Chapter 22:
Equestrian Girls Part One:
One fine evening at Crystal Empire, The Friendship Express arrives at the train station. Once the train arrives at the train station, the Mane Six and Starlight all exit the train with their luggage in tow. The Mane Six are excited as Twilight is attending her princess summit with Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance all in attendance.
Originally, it was going to be held shortly after Twilight’s coronation but it was postponed in favor of having the second Canterlot Wedding and then again to the current day due to the outbreak and threat of Midnight Sparkle on the horizon following the wedding.
Fortunately, Princess Cadance isn’t due to have her new foal until sometime after the summit, so she was able to arrange the summit before she is due to go into labor.
“Hoo-wee! Your very first princess summit. You must be over the moon, Twilight.” Applejack said in excited support for her friend as she walks beside her. “Especially since this your first visit to the Crystal Empire in quite a while. “
“Oh, I am excited.” Twilight said in agreement as she shifted her tone to a more nervous one. “But, to be honest, I'm a little nervous, too. I mean this is the first time I’m setting hooves into the Crystal Empire since the Equestrian Games.”
While Twilight is excited about being here, she wasn’t expecting to set hoof here until after Princess Cadance had her baby and had gotten the invitation to come to the crystalling.
“You're 'nervicited'!” Pinkie exclaimed as she jumped up and down into the air. “It's like you wanna jump up and down and yell "YAY ME!!" But you also wanna curl up in a teeny-tiny ball and hide at the same time!” She added as she curled into a ball then affectionaly patted Twilight’s head. ”We've all been there!”
“I'm there almost every day.” Fluttershy shyly said as she looked aside as she can relate to Twilight’s concerns.
“You've got no reason to fret, Twi. Everything's gonna be just–“ Applejack reassured her before being cut off by Rarity as she exclaimed in alarm.
“TWILIGHT! Oh, sorry, darling, but I just realized you're not wearing your crown.” She said as she placed her hooves on Twilight’s cheeks and then tilted her head and neck downwards as she looks at her mane. “You haven't forgotten it back in Ponyville, have you?”
“It's in my bag.” Twilight calmly replied as she directed her eyes at her bag with her cutie mark sewn on it to indicate it’s hers. “Just haven’t felt it was necessary to wear it right now. And I’m not nervous because this is my first princess summit nor that this is the first time I'll be wearing it since giving the crown back to the Tree of Harmony and after reforming to become the Princess of Friendship."
“It’s not.” Rarity asked in surprise. “Why?”
“In case if any of you haven’t noticed, this is my first visit to the Crystal Empire since the Equestrian Games.” Twilight answered as she looked up at the Crystal Heart spinning around in place. “The site where I took over Equestria by shattering the Crystal Heart to force the other princesses to surrender to me.” She then said solemnly as she recalls the fight she had with Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, and her friends. “Until now, I haven’t had the courage to visit the empire since then because of how much pain and suffering I caused to all of the ponies who nearly died of hypothermia.”
“Believe me, I know what it feels you like to have your greatest achievement turn into your biggest regret.” Starlight sympathetically responded to Twilight’s current plight. “But if there’s one thing you taught me since I reformed is that you will always have your friends backing you up every step of the way and we all are here for you, Twilight.” Starlight comforted her teacher as she placed a hoof on her shoulder to which Twilight smiled in response to thank her for the encouragement.
The seven ponies and dragon then all make their way inside so they can put their luggage away in their own rooms before making their way to the castle throne room to where Twilight is greeted by a fanfare of Crystal Ponies blowing into their trumpets as she walks down the hallways to greet the other Princesses on the other side of the room.
As she looks to her side at the fanfares she was receiving she accidentally bumped into one of the guards who had an orange fur coat, a short blue mane with matching blue eyes who silently expresses a little surprise before speaking up to address everypony in the room.
“Her highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle!” The guard announced.
“Twilight! I haven't seen you since I told you me and Shining Armor are having a baby! We have so much to discuss.” Cadance happily greeted her sister-in-law in her kingdom with open hooves.
“But it can wait until tomorrow. You all look tired from your journey. Now, off to bed, all of you.” Princess Celestia told her they can all go and get some rest as they all set off to do so with excited chattering amongst the group.
Later that night, Twilight and Spike unpack their belongings as they prepare to get some sleep in preparation for tomorrow’s summit. As Twilight places her books in the drawer below the mirror. She then pulls out her crown and places it on her head briefly as she looks at herself in the mirror then sighs.
“What's wrong, Twilight?” Spike asked as he was setting up his bed.
“I don't know, Spike. I'm just... worried.” Twilight answered unsure of herself as she turned to face him. “Princess Cadance was given the Crystal Empire to rule over. What if, now that I'm a princess, Celestia expects me to lead a kingdom of my own?” She asked him.
“That would be awesome!” Spike exclaimed as she lifted himself up with his tail.
“No, it would not!” Twilight retorted in disagreement as she places her crown in in a magical chest in drawer with a magical lock that requires a spell to be used in order to unlock it before tucking herself into bed. “Maybe back when I was Midnight I’d be thinking the opposite right now, but just because I have this crown and these wings, it doesn't mean I'll be a good leader!”
“Aw, sure ya will, Twilight.” Spike reassured again as he made his way to his bed so he can go to sleep. “Now c'mon, you should get some shut-eye. Big day tomorrow!“
Twilight did so as she got herself comfort in her bed before falling asleep.
Later that night, as one of the guards is patrolling through the nearby hallway, a mysterious hooded figure crept through the castle waiting for the guard to walk off to another hallway before making way to Twilight’s room. By using her magic she was able to unlock the door before sneaking her way to her desk drawer to where she uses her magic to try to unlock the drawer for a good minute but then got frustrated seeing that Twilight had her belonging more secured than she thought.
“Oh, the hay with this?” The mare in disguise said with raised hoofs as she gave up and just used her magic to melt the desk down to nothing leaving nothing but Twilight’s books and her crown still standing along with the mirror to which she replaced with a fake crown before making off in a haste as Twilight wakes up having felt the heat and heard the commotion from the mare’s spell.
“Huh, what?” Twilight said as she spotted the mare running off. “My crown! She's got my crown!” She would then purse her yelling out to her friends in their bedrooms as she chases after the intruder who all wake up and emerge from their bedrooms after hearing Twilight. “Stop! Thief! She's stolen my crown!”
The mare attempting to run off ahead finds Twilight in hot pursuit of her before teleporting to another part of the hallway in an attempt to cut off her escape.
“Stop!” She ordered the thief to no avail as she simply teleports past her and continues running off ahead while leaving her cloak behind.
The thief turned out to be a unicorn mare with yellow coat of fur with a yellow and red mane and tail, teal colored eyes, with a yellow and red colored sun cutie mark on her flank, would continue running forward her escape route looks back confidently thinking she has given Twilight the slip only to see that Twilight is still hot on her tail catching up with her before finding herself being tackled by the alicorn as they barge down the room she heading into causing the crown to emerge from her saddlebag and bounced around the room before going through a mirror which acted as a portal to another world.
All seven ponies except the smirking mare gasp at what had just happened.
“What did you do with my crown?” Twilight asked the thieving mare.
“Sorry it had to be this way...” She apologized with mock remorse as she teleports to in front of the mirror. “ …Princess.” She added as she took her leave and disappeared through the portal mirror leaving Twilight and her companions to gasp again at what had just happened and who that villainous unicorn was.
“Who was that?” Fluttershy asked everypony.
“I don’t know but whoever she was that unicorn definitely knows a thing or two about magic.” Starlight commented just as surprised as everypony in the room.
“No question about that.” Twilight agreed with Starlight. “Hopefully, Princess Celestia might have an idea who she was.” She said with determination as the other three princesses burst into the room having heard the commotion.
“What happened?” Princess Luna spoke in alarm. “What was all of the commotion about?”
“A mare managed to sneak into my bedroom and steal my crown and then disappeared into this magic mirror.” Twilight explained as she directed her hoof up and then over to the mirror on her left.
“What did this mare look like?” Princess Celestia inquired as if it rings familiar bells to her.
“A unicorn with yellow fur with a mostly red mane and tail with yellow streaks with a matching fiery cutie mark on her flank.” Twilight honestly described of the top of her head as Celestia lowers her head realizing that it was the mare she thought they saw was.
“I see.” Princess Celestia said solemnly as she looked at the mirror.
“Do you know her?” Twilight asked her as she turned to face her.
“I do.” Princess Celestia answered. “The unicorn you saw was Sunset Shimmer. A former student of mine. She began her studies with me not long before Twilight. But when she did not get what she wanted as quickly as she liked, she turned cruel and dishonest. I tried to help her, but she eventually decided to abandon her studies and pursue her own path. One that has sadly led to her stealing your crown.”
“She replaced Twilight's with this one.” Spike said as he held up the fake crown Sunset left behind to which Celestia gave herself a closer look at with narrowed eyes.
“I suppose Sunset Shimmer thought you wouldn't notice right away that this was not yours. And by the time you did, it would be too late to go after your crown and the magic inside of it.” Celestia deduced.
Hearing this had a question come from her faithful student upon hearing this. "What do you mean magic inside of my crown?"
With closed eyes knowing that it is time to tell the truth she proceeded to confess. "Magic that I placed inside that crown and kept locked away, ready for a new bearer for the Element of Magic that I had hoped would come soon in light of your mysterious absence."
"Right..." Twilight immediately understood why in light of the events she orchestrated back then before turning to the others who were all clearly informed ahead of time. "And I suppose you all knew too?" They all shook their heads "Yes." to confirm it.
"Uh-huh."
"Eeyep."
"Fraid so."
"Me too."
"Me three, darling."
Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity all admitted .
With the more important matter on hoof since this is already a forgiven matter, she turned her head back to Celestia for more answers. "But I still don't understand. Where did she go? Where did she take the crown? What kind of mirror was that?” Twilight asked still very confused of what had just happened.
“You'll soon know more about this place than even I do.” She said as she turned her attention back at the mirror.
“For this is no ordinary mirror. It is a gateway to another world. A gateway that opens once every thirty moons.” Luna explained as she approached the mirror herself
“Sparkly!” Pinkie felt the need to touch the mirror with Luna responding by levitating her away from it feeling annoyed by her antics at the moment before she continued to explain.
“It has always been kept in the throne room of Canterlot Castle. But when Princess Cadance took over the Crystal Empire, we sent it here for her to watch over.” Luna further explained as Celestia walks up with a sigh.
“I had always hoped that Sunset Shimmer would someday use it to return, to come back to Equestria seeking my guidance. Obviously, this is not what has happened.” Celestia said with grimness in her tone of voice.
“Twilight, you must use the mirror to go into this other world and retrieve your crown. Without it, the other Elements of Harmony have no power and Equestria is left without one of its most important means of defense.” Cadance told Twilight on what she has to do in order to keep the balance of Equestria in good hooves as she walks up to the mirror.
“Your crown does not belong in the place Sunset Shimmer now calls home. And in her possession, your Element of Harmony will no doubt be used to bring harm to the inhabitants of this other realm. They will not have the power to defend themselves.” Luna further warned Twilight of what’s at stake if the crown’s power is used in the other world as she levitated Twilight’s saddlebag onto her back.
“You understand the importance of your task?” Celestia asked Twilight as she approaches her.
“Of course.” Twilight replied in acknowledgment as she turned to face her.
“Good. Then you must go at once.” Celestia told Twilight to go through the portal right away as she steps forward with a calm sigh before being cut off by Rainbow Dash flying in front of her blocking her path surprising her and the other Princesses.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! She's going, we're going with her.” Rainbow Dash firmly said as she turned to face the others girls minus Starlight appeared right in front of Twilight.
“Right, girls?” Rainbow told the rest of the Mane Six.
“Oooh! I'm so 'nervicited'!” Pinkie cheerfully exclaimed.
“You do realize that's not a real word, right?” Applejack felt the need to point out as she briefly glanced at Pinkie as Twilight feels touched by her friend’s support
“I'm afraid I can't let you go.” Princess Celestia firmly spoke against it.
“What?! Why not?!” Rainbow questioned her for making this a solo mission.
“Sending all of you could upset the balance of this alternate world, creating havoc that would make it impossible for Twilight to get the crown back from Sunset Shimmer. This is something Princess Twilight must do alone.” Princess Celestia firmly explained to the surprised girls.
“Time is of the essence. On the third day, when the moon reaches its peak in the night sky, the gateway will close. And once it does, it will be another thirty moons before you will be able to use it to return.” Princess Luna instructed Twilight as she briefly uses her magic to show the rising crest moon turning into a new moon.
Twilight would then make her way towards the mirror as her friends give her encouraging support while Spike looks on nervously. Twilight taps a hoof into the the mirror which shows that she is touching the portal being the two worlds leaving her taken aback a little as she looks back at Princess Celestia who nods at her to go forward, before she calmly does so.
Spike at the last second unable to resist leaving Twilight behind runs after her in a mad dash for the portal.
“Spike, NO!” The Mane Five exclaimed in Spike’s direction as he runs towards the portal.
“Spike, wait!” Starlight exclaimed as she too ran after him in an attempt to stop him only for the both of them to go through the portal when her failed attempt to tackle him lead to them going through the portal after Twilight.
The three all scream as they are sucked into the new world before they finally emerge just outside of the portal from the other end.
Twilight groaned as she opened her eyes while starting to adjust to the new world.
“Uh, Twilight?” Spike asked her.
“Huh? Spike! You're not supposed to– Spike?” Twilight was about to question his appearance here before seeing he has the appearance of a dog that had the same purple colored fur coat with green colored ears. “Are you a... dog?”
“I... think so.” Spike replied in acknowledgement as he looks at his transformed body. “But I have no idea what you are!” He added as Twilight sees her hooves are now hands.
“Huh?” Twilight said in confusion as she finds herself on her knees then wiggling her fingers and then moving her arms, hands, and legs around as the realization that she has been transformed into a human kicks in. In addition she finds that her hair is down to her waist, she has a light blue short and puffy sleeved shirt with a pink bowtie on it, a purple pleated skirt that reaches down to her hands whenever they're not up fully, with her pink cutie mark star on it with pink knee length socks and purple knee length boots. "Interesting."
“Twilight..." Spike nervously asked unsure if she is going to fully panic. "...you okay?” Spike got close ready to calm down before she decides to freak out.
"Yep." She calmly replied after taking a deep breath just like her sister-in-law Cadance taught her. "Just fully understanding my new appearance. She then stood up so she can briefly pinch her skirt before knelling down to Spike's eye level before continuing. "What... does the rest of me look like?”
“Well…” Starlight spoke up as she walked over to her. “I could ask you the same question, Twilight.”
“Starlight?” Twilight asked in surprise seeing her as a human too with her hair waist-length long like Twilight’s, wearing pink and light blue t-shirts, a black vest, gray jeans, and gray high heel boots, before moving to stand up to her eye level. “You, too. How did you get in here?”
“Well me and Spike accidentally tumbled in through that portal after Spike insisted on coming along to help you.” Starlight somewhat bluntly answered while eyeing Spike who whimpers like a dog for a moment when she addresses him before focusing on answering Twilight’s appearance. “We seem to walk on two legs, wear clothes, and have really good looking hair and skin.”
“In short just like you. Only not you. Your muzzle's really small.” Spike added.
"Okay, anything else?"
"Nope! That's about it..." Spike moved to leap into her arms and moved to place his paws on her mouth before she could even think of scream again. "...unless you're gonna scream again?” She shook her head no before he took his paws off of her. “Where are we?” He asked as they looked around their surroundings.
“I don't know. But that must serve as the gateway back to Equestria.” Twilight answered as she placed her hand through the portal which briefly transformed back into a hoof before pulling it back out. “We need to find my crown as soon as possible and get back there. I suggest we start searching the castle first.” Twilight said with determination that she is going to let these strange transformations stop her from succeeding with her task.
“Works for me.” Spike agreed as he hopped on Twilight’s back while Twilight looks at the building in front of her.
“Right behind you.” Starlight also agreed ready to help her. “Although I’m pretty sure this building is not a castle.”
Twilight and Starlight both headed towards the building walking on four’s which is a lot more awkward as a human until Spike got both of them to snap to attention when they see another human walking a dog.
“Yeah, I don't think that's how the new you is supposed to–“ Spike spoke up as both Twilight and Starlight got upon their legs with Twilight dusting her skirt off and Starlight looking aside embarrassed.
“Nothing to see here. Carry on!” Starlight quickly reassured the man before continuing forward on two legs after her friends.
The dog happily panted at his owner before he simply frowned at him to keep walking to which the dog whimpered as he did what he was told.
Both Twilight and Starlight moved to take slow steps as a precaution along with hanging onto the nearby railing for support since being transformed into humans is a new thing for them since they are completely used to walking on four legs as opposed to two.
For starters upon approaching the door, Twilight tried to move her head trying to use the magic she's used to having at her disposal to no avail. After briefly scratching her chin, she moved to try to open the door, she first pulled unsuccessfully, before successfully pushed the door open.
“Well, look on the bright side." Spike spoke up trying to make light of the current situation. "You don't have those pesky wings to worry about anymore.” Spike told Twilight as she and Starlight made their way upstairs to which Twilight responded with a shake of her head to make it clear to him now is not the time for these kinds of jokes.
The three all proceeded to walk inside the building to where they see banners hanging from the walls and upstairs’ floors, with a hallway of lockers, and a glass case filled with trophies and pictures.
“What do ya think, Spike? Other artifacts she's stolen from Equestria?“ Twilight asked Spike as she looked for her crown in the glass case but found nothing. Just the bell rings with multiple people walking outside from their classes. Twilight quickly picked Spike up to protect him from getting stepped on but then gets bumped into by one of them as she falls down to the ground.
She then crawls her way through the massive crowd before pulling herself out into a nearby hallway where she accidentally falls backward and bumps into somebody.
“Whoa. You okay?” The boy he bumped into asked her as he helped her on her feet before nodded yes with her hands behind her back.
As the boy walked off, Twilight couldn’t help but see that boy looked very familiar as he walked off.
“I don't think this is a castle.” Spike said as he looked around and saw Starlight squeezing her way through the crowd.
“Gee, what gave that away, Spike?” Starlight sarcastically said as she caught up to them. “The fact that this place seems more casual than usual or the fact that there are no royal guards walking around here. And for the record, I just noted that we weren’t going in a castle about two minutes ago.”
“Well, whatever this place really is we better get a move on and keep looking around if we ever hope to find my crown in time.” Twilight said as she walked forward and looked around not in the mood to argue as Starlight and Spike both followed her without another word.
The three then walked through the hallway in their search for the crown as they were walking Twilight lost her balance as she briefly looked at Spike just as confused as he is about all of this but Starlight managed to catch her and keep her from falling. Twilight smiled at her to thank her to which Starlight kindly returns with a smile in return before they continued forward.
“I've never seen a place
That's quite like this
Everything is turned around
This crazy world is upside-down
Getting on my feet
It's the hand that I was dealt
But I don't have much time with them
Got to learn all that I can.”
Twilight sang in her mind as she walked around the hallways.
As they looked around they saw the amazing differences of how humans do things in this world compared to their world as they one person playing hacky sack using his feet with his girlfriend watching, another male performing some acting scene while holding his book as two girls applaud his performance, and another couple walking together hand in hand.
All the while, Twilight is the most interested and intrigued by all of this as she peers at a school teacher using her hands to lift up a book while writing on the chalkboard instead of using magic from their horns or using their mouths before turning to lift her skirt up a little before pressing forward.
“They don't use any magic or fly with any wings
I don't get these funny clothes, skinny legs or tiny nose
Everything's confusing when it seems so new
But I look a little closer and it starts to feel familiar too.”
Twilight sang in her mind as she walked around the hallways.
As they walked forward a human version of Scootaloo nearly ran into them while riding her scooter to which Spike quickly jumped into Twilight’s arms to avoid getting struck down, luckily she was able to dodge them with a little breaking before she moved forward and ahead with the human versions of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle running after her. The three look at each in confusion of what they had just seen.
“Is it me or did that look like the Cutie Mark Crusaders other world counterparts.” Starlight asked as she watched them run down the hallway.
“Looks like it.” Spike answered just as surprised as Starlight.
The trio then walked into the bathroom to where Twilight gets a good look at herself in her reflection as she places her hand on the mirror just one of the boys comes outside of the stalls.
Apparently, they walked right in the boy’s bathroom as the male reacted in shock before turning back inside the stall.
“Sorry. Honest mistake.” Starlight apologized on her and Twilight’s behalf as they quickly ran out of the room apparently having missed the signs of a boy and a girl on opposite doors to their respective bathrooms.
“What a strange new world (what a strange new world)
I'm trying to make heads or tails of this strange new world (what a strange new world)
Sorting through the small details of this strange new world
What a strange new world.”
Twilight’s mind sang as the trio watched everybody walking through the halls before they pressed forward down the hallway where the heard a familiar voice from the corner.
“Oh, I'm really sorry. I-I just found it, and-and I thought I should give it to her. I didn't know you had dropped it.” Fluttershy’s voice spoke to someone just as timidly as pony Fluttershy.
The trio peered through the nearby corner to where they see Fluttershy’s human counterpart who has yellow skin and pink hair, with a white tank top, green skirt, and green and pink knee length boots and socks talking to a girl with a black jacket, purple tank top, orange skirt with yellow and purple streaks on it, and black knee length boots with purple streaks on them, with red and yellow hair similar to Sunset Shimmer's.
“Fluttershy.” Starlight spoke up recognizing who she is.
“And Sunset Shimmer.” Twilight added with shocked and narrowed eyes as they have found the girl who took her crown.
“Well, I did! And I was about to get it before you swooped in and ruined everything! You shouldn't pick up things that don't belong to you.” Sunset scolded Fluttershy as she moves a strain of hair out of place out of her face.
“It... doesn't really belong to you, either.” Human Fluttershy shyly retorted in a hushed tone.
“Excuse me?!” Sunset yelled in her face as she slams her hands onto the locker she was backed up against.
“N-n-nothing...” Human Fluttershy stammered as she cowered onto the ground sparking Twilight, Starlight, and Spike’s anger at her treating Fluttershy like that.
“That's what I thought. It's as good as mine, and you know it. You really are pathetic. It's no wonder your best friends are all stray animals.” She further bullied Human Fluttershy as she points a finger in her face.
“How dare you speak to her that way!” Twilight bravely spoke to Sunset with her feet firmly planted to the ground.
Hearing this challenge had Sunset turn her head in her direction. “What did you say?” She angrily demanded as they approach each other with clenched fists.
“I said, How dare you speak to her that way!" Twilight firmly repeated as she and Sunset got into each other’s faces with the students nearby cowering from the sight as they retreat to nearby corners and lockers. As they two glare down at each other Sunset then smirked as if she recognizes her as the girl she just stole from in the other world.
“You must be new here.” Sunset told her as she flicked her chin upwards as she walked ahead. “I can speak to anyone any way I want.” Sunset added as she continued smirking and intimated one of the students into cowering inside a locker before walking off as Starlight glares at her direction while Spike growls as they both show her their disdain towards her.
“I can't believe you did that!” Human Fluttershy said in amazement as she stood up.
“I couldn't just stand there.” Twilight simply replied with her arms raised up like it's nothing new to her.
“Well, it's just that nobody ever stands up to Sunset Shimmer.” Human Fluttershy explained why it’s surprising for anyone to do what she just did.
“Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight asked just as the girl with the black leather jacket turned the corner.
“You've heard of her?” Human Fluttershy asked her as she was glaring at her direction.
“Sort of...” Twilight half-truthfully said.
“I don't think I've seen you or your friend around before.” She noted as she looked at her and Starlight who looks at her a little confused herself. “Did you just transfer to Canterlot High from another school?” Human Fluttershy asked her.
“Yes we did.” Twilight smoothly answered as she turned to face her. “My name's Twilight and this is my friend Starlight.” She introduced herself and Starlight as she raised her hand in Starlight’s direction.
“Hi, nice to meet you.” Starlight warmly introduced herself as Human Fluttershy rubs her arm nervously.
“I'm... Fluttershy.” Human Fluttershy said in a quiet voice.
“Sorry, what was that?” Twilight asked again not hearing what she had just said.
“It's Fluttershy!” Fluttershy repeated even quieter than before.
“It sounds like you're saying Fluttershy, but how can that...?” Twilight tried to make out what she heard as Human Fluttershy eyes Spike the dog.
“Oh, my goodness!” Fluttershy affectionately ran up to him with buttoned up eyes to which Twilight quickly stepped aside before she could accidentally bump into her. “Who's this sweet little guy?”
“That's Spike! My, uh... dog!”
“Oh, he's so cute!” Human Fluttershy affectionately held Spike up by the muzzle and then offered him a dog treat. “Go on, eat up, little pup!”
Spike takes a small bite out of the treat as he tastes it. “Huh?” He spoke as he really enjoyed the treat then ate the rest of it whole.
“Oh, wouldn't ya just give anything to know what they're really thinking?” Human Fluttershy told Twilight who rolled her eyes with Starlight.
“If it’s worth reading minds.” Starlight said with the same deadpan expression Twilight has that it takes something she really likes to get her to really talk and get excited about.
“Oh, w-what do you mean?” Fluttershy wondered what she meant by that as Spike barks like a dog.
“Nothing. Just thinking of what everyone like you would dream of.” Starlight answered as nervously smiled.
“Anyways.” Twilight spoke up wanting to get back on track on their mission. “Sunset Shimmer said you picked something up. Something that belonged to her. It wasn't a crown, was it?” She asked Human Fluttershy.
“How did you know?” Human Fluttershy asked in surprise.
“Uh, lucky guess?” She replied with a nervous chuckle before smiling eagerly so they can go back in no time at all. “Do you still have it?”
“Mm-mm. “ Human Fluttershy answered “No she doesn’t anymore.”
“But you know what happened to it.” Twilight asked so they can have an idea where to look next while still smiling.
“Mm-hmm. “ Human Fluttershy again answered no as she explains. “This morning, I was passing out flyers for the animal shelter like I do every Wednesday.”
“Nice to see you care a lot whole for animals.” Starlight complimented.
“Thanks.” Human Fluttershy thanked her for the compliment before continuing. “Only that no one else has the heart to even lift a finger up for them.” Human Fluttershy then sadly spoke as she recalled the memory of her crying depressed when no one would help her until the crown flies into her head to which she picks it up wondering what it is.
“I have no idea how it got there. But I didn't want anything to happen to it, so I decided to give it to Principal Celestia.” Human Fluttershy honestly explained as she pets Spike on the head.
“Principal Celestia?” Twilight asked with an inquiring brow. "She's in charge here? And what about Luna?"
"Luna's the Vice Principal here, and they do both make the rules here.” Human Fluttershy confirmed before curiously asking. "You know her?"
"Of course."
Not wanting to further freak her out she chimed in. "As in we've heard about her along with Celestia.” Starlight nervously chuckled.
“Where is she now?” Twilight asked Human Fluttershy urgently.
“Probably in her office.” Fluttershy answered as Twilight and Spike go in opposite directions while Starlight looks very confused of where to go as the two walk back to her wondering where to go. “Third door on your left.” She told them.
“Thank you!” Twilight thanked and waved after her as the trio ran off to do so.
“Oh, wait!” Human Fluttershy called out the trio just before they could all turn the corner, Thankfully, they didn't make it far before they completely ran off. “You're not really supposed to have pets on school grounds.” Human Fluttershy told them pointing to Spike. “Might wanna tuck him into your backpack. That's what I do.” Human Fluttershy added as she briefly showed them her animal companions in her backpack. “They just get so lonely when I'm in school all day.”
"That's too bad." Starlight remarked with pity. "Well we'll keep that in mind."
“Thank you!” Twilight again thanked Human Fluttershy for the advice as the school bell rings again.
“Oh, no! I'm late for class!” Human Fluttershy exclaimed as she quickly scooped up her animal companions before running off to her next class.
“Even though I don’t really understand of how this new world works, one thing’s for sure is that this Fluttershy really loves her animals much like the Fluttershy in Equestria. Her personality nailed right down to the T.” Starlight noted to Twilight as they made their way to the principal’s office.
“She sure does.” Twilight agreed as she put Spike in her backpack like Human Fluttershy told her too before she knocked on the door to her office.
“Come in.” Human Celestia responded as Twilight walked inside like she is casually greeting someone. “How may I help you?” She asked as she read from her folder without noticing her entrance.
“Um, uh... Whew.” Twilight stammered a little in her introduction since she is not used to approaching Celestia like this as her human counterpart turned to her. Seeing this had Starlight gesture her friend to take a deep breath to compose herself to which she didn’t and then felt much more relaxed once she cleared her throat in time when the school principal gestured her to speak up. “My name's Twilight Sparkle. I-I'm new here, and... Well, I understand that Fluttershy found a crown this morning and gave it to you.” She explained to her.
“Yes. I've had Vice Principal Luna put it somewhere for safekeeping.” Human Celestia stoically answered as she placed the folder in her filing cabinet. “No idea how it ended up in the front lawn. Were you interested in running for Princess of the Fall Formal this year?” She then asked if her eyeing the crown is the reason she is here.
“Uh, no. Not exactly. The truth is the crown is actually...” Twilight started to explain until her mind clicked on the last bit she said. “Princess of the Fall Formal?“
“It's Canterlot High's big Fall dance.” Human Celestia explained to her as she wrote on a calendar she had on the wall.
“Like the Grand Galloping Gala.” Twilight thought to herself as she figured out what kind of event it is.
“Uh, Grand Galloping Gala?” Human Celestia asked confused of what she meant by that thus leaving Twilight slightly embarrassed upon realizing she actually said that outloud.
“Oh, uh, it was a big deal at my old school.” Twilight quickly clarified as Celestia leaned her shoulder on her desk.
“And was there a princess?”
“Yes, but she wasn't exactly a student.” Twilight half-truthfully answered.
None of the less, Celestia moved to explain of what the Fall Formal is like. “Here at Canterlot High, the students select one of their peers to represent them. She receives her crown at the Fall Formal.” As she explains it, she shows her the past pictures of Sunset Shimmer winning each and every year.
“Hmm.” Twilight pondered before speaking up. “You asked me if I was interested in running for Princess. Can anyone run?” She asked as she and Starlight walked out of her office.
“Yes. You just need to let the head of the Fall Formal planning committee know you'd like to be on the ballot.” Human Celestia answered as she prepared to close the door. “Was there anything else?”
“Nope! That was it!” Twilight answered with a satisfied smile.
“Well, if you do need anything else, my door is always open.” Human Celestia warmly offered as she closed the door behind her upon seeing her visitor is satisfied with what's she just heard.
Once the coast was clear for the moment as the two girls walked down the hallway together, Spike took the time to peg the question while emerging from said friend's backpack. “Twilight, why didn't ya just tell her the crown was yours and ask for it back?”
“I was going to, but imagine if one of them showed up in Equestria saying they came from a place filled with tall, fleshy, two-legged creatures with these? We'd think they were crazy!” Twilight explained as she moved her arms and legs around.
“Hmm. You make a good point.” Spike acknowledged.
“As if being seen walking on fours and talking about Equestrian magic and royalty isn’t crazy enough.” Starlight added with enough understanding of how thinks work around here. “We’d probably get committed to a mental hospital for psychopaths if we did that which could have happened to both of us if we were taken down and refused to change our ways.”
“No question about that.” Twilight acknowledged Starlight’s point as she focuses on her plan. “Looks like if I want my crown back, I'll have to become Princess of the Canterlot High Fall Formal. So that's what I'm gonna do!” She determinedly stated as she raised her arms up in the air.
“And how exactly do you plan on doing that?” Spike questioned.
“I have no idea!” Twilight answered still smiling as the school bell rings again to allow all students to walk through the hallways again as Twilight braces herself for the oncoming traffic by moving to avoid and evade while staying on her feet this time around.
“Brace yourselves.” Starlight said completely deadpan knowing that this is going to suck. “We’ve got another congested road of traffic ahead of us.”
Later during the day at lunchtime, both Twilight and Starlight saw Human Fluttershy getting herself lunch in the school cafeteria and quickly got in line to get food right next to her so they can talk to her. As they got lunch all three girls helped themselves to hamburgers and fruit bowls.
“I know we've just met, but I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something.” Twilight asked Human Fluttershy for a favor.
“Of course!” Human Fluttershy happily and immediately obliged without another word.
“I've decided to run for Princess of the Fall Formal, and–“ Twilight explained before being cut off by the llatter gasping and accidentally dropped her fruit bowl spilling it’s juice onto Twilight’s clothes.
“Oh! Oh, gosh! Sorry. It's just, oh, running for Fall Formal Princess is a really bad idea.” Human Fluttershy apologized for her shock as she tries to wipe away the stains from the juice off of her clothes to which she does so successfully.
“Why?”
“Sunset Shimmer wants to be Fall Formal Princess, and when she wants something, she gets it!” Human Fluttershy explained because of Sunset’s intimidation as she points a finger in Twilight’s face before they get apples from Human Granny Smith at the checkout register. “She'll make life awful for anyone who stands in her way. Just ask the girl who ran against her for Princess of the Spring Fling.”
“I have to try!” Twilight said still determined to win no matter what Sunset says and does otherwise.
“Oh, I don't think you understand. You'd have to convince everyone here to vote for you instead of her: the athletes, the fashionistas, the dramas, the eco-kids, the techies, the rockers...” Human Fluttershy further explained that it’s not that simple as she points to where said groups are standing and sitting across the cafeteria.
“Why is everybody separated this way?” Twilight asked.
“Maybe it was different at your old school, but at CHS, everybody sticks to their own kind.” Fluttershy explained simply because since it's another thing Sunset Shimmer has imposed on everyone here as they take their seats. “One thing that they do have in common is that they know Sunset Shimmer is gonna rule the school until we graduate.”
“Not if I can help it!” Twilight then said confidently in the face of the challenge that's in front of her, especially when it mean's fighting for what’s rightfully hers with a raised fist before biting into an apple and chewing on it. “So, uh, where would I find the head of the party planning committee?”
Sometime after lunch...
“Fluttershy said she'd probably be in here.” Twilight told Spike and Starlight as they all walked into the party-decorated gym.
“Incoming!” A familiar voice spoke up as they found themselves being ambush by party streamers that covered them all completely as they turn to the human counterpart of Pinkie wearing a white t-shirt with a pink heart on it with a pink skirt a small light blue short-sleeved sweater with matching light blue knee length boots with pink bows.
“Oh, that’s definitely the head of the party planning committee all right. Makes perfect sense.” Starlight said completely deadpan upon seeing her toss around confetti before blowing up a balloon.
“Hi, my name's Twilight Sparkle and... Pinkie Pie?” Twilight introduced herself and then ducked as Pinkie blew into the balloon and then questioned her name as she recognizes her.
Pinkie then gasps and let’s all the air out of the balloon in shock.
“Are you psychic?!” Human Pinkie asked Twilight as she grabbed her by the shirt with their faces barely an inch apart.
“Uh, no. I don't think so. Unless of course that's something you can do here.” Twilight honestly assured Human Pinkie no as she lets her go.
“Not usually.” Human Pinkie replied with a sigh before turning back to making party balloons.
“Fluttershy said this is where I'd find the head of the Fall Formal planning committee.”
“Fluttershy, huh?” Human Pinkie spoke skeptically at the mention of her. “Don't let the whole "shy" thing fool you. She can be a real meanie.”
“You two aren't friends?” Twilight asked in surprise hearing this.
“Waited a bit to get your name on the ballot, huh? Dance is day after tomorrow.” Human Pinkie immediately changed the subject with a smile.
“I'm brand new here.” Twilight honestly explained herself she is unfamiliar with this place.
“Oooh! I thought you didn't look familiar.” Human Pinkie responded as she inspected Twilight a little and raised her arms up. “Though, now that I'm really lookin' at you... Do you have a twin sister who lives in the city, has a pet dog named Spike that looks just like that one?”
“Uh, maybe?” Twilight answered with a shrug.
“Assuming that is the Human Twilight and this world’s version of you Spike.” Starlight whispered to Spike as he toyed with the party balloon figuring that Twilight’s alternate self along with Spike are around somewhere in this world.
“Thought so.” Human Pinkie replied before getting back on track with what Twilight was asking her as she holds up a clipboard with a pen for her to sign her name on the dotted line. “Any who, just need to fill this out and you are officially up for the coveted Princess of the Fall Formal crown.”
Twilight hesitated for a moment on how to sign her name since she is used to using her magic most of the time until Starlight step forward and grabbed the pen from Human Pinkie and handed it to her motioning her with her hands on how to do it to which Twilight does so albeit very sloppy.
“Wow! You have really bad handwriting. It's like you've never held a pen before.” Human Pinkie said in amazement of what Twilight wrote on the clipboard.
“Is it?” Twilight asked with nervous laughter.
“Somebody order a dozen cases of fizzy apple cider?” A human called out as she entered the gym with said fizzy apple cider with Applejack’s voice.
“Oh! Oh! Me, me-me-me, me, yeah, ha-ha, me!” Human Pinkie exclaimed as she ran over to the human version of Applejack to whom Twilight recognized along with Starlight. The cowgirl had the same-colored skin and eyes as pony Applejack, along with the matching yellow-blonde colored hair, and the similar cowgirl hat but had a white shirt with rolled up sleeves, with a blue jean skirt, and brown cowgirl knee length boots with apples decorated on her boots and her belt.
“Can you bring in the rest?” Human Applejack called out to somebody helping her bring in the delivery.
“Eeyup.” Human Big Macintosh simply replied as he carried the rest of the crates containing apple cider in glass bottles as Human Pinkie happily jumps up and down in excitement for her delivery arriving just as planned.
As Human Applejack carries one of the crates to put away she stop as she sees Twilight.
“Hey, I know you.” Human Applejack said as if she recognizes her.
“You do?” Twilight asked.
“Sure. You're the new girl who gave Sunset Shimmer the what for today.” Applejack commended Twilight for doing so as she uses her teeth to remove the cap of the glass bottle of apple cider before drinking from it.
“Twilight Sparkle here is gonna run against Sunset Shimmer for Princess of the Fall Formal.” Human Pinkie tells Human Applejack who spits her drink out in alarm.
“I'd think twice about that.” Human Applejack warned Twilight against the idea herself. “Oh, sure, she'll probably approach you all friendly like…” She then said with her Sunset Shimmer impression while holding up a red heart balloon with Sunset’s face on it. “I sure am lookin' forward to some friendly competition.” She said before mimicking Twilight’s voice while holding up a yellow balloon with Twilight’s face drawn on it. “That's so good to hear.” She said before returning to her normal voice as she turns the heart balloon around which had a nail on the back of it as she pops the yellow balloon. “But then, here comes the backstabbin'. About the only girl in this school you can trust less than Sunset Shimmer is Rainbow Dash.” Human Applejack then told Twilight.
“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight inquired.
“She's the captain of, like, every team at Canterlot High.” Pinkie added as she rode a balloon like a sit and bounce ride before it popped under the pressure of her weight.
“She's also the captain of sayin' she's gonna do somethin' for ya, and then turnin' around and not even botherin' to show up.” Human Applejack then added as if she holds some kind of grudge against her.
“Thanks for the advice, Applejack, but this is something I really need to do.” Twilight politely interrupted her as she briefly placed her hand on her shoulder.
“Huh, suit yourself.” Human Applejack simply replied it’s her choice and maybe funeral if she insists on going through with it. “Hey, how'd you know my name is Applejack?” She then asked Twilight suspiciously.
“Just a lucky guess.” Twilight nervously shrugged with her arms raised up. “Didn’t you say?”
“Nnnope.” Human Big Macintosh bluntly answered as he brought in another case of glass bottled apple cider.
“Well, it sure was nice meeting you both. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around.” Twilight quickly said as shey shook Human Applejack’s hand before running off with Spike and Starlight running after her before she could further question her.
“Is it me or is nearly everybody here very similar to the ponies in our world.” Twilight asked her companions as soon as they were out of sight and earshot.
“Not just you.” Starlight assured her she isn’t seeing things. “Everyone’s personalities are right down to the T on what I know from yours friends in this alternate and parallel universe.” She noted from her observations. “At least you got signed you for the Fall Formal. Now we just need to figure how to deal Sunset Shimmer.”
“This looks terrible! There should be more streamers near the stage and fewer balloons.” Sunset’s voice yelled out to everyone in the gym alarming the trio just as soon as Starlight spoke of her.
"Speak of the devil." Starlight said as soon as they learn that said girl has just showed up behind their backs.
Twilight quickly reached into her backpack and pulled out her orb as she activates it wondering to see what is going on in the gym much to Starlight and Spike’s surprise.
“Wow! You’re one smart girl.” Starlight complimented to Twilight as she shows them Sunset berating everyone in the gym with Snips and Snails by her side. “It’s no wonder how you’ve always stayed a step ahead of your enemies at every turn.”
Twilight merely focused on watching as Sunset as she pops one of the party balloons and holds up one of the apple cider bottles in disgust.
“Fizzy apple cider? Ugh! This is my coronation, not a hoedown.” Sunset further expressed her disgust on what she views as her big day.
“Well, now, it ain't necessarily gonna be your coronation this time around.” Human Applejack correctly pointed out to Sunset as she angrily gets right up into her face for talking back to her leaving Human Pinkie alarmed by her anger.
“Oh, is that so? You country folk really aren't that bright. Must be why the other students say such awful things about you.” Sunset responded by placing her hat right on and over her face with a very offensive taunt that gets Human Applejack face turning red with anger from the skin seeping insults. “Obviously it's gonna be my coronation. I'm running unopposed.” Sunset arrogantly boasted that she has victory in the bags right now.
“Not this time. The new girl just signed up!” Human Pinkie pointed out as she held up the clipboard.
“What?!” Sunset exclaimed in shock as she took a close look at the clipboard.
“I know. Her handwriting is really bad.” Human Pinkie said thinking it was about her handwriting as Sunset lifts the clipboard from her face with burning fury written all over her face.
“Where is this Twilight Sparkle?” Sunset calmly but furiously said before realizing that both Pinkie and Applejack heard her. “I'm looking forward to meeting the competition!” She immediately changed her anger into a more pleasant façade in a minimal effort to hide and mask her true nature towards her.
Back in the hallways, Twilight immediately deactivated her orb and put it away back in her backpack after having heard what she needs as she now knows that Sunset is aware that she is in on her competition.