---

Peace and quiet.

A blissful serenity.

Twilight lay on the library floor reading. Surrounding her was a carpet of books on all manner of subjects. Every so often she would pick one up with her magic and bring it over to her, before reading a few pages and then tossing it back. Her nose was, at that moment, buried in a particularly hefty volume of ‘The A-Z of Spells: T-W’.

The book was old and worn; its spine held together with tape. The cover was made of a thick leather which, whenever beaten, excreted a fine cloud of dust. Twilight’s eyes scanned the yellowed pages searching for some new spell to attempt to master. Her lips opened and closed slowly, mouthing names.

“Weather control, weight addition, well digging, wet mane, what if...”

Twilight’s ears stood up and her lips parted, her eyes engrossed in the proceeding paragraph.

“The ‘what if’ spell is an illusory universe spell in which the spell caster, and optionally accomplice, view an alternate form of the universe bounded under the condition of a random change in the history of its timeline. Casting this spell takes an accomplished skill level, yet consumes little energy and wears off after only a brief period of time.”

Twilight turned her head towards the library window. The frame was set in thick shadows under the midday sun. Specks of dust floated around the edges, glinting in the shafts of sunlight that crept around the edges of the gnarled wood. She bit her lip, pondering.

“Spike,” Twilight called, “time to wake up. I’ve got something we need to try.”

Her shout was answered with a crash and the sound of muffled sarcasm.

“But it’s only midday.”

“Come on, Spike.”

A series of plodding footsteps followed before a draconic face, scrunched up in slumber, peered over the balcony and yawned. Twilight looked up expectantly, her hooves crossed in front of her. Spike breathed out heavily and descended the stairs, taking each step with a heavy, lumbering stride.

“What did you wake me up for?”

“Spike, you know how you love to visit other places?” Twilight’s smile beamed.

“Yeah,” Spike said, a hint of caution in his voice, “I just hate travelling. You know that.”

“Well, I have a solution.”

“A solution?” Spike raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

“Indeed, a solution.”

“What?”

“A spell.”

“Teleportation? You know I hate teleportation, it feels so weird”

“No, Spike, better than teleportation.”

“What then?”

Twilight didn’t reply, she was already too deeply enthralled studying casting instructions. Spike looked over to see myriad unintelligible symbols sprawling across the page of the book. Trying to make sense, he scanned the page, to no avail.

A washed out glow surrounded Twilight’s horn, basking the room in a cold light and dimming the the outside world. Her face was fixed with concentration. The edges of the library began to fade into darkness and silence enveloped the pair. Everything started to spin, slowly, yet picking up pace. Flashes of white came from Twilight’s horn, bursting to the edges of the darkness and stopping as they went, slowed to a halt. The intensity of the glow increased, throwing warped shadows onto the library floor. A ticking began, building up momentum. With a final crash, the world went white and then black, existence fading...

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

Sunlight streamed through the open window of the library, sending light dancing across Twilight’s coat. Her breathing was deep and laboured, characterised by the sound of phlegm. She rolled over in bed, causing the mattress to groan in complaint. Slowly, she raised her hooves and began to run them down her body caressing her bulbous form. The sweaty flaps of fat shivered in response to her pudgy touch.

Reaching into a crevasse upon her stomach, she began to move her hoof around, covering it in sweat. Once she was fully satisfied, she pulled it out and brought it up to her mouth. Carefully, she lapped the sweat off her hoof, humming softly in satisfaction.

“Mmm, salt,” she murmured contentedly, before letting her hoof fall to her side again and basking in the sunshine.

The floorboards creaked as a large, round, purple blob pulled itself out of its bed. Its green spines stuck to its form as it moved, dried bodily fluids acting as glue. With every step its form wobbled, smooth waves of displaced flesh running over its skin.

“Twilight, I’m going to get on my mobility scooter and ride down to sugarcube corner. Do you want anything?”

“Get my another tub of sugar coated lard, Spike; number one fatsistant.”

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

A searing flash of white light left Spike and Twilight back in the real world. A dull throbbing ran through Spike’s head, clouding his thoughts. He found himself laying face down, becoming well acquainted with a book on acupuncture. Peering over, he caught sight of Twilight. A look of bewilderment framed her face; her jaw hung loose and her eyes were scrunched up with a far off gaze.

“Twilight, what just happened?” Spike said uneasily, unsure of something he couldn’t name.

“I don’t know, Spike. I don’t know.”

They sat there awhile in silence, lack of comprehension muting them. Twilight was the first to break the silence.

“Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to try it again?”

Words slipped out of Spike’s mouth before he could comprehend them, “Yeah.”

Again, Twilight’s face took on a look of deep concentration and the world began to spin again. Sounds of the outdoors faded away and were replaced by a strange silence. Colour was washed away from the world, the ticking began, and again, there was another great flash.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

A sign hung at the entrance to the town, signaling to all who passed by where they had ventured upon. Its big, broad letters clearly proclaimed Welcome to Punnyville.

It was a quiet day in the market and Twilight and Spike were browsing the market stalls of the various merchants that had set up shop. The town square was populated by colourful carts of all hues. A small number of ponies milled around, peacefully inspecting what offers they might find. The sun was low in the sky, basking the ground in a cool, autumnal light.

Spike held a checklist in his hands, keeping track of what they had bought.

“Well, Spike, I’m buying these tomatoes. You better market down,” Twilight said in a loud, over emphasized voice.

“I find that you have spiked by interest, Twilight,” Spike replied in an equally ridiculous manner, a toothy grin spread across his face.

At this, all the ponies in earshot burst into raucous laughter and rolled around on the floor, holding back tears, for promptly seven seconds, before getting up again and continuing with what they were doing.

As Twilight and Spike continued with their shopping, a familiar rainbow maned pegasus landed besides them.

“Hey, Rainbow,” Spike began, in his goofy voice, “you got here awful quick. I suppose that’s why they call you Dash.”

“Psst, Spike,” Twilight whispered, “I don’t think that’s actually a pun.”

Spike froze, a nervous sweat breaking on his forehead. Luckily, Rainbow cleared her throat and began...

“Don’t worry, Twilight. Spike can cook me some meat to make up for his misteak.”

Ponies all around again burst into audacious fits of laughter for a prompt seven seconds before carrying on with what they were doing.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

Twilight found herself looking up at the ceiling, inspecting each little nook and crevice on the wood bitten by age. Thoughts danced around her head without any semblance of order. She tried to comprehend what she had seen, but instead she just lay there, listening to the far off sounds of a busy village afternoon.

A fly lazily drifted above her, randomly going to and fro. Every so often it would settle on a surface and idle there for awhile, before taking off and continuing its quest for an unknown goal.

“Are you ready to go again, Spike?”

“I think so.”

Twilight’s face screwed as she focused through the maelstrom of her thoughts. Piece by piece, the spell came together, until, with a bright flash, they were gone.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

“Don’t be so silly, Fluttershy,” Rarity’s voice rang with an informative tone, “we should be past these mistakes by now. The necessary condition for a set to be considered infinite is that it should have an injection to a proper subset of itself, not a bijection. Honestly, what have you be reading, darling.”

“I’m sorry,” Fluttershy hid behind her mane, her eyes casting themselves down, ”it’s just I’ve been reading a lot of philosophy.”

“What would Twilight say, dear? You spend far too much time reading philosophy. We need to be educated on all manner of subjects. We are not here to specialise.”

“But Nietzsche’s ideas of overcoming yourself...”

“I’ll hear no more of it, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy fell silent. She stood facing Rarity. Both were in the library, sorting books. Rarity wore a look of disappointment; her mane was ruffled and her coat was covered in dust. A dozen books circled her head outlined by a thin glow. Ordering and reordering themselves, they one by one made their way to where they belonged, travelling throughout the library.

“What would Twilight think, Fluttershy?” Rarity said, a note of regret in her voice. She carefully observed a book on astronomy, before moving it over to the opposing side of the library.

She looked over at Fluttershy. Fluttershy was hunched up, hiding behind her hair out of shame. Her eyes slowly wandered over the pile of books before the two, as if searching for something.

Candlelight lit the room. It was dark outside, the moon’s light obscured by a cloud layer. Wind howled through the trees with quiet calls, working at their branches. The old wooden library creaked with age, an occasional bump or the sounding of a mouse breaking the oppressive monotony.

“Rarity, you need to stop feeling so guilty about Twilight.”

Rarity dropped the book she had grasped in her telekinesis. It dropped with a thud, emitting a plume of dust.

“What do you mean?” Rarity’s voice was uncertain, frayed at the edges.

“We can’t live like this forever, Rarity.”

“But we promised...”

“Is this what Twilight would want?”

A knot caught in Rarity’s throat as the memories came rushing back to her, replaying over and over in her head.

Discord. The Elements of Harmony failing. Twilight convincing all her friends except the yellow pegasus and the white unicorn. Sacrifice...

Fluttershy continued, “Do you think Twilight would have wanted us to live these miserable lives?”

“They’re not miserable, they’re noble.”

“But they’re not, Rarity. Just look at yourself. This isn’t the Rarity who Twilight knew and loved. This is a mess; somepony who hates herself,” Rarity cast her eyes down, “Come back to reality Rarity.”

Tears began to bite at the edges of Rarity’s vision.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

Spike sat, staring at Twilight. She wasn’t moving. She just lay on the floor, still; her breathing weak and melodious, fragile.

“Twilight...”

Spike’s voice died away, uncertainty drowning out his thoughts.

“Let’s go again, Spike.”

“Twilight, are you sur...”

“Let’s go again, Spike,” Twilight’s voice was firm, yet her eyes were glazed over and impassive.

Light enveloped her horn and, with a rapid flash, they were again gone.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

“Hello Rarity, what brings you by on this fine morning?” Twilight was chipper, enthused by the beautiful spring morning.

“Well, I have a new outfit I’m designing and I was wondering if you’d be a darling and try it on for me? You have the perfect dimensions for it.” Rarity’s eyelashes rapidly fluttered, as if a deadly weapon.

“Of course, come on in. Would you like something to drink?”

“A tea would be fabulous, darling?”

“One tea coming right up. Spike’s not in today so I’ll just be a minute”

Twilight made her way into the kitchen. Reaching up into a cupboard, she pulled out two mugs and a box of teabags. She threw a bag into each mug and proceeded to put away the box. Grabbing a kettle with her magic, she filled it with water from the tap and ignited a small fireball underneath it. Humming softly to herself, she heard the sound of shuffling and muffled curses along with a harsh snapping sound.

“Are you alright out there, Rarity?”

“Fine, dear,” Rarity replied, apprehension in her voice, “Just putting on a matching piece. I’d like to compare the two.”

“Okay,” Twilight chimed, picking up a book she’d left lying around and beginning to skim the contents.

After a short while the kettle began to whistle. With a single, swift movement, Twilight put out the fireball and poured the water into the mugs. Picking up a small bottle of milk, she unscrewed the top, before pouring a generous amount into the mugs. She picked up the mugs and sauntered back into the main room of the library. When she entered she gasped and dropped the mugs, breaking them on the wooden floor.

Before her stood Rarity dressed in a tight, leather catsuit. It was perforated all the way up the legs, showing off the lustrous white mane underneath. It contrasted noticeably with her coat, creating an effect which attracted the eyes. Adorning it was a padded saddle and held in Rarity’s mouth was a thin black whip. A similar outfit lay at Rarity’s feet, ready to be worn.

“Do you like it,” Rarity’s voice was a thin pur.

Twilight’s eyes opened wide, followed by her mouth. Her tongue fell out and she made a series of choking sounds as drool ran from her mouth.

“Very much so,” Twilight managed to splutter.

Rarity moved towards Twilight and interlocked their necks with a firm embrace.

“I’ve been waiting to do this for so long,” Rarity whispered in Twilight’s ear.

“Ride me, please.”

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

Spike stared incredulously at Twilight. Twilight wiped her brow, her face a look of worry.

“What?”

Slowly, Spike’s mouth curled up into a mischievous grin.

“Ugh, no, no, no,” Twilight shrieked, igniting her horn again.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

Sugarcube corner was filled to the brim. A large line had assembled, snaking up to the counter where Pinkie Pie was on a roll. She twirled and whirled and pranced and danced. Her baking was a blur, mixed thoroughly into her singing and dancing. The colours of her voice painted Sugarcube Corner with life. Finishing another cake she turned to the pink pony waiting for her order to be delivered to her.

“Here you go, Pinkie Pie.”

“Why thankyou, Pinkie Pie.”

“Next please.”

An eerie chorus carried through the room...

“Okie dokie lokie.”

The line bounced forward, its motion perfectly periodic as one pink pony proceeded to jump after another pink pony.

“Well hello, Pinkie Pie.”

“Hello, Pinkie Pie. How are you?”

“I’m just great. You?”

“Just brilliant.”

“What can i do for you?”

“Cake please, and lots of it.”

“Coming up. Having a party?”

“Am I?”

The chorus sounded again...

“Did someone say party?”

At this, a thousand Pink Ponies drew a thousand party cannons and fired. The world went a blinding shade of every shade as confetti filled the air. A blast of thousands of decibels sounded as one side of the planet imploded.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

“That was certainly...” A shudder ran down Twilight’s spine. She tried to articulate her dread but no words came. She was beginning to get used to this feeling though.

The sun was beginning to set. Evening shades of rich red wandered into the library, heating up the old tree with a warm touch. Dainty shadows were beginning to form at the corners of the room, setting themselves away for the coming night. Threads of spiderwebs glistened a strange dull copper, wrapping the ceiling in touches of the day’s sun.

Twilight’s horn lazily began to spark, the world melting away with a comfortable ease.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

On a hill over sitting Ponyville, sat two silhouettes, watching the rising sun. The figures had been sitting there all night, talking and listening to the sounds of one another being real. A thick blanket coiled around them, locking in the heat from their combined life force. Now they sat in relative silence, watching the world wake.

Rarity whispered, ”Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“What happens when you grow up?”

Spike tensed, a familiar fear pulling at him again.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you’re already bigger than me, and you’ve only really just started growing.”

Spike bent his toes, enjoying the feeling of his claws digging into the dry mud.

“What did we do when you were bigger than me?”

“That was different, Spike. We knew you were going to grow, but know, I’m not going to grow.”

“Does size matter?”

“I don’t know, Spike. I don’t know.”

Rarity snuggled up closer to Spike. Nestling her head into his sinuous chest, she closed her eyes. After a minute or two, Spike felt a small point of moisture on him. It was cold and piercing, but he did not bother to remove it.

◭➳◮‖ℒℋϰ⊪∑✇⏆⏇⏈

Spike and Twilight lay looking up at the ceiling steeped in darkness. They did not know how long they had been lying there, they did not care either. They were separated by a number of feet, each seeking the answer to a different question.

“Could it ever work out?”

“If I were to die, would my friends remember the good things?”

Thoughts flowed like tides; merciless torrents beating down on them, pummeling them into submission. Images flowed around and around, building up steam, creating worlds of their own. New worlds held new questions; big questions, little questions, questions which meant the world. And yet, there was uncertainty; the things you can never know. Tne thoughts spun around and around and around, beating and pummeling and bruising. They built up and up and up, until...

Twilight looked at Spike and Spike looked at Twilight. Smiles played on their lips. Twilight stretched out a hoof and Spike held out a paw. They met, made contact; never to let go.