It was noon in the Crystal Empire train station, and Sunset Shimmer had been doing awe-inspiring magic tricks all morning, trying to earn thirty bits for a train ticket to Canterlot. She sent up a ball of energy into the sky, and as it exploded, it told the history of Equestria, when the Royal Pony Sisters had went against each other, the elder banishing her young sister to the moon for one thousand years. Meanwhile, she counted her bits, and a generous pony dropped two bits in the little pile she had going. She counted them, and they came out to thirty exactly. She said goodbye and thank you to the crowd she had created, and went up to the reception desk to purchase a ticket.
“One ticket to Canterlot,” Sunset Shimmer said, laying her bits on the counter.
“I’m sorry, miss, but I’m afraid we don’t have any departures to Canterlot at the moment,” The receptionist said, apologizing for the inconvenience.
“Ugh! Really?!” Sunset Shimmer said with anger. She sighed, and said, “Fine… what other departures do you have at the moment?
“Well, we have a departure for Fillydelphia, Manehattan, Las Pegasus, and Ponyville. All leaving within fifteen minutes.”
Sunset Shimmer pondered at these options, and she knew that Ponyville was just a quaint little country part of Equestria. “I’ll take one ticket to Ponyville.”
“That’ll be twenty bits, please!” the receptionist said cheerfully.
Sunset Shimmer got the ticket, and started waiting for ten minutes. She decided to go into the store to buy a small saddlebag, which cost 6 bits, leaving her with a mere 4 bits. Sunset Shimmer knew she needed it though, for she didn’t know how long this trip would take. By this time, it was time to board the train.
“Train departure for Ponyville! All aboard!” the Conductor bellowed proudly.
Sunset Shimmer boarded the train, and took a seat. About a minute later, the train started moving, the landscape before her starting to blur before her eyes at the speed of the train. Sunset Shimmer started to contemplate on how exactly she was going to get revenge on Twilight Sparkle. She never truly had a plan from the beginning, she just knew that this was her calling, like she had to do this for what Twilight did to her. Her mind raced for answers, and she remembered back to her apprenticeship with Princess Celestia…
<Sunset Shimmer's apprenticeship, Canterlot Main Castle>
“Princess Celestia?” Sunset Shimmer asked, looking up at her teacher.
Celestia directed her attention to Sunset Shimmer, who was looking up at Celestia with admiration. “Yes, my young student?”
“May I ask you about Starswirl the Bearded?” The young filly asked.
“Of course, he was one of my finest pupils. What would you like to know about him?” Celestia said, laying on the ground in front of the filly to make the young unicorn feel more on her level.
“I’d like to know… since he created so many spells that we still use today, were there any spells created by him that we don’t use now? And, I noticed that the collections of spells in books are written by other ponies. So, where is the source of his original creations?”
“My my, that’s a very good question to ask, my young student. I’ll tell you, but you must promise not to tell anypony. These are secrets only known to royals, and the Canterlot Guards.”
“I promise I won’t tell anypony.” Sunset Shimmer said.
“Well, the book of his most powerful spells are kept in a top secret place somewhere in the Canterlot Castles, guarded by a magical force lock, which immobilizes any creature that touches the barrier, and it will also set off an alarm for guards to come and take any trespassers that try to steal Starswirl’s secret book. I am the only one that knows how to take the barrier down, in case I ever need the book.”
“Why would you need the book?” Sunset Shimmer asked questionably. “Don’t you know every magical spell there is?”
Celestia chuckles at her question. “My little pony, it would be incredibly difficult, even for me, to learn every spell there is. The book isn’t just about spells. Starswirl the Bearded was a very gifted unicorn, but he was just missing something in his magic, for it to truly mean something important, that could potentially change a pony’s life forever. That’s why I like to study the book every now and then.”
“Oh… thank you Princess. That answers all of my questions.”
“You’re welcome, my faithful student. So, made any new friends lately?”
<Present day, on the train heading to Ponyville>
As Sunset Shimmer snapped back to reality, she knew that she had to get her hooves on that book. She knew that it might hold some valuable spells that could alter lives with ease. She's even heard rumors about the most powerful forms of time and space altering spells that are rumored to lie in text, written by Starswirl himself. Sunset Shimmer won’t know until she gets it. Sunset Shimmer then tried to think of where the secret spell book would be in the castle.
“Hmmm… Celestia said guards would come running to the secret place… so that means that the book would be somewhere in which no guards are around.” Sunset Shimmer thought aloud. “But… there were always guards, guarding everything in the Canterlot Castles… at least from what I remember...” Sunset Shimmer got tired of thinking, and stared out the window at the rolling greens of the Unicorn Range.
<Morning, Ponyville Library>
Twilight Sparkle slowly rolled out of bed, still sleepy from waking up. She brushed her mane, flew downstairs, and made some breakfast to eat for her and Spike. By this time, she was fully awake.
“Spike! Breakfast is ready!” She said, calling her assistant downstairs to start the day.
Spike came surprisingly quick down the stairs, as if he had something important to say. “We’ve gotten a letter from Princess Celestia!” The young dragon said enthusiastically.
Twilight levitated the letter and opened it. She read aloud…
Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,
I ask that you come to the Crystal Empire at once. I’d like for you to go to the other universe through the Magical Mirror to check on the friends you made there, and that Sunset Shimmer has remained there, and has caused no havoc. I’m sure they will all be very pleased to see an old friend. Terribly sorry for the short notice. A chariot, along with Princess Luna, will be there at high noon to take you there.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
“Awesome! I can’t wait to go!” Spike said excitedly.
“Actually, since the princess didn’t say you could go in the letter, you probably shouldn’t come with me. Sorry Spike.” Twilight said with sorrow.
As if answering to Twilight’s statement, Spike belched, and another letter from the princess appeared in the green flames.
Twilight picked it up with her magic, and read aloud, “P.S., Spike may come with you, since he went with you last time.”
“Yes! We get to go and meet your old human friends, Twilight!” Spike said exuberantly.
Twilight chuckled at Spike’s excitedness. “We sure do, Spike.”
<Unknown>
Sunset Shimmer awoken in some sort of dark landscape, with no major features in particular. The land was flat and plain, with not a tree or hill to be found. Sunset Shimmer did notice one thing… the moon. It shone beautifully in the sky, and was the only source of light in this flat landscape, and it was all lit up just enough to see. It was also silent, the silence enough to drive a pony mad.
“Hello?” Sunset Shimmer asked into the silence. “Is anypony here?”
As if an answer to Sunset’s question, she suddenly heard hoofsteps behind her. Sunset Shimmer quickly spun around, knowing she saw nopony around when she surveyed her area.
“Who’s there?!” Sunset Shimmer asked alarmingly. She saw a black figure approaching her. It was pitch black all over, had no facial features, and appeared to not have a mane. “What are you?!” Sunset Shimmer asked, trying to keep herself together.
The black figure kept slowly pacing towards Sunset Shimmer, her heart rate rising with each dreaded hoofstep. She felt as if she were immobilized, that she couldn't move from her spot, that she would have a slow and excruciating death. The pitch black monster stopped just inches from Sunset Shimmer's face, making sweat bead on her forehead. The monster slowly opened its wide, gaping mouth, revealing a few rows of long, sharp teeth, resembling those of a shark. While doing this, the monster let out a piercing scream, the sheer volume torturing Sunset Shimmer's eardrums. All she could do was stare at her eminent death. Suddenly, the creature stopped its squealing, and burst into bright white light, revealing a pony that Sunset Shimmer had never seen before, but has heard enough rumors about to know exactly who she is.
“Why hath thou invaded Equestria?” Princess Luna asked, interrogating Sunset Shimmer.
Sunset Shimmer was too in shock to say anything.
“Well? What is thy reason?”
Sunset Shimmer gathered her sanity, and spoke. “I-I have come to Equestria seeking revenge…”
“On Twilight Sparkle, if that may be my first guess?” Luna asked.
“Y-yes...” Sunset Shimmer was devastated. She knew that she had been found out, and would be banished back to the human world. Or even worse, put to death right here in Equestria.
“I see. First and foremost, you were banished from Equestria many moons ago. You were not to set a single hoof inside Equestrian borders. Yet, you are asleep on the train, on your way to Ponyville as we speak.” Luna said, picking away at Sunset Shimmer.
“I know that… What shall be my punishment?” Sunset Shimmer asked, hanging her head in agony.
“Sunset Shimmer, you shall be sent to the gates of Tartarus to live out your last days as soon as you set a single step off of the train.”
Sunset Shimmer knew this was it. Her journey over, she was going to die alone, and unsatisfied about never getting her revenge.
“Unless.”
Sunset Shimmer’s eyes opened wide, and her ears perked up. “W-what did you say?”
“Unless. Unless you aid us in our journey, you may continue on with your own, and you will not be detained.” Luna said.
“What might your journey be?" Sunset Shimmer questioned.
“I ask that you help us overthrow my oh so beloved sister, Princess Celestia.” Luna said with triumph.
Sunset Shimmer couldn't believe this. Not only will she get her revenge on Twilight Sparkle, but she will help in the cause of taking down Princess Celestia herself! "Your wish is my command," Sunset Shimmer said.
“Very well, then. Your first task is to find three certain ponies. Upon awakening, you will find that three pictures of certain ponies will have appeared in your saddlebag, along with fifty bits. These pictures have their names on the back, and their location. Once you find the three, they will know what to do. Now, we have an agreement. You wish to take revenge on Twilight Sparkle, is that correct?” Luna asked.
“Yes, Princess.” Sunset Shimmer said obediently.
“Do you require my services?”
“All I require is Starswirl the Bearded’s secret original spell book. That’s all I ask.”
“I see. You wish to take revenge on Twilight Sparkle this way?”
“Yes I do, princess.”
“Very well, Sunset Shimmer. I must be going now. Also, keep in mind that you are banished from Equestria. Twilight Sparkle is going to the Crystal Empire to check on the human world. She will see that you are not there, and will come back with bad news. Your name and face will be all over Equestria by tomorrow morning, making it extremely dangerous to move anywhere. You must not be noticed. And, the friends of Twilight Sparkle that were chasing after you the night you stole the crown know exactly who you are and what you look like. I also put their pictures in your saddlebag. Be careful. I shall end your life myself if you fail to complete your task.”
Sunset Shimmer nodded her head in agreement. Princess Luna’s horn started to glow, and the entire landscape started to shine radiantly, and then everything went black.
<Noon, train nearing Ponyville>
Sunset Shimmer woke up, and done a reality check. She confirmed she was no longer dreaming, and took in what Princess Luna had just said to her. Sunset Shimmer remembered what Luna said about the pictures, and looked in her saddlebag. She found a sack of fifty bits, along with some envelopes. She tore open the evelopes, and took three pictures out and observed them. She is looking for Crescent Moon and Minuette/Colgate, whom both live in Ponyville, and Night Light, who resides in Canterlot. She memorizes their looks, tears open the other envelope, and looks at the pictures inside. She then noticed something odd. These ponies look very familiar. Not familiar in the fact that they were chasing Sunset Shimmer when she stole the crown, but familiar in the fact that these ponies looked just like a group of friends from the human world. She then looked at their names, and was shocked. They read, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. Sunset Shimmer was in awe. She knew that Equestria and the human world were two completely different universes, but she did not know that they were alternate universes. Just then, the train jarred to a stop.
“Attention all passengers! We have reached your destination, Ponyville. Please grab your things and step off the train.” A voice said over the intercom.
Sunset Shimmer grabbed her saddlebag, and got off the train. As soon as she got off, she seen a royal chariot take off, towards the direction she just came. She recognized both ponies sitting in the chariot. Princess Luna and Twilight Sparkle.
“Soon, Twilight Sparkle. Soon.”
<Two minutes earlier, Ponyville Library>
“Twilight Sparkle! Come now! We must be on our way at once!” Princess Luna bellowed, in front of Twilight’s house.
“Coming!” Twilight Sparkle came bursting through the door, dressed in her formal attire, with Spike right by her side, carrying some bags for her.
“Are you excited to go and see some old friends?” Luna asked, holding out a hoof to help Twilight into the chariot.
“Of course I’m excited!” Twilight said, boarding the chariot.
“Good. I’m coming with you simply to survey your progress. And, it’s always nice to have some company, right?” Luna said cheerfully.
Twilight was tuning out Luna, and instead looking over at the train station. The chariot then took off, and Twilight turned back around.
“Twilight? Is something the matter?” Luna asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I thought I seen somepony I knew.”