> The Fault In Our Harmony
>  by Miralusa
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cadence raced through the halls of Canterlot’s royal palace trying to keep herself presentable as she ran… But ultimately it was a futile effort. She burst into the throne room to find Celestia, Luna and Twilight already waiting for her. “I’m sorry I’m late,” Cadence started. “Being in the Crystal Empire makes it difficult to make it on time for important meetings,” she added still trying to make her hair presentable.
“That’s understandable, Cadence,” Celestia stated seriously.
“So what they’re saying is true?” Cadence asked dreading Celestia’s response.
“I’m afraid it is, artifacts have been stolen from all over the world over the past year by a strange assailant of unknown nature,” Celestia replied immediately.
“What’s been stolen though?” Twilight asked curious.
“There’s been a break in at the palace in the Crystal Empire,” Cadence stated approaching the rest of the princesses. “A shard of the door that sombre used against you and Spike,” she said looking at Twilight, immediately regretting bringing up Spike when she saw the look of sorrow on Twilight’s face.
“What would someone want with a simple shard of the door?” Luna interjected.
“In theory, the shard could still maintain the magical force that the door held,” Celestia said. “In theory,” she added making her point.
“That’s still too big of a chance,” Twilight said looking towards Celestia.
“I know,” Celestia replied. “But it’s not the only thing that’s been stolen. A recovery team attempted to recover the idol of Boreas in Griffonstone but what they found was a mocking IOU message. Along with that many artifacts pertaining to Chaos have been stolen as well,” she added trying to contain her anger. “Including the gemstone of Chaos from inside our very own royal vaults… Whoever this person is is making a mockery of us and our allies in the most heinous of ways,” She said this with her hoof stamping angrily to the ground.
“Chaos? You mean Discord right?” Twilight asked even more confused.
“Of course not,” A voice said that came from all around them.
“Discord, you can come out now,” Twilight said with an exasperated sigh.
“You're just no fun anymore!” Discord cried as he started moving through the glass panes before appearing before them with four sets of flowers in hands.
“Your late, Discord,” Luna said seriously.
“What? A man can’t pick up flowers for his four favorite princesses?” Discord asked with his best puppy dog impression.
“Now’s not the time, Discord,” Twilight reasoned with Discord noticing how on edge Celestia and Luna were. Last thing we need is them to lose it right now, Twilight thought to herself.
“Fine, I guess you want me to regale you with the story of Chaos,” Discord said as if he was describing his hero.
“Yes, Discord I told you that’s why you were meant to be coming here,” Luna stated exasperatedly.
“Very well, gather round everypony for a tale of daring, danger and of course adventure,” Discord said as he snapped his fingers and a couch spawned behind him and he sat down in it. “Before the world of Equestria was born there existed a being known only as Chaos. He was my predecessor…” Discord trailed off letting what he had just said sink in.
“Wait what?” Twilight asked confused at the comment. “But Chaos is just an old mare's tale,” she added trying to think of this news logically.
“You know better than any the truth in stories…” Luna stated. “Remember when Nightmare Moon was just a story, you and my sister were the only ones to know the truth… So do not take this story lightly,” she added with all seriousness.
“Please continue Discord,” Celestia said.
“As I was saying, I merely inherited the title of god of chaos, when Equestria was born Chaos caused much grief for the people, until he committed an unforgivable act and wiped out an entire city and it’s people with it. Now when Equestria was born two new beings were born, Life and Death. Up until Chaos committed the act the three had an understanding where each was required to balance out the world,” Discord explained and then snapped his fingers. 
Before the princesses appeared a magic puppet show that floated off the ground. The puppets were labelled with crude writing, life wore a white robe and had a halo floating over her head and had glowing blond hair. Death wore a black cloak with a hood over his head and a skull mask on. But Chaos was simply a cloud of dark mist.
“What’s with Chaos?” Cadance asked.
“Nopony knows why he chose that form, maybe he thought it represented true chaos… Or he was just insane,” Discord replied with a shrug of his shoulders. “Now Life and Death were not pleased with Chaos,” he added and the puppets of Life and Death moved their hands to their hips and their facial expressions changed to anger. “So as punishment for Chaos’s actions he was sentenced to eternal imprisonment inside an Alicorn amulet…” Discord trailed off as Life and Death pulled out the Alicorn amulet and Chaos was sucked into it. “I was created to take Chaos’s place and maintain balance… But I was also tasked with hiding the amulet in a spot where no one would ever find it again,” Discord said still slightly shaken thinking about the amulet. “If you thought I was bad, Chaos would make my work look like a foal’s science fair project… And he has no want or need for friends, he is pure evil,” Discord said with no hint of a joke about him as he snapped his fingers again. A model of the world appeared and then was quickly overtaken by a black mist. “This will be our world if Chaos were to ever return…” Discord looked at each of the princesses seriously.
“You speak as if he’s returned already,” Twilight said with concern at how serious Discord was being.
“There is a prophecy that if his artifacts are being gathered, then he has returned, and there will be no stopping him this time,” Discord explained.
“But what about Life and Death?” Celestia asked.
“Trapped inside their own realms, they will be unable to help us this time around, we are on our own,” Discord replied.
“Then we must stop the last of the artifacts from being stolen,” Cadance said getting back on her hooves.
“There is only one artifact still accounted for, it is currently in Yak Yakistan,” Celestia stated and got off of her throne.
“Then we must leave at once and ensure it’s safety,” Luna announced going to the door to alert the royal guard…
During all the panic to get everything underway Cadance approached Twilight.
“Twilight do you have a minute?” Cadance asked her looking around.
“Sure what is it?” Twilight asked slightly concerned.
“I want you to stay behind on this one,” Cadance said simply.
“What, why?” Twilight asked her concern changing to confusion.
“You don’t remember?” Candace replied.
“No,” Twilight said her confusion growing as she tried to remember.
“It was something that happened a year ago that changed your life forever,” Cadance said trying to jog Twilight’s memory.
“A year ago… Me and Sunset started dating,” Twilight replied realization dawning on her.
“Now she get’s it…” Cadance started. “I want you to take the day off… No the week off and go spend your one year anniversary with Sunset. You deserve it especially after that whole business with the cutie map and what happened with Spike,” she added fixing Twilight with a serious gaze.
“But what if you need me?” Twilight protested.
“No buts, we can handle a single thief. Now I’m not asking you, I’m ordering you as the Princess of Love to spend some time with your damn marefriend,” Cadance said with a smug grin.
“You're right, I could use the break and I haven’t seen Sunset in months,” Twilight said with a sigh which then turned into a grin. “It would be good to see her again,” she added nodding slightly now. “You win Cadence,”
“Always do, Twilight,” Cadance said triumphantly. 
“Does that mean I get to go with her?” Discord asked popping out of nowhere with a Hawaiian shirt and suitcases with him.
“No, you're coming with us,” Cadance stated taking the suitcases from him.
“Umm… I’ll pass,” Discord replied while nervously twiddling his thumbs.
“What’s wrong Discord?” Twilight asked.
“Chaos is what’s wrong, if this prophecy comes true I want to be far away when it occurs,” Discord said. “And you would do well to do the same,” he added jumping around impatiently.
“Which is why we have to stop this now,” Cadance said. “Twilight, you go on now, we have this handled,” she added and dragged Discord with her towards the other princesses.

XXX

Twilight raced back to her castle… She had just written to Sunset that she was going to be coming to the human world for a week and Sunset couldn’t have been happier about it.
I can’t wait to see you again baby, I miss you so much… Don’t worry I’ll sort out everything that we’re doing this week, I have the perfect idea. I love you Twilight.
Always Yours… Sunset
Twilight grew evermore excited to see Sunset as she remembered that letter. I couldn’t have hoped for a better girlfriend, Twilight thought to herself as she entered her castle to begin packing. She was leaving in the morning since night had already overtaken Ponyville, she marvelled at the nightlife of Ponyville and thought that it was good that she had time off to enjoy the little things in life as well. Twilight began to pack her bags as she sang Pinkie’s Smile song.
What she didn’t see was a mysterious figure in the corner. 
“Hello, Twilight,” the figure said from the corner.
“Spike?” Twilight said in surprise spinning around to face the figure.
Spike stepped out of the shadows to reveal that he wore a cloak and wore an Alicorn amulet around his neck. But most of all he had matured to where now he was several inches taller than Twilight. He also held a shard of a door in his hand. “Surprised to see me,” He said as he flipped the shard over and Twilight stared straight into it.

XXX

Twilight awoke to find herself in the human world right outside of Canterlot High. She stood up and looked around seeing nothing at all… And she had the worst headache. “What just happened?” Twilight asked herself. Then she saw Sunset and thought that it must have been a nightmare. But how did I get here? Twilight thought to herself as she approached Sunset.
Sunset then whipped around holding Twilight’s Element of Harmony in her hands. “Now your power is mine!” She yelled with an evil grin as she placed the crown on her head and she transformed into her she-demon form. She laughed evilly as the high school suddenly caught fire.
“No, Sunset what are you doing!” Twilight screamed and raced towards Sunset only to be swiped away by Sunset.
“What do you think I’m doing. Equestria shall be mine!” Sunset yelled as she raised her army of zombies.
Twilight just sat there unmoving thinking only one thing over and over again… Why? 

XXX

Spike stood over the now motionless, shivering Twilight as he cast the spell using the staff in his hands. Suddenly a second shadow manifested from Twilight. Then it separated from her and formed a copy of black-furred version of Twilight that seemed to shift in and out of reality.
“One down, five to go,” The amulet said. “If it’s anything like this one was, this is going to be too easy,” it added and then ordered Spike to turn to shadow Twilight. “You know what must be done, spirit of dark magic, leave the weakling here and deal with Canterlot, the trap has been baited. All we need is for those idiots to trigger it,” it said with an air of anticipation about it. “Not long now…” It finished as they left Twilight there reliving her own worst nightmare over and over again…
> Not According To Plan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sunset walked out of the school with Rarity and Fluttershy on either side of her.
“So what’s the plan for the week with Twilight?” Rarity asked curiously.
“Well if you must know, I rented out a cabin in the country, a little get away where it’s just the two of us, no books, no sports, just us and fishing and hiking and lot’s of other fun outdoor activities,” Sunset said with a smile on her face thinking about it.
“Your one year anniversary and you're going for a week in the country… It’s official you're a sappy romantic, darling,” Rarity replied giggling a little bit.
“Maybe, but I think that’s what Twilight likes the most about me,” Sunset stated with a wide smile.
“What not your cute ass?” Fluttershy asked with a grin.
“Well there’s that too,” Sunset replied with a laugh as she twisted her neck to look at her ass. 
The girls all shared a laugh as their smiles grew wider.
“So how about you girls, what are your plans?” Sunset asked looking at her friends.
“Me and Applejack are going for a quiet night in to watch some movies,” Rarity stated gleefully.
“And me and Pinkie are going to be visiting some Nature reserves out in the country, it’s going to be a fun week,” Fluttershy said barely able to contain her excitement.
“I’m sure that that wasn’t Pinkies idea,” Rarity said with a knowing smile.
“Actually it was her idea,” Fluttershy replied.
“Really?” Rarity asked confused.
“Yep,” Fluttershy said with a smile.
“That’s great, you guys. You know, this has been an amazing year,” Sunset said pulling her friends closer.
“For more reasons than one,” Rarity said with a knowing smile.
“Well the sex is amazing… And then there’s you guys,” Sunset joked with a coy smile.
“Can’t argue with that,” Fluttershy replied.
“You just had to ruin the moment with your vulgar comments didn’t you?” Rarity asked half-lying.
“Oh come on, we know that you are ‘extremely’ unladylike with Applejack,” Sunset replied with a knowing smile.
“That’s not it at all,” Rarity defended herself with a look of fake disdain on her face.
“Sure it isn’t,” Sunset replied with a cocked eyebrow.
Rarity looked over the street to see Applejack leaning against her new pickup-truck. “Well I’m off, I will see you two later,” Rarity said and ran over to embrace Applejack.
“Aw, that’s beautiful,” Pinkie said suddenly popping up next to Fluttershy.
Sunset jumped when Pinkie showed up. “You have to tell me how you do that,” Sunset said trying to get her breathing under control.
“Do what?” Pinkie asked confused.
“Nevermind,” Sunset replied giving up immediately.
“You ready, Flutters?” Pinkie said as she grabbed Fluttershy’s hand.
“You bet, I’ll see you later Sunset,” Fluttershy said and gave Sunset a hug.
“See you guys later,” Sunset replied as she returned the hug. “Now no funny business you two, I don’t want to have to explain to Maud why Pinkie has hickies on her neck again,” she added when her and Fluttershy separated.
“Yes Ma’am,” Fluttershy and Pinkie said at the same time as they saluted her.
“At ease,” Sunset replied with a laugh. After that Fluttershy and Pinkie left their hands intertwined as they waved goodbye to Sunset. 
“You know they won’t listen,” Rainbow Dash said from the nearby bench that sat to the side of the statue portal
“I know, but it’s everyponies right to dream isn’t it?” Sunset asked with a laugh.
“Right,” Rainbow said returning the laugh as she spun a soccer ball on the tip of her fingers. 
“So where’s Gwen?” Sunset asked Rainbow as she sat beside Rainbow.
“Just finishing up her last class for the day, I’m going to try to convince her to join the soccer team,” Rainbow replied as she flipped the soccer ball onto her head and balanced it there.
“Again?” Sunset asked trying not to laugh.
“Hey the girl is a beast on the field, she’s even close to my level. She’d have to be twenty percent cooler to be on my level,” Rainbow said bouncing the ball off her head and kicking it towards the portal.
“Sure, that’s exactly why she beat you three times in a row,” Sunset said as she rolled her eyes.
“I was going easy on her,” Rainbow lied.
“Sure you were,” Sunset stated giggling now.
Gwen walked out of the school and looked around.
“Gotta go, I’ll see you later, Sunset,” Rainbow said quickly and grabbed her soccer ball and ran towards Gwen. Rainbow embraced her girlfriend as Sunset watched with a wide smile.
Sunset could tell when Gwen rolled her eyes and laughed that Rainbow was putting her plan into effect. She’s hopeless, but they are a cute couple, Sunset thought as she grabbed out a book from her backpack as she waited for her girlfriend to show up... 

XXX

Rain had started to fall over Canterlot High as Sunset waited still for her girlfriend, she had been sat at the bench now for four hours checking her watch constantly and looking around nervously. It’s not like her to be this late, two or three minutes yes, but not three hours late… I wonder if she’s even going to show up. Sunset thought to herself starting to twiddle her thumbs nervously. Where are you, Twilight? Sunset’s phone then buzzed. She retrieved it from her pocket and noticed it was Fluttershy.
Hey Sunny, how are things going with Twilight? Fluttershy wrote.
She’s not even here. Sunset replied.
Maybe something came up? Fluttershy wrote back.
She told me that she had the week off… She would have told me if something happened. Sunset wrote.
I’m sure she has her reasons.
As Sunset read the last text and found she couldn’t help but agree with Fluttershy. I should probably get out of this rain, if Twilight wants to show up, she knows where I live. Sunset thought to herself angry at Twilight and grabbed her bag and made to leave. Suddenly a figure stepped through the portal and Sunset whirled around expecting it to be Twilight. It was Pinkie Pie except her hair wasn’t all puffed up.
“Pinkie?” Sunset asked.
“You must be Sunset Shimmer, I’m Pinkie Pie,” Pinkie replied flatly.
This isn’t at all like the Pinkie I know? “Where’s Twilight?” Sunset asked slightly concerned and angry.
“It’s better if I showed you, I was sent here to get you… Twilight needs you,” Pinkie said trying not to cry.
“What happened?” Sunset asked now looking nervously at the portal.
“Please just come with me,” Pinkie said as tears began rolling down her cheeks.
Suddenly the anger washed away and was replaced with sadness, concern, and worry. Sunset approached the portal slowly, she thought of all the fears of going back and her steps faltered as she approached the portal… She closed her eyes tight and then her thoughts were brought to the one thing that meant more to her than anything… Twilight, whatever happens I’ll always be here for you. As those thoughts thundered through her head her eyes opened in defiance and she stepped through the portal with Pinkie. I’m coming Twilight, I’ll always be there for you... 
> It's A Trap!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cadance sat on the train that was headed for Yak Yakistan feeling like there was something off. Something’s off about this trip, it’s like something’s wrong about all of this… Maybe it was a better idea for Twilight to come along. 
“But why not sister?” Luna’s asked shaking Cadance from her thoughts.
“Because, we’re going to Yak Yakistan to secure an artifact, not put it under lockdown,” Celestia countered narrowing her eyes.
“I’m just saying that if we had a bit more of the army with us, we could ensure the artifact’s safety,” Luna shot back losing her patience with her sister.
“She might be right, Celestia,” Cadance interjected still sorting through her thoughts.
“I don’t believe this, you too?” Celestia asked in disbelief.
“I just have a bad feeling about this, like something's waiting for us there,” Cadance replied not quite sure what else to say.
“Yes, it’s called the pearl of Chaos and we’re going to ‘secure’ it…” Celestia started and eyed Luna angrily. “And bring it ‘back’ to Canterlot where it can be better protected, and that is ‘final,’” Celestia finished and then took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I’m just as on edge as the two of you. But we just can’t afford to bring the entire army and leave the rest of Canterlot defenceless,” she added and looked out the window of the train. “I love this land as much as you both do, which is why we can’t afford to screw up…” Celestia trailed off and then turned to the two princesses. “I need you both on top of your game for this, so can I trust you both?” She asked and extended out her hoof.
“I may not agree one hundred percent, but I will always stand by you,” Luna said and put her hoof on top of Celestia’s. The two sisters looked at Cadance and waited patiently.
The thoughts of what could happen rushed through Cadance’s head, and then her thoughts fell upon Shining armor and Twilight, the two people who meant so much to her, This is for their futures. Cadance then stood up and walked towards them. “If this will prevent the end of the world then of course I’m in,” Cadance said and placed her hoof on top of Luna’s. She then grew a wide smile on her face. “What about you Discord?” She asked without even looking.
“Oh very well,” Discord said materializing beside Cadance in honor guard armor. “At least we’ll all die together,” he added and put his taloned hand on top of Cadance’s hoof.
“That’s comforting,” Luna stated nervously.
“For Equestria!” They all yelled at the same time.
What could go wrong right? Cadance thought to herself as the train rolled along.

XXX

Sunset stepped out into Equestria and was immediately hit by the change, she had hooves a mane and a tail. Not only that she was extremely dizzy and was not used to standing on all fours yet. “Crap, I forgot how bad the change is,” Sunset commented as she shaked her head.
Pinkie stepped out of the portal and immediately started pushing Sunset. “No time, Twilight needs you right now,” Pinkie said sniffling a bit.
“Where is she?” Sunset asked trying to figure out where she was.
“She’s at the hospital,” Pinkie said quickly as she got the door.
Sunset shaked her head and started to adjust her hooves and ran out the door. “Where is that?” Sunset asked with her head darting around Ponyville.
Pinkie ran past her. “Just follow me,” Pinkie said racing down the street.
Sunset followed after her and they came to a moderately big building which Sunset assumed was the hospital. 
Pinkie and Sunset were led to Twilight’s room. Sunset was immediately taken aback by the sight before her.
Twilight lay in a bed hooked up to a heart-beat monitor her eyes wide open in fear, she was shivering and her fur had gone pale.
Sunset immediately ran up to Twilight and wrapped her hooves around Twilight and pulled her close. “What happened to her?” Sunset asked not letting go of Twilight or even turning to look at Pinkie.
“We don’t know, we found her like this a few hours ago,” Rarity said as she entered the room with Fluttershy and Applejack.
“We thought you should know and see if you knew how to cure this?” Applejack asked almost accusingly.
“You think I had something to do with this?” Sunset asked in disbelief.
“I do actually,” Applejack said and walked up to Sunset with a fire in her eyes.
“Applejack, enough the poor girls been through enough without you throwing accusations at her,” Rarity said trying to pull Applejack back.
“No, my friend is unconscious and the she-demon over there could be responsible,” Applejack stated pointing a hoof accusingly at Sunset.
“How dare you!” Sunset yelled putting Twilight back on the bed gently and then turning to give Applejack a look of pure scorn. “Twilight means more to me than anything, you have no right to accuse me of anything!” She added and got right in Applejack’s face. “I love her, so don’t you dare accuse me of anything that’s happening to her!” She yelled in Applejack’s face trying so very hard not to punch the orange earth pony.
Applejack’s face turned to one of pure sorrow and looked away from Sunset. “I’m so sorry I had to do that, I just needed to make sure you were telling the truth,” Applejack said and turned away from Sunset and ran out of the room.
Realization dawned on Sunset as she figured out what Applejack had been trying to say.
“I’ll go talk to her,” Rarity said and ran after Applejack.
“I guess we should leave you alone with Twilight for a little bit,” Fluttershy said and put an arm around Pinkie's shoulder and they both walked out of the room.
“Wait, you’ll need this,” Pinkie said and threw a book at Sunset. “It’s one of her favorites,” Pinkie added as she left the room.
Sunset noticed it was a Daring Do book, Twilight talked about these books a lot, I’ve never read them before, might be nice to. Sunset thought to herself and placed it to the side for now.
Sunset sat down beside Twilight and held her hoof with her own. “Hey Twilight, I know this is probably not the anniversary you envisioned… But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I love you Twilight,” Sunset said and planted a kiss on Twilight’s forehead while trying not to cry. Twilight’s hoof tightened on Sunset’s and Sunset looked at her girlfriend. Hopefully that was a sign, Sunset thought when she saw no change in Twilight’s state. “I need you back Twilight, I hate to see you like this… I need my egghead girlfriend back,” she added with a weak laugh. She reached over for the Daring Do book and opened it up to the first page. “Chapter 1 The lost treasure of the Archon,” Sunset started reading and saw Twilight relax slightly, Sunset simply kept reading for the rest of the night until she fell asleep.

XXX

Cadance waited while the train made it’s way to their destination with all haste. She looked over at the armor that had been laid out for her, a bit excessive but I might need it. Cadance marvelled at the armors similarity to the royal guards armor except the helmet had the addition of small wings on the sides and the chest plate held a crystal heart in place of the ordinary insignia and it was silver. 
Luna, Discord and Celestia entered in their own armor, Celestia’s was gold, Disocrd's was Rainbow colored and covered him from head to toe, and Luna’s black.
“Cadance, come on you have to put on your armor now, we’ll be there in a few minutes,” Luna insisted throwing the helmet to Cadance.
“Your right,” Cadance said and put on the helmet. As soon as she did the train shook and Cadance fell hard to the side as the train cart keeled over, she flew into the side wall and hit her head hard on the side wall of the train and dropped to the ground. The last thing she remembered was Luna screaming It’s a trap! Over and over again and then she blacked out...
> The Attack
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cadance came to shaking her head furiously and then looked around. The train now lay on it’s side with a giant hole through the cart. She was alone in the cart until she heard a sound come from just outside the cart. 
A changeling entered the cart and stared at Cadance and then transformed into Cadance.
Cadance in immediate reaction cast a spell blowing the changeling clear out of the cart. 
Luna rushed in seconds later. “Cadance, we’re under attack from changelings!” She screamed and dragged Cadance to her feet.
“What, why, how?” Cadance asked confused.
“I know not, but we’re having troubles holding them back,” Luna replied bringing Cadance with her through the hole in the cart.
Cadance immediately noticed their honor guard and Celestia facing copies of themselves. There were no end to the changeling army, it spread all the way across the valley that they stood in. “How are there so many?” Cadance asked in disbelief.
“Cadance we need you now, there is no time for questioning this, we must act now!” Luna yelled grabbing Cadance by the shoulders. “This is your chance to let loose a bit right?” She asked cracking a smile.
“Right,” Cadance replied with a smile of her own.
The duo rushed into the valley and charged into the changelings. 
Luna quickly took flight and cut a swath through the horde of Changelings with her magic.
Cadance charged the changelings with her horn spewing out bolts of pink magic at changelings left, right and center. She saw Celestia battling with a changeling while she lay on her back trying to not have her head bitten off. Cadance quickly charged the beast and cast a spell knocking it off of Celestia. Cadance rushed over and helped Celestia up.
“I owe you one,” Celestia said in relief.
“More than one,” Cadance mumbled under her breath.
“Oh would you two give it a rest already!” Discord yelled as he materialized next to them and turned a group of changelings into sheep and spawned a wall in front of another group that was trying to charge them. “We have a battle to win, and I’m doing all the work as usual!” He continued. “Maybe I should be the princess around here,” he added and a a crown appeared on his head in which he took off and beat an approaching changeling on the head with it.
The two princesses simply rolled their eyes as they thought off more and more of the changelings.
“There’s no end to them!” Cadance yelled as she casted another spell at an oncoming changeling.
“Even if their numbers are limitless and we are few, we will still win this day!” Luna yelled as she flew over her sister and Cadance. “For Equestria!” She cried out and cut another swath through the changeling army.
“For Equestria!” The ponies cried out at once.
With redoubled effort the army started to turn the tide. But then disaster struck.
A shrill and evil laugh broke out across the battlefield and suddenly Luna was hit by a spell which sent her spiraling into Celestia.
“Chrysalis…” Cadance said with pure terror and fear in her voice.

XXX

Rarity peeked through the door to Twilight’s room in the hospital. She smiled when she saw Sunset laying her head on Twilights chest as she snored quietly and held Twilight’s hoof in her own.
“Rarity, you really are a snoop aren’t you,” Applejack said as she stood behind Rarity.
Rarity jumped in surprise as she turned to look at Applejack. “I’d like to call it being curious, and it is rather rude to sneak up on someone like that,” Rarity stated indignantly as she turned her head away from Applejack in annoyance.
“It’s rather rude to be spying on your friends,” Applejack replied with a cocked eyebrow.
“Touche,” Rarity said with a roll of her eyes.
They trotted back over to her friends.
Pinkie was asleep on Fluttershy’s lap and Rainbow Dash was stretching her wings. 
“So how did the snooping go?” Rainbow asked the two of them.
“I didn’t do any snooping,” Applejack replied indignantly.
“It was not snooping, I was simply curious,” Rarity said while shaking her head.
“Sure it was,” Rainbow replied with a knowing smile.
Before they could continue Derpy flew through the door and straight into Pinkie and Fluttershy.
“Derpy?” Rainbow asked. “What are you doing?” She added with a confused look on her face.
“I’m so sorry,” Derpy started trying to pull both Pinkie and Fluttershy to their feet and ended up having them headbut eachother. “Sorry,” she said again.
Rainbow spun her around to look at her. “Derpy, what is it?” Rainbow asked keeping her hooves firmly on Derpy’s shoulders.
“Muffin?” Derpy said and handed Rainbow a muffin.
“Derpy,” Rainbow stated impatiently.
“Canterlot’s under attack, it’s the changelings and… Tirek,” Derpy said with a gulp. “There’s something else as well, there was a dark Alicorn leading them,” she rushed to explain.
“Tirek, but we imprisoned him in Tartarus,” Applejack said to Derpy.
“Then I guess we need to whoop his ass right there am I right ladies?” Rainbow asked the other girls.
“But we’re not at full strength, Twilight’s out of action, I think we should wait and think things over,” Rarity said urging caution.
“No time, Canterlot's in danger, we need to save them, if we wait then they die,” Rainbow retaliated and looked at Rarity with a pleading look in her eyes.
Rarity sighed. “I guess we have no other choice, but what about Sunset,” she asked looking towards Twilight’s room.
“This isn’t her fight,” Applejack stated with slight anger.
“This is her home too,” Fluttershy said standing up now with a hoof pressed to her forehead.
“Yeah and we do need the help,” Pinkie said mirroring Fluttershy’s actions.
“She’ll just slow us down,” Applejack interjected. “She’s still not used to being here yet, if we let her come along she might get herself killed or someone else for that matter,” she added trying to make her friends see sense.
Fluttershy looked down at her hooves in defeat. “I guess you're right,” Fluttershy conceded weakly.
“I’m sorry it has to be like this, but it’s the truth,” Applejack replied as she headed for the door.
“Thanks for the info, Derpy you're a good kid,” Rainbow said and patted Derpy on the head.
Rarity looked over at Twilight’s room one last time, Keep her safe, Sunset, she thought to herself. She then followed Applejack.
The rest of the group followed soon after and they exited the hospital and then it hit Rainbow.
“Did Derpy say there were changelings with Tirek?” Rainbow asked.
“This day just got a whole bunch more interesting,” Applejack said nervously and then straightened up and tipped her hat down. “Alright ladies let’s do this, for Twilight,” Applejack said with more confidence this time.
“For Twilight!” They all said in chorus and began their sprint for the train station.  
> Nothing's The Same
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The battlefield went quiet as the laughing continued to thunder through the valley, even the changelings had stopped their advance and looked to the sky.
Chrysalis formed out of nowhere, although her appearance had changed greatly. Her eyes were now pure jet black and her form seemed as if it was fading in and out of existence.
“Not here, not now,” Cadance muttered under her breath in disbelief.
Celestia put a hoof on Cadance’s shoulder to reassure the younger Alicorn. “Chrysalis!” Celestia called out. “Whatever foul game you wish to play on us it will not work, we stand as one and our unity is stronger than ever,” she continued as she placed her over hoof on Discord’s shoulder. “Our will and friendship shall never be broken by the likes of you again!” She yelled adamantly at the Changeling Queen.
Chrysalis simply laughed at this as the changelings began to back the Equestrian army into a tight circle. “Are you done yet, Celestia? Do you think I care about your love anymore, I have a new source of power for my people now, the power of the lord Chaos!” She yelled triumphantly.
“What, but Chaos hasn’t been unleashed yet, there’s still another artifact,” Cadance yelled at Chrysalis.
“There’s a reason they call us changeling’s you know. ‘We’ planted the information of there being a Chaos artifact in Yak Yakistan,” Chrysalis replied with a wide smile. “Now I get to revel in my victory as well as my ‘second’ deception of the princesses of Equestria… It’s good to be me,” she added with a loud laugh 
Realization dawned on Celesta as Chrysalis’s horn lit up with a black hue and sent a spell spiraling towards her.
Celestia attempted to react but she wouldn’t have been fast enough… Had it not been for Cadance. 
Cadance stepped out in front of Celestia and blocked the uncoming spell with a shield. “You talk a lot, Chrysalis, let’s see if you can fight as well as you run and hide,” Cadance said and raised her head in defiance.
“Oh you asked for it, I already have a score to settle with you as it is, bitch!” Chrysalis yelled and cast another more powerful spell.
Cadance held onto Celestia’s hoof.
Celestia in turn grabbed hold of Discords bear hand.
Cadance and Discord grabbed hold of the honor guards hoofs who in turn held onto the other until the entire army was connected. 
The army concentrated and a giant shield formed around them just before the spell hit home.
“So long as we stand together, no one shall break our circle!” Cadance yelled in defiance as the changelings flung themselves on the shield.
Luna stumbled to her hooves and looked around at her friends attempt to thwart the changelings and smiled. She then stumbled over to Celestia and grabbed hold of her sister's shoulder adding her own magic to the armies.
Celestia looked back at Luna and smiled at her sister’s defiance. “We stand as one, Chrysalis! And we shall never be broken!” Celestia cried out as she looked back to the Changeling Queen. 
The shield suddenly pulsed and the shield knocked off the changelings.
Chrysalis seemed oddly unfazed by this development, in fact she seemed amused.
“You know, I’ve drawn this out long enough… Why don’t ‘I’ show you the true power of chaos!” Chrysalis yelled and her eyes began to burn and her horn started to build a massive amount of power.
“Get ready!” Cadance called out and braced herself.
Chrysalis unleashed a giant burst of energy that blew through the shield like it was paper. The sheer force of the spell sent the army spiraling to the ground.
“Hmm, I expected better out of you, Cadance… Oh well, finish them,” Chrysalis stated with a wave of dismissal.
The changelings piled on the now helpless and scattered army.
As Cadance was quickly overwhelmed her thoughts lay on the power of Chrysalis. So this is the power of Chaos, if it’s this strong, then what hope do we have? Then the changelings had all but covered her as they amassed around her... No, I can't give up!
Chrysalis simply laid back laughing at how easy this was, Now the rest of Equestria will be mine as Lord Chaos promised. Chrysalis thought while laughing to herself. Then she saw a giant beam of light emerge from the Changelings.
Luna broke free of them sending the Changelings flying in all directions. “Is that all?” Luna asked trying to catch her breath. “I can go all day!” She yelled as she spat at the ground.
Celestia broke out soon after and joined her sister. “We do this together,” Celestia said to her sister.
“Yes we do,” Discord said as he rode in on a bicycle and ran the little bell on the bicycle. The sisters looked at him strangely. “What if we’re going to go out in a blaze of glory, might as well go out in style,” he added with a laugh.
“Room for one more?” Cadance asked as she bucked a Changeling away from her.
“What hope could you possibly have against me!” Chrysalis yelled with a ferocious smile. “Your army lays destroyed before your eyes, what hope do you have?” She asked.
“So long as we have eachother…” Cadance started as she charged up her horn.
“So long as we trust eachother…” Luna continued as she charged her horn too and connected the tip with Cadance’s.
“There will always be hope…” Celestia continued and mirrored Luna’s and Cadance’s actions and connected the tip of her horn to theirs.
“And we will always win the day!” Discord finished and charged up a spell and placed his hand on the horns.
“Your time is over!” They all yelled at once and then unleashed the spell.
The spell produced a giant blinding light that blinded everyone for several seconds. When the spell ended there was a giant swath through the center of the valley and so much smoke that Cadance, Celestia, Luna and Discord couldn’t tell if it had worked.
“Do you think it worked?” Luna asked barely able to stand after the overexertion of her magic.
“It had to have worked, we hit her with everything we had,” Cadance said struggling to stand just as much as Luna.
Then a voice came from the smoke that shattered their hopes. “You know that almost tickled,” Chrysalis stated as the smoke cleared. Chrysalis was virtually unscathed by the attack and simply smiled at the bewildered group in front of her. “Let me show what true power is!” Chrysalis said and immediately charged a spell and blasted the group.
None of them had any power to stop the attack and were consumed in a sea of darkness as they were knocked across the valley.
Chrysalis looked at the struggling forms of her enemies now fighting just to stand. Chrysalis sighed at the display. “Now you can kill them,” she said nonchalantly. Then Chrysalis was hit by a huge sudden headache.
I require them alive fool, do not forget that I give the orders around here little girl. Bring the princesses and the imposter to me, Chaos spoke furiously into Chrysalis’s mind.
What about the rest? Chrysalis asked.
You can kill them, they are of no use to me, Chaos replied with no sympathies.
Thank you, Lord Chaos. Chrysalis said and turned to her army. “The Princesses and Discord are to be taken alive, kill the rest,” Chrysalis said with a wave of her hoof. 
The changelings bound the princesses but only found a stuffed animal version of Discord with a note in it’s mouth that read IOU 1 Discord. 
“Mistress, Discord has escaped,” one of the changelings said.
“Damn it… Oh well, we have the princesses at least,” Chrysalis replied looking over to the three princesses. “I’m glad Chaos wanted us to spare them… I’m going to have so much fun torturing them for what they did to me!” She announced happily as she held up Cadance’s chin with her hoof. 
Discord watched with regret as he witnessed his friends being dragged off and then slumped down in exhaustion, I’m so sorry I just didn’t have the power to get you girls out of there. “It took all the magic I had left to just slip away,” Discord whispered with regret while trying to catch his breath. I have to warn Twilight, she’ll know what to do. He thought and looked around before beginning his long trek back to Ponyville... The end of days is upon us, and my only hope now is Twilight and her friends.    

XXX

Applejack and her friends arrived at Canterlot after abandoning the train to approach more quietly. Canterlot was all but destroyed when they reached it, there was not a structure above two stories still left standing and the streets were barren besides the occasional piece of debris that littered it when they passed through the gates. Not even the enemy was present.
“Maybe they left?” Fluttershy managed trying to not melt down.
“Or they’re laying a trap for us,” Applejack replied keeping an eye on every corner and back alley as well as open doors. “Pinkie anything on the Pinkie sense radar?” She asked turning to Pinkie.
“Nope, everything’s clear, it’s odd I feel like there’s something wrong, but my Pinkie sense doesn’t feel anything,” Pinkie said clearly bewildered by this turn of events.
“You know what the best answer to that is,” Rainbow said with a wide smile.
“What’s that?” Rarity asked with uncertainty.
“Spring the trap!” rainbow yelled as she charged forward using her wings to propel her.
“Rainbow wait!” Pinkie yelled as her Pinkie sense went off.
Pinkie’s warning came too late, Rainbow was punched into a wall and was taken out of the equation completely.
“You ponies are just as foolish as ever!” Tirek said as he stepped around the corner, his eyes now had no pupils and were just pure black and his hair had become a flame of dark energy and he seemed to phase in and out of reality.
Changelings piled into the streets and surrounded the group of ponies.
“Hopefully you four will prove more of a challenge than this whelp,” Tirek said and kicked Rainbow into a building.
“Careful Tirek, Chaos wants them unharmed… Mostly,” A dark Alicorn said as she landed on Tirek’s shoulder.
“That voice…” Applejack started.
“Those wings...” Rarity said in disbelief.
“It can’t be,” Pinkie said mirroring Rarity’s disbelief.
“Twilight,” Fluttershy said confirming everyone's dread.
The Alicorn simply laughed. “You dare to compare me to that weakling, I am everything that she could never be, I am better in every way. Because I don’t have you pests holding me down,” The dark Twilight announced with an evil laugh.
“You can’t mean that,” Pinkie said with tears stinging her eyes.
“That ain’t Twilight, Pinkie,” Applejack said with certainty not even taking her eyes off of Dark Twilight for a second.
"How right you are, Applejack," The Dark Twilight said as she simply looked at Applejack with an unwavering evil smile. “Take care of them, Tirek,” Dark Twilight said nonchalantly and leaped down from Tirek’s shoulder.
“I don’t take orders from you, little pest!” Tirek yelled at Dark Twilight.
“You will if you want your reward from the master,” Dark Twilight shot back.
Tirek simply grunted angrily and turned to charge the four ponies.
Applejack ran underneath Tirek and after the now retreating Twilight.
“Applejack!” Pinkie yelled.
“You deal with them, leave her to me!” Applejack yelled back as she left her friends to fend for themselves. Whoever that is, she’s responsible for what happened to Twilight, I won’t let her get away! Applejack thought to herself with a fury in her heart.
Little did Applejack know that this was just another trap set up by Chaos and his lackeys, and she was running headlong into it...    
> Chaos Rising
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	When Applejack departed to chase Dark Twilight Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie had to quickly dodge out of the way of Tirek.
“Pinkie can you handle the changelings?” Rarity asked the pink pony.
Pinkie cracked her neck. “Leave it to me,” Pinkie said and turned to the charging changelings. “Bring it on, meanie faces!” Pinkie yelled and pulled the party cannon out of nowhere. “This is for Twilight!” She shrieked as the cannon fired. “This is for Canterlot!” She yelled unleashing another shot of explosive confetti. “And this is for everypony else!” She added and fired it again.
Rarity grabbed hold of Fluttershy’s shoulders. “We get the big guy,” Rarity said quickly.
“Umm, if it’s ok with you, I’d like to sit this one out,” Fluttershy whispered and tried to fly off but Rarity kept her grounded.
“Think of how many ponies he’s hurt and all the animals aswell, think of what happened to Twilight,” Rarity reasoned with Fluttershy.
Fluttershy suddenly drooped her head down and started shaking. “That big… Fat… Meanie!” Fluttershy yelled raising her head up with new found aggression and anger. She quickly took flight and charged towards Tirek.
“That a girl!” Rarity cried out as she followed suit casting a spell at Tirek.
Tirek shrugged off the spell but then was knocked backwards by the strength of Fluttershy’s punch. “Whelp, you dare challenge the might Tirek!” Tirek cried out and made to punch Fluttershy but was thwarted by Rarity holding his fist in place with magic.
Fluttershy dove under his fist and uppercutted Tirek which knocked Tirek through a nearby wall. Fluttershy followed immediately and continued her vicious assault on Tirek. Punch after punch Fluttershy landed on Tirek but Tirek maintained the same smile the entire time.
One opening was all Tirek needed and he took it, Fluttershy stopped for a split second to catch her breath and Tirek struck her with a punch that sent her spiraling into a nearby building.
“Fluttershy!” Pinkie and Rarity cried out at the same time in pure shock. In that split second The changelings piled onto Pinkie and overwhelmed her.
“Pinkie!” Rarity yelled and then she was backed into a corner. “I may be on my own physically but my friends will always be with me!” She said with certainty looking at her enemies with defiance.
Tirek simply laughed at this. “Behold true power, ‘pony,’” Tirek announced and sent a blast of dark magic towards Rarity.
Rarity tried to block but her shield was shattered in a few seconds and she was knocked through several buildings and rolled to a stop on a sidewalk.
“Nothing shall stop my ascendance!” Tirek yelled to the sky with a loud laugh.
“Remember your place, Tirek,” Spike said from behind Tirek.
The giant Tirek towered over the dragon but still he backed down. “So long as it keeps it’s end of the bargain, I will play along for now,” Tirek said with an angry grunt.
“You wound me, Tirek. Is my word not enough for you?” Chaos asked as if his voice came from all every direction at once.
“I don’t trust anyone, least of all you,” Tirek retaliated as he looked around for Chaos.
“After all that I’ve done for you, freed you from eternal imprisonment, and gave you both power and revenge over these pathetic ponies. What more do I need to do?” Chaos asked in a patronizing tone.
“Why don’t you come out of the shadows for a start,” Tirek said his eyes darting across the city.
“All in due time, Tirek you know as well as I do that these things take time…” Chaos trailed off hanging on the last words.

XXX  

Applejack was closing in on the Dark Twilight but strangely found it difficult to focus on her. Applejack looked down at her feet and saw a dark mist had formed that just covered them. Bewildered by this Applejack wondered if the dark mist was the source of her trouble to focus.
Dark Twilight stopped when they entered the royal palace area and spun around.
“So you're actually gonna…” Applejack started and tried to focus on the words to say. “Fight me now, are you?” She managed as her words started to slur and her head wouldn’t stop spinning.
“Now that the advantage is mine, this is going to be easy,” Dark Twilight said and charged Applejack.
Applejack tried to buck Dark Twilight with her hind hooves but the attack was clumsy and she missed wildly as Dark Twilight quickly dodged out of the way and met Applejack with a buck of her own.
The blow was so powerful it sent Applejack spiraling to the ground.
“Come on, Applejack I thought you were the champ,” Dark Twilight said in a mocking tone.
“I am, and I’m going to buck your plot all the way to the Crystal Empire!” Applejack yelled as she recovered and charged Dark Twilight trying to buck her again but failed as her perception was thrown out of focus again.
Dark Twilight answered her attack this time with a spell that sent her careening across the courtyard into a giant wall. “Just… Give… Up AJ!” Dark Twilight yelled frustrated that Applejack was struggling to her hooves.
“So long as I can still stand I will fight you, for my friends,” Applejack said in defiance, spitting at Dark Twilight.
Dark Twilight quickly calmed down and quickly resumed her original posture. “You know that’s one of your faults, AJ,” Dark Twilight began and then charged Applejack and tackled her through the wall of the royal palace. “You never know when to quit,” she added and started to punch Applejack while she was down. “Will you stay down now, huh AJ?” Dark Twilight continued to punch Applejack until she fell unconscious. “You know, I think that’s the smartest decision you’ve made all day,” Dark Twilight said resuming her patronizing tone as she hoisted Applejack onto her back. “That should be all of them, unless Tirek couldn’t handle the other three, although the likelihood of that are slim even for him,” Dark Twilight said to herself as she started her flight to where Tirek and the master should be.

XXX

Applejack woke with a start and darted around quickly to see she was standing in Apple Acres back in Ponyville… What the hay, I thought I was just in Canterlot facing… Oh who was I facing, I can’t remember. 
“So we’re all in agreement,” Twilight’s voice shook Applejack from her thoughts.
“What?” Applejack asked as suddenly her friends appeared in front of her.
“I never want to see any of you again!” Rainbow yelled and flew off.
“Rainbow wait!” Applejack yelled after the pegasus.
“I don’t even know why I ever wanted to be friends with any of you,” Rarity huffed and walked off.
“Rarity?” Applejack asked in despair.
“Me neither,” Pinkie and Fluttershy said together and departed in opposite directions.
“Wait, Twilight what’s happening?” Applejack asked her eyes darting around.
“It’s all you fault, AJ I hope you know that. I never want to see you again,” Twilight said and flew off towards Canterlot.
“Wait don’t leave me here… Don’t leave me here alone,” Applejack said weakly and looked down in sorrow. “Don’t go,” she added weakly.

XXX

“There power is flowing through me, I feel so powerful now,” Chaos shouted triumphantly as Applejack, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rarity lay at Spike's feet as he cast the fear spell and formed the dark versions of the ponies. “My ascension is almost upon us, we must return to Griffon Stone for the ritual however in order to recover my full power,” Chaos said and ordered Spike to turn to the dark ponies. “Leave the bodies here, this will shatter their resolve and leave them broken, let us leave this pitiful excuse for a city,” he added and the group left the ponies laying there in their nightmare induced state, their eyes permanently plastered open in fear much the same as Twilight. 
Up above hidden by debris sat Shining Armor and Flash Sentry who arrived just in time to see the display before them.
“We should do something!” Flash whispered with frustration and made to go after Chaos.
“Wait, I do want you to follow them, but only follow them, we need to figure out what they’re up to. Under no circumstances are you to engage them, Flash am I understood?” Shining asked knowing full well the answer.
“Of course, Shining,” Flash replied with a swift salute and departed the rooftop.
Shining descended from the building also to recover Twilight’s friends. He used his magic to hoist four of them in the air and put the last on his back. “I need to get you girls back to Ponyville,” Shining said and walked out of the main gate and started his long trek to Ponyville. Hopefully Twilight has some answers…

> Dawn Of A New Age
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sunset awoke with a start in the morning and found herself laid across Twilight. She immediately sat up and looked at Twilight, she wasn’t shaking anymore but her eyes were still wide open in fear. Sunset put a hoof on Twilight’s cheek and looked Twilight in the eyes. “Everything’s going to be alright, baby I promise,” Sunset said and planted a kiss on Twilight’s forehead. “I’ll be right back,” she added and exited the room. Sunset made her way to a vending machine and got herself a coffee. “At least they have coffee here,” Sunset said in relief as she retrieved the coffee with her magic. It’s weird having the horn again as well... And the tail. Sunset looked back at her tail and wagged it around a bit. “Yep still weird,” Sunset said with a sigh as she plopped down on one of the chairs in the waiting room and brought a hoof to her forehead and laid back and then took a sip of her coffee. “I should have been there, Twilight deserves better than me… It took her almost dying to get me to come back. I’m just so useless,” Sunset whispered to herself as a single tear began to run down her cheek. Her sadness turned to anger and she chucked the coffee into the wall and ran her hooves through her mane and growled in anger. “Useless… Just so useless,” Sunset repeated over and over again as she sat there not knowing how to feel. That’s when Sunset realized something. Where is everyone else? At those thoughts a stallion burst through the door carrying four mares in a magic bubble and one on his back.
“Help, I need some help over here!” The stallion cried out and looked at Sunset. “Help!” He yelled at Sunset.
Sunset sprung to her feet when she realized it was her friends that the stallion was carrying. She took hold of two of her friends inside of the magic bubble.
The doctors came rushing into the waiting room in a panic. “This way, quickly,” One of the doctors yelled ushering Sunset and the stallion into Twilight’s room. “Set them on the beds and we’ll take it from here,” The doctor ordered. 
As soon as Sunset and the stallion set them down on the beds they were pushed out of the room by the nurses and the door was shut in their faces.
“What happened to my friends?” Sunset asked the stallion.
“You know them?” The stallion asked.
“Yes,” Sunset replied simply.
“I know them too, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before,” The stallion said looking Sunset over.
“Um, my name is Sunset Shimmer,” Sunset said with a nervous smile.
“So you’re Sunset Shimmer,” The stallion said with a surprised look.
“That’s me,” Sunset replied. “And you are?” She asked.
“Oh right, I’m Shining Armor, Twilight’s older brother,” Shining replied cracking a weak smile.
“Oh, well this is awkward… I really thought we would meet under better circumstances,” Sunset said looking away with a sad expression on her face.
“I know what you mean, Twilight talks about you a lot, it seems like the only thing she talks about apart from business,” Shining said with a short laugh.
“Wow, really?” Sunset asked slightly surprised.
“You mean a lot to her, I don’t even want to think what would happen if she lost you again…” Shining trailed off and looked at the door to Twilight’s room.
“I know the feeling,” Sunset said.
“So where is Twilight anyways?” Shining said with a determined look. “I need to tell her something really important,” he added with a hopeful look.
“She’s in there,” Sunset replied pointing at the door.
Shining’s expression immediately fell into despair.
“You might want to sit down for this,” Sunset said and led Shining into the waiting room.
Sunset and Shining sat across from eachother and Sunset told Shining all that she knew about what was going on.
“Chaos…” Shining muttered under his breath which Sunset managed to hear.
“Who’s Chaos?” Sunset asked with concern in her voice.
“He might be responsible for Twilight’s condition too, and the girls. Last night I travelled to Canterlot with Flash Sentry for the latest Griffon Stone peace talk. I was selected because the princesses were off to Yak Yakistan on a secret mission,” Shining started and then took a deep breath. “When we got to Canterlot we arrived just in time to witness a ritual taking place that created darker forms of your friends and put them in some form of trance. There was a dragon there that looked like Spike which had a talking amulet around it’s neck. If what you’ve told me about Twilight’s condition is true then I believe they are all connected to this Chaos character and Tirek,” Shining finished and sat back in the chair contemplating this theory.
“Then what do we do? Because there’s a dark version of my friends and my girlfriend out there with the thing responsible for all of this…” Sunset trailed off as she heard a sound from nearby. 
Discord came barrelling through the door and landed in front of Sunset.
“Discord?” Sunset asked.
“Princesses… In trouble… Trap…!” Discord attempted to say. “Muffins!” Discord exclaimed and fell unconscious.
Sunset and Shining looked at each other with concern and could feel the lack of magic emanating from Discord.
“He’s dehydrated and his magic reserves are low,” Sunset said as she then checked Discord’s pulse, his pulse was playing a tune that sounded oddly like Shine Like Rainbows. “Sometimes I hate Discord’s anatomy,” Sunset said and started to hoist Discord up.
Shining Moved to help her and took most of the weight on his shoulders. “There’s time when you don’t?” Shining asked with a laugh trying to lighten the mood.
“I guess so,” Sunset replied with a short laugh before she returned to her serious expression. “He mentioned something about the princesses being in trouble though,” she said with concern.
“I don’t like this, Sunset someone's messing with us and I’m sure it has to do with Chaos,” Shining said as they laid Discord down on a bed and sat beside him.
“I think you're right but we can’t be sure until Discord comes to,” Sunset replied looking at the unconscious Discord.
“You go and wait for them to get back with the results for Twilight and the rest of them, I’ll stay here and keep an eye on him,” Shining said and waved Sunset away with a hoof.
Sunset simply nodded and exited the room and sat on a chair in the waiting room.
Another stallion entered the waiting room with gelled back hair a suit and tie and a brown trench coat. “Hello I’m looking for a Sunset Shimmer?” The Stallion asked in a british accent.
“I’m her,” Sunset replied. What is it now? She thought to herself. “And you are?” She asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“Hello I’m the doctor,” The stallion replied with a wide smile.
“Doctor who?” Sunset asked confused...  

XXX

Cadance came to in a dark cavern, she didn’t know where she was and noticed she was chained to the wall by the neck. She noticed Luna still unconscious beside her with Celestia there hugging her sister close to her, they were both similarly chained like Cadance was. “What happened?” Cadance asked struggling to remember what happened after the fight.
“We were taken out by Chrysalis and brought here… Wherever here is,” Celestia answered looking around them at the prison.
“What about everyone else, our soldiers… Discord, where are they?” Cadance asked now slightly panicking.
“I’m sorry Cadance, after the fight Chrysalis ordered her changelings to kill the rest of the army, and I don’t know what became of Discord, we can only hold out hope that he survived,” Celestia replied looking down in sorrow.
“Let’s hope,” Cadance said with a regretful tone. “I knew it was a trap,” she added and buried her face in her hooves.
“It’s not your fault, Cadance, the blame lies solely on my shoulders,” Celestia replied.
“I disagree, you are all at fault,” A voice said from outside the prison cell.
Celestia and Cadance turn to see Spike standing there. “Spike?” Cadance asked in disbelief. “But how, why?” She asked.
“To serve the lord Chaos, the ritual is almost ready, I had planned to have Discord's powers added to his but alas Discord has eluded us, so you three will just have to do,” Spike answered with a wide smile. “Enjoy your last moments of comfort with eachother, unlike Twilight and the rest he will not spare you, this ritual is your end,” he added and walked off.
Celestia and Cadance looked at eachother in disbelief and then hugged eachother and Luna close and hoped for rescue. It’s all over, if Twilight and her friends are gone then there’s nothing stopping Chaos. 
Little did they know there was one other that had the power to stop this... 
> The Princess Of The Griffons
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sunset sat there in silence when the Doctor told her who he was. “Ok,” Sunset said finally in complete understanding.
“You're not surprised at all?” The Doctor asked in confusion.
“Nope,” Sunset said shaking her head.
“I’m a time traveller, I have a time machine and I’m also an alien from another world that can see the flow of time itself,” The Doctor replied still slightly confused.
“I come from a world where people walk on two feet rather than four hooves. Also, time travel is kind of a thing already if you didn’t know,” Sunset said with a laugh.
“Huh, I guess I never thought of it like that, normally people freak out or just don’t believe me… But anyways back to why I’m here,” the Doctor started and leaned forward in his chair. “You know of the creature Chaos don’t you?” He asked.
“Small bits, like the fact that he’s allied with Tirek and has made dark versions of my friends,” Sunset said  with disgust in her voice.
“So I arrived just in time,” the Doctor said with a hoof on his chin.
“What do you mean?” Sunset asked confused now.
“I can see the whole of creation, every little thing that happens in time… I have seen the beginning of this universe and I have seen it’s end. But for some reason I cannot see anything past this point in time anymore. Somehow Chaos has managed to change the timeline, change the entire of history,” the Doctor started now pacing around.
“How?” Sunset asked leaning closer.
“I don’t know… Isn’t it exciting?” The Doctor asked with a smile on his face.
Sunset smacked the Doctor in the face with her hoof.
“What was that for?” The Doctor asked as he touched the sore spot that was left by the slap.
“People are dying and you find it exciting?” Sunset asked in disbelief.
“Sorry it’s just how I am… I love to find these problems and solve them,” the Doctor said making patterns with his hooves.
“So you seek danger out?” Sunset asked more confused than ever.
“No, well maybe, ok yeah,” the Doctor replied pacing even faster now.
“You're insane,” Sunset said with a roll of her eyes.
“No I’m not, well maybe a little, what is insanity anyways?” The Doctor asked Sunset.
Sunset was about to answer when the Doctor put up a hoof.
“Wait, I seem to have gotten sidetracked a bit, I do that sometimes… I wonder why that is?” The Doctor asked himself with his hoof on his chin in contemplation again.
“It’s a complete mystery,” Sunset replied slightly frustrated now.
“Right, I need to find three others, Discord, Shining Armor and Guinevere,” the Doctor said listing them off on his fingers.
“Gwen?” Sunset asked in disbelief. I guess there is another version of her in this reality too. 
At that thought Discord came out of his room on high alert with Shining Armor trying to to hold him back.
“No time, we have to save the princesses,” Discord said and looked over to Sunset. “Sunset, the princesses got captured, where’s Twilight?” he asked looking at her with desperation in his eyes.
“She’s out of action,” Twilight stated averting her eyes from Discords.
“Wait, that means we have less time than I thought, we must find Gwen,” the Doctor said and grabbed Sunset by the hoof and dragged her to the door.
“Who are you?” Shining asked breaking the Doctor’s hold on Sunset’s hoof.
“I’m the Doctor and right now I’m your best chance at saving the entire of reality,” the Doctor said in a defiant and serious tone, far from the laid back and happy tone from before.
“Doctor who?” Discord asked.
“Let’s not start this again,” Sunset said exiting the hospital. “So where is Gwen?” She asked looking at the Doctor.
“That’s the thing I don’t know, all I know is that she’s an Alicorn,” the Doctor replied stepping past Sunset and looking around the town.
“If only Pinkie were still up and about, she would have been able to find Gwen,” Sunset said trying not to think about her friends.
A mare pushed past Sunset and ran towards the town square followed by a couple of others.
“Where’s the fire?” Sunset asked stopping one of the ponies in their tracks.
“Someponies picking a fight with Bulk Biceps, we’re going to watch,” the mare answered and then ran past Sunset. “Wait for me guys,” she added chasing after her friends.
“Somethings never change in this town,” Discord said with a laugh.
“It’s denial, the people refuse to believe there’s a threat so they drown it out by any means necessary,” the Doctor replied with a grim tone. “So anybody up for a fight, maybe it could give us some clues,” he added with his tone changing to being more cheery.
“Well we have no other leads, let’s go,” Sunset replied and proceeded to walk to the town square.
“Alonze,” the Doctor stated gleefully and shook his head in excitement. 
The entire trip there Shining wouldn’t take his eyes off the Doctor. I don’t trust him… Shining thought to himself as they approached the square.
They found a cloaked figure there with a hood drawn over her face. Their only defining characteristics were their red tail with a streak of green through it and a diamond bracelet that hung around her hoof.
“That one seems familiar but I can’t be sure,” Sunset muttered under her breath as she turned to see the white pegasus with more muscle than wings. “Bulk Biceps, I’m assuming?” Sunset asked already knowing the answer.
Discord simply nodded as he watched on.
Biceps made the first move, he tried to tackle the pony but was met with nothing as the pony quickly ducked under and through his legs.
The pony quickly met Biceps with a buck of their hind hooves.
Biceps whipped around with a loud “Yeah” and tried going for the pony again missing wildly as the pony back flipped over Biceps and bucked him again.
Biceps whipped around and swung at the pony with one of his fists and then again and again.
The pony dodged each attack and on the last attack they dodged under and uppercutted Biceps. Their hood came off to reveal it was a mare with dark red hair and a horn.
“A unicorn, so she isn’t a…” Sunset started but the Doctor held up a hand.
“Just wait,” the Doctor said hopefully.
As if on cue the mare took off her cloak to reveal her wings.
The crowd gasped as they looked at the Alicorn before them.
“Sunset Shimmer, meet Gwen future Princess of Griffonstone,” the Doctor said pointing towards the Alicorn with his hoof.
	Future… Right he knows everything that’s going to happen, but princess of Griffonstone… I’ll believe it when I see it. Sunset thought to herself as she something happening to Gwen’s wings.
Gwen’s wings started to be enveloped by wind that gathered from all around her. She then burst forward like a bullet with her fist outstretched and punched Biceps in the face sending him flying through the air.
Biceps landed awkwardly on the ground now unconscious.
Gwen glared at the viewers who then backed up a bit. “Anymore takers, or are you people going to leave me alone,” Gwen said with acid in her voice. 
The crowd went silent and started to disperse.
“That’s what I thought,” Gwen said and retrieved her cloak before leaving the town square.
“So what’s the gameplan?” Discord asked the Doctor.
“From the looks of things she doesn’t look like she wants to talk to anyone,” Shining observed as he looked at Biceps.
“This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting,” the Doctor answered with a nervous laugh.
“What were you…” Discord started before Sunset cut in.
“I’ll talk to her, I know her… Well the other her, I could try and convince her,” Sunset said turning to the group.
“Are you sure?” The Doctor asked.
“Yes I am, if we need her then I’ll try my best to convince her,” Sunset said as she took a deep breath and went after Gwen. This isn’t at all like the Gwen I know, the girl I know is nervous and would never hurt a fly… What happened to this one? Sunset thought to herself as she approached Gwen. Time to find out… I have a bad feeling about this…    
> The Journey Ahead...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sunset followed Gwen cautiously as Gwen turned a corner down into an alleyway.
“That’s the last time I go out, I’m so sick of these crazy ponies,” Gwen said as she grabbed a sack off of a crate and retrieved an apple from it. She took a bite out of the apple and smiled a bit. “Although the apples they make here are to die for,” she added.
Sunset ducked behind the crate as Gwen moved further down the alleyway.
“You know it’s rude to spy on people,” Gwen said and spun around lifting the crate with her magic.
Sunset sat there wide-eyed as she looked at the very angry Alicorn in front of her. “How did you…?” Sunset asked.
“You pick up a few things when you're on the run, now what do you want?” Gwen asked angrily as her horn lit up.
“Just to talk, believe me, Gwen this is just as weird for me,” Sunset answered with a hoof on her chest.
“How do you know my name?” Gwen asked jumping back in surprise.
“I know you, not you you, but the other you from my world,” Sunset said quickly trying to calm Gwen down.
“What are you trying to say?” Gwen asked more confused than angry now.
“I come from a different world where there is a girl just like you, same name, same appearance… Kind of. Except you aren’t like her at all,” Sunset said lowering her gaze to the ground.
“And how am I not like her?” Gwen asked her anger returning a bit.
“For one she would never have beaten anyone up no matter who it was, and she never flew off the handle at anyone,” Sunset stated still looking at the ground.
“She sounds like a pushover, that could never be me,” Gwen replied laughing now.
“I can prove it,” Sunset said with certainty.
“How?” Gwen asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“You like rainbows, your very athletic but don’t want to upstage people. You’ve always had a preference for athletes with slight ego issues. You also prefer mares but are shy to admit it for fear of what people might think of you. You right-hoofed but you like to tell people you're ambidextrous… And also you have an unhealthy obsession with the color red,” Sunset said as she finished her list and looked up at Gwen who had a look of pure surprise on her face. “How would I know all that if I didn’t know you personally?” She asked confidently.
Gwen remained quiet for a minute or so contemplating what Sunset had just said to her. Her magic dissipated and her muscles relaxed. “So you know another me, so what?” Gwen asked sitting down now. “It doesn’t make me your friend,” she added.
“I understand, I just want you to hear me out, I need your help,” Sunset said with sincerity.
“A complete stranger who somehow knows a lot about me, and you want me to help you?” Gwen asked.
“I know it sounds crazy but we need your help. It involves an ancient evil that can destroy this world,” Sunset replied.
“And by an evil you don’t mean Chaos do you?” Gwen asked now suddenly concerned.
“Yes I do, wh…” Sunset began but was immediately cut off.
“I’ll help you on one condition,” Gwen replied with renewed anger.
“And what is that?” Sunset asked slightly skeptical now.
“As soon as I see it’s dragon lackey, I’m gonna kill him,” Gwen answered with no hint of it being a joke.
Sunset’s eyes went wide in surprise. “Umm, ok,” she said, Definitely not the Gwen I know… What happened to her? 
“Great, when do we leave,” A voice said from the wall and Discord materialized on it.
“Who’s this?” Gwen asked immediately alert again.
“A friend, Discord this is Gwen, Gwen this is Discord… He knows your other self as well,” Sunset said quickly as she tried to diffuse the situation.
“Oh great another one, just how many other are going to be on this trip?” Gwen asked resuming her defensive stance.
“Just us,” the Doctor said from behind Sunset.
Sunset spun around to see the Doctor and Shining Armor standing at the end of the alleyway.
“Sorry to interrupt but we have to get going, we don’t have much time,” the Doctor said urgently.
“Where are we off to?” The question came from Gwen much to the surprise of everyone.
“To Griffonstone,” the Doctor stated with a smile.
“That’s quite the hike,” Sunset stated as they left the alleyway and followed the Doctor. “And in the other direction,” she added pointing in the opposite direction.
“Don’t worry I have transport that can get us there in half the time,” the Doctor said. “Alonze,” he yelled happily and began running.
“Your friends insane,” Gwen said to Sunset as they ran after him.
“Believe me, I know,” Sunset said with an exasperated sigh…

XXX

“It’s a box,” Sunset said in disappointment.
“Oy, she’s called the TARDIS,” the Doctor said defending the box.
“‘She’s’ a big blue box,” Discord said pointing at the TARDIS.
“Don’t be so rude, she is so much more than that,” the Doctor retaliated and stroked the box gently.
“Don’t get us wrong it’s a nice box, but how is it meant to move and how are we all going to fit into it?” Shining asked.
“Why don’t I show you,” the Doctor said and stepped into the box.
“Doctor, we don’t have time for this,” Sunset said as she followed the Doctor and found herself met with a large room that shouldn’t be on the inside of the box. She looked around in surprise and saw the Doctor with a wide smile on his face. Sunset quickly stepped out of the box and started looking around it. She did a full circle of the TARDIS feeling along it’s frame and then stuck her head back inside of it before bringing it out to look at the TARDIS again and then she stepped back inside. “How?” She asked the still smiling Doctor.
“A pocket dimension created using Timelord technology,” the Doctor stated leaning back on the control console in the middle of the room.
“So magic?” Sunset asked as everyone else went through the same cycle as she did when she stepped into the TARDIS.
“No science,” the Doctor said as everyone else entered the TARDIS. “Now, come on we need to get moving and I have no time to explain the TARDIS to all of you… So everyone grab a hold of something and hold on tight!” He added with an insane smile.
“What?” Everypony else asked in confusion.
“Alonze!” The Doctor yelled and flipped a switch. The TARDIS then lurched violently as he grabbed hold of the console.
Sunset was thrown forwards and hit the console which she held onto for dear life.
Everypony else grabbed hold of something sturdy in the TARDIS.
“You're insane!” Sunset yelled over the groaning of the TARDIS’s core.
“That’s your insane, Doctor!” The Doctor yelled back. “Welcome aboard miss Sunset Shimmer!” He added with a laugh as he pushed a button and extended a hoof towards Sunset.
Sunset was actually starting to enjoy having the Doctor around. It’s like having Pinkie Pie around, except with less physics breaking. She thought with a laugh as she accepted the hoof with her own and shook it. This journey is certainly going to be interesting. 
The Doctor veiled his despair at what was to come. I’m so sorry for what is going to happen, Sunset Shimmer… And how it will affect Twilight. He thought to himself as the TARDIS continued on course to Griffonstone.   
> Destinies and Prison-Breaks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The TARDIS materialized inside a small metal chamber that linked to a hallway. Gwen, Discord and Shining tumbled out of the TARDIS with wide eyes.
“We are never doing that again,” Gwen stated indignantly.
“Agreed,” Shining said as he stretched his muscles.
“I think that went well,” the Doctor said as he walked out with a wide smile. He trotted in place a couple of times and then checked out into the hallway. 
Sunset walked out and saw Discord still on the ground. “Now’s not the time for joking around, Discord,” Sunset said seriously as she stepped out of the TARDIS.
“I’m fine thank you very much,” Discord replied while getting up and dusting himself off.
“Alright we don’t have much time, Gwen your with me we have to recover the idol of Boreas,” the Doctor said as he rejoined the group.
“One second, where are we and why do we need the idol?” Gwen asked confused.
“We’re in an underground bunker twenty or thirty kilometers underneath Griffonstone I think, I can never remember how deep we are, and as to why we need the idol I’ll explain along the way,” the Doctor replied and started pushing Gwen out of the door. “The rest of you have to save the princesses,” He added looking towards the rest of the group.
“How do we know where they are?” Sunset asked.
“Trust your instincts, and head in the opposite direction from me and Gwen,” the Doctor said and left the room with Gwen before Sunset could reply.
“Oh just perfect, come on guys let’s go on our wild goose chase,” Sunset stated and left the room followed closely by Discord and Shining and they all went to the left in the opposite direction from the Doctor and Gwen.

XXX

“So are you going to tell me now?” Gwen whispered to the Doctor as they snuck past a group of changelings in the bunker.
“Fine, the idol is yours,” the Doctor whispered back and looked at Gwen.
Gwen simply looked at the Doctor with a confused look.
“As in you were meant to find it, but for some reason that never happened, Chaos rose up and he somehow manipulated the timeline so all of this would happen and that’s the reason you’ve been on the run for the past two years, Guinevere,” the Doctor whispered as they stopped and waited for more changelings passed them by.
“But why me, why is finding the idol so important to Chaos?” Gwen asked still confused.
“Because it means that he can control the Griffons, whoever posses the idol is said to hold the key to their salvation… The person who was meant to find the idol was you, Gwen,” the Doctor said as he checked around another corner before continuing on.
“Then that means…” Gwen started realization dawning on her.
“That your the future princess of Griffonstone,” the Doctor finished for her as they came to a door with two Griffons standing at attention at either side of it. “Alright, now’s your time to shine, we have to take out those two Griffons without anyone noticing… And by we I mean you,” he said and pushed Gwen in front of him.
“Why can’t you help me?” Sunset asked as she stopped the Doctor from pushing her.
“Because I don’t do the whole violence thing, I don’t like this at all but I have no other choice. The answer to winning this war is behind that door…” The Doctor trailed off and looked at the door.
“Fine,” Gwen whispered back and snuck over to a nearby outcropping in the hallway. Think, Gwen how can I distract them so I can take them out. She looked at her surroundings. The entire passageway was a narrow hallway that was made of pure metal with a sickly red glow to it. The ceiling however was pure darkness though. That could work. 
The Doctor could read Gwen’s plan from where he was standing. He grabbed a rock from his coat pocket and chucked it at the door.
The Griffons spun around and looked at the door.
Gwen took the opportunity and flew up to the ceiling and and floated up there as she slowly made her way towards the door.
The Griffons turned around again and looked around the rest of the hallway.
Gwen took the chance to strike and dropped from the ceiling and bashed the Griffons heads together.
The Doctor took a peak around the corner and saw the two unconscious Griffons there. “I told you to knock them out,” the Doctor whispered angrily.
“And they are… What? You thought I actually killed them, I can control my anger when I need to,” Gwen said with slight hurt in her voice.
“Oh… Well enough of that, now there’s this door to deal with,” the Doctor said changing the subject.
“Alright stand back!” Gwen said and started charging up a spell.
“Wait!” The Doctor whispered as loudly as he could.
“What I can bust this door down easy,” Gwen replied as her horn powered down.
“And also alert every changeling, Griffon and Chaos minion in the bunker… This job requires a bit more finesse,” the Doctor whispered as he pulled out his trusty sonic screwdriver.
“What’s that?” Gwen asked looking at the screwdriver.
“It’s a sonic screwdriver, never leave the TARDIS without it. Thank Celestia this door isn’t wooden,” the Doctor said as he activated it and brought it along the frame of the door and down the middle of it as well.
“Why’s that?” Gwen asked.
“The sonic doesn’t do wood,” the Doctor said as if it was the most normal thing and the door opened.
“Whatever you say,” Gwen said as they entered the chamber that held the idol of Boreas inside a glass casing.
“There it is,” the Doctor said and activated his sonic screwdriver and brought it along the floor. “Just as I thought, pressure plates,” he added as he brought the screwdriver to his ear.
“Easy enough,” Gwen said and took off with her wings and flew towards the idol.
“Cover your ears,” the Doctor said to Gwen as he activated the screwdriver and it produced a screeching sound loud enough to shatter the protective glass.
Gwen retrieved the idol and looked around. “Normally there’s an alarm,” she said as she flew back with the idol.
“Chaos’s overconfidence will be his downfall, now come on that was only phase one,” the Doctor said as he grabbed the idol and placed it in a bag.
“What’s phase two?” Gwen asked dreading the answer.
“We have to disrupt Chaos’s ritual, otherwise he will regain his full power,” the Doctor replied as he exited the room and looked around.
“Is this ever going to end?” Gwen asked as she followed the Doctor.
“Not until Chaos is imprisoned again,” the Doctor replied while peering around a corner.

XXX

“Just admit it, we’re lost aren’t we?” Discord asked as he sat down and spawned a shoe on his foot only to take it off and shake out a boulder from it. “Ah, much better,” he added relaxing now.
“Well I’m sorry if I don’t know where the princesses are being held,” Sunset replied angrily.
Sunset, Discord and Shining had been running around for the past fifteen minutes trying to find the prison cells in the bunker.
“What I’m wondering is why we haven’t encountered anyone,” Shining said looking around cautiously.
“That is weird,” Sunset said looking around as well.
“What could they be doing?” Discord asked standing back up again.
“I don’t know and I don’t like it,” Sunset said now looking down a hallway. “What about down that way?” She asked.
“What do you mean?” Shining asked confused.
“We haven’t gone down that way, just call it a hunch,” Sunset said running down the hallway.
Discord and Shining looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders and following after her.
True to Sunset’s words they ended up in a series of cells with the princesses at the end of it.
“See, you just need to have a little faith,” Sunset said gleefully.
“You were the one that was losing hope thought,” Discord said with a look of confusion.
“Shut up, Discord,” Sunset said.
“I don’t like this, it could be…” Shining started. Griffons suddenly appeared in front of the cell along with a small horde of changelings. “A trap,” he finished. 
“Way to go,” Discord said and placed a dunce hat on Shining’s head and patted Shining’s new hat with a cocky smile.
Shining just glared back at Discord and shook of the hat and looked to the enemy in front of him. “You take the twenty on the left, I’ll take the twenty to the right, Discord you get the rest,” Shining said in a half-joking manner as he looked towards Sunset now.
“Crane stance!” Discord declared as he lifted his knee to his hip and held his hands out to his sides with his fingers pointing down. Suddenly he was in a robe and had a bandana wrapped around his forehead.
Sunset just rolled her eyes and charged the changelings. She charged the changelings head on and shot a spell that dispersed the changelings. She tackled one of the dazed changelings and rolled off of it and bucked another changeling with her hind hooves. She used her teleport spell to teleport behind another changeling and cast a push spell to send it careening into it’s brethren. Sunset took a deep breath and looked over to Shining and Discord who stood there there still. “Don’t help or anything, I’m good,” she yelled and ducked a swipe from one of the Griffons. She bucked the Griffon in the stomach winding it and then she cast another push spell sending the Griffon tumbling into another small group of Changelings.
Shining rushed in and headbutted a changeling and bucked another. He then spun around and cast a beam spell at another sending it flying.
“Discord, deal with these Griffons!” Sunset yelled at Discord who was still in his ‘crane stance.’ “For the love of… Do something!” She added using her magic to teleport again.
Discord then clapped his hands together and brought them back to his side and then extended them out in front of him with the wrists still touching. 
The Griffons suddenly turned into tiny flying sheep.
Sunset sent an chain lightning spell through the rest of the changelings to finish them off. She then slumped down exhausted. “What the hell was that? I pretty much had to take those guys on by myself,” Sunset said trying to catch her breath but her anger got across.
“Sunset, do you even realize how fast you were going there?” Shining asked her.
“The fight was about a minute before you guys joined in,” Sunset said with certainty.
“That fight was about half a minute… Total, and it was about fifteen seconds before we got involved,” Shining said. “Right, Discord?” He asked… There was no response. “Discord?” Shining asked again turning around this time.
Discord had slumped down and looked worse for wear than Sunset.
“Discord, what happened?” Sunset asked running to Discord’s side.
“This place, it’s sapping my powers, I didn’t realize it until the fight started… It took all of my power just to pull of that simple parlor trick with the flying sheep,” Discord whispered trying to shake off the confusion.
“We need to get you back to the TARDIS,” Sunset said and helped Discord up. “Can you stand?” She asked as Discord tried to straighten up.
“Barely, but I have to see this through,” Discord said and tried to walk and stumbled a bit but managed to stay on his feet. “Some god of chaos I make,” he added with a humorless laugh.
“Oh come on, the flying sheep was a nice touch methinks,” Sunset said with a laugh trying to cheer Discord up.
“You think so?” Discord asked as they got to the princess's cell.
“I know so,” Sunset replied and cast a spell to pick the lock.
The trio entered the cell to find Cadance and Celestia there.
“Cadance!” Shining yelled and embraced his wife. “I’m so glad you're safe,” he added with tears rolling down her eyes.
“Of course I am, because I knew my knight in Shining Armor would save me,” Cadance replied and kissed Shining. 
“Sunset?” Celestia asked in surprise.
“Hi, Celestia… Long time no see,” Sunset said not knowing what to say.
“Yes it has been… Where’s Twilight?” Celestia asked confused looking out of the cell now.
“No time, where’s Luna?” Sunset asked looking around.
“She was dragged off to another room, we were all brought into that room to have our powers siphoned,” Cadance said trying to hold back her tears.
“Then we have to get her back,” Sunset said adamantly.
“Yes we do,” Celestia said standing up.
Sunset could tell she was struggling to just stand. “Shining, Discord and I will find Luna, you have to go to the TARDIS,” she added firmly as she saw Cadance was having similar problems as Celestia.
“Wait, Sunset I’ll make sure they get back alright, you go and find Luna,” Discord said standing up straight now.
“Are you sure?” Sunset asked with concern for Discord.
“I’m no use to you here, but I do know the way back to the TARDIS. I promise they’ll make it there ok,” Discord said with determination in his voice and new found courage.
“Alright go, Shining your with me,” Sunset said pointing towards Shining.
Shining nodded and looked at his wife. “I love you, Cadance and I’ll be back I promise,” he said and kissed her briefly and then followed Sunset out of the cell.
“I love you too, Shining and I’m holding you to that,” Cadance said as her, Discord and Celestia left the cell aswell.
“Don’t worry, he’s in good hands,” Sunset said with a smile. “I’m not losing anyone else,” she added her face getting serious all of a sudden.
The princesses looked at Sunset with pure confusion in their eyes.
“Nevermind, I’ll tell you later,” Sunset said and ran in the opposite direction from the rest of the group with Shining in close pursuit.
“What aren’t they telling us, Discord?” Celestia asked Discord seriously.
“I’ll explain when we get back to the TARDIS,” Discord said trying to hold back tears of his own at the thoughts now running through his mind.
“What’s a TARDIS?” Cadance asked.

XXX

Sunset and Shining ran through the hallways searching for this room that Celestia and Cadance spoke of.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” Shining said as they rounded another corner.
“Don’t say it,” Sunset said as they came upon a gargantuan metal door.
“It seems like a…” Shining started and then changelings popped out of the ground all around them. “Trap,” he finished.
“You just had to say it,” Sunset stated as she got into her aggressive stance.
“It’s not my fault,” Shining said in a whining tone.
“Look out below!” A voice called out from above.
Suddenly a Changeling was imbedded with a sword in the head.
A stallion dropped down from the ceiling and grabbed the sword and unsheathed another one. He backed up to Sunset and Shining. “Fancy meeting you here, sir,” the stallion said to Shining.
“Back at you Flash,” Shining replied with relief to see his friend as he was passed a sword.
Oh not him, Sunset thought to herself with a roll of her eyes.
“And who is this lovely lady?” Flash asked looking at Sunset.
“Flash this is Sunset, Sunset this is Flash,” Shining said hastily without taking his eyes off of the changelings.
“We’ve met,” Sunset stated with an exasperated sigh.

> My Past Is Not Today
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sunset looked around her and then charged through the lines of changelings, blasting them with her spells.
Shining followed quickly behind as cut a swath through the changelings, and then formed a shield to protect him and Sunset from an onslaught of changelings.
Flash rushed forward and cut the changelings off of the shield before using his magic to make a shockwave on the ground blowing back more of the changelings.
“Bring it…” Flash started as the shield came down.
Sunset fired a huge arc magic spell that wiped out the rest of the changelings in the room.
“On,” Flash finished as he looked at the defeated changelings.
Sunset huffed and blasted down the door. “Let’s go,” Sunset said angrily.
“Does she seem pissed off to you?” Shining asked Flash.
“We just met so I don’t know honestly,” Flash said while he followed after Sunset.
The trio came into a dark room with a spotlight in the middle. The spotlight revealed princess Luna strapped to a table with her magic being sapped from her.
“Princess Luna!” The trio exclaimed and ran up to her, helping her out of her bonds.
“It’s… a trap,” Luna said weakly.
“Of course it is,” Sunset said as the lights came on revealing a gigantic room that was filled with changelings and griffons, being led by Chrysalis.
Sunset… A voice echoed through Sunset’s mind
“Chaos,” Sunset whispered in realization.
“Your fight is hopeless, you pathetic little mongrels!” Chrysalis yelled triumphantly. “Give up now and we shall make your deaths quick,” she added with a dark laugh.
I know all about you Sunset Shimmer, the power locked within you just set to burst forth. The voice echoed throughout Sunset’s mind clouding it completely from the outside world.
“I won’t play your games, Chaos!” Sunset said a little louder now.
“Sunset are you ok?” Flash asked with concern in his voice.
Sunset closed her eyes. I can give you that power Sunset, everything you desired. Becoming a princess, being loved by your people… All you have to do, is kill Chrysalis. Sunset’s eyes shot open and she sprinted towards the changelings, bashing through their lines with newfound ferocity.
Shining and Flash tried to follow suit but were cut off by the Griffons charging them.
Sunset cast an arc spell, knocking back all of the changelings back. That’s it Sunset, unleash your anger.
“Get out of my head!” Sunset said as her eyes began to burn red and her horn started to glow darker now and cast shockwave spells.
Give in to your darkness, Sunset! 
Sunset brought her hooves to her head and started shaking her head furiously. “No, Get out!” She screamed as her spells started getting worse.
I can give you everything, I can give you back Twilight. Embrace your darkness, Sunset. 
Sunset’s eyes shot open and she screamed as her skin turned red and she transformed into a humanoid shape, growing demonic wings and teeth as her form took on a nightmarish outlook.
Gwen and the Doctor came running into the chamber.
“Just in time, we need to get the princess out of here, but Sunset’s on her own personal crusade!” Shining yelled as he pushed a griffon off of him and parried another one.
“Gwen now!” The Doctor yelled turning to Gwen.
Gwen nodded and hoisted up the idol of Boreas. “I am Guinevere, the princess of Griffonstone!” She yelled loudly to the assembled Griffons.
The Griffons stopped in their tracks and suddenly they kneeled in front of Gwen as a black mist exited their bodies.
“The chosen one has returned!” One of the griffons cried out.
“And now your princess commands you to face the changelings!” Gwen yelled and pointed towards the horde of changelings.
“For the princess!” They yelled in unison and charged the changeling line.
Sunset burst through the changeling lines and tackled Chrysalis.
“So the wolf has shed it’s disguise I see,” Chrysalis said with a sneer as she recovered from the tackle.
Sunset merely laughed. “I am so much more than the wolf in the barnyard, bitch!” Sunset declared and with a flick of her wrist Chrysalis was sent flying through the air. “I am all powerful!” Another flick and chrysalis was sent careening into the wall. “You are nothing compared to me!” Another flick and Chrysalis was smashed into the table that held Luna down. Sunset jumped onto her and grabbed her by the neck. “And with this power I will get Twilight back!” She screamed and pulled back one of her claws ready to slash it at Chrysalis.
Yes that’s it Sunset, kill her she is weak. Kill her and you can have what your heart desires most… Twilight Sparkle! Sunset was just about to make her last move when she heard a yell and faltered.
“Sunset!” It was Shining Armor. “Not like this, Sunset. Don’t you see this is exactly what it wants you to do!” He yelled trying to make her see reason.
Don’t listen to him, Sunset I can give you everything, kill her and it’s yours. Think of it, the power to protect your loved ones, from now until the end of time. Just make this last move and it shall all be yours!
“Think about what you're doing, Sunset this isn’t you!” Shining yelled again stepping closer to her.
Sunset’s eyes darted back and forth between Chrysalis and her clawed hand and then closed her eyes tightly. DO IT SUNSET! Claim her life and I will grant you your heart's desire. Sunset’s eyes opened wide and she pulled her claw back ready to slash it down.
“Is this what Twilight would have wanted?” Shining yelled as his last ditch attempt.
Sunset faltered once more as thoughts of her girlfriend flooded her mind.
You're not that girl anymore. The voice of Twilight echoed in her mind. I don’t want you to be that girl ever again, and I’ll make sure of that. The voice got louder and louder. Love you, Silly Filly. Always will. Sunset screamed as she brought the claw down.
Shining tried to dive to stop her but it was too late…
Sunset had balled her fist and punched Chrysalis in the face, knocking her out.
“My past is not today,” Sunset said panting hard. “I’m not that girl anymore!” She screamed as she turned back into her ordinary pony form and collapsed.
“Sunset!” Shining caught Sunset and managed to hoist her onto his back.
“Another wave of them are incoming!” One of the griffons yelled. “There’s no end to them!” He added as the changelings poured into the chamber on mass.
“We have to go now, we have Luna!” The doctor yelled as he hoisted Luna up. “Everybody back to the TARDIS!” He exclaimed pointing at the door.
“You heard the stallion, get your asses moving!” Gwen yelled towards the group as she blasted back the changelings.
The Griffons slowly retreated towards the door with the rest of the group. Shining turned around at the door. He passed Sunset off to one of the griffons. “Make sure she gets out alive,” Shining said and turned back to the changelings.
“S-Shining, what are you doing?” Sunset asked weakly.
“We can’t hope to outrun them, we’ll stay here,” Flash said as he joined Shining.
“Go, live and stop this monster,” Shining pursed his lips. “Tell Cadence and Twilight I love them both,” Shining said and used his magic to cover the door. “Keep them safe,” he added as the door shut.
“Shining, Flash wait!” Sunset tried but could barely stand as the group made a run for the TARDIS.
“I’m so sorry, Sunset,” Gwen said with true regret.
“I am too,” Sunset replied and Twilight popped into her head. “I’m so sorry, Twilight,” Sunset started to cry.

XXX

Flash and Shining made ready. “Ever thought we would go out like this?” Flash asked with a laugh as he drew his sword.
“Not exactly, but if it means we can make sure that we can win, I’ll give my life for it,” Shining said and drew his sword as the changelings reached them. “FOR EQUESTRIA!” He cried out as he charged the changelings. Love you Cadence, always will, and you too, Twily. 

XXX

When the group entered the TARDIS and found Cadance, Discord and Celestia standing there.
“Your back!” Cadance said gleefully and looked for Shining, the last Griffon entered and closed the door. “Where’s Shining Armor?” She asked worry suddenly painting her face.
“I’m so sorry, Cadance…” Sunset said trying to hide her tears.
A hoof went over Cadance’s mouth in realization. “This can’t be happening,” Cadance started shaking her head. 
“He stayed behind so we could get away, Closing the entrance off and holding them back, sacrificing his life in order to do so,” Sunset managed trying to hold back her tears.
The Doctor turned on the TARDIS and the loud whirring noises began.
Cadance ran for the door. “Take me back!” She screamed as she reached for the doorknob.
“No! If you open the door when we’re in transit, you’ll kill everyone!” The Doctor yelled running after Cadance. 
A pair of hooves wrapped around Cadance to hold her back. They were Gwens.
“Let me go!” Cadance screamed as she reached for the doorknob.
“I know what it’s like to lose somepony,” Gwen said calmly as she held Cadance tightly. “To feel the pain and loss of their love,” she added with a heavy heart.
Cadance stopped squirming and tried to look back at Gwen. “You lost somepony special?” She asked as her tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I did,” Gwen replied and showed Cadance her hoof with the diamond rings on it. “These were the last things she gave me, as a proposal…” Gwen trailed off as she tried to hold in her tears.
Cadance looked at the hoof and and bit her lip. “She proposed?” She asked with a heavy heart.
“Right before she was taken from me. You know the one thing she told me though?” Gwen asked taking a deep breath  and then getting serious.
“What was that?” Cadance asked as she started to calm down a bit.
“Never cry, keep a tough face and smile, because your face is too beautiful to cry,” Gwen said with a smile.
Cadance smiled slightly and sniffled. “Sounds like Shining,” She said.
“Don’t let his sacrifice be in vain, Cadance. He sacrificed himself so we could have a future, and now we have that fighting chance,” Gwen said her smile growing wider.
Cadance twisted around in Gwen’s embrace and hugged her back. “Thank you… I’m sorry I don’t even know your name,” Cadance said wiping her eyes. 
“My names Gwen, and it’s a pleasure to meet you, Cadance,” Gwen smiled and hugs Cadance tightly.
“You too, Gwen,” Cadance said and smiled as the TARDIS came to a stop.
“We don’t have much time,” The Doctor said and raced towards the door and opened it to Ponyville. “Luna, Sunset come with me!” He yelled as he ushered the two of them out of the TARDIS. “No doubt Chaos is on the move, and he’s not going to be messing around anymore,” he said and looked to the clouds. “Wars coming to Equestria, and we need the best weapons we can muster…”

XXX

Spike walked through the destruction left in the wake of Sunset and the rest of her group. “Well that didn’t go according to plan,” Spike said.
“No, it did not… Chrysalis!” Chaos’s pendant roared.
Chrysalis came across from a group of changelings. “Yes, my master,” she said with a growl.
“Mobilize the changelings,” Chaos said and a red mist emerged from the pendant and went into spike, turning his eyes pitch black. “We’re going to war,” Chaos added as he finished his possession of Spike.
> Living Nightmare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“They came out of nowhere, millions of them attacking every major city and outpost in Equestria,” Celestia said to the assembled group of Cadance, Luna and Sunset Shimmer. “Some of them being led by Chrysalis, Tirek or the dark versions of Twilight and her friends. It’s utter Chaos out there,” she added noticing the use of her words and scowling at them. 
“Who’s left, sister?” Luna asked worried.
“There are many fledgling towns and cities, but we’re cut off from them… As of right now, Ponyville and what’s left of Canterlot stands alone,” Celestia replied maintaining her regal stance as best as she can.
The door opened suddenly and The Doctor stepped through followed closely by a royal guard.
“Apologies, your highness but he would this ‘Doctor’ insists he has information for you,” The guard said.
“I told you we were not to be…” Celestia started, her patience cracking plainly.
“Wait, let him speak, it’s not like we have any better ideas right now,” Sunset said with a heavy heart.
“She has a point,” Cadance stated.
Celestia held back another scowl and resumed her regal demeanor. “You have five minutes, Doctor, but we are trying to plan for a war here,” she said with as little anger as possible.
“We need to revive Twilight and her friends, with their powers we should be able to defeat Chaos and his forces,” The Doctor stated quickly.
“And how do you propose we do that, they are in comas and our best doctors can’t get them out of it,” Cadance said clearly confused at the Doctor’s train of thought.
“That’s why I needed Luna and Sunset before you took them away for this war summit,” The Doctor said with an exasperated sigh.
“What can we do?” Sunset asked angrily. 
“I know what they’re suffering from, a sleep induced coma that makes the victim's experience their worst fears become reality,” The Doctor explained.
“How do you know this?” Luna asked.
“Because I’ve seen this before, when Chaos last sought to destroy Equestria,” The Doctor replied sternly. “Time traveler, remember,” he added seriously.
“So if it’s dream induced…” Sunset started.
“I’m the only one that can get them out,” Luna finished.
“Bingo,” The Doctor said pointing his hoof at Luna.
“But what do I have to do with it?” Sunset asked.
“You're the wild card, the aspect that Chaos never expected to show up, which is why he tried so desperately to control you,” The Doctor continued. “You're the only one that can enter Twilight’s nightmare and pull her out,” he added. “Now can I have them,” he said eyeing Celestia.
“I’m going to try it,” Sunset said and looked to Luna.
“As am I,” Luna said stepping up. “Let’s go save our friends,” she added and smiled at her own comment. My friends, yes that’s what they are.
“Then go you two, we need our best mares back in action,” Celestia said and waved the two of them to follow The Doctor.

XXX

Luna and Sunset stood at Twilight’s bedside and looked at her still frightened form.
“Are you ready?” Luna asked looking at Sunset.
“I have to be for her,” Sunset said with a determined look. 
“Alright, I’ll be with you for the trip in, but you’ll have to do the rest, Chaos has a strong mental lock that only you can pass through,” Luna said as she put a hoof on Sunset’s forehead.
Sunset nodded and took a deep breath.
“Clear your mind, relax so I can link your minds through mine,” Luna said as she put her other hoof on Twilight’s forehead.
Sunset closed her eyes and relaxed her mind. When she opened them she found herself in a dark expanse. “Luna?” She asked looking around.
“I’m just connecting your minds, stay calm,” Luna said from all around Sunset.
Suddenly Sunset saw a bright light.
“Step into the light and you’ll enter Twilight’s nightmare,” Luna said.
Sunset steeled herself and entered the light.

XXX

Sunset entered through the portal that lead to Canterlot high, only it was completely destroyed. This is Twilight’s worst fear? Sunset though to herself as she looked around. She then saw the source of the destruction. Her stance faltered and her eyes started to tear up. Twilight's worst fear was… Me… Sunset couldn’t believe what she saw. The old her in demon form laying waste to all that she saw. It wasn’t the fact that it was her that Sunset was heartbroken about, it was the fact that it had happened. I lost control and almost slipped into that abyss again… Thinking that Twilight would want me to, but she would never want that. Sunset thought as she punched the statue. I’m so stupid, how did I ever deserve her? She looked over and saw Twilight curled up in a ball and crying refusing to even raise her head.
Without thinking Sunset ran to her weeping girlfriend and embraced her.
Twilight’s eyes shot open and she scurried away from Sunset. “Get away from me! You're not real and I know it!” Twilight screamed as she brought her knees closer to her body and continued to weep. “You're not my Sunset,” she added weakly.
Sunset slowly approached Twilight. “I am your Sunset though, I’m here for you, Twilight. It really is me and I’m here to get you out of here,” Sunset said as she pressed a hand to her heart.
“How do I know it’s you?” Twilight asked as she still backed away from Sunset.
Sunset reached out and held her hand there, close enough for Twilight to reach out and hold it. “Because I’m your girl, I said I’d always be here for you, and I meant it… I’m here to bring you home Twilight,” Sunset said with a smile.
Twilight slowly reached out and clasped Sunset’s hand. “Sunset, is it really you?” She asked shakily.
“It’s really me, Twilight,” Sunset replied maintaining her smile.
“Sunset!” Twilight yelled and jumped into Sunset’s arms, hugging her tightly.
“I’ll always be here for you, Twilight no matter what,” Sunset said as she slowly ran a hand through Twilight’s hair.
Twilight pulled back slightly and gazed into Sunset’s eyes and then moved closer and kissed Sunset.
Sunset closed her eyes and kissed back as the world started to fall apart around them. Soon it disappeared leaving the two of them there kissing, and soon they woke up.

XXX

Twilight and Sunset came to at the same time and embraced each other and quickly resumed their kiss.
Luna came to as well and fell backwards shaking her head vigorously to clear her mind.
Cadance walked into the room and saw Twilight kissing Sunset and she blushed. “Ahem,” Cadance said not looking at them.
Sunset and Twilight pulled back and blushed as they giggled.
Sunset’s face got serious quickly and she sighed. “Twilight, there’s a lot we need to catch you up on,” She said reluctantly.
“Can it wait, Cadance is here,” Twilight said with a smile. “Is my brother with you?” She asked.
“I’m so sorry, Twilight,” Sunset said as she looked away from Twilight.
“Sorry about what?” Twilight asked confused.
“We’re both so so sorry,” Cadance said with a look of pure sadness.
“What is it, where’s Shining Armor?” Twilight asked starting to panic.
As Sunset and Cadance told Twilight of her brother's fate Twilight’s face changed from panic to pure sadness and grief and she started to cry.
Sunset and Cadance held her as she cried and then started to cry with her.

> The Tree's Gift
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sunset had successfully managed to break everyone out of their nightmares, which was no easy task on her part. They all sat around the war table with Celestia and the other princesses along with The Doctor.
“You're leaving?” Sunset asked The Doctor in disbelief.
“I have to go with Gwen to Griffonstone, we need all the help we can get and the Griffon’s are that help,” The Doctor replied.
“What if you don't get back in time?” Celestia asked with slight worry in her voice.
“We will,” Gwen said as she moved to The Doctor’s side. “Of that you have my promise,” she added as she moved to the exit.
“Then be swift, princess,” Luna said with a bow. “And bring back hope for everypony,” she added.
Gwen bowed and then the both of them left the room.
“So what’s the plan?” Applejack asked looking back at the assembled group.
Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof down on the table. “We go out there and beat these creeps in a full frontal assault!” She exclaimed.
“And you remember how well that turned out last time, darling,” Rarity stated with a cocked eyebrow.
“If only we had the gift of the Tree of Harmony to use,” Fluttershy said with a sigh.
Twilight suddenly opened her eyes wide. “That’s it!” She exclaimed. 
“What is, Twilight?” Sunset asked in surprise.
“The Tree of Harmony is, we may have returned the elements, but we could still get them back provided we give them back,” Twilight explained as she started to pace.
“But won’t the Everfree Forest come alive again like last time?” Cadance asked.
“After a short while yes, but we only need the elements for one battle and then they can be returned directly afterwards,” Twilight said as she placed a hoof on the table.
“She has a point,” Luna said nodding her head.
“Like we’ve said before, what do we have to lose?” Sunset stated.
Celestia nodded. “Then it’s settled, we will plead our case to the Tree of Harmony, but we must do so immediately,” she said as she got to her hooves and walked out of the war room followed closely by Twilight, Sunset and their friends. “Luna, Cadance I’m trusting you and Discord with the defence of Ponyville until we get back,” she added looking back at Luna and Cadance.
They nodded back as the group left the room.

XXX

Celestia approached the Tree of Harmony cautiously. “The Princess of the sun calls upon the spirit of the Tree of Harmony!” She announced to the tree.
“What’s she doing?” Pinkie asked Applejack.
“Don’t know,” Applejack replied.
“Shh,” Twilight and Sunset said at the same time.
The tree remained silent.
“Will you not help us in our time of need? Chaos has returned and it shall undo everything that we have sought to protect!” Celestia yelled and her voice echoed throughout the cave as she came within hoofs reach of the tree. 
The tree still remained silent.
“Damn it! Stop this now, too many people have died for this war already and I won’t stand losing anyone else!” Sunset yelled pushing past Celestia and started climbing the tree.
“Sunset no!” Celestia exclaimed in panic as she tried to grab hold of Sunsets hoof.
Sunset tried to pull open the element of harmony chamber. “No more!” She yelled as the tree started to light up and soon everypony was enveloped in a blinding light.

XXX

Sunset opened her eyes to a world of pure white, a figure in the distance could be seen but their features were hidden from Sunset’s sight.
“Who is that?” Sunset called out to the figure.
“I am the spirit of the Tree of Harmony of course,” the figure said, and suddenly the tree flashed in Sunset’s vision briefly.
“How do I know that this isn’t one of Chaos’s tricks?” Sunset asked still trying to discern the features of the ‘tree.’
“If it were do you really think I would be trying to help you?” The figures voice sounded feminine in nature as she slowly started to move towards Sunset, her features were still blurred out however to Sunset.
“Chaos works in confusing and winding ways, and I know from experience not to trust voices in my head,” Sunset said with a guarded tone, raising every wall she could.
“Can you really afford to be picky at this time, you said it yourself, you have nothing to lose,” the figure said.
“How did you-” Sunset started.
The scene of Sunset in the war room saying she had nothing left to lose played out in her mind.
“My dear Sunset Shimmer, you have so much to lose, more than you can imagine, did you ever wonder why Chaos wanted to corrupt you?” The figure asked.
“Because of my past,” Sunset replied cautiously.
“No, it is because he fears your power and what you will become,” The figure shot back.
“Look, can you help us defeat Chaos or not? I don’t have time for games” Sunset shot back.
“The question is, do you really need my help to defeat him?” The figure asked.
“We are on the edge of the rope barely able to hang on, we need the power of the elements!” Sunset exclaimed losing her patience.
“The power lies inside of you, Sunset Shimmer. Take the elements of Harmony if you wish. However they will not help you achieve your goal,” the figure placed her hand on Sunset’s shoulder.
Sunset then realized the tree took on the form of a human. “What does that mean?” She asked her frustration turning to confusion. 
“In due time you will know all that you possess, Sunset. But in order to understand your true power you must face your greatest fear and you must conquer it, but you must do this alone,” the spirit stated and her features became slightly clearer.
“What must I do?” Sunset asked.
The spirits features became as clear as day and Sunset’s eyes went wide…

XXX

When Sunset came to she found her friends surrounding her with worried expressions. “Did it work?” Sunset asked.
The tree suddenly opened up and the Elements of Harmony drifted out and and attached themselves to the mane six.
“You did it Sunset!” Twilight exclaimed and hugged Sunset.
“Glad I could help… But you guys will have to go on without me,” Sunset said, looking away from her friends and Twilight.
“Why’s that, darling?” Rarity asked concerned.
“There’s something I need to take care of, and I need Celestia's help,” Sunset said sitting up. 
“So you're leaving us to fight on our own?” Rainbow asked in disbelief.
“I’ll be there, I promise, We’ll just need this last card to play, trust me,” Sunset replied confidently.
Twilight leaned forward and kissed Sunset and smiled before standing up. “Alright, Sunset we trust you,” Twilight said and looked to her friends who all nodded back at her. “Girls, let’s go kick some Chaos ass!” She exclaimed with a fire in her heart.
“Good luck, everypony,” Celestia said and hugged Twilight. “Come home safe, Twilight,” she added and Twilight nodded in response.
Sunset walked over and hugged and kissed Twilight. “Love you, Twilight,” Sunset said with a reassuring smile.
“Love you too, Sunset no matter what happens,” Twilight replied with her own smile and then released the hug and gathered her friends. With one last look back to Sunset they were off to call out Chaos.
Sunset could see the pain in Twilight’s eyes from the loss of her brother, it tore Sunset apart to see her like that, but Twilight was strong and she knew that the grieving had to wait.
“Now why exactly do you need me?” Celestia asked looking to Sunset.
“I’ll explain on the way, I just hope that the tree was telling the truth… For all our sakes,” Sunset said as her and Celestia began their run deeper into the Everfree Forest.