//------------------------------// // The Big Reveal // Story: The Empressess, A Continuation of a Continuation // by Stalin with Da Spoon //------------------------------// Canterlot City Castle, Central Rooftop. As Sunset slowly stepped out onto the roof of the building beside Fluttershy, she shielded her eyes from the bright sun, as it shined bright in the sky. After a few short seconds, her eyes had adjusted to the brightness, and she lowered her hand, to see the typical surroundings of a hospital roof, or as it was called, a viewing deck, with benches and some bushes placed around, and an amazing view of the entire city, as Sunset slowly walked over and looked over the railing at the city below. The sky was clear, cars and other vehicles slowly made their way through the traffic of the streets below, people could be seen walking to their jobs and homes, going about their day normally, happily waving and greeting as they walked past each other. Sunset always enjoyed the sight, while Fluttershy stepped up and viewed the world totally differently... The sky was filled with dark grey smog of the several massive factories churning out war machines for the Empire, as troops marched in the streets, followed by armored cars and the occasional light tank on patrol. The only civilians seen were those heading off to work in the factories, as part of the recent imperial labor order to try and slow the war machine's grinding to a halt as more and more resources were wasted in the east. The citizens, while not totally depressed and devoid of joy or happiness, were much more gloomy than from Sunset's perspective. Fluttershy was secretly happy Sunset didn't see the world like this, because even after becoming the cruel empress she is, it still saddens her to see her people all sad. It's the main reason why Pinkie said that as soon as the war was over, she'd throw the biggest parade in the world to cheer everyone up, an idea that Fluttershy supported. Fluttershy of course, made sure to conceal her feelings, ensuring her friend did not grow suspicious, or suspect that something was amiss, even if it did make Fluttershy feel like a dirty liar. As Sunset took in a deep breath of air, she smiled, before coughing a bit. "Ugh, the air feels thick today..." It was then Fluttershy realized the illusion magic wasn't strong enough to conceal the presence of the thick pollution and smoke in the air, causing Sunset to still inhale it, even if she didn't see it. Fluttershy silently cursed herself for not thinking of this possibility, but thankfully Sunset did not seem too suspicious. She made a quick mental note to remind her friends of this fact and attempt to try and find a way to conceal the air's thickness. Hearing the distinct sound of the elevator, Fluttershy turned to see her friends, as well as the Princesses slowly emerging from the elevator, as she gave them a quick wave. Of course, everyone was wearing their disguises, and Sunset soon turned to face Twilight, smiling wildly with light tears in her eyes as she opened her arms to her friend, who happily embraced her. In a few moments, all of Sunset's friends, even Princess Twilight, were embracing her, all glad to see her up and walking again. Princess Celestia and Luna just looked on, happy to see that not only Sunset had healed, but her friends still very much cared for her. As they finally broke the hug, Sunset quickly recognized princess Twilight Sparkle, as her face visibly brightened. "Oh hey, Twilight!" Suddenly, Twilight felt a sudden rush of grief flow over her, remembering how it was basically her fault that Sunset was in this position, before Sunset decided to envelope her in a hug, slight tears in her eyes. "H-hey Sunset... Good to see you." "Good to see you too, Twi. And before you say anything, don't blame yourself, it ain't your fault." Sunset said as she looked her friend in the face, while Twilight visibly brightened up at that statement. As Sunset embraced Twilight, The Commander watched from a currently hijacked camera, and he couldn't help but speak out loud. "I gotta say, this is the most wholesome thing I have ever seen..." Just then, the Commander's Assistant spoke up. "Indeed, Commander. Is beautiful, no?" "Da, comrade, is beautiful. Even if her friends are tyrannical monstrous demons and in the case of the princesses, beings from another dimension, it is good to see their bond has not wavered. Of course, I still feel little sympathy for the empire, but eh, I am trained to feel no emotion, so no changing that..." "You could say your... Cold as ice?" Cue a loud metallic thud as the Commander slapped his Assistant across the face with his metal fist. "Your lucky I don't have you shot for your bad puns, Assistant." "Apologies, Sir." "Don't sweat it, Assistant. Now shut up and let's watch how this thing unfolds." As Sunset and Princess Twilight hugged it out, Fluttershy turned to her friends and silently whispered to them. "Do you think we should show her now?" "Ah reckon it's for the best." "Indeed, darling, better to tell her now rather than later." "Honestly, I can't stand being in this human form, so the sooner we do this, the better." "Hoooo boy, it's gonna be the big reveal!" "Now remember, nice, slow, and steady..." The girls slowly nodded, as Twilight quickly turned to Princess Celestia and Luna, who gestured for them to go right on ahead, as they also believed this was for the best. As Princess Twilight finished her hug with Sunset, Sunset turned and smiled at her friends. "So how ya guys been?" "Well, we've been... it's quite complicated, but I believe it is best that we show you, Sunset. Now, no matter what, try and remain calm, getting too excited might cause adverse effects on your health." Sunset slowly nodded, a bit of suspicion visible on her face, as she, the princesses, and even the Commander watched in anticipation, as the six girls were enveloped in a large burst of white light, as everyone shielded their eyes, except the Commander and his Assistant, who were wearing movie glasses. "Dang, it's bright." As the light dissipated, the true forms of the six girls were on full display, as Sunset gawked at her friends new forms. The first thing she immediately noticed were each of her friends had massive pairs of wings extending from their back, with Twilight's being a dark purple shade, Rarity's a dark shade of amethyst, Pinkie's being pure hot pink, Rainbow's wing's being less refined looking, being a dark shade of blue, while Applejack's wings were a more darker orange. Fluttershy meanwhile, instead of having normal wings, possessed wings similar to that of a bat, colored in a dark shade of red similar to that of blood. Another thing Sunset noticed was that their skin were more darker shades, and their eyes seemed different in color, but the major thing she noticed, was that it was no longer Twilight Sparkle who was in front of her, but rather her infamous alter-ego, Midnight Sparkle. "Midnight!?!" "In the flesh... Well, it's a bit difficult to explain..." "Oh yeah, I bet it is, I mean, I expected Midnight to take the proverbial wheel, but what the heck happened to the rest of you? Fluttershy looks like a dang vampire?" Cue Fluttershy having a guilty smile on her face, giving away here fangs. "Wait, your actually a vampire!?!" "Surprise..." Cue Rarity having a lightly chuckle. "Honestly darling, I thought you would enter a fit of panic, but instead your asking genuine questions." Cue Applejack giving Rarity a slight elbow bump. "Of course she's asking questions, she must be scared out of her mind!" "Well actually... I thunk you guys look pretty cool!" Cue everyone on that roof, including the Commander who had just spat out his coffee all over the screen, looking at Sunset with a look of pure confusion, before all simultaneously asking the same question. "WHAT!?!" The Assistant simply shrugged. "Talk about a plot twist."