Twilight sat opposite Twilight, across a varnished table that glittered with glowing cubes. The table wasn't real. Nor the room, nor the mirror of herself, nor the cubes that littered it. They were phantoms, which she had vicariously forced her mind to create. Yet, for all that, they each had meaning. Each cube was a collection of lost memories, coalesced about a theme to make them easier to process. The other Twilight was the pony she had been, and would be, with the complete knowledge of everything that had been taken from her.

Twilight knew that the differences between them had dwindled, drastically, as one by one, she had accepted her memories again. Even now, she knew that the other Twilight had paced her revelations, driving her to examine every memory, until it was too late to turn back. She was separate enough to be irritated at that. Her own self, playing mind games with her.

Though the stakes were high.

Cube by cube, moment by moment, the vague haze over her life had been driven away. She remembered everything that she had known, that she had done, up to her final climactic confrontation with Princess Celestia. She was both the Twilight that had received the letters, and the Twilight that had written them, understanding both, understanding why they had done what they did.

The terrible mistake she had made in confronting the Princess did rankle, though. Celestia had forgotten about the charm, had made herself forget, more than a thousand years ago. If she'd kept away from Canterlot, if only she'd fought through her shock and lust at what Luna related to her and found out when it had last taken place...

If, if, if. It didn't help her now. She had created the opponent she had feared she was already fighting. Now things were serious. Celestia's advantage over her was nearly absolute, but she could still be beaten, if Twilight chose to oppose her. That process began here, in learning what Celestia had done to her after the defeat, and why.

More than anything else, she needed to know more.

Twilight gazed at her duplicate, the other mare nodding once, and then she reached out and picked up the second cube sealed with Celestia's golden sun.

Memory swirled around her. This was the next time Princess Celestia had summoned her to Canterlot, a mere fortnight after she'd last seen Twilight. A mere fortnight after Twilight's defeat, though she didn't, couldn't know that. She'd been innocently happy to receive more of the Princess's attention, and chattered to her without guile about the work she'd been doing on permanent heating charms.

Even then, she'd thought that Celestia seemed preoccupied. But she had no reason to be wary, when Celestia guided her away from the public areas to her personal chambers, and gathered herself with what could almost have been nervousness on that divinely serene face.

The doors had barely closed behind them when, without warning, Twilight's world vanished. She was a thoughtless void, seeing only Celestia, hearing nothing but her Voice. Mindless, she spoke her awakening. She didn't see, as the present Twilight now saw, the shame and hesitation on the Princess's face.

"Has anything unusual happened in Ponyville?"

Her Voice. Perfection. She swam in it, ignoring the meaningless movements of her own lips. 'Nothing unusual has happened, Princess.'

"Have you discovered anything recently about charms that control others?"

Bliss. She was a formless desire to hear more. 'No, Princess.'

Celestia shifted position slightly. "Have you found anything unusual in your home, Twilight?"

She didn't have to think about her answers. Couldn't think. Whatever answered was beyond the dazed, dreamy wisps of her conscious mind. 'I haven't found anything odd, Princess.'

Silence.

It didn't matter. Eventually, the Voice would fall upon her again. She saw only Her face, within a void of nothing. Time passed without Twilight's notice, drinking in the subtle shifts in Celestia's expression, witnessing the faintest signs of an inner struggle without understanding.

"Twilight. Have you-" Celestia hesitated, and Twilight's blankly attentive need for Her words intensified a little. "Have you fantasised about me?" she asked, eventually.

'Yes, Princess.' Her lips shaped around the words.

Celestia half turned away. "Do you.... feel anything for me?"

'Yes, Princess.'

"What is it that you feel?"

She would tell Celestia everything she felt for her. The words fell from her lips, vanishing into the soundless black void. 'I feel affection, and awe. I love you. I admire you. I want to please you. I'm afraid of disappointing you. I trust you completely.'

There was a visible flinch of Celestia's bare shoulders, exposed by her pure white dress. She spoke a short word, quickly.

The world came rushing back. Completely unaware of her interruption, Twilight continued talking about her charm research. Her enthusiasm waned slowly, though, as she realised that Celestia seemed more and more distant. Eventually, she stopped talking altogether and stepped closer to Celestia, who lay half reclining on a long red lounger.

"Princess? Is something the matter?" she asked tentatively. No matter what might happen, Celestia always gave the impression of having nothing in the world she'd rather do than listen to Twilight. She began fretting that she'd somehow displeased her teacher, and frantically reviewed what she'd been saying in search of the offending material.

Celestia pre-empted her.

She was plunged seamlessly back into a dark and distant void. Only Celestia mattered. Only Celestia existed. There was nothing else.

The elder pony cleared her throat, glancing at Twilight, and then looking away again. "Twilight. I wish to know if you hold romantic feelings towards me."

Whatever lay deep within Twilight understood her words as instructions, and moved Twilight's unresisting lips to form unheard words. 'I love you, Princess Celestia. I have always had a crush on you. I am attracted to you.'

Celestia's face once more took on the particular expression she wore when she was completely masking her reactions. "Would you ever act upon these emotions?"

'No, Princess.'

"Why is that?"

Celestia's Voice filled her with calm, relaxed bliss. 'You are the Princess of Equestria. I am just a pony. You would never consider it. I am too far below you.'

"No," said Celestia firmly. "Listen closely, Twilight. You have previously asked me on a date, and I have accepted. You have come to Canterlot today to have a first date with me."

Oh. 'I'm here for our date. You accepted when I asked you out.'

More waiting, in silence. Then abruptly, her surroundings snapped back into place.

Twilight felt her cheeks heat in an uncontrollable blush. She couldn't believe that she had had to come for her first date dressed so casually!

"I'm very sorry, Princess," she said contritely. "I had a perfect dress picked out, and just as I was leaving to catch the train, Spike tripped over and splashed ink all over it. I know that this isn't... what you'd hoped to see."

She looked down at herself sheepishly, terribly conscious that she was dressed as though it were any other day, in a white sleeveless blouse over a pale blue skirt. What if the Princess thought she wasn't taking their date seriously? All the fuss over the ink had meant she hadn't even had time to put on any makeup! Comfortable clothes had never felt so uncomfortable.

She dared to meet Celestia's eyes. There was a strange, complex look on her face that Twilight couldn't immediately work out. "...Princess?"

Celestia shook her head slightly, and smiled. Her voice gentle, she admonished, "That's no way to address your date, Twilight. As for your clothes..." A smile broke out across her face, and she finished more softly, "I think you look lovely."

If she got much redder, she was going to get stuck that way. "T-thank you. Um. Celestia."

The goddess of the sun shifted position, sitting up a little and making room at her side on the couch. "Won't you join me?"

"R-right," Twilight stuttered. She was going to get to cuddle up to Celestia! She could still hardly believe her mentor had listened to her desperately nervous confession and told her that she felt the same way. She'd fretted for two weeks straight waiting for this moment.

Feeling impossibly clumsy next to the Princess's easy grace, she walked stiffly across the room and settled down next to Celestia. Her hands folded in her lap, tangling nervously around each other.

Celestia laughed softly, and shifted along the couch to press warmly against Twilight's side. "Relax, Twilight. You aren't here to take an exam."

"I'd be much less nervous if I was taking an exam, Prin- Celestia." Twilight confessed. The Princess was touching her! She could feel the warmth of her body against hers! What was she meant to do?

"Mmm, is that so? What if I sprang a surprise exam on you, on a topic I hadn't mentioned before, and told you that half of your marks for the season depended on it?" Celestia's smile had turned playfully teasing.

Twilight gave her an appalled look, unable to stop herself, and Celestia laughed again.

"You see, Twilight, things could be worse."

"Things aren't bad!" Twilight blurted at once. "I mean, it's not like they are - that they need something to be bad to be worse than - this is good, it's really, really special." She wound down, and fought the urge to bury her face in her hands. Her first ever date, and it was with Princess Celestia?

She really hadn't researched enough for a way to deal with this.

Celestia lifted her hand, and very gently, almost tentatively, she smoothed her fingers down Twilight's back. Silence hung in the air as she stroked her, a furious blush on Twilight's face. Eventually daring to look up at Celestia, she felt a little jump in her chest as she saw the Princess had reddened a little herself.

"That's really nice," Twilight eventually ventured in a whisper.

"It is," Celestia responded quietly. With a barely noticeable flicker of hesitation, her other hand moved to take one of Twilight's. Their fingers twined together.

Gathering up all her nerve, by far more nerve than it had taken to face a full grown dragon in his smoky cave, Twilight reached out to wrap her arm around the Princess.

In response, Celestia turned to her. Twilight had a moment to take in the Princess's tentative, even slightly awkward smile, and then Celestia drew her fully into her embrace. Twilight found herself pressed into the pillowy softness of the other mare's chest, her mind entirely blank.

Celestia's arms were around her. Hers were around the Princess. Her head was resting on the soft, expansive chest of the Goddess of the Sun, separated from her bare skin by the thickness of a single piece of delicate fabric. She felt as though her thoughts were tangling hopelessly around each other, unable to think clearly. She had to say something, but she had no idea what that could possibly be.

The Princess spoke first. "I have long nurtured affection for you, Twilight. You are so studious, so earnest, and so quick. You have a good heart. It has been a pleasure to see you grow up into the mare you are."

"I... I think you're wonderful," Twilight replied softly. "You've always been so kind to me. You've taught me so much. You're patient, and loving, and... I can't imagine not thinking you're the most wonderful pony in the world."

Twilight nuzzled her cheek gently against Celestia's chest, heart pounding at her own daring. She could scent the other woman's skin. Her body was alight with arousal mingled with terror, a potent mixture that made her feel like she might explode if she moved too quickly.

Celestia's hand rose to Twilight's face, and stroked, feather-lightly, down her cheek. "Would you like some tea, Twilight?"

"Yes! Yes, I'd love some tea!" Twilight blurted at once, nodding vigorously. A chance to clear her head, to try to think straight. She wanted that very much, even if a large portion of her was clinging onto the sensation of Celestia's warmth and desperately didn't want to move away in case she never felt that softness again.

The choice was made for her. Quietly, without hurry, Celestia released her and rose from the lounging couch to pick out tea from her own private cupboard. Twilight gulped air, desperately trying to keep her breathing quiet and under control, and looked down at her hands to find them shaking.

Pull yourself together, girl! Just because Princess Celestia, one of the two rulers of Equestria, the avatar of the sun, has agreed to be your girlfriend...

On second thought, that was probably worthy of a little panicking.

She watched, hands gripping her knees, as Celestia poured water from a jug into a small kettle, and set it down. A golden glow surrounded it, and after mere moments, steam began to pour from the spout. She must have watched Celestia make tea a hundred times, had shared it with her before. It was a reassuring bit of normality.

Okay. Picture someone better at this. Picture Rainbow. What would Rainbow do, if she was in this situation?

Twilight pictured herself getting up, strolling casually over to Princess Celestia, and grabbing her ass. Before things could proceed much further than that, she abruptly banished the whole idea before Celestia somehow picked it out of the air and knew what she'd just thought of. Good grief.

"Sugar, Twilight?"

"Eek!" Twilight squeaked. "I mean, yes! Yes, that would be lovely!"

Celestia laughed softly, a warm, melodious sound. "You know, Twilight, you truly are the cutest pony in the realm."

That was it. She was going to blush so hard she was going to actually die. She could feel the blood leaving her brain, she was getting light headed. Even so, she couldn't help but be reminded of an old fear, a fear she'd felt before. The Princess was thousands of years old. To a pony like that, she had to seem so brief, so vapid compared to Celestia's reservoir of knowledge and experience.

How could Celestia possibly want a relationship with her?

"I... I don't know how you take me seriously," Twilight murmured. "You saw me grow up from a foal. My parents, and my parent's parents. I must seem so young and silly."

Celestia had her back to Twilight, which had made it easier to confess her worries. Twilight couldn't see her expression, but the Princess's voice was as pleasant and calm as always.

"I've seen many ponies grow up from foals to adults in my life, Twilight. Some of them, I do like more than others. I follow their lives, watch over them, even if they don't always know it, and I hope that they'll be happy. I remember most of the Canterlot nobles as foals. They are introduced to me at a young age."

She sighed. "It's an old custom, one I instituted long ago. Seeing them so young and full of wonder makes them more bearable in their later years. I've always taken you seriously, Twilight. So strong, at such a young age. So full of promise. I had hoped that you would see me differently. I'd hoped that you would see me as a pony, like you, and not let my age become a wall between us. As it has been between myself, and many ponies before you."

Twilight wilted as she listened, terribly, terribly aware she'd screwed up. "I'm sorry, Princess," she began, than winced immediately. "I - I mean, Celestia."

"It's alright, Twilight." Celestia turned around slowly, a quiet sadness in her eyes. "I should not have made you do this, without understanding why you hadn't done so before. I have been foolish."

Twilight blinked. What? Never mind - she had to fix this. She could fix this. She could put aside everything and start over with her mentor, her girlfriend, and it would be okay. She rose from her chair and moved towards the other mare, reaching out towards her. "Celestia-"

Blackness. Celestia's face. Dimly, she was aware of coming to a halt, rocking slightly, her arms dangling loose at her sides.

'I'm awakened, Princess.'

Celestia shook her head quickly, mouthing something Twilight did not hear. "Forget all of the things I just told you to do, Twilight. You haven't ever asked me out."

'I've forgotten everything that just happened. I have never asked you on a date.' It was pure, simple Truth. Her Voice wound around the memories and snuffed them out.

She was dimly aware that Celestia was drawing closer, Twilight's head tilting up to maintain her blank, absolutely focused gaze.

All at once, Celestia's hand was at the back of her neck, pressing gently, and her soft lips pressed against Twilight's. Passive, receptive, Twilight's lips parted obediently under the lengthy kiss. A warm arm wound around her and drew her closer to the taller woman, pressed gently against her body.

Eventually, Celestia released her, stepping back abruptly. The Princess's pure white hand rose to her lips, her eyes wide. "Twilight. It's time you went back to your home for the day."

Yes. 'It's time I should go.' Twilight felt herself say the words, without caring. It was time to go.

She was stood before Celestia, smiling awkwardly at her. "I'm really sorry I have to go before I've drunk my tea, but I'll miss my train back to Ponyville if I don't hurry."

"I understand, Twilight. I wish you a safe journey back to your home. Wish your friends well." Celestia smiled at her, and Twilight couldn't help but smile back.

"One day, I'll get the long, long range teleport spell working, and then I won't have to ride the train ever again!" she called, as she turned towards the doors.

"I have no doubt you'll succeed," Celestia replied. The doors opened before her.

Twilight's lips parted with shock as she gazed at her double, who looked back at her with an ambivalent expression on her face.

"She - she kissed me! Princess Celestia kissed me! She made me think we were dating-!"

"Yes. That's how it started. I think, in her own way, she's really very lonely. Like Princess Luna." The mirror Twilight leant across the small table. "We need to look after Luna. Even more than Zecora."

"She's been hiding from her sister all the time, trying her best to find a way to get you - us - back." Twilight rested a hand gently against her chest. "It must have been so hard. It's strange to say it like this, but I really... want to look after her."

"You're thinking the same thing about Celestia, aren't you."

Twilight flushed, feeling a little guilty, though for no reason she could think of. "Sort of. I never realised that she might be... lonely. Guilty, too... or else the first thing I said wrong wouldn't have made her back off from the whole idea."

"It's strange to think of her feeling guilt. She's always been so perfect, and unruffled. Like nothing could touch her."

"But she's been hurting... I think."

"Maybe she was trying to speed things forward. Maybe she made us forget everypony we've ever loved because she's wanted us all along."

Twilight blinked, shocked out of the duality with her mirrored self by the suggestion. "She would never do that! She took away our memories of what we did because it was all through the charm, she said so!"

"She did say so. But then... she got possessive." The other Twilight nodded towards the remaining cubes, glowing softly on the table before them.

Twilight gave her double a strange look, but the other mare said nothing further. It was clear where the explanation lay.

Canterlot. It had been three weeks since the last visit. Twilight couldn't have been happier that Celestia wished to spend so much more time with her. Her research into heating charms had hit a pause, and she'd switched to spending more time with a telescope, examining the sky and comparing what she saw to old star charts. She was certain that Princess Luna would be interested as well, when she came back from her long tour of Equestria. She'd seen occasional mentions of it in newspapers, as Luna passed through notable towns with pomp and ceremony.

Celestia had listened attentively to her as she described her progress. They'd drank tea together, walked the castle grounds, and stood on the Princess's high balcony with Canterlot spread out below them, breeze ruffling Twilight's dress and making her tie up her mane to stop it blowing in her face. Celestia had laughed softly, her own flowing mane immune to the vagaries of wind and weather.

All this, Twilight had already known. She had not remembered Celestia finally gazing into her eyes, and speaking a word that wiped all her thoughts away. Once again, she'd asked if Twilight had found out anything about mental coercion charms. If she'd found anything unusual in her home. If anything unusual had happened. To that, Twilight gave a different answer.

'The town is gossiping that Applejack and I are secretly dating.' The words slipped out, unimportant.

Celestia had frowned, something she noticed without any thought to what it meant. She was incapable of understanding displeasure. Only doing what she was told. Only saying what she was told to say.

"What do you think of this rumour? Give a full answer."

'I am irritated. It's stupid. Applejack doesn't like mares, I've never dated one, and we're just friends. We would never date.'

Gazing intently into Twilight's eyes, Celestia reached out and stroked her cheek with her fingers. Her thumb smoothed over Twilight's lips. "No, you would never date her."

Twilight stood mute and relaxed, a perfect calm occupying her, with no room for anything else. One of Celestia's fingers gently parted her lips and slid into her warm mouth. "Suck," the Princess invited her.

'I'll suck,' Twilight murmured around the finger in her mouth, and began gently doing so.

A brighter spark of intensity came into Celestia's gaze. "Use your tongue also, Twilight. Lick and suck as though pleasing a lover."

'I'll lick and suck your finger as though you're my lover,' Twilight mumbled. The only thing that mattered was pleasing Celestia by worshipping her fingers. Her soft tongue curled around the finger in her mouth, and she began gently bobbing her head back and forth upon it. Her blank eyes gazed into Celestia's.

"Oh, Twilight..." murmured Celestia, her voice dropping a little. A second finger slid into Twilight's mouth.

'Mmmph... mmph.' She could tell she was groaning softly around the fingers in her mouth, glowing with joy at carrying out her orders. She was doing as she was told.

Celestia was closer now, her other hand smoothing down Twilight's cheek. "That's very good, Twilight. You have always been loyal, and faithful, before this charm came between us. I won't ever let that happen again."

'Mmmmph.' Twilight's head moved steadily back and forth, her lips sliding up and down Celestia's saliva coated fingers. A droplet ran down her chin, to fall onto her simple dress.

"My faithful apprentice," Celestia said softly, mostly to herself. "You have no idea of the peril you have unleashed upon me. At a stroke, you have brought a temptation more terrible than any I have experienced in many centuries. Not simply temptation, but well remembered years of struggling against it, and the sweet memory of finally losing that battle. Old desires, awakened fresh and green, as if they had never slept.

"Desires that now find their focus upon you," she whispered. "I now doubt any romance could have blossomed between us. I am your teacher, your Princess. I will never hold any other role, for you. But unknowingly, you brought me the means to have you regardless." Her hand smoothed down Twilight's side.

Her voice changed. "Tell me, Twilight. Would you refuse me anything I wished?" Her fingers slid from Twilight's mouth to let the younger pony reply.

'I would never refuse you anything.' Celestia had removed her fingers. That must mean she had to stop sucking them.

Quiet reigned for a few moments, Celestia's divine Voice silent, before she spoke again. "This is not what I intended for you, Twilight. You are much more than this. Still..." She appeared to be arguing with herself. "You may have also brought me the solution to so very many troubles that have threatened Equestria, over the long years I have protected it. Were I to do as I once did, to hide the charm from myself, I would be spared this temptation, but cost myself greatly."

She shook her head. "No, Twilight, I dare not restrict myself from using the charm freely, not without full knowledge of what may come of its rediscovery. Perhaps in a century, I might risk restricting myself not to use it selfishly, or at all. Until then, I cannot enforce a block upon myself, for fear of such a self-imposed law being used against me."

Calm. Bliss. She was the thing that waited to be used. Her lips remained slightly parted, ready for Celestia's touch.

"So temptation remains. I even find myself grateful for my sister's tour of Equestria, wondering if I would impose perversions upon her once more if she were within the castle day by day. And so, Twilight, these unforgivable desires will be slaked upon you, the one who returned them to me." Celestia finally murmured. She leaned down, and her lips met Twilight's unresisting mouth, kissing her deeply.

Twilight felt Celestia's tongue explore her mouth and met it with her own, licking and gently sucking as she'd been bidden. By the time the Princess finally drew away, Twilight's body was flushed with heat that she was incapable of recognising or acknowledging.

Celestia's breath came quickly, her magnificent chest rising and falling against the confines of her white dress. "Listen carefully, Twilight. For the rest of this day, anything I suggest will seem perfectly normal to you, as will anything I choose to do. Once you leave, your memory of these events will be clouded, and you will recall only talking with me pleasantly."

'Anything you say or do is completely normal today, and when I go home, it will all fade away.' A surge of pleasure filled Twilight's mindless body as she absorbed the commands, and felt them write themselves into her very being.

"Very good, Twilight. Slumber."

Twilight shook her head. What had she been saying? "I wish I had a mane like yours, Princess. It seems so much easier to look after." She turned and rested her elbows on the railing. Off to her left, Canterlot was spread out below them, and to her right the sheer cliff dropped steeply down into the deep green of the forest below. It was a beautiful landscape, in harmony with itself and with ponykind.

"You have seen me brush my mane, Twilight. Even mine requires care and attention each day." Celestia moved to Twilight's side, looking down with her at the tiny shapes of ponies moving to and fro, far below.

"Did you always have it?" Twilight asked idly.

"I'll tell you when you're older. A thousand or so." Celestia laughed softly.

"That's a long time to wait for mane care tips," Twilight replied wryly, shaking her head. Switching topic, she added, "I'm looking forward to the Running of the Leaves. Applejack and Rainbow are going to race again. I hope it goes well, but I wouldn't mind if they get all tangled up competing with each other again." She let slip a giggle. "It was pretty funny, before. It's good to see how well they get on."

"I may visit Ponyville for the festival," Celestia replied. "Twilight, you should pull your dress down while you speak to me."

"Oh, yes! I'm so sorry," she apologised. Slipping the straps off her shoulders, she peeled down her blue dress and let it bunch around her waist, exposing her deep blue bra. "It would mean a lot to the citizens of Ponyville if you did. Especially if you let them know you were coming ahead of time, so they could prepare a proper reception."

Celestia shook her head once, with a faint smile. Her eyes lingered on Twilight's body, as was usual. "I prefer to avoid parades and celebrations when I have the opportunity, Twilight. Do remove your bra also."

Twilight reached behind herself and undid the catch. The bra came loose, and she shrugged out of it efficiently, one arm after the other. Her compact breasts were bared to the open air and the sunshine, nipples hardening under the gentle touch of the breeze. Her bra dangled from her fingers. "Is this better?"

Celestia nodded once. "Much better, Twilight."

The Princess was so close to her. Sometimes, Twilight forgot just how tall she was. Under usual circumstances, she often sat, or kept her distance a little. Only now, when she wasn't doing so, did it occur to Twilight how carefully Celestia didn't impose on or intimidate the ponies under her care.

"It would really mean a lot to the ponies of Ponyville if you'd let them try to impress you, just a little." She smiled wryly. "Having you visit is a wonderful event for them. Even if you might have visited a little more often in recent years, they are still delighted and honoured every time you set foot there. Please?"

Twilight absently rubbed a hand over her breasts. They were starting to ache a little in the cool air.

Celestia gazed at her, a strange sharpness in her mentor's eyes. "I find it hard to refuse you, Twilight. Are you cold?"

Smiling sheepishly, Twilight nodded. "My nipples are feeling a little tender."

A golden glow spilled from Celestia's horn, forming a dim nimbus around the two of them. "There. Is that better?"

Twilight sighed in relaxation as warmth seeped into the air, gentle on her skin as a soft jumper. "Oh, yes, that's much better. Thank you very much, Princess!" Her eyes lit with curiosity. "I haven't seen that spell before. Could you tell me where I can research it?"

"I haven't had need of it for a little while. I shall write down the necessary instructions."

"Thank you so much, Princess!" Twilight squealed in delight. A new charm!

Celestia's arms wrapped around her, squeezing her close, and Twilight blushed as she was held tightly by the divine being. "It's my pleasure, Twilight. I believe there will be more uses in future for a spell to warm your naked body while you are exposed."

"Yes, absolutely! It really helps cope with the wind. I'm sure there must be a lot of good uses for the charm."

"Yes, Twilight, there are." Celestia's eyes flicked upwards, and a faint, wry smile touched her lips. "Unfortunately, I am about to be disturbed by one of my guard, and they would not defy my wish to keep their distance were it not important. Dress, Twilight. It has been wonderful seeing you. I will see you again, soon."

"I'd love that, Princess." Twilight began dressing, as Celestia moved away to the end of her balcony to find out what matter might demand her attention this time.

"She blames me!" Twilight looked up from the cube in her palm indignantly, then frowned and said more slowly, "I remember learning the charm to warm somepony up. I... knew it was for keeping naked ponies warm when they were outside. I knew that, all along. It just never occurred to me before there was anything wrong with that. She did that to me, too. Taught me it, and told me not to find it strange."

"It's not the only thing, Twilight. There are things you already remember, but you can't perceive properly, not yet." Her duplicate shook her head, and sighed. "She's right to blame us. If we'd resisted the charm, if we hadn't started using it on everypony we know, we wouldn't have attracted Luna's attention, or tried to use it on Celestia. This kind of is our fault."

"Aren't you meant to be the figure of temptation here?" Twilight gave her double a sideways look.

"You know I'm not." The other Twilight leant across the table, touching Twilight's knee. "I'm you. We're the same person. I just know a little more than you."

"Not really. You learned it in a different order. You don't feel like the memories I have of the time after Celestia are really yours... do you?" Twilight hesitated, and then frowned slightly.

"Of course I do. I know you suspected me of being corrupted, and honestly, you were kind of right about that. But I know you wouldn't turn your back on everything you had, not now. I know, because I wouldn't. After what you've just seen, wouldn't you keep trying to stop Celestia?"

Twilight hesitated. "I... think I have to. She's right. You're right. This is my fault. I have to clean it up. But what if I become even worse than she is? She had the strength to lock the charm away before, and I don't think I will. Even now, I don't really want to anymore. If I try for just one moment to stop thinking about what I want and what I feel, isn't it better for Equestria if I just... run away, and leave Celestia alone?"

"Putting you somewhere else with the charm wouldn't make things better, you know that. You'd have to give it up completely." The other Twilight sighed. "I didn't want to make this argument, but I think I have to. Do you really want to know why it's better for you to beat Celestia and take over, even if you ended up controlling her the way you're afraid of?"

She ought to be able to predict what her ethereal double was going to say now. They were almost the same, after all.

She couldn't. "...why?"

Her own eyes gazed into hers steadily. "Do you remember what you said to Celestia? The thing that made her turn her back on even trying to have a relationship with you? You're just a pony. Even if we take over everything, we're not going to last long. It's better for us to rule for a lifetime than Celestia be corrupted forever. You need to think about that. You need to think about what would happen to Zecora and Applejack and all the others if you suddenly went away, too. Give them escape hatches out of worshipping you, if the worst happens, because they'll be ruined for the rest of their lives if you don't."

Twilight's mouth fell open. That was horrible! That was awful! That... made sense. It completely made sense. She'd been negligent, even cruel. Picture Zecora's desperation in needing to serve her, but with no prospect of ever seeing her again. Or Luna, pining after her for the remainder of her potentially-eternal life. But... she couldn't just accept her own destiny to embrace the charm's power and use it to rule. That was going too far. The fact her other self was even making that argument was... disturbing.

The mirror Twilight watched her. "I'm sorry, I really am. I know I upset you. There aren't many memories left, now. You're going to have to stop re-living, and start deciding what happens next, soon. Three cubes left. Let's finish this."

Twilight gripped the arms of her chair. She wasn't sure that she wanted to. But... she couldn't stay here forever.

"Alright. Three more," she said quietly.

This was recent. That was her first impression, as she felt the memory unroll. This was the day before she'd received the first letter, the day before her life had been turned upside down. This was the last time she'd gone to see Princess Celestia.

She'd been stopped, before she entered the Princess's chambers. She remembered that she'd found that odd at the time. Celestia had come out to greet her, and taken her inside.

Except there was more to it than that. They stepped into the antechamber, the outer doors closed behind them and Celestia wiped her mind with a single word.

Celestia gazed into her eyes, and thoughtlessly, Twilight gazed back. Finally, a little smile had touched the Princess's lips.

"It's good to see you Twilight. I'm very glad you're here."

The words dripped across her empty mind, sweet as honey.

"Everything that happens in my personal chambers is perfectly normal. You will go along with anything that occurs."

'Yes, Princess. Everything is normal; I'll go along with anything that happens.' She felt herself mouth the words, though they were unresonant, dead, and she couldn't hear herself speak them.

She blinked. Celestia was with her, and she couldn't be happier to be in the presence of the only pony she admired above all others. The inner doors swung open before them, and Twilight entered the vaulted room at the tall pony's side.

Six guards stood flanking the entranceway, three on each side, alternating colt and mare. They hadn't been there last time. What Twilight idly noticed, as she walked past them, was the way that all six of them were clad only in their golden guard helmets. Three firm shafts jutted into the air, heavily erect, and the three mares each glistened between the legs, smooth and shaven.

Celestia must be encouraging them to feel good in her presence. That was nice of her.

The Princess paused by the last mare on the left, looking back at Twilight. "Twilight, do you see anything unusual about Diorite?"

Twilight moved over to stand in front of the earth pony, and looked her over carefully. Her skin was pale grey, smooth and barely blemished except for a scattering of darker spots down both flanks, and her mane and tail were swept-back falls of cobalt blue. Her muscles were obvious, plainly the product of hard work and rigorous exercise, and her body was held tensely at attention. Her proud, jutting breasts stood out from her body, rising and falling with her breathing, nipples hard. Close to her, Twilight could almost hear a little pleasured gasp with each breath she took. Her sex was visibly damp, flushed darker grey, a faint scent of arousal colouring the air. Her amber eyes gazed into the mid-distance, refusing to focus on either of them.

"She's very toned. She must really focus on keeping her body fit for your service, but there's nothing unusual about that." Twilight frowned slightly as she gazed at the mare. She must be missing something. She did hate to fail tests.

"Have you finished your inspection, Twilight? You haven't touched her." Celestia's voice was light, but Twilight immediately took it as a gentle reproof.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Of course, I should have thought of that."

Stepping closer, Twilight crouched and smoothed her hands up Diorite's calves. "Her skin is very smooth, smoother than I had expected. I can feel how firm her muscles are. She has very defined thigh muscles, like Applejack's. Her cutie mark is a stone breaking open on one side to reveal a heart, which matches her name, a type of rock. She's very aroused; she's incredibly wet under my fingers. Her sex is shaven. She's hot, radiating heat. She's moaning now, each time I touch her inner thighs, and particularly her sex. Her hips jerk a little when I touch her, but she's restraining her obvious desire to hump my hand. She's very disciplined. Let me see, she's... mm. She tastes tangy, I believe that's normal, though I haven't any experience of that. Again, my tongue caused her to buck her hips forward, but not by much."

Twilight slowly straightened as she worked her way up the other pony's body, talking as she went. "Her flanks are dappled, they seem to be sensitive. I can feel her trying not to squirm as my fingers run over them. Her back is sculpted, again she has excellent musculature. Her breasts are soft, and a good size considering her physical fitness. Her nipples are very hard, and - yes, sensitive to pinching, and to licking. She tastes a little salty, I suspect she's been naked for a while. Squeezing firmly seems to make her tense, but stroking her more gently has a strong positive effect. She is moaning again... her lips are soft to the touch, and she wears cosmetics, but very subtle. She seems to be aware of what I'm doing, but maintaining her focus on an arbitrary point so as not to look directly at me; that may be guard training."

Finally, Twilight stepped back, leaving Diorite breathing heavily, little tremors visibly racing up and down her body as she rigidly held her position. Twilight turned to Celestia with a puzzled expression. "She seems to be a perfectly normal guard, in excellent physical shape and extremely heightened arousal. I'm sorry, Princess... what am I missing?"

Celestia smiled, and rested a hand on Twilight's shoulder. "You haven't failed in your observations, Twilight. I enjoyed watching you examine her. You simply don't have the knowledge to recognise the significance of some of your observations."

Drat! She really hated the idea that she didn't know what the Princess was talking about. What hadn't she studied hard enough? Whatever it was, just as soon as she left, she was going to make certain she found out everything about it, in case she was ever asked about it again. "Could I ask what I missed, please?"

"Of course, Twilight." Celestia settled onto a long lounging couch and smiled up at her. "Diorite has had her sex shaven today, because she is directly under my control."

"Oh! It signifies being at someone's command?" A quick glance around proved that all six of the guards were equally hairless, shorn completely of all hair below the neck other than their tails. "I hadn't heard of that custom. Are all your guards shaven?"

"No, Twilight. Just these. You see, it is not simply that they are my guards, but also that their sexes belong to me. All of them are single, and will remain so." There was a brightness in Celestia's eyes that Twilight didn't quite recognise. Not that it was important, of course. "While cleaning up a mess that I was obliged to take care of, I found several ponies that had altered their grooming habits because they were owned. I found the custom interesting."

"Oh, I see. So it marks an intimate bond, between superior and inferior. I had no idea!"

"Yes, my faithful student. You have it exactly right." Celestia paused, and then said pleasantly, "I've summoned you here to have the same treatment."

Twilight blushed. "R-really? Do you feel we're that close, Princess?"

"Oh, yes, Twilight. In many ways, I feel closer to you than anypony in Canterlot."

The brilliant flush on her cheeks intensified. "I... thank you. I'm honoured, I truly am. Should I take off my skirt and underwear?"

"There will be no need for that. Diorite, Chert, please move to Twilight's sides."

"Yes, my Princess!" The voices rang out in unison, and the nearest two guards broke away from their positions and moved to flank her. Chert was a gleaming white pegasus, his wings folded against his back, with an athletic, wiry build and clear blue eyes. His rigid shaft bobbed with each step.

Twilight smiled at them both, and didn't take it personally when they stood to attention without looking at her, gazing straight ahead. "Chert? That's another rock type. Is it coincidence?"

Celestia smiled to herself. "As a matter of fact, they are cousins." Directing her gaze at the two rigidly attentive guards, she added pleasantly, "Strip Twilight, now."

"Yes, my Princess!"

Chert moved behind her, gripping her arms gently but firmly, and Twilight willingly allowed him to hold her still. Diorite knelt, echoing the position Twilight had taken before her moments ago, and undid her small white shoes. Setting them aside, the naked mare reached up under Twilight's skirt and peeled down her black tights, taking her panties with them. Finally, she undid the pleated skirt with brisk efficiency and eased it off over her tail. Cool air brushed Twilight's exposed skin, and she couldn't help feeling exposed with her violet and pink striped sex on full display.

Celestia leaned forward as Diorite straightened up and moved aside, the Princess's breathing quickening. She murmured appreciatively in her throat as Diorite took one of Twilight's arms, and Chert began unbuttoning her blouse from behind.

Twilight could feel his fingers touching her skin with each button he undid, and felt the velvety heat of his shaft as it gently brushed against her bare thigh. She couldn't control the crimson flush that heated her face.

Princess Celestia wanted to show how close Twilight was to her! This was wonderful.

Diorite was in front of her again, removing her bra. Twilight inhaled deeply as it came free, and she rolled her shoulders as Chert released her arms. Completely nude, she playfully stood to attention as the two guards flanked her once again. "I'm ready to be shaven, Princess!"

A gentle shudder visibly ran through Celestia. "Yes, Twilight. Diorite, bring the shaving equipment and the kettle." A throatier note had entered her soft, calm voice, and Twilight noted it with mild interest. It must be how Celestia sounded on such occasions.

"Yes, my Princess!" Diorite saluted again, and crossed the room to a closed dresser. Within, a delicate shaving kit awaited, sat in a hardwood bowl. The guard methodically carried over the bowl and kit, then filled Celestia's familiar teapot with water from a spigot. Finally, she brought over a pair of large, fluffy white towels and laid one out in front of Twilight.

A golden glow surrounded the kettle as Celestia heated the water within, though no steam emerged from the spout. She must be only heating it gently, Twilight thought as she stepped onto the towel and parted her legs.

Diorite set out a small razor on the edge of the towel with methodical patience, then filled the bowl from the kettle. A few drops of something white from a small bottle caused the water to gently foam.

"It is ready, my Princess," Diorite announced from her position on her knees.

"Begin shaving her. Carefully," Celestia added.

"Yes, my Princess." Diorite picked up a small, soft bristled pad brush and swirled it around in the water, soaking it with suds, then lifted it to Twilight's sex and began briskly rubbing it into her fur. The shock of the warm water and the tickling of the brush was impossible to ignore. Twilight gasped aloud, her knees wobbling before she caught herself.

"Oh, wow," she murmured. It was so exciting to feel the preparations for her to be marked as special to her beloved mentor. She watched Diorite attentively as the dappled pony set down the brush and picked up an elegantly carved razor of wood and white shell, then lifted it to Twilight's sex.

Twilight shivered, trying to stay as still as possible as the razor moved smoothly through the foam and soapy water. She glanced up at Celestia, meeting the Princess's gaze, and smiled. "It tingles. It's a little, mh! It makes me feel a little tender."

"Don't worry, Twilight. You won't be harmed." Celestia's gaze shifted slightly to Twilight's right, and she added mildly, "It's appropriate for you to stroke Chert's length while Diorite tends to you."

"It is?" Twilight blinked. For some reason, she felt as though she should protest, but it was only fair to occupy him while Diorite was busy. Cautiously, she reached out and curled her fingers around his thick, white shaft, finding it hot and steely hard beneath his smooth skin. Her fingers wouldn't meet around his girth. She'd never touched one before, and she found herself curious about the experience.

She traced a prominent vein with her fingertip, and heard a low, deep groan from the guard. Trying to keep her lower body still, distracted both by the work the guard pony was doing between her legs and the heated shaft in her hand, it was hard to think what to do next. Well, it wasn't as though she'd never read about this sort of thing... you were meant to stroke it up and down, weren't you? Experimentally, she squeezed, and began to slide her hand back and forth along his shaft. She felt his body tense, and smiled. That seemed to work!

Diorite laid down the foam-streaked razor and picked up the brush again, dipping it into the bowl and swirling it through the water beneath the foam, before bringing it up to rub down Twilight's newly-shaven sex. The new sensation caught her off guard, and she froze rigid for a moment, softly panting with each swirl of the soft brush against her skin.

All too soon, Diorite laid down the brush, leaving her sex tingling and feeling strangely exposed as the air brushed her bare skin. Celestia watched with calm benevolence, her hard nipples jutting through the thin white silk of her dress, as the guard methodically opened a jar of white paste and began spreading it over the subtle stubble that remained.

"Mffh!" Twilight gasped as she felt it sink into her sensitive skin, bringing with it a flush of burning heat that lingered for a few moments before it eased into a cool, slightly numb feeling. She recognised the sensation; she'd used similar ointments under her arms to ensure no new hair would grow there for a year or two. Abruptly realising she'd stopped stroking Chert, she gave him a slightly embarrassed look and murmured, "Sorry...!" before resuming her vigorous rubbing of his shaft.

This time, she kept going, even when she felt Diorite rinse away the cream with more warm water, and pat her skin dry with the second towel. Trying to concentrate on what she was doing rather than how exposed her delicate sex felt, she began experimenting to see what would coax the loudest noises from Chert.

A single finger and thumb was less effective than curling her whole hand around him. Less pressure seemed to diminish sensation, so gripping harder was best. Even if she squeezed firmly, it didn't seem to do any harm. Long strokes? Hm. Mingling them with shorter ones seemed to work better. Using her fingernails made him gasp, but not quite the way she wanted. Okay. Oh, drumming her fingers underneath his shaft seemed to have an effect. She could try going quicker. Quicker than that, in fact, that was still improving the sounds he made. But surely it couldn't be as simple as just gripping hard and pumping faster? There must be a point where she was going too quickly. Maybe this was the perfect speed...

"Stop, Twilight." Princess Celestia's voice broke into her reverie and she let go of Chert at once, looking up at the Princess questioningly. Beside her, Chert released a long, whimpering groan of frustrated need.

Celestia's chest was heaving, a flush marking the pale upper slopes of her breasts above her dress. "Chert is about to make a mess across the floor. I would prefer that not to happen."

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry, Princess! I just got a little absorbed in what I was doing. Would it be alright if I made some notes later?"

The Princess laughed quietly, a soft, warm sound. "Later then, Twilight. Tell me, what would protect the rug from Chert's excitement?"

"Um. Well, if he wasn't touched, I think he wouldn't go any further. I mean, I'm not sure, but I think he'd need more manual stimulation." Twilight looked slightly questioning. Another area where she wasn't fully knowledgeable! This was just terrible.

"I imagine so. However, it would be cruel to leave him like that. What else?"

"Well... putting something in the way would work. Maybe one of these towels?" Twilight hazarded.

"You have part of the answer."

Oh, bother. What had she missed this time?

"Diorite, present yourself before Chert."

"Yes, my Princess," the guard replied at once. Moving before her cousin, Diorite sank to her knees and spread her muscled thighs, looking up at him. Her hands cupped her firm breasts and lifted them a little, holding them out as if in offering.

"Oh. Oh! I see. I should have thought of that, of course." Twilight blushed. "Should I continue stimulating Chert now, Princess?"

"Please do, Twilight."

For a moment, Twilight was tempted to answer 'Yes, my Princess' as well. Was she meant to reply that way? It was normal for the guards, at least. Deciding to just smile at her teacher, she gazed up at her warmly as she wrapped her hand around Chert's cock and gently pulled it down, aiming it at Diorite's offered cleavage.

Now, what speed had it been? If only she had some way to calibrate the frequency. Maybe if she counted the seconds and matched them to her strokes? One per second was definitely too slow, but it was a place to start. Clear liquid was oozing from the tip of his shaft, and she let it lubricate her hand, feeling how much easier it was for her fingers to glide up and down. That made sense, it was natural lubricant.

Three strokes every two seconds. Still too slow, she hadn't quite hit the right rhythm yet. Chert was groaning louder and louder, his toned body trembling at attention. Two strokes a second. Mm, that was better. Five strokes every two seconds. That seemed to be about right. Fifteen seconds of that. Drum her fingers for five seconds. Another fifteen seconds of-

Chert gasped. His shaft jerked and swelled under Twilight's fingers, and she looked away from Celestia's rapturous expression to catch the moment the first jet of his cum splattered over Diorite's breasts. Careful to keep his shaft aimed at the other guard to avoid spilling anything onto the carpet, Twilight watched as several pulses spilled across the kneeling mare's body, running wetly down her cleavage and dripping over her fingers. Finally, his shaft ceased twitching under her fingers, and Twilight gently lowered it.

"Princess? May I clean up Diorite before she drips on the rug?"

Celestia took a moment before Twilight's words seemed to reach her, and she murmured, "Of course."

Twilight picked up the towel Diorite had used to pat her dry and rubbed it vigorously across the other mare's body, keeping the mess concentrated at one end of the towel. Diorite remained where she knelt, unmoving, low moans escaping her at the very edge of hearing. Twilight eyed her critically. That seemed to have taken care of the worst of it. A splash of now-cooling water from the bowl and a swift rub down with the clean end of the towel finished her off, and Twilight quickly repeated the same action to clean off the end of Chert's cock.

Straightening up, she finally declared brightly, "I think I'm finished, Princess. Do you need me to masturbate any more of your guards?"

"....no, Twilight, I don't think that will be necessary." Celestia shook her head slowly, an expression on her lips that Twilight couldn't decipher. Directing her gaze towards the two motionless guards, she added, "Clear away everything, and return to your posts. Twilight, come to me."

"Yes, my Princess," the two guards chorused obediently.

Twilight moved to stand naked before the lounger where Celestia reclined, a gentle flush on her cheeks. "I'm really happy that you wanted to show how close you are to me. Thank you, Princess, this means so much."

"To me as well, Twilight." Celestia hesitated, an unusual thing for the graceful mare, then reached out slowly and smoothed her hand up Twilight's inner thigh. Her delicate fingers stroked Twilight's newly bare sex, and Twilight couldn't help but shiver in delight at the caress. All too soon, however, the Princess withdrew her hand.

"I shall release you soon, Twilight. You may stay in your own room tonight, and return to Ponyville in the morning. Before you leave my chambers however, there are some things I have to tell you."

"It would be nice to sleep in my old bed again," Twilight confessed. "It makes me feel nostalgic. What is it you'd like to say to me?"

Darkness obliterated everything. Oh. Yes. She was the thing that focused on Celestia. Saw only Celestia. Heard only Celestia.

She awaited Truth.

"You have done well today, Twilight. Listen carefully."

'I have done well. I'll listen.' Of course she would listen. She could only listen.

"Now, Twilight. When I tell you that I am not there, you will forget that I am in the room. You will not see me. You will ignore anything I do. If I speak to you, anything I tell you will seem to be your own idea. It will seem entirely natural to you." Celestia paused, a smile playing about her lips.

"Yes... the first time a pony tells you that they have a reasonable request for you, you will agree to anything they ask. Whatever it is will also seem perfectly normal. This will last until they tell you the request is finished, or until the day ends, whichever is first. You won't tell anyone about anything that happens while I am with you but unseen, nor will you write anything down about it. The same applies to requests. If you need to, you will lie, and find that perfectly normal as well."

Twilight felt her lips begin to shape her thoughtless echo of the words inscribing themselves into her, but immediately fell silent when Celestia added, "If I leave the room, you will see me when I return unless I say otherwise."

'I will see you when you return, unless you tell me you aren't there.'

"Very good, Twilight... dress now. Everything that has happened here today is fading into a cloud. You remember only talking pleasantly to me. You were always shaven."

The rug swam into focus as Twilight moved smoothly and automatically to pick up her discarded clothes from the floor, dressing with smooth efficiency. Celestia's voice reached out to her as she faced forwards again. "Leave my chambers, noticing nothing unusual. Slumber, Twilight."

Twilight jerked, though she wasn't sure why. "Excuse me, Princess," she said politely, with a genuine smile. "I really enjoyed talking to you." Even as she spoke, she was stepping backwards. It was time to go. She had to leave.

"It is always a pleasure to see you, my faithful student. Even when you will not see me."

Twilight waved farewell, walking briskly between the ranks of nude guards and opening the antechamber doors. They closed again behind her as she opened the outer doors and stepped into the corridor, her thoughts already turning to what she'd do next. It would be nice to stay in her old bed for a night. She could take the train back to Ponyville in the morning.

Twilight stared at her hands blankly.

The other Twilight winced, and ventured, "We gathered some experimental data..."

Twilight continued to stare.

"I guess we could make those notes now."

"She - she had me - I masturbated a colt right in front of her!"

Her duplicate nodded, with half a shrug. "A little bit like how we had Fluttershy get off on Rarity's face right in front of us."

"She shaved me! I mean, she had Diorite do it... all the guards were focused!"

"That's pretty bad. We've only had Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, and Zecora do it after we liked the look of it on Applejack. I mean, we do intend to have Pinkie and Fluttershy do it as well, but we haven't yet, so that's okay."

Twilight gave the mare opposite her a look of frustration and outrage. "Since when were you on her side?"

"I'm on your side. Of course I am, and I always will be. But... now you know how she's looking at us. Whatever she intended to do, she wants us to be her personal toy. You get that, I don't have to persuade you anymore. So I need to kind of poke you, and remind you that we're not really innocent here either."

"...I know." Twilight gazed at the last two cubes and winced. "She gave me a phrase that anypony can use? That's so insecure! How could she not have worried about that?"

"Perhaps she believes it's safe because she's overseeing its use. Look."

Twilight took a deep breath, trying to brace herself for anything - not something that had gone well for her recently, but she braced nonetheless - and picked up the cube her double had pointed to.

To her utter surprise, she recognised the memory at once. She had gone to see Cheerilee. They'd talked about her research. And then... then Cheerilee had had a request for her. She remembered this. But she hadn't remembered the glimpse of Celestia sitting in the chair behind the desk in Cheerilee's office, watching her strip. Commanding her to show off her 'little schoolgirl ass' for her.

She'd looked obscene! Then... then Cheerilee was wearing the sluttiest clothes Twilight had ever seen her wear, and Celestia had walked into the classroom, and Cheerilee hadn't even noticed. Celestia had been standing next to Twilight's little desk, speaking pleasantly, telling her how aroused she was, how much she lusted for Cheerilee's body. Telling her to be quiet, and pay attention as Cheerilee told some totally fictional story.

Cheerilee demanding that she stand at the front, as Celestia caressed her ass, told her that she was a naughty schoolgirl, that she loved being punished, that she wanted to be punished. She remembered the scent of Celestia's arousal as she stood in front of Twilight, Twilight's face brushing her white dress as Cheerilee spanked her. Celestia's smooth hands undoing her blouse, squeezing her breasts as her own tongue explored her teacher's sex.

Then she'd just - just walked out, and left Celestia standing beside Cheerilee, even called goodbye to Cheerilee as the schoolteacher gazed thoughtlessly at her Princess, absorbing her words.

"Haah!" Twilight gasped, pushing the cube away again. "I - how didn't I notice? I was - that was in Ponyville! That was only a few days ago!" She desperately tried not to squeeze her thighs together.

The other Twilight looked flushed as well. "It's really very scary, that she was in the room with us, and we didn't know. That we remembered all of that, but didn't realise anything was wrong. But..."

"But, just... wow. I'd never thought of Cheerilee like that before. Oh, wow." Twilight murmured. No. She absolutely couldn't get distracted by how hot that had been. That was very bad. That was... that was after she'd received the letter!

"Yes, it was." Her double didn't need her to say it aloud. "It's just as well she'd gotten bored of asking if anything unusual had happened. That's why I left it so long, and at an irregular interval, in case she was checking regularly."

"So what's this?" Twilight demanded, pointing at the final cube. "How recent is this?"

"Yesterday."

Twilight blanched. "But - Zecora was in my bedroom the whole day!"

Rather than wasting any further time asking questions, she seized the cube.

She'd been out, with Rarity. She'd come home. Spike had been out, and she'd -

She'd almost walked into Princess Celestia. In her shock, she'd barely known what to say, and Celestia had disappeared from her sight almost as soon as she tried. She'd been told to stay where she was, then told she felt like dusting. She had felt like dusting, so she'd begun to, but she was worried about Zecora, so she'd gone to put the duster down. Then she'd been told she had to dust. Wearing a maid outfit. Then naked, when she'd lacked the necessary props.

Celestia had been with her every step, every movement, as she bent double for the Princess's view, and as she stretched on tiptoe. She could remember that divine voice whispering to her, telling her how horny she was getting. How desperately she needed to play with herself.

How much she needed to fantasise about the Princess, to speak her fantasies aloud. A rush of humiliation overcame her as she remembered thoughtlessly groaning out the vivid pictures in her mind, Celestia sat next to her with her own hand inside her vertically slit dress, rubbing rhythmically at her divine sex. Twilight's orgasm had overwhelmed her senses, but when she recovered her wits, it was to see Celestia disappearing out of her tiny home with shameful haste, the door banging closed behind her.

She had been that close to revealing Zecora. To revealing everything.

She was back in her dimly lit living room, facing herself. A true mirror of herself now.

"So now you know what you're going to do," the other Twilight said softly.

She did. "We're not going to take Celestia on because we're better than her."

"But we do need to take her on."

"Because I don't want to be her toy, not forever."

"I don't want to leave, and lose all my friends, either."

"I know I'm not strong enough to leave them alone."

"But I think I'm strong enough to offer each of them a way out, if they really want it."

"Luna and Zecora, too."

"I'll win. Not because it's morally right. Not because it's better for Equestria. Because it's what I really want."

"And only one user of the charm can get what they want."

Twilight rose from her chair. The other Twilight rose from hers.

The table between them melted away.

Twilight's arms wrapped around Twilight, who held her tightly in return. Twilight's lips met Twilight's, and she kissed, and they kissed, deeply, endlessly, thoughts mingling, tongues dancing. Until everything was warmth and darkness.

Her eyes opened. The cabin was still, sunshine pouring through the windows. Trixie and Luna gazed at her expectantly.

Twilight straightened. Squared her shoulders.

"Right."

Author's Notes:

Twilight has heard a proverb about those failing to learn their history being destined to repeat it.

This time, things are going to go differently.

Proofed by the speedy and vigilant Setokaiva.