//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: A Shimmering Ascension to Princess Hood 
// by RoboCheatsyVA TM 
//------------------------------//

  Sunset Shimmer stepped out of a magic mirror which leads to another world; the mirror is kept in the Crystal Empire for safe keeping.  The Unicorn mare was not expecting to be greeted by a worried Princess Luna.  "Sunset Shimmer, do not ask any questions.  Just come with me at once," Luna said.  

Sunset Shimmer did as told and followed Luna into the throne room in the crystal palace.  Cadence and Twilight were there as well.  But where is Celestia?  Sunset wondered. 

"I am most certain you are wondering where Celestia is," Luna said.

Twilight and Cadence exchanged concerned glances.  "What's wrong?" Sunset asked.  

"Are you familiar with the name Nightmare Moon by any chance?" Luna asked.  She didn't want Sunset Shimmer to be uninformed.

Sunset nodded.  "I'd read about her once," she said.  Sunset Shimmer had recently taken up an interest in reading about Equestria's many myths, predictions, and prophecies; after how the Dazzlings had turned out to be the Sirens, Sunset did not want to be clueless about any possible threat. 

"Great.  That simplifies things," Luna said.

"Let's get back to the point though," Sunset said.  "Nightmare Moon has returned?"

"Yes and no," Twilight said.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Sunset exclaimed in confusion.

"You see, there is a new Nightmare Moon except her name is Solar Flare and she wants to bring about blistering heat and an eternal daytime to the world," Luna explained.  

"I know you were the pony who became Nightmare Moon, so are you saying Celestia became Solar Flare?" Sunset asked.

"Unfortunately, yes." Luna bowed her head in sadness.  "I imprisoned her in the moon." 

"Then aren't we safe for a while?" Sunset asked.  

Luna shook her head.

"Unfortunately, since I did not use the Elements of Harmony to banish her she will only be imprisoned for a short amount of time," she said.  

"What that amount of time is, I do not know."  "Oh.  But why can't Twilight just use the magic of friendship?" Sunset asked. 

"This is something we wanted you to handle.  We thought we should let you handle this because Twilight told us about your latest accomplishment: you helped defend the other world from the Sirens, and so we thought you should take this on," Luna explained.  

"But there's still so much I have to learn about friendship!  I have plenty of friends at Canterlot High in addition to this world's Trixie and Lightning Dust, but I don't have six friends who'd represent six Elements!" Sunset said.  

"Is there anyone in the other world who could help you?" Luna said.

"I've got an idea!  It might be a stretch, but if it means saving Equestria - I'll take a risk!" Sunset Shimmer said.

"So I take it you're going back to the other world?" Luna asked.  

"Yes, but it'll be a quick trip assuming all goes well," Sunset said. 

Twilight turned to ask Sunset Shimmer about what she meant by "if all goes well" but she had already gone through the mirror.