//------------------------------//
// Confronting Twilight 
// Story: Return to Equestria 
// by StormLuna 
//------------------------------//

When she woke up that morning, Aria was very nervous over what Celestia would say and do when she told her the truth but just like Colgate told her, telling her the complete truth wound up being the best thing to do.  Even better, Aria would not have to fill out any paperwork or go through any hassles in getting her citizenship given that she already had it and had never lost it.  Now all she would have to do is fill out the application for the position of Colgate's receptionist and her dream of being a productive citizen of Equestria would come true.  

While Aria and Colgate were both happy and had huge smiles on their faces, the same could not be said for Celestia.  She was admittedly happy for Aria but the fact that Twilight would be so reckless in using that mirror angered her greatly and she was going to make sure this would not continue. 





As the three headed to the train station the ponies of Canterlot watched in shock as Celestia NEVER traveled on a regular train.  She always went by chariot with a couple of guard ponies but for Celestia, this time would be different.  The conductor was shocked when he saw her.  When he saw her heading to the ticket window he stopped her.  He said, "Your Majesty, no need to buy a ticket, this trip is on us."

She pointed her wing at Colgate and Aria and asked, "What about these two?"

The conductor asked, "If they are guests of yours, then they may travel for free as well."

Celestia gave the two a smile and instructed them to follow her on board.  The train wasn't overly crowded that day so the three were able to ride in a car on their own.  Once the train pulled out of the station Colgate asked, "Your Majesty...."

Celestia interrupted, "Just Celestia please.  You two are my guests and there is no need to be so formal."

Colgate continued, "Thank you Celestia.  Now I do have a question, what are your plans for Twilight with how she is misusing that mirror."

Celestia replied, "I haven't decided yet but once we get there, you'll see."

While Aria didn't think too much of Celestia's response, Colgate knew more about Celestia and how she behaves in certain situations.  She didn't think anything bad would happen to Twilight but figured a stern lecture would be a given. 





When they arrived in Ponyville, everypony was equally as shocked to see Celestia disembark from the train for the same reasons the ponies in Canterlot were shocked to see her board a regular passenger train.  Colgate and Aria followed Celestia over to Twilight's castle and when they arrived, Celestia pounded on the door more loudly than normal.  She said, "Twilight, we need to talk."

It took a minute for Twilight to answer but when she did answer, she was shocked by what she would see.  Not only did she see Celestia waiting for her, she also saw Colgate and a unicorn she had never seen before.  Twilight asked, "Celestia, you need to see me?"

Celestia replied, "Yes Twilight, I do."  She looked in and asked, "May we come in?"

Twilight said, "Yeah, of course." 

Twilight motioned for them to go in and Celestia said, "Twilight, we need to speak somewhere in private."

Twilight nervously replied, "Uhm, ok.  We can always talk in the dining hall." 

Twilight led them towards the dining hall and they all sat down.  Twilight asked, "Celestia, why did you want to speak to me in private and why are Colgate and this other unicorn joining us?"

Celestia replied, "Take a look at this unicorn, a very close look."

Twilight began staring at Aria, taking a closer look at her.  After a minute she noticed something about Aria and the way she wore her mane, she knew she had seen that style before.  Then it hit her, she knew exactly who the unicorn was.  Her eyes grew wide and she asked, "Aria Blaze?  How did you get here?"  She then turned to Celestia and asked, "Celestia, what are you doing with her?"  She pointed her wing up towards her chambers and yelled, "Come on Aria, you're going back where you belong." 

Twilight grabbed her in her aura but it was quickly broken by Celestia.  Celestia glared at her and said, "Twilight, Aria is not being banished and regarding banishment, we need to have a little talk about that mirror."

Twilight could tell by Celestia's tone of voice that she was not thrilled.  Twilight asked, "What is it you want to talk about?"

Celestia developed a scowl on her face and replied, "From what I understand you have been using that mirror like a toy.  From what I understand, you have fixed that thing to where you can open it whenever you want."  Her eyes narrowed and she asked, "Is that correct?"

Twilight gulped, "I have fixed it that way....."

Celestia interrupted, "May I ask why you did that?"

Twilight replied, "So that I can travel back and forth to see my friends in the human world and help them if they need it."

Celestia asked, "Twilight, do you know the dangers of simply opening that mirror whenever you want?"

Twilight replied, "Uh...."

Celestia pointed her wing at Aria and interrupted, "How do you think Aria, one of the sirens, was able to get home?"  She looked at Aria and continued, "Aria, how about you tell her how you got here."

Before Aria could say anything Twilight asked, "Aria, if you were one of the sirens how is it that you are now a unicorn?  Why didn't you become a siren when you returned?"

Aria replied, "I honestly don't know why, I just did."

Celestia interrupted, "Enough about Aria being a unicorn."  She cast her gaze towards Aria and ordered, "Tell her how you got here."

Aria nodded and began, "Twilight, I remember how you arrived in the human world from Equestria to aid your friends in stopping my sisters and I from taking over Canterlot High and then eventually the world.  I don't know if my sister told you this or not but her and I had been having serious issues."

Twilight replied, "She did and I must say, I don't blame her.  From what she told me, you became downright horrible to her."

Aria continued, "Once things got really bad between us I began thinking about returning home and wondered when it would open again.  Well when you decided to show up for Sunset and Applejack's graduation, I knew the portal was open and that I could come home."

Before Aria could continue Celestia snapped, "What?  You just decided to open that thing so you could attend a graduation?"

Twilight replied, "Well yeah, Sunset was graduating and so was Applejack."

Celestia asked, "I do want to know how you knew this but more importantly I would like to know if you understand the dangers of just opening that thing when you want?"

Twilight became upset, "Celestia, you are always the one who wanted me to make more friends and I have done that in both worlds and after I reformed Sunset, I wanted to be there.  To answer your other question, I didn't even think about the dangers involved in it."

Celestia did a facehoof and sighed, "I can't believe this.  Twilight, you are one of the smartest ponies in the world yet you are this careless?"  She raised her voice and continued, "I groom you to be a princess yet you don't even think of what could happen when handling an ancient relic like this?"

Twilight yelled, "No, I didn't.  I'm sorry I wanted to go and visit my friends and attend Sunset's graduation, ok?  I'm sorry I have friends in more than one dimension, ok?"

For a moment the room was so silent one could hear a pin drop until Celestia suggested, "You know Twilight, I think we should take a trip to this other world, you, Aria and myself."

Colgate asked, "What about me?"

Celestia replied, "I think it would be best if you remain here and wait for us on this side of the portal.  That way if something comes through you can either force it back or detain it until we get home."

Colgate was actually relieved that she didn't have to return to the human world where she would have no magic.  She said, "Don't worry Celestia, I'll stand guard and make sure nothing bad happens."

Celestia replied, "Good."  She looked towards the stairs and ordered, "Twilight, lead us to the mirror."

Twilight gave Celestia a nervous look and she led the three up to her chambers.  While Twilight had seen Celestia displeased before, she could tell that she was more than displeased, she was angry.  She couldn't help but wonder what Celestia had in store for their trip to the human world but did know one thing, that she would likely confront Sunset over not just her just running off so long ago but also coming and stealing her crown.