Long before Sunset Shimmer went to the human world, Star Swirl the Bearded and Princess Celestia traveled across the multiverse in search of knowledge. Now, a thousand years on, the consequences of those travels have come back to haunt Celestia and threaten Equestria. Twilight Sparkle and her friends must venture to another world and face an all-too-familiar evil, all while considering the road not traveled and past mistakes.
This story is adapted from IDW's "Reflections" story, written by Katie Cook and illustrated by Andy Price. Additional inspiration is taken from the first issue of the FIENDship is Magic mini-series, written by Jeremy Whitley and drawn by Brenda Hickey. Cover art by Johesy - used with permission.
Part of the Quiververse
Chapters (6)
Well, other than the fact I read the comic first and was unable to enjoy this chapter to the fullest because of that (curse me), I did enjoy this. And it's pretty obvious who the song bird is... If it isn't Sun Runner (I think that's her name), I'm going to feel like an idiot. Onto the next chapter!
6242771 Yep, the songbird was Sunrunner. I hope the next few chapters are more enjoyable as the departures from the comic increase.
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I just finished the fic and I must say, I enjoyed it. I believe it deserves a like.
6246190 Thanks very much!
Those chapter titles..
I see what you did there. ;D
6480830 I'm a nerd and I'm proud of it.
tbh i like this one the most cause its the longest and i get drawn into the story vary easily and i don't like it when it ends
6652008 Thanks, though I'd hardly call this one my longest piece. Don't be surprised if I have the odd call back to it in my later works, however; I enjoy continuity like Silver Quill enjoys continuity.
Hey there. Thanks very much for doing this story. This is an excellent AU version of the "Reflections" arc in the comics. The exchanges, emotional content, action and wrap-up were all well done in all the right places. And I appreciate your explanations FOR the alterations. Plus, I have to admit, I DO prefer Earn Your Happy Ending to Bittersweet Ending myself. At any rate, I will definitely be looking forward to more of your work as soon as time and inspiration will allow.
7158812 Thanks very much.
7158855 You are quite welcome.
I rather like the changes added, it was a nice change. I like this story so much
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I LOVE this alternate ending.
This is a great story. I love the comics and this story brings it into a new light with all of the back story's, and all the detail
, This is a Great read.
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Thanks very much! I can't take all of the credit, however - the comics and the show both gave me a solid foundation to work from.
It's clear from the first few chapters that you really have put a lot of thought into this story. It's so refreshing to find someone able to come up with such fluid, excellent head-canons. I find it captivating.
Having Amore as Mirror-Sombra's adoptive mother, how inspired!
7732312 Thanks! I even have an explanation as to why she didn't adopt him in the 'main' universe, but it's going to be a while yet before I reveal that bit of headcanon.
Will the anti-mane six actually play a role in this story?
7855958 No, they don't. There's brief mentions of them, but they don't actually appear.
I was able to find a place for the parallel versions of Trixie and Derpy, however.
I know I've said you deserved all the Favourites and Likes, but let me say this here and now Echo: you're a very talented and incredible writer. You put so much work into just this one story, adapting components that IDW used more fully to the concept, and we as your readers got a beautiful piece to read for it. Your time and effort are appreciated, and I for one will forever hold this version of Reflections close within my heart.
I guess I'm just a big ol' sap for "happily ever after" endings. XD Celestia/Sombra pairing was done great justice here, and I bow in respect to your craftsmanship of the writing craft.
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Thank very much. I'm just glad that by the time I sat down to write this, IDW had given me a little bit more material to work from. Aside from allowing me to build upon what was already established and help to explain how the events in Good King Sombra's universe came to be, they also helped me to justify that happier ending. Not that I needed a lot of it - I like it when things are happily ever after too.
Princess Bride reference? If so, instant thumbs-up. If not...then silly me. Keep the thumbs-up anyways.
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Me? Referencing a fantastic film? Inconceivable!
Seriously though, yes, that was a "Princess Bride" reference.
His first appearance earlier was too quick for me to make the connection, but here, I started thinking, 'OMG, is he an Observer?' Then, the next paragraph, where he 'not-teleports' out, I was convinced. And I've been watching Fringe, season 5 lately, so I've got a really bad feeling about Observers in general. Even if September--I mean, Seventh Moon--was one of the good ones.
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My take on the Observers is decidedly more benign than how they appeared in Fringe, don't worry.
Celestia is marrying Sombra in a little less than half an hour, so all we have to do is get in, break up the wedding, steal the Princess, and make our escape after I kill Spike.
Loving it, loving it. You have done a masterful job at turning what was an okay comic with a blistering too-quick-to-enjoy pace into a wonderful story with its own voice. A fait accompli.
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Eh, I try. The comic gave me plenty to work with, at any rate.
What was that about?
What is she scared about?
That is true.
What’s ilk?
I wonder what would happen if pinkie found out what that word meant? Because I found out what it was and I wanna uppercut her.
Is she comparing starswirl to pinkie?
Spike finally taking a break after dealing with the main 6’s bs.
She does have a point.
Did he actually say that? Because boy was he wrong.
That’s nice.
Well damn.
You could follow both.
You need pressure to be a diamond. Even though she’s proven a few times not to be one.
Now I’m praying that it’s not.
Damnit.
Yay. More secrets that celestia kept. One day I’m hoping one of these secrets bite her in the flank.
Coming from the pony that was acting like a mad scientist not that long ago.
Now starswirl is on my hit list.
Is it sunrunner?
I would love to see that.
P.S: sorry about the long comment. You don’t have to respond.
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In the original comic this story is adapted from, that pony showed up out of nowhere, presumably to warn Twilight about the existence of the prototype mirror.
Luna just saw Celestia vanish into a mirror, and has no understanding of why she did so. Wouldn't you be scared in that situation?
ilk - noun, synonymous with kind or type.
Don't blame me for that, that remark was in the original comic.
The two of them do have a lack of thinking things through.
Star Swirl was, by my reckoning at least, a negligent idiot at best.
Following both is difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.
Diamonds might be created under pressure, but they also have this terrible tendency to shatter into dust if struck just right.
It never happened in canon, unfortunately, but it will be happening in mine. Likely not to your satisfaction, but eventually. Just not in a story that I've released yet.
Again, Star Swirl is a negligent idiot at best.
As well he should be. Dude's caused a lot of trouble.
Yep, that's Sunrunner.
Sunrunner and Luna do eventually meet in Scars of the Sun.
And yes, I must!
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I wouldn’t be scared, but I probably would be curious.
Never heard that word before.
Which in celestia’s case is probably everywhere.
You do?
Burn him to ash, spike.
So he’s still alive after all these years?
Luna, sit your a** down. I’m pretty sure celestia is more powerful than you. So the fact that she came back through the mirror the way she did makes me think that you’re gonna come back either as an unconscious body or a corpse.
I’m sorry. What? I knew the princesses would be responsible for bad things happening, but I didn’t mean like this.
Wait, so nightmare rarity is canon?
Facing your evil counterpart usually doesn’t go well.
Damn. Imagine kicking your own a**.
What damage?
Wait what?
Damn. My man was just getting comfortable last chapter.
Again what?
I’m not seeing the problem.
If I was her I would just put the blame on celestia and starswirl.
Quill? As in the writer?
Dog?
Up the flank?
I actually laughed at that? I see a little bit of myself in twilight, because I got tired of luna talking sh*t.
Why not? Celestia is back home. She’d be fine.
No y’all not. Rainbow I understand you think you’re awesome, but you do not want that smoke.
Like what?
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Star Swirl will eventually get his comeuppance. It will take a long time, unfortunately, but it will happen.
Yes, Sombra is still alive, for reasons that I hope will become clear with later chapters.
Nightmare Rarity is indeed canon within the events of my storyline, yes. Some details from the comic might not, however.
Star Swirl screwed up, and now two worlds/timelines are in danger of colliding. Which would destroy both of them. Very bad thing.
Elements go with them, they no make things worse.
You have to remember, Twilight still puts Celestia up on a pretty high pedestal. That pedestal's starting to take hits, but it hasn't been broken. Yet.
Not really how Fluttershy operates.
Yep, that's the counterpart to Quiver Quill.
She was insulting Sir Quill.
Yes, but Sombra's just a bit too polite to phrase it like that.
Yeah, my take on Twilight is just a tiny bit more proactive.
Thanks to how the worlds are connected and all the damage done, it doesn't matter if they're in separate worlds - if they attack Mirror!Celestia, their Celestia will be hurt.
Like how things got as bad as they have. All covered in the next chapter!
So they didn’t destroy their ability to grow food? Because it says “all but destroy”. Also, how can a pegasus city be in ruins?
He hiding something.
Couldn’t she have done that before?
Someone keep an eye on her.
Really?
What?
But, what if he were to accept it? He doesn’t have to reject it in order to be good, does he?
Plot twist.
When did he say that? And why is she bringing it up?
Which is what? A child?
Are you sure there was only sugar in that coffee?
So luna isn’t gonna attack her?
Oh boy was she wrong.
Give me your throne and your crown, because clearly you have a lot of shames and follies.
What mistake did amore make?
He is?
Do they ever get a break?
I didn’t know slenderman was in equestria.
Ouch. Peasant?
Why can’t discord just send them to the sun or the moon?
Please don’t say that.
Wow, that’s trash. No offense?
They can take it.
Isn’t it also your own faults for not keeping them in check?
Ten?
It’s not?
But, what about the human world?
What?
Is she serious?
When has she shown bravery or kindness?
What about sunset?
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No, the corrupted Celestia and Luna didn't completely destroy Mirror!Equestria's ability to grow food. Earth pony magic was able to compensate. As for wrecking pegasus cities, well, they're mostly made of cloud, aren't they?
You just have this terrible desire to poke and criticize authority figures at every opportunity, don't you?
Cutie mitzvah. What colts get instead of a cuteceneara.
Umbrum are creatures of dark magic, pure evil. Once Sombra gives into that, there's no going back.
I thought it was said in a previous chapter.
Yes, kids.
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Again, you have to give them grief? I have legitimate grievances against Celestia too, but I'm not going to break the torches and pitchforks out every time she messes up.
Luna was referring to how their native Amore handled things with their native Sombra.
...there isn't a Slenderman in Equestria.
Luna's frustrated! Give her a break already!
They can't rely on Discord to solve all their problems. Besides, that wouldn't end the control that Mirror!Celestia or Mirror!Luna have over the sun and moon.
...and how good are you exactly at keeping in check something terrible and nasty that can easily kill you?
Twilight and her friends (seven), plus Princess Trixie, Prof. Doo, and Sir Quill. That's ten.
Seventh Moon pops up in the background all the time in the comics. At least, when Andy Price is doing art duties.
The human world isn't in danger. It's using a different, later iteration of the mirror portals that's much safer than the prototype.
Hey! That was in the original comic! Don't give me grief over what I was given to work with!
Yes she's serious!
Comics. Trixie helped defend Ponyville during the Nightmare Rarity arc and comforted Luna.
...can't forgive one slip-up on his part or mine, can you?
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Ohh. Because, it say all but. Plus, how do you turn a cloud into ruins?
A little bit. Sometimes when someone is out on a pedestal I have the urge to either damage it a little bit or destroy it completely.
Does that actually exist or is it something you made up?
So there’s no such thing as a good umbrum?
I may have to go back and check.
Wow, I didn’t think I was right.
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I’m sorry, your just making it so easy. Besides I’m not saying everytime, just when it involves something important.
I understand she’s frustrated, but there’s no need for hurtful words towards someone that’s giving you a warning.
Celestia and Luna are that powerful?
It was?
Would I have to read the comics to understand most of these stories?
Oh. That was a slip up?
Is there a difference?
What does that mean?
How is it more fun? You’re literally staying in one place.
How would she know that?
Wisdom my a**.
Where did the forest go?
It broke that easily?
All that happened because of a destroyed mirror?
What?
All but forgotten?
Is that how they work?
Why?
Damn.
She is?
I’m guessing it’s sunset?
Is it?
She’s gonna keep a shard of glass?
Oh boy.
Still what?
Wow. I wonder what changed over the years?
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Let me explain it this way. Everyone dies - that's fate. You can't change it, you can't escape it, it's gonna happen no matter what. How you die, however, is up to you. That's the difference between fate and destiny - with the latter, you get some choice in the matter.
It means that the littlest things can cause even the best-laid plans to go wrong.
Luna's actually had romantic relationships, at least in my headcanon. Star Swirl hasn't.
Okay, think about it for a second. You're one of a pair of evil/possessed alicorns, and you've taken up residence at a castle. There's a forest surrounding that castle, inhabited by beings who could attack you at any moment. What's the logical thing to do? Destroy the damn forest and as many of the beings in it as possible.
It happened in the original comic. Plus, as previously stated, the barriers between realities were weakened, and that mirror was what linked them, so...
The destroyed mirror was the straw that broke the camel's back.
The native Luna's delirious. Also, that line was in the original comic - you have a problem with it, take it up with Katie Cook.
All but forgotten. Ponies knew about them, but not many ponies, and the information was out there, just not easily found. Hence, all but forgotten.
The Elements of Harmony work the way they damn well want!
Gee, you've spent the last year-and-change living in a world threatened by possessed alicorns, and you have a chance to see that threat come to a permanent end. Would you want to miss that?
Can we just agree that the fault isn't exclusive to one Celestia and leave it there?
No, Mirror!Cadance has also been corrupted. Mirror!Sunset's just fine.
...no sense of romanticism in you, is there? Celestia has memories that she can treasure, no matter how bittersweet they may have ended. That at least is worth something, at least to most people.
People keep all sorts of things for all sorts of reasons.
Had Celestia not been interrupted, she would have said something like, "Still, I suppose there's nothing wrong with improving their chances."
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Well, I like to think there were plenty of changes for the better.
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They have the means to shape clouds, they have the means to break clouds up. I'd assume they can do the same thing to cities made of cloud.
It's something I saw in another author's stories, and no one's complained about me using it yet.
Not so far as the comics presented.
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Celestia and Luna, according to some sources, are bonded to the sun and moon via their magic. That bond isn't going away any time soon, and it can't just be undone like them taking off a piece of jewelry. They'd have to give it up willingly, and that ain't happening right now.
No, I like to think that I include enough detail that people won't be confused.
Yes. They happen.
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Ohh. I thought it meant that they didn’t forget. I’m not really used to hearing all but.
It not being entirely her fault I can definitely agree with.
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I guess.
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Complained about using what?
Only willingly?
I hope so. Haven’t read many.
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About the use of the expression 'cutie mitzvah'.
Giving up their powers willingly would be the easiest way to claim control of the sun and moon. Other methods could exist, but they wouldn't be pleasant.
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Makes sense.
I really enjoyed this story. Celestia x Sombra is really underrated. Also what’s the “gift” that Celestia mentions to Sombra?
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You know, it's been so long since I wrote this, I'm not sure I remember. It was probably a way for them to keep in contact, something like the journal Sunset Shimmer had.