Starlight smirked, crossing her arms in a way that she knew would annoy the princess. "Well. I was going to enjoy a night out. But now I'm talking to you apparently. Personally, I'd rather get out there and dance if it's all the same to you."
Twilight's eye twitching got worse. Ooh, she'd forgotten how infuriating Starlight could be when she put her mind to it. "How did you even get the Journal? Only I can get to its pocket dimension."
Starlight snorted. "Please. I fixed Starswirl's Time Travel spell. I think I can get into whatever you make, Twilight. You know how much I've wanted to come here. And yet you don't do much with the portal at all."
Twilight pinched her nose. "There's a good reason for that, Starlight. Ponies could wander through aimlessly, and the same goes for humans if I left it on all the time. Do know how dangerous that is?"
Sunset, who had come in behind Starlight, rolled her eyes. "It's not as bad as you think it is, princess."
Twilight turned to look at her fellow pony. "You, of all people, Sunset, should know better. What possessed you to think that this was a good idea? Magic and this world don't mix. Humans would not last a day in Equestria in a new body. You can't teach each and every one of them all they need to know in an afternoon. Not to stick out like a sore hoof anyway."
Sunset bit her lip, but she was too committed now. "Equestria can't hide forever, princess. Ponies will find the portal eventually, and one or more of them will go through it. Whether you like it or not. And like it or not, we can't hide magic forever. It's going to get out eventually, and we won't be able to stop all of it."
Twilight frowned, for she knew Sunset was right. She shared a look with Sci Twi, who bore a look of worry as well. "Then I will do what I need to do, Sunset."
Sci Twi's worry grew as she shared a look with Starlight. "And what would that be?"
Twilight looked at her love. Her heart ached to have to say this, but it needed to be said. "If I ever see a threat from Earth to Equestria, or magic is completely out of control or in the wrong hands? I will not hesitate. I will destroy the portal and everything that is connected to it."
The group gasped. Sunset smirked, though. "You're joking, Twilight. I know you are."
Twilight returned the smirk, before flicking Sunset's chin in the same way that the other girl once had to her. "You don't know me very well, Sunset, if you think that I'm joking. I take my role in protecting my ponies very seriously. If that means sacrificing my own happiness? Then so be it."
That shut the redhead up, for she could see that the princess was dead serious about this. Looking around, she could see that Sci Twi and Starlight knew the same thing.
After a moment, Twilight smiled brightly. "Now. I don't know about you. But I need a drink!" And happily pranced off to find the bar, Pinkie going along with her to help. Leaving the others alone with their thoughts.
Twilight sighed as she watched her friends enjoy themselves out on the dance floor. She knew she should be out there as well. But she had too much on her mind. This was not how this was meant to go. Off to the side, Sunset and Starlight seemed deep in discussion about something.
She turned away from the sight. There would be Tartarus to pay once the two of them returned to Equestria. Pinkie Promise. For now though, Twilight paid more mind to her drink. Sweet Apple Acres hard cider. Her favorite.
"Food for thought?" A voice asked, making her jump. Looking around, she found the young girl she had seen earlier sitting next to her with a worried look. "Shouldn't you be out there with your friends?"
Twilight managed a small smile. "I should. It's the whole reason we're here. And here I am mopping. Some birthday this is turning out to be." Her brows rose slightly. "And shouldn't you be doing the same..."
The girl took the hint. "Pearl Rose. And yeah, I should. But I can only take so much of Kohaku's constant teasing before I go crazy," she snorted giving a pointed look at the boy from earlier.
Twilight followed her eyes. He did seem to be the teasing type for some reason that she couldn't place a finger. Again, though, there was that nagging itch that she should know the both of them. Why? She pushed the thought aside for now. "He doesn't seem that bad."
Pearl rolled her eyes. "You don't know him as I do. Since the day we first met he's mastered the art of getting under my skin and pushing all of my buttons. And yet he's still one of my best friends. I wonder why some days. But he is." She gave Twilight a look. "What about you? You girls all came in together, and yet here you are while they're out there having fun. What gives, Twilight?"
Twilight wondered how Pearl knew her name, but pushed it aside for the moment. "I should be out there. But I just can't. Not right now. I've got too much to think about. One of my friends isn't even supposed to be here."
Pearl could make a good guess on who it was. "What? Does she have a problem with all of this?" She gestured to everything around them. "They'll skin her alive if she makes a scene about it. Literally."
Twilight shook her head. "No, it's not that. Starlight has never had a problem with things like this. Even though she's straight. It's..." She sighed. "it's complicated. And something that shouldn't be talked about to a lot of people."
Pearl smiled. "I can keep a secret."
Twilight chuckled. "I don't doubt it. But this isn't the right time or place to talk about it. Not yet. Maybe one day that will change."
Pearl sighed. "Fine. So. Are any of your friends more than just friends?" She smirked.
Twilight blushed. "Yes. It's someone I never expected as well. But I couldn't be happier. And I want us to work. But we live so far apart. It's hard to get together like this. Let alone with all of our friends."
Pearl's face fell. "Then why the hell are you wasting time over here? You've got it bad for whoever it is. Even I can see that. I heard one of them say this is for your birthday. Do you really want it to go waste like this? Especially if you had to travel a long way to get here?"
Twilight bit her lip. She knew Pearl was right of course. Why the hay was she over here doing nothing? Yes, she was mad beyond belief at Starlight and Sunset's deception. But could she really waste away the night like this?
At that moment, Sci Twi sauntered over and pulled her off of her stool. "Oh no. You are not wasting time like this! We put too much into this for the guest of honor not to have any fun of her own. So come on! Show me those moves that I know you have!"
Twilight blushed while Pearl giggled. Twi shot her an apologetic look. Why did she seem so familar? "I'm sorry if she was being no fun or taking too much of your time. She's usually not like this."
Pearl waved her off. "Naw, she was fine. Is she your sister?"
Twi nodded. "Yeah. She just got into town yesterday. I don't know why she's being so down. This is supposed to be a night for fun. Isn't it?" She asked, shooting the princess a pointed look.
Twilight groaned. "Okay. I get it." She smiled. "And you're right. This is meant to be fun tonight, and here I am wasting my time at the bar. Starlight is going to hear about this later. So is Sunset. But right. I say we get this party started."
Twi giggled, and lead the two over to where their friends waited for them.
Pearl watched them go with a smile. One that grew into a smirk as she saw the twin's hands interweave. "Sisters my right foot," she giggled, quick to finish Twilight's drink.
"So what were you two talking about so much? Did Twi remember you?" Kohaku asked as he joined her.
Pearl just smiled. "Giving someone the kick in the pants she needed." Her eyes fell. "And she still didn't remember me." She gave her friend a look. "Kohaku. Do you get the feeling that we should know her? I have the weirdest feeling that I should know who she is. That we both should. Rather well in fact. Forget us trying to be friends with Twi when we were kids. This is something else."
Kohaku just smiled enigmatically, a gleam in his eyes telling Pearl that he probably knew more than he was letting on. But he didn't say anything more, earning an eye roll from his friend.
"So who were you talking to?" Pinkie asked as the duo rejoined the group. "She looks familiar for some reason."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "She said her name was Pearl Rose."
Rarity gasped. "Did you say her name was Rose?"
Twilight nodded, not sure what the problem was. "Yes? Why? Do you know her?"
Applejack shook her head in bemusement. "Land sakes, Twi. Her family's the second richest in Canterlot. Dad owns his own shipping company and her mom is big in the banking business."
Pinkie nodded. "That's where I've seen her before! She comes in the Sweet Shop all the time! Really nice too. Not like those snobby rich kids you see Crystal Prep or everywhere else."
Twi nodded, her heart falling in horror as she remembered all the times Pearl had genuinely tried to be friends with her as children. How she had blown her off or just ignored her. "The only other family that comes above them is the Forest family. The patriarch is a major mover and shaker in the trading business. His wife isn't seen much. One of their daughters was actually my childhood doctor. Doctor Riko. I always liked her," she giggled. "Their only son, Kohaku, is a well-known trouble maker and prankster. He never makes them dangerous. But he's gotten in trouble for them."
Twilight tapped her chin, filing away the information for later. For now, though, she turned to look at Starlight and Sunset, who at least had the decency to not look totally happy with themselves. She sighed. "Look. Calling me happy right now would make me a liar."
Starlight's head fell. "So you're going to send me back to Equestria?"
Twilight shook her head, smiling as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "Even if I could, Starlight. I won't. Yes, I'm mad you went behind my back like this. Both of you, and we will be having a long talk about this when we get home, Starlight. But we're here to have a good time. And I will not ruin everyone's night by being a downer about all of this."
Sunset managed to smile a little. But she knew she would be hearing it later, and she really wasn't looking forward to it.
Twilight smiled as she pulled the group into a hug. "So come on. Let's get this party started!"
Pinkie squeed. Before she could run off, however, she felt someone tap her on the arm. Looking over, she found Pearl smiling about something before gesturing to the boy next to her.
Kohaku's own smile rivaled Pinkie's own as he whispered something in her ears. Whatever it was, it made Pinkie even happier it seemed before the pair rushed off.
"What was that about?" Fluttershy asked.
Pearl giggled. "You'll see. Call it a birthday gift from us to you, Twilight."
Twilight wasn't sure what to make of that as, up at the booth, Kohaku whispered something to the DJ. He seemed shocked about something for a moment but soon shrugged. "Alright, everybody! We've got a special request. This one's for the birthday girl in the house, Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight blushed at the attention she was getting, earning an eye roll from her friends.
"Ladies, you asked for her. You want her. So here she is to light the night. The radiant superstar, Starsong!"
A cheer went up as the lights dimmed. Twilight was confused for a moment before a new song started. Whoever the voice belonged to, though, her singing was beautiful and enchanting at the same time. Starsong herself was in her mid-20s if she had to guess. She had a beauty and grace Twilight had seen in only a few others, but what really stood out was her silver hair and eyes. Eyes that seemed to linger on Twilight for a moment, and a small smile came to her lips.
Rainbow gawked in shock. "Starsong?! You know Starsong?!"
Pearl giggled. "Know her? She's Kohaku's mom. I've known her for as long as I can remember. She's really nice once you get to know her."
Rainbow's mind seemed to have come to a screeching halt at the revelations. Fluttershy was quick to drag her away before anything else happened, getting a giggle out of the group before the sound of the music and song really hit them.
Sci Twi gave Twilight a knowing smile as she pulled her over and held her close. "I've seen how you dance. No more. I'm going to teach you how to dance, even if it kills me." Her smile grew. "Just follow my lead and you'll be fine."
Twilight pouted as she took Twi's hands. Her dancing wasn't that bad. Was it? She soon pushed the thought aside as she tried to keep up with Twi, even as the others found a partner of their own. Applejack soon paired off with Sunset, Fluttershy with Starlight, and Rarity paired off with Rainbow.
Dancing had always been one of Twilight's favorite things, and she felt herself relax as her body seemed to move on its own, bobbing and weaving to Starsong's song. The air seemed to shimmer as her voice seemed to grow in power. It was almost hypnotic.
Twilight giggled as she and Twi came back to back, their hands in the air, almost touching. Twi shot her a smirk, and Twilight couldn't help but grin widely in return. They were almost synchronized in their movements, their bodies flowing together perfectly.
Even Pearl found it mesmerizing, as she and Pinkie joined up, and it only confirmed to her that they were way more than sisters.
Eventually, though, the song ended. earning another cheer from the whole venue, and even Twilight found herself adding her voice to the cheer.
Starsong smiled, as Kohaku whispered something in her ear. "Alright, everyone. This next song is for all of the couples out here tonight." Her smile grew as her eyes landed on Twilight and her friends, a spotlight suddenly illuminating the group. "And especially the birthday girl. Happy birthday, Twilight. Let's make this one you won't soon forget."
Twilight blushed at all the attention she was suddenly getting but soon forgot about it as Starsong started another song.This one was much slower, and soon everyone had found a partner to enjoy it with. Even Starlight couldn't stop herself from grinning as she and Fluttershy got close.
Twilight and Twi didn't need to be told twice, and Twilight pulled her twin close, getting a glowing smile as she did, Twi resting her head on the princess's shoulder as their hands came together. Together, they lost sight of everything around them but the music and each other. Just like that day on Mount Aris, they found the music even seemed to be the same as well.
Twilight sighed happily as the two of them swayed together. Her mind went to what her dad had asked her the day before. Right now, this place. This moment. If there was ever a time to say it, now would be it. Maybe it was the magic in the air (and Twilight could feel that it was actual magic of some kind, and filed it away for later), but right now. Princess Twilight Sparkle didn't care.
Twi looked up at her as they stopped for a moment. But the look in the princess's eyes helped put her at ease.
Twilight smiled as she held Twi closer and brought their heads together. Her smile softened as she whispered three words. Only three. But they sent Twi's heart all aflutter. "I love you."
Twi's gasped as her eyes teared up. But they were happy tears, as she threw her arms around Twilight and hugged her. "I love you too! I don't care if it's weird or what people might say. I love you. And I always will!"
Twilight's smile grew as she drew Twi's lips to her own, and the two shared a passionate kiss. They didn't care who might see them or what they might say about this. It didn't matter to them. All they cared about was the person in front of them.
As their friends cheered, and the music played on, one thing they both knew for sure.
Whatever the future might hold for them, they would face it. Together.