You’d think I’d be happy, Sunset mused, glancing down at her watch as she waited in the palanquin. If the Elements of Harmony do appear, I’ll be able to free Princess Luna and move on to the next world. It was seven in the morning, the moon barely risen. The bags under her eyes would be an interesting conversation piece for the next world, though her sleepless night had not been caused by the usual bad dream. Instead, she could barely close her eyes or her mind, still reliving the conversation between her, Applejack, and Shining Armor. I can't believe she threatened me.
She didn’t like being bullied or pushed into a corner. “C’mon, Sunset,” she rewound Applejack’s words in her head. “Stick with me and you’ll have nothing to worry about. Princess Nightmare Moon is great and all—and we love the moon—but we’ve got somepony more capable in mind. The princesses have decided our fate for far too long, they’ve almost torn the world asunder. What was it you called us? Zealots? We zealots aren’t going to dethrone the princess, we’re just going to take away her governing controls. Isn’t that what you want? To limit her power? She wouldn’t be in charge. You get your way if you join us, or I’ll make sure you’ll never see the night ever again.”
It was a tempting offer, but neither the stallion nor the earth pony was forthcoming in who exactly would be in charge, and that was the most important part. “If you don’t get the Elements of Harmony tomorrow, you’ll be coming back to Canterlot,” Shining Armor had said. “Which means you’re back interfering with our plans. Between me and Miss Applejack, Nightmare Moon won’t bother coming down to see your side of the story.”
They were right, after all. Applejack blindsided her with kindness and friendship, and everyone seemed to trust her word—most of all Nightmare Moon. Sunset hadn't expected the napple mare to be working alongside the stallion who ordered the poisoning of foodstuffs. “Why are you doing it?” she had asked them, but neither would answer unless she joined with them.
“We’ve got a good ruler in mind, and with the Elements of Harmony, we’ll instill a new leader behind the scenes. Nightmare Moon will just be a face, something to control the other zealots,” Applejack had explained. “Everyone loves Nightmare Moon. We love Nightmare Moon. But at the end of the night, she’s trying to be too much like Celestia. It’s going to cost us everything if we let her continue on that way. Join us and we’ll make sure this world has a bright future, otherwise, we’ll throw you to the timberwolves.”
Neither the stallion nor the mare would take no for an answer. They only left after Sunset had asked for time to think about it, to see if the Elements of Harmony would appear the next night. Hopefully, I won’t have to deal with their threats.
“I won’t use my Element on Nightmare Moon. Our plan needs her the same as she is,” Applejack had argued.
But Sunset answered with, “If we get the Elements of Harmony, I’ll be sent on my way. Nightmare Moon will demand it be that way. You won’t have to deal with me.” That had satisfied them, but it only awoke a million angered thoughts as she tried to sleep.
Her backpack was pressed against her, the straps did not seem so rough. She buttered me up. A massage, a few kind words. I fell completely into her trap, did her bidding. They want to replace Nightmare Moon? With who? What’s their angle? She fiddled with her watch, rolling it around on her hoof as she waited, giving a few glances out the dim screen of the palanquin. She had no answer, nor could she figure out why exactly the ingredients were being infected. Applejack pretty much owns the food industry, she noted. Why taint her own product?
A snap of the palanquin’s latch broke her curious mind from its questions. “Good morning, Sunset!” The gap in the pegasus’s teeth was the first thing Sunset’s eyes dragged to. “Are you ready for the trip to Ponyville?” the yellow pegasus asked as she stepped inside, taking a seat close to the unicorn. Her green wooly sweater pressed against Sunset, a warmth that only reminded the unicorn of Applejack’s bathrobes. Fluttershy was the first to arrive to the litter, there would be enough room for all the bearers and Sunset.
“Not really. If I’m right, which I believe I am, then it means tomorrow will be the last night I’m on this world,” Sunset answered.
“You make it sound very discouraging,” Fluttershy observed. “Come now. You’ll be one step closer to going home. Isn’t that what you want?”
Sunset knew what she wanted. She wanted to beat Nightmare Moon, to make the world better for her friends, and to go home. None of those mattered right now. Right now, all she wanted was answers. “No, Fluttershy. I learned that I can spend as much time here as I want to, I don’t have to go home immediately. If the Elements of Harmony appear tonight, I’m going to be sent home, leaving things undone.”
“Princess Nightmare Moon did say something to that effect,” Fluttershy said, her face saddening. “If they appear, Miss Applejack will be there tomorrow. We’ll send you through your map table and then go and get her Element.”
Sunset knew it had to be that way. “I figured.” She slumped against the screen, glancing back at the moon’s rays shooting across the sky. Both Applejack and Nightmare Moon want the Elements of Harmony. Nightmare Moon believes it’ll protect her and Equestria, but does Applejack believe it can make Nightmare Moon step down from her position of power? “Somethings don’t make sense, Fluttershy. If the Elements of Harmony appear today I won’t get to see the outcome; I won’t get to find out why.”
“I’m sure if you ask nicely Princess Nightmare Moon would let you stay. When she addressed us earlier, Miss Applejack was there. Miss Applejack seemed very elated by you, so maybe if the princess doesn’t want you to stay then she might listen to Miss Applejack.”
There was a lot of things Nightmare Moon would do for her hero, Miss Applejack, but Sunset did not believe that would be one of them. She allowed me to visit Celestia thanks to Applejack, and I’m sure that was no easy chore. Can’t imagine getting her to let me stay would be possible. “Maybe,” she replied to the pegasus. If I do stay, I’ll have to lie and agree to help Applejack and Shining Armor. Lying to Nightmare Moon is one thing, but lying to a friend… I’m not sure I could do that.
Soon there was an awkward, silent air that filled the cart. Sunset went back to her thinking, but the squirming of the pegasus snapped her right back to reality. “S-Sunset,” the yellow pegasus said in a rather quiet voice, too quiet for this version of Fluttershy. “I don’t want you to leave.”
Sunset shifted over and put a hoof across the pegasus’s back, patting the opposite shoulder. The side pigtails brushed against her cheek as she squeezed. “Thanks, Fluttershy.”
Shortly after, Rainbow Dash came tumbling in, resting her body on the opposite side of the litter. Sunset could see white tape wrapped around different parts of her body, most likely due to training. “Mornin’ gals,” Dash greeted, shoving her face into one of the expensive purple pillows laid amongst the palanquin. “You ready for the trip, Fluttershy? Are your animals going to be alright?”
Fluttershy nodded. “They’ll be fine for a couple nights.”
“Good. Hope this trip’ll be sho—”
As Rainbow Dash was talking, the gentle door of the palanquin was thrust open, slapping it against the outside. Rarity stomped into the carriage like a minotaur who just stubbed their thumb, violently closing the door behind her with magic. Everyone kept their eyes trained on the unicorn, her snobby head tilted to the air. She took the seat furthest from Sunset at the opposing corner. No words were spoken as she pulled out a file and began trimming her hooves. Rainbow Dash gave a mocking look to Sunset and Fluttershy before shoving her chin back into a pillow.
When Pinkie Pie and Twilight arrived, they both sat on Sunset’s side, though Pinkie pushed her way to the window seat where Sunset had sat. Sunset didn’t mind, though. The pink pony was in high spirits. Out of her chef’s outfit, she wore a simple purple button up. Though her hair was tied back like usual, no glasses sat on her muzzle, making her face look skinnier. “I’ve visited Ponyville a few times,” Pinkie said, making conversation. “It’s really nice during the Running of the Leaves celebration.”
“It’s a cozy town,” Twilight added, her outfit the same as every night. “Small, quaint.”
“It’s an absolutely dreadful little backwater hole in the dirt,” Rarity spat, her filing stopped.
Everyone was surprised by the unicorn speaking, even causing Rainbow Dash to stir and sit up. “Don’t you live in Ponyville?” Sunset asked, thinking she may have gotten the specifics of this world’s Rarity mixed up with another.
But Rarity didn’t seem to take it that way. Her eyes sharpened, glaring at the unicorn from behind the file. “And just what are you implying?” the unicorn asked, her tone haughtier than before.
Sunset didn’t know how to reply—and thankfully she wouldn’t have to. “Please keep this civil,” Twilight commanded. “Tonight might just be a commemorative night, let’s try not to do anything that may muck up our chances of getting the Elements. They might be in-tune with our emotions.”
Rarity huffed and went back to filing, the aggression seemingly concluded. It was Rainbow Dash who brought the conflict back, however. “Yeah, wouldn’t want to do anything but be emotionless. A heartless statue of our former selves,” the pegasus chided.
It was clear the words were meant to make Twilight uncomfortable but instead of retaliating, she apologized. That caught Rainbow Dash off-guard, surprising everyone except for Sunset. “It seems I was a bit hasty in telling you that you were wrong, mistaken about who I was when we first met. Through Sunset, I found that you had indeed met me—another version of me—who was an alicorn when you were a filly. I should not have been so dismissive, I did not think it could be possible. It took a mare from another world to make me see that things are not as impossible as they may seem.”
“Wow,” Rainbow Dash said, chuckling awkwardly. “Well, uhm, apology recognized and forgiven?” She swiveled her hoof dismissively, her eyes still wide with shock. “Does this make us… friends or something?”
“It’s a good start,” Sunset chimed in, causing both the mares to smile.
“Does that mean you’ll reconsider Dash’s proposal for a Shadowbolt Academy?” Fluttershy asked, and both Rainbow Dash and Twilight stiffened.
“Shadowbolt Academy?” Sunset reiterated, questioning the name. Last time I had heard about the Shadowbolts, they were the team from Crystal Prep. What would they be here?
“Fluttershy, there’s no need for her to reconsider. That’s in the past,” argued Rainbow, tossing off the question.
“But—”
“No buts.” Rainbow tossed the expensive pillow across the litter, smacking Fluttershy in the face, making her pigtails puff up.
“Dash!” Sunset exclaimed, picking the pillow up off the floor. “I don’t know what this Shadowbolt Academy is, but there’s no reason to take whatever frustration you have out on Fluttershy.” She tossed the pillow back at the pegasus, hitting her in the side, avoiding the face which would have undoubtedly stirred more trouble. Now I know how Twilight must have felt reuniting the girls. I’d worked so hard to tear them apart, and somehow she managed to repair their friendships and unite them against me. It’s still hard to believe I caused her so much trouble, it almost feels like forever ago.
To Sunset’s surprise, Rarity spoke up. “Everypony knows about the failed Shadowbolt Academy. An ultimate disgrace to Cloudsdale,” she said. Her eyes were fixated on her trimmed hoof, a slight smirk underneath.
“Oh no.” Twilight covered her mouth with a hoof.
“What’d you say!?” Rainbow Dash bolted forward, getting in Rarity’s face, but the unicorn remained stagnant, still staring at her hoof.
The belligerence that had begun to unravel was cut short by the carriage’s door being tossed open. “Everyone in?” Nightmare Moon asked with a curt growl. Had she been listening? “Good. We’re off now. We’ll arrive in Ponyville in a short while. Try not to tear my carriage apart.” The door slammed shut, and through the screen, Sunset could see the hulking alicorn trot off to the back. Everyone stayed quiet after that.
Not much later, the palanquin began to move, lifting high into the air over Canterlot. Rainbow Dash had huddled to the opposite side, far away from Rarity. None of the Elements spoke, perhaps due to fear of inciting Nightmare Moon’s wrath. It was up to Sunset to initiate a pleasant conversation. But how do I do that? she wondered, glancing between the angered pegasus, the annoyed unicorn, and the three cowering faces of the mares who sat beside her.
“You guys are a hoofful,” Sunset said, brushing back her bangs. “In the last two worlds, you six just sort of congealed together like you were long lost friends. But in this world, you already knew each other in some form, and you’re mostly enemies.”
“I’m not anyone’s enemy!” Pinkie shouted, giggling and jiggling her chunky lips.
“Nopony’s except the ponies poisoning your ingredients,” Rainbow Dash corrected.
Twilight perked up, leaning forward. “Someone’s doing what now?”
“No, no,” Sunset interjected. “That conversation needs to be put on hold right now.” I can’t imagine any of these five would believe Applejack would be part of whatever Shining Armor is planning. “I’m investigating that, and things got really weird.” She shook her head, still trying to figure out the missing pieces. Like who Applejack and Shining Armor would impose the leadership of Equestria to.
“Weirder than a pony traveling from a world where the sun still shines?” Dash noted.
Sunset sighed. I trusted Applejack. She’s my friend, but not in this world. Who knows if I can trust these five? She glanced at Rarity. The white unicorn was faking her filing, the file a few centimeters in the air. Her deep blue eyes were staring at the bottom of the bench where Sunset and the others sat. It was clear she was listening, focusing on what was being said without showing interest. Could Rarity be in on it? Or would she just try to do something out of spite?
“The banquet’s only a few nights away. We’ve got the meals planned out, but if we didn’t have so many sickly ingredients we could make something even better,” Pinkie explained.
“This is the first I’m hearing of an ingredient problem.” Twilight pushed her glasses up her muzzle. “I don’t think Nightmare Moon has heard of it either. Even if she didn’t tell me directly, I’d hear of it through eavesdropping.”
“You eavesdrop on the princess?” Rarity chastised, breaking her illusion.
“She’s not a very forthcoming pony,” Twilight remarked. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be nearly as good of an apprentice as I am.”
Sunset’s lips pulsed into a coy smile. “I’ve eavesdropped a few times before.” She pictured Snips and Snails for a moment before wiping the horrid memory from her thoughts. “It’s a slippery slope between eavesdropping to be a helpful assistant, and eavesdropping to get the juicy dirt that may help you win a crown.”
“Sounds an awful lot like you’re speaking from personal experience,” Rainbow Dash said.
“I’m sure most of you know this by now,” Sunset said, “In my world, beyond a mirror, I did everything I could for power. I was obsessed with it. I connived, I stole, I berated, I tricked. I became a violent demon bent on world destruction. Power… it’s not for everyone. Some people just can’t handle it—some shouldn’t.” Who, Applejack? Who? “It’s why you five can wield the Elements of Harmony. You’re meant for it. Destined. You all have your best qualities hidden beneath the surface, and you’ll stick to those even if the outside shows differently. It’s why when I used one of the Elements, it brought out a hungry, powerful demon.”
She paused to look at each of the bearers’ faces. They all seemed intent on hearing her words, even Rarity. Applejack, I can work on her. I can get her to see things my way. The same way I know I can trust these five. “It’s also how I know we can’t let Nightmare Moon have the Elements of Harmony.”
Each of the bearers took the statement in a different way. Pinkie and Fluttershy gulped, glancing at the others, while Rainbow Dash tilted her body, leaning toward Sunset like a curious child during story time. Sunset assumed Twilight would be angry with her, but the dismayed unicorn stared at the floor, her eyes more dejected than mad. Rarity was the first to speak, “You really think Nightmare Moon would become a demon like you? She’s not evil.”
“She is. I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.” It was hard keeping the memory locked inside her mind, seeing the Elements react to Nightmare Moon was too much like it had been for her own experience. “I’m not asking to remove her from power. I can’t ask that—not until I get proof that her reign will end in destruction. All I’m asking is that you trust me enough to not give her the Elements if we get them tonight.”
“So you really are against Nightmare Moon,” Twilight sighed, and everyone looked at the purple unicorn. “O-one of the times I had eavesdropped… I had heard that you were not to be trusted. I had hoped sending you home quicker would entice you to forgo any plans against the princess, but Nightmare Moon ruined that herself.”
“How’d she do that?” Dash asked.
“We found where the spell that stemmed all these problems is from, but Nightmare Moon got to it first,” Sunset explained.
“She just destroyed it for no reason,” Twilight finished as she removed her glasses, shaking her head. “As much as I hate that, I can’t go against my teacher, Sunset. Everyone here is in debt to Nightmare Moon in some way, and me especially.”
The white unicorn snorted. She had placed down her file, thoroughly invested in the conversation now. “I’m not. I’m just a castle decorator, remember? A simple mare who couldn’t make it in the world of dresses due to her style being so old world.” She rolled her eyes at Twilight, then turned her pointed muzzle to Sunset. “I don’t like you. Not one bit. But if you say giving my Element to the princess will turn her into a demon, you have my word I’ll not give it to her. Because if there’s one pony I don’t like more than you—it’s Nightmare Moon.”
That was a surprise Sunset couldn’t believe. Rarity and Cadance might get along well if they ever meet. Out of all the ponies to not like Nightmare Moon, Rarity seemed like the most that would be emboldened to the royalty’s cause. “Thank you, Rarity. I know you don’t see us as friends, but we are, and I promise I’m here to not only make your world better but your life too.”
There was almost a smile to Rarity’s lips, but she only shrugged. “It’s not like you can make my life worse. If I’m thrown into a cell, at least I won’t have to worry about those blasted drapes again,” she said and groaned, pulling on her eyelids.
That made Rainbow Dash laugh. “They were different every time we visited Everfree Castle. I thought you were just bored.”
“The banquet’s menu changed nine times before the ingredient crisis started,” Pinkie interjected. “All because of the princess.”
“She has too many choices that she can’t pick, and when the choices are simple, she flip-flops.” Fluttershy furrowed her brows, making a circle with her hoof. “First she wanted cages for the menagerie, then a glass square, then an open zoo.” She shook her head, her pigtails going everywhere. “If I hadn’t put my fears aside and stepped up, I think we’d have a different style of menagerie every month.”
“I’m going to throw you in jail, no wait, I’m going to force you to work for me. No I don’t like you working for me, I’m going to send you home,” Sunset mocked, trying to turn her face into a scowl in an attempt to imitate the hulking alicorn. Everyone laughed, even Twilight, and Sunset felt happy. This is what was missing.
“I wish Miss Applejack could have joined us tonight,” Pinkie said. “I bet she has some stories to tell!”
Rainbow Dash slapped the bench from her fit of laughter. “You kidding me!?” she said, choking back tears. “Applejack’s the only pony who the princess cows down to! I’ll bet she could have the six of us locked up and Nightmare Moon wouldn’t give it a second thought.”
You’re so close it’s eerie, Sunset reflected, mentally chuckling.
“You’re not wrong,” Twilight said, voicing Sunset’s inner thoughts. “Nightmare Moon treats Miss Applejack like a daughter or something. I don’t think there’s ever been a time where Nightmare Moon got her way when it comes to something relating to Miss Applejack.”
“I’m glad she’s on our side,” Pinkie said, and the rest chorused the sentiment. All except for Sunset who remained quiet. She’s on her own side for now. Her and Shining Armor. What that side entails, it frightens me.
It wasn’t long after that they were forced to settle down, the pink trees of Sweet Apple Acres could be seen out one of the windows, and the lights of Ponyville from the other. They were soon swallowed by mist and fog, eventually reaching the border and sloping down to the ground. “I’ve never been to this castle before,” Fluttershy claimed, pushing her head against Twilight to get a better view of the Everfree Castle.
“It took two and a half years to fully build, even though it was finished within the first year. Nightmare Moon had several amenities placed into different sections, and the throne room was redone five times,” Twilight described the history. “Just another one of those decisions she could never settle on.”
The palanquin came to a halt in view of the castle’s back, the encroaching forest all around. Nightmare Moon came and escorted them through a stony entryway, pushing into some of the backrooms that Sunset had not previously seen. “You’ll be staying in Ponyville should we gain the Elements of Harmony,” the alicorn told the group. “If we don’t, be prepared for another long trip back to Canterlot.” She led them through the castle to the throne room, down and out of the main entrance. Guards lined the entire way down to the bridge.
“Where exactly is the Tree of Harmony?” Twilight asked Sunset as they walked.
“Only a few ponies in this world know, myself included. It’s down in the ravine below. The Castle of the Two Sisters was literally built on the very foundations of harmony,” Sunset answered.
“Yes. And it never became anything more than a secluded castle in the woods, broken and decrepit, left to rot by Celestia just like the rest of this world,” Nightmare Moon intruded, overhearing their conversation.
As they crossed the bridge, Sunset pointed to a covered section of the cliff that jutted out from the rest, roots dug into the rocks and spread out above the entrance. There was no rocky path or ramp that led down to the bottom of the chasm in this world. The layers had been filled out or carved away to make room for the new. With a blast of magic, Nightmare Moon teleported the group to the cracked dirt below while several guards floated down with their magical armor, surrounding the area and the entrance.
Drawing closer, Sunset could see the barrier that had kept out the nightmare so long ago, protruding around the edges of the entrance. The others must have seen it too as they gasped at the sight. “Hold,” Nightmare Moon commanded, and they stopped just outside the barrier. “I cannot enter with you, so, whatever happens, I will not be able to protect you. Be safe in there.”
The five gave their thanks before Sunset led the charge in, breaching the barrier with ease. A gracious wind fluffed her mane as soon as she entered. As she drew past the fallen rocks, her eyes trained around the corner, she caught her first glimpse of this world’s Tree of Harmony.
A pale, crystal white trunk was the only resemblance of the original form that this Tree of Harmony had. The crystal branches had been obliterated, aside from the ones that held the Elements, and those were as black as Nightmare Moon’s fur. The Elements of Harmony themselves had their glow shunned; it was as if the light that they had inside went out. The Tree of Harmony had wilted, or was in the process of wilting.
“No,” was all that Sunset could muster.
“I’m assuming that isn’t what it’s supposed to look like,” Twilight observed, her eyes bulging from beneath her glasses.
Sunset looked back at the purple unicorn and saw the reflection of the tree in the glasses. She grimaced, and said, “You’re right. It’s not supposed to look like that.” Sunset turned to face the five bearers. “Do you see now what has become of anything Nightmare Moon touches? Celestia did her best and assumed this tree could undo whatever damage Nightmare Moon had done by trying to use the Elements, but the only thing they’ve done is curse the Tree of Harmony. We cannot let her have the Elements, no matter the cost!”
Though none of the bearers spoke, their expressions showed they agreed. None had seen the Tree of Harmon prior, but it was clear this was not meant to be. “Tell us what to do, Sunset,” Rainbow Dash said, lobbing forward.
“To be honest—” Sunset turned back to the Tree of Harmony “—I haven’t the slightest clue what to do.”
“It’s already damaged. I see no harm in damaging it more to remove what’s corrupting it.” Twilight stepped past Sunset, trotting up to one of the low hanging black branches. With her magic, she began to fiercely yank on the tetragonal gem inside.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy floated to the top branches while Pinkie Pie grasped the other low branch. Even Rarity used her magic to try and remove one of the gems. This might work, Sunset thought. They’re the bearers, after all. Their instincts are better than mine. The only gem left was in the center, the six-pointed star. Its coloring had faded to grey, the sparkle gone like the others. Sunset went to work trying to tear the piece from the center of the bark, doing her best to try and not rip the black crystal that surrounded it.
Little chips of quartz began to fall as she was forced to try harder. The gem shook so hard it started to reverberate the tree. All at once Sunset pulled out the Element of Magic and the others released. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had been pulling so hard they hit the ceiling, and Pinkie Pie fell on her back, the Element in her pink grasp.
“We did it!” Sunset exclaimed as she breathed heavily, it had taken all her strength. “I can’t believe it!”
The five cheered with Sunset, but that cheering stopped as soon as another voice called to them. “I can’t believe it either.” With the Elements removed, the barrier was gone. “You’ve all done so well, my mistrust in Sunset Shimmer seems to have been misplaced,” Nightmare Moon congratulated, her guards swarming in beside her.
The bearers huddled around Sunset, each holding an Element. “The Elements were corrupting the Tree of Harmony,” Sunset started to explain, but stopped, gritting her teeth at the dark alicorn.
Nightmare Moon stepped closer, her eyes showed surprise hidden beneath as she stared at the tree. Her mouth fell open to speak but then closed again. She shifted, glancing back to the bearers and the Elements, quickly scanning each. “Corrupting? Something is amiss,” she mumbled. “Twilight, bring me your Element.”
All eyes turned on the purple unicorn. Don’t do it. Don’t do it, Sunset pleaded inside. Twilight tilted her head to look at the fellow unicorn, the unease beneath her eyes spoke the words she could not. There was no choice in the matter for the student. With the Element in hoof, Twilight stepped forward, her head hung low.
Within an instant, the alicorn held up the Element to her eye level, examining the tetragonal crystal. It took all of Sunset’s strength and willpower to not swipe it out of the air with her magic, fearing that even one Element would be enough to unleash the power inside. But to Sunset’s surprise, the alicorn gave the gem back to her student, a frown on her lips showing her displeasure.
“Take the Elements of Harmony back to the castle,” Nightmare Moon commanded. As Sunset and the bearers began to leave, she stopped the red and yellow-haired unicorn. “Not you.”
For better judgement, Sunset handed off the Element of Magic to Twilight before returning to stand by the alicorn. “What is it?” she asked in the lightest tone she could muster.
“Do you see what has become of the Tree of Harmony? Do you see what Celestia’s actions have caused?” the alicorn asked.
“Celestia’s actions!? You’re the one who tried to use the Elements of Harmony! You’re the one who corrupted them!”
“Is that what she told you?”
“No. She showed me it,” Sunset revealed.
The surprise in Nightmare Moon’s eyes almost made it all worthwhile. “Did you tell the bearers?” she said, her voice calm, not a hint of anger hidden beneath. Sunset could not feign her thoughts well enough to hide it from the alicorn’s sight. “You did.” She sighed. “It’s probably for the best.” Her eyes traced the blackness embedded within the bark. “Now you understand why I was so adamant about getting the bearers their Elements. I could have burst that bubble and taken the Elements myself, but I knew it would be costly. Perhaps the only smart thing Celestia had ever done was seize them from me. Of course, it seems she was not wise enough.”
Sunset hadn’t even thought of it like that. “Wait. So, you’re not going to rush up to the castle and take the Elements of Harmony? You’re not going to…”
“No,” the alicorn cut her off. “I felt the power surge within me. It felt good. I could rule with an iron touch if I did—but I wouldn’t be considered better than Celestia, now would I?”
“R-right.” Jealousy. It still lingers within her no matter how much time passes.
“Come. We must figure out if the Elements of Harmony can be salvaged or if the corruption was too damaging.” The alicorn turned and trotted out of the cavern, leaving Sunset behind.
Glancing back at the Tree of Harmony, Sunset’s mind was a bag of wriggling worms. “Have I been wrong this entire time?” she asked the tree. “Is Nightmare Moon not a villain? What am I supposed to do? I thought I’d get another answer from you… but…” She glanced around at the shattered crystal that surrounded the tree, hoping to see any words within the branches. Help time. Time help. Something time. Anything!
But nothing happened.