Mono

by Omegathyst

Friendship Problem

Standing up on her four hooves, Twilight bolted out of the train and jumped into the Ponyville sky, flapping her wings towards her castle. Flying into an open window, she crash-landed on her bed, burying her face in her hooves.

“Oh Celestia, what are we going to do?” Twilight whispered.

“Twilight, you’re back!”

Twilight released her face from her hooves, looking over her shoulder to see the short purple dragon standing beside her door, holding a letter in his claws. Jumping off the bed, Twilight threw her hooves around Spike.

“Thank goodness you’re here,” Twilight whispered. “I need you to bring my best friends to the Cutie Map right away.”

Spike nodded as Twilight let him go, allowing the dragon to fly out the window she came in. Glancing at the piece of paper that Spike left on the bed, Twilight sighed.

“Not now, Celestia,” Twilight groaned, walking out of her room. Twilight took a deep breath before walking down the hallway, continuing until she walked into the seemingly empty Cutie Map room.

“Hey Twilight? What’s up?” Twilight flinched and fell on her butt, face-to-face with a certain pink party pony.

“How did-”

“I’ve been doing just fine, although I’ve only had five orders this morning. Eh, no biggie,” Pinkie shrugged, wrapping her hoof around Twilight’s shoulder. “Trouble with the Mrs?”

“Mrs?”

“Oh right, you’re not married yet. Silly me,” Pinkie rolled her eyes with a smile. “But really, why ignore a pony’s letter?”

Twilight’s mouth flopped open and closed like a fish as Pinkie stared at her, her soft smile never wavering.

“Oh darling, you’re lucky I’m back from my business trip early.”

“Oh hey Rarity!” Pinkie turned away, waving at the unicorn. “Twilight was just telling me what was going on with her lover.”

“Lover?!” Rarity stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening. “Darling, you must spill all the details! Who is it? Is she rich? Poor? Is she from Canterlot or Ponyville? Is it Fluttershy?”

“It’s Celestia,” Twilight’s ears flattened, and a blush crept up her cheeks as she imagined the yellow pegasus. “I...I was with her last night.”

“The co-ruler of Equestria,” Rarity whispered.

As she attempted to speak further, a rainbow zoomed past Rarity, knocking her over as Rainbow Dash landed on her chair, smirking at the three mares.

“Foursome, eh?” Dash winked. “Can’t say I’ve never thought about it, although I kinda imagined Fluttershy instead of you. No offense.”

“None taken, we’re meeting up to help Twilight with a friendship problem,” Rarity explained, glancing at Twilight out of the corner of her eye. “Or something more than that.”

“Ew, relationships?” Dash scowled. “I don’t know if I can help you with that, Twilight. You’ve got plenty of helping hoo-”

“Sit back down.”

“Fine,” Dash rolled her eyes, returning to her seat and looking away from Rarity. Moments later, Fluttershy slowly entered the room.

“Oh my,” Fluttershy whispered. “Is everything alright, Twilight?”

“Could be better,” Twilight shrugged. “With all of you here, this problem should be easy to solve. I...I hope.”

“Howdy y’all,” Applejack walked into the room. “Oh hey Rares, nice to see you back early.”

“Busy?” Rarity glanced at her marefriend out of the corner of her eye, a small smile creeping up her face.

“Heh, you could say I was,” Applejack winked. “Hey Twilight, how was your time with Celestia?”

“Celestia?” Dash and Fluttershy gasped at the same time.

“You knew?” Rarity asked.

“Sure did, was with Twilight when she showed up,” Applejack explained. “So how was it?”

“I don’t know anymore,” Twilight frowned, taking her place on her chair. Her best friends followed. “I was over the moon when Celestia and I got together last night, but then Luna pulled up all the dreams I was having with other mares.”

“So?” Dash commented. “Dreams don’t have to mean anything.”

“Rainbow Dash, it was the same dream, several nights in a row,” Twilight frowned. “I saw two ponies, Luna being one of them, being intimate with each other. And I couldn’t get it out of my mind.”

“And Fluttershy,” Twilight stared at the Cutie Map, not meeting the pegasus’ eyes. “You were on my mind during my date, and on the way home. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” Fluttershy whispered.

“Girls, I think I might want…” Twilight gulped, staring at the group of friends before her.

In the tense silence surrounding them, Spike flew into the room and landed in the chair next to Twilight.

“Hey guys,” Spike waved at the others before turning to Twilight. “So what’s going on?”

“Twilight was just about to tell us what it is she wants,” Rarity explained, staring at Twilight intently. “Go on darling, we’re all ears.”

“I might want a harem,” Twilight managed to say, feeling a building pressure against her chest as her throat dried up.

“A hair-um?” Spike tilted his head. “What is that?”

“Oh, it’s when a mare such as Twilight takes up a bunch of ponies as her lovers,” Fluttershy explained without missing a beat. “It can bring a lot of excitement into your life.”

“I’d be lucky to have one love in my life,” Spike chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “What’s wrong with that, Twilight?”

“I’m with Celestia, Spike,” Twilight told him.

“Oh? Congratulations!” Spike clapped Twilight’s hoof. “Did...did you two have a fight?”

“Not exactly,” Twilight replied. “She just doesn’t know how I’m feeling yet.”

“Well dear,” Rarity spoke up. “It seems now is as good a time as any to have some one-on-one time with you. Well, two-on-one if Applejack wishes to join us.”

“I can take you to my cottage, partake in some of my tea collection,” Fluttershy offered.

“I can throw you a party!” Pinkie squealed, jumping out of her chair and leaving the room.

“What’re you going to do, Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy asked, glancing at the other pegasus.

“Eh, me and Twilight can go out for a quick flight,” Dash shrugged. “I’ll come around the cottage in an hour?”

“That works,” Fluttershy batted her eyelashes, and Rainbow Dash looked away from her as a blush appeared on her face. Fluttershy stood up, walking towards the door as she glanced at Twilight. “So, are you in?”

“You know I can’t...you know, while I still haven’t told Celestia,” Twilight frowned.

“Oh!” Fluttershy held a hoof to her lips as she blushed. “It was only for tea, Twilight. Nothing more.”

“Oh, alright then,” Twilight nodded, getting out of her seat. “I could sure go for some tea right now.”

---

Twilight and Fluttershy flew out of the castle and to her cottage, the alicorn landing right behind the pegasus as she opened the door. Twilight stepped in, her words never escaping her mouth as she saw a familiar striped body resting on Fluttershy’s couch.

“Oh! I didn’t know you two already went on that date,” Twilight whispered.

“It was Breakfast in Bed,” Fluttershy explained, leaning closer till Twilight felt her hot breath dizzying her senses. “Emphasis on the bed.”

Twilight felt her face heat up as Fluttershy slowly walked away, her tail covering her hindquarters. What the alicorn would give just to be able to push that tail out of the way with no consequences. Twilight gave a mental apology to Celestia before walking to the table and sitting down, staring at the table’s wooden surface as hard as she could. A bump sound caused Twilight to jump and stare at the hot cup of matcha green tea inches away from her mouth.

“Thank you,” Twilight gulped, using her magic to stir the tea.

“So...Celestia, hm?” Fluttershy smiled.

“Yeah,” Twilight attempted to return the smile. “I was keeping Applejack company while Rarity was gone, when Celestia came over to ask me out. After we...er, made our relationship official, Luna came to me in my dream and pointed out the dream of mine that she had witnessed. Over and over again. And the possibility that Luna might want…”

Twilight blushed as she cut her sentence off, bringing the cup of tea to her lips and taking a small sip.

“I suppose there is some silver lining to Celestia allowing you an open relationship,” Fluttershy told her.

“What’s that?” Twilight asked, her ears perked up as she set down her cup of tea.

“Well,” Fluttershy glanced at the table, blushing through her yellow fur. “We can go back to our normal tea dates, instead of ones like these.”

Twilight felt her wings burst out from her sides, her tail flicking from side to side as she put her hoof to her cheek, grinning despite the rapid beating of her heart.

“I suppose it’ll happen either way, right?” Twilight pointed out. “I mean, I won’t be up for anything right away if Celestia breaks up with me. But at least I’ll be happy?”

Fluttershy leaned forward, resting her hoof over Twilight’s.

“Just communicate with her as gently as possible,” Fluttershy told Twilight. “And know that you can’t control her reaction; we’ll always be here for you.”

“Thank you,” Twilight smiled, glancing down at the hoof on her own. She thought of using her magic to pull Fluttershy forward into a kiss, and knew that her desires were just out of her reach. Teasing her and taunting her.

Upon hearing a knock at the door, Twilight pulled her hoof away from Fluttershy’s. Zecora flipped around and glanced at the door.

“Is there another mare at the door? Are you initiating an orgy of four?” Zecora asked.

“No, it's just Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy told her, flying to the door. Opening it, Rainbow Dash stepped into the cottage and gave a nod in Twilight’s direction. Getting up, Twilight wrapped her wing around Fluttershy, being pulled in by the intoxicating smell of strawberries and flowers.

“Thank you for listening to me, Fluttershy,” Twilight rested her head on Fluttershy’s for a few moments before tucking her wing back to her side. “I’m ready, Dash.”

“Cool,” Dash smirked, walking out of the cottage and taking to the sky. Twilight ran after her, leaving the cottage and flying after Rainbow Dash. Had this been only weeks after her coronation, Twilight wouldn’t have dreamed of being able to catch up to Dash’s speedy flight. But now, Twilight flew at the same pace as her with ease, having caught up with her.

“Your lady is nuts, by the way,” Dash commented.

“What?” Twilight gasped, glancing at Rainbow Dash out of the corner of her eye.

“She really expects you to be with her and only her till the end of time?” Dash pointed out. “I wouldn’t do that for a lifetime, let alone several.”

“Technically I haven’t talked with her yet,” Twilight told her. “But I suppose she would’ve made it clear if she was okay with it…”

“Exactly!” Dash exclaimed. “She shouldn’t leave you to struggle with this on your own, she knew you were hooking up with Applejack and Fluttershy!”

“She did…” Twilight felt her blood start to boil a little at the thought of Celestia tying her down without asking about her sexual relationships with her friends. If Celestia thinks that she can get mad at her for telling her how she feels, well, the alicorn has another outcome coming to her. Dash glanced at Twilight as her wings began to slow, her frown clear on her face. Grinning from ear to ear, Rainbow Dash had an idea.

“Race you!” Dash zoomed past Twilight, causing the alicorn to spin in the air. Her mouth gaping for a second, Twilight shook herself out of her thoughts and took off after her friend. Making up for the distance, Twilight used a teleportation spell to put herself ahead of the blue pegasus.

“Hey, no fair!” Dash protested, attempting to outspeed Twilight. Twilight glanced down at Ponyville, seeing the Boutique just a few seconds away. Tucking in her wings, Twilight dropped past the clouds like a bird of prey, only extending her legs as she landed. Rolling onto her back, she opened her legs into an embrace to catch Rainbow Dash. Seconds later, she felt Dash crash into her, the fall softened by the alicorn’s lavender fur. Feeling her senses clouded by the landing, Rainbow Dash lifted her head, only for her muzzle to press against Twilight’s.

“Caught you,” Twilight whispered with her half-lidded eyes.

Dash opened her mouth, trying to push the words out. Blushing, Dash got out of Twilight’s embrace and pointed a wing in the direction behind Twilight. Twilight got up, stretching her wings as she glanced over at Rarity, who was staring at the scene with her wide sapphire eyes.

“Oh! I was just breaking Rainbow Dash’s fall,” Twilight explained, not making eye contact with the unicorn.

“I’m sure, darling,” Rarity turned around, walking towards her boutique. “Come, we need to get you dressed up for when Celestia arrives.”

“Arrives?” Twilight froze up.

“Well sure,” Rarity shrugged, entering the boutique. “Pinkie told me that she sent you a letter, and given that you haven’t made time to write her back, what do you think the co-ruler of Equestria will do about that?”

“Oh no,” Twilight wanted to disappear from the spot she was standing. “I’m not ready, I can’t talk to her!”

“You can and you will,” Rarity turned around to place a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Breathe in and out in deep breaths darling. Tartarus will freeze over before we let her lash out at you.”

“Oh,” Twilight inhaled deeply, and exhaled, willing her heartbeat to slow down to a normal pace. A soft orange magic illuminated from Rarity’s horn, causing a rush of therapeutic warmth to wash over Twilight.

“Calming spell, dear,” Rarity explained. “With all the spells she taught you, she didn’t teach you this one?”

“I don’t remember,” Twilight replied. “Why am I supposed to look good again?”

“To display your confidence dear,” Rarity let out a hint of a smile. “The last thing you want to do is allow her more power over you than she already has. Don’t feel as though you owe her anything, but acknowledge your feelings as your own. Embrace them, don’t downplay them or magnify them.”

“Thank you, Rarity,” Twilight smiled. “I’d love to try out some outfits.”

Rarity finally let her smile appear all the way, using her magic to tug different accessories towards the purple alicorn. As Rarity placed a white feather boa around Twilight’s neck, the door opened to reveal Applejack.

“Ah, you’re already here,” Applejack said to Twilight. “Rarity, please don’t tell me you’re sending Twilight to her marefriend in a feather boa.”

“Of course not!” Rarity protested, blushing as she removed the accessory from Twilight’s neck. “I was just testing to see what would work. Perhaps this will do the trick~”

Rarity brought a tux towards Twilight, watching as she tucked her wings and hooves through their respective holes within the outfit. As Twilight got into the tux, Rarity took a hairspray can and comb, running the latter through Twilight’s mane. Spraying some of the contents into her mane, Rarity took a step back and looked at Twilight.

“Woah,” Applejack whispered, approaching Twilight till their muzzles were inches apart. “You clean up nice.”

“Thank you,” Twilight blushed, taking a step back and turning to look at the mirror.

Her normally flat mane was slightly poofy, the tux covering her chest. Staring into her reflection, she couldn’t help but smile. Turning back to face her face, Twilight used her magic to pull both Applejack and Rarity into an embrace.

“Thank you girls,” Twilight closed her eyes, wrapping her wings around the couple.

Twilight wondered what she would’ve done without their advice, if she would’ve spent countless decades becoming a former shell of herself while Celestia remained blissfully unaware. And yet, Celestia was to thank for sending her to Ponyville to begin with. Her blissful feelings and her pained ones twisted and overlapped with each other, and the words she planned for her marefriend were starting to become more unclear.

“I’m glad she’s coming over,” Twilight said as she pulled away from Rarity and Applejack. “I don’t think I could spend another moment not talking to her about this.”

“Hmm, follow me,” Applejack turned around, with her marefriend following her. Twilight followed them out of the boutique, and through Ponyville until they reached Sweet Apple Acres. Looking at the dozens of apple trees scattered around the fields, watching Big Mac pulling a cart towards the barn, reminded Twilight of simpler times. The day she first came here and dined on apple treats felt like a distant memory now. Spreading her wings, Twilight jumped off the ground and flew over the two mares, basking in the sunset around her.

Flying ahead of Rarity and Applejack, Twilight was tempted to soar further into the sky. But such activities had to wait, and Twilight landed in front of the barn. Applejack trotted up to her, with Rarity not too far behind.

“Don’t sugarcoat anythin’ when Celestia comes,” Applejack told her. “Anythin’ short of tha truth would be cheating both of ya.”

Twilight nodded, turning to hear sounds on the other side of the barn door.

“Do you have somepony in there?” Twilight asked, using her magic to open the door. A shot of confetti hitting her right in the face, Twilight stumbled back and spit out the colorful bits from her mouth. Blinking her eyes open, Pinkie grinned as her muzzle was pressing against Twilight’s.

“Surprise!” Pinkie squealed. “Welcome to your ‘Bagging another Alicorn’ party!”

“Ya couldn’t come up with a better name than that?” Applejack asked.

“I went through a few other names,” Pinkie stepped back from Twilight with a light blush on her face.

“Let’s hear them, darling,” Rarity smirked.

“‘Twilight and Celestia Official Relationship’ party, ‘Twilestia’ party, ‘Twilight getting laid again’ party…” Pinkie rattled on. “I have 52 more, but I’m sure you want to get to the party.”

“You can tell me later, darling,” Rarity patted Pinkie’s shoulder. “Any champagne for me?”

“Always,” Pinkie grinned, skipping over to inside the barn. Twilight walked into the barn, seeing two tables with snacks and alcoholic drinks of all kinds. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were standing beside one of the tables, the former laughing as she held a beer with her wing. Glancing away from Fluttershy, Dash dropped her beer and walked over to Twilight.

“Hey Twilight!” Dash grinned. “How was your time with the girls?”

“O-Oh, it was good,” Twilight told her. “Is that beer empty?”

“Help yourself,” Dash smirked, picking up the bottle from the floor. “Still got a good amount in there.”

Twilight took the bottle with her magic and downed the remaining contents in one gulp. The sharp taste hit her tastebuds for several seconds before the beverage flowed down her throat. She nearly choked when she felt Pinkie crash into her, a plate of desserts balancing on her tail.

"So Twilight! I've created several different kinds of cupcakes for today, and I...Twilight?"

Twilight didn't need a mirror to confirm the expression on her face as she thought of Celestia glaring her down for wanting more than the co-ruler of Equestria. She felt her eyes getting wet as Pinkie placed the cupcake plate on the table, walking towards her and pressing her body against Twilight's.

"I don't want her to change me," Twilight whispered, her ears flattened as she glanced away from the pink pony.

"Then don't let her," Pinkie wrapped her foreleg around Twilight. "We're your friends, Twilight. And friends don't let other friends be forced into being different ponies. Even if Celestia demanded it. Pinkie Promise."

Pinkie stepped back, staring at Twilight as she recited the words.

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Pinkie grinned, and Twilight couldn't help but return the expression. A flicker of warmth touched her heart, only to be blown out like a candle.

Pinkie's smile dropped as she stared past Twilight. The purple mare looked over her shoulder and froze, staring at the towering figure before her.

"Hello, Twilight Sparkle."