//------------------------------//
// 6. Twilight's Greatest Threat Appears 
// Story: RariTwi: Love is War 
// by SigmasonicX 
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Like most prestigious academies, midterms week saw a sharp drop in campus activity as many desperately got in some last minute studying. This was true even of the student council, which saw only one attendant on a particular morning.

With spring break in less than a week, Twilight Sparkle worked to make sure everything was wrapped up so they could all enjoy it in peace. As she signed a form, Spike the dragon slipped through the door, munching on some gems.

"Slow day for you too?" Twilight said, looking up.

"Nah," Spike responded with a full mouth, then swallowed. "I have to deliver midterm sheets in a bit, then other midterm stuff after that."

Twilight telekinetically moved a pillow near her desk. "Oh right, I forgot most people don't take their midterms early. I know it's important to finish work early, but I'm honestly a bit jealous."

"That you aren't still taking midterms?" Spike asked incredulously. Twilight shrugged with an embarrassed smile. "Honestly, Sparkle, what are we going to do with you?"

Twilight playfully rolled her eyes as Spike laid on the pillow and continued eating gems. Between bites, he asked, "So, what are you going to do at the lake? I plan on perfecting my cannonballs!"

Ah yes, the family trip to Lake Everfree. Twilight sighed. "Well, I haven't figured out a good way to invite Rarity. I mean, how in the world would it make sense to ask her to meet my parents if we're just acquaintances?"

"Or we could just talk about Rarity again."

"I mean of course inviting everyone is an option, but I know everyone else has plans except Rarity, and Rarity would know I know that, so asking everyone is the same as asking her, and she'd find me out!" Realization struck Twilight's face. "Spike, do you think she left her spring break open to goad me into inviting her?"

"I really can't—hurk!"

Dust burst out of Spike's mouth, forming a letter that floated onto Twilight's desk. Twilight smiled, "Ooh, good aim, Spike." As he gave a thumbs up, Twilight continued. "In any case, bringing Rarity on a family trip probably isn't a good idea, because—"

Twilight looked at the letter. Her eyes widened and her face fell.

"Cadance!” She shook her head. “Oh no! Oh no no no! This is the worst possible thing!"

"What is it? Did a manticore attack Cadance? Did that elk guy come back?"

"No, it's worse! She’s coming here this afternoon!"

Spike waited for more.

He didn't get any. "Uh, did I miss something?"

"Cadance! Princess of Love! My sister-in-law!"

"Yeah, I got that part. Why is that a problem? You aren't busy today, and she can even help you with Rarity."

"Rarity's exactly the problem, Spike! Cadance is the last person I want to know about my crush on Rarity."

Spike waited for elaboration, but Twilight instead started tidying her desk. He moved his hands in a circle. "Because…?" 

Twilight rolled her eyes in frustration. "Cadance will know right away if Rarity and I can work as a couple, and if she says we can't work, then that'll be that, and everything will have been for nothing!"

"Twilight, this is the same Cadance that knew you were dating Flash Sentry and didn't interfere at all."

"Yes, but after we broke up, she told me to view it as training for the next romance." She pointed a notebook at Spike. "Clearly she found Flash unthreatening enough for romance training, but I'm out of high school and I’m a princess now and the stakes are higher, so she'll have to tell me!" She waved the notebook around. "Then she'll use her powers to remove my love for Rarity to spare me the pain! It only makes sense!" The notebook flew onto the ground and Twilight immediately turned to search the cabinets.

Spike looked at the stranded notebook for a bit, then narrowed his eyes and said, "You and Cadance really need to talk about this."

Twilight threw him a duster. "Later, Spike! First, we need to get ready."

Spike groaned and dusted the shelves.





Twilight paced around the spotless student council room, double checking her book placement to make sure Cadance wouldn't divine a hidden meaning, as the door opened. “Spike, thank goodness you’re back.”

The dragon beelined for his pillow and fell onto it. “That’s one set of tests delivered.” Finding it uncomfortable, he pulled his bag of gems out from under the pillow. “I need to head back out in an hour, though.”

“That’s fine. Cadance will come any minute, and hopefully I’ll get her in and out before you have to go.”

“I know you want to avoid the Rarity subject with her, but are you sure you want her to go that quickly?”

“It’s fine, she’s only waiting here for her next train anyway, and I’ll see her during the lake trip. Speaking of which, Rarity should be done with her exam in an hour too, so it’s extra important Cadance is gone before then.”

There was a knock at the door and Twilight froze. Twilight turned to Spike and said, “Remember, I have no romantic interest in anyone right now, and Rarity is just a coworker.”

“Got it.”

Twilight opened the door and her sister-in-law stood with a big smile. She wore a white and pink sundress with a floral pattern. “Twilight, Spike! It’s been so long!”

Twilight’s fears melted away and she leapt into a hug, with Spike joining with a hug around her legs. After a few seconds, they separated and jumped in place, singing, “Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake…”

Spike backed away. “I can’t believe you guys still do that.”

The two women giggled as they finished their dance, and Twilight said, “Let’s sit over here. I have tea all set up.”

They sat at the communal work table, Cadance on one end and Twilight and Spike at the other. Twilight poured Cadance a cup of tea.

Cadance asked, “So how are you? I heard the school gala preparations are going well.”

“Yes, everyone on the student council is doing a fantastic job. Do you want me to walk through our ideas?”

“That sounds lovely, but first there’s one thing I’m more curious about.” Cadance stirred her tea with a spoon. “Have anyone in mind for a gala date?”

Twilight poured tea into her own cup with a calm smile. So she’s going into this already, Twilight thought. Still, this is well within expectations.

“No, I’ve been far too caught up in my studies and student council work to give any thought to romance.”

Spike snorted and Twilight telekinetically poked him without changing her expression.

Cadance frowned. “Oh, that’s a shame. I remember how you said you were tired of being a bi girl who only dated boys and wanted to date a hot girl once you got to college. This would have been a good opportunity.”

Twilight was in the middle of moving the teapot to Spike’s cup and almost dropped it as he snickered. Damn, I did say that, didn’t I?

“Some of my guards in the Crystal Empire are pretty cute,” Cadance continued. “I could send one down to dance with you at the gala. If it doesn’t work out, she’s just acting as a guard and no one would be suspicious, but there’s a chance you could hit it off. Plus, she’d be from a lost-until-recently civilization, so I’m sure you’d have a lot to talk about.”

Twilight blushed. “No, no, that’s perfectly fine! It’s only proper that I take a more administrative role during the dance.”

"She already dances like a chaperone, so it fits," Spike quipped.

"My dancing is fine," Twilight said with a pout.

Thankfully, Cadance shifted her attention. “How about you, Spike? I hear there’s another dragon in the high school.”

Spike laid back. “Smolder? She’s cool and all, but right now, I’m a lone dragon flying free. Well, flying free once I grow my wings.”

“Still another few years before that,” added Twilight.

“Speaking of wings, how are you dealing with yours, Twilight?” asked Cadance.

“Honestly, I keep forgetting I have them,” Twilight said sheepishly.

“Trust me, I know how that feels,” Cadance said with a chuckle. “I had wing magic from the start, but after becoming a princess, I forget about it sometimes. I even forgot when that tree was running toward me last week, and Shining had to remind me.”

Twilight leaned forward in interest. “Oh right, you had something weird happen on the Spring Equinox too! What happened?”

Cadance rubbed her chin. “Well, let me start from the beginning.”

Twilight smiled. With the conversation successfully moved away from romance, things would work out perfectly.





“So Shining threw me into the air, and I blasted the wizard back to wherever she came from. Really, Shining didn’t need to throw me, but it makes him happy, so I indulged him.”

“That’s amazing, Cadance!” Twilight said. “What kind of spell did you use?”

“Ohhh, nothing much, just the Sekiha Tenkyoken.”

Twilight gasped. “The ultimate technique of the School of the Undefeated of the East? You mastered it?”

Cadance leaned back with her arms behind her head. “You should know a love-based special attack is nothing to me, Twilight.”

“Nice.” Twilight reached a fist out and Cadance pounded it.

Spike nudged Twilight. She looked at the dragon and he motioned toward the clock. With the diversions Twilight peppered throughout the conversation, it had been about fifty minutes since Cadance arrived. Perfect timing.

“Oh, would you look at the time? Spike has to head out soon, so I imagine it’s the same for you, right?”

Cadance looked at the clock. “I suppose so. Time really flew by, huh? Well, let's get back to this topic at the lake.”

She, Twilight, and Spike got out of their seats. Twilight hugged Cadance and said, “That would be great.”

The door slammed open. With a start, Twilight broke out of the hug and looked behind her guest.

There stood Rarity, pushing a cart with a sewing machine with one arm, and raising the other to present herself. “Good afternoon, darlings!” she said in a singsong voice. “I hope you don’t mind, but I—gack!” Rarity twisted herself and raised a leg and her other arm in shock, staring at Cadance.

Twilight gaped. This was the worst possible situation.

Neither said anything, and Cadance looked back and forth between them. Finally, she walked to Rarity and said, "Ah, you must be Rarity. I'm Cadance, Twilight's sister-in-law."

Rarity carefully returned to a normal stance and adjusted her dress. "Yes, and the Princess of Love. It's nice to meet you." Cadance reached out her hand and Rarity nervously shook it. "Apologies, I was just surprised to see another princess in here."

Twilight put her hands on the table and leaned forward, almost knocking over her tea. "Rarity! You're here already!"

Rarity blinked. "Oh, yes, my exam. Well, not much of a story there, I just finished it quickly, then I decided to come here to get some sewing done." She patted her sewing machine. "And I decided to do that here instead of a sewing room because, well, no reason in particular." Rarity added a hesitant laugh, her eyes darting out the window.

Twilight shot up. "Yes, well, Cadance, it must be getting late for you, so I'll lead you out."

Cadance waved her off. "Nonsense Twilight, I can't leave before talking to your friend."

Rarity smiled. "Friend, yes, that's what I am."

Twilight smiled in an almost natural way. "Well, as long you're quick about it. Just simple pleasantries, so you don't miss your train."

Cadance walked to the communal table. "Come, sit. I'll pour you some tea."

As Rarity shivered her way into her seat, Twilight leapt to Cadance's side. "This doesn't look like you're being quick," she said slightly above a whisper.

Cadance frowned. "Honestly, Twilight, I'm more than capable of keeping to my schedule. You don't have to micromanage me. I'm starting to think…" She shifted to a smile and narrowed her eyes, giving Twilight an aside glance. "I'm starting to think you don't want me to talk to her."

Twilight's eyes widened. "No, that's not—"

She realized she spoke too loud and Rarity was looking at her. There was no way of avoiding this without making Cadance and Rarity suspicious.

Cadance sat opposite of Rarity and crossed her legs. "Well, Rarity, how about we get this out of the way. The Princess of Love sits before you, so do you have any questions about love?"

One side of Twilight thought, Crapcrapcrap, but another side was intensely curious about what Rarity would ask.

Rarity had a sheepish grin. "Yes, well, I've been so busy lately, I haven't given a thought to romance. So I'm afraid I don't have anything to ask."

Cadance hummed. "Very interesting."

Hmm. Odd. Why isn't Rarity taking this opportunity? Maybe she—wait, of course! No matter how skilled Rarity is, it would be impossible for her to use Cadance to expose my feelings without exposing hers. Mutually assured destruction!

But wait, that has to mean Rarity also has feelings for me. Nothing else can explain why she's so nervous here!

Twilight smiled and clenched her fist. A weight lifted from her. Now Cadance being there was entirely a good thing, and she could use Cadance to expose her love.

Rarity suddenly dropped her nervous expression. She leaned back and put the back of her hand to her forehead. "Alas, tis a shame that Canterlot Royal Academy has been denied its greatest beauty, but my free time is what it is and I must prioritize. Now if a lady like yourself were at the school, then, well, I might find myself thinking differently." Rarity moved her hand so that her hair fell over one eye and she gave Cadance a seductive grin.

On one hand, Twilight found this an appealing look for Rarity, but on the other hand, What?! 





It was going to be so simple. Rarity would finish her test early and spend some quality time with Twilight while the other student council members were gone. No plans and no grand schemes, outside of making Twilight appreciate her company so she’d miss her more during the upcoming break.

When she saw the Princess of Love in the room, arrow nocked and ready to expose her feelings for Twilight, she was tempted to run away. Sitting across from Cadance, she wondered if it was still too late to do that. If she were Rainbow Dash, she’d knock over the kettle and rush out in the confusion, but alas, she cared about her reputation. Perhaps if she was cagey, she could muddle her way through this.

Then she saw Twilight’s expression and thought about how her actions appeared. Rarity wasn’t one to get nervous around princesses, so this was a bigger sign of her affection than her outright saying she loves Twilight. She knew there was only one way out of this.

If I go down in history as the woman who flagrantly flirted with every princess she met, then so be it, Rarity thought.

Cadance hummed. "Oh my, that sounds like an invitation." She put a finger to her lips. "I can't abandon my subjects, but…" She conspicuously cast her gaze over Rarity's figure. "Perhaps for one night?"

Rarity had to say, she certainly didn’t not find Cadance aesthetically pleasing, and she felt a rush as she reciprocated. Rarity licked her lips. "Then for you, Princess, I'll make it a night worthy of your beauty."

Absolutely scandalized and blushing furiously, Twilight slammed her palms on the table and said, "R—Rarity, are you seriously flirting with my sister-in-law? And Cadance, you're flirting back?!"

This was all worth it for Twilight’s face, at least.

Cadance gave Twilight a smirk and said, "Shining and I have an understanding, so it's fine."

Rarity adopted a similar expression. "Jealous, dear?"

"N—No, I'm—" Twilight paused. "Oh, you're play flirting."

Cadance giggled. "You're right, Twilight. Though I wasn't lying about my understanding with Shining, so…" She put a finger to her lips and looked away. "Maybe," she said wistfully.

"Maybe," responded Rarity in the same manner.

Cadance and Rarity fell into a laughing fit.

Twilight grumbled, "Glad you're getting along."

"I get the feeling I'm not the first royal you flirted with," said Cadance.

Rarity waved a hand. "Oh darling no, I happen to have a lot of experience."

"Anyone I might know?"

Rarity opened her mouth. She said too much. “Well, uh, let me think, who might you know…?”

Her eyes darted to Twilight, who was clearly anticipating her answer, then back to Cadance. Not mentioning how she introduced herself to Twilight would clearly be suspicious for everyone. Talking about that would stray into dangerous territory, but there was no other choice.

Spike sat licking a gemstone. Twilight hid her hands behind her back and with a faint glimmer of light, Spike jolted up. “Oh, right!” He walked to the door and said, "Well, I have to get going now. Those papers won't set fire to themselves."

Cadance got up. "I suppose it's time I left too. It was great meeting you, Rarity."

Saved by the dragon.

"Likewise," Rarity responded with a smile. She got up and shook her hand, confidently this time.

"Bye Twilight, Spike. I'll see you at the lake," Cadance said as she opened the door, then stopped. "Oh, come to think of it. Rarity, why don't you go with us?"

Rarity’s lips twisted, but she was able to force out, "Pardon?"

“We have a beach house near Lake Everfree and it’s incredible there. I think you’d have a lot of fun. Plus, we’ll be able to team up to tease both Sparkle siblings,” she responded with a wink.

Rarity eyes flickered toward Twilight, who stood absolutely still with an unreadable expression. She was aware of Twilight’s family trip, of course, and part of her desperately wanted to swim with Twilight and have moonlit trysts, but this was far too dangerous. Hmm, perhaps that element of danger would make our romantic war game all the more exciting? No, that’s foolish, Rarity. There’s no reason to take a risk like that.

However, Rarity had deliberately left her spring break open to encourage a reaction from Twilight. What reason could she give to turn Cadance down here? Then Rarity felt like slapping her forehead, because there was an easy solution to this.

“That does sound quite pleasant, Cadance. I’ll think about it.”

“Great. You can just tell Twilight if you decide to come, and she’ll tell the rest of the family.” Cadance walked through the door with Spike and waved. “Bye! Talk to you soon.”

Twilight and Rarity waved back as the door closed. Each of them then fell onto a chair hunched over, lungs wheezing.





Twenty minutes later, things were back on track. Twilight was reading a few chapters of a fantasy novel before getting back to work, sitting at her desk with a content smile. Rarity worked at her sewing machine, making impressive progress on a new skirt design, all while softly humming in a way that erased Twilight’s stress from the past hour.

There was a knock.

“That must be Spike,” Twilight said. “Weird, he usually just comes in. I’ll get it.”

Twilight opened the door, and there stood Princess Cadance, looking away, finger curling her hair. “Hi, Twilight,” she said with a blush, eyes only briefly meeting Twilight’s. “Turns out I just barely missed the train after all. Do you mind if I stay here for about two hours?”

Twilight smiled. “No, please, come in.”

AHHHHHHHHHH, Twilight thought.

Cadance walked past her to Twilight’s desk. “Unfortunately, there are some things I was supposed to write on the train, but at this point, it’s probably better for me to write them here and have Spike mail them. Is it alright if I use your desk?”

“Of course, go right ahead.”

Twilight telekinetically moved her book and documents off the desk and onto the communal table. Twilight and Rarity both watched Cadance like she was a venomous cobra as she sat down and took out a blank sheet and pen. She stared at the sheet and tapped the pen on her cheek. Eventually she looked up and said, “Oh, you don’t have to keep quiet on my account. Please act like I’m not even here. I think I’ll get through this more quickly if I hear people talking.”

Twilight and Rarity’s lips both remained sealed shut for another minute.

“Well don’t everyone talk at once.”

Keeping quiet now would only make her more suspicious, but what could we possibly talk about that wouldn’t catch her attention? thought Twilight.

Then Twilight considered the past school year and her previous interactions with Rarity. She thought of the complete lack of forward momentum in their relationship.

It was so obvious! The least romantic thing they could do was what Cadance suggested. Talk normally, like she wasn’t there!

Twilight cleared her throat. “So Rarity, how did your test go?”

Rarity blinked. “My test?" She thought for a moment. "Oh, my test! Yes, well I’m not only the most beautiful student in the school, but the most brilliant, so it was child’s play.”

Good, Rarity had caught on.

“It was for Chemistry III, right? I hear—”

Rarity held up a finger. “Which is to say, I am both brilliant and brilliant,” she added with a haughty laugh. Twilight rolled her eyes with a smile and Rarity responded, “You know you love it.”

“You were too late with the pun, Rarity, so it doesn’t count.” Rarity stuck her tongue out and Twilight smiled. “Like I was saying, I hear the professor for that is pretty tough.”

Rarity waved her hand. “Oh please, Prof. Nephrite is an absolute kitten, as long as you get on her good side. Which is only natural for me as a compound of barium and beryllium.”

“Barium and beryllium?" What could that mean? "Let’s see, B-a-B-e… oh, dammit Rarity!”

Rarity cackled. “You know, many view me as a carbon sample.”

“A carbon sample?”

“Because they want to date me.”

Twilight cringed and Rarity laughed more. “Rarity, don’t tell me you take Chemistry just for the pick up lines.”

“You know, Twilight, if I were to rearrange the periodic table—”

“Don’t say it.”

Rarity paused and then quickly said, “I’d put U and I together.”

“Honestly, Rarity, I’m going to throw this book at you.” Rarity laughed more, and Twilight added, “You know, forget hydrogen.” She pointed finger guns at Rarity. “You’re my number one!”

Rarity started laughing so hard she bent over in her seat and started booing. She threw a ball of string at the Princess of Friendship, who blocked it with her hands while laughing.

There! A perfectly normal non-romantic conversation, like usual. Cadance wouldn’t suspect a thing.





Look at those two lovebirds, Cadance thought as she worked on her speech draft. After some banter, they had drifted back to focusing on their own work, but there was considerably less tension than when she walked in. I suppose they were shy about their relationship, but I’m happy they’re starting to feel more comfortable around me.

Having finished sewing a lovely skirt, Rarity stood and lifted it up, only to release a short and quiet whimper. Twilight immediately shot up to her feet and said, “Rarity, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, dear,” she responded, rubbing her shoulder. “It’s just that after spending some time on all fours as a, well, deer, and I suppose after that tennis match, my shoulders are still a bit sore.”

Twilight sighed in relief. “Well if that’s it, then how about another shoulder rub?”

“Ooh, I’d love that,” Rarity said with a gleeful smile. She moved her chair away from the sewing machine, put the skirt away, and sat down. Twilight gracefully slid behind her and coated her hands in magic. Rarity’s blouse already exposed her shoulders, so her hands made direct skin contact. “Oh thank Celestia, you remembered to warm them up.”

“Like I could forget how you reacted when I didn’t.”

Rarity giggled, and let herself sink into the massage. “Mmm, your hands are divine. I’d ask you to work your magic on me elsewhere, but doing that in front of Cadance would be uncouth.”

“I think she’d be fine with a hair massage.”

“No, not a hair massage, you silly,” Rarity responded with a laugh.

Cadance smiled. They even have cute inside jokes!

They continued talking during the massage, and Cadance thought, I wonder how long they’ve been together? From this, I would think a few months at least. She could feel herself slightly vibrating from the influx of love in the room.

After about five minutes, Twilight stepped away. “All done. Are you feeling better?”

Rarity swung an arm around. “Oh yes, I feel marvelous!” She got up and motioned to the chair. “Come now, it’s your turn.”

“I don’t really have any shoulder pain, though,” Twilight said as she sat down.

“Ah, but you’ve been writing a lot over the past weeks, have you not? I’ll give you a hand massage.” Rarity pulled another chair in front of Twilight and levitated a jar of lotion from one of the shelves, rubbing some onto her hands.

“Alright.” Twilight offered her right hand, palm up. “Though I don’t think it’ll do much—”

Rarity stroked the palm of Twilight’s hand and she responded with a squeak, which made her blush deeply and they both giggled.

Cadance's vibration intensified.

Rarity continued her massage in silence, perhaps both worried about breaking the spell. After a few minutes, she interlocked her fingers with Twilight’s—a method to stretch the fingers—and they stole a quick glance into each other’s eyes. She finished the right hand with a few more strokes, then moved onto the other.

After a few more minutes, Rarity stopped massaging Twilight’s left hand and held it for a few seconds. She looked into Twilight’s eyes and said, “All finished, Your Highness.” She lifted Twilight’s hand and kissed it.

Twilight blushed and giggled. “Rarity, stop!”

Cadance vibrated so hard the desk started shaking.

Rarity stood and flicked her hair with a smile. “Well, I think I made you blush enough for today. It’s about time I made my leave.”

“I’ll see you later, then.”

Rarity pushed the sewing kit out of the room with her new skirt on top, and with one leg lifted back, said, “I’ll miss you forever, darling.”

Twilight waved. “I’ll miss you forever too.”

The door closed, and with a giggle, Twilight got up, twirled, and sat back at the communal table.

“You know, Twilight,” Cadance said, and Twilight looked up at her. “I actually did partially come to check on your romantic life, but it’s clear that I have nothing more to do here.” She gave her a thumbs up. "Good job!"

Twilight smiled and gave a thumbs up back.





Spike walked into the room and saw Twilight standing by herself. “Sorry, things got pretty busy. So how’d it go? I heard Cadance came back after I left.”

Twilight scoffed with a confident smile. “It went perfectly. Turns out Rarity and I just had to act normal, and Cadance didn’t suspect a thing. She even said there was nothing more for her to do here.”

“Wow, so you were able to fool Cadance? That’s amazing!”

“And knowing I can do that means I can definitely get Rarity to reveal her feelings!” Twilight took papers from her desk and gave them to Spike. "Cadance wanted you to send these, by the way."

Spike set the papers ablaze and Twilight thought back on the day’s events. Then she realized with growing horror she might have made a mistake.

“Spike… do friends point finger guns at each other and say they’re their number one?”

Spike thought for a second. “I guess? Sounds more like a boss-subordinate thing, like in that space story you like.”

Twilight sighed in relief. “OK, good. I’m pretty sure I didn’t do anything else suspicious.”