The trio made their way back to the castle. There were many glances given to Princess Twilight, who accept it nonchalantly, while Rainbow Dash basked in the attention as if it was directed at her.
As they passed the park, they found Trixie packing up her things with a beat-up hat filled with golden coins. She nearly dropped it at the sight of the two Twilight's.
"Trixie!" Princess Twilight called out, "I didn't know you were here!"
"The Great and Powerful Trixie comes and goes as she wills."
Rainbow Dash stared daggers at Trixie like she was trying to decide if she wanted to strangle the street performer. Twilight decided to go ahead and like the magician.
"I liked the performance you put on," Twilight offered, "kind of wish I could've stayed a little longer."
"It was a shame," Trixie said, "the Great and Powerful Trixie would've liked to have you onstage. But tell Trixie, who are you? You look like Princess Twilight."
"Long story, but I'm Twilight Sparkle. Not the princess, just a friend."
"They're waiting for us back at the castle, you know," Rainbow Dash reminded Princess Twilight.
The princess gave a sigh of annoyance. "Well, I have to go. Just wanted to say hello."
Trixie nodded and bid them a farewell.
"Why does Rainbow Dash not like her?" Twilight asked the princess once both mares were out of earshot, Trixie far behind and Rainbow Dash an impatient distance ahead.
"The short version is that she showed up doing one of her magic acts, which caused an Ursa Minor to rampage through the town accidentally-"
"As in the Little Dipper? A constellation?"
"Not a constellation. A really massive bear. Anyways, she left and came back with a magic amulet and tried to banish me from Ponyville before I came back and defeated her. Anyways, she-"
"And you like her?"
"She apologized," Princess Twilight said, as if that explained everything.
"She made a giant bear terrorize a town and then came back to banish you from it."
"The Ursa Minor was an accident that was caused by her giving an idea to two young foals who didn't know what they were doing. The second time she was under the influence of the amulet. She was literally insane."
"An amulet that she put on," Twilight pointed out.
Princess Twilight decided to try a different tack. "You saw her do her show yourself. Did she seem nice, not arrogant and boastful? For a stage magician, at the very least?"
"Well, I guess," Twilight admitted.
"There you go," Princess Twilight said, "she apologized, saw the error of her ways, and she's making the best she can of her second chance. She's changed for the better."
"I don't care if somepony can change," Twilight said, "if they made a giant bear rampage through my town I wouldn't ever forgive them for it."
"Hey! Can we pick up the pace here? I'm getting hungry!" Rainbow Dash called out from a short distance ahead of them before the princess could argue further.
Princess Cadence and the other ponies gathered at the dinner table were stunned to find Princess Twilight with her look-alike in tow.
Twilight shifted around uncomfortably under their piercing stares. She looked to her newfound mentor for help, but the princess seemed utterly oblivious.
"We're back," Princess Twilight said cheerfully.
Cadence's face was one of confusion, unlike the rest in the dining hall, but it quickly morphed into a welcoming smile. "Hello, Twilight and Twilight. Did anything go wrong with the arrangements? I thought they would be good for living a quiet life here for until the next opening of the portal, but if there is anything wrong..."
"There's been a change of plans," Princess Twilight announced to the room, "I think I may have figured out a way to reopen the portal ahead of when it's supposed to."
"So... how do you plan on doing that, exactly?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I'll explain once we eat," Princess Twilight assured.
Rainbow Dash and the princess each took a seat at the long table. Twilight hesitated for a moment, and then took a chair situated away from Spike, who was staring at the gemstones on his fine china plate like they were slices of chocolate cake.
"Now can we eat?" Spike asked.
"Yes, Spike, everypony's here. You can eat now," Applejack answered.
Without another word, Spike snatched the solid gems off his plate and noisily ate them, making crunching sounds as if the gemstones were merely breakfast cereal.
Princess Twilight recounted the events of the library while Twilight helped herself to berries, salad and even pastries. Apparently even ponies had a sweet tooth.
There was also a large amount of hay that were apparently served in different styles, although Twilight could hardly tell the difference. She avoided the hay, not wanting to eat something so unfamiliar to her. Logic dictated that her digestive system had been changed to that of her horselike companions, but fear of the unknown won out and the hay never touched her plate.
Princess Twilight had just finished explaining her counterpart's immediate knack for magic. The way she had described it, one would have thought that Twilight had levitated the entire book and zipped it around the room.
"I wasn't that good," Twilight protested, breaking her silence she had kept all dinner, "I just made a book move a few pages ahead. It's not exactly a powerful feat of magic as far as I know."
"It's an excellent start," Princess Twilight said encouragingly.
Princess Twilight resumed her story. By the time she had finished explaining her intentions to be Twilight's teacher, the entire room was silent aside from the clinks of silverware and plates being quietly taken away by servants.
"So, um, does this mean Twilight is coming to Ponyville with us?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yes, it does," Princess Twilight confirmed.
Surreptitious glances were thrown Twilight's way.
"That's lovely," Rarity said in a way that suggested that it was anything but lovely.
Twilight said nothing in her defense.
"Hey, maybe we should go to the castle greenhouse," Princess Twilight suggested suddenly.
"I have a little bit of work to do," Cadence said in apology, "between Shining Armor being sick and the Princess Summit, I've starting to fall behind in my paperwork."
"All right," Princess Twilight said, "I understand. Girls, are you all up for it?"
"I think I'll take a look around the castle," Twilight said, "I just want to look around a little."
"All right. The castle has it's own library just a few floors above us if you're interested."
Twilight perked up at the information and quickly left, heading for the nearest staircase.
"I've got some things to take care of," Spike announced, "I'll catch you girls later."
"Well, I guess it's just us then," the princess said.
Even at night, the greenroom was beautiful. With a glass ceiling that gave a crystal clear view of the sky, flowers of countless varieties in bloom and the noticeable lack of armed guards that might listen in on a private conversation or just generally be an eyesore, it was a wonderful place to have a personal or touchy conversation. The entire greenroom was filled with an earthy scent of dirt and the aroma of flowers that instantly relaxed the muscles of the princess and her friends the moment they stepped inside.
"No matter how many times I visit here, it's just so beautiful," Fluttershy marveled.
"These flowers certainly are quite pretty, aren't they?" Rarity agreed.
"Shame they don't plant any fruits or nothing," observed Applejack, "they could make a fortune selling crystal berries if the prince and princess tried."
"Eh, it's kinda nice," commented Rainbow Dash, "but once you've seen one flower, you've kinda seen 'em all."
Pinkie Pie sniffed a flower. "Best thing is, there aren't any bees! I got stung once when I went to go smell a flower and it really hurt."
"Girls, can I ask you something?" Princess Twilight ventured.
"Of course, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie replied.
"Alright," Princess Twilight said uneasily, "but I noticed you girls were a little quieter around Twilight then you usually are around other ponies. Is everything alright?"
"Not really," Applejack sighed, "it's just... an hour ago she was makin' fun of you, your crown, and even Spike. You looked really upset."
"Well, yes, I was," Princess Twilight admitted, "but she was just frustrated. No reason to hold a grudge on her."
"Well, even before that, when we were asking her questions about where she came from, she seemed a little... um..." Fluttershy trailed off.
"A little what?" the princess asked.
"A little bit snippety," Rarity finished.
"She doesn't even like parties!" Pinkie Pie added.
Princess Twilight sighed. "Pinkie, not everypony likes parties-"
"They don't?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"-and she's not that bad once you get to know her. What are you girls all afraid of?"
"We're afraid that this new Twilight might be a bad friend," Rarity admitted, "we don't want you to be hurt because of her."
"Girls, don't worry," Princess Twilight assured her friends, "I thought about what I was doing before I made the offer to take her back to Ponyville with us. I know she has the makings of a good friend. We just need to give her a little kindness and bit of breathing room."
Applejack tilted her the brim of her hat upwards. "If ya say so, Twilight."
"I do say so," the princess said with absolute confidence.
oh the calm before the storm
so did you Fixed Chapter 4 I didn't like how you made Cadence too mean Please tone it down.
You know things are about to go south when a chapter ends with the phrase "absolute confidence".
3474016 well the author has to stop making cadence too mean.
Glad to see you return to this fic. Nice update.:D
<("Girls, I'd have been exactly the same the day I met you if I hadn't been so worried about Nightmare Moon, you know....")
Just some feedback.
Honestly I think PTS should explain better that she's recognizing this is TS pre-Ponyville plus shocked beyond her tolerance for 'what the hell is going on?'
I would think Pinkie and Fluttershy would be a little more open minded, as it were by the time we've reached this point. (Pinkie Pie's already had her 'doesn't like parties' moment with Cranky, and Fluttershy is the element of kindness after all.)
On the other hoof I would be surprised and a bit upset at the whole 'kicking her out of the castle' if I was P!Twilight. She knows at least in some part what Twilight is going through. As hard as dealing with the other side of the mirror was for her, at least she was expecting things to be strange and bizarre. This Twilight comes from a world without magic, talking ponies, etc. I can see Cadence being a bit abrupt especially if she's overstressed by a lot of events at the moment but that seems a bit harsh for her, though I think for the story to progress well it needed to be done. I'm not sure how I would have handled it myself so I can't comment on it too much.
You know, I can't help but wonder if the way they're acting towards Twilight is the way they might have acted towards Princess!Twilight had they not gone through the whole saving the world by finding the Elements and making Nightmare Moon taste the rainbow bonding experience?
3567835
Oh, lol. I read your abbreviation of Princess Twilight Sparkle as Post Traumatic Stress.
And then I was wondering where 'disorder' went...
3567945
That was my first thought, my second was Pony Thread Simulator.
I wonder if anypony is going to realise the irony that EqG!Twilight is just their Twilight from before she learnt to make friends? In its' own way, this is going to be as important an adventure for her in terms of emotional development as FiM!Twilight's arrival in Ponyville.
I think Princess could have made the point of saying, "remember, currently she's what i would've been if i hadn't made friends." very fair point for the mane 6 to follow.
I still think chapter 4 needs to be rewritten Candace was Still too mean in that chapter so Fix it NOW Please find another reason for Human Twilight to leave the place maybe in tears.
3568056>>3567945
Princess of Post Traumatic Stress, we've found Twilight's field.
Wait. Shining Armor is ill!? When did this happen?
...poor guy.
I just hope the author knows Both Chapters 4 and 5 need to be Fixed.
"The Ursa Minor was an accident that was caused by her giving an idea to two young foals who didn't know what they were doing."
spike I know you want to keep Twilights approval. but really tell her right now about your talk with snips and snails before the Ursa attacked. The one where you tell them the only way you will believe them/Trixie are if an Ursa comes to town for Trixie to vanquish.
Why is this story in this group?
I like the detail in the greenhouse scene, very snazzy.
if your listing Jgame Please Fix chapters 4 and 5 You still made cadence too mean Please please please Fix it find other reasons to have human twilight leave the castle but not Thrown out.
3579825
This is what I suggested a few weeks ago
what next chapter?
Okay, guys. I'm working on Cadence's OOC actions in this fic. It might be a little drastic, but trust me, I'm going to fix it in a big way.
3593569 thank you so are rewriting chapter 4 ?
3593744
Yes. The new chapter will have Cadence in a far more compassionate light: the way she actually is instead of being akwardly shoved in an minorly antagonistic role.
3594118 thank you now just one question what were you thinking having her thrown out of the castle you know there are other ways of having her leave the Castle.
3580728 that Right there Should be done instead of being thrown out she runs away in tears and out of Fear of the Snake with legs. also Chapter 5 should be rewritten to have Human twilight leave to ponyville another way .
Pretty good story so far! I agree that Cadence's moment last chapter was a bit OOC, but you're fixing it now, so that's all good. Can't wait to see where things go from here!
3568815 a Plot excuse maybe?
The girls are forgetting one thing. UniTwilight is EXACTLY like the Twilight that was ordered to the Summer Sun celebration. UniTwilight never had that experience and thus never met their counterparts.
I read that you are going to do a fix up. Still vey out of character to me though but I will wait for the update to really pass off judgmenet