//------------------------------// // Why is it so hard to say Good-bye? // Story: Twilight for a Day // by Mike the Red //------------------------------// Brenda and I popped into the castle, but not in the throne room. Some ponies were walking around, doing various things. I ignored them, but they stared at Brenda. I assumed that since she was with me, still in Twilight's body, that she would be tolerated, if not accepted. I was looking for a Royal Guard pony. I didn't expect Shining Armor to show up, though... "Hey, Sis, who's your visitor?" he asked. "Big Brother! Hi, um...her name is Brenda Walker, and we're trying to meet up with Princess Celestia -- rather urgent business, so we're kinda in a hurry. If you can direct me to her, I'd really appreciate it!" "Sure thing, Sis. So what exactly is this -- whatever she is --" "She's a human, brother, and I need an audience with the Princess. I'll fill you in on it later, I promise. Let's hurry, please." "Okay, follow me, then." He led the way up a staircase, then down a hallway, through a large set of doors, made a left, went down another hallway... "Can you slow down a little, I'm getting tired," Brenda said, trying to catch her breath. "I need a smoke." "You can smoke when you get home, Brenda," I said. "We're here," Shining Armor stated, pointing to a large door with a sigil of the sun on it. This appeared to be Princess Celestia's private bed chambers. "I have never been in this area before, big brother," I said. "What are you talking about, Sis? I brought you up here a few weeks ago," he said. "Well, maybe I don't remember it all that well," I said, trying to cover my mis-step. I was starting to worry a little. I might have been able to fool Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, but Shining Armor was another matter. As Twilight's older brother, the two knew each other extremely well, and if I wasn't careful, I would end up blowing my cover. As it turns out, I didn't have to worry too much, since the Princess heard our conversation, and opened her door. "I have been expecting you two," she said, rather flatly. She gave me a stern look. "My apologies, Princess Celestia, I wanted to say some good-byes to the others," I said. "Shining Armor, what a surprise! Thank you for escorting them to me. You are dismissed, and may return whence you came." "With pleasure, Princess. Hey, Sis, what do you mean, good-byes?" "She is not your sister, Shining Armor. She has the appearance of your sister, but -- well, actually, the person who occupies this copy of your sister's body is a male human, and I am just about to send him and his wife home. Your sister is in her home right now, and getting ready for bed. She has a long day ahead of her tomorrow, and will be able to tell you what has transpired today." "Sorry to disappoint you, Shining Armor," I said. "I hope you can forgive me for the impersonation, but I woke up this morning in this body, and now I need to go home, to my home world, which is across a dimensional barrier." Shining Armor had a very angry expression on his face. "How DARE you do that! Playing with my emotions like that! You should be ASHAMED of yourself!" he shouted at me. I meeped, and retreated behind the Princess. "Shining Armor! Did you not hear what I said? Were you paying attention, or were you distracted?" the Princess asked almost a little too harshly. I winced at her tone as the stallion seemed to shrink back a little at her admonition. "I apologize, Princess, but -- whatever he or she is -- tried to convince me that -- THIS -- is my sister!" he pointed an accusatory hoof in my direction. I was still trying to find cover behind the Princess's hind legs, utterly frightened by his aggression. I knew it was unfair to him, and I regretted having tried to fool him. "Shining Armor, I beg your forgiveness, as I could not control what happened to me. I am very sorry for trying to fool you. I have met your sister earlier today, and as I was telling her earlier, I truly enjoyed this experience. I was hoping to meet you under different circumstances, and perhaps, should I be fortunate enough, I might be able to meet you again in the future. Most likely, though, this will probably be the last time I see you in person. Might I add that you are quite handsome, and Princess Cadenza should be very happy being married to you," I said. "Well, thanks for the compliment," he said, still wearing an unhappy expression. "Princess Celestia! Princess!" came a familiar voice from down the hallway. Did she really do this? I wondered. "That sounds like -- my sister," he said. I hoped he was ready to see two of us... "Princess, I wanted to give him another good-bye! Please!" I couldn't believe it -- Twilight came running as fast as she could, looking for her double. Shining Armor's jaw dropped, and his eyes went wide. Apparently, HE couldn't believe it, either! Before the shock wore off, Twilight came up to me. "Mike, I wanted to say good-bye one last time. Princess Celestia, there is sooo much more I want to know! He has so much knowledge, I want to know ALL of it! Can you allow him to return soon, so we can talk for a looong time?" "Um, Sis, could you tell me what's going on here?" "Oh, you! I would have thought Princess Celestia might have told you already! His human name is Michael! He woke up this morning in my body. Hey, brother, you're still glowering?" "Your double tried to trick me into thinking she was you, Sis." "He's good at thinking on his hooves, and I guess he didn't want to raise any suspicions. I guess his attempt failed." "I still don't like being tricked like that," he said, still a little shaken to see two Twilights. "He or she or -- whatever -- nearly had me fooled. I guess I might not know you well enough to tell the difference if there's not enough clues." "Brother, he meant no harm. He wants to go home, and his wife appears to be very uncomfortable and impatient." "Mike, are we done fooling around here?" asked Brenda, letting her impatience become obvious. "Brenda, I need to ask a favor of the Princess. With your permission, Princess Celestia, is there any way I might be able to return and spend more time with everypony? I am really going to miss being here, and more than that, I am going to miss being Twilight. Brenda, with your permission, may I give Twilight a hug? Now is the last chance I have to show my appreciation to her." "Okay, Mike, just one hug, and make it quick. And don't try to kiss her, either!" "Brenda, please!" Twilight approached me as I stood on my hind legs. We embraced, hugging each other very tightly. Truth be told, I didn't want to let her go! One of the best experiences of my life, one which I will never forget! "Okay, that's enough, Mike! Mike! MIKE! MIKE!!" "Sorry, Brenda," I said, grinning sheepishly. Brenda gave me a very dirty look, one which told me I was in serious trouble. "Brenda," the Princess said, "you have no idea what this has meant to him. Please give him some latitude, as this is the final time they will be able to do that. If you knew you were going to see someone for the last time, you would probably want to hold them for as long as possible. Please consider that." "Princess Celestia, words cannot express the gratitude I have for everything you have done for me today. I wish there were a possibility of my returning, even if it is never to be Twilight Sparkle again. I would like to talk with you longer, and deepen the friendships I have made, even if they were for just the briefest of moments." "Mike, this is taking too long," Brenda said, still very impatient to leave. "Your name is Mike?" Shining Armor asked. "What does it feel like to be in a female body?" "Oooh, very good question! The experience has been extremely interesting, as the hormonal changes have allowed me to become intimate with my feminine side. I will say this -- I have really enjoyed this experience, even if it was quite unnerving when I woke up in this body. However, I would not trade this experience for all the money in the world!" "Whoa. You really like it? I have wondered myself sometimes, what it might be like. Do you think I'll enjoy it?" I chuckled. "The experience is different for every pony. You might like it, or you might not. It just depends on what sort of attitude you have toward that sort of thing," I said. "Wow, you might actually be able to pull off being my sister, that sounds like something SHE would say!" he grinned. "I continue to be impressed with how much you and Twilight Sparkle have in common," the Princess said with a smile. "Could he be a kindred spirit to me? Please, let him come back! Please, Princess! He is sooo much fun! I haven't had this much fun in -- well -- it's been quite a while since I had as much fun as I've had today!" "Hey, Sis, you really like him, don't you?" "Are you kidding? He's so much like me, it makes ME wonder how much of HIM I have in ME!" I laugh, softly though. Brenda is tapping her left foot impatiently. Twilight and her brother continue talking, and Princess Celestia addresses me and my wife. "Okay, Mike, Brenda. Are you ready?" "How much longer can I stay in Twilight's body?" I asked. "For the rest of today when I send you back. One condition: do not attempt to return today. The consequences will be quite severe, I can assure you of that. When I decide to, I will allow for your return. I will notify you when I desire your return, and keep in mind, it will be at MY pleasure, and you will have NO control over your appearance when I request it. I will now cast a spell to return you to your human form when you awake tomorrow morning, and then a spell to transport you to your home world across the dimensional barrier. Good-bye, MIchael, Brenda, I have enjoyed your company. Until we meet again." "Good-bye, Princess Celestia, and thanks again for everything! I look forward to seeing you again some time -- please don't let it be too long!" "Good-bye, Princess," Brenda said, trying to sound happy. I don't really know if she was or not, though -- after nearly twenty years, her emotions are still a fog to me some times. "Good-bye, Michael, I will miss you," Twilight said, wiping a tear from her eye. Her brother was surprised by her display. "How long was he here for? How long was he with you?" "Big Brother, that doesn't matter. Didn't you hear how much he sounds like me? He and I have so much in common! It's like I've known him forever! He even THINKS like me!" "That's kinda scary, Sis." "He is so kind, compassionate, caring, and FUNNY! He knows how to make me LAUGH!" "Well, maybe next time he comes, he'll be in a MALE body, instead of yours, Sis..." Brenda and I were enveloped in a golden aura, as Princess Celestia cast her spells on us, and then we disappeared from the castle. The teleport was nearly instantaneous, and we were back in the kitchen on the main level of our house. "You blinked out for a second," Xaviera observed. "What happened?" "I teleported Brenda and myself into Equestria," I said, still in Twilight's body. Apparently, no time had elapsed in our home world. My theory had been proven correct, or at least that's what I thought. Our stove has a clock on it, and the time showed as 12:27 PM. No time had passed here. "Where's that?" she asked. "Don't tell me you haven't watched the show, either!" I said, with some exasperation. "Equestria is the land of the ponies." "Oh. Okay. Samantha's sorry for breaking your horn off. I told her not to come near you." "Thanks." "Were you able to reattach it?" "With your mother's help, yes. I guess the teleport happened by sheer effort." "What happened there? You were gone for just a second, and now you're back!" "We were there for quite a bit longer than that," I said. "I got to meet most of the main characters of the show. I even got to meet, pony to pony, the character who's body I still occupy." I was starting to get giddy again. "And he hugged her," Brenda added, still rather upset with me that I lingered in that hug perhaps a bit longer than I should have. Brenda checked the refrigerator for something to eat, taking a block of cheese out, and slicing some up, placing the squares on saltine crackers. This was probably the first time she had eaten in about 12 hours.