Secrets

by Aqua_Breeze

Home, sweet home

Twilight and Aurora decided to fly back to Ponyville from the back of the castle in order to avoid as many ponies from Canterlot as possible. There were a few pegasi flying around, but they kept their distance… well, except for one.

“Hey guys!” Called the pegasus.

“Rainbow? What are you doing all the way up here?” Twilight asked.

“I just happened to see you while out and about,” Rainbow Dash said, “So, what’s up?”.

“Heading home,” Twilight said.

“Well, when you get back, you might want to stay away from Applejack,” Rainbow Dash said, “She’s not gonna be too happy to see you”.

“I guess I can’t blame her,” Twilight said, “Whether she likes it or not, though, Aurora’s here to stay, and there’s no way she can keep Applebloom from hanging out with her”.

“She’ll try, though,” Rainbow Dash said.

“What about Rarity?” Twilight asked.

“She doesn’t like being lied to, like the rest of us,” Rainbow Dash said, “But, she isn’t willing to try keeping Sweetie Belle from her friends, even if one of those friends is a changeling”.

“Well, I’m glad for that at least,” Twilight said, “And I do want to apologize for lying like that. I just wanted to give Aurora a fair chance at a good life, and I didn’t think she’d get that if you knew”.

“Don’t sweet it, Twi,” Rainbow Dash said, “Spike already explained all of that”.

“We still good for the Wonderbolts airshow next weekend?” Aurora asked.

“Of course,” Rainbow Dash said.

“I hope you don’t mind me tagging along as well,” Twilight said, “Celestia announced Aurora’s citizenship earlier, and there wasn’t a single pony who looked pleased about it. I know it sounds like I’m being overprotective, but I’d feel much better if I was there in case somepony gets any ideas”.

“Anypony messes with her, they’ll be messing with me,” Rainbow Dash said, “But, if you wanna tag along, I guess that’d be alright”.

---

Twilight and Aurora had finally settled back into their castle. Spike was excited to see both of them, and was now making both of them a good meal. While waiting on her food, Twilight focused on charging the mana crystals Luna had given to her. After a couple of failed attempts, she finally got the hang of it, and began filling each crystal to the brim with love energy as Spike brought out her and Aurora’s meals.

“What are you doing?” Spike asked.

“Filling these mana crystals with love energy for Aurora,” Twilight said, “After what happened at the castle, Aurora can’t absorb the energy naturally anymore, so she has to use these now”.

“What exactly happened?” Spike asked.

“As per protocol, Celestia gave both of us void rings,” Twilight said, “It only stopped me from casting any spells, but permanently disabled Aurora”.

“Protocol for what?” Spike asked.

“I guess she forgot to mention she arrested me a couple of days ago,” Twilight said.

“I guess I should’ve seen that coming,” Spike said.

“Well, let’s just not talk about it, ok?” Twilight asked, taking a bit of the sandwich in front of her.

“Hey, no problem there,” Spike said.

“So, what have we missed?” Aurora asked, finishing off her last bite.

“First off, did you even taste that meal?” Spike asked, “And secondly, you haven’t missed much”.

“I tasted it, it was ok,” Aurora said, “Nothing like my food, though”.

“We’re not getting into that right now,” Twilight said.

---

“Hey there, Applejack,” Twilight said as she walked over.

“Well, look who it is,” Applejack said.

“Yea, it’s me,” Twilight said, “The big, bad liar”.

“First thing’s first,” Applejack said, “And Ah do hope ya can forgive me fer this”.

The strike came a little too fast. As Applejack’s right hoof made contact, Twilight stumbled backwards and fell flat on her flank.

“I guess I kind of deserved that,” Twilight said.

“Ya may be mah friend, Twi,” Applejack said, “But ya put my family in danger one more time, and ya will have made a dangerous enemy”.

“I know ‘I’m sorry’ won’t help,” Twilight said, “But please understand that I don’t like lying to my friends. I just wanted her to have a fair chance”.

“Then ya let me know next time,” Applejack said, “Gonna be honest, Twi, if ah had found Aurora without her disguise around Applebloom before yesterday, ya wouldn’t be seeing her afterwards”.

“I… I guess I just didn’t think about that,” Twilight said, “I promise though that I’ll let you girls know first thing next time”.

“That had better be a Pinkie promise,” Applejack said.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” Twilight said as she went about the motions of the sacred Pinkie promise.

“Now, ah was talking ta Applebloom about this whole ordeal,” Applejack said, “And, much as ah don’t like her being round a changeling, they are friends. Plus, she’s too determined for me ta keep her away from Aurora”.

“I heard from Rainbow that you would try to keep them separated,” Twilight said, “But, I’m so happy you reconsidered”.

“Ya had best hope ah don’t ever have ta regret it, either,” Applejack said.

---

The day had been quite long. After talking to Applejack, Twilight decided to head over to Sugarcube corner for a little snack. Along the way, she'd expected others to come up and talk to her about Aurora, but she just got just the opposite. Some ponies came up to say hello, and a few had asked what had happened to Aurora, but it mostly just a usual stroll through Ponyville. When she got to Sugarcube corner, however, the situation changed drastically as the pony known as "Filthy Rich" approached with a not-so-friendly expression on his face.

Well, it was obvious who one of Twilight's enemies is going to be now. Mr. Rich has a grudge against changelings because his family were victims during the failed invasion almost two years ago. The current conversation consisted of him trying to get Twilight to send Aurora away from Equestria altogether. He did everything from trying to bribe Twilight to passing off subtle threats, but none of it worked.

"As long as you let that beast stay here, Ponyville will never be safe," Mr. Rich said, "But don't you worry your pretty little horned head, I'll help you get over her mind control and get rid of her for you".

With that, Mr. Rich turned and left. Twilight wanted to let Mr. Rich have the chance to see Aurora for who she really is: not a threat, so she let all those words slide away. She simply pushed the whole thing to the back of her mind and went over to the counter to order a milkshake.

---

Dear Princess Celestia,

I would like to report that Aurora's return to Ponyville has been met with mostly open hooves. I am also really glad she can now walk around Ponyville without her disguise if she wants to. Her friends, the crusaders, were really excited when they saw her today. It makes me happy to know she has such good friends that aren't willing to judge her because she's a changeling. All my friends are also willing to accept her for what, and who, she is... and are even willing to forgive me for hiding the truth from them.

Now, I do want to bring to your attention that there are certainly ponies who are going to react a little violently to Aurora being a full Equestrian citizen. I know of one down here in Ponyville, an Earth Pony by the name of Filthy Rich. I want to give him the chance to change his mind and see Aurora for who she really is, so I request that you keep him in mind but not act against him just yet. If anything does happen to come up with him, I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I find Spike.

I would also like to request a few more mana crystals. The ones Princess Luna gave me are fine, but it's kind of annoying have to recharge them so often.

Thanks,
Twilight Sparkle

Comments

[Aqua_Breeze]

Last three chapters coming out one right after the other? Well, while I had some down time the past couple of days, my recruiter let me use his tablet to write these chapters. Still had to wait till I got home so I could upload chapter 15 and then upload the other three chapters to my computer so I could then add them here.

I'm also thinking of adding bonus chapters soon, so keep your eyes peeled just in case they go up.

[dream1990]

i like it and i am glad that this story has a happy ending

[dream1990]

5459646 please do add bonus chapters for this story i would like that

[Aqua_Breeze]

5459675 I'll decide over the next couple of days whether I will or not. There's definitely some parts of the story I could make bonus chapters for, but I just don't know yet.

[dream1990]

5459857 okay

[Crystal Static]

That last chapter cut off in a bad place, you should add an epilogue to tie it all off nice and neat.

~Crystalline Electrostatic~

[Aqua_Breeze]

5460844 I did kind of feel that as well, but wasn't really sure about it. Thing is, I'm actually not having an easy time thinking of what to add. Any suggestions? They'd be greatly appreciated.

[Crystal Static]

5460903 Just write an epilogue that explains anything that wasn't wrapped up in the last chapter, and tells what happens next (as in a more long term thing), and finish off with something (like a quote) that just feels right. What could potentially be a nice way to wrap things up would be a letter to Celestia or something, maybe a diary entry.

~Crystalline Electrostatic~

[dream1990]

5460986 Thunder-dasher told me in a comment for this chapter that in a couple of days they might be bonus chapters for this story wich i hope they is

[Aqua_Breeze]

5461273 I believe what she's getting at is it might help if I add in something like maybe Celestia getting a letter or something that'll let her see how well Aurora is being accepted in Ponyville now that they all know she's a changeling. Maybe some conflict with ponies that don't like Aurora as well? I'll definitely sleep on this and the last chapter might get a bit of an update tomorrow if I can think of how to word it right.

[dream1990]

5461438 ok

[dream1990]

i like it that you added more stuff for this chapter

[Aqua_Breeze]

5463072 I'll go ahead and start working on some bonus chapters. Though, don't expect them to be in any particular order, I'll just write them as they come to mind.

Also, I'm also working on the first sequel as well. This one will actually have some action.

[dream1990]

5465016 ok

[Aqua_Breeze]

5471892 Thanks Glad you could enjoy it

[SunshineNightfall]

i liked this story. One of my top ones.

[Wasko736]

Good story. +1

[damnaion]

chapter 18 this is a lovely slice of life story that tugs at this readers hart strings hoping for more and or a sequel

[Aqua_Breeze]

6376769 *Points to "Alternate Universe" tag*

Plus, we don't really know the punishments for crimes in Equestria, and definitely not crimes that severe. And you don't have to be in Nazi Germany to be executed for willingly housing an enemy of your country... which is considered treason, btw the way. Treason is punishable only by death practically everywhere so... yea, there's that. And I hate to say it, but rank and title wouldn't help in that case.

[Necron Lord]

NOPONY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION

[calikiki333]

will there be a Sequel?!

[Aqua_Breeze]

7048375 Here it is

[DiscoPanda84]

7048500 "Story does not exist"