When Sunset Shimmer asked me to come to Ponyville for a few days, I wasn't expected to receive my human counterpart. And, above all, to be involved in a love triangle.
Sunset Shimmer is coming to Ponyville for a few days, and she will be staying at my castle. Needless to say, I wasn't expected to receive my human counterpart as well.
If I do understand, the human Twilight loves Sunset Shimmer, who is actually loving me.
What was supposed to be just holidays in turning into a love triangle I can't escape.
It was a nice, warm summer morning; I could hear the birds chirping outside of the Crystal Castle. As a small smile crossed my muzzle, I turned my head around the library, checking all the devices surrounding the Crystal Portal one more time. Satisfied, I let a loud yawn escape my mouth while looking at the open dimensional portal.
"I think everything is ready Spike. It has been a long night, but I recalibrated it, and it should be working now..."
" So, is she coming?"
"In the afternoon, but I'd like to sleep a little before she comes,” I chuckled, pointing at my mane "I'm a total mess, look at me. I can't welcome her like this. I think one or two hours of sleep and a shower will do me wonders."
"The guest room is ready, as you wanted."
"Thank you so much for the help, Spike I couldn't have done it without you”
"How long will she be staying?" Spike asked.
"Ten days at least; Princess Celestia has allowed her to stay as long as she wanted. Besides, I think the Princess is happy with this visit, since she is planning to come here in the next few days."
"I'll help you with that as well!" He exclaimed enthusiastically, making my grin grow wider
"Why don’t you take your day off? It is almost ten o'clock, and you have already done so much for me today. I'm sure Rarity will need help at the Boutique, or you could go and get that new comic you were talking about yesterday?"
The baby dragon smiled as I said that. He would surely head to Rarity’s; he said a quick goodbye before happily taking his leave.
I stood next to the portal for a few more seconds, thinking about all the adventures I had on the other side. I grinned at the memories, before taking the small book that I had been using for several months now, in order to talk with Sunset Shimmer. A quill levitated to my muzzle, I licked it a little and reached over to my diary. Under all the messages I had written during the night.
The portal's ready, I'll just take a few hours to rest, and you can come anytime you want.
~Twilight Sparkle.
*****
Humming a small song, I got out of the shower and grabbed a towel with my telekinesis. Without looking at the flying object, I walked to the mirror and opened one of the many drawers near the crystal sink as I started to dry my mane, I noticed the wide rings under my eyes, showing how short last night was. I giggled a little at that when a voice echoed suddenly throughout the castle, amplified by the crystal walls.
"Hello? Is anyone here? Princess Twilight?"
The voice was unsure and was obviously from a mare. I quickly folded my mane inside the towel before heading to the lower floor. Since I didn't hear somepony knock on the door or open it, I had a faint idea who it was. As expected, I saw the orange unicorn rubbing her right foreleg on her neck. Watching her from across the large corridor, I smiled and quickly approached her.
"Hello Sunset, I'm here. I wasn't expecting you so soon," I said before giving her a warm, happy hug to welcome her. "Sorry for the towel on my head, I was getting ready."
She hesitated before returning the hug, and said with small embarrassment in her voice.
"I'm happy to see you, Princess, I'm sorry if I came too soon."
"It's okay, Sunset. Please, call me Twilight. There is no need for silly little titles between us, so how was the trip?" I asked while taking a step back, “I always feel dizzy when I cross the portal..."
"It could be worse, plus it only takes a few seconds to get from the other side to Equestria. Oh, by the way I brought you something," she said as she was turning her head around to her saddlebags. "Since I know you are so interested in science, I brought you some books from CHS. They aren't really complicated, but you will be able to see some of the differences between our worlds."
She took out five large, colored books from her saddlebags with telekinesis before showing them to me. As I read the title, my smile got bigger and bigger. I clopped my hooves and laughed happily.
"This is going to be so much fun, I can't wait to read them! Thank you so much, Sunset, I really appreciate it."
"It was the least I could do; you are accommodating me after all," she blushed.
"You didn't have to, you know. I am glad we can spend some time together!" I said while walking to the stairs. "Come with me, I'm going to show you your room."
She followed me in the crystal corridor, as she was explaining me how she prepared her trip. Our common friends from Canterlot High knew she was coming here, the others were told that she was visiting an aunt in the countryside. I was pleased to learn that she had extended her circle of friends, even if some people were reluctant to forgive her. When we climbed up crystal stairs to the second floor, she expressed the awe she was feeling because of the castle. The wide corridors, enlighten by the sunbeams coming in through the stained glasses, were “like nothing she had seen before”. I chuckled before stopping in front of a large wooden door.
“It’s true that the castle is pretty impressive when you see it for the first time from the inside. I had some difficulties at the very beginning to get acclimated with the castle. It may be beautiful during the day with the stained glass and all the shiny thingies, but at night, it is pretty different. My friends redecorated it a few months ago, and I’m getting used to this place now. But I’m always glad when some pony comes for the night. Apart from Spike, I’m living alone here,” I sighed, but a smile quickly returned on my muzzle as I opened the door. “I’m really happy that you have decided to spend a few days in Equestria! This will be your room; you are free to do what you want inside! Be sure to make yourself comfortable.”
Sunset stepped inside the bedroom, looking at the double bed. It was one of the furniture of the room, alongside a dresser, a large bookshelf half full of books, a desk and some paintings on the walls. She walked to the wide window and took a peek outside. It was looking onto Ponyville’s center and, in the horizon, Canterlot. She smiled widely as she put her saddlebags on the floor.
“This is perfect, Twilight. I haven’t seen a bedroom like this since I left Equestria.”
“You can stay as long as you want, I’d be happy to spend some time with you in the next days!” I went outside the room and pointed a door at the end of the corridor. “This is the guest bathroom, and if you continue on the right, you will find a balcony, it is a perfect spot if you want to do some stargazing!”
“Your castle is really huge.” She noticed. “It must have been a really long work to build it, and even more to carve all this crystal.”
“Three minutes at most. It has appeared after my friends and I defeated Tirek. It has come, quite literally, from the ground.” I replied, laughing a little at her questioning look. ”Anyway, please give me a few minutes, so I can finish drying my mane. Make this room yours, I’m inviting you to the restaurant! We have so much to catch on!”
“What do you mean by “She left this morning “? Sunset was supposed to leave only in six days! Why didn’t she say me she was leaving?“
Applejack calmly put down her milkshake and shrugged her shoulders. In front of her, Twilight readjusted her glasses on her nose and leaned on the table, glaring at the farm girl. Applejack raised her hands slowly and explained:
"Ah don't know, sugar cube. She left quite in a hurry this morning. She sent me a text to tell me that..."
"Why did not I receive the text as well?!" Twilight interrupted her, pulling her phone out of her pocket as evidence. "We were supposed to meet here, altogether! Why did she warn you and not me?"
"Please calm down, Twi. Ah know you’re upset, but maybe she has just forgotten to tell you she was leavin' earlier."
"That sure explains why she did send a message to all of us! All of us, except me!“ she said, bumping the table with her fist.
Without losing her temper, Applejack looked at her friends and at the bar around her. Fluttershy was drinking her tea quietly, avoiding all eye contact by hiding herself behind her long pink hair. Rainbow Dash was too busy napping to even bother waking up, Pinkie was ordering cupcakes at the sale counters and Rarity had left to answer to her phone a few minutes before Twilight showed up. Some people were gazing at Twilight; others were looking at their phone but nonetheless listening to the argument. Of course, it was Applejack who had to deal with the furious girl.
The farm girl sighed while shaking her head. She perfectly knew why Sunset has left such in a hurry this morning; her friend was so excited to spend a few weeks of the summer holidays in Equestria that she cancelled every activity they had planned. And as close as Sunset Shimmer was with the human Twilight, she had never actually explained to her that she was originated from a mighty strange plan full of ponies and magical creatures.
Being as close as she was with every member of the Rainboom since she had been transferred from Crystal Prep to Canterlot High School, Twilight had of course heard of the past sins of Sunset and of her pony counterpart. She had also witnessed the transformation of Applejack and her friends when they were playing music. But, as much as she knew about them and despite all the questions she was constantly asking about Princess Twilight, she was kept away from some information. Actually, Sunset was afraid that she might try to go to Equestria and possibly create accidents while bearing the appearance of one of the alicorns of Equestria.
“Please, stop yellin’ like this, everybody is looking at you. Just take a sit, and talk with us without screamin’. Ah reckon this is not really nice of her, but Ah’m sure she will be mighty sorry when she will realize she forgot about you.”
“Likely story. I’m going to be the one left behind, as usual,” Twilight growled as she and sat next to Fluttershy. “I hate when she is doing this.”
“It has never happened before, sugar cube. Everyone can do an error once in a while.”
“I had planned my whole week around her! We were supposed to go to the cinema together this afternoon! And now, it’s completely ruined!” she vociferated, drawing the attention of the room again.
“You know that the girls and I are sticking with you, Twi?”
“It’s not the same,” Twilight argued, blushing imperceptibly. “She could have at least say goodbye before heading to her aunt.”
Applejack looked away for a few seconds. She was feeling awful for telling her a lie about Sunset Shimmer’s destination. But her friend asked her to do so; she didn’t want Twilight to know where she was spending her vacations. Her thoughts were ended by the loud yawn of Rainbow Dash. The prismatic haired girl stretched her body before asking.
“Wow girls, what is all this fuss about? I was sleeping so well.”
“Twilight is upset because Sunset didn’t send her a message this morning before leaving the city.”
“I’m not even surprised she forgot,” Rainbow laughed “I was with her when she received the note from the Princess.”
“What are you talking about?” Twilight asked, raising her right eyebrow.
“She was so excited when the Princess told her the portal was working," she replied, despite the kick Applejack gave her under the table. “Apparently, she fixed it during the night and told her she could come whenever she wanted. Needless to say, she ran to her house to pack up her things and leave.”
The farm girl smashed her head on the table. At this very second, she wanted to kill Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy slowly moved her chair away from Twilight, who was apparently boiling from the inside. She withdrew her glasses and put them on the table. After a minute of silence, she eventually asked flatly:
“Applejack, you knew that Sunset was leaving to see this “Pony Princess”, didn’t you?”
“Uh… Maybe?” she replied, without daring to look directly at Twilight.
“And you didn’t tell me? Again, I am the only one who is not trustworthy.”
“Ah only did what Sunset asked for. She was afraid that you would be hurt if you knew that she was goin’ to spend some time with Princess Twi…”
“I see,” she cut Applejack off dryly.
Twilight got up from her chair and grabbed both her phone and her bag. She grumbled “I’ll see you later.” before heading to the exit doors. Applejack sighed again and took a sip of her milkshake, gazing at Rainbow Dash.
“Why are you looking at me like this, AJ?” she asked promptly.
“Ah am tryin’ to figure out how you can be so clever, but this is mighty difficult.”
“Maybe we should go after her?” Fluttershy murmured weakly. “She seems to be very upset...”
“It's the best idea if you want to be punch in the face,” Rainbow Dash replied. “I don’t get why Twilight is so picky about Sunset Shimmer. She is always overreacting.”
“You are really a slowpoke sometimes, RD. It is not like it was that obvious,” Applejack said, insisting on the last part of her observation.
“What are you implying?”
“You should continue your nap. Ah will explain it to you when you'll have fully recovered.”
The prismatic haired girl blew Applejack a raspberry before getting up to join Pinkie Pie and get something to drink. On her sit, the farm girl put her head in her hands. She wanted to follow Twilight and try to calm her down, but it would be useless. She would surely head to the library for the next hours and then, she would come to Pinkie’s before they go to the cinema. She was just hoping Twilight wouldn’t do something stupid. She was maybe smart, when it came to Sunset Shimmer, it wasn’t the same story.
Furthermore, she would come back soon, she had forgotten her glasses on the table.
I silently took a sip in my teacup as I leaned on the balcony. Stargazing while drinking a warm drink was even in summer one of the best ways to spend an evening. Sunset was also enjoying a cup of tea next to me as she was watching at Ponyville. We were looking the stars in silence for almost ten minutes when she murmured in a voice full of respect:
"The equestrian sky is so beautiful... In my world, the stars aren't as bright as they are here. And even in my memories, it wasn't as astonishing as it is tonight."
Indeed it was. The moon was full, enlightening the night sky and Equestria with a dim appeasing light. All around the celestial body, hundreds of stars were as luminaries attached on the darkness in complex, yet recognizable patterns. I could only smile at this magnificent scenery.
"Since her return two years ago, Princess Luna is doing her best to make the night sky as vivid as she can without altering the constellations." I explained "Some ponies haven't notice it yet, but there is a big difference. A few days ago, she has made a meteorite shower in the middle of the night... It was simply amazing."
"What do you mean by some ponies haven't noticing it yet?" She asked as she looked at me.
"There are ponies who aren't as interested in the night sky as we are." I pointed my hoof to the moon. "There is so much left to know up there, yet some ponies just think it is not worth the effort. Even when I try to show them the wonders of the universe, they sometimes just not even care at all."
"Don't tell me about that. I was often stargazing on my own, even after I left Equestria. And even now, with the few friends I have, I haven't found someone who wants to look at the stars with me." She gloomily said.
"I'd be happy to do it with you during your stay, Sunset." I promptly answer as I put my hoof on her shoulder.
"Thanks you, Princess." She murmured as she blushed. "I'd love to."
"Stop calling me "Princess". I am just Twilight for you, as I am for all my friends. And you are one of them, Sunset."
She didn't answer right away; she just turned her face in the direction of Ponyville. I imitated her and look at the city. One after the other, the lights were getting extinguished as the ponies were going to bed. Ponyville was one of those cities which were completely different whether it was night time or day time. It was a town full of life when the sun was up, but it was almost supernatural in its calm when every pony was asleep. Some places were even eerie after dusk, as the outer boundaries of the Everfree Forest.
Sunset took me away from my thoughts as she slightly poked my shoulder and showed me a hill nearby with a gesture of her head. She was pointing at a mare and a stallion that were also stargazing and she told me we weren't the only one enjoying the stars. I easily recognized Time Turner and the mail mare. I sighed with a softened smile:
"They are such a cute couple... Yes, I often see then near the castle after twilight. Their love has bloomed under the stars, this is so romantic."
"Yes it is..." My friend murmured. "I didn't know you were the romantic type."
"I confess I might be." I chuckled slightly. "I'm just not showing it a lot and it is not as if someone actually cared."
"It sounds like you never went on a date." She said as she raised her eyebrow. "I have difficulty to imagine that."
"I did a few times, but none of those ended with a serious relationship. I often get ask out for a date since I'm a princess, but I can't take it seriously." I sighed. "Almost every morning, I find three or so love letters in my letterbox. I don't think I might find someone anytime soon. Someone who actually cares about who I am and not about all this princessy stuff."
"I'm sure someone will eventually notice how cute you are." Sunset murmured as she looked at the sky.
"What... What did you say?" I stammered as I blushed.
"Nothing." She promptly said.
I saw her blushing as well, despite the obscurity that was surrounding us. What did she mean to say? I felt uneasy for a few seconds, since I was not used to this kind of compliment, but then a smile naturally came on my muzzle. I didn't know what I was supposed to answer, so I simply decided to say.
"Thank you, Sunset."
"I really meant it."
"I..."
My cheeks flushed once again as I looked at her. She was still gazing at the stars. It was like she was trying to avoid any eye contact with me. I cleared my throat before returning to the stargazing. I couldn't tell why but her compliment, despite being a genuine one, was making me puzzled as to why she did say it. And even more about why she told me she meant it. I took a quick inspiration to banish those thoughts from my mind. I was over analyzing again. I was simply a kind word from a friend who was trying to cheer me up, nothing else. However, she was giving me nervous looks and slightly biting her lips.
"Is everything okay, Sunset?"
"Yes, I just want you to know that I'm very happy to be here." She answered eventually. "Having a break and going back home is always nice." She quickly added.
I nodded silently, wondering if she was actually trying to tell me something, but without daring to say it aloud. It was obvious that she was preoccupied, but was it because of me? Maybe I said something I shouldn't have.
"I know you said that everything is all right, but I'm really concerned. You can tell me everything you know."
"You are too kind, Twilight." She weakly said. "Sure I know I can tell you everything, since you are... Well, you."
"I'm trying to do my best to help my friends."
"You are kind to everyone, Twilight. You are the one who helped me to change for the better. You are the one who introduced me to the real meaning of friendship..." Sunset exposed slowly as she looked at me again. "I don't know how to put it up with words...“ Her cheeks blushed slightly. ”You see, what I mean is... You are kind, you are smart... I..."
"Twilight!"
Sunset and I quickly turned around as Spike yelled my name from inside the castle. He violently opened the door of the balcony. He was panting; he had obviously been running really fast. Between two quick inspirations, he managed to say:
"There is a changeling... In the library, near the portal...!"
I swiftly ran through the castle followed by Sunset, heading to the library. I was a few steps away from the portal's room when a scream froze me instantaneously. It was my voice, and it came from the room.
Near the closed portal, a pony was lying on the floor. The mare, an adult unicorn, was looking at her hooves with terrified eyes. She had the same lavender coat, the same pink and purple strand of mane as I had. It was me; I was lying in front of me, except that the clone was wingless, had glasses and was smaller than me. What was she actually? Was it a changeling as Spike thought? Eventually, Sunset entered in the room and gasped at the sight of the mare. The clone noticed us and asked with a panicked voice:
"What am I? Where am I?"
"Twi... Twilight? What are you doing here?" Sunset stammered next to me. "How did you get through the portal?"
"Who are you? How do you know my name?" The clone asked.
"It is me, Sunset Shimmer," She said, apparently understanding what was going on. Yet, her voice was still full of surprise. "Why in the name of Celestia are you here?"
The unicorn took a deep, slow breath before putting down her hooves. Being caught off guard by the vision of who seemed to be my human alter ego, I imitated her. As she tried to get up, I took a few steps in her direction and offered her my hoof to help her to get up. I smiled as nicely as I could before introducing myself:
"Hello, you must be... Twilight Sparkle. The "me" of the human world, I presume? Nice to meet you. I am the Twilight of this world." I warmly said even if I was still destabilized by the unannounced visitor.
"How dare you leaving without even saying goodbye, Sunset?!" She yelled without even bother to look at me. "A message, was it too much to ask?! Why have you not told me where you were going?! “
"I... I wanted to... But…" Sunset tried to say.
"I was the only one who didn't know what you were up to, Sunset! It isn't fair! This is not the first time you lie to me!"
"Please, calm down, there is no need to wake up the entire town." I told as I lowered my hoof. "I can understand that you are a little bit..."
"I haven't traveled through dimensions to talk with you!" She interrupted me angrily. "I am here for Sunset."
The orange unicorn took a few steps backwards, her face turned white when her name got mentioned. My alter ego tried to move towards her, but had serious troubles using her four legs. I put myself between the two mares and calmly replied to her:
"You don't have to be rude, Twilight. I just want to..."
"Step back! I don't have time to waste with a stupid princess!"
"Hey! I'm trying to welcome you as nicely as I can but you are just being rude!" I replied, hurt by her lack of respect.
"It is not my fault if your equine brain does not understand what I am saying. For the last time, step back!"
"My "equine brain" does not only understand what you are saying, but it is also telling me that I should send you back through the portal." I promptly answered as I begun to lose patience. "How did you even cross it?"
"I'm afraid a pony wouldn't understand the science behind it. Now get out of my way!"
"I am that said pony who opened the portal twice with science AND magic!" I retaliated sharply. "And I can be the pony who sends you back where you belong!"
My alter-ego gave me a look full of hate as I maintained eye contact. The orange unicorn cautiously got closer to the disrespectful visitor and said:
"Twilight, why are you so rude to the Princess? I know you are upset but this is so… unlike you... I am really, really sorry if I have offended you. I was afraid you would do something dangerous like..."
"Like crossing the portal?" She answered with an annoyed smile. "I am upset because you haven't told me where you were going! I would have understood. But you lied to me, again. Do you know how much it hurts?"
"I do... But please, let me explain. I knew you would want to come with me, as you are interested in how the portal and equestrian magic work. But I didn't tell you because I thought you might be upset because I didn't invite you to come with me. The magic balance between our worlds is very unstable, and having two alter-egos in the same dimension at the same time can be very dangerous and..."
"And that is why your so called Princess came on Earth twice, if not more? If it was so unstable, it would have collapsed already."
I grunted as the visitor continued to belittle me. I took a new deep breath. Why did she need to criticize me in every single sentence she was saying? I was sure I didn't say anything rude to her. The lavender unicorn closed her eyes and imitated me. After a few seconds of silence, she managed to do a few steps and came closer to me, and looked at my body with curiosity.
"What are you anyway? You've got a horn and... wings? There is no myth about such a creature in my world...."
"I used to be a unicorn." I shortly replied. ”I am an alicorn now.”
"It doesn't make any sense... How could you develop wings...?" She wondered as her anger seemed to fade away.
"Magic." I simply explained.
She rubbed her chin with a perplexed gaze on me. Next to me, Sunset sighed again in relieve, as she was not longer the purple mare's target. The visitor was looking at me as if I was some kind of weird animal. Nonetheless, I recognize in her my habit to quickly lose anger when something caught the attention of my scientific part. She eventually quit the investigation of my body and declared with a calmer voice.
"Anyway, I'm sorry to pop in such an unexpected way but I wanted to tell Sunset that I am really hurt. And I didn't want to keep it for me for the next three weeks. It would have hurt too much."
"I understand," The orange unicorn answered with a weak voice. "But you could have told it to me by using the book I left to AJ before leaving. You know that I am using it to talk with Princess Twilight."
"How could I know that you left the book to Applejack?" She said deadpan. "Besides, I did want to come and see you. I planned to spend the whole week with you, and there is no way I won't!"
'"But... You can't stay!" Sunset stammered with a surprised look.
"Sure I can." She replied as her grin grew wider. The lavender mare looked at me. "Princess, I would like to ask for permission to study the sciences of this world for a week. I will most grateful if you accept my request."
I looked at her with a flabbergasted gaze. She was daring to ask me to permission to stay here after everything she said, even more without the slightest apology. It was as if she was the embodiment of the Nerve. Yet, it was a smart move from her. She knew she and I were alike, and I would certainly have asked for the right for studying sciences too if had been her. Maybe not so rudely, but I would have. She knew I would not be very likely to refuse. But on the other hoof, the magic balance was unstable as Sunset pointed out, and I didn't know how it might react. I sighed.
"You will stay at the castle for the night. I will give you an answer tomorrow morning."
I had been looking into my cup of coffee for a long time when the voice of Spike took me out of my thoughts.
"Are you alright, Twilight?"
I slowly raised my head while yawning. I tried to smile to him, but exhaustion prohibited me to do so. His face was full of concern as he sat next to me. I had woken up hours before sunrise and tried to fall asleep without success. I took a sip of coffee before answering:
"I am alright, just kind of exhausted."
"Tell me about it." He said as he stretched out. "I didn't sleep well too."
"Did Princess Celestia answer?"
"Nope. If she had, I would have brought it to you."
I sighed as I put my head on the crystal table. What was I supposed to do? It was a delicate case I had to solve. I perfectly know that the decision I would made would have repercussions. If I said yes to my alter-ego, the magical balance of our world might react strangely. I could not foresee it, as it wasn't a very well-known field of magic. On the other hoof, if I was to say no, I would certainly damage Sunset and Twilight's friendship. Even more, I would perfectly understand that losing an occasion to study sciences in another dimension, which was the opportunity of a lifetime, would make my human counterpart really disappointed. I knew it might be just be a pretext to stay in Equestria, but it was maybe a genuine request. Plus, I would fail my mission as the Princess of Friendship if I damaged their relationship. But the well-being of equestrian people was far more important. Nonetheless, was one entity enough to break down the entire magical balance? I groaned loudly to let the frustration go away.
"What in the wide world of Equestria am I supposed to do, Spike? How am I supposed to take the right decision? I don't want to be a bad friend nor do I want to destruct the magical balance!"
"Make sense." He answered as he ate a blue gem. "Where has Twilight slept? I didn't see her this morning."
"I gave her the guest room near the library of the third floor."
"So basically, she just went through the portal, yelled at you and Sunset then demanded a room and locked herself up without any questions or discussion. That is a way to make your entrance."
"She talked to Sunset before going to bed, but not to me. It is not as if I wanted to talk to her though, considering how rude she had been."
"That's why I heard two ponies shouting even after you went to bed. I did recognize the voice of Sunset, but I wasn't sure if it was you or our guest"
"Yes... I am feeling a little bit dizzy when I consider that there is a "double-me" in the room. It reminds me of the changelings..." I slowly sighed. "Anyway, I don't know how to tackle this problem..."
"I was thinking about this story of magical balance last night. Sunset Shimmer was born in our world, so it means she has also a human counterpart, right?"
"I suppose, yes..."
"So, if I am right, there has been one entity from our world on the other side of the portal for almost ten years."
"And the magic balance didn't collapse!" I almost yelled with a growing smile. "It does mean the balance can stay stable even with an extra entity on one side! When Sunset has returned and my alter ego came here, this extra entity has just changed of side! It means there must be no risk if she stays here! Spike, you are a genius!"
"Ponies often tell me so." He replied with fake modesty.
I chuckled as I finished the cup of coffee. I supposed this revelation would settle my decision. I wasn't exactly happy to accommodate my counterpart. Nonetheless, if I was to refuse, Sunset would have to deal with the consequences when she would go back in her world. I didn't want to cause trouble between them.
It wasn't the only thing that occupied my mind during the night. The behavior of Sunset Shimmer on the balcony had left me quite a strange feeling. She had acted so strangely, and it was as if she was hiding something. Furthermore, the way my human counterpart had made her entrance was really strange. If she wanted to be sure to have the right to stay, she certainly wouldn't have belittled me so much. Besides, it wasn't the behavior you would have if you had no hate for someone. There was something odd about Sunset's behavior and the way the human Twilight had made her entrance.
"Good morning Princess Twilight." A familiar voice warmly said. "Hello Spike, have you already taken your breakfast?"
"It's just Twilight for you, Sunset." I weakly replied before yawning. "And no, I was waiting for you and... Twilight." It was so weird to talk about some pony sharing your name.
"You look very tired."
"I haven't slept last night, I was over thinking about the decision I had to take. Do you want something to drink?"
"I'll wait for Twilight too. What have you decided?" She asked as she sat next to me.
"I pondered as much pros and cons as possible. I think she can stay with us, if Princess Celestia accepts her request of course."
"Aren't you afraid of breaking the magical balance?" Sunset said too quickly.
"As Spike pointed out, you have been living for years in this foreign world, without any repercussions on equestrian magic. I suppose that if you and Twilight are in Equestria and not in the other world, we can say that the weight has just been changed of side."
"I get your point... But are you sure it is a good idea? Some ponies might be puzzled by a unicorn looking like you."
"She is a unicorn, not an alicorn. Besides, I always can cast a spell on her to change her coat color; we can dye it or something else. And, as rude as she had been yesterday, I am sure she is not mean."
"I really don't get why she came here. Even more, I don't get why she was so mean to you. Twilight is usually very calm, even shy with people she is meeting for the first time." Sunset said as she leaned her hear on her forehooves. "This was the first time I saw her so... angry."
"She must have taken your leaving very badly. I'm pretty sure she had to build a device to open the portal."
"Well, both of you are geniuses." The orange unicorn said with a small blush. "It must have been easy for her... Anyway, I didn't think she would be so hurt."
"Trust is one of the bases of every friendship. A lie can be devastating, even the smallest. But you did have you thought was right Sunset." I added with a smile.
"I just hope she will not bear a grudge against me. I don't want to lose a friend like her..."
A crash suddenly echoed in the crystal castle. It was followed by a loud grunt. Spike giggled as the purple unicorn made her way into the kitchen, rubbing her forehead with her hoof.
"Good morning everybody." She said with a small voice. "I think I will have trouble to get used to hooves."
"Are you alright?" I asked.
"It is okay, this body is tougher than I thought." She explained as she looked at her legs. "But I am really feeling weird. Can I take a seat?"
"Of course" I replied as got some eggs and flour from a cupboard. "Are waffles okay for breakfast?"
The two guests nodded in agreement. I placed three plates and glasses on the table. Spike offered to make orange juice for everyone. Sunset and Twilight were looking at each other. Finally, the orange unicorn asked:
"So... How was your night?"
"I can't tell I slept very well, but the bed was comfortable, though. How about you?"
"I guess it wasn't a good night for any one of us."
That was all. For the next few minutes, Twilight was looking around her without saying anything. Sunset was looking at me and at Spike. As I was preparing the waffles and Spike pressing oranges, I turned around and decided to break the deadly hush by declaring with a smile:
"Twilight, I think you are waiting for two things. First, I'd be happy to answer to any of your questions. If we are alike, you must have a lot of questions. Also, I have been thinking about your request all night." She was listening to me carefully. "You might stay in Equestria for a week as you requested, if Princess Celestia and Princess Luna accept of course."
"Is that true?" She asked with a mesmerized look.
"Come on, would I lie to me?" I jokingly answered.
**********
"... And there are three types of ponies: earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi. Each type of pony has its own attributes, as Sunset explained you earlier," I explained as I was finishing my glass of juice. "As a unicorn, you have access to a very wide range of spells, such as telekinesis or teleportation. Nonetheless, no one is exactly equal when it comes to magic. Your ability to perform spells is linked to your cutie mark, even if you can surpass this natural limit with practice."
"What is a cutie mark? Is it that strange thing?" My alter ego asked as she was looking as her flank. "It reminds me of the hairclip I usually have."
"It is indeed. Every pony has a very unique cutie mark. It is linked to our destiny. It might sound crazy, but this cutie mark plays a very important role in our society. Even if the science and the magic behind it aren't very well understood, we are aware of what they mean and how they influence our lives."
"This is... very weird actually. How can it influence so much your life? I mean, I don't believe in all those tales of destiny. They are not scientifically possible."
"Sciences and magic are very close here in Equestria." Sunset chuckled. "There are a lot of differences between Earth and this world."
"Like the sun and the moon are being controlled by two living gods I presume?" Twilight asked with a smirk. "I don't believe it is possible. It is just a total nonsense. If it was true, the very basic laws of physics would be false. And, as far as I know, this dimension has solar systems sharing a lot of similarities with the ones of our world. Thus, Kepler and Newton Laws must exist."
"I don't know what those laws are, but I'm pretty sure we have equivalents." I smiled, entertained by the discussion. "But the sun and the moon are moved by mighty beings, who are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. All the stars are being controlled by Princess Luna actually."
"Likely story."
"Don't believe me. But you will be able to see it with your own eyes at the end of the week. In five days, the Summer Sun Celebration is happening in Canterlot. I am partially in charge for the organization this year." I proudly announced. "Everything is booked, planned and ready. I will just have to check it the day before the festivities!"
"More like triple check it, Twilight." Added Spike with a small yet satisfied smile.
"Prevention is better than cure..." I grumbled.
"I'm sure it will be perfect Twilight. You are the best planner I know." The orange unicorn assured with a genuine grin. "It is very kind of you to accommodate us even if you are very busy."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Twilight giving me a sort of jealous glare. She bit her lower lip before looking away. I felt uncomfortable at the instant, wondering why she gave me this kind of look. She asked with an annoyed voice before I had the chance to answer to Sunset:
"So... There are a lot of extraordinary things in this world. You said that unicorns can use magic spells. And I saw you using some kind of telekinesis. Is that some sort of advanced spell? Or could I perform it?"
I smiled at the question. If there was something I could teach as easily as friendship, it was surely magic. I put in front of her a piece of bread and pointed an empty plate near Sunset. I couldn't help chuckling at the inquisitive look the purple unicorn gave me.
"Just try to make it fly. And try to put it near Sunset."
"And how am I supposed to do it? Do I summon some devilish forces to accomplish my wills?" She asked deadpan.
"Focusing your spirit will be enough," Replied the orange unicorn with a small grin. "It is that simple. Magic is like an extension of your body. You can perform basics spells without a lot of practice. I'm sure you can do it, you have proven you are gifted more than once!"
Twilight had a weak smile and a very small blush as well. After a few seconds, she looked at the piece of bread, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Soon, a lavender aura appeared around the slice of bread, and it began to take off. It stayed still for a small moment before beginning its journey to the plate. Despite the very promising start, the telekinesis abruptly stopped as Twilight opened her eyes. She released a deep, frustrated moan.
"Ugh... It is far more difficult than I thought! You are making it looking so easy!"
"I'd say it was very good for a first try. I have been using it for years, so it is almost natural to me." I reassured her.
"You know, when I was a filly, it took me almost two years to master the basis of telekinesis."
"How was it?" Sunset asked with a soft smile. "How do you feel?"
"It feels incredible actually... I mean, when you are using magic, are you always feeling... this special?" The purple unicorn asked with a curious look.
"Maybe not as special as you have, but yes. It is something I really miss. This is not about the feeling of power you can have when you are using magic, but more the practical aspect." The orange mare said while looking at my other guest. "Magic has a very broad range of application. Surely, it makes your life easier sometimes, but it can be used to help other. For example, magic is used in equestrian medicine: it is called medimagic."
"It sounds like you can do everything with magic..."
"Actually, you can." I said as I got up and took the plates to the sink. "If a spell doesn't exist, you can create it with some work. As every science, magic can be subdivided in field: telekinesis, metamorphosis, communication, engineering..."
Sunset quickly got up and took the remaining plates from the tables and insisted to be the one making the washing up, "because it was the least she could do". I explained to her with a soft smile.
"This is very nice of you, but you two should go and get ready. My friends will be here in one hour or so. Twilight, I want you to meet them too, as we are waiting for Princess Celestia's answer. I'll show you the castle after that."
The two unicorns nodded before leaving the room. Sunset gave me a warm glance before crossing the door; Twilight gave me a neutral, yet cold look. After she left the room, Spike crossed his arms and shook his head.
"Man, I don't know what her problem is, but she doesn't like you."
"I don't understand, I haven't been rude to her... Have I?"
"Nope, I'm pretty sure you are doing your best to welcome her."
"All those cold, jealous glances... Every time Sunset talked to me, I had one of them."
"Maybe you should ask her directly why she is acting like this."
"Maybe... But I'm afraid she will just not answer..."
"I don't get why you were so nervous, Darling. She is an absolutely lovely mare." Rarity declared with a smile as she put the tea pot on the tray. "Maybe she is a little bit frank from time to time, but she seems to know how to behave like a lady."
“I know Rarity… But have you seen how she was looking at me?” I sighed as I opened the door of the kitchen before heading to the living room. “I just don’t get why she hates me…”
“She doesn’t hate you. Maybe she is just… How could I say it…? Maybe she is just intrigued by you. I suppose you are feeling the same way, aren’t you?”
“I can’t say I am completely comfortable with it either…”
The white unicorn stopped in the middle of the corridor, right in front of the door of the portal’s room. She looked at my face with an expert eye and asked eventually.
“You haven’t slept a lot last night, have you?”
“Is it that obvious? I’ve tried my best to hide the rings under my eyes and…”
“Darling, I think you might just be very tired. We all know that ponies can have strange behaviors or thoughts without enough sleep, even you. If there is somepony who can understand what it is to be under pressure, it is me.” She explained with a soft voice. “You are very busy with the preparation of the Summer Sun Celebration, and you were waiting for these few days of rest with Sunset to relax before the festivities. This impromptu guest is maybe the straw that broke your back. You need some rest, Twilight. Oh! I know! Fluttershy and I are going to the spa this afternoon, you could come with us!”
“I'd love to Rarity, but I can’t let Sunset and Twilight alone…”
“Who said they can’t come with us? I am sorry Darling, but I must insist. I invite you and your guests. This is settled, we will meet at the spa at three o’clock!”
I was about to argue when a dim purple light from the library caught my eye. I looked at the source to see Sunset’s diary vibrating and glowing. I immediately stepped inside the room and led the book towards me with my magic. Rarity followed me and put the tray on a table. As I opened the journal to the last written pages, she asked me what was happening, knowing it was the diary I was using to talk with my friends of Canterlot High. New lines were appearing on the paper as I was reading them:
Dear Princess Twilight,
This is Applejack from Canterlot High, and I really need to know if my friend Twilight is with you. We are really worried, she left yesterday and we haven’t a clue of where she is. Her parents told us she had left for a week to join Sunset in the countryside. She is not answering to our texts and our calls. Please, tell me she is with you and she is alright.
Applejack
“It seems that Twilight didn't tell her friends she was coming here. It makes sense in a way; they would have tried to hold her back.” I took a quill and asked to Rarity. "Could you bring the tea and the cupcakes? I'll be there in a minute."
Rarity nodded and headed to the living room, taking the plates with her telekinesis. I smiled at her. I was very lucky to have friends like her, always willing to help and take care of me. I quickly dipped the quill and in the inkpot before writing the answer:
Hey Applejack. Do not worry, she is with me. She came yesterday evening - quite in an unexpected way. I will accommodate her for the upcoming week if she is allowed to stay. She is alright and she is talking with your pony alter-ego at the very moment.
Twilight
I was about to put the book down and leave the room when an answer begun to appear on the pages:
I am glad to read that. This is not the first time she does something silly because of Sunset. Thank you so much for your quick reaction. By the way, the girls say hello to you. We all hope you are doing well. Good luck with Twilight and Sunset.
Applejack
What did she mean by this is not the first time Twilight had done something silly because of Sunset? I closed the book, even if I was curious about Applejack's words. I had no right to interfere with Sunset and Twilight's relationship, it wasn't my business. I put the quill and the diary back on the table and returned to the living room.
As I leaved the room, I crashed into somepony and felt on the floor. I shook my head in order to get my mind straight and looked at Sunset, who was giving me a surprised look and quickly extended her hoof in my direction.
"Celestia! I am so sorry Twilight! Are you alright? I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay Sunset, I wasn't really paying attention either." I reassured her with a soft smile as I took her hoof to get up. "Why are you not with the others?"
"Rarity told us you had a message from Canterlot High. Applejack said she would use the diary only if there was an emergency. Did something happened?"
"No, she just asked if Twilight was with us. It seems they didn't know about her... visit."
She nodded silently as I begun to walk, but she quickly grabbed my shoulder with her hoof.
"You know, if you want, Twilight and I can return home. This week has not to be painful for you." I noticed a very short, yet audible tremor in her voice.
"Not a chance. You have been asking the right to come back in Equestria for months. I survived to monsters and near apocalypses events; I think I can do it with you and a curious pony. "I added with a small smile.
"Of course you can... But as I said earlier, Twilight can sometimes be really... troublesome to say the least, I know something about that."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's say that... This is not the first time Twilight pops in unannounced." She sighed quickly. "She has more than once overreacted when I was around. I really don't get why."
I say nothing; Sunset had just confirmed what Applejack wrote in the journal. There was something fishy going on, I was sure of that, but I couldn't name it for the moment. I had to ask to my human alter ego as quickly as I could - and I was hoping she would answer straightforwardly. The orange unicorn gave me a curious look; I realized I had been staring at her for seconds. I gave a quick, embarrassed laugh before clearing my throat.
"Sorry, I was thinking. You know, sometimes I get caught in my thoughts and I forget about the world around me. We should return with the others."
"Alicorns first." Sunset chuckled slightly.
With a small grin, I bowed mockingly in front of her and thanked her for her "very kind gesture". Of course, she rolled her eyes and smiled. We went down the corridors and returned to the living room where we found my friends talking with Twilight who seemed to discuss without any difficulty. I supposed she found some similarities between my pony friends and my human ones. I got closer to them to join the discussion but I got intercepted by Spike.
"Twilight, Princess Celestia answered like a minute ago. I think you'd want to read the letter."
He gave me the said letter and I quickly unroll the parchment. The Solar Princess was explaining in it that a meeting with representatives from Saddle Arabia and the Griffin Kingdom had hold her for most of the night and day, thus not letting her answering to my letter. She also confirmed her visit the next day at three o'clock at the Castle. A second letter was attached to the parchment; it was a letter about Twilight and her unexpected crossing of the portal. Princess Celestia allowed her to stay for a week as she asked, but highly recommended to do something about her appearance. It was unnecessary to create confusion because of two ponies that were too alike.
I rolled up the two parchments; they were solving one of the problems about my human counterpart. I could surely find a spell or two to change her appearance, but I was skeptical about casting magic on her and then let her cross the portal again. Who knew what effects it would have? I had already brought magic in the other world the first time I went there, and I didn't want to send more of it over there. I had thought about this problem after Sunset Summer had raised the issue during the breakfast. I concluded the best idea - or the most practical - was to use the Poison Joke alibi: a friend of mine would have fallen in a field of those flowers and would have taken my appearance. Was it unlikely? Maybe, but it was the least dangerous for us on a long term basis. Dying a mane and a tail was doable, but dying the entire coat of an adult pony was another story, maybe as difficult as casting that said spell. This kind of beauty process needed to be performing by a very talented pony in order to get a realistic result. I didn't think any of my friends could perform it, Rarity included.
For now, I had to announce Princess Celestia's answer to my freshly arrived human alter ego.
The warmth of the sauna was really relaxing, as was the silence inside the small room. I had been alone with my eyes closed, lying on the small wooden benches for a moment now. I was thinking about everything that had happened since yesterday afternoon. The more I was thinking about it, the more I was feeling like I was missing a point so obvious that a foal would've noticed it. I sighed as I slightly got up.
The door opened to let somepony in. In the second my human counterpart came inside, water condensed on her glasses. She groaned and lowered her head to wipe it, but as I expected it was a difficult move for her to perform. I took her glasses with my telekinesis while smiling at her:
"Here, let me help you with that."
"Who's there? I can't see without my glasses."
I wiped the condensation with a spell and put it back on her muzzle. She blinked a few times and stared at me. She said with a flat tone:
"Oh. You are here. Great."
"Thank you will be enough."
"Is Sunset around? I am looking for her."
"I have no idea. I wanted to be alone to think, so I left the girls in the main room. Maybe they are having a massage."
Twilight remained silence for a moment, glancing between me and the door behind her. She closed her eyes while her horn begun to glow. The towel on her back levitated slowly and made its way to a hanger outside the sauna. I chuckled heartily, she was truly gifted or she was a quick learner. In less than a day, she managed to learn the basics of telekinesis. She sat in front of me and asked with an offended voice:
"What are you laughing at?"
"You are really talented. Your levitation isn't perfect, but it's really impressive for a beginner."
"And is that laughable? I don't think so."
"Have I done something wrong to you?" I asked bluntly. "You are acting as if we were enemies but we have hardly talked to each other. Every time you are looking at me or talking to me, I have the feeling I only inspire you disdain."
"It is not as if it would matter to you." She replied harshly.
"It does. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be making efforts to understand what is going on." I exposed calmly with a small smile. "We are going to spend at least one week together, so maybe we should try at least to get along, don't you think?"
She didn't answer right away; she looked at her hooves in silence. Maybe she was very shy with me, or at least disturbed. I could understand it, since I was experiencing the same. But as the one native from this world, I was the one who had to reach for her and not the opposite. I tried to give her my warmest smile:
"So... What do you think of Equestria so far? I know you haven't seen much, but it is quite different from your world, isn't it?"
She nodded simply, without quitting looking at her hooves. I sighed internally and gave it a new shot:
"Well... I remember when I went to Earth that I felt very... disparate?" I laughed alone at the memory of the first time I saw - and felt fingers on my hooves, or hands? "I believe it's the same for you, is it?"
Again, she answered nothing and simply looked around, as if she was searching something more interesting in the steam. I groaned. Trying to befriend myself was more disturbing than fun and she wasn't making it easier. I really wanted to do it though, it would be difficult but I could do it. Maybe all I needed was another pony who went along with her to help me.
My alter ego stood in front of the door for several seconds stomping her right forehoof on the ground. I was searching another idea to continue the conversation when she looked me in the eye and asked firmly:
"What kind of relationship do you with Sunset Shimmer?"
"Wait... What kind of relationship do I have...?" I stammered. She caught me off guard with an unexpected, strange question. "You mean what kind of friendship? How often we are talking?"
"Just answer. It will be enough."
"You don't have to be harsh to ask a question."
She glared at me several seconds, before letting a sigh out and turning around. She was about to leave the room when I quickly answer, I didn't want to lose an opportunity to understand what was going on.
"We usually talk using the book. It is similar to the texts you can send with your mobile phone." I tried to explain using an analogy with technologies of her world. I hoped I didn't mess up the ideas as I went on. "So far, I think we are good friends, maybe not as close as you and Sunset are though. I can't tell that only talking by disconnected interfaces - letters and books - develops friendship as quickly as physical presence."
She didn't say anything; she stood still for a while, making me feeling uncomfortable. I got up and came a little bit closer. I knew I said to myself I was going to not interfere with their relationship but... I was able to say that the other Twilight Sparkle was overprotective with Sunset. I was of course protective when it came to my friends, but it was on a whole different level with her. I lean toward her and asked.
"Is everything okay?"
"Just friends, uh? Likely story." She answered right away, avoiding my eyes. "That sure explains why she left in such a hurry."
"Look Twilight." I told her as I raised her head with my hoof. "I really, really want to understand what the matter is. And frankly, it is getting ridiculous. But I think we won't go anywhere if we continue like this... Why don't you take a sit? We could talk and get to know each other."
"Why are you acting like it actually matters to you?" She asked weakly.
"Because it does. I understood that... Well... there's something that makes you acting differently when it comes to Sunset Shimmer." I pointed out, wanting to show that I was being honest. "But I can't tell exactly what, and I may not be the pony who should know. For now, I just want to befriend you, to show you Equestria. I can understand that you are not comfortable with me; I reckon it is disturbing to have another myself in the room. But remember, I'm not you. We may share a name, but we don’t share the same history or ways of thinking. Come on and thrust me on this one."
"Do you promise that you aren't lying?" She said flatly, looking me in the eyes with an irritated yet sad glare.
"Hoof to heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" I pinkie-promised her. I was too happy to see her lowering her suspicion.
"Hum... I'll take it as a yes, I guess?" She raised her eyebrow.
I laughed in embarrassment, feeling my cheeks turning red a little. A pinkie promise was surprising if not destabilizing the first time you heard one. I sat down on the benches again, followed by the lavender unicorn who took place in front of me. She rubbed her arm clumsily while looking at me in silence, again. I couldn't help to feel some sympathy for her; I couldn't argue that being thrown into a world that changed even your own body was a pleasant experience.
I managed after a few attempts to break the ice by talking with her about the physics paradoxes linked to Celestia and Luna in comparison with the laws of her world. It was a very fascinating question that occupied us for a long moment. I noticed that, as long as she and I didn't mention Sunset Shimmer, Twilight wasn't more aggressive than any pony. I could even say she had a stunningly interesting conversation, though I was certainly biased since we had a lot in common. An eerie thought came up to me several times as we were talking. How could we be so alike even if a whole interdimensional was usually standing in between us? Were some transcendental forces upon us and manipulating our fates?
At the end of the day, we knew each other more. I was confident she now trusted me; she understood that I wasn't a threat whatever was going on with Sunset Shimmer. I wasn't sure of exactly how the end of the week would be like but there wouldn't be arguments and angry glares anymore at the very least… I hoped so.
I fell on my bed with a smile and a deep sigh of relief. I was happier than a filly that just got her cutie mark. I had managed to reunite Princess Celestia and Sunset Shimmer today!
"I'm glad it's done," Spike muttered as he followed me in my bedroom. "I never had a day as stressful as this one."
"I am so tired! I could fall asleep anywhere!" I stated happily. "Thanks you so much, Spike. I couldn't have done it without you."
"Always glad to help. Just try to be calm next time. I don't think I have ever seen you like this before," The dragon pointed out as he was climbing on my bed.
"You know me, I love when things go as planned," I stood up on my bed. "But I reckon I can be a little bit nervous sometimes."
"Nervous, uh?"" Spike raised his eyebrow with a sarcastic voice. "Yeah. that's the word."
"Come on, it wasn't that bad. I know a little grumpy dragon who is tired and need his good night of rest," I teased him with a grin.
"Have you seen how Sunset Shimmer was acting when Princess Celestia was around?" Spike replied and crossed his arms. "It was so cheesy I could have made quesadillas out of it."
"Very bad choice of words," I grumbled at the mention of the dreadful food. "Sunset was just overwhelmed by emotion, so was Princess Celestia actually.”
I got up from the bed against my body's will and trotted towards my desk where countless letters of Princess Celestia were piled up meticulously. They were all the letters I had exchanged with the Princess in order to get this day prepared. She had more than once confessed she was looking forward to meet Sunset again but that she was a little anxious too. I could perfectly understand it, as I had been exchanging with Sunset Shimmer at the same time. The unicorn wasn't just nervous, she was almost scared. This morning, half an hour before Princess Celestia's arrival, I had found her in her bedroom shaking all over. Behind me, Spike let a loud yawn and stretched out.
"Yeah, yeah. I know they haven't seen each other in years. But still, it can not be that bad. They aren't lovers or something like that."
"Do you love me Spike?" I asked cryptically as I took a book from one of my bookshelves.
"Uh... Of course I do?" the dragon answered in a surprised voice.
"And do you love Princess Celestia?"
"Yes, but was it the point?"
"Do I need to ask about Rarity?" I added with small smirk.
"Very funny Twilight. Come on, spit it up!"
"I have just asked you about three types of love. You see, I know you love me but that's not the same as how you love Princess Celestia, Rarity or even comic books," I opened the book in front of him, revealing photos of him when he was younger. "We are like siblings, we have a lot of memories in common," I pointed to a few photos with my hooves. "Every experience we shared have deepened the bounds between us. Now if I was to leave forever you would miss me, won't you?"
"Of course I would," he admitted sheepishly.
"Now, Princess Celestia and Sunset Shimmer were like a family. Princess Celestia took her as her personal student when she was just a filly like me. Sunset was an orphan, so Princess Celestia become like a mother for her," I summed up as I turned several pages on which were photos of Spike and me in the Canterlot castle years ago. "Until, well you know the banishment and all."
"I think I understand where you are going, Twi," Spike said slowly.
He took the album and begun to look at different photos. He stayed silent for a few seconds, turning the pages periodically. I felt he had really understood what I explained to him, he wasn't a kid anymore. I felt nostalgic about the past; Spike had always been at my side since I was just a filly. He grew up so very fast. Back when we arrived in Ponyville, he was still afraid of sleeping alone. Now, he was often the hero who was saving the day and bringing me answers and support when I needed it the most. A smile forced its way to my muzzle; soon I would have to have "The Talk" with him. He finally broke up the silence,
"Can I ask you a question before we go to sleep?"
"All the questions you want, Spike," I smiled warmly. "Questions are the key of knowledge. I'll always answer to any question; you don't have to ask for permission."
"What's the difference between a "love" and a "family-friendly" love?" Spike asked bashfully. "I mean, I think I know it but I've never thought of it like this."
I cringed inwardly, was it already the time of "The Talk"? I couldn't blame any pony but me for bringing up this topic. I sighed but I decided to answer with a diluted explanation,
"What are you feeling when you see a stallion talking to Rarity?" I asked, choosing to use first-hoof experiences.
"I'm jealous," he answered promptly.
"That's a good start I suppose. Ponies tend to develop loving bounds when they are attracted to each other because of different things. Those attractive forces can be among others physical ones, spiritual ones, ideological ones," I enumerated, choosing every words with precaution. "Now, love between family members is often a bound created by proximity and time. The "love-love" is usually much quicker to develop and depends of a lot of factors. Those are changing from a pony to another."
"What's the point of jealousy then?"
"I... Uhm..." I wasn't sure of how to answer. Spike's questions were nothing if not genuine and I took a great deal to answer to all of them. "Let's consider it as a protective mechanism in this case. Being jealous of somepony when it comes to love usually means that you are caring for this pony."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense. But again, that just falls into the basic idea. I can be jealous if somepony uses my things too."
How could I fully explain a feeling as complicated as jealousy to Spike? Even with a fully grown-up pony it would be a difficult task. Everypony had a vague outline of was it was, but it was a real philosophical conundrum to define it. I sighed and got up.
"I don't know how to put this actually without having to make it difficult," I admitted. I stopped for few seconds and rubbed my chin. "When it comes to love, jealousy can make you do crazy things."
"Like how you were acting during the preparation of Shining Armor's wedding?" Spike asked. His face showed that he knew he was going on a landmine. "If you hadn’t been right about the changeling invasion, I mean."
"... Yes." I glared at him. "A good and well-chosen example, Spike. I was being protective with Shining Armor though. I’m not the only one being protective of my family. Besides..."
I stopped abruptly. At this instant, I understood. It was crystal clear. How could I have been so oblivious to this? All the evidences pointed to it. It was like receiving a cold rain on my whole body.
Twilight was in love with Sunset Shimmer. And she thought I was going to steal Sunset from her.
"Uhm... Twilight? Equestria to Twilight, anypony home?"
I blinked as Spike was moving his hand in front of me. I felt dizzy.
"I.... I don't feel well."
"What's wrong, Twi?" Spike asked in a worried voice.
"Go to bed, Spike. I'll explain it later. I... I need to take a shower."
Cold. The water was so cold and falling heavily on my head. I stayed under the cold water of the shower for several minutes, just staring to the crystal walls. I was thoughtless. I was just looking at the water drops running on the walls, falling on the ground and being sucked up in the canalization. I sighed, turned the hot water and sat down.
That was unexpected, and I wasn't sure of how to react. That was the first time I had to deal with this situation, and hopefully the last. What was supposed to be simple holidays with Sunset had first into holidays with my alter ego, and had eventually turned into a love story in which I was the source of Twilight's jealousy.
I took some time to reconsider everything that happened since she and Sunset had come. I had been such a fool to not have understood it earlier. The way Twilight had reacted when she saw me for the first time, the bold request to stay in Equestria and even more the discussion we had in the sauna. Everything she was doing was fueled by her jealousy. I couldn't help to feel sorry for her in a way. After all, it would be painful to lose your special somepony to someone who's like you.
In that case by someone who is even sharing your very name.
But she shouldn’t be afraid, I hadn't any feelings for Sunset and I wasn't even a filly fooler. Sure, she was really nice and caring, she had her charm and a beautiful smile, but I considered her like a friend and that was all. I felt my cheeks turning red at this thought. Could I actually be interested in her? A long time ago, I felt a little something for a mare but it turned out to nothing but pure friendship. I was getting along well with Sunset and had already strong bonds.
I shook my head and blinked. What was I thinking? How could I think about this? This was plainly ridiculous, she was heterosexual like me and surely not attracted to human beings. Sunset was my friend, and I was hers. There was nothing going on.
I froze again, feeling this time as cold as ice despite the rain of hot water falling on my head. It couldn't be true.
Was Sunset in love with me?
I stayed sat for minutes, again bashed completely by the revelation. Again, it was completely crazy yet plausible. That would actually explain why she was acting strangely when I was around, complimenting me whenever she had an opportunity, why she had been reluctant to have Twilight staying with us. But why would it be that way? I was just her friend, nothing else. That was very flattering and I could feel my cheeks burning.
But that also meant I was in the middle of a love triangle if it was true. Such a conjecture had to be well founded of course and I had collected more evidence and proof to support my hypotheses.
A small yet warm beam of sunlight shot through the curtains of my bedroom and fell upon my eyes, waking me up slowly. It was a beautiful day, birds were singing, flowers were blooming. On days like this, ponies like me would go outside and enjoy such wonderful weather. I slowly raised my head and stretched up, looking at the curtains. My horn begun to glow and my magic wrapped the curtains.
I closed it completely, fell back in my bed and buried my head under my pillow. I didn't want to get up this morning. In fact, I didn't want to get out of my bed until Twilight and Sunset's leaving.
I had one of the shortest nights of my life, spending most of it in considerations and thoughts that would help me to deal with the situation. None of them were useful or remotely safe. For example, freezing time was out of question. I had decided to do as a teenage pony would advise me to do - stay in bed as long as you can and napping all day long. Of course I knew that it would only work for a few hours, but it was a break long enough to let me think more. Unless fate hated me enough to have me get up.
Which it did, it sent someone who knocked at my door. I let a long grunt of frustration before asking sharply.
"What is it?"
"Are you alright Twilight?" It was Spike whose head appeared in the door frame. "It's already ten and you haven't got up yet. Are you sick?"
"I just want to be alone." I replied dryly.
"What's going on? Do you want to talk about it?" The dragon asked.
"Nothing's going on, I'm fine. End of the story, good bye!" I almost barked at Spike. I regretted immediately my behavior and got up in the bed. "I'm sorry, it's just that... Let's say the next days aren't going to be fun at all."
"It is because of Sunset and Twilight?"
"Not exactly, it's because of... Well... Grownups problems," I lied half-hearted.
Spike gave me a unconvinced look and sighed. He got on my bed and sat next to me.
"You shouldn't keep it to yourself. But if you think I'm not the appropriate person to talk about it, you should go and see... Uhm... Rarity for example," he patted my shoulder compassionately. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's going to be alright."
I was impressed by how Spike had been tactful with his answer. He managed to put the ghost of a smile on my lips. I got up and hugged him. He returned it without a word until I broke apart. He tilted his head to the door.
"The girls are in the kitchen waiting for you, do you want to come?"
"Is there some coffee left?"
"I made some before coming here. In case I needed something to attract you," he winked playfully, making me laugh. It was a much needed laugh.
"Go ahead; I just need a few minutes to brush my mane."
I got up reluctantly and went to the bathroom where tried in vain to brush my mane. I managed to hide most of the damages left by the sleepless night and trotted down to the kitchen. On my way, I couldn't do much except thinking - again - about Sunset and Twilight. How was I supposed to act now? Was I supposed to do something special or just wait until it went away? Should I sit down with the two of them and try to work out a solution? It was in these type of moment that I could really use Cadance's advice. I arrived at the kitchen's door and stayed a few seconds in the corridor as I pondered the idea of going back to bed. As appealing as the idea was, I decided to not be a coward and entered in the room. The best I could do for now was acting natural.
I was greeted by a wide smile from Sunset and a lesser one from Twilight. They had almost finished their breakfast; Spike must have had taken care of it. I was thankful to him for all his help. He was really a nice little brother. The unicorns had stopped their chatting when I entered. Sunset was the first to talk.
"Good morning Twilight, how was the night?" Sunset asked.
"Good morning everyone," I answered before yawning quietly. "It was a short night, how about yours?"
"A strange one," stated Twilight. "But I'm getting used to this body..."
"I reckon the first days are strange," I said as I took a mug and filled it with coffee. "Does anyone want a refill?" They all declined politely. "I didn't exactly live well the first time I turned into a human."
"You screamed like someone was going to kill you," giggled Spike as he ate a ruby.
"Thanks for the input," I growled.
"What are we up to today?" Sunset asked. "You said that you had scheduled everything."
"Indeed I did, but I made a few modifications since Twilight’s with us now," my alter-ego looked away with embarrassment. "Let's say this morning is free time for everyone, I've some paperwork to do. Sunset and I will head to Zecora's this afternoon and, Twilight, Fluttershy agreed to welcome you to her cottage to teach you about the equestrian flora and fauna."
"That sounds interesting but... couldn't I come with you too?" Twilight asked with look mixing jealousy and disappointment.
"We have to go through a place that can be dangerous, and I don't think you could handle this since you aren't completely accustomed to this body. No offense," I quickly added.
"What kind of danger can a world filled with prismatic ponies can have?" Twilight asked with her usual skepticism. "Even dragons, those mighty and heartless creatures as they are described in our literature, look cuter than our dogs."
"I'm not cute! I'm just still growing up," Spike grunted. I couldn't hold a laugh at how indeed his angry glare was cute.
"Spike is a civilized dragon, the others aren't exactly the type of persons you want to be around," Sunset exposed slowly. "Equestria sure looks fine prima facie, but that's not really how it works. Do you want cyclops? There're some. Cerberus? Checked. Doppelgangers? A whole race. Sirens? We even got some of them at CHS, and the list goes on."
Twilight looked blankly at Sunset for a moment before letting out a long sigh of disappointment. I knew exactly what she was thinking. She thought that I was getting Sunset away from her. I wanted to tell her that I had understood what was going on, but as long as Sunset Shimmer was around, I had to keep it quiet. I gave her a genuine smile and tried to reassure her anyway.
"Don't worry, that will be for a few hours at most. We are just supposed to grab some ingredients for alchemy. We were supposed to do it with Zecora but we'll do it here. You will be able to do it with us."
Her face relaxed and she nodded. She seemed to trust my words now. I knew for sure that once Fluttershy would have begun to talk to her about animals, Twilight would forget Sunset for a few hours at least. On the other hoof, I wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of spending half of the day alone with Sunset.
Far from me the idea of rejecting her because of what I thought she felt for me, but I didn't want to hurt anyone. I needed to find a solution to this problem. But there were simply too many variables, too many equations. I hated when I didn't know how to tackle a problem.
And Celestia knew how bad I was when it came to love.
*****
Twilight had been astonished by Fluttershy's menagerie as I expected her to be. She had difficulty to accept the idea that much of the animals she knew by name existed here in Equestria, and that she could find them at Fluttershy's. Since Twilight begun checking the animals and taking notes, she had barely noticed our leaving. She would have at least an interesting afternoon.
Walking in the Everfree Forest was always an adventure on its own. These woods were filled with creatures that only the most twisted mind could imagine, but they had also this mysterious and enchanting beauty of uncharted lands. Of course my friends and I knew how to visit Zecora and we had marked out the path with green ribbons used as beacon.
It was the first time Sunset ever set a hoof in the Everfree Forest. Needless to say, she was puzzled by how this place was working. But she explained to me that the human world was pretty much working on the same blueprints as the Everfree did. For example, humans weren't able to control weather - except by using technology, but not naturally as pegasus could.
I felt uneasy for most of the walk through the Everfree Forest, mostly because of a thought I had tried to banish from my mind from my mind all night. What if Sunset did love me and asked me out? Should I ask for some time to think? Should I turn down her proposition immediately? Did I really want to turn down her proposition?
The problem wasn't exactly who she was or what she could say, but rather the situation in which it put me. Every answer I could give would hurt someone. My alter ego was a good person, I could feel it. She didn't deserve to lose her chance with Sunset because of me. On the other hoof, I couldn't say that Sunset wasn't just a random pony for me and I was deeply flattered by her possible feelings. It was even possible that she came back to Equestria just for me, and that would mean that her feelings were strong without any doubt.
I cringed inwardly again. Mathematically speaking, the probabilities for such a event taking place were ridiculously low. A transdimensionnal love triangle involving two entities sharing the same name and in a minor extend the same essence wasn't exactly a common thing.
But an unlikely event wasn't an impossible event from a mathematical perspective.
Thankfully, we reached Zecora's hut in no time, bad luck had decided to spare me this time and to not constrain into spending too much time alone with Sunset. The unicorn was amazed by the unusual place where Zecora lived, recalling some tales about Zebrica she had heard when she was a filly. She touched one of the wooden mask hung outside the carved tree with a smile.
"I love this type of masks. Is your friend a shaman?"
"Yes she is," I answered, knocking on the door. "She knows more than a few tricks that I don't know. She is very good at alchemy and medicine."
"I haven't met any zebra when I was filly," Sunset smiled with nostalgia. "Do they really always speak in rhyme?"
"Zecora does, she has explained to me that it was a way to pay tribute to the importance of words. One has to think of his words before telling them. It prevents them to say hurtful or raw things," I exposed quickly.
Sunset nodded and was about to ask a new question when the hut's door opened. Zecora welcomed us with a warm smile and a pleasant smell from inside of her tree.
"Princess Twilight, I was waiting for you and your friend. I'm glad you could make it in the end."
"Hello Zecora, I'm happy to see you too. Please meet Sunset Shimmer; she is the friend I told you about."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Zecora," Sunset waved politely.
"It is a pleasure as well. Please come inside, you don't have to dwell," the zebra titled her head to her main room.
I followed her instructions and Sunset and I came inside. The unicorn gasped in awe when her eyes meet all the masks and potions Zecora was storing in her house. She trotted back and forth between the cauldron and the shelves full of phials and bottles. I chuckled heartily at her genuine interest. She told me she had never had the opportunity to practice alchemy when she was still in Equestria, she had only watched her teachers preparing potions. Sunset Shimmer turned around to face Zecora and stated her thoughts.
"Everything is so organized, almost as much as Twilight's library! I think I could find any ingredient in a second."
"I just put my preparation where they won't be forgotten. Maybe you could try to find the tea, dear Sunset?"
She beamed, looked around and, after a few seconds, went to one of the shelf with no hesitation. Zecora told me to have a sit and brought a colorful teapot and poured water in it before placing it near the fire. Eventually she looked at me with a concerned expression.
"Your eyes tell me you're really tired. Does something make you sleep deprived?"
"Don't worry Zecora, there's just a lot going on and it does hold me awake at night," I chuckled bitterly. "I've just some trouble to find a solution."
"If you need some advice or just an attentive ear, you know that you can come here."
"I've found it!" Sunset raised her head with a pack of herbal tea floating above her. "This organization is almost perfect!"
"Perfect, we will put it in the teapot as soon as the water's hot. So tell me, Princess Twilight, what's going on?"
I stayed mute for a moment, glancing both at Sunset and Zecora. I knew that my zebra friend had always given me wise advices and I was badly in need of help. On the other hoof, I couldn't talk about it out loud with Sunset next to me. I sighed before answering.
"Let's say that a lot of unplanned events have popped up recently and you know how stressed I can be by this."
"You are dealing with it pretty well I think," Sunset claimed while sitting next to me. She was sitting far too close to me.
"I... I think I'm just overwhelmed by what's happening," I looked briefly at Sunset, biting my lips as I moved imperceptibly away from her.
"Don't add anything to describe your sorrow. I think I've understood and maybe I have some advice you could follow," the zebra smiled motherly at me. "Let us discuss it alone, if your friend can wait on us here while we are gone."
Zecora got up and opened the door to the outside and got out. I raised my hoof protest but I hadn't the time to. I quickly apologized to Sunset and went out. The zebra had taken a few steps away from the house; I supposed she didn't want Sunset hearing about us. And neither did I actually.
"How could you understand so quickly?" I asked without actually expecting a answer. I knew Zecora was able to read ponies as if they were open books.
"Reasons and feelings are so very hard to fuse. Passions must be kept at bay if you want to keep your mind composure. Time can be both your greatest ally and mightiest enemy. But waiting for too long might be an error if you ask me."
"There's more to it than only Sunset Shimmer. I'm stuck in a kind of love triangle actually and I don't want to hurt any pony."
"Tell me, young Twilight, what does your heart desire?"
I stayed muted for a minute at least. This question was the one which held me awake all night. My heart had contemplated, the possible relationship, having a special somepony who loved me for who I was and not the title I had earned. If everything I conjectured was to be true, then Sunset Shimmer had already really strong feelings for me. And maybe if I gave her a chance, it could work between us fairly well...
But the simple idea of hurting Twilight was too much to handle. Was it because we were so alike? I put my hoof on my head, feeling dizzy as the same unsolvable problem that had been playing all night in my mind continued to torment me. Zecora came closer to me and stroked my shoulder in a friendly way.
"I do understand how you are feeling. But remember that any decision you make will hurt somepony, but with time, there will be healing."
I raised my head slowly and blinked. I had already thought of it, but hearing someone saying it made it plausible. I tried to smile in reply but only a weak laugh came out. At this instant, I gained conscience of how worn out I was from two sleepless night.
"The decision you may take should be the one you won't regret," Zecora added. "You are someone who needs control. You should list everything you can think of before hearing the love call."
"How do I know which one to choose even after that? I can solve friendship problems, not love problems."
"I can't decide for you, my dear. That is something you will have to do alone I fear," she took her hoof back from me as if she wanted to emphasize her words. "But your mind and body are sore, you should get some rest before."
I nodded in silence. Zecora was right, I couldn't possibly think straight in the state I was in. I had to sleep before making any decisions. Maybe it was a foolish idea she gave me, but writing every single thought about the subject on a blackboard would surely help.
I couldn't hold a small giggle. I had conjectured the love triangle theorem, and I was going to use a blackboard and some chalks to solve it.
