by her tail. 

Twilight looked into Celestia’s eyes—still hanging upside down—her muzzle covered in cookie crumbs. “Um… There is a ra...rationel explanation for this.”

Celestia lifted a eyebrow and Twilight slumped. “I wanted a cookie…”

Celestia set her student down on her back and left the room, the final cookie in her mouth as she crunched it.





Twilight frowned as she poked at her new accessory with a hoof. She looked up at Celestia as it gave a clear little dingle. “I don’t like it.”

Celestia shook her head and wrapped a wing around Twilight, giving her a short hug. “I know you don’t, my faithful student, but this bell will let somepony know if you need help. It’ll only be for a short time. Just a trial period, okay?”

Twilight looked at the chain around her neck that held the small silver bell and sighed. “Okay, Princess.”





“Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty! Ready or not Twilight here I come!” Princess Cadance grinned as she slowly looked around in the garden she and her favorite filly were playing in. Twilight always seemed to win their games but Cadance was determined fix that. 

When her left ear flicked at a little ringing sound, her grin grew wider. Cadance snuck towards a innocent looking bush, her wings folded back as she parted the bush with her magic to see Twilight stare up at her.

“Ha! Finally! After so many games, I won!” Cadance chortled to herself as Twilight frowned at the bell that had rang when she got a mild poke from a branch.

Her ears pinned back as it dingled again. “Stupid bell.”





Twilight sighed happily as she curled up in the sunbeam at the royal library, a storybook in front of her. Her eyes grew a bit heavy as it was almost time for her nap. Her eyes closed a bit more and her head bobbed a bit before her hoof caught the page wrong. “Ding a ling.” The bell sounded a few times before several older students from Celestia’s school turned towards the four year old. Some almost glaring as she slowly slunk out of the library, her ears pinned back and her tail between her legs. Once the doors had closed, she glared down at the now silent bell. 

“Stupid, stupid bell!”





Twilight had finally had it with that bell! It wasn’t letting her do anything fun. Worst of all, she couldn’t take it off! It had taken a bit of digging but she had found a freeze spell that should stop the bell from ringing every time she got even the slightest bit hurt. Closing the spell book, she took a deep breath and began casting the spell…





Celestia was a bit worried. A guard had seen Twilight stomp into her room around ten minutes ago but had heard nothing from inside since. 

She knocked once on the filly’s door. “Twilight, are you alright?”

When no answer came, her frown deepened and she opened the door. Her eyes widened and a horrified gasp escaped her as she saw a frozen solid Twilight Sparkle. Celestia quickly acted. Casting the reversal spell and  ran to warm a bath. 





Hours later, Twilight curled under Celestia’s wing. Dressed in warm pajamas and drinking hot cocoa, she still shivering a bit.

“Well, my faithful student, I think the bell experiment is over as it shattered when you tried to freeze it. Now, what did you learn from all this?” Celestia looked down as Twilight squirmed closer to her. Either for heat or comfort, Celestia wasn’t certain. 

Twilight gave a little yawn before looking up at her. “Princess, today I learned that being a statue really sucks.” With that said, Twilight firmly nodded and closed her eyes. Quickly falling into an easy sleep as Celestia giggled and shook her head 

“Well put, Twilight, well put.”
	
	
	
> Sniffles (Edited)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight groaned as she dragged herself from bed, a coughing fit shaking her little body. She sniffled, wiping her nose on the back of her hoof and snorted hard to get rid of the yucky feeling in her nose. 

Oh no! I can’t be sick...I have class with Princess Celestia! Twilight opened the trunk at the bottom of her bed and began digging through it, pulling out a scarf and hat. 

Perfect! Now the Princess won’t see I’m sick! Twilight sniffled again and wrapped the scarf around her neck and muzzle before shoving the hat over her head. With only her eyes visible, she was sure no one would notice she was sick. Twilight grabbed her book and raced for the classroom where Celestia would be waiting.





Celestia watched as Twilight entered the room at a gallop, her brow furrowing. What on Equestria are you wearing Twilight? “Twilight? Is something wrong, my faithful student?”

Twilight froze and then turned to look up at Celestia, her purple eyes wide. “No-nothing, Princess!” 

Celestia lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sure, Twilight? You weren’t at breakfast, and we had pancakes. Your favorite!”

Twilight squirmed a bit. “Oh.. um, I wasn’t hungry, that's all. Can we get started, please?” She climbed into her chair opening her book, sniffling quietly.

Celestia’s visible eye narrowed as her ear flicked. “Of course, Twilight, as soon as you take that scarf off. It’s too warm in the classroom for you to keep it on. Come on now.”

Twilight swallowed hard and unwrapped the scarf from her face, revealing her swollen and red nose. 

Celestia sighed and walked over, placing the back of her hoof on to Twilight’s forehead and sighed. “Oh, Twilight, dear you have a fever. I’m afraid I’ll need to take you to the palace doctor.”

Twilight’s eyes squeezed tight as she recalled her last visit with. The doctor






Twilight sat on the exam table, shivering as a large stallion wearing glasses stared down at her. “Don’t worry, little filly. This won’t hurt a bit!”

Twilight’s eyes widened as lightning flashed in the background and the doctor tilted his head back laughing maniacally before picking up a giant needle in his magic and plunging it into her tiny shoulder.





“Noooooo! Please! Please! Princess, not that not the doctor! Please!” Twilight scampered under Celestia’s barrel, shivering. 

“Twilight, what is it? Did something happen the last time you saw Doctor Strong Heart?” She stepped back and gently stroked Twilight’s mane as the little filly trembled.

“H-he hurt me! I don’t wanna go! Please don’t make me!” Twilight clung tightly to Celestia’s right foreleg as Celestia continued to stroke her.

“Shhh... It’s all right, Twilight. What if I go with you? Would that help?” Celestia asked softly. She smiled as she felt Twilight’s head hesitantly nod. “All right then. Can you be a big filly and walk with me? Or…” Celestia smiled softly “Would you like to ride on my back?”

“O-on your back please, pretty please?” Twilight asked, her little ears pinned back eyes swimming with tears.

Celestia gently lifted Twilight onto her back with a small burst of magic. “Of course, sweetheart.” She felt Twilight snuggle into her mane and felt her wings poof out a bit. That’s odd I haven’t felt like this since Luna was this size…





Twilight sat shaking once more on the exam table from her nightmares. This time though, Princess Celestia sat in a chair against the wall, paging through a magazine. She smiled  at Twilight every now and then to reassure her that, yes, she was there.

The door opened and a friendly looking unicorn stallion walked in with a smile. “Hello, your highness, Lady Twilight, I heard we have a sick little filly. Can I get get your vitals,  Lady Twilight?”

Twilight glanced up and whimpered, seeing the manic grin on the doctor’s muzzle before catching Celestia’s eye and nodding.

After several minutes Doctor Strong Heart smiled. “Just as I thought. It’s just a small cold. She’ll be right as rain in a few days but before you go, I’m afraid she does need one more thing. I’ll be right back.” He ruffled Twilight’s hair a bit before walking out.

“Please, Princess, let's go before he comes back. He’s going to hurt me again. I just know it!” Twilight trembled, reaching out with her fore legs.

Celestia walked over and covered Twilight with a giant white wing. “Now, Twilight, I’m sure he was just going to write you a prescription. You’ve had all the shots necessary to be a student at my school. Okay?”

Twilight whimpered and huddled close to Celestia. “Y-you promise?”

Celestia smiled. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”





A small pink pony working on her parent’s rock farm stopped suddenly and beamed.





Doctor Strong Heart walked in carrying a syringe. “All right, Lady Twilight, this isn’t going to hu—Yipe!” He pulled back as Celestia snapped at him. “Princess, please, it’s for her own good!”

“Absolutely not. I am well aware of all vaccines Twilight is required to have and that is not one of them. Now I will be taking my student back to her room to tuck her in and feed her some soup. Good day, doctor!” And with that Celestia carried her sick student from the medical bay.

Doctor Strong Heart sighed as they left. “Well I tried…”

To Be Continued!
	
	
> Sniffles P2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight pouted in bed as she held the thermometer under her tongue. She was even almost glaring up at Princess Celestia, who was making certain the thermometer stayed in place this time with a small pulse of magic. After a few more moments of waiting Celestia removed the thermometer and lifted it into the light as to better read it.

“Hmm, well you do still have a mild fever, Twilight, but nothing to explain the ‘itchies’ you have been feeling today.” Celestia shook the thermometer to get the mercury back down. “Nevertheless, I think you should spend one more day in bed before we return to our lessons. Now how about some hot soup?”

Twilight looked up at Celestia, her eyes large and ears pinned back. She looked as if Celestia had just told her the My Little Human radio show had been canceled. “A-another day? Oh please, Princess, I want to go back to our lessons!”

Celestia smiled before pecking Twilight on the forehead. “Alright, how about this? One lesson, but you have to stay in bed for it, and afterwards you have to eat a big bowl of vegetable soup, alright?”

“Only one? Why not two if I’m going to be in bed anyway?” Twilight crossed her forelegs with her bottom lip jutted out.

“Twilight Sparkle, would you rather I said none?” Celestia lifted an eyebrow at her student, who deflated a bit, shaking her head. “Well then, I suggest you pull that bottom lip in right now, young filly.”

Twilight pouted a few more seconds before nodding. “Okay…”

Celestia shook her head and walked to Twilight’s book shelf and selected a book. “Alright, let’s see. How about…” Celestia’s ear flicked as she heard the very recognizable sound of her student getting ready to sneeze.

Twilight sat up right as her eyes quickly closed. “Ah-ah… ah-CHOO!” As Twilight sneezed there was a flare of light, which caused Celestia to lift her wing. When she lowered it, there was a giant chick where Twilight had been.

“T-twilight?” Celestia took a step toward the bed to take a closer look. There was no doubt about it; where Twilight had been was a baby chicken. The fluffy yellow chick cocked her head, looking up at Celestia.

“Princess, Mommy says that it’s not polite if you don’t say ‘bless you’ after a pony sneezes!” 

Celestia took a step back, trying in vain to hide her surprise at hearing her student’s voice emit from the chicken’s beak. “Ah, that is... Bless you, Twilight. H-how do you feel?”

The chicken—which was now revealed to be Twilight—smiled brightly and nodded. “I feel bunches better! Maybe my fever is gone now? All my itchies are!”

“Twilight, you don’t feel at all... ‘odd?’” Celestia asked as she sat on her haunches beside Twilight’s bed.

“I feel fine, Princess! In fact, I don’t feel sick anymore at all. Why, is something wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Twilight’s eyes widened as the feathers on the top of her head began to stick up. “Did I fail a test? Was my being sick a test of how your student should behave when they are ill? I’m sorry! I’ll do better!”

Celestia couldn’t help but smile. It was rather adorable when her student panicked like that, though it was for Twilight’s own good that she outgrow it eventually. “Oh no, nothing like that. Um... j-just stay here for a moment, alright? I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Of course, Princess!” Twilight sat straight up as Celestia slowly backed out of the room, shutting the door behind her. 

“Silent Shadow, do not open that door until I return, do you understand?” Celestia looked down at Twilight’s personal guard. The mare had finished at the academy and was due to graduate in a week, but Celestia and Honed Edge had decided that it was time for her to take her place in the palace.

“Yes, Princess!” Silent Shadow hesitantly bit her bottom lip. “Princess, permission to speak?”

Celestia cocked her head, reminded once more why she and Honed Edge had chosen Silent Shadow to be Twilight’s guard; her ability to question, along with other reasons. “Permission granted.”

“Is Lady Twilight Sparkle alright? I mean, she is unharmed isn’t she?” Silent Shadow rubbed her left foreleg with her right.

Celestia smiled for a brief moment, then shook her head. “Truly? I am not certain, my little pony. She has metamorphosed into a giant baby chicken.”

“A giant baby chicken?” Silent Shadow repeated, her eyes wide in shock. “Really, Princess?”

“I’m afraid so, my little pony. Twilight Sparkle is still the same size, but is now a chick covered in yellow fuzzy feathers. I do hope she’s still just ill enough not to notice until I return with the doctor. Now it may be contagious, so you must only open the door if you are prepared to become a chicken.”

Silent Shadow just stayed silent her, eyes still wide as she watched Celestia hurry as fast as she politely could towards the medical ward.

“Th-that was really strange…” Silent shook her head, returning to her normal position.

“Ms. Shadow? Um, are you out there? The Princess told me not ta’ get out of bed and I’m really thiwsty!” Twilight’s muffled voice reached Silent’s ears through the door.

Silent Shadow tried to stare ahead, even as her tail twitched. She hated ignoring her charge...

“Please, Ms. Shadow? I wanna be good b-but I’m really really thiwsty!”

A held breath escaped Silent Shadow’s lips as she looked to the door, remembering what the Princess had told her about opening it. But even as she remembered the Princess’s words, her vow ran through her head and her magic surrounded the doorknob, slowly turning it.

The needs of my charge come before my own.





Doctor Strong Heart looked up as his door opened and shut very suddenly. Princess Celestia was standing in front of it with her chest heaving a bit, as if she had run all the way here from somewhere. “Please come in, Your Highness. Thank you for knocking.” He pointedly ignored the glare Celestia was giving him. “May I help you with something? Something to do with your young student, maybe?”

Celestia’s mouth opened as if to say something, then closed before she shook her head. “Yes, but how did…”

Doctor Strong Heart took his glasses off and began to slowly wipe them clean before replacing them on his muzzle. “Let me guess, she sneezed and turned into a chicken.”

“A-a chick, actually, with yellow fuzzy feathers.” Celestia found herself responding before taking a step closer to the doctor’s desk. “Wait, how did you know?”

“Your Highness, I did try to give young Twilight Sparkle a vaccine which would reduce the duration and contagion rate, but you forbade it.” Strong Heart shrugged “And by now I’m certain it is far too late.”

“Too… late? What in Equestria are you saying?” Celestia blinked. “Is Twilight… is she stuck like this?”

“Young Twilight Sparkle will be back to her normal mischievous little purple self in just a few days. Er, am I right in assuming that you were with her when she changed, Your Highness? And  that you ran straight from her room through the palace servant corridors?”

“Well yes, of course. It was the fastest route!” Celestia blustered, feeling a small twinge in her nose. “I had no idea what might be happening after all!”

Doctor Strong Heart sighed, pulling a bell on the wall and waiting a moment as a young earth pony mare came in. “Ah, Bree, I need you to issue a quarantine for any staff in the palace and have any non staff escorted out because of matters of state… or whatever.”

The nurse nodded before giving a short bow to Princess Celestia and rushing off.

“I don’t… Doctor Strong Heart, you will tell me exactly what is happening!” Celestia brought her right fore hoof down hard, feeling very annoyed but not mad. Yet.

“Very well, Your Highness. Your personal student, Twilight Sparkle, has a rare and very contagious virus known as ‘Cluckitis.’ It infects the carrier and gives them flu-like symptoms during its incubation period. After such a time, the carrier will feel an itchy or pinchy sensation under their skin, after which they will sneeze and turn into a chicken or chick if the carrier is young enough. Now, once they have sneezed they become horribly contagious, and as you were there with her when she sneezed…”

Celestia felt the twinge again and sniffed. “Doctor, do you mean that I’m g-g-goin... ah-choo!”

Doctor Strong Heart calmly watched as his patient and Princess of all of Equestria, the guide of both the sun and moon, turned into a giant white chicken. “Going to turn into a chicken? Yes, Your Highness. Not to worry, though. You’ll be fine in two to three days.”

Celestia looked down at herself and let out a sorrowful moan that sounded almost identical to a “bawk.”





Princess Mi Amore Cadenz—Cadance walked through the gates to the palace, ignoring the guards who tried to stop her. She had spent most of the week with her two best friends, Lemony Gems and Diamond Rose, in their dorm room at Canterlot University studying for their mid terms. Now she was just done with it and wanted nothing more than a hot bath, a good meal, and her nice soft cloud bed!

“Princess… I really wouldn’t, you see.” A young recruit tried to stop Cadance from opening the door to the palace.

Cadance’s eyes snapped over to him with a withering look, which caused the guard to gulp. “Or I, uh… could open the door for you?” Which is exactly what he did. 

Cadance walked in and marveled at how quiet it was. Normally the palace was full of sound; more often than not caused by eager giggling as her favorite foal got into a bit of trouble. Oh no! What if Twilight is sick? Without another thought, Cadance dropped her bags and raced to the throne room where she knew her aunt to do her paperwork. She threw the doors open and stared.

On the throne where she expected to see her aunt was a chicken. A very large chicken it was—the same size as her aunt—and it was even wearing her Aunt Celestia’s crown. “Uh…”

The chicken looked up from what it was doing, and seemed to smile. Can chickens even smile? “Ah, Cadance! Welcome home, my dear. Did you get all your studying done?”

Cadance lifted her hoof, her mouth opening in pure shock, before she placed her hoof down and shook her head. “Nope, I don’t wanna know… I am going to go get some dinner, take a nice long hot bath, and then lock myself in my room until things make sense!”

With that, Cadance spun around and headed down to the kitchen, allowing the doors to shut behind her. As Celestia watched her go, she felt a wiggling under her wing and looked down to see Twilight poke her head out. “Till things make sense? Wow, she’s gonna be in there a long long time, isn’t she, Princess?”

Celestia nodded, her eyes shining as a laugh escaped her beak. “I do think you may be correct, my dear student. So when we are ponies again we’ll simply have to get her to come out, won’t we?”

Twilight nodded eagerly, the gears in her mind already turning.
> A Noble Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight pouted as she sat beside Celestia. A small table had been quickly found for her, along with some crayons and some old parchment. Just a few minutes, then we’ll get back to our lessons my tail… Twilight glanced back up at the yellow-furred stallion who was still droning on just as he had been the last five times. Bored out of her mind, and out of equations and doodles to cover the page with, she began to take a small interest in what he was saying that was ruining her entire day.

“Now, Lord Golden Voice, as I’ve stated several times over, I took today off from court to spend with my student. I truly do not see exactly why it was so vital of a thing that I had to hear this request at this very moment. Would it not have been possible to simply wait a few more hours and bring this up at Night Court?” Celestia appeared to have a very tolerant look upon her muzzle, even if she was quite irritated to be interrupted for such a mild problem.

The unicorn stallion threw back his blue mane before flashing Celestia a winning smile. It was one that had made numerous mares throw themselves at him, ready to do anything he requested. In his eyes the Princess would be no exception. “I do apologize, Princess, but truly this is important. And truthfully, I always find Night court occurs far too late to be useful in any type of emergency such as this.”

Celestia quietly snorted to herself before taking a glance at the sun. She determined the time to be roughly Two PM. Twilight had been roused from her nap not long before this whole thing happened. “All right, I will listen to your emergency. But if you would be so kind as to be quick about it? I was not planning to have my dear student attend any type of court or meetings until she is a fair bit older.”

If anything, Golden Voice’s smile seemed to grow as he gave a small bow to acknowledge he understood. Internally, he thought of how to use this development to his advantage. So sure in his success he was, he failed to notice that the small foal who had been concentrating on her coloring had set down her crayons. Her ears perked up in attention.

“It is quite the sad tale my, beloved Princess. You see there is a park near my home in Upper Canterlot where much of my neighbors take their foals to run around and play. At least they once did. Over the past few years it seems as if this small park has been forgotten! The grass grows long and unruly. Playground equipment is either rusting, or breaking apart. And the paths! One of my friend’s colts was sent to the doctor after getting a stone stuck in his frog! Poor thing was unable to even walk until it was removed. All I wish to do is repair this park for the behalf of the local families to have some place to go.”

Celestia nodded. She opened her mouth to grant the rather understandable and reasonable request when she felt Twilight’s tiny hoof on her leg. She looked down to see her small student looking up at Lord Golden Voice with a frown, her ears pinned back and tail flicking. Celestia cocked her head. It was very obvious that something was causing great annoyance and possibly anger to the filly. “Twilight Sparkle, what is it?”

“A park in Upper Canterlot where lots of foals go to run around. That is what he said isn’t it?” Twilight asked without even glancing up at Celestia, who nodded. Twilight took a step towards the noble who took a step back, a single sweat drop running down his forehead.

“A park with path ways and swings and a slide and the best dandelions to munch if you are hungry and your BBBFF forgot to pack lunch and had to run back?” Twilight took another step forward. This time Golden Voice was unable to stop the trembling in his legs as he saw the bits he planned to pocket fly out of his saddle bags.

“A park that the bestest foal sitter ever took me to the day before I got my cutie mark? Is that the park you are talking about?” Somehow Golden Voice had found himself pressed against the wall as Twilight kept advancing closer.

Finally, he gave a small nod “I… y-yes I do believe that is the one.”

Twilight nodded firmly “Well that park is just fine.” She then turned and walked back to her little table. The heavy aura which had surrounded the filly dissipated quickly as she sat back down. She picked her pink crayon back up with her mouth, returning to her picture of Cadance.

Celestia blinked, then cleared her throat. “Well then, seeing as you were...” She considered, then sighed,“ mistaken, I’m afraid I will be denying your request and ending this emergency hearing. Come along, Twilight Sparkle. We’ll go get Spike from his nanny, and go to the park. It’ll be good for you both to run around.”

Twilight looked up and beamed. “Really? Yay!” With that she followed Celestia out of the throne room, leaving Golden Voice, who would be unable to move for five minutes as he tried to figure exactly what type of beast this Twilight Sparkle truly was.

“She can’t be a normal pony, no way…”
> Slumber Party
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia watched through the window as Twilight carried Smarty Pants in her mouth, running quickly out of her sight. She frowned and glanced around before lighting her horn to cast a simple scrying spell.





“Okay, Smarty Pants. It’s time for me to teach you everything I learned in class today! Don’t worry. There won’t be a test. Not this time!”





Celestia frowned as she heard Twilight’s giggles before cutting the spell. She felt shame for spying on her little student, but more than that, she was worried. While pretend play is very important in ponies her age… I worry that not having any playmates may cause problems in the future…

She reached a hoof out and knocked firmly on the pink door she had walked to.

“Just a second! I just need to finish...there we go!” The door opened, revealing Cadance. Her mane had been pulled back into the high ponytail she preferred for school. A smile quickly formed on her muzzle.

“Oh, Auntie! I wasn’t expecting you. Can I hel-” Cadance trailed off as she noticed the expression on her aunt’s face. “Oh, dear. What has Twilight done this time?”

Celestia blinked. “How did you know I was thinking about Twilight Sparkle?”

Cadance chuckled. She shook her head as she came out of her bedroom “Seen it far to many times on all three of the Sparkle family. So, what is it? Is it something the Greatest foal sitter ever can help with?”

“...Maybe, I was watching Twilight play a bit ago and noticed something that is slightly disturbing, at least to me.” Celestia sighed. She closed her eyes as Cadance nuzzled her neck.

“Auntie, what did Twilight do this time? It wasn’t a book monster again was it?” At Celestia’s look, Cadance giggled “Don’t ask, but seriously. What is it?”

Celestia sighed “Does Twilight have any playmates, Cadance?”

“Well… She has Shining Armor and myself when we aren’t busy. But, now that I think about it I don’t think I’ve ever seen her interact with a pony her own age.”

Celestia nodded firmly. “Well, that will need to change. Thank you, Cadance.” She gave her niece a kiss on the cheek and trotted down the hall to find Raven, leaving Cadance blinking confusedly.

“Um, happy to help?”





Raven frowned as she finished the invitations at Celestia’s request. “Princess, I’m not certain this will give you the result you are thinking it will.”

“Nonsense! Fillies love sleepovers. We’ll have the smaller ball room all set up. Pizza, mane styling, a few movies. It will be wonderful and help Twilight to be friends with young fillies closer to her age.”

Raven sighed but sent the three invites. I hope this doesn’t blow up in the Princess’s face…





“A sleepover? You mean with Cadance?” Twilight cocked her head as she scampered after Celestia towards the destination. She had a small saddle bag hanging from her barrel, holding her pillow and Smarty Pants.

“I’m afraid Cadance is busy studying for exams, but I think you’ll have even more fun.” Celestia smiled, opening the doors to the smaller ballroom. It was decorated, had a large movie screen against the wall, and a large table full of snacks. Three mares were already inside, chatting among one another. Twilight nervously hid between Celestia’s legs as she noticed beside each mare was a unicorn filly a few years older than her at most.

“Ladies! Thank you for coming. I’m sure the fillies will have a great time together.” Celestia smiles as the three fillies came close and bowed. Good to see their mothers are bringing them up right to be noblemares.

“Twilight, these fillies have come to spend the night with you.” Celestia smiled as Twilight slowly crept out. “This is Golden Glitter.” The yellow filly bowed her head politely to Twilight, who nervously lifted a hoof.

“This is Pearl Radiance.”

The white filly also bowed her head “Hello…”

“And Gem Stone.” The silvery gray filly copied her friends in bowing to Twilight.

“Girls, this is my personal student Twilight Sparkle. I’m sure you’ll all be great friends!” Celestia smiled, not noticing the looks Twilight was getting as she turned to the filly’s mothers “Well, ladies. I think we can take our leave. I doubt the little ones want us around to spoil their fun.”

And with that all four adults left the room quicker than Twilight could say, ‘Wait!’





An hour into Twilight’s first real sleepover, and things were going alright. Everything was too new for the fillies to really take notice of the younger filly in the room with them, but that was all to change.

“So, Twilight, was it? What do your parents do? I don’t think I’ve ever heard Mommy or Daddy mention a noble named Sparkle.” Gem Stone asked, finally turning her attention to the baby in the room.

“My Mommy… My mommy is an author. She writes lots of books and is super busy. And my Daddy studies the night sky. I don’t think either of them are nobles.” Twilight whispered out the last bit as she saw Gem Stone’s eyes widen.

“Not nobles? But, y-you’re Princess Celestia’s prized student! How in Equestria could that happen if you weren't a noble?”

Twilight sat on the ground, taking her tail in her hooves and glancing at the ground. She didn’t like how Gem Stone’s tone had changed so quickly. “Um well, I-I saw Princess Celestia raise the sun at the last Summer Solstice. And I knew I wanted to be like her so I started studying magic. Like all the time. I even skipped nap time to study under my covers. And so I took the entrance exam and something happened and I was asked to be her student.” Twilight glanced up to see the three fillies looking to one another.

“Wh-what did I say?” Twilight went to get up.

“No! Don’t come near us! I remember hearing about you now!” Golden Glitter shuddered. “Daddy told me all about you! He said you turned your Mommy and Daddy into plants and were nothing but a danger to Equestria! You aren’t a student, you’re a monster that the Princess is keeping close!”

Twilight’s eyes widened as the three fillies raced to the other side of the room, leaving her alone with just her saddlebag. Every few minutes one of them would call out an insult until Twilight pulled Smarty Pants from her saddle bag and held her close.

“Look! The monster is a baby too! Bringing a toy to a sleepover! Twilight the baby Monster! Nothing but a tool to the Princess!”

Twilight curled into a ball. She covered her head with her tail, trying to shut out their words until the lights dimmed to start the movie. With the darkness, she raced out after the adult, who happened to be Raven.

“D-don’t make me go back in there! Pl-please?” Twilight wiped her tears away, trying to appear brave.

Raven glanced at the door and frowned. I had hoped this wouldn’t happen… “Of course, Twilight… Come on. Princess Celestia is finishing some paperwork. Why don’t I bring you to her?”

Twilight froze and her ears pinned back. “A-alright…”

Raven lifted the filly onto her back and carried her to Celestia’s room. After a soft knock she set Twilight beside Celestia’s pillow.

“Raven, what is it?”

Raven simply shook her head. She looked pointedly at Twilight, who was curled into a tight ball, gulping back sobs.

“I-I see…” Celestia gently nuzzled her tiny student “...Come on Twilight...I can finish this tomorrow. Why don’t we order some snacks from the kitchen and you can sleep in my bed, alright?”

Twilight nervously poked her head out from her tail, but nodded.

“They’re wrong. They have to be… I’m not your tool...Am I?” Twilight whispered under her breath, not noticing the look on Celestia’s face.

“...No, no Twilight...you are so precious to me.” She gently wrapped a wing around her, noticing that Twilight’s eyes were closed. “...So very precious…” She smiled as Twilight curled into her.
> Slumber Party-2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was earlier than normal, but Celestia wanted to be ready to receive the mothers when they came to pick up their daughters. She took a deep, slow breath, and released it carefully, applying her royal mask just in time as the three mares came in. A few of her most trusted servants were watching over the fillies. They did not need to be here.

Celestia gazed levelly at the three mothers as they slowly approached her throne. A young unicorn stallion brought in a a silver tea service and poured one cup of tea. He set the service on the small table and bowed his head.

Celestia smiled at the mares. “Tea?” As one they shook their heads. Celestia shrugged before dismissing the stallion with a smile. She calmly raised a cup of Earl Grey to her lips and sipped. With a smile she set her cup down. “My, there is nothing like a cup of tea after a bad night.” She turned her attention back to the mares. "Well, that could have gone better. I know that foals will be foals and that this is something I am certain they will out grow given time. In the meantime," she noted with deceptive mildness, "I think it would be unwise to subject your foals to facing 'monsters'. Wouldn't you agree?" She did not wait for comment as she calmly continued. 

"Therefore I will relieve you of the concern of bringing them here. It is my sincerest hope we can all learn from this unfortunate happening.”

The eyes of Golden Glitter’s mother widened before she swallowed hard, realizing exactly what must have happened. “O-of course your highness. May we collect our daughters now and head for home?”

“But of course. Did you think I’d keep you from your daughters? Heaven forbid. Go retrieve them and depart with my blessings.” Celestia nodded to them as they quickly bowed and left. She took another sip of her tea and smiled. “Raven, my dear? Would you please cancel court for the day? I will spending time with my beloved student.”

“Of course your highness! Will you and young Twilight be needing anything?” Raven asked, smiling up at Celestia as she wrote up the order.

Celestia rubbed her chin in consideration “Hmm, actually…”





Twilight’s muzzle scrunched up as she stared at the dish that Princess Celestia pulled from the picnic basket. Twilight had been so excited to have a picnic with her mentor, just the two of them. Her favorite foods had been in that big basket, even celery soup! But Twilight wasn’t sure what this was.

“Cheesecake?” Twilight cocked her head at it. “It doesn’t look like cake…”

Celestia looked down at Twilight, a smile tugging at her lips. “Oh? Well then, my faithful little Twilight. Why don’t you tell me what this is?” She set the cheesecake down on the picnic blanket and cut a small slice. She set it on a plate in front of Twilight, along with a fork.

Twilight slowly circled the plate before laying on her belly and giving it a small sniff. She finally poked at it with the fork. “Hmm...It’s wiggly!” 

Celestia struggled to keep from laughing as she watched Twilight’s tail flick. She finally took the fork, cut off a small bit of cheesecake, and placed it in her mouth. 

Twilight hesitantly chewed the bite. Once… twice. Her eyes lit up and a ‘mmmm’ escaped her lips.The piece of cheesecake was soon gone, and Twilight was rubbing her plump, fuzzy belly with her forehooves. “I ate too much pie.”

“Pie? But my dear, I told you it’s cheesecake.” Celestia smiled at the stuffed little pony laying on her back.

“Nuhuh. After all of my very in depth studies, I have come to the conclusion that this is a pie! A very, very yummy pie!” Twilight let out a small belch before blushing. “Um, cuse me?”

“Have no worries, my dear. But really, pie? Well then I must inform the chefs they’ve been labeling it wrong for a very long time.”

Twilight considered, still on her back, eyes closed and enjoying the sun. After a few moments she opened her eyes and frowned. “Well, I guess it can still be called cheesecake. But, It’s really pie!”

Celestia began laughing before she laid down beside Twilight. She nuzzled her tummy. “The chefs will be very relieved to hear your decision!”

Twilight giggled happily before hugging Celestia’s muzzle.
> Two Twilight's and an Eldritch God
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night was young, but for the small, lavender filly, tucked under her blue, silk sheets, that meant she was fast asleep. Her gentle breaths filled the room as a pair of gleaming green eyes, and red pits of madness and destruction gazed upon her. Slowly, two clawed fingers came over, and gently stroked the filly’s mane, barely touching her head.

Twilight shifted a bit at the touch. “No wanna, Princess. No sun…”

The green eyes came closer, lending a small bit of chill to the air as she examined the little one. The shuffling had moved the blanket off, and while the taloned claws continued to pet the little filly, the spirit floating there made sure the blankets kept the foal warm. “She is as cute as you thought she may be.”

Twilight burbled before opening her eyes with a yawn. She then blinked. “Um, hello? Did the Princess send you? Are you my newest test?”

The purple spirit above her shook her head, before a gentle glow revealed to Twilight an oddly familiar face, along with a large smile that was beaming down to her. “No, but I had a crazy idea and I am so happy you, or I suppose I should say me, or should it be you? This is a different universe after all, so I don’t know if we are still considered one and the same. Hmm.” The spirit backed away a bit, along with the slight chill, as she rubbed her chin.

Twilight sat up eagerly in her bed “Oh wow! Are you really me all grown up? Are you super powerful? Do you still live with the princess? Are you her advisor now? Huh?”

The floating Twilight blinked a few times before throwing her hooves up into the air. “Oh sweet Celestia I wish! It would be so amazing to be Celestia’s advisor.” Her essence shimmered with excitement as she came closer. “And yes, I am you, but from an alternate universe! Can you guess what’s special about me? Other than the fact that I am much older than you.”

Little Twilight studied her older counterpart tapping her chin left ear flicking. “Well, You are flying did you super mega master levitation?”

The ghastly Twilight grinned, before declaring, “Nope!” Before the little one could respond, she administered the punishment for a wrong answer by igniting her horn with its black aura, and bringing the foal up to her, where she was promptly, and viciously, raspberried all over her barrel.

A squeal escaped Twilight as she giggled madly. “No fair! You know our tickles spot!”

The spirit let out a gasp before turning to the giant, eldritch monstrosity behind her. “Cthulhu!” A glow appeared over the foal’s tummy. “Right here! Scratch her right here!”

The god moved his claw forward, slowly coming closer and closer to her. The point met the filly stomach, before gently beginning to scratch and tickle the little filly as the he laughed, his chuckle distorting small bits of the room.

Twilight began kicking her left back legs howling with laughter “‘Another chance! I want another chance to guess!” Her little horn lit up trying to force the friendly monster’s claw away.

The giggling spirit took in a deep breath to try to relax, before she turned to Cthulhu. “You can pet me instead for now. She does deserve another chance, along with,” she quickly spun around as the claw moved away, before booping the filly’s nose, her hoof passing through her and leaving frost on little Twilight’s muzzle, “that as a hint.”

Twilight’s eyes light up. “Page thirty seven of the Monster-pedia! You’re a wraith!” She frowned “But I don’t get it. The book says that wraiths are really, really mean! In fact Shiny, and I never, ever even went looking for one when we were monster hunting because of that.” She cocked her head “But you’re really nice and you’re me!”

Twilight smiled even brighter before bowing. “You may call me Twaith, Twilight and wraith, so as to not get things confused. I am the daughter of Ghastly Aura and Night Watch, along with grand daughter of Clover the Clever. As for the whole mean thing, why does everything need to be mean?” She floated closer to the creature behind her, who was also gently scratching her head. “I mean, Cthulhu here is a being who rules over chaos, corruption and madness, and could make somepony’s head explode with a simple thought, but I don’t know many things that I would trust more in this world. He is even how I came to find you!”

Twilight eyes were huge with her jaw dropped “Clover the Clever? D-does that mean I’m the great infinity granddaughter to Clover the Clever?”

Twaith blinked a few times before tapping her chin and floating the filly closer. “I… I don’t know.”

“Wait that means you don’t have a BBBFF! That’s really sad.” Twilight reaches out to Twaith. “Twaith?”

She tilted her head, before pulling her into her chest, making sure she was corporeal first. “I have no idea what that means, but I do know the universal gesture for hugs!”

Twilight snuggled into Twaith’s chest before smiling. “It means Big Brother Best Friend Forever, but I had a great idea! Why don’t we share my BBBFF? And you can be my um.” She stopped and cocked her head “BSBFFWIAM!”

Twaith raised an eyebrow. “Big Sister Best Friend Forever... Who is Also Me! Yes, that sounds wonderful!” She hugged little Twilight even tighter as she giggled, before a thought occurred to her. “Who is you BBBFF though?”
“His name is Shining Armor he’s graduating from the Royal Guard academy soon! He says he’s gonna be the Princess’s captain!” Twilight beamed “He and Cadance play with me when they can but we’re all busy now!”

Twaith paled for a moment before letting out a slightly stinted laugh. “Wow, I never thought he would be my big brother. G-guess that’s another reason to give up that stupid little crush thingy. Right? He... hehe...he.”

Twilight blinked a few times, considering carefully what Twaith had said before scrunching up her muzzle “Yuck.”

Twaith nodded. “Yuck indeed! Of course, I have so many other ponies to get closer to that I don’t even see why having a crush would be something worthwhile. Why not just have really good friends, like yourself!” She beamed as Cthulhu gave a burble of agreement.

Twilight’s eyes flashed, revealing for a split second a white star. “Friends? Are you and Cthulu my friends now?”

Twaith looked down as Cthulhu's claws descended, gently stroking the backs of both mares while the spirit beamed at her younger self. “Why wouldn’t we be? You’re so smart and cute that I could just eat you-” her essence shivered for a moment and she shut her eyes, before a violent shake of her head brought her back to calm. “Umm, what was I saying?”

“Um something about eating- Hey! As a wraith do you eat food? Cause my tummy says it’s cookie o’ clock!” Twilight giggled

Twaith shook her head more as she cleared the last of the odder thoughts from her core away, before sniffling a little. “C-Cthulhu can get you some cookies,” which he promptly did in a shower of chocolate chip, sugar, and snickerdoodle cookies, “but I can’t eat any, no matter how…”

Twilight nuzzled to Twaith’s chest “What is it BSBFFWIAM? What’s wrong?”

Twaith pouted her lips as she looked to her LSBFFWIAM. “I… I can’t eat food. I don’t need it, but this cookie,” holding up a snickerdoodle, “when I go to eat it, I always lose my tangibility and bite my hooves, no matter how much I want to try it!”

“What if...what if I held it? I mean, since I’m you, we might be able to trick you into being able to try it!” Twilight smiled taking the snickerdoodle in her small forehooves “And if you do bite me, I won’t even make a noise. I promise!”

Twaith’s eyes shone as she looked at the cookie. She wouldn’t need to possess anypony or anything, she could just try it. With a small nod, she was ready, and slowly moved forward. Her mouth slowly opened, her essence bristling more with excitement each moment, before she lost control of her physical form, and merely added a layer of frost to the cookie. “Darn it!”

Twilight frowned at the cookie, her little horn flickering as she closed her eyes tight. The cookie was soon wrapped in her aura. Please work. Please, pretty please work… “Try again.”

Twaith eyed the cookie with a little suspicion, before leaning in again, and trying to take a bite. No amount of enchanting would stop her excitement from getting the best of her though, and she leaned back, pouting as small icicles formed on the cookie. “It’s fine. I didn’t want to eat you anyways!”

Cthulhu promptly began scratching the annoyed spirit harder in response to her frustrations.

Twilight stared at the cookie “...It’s not fair I want you to be able to taste the cookie and the Princess says my magic should help me do anything I want, and I want you to be able to eat the cookie!” Her eyes begin to glow white her horn glowing brightly forced on the cookie which after a few moments becomes see through.

Twaith blinked, before her mouth simulated the sensation of watering within itself, her essence wavering at places because of her excitement. She slowly leaned forward, and bit into the cookie.

It was divine.

“Oh sweet Celestia, this is amazing! How did I go on without-” She stopped her eyes widening further, before her screech pierced through the castle. “No! I’ll now know what i am missing out on!”

Twilight grabbed hold of her gently “I...I can teach you. I figured it out.” She began giggling “I just had to think out of the box!”

She tapped her chin for a few moments, before shaking her head. “I think it may be best for me not to. I want my own personal feast to happen when I figure it out! Wouldn’t that make it the best?”

“Oh yes! Will you let me be there too?” Twilight beamed up at her with eager eyes.

Twaith began bouncing up and down as Cthulhu looked to the door. “I would love for you to be there! We could eat sweets, pancakes, and Popsicles for days!”

“Oh yes! with lots of syrup!” Twilight hesitated a moment “Hey since you are from the future, I mean you are right?”

The spirit rubbed her chin for a moment, humming to herself as she thought. “I suppose I am. Why?”

“Well I was just wondering if you know why Princess Celestia gets so um meon callie when I ask her to stargaze with me.” Twilight shrugged. “I keep asking, but she just says that I’ll know some day.”

Twaith bit into her lip, remembering how happy Celestia was to see Luna again, even as a filly. “I… I think that answer is for the best. Find out for yourself, just like me and the spell, right?”

“I think that is a lovely idea.” Celestia shut the door behind her with a soft click “Hmm what do we have here? A young wraith who looks like my student?” She cocked her head then smiled “My mistake. You’re Twilight, aren’t you my dear?”

Twaith looked around Cthulhu as the eldritch god waved hello. She bowed to the princess, before smiling. “Yes, I am, but from an alternate universe, and me and Cthulhu promise that we never intended to stay or to cause any harm tonight.”

“Oh my, dear Twilight, I have no fear of that. After all, you’ve been in here alone with Twilight for quite some time, and all her guards have reported to me have been happy giggles.” Celestia smiled gently before lifting a hoof and wrapping it around both of her little Twilights’.

The spirit nuzzled into Celestia’s chest, before pecking the smaller version of herself on the head. “I do suppose it’s time for us to go though. Some little filly needs her sleep, doesn’t she?”

Celestia smiled “Yes, I’m afraid so. though.” She chuckled a bit as she paused. Luna, I never thought I’d do this “You and Mr. Cthulhu are welcome to return to visit Twilight and myself, but let’s just try for before bedtime in the future, okay?”

Twaith nodded her agreement, and gave her small self one more hug as a portal appeared behind Cthulhu. “I’ll miss you, my most adorable version.”

The little filly hugged back with a small yawn before Celestia cleared her throat “Twilight, before you go may I ask you one question?”

The wraith turned to her, looking down as she tilted her head. “What is it, Celestia?”

Celestia opened her mouth, before stopping and instead gazed out the window, her eyes on the full moon, her question unasked, though clearly apparent.

The pull of the portal became stronger as Cthulhu stroked Celestia’s back and Twaith floated to just in front of the ruler, placing her hooves onto Celestia’s shoulder. “Do you really wanna know? Because I think joy you feel will be far better if you don’t.”

Celestia turned to Twaith and smiled a single tear running down her cheek “Ten years isn’t that long. Come visit again soon my dear.”

Twaith nodded as bit of her essence left into the portal. “I look forward to next time then.”

And then, she was gone, leaving Twilight and Celestia alone. Twilight reached for the cookies, now in her bed, but found them being levitated by a golden aura. “But Princess Celestia, they were a gift!”

“And you can have them tomorrow, but right now, somepony should be sleeping.”

Twilight pouted for a moment, before being the good little student she was and curling up into her bed. She was just about to sleep, thoughts of the spirit’s next visit dancing around in her head, when she realized she felt something underneath her pillow. Pulling the soft cotton away, she spotted a single chocolate chip cookie, waiting for her. With a slight gasp she dove for it, and munched on it quietly as she went to sleep.





Twilight oomphed as she landed in what looked like a hole “Oh come on, that’s not fair! I just started dreaming, and now I’m gonna spend it in a hole?” She kicked out her foreleg. “Dumb hole.” She sat down and crossed her fore legs, before looking up and catching her breath. “Oh...oh wow.” Above her was a field of stars. “This is like the best star gazing ever! I take it back, this is an awesome dream! I just wish I could get of this hole to see better.”

After a few moments of consideration, Twilight got as close to the ground as she could, before jumping. Normally, her jump would only lift her a few inches, but not this time. She cleared the hole, before landing on her back with a giggle “Wow, this is really neat!” She got to her hooves and looked around, her ears pinning back against her skull from what she saw. She was surrounded by bunches of holes in white ground which seemed to be covered in dust.

“W-Where am I? I’ve never come here in my dreams before.” Twilight sat down and listened for a few moments. All she heard was silence. She sighed, and then paused as her ear twitched. What was that? it almost sounded like...some pony crying. Twilight turned her head in the direction that she heard the crying and got up, taking a deep breath before walking in that direction.

After several minutes of the crying increasing in volume, Twilight came upon another hole, much like the one she had jumped out, of, but far bigger. She peered down into the hole to see a little pony curled into a ball, the weird, white dust covering their coat. This was where the crying was coming from. I have to help that pony!

“Hello? Are you hurt? Princess says not to move a pony if they’re hurt!” Twilight called nervously.

The little pony, who Twilight realized with a bit of joy was a filly like her, called up to her. “N-no, we are not harmed, but who art thou?”

“I’m Twilight Sparkle! How come you talk funny, and why are you down there?” Twilight laid down on her belly to better see the filly, who had raised her head up to see who was speaking to her.

“Greetings to thee, Twilight Sparkle. We art not certain how you have come to this place, but we art called Pr-Luna, we art Luna.”

Twilight shrugged at the weird words “Hi Luna! Um, do you like your hole?”

“We doth not, why?” Luna blinked a few times as Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Well then, why don’t you climb out? I got really low and was able to jump out of mine!” Twilight mimed the way she jumped to Luna.

“Twilight Sparkle, tis more than being in a hole for us; can thou not see?” Luna sounded almost exasperated, much like Princess Celestia did when she found her hiding in one of the suits of armor. So, Twilight took a closer look at Luna.

“All I see is a filly my age covered in this white dust stuff!”

Luna seemed to stop moving, before hesitantly a pair of wings Twilight hadn’t noticed flared open. “Tis… tis it possible we art free?”

“Wow Luna, you don’t even have to jump. Lucky!” Twilight giggled, before backing up a few steps. Moments later, Luna landed before her, folding her wings back against her sides as she took a few shaky steps. 

“We do not know what your coming here means, Twilight Sparkle, but we thank you for helping us.”

“Um, you’re welcome? Really Luna, that’s weird how you say we instead of I.” Twilight winced as Luna slumped, looking down at the ground. Twilight tapped her chin, and then grinned “Hey, Luna?”

Luna looked up just in time to be booped by Twilight on the nose. She blinked twice, crossing her eyes as Twilight giggled, taking off at a gallop “Tag you're it. You’ve gotta boop me now, and no wings!”

Luna stood there, still for a few moments, before she raced after Twilight. Both fillies raced around the holes until they fell onto their backs, out of breath. Not long after, Twilight began to  fade. “Huh? what’s going on Luna?”

Luna turned her head with a small, yet sad, smile “You are waking up Twilight Sparkle, that is all.”

“No! I don’t want to wake up yet! I want to stay here and play with you. I don’t want you to be alone! Please Luna, you’re my friend!” Twilight grasped at Luna’s forehooves even as she continued to fade “And friends don’t leave friends alone! Not ever!”

Luna held tight to Twilight’s hooves and smiled a bright joyful smile  the small horn Twilight hadn’t noticed began to glow. “You are ou-my friend too, Twilight Sparkle, and I don’t want you to go either…” A tear fell down her cheek as Twilight cried out and grabbed ahold of Luna with her final bit of strength, just as her horn exploded with light.





“Wake up Twilight Sparkle, it’s just about time..” The maid stopped as her eyes widened, taking in the sight. In Twilight’s bed were two little fillies, and one was, without a doubt, an alicorn. She took several steps back, before racing from the room. “Guards! Some pony! Get the Princess hurry!”
	
> Guest Chap-Jumbled Thought
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“A-a-Achoo!”

Celestia stopped as she heard the noise, her ears flickering in response as she stared at her bookshelf. She tried telling herself that she heard nothing, or that what she had heard wasn’t anything. She should just continue pulling out her little Twily’s next lesson book. It was just a simple case of the-

“Sniff.”

Twilight recoiled from the blazing light that erupted from her mentor as Celestia zipped over to her foal. Celestia winced herself, not really being able to recall the last time that she had used this level of magic before. It was necessary though. She was not to let some foul curse overtake her little one!

The first set of incantations were basic, advanced, and super, ultimate, fantastica(a name given to it when she had made it as a foal herself) scans, all set off at the same time. They showed the foal as having a regular heartbeat, regular blood levels, but… wait, low blood sugar! She then blinked as the most thorough scans showed it was due to empathic interference, as the foal really wanted a cookie.

But they showed no real issue. Or in other words, they showed lies!

Celestia let the second set of prepared spells release. They were the far more taxing ones, but with them, even the bubonic plague, or excessive snuggles could not do her filly in. Twilight for her part, was rather confused as three pairs of wings sprang out of her back, she felt healthier than she ever had, minus her stuffy nose, and like she could play with the solar system like it was a dollhouse.

This was normal though, as centuries of paperwork had taught Celestia to always do everything in triplicate, even when it came to protective Alicorn statuses. Of course, it was just a temporary measurement for the moment, and she had to get to work.

Her hooves thundered on the tiles of the castle as she shot out of the playroom. The guards assigned to Twilight attempted to salute her, but were quickly against the wall as the sound barrier snapped in front of them. As for other servants of the castle, they tried to get out of the way, but many were not so lucky, soon finding themselves needing to be caught after having been accidentally launched into out a window.

Celestia, for her part, didn’t notice them, having been moving so fast that she had to shut her eyes. She knew the way to where she needed to go though, having memorized the whole layout of the castle over the years. She just had to deccelerate n-

Wham!

Celestia stepped back from the wall, having left a rather firm, Alicorn shaped impression into it with her propulsion. Despite seeing stars in her eyes, she didn’t dare let it slow her down, not when she had such important things to do. Instead, she stepped before the secret entrance to her lab, and yelled, “Pull the lever, Celestia!”

She then zipped to the space right beside her, saluting as she pulled the lever. She then leapt into the hole that it created in the floor, screaming, “Wrong lever!” all the way down.

Once she was back up, she pulled the correct lever, and found herself in her secret lab after a zany rollercoaster ride. She didn’t have time to remark on it though, already having formulated a plan. “Alright. Celestia-”

Kibitz, sitting comfortably in a chair in the lab, having come down the regular stairs when he heard about the jet going through the castle, sipped his tea as she walked in. “I’m here, princess.”

“Ah, perfect!” Celestia clapped her hooves together, before straightening out and clearing her throat. “Alright, Kibitz, here is the plan. First, we’ll take a foal from one of the orphanages, paint them like Twilight, and give them a potion to make sure they’re just as gifted as her. Then, after a few months of intensive training, I will use them as a guinea pig to test any sort of treatment I could need for Twilight, before sending them to, I dunno, the East?”

Kibitz, for half a moment paused. Not out of shock, but because the plan sounded oddly familiar. And then, it clicked. “Didn’t that not work when you did it to that Starlight filly to try to protect Sunset?”

Celestia rubbed her chin for a moment as she frowned, before nodding, and throwing a potion to the side. “You’re right. Besides, far too much paperwork. I suppose we’ll just need to use plan B then. Always much simpler.”

“Cthulhu?”

“Cthulhu.”

Celestia walked into the back room of her lab, hidden only by a curtain. Within, blood red curtains blocked all outside light, with only the candles she had made from the wax and sap of the trees on Malkior Seven, bathed in darkness and the abyss at the same time lighting the sparse room.

All for just good lighting. Unfortunately, the giant plumes of black fire they made creeped out the other ponies in the castle so they stayed here. Otherwise, she’d use them all over the place, even if they messed with reality from time to time.

She turned to Kibitz, who looked rather concerned. Unfortunately, he could not be here, and he knew that. So, with a wave of her hoof, she found herself completely alone with the pentagram on the floor, trying to remember the incantation she needed. It was hard, but she thought she had it.

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Count your hooves, and do a little shake!”

As Celestia turned around, she could see the eldritch behemoth turning around too, his tentacle maw turned up in a wide smile. Or, at least, she always assumed it was a smile. Unfortunately, her own expression could not match. “I’m sorry, Cthulhu, but I bring you here for matters of utmost concern. You see… Twilight is sick. Not only that, but I fear the illness will be fatal.”

For a moment, no sound emitted from Cthulhu as he reeled his head back. However, around Equestria, abominations of the utmost extreme, dragged from parts of his realm that he had not looked upon in millennia. Volcanoes erupted, the ground shook, and tornados descended upon the helpless.

All before they vanished to his jovial, warbling laughter.

Celestia frowned, before slamming a hoof down, and yelling, “How can you find this so funny?”

The eldritch being leaned forward, whispering in his tongue the truth. Celestia’s eyes widened for a moment as he explained that the threat was indeed ancient, as old as the ponies themselves. However, it did indeed have a name. A name hated by most, but a name nonetheless.

The sniffles.

Celestia blinked a few times, before smacking herself. “Thank you, sir. I suppose I shouldn’t have reacted so quickly… should I?”

Cthulhu merely warbled out another chuckle, before his form evaporated, and he went home. Celestia went back to where she came from as well, undoing the enchantments on Twilight as she walked back into the room. “Sorry for heading off, my little one. I merely thought something was more than it was. A mountain out of a molehill, and what not. I promise never to do that agai-”

Cough.

”Cthuhlu!”
	
> Luna
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Celestia turned at the loud noises coming from outside her room. Oh my, what has my student gotten into this morning? I’ve barely even had a chance to raise the sun. A very insistent knock sounded on her door just as she was about to open it. She shook her head and opened her bedroom door to see Honed Edge standing there, along with one of the palace maids. Her name is Morning Glory, if I recall correctly. She was next to him, seemingly out of breath, her eyes wide in shock. Oh, Twilight…

“Honed Edge? What is going on?” Celestia stepped outside of her room, shutting the door behind her.

“Ah, well, Princess... Morning Glory went to wake Twilight Sparkle for breakfast and sh—”

“Princess, there are two fillies in Lady Twilight Sparkle’s bed, a-and I cannot be entirely sure, Princess, but…” Morning Glory trailed off.

“But?” Celestia smiled, gently encouraging the mare to continue. A filly in Twilight’s bed? Maybe she crept out after her other form left and found a friend. While I’m happy that Twilight made a friend, we will be having a long discussion on when the proper time is to make friends. After we track down the filly’s parents, of course; they are probably frantic. I only hope I’m able to find them before they go to the guard.

Morning Glory licked her lips and nodded. “I went in to wake your young student for breakfast to see her with her hooves flung around another filly approximately her age, who at first glance appeared to be a unicorn, but I-I think that I may have caught a glimpse of a wing poking out from the covers.”

The easygoing smile which had been on Celestia’s muzzle failed in that instant, as she felt her breath catch. “Her coat color, could you see the filly’s coat color?”

Morning Glory blinked. “Ah, let me think… Yes, her coat color was dark blue, and I think she has a light blue mane.”

Celestia just barely forced herself not to teleport to her student’s bedside as she reached for the moon, searching. How is this possible… The Nightmare could not be back this early! What is it trying to do with my student?

She stopped, shocked to her core by what she found. The Nightmare was thrashing against the barrier created by the Elements.

I can’t feel Luna within the Nightmare… Nothing would stop her now as she teleported to beside Twilight’s bed.

The scene was as Morning Glory had described: Twilight with her forehooves carelessly thrown around another filly, just a bit bigger than Twilight. She had dark blue fur and a light blue mane with the barest bits of a curl. A small horn poked out through her mane. Celestia swallowed hard as she slowly and oh-so-carefully pulled back the covers to reveal that the little filly had small wings folded to her side and black splotches on the side of her flank, with a silver crescent moon as cutie mark. “...Luna.”

The dark blue filly’s eyes opened slowly at the sound of her name. She didn’t want to wake up, not after that wonderful dream of meeting a friend, a pony who cared about her and didn’t want to leave. And now… now she could swear she had heard her sister’s voice. Go back to sleep, I don’t want to wake up… I don’t want the nightmare to… to… Unable to stop it, her eyes fully opened to look up. Above her was… 

“...Celestia?” Luna trembled a bit, this wasn’t the first time she dreamt of returning to her sister but… N-no please, Nightmare, do not torture me using my sister’s visage again. I beg of thee… please.

Next to Luna, Twilight yawned, stretching her forelegs out to see Luna still next to her. A huge smile covered her muzzle. “Oh yes! Yes, yes, yes! Luna came home with me!” She stopped as she saw Luna and Princess Celestia staring at one another. “Um… Princess, do you know Luna?”

“I-I do, Twilight Sparkle. I know Luna very well. At least... I did.” Celestia kneeled to look Luna in the eye as a tear trailed down her cheek. “The Nightmare remains on the moon.”

“I-it does? Truly?” Luna couldn’t stop the tears from falling from her eyes as she stared up at her much larger sister. Could this be another trick… Would the Nightmare be so cruel….

“Yes, Luna… Luna, if you are home… and the Nightmare remains imprisoned, what does this mean?” Celestia asked after taking a calming breath.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “It means, Princess, that Luna is here as my friend, of course! You know what that means, right?” She leaped from the bed. “It means a super special pancake breakfast to celebrate! I have a friend! Yes!” Twilight ran from the room as Luna and Celestia gazed at each other, afraid to touch one another.

“I… I no longer desire eternal night, I… I want to be with you… you and Twilight Sparkle. I do not want to leave you!” Luna flung herself at Celestia’s chest, her eyes squeezed tight. 

Celestia looked down to see Luna clinging to her, feeling like she had been pulled back in time over a millennium as she wrapped her wing around Luna’s little body. “...Luna, oh my dear little sister, I will never send you away. I never wanted to in the first place. The Elements acted and…” Celestia swallowed hard, her right foreleg cradling Luna’s small body.

“Oh, Luna, I’ve waited so long with hope to be able to say this to you... Luna, we were always meant to rule together, but even more than regaining my co-ruler, I wish to have my sister back. A-and I…”

Luna looked up as Celestia as the elder sibling paused mid sentence. She wasn’t certain she had ever seen her sister unable to speak. She was about to speak up when Celestia touched her horn to Luna’s, her voice rough, almost husky from holding back sobs.

“Will you accept my friendship, Sister?”

Luna found herself unable to see as tears filled her eyes. “Oh, Tia! I missed you so much big sister!”

“I missed you, too…” Celestia sobbed as they clung to each other. For several moments they simply enjoyed the embrace until they were able to dry their tears. Celestia chuckled. “My, you are a bit smaller than when we last met. Did Twilight cause this?”

Luna shrugged. “I really do not know, Tia. I met Twilight Sparkle within the dream realm. I-I should still be on the moon, yet she dragged me out of her dream… How powerful is she?”

Celestia sighed. “Luna, I do not know. I only know that she is vital to the future of Equestria. I think that you will never find a more true friend than her, though.”

“I believe that to be true, Sister.” Luna smiled as her stomach growled. “Oh, I suppose it is good she ran off to get breakfast. Should we join her?” 

“Yes, I think so. After that I’ll take you to the doctor’s for a checkup.” Celestia smiled. “Well, shall we?”

“Yes! Oh, what is a ‘doctor?’ A type of healer?” Luna questioned, cocking her head. 

“Mhm, oh yes, now let's head to breakfast. Down the hall, and on the right. You go first.” Celestia nudged Luna’s flank causing the far smaller pony to move down the hall.

Luna opened the door to the dining room to reveal a very excited Twilight Sparkle, along with a sleepy looking pink alicorn blinking her eyes and wearing a pink nightgown, and a young stallion wearing only a pair of boxers. They both stared wide eyed at Luna before looking back to Twilight, who galloped over.

“See, BBBFF, Cadance? I told you I had a brand new friend who was an alicorn! This is Luna… Luna this is my Big Brother Best Friend Forever, Shining Armor, and my foalsitter, Princess Cadance!”

Luna glanced back at Celestia, who was struggling not to laugh, before she glanced down and scuffed her hoof against the floor, taking a deep breath. She looked back up at the new ponies. 

“WE GREET THEE IN THE NAME OF EQUESTRIA’S PRINCESS AND LORD, WE BETHIETH THEE TO STAY AND DINE WITH US!

Twilight giggled as Luna’s voice pushed her across the room. “Wow! Luna, will you teach me how to do that?”

Cadance and Shining Armor looked at each other, the same thought in their minds. Two of them?!
> Luna Part 2 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So, until such a time that Luna has recovered her power to the point that she—”

“So what are they saying, Twily?”

Twilight glared over her shoulder at where Shining Armor was standing behind her. “I don’t know,” she hissed. “You spoke up just as she was getting to the good part, but it was something about Luna.”

Shining Armor sighed his ears pinning back. When Princess Celestia had taken the small alicorn and Cadance away after breakfast Twilight and he had hurried after only to be stymied by a closed door. After a quick glare between the two, Twilight won the rights to to listen at the door.

Twilight shook her head and put her ear back to the door. 

“What do you think about that, Luna? Is that alright with you?”

“Aye, we agree with thy decision sister; ‘tis the best choice, plus…”

“Plus?”

“This will give us the chance to get to know what Equestria has become.”

“Auntie Celestia, I’m pretty certain that Twilight and Shining Armor are at the door, should we let them in?”

Twilight pulled back from the door, her eyes wide as the door was opened by Celestia who was smiling down at her with an eyebrow raised. 

“Twilight Sparkle, I would think that you would know better than to to listen outside of doors to private conversations.”

“I… It’s just you took my brand new friend, and I wanted to make sure she’d be okay!” Twilight looked up into Celestia’s eyes firmly.

Celestia blinked back a few tears as she smiled down at Twilight. So worried for my little sister that you would go against even me? “Twilight I can assure you that Luna is just fine. In fact, I was planning to come get you. Now, come on inside the room. You as well, Shining Armor.”

Shining Armor and Twilight looked at each other and shrugged before walking past Celestia into the small sitting room where Luna and Cadance were sitting on cushions. Twilight raced over to where Luna was and sat next to her as Shining Armor sat beside Cadance, catching her eye. Cadance smiled as Celestia shut the door.

“Shining Armor, my faithful student Twilight Sparkle, what do you know of the Mare in the Moon?” Celestia sat down across from the four ponies, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Shining Armor rubbed his front left foreleg. “Well, I mean, I was taught the basic myth in elementary. Long ago, the mare who raised the moon got angry at her elder sister, the mare who raised the sun, but that's all a myth, isn’t it?”

Celestia shook her head with a small frown before turning to Luna. “I’m so sorry, Luna. I never meant for you to be reduced into naught but a myth…”

Twilight’s eyes widened as her eyes flicked back and forth between Luna and Princess Celestia before standing up, “No way! It’s true, isn’t it! Luna is your little sister, isn’t she, Princess? But… wait a second, the pony in the story is a mare and Luna is my age!”

“That is correct, Twilight, on both accounts. Almost one thousand years ago, Luna was my younger sister, the Princess of the Night, the mare who rose the moon and stars. I… I was a horrible elder sister: I did not listen to her fears and feelings. I was far too full of myself I only cared for what ponies thought of myself… I-I… It was my fault Nightmare Moon happened. I never wished to send my little sister to the moon. Twilight, you did something I thought impossible. Last night, you freed Luna from the confines of the Nightmare. You brought my little sister home.” Celestia lay down on her belly to look into Twilight’s eyes. “Thank you, Twilight Sparkle…”

“I, um, yo-you’re welcome, Princess, but I… why is she so little? Did I do something wrong?” Twilight glanced down at the floor, her ears pinned back as she felt a wing wrap around her back. She looked over to see that the wing belonged to Luna, who was smiling at her.

“Nay, Twilight Sparkle, we hath spoken at length with our sister about what could have occurred and have decided the reason we are the size and maturity we are tis the fault of the Nightmare. It holds much of our previous strength and size within it. As we are now, we are little stronger than thee.” Luna smiled nuzzling her cheek against Twilight’s, who giggled.

“Luna is right, Twilight. We are pretty sure she’ll grow as a normal filly like you yourself will. Now I asked Luna if she wanted to retake her place by my side right away, but…” Celestia shook her head standing back up.

“We said no. We wish to learn more about this new time, so that we can become the princess we wish to be and the princess our ponies need us to be… Also.” Luna blushed glancing away her ears pinned back. 

“Also what, Luna?” Twilight cocked her head. It must be super important if Luna chose not to be a princess!

“Well, we… I was hoping to spend more time with thee. Tia has suggested I take my lessons with thee so that we may become close friends. If you would not mind ou—my company?” Luna pawed at the ground, not noticing as Twilight seemed to vibrate a huge smile on her muzzle.

“Yes! Oh, wow, Luna! We are going to have the very best of times!”

Celestia smiled as Twilight started babbling to Luna about all the fun things she and Luna would be doing together. Welcome home, little sister, you just worry about growing up again and having fun. I’ll handle everything else.
> Luna-The Check Up
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna followed after Celestia as they walked down one of the servant only passages, every now and then glancing to her right side, making sure that her new friend Twilight was still beside her. She still felt as if she was within a dream. “Where is it that we are going, Tia?”

Celestia paused before she looked down with a smile. “Luna, I’m afraid you need a check up. After so long on the moon, you must understand that medicine has come a long way.”

“She means that you have to have shots.” Twilight shivered at the thought. “Though at least you won’t have to turn into a chicken.”

Luna’s muzzle scrunched up as she frowned her eyes going from her sister to Twilight and back to Celestia. “We believe that there is a long story explaining this idea of becoming a chicken?”

Celestia blushed, looking up at the ceiling before coughing delicately. “Ah, yes, yes, you could definitely say that. But, Twilight is right. You are in need of some vaccinations. But have faith in your big sister. It will only hurt for a moment.”

Luna’s ears pinned back at the mention of pain. “What type of pain doth thou mean, Sister? Akin to a knife wound?”

“Oh no! Nothing like that, little sister, just a small needle prick.” Celestia smiled before bending her neck down and nuzzling Luna’s cheek. “Twilight, I’m afraid you have class with Professor Starshine, so you had better hurry along. Honed Edge will be there to bring you back as soon as your lesson is complete.”

Twilight frowned, and her ears pinned back as her eyes flicked between Luna and back to where Honed Edge was standing to the side. “But Princess, won’t Luna need me to be with her?”

“Oh Twilight, it’s wonderful that you want to stay with your new friend, but you need to go to your lessons. I’ll be with Luna the entire day. I have already arranged with Kibitz to postpone day court until tomorrow.” Celestia smiled softly before nudging Twilight towards where Honed Edge was waiting to escort her.

“I...alright. I’ll see you after my lessons, Luna…” Twilight slumped, her tail curling between her hind legs.

“Have no fear, friend Twilight. We are certain that we will be joining thou on the morrow for lessons.” Luna smiled softly her ears perked up a bit.

Twilight grinned “That’s right! I’ll tell the professor to expect you tomorrow!” Her ears perked up and she raced over to Honed Edge and followed him towards another part of the palace.

Luna smiled as she watched Twilight trot after Honed Edge. “She is an eager friend. I am happy she is mine.”

Celestia wrapped a wing around Luna. “I’m glad she is yours as well now come on no more stalling Doctor Strong Heart is eager to meet you.”





Luna shivered sitting on top of the metal table. She looked around the small white room. Other than the table she was sitting on, there wasn’t much else there besides a small chair Celestia had perched upon and a table with a few magazines. "For what reason must we sit upon this table? Is it a way to prepare mine self for a battle that is to come?”

Celestia hid her muzzle behind the magazine she was reading. “Luna, Doctor Strong Heart will not be engaging in battle with you. All he is going to do is give you a check-up and a few vaccines.”

Luna looked over as she heard a slight knock on the door. There was a pause before it was opened with a burst of magic as a unicorn stallion walked in, wearing a lab coat and smile on his muzzle. “Good afternoon, Princess Luna. My name is Doctor Strong Heart. I’ll be conducting your check up. Now let’s start by getting your weight and height. Hop on down and get on the scale.” 

Luna hesitated then nodded, climbing down from the examination table and onto the scale, staying as still as she could.

“Alright, Princess Luna. I have your height and weight, so get on back up on the table.”

Luna clambered back onto the table sitting on her haunches as Doctor Strong Heart listened to her pulse and checked her reflexes. The whole thing fascinated Luna. Celestia had been right: medicine had changed quite a bit. “Princess Luna, you are in excellent condition!”

Luna beamed up at him happily “We are happy to hear that we are well! Doth this mean we are not in need of these vaccines?”

Doctor Strong Heart shook his head. “I’m afraid not, Luna. There are four shots that I’ll need to administer. Lay down on your stomach and hold your tail to the side. I’ll be right back.”

Luna’s eyes widened as she lay down on her belly, trembling.

“Now Luna, it’ll be just a few pricks and then you’ll be done.” Celestia smiled softly at her. 

Luna shut her eyes tightly as she heard the door open and close. She shivered as a bit of cool liquid was rubbed into her bottom, and a whimper escaped her lips as she felt four short pin pricks in her bottom. 

“Alright Princess, we’re all done. You did a great job.” Luna opened an eye to see the syringes on the table next to her and her eyes widened at the sight. A cry escaped her muzzle as Celestia scooped her up.

Doctor Strong Heart sighed. “That’s normal. She’ll be alright in an hour or so Princess.”

Celestia smiled sadly with a nod, and looked down at the pony in her hooves. “Come on, Luna, we’ll get you some ice cream, and you can relax.”

“O-Okay Tia. B-But first, we have a statement to make.” Luna whimpered out, snuggling into her big sister’s warm coat.

“Of course, Luna, what is it?”

“We declare these new vaccines to be a pain in our bottom!”
	
> The Room-1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight yawned and opened her eyes wiggling off the end of the bed. She had drunk way too much milk with dinner and was really paying for it. She glanced back after all four of her hooves hit the floor to see Luna sprawled on her back like some weird pony starfish. Twilight lifted a hoof to cover her giggle before she was urgently reminded why exactly she was awake.





Twilight sighed in relief as she closed the door to the bathroom, now much relieved and ready to go back to bed. She paused hearing a muffled ouch coming from one of locked rooms, that Twilight was never ever supposed to go into. Twilight glanced around seeing no guards near by she bit her lip and walked towards the ajar door and pushed it open quietly to blink meekly. In front of Twilight’s eyes was Princess Celestia a paint brush held in her magic. Her majestic white coat was splattered with spots of dark blue paint as she grumbled.

“This is why I don’t paint anymore… my mane seems to attract the paint, now where is that stupid ribbon…” Celestia yipped as the ribbon wrapped around her mane pulling it back into a ponytail. She spun around to see Twilight smiling up at her. “Twilight? What are you doing up?”

Twilight rubbed her foreleg with her fore hoof. “Well I had to go potty really bad so I got out of bed. Luna is a really really good sleeper! So I went potty and was about to go back to bed but I heard a ouch from this room and the door was sorta open so I decided to check. Princess, how come you’re in here all by yourself this late at night?”

Celestia sighed and put the paintbrush down, balancing it on the can so it wouldn’t fall in before taking a look at the room. It was a mess; part of a wall was dark blue and the other looked like a badly reproduced nightscape. She’d already moved the majority of the furniture somewhere... she'd remember soon enough. It had been moved in a panic, after all.. “Ah, well come sit with me Twilight and I’ll try to explain alright?” She lifted a wing, which her four year old student scampered under.

“Now, I’ve already told you how very thankful I am that you have returned my little sister to me, but I was expecting to gain her back, even if my expectations were at least a decade in the future. So, for the last few years i’ve been preparing this room for her. Can you see the problem with it now my faithful student?”

Twilight looked around the big room and hummed. “Well… it’s really empty and dark… No night light and it's kind of scary.”  

Celestia sighed. “I thought so. You see, the room I had been preparing was for my full grown, dark night loving sister. However, it’s clear to see that the little filly you brought home is not the sister I was preparing for. So… I tried to fix it. I thought if I added some stars to the walls it would help, but…”

“It doesn’t look great… Um, sorry Princess!” Twilight blushed as Celestia laughed 

“No, you’re quite right. Luna has always been the artist. Just wait until you see how she can paint the night,” Celestia said as she smiled, stroking Twilight’s mane as she seemed to be thinking. “What is it?” 

“Well, you said that Luna is an artist, right? Well, um, why not make her walls washable?” Twilight glanced up to see Celestia looking puzzled. “It’s, uh, something Mommy did with my room when I started running out of chalk boards and moved my formulas to the walls. You can buy special paint that lets you wash the walls with a simple spell!”

Celestia put a hoof to her chin and smiled. “Twilight Sparkle, I think you are onto something. Why don’t you go back to bed and I’ll call a court recess tomorrow.”

“Huh? How come you want to do that Princess?” Twilight asked before a large yawn escaped.

“Well I’m going to have Cadance take Luna out for the day tomorrow while you and I will get her room setup. How does that sound?” Celestia’s smile dimmed as she saw Twilight look down at her hooves and nod. “Twilight? What is it, my precious student?”

“W-well, if you have Luna live in this room, that means we won’t be roommates anymore and… I don’t want to go back to sleeping alone. I really like having Luna with me! She makes me happy… but, I guess I’m being selfish, huh?” Twilight looked up, her ears pinned back as Celestia laughed gently.

“Oh, Twilight… I’d never separate you and Luna like that. Of course you would move into this room with her. It’s far closer to my quarters anyway and big enough for two grown mares, never mind two small fillies. Now, do you feel better about helping me fix up this room tomorrow?”

Twilight nodded eagerly before she yawned again, and brought a hoof up to rub her eyes.

“Good, now back to bed. We’ll have to get started as soon as the stores open and before that, I want you to eat a good breakfast.” Celestia nudged Twilight out of the room with her muzzle following after her. “We both need to get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”
	
	
> The Room-2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight yawned as she slowly ate at her pancakes. Luna sat next to her, eating far more enthusiastically. No wonder. She slept like a log last night.

Celestia smiled as Twilight sipped her hot chocolate. Slowly, but surely, the filly was waking herself up. “Cadance, dear? I was hoping you’d be able to do me a favor today.” She smiled as the teenager looked up from her own breakfast.

“Of course, Auntie. With Shiny, er, Shining Armor training today I wasn’t planning anything today. What can I do to help?” Cadance smiled as she placed a bite of hay bacon in her mouth. Mmmm so good…

“I was hoping you would show Luna around the palace today. Introduce her to some of the help, that sort of thing.” Celestia smiled over at Luna. “Even if she isn’t ready to be a ruling princess again, she should still know who is who in her new home.”

“Huh?” Luna finally looked up, syrup covering her lips. “Sister, why can you not show us… er me around? Would you not know these working ponies far better than thy niece?”

Celestia took a sip of tea, shaking her head. “You would think that, but I sadly spend much of my time in court, listening to the complaints of nobles. Sometimes if I’m lucky, a commoner pony will get through and brighten my day. Even better is when it’s a filly or colt. So neigh, Cadance is the better choice.” She nuzzled Luna’s sticky cheek. “Have no fear. You and I will spend much of our time together in the coming days.”

Luna pouted a moment before returning the nuzzle with a giggle. “Well, I guess it could be fun. May Twilight come with Cadance and I?”

“I’m afraid not. Twilight and I have some important work to do today involving her studies. But you two can play tomorrow. I promise.” Celestia smiled, hoping Luna wouldn’t push too much as Twilight watched, a large piece of pancake halfway in her mouth.

Luna considered what her sister said for a few moments, her left ear flicking as she looked closely for any of Celestia’s ticks. “Well, alright. We… I will accompany Cadance today. But tomorrow shall be set aside for games and merriment!”

Celestia laughed at Luna’s proclamation and nodded. “Of course, no studies or Princessing tomorrow. How about we take a picnic to the beach?”

Cadance’s eyes lit up as Twilight and Luna nodded. “That sounds like a fantastic idea, Auntie. Well, Luna. Are you finished with your breakfast? If so, let’s get you cleaned up and head to the kitchens. There, you can meet the amazing ponies who made this wonderful breakfast for us!”

Celestia and Twilight watched as Cadance led Luna away towards the washroom.Twilight yawned “Princess, when will I be old enough to drink coffee?”

“When I think you are ready to do all nighters and not a moment sooner.” Celestia smiled, finishing off her tea as the filly pouted. “Besides, you wouldn’t like coffee. It’s bitter and strong.”





Celestia hadn’t thought that the hardest part of this trip would be to actually leave the palace. However, after a very quiet but intense conversation with Honed Edge, Celestia was convinced to take Silent Shadow with them. The young mare had even promised not to wear her armor,. something which Celestia approved of. After all, Silent wouldn’t be able to blend in as well wearing barding.

After a few more moments, the three were on their way.

“So, Princess. What’s the plan for today?” Silent asked, her eyes scanning their surroundings.

“Well, our first stop is Paint and Brushes on fifth and main,” Celestia replied after a moment. “Twilight Sparkle mentioned a type of paint which turns walls into chalk boards. It would be perfect for Luna for her arts, and Twilight seems to enjoy working on equations… Though hopefully she’ll draw pictures along with Luna.” She smiled down at Twilight, who was practically prancing beside Celestia as she took in the sights of the market center.

“Why don’t we grab some type of treat to munch on the way, Princess? You forget Saturdays are like a mini carnival.” Silent grinned. “Maybe some cotton candy?”

“Oh, are you going to deal with a sugar-hyped filly?” Celestia lifted an eyebrow, but paid the cotton candy vender

Silent shrugged. “Think about it this way, Princess. If she runs around super-hyper now, it’ll be much easier to get her down for her afternoon nap.”

Twilight snagged the cotton candy and took a huge bite, grinning up at Celestia who bit off a small piece herself with a smile. “Well I suppose that is true. Now to the paint store!”





Celestia sighed as Twilight dashed around the store, jabbering at full speed. She raised an eyebrow at Silent Shadow, who at least had the decency to blush. “I hope you know that I hold you responsible for this state of affairs.”

“I do Princess…” Silent Shadow swallowed hard Here it comes… After my four years of academy and graduating top of my class last week. I’m going to be dismissed… Dad is going to kill me.

“And thus I’m going to make you chase after the hyperactive four year old while I get the paint and supplies.” Celestia giggled a bit as Silent Shadow’s jaw fell open. “Go on, then. Just remember shes a very powerful little thing, get moving.”

Silent quickly took off after her charge as Celestia attempted to ignore the cries, giggles, and of course, crashes.

“Anything that they break I will of course pay for,” Celestia informed the owner, who had been just standing there slowly growing pale with every noise.

He smiled at that and nodded. “My thanks, your Highness. Now what may I assist you with, today?”

“I am searching for a dark blue paint, one which is white and glows in the dark. I’ve also heard of something that turns walls into chalkboards. Oh, and I need three sets of painting tools. One filly size.” Celestia finished with a smile.

“Of course, your highness! I’ll get those all ready and prepared for you!” He bowed before hurrying off. Celestia shook her head as she watched Silent chasing after Twilight. She still had a big glob of cotton candy in her magic, biting into it as her giggles and squeals were heard throughout the store.





“Thank Goodness. I wasn’t sure she’d ever conk out…” Silent Shadow shook her head, gesturing with her horn at the paint-covered filly curled up on the tarp. A paint brush was still in her mouth “I swear I was starting to think she ran on sugar.”

Celestia smiled gently at the newest guard. “Oh, my dear. You’ll soon learn that most foals are like this if fed too much sugar. Now, what do you think?” She took a step back to look at the room. The walls were painted a black that seemed to almost shine, while the ceiling was dark-blue. The dark stars had a large-white glow in them..

Silent Shadow nodded.“I’m certain that the little princess will feel very comfortable in here, along with her hyper friend.” Silent smiled and laid a blanket over her charge “Still, I can’t complain...She’s a little sweetheart. Shall I take her to her room for her nap while we have the other guards bring in the toys and furniture?”

Celestia nodded. “I think that is a fine idea. Twilight will have a bath tonight, but for now let her sleep.” She watched as Silent carried Twilight out on her back, and smiled looking over the room. Oh, Luna. I hope you enjoy this second chance you’ve been given. “Alright, Gentle colts. Start bringing it in.”





Twilight rubbed her eyes as she followed Luna. “How come we have to be blindfolded, Princess?”

“Yes, what is happening with this, Big Sister?” Luna asked. She cocked her head as she kept a wing over Twilight’s back, wanting to keep her friend close by.

“Simply a surprise, girls.” Celestia’s voice said as Luna could hear a door open. “Alright, you can take your blindfolds off.”

Luna and Twilight eagerly did so and their eyes widened. Before their eyes was a room made for two fillies. Two beds were next to each other, the comforters bearing the cutie mark of their respective owners. Large toy boxes were against the wall, as well as bookcases filled with books, and a desk for each of them. On the wall, written in chalk, it said ‘Luna and Twilight’s Room!’.

Both fillies looked at each other, grins on their muzzles, before they tackled Celestia in a hug.
> Siblings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight glanced over as she heard the blocks crash to the ground for the second time in what seemed like less than five minutes. The little filly frowned. She had been trying to read ahead for her next lesson. However, it was becoming apparent that something was bothering her roommate and best friend.

“Luna? What's the matter? I thought you wanted to play on your um ‘Lonesome?” Twilight cocked her head as she looked at the dark-coated alicorn who was rotating one of the wooden blocks in her magic. “We’re you just sayin that cuz I wanted ta read? Princess says that lying like that is a little white lie. But I dunno any color of lie is naughty isn’t it?” 

“...Mayhaps,” Luna mumbled out after a moment. “It is not as if we…I meant to deceive you. I’m not certain…” She trailed off as the block fell onto the others. She turned to see Twilight sitting next to her and smiled “If I did not know better I would have suspected you of teleporting beside me.”

Twilight giggled covering her mouth with her right hoof. “That's funny! Princess says that all the time too, she even put a bell on me once. It didn’t work though…” Twilight’s giggles stopped abruptly as Luna’s ears pinned back at the mention of Princess “Come on Luna you can tell me anything right?”

A small pause before Luna nodded in agreement.

“Then tell me silly! Maybe I can help? The guards all say I’m a great listener!”

“I…I miss my sister.” Luna finally got out though she refused to look at Twilight her attention once more on one of their blocks. “We weren’t always so far apart in age you realize?”

Twilight shook her head before frowning. “I kinda understand? I have Shiny as my BBBFF er my Big Brother Best Friend Forever. But, he's 14 years older than me. Apparently, I was a, um surprise?” Twilight shrugged “Anyway My Mommy, she told me that sometimes Shining Armor just wouldn’t be able to play with me. But!” She paused and hugged Luna tight “She said he’d always be my big brother. And he still is! He even makes time for us to play on Sundays!”

Luna snuggled into the hug with Twilight thinking about what she had said.





Celestia sat upon her throne counting down the minutes until dinner and perhaps a chance to spend some time with Luna. Do not throw away this gift you somehow received Celestia! The nightmare still remains. You can not lose to it once again. She looked over to the caller as the stallion seemed to hesitate before announcing the next pony.

“Her Royal Highness Princess Luna of Equestria.”

Celestia looked down as her little sister approached respecting the court decorum. “Luna? Little sister is something wrong?”

Celestia held her breath as she forced herself to stay calm and retain her mask of neutralness as her little sister hesitated. Unbidden Celestia recalled the last time that Luna had approached her in such a manner.





“Her Royal Highness Princess Luna of the Night.”

Celestia looked upon her dark-coated sibling with a raised eyebrow inwardly smirking at the differences between them. Even the gathered nobles had nothing kind to say about her far less seen co-ruler. Co-ruler? What exactly does she rule? A pack of possums?  “What is it Luna, we are still many hours before the setting of MY sun. Shouldn’t thou still be in thy bed?”

Luna’s left ear flicked but she ignored the quiet chortles of her sister’s groupies. “Aye, and we will be returning once we have made our petition.”

“Very well we will hear thee. Speak.” Celestia lounged back wondering what her shy sister would ask for. Foolish little thing.

“I-We petition thee for nights and days to be varied. We—” Luna found herself unable to continue as she looked up into Celestia’s eyes to see them narrowed. 

“No, we have discussed this many times there are zero reasons for the days and nights to differ any more than they already do.”

Luna fought back the magic muting her and retrieved the studies offering them to her sister but she already knew it was over. “We simply request you look at these. Fare thee well.” She bowed her head ignoring the fact Celestia did not respond in kind. 





Luna had been right, varying the nights and days throughout the year has led to such prosperity… I need to still thank you for fireproofing your notes…

Celestia smiled at Luna and bowed her head as the filly approached. “Hello princess Luna, what petition do you have for me?”

Luna seemed to take a deep breath before she raised herself to her full height. “Twilight Sparkles tells us…er me that each Sunday she and her elder brother have time to play.”

“They do yes, Twilight Sparkle is excused from her studies and an agreement with the Lead Cadet allows Shining Armor three hours with her, why?”

“Can we do that?” Luna was unable to stop herself from blurting out her hope. “Us I mean…you and me? W-we could join Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor…O-or mayhaps just the two of us can spend time together?”

Celestia felt the smile breaking through her mask but could not find any reason to not allow it. “Yes, I think we can arrange that.”





And from that day forth Everyone, pony and otherwise knew that from one pm and four pm every Sunday the Princess was unavailable. Unless of course, Equestria was at risk. But Heaven help the soul who disturbed Sibling time if it wasn’t.