The Everfree forest was calm that night. Their campfire, on the verge of untimely demise, roared triumphantly as another log was placed into it. She sat for a few moments, gazing at the flame as it blazed defiantly through the dark. Then, she took a look over the rest of the campsite.
Ponies back in Equestria would have called them mad, but in this strange other world, the forest was a far less foreboding area. A popular tourist attraction, even, its name given by a long-gone monarch who had given the woods his protection. For entirely selfish reasons, mind you. He had loved the view from his mansion.
The others were fast asleep in their queen-sized tent without a care in the world. The fire, strong as it was now, would keep any curious animals away. The forest rangers would undoubtedly do their part, too. Her hand moved to her mouth as she yawned mightily and almost crawled into her sleeping bag.
Sweet dreams awaited her.
She was not aware sweet dreams consisted of cold, hard rock and a good number of bruises. She rose to her feet with a gasp and her sky blue eyes scanned the area. Her flaming hair flowed with a wind that did not seem to have an origin.
Sunset Shimmer blinked as she fully took in her surroundings. Floating within nothingness on some sort of island... well, more of a glorified boulder, really, was not her prospect of a good time. A pair of stars swirled around each other above, crimson and blue, bathing the void in both forms of light.
Other islands could be seen in the distance, along with... some sort of shining object, far, far away. Most certainly a predicament. Her curiosity demanded that she find out, yet she was stranded on a... The traveller almost slapped herself. This was a dream, right? And because it was a dream, she could apply some creative touch.
She looked at the simple outfit she had fallen asleep in and grinned. Raising her hands, she imagined something with extra bells and whistles she could get behind. Suddenly, she was encased in a flaming globe. She emerged reborn, like a phoenix. Two mighty, fiery wings jutted out of her back, her clothing turned into what could pass as steel battle armour. Her hair would not be outdone, as it blazed against the void in a very literal way.
With that, she spread her wings and soared.
She moved from one makeshift island to another in mighty leaps, using her wings to glide across the sizeable gaps. It did not take her long to reach the final island. After one final jump, she landed on the cold, hard rock and gazed at the object.
It was eerily familiar. A large, polished mirror, its frame richly decorated with ancient writing. She remembered that day well. The set of fateful, and frankly rather poor, decisions that had led to Twilight Sparkle entering the other world. Everything ended rather well, all things considered. But what was the mirror doing here?
She stepped closer and gazed at her reflection. Much to her surprise, she stared at a rather pretty pony, standing comically on its hind legs. The armour, flaming wings and blazing mane were still there. What did it all mean? Sunset took a step closer tried to touch the glass. Her reflection became distorted as her hand passed through the material as if through air. She could feel a slight breeze on the other side.
Down the rabbit hole we go.
She had little doubt as to where she had ended up. The twisted, gargantuan trees, the ever-present scent of rotting wood on the wind, the distant, echoing howls of guardians. The Everfree forest spread far and wide around her. Worse yet, her passage disappeared as soon as she stepped through.
Sunset looked around, unsure, stranded and somehow still human. This dream seemed to have a mind and plans of its own, but what were its intentions? Could that even be comprehended? Before she could ponder her predicament further, a rustling sounded from somewhere behind her.
Sunset spun around, her mind grasping for a defensive implement. She almost yelped as her hands were suddenly encased in fire, but relaxed when she felt only pleasant heat. Her heat. Pointing her flaming armaments at the trees nearby, she shouted:
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
A familiar voice came from the woods, just as confused as her:
"Sunset?"
Equestria's most famous showpony emerged from the brush. Her attire was far more elaborate and bombastic than in real life, which had to keep things such as practicality in mind. Fancy, star-struck boots, animated images on her cape, even her tail had decorations on it. A pair of majestic, feathered wings was also a new addition. Most importantly, Trixie was indeed in her pony form, while Sunset was human.
"Trixie!"
They rushed towards each other and hugged, though Sunset had to crouch to make it possible. She had never realised ponies were quite so... tiny. Both suddenly parted and said, in perfect unison:
"Are you a figment of my imagination?"
They both blinked and laughed. Sunset asked:
"What are you doing in my dream?"
"I was about to ask you the same. I went for a nap in the Everfree, then had to jump on some rock islands, now I'm here."
"What? That's... exactly what happened to me. Waaait, you sleep in the Equestrian Everfree?"
"It's not so bad once you get used to timberwolf odour and... have diplomatic immunity, shall we say?"
"Riiiight, well. You're the dream expert, what the heck is going on?"
"Hmmm," Trixie walked back and forth, her head barely reaching Sunset's waist, "this sort of event is only possible with outside manipulation. And that is rarely a good thing."
"Well, that sound just peachy. So, how do we stop it?"
"The culprit must be within this dream to maintain their spell. We find them and politely ask them to stop."
Sunset raised an eyebrow:
"Really?"
"Well, that's stage one. Now, come on, we have a fiend to confront!"
The tree canopy was too thick for them to fly up, so the two merely hovered above the many brambles and gnarled roots. Sunset gazed towards her companion and said:
"So, this is how the Great and Powerful Trixie wishes to look one day?"
"Well, a mare can dream," she chuckled, "and what about you, miss battle angel?"
"Oh, this? This is what I imagine my Mares and Monsters character would look like."
"That sounds intriguing."
"Yeah, you basically roleplay heroes and fight evil. It's a pretty far-out game."
"Heh, I would have thought we, of all ponies... people... persons would have enough of that from our regular life. I want a game where I roleplay something mundane, like a baker. Worrying about frosting would be delightful for a change."
They laughed as they sped through the shadows of the Everfree.
It didn't take them long to reach a massive chasm. It cut through the Everfree like a blade, stretching for a good mile or two. Most peculiar, however, was a cave entrance nestled within the rock, a faint light radiating within. The two shared a look and Trixie said:
"That seems a bit convenient, doesn't it?"
"Yup. Bet you fifteen bits that's a trap."
"Well, it doesn't seem that we have a choice in the matter. Let's spring it."
A convenient staircase was cut into the rock and they descended to the chasm's floor. The terrain was rough, but the two persevered, constantly on edge. Shadows seemed to dance at the edge of their vision and the light of the cave grew brighter with every step. A cool breeze greeted them at the entrance.
The light was deep within the cave, shining like a solitary star within the shadows. Sunset raised her left hand and it burst into flame, lighting the way for them. As soon as they took a few cautious steps inside, the light from the outside vanished.
"What the-?!" Trixie blurted out as she spun around.
The new wall was... unnatural. Its surface was black as the never-ending void between universes and it seemed to flow and pulsate as if it were alive. Sunset audibly gulped:
"I think we've sprung it."
"To the light!"
They ran deeper into the darkness, which seemed to crawl closer despite their human torch. More signs of the substance could be seen, clinging to the cave's walls, pulsating in unison. It was then that they reached a larger chamber and gasped in unison.
A mighty tree stood there, towering over the human and pony. Its bark and branches were almost completely covered in the unnerving miasma. A single spot remained uncovered, at the very top of its trunk, and the light they had followed seemed to radiate from within. Without warning, the pulsating nightmare all around them reacted.
Tendrils and other nameless appendages slashed through the air between them as the heroines gasped. Sunset cried out to her friend as another wall of black matter separated them. Three more rose in the blink of an eye and she was surrounded. Instinctively, she lashed out, releasing a jet of flame. Her attack did not even leave a mark, instead, the walls seemed to devour it as eagerly as they had devoured the rest of her world.
She shouted:
"Trixie!"
No response.
Sunset's breathing was rapid, panicked. The walls seemed to be encroaching in on her. More tendrils lashed out, grabbing onto her limbs and holding her in place without any effort. She screamed, but was again met with nothing but horrifying silence. Then, her mind was invaded by a stray thought.
Alone.
It was distinctly not her own. Among the storm of emotion of her consciousness, it stood out like a brick of ice. Unfeeling, calculated, inherently alien on every level.
Powerless.
Shivers ran down her spine as she felt but a smidge of the Entity. The sensation stabbed through her like an eldritch blade, an icy punch through her soul. Her mind tried to reject Its existence, but cold, hard facts would not allow such a thing. The Thing was there, though It should never have been.
Give in.
It was right. How could she measure against the Thing? Against Its impossible vastness, Its insidious power? There she was alone in Its never-ending shadow, without... Sonata. Adorkable, ditzy Sonata. Would she ever wake from this nightmare to see that big, happy smile again? To feel that bone-crunching hug? Sunset couldn't help but giggle, despite her current predicament.
Never again.
The Creature's newest thought was... different. There was a chink in its cold facade, a shred of emotion attached to the word. And while Sunset could not identify the specific feeling, it was most definitely negative. Just as a test, she tried to break free of her bonds. They still held firm, but seemed weaker than before.
An avenue of attack presented itself. She almost wished the Thing had an actual face of some sort that she could stare down. Instead, she just closed her eyes and concentrated. She would not go down without a fight.
Sonata. Trixie. Twilight. The other Rainbooms. Everyone and everypony else she knew and could count on. Loved ones, friends, even frenemies and rivals. All of them had played an important role in her life, in their own way. She would not lose them. Not a chance.
The Presence wailed with a hint of fury, the sound echoed throughout her mind, but Sunset remained steadfast. She imagined all those times. Standing together with her friends, though good and ill. Parties, galas, a bit of godslaying. Always together during every Celestia-damned second of it all. And she would keep trying to be her best. For all of them.
The Ancient One roared. Its invisible tendrils violently retreated from the sorceress' consciousness and she sighed in relief. Her eyes became blazing embers as she gathered arcane power.
Once again, the human revolted against her bindings. The tendrils holding her in place struggled, before being torn apart like mere twigs. With a grunt, her wings broke free and flapped, scorching the otherworldly miasma as she clasped her hands together.
Her fire burned at the substance, cleansing, purifying. It withered and died under the onslaught and she couldn't help but feel just a bit like a pyromaniac. A blast of violet energy cut through the air and she looked right into the showpony's eyes. They shared a smile, before turning back to the task at hand.
With a combined assault, the two sorceresses reduced the black sea into little more than a puddle. The substance still clung to the tree and lashed out against them in fury. They paused their assault for just a moment and Sunset commented:
"I think we're not supposed to fry the tree."
"Well, we need to get this foul goop off it somehow!"
"Don't worry, we got this. We never give up, do we?"
"That we do not!"
As they sunk back into battle stances, the chamber shook. The miasma started pulsating rapidly as the tree's sixth branch suddenly broke free from its influence. A large gemstone of fluctuating colour was held within its bark. The blazing sun and a crescent moon, intertwined into one. It shone in two colours, bright red and dark blue, and bathed the chamber in light as the heroines shielded their eyes. Wherever it landed, the black matter was forced to retreat. Soon, however, it was cornered, clinging to the final patches of shadow. Before long, it was utterly obliterated.
The intense glow faded and they looked again. The other gemstones encased within the mighty tree were immediately recognisable. The Elements of Harmony. And so was the entity that formed at the base of the tree. A ball of azure light, wrapped in a thick mist. The Phantom of the Everfree spoke to them with a thousand voices at once:
"A timely arrival, Trixie Lulamoon."
Sunset was utterly confused at this point, so Trixie took the lead:
"You were the one who brought us here, then, I take it?"
"We, indeed."
"What was that ooze? And where are we?"
"The root of Harmony. Heart of the Everfree. That which you fought was but a fragment of the coming shadow."
"Okay, slow down just a little bit," too many revelations the human simply couldn't comprehend, "what exactly is going on here? What is... that?"
"That is, well... my diplomatic immunity."
"We are the Everfree. What is your name, child of Equinox?"
She hesitated for a moment, but replied:
"I am Sunset Shimmer."
"Sun-set Shi-mmer," syllable by syllable, "we sensed your connection to the Lulamoon. We called to you. A wise choice, we decree."
Trixie sat down onto the ground and remained silent for a few moments. Then, she said:
"This isn't a dream, per se, is it?"
"No. This is the Everfree. This is all Everfrees. The body is anchored to one. But the mind may wander through all. We called to you, and you answered. The shadow had struck without warning, as is its custom. In unity, you forged victory. In unity, you awakened another seed."
They both glanced at the sixth branch and its new, glowing element. After a moment of contemplation, Trixie asked:
"This seed... comes from Equinox, then?"
"No," they paused, "yes. A shard of Equinox. A shard of Ebon. A shard of others. It grows here, yet it stands out. We cannot name it properly."
"That's great. I was hoping I'd have more enigmas in my life."
"Hey, cheer up," Sunset smiled, "you at least apparently have some idea of what's going on."
"Allow us to part with some insight."
Sunset raised an eyebrow just as the orb flashed grey. She immediately gasped and grabbed her head. Thoughts and information flooded her mind again, just without any hints of nihilism this time. As soon as she could process it all, she glanced at the orb, then at Trixie:
"Oh. Oooooh. Okay, so that was extremely uncomfortable and creepy, but I understand this conversation now. Dead gods coming back and all that."
"Perhaps sleeping, rather than dead. Trixie Lulamoon has managed to piece together most of the puzzle. Yet some things remain hidden from her. And us. We are certain, however, that the road ahead shall be perilous."
"And I bet," Trixie's features crumpled into a frown, "you're going to say that road heads north."
"The tapestry of time has weaved itself with such an event in mind. Ultimately, however, the decision is only yours, Trixie Lulamoon. Fate never stands still."
"Then neither shall I," she smirked.
"But how do I fit into all this?" asked the humanoid among them.
"It is clear to us. You and the Lulamoon share many traits and have forged a strong bond. Only together can you coax the new seed of harmony out of slumber."
"But how is that possible? We're both still relatively new to friendship magic. Gosh, why does it have to sound so corny?"
"As we have said, this is not an element of Equinox. Not wholly. The inherent arcane properties of companionship are not its focal point. Something else you both possess resonates with it."
"Might as well be our good looks, for all we know," Trixie said.
"Ah, yes, the famous Element of Narcissism!"
The orb waited for them to stop giggling before continuing:
"Sunset Shimmer, we would wish to bestow a gift. May you be known by all as Friend of the Everfree."
"O-oh, this is an honour," she whispered to Trixie, "is this the diplomatic immunity?"
"This is the diplomatic immunity."
"Neat."
"You have chosen your paths, Friends of the Everfree. We hope your choice was the correct. For now, awaken from slumber. Remain vigilant."
Mist started filling the area. The two magic users shared one last look, followed by a revolutionary hoof-and-fist bump. Truly, a momentous occasion.
As soon as Sunset woke, she jolted up in her sleeping bag. She was wet with sweat, only slightly burdened by ominous prophecies, but otherwise fine. Pinkie Pie snored away blissfully, the air she blew out made Rarity's stylised hairdo move back and forth repeatedly. Everything was a-okay.
The campfire was long-dead and... there was an eerie green glow, somewhere at the edge of their camp. Remembering her nightmarish encounter just moments prior, she nervously approached the flaps of the tent. Her jaw dropped immediately.
A squad of ethereal riders strode through the forest, each clad in heavy armour and carrying a mighty lance. The one at the very front of the group stood out, his phantasmal steed covered in runes and other arcane implements. The figure looked noble, though his features were muddy. The crown on his head could not be mistaken for anything else, though. The monarch looked in her direction, his eyes like two azure fireballs, and raised an armoured fist in greeting. The knights mimicked their lord, though none of them so much as grunted.
In utter silence, they rode deeper into the forest and vanished out of sight, eternal defenders of the Everfree.
Sunset sighed to herself. This would take some getting used to.