Twilight stumbled onto the stony pavement on her two hands and her two feet. With everyone looking down at her, she laughed nervously, and went back standing up.
The chill of night continued as a cold wind breezed by, crinkling the trees of some houses
With everyone still shocked as they looked on Twilight at awe, she eked out, “Um...sorry?”
Applejack put her hands on her hips, staring her down stern. “Who told you that sneakin’ around was a good idea?”
Words failed her as she spouted out “Um”’s and “Uh”’s, tapping the tips of her fingers.
Then, more flashes of light as Sunset and then Starlight walked out of the portal.
Fluttershy then hid half of herself behind Pinkie Pie. Pinkie herself was silent, speechless at Twilight with a wide open mouth. Rarity placed a hand on her cheek, as if pitying her poor friend. Rainbow Dash tried to keep her cool, but her furrowed brows spoke for themselves.
Luna raised her phone to her ear. “I shall talk to Celestia herself about this matter.”
“You don’t have to,” Sunset said, stretching out a hand. “We...we can handle this.”
Luna hesitated, glanced at her phone, then pocketed it. “I trust you, Sunset, since you are the magical expert—and,” looking at Starlight, “I’m assuming you are, too, considering you are also from her world. Nevertheless, Celestia will know about it by tomorrow morning.”
Sunset nodded in return, smiling a little.
Then, one more bright white flash, and Trixie fell on to the floor.
Sunset and Twilight bent down to bring her up, with Trixie slurring, “Ugh...w-was that a dr-dream? T-Tell Trixie that was a dream….”
“It wasn’t,” Twilight said, seeing Trixie’s eyes flicker back into activity. “I was there.”
Then, Trixie released herself from their grip, stood back up, and dusted herself off. “That wasn’t a dream?! Are you telling me Trixie didn’t sleep all of a sudden and that she really went to a magical pony world?!”
“Pretty much,” was Starlight’s answer for her.
Trixie looked surprised. “So...me floating stuff, my hooves and horn, my other self...they were all real?!”
“Real as you and me,” Sunset said, pointing at the magician and then herself. “I mean, you are talking to a unicorn.”
Trixie opened and closed her mouth, dumbfounded. “Well, I—Trixie knows you are a unicorn, but what Trixie has seen surpasses what could be possible in the mind of such a Great and Powerful magician...which should not be possible!” and stomped her boot down to the ground.
“But, you did go to Equestria,” Sunset said, “and, even better, you were able to use Equestrian magic. What can you say?”
Trixie raised her hand to protest, then stopped herself. She smirked. “Oh, Sunset!” She raised a fist. “With Trixie’s practice in the other world, she is one step closer to besting you at magic!”
Sunset laughed it off. “Eh, save it for later.”
Luna stepped in, cutting in between the two. “Trixie, follow my lead and I shall bring you home. You have been outside for far too long.”
Trixie then went to vice principal’s side and walked with her up the road, but she was able to shoot off a wave at Sunset and friends who waved back.
Then, Sunset sighed and looked at Twilight; everyone else was looking at her with troubled expressions. “Let’s get back to Pinkie’s first.”
Twilight then laughed nervously again, adjusting her ponytail. “Eh-heh….”
Back at Pinkie’s house, one could hear laughter again with a couple of simulated explosions here and there. Rainbow and Applejack were shouting at each other, battling for first place in a racing game as their luxury cars darted through a vista of forests and rural landscapes with the added thrill of the police trailing behind—which could explain the police sirens from the bedroom.
Rarity shouted, “Why must you be so loud?!”
On the other hand, Starlight exclaimed, “Can I join?! Three can play this, right?”
Inside the kitchen with the lights on, Twilight sat at the countertop with a forlorn look on her face, tipping a ballpen and playing around with it. She looked to her left and saw the night sky through the window; she also saw Wallflower still watering the plants with a hose.
Sunset closed the refrigerator, holding a bottle of orange juice. She poured down a glass for her and Twilight on the counter.
Then, Sunset sat down with her. She gave her an anxious stare. “What happened? Did you trip or someone pushed you on accident?”
Twilight tapped her fingers again. “No.”
Sunset arched a brow. “So, you went through the portal on purpose?”
Twilight looked at the window. Then, she nodded.
“How did you do that?” Sunset asked. “Everyone else was probably watching you, knowing your crazy curiosity for all things magic recently.”
Twilight gulped. “A police car came by and everyone got distracted. I took the opportunity to go through the portal myself.”
Sunset’s eyes went wide as she kept staring at Twilight. Sunset could see her close to breaking down if the moist on her eyes mentioned anything. “But, why?”
Twilight took in a deep, damp breath. Chugged down half of her orange juice, slammed the glass on the surface. “I...” sighed. “E-Ever since you and my other self fought for the crown, or since you and your friends fought the sirens, I wanted to see what was going on, what this magic was. You know how I live: there’s something both useful and beautiful behind everything, and you can use that knowledge in a number of astounding ways, maybe even make something fruitful everyone will appreciate. But, this magic...” she raised a hand, only to let it drop, “after all this time, much of it still remains a mystery to me, and it’s tempting to go there and visit the source of all magic!” She took up her glass again. “I think, no, I know I shouldn’t be over-occupied about Equestria, but...maybe, it was a moment of weakness, and...and—“
Sunset patted her on the shoulder and sighed. “It’s OK, Twi. It’s OK.”
With Twilight muffling her sobs, rubbing the tears on her arm, lowered her head there.
A minute of her softly crying, a minute of Sunset almost hugging her.
Then, she let go, returning to her chair.
Twi lifted herself up, removed her glasses and wiped her eyes. “S-S-Sunset?”
She made a small smile, one of sympathy. “Of course, Twilight. I’ll forgive you.”
Twi smiled back, her cheeks wet.
“But, you did go through the portal without my permission,” Sunset said, sounding more bossy.
“Anything!” Twi said, nodding, half-pleading while holding both of her hands. “I’ll do anything! I was probably so dumb out there, jumping in without thinking!”
Sunset signaled her to stop with a raised hand. “Nothing too harsh.” Then, she looked up in thought. “Now, it has to be something that matches the crime so...what about cutting down on your caffeine starting today all the way ‘till Monday?”
“What?!” She raised her hands to her head, almost throwing her glasses off. “How am I gonna wake up on time? What if Celestia announces that we’ll start classes an hour earlier? She never announced anything yet and tomorrow’s Friday! What if there are pop quizzes and I’m still sleepy?!”
Sunset chuckled. “You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you can push past the pain.”
Twi frowned. “Ha-ha, Sunset. You think you can just call it ‘pain’ without knowing how unorganized your mind can be when you’re tired!”
Sunset smirked, teasing her with that look. “Better than being asleep at class, that’s for sure.”
“Ugh,” and she finished her orange juice.
Sunset looked at her own glass, saw that it was still full.
Twi considered the empty glass before her, trying to avoid Sunset with her eyes. “So, it might not seem the perfect time to talk about it but...E-Equestria….”
“Yes?” Sunset asked, perking up a bit. “You don’t have to go there for now. You can always ask me since I go there on a regular...uh, kind-of-regular basis.”
Twi smiled, looking back at her. “I-I know you’re concerned because it’s dangerous out there with dragons and griffons and whatever else is out there, but...what about a compromise?”
Sunset raised her brow. “What’s the compromise?”
She cleared her throat as if presenting something. “You accompany me to Equestria and give out a limited tour around Ponyville,” Twi suggested. “If that’s too dangerous, I could stay at the library inside the castle and read up on magic. I mean, hey, I’ve never seen a kite at night but I’m OK with reading about it, so...deal?” with a happy grin on her face.
Sunset tapped her chin. “Let’s see...on one side, you and your friends should come over in the near future, if only to visit the land where all this magic came from, and, hey, you all might learn a thing or two about friendship there!”
Twi held her hands together and grinned wider.
“But, on the other hand,” Sunset said, sounding less positive and then taking a sip of her orange juice, “you went through the portal without my permission or the Princess’s permission, you could’ve injured yourself or, worse, and you could’ve cursed yourself with some random spell or relic without meaning to.”
Twi rested her head on her palm, defeated. “So, no trips?
Sunset twirled her finger around. “There might be one within this week or next if you keep your promise of not fooling around.”
Twilight smiled, but then tempered herself. “I know there’s a catch. What’s the catch?”
Sunset rubbed her hands like an evil villain. “No caffeine until you get to Equestria.”
“What?!”
“Not even soda,” Sunset said, wagging her finger at her again.
“What about tea?!”
“You think I don’t know anything about tea?” Sunset said, crossing her arms. “Most teas are caffeinated.”
“Raw sugar?”
“Your parents are gonna get sick of you eating raw sugar everyday.”
Twi groaned and smacked her face on the counter.
Sunset laughed. “What else can I do? You have to face the music, after all, and it’s where it hurts the most; can’t let you go scot-free and not learn anything.”
“Ugh!” She rubbed her head, groaning more. “Not like this!”
By midnight, everyone was asleep in Pinkie’s bedroom; the lights were off, casting everything under a dark blue, illuminated only by the soft glow of the moon. The walls were decorated with balloons from all over town and hanging pictures of sunny days. Lying on a shelf was a plushie for sleeping and a box of jewelry not for sleeping. Fittingly, Rarity was sleeping closest to such precious valuables, sleeping right under the shelf with her sleeping bag. Everyone else had their sleeping bags, too, with matching colors and pillows. Though Pinkie and Applejack snored the loudest, everyone was sound asleep.
Everyone except for Twilight.
She sat up on the bed, the only one not resting in a sleeping bag. She looked out the window and saw the moon and the stars once again.
Then, she tip-toed her way out of the room, careful to not to step on someone lest they know what feet would taste like if they were snoring.
She gently closed the door, put on a warm jacket over her pajama shirt, went through the halls, and traveled down the stairs, relaxing herself as she walked more normally without the need to be careful around anyone. She went through the kitchen, into the living room, put on some flip-flops, and opened the front door.
Outside, she saw the same night scene before her, although the moon was a bit higher. Where Wallflower had been, she was gone, though the plants looked a bit better thanks to her work.
Twi sat down on the grass, looking up at the moon. “I know I shouldn’t be doing this, but—“
Door creaking.
She shuddered and looked behind her.
“Oh!” Starlight said, waving at her with her black vest over her pajamas. “Just you, huh?”
Twi smiled as Starlight closed the door. “Yeah, just me.”
Starlight smiled back as she walked to her side and sat down.
Both of them sat on the grass, seeing the neighbors’ houses and their trimmed front yards.
“I can’t sleep,” Twi confessed, breaking the silence.
“Why?” Starlight asked. “Because I can’t sleep, too. I had a blast with Fast Tires 3! I have no idea how a car works or what gas is made of here, but it’s like an action movie where you’re the actor doing all those crazy moves and tricks!”
Twi nodded, understanding her. “Yeah. I’ve played some of that as well.”
Starlight raised her brow. “Wait. You play video games and get high grades at school?”
Twi laughed. “Not as much as Applejack, Rainbow, and Pinkie do, but they’re fun. In fact, studies show that if you play games that require fast reflexes and quick thinking, you’ll actually strengthen your brain!”
“Huh.” Starlight pondered on that statement. “When I came here, I’ve seen people staring mindlessly at the screen, and I thought, ‘What are they doing, just watching what comes up and pressing buttons at the right time?’”
Twi gave her a smiling shake of the head. “That’s what I first thought, too, but then, when you dive into them, you realize there’s a whole world of complexity underneath!”
Starlight wondered about that for a moment. “OK, that’s understandable. Just...I didn’t expect you to play video games.”
“Heh, now you know.”
And both of them laughed under the night.
Then, Starlight sighed. “So, what’s keeping you up?
Twi looked up at the sky, seeing the moon and the stars again as they glittered. “A lot of things, really.”
Starlight smirked. “Gone through the portal, huh?”
Twi tried to smirk back, but it came off feeling guilty. “Yeah, not my best moment.”
She smiled. “Let me guess: You can’t sleep because you’ve been thinking about Equestria and your time there as a pony. Am I right?”
Twi nodded. “Yeah. That’s it.”
Starlight kept up the smile as she leaned closer. “I can see why. You’ve had magic before, but you only use it when you need to or when it makes your life better. I see you levitate a few out-of-reach pencils from time to time, but never to the extent of an actual unicorn. Or alicorn.”
Another nervous laugh came from Twilight. “That feeling, though, when you have the full power of magic unlocked...and it’s right here.” She pointed to her forehead which lacked a horn. “I felt it. If only I knew how to really use it, then I would do more than just float stuff around.”
Starlight chuckled. “Yeah, that does sound fun and exciting, isn’t it? For me, it’s mundane because magic is so common, no one notices because everyone else uses it one way or another. But, when you gain a power only few others in this world could ever possess...” Starlight bobbed her head around, “I see where you’re getting at.”
Twi placed a hand on her head. “I’ve learned to embrace the magic some time ago, and...maybe I’m embracing it too much.”
“What do you mean?” Starlight asked, taken aback. “Do you mean, not controlling your magic powers?”
Twi looked back up to the dark sky. “Maybe, maybe not. I know how to keep my own magical powers in check and make sure our geodes don’t go all cuckoo, but that’s because my magic’s tied to the others, and I don’t want to hurt or embarrass them.” She breathed in a sigh. “What happens if I go out there? If my magic goes...um, independent? That I can use it whenever I want, even train myself in the art of spellcasting and...maybe make something that will help the world by combining science and magic?”
“You do know magic is a science in our world,” Starlight said in a sober way. “It’s not like those fairytale books where magic just is. There’s a whole hierarchy of complicated rules and systems for magic with types, sub-types and—“ noticed Twi smiling wider “—I’m just fanning the flame of your curiosity, amn’t I?”
Twi then caught herself and scratched the back of her head. “Heh, sorry! Couldn’t help myself!”
Starlight replied with scratching her own head. “Yeah, magic’s like that. There are some parts we can’t explain for now like...well, a lot of the things in the forest at my backyard, but that’s because there aren’t enough brave explorers to try.”
Twi nodded.
“So...anything else?” Starlight said. “I know you gotta sleep early, but—“ checked the watch on her wrist “—wow, you better go to sleep!”
“I’ll be fine,” Twi replied with a brush of her hand. “It’s not going to be that bad.”
“Aren’t you gonna avoid all sorts of caffeine and sugar for some time?” Starlight asked.
Twi glared at her. “Don’t remind me!”
Starlight grinned, putting both her hands up in self-defense. “Alright, no biggie! Just asking.”
Then, Twi’s glare gave way to a profound frown, looking down on the road before her. She curled up her knees, holding them with her arms. “You saw me meet my Princess self back there, didn’t you?”
Starlight nodded. “You both looked very similar! Trim your mane and take off your glasses, and I can’t tell who’s who!”
Twi laughed at that, then her laugh trailed off to a small, sarcastic chuckle. “When we first met some time ago, it was her going to us. It lasted for...what, five to ten minutes?” She turned her head back up. “It was fun and weird...but still fun to meet my other self in a place you’re familiar in. But to go to her place and see her where she belongs…” then forced a cough
Starlight reached in her vest for some pills, but then gave up.
“Remember when I asked you about how old she was compared to me?” Twi then asked.
Starlight nodded. “Uh-huh. What about it?”
Twi sighed, deeper this time. “Was...was I just following her the whole time?”
Starlight cocked her head to the side. “Uh, no? You followed her for less than a day, if tonight counts for anything.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Twi said, looking back on the grass around her. “Just think about it: In two separate worlds, one with magic and one without, there are two beings who have the same skin and coat color, who have the same hair colors down to the stripes, who have the same voice and the same name, and even our personalities aren’t all that different. Her parents are Twilight Velvet and Night Light, my parents are Twilight Velvet and Night Light—not to mention we both have a Big Brother Best Friend Forever in Shining Armor, and we both used to have a babysitter called Cadance—and those last two? They’re in a romantic relationship in both worlds!” She stopped, breathing slowly and controlling her stress. “I remember Sunset telling me how Twilight came to be where she is now...how she moved away from snobby Canterlot to a cozier place in Ponyville where she found her closest friends.” She took in a deep breath. “That’s the same thing that happened to me!” Pointed both hands at herself. “I went away from snobby Crystal Prep to a cozier place in Canterlot High where I found my closest friends!” Her speech was slowly wavering. “And the worst part? I’m always one step behind my other self with all those things. I was even born later than her! She’s probably past college age at this point, and...and, here I am!” her voice choking.
Starlight looked terrified, surprised at first. Then, she inched closer to her and wrapped an arm around her. “Your friends also have their other selves and, from what I can tell, they’re younger than their pony selves and they seem fine with it.”
Twi rubbed her dry eyes, removing her glasses. “I know, but...I don’t want to think about it, but I have to think about it because I’m not satisfied with an unanswered question!”
Starlight rubbed her chin. “So, the reason why you want to go to Equestria is to ask your other self why your lives are so alike?”
Twi shook her head. “Not the only one, but...” nodding again “but it’s one...and the magic, too...and what they could teach me about friendship, too, since I know that friendship is literally magic over there, and how bright it is over there….”
Starlight smiled. “Well, I haven’t seen my other self here, so I don’t know what to tell you, really. But, hey, you’re here, you’re alive, and you got great friends. Sure, your life’s like a copycat of some Princess in a magical world—so what?” She released her arm from Twilight. “Everything else about you is different...like how you’re good at video games,” and she winked.
Twi looked at her, awestruck by what was just said.
“You’re pretty similar, yeah, but you have the rest of your life to control and make your own. The Twilight I know has tons of responsibilities as a Princess and she doesn’t have access to those computing thingamajigs, but you have different responsibilities and you are smart with those screens and keyboards and mice, all those wires and blinking lights and...other techy stuff I don’t understand.” Starlight blushed in embarrasment.
Twi leaned her head back in laughter. “Yeah. I guess I do have that!”
Starlight looked at her watch. “Anyway, time to hit the hay!”
Twi snickered as she stood up, pulling Starlight as well. “You’re not sleeping on hay next time, right?”
“I heard it’s just an expression here,” Starlight replied as they walked to the front door, “but back home? Hay beds aren’t as bad as you think.”
And they chatted with each other while they closed the door behind them, leaving the night sky above their roof.
Now, no one was outside, though Pinkie’s and Applejack’s loud snoring could still be heard.
9054319
And what gives Twilight the right to decide who travels to Equestria, when neither she, Sunset or Starlight asked any human authority for permission to enter the country?
9055292
I thought It was stated Trixie's talent is stage magic.
Hmmm, how about Cola? I heard it has significant amount of caffeine.
Hold on, where is Rainbow? Why don't she join the snoring contest?
9055670
Two lines before that is the following:
Don't worry about it. We all overlook stuff from time to time.
Right. Forgot about her awful snoring back in Sleepless in Ponyville.
9055682
I forgot soda in US also means pop. Soda at my home means soda water that you mix with liquor.
Um, what? As far as I remember Everfree animals tended to stay in the forest, so Ponyville pretty much a safe place. Or Sunset just trying to scare Sci-Twi off?
No caffeine? Harsh.
I know how it is, I used to have a ridiculous caffeine intake years ago, and it was a rough month or so when I had to give it up, but I've been ~99% caffeine free for probably a decade+. (The occasional cup of tea or caffeinated soda can be helpful, but I don't actually run on caffeine anymore.)
9055711
I know. But, really, who could tell what Sci-Twi's first instincts would be if she managed to get outside? The castle is somewhat at the outskirts of Ponyville, and if she decides to gallop over there in the name of research or, worse, teleports herself there on accident, she'd be in big trouble.
You could also pin it on Sunset being overly cautious.
Now why couldn't she of thought of that way back in chapter 1? Might have saved a whole lot of trouble if she had and Sunset brought it up with Princess Twilight.
Seriously, what's the deal with Wallflower the night gardener? Bizarre little detail that's persisted through three chapters.
I can understand Sunset's concern, but I do think she's being overprotective. How lany cursed artifacts does Ponyville even have?
Twilight does know that sugar is available in forma other than bags of it, right? Seriously, girl, go the Pinkie route and use candy and pastries. Though I suppose chocolate is out given the total caffeine ban.
In any case, best that Sci-Twi be given access to Equestria sooner rather than later. Otherwise, this will be far from the only time she sneaks across dimensions.
9053784
9053814
"We" in this function relates to the people of Equestria who are relatively in charge of the portal, seeing as how it's theirs. "We" in this function relates to people who deal with things that aren't all that you just mentioned as far as dangers go, but - as stated - enemies such as demigods and monsters so fierce they can only be imprisoned in Hell on a fairly regular basis. Or hell, even just spell misfire. It doesn't matter how you'd get tired of it, you're not a character of the story. Sci-Twi is showing excessive levels of obsession and, again as stated, practically addiction to the idea. Unhealthy. So what she wants in this case is not a good idea and it's logical to regulate or delay until such time as it is a good idea.
Something the normally logically-based Sci-Twi should be able to completely understand.
As for you Morion, nothing in the writing at all suggests that Princess Twilight or Sunset feels no one else deserves to go, but they do have concerns regarding the issue. They are looking out for their friends on both sides of the mirror. It's not about 'deserving to go' at all. That is you projecting your dissatisfaction onto the issue, or reacting as if you were Sci-Twi in the current situation when that is not the purpose of this story.
I hope this doesn't go on for too much longer, Equestria isn't that dangerous. The way they keep talking about it you'd think it was the equivalent of walking into the wasteland from Fallout.
Ya lost me. The anger and greed that seems to pour out of Sunset and pony-Twilight at this point is disgusting. I’ve never seen Twilight written in such a possessive way before and I can’t see them doing this. Twilight may own one side of the portal, but Sunset doesn’t own the statue. You also write it as though Sci-Twi, who’s just as curious as pony-Twi, committed treason or something and should be punished.
Rarity’s freak out also made no sense. Maybe if she thought it was a changeling, but no, she identifies them correctly and still freaks the hell out. I just don’t see the big deal you’re making out of using the portal. It’s been there for years and nobody claimed it. Not to mention Starswirl didn’t think much of the other side when he threw all of these dangerous people and items through, which the human 7 now have to clean up.
9055716
Except that Twilight's castle is at the north end of Ponyville, while the Everfree is further to the southeast, past Sweet Apple Acres. Not exactly a short walk for a newcomer.
9055890
I think part of it is their concern for the girl's safety if and when they do come to Equestria. Taken a bit far I think, but they still don't want to see them hurt or worse by something they've never faced before.
It can't be for the safety of the universe. Twilight already knows she and Sci Twi can be in the same universe together and nothing happens.
Unless it's Pinkie Pie. Then we worry.
9056025
The problem is that to read it that way I have to assume the mane6 are treating their others as small children or that they're going to be going around destroying Equestria. They keep telling the others its dangerous but foals are running around Ponyville all the time! Please explain to me how 7 people connected to the Elements of Harmony and have shown at least a little self control are less capable of surviving in Ponyville than dumb foals who go into the Everfree and bring back an Ursa Minor.
9055621
Maybe because the portal is in HER house/Castle. That gives her the right to dictate. They'd be breaking the law if they went through without Princess Twilight's permission. Not the best impression to make in a foreign land.
9056183
I'm reading it the same way. Hence why I think there's something else to it than unneeded wory about safety.
At least on Princess Twilight's side of things.
9055621 A very good question.
9055802 They're "in charge" of the portal because they're conspiring to keep the portal a secret from the human authorities, even though dangerous magic keeps coming through that puts innocent lives at risk. At this point the Equestrian government appears less trustworthy and responsible than whatever the human government is on the other side of the portal.
Foreshadowing!
Wait until Sci-Twi hears about Flurry Heart.
9056259
And don´t forget Starswirl gotta-put-equestrian-problems-elsewhere the Bearded.
9056284 Good point. I can see why the Equestrian government never contacted their human counterparts, they'd probably want to extradite Starswirl.
9056250
thank you! XD
Need for Speed:Hot Pursuit?
Before I go reply to only two comments (because I think much of the discussion can speak for themselves), I'd just like to say that I've never seen this level of honest discussion and debate in one of my stories before. It's by God's grace that I could write something that could foster this kind of talking where reasons and consequences are more than just afterthoughts.
So, let's get to it:
9055890
Are they greedy? The thing is, greedy for what? As stated in this chapter, Sunset is open to the idea of letting them in (and the princess is, too, to an extent). As long as they don't cut classes or anything like that, then there's nothing for these two ponies to be greedy about.
Are Sunset and Princess Twilight angry? Yes, and they should be. For the princess, she got unexpected guests and, coupled with her niche for scheduling plus the potential stress that being a princess can bring about, she has all the right to be angry at her other self because the princess is assuming Sci-Twi knows about the risks of going to Equestria willy-nilly. As for Sunset, she has all the right to be more angry because Sci-Twi broke her order to not go through the portal which could be construed (or misconstrued) as a sign of lack of trust in Sunset. However, despite all of that, Sunset and the princess were as kind as they could be given the circumstance, and while Sunset does give her a punishment, the conversation here is kind of casual, so to speak, for meting out punishment, and it's (sort of) casual as well. No caffeine until she goes to Equestria? It might tear her away from coffee dependency, so.... But, in all seriousness, it's a rather lenient punishment for going across dimensions without permission.
On the topic of punishments: Sci-Twi did not leave the castle, not even the library. However, that could've gone far worse; what if she had enough time to try out unicorn/alicorn magic and then it backfires on her because she's only familiar with how it works for a human and not for a pony? She could've misteleported herself into a faraway place and cause a big problem down the line. Plus, she's letting curiosity get the better of her, clouding her good judgment. She could've harmed herself and even Trixie if she wasn't careful or confused about it. While it isn't treason, she did disobey Sunset's direct orders and she's seen as the expert because she's born a pony, and to mistrust the expert and go about it your own way won't be met well.
I know who Queen Elizabeth is, but I'd still be surprised and speechless if I get to meet her. While that's an extreme example, Rarity went through the same motions; sure, she knows that Twilight has another self beyond the mirror, but she's never actually seen her right before her eyes (whether in pony or in human form).
As for the portal and how rarely it's used, I think it's par for the course. Even if Sunset goes back and forth once in a while, the portal does not see regular usage. Twilight's friends know about it, but it's not something in the back of their minds everyday, nor is it something they expect to deal with as a problem in the near future.
Also, I agree that Starswirl's banishing villains and dangerous artifacts to some poor innocent dimension isn't a good idea, but he wasn't exactly the best pony to be with before Shadow Play happened. I bet, during those years, he wouldn't care less if the other dimension got terrorized as a result as long as Equestria is safe.
9056006
Right, right. I forgot about that. Again, not something a little adjustment can't fix.
9056783
I think it also helps that Sci Twi is genuinely sorry for what she did and she knows it was a mistake, and that her obsessing like she is isn't healthy.
Probably also helps that I think both Sunset and Princess Twi also realize that. Or I hope they do.
9056783
Perhaps greedy isn't the right word. I think possessive would work better. Now in Twilight's case that's totally fine. She owns the mirror that's on the other end. I also totally get wanting to be careful about this, but I'd feel kind of spat on if I was told it was dangerous to use a portal by someone, then they bring their buddy through it on a whim(Starlight). I'd probably be less offended if you outright punched me in the face and said I was a jerk.
As for the punishments aside from Trixie, who STILL didn't cause any trouble and just wanted to learn about real magic but was treated like she broke a law...I can't see it. PTwilight went through it with no backup chasing someone who could have wanted to do her harm and while I can spend all day complaining about gross negligence on Celestia's part she survived. To assume anything less of your counterparts when they've shown themselves to be so closely related to your friends is being both insincere and cruel. Not only that, they've come to you asking first and your first response is to say "No, only me and my buddy Sunset are allowed to use it. Oh, and Glimmer too if we decide on it."? If it was such an issue I don't think they would have let Starlight through a second time, so at this point it's kind of asinine.
9056175
It could also be seen as Sunset writing a comic book of what actually happened. And, even then, there's the whole Juniper Montage incident I can fall back to, considering it happened in a mall which seems to be the next most recent "magic accident" in public if I recall correctly.
9057034
Yeah, I think you put your point better with "possessive". It's clearer, now.
First, a pony going to the human world and a human going to the pony world don't carry the same level of danger. A pony would, yes, face things like speeding cars and the loss of magic which would disorient them for a while, but, otherwise, all that pony would need to do is to observe and blend in; the lack of magic, while a bane for the pony, would also be a boon since no magic also means no dangerous magic's around (usually). A human going to the pony world, on the other hand, would mean getting used to a whole new force/energy known as magic, having to learn how to defend themselves from magical threats, all while not being corrupted (which may or may not happen here) with a lack of self-control over new powers—and, if they're not ready in enough time, they're easy prey for magical threats or even jokesters like Discord, reformed as he may be.
Second, Trixie wasn't being responsible with her trip through the portal. The whole reason wasn't even curiosity which, by itself, is a noble thing to have. It's all about one-upping Sunset in magical skill; yeah, she does want to learn about magic, but she wants to use it as a way to win a rather petty contest. The risk outweighs the reward, so to speak, so while she did not technically break any laws, this display of irresponsibility probably won't bode well for some time.
Third, Princess Twilight had no other choice. Sure, she had to go up against terrible odds, but better sorry than safe when the harmony of both worlds are at stake. (As for Celestia being negligent, she's had a thousand years of experience; taking a hooves-off approach even in such a situation would make sense to her, considering how Twilight's already saved Equestria a couple of times by that point.)
Fourth, just because her other-worldly friends are good with Sunset and Starlight doesn't mean they're magically ready for Equestria. As has been shown in a previous chapter, Twilight wasn't mad that her other self came over—or, if she was, she did her best to suppress it. You could even say she was "regretfully happy" that Sci-Twi went over, for lack of a better term. What may have been in her mind, however, is concern—maybe too cautious, yes, but if she's gonna accommodate out-of-world creatures from a magicless dimension into one brimming with magic both good and bad, she had to be very sure things would go well. And, I could cut her some slack for being too cautious if that's the case; if their friends and families or, worse, the authorities realize that, say, Sci-Twi is trapped in the Dragon Lands due to a misteleport, they wouldn't be happy, to say the least.
Anyway, you thought this through and you're willing to voice your thoughts out about this one; that's always a good thing. Thank you.
9056259
Yes, because putting a human government on watch about magic and interdimensional accessibility is going to end well for anyone involved. Sci-Twi's got it bad already, now picture that but spread across the world's whole list of spooks, kooks, think-tanks, and heads of state. Because the moment ONE government learns about it all the other big players will too, and they'll also want a piece of the pie. First question will be, "How do we kill them?" Next is "How do we make ourselves untouchable to them?" Then "How do we make them useful to us?" And regardless of what else is going on the attempts to harvest and harness magic will begin, creating an arms race that puts the run for The Bomb to shame. We already saw similar with Sci-Twi in Friendship Games, so we've got as much precedent one way or the other as we're going to get. The fact no one's reported any of this to the government is also a huge up in favor of this far more realistic point of view, the only reason not to is because they know their government would screw it all up.
There's a reason people don't bring in "the authorities" in the vast majority of stories. Because the authorities don't know what they're doing either, and they always, always have other motives in mind than making friends and hanging out with them by hopping dimensions to catch a pizza party sleepover together. You think the government will know how to properly deal with this 'issue'? What are their forces going to do against evil magic? Midnight Sparkle was eating away reality, I'd be legitimately surprised if any amount of bullets or bombs could have even touched her. The Sirens could have simply turned a whole army against each other because they wouldn't seem to have been the actual threat until it was too late. The only recourse would be to rely on the girls with the counter-magic to do something about it... which means absolute disruption of their lives, relationships, and harmony as they're basically viewed as a deterrent weapon by the folks in suits, not as teenagers. At least until they make some magical weapons of their own, because combative force would be the only acceptable way to handle both magical defense and diplomacy in their eyes - international diplomacy is always about negotiating from a position of strength, I highly doubt they'd throw that out the window just because of interdimensional diplomacy now being a thing. Then other nations would demand access to the research or the site itself so they can also protect themselves against potential incursions, but that'd be a front so that they could stay in the magical weapon running and not be left behind by whichever nation is hosting the portal.
Who knows how'd that destabilize things further. Starswirl sent unstoppable beings to this world because it had no/low magic, all the magic activity lately has woken up things who haven't been a threat because of the lack of magic. Every government trying to churn out magitek nukes would cause an even greater problem than a couple of teenage girls popping in and out of magical pony land and sending the villain of the week packing.
So no, I disagree on which group is more trustworthy.
9057881
Just read it and...wow. You really thought about this one, huh? It's actually a good premise for a fic in and of itself, though I don't think I'm capable of bringing in the intrigue and sheer terror such a fic should have. Gave off a feeling of Animorphs/Shadowrun, to be honest.
9057913
Oh hell yes, that'd be a great read. I'd certainly get my hands on that. But as for the current setting we have in this story it'd be one of the worst possible outcomes for the poor dears.
And now I think I know what Twilight's problem has been recently. She's high on caffeine and she's not thinking straight. Otherwise she might have thought things through better with recent events.
Not the full problem true, but it's a start. And Sunset knows that.
Took me awhile to figure it out.
9057034
Actually, she did break the law. Trespassing in someponies else house without permission from the owner. You'd be charged in the real world for that.
This is what people forget. The human world portal is on land that is public, so anyone can be there. The Equestria portal is in some bodies home, meaning you end up breaking the law in a foreign nation if you use it to go to Equestria. Interdimenional incident mean anything to anyone?
Consider the other times uninvited guests appeared. Starlight, Changelings, Discord.
Kind of interesting, how the similarity of both worlds is being poked at. And Twilight's suspicion about following in Princess-Twi's footsteps may not be exactly wrong, just suffering from a lack of any more data than two points. It's quite possible that the worlds are portal-linked simply due to the low level of total destiny divergence, meaning that very nearly everyone in both worlds is going to have a doppleganger in the other who has an extremely similar life path. (Hmm, fanfic idea... Starswirl linked the universes back when they were more divergent, and used the energy potential between them as a power source, slowly draining the differences between the two realities over time. That's why the CHS-verse has spawned a Luna and Celestia sometime in the past 40 years, why a bunch of seals and magic prisons created a thousand years ago in Equestria have started failing recently, and why magic is beginning to be able to leak between the worlds.)
Alternatively, Twilights across the multiverse may have something of a pattern to their lives; that doesn't mean that any one of them is necessarily following any other one, just that Twilights in general will tend to have similar fates, particularly early on in their lives when the increasing number of tiny divergences haven't had time to add up to very different results. In particular, I'd be interested to know whether Twilight of Equestria's ascension was an instance of a common life change for Twilights, or an anomaly - it's a very sharp turn for a life-path, or at least looks that way. CHS-Twilight hasn't had a permanent life change like that, but she's younger; perhaps it tends to happen more once a Twilight hits independence in their home society? Or is this a severe enough change that Equestria-Twilight was diverted down a far less well-trodden destiny?
.... that’s supposed to be a parody on Need for speed? Or GTA or something?
9182775
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010), specifically. The forests I had in mind were the redwoods one from Seacrest County.
Objection! There’s never been any evidence that cadence and shining armour in the human world were ever dating at all
Objection
9236791
Overruled!!!! The looks they gave each other in Cinch's office certainly implied potential at least
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mylittleponydischorddisaster/images/5/59/Lily_TheHorror.gif/revision/latest?cb=20110507204518
Having Starlight give you a rundown on magic is the equivalent of having next to no experience in physics and then getting a lecture from J. Robert Oppenheimer.