"I told you not to call me anymore." Twilight said annoyed into the phone.

"Twily-" her brother began, but was interrupted by his sister. "DON'T call me that. So unless it is something important I'm going to hang up. I'm really busy, you know."

"Twilight, look I'm really sorry. I-"

Twilight hung up and placed the phone away. She made a mental note to change her phone number, but then she remembered it would be pointless. Her parents would give the number to her brother anyway.

She only could hope her so called brother would never call her again. Ah, who was she kidding? He probably would never learn it. As if he was feeling the distress of his mistress, Spike walked up and put both paws on her legs. Twilight giggled and picked him, placing herself on the couch of her living room, where she started to cuddle him. "At least you will always be on my side, won't you?"

Spike licked her face a few times. "Yes and that's why you're my number one assistant." She lay down on her couch and placed Spike on her stomach, petting him lazily, while he was making it himself comfortable.

Of course she lied to her brother with being busy. All she could do was waiting for Monday to come and her new job to start. She already knew she would be taking over chemistry classes. She was qualified in way more, but that was the only place that was open. But it was actually good, since it gave her free time for her investigation.

She looked over the stack of papers on the table. This was the material she prepared for her classes. The hardest part had been finding the right stuff for the different grades and not picking out material you had to study for. Of course she would have to ask, where the classes left off, before she would be really able to start teaching. It certainly would be a nice side effect increasing the average grades of the students.

Spike suddenly jumped off and brought back a leash. "Alright boy. I guess a little walk would do me a little good too."

Twilight closed the door and Spike walked ahead a little the regular path the two took. However, he never ran too far off. Twilight tried to keep her thoughts away from her brother, but as always when you try to keep your thoughts away from something, you end up thinking about it a lot.

The soon to be teacher tightened the grip of her end of the leach. Stupid brother, you're just distracting me unnecessarily. She thought to herself.

Twilight decided to make a stop at the local burger joint. Eating your frustration away wasn't exactly healthy, but right now she really needed it. She also brought Spike some chicken nuggets and some water.

After finishing her burger, Twilight felt slightly better. Her dog finished the nuggets a long time ago and was enjoying the warm sun shining down on him. His owner started with the fries, when she suddenly choked on one. Two of the girls who had picked her interest came out of the joint and placed themselves not so far away from her. Near enough for her to overhear their conversation.

"Goodness. This is really exciting. Imagine if it turns out to be true." Fluttershy spoke, before she started eating on her salad.

"Yeah, I know. And next Apple Family Reunion our band is going to play some awesome tunes for them." Rainbow Dash threw up a chicken nugget and it fell right into her mouth. "Wait a minute. If the whole family from there comes over here...Do we even have enough space for two Apple Families?" Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy laughed, though the latter was a little more restrained.

"Oh my goodness, Rainbow." Fluttershy said between giggles. "How are the two Big Macintoshs going to have a conversation?" Rainbow Dash slammed her fist on the table. "Good one Shy. I can't wait to see that happen." The blue girl accidentally dropped one of her nuggets. Spike used the opportunity and walked over, eating the nugget. He had a nose for those kinds of things.

"Spike. Get over here."

That voice immediately caught the attention of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Their eyes went wide, when they found Twilight directing Spike to take a place right next to her. She didn't see the two staring at them or going over to her. So she was genuinely surprised and let out a short, high pitched shriek, when Fluttershy was suddenly sitting in front of her and Rainbow Dash was sitting next to her.

"Hey, what's up?" Rainbow greeted.

"W-what are you doing here?!" Twilight exclaimed.

Fluttershy flinched away a little. "Relax." Rainbow tried to reassure. "We just heard, you're going to be at our teacher from next week."

"Y-you did?"

"Yep." Rainbow nodded in confirmation. "The whole school has heard of the youngest teacher ever."

Twilight felt like she was ready to faint. "B-but how do you know it was me?"

"Oh, we saw you, when you came to school. Maybe you've heard us practicing."

"Yes, I…have. I think. B-but how does the entire school know about me?" Rainbow shrugged and munched on her burger. "Rumors spread pretty fast at CHS. We happen to meet the principal and she told us not to confuse you with a student."

"Oh yes." Fluttershy spoke up, but pulled back, when everyone was looking at her. "Oh…I'm sorry. Was…I rude?" she whispered.

"Uh…no." Twilight spoke slowly. "No need to apologize."

"Oh, I'm sorry." "Shy, stop apologizing already." Rainbow shook her head. "Anyways, I'm Rainbow Dash and that's Fluttershy. We're part of the band, the Rainbooms."

"Nice to….meet you." Twilight was still hesitant. "I'm Twilight Sparkle and I'm going to teach chemistry at Canterlot High."

"Uh huh. Well, I don't have that stuff anymore, so I guess I won't be seeing you much teach." Rainbow said the last word in a slight mocking tone.

"Yeah, I guess." Grr, how long are those two going to chat with me?!

"Oh, I just remembered, I need to go home, you know….preparing my first class and all… hehehe…come on Spike."

"Oh my goodness." Fluttershy was from one second to the other, bending down next to Spike. "Aren't you a cute little fella? Oh, I wish you could speak just like the other Spike."

"The other Spike?" Twilight repeated. Fluttershy froze, but Rainbow Dash came quick to the rescue. "She just means a…a parrot. Yeah, she means a parrot whose name is Spike." Rainbow gave Fluttershy a quick glare, before smiling up to Twilight again, who was looking at them not so convinced.

"Right, anyways. I need to go now. See you in school."

"Bye."

Twilight sighed in relief when she and Spike arrived at home. There had been no more encounters and she actually had been able to get her thoughts away from her brother. Unfortunately they wouldn't stay away for long, because as it just so happened, she had a visitor. And it wasn't Shining Armor.

"Cadance." Twilight spoke in a deadpan matter. She actually had nothing against Cadance, but she could put two and two together. "My brother send you here, didn't he?"

"Actually, he didn't want me to come." Cadance replied. "But I had a feeling we really need to talk."

"There's nothing to discuss." Twilight still let her inside.

"So this is your new home, huh? Where's good old Spike?"

"Sleeping upstairs."

Twilight made herself and Cadance some coffee. The other girl in the meantime placed herself on the kitchen table. Twilight placed two mugs on the table and sat down herself.

"So tell me, what have you been up to lately?" Cadance tried to begin a casual conversation. "I've become a teacher at the local high school." Cadance choked on her coffee after hearing that. Twilight obviously wasn't in the mood for making jokes, so she immediately came to the point.

"You? A teacher? Twilight, are you sure about that?"

"I am. I have my reasons." Twilight replied, looking down on her mug. "Care to share?" her former babysitter asked. Twilight didn't answer. Instead she said: "Cadance, I'm not in the mood for this. I know why you're here and I'll say it again: no."

The other girl sighed. This wasn't going so well.

"You can't be angry at him forever. Twilight, even I gave him a second chance after that….let's call it fiasco."

"Fiasco…?" Twilight repeated in a dangerously low tone. "Sure. Let's call it a "fiasco". Just a little "misunderstanding"." Twilight slammed her hands on the table, barely able to keep herself in check. Before she could scream out loud, she inhaled some deep breaths, before continuing in a neutral tone. "If you have to be here, can we please talk about something else than your husband?"

Cadance took another sip and carefully placed the mug on the table. "He's not my husband, Twilight."

"…!"

"I broke up with him after…you know actually better than I do."

"And what was that about a second chance?" Twilight asked.

"Let's just say, I'm not rushing things anymore. He has to make up for his mistakes and I think everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, it just doesn't feel right to hold the wedding without you organizing it."

Twilight drank half the cup at once. "Well, the only thing I plan on organizing are my daily lessons." She just replied. Cadance cringed under the coldness of Twilight's voice. She realized, maybe a little too late, that if she continued this, Twilight would soon reject her too.

"So, back to being a teacher, what are you going to teach?"

"…Chemistry. They only had a place open for that subject. However, I'll be teaching other subjects as well, in case other teachers get sick."

"Twilight, honestly, I wouldn't expect they would even give you a chance, after…sorry. Maybe I should just go home."

"NO!...No, it's fine, really."

Cadance looked up. It seemed she didn't lose all her points with Twilight. "Actually, now that you mention it, they didn't mention it even once. Principal Celestia and Luna talked about my doctor titles…the private schools I visited…they even were interested in Spike. I mentioned him at one point. They suggested I let a student take care of him, in case I don't have time. Her name was…Fluttershy, I think." Maybe it was the girl I met today. She seems pretty interested in animals, the way she was looking at Spike. It was almost as if she was addicted.

"That's good to hear. And hey, maybe I'm wrong and this job is perfect for you. You're the smartest girl I know, probably THE smartest girl in the world."

"Th-thanks." Twilight blushed a little and FINALLY smiled. "I'll give my best, tough I'm a little nervous. I met two students, who immediately recognized me. Apparently the whole school already knows about me."

Cadance blinked in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"They seem pretty convinced. Their band had been practicing, I've heard them. They apparently have seen me. Their principal told them about me and then rumors spread pretty fast."

Twilight looked to the side. Cadance finished her coffee and thought about what Twilight said here. Clearly bringing Twilight to talk to her brother was out of question for now. And probably a pretty LONG time in the future ahead. But Twilight had another problem, one with which Cadance would be able to reconnect to the girl.

I owe you this much Twilight. No, it isn't even enough for what you did for me in the past. If only you'd finally start to make some friends.

…

I think I'm going to have another talk with her brother. But one thing at a time.

Twilight and Cadance walked this evening Spike together, at least until they arrived at the train station, where they said their goodbyes. Twilight was a little sad that Cadance had to go, while the latter was relieved the two were still in good terms with each other. A little more pressing and Cadance would have lost Twilight's trust, which was difficult to obtain in the first place. Well, not for her, having babysit Twilight in the past, but still.

Twilight in the meantime needed to take the way back around the school, since it was faster. There she met yet two other students.

"Calm down, sugercube. We still need to wait for a few weeks. Though, ah admit it would be exciting if it turns out to be true…cousin."

"Awww, AJ!" Pinkie hugged Applejack, who returned the hug, laughing. "Hahaha, that's enough Pinkie Pie. Oh hey, look. Howdy Miss Sparkle."

"Aww, cutie, little doggie!" Spike was a dog, who easily warmed up to other people, so he accepted the petting he was getting from the pink girl.

"Ah'm mighty sorry about that. That girl has too much energy." Applejack smiled at Twilight, who suppressed a sigh. "So, it is true. Everyone knows about me already."

"Of course!" Pinkie jumped up.

"AHH!"

"I was like OH MY GOSH! SHE JUST LOOKS LIKE OUR FRIEND! But then principal Celestia came and told us you're our new teacher! So I decided to tell everyone!"

AJ maybe should have stopped Pinkie Pie at one point, but she just talked too fast.

"YOU told everyone?!" the new teacher asked aghast.

"Sorry 'bout that." Applejack raised an arm. "She just gets over the top pretty often. We should have stopped her, when she did that."

Twilight shook her head in order to get it clear. "Just do me a favor and don't do this again."

"Okie-dokie-lokie! Oh, oh, oh! I know! Why don't you come with us to Sugercube Corner?! We can have a small celebrate you becoming our new teacher?!"

…

"Is that a bribe?"

"What in tarnation are ya talking about?" Applejack moved in front of Pinkie Pie. She didn't like the tone her new teacher had gotten. "She's just beein' friendly. I don't care whether you're a teacher or not, I won't let ya talk to mah family like that!"

Twilight took a step back, crossing her arms defensively over her chest.

"Applejack, you're scaring her."

AJ pushed her head a little down, covering her eyes. "Sorry 'bout that, sugar. I get a little overprotective, when it comes to family."

"I-I understand." Twilight relaxed a little. "But…family? You two look nothing alike."

"Oh well, ya see…uh….how do ah put this…." Dang, why's Rare not here? She's the one best at lying!

"Well…"

"Our friend, who was studying genealogy found a document about our ancestors and we might be veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery distant cousins! We just sent our DNA and I can't waaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit for the result."

"So, to sum it up, you actually still don't know if you two are related." Twilight summarized.

"Ah, shugs. What's there against some wishful thinkin'?"

A lot miss country girl. A lot.

"Well darn tootin'. Look at the time. You sure you don't wanna tag along Miss Twilight?"

"…!"

"Yes and take cute little Spikey with us!" Pinkie cheered.

"…"

"Miss Twilight?"

"How do you know my first name? And how do you know the name of my dog?"

"Well…ah…gotta go!" Applejack grabbed Pinkie's hand and the two ran away, Pinkie thinking they were playing a game of tag.

Spike placed himself down next to his owner, looking after the girls as they disappeared behind a corner, his tongue hanging out.

"These girls are most definitely hiding something. But why do they seem to know so much about me?" She looked over to the school. "It's still open. Thank god this school has an astronomy club. Okay, now to the school archives. Spike, wait here for me."

"Bark! Bark!"

Twilight walked inside.

Hmm, now where are the archives? Probably close to the library.

Twilight walked around for a little bit. Luckily she found a fire escape plan and now knew where she had to go. She came across a glass shelf with various trophies inside. "Hmm, the fall formal princess….huh? There some years missing, but the name tags are still there. Sunset Shimmer. I wonder why they removed her picture? WAIT WHAT?! T-T-T-Twilight S-S-S-S-Sparkle?!"

Why's there a picture of me in there?! I've never worn that dress!

"Princess Twilight Sparkle brought the magic of friendship back to Canterlot High. May others follow her great example. What the hell is this?! What's going on?!"

No wonder they knew about me. Talk like the other Spike?! Another Spike? Another me? This is getting crazier by the minute! This has to be some kind of sick joke!

The school archives didn't hold anything about another Twilight Sparkle. I found out that Sunset Shimmer was attending school a little before she won her first Fall Formal.

I met one of the other teachers. When I asked, I heard she used unjust methods to win, that's why her pictures had been removed. By her own insistence no less. When I asked further, I was told that she changed after recognizing her mistakes. She even did a lot of charity work and other things for the school to "redeem" herself.

I couldn't find out more. My colleague was called to the office.

Something was going on here. I had a hunch Sunset Shimmer was somehow involved in all this. A person doesn't change from one day to the other.

And that photo of me… Next Chapter: Chapter 6 Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes