//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Of Alternate Twilights // Story: A Mirror Universe // by PioneeringAuthor //------------------------------// Ponyville, Equestria. Princess Twilight Sparkle looked at the mirror that Celestia had sent. Just like the mirror that led her to meet Sunset Shimmer, this was one of Starswirl the Bearded’s experiments… However, Princess Celestia had not told her where would this one lead; it was almost as if she had never bothered to try and know what was on the other side… Excitedly she began to power it up, waiting… Then the inside of the mirror turned to a purple tone, and somehow, she found herself being sucked in… “B-But… it’s not supposed to do that!” She managed to exclaim before disappearing into the mirror. Canterlot, The Other Equestria. A few years had passed, and Princess Cadence of the Alicorn Empire was walking towards the Canterlot Library with Twilight Sparkle, her coltfriend’s sister who she was foalsitting for now. For a moment she looked over to the park and noticed, amongst many alicorns and other ponies that walked around, a different alicorn. She was Purple, in different shades on her mane and too similar to Twilight… Deciding that she was just a bit tired, she continued onwards to the library. Meanwhile, a very confused Princess Twilight looked over at the city which, besides the large amount of alicorns, seemed just like Canterlot. Managing to blend in, she walked around from the park and towards the library; After her previous encounters with alternate universes and time loops, she was not too eager to attract attention by asking a random pony about where she was… Eventually she made her way to the library; not paying that much attention to who was inside, she got a book on history and sighed, hoping it could enlighten her, but knowing it would take a long time. It was then that a filly bumped into her. Surprised, she turned to help her up and then froze in place. This was simply impossible… Right? The little filly also looked at her, trying to understand what she was seeing, after all, it’s not every day you see yourself, grown up and with wings. To add to the surreal scene, right after the filly, Princess Twilight noticed a pink teenaged alicorn walking up to them. “T-Twilight?” It was Cadence who broke the awkward silence, and both turned their heads to her as the pink alicorn tried to recover from this. Not knowing what to say, Cadence sat there. Twilight walked over to her and was soon hiding behind her, while Princess Twilight stared at them in a mild shock. “What is going on?” Asked Cadence, looking at the older Twilight who just sat there. For a few seconds she went through all the possible things that could have gone wrong when opening the portal before finally confessing, “I… I don’t know.” Softly, Cadence walked up to her, sitting closer before examining this other Twilight, who seemed as old as herself, and was an alicorn. Silently she watched before little Twilight looked at them. “Are you from another universe?” She asked quietly. Princess Twilight nodded at that. “Did it have something to do with Starswirl the Bearded? ” the filly asked, clearly interested now. Princess Twilight smiled at that, nodding, “Yeah! I was examining a mirror he made and I ended up here,” She admitted, slightly embarrassed. At that, Cadence giggled a bit. This mare was definitely Twilight! As they began talking, Cadence watched; admittedly, she had never liked her magic classes, and soon was lost in their conversation. “And that is how I arrived here,” finished Princess Twilight as the little one smiled, then thought of something… “Wait… If Celestia is a Princess where you’re from… then who is the Empress?” She looked at the older Twilight with a curious gaze. Twilight seemed surprised by the question and looked at them “Empress? ” she asked, surprised. “Yes!” The filly responded, “Who is the empress of the Alicorn Empire?” “We don’t have an alicorn empire anymore,” Princess Twilight explained, “It fell thousands of years ago… wait… this IS that empire… in another universe,” as the realization came to her, she became increasingly excited, “So… even though we are in different universes, it’s still pretty much the same… so… I could stay here for a while and research! Oh, there are so many questions! So many mysteries! I can’t wait to find it all out for myself!” Little Twilight squealed at that and looked at Cadence. “Can I help her? Pleeeease?” she looked at the pink alicorn with her recently-mastered technique of puppy eyes. Cadence giggled slightly and looked at them before nodding. “All right, but we will have to talk to Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna,” she reminded her. Little Twilight did a small happy dance before looking at them… and once again Princess Twilight halted abruptly. “Wait… Luna? Oh, nevermind,” She guessed it was logical to think that if the Empire existed, then Nightmare Moon never occurred. Suddenly, another realization struck her: they were not just princesses, they were of the Old Alicorn Imperial Family! After taking a long breath and sighing she nodded. Several days passed; Princess Twilight was quietly settled in the Palace of Sun and Moon and actually studying under Luna about the history of this world while teaching her about her own. Although Twilight wouldn’t admit it, this arrangement made her happy. Getting to know a Luna who never had the guilt of Nightmare Moon was indeed a privilege. However it had to end eventually, and as the Alicorns got the portal working, Princess Twilight walked over and embraced Celestia. Soon enough Cadence and Luna had joined in the hug. “I look forward to meeting you again Twilight Sparkle, and maybe my counterpart as well,” Luna confided with a warm smile, breaking the silence. Soon they bid farewell, and Twilight slowly made her way into the portal, back to her world. She would have a great tale to tell her friends about this universe beyond the mirror.