> The Twilight Years
>  by Kendrick
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A Letter to Begin it All
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I set this quill to the paper I have to wonder if anypony will ever read these words.  I am sure that this will get stored somewhere deep in the Canterlot archives, buried in a sea of scrolls.  And I know that is the way that it must be.  I look around me at this quaint little library snuggled within this tree, at the simple things surrounding me, and I couldn't be happier.  Spike is asleep upstairs, and even Owlowiscious is nodding on his perch.
Sometimes a pony must write something down, not for others to read but to exorcise the dark things she can't tell anypony else.  Such is the nature of what I write here.  No too long ago, a mere blink of the eye really, I ruled over this land from Canterlot.  The crown is a heavy burden to bear, but not nearly as heavy as the immortality that goes with it.  Words can't describe how hard it is to pass ages watching everypony you know and love blossom, wither, and fade before your eyes.  To have the power to raise the sun from the darkness and scatter the stars across the blanket of the night sky, but be powerless before the relentless march of time.  One can only bear that for so long before their heart breaks.
Perhaps I should back up a little bit.  As everypony knows, Princess Celestia rules over Equestria with, what I hope has been considered a fair hoof.  And everypony also knows Celestia is eternal.  But few ponies know the truth of the matter, or how the circle of life magically turns.  As it stands, only three of us, and a small dragon, know what has happened here in the last year.  How Princess Celestia's defeat at the hands of the changeling Queen wasn't due to her empowerment through Shining Armor's love for Cadence, or Celestia's power failing as so many have guessed.  No, it was because she was new, and unsteady in her power.  You see, Princess Celestia's ties to her little ponies run much deeper than anypony knows.
I was Celestia longer than anypony ever had been before me.  I pray that it is longer than anypony ever has to do it again.  For, like so many other things nopony knows, Luna wasn't banished to the moon, but fled and went into hiding.  It was her time to step up and she was unprepared, unwilling to take the mantle, and she ran.  Oh the story is much longer and complicated than that, but that is not what this  is about.  If I feel the need sometime in the future, I may put that story to paper as well.
You see, there have been dozens of Celestias over the centuries.  As well as dozens of Princess Luna.  At some point the heartache reaches a point where nopony could bear it any longer.  When that time comes a search ensues.  A particularly gifted unicorn must be found.  Powerful in her magic, studious, earnest, and sincere.  A very special pony indeed is needed for this job.  Twilight was just such a pony.  Her heart ran pure and strong as did her magical talent.  I felt it before I had ever laid eyes on her.  Such a thing is hard to miss, especially when you are hunting for it as hard as I was.  So I took her under my wing (figuratively as well as literally) and taught her everything I could.  She was an eager and devoted student.  It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about how hard she worked.
When the time came we had developed a plan.  She had to master the Elements of Harmony as the last test before ascending and taking my place.  Always before, a protege would assume the mantle of Luna first, but our Luna was gone, so I would take the form of Luna.  Twilight, and her new-found friends would battle Nightmare Moon.  While they would defeat her, Twilight would “die” and Luna would be free.  In reality Twilight would disappear so she could take the mantle of Celestia.  I would reprise the role of Luna to guide her until she was ready to go it alone.  Fortunately my Luna returned.
She was tired of hiding, and heartsick, knowing that she was bound by her immortality until she passed it on to another.  So Nightmare Moon was vanquished while we reworked out plan.  In the meantime Twilight continued sending me her reports, keeping me apprised of everything happening in Ponyville.  The large and the small.  Every intimate detail of her life was passed on to me, preparing me to take her role at the end of all of this.  At the same time I worked hard to bring Luna up to speed in Canterlot.  Normally there are decades to allow the two Princesses time to know each others' lives inside and out, but I admit I was impatient.  It had been so long, and I was so tired.
Once everything was ready we had to have an excuse for the changeover, some story to fill the gaps that were sure to develop.  I must say Luna's visit to Ponyville was a masterful stroke.  The panic surrounding the return of Nightmare Moon, coupled with the prevalence of costumes, was so strong that Twilight's assumption of the role wasn't even noticed.  Nopony even seemed to notice the differences in appearance Twilight brought to Luna.  Of course Luna and I had already switched places before that.  So now after a thousand years of waiting, I am free at last of that crushing burden.  The Luna of my time is now Celestia, Twilight has assumed the mantle of Luna and I, I am simply Twilight Sparkle.  A plain unicorn living Ponyville, far from my family I might add.  
I send my reports to the Princess dutifully.  Only little does anyone know they are to help her learn how to actually be Celestia now.  At least until a new protege is found.  She is eager to hand Celestia's crown to Twilight/Luna.  But I have wonderful friends who care for me, and I for them.  I will grow old here, and someday die here.  But I won't do it alone.  And THAT is the magic of friendship.

Sincerely,
Princess Cel
-ahem-  Twilight Sparkle
> A Day of Things Big and Small
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It has been a long an interesting day.  So many things happened I hardly know where to start.  None of them are of great consequence, but they all meant a great deal to me.  I have been fortunate so far.  In all the time I was reading Twilight's letters there never seemed to be a lack of excitement here.  You wouldn't think that such a small village would be able to generate so much uproar, but it surely can.  So far there has been little happening that would compare with the excitement of past events.  Which is fine with me!
I must certainly say that Twilight couldn't have made a better situation for me if she had been trying.  After so many years answering to “Celestia” it has taken some adjustment learning to answer to “Twilight.”  Fortunately, her habit of walking around Ponyville reading a book as she walked has proven to be a most useful cover for this.  Everypony simply assumes I'm too engrossed in my book to hear them if I don't answer right away.  Currently I have been reading Crabapples Guide to Organized Management.  Apparently Mayor Mare has come to rely on Twilight as a community organizer of sorts.  While I haven't had any trouble mastering any of the spells Twilight had come to be known for (with much help from Spike I might add) organization wasn't ever my strongest suit.  I've always had sompony to deal with those details for me.  Like Twilight.  
I was reading the chapter on proper delegation (oh my, I'm starting to sound like her these days!) while on my way to the farmer's market and Applejack was forced to yell three times before I realized she was calling for me.  It was somewhat embarrassing.  When I apologized she just chuckled and said, “Don't you worry about it, Sugarcube.”  While she may not be the most demure pony I know, she could certainly teach everypony in Canterlot a great deal about being gracious.
Apparently Apple Bloom and her friends decided that they needed to try and get their cutie marks in inventing.  I have no idea what they were trying to build but it somehow involved a great number of parts from the Apple family cider press.  Normally Applejack and Big Macintosh are able to tend to the equipment themselves, sometimes with a bit of help from Ironhoof, a local blacksmith.  Ironhoof was busy, however, and the fillies had done quite an impressive job on the press.  I'm not sure what a cutie mark for causing trouble would look like, but with those three we may very well find out soon.  I don't think anypony in town has been safe from them!
I spent the rest of the morning using my magic to repair and reassemble the press for them.  It wasn't raising the sun, but it was certainly satisfying to have used so many different spells in concert and complete such an intricate task.  There is a satisfaction from a job done skillfully that is entirely different from just wielding power.  That drive of Twilight's makes more sense to me now than it did before.
Then I got a visit this evening from Princess Luna.  It was good to see her again and compare notes about our new lives.  She still had the impulse to act deferential to me.  She's doing better, but that's a habit that she is going to have to break!  Celestia is already anxious to step down.  My predecessor did not choose very wisely in selecting her as a protege.  She is a nice enough pony, with skill and ability in abundance, but she doesn't have the temperament for the job.  Luna is afraid that she will want to step down before a suitable protege is found and trained.  While I sympathize with her, I am no longer in a position to do anything about it.  She fears that a return of Nightmare Moon may be required.  I would hate to see that happen, as I know how heavy the burden of reigning alone would be while "Nightmare Moon" is banished.
I offered to help in what small way I can.  Spike and I are going to begin researching ways to modify Twilight's memory spell to not only cause recall of a recipient's own memory, but to transfer memories between ponies.  That way the years of training and preparation can be cut down once a protege is found.  I hope I am up to the task.  Research is yet another area where the original Twilight's abilities are much greater than my own.  She will be a great Celestia when her time comes.  But I must admit, it feels good to have an important task to complete.

- Twilight Sparkle
> Luna's Lament
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Luna paced the length of the library, her tail switching back and forth as she turned.  “Don't get me wrong, I don't regret my decision,” she said for the fourth time.  “This is a very important undertaking.  Just the access I have to the archives alone is unbelievable!  I never knew there were so many books that nopony has seen in decades.  I'm learning so much, so many things I never even imagined.  It's just...” She trailed off slowly, her voice becoming sorrowful at the end.
“You don't have anypony to share it all with,” Twilight finished for her.  “I understand.  I've been in your place, remember?”  Twilight felt deeply for her former protege.  She remembered well what it felt like to be so alone.  Luna had the hardest lot of the sisters on the throne.  Ruling the night was a lonely job.  Everypony slept through the night except for a few of the watch.  The fact that her brother was the captain of that watch made it that much harder for her, Twilight knew.
“Exactly,” Luna sighed.  “I knew I would miss my friends, I just never thought it would be this,” she trailed off again, looking at the floor.
“Hard,” Twilight finished for her.  “I know, my faithful student.” Twilight stopped short, hoof to her mouth.  She tried so hard not to slip, but it happened on occasion.  “I sat on the Lunar throne for over two-hundered years.  It is a lonely lot, for anypony, but it is necessary.  There is no other way to learn what you need to, to build your strength before you take over for your sister.”
“I know.  I just wish I had somepony else I could talk to.  Shining Armor is right there!  Surely we could trust him.  He is the Captain of the Guard after all?”  The pleading was clear in Luna's voice.  Twilight was torn.  She did remember well the anguish Luna felt.  It wasn't just a period of training, but a time of separation from the life she had lived before.  She had been lucky that her family had been far from the capital.  It hadn't been Canterlot then, before the disaster of Nightmare Moon, but the situation was the same.  While she was no longer the ruler of Equestria, both of the Princesses looked to her for guidance in many things.  Having been on the throne for so long, there was nopony recorded even in the secret archives that had ruled for even a fraction as long as she had.  Celestia hadn't even served her full term as Luna before she disappeared.
Twilight wondered, not for the first time, what she had been doing for the thousand years she had gone missing.  Even now she wouldn't speak of it.  How had she managed without the name of Luna to cover her agelessness?  She shook her head.  Now wasn't the time for such musings.  Her former student needed her attention, and understanding, and that was paramount this night.
“I will think about it.  You realize how dire the consequences would be if the truth got out don't you?”  she asked, fully aware that Luna did.  
“Yes,” Luna sighed.  She sat down heavily on the floor.  The weight of her responsibilities almost visible on her shoulders.  “It's not just that.  It's her.  She does well enough most of the time, but,” she stopped with an exasperated look on her face.
“She's not me,” Twilight finished for her yet again.  “You must remember how much longer I had to learn to deal with everypony than she has.  She may be over a thousand years old, but most of that was spent in exile.  She was afraid in a way you aren't, Twil..Luna.  Please remember that and be kind to her.”  As much as she wanted to be at times, Twilight couldn't be angry with her former sister.  The terror she had faced was very real, and very overwhelming.  As much as Luna was responsible for, Celestia was responsible for so much more.
“How did you do it all for so long?” Luna asked.
“I did it because it had to be done.  I love everypony, just as you do.  That is what made it bearable.”
Luna stood and walked slowly across the room to nuzzle her former self.  The embrace was warm and without reservation.
“I hope I can be half the Princess you were,” she stated, eyes glistening.
“You will be even greater,” Twilight answered without reservation.  “I will do some research.  That is what Twilight Sparkle is known for after all,” she teased, “I seem to recall a spell by Stonehoof the Wise that may help.  It made anypony who swore an oath under it bound by their word.  If I can find it we may be able to let our secret out a little.”
The look of hope in Luna's eyes, made her heart swell and gave her pause at the same time.
“I'm hesitant about this spell, though.  It was hidden because there were doubts about if it was ethical or not.”
“Oh I understand completely!” Luna said cheerfully, “It wouldn't do to take anypony's free will away.  But if there is a way we can use it fairly, with consent,” she said hopefully.
“Exactly,” Twilight finished.
“Thank you so much for listening to me.  I'm so used to having Spike around to talk to,” she stopped with a wry look on her face.  “How is everypony else?” she asked hesitantly.
“Oh everypony is doing just fine.  Rarity is excited about a showing in Canterlot, Applejack is in the heart of applebuck season, so I haven't seen much of her, Fluttershy is wrapped up in her pre-winter preparations.  Rainbow has been training hard for this fall's Flyer competition, and Pinkie Pie is, well... Pinkie Pie.”
“Oh.  That's good,” Luna replied somberly.
The pained look on her face told Twilight exactly what was wrong.
“They ask me if everything is all right, you know.  As well as you prepared me, I'm still not you.  There's no way they could know that, but they know something's off.  Your friends miss you even if they don't know it.”
“Oh,” Luna whispered.  Equal parts relief and embarrassment were clear on her face.  “I don't want to sound like I regret this,” she began defiantly for the fifth time.
“I understand,” Twilight repeated patiently, “I really do.”
“Thank you so much.  I really must be going.  Celestia isn't always good about being punctual for raising the sun these days.”  Her face twisted in a look of annoyance Twilight knew all too well, “I've had to do both a few times already.”
“Take care, Luna.  I am here whenever you need me.  You may not be my student any longer, but you are still very dear to me.”
The two embraced again before Luna left silently.  Once she was gone Twilight stared at the closed door behind her.  She didn't let on while her former charge was there but she was stunned.  The power she must have had before even assuming the Lunar Throne.  It had been over a century before she had built enough power to even attempt raising the sun after setting the moon.  The throne only gave her enough power to raise either the sun or the moon, anything more relied upon the unicorn's own natural ability.  Now, more than ever, she was sure that Equestria was going to be in good hooves.
Smiling to herself she began to plan a trip to the Canterlot archives.  While it went against everything she had been taught, and a little of her gut instinct, Twilight couldn't help but to see what she could do to help.  Chucking to herself she had to wonder if becoming Twilight was having an effect on her.  She was actually looking forward to digging through the archives for research!
> Harmony Lacking
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight cantered down the hallway.  It had been several months since she had been in the castle, even longer since she had been in this part of it.  And she had never been here as she was now.  Even with all of the hundreds of years she had walked these halls in her former life, she was unnerved by them now.  She wondered if being shorter had anything to do with that.  Everything seemed so much more imposing now.  Perhaps some of that came from the fact that she technically wasn’t supposed to be here now.  Princess Celestia didn’t know she was coming to this part of the castle.  While some of the guards had looked askance at her being allowed into the secret archives, she just chuckled to herself.  How little they knew of how often she had been there already, and how differently they had acted towards her before.  But however mischievous she felt, she had to keep it to herself. 

There had been something bothering her for some time, though.  And here was the only place she could see if her fears were correct, or if she had been worrying for nothing.  While she was certain that she had found a solution to Luna’s problem, she couldn’t return to Ponyville until she checked on one last thing.  

Approaching the doors she was annoyed to find the hole she needed to reach a lot less convenient than she remembered.  Rearing up on her back hooves she turned uncomfortably to insert her horn into the lock.  Triggering the spell that she had herself created, she released the wards protecting the room from magical intrusion and unlocked the door.  Inside she saw the Elements of Harmony just as she remembered them.  Nervously she approached the tiara in the center.  Using her magic she lifted it slowly and set it gently upon her head.  
It had been ages since she had wielded the Elements, but it was not something Anypony could forget.  Reaching out she touched her magic to the power of the Element.  Instead of the warm connection she had hoped for, there was nothing.  She could feel the power there, but it didn’t respond to her.  She had released her claim upon it so that another, more suited pony could wield it.

“Twilight Sparkle!  What are you doing in here?” Celestia’s cry interrupted her thoughts.
Twilight jumped, nearly dislodging the tiara from her head.  Nervous as a filly, she turned to face Celestia and bowed, tiara hanging in her mane.
“I just needed to see something, Your Highness,” she answered.
Celestia levitated the tiara away from Twilight and placed it back on the pedestal.
“While I appreciate your special… situation, you shouldn’t be wandering into restricted areas without at least checking with me first.”  She cast a glance at the guards behind her before fixing Twilight with a stare that spoke volumes.  “Now is there some threat to Equestria I don’t know about?  Should we summon your friends for the rest of the Elements?”
“No Princess.  Nothing like that.  There is something, but I think I should tell you about it later,” she said, also glancing at the guards.  Twilight hoped that Celestia was doing what she thought she was, and acting upset for the benefit of the guards.
“Very well, Twilight,” she replied as she herded Twilight out of the room, “Come to me this evening after sunset and we can discuss whatever it is you need to see me about.  Until then, please try to remember that even my personal student shouldn’t be wandering where nopony has any business being.”
“Yes Princess!” Twilight answered hurriedly.  

Relief flooded through her.  Unless she missed her guess completely, Celestia’s meeting was timed so that Luna could be present as well.  That would make everything so much easier.  She could tell her what she had learned about the oath binding spell while she was there.  If Celestia agreed to her plan it would make things so much easier for Luna.  For a moment she wondered if it would be good to let the rest of the Element bearers in on the secret as well.  So much of their combined power depended upon trust and a bond that, unknown to them, had been disrupted.  While she loved each of them dearly, they had no idea that their love wasn’t given to the pony they thought it was anymore.  She wondered if that was part of why the Element didn’t respond to her any longer.

It was going to be a long afternoon.

> A Lunar Shift
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight tried to get some work done while she was waiting for sunset, but it wasn’t proving easy.  Too many thoughts raced through her mind as she sat in the library.  Several tomes on magic or on memory covered the table in front of her.  The parchment she had been taking notes on was covered with a hoof-full of scribbled references that now, mere minutes after writing them, made no sense to her.  With a growl of frustration she slammed her head onto the tabletop.

“Ow,” she muttered into the book beneath her.  Letting out another sigh she sat like that trying to push all of her other worries out of her mind.

“Hey there, Little Sis.  Sleeping in the library now?” asked a familiar voice from behind her.

“Shining Armor!” she squeaked, bolting upright.  “What are you doing here?”

“Well, the last time I checked, I work here.  What brings you to Canterlot?  And without letting your big brother know you were in town too, I might add.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she sighed, ears drooping.  “I’m working on a project for Princess Celestia.  I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do it,” she admitted.

“You’ll do fine Twily.  Once you set your mind to something you always find a way to make it work.”  He paused, reaching out to pat her mane gently, “Is everything OK?”

“Yeah. Everything’s fine.  Why?”  Fear crept up in her as she imagined him seeing through her deception.

“It’s just that you haven’t seemed as excited about things in your letters these days.  And you don’t visit as much anymore.  Mom and Dad miss you, too.”

Twilight wilted at his words.  This was a big part of why she couldn’t live in Canterlot in the first place.  She knew she should go see their parents, but the fear of making a mistake kept her from it.

“I know.  Things are just so different now.  I don’t always know where I fit in everything anymore.”  It felt good to talk honestly about what had been bothering her with somepony, even if he couldn’t know exactly what she was talking about.  Shining Armor stepped in and hugged her tightly.

“That’s part of growing up, Sis.  You’ll get your hooves under you soon enough, trust me.  If there’s anything my Twily is good at, it’s figuring things out!”  He gave her a reassuring smile.  Looking up she couldn’t help but smile back.

“Thanks, Big Brother.”

“That’s what I’m here for.  I better get going, you have fun studying.”

“I will,” she laughed, “Tell Cadance I said hi!”

After Shining Armor left, Twilight felt as though a weight had been lifted from her.  She looked at how long she had trained her protégé.  The original Twilight had been under her guidance for most of her life, learning and being prepared for what was to come.  Even with that preparation the process was proving to be hard; far harder than she had expected it to be.  Family ties, and even her sense of place in this world, had been turned upside down by the changes she was going through.  That was all clear to her now.

To think somepony could just have some knowledge poured into them magically and be ready to take that step was almost laughable.  Looking at the jumble of books in front of her, Twilight smiled for a moment and finally laughed out loud, earning her a stern “Shhhh!” from a passing librarian.  Carefully she gathered the books and scrolls together before depositing them in a nearby cart.  Her mood suddenly lightened, she decided to take a walk in the garden.

Afternoon shadows stretched before her as she walked the empty paths.  As much as she tried to simply enjoy the moment her mind kept drifting back to her evening meeting.  She knew that Celestia wouldn’t be pleased at the realization she had made, but there was no way around it.  Even if she did find some way to magically give somepony all of the knowledge they would need it wouldn’t be fair to them.  

For a time she pondered the implications of Celestia and Luna changing places.  She knew it would be a better fit for both of them.  But there wasn’t any record in the archives of anything like it having been done before.  Of course there hadn’t been any record of someone serving over a thousand years on the Solar Throne before she had come along either.  How much of the old ways were still relevant?

“I don’t know if I am ever going to figure all of this out,” she sighed to herself.

“I don’t know what ‘all of this’ is, but I can’t imagine anypony more likely to succeed.”

Twilight jumped at the sound of Luna’s voice.  “How is everypony sneaking up on me today?” she exclaimed before regaining her composure.  Shaking herself she made a quick bow to the Princess.  “That is to say, good evening, Your Highness.  I didn’t see you there.”  Embarrassment flushed her cheeks slightly as fell in beside her.

“Well, Twilight,” Luna began, halting for just the briefest moment over Twilight’s name, “I would imagine that you are letting yourself get wrapped up in your own thoughts instead of worrying about everypony else these days.”

“I guess you’re right,” Twilight chuckled.  “That’s just not something I’m accustomed to doing.”

“Well, if you plan on doing a lot of thinking, get used to being startled all the time,” Luna teased.  “Do you have time to walk with me?”

“Of course, Your Highness.  I’ve just been waiting until a meeting with Princess Celestia this evening.”

“Ah, yes.  I guess I will see you there too.  But before we get to that I wanted to ask you about that little project you were looking into for me,” Luna prompted.  She tried to hide it, but a hint of eagerness still made its way into her voice.

“I have some good news!”  Twilight gushed.  “Considering his abilities,” She stopped talking to allow some ponies approaching from the other way to pass.  Suddenly more aware of their surroundings she looked around before continuing.  Stepping closer to Luna, she pitched her voice low, “You could teach him the spell and he could cast it himself.  He would just have to pass the key to release it to you when he casts it.”

“That’s Wonder…ahem, I mean, that is excellent news, Twilight,” Luna came back, starting in a near squeal before she caught herself and shifted to a more dignified tone.

Twilight had to chuckle at Luna’s slip.  She was trying so hard to be the proper princess, but it was clear that the exuberant, sometimes silly, filly she had come to know so well was still in there straining to get out.  Now she had to broach the more delicate part of the conversation.  The more Twilight had thought about the matter, the more she decided that the rest of her friends should be let in on the secret.  As wielders of the Elements of Harmony, too much of Equestria’s security was dependant on their relationship for her to continue with the deception.  This was just one more thing that there was no precedent for in the archives.

“Luna,” Twilight began nervously, “There’s one more thing.”

“What is it Twilight?” she asked, concern clear in her voice.

“I was hoping that you and Celestia would let me use it as well.  I think our friends need to know the truth.”

“You, of everypony, know how risky that would be!  And how could that even work?  You certainly won’t be able to teach anypony but maybe Rarity how to do the spell.”

Twilight accepted the rebuff calmly, she hadn’t expected anything else.  Raising herself up, she looked Luna in the eye.

“I can cast the spell, but it won’t trigger unless I’m touching somepony.  As long as they touch me the choice to accept the spell is theirs.”

“Are you sure you’re not getting a bit reckless since you retired?” Luna asked dryly.

Twilight sighed.  “I still care for everypony.  I’ll never stop caring about Equestria, you have to know that.  It’s just that 
now, surrounded by ponies that genuinely care for me.  Care for you really…”  Her head down she couldn’t finish saying what she was thinking out loud.

“They care for you, they always did.  But I understand.  Love isn’t the same as adoration.  It means so much more.  Besides, I’m the one who asked you to look into this in the first place.  It wouldn’t be fare for me to be too hard on you would it.”  Luna looked at the sky and gasped.  “Oh no!  I’m late.  I will see you soon, Twilight Sparkle!” Luna yelled and disappeared in a flash of indigo light.

“Thank you,” Twilight whispered to the air where Luna had been standing moment before.

Slowly she made her way to Celestia’s private sitting room.  As she knocked on the door it swung open on its own.  Celestia sat inside looking over some scrolls.

“Ah, good, you’re here.  Come on inside.  Luna should be with us shortly,” Celestia said as she closed her scrolls.  “So what was so important that you thought you needed to go to the Elements of Harmony?”  

“There was something I needed to check,” Twilight replied.

“But to break into that chamber, Twilight?  That would have been a terrible security breach if it had been anypony else.  You should have said something.  No one would have questioned me allowing the bearer of the Element of Magic into the chamber.”  Celestia’s tone blended chastising and concern in a perfect mix Twilight knew very well.

“That’s why I was there.  I’m not the Element of Magic.  It wouldn’t respond to me,” Twilight moaned.

“What?” Luna cried from the doorway.  “When we switched I thought that would go to you as well?”

“And I had hoped as much, but it would appear as though we were wrong.”

Luna disappeared with a loud pop leaving Twilight and Celestia startled at her disappearance.  Moments later she reappeared, a sheepish look on her face.

“I can’t open the chamber,” she admitted quietly.  

“Since when can you teleport to where you can’t see?” Twilight asked somewhat indignantly.  

“Ever since we traded places, I think.”

“Back at the subject at hoof,” Celestia interrupted, “Let’s go look into this.  You were right, Twilight, this is a matter of 
great urgency.”

The three soon found themselves in the Element’s chamber.  As soon as the door was closed Luna strode forward and donned the tiara as Twilight had earlier in the day.  Her face tight with concentration, it was clear she was putting forth a great deal of effort.

“It doesn’t work,” she finally sighed, levitating the Element back to the pedestal.

Celestia reached out experimentally with her magic as well and was met with the same block her companions had met.  She turned to Twilight and fixed her with a withering stare.

“I have a pretty good idea why it won’t respond to you,” she said acidly

“I know,” Twilight whispered.

Luna looked on in confusion.  There was clearly something more at work here than she understood.  For several long moments they stood there in ominous silence.  Twilight sat heavily on the floor, sorrow clear in her every move.

“What the hay is going on?” Luna finally blurted.  An unusually meek Twilight answered without lifting her head.

“I didn’t lose the use of the Elements because my heart broke while fighting my sister,” she admitted hesitantly.  “I tried to use them to make her stay when she went to run away.  They were lost after that.”

“Until somepony seeking to use them out of love came along,” Celestia concluded.

“So does that mean that they are lost?  How will we get them to work again if we need them?” Luna demanded with a hint of panic in her voice.

“Oh, I think that somepony can find a way, but I doubt it will be easy for her,” Celestia answered, gazing at Twilight.

“I think it’s time we told her,” Luna suggested to Twilight.

“Now?” 

“Yes, now,” Luna replied.  She turned to an expectant Celestia with her head held high, “We have found an oath binding spell by Stonehoof the Wise.  Twilight has found a way we can use it without taking away anypony’s free will.  We need to let the other Element bearers know what has happened.”

Celestia didn’t respond at first.  She walked the length of the chamber and back.  As she turned she eyed Twilight for a moment.  Her hooves rapping on the stone floor echoed as the other two waited silently for her to say something.

“I’m inclined to say no since I had to carry my secret in silence for a thousand years.”  She paused as her companions gasped at her statement, “But, I also agree that this is too important for my personal feelings to hold sway.  I will agree to this on two conditions.”

“What are your conditions, Princess?” Twilight asked.

“Foremost, you have to guarantee that there is no way this spell will harm anypony,” Twilight and Luna both nodded their ascent.  “Secondly, I wish to return to being Luna.”

“What!” Twilight and Luna shouted in unison.

“Don’t be so surprised.  You both know that I am not well suited for this,” she turned to face Luna, “You would be so much better at this than I am.”

Twilight rose and looked at a stunned Luna.  “This has to be your decision, my faithful student.”  Luna took a deep breath and shook herself.

“Do you think I can do it?” she pleaded.

“If I didn’t I wouldn’t have selected you as my protégé.  If Celestia didn’t agree she wouldn’t be offering it to you now.  The question is, do you think you can do it?”

“I do,” she answered confidently.

“Then I suggest we take care of that tonight,” Celestia stated, relief clear in her voice. She turned to Twilight and smiled, “I guess all that leaves is to wonder who you will tell first.”

Twilight smiled back and laughed.  “Oh I have somepony picked already.”

> Mmmm, Pie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight paced a circle in the center of the library.  Books sat stacked in piles on the floor where she had left them instead of putting them away properly.  Her mane was a jumbled mess and dark circles surrounded her eyes.  Spike sat on the stairs watching her walk.  He swore he could see a path worn into the wood from her frantic circuit.  At first he had been counting to see how many laps around the room she would make before she calmed down, but he had long since lost count.  Now he simply waited to see how long it was going to take before she got dizzy.

“I just don’t know if this is the right thing to do, Spike,” she said suddenly.  “I guess since Luna and Celestia switched it will be easier.  I mean at least now Luna is, well… Luna again.  That helps, right?”

“If you say so,” he shrugged.

“What if they don’t accept me?”

“They already have,” Spike reassured her, “You’ve been Twilight for over a year now and nothing has changed.”

“No they haven’t.  It’s not the same,” she countered, “What they’ve accepted is that Twilight acts a little strange these days.  They don’t know I’m not the same pony!”  As she talked her voice grew higher in pitch until Spike was wincing at her words.  Her hoof falls came faster as she quickened her pace.  “What if they hate me?” she cried.

“They aren’t going to hate you!”

“You don’t know that!  I’ve been lying to them all this time and now they’ll know.  They’re going to hate me!”

“Are you sure you’re not the original Twilight?” Spike asked wryly.

“What?” Twilight replied, confused by Spike’s unexpected question.  Her sudden stop let all of her pacing catch up to her.  Her legs buckled as dizziness set the room to spinning around her.

“Ha!” Spike barked as she staggered to keep her hooves under her.  “Um, I mean are you alright?” he corrected after she shot him a withering, if unfocused glare.

“I’m fine,” she sighed, “I just got dizzy.”

“Oh! I like to get dizzy,” Pinkie Pie giggled from the doorway, “Sometimes I spin, and spin, and spin, and then try to walk a straight line.  It’s super fun.”  The bubbly pink mare’s spinning motions came close to knocking over several piles of books as she entered the room.

“Looks like you’re on,” Spike said as he hopped from the staircase.  “Quit worrying.  It’ll be fine.”  He gave Twilight a reassuring pat as he passed by.  Before Twilight could stop him, he stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

Twilight hesitated for a moment.  She had given a lot of thought to which pony she should approach first.  Rainbow Dash had been her first pick due to her connection with the Element of loyalty, but the more she thought about it, the more that worried her.  Would Rainbow be loyal to her, or to the original Twilight?  She knew she would have deal with that question sometime, just not now.  As she weighed her options she had to admit that each of her friends had so many qualities in her favor that it was a difficult choice to make.  Finally she had settled on Pinkie Pie.  All of the ponies in the group were trustworthy, there was no doubt about that, but only Pinkie Pie had shown herself zealously committed to keeping promises like nopony Twilight had ever seen.  That made her the safest choice.  Twilight was sure that she could approach Pinkie and her keep quiet about it even if she didn’t agree to the spell.

“Pinkie, I asked you to come over because I need to talk to you about something important,” Twilight stated soberly.

“Oh, Okay.”  Picking up on Twilight’s serious tone she instantly calmed down.  She still practically radiated exuberance, but at least she wasn’t spinning anymore.

“I am going to ask you to do something, but you have to promise not to tell anypony about it, Okay?”

“I promise, Twilight.”

“Pinkie-promise?” Twilight asked seriously.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly- stick a cupcake in my eye,” she answered solemnly.

“Okay, here goes.  I have something important to tell you but it’s so important that I have to use a spell to make sure you can’t tell anypony about it.  Is that Okay?”

“Sure, Twilight.  I mean, I already Pinkie-promised, but if doing a spell will make you feel better that’s just fine with me.”  Pinkie finished with a big smile that made Twilight’s stomach sink just a little more.

“Alright.  I am going to cast the spell, but to be fair to you I can’t put it on you.  You’re going to have to touch my horn to activate it yourself. Understand?”

“Uh-huh,” she nodded.  

Twilight was relieved to see that she was looking serious now.  The last thing she wanted was for Pinkie to go into this lighthearted without realizing the weight of the situation.  Now it looked like Pinkie was starting to take the whole matter more seriously than she had been.

She had worked long and hard with the princesses to figure out exactly how the spell was going to function.  They had learned that the wording was critical, and the spell worked in a very literal fashion.  That meant the oath had to be phrased perfectly to work like they wanted with no unintended side effects.  As it was, Twilight knew because she had used the word ‘never’ in one test, she would be forced to go the rest of her life without ever telling anypony something as small as the fact that Luna had taken off one of her shoes that night. 

Twilight’s horn began to glow as she focused her magic on the spell.  It didn’t require much power, but the threads of energy she had to weave together were complex and delicate.  In all of her long life she had never put together a spell more intricate than the one she was casting now.  In the back of her mind a small bit of jealousy flared briefly as she remembered how easily her former student had mastered the spell.  Brushing the thought aside she put the final bits in place.  The result was a small lacework sphere floating at the tip of her horn.  The energy was concentrated enough that even Pinkie Pie could see it drifting there.

“By accepting this spell you will be bound to not speak of the things I am about to share with you other than to ponies you know share the secret or if permitted by Princess Celestia.”

Once she was finished speaking, she nodded to Pinkie Pie.  Without reservation the pink mare stepped forward and touched her forehead to Twilight’s horn.  The energy of the spell wound itself around her and disappeared into her with a small tinkling sound.  Pinkie chuckled as it took effect.

“Okie-dokie,” she exclaimed, looking at Twilight expectantly.

Twilight went to resume pacing, thinking better of it after a single lap left her slightly nauseous.  Her nerves were getting the better of her and she kept starting and stopping, not quite able to bring herself to say anything.  Pinkie just stood there showing more patience that Twilight would have thought possible.  Finally she decided that she was just going to have to go at this head on.

“I’m not the Twilight Sparkle that first came to Ponyville,” she finally blurted out in a rush.

“Oh, I know that!” Pinkie chirped happily, “You’re Princess Celestia.  Or you used to be, but now you’re Twilight.  I mean I still miss the old Twilight, but you make a really good Twilight so it’s okay most of the time.”

Twilight’s jaw nearly hit the floor as she stared in disbelief at her friend.  She had run through hundreds of different ways that she thought Pinkie, and for that matter all of the others, might react.  This wasn’t something she had even considered a possibility.

“But… but, how?” Twilight squeaked.  “That’s impossible.”

“I know everything about everypony,” she answered as if that explained everything.  Twilight just gave her a dumbfounded look she seemed to take as an urge to continue.  “My Pinkie sense told me we were going to have another doozie so I knew when it happened.  I knew right off you were still somepony I liked, though.  Besides, old Twilight always took two sugars in her tea and you only take one and you like the cupcakes with pink frosting instead of the purple.  So I got to thinking, ‘Pinkie, what pony do you know that liked pink frosting on her cupcakes?’ It was sooo obvious!”

Brushing aside the fact that Pinkie’s explanation didn’t make any sense to her, Twilight stuck on the fact that she had known this whole time.  Horrified, a whole new potential disaster began to build in her imagination.

“Pinkie!” she yelled, cutting off the pony’s continued ramblings, “Have you told anypony about this?  Anypony at all?”

“Nope.  You didn’t act like you wanted anypony to know so I didn’t say anything.  I wouldn’t be a very good friend if I went around being a big ole blabbery-blabbermouth now would I?”

“Pinkie, you are amazing.”  Relief flooded through Twilight.  All of her fears melted away knowing that not only did Pinkie know, but that she had kept the secret on her own all of this time.  There was no way she could wish for more of a friend than that.  Stepping close she gave her a tight hug and smiled.

“So what were you going to tell me, Twilight?” Pinkie asked eagerly.

“Never mind, Pinkie, it’s not important,” she laughed.  “Let’s go get something to eat.”




> Apples to Apples
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Applejack sat there staring at Twilight as if she had lost her mind.  Cocking her head to the side, she let one ear droop as she stared at her friend.  In the back of her mind Twilight was aware of the steady “THUMP, THUMP” of Big Macintosh bucking trees on the other side of the orchard.  That rhythmic stucco and the buzzing of a few bees were the only sounds for several long minutes.  Twilight’s heart crept into her throat as Applejacks stare continued.  Slowly she began to curl in on herself, her ears drooping down one tiny bit at a time.

“So lemme get this straight.  Y’all are tellin’ me that the little pony we all welcomed to Ponyville a couple a years ago; the one I fought Nightmare Moon with an all is now Princess Celestia?” she asked finally.

“Yes?” Twilight answered hesitantly.

“An you’re the real Princess takin’ Twilight’s place so you can what, stop bein’ princess?”

“Well, she’s the real princess now…” Twilight trailed off at a loud snort from Applejack.  If anything her stare was sterner than it had been before.  Swallowing hard, Twilight began thinking about escape routes from the orchard.  “Yes,” she whispered, abandoning her attempt to correct Applejack.

“An all this happened a year ago?” Applejack continued.

“Actually,” Twilight began.  A look at Applejack killed her desire to be particular on the date in an instant.  “Yes,” she finished in a voice that barely qualified as a whisper.

Applejack sat back on her haunches and picked up an apple.  Taking a large bite out of it, she held it before her while she chewed, apparently studying it intently.  In the background Macintosh’s heavy thumping continued.

“Applejack we wanted to tell you guys,” Twilight pleaded.  Applejack raised a hoof gesturing for Twilight to stop.  “We really did, it’s just that…”  Twilight was silenced by Applejack’s hoof over her mouth.

“Jush gimmie a shecond.  ‘Kay?” she mumbled around a mouthful of apple.  Twilight nodded and tried to stay calm.  It was a losing battle from the start.  After her experience with Pinkie she had begun to hope that all of the others would be similarly indifferent to things.  Right from the start it was clear that Applejack wasn’t going to take things as cheerfully as Pinkie Pie had.  All of her earlier fears of her friends hating her came crashing back on her.  She was just beginning to hyperventilate when Applejack hopped back to her feet.

With a heavy grunt she kicked the nearest tree with an authority that made Twilight even more nervous.  Large clusters of the bright red apples fell from the tree into the strategically placed baskets below.  Without a word, Applejack hefted one onto her back and made to move towards the cart sitting a short distance away.  Twilight instantly levitated the rest of the baskets into the air and began to follow.  Applejack tossed her basket into the trailer and turned to face Twilight.

“An this ain’t the first time this has gone on?” she asked incredulously.

“It has happened every few hundred years since the very beginning.  Some reign longer than others, but…” Twilight trailed off again as Applejack just stared at her.

“How long were you… her?”

“Almost thirteen-hundred years.”

“So it was you personally that sent my kin here, not some other Celestia?” Applejack asked, surprising Twilight with the sudden turn.

“Yes, that was me,” Twilight answered, for once not feeling the need to elaborate.

Applejack turned and looked at Twilight.  The expression on her face had changed but Twilight couldn’t say exactly how.  For a second she thought her friends was going to say something again but she didn’t, she walked over and gave the next tree a resounding kick that Twilight swore she could feel in her teeth from here.  Again apples rained into baskets below and the pair moved them to the cart.

“I can’t tell ya that this won’t take some getting used to.  It will, but I’ve know you as Twilight ‘bout as long as I’d known the other… um, Twilight.  An you’ve done good by my family and pony folk in general, so I ain’t got call to be sore with ya, I suppose.”

Twilight’s heart swelled as Applejack spoke.  While it wasn’t the unblinking acceptance she had gotten from Pinkie, it wasn’t the rejection she had feared either.

“So you mean we’re still friends?” Twilight pleaded.

“Yeah, sugar,” Applejack chuckled, “We’re still friends.  Things might be a bit weird for a spell, but that’ll pass…  Ooomph!”  Her words were cut off by the impact of Twilight throwing herself around her neck.

“Oh thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Twilight squealed as she hugged Applejack tight.

“Whoa there, sugar!” Applejack wheezed.  Once she had disentangled from Twilight she straightened her hat and eyed her friend with a smirk.  “We’re gonna hafta talk about this a bit more once I’ve thought about things a might.  Have you told Rainbow yet?” 

“No,” Twilight admitted, “I’ve been worried about that.”

“You’d best tell her next then,” Applejack suggested.  “She won’t take kindly to bein’ one of the last ta know.”

“Okay,” Twilight sighed, “I should go do that now and get it over with.  Thank you so much for understanding, Applejack.  I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

“Don’t think nuthin’ of it.  That’s what friends are for.”

Twilight trotted off with a strange mix of fear and elation warring inside of her.  Things with Applejack had gone well enough.  In fact, considering how the conversation had started, they had gone fantastic.  But Rainbow Dash worried her more than anyone.  She just wasn’t sure how someone that brash was going to react.

“I guess I’ll find out soon enough,” she muttered to herself.

> Dash of Hope
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight had a fairly good idea of where she would be able to find Rainbow Dash.  Considering it was a nice afternoon and there weren’t any plans to change that today, it was very likely she would be at the meadow north of town.  Even though she knew she was going to have to do this sooner or later with all of her friends, she felt more concerned about Rainbow Dash’s reaction than the others.  The fact that rainbow was so fiercely loyal was what scared her.  Would she feel that her dedication had been betrayed by the deception?

Before she realized it she had reached the meadow.  It seemed strange how quickly she had gotten there no more than she had been trying to hurry.  She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed to see that she had been right.  The blue pegasus was rocketing towards the ground at a breakneck pace.  Twilight was certain she was about to watch her friend kill herself as she approached the ground at an insane speed.  Just as Twilight was wincing in anticipation of the impact Rainbow pulled up, turning as she did.  She went into a corkscrew close enough to the ground that Twilight could see the tips of her wing feathers brushing the grass.  

Just watching the spiral was enough to set Twilight’s stomach on edge.  Beyond all belief Rainbow pulled her wings back, tightening the spin until she was nothing more than a blur rocketing along inches from the ground.  Mouth agape, Twilight watched as she released the spin and shot into the air.  Her trajectory carried her in an arc back towards Twilight where Rainbow slammed to a stop before her.  Wings held aloft and head high; she was an image fit to grace an air show poster.

“What’d ya think?” Rainbow asked, breaking her pose.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Twilight replied, ashen faced.  “Isn’t that the trick you broke your wing trying?”

“Yeah, but I had the angles all wrong then.  I’ve got it down pat now!”  Rainbow beamed, practically glowing as she spoke.  “I saw you over here so I had to make a last minute change in that last turn to get the landing, but an ace flier has to be prepared for anything.  Right!”

“Right,” Twilight said with a lot more enthusiasm than she felt.  “Listen, Rainbow, I need to talk to you.”

“Sure thing, Twilight.  What’s up?”  Picking up on Twilight’s demeanor, her attitude changed in an instant.  Tucking her wings to her sides, she took on a serious air.

“There is something I need to tell you, but it’s so important that I’ll have to use a spell so that you can’t tell anypony about it.”

Rainbow Dash cocked her head to the side and gave Twilight a quizzical look.  “If it’s about Rarity, I already know she wasn’t really sick last week.  I saw her sneak off to the train station,” she said, puzzled.

“No,” Twilight sighed, “It’s about me.”  Unable to look Rainbow Dash in the eye, her head sunk as she spoke until she was looking at the ground.

“Oh.  Okay.  Whatever you need to do.  I’m here for you.”

Rainbow’s declaration made Twilight’s stomach tighten.  Worst case scenarios kept running through her mind.  Gritting her teeth she raised her head and decided to get on with it.

“I can’t cast the spell on you.  You have to accept it, so when I cast it you will have to touch my horn yourself for it to activate.  Okay?”  She waited for Rainbow’s nod before she continued.  With what was now practiced ease she formed the sphere of energy of the binding spell and spoke the key phrase, “By accepting this spell you will be bound to not speak of the things I am about to share with you other than to ponies you know share the secret or if permitted by Princess Celestia.”

Rainbow stepped forward just as the others had and touched her head to the tip of Twilight’s horn allowing the spell to encompass her.  She ruffled her wings and kicked once as the spell took effect, an annoyed look on her face.  Looking back at herself she flexed her wings a bit and lifted a few inches off the ground.  Seemingly satisfied, she nodded to herself and landed once more.

“So what’s the deal?” she asked bluntly.

Twilight took a deep breath and braced herself.  “I’m not the same Twilight that originally came to Ponyville.  I used to be Princess Celestia, but we switched a year ago and that Twilight is the Princess now,” she blurted out in a rush.  

She stood there looking at her friend with her ears down and a nervous grin hanging weakly on her face.  Rainbow’s eyes got big for a moment as the words sank in.  Then she burst out laughing so hard that she fell to the ground with the force of it.

“Whew, that was a good one, Twilight!  You almost had me there for a second.  I didn’t know you ever loosened up enough for a good joke,” she laughed, “No offense.” 

“It wasn’t a joke," Twilight whispered, "I’m serious.” .

Rainbow got back to her feet and shook herself off.  The smile faded from her face as she looked at Twilight.  Seeing her face, Rainbow grew serious once more.  

“You weren’t kidding were you?”

Twilight merely nodded, not looking at Rainbow Dash.

“So you used to be Princess Celestia?” Rainbow asked, earning another nod from Twilight.  “And the old Twilight is Princess Celestia?”

“Yes,” Twilight moaned.

“That is AWESOME!” Rainbow Dash yelled, launching herself into the air.  “You used to be… and she’s… WOW!” she gushed, flying tight circles around Twilight.

“Awesome?  You think it’s awesome?  You don’t hate me?” Twilight asked in rapid succession, turning to try and keep up with Rainbow.

Rainbow slammed back to the ground giving the purple pony a confused stare.

“Why would I hate you?” she asked.

“For lying to you all this time.  I’ve been telling you I’m somepony else for over a year,” Twilight explained.

“That?  You couldn’t go just telling everypony that something like that happens.  I get that,” Rainbow scoffed.  “Besides, what right do I have to be mad if you switched that long ago and I never noticed?”

“And you think it’s awesome?” Twilight questioned.

“Well, yeah.  You were her biggest hero.  If I had the chance to trade places with Soarin or Spitfire don’t you think I’d take it in a second?  And how cool would it be to know they thought I was good enough that they would want to trade places with me.”  Rainbow fired all of this at Twilight with a glow in her eyes.  Twilight began to suspect that her friend had thought of just such a scenario unfolding somehow.

“Imagine it.  Me up there, flying with the Wonderbolts, pushing the envelope farther than anypony has ever seen,” she continued, confirming Twilight’s suspicions.  “’Spitfire, you’re flying faster than ever before.  How did you do it?’ they’d ask.  And I’d just smile and say, ‘All it takes is training, boys.’”

“Training is all what takes?” Rarity asked, startling Twilight and Rainbow.

“Oh, nothing,” Rainbow answered, “Twilight was just…”  She froze mid sentence, eyes wide and blank for a moment.  Twilight and Rarity stared as she stood frozen in place.  “Whoa.  That was freaky,” she mumbled once she had recovered.

Twilight remembered well what happened when you tried to break the spell and shuddered briefly.  During their experiments she had deliberately tried to break the oath of the spell and her mind had gone instantly blank.  For several seconds she couldn’t focus on anything but a dull roar in her ears.  While it wasn’t painful, it wasn’t an experience she wanted to repeat.

“Rarity!  What brings you out here,” Twilight interjected, stepping between her and Rainbow Dash.

“I decided that today absolutely called for some fresh wildflowers.  Aren’t they just lovely?” she prompted with a turn that flared her scarf dramatically.

“Not as lovely as that scarf,” Twilight commented with a nervous laugh, hoping to distract Rarity.

“This shabby thing?  It’s just something I threw together this morning,” she cooed.  “But enough about me, what were you and Rainbow Dash talking about?”

“Hey, guys, I think I’m going to bail,” Rainbow interrupted, “I’ll catch ya later.”  Without waiting for either unicorn to reply she launched herself into the air, a muffled, “And she’s off!” barely audible.

“It’s a long story, Rarity,” Twilight groaned.  All of the anxiety of the day had taken its toll and she was exhausted.  She hoped Rarity could be put off until tomorrow when she didn’t feel so frazzled.

“Well it just so happens that I am free for the rest of the day,” she chirped, “You simply must join me for a repas d'après-midi and tell me all about it.”

“That sounds great,” Twilight growled as she followed Rarity to town.

> A Rare Thing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight followed Rarity into town with her head low.  She didn’t mind the company, but despite the light tone of Rarity’s chatter so far, Twilight knew she was going to work her way around to asking what she had been talking to Rainbow Dash about.  Considering the touchiness of the subject, and the fact that she was going to have to tell Rarity sooner or later, she didn’t want to lie about it.  For better or worse it looked like she would be taking care of talking to Rarity about this today as well.  As long as she could take a day or two to get a grip on herself before she had to figure out how to break things to Fluttershy, it should be okay.

Looking up she gave a little start.  She had been so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn’t been listening to Rarity and realized her friend had asked her a question.  Not only that, but they were already approaching the café.  Twilight resolved to do better about letting her mind wander.  It was a bad habit she had fallen into lately, which was strange, since she had never had that problem before.

“What?” she finally asked Rarity, unable to piece together what the question had been.

“I said isn’t it just darling?” Rarity repeated.

“Rarity, this is the same café we always eat at.”

“Oh I know, but you must look at it with new eyes.  The décor has completely changed and they’ve updated the menu.  It’s like a whole new place!” Rarity beamed.

“If you say so,” Twilight replied.  Casting a skeptical eye across the diner it looked the same to her at first.  As she looked, however, subtle differences sprang to her attention.  The tablecloths were brighter and some of the worn decorations had been replaced with more artistic pieces.  The change was far from sweeping but it was enough to take the place from a small town hole-in-the-wall feel to a cozy cosmopolitan establishment.  Seeing the pride on Rarity’s face, Twilight was sure she had something to do with the redecoration.

As they sat down the owner, a gentle pony whose name Twilight had never caught, brought them menus.  Looking over them Twilight saw some perfectly balanced small changes there as well.  The old favorites everypony in Ponyville liked were still there, but some dishes she hadn’t seen since leaving Canterlot were also offered.  Picking one she hadn’t had in a while she placed her order and continued her reverie while Rarity continued to talk about the show she was preparing for.

Twilight had a realization she had somehow missed before.  Since Rarity had pulled off her big jobs for Hoity Toidy and Sapphire Shores, not to mention her reputation boost following the wedding, she had attracted a small following among the urban minded ponies in town.  Twilight knew that the café had been struggling for some time, but had never thought about the timing between that and Rarity’s new found zeal for eating here.  Since then, it did seem as though the café had a bit more business than it used to.  She realized that Rarity, using what status she had managed to gain, was more than likely single hoofedly responsible for keeping the place afloat.  It gave her a new respect for her friend.

“So what was so important that you had to chase Rainbow Dash down all the way out there?” Rarity asked suddenly, cutting through Twilights train of thought like a knife.

“Well, um, it’s kinda something I need to talk to you about too,” Twilight mumbled.  

“Oh do tell!” Rarity said breathlessly, leaning forward.  Her excitement at a new bit of news was clearly visible.

“It’s sort of a big deal though.  I don’t know if we should talk here.”

“If you’re that concerned, of course we can talk at the boutique.  I’ll just have them wrap our meals to go.”

Twilight sighed as Rarity pranced to the counter and had the changes made, paying while she was there.  In moments the packages were sitting before them on the table.  It didn’t look like there was any way she was going to avoid doing this today.

The walk to the boutique was mercifully short, keeping them from bumping into anypony else.  Twilight tried to think of how to handle it and gave up.  She was too emotionally exhausted to worry about it anymore.  So far she had managed to avoid disaster and would just have to hope that the trend continued.  There wasn’t anything she could do about how anypony took the news, so it wasn’t doing her any good to worry so much.

“But you should really see this new fabric.  I still think you should let me update your wardrobe, Twilight.  While what you have may be perfectly lovely, you need something with more pop to it.  Something that really shines.”

“I’ll think about it,” Twilight answered reflexively.  At least this was a conversation she had already had with Rarity a number of times so she wasn’t worried about having missed something.  “You know my taste isn’t that flashy.”

“Oh I know, dear, but everypony needs something striking to step out in from time to time.”

The conversation continued as they ate and Rarity tried to convince Twilight to accept a new dress.  She had to admit that the material Rarity brought out was stunning, a shimmering blue that turned lavender as it moved.  The effect brought back a few old memories for Twilight as she watched the color shift.  Deciding it was time, she took a deep breath and forged ahead.

“Rarity, I need to tell you something.  It’s an important secret that can’t ever get out.”

“Well you know you can trust me,” Rarity reassured her.  While she was putting on a calm face, Twilight could see the gleam in her eye revealing her secret love of gossip.

“I know I can,” Twilight admitted, “But this isn’t just about me so I’m going to have to use a spell to bind you to keep the secret.  Is that okay?”

Rarity took on a much more somber air and thought for a moment.  Twilight was afraid she would decline, considering the look on her face.  Only moments passed, but it was an eternity for Twilight.

“How could I consider myself a true lady if I didn’t do whatever was needed for one of my friends,” she finally declared, much to Twilight’s relief.

By now the binding spell was a simple matter for Twilight to put together.  Once she had the weave of the spell in place she said the activation phrase and waited breathlessly as Rarity touched the orb with a dramatic flair.  Even though she was practiced at it the strain of casting it so many times in such a short period of time was beginning to tax Twilight’s reserves.

“So, Twilight, what is this great secret?” Rarity asked expectantly.

“I used to be Princess Celestia and traded places with the original Twilight.  I’m not the same pony you met two years ago,” Twilight said tiredly.  She felt like she should be worried about Rarity’s reaction, but she just didn’t have it in her to worry any more.

“Oh.  I’m sorry if I’m interrupting.  I can come back later,” Fluttershy’s timid voice sent ice through Twilight’s veins.  Her previous thoughts of being too tired to worry anymore were instantly shattered.

“Fluttershy!  How long have you been there?” Twilight gasped in horror.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered, wilting in on herself slightly, “I just came to pick up Opal for her grooming.  I heard you say something about somepony not being the same pony as before and came back here.  I’ll just go and come back later.”  She began to sidle towards the door before Rarity interjected.

“Don’t be silly, Fluttershy.  Come in and have a seat; I’ll get you some tea,” Rarity cooed as she ushered the timid pegasus to the table and went about making them all fresh cups of tea.  “Twilight here was just telling me how with everything we’ve gone through since she’s come to Ponyville that she just isn’t the same pony she used to be.  Isn’t that right, Twilight?”

“Yeah, I know I’ve certainly changed a lot,” she answered, grateful for Rarity’s deflection.  Rarity set a cup and saucer before her, placing her hoof over Twilight's.  Twilight looked up to see a warm look from Rarity.

“Everything is fine,” she whispered before returning to her seat.  Twilight wanted to say something but knew she couldn't, not just because of the situation, but the lump in her throat too.  She hoped Fluttershy didn't notice her misty eyes.

“I guess I have too,” Fluttershy added, apparently happy with the subject.  “I used to be so skittish.  I’m glad I’m not like that anymore,” she concluded.  

The other two ponies managed straight faces as they nodded.

> Twice Shy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight sat there in Rarity’s kitchen and tried to enjoy the pleasant chatter, but couldn’t.  While it was nice to see Fluttershy so relaxed and trading comments with Rarity between sips of tea, Twilight was mostly silent.  A deep dread was building in the bottom of her stomach.  No matter how much she told herself that now was a terrible time to talk to Fluttershy, and no matter how true it was that she was feeling worn down by the repeated use of a complex spell, the truth was that she had lied to Fluttershy.  There was no doubt that Fluttershy would understand, the mare had a supernatural reserve of forgiveness, but it would hurt her feelings just the same.  Twilight was already worried about her friend feeling hurt at the deception she was going to reveal, letting another lie continue on top of it would only make matters worse.

On top of that was the fact that Rarity was acting for all the world that she hadn’t revealed anything more important than a desire to restyle her mane.  She supposed that she should be grateful that Rarity was taking things so in stride.  Having her here when she told Fluttershy might make things much easier.  Twilight just wished that she had gotten a few moments to find out how Rarity really felt about the whole thing.  It was far too easy to believe that her friend was just being gracious in front of Fluttershy.  Maintaining good appearances is very important after all.

Without realizing it, Twilight’s ears had gone flat and she was gritting her teeth as she mentally prepared to broach the subject.  Just thinking about casting the spell again made her head want to ache.  For the first time since she had taken over Twilight’s life she missed the power she had wielded as princess.  There was no regret about being who she was now, far from it, but it was clear that the original Twilight had naturally been much more powerful than she was.  

Her thoughts were interrupted by Fluttershy’s hoof on her shoulder.

“Are you okay, Twilight?” she asked, concern thick in her voice.

“I’m fine.  My stomach is just upset,” she lied

“Oh no,” Fluttershy gasped, “I have some mint and sage tea at home that might help.  It always makes me feel better.  Do you want me to go get it?”

“No, no.  You don’t need to do that,” Twilight declined.  

Rarity sat silently through the exchange watching Twilight with a concerned, but knowing look.  Catching her eye, Twilight gave her a questioning look.  Rarity smiled warmly and put her hoof on Twilight’s.

“I’m here if you need me, Darling,” she offered, getting a puzzled look from Fluttershy.

Nodding, Twilight swallowed hard and looked at the table as she spoke.

“I haven’t been honest with you, Fluttershy.  With any of you until now, really.  I have a big secret I need to tell you but before I can I would have to use a spell to bind you from telling anypony else.”

Concern and curiosity were clear on Fluttershy’s face as she listened.  There was only a brief hesitation before she nodded.

“Of course, Twilight.  What do I need to do?” Fluttershy asked with just the faintest hint of fear in her voice.

“I will form the spell and once I have said the key to it, you’ll have to touch my horn to activate it,” she explained.  Fluttershy merely nodded her acceptance.

Once again the spell was preformed.  The energy wrapped itself around Fluttershy as she hesitantly triggered it; her eyes scrunched shut and her teeth bared as she did so.  A tiny shiver made its way down her back as the spell concluded.

“It does feel strange doesn’t it,” Rarity commented.

“Yes it does,” Fluttershy said in a near whisper.

Twilight sighed heavily and forced herself to meet Fluttershy’s questioning look.

“I’m not the original Twilight Sparkle,” she said flatly, somewhat glad that this was the last time she would have to go through this.  “I used to be Princess Celestia, but we kind of traded places on Nightmare Night last year.”

“Oh,” Fluttershy sighed, wilting in on herself.

“I’m sorry, Fluttershy,” Twilight pleaded, “I really wanted to tell you before, we both did.”  She really wanted to add “please don’t be mad at me” to the end, but knew that wouldn’t be fair.  

“Just think, Fluttershy, she gave up being Princess of all Equestria; living in Canterlot at the heart of high society, to come here and be with us,” Rarity added, a touch of longing in her voice.  “So please don't be too hard on her.”

“Oh no, it's not that,” she protested faintly.  It was clear that there was more that she wanted to say but wasn't saying it.

“You aren't mad at me for lying to you?” Twilight asked, perplexed.

“No, I'm not mad at all,” Fluttershy replied, tracing circles on the tabletop with her hoof nervously.

“Then what is it?” Twilight persisted.

“Yes, dear, if there's something bothering you it's better to just come out with it,” Rarity urged gently.

Fluttershy whimpered slightly and seemed to struggle with herself for a few moments.  Her friends held their peace while she worked through whatever inner turmoil she was dealing with.  Twilight caught herself chewing on one of her hooves before forcing the offending appendage to the tabletop.

“I don't want you to think I don't appreciate you,” Fluttershy started in a near whisper. “I do.  You've been a good friend, and a good Twilight,” she continued with forced enthusiasm, “It's just that....”  She trailed off into mumbles that neither pony could understand.

“What was that,” Twilight asked.

“I said that it's just that she didn't even say goodby,” she repeated, barely audible.

The three ponies sat in silence for a moment, nopony sure what to say, until Rarity stepped around the table to Fluttershy's side.

“She would have if she could, Fluttershy, but sometimes a pony, especially one of her station, is bound by circumstance,” she said reassuringly.

“That's right,” Twilight added, “Both of us wanted to tell you, but nopony can ever know this happens so we had to wait until we found the oath-binding spell.  She has missed you all so much.  That's why we've been called to Canterlot so much lately.”

“Really?” Fluttershy implored.

“Yes really,” Twilight insisted.

Fluttershy seemed to brighten somewhat after that.  It was clear that she was still upset, but she continued with the chit-chat cheerfully enough.  Twilight was relieved that there weren't any signs of anger or awkwardness between her and either Fluttershy or Rarity as they visited.  Though every time something tied to the Canterlot social scene was mentioned Rarity got an almost predatory gleam in her eye that made Twilight nervous.  She had the feeling that some not-so-subtly questioning would happen the next time she had lunch with Rarity.

“Thank you so much for everything, girls,” Twilight said as she was leaving.

“Think nothing of it,” Rarity insisted.

“I think we should all get together soon and talk about... things,” Twilight suggested.

“That sounds nice,” Fluttershy replied, echoed by Rarity's agreement.

“I think it sounds like a marvelous idea!”

Twilight walked back to the library slowly.  The afternoon was mostly spent, along with any hope of accomplishing any of the other tasks she had planned for today.  While it wasn't how she had meant for things to happen, she had to admit that she was glad to have it all over with now.  None of her friends had reacted badly as she had feared, so that was good.  Time would tell if anything would change between them.

In all honesty, she thought to herself, as long as she acted like Twilight, then they would continue to see her as Twilight.  Looking past a pony's appearances was often very hard to do for even the best of ponies.  But she was going to have to take a deep look at herself too.  She felt herself picking up a lot of habits she always noted in the original Twilight that she had never had herself.  Was she becoming more like Twilight?  Would it be so bad if she was?  Somehow she didn't think it was.

> Conflict
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Spike, get ready to take a letter to the…” Twilight shouted as she walked into the library, the words dying in her mouth once she actually looked into the room.  Shining Armor stood in the center of the space, glaring at her angrily.

“Big brother,” she said, puzzled by his appearance in Ponyville.

“Don’t call me that!” he shouted.  He stepped towards her, his hard steps leaving marks in the oak floor.  “You don’t get to call me that.”

“Shining Armor, I don’t understand.  What’s wrong,” she pleaded.

“You don’t understand what’s wrong?  You, of everypony, don’t understand what is wrong.”  His yelling was so loud that the windows hummed in their frames as he spoke.  Twilight could see Spike cowering upstairs and couldn’t blame him.  It would never have occurred to her to be afraid of Shining Armor before, but it was hard not to be now.  Before she could speak he continued in a lower volume, but no less hostile in his tone.

“I am sick and tired of having the ponies I love replaced by impostors!” he spat.  “And that it was you that did this hurts most of all!  I trusted you more than anypony else.”

Understanding came crashing down on Twilight like a load of bricks.  She had never thought of how having Cadance replaced might affect how he would feel when he heard the news.  The fact that the switch had taken place before Cadance’s probably didn’t help matters either.

“That’s why nopony is ever supposed to know,” Twilight explained, fighting to keep her emotions in check.

“Did you think about us at all?” he demanded.

“Of course I did!” she countered hotly, “I agonized over it.  Especially when you showed so much promise serving in the guard.  Don’t think I am not fully aware of how unfair this has been to you.”  As she spoke she pulled herself up to meet his eye.  Anger sparked in the corners of her eyes as she met his stare.  As she spoke echoes of her old life stirred to the fore.  She could almost feel the crown on her brow as she continued.  “But this is not about you, as sad as I am to say.  This is about the potential your sister has and the fact that the time for me to retire had long since passed.”

“But,” Shining Armor tried to interrupt, only to be overrun by Twilight.

“Before me, the longest anypony ever served on the Solar Throne was four-hundred years.  I served over three times that long.  In all of that time I never once saw a pony with even a fraction of the potential Twilight Sparkle possessed.  Not once did I see a pony I thought more capable of doing the job that needs done.  So if the fact that she is now the ruler of this land, a land you are sworn to protect I might add, hurts your feelings I am deeply sorry, but your feelings are not the most important consideration.”  She stopped there to allow him time to gather his thoughts.  If this was going to have a peaceful outcome she couldn’t risk backing him into a corner the way he had done with her.

He was silent for several moments.  She could see the hurt and betrayal he felt warring with both his sense of duty and, unless she were wrong, his pride in his sister.  All she could do was hope that the reminder that his sister was not gone, not a prisoner somewhere, but instead had ascended to the throne he served would take the fire out of him.  When he had stopped pacing and came back to face her it was clear that wasn’t entirely the case.

“Fine, she was the best pony for the job,” he admitted carefully, “but we are her family.  We had a right to know what was happening.  And aside from that, I’m captain of the Royal Guard.  Shouldn’t I have known something like this was going on?”

“No,” Twilight said coldly, “You shouldn’t have.  You don’t have the right.  The only reason you know now is the fact that your sister was suffering being so close to you and not being able to share anything with you.  She is the Princess, after all.  It is her right you’re benefiting from now.”

Shining Armor acted as though he were going to interrupt, but was stared down by a cold glare perfected by centuries in Canterlot.

“We only discovered the spell in the last few days.  In the banned magic library I might add,” she continued, “What would happen if ponies knew that the great ruler Celestia wasn’t eternal?  What would the fact that there is a succession of power hidden from everypony do to Equestria?”

He considered for several minutes.  His sharp mind, well suited to the subtleties of Canterlot worked through the inevitable stir in Canterlot’s powerful families.  Next would be the inescapable conclusion that if their princess wasn’t an everlasting goddess, perhaps her rule wasn’t divinely ordained.  And then sompony would end up deciding that they could do better.  Thousands of years of peace and stability set to be ruined by one shared secret.  He could see it, that much she could see, but he still wasn’t happy about what had happened.

“But why did you have to take my Twily?” he begged, sorrow, not anger now coloring his words.

“Because she was the best.  I saw that when she was a tiny filly,” Twilight answered softly.  “Didn’t it ever strike you as strange that even your distinguished family had a princess as a foalsitter?”  She felt a small twinge of regret at sharing this with him now.  This was a secret that wasn’t entirely hers to share.

“Cadance knows?” he gasped.

“Yes.  It was her job to protect Twilight when she was little.”

He slumped slightly at the revelation.   Twilight felt horrible for him.  It had to feel as though nothing he knew was true anymore.  She thought desperately for a way to brighten the mood.

“Is Cadence like Celestia?” he asked before she could speak.

The question took her by surprise.  In retrospect it was one she should have thought of herself, but she hadn’t been thinking about that side of things.

“She was meant to be,” Twilight explained, “but she couldn’t bear the thought of losing a certain somepony she cared about.”  He looked at her with the question clear in his eyes so she went ahead and answered before he managed to get the words out.  “Yes, Brother,” she began, emphasizing ‘brother,’ “she was born to be an immortal and renounced it so she could marry you.”

All of his earlier anger was washed away.  He now had a foundation to cling to again, and Twilight was glad that it was Cadance.  When she had first heard that her niece had fallen in love with Shining Armor she had been upset.  Cadance was meant to be everypony's princess.  Somepony that could be loved, not worshiped on high as Celestia and Luna were.  But after several lifetimes worth of living alone there was no way she could bring herself to deny that love.

“I had no idea,” he sighed.

“I know.  You weren’t supposed to find out,” she whispered, risking giving him a reassuring hug.

He pulled away gently, but firmly.  Looking her in the eye he took a deep breath before speaking.

“I’m still not sure how I feel about all of this.”

“That’s certainly understandable,” Twilight said calmly, resuming her reserved posture.  “You could stay; we could talk about this more if you want.”

“No,” he declined, shaking his head. “I need to get back to Canterlot.  The Princess needs me.”

“Very well,” she replied, deeply stung by his words, but refusing to let it show.

He walked past her to the door and paused as though he had more to say.  Instead he shook his head and opened the door to the fading evening.

“Shining Armor,” she called as she stepped through the doorway.  He paused, half looking back at her.

“Yes?” he asked.

“You loved me once as your princess, I hope you can someday love me as your sister.”

He stared at her for a moment before letting his head drop.  Without saying a word he left, closing the door behind him.  All of the stress of the day caught up with her at once and Twilight collapsed onto the floor.  Despite her best efforts, tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.  Without having heard him come down she found her head lifted onto Spike’s lap as he held her and stroked her mane.

“Don’t worry,” he reassured her, “He’ll come around.”

Too tired to find words she just let herself cry, taking solace in the small dragon’s affection. 


> Interlude
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Dear Princess Celestia,


Friendship is indeed magical and thus able to survive hardships that any pony would think should destroy it.  But I have learned that the revelation of deception can damage friendship, and other relationships, with a far lighter touch than any outside difficulty could manage.  It is very clear why Honesty is one of the Elements of Harmony.  Friendship depends upon it so very much.  I can only hope to live up to the example that was set for me and be true to myself and my friends and hope everything works out in the end.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle
---------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------

Spike reluctantly sent the letter Twilight dictated to him after several lonely days.  She tried to continue as normal but she couldn’t help but be aware of the absence of her friends.  It wasn’t fair to say that they were avoiding her.  Pinkie Pie least of all.  Of everypony, only she seemed to act as though nothing had happened.  The fact that she had known all along meant that for her nothing had, Twilight supposed.

The others were friendly and warm enough when she happened to see them about town, but nopony had stopped by the library in days.  They didn’t always see each other every day, but this was far longer than she was used to going without some sort of visit.  It didn’t help that she just hadn’t been able to shake her hurt feelings after Shining Armor’s catastrophic visit.  She just wished she knew what she was supposed to do.  It had been so long since she had needed to deal with ponies as an individual instead of a princess.

So in true Twilight Sparkle fashion, she turned to research.  She spent the days after her letter had been sent examining herself.  She carefully cataloged her routine and recorded her observations and thoughts in a fresh diary she had bought just for this purpose.  Every habit, tic, and stray line of thought was recorded.  She had even tasked Spike with recording his observations of her in a journal of his own.

At the end of a week’s worth of diligent recording she set the two new books out and began to compare them to the diaries left by the original Twilight.  Not only did she look at the recorded behavior of that Twilight, but her comments about her relationship with Celestia.  It was an eye opening experience.  For the first time in centuries she thought back to the time she spent as protégé.  When she realized the fact that the Celestia she had studied under had taken her place and had possession of her diaries, just as she now had these, she nearly died of embarrassment.

She had been raised in a poor family that had struggled to get by.  All of that had changed when she had drawn the attention of the Princess.  Suddenly they were all thrust into the Canterlot life.  Every need was supplied, modestly by Canterlot standards, but it was luxurious for her family.  So Twilight’s worship of Celestia was, if anything, paltry in comparison to her own.  Looking back now she understood many comments and knowing looks she had received, but been completely confused by at the time.

“You okay Twilight?  You look a little flushed,” Spike asked, breaking her train of thought.

“Um, yes.  I’m uh… It’s just that… Uh, this is kind of embarrassing,” she stuttered clumsily.

“Oh.  Okay then,” he shrugged, suddenly disinterested and returned to his nap.

With a sense of relief she shoved her memories to the back of her mind and returned to her work.  Reading what her protégé had written about her was a much needed balm for her bruised feelings.  It also added to her own realization that she should tell Celestia that it would be polite of her to suggest the next protégé be warned to dispose of their personal diaries before the switch.  Once again memories of things she had written came flooding back and set her cheeks aflame.

“Sweet Celestia, why didn’t I burn them!” she moaned, banging her head on the table hard enough to sting.  “Ow.”

After several hours of reading she had made a couple of realizations about the situation.  The first was that it was clear that she was acting and thinking much less like Princess Celestia now.  How she acted wasn’t her main focus though.  She clearly had to act like Twilight Sparkle; that was a given, but her thinking had changed.  The more she thought about it, the more she was sure that this was simply due to being removed from the role of princess.  It had been so long since she was simply the pony she had been born as that she wasn’t sure she could remember what “normal” for her was.  Twilight’s personality, beyond necessity, was familiar and comfortable to slip into. Her confrontation with Shining Armor served to show her that her demeanor as Celestia was still there if she needed it.  

“At least I’m not losing myself,” she whispered to herself with relief.

Her second realization brought a smile to her face for the first time in several days.  She hadn’t been able to escape feeling like she was becoming more, for lack of a better word, neurotic.  This, more than anything else, was what had been worrying her.  She knew that acting a certain way would eventually become habit, so picking up Twilight’s habits was natural.  The growing sense of panic, and concern over controlling tiny details, however, had scared her to death.  What she had finally figured out after reading through all of the diaries was that the schedule and standards the original Twilight had set for herself, and by extension the pony now living in her horseshoes, was enough to make anypony go crazy.  

With a chuckle she looked around at the array of books surrounding her.  Aside from the collection of diaries and journals there were books on psychology, and several volumes on the effects of powerful magic on ponyality traits.  In the span of a few days she had read as much on mental health as she would have in a full course at Manehatten’s best universities.  With a shake of her head she resolved to start working some small changes into her routine.

“Spike!  I’m going out for ice cream,” she stated loudly, rousing the napping dragon.

“But what about re-shelving?” he asked sleepily.

“I’ll do it later,” she replied with a smile.

“Okay, but according to your schedule you’re supposed to start a paper on Equestrian political history now,” he mumbled through a yawn.

“I don’t care!” she said defiantly and trotted out the door.

A very confused Spike was left staring at the door behind her, unsure if the world was preparing to end.




> Fin? Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight had finished her ice cream and decided that she would go visit Pinkie Pie before going home.  Her break with routine was certainly making her feel better about everything.  At least when she wasn’t actively trying to squash the little shred of guilt she felt for blowing off her work.  She wondered if Pinkie would have some insight to offer her about how to mend things with the rest of the group.

Thinking about it as she walked, her imagination ran wild with what type of sage advice Pinkie might conjure up.  By the time she was nearing Sugarcube Corner she was less than sure asking Pinkie would be wise after all.  She would just have to see how things went.

“Twilight!  Twilight!” Spike shouted at her as he ran down the street trying to catch the purple unicorn.

Hearing him, Twilight stopped to wait fir the panting dragon to catch up.

“What's wrong Spike?” she asked as he staggered to a stop before her, leaning on her leg while he gasped for air.

“It's....(wheeze)...I... Just gimmie....(pant)...” he choked out between gasps.

Before he could continue Twilight felt the ground start to tremble.  As the vibrations grew she could hear the panicked cries of ponies all around her as flowerpots fell from window ledges and various loose items came tumbling down around everypony in town.  Closing here eyes she concentrated her magic and teleported to the top of Sugarcube Corner's roof, leaving Spike to topple over in the street as his leaning post disappeared.

“No, no, no,” she moaned, trying to believe what she was seeing.

A giant bull with a boar-like head, as tall as the clock tower, was charging towards town.  Its skin was shimmering scales of stainless steel and its eyes glowed an ominous green.  Rage was written plainly across it's face as is stomped along the outskirts of town uprooting trees and smashing anything it came across.

“I just don't understand!” she growled in frustration, “First a hydra, a cockatrice, Cerebus, and now this!  How is this even possible?”

The sight of Fluttershy streaking across the sky faster than Twilight had ever seen her fly ended her rant and drew her back to the problem at hand.

“Fluttershy!” she screamed at the top of her lungs.

“Oh dear, oh dear,” Fluttershy cried as she changed her trajectory and came flying up to Twilight.

“Fluttershy, I need you to find Rainbow Dash,” Twilight commanded.

“Already here!” Rainbow Dash interjected, screeching to a stop beside Fluttershy.

“Good!  You go get Applejack.  Tell her to bring plenty of rope.  Fluttershy, you find Rarity.  We have to keep this thing away from Ponyville,” Twilight barked.

“On it!” Rainbow Dash said with a salute and shot off in a blue streak.

“Okay,” Fluttershy squeaked and took off towards Carousel Boutique at near her earlier speed.

Twilight paused for just a second trying to come up with some sort of a plan.  Disbelief threatened to overwhelm her as she stared at the advancing monster.  No matter what she saw, she just couldn't see how this was possible.

“Pinkie Pie!” she screamed, using her magic to amplify her voice.

“Yeah Twilight,” the pink mare chirped as she stuck her head through the faux icing of the store's roof.

Ignoring the impossibility of what her friend had just done Twilight forced herself to concentrate on what needed done.

“Oooohhh, what is that?” Pinkie asked before Twilight managed to say anything.

“It's a Catoblepas, but they are supposed to be extinct,” Twilight answered.  “We can't let it into town!”

“Okie-Dokie,” she said and popped back down through the roof.

Twilight teleported back down to where Spike was regaining his feet.  By the time she had the dragon in hoof, Pinkie Pie had bounced to her side.  She paused for a moment to make sure that Spike was actually alright and caught her breath.

“Spike, I need you to let Princess Celestia know that there is a Catoblepas in town.  We need her here as soon as possible!”

“That's what I was trying to tell you,” Spike replied.  “She's at the library.  She was worried after your letter and came to see you.

“Good!,” Twilight sighed, “Go tell her we are going to try and stop this thing before it gets into town.”

“Alright,” Spike moaned and took off at a staggering run.

Twilight looked at Pinkie and decided that asking if she were ready would be a waste of time.  Her friend was managing to stand there and wait patiently, but she was practically vibrating with the effort.

“Let's go,” she said and took off at a run.

The pair raced toward the sounds of destruction at the edge of town.  At times they were slowed by the press of ponies fleeing the horror  behind them.  It wasn't too long before they were within sight of the beast.  

“Look out!” Pinkie yelled as she shoved Twilight roughly to the side.

Before Twilight had time to react a large rock smashed into the ground where she had just been.  She had never seen Pinkie's Pinkie Sense in action first hand before and couldn't help but give a thankful breath for the mare's rejection of natural law.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack met them just as they approached the beast.

“What in tarnation is that?” Applejack asked incredulously.

“A Catoblepas,” Twilight explained reflexively.

“Okay,” Rainbow Dash interrupted, “What's the plan?”

Twilight paused as her friends watched her expectantly.  She was used to the burden of leadership, but rarely had she ever had to deal with a crisis such as this.  For a moment fear gripped her as she wondered if she had made a mistake; if being Twilight Sparkle wasn't a larger responsibility than the life she had traded for it.  With a shake of her head she shoved the thought aside.  

“We need to keep this thing out of town.  Applejack, can you lasso this thing?”

“In my sleep,” she answered confidently.

“Good,” Twilight replied, “Once you have it lassoed, toss the rope to Rainbow Dash who will get ahead of it and wrap it around something solid.  Got it?”

“Oh, yeah,” Rainbow chuckled, rubbing her hooves together.

“What do we do?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

Twilight considered briefly as the crashing sounds grew closer.

“Pinkie Pie will lead it to where Applejack and Rainbow Dash are waiting.  Can you do that?” she asked, only waiting for a nod from Pinkie before continuing.  “Honestly Fluttershy, the best thing you and Rarity can do is try to make sure everypony is out of its way.”

Fluttershy nodded and hopped off the ground, hovering while she waited for Twilight to give the order to take off. 

"Of couse," Rarity added, looking uneasy as the sounds grew louder.

“Are you sure this will hold that thing?” Rainbow asked skeptically, hefting the end of Applejack's rope.

Rarity stepped forward and examined the rope with a critical eye.  Closing her eyes, she focused a powerful burst of magic at the rope.  When she was done Applejack and Rainbow Dash were left holding a heavy silk cord.  Rarity rubbed her head with a hoof, swaying slightly as she did so.

“You know we're trying to stop this thing, not dress it up, right?” Rainbow quipped, looking at the cord.

“Don't be silly,” Rarity replied coolly.  “Silk is much stronger than... that,” she continued, pointing with disdain at the other hemp rope Applejack held.

A dislodged tree trunk crashed to the ground next to the group killing further discussion.

“Let's go!” Twilight yelled.

Fluttershy and Rarity took off ahead of the others to make sure the way was clear.  Pinkie Pie charged fearlessly at the beast making faces and yelling taunts as she went.  Applejack and Rainbow Dash took up a hiding spot just off the path and prepared to do their part.  Twilight tried desperately to figure out what to do after they had the catoblepas diverted away from Ponyville.  Even if it weren't bearing down on the town, there was no way this thing could be allowed to roam free in Equestria.  For a moment she wondered where Spike and Celestia were.  She would feel much better with the power of the Princess backing her up right now.

Before she could wish any more Pinkie came rocketing past her, an unusual look of concern on her face.  The beast was hot on her heels as she ran past Applejack.  As it thundered by Applejack stepped out, and with a laugh tossed her lasso around its horns.  Before it could react Rainbow Dash grabbed the end of the rope Applejack tossed her and was off in a flash.

The activity was enough to give the catoblepas pause and slow it for a moment.  This gave Rainbow the time she needed to tie the rope off to a large tree at the side of the path.  Once it realized it had been tied the  catoblepas roared with rage and threw its head about, clouds of green fog rolling from its nostrils.  True to Rarity's word, the silk cord held up to the abuse.  The same could not be said for the tree, however.  The cord hummed like a guitar string as the beast pulled it tight.  With a second jerk it yanked the tree from the ground to go swinging wildly in the air, sending the ponies diving for cover.

“That is quite enough!” Celestia's voice boomed, drowning out all other sounds.

The Princess landed gently in front of the beast, a look of grim determination on her face.  It merely roared in reply and charged her.  The ponies stood in shock as it bore down on their princess with a fury.  Turning her head slightly and bracing her feet solidly Celestia met the charge head on, stopping the beast in its tracks.  Bright fountains of sparks poured forth as their horns met, the crashes rolling like thunder, but Celestia refused to yield an inch to the monster.

Finally it reared back and took a deep breath.  Celestia used the pause to fire on the catoblepas.  Her magic hit its reflective hide and scattered harmlessly into motes of light.  Unfazed it snorted, letting loose billowing clouds of green fog over the Princess.  She recoiled in surprise as the fog enveloped her, turning her to stone.  As the cloud dissipated the catoblepas stepped over the statue of the Princess and continued towards town.  Horror numbed the group as they stared at the frozen image of Celestia.  A loud shout finally shocked them from their dazed state and gave them a new reason to be surprised.

“NO!” Fluttershy roared at the beast.  Twilight turned to see her and Rarity returning to the fray having made sure Ponyville was evacuating.  The cream pegasus launched herself at the catoblepas, stopping mere inches from its snout.

“You will NOT hurt any more of my friends!” she bellowed at the beast.  “You will turn her back RIGHT NOW!”

Twilight had heard of this side of Fluttershy, but never seen it in action herself before.  She had to admit she had been skeptical of the accounts that Fluttershy had stared down both a full grown dragon and a cockatrice, but seeing Fluttershy in action now she was a believer.  The catoblepas stopped and considered the pony flying before it.  Fluttershy continued her rant, but the beast seemed unmoved.  Twilight's breath caught in her chest as she saw it taking a deep breath.

She charged forward as fast as she could.  Leaping with all her might she teleported to Fluttershy's side.  When she reappeared her momentum stayed with her, shoving Fluttershy into a nearby treetop as the catoblepas sent out another cloud.  Twilight was helpless as the cloud enveloped her.  Caught in mid air she couldn't dodge, and it was too late for her to even try and teleport again.  By the time the cloud had cleared a stone Twilight had crashed to the ground.

The catoblepas brushed past the rest of the group and stormed towards the town.  Nopony made a move to stop it as they stared in disbelief at the frozen forms of both Twilight and Celestia.



> Fin? Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The five friends stood staring in disbelief at the twin frozen figures before them.  Each reacted in their own way to what was happening.  Applejack pulled her hat of and stood there, deep in thought.  Pinkie Pie sat beside Twilight, tears in her eyes as her hair straightened one hair at a time.  Fluttershy extracted herself from the tree and flew over to Twilight's frozen form.

“Why, Twilight?” she pleaded, “You should have let it get me.  You could have fixed me later.”

She strained to set Twilight back on her hooves and began to brush away the dirt stuck to her from hitting the ground.  A low whine escaped her throat as she fought back tears.  Rarity stepped up beside her and pulled an elaborate brush from her saddlebag and began to help Fluttershy clear the debris away.

“You know she would never have done something like that,” Rarity said.  

Her voice held something the others had never heard from her before.  Gone was any hint of dramatics or whining.  Instead she spoke in a flat even tone that was simply unnerving coming from the ivory unicorn.

“She could never let somepony get hurt if she could stop it,” she continued in her near growl.  	“We should have been done better by her,”  Applejack added.

“Which Twilight are you talking about Rarity?” Fluttershy asked, looking between the two statues.

“Does it matter?” Rainbow dash cried, “They were both our friends and we let both of them down.  We have to find a way to fix this!  Rarity, you have magic, can't you do something?”

“I'm sorry, Rainbow.  I just don't have those kind of abilities,” she replied solemnly.

“Well come on!” Rainbow yelled at the group.  “We're the Elements of Harmony for Celestia's sake!  There has to be something we can do.  I am not giving up on my friends.”

As she hovered there above them, continuing to yell the rest of the group could feel energy building in the air.  A red glow began to form around Rainbow Dash stopping her speech.  As they looked at one another an orange glow enveloped Applejack while Fluttershy was surrounded by a pink aura.

“Oooooh!” Pinkie Pie gasped with a sudden look of understanding on her face.  Instantly her hair popped back into its normal frizzy state as a huge grin spread across her face.  A blue glow covered her as she bounded back to her feet.

Finally a lavender light took in Rarity as they all began to understand what was happening.

“Come one everypony,” Applejack said.  “We need to find a way to stop that thing before it flattens Ponyville.”

“Not yet,” Rainbow Dash countered.  “We can't do this without Twilight.  We have to save her first.”

As she lived up to her element the energy coalesced  into her necklace.  One by one the rest of the group's elements formed around them until only one was missing.

“Rainbow's right.  We must do this!” Rarity insisted, focusing her magic on the figure of Twilight.

The others stepped in as well, each one working to activate their element.  Warm light swirled around them, tendrils of it weaving around Twilight.  They thought of the times they had shared with the unicorn and their feelings for her.  All of the doubts and discomfort they had felt since they had learned the truth faded away as they looked at how readily she risked herself for them.  The spark of friendship they felt grew to an inferno, the wave of power washing over Twilight's frozen form.  When the light faded they stood there blinking as the stone crumbled away to reveal their friend.

“Look out!” Twilight screamed and staggered forward a few steps before coming to a stop, a confused look on her face.  “What happened? Is it gone?”

“No, it turned you to stone and went on to town,” Applejack answered.

A loud crash in the distance punctuated her statement and reminded them all about the urgency of their mission.  Twilight swiveled her head towards the sound and felt something slide in her mane.  Looking up she was thrilled to find the tiara resting on her head.  Reaching out experimentally she felt the power it held respond to her and squealed in delight.

“Thank you girls,” she laughed, happy tears in her eyes.

“Hey, that's what friends are for, right?” Rainbow Dash replied.  “We are the Elements of Harmony after all.”

“That's just it,” Twilight explained, “I wasn't connected to the Elements anymore.  You all had to have accepted me, truly considered me your friend for them to have come to us like this.  Thank you.”

“This is great and all,” Applejack interrupted, “But don't we have a rampaging beast to stop?”

“But what can we do?” Fluttershy asked, “Celestia's magic just bounced off of it.”

Twilight looked back at the path of destruction and then at the frozen princess.  She wondered if they should try to free her, but decided that there wasn't time.  

“Think,” she muttered to herself, a hoof to her head.  

Idea after idea was dismissed as fast as she thought of them.  It had already proved immune to almost anything they could throw at it.  She was sure that if the Elements could stop Discord they could take care of this thing as well, but she couldn't risk having magic as powerful as the Elements bouncing uncontrolled through town.  Suddenly an idea came to her.

“Girls, I have a plan!  Pinkie Pie, get your party cannon,” Twilight ordered.  The pink mare shot off towards town like an arrow.  “Rainbow Dash, can you still fly Ghastly Gorge?”

“With my eyes closed,” the pegasus boasted.

“Good.  Applejack,  Pinkie Pie will blind the thing with her cannon.  Once that's done Rarity and I will keep it that way.  I need you to try and get the rope free from that tree and get it to Rainbow Dash.”

“I see where this is going,” Rainbow grinned.  “I pull it towards the canyon and get it to follow me through.”

“Exactly,” Twilight agreed, “And Fluttershy, we need you to go on ahead and try to talk to the eels if you can.  We want them to hit this thing, but I don't want to see anything else turned too stone if we can help it.”

“Okay, Twilight.  I'll do my best,” she promised.

“Let's do this!”

The ponies charged to town as fast as they could.  Rainbow Dash streaked overhead picking out the clearest path while Fluttershy cut away towards the canyon.  The path of the beast was easy to make out.  A swath of wreckage marked everywhere it had been.  The group refused to dwell on the destruction they passed as they hurried to intercept the catoblepas.  Pinkie Pie returned to the group, cannon in tow as they neared the creature.

“Pinkie, fire at its face.  We want it as blind as possible,” she commanded.

“Yes Ma'am!” Pinkie shouted with a salute.

Charging ahead, she got the cannon in position and fired several rounds at the catoblepas's head.  Tablecloths covered its face while balloons and streamers festooned its snout and horns.  It roared in rage and blew cloud after cloud of vile green steam through its nose only managing to turn the tablecloths and a few balloons to stone.

Twilight and Rarity ran along side it and used their telekinesis to hold the party supplies in place.  As it tossed its head around and stomped, trying to free the obstructions Applejack dove onto the log.  It swung back and forth dragging the orange mare with it as it flew.

“Yee-Haw!” she yelled almost gleefully as she rode the tree trunk across the sky.

Expertly turning she shifted and bucked, keeping herself on top of the flailing log.  In the brief moments it was at rest she worked frantically at the knot Rainbow Dash had tied.  Before too long she had it loosened and tossed the rope into the air as she rode the log to a sliding stop with a satisfied smile.

Rainbow snatched the cord out of the air and rocketed towards the canyon.  Snapping tight, the cord drew her up short, but the momentum made the catoblepas step in that direction.  Pulling with all of her might, Rainbow Dash continued to fight against the beast's wild flailing and managed to earn one slow step after another in the right direction.

“This isn't going to work,” Twilight yelled to Rarity, “She's going to get hurt before we get there if this keeps up.”

“I'll hold these on while you find something to get it moving,” Rarity shouted back.

Releasing her hold on the things covering the catoblepas's face, Twilight looked around for something she could use.  With a smile she settled on the log Applejack had just vacated and magically lifted it into the air.  

“Rainbow, Rarity, let go now!” she screamed as she smashed it in the head with the log.  

The tablecloths fell away as the log smashed into the thing again and Rainbow released the rope.  Suddenly able to see and angrier than ever the catoblepas  fixated on the only pony it could see.  With a roar and a snort it charged after Rainbow Dash as fast as it could.  The group made their way to the canyon where they found Fluttershy waiting.

“Everything is ready,” she said as she fell in beside Twilight.

“Good,” she replied, “Rainbow, now!”

“Can't catch me!” Rainbow Dash taunted and tore into the canyon faster than before.

The blue pegasus dove into the tunnel just inside the canyon entrance, easily weaving through its winding course.  The catoblepas ripped in after her smashing stone and grinding its way through the too small opening.  When it emerged on the other side rainbow had opened the gap between them and it bounded ahead trying to catch her.  Where Rainbow had to weave and duck through the thorny jungle at the heart of the canyon the catoblepas plowed a straight line through leaving a clear path in its wake.  It grew dangerously close to her as she hit the section of the gorge infested with eels.

Pouring on all the speed she could muster, Rainbow shot ahead not even dodging the eels, but allowing her speed to carry her by faster than they could lunge.  Hot on her heels, the catoblepas ended up receiving the brunt of the eel's attacks as one after another drove it into the side of the gorge.  It turned ready to attack, but they had all retreated to their caves by the time it had turned.

“Come on slowpoke.  You'll never catch me like that,” Rainbow Dash jeered, kicking a rock at the catoblepas.

It turned back to her and resumed its chase.  She flew through the most treacherous portion of the canyon, careful to avoid the sides on this trip through.  Once she was clear and the catoblepas was in place Twilight and Rarity hit the sides with blasts of their magic sending sheets of falling stone raining down on the beast. The group gathered at the end of the canyon and caught their breath.  They stood there panting, covered in sweat, but smiling at each other.

“Do you really think that will hold that thing?” Applejack asked dubiously.

“Oh, no,” she replied, “It will only slow it down for a few minutes.”

“Well what do we do now?” Rainbow asked with shock.

“You'll see,” Twilight said with confidence.

Minutes later the catoblepas staggered out of the canyon.  Its once gleaming scales now scratched, dented, and dull.  Sap coated it in thick patches, thorns and leaves clinging to the sticky paste. Dust, dirt and rocks covered it from head to tail further dulling its appearance.

“Now girls,” Twilight stated calmly.

In unison the bearers activated the Elements.  The energy lifted them into the air as the glow surrounded them.  A blinding flash of light swept through the gap between the assembled ponies and the catoblepas, followed by a shimmering rainbow.  The blast caught the beast in the chest and enveloped it.  Unable to reflect the magic it struggled as the power swept it up and slowly changed it into pristine marble.  Once the transformation was complete the torrent stopped and the ponies drifted back to the ground.  In a group they approached the figure and examined the result.

“Not that I'm complaining, mind you,” Applejack began, “But how come this thing didn't turn to stone from that green stuff but did now?”

“That was petrification and it was immune to that, but this was transmutation,” Twilight explained, “They are different kinds of magic entirely.”

The rest of the group gave her blank stares making her sigh in dismay.

“That was very well done, girls,” they heard from behind them.  Shocked they turned to find Celestia standing there.

“But how?” Rainbow Dash gasped in disbelief.

Celestia chuckled and stepped up to the group with a smile on her face.

“Would you care to explain?” she offered to Twilight.

The unicorn smiled sheepishly and turned to face the group.

“Celestia's connection to Equestria runs deeper than anypony knows.  As long as Equestria survives, so will Celestia.  I never had cause to test it so I wasn't sure how it would work,” she admitted, “but I had my suspicions.”

“So that's why we went after that thing instead of trying to free the princess?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, it is.  I wasn't sure, but I thought she would be okay.”

“And I was,” Celestia agreed, “but you all needed to know you could do this without me.  You had to see that you could still rely on each other.”

“I'm just so happy that everypony is here and friends again!” Pinkie squealed with delight.  “You know what this calls for?”

“A party,” the group finished for her in unison.

Turning to walk back to town they were met with the scene of destruction before them.

“Perhaps it would be best if we postponed that for a few days,” Celestia observed dryly.

With a chuckle the group made their way back to town to see what ponies needed help.



---------------------------------------        ------------------------------         ----------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:
I know the end is kinda cheesy.  I was aiming for that, I just hope it's the same brand of cheese as the show.  :)

If inspiration strikes me, and there is a desire for it, I may add to the story in the future.  
Please feel free to give me any observations on how I could improve the characters and make them closer to the show's portrayal.
Thanks for reading!!