//------------------------------// // Entry 28: Face your fears // Story: MLDC: Firestorm Crisis // by Michael_Ravencroft //------------------------------// Sweat rolled down Sunset’s forehead, arms, legs, and body, practically from every pour. Her breathing was steady, but not labored, and her long hair clung to her back, now wet with sweat. Personally, Sunset thought Tree Hugger’s idea of how to fix everything was absurd, but at this point, what options did they really have? So, here she was, in a sweat lodge, in her underwear, sweating out all the “impurities” before they started. Although, she couldn’t complain too much, not with the nice view she had. Across from Sunset was Twilight, it was apparent that this was taking a little bit more of a toll on her than it was on Sunset, but she seemed to hang in there. Her own undergarments clung to her sweat drenched body, almost making everything see through. Sunset had no doubts that she was in the same situation, and was more than happy to allow Twilight a nice view, but right now, the thought of posing and teasing her girlfriend was being drowned out by the hot and stinky mess she was, any extra movement just made this more uncomfortable. “Alright, time’s up, you may both exit,” said Tree Hugger from outside the lodge. “Finally!” Sunset groaned. “At last,” said Twilight in relief. Both girls exited the sweat lodge, luckily it was cool, but not too cold outside that they’d might catch a cold. Tree Hugger awaited them, holding a pitcher of water and some towels. Twilight and Sunset both graciously accepted the towels, and chugged the water from the pitcher, emptying it between them. “Alright, now that you’ve purified your bodies, the amount of negative energy within your auras has gone down a lot. It’ll make this a lot easier, trust me,” said Tree Hugger. “I hope so, otherwise I really need a shower,” said Twilight. “Ditto.” “Alright, follow me inside.” Twilight and Sunset followed Tree Hugger back inside her shanti shack, the tall girl then motioned for them to sit on the cushions she placed in a triangle around the mandala. Both girls assumed a meditative sitting position, figuring that this was what Tree Hugger was going to have them do next. Tree Hugger had rummaged through a trunk, releasing a quick “Ah-ha!” upon stopping. The hippie girl returned to the center of the mandala and produced two crystals, one was  red and round in shape, and about the size of a softball. The second was triangular, yellow in color. “Okay, Sister Sun, Sister Twilight, I shall explain what we will be doing. The best way I’ve figured to align your energies and rid you two of the negative karma that’s blocking you from fully accepting one another and your magic, and that’s by opening each of your chakras.” Twilight looked to Tree Hugger in confusion. “‘Chakras’?” “It’s a kind Indian philosophy. The concept being that there are seven points of energy that follow the length the human spinal cord. Each one deals with a specific trait or feeling of life, and it’s said that opening each one releases positive energy into the body, or something like that,” explained Sunset. “Very good. Yes, we’re going to open each of your chakras. In doing this, we’ll be able to get to the root of each your problems, and if the universe wills it, correct them. Our goal is to open each one, and once we start, we’re in it all the way.” Tree Hugger’s face became serious, making Twilight and Sunset worry a little. “I’m not gonna lie girls, this is going to be intense, rough, and probably tear inducing stuff. Once we start opening them, you’re going to start feeling things that you might’ve been holding back, truths you kept from others, including yourself.” Sunset looked to Twilight, and Twilight to Sunset. This was sounding a little scary, they were already on the edge with how things were, if what Tree Hugger said was true, then this might push them over that edge. Tree Hugger’s expression softened as she glanced to either girl. “But so long as you continue to love each other, as long as you hold onto that, then everything will be alright, totally serene.” Sunset and Twilight gave each other one final look, waiting to see if either of them held any last minute regrets. The serious look in their eyes confirmed that they were ready, nodding to Tree Hugger at the same time. “Okay, Sunset, Twilight, I want you to focus on the red crystal for now. Feel your magical energies flow out and to the crystal, focus on it. This crystal will allow us to tap into the first of the seven, the Root Chakra, it’s name is Muladhara.”   Tree Hugger took in a deep breath, prompting Sunset and Twilight to do the same. The two magical girls focused their energy, letting it flow towards the crystal. It glowed a bright red, making Sunset’s aquamarine aura, and Twilight’s rosy-violet aura visible. “Oooooommmm…Neeeeeiiiiiigggghh…Oooooommmm…Neeeeeiiiiiigggghh…Oooooommmm…Neeeeeiiiiiigggghh…” Tree Hugger chanted. Despite the weird chanting, somehow the mantra was working. The girls closed their eyes, letting them slip into a meditative state of slumber. Even though their eyes were closed, they could still see the red crystal, and one another. Suddenly, both girls felt a surge of energy, like getting struck with a lightning bolt. Twilight and Sunset suddenly found themselves in astral form again, glowing in their respective colors of purple and yellow. A green orb of light appeared before them, even without form, they could sense that this was Tree Hugger. “This chakra’s element is Earth, because it represents our ability to stand firm and resolute. This chakra deals with survival, our ability to stand up for ourselves, and is blocked by our fears. You two must conquer your fears, both of you are strong, but you need to show that you can stand on your own.” Suddenly the orb of red light shot out a dividing wall of light, separating Twilight and Sunset from each other. Twilight panicked as she flew towards the wall, beating at it with her fists. “SUNSET, SUNSET?!!!”  Twilight shouted. “See your fears, Sister Twilight…” Twilight gasped, she had blinked her eyes just once and she suddenly found herself back at her house in Canterlot City. She was no longer just in her undergarments, but was wearing her blue blouse, with her violet skirt. She didn’t understand, they were just in Whitetail Woods. “How did I get back here?” Twilight looked about, it was definitely her room. She quickly made her way out the bedroom door and headed downstairs, but when she arrived, she gasped in horror. Her mother and father were lying dead on the floor, both having been shot execution style in the head. Twilight bounded down each step landing on the bottom step hard and kept on running to the bodies of her parents. “MOM, DAD, NO!!!”  Twilight cried. “WHO DID THIS, I’LL KILL YOU, WHOEVER YOU ARE!!!” “Then you don’t need to look far.” Twilight did an about face, ready to transform and crush the infidel who dared to slay her beloved mother and father. But all her fury died when she saw the assailant, and saw herself. This other her was dressed in a black, form fitting suit. Her hair was done up in a spiky style, and strapped to her thighs were a pair of handguns. Ammo packs, a combat knife, and a little wrist mounted terminal computer, it all made this version of Twilight look like a secret agent assassin. “What…Who…?” “Don’t you see, you’re nothing but a weapon created by the Organization. All your genius and skills, all of it was just to make you into a perfect killer,” said Assassin Twilight. “NO! I’m not just a weapon! I’m a person!” Assassin Twilight scoffed. “Please, you don’t know anything about what they did to you. For all you know, you have commands implanted in your mind. Hypnotic suggestions set to activate to center stimuli. You’re a walking sleeper agent, a danger to everyone, and now that the Organization knows you’re alive, you might as accept the reality that someday soon, they’ll trigger whatever’s in that little naive mind of yours and then…” The scene shifted, and Twilight was no longer in her house, but this time at Sweet Apple Acres. “Why…Twilight…?” The purple girl turned around, hearing the familiar voice of her friend, Applejack. Her eyes went wide when she saw that Applejack’s house was on fire. Suddenly, orchard was ablaze, every apple tree, burning to ashes around them. Even Applejack's home and her family barn was not spared. Applejack held in her arms the body of her beloved little sister, Apple Bloom. Twilight’s eyes grew wide and began watering with tears. “A-Applejack…!” Twilight moved closer and reached out towards Applejack, but paused when she saw a gun in her right hand. “W-What is this?!” “Why did you do this, Twi?! My whole family…my home…how could ya take everythin’ away from me?!” Applejack cried out. Twilight looked down at herself, seeing the same combat attire her other-self had one on was now on her. “I…I didn’t…I couldn’t!” “‘You couldn’t’? That’s a complete load!” Twilight turned around and saw her assassin-self standing before Rainbow Dash. Twilight looked at herself, seeing that the combat gear was gone. The Assassin Twilight had her boot against Rainbow’s throat, and a pistol aimed at her head. “DON’T, STOP!!!” Twilight shouted. Assassin Twilight pressed her boot harder against Rainbow’s throat, making the sports girl release strained breathing and gacking sounds. Rainbow reached up to Assassin Twilight, with this pleading, betrayed look on her face as if asking for mercy. Assassin Twilight leaned down and looked at the tomboy and grinned sinisterly. “You wanted me, right Rainbow? Does this feel good? Maybe if you beg I’ll give you something good to look at before I blow your brains out.” Twilight ran as fast as she could towards Assassin Twilight and cocked back her fist in preparation to punch her other-self. But the moment she made contact, Twilight passed through them as if they were made of air. She stumbled for a few steps before stopping. Twilight stiffened when she heard the sound of a gunshot. “Looks like she didn’t beg hard enough.” “NOOOOO!!!” Sunset blinked, she looked around and saw that she was back in Canterlot City, or what was left of it. The city was in ruins, the sky turned blood red by some unknown phenomenon, and the quiet roar of distant flames drifted upon the winds. Sunset began breathing heavily, a part of her frightened at the sight of the city in such a state, but she had to keep her cool, it was just some mind game, she just had to keep telling herself that. Sunset decided to walk, heading down the familiar road, towards the place she had practically called home for the past couple of years, Canterlot High. The school was definitely different, there were sentries placed at it, some of the boys of the school. One them she recognized as Flash Sentry, the other Big Mac. Both were donned in armor, and hefting automatic rifles and on their waists, swords. Sunset walked up to the rocker, cautiously, standing just a couple of feet from him, just enough to give her fighting room if need be. “Flash…?” Sunset called out. “I-It’s me, Sunset Shimmer.” No response. Sunset turned her head towards the eldest Apple sibling. “Big Macintosh, you recognize me right? Sunset? Hello!” Again, no response. “What is with you two?! I’m standing right in front of you, why are you acting like a couple of Royal…Guards…” Sunset took a moment to examine their armor, noticing that the emblem upon their breastplates was that of her own cutie mark. The former bad girl took a few steps back, shaking her head in disbelief of what she was seeing before her, her eyes locked with Flashes, and she gasped. Flash Sentry, as well as Big Mac’s eyes, were blank, with a faint ethereal glow to them. This was mind control magic. “No but this…this is the plan I had originally…” Sunset ran passed the two guards, either they did see her and paid her no mind, or if she was just a ghost to them was not really known, but she didn’t care, Sunset had to see the inside. Sunset had ran through the gate, seeing the Wondercolt Statue still present in the center of the quad, the front of the school appeared to have been blasted off and then remodeled into a wide doorway. With a little fear in her heart, Sunset pressed on. She continued to walk through the halls, which had been adorned with pictures, memorializing her dark triumph. When Sunset reached the auditorium, she went pale. Sitting atop a throne made of obsidian, was Hel, but her body seemed different. Her skin wasn’t made of plasma, there was no Firestorm insignia marks, and she seemed younger. But that wasn’t the worst part, neither was the fact that Hel was wearing the Element of Magic crown, no, what made her even sicker was what was around her. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were strung up by their wrists, their clothes in tatters, splotches of blood here and there, and looking half dead. Around their necks were plaques that read “The price of resistance is PAIN.” At the bottom of the stage where Rarity and Fluttershy, both adorned in some sort of skimpy slave girl outfits. Rarity had this completely blissed out, dazed look in her eyes, and Fluttershy’s looked as if she were anywhere but here. Both of them had plaques around their necks, Rarity’s said “Serve and obey, and receive pleasure”, and Fluttershy’s read “The perfect slave, quiet and attractive”. “Like what I’ve done with the place? It’s everything I could’ve hoped for, well, if I were living in a dystopian novel, but you take what you can get.” Sunset glared daggers at Hel and balled her fists in anger. “Damn you Hel! I knew you were sick and twisted, but I never thought --!” “‘Hel’? Oh right, that imitation me. Funny story, I’m actually you.” The demoness interrupted. “W-What?!” “I’m you, no Firestorm anything or that Sparkle bitch, just me, my magic, and the Element of Magic! I am the true you, or really the true us, Sunset!” Sunset shook her head in disbelief, this wasn’t what she wanted, how could this be? “I don’t…The Element of Magic should’ve just given me power, not turned me into…into…a monster!” Demon Sunset chuckled haughtily and rose from her throne, her bat-like wings flapped and made her hover over to where Sunset was standing. The demoness landed softly onto the floor, looking down on her former self with piercing aquamarine eyes. “Yeah, turns out the Element of Magic does give you power, but it also amplifies the feelings you have when you wear it. So pride, jealousy, and aggression turn into greed, envy, and wrath! I have conquered this world, and Equestria!” Demon Sunset proclaimed. “NO! CELESTIA, THE OTHER ELEMENTS, THEY WOULD’VE STOPPED YOU!” Sunset shouted. “Not if I had some help, turns out an alliance with the Sirens was more beneficial than I thought, they control Equestria, and I get to rule over this world. Sucking up its mana, making slaves of these pathetic humans, and torturing those who seem to rather die than serve me willingly.” Sunset ran her hands through her hair, grunting frustratingly as she heard all this. This was the outcome of her ambitions, the pain she would cause, the mayhem that would ensue. “Besides, this world is not without its perks.” Demon Sunset snapped her clawed fingers, suddenly two pillars of turquoise fire shot up from either side of her. “Where else can I have both the mare who was my mentor, and the bitch who replaced me, in the same place.” The pillars fizzled out, revealing Celestia and Twilight. Both had the hypnotic gleam in their eyes, a collar around their necks, and sultry smiles. Celestia was wearing a skimpy white slave girl outfit, with cloth that barely covered her bust and a long skirt that only covered the front and back. Twilight was wearing the same thing, except hers was a darker violet. Demon Sunset hooked her long arms around the waists of both her captives, bringing them close to her. Sunset watched with utter sickness how both her mentor and her girlfriend were now clinging onto her demon-self without a care. “This is everything we ever wanted. We’re now the absolute rulers, nopony and no one is above us! Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight are just as much slutty mare slaves to the Sirens, my gift to them, while I get to have these two. This is what we want Sunset, and if you start now, there’s time to make all this come true,” the Demon offered. “NEVER!!! All of this…This is not what I wanted, I’m not a monster!” Sunset insisted. “You are, every time you belittled, every time you threw a punch, every time you contemplated ravaging this little smartass until she screamed your name in defeat and bliss,” Demon Sunset pulled at Twilight’s hair, yanking her head back and making her yelp in pain, “all of that was the true you!” Sunset fell onto her rear, she couldn’t take all this, her heart and mind were tearing themselves apart. Demon Sunset looked upon her former self with pity. “Oh, looks like you need a little taste of what conquest can bring. Ladies, show Sunset how good you can make her feel.” “Yes Mistress,” said Celestia. “Of course, Mistress,” replied Twilight. Sunset snapped to her senses, watching as Celestia and Twilight slowly made their way towards her. She couldn’t take this, she couldn’t see this anymore. Sunset bolted for the auditorium doors, kicking them open and running as far away as she could from this nightmare. “Run, run, little former me, but you can’t escape what you really are…!”   Twilight felt as if her heart was about die, she had witnessed so many atrocities by her hands. Even seen her Assassin-self kill people in droves with her magical powers and Firestorm powers combined. Now, now she stood helplessly atop Canterlot High’s roof, watching as Assassin Twilight held the last person left whom she loved by the throat, over the edge of the roof. Assassin Twilight was glowing with rosy-violet light, a cold look in her eyes as she stared into Sunset’s eyes. Sunset was desperately trying to free herself, although, she seemed conflicted in trying any harder, seeing as how freedom would result in a three story fall straight to the ground. “T-Twilight…Please…whatever they’ve done to you…snap out of it…! Y-You’re more than what they made you to be…!” Sunset pleaded. “That is where you are wrong, do you honestly believe I could have feelings for such a blackhearted witch like you?!” “I do have feelings for her…and she’s not blackhearted…” “I-I’m sorry…Twilight, I was sorry for all of it! I…I thought you…you loved me…I loved you!” Assassin Twilight brought Sunset closer to where the tips of her toes were touching the roof, she then leaned forward and kissed Sunset on the lips. Twilight gritted her teeth and turned away, watching her killer-self make out with the girl she loved made her want to retch. Assassin Twilight felt Sunset's struggle lessen, and eventually, she gave into the kiss. Both pulled away, with Assassin Twilight loosening her grip a little, allowing Sunset’s eyes to fill with hope. “T-Twilight…?” “Sunset…” *Schlick!* *Gasp* Sunset looked down and saw a knife had been thrust into her heart, a magical aura had surrounded the weapon, making its entry flawless and soundless. “……you’re so naive, must be that pony part of you. Do you honestly think, if I had such feelings, that I’d fall in love with someone who’s not even human?” Sunset made a strained, coughing sound as the knife dug further into her. Assassin Twilight released her grip, and removed the knife with a flick of her wrist, allowing Sunset’s body to fall backwards off the edge. “No…” It was like watching everything in slow motion, each moment Sunset’s body fell a little more. “No…” Assassin Twilight turned around and slowly began making her way towards her. “This is all we will ever be, another weapon, and this power…” Assassin Twilight’s body began to glow with magical power, raging like a tempest. “No…!” Suddenly, Twilight’s body began to glow as well, becoming as intense and as powerful as Assassin Twilight’s aura. But it seemed tamer and focused than the assassin’s. Suddenly, Twilight vanished from Assassin Twilight’s sight, she quickly turned around and saw her other self, holding Sunset in her arms, floating just a few inches off the ground. “I can’t deny what I feel. Yes, I know that I might be a weapon, in fact, I’ve suspected subconscious programming for a long time. But…” Twilight’s rosy aura flowed into the wound on Sunset’s heart, closing it. “I will not, nor will I ever, be an instrument of this world’s destruction!” Assassin Twilight gave her other self a steely glare. “How can you be sure? You’re nothing but a danger to all who are around you, in the end, you will be the death of them all.” Twilight shook her head. “You’re wrong…I made the mistake of thinking that it’s all on me, that I could protect them from all the evil that created me, and would no doubt hunt me down. But now, I’ve realized that I can’t continue trying! I can’t keep the truth from them, but I can do my best to be a shield to defend them!” Assassin Twilight fired a beam of rosy magical energy, but Twilight threw up a shield in the form of a six-pointed star which blocked the beam, making it wash over her like a stone in the river. The assassin ceased her attack and continued to glare at her. “And if you become that which will kill them, what then?” “I’ll just have to believe,” said Twilight. “Believe in what?!” Twilight looked to Sunset, seeing her face regain its color as she groaned with life. She then smiled and looked at her Assassin-self with confidence. “In friendship…and in love!” Assassin Twilight shook her head and turned her back to Twilight. “You’re unbearably naive…but,” Assassin Twilight glanced over her shoulder and gave a small grin, “stranger things have happened.” Suddenly, Twilight heard something like the chiming of a bell, and felt a surge of power flow from deep within her. “Well done Sister Twilight, well done.” Sunset ran through the streets, ending up at the center of Canterlot City, where the damage was just as extensive. She had fallen to her knees, out of breath, and shaking in despair and sadness at what her actions wrought. Demon Sunset appeared, along with her two concubines, Celestia and Twilight. An army of mind controlled citizens had surrounded Sunset from every street, cutting off any and all exits. Demon Sunset flew overhead, smiling wickedly at her weak self. “Just stop running, and embrace what we really are! A monster, yes, but a monster with power!” Celestia knelt down beside Sunset, cupping her cheek and leading her to look at the older woman. “It’s really not so bad, Sunset, you do treat us very well.” Twilight took her left side and cupped the other cheek, bringing Sunset’s eyes to her girlfriend. “It’s true, I’ve never felt so loved, and so free. You’ve become a great lover, and one that I would never betray, we both feel that way.” “Just give in, Sunset. “Just give in, my love.” Demon Sunset began to descend, she then wrapped her arms around Sunset’s neck and cooed into her ear. “Just let me in…and we will take this world for ourselves…!” Sunset’s eyes were watering, she couldn’t believe how sickeningly sweet their words were, like honey from the purest source was being poured into her ears. She could feel it, her primal urges, her thirst for power, the need to make these two women hers along with the whole world. ‘You’re past does not define who you are…’ Something clicked in Sunset, something freeing that drowned out all the pain and sadness. “Power…was all I desired…” “What are you doing…?” “But all that grew inside me…Was the darkness I acquired…!” Sunset’s body began to flicker with golden flames, Demon Sunset backed away, feeling the flames prick at her skin like burning needles. “When I began to fall…And I lost the path ahead…” The flames grew bigger and bigger, surrounding herself, Twilight, and Celestia. Their eyes lost the glimmer of the mind control magic, bringing them back to their senses. “That’s when your friendship guided me, and it lifted me instead~!” Sunset rose to her feet and turned to face her demon-self, which was now giving an unearthly growl of anger. “Like the phoenix burning bright, in the sky! I’ll show there’s another side of me You can’t deny!” Demon Sunset brought up both her hands, summoning turquoise flames until they were the size of a cannon ball. She  thrust both arms forward, firing a bellowing inferno that threatened to engulf her former self, along with Celestia and Twilight. Sunset slapped both hands together and spread her arms out in a wide arc. The golden flames morphed into the shape of her cutie mark, just in time for the turquoise flames to crash into it. “I may not know what the future holds But hear me when I say!” The golden flames became more intense, making the shield expand to twice the size of the turquoise inferno. “That my past does not define me! ‘Cause my past is not today!” Sunset waved her right hand in front of her, causing the shield to fire back at the turquoise inferno, causing the flames to cancel each other out. Demon Sunset roared out in hate as she took to the skies. “Think about what you’re doing?! Are you really going to give up everything?! All that planning, all that time and patience, and you’re just going to give it up f-for what?! Friendship?! Love?!” Sunset’s gaze turned downcast for a moment, but then Twilight appeared next to her, placing her hand on Sunset’s right shoulder and flashing her a confident, adorable smile. And to her left was Celestia, smiling proudly at her…daughter? Foster child? In this world, this Celestia had acted as just as much a mother to Sunset as her real one. The golden flames returned, wrapping around Twilight and Celestia, adorning them in their regular attire, rather than the degrading outfits her demon self forced them into. “Ambition, is what I believed, would be the only way To set me free…” “GRRRRR, ENOUGH!!!” Demon Sunset charged for Sunset, baring her razor sharp claws for the kill. “But when it disappeared…” Sunset took a few steps forward. “And I found myself alone…” Suddenly, six golden pillars of fire appeared behind Celestia and Twilight. The pillars dispersed, revealing Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Luna. “That’s when you came and got me…! And it felt like I was home~!” Sunset balled her right fist, now blazing with golden fire. She then dashed for her demon-self and struck her in the face. A concussive shockwave rang out as Demon Sunset was propelled into a building. Demon Sunset quickly pulled herself free and saw that her former self was now hovering above her in the air, looking down on her with both pity and defiance. “Like a phoenix burning bright in the sky! I’ll show there’s another side to me You can’t deny~!” Demon Sunset watched as Sunset rose higher and higher into the air. The sky changed from its red hue to night, but that was not to last. The sun crested upon the horizon, chasing away the darkness of the night. Demon Sunset blazed with black and turquoise flames as she flew towards Sunset, roaring an unholy roar, full of malice and murder. “I may not know what the future holds But hear me when I say!” The flames swirled around Sunset, but they quickly took form. “That my past does not define me ‘Cause my past is not today~!!!” The flames took the form of two golden feathered wings, along with a flaming tail. Sunset’s body was glowing with a bright aura as her red and yellow locks flowed in the ethereal winds that was her power. At that moment the sun fully rose and bathed the sky in morning hues, intensifying the radiant light that emanated from Sunset Shimmer. Demon Sunset’s flames were overpowered, leaving her bare before the radiant light of Sunset’s awakening. With a flick of her right hand, Sunset released a beam of golden light that struck Demon Sunset, hurling her into the street below. The dark influence on the citizens was released, many looking to the sky, watching the radiant fire angel descending down to the Earth. Sunset landed with a soft pat of her boots against the pavement. She carefully walked over to the crater where her demon-self was thrown and looked down at what was left. It was herself, clothed in the same attire she received upon entering the human world, only now she was beaten and dirtied. Sunset knelt down at the edge of the crater, hearing the soft sobbing of her dark side. Alter Sunset looked up and saw the flaming angel that was now her stronger, turning away from her gaze. “Don’t look at me!” Alter Sunset spat. “Why not?” “Because…I’m nothing now…I was nothing before…I won’t go back to that! I’ve worked too hard to not get everything that I deserved!” Sunset felt her heart ache, this was her fear, the true embodiment of where her ambition and pride originated from. “We did work hard, we got everything we hoped to achieve…and yet, it wasn’t enough, was it?” Alter Sunset rubbed her face, trying to wipe away the tears, but they wouldn’t stop. “No…I wanted others to recognize my power, my abilities! Princess Celestia did that…she acknowledged my raw power and talent…and yet…” “I understand…” Sunset floated down into the crater, now kneeling before her Altar as she continued to refuse eye contact. “Princess Celestia knew about this, she saw this part me. The part that was still a scared little filly, who was afraid of losing everything she gained for her family, but in so doing, I became prideful and greedy, wanting more praise and more power, to ensure nothing and no one could take away what I had thought I earned, I even tried to take more of Princess Celestia’s acknowledgement…” “She gave us a chance…I just wanted to make her proud,” said Altar Sunset. “I think she’d be proud now.” “That human version doesn’t count!” Altar Sunset shot back. “I don’t know, this Celestia’s nice, and if she still believed in the goodness in me, then, why not the Princess?” Sunset speculated. Altar Sunset sniffled. “Maybe…” Sunset offered her hand to Altar Sunset. “We don’t have to be afraid anymore, we have friends now.” Both looked up and saw Rainbow, AJ, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy standing at the edge of the crater. Celestia and Luna came up next, both arm in arm and smiling down at the Sunsets. And finally, Twilight, kneeling down at the edge of the crater and giving both girls a loving smile. “And not to mention a hot, nerdy girlfriend. So what do you say?” Altar Sunset hesitantly extended her right hand towards Sunset’s, with a final push she placed her hand in the others. Altar Sunset transformed into particles of aquamarine light, flowing up Sunset’s arm and into her body. “Congratulations, Sister Sun.”   Tree Hugger brought both her hands into a prayer position and they glowed with green light. The four petaled ruby gem ceased its glow, releasing the auras of both Sunset and Twilight. Both girls released a content sigh, and opened their eyes. When they did, they were surprised to see that the other had tear streaks on their faces. “Were…Were we crying?” Sunset asked. Tree Hugger nodded. “Do not be embarrassed, or discouraged. It’s not always easy to face what we fear, which is why this chakra is the first on the path to the others, and why it’s the Root Chakra. It gives us stability, a grounding point. The fact that you both have opened this chakra means you do have what it takes to get through this. Namaste.” Tree Hugger bowed to them. Sunset and Twilight turned to Tree Hugger and bowed back. “Namaste.” Tree Hugger rose to her feet and made the ruby float to her hand. “Well, Sisters, I think that’s a righteous start on our journey.” Twilight stood, on shaky legs, but Sunset hurried to her side and helped steady her. The purple girl smiled at her girlfriend, and addressed Tree Hugger. “I think we can keep going…wouldn’t it be better to continue?” Tree Hugger eyed both girls and then shook her head. “I don’t like to stifle your ‘can-do’ attitude, but after going through all that, your bodies are drained, mentally and physically. ‘Sides, you need some time for the chakra’s energy to flow through your body and get acclimated. Plus, the next one’s going to be a little…intense…” Sunset raised an eyebrow at that. “What do you mean, ‘intense’?” “Heh, heh…that’d be telling. Anyway, just hit the hay for now.” Twilight and Sunset wanted to continue with the openings, but at this point they were starting to feel the toll that the ordeal took on them. In the end they decided to sleep, with Sunset helping Twilight out the door. Tree Hugger had used her magic to construct another living space for them, a shanti shack of their own. Sunset helped Twilight lie down on her mat, and then rolled onto hers. Twilight and Sunset were lying on their backs, staring up at the ceiling as their minds went over everything they went through. “Sunset?” “Yeah, Sparky?” “Did you see some things…?” Sunset clenched her hand around the blanket. “Horrible…things. And you?” Twilight mimicked her action. “Terrible things…” “Guess we both have demons, in my case…literally…” “Want to talk about it?” Twilight asked. Sunset turned to Twilight, seeing that she had turned to face her as well. “Only if you want to, I don’t want to make you have to relive it.” Twilight’s smile was faint, but it was there. “I actually feel like talking to you about it, Sunny. My fears…if you want to.” The  Equestrian smiled and extended her arm towards Twilight, placing her hand over Twilight’s left. “Only if you don’t mind hearing my sad sack story…” “I’m all ears.”