//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Feather to Feather // by Chatterjoy //------------------------------// Twilight had done a random teleport, and she had ended up in the old ruin castle in the Everfree Forest. She didn't know why she came here, but she knew she had to get away from Princess Luna. Why would the Lunar Princess say such things? Surely, Luna was not that bad of a pony. Twilight sat near the base of the monument that held the Elements of Harmony. She took comfort that this place was where she had first recognized her friends. Twilight lightly put her head on the monument and closed her eyes. A brief memory of a dark figure hovering over her and singing lullabies invaded her mind. Twilight lifted her head with a start. A memory? The young Alicorn shook her head in confusion. No, everything Luna had said had to be a lie right? She would talk to Princess Celestia, or at least she would send a letter. In the meantime she would teleport home. When Twilight arrived home, Luna had gone. Twilight couldn't help but feel relieved. She didn't think she could face the Lunar Princess right now. "Spike!" Twilight called, as she waited for her faithful assistant. The young dragon came scurrying down the stairs to meet her. His eyes still held traces of sleep. "I need to take a letter to Princess Celestia." Spike grumbled but went to fetch his needed materials. Twilight vowed to let the little dragon go to Rarity's today. She had been keeping the young dragon very busy as of late. It probably had to be because of her new duties as a Princess. The little dragon shortly appeared with a quill in one hand, and a piece of parchment in the other. Dear Princess Celestia, Your sister, Princess Luna, had told me some interesting things. She said that I was her foal. Is your sister playing another prank? If so it was not very funny, and her humor should improve. I loathe to admit that I felt offended by the statement, and perhaps my outburst at her was uncalled for. The moment I see her again I promise to apologize to her, as she apologizes to me. Yours truly, Twilight Sparkle Spike had looked at Twilight funny, as he wrote the letter. Sealing it up and blowing fire onto it, Spike crossed his arms and tapped his foot. He was clearly waiting for an explanation. "Princess Luna said I was a product of a wish a thousand years ago." Twilight said. That was as simple as she could put it. Spike just stared dumbfounded. "But that is impossible! How would you be here now if that was the case-" Spike was interrupted when a letter erupted from his body in the form of a burp. Twilight immediately grabbed the letter in her magic.. Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle, I am afraid that what my sister has said is true. I am also afraid that she has revealed it too soon. She will be removed from her duties for a while to explain the situation to you. I have a feeling you will not respond well to this arrangement, so I order you as the eldest Princess that you will be required to provide a temporary home for Princess Luna as she visits you. That means in your Library home Twilight Sparkle with a real bed and not in the basement. Everything must be extremely confusing and I apologize. Also do not fret, my sister will continue her dream duties, as I can handle court on my own. Please try to be hospitable. Princess Celestia Twilight could not believe what she had read. For the next few minutes she reread the paper. Spike grew ever more impatient to the point smoke was coming from his nostrils. "Well, Twilight what did the Princess say?" Spike asked. Twilight only gave him the letter and proceeded to get the spare bed from the basement. Ordered she was. She felt like a little filly again being told by her mother to do something. When Twilight had finally moved the bed she placed it below the ledge that held her bed. This was as close as Twilight was going to let her 'mother' be next to her. Mother...her life just got turned around, and she was being calm about it. A new record for her. Spike came up to the living quarters with a surprised face. When he saw Twilight he gulped and grabbed a hold of his tail, fiddling with it. "Um, Twilight perhaps you should get yourself cleaned up for Princess Luna's arrival?" he suggested. He briefly thought about running to Rarity's before his caretaker could lose it, but at this moment in time Twilight needed him. "I am perfectly fine Spike! My life has just been turned upside down! No big deal. No. Big. Deal. NONE! I just happen to be the daughter of Princess Luna! A Princess by birth, so everything is just perfectly FINE! Just that the math and science don't add up. They. Don't. Add. Up. Hehe. That's okay though because Luna is going to explain everything!" Sometime in the middle of her talk, Twilight had curled up and was brushing her tail with her hoof. Stray hairs spread out among her mane and tail. Spike thinking it best to get the others to comfort Twilight quickly dashed out the door to gather their friends. Spike had returned shortly with their friends. They looked at the whimpering Twilight huddled on the floor. "Sugar cube," Applejack said staring at Spike, "What the hay made Twi' get into this shape." The rest of their friends leaned in to hear Spike. When he had gathered them the poor dragon couldn't even say complete sentences. Even now, the poor dragon couldn't and instead opted to get them the letter that Princess Celestia had sent. The five ponies read over Applejack's shoulders. Their eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. Rarity let out a squeal of excitement oblivious to the fact that Twilight did not like this turn of events. Rainbow Dash just muttered something about how uncool this was. Fluttershy let out a squeak and commented on how confused Twilight must be, and Applejack just stood dumbfounded. Pinkie on the other hand bounced towards the broken Twilight. "It'll be okay! You just happen to be born a Princess that's all! I wish I could have been born a Princess! Hey this explains your magic powers now though! Or does it. Hmmm. I am not sure! But now that means we can throw a Twilight was born a Princess Party! Wouldn't that be fun?" Pinkie stopped talking to give Twilight a chance to answer. The young Alicorn just continued to stare blankly ahead, whimpering to herself. Pinkie turned to the rest of their friends and shrugged. "Why don't ya'll go outside fer a minute," Applejack suggested, "I'll talk to Twi' here, and we'll be out in a jiffy!" The others nodded and left the farm pony with the Princess. "Now listen here Twi' what's so wrong about bein' Princess Luna's daughter?" "Velvet, my mother is Twilight Velvet," Twilight replied turning to face away from Applejack. The farm pony sighed. "My life is a total lie!" "No it ain't sugar cube!" Applejack retorted rubbing Twilight on the back, "Twilight Velvet may not be your bioli....biollogcally...aw forgit it. Twilight Velvet may not be the one ta give birth to ya, but that doesn't make your life a lie. We are still your friends aren't we?" Twilight nodded but she still did not face the farm pony. "Listen, Twi' who ya came from doesn't make who ya are. You are still a smart pony an nothin life throws at ya will change it." "But...that would mean I was born a thousand years ago," Twilight whispered, "As an Alicorn! I've been a unicorn. It doesn't make sense!" Applejack nuzzled her friend, "Life don't make much sense Twi' it just throws ya obstacles, and ya gotta learn to jump 'em. This is just a tiny hurtle ya gotta jump." "Try a mountain," Twilight muttered. Applejack gave her a stern look, and the Alicorn just sighed and shakily stood on her legs. "Thank you Applejack. I may have overreacted about my life being a lie. It's just so much to take in." Applejack just gently nudged her. "Lets git yer house and you to a presentable nature." "I agree," Twilight replied. The mane six took the rest of the day to dust the house. At the insistence of Rarity, she took the ragged Twilight to the bathroom to quote on quote, make her into perfection. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash dusted the tops of the shelves and the corners of the ceilings. Pinkie Pie and Applejack shelved and dusted the books, and Spike polished the floors. "Behold! Perfection!" Rarity announced, moving aside to allow Twilight through. She had made minor adjustments to Twilight's mane, and she had made sure that the purple pony's coat was gleaming. Twilight had initially refused so much glamour, but Rarity insisted that first of all Luna was a Princess (even though Twilight was one as well) and secondly it was always important to make a good impression. "Wow Twilight! It's just Princess Luna!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. She landed and gave the Alicorn a hug. The Pegasus had silently brushed out Twilight's mane to make it look like it normally did. Rarity nearly fainted. "You look beautiful." Fluttershy commented. The rest of her friends gave her small compliments that Twilight felt were unnecessary. A powerful knock was heard at the door. It could only be Princess Luna. Twilight looked towards her friends who gave her encouraging smiles. "You can do it, Twi'" Applejack said shooing her to the door. Twilight approached it and gulped. Using her magic she slowly opened the door to reveal Luna on the other side. "Greetings...Twilight Sparkle," Luna said. There was hesitation in her voice. "We are here...to enlighten thou of thine origins." Luna shuffled nervously and her gaze never fully landed on Twilight. "Luna...I mean..." Twilight hesitated, "Luna. Would you like to come in? I can put on some tea?" Luna nodded and Twilight moved to the side for her. "...Luna, do you know how long you will be staying?" Luna just shook her head. The Lunar Princess gazed at Twilight's friends and acknowledged them. "Come on gals, ya'll can help me with the farm," Applejack said suddenly. She ushered out every pony and Spike. "Ya'll have fun now!" She said to the two Alicorns. Twilight waved good bye to her friends. Without looking at Luna, she left to the kitchen, "I'm going to go put on the tea now."