Chapter 1
The Unsecret Secret.
By Unidentified20XD6
For Emmis and Puzzle Plate.
“Spike! Spike, where are you? Come quickly,” Twilight yelled at the top of her voice. She stood in front of the barrel of water she was using as a mirror. The sound of the library's back door filled the air, followed by the pitter-patter of little dragon feet. “Today's an important day,” she said.
“I know, I know,” said Spike as he handed Twilight the brush. “I don't know why you're so worked up, Twi.”
The sound of Twilight's magic as she grabbed the brush allowed her the opportunity to pretend she didn't hear what her assistant said. She ran the brush through her mane, tail, and then all over her coat, stopping only to dip the brush into the barrel of water. Spike stood by the barrel with the unromantic job of pulling the hair out of the water, keeping it as clean as possible.
“Done.”
Spike grabbed the brush from under her belly before heading back inside. Twilight glanced in the water, making sure she was presentable. She had been waiting for this day to come ever since Celestia invited her to Canterlot to attend the carnival. She had memorized the letter, the sound it made as it materialized out of Spike's belch, what she had been eating, and how happy she was when it showed up. The letter had said:
My Dearest Student, Twilight Sparkle.
As you may be aware, Equestria's Extravagant Carnival is going to be here in Canterlot in exactly two weeks. I would be honored if you would come with me to this event with me, as Luna is occupied and I'd rather not go alone.
Your mentor,
Celestia.
Twilight didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or explode from all the emotions tumbling inside her. She had spent the last two weeks almost unable to sleep or eat out of anticipation. The timing was perfect. Today was the day she could finally tell Celestia how she feels. It'd be amazing! They'd eat carnival food, ride carnival rides, and finally end up on the ferris wheel where Twilight could confess her true feelings. There'd be no way Celestia would be able to reject her, not after inviting her. Maybe Celestia would feel the same way. It'd be just wonderful if she did.
With those thought tumbling through her mind, Twilight hardly spoke through the entire hot-air balloon trip to the capital of Equestria. She jumped out of the balloon while it was still sixty feet in the air, teleporting to safety right before she struck the ground. She turned and waved to Spike, without watching long enough to see him wave back. She set off to the capital at a gallop, not even stopping long enough to say hi to her old friends. She slid to a stop in front of the palace and stood gasping for air.
“Ex, uh, excuse me, but can you tell me where the Princess is?” Twilight stared at the guard. He flicked his head to the door. “Thanks,” said Twilight as she walked into the front door.
“Twilight!” A booming voice echoed down the stairway.
“Princess Celestia. I'm so happy to see you,” she said, kneeling on the ground.
“Are you ready for the carnival?” The white alicorn strode regally down the stairs.
“Oh yes, I'm very ready. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Who else to come with me other than my star pupil?” Celestia replied. They both smiled before Celestia took the lead and they both headed out to the carnival.
Twilight had never seen anything so bright and vibrant. Three ponies dressed as clowns walked by on barrels while a bear in a cage stood roaring. Screams of fear and enjoyment ripped through the air periodically as a roller coaster started its drop or a tilt-a-whirl began spinning. Twilight followed Celestia, not paying attention to where they were going. Her gaze was drawn to the carnival games, the booths, the stalls. She saw somepony run by with what looked like a tangled mass of hay covered in white powder. Celestia saw her looking at the delicacy, and with a twinkle in her eye said “It's called Funnel Cake. Made by dropping sweethay batter into boiling oil, and then coated in powdered sugar. Would you like one? They're a weakness of mine.”
Twilight's eyes widened as she said “Thank you, princess. But I could never ask you to buy me someth-”
“Don't worry, Twilight Sparkle. It's absolutely no burden at all,” Celestia interjected.
“In that case, yes. I'd like to try it.” She followed her mentor to a nearby stall, watching in awe as the brown earth pony behind the counter poured batter into a fryer. She was vaguely aware of Celestia placing her order. The oil popped and a drop landed on the dirt next to her. The purple mare jumped, narrowly avoiding bumping into a passer-by.
“Watch it, ya rube,” shouted the stallion.
Cowed, Twilight moved closer to her teacher, rubbing up next to her legs in the process.
“Something the matter, my faithful student?”
Twilight shook her head. “No, nothing. The oil just splattered and almost hit me.”
Celestia smiled, a twinkle in her eye. Twilight felt herself being drawn into that look before being snapped out of her trance from the sound of two trays being slid to them. Tearing her eyes from those perfect teeth, she began to focus on the twisted mass in front of her. She saw Celestia sweep up her portion and take a large bite out of the side. Twilight was a little more cautious, nibbling on a noodley appendage hanging off the side. She found, much to her surprise, that she enjoyed it. Throwing caution to the wind, she mimicked Celestia and took a huge bite out of the top, savoring the sweet flavor and the heat of the freshly cooked snack. The continued to walk around, taking in the sights. After the initial overwhelming sensational stimulation, Twilight was able to focus on Celestia. Her gait, her stride. She watched the way her mentor's mane flowed and twinkled, and felt a hot rush of blood go to her cheeks when she noticed Celesta was watching her.
“Enjoying yourself, Twilight?” Celestia asked, a smile on her face.
“Yes, it's just perfect. And I'm so happy that I could come with you,” she replied. “I mean, it's just wonderful.”
Their journey around the carnival continued, until they reached the attraction that Twilight had been waiting for all night; the ferris wheel. It soared over the carnival like a sonic rainboom frozen in time. Celestia noticed her pupil's eyes staring at the wheel, an d said “Care to take a ride?”
Twilight's face exploded in happiness. “Can we?”
“Of course. If we hurry, we'll be able to beat the line.”
The two trotted over to the queue, and were seated. Twilight was so excited, she didn't even notice that her seat had soda all over it. “This is the moment,” she whispered to herself. “If you don't tell her now, you may never have the courage to do it again.”
“What was that? I couldn't quite hear you,” Celestia asked.
“Nothing, nothing,” said Twilight, blushing.
The wheel started to spin, and the chair began to swing in the light breeze. The conversation died down, and Twilight decided to press her luck. With infinitesimal movements, she slid her hoof closer and closer to Celestia's royal leg. Casually looking away, she pushed farther and farther until finally, she made contact. For a second, Twilight froze, fearing the worst. She felt movement, and went to move her front foreleg away from Celestia. She stopped when she realized that instead of pulling away, Celestia was moving in. Twilight felt her mentor's mane wrap around her neck and intermingle with hers.
“Celestia?”
“Yes, my most faithful student?”
Twilight took a breath, steeling herself for the deceleration that was to come. What if she doesn't feel the same? What if she doesn't ever want to see me again? What if- The thought cut off as Twilight shook her head. The ride stopped suddenly, and Twilight noticed they were at the very top.
“I have a confession to make.”
Celestia stared down at her student, a loving smile on her face. “Yes?”
“Well, I... Uh. This carnival's been great, and spending time with you has been amazing. This is one of the best days of my life, and I don't ever want it to end. Celestia, I...”
The monologue was broken by a rather wet fart. Celestia's mouth went agape. Twilight blushed, realizing what she just did.
“I wanted to tell you that carnival food gives me gas.”
Celestia stared at her student for several seconds before breaking out in laughter. Twilight quickly joined in. They say at the top of the swinging seat, laughing like a pair of loons. Eventually, their laugher died down into hiccups and chuckles before Celestia turned to her student and asked “Is that all you wanted to tell me?”
“Yes. I'm afraid if I don't go home soon, I might spoil the rest of the evening.”
Celestia stifled a laugh before signaling the ride operator to bring them down.