It's strange, to think how many changes happen even when I'm not there. But then, I guess that's to be expected. I've already changed so much, it's changed the ones around me too. Luna being more outgoing, and now Spike managing to get the Crusaders their marks, and on their first attempt no less. These changes are going to keep piling up, more and more, and...I guess I'm just going to have to deal with that. Twilight broke out into a small smile. Still...at the very least I get days like today. She looked around, seeing the gloriously bright sun lighting up all of Ponyville, with everypony out and about, enjoying their day. This is what I live for. Those few, pleasant days where everypony is safe, everypony is happy, and nothing bad is happening. Well...almost nothing bad. Her smile faded as she turned, seeing the one who walked beside her. It was Fluttershy, keeping her head down as usual. However, unlike she normally appeared, she was wearing a massive hat, complete with sunglasses to obscure her appearance. Twilight sighed at seeing her like this, prompting Fluttershy herself to speak up.

"You don't think anypony has spotted me, do you?"

Twilight shook her head.

“No, Fluttershy, you're safe."

The pegasus mare sighed at that, making sure to avoid eye-contact with everypony who passed them by. Seeing her like this, Twilight shook her head. Her brief tenure as a fashion model didn't suit her one bit. But, being the mare she is, she could never tell Rarity that it wasn't something she wanted. So, the two of them just stayed quiet, not wanting to disappoint one another. Stubborn. But, that's not the way it's going to happen this time, no Sir. This time, we'll have a nice, friendly chat with one another. As they walked on, it quickly became apparent that they were heading in the direction of the Carousel Boutique, at which point, Fluttershy raised her head with some curiosity upon her face.

"Um...is it really a good idea to bother Rarity right now? I mean...she has those new designs she's making with those gems, isn't she?"

Twilight nodded in confirmation at that. Yes, the gems. Aside from the ones I gave her form that dragon hoard, she also got a few from the outskirts of Ponyville. A smirk crept onto her face as she considered that. A gem-hunt that was rather lacking in canine intrusion, thanks to my earlier...visit to the creatures. Seriously, I wonder if any dangerous creature is even left in the area after everything I've been doing recently. They'd better not be. Ponyville is under my protection, and I will not tolerate threats to it. However, rather than gain the look of determination one normally would with such thoughts, Twilight instead kept on smiling as she turned to her friend.

"I know Rarity is busy...but this is a visit that needs to happen. You and her have to talk about...what's been going on."

Upon hearing that, Fluttershy immediately stopped, looking at Twilight with utter shock.

"But...but...but...but...I can't! You know I can't! She'll be so disappointed in me, after everything she's done to get me here!"

Twilight turned her her, giving her a single nod.

"I know. But you’re unhappy when you're in that spotlight. That's what this all comes back to for me. You need to tell her, and soon."

But Fluttershy remained still, shaking her head furiously as she did so. Frowning, Twilight let out a sigh. She won't come easy, so I guess I'll have to do this the hard way. Her expression softened somewhat. I'm sorry, Fluttershy, but it's for your own good. Besides, I really don't want to have to sabotage you this time around to get you to be honest. Closing her eyes, Twilight began to concentrate on her magic, her horn starting to light up soon afterwards. Fluttershy noticed this and her eyes began to widen with worry, knowing that Twilight's spells usually meant something big was going to happen. Her worry increased when she saw that, soon afterwards, she herself was now bathed in her friend’s magical aura, as was Twilight herself. Before the pegasus could do or say anything, there was a near-blinding flash of light, but only for a brief moment. When it died down, Fluttershy opened her eyes to find, to her utter shock, that they had teleported together to a new location. Unfortunately for Fluttershy, that location was right in the middle of Rarity's dress-making room in the boutique. And speaking of whom, that very unicorn was there now, jumping back with surprise at the sudden and unexpected arrival of her two friends.

"Yah! Wha...Twilight? Fluttershy? What...what are you doing here?!"

The surprise in her tone was obvious to anypony, and Twilight walked towards her with an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry to barge in on you like this, Rarity, but you and Fluttershy have things you need to discuss."

Immediately, the alabaster unicorn's pupils shrank, as realisation began to sink in for her.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about, my dear."

Twilight narrowed her eyes a bit. You're a poor liar, Rarity. Turning, Twilight began to open her mouth, ready to say the same thing to Fluttershy. However, she noted that the latter was instead making a break for the door, no doubt ready to escape from this. Frowning, Twilight's horn began to glow once more, and soon, that door was closed, covered from top to bottom in her magic. Try as she might, Fluttershy couldn't get the thing to budge, and soon turned around again, her eyes almost pleading.

"Twilight...please!"

The young unicorn let out another sigh, her expression softening somewhat.

"Fluttershy...you and Rarity need to say this to one another."

Rarity looked from Twilight to Fluttershy, raising her eyebrow.

"Fluttershy?"

But Fluttershy was just shaking her head again.

"It's not true! I don't have anything important to tell you, I swear!"

Hearing this, Twilight stamped her hoof down, causing both mares to back away slightly.

"You two are friends! You need to be open with one another! Or have you forgotten that there's a reason why "honesty" is one of the Elements of Harmony?"

Both Fluttershy and Rarity turned to each other, each desperately trying to come up with some kind of counter-argument for that. When none arrived, Twilight continued.

"Just look at each other. Anypony can tell that you're both unhappy right now. If you want that to end...you both know what you have to do!"

There was silence between the three yet again, and Twilight's two friends just stared at each other, neither of them wanting to be the one to say anything. Whether they actually figured out what the other wanted to confess to, nopony could say, but regardless, Twilight stood there, watching both of them in utter silence. Come on, girls! It's like ripping off a Band-Aid. You know you won't like it, but you also know that it's something you have to do. Minute after minute passed, and still no word escaped either mare, at which point Twilight's ears began to drop somewhat. However, as this occurred, both she and Rarity began to hear an unmistakeable whisper on Fluttershy's part. They both looked to her, seeing her struggle with her words. Come on, Fluttershy, you can do it, Twilight thought. Eventually, the timid Pegasus finally managed to get out a coherent sentence.

"Rarity? I...I...I might not be...entirely happy with...what I've been doing."

Rarity stood there, looking more than a little surprised at what she'd just heard, and then starting to look somewhat guilty. Bet you wish you were the first to speak now, don't you, Rarity? A few moments afterwards, the fashionista also began to speak up.

"Well...if we're being totally honest...I may have been somewhat...envious of the attention Photo Finish has been giving you."

Fluttershy's ears perked up after hearing that.

"You...you have?"

Rarity nodded.

"Yes. I know it was selfish of me, but...I was hoping her photo shoot with you might lead her to notice me and my designs afterwards. That she began to focus so much on you...well...I suppose it made me a tad jealous."

Fluttershy seemed to be quiet taken aback by that, prompting her to step forwards a little.

"Oh, Rarity! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to steal your spotlight! It's just...you worked so hard to get me here...I didn't want to let you down!"

Rarity looked up at her with surprise, before eventually breaking out into a small smile.

"Oh, darling! You have nothing to be sorry for! I'm the one who should be sorry! Putting you in the limelight like that. I should have known from the start that you'd be uncomfortable with it!"

Fluttershy shook her head.

"No, no! You're my friend! I'd always be willing to go through that for you!"

Rarity appeared genuinely touched by that sentiment, and the two mares walked towards each other, and moments afterwards, embraced each other in a warm hug. Twilight smiled at that. Like Applejack always says, a little honesty does wonders, even if it is difficult sometimes. She stayed there, seeing them continue to hug, all the while trading back comments on who was more to blame, neither of which being willing to admit to anything less than themselves as the true one at fault. It was a sight that caused Twilight to giggle slightly. I should have done this the first time. Why in Equestria did I stay silent? Before she could ponder any more on that thought, she and the other mares were taken aback to find that Pinkie Pie suddenly burst into the room, panting furiously as if she'd just run a long way. After taking a few moments to catch her breath, she marched over to Twilight and pointed her hoof at her in an accusing manner.

"Twilight! You broke a Pinkie promise!"

Twilight looked around nervously before answering back.

"But...but I didn't make a Pinkie promise!"

Pinkie opened her mouth to reply, only to suddenly seem deep in thought over something. After a while, she broke out into a smile and shrugged her shoulders a little.

"Oh...guess you didn't. Sorry, my mistake. Have a nice day!"

With that, the pink mare darted out of the room once more, leaving three very bemused mares in her wake. In this silence, Twilight placed a hoof to her nose, groaning slightly as she spoke under her breath.

"Oh yeah...that's why I kept quiet. Pinkie promises."

A look of curiosity crossed her face as she considered that.

Hmmm...I wonder if she'd actually put a cupcake in my eye if I broke one?