//------------------------------//
// Twilight's Prologue  
// Story: Lord Cold Heat's Unicorn Trap 
// by Ruby Revenge 
//------------------------------//

	One cannot always expect what is going to happen next, but one can always prepare for it.

That is what I tell myself everyday, to be ready for whatever life has in store for me next. Now that I am an Alicorn, things are going to be much harder from now on. Things were already hard as a unicorn, and solving Sunset Shimmer's problems was only a taste of what I am going to experience. I am sure of it.

I can remember the first time I met my friends; the night, or technically morning if you go by the actual time, we defeated Nightmare Moon, and released Luna from her prison. When I was sent to that alternate universe, where the entire city of Canterlot had been translated into a school, I rediscovered friendship once more. I learned that anypony, and anybody, can make friends, and that anypony is entitled to it. It is something that everypony deserves, and nopony should be withheld from it.

After Sunset Shimmer had been reduced to almost nothing, I realized that she did not only think that she was above everyone, but she didn't believe in friendship at all. She didn't think it was worth her time to delve into, and in turn also believed that she wasn't good enough to experience it. After failing Celestia's teachings, she found herself worthless and fled to an unknown world to make a better name for herself. She surrounded herself with a stone-cold barrier that pushed everyone away...

I could have turned out the same if I had not met my friends.

Celestia's goal was to find a pony that could become an Alicorn, somepony responsible enough to help the Royal Sisters rule Equestria. After running through everything in my mind, I believe that Sunset came very close to becoming a Princess, as she told me, but failed to understand the meaning of Friendship. She had only been engrossed in her studies, like I once had, giving no time for other ponies except Celestia. I had almost done the same thing, but Celestia made sure to force me out into the world, something I am very thankful for.

There is one thing I do not understand though; Sunset Shimmer's age. She appeared to be around the same age as I am, about seventeen or so, but she was Celestia's student before me, and not during my apprenticeship. She must be at least twice my age, giving all the time she has to account for, according to Celestia's story. I've done the calculations. Her age doesn't match up!

It would make sense if the portal transformed anypony who traversed it turn into a teen, but it is unlikely that it would be so specific as to allow her to attend all four years of the school and still be the correct age. A more likely answer is that Sunset Shimmer did her research on the world, probably making numerous visits before running away, and cast an age spell upon herself to make herself the correct age.

But that would also mean that she had made a rather long and complicated plan to go and take refuge there, and return years later to steal my crown or any other source of power to try and take over Equestria. Which doesn't really make much sense, as one can plainly see how faulty the plan is if they look at it as a whole; using teenagers as an army? That is not only... odd, but not logical. Especially since they would be up against adults in Equestria, adults trained in magic and combat. And even if they did change into ponies themselves, as I turned into a human, they would surely not be used to their bodies, even if mind controlled.

And the duplicates would be far too confusing.

So my only conclusion, looking back her faulty planning and assumed emotional turmoil, is that Sunset Shimmer, former student of Princess Celestia, was entirely insane.

I mean, who does that? Even though she did pose a formidable opponent when she did attain my Element, she was taken down rather quickly compared to my previous foes.

Which brings me back to my previous statement; this is only the beginning.

I feel that much harder test are going to be thrown at me, but I will be ready. I am ready for anything, and no matter what happens, I will protect Equestria. I will protect my friends.

I won't lose.

Not with them by my side.