[Canterlot Judicial Hall.]
More surprised whispers of the new witness's identity went off. Candance stares at Sunset with wide eyes. She remembers the unicorn as Celestia's newly adopted niece when she moved into the castle. Besides being older, Sunset remains the same as when they were fillies. However, Cadance can see that an entitled, self-absorbed filly was not present in the mare. Celestia could see this as well. Sunset stood tall and resolute in her position to Jason's cause. The Sunset of old wouldn't have associated with a creature such as Jason Wright if he couldn't help her toward her destiny.
'Was that it?' Celestia thought. 'Could Sunset still have those same ambitions and find a way to utilize Jason? No. The Gjallarhorn would not allow such manipulation. So, then why? Has she changed?'
The youngest alicorn could not help but openly scowl at the unicorn. This was the mare that stole the element of magic. The mare that forced her to experience the traumatic horrors of the mirror human realm. The mare that's here to prove her wrong and discredit her further. "Sunset Shimmer!"
"Princess," Sunset said in the same tone as when they first met.
"I should have known you'd be in on this scheme. How dare you come back here after what you did!"
"What scheme? I came here to see that justice is done. What's the matter, Princess? Is your little bubble of reality finally bursting?" Sunset smirks as Twilight grows more irritated.
Twilight gritted her teeth before she smirked. "You're the one in for a rude awakening. Guards! Arrest this mare! She is wanted for the grand theft of a national artifact!"
The guards moved to Sunset, who remained smiling until Princess Luna raised her hoof. "Belay that order. Young Twilight. While this tribunal is in session and you are one of the defendants, your royal status and authority are suspended. You cannot issue any arrest, especially if they are a part of the trial,"
Twilight gawks at Princess Luna as Sunset giggles. "Ah, was that your latest plan to have me removed as a witness? Are you afraid of what I might say?'
"How can we trust your credibility when you abandoned your position as Princess Celestia's protege and stole the Element of Magic?"
Sunset merely scoffs at this. "I left my position as Celestia's student for a personal reason. I do admit to stealing the crown. However, only Celestia can prosecute me for that crime, as she is the only Princess with senior authority. And I will gladly surrender myself for her judgment afterward,"
Princess Celestia arches a brow at this. "Why would you do this if you know the potential consequences?"
"Because I've come to regret my stealing the element and how I acted as your student. But I don't regret leaving because I've had some amazing people during my time in the mirror world. People that I am proud to call my friends," Sunset shot a slight glare at Twilight and the rest of the element bearers. "People that would be disgusted and disturbed by the action of their counterparts!"
"So, what made your time in the human world different from the Princess's?" Queen Novo asks.
Sunset takes a deep breath and sighs. "Before I get to that, let me start at the beginning. When I was Celestia's student, she told me of my potential to become an alicorn. I was going to be her successor when she finally retired. Because of this destiny, I became so full of myself. I lorded my status over all my peers. It did not help that I was top of my class the same way I bet you were, Twilight," Twilight was genuinely surprised by this information. "And, for anyone that threatened my future, I made sure to bully them into submission," Sunset cast an apologetic glance toward Cadance. "I was exceedingly awful towards Princess Cadance. She became an alicorn before me. And I was not too fond of that. That sparked the falling out I had with Celestia. She came to my room about my attitude and how it was unbecoming of a future Princess. She urged me to try and make friends. I scolded her about her decision to make a former pegasus an alicorn when I was more magically gifted. I called her a hypocrite for forcing me to make friends while she didn't have any.
I rushed off to my room, angry at the Princess's betrayal. I thought that if I proved myself, she would see I was the only one worthy of being by her side. I snuck into the forbidden wing of the castle and to the mirror. Celestia told me that only high-level unicorns could interact with it, but none could define the mirror's purpose. But I did as I discovered it was a portal to another world. You can call it hubris on my part, but I knew my destiny lay beyond that mirror. I knew it was the key to becoming an alicorn. And I was able to activate it just in time for the Princess to come in and see my work. Only, it didn't happen how I wanted. Instead of praise, I was scolded for disobeying her. I got mad and demanded she makes me an alicorn. But, when the Princess refused, I knew my destiny lay elsewhere. So, I went through the portal,"
"Hmph! How can you try and besmirch Princess Celestia when you didn't try and follow her teachings? You gave up!" Twilight said. "Then, you came back and put all of Equestria in jeopardy by stealing the element of Magic!"
"Right back at you, Twilight. You didn't try and understand the humans. You saw one thing you assumed was bad and ran away with your tail between your legs," Sunset flips her mane. "I can admit my flaws now because of those same humans you dismissed. It wasn't always like that because I wanted to utilize the crown's magic to give me an advantage. The mirror world had no magic until Equestrian magic crossed over,"
"My crown was never meant to even be in that world!"
"So, it's fine when you steal something, but not the other way around?"
"You do seem to have a nasty habit of justifying theft," Queen Novo said with a slight glare, causing Twilight to flinch.
"If somepony steals something from you, and you get it back, are you guilty of theft of your property?!" Twilight shot back.
"Possession is nine-tenths of the law~," Chrysalis teased, earning a scowl from Twilight.
"I will give you this point, Princess Twilight. But I was referring to the theft you committed against me and my kingdom!" Queen Novo said, causing Twilight to gulp.
"E-even still, you've forgiven me for that. You can't drop charges and then reopen them just because you changed your mind!" Queen Novo nods at this, but Twilight could tell the issue isn't concluded yet. "And while we're on the topic of theft, if you had not stolen the crown, I would've never gained such a negative view of humans in the first place!"
"Are you seriously telling me that you would not have eventually found that mirror yourself and gone exploring? I may have stolen the crown, but you still freaked out on the other side,"
"Don't pretend you were not shocked at what you saw too!"
"Hmph, maybe I am made of sterner stuff than you. I guess that's the problem when you go with second best,"
Jason made a note to revisit the hippogriffs point. But he smiles at how red in the face Twilight is at Sunset's comment. "I think we're getting a little off-topic. Sunset, how did things go after the crown was back in Equestria? What changed for you? And how did you learn Princess Celestia's lessons without her influence?"
"Well, I won by default after the school faculty discovered the crown was stolen. But, It wasn't the crown I needed to further my plans. And, I let them know..." Subset lets out another sigh as she touches the Gjallarhorn.
The memory showed Sunset on the stage of the auditorium. Principal Celestia was presenting the new crown for the fall formal. However, Sunset knocks it away. "Get that cheap imitation away from me! Do you think this stupid knockoff will satisfy me? Do you know how long I was planning this? My crowning achievement is ruined. My destiny is denied because you had lousy security. You're fakes! All of you fakes!!!" The memory ends with Sunset breaking a replica of Twilight's crown with a stomp.
"And that's how I won the fall formal. It is precisely how it looks and sounds; me throwing a tantrum. And, as it turns out, humans don't like some brat insulting them any more than we do. No one would talk to me after that. Sure, the teachers did. But that was their job. The students, not so much. They came up with a name for me; Fallen Diva. And from there, no one wanted anything to do with me. I tried to convince myself that I didn't need any of them. But, after a few months of being a pariah in the school, it wears you down. Before I knew it, I was trying to reach out and talk to people. But no one would give someone that treats others like an afterthought a chance. That is until we got some new transfers from Crystal Prep,"
A new memory starts with Sunset sitting alone in front of the statue with a sullen expression. She stares intently at the journal in her hand. A bark caught her attention, and she looked down to see a purple and green familiar puppy looking back at her. The next thing she knew, the dog grabbed the book and ran off. Sunset gives chase all around the front yard until she bumps into someone. Sunset hears a groan and looks up. The girl in front of her was vaguely familiar. But she did not know from where. She had a maroon school vest and a dark purple skirt. She adjusted her glasses as the dog danced happily around her. Twilight instantly recognizes the new arrival, but she is stunned, much like the other court members.
"Ow,"
"Yeah, ow,"
The girl looks up and sees Sunset on the ground with her. She sees her dog run around the two of them with the book still in his maw. "Spike? Where did you get that book? Oh, I'm sorry. Did he bother you? Please don't report him. I know pets are not allowed on school grounds, but I'm not comfortable leaving him alone at him,"
"You're new here?"
"Yeah, I just transferred from Crystal Prep. I was going over all my supplies in order when Spike leaped out. He's a good dog. He normally doesn't take things..."
Twilight hands Sunset back her book. "It's okay. I wasn't doing anything with it, and it's not that important. What's your name?"
"I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike,"
"I'm Sunset Shimmer...?" Sunset paused, waiting for Twilight to lash out at her, but it never came.
"Could you show me the way to the student directory? I'm a little lost,"
Sunset appeared conflicted, but she eventually agreed and escorted her new classmate. The two started talking and discovered they had a lot in common: they both excelled academically. And both of them were not the best social butterflies. Although, Sunset could tell her status was vastly different from hers. Sunset felt the tension ebb away the more she spoke with Twilight. It was nice being able to talk to someone. Twilight told her about her family. The day she adopted Spike. And that she transferred for a new start. Sunset could relate. As the two walked the hallway, Sunset felt the glares of the other students. Sunset grew more concerned with each step as some nasty stares fell on Twilight by proxy. Twilight began to notice as well. The closer the two got to their destination, the louder the whisper got. The moment they reached the directory, Sunset saw a group of students approaching them. All of them were wearing frowns directed at the pony-turned-human. Sunset knew what was coming. Those students were about to reveal her sins to Twilight. She would be denied her first friend before she even got the chance. Rather than face that humiliation, Sunset ran in the other direction.
"If you're trying to prove that humans are every bit as mean and spiteful as I believed, you're succeeding," Twilight said. There were a few ponies that shared those sentiments. Sunset, however, scoffs at the remark.
"I'm not showing you this to enforce your lopsided beliefs on humans. The worst thing any of them did was ignore me. I was anonymous to the students and faculty because of my actions. The point is to showcase treating others how you want to be treated. That little voice in your head that tells you at least ponies can do no wrong is nothing but misplaced pride. Every species have that duality of good and evil. Just look at how your counterpart reacted when she learned about my past," Sunset said as another memory played.
Sunset was back at the statue with her head buried in her knees. She is crying now. However, as before, a bark catches her attention. Sunset's tear-stained face glances at Spike, who looks back at her with concern. She gazes at Twilight, who gives her a sheepish wave. "Come to tell me off? Call me a terrible person and say you'll never see me again?"
"Why would I do that?"
"I'm sure they told me all about my past. I'm the big nasty Fallen Diva of Canterlot High, cursed never to have friends..."
"Well, the things the other students said didn't line up when we first met. You didn't seem mean to me. Besides, Spike seems to like you, and he's an excellent judge of character," In response, Spike jumps onto Sunset's lap and starts licking her face.
The two girls giggle as Sunset replies. "So, you'd be willing to be friends?"
"I don't see why not,"
"But everyone else probably won't like you as much..."
"No one in Crystal Prep liked me that much either. Besides that, I can tell you want to change. We can show them together," Twilight holds her hand with a big smile. "Friends?"
Sunset returns the smile and firmly shakes Twilight's hand. "The best!"
The memory ends with the two girls laughing as Spike happily runs around them. "Things began to change after that. My Friendship with that Twilight leads me to gain more. Even with the people I wronged, I started winning them over. I became friends with Fluttershy after Spike got sick during my free period, and Twilight wasn't available to take him. We hit it off when she learned I was keeping him a secret for Twilight and cared enough for Spike. She went told the rest of her friends about me. That leads to Applejack asking for help around her farm. Rarity is inviting us to donate clothes to the salvation army. And Rainbow asked for help with her sports team. By the end of that year, and through word of mouth, I made amends with everyone at the school,"
Twilight was less sure of herself now than when she was yesterday. The parallels and differences between her and her counterpart were clear. Where she would've been wary of Sunset's past, her double embraced her. Where she dismissed humans capable of holding Harmony's virtues, Sunset displayed to everyone in the human version of her friends. 'Did I make a mistake? Surely, I can turn this around,' Twilight thought. "Even so, our worlds were meant to be separated. There's no magic there, and bringing a new element could prove harmful to that environment!"
"Oh, now you care about humans? Where was this concern when the siren was banished to that world?"
"The sirens?" Celestia spoke up. "How can that be? Starswirl dealt with them himself,"
"Yes, he did. By sending a trio of magically enchanting dragon subspecies to a nonmagical plane of existence!"
"It begs the question of how often Equestria throw away their problem for someone else to deal with, doesn't Princess?" Jason asks Celestia. The Princess of the Sun looks down in shame.
"These Sirens? What were their names?" Ember asks with suspicion.
"Sonata Dusk, Aria Blaze, and Adagio Dazzle," Sunset answers.
Ember's eyes grew wide before a deep scowl formed. "Those were the names of the three missing Siren princesses. Queen Event Tide blamed my father for their disappearance. It sparked the Siren Wars!"
"I was not informed of this! Those three were terrorizing small villages along the mountain range. Ponies were left in a state of misery and psychotic behavior because of the influx of negative emotions. We did not know those three were of royalty," Celestia stated.
"I talked with them about why they were banished. Adagio had a nasty spat with her mother and took her friends to blow off some steam. She said they got hungry and happened upon that village. Adagio regrets going there because of what happened. I am not saying what they did was right, but throwing them into a different dimension entirely? Taking them away from their family? That was far from being any better," Sunset could only shake her head at this. "You always told me never to make excuses when you make a mistake. Yet, that's all I hear now. I wonder how many threats or problems could've been avoided if Equestrian Royalty had handled them better. Would Nightmare Moon have been a big issue? What about Discord's return? Why wouldn't you tell anyone about him until after he was freed? What about Chrysalis? Would she have nearly taken over Equestria if you had heeded Twilight's concerns about Cadance acting unusual? Shouldn't you have seen through her disguise?"
"I am right here, you know. Give me a lot more credit than that!" Chrysalis whined.
Sunset ignores the changeling queen and stares directly at Celestia. "Why did you wait to tell anyone about me until I stole the crown? Was it really out of sight, out of mind for you? Is everything an afterthought that you leave issues for others?"
Every word was like a stab at Celestia's heart. "I don't know what I can say without it sounding like an excuse..."
"You don't have to listen to this, Princess. You've done the best you can!" Twilight said.
"Tsk! You're still defending these poor choices. Well, of course, you would. You mirror them as much as you can!" Sunset scolded.
"You don't know me!"
"I know that for all your talk about the human world being a threat, you did not bother to decommission the mirror world, did you?" Twilight flinches at the truth of that statement. "You left it alone and exposed for anyone unfortunate enough to stumble upon. Unlike my Twilight, who was able to study the magic around the portal and create a barrier to stop anyone from falling inside,"
"How can the human Twilight put up a barrier?"
"When the Sirens showed up with their magic, their presence fundamentally changed that world. The magic started to build and spread. But, they were the catalyst. We discovered that the portal releases the magic of this world to that one in a more passive role. Thus, the nonmagical world was steadily becoming a true mirror of this one. The Sirens, however, accelerated the process with their magic. My friend's and mine magic results from that world seeking to balance out the negative imbalance. Haven't you wondered why you turn human when you go through the mirror? Humans are the mirror version of us, not some cosmic byproduct of another pony's meddling. If Jason were to pass through, he'd be a pony. My Twilight was the one to figure this all out. I couldn't keep her away from the statue for more than a few minutes that first month of research. It makes me wonder why you didn't do the same?"
"...You already know I left the same day I arrived!" Twilight said through gritted teeth.
"Right. The ever-curious, studious, and gung-ho Princess Twilight Sparkle followed her knee-jerk reaction instead of her intuitive nature. It's incredible how much the differences between you and my Twilight exist. She's compassionate. She values her friends and others. And she treats Spike as more than a pet!"
"I love Spike. He's my number one assistant. My brother! That is never in question!"
Twilight's horn gave off threatening glows as she lowered her head. Sunset remained unflinching as she moved closer. "He's your assistant before he's your brother? Does he cook and clean the entire castle?"
"No, he's both. Being my assistant doesn't mean I devalue him as a family! And Spike doesn't mind those chores!"
"Are you telling me that Spike, whose a baby dragon, organizes your extensive book collection, handles political documents, and clean that massive eyesore of a castle by himself? Where's your staff or chefs or guards to ease the burden?!"
Many of the courtroom members shook their heads in disapproval. Cadence's face is in a constant state of shock while Celestia and Luna frown deeply. "I-I don't mind if it's to help..." Spike offers weakly.
Sunset shakes her head at the drake. "She called you her brother, but have Twilight's parents even said they love you? Are you a member of the family or just another project Celestia placed on her?"
There was a long silence as Spike spoke in a soft tone. "...No. When we were little, Shining and Twilight competed over everything. Our parents would make a chart with gold stars for everything they did to keep things friendly. When the week is out, the sibling with the most gold stars will get the crown of the sibling supreme. I was too young for the first couple of years. But when I was old enough, I tried to do things too, like breathing fire or doing stuff with my claws and tail. It never got me a star, and I did burn something every time, so I just gave up on it. B-But, I was always with Twilight when she won!"
Spike looks around frantically, only for many of the court members to send him sympathetic looks. Twilight, however, stares blankly in morbid realization. "Spike, why didn't you ever--"
Twilight starts to ask, but Sunset would not let her. "Stop! Don't you dare try and frame your neglect as his fault! As his friend, you should have noticed. Twilight Velvet and Night Light should be actual parents. It would be best if you treated him less like an underpaid employee and more like a friend and family member. Hay, I can't even call what you are doing to Spike neglectful. It borders on slavery and outright child abuse! I'm just glad my friends are not here to see this. Because the only dark mirror is the mare in front of me!" Sunset Shimmer moves past Twilight and kneels to Spike. "You deserve better,"
Spike fidgets in while tears swell in his tears. He could not deny that he always feels left out when their parents don't acknowledge him, or the girls go on fun adventures without him. At the same time, it felt as though he was betraying his friends the more he voiced those same feelings. The walls started to close in on the little drake. The gallery members no longer looked like ponies but shadowy figures that criticized him and called him a traitor. Spike felt a hoof on his shoulder when it was becoming too overwhelming. The shadows started to recede as Sunset came into view with a gentle smile.
"Hey, if this is too much, you can take a break,"
"Yeah," Starlight walks up to the distraught baby dragon. "I think they reopened donut Joe's. And he has a new item on the menu!"
"...Yeah, I'd like that..." Spike said in a low voice. He cast one last glance at Twilight and the girls before hanging his head down and walking out with Starlight.
Twilight tried reaching out to him, but a glare from Sunset made her think twice. Satisfied with the turnout, Jason clears his throat as Sunset moves to the plaintiff's stands. "I think a recess is appropriate now if the judges allow it?"
"Granted!" Ember suddenly said before marching out of the courtroom.
"Yes, we should all take some time to process everything. The court will reconvene in an hour," Princess Luna said. Many in the gallery left the courtroom in a hurry. Luna could not help but notice various news ponies practically tramble each other racing out of the courthouse. She sighs deeply at the development. The press was going to have a field day with this trial. Watching the defendant bench, Luna felt a frown start to form. Luna waited until they were the last in the courtroom to approach Cadance. "It would seem that ill tiding are upon us,"
"Always so grim, sister. Are you sure you should be speaking with us? Your position as a judge might be questioned," Celestia said, but her tone was far more subdued.
"I doubt that is a concern we should discuss. But, I do believe that I will not be the target of scorn,"
"I agree!" Cadance said, glaring at the elements with utter contempt. "What in the hay is wrong with you girls?! Slamming the door in Jason's face and then walking by as an angry mob chased him out?! It's like I was looking at strangers!"
"I-It wasn't us, Princess. Or, at least, it is whatever this spell was infecting us! I know I can be critical in my opinions about fashion, but that was too cruel," Rarity comments.
"Then, why is it when the spell is canceled out, you remember Jason like he was your worse enemy?"
"Well, maybe he was. He did something so terrible that the Princess had to wipe our minds to forget or something!" Rainbow offers.
"That would be the case if our magic was present. Sadly, it is not," Luna said. "I am afraid the truth of Jason and his time in Ponyville will come out at his ledger,"
"Let's forget about Jason for a minute focus on Spike!" Now, all the elements shied from Cadance's glare. "Did everything he said conveniently slip your mind as well? Is there a spell blocking your basic common sense to treat him with decency?"
"..."
"Oh, Spike. I-I have to see him!" Twilight did not make it two feet before a golden aura caught her. Celestia guides Twilight back to her position as she tries to plead her case. "But Princess! You saw him! I need to--"
"To what, Twilight? Explain away your mistreatment, as Sunset stated. No, you have done quite enough. Besides, going out now will only make you appear worse,"
Cadance grew more irritated from the elements' lack of response. "Maybe Jason is onto something with his accusations. Although they are looking less and less like indictments with each passing second!"
"But, the magic? We can't deny it's there and messing with our perceptions!"
"I find it strange that only the elements and my sister are the targets of this spellcraft. Perhaps four alicorn mages can break through it," Luna suggests. The four princesses nodded as their horns lit with magic. However, a white aura appears on the defendants after several seconds of waiting. The spell did not break as it did for Celestia and Twilight. "...Nothing..."
"No. No! There has to be something! How can we know something is there but can't get rid of it? It makes no sense!!!" Twilight exclaimed.
"What do we do?" Fluttershy asks.
"Nothing. We sit here and do nothing but accept that we did something horrible," Pinkie said, her voice far removed from its usual cheerful tone.
"Darling, you don't mean that!" Rarity stated.
"Yeah, it's looking rough right now, but we'll pull through," Applejack stated.
"Yeah, we'll win like we always do, and whoever is behind this is in for a severe flank kicking," Rainbow shadow boxed.
Pinkie remains still. She doesn't show any signs of acknowledgment. Instead, she calmly walks back to the defense bench and sits down. "I hope you girls can keep that thinking that way when it's finally our turn," Once again, the courtroom went silent.
[One Hour Later.]
"Big court is back again. Pick up where we left off," Prince Rutherford said.
"We're in the middle of questioning the Princess of Friendship. A title that should promote unity-- given to a mare that is its antithesis," Jason stated.
"..." Twilight frowns but says nothing. Everyone retook their position in the courtroom. However, Twilight did not see Spike or Starlight return. She took some small comfort in that. It meant that Spike could not be used anymore. 'But, is that better? Doesn't it confirm my guilt in everything said about our relationship?' She shook her head and frowned deeply. If there was an issue in Spike's dynamic with our friends and family, that was for us to settle, not for Jason to manipulate!' She looks back to Jason to see him still waiting for her answer. 'But Jason might be a pawn as well. I need to appeal to his better nature,' Twilight sighs as she speaks. "Jason. I realize that our first meeting went poorly, and some ponies took that the wrong way. But, even you can see that some foul hoof is at play here. Every creature here saw the magic leave mine and Princess Celestia's bodies. There might even be magically manipulating you as well,"
"Is this a bid to throw the trial out? Let's join our forces and hunt down the big lousy villain of the week hiding in the shadows,"
"Yes,"
"We'll scour the world, leaving no stone unturned while learning valuable lessons on friendship and acceptance,"
"Yeah!" Twilight said, along with her friends, save for Pinkie. Celestia, however, looked at her former pupil and friends as if they'd gone mad.
"Except, there's one little problem..." Jason puts his hand on the Gjallarhorn. "I'm not under a spell. What happened to me wasn't done by anybody else but you, your friends, and that hate-filled nest you call home,"
"Huh?" Twilight asked in shock as the horn did not react.
Finally, having enough, Rainbow Dash hovers in front of Jason. "Where do you get off messing with us?! Making Spike all those things about his family - trying to make us look bad! Twilight is a good Princess. You're just a lost cause!"
Several gasps went off while Jason and Rainbow had a staring contest. Slowly but surely, Jason begins to smile. Rainbow lost a little of her nerve as Jason spoke. "You know, you were one of my favorite ponies. Then, you became one of my favorite tormentors. But we're going to get to you later. Right now, you need to relax. Yeah, I am unraveling your world piece by piece. But that's the law of equivalent exchange. You took from me; now I am taking from you. However, I will share a little secret with you in just a bit. But, first...."
Jason turns to address the court. "Members of the court. I have said many things regarding the defendants. Things that cast doubt on their very characters, abilities, and very soul. I do this not out of malice but out of concern. Concern for their future victims. You all claim that Princess Twilight Sparkle is a virtuous mare and worthy bearer of Harmony's tenants. But, I pose those questions to you in the form of another witness that has had multiple dealings with the avatar of Friendship. Please welcome--"
The courtroom doors burst open as smoke pours inside. A blue and white-maned mare with a purple wizard hat and cape stood on her hind legs. In a loud and boisterous voice, she speaks. "The Great and Powerful TRRRIIIXIIIE!!!"