//------------------------------// // Bridlewood // Story: Equestria: A New Generation // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// "Twilight? Twilight. Where are you?" Sunset wandered, searching across a misty landscape of her dream. To her, it felt as if Twilight's presence was near, yet far. "Twilight? Where are you?" Sunset called out, frantically, in her dream. "What happened to Equestria? Why is it like this? Why can't everypony get along anymore? What happened to the creatures? What happened to you? Where are you my friend? Can you hear me? Answer me! Please!" But with each passing second, the silence were her only answer. And the longer the silence, the more anxious and frightened Sunset became. It scared her to know that she is all that remains of Equestria's past. Perhaps the last remnant of Princess Twilight's influence. "HELP! I need answers!" Sunset called, watching helplessly as the world around her was consumed in darkness. "I feel like I shouldn't be here! Please! HELP!" "Sunset! Sunset Shimmer! Wake up!" Another voice called. "Huh?" Sunset was startled awake, at the gentle nudge on her shoulder. With a startled yelp, Sunset woke up, to find herself, back in reality, with the sun rising from the horizon. Furthermore, the olden fiery unicorn was surrounded by Sunny Starscout and the friends they have made on their quest. "What? Where?" Sunset panted heavily, before she regained her composure. "Oh, Sunny. Izzy. Pipp. Zipp. And...Sheriff." "Morning sleepy head!" Izzy chirped, while holding up a plate of sandwiches. "I have breakfast for you!" Sunset looked at the sandwich and cringed, "Uh...no thank you," Sunset politely declined. "I...I'm not feeling hungry." "Well then, get up," Zipp helped the unicorn on her hooves. "Next stop is Bridlewood, and we've got another crystal to find." "And bring back the magic!" Izzy chirped as she took the lead, with Sunny and friends following behind. "Yeah...bring back the magic..." Sunset frowned, dismally, which Sunny took notice. "What's the matter, Sunset?" Sunny asked. "Aren't you excited? We're going to restore Equestria's magic. You should be happy about it!" "I don't know about that, kid," Sunset frowned. "Even if the magic can be restored...without Twilight, it's just...incomplete." "Oh," Sunny gasped in sympathy for the sadden unicorn. She wanted to say something to reassure Sunset's hope. But she couldn't find the words. After a long walk, eventually, the heroic six arrive at the edge of a forest, Bridlewood, where several signs of dangers were posted on the trees, telling potential visitors to go away. "Remember that comment I said about a unicorn forest being magical?" Sheriff Hitch asked. "I take it back." "So, Sunset?" Sunny began. "About that story you said about the Everfree Forest, is this forest close enough?" "Depends if we're going to run into any dangerous wild animals," Sunset replied. "Come on!" Izzy chirped, as she took the lead. "My house isn't far from here!" With that, Izzy proceeded to vocalize a merry tune to herself, with her reluctant companions following behind. Along the way, Sunset proceeded to whistle along with Izzy's tune, before she sang herself a familiar song. "When I was just little kid and the sun was going down~" Sunset sang Pinkie Pie's song. "The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown..." Sunny's ears perked up to the song Sunset Shimmer was singing, "Hey! Is that Pinkie Pie's song?" "Yup," Sunset confirmed. "Ya know it?" "I loved that song!" Sunny giddied. "My dad used to sing that to me, every night, to help me get over my fear of the dark. Whenever I sing it, it's like Pinkie Pie's with me!" "...Yeah. Same here," Sunset replied, with a glint of nostalgia and longing at the thought of Pinkie Pie, both pony and human. "Let's sing it together!" Sunny smiled, as she sang along with Sunset, and Izzy, who was more than eager to join in. Sunset Shimmer, Sunny Starscout, Izzy Moonbow: When I was a little filly and the sun was going down... Sheriff Hitch: (Spoken) "Tell me they're not." Sunset Shimmer, Sunny Starscout, Izzy Moonbow: The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown... Pipp Petals: (Spoken) "They are." Sunset Shimmer, Sunny Starscout, Izzy Moonbow: I'd hide under my pillow From what I thought I saw But Pinkie's Granny Pie said that wasn't the way To deal with fears at all Zipp Storm: (Spoken) "Then what is?" Sunset Shimmer: (Spoken) "Want to take this next verse, Sunny?" Sunny Starscout: (Spoken) "My pleasure!" (Singing) She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall Learn to face your fears You'll see that they can't hurt you Just laugh to make them disappear." Ha! Ha! Ha! (Crickets chirping) [Sunset Shimmer, Sunny Starscout, and Izzy Moonbow]: So, giggle at the ghostly Guffaw at the grossly Crack up at the creepy Whoop it up with the weepy Chortle at the kooky Snortle at the spooky Sunset Shimmer: And whatever Pinkie Pie would say, it's so unbelievable, yet believable, and relatable, and it's so funny, because it's Pinkie Pie. So, nuff said. But it makes ya wanna... Izzy Moonbow and Sunny Starscout: Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh! With that, Izzy Moonbow and Sunny Starscout, both laughed along with Sunset Shimmer, while the other half of their group look on, in surprise. "You kids are making me feel 15 again," Sunset sighed. "Well, here we are, guys," Izzy called, drawing the ponies' attention to a sudden change of atmosphere in the forest. The group looked up to see they were standing in front of a colorful house, practically bathing in the sunlight. "La Villa Izzy!" Izzy smiled, welcoming her guests in. "Wow!" Everypony exclaimed as they went to have a look around the place, marveling at Izzy's works of arts. Sheriff Hitch looked at a portrait of colorful macaronis, and was startled when the eyes turned to look at him. Sunny Starscout cranked the lever of an instrumental object, with colorful glass bottles hanging by strings, that played a familiar tune, courtesy of spatulas and spoons attached to the roller. Izzy was mesmerized at a colorful butterfly chandelier she made, when Zipp came up to her. "Did you make all this?" Zipp asked. "Yup!" Izzy nodded. "Unicycling. Isn't it funky?" "Unicycling, huh?" Sunset asked with a raised eyebrow. "It is gorgeous~" Pipp sang, flapping her wings. "I also make friendship bracelets!" Izzy chirped, holding a bowl of bracelets up to her friends, before she exclaimed. "Wait, wait! Watch this! Hold everything!" With an excited yelp, Izzy dashed off to the side, before she wheeled in a large, flower contraption. "I've never gotten to use this with actual friends!" With an excited giggle, and a touch of button, the flower suddenly sprang open to reveal a tea pot in the center, with tea cups on the edge of every petals. "Ta-daaaa!" Izzy sang, much to her friends' astonishment. Sunset Shimmer blew a long whistle, "You youngsters and your inventions are beyond me." "Don't you make inventions like these in your time?" Sunny asked. "Not on a daily basis." "I so wish I had live-streamed that!" Pipp Petals sighed. "We don't have time for that right now," Sunny said, reminding the group of the task at hoof. "If we're gonna get the information we need on the Unicorn Crystal, we can't stick out like sore hooves. We need to look like unicorns." "Yay, makeovers!" Pipp Petals sang. "I love makeovers!" Zipp, however, was in denial, "No. No, this is not... This is not what I signed up for. No." "Ain't like ya have a choice kid," Sunset shook her head. "It's either unicorn makeover, or a unicorn prison." "Then...I'll do it," Zipp sighed in defeat. "But I don't have to like it." "So, Izzy, can you do it?" Sunny asked. "A glow-up?" With a sip of her cup, Izzy smirked confidently, "Honey, you came to the right cottage." With that, Izzy whipped out a projector and leads a musical number. Fit Right In Izzy Moonbow: I thought Earth ponies were the pony ladder's bottom rung I heard that pegasi were brutes you'd hate to be among "You smell like fishes-you're vicious! I bet you eat your young" Meet any one of you the thing to do is run away But although I know we're all a bunch of different breeds Take away our wings and horns and we're just frightened steeds So let's put aside our differences 'cause what we need's a win Oooh Come on, rip out all the pages of your history books Just because we're undercover doesn't mean we're crooks When we walk you through the crowd and give your brand new looks a spin! You’re gonna fit right in Hitch Trailblazer: (Spoken) "This is a new low" Izzy Moonbow You’re gonna fit right in! Hitch Trailblazer: (Spoken) "It's never gonna work!" Sunset Shimmer: (Spoken) "And why's that?" Hitch Trailblazer: They taught us unicorns were super scary maniacs With horns like razors and tongues like tasers and teeth like tacks They take your hooves and then they grind them into midnight snacks The basic gist of it is unicorns are not okay Sunset Shimmer: (Face-hoof) "What did I do to deserve that slander?" Sunny Starscout: Look, I know we're risking everything for this endeavor But look at us, we're brave and strong and weird and clever We're running out of options and we're desperate to begin Izzy Moonbow: You’re gonna fit right in! Hitch Trailblazer: (Spoken) "Hehe. If you say so" Izzy Moonbow and Sunny Starscout You’re gonna fit right in! Izzy Moonbow: I know you will, now watch and learn: Sunset Shimmer: (Spoken) "Then show 'em how it's done, kid." Izzy Moonbow: This is how a unicorn walks (walks) This is how a unicorn talks (talks) This is how a unicorn hoops (hoops?) This is how a unicorn— The other four ponies tried to follow Izzy's example, but missed the hoop. Luckily, Sunset caught the balls with her magic. Izzy Moonbow: This is how a unicorn struts Oh, watch you shake your unicorn butts Now you're in the unicorn know Sunny Starscout: (Spoken) "Whoa" Izzy Moonbow Soon you'll be a unicorn pro (Rapping) Oh, a unicorn horn makes a unicorn stride It's the more-head on your forehead, it's the source of your pride Sunset Shimmer: (Rapping along) Every unicorn who's born has worn a horn that's unique So we'll whip them up as we speak, you be lookin' très magnifique! Sunset Shimmer and Izzy Moonbow: (Rapping together) And with those rocks in our pocket, we'll reap the rewards, And folks'll be floored, we'll strike a new chord Our magic restored! Sunset Shimmer: (Spoken) "Your turn!" Izzy Moonbow, Hitch Trailblazer and Sunny Starscout Lately all of Equestria has lost its heart But if we can help to find it we should play our part Hitch Trailblazer: If we fail, we’ll go to prison Sunny Starscout: But if not we'll start to grin So let's begin Izzy Moonbow and Sunny Starscout: We're gonna fit right in! Sunset Shimmer: (Spoken) "Show 'em how it's done." Izzy Moonbow: This is how a unicorn walks This is how a unicorn talks Now you're looking unicorn strong This is how a unicorn ends this song Later, after the four younger ponies were outfitted with fake unicorn horns, and cloaks for Pipp and Zipp to hide their wings, the six heroes were back on the road, into a more colorful part of Bridlewoods. "Phew, I can't seem to remember the last time I sang that passionately," Sunset Shimmer breathed. "It must be rejuvenating, isn't it?" Sunny smiled. "You could say that," Sunset replied. "Have I ever told you that, from where I came from, Twilight and I were the lead singers of a band?" "You were part of a band?" Sunny gasped. "You better believe it. We called ourselves the Rainbooms." "Rainbooms? OH! As in like the legendary Sonic Rainboom that Rainbow Dash did to win her first race, and help her friends get cutie marks?" "Uh yeah! Exactly that," Sunset answered, though somewhat astounded, since she had never known about Equestria's Rainbow Dash, or the Sonic Rainboom she had performed. "Wow, that's so awesome!" Sunny giddied even more excitedly. "Just when I thought I couldn't love you and Princess Twilight anymore, I...I just found out...Can I have your autograph?" Sunny pleaded, opening up her notebook, turning to a blank page for Sunset to stamp her hoof. "Uh, maybe some other time, Sunny," Sunset replied. "Right now, I think we have a crystal to find and magics to restore." "Oh, right," Sunny nodded. "Hey Sunset. Maybe, it's for the best you don't show off you still have magic. Okay?" "Fine." "Ta-daaaaa!" Izzy Moonbow sang, as she presented several large crystals, growing from the ground. "Crystals! Crystals! Crystals!" "She does know we're just looking for the one, right?" Zipp asked, rhetorically. The heroes continued on their way, while Izzy continued to point at every crystals they come across. "Crystals! Crystals! Crystals!" Izzy continued. "Yeah, we see them, Pinkie," Sunset replied. "Who?" "IZZY! Sorry, I mean, Izzy. Slip of the tongue, hehehe," Sunset chuckled sheepishly, while muttering to herself. "But...you do have Pinkie's...pinkieness." Sunset Shimmer wasn't looking where she was going, when she bumped into a random unicorn, "Oh! Sorry. I didn't see you there." "It's okay..." The unicorn replied dejectedly. "Huh?" Sunset Shimmer wasn't the only one confused. Sunny Starscout began to take notice of the unicorns' lack of expressions. Everywhere she looked, it seemed as if they're dead on the inside. "Ow," An elderly unicorn said, dejectedly, for every apples that fell on her head. "Ow." A couple of unicorn fillies were trying to play a game of horseshoe throw, but the filly throwing wasn't putting much effort into it. "Hey," A unicorn mare, likely the mother, greeted to a stallion, likely the father and husband. "Hey," The stallion replied, with equal dejection. "Well, this is... cheerful," Sheriff Hitch commented. "And I thought the earth ponies and pegasi had it rough," Sunset Shimmer commented. "What, earth ponies and their anti-unicorns and anti-pegasi technologies. And pegasi not being able to fly and deceived by their leaders?" Realizing what she said, Sunset turned her head to Zipp and Pipp, "Sorry. Too soon?" "No, it's fine," Zipp shook her head. "Looking back, I guess we had it coming," Pipp admitted. "These other unicorns seem so different from you," Sunny said to Izzy. "Yeah, I get that a lot," Izzy shrugged. "My sparkle is a bit too sparkly for Bridlewood." "Well, if Twilight Sparkle was still here, you'd give her a run for a money," Sunset chuckled. "Well, her's and the Great and Powerful Trixie, and this Moondancer classmate I once knew. Oh yeah! And Starlight Glimmer. I miss that gal." "Sounds like you knew a lot of unicorn friends, back then, Sunset!" Sunny smiled. "So..." Hitch began, as he looked at one of the crystals. "How can we tell which ones are magic?" Alarmed, one of the unicorn kids, on a playground, pointed an accusing hoof at the sheriff of Maretime Bay. "Oooooh! You said a bad word!" The kid exclaimed. "Hurry! Before we get jinxed!" "What the what?" Sunset asked, as she and her friends watch what the kids were doing. The unicorn kids proceeded to drop themselves on the ground, raising their flanks up, before they blew some air out of their lungs, then they did a silly dance and sang, "Bing-bong-bing! Bing, bong! Bing, bong! Bing, bong! Bing, bong!" "Ooooookay..." Zipp began. "I'm gonna need some context." "I agree," Sunset agreed. "Like, what just happened?" "Unicorns are very superstitious," Izzy explained, unintentionally striking Sunset Shimmer's ego. "If a pony ever says a forbidden word, we have to do a ritual to ward off the jinxes." "Jinxies?" Pipp asked. "Bad luck." "Forbidden words?" Hitch asked. "Magic, wing, feather...Oh, and mayonnaise." "May-OOF!" Izzy quickly silenced Sunset Shimmer's mouth. "What's wrong with may-" Hitch also received the same treatment from Izzy. "Ah-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da!" Izzy shook her head, just as several unicorns stood petrified for a moment, before they continued on their way. Once the coast was clear, Izzy uncovered Hitch's mouth, "Come on! There's something I want to show you." "Forbidden words?" Sunny asked Sunset. "Don't ask me, kid," Sunset Shimmer shook her head. "I don't believe in...jinxes. Friendship is magic." "Bing bong!" A random unicorn said. After the awkward tension, the heroes at last arrived at a building, with a sign that reads: "The Crystal Tea Room?" Sunny read. "There's a pony inside who collects crystals," Izzy explained. "Maybe he could help us." "That's great, Izzy! Oh, and Hitch?" "I know, I know. No forbidden words," Hitch replied. "And Sunset?" Sunny reminded. "I know the drill," Sunset rolled her eyes. "No magic." "Bing bong!" Another random unicorn said in the distance. Sunset shuts her eyes, as she mentally asked herself, 'Seriously. How did magic ever became a forbidden word to these unicorns? And what's with the mayonnaise?' Still, putting her questions to the side, Sunset Shimmer followed as the group walk into the building, where a unicorn was reciting a beat poetry. "Earth pony jinx. Something stinks. Pegasus neighs..." "So," Sunset asked Izzy. "Who's the pony we're looking for?" Izzy scanned the room for a moment, before she pointed her hoof at a shaggy brown unicorn, wearing a red hat, sitting at a table. "That's the pony I was talking about," She whispered, to the group, who gathered around the table. "Hey there, who are ya?" Sunset greeted the stallion, who simply nodded, continuing to brood. "I'll take your silence as a yes. Anyway, my friend, Sunny, wishes to have a moment of your time, so...do ya mind if she sits?" Again, the stallion simply nodded. Sunny Starscout took a seat across the stallion and began to talk, "So word in the forest is you collect crystals." Finally, the stallion came alive as he talks, "Yes, I do. Well, I mean, I did. I lost 'em all in a limbo contest with... Alphabittle!" "Alphabittle?" Sunset asked. "Oh, no," Izzy moaned in horror. "Who's Alphabittle?" Sunny asked. On cue, a loud bell rang in the air, drawing the heroes' attention to a bar table, where they see a unicorn stallion struggling with what appeared to be a Rubik's Cube, with a large, heavyset unicorn with a medium gray coat and dark gray hooves, watching with glee. He has a wispy white mane and tail, bushy eyebrows, sideburns, and a beard. He has freckles on his cheeks, and brown eyes. His cutie mark is a teapot. "Time's up!" The tall unicorn declared. "Pass it over, Jasper." With a defeated sigh, 'Jasper' handed over the puzzle cube, which the large unicorn quickly solved in the blink of an eye. "Wow, he's good!" Sunset commented. "I take it, that's Alphabittle?" She asked Izzy, who confirmed with a nod. "Guess that makes me the winner," Alphabittle boasted. "Again. Pay up." "Oh, fine," Sighing in defeat, Jasper gave up, what appeared to be a glass jar, with a miniature Christmas Tree. With his prize lost, Jasper took his leave, "You could always try winning it back!" Alphabittle called out. "All right, suit yourself." With that, Alphabittle puts his latest trophy on a shelf, behind him. There, the heroes spotted a beautiful blue crystal, shaped exactly like the one, from the stained glass portrait, back in Zephyr Heights. "There it is!" Sunny pointed, before she exclaimed. "I've got an idea. Maybe I can beat Alphabittle at his own game." "No, that's too risky, kid," Sunset shook her head. "You should let me take a shot at him. I can solve that puzzle cube in a heartbeat." "But Sunset," Sunny whispered. "You can't use magic, remember? Everypony in here will get suspicious if they see your horn glowing. And besides, you can't even pick up with your hooves." "Well, you made it look easy," Sunset scowled. "Look, just let me take a shot at him," Sunny pleaded. "Fine, but at least let me be in on the actions..." "Deal." "Wait," Izzy stopped both Sunset and Sunny, to advise, "Alphabittle can smell fear." "Fear?" Sunset scoffed. "I laugh in the face of danger. Pinkie taught me, remember?" "We got this," Sunny replied to Izzy. "Be cool." With that, both Sunny Starscout and Sunset Shimmer walked up to the bar table, and each took a seat, across Alphabittle. "Tea," Sunny ordered, in a serious tone. "Coffee," Sunset asked. With a flick of his head, Alphabittle beckoned some armadillo-mouse critters to give the two mares their drinks. One of the critters was about to pour milk into Sunny's tea, put the mare stopped it. "Hold the milk," Sunny said. "I like my mine blacken, thank you," Sunset added, while attempting to pick up the cup, with her bare hooves. "Ugh...how do you pick things up like this? Let alone hold them?" "Like this," Sunny explained, somehow picking up the cup, holding it by the handle, with seemingly little effort. "Uh, thanks kid," Sunset took a dainty sip from the cup, while perplexed at how the ponies can do such a simple feat, with no fingers and all. Some of the passing unicorns were both perplexed by the development, as to why a younger mare is helping to feed an older one. "Uh, this is my aunt," Sunny lied through her teeth. "She's...she's very old," Sunset Shimmer shot a stink eye at the last remark. "Very, very old." "Why you little–" Before Sunset could have a chance to strangle Sunny for the rude remark, the young mare flicked her fake horn to the side, pointing at all the ponies watching them, and the fiery unicorn's horn that's glowing in a threatening aura. "Oh, woe is me?" Sunset played along, putting on a hammy act to sell Sunny Starscout's excuse. "Why must I be so old? Oooh, Sunny? Is that you, my child?" Sunset Shimmer asked, squinting her eyes, and feeling up Sunny's face, before she slapped the earth pony. SMACK! "Ow!" Sunny shouted from the slap. "My eyes are as clouded as my mind," Sunset continued doing her impression of Granny Smith, slapping Sunny's face. "You look more and more like my friend, Applejack, every single day." SMACK! The unicorns then resume their business, leaving Sunset to drop her old mare act, and glared daggers into Sunny's frightened eyes. "Calling me old, eh?" Sunset hissed. "Just bear with me," Sunny grinned nervously. "Y'know kid," Alphabittle spoke up. "You should really respect elders more. I should know." Getting back to the task at hoof, Sunny was the first to speak up, "Quite the game player, I see." "It passes the time," Alphabittle shrugged. "Why? Do you play?" "I don't play," Sunny began. "I win," She said with determination. "Is that so?" Alphabittle asked. "Yeah, it is," Sunny nodded. "And I challenge you... for that!" She pointed to the unicorn crystal, sitting on the shelf, behind Alphabittle, who scoffed. "You think you can beat me?" He asked. "Only one way to find out." "Big talk for a little pony." "I think you'll find I'm average height," Sunny continued to challenge. "Tick-tock. What do you say?" "Yeah, tick-tock," Sunset muttered, before she resumed doing her Granny Smith impression, "Tick-tock, youngin's. Not all of us have the time in the world... Oh, we've got better things to do." Ignoring Sunset and her old mare routine, Alphabittle smirked towards Sunny, "Whatever you're bettin', it better be special." With a whip of her hoof, Sunny placed the Pegasus Crystal on the table, "Special enough for ya?" She challenged, much to Sunset Shimmer and friends' horror, and Alphabittle's fascination. "Sunny Starscout!" Sunset Shimmer exclaimed, dropping her old mare act. "Have you gone mad?!" Before Sunny could reply, Izzy came over and pulled the earth pony mare in disguise to the side, to have a talk. "Um...what are you doing?" Zipp asked. "Don't worry," Sunny shrugged. "I could solve that cube puzzle in my sleep." "I can solve that cube puzzle, with one hoof over my eyes," Sunset added. "But Sunset," Sunny reminded, whispering, "No magic. Remember?" "At least I have magic, and I'd like to put it to good use." "But what if you goof up again, like the time in Zephyr Heights?" Izzy asked. "I was rusty, but...I've gotten the hang of it again...progressively," Sunset huffed, folding her hooves. "It doesn't help!" Pipp spoke up. "If that guy wins, we'll lose both crystals." "He won't. Trust me," Sunny reassured. "Izzy," Alphabittle called. "If your friend is finished stalling, do we have a deal?" "Deal," Sunny stated, putting her hoof down on the table. "Now give me that cube." One of the critters was about to give Sunny the cube, only for Alphabittle to quickly snatch it away. "No, no, no, no, no," He shook his head. "A special prize calls for a special competition," Turning to the side, Alphabittle declared, with a spotlight shining down on him. "Bring forth the ultimate challenge!" "The ultimate what now?" Sunny asked. "Challenge kid," Sunset repeated, before she asked, "What is the ultimate challenge, exactly?" "That," Alphabittle pointed, to reveal it is a large machine, with colorful floorpads, flashing lights, and a title that reads: "Just Prance." The Ultimate Challenge (1:30) "That's it?" Sunset asked. "That's the ultimate challenge?" "A dancing game," Sunny frowned. "Seriously?" "Eeyup," Sunset confirmed. "So, what do you say, Sunny? You in?" Sunny took a deep breath, before she said, "Alright, I've got this." A unicorn took to the stage and announced, "Both ponies agree. Best out of three." Alphabittle and Sunny both took their place, before Alphabittle spoke, "Let's make this more interesting. You only need to win one out of three." "C'mon, Sunny!" Sunset cheered. "Kick that guy's flank!" It's Alright – Johnny Orlando Getting their game face on, both Sunny and Alphabittle began the game, as the machine displays a set of colorful horseshoes for both Sunny and Izzy to dance, and a groovy song and music to dance to. Sunny was off to a bad start, as Alphabittle was already ahead of the game, wracking up a huge number of scores, moving the arrow on his score meter, higher than Sunny's. Before long, a bell rang, declaring Alphabittle the winner of the first round. "Yeah!" Alphabittle hollered. "That's how you do it!" "Yay," The unicorns cheered, dejectedly. "C'mon, kid! Get in the game!" Sunset hollered. "I've got 50 bits on ya!" "You gambled?" Hitch asked, to which Sunset shrugged. "I-It's okay," Izzy reassured to Sunny Starscout. "You're just warming up." "What can you do?" The announcer asked, as the second round was about to start. "Round two." With that, Sunny and Alphabittle had another dance off. But like before in the previous round, Sunny was barely catching up to the senior unicorn's dance moves, and fumbled behind, until once again, Alphabittle was declared the winner. "No!" Sunset slammed her hoof. "Yeah!" Alphabittle cheered. "Critters, get my crystal polish ready, would ya?" "Round three. Who will it be?" The announcer asked. "Ohhh. Here goes nothing," Sunny moaned. "Time out!" Sunset called, as she rushed over to Sunny. "Kid. Look at me. Just stay calm and you'll do it, okay?" "Easy for you to say," Sunny replied. "You're not the one dancing. I can barely keep up with this guy." "So what? Think about everything we've overcome since we left Maretime Bay," Sunset reminded. "The adventures we've had. The friends we've made. And the fun and the laughs. What's all that compared to this guy?" "I'm waiting," Alphabittle called, impatiently. "Hey," Pipp Petals called to Sunny. "You hear that, Sunny?" She gestured to the music playing in the background. "Feel the rhythm take you over. You feelin' it?" Moving her body to the rhythm of the song, Sunny smiled, "Oh, I'm feelin' it. I'm feelin' it!" "Yeah, you are, Sunny!" Pipp sang. "Yeah, you do this, Sunny! Whoo!" With that, in their final round, Sunny made an impressive comeback as she was able to dance, catching up with Alphabittle's steps, and succeeding in moving the arrow further than his, on her meter. "Yes! There you go, Sunny!" Sunset cheered. "Yes! She's doing it!" Hitch smiled. "She's doing it." Pressured, Alphabittle struggled to dance as fast as he could, but he could barely catch up to Sunny's dance steps, after her confidence and spirit was renewed. Everypony all watched in anticipation, until finally, the machine's bell rang and Sunny was declared the winner. "We won," Sunny panted heavily, while Alphabittle and the unicorn crowds could hardly believe their eyes. "We WON! WE ACTUALLY WON!" "YEAH!!!" Sunny and her friends cheered, as they gathered together. "Yeah! That's my girl!" Sunset hollered, before she turned to the unicorn stallion next to her. "Alright, pay up!" "Oh, darn!" The unicorn stallion groaned as he paid the fiery unicorn the money he lost. All was going well for the heroes, as Sunny celebrated with her friends, when her fake horn came flying off. "Uh oh," Izzy moaned. All the unicorns, besides Izzy and Sunset, in the room were shocked at the revelation. "An Earth pony," Alphabittle glared. "And Pegasi!" Zipp Storm frowned, as she and her sister took off their disguises, with Hitch joining. "And a unicorn!" Izzy added. "Which... you knew already!" "And I'm not old!" Sunset Shimmer added. "And Sunny and I are definitely not related..." The unicorns all advanced upon the heroes, as Sunny attempts to defuse the tension, "I know it doesn't look like it, but we're here to help," She reassured. "Help?" Alphabittle frowned. "We don't need help. Especially from ponies like you. Give me the crystal." "Hey, wait just a Celestia minute, Jack!" Sunset glared, as she stood between Alphabittle and Sunny Starscout. "This girl's won fair and square!" "Fair and square?" Alphabittle snarled. "She tricked me. That's hardly fair, or square." "Well, you said all she had to do was win, just ONCE! And she did! So just let her go." "That was when I thought she's a unicorn, like us. But now that she's been exposed for what she really is, it's hardly fair. Now get out of my way!" Desperate, Hitch burst out screaming, "Magic, feather, wing..." Catching onto what Hitch was doing, Sunset joined in, shouting, "HEY! Hold the mayonnaise!" And just like that, the unicorns in the room, including Alphabittle, went, "Bing! Bong! Bing-bong, bing-bong!" Sunset Shimmer couldn't help laugh out loud at the unicorns' antics, "You all look so ridiculous!" She laughed, which turned into a wheezing cough. "I think I swallowed a bug." "Go, go, go!" Sunny said, as the heroes make their escape, out of the building, taking their prizes with them. "You'll pay for this!" Alphabittle shouted after the runaway ponies. "Sorry about that!" Izzy called to the unicorns. "Thanks for the teas!" During the run, Sunset Shimmer was falling behind, which Zipp Storm took notice, "Hey, c'mon! Hurry it up!" "I...I'm running as...fast as I...can," Sunset Shimmer panted heavily. "You still have your magic," Zipp called. "Couldn't you just 'magic' your way ahead of us, or something?" "No time for that kid," Sunset shook her head, as they resumed their gallop. "We gotta go!" The heroes kept on galloping through the forest, making their way towards the exit. They hadn't gone very far, however, when the sound of leaves rustling was heard, to which everypony screeched to a halt, watching as another pony emerged from the bushes, revealing herself to be... "Mom?!" Zipp and Pipp exclaimed, happily galloping up to their mother. "Oh, my darlings!" Queen Haven exclaimed. "Thank hoofness!" "You escaped!" Zipp smiled. "How did you find us?" Pipp asked. "Cloudpuff," Queen Haven pointed, as the familiar winged dog jumped out from the bushes and pounced on Sheriff Hitch. "Wow, you're a magnet for animals, huh?" Sunset commented to Hitch. "Yeah, it's gift and a curse," Hitch replied, before he looked to see the dog was holding his precious badge, in his mouth. "Ah! My badge! Yes!" He exclaimed happily, holding up the badge in his hoof. Sunset looked at the badge, being held, as if by fingers, then at her own hoof. She turned to a nearby rock, and tried to pick it up, but to no avail, without magic. "This doesn't make any sense!" Sunset shook her head. Ignoring Sheriff Hitch and Sunset Shimmer, Queen Haven turned to her two daughters, "Oh, I'm so glad I found my little fillies. Now, I know that if you just come back with me, we can explain everything. Spin the story, and they'll love us again. R-Right?" Before Zipp and Pipp could answer, the sound of hooves galloping brought their attention to Alphabittle and the unicorn herd he was leading. The unicorns burst out from the bushes and glared at the heroes. "Let us explain!" Sunny began. "There she is!" Another voice called, revealing herself to be the pegasi guards. "Your Criminal Highness, you're coming with us!" Next to her, her partner took notice of the unicorns, "Aah! Unicorns!" Reaching into his wings, Thunder hurled a tennis ball at Alphabittle, which Sunset, thankfully, caught with her magic. "Can we all just be civilized for just one minute?" Sunset asked. "Okay," Alphabittle agreed. "How about you start being civil by giving me back my crystals and leave Bridlewood!" "Your crystals?" Queen Haven exclaimed in outrage. "That crystal belongs to me!" She pointed to the pegasi crystal. "Not anymore, it doesn't!" Alphabittle barked. "I won it fair and square!" "Actually, she won it," Sunset pointed to Sunny. "Look, I've got the bits to show for it," She said, showing off the money she earned from her gamble. "Hah! I certainly doubt it!" Queen Haven scoffed. "Unicorns are known to be cheaters!" "Well is that anyway to thank for me saving you and your daughter?" Sunset frowned. "You Pegasi always thought you were better than us!" Alphabittle glared. "Hey, that's our queen you're talking to!" One of the pegasus guards shouted. "She's not a queen here!" One of the unicorns barked. "Who do you think you are?!" The pegasus guard asked. "We're gonna zap you with our horns!" The unicorn retaliated, as another joined in the scuffle. "This is our land! You're not welcome here!" "Surrender the crystal, or we'll use our powers against you!" Alphabittle threatened. "I'd like to see you try!" Queen Haven challenged. Stressed at all the arguments and the negativity between the ponies, Sunset Shimmer focused it all into her magic, boiled by her temper, until she couldn't take it anymore. "ENOUGH!" Sunset screamed, stomping her hooves on the ground, emitting a powerful shockwave that knocked the ponies off their hooves, and shaking the trees. "WHAT HAS BECOME OF YOU PONIES?!" Sunset Shimmer ranted angrily. "What happened to the Equestria I know? What happened to Princess Twilight? Have you all forgotten the magic of friendship? The friendship that Princess Twilight had extended, not just for ponies, before creatures worldwide? How could you all have forgotten about that? Why are you so determined to one-up one another? Where is the magic?!" An awkward silence followed, "Bing-bong," Said a random unicorn. "This is giving me a headache," Exhausted from her angry outburst, Sunset calmed herself, "Listen, you may have forgotten what Equestria was like, back when unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies, lived together in harmony. But I do! And I should know, because my best friend was Princess Twilight!" "Is that true?" One of the unicorns asked, while another expressed their doubt, "Someone's got the jinxies real hard." "Princess Twilight?" Another pegasus guard asked. "I haven't heard that name in years!" "Listen, I know it's hard to believe," Sunny began. "I didn't believe it either, but Sunset Shimmer is telling us the truth. She is a Guardian of Harmony. That's why she's here. To help us restore magic to Equestria." "And for me to find answers to what happened, while I was gone," Sunset added. "I know it sounds unbelievable, but Sunset is living proof," Sunny insisted. "You all saw how she still has her magic. I don't know why, but maybe it's because she's here to help us!" "Please mom," Pipp pleaded to Queen Haven. "Trust us." Queen Haven looked hesitant for a moment, before she reluctantly allowed it, with Alphabittle, "Fine." "You're wasting your time, kid," Alphabittle said, as both he and Queen Haven watched, as Sunny and Izzy took out the unicorn and pegasi crystals. "Ready, Izzy?" Sunny asked. "Ready," Izzy nodded. Everypony all watched in anticipation as Sunny and Izzy proceeded to join both crystals together. "Hey," Pipp asked Sunset Shimmer. "You're the real expert on magic. What do you think will happen?" "Well, based on my experience, normally, there's a big light show, with rainbow lasers and...stuff," Sunset answered. "Just wait and see what happens." Both Sunny and Izzy's eyes sparkled with excitement as they finally closed the distance with their crystals, into a perfect fit. With that, nothing happened. Distraught, Sunny was in disbelief, "It... It..." "Where's the rainbow laser light show you mentioned?" Pipp asked. "I...I don't know," Sunset replied. "I don't udnerstand." "Why didn't it work, Daddy?" A unicorn colt asked. "'Cause it was all just make-believe," His father frowned sadly. "We can try it again!" Sunny pleaded desperately. "Maybe... Maybe w-we did it wrong somehow." But the unicorns and pegasi didn't want to hear any of it, as they turned and walked away. "Wait. Wait, don't go," Looking down at the crystals, Sunny repeatedly put the crystals back together. "Oh, come on. Work. Work! Please work! Come on!" Sunset walked over to the desperate Sunny, "Here, let me have a look," Igniting her horn in a magic glow, Sunset Shimmer examined the two crystals. "Maybe what they need was a magic touch. Hehe," Telekinetically holding the crystals in the air, Sunset clicked the two crystals, but was met with the same result, as Sunny. "Then again, maybe not...I'm sorry kid." "No!" Sunny cried, taking the crystals back in her hooves. "C'mon, please... Please!" "Sunny," Sheriff Hitch comforted his heartbroken friend. "It's okay. You did everything you could." "I... I thought it would work," Sunny sobbed, looking up to her childhood friend and Sunset. "I was so, so sure of it." "But you tried," Sunset consulted. "You did your best. That's all any of us could do." "What do we do now?" Zipp asked. The heroes watched as Sunny sadly returned the unicorn crystal to Alphabittle, before returning the pegasus crystal to Queen Haven. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you," She apologized to the leaders. "Sunny?" Sunset called. "Sunny! We can't give up!" Pipp Petals called after the earth pony. "I thought that I could make a difference," Sunny cried. "But everywhere I go, I just make things worse." "That's not true," Izzy Moonbow shook her head. "We're all in this together, right?" In response, the rest of the heroes all exchange random agreements. Still, Sunny was too distraught to see the positive response, "I'm so sorry I let you all down," Sunny apologized. She turned to Sunset Shimmer, "Sunset, I...I'm sorry I failed you." "No, kid," Sunset shook her head. "I'm the one who should be sorry. If I had known this would happen, then maybe...you wouldn't have to feel the burden." "Still, I'm glad to have known you, Guardian of Harmony," Sunny cried, to which she and Sunset walked over and pulled each other for a tender hug, before they parted ways. "I hope you find your answers." With a sniffle, Sunny walked past the fiery unicorn, who could only watch her leave, followed by Sheriff Hitch. "I guess this is goodbye...friends," Sheriff Hitch said sadly, to the mares and friends. "Better hurry...Donut Lord," Zipp beckoned sadly, as Hitch took his leave with Sunny. After watching Sunny and Hitch walk away, Sunset Shimmer turned and walked away, deep into the forest. "Sunset Shimmer?" Izzy asked. Sunset simply gave Izzy a sad look, before she turned and walked deeper into the forest, until she was beside herself, looking to the sky. "Twilight...what would you do?" She asked. "Where are you?"