//------------------------------// // Three over Four // Story: Where Dark and Light don't Differ // by MellowSoul //------------------------------// Temperatures began to drop as the days grew shorter and quieter. Celestia and Luna added hoodies to their newly-casual attire - a black for the latter and a white for the former. No longer worried about maintaining eye contact, they stopped trimming their manes, allowing their locks to conceal their emotions. After recording their demo Circadia, they contemplated what to do next. Luna suggested they cover a song from the early 2000s and record it as a music video. The one she picked was regarded as a classic in the human world. Celestia would take over vocals for the project. They'd have to use a drum track to achieve the desired effect. On the day of the 21st, they got to work. The camera blurred as it struggled to maintain focus. Leaves brushed past Celestia, falling toward the earth as their colors slowly changed. In the background, Luna hid her face further under her hood, gripping her bass which had been tuned half a step to Drop D. Following a brief countdown, they let loose, opening with the first chords of Killswitch Engage's The End of Heartache. However, for their version, they made a significant alteration, exchanging palm mutes for an extended legato style prolonged by sustain. The result was dissonant - melancholic. Celestia used her magic to reach the notes she couldn't play. Things were going well until she stepped too close to the camera, unplugging her amp and throwing the whole groove off. "Well, that's unfortunate." Luna chuckled. Though she appeared calm, Celestia imagined eating the guitar in a fit of blind rage. If not for proper oral hygiene, those years of sweets would've rotted her teeth. Luckily, Alicorn bone structure was dense enough to cut through solid steel. She jabbed at Luna's mother, who was also her mother. The mare's bout of insanity grew increasingly comedic as her sibling watched in awe. "They weren't looking for the Blair Witch. They were looking for shitty electronics." "Unravel thine dairy glands, sister. We'll do another take." "Nope. Forget it. The moment's ruined. My fangirl dreams have been dashed." "And I thought Shakespeare was dramatic." "Where's my binky!? I'm going inside to watch SpongeBob!" "Come on. Let's try again." "Ugh! Fine!" A few attempts later, the recording was done. Luna saved the footage to an SD card. They had a plan to upload it without giving away their hideout. Back home in Neo-Canterlot, Twilight oversaw her servants while they decorated for the season. Spike stood next to her, stone-faced and silent. They'd both matured during their stay in Ponyville. Everything they'd seen, everything they'd done, and in an instant, it was all over. Their lives would never be the same... "Candygram." A familiar voice echoed. Everyone turned to see the source of its origin. "P...Princess Celestia!?" Twilight squeaked. "Guess the new look's a bit of a shock. Might help to know I didn't come alone." Luna appeared from behind her sister. If not for their more immutable characteristics, they would've been utterly unrecognizable. "Is it really you!?" "Killer clothes," Spike praised, "Where'd you get 'em?" "Oh, we've been building our stash for a while," Celestia revealed, "Renouncing our titles comes with its own set of perks. How've you guys been?" "O...Kay," Twilight hesitated, "What's with the new get-up?" "Remember when we sampled the items you collected from Earth?" "Must've found something you liked." "You could say that." Twilight wrapped the former monarch in loving embrace. There was no mistaking it. They were real. "It's good to see you again." "You too, my faithful student. Come. We have much to discuss." "Let me tell Flash. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you back." "Of course." Twilight, Spike, Celestia, and Luna took the train to Ponyville. The extra time would allow them to plot logistics for upcoming celebrations. "What happened to you guys," Twilight inquired, "You look like something out of one of those magazines I used to see in stores." "It's a long story," Celestia explained, "To sum things up, the deeper we delved into Earth's technology, the more obsessed we became with their creativity. While you were working on the internet, we were deciding what to take with us." "Sneaky. Sounds like something a changeling would do." "That's actually why we came back. We were wondering if you could upload something for us." "Mind if I ask what?" "We brought the footage with us." The queen and dragon examined closely as their predecessors unleashed a torrent of auditory onslaught. It was haunting...Magical...Beautiful... "Incredible..." "Now do you see? We're finally able to be our true selves - no need for outward elegance or expected formalities. We can cut loose and just have fun." "I can tell. Your posture's far more relaxed." "I could be wrong," Spike pointed out, "but you look a little leaner than before. You guys been workin' out?" "Glad you noticed. We started a regimen based on the novel Dragon of Grace. Are you familiar with it?" "No," Twilight admitted, "I can't say we are." "The author wrote it during a period of existential depression. I believe his name is Kyle." "Interesting. I'll have to look into it. I don't have much time to read anymore. It's kind of sad, honestly." "You know if you need help, you can always ask." "That would be wonderful. Speaking of reading though, there've been stories popping up online since you disappeared." "Stories?" "Horror fiction called creepypasta. They're short stories that usually end in a flurry of blood and gore. For whatever reason, kids online like painting you guys as deranged psychopaths. It's almost insulting to tell you the truth." "They're just getting in the spirit of the holiday. Most of the colts and fillies we knew are teenagers now. They're gonna start getting into mischief unsupervised." "Well, I guess if you're okay with it, I can't really complain. Maybe now that you're here, the narratives will evolve a bit." "Evolution. That's the ultimate goal, right?" Twilight was stunned, taken aback by her former tutor's insight. Even from a goddess, those words were shocking to hear. Had she been holding out this whole time...? One by one, the sisters gathered Twilight's friends, stopping at Sweet Apple Acres where there was plenty of room to talk in peace. There was a second reason for their visit. They wanted to invite everyone to their place for Halloween. "Our world has changed a great deal since human knowledge became available to us. Though it may seem they've lost their minds, to paraphrase The Wedding Singer, we're reaping all the benefits. That's why we're asking you to join us on this night of debauchery. The souls of the dead call to our hallowed lands. It's our duty to see them off another year." "Sure," Spike said non-chalantly, "Been lookin' for a reason to show off my movies." The dragon crossed his legs, wobbling in a jelly-like fashion. Apple Bloom recognized the Peanuts reference. "I suppose a break wouldn't hurt," Twilight agreed, "Just keep the cider away from these fools." "No promises." "Hey," Luna protested, "That's my line!"