Pinkie rested her head against Applejack’s shoulder as she told her story. After Sonata had fled the school, Pinkie had tried calling her. She hadn’t answered, but a few minutes later Sonata had texted back saying that she was sorry, and that she didn’t feel right about what her sisters were doing anymore.
“What, so she was fine with it before?” Applejack interrupted. Pinkie didn’t have an answer for that.
“It’s probably the only way of living she ever knew,” Twilight reasoned. “She spent her whole life using her magic to get what she wanted. It might never even have occurred to the sirens that it was wrong, especially when they were all reinforcing each other every step of the way.”
“That makes sense,” Fluttershy agreed. “They never tried living any other way until they didn’t have a choice.”
“Sorry, Pinkie, what were ya sayin’?” Applejack gave her cousin a nudge.
“She just doesn’t know what to do,” Pinkie repeated what she’d said earlier. “She doesn’t want to hurt people anymore, but they still need to eat. Aria and Adagio will never change either.”
“Never say never,” Twilight advised her. “Actually, Sonata might be the one person who can get them to change, if she really stands up to them.”
“Yeah, right,” Rainbow scoffed. “That girl’s a doormat.”
“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity snapped. “Is a bit of sympathy once in a while really too much to ask from you?”
Realizing that the others, including Pinkie, were all glaring angrily at her, Rainbow backed down and mumbled something that might have been an apology.
“I want to help, but I don’t know how,” Pinkie said to the others. She’d already done everything she could think of. How could she cheer someone up when that person wouldn’t come to her parties?
“Don’t reckon there’s much we can do, aside from what you’re already doing,” Applejack said.
“Applejack’s right,” Twilight joined in. “We can’t force Sonata to stand up to her sisters, and we can’t make her be happy about the situation. All we can do is offer our friendship and support.”
“That’s not good enough!” Pinkie cried.
“I know it isn’t,” Twilight said sadly, “but until Sonata’s ready to make a change for herself, it’s all we have.”
Pinkie couldn’t accept that. She gritted her teeth and turned her attention back to her phone. Sonata would eventually text her back, and when she did, Pinkie was going to make everything alright. Somehow.
“Pinkie Pie?” Applejack tightened her hold around the girl’s shoulders. “It’ll be alright. Things’re already a whole lot better than the first time the sirens showed up.”
“You’re wrong,” Pinkie whispered. “It was so much easier when we just had to beat them. Now I have to save her.”
“Pinkie Pie,” Rarity said to her, “I know you mean well, but you can’t save someone from herself.”
“I am going to save her,” Pinkie repeated firmly. Her eyes burned with a ferocity that none of the others had ever imagined from her. Oddly enough, Pinkie’s cheeks were growing warm as well.
Ah, so that’s it. Rarity carefully hid a knowing smile. The silly girl was absolutely smitten. Unfortunately, as much as Rarity wanted to be happy for her friend, this was likely going to complicate an already difficult situation. She kept her thoughts to herself and simply put a supportive hand on Pinkie’s shoulder.
It soon became clear that there was nothing more to be done that evening. Twilight found herself wondering what Discord had wanted. He’d seemed pretty certain that they would all wind up back in Equestria, and he’d asked her to “give him a call” once that happened. Besides that, if a crystal castle in a magical kingdom couldn’t distract the girls from their troubles, then absolutely nothing would. They could all use a vacation, even if only for a night.
“What’cha smilin’ about over there, Twilight?” Applejack asked her.
“I was just thinking,” Twilight replied. “Do you girls want to come sleep over at my place instead?”
It took a moment for the full impact of what she’d just said to hit the others.
“Your place?” Rainbow Dash finally replied. “You mean in Equestria?”
“Yup. You’ve all been so generous to me, I was thinking it’s time I returned the favor. Sunset Shimmer’s there now, and how many people can say that they’ve gone to a slumber party in a castle? There’s more than enough room for everyone.” She realized that she was rambling and stopped herself.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” Fluttershy asked. “I mean, didn’t you say that there were already versions of us in that world?”
“Funny thing about magical worlds, it’s a lot easier to explain that kind of thing,” Twilight laughed. “Besides, as long as we stay inside the castle, no one should see you anyway.”
“Would we turn into ponies, then?” Rarity questioned. She seemed caught between interest and trepidation at the idea. “I mean, we all change when we play music, but we’d turn completely into ponies?”
“I think so,” Twilight said, though she realized she couldn’t actually know for sure. “I mean, the portal turns Equestrian natives into humans, I assume it works the other way too. You’d change back as soon as you went back to this world,” she reassured them.
“Whattaya say, Pinkie?” Applejack asked. “Feel like bein’ a pretty pink pony princess for a day?”
“That does sound like fun,” Pinkie admitted with the first hint of a smile she’d given in hours.
“What about the food?” Rainbow asked, looking mournfully at the still-open menu on Pinkie’s computer.
“Oh, I’m sure I can scrounge up something,” Twilight giggled.
“Well, sounds like a plan to me,” Applejack said. The others agreed, and with a quick round of explanations to their parents—explanations which very pointedly left out the part about travelling to another world—they left Pinkie’s house to make for the portal.
“So, what do we do?” Rarity asked nervously as they all stared at the side of the Wondercolt statue.
“Just step through it,” Twilight said. “It feels pretty weird, but it doesn’t hurt. Next thing you know, you’re in another world.”
“Another world…” Fluttershy’s voice shook nervously, and everyone could see that she was having serious second thoughts.
“It’ll be fine,” Twilight promised them. “Besides, if you do decide that you don’t like it there, your own world is just a step away.”
Applejack licked her lips nervously. “Ah dunno about this. What if—”
Whatever doubt she’d been about to voice was interrupted by Pinkie Pie, who threw herself through the portal with a cry of “Me first! Whee!”
Applejack chuckled. “Well, ah guess she’s feelin’ better.”
“I’d better go make sure she’s okay,” Twilight said. “You girls will be right behind me, right?” The others promised to follow immediately, and Twilight jumped through to check on Pinkie Pie.
She found her friend adapting surprisingly well to her new pony form. Pinkie was already standing comfortably on four hooves, and was prancing around in a circle trying to see her new body from every angle. She became momentarily fascinated by her puffy tail and chased it like a dog. It was good to see her looking happy again.
Stumbling hoofsteps warned Twilight that someone else had come through the portal. She looked behind her and reached out with her magic just in time to prevent Rarity from faceplanting into the crystal floor.
“Oh!” Rarity gasped at the unfamiliar touch of telekinesis. “Why, thank you. I assume that’s you, Twili…huh…buh…” Rarity trailed off as she took in her surroundings. She sat down heavily on her haunches as she tried, and failed, to process the sheer grandeur of the crystal castle she found herself in.
“Whoa, nelly!” Applejack’s distinctive twang rang out as she stepped through, stumbling but managing not to fall in her unfamiliar new body. She glanced sideways at Rarity with a chuckle. “Um, Twilight, ah think ya broke her.”
Applejack very, very carefully picked her way across the room, getting accustomed to walking on four legs.
“Whoa—ow!” Rainbow Dash was next. As Twilight should have expected, she hadn’t taken the transition with any degree of caution or care. She had raced through the portal and immediately tripped over her new legs.
Rainbow Dash picked herself up, whatever embarrassment she might have felt fading instantly as she took in her new body, particularly her powerful wings. “Aw, yeah!” She stretched out the wings and took an easy lap around the room, the little experience she had with flying in her human form translating easily to her equine one.
Fluttershy was the last one through, and she looked like she wanted nothing more than to dart back to the human world immediately. She stood trembling just in front of the mirror until Rainbow Dash landed beside her and awkwardly tried to throw a hoof around her shoulders. This ended with both of them falling to the ground, laughing at themselves and each other.
“Twilight, you’re back!” Spike, probably alerted by all the commotion, came into the room to greet her. “And you brought the others?”
“I figured we could all use a little break,” Twilight said, “so I suggested they come and see Equestria. As long as we stick to the castle, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“So this is the real you, huh Twilight?” Applejack said, slowly pacing over. She was getting more stable, but still seemed uncertain on her hooves.
“I am still me in the human world, you know,” Twilight answered, gently chiding Applejack, “but this is my natural form, yes.”
“Why, Twilight, you’re adorable!” Rarity had apparently recovered from her fabulosity overload. “And is that really Spike? I don’t know whether he’s cuter as a puppy or like this!”
Twilight and Spike both blushed. Twilight wasn’t sure how she felt about being called “adorable,” but Spike couldn’t have looked more pleased.
“Hey,” Rainbow called out, “how come Twilight gets to have wings and a horn?”
“Because she’s a princess,” Spike answered.
“Wait, what does your rank have to do with it?” Rarity questioned.
“I wasn’t always a princess,” Twilight answered her, “and I wasn’t always an alicorn either. A winged unicorn,” she explained when she saw the blank looks on the others’ faces. “I actually used to be a regular unicorn like you, Rarity. When I completed Star Swirl’s spell, it somehow turned me into this. That was the sign that I was ready to be a princess. Or something. I’m actually a little unclear on the details myself,” she admitted.
One part of Twilight’s story clearly stood out for Rarity. “I’m a unicorn?” she exclaimed excitedly, trying to cross her eyes in such a way that she could see her own horn.
Twilight laughed, glad to see everyone looking so happy. “Yes, you’re a unicorn. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are pegasi, though you probably realized that already, and Applejack and Pinkie Pie are what are called earth ponies.”
“Earth ponies, huh?” Applejack sounded rather glum about that.
“Is something the matter?” Twilight asked.
“Just feels, ah dunno, not very special, I suppose,” Applejack replied. “Shoot, I must sound all kinds of ungrateful after all you’re doing. Sorry, didn’t mean to make it sound like I’m not thrilled to be here and all.”
“It’s alright,” Twilight answered. She knew more than she cared to about prejudice against earth ponies. “It’s true that you can’t fly like pegasi, or use magic like Rarity and I can, but earth ponies are the strongest and sturdiest ponies of all. They might not be flashy, but they’re solid and dependable. I think it suits you,” she finished with a smile.
“Well, when ya put it like that, ah guess it doesn’t sound so bad,” Applejack answered, sounding mollified.
“Where’s Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight finally thought to ask.
“Taking a nap,” Spike answered her. “Princess Celestia left a while ago. I was supposed to wake Sunset up for dinner, but…” he looked around at how many ponies he suddenly needed to cook for.
“Don’t worry about it,” Twilight said. “Does Taco Bell still deliver?”
“Yeah. Should I get one of her dozen-taco bags? Will that be enough for everypony?”
“Better make it two bags,” Twilight replied, levitating over a small pile of bits. Spike took the money and left to place the order.
“Was that gold?” Rarity exclaimed once the dragon was out of the room.
“Um. Yes?” Twilight answered, confused by her reaction. “They’re called bits.”
“Oh my. I suppose being a princess truly does have its perks,” Rarity said, faintly breathless.
“What do you mean?” Twilight replied. “That’s just what we use for currency. Everypony has them.”
“Wha… everyone… gold?” Rarity looked like she might fall over again.
“In our world, gold is very valuable and hard to find,” Fluttershy explained to Twilight. “I think it must be more common here.”
“That explains why you use paper as money, I guess,” Twilight mused. “Anyway, what do you girls say to the grand tour?”
The others, excited to see the rest of the castle, quickly agreed.
“Twilight?” a familiar voice called out from the doorway. Sunset Shimmer came into the room, looking around at Twilight and the others.
“Oh! I’m sorry, did we wake you up?” Twilight asked.
Sunset shook her head. “I was just resting, couldn’t sleep. I’m feeling a lot better though." She paused for a moment, thinking over exactly what she needed to say. "Thank you, Twilight. For everything.”
Twilight smiled, a now-familiar warmth building in her chest as she thought about Sunset’s reunion with her old teacher. “You’re welcome. I’m glad things are going better for you.”
Sunset nodded, smiling herself. After a moment, she remembered why she’d come to this room in the first place. “Did I hear something about tacos? I’m starving.”
“Spike just went to place the order,” Twilight answered. “In the meantime, I was just about to show the others around. Care to join?”
Over the next hour, Twilight showed the others around the castle. Spike came back after a little while and joined the tour, adding his own commentary here and there. By the time Taco Bell arrived with their dinners, they had just barely finished the library and ground floor.
“This place is simply enormous,” Rarity exclaimed as they sat down to eat. “How many more stories are there?”
“Ten,” Twilight groaned. “Don’t remind me. This floor alone is more than any pony needs. What in the wide, wide world of Equestria am I supposed to do with ten more like it?”
“Castles were supposed to be someplace safe for people to go when they were under attack,” Rainbow Dash said around a mouthful of taco. “It’s easier to defend a castle than a whole city.” She noticed everyone staring at her. “What? Medieval times were awesome!”
“She’s actually right,” Sunset Shimmer added. “Maybe the castle is so big because it needs to have room for everypony in case something happens to Ponyville.” Sunset’s mind drifted back to what she herself could do with a building like this, prompting her to hide her thoughts behind an abnormally large bite of food.
“Could be,” Twilight agreed. It was a nice idea, though she didn’t like to think about a situation where her castle would be needed for that role.
“Aw, come on, no meat?” Rainbow complained as she looked inside the taco she’d just bitten into. Twilight nearly choked on her own bite of food, and looked rather green at the thought of there being meat in it.
“Ponies are obligate herbivores,” Fluttershy replied. She received a blank look from Rainbow Dash in reply. “Eating meat makes them sick,” she explained.
“Oh.” Rainbow’s ears drooped, but she quickly recovered her enthusiasm and wolfed down several more tacos anyway.
Once everyone was full and the remnants of the meal had been cleared away, they started settling in for the night. There were more than enough rooms and plenty of furniture for everyone to have her own space, but they decided it would be more fun to camp out in the large central throne room.
Twilight had already explained about cutie marks, and it didn’t take long for the girls to notice that the thrones’ markings matched theirs exactly. This prompted Twilight to tell the story of how she’d gotten the castle in the first place, how she and her friends had worked together to defeat Tirek and how Twilight had finally chosen her role as Princess of Friendship.
“You’re kiddin’ me,” Applejack looked positively flabbergasted. “Ya mean it actually is called Rainbow Power?”
“Yes!” Rainbow flew into the air and pumped a hoof. “Totally called it!”
“You realize we’ll never hear the end of this,” Sunset said dryly.
Twilight laughed. “Sorry, girls.”
“So, this Tree of… Harmony, was it?” Rarity asked. “You said you’d gotten something from it before?”
“Not me personally, but my friends and I did use the Elements of Harmony for a while,” Twilight answered. This led to more questions, which led to more stories. After a while, Sunset added some of her own tales from her time in Equestria, particularly her time as Princess Celestia’s student. Time passed, and eventually they realized that it had gotten quite late and they were all yawning. By a group decision, they all went to fetch pillows and blankets—there were enough for a small army, supporting Rainbow’s idea that the castle was meant to house the townsponies in a crisis—and settled in for the night.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Rarity’s ear twitched at the sound of a quiet gasp. She was having a great deal of trouble sleeping, due both to her unfamiliar new body and the fact that she was not at all used to sleeping on the floor, no matter how many pillows were available. She had nearly written the sound off as her imagination, or one of her friends making a sound in her sleep, when she heard it again.
Rarity carefully picked her head up and looked around. It didn’t take long for her to spot the source of the noise, lit as it was by the glow of a cell phone.
Pinkie Pie sat awake, somewhat apart from the others, morosely poking at her phone with a hoof. It was a testament to how lost in thought the pink pony was that she didn’t hear Rarity coming up behind her.
“I don’t think our phones get any signal in Equestria, darling,” she whispered to her melancholy friend.
Pinkie giggled. It sounded horribly forced. “Nope, nothing. And just think of the roaming charges!” The fur beneath her eyes was wet and crusted.
Rarity stood a moment, unsure of what to say. Finally, she stretched her neck forward and pressed herself against Pinkie Pie, like she’d seen Twilight and Sunset do before. It was nearly as good as a hug. “You don’t have to pretend to be happy, you know. It's okay to feel sad when you need to,” she murmured. “I know you’re thinking about Sonata.”
Pinkie tensed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rarity chuckled. “Please. If you were glowing any brighter we wouldn’t need the moon.” Pinkie remained frozen and silent. “Come now, I think it’s wonderful that you’ve found someone,” Rarity encouraged her, but the other girl didn’t say a word. Rarity exhaled gently. “I won’t tell the others if you don’t want me to.”
That was quite a promise considering Rarity’s love of gossip, but it was a promise that she would keep to her dying breath.
“Thanks,” Pinkie whispered. She buried her face into Rarity’s shoulder, and the unicorn felt the telltale warmth of tears. “I didn’t think it would hurt so much.”
Rarity laid a gentle, friendly kiss on top of Pinkie’s head. “Everything will be alright, you’ll see,” she said. “We’ve already brought Sonata around. If she helps us win her sisters over, we can all be friends. Maybe then you can have yourself some quality time with a siren.” Rarity privately thought that that was about as far-fetched as… well, come to think of it, as any of the things that had happened since Twilight first came to Canterlot High. It was certainly no more impossible than the adventures they’d already had.
“We really should get some sleep,” Rarity said after a short while. Pinkie nodded agreement, and together the two of them piled up blanket and pillows into an almost-comfortable bed. By unspoken agreement, Rarity laid down next to her friend to provide warmth and comfort. Pinkie snuggled into her side and was soon snoring quietly. Rarity laid her own head down and did her best to follow suit.