//------------------------------// // Not So Much a "Twist" as a "Knot" // Story: Shellstrings // by shortskirtsandexplosions //------------------------------// Ponyville – Castle of Friendship – Throne Room – Early Dawn Two massive shiny doors opened. Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer trotted into the room. "Nyaaaaaa..." Twilight yawned, then blinked blearily over a lavender smile. "Allllright. Let's begin." She glanced aside at Starlight. "Any developments along the northern fringes?" "Funny you should ask." Starlight nodded, shuffling several documents levitating in her magical grasp. "I just compiled the royal mail from last night. Turns out a few of Princess Celestia's country guards reported that the gift basket of jewels had vanished from where you and Rarity left it last." "Well, that's to be expected," Twilight said, rolling her eyes. "But..." Starlight smirked. "And here's the snazzy part." She pointed at a written report levitating in front of her. "In place of the basket there were several sacks of potatoes." "Potatoes?" "Aaaaaaand... in horribly paw-written text, the words: 'Apples for ponies.'" Twilight giggled. "Oh my gosh! That's so adorably stupid!" Her wings flexed. "Do they actually expect us to think potatoes are fruit?" "Twilight, even you have to admit that it's progress!" Starlight gestured. "This is the first documented occasion of diamond dogs bartering and trading with equines." "I know, Starlight. And it is amazing. But..." Twilight sighed as she climbed into her throne. "We've still got a lot of ground to cover. I think—like any proper experiment—we should see if this can be repeated." "Uh huh..." Starlight smiled, standing beside Twilight's throne. "Want to see if the diamond dogs can step it up from potatoes to mushrooms?" "Heehee... no... the ultimate goal is to see if the diamond dogs are willing to talk, face to face." She smiled. "And if they're willing to put their guard down, then maybe... just maybe... we can actually make friends for the first time in generations." "Who better to engage in that than the Princess of Friendship." "Yes, well..." Twilight cleared her throat. "There will be a lot of hurdles to cross. If everything goes down like we hope, I'll need the help of all the girls on this one." The doors across the room opened. Spike waddled in, carrying a plate full of muffins. "You'll need their help with what?" "Good morning, Spike," Starlight spoke. "We were talking about the northern fringes project." "Looks like the diamond dogs took the bait Rarity and I left," Twilight said. "We just might be softening them up enough for a friendly meeting in the near future." "Making friends with diamond dogs... whew..." Spike placed the plate on the table. "You know... maybe I should be the one to greet them face to face. I mean—think about it!" He planted his claws against his hips and smirked. "We both have an appreciation for jewels. And I've been a dog at least twice beyond the mirror!" His teeth showed. "We're practically cousins!" "Y'know..." Twilight levitated a muffin and nibbled slightly. "Mmmmfff... that's not half-bad an idea..." "Yeah!" Starlight giggled. "Spike can be our draconian-canine arbiter!" Spike blinked. "Whoah, really?" Just then, he belched: "BLEAAACHKKK!" Flames erupted from his jaws. Some of the burning tendrils coalesced into a floating scroll. "Gah!" Starlight winced. "I-I don't think I'll ever g-get used to that..." "What's this?" Twilight craned her neck, chewing on muffin bits. "A letter from Princess Celestia?" "Uhhhh... nope!" Spike caught the scroll as it fell, his green eyes reflecting a bright pink seal. "Princess Cadance, actually!" "Mmmmm!" Twilight swallowed a morsel of muffin eagerly down and brushed her hooves off. "My sister-in-law! Let me see!" Spike sliced the seal open for her and held it over. The alicorn levitated it before her eyes. "Oh! Heehee! Even better! It's from my B.B.B.F.F.!" "Her what?" Starlight remarked. Spike leaned aside. "Long story..." "Let's see... uhhhh... 'Hey there, Twily. How's the weather in Ponyville? Flurry Heart is no longer pooping green. Yadda yadda yadda...'" Twilight's eyes narrowed, reading down the list. "Uhhhhh... Oh! Ahem... 'I apologize for the delay, little sister. Here, I've included a list of Crystal Empire guards that I have been prepared for official transfer to the newly-founded Palace of Friendship. I know you've been needing a royal complement of servants and protectors representing all of Equestria...'" "Oh! That is good news!" Starlight exclaimed. "So far, we've been pretty Canterlot-heavy in transfers. Some assistance from the Crystal Empire would be refreshing!" "Who's he sending?" Spike asked. "Huh?" "Well, it's a small list. But he claims that they are the best of the best. Let's see here..." Twilight read down the list. "He's written down 'Swift Shine,' 'Blue Pearl,' 'Translucence,' 'Iron Gloss,' 'Flash Sentry...'" Twilight's lips trailed off. Spike blinked hard. "Uh huh..." Starlight nodded. "And? Any more?" "... ... ..." Twilight stared through the letter. Starlight raised an eyebrow. "Twilight?" "... ... ..." "Is... is everything okay?" "Uh huh!" Twilight smiled calmly. "Ahem..." She placed the letter down calmly. "Excuse me for just one moment." Then—calmly—she dismounted from the throne, turned around, and trotted slowly out of the throne room. She opened a door, shuffled down a hallway, and quietly entered a bathroom. Starlight craned her neck, stupidly curious. Her ears tickled with the sound of Twilight Sparkle taking a deep... deeeeeep breath... then dunking her lavender head neck-deep into a sink full of cold, cold water. "Blllbblllbbblllblbblllbbb!"