My Little Pony: How the Magic of Friendship Grows (Season 1)

by Majestical4729


3. A New Start

Falcon Dive opened his eyes to find all of his nine best friends looking at him, as he woke up. "Why are you all looking at me?" Falcon asked, yawning.

"Because you overslept! It's ten o'clock in the morning!" Yellow Bright answered.

"What's the big deal? We graduated yesterday, and now we no longer go to school! We don't need to wake up so early anymore!" Falcon explained.

"But still, waking up late and oversleeping? Those are not good for you and your health," Volcano pointed out.

"And, we were all waiting for you so we can share my new, super cute, Chibi version of our adventure yesterday!" Alkali exclaimed.

"What now?" Falcon asked.

"Alkali made a scrapbook that tells the story of our adventure yesterday," Sunshine Rays explained.

"And when Luster joined us," Evergreen added.

"After we all packed up our things," Nature Bloom pointed out.

"And moved into the Castle of Friendship." Buffer continued.

"And after that celebration dinner," Krona finished.

"And here's the story!" Alkali said in a singing tone, before narrating as the Chibi cartoon took over the screen.

"Luster Dawn, the biological daughter of Head-mare Starlight and Vice Head-stallion Sunburst, and Princess Twilight's star student was sent to Ponyville to make some friends. Luster only told the friends she met, 'I'm Luster', which prevented them from knowing her true identity as Luster Dawn. But when all her friends were revealed to have already known each other, and were best friends with each other, and students at the School of Friendship when they all gathered, Princess Twilight appeared and called Luster 'Luster Dawn', giving Luster's new friends a shock. Luster admitted that she hid her real identity from them so they won't be interested in her because of it and not for who she was. Luster's friends may not approve what she did, but still decided to accept her in their group, and go to school together."

"That's only the meeting part!" Falcon Dive pointed out.

"Come on, Falcon! Be patient! The adventure part is coming!" Evergreen told the griffon.

"That was just a comment!" Falcon explained.

"Whatever! Just continue the story, Alkali!" Volcano said.

"Thanks guys, now, where was I? Oh, right!" Alkali then continued reading.

"Luster Dawn's friends, Falcon Dive the Griffon, Yellow Bright the Earth Pony, Evergreen the Kirin, Alkali the Hippogriff, Nature Bloom the Changeling, Volcano the Dragon, Sunshine Rays the Pegasus, Buffer the Buffalo and Krona the Yak, stood by Luster's side at all times they could in school. Soon, on one fateful day, which was the day before the Special Connection Rainboom Anniversary, Luster Dawn found Princess Twilight Sparkle acting mean to her. After telling her friends, all ten snuck into Canterlot to check on Princess Twilight. To their horror, they found Princess Twilight making an evil brew in a black cauldron, and say her plan to control all of Equestria and beyond out loud, for herself to hear, intentionally. But she then discovered that she was being spied on, and imprisoned the spies in the catacombs under Canterlot!"

"That does not sound so nice of her!" Nature Bloom commented.

"And, we all know that the Princess Twilight..." Krona begun, before Alkali cut her off.

"Uh, uh, uh, Krona! No spoilers!"

"Fine." Krona replied.

"Knowing that if they don't do something, all of Equestria and beyond is in danger, Luster Dawn and her friends bravely adventured out of the caves, with each friend helping the others pass an obstacle. But when they got out of the catacombs, the sky turned dark, and they soon found a brainwashed army of creatures under Princess Twilight's spell! Retreating to the school, Luster lost hope of saving every creature, and believed that she and her friends doomed the world by being too late to stop Princess Twilight from brainwashing every creature! Luster's friends did not see things that way, and encouraged Luster, who then came up with a plan. After an epic, but scary battle against the army, Luster and her friends confronted Princess Twilight, who soon tried to shoot a large beam at them to..."

"Please don't say that awful word that has the meaning of causing the death of something!" Nature Bloom interrupted.

"Don't worry Nature, I obviously thought about you, and every creature, and I promise no horrible words." Alkali assured, before continuing.

"Luster and her friends confronted Princess Twilight, who soon tried to shoot a large beam at them to demolish them, but the Magic of Friendship they possessed activated itself and helped Luster protect all of them! After Luster explained the magic that saved her and her friends, they all powered up, and released a magical rainbow that rose up to the sky, then charged down at Princess Twilight! A magical rainboom was released right after Princess Twilight was hit, and that rainboom undid all of her spells, freeing every creature! Returned to normal, the ten heroes approached the area Princess Twilight was, and found a greyish blue unicorn instead. A second later, the real Princess Twilight appeared, and explained that she was being impersonated by her former star student, so the Princess Twilight the brave heroes faced really was not her!"

"And that was such a relief!" Sunshine Rays commented, "We can't have a ruler who is evil and power-hungry!"

"Of course we can't, some creature like that is going to do nothing but harm to every creature!" Falcon Dive added.

"Can I just get back to the story?" Alkali asked.

"Whoops, sorry about that." Falcon apologised.

"Princess Twilight told her former student Eclipse Instant that the Magic of Friendship is something every creature could have, only if they gave it a chance. Luster Dawn and her friends decided to help Eclipse Instant learn friendship, only if she accept it. Remorseful and in tears, Eclipse accepted the offer, and became a new friend. Luster and her friends named themselves 'The Heroic Ten' and the good values they show and possess 'The Elements of Purity', inspired by the Elements of Harmony. For their heroic deeds, Princess Twilight declared that the Heroic Ten had graduated from the School of Friendship, and would learn friendship their own, living in her former residence, the Castle of Friendship. The princess gave the new heroes one more, or two more orders: One is helping Eclipse Instant change for the better, and the other was to write friendship reports to the princess. The End."

The Chibi cartoon immediately vanished in a millisecond, returning to the actual life and surroundings in the castle.
Buffer commented, "That summary is actually very long."

"At least it's shorter than the whole story." Yellow Bright pointed out.

"But you took out some very important details, Alkali." Evergreen stated.

"Yeah, like the fact that Luster was raised by her grandparents in Sire's Hollow, therefore not knowing friendship like her parents do?" Volcano gave an example.

"And the good values that are the Elements of Purity?" Krona added.

"Integrity, listening, morality, diligence, niceness, encouraging, patience, positivity, selflessness and leadership?" Sunshine listed.

"Whoops, sorry guys. I just did not want to make the summary as long as the actual story." Alkali apologised.

"That's alright, the rest of it is all pretty good." Nature Bloom stated.

"And it is a wonderful creation that can help us remember that adventure for as long as it is around." Luster Dawn commented in a grateful, Celestia-like tone.

"And every creature loves it!" Yellow Bright added.

"Not really every creature." a voice said, causing the Heroic Ten to tun around and face the voice's owner: Eclipse Instant.


After the series' theme song intro played, the Heroic Ten approached their former enemy, who was now considered their new friend.

"Eclipse Instant, you don't like Alkali's recap story about our adventure?" Buffer asked.

"What do you don't like about it? The animation? The words?" Alkali asked.

"The story itself!" Eclipse Instant blurted out, accidentally hurting the author's feelings. Noticing the hurt expressions Alkali started showing, Eclipse regretted what she said, "Alkali, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to criticise your hard work! It's just that..."

"I spent hours working on it to share with every creature, not let some creature announce their hatred for it in front of me!" Alkali ran off crying, needing some time alone.

After Alkali left, Luster approached the greyish phthalo blue unicorn, asking, "Eclipse, why didn't you like Alkali's story?"

"It reminds me of...me." Eclipse sadly answered, "As in, how awful I was: Stealing Princess Twilight's identity, wrongfully imprisoning her and all of you, brainwashing every creature else, forcing you to fight your friends, attempting and almost finishing the ten of you, and...trying to take over the whole world."

"That...is a little extreme." Falcon Dive commented.

"Falcon, it's way more extreme than that." Sunshine Rays pointed out.

"I'm so sorry...but it's obviously going to take way more than just saying that over and over, to make up for everything I did." Eclipse sadly apologised.

"Well, saying 'I'm sorry' is usually the start of making amends." Evergreen explained, "After that, a sincere apology message would be a second step, and the third is doing a good deed to make up for the bad one."

"But I'm so...I mean I was...really bad." Eclipse said in an upset tone.

"And you just hurt Alkali's feelings!" Yellow Bright added, "No offence really, but, maybe you should be a little more positive, and apologise to her, believing that she will forgive you. After all, you heard what she said when Luster offered you friendship."

"The more friends, the merrier." Krona quoted Alkali's words.

"And we all accepted you as a friend." Buffer reminded.

"Even after what you did." Sunshine Rays confirmed.

"But right now, you owe some creature an apology," Volcano pointed out.

"And you know who that creature is," Nature Bloom added.


In the Castle Library, Alkali sobbed as Sunset Shimmer, the guardian of the Crystal Mirror, comforted the crying hippogriff. The next moment, the doors opened as the rest of the Heroic Ten and Eclipse entered.

"Alkali, I am so sorry for criticising your work. It just...reminds me of how horrible I was and makes me feel bad." Eclipse apologised, "But I shouldn't show that much hatred for it in front of you like that, and you don't have to alter or destroy your story because of me. I'll get over it and you can have your story just the way it is."

"I forgive you, Eclipse Instant." Alkali declared, "Staying upset does not help, even if you really did hurt my feelings."

"And, I know what that feels like," Sunset added, "Alkali's story told me all about what happened, and what I did when I was awful is no doubt really similar: I put on Twilight's crown and used the magic I got from it to brainwash the school, with the intentions of using my army to takeover all of Equestria, and tried to...destroy Twilight and her friends. But they managed to survive unharmed and defeat me, and return everyone to normal, and Twilight offered me friendship when I was remorseful. I accepted her offer, became friends with her and her friends, and soon, was no longer hated by everyone after I helped them defeat the Sirens."

"But you totally became a hero," Eclipse pointed out, "And me? Nothing but a reformed villainess who is yet to make amends for her misdeeds. And I strongly doubt that a chance to defeat another villain to prove myself, is very slim."

"Who says that's the only good deed that can prove yourself?" Sunshine Rays asked.

"Yeah, Discord made amends for his misdeed of causing villain attacks by serving as a wish-granter for all of Equestria from then on," Krona mentioned an example.

"But then, he became a need-giver so every creature will not get corrupted by wishes," Buffer pointed out.

"And Pinkie Pie made up to every creature in Ponyville for going extreme over Cheese Sandwich's visit by allowing them to be like they used to be, for him to see." Yellow Bright added.

"Applejack and Caramel made amends with each other by treating each other nicer, caring about each other even more, before they got married." Nature Bloom stated.

"And even Princess Twilight made a mistake of asking changeling leaders Thorax and Pharynx to shapeshift into Celestia and Luna for a play for every creature to see them going against the rules they had set up for their subjects. She made amends for it by willing to take the blame to spare the leaders' reputation." Luster gave an example.

"Fortunately, the leaders were touched by how Princess Twilight was willing to make such a sacrifice, and not have her subjects to do so. As if she did, she'd be like a very bad leader I read in a History Book..." Volcano commented.

"We don't need that info for now, Volcano." Evergreen told him, preventing him from saying another long, unnecessary factual story.

"But, it was not just my misdeed that was wrong, I had terrible intentions to take over the world! And trying to..." Eclipse began, before stopping as she could not bare to say the next word.

"Get rid of us? Yeah, we know that." Falcon Dive finished the sentence, and gave a comment.

"I just feel so guilty!" Eclipse blurted out, "And now I have no idea how to really start a new."

"Starting is easy, all you have to do is make a friend who can and will be there for you," Luster explained, "And you already have ten of them right here."

Sunset Shimmer cleared her throat, catching Luster's attention. "And one more who totally empathises you."

"So, what's the plan?" Yellow Bright asked.

"How are we supposed to help Eclipse Instant make up for what she did?" Evergreen added.

"Right now, every creature will probably see and judge her for what happened yesterday," Volcano figured.

"And it isn't good." Nature Bloom commented, laying low.

"Maybe you can help some creature out," Buffer suggested.

"Because helping is what friends do!" Krona explained.

"As long as the help is the right kind of help, as in not helping them cheat during their tests, not helping them steal something, not helping them make gossip..." Sunshine Rays began listing examples of exceptions until Luster cut the former off.

"I'm sure we can ensure that Eclipse Instant helps others the right way."

"And, every creature, you don't really have to call me by my all name all the time. You can just call me Eclipse." the reformed unicorn stated.

"Alright, Eclipse! Now let's get helping some creatures!" Alkali cheered.


The Heroic Ten and Eclipse trotted throughout Ponyville, causing every creature they passed by to stay away from the large group, or most likely, the group's new friend Eclipse. Seeing how her presence made every creature seemingly despise the heroes who did not deserve resentment, Eclipse felt even guiltier.

"Guys, I think that you best not go anywhere with me. I mean, my presence is making all your friends seem to not like you."

"Relax, Eclipse. I'm sure once you find some creature to help, they'll see that you're not the creature you were yesterday anymore." Evergreen calmly told the greyish blue unicorn.

The Heroic Ten brought Eclipse to Sugarcube Corner, a pastry and sweets shop currently ran by the married Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich.

"Hey, Heroic Ten!" Pinkie Pie cheerfully greeted, "It's great to see you all again! All ten! And...oh, Eclipse Instant, isn't it?"

"You can just call her Eclipse." Krona told the shop owner.

"Okay...so, what brings you all to Sugarcube Corner?" Pinkie asked.

"Well, Eclipse is not getting any better with her relationship with every creature," Buffer pointed out.

"Every creature just wants to stay away from her!" Sunshine Rays explained.

"Probably because of what she did and the creature she used to be," Volcano elaborated.

"All the horrible things..." Nature Bloom began, before Alkali cut the former off, finishing the sentence.

"That she did is known far and wide!"

"Every creature is obviously not as forgiving as we are," Evergreen stated.

"They don't seem to like Eclipse, at all." Falcon Dive commented.

"And I figured that there's actually a bright side that there can be at least some creature that will be willing to forgive her like we are." Yellow Bright stated.

"So you all think I can help her?" Pinkie asked.

"We actually wanted her to help others, but other just don't want her help." Krona honestly stated.

"So we thought about asking for some help," Buffer continued

"Well, you and Cheese are the most well-known party ponies in all of Equestria, I'm sure every creature will want to listen to you when you say that they should forgive Eclipse." Luster explained.

"Alrighty then! Anything for you, Heroic Ten!" Pinkie declared.

The scene changed to the centre of Ponyville, where Pinkie and Cheese started a parade to tell the crowd that the Heroic Ten wanted Eclipse Instant to be forgiven. Unfortunately, a teenaged Kirin gave the crowd the theory that the famous party ponies, and heroes were under Eclipse's spell. Strongly believing the theory, the crowd decided to run off and away before Eclipse could even brainwash them.

"Well, that sure didn't work," Volcano commented, watching the crowd leave in fear.

"I can't believe how they strongly believe that you're still..." Sunshine Rays began, before stopping as she could not dare to say the next word, knowing that it could hurt Eclipse's feelings.

"Evil? I know." Eclipse sadly sighed.

"Are they crazy?! No offence really, but, do we even look like we're under a spell?!" Falcon Dive asked.

"Well, when every creature was brainwashed, their eyes were green, we can barely see the eyeballs," Nature Bloom commented, "No intentions of bringing back the memory of the horrible events, really."

"Don't worry, I might as well get used to it." Eclipse replied in a depressed tone.


The Heroic Ten's second stop was Fluttershy's sanctuary, where she always took care of all kinds of animals. Ever since Ocellus took over as the School of Friendship's Kindness teacher, Fluttershy's only job was working at the sanctuary, other than being a member of Twilight's Council of Friendship, and attending the council's meetings.

"Fluttershy is the Element of Kindness, and the former Kindness Teacher at the school, I'm sure she'll be kind enough to forgive you," Nature Bloom told Eclipse.

"And she's always the kindest creature around this area!" Falcon Dive declared.

"And she is always willing to give others a chance, and listen to what they had to say," Buffer ended, before they entered the sanctuary.

"Um, hello? Madam Fluttershy?" Alkali called, startling all the animals that lived there.

"Whoops, looks like we should not be so...loud." Yellow Bright commented.

"So sorry, every creature, you probably should not come in without permission." Fluttershy told the Heroic Ten.

"So...sorry about that." Evergreen apologised.

"You didn't even put up a sign." Volcano pointed out.

"I guess that I can try putting a sign up, thank you for that suggestion, Volcano." Fluttershy complemented.

"Technically, it isn't really a suggestion, but a comment, but I'm fine with what you call it just now." Volcano responded.

"Back to the main point, Madam Fluttershy, Eclipse wants to make amends for what happened yesterday, so we figured that she should help some creature else. But unfortunately, every creature is so distrustful of her, they would not even accept her help!" Luster explained.

"Not really every creature." Yellow Bright pointed out.

"Every creature with the exception of the Heroic Ten, Sunset Shimmer back at the Castle Library, Madam Pinkie and her husband Mr Cheese Sandwich. But Sunset got a magical portal to guard, and friends to write messages too. And unfortunately, every creature strongly believes that Eclipse is still..." Luster explained, before Eclipse cut her off.

"Evil? I knew that there's no escape from that."

"And thought that she casted a spell on us, Madam Pinkie Pie and Mr Cheese Sandwich when they saw us parade through town. End of story." Falcon Dive finished.

"That sounds really awful!" Fluttershy commented.

"So, what can our new friend Eclipse do for you?" Krona asked.

"Sorry, didn't mean to disappoint you all, but she needs to study animal care before she can help here." Fluttershy pointed out.

"If I need to go as far as study something so new just to show that I'm not the awful creature I was anymore, I'll do it." Eclipse saluted.

Unfortunately, the animal caretaker school was very fearful of Eclipse, especially when an adult Earth Pony worker expressed his strong believes that Eclipse would do something horrible to every creature during her time there. Seeing how uncomfortable every creature was in her presence, Eclipse decided to forget about trying to learn animal care in order to help Fluttershy, and just try to find another creature that would not be so distrustful of her.


The Heroic Ten decided to try to get help from another Council of Friendship member, Rainbow Dash, the captain of the Wonderbolts.

Using her scan spell, Eclipse Instant quickly found Rainbow and the latter's husband Soarin relaxing on a cloud, enjoying some private time as a married couple.

Luster was impressed by Eclipse's unique ability that the former lacked, asking the greyish blue coated unicorn, "How do you do that?"

"It's a scan spell, that allows me to know what is around the area, with the limit being a kilometre away." Eclipse explained, "I can always show and share it with you, if you'd like."

"Like? I would love to learn that spell!" Luster happily exclaimed, gaining the attention of the commanders of the Wonderbolts.

"The Heroic Ten?" Rainbow asked, "What are you all doing here?"

"It's a really long story, Madam Rainbow Dash!" Yellow Bright replied.

"But maybe we should just summarise it for you," Alkali stated.

"Eclipse wants to prove that she's changed, but every creature else just would not give her a chance!" Volcano explained.

"They think that she casted some spell on us," Krona pointed out.

"When she really didn't," Evergreen added.

"And some were horrified and scared to see her," Buffer contributed.

"They just want to stay away from her," Sunshine Rays said the main point for the Wonderbolts to hear.

"And we figured that since you're one of Equestria's heroes and protectors for a long time, they may listen to you when you say..." Luster began, only to be cut off by a young pegasus filly screaming:

"It's Eclipse Instant! She must have casted one of her spells on the captain and co-captain of the Wonderbolts! And to make them ensure that their team will be under her control!"

Every creature who head the filly's words quickly responded by leaving the scene in one second flat, leaving a puff of dust behind. Soarin and Rainbow could not help but gasp to see how easy it was for every creature to believe the lie.

"You are not...joking." Rainbow said in disbelief.

"Oh, great. Now even the coolest flier around is off the list." Falcon Dive sarcastically responded.

"So, who should we go to, now?" Nature Bloom asked.

"Well, Madam Rarity is around the corner at Carousel Boutique, and she's a famous fashion designer, so maybe every creature will listen to her!" Yellow Bright suggested.

"And that's where we'll go!" Luster announced, teleporting the group to the mentioned location.

"Wait, what about the..." Rainbow began, only to stop as the team disappeared.


Rarity was busy sewing a new outfit for a customer, a second before the eleven creatures teleported in, startling her.

"So sorry for suddenly appearing without any permission," Alkali apologised.

"It's alright, darling, it's not as bad as ruining one of my dresses for sale," Rarity pointed out.

"Krona! Great to see you again!" Yona greeted her distant relative.

"Yona, great to see you again, too! Yak distant relative reunion!" Krona responded, as she and Yona bumped their horns in a friendly manner.

"So, what brings you all here?" Sandbar asked.

"Well, Eclipse needs help to..." Nature Bloom began, only to be cut off by a terrified scream.

"It's Eclipse Instant! She's at Carousel Boutique, and must have casted a spell on everything in the place! Better never go there ever again!" a unicorn mare shouted, causing every creature nearby to leave in a flash.

"Oh, great." Buffer sarcastically commented.

"Now Madam Rarity and all of Carousel Boutique is off the list!" Evergreen stated.

"We're so sorry, Madam Rarity," Yellow Bright apologised.

"And your kids, and Madam Yona, and Mr. Sandbar, and their babies, as well!" Alkali added.

"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll have customers again, one day." Sandbar assured.

"But that day can take forever to come!" Falcon Dive complained.

"Especially when every creature think that it's dangerous to come here," Volcano added.

"When it really isn't." Sunshine Rays ended.

"Another place off the list, and another Council of Friendship member out, there's one more creature we can ask," Luster declared.


The Heroic Ten's final stop was Sweet Apple Acres, a farm near Ponyville.

"Are you sure that they'll let me help?" Eclipse asked Luster.

"Of course I'm sure! At least, a bit more than a bit sure. Or whatever sure, as the farmers always have a lot to do at the farm! Feed their farm animals, harvest and water the crop, pack their deliveries, and a lot more! I'm sure that they will not reject any little help! Farm and Apple Family leader Applejack learnt that lesson of accepting help from others when Princess Twilight Sparkle was still Celestia's student." replied Luster.

"Wow, she knows her mentor's history really well." Alkali commented.

"She's her mentor's star student." Yellow Bright reminded.

"Sometimes called top student," Evergreen added.

"And very diligent, doing research and reading books for all her life before meeting us!" Krona added.

"Technically, not all of her life. She most likely started reading as soon as she could. She probably wasn't born with the ability to read." Volcano corrected.

"Hello, Madam Applejack and Mr. Caramel!" Buffer greeted upon seeing the said farmers.

"Howdy, Heroic Ten! And...Eclipse Instant." Applejack greeted in a friendly tone at first, before changing it into a resentful, unpleasant tone.

Eclipse sadly sighed as she was once again distrusted and resented, a second before Sunshine Rays told the farmer, "You can just call her Eclipse."

"And, we figured that she should help some creature to prove that she's changed." Evergreen added.

"And we, or more precisely Luster, thought that you farmers could use some help." Krona stated.

"So, do you need any help?" Luster asked.

"Well, our daughter and nephew are at school right now, and soon I'll be fetching them, we don't need any hep with that." Caramel, Applejack's husband told the Heroic Ten, as he stood beside his wife.

"But we can use some help harvesting all the apples in the farm." Applejack honestly stated.

"Wold you don't mind Eclipse helping you?" Luster asked.

"Are you sure she can be trusted?" Applejack asked.

Eclipse felt bad about being distrusted again, before Yellow Bright replied, "Oh come on! If you can forgive reformed villainess Starlight Glimmer, why can't you forgive another reformed villainess?"

"You really have a good point." Applejack backed off, "I guess I can trust her with harvesting my apples. So...I allow it, but not all the time, as this farm is my responsibility, I can't always let some creature else do all the harvesting."

"So, just once and that's all?" Eclipse asked.

"Just this once." Applejack nodded.

Using her magic, Eclipse sent a shockwave throughout the whole orchard, which made all of its apples fall off the branches and into the baskets. Eclipse then used her magic to levitate the baskets to the barn. Unfortunately, while she was levitating the baskets, a female donkey screamed in fright, telling the passerby:

"It's Eclipse Instant! She's casting a spell on all the apples in the farm! To do something horrible to every creature who eats them!"

After every creature ran away in fear of her again, Eclipse's face started turning darker and redder. With steam coming out of her ears, and sparks coming out of her horn, she angrily shouted out loud, "I'm...not...EVIL!"

"Eclipse, calm down!" Luster called out, as some of the members of the Heroic Ten surrounded Eclipse, trying to prevent her from making a bad move.

"I'm so sorry..." Eclipse apologised, "Now...the only thing I want...is to be somewhere, where I won't hurt any creature...I've already done enough harm!"

"Don't say that! It's not like you did it on purpose today!" Nature Bloom pointed out.

"No...every time I tried to help or go near some creature...the same thing keeps happening all over and over again! I better leave and be alone..." Eclipse sadly said, a moment before Luster noticed Volcano not paying attention to Eclipse.

"Volcano! I can't believe you weren't paying attention to Eclipse!" Luster scolded.

"Sorry, Luster. It's just that, I think that this is strange." Volcano apologised.

"Eclipse's speech and sorrow is strange to you?!" Alkali asked in a shocked tone.

"No, what I meant was; I think that it is strange that five very different creatures from five very different locations all made every creature believe that Eclipse will or has done something awful with her magic, when she really did not and will not." Volcano explained.

"Now that you mentioned it, it does sound strange." Buffer commented.

"Maybe they're friends who shared thoughts with each other?" Yellow Bright suggested.

"I doubt it: They are also different in age, and they can't be in the same family! And since none of them is a changeling...I suspect..." Volcano began, before being cut off by Alkali.

"That all those creatures who made every creature think that Eclipse was doing something bad, were all the one same changeling?!"

"But,, I would never do something like that to any creature!" Nature Bloom told her best friends.

"Don't worry, Nature. We all know you very well, you will never do something like that."

"But I thought King Thorax and Prince Pharynx made the rules that changelings are not allowed to transform unless it's an emergency, a job, or a play." Evergreen pointed out.

"Evergreen, don't think that every creature will be that well-behaved! Some can be so nasty and go against rules!" Krona told the Kirin.

"If Volcano is right, some changeling had been making sure that every creature thinks that you're still the creature you were yesterday, Eclipse!" Luster gasped.

"Then I'm going to find that changeling!" Eclipse declared, immediately using her scan spell to find the culprit. "I don't sense any changeling other than Nature Bloom, but I can sense something a little odd with a little bird nearby..."

"That could be the changeling!" Falcon Dive insisted, he then charged at the bird with full speed, causing the bird to turn into an eagle to fight back.

"It is the changeling!" Sunshine Rays announced.


The Heroic Ten and Eclipse charged towards the changeling-turned-eagle to help Falcon Dive. Unfortunately, the eagle then turned into a dragon, causing most of the creatures to back off. Using her magic, Eclipse created magical lines that coiled around the dragon before turning them into magical ropes that tied up the beast. Not willing to quit, the dragon turned not a ladybug, which then tried to fly away.

In order to prevent the changeling from escaping, Luster teleported the whole battle into the Castle of Friendship, and used a spell to activate lockdown mode. With little room and no escape, the changeling continued its battle with the Heroic Ten, until Luster was able to subdue it, revealing its true form.

"Who are you?" Nature Bloom asked.

"Shapeshifter," the changeling replied.

"Wait, your name is Shapeshifter?!" Yellow Bright asked, before the changeling nodded in reply.

"But, why did you make every creature think that Eclipse was still...bad?" Luster asked.

"It's a long story." Shapeshifter explained, "When I was little, I liked being rough and tough, kicking and practising my combat skills. The others did not like me because of my behaviour, especially when I can get a little violent at times. I soon regretted being the way I was and wanted to change. But no creature wanted to give me a chance, nor forgive me. They resented me for the way I used to be, no matter how hard I pleaded. I spent the rest of my life being all alone, filled with anger and sorrow of not getting the forgiveness I wanted. If I can't be forgiven, why should some creature worse than me be forgiven?!"

"But look at what your actions did!" Buffer pointed out.

"You tricked every creature into thinking that Eclipse was doing some awful things she really did not do!" Sunshine Rays added.

"And she was not the only creature harmed," Nature Bloom contributed.

"You made all the residents of Sugarcube Corner suffer by scaring away all their customers!" Volcano explained.

"The same goes for Carousel Boutique!" Alkali continued.

"And the Apple Farm!" Evergreen added.

"The animal caretaker school is under unnecessary panic," Krona stated.

"And the Wonderbolts are probably hiding from their captains right now, thinking that their captains are under a spell when they really aren't! And have no way to do their job as no creature wants to go to their shows!" Falcon Dive ended.

"You made a lot of creatures suffer! Now what do you think is going to become of your reputation?!" Luster asked.

"I...guess I was so blinded by my desire to ensure that Eclipse does not get forgiven, I never really thought about that." Shapeshifter answered, feeling regretful.

"So, you now regret what you've done?!" Yellow Bright asked.

"More than regret, I feel like I wish that I never did that! Or...wish that every last trace of it can be erased..." Shapeshifter sadly replied.

"I actually wish that I never did any of the horrible things I did, too." Eclipse told Shapeshifter, approaching him. "But as I spent time with my new friends, I started to feel the guilt I felt less and less. It felt like the past never mattered anymore; we have started a new. In other words, what is happening now is what mattered, we can't do anything about what already happened. We have to move on."

"And learn from mistakes," Luster added.

"And make amends for them," Sunshine Rays continued.

"And try to ensure we never make those mistakes ever again." Falcon Dive contributed.

"But most importantly, know that you aren't the same creature you were," Evergreen stated.

"What she meant was; you are not the same creature as you used to be, in terms of personality and character." Volcano explained.

"Like, you used to be a little know-nothing baby! That was a long time ago, and you may still be the same creature as that baby, only grown up and changed! You're not a little know-nothing baby anymore! You're older, you know lots of things, but most importantly, you don't act the same! You sure won't do what little baby you would do at all! Not anymore!" Alkali gave an example and explanation, while speaking super quickly.

"In other words, who you were and what you used to be like does not matter! Who you are and what you are like right now is what that really does matter!" Nature Bloom pointed out.

"So, would you like to change for the better, and accept our friendship?" Eclipse asked Shapeshifter, holding her hoof out for him to accept the offer.

"Even after the way I was?" Shapeshifter asked.

"Every creature makes mistakes, and can get a second chance, only if they accept it." Eclipse replied.

With tears in his eyes, Shapeshifter laced his orange hoof on Eclipse's, accepting her friendship.

"I'm glad that this battle is over now, but we still have lots of problems." Falcon Dive interrupted the moment, "We still have to convince every creature that Eclipse did not do any of those awful things they thought she did, or we might have to spend the rest of our lives working hard to earn the bits to pay to the Council of Friendship, and every creature who got their income affected by those deceptions!"

"What are we going to do?" questioned Krona.

"We can tell them the truth, but will they listen?" Buffer asked.

"Maybe I should tell them the truth," Shapeshifter stepped up, "I am the cause of all the trouble, ending it will be how I can make up for it!"

"And we're all going to help you," Eclipse declared.


That evening, the Heroic Ten brought out their instruments to perform a song to get every creature's attention:

"Every creature in this town,
we have an important lesson that you all have to know:
Is the mistakes that were made and the past
do not really make some creature the creature they are right now.

A lot can change,
as time flies by.
Welcoming the new,
and waving the old goodbye.

We all used to be a lot younger,
immature and not very wise.
But as we all grow and change,
we all realised:

We may have the same identities
as who we used to be.
But that does not mean
that we are just like we used to be.

We know and learn from our mistakes,
and not make them happen again.
We share our knowledge and lessons with one another,
and offer them to all of our friends!

Even a friend can have a past of flaws,
why not lend them a helping hoof or claw?
If you can accept some creature who made mistakes before,
why can't you accept some more?"

The crowd gasped to see Shapeshifter appear, as he stepped forward and announced speaking, "Every creature, I am really sorry for what I did: Using my powers to deceive all of you into thinking that Eclipse Instant was still the horrible creature she was yesterday," Shapeshifter then transformed into the creatures he took the appearance of when he fooled every creature earlier, proving that he was indeed telling the truth.

The crowd was unhappy with him, before he continued, "The only reason I did that was because I was so corrupted by how I never got the forgiveness I wanted when I changed from my bad ways, I thought that it was only fair if no creature gets to be forgiven for how bad they were. I thought of only hurting Eclipse by making sure every creature thinks that she's dangerous, but I winded up affecting more than I thought, and as soon as the Heroic Ten discovered and reasoned with me, I felt horrible. I wish that I never did what I have done, but our heroes managed to encourage me to move on, and make amends for my mistakes. Eclipse has really changed for the better when she was willing to offer me her friendship, and share with me her experience as she reasoned with me. Eclipse is not a monster anymore, please forgive her."

"And please, forgive him, as well." Eclipse told the crowd, taking over the speech from Shapeshifter, "He made mistakes like I did, like all of us did. He deserves to be forgiven and treated like a friend by every creature who has a friend who is not flawless."

The song resumed as Eclipse and Shapeshifter joined the Heroic Ten's performance:

"The past may be known and still a fact,
but that does not mean that the present is like that.
The only way we should let the past affect us,
is teach us lessons to learn from and improve, and adjust."

After the song ended, the crowd was silent, causing Nature Bloom to ask her best friends, "Do you think it worked?"

"Only one way to find out," Luster answered, before asking the crowd, "Every creature, that song may be pretty catchy, but our intentions was to encourage you to forgive and accept your new friends, despite what they used to be. They changed, and it's up to you to treat them the way you would."

"Please choose to treat them the way we would!" Buffer called out.

"What Buffer meant was, treat them as friends," Krona clarified.

"More importantly, forgive them." Evergreen added.

"And care about them," Falcon Dive contributed.

"Or, just treat them like they are strangers whom you barely know the background of?" Alkali asked in a tone that gradually turned high-pitched.

"What she meant was, treat them like they are regular creatures around," Volcano clarified.

"We totally understand that," Rainbow Dash replied.

"And we all forgive you," Pinkie Pie added, before asking the crowd, "Am I right, every creature?!"

The crowd replied in unison, "Right!"

"We have forgiven all kinds of creatures who used to be...not good." Fluttershy continued.

"And got over their former ways," Applejack added.

"Meaning that we don't judge them by how they used to be, we judge them by who they currently are." Rarity ended.

"If the old and new heroes of Equestria can be forgiving, why shouldn't we?!" a villager asked the crowd out loud.

"We all forgive you," another villager told Eclipse and Shapeshifter.

"And we're so sorry if we caused you any discomfort..." a villager beside the former apologised to the reformed villains.

Eclipse and Shapeshifter looked at each other for a second, before turning back to face the crowd, "We all forgive you, too."

"And will treat you nicely, like the Heroic Ten would." Eclipse stated.

"And, I believe I have some fixing to do." Shapeshifter announced.


In a montage, Shapeshifter was seen travelling around Equestria, convincing creatures to forgive him and Eclipse, as he revealed the truth to them. As this occured, Luster wrote a letter to the Ruler of Equestria:

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,
My best friends and I just taught a lesson to all of Ponyville, which would soon be a lesson taught to all of Equestria and beyond: We should not judge some creature by their past, and especially not by their former personalities and character. Who they are and who we are now is what really mattered, and the past may still be a true story known, we should only let it affect us by letting it teach us lessons that we never knew before, and improve from them. We actually learn more from our mistakes, so we should not wish that every last trace of our flaws can be deleted, we should spread our knowledge of the lessons they taught us, so others would not make the same mistakes we made. No creature is perfect, which is why we all have the rights to forgive and be forgiven, and accept each other for who we are today.
Signed, your faithful student,
Luster Dawn

In the Throne Room, Princess Twilight Sparkle finished reading the letter out loud, before her Royal Advisor, Spike commented, "Wow, for some creature with a crazy history, she really acts like a certain some creature, or should I say, a certain some creature when they were younger? A long time ago?"

Princess Twilight Sparkle chuckled, "I know who you're talking about, Spike."