//------------------------------// // Chapter One // Story: The Diplomat's Life // by Evilhumour //------------------------------// Chapter One Twilight woke up to the sound of tweeting birds outside her window, and rolled over and groaned. It had been a few months since she and her friends had come back from Laronda. Ever since then, she'd gone about her daily life, putting on a friendly face for her students... and she'd had fun. Really, she had. She'd taken the time to go out flying with Celestia a time or two, just so the two could enjoy the feel of the wind in their wings, at the older mare's urging. And while flying, Celestia had reaffirmed that their plans to rotate leadership over Equestria were still in place and if Twilight ever thought she was ready for more authority in Equestria’s government, she would just need to write a letter, though Twilight had assured her mentor that she had more than enough to keep her busy and would for a very, very long time. She'd also, not too long after they'd gotten home, witnessed the happy reunion between Applejack and her old friend Rara (formal name: Coloratura), and how Applejack had been too happy to see her old friend again to care about the fact that she'd lied about her species during the time they'd known one another. Then there'd been the big coming-out concert just the week before, where Rara had shown the world her true identity as a siren, which had surprised many but not upset them in the least. (Except for a few of the stuffier types, but that was to be expected. Twilight had learned that not everyone was open-minded, and while it was unpleasant that she would never be able to convince them, she did not let them take up too much of her mind.) Soon after that, Applejack had, after promising to keep in touch with her friend more regularly, gone off to Vanhoover on a much-anticipated trip that she'd been getting ready for for a few weeks. "Family business," she'd said, and Twilight hadn't pressed. If Applejack wanted to share, she would share. She also knew that Starlight and Sunburst were finally moving to Ponyville later this month, which she was looking forward to. Apparently, the two had gotten together, just as her mother had predicted, though they were still waiting to inform their parents for some reason. Despite these happy moments though, there was one major thing that had been bothering her lately.  She missed Moondancer and Trixie. The two had gone off on their astronomy tour just a few days after the return from Laronda, and while they'd promised that they'd be back and wrote to her often, especially Moondancer, she missed their constant, daily presence in her home. She missed the close companionship, the late-night chats about different magical theories and enjoying cheesecakes that lasted well into the morning. Her fellow Bearers were still close, and she enjoyed talking to Magic in her sleep, but it just wasn't the same. With a heavy heart, she had to admit to herself that she was also almost jealous of the pair for having found love with one another, wishing it was her instead. Or as well. When she'd voiced these thoughts to Cadance though, the other alicorn had just given her a knowing look, and told her not to give up hope. (And she'd sworn she'd heard the sound of twinkling bells immediately afterward and it did not help matters that Cadance had a very knowing smirk on her face with Aria biting her lips as the two shared a look between each other and then laughed. Having the Ladies of Love and Hate together made Twilight nervous that they were planning something.) Maybe a change of scenery would do me good, she thought to herself. Since visiting and then coming back from Laronda, she hadn't really gone anywhere, aside from the occasional commute to Canterlot and back (including her flights with Celestia). She knew she'd be visiting the Crystal Empire soon, since Cadance's foal was due any day now. And visiting another place too, she thought. Looking across the room at the journal she'd received from Celestia that let her talk to Sunset, she smiled. The Alpha had written her recently and granted her the use of his mirror "soon", with a promise that her parents and Spike would be allowed to accompany her to the other side when she went. That would definitely do her some good. Finally climbing out of bed, she trotted downstairs to begin her day. It was mid-afternoon, and school had just let out for the day, when the event began. One by one, rifts in the sky began opening, to the horror of everyone around, if the sudden gasps and screams were anything to go by. Magic‽ Twilight asked silently and somewhat frantically. They're opening from the other side! Magic told her, just as startled. I don't know if we can close them from here without transforming, and we can't do that at will yet! Besides, I can feel them forming all over Equestria! Nuts. Twilight stared at the portals, and then thought. Can you tell what's causing them? Not from here just yet, Magic returned. But whoever's doing it is using the magic from the mirror portal. What‽ Twilight stared at the portals in horror. Then, when an even bigger one appeared - one that appeared as if the sky had shattered to create it, and with what looked like some very familiar people starting to fall through before being caught by hands on the other side and pulled back out - her fear grew even greater. "Keep away from the portals!" she shouted, dipping into the Royal Canterlot Voice, as one pegasus approached it, clearly startled but still fascinated. "I don't know what'll happen if you try to go through!" The pegasus nodded rapidly, and flew back towards the ground. Suddenly, white lights appeared to fill in the portals and one by one, they shut. At the same time, Twilight began glowing. Magic? she asked nervously. Someone's tapping the individual powers of Harmony, the Mantle replied. Including ours. They're... Magic suddenly cut off, and then a moment later, sounded almost giddy. She did it! Who? Sunset Shimmer! She tried to wield me once, though it didn't work out like she planned. But there's still a trace of my power on her, and I can feel it resonating with the others! I knew she could do it - I felt when she'd really, really learned what true friendship takes, during the Dazzlings incident - and now she's taken it even further, all to save her friends! Twilight found herself grinning. All right! She was still grinning when she settled on the ground a few minutes later, the glow having faded. The massive crack had been the last one to close, and there'd been quite the light show from it before it sealed, signaling the end of the sudden event. "Twilight!" Spike called as he hurried up to her. "What was that?" Twilight blinked away tears of happiness. "An old friend coming into her power, Spike," she said happily as she hugged him close. "Come on, we've got some ponies to calm, and then I've got a letter to write." She lifted into the air, and then began ordering for calm among the panicked civilians, assuring them that the danger was past. It took some time before she finally got everyone reassured, but finally, they'd settled down and accepted that this had not been a deliberate attack like Tirek's, just a sudden and unexpected event involving out-of-control magic from a distant and outside source, and that she would be personally investigating the location it had come from as soon as she could get there. That settled, Twilight went home with Spike to contact Sunset. But before she could begin writing, Spike belched up a letter with the Alpha's seal. Accepting it, she began to read. Dear Twilight, it began. Something very odd was going on with my mirror portal earlier. For the last day or so, I have been trying to pass through it, only to find it would not open. A short while ago though, strange portals began appearing in the sky. Soon after they sealed themselves, I attempted to access the mirror again, and found it was working now. I have not attempted to cross over fully, since my citizens needed calming. But I intend to soon. Do you know what was going on with this? Yours, Lord of Summer, The Alpha Twilight quickly began writing her response. Dear Alpha, The same portals were appearing over Ponyville, and other parts of Equestria as well. I have identified the source as coming from the far side of the mirror, and learned that my friend Sunset Shimmer was able to stop it. I’ll need to write to her and then go over there, along with my family (per our earlier agreement), to get more details on the matter, and I’ll explain what I do know to you as soon as we arrive. Yours, Twilight Sparkle Tell him they were not Gateways, Magic told her, causing Twilight to pause. He will understand what this means. I will explain to you after your letters the meaning of this, Twilight. Twilight nodded, and quickly added a “P.S.” to the letter with Magic’s message before adding her Seal to it and giving it to Spike to send. That done, she took up her journal and, after perusing the messages Sunset had sent her before, began writing one of her own. Dear Sunset, I’m not entirely certain what caused the recent spate of portals appearing in the sky over Equestria and other parts of the world, but I understand you were responsible for stopping it and sealing them, which I greatly appreciate (and from what I’ve been told about how you managed, very impressed and happy for you). I’m going to be coming over soon so you can explain things in person, and bringing my parents (since they’re eager to see what the human world is like, and to meet all of you) and Spike. We’ll be there as fast as we can, though given preparation and travel time on this side, it may be a day at least. Your friend, Twilight Sparkle Once she’d finished and gave it the signal to send, she closed the journal, before writing two more quick notes - one to Celestia, to inform her that she’d be taking an airskimmer flight to the Packlands shortly to use the mirror over there, and one to her parents, telling them that she was coming to pick them up and that they were going through the mirror together.  She then turned her attention back to what Magic had said. Gateways are, or were, the means to travel safely between one dimension to another, Magic said within her head. In the times before the great war, one Lord or Lady could go to another dimension through a Gateway without leaving their own at risk of being invaded or their place taken. But they were closed in the aftermath of that war, with the few that still exist hidden very well and carefully as they are potentially the ultimate backdoor to any defense, save for Broken Gateways which can be manipulated to go to any dimension, even if they are not linked normally. Another Power of the same Mantle could travel over without the permission of the local Lord or Lady, though if they were to become known, then they could be blocked again. If one were to open here, not even Discord could shut it on his own, provided he could find it. What about the mirrors? Twilight asked. Those are safe for use, because they only go between a pair of directly connected worlds - this one and the human world, Magic said. I believe Starswirl, and later the Alpha, managed to tap and isolate a naturally-occurring link between the two when they crafted their mirrors. She frowned. Starswirl also created another, but that one was flawed, linking to a world that was of an equal and opposite moral pole to this one. Normally it would not be an issue, but with the unnaturalness of such a Gateway, along with the inversions of personalities and the inherent instability of a mortal crafted Gateway, regardless of talent of the magic crafter, made it dangerous to travel back and forth. That portal was sealed permanently and then its physical anchor destroyed for good, to Celestia’s great distress, though the exact reason why is her story to tell. Allow her to share it first before asking or you would risk damaging your relationship forever. Twilight nodded in understanding, and Magic sighed sadly. You would have loved it, Twilight, the Gateways and the travelling through Dimensions. In their times, Gateways and their Hubs were the height of interdimensional civilization for they brought everyone together in a place of true equality. Not like Starlight Glimmer’s false ideals, but the genuine thing where all were equal because they were the same and yet so greatly different. Only a handful of Gateways exist now, with most leading to the Valley of the Alicorns as per the First Creators’ self-penitence for the war of their chosen races and their destruction, and the majority of the rest are like the Gateway you have used, linking an Equuis with its human-centered counterpart. Magic sounded even sadder. I would not advise asking Celestia about the Valley, Twilight. Though she has never been there herself, it is as painful a place for her to imagine as the thousand years she spent alone without her sister were for her to experience. I understand, Twilight thought back. But… she doesn’t have to be alone now. As long as we exist, she’ll always have us. She could almost feel the smile on Magic’s face. And you wonder why you are such a fit to be my partner, she said. You have a heart bigger than Mount Canterhorn, Twilight. Twilight blushed, before she rose from her seat, and went to inform her friends of what was happening and to alert her vice-headmare that she was going to be out of town for a few days. That done, she fetched one or two things from her home before heading to the garage and boarding the airskimmer, with Spike waiting inside for her, along with a couple of responses to her letters. When they arrived at Canterlot Castle (per Celestia’s request in her letter back), she found the elder Princess and her parents all waiting for her. “I’m coming with you,” Celestia told her. “I want to see Sunset again, and the Alpha has given me permission to accompany the four of you.” Twilight nodded. “Come on in then,” she said. “This is going to be an interesting experience,” Twilight Velvet noted as she found her own seat. “I don’t think our family’s been on a vacation together like this in years.” Night Light nodded as he sat beside his wife. “Too bad Shiny and Cady couldn’t come, but with their foal on the way…” Celestia nodded. “Thankfully, Pharynx was willing to take over my Duties for a few days,” she said. “I’d have asked Luna, like the last time I went, but I didn’t want to put any more strain on her with her own foal on the way.” “Is it really that easy to let another Power take over your Duties like that?” Spike asked as he got them into the air. “It depends on the Power,” Celestia said. “In the case of the Lord or Lady of Night, and the Lord or Lady of Day, they have always been well-suited to filling in for one another when they need to as we are very similar in Purpose. Magic would likely have just as easy a time as well, given what they specialize in.” She gave Twilight a knowing look. “One of the reasons we wanted you to stay safe when Luna and I were abducted by the Plundervines was so you could keep the cycle of Day and Night going if it was required,” she explained, before continuing. “Night and Dreams are usually held by the same pony, to the point where they very well attuned to one another. As a result, the Nightmare tends to also be attuned to Night, and could - if they were willing - fill in for their Duties as well. Theoretically, they could also become attuned to raising the sun if need be more easily. After Luna became pregnant, I asked Pharynx if he’d mind practicing the Duties of Night and Day, just in case it became necessary, as it has now.”  “Would anyone else make a good substitute?” Velvet asked. Celestia nodded. “The Alpha, as Lord of Summer, or Torch, as Lord of Fire, would also make suitable substitutes for Day if need be, but knowing what I do of he and the current situation, I expect the Alpha will want to cross over with us when we go. Torch, on the other hoof, is busy preparing for the Gauntlet of Fire, as his daughter told us when she came by after your trip to Laronda, Twilight.” “Does that mean Aputsiaq or Queen Novo would make good substitutes for Luna as Night, if it ever came up?” Twilight asked. “Exactly,” Celestia said with the air of teaching her lesson, like they did so so long ago. “So for now, myself and then Pharynx are her immediate substitutes if it’s required.” She then smiled to herself. “Though from what I have been hearing, there soon might be a third substitute to act on her behalf.” Twilight smiled proudly. “I heard,” she said. “Luna gave her permission to tell me.” “Tell you what?” Velvet asked. “It’s Moondancer,” Twilight said, turning to face her mom. “Soon after… Tirek, Luna began training Moondancer in how to operate in the dreamscape, to help with her Duties as Lady of Dreams. She’s the first of Luna’s Dreamguards now, sharing her Mantle of Dreams, and the first student of dream magic in… well, since before Umbrea made her move.” “And she’s been studying night magic too,” Spike put in. “The magic of the stars and moons, and the darkness between them. It’s incredible, from what she’s sent us.” “Luna is planning, after her foal is born and once they are old enough, to begin her own school for those wishing to learn of her fields of magic,” Celestia said. “Moondancer’s enthusiasm has really inspired her.” “That’s wonderful,” Velvet said. Twilight smiled. “I think Trixie’s been learning a bit of it too, though her specialty is still illusion-based magic,” she said. “Which would actually help a great deal with some of what they handle in the dreamscape.” The two unicorns exchanged glances and gave one another knowing looks, before turning back to Twilight. “It’s good to hear that they’re doing well,” Velvet said. Twilight nodded, though for a moment she seemed distant. Then she looked up. “So, it’s going to be your first time walking on just two legs,” she said. “I still remember how hard a time I had getting used to it.” Her parents just laughed. “Unlike you or your mother, Twilight, I’m actually a good dancer,” Night Light said nuzzling his wife who was giving him a look. “We did dance for our wedding after all and have danced in the past on our hindhooves more than once.” Twilight gave him a dirty look. “I was talking more about the sudden shift when I first came out the other side of the portal,” she said. “But that’s good, that you’ve had practice.” She suddenly had a strange look on her face. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever asked Sunset if she had a hard time when she first crossed over.” “I know I was more confused about having hands at first,” Celestia said. “But then I saw Sunset and the rest of it just clicked - I was too happy to see her again to worry about things like balancing.” “I still don’t know why I turned into a dog,” Spike muttered. “Though it did come with some perks.” “Figuring that out is still on my to-do list,” Twilight told him. “Maybe we’ll figure it out while we’re here this time.” “You are rather adorable in that form,” Velvet added. “But no matter what, you’re still my grandson.” Spike blushed. The flight continued, with the five catching up on things as they went, including landmarks in the Packlands that they recognized as they flew over (the Alpha had long since given them permission to do so, though they’d stopped at the border to inform the Guard there of their arrival), and finally reaching All-Home a little after the sunset. Sending Sunset another quick note that they would be coming through the next morning, Twilight led them all to their hotel (which had also been arranged in advance), and the five settled in for the night. The next morning, they met the Alpha. “It is an honor to meet you,” Velvet told him as she bowed, her husband bowing beside her. The Alpha let out a friendly rumble. “It is an honor for me to meet the parents of such a wise and open-minded Princess,” he said. “I trust your daughter has given you some ideas of what to expect when we cross over?” “She has,” Night Light said. “Good.” The Alpha beckoned to them. “Follow me.” Celestia recognized the path she’d taken the last time she’d been here, and the six soon arrived in the chamber where the Mirror stood. Once again, the Alpha sealed the room behind them, and then gestured for Twilight and Spike to go through. When they had, Velvet and Night Light went second, and finally Celestia and the Alpha passed into it. All of them experienced the typical swirl of colors around them as they went through, and one by one, they emerged onto the waiting concrete, Twilight and Spike having moved out of the way to let the others come through. When they’d all caught their balance, they looked around, and that’s when they noticed that they had company - seven humans and one dog. “Twilight!” Sunset Shimmer, wearing a different outfit from the last time Twilight had seen her, grinned happily. “It’s so good to see you!” Twilight smiled back. “It’s good to see you too,” she said. Spike, meanwhile, had padded over to Rarity, who looked quite happy to see him, while Celestia looked around at the girls. “It’s good to see all of you again,” she said. Pinkie beamed. “You too!” she said eagerly. “Is Sonata with you?” “I’m afraid not,” the Alpha said as he dusted himself off. “She and her sister are quite busy with matters elsewhere.” Pinkie seemed disappointed, before Fluttershy stepped up to greet him. “It’s nice to meet you, Mister… er…” She looked confused. “Who are you?” “An’ who are they?” Applejack asked, pointing to Velvet and Night Light. “Mu… muh…” The two unicorns-turned-humans looked at the source of this latest voice, before she finally managed to get full words out. “Mom? Dad‽ How did-” Then she spun and stared at Twilight. “You’re…” “You?” Twilight nodded. “Well, sort of. Have you ever heard the theory that there’s an entire multiverse of worlds, each similar but different from one another-” “And there’s one of each and every one of us for each and every one of those worlds!” The human Twilight suddenly looked delighted. “So you’re the me of another world with magic?” “And you’re the me of a world that’s focused on technology!” Princess Twilight concluded. “Awesome!” both cheered. Leaning against the corner of the portal, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Eggheads the multiverse over,” she muttered, though she had a grin on her face as she said it. Ignoring her comment, Princess Twilight held out her hand. “It’s so good to finally meet you,” she said. “Sunset sent me your picture when she found out you existed, and I’ve been wanting to see you in person ever since.” “My - oh, the yearbook photo,” human Twilight realized. “She told me she’d found me that way, but… you never did say why you were looking,” she said as she turned to Sunset. “Is she why?” “Guilty as charged,” Sunset admitted. Suddenly, she noticed Velvet walking over to the last member of their group, the only one who hadn’t spoken up yet. “Miss Velvet?” Velvet was silent for a moment, before looking down. “So,” she said. “This is why…” “Why what?” Spike the dog asked. All six of the new arrivals widened their eyes in shock, and then Twilight turned to Sunset. “I see we’ve got a lot of catching up to do,” she said. “Can we do this somewhere… not so public?” “You certainly may,” another voice said, as Principal Celestia walked over. “Hello, Alpha. Other me.” “Principal Celestia,” Princess Celestia acknowledged. “It’s good to see you again.” “You too.” Principal Celestia smiled. “Come on, I’ll show you to one of the conference rooms.” Those who weren’t already up stood, and the fourteen followed after her, the two of Spike in their respective Twilight’s arms. Once everyone had settled in (and been greeted by a bemused Vice-Principal Luna along the way) and a full round of introductions had been made, Sunset explained everything that had happened over the past few days, including why their Spike could talk now. “So Twilight’s transferring here for good, and Cinch is getting seriously investigated over her misconduct,” Sunset concluded. “We don’t think she’ll try to say anything about magic, since most people would just think she’s crazy if she did, but Dean Cadance is keeping a close eye on her just in case.” Human Twilight, meanwhile, was looking at Princess Twilight. “Are you, and your world’s Cadance…” “She’s my sister-in-law,” Twilight told her. “And she’s doing just fine.” She beamed. “She and Shiny are going to be having their first foal any day now.” Human Twilight’s jaw dropped. “Really? We’re going to be aunts? Well… you’re going to be an aunt?” Twilight nodded happily. “And I’m sure you will be one day too.” Human Twilight blushed. “I hope so,” she said. “My Cadance and Shiny… they’re so much in love, though they are just dating right now.” She grinned. “I can’t wait to have Cady as a sister.” “That’s great for them,” Night Light said. “Though hopefully when they have their wedding, it won’t get as hairy as it did on our side.” He chuckled. Velvet elbowed him before turning to human Twilight. “Our Cadance and Shining Armor would have loved to come and see you too, but they didn’t want to risk anything happening while she’s still pregnant, and Shiny wouldn’t leave her side for anything,” she said. “They know about me too?” human Twilight asked. “I showed them the pictures Sunset sent over the holidays last year,” Twilight told her. “Though we didn’t have one of Spike.” “Well, if you got them out of a yearbook, that’s not surprising,” Spike the dog said from where he was settled in Fluttershy’s lap. “Cinch is allergic to dogs, so I wouldn’t have been where she could see me.” He leaned over and scratched one ear. “Though I… might have gotten back at her in my own way after the way she treated Twilight during the Games.” Human Twilight looked at him. “Spike… what did you do?” she asked, giving him a look. “I snuck into her car and did a lot of shedding,” the purple dog said with a smirk. Spike the dragon chuckled. “Good for you then,” he said. “Normally I wouldn’t condone vengeance of any kind,” Principal Celestia remarked from where she sat. “And officially, I still can’t. But unofficially... that, she had coming.” “I agree,” the Alpha noted from his seat next to her. “Any person who would treat a student under their care in such a horrid manner clearly deserves some sort of comeuppance, and you have meted it out well.” “Ya haven’t yet said who you are,” Applejack said as she eyed him. The Alpha chuckled. “Call me the Alpha, child. That has been my name longer than my birth name,” he said. “I am the leader of the Packlands, and your principal’s boyfriend. I am also one of the creators of the mirror that your friend Princess Twilight used to cross over today, since the one she used the first time is on a time cycle and cannot be opened at the moment.” “And yes, I’ve known who he was the entire time,” Principal Celestia said. “Why do you think Sunset was able to register for school here so easily, when she came from another world?” “My sister and I have been covering for such things for quite some time,” Vice-Principal Luna added. “Though given your behavior, we did consider asking her boyfriend to take you back home at one point, given how you were treating your fellows here,” she told Sunset. “I talked them out of it, because I could see a spark of goodness in you,” the Alpha said. “I knew you were not beyond saving.” Sunset looked down. “I’m glad someone did,” she said quietly. Princess Twilight took her hand, and Sunset looked up and smiled. “What I would like to know now is how my Other is doing,” Vice-Principal Luna said. “The last time I asked him,” and she gestured to the Alpha, “He just gave me one of those mysterious looks of his.” Princess Celestia smiled. “As it happens, I have photos,” she said. “I thought you might appreciate seeing them.” She removed a packet from… somewhere, Twilight wasn’t sure where, and handed it over. Accepting it, Vice-Principal opened it, and stared in shock. “Is that… the other me?” she asked. Principal Celestia looked at it as well, and raised an eyebrow. “You look good as a pony,” she said. “That’s not what I’m concerned about,” Vice-Principal Luna said. “She looks like… well, like she’s let herself go.” Several palms met several faces, including Principal Celestia’s. “She doesn’t look like that to me,” she said. “She looks like she got very, very lucky about… seven months or so ago, if you get my meaning?” “Almost,” Princess Celestia said. “For our species, the full length is eleven months. So it would have been nine months ago when it started.” At that, Applejack and Fluttershy each gave a knowing smile, while Rarity squealed in delight. “Oh my goodness, how wonderful for her!” she said excitedly. “And who’s the lucky gentlecolt?” “Check the next photo down,” Princess Celestia suggested. Vice-Principal Luna, whose face was paling, did as she was told. “Oh… my...” she said. Rainbow Dash scratched her head. “I don’t get it,” she said. Vice-Principal Luna turned to her. “It would seem,” she said. “That while I am currently single and… well, something else that I am not about to say in the presence of teenagers, my Other is married and expecting.” Jaws dropped for a few of the teens, who hadn’t figured it out yet, while the others all grinned. “Congratulations,” Sunset said happily. “So the royal family’s really growing now, huh?” Princess Celestia nodded. “Perhaps you will be more open in sharing such information than he,” Principal Celestia said as she stared at the picture of Princess Luna’s husband. “As in a name?” Princess Celestia smiled. “That’s Prince Pharynx, of the Eldest Changeling Hive,” she said. “His brother, King Thorax, only recently took the throne - about a year and a half ago, after their former Queen had been officially deemed unfit to rule any longer by her actions towards our people and her own; she was tried and found guilty of war crimes, among others. Soon after the trial, Thorax proved himself more than suitable to taking over leadership of the hive, with help from our Twilight and Cadance, and he has become one of their peoples’ most beloved rulers in a very short time.” “Goodness!” Fluttershy looked very surprised. “And what exactly happened to their former Queen?” Luna asked, one eye still on Pharynx’s photo. “She has been… stripped of all her magical abilities, and with the full support of the other Queens, the Alpha and his Packleaders, she currently resides in our dungeon,” Princess Celestia said. “She’s been surprisingly well-behaved since then.” She looked at Princess Twilight. “In fact, she made what we considered to be a reasonable request a few weeks ago, and based on her good behavior, we were willing to grant it.” “What request was that?” Twilight asked, giving her a look. “Well… we have a lot more cells down there than we have ever needed to use, so… she asked that a certain other prisoner be moved to a different hall, because she was tired of hearing that prisoner ranting and complaining all the time,” Princess Celestia said. Twilight rolled her eyes. “Still hasn’t been willing to listen to anyone and try to change her ways, I take it.” “Half a dozen different psychiatrists have given up on her,” Princess Celestia said. “And since she isn’t affected by an external source, using the Elements’ powers on her is not an option.” “Anyone we might know?” Principal Celestia asked. “If you have any student by the name of Cozy Glow, I would strongly suggest a background check on her immediately,” Princess Twilight said.  “We don’t, but we’ll keep an eye out,” Luna told her. “What did this one do?” “For starters, she was a little too interested in the methods of certain villains from our world’s history,” Twilight replied. “Secondly, according to every psychological exam we’ve given her, she’s showing signs of being a full-on sociopath. And third, our Cozy has some kind of medically arrested physical development. She’s a full-grown mare who doesn’t look any older than our world’s equivalent of one of your freshmen students, and she infiltrated our school system that way so she could get access to certain information.” All of the humans in the room looked taken aback at that. “We’ll definitely be watching out for her then,” Principal Celestia said. “And we appreciate the warning.” “Speaking of your students, how’s Adagio doing?” Velvet suddenly asked. Sunset sighed. “She’s… improving,” she said. “She’s getting somewhat friendlier, and more open about things in general. But she also seems to have lost her sense of tact when she lost her Mantle.” “Oh?” Velvet asked. Applejack nodded. “She made Nurse Redheart blush when she started asking certain questions in health class earlier this year,” she said. “X-rated questions, if you get mah drift.” “I see.” “And how are my two former students doing?” Principal Celestia asked. “Rather well,” Princess Celestia said. “They’re living with Cadance in the Crystal Empire now, and are very happy there. Aria has taken to her new Role like…” She suddenly started snickering. “Oh, that expression’s so fitting!” “What?” Luna asked. “Well, they’re Sirens, who are like seaponies, but more primal, and…” Celestia burst out laughing. “And she’s taken to her new Role like a fish to water!” Pinkie started laughing hysterically too. “That’s hilarious!” Principal Celestia and her sister exchanged looks, before they started snickering too. “You’re right, that is funny,” Luna finally managed. “Ah…” Princess Celestia sighed as she finally calmed down. “Well, at any rate, they’re both happy and have made new friends. Aria and Cadance work well together, and Sonata’s having loads of fun. Cadance says she spends a lot of time reading and catching up on how the world has changed in the time they were away.” “That’s very good to hear.” Principal Celestia smiled. “Speaking of learning, have Sunset or the Alpha told you that our Twilight opened a school?” her Other asked. “I did,” Sunset volunteered. “And I’d like to see the syllabuses for your classes,” Principal Celestia said. “That’s just what I said, when she was still setting up,” Velvet told her. “I still have my copies, if you’d like to go over them.” “Miss Velvet, I’d be delighted,” Principal Celestia said with a smile. After a few minutes of listening to the adults talk, six teenagers, two adults in the form of teenagers, and two dogs decided to slip out and go elsewhere. “Seriously, it is great to see you all again,” Twilight told her human friends as they went down the hall, a few students giving them curious looks as they went. “I wish I could have come by when you had your last emergency, but… well, Celestia told you I was halfway around the world, I’m sure.” Rarity nodded. “It is so wonderful that you were able to accomplish so much good, darling,” she said. “I kinda want to hear more about this war that happened,” Rainbow Dash said. Fluttershy shivered. “I’d rather not,” she said. “I wanna know what kind of parties you went to while you were traveling!” Pinkie said cheerfully. Applejack looked like she was about to say something, when a familiar face rounded the corner, and stopped dead in his tracks. “Twilight?” he asked, looking at the human girl. “And… Twilight?” His head turned as he stared at Princess Twilight. Sunset sighed. “Here we go,” she muttered. Flash Sentry shook it off and walked over to her. “How are there… two of you?” he asked. “It’s a very long story,” Princess Twilight said. “Suffice to say, there’s magic involved.” Flash nodded. “Good magic, or dangerous magic?” “Harmless magic,” Princess Twilight said. “The short version is that… you know I’m from a different dimension, right?” Flash nodded. “Yeah, I kinda got clued in on that.” “Well, there’s a me who’s native to this world too, and…” She gestured to Human Twilight, who blushed. “And I’m the local Twilight,” she said. “And there’s others of pretty much all the rest of us too, huh?” Flash asked. All three Equestrian natives nodded. “Huh.” Flash shrugged. “Guess that explains why there were two of Principal Celestia at the Battle of the Bands a while back.” “Yeah.” Sunset nodded. “So you have one too?” Flash asked “I’m… not sure, actually,” Sunset said. “I looked, back when I first moved here and found out there was another Celestia. And I’ve kept looking since. If there’s another me in this world though, I haven’t found her yet.” She gestured to the human Twilight and Spike. “I found Twilight here a few months ago, and I told the girls then, so they wouldn’t be surprised if they met her, but… no luck with the other me.” Magic? Twilight thought to her Mantle while Magic did the equivalent of a shrug within her head. Logically, there should be, but as I have never been fully bonded to Sunset, I cannot detect her Other, she said. Unless… she suddenly trailed off, drifting away for a moment. “Unless what?” Twilight asked out loud with everyone turning to face her. “Twilight?” Sunset asked. Twilight, I would strongly suggest you prepare yourself, Magic said a bit nervously. I took this toward the upper echelon and we are having an audience with the Lady of Life. What‽ When‽ Twilight thought back. Now. a voice spoken around her, with Twilight and Sunset suddenly in a vast white plain with a towering figure before them. The figure, vaguely feminine, leaned her head down with a glow of light blinding enough that Twilight and Sunset had to use their wing and hoof to cover their eyes respectively. You are incorrect that there is an issue with her Soul. The Guardian is as she should be. “Guardian?” Twilight asked, shifting on her hooves as she still shielded her eyes with her wings. Even looking away was not enough as the Lady of Life’s light was still blinding and Sunset, who Twilight could see only by the fact she was focusing on her friend and not Life, was also struggling to comprehend what was happening. The Guardian is an old Role, one thought to be retired after the Gateways were sealed. Life responded as she leaned in closer to Sunset, cupping her chin and forcing her to stare at Life, Sunset biting her lips and screwing her eyes shut. It seems that we were incorrect about such matters. The Lady of Life let her chin go and stood to her towering height and began to turn away. “So… there’s only one me?” Sunset asked nervously, still unable to see anything. A dimension would just need one Guardian in their current state. If the Gateways were to reopen, their following could warrant a resurrection. But yes, as things are now, you are alone without an Other in this dimension, and other paired dimensions would also only each have one of you. Life did not turn around. But the Guardian has always worked well with those who represent Harmony and its Elements. In that manner, you will never be alone. And while you may not have an Other, you are not alone in another way as well. Twilight thought she felt something resembling a smile from the higher Power. You’ll understand when the time is right. “Unless what Twilight?” Flash asked, the two suddenly human again and back where they were. Twilight shook her head a bit, trying to clear her thoughts. “We just got an answer to our question,” she said. “And I don’t even know how to begin to start.” Flash, and the rest of their friends, traded looks with them, before Flash shrugged. “If there’s something saying you can’t say how you know, that’s okay by me,” he said. “Just say what you can.” Twilight nodded, glad that he understood, then looked at Sunset, who also nodded. “There’s only one of me here,” she said. “I don’t know if there was never another one of me, or if she’s dead or something, but there’s just one Sunset Shimmer now, and she’s standing right here.” Fluttershy’s arms were suddenly around her. “It’s okay,” she said. “As long as you have us, you won’t be alone.” The others nodded as well, and Sunset smiled. “Thanks, girls.” “And I will explain everything else afterwards, Sunset,” Twilight promised. “There’s… a lot you’ve missed out on.” “Just one question right now,” Sunset asked nervously. “While we were there… did we both have wings?” “I don’t… think so,” Twilight said. “I didn’t get that good a look, it was too bright.” There was a trace of them, Magic said. As if they were almost there, but a full change had not yet been achieved. Sunset has the potential though, I recognized it when we were there. The others looked confused, and Twilight sighed. “We just had a brief visit to what I’m pretty sure was the astral plane,” she said. “That’s where we got the answers we were wondering about.” “Magical harmony stuff. Right,” Rainbow Dash said with a nod. Flash still looked confused, but nodded too. “Well, I need to get going, meet up with the guys in the band room. Twilight, it was great to see you again, and… think we could talk more before you go?” “I’ll see what I can do,” Twilight promised. “Oh, fair warning - my parents know about you, and they’re in with Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna right now. And they want to meet you at some point.” “Is this a good meeting or one I should consider slipping out of school to avoid?” Flash asked. “I am honestly not sure,” Twilight admitted. “Now, if my big brother were here instead of back home with his wife, the answer would be ‘run for it’. But my parents… I don’t know, I’ve been getting kind of mixed signals from them.” “Gotcha.” Flash smiled. “I’ll see you later then.” With that, he headed off, leaving the others to give questioning looks to Twilight and Sunset. “Ah think we’d better find another place to settle in,” Applejack said. “This sounds like it’s going to be one of those long talks again.” Twilight suddenly blinked. “Something just occurred to me,” she said. “You aren’t missing class to talk with me, are you?” Human Twilight shook her head. “It’s Saturday,” she said. “School’s closed except for special activities, and Principal Celestia said it was okay for us to come in.” “Oh. Phew.” Princess Twilight smiled. “I’d be a poor headmaster if I encouraged students to miss classes.” “That’s one of the things I want to hear more about,” human Twilight said. “What kind of school do you run?” Princess Twilight grinned. “A special one.”