//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Evertown of the Crystal Empire // by smxsonic //------------------------------// “I must say, It is nice to get together with you girls without some crisis bringing us together.” Rarity said.  The Friendship council room was a buzz with lively conversation. The six bearers of The Elements of Harmony plus Starlight Glimmer were at the map table. Having a nice lunch between friends for no real reason. “You talk as if that happens a lot,” Starlight replied, confused. “It happens near every week, believe it or not” Applejack drawled. “You’re joking!” Starlight balked, “There is no way some big crisis happens here every week!” “Well, we might be exaggerating when we say crisis,” Twilight said, while rolling her eyes, “Most of the time, somepony come in to town, acts like a jerk to one of us and we sort it out” “But sometimes it’s something really big!” Pinkie interjected, “And the fate of Equestria itself hangs in the balance!” Starlight sat there in silence, contemplating her recent actions. Her eyes looked forlornly at the table, one of the instruments of her scheme. Twilight noticed this and reached over to give a gentle pat on Starlight’s back. “So, Starlight, how are you liking ponyville so far?” Rainbow Dash asked leaning back on her crystal throne. “It’s….Overwhelming, to be honest,” Starlight said, “ Everypony is so friendly and so good at what they do. I ate food for the first time! Actual food! Nothing like that drek I forced Sugar Belle to make. And-” Starlight fell silent as did the rest of the group. They were all contemplating the same thing. They all welcomed Starlight Glimmer with open arms, but it was hard to get past all of the things she’s done. Twilight said that her transgressions shouldn’t be ignored, rather to show her friendship despite what she’s done.  “I…-” Starlight began but Twilight’s hoof cut her off. “These things take time,” Twilight stated, “But part of friendship is forgiveness, Starlight. Remember, your past is not today.” Suddenly, the table came to life as ring of light expanded to cover the table. The table top exploded into a column of light where the entirety of Equestria rose and covered the table. “Well, there goes that peaceful lunch” Rainbow deadpanned while putting her sandwich down. “It’s not calling me this time,” Fluttershy announced checking her flank. “It ain’t calling me neither,” Applejack said. “It’s just as well, I suppose. The last thing I need is to be dragged somewhere else. I’ve designs to finish and orders to fill.” Rarity said. “Aww, I don’t get to go on this one?” Pinkie whined. “It looks like Twilight’s the only one being called,” Rainbow pointed out. Twilight however ignored her glowing flank, and stared transfixed at the map. “Twilight?” Starlight called out from beside her. “There’s no way!” Twilight gasped. “What is it, Darling?” Rarity asked as she and the others looked at the map. They saw two cutie marks dancing around each other, floating in the general area of the Crystal Empire. One was a six pointed star that obviously belonged to Twilight. The other was a sun, bisected into two halves, one half yellow, the other red. The flames of the sun were colored in the opposite color of the inside of the sun.  “Who’s that?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I thought we were the only ones the map called on.” Fluttershy added. “Unless this means there’s some secret “seventh element of harmony” that we didn’t know about,” Applejack stated. “Well, I don’t know about a seventh element, but I do know there’s a connection. ” Twilight said, her eyes wide with awe. “You know who that cutie mark belongs to?” Rarity exclaimed. “Who is it? Who is it?” Pinkie asked. “It’s Sunset Shimmer,” Twilight said, “The map is actually calling her.” The last bell rang at Canterlot High School, and the students started to pour out of the school. In particular, Twilight Sparkle was exiting the school with Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Rainbow stretched her arms out and sighed. “Ah, there’s nothing like Friday after school,” Rarity nodded, “This weekend is going to do me a world of good, Once I finish some designs, it’s off to the spa with Fluttershy.” “What about you, Twilight? How’re you spending your weekend?” Rainbow asked. “Um, Well, I was going to spend some time with my.... Team mates from Crystal Prep.”  Twilight said, hesitating over the term “team mates”. “Those jerks?” Rainbow exclaimed, “Why would you want to hang out with them?” “Well, um…” Twilight “I must agree with Rainbow, darling, their behavior towards you were absolutely appalling!” Rarity said. “Actually, They invited her.” Sunset’s voice came from behind them. Sunset was just exiting the school with Applejack , Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie in tow. They all stopped at the horse sculpture that both served as a centerpiece for Canterlot high School “Hah, it’s probably a prank, they’ll probably dump horse blood on on her or something” Rainbow concluded. “That’s a bit graphic, Rainbow Dash” Twilight responded. “Not to mention in poor taste,” Sunset added, narrowing her eyes. Rainbow scratched the back of her head in embarrassment, “Heh, sorry, Sunset, no offense” “It’s nice to hear that not relating to my…. “ Sunset coughed, “Episode…” “Back to my… Colleagues … They’re all real nice once you get to know them, except maybe Sour Sweet, but no one really knows why she’s the way she is,” Twilight explained. “Twilight’s right! I know I really want to party with Lemon Zest!” Pinkie said. “I still don’t trust ‘em” Rainbow huffed, crossing her arms. “Well, I’m going with Twilight,” Sunset announced, “I may even get her to say the ‘F’ word” The six other girls looked at Sunset questioningly. “‘Friends’? I want Twilight to think of the Shadowbolts as friends,” “Oh,” The other girls chorused in relief. “I really don’t want to know what you girls-Urk” Sunset doubled over as a yellow aura enveloped her. The transformation went as normal, ear materialized on the top of Sunset’s head and her hair grew in length, tying itself out to simulate a tail. Surprisingly, wings materialized from her back. The transformation was complete, but Sunset was still on the ground, hands holding her head. writhing in pain. “Sunset!” The girls all huddled around Sunset. They helped her up, but they only managed to get her into a sitting position. “Is this normal?” Twilight asked. “It shouldn’t be painful,” Fluttershy said. “It actually kind of feels good when we pony up.” Applejack added. “Like you just exited the sauna after a nice spa day,” Rarity put in. “I-It feels like my brain is on fire!” Sunset shrieked. From behind them, the mirror came alive as Princess Twilight emerged, her hands balled up to simulate hoofs. She looked around and saw her friends huddled around Sunset who was in clear pain. “What happened!?” Princess Twilight asked as she rushed to Sunset. “We’re not sure, We were just talking and she randomly ponied up!” Applejack said. “T-Twilight…” Sunset mewled “My head feels like it’s about to burst!” “Sunset…” Twilight enveloped the other girl in a big hug. The Twilight of the human world felt a small pang of.. something, she wasn’t sure what.   “Remember what Celestia told us when our magic backs up,” Princess Twilight said soothingly, “Clear your mind, and let the magic do what it wants.” Sunset whimpered and nodded, She took a deep breath and and let it out. The golden aura returned. Just from the look on Sunset’s face, it was easy to tell that the pain was subsiding. The aura became less pronounced. Sunset sighed, “Thanks princess, I feel much better now. Although there’s still a bit of a tingle in my head.  Kinda feels like a little kid tugging at me to go somewhere.” “Well, I can Explain that!” Twilight said as she made as regal of a stance as possible, “ Sunset Shimmer, as the Princess of Friendship, I officially summon you to The Rainbow Friendship Castle!” “Rainbow Friendship Castle?” The other Twilight asked. “Other ponies named it, not me.” The Princess said,  as she took Sunset by the arm. “Wait, that didn’t explain anything!” Sunset said as Twilight dragged her over to the mirror. “It’s a bit much to explain here,” Twilight said, turning Sunset around to face the mirror. Sunset looked into mirror, her eyes gave away the uneasiness she felt at the prospect of going home. She held out her hand to touch the mirror, which rippled under her hand. “Sorry I can’t visit you girls longer,” Princess Twilight said, “But this needs to get done. Sunset and I will talk about it when we get back!” Twilight looked to Sunset, who still had her hand on the mirror. Twilight took Sunset by the shoulders and lead her into the mirror.