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// A Two-Year Heartache 
// Story: Pony to Human in a Flash 
// by My90sPony 
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It was almost exactly two and a half years after Twilight Sparkle last went through the human world. Twilight had gotten entirely used to being a princess now, save for many of the ponies acting formal around her. Pretty much only the Ponyville ponies didn’t act formal around her except during special occasions, though that was mostly because they had been friends with Twilight back when she was just a student of Celestia’s. They still were friends with her of course, especially Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.
After getting used to being a princess life started to become easier for Twilight minus important royal duties...but she was so good at scheduling that even the duties were hardly a burden on her. She also was a lot happier than she had been when she first became an alicorn, especially since Celestia had not given her her own kingdom to rule. This was because Twilight had later been given a castle of her own outside Ponyville thanks to the Tree of Harmony.
Apparently the tree understood how much Twilight needed to be with her friends, which was especially hinted through the thrones Twilight’s friends and even her ‘little brother’ Spike got inside it. It made sense in a way, after all Twilight was the Princess of Friendship much like Cadance was the Princess of Love. And what good would it do for the Princess of Friendship to be far away from her best friends?
Speaking of love...that detail right there was making Twilight secretly sad underneath her happy, studious, friendly, and helpful demeanor. No one ever really caught on...Cadance was a little suspicious but when she asked Twilight about it the year after the adventure in the human world:
“Twilight...are you okay?” Cadance asked.
“Of course I am Cadance, why do you ask?” Twilight smiled.
“Twilight, you know that I can tell when someone is having love trouble.”
“Oh that...it’s nothing really serious.” Twilight shrugged. “See I...I did get to know Flash Sentry like you suggested but it didn’t work out. He turned out not to be the one after all. I’m not upset or anything...it’s just that it was the first time I had ever liked a stallion as more than a friend so I’m kinda still getting used to having gone through that.”
“Oh.” Cadance smiled, relieved it was nothing too serious. “Weird...I was sure he was the one for you. Oh well, maybe my wanting so much for you to find the stallion of your dreams clouded my judgement or something. Don’t worry Twilight, your real true love is out there.”
“I know.” Twilight smiled. “I’m not going to bother looking right away though since I’m still getting used to being a princess.”
“Makes sense.” Cadance smiled.
They chatted a bit more and then parted ways. Cadance had some business to take care of and Twilight wanted to read more about the Crystal Empire.
“He’s out there all right....” She said to herself. “Actually, he may be closer than anypony else thinks...yet he feels so far away too.”
Spike was the second one to catch on, but that wasn’t until the two and a half-year anniversary of the last adventure he and Twilight had in the human world.
“Twilight?” He said sleepily as he entered Twilight’s bedroom. “What’s going on?”
“Spike?” Twilight turned away from her bedroom window, surprised that he had woken up. “I didn’t even make a sound, how did-?”
“I sensed that there was something wrong and I got worried. Sibling instinct.” Spike explained. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just...you know what tomorrow is right?”
“Um...schedule aside I think it’s the anniversary of when we last went through that mirror and ended up in the human world.” Spike frowned uncertainly.
“Exactly.” Twilight nodded.
“Oh...you miss your Canterlot High friends don’t you?” Spike realized.
“Kinda...it’s not really them I miss even though I do miss them....” Twilight went back to looking out the window.
Spike, still tired, struggled to remember and then an image of a blue-haired boy popped into his head.
“That boy you danced with at the Fall Formal....” He realized. “What was his name ag-oh yeah, Flash Sentry.”
“Right...it’s him I really miss.” Twilight admitted.
“But what about his pony counterpart? I mean I know you got to know him and that didn’t seem to go well but-”
“He’s not the same Flash Spike.” Twilight sighed.
Spike frowned with confusion.
“What do you mean?” He asked. “They seem to be the same to me.”
“That’s because you didn’t really get to know the pony one very well.” Twilight explained. “I did and...he’s not the same. They both have the same voice and they’re both gentlemen, but there are differences as well. For one thing the pony Flash is too much of a gentleman. He keeps addressing me as princess even though I constantly told him to just call me Twilight. He refuses to look past my title and see me for my humble beginnings like my family and my friends here do. Plus he doesn’t have much of an interest in performing music like the human Flash did. I’ve noticed it with other counterparts too...human Rainbow is entirely into sports and probably wants to join a sport team while pony Rainbow wants to join the Wonderbolts, protectors who also put on performances in their spare time.”
“That is true...also pony Flash is a guard and I don’t think human Flash was even a hall monitor.” Spike remembered.
“See? They aren’t the same...at least not enough for me to love the pony Flash...as much as I love the human Flash.” Twilight hung her head sadly. “I know we only knew each other for around three days...but there was something special about human Flash. Something that won my heart over. I knew it when I looked into his eyes after he cleared my name....”
“Well...the portal is going to open again tomorrow. Maybe you can go back through and see him again.” Spike suggested.
“I can’t...that’s what really hurts. It’s been so long since we last saw each other...I’m sure he’s moved on by now.” Twilight shed a tear.
It had been so long since they visited the human world that they forgot that the portal was permanently open now. In fact, they weren’t the only ones who forgot....
In the human world during the next day, Flash Sentry was sadly playing his guitar by himself. He then stopped and pulled something out of his jacket...it was the photo of Twilight and her friends that had been taken during the dance after Sunset Shimmer’s defeat.
“I miss you so much....” He said to himself.
“You okay sugar?”
Startled, Flash looked up and saw Applejack and the rest of the girls there. Only human Twilight wasn’t there, due to working on her plan for the future. They all had graduated recently and most of them were still figuring out their futures.
Applejack’s of course was pretty much covered, she always knew she was going to continue working on her family’s farm, but the others were debating between finding jobs in town (to stay near the portal) or taking a chance and either going to college or finding jobs elsewhere. Even Flash was unsure, due to the conflict of wanting to tour with his band and wanting something else:
“Oh...yeah I’m fine, I just...I just still miss Twilight Sparkle a lot.” Flash admitted.
“Wow, over two years since you last saw her and you still can’t let go of her.” Rainbow Dash remarked before smiling: “That’s pretty strong loyalty right there.”
“Not to mention love.” Rarity beamed.
“I do love her...I want to see her again but I’m sure she’s forgotten about me.” Flash looked away sadly.
“Oh I’m sure she didn’t, it’s just that the portal only opens every two and a half years.” Sunset explained. “And obviously she can’t stay here with us, especially since she’s important in her world.”
Just to clarify, they’re basing the timing on the last time they saw Twilight - post-Friendship Games - rather than on the Fall Formal incident.
“Yeah, as much as she loves all of us she belongs with her pony friends and family.” Rainbow Dash nodded.
“Then...I guess I’ll have to visit her in her world instead of waiting for her to come back.” Flash decided. “Even though she probably has forgotten about me anyway I would like to find out for sure...if she has then I’ll move on and come back here. But...Sunset, do you know when the portal will open again?”
“Yup, in fact it’s open right now.” Sunset admitted. “It’ll remain open for three days.”
“Really?” Flash beamed. “Then I’m going to see her right now.”
“Hang on...even though you have graduated it still would be best if ya told your parents first.” Applejack said. “You might want to pack a few things to take with ya anyway.”
“Oh yeah...I’ll go talk to them right now.” Flash nodded.
“Meet me outside the school when you’re done!” Sunset called as Flash ran off.
“Will do!” Flash called back.
He went to his parents and talked to them. They already knew about Twilight, and even knew about her being a pony. They also knew how much he loved her, especially since he hadn’t dated anyone since Twilight left (not counting human Twilight, since he was seeing if she could be a substitute. Obviously didn’t work). Because of that they allowed him to go as long as he promised to return before the three days were over. He promised and packed a few things to take with him, including his guitar.
When he arrived at the school he quickly called his friends, the other members of his band, to let them know what was going on. Afterwards he then met up with Sunset near the school statue.
“The portal is through there.” She pointed to the statue.
“Really?” Flash hesitated.
Sunset put her hand through the portal to confirm it.
“Whoa...say, will I turn into a pony when I reach the other side?” Flash suddenly realized.
“Yes...which reminds me, all your clothes will disappear since ponies normally don’t wear clothes.” Sunset pointed to Flash’s jacket, which he was very fond of. “So you might want to pack that up so that you can wear it in that world.”
“Thanks.” Flash put his guitar down and then took off his jacket and packed it up. “Sunset I...thank you for not holding a grudge about...you know.”
“Well, after I reformed I also realized that my past self wasn’t good enough for you.” Sunset admitted, not wanting to admit that she was taking advantage of his popularity at the time. “And I’m continuing to be a better pony, or person, which includes caring about others more than myself. So if being with Twilight will make you happy, then go ahead and be with her.”
“Again, thank you.” Flash smiled. “I’m sure you’ll find a good guy someday. Your present self does deserve another chance at love along with friendship.”
“I hope so.” Sunset nodded. “You’d better get going, don’t want to waste a second you know?”
“Right...here goes nothing.” Flash picked up his guitar and bag and stepped through the portal.