//------------------------------// // 9. Purpose Destroyed // Story: Sonic The Hedgehog x My Little Pony: The Final Act - Part 1: Back to the Multiverse // by BronySonicFan //------------------------------// Universe 220822 Some things started to float over Canterlove Studios' ceiling in Maretime Bay. Then, an heptagon-shaped portal was open by a pair of claws, these ones coming from FS' gloves, who walked ahead with a determinate look, because his mission in this universe was clear: He came to capture either Sonic and Sunny before they change their Canon Events. As FS' portal closed, another one opened behind, and Twilight came out of this one, making a slight loop in the air before landing at FS' side, while Shadow came out of a last portal and stood with them as well. The three of them stared down at Maretime Bay, waiting for either Sonic, Sunny or both of them to arrive so they could arrest them. Universe 081114 In the middle of Amy's house, an heptagon-shaped portal opened in a room. Amy herself was on her room, wearing her pajamas and lifting a cup and a paper. Once the effect of the portal was over because it closed, Amy placed the things back in the bed, then stood up and exited her room she shared with Sonic. "Hey, hun!" Amy greeted happily, heading towards Aurora's room, but not without putting a framed picture back on place that fell because of the portal's effect, then opened the door and saw Boom Sonic placing Aurora down on her cradle. "How's work?" Boom Sonic hesitated on saying anything first, since he was just making sure that Aurora was comfy and ready to sleep. "Eh... I don't know..." "Sonic..." Amy called out, as she approached Sonic and rested her head on his, while Sonic was laying over Aurora's cradle with a concerned look. "Did you bring our baby to another fight?" "Did I bring our baby–– No, no, no." Boom Sonic quickly corrected himself a bit nervously, while Amy raised an eyebrow and looked at him playfully. "You asked me not to, so I didn't. I wouldn't." Amy nodded, satisfied with this answer, but Boom still looked down at Aurora with concern. Universe 220822 The Secret Society's members and their leader kept guarding over the town, looking for any sign that indicated that Sonic, Sunny or both of them were coming. Universe 081114 Boom Sonic was feeling worried. He placed a finger on Aurora's little hand, who grabbed it and squeezed it like if it was a plushie, while Amy hugged him from behind and looked down at their daughter with a proud smile. Boom, however, couldn't get off the feeling of guilt he felt for what happened not only to Sonic and Sunny, but also to Sunset, and he felt concerned that not being a good friend with those three could affect him as a parent and mentor for Aurora in the future. "You think I'll be any good at this?" Boom Sonic asked Amy with concern. Amy felt surprised by this question. "You're asking that now?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow, before smiling playfully, because Boom was doing so. "There's no playbook for raising someone like her... or being someone like you. You just gotta make the right adjustments in half time... That's sports metaphor, by the way." "I know, Ames... Is not the first time you try to surprise with one of those..." Boom Sonic rolled his eyes with a playful smirk, while Amy giggled and kissed his cheek. "Well, since you're so stubborn and cocky, I thought you wouldn't have time for these kind of stuff!" Amy said mockingly. "We have played sports together, Ames!" Boom Sonic pointed out with an amusing smile, while Amy patted his back with a giggle and walked away, and Boom rolled his eyes again. "Unbelievable..." He then looked back at Aurora in her cradle with a smile, but still concerned for Sonic, Sunny and Sunset. Universe 250921 Fire was burning down this universe, with ponies screaming and running away. Meanwhile, over a pile full of skeletons, Opaline levitated in front of her the skull of who once was Sunny Starscout from this universe, and she looked at it with a frown. She couldn't understand how from every single world she has visited so far, not a single Sunny is different from the other one. They all share the same design, the same vision, say the same damn words, and all have the same damn Alicorn power... Why was she this stubborn? Twilight never insisted as much as Sunny does, and that irritates her. Is even worse considering her will to not give up is something she learned from Sonic. Speaking of the Blue Blur, she already had the glee to burn down his skull as well in other worlds. After all, she's been in Universes 131212, 050117 and 161213 before coming to this one, were she gathered two red shards of the Paradox Prism and a yellow one respectively. Yes, she also killed Sonic in those worlds, and yes; she destroyed those worlds with glitches as well. In this universe she's currently in? She obtained another green one, and it was already attached to her bracelet, marking that way the 10th Prism shard she's gotten so far. "Just 10 more shards before I get my reward..." Opaline muttered with a smirk. Then, she opened her wings; that ignited in yellow, green, red and blue colors of fire; as well as her horn, and then started to flap her wings, before taking flight upwards, launch a red blast to the sky, opening a portal, and then get out of this universe, which started to glitch as soon as she left. Her next goal now that she has half of the prism in her power? Go back home and finally reclaim what belongs to her after a long, long time... Universe 010921 A group of birds chirped as they flew across the sky. Meanwhile, on a field a few yards away from the Crystal Brighthouse, Sunny and the other girls were having a picnic and enjoying their time together, except for Sunny, who looked ahead with a sad and concerned expression. Izzy noticed this after a while, so she scooted over to Sunny. "Sunny-Bear, what's wrong girl?" She asked concerned, and it wasn't until Izzy asked this that the others finally noticed Sunny's mood. "You okay there, Sunny? You're pretty zoned out." Zipp pointed out with worry. Sunny sighed and tried to smile "I'm fine, girls." She replied, but her smile didn't lasted long, and she ended up looking at the ground. "It's just... I wish Sunset was here, you know? She hasn't been around that much lately. "The few times she has visited have been so short and quick that I can barely call them visits..." "Well, she has this big deal with this secret multiversal fighting society. So you can't blame her." Pipp said while looking at her phone. "Sometimes I can be as absent working on Mane Melody or spending time with my Pippsqueaks." "I know, I know." Sunny said with a slight eye roll, before sighing and look down in sadness. "I understand that her job is important and all, but still, I wish she was with us right now..." Izzy placed a hoof on Sunny's shoulder for comfort, and Sunny smiled weakly at her, but then, a heptagon-shaped portal opened up in the sky, not so far from the girls' position, and this already startled them, but they got even more startled when Sunset came out of the portal. The Alicorn mare yelped in pain as she hit the floor, while the portal she came from closed. "Wow... That was convenient..." Misty said surprised. "You can say that twice..." Zipp said with amusement. "Wow, that was convenient..." Izzy repeated, although she was as shocked as the others, even though they deadpanned after she literally repeated what Misty said. Sunset groaned in pain and slowly stood up, while the girls realized that Sunset looked slightly different from the last time they saw her. As stated 7 chapters ago, she was now a bit taller, had a larger neck, her mane glowed with sparkles, and she had a light blue line painted in both her mane and her tail. Sunny and the girls looked at Sunset amazed, because they never expected her to come back slightly different. "Sunset?" Sunny asked quietly, finding Sunset's new look beautiful. Sunset, however, groaned and slowly stood up, then she looked around, and so far, she hasn't noticed Sunny or the girls. However, her eyes widened in panic when she saw she was back at her world. "No, no no no no no no no! I have to go back! I have to help them!" Sunset cried out, so she looked at her dimensional watch to try and open a portal, but when she tapped it, it instead showed a screen with a message. "Access Denied." The watch's AI said, while the screen had this exact phrase, and that made Sunset go into a loop. "What?!" Sunset questioned with a frown, before she tapped the watch again repeatedly, getting the same results since it kept saying 'Access Denied' so many times, and she realized that FS blocked her access to prevent her from interfering. "Rrraaaaaahhhh!!!!!" She yelled out in rage, then she hit a rock nearby, which caused it to crack, then she levitated it and tossed it in a great distance, before falling to her knees and whimper, while tears began to form on her eyes. Sunny and the girls looked at Sunset with sympathy. They might not be sure what is making her feel this way, but they know they can be there for her and comfort her, so Sunny walked up to Sunset slowly. "Sunset?" Sunny asked concerned and uncertainly. Sunset's ears perked up, and her eyes widened, then she slowly turned around and saw Sunny, as well as the other girls behind her. "Sunny?" "I see you have a new look!" Sunny said with a little smile, but before she could say anything else, Sunset rushed up to her and hugged her tightly, starting to cry on her shoulder, which made Sunny feel concerned, even though she still hugged her back. "Sunset?" Sunset didn't immediately replied, and instead just cried on Sunny's shoulder. After everything she's been living the past day, she really needed this hug, so Sunny decided to stay quiet for now and just hug her back. Sunset felt so happy when she joined the Society at first, because she felt that she finally had a purpose again, that she finally was helping in something so much important... But now that she's kicked out, she has no purpose again. "S-Sunny... I-I'm so sorry..." Sunset whimpered, sobbing a bit as well. "Sunset... What's wrong? What happened?" Sunny asked concerned, braking the hug and she looking at Sunset with concern, while the other girls did as well. "Why are you sad? Why the long face?" Izzy asked next. Sunset simply sobbed a bit more and wiped the few tears left on her eyes, before looking at the ground with shame and guilt. "I... I've been expelled from the Secret Society..." "What?!" The five girls asked in shock. "They... They fired you? Just like that?!" Zipp asked in shock. "Why would they do that?!" Pipp asked as well. Sunset sniffed a bit more and wiped her nose. "I... Remember the first Sonic that we met? The one that popped up suddenly in front of Sunny's stand?" "The day I got sick for streaming the whole day?" Pipp asked. "Yeah..." Sunset nodded and wiped out more tears. "That same Sonic... Is from his world where Opaline comes from... FS sent me to recruit him and his Sunny because he believed they could help out in defeating her. They passed their first test with no problem, but Sonic did something he didn't had to when things got out of control, a-and FS was furious with him, a-and..." Sunset started to hyperventilate a bit, and so, Sunny placed a hoof on her shoulder and another one on her chest, shushing her quietly and waiting for Sunset to calm down. None of the girls ever saw Sunset being so broken or desperate before. Sure, they have seen her getting mad or crying when she had to, but they never saw her this messed up emotionally. They were convinced that, whatever happened to her, it was really bad if it left her like this. Eventually, Sunset calmed down and kept explaining. "When he explained everything about the Canon, they exploded in anger, and then he tried to encage them..." She said, and that made the other five mares gasp in shock. "Sonic escaped, but even if his plan was working... FS still told him everything: That he's the first anomaly, why he's one, and... And he even told him that he didn't belonged in the Society..." If the first thing was really bad enough, now this shocked the other five mares even more, and they couldn't believe the same FS they met a while back did everything Sunset was telling them he did. "Sonic still managed to escape, he free'd Sunny, and then... he left to his world..." Sunset kept explaining. "I tried to convince FS to let me go talk with them, but... He said they escaped because of me... And then he expelled me..." After having explained all of this, her friends were shocked, and they still couldn't believe the FS they met months ago and the FS Sunset was talking about are the same hedgehog. "What?!" Zipp yelled angrily. "They seriously tried to encage them just for trying to help?!" "The nerve of them to just do that to a hero! They were supposed to be the good guys!" Pipp pointed out in anger as well. Sunset snorted a bit after hearing that. "That's what I told them before they sent me here... But you know what's the part that hurts me the most? That Sonic told me something that's stuck in my head, right before he escaped..." Sonic started to stand up, while the train kept moving upwards. However, when Sonic looked back at both Boom and Sunset, he did it with a frown. "...You heard me when I told you lying makes you a terrible friend... And you still lied to me..." He told Sunset with anger, and Sunset's smile faded away after hearing this. "You don't deserve any friends, Sunset. Not if you're gonna lie to them like this..." Sunset's heart shattered after hearing this, and she couldn't believe that he said that... But those words also hit her as hard as a train, and they definitely hurt. After saying this, Sonic launched himself from the train and dived towards the HQ, even charging up a Homing Attack in the air and then boosting away. "Sonic!" Sunset shouted, but the blue blur was gone already. After Sunset explained this, she sobbed a bit more and wiped out more tears. "I... I know he's just mad, but... His words really hurt..." Sunset said with concern. The others looked at each other with concern as well, and even if they all wanted to say something to comfort Sunset, none of them knew exactly what to say in order to cheer her up. "I can't believe FS would even do that to you, or to Sonic and his Sunny..." Misty said in disbelief. "The guy is clearly way too strict, and he thinks he knows everything to the point he won't even listen!" Sunset yelled out in rage, also kicking a rock far from them. "And now, Sonic and his Sunny are being hunted down as we speak, I got fired from the Society, and Opaline is still out there! I bet she has more shards from the Paradox Prism at this point, and I can't do anything about it! Not even to help out our Hitch..." After yelling all of this, Sunset fell on her knees again and started to tear up even more while breathing heavily, to the point some tears even got into her mouth because of her uncontrollable cry. However, and even though she still felt concerned for Sunset, Sunny raised an eyebrow confused when Sunset yelled that she couldn't help their Hitch. Being her best friend, or rather coltfriend, Sunny obviously felt a bit concerned that Sunset mentioned him. "Hitch? What do you mean?" Sunny asked confused. Sunset's eyes widened after Sunny asked this, and she realized too late her mistake of mentioning Hitch. She thought earlier in the Society's HQ that if the other Sunny hated her for not trying to stop Hitch's fate, then her Sunny would do the exact same thing. Now she was in a position were hiding the truth was not an option, because Sonic's words were stuck with her, and she didn't wanted to lie to anyone anymore, much less her friends. So, with a sigh, Sunset looked down for a moment, before looking up at Sunny. "Canon Events are... Things that must happen so a pony, or person, can be that pony or person..." She began to explain, then gulped nervously and closed her eyes before continue. "A-And your canon event, Sunny... Is that Hitch... I-Is that he dies..." She confessed, more tears started to roll down her cheeks. The other mares but Sunny gasped in shock, while Sunny herself had wide eyes, but she said nothing after hearing this. "A-And I was trying so, so hard to avoid that thing to happen for you... For us!" Sunset added with a whimper, before removing her watch from her hoof and then toss it away, as it crashed into the ground and broke into a million pieces, while the other mares flinched at her action. "But I couldn't! I-I couldn't..." Sunset cried more at this point, and when you think she cannot cry out even more, she proves you wrong and cries even more. Sunny noticed this and felt bad, but also confused on why Sunset worried so much for Hitch. "Sunset, it's okay." Sunny said with a calmed tone, placing a hoof on Sunset's shoulder. "Hitch is––" "No, it's not okay, Sunny!" Sunset snapped, her voice changing into a more low pitched tone that felt similar to when Celestia or Luna raised their voices in anger. Sunny and the other mares backed a bit away after Sunset snapped like that, while the Alicorn started to walk back and forth desperately, also breathing a bit heavily. "Ever since the very first day the Unity Crystals gave me these wings, I've been doing everything I can to show that I'm worthy of them, to demonstrate that I could do as many amazing things as Twilight did when she was still around!" Sunset said with concern, while her friends looked at her with worried looks. "And I didn't! I didn't..." Her friends grew even more concerned after she said all of this, but they decided to let her cry and scream all her frustration out before telling her what Sunny was trying to say earlier. "I can do all these things but I can't help the people I love the most, and I can only do so much that I can't even bring back Twilight even when she's gone!" Sunset screamed with pain. "So, I'm completely on my own! And now, I don't... I don't even know what’s the right thing anymore!" "Sunset..." Sunny muttered with concern. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do! But I know!" Sunset said desperately, before sighing and cover her face with her hooves, then look back at her friends with concern. "I can't lose one more friend..." The other mares looked at each other for a moment, then they all smiled and looked back at Sunset. "Sunset, Hitch has been quite busy working on his Sheriff duties." Sunny tried to explain. "Yeah, and how did that work out?" Sunset asked rhetorically with a snort and a small eye roll. "Uh, Sunset..." Zipp tried to called her our. "What’s the point of keep talking about this? Hitch is a goner..." Sunset said defeated. "No he's not." Sunny tried to reason, now frowning and getting tired of Sunset's attitude. "Why?!" Sunset asked again, getting irritated herself. "Because I'm right here." Hitch's voice spoke, and that startled Sunset, who violently turned around. She saw Hitch and Sparky coming towards them, with Hitch even carrying a box of donuts on his hoof and placing it down on the mantle were they had the rest of the picnic. Sunset, however, was staring at Hitch with wide and confused eyes. If what she recalls is correct, Hitch should've had died a week or two ago, which is 3 or 4 days ago in this universe... But if Hitch was right there, alive, then why was her universe intact and not raveling? "Hitch? You're… you're here..." Sunset said with wide and shocked eyes. "H-How?" "Well... As much as I love to be a Sheriff, I realized that my job was keeping me away from spending time with those who I love..." Hitch started to explain, before looking at Sunny and the rest with a smile, while they smiled back. "It was a miracle already that I could be with you girls the day we fought Tirek on Zephyr Heights. So, I have retired temporarily from being a Sheriff. That way I can spend my time with my friends. And with Sparky!" Sunset was shocked after hearing this. "When?" "Around a month or two after you left." Hitch revealed with a smile. Sunset was having a hard time processing all of this, specially because she really thought that Hitch would be dead by the time she came back to her universe... But Hitch was alive. "You're... Wait, wait a minute, you're... You're not Sheriff right now?" Sunset asked, still shocked about this revelation, while her mind started to think on something. "But that means…" Sunset was now shocked, because if Hitch was alive, that meant that Sunny's Canon Event was disrupted. And if her Canon Event was disrupted, but this universe remains intact, then that means that altering a Canon Event does not unravels a reality... At least if you belong there. She realized that FS and Sonic broke the Canon from universes they didn't belonged to, but she changed the Canon of her own reality... So if she could do it, that means that Sonic and Sunny still have a chance. They can change their Canon, and their world would still live... Just like hers... Meanwhile, Hitch looked at Sparky, who was giggling at him happily, then the stallion of the group looked at his friends with a fond smile. "My job, being a Sheriff, all that stuff isn't really that important..." He stated, before looking over at Sunset and the others. "My friends are the best thing I've ever done." Sunset couldn't believe it still... But it was true: Hitch is alive, and her world lives on with that, because Canon doesn't matter when you are the one rewriting your own story. If she never joined the Society, Hitch would've died, and that Canon Event would've had happened still... But it didn't, because the day she joined them, she already changed her story, she saved Hitch from his fate and she didn't even know it... Then, Hitch walked up to Sunset and placed a hoof on her shoulder to give her some comfort. "I... I heard everything that happened to you in the Society, and I'm really sorry they did this to you and your friends... But you shouldn't let that stop you." He stated with a determinate look. "You are better off without them, and you are great in many ways! Even if Twilight isn't around, you did many things before you brought her back to put her spirit in that necklace the first time. You shouldn't let that get the best of you." Sunset remained silent for a moment, and she took out her necklace, which still had Twilight's spirit inside, even though she closed herself in it ever since she realized she wasn't needed anymore, which made Sunset start to tear up again. "I-I... I just wanted to see familiar faces... I wanted Twilight to be there with me, b-because I don't know if I can go on without her... She changed my life for the better. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her extending her hand to me for help... If it wasn't for her making me see the light of friendship, that I… I don't know if I'm able to keep going without her guidance..." Sunset said, still looking at the necklace with sadness and concern. "I just want to see my Twilight again... I really miss her..." Sunset closed her eyes and held the necklace close to her chest, tearing up even more if it was possible, while the rest of the Mane 7 looked at her with sad expressions. So, they decided to huddle close to her and wrap the now taller Alicorn in a group hug, while Sunset herself whimpered, because it didn't matter if she spent the past year with a variant of Twilight, learning lots of stuff about the Multiverse. At the end of the day, she wasn't her Twilight, the one that showed her the path of friendship, the one who saved her from darkness, and that's what hurt her the most... Suddenly, the necklace started to glow again after months of not being used, but none of the Mane 7 noticed this. However, as the necklace finally opened up, the Mane 7 but Sunset gasped and looked ahead with wide and shocked eyes. "I'm always with you, Sunset." Twilight spoke in a soft tone. Hearing that voice, echoing like a hologram instead of being firm and solid like with Twilight from Universe 260221, it sent a weird chill down Sunset's spine. So, the Alicorn slowly lifted her sight, just for her eyes to widen as well, while her tears feel even harder and faster now: It was the Twilight from the necklace, her Twilight, looking at her with affection and a small smile. "...T-Twilight?" Sunset muttered in disbelief, her lips even trembling, but as the others smiled at the sight, Sunset did it as well. "Y-You are back..." "I am... And I've seen your latest journey across the multiverse through the necklace." Twilight confessed. "I've seen everything you've been going through, and I see how conflicted you feel because of FS and his Secret Society's actions, how much you don't trust them anymore... FS' rules are very questionable, and it seems like he does not understand the value of being a leader." "I know... All the things we've done to 'protect the Canon'... None of it was right..." Sunset said with a sadness and disappointment over herself. "And I still screwed up... I just wanted to be something more. I-I still feel like I'm not needed in Equestria anymore, and I still feel that I need to find my purpose, because after you..." She trailed off and sighed. "I... I just don't know if I can move on without you, Twilight... You are the inspiration of friendship, the one and true Alicorn Equestria needs. You even made a friendship utopia before Opaline ruined it! We brought back your legacy, but... Equestria still needs you..." Twilight gave a small smile and chuckled after hearing this. "Oh, Sunset... I know that you're still trying to find your purpose, but know this: Equestria will always need you, your friends will always need you as well, to be there for them I'm so sorry for leaving you so suddenly after the last time we saw each other... But my time has passed. Equestria doesn't needs me anymore, and you never needed me. You and your friends had done so many deeds for Equestria, and stopping Opaline was just the beginning! Don't you see? You seven are ready to carry on my legacy without me." Even though all the Mane 7 were listening, Sunset still felt bad after hearing from Twilight herself that she wasn't needed anymore, but as much as it hurt to hear it, Sunset knew it was the truth. "I know that I'm the one who helped you turn over a new leaf when we first met, Sunset, but all those times Equestrian magic caused problems in your world during CHS, I wasn't there to help you." Twilight pointed out. "Sure, I gave you some information, but you and your friends were the ones who handled them with the magic of friendship, and while working together. Heck, even before you brought me back on this necklace, you helped to bring back the magic of Equestria, reunited ponykind and rebuild my legacy! Sunset, you are needed in Equestria more than I am. You seven haven't just helped one pony with a simple problem, you saved Equestria by returning it to how it was, the way it should be: A world of Friendship and Harmony, of Unity." She finished with a proud smile. The Mane 7 looked at Twilight, feeling inspired by her words, then the rest turned to Sunset, who seemed to be deep in thought. "So, Sunset. You finally know your purpose?" Sunny asked with a little smile. After a few seconds of silence, Sunset gave a determined smile and turned to her friends. "...I think I have... My name is Sunset Shimmer. I'm a Princess of Friendship, and a Guardian of Harmony. I am friends with Princess Twilight Sparkle, friends with Sunny, Hitch, Izzy, Zipp, Pipp and Misty, protector of Unity, guardian of the Unity Crystals, protector of Equestria, and friends to those close to me! My purpose is to protect Equestria, to protect Twilight's legacy, and to protect my friends, whom I care for deeply, from any threats, no matter what the cost or where I go! I am the Princess of Friendship, and this is who I am!" She announced with a determined voice and a wide smile, while her mane glowed even brighter. The rest of the Mane 7 cheered in joy for Sunset, and then they dragged her into another group hug, while Sunset herself smiled, before looking at Twilight, who smiled as well, while the rest decided to brake the hug. "I'm proud of you, and I'm proud of the mare you've grown into, Sunset. You truly are amazing." Twilight said with a pride. "Thank you for inspiring me, Twilight..." Sunset said with a smile, but it faded away and shifted into a sad expression. "But... It sounds like you're about to leave again..." "Aw... But you just returned, Twilight!" Izzy complained in sadness. "Yeah! You can stay with us a little longer if you want!" Sunny suggested, since she wanted for Twilight to stay a bit longer, specially because she still admires her as her idol. However, Twilight denied with her head, but smile warmly at them. "I would love that offer, but my time has passed already. You all have grown into the greatest ponies there are, and it was already time to pass the torch. But even though you ponies might not see me anymore, I'm always with you all. And who knows: If things go too dire, maybe someday I'll return. For now? Know that I'm always with all of you." After saying this, the Mane 7 smiled at the Former Princess of Friendship. "You know you can count on us to keep the peace!" Hitch said with a smile, while Sparky babbled in agreement. "You know we'll keep the harmony!" Pipp sang happily, even flapping her wings. "We'll unicycle your legacy time and time again!" Izzy cheered. "You know I always keep promises." Zipp said with a smirk. "And I would love to keep that legacy this time, as a way to redeem myself for working with Opaline." Misty said with a proud smile. "And Sunset and I will keep your legacy alive, and be the Alicorns we are meant to be!" Sunny promised, as she brought out her Alicorn form and stood next to Sunset, who smiled at her, before the Mane 7 all turned to Twilight. "I'm proud you ponies would do that for me, and for all of Equestria." Twilight said with a smile, walking up to Sunset and placing a hoof on her chest, while Sunset gave a teary smile. "Don't cry, Sunset. This isn't a goodbye, is more like a 'see you later'. But know that, wherever I am, no matter where I end up, I'll always be with you." Sunset sniffed with a small smile. "I know, Twilight... But I'm still going to miss you... Like, a lot." "I know, but remember: You have friends by your side to help you keep going." Twilight assured with a smile, then turned to Sunny and the others, all smiling back in agreement. "There are times when somepony has to move on and keep going for those they care for, whether they are departed or far, they are always with you in spirit. There are times that we must grow and embrace changes to carry on, but know that I will always be with you Sunset. No matter where you go, I'm always watching you. Promise that you would keep going not just for me, but for your friends as well." Sunset looked down a bit, tears dropping from her eyes and running down her cheeks, but then she looked up and gave Twilight a smile. "I promise, Twilight. I'll keep going for you, for my friends, and I'll make things right." Twilight gave a little smile after hearing that. "Thank you... So long Sunset. And remember: I'll always be there for you..." She finished, before disappearing and going back into the necklace, while the others watched with tearful eyes. Soon, the necklace closed again, and it stopped glowing as well. Sunset looked at the necklace with tearful eyes, but then she smiled and turned to Sunny and the rest, whom gave her tears of joy, before Sunny gave Sunset a comforting hug, and the others smiled at the two ponies, because they all knew that they needed this. "Twilight sure is good at making inspirational speeches!" Sunny commented with a slight chuckle. Sunset snorted a bit. "How do you think she inspires others?" She joked slightly, then they broke the hug and Sunset wiped her nose, while the two Alicorns smiled at each other, then smiled at their friends as well, and they returned the gesture. "If only I could help Sonic and his Sunny to fix things up..." Izzy's ears perked up after Sunset said that, because she remembered something. "Oh! I had just the thing!" She cheered, before rushing out to the Brighthouse really fast, and then coming back, holding a wrapped up present. "We don't know what it is, nor what you gotta do to help Sonic and his Sunny, Sunset, but we think this thing is supposed to help." Sunset looked at the present, and her eyes widened a bit, because she could tell by the look of the wrapped present that Buffon is the one who made it. The box was wrapped mostly in newspaper, but also with blue graffiti she has seen him using before. "The guy who left it was quite a weird character, and a rule breaker by his looks..." Hitch deadpanned. "But he was definitely a fun guy!" Izzy added cheerfully with a smile. "We kept it in the Brighthouse as we waited for your return." Sunny explained with a smile. "We figured that you were going to need it and arrive here at any time!" Sunset smiled at her friends, then opened up the present, and her eyes widened again. She brought out a makeshift watch with a sticky note on it that said 'iN cAse it doN'T WoRK ouT. - Blue Buffon' on it. Sunset couldn't believe what she had on her hoof, then she removed the sticky note and noticed that the watch was a homemade version of the Society's ones. She remembers that she talked jokingly with Buffon about making their own watch, and she even caught him stealing parts from the HQ sometimes... Now it made sense why he did so. He always suspected all of this would happen: Sonic and Sunny's escape, FS' outrage, Sunset getting kicked out of the Society, everything. So, he made this watch and brought it here to her universe in case things didn't worked out, just like the stick note said. Sunset smiled widely after realizing all of this, then she looked at the screen of the watch and noticed it said 'Project Bootleg' on the top, as well as already having a destination ready: Universe 220822. Sunset smiled even more, then looked at her friends and nodded, as they nodded back in understanding. Then, Sunset put the watch on her hoof and activated it, while a portal opened up behind the Mane 7, which surprised the group except for Sunset. They also noticed some stuff of their picnic floating as a secondary effect because of the portal being open. But then, they turned and saw Sunset being right on the portal, yet not crossing it still, because she first wanted to say goodbye to her friends before leaving to her mission. "I'll be right back, ponies. I promise." Sunset said with a determined smile. Her friends smiled back and nodded. After that, she crossed the portal, and it closed behind, making the effect disappear, while the food from the picnic fell to the ground, although none of it got to waste. "Huh... She has definitely matured a lot, haven't she?" Izzy asked with an amused smile, while her friends laughed at her silly comment.