//------------------------------//
// Family 
// Story: One Castle, Two Alicorns 
// by James Pwyll 
//------------------------------//

"Pffffft! Who's the cutest little baby alicorn? Pffffffft! You're the cutest little baby alicorn! Yes you are! Yes you are! Pfffffft!"

Twilight's fawning over her niece, Flurry, with the occasional raspberry on her belly thrown in for good measure, excited and amused the small filly to no end, as she gurgled with glee at being with her favourite Aunt. All others smiled to this loving display, though they said nothing on it. Shining and Cadence, naturally, were happy to be here to visit Twilight, as indeed were Twilight's parents. Night and Twilight Velvet were sitting next to Spike on their side of the Cutie Map, talking with their adopted grandson over all the things that had been happening lately, and it was a matter that had caught Cadence's interest too.

"So...he lied to you?"

Spike sighed, nodding.

"Yeah...still kinda bummed out by that."

Reaching forward, Velvet gave the young dragon a playful pinch on his cheek, complete with warm smile.

"Oh, don't you worry your little head, Spikey. At least you've still got us."

Chuckling, Spike rubbed the spot on his cheek where he'd been pinched, then moved in to give his Grandmother a hug.

"Thanks."

Twilight, who had at last moved on from obsessing over flurry, which is no mean feat let's be honest, smiled at the loving display between Spike and her Mother. Using her magic to levitate her niece back over to Cadence, she then turned to her brother.

"So, how's the Empire?"

Shining chuckled.

"Oh, same old, same old. Things up there are never really as hectic as things down here, sis. Well..."

He smirked, looking over to his believed daughter and giving her a quick boop on the nose.

"...except when this little one decides to cause trouble."

Flurry giggled happily at her Father's touch, and everyone laughed over it. Cadence affectionately nuzzled her daughter afterwards, then looked over to Twilight with a touch more seriousness.

"And you, Twilight? How have you been faring? I imagine it must have been difficult, having gone through that terrible business in Tartarus."

But Twilight waved her off, smiling.

"Oh, don't worry about it. You know my friends and I always come out of stuff like that."

A hearty laugh was unleashed by her Father soon afterwards.

"No argument there, sweetie! After all these years, I don't think anyone really expects bad stuff to stick with you!"

Twilight smiled at her Father's confidence in her, but then her smile faded when, just then, he started to gain a look that was both confused and shocked at the same time.

"Um...Twilight? Sweetie? What did you put in this tea? Because I think I'm seeing another you over there."

Twilight's eyes widened, and she looked over her shoulder. Sure enough, Midnight was there, having just entered the main chamber of the palace. But it seemed as though the Cutie Map was not her destination, as she instead ignored the family gathering and turned to head towards the kitchen. The ponies all watched with equal parts wariness and worry, and only when Midnight was within the aforementioned kitchen, door closed behind her, did Twilight finally turn to look at her family. Clearing her throat, she put on a small smile.

"Yes...um...that's Midnight."

A silence followed. Granted, this was an unexpected turn of events for Twilight's family, but even so, seeing them this taken aback was not something she enjoyed. After a while though, it was Cadence who finally spoke up.

"So...how has it been? Living with her?"

Twilight sighed.

"It's been...an experience. She can be gruff, confrontational, and from what I've been told by Starlight she has a few...troublesome opinions, but overall I'd say things have been working out..."

She blinked.

"...sort of."

Shining, who had never let his eyes stray from the kitchen door, kept his voice low.

"Is she a danger?"

The question had, in all honesty, been fully expected, and again, Twilight sighed.

"It's hard to say sometimes. She's powerful, I know that much, and she dabbles in methods that aren't entirely to my liking...but I don't think she's just going to outright become an enemy."

Shining, for now at least, seemed to accept that, but before he or anyone else had the chance to ask anything further, they were interrupted by the sound of the kitchen door opening once more. Midnight had returned, and was levitating a cup of what looked like coffee, which she took occasional sips from as she made her way back towards the hallways she'd come from. Most remained silent as they watched her, clearly wanting to give her some space. All, that is, except a certain blue stallion.

"Would you like to come and join us, Midnight?"

All eyes, Midnight's included, snapped in the direction of Night, who, after looking at all those stunned stares, merely shrugged his shoulders.

"What? There's plenty of space around the table, right?"

Well, the offer had been made, and there was no going back on it now. So after letting out another sigh, Twilight smiled, looking back to her mirror-image and giving her a silent invitation to come over. Midnight, after a moment, of hesitation, started to walk over. All watched as she quietly chose a spot for herself, right between Twilight and Cadence, before taking another sip of her coffee. Things were awkward, no question, but Twilight's Mother, after looking to her daughter's doppelganger for a time, broke out into a smile.

"So...a short mane?"

Looking up to her, Midnight raised an eyebrow.

"Is that a problem?"

In spite of the gruff tone, Velvet simply giggled.

"Not at all. In fact, I remember telling Twilight here back when she was a filly that a short cut might look good on her."

She turned, looking to Twilight with a very definite look of "I told you so".

"See, honey? Guess I was right after all."

Understandably, Twilight frowned to that.

"Mom!"

Midnight, of course, took great amusement in that, sipping her coffee again, before finally turning to look over at Cadence.

"You know...you're the first alicorn besides Princess Twilight that I've ever met."

Cadence, though still a little uncertain towards this newcomer, nevertheless smiled.

"Not a disappointment, I trust?"

Midnight shook her head.

"No, but you are very...pink. Not really the look I expect from one of Equestria's most powerful ponies."

Cadence chuckled to the remark.

"Don't let the colour fool you...I can hold my own."

Midnight smirked.

"I look forward to seeing that one day."

Then, the dark clone's eyes drifted, if only briefly, to Shining. She could see the wariness he had, and her smile faded just a touch as a result of that.

"...My apologies. Perhaps it was wrong for me to come here. This is clearly a family matter."

Shining, who perhaps realised that it was he who caused her to feel that way, spoke up, albeit in a somewhat stern tone.

"You think we don't want you here?"

Midnight responded to that with a frown.

"I was created by the person you hate most in the entire world. And I know from Twilight's memories that you have...difficulties...when it comes to those who remind you of her."

Discomfort came quickly to Shining after that, as well as a degree of shame. Nobody said anything to him, and after a while, he gave an agreeing nod.

"...You're right. Sometimes...I let my hate of Chrysalis cloud my judgement. And...it's made me do and say things that I've come to regret."

He slowly turned to look at her again, putting on a small but genuine smile.

"I meant no offense to you, Midnight. You are not your creator. You are guilty of no crimes...and I was wrong to look at you as though you were."

His smile widened, and he looked over to his sister.

"Besides, if Twily has vouched for you...that's good enough for me."

Twilight blushed at her brother's words, and as such didn't notice as Midnight leaned in closer to her, whispering in her ear.

"...Twily?"

Twilight's blush grew more fierce, and everyone here, Midnight included, laughed at the reaction, all while Twilight pouted a little. Though, in the end, she too joined in on the laughter. Midnight, enjoying this rare moment of camaraderie she was having with these ponies, took another sip of her coffee, after which she was addressed yet again by Twilight's Father.

"You know, if you ever decide you want to go further afield than Ponyville, you're always welcome to come and visit Velvet and me back in Canterlot."

Midnight looked to them with incredulity.

"I...appreciate the offer. But I'm not exactly family."

Velvet gave a hearty laugh to that.

"Oh, that's nonsense! I mean, it's like you're practically a second daughter...sort of."

They were trying to be nice, Midnight knew that, and yet all this sweetness and smiles was starting to get to her, and she seemed fairly uncomfortable all of a sudden, looking down to her half-empty cup of coffee.

"...Thank you. The offer is welcome, but...I don't think I'll be leaving Ponyville anytime soon."

They all looked to her, unsure of her tone, yet staying quiet as she began to explain her response.

"I came to this place, to this castle, for very specific reasons. I wouldn't...wouldn't feel safe leaving it, or Ponyville. At least not yet."

She looked back up to them.

"If I visit you, and that's a big if...it will not be for some time."

The older pair were, of course, a little disappointed by that response, but at the same time it was clear that they understood and appreciated her reasons, as shown when Night perked up again and smiled.

"Well, if you change your mind, our door is always open."

Midnight nodded, but then, before she or anyone else had a chance to speak anything further, something unusual happened. Flurry, who had been watching this stranger ever since she arrived, suddenly wriggled free of her Mother's hold, stretching out her wings and giving a small but powerful flap, sending herself flying towards Midnight.

"Flurry!" Cadence called out.

But the infant alicorn was already there, hovering right in front of Midnight's face, looking to her with great curiosity. Midnight, on her side of things, didn't quite know what to make of this tiny flying pony that was now inches from her muzzle. All others looked on with concern over what might happen next, but then, to the shock of all of them, Flurry broke out into a wide smile, reaching forward and placing her hoof squarely on Midnight's nose.

"Ba! Ba babubu!"

Of course, Midnight had no idea what this was about, but Twilight, by contrast, apparently did, and giggled happily at the sight of it all.

"Awww! She likes you! That's settles it, you're definitely part of the family now!"

Midnight looked to her host, blinking with clear confusion, before turning back to Flurry. The small alicorn gurgled with glee over her apparent new friend, giving her another quick boop on the nose, and Midnight, after spending about a minute just wrapping her head around all this, forced a smile, if only for Flurry's benefit.

"Um...yay?"