> My Little Mages: Goddess of Midnight
>  by Foxhelm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Secret Birth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prologue: A Phoenix Rises

On the ramparts of a castle overlooking a fairly advanced city, a young woman was standing and looked over to witness the slow rise of the sun. She wore a royal purple top which went below her hips, with a yellow skirt, a large orange sash went around her waist with a golden sun with the center vacant as some sort of buckle for the sash on her left side. Part of her top was black leather that went over her shoulders and covered her back and seemed to come back to the front around her navel, there was a series of studs in the leather at her shoulder. That all said her arms and legs were mostly bare save for the black heeled shoes on her feet. On her head was a tiara that was shaped to look like the sun-shaped buckle in the front with a gem that looked like a red and yellow yin-yang but there was no red dot in the yellow and no yellow dot in the red. She had cyan eyes and her hair was sunset red with yellow stripes that made her hair look not unlike strips of bacon. Her name was Sunset Shimmer. It has been the better part of a year since she and her friends beat the Sirens, and her life had changed a lot for the better.

However, today she was looking at her past. She closed her eyes and began to voice her thoughts in song,“Power
Was all I desired (I desired, all I desired)
But all that grew inside me
Was the darkness I acquired,” As she sang, her mind thought back to when she placed the Element of Magic on her head and was transformed into a what could be best described as a demon.

“When I began to fall
And I lost the path ahead
That's when your friendship found me
And it lifted me instead,” She then thoughts then went to the next memory which was the use of the Elements of Harmony on her by six women slightly younger than her. But her focus was not so much on what they looked like but on how they opened up to her.

“Like a phoenix burning bright
In the sky
I'll show there's another side to me
You can't deny,” In the area of her chest, a small fire ignited as she opened her eyes as the sun was still creeping over the horizon.

“I may not know what the future holds
But hear me when I say
That my past does not define me
'Cause my past is not today,” She turned to look away from the sun at a ninety-degree angle as she saw the sun’s light slowly began to illuminate the city. She smiled as she sang and started to walk along the ramparts.

“Ambition
Is what I believed
Would be the only way
To set me free,” As she sang and walked, her pace slowly quickened into a full-on run, and she thought back to her past and how she used to think, all the while the small flame in her chest grew slowly.

“But when it disappeared
And I found myself alone
That's when you came and got me
And it felt like I was home,” As she continued to travel the ramparts, she reached the castle’s western side and closed her eyes as she smiled as she flung her arms wide open.

“Like a phoenix burning bright
In the sky
I'll show there's another side to me
You can't deny,” The fire that grew in Sunset’s heart fully encompassed her. Then, it transformed into a set of wings and surrounded her presenting a visage of a phoenix around her.

“I may not know what the future holds
But hear me when I say
That my past does not define me
'Cause my past is not today,” The fire wings and visage vanished as the fire pooled into her heart and vanished. Sunset smiled as she finished the song and started walking back towards her quarters.  However she suddenly stopped and shivered. “That was...weird,” she said to herself.





Chapter 1: Secret Birth

At the Magiville train station, five young women in their early twenties were leaving as if they had just sent off a friend. The first had hair that was like a rainbow in color and that was done in a high ponytail with a hairpin that looked like a stylized cloud and a tri-colored rainbow of red, yellow and blue, with cerise eyes. She wore black sock-like boots that went above her knees with a dull purple skirt and light a dull blue shirt with white and gold wing styled sleeves. On her waist was a quiver and a bow, and from her ankles came ethereal wings. Also, on her shirt was a pin of a stylized lightning bolt with wings, the wings were gold in color while the lightning bolt had the coloration of a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple. She was the youngest of the group, Rainbow Dash.

The next woman had had long deep-magenta hair with a small tiara on her head with three sapphires cut as kites. This was Rarity. She had azure eyes, and she wore a long alabaster gown with some pinkish-purple with a long shawl that was composed of two rainbows in color, a traditional rainbow going the length of the shawl save for the width of one of the shorter edges. On that edge was a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple which ran a perpendicular to the rest of the shawl, going around her back and hanging from her elbows.

Next was a blonde woman with green eyes, named Applejack. Her hair was done in a low ponytail and was dressed in brown pants, brown boots, a red leather jacket with some pieces of armor most notably pauldrons with stylized apples, brown gloves, a scabbard with a longsword in it which would be on her waist but was on a stand. Around her neck was a black cord that had a coin with a rendering of apples on both sides but looked like a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple.

The next woman and the oldest of the five had pink hair and teal colored eyes. She was Fluttershy she was dressed in a green, yellow, and light blue dress with a stylized pink butterfly as a brooch for her hood, and above her left ear was a blue flower, but one of its petals was a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple.

After her, and the last one and shortest of the group, was Pinkie Pie. She had bouncing cotton candy pink hair, blue eyes. She wore a bare-legged leotard with blue curly-toed shoes, a pink jester coat, and a dark pink jester’s hat with three balloons, one was yellow and two were blue and on her jacket’s waist was a rubber chicken called ‘Boneless’. Unlike other rubber chickens, his right leg wasn’t the regular orange but a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple.

Applejack was the first to speak, “Anybody else thinks that Twi was over-prepared?”

Pinkie cartwheeled ahead of them. As she cartwheeled, “Definitely, Spike would. The poor dragon. And he’ll be stuck listening to her trial runs.” Pinkie’s hair deflated, “He just can’t catch a break, can he?”

Rarity took out a notebook, she looked through it “I suppose there are some excess gems I have in my inventory that he might enjoy.” As she looked at the inventory she had jotted down and then to another section that was a chart of patterns of gems being in season. “Sapphires will be out of season, for a few months, and he does enjoy blueberry sapphire muffins.”

Fluttershy, however, was in thought about another matter. After she finished her thought, she turned to Rainbow, “What I don’t get is how Twilight got permission to use the CMC’s story of how they found their aura marks as part of her lecture?”

Applejack turned to answer the druid, “Well, Apple Bloom’s legal guardian is actually Big Mac, and Apple Bloom gave him those big puppy dog eyes she used on Twilight when she arrived.” Applejack then turned to Rarity, “Hey, Sugarcube, are yah Sweetie Belle’s guardian or are yahr folks still?”

Rarity stopped looking through her notebook and thought on Applejack’s question. “Well, they did leave her at my place, and they haven’t picked her up…” Rarity muttered. “Wait when Cheerliee sent out the…” Rarity paused and froze in horror. “I’ve become Sweetie’s legal mother…”

Rainbow then started to laugh, “That’s rich. She laughed a couple more times before she turned to Fluttershy, “I’m only Scoot’s honorary big sister. You’ll have to ask her.” Fluttershy nodded as accepted it. Just then Rarity’s tiara, Applejack’s pauldrons, Rainbow’s pin, and Pinkie’s hat started to glow and seemed to pulsate. Fluttershy’s brooch also glowed, but it projected a beam toward the tree-like crystalline castle what was Twilight’s home and known as the Castle of Friendship.

Fluttershy sighed, “Am I the only one who’s aura mark does that?” she asked, the others shook their heads. Fluttershy sighed again, “Figures.”

Pinkie started skipping ahead, “Come on, let’s see where we’re going this time. I wonder if it will have Applejack and I be going to Yakyakistan, Or maybe Fluttershy and I will be going to..” Pinkie began to list off various possible ideas.

After the arrived at the Castle, they went to the throne room and saw that their aura marks didn’t stay on the map but flew to the library. They followed the aura marks into the library, only to see that they were hovering right in front of the portal mirror to Midnight Castle. “So we’re going to Midnight Castle?” Rainbow asked as hovered above the rest.

Applejack looked at the mirror and smiled, “Well, it’s time to bring that mirror Ah asked Bloom tah make and see if it works.”

Fluttershy shook at that, “Are you sure it will work? Twilight said that the portal was made by Star Swirl.”

Rarity brought her hand to the mirror and started to move the stars and swirls along the sides of the mirror, “We’ll have the CMC here when we go through just to be sure to open it, just in case. Applejack would you mind getting Sweetie and Scootaloo along with Apple Bloom as you get that mirror?” Rarity asked. The paladin just shrugged her shoulders and left. Rarity then turned to Rainbow and Pinkie, “Could you two see if there is a dragon fire candle so that we can send a message to Twilight?”

Rainbow and Pinkie made a salute, “On it!” the two said before Rainbow started to fly and search and Pinkie skipped to her own search.

Rarity then turned to Fluttershy, before Rarity could say anything, “I’ll help Applejack with the CMC, and the mirror and get some supplies.” Fluttershy then flew off to get to join Applejack. Rarity only nodded and finished aligning the stars and then started on the swirls. Rarity elected to stop aligning the swirls and started to write a message for Twilight, in case they were still at Midnight Castle when Twilight returned.



Dear Twilight,
The map called Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Dashie and I on a mission at Midnight Castle after you left the station for the guest lecture Princess Celestia asked you to do,”

 Rarity jotted down. She looked up to see Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie right in front of her. Neither of the two had a dragon fire candle.“No luck?”

Pinkie groaned, “Do you know how Twilight organizes things! What’s wrong with simple alphabetical-numeral, A to Z then 0 to 9, simple a pie! But no! She has this long hard to pronounce system that has sooo many variables…” Pinkie then dropped to her knees as tears formed in her eyes, “It’s giving Pinkie a migraine.”

Rarity then turned to Rainbow, “You have no idea what a dragon fire candle looks like do you?” she asked. Rainbow only rubbed the back of her head and gave a small nervous laugh. Rarity sighed, “Well, I'll just leave the note at the post office. Spike will most likely want to pick up their mail once they get back.”

Putting the quill to paper again, 

We would have sent this to you through Spike, but we are needed to leave as soon as possible and don’t know where you keep your dragon fire candles. We'll have to address that when we get back. We used the mirror portal to get there. Can't argue with the efficiency of it, especially since that's what we used the last time. We should be back in a day or two at most. We’ll share stories when we all get back.
We wish you the best of luck with your lecture, Rarity

. Once she finished, “I am off to the post office, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Rarity then got up and started out of the library. She turned to Rainbow first, “Dashie, if you would go and help Applejack and Fluttershy, that would most helpful.” Rainbow groaned as she flew out of the library. Rarity then turned to Pinkie. “Pinkie, would you keep an eye on the portal until I get back. “ Pinkie saluted and pulled a folding chair out of her hair and sat down in it as she watched the mirror.  Rarity then left the library and the Castle of Friendship and within ten minutes arrived at the post office. At the post office, she gave the note to the attendant and then left.

When she got back, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow were also back with a mirror about three-fourths the size of the mirror they were going to use to travel to Midnight Castle with and some supplies. Also, there were three girls about a decade younger than the women. The first had red hair and orangish light brown eyes. She had in her hair a pink bow and wore a yellow shirt with blue overalls. On her hand were a set of brown forge gloves. She wore boots much like Applejack’s with dark blue leggings she wore over her overalls but under her boots and a brown leather belt with the buckler shaped like an apple. Over her left shoulder was a small pendant shaped like a heater shield with an apple engraved into it, with a heart engraved in the apple, with a sash that was three colors, light red, pink and purple. This was Applejack’s younger sister, Apple Bloom.

The second girl had green eyes and hair that was mulberry in color with light rose streaks. She wore a dark pink sleeveless dress with a light gray over-section with pink song notes rendered in the gray section. Around her waist, were two lose purple straps with a star-shaped belt buckle. She had pink shoes, not unlike Rarity’s with a pendant like Apple Bloom’s but with a star in the place of the apple and song note in the place of the heart and she wore it above her heart. Also, like Apple Bloom, she had a three-colored sash, but hers was not used as a scarf but more like Rarity’s shawl. On her head was a tiara with a with white pentagon shaped gem as the focus gem. This was Rarity’s little sister, Sweetie Belle.

The last of the three girls had purple eyes and hair that had a more boyish cut. Like Apple Bloom she wore gloves, but her gloves were fingerless and purple in color with golden bands on her wrist. She wore a purple, orange and blue combat qi with shoulders similar to Rainbow Dash, but with orange feathers. She wore sneaker-like shoes with orange wings on the sides. She also wore a sash like the one Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, but as a belt with her pendant like the other two, but she wore her pendant like a belt buckle, and on it was a lightning bolt engraved inside an engraved wing in lue of what the other two had. This was Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash’s honorary litter sister. “So we’re supposed to wait how long?” Scootaloo asked as she looked at the mirror.

“Give us two hours.” Rainbow Dash answered. “Besides, you don’t have school today or tomorrow and look,” Rainbow flew to the bookshelf and back with all the books in the Daring Do series published to date. “This place has all the greatest books ever written.” Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, and Rarity coughed. “What, these are great books.”

Applejack shook her head, “Say what you want about the character Dr. Caballeron and the like, but Daring Do’s little more than a glorified grave robber.”

Fluttershy nodded, “Daring’s also extremely cruel to animals, destroying their homes, and using them as bargaining chips.”

Pinkie then coughed, “Daring is also supposed to be a university professor right?” Rainbow nodded, “Well, given the timeline of the books, she hasn’t taught a class since before she went looking for the Sapphire Statue in book one. Kind of unprofessional on her part. And that’s not addressing all ruins she… well ruined.”

Rainbow then turned to Rarity, “Sorry, Darling, but even though it's more about the journey than the destination, A.K. Yearling’s writing on Darling’s journey… well, there has been any real growth on Daring’s part as a character since the second book. She’s still the same she since that book.” Rarity said as she finished aligning the last swirl and the portal opened.

Rainbow’s jaw dropped to the floor as her friends just dismissed the series as they went through the portal. It was blasphemy, “It’s a good thing Twilight’s not here.” Rainbow followed leaving the CMC alone as the portal closed.

Apple Bloom turned to Scootaloo, “Yah don’t like Daring Do, do yah?” she asked.

Scootaloo groaned, “I get Rainbow Dash finds her awesome, but that series is all my cousin Quibble talks about, and now, Rainbow wants to talk about it all the time.” Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom, “Do you like Daring Do?”

Apple Bloom smiled, “And it ticks AJ off to no end.” Applejack and Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle shrugged she shoulder, “It’s not a bad series, but Shadow Shades is just better by any metric.”





In the laboratory in the basement of Midnight Castle, seven women watched a large cylinder full of liquid. Normally some the content of the cylinder would be visible but at that moment it was fogged over. Concerning the women, the first and second closest to the controls appeared to be in her mid-forties to mid-fifties. She had grayish fuchsia eyes and hair of five different shades of purple. She wore a pair of half-moon reading glass that rested on the bridge of her nose, three pearl earrings in addition to a woman’s business dress suit. This was Baroness Abacus Cinch, the current Lady of Midnight Castle and ruler of the realm.

Next woman in the room and closest to the controls of the machines was much younger,  in her twenties. She wore what was expected of a young secretary, also with glasses that rested on the bridge of her nose, but were more akin to glasses worn by women her age. The younger woman also had azure eyes with cerulean hair with very green-like arctic blue streaks did in two low ponytails. On her blouse was a blue-and-green juniper leaf on a pocket on the left side of her chest.

The first of the next five women, all of whom were farther from the machine,  had shoulder length pistachio green hair with pale green and bright lime streaks, and over her ears were a set of earphones with an image of a slice of lemon tart with a gem embedded on both sides.  Her eyes were closed, and she was bobbing her head to the music she was playing and was dressed in a sleeveless pale amaranth shirt that also exposed her midriff with a pair of pants, grayish arctic blue in color, and a black lightning bolt embroidered on the front with a purple plaid skirt.  This is Lemon Zest.

The next woman had rose hair with light rose and aquamarine streaks in a ponytail, with a hairpin that looked like three berries on a leaf , but she wore pair of pants light grayish gold in color, with a sleeveless shirt made from the coat of a bear, with a black lightning bolt dyed in the front, with the bear’s own mouth as the opening for her right arm. This was Sour Sweet.

The next woman had with cerise eyes, mulberry hair and was cut short with small bangs all around, with raspberry streaks and a flaring yellow sun hair clip. She was dressed in the long robes of a cleric, with a black lightning bolt over her heart. She had a holy symbol on her left side, the symbol looked eerily similar to Celestia’s aura mark, but while Celestia’s mark gave the aura of warmth and growth, this sun looked like it was going to engulf the solar system in it’s raging plasma. On her right side was a war mace as if she was a War Cleric.This was Sunny Flare.

The next woman had dark cornflower blue hair with cerulean and arctic blue streaks, with her hair combed up and back not unlike a mullet. She also had gamboge orange eyes and stylized yellow lightning bolts earrings. She was dressed in what looked like a close fitting variant of what martial artist, but was a tighter fit, both being closer and her leggings shorter, not unlike a professional athlete, with a black lightning bolt on her shirt. She had bracers that covered most of her forearms as well. At her heels were a set of ethereal wings that were indigo in color and looked more lightning bolts, and on her head was a set of goggles. This was Indigo Zap.

The last woman had opalish gray hair with arctic bluish gray streaks done in two ponytails to the sides of her head with glasses over her orchid eyes and a hair clip that looked like a set of lips. She was dressed in a long light brown robe which hid her feet, but her hovering betrayed her nature as a Skyborn. On the front of her robes was a black lightning bolt. This was Sugarcoat. Together with Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, and Sour Sweet, they made a group called the Shadowbolts, named after the mutual late father of the five, Shadow Bolt. “This is not going to end well,” Sugarcoat comment bluntly.

Cinch gave a small laugh, “You’re just like your mother. You underestimate me and what I can do,” Cinch countered. Cinch turned to Juniper, “Pull the lever.” Juniper obeyed and the cylinder began to rise. As it rose the liquid began to pour out. Cinch smiled as the cylinder finished rising a figure fell but was caught, wrapped in a blanket and pulled away by Juniper. The figure was a woman in her twenties. She had dark sapphire hair with two streaks, one was rose and the other was violet and a set of metallic wings purple and gold in color which seemed to float behind her and yet also come from her back with two amethyst six-pointed stars functioning for the wings like her arm's shoulder balls.

After a minute the young woman began to stir. She opened her eyes, they were violet in color, “Where…” she asked and started to panic.

Cinch walked up to her with a concerned look, not unlike a mother or doctor with a child or patient that just started to recover from something that could have killed the child or patient “Take it easy, my dear.” The young woman turned to look squarely at Cinch, “You’ve given us all quite the scare," She paused for a second.


"Twilight Sparkle.”

> Another Twilight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset was in the library with the book she used to communicate with Twilight open. She was in the process of writing a message for Twilight when she heard something. She turned to her left and saw along one of the library’s wall a portal open. She walked towards it and just before she was in the range of being hit by anyone or anything coming through it. Applejack came through with the full body mirror she brought with her. Followed by Fluttershy, who flew off to make sure she didn’t collide with anyone. Then came Pinkie who hoped over Applejack and landed behind Sunset. Then Rarity came through who took a step to her left so that she didn’t hit anyone and was not hit by anyone. Finally, Rainbow Dash flew through, “I can’t believe none of you like Daring Do.” She huffed.

Rarity shook her head, “I never said I didn’t like the series, Dashie. Only that it’s stagnated with Daring’s character development after the second book and that I find another series better. You should try reading something other than a Daring Do book.”

Applejack then turned to Rainbow, with a look of other confusion on her face as she tilted her head to her right and squirted her left eye, “How are yah shocked? Ah’m a paladin, Daring Do steals, yah have to know how tah make four tah make it tah the Wonderbolt Reserves, Sugarcube.”

Rainbow then turned to Fluttershy with pleading eyes and an agape mouth. Fluttershy shook her head, “Sorry Dashie, but those temples that end up destroyed by the end of each book are homes of many animals, and she did threaten Ahuizotl’s little kitten to get out of several situations.”

Sunset elected to walk over to Pinkie, “Are they debating Daring Do?” Sunset asked. Pinkie nodded with a sigh.

Rainbow Dash then turned to Sunset, “Please tell me that you know Daring Do is the best series ever written.”

Sunset gave a smile, “Of course, A.K. Yearling has done so much more with the character then Twilight Velvet ever could.” Rainbow Dash then started to fly around cheering. Sunset then turned to the others, “She needed someone to agree with her.” Everyone took a second to think about that and had to agree; Rainbow needed someone to agree with her. Sunset then turned her attention to the mirror, “It’s great to see you all but what brings you all here?” she asked.

Applejack put the mirror over the portal as it was still open, “Hold on a second, wah need to align this here mirror with..” Before Applejack could finish her sentence Sunset conjured a ring of fire around her and was gone in a second. They all waited for a couple of minutes until Sunset reappeared in another ring of fire with a scroll. The cloth that was around the scroll hand a metal ‘seal’ with a rendering of a star and a swirl. “Is that?” Applejack started to ask.

Sunset gave a nervous chuckle, “Yeah when I left I took a few things so I could use the portal on this side, and I kind of wanted no one else to know how the use the portal.” Sunset then opened the scroll and kept it in her left hand as her focus gem, eyes and right hand glowed a light brilliant opal as she placed it on the glass of the mirror. After about a minute the glass appeared to be replaced by the spirals magic of the portal. Sunset stepped aside, “So does anyone want to make sure?”

Pinkie hopped in through the portal then came back with the CMC, “Sunset Shimmer, this is Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s little sister,” Pinkie said as she pointed to Sweetie Belle. She then pointed to Apple Bloom, “This is Apple Bloom, Applejack’s little sister.” She then pointed to Scootaloo, “and this is Scootaloo.”

Sunset offered her hand to Scootaloo first, “Let me guess, you’re Rainbow Dash’s little sister.”

Scootaloo sighed, “No, we are only honorary sisters.” Scootaloo then took a long hard look at Sunset, as if she remembered a description of someone.  Then it clicked, “But I think my brother might have written about you before.”

Sunset blinked a couple of times at that remark, “Your brother?” After two seconds, her eyes widened in realization as there was only one guy she had a relationship with anywhere near worthy enough to write someone about,  “Oh my gosh! You’re related to…” Sunset coughed in an attempt to collect herself. After a cough, she cleared her throat, “What did he say about me?” she asked with a nervous smile.

Scootaloo thought for a second as she tried to recall what Flash wrote. Once she recalled the gist of it, “That you’re kind of an entitled brat.” If true words could cut, Sunset knew she would have been diced into small pieces then and there. However, Scootaloo continued, yet her tone was slightly apologetic like she realized that she might have stepped on a topic she shouldn’t have, “but that he believes you’re actually a good person if you dig deep enough.”

Pinkie pulled a shovel out of her hair and was in a cotton candy pink church choir robes, “You gotta dig a little deeper
Don't have far to go
You gotta dig a little deeper
Tell the people Mama told you so
Can't tell you what you'll find
Maybe love or grant you a piece of mind
Dig a little deeper and you'll know.” Pinkie sang as she handed the shovel to Sunset, clapping her hands all the while.

Sunset blinked in terror as she turned to the rest, as she was about to speak, “Please don’t ask. It’s Pinkie Pie. You’re better off not questioning it.” Rarity answered cutting Sunset off.

Pinkie then took off the choir robes and the shovel from  Sunset and then put them back into her hair, she then picked up the CMC, not unlike when she picked up Fluttershy to hop along Steve Magnus’ back. “Okay girls, time for you to go back, I’m sure Big Mac and Granny could use some help on the farm,” Apple Bloom groaned in response. “I’m sure someone needs to look after Rarity’s boutique.” Sweetie Belle then groaned. “And…” Pinkie trailed off as she tried to come up with a reason why Scootaloo had to go back.

Scootaloo sighed, “Well, Flash did plan to spend the next couple days with me and First Base, it is his leave after all.” The young monk gave the perplexed jester a way out of her state.

Pinkie’s contemplation ended, “Okay, works for me.” Pinkie then proceeded through the portal with the CMC. After a minute Pinkie returned without the CMC. “Okay, the portal works.” Pinkie said with her right thumb up, and one second later the portal closed and the stars and swirls started to move locking the portal for the present time.

Applejack shook her head with a small smile on her face, “Pinkie, never change.” She then turned to Sunset. “Right, why we’re here…” Applejack was not sure how to explain it.

Rainbow groaned, “Okay after we got back from beatin’ the Sirens, we sat down on our thrones at Twilight’s new castle…” Rainbow started and was speaking at almost the speed of light.

Sunset placed on her hand on Rainbow’s mouth, “I know about the castle, the Aura map and that it has been sending you all on what you’ve called ‘Friendship Missions’, which Twilight did write about. Twilight and I write each other through the linked books.” she explained.

“Well, that’s narratively convenient, Foxhelm, you cheat.” Pinkie said as she turned to her left.

Everyone walked to where Pinkie was looking and only saw a bookcase. “Who are… you know what nevermind.” Rainbow said as she shook her head, “Okay with that out of the way, the Aura Map sent us here for a Friendship Mission.” Before Sunset could ask about the absence of Twilight, “No, it only called us five. Besides, Twilight is guest lecturing at Celestia's School for The Gifted on Aura Marks of all things.”

Sunset gave a hum of understanding, it would make sense that Celestia would want Twilight to branch out and give her (Twilight) academic mindset development.  Teaching would have been the next step. “Okay, so you’re here because you think there is a friendship problem here?” Sunset asked for clarification.

The others nodded mostly in silence before Pinkie jumped right next to Sunset with a deerskin hat and smoking-pipe, “So did you or anyone else here notice anything wrong with people’s friendships?”  Pinkie huffed out of the pipe only it produced bubbles and not smoke.

Sunset looked at the others then back to Pinkie, “Not that I’m aware off, but perhaps I can help you find what you’re looking for.” Sunset said as she went to get her book, “But first we might want to let Cinch know you’re here, this is like the third time you came unannounced.” The five all shared a nervous laugh at that. As Sunset returned with her book,  “and at least let Sunny know about the mirror and the location of the portal.” Sunset the started out of the library as she opened the door a familiar looking young woman bumped into her. The other woman had violet eyes with a pair of glasses over them, dark sapphire hair with two streaks, one was rose and the other was violet done in a bun in the back of her head, and a set of metallic wings purple and gold in color which seemed to float behind her and yet also come from her back with two amethyst six-pointed stars functioning for the wings like her arm's shoulder balls. She wore a dark purple sleeveless vest over a teal long sleeve shirt and long purple plaid skirt.  “Sorry about…” Sunset trailed off as she looked at the young woman.

As Sunset was still processing what she saw, “TWILIGHT?” Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy asked and exclaimed at the same time in utter shock at the sight of Twilight being there.

The young woman blinked, “Yes…” she said with a slight hint of nervousness. As she looked at each other women, “Do I know you?” she asked as she didn’t recognize the women.

Everyone blinked a couple of times before Pinkie started to laugh a few times. After a few laughs, “Good one, Twilight,” Pinkie said as she wiped a tear from her eye, “but you’re going to have to do better than that to pull one over on me.” The recently identified Twilight only blinked in confusion a few times. It was hard to tell if this was lost on Pinkie or not as the jester continued, “Come on.” she said. “Did you really expect me to believe that you would just suddenly forget your best friends?” she asked as she placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulders.

The Twilight there blinked twice as she looked at the pink-clad jester, “My best friends?” she asked in confusion as she looked at the others.

Pinkie started to laugh again for a solid second before she stopped again, “Okay that was a good one, but seriously.” Pinkie’s tone then started to become serious, “Cut that out.  It’s not funny anymore.” she finished as she patted Twilight on her back. Twilight could only blink thrice in utter confusion.

Applejack pulled Pinkie aside and after she took a good long look at Twilight. The paladin then turned to the jester, “Umm, Sugarcube, Ah think she’s serious.”

Pinkie then manifested to be right in  Twilight’s face, making her lean back. “You mean, you really don’t know who we are?!” Pinkie asked, Twilight only shook her head in response. Pinkie gasped in horror as she leaned back to a point that the most skilled contortionists would have conceded was not possible and maintained normal balance. Pinkie then jumped up and had the detective gear she had on earlier, “There’s only one logical explanation for this.” She paused which seemed meant for the purpose of building up dramatic tension. After the pause, “Someone’s used magic to steal your memories and make you forget us.” Pinkie declared as if she solved a mystery. Everyone stared at Pinkie for a solid three seconds as they tried to process how Pinkie came to that conclusion.

Rainbow Dash spoke first with an eye roll, “Yeah, I don’t think that’s it.”

Fluttershy turned to Twilight, “How did you even get here so fast?” she asked. Twilight only squinted one of her eyes in confusion. Fluttershy simply continued, “You’re supposed to be on route to Chantalot for that guest lecture you’re going to give at Princess Celestia’s school…”, Fluttershy trailed off as she tried to recall the date when Twilight was to give the lecture. But she recalled that Princess Celestia knew Twilight the best so that meant Princess Celestia would have planned to grant Twilight a day to get the lecture down. “The day after tomorrow,” she said as she recalled that fact.

The Twilight that was present looked at Fluttershy and tilted her head to her left, “I am?”

Pinkie whistled at first, “Wow, that’s one doozy of a memory problem you’ve got there.” Pinkie then was dressed in a long white cloak like the ones medical doctors wear with a stethoscope and notepad. “We saw you get on the train to Chantalot with Spike like not even three hours ago.” Pinkie said as she was examining Twilight, not unlike a medical examination.

Twilight had a blank expression on her face as Pinkie finished and was recording her findings. As Pinkie was writing, Twilight asked, “Who’s Spike?” Everyone just stared at her in what could be described as horror at that question.

Rarity gave a cough, “Will you excuse us for a minute, darling?” Twilight nodded in response before Rarity pulled Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash into a huddle.   “Something strange is going on here.” Rarity whispered to the others.

Applejack was the first to reply as she took a glance at the Twilight there,  “Ah’ll say.  It’s not like Twilight to forget us.  It’s even more unlike her not to know who Spike is.”  Applejack lifted her head out of the huddle and looked back at Twilight before realizing that a certain dragon familiar was missing.  She then lowered her head to rejoin the huddle and whispered, “Where is Spike anyway?”  Everyone had to nod in agreement. “And how did she get here so fast?”  Applejack asked pointing out the presence of Twilight and what it took to get the five to be here.

Fluttershy then gasped as she had a thought, “You don’t think she could be a changeling or a doppelganger, do you?” she asked as she turned to Applejack.

Applejack closed her right hand and closed her eyes as well, she took a breath and a light appeared in her hand and then washed the room for a second. Once the light vanished, Applejack took a look at Twilight and then back into the group, “Well, she’s definitely not a doppelganger.  There’s no evil in her.”

Rarity covered her mouth for a second, “Oh my, you don’t think this has anything to do with why the Map called us here, do you?” she asked.

While the rest seemed to be locked in their debate, Sunset turned to Twilight, “You don’t remember us at all?” she asked.

Twilight shook her head, “Baroness Cinch said I might have suffered amnesia from what I went through, I was in a medical bath unconscious for almost two years.”

Before Twilight continued, Sunset placed both her hands on both of Twilight’s shoulder, “Wait, Baroness Cinch told you that?” Twilight nodded. Sunset ended her hold and looked past Twilight, “That’s very interesting…” Sunset trailed off. She then took Twilight by the hand, “Come along, we need to have a chat with the baroness.” Unbeknownst to Sunset, Twilight face took on a few shades of red in her cheeks. Twilight, however, noticed that for a second she was without breath and her heart stopped.





In the room of the castle that Cinch set aside for managing businesses, only she and Sunny were present. Both were looking out a window, “You know Sugarcoat is right. You are dabbling in things you have no understanding, mother-dearest.” Sunny said with a clearly angry jab with the ‘mother-dearest’. Cinch showed no signs of response. Sunny gritted her teeth and all but growled before she started to leave. As she was about to shut the door, “You know before Father confronted Longhorn, he told me something I think he tried to tell you so many times, ‘One doesn’t win the game of powers, at best you die not having lost’.” Cinch didn’t respond as Sunny left the room. After leaving she headed towards the library en route she bumped into her mother’s project and… “Lady Shimmer, what brings you by.”

Sunset gave Sunny a scowl, “I need to talk to the baroness.” Sunset stated bluntly. All the while she didn’t let go of Twilight’s hand.

Sunny only blinked once, but it was a blink and you’ll miss it, but she quickly composed herself, “What pray tell is the matter?”

Sunset paused as she looked at Twilight. She was not sure if she could have the conversation she wanted with Cinch if Sunny knew that was the reason. But she quickly recalled that Rarity, et al were here. “You remember our friends from Mystica?” Sunset asked.

Sunny shook her head with a frustrated sigh, “I’ll get a room set up for them. The least they could do is send a message to you through your book a day or two before they arrived.” Sunny then left the two, seeming to ignore that Sunset and Twilight were still hand-in-hand.

Sunset then released Twilight's hand and threw open the door, “Cinch, we need to talk!”

Cinch slowly turned, “Lady Shimmer, as always a pleasure. What pray tell brings you by?” Sunset didn’t answer verbally as she pulled Twilight into the room. “I am sorry, but Mss. Sparkle’s memory is not what it was and I fail to see that showing me to her will help her memory.”

Sunset knew Cinch was lying, but she couldn’t call Cinch out with Twilight present. “Hey Twilight, could you wait outside for a moment?” Twilight nodded reluctantly and began to leave, but she turned at the last second, with a slight frown of concern on her face, not unlike she was leaving a friend in the same room as an annoyed parent. Once the door was shut, “How did Twilight get here before her friends from Mystica?” Sunset asked as she closed the distance.

Cinch strutted to her desk and sat on the chair, “So they are back again. I wish that…”

“Sunny is already taking care of getting a room ready for them.” Sunset countered, “About Twilight?” Sunset asked with a slight growl.

Cinch took out of her desk a folder and slid it towards Sunset, “Read it.”

Sunset looked at the cover, “Operation: Midnight”, Sunset read and accepted the folder. On each of the pages in the folder were brief entries on  Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, Princess Twilight, Discord, Tirek, The Sirens, Applejack, Fluttershy, Flash Sentry, Pinkie Pie, Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and herself, “Why are…” Sunset started to ask before she looked at the last page, “You cloned us!” Sunset slammed the folder on the desk.

“Technically I only cloned Princess Twilight Sparkle as the base with augmentations based on the DNA and RNA of everyone else.” Cinch answered blankly, “Granted I was not expecting her to be the base. But beggars cannot be choosers.”

Sunset squinted in wrath, “What do you intend to do with her?”

Cinch only smirked.





Rainbow, et al had left the library and were heading to the dining hall, “So, how are we going to know for sure that this Twilight is the reason why we’re here?” Applejack asked. “Clearly she ain't our Twi.”

Pinkie popped right in front of the paladin, “How about we call her something else, to avoid confusion?” Pinkie asked. She then paused and took a second to think, “How about Sci-Twi?” Everyone looked at Pinkie with blank expressions. “She’s got glasses and seems more science-y than Twilight.” Everyone just continued to stare at her blankly.

“It could be because she’s a clone.” came a familiar female voice. The five turned to see four other women, the Shadowbolts sans Sunny Flare. Sugarcoat was the one that spoke.

Rarity spoke first as they tried to recover from that statement, “You mean to say that Cinch managed to clone Twilight? That she managed to develop and perfect cloning to such a degree?”

Lemon took off her headset, “And more because Sci-Twi also has our DNA, Sunset’s and a few others,” the music lover said. Every one of the Shadowbolts rolled their eyes at their half-sister’s action. “What?” Lemon asked.

Sugarcoat then spoke up, “I take it you arrived recently.” Applejack nodded. “Just to let you know, the Sirens are still MIA.”

“We’re not here for them.” Rainbow commented, “Since you overheard Pinkie come up with that name, we’re here for…” Rainbow trailed as she turned to Rarity, “I’m with AJ, are you sure that’s the reason we’re here, Rares?”

Rarity rolled her eyes, “Fine,” she then turned to the Shadowbolts, “Have you noticed any friendships that are not faring well?”  Rarity asked her friends, with the absence of Pinkie going unnoticed by everyone. The four Shadowbolts only shook their heads. “See?” Rarity asked as turned back to her friends. Applejack and Rainbow just sighed.

Indigo shrugged her shoulders with her eyes closed and hands up. “Whatever.” Indigo and the rest of Shadowbolts started to head off. “Best luck. Ask us if you need any help.”

They all turned to continue their respective routes, the Shadowbolts to where ever they were heading and the Rainbooms to the dining hall,  “So how do see that ‘Sci-Twi’ is the one we need to help?” Applejack asked.

Just then Pinkie seemed to manifest on Applejack’s shoulders, as she jumped to the floor, “I know a perfect way,” the jester said to be followed by what sounded like one of Pinkie Pie’s Party Cannons going off blasting confetti. “We throw a party!!!”

Everyone looked at Pinkie slightly confused with blank stares for a good minute with only the chirping of crickets to answer Pinkie. Rainbow was the first to respond, “Yeah, umm, how exactly is a party gonna help us figure out what Sci-Twi’s friendship problem let alone solve it?”

Pinkie closed her eyes and shook her head with a grin on her face, “Elementary, my dear Dashie.”

Rarity rolled her eyes, “The ‘quote’ that is a paraphrase of is not even real.”  she pointed out.

Pinkie brushed it aside and continued as if was not interrupted, “If we throw a party, then everyone in Midnight Castle is going to have to come, then we can watch if she mingles, and if she has trouble mingling, then that means that she doesn’t have any friends, and if she doesn’t have any friends, then she has to be our Friendship Problem, duh.” As everyone continued to stare at Pinkie with blank confusion. “Besides, if she isn’t the Friendship Problem, then we just watch everyone else and look for people who either aren’t having any fun or are acting like they’re avoiding each other.”

There was another solid minute of silence from the other four as they tried to understand how Pinkie reached the conclusion she made. Applejack was the first to recover and after a few seconds of thought, “That actually makes a surprising amount of sense.”

Rarity was next, “But Pinkie, we’re only guests, and last minute at that, here in  Midnight Castle. It’s rude enough we came unannounced, but we most definitely cannot just throw a party without the baroness’s permission.” As they all were talking, they were all walking and had arrived at the dining hall within the castle. As they neared the door, they heard party music playing.

Rainbow Dash turned to look solely at Pinkie with a deadpan expression, “You already threw one while we were talking, didn’t you?” she asked as everyone else also looked at Pinkie with deadpans.

Pinkie giggled, “You silly fillies, this is just the warm-up.” Applejack facepalmed and Rainbow Dash groaned. Pinkie just shrugged and skipped into the dining hall and went to the disc jockey stand and took the mic, “HEY MIDNIGHT CASTLE! ARE YOU READY TO PAR-TAY!!!” everyone cheered.

Rainbow flew up to the microphone and cut the music, bringing the party to a screeching halt, “As awesome as a Pinkie Pie Party is, but she doesn’t have a party planning permit for now.” As everyone groaned as they started to leave, “Maybe tomorrow.” Rainbow added with a slightly apologetic tone. Everyone muttered in ire as they left the hall, leaving it looking like a rave just took place. Rainbow then turned to Pinkie. “I love you, Pinkie, but you didn’t think that through. What if Cinch arrived and saw that?”

“I did.” came Cinch’s voice, next to her, were the other Twilight and Sunset. Cinch looked to Sunset, “Your guest, your mess.” she then turned and headed out.

Sunset looked at the room and sighed. She went over to the hall’s cleaning supply closet and started to take some out. Rainbow flew to her side and took a broom and the started passing stuff to the others, “It’s our fault. We’ll clean it.”

“Glad to know you’ll stand by me,” Sunset said with a smile.

Rainbow chuckled and slapped Sunset on the back, “I’m too awesome to leave any of my girls hangin’.” She said as she flew to start cleaning an area. As she flew she passed the Twilight she and the rest of the Rainbooms have called Sci-Twi, she suddenly dropped to the ground. “Woah, I must be spent.” But after a second she shook it off and went back to cleaning. Unbeknownst to her, and almost everyone else, a small ball of cyran magic flew from her chest and into Sci-Twi’s.

Sci-Twi was shocked at what happened. She ducked away not wanting to be seen. “What was that?" she asked in horror.
> Something's Off
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sci-Twi remained out of the hall and was looked at her hands while they trembled. Some strange thing flew from the chest of another human into her chest and her body absorbed it, not unlike a sponge. She hugged herself as she went to her knees. She didn’t recall anything from before waking from the medical bath.  Was she some sort of monster? She had metallic wings from her back while even the handful of humans she saw that could fly had ethereal wings from their ankles. She felt someone tap her on her shoulder. She turned to see Fluttershy with a concerned look on her face. “Sorry, I still don’t remember…” Sci-Twi started.

Fluttershy cut her off with a hug. “It’s not you. You see we have a friend back home with the same name and the resemblance is uncanny.”

Sci-Twi then leaned back to look Fluttershy. Her eyes were slightly squinted and her head tilted to her left indicating her confusion. “Does your friend have metal wings like mine?”

Fluttershy ended the hug and looked away somewhat nervously, “Well, yes.” she answered. However before Sci-Twi could press the matter, “Speaking of friends, do you have any?” Fluttershy asked.

Sci-Twi shook her head as she turned away from Fluttershy, “I don’t know. The baroness said I might be suffering from amnesia, and she won’t let me leave the castle.” Sci-Twi sighed and turned to be facing the same direction as Fluttershy, “And for the brief time since I awoke, everyone else in here has kept their distance from me.” She finished her statement, looking at two people in the hallway take a look at her and leave.

Fluttershy held her chin  with her left hand and muttered to herself, “That’s understandable.” Sci-Twi heard her and turned around to face Fluttershy with a similar squint look she had on her face when she asked about Fluttershy’s friend with the metallic wings. Sci-Twi gave a ‘hah’ of confusion. Fluttershy realized what might have been inferred by Sci-Twi and tried to correct that error, albeit with a slight stutter as she spoke, “It’s just that, well, you’re a little different from most people that’s all.”

Sci-Twi turned away from Fluttershy and took a step as she hugged herself, “I noticed.”, a tear was about to form in her eyes.

Fluttershy didn’t need to see Sci-Twi’s face to know that she (Sci-Twi) was about to cry. She swiftly flew to be in front of Sci-Twi and put her hands on Sci-Twi’s shoulders, “Oh, don’t feel bad.  People just need a little time to get used to people who are different from them.” Fluttershy then gave Sci-Twi a sincere smile. “I’m sure the Shadowbolts will come around once they take the time to get to know you.” Fluttershy took a moment and paused in thought, “If you want,” she started she brought her hands down to her side and closed her eyes. “I can be your friend.”

Sci-Twi wiped the tears that formed in the corner of her eyes,  “Really?” she asked with a twinge of fear in her voice. She feared that she was being strung along.

Fluttershy opened her eyes and continued to smile, “Of course, everyone deserves kindness.”  Fluttershy then pulled Sci-Twi into another hug. After a solid minute of hugging. Fluttershy ended the hug. “Do you feel better?” Fluttershy asked. Sci-Twi nodded. The two then saw the time. “Well, this has been quite a day. We should probably get to bed and call it a night.” Sci-Twi nodded and left. As Sci-Twi left, Fluttershy shuddered for a moment. Unbeknownst to her a yellow ball of light left her and flew into Sci-Twi. “Well, good night.” Fluttershy sighed before she joined up with her friends as they all elected to call it a night.

Sci-Twi, however, felt the absorption of the yellow light. She leaned against the wall in shock, this was the second time something like that happened. ‘Maybe’ she thought, ‘I should go to bed’.





The next day, around noon, Sunset, was in the library and found Sci-Twi reading books. “You’ve been busy today,” Sunset said as she looked at all the books stacked. She then turned to Sc-Twi, "but did you have something to eat?”

Sci-Twi turned from her book to Sunset, “Oh, I thought that maybe if I read a few books I might be able to recall what happened before…” She trailed off as she looked at the book, not reading the text.

Sunset shook her head as she walked to Sci-Twi and closed the book she was reading. “Filling your brain with facts won’t bring memories back,” Sunset then lowered her tone and spoke under her breath, “If there were memories there.” Sci-Twi seemed to not notice what she said and looked at the closed book. Before she could say anything, Sunset took her hand, “Come on, let’s get something to eat.”  Sunset then began to head out pulling Sci-Twi behind her. Unbeknownst to her, Sci-Twi’s cheeks took a couple shades of red, and Sci-Twi couldn’t help but smile not unlike a giddy school-girl.

About half an hour later, Sunset and Sci-Twi arrived in the courtyard of the castle and saw a table with a spread of vegetables, fruits, small sandwiches, etc. Also, in the courtyard where everyone that was in the dining hall during Pinkie’s brief party and many more. Near the farthest wall from Sunset and Sci-Twi was a disc jockey booth, and at it was Lemon Zest, taking on the role of a DJ. Sunset looked around at all the people, “Well, Pinkie sure knows how to get a party going.” Sunset then laughed before she handed Sci-Twi a sandwich, “Better eat before joining the actual party.” Sci-Twi nodded as she accepted the sandwich. As she ate, Sunset left to chat with Applejack and Fluttershy, and others at the party. Sci-Twi, however, didn’t follow.  She wasn’t sure how to go forward or what to do.

Elsewhere in the courtyard, Rarity, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash were looking over the scene. Rarity turned to the jester concerned about the whole thing, “Pinkie, I don’t think this is a good idea. We don’t have permission to be throwing this party.”

Pinkie then pulled out of one of her pockets a series of paper. “Au contraire, mon amie,” she said as she handed them to Rarity, who shared the paperwork with Rainbow Dash and waved her right index finger with her eyes closed. “As you can see, I have all the necessary permits.”

Rainbow looked through the last of the papers and was totally stunned.  As she handed them back to Pinkie, “Pinkie, how did you get these?” she asked her friend.

Pinkie put all the papers back into her pockets as she closed her eyes and smiled, “Easy,” she said as she waved her right hand, “Lemon Zest got them for me in exchange for making her the master of ceremonies.”

Lemon’s voice was then heard, mostly in the background, “Hello, Midnight Castle!” Everyone then cheered in response. “Is everybody ready to rock?!” she asked rhetorically and was answered with more cheers followed by the start of the music.

Pinkie then turned back to Rainbow and Rarity with a devious smirk on her face, “Technically, this is Lemon’s party.”

Rainbow Dash could only give a deadpan expression,  “That’s borderline evil, Pinkie Pie.” she stated with a deadpan tone that matched Applejack’s straight woman take. Rainbow then paused and a devious smirk that matched Pinkie’s grew on her face. “It’s so” she then paused again, most likely for dramatic tension before she shouted, “AWESOME!”

Rarity shook her head in annoyance.  “I’m surrounded by idiots, ” she said as she partly rolled her eyes and facepalmed before she left the two.

Pinkie and Rainbow both shared a laughed as Rarity was so dramatic. As the two laughed, Pinkie spotted that Sci-Twi was still very much alone and not interacting with anyone. “‘Scuse me, Dashie.” She then gave Rainbow a quick peck on her cheek and vanished.

Rainbow had a slight blush and noticed that her ethereal wings were rigid, “Oh come on! Seriously!” she groaned as she went to one of the tables with a punch bowl.

As Sci-Twi watched everyone interacted with each other, she could not help but feel like she didn’t belong. She turned to walk away only to see Pinkie more or less manifest right in front of her. “Ah!” Sci-Twi screamed in shock.

Pinkie tilted her head to her left, “Enjoying the party?” she asked. Sci-Twi looked around a little nervously. But when it was clear to Pinkie that she didn’t have an answer. “You know, something’s missing,” Pinkie said as she looked around and tapped her lips with her index finger. After a moment of thought, before Sci-Twi could give an answer, Pinkie grabbed Sci-Twi’s hand “I know what it is!” and pulled her along, “Come on!”

Sci-Twi cried “Aah!” as she was dragged along. Before Sci-Twi could tell what was going on she was standing next to Pinkie on one of the overlooks of the courtyard. Next to the two were half a dozen light blue cartoonish looking cannons with wheels that were mostly purple with pink along the rim and a yellow flower in the center. Sci-Twi’s eyes were wide open in shock. “What in the world are these things?” she asked as she tried to fathom what they were.

Pinkie looked at Sci-Twi like she was looking at a child, “Party cannons,” Pinkie answered with a big smile on her face and her eyes closed like she was clarifying something in one of the stories she would read to Pound and Pumpkin. “I never leave home without at least one. Or my welcome wagon.” Pinkie said as she pulled into one of her pockets and pulled out an enclosed wagon that looked like a barrel with the word ‘Welcome’ written along one of the sides.

Pinkie put the wagon back into her pocket leave a flabbergasted and shocked Sci-Twi in the wake. Sci-Twi elected to save her sanity and not question the existence of the cannons or the wagon or how Pinkie was able to fit them into her pockets. However, she did look at the cannons nervously before turning to Pinkie.  “Um, are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked.

Pinkie closed her eyes and smiled as she faced Sci-Twi, “Oh it’s totally a bad idea, but it’s so much,” Pinkie paused as she turned to look in front of her. She slowly opened her eyes narrowly, “Fun.” she whispered as she lit the match in her hand and put it to the fuse of the party cannon closest to her, and the next and the next until all of them were lit. Sci-Twi had no idea what was about to happen and was about to panic when she saw Pinkie somehow was dressed in pink padded clothes and hiding under pink pillows. Before Sci-Twi could do anything, the cannons each went off with a...squeak. Sci-Twi could not help but laugh as she witnessed confetti be shot out of the cannons and to the tune of an overture.  Sci-Twi didn’t know the name of the overture, but it was the overture of the 1812th anniversary of the founding of Mystica. Everyone cheered.

Pinkie turned to Sci-Twi.  “Laughter. Medicine for the soul. And is that a smile?” Pinkie asked as she saw Sci-Twi beam. “It is.” Pinkie cheered and hugged Sci-Twi. Pinkie then broke the hug, “I don’t think we formally introduced ourselves. I know you’re Twilight, but…” Pinkie turned to Lemon, “Hit it, Lemon,” Lemon nodded and changed the tune to sound like a march. Pinkie then held out her hand like she was introducing herself and started to sing, “My name is Pinkie Pie (Hello!)” Twilight accepted the hand.
“And I am here to say (How ya doin'?)
I'm gonna make you smile and I will brighten up your day”, as Pinkie sang she jumped with Sci-Twi and the two were held up by everyone else. The two were riding the wave.
“It doesn't matter now (What's up?)
If you are sad or blue (Howdy!)
'Cause cheering up my friends is just what Pinkie's here to do,” As the two rode the wave, ever so often Pinkie would pop up next to Sci-Twi which caused her to have a few laughs.
“'Cause I love to make you smile, smile, smile
Yes I do
It fills my heart with sunshine all the while
Yes it does
'Cause all I really need's a smile, smile, smile
From these happy friends of mine.” As Pinkie reached this point, she gestured to Lemon to kill the song. Reluctantly Lemon did and the crowd put Sci-Twi and Pinkie. Everyone returned to the party, and while most went back to their own conversations, a couple of people walked up to Sci-Twi and started to talk with her. Pinkie was happy with her work. Unbeknownst to her, a pink light formed in front of her chest from her body and flew into and was absorbed by Sci-Twi. However, she did feel tired for a second, “Woah, I am feeling a little pooped.” she said in her slight moment of fatigue. That, however, didn’t last when she was handed a cupcake. She ate in one bite, “Mmmm,” and she was back to her chipper self.

Sci-Twi felt the absorption of what she could only fathom as energy, but with Lemon Zest’s changing of the music to a faster tempo, Sci-Twi thought it might have been her heartbeat increasing with the beat of the music.

Sci-Twi was not the only one to notice what happened, Applejack actually witnessed the pink light exit Pinkie and then be absorbed by Sci-Twi. Applejack knew something was off. Magic doesn’t normally behave like that, but it wasn’t like when Tirek drained magic from her and her friends.  It was much more… passive, like a sponge with water. And while Applejack still could not sense any evil from Sci-Twi, it still unnerved her. She walked over to the table with the punch bowl and saw Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy there, however only Rainbow was having another drink. “Yah know that ain’t mah family’s cider. And besides the fire yah got goin’, well, it can’t be clunch, ya have tah smother it.” Applejack joked as she noticed that Rainbow’s wings were still slightly rigid. She chuckled as she patted Rainbow on her shoulder. Fluttershy gave a giggle.

Rainbow groaned as she turned to face Applejack,  “Seriously, I’m not interested in Pinkie Pie like that. It was one night. One bucking night.”

Applejack chuckled a little, as Fluttershy tried to hide another giggle, “Ah think yah both did more than just buck that night.” she joked. Rainbow Dash groaned. Applejack had a couple more laughs but then turned serious, “But since we’re on the topic of Pinkie, yah’re gonna think Ah’m madder than a march hare, but Ah saw a pink light form from Pinkie and fly into Sci-Twi’s chest.” Rainbow turned to face Applejack with an eyebrow raised and her eyes slightly squinted. “Ah don’t expect yah to believe mah. But Pinkie did look a little drained after that light formed.”

Rainbow Dash put down her drink and gave a ‘huh’, as she thought back. “Come to think of it, yesterday as we cleaned up after the party Pinkie tried to throw, I flew by Sci-Twi and fell to the ground for some reason.”

Fluttershy also thought back to the day before, “Actually something like happened to me too.” she said. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash turned their attention to their timid druid friend. “I saw her leave the hall. I followed her and offered to become her friend and she accepted it. Before she left for her room, I felt drained.”

Applejack started to let those words sink in when Cinch stepped into the courtyard and everyone fell silent, even Lemon killed the music. For a solid second, only crickets chirping could be heard. Cinch in a calm collected tone,  “This party is over. Everyone is to go home, and close the gates on your way out.” Cinch ordered in one breath. No one challenged the baroness, and all but the castle staff, Sci-Twi, and the Rainbolts, as the Rainbooms and Shadowbolts have agreed to call be called when the two groups are working with each other, were left. Cinch turned to Shadowbolts and looked at each of them, one by one. “Now, which one of the five of you gave Ms. Pie permission to throw a party?” she asked.

The Shadowbolts glanced at each other unsure about how to answer  the question, each in a “should we or should we not?” kind of way, before Sunny, Sour, Sugarcoat and Indigo simultaneously answered, “Lemon.”

As the four other Shadowbolts said “Lemon,” Lemon said “Me.”

Cinch focused solely on Lemon and gave her an ice-cold glare before she turned to everyone else, “I will say what I am about to say only once.” She paused as everyone turned the focus solely on the baroness. “From now on, no one enters or leaves the castle without my permission.” Everyone had a shiver of fear, even though Cinch was visibly as calm as a cucumber. Cinch then turned her focus solely on the Shadowbolts, “The next time I catch anyone of you doing something like this, all five of you will be cleaning the bathrooms in the barracks.” Cinch then turned from the Shadowbolts and left the courtyard.

Sci-Twi walked towards the Shadowbolts, but before she could say anything... well, if looks could kill,  Sci-Twi’s physical body would have been fully converted into energy. The Shadowbolts then turned to get the supplies to clean the courtyard, the Rainbooms having elected to help them. Alone, Sci-Twi concluded that the reason Cinch called the party short was her. A wave of guilt rushed over her, and she chose to go after Cinch. After a short run, she found Cinch in the hallway signing a piece of parchment and handing it to Juniper. “Baroness, if I may know?” Sci-Twi started to ask. Cinch finished signing and turned her attention to Sci-Twi, “Why won’t you let me meet anyone outside the castle?” Sci-Twi looked away from Cinch, like a frightened child, “I was starting to make friends.”

Cinch gave a small smile, and shook her head softly, “My dear Twilight, your new, so-called friends only treated you well because they didn’t know who or what you are.” Cinch paused as she took Sci-Twi’s chin. “Once they find out, there is no guarantee that they won’t hesitate to cast you out or even harm you.” Cinch brought Sci-Twi’s face to look up at her, “Humans tend to fear what they don’t understand and destroy what they fear.” She let loose her hold on Sci-Twi’s chin and looked into Sci-Twi’s eyes, “How do you think you ended up in the medical bath in the first place?” she asked, more so rhetorically. Sci-Twi looked to the floor as a sad frown formed on her lips. Cinch placed a hand on Sci-Twi shoulder and in a soft and reassuring tone, not unlike a caring mother, “I’m only doing all this for your own good.  You wouldn’t want to get hurt all over again now, would you?”

Sci-Twi sadly turned away from Cinch, “No, ma’am.” she whispered more so to keep the pain of being denied something that seemed to fit her so much from showing.

Cinch patted Sci-Twi on her shoulder again with a soft smile still on her face,  “There’s a good girl.” she the patted Sci-Twi on the head affectionately, “Now, why don’t you help the others clean up Ms. Pie and Lemon’s mess out in the courtyard?”

Sci-Twi looked back at Cinch and reluctantly nodded, “Yes, ma’am.” Sci-Twi then left Cinch and went back to the courtyard.

As Sci-Twi left her sights, Cinch scowled. “Blast those Mysticans.  They are accelerating everything.” She turned towards her office. As she walked, she thought about everything and a smile formed. “Maybe this can work out after all.” She had a soft chuckle.
> Flying Sparks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the Rainbolts cleaned up after the party, Rarity walked up to Sci-Twi, “So the sun sets in your heart, Darling?” she teased. Sci-Twi dropped the broom she had in her hands in a panic, like someone that was caught in an embarrassing situation. Before she could say anything, Rarity placed her right index finger on her lips, “Shs, Darling, I am here to help you.” Sci-Twi blinked twice as Rarity removed her finger. “I can see it all now, soft orange candle light under the open starry sky.” Rarity then ‘woohed’, “Meet me in the library two hours after we finish cleaning.” Rarity then left the embarrassed Sci-Twi.

As Sci-Twi fumbled to pick up the broom, “Ya alright, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked as she walked to her. Sci-Twi could only look at the ground. “Rarity means well, but once she gets it into her head about somethin’ romantic, yah can either play along or yah show her up.” The paladin then laughed, “Ask her about Trenderfoot’s crush on Applejewel or Farmerity, it’s a hoot.” Applejack then had a laugh as she remembered that event. Sci-Twi only gave a nervous laugh. Applejack then went solemn. “Listen, wah all figured out yah not the friend wah mistook yah for.” Sci-Twi looked down to the ground with a miserable expression. Applejack saw that and placed her hand on Sci-Twi’s shoulder. “Now don’t you cry or fret.” Sci-Twi turned to face the paladin. “Wah all still want to get to know yah.”

Sci-Twi smiled for a second, but then looked down, “But I don’t even know who I am or what I am.”

Applejack tapped on Sci-Twi’s wings, which caused Sci-Twi to gasp, “Yah see these wings?” Sci-Twi nodded. “These wings mean yah’re a demigod. Ah only know of four other humans with wings like them. The princesses of the Everfree Principality of Mystica in Dream Valley, Celestia, Luna, Mi Amore Cadenza, and Twilight Sparkle.”  Applejack paused. “Yah know, it’s gonna get confusin’ when talkin’ about you and Twilight in the same sentence.” Applejack then had a nervous laugh. “Well, we’ll figure something out, hopefully something better than nick-naming yah Sci-Twi.”

“Sci-Twi?”

“The ‘Sci’ is short for science and ‘Twi’ is short for... well ‘Twilight’.” Applejack then gave another nervous laugh. “It’s kind of stupid. But since, yah’re the only ‘Twilight’ Ah talkin’ tah and about. We’ll just keep it Twilight.”

Sci-Twi thought about what she was told. “Sci-Twi…” she muttered. Sci-Twi turned to Applejack, “I can see why it’s shortened like that, but why ‘Sci’?” she asked as she straighten her glasses.

Applejack had a chuckle, “Pinkie had a look at yah, and yah strike her as thah type of people intah science.”

“Any particular science, because there are many different types of sciences. Was she referring to the natural sciences, such as but not limited to physics, biology, chemistry, ecology…” she was rendered silent by the paladin placing her hand on her mouth.

“Eeyup, Pinkie had yah pegged correctly.” Applejack then removed her hand. “Listen, Sci-Twi. If something is botherin’ yah, yah can talk tah any of us.”

Sci-Twi looked away from Applejack and saw Pinkie pull out of one of her pockets, a big vacuum cleaner with a big child-like smile. She pressed a button on it and the vacuum cleaned up the whole mess with one sweep. Pinkie then whipped her forehead with a "Phee-yew!" and put in back into her pocket.

Sci-Twi turned back to Applejack, who watching the reactions of the Shadowbolts, “Don’t ask. Yah’ll never fathom the answer.” Applejack then turned back to Sci-Twi. “So what’s eattin’ yah?”

Sci-Twi sighed as she looked down, “I still don’t know who I am or where I am from or anything.”

Applejack placed her hand on Sci-Twi’s shoulder, “Ah old man once told mah, ‘The past is history, the future a mystery, but today, today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘present’.’ So don’t worry your head on what you can’t control.” Sci-Twi wanted to question the paladin farther. “Honestly, Ah might not know the ‘who’ yah think yah were in the past either, but Ah sincerely believe Ah can speak for mahself and mahy friends, wah do want to know who yah’re now.”

Sci-Twi looked at the paladin with small tears of joy in her eyes, “really?” she asked, this was too good to be true.

Applejack chuckled, “Why would Ah lie tah yah?” she asked with a chuckle. “Now why don't wah go and see what Rares wants with yah?” Applejack then took Sci-Twi’s hand and went to find the enchantress. Unbeknownst to Applejack, an orange light formed around her heart and followed the path of her arm and Sci-Twi’s arm into Sci-Twi’s chest, where it was absorbed into her chest.

Rarity saw the two coming towards her. She turned to Sunset, “Do you have a black dress?”

Sunset squinted her left eye, slightly confused as to why Rarity would ask that question, “Yeah, I might have been a… well, bitch to Flash, but I did make a show of us being a couple.”

Rarity beamed and clapped her hands, “Excellent!” Rarity then started to leave Sunset, “Meet us on the ramparts shortly after sunset, and make sure to wear that dress.”

Sunset was left perplexed at that but elected to not question it farther.





A few hours later, Sunset was not sure why Rarity was so insistent on this meeting in the early evening nor why Rarity kept pressuring her into wearing the simple black dress she was currently wearing, but Sunset elected to just roll with it. As she reached the spot along the wall where Rarity told her to meet her, Sunset saw a small table on it was a white cloth, two lit candles, two plates, two sets of cutlery, etc. Next to the table were two chairs and seated in one of them was Sci-Twi, who was also in a small black dress and on her face was a fair amount of makeup. “Twilight, what’s with the…” She stopped herself.

“I thought it was a little much, but Rarity insisted.” Sci-Twi replied.

Sunset shook her head with a smile on her face and closed eyes. “Rarity means well, but sometimes makeup just gets in the way.” Sunset sat down on the chair across from Sci-Twi and took her napkin, “Let me take care of that.” She then licked the napkin and started to wipe away the makeup on Sci-Twi’s face.

As Sunset was removing the makeup, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who watching from a corner in the wall turned to Rarity. “Ah told yah, the makeup was too much.” Applejack informed.

Rarity chuckled, “All part of the plan, darling. Now, you and Rainbow bring them their meal.”

Rainbow looked at what was to be served, “Spaghetti and Meatballs on a large plate? Seriously?” the elementalist asked.

Rarity looked back at Rainbow, “What?” she somewhat whined as everyone else groaned, “It’s classic.” Rarity stood next to Fluttershy, “Picture it, Darlings.”

Fluttershy whimpered as she tried to step away from the enchantress, “I’d rather not.”

Rarity brushed it off and continued, she walked up to Pinkie and started to describe the vision in her mind, As she spoke she looked in the eyes of a clearly uncomfortable Pinkie Pie, “The two are eating and they end up eating the same noodle. As the eat their faces come closer and closer...” as Rarity spoke she moved her face closer and closer to Pinkie’s.

Before anyone could respond, Applejack took Rarity by the shoulder and pulled her away from Pinkie, “Stop. Stop. Stop.” she scolded the fashionista, “This ain’t a fairytale. Sunset is not going to mount a white horse and carry Sci-Twi off into the sunset, not so soon. They ain’t gonna kiss, and there won’t be fireworks.”

Rarity looked at Applejack, “How can you be so sure?” she asked the paladin taken aback.

Applejack sighed, “Because it ain’t reality. Yah want an example of reality, mah folks, Pear Butter and Bright Mac.”

“Wait, I thought your mother’s name was Buttercup.” Pinkie pointed out the difference between the name Applejack just gave for Applejack’s mother and the one she knew about.

Applejack chuckled as she thought back before she answered, “Buttercup was a nickname my pa gave her because when she held the bud of a buttercup to her chin, her chin glowed. As to why no one corrected Big Mac and Mah for so long, well there was a feud between Granny Smith and the head of the Pears, Grand Pear. But can Ah get back tah the story?” Everyone nodded silently, “My ma and pa spent years meeting each other, often in public places and few secluded places. They had to go behind my grandfolks back then. They had to get to know each other, etc. before my ma told my pa she loved him.”

Rainbow Dash cleared her throat and the four others turned to her. She pointed in the direction of Sunset and Sci-Twi, “Yeah, Sunset finished cleaning the makeup off.” she pointed out matter-of-factually.

Rarity gasped as she levitated the platter with the spaghetti to Rainbow and to Applejack a bottle of red wine, “Quick, serve them.” she ordered and the elementalist and paladin. Rainbow groaned as Applejack shook her head before they both went over to the table Sunset and Sci-Twi.

At the table, Sunset placed her napkin aside, “There done.” she said as she looked at Sci-Twi. The glasses wearing girl blushed as she noticed Sunset looked at her. As she noted the orange light of the setting sun contrast with Sci-Twi’s hair, Sunset could not help but recall that moment when she was in Twilight’s chambers during the clash with the Sirens. She wanted to chuckle but could not help but frown as she recalled the envelope that Cinch showed her. Sunset was not sure how she should feel or if what possible feelings stirring in her chest were for Sci-Twi. She wasn’t sure what Sci-Twi felt or w… Sunset froze as she recalled all the names and entries, among them was her ex, Flash. Was it possible… no, DNA doesn’t work like that.

Just before Sunset could speak, Rainbow placed the large platter of spaghetti in the center of the table, “Dinner is served.” Applejack said as she pour wine into the goblets that were for the two to drink.

In awkward silence, Rainbow and Applejack left the two. After a few seconds, Sunset and Sci-Twi looked away from each other awkwardly. They each place forked opposite sides of the spaghetti and began to eat it. Little knowing that they each got opposite ends of one of the noodles. As they ate, they didn’t really focus on each other until they turned as they ate the noodle and ended up facing each other. They both stopped and looked into each other’s eyes. Sci-Twi noticed handful of things in Sunset’s.  The first was how the recently showing stars glittered in them. Second was a fiery passion, one that once burnt the soul of the person whose passion it was, but while the heat it gave off was still there, it was much more focused. But for some reason she wanted that passion to consume her, she wanted that passion to mark her, to be the fire that kept her warm during the coldest of nights. She could not help but smile and blush. Sunset, on the other hand, saw a mind that looked at the world in awe, a mind that wanted to know how everything worked, a kind and innocent soul that… she wanted to be the firewall for.

After a good minute, the two realized that they were lost in each others’ eyes and were eating the same noodle.  They both pulled back, breaking the noodle and the hold they had on each other in the process. They finished the noodle and swallowed. The two then had a nervous laugh, turned from each other, and continued to eat, stealing glances at each other.

This was witnessed by the five mutual friends. Applejack looked at Rarity, “See, Rares.  No kiss.  No fireworks.  Ah told yah it wasn’t going to work,” the paladin pointed out. Rarity only huffed in response. Applejack turned to the other three, “Alright, now with that done, wah can actually do somethin’ about Sci-Twi makin’ friends and if wah are gonna help this relationship,” she said as she pointed to Sci-Twi and Sunset, “then let’s do somethin’ beyond dollin’ either of them up.”

Back at the table, “So does this make me the tramp, because I am far from a lady.” Sunset joked which caused Sci-Twi, as she was drinking the wine spat it out and started to laugh and cough. Sunset chuckled, “I am surprised you got the reference.”

Once Sci-Twi collected herself, “I read a novelization of that film.” Sunset chuckled a little at that comment. “What?”

Sunset shook her head as she stopped her laugh. She brought her left hand placed it and took Sci-Twi’s chin and cheek, “Do you know who are sexiest people in the world?”. Sci-Twi was about answer when Sunset placed her index finger on her lips. “Bibliophiles.” Sci-Twi was confused at the answer and was about to question it, but Sunset continued, “They always go to bed with good company.” Sunset then removed her hand as Sci-Twi blushed.

Back among the other five, Rarity turned to Applejack with the most smug of grins on her face, “No fireworks, huh?” she asked rhetorically.

Applejack rolled her eyes at Rarity at first before she spoke, matter-of-factly, as she turned back to witness Sunset and Sci-Twi. “They’re not kissing… yet.” Applejack then turned back to the rest “We better get ready to clean up after this.”

About fifteen minutes later, the two dining finished their meals and started off, “Well, I had a nice time. Maybe tomorrow night we'll catch a film.”  Sunset said as she and Sci-Twi started to walk from the scene.

Sci-Twi smiled and hugged Sunset. After the hug, “Wait here for a moment.” Sci-Twi said as she dash back and came upon Rarity et al cleaning up after the diner. She hugged Rarity. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” she said. She broke the hug. “I owe you…”

Before Sci-Twi could finished, Rarity put her right index finger on Sci-Twi’s lips. “Darling, you don’t owe me a thing.” Rarity ended the embrace and pointed in the direction of Sunset, “But to not squander my generosity and follow your heart.” She stepped behind Sci-Twi and whispered, “Go, tell her how you feel, let your heart be known to her. Cross the Rubicon, cast the die and seize the day!”  Sci-Twi turned to face Rarity and was about ask, but Rarity turned her around and gave Sci-Twi a slight push. “I’m not a smith, but I know the time to strike the iron is when it is still hot.” Sci-Twi paused for a second before she ran towards Sunset. “Looks like the girl’s not shy.” Rarity commented.

Unbeknownst to everyone, a white light-like orb formed around Rarity’s chest and flew into Sci-Twi’s back. Sci-Twi did feel the absorption but wrote it off as her heart racing as she was walking and talking to Sunset.

From the shadows, Cinch witnessed everything. “Blast that infernal Shimmer.” she muttered. But then paused and thought in silence. “Perhaps I’m being too hasty. It might be more prudent to let this play out.” She smiled and slipped back into the shadows.





The next morning, with in the dining hall of Midnight Castle, the Rainbooms were eating their breakfast. “Well, did anyone’s aura mark do their glowy mission complete thing.” Rainbow asked. The four others only shook their heads. “Oh come on!” Rainbow groaned, “What do we have to do? What problem do we need to solve?” She lowered her head to the table with a thump. “You  would think we have solved it by now.”

Applejack rolled her eyes before she spoke, “Now Sugarcube, what did yah expect? Our presence alone will solve the problem?” Rainbow’s nervous laugh answered the paladin’s question which earned an eye roll from the paladin. “The point is that we’re the only ones to solve this problem, the how is always up in the air.”

Just then Sunset sat down with the Rainbooms, her hair was extremely disheveled and a smile on her face. Pinkie looked at Sunset, “Reminds me of how you looked after the first gala we all went to.” She turned back to Rainbow and asked, “Remember it Dashie?” Rainbow Dash groaned in response before slamming her head on the table again. Pinkie had a giggle. The jester then turned to face Sunset again, “So what happened?”

Sunset smiled, “We read a great book last night.” Rarity looked on with star filled eyes. “A ‘Daring Do’ book, which brought a pout to Rarity’s face.

Rainbow looked up, “Which one?” Sunset only winked with her right eye in response.

Applejack then got up, “Ah don’t need to know anymore. It’s none of mah business.” and the paladin then started to walk away. “Ah need to practice mah swordsmanship anyway.”

Rainbow then got up, “Well I need to stay sharp with my archery and maybe pick up a close quarter weapon.” and she followed Applejack in the direction of the barracks. The rest only shrugged as they continued their meal for the most part.

However, Pinkie looked around, “Hey where’s Sci-Twi?” the jester asked Sunset.

Sunset looked from her meal back to the jester, she put her fork down and stopped eating for a second, “She went to the library.”

“Typical.” Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie said together in unison.





A couple hours later, Sci-Twi was in the library reading a book. She finished it and set it aside next to a collection of stacks of other books she had read. She sighed and looked to the ceiling, “Still nothing useful.”

“Ms. Sparkle.” came Cinch’s voice behind the demigoddess.

Sci-Twi turned to face the baroness, “Um. yes, baroness?” she asked as she got up from the chair she sat in.

Cinch placed her hand on Sci-Twi’s shoulder, “I think I found out about what happened before we placed you in that medical bath.” Cinch stopped and looked around for a second before she continued as she started to leave the library, “Would you be so kind to follow me to my office, this is something that is best discussed behind closed doors.” Cinch didn’t need to turn and see that Sci-Twi elected to follow her. Cinch smiled to herself as the two left.

About half an hour later in Cinch’s office, Cinch took a folder out of her desk and presented it to Sci-Twi. “One of my spies in Mystica returned with this recently.”  The folder was titled ‘Operation: Midnight.’

Sci-Twi cautiously reach out and took it. Timidly she opened it, and she slowly read it in silence. On each of the pages in the folder were brief entries on various people, some Sci-Twi knew  Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Sunset Shimmer, Then there entries on people Sci-Twi didn’t know. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Discord, Tirek, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, Sonata Dusk, Flash Sentry, and the one that shocked her the most, Princess Twilight Sparkle, “What, why, how,” Sci-Twi asked as she looked at her doppelganger. “Why are…” Sci-Twi started to ask before she reached the last page which was about her, “I’m a…” she dropped the folder and shivered in shock before she dropped to her knees.

Cinch placed her hand on Sci-Twi, “It seems that Princess Celestia thought to farther the number of demigods that resided in Mystica, and used the DNA of herself, her sister, and the rest to make another demigod, or perhaps something even more powerful.” Cinch then helped Sci-Twi to her feet and embraced her, not unlike a mother.

Sci-Twi wrapped her arms around Cinch, “But how did I end up here?”

Cinch patted the girl on her head, “It seems that from Princess Celestia’s point of view, you were a failed project, and she discarded you in the trash.”

Sci-Twi broke the hold and looked at the baroness, “Do…” she started ask. Cinch pulled out from her desk another piece of paper and handed it to Sci-Twi. Sci-Twi read it, “They’re here to… Even Sun… but last night…” she dropped the paper and ran out of the office sobbing on her way.

Cinch took the paper up and smiled with a soft chuckle.





Sci-Twi cried all the way as she ran to the ramparts. There she continued to weep, oblivious to the arrival the Shadowbolts, Sour Sweet was the first to speak as she hugged Sci-Twi. “You poor thing.” Sour’s tone was sanguinely sad. “Lied to by the closest people to you.”

“Not to undermine you, Sour, but we also knew what she is.” Sugarcoat pointed out. Sour broke her hug as she growled at the truenamer.

Sci-Twi looked at the Shadowbolts, “You also…” Sci-Twi started but she couldn't finish the question and wiped a few tears away from her eyes.

Indigo placed her hand on Sci-Twi shoulder, “Yeah, we were the spies that Cinch had. You see we’re all half-sisters and our father was a Mystican.”

Sci-Twi took a second to look at each of the Shadowbolts, “Even that they are here to… Correct me?”

The five looked at each other utterly confused, “I think that question was misplaced, or rather mis-timed.” Sugarcoat pointed out.

Lemon took off her headset and tilted her head to the left in confusion, “But why would Pinkie correct anyone, she’s awesomely carefree.”

Sci-Twi shook her head as she stepped away from Sour, “I don’t mean like she pointed out an error I made. I am the error.”

Sunny walked up to Sci-Twi, “Why would you think that, dearie?” the cleric asked as she placed both her hands on both of Sci-Twi’s shoulders.

Sci-Twi looked away from her, “Because I am botched copy of others,” She raised her head and looked each of the Shadowbolts in turn, “even your, all five of your, DNA and RNA was a part in making me.” She started to cry, “So this is why I have no memories from before I woke,” she broke from Sunny’s hold and looked out over the ramparts, “They knew I was a… clone and given how similar I look to Princess Twilight Sparkle… I must be a clone of her.” Tears slowly dripped down her cheeks, “I even have her name.”  She wiped her tears with the sleeve of her shirt, “And they knew it.” She paused as she looked in the direction of the sun, “Sunset knew it…” Sci-Twi trailed off as she thought about last night, the romantic diner, the reading together… “Am I just a substitute?”

Sunny stepped next to her and placed her right hand on Sci-Twi’s shoulder. Sci-Twi turned to face Sunny, “You’ll have to ask them.”





The Rainbooms were watching Applejack and Rainbow Dash wrestle each other. The paladin had managed to pin the elementalist to the ground on her chest, with her right knee in Rainbow’s back and held her right arm back, and was close to dislocating the elementalist’s shoulder, “Give up Sugarcube, yah can’t win and Ah don’t wanna hurt yah anymore.”

“A Wonderbolt never surrenders!” Rainbow declared in deficiencies. Applejack shrugged her shoulders and began to pull on Rainbow’s arm, slowly twisting it, making sure Rainbow felt everything, “Stop! Stop!” Rainbow pleaded as tears started to form in her eyes.

“Say it.” Applejack ordered as she released some of her hold.

“I surrender!” Rainbow shouted and Applejack relinquished her hold before she got off of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow grumbled as she brushed herself off, “How did I lose?” she grumbled.

“Do you want the play by play or the underlying cause?” Rarity asked.

As Pinkie pulled a slide show projector with slides and a white screen to show the slides on, “The underlying cause.” Rainbow answered. Pinkie pouted and put everything back into her hair.

Rarity cleared her throat, “Your ego, darling.” was all the enchantress needed to say.

“Oh come on! Applejack got as big of a pride issue as me!”

Fluttershy was the one that spoke up next, “Yes, but Applejack has historically been able to back up her claims and most of her problems is because she’s stubborn.” Applejack groaned slightly at that, but had to concede the point. Just then Sci-Twi and the Shadowbolts arrived. “Hey, Twilight, girls. How are you?” Fluttershy asked before she noted a subtle darkness around Sci-Twi. “Is something wrong?”

Sci-Twi scowled at the six, “You all knew I am a clone of your friend.” she declared without missing a beat. The six were taken aback and looked towards the ground in shame. “And you acted like I was your friend.” She then focused her gaze on Sunset, “That … you…” she couldn’t finish the sentence as she start to tear up and choke on her pain. After a second, she continued, “And you came to clean up after Princess Celestia’s mistake. So was that your plan? To lull me into trusting you and then kill me?”

Everyone was taken aback at that statement, “Now hold on there, Sugarcube!” Applejack stepped forward a slight scowl of her own on her face as she confronted Sci-Twi.  “What fertilizer have you been smellin’ to have that idea?” Applejack asked which earned a bit of a snicker from Pinkie and Lemon.

Sci-Twi was taken aback and “But you knew I am a…”

“So what?” Applejack cut her off. “It doesn’t matter what yah are tah us. Seriously take a good look at each of us.” Applejack walked to be right next to Sci-Twi and pointed at Pinkie Pie, “We’ve got a pink plaid party planner from a long line of rock farmers,” Applejack then pointed to Fluttershy, “A Skyborn so more comfortable on the ground that she’s a druid,”  Applejack then pointed to Rarity, “Yeah might think Rares is from a posh family, but nope, her folks are about as country as mah,” Applejack then turned Sci-Twi’s attention to Rainbow, “Okay she’s more of what yah might expect from a Skyborn, but she’s loyal tah the rest of us to a fault.” Applejack then stepped in front of Sci-Twi and put her right hand on her own chest, “And look at mah, do ah look like what you’d expect a paladin? On top of that, Ah pretty much run mah family farm.” Applejack then put both of her hands on Sci-Twi’s shoulders, “But that’s what we are, not who we are.” Applejack took a step back, “You see all that really matter is not what we are and by extension the same is true for you.”

Sci-Twi took a step back, “Even if that’s tru…”

Fluttershy took a very loud breath, which caused Sci-Twi to stop, “Zona Vero!” the druid said as she closed her eyes and opened them revealing them to glow pink, matching her hair. From her eyes, a pink bubble grew and encompassed every one. Once the bubble was done growing, “Okay Applejack.” The druid smiled at the paladin.

Applejack shook her head and sighed, “Really?  Yah felt the need to resort to cast a zone of truth?” She sighed again, “Wah don’t really care about what you are, Sugarcube. Wah just want to get to know who you are. Yah got that.”

Sci-Twi was taken aback. What Applejack said was true, as she knew that she that they didn’t care so much what she was. But if they didn’t care, “Then why are you here?”

“Frankly, wah don’t know why wah were called here.” Applejack answered.

Sci-Twi dropped to her knees, “So you’re not here to… kill me,” As the revelation was beginning to sink in, what Applejack said shock her, “but Cinch showed me…” Sci-Twi started but looked down on the ground unable to fathom what was going on. Or how to make sense about the two stories she was told.

“What is going on here?” came the voice of Cinch from above the lot. Everyone turned to face the baroness.No one answered at first as she walked towards them, entering the field of zone of truth’s effect. “What do you think you are doing?”

Applejack stepped away from Sci-Twi and towards the baroness, “Ah reckon wah should be askin’ yah the same question, Salt lick.”

Cinch raised an eyebrow, “If that was insult, I doubt that it follows.” Cinch then looked away from the paladin to the rest, “My question remains unanswered.”

Everyone was silent for a second before Sci-Twi bot to her feet, “Did you lie to me about Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy coming here to kill me?” Sci-Twi asked as she took a step forward.

“I’ve said nothing of the sort.” Cinch declared.

Applejack snorted, “That’s a….” and Applejack’s voice went silent which shocked everyone.

“Zone of Truth, only what is true can be spoken, anything that is not true, no matter how sincere the person speaking is, will not be heard.” Sugarcoat pointed out.

“Wait?” Rarity asked as she turned from the muted Applejack to Sugarcoat and the rest of the Shadowbolt, “You mean to tell us that Cinch didn’t tell Twilight that we’ve came her to kill her.” Sugarcoat only nodded in silence. Rarity then turned to face Cinch then to Sci-Twi “But why did Twilight come to that conclusion?”

Sci-Twi then recalled, “She showed me a document, it had Princess Celestia’s name on it and was an order to…”

“That doesn’t sound like Princess Celestia at all.” Fluttershy cut in,  “Granted Princess Luna might have some argument against that being banished to the moon for a thousand years, but ordering someone’s death?”

Applejack then gave an annoyed chuckle as everyone turned to her. Once she finished she scowled at Cinch, “So yah didn’t tell her, but showed her a piece of paper stating it.” she gave another disheartening chuckle, “I bet a thousand bits that you forged Princess Celestia’s signature.” Cinch didn’t answer the paladin’s accusation at first.

As this was going on, more and more the people whose residence was in the castle of Midnight Castle, including the castle’s retinue and the Mystican ESM support garrison, began to arrive on the scene to witness what was going on. Not unlike people drawn to watch two trains going in opposite directions on the same track heading towards each other. They knew a major collision and disaster was about to happen, but they could not help but watch it all unfold.

Cinch remained silence. She knew that if she spoke the truth everything could come unraveled, if she lied they would know it. However, one doesn’t last long a politician without knowing how to use words. “That is a very bold claim to make, Applejack was it, and what proof do you have to support it?”

Applejack groaned, “Ah just said, ‘I bet a thousand bits that you’d forge Princess Celestia’s signature.’”

Cinch gave a slight chuckle, “That only proved that you are willing to surrender a thousand bits to who ever takes that bet should you be proven wrong and accept a thousand bits if you are proved right.”

Unbeknownst to everyone small orbs of lights was forming in the front of the chests of everyone, sans Sci-Twi, “Oh no, not again.” Sci-Twi whispered. Just as she finished all the lights shot towards Sci-Twi. This part didn’t go unnoticed by everyone and they all turned to follow the lights as they were absorbed into Sci-Twi.

“No.” Cinch muttered, barely audible as everyone watched Sci-Twi glow for a second before what seemed to be a dome of purple light expanded from Sci-Twi’s heart not unlike Fluttershy’s Zone of Truth, but unlike the dome from the Zone of Truth, it felt much more solid for a second before it exploded forcing everyone back and onto their rears and backs.

Everyone grunted and groaned as they got back to their feet. Their clothes had sustained a good deal of damage, and they all ended up with scrapes and bruises from the explosion.  Furthermore, to say that the barracks were in total disarray would have been the understatement of the year.  “WHAT IN FAUST AND ZACHERLE’S NAMES JUST HAPPENED?!” Sunset shouted, surveying the damage in shock and horror, and the first to get anything resembling her bearings.

After a couple more seconds, as everything seemed to settle down, everyone turned towards Sci-Twi as she too slowly got back to her feet. She looked at a everyone  with her focus mostly on Sunset. “I'm sorry!” she said as she looked at the angry pyromancer. “I don’t why,” Sci-Twi started to explain and looked down at the floor ashamed of herself, “but I’ve been absorbing energy ever since you all arrived.” as she said ‘you all’ she raised her head and looked towards Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie.

“And you didn’t bother to tell us!” Sunset shouted at the girl as she stepped in front of the others.

Sci-Twi took a step back and looked down at the ground, “I don’t know how it happened…” she started to answer.

Sunset’s eyes shot wide open at that statement and took a step towards Sci-Twi, and pointed at the girl. “What do you mean you don't know how?!”

Sci-Twi teared up and looked around her before she tried to answer, “I just found out what I....”

“Is there anything you do know?!” Sunset asked as her ire began to boil over as she cut the girl short.

“I...I…” Sci-Twi stuttered as she tried to answer, but had nothing to say anymore.

Sunset growled as she grabbed Sci-Twi by her shoulders, “You're supposed to be so smart!” she then released the demigod and threw her hands into the air, “You’ve read like two-thirds of all the books in the library in the last two days, but did you ever think to let us know what was going on?!” She let go of Sci-Twi and was and sent a blast of fire at the stone ground. “Because clearly you don't understand what’s going on!!” she shouted, scolding Sci-Twi.

“But I wanna under…” Sci-Twi started.

Sunset cut the girl off there, “But you don't!” she shouted and thrust her right index finger into the girl’s chest, “Furthermore, if you had told someone, we could have figured something out together before anything happened!” she wave her hands towards the scene and the amount of damage done to the walls and the various near hits, “And worst of all, you put the lives of my friends and everyone else here in danger!” with her calling Sci-Twi’s attention to everyone else there.

Sci-Twi looked down towards the ground, she tried to speak but her voice started to break, “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.” Sci-Twi then turned and started to sob as she ran away, tears rolling down her cheeks. All the while, a small dark purple light was starting to form in Sci-Twi’s chest unbeknownst to almost everyone.

As Sci-Twi ran off, Sunset hung her head in shame and sighed as the others looked at her with slight disappointment over her reaction. She then raised her head, and without looking at the others, not needing to see their faces to know how they were looking at her, ran after Sci-Twi. “SCI-TWI! TWILIGHT! WAIT!” she shouted.

Sci-Twi stopped, the tears flowing down her eyes, her nose running with mucus. Before Sunset could reach her or speak, Sci-Twi cried out, “Why? Why won’t you let me understand?” She closed her eyes and turned away. “I thought you would help me understand what’s going on with me. I thought you knew the most about me. I thought you knew how I felt about you. I thought you...you…” At that moment that dark purple light grew exponentially, from Sci-Twi’s chest in all directions. In a panic she reached out to Sunset, “Heeeeeeeeeelllllllp... meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Uhh! Ahh!” She screamed as her body was engulfed by the expanding light. Sunset could only watch on in horror.
> Wrath of A God
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once the purple light subsided, Sunset looked at Sci-Twi and saw something different. Sci-Twi’s wings were more feathery then metallic, her glasses frames became blue flame. Her hair stood up and seemed to be like a flame with both of her streaks along both sides. Sunset took another step forward reaching her hand out cautiously. “Sci-Twi? Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?” Sunset asked with a bit of fear and concern in her voice.

Sci-Twi laughed, with a maniacal chuckle, which prompted Sunset to take a set back and withdraw her hand. “What a pathetic name for a pathetic girl.” Sci-Twi commented. She paused had had another laugh, “No, I am not ‘Sci-Twi’ or ‘Twilight Sparkle’, I am Midnight Sparkle. It has a je ne sais quoi that ‘Twilight’ just... lacks. Don’t you think?” The recently self-identified Midnight asked rhetorically. Sunset was left speechless only for Midnight to continue to laugh. Once the dark demigod finished laughing she started to flap her wings and began to hover off of the ground. As she ascended she looked down at Sunset, “You were right! I didn't understand my power, the magic that coursed through me before, but I do now!”

Midnight began to send blasts of magic, each of the various elements around the area, many hitting the walls and the ground. As everyone tried to take cover from the assaults, Sunny noticed her mother fleeing the scene, like a bat out of hell, “Hey! Where are you going?!” She shouted to her mother questioning her as to why and what she was doing.

Cinch stopped for a second and started to answer her question, “Anywhere to avoid that…” she paused as she tried to find the right word to describe Midnight, ultimately she settled on “monster!” she then continued to leave the scene, “And I suggest you do the same!” she shouted back. Sunny only scowled as her mother left the scene to have someone else clean up her mess.

Back where Sunset stood, looking towards Midnight, “Twilight, you can't do this!” she requested as she took a moment to look around at what seemed to be a storm forming just over the wall.

Midnight laughed at first as she flew higher towards the open sky and threw her arms wide open, “Why not?!” she asked rhetorically as she looked at Sunset for a second, “There's a whole world right there, beyond these walls,” she looked back to sky and the horizon over the walls and shivered in delight and ecstasy, “and it's just filled with power!”

Sunset looked to the ground and shook her head in sadness as she recalled her own experience when she tried to attune the Element of Magic to herself. She recalled the power rush she felt, but she knew she that what she did was wrong and the damage that she posed. She could feel that Midnight was by far a greater danger to the world then she was. She looked to Midnight after taking a breath for confidence, “But you'll destroy the world to get it!”

Midnight looked from the sky back down to Sunset “So what?” she asked with a shrug, “What has the world done for me?” She continued as she looked left and right to everyone that was still there mentally noting the absence of Cinch, “but make me this” she pointed to herself with her left hand, “and lie to me about my nature?” this time she pointed to Sunset, as she recalled that Sunset knew what she was but withheld that information from her. As she witnessed, Sunset look down to the ground ashamed of herself, she looked to the top of the wall and the world beyond it, “There's power out there, and I will have it all!” She started to again rise in her flight, still far from the top but just tasting the freedom that lay just beyond her reach.

Sunset recovered herself and sent a leading fireball shot, which caused Midnight to stop, “This isn't the way!” This declaration prompted Midnight to turn and face Sunset again. “I know you feel powerful right now, like you can have everything you want!” This brought a slight pondering frown to Midnight’s face, for about a second as it shifted to a disgruntled scowl. “I've been where you are, I've made the same mistake you're making! I put on a crown and, just like you, I was overwhelmed by the magic it contained!” Sunset continued to plea to Midnight in hope to reach her, but Midnight only rolled her eyes in bemusement. “I thought it could get me everything I wanted!” Sunset finished as she thought back to her past and seeing another following a similar path.

Midnight shook her head in dismissal, “Oh, you're wrong.” Midnight said as she pointed to the sky and pulled the moon from beyond the eastern horizon and brought it to cause a total solar eclipse, “See, unlike you, I can have everything I want!” she said as she sent the moon towards the western horizon to prove her point. She was a demigo… no, demigods could only alter the paths of the sun and the moon and were bond to the amount of time it would take the light from those celestial bodies to travel to the planet… Midnight literally moved the moon at her own will at her own speed and had to effect or affect on the planet… such a power was beyond even beings like Discord.

However, Sunset was not phased by this display of power. She knew the truth of her words and of the situation, “No, you can't.” she said calmly, like a patient mother to child. This gave Midnight some pause, “Even with all that magic and power, you'll still be alone!” Sunset closed her eyes and took a breath as she could just sense her words. She look squarely at Midnight and seemed to float up. “True power doesn’t come from forcing yourself on the world but comes from honesty!” An orb of light then formed in the chest of Applejack, “Even when it shatters delusions.” Another orb light then formed in front of Sugarcoat. “Loyalty!” Sunset continued as a light form in front of Rainbow Dash, “Especially when things don’t look well.” another light formed in front of Indigo Zap. Sunset continued, “Laughter!” she declared as a light formed in front of Pinkie Pie, “Even when others don’t get the joke.” A light then formed in front of Lemon. “Generosity!” Sunset continued as a light formed in front of Rarity, “Even when you don’t know who is offering it.” As she spoke a light then form in front of Sunny. “And Kindness!” she declared as a light formed in front of Fluttershy, “Even when has to be firm.” at that line a line formed in front of Sour.  As the lights began to flow towards Sunset. “I understand you, Twilight.” Sunset said as she closed her eyes and took a breath before she smile and looked at Midnight. “And I want to show you the most important magic of all…” Sunset paused as she let the lights from the then enter into her. “...the Magic of Friendship!”

Sunset soon felt the rush of power that came to her from the course into and through her, she could have sworn she heard Celestia’s voice, ‘Arise, Daydream Shimmer.’

“Mom?” she asked not believing what she heard, but she didn’t question it as everyone vanished in a vast field of white. The light subsided and Sunset Shimmer  was not standing, but hovering not unlike Midnight. Like Midnight her hair was flowing upwards and from her back were wings, but that was were the similarities ended. Sunset’s wings were white and seemed to be made out of more energy-like substance, where solar yellow in color and looked more chiropteran in their structure. Across Sunset’s face along her eye was red bar shaped tattoo. On her upper arms were tattoos of her aura mark. She was dressed in a pink and white dressed and wore golden boot. She was no longer Sunset Shimmer, like Midnight she had a new name. “I understand you, Midnight,” she said as she addressed her newest friend by her self-imposed name, “I don’t want to fight you, but I will do what needs to be done. And as you embraced the night with your new name, I embrace the day, you will know me as Daydream Shimmer.”

Midnight was agape at what she saw, that Sunset, now calling herself Daydream, could do what she did. Absorb and incorporated into her body magic from others and thus ascend beyond the normal mortals. Midnight could feel the power Daydream had, but she also sensed it was in part held back. Midnight laughed as she tried to hide her fear, “Oh, how cute. So you’re where I got this from.” she said as she gestured towards each of their respective current forms. Daydream was not amused, nor did she fall for the attempt. Midnight then laughed again, “Looks like I am the one who taught you.” She then pooled in her hand an orb of dark purple colored magic. “Let’s see what power your ‘friendship’ has?” she then thrust her hand out and the orb started to function like a beam. Daydream was able to catch it and throw it into the sky in silence.

Midnight then growled as she conjured another orb of magic. Daydream, elected to match Midnight this time as an orb of red and yellow colored magic formed in her hands. Within seconds they both blasted each of their orbs at each other, Midnight on the offence as  after blast at each other.

They grunted and groaned as they flew up into the sky as they sent beam after beam of their respective magic at each other.  Midnight was clearly on the offense with how she always tried a different angle of attack, a different element, also trying something new, while Daydream simply stuck to just negating each of Midnight strikes. After about two minutes of this Daydream took the offense and blasted Midnight sending her crashing to the floor, resulting in a fair sized crater in the floor, crying “Noooo!” in her plummet.

As the dust cleared, Midnight, battered and bruised with scraps and cuts all over her, struggled to climb out. As the bested Midnight reached the edge, Daydream had floated down and kneeled down to offering to Midnight her hand.  Midnight was at a loss at what to do, but Daydream smiled comfortingly, “Take my hand, Twilight.” she said addressing the confused girl by her actual name. “Let me show you there's another way…” Daydream paused as she thought back to almost a year prior, when she was in a similar crater and Princess Twilight offered her hand to help her out. Daydream knew then and there that she had come full circle in her own life, and now, it was her turn to pay it forward. “just like someone once did for me.” Midnight slowly and timidly reached out and accepted Daydream’s hand, afraid that she might pull it away at the last second. In about a second, Daydream pulled Midnight out of the crater and the two were on their feet.

Midnight looked around her and saw the destruction she caused and the fear she instilled based on her recent actions. Her knees gave and she dropped to them as tears started to form in the corners of her eyes, “I am so sorry…” she started to weep in remorse. “I didn't mean for any of this to happen…”

Daydream swiftly  took Midnight’s hand and pulled her back to her feet. “I know.” Sunset said and turned her and Midnight’s attention to the Rainbolts. “And going by my own experiences, they'll forgive you.”

Midnight looked to the Rainbolts, and while the Rainbooms were more visible with their want to understand her, she couldn’t feel any fear, or anger, or hate from the others present. She smiled as she took a step forward. At that moment the aura marks of the five that come from Mystica started to flash and vibrate, giving their mission accomplished signals. The five turned to face each other and they each smiled. “I think I know why the map called us here.” Fluttershy was the first of them to speak acknowledging the completed mission.

Applejack was the first to comment as she nodded in agreement as she surmised what they figured to be the mission, “To help Sunset show what she learned and show Sci-Twi the magic of friendship.”

Sour gushed at that statement in a saccharine tone, as she hugged Fluttershy“ Aww, how sweet!” And in an instant her tone went sour as she pulled herself from the moment, “I think you just gave me diabetes.” she said as she ended the hug and gave a slight scowl.

Sugarcoat adjusted her glasses, “You can't give someone diabetes, Sour.” Sugarcoat pointed out. “It's non-communicable.” she elaborated. Everyone blinked at her in confusion, “It means ‘non-contiguous’.”

Applejack rolled her eyes and shook her head before she placed her hand on Sugarcoat’s shoulder, “Yah know, Sugarcube, yah got a problem with splittin’ hairs.”

Sugarcoat paused and thought about what Applejack said, after a couple seconds of thought, “That is a fair and just assessment.” Sugarcoat agreed with the paladin.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Cinch arrived back on the scene, in her hand was a wand. She aimed it at Midnight, “Into ashes” she whispered and the wand activated. A black beam flew from the wand and struck Midnight in the back. Cinch frowned and turned, “Well, there’s always plan b.” she said as if nothing happened and left.

Midnight’s face went pale and her body began to change back to what it was before, becoming Sci-Twi again. All the while she fell forward. Swiftly, Daydream caught her and helped her to the ground. “What's wrong?” Daydream asked, fear creeping on her face.  Sci-Twi gasped as she answered, “I don't know, but,” she coughed, “I feel like  I'm shutting down.”

“Stay with me!” Daydream ordered as she took Sci-Twi’s right hand. “Hold on to my hand! Don’t you dare let go!” Sunset’s voice was full of fear. “MEDIC!!!” she shouted as the Rainbooms and the Shadowbolts ran up, sans Sunny. Faster than Sunset could say another word, Applejack was laying her hands on Sci-Twi, and Fluttershy was casting her healing spells, with everyone else using a channeling gem that Rarity had to channel their magic into the two healers. All the while Sci-Twi desperately clung to her life. “Stay with us!” Sunset shouted. “You’re going to be alright! Just hold on!”

Sci-Twi looked to Daydream as she started to shiver and tears started to form in her eyes. “I am so…” she started to say.

“PHOENIX INFERNO!!!” Daydream shouted as she sent through her hand the blazing and healing fire of the phoenix. Daydream felt Sci-Twi warm up slightly, but it lasted less than three seconds. “Oh no, you don’t!” Daydream took a breath and cast the spell once more. Then twice more and then thrice more. “I am not giving up on you! Don’t you dare give up on me!”

Sci-Twi looked at Daydream, as tears continued to pool and then trickle down her cheeks,  “I am scared…”

“Don’t you dare give up! Don’t you dare leave me! Don’t you dare let go!” Daydream then closed her eyes and roared as she cast her spell again. In her roar, the shriek of a large eagle could be heard.  Four times more, five times more, six times more, seven times more, Daydream cast her spell. “I’m not giving up! I’m not leaving you! I’m not letting go!” Eight more times, nine more times.

The others, sans Applejack and Fluttershy dropped to their knees and ultimately fainted. Pinkie’s hair deflated. Fluttershy then dropped to her knees and finally Applejack. “We..can..do..” Applejack panted. “There’s not…” She couldn’t finish the sentence as Daydream turned to her, tears streaming down her cheeks. Daydream wanted to shake her head, but it was clear the cause was fruitless. Daydream released Sci-Twi’s hand and took her in her arms and held her tight to her chest.

Sci-Twi tears began to soak into Daydream’s shoulder, “I don’t… I’m not…” she couldn’t finished her sentences as she began to struggle to breath, almost choking on her tears.

Daydream pulled her as close as she could, “I’m not letting go.” she whispered. “I’m not letting you go.” Daydream paused, “I am not letting us go!” Ten more times Daydream cast her spell, as she cast it each time her voice echoed like an eagle’s shriek in a vast canyon, her body reverting back to being Sunset as she casted the spell the second to last time. As her spell finished, she could barely feel Sci-Twi’s heartbeat, let alone her breath. Then it hit her like a freight train, “No.” she whispered as she looked towards the heavens, “Please, let her live! She doesn’t deserve death! Not one like this! Not so soon! Please! Please!” She paused as lowered her head to look at the slowly paling Twilight. ‘I love her,” she whispered. “I love her.” she said a little louder as she looked up. “I LOVE HER!!!” she screamed to the heavens as rivers of tears rolled down her cheeks, and she began to weep.

As Sunset wept, a left hand placed what looked like an acorn, but with golden pigments as opposed to the usual shades of brown, on Sci-Twi’s back, aligned with the dying girl’s heart. The hand was Sunny’s, and in her right hand was the holy symbol she wore, “Daybreaker, Ender of The Death of Night, hear my plea. I, Sunny Flare, a cleric of your men-at-arms, request that you break the dawn for this soul one more time. End the night of her death and grant her another day!” The holy symbol glowed, and a purple aura was drawn from the failing body of Sci-Twi into the acorn.

Sunset didn’t notice Sunny casting the spell, until it was cast and Sci-Twi’s heart stopped. “No.” she whispered as she almost choked on her tears. She then felt nothing but air as Sci-Twi’s body become nothing but dust in the wind. She opened her eyes in horror. She then closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands as she wept. After another second, she was tapped on her shoulder. She lowered her hands and saw Sunny holding an acorn out to her.  Barely noticeable around the acorn was a purple light. “What did you…”

“I asked Daybreaker to end the night of … Sci-Twi’s life and grant her another dawn.” Sunny informed as Sunset took the acorn and held it to her heart. Sunny then got up and started to leave as everyone else went to Sunset. “I have other business to attend to.” Sunny then left them to confront her mother. Following her were Indigo, Lemon, Sour and Sugarcoat.

Once they were out of earshot of Rainbooms as they comforted Sunset, “So, the time has come?” Sugarcoat asked.

Sunny didn’t turn, “As witnessed by everyone present, Twilight Sparkle was struck down by a death spell when she was no longer a threat and was denied a trial, such actions are grounds for my mother’s removal as baroness. Besides, I refuse to be in her shadow any longer.”





Cinch was in her office and placed the wand of death spell on her desk. She picked up the folder with the title ‘Operation: Midnight.’, and walked over to the fireplace in her office and started a fire in it. Sure Sunset, the rest of Shadow Bolt’s bastard daughters, including the secretary Montage, and Sunny can make the claim of what Cinch planned, but without that folder, without the lab, it would be a he-said-she-said, even if it was seven to one. Just as the fire started to burn the content of the folder, “You know mother-dearest, while you’re right about others underestimating you, you seem to overestimate yourself.” Cinch froze for a second at the daughter’s voice.

However, the baroness collected herself in seconds and turned to face her daughter, next to her were her half-sisters, well the ones that Sunny knew were her half-sisters. In the hands of Sugarcoat was a clear gem recording the event, “It appears that I have lost.” she said candidly. “I suppose I am under addressed for murder.” Cinch said as she walked to her desk. “Of course, we can forgo with most of the formalities. I request a trial by combat, here and now. I will be my own champion.”

Sunny nodded in agreement, “And I will be the champion of the Law.” Everyone turned to Sunny in shock. “The trial starts now!” Sunny declared.

Cinch ran to her desk but before she reached it she was blinded by the exploding acorns that Sunny threw, leading her shot. As Cinch was about to recover she felt her chest be pierced by cold steel. She looked to see Sunny with the sword of the late Shadow Bolt in her hand, the blade itself going into Cinch’s heart. “Yield and you will live in exile, never to return.” Sunny offered.

Cinch coughed, before she spoke, “I’d would have killed you without a second thought,” Cinch sputtered.

Sunny nodded, “I know, but I am not you. I didn’t coerce Ms. Montage into collecting all those samples, I didn’t try to play God and make my own. I didn’t try to make a living weapon, and I didn’t murder the person that was the intended living-weapon.” Sunny paused for another second, “My offer still stands.” Cinch was silently defiant. “Going once,” Cinch said nothing. Sunny waited three seconds, “Going twice”. Again Cinch said nothing for three seconds solid. “Going thrice.” Sunny stated once more. For three more seconds, Cinch remained silent. “Baroness Abacus Cinch, before you could be formally charged with the murder, you requested a trial by combat. You have lost. Thrice you were offered the chance to yield and to live the rest of your life in exile and rejected in silence thrice. I, Sunny Flare, as the victor and now rightful Lady of Midnight Castle, hereby sentence you to death forthwith.” Sunny then started to drive the blade through Cinch, “May the Divine have mercy on your soul.” Cinch smiled and shed a tear, like any parent proud of their child. Sunny then drew the sword out of Cinch. Cinch’s eyes rolled back as she fell to the ground, dead.

Sugarcoat and the rest all took a knee, “Hail Baroness Sunny Flare, Lady of Midnight Castle.”





The following day, after Sunny was officially made baroness of Midnight Castle, Sunset et al were in the library, next to the mirror, Rarity was the closest and was trying to align the stars and the swirls. Sunset was holding a small brown ceramic gardening pot. In the pot was a small oak, just barely breaching the surface. Fluttershy gave Sunset a hug, “You’ll want to transplant the oak into place where it will be able to grow more in about a month or two. I’d recommend a place without older trees, and a place where you can watch over it.”

Applejack placed her hand on Sunset’s shoulders, “Make sure to have some good-quality fertilizer when yah transplant it. Don’t be afraid to use the carcass of animal.” Everyone froze at Applejack’s statement as they turned to her. “What? Every one of mah family’s apple trees was planted with a cow or pig as part of the fertilization process.” Everyone remained frozen. “Seriously where do yah think wah do with our animals that died?” she asked pointing out the fact.

Rarity coughed and went back to the mirror, “Okay… well um…” after a second of stuttering, “We’ll deal with that, later.” Rarity was able to align the stars and most of the swirls, but the last one would not move, “Come on. This worked when we got here.”





Back in Mystica, in the Castle of Friendship, A young woman about the same age as Fluttershy et al. She had purple hair that was done in a slight ponytail with streaks of light purple and pale grayish aquamarine, and her eyes were Persian blue, Starlight Glimmer. She was dressed in dress that went past the knee, near the bottom of her left side were two streams of two different tones of light blue that taper to a four-pointed star a lighter shade of purple than the dress with a long sleeved magenta shirt with a pink jacket that sleeves covered over most of shirt with golden trim. On her left shoulder was a metal guard with a purple four-pointed star on an inverted white four-pointed star with a sash that was made of two sashes of two different tones of light blue. On her forehead was a focus gem, unlike the black bar-shaped one she wore before, it was purple gem cut to look like a four-pointed star, and on her feet were brown boots.  She laughed as she was pulled into an open sphere formed within the a set of roots. The sphere was formed with several circles with stars within them.





After several minutes the last swirls finally moved and was aligned. “There,” Rarity announced as the portal finally opened. “Sunset, darling, if ever you want to reach out to us, we’ll gladly host you.”

“Feel free to transplant the oak into Magiville and feel invited to move if you want, I am sure Twilight wouldn’t mind if you move in.” Pinkie added with a hug before she and Rarity went through the portal first.

Fluttershy and Applejack hugged Sunset farewell and started to the portal, “Oh, plants do like classical music and don’t mind being read too.” Fluttershy added.

Applejack nodded, “Yup, that’s why Bloomberg got so big.” The two then went to the portal.

Rainbow was the last one to go, “She’ll love ‘The Ring of Destiny’.” Rainbow suggested as she gave a copy of the book she had. As Sunset looked at the cover, “Yeah, that’s me. It’s an advanced first edition.”

Sunset opened the book and saw the dedication and read it, “Thanks to one of my greatest fans.” Sunset then looked to Rainbow Dash, “Let me guess.  It’s dedicated to Twilight Sparkle.” Sunset joked. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and the two hugged before she followed the rest through the portal.

Once Rainbow went through the portal, the portal closed behind her first in Midnight Castle and then in the library of The Castle of Friendship. The five then saw a strange light coming from the throne room. Rarity was first and opened the doors to the throne room, followed by Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. “Finally, we’re here!” the fashion savvy enchantress shouted, “What in Mystica was all that?!” she asked as she elected to get to the brass tacks concerning what they saw, “We couldn’t return from Midnight Castle, no matter what we tried!”

“Is everybody okay?” Fluttershy asked as she hoped to defuse a potentially explosive situation.

When Spike saw the others, he ran over to them and hugged each of them, kissing Rarity’s right hand, once he finished, “One group of amazing friends – check!” Twilight chuckled, glad to know she was home and that this was over, the other girls also had a short laugh, more so at Spike’s actions.

Applejack stopped first as she drew her sword and pointed it at Starlight, “What's she doin' here?” she asked ready to strike Starlight down there and then, with no regrets.

“Actually, it's kind of a long story,” Twilight answered as she walked over to Applejack and lowered the blade.

“Yeah, we have a story to tell you, too.” Rainbow commented, “You’re not going to believe it.”

Just then the blue box that Time Turner owned appeared out of nowhere right in the throne room, it’s door opened and Brighteyes looked out, “Um, Doc, we’re not in the wrong place. You meant your house, not the Castle of Friendship.”

“Well, this old girl likes to mess with me time to time. Alright once more. ALLONZY!”

After the blue box left, “What the actual…” Applejack started to ask.





Epilogue

As night was starting, Sunset tended the germinating acorn in the pot. It was only temporary until she found a place she could plant it and let it grow. She looked at the tiny oak. A tear dropped from her eye and landed on the small leaf. “It’s not fair.” she whispered. “She didn’t deserve that.” She wiped her face and took a breath trying to stop herself from breaking down in tears. After a second, she leaned down and kissed the leaf, “I hope Sunny is right.” she whispered more to herself. She then put out the last candle in her room as she went to bed. Unbeknownst to her, a faint outline of Sci-Twi’s aura mark, which was the same as Twilight’s, appeared on the leaf that Sunset kissed.





Deep within the Everfree Forest, in part long untouched, a geode made of a what looked like seven gems seemed to pulsate.