“Twilight!”
The book Twilight was reading flew out of her hooves as she jumped in shock at the angry voice outside her door. It was soon followed by an incessant knocking, a sound that Twilight knew meant she was probably in for an unpleasant morning.
Outside the door, Starlight Glimmer was fuming. “I know you’re awake in there, Twilight, you’re always up before me.”
Twilight groaned and stretched before lazily slipping off her bed. She made a show of yawning as she opened the door. “Morning, Starlight,” she said casually.
Starlight tapped a hoof on the floor impatiently. “Twilight.” She paused for emphasis. “Would you mind explaining why I walked into our kitchen to find Chrysalis?”
“Ohhhh.” Twilight laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of her neck. “Yeah, that. I may have, um, told her she could live here?”
Starlight’s jaw dropped. “Twilight, she’ll kill me!”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” Twilight said. “She promised she wouldn’t.”
“Oh, she promised, did she?” Starlight rolled her eyes and started angrily pacing up and down the hall. “She’s evil, Twilight! She can lie! I mean, what were you even doing talking to her in the first place?”
“Yeah, about that.” Twilight crossed her hooves nervously as a hint of red found her cheeks. “We were… On a date.”
Starlight stopped and stared at Twilight. “You what!?”
In the kitchen, Chrysalis laughed to herself as she heard Starlight yelling.
Twilight was having trouble meeting Starlight’s steely gaze. “Really, I did my homework on this. It’ll work out. We made a deal, as long as we’re together, she won’t do anything evil.”
“And what does she get out of this?”
“A girlfriend?” Twilight flinched as her comment brought her a glare from Starlight. “Well…” She stuck her hoof out to show Starlight the bracelet. “I may have said I wouldn’t do anything good either.”
There was a loud slap as Starlight’s hoof met her forehead. “Great. Awesome plan, Twilight. What did Celestia have to say about all this?”
Twilight sucked air in through her teeth, and her eyes went wide. “Oh no. I got so caught up in it all I forgot about Celestia. Oh, no no no, this is bad. She’ll- she’ll… Well, I don’t know what she’ll do, there’s not really a precedent for this, but it won’t be good.”
“Well.” Starlight turned and started walking down the hall. “Good luck with that.” She was gone before Twilight could think of anything else to say.
A few minutes of blind panicking later, Twilight finally pulled herself together enough to think. “Okay, calm down, Twilight,” she told herself. “This is fine, you know the plan will work, you just have to convince Celestia of that. Yeah.” She laughed nervously. “Easy.”
After a few more deep breaths, she felt centered enough to start walking. She spent the walk calming herself and getting back to normal, and by the time she reached the kitchen the only sign of her distress was the frazzled mane that she completely forgot to brush.
There she found Chrysalis, her mouth in a scowl as she scraped the remains of… Something into the trash. At one point it was probably food, but now it was closer to ash.
When Chrysalis saw Twilight approaching, she shot her a toothy grin. Twilight gave her the benefit of the doubt that it was probably friendly, but her razor sharp teeth and wicked, glowing eyes always made her smiles just seem somewhat sinister.
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “You don’t eat. Were you… Cooking me breakfast?”
Chrysalis scoffed and dropped the pan in the sink. “Please, I would never lower myself to that level. I just wanted to see the look on Starlight’s face, and oh, it was worth it.”
“Ah, well, thanks for the headache,” Twilight said. She levitated an apple out of a fruit bowl to eat and sat at their huge dining room table. “So, how much of that did you hear?”
“Not nearly as much as I would have liked,” Chrysalis said as she took a seat opposite Twilight, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hooves. “I’d love to hear all the juicy details.”
“There’s not much to tell,” Twilight told her. “She’s worried you’ll kill her—”
“Reasonable,” Chrysalis commented.
“—And she made me worried that Celestia is going to kill me.”
“You didn’t think of that before?” Chrysalis asked.
“I was caught up in the dating!”
Chrysalis laughed. “I am captivating, aren’t I?” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Well,” Chrysalis continued, “good luck with that. I can’t imagine I’d be much help in swaying her.”
“I just wanna get my mind off it for now,” Twilight said. “Do you think you’re up for Rarity’s today?”
“You were serious about that?”
“Yup.” Twilight hopped up and started to walk away. “Come on, even if you don’t like it, at least she’s pretty, right?”
It was a nice cool day in Ponyville, an overcast sky protecting the town from the midday sun. Winds blew through the street in gusts, random bursts that threatened to steal away any loosely held items. There was no rain in the forecast, so the streets were bustling with cheerful ponies enjoying the break from the summer heat, and while many still avoided eye contact with Chrysalis, most had grown tired of fleeing every time the couple walked by.
“You’re not getting dressed up this time?” Chrysalis asked as they walked to Rarity’s boutique.
“Oh, you never get dressed up to go to Rarity’s house,” Twilight said. “You’ll just leave wearing something different anyway, so it’s really not worth the effort.”
“I see.”
The two walked in silence for a bit. Every so often one would sneak a glance at the other, then look away just as quickly, but it wasn’t long before they caught each other’s gazes and Twilight started to blush.
Chrysalis got a wicked grin on her face. “Princess,” she said coyly, “are you nervous? Could it be you’ve already fallen for me?”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” Twilight told her. She managed to sound nonchalant, but the blush wouldn’t leave her cheeks. “It’s just taking me a bit to get used to dating again.”
“Troubles with love?” Chrysalis teased. “But you’re supposed to be a friendship expert!”
“I’ve just been busy. In case you forgot, I spend a lot of time stopping things like changeling invasions.”
“Well, shouldn’t a princess be able to multitask?” Chrysalis asked. “I mean, look at Cadence, she got married and kidnapped in the same week!”
Twilight glared at her. “The line, Chrysalis. She’s my family, you can’t just make jokes about hurting her.”
Chrysalis opened her mouth to say something back, but then caught herself and decided against it. “I suppose you’re right,” she said instead. “I’ll have to mend things with her eventually, best not to make that any harder.”
“That’s not why it’s bad, but whatever.” Twilight sighed and looked away.
Chrysalis looked down at her and frowned. She was silent for a long moment, thinking to herself, but eventually she spoke up again. “I won’t do it again, Twilight.”
Twilight looked back over and locked eyes with Chrysalis, taking in her rigid, nearly emotionless expression, and smiled. “Thank you, Chrysalis.”
They spent the rest of the walk in silence, but it was a comfortable quiet.
Eventually, with an awkward cough, Twilight stopped them. “Well, this is it.” She gestured broadly at the bright, showy building they had just arrived at. “Carousel Boutique. Rarity’s home.”
“Huh,” Chrysalis remarked. “That really was a big stalagmite.”
Twilight laughed and beckoned Chrysalis along. “Uh, do you think maybe you should, like… Stand out of view until I explain things to her?”
“I’ll not be hidden away like some secret shame,” Chrysalis told her indignantly.
“Alright,” Twilight said with a shrug, “well I have no idea how she’s going to react. Be ready to duck in case she throws something at you.”
With that, Twilight knocked on the door and stood back to wait.
They didn’t have to wait long. It was almost like Rarity had been waiting at the door for them, and she greeted them with a huge, unflinching grin. “Twilight, Chrysalis, how wonderful to see you! Do come in, I just made tea.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow at Chrysalis, who shrugged in response, so the two decided to just go inside.
The inside of the boutique had clearly been prepared in advance. All of Rarity’s favorite designs were set up on mannequins around the store, including several made for incredibly tall ponies. The tea had already been poured and served at a small table near the stage that dominated the center of the room. The table itself was low to the ground, set up so that they could sit on the floor around it, and Rarity was on a pillow beside it waving the two along.
Rarity smiled politely as they approached. “This really is a wonderful surprise.”
Twilight and Chrysalis exchanged glances again before sitting down, Twilight across from Rarity and Chrysalis between them.
“Was it really,” Twilight said dryly.
Rarity laughed. “Well, I suppose it isn’t that surprising, but I really wasn’t expecting you so soon! I had this whole plan to have Pinkie give you a hat and then spill something on the hat and then- Oh, never mind all that.” She chuckled to herself and sipped her tea.
“How did you know?” Twilight asked her. Chrysalis was busy eyeing her tea suspiciously.
“Twilight,” Rarity told her, “I love you, but you have abysmal taste in confidants. Really, you share a secret like this with the element of honesty and Pinkie Pie?”
“She has a point,” Chrysalis said.
“Okay.” Twilight groaned and leaned her head back. “Maybe you do.”
“Of course I do,” Rarity said proudly. “We’re getting off topic, though. Chrysalis, I’m Rarity. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Chrysalis narrowed her eyes. “You do realize we’ve met before, right?”
“Water under the bridge, dear,” Rarity assured her. “This is a new beginning. At least, so long as Twilight trusts you. Unless that changes, you can consider us friends.”
Chrysalis looked over at Twilight. “Is this some sort of trap?”
“How should I know?” Twilight responded.
Rarity laughed haughtily. “Nothing like that. I’m just aware of how difficult new relationships can be, especially ones like this, and with the welcome I imagine you’re receiving from other ponies I thought I should try to balance it out somewhat.”
“Well thank you, Rarity,” Chrysalis said. She tried to give a polite smile of her own, but as always it became strangely wicked. “At least some ponies know how to treat royalty.”
“Ex-royalty,” Twilight corrected.
“Future royalty,” Chrysalis said.
“Well, I see you’ve got the squabbling down,” Rarity said, “but how are you two doing with the other parts of having a relationship?”
“It can’t just be squabbling?” Chrysalis asked.
“I do enjoy squabbling,” Twilight agreed.
“Very funny,” Rarity said. “You can’t very well expect me not to worry about how you two are getting along. I certainly hope you don’t believe you can make this work without liking each other.”
“What, you mean, like…” Twilight trailed off.
Rarity scoffed. “How direct must I be? Twilight, do you or do you not find Chrysalis attractive?”
Twilight’s face flushed red immediately. Chrysalis chuckled and leaned forward inquisitively. “Oh, do tell, Princess,” she said. “I’m very interested in hearing this.”
“Well, I-I don’t know!” Twilight said nervously. “We’ve been fighting for years, it’s hard to just look past all that.”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “Not to be crass, but you’re lying to yourself. I know you well enough to see that. Just look at her and think about how you feel.”
Twilight looked at Chrysalis and really took her in. Her elegant, dominating stature that was always brimming with power. The confidence she carried herself with, the kind of confidence that made Twilight want to be confident too. Not to mention her sharp, beautiful features, the way her mane stuck out in your vision, and her eyes could draw you in and—
Twilight swallowed hard and realized how hot her face felt. “Oh.” She turned back to Rarity and smiled awkwardly. “Um…”
Rarity chuckled. “Well, that would be a yes. Now,” she looked pointedly at Chrysalis, “what about you?”
Chrysalis looked at her in shock. “You can’t be serious.”
“Deadly serious, I’m afraid.” Rarity shook her head. “A one-sided attraction would be even worse than none at all. I can’t have you taking advantage of Twilight, now.”
“I think I’ve been as clear as possible that I have no intention of that,” Chrysalis said indignantly.
“Come on, Chrissy.” Twilight was still flushed red, but now she had her own devilish grin. “I answered. Are you going to let me show you up?”
Chrysalis groaned. “Of course I’m attracted to you,” she admitted. “You’re the most powerful pony in Equestria and you spend your days getting dressed up in silly little scarves. It utterly baffles me, but I do still have a heart. I can find things cute.”
Twilight’s eyes were wide in shock, but she had a huge smile on her face. “You liked the scarf?”
Rarity clapped her hooves excitedly. “Oh, how wonderful. Twilight, you absolutely must tell me about your first kiss when it happens, I demand it. I can’t miss any of this.”
“I’m not here as entertainment,” Chrysalis said.
“No, but she is.” Rarity pointed at Twilight. “That is why you came over today, correct?”
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “We came because I thought you might be able to find a way Chrysalis can enjoy fashion.”
“And you didn’t think about what that method may be?” Rarity tsked disapprovingly. “Twilight, look at her. She has holes in her legs. If she was going to wear clothes she would already be doing it.”
“I like the holes,” Chrysalis said. “I think they make me look hardy and experienced.”
“Oh, they very much do, darling,” Rarity told her. “I just adore them, I simply meant that they’re the sort of feature that would make others self conscious.”
“So you don’t think she’ll be able to enjoy fashion?” Twilight asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
“Let me finish,” Rarity said. “Just because she won’t enjoy fashion on herself doesn’t mean she won’t enjoy fashion on you.”
Twilight leaned back in shock. “Really?”
“Hmm,” Chrysalis thought. “Well I did like those boots.”
“So did I,” Twilight said dryly.
“It’s worth a try, is it not?” Rarity grinned expectantly at the couple.
Chrysalis looked over at Twilight, and she relented. “I guess,” Twilight said. “I mean I do like trying on new stuff.”
“Excellent!” Rarity horn lit up as she propped open a nearby door. “Twilight, I have a dress already set out backstage for you. I didn’t know what Chrysalis might like, so I just made something you would enjoy to start with. While you get ready, we’ll talk out here so I can get a feel for her tastes.”
Twilight shrugged and headed off backstage, closing the door behind her. It was small and dark, but as one would expect, Rarity kept it immaculate. It had none of the wood or concrete most backstages have, instead decked out in pearlescent white tiling and accented with a subtle topaz brown. One wall was dominated by a massive mirror, while the rest were lined with racks of dresses and boxes of materials. In the center of the room was a rack holding a single dress, waiting for Twilight.
Twilight slipped the garment on easily and looked herself over in the mirror. It was simple, a long, flowing dark blue gown with a simple white pattern, but it made her smile when she saw herself in it. “Wow,” she said to nobody, “it’s incredible.”
Then she started laughing. “She’s going to hate it.”
She spent a minute posing in front of the mirror before finally deciding it was time to head out. She stepped confidently onto the stage to find that Rarity had lowered the main lights in favor of the stage lighting, making this into a much more real fashion show. Through the spotlights she could just make out Chrysalis, lounging in the dark with a smile on her face, and the attention made her blush more than she had expected.
Still, she pushed on and walked out. Twilight was far from a professional, but being friends with Rarity more or less guarantees you’ll know how to walk a catwalk, and she put all her knowledge to use. At the end of the stage she stopped and posed as elegantly as she could, and Rarity turned on a mechanism that made the floor under her rotate, giving the crowd a full view.
Chrysalis was silent for a minute before saying anything. “I hate it,” was what she finally spoke up with.
Twilight instantly lost all composure. She snorted as she laughed unexpectedly, and nearly toppled over when she fell from her pose onto the spinning stage, but she managed to steady herself despite the minor giggle fit she was in.
“Yes, I expected as much,” Rarity said. “As did Twilight, from the look of things.” She raised her voice to talk to Twilight. “How did you enjoy it though, dear?”
Twilight caught her breath and stood up straight, still spinning in place. “Oh, I love it Rarity. I wish I had had this for my coronation.”
“Aw, why thank you! That means so much to hear,” Rarity said. Her voice was brimming with pride. “Okay, Twilight, on rack 3 there’s a beige overcoat, why don’t you try that next? It’s a tad heavy for this time of year, but we’re just feeling things out.”
“Can do,” Twilight said. She wobbled a bit as she stepped off the dais, but was able to make it back to the wardrobe without incident.
It wasn’t hard to find the coat Rarity meant. She had one of the best organizational systems in Ponyville, and everything was always exactly where she said it would be. Twilight felt a tinge of disappointment taking off the dress, but it passed quickly enough as she looked herself over in the coat.
It was, in fact, far too heavy for this time of year, and Twilight found herself very thankful that Rarity kept her home cold. It was just a simple, sleek coat that left quite a bit to the imagination, as it covered most of her body. Twilight was eyeing it suspiciously.
“I kinda hope she hates this one too,” she said as she walked back out.
Twilight didn’t dally long on the runway, wanting to move as little as possible under the sweltering heat of the spotlights, and so before long she was back in front of Chrysalis and Rarity, spinning and posing.
“Hm.” Chrysalis had to take some time to think. “Well the color is better,” she eventually said, “but I don’t know. It seems like there’s more coat than Twilight.”
“Oh, thank Celestia,” Twilight mumbled under her breath.
“Okay, okay,” Rarity murmured as she thought. “Yes, I think I know what to do, but it’s not something I normally stock. Twilight, meet me backstage. Chrysalis, make yourself at home while you wait.”
Twilight wasted no time in getting off the stage and into the cool darkness. Rarity walked in just as she was tearing the coat off to escape the heat.
“Well, I said it was heavy,” Rarity told her. She levitated a dress off a nearby rack and took it over to a sewing table.
“Yeah, thanks,” Twilight said. “So what are you putting on me next?”
“Oh, don’t worry, I think you’ll both love this,” Rarity said. “I just need to do some quick adjustments because I don’t generally make outfits with a distressed look.”
“Yeah,” Twilight said, “because you hate them.”
“I do not hate the design,” Rarity corrected, “I just despise its use. Wear and tear can be a sign of many things, but none of those things can be replicated with a needle and thread.” Frantic snipping filled the air as she took a pair of scissors to the dress.
“And you’re using it differently?”
“Well,” Rarity said, “I wouldn’t exactly call this distressed. No more than, say, a mesh top. It’s just more pronounced.” With that, she turned around and floated the dress over to Twilight. “There! I admit it’s not my most inspired work, but I am on a very tight deadline, and it’s more of a proof of concept.”
Twilight took the dress and started putting it on, and Rarity quietly slipped away as she did. As the door clicked shut, Twilight walked up to the mirror and took a look at herself.
The dress was short and tight, clinging to her just enough that it was still comfortable. It might have reached the floor before, but Rarity had hacked away so much of it that now it hardly reached Twilight’s knees. At the neck the dress was pitch black, and as it dropped it gradually transitioned into a vibrant, radioactive green. That green part was, at first glance, in tatters, but looking more made it obvious that the many holes and tears were placed very deliberately. They stopped rising around her flank, where on one side a hole let most of her cutie mark shine through.
Twilight grinned as she looked herself over. “Well, there’s certainly no doubt who it was based on,” she said aloud. She loved it. It was bold and showy, but still just as simple as she would want. A single concept executed masterfully.
Twilight realized she’d been looking at herself in the mirror for far longer than is socially acceptable. She cringed and scampered to the stage, barely slowing in time to walk out calmly.
She had every intention of taking her time, though. Her head was high as she basked in the limelight, and she spent more time stopped and posing than she did walking down the stage. Eventually, though, she reached the rotating altar and stepped onto it, posing proudly and confidently.
“I didn’t even say I liked it yet,” came Chrysalis’ voice from the darkness.
Twilight laughed. “Please. I do know you a little.”
“Yes, but at least let me tell you you look good before you start acting like I did.”
“Then tell me.”
“You’re stunning,” Chrysalis said, completely without hesitation.
Twilight barely managed to keep her composure through her beet red cheeks and uncontrollable grin, but she pushed through it by striking an even more prideful pose. “I am, aren’t I?”
Rarity chuckled to herself. “I think you’re rubbing off on her, Chrysalis.”
“A little confidence never hurt anyone,” Chrysalis replied.
“Have you finished ogling her?” Rarity asked. “She’s probably getting tired.”
“Must I be? We could just leave her up there until we have to go.”
“I can hear you,” Twilight said.
“And yet you’re still posing,” Chrysalis said.
Twilight rolled her eyes and hopped off the stage. Then the dizziness hit her and she wobbled before tripping over herself and crashing to the ground.
“Ow,” she groaned.
The lights came back on as Chrysalis walked over and levitated Twilight back up onto her hooves. “I’m not carrying you back if you hurt yourself,” she said.
“Uh-huh.” Twilight groaned again as she stretched out her sore leg. “I’ll remember that next time you want me to carry you.” Then she laughed at herself, and that got Chrysalis to laugh too.
“My,” Rarity said as she walked up, “I hope that didn’t rip a hole in the dress.”
“I hate to break it to you,” Twilight said, “but I’m pretty sure there are a few holes.”
Rarity scoffed. “Well, shoot. I certainly can’t sell it now. You’ll just have to keep it.”
Twilight laughed. “If you insist.”
“You’re not going to charge her?” Chrysalis asked.
“Please, what kind of friend would I be if I charged her for a gift?” Rarity smiled at the two of them. “Consider it a token of my confidence in your relationship.”
“Aww, thank you Rarity.” Twilight pulled Rarity into a tight hug. “You’re the best.”
“Yes, yes, I know,” Rarity said. “Now, we’ve made somewhat of a mess and I really must clean up, so off you go.”
With that, Rarity ushered them out the door before either could object. “Love you, Twilight, It was lovely meeting you Chrysalis,” she called out as she shut them out.
Twilight looked at Chrysalis and grinned. “Wanna go home? Rarity’s given me a lot of dresses over the years that I could show you.”
Chrysalis smiled back, her fangs glinting in the sunlight. “Perhaps a meal first? You must be excited to show off your new dress.”
“You know what,” Twilight said, “I think I am.”
With that, the couple went off to enjoy the rest of their date.
“You know, I’ve been thinking,” Twilight said as the two started walking down the road. “I’m not sure if Equestria can even have a queen. You might have to become a princess.”
They paused as they reached the door into the castle. Twilight hummed contentedly and nuzzled up against Chrysalis. “Today was fun.”
Chrysalis leaned into Twilight’s affection. “It was,” she agreed. “It was almost like we’re a normal couple.”
Twilight chuckled. “We’ll never be a normal couple.”
“Good.” Chrysalis gave Twilight a quick hug, much to her surprise, and then walked inside before she could react.
Twilight followed, and was about to say something when a burst of green flame down the hall caught her attention. “Spike?”
Spike popped his head out nervously around the corner. “Oh, hey Twilight! H-Hey, Chrysalis…”
“Spike, she’s not gonna eat you,” Twilight said.
“I don’t even eat ponies,” Chrysalis added, “just their love, and Twilight here has me on a pretty strict diet.”
“Uh, yeah…” Cautiously, Spike stepped out and crept his way up to greet them.
“So what’s with the fire?” Twilight asked.
“Oh, that? Starlight told me she had something urgent to send to Celestia.”
Twilight’s eyes went wide. “What did she have you send?”
“I dunno, I didn’t read it.” Spike shrugged. “It was just a letter.”
Twilight looked like she was about to run for her life. “You don’t think she could have been that mad, do you?”
“Well,” Chrysalis said, “you did start dating a supervillain who she’s reasonably convinced wants her dead, and then let that supervillain live in the same castle as her.”
“I—” Twilight shrank in on herself. “Ah. Oh no.”