Sunset Shimmer left Equestria years ago because her own ambition. Now she has returned to become ruler, but the throne has already been usurped by somepony else, and since then, the sun has not risen again.
She left her home years ago, lost in her own ambition. Now she have returned to claim what she consider her right. But what she finds is a world plunged into night, and shadow. The world she knew no longer exists, and if she want to get back what is hers, she will have to overcome the adversities of this world.
A dark room, not a trace of light penetrates the deep gloom, suddenly, a momentary flash, which only lasts a second, lets it see a mirror in the place, and out of nowhere, there is a shadow, a silhouette that begins to move, hidden by the gloom.
The door to that room opens, it see a long and dark corridor. A hooded pony leaves the room and begins to wander down the hall with a somewhat hasty step, the footsteps echoing through the place. Two ponies are seen clad in dark armor, they have bat wings and their eyes are almost golden in color with thin and elongated pupils.
The guards walk down the corridor and pass by where the stranger pony was, but there is nothing in the place so they continue on, it is when they are quite far away, that the hooded pony reappears with a magic flash.
After walking through the corridors, the stranger pony is heard speaking, a feminine voice, frustrated. "Where the hell is it? I can't feel the elements close."
As she walks, she does not notice that there are two guards on the ceiling, honoring they inspiration, they hang upside down with their wings wrapping around they body. They immediately open their eyes to see that strange pony, immediately spread their wings and descend towards her.
The hooded mare notices their presence as they come down to attack, she rushes to get out of their way and avoid them.
"INTRUDER! INTRUDER IN THE CASTLE!" Claims the tho guards
The hooded pony starts to run, and is chased by the two guards. In other parts of the castle, other guards are seen flying at high speed.
The hooded mare runs but is suddenly seen at the end of the corridor, cornered by the two guards who are chasing her, they are thrown at her. Then, a glow covers her, and she disappears leaving only her cloak, both guards crash into it, both ending up by crashing against the wall to get wrapped in the cloak.
A second flash makes the pony reappear, a few feet from the guards. In the darkness of the place it is difficult to distinguish her yellow fur, or her reddish and golden mane.
As she watches the guards fight the cloak, many more are seen arriving from the opposite side. She runs towards them but quickly turns a corner to escape. She is persecuted.
She focuses energy on her horn and runs to a window right in front. It fires a bolt from its horn, and leaps through the shattered glass.
Time seems to slow down as the mare's body glides through the air, outside, the present night, the moon, and the stars, are the only witnesses to the moment when, with a flash of her horn, the mare disappears.
The guards who were behind go outside through the broken window, but only a few cross, as they all stop at the moment that they cannot see the mare anywhere.
It is in a room, a little further back in the hall, where the mare watches from a crack in the open door.
The guards seem to be talking to each other, in the end they split up, going in small groups in different directions. Some of they pass by the room where she is hidden, so she moves a little away from the door. When she was sure there were no guards around, she went out.
"Since when did Equestria have vampire guards?"
She asks in a semi-loud voice, although she does not pretend to wait for an answer and only leaves at a hurried pace.
Taking care not to be seen she walks through the corridors. She comes to a particular one, the windows adorned by stained glass, which powerfully attract her attention.
In the stained glass it can see a dark pony, who has wings and a horn, it can see the different faces of the moon around she. Another stained glass window shows that same dark pony with her wings outstretched, towering over three pony figures, representing the three races, all they bowing to the dark pony.
But the stained glass window that really catches mare's attention, is the one that shows an image, of that dark pony, throwing a light from her horn, which hits a white pony, who also has wings and a horn. The pose of that white pony, raised on her hind legs, shows that she is being hit by the attack of the other.
The turquoise eyes of the unicorn are focused on that image, more than anything, on the white pony ...
~O~o~O~o~O~
A unicorn pony with fur as white as pearl walks down the hall. Her purple mane and tail gathered in a bun, she is dressed in a servant garb, black and dark blue, she wears shoes, only on the front hooves.
She wears a group of fabrics on her back, her gaze fine, but showing frustration. She walks at a firm but heavy step.
She is unaware of a door that opens behind her, and before she knows it, she is surrounded by a crystal-colored aura that drags her into the room, a sharp scream is the only thing heard from her before disappearing into that room.
The unicorn is held against a wall and something covers her mouth preventing her from screaming. She shakes in an attempt to free herself, until she hears a whisper that denotes hiding a scream.
"Enough!" The pony with the red and yellow mane talks while holding the white unicorn with one hoof, and the other uses it to cover her mouth. "Don't make me turn you into a rat."
The threat seems to work because the white unicorn stops struggling, her blue eyes look at the turquoise of her captor.
"Now, I'm going to free your mouth, but if you think of yelling or asking for help, I'll turn you into a toad. You understand?!"
The yellow unicorn keeps her voice in a whisper, but the tone of her voice is severe. The white mare looks at her scared, but nods. The yellow one removes her hoof from the other's mouth, and they look at each other in silence for a few seconds.
"What do you want from me ...?" The white mare asks scared.
The other lets a second pass before speaking. "Answers. Tell me, what happened here?"
The question puzzles the white pony. "W-What? I don't understand…"
"What happened?!" Repeat the yellow unicorn. "What happened with Celestia?!"
She demands, forcing herself to keep her voice a whisper, but impatience is on her face.
The white unicorn speaks with fear. "The… princess Celestia?"
"Yes, Celestia!" Exclaim the other one. "Tall, white, always believing herself the best pony of all. What happened with her?!"
The white unicorn is intimidated by the attitude of the other. It makes her hesitate to speak.
"The... Princess Celestia, was locked in the moon..."
The captor looks surprised, her weight on the hoof that supports the other increases, and the captured pony lets out a moan from the slight pain.
"What the hell does it mean she's locked?? EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" At this point keeping her voice low is almost impossible.
"Don't hurt me, please…!"
"Speak now or I-"
"Nightmare Moon sent her to the moon after her return! She locked her there and took over Equestria!" Exclaims the captive unicorn now in despair. Unlike the other, fear makes her raise her voice.
The captor only looks more confused. "Nightmare Moon? How that possible? Nightmare is a pony tale."
"I-I… I also believed it… but-but, no… she's real. ... is our queen now..."
The yellow pony looks down and clenches her teeth, still holding the other one against the wall. And she remains thoughtful. "HOW, did all that happen?"
"… how come you don't know? Everypony knows what happened."
The yellow mare rolls her eyes. "Let's say I had a long vacation and I just got back. Now, speak before I lose what little patience I have left."
As a threat, she lights up her horn, and manages to scare her hostage. The white mare starts talking.
Almost a year ago... the last Summer Sun Celebration occurred.
Princess Celestia was preparing to raise the sun to start a new year ... but then ... Nightmare Moon appeared.
With the moon, she blocked the sun, and threatened to bring eternal night to Equestria.
Princess Celestia tried to stop her, but ... she failed, and Nightmare locked her in the moon, where she vowed that she would remain for the next thousand years ...
"Since then... Nightmare Moon became our ruler. And the sun... has not risen again..."
After hearing that explanation, the pressure of the yellow on the white weakened. Bewilderment, disbelief is reflected on her face. "Fuck! ... that envious princess was ahead of me."
The white unicorn is still scared, but now she looks intrigued. Feeling her captor loosen her grip, she tries to move. To her bad luck, her captor forces her again.
"What happened to the Elements of Harmony?"
"w-what?"
The Elements of Harmony! The most powerful magic in Equestria."
"I-I-I have no idea what you're talking about ..."
The yellow unicorn sharpens her gaze, which intimidates the other. Finally, the captor uses her magic to immobilize her captive, thus turning away and thinking to herself.
"Without the element of magic my plan will not work. And this place is not how it used to be." She turns back to her hostage. "Tell me, what will I find outside the castle walls? What happened to the rest of Equestria?"
The captive is silent for a moment, still scared. "I haven't left Canterlot since Nightmare Moon came to power, I don't know anything about the rest of Equestria... but... the city is always besieged by the lunar guard. Nopony can move around the city without authorization from the guard..."
Again, the captor sharpens her gaze. "So I can't just go around and get out of town, right?"
The white mare shakes her head, her eyes of fear always present.
The crystal magic disappears and the white unicorn falls to the ground in surprise. Her captor stands in front of her and looks at her seriously.
"Standing. You're going to help me get out of this place."
Her voice is as serious and aggressive as her gaze, and the unicorn in the ground can't help but cringe in fear.
~O~o~O~o~O~
The fabrics that the maid unicorn had brought, are wrapped in a skyblue magic, and suddenly they are transformed into a uniform similar to that of the white unicorn. And it is placed in the yellow one.
In this way, both leave the room, the white one being the one in front, and the yellow one behind, with her watchful eye on her obligatory guide.
"Why are you doing this to me ...? If Queen Nightmare Moon discovers me-"
"Look at it like this, you can help me out and deal with Nightmare later, or I can reverse your legs now, so you will walk backwards for the rest of your life."
The maid unicorn lowers her head and starts crying as she walks. "sniff... why is this happening to me...? I can never live fully... my life is one curse after another..."
"Ugh, stop complaining. If anyone should feels bad it's me!" The yellow unicorn complains. "I've been waiting 5 years for the moment to take revenge on Celestia, and now I discover somebody already got ahead of me. Now I must find the elements of harmony and I only have 3 days to do it."
"I don't understand what you're talking about ..."
"It does not matter. Just show me the way out."
"Stop! Do not move." Exclaim a male voice.
"Giah!"
"Shh! Don't scream!" Order the yellow mare.
Two guards approach the unicorns and surround them, one in front of them and the other behind, preventing them from leaving.
"Identify yourself!" Order one of the guards.
The unicorn in front begins to hesitate, and her captor behind her whispers loud enough for her to hear. "I can put a spell on you before they have a chance to save you, so think carefully about what you are going to say."
Nerves make the white unicorn break into a sweat, and she takes a hard drink before responding. "oh ho ho ~ I apologize gentlecolts. My name is Rarity, I am a servant to Queen Nightmare Moon. And she is... uh... ah, excuse me, can do you repeat your name...? dearling...?"
The other unicorn looks seriously at her captive guide, and the guards. They see her severely waiting for an answer. "… Daydream. My name is Daydream."
"oh ho ho of course! Yes... she is, she's new in the castle and I'm just... mentoring her so she can do her job."
The smile of the unicorn, Rarity, is beyond nervous as she looks at the guards. Daydream, for her part, remains serious and calm. The guards on their own part look at them somewhat suspiciously, though they soon seem to lower their defenses.
"Very good. But be careful, there is an intruder in the castle and the entire guard is looking for him. If you notice anything suspicious you should report it immediately."
At the mention of an intruder, Rarity sweats some more, while Daydream scowls. However, she doesn't avoid noticing the moment the guard behind them approaches and begins to inspect her.
"So you're new huh? That explains why I've never seen you."
Daydream remains serious, but suddenly she has a rather cheerful look and smile. "Oh yeah! I arrived earlier today, I have wanted to be able to serve your highness for a long time."
The sudden attitude makes Rarity shocked.
The guard in front speaks again. "Whatever you do, you better take care of yourself. As far as we know this intruder is dangerous, he has been able to circumvent security so far."
"oh I'm fine. I'm not afraid." Out of nowhere, Daydream walks over and leans against the guard next to him with a flirtatious look. "why would I fear? having such strong, brave and handsome guards here, protecting me."
The guard turns red and nervous.
"Because, if there were danger, you would come to protect me, right, handsome?" When she says that phrase, she blinks quickly and flirtatiously, while stroking the guard's chin.
"I, of course! Of course! after all, that's my job as a guard."
The steed speaks, puffing up his chest and in a presumptuous pose. His partner rolls his eyes.
"Oh I feel so safe with stalions like you here to take care of me."
One of the guards is so full of sudden ego, while the other seems full of others' shame, so much so that neither notice the moment when Daydream lights her horn, catches the guard next to her in her magic and throws him against the other.
Rarity is terrified, even more so when Daydream's magic grabs both guards by the head and smashes them, causing them both to be unconscious.
"Fuckers." Speaks she to the guards now out of combat, and quickly look at the unicorn. "You! Help me here."
Rarity just gets more terrified.
~O~o~O~o~O~
The guards, stripped of their armor, are wrapped in blankets that are tightened together, leaving a kind of fabric cocoon.
Rarity and Daydream are seen in one of the castle rooms, totally dark.
"Nightmare Moon is going to kill us! SHE IS GOING TO KILL US!"
Daydream walks over and holds out one of the guards' armor.
"She will if you don't stop yelling. Now put this on or I'll put it on your-"
~O~o~O~o~O~
Only a few minutes later, the two unicorns, now dressed in the armor of the guards, return to the hall.
If Rarity was scared before, now she wouldn't stop shaking with every step she took. "I'm dead. This is how I got... today is my last day... there are so many things I could never do... I could never open my boutique in Canterlot. I could never find my ideal prince. I couldn't even find my special talent..."
Daydream growls. "Ugh had to kidnap the most complaining maid. The less you talk and the more you walk, the sooner we will leave this place. So hurry up."
There is no major setback as they both go through the castle, and finally arrive at the main door, from where they can go outside.
After taking the first steps, Daydream is surprised. The city, like the castle, is submerged in night gloom.
The streets are only illuminated by scattered lanterns, and the lights of each house and building in the city. Despite the darkness, there are many ponies walking the streets. They are seen going back and forth between the different venues and shops, which are open to the public.
Through the streets and the skies you can see dozens of guards, guarding the entire city. There are several winged ones that stay in high points, vigilant.
"I thought it was early morning. Why are so many ponies awake?"
"When she rose to power, Nightmare Moon ordered that everypony will now have a nightlife. Active at night, you can only sleep during the day..."
"Didn't you say this was an eternal night?"
Rarity remains silent, just nodding her head slightly.
"… for a corrupt goddess she has a sense of humor. Now Walking."
She starts to walk, but Rarity stays where she is.
"What?! Where do you want to go now?!"
"To the train station. You say that the city is always active so it will surely be working now. We will leave the city."
"WE?! Why do you include me in your plans?! You're already out of the castle, what do you want from me now?!"
"The guard will still be looking for me, I won't be safe until I'm out of town. If things get too bad, I can take you hostage."
Such an explanation leaves the white unicorn stunned and annoyed. "hostage?! It's that you- you're a-… you're a horrible pony, did you know that?!"
"Meh, I've been told worse things."
"Don't even think I'll continue with you! You have damaged me enough! I will not follow your stupid ideas!"
She turns her back on Daydream and frowns. However Daydream only smirks.
"I don't think you are in a position to choose. You have already become involved with me, and if you return to the castle the guards will look for you. Not being able to tell them where I have gone they will consider you a traitor. They will lock you up and you will have no way to defend yourself."
There is silence. The words of the yellow unicorn bring tears to her, hostage.
Rarity turns and looks at Daydream with hurt but angry eyes as she speaks to him in an equal voice. "Why are you doing this to me?! I don't even know you! Why do you come out of nowhere and ruin my life! You have no idea what it took me to get here! What I had to endure to have a decent life…!"
"Yeah? Well join the club Madam. Guess what, you're not the only one who's had a bad life. And you better learn, that if you want something better, you must take it! Nopony will give you what you want, or what you deserve." As she speaks she approaches the other mare almost threateningly. "I have endured and waited a lot for this day. I will get what I deserve and no one, not even Nightmare Moon is going to stop me."
"Hey you two!" A voice is heard approaching.
A guard from outside has seen them and is now approaching them. Rarity is terrified and tries to hide using Daydream as a wall, she stays on her back so as not to be seen by the guard.
"What do you think you are doing? You can't leave your rounds and chat."
Daydream's back is still turned but begins to speak, imitating a deeper voice. "yes, yes! We are on our way. You, walk, now."
The last thing she says to Rarity, while giving her a gentle push, to make her walk. Thus both begin to walk, although the guard who sees them seems unsure.
~O~o~O~o~O~
As both unicorns walk the streets. It can see the ponies walking around hurriedly, many of them are tired. There are a couple of ponies that return home looking almost asleep, others instead leave their homes and must suppress a yawn before leaving. In business it see employees, apparently swapping places with other newcomers. But what stands out the most is the presence of guards everywhere. Whether walking the streets or flying high, the guards keep an eye on every pony around.
"This place is full of guards. But they don't seem to be looking for me. It's like everyone is being watched." Says Daydream intrigued.
"Nightmare Moon's orders were for all ponies to be under surveillance. The ponies cannot do anything without the express authorization of the queen, and the guard ensures that no one is in the streets outside their allowed hours."
"Wow, that girl has problems."
The conversation ends. The rest of the way both mares are careful not to get too close to other guards. Other ponies at see them walks away on their own, apparently afraid of the armor they wear.
The train station is already very close, and Rarity decides to speak.
"Um, no offense but, what is your plan now? The guards cannot take the train and, the ponies cannot board without express permission and an advance reservation of at least six hours..."
Daydream when hearing that stops, she notes thoughtfully. After that and making sure there are no ponies nearby, she uses her magic and takes off the helmet, then the rest of the armor and throws everything in some nearby bushes.
"I'll think of something, for now, take off the armor and follow me."
Daydream begins to walk, and Rarity can only sigh, then do as she was told, removing the helmet and the rest of the armor.
None realized, that their action is seen by a guard who watches them from a distance, and in the shade.
Being close to the station, Daydream stops, Rarity also behind her.
"What happens?"
Daydream watches the place carefully. She notices how the ponies buy their tickets by presenting an identification, and when they get on the train they present a document. She remains thoughtful, inspecting the place and everypony's actions.
Rarity doesn't speak or do anything while looking at her, concerned. Suddenly, she gasps when she feels herself being caught from behind. "Let me go!"
The scream immediately makes Daydream turn around, she sees the white unicorn being held by a guard, who is holding a moon-shaped dagger over the mare's throat in the fold of his hoof.
"Something told me that you were not part of the guard. Who are you and what are your plans? Any act of rebellion is a crime before our ruler.""
"No please! I didn't want…!"
"Silence! You will speak in front of the night court."
Rarity starts crying and trying to excuse herself, but the guard shuts her down by threatening her neck, then looks at Daydream.
"You! Get on your knees and lower your horn to the ground. Obey or your partner will suffer the consequences."
Daydream remains in a defensive pose, looking seriously at the guard. Rarity looks at her pleadingly.
"Daydream… please… help me…"
Looking at the guard and his hostage, Daydream is serious, angry, slowly lowers her body, and bows her head, to the point that her horn almost touches the ground.
The guard begins to approach, using only his hind legs to advance while holding Rarity with his forelegs.
Daydream suddenly speaks. "Rarity do me a favor."
"W-What ...?"
"... Close your eyes."
Rarity is puzzled, even more so when Daydream's horn begins to glow. This makes the white unicorn react and she closes her eyes tightly. The guard is unable to react before Daydream's horn casts an intense light that leaves him blinded.
Unable to see, the guard loosens his grip on Rarity, she senses this and immediately lets go, the next thing the guard feels is a smack to the face followed by a kick to the torso.
He falls to the ground and despite not being able to see, if he distinguishes a flash that leaves him unconscious.
Daydream sees the now unconscious guard on the ground, turns to Rarity and she rubs her eyes before opening them and realizing what happened.
"… Are we dead…?"
Daydream just rolls her eyes before looking at the guard on the ground, then the station, and then she has an idea. "I don't think you have a marker handy, do you?"
Rarity doesn't seem to hear her, but from somewhere she had pulled out a small mirror, which had an eyeliner that she was now using to fix her makeup. When she notices Daydream looking at her, she asks. "What?"
~O~o~O~o~O~
The yound steed behind the box office is shocked when a guard appears in front of him.
"Uhum! Attention worker, I need two train tickets, this is an urgent matter that must be attended to."
The guard speaks, although his voice sounds strange, and he does not seem to be moving his lips.
"I understand, but I will need the identification to find the reservation of the tickets." The ticket pony responds.
"There are no reservations. It is an emergency trip and it cannot wait. It's a direct order from Queen Nightmare."
"I'm sorry, but the law requires me not to let anyone board without an advance reservation."
Suddenly the guard approaches, placing his face right in front of the ticket pony. "You are not understanding me. I have two ponies that must board right now, under the command of His Holy Highness. If you does not obey orders, you will have to answer to Queen Nightmare herself, and explain why you refuses to follow her command."
If the ticket boiler wasn't scared, he would have questioned why the guard has such black eyes, and why he doesn't blink.
"Y-Yes sir… where… exactly?"
Without the ticket holder being able to see her, it is Daydream who is crouched out of sight, and holding the inert body of the guard in her magic. Imitating a deep voice, she answers. "Uhum, Ponyville."
~O~o~O~o~O~
The train begins to march, slowly it is moving away from the station.
From one of the carriages, Rarity watches the city from the window. Her face looks downcast, sad, and extremely worried.
"Stop worrying." Says the yellow unicorn sitting next to her." From here there is no way they will find us."
"... that's not what worries me..."
Daydream looks at her curiously, but Rarity doesn't say more. She just sighs, and falls into her seat.
For a moment there is a deep silence. Until Rarity speaks again. "And… what now…?"
Daydream takes a few moments "Well, I'll look for the Elements of Harmony. You, I think I no longer need you, so you can do what you like."
The answer does not seem to cheer, nor calm the white unicorn. Silence returns, until she speaks once again. "Hey… thanks, for helping me there."
Daydream looks at her curious.
"When the guard caught me. Actually, I thought you would escape or something. But you saved me. I… well, thanks for that."
Daydream shrugs "meh, don't think I did it for you. If I let you get caught, you could have caused me trouble. Also, that guy wasn't going to hurt you, he just wanted to scare us."
"Why do you say it? It seemed very serious to me ..."
"Nah, I saw it in his eyes, he wouldn't have done anything to you even if I attacked him or ran away."
After saying that, she falls silent and leans back on the seat and closes her eyes to rest. Rarity looks at her, still unconvinced, but doesn't argue.
"Well, still... thanks, Daydream."
The yellow pony slightly opens one eye and then closes it again while speaking. "Sunset Shimmer."
"Excuse me?"
"Sunser Shimmer." Repeat the fyrie mane. "That's my name. I just made up that other one at the time. My name is Sunset Shimmer and you should not forget it.
"Oh! Um, well then, thanks, Sunset Shimmer."
The conversation ends, Sunset just lies down, not asleep, but resting. After looking at the window once more, seeing the city of Canterlot shrink in the distance, Rarity breathes one more sigh, and then imitates her partner, registering on the seat, she does as if to fall asleep.
The train just continues on its way, moving away and taking several travelers inside, including unicorns.
~O~o~O~o~O~
In the city, inside the royal castle. Inside a great hall, a sinister throne hidden by the dim light can hardly be distinguished, made of platinum-plated glass, decorated with sinister wings, above it had openings that almost look like blades, and at the top, the design of a growing moon accompanied by an ethereal wave.
And sitting on that throne, is a pony much taller than any other, fur so black that it seems to merge with the darkness itself, only her crystalline celestial armor and her sharp eyes of the same tone are noticeable enough to denote her presence.
There is a guard who introduces himself and stops in front of the throne, not daring to see the one on the throne from the front, he begins to speak.
"Your Royal Highness… I'm afraid we have news. An intruder infiltrated the castle, and now… I'm afraid… she's escaped…"
Such words cause the pony on the throne to spread her dark wings, as if it were a sign of threat. The guard immediately leans in and closes his eyes as he trembles in fear.
"What kind of insolent pony has the nerve to break into my palace?!"
To the great terror of the guard, the pony leaves her throne and walks down the steps to face him.
"Standing! You, waster."
The guard obeys and swallows hard in fear as he directs his terrified gaze at the dark pony.
She lights up her horn, as black as the darkness itself, and touches the guard's forehead.
In seconds her mind is filled with visions of a yellow fur unicorn, whose mane and tail are red with yellow stripes, and a white unicorn with purple mane and tail.
Once finished, she raise her head and look at the guard. "Who is this deluded one that dares to challenge me?"
"I-I don't know your majesty. Nopony knows, although... one of them seems to answer to the name of... Daydream..."
"Daydream. And you let her escape, you are useless! Call the general immediately, and get out of my sight NOW!"
She yell the last word and the effect is the guard flee in terror as he stumbles over his own hooves until he leaves the room.
The dark pony is left alone in the place, angry, and thoughtful.
Just minutes later, another pony appears in the great hall and bows to the pony who has returned to her throne. Unlike the guards, this pony wears firmer armor, which covers more of the body. The armor is also deep black in color.
"I am here your highness, have you asked to see me?" That pony speaks, with a feminine but raspy voice, and bows to the tallest one.
"General, I have been informed that the castle has received a visit from an intruder."
"Well a pony did it. And if she could do that, she is no ordinary pony." As she speaks, she begins to descend again, to stand in front of the general. "I have a strange feeling about this pony. I feel like she can become a real nuisance. That is why YOU are going to hunt her down. I want you to move your troops and not rest until they find her, and bring her before me!
The general raises her front leg in obedience, and when she lowers it she asks a question. "Who is this pony? Your Highness."
As before, the tallest pony touches the general's forehead with her horn, this time it is she who implants the appearance of unicorns in the mind of the other.
"I trust you will accomplish this mission, General Rainbow Dash."
The general removes her helmet, revealing her face, her pink eyes, her cyan fur, and her rainbow mane, which she wears close-cropped.
The train finally reaches its destination, slowly stopping at a quaint town station.
The feeling that it stops, draws the attention of Sunset Shimmer, she seeing through the window and see that they have arrived at the station, proceeds to shake her head and shake off her laziness, before turning to her companion, apparently asleep.
"Hey, uh, how was...? Rare Icy, Rare Icy wake up, we are here."
The white unicorn gives a slight moan, lifts her head and allows herself a slight yawn, with her eyes still closed she speaks softly.
"My name is 'Rarity'." She corrects while lightly rubbing her eyes and standing up.
Meanwhile Sunset had already stood up and allowed herself to stray from her body, removing the numbness.
Rarity stands up. "Mmh, I don't usually sleep on trains like that... I hope it doesn't hurt my skin."
"Lets go, we have to go down before something else happens."
With that said, Sunset starts walking, but stops as soon as Rarity speaks to himer again.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you. But you should know that when a pony gets off a train, it must present its travel permit, which of course we don't have. So... what exactly are you planning to do?"
At the explanation, Sunset must stop to think, for a moment.
~O~o~O~o~O~
It can see the glow and feel the heat of the flame as the train catches fire. Of course the ponies around them start to run in terror while the guards of the place try to drive them away from the place in a calm way, which they only half achieve.
Rarity sees the fire from the distance, on the road that leads to the town, her eyes reflect astonishment, and some fear, as she turns to her forced partner, who is also looking at the fire, without any real emotion on her face.
"You, have, problems."
"Yes, tell me something I don't know."
The amber fur pony speaks before turning and walking into town.
Outside of a few ponies curiously watching the fire at the station, the town is mostly quiet.
Just like in Canterlot, the ponies come and go through the streets, there are ponies in police uniforms walking, but they are far fewer than the security that was in Canterlot. And Sunset notices that
"Security here is lower than in Canterlot. It will be easier to move."
"But I remind you, that we still have no documentation. So if an officer catches us, we will end up in detention."
"Meh I've already evaded the law for five years. You just have to keep a low profile and know how to move." Almost at the end of her sentence, a growl from her stomach is heard. "... I think all the confusion woke my stomach. ... hey, you don't have any money on hand, do you?"
"Excuse me? You kidnap me, you make me a illegal mare, you force me to leave the place where I live and now you want me to buy you something to eat?"
"Okay okay, I get the hint." There is a momentary silence. "Well, outside of Canterlot I don't need you. You can leave if you want. From here I can continue on my own."
With that said, she begins to walk somewhat hurriedly, entering the town.
Rarity stays in place, watching Sunset lose herself among the ponies...
~O~o~O~o~O~
A quaint little bakery in town, a sign outside names it 'Sugar Cube Corner'.
Inside, it can see the mostly empty space, just a few tables, each with a single occupant.
The ponies that work there, a mare with pastel light blue fur, a little plump, her mane and tail pink, looks like pastry cream, albeit a little droopy, and both look a bit disheveled. She is wearing an apron while using a mop to clean the place. While a dull yellow stallion, orange tail and mane. He looks somewhat older, with a poorly shaved beard, he stays behind the counter. Both are quite tired while working.
On one of the tables is Sunset, a half-eaten slice of banana cake on the table. She takes a spoon into her magic as she chews a bit, and swallows.
The mare while cleaning next to Sunset's table, draws a tired smile and speaks softly. "Do you need something else dear?"
Sunset swallows her bite and thinks for a second before responding. "A cup of coffee, just a little milk and sugar."
"Make it two."
The third voice makes them both turn. It's Rarity, who looks serious, but ignores the gaze of both mares, and sits at the same table as Sunset, in front of her.
"And some cinnamon buns please."
The working mare just smiles and nods. Although when she leaves, her expression of fatigue is seen again.
Sunset just looks at Rarity, with slight surprise, she remains silent, with a somewhat serious expression. "I thought you would go."
Rarity purses her lips and looks away from the amber pony. "I was about to do it, but I realized, that with everything you have done you have made me a fugitive. I have no place to go and even if I tried, I would most likely end up in prison."
Sunset listens to her, but doesn't stop eating her cake as she does so. Close your eyes but still pay attention to white.
"If I go on my own I won't last one day. And although walking with you is by no means a favorable option… it's better than being imprisoned. … Also if I am caught I prefer that they catch you too."
The latter is said as a whisper, but Sunset manages to hear it and far from getting angry, she lets out a laugh that forces her to stop chewing. After swallowing, she sees the other mare with a knowing smile. Rarity cannot help but respond with the same smile, and it is then that the local stalion appears with a tray on his back that brings two coffees and a small plate of buns.
~O~o~O~o~O~
Rarity leaves a few bits on the counter, and the steed takes them thanking her. The unicorn gives him a smile before leaving the store, rejoining her forced companion.
"How much money do you have exactly?" Sunset asks when they meet again.
"Now, just a couple of bits. My money was kept in my room, in the castle. But how a certain pony kidnapped me" She says this looking contemptuously at the other. "I couldn't take any of my belongings. I only have my purse with some emergency bits."
Sunset frowns slightly at him. "Jm, I should have thought better about money before we left Canterlot."
With that said she starts walking, and Rarity follows her.
"Just out of curiosity. If you didn't have money, exactly how were you going to pay for what you just ate?"
"Meh, I was considering using a sleep spell on the owners, and sneaking away. Although it might not have been necessary, those two looked like they could fall asleep at any moment."
As she gives such an explanation Rarity looks at her contemptuously and stops to speak. "You know, I have lived in Canterlot and dealt with quite pedantic ponies for years. But I have never met such a despotic and unscrupulous pony as you."
Sunset also stops and turns her head slightly while giving her a dismissive look. "Yeah, well don't worry, you don't need to put up with me much longer. Once I have the elements of harmony in my possession, I can overthrow that petty princess and fulfill my plan."
"You mention those element things again. Assuming they exist, do you at least have any idea where they are?"
While they continue their talk, they resume their walk through the town.
"Well, if they aren't in Canterlot Castle, there is only one other place they can be. The old royal castle, where Celestia lived before she went to Canterlot."
"Old castle? Is there another castle? And where would it be exactly?"
"Somewhere deep in the Everfree Forest."
Hearing that freezes the white unicorn in place.
"The Ev-erfree Fo-Forest?! Are you crazy pony?! Everfree Forest is the-"
"The most dangerous place in Equestria, yeah, everyone knows that."
"And you're still going there ?! Do you have any idea what you're talking about ?! That place is not natural! Plants grow without the help of earth ponies and clouds move without being touched by pegasus! Besides there are beasts and animals savages and terrifying creatures!"
Sunset gives a tired look. "Girl, I don't need you to give me a first grade class from the place. I already know all that."
"And you still intend to go?!"
"I must, I must find the elements to overthrow Nightmare Moon."
With that, she resumed her walk, heading out of town. Rarity, on the other hand, remains static in her place.
"Yeah? Well, you know what ?! I take back what I said! If you are going there, you will go alone! For no reason will I accompany you to that terrifying place!"
Sunset pauses for just a moment to reply "It's fine by me. You'd be dead weight anyway."
And without further ado, Rarity sees the unicorn with the fiery mane walk away. She snorts, turns around indignantly, but as she does so, she notices a lunar guard squad landing in the middle of town, and immediately the winged and ground guards begin to order each pony around to get closer.
The pearl pony looks terrified, she looks between the guards, at Sunset in the distance, at the guards, at Sunset ...
"Sunset! Wait for me…!"
~O~o~O~o~O~
The darkness of the town, or the city, did not compare with the sinister gloom of the lush forest. The slightly humid earth and the vegetation dull the sound of hooves as the two unicorns walk into the site.
While Sunset remains calm, and somewhat serious, Rarity cannot be calm, looking everywhere fearing each strange shadow, that is, all, that are on the road.
"Su-Sunset ... is it really necessary to go to that place ...? Will there be ... another place where you can look for those magical elements?"
"The only place I can think of is the ancient castle of Celestia. As far as I know, she lived there before her first battle against Nightmare Moon. Battle that had to be in that place, so it is the only place where she could have kept them."
The explanation falls on deaf ears as Rarity is actually not listening. A series of sounds force her to hurry her step and get closer until she almost sticks with the other unicorn, who when noticing this rolls her eyes.
"If you didn't want to come, you should have stayed in town."
"I didn't want to deal with the moon guards.… Although now I think I'm regretting it…"
Suddenly a sound is heard and Rarity clings to Sunset. "what was that?!"
"a bird." Sunset responds
There is another sound and Rarity hides on the other side of Sunset. "what was that?!"
"a frog…"
After another sound the white unicorn hugs the amber's neck. "what was that?!"
"A branch!" In annoyance she pushes the white unicorn away and looks at her with a frown. "For the love of Faust! Can you calm down ?! In case you don't know, the creatures here are capable of smelling fear. And the more afraid you are, the easier it will be for them to find you, and hunt you down."
She says this with a slightly gloomy voice and a severe tone, scaring the other.
"So you have to stay calm if you don't want to be eaten."
With that she resumes her walk, with a bit of a hurry, while the other remains seated on the floor, processing what was said.
"ha ha ... yes, right ... of course! I'm not afraid! no! Why I would be afraid of a dark gloomy forest ... or the murderous creatures that live in it ...? who is afraid ?! I'm not of course not!"
Repeat to herself as she walks behind the amber unicorn. Sunset for her part follows her walk while speaking to herself.
"With that either stop acting silly or run away and leave me alone. Both options benefit me."
~O~o~O~o~O~
The walk continued uneventful, except for the constant murmur of Rarity trying, and failing, to convince herself that she wasn't scared. Sunset managed to ignore her voice and stay focused on the road. That was, until she herself heard a singular sound.
"Well, I was Nightmare Moon's servant, they won't think that I have something left to fear-"
Her sentence is cut short as Sunset basically stamps her helmet on her mouth to shut her up. He even gives her a hush sign while looking at her seriously and then looking around.
Rarity with her mouth covered can only stand still, sweating in fear as her constricted pupils try to see the surroundings for any sign of danger, one that stands out from the already standard signs of a dark and gloomy forest.
There is a deep silence in the place, but very slight sounds, growls, are soon heard. And then you see bright green spots in the bushes.
"Timberwolves."
A gasp is hear from Rarity from Sunset's hoof, and at that very moment, canine-looking beings emerge from the trees and plants, their bodies made entirely of branches, trunks and leaves.
The pearl unicorn manages to exclaim her cry when the amber removes her hoof to land with force on the ground and launch magical rays against the wolves, breaking them and turning them into branches that fall inert to the ground.
"Run!"
Orders the fiery mane one and does the same, being followed by the other unicorn, both followed by the timber wolves from behind, who growl and roar after them.
Sunset frowns and turns, Rarity follows along, and Sunset charges magic into her horn, thus launching a very powerful magical beam that repels several wolves. Ahead Rarity continues running, but suddenly some wolves jump in front of her, that makes her force herself to stop, stumble, and fall to the ground.
"SUNSET!"
She screams for help, the amber unicorn turns to see her, this allows a wolf that was chasing them to jump on her and leave her on the ground. Sunset looks scared when the wooden canine roars in her face, yet she overcomes her fear and gets angry.
"I didn't go through puberty twice to become dog food!"
With that she teleports out from under the wolf, puzzling him, reappears from behind, and this time charges a fire magic on her horn, which allows her to launch a fireball that when hitting the wolf disarms it and burns its branches. .
Rarity remains on the ground being threatened by the approaching wolves. She covers her face with her hooves and trembles.
"I'm going to die I'm going to die I'm going to die..."
A series of fireballs drive the wolves away from the unicorn.
"If you can't attack at least throw rocks or something at them!"
"I wasn't made for fighting! I WANTED TO MAKE DRESSES!"
The amber unicorn approaches and stays next to the pearl one, she is still on the ground without daring to look up from her hooves. Sunset keeps fire magic on her horn as she watches the wolf pack come closer and closer.
Suddenly, from the sky, ceramic jars begin to rain which, when breaking, spill an opaque and oily liquid, then small bags made of leaves are seen falling, which when hitting the ground release a series of sparks that ignite that liquid, creating a wall of fire that drives the wolves back.
Sunset is puzzled, even Rarity dares to look up.
"Come here!"
A voice yells and they both see a strange silhouette behind some trees.
"Don't waste time! Hurry!"
That silhouette yells and then proceeds to run through the trees. Both unicorns are puzzled, but when Sunset heeds the command, Rarity follows her. For a few minutes, the shadowy silhouette runs among the trees and plants of the place, with the unicorns following as closely as they can.
Is Rarity who has the most trouble, tripping a few times and falling behind. So she loses sight of Sunset and the other pony. She walks fearfully around the place, trying to find something, and suddenly a kind of cane comes out of a shadow in a tree and pulls it, making it disappear into the darkness.
~O~o~O~o~O~
Rarity gives a scream that is silenced by a hoof.
"stop screaming."
Sunset's voice commands, Rarity instantly shuts up, and says something, but is not understood by the helmet in her mouth. It is when her mouth is released that she can speak.
"Where we are?"
Sunset narrows her eyes. "I think you have to ask our host."
She turns around, but the darkness of the place makes it impossible to see anything, a hooded silhouette is barely distinguishable in the dark.
Sunset gets defensive. "Who are you? What do you intend to do with us?"
"In silence we must remain, for the wood hunters have not yet left."
The phrase confuses both of them, but they remain silent when they hear howls close to where they are. There is a series of growls and roars around, Sunset remains calm, but very serious. Rarity, on the other hand, trembles with fear and bites her lip to keep from making noise. As for its apparent host, it is impossible to know.
Finally the growls seem to recede, and after being all silent, the host speaks again.
"The wolves have retreated, now we are saved."
Both unicorns look at their apparent host, and is Sunset who takes the floor seriously.
"Very well you owe us answers. First, who are you? Second, why did you help us? And the one that interests me most now, where are we?"
There is a momentary silence before the host responds.
"I will answer what you ask, because I have nothing to hide. As for where you are, that's simple" To the surprise of both ponies, the host moves her hoof, forming a small spark, which lights a candle, and suddenly, many more candles in the place are lit in unison, bathing the place in light. "Because is where I lives."
Already with light it is distinguished that they are inside a large tree, decorations and strange-looking masks cover walls and hang from the ceilings. Shelves and holes in the bark hold bottles and jars each loaded with different liquids, there are objects that resemble furniture, tables and chairs around the place.
"Why I help you is simple too, is that it was the right thing to do."
Both unicorns distinguish their host, an apparently pony, clad in a brown tunic that only reveals its muzzle and hooves.
"And for my presentation to end." It is then, that the hood is removed, revealing her face, a light grayish fur, with much darker stripes and a spot on its snout. Her mane is elongated, combed straight, in white and black. "Zecora, is my name."
The two unicorns are still somewhat lost for the present moment. Zecora completely removes her robe, leaving it hanging from a coat rack on the wall. Without her, her body is distinguishable, her pale grayish fur adorned with stripes along her entire body, on her neck and on her right leg, ornaments of golden rings, combining with the large earrings in her ears. And on its side, a symbol is a spiral that almost simulates a sun.
Sunset is very intrigued to see her. "... what's someone like you doing in the Everfree Forest?"
"My reasons for living here are useless to you. But that I can help you solve your problems I am sure. It's not common to see ponies in this land, if you are lost I can show you the path."
Sunset looks suspicious, but responds quickly. "We are not lost, at all. We came here to find Celestia's ancient palace."
"To what was a castle and now are only ruins, it's not a destination that just anypony seeks. If that's what you want, I won't complain, but it won't be easy to get there"
"Listen, are you going to keep talking like that?"
Rarity takes Sunset's case lightly "oh Sunset will you allow me?"
The white unicorn takes the other one and turns her to speak both without Zecora hearing them.
"Are you sure you want to trust her? I know she saved us but, she lives in Everfree! Nothing that lives in Everfree can be good. She is also a very strange pony, just… look at those stripes. So garish."
Sunset has to roll her eyes at her companion's complaints. "First Rarity, make this clear, I don't trust ANYONE. I don't even trust you."
Such a revelation seems to surprise the white unicorn.
Sunset keeps talking. "Second, she is not a pony, she is a zebra, they are a tribe that lives in lands very far from Equestria. And just so you know, stripes are not a fashion choise, they're what she was born with!"
And that revelation upsets the pearly unicorn to the point of gasping for breath and then passing out. Sunset just shakes her head and turns her attention back to the zebra.
"I can guide you if you want to get to the castle. If you know how to walk the road is safer."
"Thanks, but we don't need you." Sunset responds with some indifference. "Well, surely Rarity needs, but I'm fine on my own." With that said, Sunset walks in the direction of the door that appears to be the exit. "Thanks for your help but I'm leaving now."
Sunset opens the door and is about to leave, when Zecora's voice stops her.
"It's dangerous to be so proud. In that way you will not achieve your goal."
"You underestimate me. I am not like any pony you may have seen before."
"Being different is not being better. And being fearless will not way to a road safer."
"Can you stop talking like that?! It is annoying."
Zecora pays no attention, instead she takes a saddlebag, and a rod decorated with feathers. And with them she goes out the door. "In that direction the wolves have gone, alternating the path is our best choise. Let there be no fear and let's go."
With that said she begins to walk. Sunset moans annoyed but follows her, and murmurs under her breath.
"When I conquer Equestria, the first thing I'll do is ban the zebras."
Both are moving away, while inside the cabin, Rarity reacts, gets up somewhat dizzy, and the first thing she sees is a strange mask on the wall right in front of her face. Such sight frightens her and forces her to run away from the place to catch up with the others. Curiously, the door of the cabin closes by itself behind her.
"Wait for meeeeeee!"
~O~o~O~o~O~
Time passes as the three mares walk past trees and brush. Zecora is the one who leads the trio through the place in an almost natural way, Sunset behind her, it costs her a bit, but she overcomes them by breaking branches and stomping, it is Rarity who has more problem and is lagging behind, forcing herself to hurry the step to reach them.
"Are you sure you know the way? Why does it seem to me that you are stray." Sunset asks her apparent guide, and after about two seconds of asking, she becomes concerned, and frustrated. "Ah shit! It's contagious."
She gives herself a light slap and shakes her head.
"You don't need to torment your mind, if we know how to walk, our destination will come to us."
Zecora responds closing her eyes, and extending her cane towards some bushes, to Sunset's surprise, the plants divide making a path from which the silhouette of that castle can be seen, in the distance.
"How the hell did you do that?!"
"The castle is now in sight, let's continue without wasting time."
Saying this, she keeps walking, the now intrigued unicorn follows her closely, while the other unicorn goes further back, silently still doubting her surroundings.
"Hey hey, explain how you did that in the back. You didn't even touch the plants, they just… they moved by themselves! Do you control plants or something?"
"Using the power within is the skill of your race, but mine uses the magic of every natural piece." Stopping her step, Zecora lifts a rock from the ground in her hoof. "Every plant, animal, even a rock that maybe you can't see, has a source of magic, within it."
To Sunset's surprise, the small rock on Zecora's hoof gives off an ephemeral glow for less than a second, only visible in the gloom of the place.
"You seek to control your inner strength, while I seek the power of the forest with respect. Therein lies the difference between me and your race."
Finishing her explanation, Zecora resumes her walk, and after processing what she seems to have learned, Sunset follows her more determined. Rarity by her side is still confused and scared.
"Is that why you are here? Sunset asks suspiciously. "Did you come to Everfree to master its magic and become more powerful?"
Although she says it as a question, in her tone of voice she seems to be affirming her prayer.
"I didn't come to this land to dominate, I came to learn. It's something that I hope one day you'll understand."
"What do you mean I'll understand?"
Their pace becomes firmer as they advance.
"Your future may be bright, but not if you continue on this side."
"What side?! What are you talking about?"
"I can see in your aura what you seek and want, only misfortune you will find on that path"
"You do not know anything about me!"
"I don't need to know it, just see what you aura show me."
Sunset can't say anything, because Zecora points her face forward, and there it is, turned into ruins, the moss, the cracks, the total lack of brightness denotes the punishment of time. What remains of what was apparently once a majestic castle.
Sunset looks at the place, then at her guide, doubts present in her mind, but decides not to say anything, and just moves on.
"Sunset Shimmer." Call Zecora.
"What now?" Sunset exclaims frustrated.
"Remember my words, a victory alone is an empty goal."
Sunset seems extremely frustrated listening to her. "I DON'T NEED YOUR STUPID ADVICE!"
She yells in growing fury, surprising the white unicorn, but the shaman is unfazed.
"I don't need anyone to tell me what to do! I'm perfectly on my own!"
Not wanting to argue further, Sunset just hurries her trot toward the castle, and enters.
Rarity seeing her can't help but worry, Zecora by her side, closes her eyes, and then turns around and starts to retreat.
"H-hey! Wait! Where are you going?"
"My mission was to bring her here. What happens next doesn't depend on me."
Rarity tries to question, but then a strong wind starts blowing, it brings leaves from the trees that blur her vision, and before she knew it, Zecora had disappeared ...
Seeing herself alone in the place, the unicorn can only continue to endure her growing fear, and trots to the castle to catch up with the other.
~O~o~O~o~O~
Far away from there, in the great city where the queen of this eternal night resides ...
Sitting on her throne, Nightmare Moon appears to be resting, her eyes closed. Her motionless body seems to be devoid of any trace of life.
That is, until her sharp blue eyes widen in slight surprise, and anger. Her cold and sinister voice pronounces.
"... that pony, has reached the Elements of Harmony."
The endless night remains permanently drawn high in the sky, covering in a gloomy cloak everything that comes into view.
This gloom is only reinforced in the middle of a feared and renowned forest, more even in the ancient ruins of what promises to have been a majestic castle.
This is what the pearl-furred unicorn looks at, unable to see anything beyond her own nose. Her white fur is hardly a ghost in the darkness of the place.
This changes when a light is turned on in front of her, is the unicorn with amber fur and mane of fire, who illuminates her horn with an intense light, enough to remove the shadows and let her see the place.
The interior of the castle does nothing more than reflect the decay of the exterior of it. Ruins of what is no longer. Barely a few excuses of walls remain standing trying to maintain the shape that the place once had.
There is silence as none of the unicorns speaks, the pearl one approaches her companion feeling as much or even more fear than she has already had during the entire trip.
The other pony just leaves her eyes straight ahead, her attention fully on a structure. A kind of pillar, but very low, at the bottom of which lies a large stone sphere. From its base it gives off 5 extensions, like arms, or bridges, that connect with what could be called bowls, and in each one it carries a stone sphere smaller than the one that lies on top.
A smile is drawn on the amber unicorn, immediately her magic surrounds each object at those points, and with some care but haste, she lifts them. She keeps them in the air for a moment, as if wanting to study them, and finally brings them closer and leaves them in front of her to see them more closely. Her smile only grows, adorned with a certain malice in her eyes.
"Su-Sunset…?"
The voice of her companion makes the amber mare turn slightly, but her smile is still very present.
"what are you ...?"
"Here they are." Sunset responds. "The Elements of Harmony."
As she says this, she turns again to continue seeing those stone spheres, each adorned with a kind of symbol in its center.
"A-Are those ...? I-Is that what you came for? Are you sure…?"
"With this I will defeat Nightmare. And then I can take, what is my right."
Rarity doesn't seem to fully understand the situation, at the same time Sunset is only seemingly lost in thought while observing the elements. Neither of them say anything for a moment, and before Rarity can ask anything more, a wind is blowing through the place.
Both unicorns are altered when they feel the current, Rarity's mane bun ends up unraveling and her mane flies in the wind just like Sunset's. Neither is able to ask anything before shadows rise from the floors, walls and ceiling, gliding through the air in a spiral that centers on the same point at the top.
"WHAT…?! WHAT HAPPENS?! SUNSET?!"
The amber unicorn does not respond, her gaze becomes severe as she sees those shadows unify and take on a shape, an easily recognizable shape. Its totally black image, shades of a dark blue are the only thing that allows it to be distinguished from the darkness. Two intense crystal highlights reflect eyes on her apparent face. Its horn soars high and its great sinister wings spread throughout creating an even darker shadow over both mares if possible.
Sunset keeps looking stern, while Rarity reflects the worst terror on her face.
"NI-NIGHT-… NIGHTMARE MOON!"
The white one screams almost leaving her own soul in her voice as she kneels on the smallest and trembling ball she can.
"… it's not Nightmare Moon." Sunset speaks in a cold, almost whispery voice.
Soon the voice of Nightmare Moon herself echoes through the place.
"BAH HA HA HA HA. YOU FOOLS! Do you think you can just take the Elements of Harmony without me knowing?!"
"Nightmare Moon imbued this place with her magic to make sure no one took the elements. That's a Shadow of Nightmare" Sunset explains, frowning at the reentine apparition.
Rarity's only response to hearing that is to scream and try to run out of the castle, but a curtain of darkness rises over the top of the entire place, obstructing any exit, and enveloping the entire castle in a dome, a bubble made of pure darkness.
Curiously, this causes the interior's own gloom to fade, thus making the place easily visible. Although this does not calm the terror of Rarity who is frozen and paralyzed in the place, trembling more than ever and seems to be about to fall unconscious.
Shadow Nightmare keeps her apparent eye on Sunset, who is not intimidated by her presence.
"Well little pony, do you think you can challenge me? The sovereign of Equestria?!"
"Oh yeah you scare me!" Sunset shouts sarcasm in her voice, then directing the elements into the shadows and smiling superiorly. "I'll see you in hell bitch!"
Sunset's horn glows with an intense celestial flash, and the five elements rotate to point to the shadow, and soon they are covered in the same celestial glow.
Nightmare's shadow flinches back, and Rarity forgets her fear when she sees the elements glow. Security, and a certain malice, are reflected in Sunset's look and smile as she waits for the magic of the elements to unleash.
The light of the five spheres covers the place, but as soon as it started, the light turns off, the five stone spheres stop shining and are only held by Sunset's magic. When she saw what happened, she erased her smile, her face was filled with concern and amazement.
The shadow of Nightmare wastes no time and intons an evil laugh, just before releasing a blast of darkness from its body directly towards the amber unicorn. Sunset is too shocked to react, she flies back from the blow, and the five elements fall to the ground.
"Sunset!" Rarity exclaims and then runs towards her and bows. "Are you okay ?! Does something hurt?"
"gh…! What… what happened? The elements…"
She either finishes asking her question. The shadow laughs evilly again before letting its voice be heard again.
"BHA HA HA HA HA! Did you think you would get here, take the elemets and just win?! STUPID PONY! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO USE THE ELEMENTS!"
Sunset tries to get up. "Use them… ah! I forgot…! this is Equestria, the elements don't release their magic by themselves…! And I don't know how to do it here…" She reproaches herself as she tries to stand up.
Shadow Nightmare smiles. "It's a shame you won't have time to learn."
Again, from the body of the shadow comes a blast of darkness that advances towards both unicorns. Rarity falls backwards and Sunset forces magic on her horn, managing to teleport both of them before the darkness hits them.
They both reappear at the opposite side of the room, but Nightmare's shadow immediately resumes its attack, this time Sunset pushes Rarity to the side and she jumps out of the way, the blast continues long but takes a turn and goes again towards Sunset, thus managing to hit her and crash her against a broken column of the place.
"Sunset!" Rarity exclaims, full of concern.
Sunset gets up and touches her head, hears a noise behind her and when she turns around, she realizes that the column she hit is falling, right towards her. Her pupils contract and she forces herself to teleport again.
The column falls and shatters on the ground. Sunset reappears and her face shows surprise, shock, and the recent fear of nearly being crushed. More before she can recover, the nightmare's shadow approaches from behind her. Sunset turns around, but sees only a black spot approaching until she is completely blinded.
A flurry of shadows crosses Sunset, her body does not seem to receive any damage, but the heartbreaking scream that she exhales shows the strong pain she feels with it. Rarity sitting on the side can not do anything but watch the scene, Sunset's scream alters her and she forces herself to cover her face so as not to witness that scene.
When the attack of those shadows ends, Sunset slowly stops her screaming, and falls to the ground feeling very weak. Nightmare's shadow begins to laugh and remains on the ground, hinting to be staring at the fallen pony.
"Forget it filly! There is no way you can stand up to my power."
Sunset opens her eyes and glares at the shadow, moves her trembling paws, and makes a tremendous effort, barely managing to lift the front of her body.
"And you thought you could use the Elements of Harmony against me." The shadow scoffs. "You're not ready for that kind of power."
Something in that sentence hits Sunset's conscience. Memories come to her head, memories of a princess Celestia staring at her in disappointment.
"You are not ready for that kind of magic."
"You are not ready to understand."
"You are not ready to be a leader."
"You're not ready-"
"You are not ready."
A discharge of force runs through the body of the unicorn and manages to stand up.
"I'm not… ready?" Sunset asks quietly. "I'm not ready?!" Her voice gains strength as she screams. "I'm ready for anything! And you know it!"
Sunset yells in a voice that grows in frustration. Although she doesn't seem to be talking to Nightmare.
"You're just… scared… scared because you know, that I'm better than the rest, that I AM BETTER THAN YOU!"
Both Nightmare's shadow and Rarity look at the fire-mane pony with some bewilderment.
"You are delirious." The shadow speaks.
"I will prove to you that I am better than you!"
Full of determination, she gathers the magic in her horn and then attacks with magic rays in the shadow, the shadow does not move away or block the attacks, they go through it creating holes in its body, plus the shadow only gives an evil laugh and reforms.
"Your magic is weak, it doesn't compare to the power I possess. You are just a little unicorn. You will NEVER have the power in you to stand up to me."
As Nightmare's shadow brags about all of this, Sunset loses the strength she had gathered and falls back down. Still, with her mind a bit calmer, and after hearing the shadow's words, she has a more recent memory, the voice of the zebra, Zecora.
"Using the power within is the skill of your race, but mine uses the magic of every natural piece."
"You seek to control your inner strength, while I seek the power of the forest with respect-."
Focusing on those words, Sunset lights up her horn again.
"HA HA HA HA HA! What an insistence! I would finish you now if I did not find your stubbornness, funny."
The amber pony doesn't listen to her, she keeps focusing her magic, and soon something starts to happen. Rarity is the first to notice, feeling a slight tremor under her hooves.
* O * or * O * or * O *
In the distance, submerged in the darkness of the forest and the night, illuminated only by the small flame of a candle, the zebra that inhabits this wild land seems to be meditating, but it opens its eyes in a hurry when it feels something.
* O * O * O * O * O *
A light but constant wind begins to blow from the forest. Soon there is a slight flash coming from every corner of Everfree, it travels through the land and trees.
What could be described as a bright green ring of light, crosses the entire forest, each rock, each river and lake, closing more and more, having in the center the bubble of darkness that covers the old castle.
* O * O * O * O * O *
Sunset continues to force her magic, and Nightmare's shadow does nothing but stare at her, but her attention on the pony shifts when she soon feels something, virtually hitting her barrier of darkness.
* O * O * O * O * O *
From the outside, the ring of light collides with the bubble of darkness and causes a kind of jolt in it, after a few seconds of what seems like a struggle of forces, the ring manages to move over the bubble to its abyss, and there, close by full…
* O * O * O * O * O *
A beam of green light pierces the roof of the castle and falls directly on Sunset's horn.
Rarity is shocked, although her body reacts by hitting the wall. The shadow of Nightmare rises in the air and recoils, his simulated eyes seem to want to reflect astonishment.
Sunset's mane flames, it and her tail dance wildly but harmoniously, as if they were real flames. The green light is focused on her horn and her magic takes on that color. When she opens her eyes they glow pure white and her expression shows effort, anger, pain, and determination.
Nightmare's shadow attacks by launching a dark blast, but Sunset repels it with a beam of light that not only repels the blast but also hits the shadow and the star against a wall, causing it to disintegrate.
Still the shadows move along the walls and rejoin to form a new body, which Sunset repels and destroys again.
They do it again, and again, and repeat. And then Sunset focuses the magic, her horn is surrounded by a sphere of green light that rotates on itself. The castle begins to fill with that green energy. As if it were a liquid, it rises and gets into the place through every hole, opening and crack in the structure.
Sunset's body begins to float and she grits her teeth as the light from her horn grows. Rarity overcomes her surprise, and worried gallops under her and looks at her with fear and concern.
"Sunset!"
The amber unicorn does not hear her, instead she lets out a loud cry and the energy of the castle rises above the floor and walls rising like a pillar of light upwards.
Nightmare's shadow lifts and shakes its paws while singing a scream and disappears.
Rarity just watches as both she and Sunset are consumed by a white burst, and then everything goes black ...
* O * O * O * O * O *
Far from there, submerged in the deep gloom of her living room, Nightmare Moon gives an exclamation and her head shakes in such a way that her helmet falls off, and she bounces down the steps, to the ground.
The night ruler leaves her head on her side, lowers, the darkness of the place almost merging with her face. After a disturbing silence, she opens her blue eyes, and from what could be her mouth, a bright blue thread emerges and falls ...
* O * O * O * O * O *
Somewhere in Equestria, large metal pillars are seen, equipped with cables, which connect to quite large spheres, which generate a whitish light.
This light is what illuminates the apple trees below these towers.
In the distance, a virtually uncountable number of apple trees stretch as far as the eye can see. And all this 'sea' of trees is covered by those pillars and those spheres, which illuminate almost one hectare of them, creating a kind of artificial day.
Along this apple field, its can see dozens, maybe hundreds of ponies moving around. Some collect apples in baskets, others cultivate the surrounding land preparing new crops, there are also others who take care of the farm animals of the place. Cows, pigs, chickens and sheep, among others.
The baskets of apples are carried from one area to another, some are stored in one of the barns of the place. Others are taken to a closed building, inside which are several different machines. One of these turns the apples into juice that is served in bottles, and these are sealed. Another machine does the same, but turning the fruit into mush that is closed in a jar. A more complex one peels the fruit and wraps it in plastic, with a section that cuts it in half, or into pieces, into bars, all closed in preservative plastic wrappers.
The ponies carrying the apples leave their baskets full of apples at the entrance for another pony to collect them, then return to the orchard and repeat the movement.
A kind of motor is heard, followed by a soft horn that immediately catches the attention of every nearby pony, and makes them stop their work to see a vehicle approaching, a kind of float, shaped like a green apple, and so polished that it shines in the light, the entire base is painted gold and decorated with some jewels. This float has a cylinder engine attached to its rear, which allows it to move by itself without having to be pulled.
All the ponies on the farm approach the vehicle, and then the door opens, leaving two unicorns, clearly twins, with pale yellow fur, whose mane and tail are soft red with a white line in the center. Both wear elegant business suits with matching hats, each one can be seen hanging a watch on a chain in his pocket, albeit on opposite sides.
Both unicorns are silent with their hats covering their eyes, their body gesture is serious, almost cold, that, until they both look up in high spirits.
"Good evening Apple family! Here are Flim!"
"And Flam! Your invaluable market partners!"
The ponies around them begin to murmur in a semi-loud voice, with tired and frustrated faces, although among so many voices it is not understood what they are saying. Still this does not lower the good spirits of the twins.
"And we bring you great news!" Says Flim "Trottingham and Manehattan have extended their contract and asked to double the shipment!"
There is a collective response, which is a frustrated wail from all the hardworking ponies.
"Therefore we will need you to double the production of all our products, for the following week!" Announces Flam.
Again there is a moan, and many of the ponies bow their heads wearily, and some in annoyance.
Flim speaks again. "Now we want to know how our majestic 'FlimFlam Sun Night Lamps' are doing."
There is silence while both unicorns seem to wait for an answer, the rest of the ponies look at each other for a moment, until one of them answers, his voice muffled.
"They are very good."
"Fabulous!" Flam exclaims. "Then we will check the rest of the factory. Are you following me, Flim?"
"I follow you Flam!"
Both brothers begin to walk with a firm, energetic step, almost dancing, and all the ponies in the place separate to give them space.
With that the 'reunion' seems to end, as each pony returns to their own work.
This is what a young mare with orange fur does, wearing an earth-colored suit, quite unkempt, which covers her entire body except for her hooves. Her blonde tail is wrapped in a net, like her mane, she also wears a hat that matches that suit, tied with a ribbon.
Her face is rough, her eyelids semi closed over her green eyes, denote fatigue, and at the same time frustration. She walks up to one of the trees which has several empty baskets around her. She turns around, takes a slight look at the trunk, and then raises her hind legs, with a loud bang she shakes the tree and makes all the apples fall into the baskets.
Repeat this action with nearby trees, each of which has baskets prepared underneath. A sigh escapes her as she takes a moment to look up at one of those great spheres of light that illuminate the trees.
After a moment, when she seems to think of something depressing, she goes on with her work. a couple more trees kicked, and when she turns one her expression is filled with astonishment and fear, for a few meters ahead, lying between the apple trees, lie two unconscious mares, and five spherical stones lying on the ground .
The orange pony immediately runs towards them, watches them, gets closer, checks them and moves them a little. Filling with panic, he runs to the farm, leaving both ponies there ...
The little town is now scared. Many ponies run and lock themselves in their houses, shops and other businesses put bars on their doors and windows, a young horse desperately searches for a hiding place, and ends up burying himself in a flower pot in a flower shop.
The only ones that remain still in their places are the ponies that serve as guards and lookouts for the town, but even they are intimidated by the presence of the royal guard in the town.
The guards clad in their black armor, surround a small cake shop, 'Sugar Cube Corner' ...
The army general appears from the sky, and all the guards make a salute pose when she comes down and stands in front of the door of the establishment. The mare in armor raises a hoof, and without regard, opens the door with a loud bang.
Such an act surprises and frightens the two ponies lying behind the counter, the mare and the steed in charge of the business embrace each other, and they look with fear at the guards who point them with spears, and then at the general who approaches them with an extremely serious gesture. Lifting her helmet, she makes the guards at the sides stop pointing their weapons, and hold them at their front, ankles, while standing firm on either side of the pair.
"I am Rainbow Dash, General of the Lunar Guard in the services of our Queen Nightmare Moon. I am in search and caching of two mares who have dared to go against Her Royal Highness."
"W-we don't know anything about two mares ..." The mare speaks with fear.
"Yes, we are just humble pastry chefs ..." The husband supports.
Both ponies speak in fear of the general. She for her part remains serious while slightly raising one of her wings, pulling out two rolls of paper.
"Both ponies were seen by the town, and witnesses claim that they were in this establishment. Speak now!"
With that order, she throws the rolls of paper on the counter, they unfold slightly, each one showing an image of a yellow mare with red and blonde mane, and a white mare with purple mane, both unicorns.
Fearful pastry owners open the rolls a little wider to get a better look. They both embrace in terror when the general's hoof hits the counter.
"Confess! These two were here! What did they want!"
Both ponies are still terrified, it is the mare who gives an answer.
The pastry mare decided to speak. "On-one wanted a banana cake and then asked for coffee, and-and the other had cinnamon buns ..."
The cyan mare snorts through her nose, exhaling nose smoke in anger.
"I-IT'S ALL THEY DID! THEY JUST CAME HERE TO EAT WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEM!"
The pastry mare could not bear the pressure and begins to cry in panic, her husband tries to comfort her but he himself has trouble controlling himself.
"Please we don't know who they are! Really…!" Ask the husband. "They just asked for food and left and we don't know where! It's the truth..."
The general looks defiantly at the pair, the mare still crying desperately and the steed shrinking in on himself and her in an attempt to hide. Finally the general turns and walks to the door to speak to the soldiers outside.
"Search the place! Look for any clues as to the possible whereabouts of the fugitives!"
The soldiers nod and immediately enter the place without an iota of care.
"No please! This is our store! Our home!"
The mare begs and pleads as the guards enter, search under tables, enter the kitchen, and look at drawers and shelves.
"If you are not really in league with those two you have nothing to fear." Explain the general in a serious tone.
Both pastry chefs are not calm, every second they seem more terrified. But still, thay eyes fill with the worst fear when the soldiers come up the stairs.
The mare makes a quick gesture to go for them, but her husband stops her, even so she tries to get away and follow them, the pastry chef must force himself to hold her.
*O*o*O*o*O*
On the upper floor, there is a somewhat small corridor that leads to rooms. It denotes that this part is a home and not a pastry shop. Three doors in total, the soldiers divide to search them. The main bedroom has a bed for both owners of the place and some usual furniture. A second smaller bedroom with a bed and little furniture, seems unoccupied, and somewhat neglected by dust. The last door leads to an extremely wide, but empty room, where there is a staircase which leads to a high platform, the only thing that can be seen are stacked boxes, and sacks of flour, sugar, along with other pastry items. Soldiers search each room quickly but carefully.
After a search of the vacant room, one of the guards returns to the corridor. He starts looking around, and in a moment, he looks up, there he makes out something, there is a section in the ceiling that shows a box, a closer look and he sees a small ring sticking out. He quickly looks around, and soon he makes out a tiny rise in the carpet to their hooves, and as he lifts it, a stick, with a small hook.
*O*o*O*o*O*
The hatch in the attic floor opens, and the folding stairs descend to the floor. Right away a couple of soldiers come up and look around that dark room. The one with a horn uses his magic to light up the place a bit.
Boxes, some old furniture, and many sheets that cover more boxes and objects. The dust, the cobwebs, the damp-covered wooden beams denote the lack of care that the place has suffered for a couple of years.
Without seeing much beyond the obvious, the soldiers seem ready to go, but it is then that there is a sound, a kind of murmur, little by little it seems a voice. Both soldiers appear fidgety, ready to draw their weapons as they look around.
That little voice soon turns into a cry, the cry of a baby, that cry is promptly followed by a second cry. But far from scaring them, they both realize that they are not ghost cries.
They look around, following the sound of both cries, they soon see that it is under a sheet, which is clean, unlike the rest. When removing it there is an old copper, and when opening this ...
*O*o*O*o*O*
The general keeps her gaze on both pastry chefs who are still embracing, the only thing that prevents the eternal silence is the sound of the guards' helmets and how they move things around the premises in search of something.
"General!"
A soldier yells from above as he descends the ladder.
"Did you find something?" The general asks.
The soldier makes a salute pose while standing in front of his superior and responding to her.
"There is no sign of the fugitives, but we found… something…"
The soldier's voice is doubtful. The general seems to be asking, but the answer comes by itself, in the form of crying heard from the stairs.
As soon as everypony present hears that sound, everything is still. Two soldiers come down the stairs, their faces do not seem to have emotion, but in turn both are with their heads down, not daring to see more than the ground.
One of them, a unicorn, has a filly in his magical grip, you notice her born very recently, with bright yellow fur, semi-laughing orange mane, a very small horn protruding from her forehead, a second guard, a pegasus, leaves his wings are slightly raised, enough to hold on its back a very small foal, the same age as the other, with cream-colored fur and chocolate-colored mane, which while crying flaps a small wings on its back.
All the soldiers when they see the babies, are surprised, and immediately they all seem to erase their severe gestures, replacing them with lament, and a certain anger. Soon no guard dares to look at the two foals.
The pastry mare lunges towards the guards and the babies in desperation, is promptly stopped by the two guards carrying spears, both holding her with their hooves and pushing her back.
"NOOOO! PLEASE! THEY NO!" The mare exclaims in horror in her gaze. "TAKE WHAT YOU WANT BUT LEAVE THEM! PLEASE! My babies…!"
The pastry chef's pleading cry and louder cry forces every guard, even those holding her, to close their eyes, clench their teeth, and refuse to look at her or the babies.
The husband is only in his place, immobile, his eyes fixed on the image of both children, still crying, seeking comfort.
"PLEASE! THEY ARE MY CHILDREN! MY CHILDREN! PLEASE…! WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WHO YOU ARE LOOKING FOR! REALLY…! PLEASE…!"
The general herself remains static for longer than it should. Her eyes fixed, incredulous, and… hurt, looking at the babies who still cry.
Finally, the cyan mare forces herself to swallow her own doubt, resume her stoic and severe gesture, and direct her voice towards the owners of the place.
"By royal decree, of our queen, it is established that every pony born that reaches the age of 3 months, must be sent to Canterlot to attend the Royal Nightmare school."
The mare and mother manages to free herself from the soldiers, and throws herself at the general's hooves in the form of supplication.
"NO! Please… they are my children! They are all we have…! My husband and I have been trying to have children for years… and finally we could! PLEASE! Close my store if you want! But don't take away my babies… not my babies please…!"
The mother can only cry and scream while holding onto the general's helmets. The soldiers around could no longer make the effort to show their sorrow, their eyes only reflected sadness just like their fallen faces. The general herself remains silent, her face is calm, her eyes closed, as she tries to calm her breathing. Finally she opens her eyes and sees the father, still shocked and motionless, gently extending a helmet, as if trying to reach his babies, while tears fall from his eyes to the ground.
The general looks down when the mother touches her hoof, with the most pained and pleading look that the cyan mare has ever seen, she asks once more.
"please…"
The general should take a few seconds, take a deep breath and release that air. Finally he speaks, at the same time that he turns around.
"I'm sorry. The queen's orders are absolute, no pony can disobey her mandate. We take the foals!"
She orders the last in a stern voice, but her hidden face shows regret. Immediately all the guards force themselves to put on expressions severe and devoid of emotion.
"No! Please! Take me instead! TAKE ME!"
The mother exclaims and runs towards the general, promptly stopped by the guards. They push her away, but trying not to hurt her, she still makes an extreme effort to run towards her foals when they are led to the door.
Their cries of supplication and their crying can be heard outside, and the moment the town ponies see the guards leading the foals, all of them are filled with an almost palpable regret and sadness.
The guards walk, not daring to look at any pony around, they just move forward, taking the foals with them. The surrounding ponies just turn away, many of them, especially many mares begin to sob and some to cry openly.
The mother's screams are still heard, even when her attempt to follow them ceases and the guards leave her, she just drops to the ground, crying, and screaming, pleading for her children. The father is not better, his gaze had long since gone dull, looking at the ground without any expression.
Rainbow Dash signals for all the soldiers to leave, and when the last of them leaves the place, she takes one last look at the couple, the father now absent, and the mother, broken, on the ground ...
Her eyes devoid of any serious trace expected of a guard, and a general, now reflect, the gaze of a pony, like anyone else.
"I'm sorry ..."
It's a whisper that accompanies his trembling gaze. With that, she forces herself to return to her severe gaze, raise her head, and just leave the place, closing the door, leaving only two devastated ponies, whose only sound was the endless cry of that mother ...
*O*o*O*o*O*
As soon as the general leaves the establishment, the guards greet her and she only gestures for them to dissipate. Along with them all the ponies that had gathered, rush to separate and leave, not wanting to come between them.
The general allows one more breath before moving on.
But she does not take two steps before feeling a blow to her head.
"GENERAL RAINBOW DASH!"
Nightmare Moon's shrill voice echoes inside her head. Everything around herself turns black and her body is unable to move. After a moment of surprise, she forces herself to recover, and speaks, but only hears her own voice in her mind, along with Nightmare's.
"Y-Yes, your highness!"
"Have you found those vermin yet?"
"… I'm afraid not my queen, but they have been seen in the town of Ponyville. They can't be far-"
"I know where they went."
The queen interrupts her, and surprises the general.
"Those two entered the Everfree Forest."
"The ... the Everfree forest ?!"
"Somehow they managed to get to the old royal castle that once belonged to my sister and me."
"The old castle ... so ... are they in that place? In the Everfree forest?"
"No, they are not anymore. I am convinced they have left."
"I-I see…"
"But it is certain that they could not go very far. Those two ponies, they have taken a valuable treasure that was hidden inside that castle. I want you to move your troops, extend your search! Check the vicinity of the forest and do not let them escape! Bring them before me at all costs! "
"Yes my Queen."
That ends that conversation, the general feels like being virtually thrown back into the physical world. After taking a couple of breaths, she frowns and calls out to her soldiers.
*O*o*O*o*O*
...
Little by little the world around her took shape, starting with the sensation of having something soft and warm under her, then faint sounds that she could not really recognize, then she could feel different fragrances, the aroma of old wood, apples, there were what appeared to be spices and some hay, and more aroma of apples.
Finally, when she opened her eyes tenuously, she could not distinguish more than blurred shapes, a brown spot predominates in her vision. She forces herself to blink a few times to clear her vision, and then the brown spot took on the image of a dog. A dog that immediately begins to lick her face.
"blegh! Giah! Take off! TAKE OFF!"
The fire-mane pony exclaims as she pushes the dog out of bed, yet the canine, a female, remains quite happy barking contently and wagging her tail at the mare who rubs her face with her hooves to wipe the saliva off. dog.
"Hiack! Who let this dog in to my-… my…"
She does not finish her sentence because when she looks around she does not recognize the room. Floor, walls, also the ceiling, made of wood. The bed she's in is big enough for two ponies, in fact, Rarity is still asleep there, and the sheets feel heavy and show years of use.
After rubbing her head, Sunset huffs in annoyance and stands up. She is greeted by the canine who looks at her happily while bending the front half of her body and barking softly.
"Get out!"
Sunset orders in annoyance, still rubbing her head. The canine barks, and curiously obeys, she leaves the room quite animated, through a door, which has the drawing of an apple. Sunset takes advantage of the silence now to look a little more around, the room is a bit small, in addition to the bed it only has a dresser and a closet, and a small nightstand on the other side of the bed, next to the window that now the curtains are closed. For the rest it is a normal room.
Sunset after looking around decides to wake up her partner.
"Hey Rare Icy, Rare Icy wake up."
The white unicorn complains and curls up on the bed to continue sleeping, although she manages to respond.
"is, 'Rarity'..."
It's the only thing she says before returning to her heavy sleep. Sunset just rolls her eyes, and turns hastily the moment she hears the door to the room open. What she sees is a mare with orange fur, dressed in an earth-colored suit, her mane and tail tied with a net.
Sunset and the pony look at each other for a moment, the first with suspicion and the other a little confused, finally it is the blonde pony who speaks, giving a soft smile.
"Well, you finally woke up, I was starting to get worried."
The mare's voice carries a delicacy and accent soft, and refined.
"who are you?" Asks the unicorn with some suspicion
The other pony just smiles and speaks kindly. "My name is Applejewel. Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I found you and your friend unconscious in our orchard, and no pony knows how you got there."
"Orchard? Where are we?" Sunset asks still suspicious.
"On our farm, Sweet Apple Accres. Home of the best… and… only apples in Equestria…"
Saying this the voice and gaze of the mare fall. Sunset is still suspicious, but lets her guard down slightly. Applejewel soon shakes her head and smiles again.
"what is your name?"
"… Sunset. Sunset Shimmer."
"Nice to meet you. Now, I must ask, what were you and your friend doing unconscious among our trees?"
Applejewel's voice and expression seem to reflect, as well as intrigue, a certain suspicion. Sunset just frowns and replies dismissively.
"First, she's not my friend." Sunset begins. "In second grade, I don't know or care about your trees. I was at the castle with-AAH!"
Suddenly the amber mare screams when she realizes something.
"The elements of harmony!"
"Excuse me, the elements of what-AH!"
Before finishing her question, Sunset throws herself at Applejewel and holds her against the door.
"what did you do with the elements?!"
Sunset's horn flashes, but it quickly goes out, puzzling the fiery mane. Applejewel reacts and looks very angry as she pushes Sunset hard.
"Get ya'h hooves off me!"
She orders, and strangely her thin voice is replaced by a southern accent.
From the push, Sunset recoils just over a meter and both mares look at each other suspiciously.
At that moment, a very deep voice is heard as the door slammed open.
"What's going on here?!"
An extremely large stallion appears, he is robust and very tall, with red fur with a very short orange mane. The steed looks at Sunset and she looks back at him, then he walks over to the orange mare.
"Applejack, are you okay?"
Applejewel sighs and relaxes her body that had been stiff since the outburst. She clears her throat and her voice sounds sophisticated again.
"I'm fine big brother. Nothing happened."
It is at that moment that the other unicorn that was still asleep, finally wakes up.
"ugh… why are there so many screaming?… a lady can't sleep like this…"
The pearl pony realizes that she is in a room she does not know, and when she turns her head, she sees the other three ponies in the place. Sunset is still frowning, Applejewel looks at her curiously, and the great stalion shows a stern look. This makes the unicorn smile quite nervous, she immediately stands up and hurries to get behind her unicorn companion.
"Sunset, where are we?"
Sunset looks at her for a moment before answering. "Apparently at an apple farm called Juice Apple Ashes."
"Ah what?"
"It's 'Sweet Apple Acress'." Correct Applejewel.
"Sweet Apple-… wait."
The pearl unicorn steps forward, and looks intently at the blonde pony. Their eyes cross, the unicorn is slightly surprised, the blonde confused, and then she seems to get uncomfortable.
"Applejack… is that you?"
The farm pony is a bit surprised, and then seems to want to ask, but instead, it seems, to recognize her.
"Rarity…?"
Both ponies look at each other for a moment, then the unicorn smiles, and soon they both approach each other, joining in a hug that makes them turn against the other and both smile very happily.
"Rarity! I don't believe it!"
"Applejack! Oh so good to see you again!"
They both laugh and share comments with each other, curiously, Applejewel's voice changes again, showing that southern accent again.
The red steed smiles at the sight of both mares talking very joyfully. From her side, Sunset looks at them with a raised eyebrow, but a firm frown, with disinterest.
"How did you get here ?! I mean… I haven't seen you since…"
"Since you went to Manehattan years ago. Honey I've missed you so much!"
The purple mane smiles while hugging the other mare tightly, she puts a tender look.
"owwww Rariy… I missed you too. But…" The orange separates and looks curiously at her friend. "I thought you went to Canterlot! I heard from ya'h parents that you moved to try your luck in the capital."
At that mention, the unicorn's face lowers and you can see regret in her eyes.
"Yes... the truth... I never had success with my boutique here and... I was hoping that going to Canterlot would give me the experience to do it... but I only managed to make a fool of myself over and over and over again..."
"ow Rarity…"
The unicorn sighs in defeat and her voice is hurt. "I guess it was never my destiny to be a dressmaker ..."
"don't say that…"
There is silence as the pearl mare wails for a moment. All the time they are seen by a sunset, quite annoyed. Rarity forces herself to compose herself and smile.
"But what about you honey ?! How was it in Manehattan?"
The question takes the orange pony off guard, and she answers, but clears her throat first, returning her voice to that elegant accent.
"Well yes, Manehattan is a wonderful city. I learned a lot there and my uncle Orange and my aunt Orange took care of me like a daughter." After saying that, his expression dropped and he looked in another direction. "But when Nightmare Moon appeared… I had to come back here to help my family…"
This makes the white mare look to the side, exchanging a silent greeting with the red steed, before speaking to her friend again.
"Your family… what happened?"
A sigh is the farmer's first response, then she seems to want to keep talking, but Sunset's voice stops her.
"Alright alright, if you want to continue this, alumni meeting or whatever, fine. But I have things to do. Applejuice what did you do with the elements of harmony?"
"First of all, dear, my name is 'Applejewel'." Fix blonde mane pony.
"'Applejewel'? And where did that come from?" Rarity questions.
The question makes the other mare uncomfortable. "Um, yeah… it's the name I adopted in Manehattan. My aunt Orange said, 'Applejack', it wasn't enough… it wasn't appropriate for a lady."
The answer makes Rarity blink in bewilderment. "With all due respect to your relatives, but what nonsense is that?"
"Don't worry sugarcube, you can call me whatever you like. We are friends for a reason."
They smile. Sunset clears her throat to return the attention to her, which seems to upset the blonde pony slightly.
"The elements?"
Applejewel takes a light breath. "Look, my dear, I don't know what these elements are that you say."
"Ugh! Ponies without education or culture. The elements of harmony-… you know what? I don't need to explain. Have you seen some round stones near wherever you found us?"
The question seems to attract the attention of the orange mare.
"Well, yes, besides you, we found 5 rocks shaped like spheres in the garden."
"That's it! Where are they?! I need them!"
"We didn't know what to do with them. We left them in the barn-…" She doesn't finish explaining herself as Sunset is already heading for the door. "Hey!"
Suddenly the great steed gets between the amber pony and the door.
"Move! I'm in a hurry." Demand the amber pony.
The steed doesn't move, just looks at her suspiciously. Sunset looks back at him, her horn is seen to glow with magic for a second, but it goes off, this puzzles her, but far from backing away, she only keeps that look against the other pony.
"Sunset! Please! Take it easy." Speak Rarity to the mare. "Um Big Mac… sorry, I apologize for her. We had… a bad day…"
That makes both brothers look at both of them, then at each other, and at them again. Applejewel asks.
"Rarity, what happened to you two?"
*O*o*O*o*O*
Not long after, both unicorn mares are sitting in the living room of the house. In front of both, a small table and in this two cups of tea, which are filled with liquid by the blonde mare.
Applejewel has the kettle in her mouth to serve, once done she puts it down so she can speak.
"Wow, wow. Let's see if I understand this. Do you want to overthrow Nightmare Moon?"
Sunset rolls her eyes, sitting with her back against the back of the couch, her front hooves crossed. Sitting there like she's not a quadruped.
"We talked about, 'Nightmare Moon', as Nightmare Moon the queen of Equestria? The goddess of the night? The one who defeated Princess Celestia herself and usurped the throne."
"Yes yes! That Nightmare."
Sunset responds, although it seems like a complaint. As she looks at the rate in front of her. "
"Should I repeat the fact that she defeated Celestia herself? How are you supposed to intend to defeat her? She is kind of like… invincible."
"Celestia was useless! I'm better than her. And I'll prove it once I get rid of that 'title steal'."
As she speaks, she doesn't look away from the cup, her horn only blinking, unable to focus her magic. This seems to bother her.
Meanwhile, the answer makes the other mares puzzled.
"Darling, why do you have so much resentment towards Princess Celestia?" Rarity asks with great interest.
"That's none of your business." Sunset responds as she keeps trying to get her horn to work, and it keeps failing. "WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING TO MY MAGIC?! Move fucking rate!"
With that order she puts the hooves on the table and forces her horn more, but it is of no use.
"Sunset calm down. You'll be tired after that fight ... your magic may have run out."
"What fight? What have they been up to?" Applejewel asks again.
*O*o*O*o*O*
A couple of minutes pass in which Rarity tells what happened in Everfree, in that time Sunset had given up her horn and only grabs the cup with her hooves. Anger makes her sip her tea noisily and have a frustrated look on her face.
Applejewel looks at them in amazement and some fear, her voice returning to the southern tone.
"Did you fight Nightmare Moon in the Everfree Forest ?!"
"It wasn't really Nightmare… according to Sunset." Rarity says. "But if it was scary ..."
"How come you guys are still alive? I mean ... doing such a thing is ..."
"I honestly don't know… I just know that Sunset was able to stop her, and then… we woke up here at your house."
The farmer looks at the unicorn, whose cheeks are now full of tea, and swallows hard.
"Did you really defeat Nightmare Moon? How ... how did you do that?"
"I already told you." Sunset responds while putting the cup on the corresponding plate, on the table. "Celestia is useless. I am going to get rid of Nightmare Moon. I just need to find a way to make the Elements of Harmony work."
"The elements… you mean those stones, right? You said you found them in the forest, what is special about them?"
"Your retarded farmer brain wouldn't understand."
The insult makes the blonde glare at her, Rarity is also upset.
"But that's the most powerful magic in Equestria. Celestia used them last time to lock Nightmare on the moon. Now, I'll use them to exterminate her! And once I do, not even Celestia will be able to deny me my right. "
There is a slight silence as Sunset beckons her cup, Rarity sees this and uses her magic to serve her more tea, tea that Sunset soon returns to, sipping.
"Ok, um, I mean… I understand, the situation." Applejewel responds and returns to her refined accent. "But even assuming these harmonic elements work, how are you going to fight Nightmare Moon with them?"
The amber unicorn takes one more sip of her tea and gulps it down before setting it down on the table and standing up. "That's what I have to find out. Now show me where the elements are! I have to get to work and I have less than 3 days left."
"Um, 3 days? Why 3 days?"
"I don't have to explain it to you. Just tell me where the elemets are. I'll take them back to Canterlot."
"wow, wow! stop there filly." Exclaims the farm pony with her southern accent, which quickly changes to fine. "I mean, wait a minute, miss."
"Sunset, you can't go back to Canterlot! They're looking for us there!" Rarity declares.
"I must. I must find out how to use the elements and the only place I can find information is the castle library."
Applejewel is alarmed and exclaims in her southern voice. "Do yah want to go to the-" She clears her throat and speaks the other accent. "Do you want to go to the castle? It's crazy!"
"Sunset you can't go back there!" We could barely escape and if you go back, Nightmare Moon will catch you, lock you in a dungeon or torture you! Or worse than that! I don't even know if there is something worse but being a Nightmare she will definitely find something worse ."
"Rarity is right sugarcube. You must not go there."
"It is the only way." Repeat Sunset. "Thanks for the tea, I'll take the elements and go."
With that affirmation she is about to go to the front door, but the farmer blocks her way.
"Wow! I mean, wait! Look, maybe you're… not very nice. But I can't let you go there. No pony deserves to be taken prisoner by Nightmare Moon."
"What I do is none of your business. I have waited 5 years for this opportunity living among a bunch of monkeys without culture and I will not let that be in vain. I will defeat Nightmare, take what belongs to me and take revenge on Celestia Now take off!"
To her surprise Rarity puts a hoof on her shoulder and gently pulls her to speak to her.
"Sunset please ... I understand, you want to achieve this, and honestly ... I'm starting to believe you can do it."
The look on Sunset's face shows she wasn't expecting to hear that.
"But going straight to where Nightmare Moon is… you won't accomplish anything like that. There must be another way. Some other place we can go to gather information."
Applejewel thinks for a second. "There is a library in town, the manager is a pretty smart unicorn. I heard that she used to study at Celestia's school, plus she knows a lot about a lot of Equestrian stuff. Maybe she knows something."
The orange mare speaks, as if trying to convince the yellow one. Sunset continues to frown.
"Seems like a waste of time." Sunset complains.
"Come on Sunset. Also, remember you burned the train station..." Mentions Rarity with some suspicion.
"She did what?"
"And without that, well. I don't think you'll have a way back to Canterlot."
The reveal leaves Sunset wondering. She takes a few steps, frowns, and grudges as she thinks about all this.
"Ugh… Fine! I guess it's better than nothing. Who is this unicorn you say?"
Applejewel is silent for a moment, she seems to think...
