Six months had passed since the ordeals had occurred, and since moved along. It was now winter, with the snow blanketing the landscape. On a particular day, Twilight Sparkle had taken to just going out for a walk along the outskirts of Ponyville. It was snowing, the sky a gray overcast, with not a sound to be heard.

She smiled, liking the peaceful, quiet atmosphere. The cool air refreshed her body, little snowflakes landed on her nose and eyelashes, to which she didn't care.

Looking up toward the gray sky, it was then that the peaceful, winter atmosphere was broken. A rainbow streak was soaring through the air at lightning speed, which then dove to the ground, landing in a snowbank.

Twilight didn't even need a closer look to know who it was. She trotted over to the bank, seeing nothing but cyan hind legs and a rainbow tail poking out from it.

“Nice landing, Rainbow,” she said dryly.

“Mmph!” Rainbow Dash pulled herself out from the snow, shaking her head furiously as she did so. “Hey, I saw you walking there and wanted to make a big entrance!”

Twilight snickered, smiling then. “I can't say I'm surprised. I didn't think you'd be gone that long.”

Shaking the snow off her body and saddlebags, Rainbow grinned widely. “It was just what I needed! I didn't just go to see my relatives in Port Pegasus, I went traveling around!” She leaped into the air, hovering, and spread her forelegs for emphasis. “But I'll tell you guys all about it when Pinks throws that inevitable party. So! What'd I miss? Anything you need to update me on?”

Twilight used her magic to draw out a quill and a notepad from her saddlebags. “Well, I got a shipment of the new Daring Do books and comics last week. I'm sure you're going to be eager to read those. You missed cider season, but Applejack saved you a couple of bottles from the leftover cider they had. Cadance has been showing a lot more for the past couple of months. She's seven months along at the moment, and it looks like they're going to be having a filly!”

“Hey, that's pretty cool. Any idea if the foal's going to have wings?”

“Yes! It was confirmed during her last checkup that the baby was going to be born an alicorn!” Twilight said excitedly, bouncing on the spot.

“Sweet! That's going to be awesome!” Rainbow swooped about above the ground a few times before landing again.

“Yeah, you said it, Rainbow.” Twilight shook her head with an amused smile at her friend's enthusiasm.

Rainbow Dash shrugged then, flexing her wings. “So, uh...how's Fluttershy been? She's uh...not angry at me, is she?”

“Of course she isn't,” Twilight assured her, “she's perfectly fine. Yeah, she was still really sad at first, even more so when you were going to be gone for a while. But, after about a week since you left, we managed to help her out. Discord especially managed to get her back on her hooves! Since then, she's missed you, but she's been fine.”

“Right! Um...well, that's cool! Glad to hear she's okay! I've been sending her letters, she sent me a few back, you know...” Rainbow said, looking around her, as if nervous.

The lavender unicorn gave her a look, trying not to smile. “I see. Well, I also have other news. Fluttershy's been seeing somepony for a couple of months.”

Carefully, Twilight gauged her friend's reaction. She expected Rainbow to be able to hide it perfectly, with only traces of emotion to her reaction. However, that didn't happen. The daredevil looked distraught as her ears and wings drooped. Even more so, her cerise eyes seemed to be pooling with moisture.

“S-She...moved on?”

This was too good. Twilight would've kept it going, but could only see how much of a cruel joke this was. She shook her head and smiled.

“No, I'm kidding! She isn't seeing anypony.”

Naturally, the once sad look on the cyan pony's face formed into a frown. Realizing her mistake, Twilight shrunk back a bit.

“You lied?! Lied?! You told a stupid joke like that-even Pinkie and I don't make pranks like that! Why the hay did you-”

“Rainbow, I'm sorry!” Twilight cut her off. “I guess I was trying to gauge your reaction the wrong way,” she said sheepishly. “I'm sorry, Rainbow-I'm just bad with jokes.”

“Yeah, no kidding.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. She exhaled, then looked at her with curiosity. “So, any idea if Fluttershy's still...you know...?”

Twilight snorted, giving her a look. “Why are you asking me? You can ask her yourself. If you're going to make a move, then do it. You don't need my permission.”

“I was just checking, okay?!” Said the speedster, blushing furiously.

A silence overcame them, as Twilight was beginning to realize the motivations within her friend's question. “So, you're really giving her a chance?”

Rainbow blushed, looking away from her. “Of course I am!”

“Ooooh, so you do love her, huh?”

“I didn't say that!”

“You were thinking it,” Twilight teased, giggling.

“Was not!” Rainbow's cheeks puffed. “I don't know, okay?! But I'm pretty sure that I do. I want to give her a chance. She's my best friend and fact she loves me is really awesome. I can't imagine sharing it with anypony else... I want to give her a chance. I mean, we've already rolled in the hay together...” She blushed at this, pacing the ground a bit.

“Right...” Twilight's eyes darted. “I didn't think you'd want to talk abotut it like this.”

“Hey, I need a bit of help from my friends sometimes! Give me a break here!”

Rolling her eyes playfully, the unicorn nudged her friend lightly as she came up beside her.

“All right, no more teasing. But I'm glad you're giving her a chance, I'm sure she'll be thrilled.”

Rainbow smiled a bit more. “Yeah, I hope so. I guess I just want to give her a chance before I really say yes or no about my own feelings, really. But I think I love her, so, may as well go with it.”

“Well, good luck, Rainbow.” Twilight hugged her, “I'm glad you're back, we all missed you.”

“Thanks, Twilight! It's great to be back!” Rainbow returned the embrace, patting her. “So hey, how about Ascentia? What's she up to?”

“Oh, she went to the Val'Kyr Capital about a week ago.” Twilight recalled, shrugging lightly. “She wasn't sure why, though-all I know is that she had to report there. I haven't seen her since.”

The cyan pegasus gave a nonchalant shrug, then bid her farewell before she flew off to go home. Seeing it as a good idea, Twilight turned and decided to head back to the library. An idea was forming in her mind, despite her own doubts trying to pull it apart. It remained strong, however, refusing to just be let go.

The next day, while Twilight was doing some reading, Spike had come running into her room. Sure enough, it was a letter that he held in his claw, but with a different kind of parchment. All things considered, she could only guess that Ascentia was writing to her.

Sure enough, she was right. Despite that there was no signature, there was no mistaking the handwriting.

Twilight,

I will be returning to Equestria by tomorrow morning.

Considering the circumstances of my sudden departure, I had wanted to let you know. If you wish to stop in sometime by then, you're welcome to.

It was, yet again, more of a professional note than a personal letter, but Twilight could see why. She was probably in a rush and didn't have much time to compose a full letter. Not that it mattered, at least now she had a good idea of when she would return.

“Spike, could you do me a favour?” Twilight said, placing the letter down.

Spike nodded, approaching her bed. “Sure Twilight, tell me!”

“I need you to find the Relationship Help book. I, uh...forgot where I put it...” The unicorn gave a sheepish smile.

The baby dragon stared at her as if she'd grown a second head. “You forgot?! How did you forget something like that?!”

“Ugh...” Twilight facehoofed, groaning. “Look, I don't know how I forgot. I guess it's just because I never really had the chance to read it.”

“Well, okay... If you say so,” Spike continued to give her a weird, yet sympathetic look. “I'll go find it, then.”

He left the room, then came back a few minutes later with a book in hand. It was a book on self-help with relationships, which Twilight admittedly hadn't peeked at. But now, with everything on her mind, she figured that now was as good a time as any to try reading it.

Part of starting a relationship is to be honest from the beginning with your partner. A good start is to be clear with your intentions from the beginning.

Twilight rolled her eyes at that passage. “Well, that's easier said than done, isn't it?”

She flipped over to the Table of Contents, checking for a chapter about how to approach certain matters. It definitely wasn't specific, considering that most of the advice and tips were more generalized than anything. Understandable, a lot of newcomers to dating needed a little help.

“Jeez...this is tough...”

Keeping secrets from your partner can only hurt the relationship. It's always the best idea to be honest with one another.

Long-distance relationships can work in theory, but isn't always easy in practice. It takes a different level of work and commitment from both parties involved.

Negotiation and compromises work to help building the strength of your relationship with your partner. It can't all be romantic candlelit evenings unless all the key factors are in place.

The future can hold a lot of new things for a couple, most especially if the commitment is indeed for the long-term.

Twilight's mind reeled from all the information, running about in her head like wild dogs. She let her head fall onto the open page with a groan of frustration. After a moment or two, she gently moved the book aside, sitting back up again. She'd been at this for a while now, without looking at the clock, and still had no idea how to even approach the matter.

“Darn...what am I going to do?”

Exhaling, the unicorn got off her bed, heading out of her room. A dark storm cloud loomed over her thoughts, buzzing and storming with the same questions all over. She couldn't think straight, nor figure out a solution to the matter. But what more could she do? Being new to friendship was one thing, but to romance? That definitely was a different kind of subject altogether.

Not only that, but it was especially with who she was planning to attempt at courting with. It wasn't just some other pony, at least that would've been easier. But a bipedal, powerful creature from another world? That was a severe mind screw if she ever saw one. Not that it mattered on a personal level, but beyond that, what if it was going to be a problem?

Twilight sighed, going into the kitchen to nibble on something. Or, so that was her plan before she heard the front door burst open. Before she could even head downstairs to assess the situation, the answer came in the form of Rainbow Dash. It didn't take a studying scholar like herself to realize that the speedster had not only been flying in the winter air, but was flying fast. There was also something different about her, which Twilight admittedly couldn't put her hoof on.

“H-Hey, Twilight...!” Rainbow panted a bit, catching her breath.

“Rainbow, hey...” Twilight blinked, leading her friend toward the kitchen. “Where's the fire?”

Rolling her eyes, the cyan pegasus followed her. “Very funny, egghead. So what if I couldn't control my speed? I am the fastest flyer out of Cloudsdale, you know!”

“You're definitely the loudest,” Twilight quipped, retrieving some packets of hot chocolate with her magic. “Want some?”

“Yeah, sure,” Rainbow said, seating herself at the table.

Nodding, the unicorn went to work on preparing some hot chocolate. In doing so, she glanced toward her prismatic friend every now and then, still trying to deduce what was up with her. Moreover, the very question she was certain that Rainbow knew she'd ask was knocking at her brain.

Once the hot chocolate was done, she levitated the mugs to the table and sat across from the pegasus.

“All right, Rainbow, I may as well get it out of the way: Did you do it-asking out Fluttershy?” Twilight asked, sliding a jar of mini marshmallows to her.

A big, cheery grin stretched Rainbow Dash's face. “You bet I did!” She said, taking a few marshmallows and adding them to the mug.

“Oh, wow!” Twilight gaped for a moment, unable to believe she was actually hearing it. “Really? So it worked?”

“It definitely worked, Twilight! I'm uh...not gonna go into too much detail, besides, it's a long story.” Rainbow waved it off, taking a careful sip of her hot chocolate. After she had a chance to swallow it down, she continued, “But I'm giving Fluttershy a chance.”

Smiling, Twilight felt a warming sensation in herself, which wasn't just from the hot chocolate. “Awww, that's great, Rainbow! I guess she really was thrilled about it, wasn't she?”

“You can say that again! She was so happy, she was crying!” The cyan mare chuckled a bit, shaking her head. “Seriously though, it felt pretty awesome to just get that all out. We spent the day together, before and after the party, making up for the past-what, six months?”

“Ohhhh...” Twilight hid a smile behind her hoof, giggling. “Well, six months is a long time! Especially away from your friends and family. I guess you two really did have a lot of catching up to do, didn't you?”

Rainbow Dash smirked, winking at her and drinking some more hot chocolate. “Tons. If you know what I mean...”

Despite having already suspected that, it did still make Twilight blush. She could only imagine what six months worth of pent-up sexual tension could do to two ponies. Now she understood, Rainbow was in fact, glowing from such activities.

“I-think I get the idea,” she said, awkwardly. She took another sip of her hot chocolate to stall conversation. Clearing her throat, Twilight veered the topic, “So, do you still have her primary feather?”

Rainbow nodded with a smile, “I had it with me the entire trip. Kinda like a good luck charm. It's back at my place now, in a special spot. And when I know for sure, I'm giving Fluttershy mine.”

“You really are, huh?” Twilight smiled warmly. “That's, well, really sweet of you, Rainbow.”

Contended silence fell among the two ponies as they drank their hot chocolate. Twilight felt glad for her friends, any and all worry of the uncertainty with them just about having faded. All that was left was for them to see where it all went. But she had a good feeling about them, though.

Admittedly, she felt envious of Rainbow's guts to take that plunge. If she could do it, why couldn't she herself do the same? What could she even do about it? Take the chance, or play it safe?

“Twi? Hey, Twilight! Equestria to Twilight! Did you hear me?” Rainbow was now waving a hoof in her face, trying to get her attention.

“Huh?” Blinking, Twilight shook her head and tried to readjust herself. “I, huh? What happened?”

Giving her a look, Rainbow finished down her hot chocolate, then set the mug aside. “You were staring into space for the past five minutes, that's what. I was trying to ask what was going on, but you didn't answer.”

“I...oh, sorry. I guess I was just lost in thought...” Twilight mumbled sheepish. She looked to her friend, biting her lip. “...Rainbow, can I ask you something?”

“Nopony's stopping you,” the cyan mare shrugged. “What's up?”

“How did you do it?”

“...How did I do what?”

Sighing, Twilight should've figured she wouldn't get the hint. Then again, it was likely because Rainbow wanted her to be specific. “How did you realize you wanted to give Fluttershy a chance? How did you tell her?”

“Oh!” Rainbow fidgeted slightly, looking uncertain. “Well, I...can't really say how. But uh, you know... It was just something I wanted to do all along, but I wasn't really sure if I really did. Heck, I wasn't even sure how to do it. My aunt and uncle told me that the best thing I could do with that is to just take a chance! When I got to Fluttershy's yesterday, I was nervous as heck, and I wasn't sure how to say it. You know me, I'm no good with this romantic, sappy stuff.”

Twilight nearly made an agreeing statement, but decided against it for now.

“Anyway,” she went on, looking off at nowhere in particular, “so I was trying to say it, but I couldn't. But Fluttershy always had this way of bringing out that more sappy side of me, you know? Before I knew it, before I was even ready to, I was laying it all out for her. I asked her out right on the spot!”

“In other words, your mind had to catch up with your mouth, which was unfiltered.” Twilight surmised.

Rainbow nodded, looking back at her again. “Yeah, I guess... I uh, didn't even really know what to say or do after that. She just looked at me, all surprised and stuff. Next thing I knew, she was hugging me, crying, and she said yes. Yeah, big surprise!” She leaned back in her chair, cool as a cucumber. “So yeah, that's what happened!”

“Wow...” Twilight murmured, finishing her own mug of hot chocolate. “Well...how does it feel?”

“Awesome.” Rainbow smiled, and not in a cocky manner, but a true, genuine look of happiness. “Call me sappy for saying this, but I think it's gonna be the start of an awesome lovefest! I feel great calling her my marefriend, and my best friend all at once. I'm glad I took the chance, and I guess I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't! Kinda like when I did eventually take a chance during the Best Young Flyer's Competition.”

“Who could forget that?” The unicorn said dryly.

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow continued, “I was nearly ready to back out completely. But I'm glad I didn't, because I wouldn't be where I am today. Just one step closer to becoming a Wonderbolt!”

“That's...not really the same thing, Rainbow.”

“Hey, give me a break here! I don't exactly have anything else to compare it to!”

Twilight just smiled, giggling a bit. “I know. But I see what you're saying, Rainbow. I'm really happy for you two, of course.”

“Thanks!” The cyan pegasus grinned widely. “So, what about you?”

“...What about me?” Twilight raised a brow with confusion.

“Uh, hello? You and Ascentia, of course! You guys are still rolling in the hay?”

“Well, yes...but...” Twilight's cheeks pinkened. “I thought a lot about it for the past few months. Especially when you left, actually. I thought maybe-I don't know, I'd try the same thing. She loves me, and I...well, I guess I want to give her a chance, too.”

Rainbow looked a bit surprised, but then began to laugh a bit. Twilight stared, wondering why she was laughing now. Either way, she began to feel a tinge of discomfort. Here she was, trying to open up to a trusted friend, and all she received was laughter.

“Come on, stop laughing! It's not funny! I'm being serious here!”

“It kinda is, if you think about it!” Rainbow snickered, holding her sides. “But I gotta say, it's about time you-”

“Let met guess. Ooh, it was so obvious, clear as day? Everypony talks about my love life and sex life? Oh my gosh, and with a strange weird alien? Yeah, I know, laugh it up! Go ahead, get it out of your system!” The lavender pony crossed her forelegs with irritation.

“Hey, hey, chill out!” Rainbow raised her hooves in defense. “I wasn't laughing at you about it! It was just kinda funny in the big picture, that's all. Sheesh, settle down.”

Taking a deep breath, Twilight's irritation melted as she relaxed a bit. The tension within herself lifted. “Okay...I'm sorry about that. I guess I just wasn't in the mood for jokes about it.”

“I wasn't gonna, but okay,” the daredevil pegasus shrugged. “So, what's the problem?”

“What do you mean, what's the problem?” Twilight parroted, looking at her with disbelief. “You of all ponies should know how this feels!”

“Well, yeah.”

“Then you know it's not that easy, is it?”

Rainbow sighed, shaking her head a bit. “Well, duh. Of course I know that! It's not easy, you're fighting with yourself about how you feel, and whether or not it's a good idea. But you know what? Just do it.”

“Rainbow, I-” Twilight began.

“Buck up, grow a pair, and just do it!” Rainbow Dash cut her off. “Get it over with and just see what happens!”

Frozen with surprise, Twilight knew all too well that she was right. Taking chances and just going for it was the best way to go. Stalling and trying to hold back was just delaying the inevitable, which was a terrible feeling. The uncertainty of what the future held was often scary, but you would never know unless you tried. Unless you took a chance.

She could imagine what would happen if she never did.

All of her fearful resolve melted away, the tension subsiding, and the anxiety lifting. Twilight felt more prepared than she expected to. If it worked for Rainbow Dash, who had long since said she wasn't the mushy type... Who was to say that it couldn't work for a geeky bookworm like herself?

“Okay, Rainbow. You're right. I'll do it!”

Grinning, the prismatic pegasus winked at her. “That's the spirit, Twilight! I know you can do it!”

“I can do it!” Twilight rose up from her chair. “If I can read twelve books in one sitting, foalsit, make scientific experiments, calculate math problems, use my magic, study friendship, and everything else in between.... Then I can give romance a chance! Rainbow, I think you have a report to make. All things considered, it makes a perfect report for my assignment. Spike, take a letter!”

“You got it!” Spike said from nearby, coming forth with a quill and some parchment.

“Oh, all right...” Rainbow rolled her eyes, but stood up and cleared her throat, beginning to dictate. “Dear Princess Celestia.

“Sometimes, when somepony you know admits that they're in love you, you have no idea what to think, or even what to do about it. You think it'd be easy to turn them down, and sometimes that's the best thing to do. But there are definitely exceptions to that rule.

“I realized that I couldn't turn down Fluttershy when I wasn't even sure about how I felt. She is my best friend, she deserved that much, I guess. I decided to give her a chance. I'm glad that I did, because I knew I'd regret it if I didn't.

“It's all about taking chances and just going for it, even if you have no idea what the result is gonna be. Sometimes you need to try something new before you realize you're not into it.

“Your awesome and loyal subject, Rainbow Dash!”

Twilight gave a hearty laugh, while Spike finished it up, then blew the magical fire to send it off.

“But, why did you make me do it? Weren't you going to?” Rainbow wanted to know.

A warm smile overcame the unicorn's features. “Maybe it was a little more of the push I needed. Besides, you had the courage to do the same thing I'm doing first, I think you deserved that chance.”

“Oh, come on, Twilight! You've got an even bigger story to tell!”

“Maybe, but that doesn't make your own any less significant. Besides, you really helped me with this.” Twilight patted her friend's shoulder appreciatively. “You know how it feels to be friends with benefits. You know how it feels to have someone close to you admit that they're in love with you. And, well...you know how it feels to take that kind of chance.”

This made the cyan mare chuckle a bit. “I guess you're right. Kinda like a 'been there, done that' sort of thing!”

Twilight nodded, nudging her lightly. “Exactly! So, I really have to thank you, Rainbow. You've been pretty helpful with all of this!”

“What are friends for?” Rainbow nudged her back, winking. “Besides, you gave me the idea to go on that big adventure, so you did me a favour, too!”

Both of them shared a hug, laughing together. While the elements of their circumstances differed greatly, they did understand what it meant to be in each other's position. It felt great to be able to help one another out and open up about the issues of it all. Twilight felt an air of confidence, ready to face exactly what she was shooting for. Whether or not it would work in the end was still a mystery, but she wasn't about to let the unknown push her away this time.

The next morning, at the fairly reasonable hour of eleven, Twilight showed up at Ascentia's alcove. Sure enough, upon her entrance, the Val'Kyr was already there, sitting on the couch and reading a book.

“Hey!” Twilight greeted happily, trotting over to her.

Ascentia smiled at her, placing the book aside. “Hello there, Twilight.”

Twilight went over to the couch, bringing her forelegs around the woman in a hug. “Welcome back! How did it go? I mean, is everything going okay there?”

“At the Capital?” Ascentia returned the hug, while an unreadable tone came to her voice, “Yes...everything's fine. As fine as can be, considering my line of work.”

“Well...it had to have been important, right? I doubt they'd call you there for a pizza party.” Twilight said dryly.

A small smile quirked at the woman's lips. “Twilight...where do you get such silly ideas?”

“I was trying to be funny,” the unicorn mumbled, looking away. “No, really. Why did you have to go there?”

“Nothing that you need to know of. We merely had to discuss matters, and we had a few worlds to take care of.”

“Oh, come on! You have awesome adventure stories and all these theories from the other worlds! You can tell me, you know I like those stories you have.”

Chuckling, Ascentia gently pried her off. “Perhaps another time, Twilight.”

Twilight pouted, crossing her forelegs. “Fine. But I'm not letting you off the hook that easily.”

“Silly,” the woman poked her in the snout. “Now, what about you? Have I missed anything?”

“Well, kind of! Rainbow Dash came back two days ago, actually. I was pretty surprised-but you know her, she always manages to make quite an entrance,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. “Pinkie of course threw this big party, and Rainbow filled us in on all kinds of stories of her adventure!”

“I see. It's too bad I missed that. I'm sure she had quite some tales to tell.”

“You have no idea,” the unicorn giggled. “But anyway, here's the kicker. She actually decided to give Fluttershy a chance!”

“Is that so? Well, then it's about time, don't you think?”

“I know! She said she was going to try for it! Yesterday, she came over for a chat, and she told me it all worked out! I mean, I suspected it might've worked, since they were practically glued to each other's sides during the party. So she told me about it, and I'm glad she did it!” Twilight clapped her hooves happily.

Ascentia ruffled her mane, shaking her head a bit. “Good for them, then. I'm sure you have a good feeling about them, don't you?”

Twilight nodded, playfully batting her hand away. “Yeah, I do! And I bet you that Pinkie is already planning their wedding reception, if I know her!”

“Hmm, that seems like her, doesn't it?” The woman said, leaning back a bit.

“No kidding!” Twilight fell over her lap, giggling. “It's been, what, a week? I guess that's about all you really missed.”

Tousling her mane, the woman smiled. “Oh, surely you have other stories to tell, don't you?”

“Well, nothing exciting, really.”

As Twilight lay there, head in Ascentia's lap, she wondered just what would make for a good lead-in. But how would she? It wasn't the kind of topic you could bring up out of nowhere, but she knew that delaying the inevitable wouldn't work, either. All at once, the very fact that she was new to this whole thing was overcoming her.

'Rainbow said she just said it, before realizing it...because Fluttershy brings out that side of her...because with her, she feels that she can really be herself. That she can really express how she feels... Maybe, I just need to let that happen. But how do I do that?'

“Actually, I do have something to share,” Twilight suddenly said. Her eyes went wide as she sat up, staring at nothing. 'What just happened?'

“What is it?” She could barely hear Ascentia's voice speaking to her.

'It happened... I just...it came out...before I realized it would. It's what I want to say, I'm thinking it, but I didn't even filter it...'

“I-...well I... you see, I... I...”

“Twilight?”

Opening her mouth again, all the unicorn could manage were incoherent babbles. Trying to let her mind wander free was not working, her brain was far too quick to let her mouth speak unfiltered. Nothing was coming out. She was suddenly realizing that it was too soon, she wasn't ready, she didn't even know how to word any of it.

“I just...well I... I don't...you see... It's hard... I just-HAUGH!”

Twilight attempted to gasp for air when she felt an unseen force suddenly close around her throat. Not enough to strangle her instantly, but enough to make it difficult to breathe. She clutched at her throat, as if trying to pry apart whatever was grasping it, despite nothing being there.

Ascentia stood before her, looking down at her with a calm, even gaze. Her hand was outstretched, pantomiming the gesture of holding something, namely thin air. In technicality, she was using telekinetic force for strangulation.

“Twilight, you are getting nowhere, and are beating around the bush.” Ascentia's voice was calm, soothing even. She released her hold. “Now, calm down. There's no need to panic or to rush yourself. Take a few deep breaths, and just tell me.”

Gasping and coughing, Twilight hunched over, eyes wide, holding her throat.

“Breathe, Twilight.”

Obeying, she did so. Inhale through the nose. Exhale through the mouth. Despite the pain of being strangled for a few brief moments, she knew she had to get her thoughts straight.

“Okay, okay, okay! Just...give me a minute, okay?! I-I never did this before!” Twilight gasped, taking a few more deep breaths.

Ascentia nodded. “Take your time. Keep breathing.”

This definitely was easier said than done. All the more she tried to speak, nothing came out. She fidgeted, squeaked, twiddled her hooves, feeling as if her confidence was sinking like a ship.

'Come ON, Twilight! Get it out! Let it all out! Be honest! Do what Rainbow did, and look where that got her! DO IT!!! Come on! Shake her 'till she sings! Shake her 'till she sings-wait, how does that even work? You shake a woman until she starts singing? But wouldn't that eventually get uncomfortable? Wouldn't the woman struggle? Wouldn't she say or do anything but that? Shake her 'till she sings? Is that a metaphor? What would it even represent? I mean, I know quite a few metaphors that sometimes don't make sense out of context, but this one really does just take the cake. So how would it-focus! Focus, Twilight!'

“Twilight?”

Groaning, Twilight facehoofed. “I can't do it! I just... I want to do this right, I have to do it right! But if I don't, then it'll be ruined! I only have once chance at this! And if I screw it up, then it'll all be for naught! I can't just sit on a mess-up!”

Ascentia approached her, kneeling down at her level. “Twilight, I might know a way that can help you.”

Rubbing her eyes, thankful that she wasn't crying, the lavender mare looked up at her companion. “What is it?”

“We Val'Kyr have a technique known as mind probing. It gives us the ability to read the minds of whomever we choose on a whim. Rest assured, I never used it on you, I wouldn't do that without your consent. That being said, if you want, I can use it in order to figure out what it is you're trying to tell me.”

“...Well...I uh...I guess...if it could help... Are you sure you want to find out that way?”

“I don't mind. You seem to be having trouble saying it. So perhaps it will be better explained in your head,” Ascentia smiled a bit then. “I'm sure you're familiar with ideas sounding better in your head, but when you actually formulate them into spoken word, they seem to change?”

A small smile crossed Twilight's face. “Yeah, I do. ... Well, okay... You can try that, then.”

Nodding, the woman placed a hand on her head, near her horn, as if checking her for a fever. Twilight wasn't sure if it was necessary or merely symbolic, but she sat still as Ascentia went to work.

'Oh no, don't think of anything embarrassing! Oh no! What if she can read my mind right now? Don't think about the party when we were all drunk! I wasn't dancing on the table and trying to sing! No no no! No! Don't think about that! Quick! Diversion! Think of the way Applejack loosened up! Or how Pinkie seemed so mellow and calm! Hee, or even the way Rainbow and Fluttershy were all over each other and flirting like crazy-so cute! Just don't think about me dancing on the-darn it!!'

After an undetermined amount of time, Ascentia pulled away and stood up. Given the shocked look on her face, which Twilight had to admit was fairly comical, it was clear that she knew everything now.

“...Twilight...you...” She managed, her voice just barely above a whisper.

Yep. She knew.

Twilight took a deep breath, managing to look up at her. It was now or never. The cat was out of the bag, with no turning back. “That's what I've been trying to say. I know that I can't exactly...say those words back for sure, but I do know one thing. I want to give you a chance. I want to be with you, Ascentia... I really do.”

Ascentia looked at her with a bewildered eye, "What did you just say?"

"You heard me," Twilight replied adamantly, "You told me to find someone I care about. Somepony I feel I deserve. You said I was free to do as I please. That you want me to be happy. With whatever I choose."

"Yes, I did," Ascentia said weakly, "But I didn't mean-"

Twilight silenced her by pressing her hoof to Ascentia's lips, "Well I did just that. I looked for someone that I trusted. That I can be happy with. Someone that I wanted to be with. And I know what I want."

Ascentia made no effort to speak through Twilight's hoof. Twilight continued anyway.

"I want you."

The two of them locked eyes as Twilight removed her hoof from Ascentia's mouth, expecting a response. Ascentia remained silent for a moment, her featureless eyes staring through her, before finally...

"I cannot."

"You're kidding me, right?" Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow, a surge of anger coursing through her, "You have got to be kidding me! Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Twilight, I have told you why I cannot do this for you," she said flatly.

"That's a load of bull, Ascentia!" Twilight snapped, "Why did you return to warn me about Xebre?"

"Because I..." Ascentia was about to say because she cared about the innocent lives that would have been harmed, but stopped. She couldn't.

"Why did you throw yourself into Athena's line of fire to distract her?"

"So you could escape, you know that," Ascentia replied.

"Exactly," Twilight replied, "So I could escape."

Ascentia stopped dead in her tracks. Twilight was correct... and she hadn't realized it until now.

"You said to Princess Luna yourself that rulers were a dime a dozen," Twilight continued, "You dared her to try and fight Athena, but you nearly lost it when I wanted to stay!"

Ascentia took a seat, listening to Twilight recount her own actions to her.

"And why would you agree to give me release if you couldn't be emotionally involved with me? You and Lord Ryder said that you took me on as your mate. Am I the one who needs to remind you of your customs? You know, mating for life?!" Twilight continued, "If you didn't care about me, you wouldn't have put your mouth between my haunches!"

"Twilight, I do care about you," Ascentia finally replied.

"Then what's the bucking problem?!”

"It's.... I'm..." Ascentia tried to respond, but found herself lost for words, "I do not know."

Twilight strode right up to her, her face inches from the Val'Kyr's, "Then shut the buck up and kiss me."

Before Ascentia could respond, Twilight pushed forward, capturing her lips in her own and pushing her onto her back. Ascentia's arms found themselves wrapping around Twilight's body as their tongues began to intertwine.

Ascentia's fingers dug into Twilight's coat while Twilight began to fiddle with the latches, ties, and strings on Ascentia's clothing with her magic, mentally smiling when pieces of her armour popped off her body. She bit down onto Ascentia's bottom lip, drawing a little blood. She found herself growing wet between the haunches very quickly upon taking the dominant role, sliding down to kiss the Val'Kyr's neck as her magic undid her uppper tunic.

Ascentia started to protest, "Twilight, I-"

"Shut up!" Twilight snapped, looking her in the eye again before briskly kissing her again. When she pulled away, her eyes were determined. She pressed her back hoof between Ascentia's thighs, meeting something solid and metal underneath her robes. Likely more armour.

"But I have told you-"

"You told me to figure out what I want," Twilight interrupted, "Well I want to please you."

"But I do not-"

"And if that's not good enough, then take it this way," Twilight continued, leaning in and whispering in her ear, "What I want is to get down there and finally taste you."

Ascentia offered no more words of protest.

Twilight continued to undo Ascentia's tunic, pulling the layers of metal, cloth, leather, linen and more metal away. After several minutes of fiddling with the intricate and complicated layers of her attire, until she finally had bared the Val'Kyr's torso.

And then Twilight stopped.

The last time she had seen Ascentia's bare skin, she had been freaked out, and it had been at a distance. Now that she could get a close look at her, she found her fascinating.

Twilight took careful time to run her hooves along every laceration, every gouge, burn, dead patch of flesh, and partially healed wound. It suddenly dawned on her that while Ascentia was very old, she had not aged like a mortal had. There were places, like the underside of her right forearm and a few small patches on her stomach and chest where she could see undamaged flesh, smooth and youthful. Having studied humans before, Twilight concluded that without these horrid wounds, Ascentia would look like a woman in her late 30's, or early 40's.

She lowered her head, and placed a soft kiss along a particularly deep scar on her abdomen, before moving down to part the folds of her lower tunic, her hooves caressing the soft material, realizing that Rarity would likely cream herself at a chance to examine the fabric of Ascentia's robes.

It took some time, especially since Twilight wasn't used to this kind of thing. Most especially with all the layers she had to remove. Nonetheless, she took her time, savouring this. Every now and then, she glanced up at the woman. Despite the uncertain look on her face, coupled with the fact that she was biting her lip, she made no attempt to stop her. Twilight gave a smile, then leaned down to nuzzle along the same scar of her abdomen, then kissed a smooth, undamaged part of her skin. It felt smooth and even soft under her touch.

“It's amazing,” Twilight said softly, managing to undo the tunic completely, parting away the fabric. “They say that every scar tells a story. That the body is a dense jungle, just waiting to be explored. You have a fascinating novel just begging to be read.”

A tinge of pink tainted Ascentia's cheeks. Twilight could barely believe it, and yet again wished she had her camera.

Using her magic, hooves, and even her teeth to go along; Twilight now had one last thing to remove before reaching her goal. A metallic plate settled between her legs, obscuring the very area she sought after. Using her teeth once more, she removed it, slowly, then cast it aside with her magic. Beneath that was a pair of basic cotton underpants, much to her own surprise.

However, the unicorn smirked upon seeing a dab of moisture upon. Giggling, she placed her hoof over the covered mound.

“You're turned on by all of this, aren't you?”

Ascentia's breath hitched, her body stiffening a bit.

“I can feel it, you're getting wet...” Twilight purred, leaning up over the Val'Kyr again.

She ran her tongue along Ascentia's jawline, going down along her neck. Her hooves ran along the length of her torso, earning sighs from the woman below her. Going lower, she kissed and caressed any nook and cranny she could find. Despite that her chest was pretty much destroyed by the injuries and scars, it still fascinated Twilight to know that a human's mammary glands were located on their chests. Whereas those of an Equine were located just barely above their vaginal mounds.

Reaching her legs, Twilight yet again pried them apart, giving some attention to her inner thighs. Ascentia's responses were quiet, aside from soft sighs and the occasional stifled grunt. Given at her fingers were clutching the couch cushions tightly, it was clear that she was at least feeling something.

Kissing, licking, and even sucking along the skin of her inner thighs, Twilight went lower, lower, just barely reaching her goal. She could already smell the tangy, musky scent, and was eager to taste it. Using her magic, she pulled down the underpants, down and up over Ascentia's legs, and then placing them aside as well.

At long last, Twilight leaned in to get a good look at her womanhood. Much to her surprise, it was completely intact. Smooth, youthful skin, along with a thin but noticeable patch of red hair. Reaching in, she placed her hooves on either side, parting the folds. A light gasp sounded from Ascentia, while her hips nudged slightly. Pulling the out lips further apart, Twilight caught sight of a hooded nub, the little target.

“I've never done this before... But I'll try...” Twilight murmured, leaning in, and kissing between the folds, along her labia.

In response, Ascentia's breath hitched before she then brought her hands down to Twilight's mane, as if bracing herself. Encouraged, Twilight leaned in, slowly, breathing upon the genitalia. She gave a tentative lick along the slit, tasting the texture of skin and the crisp feeling of the curled hairs. It felt odd, but nothing that made her detract from it. She licked again, teasing her entrance to further stimulate the woman beneath her.

It seemed to be working, as Ascentia's breathing had become more laboured, even a bit louder. Pleased with her so-far success, Twilight yet again pried apart the outer lips of her vaginal walls, and started to poke around her entrance. Her tongue slicked out, exploring her. The taste was slimy and even better, but she was getting something of a flavour as some nectar-like moisture was slowly seeping along the walls. Eager for more, she dove her tongue inside, lapping about. The inner walls clenched around the appendage in response, which only intrigued her further.

Despite how quiet it was, Twilight's ears didn't fail to pick up a quiet moan that escaped Ascentia. She smiled to herself, humming within her to emit vibrations, continuing to explore her tasty mound. Whatever this taste was, she couldn't help but enjoy it. A musky tang, with a hint of something she couldn't quite make out, but found to be sweet.

Eventually, she withdrew her tongue and moved upward a bit. Spotting her nub yet again, she went for it. Closing her lips around the hooded button, she suckled on it, ran her tongue along it, and even gently nibbled. The pants from the Val'Kyr were only arousing her further, as well as the feeling of her finger fisting into her mane.

This was what it felt like to give pleasure, to see your partner's responses to it. Twilight enjoyed it just as much as receiving it, finding it to be a joy in itself. Her own marehood was clenching, begging for attention, but she ignored it. Now was not the time for that. It was her turn to give, and she was all too happy to do so.

Within a few more moments, or minutes, Twilight wasn't sure, she heard a louder grunt from the woman. Before she knew it, the warm, sticky substance came seeping out like a rushing stream. Some of it ended up on her muzzle, surprising her, with a bit more getting into her mouth. Twilight savoured the taste, which was all the more stronger and intriguing, with a strong, tangy, but sweet taste she wouldn't soon forget.

Lifting herself up, hooves on Ascentia's hips for leverage, the unicorn smiled as she licked the excess of her lips. “Wow... You really have a great taste...” She giggled.

An uncharacteristic blush tinted the woman's cheeks before she averted her gaze.

“...Well? How did it feel?”

Ascentia didn't answer for a few moments. She then faced Twilight, catching her breath. “I...had not felt that way in a long time, Twilight. But I have to say that you did very well. It was...”

“Pleasurable?” Twilight grinned hopefully. “Reeeaally good?”

“...Yes,” Ascentia smiled ever slightly.

“Hooray!” The lavender mare clapped her hooves with glee.

She couldn't help but feel a certain kind of thrill at finally having the chance to pleasure the very companion who had done the same to her over the past six months or so. There had always been that pang of guilt at the back of her mind, feeling bad that she couldn't return the favour. Most especially considering the factor of Ascentia harbouring feelings for her all this time. She wondered if it had been difficult at all, to actually do something like this. Servicing, so to speak, someone you loved, when they possibly didn't feel that way back.

'It must've been what Fluttershy maybe felt, before Rainbow left... She gets to enjoy this wonderful experience with the pony she loves, who is all too keen to share it with her...yet might never love her back.' Twilight thought, a little tinge of heartbreak entering her gut. 'It's not easy being in love with someone for a long time, is it?'

“Twilight?” Ascentia's voice reached her ears, derailing her thoughts.

“Huh? Oh-what?” Twilight blinked, facing her again.

Sitting up on her hands, the Val'Kyr regarded her somewhat curiously. “You've been very quiet just now. Is everything all right?”

“...Ascentia...how long, you know...have you felt this way about me?”

Ascentia looked surprised at the question, then bit her lip. With a thoughtful frown, she glanced about the room for a moment, then looked back at the unicorn. “When I first met you, you fascinated me. It was your thirst to learn and understand even what a mortal mind could not possibly dream to. First I saw you like a Master would see their apprentice. But before long, I wished to remain alongside you. As your Guardian, and as your friend.”

“But what about when you fell in love with me?” Twilight asked.

“One could say the two are mutually exclusive,” Ascentia replied, “A Val'Kyr selecting their mate does not always mean being bonded partners. More often than not, it simply refers to a lifetime devotion. Like a Guardian Angel.”

“But... Lord Ryder told me it meant being actual mates.”

“That is odd. Lord Ryder was the first Val'Kyr to create the bond pact. I cannot see why he would...” Ascentia stopped for a moment, “...oh, that crafty bastard.”

“What?”

“Do you know what the term 'playing matchmaker' means?”
Twilight was silent for a moment, before her pupils narrowed to pinpricks and she planted her face into the bedsheets.

“Please tell me this wasn't some innane prank,” Twilight begged, her voice muffled through the sheets.

Ascentia lifted Twilight up and hugged her closely, “No, it was not. I do love you, Twilight.”

“So...for quite a long time, huh?” Twilight murmured.

“You can say that,” she said, nodding a bit.

Twilight smiled a bit. “I understand. I guess I would've felt the same way...if it were me. I mean, well, I guess the fact that we're a different species is already enough.”

“I can't say it's something I ignored, but it was irrelevant to me.”

“Now that I really think about it, it really isn't relevant to me, either.”

They sat there for some time in silence, basking the quiet moment of their close union. Nothing much else needed to be said about what they now had, all they could do was move forward. There would be a lot of obstacles to overcome, and a relationship would take a lot of work to keep it going.

But Twilight was ready for it. As nervous as she was for the future, at least now, they could take it together. In time, she might be able to truly say she loved her, too.

Twilight smiled over to Ascentia to see her re-fastening her robes and armor. She laid a hoof on her wrist to stop her.

“You might not want to do that just yet.”

“Excuse me?”

Twilight jumped forward, pinning Ascentia back to her bed, giving one of her trademark grins, “If you think I'm done with you, you have another thing coming.”

Once again, Twilight wished that she had her camera.

Author's Notes:

This was pretty fun to do, and it ties up all the loose ends.

A good portion of this story was in thanks to Bhaalspawn's contributions in writing certain passages. Really, without those, this chapter may not have been what it is now. Emotional, but still funny. :D Then again, without him and without the original requester, this story would not exist. And I'm so glad it does.

So, after this, there is one more chapter, and then an epilogue. Then it's over! Whoo!