//------------------------------// // The Cutie Re-mark part 1 // Story: The Little Pony Legend: A Kingdom of Friendship // by MaggiesHeartLove //------------------------------// *(~)* Romans 8:24-30~ "For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." *(~)* Previously on The Little Pony Legend…. ……………. "No…This is impossible. You're dead!" "A haunting mistake, has risen again. Lies and deceit within her rein." "Welcome! I'm so pleased to have you here." "The only way to be happy is if we're all equal!" "You lied to us!" "She's getting away!" "Wha--What did you do to me?! My magic?!" "You won't be able to cast your dark spell on any pony anymore." "It's not like it matters, I'm always the odd guy out." "No you're not, Bolin. You're an important part of Team Avatar!" "Let's just say things aren't running as smoothly as they did before." "Whatever it is you can count on me to help you." "Actually, I also came looking for him." "Bolin?" …………………….. The Cutie Re-mark part 1 Nine years earlier… The boy ran and ran as fast as he could, nearly catching his breath with every pant. He's been running for so long his speed was beginning to wear out. Finally, he could go on no more and he tripped and fell on the snow. He heard laugher from behind him but was too frightened to look up. "What's the matter, Teo?" one of the voices said, belonging to a boy, no more than five years old, with stan skin, gray colored eyes and messy dark brown hair wearing the traditional parka and snow boots. He along with his companions laughed at the boy's misfortunes. "Why don't you get up and fight, hu?" "Yeah! Or are you gonna go crying home to mommy?" the second boy laughed while kicking the boy with his foot. The young lad didn't know how to defend himself, and he certainly wasn't looking for a fight. "Hey! Leave him alone you bully!!" The three boys spun around and jolted their heads in laughter at the sight of a four-year-old girl in a parka, pouting her lips in anger making her more adorable than intimidating. "Ha! Or else what, little girl?" the boy laughed until he suddenly lost the feeling in his legs, his back now colliding with the ground. The girl, no bigger than he was, managed to punch him down with such ease it was like she had the strength of a wild ostrich-horse. She rushed over to the defenseless boy and helped him stand up. "You okay, Teo?" "Yeah. Thanks, Korra." One of the bullies helped his companion back up, and the two scorned at the girl, clenching their fists in furry. "You're gonna regret that!" "What will your mom's say about you hitting a girl?" she taunted, making her friend release a chuckle. "You pushed me first!" "Because you messed with my friend! And you mess with my friend, you mess with me!" The young girl stomped her foot hard on the snow covered ground. All of a sudden, the three boys felt the ground shake beneath them and two rocks emerged from the ground, sending them flying a few feet in the air before landing onto the snow. The girl had no die what she had just done, all she was thinking about was to help her friend, and then this happened. The bullies ran off in terror, away rom the child. "Korra, what did you just do?" Teo asked, astonished by his friend's new ability. "I--I don't know. I think I just…earthbended!" "But, I thought you could only waterbed." "So did I…" (~) Years passed, and the young girl was now a young woman, pushing near nineteen-years-old, only now she was no longer simply known as Avatar Korra…she was now Princess Avatar Korra. And the happy little filly from before was now a full grown alicorn princess. The two had formed a bond so strong nothing could break it. The fully grown princess human alicorn was brushing her long locks of dark brown hair, which consisted of pale white blue, dark blue and aquamarine streaks streaming down across her hair like a river. Unlike normal hair, it was magical, which didn't get tangled on anything or in the way when she was in battle. She was never one to care about her looks and she didn't, but she did enjoy brushing her hair the same way she enjoyed brushing the manes of her pony friends. It was kind of corny and girly, but it was their thing so it really didn't matter. Sadly, today she wasn't feeling so happy. After her conversation with Kuvira the other night she had grown concerned about what was to come next. She glanced over at the picture frames that hung in her bedroom wall. Each on a treasured memory from her past. One in particular caught her attention. It was more so a newspaper article placed beautifully into a frame. The edges were cut to only reveal an image of three teenagers, raising their fists up in the air in victory, their helmets on but their smiles visible for all to see. It was her and the boys' old pro-bending team, The Fire Ferrets. She remembered it like it was yesterday. The roaring of the crowd, the exhilarating feeling of competition and the group hugs they shared after every win. My how time flew by so quickly. She wasn't the same teenager with a ponytail she saw in the picture. She had become so much more after that, and so have the boys. Oh, those boys. They've been through so much together. Living on the streets after the death of their parents, and now they were fully grown wonderful men. She wondered how they would take the news. More like, she feared how they would take it. Especially, the raven haired heiress who had won the earthbender's heart. (~) Mako slept soundly, his trio of spirit children slept soundly on his chest, which rose up and down with every breath. Their peaceful slumber was disturbed when the door of the room literally flew open, awakening him, the kids and the pegasus pony Flash Sentry in a jolt. "Rise and shine!" Bolin exclaimed with a broody smile, "Breakfast is ready!" he swooped off back to the kitchen, leaving the boys to groan at Bolin's excitable welcome. "He sure seems happy." Flash said. "I know." Mako said, wiggling a finger in his ear to get the hearing back. "Probably something to do with Asami or another one of his crazy ideas." "Probably." Flash then took a whiff of something in the air, "Wait…is that chocolate chip pancakes with the blueberry syrup I smell?" "Dibs!" like a bolt of lightning, Mako flung the blanket off of him and he and the kids hurried out the door, leaving Flash in the dust. "Dude! Not cool!" Flash flapped his wings, not bothering to morph into his anthro form and flew out the door, bypassing Mako and sitting on the table, sticking his tongue out and his tail wagging like a dog. His blue eyes widened when Bolin placed a plate of hot steaming chocolate chip pancakes with the blueberry syrup. The pony just dove right in and ate the food, not caring to use his utensils, which he could if he just morphed, but he was too indulged in the sweet sugary goodness to care. Bolin even had smaller stacks for the kids, which they literally swarm around it like flies and ate the batch in seconds. Mako's mouth was practically watering when he saw the delicious meal set up. "Dig in, big bro!" Bolin whistled happily as he placed a fresh batch on the plate for his brother to eat. Unlike the pony he ate with a knife and fork. Mako took a mouthful, hummed at the deliciousness and swallowed before speaking. "We haven't had chocolate chip pancakes in a while." said the firebender, "And you seem happier than usual." Flash wiped his mouth with his hoof and swallowed before speaking, "Yeah. And, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to sweeten us up for something." "Am I that obvious?" Bolin asked, not bothering to hide his obvious smile. "Always." "Okay, okay, you caught me. I wanted to make something special because I have an announcement to make!" "You proposed to Asami?!" the two boys exclaimed with surprise. "No! That's one question that has yet to be popped." "Then what is it?" Mako asked. "Let's just say, if I were a pony, my flank would be sporting a brand new Cutie Mark right about now!" Bolin said with a smile, while tapping the side of his lower torso for emphasis. The two boys shared the same skeptical glances. "Say what now?" Bolin sat down with the boys in order to further explain. "You see, after the Helping Hooves Charity thing, I realized I like helping people out. I like organizing things and being a part of something bigger than me, you know. So, what I'm trying to say is, I think I'm ready to find a job!" "Bolin, that's fantastic!" Mako said happily, and the two brothers stood up to hug one another from across the table, and Flash joining in. "I'm so proud of you!" "Thanks! I already told Asami the news. You should have seen how happy she was!" "So, what will you be working on?" Flash asked. "I don't know yet." "Did you find anything?" Mako asked. "Kind of." The firebender and pegasus looked at one another, rather skeptically, before looking back at Bolin. "Bo, do you even have a career in mind?" "Nothing specific at the moment, but I'm thinking a charity drive, or maybe as an assistant at Future Industries, just something that can be important to somebody or something else. All I know is that, after so long of trying to find my calling, I think I finally did. I want to help people, that's all there is to it." "Well, it may not be a concrete plan, but it's a start." Mako continuously smiled. His brother really was coming into his own. His smile faded when he noticed a certain pony about to take a bite out of his pancake. "Don't even think about it, Sentry." Flash lowered his ears in annoyance. It wasn't his fault that chocolate chip pancakes were his weakness. The door opened up and Rainbow Dash came walking into the room. "Hey, guys! Korra sent me over to--oh hey, are those chocolate chip pancakes? Sweet!" she took one flapjack from Mako's pile, rolled it up and ate it, much to the firebender's protest, which he never got to say due to the anthro pegasus eating one of his cakes. "Anyway, the girls needs us at Air Temple Island. Kuvira's got this announcement to make and we all need to be there." "Is everything okay?" Bolin asked with concern. "Don't know. But Kuvira looked pretty serious." Mako wiped his mouth and hands with a dish rang and stood up first. "Tell Korra we'll be there soon." "You got it." Rainbow saluted and prepared to leave but quickly turned around one more time, "Oh, and Mako…really, little crowns?" The firebender looked down to what she was pointing at, which where his boxer shorts with little crowns on them. Bolin and Flash bursted out laughing, never would they imagine anybody seeing Mako's little crown shorts. Mako himself blushed in embarrassment. "My grandma bought me these! And they're more masculine than they look!" "Whatever helps you sleep at night, dude!" Rainbow said in between her laughs and Mako stormed off to get dressed. (~) Korra drank her tea while sitting around the table of Air Temple Island with all of her friends, including Tenzin and his family. The airbenders needed to be aware of this as well, since it would require their assistance at some point or another. After all, they made a vow to help bring peace to the world, a promise they made to Princess Korra, who risked her life for all of them. They owed her that much. The metalbender Kuvira sipped the last of her tea before getting to business. "Thank you all for coming." she said. "Is everything alright, darling?" Rarity asked with concern. "Things in the Earth Kingdom okay?" Applejack asked. "Is there a creature from Equestria causing trouble?" Fluttershy asked. "Did something happen to the queen?" Twilight asked, more with worry than anything else, "Are the Red Lotus back again?" "Did a giant cake monster cover all the cakes in the world in cake?!" Pinkie Pie asked, right before stuffing a couple of cupcakes into her mouth, mirroring what her human counterpart did once in the mirror world before the Friendship Games. "The queen is fine, and no disturbances from Equestria so far." Kuvira responded. "But indeed there is trouble abjuring and that's why I came here. When Queen Hou-Ting recruited me to be her second in command I made it my mission to stabilize and unify the Earth Kingdom. For many months now, me and the Queen's most trusted elite did just that and Varrick's inventions have greatly accelerated our efforts in uniting the states." her head hung in dismay as she amped up the courage to address the rest of the issue, "But I'm afraid it hasn't been easy." Korra placed her hand over her friend's in comfort. "I know." she said, having seen first hand what the woman went through. "I know you've done everything in your power to help us, Korra, and words can't express my gratitude. But even with the Queen doing all that she can to fix the decades of mistakes she and her royal family have done, reaching out to the people has been a challenge. Many state leaders are hesitant to trust the queen again, and in doing so their homes are continuously overrun with bandits. They're nearly bankrupted but they are still too stubborn to listen to reason. We have all the resources but so far we don't have enough…how can I place this, folks who can connect with the people. And that's why I wanted you to attend this meeting, Bolin." Upon hearing this, the earthbender immediately spitted out his drink, having Rarity to quickly catch the liquid with her waterbending and place it back into his glass. "Me!? Why me?!" "Good question." said Rainbow Dash, equally shocked. "Why him?" "During the Canterlot Pony Summit I saw the way you rallied all of those delegates to fix the broken statue. And I heard about you organizing the Helping Hooves charity event just recently. Not to mention your known deeds in helping stop the Equalist revolution, and the Red Lotus, as well as having close ties with the royal alicorns of Equestria. Varrick even commented there was no better man who could rally an entire group of people the way you do." Bolin honestly felt rather bashful when she mentioned all of these things and scratched the back of his neck, smiling shyly. "Well, yeah I guess, but I was just helping out my friends." he said humbly. "Anybody would have done the same thing." "True, but you're one of the few I've seen who have the courage and the will to do so. We need more men like you, Bolin. So, what I'm trying to ask is if you would be interested in working with me and the Queen in uniting the Earth Kingdom for good." For a moment, the room went into silence, minus Pinkie Pie, who's jaw literally dropped upon hearing this news. But the one who was most dumbfounded was Bolin himself. He never would have imagined that Kuvira, the Earth Queen's right hand woman, master metalbender and military strategist, was asking him of all people to join her and the Earth Queen. He could not believe it. "You…want me to work for you?" "No. I want you to work with me. With us." "Uh…wow, I just…wow." the young earthbender really didn't know what to say. This was truly an honor, somebody as important as Kuvira asking him to work with her and her cause to help the Earth Kingdom. He did just say he had realized his calling was to help people, and here was a golden opportunity. But there was one downside. "But, won't that mean I'd have to leave Republic City?" he asked, making his girlfriend look at him with shock and worry. She couldn't imagine her life without him in it. They may have been together for only several months now, but it still felt too early for her. Noticing the couple's uneasiness, Korra stepped in. "Bolin, this is only an offer, it's not an obligation." "But, Korra--" Kuvira attempted to protest, only to be silenced when Korra nodded her head. The metalbender respectively kept silent. "I understand the situation, Kuvira, but it's still Bolin's choice. I agree, he is a great candidate but his entire life is here too." "I understand." Kuvira said with a sigh, "I'm just concerned about the situation back home. Since I know we can't keep you away from your royal duties here and in Equestria, I thought who better to help us befriend the people than to have one of her best friends assisting in our mission?" "Aren't there any other guys you could ask?" Bolin asked. "Interesting you brought that that. I'll be hosting a seminar tomorrow at noon in hopes of gathering more people to join us." "Well, there ya go! Problem solved." Spike said, leaning back against his seat while placing his hands behind his head. "Not quite." Kuvira pointed out, "I'll be spreading the word but, like Korra said, it's up to the public to decide. I know it's a lot to ask for, but we're talking decades of abuse and neglect we need to fix. Even with the alicorn's help, it won't matter if the state leaders don't give the Queen a second chance." she turned to face the earthbender once more, "I hope you at least think about it. The Earth Kingdom could really use you. You'll be making a real difference and helping a lot of people." Bolin slightly shifted his gaze to the side, thinking about what she said. The key words: Helping People, stuck with him. Asami knew the look in his eyes. He was thinking, and not just thinking about what one liners to say, but actual deep thinking. She knew about his revelation of helping people in need, and she was proud of that. But, would this newfound passion lead him away from her? Speaking as a girl who had to let go of one too many people in her life, the very idea was too painful to even think about. Mako was equally startled by this. In reality, he didn't know what to feel. Pride. Sadness. Confusion. He honestly didn't know. It was one of those scenarios where something happened also too quickly for one to even process what he should be feeling if not at all. Kuvira stood up and bowed to the guests in gratitude. "Thank you all for your hospitality." with that, the metalbender walked out of the room, with Korra following closely. The two women walked outside of the temple, where the princess spoke to her friend about the situation. "You sure there isn't anything else I can do?" Korra asked, "Just because I have other responsibilities doesn't mean--" "It's not that I don't think you aren't capable, Korra. I know you are. You've helped me in more ways than I can count, but like you said even magic can't solve all problems. As easy as it would be for you to magically zap bandits away I know it's not something you would do. You've always been such an inspiration to me during my travels and a great motivation. You believed in me when no one else did, I just want to live up to your example in the best way I know how." Korra smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're doing a great job, Kuvira. And I'll be more than happy to help you organize the seminar." "Thanks, Korra." "What are friends for?" Back inside the eating area, The girls and airbenders remained silent, unsure on what to say. They have all come to know and love Bolin. He was one of the best friends they have ever had, the airbender kids adored him, the Mane Six loved him like a brother, and he made Asami happier than she had ever been. Spike broke the silence, in hopes of easing down the situation, "Sooooooo…..who want's cake?" "Me!" Pinkie Pie said, right at the very moment she came out of the kitchen, rolling a table with a large chocolate cake. But it appeared not everybody was eager to eat just yet. Pinkie shrugged before devouring the sweet pastry. "You're not really thinking about leaving, are you Boly?" Rarity asked. Bolin simply scoffed, "No way, Rare-Rare! Like I would leave the greatest city in the world or the greatest friends in the world!" "Good, cause we'd miss you like crazy." Meelo said, hugging the older boy, right before Ikki hugged his neck. He also gripped Asami's hand, reassuring her that there was nothing to worry about. However, they both knew at the back of their heads that wasn't entirely true. But one person felt just as conflicted as the Sato heiress did. And that was Mako. (~) Latter that same day, Bolin just couldn't shake the offer Kuvira gave him out of his mind. He thought maybe a walk in the park would clear things up for him, but they just didn't. "This is crazy, Pabu." he said, speaking to the fire ferret beside him on a bench. "I mean, how can I possibly leave Republic City?" he looked up to see his girlfriend sit beside him, offering him a smoothie she had recently purchased. "Everything okay?" she asked. "Yeah, I'm fine." "You don't look fine. You've been quiet ever since we left the island." "Well…okay, yeah. I just can't get that job offer out of my head." This immediately caused a wave of concern to sweep over Asami. "Remember when I told you I realized what I wanted to do with my life?" he said, earning a nod from his girlfriend, "Well, I told the guys earlier this morning, and then only five minutes latter BAM Kuvira comes over with this job offer, but if I take it that means I'll have to leave, and how can I do that? I've got everything here! My friends, my family, you. What more could I want?" "So, you're not even considering it?" "No way! Besides, when I said I wanted to help people who said I can't do that here? This is Republic City, home to all kinds of people, ponies and spirits. Who knows who I can help. Besides, if I did take the job we'd have to travel on a train, be gone for who knows how long, traveling from city to city, village to village, with broken homes, and no electricity, or even satomobiles to take them places." as he addressed these issues, his smile faded, "With all sorts of bandits stealing their food and money and personal items. And the Earth Queen working day and night to fix things up with every single one of her citizens in literally the biggest nation of our world, which even with Korra and the alicorn's helping it would take years and years to fix and need almost an army of people helping out and they'll probably loose their homes just like my family lost theirs and--oh, my gosh!" Bolin immediately stood up, having an epiphany, "I get it now! I don't want anybody to go through what my family did back in Ba Sing Se! Kuvira and Korra have done everything they can but it's not enough! How can I just sit by and let that happen?" Bolin stopped once he realized what he just said and turned to face his girlfriend, who's eyes were widened in surprise, and even a bit of sadness. Bolin slowly calmed down and faced her. "Asami, I'm sorry I--I don't know what came over me." "It's okay. I understand. I'm proud that you want to take a stand like this. I've never seen you so passionate about something before." "But…if I say 'yes' then, what about you? What about my friends? Is helping Kuvira worth leaving all of you?" Asami's mouth hung open for a few seconds, unsure on what else to say next. "I don't know." she finally worded out. "Do you want me to go?" "Of course I don't!" "Then I won't go!" "But what about your calling?" "What about you?" "I don't know!" Asami slowly backed away, "I don't know." Bolin approached his girlfriend, gently lifting her chin up for her to face him. "Asami, just say the word and I won't go. I may like helping people but I care about you too. I don't want to leave you." "But--" "I won't make a decision unless you do first." Asami was at a loss for words. Bolin was sacrificing his desire to go out there and help those people in the Earth Kingdom so she could be happy. She was both touched and confused. She wanted him to stay, there was no denying that, but to cost him this chance…she didn't know if it was right. This was one of the main reasons Bolin tried so hard to dismiss even the possibility that he wanted to take this chance, because he didn't want to loose Asami. It had taken them so long to get together, he didn't want to leave her now. Asami had lost a lot of people in her life. She lost her mother to death, her father to revenge, and now she could possibly loose her boyfriend to, ironically, a good cause. She didn't know what to say. She needed to clear her head. "I'm sorry…I have to go." shielding her teary face from his view, Asami ran off, leaving Bolin alone with Pabu. She couldn't make a choice now, and Bolin didn't know what choice for him to make. Was this an opportunity or a test? That was the question on both of their minds. (~) Mako leaned against the window of his and Bolin's room when Flash walked in. "Ready to talk about it?" "About what?" Mako asked, not taking his eyes off of the city sight before him. "You know. About Bolin and the offer from Kuvira." "What makes you think that's bothering me?" "You've been quiet ever since we came back from the island. I know you're the silent type, Mako, but not this silent. We both know Bolin won't take this offer without some serious thought, so what's really bugging you?" Mako finally turned to face him, "You don't really think he'll take the job, do you?" "I don't really know. I mean, I know he won't want to leave all of us, but he was pretty dead serious about wanting to start making a life for himself." "I know…so, why do I feel so upset?" the firebender said, looking down in confusion. "Mako, it's okay to feel upset. You and Bolin have been through a lot together, and you've both come so far since then. I know you're proud of him." "It's just…when he said that he could be leaving if he accepts, it…I don't know, it felt like a load of bricks hit me in the head. He's growing up, which means he'll go off on his own, make his own life, career, everything….things won't be the same anymore." "Things never stay the same for long, Mako. But just because something changes doesn't mean it's gone for good." "I know. That doesn't make it any easier though." Bolin walked along the streets, his mind shrouded in questions. Should he stay or go? If he stayed would he be missing this opportunity to help others in need? If he leaves, will he be risking his one and only true love? And what of his friends and family? Is leaving them worth it? Would they encourage him to go, or to stay. He wanted to go and see what he could do, but he didn't want to leave anybody. What way should he go? (Parody of "More that's out there") Bolin: I've walked down all these streets before I've been in and out of every store Whoa There isn't a name or face I don't know I've been called a lot of things A pro-bender and mover star As fun as they were, they both had to go To find there's more that's out there I had to shed my old skin Could there be more that's out there? A new adventure to begin Asami drove down the road, thinking about what she said to Bolin. She didn't know what to do. Deep down, she always knew Bolin wanted to find his calling. He stroked out with pro-bending and being a mover star, and now when he finally discovered he wanted to do something simply for the greater good she was proud. She just wish this chance didn't take him away. Asami: The days have come and gone so fast Each day was brighter than the last Whoa We're not the same kids that we were before This could be his new start Even if it tears us apart Is this how it feels like To not know what's in store? Mako himself began reminiscing the past. His years with his brother and how far he had come. He was both happy and sad at the exact same time. He didn't know if he was being childish for feeling this way or not. He didn't want to keep his brother from what he needed to do, but the idea of him possibly leaving was still a sad thought. He looked at one of the photos from their pro-bending days Mako: As long as I remember You've been with me through it all Through all the highs and the lows Catch each other when we fall Can't believe how fast you've grown Could this finally be the day You face the world on your own? Bolin: Could there be more that's out there? Maybe folks that need my help Will I find what is out there If I go see it for myself? There's only so much this place can offer And I'm not saying that's it's wrong But do I choose the more that's out there Or the place where I belong? Asami: So many times I've said goodbye Please, just this once, can't I hold on? Mako: There's something out there Calling his name But the real mystery Is if I'll be ready Bolin: And I know there's more that's out there Another world to explore Asami: But I know there's more that's out there Mako and Asami: Will I take the leap once more? Mako, Bolin, Asami: A new chapter's opened up for me But am I ready to move on? I just know there's more that's out there And it's calling out my name And now I'm searching for the answers Cause I fear I've lost my way If he (I) choose what's really out there Will I go face that day! How will I face that day? The three teens sighed sadly, equally confused, sad and uncertain on what to do next. How will they face the moment when a choice needed to be made. It wouldn't affect just one person, but all of them. (~) "If somepony had told me when I was a blank flank that one day I'd give a speech to a class at Celestia's School of Magic, I wouldn't have believed it, but…" Twilight briefly stopped and levitated several of her flash cards before finding the one she was looking for. "I hope that I've been up to the task, because I can tell that all of you are, and that the future of Equestrian magic is in good hooves." A very small clapping sound was heard, curtesy of Spike the dragon. Twilight, Spike, Korra and Flash Sentry were at the School of Magic auditorium, which was empty for the time being, in Canterlot. Twilight was practicing giving a speech to the students, but for some reason she couldn't make the speech without going through the flash cards even once. Spike slowly ceased his clapping from the bleachers from which he sat. "Wow, heheh. That was even better than the first eleven times." the dragon cleared his throat and smiled encouragingly, though he was really just trying to hide the fact he was lying. Flash knew he was, as did Korra, who both sat beside him on the bleachers. Twilight groaned as she stepped away from her podium, "Mmh, I don't know, Spike. I'd like to be able to get through the whole speech without looking at the cards!" "Still thinking about Bolin?" Korra asked, a question she already knew the answer to. "It's been a week already and he still hasn't decided. I haven't heard anything from Asami or Mako about it." "It's not an easy topic for them to talk about." said the Avatar, "But if I know those two, they'll talk about it when they're ready." Twilight nodded in agreement. Mako and Asami always were the ones who had the most trouble exploring their feelings. They have both come a long way since then, but that didn't mean they didn't need help every now and again. "Shouldn't you be practicing for the speech too, Korra?" Flash asked. The Avatar blushed as she took her place beside Twilight on the stage, "I guess I'm still a little nervous." "Why?" Spike asked, arching an eyebrow in curiosity, "You can't be nervous about giving a speech to a bunch of magic students!" "Well, I've never given a speech to students before. Let alone magic pony students. It's an honor, really, but it's still pretty overwhelming." Twilight flew up and nudged her elbow playfully, "Come on! You've faced worse crowds before." Korra chuckled lightly as she scratched the back of her head. "Yeah. I just can't believe it's come to this. About two years ago I was student just like them." "Time really has flown by, hasn't it?" "Yeah. It has." Korra cleared her throat before speaking once more, "So, back to the speech!" "Why don't you start off this time?" Korra complied and stood in front of the podium, imagining herself speaking to the other students. She still couldn't believe she was standing here, about to give a lecture about magic to aspiring young ponies. She wasn't a student anymore, she knew that, but still the reality of how far she had come was still pretty amazing. And best of all, she was sharing it with the pony who, without her, she wouldn't even be standing here. She cleared her throat and practiced her part of the speech, making Spike sigh in boredom. "When Princess Celestia asked us to speak to you today, I was honored, to have the opportunity to talk about my favorite subject: magic." (~) Mako ran as fast as he could, bypassing various ponies as he made his way into the stadium, where Korra and Twilight would give their speech. He was running late but thankfully he came in the nick of time. He managed to walk by the various seated ponies, listening attentively to the speech, without disturbing anypony, and took his seat beside Asami, Bolin, Spike and Flash Sentry, along with Moon Dancer, who was taking notes. "You're late." Flash said in a hushed tone. "Sorry, traffic." "Guys, shush!" Asami silenced the two boys so they could listen to the speech. Ever since their conversation a week ago, and after Kuvira's seminar, Bolin was still wrestling with his decision about the job offer. He also wanted to know Asami's choice to let him leave or stay, but Asami was feeling enough pressure as it was. Mako still had yet to talk about the situation, mainly because he thought about how it would make him look. After all this time he was now finally unwilling to let his little brother go. Mako, the independent and cool under fire police cop was incisive in letting his younger brother leave home. He felt like an overprotective mother, and it embarrassed him to speak about it. He could talk about it fine with Korra, but he wasn't worried about how she would view him if he said how he felt. He was worried about what Bolin would think if he found out. "Obviously the long term effects of the simultaneous acquisition of cutie marks has yet to be determined, but…! Ahem, next slide, please." In the middle of her speech, Twilight cleared her throat to get Spike's attention. The little dragon was in charge of the projector which was used to view the slides…and he was fast asleep. Bolin gently tapped him so he would wake up and he immediately began changing the slides. One of which depicted him lounging on a beach before changing to one of Team Avatar after Twilight received her castle. At first it was upside down before Spike adjusted it. "I can speak from my own experience that the power of cutie mark magic is very real, and in the instance of my friends and I, it can be traced to a single event!" Twilight explained, and the slide changed to depict each and every one of her friends on the very same day they received their cutie marks, thanks to the infamous Sonic Rainboom. "Without Rainbow Dash's race to defend Fluttershy's honor, this rainboom wouldn't have happened. Fluttershy might never have discovered her love of animals. Applejack might never have realized that she belonged on her farm. And Pinkie Pie might never have decided to leave hers. It must be hard to imagine Rarity without her sense of fabulousness. But it's even harder to fathom what my life would be like. Without this rainboom, I might not have gotten into magic school. Celestia wouldn't have taken me on as her pupil or sent me to Ponyville to meet my friends." She nodded her head, allowing Korra to continue her speech next. "The most powerful thing about Cutie Mark Magic that we found is the connection we share with them. A bond so powerful it could transcend even dimensions." the slide changed to depict Korra as a young child bending the first three elements she knew how at the time. "Even before I became an alicorn, I was shrouded with dreams of a far off place, filled with wondrous creatures and endless possibilities. I didn't know it at the time, but even in my own dreams I could see the Sonic Rainboom. I could hear the roar it created, I could even feel myself shaking as if I was actually there. The Cutie Mark bond between my friends even reached to me in my dreams." The slide changed to show an image of the first Team Avatar, mainly them in their grown-up years. There was a younger Lord Zuko, Chief Sokka, Toph Beifong in her police officer uniform, master Katara and her husband Avatar Aang. The image also shifted to the side to show an image of Tenzin, Lin, Kya, Bumi, Korra, Mako, Bolin, Asami and the rest of the Mane Six all together. Old Team Avatar side by side with the New Team Avatar. "One of my past lives, Avatar Roku, once said; "Some friendships are so powerful, they can transcend even lifetimes." In fact, if not for Friendship, half of our history wouldn't even exist today." The slide changed once more to show the image of the stain glass window of the first Harmonic Convergence. The image depicted the first Avatar Wan and the two first alicorns; White and Leilani. "The simple friendship between a humble man, a light spirit and two outcast ponies was the very thing that defeated the dark spirit Vaatu and brought peace to our worlds. Even after the portals were separated, the bond these friends shared was stronger than even the distance between them." The slide changed to showcase a picture of the Tree of Harmony, which was created by Raava's light, and the Elements of Harmony on it branches, a symbol of Wan's spirit. "The Tree of Harmony and the Elements of Harmony are evidence of that and their friendship is still growing strong after so many centuries. Girls, come on up." The Mane Six all galloped onto the stage, with Twilight joining beside them. Korra stood beside the podium, placing her hands together and closing her eyes for a short moment before opening them once more. They glowed a pure bright white, as did her wings, which spread open for all to see, sending shimmering beams of light which wowed the audience. Once by one, the Mane Six opened their eyes to reveal the same matching glowing eyes and their respected Elements manifested onto their chests, glowing brightly and send rainbow colors all around them. It was a truly dazzling display unlike anything they had ever seen. Once the glowing stopped, Korra and the Mane Six reverted back to normal, the lights diminishing and one pony raised her hoof to ask a question. "Princess Korra! May I ask, if the portals were separated before Harmonic Convergence then how were you and your friends able to transport yourselves from Equestria to your world?" "I'm glad you asked." Korra levitated her satchel and pulled out a familiar book that had been in safe keeping with the princesses for quite some time now. "This book, which was stored away in the Tree of Harmony, is what teleported my friends to Republic City and used it to travel to each other's worlds before the Equestrian portal was created. But this book is more than just a means to travel between dimensions. Its pages contain the prophesies foretold by Queen Leilani herself as well as the entire history of her journey with Avatar Wan, White and Raava ten thousand years ago. Before the Great Change, this book alone held the hidden history of our worlds." As the speech carried on, Mako's eyes briefly shifted to the side and caught a glimpse of something backstage. He immediately checked again, seeing a mysterious cloaked figure hiding in the shadows. He squinted his eyes noticing some purple hairs with what appeared to be aquamarine in color. Her coat, though shadowed by the darkness surrounding her, was in undeniable shade of light grayish purple. The color scheme looked so familiar to him, he knew he had seen this mare before. The hood over her face made it hard for him to see her more clearly. The hood was slightly lifted up and he caught a glimpse of her eyes. He gasped. "Mako? You okay?" Flash Sentry asked, getting the firebender's attention. When he looked back the mysterious pony was gone. Mako shook his head and squinted his eyes. Maybe he was just seeing things…but then why would a pony want to listen to a speech backstage and not with the audience like the rest of them. "But, the real question about Cutie Mark Magic is who it seems to affect." Twilight Sparkle's voice was enough to divert Mako's attention from what he saw. But still, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was very off. (~) "Starlight Glimmer?" Flash asked his police officer companion once the group left Canterlot and were on their way to Twilight's castle and Mako had yet to get the image of the mysterious pony out of his mind. "I know it sounds crazy, but she looked a lot like her." "She was wearing a hood, Mako." Asami said, "How could you possibly know if it was Starlight?" "For a split second I saw her eyes. They were just as insane as hers." "But like you said, it was a split second." Flash mentioned, "You're probably worried over nothing." "I don't know." said Twilight, recalling the last time they encountered the crazy power hungry unicorn. "We haven't heard much about her in so long. If it was her I'm worried what she could be up to." "Nothing good, I bet." Spike said, narrowing his eyes, "I heard she wasn't very happy the last time you saw her." "Forcing everypony in her village to have the same cutie mark wasn't right. We had to do something!" Korra suddenly stopped on her tracks. "Wait!" she call out, making everybody else stop along with her. "During the Helping Hooves Music festival I had this weird vision in my head. Only it went by so fast I couldn't pinpoint what it was. I think I saw Starlight somewhere in there." "So Mako could be right?" Bolin asked, his eyes widening in fear, "If Starlight Glimmer is back that means she'll be coming back for revenge!" Bolin quickly stopped himself once he noticed the poor ponies Twilight and Flash shaking at the very idea of having their cutie marks removed once more. It was just as terrifying as when Korra had her bending taken away from Amon. Even she herself was shaking at the idea. She may have been able to handle it the last time but the second time she wasn't so sure if she wanted to go through that again. "Uh, or she was just really interested in your speech!" "Honestly, Bolin. I'm not really sure what I saw." Mako said as he tried to calm Korra down by patting her on the back, which brought her back to her senses. "Thanks. But as long as we have each other, I know everything will be all right." Twilight managed to calm herself down as well. "You're right, Korra. You know what I could go for right now? One of P'Li's delicious steam buns!" "Now you're talking!" Spike said, jumping for joy, "I'm starving!" The group laughed as they headed towards Twilight's castle. Spike placed the luggage down. "I'll be right with you guys." said Korra, "I need to go get a book I borrowed from Jinora last week." she quickly spread her wings to fly to the library so they could hurry and travel to Air Temple Island, which they could because both Twilight and Korra's palaces were connected and both served as a private portal for them to travel through worlds. "So, Bolin. Have you told Kuvira you're not taking the job?" Spike asked his earthbender companion. "What?" "I mean, you haven't spoken to her about it so does that mean you're staying?" Bolin cringed nervously at the question. "Well…you see, Spike it's a little more complicated than that." Bolin decided to break the whole thing up and just led the boys to the front fours of the throne room. "You know what, why don't we talk about it over steam bums, hu?" "At least it's better than talking about Starlight Glimmer coming back with an evil plot for revenge." Flash said with a short laugh once the doors opened. Twilight giggled, "Well, when you say it like that, it does sound kinda silly." she said…right before Flash's eyes widened in horror. "Or it's totally true!" The group gasped in horror when they noticed that somepony was sitting on Flutterhy's throne with her back legs lifted up onto the table and her front hooves against the back of her head. She wore an arrogant smirk on her face, the same purple eyes, gary light purple coat and purple mane with aquamarine streaks have not changed, except she wore a long blue cloak around her neck. The crazy unicorn known as Starlight Glimmer had returned. "Welcome home, Twilight!" The group could not believe their eyes. "I told you!" Mako exclaimed at the others, "I knew it was her!" "So what do you want, a medal?" Asami exclaimed in annoyance for now wasn't the time for gloating. Twilight was the first to react, spreading open her wings, flaring her nostrils and stomping her hoof as a sign of authority. "What are you doing here, Starlight?" The cocky unicorn laughed, "I'd tell you, but I don't want to ruin the surprise!" her horn glowed its aquamarine color, stronger than ever before and levitated what appeared to be some kind of scroll into the air. The paper itself began to glow before shooting a beam of light towards the rounded table which in effect revealed the three dimensional map of Equestria. "What are you doing crazy lady?!" Flash asked, standing protectively beside his girlfriend while the others readied to attack her. She may only be a pony but she was a powerful one. "Patience, handsome. You're all about to find out." she levitated the scroll and crumpled it before tossing aside to the floor. "Won't be needing that any more." As the now crumpled up piece of paper rolled over to the ground the map suddenly reacted. The friends could feel a powerful wind surrounding them, making their cloths and hair bellow against it. Flash and Twilight held one another while Spike held onto Mako's leg and bright rings began to emerged from the map itself. Twilight attempted to shoot at it with her magic but the beams only deflected her attempts. This was unlike any magic she had ever witnessed. The beams merged together from above and a large round opening suddenly tore open with what appeared to be a transparent dome over it surrounded by what looked to be clocks with stars instead of the traditional short and long hands. Starlight's eyes gleamed with ambition and they could hear the sound of clocks ticking as the clocks around the orb moved to showcase various different times. Bright bolts of lightning began shooting from the inside. Starlight's body began to glow, becoming surrounded by her aquamarine colored magical aura. She smiled wickedly at her foes, gave them a taunting salute before pushing her body forward and entered the vortex, which magically closed and disappeared right before their very eyes. The winds ceased and everything seemed to look the same as before but Starlight Glimmer was nowhere in sight. "Where'd she go?" Spike asked, looking up to where the unicorn had disappeared to. "I don't know, Spike," Twilight said, scanning the map, trying to figure out why Starlight had used the map the way she did. "I'll go get Korra!" Mako said but before he could, the door opened and Korra came in, looking exhausted, tired and week. "M…Mako…" the princess dropped the book she was holding before passing out. Mako quickly caught her and held her close, trying wake her up, but she would not respond. "Korra. Korra, wake up! Korra!" he quickly checked her pulse, she was fine but she was in a deep sleep. The poor firebender was only seconds away from a panic attack. He shot an angry glare at the others. "What did she do?!" "I don't know!" Twilight exclaimed, feeling just as terrified as her companion. "I guess we could start with this!" Bolin said, picking up the crumpled up scroll Starlight had just thrown away. "Bolin, no! Don't touch that!" The moment his fingers made contact with the scroll, the spears around the map emerged once more and the vortex Starlight had just escaped to opened once more. Suddenly, the scroll unraveled and the powerful winds began to pull Bolin and the scroll upwards to the vortex. He tried to fight it but it was no use. Asami quickly grabbed hold of his hand but she too was being sucked in. Mako, reluctantly, placed Korra onto the floor and quickly grabbed Asami by her jacket. Spike grabbed onto Mako's long jacket and Flash grabbed onto the dragon's tail and finally, Twilight grabbed hold of her boyfriend's wing. But even with all of them working together the winds were still stronger than all of them combined and one by one, they were sucked into the vortex, screaming in terror and Mako reaching out to grab hold of his unconscious love, but somehow she was not sucked into the vortex like the rest of them. She just laid there, helpless to fight. Whatever spell Starlight had cast must have affected her, it always happened when it came to powerful magic. "Korra! NO!!!" The firebender screamed at the top of his lungs as he and the others were sucked into the vortex right before it closed, leaving the weakened Korra behind. (~) The group held onto one another as tightly as they could. Bolin held Asami close and she in return held onto Spike. Mako quickly grabbed Flash and Twilight, shielding them form whatever impact they would face once they reached the end of this crazy ride. The vortex as colored aquamarine and it felt like they were being launched from a cannon with how fast they were going. Before their eyes they could see what appeared to be an hourglass within a spear and phased right through it, which suddenly made their bodies glow and sparkle for some reason. Before long they could see an opening at the very end of the spectrum. They saw daylight, blue skies and flurry clouds. Only, they looked kind of different than before. The vortex finally opened and the group fell from the portal, which closed in mid air. The team was falling down from the sky at high speed. Thinking fast, Twilight and Flash spread open their wings and the princess used her magic to levitate her human companions and Flash saved Spike by getting the dragon to land on his back. "Got cha!" Gently, Twilight lowered the humans onto what appeared to be a runway and they sat onto the solace material. The three humans sighed in relief at the soft landing. "And this is why I prefer traveling by car of sky bison." said the heiress just as the two ponies landed and Spike hoisted off of Flash's back. "Where are we?" Bolin asked, looking at their surroundings. His eyebrow raised in suspicion. "Is this…Cloudsdale?" "Starlight doesn't even have wings!" Spike said, "Why would she come here?" "I don't know, Spike, but it looked like she could fly with just magic!" said Twilight, feeling just as confused as her dragon friend. "Uh, I think that's only one of our problems. Look around." Flash gestured his hoof to all of Cloudsdale, which seemed very…different. Indeed, it was the infamous sky home of the pegasus ponies. Only, it didn't like like it did presently. The ponies were all strange-looking, like how they did before Harmonic Convergence. They looked more like flat images on a piece of paper than three dimensional like Twilight and Flash did. Even the clouds were strange, they didn't look real at all, they looked like they were made out of some form of clay rather than the fluffy white substance made out of air and water. All of Equestria looked exactly as it did before the Great Change occurred. "Why does it look like it did before?" Mako asked right before looking at his body and the body of his friends, "And why do we stick out like soar thumbs?" Mako, Asami and Bolin noticed that their physical proportions did not change. Before, whenever they entered Equestria their bodies would change to match the outlook of the former magical realm. The same happened for them in Canterlot High. Only, now they looked entirely out of place. They looked more real while everything else looked like a storybook. "That vortex." said Twilight, "When we went through that hour glass thing it covered us in some kind of, I don't know how to explain, some kind of magical cover up." "So, everything else is as it used to be except for us?" Asami asked, placing the pieces together as well, "Wait…you don't think we--" before she could continue, something speeded pass them, almost as fast as lightning, nearly tumbling the others over, thankfully they caught onto the solid runway before they could fall down from the clouds. Asami squinted her eyes, noticing a familiar blue color and rainbow patterns. "Was that Rainbow Dash?!" "Did she look really young to you?" Twilight asked, her voice shaking with worry. "And I didn't see a cutie mark…" Spike pulled out a pair of binoculars to get a closer look had spotted this so called younger Rainbow Dash talking to a couple of young colts, while defending a younger looking Fluttershy. Both without their cutie marks. "It is her!" The dragon said, "And Fluttershy. Only, filly Fluttershy. You don't think…" "…We traveled back in time to when Rainbow Dash raced the bullies who made fun of Fluttershy and performed her first sonic Rainboom?" Bolin concluded, his eyes widening in horror, "Oh Sweet Celestia! We traveled back in time!" He screamed, only to have his mouth quickly covered by his brother and girlfriend. "Bolin! Do you want everypony to hear you?" his brother exclaimed. "How did Starlight manage to send up back in time?" Flash asked his girlfriend. "She can't!" Twilight said, "Only Star Swirl the Bearded could do something like that, and even his spell just went back a week! How could Starlight do more than the greatest wizard in Equestria?" The sound of paper rustling caught their attention and Spike lifted up the scroll that Starlight used to cased this apparent time travel spell. "With this." Twilight's eyes widened as she read the words in silence, her wings slightly raising up in awareness. "Star Swirl's spell! Oh no!" "But why would Starlight bring us to this specific moment?" Mako asked. "I don't know!" Twilight said, her eyes scanning their bodies, "But I do know we're not going to be able to find her looking like this." "How are we suppose to fit in a city full of pegasus ponies?" Mako asked. "Remember that spell I used to turn you guys into Brezzies?" The alicorn said with a smirk, making Mako's eyes widen in horror. "No. No, Twilight, don't you dare--" before he could say another word, his body was completely submerged within the magical magenta aura, along with Bolin and Asami and even the two ponies and dragon. Twilight shook her body like that of a dog and studied her new appearance. Her bangs were styled to look like they did before she got her scar and her scar was temporarily absent. This, of course, was just a disguise and would wear off eventually. Her body now better matched her environment. "Well, never thought I'd see this old look again." "Same here." said Flash, looking at his former body shape. Spike, on the other hand, wasn't as impressed. "Eh, I really liked my other look best. You could really see my muscles better." he said, flexing his arms in hopes of seeing his so called muscles. Mako pouted in annoyance, lowering his head in dismay. "Well, the guys at work did used to call me Pony Boy…now, I really am one." Twilight's spell had transformed Mako, Bolin and Asami's body into the one thing they couldn't believe they never expected…into ponies! They resembled the ponies around them, not as three dimensional looking as Twilight and Flash did a few moments ago, and they each had wings so they could move on the clouds around them. Bolin and Asami studied their new pony bodies, both of which were still covered with their cloths, now pony sized, and their coat color matched their previous skin tones. They could not believe how much larger their eyes were, and how adorable they looked. But Mako was still rather unimpressed with this transformation. He really did feel like a cute and cuddly little thing. "Wow!" Bolin said, marveling at his new body. "This is so cool!" "Well, at least we won't stuck out like soar thumbs this way." said Asami while flapping her new feathered wings. "Come on, let's go!" Bolin said, taking the lead. "Go where?" "To watch the race. I don't wanna miss the Rainboom! Whoa!" in his attempts to gallop ahead, Bolin tripped and landed flat on his face. "Right, four legs now." he said, his voice muffled against the runway floor. (~) Twilight and Flash helped their new pony-fied friends to land on some clouds, the three struggled to keep their balance. Asami, having had wings before when she received an anthro form, was already familiar with them, but the boys still needed some help with keeping their balance. They managed to sit perfectly on a few clouds so they could watch the race unfold. If only Korra would see this. This was the first time Rainbow Dash had received her Cutie Mark, and Flutterhy's. Twilight lowered her ears in sadness, having Flash comfort her by wrapping his hoof around her shoulder. "I wish Korra could see this." she said sadly. "I know." Mako's anger boiled from inside him. The memory of his beloved laying on the ground after they were forcibly sucked into the vortex remained fresh in his mind. He swore he would get Starlight back for this. While the others watched the race, the newly transformed pegasus firebender pony looked around for any signs of Starlight Glimmer. It was still a mystery how she would be here when she herself didn't have any wings. The younger Fluttershy held the flag in her mouth, signaling the racers to start. The young Rainbow Dash and her opponents, the bullies who teased Fluttershy, flew right past her with such speed that the poor shy pegasus pony spun around and fell from the little cloud she stood on. Instinctively, Twilight and Mako readied to go and catch her, only to be stopped by their friends, who reminded them that this needed to happen and that Fluttershy would be alright. Still, seeing her fall wasn't easy to stomach. Their attention returned to the speedy little Rainbow Dash, who was ahead of her opponent. The younger fillies on the clouds cheered loudly, chanting her name repetitively. They flew across several clouds that were shaped to look like rings, and one of the bullies lost his balance and collided with a cloud. Which only left Rainbow Dash and a young colt by the name of Hoops. Rainbow was ahead, feeling the wind of her face, the adrenaline of her blood pumping. She loved it! But while in her moment of joy she was fiercely shoved aside by Hoops, who laughed and saluted mockingly before flying off. "Heh. Later, Rainbow Crash!" "Hey!" not willing to allow this bully to get away with cheating, Rainbow flapped faster than her wings could take her, gaining so much speed that she was so close to creating the Sonic Rainboom. But, one unicorn was not having it. Unlike her foes, Starlight's pony body remained the same as it did before the portal open, making her be the one to stick out like a soar thumb, but she didn't care in the slightest. She slid from a cloud, smiling wickedly, levitating her body with her own magic. "Aww, sorry about this!" Rainbow was only seconds away from performing the rainbow but just as the sound barrier was about to break, Starlight shot a magic beam, freezing the pony in mid-flight. "Hey! What gives?" The foals cheered when Hoops reached the finish line, and there was no sign of a Rainboom anywhere in sight. This didn't make any sense, why didn't it happen? It should have. But that was not the worst part. Without the Rainboom, Fluttershy's animals had no reason to be scared, and thus she couldn't comfort them in any away and so they left. Applejack looked on at the dreary city of Manehattan, the clouds looking as gray as her soul. There was nothing for her to look at out there so she closed the curtain behind her, never seeing her home in a long time. Pinkemina Dian Pie rolled the rocks on her family's farm and looked up at the sky. There was nothing for her to smile about around here, and there never will be. Rarity had followed her magic towards a giant boulder in the middle of nowhere. But, without a loud noise to break it apart in order to reveal the beautiful gemstones for her school play costumes, the unicorn tossed the rock off the cliff and walked away unsatisfied. Twilight Sparkle tried and tried ad hard as she could, but there was no spark to make her activate her magic. No reaction or anything. She couldn't open the dragon egg, and thus she could not get into magic school. And she never became Celestia's student. But while all of these events were happening in Equestria, somewhere in the coldest part of the globe in an entirely different dimension, a young girl was having these strange dreams, but as quickly as they came they disappeared. She never woke up with a yelp, she never saw the rainbow colors, in fact, she never had another dream of the magical creatures again. Queen Leilani, still traveling on her own, sensed a great disturbance. Running as fast as her long hooves could carry she stopped before the sparkling Tree of Harmony, only now it appeared to be reacting to something. This didn't make any sense, even she could never foresee this event. Twilight felt a pain in her heart, the alicorn screamed as she clenched her chest. The others rallied around her but her eyes were dead on the floating unicorn not too far from her. She spread open her wings and tackled the unicorn to a cloud, snarling and growling in furry. "What did you do?!" Starlight Glimmer only smiled in triumph. "You are about to find out." The powerful winds surround the group of friends once more and the time vortex opened above their head, sucking in Twilight, Spike, Mako, Bolin and Asami along with it. (~) The friends screamed as they fell from the portal, landing hard on the ground. The spell Twilight had cast wore off and their bodies were once again as they were before. Twilight's bangs were edgier again and her scar was back. Mako, Asami and Bolin were human once more. "Aww man! I just getting the hang of my hooves!" Bolin said sadly, galloping his fists as if they were still pony hooves. Twilight rubbed her head, realizing she had landed on some form of chair. Her eyes widened when she saw the Cutie Map in front of her. Only, it didn't look as it did before. The map used to give a bright blue soothing aura, and now it was tainted with red. She studied the map, realizing that the crystal Empire was, somehow, seemed to take over half of Equestria. This didn't make any sense. "I don't know what Starlight's up to yet... but we'd better figure it out before it's too late!" Spike tapped her shoulder, "Um, Twilight? I think it already is." The group gasped once they took in their surroundings. Equestria still looked as it did a few moments ago in Cloudsdale, flash like appearance and all, only… The Castle was missing!! To be continued...