Celestia’s Tiny Student
-
Chapter 22
Best Wishes
The alicorn sat down listlessly on the floor, her eyes wide as tears fell from them, too distraught to answer her concerned subjects. Did I... did I just eat my faithful student? Celestia thought, terrified about what she had just done. Determined to find the answer, she lit her horn and cast a scanning spell on her own body. Oh no, there’s… there’s a living creature in my stomach. What have I done?
Celestia turned to look at Twilight Velvet and Night Light, who, alongside many others, had asked her if she felt alright. Not bothering to stop her tears, she lowered her head. “I am so sorry... I failed you! I didn’t keep my promise!”
Everypony in the room was shocked to see the princess cry so openly and so uncontrollably. They looked at each other silently and confusedly, trying to gauge how to react to such a situation.
Overwatch choked, holding a hoof to her mouth as if she was sick. “Yeah, I don’t think I need to say this, but something’s gone really wrong,” she said, slowly backing off towards the door. “S-somepony ask her what she means by a broken promise. My gut’s not cooperating with me right now.”
Night Light turned to her, an eyebrow raised. “But what could it be? What promise could she have made to me? Promise... promise…” he murmured, before his eyes lit up in realization. “C-could it be?”
Night Light, Twilight Velvet, and even Shining Armor turned urgently towards the princess, though Shining was the first to speak. “D-did something happen to my sister?” he stammered, a note of fear in his voice.
“Princess, please, tell us! Did something happen to Twilight? We have to know!” Twilight Velvet pled, already beginning to panic.
Celestia looked at them with tears in her eyes.
“I... e... h..r.”
“E-excuse me princess, could you please repeat yourself?” Night Light asked hesitantly.
“I at... her.”
“You at her? I don’t understand, princess” Shining Armor said, a confused expression on his face.
“I ate her!” Celestia burst out, shocking everypony with the sudden volume of her voice.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Twilight Velvet and Night Light laughed hesitantly. “I-I get it. It’s meant to be a joke, right? Princess?” Night Light asked hopefully, only for this hope to be completely crushed by Celestia's shaking head and defeated expression.
“What... but... how?” Twilight Velvet asked as everypony surrounded Celestia, waiting for an answer.
“My f-f-faithful s-student was in the p-piece of c-cake I ate... I am so sorry. If you wish to punish me, I will accept anything...” Celestia said as more tears fell from her eyes, looking upon Twilight’s family submissively.
The insulting words or physical action Celestia expected never came as Twilight Velvet, Night Light, and Shining Armor approached her and lowered their heads towards her belly, poking it with their hooves. “Twilight? You there? Please answer me,” Shining armor said as he put an ear to her barrel.
Celestia quickly understood their actions, but before she could explain the unfortunate interactions between their Twilight and her stomach acid, she felt something moving inside her belly. S-she’s alive! She quickly tried lowering her own head to her belly. “Twilight, is that you? Are you alright?”
“Wait, so Twilight actually is inside Auntie Celestia?” Cadence asked curiously, walking closer to Shining Armor.
Celestia turned an eye to her, keeping her head steady. “Yes she is, and she’s moving, but even if she’s saying anything, we can’t hear her.”
“Oh… oh dear,” Fancy Pants said as Fleur fainted dramatically right into his embrace.
“Coooool...” said White Path excitedly. “The super pony got eaten by her mentor! I can’t wait until she gets out so she can tell me what it’s like to be eaten by a princess.”
Spike crossed his arms. “Yeah, I have no idea what all this drama is about. So the princess ate Twilight by accident. Big deal. All she needs to do is teleport out and the problem’s solved.”
Blueblood sat on his flank, dumbfounded by the current circumstances, as Spitfire flew into the room and landed next to him. “Those featherbrains lost Twilight…” she muttered, before quickly noticing the unusual behavior around Celestia. “Why is everypony so gloomy? Did I miss anything?”
“Twilight got eaten by the princess,” Soarin’ stated, catching Spitfire’s attention. “Good thing she wasn’t in a pie. If I’d accidentally eaten her, I don’t think I’d ever be able to eat another pie again. Terrifying.”
“That wasn’t funny,” Steel Blade said, narrowing his eyes at Soarin’ as Spitfire looked at both of them as if they were insane. The pegasus guard raised a hoof menacingly at Soarin’ while trembling in anger, but a touch on his shoulder quickly deflected his attention.
“No need to be so uptight,” Overwatch said, her former grimace now a relaxed grin. “Ten bits says Twilight’s alright and probably having a lot of fun exploring her newest dungeon.”
Steel Blade raised an eyebrow at her. “Your intuition again?”
“I thought by now you’d stop questioning it, Steelie,” Overwatch replied with a smirk.
“Okay, so even if Twilight’s safe, how do we communicate with her?” Shining Armor asked.
Celestia took a moment to think before lighting up her horn, catching Shining’s attention. “This spell is the opposite of a soundproofing spell. Instead of absorbing or reflecting all sound waves, it lets them pass through obstacles,” she stated hastily, despite her efforts to think calmly about the situation.
“But how do you know a spell like this?” Shining Armor asked curiously. “I had no idea that this kind of spell even existed.”
Cadence put a hoof on his shoulder, her face serious. “You’d be surprised what one might learn over hundreds of years.”
“Can I learn how to cast this spell too? Pretty please?” asked a muted voice from the alicorn’s belly.
“Twilight! Are you alright? Please, speak to me!” Twilight Velvet asked urgently.
“Yes, I’m fine. A bit wet and dirty, but fine,” Twilight replied.
Everypony heaved a deep sigh of relief. Cadence's head made contact with her auntie's belly as she spoke, “Listen Twilight, everypony is worried about you. Can you teleport outside?”
“I am afraid I can’t, I kind of... cast a spell to turn myself into a pegasus, and I can’t charge enough magic to teleport outside without my unicorn bones to support the flow of magic,” Twilight explained with a tinge of embarrassment.
“Can’t you transform yourself back to normal?” Shining Armor asked hopefully.
“I’m afraid not. I need to wait until the spell wears off, which should take at least a few hours.”
Celestia looked towards Twilight‘s family. “We cannot wait those hours,” she said anxiously. “Twilight may act as if she is alright, but I dread to think what the acids in my stomach might do to her. Time is not on our side.”
“You heard the princess, right Twilight? We gotta get you out of there. Can you climb up the same way you got inside?” Shining Armor asked.
“I can try,” Twilight said as Celestia felt something try to escape from her belly. It was not pleasant. “I’m not strong enough. The passage is too tight.”
“Shining Armor, can you use a levitation spell and get your sister out?” Celestia asked urgently, lighting up her own horn.
“I can’t without—” Shining Armor said, only to be caught off guard as the princess’ body became transparent like glass, his sister easily visible inside Celestia’s esophagus. “Alright, I can levitate her out, but it won’t be a pleasant experience for you, Princess,” Shining Armor warned.
Celestia looked at him angrily. “I don’t care if you have to make a bleeding hole in my belly to get her out. Just save my faithful student!” she ordered with a mix of determination and desperation. Shining Armor immediately did as he was told and levitated Twilight, squishing her up to the princess’s throat. In a few more seconds, Twilight was free, leaving Celestia to try and stop herself from puking.
***
Twilight sat unsteadily next to the cake she was sleeping in not too long ago, her fur and wings covered in tiny pieces of cake, saliva, and acid and her hooves, flank, and wingtips slightly singed and chewed on. A crowd stood before her, varied expressions on their faces as Twilight smiled awkwardly at them. “Umm... surprise...?” she said hesitantly, only to jump when a glass of water and a towel were suddenly being levitated towards her.
Without a moment to react, Twilight was swiftly drenched in cold water before being wrapped up in the levitated towel, wiping off what it could. After the quick cleaning session was over, Twilight was swept up into a hug by her giant, worried mother.
“Oh Twilight, I don’t know if I should jump with joy that you’re alright or ground you for half a year for pulling this on all of us! Do you have any idea how worried we were?”
Before Twilight could reply, her father joined in on the hug, a smirk on his face. “You are in big trouble, little missy.”
It wasn’t long before Shining Armor and Cadence joined in the hug as well, everypony else in the room unsure whether they should ‘d’awww’ at the adorable scene before them or feel pity for the little unicorn, who had just moments ago escaped after being baked and eaten alive only to be smothered by a four-pony hug as if they were trying to finish what the princess’s teeth and belly acids failed to do.
Celestia hung her head guiltily as she walked away, unnoticed by the others as they focused on Twilight. She lit her horn and shrunk herself, vanishing down into the shadows of the party.
“I... c-can’t... b-b-breaaaaathe…!” Twilight wheezed out as loudly as she could, causing the hug to almost immediately recede, much to her relief.
Twilight landed lightly on the floor as White Path eagerly appeared in front of her, a little bigger than the last time she saw him. “So was it fun? Exciting? Scary?”
Twilight gave him a confused look. “Being eaten alive, you mean?” she asked. White Path gave her an energetic nod, and the tiny unicorn put a hoof to her mouth in contemplation. “Well... I guess it was gross,” she said with an awkward smile.
The excited colt quickly wrapped Twilight in a hug, much to her sudden displeasure. “Wow, you’re so amazing! A super pony who was just eaten alive by her own mentor, surviving thanks to her super prowess, of course.”
Twilight tried to free herself from White Path’s hug, but found herself too tired to do even that, especially without magic to aid her, so she simply gave up and let her friend to squeeze her temporarily elastic pegasus bones as she protested, “But I’m not a super pony! I don’t have any super powers!”
“Sure you are, Twilight! You and Spitfire beat up the criminals who tried to filly-nap you, remember?” Spike stated, gesturing his hands as if trying to give her a secret message.
Spike is right, if White Path sees me as a superhero, it would be mean of me to ruin his fun. “Alright, so I am a super pony, but keep in mind that I’m still a super pony in training, so I would rather not go out and fight crime just yet.”
White Path smiled and released Twilight from his hug, giving her a moment to breathe before being wrapped up in yet another embrace. Hurt, exhausted, chewed, and now slightly annoyed, the now half-pegasus turned her head, only to find Princess Celestia herself hugging her, who, instead of the mighty giant who ate her just a moment ago, was now the same size as her.
“P-princess...”
“I’m so glad that you’re alright, Twilight! I am so terribly sorry for what I did, and I know that what I did is inexcusable!” Celestia said with tears in her eyes, ignoring the many ponies in the room looking at her in utter surprise. Personal image and pride were the last things she could care about at this point.
“P-princess...” Twilight repeated, unable to find any other words to say.
“Twilight, I am truly sorry. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness, and that you may fear me from now on, but there is something I must ask of you,” Celestia said, her emotionless mask simply gone.
“Y-yes, Princess Celestia. I’ll gladly do whatever you ask,” Twilight replied hesitantly, still processing what was going on.
“Punish me!” Celestia shouted with a pleading look on her face.
“W-what? Punish you? For what? I can’t do that!” Twilight replied, taking a step back as she found the strength to free herself from the princess’s embrace.
“For what? For what! I swore to protect you and take care of you, and yet I still can’t protect you from danger. Two weeks after I took you in as my student, you almost drown in the bathtub. Several years later, you fall from my tower. I almost crushed you with my hoof during a game of tag!”
Twilight, now shocked, looked wide-eyed at her mentor, who simply took a deep breath and continued feverishly. “During your final exam, I pushed you so hard that you ended up in a coma for two days. When I sent you to the Wonderbolts Headquarters to learn about pegasus magic, you were almost filly-napped! And now, even for your own birthday, I’ve actually eaten you! I cannot stand it any longer, I want—no, I demand to be punished. I need at least some consequence for failing to keep you safe!” Celestia shouted, before suddenly deflating, taking a few deep breaths as the ends of her majestic mane dropped limply onto her back.
Twilight closed her eyes, thinking deeply as Celestia continued with a firm stomp of her hoof. “I shrunk myself to be more vulnerable for whatever punishment you see fit. I will accept anything, whether it be crushed under a one ton weight or thrown into fire or something. Just please... give me a chance to pay for my mistakes.”
Twilight Velvet looked between her bedraggled daughter and the rapidly deteriorating princess. “I relieved you’re safe, Twilight, but I still can’t help but agree with the princess on this. I should feel angry—furious even—that she ate you, but...” She breathed out a deep sigh. “This one’s on you, Twi.”
Celestia turned to look at Twilight desperately, pleadingly as images of her sister raced through her mind, another ugly reminder of her inability to be there for those she cared about. I’ve gotten away with condemning Lulu to a thousand years on the moon, even though I was the one who didn’t stop her from becoming Nightmare Moon. But for this, I don’t want to go away unpunished for hurting my student over her faithful and forgiving years with me, for failing to be with her when she was in danger. I can’t stand this guilt anymore! I don’t want to get away with hurting the ponies I love the most.
Twilight finally opened her eyes, giving Celestia a warm smile as she wrapped up her mentor in a hug instead. “I’ve come to a realization, Princess, and I cannot punish you for something that wasn’t your fault. If anything, the past years as your student have been the happiest years of my life.”
Celestia sat dumbfounded, her eye giving a small twitch. No no no no no. I’ve tried to protect my subjects, yet I always end up hurting them instead, and no matter what, I am never punished for it. Why am I not allowed the privilege of paying up for my mistakes? Why?
Velvet looked down uncertainly at her hooves, trying to process her daughter’s words through the turmoil of emotions in her mind. She was brought out of her shaky contemplation when Night light gave her a simple nuzzle. Velvet looked up at him, breathing out a deep sigh before looking back at her daughter, silently acknowledging Twilight’s decision despite finding difficulties understanding it.
Twilight guided her mentor to a small tabletop with a few flaps of her wings and a tug, seating the princess down with her at the center. “Gather around, everypony. It’s still my birthday, and so much more has happened during my years here than just a few of my accidents, so I’d like to hear a bit about the good points of life from everypony, whether it be heartwarming or simply amusing.“
Everypony looked at each other uncertainly until Velvet walked forward and sat down, providing the precedent for everypony else. “Twilight, as much as I would like to listen to a good story,” she began, as the table was soon surrounded by friends and family, “shouldn’t you first tell us how you ended up inside the cake, much less why you suddenly look like an alicorn?”
Cadence let out a giggle. “She’s not quite an alicorn. Alicorn wings are far bigger than pegasus wings, allowing us to focus a great deal more pegasus magic into them. This allows our bones more leeway in resembling those of a unicorn, which, in turn, allows us to channel magic into our horns,” she said, gesturing to the size difference between Celestia’s and Twilight’s wings. “You see, if Twilight was an alicorn, she would have no problems casting her spells.”
Spitfire gave an amused snort, grinning. “She said as much when she was still trying to develop her spell to change earth pony or unicorn magic into pegasus magic over at headquarters. Still, for a fresh pegasus, she’s not that bad,” she said with a smirk. “But hey, if she manages to turn all her magic into pegasus magic, she might be able to fly even faster than the Wonderbolts. Well, after several years of training, that is.”
Twilight returned Spitfire’s grin before turning to her mother. “Well, I guess I did suggest a storytelling circle, so I guess I’ll be the first and start from the beginning,” she said happily.
***
“It ended up being a rather disorienting experience, waking up lodged in the princess’s throat, but I think you ponies know the rest of the story from there.”
“Twilight,” Velvet said, a concerned look on her face, “I understand that you would prefer to stay small in order to challenge yourself, but I was wondering when you planned on returning to your normal size.”
Twilight shook her head. “There’s still a lot for me to learn, so it’ll have to wait, even if I do get myself stuck in strange situations. Either way, I was able to figure out the shrinking spell by repeatedly watching the princess cast it, and even though I don’t think I can cast it, I’m fairly certain I can dispel it, even at my size, so I’d prefer to wait until a serious emergency came up before I return to my normal size.”
“How can you say that, Twilight?” Celestia said, her eyes still red from her tears as she moved to sit in front of her student. “Your life has been in danger so many times, and you haven’t lifted your curse even once to protect yourself.”
“Princess, do you remember when you taught me how ponies adapted to the world around them? How we strengthen our magic to enhance our bodies?” Twilight asked.
Celestia looked at her student uncertainly before giving a hesitant nod.
“Every accident I had, Every adventure or painful experience I’ve gone through, has helped me grow not just physically, but mentally as well.”
Twilight looked into Celestia’s eyes, an encouraging hoof on her mentor’s. “After my first power surge, I was... afraid to use my magic. But that changed when my own power surge rescued me from drowning in the bathtub.”
Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but Twilight was faster. “When I hurt myself with a needle, I learned to be more cautious and not so overconfident in myself, though perhaps that’s a lesson I should relearn for my own good,” she said with a giggle. “When I survived the fall from your tower without breaking a single bone, I’ve learned that I don’t need to be afraid of heights.”
Celestia cut off Twilight with a hoof. “And the game of tag where I almost killed you?”
“It was a terrifying experience, but to be honest, I should probably thank you for that,” Twilight said cheerfully.
Celestia blinked a few times in confusion. “W-w-why?”
“Well first off,” Twilight said, lifting her forearms in a grand gesture, “I’m not dead. Second, if your hoof can’t squish me, what pony can?”
“And your final exam?” Celestia protested. “Or the day when you almost got fillynapped? Or today when I ate you?”
Twilight gave her mentor a warm smile. “I would not have done nearly so well on my final exam if it weren’t for everything you taught me. I would’ve failed to help Spitfire defeat those criminals if it weren’t for everything I’d learned under your tutelage and in the hospital. I wouldn’t have tried to stay calm in the oven if it weren’t for our training exercises and a few choice fireballs.”
Twilight looked down contemplatively. “And even today, I think I learned something,” she said, before turning back up to look straight at Celestia. “Princess, don’t blame yourself for the dangers I keep getting into. It’s strange, but my experience in that oven made me realize that I may not always have others to help me when I get in trouble. You’re not always going to be around when I encounter a problem, and I should be stronger so that you don’t have to worry so much. I need to be able to take anything thrown at me so you don’t need to guilt yourself over my hardships.”
Celestia looked at her student speechlessly as Twilight shed a few tears. “ But all those years with you, not only was it fun and enjoyable, but it’s helped me to be stronger in the end, even all the bad and painful experiences. There’s still so much I can work on, so many ways I can improve myself, but if I can face the world as a tiny unicorn, there’s nothing I can’t overcome when I return to my original size. Who I am today, it’s all thanks to you. I love you, Princess. You’re like a mother to me,” she said, wrapping up the princess in a tight hug.
Celestia returned the embrace, her eyes once again teary. “I-I love you too, Twilight.”
Once she freed the princess from her hug, Twilight jumped towards Cadence, hugging the alicorn’s neck tightly. “And you, Cadence, you’ve been the best foal-sitter I could ever wish for, and I’d like to thank you for teaching me so much about illusion, love, and age-changing magic!”
Cadence lifted her hoof towards Twilight and touched her gently. “You're very welcome, and I’ve truly enjoyed foal-sitting you. I hope you’re still not too old to be my little charge,” she said as Twilight climbed up towards her nose.
“I will never be too old to spend time with you, sooo… can we do it?”
Cadence breathed out a contented sigh, and as soon as Twilight jumped from her nose, she ducked down with the motions, not bothering to reduce her age as she usually did. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake,” they chanted as part of their adorable welcome dance, Cadence clapping her hooves even more lightly against Twilight’s due to her size. While the last clap sent Twilight flying as a part of their performance, the little pegasus ended up flying in a confused circle before crashing to the floor, not used to her temporary wings. I think I'll stick with my backflip as usual.
“I understand them doing this when Cadence was the size of a filly, but this...” Night Light said, looking at them with an astounded expression.
Shining Armor chuckled lightly. “Age spell or not, I don’t think a size difference can stop them,” he said, before he suddenly noticed the princess surreptitiously walking away, her head low. Before he could call for her, however, he was interrupted by a tiny unicorn tackling him.
“I love you too, B.B.B.F.F. You were always there for me, even before I became Princess Celestia’s student, and I’ve always enjoyed your visits. Not to mention how much safer I feel with all those defensive and offensive spells you’ve taught me,” Twilight said cheerfully, hugging her brother’s belly as hard as she could as his hoof lightly hugged her back.
Twilight trotted over to her parents as well, wrapping each of them in an embrace. "Mom, Dad? I know you’re both concerned about my safety, but you don't have to worry. I'm growing up so much under Princess Celestia, but no matter how grown up I get, I'll always be your daughter, and I’ll always love you no matter what, even if I do spend most of my time with my mentor."
“We love you too, Twilight,” Twilight Velvet said sincerely, resisting the urge to hug her daughter again as the tiny unicorn moved to hug her father.
“She’s growing up so fast,” Night Light murmured as Twilight broke from his hug and walked to White Path.
The tiny unicorn beamed up at the colt. “We sure had a lot of fun together. Considering that most of my friends are far older than I am, it’s nice to have a younger pony as a friend too,” she said enthusiastically, lifting her tiny foreleg towards him.
White Path bumped his hoof against hers. “Are you kidding? Not only have I met a cool pony like you, I got to meet the princess herself as well as her niece! And what pony can say that he met a dragon too? It’s thanks to you. I just wish we could see each other more often.”
“Perhaps in the future, we can spend more time together, White Path,” she said, giving him a warm smile before walking towards Blueblood. “Thank you for being a friend as well. You’ve completely changed the nobility’s behavior towards me thanks to that party. Despite some of your actions, I can say that during the snowball fight, you helped teach me a little about courage and self sacrifice,” Twilight said respectfully with a small bow.
Blueblood gave an amused snort as he remembered escaping from being bombarded by a hailstorm of snowballs for half an hour. “You’re welcome, and if I might add, you taught me that life is more than just popularity and wealth,” he said, giving a knowing look to Shining Armor and Spitfire, who returned it with an innocent smile.
Next, Twilight walked to Fancy Pants and Fleur. “Thank you for all the hospitality you showed me in my time of need, for all the wonders I had the pleasure to see at your residence, and for letting me play with your son. It is an honour to be your friend.” Twilight gave a deep, respectful bow, which Fancy and Fleur reciprocated as best they could.
“And you are such a charming, well-behaved young lady. The pleasure is all ours,” Fancy Pants said.
“It was indeed, and I am glad that our son found a friend to play with who likes him not only because he came from a rich family. It can be very hard to find a true friend sometimes with our status,” Fleur said, before adding hesitantly, “though I hope that our son will not take the whole ‘super pony’ business too seriously. F-for his own safety.”
Twilight nodded happily before walking towards Spitfire and Soarin', but this time, Spitfire beat her to the punch. “You can spare me the emotional speech. The last thing I need is to start tearing up from all the sentimentality. Long story short, you’re cool, a good friend, dependable team member, and the first unicorn friend I’ve ever had. Well actually, I guess I now have two and a half unicorns as friends,” Spitfire said, glancing at Fancy Pants and Blueblood before giving an amused snort, “If somepony told me a year ago that I would befriend such a nerdy gal like you, I would’ve laughed.”
The prince frowned. “Let me guess. Am I that half unicorn?”
Spitfire gave him a happy nod. “Yep! You’re just weird. If you ever decide to stop acting like a jerk whenever you’re around nobles or at your fancy parties, I may consider accepting you as a friend, but until then, you’re going to be a half of a unicorn friend.”
Twilight and Soarin' shared a laugh before the stallion lowered himself to Twilight’s level. “I’ve had quite a bit of fun too, and I hope the saddle we made together will serve you well, but please, never hide in a pie. I don’t want to live in fear of eating you by accident.”
Twilight rolled her eyes with a grin. “I promise,” she said, before she walked towards Spike.
“Spike, I—”
“Yeah, it was fun being your friend, whatever, just don’t go all sentimental on me. Far too much drama today if you ask me,” Spike said with crossed arms, closed eyes, and a pout.
Twilight raised an eyebrow amusedly before turning to walk away, only to be grabbed in a hug from behind. “Oh forget it, I don’t care about all the drama. I love you, Twilight. You’re like a mother to me. Just please, let me protect you whenever you go on another crazy adventure? Don’t leave me behind,” he said worriedly.
Twilight’s eyes widened. With so many friends, studying, training, reading, and adventuring she’d done, she’d also spent less time with her adoptive son than she used to. Twilight nuzzled Spike’s hand with her head. “I’m sorry Spike. We’ll go on our next adventures together. I promise.”
Once free from Spike’s embrace, Twilight moved towards her two guards. “And I would like to thank you for always being there with me, for always watching over me. I know that you were ordered to be my personal guards, but I hope that one day we could become friends as well,” Twilight said calmly, before she was swept up in yet another crushing hug. Will these hugs ever end? Good thing turning myself into a pegasus gave me their elastic bones, or they would’ve broken already. On the other hoof, I should be thankful that nopony decided to use a knife to cut the cake, or I doubt my endurance would have been much use.
“Of course we’re your friends, Twilight,” Steel Blade said, tearing up. “Don’t you ever think otherwise.” Overwatch sat there silently, a small smile on her face as she stared wistfully at the loving embrace.
“Alright then,” Twilight said, returning the hug before extricating herself from his embrace. “Now, I suggested that we all tell stories, so who’s going to be next to share?”
***
While everypony enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere of the party, one tiny alicorn sat separately from the rest of the group, watching their smiling faces as she wrestled with her own turbulent emotions. Why? Why is she so forgiving? Any normal pony would have yelled at me, but Twilight...
She breathed a deep sigh. I haven’t opened my heart to anypony like this in a long time. In just a few short years, she has done what no other pony has been able to do for nearly a millennia. Thanks to her, I’ve been able to breathe freer from my royal trappings and enjoy life as any other pony, not to mention the joy she’s brought to all of us. The princess turned to look at her faithful student, surrounded by family and friends, all of whom treasured her in their own way. She hadn’t thought it was possible for ponies like Blueblood and Spitfire to share each other’s company, yet here it was, happening despite all their former animosity.
In just a few short months, I will be sending that same pony to face Nightmare Moon. Into a peril that dwarfs anything she’s ever encountered so far.
Celestia looked down absentmindedly at the table she was sitting on. Could I do it? Could I consciously send the pony who refuses to punish me for my actions against her into a danger I know about?
Could I send the pony I’ve hurt so much to fix another of my mistakes?
“Cake?” Overwatch asked, causing Celestia to jump. The guard levitated a large piece of cake in front of her, and though Celestia would have jumped at it earlier, all she could see now was green.
“I-I’m not hungry.”
“Suit yourself, Your Majesty,” Overwatch said, a happy smile as she speared the slice with a fork, taking a large bite before trotting back to the rest of the group. Celestia watched her go, and as soon as she was sure that nopony was watching, she collapsed on the table, feeling as if she was going to puke.
I-I think I’ve had enough cake... for the rest of my life.
I have two thoughts.
1) I'm surprised that after hearing initially how easy the spell was. That it takes so much energy. And there might be times where she might need to go from big to small or vise versa. Maybe like the Protection Enchantment given. Celestia can give a bit of power to enchant Twilight to allow her to change sizes without needing Tia to redo the spell. Or even a Size changing artifact that Twilight can wear / have near her that would allow her to change shape with minimal power.
2) If Tia avoids the manipulation of Twi like she did in canon. And tells her about Lulu things shall be interesting. I'd like to see that conversation.
Good chapter.
Celestia actually 'eating' Twilight definitely takes the cake. And yes, that pun was both horrible and intentional.
And then Celestia never ate cake again.
I agree with 3712903 , other than that this story is still awesome and has been a very interesting journey through and through.
I'm more interested if your planning on doing sequel of this story continuing with her time in ponyvile because a lot has changed and will twilight choose to anyways stay small?
3712995
I am afraid you lost your bed, now the question is, who won the 20 bits you bet ?
3712873
Aww, it is not that bad. Twilight had worse.
3712915
What can I say, I like to surprise.
3712903
I have two thoughts.
This sounds like a good idea, but the only artifact powerful enough what come to my mind is alicorn amulet, and yea, not really safest toy.
As for the spell, yea, it is energy consuming and impractical, why do you think it was abandoned and only Celestia and Cadence still remember how to cast it, because only they are powerful enough to cast it and still remember it from the day it was invented.
Since the research over shrinking spell was abandoned since it was useless, unless Twilight decide to study it herself, I doubt anything will be discovered ( all up to Twiny ).
No spoilers, all I can say is that the outcome will be very surprising. ( By the way, on side note, was my story predictable, or did I surprised you with my incoming chapters ? )
Thanks. By the way on side note, what are your 3 favourite chapters ? Just asking out of curiosity.
3712952
Just do not tell this joke to Celestia, or else she will puke again. After what happened, I doubt she will ever want to hear the word cake ever again.
( One would say that it is opposite to character development, instead of defeating fear, Celestia attained one ). On the bright side, she may never get fat as the result.
3712956
Considering she may live for centuries or millennia, it is indeed a horrible fate. But on the bright side, she will never end up fat or anything.
3712989
A journey what is going to an end and a new journey will start in Ponyville in the sequel.
3712995
I have said it few times and I will once again repeat it, I plan to make a sequel, to be honest, the sequel already have 40 chapters ( prologue and bonus chapters not included ), I just upload as fast as editors are improving/polishing them.
As for do she will choice to be small, it is for you to find out.
Sadly I need to go to sleep, so all there is left is to wish all of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I hope that my new year present for all of you made your new year day, and I also hope that once I wake up, I will have many, many more comments to reply to as a new year gift from you all.
Peace out.
I truly hope that this is the end of the fiirst story in a series and that you have plans fmor att least one squel. This has been the best story and the one i have been watching for the most out of all the stories ive red about FIM both in and outside of fiimfiction, im sad to see this story end but i hope you will continue it in another one :) superb work, you one of my favoruites.
I love this story so much.
Well, that was smart! Instant See-Through Princess! Available for $19,99 at your local Hardware Store!
Ominous lack of information about villains is ominous.
Boy, Celestia has issues! Luna will have a lot of work to do!
Overall, thank you for that hilarious mental image of everypony talking to Celestia's belly. And the belly talking back!
3 AM... well, that explains why I'm having difficulties writing...
Keep up the good work!
Night, Y'all!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
... You've already said that, Pinkie...
3713035 I was the one who made the bet not Snadz and it's not going towards you, you would know how the bet would end so it probably would have anypony who called me out on it directly so nopony got any bits at all.
This phrase pleases me..
Rd is going to fangasm over twillight knowing the wonderbolts so much
That was so cute! I think that Spitfire and Soarin are brother and sister, but who know for sure? That's Hasbro for 'ya! Anyways, keep up the good work!
So wait, wasn't White Path the same age as Twilight?
Then, if Twilight is just a year younger than she is in the show, shouldn't White Path be at least a young adolescent instead of a "comic kid"?
Can't wait to see Nightmare Moon's reaction to being confronted by an "upstart micro-peasant"!
I wanna see Twilight go full blown big-facemgee badass on somepony.
Perhaps Diamond Tiara!
Or, you know, Nightmare Moon.
The scene with the parents wanting to be furious at Celestia for eating Twilight and Twilight being forgiven was very cute, but it seemed a little awkward. I can't place my hoof on it. Don't change it just mentioning it.
Other than that loved the chapter. I do hope that you won't rush too much of the awesome scenes to come in the next chapter. Otherwise what would have been the point?
Keep it up
So, Celestia is an unintentional cannibal? Great, I love that. She is also the first pony to eat another pony whole! I could imagine Twilight wanting to go inside Celestia to help her with heart burn or something. She is dedicated enough to the princess that it wouldn't surprise me in the least if she wanted to.
Overwatch is definitely a changeling
Are you TRYING to write vore-fetish stuff?
Odd, but okay. It's not clop, so I can accept it.
3714545 I don't think so... I think it was something that we almost had to see happen at one point though. You kinda expect that sort of thing with a size difference like that at some point or another.
I do like how it was solved without teleporting- that seems to be the first thing that comes to mind in an instance like this.
3713056
Thanks.
As for the sequel, there is already one (where Twilight go to Ponville), 40 chapters ready, but I upload as fast as my editors can polish them, so yea, it will take a while before I can upload the sequel.
3713091
Thanks
3713105
Lucky for Twilight, being princess's student give her a discount.
Sorry about that, they will be in next chapter so you may find out more about who they are.
Oh, I am sure she will in the sequel.
Yea, I am sure it is an experience our dear two thousands years old princess never experienced before during her long reign.
3713188
You're lucky.
3713399
Cool. After she survived being stomped by her own mentor, she learned that she is a one tough cookie, one that cannot be crushed under a hoof or in alicorn's teeth.
3713550
I bet she will.
3713605
Well, in my headcanon Soarin' and Spitfire became a close friends ( though when they will start to date, who know ), and that Soarin' even if not the best field in the Wonderbolts, he is smart and well educated what helped him in his Wonderbolt carrier.
3713614
Actually White Path is 4-5 years younger.
When they first meet, Twilight was 12 years old while White Path was around 7 ( CMC age, I think ), now when Twilight is 18 years old, White path should be around 13.
White Path is 13, not 18 at this point, and he live being a type of a fanboy, ( he react to Twilight familiar way as Scootaloo react to Rainbow Dash ).
You aren't the only one. Though I can assure you that the outcome will surprise everyone.
3713633
At the moment Twilight is stuck as miniature pegasus, so yea, no badass blowing up for her today ( and she already helped Spitfire to deal with the group of bandits ). As for the sequel, you will find out in duel time.
3714017
Well, their daughter who is a student of the ruler of the land is being eaten alive by her own mentor in front of them while everyone start to talk to princess's belly, of course it is awkward. But it is a kind of craziness what Twilight get herself on daily basin.
Also, Velvet and Night Light have hard time that Twilight is so forgiving, when they and the princess herself want a punishment for hurting her.
3714238
I bet she would, maybe she would even use princess's belly as a hiding spot when a villain would come to take over, and when no pony is looking, she would teleport out and free everyone from imprisonment. Though I wonder what would be Cadence or Shining Armor's reaction if they ate Twilight by accident (I am sure Cadence's cute belly would be a great hiding spot for game of hide and seek, I mean, who would look inside? )
3714511
If you say so.
3714545
It is hard to have a tiny Twiny story without at least one vore, but I try to avoid clop as much as I could.
I know that writing clop is an easy way to get your story popular, but I am not really fan of it, so yea, vore scene without clop in it, enjoy.
3714708
Yeap,
It had to happen sooner or later, no other way around it ( I just tried to use it in right time and place. )
And yea, teleportating Twilight would easy escape the oven or princess's belly, so becoming a pegasus made her harsh live far far harder ( no easy solutions ).
3714610
Literally first link in Google for me.
I so love it when people not do their research! Though truth be told, I also am guilty of this kind of questions.
So, one more chapter and an epilogue, eh? We shall all wait!
Keep up the good work!
Happy new year
3713035
Actually the greatest thing about being an author is that you can make you're own McGuffins, or Phleotinum. There are tons of fics with strange and powerful artifacts, and if Celestia can enchant a Protection Spell into a physical body. She could enchant a Shrinking Spell into an ordinary amulet, or even a mirror that could store the spell and when magic hits it reflects the spell on the user. Or any number of objects / uses.
Since The Alicorn Amulet was a sentient object that boosts power. But enchanting is a relatively simple act of infusing an effect onto something. And either it's power is passive (amulet) or it's active (needs an event / action to activate it (talisman)). So if you wanted her to be able to go small to big when ever. She has something while studying how to fix the spell herself.
Since the basics / components of the spell are actually tons of times less energy consuming than Twilight's Transformation / Magic shifting spell. Or even a healing spell. All Twilight needs to do is figure out how such a simple spell became so overly complex.
Now as to favorite 3 Chapters. I'll admit that a few of them were favorites before I learned more about it. But ...
____________________________________
1) Prologue: When Tia said that she and one or two others had the power to cast it. I thought she would add Star Swirl. The greatest and most powerful mage in all of Equestrian History. The creator of the Polymorph Spells, Time Magic, and almost Alicorn level in magical strength.
And Twilight in Canon having the ability to master all forms of magic at a glance + little training, and her power level that was greater than Star Swirls. That she'd be one of those one or two (after all Tia wouldn't add Twilight into that when she's just a child. Even though she showed more power than she'd ever seen come exploding out a foal).
And it all in all was a good start. But yeah I was reading this thinking that Twilight was going to learn how to shrink herself (since at full power / size she's able to beat Ursa Majors, do age magic, and could possibly move thousands of times her body weight on a lark). But it was a cute start to a good story. Had no idea you were going to say that the most powerful pony in all of Equestria short of an Alicorn wouldn't be able to do to the most important spell in her life.
But other than that it was a perfect start to the story. It showed all the promise this story holds, and made a great introduction to a rather cute fic.
2) CH1) Fear:
This made Tia more ponyized. We got to see her more as a pony. Lots of fluffy goodness. And it built up Twilight in my opinion. Seeing her face her fears, over come them , and rise above the situation was just the start to many such chapters where we see her overcome either herself or her environment. Which made me love her all the more and cheer for her.
All in all. This showed Twilight's mettle. It was a good start and showed a good look into Twilights and Tia's mind.
and while there are many great chapters. If I had to pick one last one.
3) Chapter 18: The Wonderbolts
While I was pissed beyond belief on the chapter after this for well you know why. Until that. I actually loved the whole Wonderbolts start. Yeah I felt bad for the other Bolts leaving Spits alone other than Soarin. But they had families, loved ones, and a break where they didn't have to deal with nobles, stalkers, or over enthusiastic fans.
And seeing Twilight push herself almost to her limits magically, and to her limits physically flying with them. Learning from them, and what originally appeared to be a Struggle with herself and her environment while Soarin and Spits taught her how awesome it is to be a Pegasi. Was a rather interesting chapter. Seeing her learn about anatomy, pushing herself to fly not only better but to try to keep up with the best.
While I did think it was going to keep up with the nature / feel of the fic before the chapter after this. It was on it's own one of the better later chapters. While the last two chapters were also favs. This one beats those due to the fact that it builds up Spits respect for Twi, and shows how Twilight will set up an obstacle for herself to struggle against. And how she'll work against her environment and her own set up challenges to better herself rather than take the easy route.
So those where my top 3. Although there are a few that via for their place as top 3. If I had to limit it only to 3 it'd be those.
3714862
I think you misinterpreted me... That phrase almost calls Celestia fat... (of course if you wanted to ruin the fun, you could make the arguement that she IS bigger than everypony else...
On a sidenote: I feel like her current group of friends are going to become the elements...
3715182
3715077
This actually came up while I was thinking about the whole situation and writing the fire in, but I think it's more like there's probably going to be a grate in the chimney somewhere so birds and the like don't get in from the other direction. Or, at least, there should be last time I checked. I'm no chimney or oven expert, though, so feel free to correct me on that.
Either way, I feel like it's hard to call something "unrealistic" until you compare it to the most absurd thing in a piece of work. Magic exists. Twilight's been stepped on by a 400 kg hoof. She's fallen Celestia knows how far from the top of the Canterlot Castle, been blasted repeatedly with fire spells, has grown wings temporarily, and has dutifully given no bucks about wearing nothing at the top of a mountain.
It's not that some valid points haven't been made. I certainly didn't think about the adrenaline rush she'd be having at this point, but the other points can be explained away fairly easily within the context of this story, I feel, and even the fact she was able to sleep could have a perfectly acceptable reason to it as well, especially since Twi doesn't exactly have the constitution of a regular pony.
As much as I would like to say you're overthinking this, both of you, I do realize that there are some things that simply bother us and that we can't let go of, so I'm just going to say to leave it as is and move on.
Just a suggestion though, I wouldn't suggest using the phrase "wtf" when criticizing things. I've seen too many people using it in hate to have a good opinion about it, and I feel it's more likely to incite something bad than lead to a calm conversation.
3714511
What makes you say that?
Just wondering.
3714862
What I mean to say awkward is the way it was written, not the entire scene. Of course its awkward to be eaten by your own teacher silly! Of course to be honest I wouldn't want to punish Celestia in that situation if I was a parent and she ate my child, I would be scolding my child actually. Like what the heck were you doing in the cake! or something. I could obviously see that that situation calls for no punishment on the Princess's part. How was she to know that Twilight was in that cake?
The Princess I could see wanting to be punished. She felt like she had failed over and over again and that's something I can relate to.
Again keep up the good work! (I think I said it but whatever)
I loved this chapter, but there is one very minor thing. You wrote "my" twice in a row at one point.
IF THEY ONLY KNEW...
I wish it was too, damn creator...
Tia: *Feels motion in stomach* *Wiggles in reaction* Oh...! Ok, she's alive... Ok, Twi, make me sick and make me throw you up, cause you do not want to come out my rear end...
Make him tremble in anger of that comment
FOR DA WINNNN
Cloppers, GET OUT OF HEREEE
Yeah, she might just become a pile of poo, so NO TOILETS FOR A WEEK
FOR THE EPIC WIIIINNNNNNNNNNNN
Tia, puke all you want, you just had your internals exposed to another pony, you're fine...
Tia, get back here.
Insert blush on Twi's face
Good, she listened to me.
Who the hell is talking, molestia or celestia?
NO
REALLY
WHO
IS
TALKING...
Yeah... That is pretty bad, but she has endured FAR WORSE!!!
Alright, everyone out... Twiny and Tia need time alone...
Your sadness pays for that...
Oi, don't do any self-harming or stuff like that...
Yeap, they would love to know that...
This reminds me of Egoraptor's Sequilitis on Megaman...
THE FEELS, HELP MEEEE, DROWNING!!!
Gonna choke in feels, and mum is awake...
I CAN FEEL THE TEARS BEING HELD BACK!!!
SAME HERE!!! *Raises arms*
WATCH THE PIE, TWI
Yep, SO MUCH DRAMA AND FEELS!!!
Good, no more feels, thanks...
She fears it now... *looks at moon* Lulu you dare give her any cake I swear I will kill you...
Yep, IM SERIOUS LUNA, I AM SERIOUS!!!
Chapter Rating: ∞/10
FAVORITE!!
3717899
Well, considering that she will go to Ponyville, I think they may have some adventures together, especially when Nightmare Moon arrive.
3715442
Sorry about chapter 19, but I needed to show that not everyone are so willing to become Twilight's friends and to create conflict where Twilight fear that Spitfire is just acting nice to her when in reality she hate her.
Cannot turn it back now.
3715841
That would be a nice plot twist, but a bit to hard to pull off. I will just go with mane 6 becoming elements, but add interaction between Twiny friends from Ponyville and friends from Canterlot (basically, Twiny will not limit herself to her 5 friends, she will go beyond that. )
3716659
I know that it was not princess fault that she ate her student, but what Twilight's parents would be angry about is all the previous accidents where Twilight has been hurt under Celestia's care.
That is what happened to her, she feel that she should be punished for failing over and over, and it hurts her that her student let her get off the hook, not giving her this one privilage she so crawl for ( and the memories of how she failed to stop Luna's transformation just add fuel to the fire because while Luna is trapped on the moon, Celestia was not punished in any way outside of losing her sister for thousand of years ).
3718892
Fixed
3720249
They will find out soon enough.
Well EXCUSEEEE MEEEE
So true
Will do
Typical Twilight. She was baked and eaten alive, now stuck inside her mentor's belly, and all she think about is to learn a new spell. I think it is one of "do not give a buck" Twilight's moments. ( I am in my mentor's stomach... meh, I had worse ).
Celestia live for almost 1800 years, and I bet she never experienced the messes Twilight gets her in.
Let her have moment to herself. She just had rather harsh experience and need to gather thoughts in silence.
But do not forget to add the squishy sounds she made when her big friend is squeezing her baked, exhausted and eaten body. At this point I would not be surprised if her bones were elastic like a jelly.
I would say, Guiltlestia. After everything what happened to Twilight because of her, she wishes nothing but to be severely punished for her action ( I bet hat at this point, she would teleport or push herself into somepony's stomach and suffer as her student did ( more or less, ask ponies to stomp on her as she once stomped on Twilight by accident.
True. But Celestia blame herself for all the pain Twilight had to endure.
Yeap, they do, but I am afraid others didn't considered it ( at best they would walk away to give them both some space ).
Not for Celestia, I think she want to pay more than just that.
I think she mind if her guilt keeps bottling inside her.
You do not sayyyy
Never hear about that.
Swim through the emotions to the closest plot-
That's what I was aiming for.
No need to get angry on Luna, especially since the cake has not been sliced just yet.
Cool that you enjoyed it.
I am afraid that next chapter and epilogue wont be as epic as this one, but I hope it will be good enough.
3720251
True, at least it was able to have a logical resolution. Good luck on the last two chapters.
3720352
EPIC RAP BATTLES OF HISTORYYYYYYYY!!!
[That's an actual show on Youtube]
Yep!
3720426
Oh shit, CAN'T FUCKING BREATHE!!! LOOOL
Twi: This is nothing... I've done WAY WORSE off-screen.
Tia: PUNISH ME NOW OR I MIGHT SEND YOU TO THE DAMN MOON!!!
True, true
YEP, THINKING THE SAME THING BUT HE GOT IT OUT BEFORE ME!! [All caps, sorry...] Give... this guy... a TROPHY!
Yeah, whenever something like that happens to other people and i'm in the room. I just don't want to make myself noticed and just be like "Why did that wall get very very interesting all of a sudden?"
Shall I put it below? Too bad if you said 'no' because it's already down there...
And then [You guessed it...] THE PONIFIED VERSION!!
T-t-to the- To the wha....?
THEN GET SOMEONE TO GET YOU A DAMN TROPHY, AGAIN...
But please, do put some feels in it... JUST A LITTLE, DON'T BE NIAGRA FALLS LIKE THESE TWO!!
3720714
Thanks.
I am afraid that last chapter and epilogue won't be as good as chapter 21 and 22, but it will have some action and resolution before Twilight will finally go to Poonville in he sequel.
Correction:
Tia: PUNISH ME NOW OR I MIGHT SEND MYSELF TO THE DAMN MOON!!!
( Also, on side note, Celestia needed elements to banish her sister to the moon, and by using them all by herself, she lost connection with elements, so yea, she cannot even banish herself if she wanted too ).
I will try.
3721040
I'm sure it'll still be a good ending to a rather good first ending. Do you think that Twilight will either find a way or study to make the Shrink Spell something that she could do on her own? Either by Spell or enchanted artifact forged by Tia?
3721646
Well, I'll assure you that there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for her behavior. Does that help?
And That's how Princess Celestia learned that the cake is a lie.
I can't wait to see the crub-stomp battle that will be the surprise attack of the terrorist once Twiny and Smallestia tag-team them aroun or when Twilight decide that enought is enought anc cancel the shrinking spell to fight them serious, why you may ask?
BECASUE NO ONE MESS WITH HER LOVED ONES AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!
derpicdn.net/img/2012/10/28/134819/full.png
3722664
Fixed.
3728559
Technically the cake was real, but the flavour of the cake was a lie. How could she know that her student would add herself into the cake to make it more special.
( I know this cake joke, but I am unsure it works here).
Keep in mind that the room is filled with many powerful ponies, I am sure that those terrorists will play it smart. One think I can say for sure, Twilight won't be the only one to get the spotlight.
I am unsure do this line works better for Twilight or for Celestia.
3785157
It sure will be a shock for poor Dashie, but look on the bright side, maybe Dash will add Twilight to her idol's list next to Spitfire and Daring Doo.
3785192
Sigh...
It does not matter what I write, someone will always find an excuse to turn Celestia into one of those.
To your informations, Celestia beg to be punished out of guilt, she feel guilty for banishing her sister to the moon for 1000 of years, something what she was never punished for, and now after all pain she caused Twilight because of few mistakes (though most of the time Twilight was at fault) and still get away without punishment is devastating for her.
At this point, she can see Luna whenever she look at Twilight and wish for a hammer of justice to smash her, and yet she cannot even have that.
Also, here is a small announcement.
The last chapter and epilogue are ready, but I am still waiting for my editor to improve prologue (once it is done, I will upload improved prologue, last chapter and epilogue all at once and mark story as complete, so I am sorry for the delay).
3785622
I know, I was kidding, and I can see why Celestia was doing it, I just couldn't resist.
Mayhew's Log: Ch22 - Best Wishes... Well... that was the best birthday party ever. Twilight got baked, Celestia ate a pony, shiny pulled a tiny pony out of a princess. Good times. Next Chapter! Allons y!
A world where Celestia can no longer eat cake?!
Also, does this make Celestia an accidental cannibal?
Any bets that once Luna comes back she's going to be upset to find out that she has a reputation for eating little foals on Nightmare Night despite never having done so, while her sister actually did eat a pony and no one ever mentions it?
3785622 ohgodohgodohgodohgodicantbreathohgod!!! Ohmygodthysjitishelariousohmygodimdyinng!!!
4608431 : "Oh man, I am so BAKED right now!"
3728559 I call her Celestiny...
I guess in the heat of the moment nopony thought to induce vomiting?
Real horses can't vomit, but Little Ponies apparently can given "Applebuck Season".
This chapter... annoys me. I know twilight's behaviour is obviously being taken from the show, but she needs to tone it down with getting into everybody's business and being so impulsive. She needs to know everything, and when she doesn't know about something, she manages to find some way, at the cost of others' comfort, to get the information she's looking for, or even gets herself into situations that nearly kill her just because she was trying to somehow make up for ruining a surprise party.
Also, I refuse to believe that she didn't know the cake had yet to be baked, why was jumping into the batter even considered a good choice to make?