Sunset shimmer and spike train to be the next bearers of the elements of harmony while the world crashes down around them.
Stories told twice are never told the same way.A single change, or a quickened pace can completely alter the narrative of a long told story. Celestia, now defeated and dying must raise up a new wielder to protect Equestria in her absence. Can Sunset Shimmer and Spike harness the powers of the elements, and who is this new filly that may destroy the lives of all of canterlot and lead to the death of a great hero.
Starlight blocked another attack from the princess of friendship, though the alicorn weakened so did her own, she hated to admit it but soon her magical reserves would be depleted. "Give up Twilight, I.... I can't accept that a cutie mark should define a pony." She rolls avoiding a attack before countering. "It's your fault, you took my friends away!" She screamed returning the blast.
"I never took your friends." Twilight screamed back as the beam sliced into her mane, "Those were never your friends you forced them to be something they never wanted to be, and your little filly friend chose a better life. You might as well blame Celestia for having a magical classroom" she jeered but her face went pale seeing Starlight's face. "Starlight no, you can't" her voice cracks as the unicorn opens up a portal to the past.
"You are right Twilight, I have been treating you with hatred but you were not to blame. Only one pony should be punished, and by doing so I will have my friend once more." The sound of her laughter echos through Cloudsdale as she flies through the air into the portal. "Goodbye Twilight, soon we will both have what we deserve." the voice silenced as she is transported through time to the distant past.
"Not again." Twilight sighs as she flies through the portal following the pink horse. Slamming down into the ground she finds herself in the Castle of the Two Sisters. "Starlight just what are you planning" she whispers as she searches through the labyrinth. Down a long deserted hall she finds a light. The large room glimmers through the cracks of the majestic Oak doors. The light showing a clue that she can't overlook. Peeking through the door, Luna was there alone… wait no there was somepony else. “Starlight” She whispers looking over at the shadowy pony.
“Oh yes Luna, I do want to help you if I can, Sombra must be taken do...” She is interupted as Twilight blast through the doors, blasting her hard even with her shield up. “You will not defeat Celestia you evil monster.” She roars, then is frozen at the face Starlight gives, of victory then looks in fear as Luna steps forward to protect Starlight. “My princess, I… I didn't know she was listening, She must be a spy from your sister.” She smiles at the princess of friendship. “Does your sister fear you so much she must send in spies”
“DOES THOU? ” She asks Twilight, her eyes starting to glow, “SISTER FOR TO LONG HATH FEARED ME, BUT IF SHE WANTS A MONSTER WE SHALL SUPPLY HER A MONSTER!?!?” She roars as dark magic engulfs her.
“Luna no you can't, you aren't this monster.” Twilight reaches for her and Luna looks up at the alicorn, “Luna is gone, there is only the night and the Nightmare Moon.” Twilight tries to shoot a Containment spell only to be pushed out the window from the castle and to the other side of everfree forest crashing down hard into the Apple farms barn. She shakes the cobwebs free, hoping to get back up. "I sure hope this doesn't change history." Gathering the last of her energy her wings shoot her off the ground. "Got to help Celestia, wings don't fail me now." Spike hangs on tight at the princess flaps her wings as fast as she can, trying to get back in time.
Nightmare Moon walks into the Royal throne room, her horn glowing as she forces the moon at the peak of the sky. "Celestia, it is time we talked." She smirks blasting her sister to the ground. "Today you will know what if feels like to be the lesser sister." She blast Celestia again, knocking her tiara off her head. "This crown you used to wear, it's a joke." She smashes her hoof against it, smashing the crown like so many pieces of frozen grass. "Now to end your reign as well." Her horn charges up, bringing the moon closer to capture the sister of the sun.
"NO YOU DON'T" Twilight slams into her hard, blasting a beam into the dark sister and smashing her to the ground. "Celestia are you all right" The alicorn of friendship runs to her and helps her back to her hooves. "I... I am so sorry" She stares as Nightmare Moon raises up.
"Surrender Celestia, you can not defeat me, and what chance do you have against Sombra." The former Luna laughs slamming them both through the palace floor down to the Elements. "Oh this is perfect, the power of the elements along with the power of the shadows will make me unstoppable." Her horn glows trying to absorb the power of harmony, she soon grows frustrated. "The magic is drained." She slams her hoof knocking them off there perch.
Twilight lifts them off the floor, helping Celestia up her horn rotates the spheres around the two, "Your magic is tainted Luna, and I am sorry" She looks down and Celestia. "I am sorry but I know this is how it will end." She gives a weak smile. "But I promise someday we will save her and you can have your sister back" She holds her former sisters hoof and the power of the elements flow through the two Alicorn's body.
"I am sorry sister." Celestia feels a tear fall on her check as the magic hits her sister, "I will never forget you Luna." She feels her sisters pain as the magic forces her into the moon. "It's over, I don't know who you are my friend but thank you." Her voice does not sound like she was thankful, but more of regret and sadness.
The victory was short lived as the sound of a thousand horses marched forward, Dark crystal roads form there way over the deep valleys that protected the castle. A dark voice boomed through the now dark skies. “Princess Celestia, surrender to the one true king of Equestria.” The voice takes from, marching through his ranks. “I know you planned to destroy me, but a little bird told me about your little skit with your sister.” The voice echos through the night. “Show yourself, former princess. I will have mercy on your servants, and you would make a fine little slave.” He licks his lips in pleasure at the idea.
“Celestia, please you are too weak.” Twilight begs, but her mentor ignores her pleas, this was her kingdom, she had to defend it. Her wings spread in majestic glory, she hides the pain as she raises up through the basement and back her castle. Shaking off the weak and tattered muscles she forces magic from her horn and bashes the door off it's hinges and through a wave of guards. Her hooves dig deep into the flooring before charging, kicking up tiles as she slammed through the enemy soldiers. Her power overwhelming them, many chose to break formation and run for there lives.
Many but not all. Celestia's stamina ebbing, she could not show it. Deep down she knew her limit was fast approaching but it didn't matter. Sombra's dark guards confronted her, there black steel hide any weakness. Not waiting they engaged her on either side. Blocking one only left her open to the other as he sliced deep into her wing. The spear stuck, both damaging the alicorn but also depriving the guard of a weapon. An opening, she slammed her horn deep into him, penetrating his weaker armor. Staring in shock, she is stunned long enough for the other guard to slice into her other wing. Hurt more, she forgets the dread of killing another. All her love gone, she slices deep into his chest, her horn now tinted red. She soon faced the demon horse, his evil eyes peered into her soul. “Is this the Alicorn of the sun, but you are alone. The sun may destroy the moon, but the shadows will rule the land.” He laughs and stamps his hoof down, creating a tidal wave of crystals, himself on the tallest crystal. As they tear through the ground, his own troops shattered by the energy. “Fight me and face oblivion. Show the world that you are willing to die for your ponies.” As he talks crystal stairs form around his mountain.
The alicorn stepped up slowly up the crystal steps to the battlefield. “Do not think you have won.” She bluffed trying to buy time. Her panting gave way to her exhaustion, “When I win, I will make sure no shadows every crawl there way back to equestria. I will never allow any darkness to grow.” The pain of her sisters betrayal still fresh on her heavy heart. “You will wish to crawl back into the shadows from where you crawled out of”
Twilight rushes out, seeing Celestia slam through the forces. “Wait no this isn't right… You were supposed to fight with Luna.” History was changing to fast, a simple change had allowed all the forces of evil to rule, what would happen when something this big changed. “I may change all of history but I have to help.” She flares out her wings and rushes to help her teacher.
Sombra looks up and sees the purple pony flying to the rescue. “Blitzwing, Aryanna, keep her off of me.” He roars. The two white armored ponies rocket up, Aryanna slamming into Twilight while Blitz flies in close, making sure Twilight has problems opening her wing.
Spike jumps off twi's back and covers Blitz's eyes forcing him off the purple pony. Twilight then teleports just in time to snatch spike before he hits the ground. “Twilight we aren't built for fighting.” He hold on to her tight. “Watch out!” He pulls back on the alicorns wings causing her to pull back just in time to miss Aryanna's spear. “We need to down this girl before we both end up a pony and dragon kabob”
Twilight manages to dodge just in time for Aryanna to slam the back of her spear against the princess's head. “You're telling me Spike,” Her horn glows and she grabs the pure white pony in a purple bubble. “I know you aren't in your right mind but this ends now” She slams Aryanna down hard on the ground below stunning her.
“Celestia hold o...” Twilight looks over in shock as her mentor is collapsed at the dark ponies hooves. He looks up at the other alicorn and smiles. “Serve me and you won't face the same fate.” He plunges a dagger deep into the side of Celestia. “Even immortal ponies should fear the shadows between life a death, for that is the place where all things can wither.” He roars in victory, but the roar is short lived as Twilight gathers energy and blast all of her energy at him, knocking him from his crystal throne. “Celestia.” Twilight fly’s to her mentor and checks her vitals. “Spike get her back to the castle.” She orders and collapses herself.
“Such an upstart little unicorn, even gave yourself..” He pauses looking over the wings. “Oh you are a Alicorn as well. That would explain why I felt that.” He winces and slowly rises up to fight her. “I did not even feel that energy from your Princess, it will be a shame that you will have to fall as well.”
Twilight feels the energy from her element, from all the elements flood her body. “No it won't let you, it won't let your energy rule the world.” The elements fly from Celestia and rush around Twilight. “The elements of Harmony know this isn't the true timeline, but there is hope for Harmony to exist here.” She speaks as though the elements are talking through her. “And when I leave new harmony will continue” Loyalty and Honesty slam into Sombra before returning to Twilight. “The elements will always find a way” Laughter and kindness glow first, followed by Magic and Generosity and finally Loyalty and Honesty. “And the light will always overcome the shadows” A rainbow beam slams into Sombra turning his body into a crystal.
Finally defeating the shadows the balls become inert, Twilight collapses and looks up, the portal once again opening up. “Not again, come spike” She flutters weakly and grabs him before returning back through time.
She walked slowly through the halls of Canterlot; her aged body felt like a million needles pressing against her bones as every step brought her closer to the interview. She looked through the double sided mirror to the newest student. Praised as she was, Celestia worried that it was just another student, nothing of importance. She gasped as she felt the aura that surrounded her, it lifting the hair on her back as though an electrical storm passed overhead.
So engrossed with the new student the hoof steps of Civel Servant were silent to her until he was nearly upon the princess. “My Princess, I hope you find her potential as exciting as I did. She is rough, and I know she doesn’t bare the mark of Friendship but.” “But she is what we have.” Celestia finished his sentence for him as she walked with him to the treasury. “You are right though Civel, I can not live forever. I may not even live to see this one finish her studies. I can no longer wait for the hope of the true element to appear. I think it is time for the test.”
Using her magic, the doors to the treasury open, inside the treasure of all Equestira shimmer in all their glory. “All this can not add one day to my life, but perhaps it can add to the age of the empire.” She pauses in front of crystal heart, memories flooding back of the battle.
Twenty years ago the impossible happened. The lost crystal empire arose from the snow of the frozen north, and with it a shadow of evil followed it. With no Princess to protect this innocent land Celestia herself stepped forth to oppose the great evil. “Sombra, you must stop this. If you continue harassing this city I will have to stop you.”
The black unicorn simply ignored her as he continued his way towards the Crystal Empire. His eyes set on his former throne, and his seat of power. As he entered the city Celestia flew in front of the beast like king and fired a wave of magic. Sombra retaliated with his own.
Celestia shook her head, returning to the present, putting down the heart it reflected her chipped horn to her. "It looks like in a small way you did win Sombra; you took the one thing that I had hoped to see in my long life." She whispers into the silent room, the noise being absorbed into the treasures that gleamed in front of her. Stepping away from the heart she heads to the real treasure.
The egg remains silent, as if just another gem in her endless hall of treasure, but inside laid a creature that slept for centuries. She lifted it and gently wiped the small amount of dust off of it. “I am sorry little one; your master must be another.” She rocks the egg like a baby then gently puts it on her back, holding it with her wings. "Please protect your master; she is the most important hope for the kingdom."
The young filly was not ready for what she saw in front of her. She knew that there was going to be some real pressure getting into a magical school in Canterlot, but to have to stand in front of the Princess herself made her knees buckle underneath her. Sweat Flooded her face as she began her spell, a simple age spell would allow a dragon egg to hatch in seconds instead of days. Her horn glows a powerful cyan color but the egg refused to change. Gritting her teeth she forces more mana to pump through her horn, aging the wood years at a time. Exhausted she looks over the egg and sees it unchanged, as whole as it ever was. Tears flow as she hugs the egg, upset at her own failure to even change the egg one bit. “I am so sorry little one, I tried.”
Running to Celestia she squeezes past the guards to her. “Please I couldn’t do it. I am so sorry.” She holds onto Celestia’s front hoof sobbing. “It’s not fair; because of me he will never hatch. I know I messed up but please hatch him.” She begs, not for herself but for the life of another. As activating a power she had not known Sunsets horn begins to glow, radiating energy to a now shacking egg.
Sunset looks on at the egg in awe but also in fear, squeezing the leg of the princess tight. “Oh no, what am I doing.” shocked at the newfound and terrifying power she looks up to see a smiling Princess. “Be not afraid little one, you have shown true friendship today, caring about the life of another before the success of yourself. I do believe that is a passing score.” she smiles at the little filly. “Wait does that mean I get to go to the magic university.” Her smile breaks as she looks up as Celestia shaking her head. “What, I-I thought I passed.” She asks confused. “Little one, you are going to be training under me personally. You show much more promise than you can imagine.” The princess puts her wing around her new student. “I think you have a new little friend here, but he is lacking something very important.” She walks sunset to her new dragon friend. “I do believe that a mother should name her child.”
“Spike,” she says squeezing the dragon in a hug, “but not my child, my brother. I may have hatched him, but I am not any better than him. If I am really his friend that we need to be equals.” She looks up to see a smiling Princess.
“Sunset I do believe that you will be a great unicorn someday, but I know you will be a great friend” She smiles leading Sunset and baby spike to their new room. “As my student anything you will ever need will be available to you. Never hesitate to ask for anything you may need.”
The morning came early, and for the little filly it was a sudden change from what she had been used to in her normal training. Instead of the order that came with normal education she awoke to the princess herself. A classroom would never be seen as Celestia took her from one location to another, more as a mother would take their child. There first stop would be a location that sunset would have to visit quite often, the Royal library.
Most of the first day would remain here. But never a lesson was taught. Instead Celestia showed her the thousands of thousands of scrolls and let Sunset chose book after book to read. As the hours weaned on, Celestia peered out the window at the sun, as it slowly set. “Sunset is you ready for your first lesson.” She smiled leading the unicorn up to the heights of the Library tower. Reaching the top Celestia looked down at Sunset Shimmer. “Sunset do you know why I choose you.” She asked looking down at the little filly.
She looks up at her teacher a little surprised. “I thought you chose me for my kindness and magical power.”
“Yes, that is correct my little one, but do you know why I am looking for a student.” She looks up in the sky, her horn glowing as she strains to raise the moon, “It is because I am training my replacement. Sunset I want you to know that this training will be the hardest thing you will ever do in your entire life. I will push you beyond your known limits and force you to make choices that no pony should ever have to make. I do not do this because I am mean or because I enjoy doing it.” She coughs, blood coating her Tissue. It is because I will not be here forever. As the moon hangs in the sky Celestia looks up at it, both fear and regret filling her heart. “In twenty years an evil will walk this world. I fear that by this time I will…” She looks away, hiding the tears in her eyes. “I will not be able to fight it. I need a strong mare to stand up to the threat.” She wipes the tears from her eyes. Tomorrow we will begin your training in earnest. We will be heading to the Ghastly Gorge, so read those books of yours for any spells, you will need them.” She smiles as she spreads her wings. Catching a gust of air she rides it back to her room leaving Sunset alone at the tower.
And thus began Sunsets training, never a book or lecture, only the real world. She was forced to teach herself as lessons arose, the library becoming a second home to her. However she never let her studies interrupt her time with her brother, teaching him the simpler spells and history of equestira when she was not learning the more complex lessons she needed to survive the training she endured. As soon as he was old enough she took him with her on the training, Spike would not be some pet to sit at home while she became stronger.
As the years went forward the siblings surpassed their teacher’s expectation. As she looked at the two, it was evident that is was time to complete the lessons. “Sunset I need to talk to you; I think it’s time for your final lesson.” She leads the now Teenage mare to a large map of Equestria. “I know we have traveled quite far into Equestria, but I always told you never to enter the Everfree forest. It is not because it is the most dangerous place; you are strong enough to defend yourself from anything there."
Night falls and Sunset arrives at the forest, her teacher already there waiting. As they enter the forest it is unnaturally quite. Heading deeper into the dark woods they enter a clearing.
“The castle, but that.s.” Sunset gasps looking at the ancient building. “That’s where you fought Nightmare Moon.” She looks up at Celestia.
“Yes my student, and it is also the location of the final gift as a student.” She leads sunset inside, up to the top of the tower. “Behold Sunset” Celestia uses her magic to raise a monument containing 6 orbs. “Sunset, I give you the elements of harmony."
Celestia weakened from the spell falls down, exhausted. “Sunset you must be strong now. With these I pass the responsibility of leadership to you. I am much too weak, much too old to lead this empire with the force that is required” Reaching for her students face she softly touches it. “I know I ask a lot of you my dear, but I have faith in you, I trust you as a daughter” She gasps as her eyes close.
“Celestia, Celestia I won’t let you end it here, stay with me” Her horn glows draping the Queen of Equestria over her back. Heaving from the weight she steps forward through the old castle. Slowly making her way through the forest she watches as the moon slowly hovers in the night sky begging for the sun to raise, a request that would have to wait for Sunset. Leaving the forest behind her, a clearing and a strange house seems to wait for the two.
Sunset knocks errantly at the door, the short time feeling like a eternity when a strange pony greats them. “Is it something urgent you require? Something which gives you great ire? Let me do what I do best, while you two sit and rest. Something like a tonic, potion a brew or elixir of salve or lotion?” She asks as she prepares a cot for the two. “So that is why it is still night, without our queen will we ever see the light” She mixes a powder and applies it to the Alicorns horn.
Sunset hugs her teacher, “Don’t worry Celestia… I won’t let this be the end.” She slowly rises up, and then stops as the slight whisper catches her ear. “Sunset you must stop the moon, Sunrise must stop the night.” She collapses again, as Zecora applies the magical salve. “Stop the moo…” The darkness she had seen arise was now being felt, a wave of depression and anger hit her as she stepped outside. Black clouds formed around the moon, a evil presence so powerful that even Zecora began to feel the evil energies. “Demon spores and harmony’s foe.” Zecora chants in fear.
“Darkest forces out power the light, even a sun can-not overcome this night.” Sunset stands out her chest puffed up, “Perhaps not a son, but how about her heir” Her horn glows, blinding those looking at it. The moon fights against her hold but eventually are overpowered by the strong willed unicorn as she forces it into the horizon. A bright sun rose from the east chasing the last of the evil taint that had filled the air. Sunset beamed at her accomplishments; never had she guessed that she could be capable of this.
Two days passed until Celestia was able to move about on her own again, but Sunset could tell that the energy that she once had as princess of Equestria was gone, perhaps for good. Helping her former teacher to the train station, Celestia begged for forgiveness that she could no longer help her. “Sunset, my child, I wish I could show you more. You must forgive me for stealing your youth, for stealing your childhood however” she looks up at the sky to a sun of such energy and life. “You seem to have accepted it with pride, I am as proud of you as any teacher could ever be of there student.” Sunset bowed her head in praise but could feel a bit of truth in the statement, was being the heir to Celestia worth her childhood?
Weeks passed as Celestia rested back at the castle. While she was out Sunset soon became not only the bearer of both the moon and sun, but also the leader of the School of Gifted Unicorns. Arriving late after a meeting she was greeted by Civil Servant. “My Princess, I have some news about our latest gifted students.” He handed her a scroll with names of the most promising students. “Thank you Civil but I am not a princess, only a servant to Celestia” She smiled looking over the names of the students. Many of them were just passing, and a few had accomplished a few magical deeds. However one student seemed to stand far beyond her peers. “So this Twilight, she seems quite talented, do you think that she is ready for the test.” Civil shock his head. “No she wishes to wait till the end of the semester, though I do believe she would pass, she seems to have a self confidence issue.” “Perhaps she needs a friend.” She smiles leading Civil back to her room. Spike greets her as she walks in. “So what can the brother of the queen of Equestria do for his sister.” He jokes seeing Civil there. “Spike” She punches him in the shoulder. “Actually I do have a job for you. I want you to tutor a new student I have my eye on. "Really you think I can help someone, but you know so much more magic than I could ever know." "Yes Spike but she doesn't need help with magic, she needs a friend. I am far to busy to give her the attention that you could." "Alright Sunset, but may I ask the name of my new ward." She smiles grabbing the scroll and opening it, "Yes her name is Twilight and I think she has a lot of potential."
Spike snorts at the idea. “Twilight, there is no way a pony with that name can be that great, but if you think it would be good for her.” “And you” she finishes. “You have been taught nearly as much as me yet you have never got the recognition for it. I get you this job because I know you deserve it and can do it. I want you to feel proud of your accomplishments.” She giggles a bit. “I would have rather you been the ‘Queen’ of Equestira just to see you have to wear this clunky outfit.”
Spike walked slowly over to the fillies dorm, not sure exactly how he was supposed to teach this little pony. Sunset was right about him, but just because he knew a lot didn't mean that he was the best to teach. Sighing he opens the door and sighs seeing the pony asleep with her nose inside a book. He giggled removing it and placing it gently down on her nightstand and covering her up in a nice warm blanket. Somehow he felt like she belonged with him, it was silly but his gruffness was lost on the sweet filly. This would be the opening to Twilight and Spikes magical training, a warmness to her allowed him to put up with her quirks, her obsessiveness, so different from Sunset was frustrating but also helped her learn at an accelerated pace.
“Slow down Twilight,” Spike roared as she lifted him and a dozen other objects at the same time. She wanted to show what she had learned, to finally take the test but in doing so forgot some of the basics of magic. “Remember to always think of what you want your magic to do, not to just fling things around to see how many things you can move” He struggles until he is free. “Today you will not only be tested by Sunset, but also” He looks around and dims the shades running around the room blowing out the candles. “This is something you can't tell anypony but” He leans in “Queen Celestia will be their to observe your progress. She insisted in seeing you”
“WHAT CELESTIA” She gulps hearing the sound dropping all the objects in her room, “N-no not now, I am not ready” She starts to panic and breathing hard, “I don't know if I mastered the hatching spell and what happens if I mess up and make myself into a egg instead, what if I forget to get dressed” She plops on the ground hyperventilating. “I-I wasted all your time and I know you could have chosen a better student” She starts to cry, whimpering into her pillow.
“Twilight calm down” Spike reaches down and pets her mane to help calm her down, “Look you have mastered so many spells and no one knows the library like you do” He smiles helping her sit up. “Your magic is at least equal to Sunset when she started, and you are more knowladgeable about the library then any other creature here, myself included.
Twilight looked up through blurry eyes, “No you are so smart and know so much” She starts to smile and wipes the tears from her eyes. “But then why aren't you ever scared of messing up, why aren't you worried.”
“Why its because I have friends who help me, My sister Sunset and Queen Celestia believe in me and it makes me believe in myself.” He bends down hugging her neck, “And Twilight I believe in you, I know that there is no other pony better qualified for being Sunset and Celestias student then you are” He nods and grabs her saddle bags. “Look I will be right beside you and will take you out to Hayburgers when you pass”
Celestia waited in her seat at the front row of the study hall, Waiting to see this years hopefuls. She had heard great things but each student looked worst then the last, “Are we nearly done, I do think that Moondancer has some abilities but all the others seem to really need more training before they are anywhere near ready to be Sunsets student”
“You mean your student right” Civil asked and frowned as he saw her frown and shake her head, he reached over hugging her. “My Queen you have many more years left” He tried to confort her but could see the look on her face,
“No, I do not.” She coughs hard, her body weak and she collapses a little in her seat. “This will be the last year I am afraid, Sunset has proven herself to be my heir, she has been doing my job for years now” She shakes her head, “Bring Sunset o---” She pauses as Spike brings forth his student, and her cuttie mark, “The elements” She whispers drawn to the pony almost like she was a great wizard, “T-that is the one who saved me, will save me back then. Civil she is to graduate, no mater what” She watches as Twilight attempt so and accomplish hatching the Phoenix egg.
Twilight stood in shock as the egg began to hatch, maybe she did have potential. She looked up and saw the queen move down to her, “Oh no what did I do” She gulps and bows down before the queen,
“No need for that my faithful student, Today you will be my prized student, but the lessons will be hard and quick, I can't have any delay, nor breaks” It takes all her will not to show how sick she was. “But I know you will be my equal before this time next year”
Sunset had come down to congratulate the newest student when she heard Celestia, Her face dropping at the words, “Her equal, not me” tears starting to form at the corner of her eyes. “B-but I have been training for years, how can she be an equal. The words ring in her ears, as she thinks about how Celestia was going to do in a year that which took her nearly a decade to master. “Well if that is all I am to you, maybe you can take back over” She gruffs off to tell the 'Queen' she was done. She made it to Celestia's chamber and heard talking on the other side.
“Celesita are you sure you can do this” Civil asks holding her hoof and helping her back to bed, “A year is not possible, and this strain will only make your condition worse, Don't you think you should” He was silenced by a simple kiss on the cheek. “Civil you have been a great friend and more” She puts her hoof on his and smiles. “But no amount of doctors will help me live a day longer then what I have, We know that this day was coming soon, but I want you to know that Sunset deserves a helper, a sister.” Her eyes mist as she remembers what had happened to her own,
“No, no Celestia” She ran off to her room, “Doctors may not be able to save her, but I can.” Opening the closet she finds something that could save Celestia's life. “These elements should have enough power to extend the life of my queen” Her horn glows as she uses the magic of the orbs to heal Celestia.
It was dark in the caverns of the caves under the castle of the two sisters. A cloaked figure escaped the shadows, her shadow danced across the cave wall as the tree of Harmony lit up the impossibly dark shadow of the night. She worked quickly and dug through her bag. The tree seemed to light up as first one stone and then the five others came out, each one looking like nothing more then oversized marbles. Placing the granite orbs around the tree, they begin to shimmer and change shape. The stones shrank and was replaced with gems, each a unique color and shape.
“Magical elements of harmony I demand your power.” The mare of secrets pulled down her hood, her red and yellow hair glowed. “My magic is not for myself but to return life to whom life was stolen from.” The horn under her hair began to glow a golden white as her hair spiked up from pure power. With the power however also a pain, as her connection to the elements came snapped like an overstretched twig.
She could feel her life energy flow through her and the touch of Celestia’s soul. Sunset fell, weak and in pain. She felt all the weakness that her mentor had previously had to endure. Collapsing she slept a dreamless sleep as the night and next day passed over her.
Spike waited for his sister to return, but as night fell into day, and back again he thought more of the charge he was training and less about his sister. It wasn’t the first time she had escaped the castle. Twilight strained to slow down the falling sands of the hourglass. Her time stopping spell taking it’s toll on the barely cutie marked filly. Spike shook his head and laughed. “You have been at that for a few hours, don’t you think it’s time for bed little one.”
Twilight didn’t move, a slight snore escaping her lips. “Really you fell asleep mid spell.” He sighed and draped her over his back. Soon Sunset’s bed had a little purple mare sleeping soundly in it as the moonless night brought the sounds of changelings in the dungeon. He tucked in the sleeping pony, she was learning quickly but still had a long way to go. He stopped and thought, what was he training her for anyway, it was a question he had never asked but it hit him hard as those mental energies flowed. Any pony could train Twilight to become a great wizard. In fact it was the same training that sunset had done when she was younger.
“You are in for so much more then you deserve” The purple dragon kisses her forehead sorry for her for the first time in his life. He yawned and soon left the room. Smiling, he soon left her bedside and curled up in his own bed. As he slowly drifted off to sleep the sound of the court roared. Jumping out of bed the door to his tower rang with knocks. “Mistress Sunset and sir Spike it’s amazing, it’s impossible but she is alive, and alive like never before.” Before spike could ask who, he was amazed as the empty night’s sky was soon filled with stars and Moon. It wasn’t just the necessities of the night but the majesty of a queen.
The Queens horn glowed in power as it hadn’t in centuries. Her power had returned and so did her will to live. She had never raised the moon so easily, and the stars would be a sight for all her subjects. “My subjects, your queen has returned and she demands you celebrate, for life has returned to me so should it return to the kingdom” Smiling down she sees the ponies outside looking back at her. “Guards the granaries shall be open. Let any pony that is hungry eat.”
It wasn’t something she would normally do, but the queens health had recovered so that she couldn’t hid her joy from her prized student. She ran to Sunsets tower and knocked where she was met by a very tired Spike
“Queen what is going on.” Spike looked up at her, still in his sleeping cap, shocked when he is lifted off the ground. It’s a miracle, I am healed” She cheers and tosses him into the air, “Can you believe I can train Twilight now, some day she will make the perfect princess to replace me. I can retire and know our kingdom is safe”
Sunset eventually woke up hours later, her health still weak from the spell. It was nightfall when she returned to her home, the stars had never been as bright before as she made her way to the tower. She stops in her horseshoes as the sound of her Queen. She quickly ran forward smiling. “Celes…” She stops in her hoofs as she hears Celestia speak. "Perfect princess b-but I am your princess. I should be the next ruler.... I HAVE BEEN THE RULER" She screams out shaking the castle in her rage. "Now isn't the time to worry about that Sunset, you no longer have to worry about how to run the kingdom. The chosen one is here"
Little Twilight rubs her eye as she is awaken from the yelling. "S-spike what is going on" She asks hugging his leg frightened. "I thought Sunset was our friend. Why is she yelling at the queen." The little one looked up as Spike sighed. "Twi dear you need to remember that Sunset is just a little confused." Spike is greeted by a magical slap across her face.
"Spike how dare you, y-you are my brother." Tears run down her face as she thinks she is being betrayed. Running off inside her tower the clicks of her door are greeted by bawling.
