Trapped in Slumber

by Megabrick

Epilogue: To Dusk

Together they galloped, dodging ponies left and right, rounding corners as they went. Multiple sets of hooves echoed down the hallways of Canterlot Castle, bathed in an orange light from the setting sun. Twilight and her friends shared worried glances as they followed closely behind Princess Celestia and her guard.

They rounded the corner to find a pair of large doors open, one of the guards unconscious in the entryway, Celestia standing in front of it. A cyan glow emanated from the doorway, and just as a beam of energy shot out, Celestia summoned a magical shield in front of herself. Both Twilight and Twinkleshine moved to assist, but Celestia motioned them both to stay back.

“Sunset Shimmer, don’t do this!” Celestia warned. “You don’t know what’s at stake!”

“Only because you never bothered telling me!” A voice said from the room within. “This is it, Celestia! My first step to becoming the ruler you never wanted me to be!” Another beam impacted Celestia’s shield, Twilight heard a loud surge of energy, saw a great flash of light, and then all was suddenly quiet.

Celestia's shield dissipated, and she lowered her head. Tilting to look at the others, she sighed and entered the room. Twilight and company followed behind her. Inside, Twilight saw a mirror, its surface rippling with magic like some kind of whirlpool. After a moment’s time, the mirror calmed, and returned to… well, what looked like glass.
She never arrived on the other side, but learned more than a high school could ever teach.
“Uh… what just happened?” Twinkleshine asked.

“Sunset Shimmer, my personal student… she has been cruel, and dishonest… she did not get what she desired as quickly as she desired it.” Celestia closed her eyes, and sighed. “I have kept her from it…”

“Where’d she go?” Lemon Hearts’ voice quietly asked.

“That is a long story… for another time,” Celestia replied. “There is little we can do for her now.” Celestia turned to leave. Minuette stepped in front of her.

“We’ll help however you need us too, Princess. Right girls?” Minuette turned to everyone, and got a quiet agreement from Lemon Hearts. She looked expectantly at Twilight, who wasted no time in giving a confident nod.

"Right, ...friends."

And so we begin. Friendship will be tested in the years ahead. Will it be enough to prevent Equestria from tipping into the aetheral abyss?

Comments

[Starlight Nova]

Is this a crossover with Persona?

[Megabrick]

11545225
Call of Duty's Zombies mode , actually. I'm hesitant to call it a crossover though, since that can turn people away for a variety of reasons. I hope the story's worthwhile without the foreknowledge at least, that's what I was going for.

[Moproblems Moharmoney]

11545225
Yeah the LD gives those vibes.

[Mystic Sunrise]

11545237
Then it's a crossover. Tag's already been added, so call me late to the party.

[Megabrick]

11650792
Yeaaaah, I begrudgingly accepted it. The story didn't get much engagement anyway, so I doubt the tag would make much difference. It's a weird story, so the barrier-to-entry's already kinda high. I don't mind though, I'll happily write for a niche.

[Ryebuck Coppercap]

I stumbled upon this while searching for stories tagged Lemon Hearts, and I quite liked it! The narrative had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, and your characterization felt spot on, specially considering the pitiful amount of dialogue Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts get in the show.

The group's dynamic was rather fun too, and seeing some pre-friendship Twilight is always a plus ;3

Cheers!

[Starlight Nova]

11545237
What about the sequel, Aethereal Harmony?

[Megabrick]

11899439
My goal with Trapped in Slumber was as a little taste of what Aethereal Harmony would be, so expect it to be given the same treatment. Knowledge of Call of Duty: Zombies isn't required, the tone is still MLP-adjacent, and there will be no character-crossovers.