Chapter 54: Sparkle's Seven
Chapter 54:
Sparkle’s Seven
Shortly after opening the School of Friendship, classes went on as planned despite having to deal with Chancellor Neighsay’s behavior just because it wasn’t EEA accredited. Students are enjoying classes now that they have none of the EEA guidelines and rules holding them down in addition students really look up to their teachers more so than ever especially after they saved them from puckwudgies and a fiery explosion at the Castle of the Two Sisters that nearly killed them all if it weren’t for Twilight and Starlight teleporting them all out of there in time.
Little do they know that Midnight and Chrysalis were behind the fire there while they both schemed from the shadows in an attempt to have her school shut down.
After another successful day of classes, Twilight is currently grading tests and dealing with paperwork with her Vice Headmare in her office to assist her while since being headmare has become a very time occupying job for the former to the point she would sometimes have to have lunch while catching up on her work.
During this Twilight uses this opportunity to talk to Starlight about her future plans for the school with the knowledge that she is going to become ruler of all of Equestria pretty soon.
“So how you feeling about what’s to come, Twilight?” Starlight asked Twilight as she held the papers with her magic.
“So far so good.” Twilight calmly replied. “At this rate I should be ready to ascend to the throne by the end of the school year.”
“That’s good to hear.” Starlight complimented on the big steps she was recently taking. “Just one question though, who is going to take over the school after your coronation?”
“Actually that’s exactly what I also wanted to talk to you about while we’re here…” Twilight replied. “Since that is something I want to go over so that the new headmare is ready to assume the position by the end of the school year.”
“And who do think you have in might who is the both qualified for the position?” Starlight wondered. “Should I set up open interviews for the positions?”
“No, no, that won’t be necessary, Starlight.” Twilight responded as she shook her head. “I already know the perfect pony for the job.”
“Who?” Starlight asked sounding more and more interested of what she has in mind for the job as Twilight points a hoof in her direction in response. “Me?” She questioned in surprise before the realization hit her to the core. “Really?”
“Yes, Starlight.” Twilight nodded as Starlight placed the papers onto her desk so she can take a moment to let it all sink in. “Ever since you progressed with your friendship lessons I’ve seen you make progress of becoming a great friend and even a close sister that I have never before.”
“But what about Shining Armor your B.B.B.F.F.?” Starlight pointed out.
“I haven’t forgotten about him.” Twilight quickly assured her as she corrected herself. “I’m just saying I’ve really come to admire of how close we have gotten over this time from enemies to best friends to the point I see you my sister and family to me.”
“Wow! That’s very touching!” Starlight couldn’t help but feel her heart completely touched and melted with joy and excitement. “I really don’t know what to say other than I will happily accept this job you’re providing me. I mean. Yes! Of course! Thank you!”” She then leaped forward with increased ecstatic excitement and hugged Twilight tightly much to her surprise. Just then Spike came inside the room with a scroll in his hands before finding himself pulled in and hugged tightly by Starlight too.
“And I can assure you that you are perfect for the job and can’t think of anypony else better than you.” Twilight said in reply although not finding it too uncomfortable since she really strong muscles herself as Starlight released her grip on her and Spike. “Hey, Spike, what news do you have?”
“Oh nothing other than the scroll I just got…!" The dragon said while pretending it’s something not important as he pulled it out. "…From your big brother Shining Armor with something I think you'll remember!" He added as he showed the scroll depicted a silver paper crown to which Twilight smiled brightly once she got a good look at it.
“Do you know what this means?" Twilight excitably asked as she flapped her wings and flew over to the middle of room with Spike in tow.
"Uh-huh!” Spike nodded.
"Uh, I don’t?" Starlight questioned clearly out of the loop. "What’s so exciting about a toy crown?"
"Oh, Starlight.” Spike shook his head. “The reason it’s so exciting is that even though it is a toy crown it holds much deeper meaner behind it as it the hard-won helm of the Sibling Supreme!"
"When Shining Armor and I were small, we competed over everything.” Twilight explained to Starlight while remembering her childhood experiences with the competition. "They set up a little chart for the two of us, and every time we did something truly special we'd get a gold star which we earn when we did things like getting good grades in school, sharing, and even telling a really funny joke. Then at the end of each week we'd add up the stars. The sibling with the most would win the Crown of the Sibling Supreme — and bragging rights — 'til next time anyway. I usually won most of the competitions even though Shining Armor won it on the last week before I went away to Ponyville."
"Guess that explains your love of charts and so much else." Starlight dryly commented to which Twilight could only humbly smile in response.
"Well, charts run in the Sparkle family, like father like daughter they always say." She said.
"I always wanted to be sibling supreme." Spike dreamed as he continued reading from the scroll. “Meet me at Celestia's castle this Saturday to decide who deserves the crown once and for all."
"Well you’re more than welcome to compete this year since this will most likely be the final competition before my ascension to the throne.” Twilight told Spike he has fair rights to compete as she turned to Starlight. “And the same applies to you too Starlight.”
“Really?” Starlight asked with eager excitement. “This is certainly a step up there.”
“Ooh, I can’t wait for this weekend to come.” Twilight expressed her excitement already as she got back to grading papers as Starlight thinks about the offer to compete with them.
When Saturday morning came Twilight and Spike wasted no time making their way through the castle after carrying out their usual routine although Starlight not as excited of the competition took her sweet time. The two made their way to the castle as instructed, and entered the throne room where they both meet with both of the Princesses along with Shining Armor and Commander Tempest there waiting for them with the paper crown from the Sibling Supreme contests on Shining Armor’s head while currently wearing his old royal guard captain chest armor.
"Twilight, Spike. Welcome." Shining Armor greeted the two as Starlight made her way inside too.
“You're wearing it?!” Twilight couldn’t help but comment on the crown on her brother's head.
"Well it’s just to make sure it still fits since the last time we had our contest." Shining Armor couldn’t help but grin and tease his sister. "Look, I know you've always held a grudge because I left home with this."
“Grudge?“ Twilight scoffed with accidental spit coming out of her mouth. “What grudge? Just because you've had it for way longer than you should have and I never got a chance to win it back!" She then quickly put it aside to get straight to the point. “Anyways, so what’s the game your laying out for our little competition?” Twilight asked as she turned to Tempest with a nod. “Oh, and nice to see you again, Tempest.” She added before she could forget about her.
“Good to see you too.” Tempest greeted Twilight with a nod as Princess Celestia stepped forward to take her turn to speak.
“With the return of Sombra, Princess Luna and I felt it was time to reinforce the castle's defenses." Princess Celestia explained as Princess Luna casted her a bitter look in her direction.
"I said we do it ourselves, but some ponies are a bit stubborn." The night monarch remarked to which earned her a confused glance from her older sister.
"So I asked our old Captain of the Guard to handle the job." Princess Celestia continued to explain.
“And I assume that’s why you’re here?” Twilight questioned her brother’s top ranking officer.
“Well considering I’ve worked beside Midnight for a great deal of time to know a good deal about her this is also to be able to create the perfect defense to deal with Midnight as well which I find her intel very useful to use against her.” Tempest voiced her input while still remaining stoic during their meeting.
"I honestly never retired considering I oversee security in the Crystal Empire. But it's nice to be able to revisit my old job." Shining Armor replied his thoughts of assuming this particular task at hoof. "Anyways, I've taken the security here to a whole new level. The only thing I need now is somepony to test it. So I figured in order to be able to repel Midnight should the events of her return and escape from prison arise I’ll need the services of someone as capable and gifted as Midnight to step up to the challenge." He said as he tapped his sister’s chest.
“You want me to break into Celestia's castle??" Twilight asked after gasping in surprise.
“Oh, yes.” Shining happily confirmed. ”If you can get past my defenses, steal the crown, and get out without being caught you'll be Sibling Supreme forever!" He said as he levitated the crown onto Princess Celestia’s throne seat as a smile crept onto Twilight's face as she looked up to the crown.
"For-ev-er..." She said in star-stricken awe at the very thought.
"But..." Shining warned her of the catch. "But! If you fail, I keep the crown forever."
"Hold on, are you sure this counts? Mom and Dad aren't giving us any stars for this." Twilight pointed out and questioned how they are going to make this official.
"I will represent their authority," Celestia spoke up. “And I will thank you Twilight no matter what happens. Your help will reveal if there are any holes in our security and help us better should Midnight attack Canterlot again."
Princess Luna scoffed as she rolled her eyes in annoyance as she voices her displeasure to which her older sister again glared at her wondering what her problem is.
"Well there aren't.” Shining Armor insisted of his strengthen security. “I've designed a multi-tiered, impenetrable, triple-backed-up line of defense. And before we begin it’s only fair to let you know of what you would be dealing with." He said as he lit up his horn presenting a detailed construction plan of blueprints of the castle. "Thanks to Star Swirl, its anti-magic powers are now tuned to stop any creature from using a spell to get inside. You can't fly in, either…"
"All right. Shouldn’t be a problem considering I snuck inside to her throne room without relying on flight." Twilight commented while having Spike write down notes.
"Don’t be so sure just yet, Twilight." Shining Armor warned her that's he not done as he showed the image of several giant fans around the castle. "Giant fans keep any creature from flying too close.” He said as he pointed to the drawn images of sealed up tunnels filled with bricks. "Plus, the entrances to the tunnels below the castle have all been sealed off, so there's no underground access."
"Okay." Twilight accepted those additional security measures. “Anything else?”
“Even if you could get in, which you can't, I've doubled the ranks of security. Ponies protect every hallway and door, which can only be opened with royal guard medals.” Shining Armor further explained.
Twilight so far was expecting a challenge to come out so far while still shrugging off all the security measures she had just learned about.
"So what’s the hardest part of the challenge because this is so far still manageable that even Midnight could do in her sleep." She questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh I’m getting to that.” Shining assured her as they made their up to the throne seats. "Even if you brought an army, the throne room is the safest spot in Equestria. I rigged a floor trap to activate at the slightest touch." He said as he gave the floor in between them and the throne seats a light tap. The trap door in front of the two thrones opened up to which Twilight still shows no reaction so far. " But say you avoid the floor still no luck, because I've employed nature's alarm system." He said as several geese suddenly appeared and started honking.
“Geese?" Spike questioned.
“You can hear their honks all the way in Ponyville.” Shining Armor explained as one of the geese tried to bite him. "Plus they bite." Shining Armor cautioned as one goose tried to nip at his tail as he nervously grinned at the geese's viciousness. He then turned back to his sister with a raised hoof. "So, does this all seem worth settling the score for Sibling Surpreme once and for all for?"
Twilight thought for a moment before accepting his terms and conditions as she shook his hoof. “Deal! Because once this is all over, you’ll be looking the Sibling Supreme till the end of time.”
"Great to hear!" Shining said in response as they both lock eyes. "And remember this Twily, it’s all or nothing so prepare you’re a-game if you want to win!"
Upon returning to Ponyville, Twilight gathered up all of her friends and brought them all to the throne room since her throne room in Canterlot was part of the security system too and told them what Shining Armor informed her. "So that's what we're up against." She said as she presented the drawn image of Canterlot Castle's new security systems.
"Whew. That's a barrel and a half of obstacles. Plus a bushel and a peck of impenetrability.” Applejack couldn’t help but comment on the challenges they are facing.
"And all of this to win some fillyhood competition with your brother?" Rarity questioned as if she is serious about all of this.
"Maybe a little.” Twilight tried to think nothing of it. “But it's also to test the security measures for Celestia in order to prepare everypony in the event should Midnight ever return."
"You really think Midnight is capable of returning?" Fluttershy wondered to which Twilight nodded her head in response.
"Yes I do. We got lucky once and should she strike again we might be lucky if we’re not prepared. Plus she is capable of pulling strings to convince others into doing her work for her which waits for an opportunity to be able to escape?"
"If it means that much to you, we're in." Fluttershy declared her support for her friend.
"I was already in! Come on, who doesn't want to hang with geese?!" Pinkie Pie excitedly added.
"Of course we'll help. So what’s the plan?” Rainbow Dash vouched her support then asked.
"Shining Armor may have come up with some great security, but he'll never guess Twilight's plan. Because one thing everyone knows about her is that she is always two steps ahead no matter what obstacle she comes across." Spike vouched that she’s got this.
“We play to our strengths and defeat all of the security measures. That way, if one of us fails, the others will still have a shot at getting the crown." She said as she began her instructions. "Pinkie, you're up first. You distract the guards with a surprise party."
"Yes, sir, Twilight, sir! Pinkie proudly declared with a salute.
“Applejack: You'll buck your way into the sealed tunnels…” Twilight instructed the farm pony as she stretched her back hooves in preparation. “Rainbow Dash, if anypony can figure out how to outfly those wind turbines, it's you…” Rainbow winked her eye in response with a matching grin. “Rarity, you'll sew us guard costumes so we can sneak past security then Fluttershy will disable the throne room security by charming the geese.” She then said to both ponies as Fluttershy eagerly clapped her hooves together at the thought of dealing with animals as Spike belched up a scroll before Twilight could give Starlight her instructions.
“It‘s from Shining Armor.” Spike said as he began to read it. “Dear Twily, hope your idea isn't just..." He read the rest of it to himself and then gasped upon finishing. "He guessed your whole plan!"
"What?" Twilight responded as she took control of the scroll with her magic. "Huh?!" She read it to herself, even re-reading it twice to make sure she wasn't misreading it. She slumped into her chair as she exclaimed "Pinkie party, Rarity costumes... "Signed, the future Sibling Supreme"?!" She groaned in frustration. “Dang it!”
"Twilight, darling, nopony knows you better than your own brother.," Rarity explained as she took control of the scroll. "I'm saying your brother will win. No matter how brilliant your plan is, no matter how many variations you try, it will be something your brother expects, and he'll always win! Unless... when the perfect chance comes along, you do something he can't expect. Then you'll win?!"
“You've been practicing that speech, haven't you?” Spike said in a deadpan tone.
“A little bit.” Rarity admitted. “It felt like I rushed. Did I rush it?”
“Absolutely not.” Applejack replied not having the heart to tell her the truth.
“Oh, no.” Fluttershy agreed with Applejack
“Yeah, it was fast-ish.” Pinkie agreed.
“We have to do the opposite of what Shining Armor expects.” Rarity proposed as she sorted a crazed grin. “Therefore, Twilight cannot mastermind the plan. But I can!“
A stunned silence fell over the throne room and for a moment no one could say a word until Applejack broke up the silence as she spoke.
"That's... definitely unexpected.."
“Uh, how is you making a break-in plan the opposite of Twilight doing it?” Rainbow questioned as Rarity continued her proposal.
"Because my plan is for each of us to devise our own unexpected part of it so that Shining Armor doesn’t see it coming. Allow me to demonstrate.” She used her magic to present herself in her Shadow Spade attire from the time she had worked to clear Rainbow Dash's name with the Wonderbolts.
“We're looking for a pony with information.” Rarity declared as she and Rainbow Dash who was also wearing detective clothes entered the bar.
“We got questions, and you're gonna serve us up some answers, juice jockey!” Rainbow Dash boldly declared as she glared the bartender as she took her seat up front.
“Where is the secret entrance to the passages under Canterlot Castle?” Rarity questioned as she took her seat beside Rainbow Dash.
“Shining Armor sealed 'em all. There's no secret entrance.” The bartender simply answered.
“There's always a secret entrance!” Rarity yelled in his face.
“So make like a glass of O.J. and spill!” Rainbow grabbed the bartender by the shirt as she demanded an answer.
“You're gonna need a lookout, so I can be your eye in the sky. Too low, silly! Up here!” Pinkie interrupted with her proposal as she appeared on the model of Saturn on the solar system chandelier from above. “Oh, Pinkie that tickles.” Pinkie said in a manly voice before giggling in her regular voice before returning to her seat. “What?” She questioned everyone giving her weird looks.
"How's about somethin' a little more down-to-earth?" Applejack proposed. "Like, I distract the guard ponies with a farewell performance by my alter ego, famous country-western superstar Apple Chord!"
"I didn't know you had an alter ego. And why would she be giving a farewell performance? " Twilight questioned Applejack.
"Well it’s a long story.” Applejack replied with a blush as she pulled her hat down. Back on the farm, playin' music was about makin' her family smile. Word of her talent spread, and soon, Apple Chord was playin' real shows. The more she played, the bigger those shows got. But she missed playin' for her family... So one day, she gave it all up. Seein' her family smile was all she ever wanted from her music. Of course, Apple Chord could come out of retirement for a farewell concert this one time."
"Wait. Did you just make all that up, or did that actually happen?" Rainbow couldn’t help but ask.
“Um...” Applejack hesitated to answer which made the truth pretty clear there.
"Doesn't matter. It's perfect. ” Rarity was perfectly fine with the proposal as she turned to Fluttershy and Spike. “Fluttershy? Spike?
“Well, I guess the opposite of what I'm good at is... “ Fluttershy thought before gasping at what she is thinking. ”...being in small spaces.” She whimpered at the thought of it to which Spike comforted her to ease her worries.
"And I always wanted to be a super-spy. That would be something Shining Armor wouldn’t expect." Spike proposed after he pondered a little as an idea to help both Fluttershy and Twilight.
"Then I guess we know what we’re going to do, Fluttershy." Spike decided as he turned to her as he envisioned themselves retrieving the crown from above while avoiding a laser security system.
Twilight and Rarity both gave each other looks before the former shrugs.
"So that just leaves me and Starlight who needs a plan." Twilight spoke up as she turned to Rarity.
"And that’s the part to throw Shining Armor off of his game…” Rarity chuckled. ”…by doing nothing.”
Twilight registered a surprised look as takes it in.
“Shining Armor definitely won't expect that.” Spike said sounding deadpan while agreeing at the same time.
“He sure wouldn’t…” Twilight reluctantly agreed while having a feeling her plan won’t work deep down as Starlight has the same feeling too while thinking of some other ideas of how to work this to their advantage.
Shortly afterwards, Rarity’s plan is set into motion as while Twilight paces around the garden with Starlight, while Applejack distracts Shining Armor, Tempest, and the other guards with her country singing performance, while Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Spike fly towards the castle in their hot air balloon ride.
As Twilight picks up a flower as she continues pacing she immediately finds herself face to face with her brother suspiciously looking at her after bumping into him.
“You're up to something, Twily.” Shining Armor correctly suspected her with keeping up the suspicious look.
“I think you might be jumping to conclusions, brother.” Twilight calmly shrugged off his suspicions as she sniffed the flower. “Don’t the flowers smell beautiful today?” She asked while diverting attention off of her suspicious brother.
"Right." Shining Armor replied unconvinced as he made his way back to his post. "Just keep in mind I’m still watching you and so is Tempest and she knows every one of your spying tricks so don't think you can act so innocent and be able to fool us like you did with the guards."
Twilight continued sniffing the flower she was holding unfazed by her brother’s suspicious looks as he walks off.
“Huh?” Twilight remarked to Starlight. “Maybe Rarity’s plan will work after all.”
But as soon as she said it she heard the shriek of Pinkie Pie, stranded in the hot air balloon as it had descended towards the ground.
"Canterlot! We have a problem!" Pinkie screamed as the balloon came in for a crash landing.
"Or maybe of course the plan goes up in smoke." Starlight said as if she figured something like this would happen.
Twilight as much as she wanted to save Pinkie had to remind herself of the plan to stand by and do nothing as she could only watch as Pinkie came down for a crash landing.
"Pinkie, where's Spike and Fluttershy? Did they make it into the castle?!" Twilight whispered to Pinkie while hiding in a bush along with Starlight.
"I don't know, they jumped out right before the balloon went…" Pinkie made a raspberry noise. "...but that's all I could see without being in space, where I didn't get to go!” She grumbled in disappointment.
“Figures…” Twilight said as she expected this too. “Even though Applejack still has the guards distracted, Shining Armor and Tempest are still rightfully suspicious and hot on my tail.” She said as turns into the direction of where Rarity and Rainbow might be right now as she secretly pulls her orb. "I just hope Rarity and Rainbow Dash are having better luck."
She pulls out her orb while hiding in the bush where Rainbow Dash had to where a fancy dress to distract one of the guards, Fluttershy’s brother, Zephyr Breeze in order to access one of the available underground tunnels courtesy of Rarity removing the bricks covering while he was distracted before focusing on Spike and Fluttershy.
The two made it to the throne room but thanks to Shining Armor’s geese, they ended falling down a trap door together which briefly caught the attention of Princess Luna.
She quickly puts away her orb as she turns to see Shining Armor and Tempest report to Princess Celestia before they all walk off together so Shining Armor can calm the geese down while Tempest stands guard at the throne room from outside and Princess Celestia checks around the throne room.
“So predictable.” Twilight groaned as she face-hoofed. “This whole operation is a giant flop.”
She then checked up on Spike and Fluttershy where the latter is starting to panic from being trapped in a tiny space.
“Oh, no!” Fluttershy hyperventilated.
“Gee, Fluttershy, I thought your whole small spaces thing was just part of the plan to be unexpected.” Spike questioned the Pegasus.
“Once, I got trapped in the Castle of the Two Sisters, and Angel Bunny and I were separated!” Fluttershy explained in a panic. “Now whenever I'm in a tiny room, it's all I can think about! I was so worried he felt alone and forgotten!”
“I know that that's like.” Spike sighed feeling down as Twilight wonders what he is talking about.
“What do you mean?” Fluttershy questioned.
“I was always excited to be a part of Twilight's and Shining Armor's rivalry, like I was their little brother. But they never really thought of me that way.” Spike sadly explained as Twilight felt her heart touched hearing that while feeling apologetic towards Spike.
“I know they both have a special place in their heart for you, but sibling dynamics are hard. Trust me.” Fluttershy said in sympathy.
“Right. Zephyr Breeze.” Spike acknowledged of her sibling issues with him.
“Honestly, he could learn a lot from you about being a little brother.” Fluttershy heartwarmingly told him as Twilight resisted the urge to cry as new thoughts pondered through her mind as Rarity and Rainbow Dash reunited with them as they too got lost inside.
She put her orb away as she began thinking of a new plan to still be able to come out on top but while thinking of helping Spike too while making it up to him.
"Doing okay, Twilight?" Starlight asked her after noticing the tears that nearly formed in her eyes.
"Yes." Twilight replied after a deep sigh. "Just thinking of some new readjustments to our plan." She added as she whispered what she is thinking to Starlight who nods in response as she is on board with what she is thinking as they regrouped with Pinkie and Applejack as the others regrouped after appearing from a nearby window.
“Let me guess, none of you were able to get the crown.” Twilight asked them in an unsurprised tone.
“In retrospect, our plan might have been too unexpected.” Rarity awkwardly admitted.
“Figures…” Twilight said in disappointment. “Looks like Shining Armor has secured victory for good this time. Unless…” She thought of another idea.
“Come on, Twilight.” Spike encouraged her not to give up. “Maybe we should go your plan Twilight.”
“Were you not there where Shining Armor last wrote to me?” Twilight questioned him as if he is kidding with that suggestion. “That’s exactly what he wants me to do, so he’ll show up at the last second so he can gloat about his victory.”
"Then readjust it a little…" Spike continued to encourage her. "…Make some changes to throw him off of his game. It may not be a surprise, but you have a pretty good record for planning things."
Twilight looked at the others who all nod in encouragement to go for it.
"Then I guess it's worth a try.” Twilight agreed as she affectionately patted him on the head. “Thanks, Spike." She said as she turned back to her friends. "Okay, you all know what to do! But before we do this, we need to discuss a few changes we need to make in order to ensure Shining Armor, Tempest and the princesses are all lured away."
Once Twilight explains her revised plan everyone sets off to do their assigned tasks but not before pulling Spike aside for a quick word.
“Hold on, Spike.” Twilight said as she placed a hoof on his shoulder to prevent him from leaving right away.
“What is it Twilight?” Spike asked.
“I know what you’re planning…” Twilight told him as Spike flinched in surprise by her words.
“But how…” Spike wondered before remembering. “Right, your little spying orb. So I guess you know what I’m up to now.” He then said in defeat.
“Yes, but I’m going to make you a deal…” Twilight explained as she whispered into her ear as Spike smiled as he in return whispers his knowledge to her. Once the both were on board as they set forward with Twilight’s plan.
Pinkie Pie arranged a party filled with music and balloons popping with a space theme. The guards left their posts to investigate the disturbance, and Pinkie grinned as she slipped past them while disguised as one of the fake space creatures she'd created. She then made use of the badge Applejack had stolen earlier to sneak herself and Rarity inside undetected.
Zephyr Breeze, meanwhile, was getting chewed out for allowing Rarity and Rainbow Dash to slip past him earlier.
"I'm strong, Twilight, but not even I can buck through solid rock." Applejack told Twilight as they face one of the particular rocks guarding the tunnel Twilight wanted to access.
"That's why I brought a specialist." Twilight assured her as Maud approached them. She didn’t speak a word as she examined the rock, and then used some chalk to draw a white x. Applejack getting the idea had no trouble bucking her way through the designated spot, and the rock crumbled to pave way for their opening.
Meanwhile, Rarity slipped on a royal guard outfit, and with the badge Pinkie had given her she strolled right up to a guard keeping watch over a door leading down to the elevator.
"Next shift. You're on break. " She said with a deep voice to further disguise so the guard wouldn't recognize her which worked wonders.
The guard obeyed without question. And once he was out of sight, Rarity opened the window and let her friends through before using the badge she got to access the throne room where Fluttershy charmed the geese with the greatest of ease.
"You've been glaring so hard. Who wants a feather massage??" She offered as she flew up to them and once she made her offer the geese immediately stopped honking.
"Thanks to Twilight’s duplication spell I've got a bunch of bees swarming around the fans. Shining Armor and the princesses are still trying to deal with them." Rainbow said pleased as she could see the princesses and Shining Armor struggling to deal with the bees as they find themselves being pursued by them to which she chuckled in amusement.
Back inside the tunnels Twilight, Starlight and Applejack let Spike lead the way.
"We mapped this out when we got lost down here. The lever to the secret hallway entrance should be... here.!" He stepped up and pulled down on a lever, causing one of the walls to slide back and open up leading them to the throne room to meet up with the others.
"I can't believe this actually worked! I was so sure it wouldn't!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in amazement as she Rarity, and Fluttershy were all petting the geese into submission.
"Well sometimes when mix the unexpected with the expected you can shuffle so no one sees the expected." Spike figured as he winked at Twilight as she flies over to where the crown is seated.
“And now for the crowning moment after all of these years.” Twilight said with a satisfied smile as she flies up to the throne seats only to be cut off by Tempest’s appearance.
“Not exactly, princess.” Tempest said with a serious expression and grin. “Since I figured this would happen.”
“Oh did you?” Twilight asked unfazed by this as she flies to her side to which Tempest followed her suspiciously with her guard up. “An eye for an eye, figures you would expect that from your time working with Midnight. Too bad I have a feeling my brother will be…dropping the charges.” She then hinted with a grin too.
“What are you talking abooooooout….” Tempest questioned as she found herself falling down the trap door in front of the chairs.
“Sorry, commander…” Twilight apologized as she levitated the crown to herself. “But this pony has a crown to win.”
“Not exactly.” Shining Armor suddenly appeared right behind her after teleporting into the room with the princesses by her side.
“Well, well, well…” Twilight responded as she secretly teleported the crown to Starlight while still looking away. “Look what the guard dragged in.”
“I gotta to admit it was unexpected for you to do everything exactly how I thought you would even when tried to throw some last minute shakeups to try to throw me off my tail or in this case the bees that nearly stung me.” Shining Armor commented while sounding impressed but still couldn’t help but taunt and gloat with a smug smile. “But you should know by now there's no way to beat the true Sibling Supreme!”
“I am sorry, Twilight, but it looks as though Shining Armor has truly won the crown.” Princess Celestia apologetically declared as Twilight still didn’t turn to face them or groan in defeat but instead smirked to herself.
“That's the thing about looks, they can be deceiving." Starlight spoke up as he pulled out and put on the crown with a smile.
“Starlight, how in Equestria did you do it?!” Shining Armor exclaimed in surprise as Twilight turns around as she helps Tempest out of the trap door with her magic.
"Come on. You two don't think you have the only sibling rivalry. I had an inside pony help." Starlight continued as she approached the two siblings along with Celestia as he pointed to Princess Luna who was sitting on her throne, ominously stroking and petting one of the guard geese.
“It wasn't hard to notice there were some disagreements over castle security.” Starlight further explained as she recalled Spike secretly speaking to Luna while Twilight was busy speaking with Shining Armor and Celestia. “So, while Shining Armor went on and on about his improved security measures, Spike and Luna struck a deal. She put Zephyr in charge of the catacombs and helped keep Celestia out of the castle hallways" She said as she recalled Spike's part in the scheme by deflating the balloon and intentionally triggering the trap door. "Once Luna was on board, Spike just had to do his part and make sure we stuck to Twilight's plan so we'd all get to the throne room at the same time. He knew Shining Armor would let it play out until the last possible second. Then, while everyone was distracted by his gloating, all Twilight had to do was float the crown over to me.”
"But Twilight you know this means that Starlight wins the crown." Shining Armor spoke unable to comprehend why she do this.
“I know, I know…” Twilight spoke with a calm smile as she walked down to join them. “But the thing about that is...I am not Twilight.”
"And I'm not Starlight." The unicorn replied to everyone's confusion.
With a flash of magic both revealed the truth to everypony. The pony who is standing beside Shining Armor and Princess Celestia is actually Starlight and the pony who is standing opposite while wearing the crown is actually Twilight to which everyone gasped upon this revelation.
“What the...?” Shining Armor expressed complete and bewildered surprise. "So this whole time you and Starlight pretended to be each other?"
"Correct." Twilight replied with a devious smirk.
"But how did know of me and Spike's plan." Luna asked in surprise as she honestly did not expect this.
"Starlight told me after coaxing the information out of Spike." Twilight replied as Spike was stunned that Starlight tricked her into fessing up of his and Luna's plan.
“It wasn’t until after Rarity’s plan failed and after learning of Spike’s desire to be Sibling Supreme did I know from Starlight.” Twilight calmly explained as she gave a sly smile. “Even after making adjustments to my original plan I knew that Tempest if not you would be guarding the crown someway somehow even when we bypassed the security. So after taking care of her and knowing the distraction was long enough for you and the other princesses showed up. I also knew that since Shining Armor would be there to stop me at the last second no matter what trick I came up with to try to throw you off your game, I had to think of a new way of how to get the crown so while no pony was around while we were hiding in the bushes outside of the castle we pulled the old switcheroo spell.” She said as she recalled she and Starlight transforming into each other.
After Twilight finished her explanation everyone was practically jaw dropped of how Twilight and Starlight tricked them big time especially Shining Armor when it looked like he held all the cards against her this time around.
"I, uh, apologize, for not listening to your concerns early, sister. It seems that we'll need to make adjustments to account for threats inside the castle as well as out. If you agree?" Princess Celestia was the first to speak up after the revelation as she clears her throat as she speaks in a forced tone of voice directed at her sister.
"Only if you think it's worth discussing, sister. They're your guards after all." Princess Luna replied in an equally forced tone of voice as they both sport forced smiles as they walk out together.
Once the princesses had left the throne room, Shining Armor turned his sister.
"Well...” Shining Armor spoke in surprise as everyone else still had stunned looks from the revelation. “Well played." He gracefully complimented. "I really thought I had you that time but it turns out you had another trick up your hooves as always."
“Well, it was a matter of having readjust to new plans on the fly after you figured out my original plan and after hearing of Spike’s desires for the crown I had up fill me up to speed on his plan with Luna with Starlight's help so I can arrange it so I still come out on top." Twilight thought nothing of it as Spike speaks up.
“I’m just glad I could help…” Spike sighed as he steps forward to Twilight. "…Even though you see me as a son I really wanted badly to be part of your competition and knew this was just between you two like I see myself more as a little brother." But to his surprise he finds the crown being placed on his head by Twilight instead of her own head. “Huh, Twilight, what are you doing?”
"Awarding you the crown." Twilight simply replied. “A deal’s a deal.”
“But this was your victory?” Spike questioned while sounding astonished by this gesture.
“True, but even though it was my plan you helped out big time and I’m a pony of her word.” Twilight told as she placed a hoof on his shoulder. “And this is my way of apologizing for not taking the time to realize how much you wanted to be a part of our competition, so I’m rewarding you the crown as thanks since being able to win this strategy-based game and come on top is all I wanted out this.”
“Really?” Spike started to get teary eyed as she and Shining Armor exchange a nod after the latter also feels touched by his little sister’s gesture.
"And since we know see each other as big sister and little brother the satisfaction of victory is something me and Twilight can agree on letting you have the crown this year." Starlight added as approached him along with Twilight and Shining Armor.
“Congratulations Spike, for the honor of being the true Sibling Supreme.” Twilight greeted Spike with a hug.
"The little brother we always had.” Shining Armor added as he hugged Spike too. “The crown is all yours. Until next time that this…now that we also have another sister in the family mix too..." He added while eyeing at Starlight who sheepishly grinned in response.
The rest of the ponies joined in on the group hug with a collective.
"Awww..." They all said together.
Even Tempest couldn’t resist smiling as she joined in the group hug after warming up to her emotions since her reformation.
Unbeknownst to all of them, the scene was all watched from her orb by Midnight who stoically watches the heartwarming scene between them having no interest for family and friendly love while feeling impressed with Twilight’s capabilities is also calmly smirking as she pulls up all of the images of the upgraded castle security as she thinks of something in mind up her hooves.
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