//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Twilight Falls, Sunset Dawns 
// by DrakeyC 
//------------------------------//


Twilight Falls, Sunset Dawns



Chapter 3




Sunset Shimmer took one last look in the mirror and decided she was presentable enough. With proper maintenance, Twilight was pretty enough for a princess. Nothing quite like me, naturally, but I can live with it. Sunset lifted Twilight's saddlebags on her back. She still would have appreciated Twilight packing some form of royal regalia to wear, if not a crown, then hoofguards or a cloak. The whole idea of being a princess is that you're special. Why would she reject that recognition? It was further evidence she had made the right choice, taking this body and crown from an ungrateful owner and giving them to somepony who appreciated them.

Sunset glanced at the entrance to the room. She cast a sealing spell over the doors and then approached the dresser and pulled open the bottom drawer. She withdrew the small wooden box inside and opened it to reveal the spellstone. Now, what to do with you? I could easily toss you inside a suit of armour in some forgotten wing of the castle, or just bury you under a hedge in the gardens. Though, there's always the off-chance somepony would still find you. Somepony finding the stone was not the only problem. Sunset had been blindsided by Twilight before, and there was the possibility of Sunset blowing her cover. No. You're my bargaining chip, just in case. She slipped the stone inside the saddlebags, and then looked back at the box and the parchment inside detailing the stone's origins. Sunset floated the items to the door to the balcony, pushed the door open, and held them over the edge.

These, on the other hoof, I don't need. She focused her magic and her horn flared up in violet light. The box caught fire on the corner, and it only took a few seconds to go up in flames. She waited until the fire burned itself down to a pile of ash, and then flung the ashes into the air. A burst of wind came from her horn and sent the remnants scattering through the air. She smiled and turned to head back inside. There. No more loose ends to tie up. She pulled open the door to the room and headed down the hall. The two guards on duty bowed as she passed, improving her good mood even more.

Just a few more minutes and I'll be gone from this place forever. No Celestia, no Twilight Sparkle. Nopony to stop me from going to my new home and enjoying my new life. Twilight was already packed up and on her way to Rosen Cross, and with her gone Sunset had no further business with Canterlot. The previous day, Sunset had feigned that "her" appearance from the mirror and the late-night attack had soured her desire to study the mirror, and she wanted to return home. 

Sunset trotted out a door to the stairs to the Canterlot gardens and found Celestia and Luna waiting for her, the two engaged in conversation. Behind them, a pair of guard pegasi waited with a chariot. As Sunset came closer to the sisters, Celestia broke off from Luna and approached her. "Twilight, all is ready for your return to Ponyville. I took the liberty of arranging an escort, if you like."

Sunset nodded. "I'll certainly not object."

Celestia continued, "We will keep the mirror here. Though its magic will wane in a few days, I think it best if we keep it where Luna and I can ensure it is under guard. If you would wish to study it again in the future, or simply to pay me another visit, you need only ask, and I shall grant your request as soon as I can."

Sunset smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you, Princess. It would be an honour." She almost gagged on the word. Celestia knelt to hug her, and Sunset forced herself to hug her back. Just two more minutes. She silently chanted the words in her head to keep calm. Every time Celestia acted so affectionate and caring to 'Twilight,' Sunset wanted to pull back and scream at her. Did Twilight actually fall for this nonsense when she was in Canterlot? Fortunately, it didn't last long before Celestia stood up.

"My apologies that your visit came to an end under such unfortunate circumstances," Celestia said.

Sunset shook her head. "It's all right." She was about to say 'it isn't your fault,' but couldn't see herself getting it out with a straight face and held her tongue.

"Twilight Sparkle." Sunset looked past Celestia to see Luna come closer. "Sister, may I have a moment alone with her?" Luna looked at Celestia expectantly. Celestia nodded and turned to walk away. Sunset watched her go up the stairs to the castle, then turned back to Luna. Luna extended a wing over her and walked towards the chariot, guiding Sunset along with her. "Twilight Sparkle, I wish to discuss with you what has become of this 'Sunset Shimmer.'"

Sunset bowed her head. "Of course, Princess." She wasn't sure what else to say until she understood what Luna meant. She knew very little about Luna and had to tread carefully when speaking to her.

"My sister tells me it was your idea to send Sunset Shimmer to live with Magistrate Rosen Cross. I have met Rosen Cross and been told who he is. I see the wisdom in your decision for this. However, do you truly believe Rosen Cross could reform her?"

The two reached the chariot and Sunset turned from it to Luna. "We can hope."

"Indeed. In the future, I would ask permission to meet with you in Ponyville to seek your aid regarding her, if difficulties should arise." Luna looked back at Celestia waiting for her at the top of the stairs. "I would prefer my sister never think of Sunset Shimmer again if she could help it. That said, I'd appreciate it if you agreed to keep future matters concerning her between us when possible. This rogue student has caused my sister enough pain already. If you would help me spare her any more, I would be most grateful."

Sunset smiled. "Agreed, Princess. I'd be happy to help." Oh, you two are both so willing to throw Twilight away, aren't you? Not surprising, all things considered…

Luna nodded. "Celestia has told me about her past with Sunset Shimmer, and you know her better than either of us in her current state. Between the two sides, hopefully we can make the decisions that are best for her. If we can help her find peace, it may aid Celestia as well. Sunset Shimmer's return was hard on her the first time. I fear her state will be slow to improve over the next few days."

Sunset shook her head. "Please tell Celestia not to worry. I'm safe now, and Sunset Shimmer is gone, so she doesn't need to feel guilty about what's happened." Luna gave her an odd look, seeming surprised. Sunset didn't like it and fidgeted slightly. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Not at all." Luna's expression faded, and she bowed her head. "Take care, Princess Twilight."

"And you, Princess Luna." Sunset returned the gesture, confused. Did I just miss something? Is she on to me? No, she couldn't be. I didn't say anything that might be suspicious… did I? She paused… Sunset watched and waited as Luna turned and walked away. If Luna suspected, she wouldn't let her leave. She'd more likely attack, or take her prisoner. I'm being paranoid. I need to be, but… no. I'm fine. Sunset climbed into the chariot and gestured to the guards. "Let's go." The two pegasi saluted and ran forward, wings flapping. Sunset glanced back at Luna and Celestia as the chariot rose into the air. Both of them were watching her fly away.

No, she doesn't suspect me at all. Sunset raised a hoof to wave. But I didn't imagine that… I said something…





I know I'm a prisoner, but they could have at least given me a coat. Twilight shivered in her seat as the chariot pulled higher into the skies over Canterlot. She looked forward, but if the guards pulling her up were cold, they hid it well. Twilight looked away from them over the edge of the chariot, and immediately pulled her head back. Okay, note to self: don't look down. They were so high that Canterlot looked like a model beneath swirls of morning fog. Celestia's barely even raised the sun, and they're trying to fly me into the lower atmosphere

She had awoken that morning to guards at her cell. Half-asleep, Twilight was herded into a chariot and a black anti-magic charm was placed over her neck. Even now she felt it bouncing against her coat in the wind, occasionally whipping up into her mane. The charm had enchantments that prevented her from removing it, forcing her to comply and let the guards take her to meet this 'Rosen Cross' Sunset had mentioned. Hopefully he has a nice hot breakfast waiting for me. 

The pegasi began to move in a more horizontal flight pattern as they reached the top of the waterfall. They flew into the cavern above it, water churning inches beneath their hooves. The cavern was brightly lit, and Twilight looked up to see the ceiling of the cavern had gemstones embedded in it, glowing with magical light. Ahead of them a stone platform stood over the water, connecting to a ledge against the wall. A staircase cut into the stone and wound up into the mountain from the ledge. The pegasi stopped over the platform and the carriage floated down to a rest. Twilight stepped off the chariot behind them.

One of the pegasi turned his head and pointed a hoof at the stairs. "Go." Twilight took a breath and moved past to approach the steps. She glanced behind her to see the guards watching her. She gulped and turned back to the stairs. Twilight slowly raised her hoof and set it down on the first step. She moved up the steps slowly, fear creeping up on her. Sunset Shimmer said that she and Rosen Cross had bad history. What did that mean? Was she being sent off to live under somepony who would hate her? Sunset wouldn't let her be with somepony who would help her, so Twilight had to assume it was likely.

Twilight felt a tingling of magic pass over her as she continued up the stairs, and the air changed, becoming warmer. Someone had set up a boundary field over the area, but as best she could tell, it was benign. The sensation faded, indicating she was past the edge of the barrier now. Around the next loop in the stairs she found a hall carved into the rock, leading to a wooden door. Twilight steeled herself. You can do this. Make the best of things until you find a way to get help. She approached the door and knocked three times.

It took several seconds before the door opened. A unicorn stallion stood beyond the threshold. Pale green eyes glared down at her from behind wire-rim black glasses. "So. As last Sunset Shimmer has deigned to crawl back to me. As I always knew she would." The stallion turned aside. "Come along, then." His voice had a strong sense of authority behind it, and Twilight decided not to test him. She walked through the doorway and turned her head to get a better look at him. The stallion had a light charcoal-grey coat and an amber mane and tail, the former curled at the end. His cutie mark was a white rose blossom on four leaves, the leaves outstretched to form the shape of a cross.

"You're Magistrate Rosen Cross?" Twilight asked, staring at the mark.

The stallion snorted. His horn lit up pale blue and the door shut in an aura of the same light. "You have forgotten me, have you? I cannot say that surprises me. You never did pay any attention to me." Rosen Cross looked Twilight over. "Princess Celestia sent me a letter explaining the situation. Twilight Sparkle believes I could reform you where she and the princess have failed. What do you think?"

Twilight thought. She had to learn more about Rosen Cross. Sunset had told her nothing and she would need to understand him if she was going to enlist his eventual aid. "After all we've been through, I'd say it's worth a try."

"Wrong. As usual." Rosen stepped past her. "I doubt this arrangement is any more bearable for you than I, but I am a civilized pony and will at least feign that I am in like company. Welcome back to my humble abode." Rosen gestured a hoof around the room. Twilight looked around and her eyes widened.

I… I'm home.

The lab laid out before her reminded her of Golden Oak back at Ponyville. Shelves of books lined the walls around a central tables piled with scrolls and journals. Against a wall was a desk with an alchemy station, vials of fluid and mortars of crushed compounds sitting in front of an array of interconnected beakers and tubes. The room was lit by a chandelier holding three light-infused gemstones, the light casting shadows over the room. A hallway to other parts of the home stretched out and turned between two shelves. The walls and floor under her hooves were cold grey stone, but the air was warm.

Twilight blinked as she took in the room around her. "What is it that you study here?"

"Everything." Rosen Cross walked past her and headed down the hall. Twilight came to her senses and followed him. "You will not hear my name in magazines or journals, but I am one of Her Highness' most valued and important magical researchers. One day, I will be gone and this facility passed to the hooves of someone far less talented than I. But the discoveries I make will continue to shape Equestria then and long after."

Twilight looked in another room they had passed. A large table with a more complex alchemy station than the main room sat against the far wall between shelves filled with jars and vials of unknown compounds. Twilight approached the table and looked at an open journal in front of it. "You're studying the effects of powdered mandrake root on polymorphic metaphasing spells?"

The book lit up light blue and snapped shut. Behind Twilight, Rosen watched her from the doorway. "Yes, but do not concern yourself with it. Such research is far beyond your understanding."

Twilight moved to a shelf of ingredients. "Have you considered using a butyrophenone compound to counteract the visual effects?"

"Briefly, but it is not the primary course I am pursuing, given the side effects of—" Rosen Cross stopped and raised an eyebrow. He came a step into the room to look at Twilight, who was looking over the ingredients on the shelf in front of her. "Well, at least you have kept up with your studies. I will consider discussing it with you another time." Rosen stomped a hoof on the floor and waited for Twilight to turn around. When she did, he backed out and continued down the hall. Twilight emerged from the room and followed him. They came to another staircase and he moved swiftly up it to a shorter hallway with three doors branching from it. Rosen stopped in front of the right one.

"You will be staying here." He pushed the door open and tilted his head inside. His horn lit up blue and a beam of magic shot towards the ceiling. A gemstone lit up and illuminated the room as Twilight walked inside. It was a modest bedroom. There was a desk, a dresser, a bed, a small table, and a shelf of books against the wall. And an opening that served as a window. Twilight moved to it and looked out. The window overlooked the waterfall below, a cool breeze coming inside. She looked back at the room and examined it a bit more closely. A thick layer of dust coated everything, and her hoofprints were visible in the floor where she had come in.

"It's a little dirty."

"Yes. I have not stepped hoof in here since you last did."

Twilight looked at a set of scrolls covered in dust. "Me?"

"Do not tell me you do not recognize your own room."

Twilight looked down at her hooves, her orange coat slightly dusty from the floor. In her awe at the facility, she had forgotten about her current state for a moment. She took a breath and turned to Rosen. "Magistrate, there is something I must tell you." Rosen inclined his head. "I'm not the Sunset Shimmer you know. I am Twilight Sparkle. Sunset Shimmer cast a spell that switched our bodies the other night. She's masquerading as me in Canterlot. I need you to alert them immediately before she does something with her new position."

Rosen Cross stared impassively as Twilight finished. He held her gaze for several seconds without a word. Twilight wondered what he was thinking. Then the corner of his mouth twitched ever-so-slightly. "You are still a keen storyteller. That was always your problem, Sunset. You are too preoccupied with the world you want instead of the world you have."

"I'm telling the truth!" Twilight grunted and thought. She had to convince him somehow. "Ask me something Twilight Sparkle would know that Sunset Shimmer wouldn't!"

"That would be quite difficult, seeing as I have never met Twilight Sparkle," Rosen Cross replied. "The young princess did as well as could be expected of her without my influence."

"Then, well, ask… hey!" Twilight scowled as she caught what he said. "What do you mean 'as well as could be expected'?"

"She was a far better princess than you ever could have been!" Rosen glared back. "That is all that matters to me on the subject. Twilight Sparkle is not my concern. You are. Now, there has been enough stalling. This room is your first assignment."

"The room?" Twilight looked back at it.

"Unless you would prefer to live in such filth? Considering to whom I am speaking, it may suit you, but I will not wade through dust and grime every time I enter it if you are to live here again. Clean it promptly. I have more intellectual tasks scheduled for you tomorrow, presuming you have finished by then." Rosen stepped into the hall. "I will prepare lunch and dinner for us at the proper hours. Until then, do not disturb me unless it is an emergency." The door closed and Twilight was left alone in the room. She looked around once more and moved to the door. It took two attempts before she could pull it open with her hooves. She listened and heard noise coming from one of the other doors. She pushed it open.

The room hosted a raised platform on a high wall, the floor once again full of book shelves and scrolls. Star charts hung from nails on shelves and walls. Pieces of tubular metal that Twilight recognized as a telescope came down from the ceiling, the eyepiece hanging above the platform. Rosen was in front of it adjusting dials.

"I can't clean that room!" she called up.

Rosen pushed his glasses up and lowered his head to the telescope's eyepiece as he responded. "And why is that?"

"I still have this!" Twilight put a hoof under her chin to hold up the anti-magic talisman the guards had placed over her head.

Rosen looked down at her and pulled his glasses down. "So you do. I appreciate the reminder." Twilight's eyes widened slightly as an aura of blue magic surrounded her and levitated her into the air. Rosen moved to the edge of the platform as she floated up in front of him. He muttered some words Twilight didn't recognize and fired a beam of blue magic at the talisman. It lit up blue for a moment before fading back to its normal colour. "That will do." Rosen lowered Twilight back to the ground. She smiled and looked at a nearby table. She lowered her head and focused on an inkpot on top of it. To her confusion, it didn't even wobble or glow.

"I still can't use my magic."

"Of course not. Do you really think I trust you with that?" Rosen was back to the telescope already, adjusting the dials as he spoke. "I tied that pendant's presence to the barrier around my home. If you step beyond the stairwell to my door, I will know immediately."

Twilight groaned. "So how am I supposed to clean my room without my magic?"

"Look to your left." Twilight turned as ordered. Sitting in the corner next to a bookshelf was a metal waste bin with a broom and dustpan leaning against the wall behind it.

"Seriously?" Twilight tilted her head and gave Rosen a look of disbelief.

"I would start with the bed if I were you. I imagine you want someplace clean to sleep tonight." Rosen turned to a table beside him and jotted down a note in an open journal. Twilight looked at the cleaning supplies again, then back up at Rosen.

"I told the truth before. I'm Twilight Sparkle."

"A fascinating tale. Write a book of it."

"If you'll just let me send a letter to Celestia, we can clear this up today, and you can go back to not having to put up with me." Twilight saw Rosen stiffen at her words. He slowly turned to glower over the platform at her.

"For your own sake, Sunset Shimmer. When next you speak of the princess, you will remember her proper title. You forfeited the right to use such familiarity with her when you betrayed everything she and I taught you."

Twilight shrank back at Rosen Cross's barely restrained anger. "Please. I just want somepony to listen to me."

Rosen snorted. "Then you came to the wrong pony. Now, be gone from my sight. I will send for you when it is time to eat." Rosen turned away to his journal again. Twilight sighed heavily, hanging her head. After several seconds of standing still, she moved to the waste bin and nudged it away to get to the broom and dustpan.

Sunset was right. She knew the perfect place to get rid of me.





Warm sunlight beamed down on Sunset Shimmer as she flew over the clouds. She had her eyes closed and her head tilted back, a warm breeze blowing out her mane behind her. She inhaled deeply and looked over the side of her chariot at one of the swathes of land visible through a gap in the clouds. So this is what flying is like. She looked back at her wings. No, this wasn't true flying. I'll have to try these out when I get the chance. She considered telling the guards she'd fly home from here, but decided against it. She had no experience using her wings yet and didn't want to try to figure them out this high in the sky.

"Princess Twilight!" Sunset turned her attention to the two guard pegasi pulling her chariot. One of them was looking at her. "We are nearing Ponyville. We'll descend shortly." She nodded. The pair slowly lowered, the fluff of the clouds consuming Sunset. They broke through the bottom, with Ponyville in view on the horizon. Sunset inhaled sharply, her eyes wide. She stared at the crystal tree on the outskirts of the town. Light was gleaming over its surface in a rainbow of hues. She saw the violet star on the banner hanging over the balcony and her jaw dropped.

That… that's Twilight's castle? She really does have everything I always wanted! Sunset closed her mouth and shook her head. No, wrong. That's my castle now. Yes, that's right… I'll have to look into changing the banners. I could pass a sun sigil off as a tribute to Celestia couldn't I? The guards circled around and pulled to a stop over the balcony. Sunset jumped out the moment she felt them touch down and looked at the polished white tile beneath her hooves. She raised her head to look at the massive crystal doors into the castle before her, a golden eight-pointed star on either one. Oh, I am gonna love it here.

"Princess Twilight." Sunset turned to the guards. They bowed to her. "If all is in order, we shall return to Canterlot."

Sunset smiled. "Of course. Fare you well." The guards nodded and took off again to the sky. Sunset waited for them to get a distance away before turning to the doors inside. She seized them in an aura of violet magic and flung them open. A massive hallway decorated with white crystal pillars and purple tapestries and drapes greeted her. Sunset carefully walked inside and shut the doors behind her, listening for any sound coming from the hall. Confident she was alone, she threw her hooves into the air and whooped loudly.

"I'm hooome!" She laughed and galloped down the hall, her face split by a wide grin. "Look out castle, your princess hath arrived!" Her hooves skidded on the floor as she stopped at a random door, throwing it open and looking inside. Glass bottles and vials of magical reagents lined shelving units, mixing bowls and chemistry equipment on the tables. Sunset made a face and crossed to the other side of the hall to push open the opposite door. Shelves of books filled this one, a table in the middle of the room laden with them. She walked down the hall to the next door and looked inside. More shelves with more books.

Sunset slumped. "Is this a castle or a library? I knew Twilight was studious, but this is just… lame!" Sunset looked across the hall at the stairwell spiralling down. She trotted down the stairs and emerged in a larger hallway with a higher ceiling. She looked down either way and gasped, galloping down the hall to a pair of open doors. Sunset reached them and looked around the room beyond.

"Now this is more like it!" She walked up to one of the seven thrones in the centre of the room and hopped in one, leaning back and smiling. A thought occurred to her and she sat back up. Sunset's eyes narrowed as she turned her head to look at the other six thrones around the room. Save for one, which for some reason was smaller than the others including the one on which she now sat, each throne had a symbol on the back. A tri-coloured lightning bolt, a trio of balloons, a trio of blue gemstones. Sunset looked up at the back of the throne she was in to see a trio of red apples. She turned back to the other thrones and spotted one with a six-pointed star on it. A very familiar six-pointed star. No… tell me this is a joke…

Sunset walked to the centre of the room and turned between the thrones. She now realized why there were seven of them. "What kind of princess shares her throne room?" She looked at one with butterflies on it and lowered her head. The throne and her horn lit up in violet magic, and the throne shook slightly. Sunset strained and tilted her head to lift the throne, but the spell wouldn't take proper hold. She groaned and stopped, her magic fading. "Okay, obviously they aren't moving anywhere." She moved to the throne with Twilight's cutie mark on it and sat down to stare at the other six thrones. "I'd peg five of them for the Equestrian equivalents of the five losers on the other side, but…" She leaned over the side to look at the shorter throne that was next to Twilight's. Someone had stacked a pair of pillows on the seat, and on the back they had taped a piece of paper featuring a crudely drawn scroll surrounded by green flames. "Who sits here?"

"Hello?"

A voice echoed in the hallway. Sunset sat up, her eyes wide. Somepony was here? Of course there was somepony here. A castle would need servants and cleaners to care for it. Sunset slapped a hoof over her face. She should have expected a caretaker, especially when she knew Twilight had planned for a three-day absence. Okay, don't panic, you're Twilight now. You just came home early, there's nothing wrong with that. Sunset took a breath and climbed down from the throne. "In here!" She heard steps in the hall outside and waited patiently as they came closer.

A baby dragon poked his head in through the door. "Oh. Hey, Twilight!"

Sunset stared for a moment. The dragon. Duh, forgot about him. What was his name again? Something with a P? No… He was looking at her though. Sunset smiled. "Indeed I am."

"Did something go wrong at Canterlot? You said you'd be gone for days." The dragon came closer as Sunset thought over her response.

"No, everything is fine. I just decided the mirror wasn't worth researching now. There were more important things going on here to take care of." She smiled and waved her hoof around the room. The dragon's eyes shifted from her to the throne beside her. He gasped and ran forward.

"Uh, this was just, uh…" Sunset watched as he grabbed the paper and the two pillows, stumbling back with them. "I was just, you know… trying some redecorating. It's not done yet so forget it even happened." He laughed nervously and hurried out of the room. Sunset moved to the doorway and watched him.

"Spike!" She shouted out the name as she finally remembered it. Spike stopped in the hall and turned her way. "Um… I was going to head to my room." Sunset looked behind her to float her saddlebags up from her back. "Would you mind taking these for me?"

"Sure." Spike turned to her and held his claws out from under the pillows. Sunset set the bags on top of the pillows and waited. Spike turned and began walking down the hall. Sunset followed him, mentally mapping out the castle's floor plan. Spike led her up the stairs back to the second floor and into the book room opposite the stairwell entrance. Sunset came inside after him. The room was larger than she had noticed before. Now she saw a set of stairs against the far wall. A set of stairs that Spike was heading towards.

"That's good enough, Spike. I'll take it from here." Sunset lifted the saddlebags from him and trotted past him.

Spike turned to look out from behind the pillows in his claws. "Okay. I'm gonna take these back to my room. Unless there's something else?"

Sunset glanced back and thought. "I wouldn't mind a snack."

"Sure. What do you want?"

So eager to please. Twilight's got this one on a short leash. Sunset almost rolled her eyes but restrained herself. What would Twilight snack on? … I have no idea. She smiled. "You know what I like. Surprise me."

"No problem, Twi!" Spike turned and walked out of the room, Sunset watching him. When he was gone she climbed to the stairs to Twilight's room. Stopping at the top she looked around and grinned again.

Yes, I am definitely liking this place. The room was round, windows looking out over the land on all sides. A large canopy bed was in the centre of the room, with violet and purple curtains falling over the sides. Gemstones infused with light-producing magic hung from the ceiling, glowing with white light. Against one wall was a desk and a small bookshelf, the former holding several scrolls and a quill and inkpot. The opposite wall had a dresser and a table with assorted trinkets laid over it.

Sunset set her saddlebags on the floor and approached the dresser. Sunset recognized some of the objects on the top as minor magical relics used in schooling young unicorns, likely childhood mementos then. The others looked like junk. A ticket stub from some event or another, a broken quill. The end of the ticket had blackened and shrivelled. Sunset looked down at the drawers to the dresser and pulled one open. A folded-up blue cape lay inside, lumps of melted metal that might have once been bells sewn along the bottom. So, a fire. Wonder what happened.

Sunset opened a smaller drawer and her eyes lit up. "Ah, there we go!" She picked the small spiked crown up and slipped it over her mane. She looked into the mirror over the dresser, turning her head to look herself over. A nudge of the hoof tilted her crown into a more precise position, and she nodded in contentment. Sunset moved on to the other side of the room to inspect the bookcase. There was a large pile of scrolls on the shelves, and the desk had an open book with a scroll unfurled beside it. Sunset picked the book up in her magic.

"I cast the spell to try to go back in time to warn myself, but it turns out that it was my visit to my past self in the first place that made all this happen. So, in summary, I wasted an entire week worrying about nothing because I was so worried about the nothing I made it into something… and then it turned out it was still nothing." Sunset rolled her eyes at the passage. "My presence in the past seems to indicate I became part of a short time loop, since it was my visit to the past that triggered the events that led to my visiting the past. There are so many questions to ask about the nature of time travel, predestination, and paradoxes. I dare not meddle in time's path any more though, because without these answers I could cause great harm to it. Of course, I can't get those answers without trying. I suppose time travel is full of paradoxes in more ways than one."

Sunset put the book back on the desk. "A journal, eh?" She glanced at the scroll next to the book and pulled it forward. The message it contained was much shorter than the journal passage, a sentence or two about learning to not worry about small things and to not be afraid of the future. Sunset flipped the journal back a couple of pages and skimmed their content. More entries about assorted misadventures Twilight had experienced in Ponyville. She went to the first page: a brief note about moving into her new home, Golden Oak library. Sunset grinned. Wow. You just make stealing your life too easy, Twilight. She could speed-read Twilight's history in Ponyville in a few hours with these materials.

Sunset heard movement and looked towards the stairs. Spike emerged at the top carrying a plate with a sandwich on it. "Here you go, Twilight. One daffodil and daisy sandwich." He set the plate down on the desk.

Sunset picked up the sandwich and took a bite. She loved daisies, daffodils were bland but she could tolerate them. If this is Twilight's food of choice, I can live with it. Sunset noticed Spike turn to the desk and come closer. She swallowed her bite of sandwich and held back a glare of annoyance. "Yes?"

"I'm just wondering how the journal is coming." Spike gestured at the book on the desk. "Is this the more important business you came back to take care of?"

"… Yes." Sunset looked at the book again and held it up, turning back to the most recent entry. "I'm up to when I travelled back in time to warn myself about a crisis that never happened."

Spike made a face. "I remember that. Future Spike ended up with a stomach ache for hours."

"Uh-huh…" Sunset thought. I have to get rid of him. I need to get a better look at this stuff, alone. "Spike, can you do me a favour?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Can you clean the library? Those shelves looked awful when I came through."

Spike blinked. "As in, the whole library?"

"Yes." Sunset put a hoof to her chin. That might not take long enough. "And while you're taking the books off the shelves to dust behind them, could you re-alphabetize them?"

"… The whole library?" Spike slumped down, his eyes drooping.

"Yes." Sunset smiled. "I can count on you, right?"

Spike perked up and nodded eagerly. "Of course, Twilight! I'll take care of it immediately!" Spike took off down the stairs so fast Sunset almost didn't see him go. She let out a breath. With a glow of her horn a sound-proofing spell rippled over the top of the stairwell.

"Now that I have some privacy." She sat down and flipped the journal back to the first page. The crown on her mane lit up violet and moved to the desk next to the journal. "Let's see what Twilight Sparkle's been up to around here…"





Twilight turned her head to the door at the sound of heavy knocking. Rosen Cross pushed it open and nodded at her. "How is the cleaning coming?" He asked.

"See for yourself." Twilight gestured a hoof around the room. She had finished most of the work before dinner and had just now finished sweeping the floor. It took some work before she was comfortable manipulating the broom with her hooves, but once she got the hang of it the work went by quickly. The room was spotless, everything that had been left lying around was now in its proper place and every surface was free of dust. Twilight herself was not so clean. Sunset's vivid orange coat looked more like a dull amber with the layer of filth she had accumulated over the day. "Can I have a bath before going to bed?"

Rosen's horn glowed. Twilight felt the wind pick up and spin her around, the room circling around her. It only lasted a few seconds, and when it ended she was dizzy and felt nauseous. Rosen floated a large clump of dirt in his magic and dumped it in the waste bin. "That will suffice for the time. You may bathe tomorrow after lunch." Twilight regained her senses and looked herself over. Her coat was still dirty but the impromptu blow-dry had greatly improved her state.

"Thank you." She looked up and smiled. Rosen didn't return it and looked around the room again. "So is this good enough?" Twilight asked.

Rosen looked back at her. "Did you sweep under the bed?"

Twilight slumped down. "No."

"Behind the furniture?"

"No."

"The top of the high shelves?"

"… No."

"Then you have your assignment for tomorrow morning, don't you? I taught you before, do nothing in half measures if you can do them in full." Rosen looked at the ceiling and fired a bolt of magic at the gem lighting the room. "The luminance spell will deactivate in a few minutes. Ready yourself for bed promptly. We have an early morning tomorrow."

"Right." Twilight sighed as Rosen left the room.

"Good night, Sunset." The words were curt, not even feigning courtesy or politeness.

"I'm still Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight called out to him as the door closed. There was no response. She waited and heard the door on the other side of the hall outside open and close. She groaned in frustration. "That arrogant, stuck-up… ugh!" Twilight grabbed the broom. "Sweep under the bed and the top of the shelves? He's not going to go crawling around on them, what does it matter?" She stuck the broom under the bed and pulled it out. A large pile of dust came out. "Okay, maybe he has a point." Twilight pushed the broom back again and a thump echoed from below.

"Huh?" She stooped down and looked. The shadows under the bed hid the precise cause, but there was an odd bump in the floor. Twilight moved the broom around on top of it and pulled. The bump moved closer to her, pushing out to the floor. Twilight let go of the broom and looked at what she had found. An old book with a red cover lay on the floor, a thick layer of dust on it. She picked it up and opened it to the first page. Formal Equestrian script? I thought the Princess said they only used this for legal documents now. The outdated writing system had fallen out of use centuries ago. Twilight only knew it because Celestia had taught it to her for their royal correspondence when she became her student. She read the page.

"It's my first day here and I just got shown my new room. I'm so excited! The Princess says Rosen Cross will teach me all I need to know about being a good ruler. He seems a little strict, but I can tell he's nice deep down. He says there's a lot to learn before I'm ready, but I know I can do it. I just hope I can go back to the castle and see the Princess now and then. I miss her already. Rosen just came in and said I have to go to bed now. I can't wait to see what he wants me to do tomorrow. – S. S."

Twilight re-read the entry and flipped through a few pages. Every one bore the same signature, 'S. S.' This was hers. Twilight closed the book and looked at the blank cover. Did Rosen Cross know it was here? Probably not, he said he hadn't come in here since Sunset had left him. There might be something in here I can use to convince him to help me. Then, the room was cast into darkness. Twilight looked up and groaned. The gem's light had faded, the only illumination coming from the moon out the window. She looked back at the shadowed form of the book in her hooves and put it on the table. Nothing I can do now. Best to sleep on it and look over it in the morning.

Twilight climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her. The mattress was old and creaky, and it took her a while to get comfortable in the unfamiliar setting. She looked out over the darkened room and sighed.

"Wherever you are, Sunset Shimmer… just don't hurt anypony. Please."





Sunset Shimmer's eyes were wide and her jaw hung open. Her eyes stared at the open journal in front of her, reading the entry there. She had already read it twice to make sure she hadn't misunderstood what Twilight had written. She hadn't. She looked up and stared into space, trying to wrap her head around the idea. "I… she… a Want-it Need-it spell?" She shook her head. "She actually cast a Want-it Need-it spell? On a doll?" Sunset looked back at the journal. "How could Celestia replace me with someone so reckless and irresponsible? We've had international incidents over less!" She groaned and snapped the book shut. The reading of the spell and what it did to Ponyville in barely ten minutes was too much to take, and Sunset didn't have the mental functionality to keep reading.

Sunset stepped away from the journal and moved to one of the windows, yawning. Night had fallen, the moon and stars shining down on Ponyville stretching before the castle. She'd lost track of time reading. The journal not only had records of what Twilight had done, but it seemed to also pick up a few months after her return from the world beyond the mirror and documented what she'd been up to in that time. The scrolls were earlier records that Sunset presumed Twilight was transferring into the journal.

Her stomach growled. Darn. I forgot to eat. She began descending the stairs. She hadn't explored the rest of the castle yet, she'd have to find the kitchens and see if Twilight had a cook on-hoof to aid her. More likely she didn't, or else relied on Spike. Does he really do everything around here for her? The kid must sleep ten hours a day to recover from this workload. As Sunset came around the stairs in the library below, the dragon in question came into view. She stopped and stared. Spike lay asleep on a stack of books, snoring loudly. A feather duster on the floor looked like it had fallen from his claw. One of the bookshelves was bare with its books piled in front of it. In the rest of the room it looked like he had finished about half the work before falling asleep.

He was really cleaning and re-alphabetizing the entire library by himself? Sunset approached him and reached out a hoof to lightly shake him. "Spike." She nudged him again. Spike snorted and opened his eyes.

"Wha…?"

"You fell asleep."

Spike stood up and rubbed his eyes. "Sorry, Twilight. I'm almost done, don't worry."

Sunset watched him pick up the duster and move towards the pile of books. What did Twilight do to him to make him so obedient? She'd given him this task to get rid of him and assumed he'd give up and go do something around the castle. But no, he had actually wasted almost the entire day here. Spike began to dust off a book and Sunset shook her head. "Spike."

"Huh?"

"Go to bed."

Spike turned back to her. "But, I'm not done."

"You can finish tomorrow. You're tired, go to bed."

"You told me you wanted me to –" Spike paused to yawn "– clean the library."

"Well, now I'm telling you to go to bed."

Spike slowly nodded. "Okay… g'nite Twilight." He walked into the hall. Sunset came deeper into the room to watch him approach the stairs. He took them slowly but safely, and eventually vanished from view. Alone, Sunset looked at the feather duster he'd dropped and pointed her horn towards it. An aura of violet magic surrounded it and it floated in the air, shaking back and forth.

"Dust all these books and shelves off." The animated duster moved towards the book pile and set about its task, the come-to-life spell working perfectly. Sunset yawned again and headed to the stairs. Time to wander around and figure out where the kitchen is. Not to mention everything else.