Twilight lay on her bed, idly playing with her geode, her mind wandering in a million different directions it seemed. Spike was giving her a concerned look, though it was the first he had given her in a long time it seemed.
The students had returned from Camp Everfree only the day before. Rainbow Dash was jumping at the chance to try out her new magic, and while no one could blame her, Sunset had said they shouldn't show off their new powers.
But that wasn't the only thing on the Rainbooms' minds. While the Crystal Ball had helped keep Camp Everfree open for a little while longer, the funds would not keep it open forever. Maybe for another couple of months if they were lucky.
A vindictive part of Twilight kind of hoped the camp would close if she was being honest. While she had forgiven Gloriosa for what she had almost done to her in the maddened state was in, she couldn't forget the look in her eyes at that moment.
Part of it might have been the magic she had. But it had only been a part of it. She had been willing to steal something to try and help save the camp. She'd put them all in danger. All because Gloriosa thought she could control the magic.
Twilight herself knew that feeling well. And now she knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of someone high on Equestrian Magic. She didn't want to be in that spot again.
Maybe it was because she had finally accepted Midnight Sparkle as a part of herself, but a growing part of Twilight felt that losing the camp would send the message Gloriosa needed to hear.
Call it mean or vindictive, Twilight didn't know. She was only human. She was allowed to feel like this, wasn't she?
It was something she hadn't shared with any of the girls. It wasn't something Twilight was going to act on, and it was only a small part of her that felt this way. No need to worry them about it.
As promised, Sunset had written to Princess Twilight asking if she and Sci Twi could come to Equestria for a visit. So far there hadn't been a reply, but Sunset had promised to let Twilight know the moment she got one.
"Come on Twilight. Laying around like this moping isn't going to help," Spike said, as he walked up and lay down beside.
"I am not moping Spike. I'm thinking," Twilight grumbled.
Spike just smirked. "It's the same thing with you though." His tone softened as he licked her face. "Come on Twilight. Do you think Sunset would go to Equestria and leave you behind like that?"
Twilight shook her head as she took off her glasses and lay them on her nightstand. "I don't know Spike. She's been acting weird ever since we got back from Camp Everfree. And I mean more than usual."
"Well, she is from a land of magical, talking, pastel-colored ponies. Maybe this is normal for them?" Spike replied.
Twilight giggled. "Maybe. But I think this is something else." She held up her necklace. "I didn't see it then, but when I showed the girls this when I got back from Equestria that first time, I'm surprised Sunset didn't blow a fuse or something. She wasn't just shocked, she was horrified."
"Why would she?" Spike asked.
Twilight shook her head. "I don't know. And when I told the girls that I and Twily are in a relationship, I swear that Sunset looked about ready to explode. And I have no idea why. And now she's asking to go with me to Equestria? When she didn't the first time? Something is going on."
Spike plopped down on his belly next to her. "Probably just a pony thing."
Twilight giggled as she scratched his ears. "Maybe."
Her phone chose that moment to buzz, signaling she had a text. With her free hand, Twilight reached out and grabbed it, pulling up her messages. She had one new one from Sunset.
'Hey, you up?'
Twilight was quick to reply. 'Yeah, I'm up. What's wrong? It's not another magical disaster is it?'
'No. And I really hope we don't have to deal with another one of those ever. I just got a reply from Princess Twilight. She says we can come over any time. In fact, she says we couldn't have picked a better time to come to Ponyville.'
Twilight was confused as she shared a look with Spike, who had been reading along. 'Why?'
'She didn't say. But she sounded super excited about whatever it is. She hasn't sounded this happy since the Battle of the Bands.'
Twilight rolled her eyes. One of these days, she really wanted to hear that story from someone. It sounded like what had finally drawn her to Canterlot High in the first place. 'Does Vice Principle Luna know about any of this?'
'I told her about the idea on the way back from Camp Everfree. All she said was that we do it during the day and that we not try and break into the school.'
Twilight mulled this over for a moment. When she looked at Spike, he just gave her a knowing smirk. He was getting way too good at that, she thought. But it was enough for her. 'Tell Twily we'll be there tomorrow.' She sent back.
Sunset took a few minutes to reply, only saying the message was there, and that everything would be ready for them when they arrived in Equestria in the morning.
With that thought in mind, Twilight soon called it a night not long after.
***
The next morning, Twilight was up bright and early. Her parents, while still not fully used to their daughter's new outlook on life or her new life in general, were still accepting of the changes happening to her. For the most part anyway.
Twilight Velvet and Night Light still weren't sure what to make of Equestria or the idea of magic in general. But since Spike could not talk like a person, even they could accept that magic existed.
Velvet was still hesitant to let Twilight visit Equestria as she had, and still wanted too. She couldn't deny that the first trip had done wonders for her daughter, even if they only now seemed to be sticking, but she was still worried. But it was her job to worry about her children. She couldn't call herself their mother if she didn't.
Night Light was much like his wife. But he also wanted Twilight to get out and explore the world. She spent too much time in that lab of hers as it was, in his opinion. That she wanted to explore an entirely different world didn't matter much to him. If Twilight was happy, then what could he say to that?
As for Twilight herself, she had known her parents had reservations about her going back to Equestria, and especially since she had just got back from summer camp, and was heading right back out again. But all they said to her, once she had explained what she and Sunset had planned, was that she be careful and that if anything happened to her, princess or not, there would be hell to pay in Equestria.
And as she spotted Sunset next to the portal in front Canterlot High as she got off the bus, Twilight could well believe what her parents said.
Sunset smirked as she walked over. "I notice you're not bringing as much stuff this time like last time Twilight."
Twilight only smiled sheepishly. "I learned my lesson last time, Sunset. Heck, I barely touched all of that once I dropped it off in my room."
Sunset smiled. "Well, I hope you keep that up this time as well. Even if there's no big thing we have to worry about. Hopefully, it stays that way too."
Twilight nodded, as the portal rippled, showing that it was open again. Sunset gestured with a wide grin. "Alicorns first."
Twilight gave her a deadpan look but stepped through the portal anyway.
***
Unlike her first time through the portal, Twilight knew what to expect and braced herself as soon as she saw the light that indicated the end of the journey.
Surprisingly though, the exit wasn't as painful as it had once been. In fact, it was rather soft, as Twilight came stumbling out of the portal and immediately fell face-first into a soft mattress. It was rather comfy if she had to guess.
"This is new," she mumbled into the fluffy softness. "Why can't they all be like this?"
A voice giggled from her side as she heard someone Trott up to her. "I'm working on making exits a lot smoother than they used to be. This is the best I have so far."
Twilight looked up in time to see a lavender hoof offered to help her. With some effort, she was able to get herself on her hooves. Twilight's smile lit up the room as she came face to with Princess Twilight.
Before the princess could say more though, Sci Twi leaned forward and kissed her. The princess's wings flared in surprise, but she soon leaned into the kiss as well. After a moment, they part, with Princess Twilight sporting a goofy-looking grin.
"Wow. We need to do this more often if this is how you say hello," she said in a slightly dreamy tone.
Sci Twi giggled. "Sorry. But I've wanted to do that for so long now I couldn't wait. And after everything that's happened, I needed that."
Twilight giggled as she wrapped a wing around her twin and muzzled her. "I know the feeling. It's been rough around here as well. I'm glad you and Sunset came."
As if saying her name was a catalyst, Sunset came stumbling through the portal. Like Sci Twi, she too soon stumbled and fell face-first into the mattress that stood in front of the mirror. "Oh no, I'm fine right here like this. You two love birds don't mind me," she grumbled.
That got a giggle out of both mares as Twilight helped the unicorn to her hooves. "Sunset! It's so great to see you." She looked the mare up and down. "So. This is you."
Sunset smiled slightly as she looked at herself. "Yeah. This is me. Guess we really didn't have time to really get a look at each other when I was stealing your crown." Now she looked at the princess and took in the alicorn with a nod. "And this is you I guess?"
Twilight giggled. "Yeah. This is me. The real me anyway." She clapped her hooves together. "Oh. I'm so glad you both came! We've had a rough time the last few days. Tomorrow, Pinkie's throwing a big party to celebrate."
"Celebrate what?" Sci Twi asked, looking around.
Twilight gained a rather devious grin. "That's for me to know and you to find out." She pulled both mares close. "I have a room ready for you Sunset for tonight. We can change it if you plan to stay awhile and don't like it."
Sunset looked relieved at that. She had not looked forward to room hunting when she came to Equestria.
Twilight looked at Sci Twi now. "Your room is still there if you want it." Her smile turned sultry. "Or we can just share my room if you want? We can make it a sleepover."
Sci Twi's blush lit up the room, while Sunset heaved at her side. "Oh for. Leave it in the bedroom you two!"
Twilight giggled as she pulled away from the two in front of her. Her expression though turned serious after a moment. "Before we do any of that though. There is somepony who wants to see you Sunset."
Sunset and Sci Twi shared a confused look. "Who?" Sunset asked.
"Hello. My faithful student," Princess Celestia said as she rounded a corner.
All of the colors drained out of Sunset's face, her expression a look of shock and horror.