After having taken care of the business regarding Sonic, and Rainbow Dash, Sunset then turned towards Twilight. She then gave her a smile that seemed almost friendly, and reassuring. Twilight was nervous and on her guard.
“(Why is she smiling so nicely?)” She thought to herself. “(She’s probably thinking about the horrible ways to torture me. Considering what Sonic told me about Eggman’s base, there are probably thousands of horrible weapons she could use!). Twilight started to sweat a bit and gulped nervously.
“Why haven’t you transformed yet?” Sunset asked her with curiosity.
“What?” Twilight responded, not expecting something like that to come from Sunset.
“I mean, you haven't ponied up yet, which is weird as I have. I thought you were here to “stop” me.” Sunset explained in a friendly manner. “Ponying up would increase your chances.”
She was right. Why hadn’t Twilight decided to pony up? It was probably because she was so focused on what could happen, she didn’t focus on the present. Twilight clutched her purple necklace which allowed her to transform.
“Wait, a minute. Why are you encouraging me to transform? Shouldn’t you be attacking me before I transform, as that would be the most logical outcome given the situation as it would neutralize any possibility of me being a future threat.” Twilight blurted out. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “(Why did I say that???!????!?).”
“Oh of course not, Twilight.” Sunset said again with a friendly demeanor. “That would be dishonorable, and I’m above that. Besides you transforming is something that is crucial for my plan. So go ahead and pony up."
Not taking any chances, the purple crystal necklace around Twilights neck glowed, and she was surrounded by a purple light and rose in the air. When the light died down, Twilight had a light purple visor to replace her glasses. She had a crystal, light blue wings. She wore a purple crown made out of five purple stars with a sleeveless dress with a light blue top, a dark blue bottom half(both covered in multiple white stars), and a purple section in the bottom center of the dress. She wore dark blue tights, with boots that were light blue, and had pink star shaped kneepads. The dress also had a V-shaped light purple accessory which came from Twilight’s neck to the middle of the dress. The boots also had light purple stars on the bottom and a purple line near the top. She also wore purple gloves up to the middle of her arm, and with a blue guard over them covered in two purple stars. Twilight's necklace remained where it was and was surround by a purple collar. She came back towards the ground and faced Sunset.
“Sunset, I don’t want to have to hurt you.” Twilight warned. “But you are not yourself right now. Come peacefully. I don't want to have to fight you. Again.”
“I agree.” Sunset said.
“Sunset don’t do-wait what?” Twilight said confused, not expecting this response.
“I don’t want to fight you either. In fact, I never had any intention of fighting you.” Sunset explained. “You and I have the same goals.”
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, still not sure what Sunset was going on about.
“Twilight, I know you better than anyone, and your biggest dream is to understand and gain knowledge, right?” Sunset asked. Twilight slowly nodded. “That’s my missions as well, and everything I’ve done is for that goal, especially with regards to understanding magic. What I’m doing is good.”
“Good?” Twilight said. “What about what you did to Tails? Sunset, you practically destroyed his mind! How could you do something like that, and claim you're doing “good”? The Sunset I know would never sacrifice her friends for her goals, no matter how badly she wanted it!
Sunset closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them and looked at Twilight, it seemed as though they had signs of remorse in them. Twilight was taken aback by this.
“Yes, Tails. I admit what I did was horrible. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I just wanted to test my augmented abilities that Eggman’s weapon gave me. I couldn’t control myself in that moment, but now Twilight, I am in control. You might find this hard to believe, but unlike the others, as you know, I’ve dealt with the darkness inside of me, and gotten rid of it once, and for all. The magic I possess is the magic of friendship, and nothing could corrupt that.” Sunset answered.
“I don’t believe you for a second.” Twilight told her. “Then explain your whole gathering the others, and forming some kind of super-villain team. What about taking over Eggman’s layer?
Sunset then approached Twilight, Twilight took a step back, obviously still wary as Sunset chuckled slightly.
“Twilight, I promise you don’t have to be afraid at all. The reason I rounded everyone together was because I knew that they were evil, and I couldn't take them out on my own. The best way was to pretend to be on their side, and give an opening so that Sonic and the others could stop them.” Sunset explained. “As for Eggman’s base, the reason I took over it was because he had the right technology that I need for my plan.”
“What is this plan that you keep talking about?” Twilight asked, making Sunset turn around.
“Follow me”. She said as she motioned for Twilight to follow her. She then began walking. Reluctantly, Twilight followed her. The two of them walked for some time before Sunset came in front of a room with an access panel. She pressed a combination and the door opened. Sunset then walked in the room while Twilight stood outside for awhile.
“(I really want to believe that Sunset hasn’t changed and that her story is true. But the skeptic inside of me finds it too hard to believe as it seems too good to be true. Still, getting inside this room might be the best way to finally get some answers.)” Twilight thought to herself as she entered the room. Inside the room was dark, and Twilight couldn’t see anything. Suddenly the light shone in the middle of a room. The light was shining on a red helmet with gold markings all over it. The helmet had the symbol of the sun shaped like Sunset Shimmer’s cutie mark in the center. Many wires were connected to it. Dark purple/black energy was pulsating through the wires, and flowing into the helmet.
“What is that?” Twilight asked with slight awe in her voice.
“It’s what I’ve been working on.” Sunset said as she suddenly came behind Twilight. “This helmet was built using the technology of Eggman, and it's powered by the artificial Chaos Emeralds he has been developing for some time now. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Why do you want to build a helmet?” Twilight asked.
“For my goal. To gain knowledge. Twilight, this helmet will allow me to have access to all minds and every source of knowledge there is. Nothing will be constrained from my reach. Nothing.” Sunset explained with a smile. Twilight looked at her with a look of disbelief.
“Sunset, this plan is crazy! You can’t just enter the minds of people! That’s an invasion of privacy and its wrong!” Twilight protested.
“What’s wrong with getting knowledge?” Sunset asked. “I thought this is what you wanted as well.”
“Yes, but I want to earn it on my own, not steal it from others.” Twilight responded. “I was really hoping you were yourself, and your story is true, but I guess I was wrong. Sunset I’m sorry, but I have to stop you now.” Twilight said as her hands glowed in a purple, sparkling aura. Sunset just responded by giving Twilight another warm smile and chuckled a bit.
“Knowing you, I figured that you would be the first the protest.” Sunset said as she put her hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “Twilight, you’ve misread my intentions. I’m not simply going to just barge into people’s minds, and take whatever I want. Rather, this helmet will let me form a connection with people before I enter their minds, so they can get to know me. If they don’t want me to enter, I won’t. I’m no monster.”
Twilight shook her head. “Still, I’m not comfortable with this. It's too much power for one person to handle. You, and I know both know the negative effects of one person having too much power. Sunset, the best course of action would be to destroy this helmet now.”
Sunset sighed in disappointment. “I was really hoping I could just talk you into seeing my point of view, but it looks like in order to convince you that I’m not some super-evil maniac, I’ll have to show you. Twilight, let’s make a deal. I’ll use the helmet, and connect our minds so that you’ll see that my intentions are benevolent. This is a decision made entirely of your own free-will, and if you choose to say no, I’ll respect your choice. I’ll even shut down the machine, because if my best friend won’t approve of my action, then there is no reason to do it now is there? What do you say?”
Twilight looked at Sunset’s eyes. They were no longer the red that they had been before and now her original cyan color. Twilight could see sympathy, warmth, and kindness in them. Maybe Sunset had returned to normal on her own. After all, she had helped Twilight reform and it's not a stretch that she could do it for herself, considering that she herself had also once been evil. Maybe Sunset was telling the truth, and her actions were for the best. Maybe she should let her test the helmet. Maybe…
“I…..I…I…..accept your deal.” Twilight said, making Sunset smile. She brought her hands together in delight.
“I knew you would see reason, and trust me.” Sunset said. She then approached the platform with the helmet and lifted it up. She motioned for Twilight to come near her. Twilight did and Sunset put on the helmet, and the symbol of her cutie mark glowed. She then raised her hand to touch Twilight’s forehead.
“Wait.” Twilight said, making Sunset stop. “You promise that you’ll save Tails, and reverse what you did to him?”
“Twilight, don’t worry about that. When I’m done, I promise you won’t have to worry about anything at all.” Sunset said with a reassuring smile. Shen then placed her forehead on Twilight’s hand. Her eyes turned completely white, and so did Twilight;s.
Twilight(with her eyes closed) was floating in an area that looked like a purple galaxy decorated with many stars. She then slowly opened her eyes.
“Well, I’m in my mind again.” Twilight said as she observed her surroundings. “But I don’t see any signs of Sunset. Maybe the helmet didn’t work at all.”
Suddenly, a red pillar of light appeared in front of Twilight. Inside was Sunset covered in a red aura.
“Sunset?” Twilight said.
“Yes, Twilight it’s me. Right now I’m in an intermediate state. I won’t enter your mind unless you want me too.” Sunset said.
Sunset looked like as she did when she helped Twilight conquer Midnight Sparkle. Maybe this was confirmation that Sunset at her core was still good.
“I grant you access.” Twilight said. Sunset looked down at her and smiled. But this smile was not a warm welcoming one. It was more like an evil sneer. Sunset’s aura turned into one of black, and dark purple. A burst of energy then blew Twilight away. She staggered back and looked up at Sunset with concern, and fear.
“Hahahahaha!” Sunset laughed evilly. “I can’t believe that you actually fell for my trick! I thought you were supposed to be the smart one among your friends! Well, too bad! Now your mind is mine!”
“What are you talking about?!” Twilight demanded.
“Remember what I did to “poor” Tails, and Eggman?” Sunset said. “I’m going to do the same thing to you as I take every last content of information from your mind. The helmet allows me to do so on a larger scale. Not only that, but I’ll also be able to control the bodies of people whose minds I’ve taken over, and coordinate their movement according to my will. This world will bow before me! After that, Equestria will be mind!”
Sunset surrounded herself in an aura of black/purple flames. The aura then turned into the shape of a giant phoenix. Twilight looked on with horror as the phoenix roared loudly.
“Goodbye Twilight!” Sunset yelled from the phoenix. “I promise that your knowledge and mind will benefit me in ways that only you can dream of!” She then charged towards Twilight intending to engulf her in flames, when all of a sudden a violet barrier blocked Sunset’s assault, pushing her back, and dispersing the phoenix. Sunset had a bewildered look on her face.
“What?!” Sunset yelled in deep anger.
Twilight had surrounded herself completely in a barrier. The barrier sparkled with white stars. Twilight had a large smile on her face.
“Sunset, I can’t believe that you fell for my trick. Did you really think I bought your whole story of “pretending to be evil”? That wouldn’t have worked on even Snips and Snails. I pretended to go along with it in order to lower your guard, and it worked even better than I expected. You brought us a playing field where I am in control. Telekinesis involves mental powers remember? And were in my mind.” Twilight explained with a smug look on her face.
Sunset’s eyes widened in shock as her right eye then twitched.
“You…outsmarted…..ME?!” Sunset roared in anger. A black/purple pair of wings, and a phoenix tail made of flames emerged from her back. Her hair also rose up as well, turning it black with purple stripes. “HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!! THERE IS NO ONE WHO CAN MATCH MY INTELLECT!!!!!!"
Sunset then generated two large black and purple fireballs and threw them at Twilight. Twilight’s barrier managed to hold it, but the fireballs induced cracks in it. Sunset threw another fireball which shattered the barrier completely. She then flew at blinding speed and tackled Twilight. She grabbed her by the throat and generated a fireball in her hand.
“You will regret this Twilight Sparkle!” Sunset said menacingly. “I will make sure you’re nothing but a vegetable when I’m through with you!”
Before Sunset could throw the fireball, Twilight teleported. Twilight appeared behind Sunset and grabbed her in an aura of telekinesis. She then spun Sunset around at high speed and threw her. Sunset stopped herself and regained her focus. Twilight generated purple rocks surround by her telekinetic aura, and threw them, with all of them crashing into Sunset, and blowing her away. Sunset grunted in pain. Sunset raised her wings and shot a storm of black feathers like daggers which went towards Twilight. Twilight generated more rocks, and threw her own storm against the feathers, causing them to clash repeatedly, creating an explosion, which left a black and purple cloud. In the cloud, Sunset was looking around for Twilight. She then saw a figure inside it.
“Found you!” Sunset yelled triumphantly, and she fired a fireball at the figure, which dispersed the cloud. The fireball hit the figure, which appeared to be Twilight, but it was a purple glowing after image of her. The real Twilight then shot a wave of telekinetic energy at Sunset, blowing her away. Twilight then conjured a pair of purple chains, which she controlled telekinetically, and launched them at Sunset. Sunset threw fireballs to attack the chains, which blew them back somewhat, but Twilight kept up the fight. Sunset threw a large fireball at Twilight, who directed the chains around the fireball, and used them to wrap around Sunset. Sunset looked annoyed, but she then got a smile on her face.
“You fool. You caught me, but you’ve left yourself open!” Sunset sneered. The fireball came inches close towards Twilight, but Twilight closed her eyes and stopped the fireball from hitting her, surrounding it inside of a purple aura.
“Telekinesis, involves the mind. I don’t need hands.” Twilight said with a smile. She then launched the fireball at Sunset and it hit her, sending her down. Twilight conjured a purple platform, which Sunset crashed into. As Sunset struggled to get up, Twilight teleported in front of her.
“I don’t understand. Your magic is only telekinesis!” Sunset said in astonishment. “Why is it so powerful!”
“This is my mind, Sunset.” Twilight explained. “I can do anything, and having telekinesis only furthers this point. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. Please, come quietly so we can help you.”
Twilight extended her hand towards Sunset. Sunset looked down at the ground to avoid looking at Twilight. Suddenly she got a sinister look on her face. Sunset looked up again at Twilight and took her hand. Twilight smiled, but all of a sudden Sunset’s hand was covered in black flames and her eyes turned white. The black flames soon covered Twilight.
“Wait, what are you-?” Twilight started to say as she was engulfed in black flames. The black flames surround both of them and warped them away. The two of them then appeared in black flames in a different location. It looked similar to Twilight’s mind expect everything was black and dark purple. They appeared on a completely black platform. Twilight then let go of Sunset’s hand and jumped back.
“Where are we?” Twilight asked as she looked around.
“My mind.” Sunset said with a smile. “I thought about how you said that being in your mind gives you the ability to do anything, so I figured the same would work for me. Realizing that our minds are connected with the helmet, I used my magic to transport us here.”
“Oh no!” Twilight cried out in terror. She then flew in the air, but Sunset teleported in front of her.
“Going somewhere?” Sunset sneered as she generated black and purple flaming wings, and used them smack Twilight down in the platform. Twilight struggled to get up in pain when Sunset grabbed Twilight in an aura of black telekinesis. Twilight tried to use her own telekinesis to escape, but Sunsets was stronger and overpowered hers. She then lifted up Twilight, and smashed her against the ground, making her crystal wings crack slightly.
“Sorry, this is my mind, I can do anything!” Sunset boasted. She then let out an evil laugh. Sunset then grew to giant size and grabbed Twilight and brought her close to her.
“You should’ve finished me when you had the chance Twilight, but your silly concern for your friend let you down. Pathetic.” Sunset said as she started to crush Twilight, making her wings crack even more.
“Sunset, I know you’re in there. You have to fight it. You’re my friend.” Twilight pleaded painfully as she was crushed.
“Hahahahaha. The Sunset you know is gone forever!” Sunset said as she tightened her grip, making Twilight wince.
“(I can’t give up. Sonic, and the others are counting on me, I have to win, but how?)” Twilight thought to herself. In the corner of her eye, Twilight saw something which caught her attention, something which looked like a black, metal cage. From the cage, there was a familiar spark that shone red and yellow.
“(Could it be?).” Twilight thought to herself. Using her strength, and concentrating hard, Twilight lifted two pieces of debris from the platform and threw them into Sunset’s eyes as Sunset was focused on crushing Twilight.
“Ow!” Sunset cried as she grabbed her eyes in pain, freeing Twilight. Twilight used the opportunity to fly as fast as she could(using her telekinesis to give her an extra boost) towards the cage. Twilight looked closer inside she saw that it was…another Sunset Shimmer! She had Sunset’s usual look and was chained by her foot towards the wall. Her eyes were closed as if she was unconscious. Her red geode necklace was present on her neck.
“Sunset, Sunset!” Twilight called, causing Sunset’s eyes to slowly open. When she opened them fully she saw Twilight and gasped.
“Twilight?!” The other Sunset said bewildered. “How are you here? Are you another trick by her?”
“Sunset it’s me,” Twilight reassured her. “How are there two of you? This is amazing and fascinating.
“That’s not me.” Sunset said. “It’s a manifestation of my inner darkness/negative emotions that took over after Eggman hit us with that weird gun. One day I woke up and found myself trapped in here. I tried to break out, but I couldn't do anything. I’ve just been here since, watching her use my body for her horrible plans.”
“Wait a minute, that means you know everything that happened?” Twilight asked.
Sunset nodded glumly. “Yes. I am so sorry, especially about Tails.”
“That wasn’t you.” Twilight insisted. “Sunset I will help you break free and stop your inner darkness. Like you and the other did at Camp Everfree.”
Twilight used her telekinesis on the bars and prepared to break them, when all of a sudden, a hand grabbed her, and crushed her tightly, breaking her concentration. Dark Sunset had returned.
“That was….unpleasant!” Dark Sunset said in deep annoyance and rage as she crushed Twilight. She then noticed Sunset in the cage. “I see you’ve found my worthless other half. Good, I want her to see me crush you.” Dark Sunset tightened her grip on Twilight, making her cry out in pain.
“Stop!” Sunset pleaded. She tried to bend the bars but they were too strong. Dark Sunset let out a laugh.
“Don’t waste your efforts. There is nothing you can do to stop me, Sunset. You’re just a fake personality. I’m the real Sunset Shimmer. I represent our truest desires.” Dark Sunset said with a wicked grin.
“No.” Sunset said defiantly. “You are the old me. I’ve moved past anger, hatred, and causing harm to others. You are not me, and I will stop you!”
“With what? Magic? I have it all plus the negative Chaos energy from that idiotic Doctor’s weapon. Once I get rid of Twilight, you’ll have no hopes of every getting rid of me. Goodbye Sunset and Twilight.” Dark Sunset said. She then pressed to tighten her grip on Twilight. Sunset looked on in horror, but then she got a firm look on her face.
“You may have almost all of my magic, but you don’t have the magic of FRIENDSHIP!” Sunset shouted. Her body glowed faintly red/yellow along with her geode necklace, and it resonated with Twilight who glowed purple along with her geode necklace. Twilight too got a firm look on her face and using her telekinesis, removed Dark Sunset’s grip on. Dark Sunset tried to hold on more tightly, but Twilight was more powerful.
“WHAT?!” Dark Sunset said as she struggled against Twilight. “How is she overpowering me? this is my mind!” Twilight then broke free of Dark Sunset’s grip and flew towards Sunset. Using her magic she ripped the bars off the cage easily, freeing her friend. Sunset floated next to Twilight and grabbed her hand. Sunset’s aura grew larger and brighter, and then she ponied up into her proper form. Dark Sunset glared down at them both as both of their aura’s shone.
“I have had enough with your antics!” Dark Sunset said as she generated a large black fireball in her hand as she again manifested black phoenix wings and a tail. She then threw the fireball down at both of them.
“So have we!” Twilight and Sunset declared as their aura’s skyrocketed in brightness. Both of their aura’s then combined to form a red, yellow and purple energy wave which hit the black fireball Dark Sunset had shot and dissipated it easily. The wave then went towards Dark Sunset and covered her completely.
“What, no. This is my mind and I am the smartest. I have complete control!” Dark Sunset said as she was overwhelmed by their power. “I…..refuse….to….go….like…th-AAAAAAHHHH!” The light engulfed her completely, and Sunset’s mind along with Twilight. Twilight slowly opened her eyes, and she looked around and saw that she was back in the room. She then saw Sunset lying on the ground, with helmet next to her, but it was shattered into pieces. She then ran over towards her friend.
“Sunset, Sunset!” Twilight said as she shook her. Sunset opened her eyes and looked at Twilight.
“I’m here, no need to shout.” Sunset said groggily as she rose up with Twilight helping her. “I feel like I have something in my eye.” Sunset then examined her eyes and removed two contact lenses which were cyan. Sunset then opened her eyes again, showing they really were her original cyan color.
“(Guess that explains evil Sunset’s eye color).” Twilight thought to herself. “How are you feeling?
“A bit dizzy, but I’ll be fine.” Sunset said. She then gave Twilight a friendly hug. “Thank you, Twilight.”
“You did the same for me, and I returned the favor.” Twilight said as she returned the hug.
Twilight and Sunset then walked into the main hall of the layer. Just then a dark purple vortex opened, and Sonic came out holding Rainbow Dash. He then noticed Twilight, and Sunset.
“Twilight, glad to see you safe.” Sonic said as he came over to them. “And I take it Sunset’s not evil based on how she’s avoiding eye contact with me.” Sunset was looking at the ground with shame before she then looked at Sonic
“Listen Sonic about Tails-.” Sunset began to say when Sonic cut her off.
“I know you’re gonna say sorry, but I know that wasn’t you,” Sonic said. “Don’t beat yourself up over something you didn’t do, okay?” Sonic flashed her a warm smile, which she returned. Rainbow Dash then groaned.
“Rainbow Dash is she okay?” Twilight asked with concern.
“Yeah, she’ll be fine.” Sonic responded. “But I think we should get her to a doctor just to make sure.”
Just then floor burst open, and Knuckles came out with his fist up, showing he was the cause of it. Manic then came out along with Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Silver, who was using his psychic powers to carry Angel and many animals, much to the others surprise. He looked pretty tired.
“What’s with the petting zoo?” Sonic asked.
“Long story.” Manic said, making Fluttershy cover her face with her hair in embarrassment. Just then, a wall exploded with pink smoke. Out of the wall came Pinkie and she was carrying Shadow, who was unconscious, in one hand, and his inhibitor rings in another.
“Guys, I had the craziest dream I was super-evil, and crazy, and dressed like a clown. I then woke up here, and then it turns out I was dressed like a clown, which is weird as I’m not evil, but then I saw Shady here next to me, unconscious, surround by pieces of other Shady’s who turned out to be robots, and -.” Pinkie said super fast, indicating she had also returned to normal.
“Pinkie, I think we can save the stories for later.” Sunset interrupted. “It looks like Shadow is in bad shape. We should get him and Rainbow Dash checked out.”
“I’m just glad everything is back to normal.” Twilight said with relief as she looked around at her friends. “Well, at least normal for us.”