//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Wedding Bells Bug Hunt // by Trinary //------------------------------// A little while later found Rainbow Dash casually leaning against a wall as she watched Twilight dig under her bed. “You sure your parents won’t mind me just showing up?”   Twilight shook her head. Or at least, Rainbow assumed she had shaken her head since she got no immediate answer. There was a pause as Rainbow guessed that Twilight had realized that being halfway underneath the bed made shaking her head a pointless gesture. “It’s not a problem.” Twilight piped up. “Since I told them I’d be eating with you guys at the palace they went out for dinner. And the rest of my family won’t be coming in for the wedding for a few more days.”   Rainbow made a neutral noise as she waited for Twilight to finish rummaging around. Twilight’s tail flicked happily as she let out a joyful “Aha! Found it!” Wriggling out from under her bed, Rainbow saw that Twilight had found and pulled out an old inflatable mattress. “This is perfect! I used to have this so Shining Armor could sleep in my room whenever I…” she trailed off slightly as she looked to Rainbow Dash.   “What is it?” Rainbow asked, curious.   Twilight bit her lip as she held the mattress to her. “…whenever I got scared at night.” She admitted. “When I was little, I mean. I’d go over to Shining’s room and ask him to spend the night with me. And he’d bring his camping mattress and, well, just sort of left it here.” She shot Rainbow a small, weak smile. “I guess not all of us can be as brave as you.”   “Aw, Twilight,” Dash reached out to her … only to flinch and hesitate at the last moment. “You’re … you’re an awesome pony.” Her voice wavered, sounding uncertain. This changeling business sucks!   Twilight’s ears flattened against her head, picking up on how Rainbow Dash couldn’t make her reassurances sound convincing. “If—if you say so.” She sighed, setting the mattress down and using her magic to inflate it.   Feeling awkward and uncertain of herself—How do you comfort somepony when you don’t know if it’s really them?—Rainbow looked around the room.   It was about what she would have expected for Twilight’s room to be like: simple, plain and organized. Meticulously organized. There were book shelves along the walls that were all crammed full of books. Shelves were stacked with prizes and awards for achievements in science and magic and other stuff that Rainbow Dash didn’t think they even gave trophies for.   She idly began walking past the shelves, looking at some of the books. Twilight looked over. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry about the mess!” She hurried over, horn glowing as she pulled some books off the shelf and started rearranging them. “I know it’s such a sty! Sometimes my parents have somepony come in to clean and she never puts the books back in quite the right place, even though they’re all labeled and organized according to the Royal Library standard—though sometimes Mom comes in when I’m away and rearranges them with Dewey Decimal system even though I’ve asked her not to and—”   “Geeze, Twilight relax! It’s fine!” Rainbow held up her hooves. “Your room is neat and clean…I think it’s even cleaner than my room. And it’s made of clouds!”   Twilight stopped. “Oh, right.” She let out a weak giggle. “Sorry about that. Just … want everything to be just right, you know? After all, I haven't had a friend over at my place in ... ever.”   Dash sat down on her now inflated mattress. “It’s cool, just … try to relax a bit. I mean, we’re here to have fun right?” How Rainbow managed to say that with a straight face, she never knew.   “Right!” Twilight perked back up as she pulled a book off the shelf. “And I have a copy of Slumber 101: All You Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties But Were Afraid to Ask here!” She magically flipped through the pages. “Since last time it was the eight of us and we were heading to the Crystal Empire to deal with Sombra, we didn’t get to do everything in the book. But since it’s just you and me tonight…ooh! We can start with the make-overs!”   I instantly regret this plan. Rainbow gulped. Twilight’s hooves danced up and down on the floor. “I can’t wait! We can have a real, by the book sleepover this time! We can do everything on the list and you can meet my parents and share stories about Shining Armor and--”   Dash forced a smile onto her face and mumbled distractedly. “That sounds great … Really, really great.” The prospect of (possibly) spending a night with a changeling left her on edge and she was so distracted that she didn’t notice the hurt look on Twilight’s face.   It didn’t last long though, as Twilight’s mood brightened when she heard the sound of voices and a door opening. “That’s my parents! Come on, I’ll introduce you!”   Rainbow quickly thought that this was her chance to do some looking around … what she expected a Twilight-changeling to leave in Twilight’s room was another story, but it she had start somewhere. “You go say hi, I’ll, er be down in a second. Just want to…um…” she patted the mattress. “Make sure the mattress isn’t too lumpy!”   “O-okay.” Twilight’s eyes looked downcast for a moment. Rainbow Dash realized that if Twilight wasn’t a changeling, then she’d just been keeping her distance and acting weird around one of her best friends for no reason. I really hate all this horseapples.   After a murmured, ‘be right back’ Twilight headed down to see her parents. Rainbow looked around for any signs or clues that could be used to tell if Twilight was actually her or not.   As soon as she was gone, Rainbow got up and started looked around. She walked around the room, subjecting everything to her critical eyes. She started with the books on Twilight’s shelves. Most of them had long, boring titles--usually alliterative--or else used words that Dash didn’t think she could pronounce without a week’s practice. As for the others...Why would anypony need that many books about Starswirl the Bearded? Getting on stalker territory there, Twi…Rainbow thought to herself. She remembered that Starswirl was one of the most powerful and important unicorns when it came to spellcasting and the like. And nopony was into all things Starswirl as much as Twilight. If the changelings needed to know something about magic, Twilight would be the pony to pick. She reasoned. Rainbow kept looking around--finding it curious that such an introverted, well, egghead like Twilight would have the entire Daring Do series. Hay, that was one of the few things Rainbow Dash regularly read herself. Princess Celestia had tried to get her more interested in reading and had introduced her to the series (albeit after much prodding). Continuing on, she went over to Twilight’s desk and started opening the drawers and rummaging around. There wasn’t much in there. Just inkwells and quills and parchment…lots of them. Spying a small blue book in the back corner, Rainbow pulled it out, thinking that it might be a clue. Wonder what this could be…   “Rainbow Dash!” The sudden shout from the doorway made her fumble with the book, only narrowly managing to catch it before it hit the ground. She whirled around to see Twilight standing in the doorway. “Give me back my diary!” Diary? Rainbow looked down at the small blue book in her hooves, just now noticing the large purple star on the cover, a dead-ringer for Twilight’s cutie mark. “Oh, sorry I was just—” a sudden peal of laughter from Twilight cut her off. “Uh, Twilight?” “S-sorry!” Twilight giggled, trying to cover her mouth with a hoof. “It’s just—you activated the enchantment I put on it!” She pointed to the mirror on her wall. Rainbow trotted over…and saw her own face covered with clown-make up. “I did warn you…” “Gyah! Get it off!” Dash yelped, rubbing a hoof over her face. Twilight tapped her muzzle, thinking about it. “I don’t know--I mean, I want my parents to make sure they remember you…”   “Twilight!” Rainbow groaned. “You wouldn’t!” “…Okay, I guess not.” Twilight snerked. “But it would’ve served you right for snooping around.” Her horn lit up and removed the make-up (with Rainbow Dash checking the mirror for herself to make sure). “Now are you ready to meet my parents?”   “Sure, lead the way.” Rainbow nodded. Twilight grinned happily and trotted down the stairs. Rainbow followed her into the kitchen where two ponies—a stallion with a blue coat and mare with a white coat—sat waiting for them. “Mom? Dad?” Twilight nodded to them. “This is my friend, Rainbow Dash. Rainbow, these are my parents—Twilight Velvet and Night Light.”   Rainbow gave the two a small smile and wave. “Hey. What’s up?”   Twilight Velvet smiled as she got up and bustled the two into their own seats at the table. “Oh, so you’re Rainbow Dash! We’ve heard so much about you!”   “Yeah?” Dash smirked. “I’m not surprised.”   Twilight groaned and rolled her eyes. “Mom, she just ate. You don’t have to feed her ego.”   But her mother simply waved Twilight off. “Oh really, Twilight—we’ve been hearing Rainbow stories ever since Shining was posted to the palace! And your letters about her—”   “Letters?” Rainbow tilted her head.   Night Light nodded. “Ever since she moved to Ponyville, Twilight’s been sending letters all about her new life in Ponyville. The library, her adventures, her friends...you’re mentioned quite a bit, actually.”   “Heh, yeah?” Rainbow looked at Twilight, who blushed and rubbed her head sheepishly.   “It’s kind of exciting to have friends.” She shifted in her seat. “I mean, there was Shining and Cadance but…never anypony my own age. Plus I’m out on my own and, well, I just like being able to share just how wonderful it all is with them.”   Rainbow Dash offered her a grin. “Hey, I get you. It’s been pretty awesome settling in Ponyville with you and the gals.”   A sudden sigh drew their attention to Velvet. “Shining Armor’s getting married and my little Twily’s out on her own…my babies are all growing up. Where did the time go?” Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she went over to nuzzle Twilight’s cheek.   “Mooom, you’re embarrassing me.” Twilight giggled as she nuzzled her back. “It’s not like I moved to San Franciscolt or Saddle Arabia.”   “Quit back talking to your poor old mom and hug her.” Velvet smiled through her tears as the two Twilights hugged. Night Light went over and gently rubbed their shoulders.   Rainbow Dash felt like she was intruding in a family moment. It was awkward. She hated awkward.   After noticing her squirming a bit, Night Light smiled at her. He winked and looked to Twilight Velvet. “Honey? Do you think you could take Twilight? I’m sure Rainbow would love to look over some family photo albums.”   Velvet’s eyes lit up. “That’s a wonderful idea! Oh the memories…I should get Shining Armor an album of his own for his new family.” She nudged Twilight. “You know, if your brother can find the time to get married…”    “Mooom!” Twilight moaned.   But her mother just ignored her protestation. “Come on, you can help me find our old photo albums. Don’t you want Rainbow Dash to see all your perfect final exams?” Velvet announced with cheer as she trotted out of the kitchen. A suddenly panicked looking Twilight hurried after her.   Night Light chuckled once the two had gone. “She’s one of a kind, our little Twilight.” He turned to Dash. “I wanted to talk to you alone for moment.” He cleared this throat. “This isn’t exactly easy for me to say…”   “…What is it?” Rainbow tilted her head. Is there something about Twilight he noticed that was off?   Night Light took a deep breath. “We—Velvet and I—we wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for Twilight … for being her friend.” He looked to the door where Twilight and her mother had just exited through. “Twilight’s a special pony. I know every father says that about their child, but it’s true.” He sighed. “We were worried about her for a long time. She was always so afraid…of other ponies, of her abilities and of herself.” He rubbed his face. “She shut herself away from the world and…it hurt. Seeing her so damaged and being unable help … what you and your friends have done for her is truly amazing.” He reached out and put a hoof on her shoulder. “She has friends now. She has a life. She’s out there and happy and…we’re incredibly grateful for that. I just wish there was more I could say than ‘thank you’ but…there it is. Thank you. So much…”   Rainbow felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she struggled to maintain her cool. “Hey, Twilight’s pretty awesome. All we did was…let her be her own awesome self without worrying about the other stuff.”   “Regardless of what you think you did or didn’t do, we’re still grateful.” Night Light patted her shoulder. “We were scared out of our minds when we heard of what happened in Ponyville, with Nightmare Moon. The thought of Twilight being in the thick of that--well, you can imagine. I bet your own parents were worried about you too.” That made Dash fidget in place. After she told her parents about the Nightmare Moon stuff, they had practically flipped out. Her dad had to be pried off her with a crowbar and her mom had wanted to deck Celestia in the nose for not dealing with it herself. It was embarrassing. Eventually they came realize that her awesomeness meant that she would have to deal with world threatening situations from time to time. It was just part of being a hero and stuff. But Rainbow realized that not everypony’s parents would be as cool with that stuff as hers. Not everypony could be Rainbow Dash, of course. Night Light went on. “And when we heard that she wanted to move to Ponyville after all that--well, were pretty hesitant to say the least. But she was so determined to be with her new friends that...we realized we couldn’t make her choose between us and you. We were on edge the entire time you went up the stop King Sombra. As dangerous and as scary as it was--for her and for us--Twilight made it through. And she grew and became a better pony for it. As much as her mother and I may not like it, adventure and danger is part of her life now.” He paused. “I--I know it’s as dangerous for you and the others as it is for Twilight, but I want to ask you...please, keep her safe?” “Always.” The answer was out of Rainbow’s mouth before she could even think about it.  She would do anything for her friends...and now Twilight’s parents were pretty much asking her to make sure their daughter stayed safe. And even as they spoke, Twilight could be locked up in a cocoon somewhere and have a love-eating bug taking her place, sleeping in her bed and hugging her parents. And even if it wasn’t Twilight, it could be any one of her other friends, all of whom had families and loved ones too. Dash’s eyes flashed with resolve. I am going to find that bug. Nopony is taking MY friend away from me--or their families! “Thank you,” Night Light sagged in relief. “You have no idea how much that helps me feel better, knowing that you’re watching out for her.” He chuckled. “It’s funny, when Twilight was younger and still afraid, Shining Armor would tell her a story of some outrageous thing you’ve done. He’d then tell her, ‘The next time you’re afraid, just ask yourself: what would Rainbow Dash do?’”   Dash snorted. “That’s rich. Whenever I ended up getting into trouble, he’d tell me all about his super-clever sister and how I should try to think ahead like she would. Hay, Twilight’s now my tutor and stuff.”   “I heard.” Night Light laughed. “Twilight was ecstatic to be teaching somepony…even if she is a stubborn, athletic-oriented class clown.” Rainbow grinned sheepishly. Night Light just chuckled as he got up and went around the table to give her a hug. “My kids think of you as practically another sister. You’re always welcome in our home.” “T-thanks.” Rainbow swallowed. “I--thank you.” She was saved from any mushy display by Twilight’s mother choosing that moment to poke her head back into the kitchen, a photo album clutched in her magical grip. “Come on you two, we found the photo album! Did you know that Twilight won the science fair every year starting from Magical Kindergarten?” She flipped open the album and directed Rainbow Dash’s gaze to a young Twilight proudly holding up a blue ribbon.   Twilight groaned dramatically from someplace behind her. “Mom.” “Hey,” Rainbow smirked. “You got to see mine when you visited Cloudsdale. Consider us even.” That prompted a grumble from Twilight. “You’re not getting first dibs on smores, then.”   “Isn’t this fun?”   Rainbow sighed as Twilight smeared goop across her face. “Ecstatic.”   “Come on, Rainbow…” a faint whine worked its way into Twilight’s voice. “You said we’d do everything by the book this time!”   “Yeah, yeah…” Dash sighed. I’m an idiot. Been here two hours, gotten my face glopped on and I still have no idea if this is Twilight or not. What a waste of time.    Twilight’s shoulders slumped a bit. “I guess we don’t have to…if you really don’t want to.” Rainbow Dash was about to agree in a heartbeat when she saw the sad look on Twilight’s face. “It’s not—the sleepover book is fine. I just … kinda got a lot on my mind, you know?”   “Well … do you wanna talk about it?” Twilight asked, grabbing a mane brush with her magic and getting to work on Rainbow’s mane.   Rainbow winced…though that might have been due to the knots in her hair. “Yeah, I guess.  S’just…so much stuff is going on.”   “Like the Gala Wedding?” Twilight offered, tugging at the brush. “It is a pretty big deal—I mean, I’m gonna have an in-law! A sister-in-law!” A giddy squeal escaped Twilight’s muzzle, prompting an amused chuckle from Rainbow. Twilight caught herself and sheepishly got back to the brushing. “Aren’t you excited?”   Rainbow nodded faintly. “Oh yeah, I‘m excited for Shiny and Cadey. It’s just--kind of a big change. I mean wasn’t that long ago that I was dropping water balloons on Shiney’s head and leaving stinkbombs in his armor.” Twilight chuckled. “You did have an interesting way of expressing your crush on him.”   Dash rolled her eyes, trying—and failing—not to blush. “Yeah, yeah…whatever. Gotta be a big thing for you too. Isn’t he staying with Cadance in the Crystal Empire after they get hitched?”   “Yeah…” The unicorn deflated slightly. “I’m really going to miss him. Until I met you and the others, he was my only real friend. And I’ve been so busy settling into Ponyville that I haven’t seen him as much as I wanted to—especially since he stayed to help Cadance in the Crystal Empire. With them getting married…I guess I’ll only get to see him on visits.” Her ears flattened against her head and she sniffled slightly. “S-sorry. This was supposed to be a fun night and instead—”   “Hey.” Rainbow gave her a hug. “It’s okay. I’m going to miss Shiny Hiney too, you know?”   Twilight nodded. “I know.” She sighed. “It’s so…I don't even know what the word is for it. I love Cadance and I’m so happy that they’re going to be getting married. At the same time … I feel like I’m not going to be as important to Shining Armor as I used to be. Getting married is…it’s big. I mean, he and Cadance are going to have kids someday. A family of their own and I’m—I’m…”   “His super awesome sister.” Rainbow draped a wing across her back, hesitating only a second before she pulled Twilight close. “That’s not going to change.”   “But everything else is...and I’m scared.” She gave a weak, half-bitter laugh. “I know, that’s just a surprise isn’t it? Twilight Sparkle being scared and lame.” Twilight leaned against Rainbow Dash. “I wish I could be brave and adventurous like you, instead of being such a lame, scaredy-pony” Rainbow frowned. “Hey, whoa, no. Just no. You are anything but lame. Or a scaredy-pony. A lame pony would never be the Element of Magic. A scaredy-pony would never have come to stop Nightmare Moon or Sombra. You. Are. Awesome. And I know awesome.” She puffed herself up and gave her mane an arrogant little toss that succeeded in getting Twilight to crack a smile. She decided to keep going with it. “I mean, I’m an expert on awesome. I have a degree in awesomeness.”   Twilight rolled her eyes. “Uh huh. Gee, maybe I should go for a degree in awesomeness too. Followed by a Master’s Degree in radicalness and a PhD in coolness.”   “Couldn’t hurt!” Rainbow put in, rubbing her chest with a hoof. “I’ll teach you everything I know.”   “That won’t take long!” Twilight blurted out before collapsing into giggles. “Thank you, Rainbow…” The slumber party book floated over and she started to flip through the pages. “Ooh! Next up is making smores! Can’t fall behind schedule!”   Rainbow Dash snorted and rolled her eyes. The things I do for friends. As Twilight consulted her book on the proper way to built smores, Rainbow thought more about ways to determine if Twilight was a changeling. “So, uh Twilight, what’re you going to do for the Gala Wedding?”   “Hmm? Give me a minute.” Twilight finished putting together another smore, making sure there was an even dozen before turning back to Dash. “Well, since I’m overseeing the organizing of the wedding, I figured I’d go around and see how our friends are doing getting things ready.” Her horn glimmered and a checklist floated over. “I’m going to make sure Shining Armor and Cadance have the best wedding ever! I’ve got charts and diagrams and a dozen different plans for the seating charts and--”   “Whoah, Twilight—chill!” Rainbow held up her hooves. “I get it, it’s going to be a great wedding.”   Twilight shook her head. “Great? Nonono, it has to be absolutely perfect! There will be delegates and high-ranking ponies from all over Equestria coming: from the Crystal Empire, Maretonia, Saddle Arabia…everypony’s going to be watching!” A panicked expression crossed her face. “What if something goes wrong? A chair is out of place or one of the guests has an allergy to the cake? What if some of the visitors get upset? It could cause a political disaster! Delegates would feel insulted and that would cause fledgling trade agreements to crumble leaving the Crystal Empire destitute and ponies begging from begging beggars for daisy sandwiches! Worse! Cadance and Shining Armor’s wedding would be ruined!” Her breath started to come out in bursts and hitches. “They love each other so much and I want them to be happy together! But if some important pony has a bad time because of their wedding that might cause stress on their relationship! Maybe even ruin their marriage and it would be All. My. Fault!”   Rainbow leaned back, almost physically forced away by the force of panic Twilight was giving off. “Whoa, whoa whoa!” She grabbed Twilight by the shoulders. “Twilight, relax! Breathe!”   Twilight panted. “Right, breathing. I can do that.” She took a few gulps of air. “Sorry…”   “You gotta learn to relax more,” Rainbow patted her back—secretly trying to feel if she could feel a bug shell beneath her coat. “It’s not the end of the world if somepony thinks the drinks are too warm or whatever.”   “I know, I know.” Twilight sighed. “I just—I don’t like leaving things to chance. You never know what might happen.”   “You mean like turning your parents into house plants?” Rainbow asked. A pained wince and a whimper from Twilight was enough to make Dash want to bonk herself on the head later. “I’m sorry, didn’t mean it like that. But that was an accident. You know, not your fault? You don’t have to become this…totally buttoned up, obsessive compulsive control freak out of fear of what might happen. We’ve talked about this.” She narrowed her eyes a bit as she thought about that.   Twilight nodded faintly. “I know we did, and you were right. But…I still feel that way sometimes. What if my focus slips and somepony gets hurt? Mom and Dad…Shining Armor and Cadance…” she looked over at Dash and bit her lip. “You and the girls? I don’t know how I’d be able to live with myself if something like that ever happened.”   Rainbow nudged her gently. “Hey. Nothing like that is going to happen, I promise you. Now instead of working yourself into a tizzy over it, how about if we work on making this sleepover the best one ever?” She grinned. “Think of it as practice for making the Gala Wedding the best one ever.”   Her suggestion seemed to work as Twilight brightened and consulted her slumber party book again. When her focus was away, Rainbow Dash rubbed her face. Think brain, think think think! How do you tell if your friend is really your friend or just a really clever shapeshifting, love-eating bug impersonating your friend?   Twilight was nervous and on-edge about making sure the wedding came off perfectly … which was pretty Twilight-like. She cared about making her friends and family happy and her way about making sure it happened was to plan it out as much as possible.   On the other hoof, if she were an evil bug trying to take over Equestria, she’d want to make sure everything went exactly as planned too. And the wedding planner would make an ideal pony to replace—they’d know how many ponies were coming, where they’d be, and was in charge of everything.   Dash reached out, wondering if there was some way she could ‘feel’ the changeling underneath the disguise. She gently poked Twilight in the side. The unicorn’s ear flicked, but otherwise took no real notice. Dash poked her again, and once more after that. Still nothing. Hmm… I got it! Her eyes lit up. Maybe I can surprise or startle her into dropping the act!   Rainbow Dash crouched down into a pounce and leapt onto the unsuspecting Twilight. “GYAH! Rainbow Dash w-what are you—hahaa—stoppit!” She squealed as Rainbow began mercilessly tickling her with her wings. “Cut it out!” Her horn lit up and she teleported away, reappearing on her bed. “You asked for it!”   Success! Rainbow patted herself on the back. She’d caught the changeling off-guard and she was about to drop her disguise to attack her! Now she just had to ready herself to handle whatever assault was going to be sent her way and then she could bring the fake in to the Princess! Rainbow Dash you are a gen—“OOF!” Her train of thought was abruptly derailed as a magically-launched pillow struck her in the face.   “Chaaarge!” Twilight shouted as she leapt off her bed, flailing with another pillow clutched in her hooves and two more in her magical grip. Rainbow was buffeted and bopped with fluffy pillows of doom.   Curses. Foiled again. Rainbow quickly grabbed the pillow she’d been hit with and began swinging at Twilight, hoping she could at least find out how changelings carried themselves in a fight…before realizing that she was trying to analyze battle tactics during a pillow fight. I may have to rethink how I investigate this whole changeling business. Still, there was no need to take a dive during a pillow fight--regardless of whether she was fighting a changeling or Twilight. Rainbow Dash rubbed her head, looking around for more ammunition. Her eyes lingered on a small lump on a bedside table. “Hey, what’s this?” She lifted it up, realizing that it was a small, ragdoll.   Twilight looked over and blinked. “Smarty Pants!” She trotted over and gently took the doll out of Rainbow’s hooves, hugging it close to her chest. “I’ve had her since I was a filly, my very first study buddy. Look!” She showed her to Dash. “She even has a little quill and notebook so you can pretend she’s doing her homework with you!” A faint blush crossed her cheeks. “I know that’s not really your thing…”   Not even a little, Rainbow rolled her eyes slightly.   “…but she used to keep me company whenever I was alone. I’ve had her as long as I can remember and—she was my first friend, after Shining Armor.” Twilight hugged her close. “I used to sleep with her every night so I’d never have to be alone.”   Rainbow tilted her head. “If Smarty Pants is so important to you, why didn’t you bring it with you when you moved to Ponyville?”   “I meant to ask my parents to mail her…but I never got around to it.” Twilight shuffled. “I guess I felt like I didn’t need her as much now that I was older and had some real friends.” She smiled faintly at Rainbow. “I guess, you and the others became my new Smarty Pants.”   Dash quirked a brow at that, looking at the flop-eared doll critically. “Uh-huh…so,” she grinned wryly. “You’re calling me a smarty pants, huh? Does that mean I’m a smart dresser or that I’m smarter than you now?” She settled back. “I guess this means you don’t need to tutor me anymore.”   Twilight snorted. “Yeah, right. Nice try, Rainbow.” She hugged the doll to her face and giggled. “Heh. I remember one time when my bags and Shining’s got mixed up and he had to explain to his commanding officers and his fellow cadets why he had Smarty Pants in his stuff!” The two laughed and started swapping Shining Armor stories. Like the time Shining Armor first tried to ask Cadance out on a date … only to choke and ask her where she bought her perfume because he wanted it too. There was also the time he played an Oubliettes and Ogres marathon so long that he became sleep deprived started to claim that ogres had stolen his homework. Then Twilight consulted her list. “Since we’re trading stories--why not have Truth or Dare now?” Rainbow Dash’s eyes lit up. That sounded like the perfect way to get some more information out of Twilight, if that’s who she really was. “Sure! I’ll go first. Truth or Dare?” “I’m going to say truth.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “I don’t need you daring me to interrupt my brother’s wedding by loudly proclaiming my love for Cadance.” ...Okay so she knows me pretty well. “Yeah, yeah...so! Here’s your question: do you like bugs?” “Bugs?” Twilight pulled a face. “No, why would you even think that I would?” Because you might be a giant love eating locust. “No reason. I just bet that an egghead like you would’ve gone around as a kid with a big book of bugs, trying to identify all the different types of, well, bugs.” “Not really,” Twilight shook her head. “Entomology is fascinating, don’t get me wrong. But I never felt any strong need to let bugs get under my coat and in my mane…with their, creepy, crawly and way too many legs.” She shuddered. “I once blew out a wall of the house because I saw a spider crawling up it.” “Huh, okay.” Rainbow sat back. That story, while funny, didn’t help her mission any. Unless of course, changelings were afraid of spiders. “Your turn.” “Truth or Dare?” “Truth.” Rainbow shrugged, not really caring much about the game. When she looked back up at Twilight, she saw her looking concerned. Am I getting too close to the truth? “Rainbow Dash, is something wrong?” Twilight asked. “And yes, that’s your question. You’ve been acting strangely all night and I want to know if something is bothering you.” She raised a hoof to forestall any objections from the cyan pegasus before they could be made. “You’ve been quiet, passive and switching between being really close and supportive and keeping your distance.” Her face softened. “I’m your friend, Rainbow. I want to help you the way you’ve helped me.” Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “Okay...the truth is--the truth is…maybe Shiny getting married is still bugging me a little.” It took all of her willpower not to wince at the deceit. She’d gotten over her issues with Shining Armor and Cadance back during their trek to the frozen north. But she couldn’t tell Twilight the real reason she was upset, and it bothered her to no end. I know honesty is more Applebutt's thing, but that doesn't mean I'm okay with lying to my friends. The worst part was the look of total and complete understanding on Twilight’s face. “Oh Rainbow,” she reached out and put a hoof on Dash’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.” “It’s okay. Really.” Her awkwardness was only heightened when Twilight hugged her. Twilight held her until she returned the embrace. “I know this is difficult. But like you told me, just because Shining Armor is marrying Cadance doesn’t mean he cares and less about me--or you. You’ll always be special to him, okay?” Rainbow noded. “Yeah, okay. Thanks Twilight.” She cleared her throat. “So, uh since that was your question, it’s might turn again. So, truth or dare?” After that they went another round or two, but it quickly petered out. Turns out that having only two players made the game kinda lame. Rainbow was fine with letting the game end, despite not being crowned the winner. The rest of the game hadn’t given her any answers and in hindsight asking Twilight if she’d liked bugs was a really dumb way to see if she was a changeling. Rainbow Dash was trying to think of her next move when Twilight yawned suddenly. “Oooghh, sorry. It’s late. Maybe we should turn in.”   “Sounds like a plan. I could use some shut-eye.” Dash stretched, joints popping. “G’night Twilight.”   “Good night, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight returned as she got onto her bed. She gave Rainbow a smile. “Pleasant dreams, Rainbow. Don’t let the bedbugs bite!”   Dash tensed suddenly as the lights went out, waiting for an attack that could come at any second, from any direction. Even when after a minute passed, then another, then five more, she didn’t relax. Rainbow Dash, champion napper of Cloudsdale, Canterlot and Ponyville lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling as sleep eluded her. I’m really not cut out for this investigation horseapples. I hate all this sneaking around and trying to be subtle. Not trusting my best friends blows. I’d do anything for them—but if they’re not them, then—Gyah! She turned over and buried her face into her pillow, trying to repress a scream of frustration.   So just who is that? One of my best friends, who I’d do anything for—or a changeling out to replace me as I sleep?   Twilight might not have told any really scary stories, but Rainbow Dash still wasn’t going to get any sleep that night.