The pitter-patter of hard rain smacked against the windows of the Twilight manor. Waterdrops splattered on the panes, only to be washed away by their successors that’d only last for a few seconds. The wind was howling, the plants were bending, yet several spunky pegasi stayed outside, directing the currents elsewhere.
Twilight herself sat on a comfy chair inside, levitating a glass of water. Open before her was today’s issue of The Canterlot Daily. The big headline news, printed in big bold letters, was SCHOOL BOARD: EQUESTRIAN SCHOOLS AS TEMP SOLUTION. Under it was a composite picture of two schools, the first being Canterlot High with its recognizable walls and its glaring lack of a statue. The other was less familiar to her, taking on a medieval-esque architecture; this one was Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.
She looked up from the newspaper and turned to the calendar on the wall.
Instead of days crossed out, it was one continuous line cutting through the weeks. While there were notes about get-togethers and trips with friends every so often, there was one big phrase at the bottom of the entire thing:
No classes until…?
With a waste of breath, she returned to the article.
….”I’m amazed by Earth’s speedy recovery,” Princess Celestia said. “However, we’re willing to open our hooves to those willing to continue their education as soon as possible.
“There are many schools in Equestria, some of them woefully under-attended. I’ve spoken with several teachers on the subject and they’re more than happy to help Earth during this crisis.”
The Equestrian Exchange Program, so called by the princess, was—
Interrupted by a Knock! Knock! at the front door.
“Huh?” and then Twilight got up from her chair, gently putting the glass down. “Who’s that?”
“It’s me! Sunset!”
“Wait, what?!”
She galloped to the front doors, almost slipping thanks to her briefly forgetting how to gallop. Veering back up, she glowed her horn and opened the door without a hoof touching the handle.
The storm blaring with its crashing showers, Sunset stood under her floating umbrella which was glowing red. She did not have a jacket on her; it wouldn’t be long enough to keep her tail dry anyway.
“Come inside!” Twilight coaxed, stepping aside and giving way to the not-that-wet pony.
Sunset closed the door behind her with her magic. She closed her umbrella put it inside a cover, and hung it on a rack. Before Twilight could get the towel, Sunset levitated it to her, drying her tail and cleaning the slippery floor.
“Decided to come over here,” she said, snapping her tail to draw out the last vestiges of water in her hair. “Was in Equestria for a while, talking with the princess about the program.”
That prompted Twilight’s ears to stand up. “What program?”
“The Equestrian Exchange Program,” Sunset replied, taking a few steps forward to be by her side. “It’s a working title.”
Twilight gasped. “I was just reading about that!”
“You were, huh?” with Sunset cocking her head to the side, intrigued by the coincidence.
The pleasantries over, the two unicorns trotted to the living room where Twilight had left her newspaper and water. It was a cozy place, housing a couple bookshelves for brain food, a piano and a television for entertainment (though all the DVDs were documentaries about astronomy), and dozens of framed pictures showing Twilight and her friends having good times together.
As humans.
“Where’s everypony else?” Sunset asked, noting the manor’s eerie silence against the backdrop of pouring rain.
“Mom and Dad are visiting their cousins in Neighbraska.”
“Isn’t traveling still a little dangerous?” Sunset asked, irises shrinking at the thought of their parents confronting whatever magical beast came their way.
A chuckle escaped Twilight’s mouth. “You see, they know it isn’t exactly safe, so—get this—they invited my other self’s Mom to accompany them!” She ended up laughing and slapping Sunset on the back which made her spit out the water she was drinking from her water bottle.
After Sunset wiped her mouth and made sure Twilight wasn’t going insane, she shrugged. “Does she think Earth is a death world?”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “If ‘death world’ means bungee jumping, canyoning, and paragliding, then she’s right at home here!”
Prompting the both of them to laugh.
Sunset put her water bottle down by the DVDs. “I’m wondering why you didn’t go with your parents.”
“Simple.” Without seeing the newspaper at all, she folded it up nicely via magic. “They wanted us to join, but I opted to stay so they’ll spend less money during the trip. They invited Shining, too, but he’s still sleeping upstairs,” pointing at the ceiling.
Sunset made a mischievous smile with pursed lips. “Reading all about the Power Ponies, huh?”
“All thanks to the other Spike,” Twilight said, turning her head towards the window with its distorted view of the outside. Then, just to be sure, she shouted, “Spike, where are you?”
“Over here!” came his voice as he ran to the room with a bowl of Equestrian gems drenched in chocolate sauce. Under his shoulder was a folded comic book. “What is it, Twi?”
“Oh, nothing!” Twilight said with a shake of her hoof. “Just wanted to see if you’ve gotten sick or not.”
“Nah!” Spike yelled, shaking his head and putting his claws on his hips, confident in his health. “I’m gonna be fine, but thanks for asking!” and ran back to the kitchen, holding bowl and comic in both claws.
Once the footfalls vanished, Sunset looked out the window, too, not able to see much.
“I still can’t believe those gems are quite cheap,” said Twilight, trotting to her side. “To think they’re imported from Ponyville’s caves! I’ll be getting a sweet bargain with the gems right here!”
A funny scenario came to Sunset’s mind. “I can see it now.” She raised both forehooves to the sky. In a loud and exaggerated accent, “The fall of the diamond industry! Replaced by feeding dragons!”
And both ponies laughed at that absurd picture, seeing rich ponies throwing their necklaces and brooches to hungry dragons in some arid wasteland.
When mulling over that sketch was done, Sunset and Twilight sat on the floor, resting their four hooves and sitting like horses as the weather intensified. It threatened to trap them indoors, but then more pegasi appeared. Above the squall of rain came shouts and orders.
“So,” Twilight began, looking worried at the growing gust, “any insider knowledge about the student exchange program? You did say you talked to a princess,” smiling at her connection-riddled friend.
“Princess Celestia,” Sunset clarified, a twinge of a grin twinkling at the thought of her former mentor. “She told me she’s willing to have her first batch of exchange students from Canterlot High.”
“As to be expected,” Twilight said right after, nodding her head. “It only makes sense. We have the first portal, among other factors.”
Sunset nodded, too. Then, focusing on Twilight only, she said, “So, are you willing to go?”
And Twilight blushed, putting a shy hoof on her chest. “Wh-What? Me, go there?”
“You’ve voiced your interest in magic before.” She pointed at her horn, then glanced outside. “It doesn’t look like Canterlot High’s going to be in operation anytime soon thanks to our bureaucratic board.”
“Bureaucratic?” Twilight repeated.
Sunset made a sheepish grin. “Sorry. I got that from a couple of Celestia’s lessons.” She looked away, embarrassed at remembering such a memory. Then, banishing her past’s darkness, she looked back at Twilight. “What I’m saying is, why go to a disorganized CHS when there are plenty of Equestrian schools in tip-top shape? All you have to do is sign the paperwork, pass the entrance exam—which I’m sure you will”, and winked at her, so certain of it “—and...who knows? You may land yourself in the best unicorn school ever.”
“For unicorns only?” Sparkle rubbed her temples, doing her best to recall whatever that—“Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns?!” she yelled.
Sunset’s mane was now all windy and unkempt from the yell. “That’s the one!” floating a comb and brushing her hair straight. “The very same school the other Twilight graduated from. Prestigious.”
Twilight scrunched up her snout. “Wouldn’t it be awkward to have another Twilight Sparkle in school, especially when the first one’s finished with a degree?” So she imagined it, seeing the announcer yell, “Twilight Sparkle!” as ponies in the audience turned their heads and wondered if it’s deja vu.
Sunset took another sip from her water bottle, twisting the cap with her magic. “If the ponies of Equestria are fine with our own Celestia, I’m sure they’ll be fine with another Twilight.”
After hearing those words of empathy, Twilight’s mind turned to other things to worry about. “Even so, I wouldn’t be a CHS alumnus, most of my other friends aren’t allowed because they’re not unicorns, I’m not sure if Rarity or you are going—”
“I don’t think so,” Sunset said, backing away a few inches. “I and Celestia are more than fine, but I don’t have the courage to go back there. Besides,” Sunset lightening up from her fearful pout, “I’m OK with being a year late if CHS can’t start up by fall.”
Twilight’s eyes were on the way to watering. “A-Are you sure?”
The reply was a slow nod from the mare.
Instead of being consoled, Twi looked out the window, deeply steeped in a flood of doubt and second thoughts.
“Why not give it a go?” Sunset asked, floating a brochure for Celestia’s school by that window. “If you pass, you pass. If you fail, no harm done—at least you tried. Plus, whether you’re in or not, studying for it gives you the best magic workout in your life!” and gave her another wink.
With no choice but to consider it, Twilight levitated the brochure to her glasses.
It was a splashy advertisement. Photos of smiling students and teachers filled much of the space—unicorns levitating several apples, experimenting with potions, reading scrolls of spells, attending a lecture held by none other than Princess Celestia herself. The blurbs highlighted the numerous pros of this esteemed institution, citing the highest of standards as one of its distinguishing traits. However, encircled, emboldened, and underlined were the words Forge lifelong friendships here! You won’t regret it!
The brochure was levitated away, going back to Sunset. The glow surrounding it switched from pink to blue.
“I’ll think about it,” Twilight said in a hushed voice. “I’ll get back to you on that soon.”
Sunset’s excited smile gave way to an anxious frown, her ears drooping. “Something’s up?”
The unicorn put down her glasses. Without them, she looked an awful lot like her princess self.
“It’s our friends, isn’t it, Twilight?”
The mare pleaded guilty with a sigh and a forlorn, mindless look at the floor she was sitting on with all her four hooves. “Yes, it is. Princess Celestia might give me some leeway, but she doesn’t have the time to be my personal tutor.”
Sunset almost mentioned Celestia’s former tutorship of the other Twilight Sparkle, but she thought it wasn’t prudent.
“If I have to go to class like everyone else, I’m gonna go back and forth between dimensions. I won’t have enough time for them, they won’t have enough time for me, and I—”
Stopped right there, scorning to speak further.
Sunset shifted her eyes. “Well, Celestia is extremely kind and accommodating. Maybe you can go there once a month for special lessons or something.”
But Twilight remained despondent, staring at the floor through those transparent glasses.
“I don’t want you to go there Monday to Friday every week,” Sunset said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “For all that, you have a great mind, a beautiful mind, Twilight. I’m not asking you to put your studies above your friends—I’m the last pony to tell you that,” and Sunset softened her stern features. “I’m just asking you to sleep on it. If you can push through with that once-a-month deal, it’ll be just like a vacation’s trip.” Paused. “OK?”
Twilight looked to the side, avoiding the golden, caring face of her friend.
A few seconds turned into ten. Twenty.
The storm continued to come down in buckets.
“I’ll give it some thought,” conceded Twilight.
Sunset didn’t smile. That neutral face remained. “Alrighty, then. I guess I’ll be—”
Krzow!
“Yah!”
They clung to each other, shivering as lightning flashed through the sky with its sharp edges, with its jagged strokes.
The pitter-patter of rain returned to their ears.
And the two realized they were holding on to each other, scared and terrified.
Twilight and Sunset laughed at their mutual fear before standing to clean up after themselves.
Twilight did give some thought to the School for Gifted Unicorns. So much thought that she rolled around on her bed at night. It wasn’t a question of qualifying. It was a question of whether she’d actually go there.
She griped over not asking Sunset for more details. If she enrolled, would that mean her CHS days were over? Could she live on Earth and just travel back and forth?
Maybe a compromise could be made. Princess Celestia stood over the school; she must be a sympathetic pony. Visiting twice a month for classes wasn’t a far-fetched idea.
Days passed. As Twilight attended her informal teaching sessions over a hoofful of unicorns, telling them how to better use their magic—as she kept them up, she mulled over Sunset’s proposal. Her “students” were learning something, that’s for sure. She even got reluctant Sunny Flare to overcome her avoidance of magic; the Shadowbolt was now happily strumming a guitar with nothing but magic.
The music wasn’t great, but it was something for a creature with no fingers.
If Twilight could teach unicorns who’ve never been one for much of their lives, then surely she could find some ground in that school.
Of course, she couldn’t forget her friends. They were always in her head. Even if Rarity and Sunset would somehow join her, that meant leaving out the other four unless they all moved to Equestria together. Maybe Pinkie Pie could make the move because of her unpredictability, but Fluttershy still had her animal shelter, Dash still had her weather duties, and Applejack still had her apple farm.
A month later, she was back on her bed, rolling around. Books of magic were stacked neatly on her desk alongside a couple of ballpoint pens and paper pads.
Final sign-ups for the special Equestrian Exchange entrance exam was tomorrow.
Another month later had those magnificent seven (minus Twilight) roaming around in Canterlot.
Canterlot, Equestria.
The buildings looked as if they’re ripped out of a kingdom from a fable; adorned in white and purple and gold, they towered over these impressed newcomers. The city’s stone roads gave off that medieval feeling as dozens of decorated ponies in suits and dresses trotted about on the sidewalks. Royal guards patrolled here and there, watching everypony’s step as carriages rolled by, ponies carrying other ponies in their carriages.
“Ooh!” Rarity said, whirling her head around in splendor. “A-And, i-is that one of her boutiques?!” squishing her cheeks at the sight of a fancy, quaint fashion store.
They all looked that way, seeing the window displays. The dresses there enticed them to come inside, take a look, and spend some bits on a garment sewn and designed from a selfless heart.
If that wasn’t enough, there were no price tags at all. No placards proclaiming For Sale! either.
“I think it is,” Sunset said, seeing Rarity excited on all four hooves tapping the sidewalk in mirth.
“Then I shall see what I have wrought!” Rarity declared as she soared up the stairs to the do—
Smack!
Fell back down to the sidewalk’s hard pavement.
“Ugh...” and shook her head, trying to shake off the ache while some kind of flowery perfume drifted to her snout. Then, seeing the figure before her, she cried out, “You better watch where you’re going!”
The figure made a fanciful, familiar laugh. “I think we should both watch where we’re going!”
Rarity opened her eyes to see who she’d bumped into. “Rarity?!”
Equestrian Rarity nodded, dusting herself off and helping her other self back up on her hooves. “Yes, darling, it’s me! Finally visiting fair Canterlot, I see.”
Everypony else nodded, coming closer to get a better ear on what she had to say.
“I presume you’re waiting for Twilight to be done with her entrance exam,” Rarity said, turning her head to the right. “Let me assure you that—”
“Rarity!” came in Sassy Saddle’s voice from inside. “We’re running out of gold sequins!”
“Ooh!” She frowned at her CHS self, held her on the shoulder. “I’d like to stay and chat, darling, but we’re in business hours.” Smiling anyway, “Perhaps you’d like to tour the place? That way, we could still chat...and, well,” muffled a giggle, “have you try out one of my dresses!”
The other Rarity furrowed her brows, rolling her tongue in her cheeks. “Since we both have something to do with generosity, what about you give me a discount of...I don’t know, one hundred percent?”
Sunset rolled her eyes as everyone else went in with a laugh, trying to pass the time for Twilight.
Waiting for Rarity to be done with dressing up Rarity was cut short by the arrival of a guard and the letter under his wing.
It was from Princess Celestia.
“You’re requested to be at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns this instant,” the guard said, not even bothering to wait for anyone to read the letter. “I shall escort you there.”
After the sudden goodbyes and farewells, they followed the guard as he passed buildings, fountains, statues, parks—he himself was giving these ponies a tour of his own, although with everyone galloping or flying, it was difficult to drink in what Equestria’s capital had to offer.
Minutes later, they reached the school which was taller than they’d expected. The roof was painted with depictions of stars and sparkles, the golden circle logo above the huge columned front doors shone under the sun, and the windows were tall and stately as they emanated a dignified ambience.
It was a castle outfitted for educational purposes.
They stepped inside, sped through the halls under the guidance of the guard. They lightened their hooffalls, quieting their gallop so as to not disturb the students in those halls of le—
“Shh!”
And they all stopped as they turned a corner, seeing Princess Celestia standing by one of the double doors. Her unexpected appearance made them shiver a bit except for the guard who’d preserved his stoic face throughout the whole trip.
“Class is in session,” Celestia said in such a friendly voice, putting a hoof on her mouth.
Confronted with her former teacher but not plagued by past misdeeds, Sunset looked up to her. “What do you mean?”
The princess first looked at the guard. “Fence Lock, do you want to see what’s happening inside?”
Fence Lock turned around to see those close friends. Then, turning back to face his superior: “I’ll ruin the moment just by being there. I’ll return to my station.”
Celestia nodded. “So you may.”
And so the guard flew away.
The hallway left to themselves, Celestia noted the carpet she was standing on. It spanned the corridor with its heartwarming heart designs stitched on it. That bit of introspection over, she lifted her head. “I’d like to say congratulations.”
Everypon—
“But let’s save the partying until after Twilight’s done,” Celestia said.
That threw the mares off on a curveball, their surprised looks exemplifying it.
“She’s not done?” Dash asked, stretching her forelegs out in protest.
“Oh, she’s done with the exam,” Celestia answered, closing her eyes in another wide smile.
Her horn glowed yellow as the knobs glowed, too. They squeaked, speaking of their antiquity, before the doors would open.
Celestia trotted a few meters backwards. “I’ll let you see for yourselves what she’s doing now.”
That statement wasn’t meant to be ominous. However, they peeked inside with a hint of dread in their hearts...hopefully, it was happy dread.
Inside was a small classroom that could hold up to ten students. Conventional classroom stuff were accounted for: bookshelves, maps, chairs, teacher’s desk, and chalkboard.
In lieu of studying with books and quills, however, the pupils in attendance were all teleporting apples and oranges around, those things popping up here and there across the room in pow!’s and spow!’s.
Observing this successful teleportation session was the teacher standing by the chalkboard, looking pleased at the progress of her pupils.
She was a purple unicorn wearing a pair of glasses.
“Twilight?!” all her friends yelled in shock, enough shock for Pinkie to fall over and faint. This made Rarity panic and faint, too, secretly jealous that her title as drama queen was put into question.
And the students stopped teleporting, partly at seeing the friends of her teacher, partly at the unconsciousness of two ponies there.
Celestia went over to Pinkie and Rarity, lowered her head, and whispered to their ears, “I know you’re faking it, girls!”
Which made Pinkie jump up, yanking Rarity along by the mane.
Only for the both of them to crash land.
When the chaos there was over, with the students asking if they were alright, Twilight trotted over to her friends, nodding to her students that they should rest for a while.
Sunset’s mouth twitched at her approach. “D-D-D-Did you just what?!”
Twilight scratched the back of her head, avoiding her glance. “Uh-huh!”
“You got these unicorns to teleport stuff?!” Applejack shouted, taking in each of their faces.
“Uh-huh!”
“Did you pass the exam?” Fluttershy asked, worried.
“With flying colors, surprisingly!”
“Then you better teach me!” Rarity demanded in half a jest, stomping the checkerboard floor.
“...what?”
Dash hovered down to the ground. Tipping her head to the side in mild appreciation, she eked out, “Uh...good job?” Regaining confidence, she nodded her head, flapped her wings, took Twilight’s hoof and made a hoofshake on the spot. “Yeah, good job! Awesome job! Passing the exam and helping native Equestrians how to teleport? That’s our Twilight Sparkle!”
Sunset stepped forward, passing by Dash and taking up Twilight’s focus. “So, have you ever considered teaching magic in an official capacity?”
Twilight rubbed her foreleg, nervous about that possibility. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind teaching on a part-time basis, but, if my time here has shown me anything...it’s fun!” and whinnied. “It’s very fun to not just teach magic but to learn it all together!”
In support of their first-time teacher, her students clapped their hooves, one shouting, “Yeah! Go second Twilight!”
Taking that as an encouragement to hug her friends, Twilight did just that, embracing and being embraced by those faithful companions.
Celestia watched them hug, watched the students trotting to them as they prepared to formally meet the rest of the visitors from Earth.
She levitated a note and re-read it:
Dear Princess Celestia, while I do accept your generous offer to accept me into the school, I politely decline. I believe I simply don’t have the time to do anything meaningful as a student here; I’m already one in another school. However, that’s not stopping me from visiting once in a while, to borrow a book or to sit in at the occasional lecture. I hope that you understand.
From,
Twilight Sparkle
“Because you already have your friends,” Celestia whispered out of earshot, the hug still ongoing.