> Sunset’s Uprising > by TheClownPrinceofCrime > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Uprising > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the evening of Canterlot High School, there flew a red and orange mixed demon with a devilish smile on her face. She flew above a smoking crater right in front of the statue. About several minutes ago, she fought against Twilight Sparkle and the new friends she made at the school. Those were none other than the human counterparts of the Mane 5 in Equestria. FLASHBACK “It’s over, Twilight Sparkle!! Give it up already!!” the demon shrieked. She wore Twilight’s crown on her head. “Never, Sunset! With the power of friendship, we will never give up!” Twilight—in her human form— shouted. Spike—in his dog form—hid close behind her legs as she and her friends tried to hold her off with their rainbow blast. Moments have passed as they both struggled to gain the upper hand. Sunset strained harder in getting her magic beam to overcome them. Their beam slowly drew near to her. She was about to lose to their rainbow power, and she refused to give up. “They cannot...defeat...me!!” she mentally grunted. Then she got an idea. She looked at Spike and saw him hiding behind Twilight. Smirking evilly, her eyes glowed orange and shot her laser beams at Spike. The beams nearly struck him. He fearfully whimpered which arrested the attention of Twilight and her friends. With them distracted, Sunset mightily pressed her magical beam right at them, defeating them instantly. “YES! Hahahahaha!! You lose, Twilight! The power is mine to command!” Sunset exulted. Twilight opened her eyes and saw their rainbow magic leave them. Weakened and wounded by the blast, she slowly looked up at her enemy and glared. “You can’t...do this, Sunset. You don’t have to do this.” Twilight muttered. Spike ran to her and snuggled her. Her friends remained motionless on the ground as they were severely injured by her power. “Ahhh, but I do. For too long, I have been searching for infinite power to gain control over Equestria. Now, I have achieved it!” Sunset boasted. Twilight tried to stand on her human legs until she fell down. Her injuries were taking a toll on her. Seeing the brainwashed students standing behind Sunset and the Human Five being unconscious, she dreaded the thought that neither she nor her friends would be able to stop Sunset and retrieve her crown. She could not bear the thought of Celestia and her friends in Equestria being vulnerable to Sunset’s newfound might. Then an idea crossed her mind. “I...I am quite sure this will work.” Twilight thought. “Enough games, Sparkle. I’ll be kind enough to end your pathetic misery. Any last words?” Sunset taunted, generating a fiery ball of magic in her palms. “I know from the bottom of my heart that you will be defeated. Even if you manage to destroy us, there will still be those who will manage to defeat you!” Twilight declared. “Ohhh, bold words...from a worm! Sweet dreams, dear princess!” Sunset shouted, firing her magic beam at them. Twilight closed her eyes and embraced Spike and her friends. The beam struck them which created a small explosion in the spot. Nothing remained of them in the large crater. FLASHBACK ENDED “That’s that.” Sunset said, satisfied. “Now nothing stands in the way of my dream.” “Your Shimmerness! Lookie what we found!! HAHAHAHAHA!!” one of her demon minions alerted. She grinned once she saw who it was. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Flash Sentry! Bring him here!” Sunset commanded. They brought him before her. Flash’s eyes were glowing bluish green as he was brainwashed like the rest of the students were except for Snips and Snails as they were in demon form. “I had almost forgotten about you.” Sunset said. She put her finger under his chin. “Uh...Twilight? Is that you?” Flash asked. He tried to recognize the voice but couldn’t. His brainwashed mind failed to identify the speaker. “Twilight is no more. Nothing will save you and your friends now, Flash.” Sunset smiled. Then her smile turned to a vengeful frown. “I promised that I will make you pay for breaking up with me. I’m going to really enjoy this...” Sunset said, squeezing his cheeks. “No...p-please...” Flash uttered. “Did you truly think that I liked you? Or even loved you? Fool, you were a mere pawn ready to be thrown away once done! You are nothing to me! Then you HUMILIATED me by throwing me away first!! At first, I wanted to rip you to shreds, but then I thought about something else. Instead, I’ll do worse. You will be mine...forever!” Sunset said. She grabbed his rose from his blazer and crushed it to torn petals. She lifted him up and sent a transformation wave at him from her crown. Snips and Snails cringed from the wails that Flash screamed. “Ouch...that’s gotta hurt.” Snips said. Flash then dropped to the ground and lifted himself from the concrete. Sunset smiled at her new creation. “Arise my new pet! Arise...MY GENERAL!!!” she commanded. Flash evilly grinned and acknowledged his new master. He was yellow with dark yellow bat wings, had a fiery hair style, his legs were back, his shoes were also yellow, and his eyes were flaming red. He hissed with gleeful motions. Sunset then faced the rest of the student body. “And now...for you...my new army!” she exclaimed. Her ray struck them all. They slowly changed from their human forms unto their demonlike monster forms. Sunset then levitated herself in the air with her arms raised. “In your empty state, you are all easier to control! You animals will give me victory no matter how old...or how young!” she said, beholding the human Cutie Mark Crusaders in their new forms. “Go! Go! My minions! To the portal and to Equestria!” Sunset ordered. She entered the statue portal alongside her new army. They all hissed and growled in eager anticipation to conquer all of Equestria. Celestia and Twilight’s friends waited outside of the portal in the throne room for Twilight to return with the crown. Seeing she still has not exited the portal, Rainbow Dash grew more inpatient. “It’s been almost three days, and she still hasn’t returned!” she said. “I’m getting a little worried.” said Fluttershy. “Fear not, my little ponies. We must have faith that Twilight Sparkle will return once she completes her mission.” Celestia assured. Suddenly, the postal began to activate. The ponies were happy as they thought that it was Twilight and Spike coming back. “Everypony, look! It’s Twilight! She’s finally here!” Rainbow rejoiced. Then Flash’s head burst forth and smiled widely at Dash. She backed away in fear. “AHH! Who are you?!” “What is this? What is going on?!” Celestia demanded, terrified. Then an all-too-familiar voice struck her speechless. “Hello, Celestia...” Sunset said, emerging from the portal. “No...” Celestia said. She and the others backed away as Sunset’s minions—Flash, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Snips, and Snails stood next to their master. They stood in equine form while still being monsters. “Missed me?” Sunset smiled. “Presenting her Royal Highness! QUEEN SUNSET SHIMMER!!” Flash introduced. > Sunset vs Celestia > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEANWHILE “What happened? Can I open my eyes?” Spike asked. “You sure can!” Applejack replied. Twilight and her friends opened their eyes and saw themselves completely unharmed by Sunset’s beam. Seeing themselves in the library at Canterlot High, they all sighed in relief. “We’re all okay...somehow.” Rarity said, adjusting her hair. “But...how? I thought we would be goners.” Fluttershy said. “Plus, we were all knocked out! She hit us really hard!” Rainbow said, rubbing the back of her head. “I saved us all.” Twilight said. “I used a teleportation spell while I briefly meditated. It was the only way to get us out of there.” The human five and Spike gasped in surprise. “Really? You can do that?” Rainbow asked, puzzled. “Yes. Even though I may be in this...bipedal form, I still can muster at least a fraction of my alicorn magic.” Twilight said. “Cool! So what do we now since we are all okay? Sunset and her meanie friends are probably going to have a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig party out there!” Pinkie said. Remembering the imminent threat Equestria was going to encounter, Twilight got up on her feet and held Spike in her arms while making a determined look. “There’s no time to waste. My friends in Equestria are in serious danger. We need to stop Sunset before she destroys everything. So long as we stick together, nopony—(clears throat)—I mean...no one will be able to bring us down! Will you girls help me?” Twilight asked. The human five looked at each other until they proudly nodded to Twilight. “Count me in!” Applejack said. “Me too!” Rainbow added. “Me three.” said Rarity. “Me four...” Fluttershy said. “Me FIVE! Let’s save Equestria!!” Pinkie shouted. As they left the library and headed for the front doors of the school, they were confronted by three demonized students who blocked their exit. Turning around, they saw three more demonized students behind them blocking their escape. Standing between lockers in the hallway, they saw themselves surrounded by the monsters with no way out. The girls had to think and act fast if they were going to precede. “We’re surrounded!” Fluttershy panicked. “Don’t worry, darling. We will fight off those disgusting ruffians while we can!” Rarity encouraged. “We can’t hurt them too much though. They are under Sunset’s control. If we can manage to bring them back to normal, we will do the same for all of our friends!” Twilight said. They readied themselves for a fight as the monsters got closer. “Let’s get nuts.” Pinkie grinned. IN EQUESTRIA Sunset shot her beams at the shocked ponies standing before her. Celestia deflected those shots with her magic shield. “Sunset Shimmer, what have you DONE?!” Celestia demanded. “Whatever is the matter, Princess? Surprised to see my new glorious appearance? Quite understandable. I mean after all, you DID withhold something that should have been mine long ago. All of this power, this knowledge, this infinite magic is truly worth taking! But you were so selfish and covetous that you never gave me what I deserved!” Sunset spoke. Her minions growled in anger and slowly approached the ponies. “No, Sunset. You were the selfish one! I highly regarded you as my top student because of your excellence in learning unicorn magic. I always treated you with love and respect, yet this is how you reward me?” Celestia retorted, tears on her eyes. “FOOL!! Your so-called ‘love and respect’ were nothing but manipulation and lies to prevent me from attaining my true greatness! I deserve to be on top above everypony else! I am the most powerful and intelligent being in all of Equestria!” Sunset bragged. “You’re wrong, Sunset Shimmer. I cannot allow you to hurt my ponies. If you want to get to them, you will have to go through me.” Celestia said, charging her horn. “AND US TOO!” pony Rainbow added as she hovered next to Celestia. The Mane Five stood their ground while the six monsters hissed ferociously at them. Sunset likewise charged her horn and opened her wings. “FINE! Once I take care of you, all of Equestria will be mine to command!” Sunset cried. “ATTACK!!” Celestia and Sunset clashed horns together which sparked plenty of magical electricity. Pushing each other off, Celestia blasted her beam at her opponent. The latter deflected the beam with her shield and shot several beams toward her. The princess flew up and blasted a lamp stand to fall on Sunset. Grinning, Sunset jumped out of the way and allowed the lamp stand to fall on the ground and spill oil everywhere. She then levitated those burning candles and threw them on the oil which ignited the floor on fire. The fire spread itself unto the curtains and the furniture. Celestia stared at the fire for a brief moment. It somehow reminded her of something and suddenly got chills up in her spine. Snapping herself from her stupor, she glared back at Sunset. “Where is Twilight? What did you do to her?” Celestia demanded. “Let’s just say she had her...last shot. Hahahahahahahaha!” Sunset maniacally laughed. Realizing what she meant, she widened her eyes in shock. Her very own student, closest protégé, and newest alicorn...gone? She could not believe it. Sunset had managed to take away the very pony she cared about and mentored. Angered greatly by hearing this, Celestia jumped over the flames and tackled Sunset on the floor. “SUNSET, YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!!” Celestia roared. She smote her face five times with her hooves and threw her against the table. Sunset then snickered at her dramatic reaction. “How delightful! Good! Come at me!” Sunset challenged. They again charged at each other and exchanged blasts. Rainbow flew over Flash and Scootaloo who were chasing her down. She flew in a circle repeatedly around them until they became dizzy. “Ha! Can’t catch me!” she boasted. Pinkie shot confetti and pumpkin pies at Snips and Snails. However, Snips and Snails ate every pie within an instant and breathed fire at the confetti. Seeing her tactics useless, she thought of another tragedy. “Hey, meanies! You wanna play tag? I’m sure you’ll love it! It will be fun!” Pinkie said. Snips and Snails looked at each other confused until they growled back at her and sprinted toward her. “Okie, dokie, wokie!” Pinkie said. She zoomed behind them and poked their legs. “Tag! You’re it!” she spoke, running away. They chased after her. Applejack and Rarity were cornered by Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle unto a wall. The two ponies looked ahead and saw the fire spread throughout the whole room which caused smoke to fill the air. Deciding to take the initiative, Applejack bucked the demonized Apple Bloom away while Rarity bashed against the demonized Sweetie Belle with her diamond shield. “We need to get out of here immediately!” Rarity urged. “Where’s Fluttershy?” Applejack asked. “There she is!” Rainbow said, pointing at an over-flipped table. They lifted the table and saw Fluttershy hiding and shaking. “Fluttershy, it’s okay! We’re going to get out of here!” She lifted the scared pegasus up. Pinkie returned back to her friends and saw Sunset and Celestia still battling on the other side of the room. Celestia fired two more blasts until she reluctantly kneeled down from exhaustion. Breathing heavily, she cast a glance on her enemy. “You...you won’t triumph, Sunset Shimmer.” “It’s QUEEN Sunset Shimmer!! I am now the new ruler of Equestria! Either you surrender or perish!” Sunset threatened. “I cannot allow my emotions to cloud my judgement. Twilight Sparkle’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. Still, I must not fall into the same trap my sister was in...again.” Celestia pondered. “Neither.” she said. Suddenly, she grabbed the Mane Five in her magic grip and teleported away. Sunset then smiled at her new victory. “Rejoice, my loyal subjects! Rejoice! Your rightful mistress and lady is now QUEEN of Equestria!! Bow to me!!” Sunset commanded. All of her demon army willingly bowed before her. The fire ravaged the whole room while sparing them and the mirror portal. At that moment, an insect-like pony spied on them through a window. “Impressive. A new queen, huh? Hehehe, let’s see what Queen Chrysalis has to say about this.” he whispered. He changed into a bird through a green flame and flew off. > Two Queens Unite > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- AT THE CHANGELING HIVE The changeling, in the form of a bird, flew back to the hive before he changed back to his normal form. Once he entered inside, he opened his wings and flew all the way to the throne room where the infamous Queen Chrysalis sat on her throne. She was finished draining the love from the animals she captured in cocoons. She sadistically grinned at their misery. “My queen...” the spy spoke, bowing reverently to her. Chrysalis turned her face to him and nodded her head. “Speak. What have you gathered?” she commanded. “I just finished my initial work of gathering information from several crystal guards about their weapons and war strategies. However, I heard a thunderous commotion within the Crystal Empire Castle. Once I noticed a shattered window at the top, I looked through it and saw a ferocious demonic alicorn defeating Celestia!” the spy reported. “She calls herself Queen Sunset Shimmer!” All the assembled changelings gasped at hearing the revelation of a new conqueror. Chrysalis was also surprised at hearing that there was another one who sought to both overthrow and overtake Equestria. However, she returned to her normal demeanor and got up from her throne. “Very interesting, Collar. This Sunset Shimmer seeks the throne of Equestria? Hmmmmm...” Chrysalis then started to think of how they were going to react to Sunset’s uprising. Realizing that if they were to allow Sunset to rule Equestria, then their chances of draining all the love from the equines would be extremely slim. Her pride forbade her to sit back and do nothing. Suddenly, an idea sparked in her mind. Smirking proudly, she faced all her changeling children. “I have a plan, my children! Give ear to your queen! You will do well to remember that I, Queen Chrysalis, am the ONLY one capable of ruling all Equestria! If we sit idly by and allow this Sunset Shimmer to rule with an iron hoof, we will all face starvation! She could take control of everypony!” The changelings beheld each other with fear and anxiety as they heard that. They greatly feared the thought of starving to death. Seeing the look of distress on them, Chrysalis flew down and stroked some of them gently. “Fear not, my faithful subjects! I have a plan! I say we make an alliance with this Sunset and work together to bring Equestria to its knees. Once that is accomplished, then we will destroy her and seize the kingdom for ourselves with unlimited supply of love for generations!” Chrysalis finished. The changelings hissed in gleeful agreement. “Brilliant strategy! Brilliant! Nopony aces the mighty changelings!” Collar praised. “Precisely. Now, enough talk! We march now! We will all play nice, make a temporary agreement, and see what weaknesses they have. Once we know those weaknesses, we will exploit them and overthrow those creatures! Excellent work, Collar.” Chrysalis commended. “My deepest pleasure, my queen.” Collar kneeled. Chrysalis and the changelings opened their wings, rose in the air, and then exited their hive to begin their ultimate plan of ruling Equestria. They were determined more than ever to take Equestria for themselves and garner all the love they can get. IN THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE Sunset redecorated the crystal throne room with her transformation spells. The throne had a fire that resembled her hair as an insignia. The whole room was colored light blue and black which matched the color of her spell orb on her crown. The whole castle was on fire although it was not being burned down. Meanwhile, Snips and Snails imprisoned Shining Armor and Cadence and took them in a dungeon. Flash stood next to Sunset on her right hoof while the CMCs stood next to her on her left hoof. So far, her triumph was the best moment of her life. She finally achieved what she had always lusted after: infinite power of great magic. “It’s our kingdom now! All that this kingdom offers is now ours for the taking!” Sunset exulted. Suddenly, an eagle flew in her room. Once it flew up toward Sunset Shimmer, a green flame came over it and revealed Queen Chrysalis smiling at her. Sunset raised her eyebrows in surprise and glared at her as the changeling queen approached. “Greetings, your royal highness. Pardon my rude entrance.” she said, kneeling down. “Who are you, bug?! What do you want here?!” Sunset demanded, igniting her horn angrily. Chrysalis twitched her right eye in shock as nopony ever told her what to do and spoke to her like that before. “I am Chrysalis, the queen of the changelings. I have heard of your magnificent takeover of this kingdom and your plan to rule over Equestria. As a ruler of my subjects, I thought that since we both have similar desires to conquer this pathetic land and its inhabitants, we should make an alliance.” Chrysalis proposed. Sunset began to think of this until she looked back at Chrysalis. As she examined her demeanor and attitude, Sunset then dangerously drew close to the changeling queen. “So...the ruler of the changelings is much like me, huh? Why else do you wish to join us? What’s in it for you?” Sunset scrutinized. “Only to harvest enough love for my changelings so that we can all feast on them for generations! With you and your great army by our side, we will all destroy those ponies who stand in our way and rule Equestria together...forever!” Chrysalis exulted. “Really? Working together...hmmm.” Sunset wondered. Seeing her minions nod in acceptance one by one, she herself also nodded to Chrysalis. “Very well, Queen Chrysalis. I accept your willingness to help us dominate Equestria. Consider yourself...a partner.” Sunset said. “Perfect!” Chrysalis said, shaking Sunset’s hoof. Her changelings secretly rejoiced to see their plan starting to go well. Chrysalis turned around with a devious smile as she too felt satisfied. “Excellent. I eagerly look forward to back-stabbing her.” she thought. However, she failed to notice Sunset’s smile she made once Chrysalis’s back was turned. She cast a look at Flash and the CMCs and winked at them. They winked back at her. > When Worlds Collide > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- AT CANTERLOT HIGH The Human Six and Spike fought the demonized students at the school. They had to be really careful not to harm them too much as they were under Sunset Shimmer’s spell. Pinkie sprayed confetti and cupcakes at one before he could touch her. The cupcakes struck his eyes, thus blinding him. Applejack then wrapped a lasso around his legs and brought him down. Rainbow Dash sped through the hallway to outrun another monster who viscously chased her down. She stopped at Principal Celestia’s office where she and vice principal Luna were hiding. Looking back to see the demon getting close, she had to think fast. Moments later, the demonic student arrived at the shut door of the office. He tried to open it, but it was locked. Frustrated, he banged on the door to force it open. Then he grabbed the door knob and tried to turn it while pulling it. As he struggled, the door abruptly unlocks and opens wide enough where the door knocked him out. He fell unconscious. Rainbow exited the door and took Celestia and Luna to a safer area. Rarity shielded herself with her diamond magic from the assaults of two other demonized students. Before they could break her shield, Fluttershy summoned birds to peck at them and distract them long enough for Twilight to trip them with a baseball bat. Applejack tied them and two last students up while she rounded the rest of the defeated ones. The Human Six regrouped and stood side by side together. Twilight began working on her meditative magic to bring the students back to normal. She strained hard as Sunset’s spell was difficult to undo. Unfortunately, the students remained in their demon forms. “It’s no use! Sunset’s spell is too strong even for my magic! I can’t bring them back to normal!” Twilight said. “We have to find another way! Can you, like, immobilize them or something?” Rainbow suggested. “I’ll give it a try.” Twilight said. She made a spell on the struggling demonic students where they stopped and slowly fell asleep while being tied up. They closed their eyes and snored. “It worked! Great idea, Dash!” Spike said. “They will only be out for about six hours. So we don’t have much time. Come on! We have to go to Equestria and save my family and friends out there!” declared Twilight. “YAAAAAAYY!! That’s where we will become ponies instead of still being humans, right? That will be so much fun!!” Pinkie squealed. “Ponies? So...we will change appearances when we will stop by your world?” Applejack asked Twilight. She nodded with a comforting smile. “Yes. I know it will feel a little weird, but eventually, you will get used to it. I’m sure you won’t freak out over it.” Twilight said. The girls looked at each other nervously until they nodded to Twilight. Nodding back, she lead them, carried Spike outside the school, and brought them before the statue. “Okay, girls, are you all ready for this?” Twilight asked. They nodded again. “Okay. On count of three, we enter through the hidden portal. One...two...” Twilight counted. “THREE!!” Pinkie shouted, jumping right into the statue. The portal took her in while she made squeals of pure excitement. The girls except Applejack just stood surprised as to why she did that. “Um, okay?” Twilight muttered. “Well, that is just Pinkie Pie for ya. Better not question every single thing she says or does.” Applejack nonchalantly said. “Okay then. Let’s just go.” said Twilight. They all entered through the portal one by one. They all screamed as they were spinning around while being dragged into another dimension. As they exited the crystal mirror, they all rose up on their feet...or hooves in that moment. The human-turned-pony mane five gazed on their new looks and slightly darker colors as well as their strange tattoos on their flanks. “My goodness...I look...FABULOUS!! My, what a magnificent imprinting on my...uh...bottom I must say!” Rarity said. “That’s called a cutie mark. It represents the specific talent you possess that identifies who you are and what your personality is. It speaks of your future and your destiny.” Twilight informed. “That’s cool! Look at me! Whoa, whoa!!!” Rainbow said, trying to fly with her wings. She crashed against...a bush. She spit the leaves out of her mouth. “Where are we?” They looked around and saw themselves in the Everfree Forest. Twilight started to be confused. “Wait a minute, why are we here? The crystal mirror is supposed to take us inside the Crystal Empire. That’s where it is supposed to be!” Twilight said. “Um, Crystal Empire? What’s that place?” Fluttershy asked. “Yeah, and this is the...’crystal mirror’?” Rainbow asked, lifting the heavy mirror up. “The Crystal Empire is where Princess Cadence and Shining Armor live and reign. They are my relatives.” Twilight explained. “WHO GOES THERE?!” a stern Canterlot voice was heard. Twilight, Spike, and the not-mane five turned their heads around to find whose voice that was. “Who was that?!” Fluttershy cried. “Is this forest haunted?!” Rarity asked, shaking fearfully. “Oh! Oh! Is it Bigfoot?!” Pinkie giddily asked. They all stared at her. “What? It could be possible!” Pinkie shrugged. Suddenly, Princesses Celestia and Luna flew out of the trees with their horns charged. But the moment they set their eyes on Twilight, they froze in complete bewilderment. They ceased igniting their horns and landed on the grass before her. “Twilight?! You’re alive?!” Celestia said. “Princesses!! CELESTIA!!” Twilight cried. They hugged each other with tears falling. “I’m glad you’re okay!” “How? I...I thought you were...gone! Sunset told us she destroyed you!” Celestia stuttered. “I was able to use a teleportation spell to save myself and my friends—well, my semi-new friends.” Twilight sheepishly smiled. Celestia noticed them as she pointed to them. “Wait, weren’t they just with us here in the forest?” Luna asked. Celestia looked behind her and saw the actual Mane Five run up to them. Then she became slightly amazed. “Twilight! Spike! You guys are okay!” pony Rainbow Dash said before spotting the human-turned ponies standing with Twilight and Spike. “Hey, those ponies...look like us!” Then there was a moment of silence as opposite identical ponies awkwardly stared at each other. “Well...this is...weird.” Spike whispered. > Time for A Plan > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Is... anyone here a little... puzzled by what we’re seein’?” earth Applejack asked. “Don’t ya mean anypony?” Equestrian Applejack asked, arching an eyebrow. “Any... what now?” earth Applejack asked. The Mane Five then looked suspiciously at their ponified counterparts. “Hold on a second! How do we know that you aren’t changelings disguised as ponies?” Equestrian Rainbow Dash asked. She even particularly eyed her confused counterpart. “Changelings? What are you even talking about? We just got here in this forest!” ponified Rainbow Dash said. “Girls, it’s okay! They are with me! They’re not changelings! They come from the same dimension where Sunset Shimmer went after stealing my crown. I made friends with them at the Canterlot High School there. No need to interrogate them.” Twilight explained. Celestia and Luna looked very much confused when they heard the term ‘Canterlot High School’. “A high school? What does that even mean? It’s even named after my city? That’s very strange. But that is not important right now. I’ll ask Twilight about this later.” Celestia thought. “Well, this is quite an interesting turn of events. Never have I nor Luna ever imagine that you five will meet or have your own counterparts. Neither have we thought that they even existed. So allow me to ask you other five.” said Celestia as she drew closer to them. “Do any of you know Sunset Shimmer? If so, has she done any harm to you?” The ponified versions looked at her for a moment as they recognized the voice and the similar features she had. “Why does she look like Principal Celestia in... uh horse form?” Rarity thought. “All that rainbow hair, the voice, and even her fur! Well, Principal Celestia has pink-white skin but still.” Pinkie thought. “Actually, yes, we do know her! She was also the popular girl who just bullied everyone there and made their lives miserable. She was even mean to us and to Twilight! But no worries, we’re going to take here down through the power of Friendship lasers!” Rainbow Dash said. Then she put a finger to her chin as she began to think. “Or maybe just friendship magic or whichever way you call it.” “She even brainwashed all our friends from our school too. I can’t even imagine what she is even doing right now!” said Fluttershy, shaking nervously. Celestia then thought of a plan. “They could be of great help to us all. With their knowledge and skill, they might be able to assist us in defeating Sunset Shimmer and saving Equestria. There is no time to waste.” she finished thinking. “Very well, my little ponies. Twilight, I must say that you have once again succeeded in making new friends although they may be counterparts of your other friends. If we are to defeat our common enemy, we must work together to fulfill this goal. Equestria now depends on us to save it from the rising evil that has infiltrated therein! However, we will not be doing this alone.” Celestia declared. “Alone? What do you mean by that? There are like fourteen of us assembled here! How many more do you need?” Spike asked. Celestia remained firm as she looked to Spike. “We are ineligible to fight against a massive army as we are unfortunately few in number. Wherefore, it is high time for reinforcements.” she replied. The ponies looked toward each other as they began to wonder of what reinforcements she had in mind. “Follow me, all of you! I have a plan!” Celestia commanded, breaking their train of thought. She arose in the air and flew away from the forest. “Hey! Wait for us!” the Pinkies shouted. While everyone else quickly followed Celestia to exit the forest, both Pinkie Pies looked at each other. “Hey! We spoke at the same time! It’s like we have great minds that think alike!” Equestrian Pinkie said. “Oh! Oh! Oh! Are cupcakes your favorite type of dessert to bake? Because I love making those!!” ponified Pinkie squealed. “Hey, I like making those too! Oh, do you happen to have a party cannon like I do?” the first Pinkie asked once she pulled her own party cannon out of nowhere. “Yep! I exactly do!” the second Pinkie replied. Then both of them sprayed confetti towards our view. “Hey, are people reading this right now?” “Yep! They are! Hey, guys! I hope you’re enjoying all of this! Here, we’re going to send you all some cupcakes!! Ready, other me?” first Pinkie said. “Ready!” the second one happily replied. They both fired vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate cupcakes at the invisible screen until they were no longer seen. “Enjoy, everyone!” Celestia led her group out of the EverFree Forest. Once they were out, she faced them all. “I need you all to stay here. I will be seeking help from every creature outside of Equestria. I am sure they will all help us to defeat our dangerous adversary.” Celestia ordered. “Can I come with you? I’m sure I can help you!” Twilight asked. “No, I must do this alone. I need some time to... be by myself before I can go out there. You and your friends will need to create strategies so we will know what to do before we can go against Sunset and her army.” Celestia commanded. She took off to the air and departed. Once she was out of sight, Luna gazed on the Rainbow Dashes. “Rainbow Dashes, I believe it would be wise for you both to discover what Sunset is planning at this time. Infiltrate their headquarters, keep a low profile, and learn everything from her plans. Once you accomplish your mission, return to us and report what you will have learned.” Luna instructed. “You got it!” both Dashes replied. “Come on, me, let’s race each other to the Crystal Empire!” the first one challenged. “I’ll beat you there first! Well, once you show me where that is of course! Whoa, WHOA!!” the second yelled, flying out of control. She crashed against a nearby tree. The birds fearfully flew out of it. “BE CAREFUL!! You don’t want to hurt those poor birds!” Equestrian Fluttershy warned. “They even have chicks in their nests!” the second Fluttershy noticed. “Oh yeah. Hehehe, sorry.” Rainbow said. She jumped out of the tree and shook the leaves off. “I forgot I don’t know how to fly with these wings.” “Don’t worry, newbie! I’ll show you the ropes of how it’s done. Watch me!” the first Rainbow said. She opened her wings and flew up and waited for her counterpart to do the same. The second opened her wings too and slowly flapped her wings. She momentarily smiled as she thought it was working until she fell again. Grunting, she got back up on her hooves. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ll get the hang of this.” “Don’t worry, it’s takes time and practice to master the skill of flight. Here, I’ll carry you.” the first said, carrying her up. Once she did that, they departed to start their mission. “Ah think those two will get along just fine.” Applejack said. “You bet they will.” her counterpart agreed. AT THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE “Behold, my own monument of glory!!” Sunset bellowed. Snips, Snails, and a few other demons erected a statue of her in the middle of the Crystal Empire. All of her monstrous demons laid siege to the city and took the crystal ponies captive. Chrysalis observed the order of operation commencing whereas her associate Sunset stood next to her. “This is really impressive, Queen Sunset. All those crystal ponies surely do love their empire. I can already taste their love. It’s soooo delicious that can satisfy all of my changelings!” Chrysalis exclaimed, licking her lips. Sunset rolled her eyes. “Indeed, Queen Chrysalis. Anyway, with Princess Cadence and her precious Shining Armor no longer in power, all of these ponies will bow to me—Queen Sunset Shimmer! Hahahahaha!!!” Chrysalis likewise rolled her eyes. “Of course, they will.” she hissed. > Pain and Remorse > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “I do hope that every creature can help me—help us defeat Sunset Shimmer.” thought Celestia as she flew far and wide in various continents of Equus. As she was flying, her conscience was constantly bombarded by the unkind memories of her past history with Sunset when the latter was her student in the School of Gifted Unicorns. Her mind went back to the time where her relationship with Sunset was very rough as the latter’s lust for power came in between them. FLASHBACK SEVERAL YEARS AGO Princess Celestia opened the door of her classroom. Assembled were a group of young unicorns eager to learn the skills, basics, and wonders of magic. Smiling back at them, Celestia stood next to her desk and faced her students. “Good morning, students!” Celestia greeted. “Good morning, Princess Celestia!” the younglings happily replied. “I hope you all had a lovely night. For today’s class, we will be studying and practicing the magical skill of teleportation. For starters, there are two requirements that must be met in order for us to accomplish this morning’s agenda as follows: “First, I want us to go to various places that you might not be familiar with. Second, you must keep undivided focus as you will be attempting to teleport from one place to another. Once you have successfully followed these guidelines, you will have no difficulty in your practice of teleportation. Any questions so far?” Celestia asked. One unicorn filly raised her hoof. “Yes, Evening Light?” Celestia pointed. “Just one question. How does traveling to places help us teleport?” Evening Light asked. “I’m glad you asked. In order for you to teleport to anywhere, you first need to know where it is you’re trying to teleport. It makes it much easier once you have a knowledge of every location you want to go to.” Celestia answered. “Oh ok.” Evening replied. “Any more questions?” Celestia asked again. Suddenly, Celestia noticed something different. Among the unicorn fillies and colts seated, there was one empty chair in the classroom. She arched an eyebrow in confusion. “Hold on, has anypony seen Sunset Shimmer today? She is not here in class.” “We haven’t seen her this morning either.” a colt replied. Concerned, Celestia stepped outside the classroom and began looking for Sunset. Then within a corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar unicorn filly in a closet since the door was slightly open. She then opened the door wide which startled the filly. Celestia frowned on her. “Sunset, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in class right now?” Celestia scolded. “I don’t want to! I’m reading a book of ancient spells that I can learn from! At least that is more interesting and promising than your stupid lessons!” Sunset snapped. Celestia then glared at her insubordinate pupil. “Sunset! How many times do we have to go through this? I told you that your arbitrary ambitions are only going to take you in the wrong direction. Also, your disobedience to my rules is unacceptable! I am your teacher, and you are to respect me and my authority!” “Well, I don’t care!! You never give me anything that I truly desire! At least my parents tell me great lessons about true power! I’ve learned everything about magic and it’s true potential! I don’t need your stupid lessons anymore, and I don’t need YOU!!” Sunset yelled. “ENOUGH!! I will not tolerate this!” Celestia ordered. “I HATE YOU!!” Sunset shouted. Those words froze Celestia in place. Never has any student say those things to her. Finally, Sunset threw the book she was reading right at Celestia’s face. She was pushed back by the impact of the hit. Sunset then exited the closet and left the school, never more to return. Celestia rubbed her head and noticed that her rebellious student was gone. She feared that one day something like that would happen. Thus, she lost her student forever. With that, Celestia became dejected that day. FLASHBACK ENDED “I feel like I should have been less harsh on her.” Celestia muttered. She stopped flying and landed on a steep hill. As she recalled the number of times she had fights with Sunset and where she even punished her on multiple occasions for her insubordination, she felt guilt and sorrow building in her. “This is all my fault.” Celestia sobbed. “I should have showed her the true power of magic... friendship. If only I have been merciful with her, our relationship could have been better.” “It appears thou art troubled, sister.” a voice called. Celestia looked up and saw Luna descending from the sky. She landed next to her with a sympathetic look. “What troubleth thee?” “I know I shouldn’t feel like this, but I can’t help be feel ashamed of myself for my harsh actions when Sunset Shimmer was my student. She was my prized student for her success until her parents’s ideology corrupted her. From that time forth, she skipped my classes and ignored my lessons.” explained Celestia. “She felt as if I’ve been keeping something from her.” “Sister, you should not be hard on yourself for Sunset’s mistakes. Sure, you might have messed up, but in the end, she was still responsible for her own evil decisions she made. You did what you had to. I know you as the wise, caring, and merciful sister that you’ve always been. Never forget that, sister.” Luna encouraged. Celestia teared up at those heartfelt words. She embraced her sister lovingly. “Thank you, Lulu. I needed to hear that today.” “It’s just like when you banished me to the moon instead of destroying me when I was Nightmare Moon. That is what makes you who you really are.” Luna finished. “Thank you, Luna. You’re the best sister I can ever ask for.” Celestia smiled. After they finished hugging, they got back up on their hooves. “We must hurry. I need to request the rulers of the Dragon Lands, Mount Eris, Griffinstone, and Yakyakistan to help us defeat Sunset before she destroys everything we hold dear.” “No worries, sister. I’ve already asked Spike to write and send the warning letters to Prince Rutherford, Grandpa Gruff, Dragon Lord Torch, and Sky Beak to assist us in fighting against the rising threat in the Crystal Empire.” Luna said. “What? You did already? What did they respond?” Celestia asked, surprised. “We will know for sure once they arrive at our location. I told them to meet us where we are if they agree to help us.” Luna replied. “Well, as long as we have vast forces supporting us, a sure victory over our enemies is guaranteed to us.” Celestia said. > The Final Battle part 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- AT THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE Chrysalis beheld the teenage demons and changelings working together in keeping the crystal ponies in their cages. She also witnessed a thunderstorm approaching which darkened the entire city. Lightning bolts flashed across the sky, and thunder cracked amongst the dark clouds. “Ahhhh, yes, I do love the presence of fear in this time of the evening.” said Chrysalis. “I think it’s time for me to make my move.” She left the balcony and entered the hallway that lead to the throne room. As she opened the doors with her magic, she saw Cadence and Shining Armor tied up in front of Sunset. “I hope I am not interrupting anything.” Chrysalis said, walking in. “You both will never get away with this!” Cadence shouted, glaring. “It’s too late for you, dear princess!” Sunset taunted. “Ending your pathetic little lives will be too easy. Much easier than snuffing Twilight Sparkle.” “WHAT?! YOU’RE LYING!” Shining Armor screamed in shock. “Oops! I never really said goodbye to her, didn’t I? Oh well, at least she won’t witness the destruction of everything and everyone she ever held so dear... such as you!” Sunset further taunted. “YOU MONSTER! I’ll—I WILL DESTROY YOU!!” Cadence cried as she attempted to break her magic bonds with her horn. They unfortunately refused to break. Though powerful her magic was, it was no match to the increased power Sunset held. “Quit embarrassing yourself, Princess. You will only prolong your sorrow.” Sunset said, smiling evilly. Chrysalis grinned as she witnessed the torment of the crystal rulers. However, she did not forget her main objective. “Sunset is now distracted. If I can perfectly shoot at her head, I might get a flawless victory. Then this palace and all of Equestria will be mine at last!” Chrysalis thought. She ignited her horn and aimed at Sunset’s head. Only one perfect shot at the head would waste the equine she-demon. “Your majesty! We have a problem!” Snips cried out. Chrysalis’ concentration was completely shattered by the abrupt interruption. A changeling followed Snips with a similar stressed look on his face. “What is it this time?!” Sunset angrily demanded. “Princess Celestia has arrived! But she is not alone! She has a massive army behind her! Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends are also with them!” the changeling reported. Both Sunset and Chrysalis were shocked by the news but mostly Sunset since she thought she finally destroyed Twilight, Spike, and the human five. Hearing their survival greatly enraged her. Seeing her wrath brought some amusement to Chrysalis. However, she was still angry she lost her chance to assassinate Sunset. “Blast it! I’ll try to take her out after I settle my score with Cadence and Shining Armor!” she planned. “IMPOSSIBLE! I destroyed her and her weakling friends! How is that—(growls)—no matter! This time, I’ll make sure they cease to exist... FOR GOOD!!” Sunset cried. “What should we do?!” Snips and the changeling asked. “Gather our armies! Have them organized for battle then attack once they make their first move! GO!!” Sunset commanded. “Yes, my Shimmering Queen!” Snips bowed before flying off. “You heard her! Gather our troops, and be prepared for a fight!” Chrysalis ordered. The changeling saluted before he too departed. “Allow me to take care of these two. Celestia and Twilight will be waiting for you.” Chrysalis advised. “Very well. Do not eliminate my captives. I will be the one to end them myself!” Sunset ordered. She flew off to confront her enemies. “Paah!! As if I take orders from you...” Chrysalis scoffed. “Chrysalis obeys nopony.” OUTSIDE “You think pony princess take on them all?” Rutherford asked. “No need to worry, Prince Rutherford.” Twilight confidently replied. “Celestia always has a plan.” “Let’s hope you’re 100% right because these dastardly insects always drive me nuts with their ridiculous actions!! I hate those bugs!” Grandpa Gruff angrily said. The ponies and non-ponies stood together on a tall hill right before the Crystal Empire. Celestia stood on front while Luna and the Mane Six stood side by side with her. The ponified five were somewhat nervous since they never had any experience in being in a battlefield before. Going through this felt like they were participating in a war zone. “So ummmm... what is Celestia’s plan exactly?” ponified Rainbow nervously asked. “We march against Sunset Shimmer with a full-scale assault. We will fight with everything we have to the bitter end. It’s the only way to defend and ultimately save Equestria.” Celestia bravely replied. She glared towards the crystal castle. “Sunset will stop at nothing as she will do anything to fulfill her goals.” “I know we will win victorious at the end, Celestia. We have before and so we shall... together.” stated Twilight, smiling at her friends. They smiled back with courage and determination. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s fight these guys!” Rainbow Dash said. “Ponies, creatures... ATTACK!!” Celestia commanded. All the creatures—dragons, yaks, griffins, and hippogriffs marched forward while issuing battle cries. “For our friends!” Fluttershy said. “For our families!” Applejack and Rarity added. “For our home!” Pinkie and Rainbow Dash added. “For Equestria!” Twilight and Spike finished. Then the Mane Six and Spike marched downward the hill. “FOR EQUESTRIA!!!” they shouted. The ponified five stood there unsure as to how they could help. “Sooooo, what are we supposed to do?” Applejack asked. “I’m not sure. I’ve only got started in being a pony. I truly wish I knew how to use those wings.” said Fluttershy. “Well, as long as we fight like normal horses, it shouldn’t be that bad!” Rainbow encouraged. “Rainbow is right! We should try our best in winning this war!” Rarity agreed. “Then come on then! LET’S GET ‘EM, LADIES!!” Pinkie commanded. INSIDE The changelings and teenage demons surrounded the fleeing crystal ponies. The latter were terrified by the hissing devils more than the changelings whom they’ve encountered before. “Let’s devour their love!” a changeling said. “Let’s crush them!” a demon added. Before they could harm them, several dragons flew over and breathed fire on the enemy. The fire caught the changelings and startled the demons. The insects screamed in pain as they flew away to dive into a puddle of water that was near by. “Leave these ponies alone! Get out, you vermins!” Dragon Lord Torch demanded. He again breathed fire on the demons. They jumped out of the way and flew off in fear. Then he faced the shaking ponies. “Run! Now!” Without hesitation, they did as they were told. The yaks and griffons ran against tons of changelings in the middle of the city. Rutherford and the yaks repeatedly smashed the ground which caused their foes to stumble and fall on the ground. While disorientated, the griffons grabbed them and tossed them over the houses. Grandpa Gruff grabbed a stick and swatted several changelings in his path. “Get off my lawn, you creeps! GET AWAY! GET AWAY!!” Then he preceded to quickly speak gibberish words that no one understood what he said. Those changelings fearfully flew away. “Uh, what griffon say?” Rutherford asked. “Doesn’t matter! Let’s get going!” Gruff yelled. The hippogriffs smashed against any demon or changeling they came across. Sky Beak twirled in the air which made him increase in speed as he descended on the other opponents. They tried to attack him, but his speed caused them to spin once he hit them. They became very dizzy until they fell down defeated. “You fall down, and you STAY down!” Sky Beak said. Celestia, Twilight, and Luna fought side by side while Spike, the Mane Six, and the ponified five fought the other changelings and demons. The alicorns combined their magic and blasted their beam at the changelings at one side then blasted the demons on the other side. “The changelings are in this too?! I should’ve known Chrysalis would have the audacity to join forces with Sunset Shimmer!” Luna exclaimed before firing on a changeling. “It’s not like her to ally herself with another tyrant! She’s too arrogant to do something like this!” Celestia argued before blasting a demon away. “(Gasp) Celestia, behind you!” Twilight warned. A fiery beam struck Celestia on the back after she turned her head at the last minute. Weakly lifting her head, she saw Sunset landing on the ground before loud thunder cracked in the sky. “Do you really think you can defeat me with your insignificant army, Celestia?! YOU ARE NOTHING!!” Sunset shrieked. “Sunset, stop this madness immediately!” Celestia pleaded. “It doesn’t have to be this way!” “Oh, but it does! You still refuse to see things my way! Now, you will be extinguished by my supreme power!” Sunset boasted. “Once I’m finished with you, this whole world is mine!” “You’ll never stop at one! I’LL TAKE YOU ALL ON!!” Celestia shouted. Celestia charged her horn and blasted Sunset with all her might. Sunset yelled in pain from the blast. She got up and blasted her in retaliation. They then locked horns together in a ferocious struggle for dominance. In the throne room, Chrysalis circled her prey while licking her fangs. “I don’t care what that high-minded Sunset says. Your love will be satisfying to my taste! After I absorb your precious love, I will take over the Crystal Empire and all of Equestria. Prepare to meet your new queen, fools!” Chrysalis taunted. “I will be—!” Suddenly, Cadence blasted at Chrysalis’ horn. Her magic caused immense pain in Chrysalis that forced her to fall back. Then she and Shining touched their horns together and emitted a short wave of love that dissipated their bonds. They got up and glared at their old adversary. “Caught you monologuing, Chrysalis.” Cadence smirked. Shaking the pain off, Chrysalis growled at the royal couple. “You will pay for that!” She then blasted her green beam at them. They dived below the blast and fired more shots at her. Outnumbered and outmatched, Chrysalis received plenty of hits from their blasts. One blast struck her on her front leg, a second smote her left leg, and a third grazed her neck. Wounded badly, she trembled before the triumphant couple. Cadence and Shining Armor united their horns again and emitted an even larger love wave. “NO!! NOT AGAIN!!” Chrysalis cried. The wave sent her flying out of the castle. All the changelings looked back and saw the love wave fly toward them. Having no time to react, the love wave sent all of them flying out of Equestria and defeated them. The demons however remained on the ground and were confused by the turn of events. “Excuse me for one moment.” Sunset said. She blasted Celestia away and flew over to Chrysalis. Chrysalis weakly arose from the ground. She opened her eyes and saw Sunset approach her. “It appears my trap worked after all.” Sunset smirked. Chrysalis widened her eyes in surprise. “WHAT?! That was your plan?! How?!” Chrysalis demanded. “I purposely allowed Cadence and Shining Armor to have their horns unbounded. I knew your ego would permit you to taunt them rather than finishing the job. Trust me, I studied your history when I used to attend Celestia’s pathetic school. Reading your failure kept me laughing all night. Anyway, having the couple use their love to humiliate you was my way of saying this: you have finally served your purpose.” Sunset explained. “You... you back-stabbing fiend! You will pay for this!” Chrysalis cried. “I knew you were planning to betray me first. You didn’t think I noticed your assassination attempt? The moment I sensed your betrayal, I planned that trap. At least your changelings were able to drain the love of the Crystal Heart. Now, you’re no longer of any use to me.” Sunset grinned. She cast a spell on Chrysalis that froze her into an ice cube. Her terrified eyes were seen as Sunset lifted her cube up and threw her miles away from the empire. She fell in an ocean where she sunk deep inside... drowning into the darkness. A rising snowstorm arrived as all the love was drained from the Crystal Heart. Celestia lifted herself up as she once again had to resume her possibly last stand against her former student. > The Final Battle part 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “What more shall the mighty princess Celestia do unto me?!” Sunset challenged. Celestia gazed steadily at Sunset. Once she beheld her evil, sinister, fiery eyes, she saw a lost and misguided filly who was entrenched in a lust for power and glory. It pained her that her once precious student was corrupted by greed and vice. It was no longer the Sunset Shimmer she once knew, but a monster who sought to destroy her. Seeing how far she had gone, she attempted to at least reach out to her. “Sunset, listen to me! I know you crave for power, but you must realize that it will only drive you to insanity especially if you misuse it for evil. Please, remember the time you used to love learning lessons from me and studying magic for good intentions. Don’t you remember that?” Celestia pleaded. “Pathetic times they were! I was so gullible enough to feast on all those lies about... friendship!” Sunset spat as if disgusting to her taste. “But now I have everything I need to conquer Equestria and beyond!” “Please, Sunset, you must understand! If you succeed in gaining control over Equestria, there will be nothing left for you to take! What is there to gain from all this?!” Celestia argued. “It’s that simple, Princess! The absence of you and your friends!” Sunset spoke, igniting her horn. The she-demon blasted her beams at Celestia who dodged them quickly. Celestia returned fire and struck her on her wings. She winced in pain from the shots, but she still maintained her ground. Glaring at her determined foe, Sunset flew above and zoomed right at her. She bashed her chest with great force. They began to tackle and roll on the building snow that fell from the sky. Thunder cracked and cold winds continued to blow. The Applejacks grabbed their lassos and tied up a group of demons who tried to attack them. “Alright, other me! So far, things are goin’ well in our favor!” Equestrian Applejack said. “Yep! Uh oh, look behind ya!” ponified Applejack pointed. The first looked back and saw several more demons sprinting at them. Both farm girls looked confidently at each other. Nodding, they ran to them while swinging their lassoes in the air. Once they were close enough, they threw their ropes around the arms of a couple of them and swung them around. The two demons screamed as they were being swung around. As they released the monsters, the latter crashed into a bigger group. “YEEE-HAAH!!” the cow ponies uttered. The Fluttershies were surrounded by several other demons who were hissing and growling at them. “Do you know how to use the Stare?” Equestrian Fluttershy asked. “The Stare? Like staring at people? Umm, what is that supposed to do?” ponified Fluttershy asked, confused. “Like this...” the first said. She bravely faced the monsters and activated her Stare at them. Suddenly, the demonized teenagers screamed in horror and covered their faces from Fluttershy. After rolling on the snow, they fearfully flew away. “Wow! That...that was...surprising!” the second one said. “I only use it as a last resort. It helped save my friends from time to time.” the Fluttershy smiled while blushing. “Can’t catch me, punks!” Rainbow Dash taunted. She flew around the city in a circle while out speeding the pursuing demons. But while she was distracted, she was suddenly knocked down by one of them from above. She fell on the snow with a hard thud. “Ow! Who did that?!” Rainbow demanded. “Guess who, rainbow pony!” a familiar voice called. The she-demon landed in front of the puzzled Rainbow Dash. Two others joined her. “Wait...that voice sounds familiar...(gasp) Scootaloo?!” Rainbow Dash said. “Wait what?! That’s HER?!” ponified Rainbow asked. “You worthless rainbow ponies will get what’s going to you! Hail Sunset Shimmer!!” demonized Apple Bloom evilly laughed. “All of Equestria will be ours!!” demonized Sweetie Belle added. “Apple Bloom?!” both Applejacks yelled. “Sweetie Belle?!” both Rarities also yelled. Luna and Twilight kept blasting at the ferocious demons while running to support Celestia in her battle against Sunset. One demon leaped from a rooftop to attack them, but Luna blasted him off. Another one created a large snowball and rolled it toward the two alicorns. However, Twilight cast a spell that made it turn in reverse and rolled to the monster instead. The demon ran off before the snowball crashed into him. “We have to help Celestia defeat Sunset Shimmer! She can’t handle her on her own!” Twilight worried. “Agreed. That amount of power Sunset possesses is extremely dangerous. If she uses her full magical power on Celestia, then we will both be too late to save her!” Luna feared. Suddenly, another equine demon landed in front of them which blocked their path. He glared at them with his vicious eyes and wickedly chuckled. “Well, well, well, the cute little alicorns run over to save their dearest princess. How predictable!” he taunted. “What?! Flash, is that really you?!” Twilight asked, recognizing his voice. “Yes, Twilight Sparkle!! I am here to finish you and your useless friends once and for all!! For Queen Sunset Shimmer!!” Flash shouted. He pounced on Twilight and pushed Luna away. Twilight blasted him off. Flash shook off the slight pain and blasted her back with his magic. Both of their powers collided with each other in a fierce struggle to overcome the other. Both opponents tried really hard to push their magic beams against each other to overwhelm the other. “You have to stop this, Flash! This isn’t like you! You have to fight Sunset’s control!” Twilight pleaded. “NEVER!” Flash defied. “Sweetie Belle!! You cannot do this to us! You must see what you are doing, darling!” ponified Rarity said. “Screw you ponies! Sunset Shimmer for the win!” demonized Sweetie Belle hissed. The Cutie Mark Crusaders tackled their ponified sisters while disregarding the coldness of the winds and the snow. The older sisters pushed them off. “We got to figure out a way to reach to them!” Equestrian Applejack said. “Yeah! I think we should—hold on, where are the Pinkie Pies?” ponified Rainbow Dash asked. As if on cue, hundreds of pies were falling everywhere with balloons. They landed before the fighting and non-fighting demons. Then the Pinkies appeared with a hot-aired balloon with Snips and Snails tied up inside. “Free pies for everypony! Free pies for everypony!” Equestrian Pinkie shouted. “But not just anypony! It’s specifically for our special guests: the big meanie monsters! Enjoy our delicious pies!” ponified Pinkie added. However, the moment all the demons picked up those pies, the pies exploded with a strange pink gas. The monsters coughed violently until they fell down unconscious. Flash was distracted by one of those pies as it fell on his head. Once he touched it, it exploded with pink gas and took him out. The Cutie Mark Crusaders also fell down unconscious as they too took the bait. Their sisters look confused until they eyed the arriving Pinkies. “Wow, great way to ruin an epic fight, Pinkies.” Equestrian Rainbow groaned. “What? We thought it would be great! Right?” the first Pinkie said. “What was that gas anyway?” ponified Fluttershy asked. “Oh, it’s just a sleeping gas. They will rewake in half an hour.” the second Pinkie smiled. Celestia began to be exhausted from the battle against Sunset. She continually fired several beams at the tyrant, but she easily deflected them with her magic and shot Celestia. The blasts struck her on the back, front leg, and right wing. Celestia couldn’t keep up with her any longer. “How pitiful that the mighty ruler of Equestria can’t protect herself from her old student! I can already see the headlines: ‘Princess Celestia destroyed by a mutated unicorn’! Oh the humiliation, the agony, the torture! All of which you will feel right now!” Sunset taunted. Celestia slowly got up on her hooves and eyed the villain with pity. Realizing that there was nothing else she could do to redeem her, she had to resort to her last tactic. “What last words would you like to say before I torture you?” Sunset grinned. Celestia felt a tear fall from her eye. Keeping her emotions in check, she once more glared at Sunset with a righteous indignation. “Sunset Shimmer, you have left me no choice. I will do what I must to save Equestria.” Celestia grimly spoke. Celestia lowered her head and started to glow brightly. She then levitated in the air and glowed even more brightly with an orange-yellow aurora surrounding her. That aurora turned into a fiery one that melted the snow around her. “What?! What are you doing?! Enough!” Sunset demanded. She blasted at Celestia. Amazingly, the blasts had no affect on her. “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!” Sunset cried. Celestia’s aurora then expanded to a larger degree; suddenly, it became a massive magical sun wave that spread itself all over Equestria. The sun wave struck Sunset and surrounded her. “NO!! STOP!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Sunset cried. The sun wave also hit the unconscious demons. After the golden aurora faded from them, all of them turned back to normal teenagers including the CMCs, Flash, Snips, and Snails. The sun wave melted all the snow away and pushed back the storm clouds. Cadence and Shining took this opportunity by flying down to the drained Crystal Heart and restore it with new love power. Once they accomplished that, the heart restored all the crystal magic in the empire. The sun wave then dissipated. The full moon and stars were seen in the sky. Celestia softly landed on the ground. After she stopped glowing, she faced Sunset in her normal equine form. The villain awoke with all of her powers and Twilight’s crown gone. Twilight lifted her head up and saw her crown back in place. But for Sunset, she noticed another shocking detail. Her horn was gone. “Wha—what did you DO TO ME?!” Sunset demanded. “I removed your horn, Sunset. In that way, you won’t cause harm to anypony ever again. The penalty for your crimes against Equestria is imprisonment in Tartarus.” Celestia sternly declared. Twilight quietly gasped in shock. Luna opened the portal to Tartarus. Then she chained Sunset and put her in a cage. “No! PLEASE!! Have mercy! I beg of you!! I ask for your forgiveness!! Don’t please!!” Sunset begged, tears falling on her eyes. Celestia remained silent. With that, Sunset continued to cry until she entered Tartarus through the portal. Celestia also wept while turning her head away. “I’m sorry, Sunset Shimmer.” she whispered. > The Ending > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After the defeat of Sunset Shimmer, Celestia faced all the creatures and ponies within the empire. A part of her was glad that her traitorous student has finally received the just comeuppance for her crimes. However, another part of her wished that she had changed her ways and accepted the ways of friendship. Wiping off the tears from her eyes, she softly smiled knowing that Equestria was saved. The Mane Six, Spike, and the ponified five reunited together as they witnessed the restoration of the kingdom and all the ponified students human again. “Wow, that wave turned everyone back to normal! I’ve never seen anything like that before!” Spike said. “Me neither, Spike.” Equestrian Fluttershy said. “Princess Celestia, how did you do that? I don’t think I’ve seen you emit such powerful magic like that before!” Twilight asked. “That’s the power I occasionally use as a last resort. It takes at least a few months to recharge such power. It only happens when much anger and sorrow mix together after I experience betrayal, suffering, and stress. I truly didn’t want to end it that way.” Celestia explained. “I can see that. You did what you had to do to save Equestria from Sunset.” Twilight said, softly smiling. “You all did.” Celestia said before facing all the creatures. “Without your help, I would’ve never been able to succeed in rescuing Equestria from our enemies. Thank you... all of you. You honor us with your courage.” Celestia thanked. All the creatures and crystal ponies shouted in cheers for the princesses and element bearers. After the creatures departed back to their homelands, the heroes turned to see the ponified students still unconscious from the pies. “Sorry, Princess! They will awake within half an hour.” ponified Pinkie said. “Worry not. I will awake them.” Celestia said. She ignited her horn and cast a spell on the students. After a few seconds, they all opened their eyes and saw themselves in equine forms. “WHOA! What happened to me?! Snips, look at me!” Snails exclaimed. “Wait, look at me too!” Snips added. “We’re little horses!” All the students marveled at the wonders of the Crystal Empire and their pony forms. Flash got up and saw himself with orange fur and a blue mane. He also noticed he had pegasus wings. Then he saw Twilight walking toward him. “Whoa, Twilight, is that you? Your hair looks familiar.” Flash said. “Yeah, it is quite a long story. Soooo, welcome to Equestria? Hehe...” Twilight sheepishly smiled. “I... I actually like this city. Wait, is that a castle right there?” Flash asked, pointing to the crystal castle. “Yes. You guys are in the Crystal Empire, home of Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor. They are my relatives here: sister-in-law and brother respectively.” Twilight said. “Wow, that’s really cool! What happened to Sunset? I remember her turning into some sort of monster, and I was being blasted by her beam then everything went black.” Flash recalled. “She brainwashed you all to do her bidding and turned you into demonized monsters to take over Equestria.” Twilight informed. “What?! Oh no, that’s terrible! I hope we didn’t cause any damage here!” Flash panicked. “Unfortunately, you have.” Celestia replied from above. All the students looked up at her as she caught their attention. “Thankfully, you did not take any lives here in the Crystal Empire. However, the amount of mess you made must be undone. It would be fair if you all had a light punishment for what you have done. Once you have cleaned up all the mess here, I will allow you to go back home in your world.” Celestia said. Flash blushed in embarrassment from the imagination of destroying the ponies’ property while mind-controlled. Nevertheless, he accepted the duty. “Okay, we will get it done.” Flash conceded. “Yeah, we’re really sorry.” Snails said. “Well, at least this will be better than doing homework. That’s for sure.” Snips muttered. 45 Minutes Later “Man, that was a lot of work. This is just as tiring as working on the farm.” ponified Apple Bloom groaned. “Yeah, but you have to admit that our pony things look so cool! Look, I’m a pegasus!” Scootaloo said. She tried to fly, but couldn’t spread her little wings. “Aw, come on! Why can’t these wings work?” “I don’t even know how to use this horn! Being a unicorn feels quite weird.” Sweetie Belle added. After they all finished their work in cleaning up, all the students assembled together. Twilight ran to Celestia. “Princess! How will my other friends and their friends get back to their home? The portal must have already closed by the time we defeated Sunset!” Twilight asked. “Not to worry, Twilight. Although the crystal mirror has closed, there is yet another in Equestria. In fact, you won’t need to look far.” Celestia said. She pointed her hoof to a manhole covered by rocks right beside the castle. She uncovered the manhole which emitted golden light inside. The students gazed on the sight and drew near it. “I wish you all farewell! You won’t be harmed by Sunset Shimmer anymore.” Celestia smiled. The students cheered in celebration before jumping inside the manhole. “Soooo I guess it’s goodbye then...” Pinkie said. “Yep, it is. I will miss you girls. Thank you so much for your help in saving Equestria. It was great in having your equine counterparts meet you all!” Twilight said. “Indeed. Now I know that my other me will always be fabulous! She certainly is the definition of it!” ponified Rarity praised. “Why, thank you, darling! You remain your fabulous self as well!” Equestrian Rarity said. The ponified five and the CMCs hugged each other as they finally reunited. “It’s good to have ya back, Sugarcube!” Applejack said. “I miss ya too, Applejack!” Apple Bloom said. “Come, darling, let’s have a spa together to celebrate our victory!” Rarity said. “I’ll be more than happy to!” said Sweetie Belle. “Come on, kid, let’s go back home!” Rainbow Dash said. “Right behind you!” Scootaloo smiled. “Fair well, my little ponies. I am certain that Princess Twilight will see you all again very soon.” Celestia smiled. They smiled back and embraced Twilight. They then jumped through the manhole and teleported back to their home. Celestia then teared up while covering half of her face. Luna lowered her hoof on her sister’s left shoulder. “Are you alright, sister?” Luna asked. “Of course. It’s just that... Equestria is saved once more but—but I just feel bad that I couldn’t save Sunset from losing her way. To me, that’s like a failure on my part.” Celestia said. “Do not feel that way. You did what you had to as the princess and protector of Equestria. She made her choice on what path to follow, and you made yours.” Luna comforted. Celestia hugged her sister with her left wing. “Thank you, Luna. It’s something I should never forget. Any path a pony chooses, it will either lead him to good, or it will lead him to evil. The choice is ours.” Celestia concluded. MEANWHILE The monsters whom the Humane Six defeated turned back to humans and woke up from their sleep. They looked everywhere and saw the hallway empty. They also noticed they were on the floor while tied up. “Huh? Hey, what happened? Did we miss something?” one of them asked. The End