“CRYSTAL!!!” I screamed running after snips and snails who were taking Crystal away. “Get back here with my daughter!!” I screamed with the others following close behind me.
It didn’t take long until the two ran outside heading toward the statue… where Sunset Shimmer was, holding a sledgehammer next to it!? “Get back!” Sunset exclaimed getting ready to swing the hammer.
“No don’t!” I exclaimed.
“If you don’t want me to destroy the portal, then give me the crown!” she demanded.
“No Mom don’t--!” Crystal shouted before Snips covered her mouth.
“Don’t you dare hurt her!!” I yelled trying to get closer.
“Give me the crown and you can return home with your daughter tonight. Or keep it and never return home again!”
…
“No.”
“What!?” Sunset shrieked. “Equestria! Your friends! Lost to you forever! Don’t you see what I’m about to do to the portal!?”
“Yes, but I’ve seen what you can do here without magic! Equestria may be able to survive without my element of Harmony but this place might not if I allow it to fall in your hands! So go ahead… destroy the portal! You are not getting this crown!”
Sunset shimmer just looked shocked and nervous before finally dropping the sledgehammer. “Fine… you win… let her go.”
Snips and Snails look at each other in confusion before letting Crystal go. She immediately ran up to me hugging me tight. “I’m so sorry Mom I should’ve been more careful…!”
“It’s okay sweetheart… it’s ok…” I hug her crying a bit.
“I still can’t believe you did that just for us Twilight…” Applejack smiled walking up to me.
“That was so awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed hugging onto me.
“No wonder you’re a princess in Equestria…” Fluttershy said… this causing Sunset Shimmer to finally snap.
“Yeah she’s REALLY special!” She exclaimed tackling me to the ground causing my crown to fall off my head. As she tried to grab the crown, Spike went to pick it up and ran off with it. “What are you all doing!? Grab him!”
Snips and snails both ran after Spike until the crown was levitated out of his mouth, being taken away by Crystal. “Crystal! Over here!” Rainbow yelled waving her arms at her.
Crystal stared at Rainbow for a moment… then quickly bolted inside of the school. “I’m not letting her get the crown!” Crystal exclaimed.
“No! Crystal come back!” I shout chasing after her, seeing Sunset Shimmer already on her tail.
“Get back here!” Sunset yelled. Eventually Crystal made it back into the gym and went to hide herself in the crowd of students. “Come out! I know you’re in here!” Sunset exclaimed looking around the gym. It doesn't take too long for Sunset to find Crystal within the crowd however. But just before she went to chase after her, I managed to tackle her down. “Get off of me!”
“Crystal! Run to the portal! Hurry!” I exclaim before getting pushed off. Crystal quickly bolted back out the door still levitating the crown.
-------------------------------------------
I pant hard running as fast as my hooves could carry me outside the school. I quickly head to the direction of the portal… until I suddenly felt myself being lifted into the air. “H-hey!” I yell out squirming in Snips’ grip. “Let go of me!”
“I’ll take that!” Sunset growled taking the still floating crown. “Finally…” she chuckled as Mom ran out of the school. “More power than I can ever imagine!” She said before placing the crown over her head. Suddenly just as she did, the crown started glowing and freaking out! Sunset Shimmer’s eyes suddenly began to glow as a giant beam of light formed around her levitating her in the air. Seeing this, Snips dropped me on the ground trying to get some distance from the magical beam. Mom quickly grabbed me and did the same, carrying me away.
Eventually after the light cleared, what was visible was a demonic looking creature. “Wh-what the…” I stammered looking up at Sunset Shimmer’s form. The demonic Sunset just examined her own form and laughed. She then turned to snips and snails transforming them into demonic beings as well.
“You have no idea how many hoops I had to go through just to get that crown when it really should've been mine all along!” Sunset exclaimed with a bit of distortion in her tone of voice. “But let’s let bygones be bygones. I am your princess now, and you will be loyal… to me!” She exclaimed before using her magic to tear off a chunk of the school from the front entrance.
All the students inside ran frantically screaming as Sunset approached them. Not too long after, she used her magic again only this time to mind control the other students! She turned to Snips and Snails. “Round them up and bring them to the portal.” She said before walking back outside seeing us again. “Spoiler alert: I was bluffing when I said I was going to destroy the portal. I don't want to rule over this pathetic little high school; I want Equestria! And with my own army behind me, I'm going to get it!”
“No you won't!” I exclaim jumping from Mom’s arms. “You won’t take over Equestria! We won't let you!”
“Crystal…” Mom said staring at me in shock.
Sunset Shimmer just looked at me for a moment before finally speaking up. “I already told you before little filly, you don't get it! Do yourself a favor and stay out of the way! You may have some magic, but your magic alone isn't enough to compare to mine!”
“Please Sunset! I know there's good inside of you! You just have to let it out!”
Sunset just groaned as soon as I said this. “I'm warning you for the last time Crystal… stay out of this!!” Sunset exclaimed in irritation.
“No! Because I won't give up on you Sunset!” As I spoke the others started to crowd around me. “Don't you remember when I was at your house? I was feeling cold… but you still felt bad for me and let me sleep with you to stay warm… sure it was one small thing, but it shows you do have a good heart!”
“Shut up. Shut Up. SHUT UP!!” Sunset screamed holding onto her head… before forming a giant fireball in her hands! “You and Twilight have been nothing but a thorn in my side for the last time! I’m done being nice! You both need to be dealt with NOW!” She exclaimed before launching the ball straight at us! Without a second thought, Mom and the others grabbed onto me holding tight… is this really how I’m going to die…? I shut my eyes tight as the ball of fire hurled toward us. There was an explosion… but I didn’t feel anything; I didn’t even feel any heat.
“Huh…?” I say opening my eyes. As I did, I could see a magical barrier was formed around us somehow. “W-what…? But… how…?”
“Impossible! How can you have this much magic!?” Sunset exclaimed in shock.
“I’ll tell you how…” Mom said walking up to Sunset slowly. “It’s because the magic contained in my element was able to unite with those that helped create it!” Suddenly without warning, everyone; including myself began to glow and rise in the air. Looking at everyone else, I could see all of them… their hair growing, some of them, including my mother, growing wings.
“Honesty!
Kindness!
Laughter!
Generosity!
Loyalty!
Magic!” Mom shouted as we all floated together. “Together with the crown, they create a power beyond anything you could imagine, but it is a power you don't have the ability to control!” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing… this is the elements power? “The crown may be upon your head Sunset Shimmer, but you cannot wield it; because you do not possess the most powerful magic of all: the magic of friendship!” With that she joined hands with the other girls and formed a heart with me in the center… and suddenly out of nowhere a rainbow started to shoot out of us and right at Sunset Shimmer!
“No! Stop!” Sunset shrieked as the rainbow encircled her giving her no chance of escape. “What’s… happening…!?” she screamed before the rainbow started taking effect on her.
“Here and in Equestria, it is the only magic that can truly unite us all!” Mom said as her eyes were glowing. There was a giant flash of light… and soon everything dissipated. When the light cleared, everyone who had been mind controlled had all been returned to normal, including Snips and Snails.
Looking back at where Sunset Shimmer was… there was a giant crater where she layed in. I dropped down and walked over to the crater. When she looked up at me she quickly looked back down in tears. “Sunset…?” I said slowly levitating myself down into the hole to go next to her.
“Don’t look at me…” Sunset said mid sobbing. “I’m so sorry Crystal… you tried to help me and I completely ignored you…”
I smile and helped Sunset on her feet. “I’m not mad… I knew you had goodness inside you… you just needed a little help to bring it out.” I go and hug her.
Surprised by the sudden hug, Sunset Shimmer slowly returned the hug to me. “How can I ever show my face to everyone after this? How could anyone ever forgive me?”
“Well… I think if you focused more on helping others rather than break them apart… I think these girls can.” Twilight said from about the crater. “After all the magic of friendship doesn’t just exist in Equestria… it’s everywhere. And I think you have a few friends that can help you seek it out.”
“That includes me.” I smile at her.
Mom just smiled at me just as Principal Celestia walked up to her with her crown. “I believe this belongs to you…” Celestia smiled placing the crown over her head. “A true princess in any world leads not by forcing others to bow before her, but by inspiring others to stand with her. We have all seen that you are capable of just that. I hope you see it too, Princess Twilight.” she smiled kneeling down to Mom.
“I do.” Mom responded smiling back at Celestia.
I just levitated myself out of the hole, getting Sunset Shimmer out afterward. “I guess we have to go home now, huh…?” I ask kind of sad.
Mom just looked up at the sky for a moment and smiled back at me. “I think we have a little time left…… huh?” she stopped and stared at me for a moment.
“Is something wrong Mom?” I asked tilting my head.
“N-no… Crystal it’s… your cutie mark!”
“My… huh!?” I exclaim looking back at my own… flank.
“It… looks kind of like yours except with hearts around it… wait so what does this make my talent?”
“I’m not sure… I’ve never seen another pony have a cutie mark mixed with mine before!” She said getting a closer look at it. “Well we can figure it out when we get home… But I’m so happy Crystal!” she quickly picked me up and hugged me tight. “I never thought I’d actually see you get a cutie mark but here you are right in front of me! Come on! We have to celebrate!” She smiled carrying me to the gym.
Everybody was having fun dancing again after the whole ordeal happened… even Mom was on the dance floor doing a very bizzare looking dance. I can’t help but laugh at the way she dances. One person with a camera eventually came over and pulled us to the side to take a picture. Right before she was about to take the picture however, I walked up to her to whisper to her. “Do you think you could take two pictures of us? So I can take a picture home with me.” The photographer smiled and nodded as I went back into place for the picture. With two quick flashes, she was able to capture one of the happiest moments I’ve ever had… And with Mom and her friends with me, I just know this won’t be the last.