> A Sparkle's Little Dusk III: Everlasting Family
>  by Mister E-Nonymous
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: Message from an Old Friend
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


A Sparkle's Little Dusk III:


Everlasting Family







Prologue: Message from an Old Friend


In the newly built Castle of Friendship, the human reborn as the foal of Princess Twilight Sparkle, Dusk Shine, formerly named Henry, was walking around the halls of the castle. He still wasn't used to the new castle. Then he walked into the throne room. He then saw the Mane 6 in the room, along with his new adopted sister from another dimension, Nyx. Rarity was with her, making the exact outfit she wore before everypony in her Equestria found out she was Nightmare Moon reborn.

Nyx looked over at Dusk, smiled and said, "Hey, bro. Where have you been?"

Dusk walked over towards Nyx and said, "I still haven't gotten use to this place."

"I know how you feel," Nyx said. Then the two of them sighed. "Guess we lived our whole lives in the Golden Oaks Library. Well, second life for you."

"Hold still, darling," Rarity said. "Just one more touch." Rarity then put on the headband that Nyx wore to complete the disguise. "And, done."

"Perfect," Twilight said, levitating a new set of enchanted glasses. "And I've just finished enchanting these glasses. At least you gave a defined description of your outfit from the Equestria you came from."

Nyx then put on the glasses, and her eyes became normal eyes. Nyx then looked over at her brother and the Mane 6 and asked, "What do you all think?"

"Wow," Rainbow Dash said. "You actually look like a normal unicorn with all that on."

"Ah have ta say, if Ah didn't know it was you under all that, Ah'd never know," Applejack said.

"You do look adorable in all of that, Nyx," Fluttershy said.

"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie said. "Even my daughters might get a kick out of this! I don't think they'd even recognize you!"

Nyx then looked over at Dusk and asked, "What do you think?"

Dusk smiled and said, "I don't really care what you look like. What matters is what you would rather be." Nyx pulled Dusk in for a hug.

"Thank you, Dusk," Nyx said. Twilight then walked over towards the two.

"That's good to hear, Dusk," Twilight said. "Now, Nyx, how about you go take that outfit off?" Nyx nodded and used her magic to take off the disguise. Just then, an delivery pony walked in with a cart full of books.

"Excuse me, Princess," the pony said. "Where do you want all these books from Princess Celestia?"

Twilight looked towards the pony and said, "The library. Third door on the left." What they didn't see that the book on the top of the pile of books was glowing and vibrating.

"Even this one that's glowin' and vibratin'?" the pony asked. The Mane 6, Spike, Dusk and Nyx looked up at the book that was vibrating. Twilight then used her magic to levitate the book towards her.

Twilight looked at one of the pages, and went wide eyed. Fluttershy walked towards Twilight and asked, "What is it, Twilight?"

"It looks like a message to Princess Celestia from my friends at Canterlot High," Twilight responded. That made Dusk and the others gasp. Nyx was the only one who didn't gasp.

"How is that even possible?" Rarity asked.

"I have no idea, but it... sounds like they need my help," Twilight said.

"What's Canterlot High?" Nyx asked.

"We still haven't told you about that, have we?" Spike asked. He then sighed and said, "Dusk. How about you and I explain it all to Nyx on the way to the Library?"

Dusk nodded as he, Spike and Nyx headed down the hall.

Later, in the Castle Library, Twilight was using her magic to pull out a book to see what was going on in the human dimension where Sunset Shimmer now calls home.

"The way Sunset Shimmer described them, I think these new girls sound an awful lot like... the sirens," Twilight explained.

"Not the sirens!" Pinkie said loudly. She then whispered loudly into Fluttershy's ear, saying, "I don't actually know what that is!"

Twilight then explained to them about the sirens. "The sirens were three beautiful but dangerous creatures who had the power to charm ponies with their music. But to maintain this power, they had to feed on the negativity and distrust of others. The more of this negative energy they consumed, the stronger their voices became, and the farther they could spread their dark magic."

"I don't think I like this story very much," Fluttershy said, getting nervous.

" If the sirens had their way, they would have divided and conquered all of Equestria," Twilight continued. "But a certain Star Swirl the Bearded wasn't having it. Rumor has it he found a way to banish them to another world – one where he believed their magic power would be lost." Twilight then looked around at her friends and said, "That world must have been the one where my Canterlot High friends live."

"But Star Swirl must have sent them there ages ago," Applejack added. "How come they're just surfacin' now?"

"I don't know," Twilight answered. "But if my hunch is right and it is the sirens who have come to Canterlot High, this spell they've cast is just the beginning. My friends need me. I have to get back to them."

"I hate to burst your bubble, Twilight," Rainbow Dash said, cutting Twilight off as the grown up alicorn was walking away, "but the connection between their world and Equestria will still be totally cut off for a super long time."

"Okay, first of all, if there was bubble-blowing going on, why wasn't I told about it?!" Pinkie asked, getting in between the two mares. "And secondly, if the connection is totally cut off, how was Sunset Shimmer able to get a message to Twilight?"

"Yeah, that is weird," Dusk said. "It's almost like that the books are connected, even throughout the entire multiverse. How is that even possible?"

"Well, maybe there's a way to use the magic of that book to force the portal open," Nyx added.

That made Twilight gasp. "Pinkie, Nyx, you two are geniuses!" She then ran off somewhere.

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Pinkie said. Then she looked at Rainbow Dash. "Now about those bubbles..."

Twilight was already busy on working on the portal, adding a few more gizmos to it so she can use the book to open the portal up whenever she wants to. Meanwhile, Dusk and Spike were explaining to Nyx what's on the other side of the portal.

"So, there's an entirely different world, yet somewhat similar to our own on the other side of that portal?" Nyx asked.

"Yep, that's basically the gist of it," Dusk said.

"And you got transformed back into a human?" Nyx asked.

"Well, yes, but the humans there are a lot different than the humans from my original world," Dusk said.

"He said that the humans of his world didn't have skin or hair colors like those ones," Spike said. "And the humans there have colors of the ponies of Equestria."

"Well, except for Big Mac," Dusk said. "His skin was the closest thing to my world's human skin color." Then they headed towards the portal to see what Twilight had done.

And Twilight was explaining how it was going to work. "...And the interval between the two points is defined as the square root of the sum of the squares of the separation between the points along three spatial dimensions."

Dusk, Spike, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash were confused on what Twilight was saying. Spike then asked, "Say what now?"

"Duh!" Pinkie said like she knows what Twilight is talking about. "She's gonna take the magic in here..." Pinkie pointed at the book. Then she went over to the portal. "...and put it in there. hat'll make the portal open up so that whenever she wants to, she can go..." Pinkie then went back and forth from the book to the mirror. "...from here to there. There to here. Here to there. Here there! Here there! Here..."

Applejack cut her off, saying, "We get the idea!" Pinkie was laying in front of the mirror.

Pinkie then got up and Twilight walked over towards the mirror. She turned around and picked up the book that the message from Sunset Shimmer came from, saying, "Now to see if it actually works." The book was placed on the pedestal on the top of the mechanisms, and the magic from the book started going through the other gizmos on the device. Then a portal opened up over the mirror, which then went into the mirror. The others givings "Oohs" and "Aahs" as it was going.

"Don't suppose we could join you this time around?" Applejack asked.

"Better not," Twilight answered. "It could make things pretty confusing if Canterlot High all of a sudden had two of all of you."

"But we did go to another dimension before," Rainbow Dash said.

"Sure, but everypony there was still a pony," Twilight said. "But everypony was the wrong gender."

"What? Seriously?!" Nyx asked, looking at all of them.

"Yeah, it's true," Dusk said. "I wasn't here around the time, but I knew that they went."

"How?" Nyx asked.

"Let's just say we were visited by a colt from that dimension," Dusk said. "It was Apple Bloom's male counterpart, Apple Buck."

"Yeah," Applejack said. "It was a surprise for me as well. Ah still couldn't believe that he came ta our Equestria."

"I still can't believe that there's a dimension where everypony is gender swapped," Nyx said.

"It's basically where I picked up the name for Dusk here," Twilight said, rubbing Dusk's head. "I named him after my counterpart from that dimension."

Nyx nodded and said, "That would explain it." Then something came to her and she asked, "Wait a minute. Does that mean that there's another me and you in that dimension?"

"That is a possibility," Twilight said. "But now, I have to get back to that dimension."

"But Dusk and I still get to go, right?" Spike asked. "There isn't another us at Canterlot High. And you never know if you might need your trusty assistant."

"Well, yeah," Twilight said. "You and Dusk can come." She then looked over at Nyx. She then sighed. "Nyx can come as too."

"What?!" everypony else asked in surprise.

"Well, we don't know if there is a Nyx in that dimension," Twilight said. "Dusk, you have to help Nyx adjust to the life of that dimension."

"You got it, Mom," Dusk said.

Twilight then levitated the enchanted glasses and put them on Nyx's face, making her eyes go common looking. Twilight then said, "Just to make sure that the enchantment will still work on the other side." Nyx nodded and she, along with Twilight, Dusk and Spike got into position. Twilight turned her head to her friends and said, "We won't be gone long."

Twilight's friends wished her luck. Rarity told Twilight to dress well.

Twilight then looked back at Spike, Dusk and Nyx and asked, "You three ready?"

Dusk and Nyx nodded. Spike was cracking his knuckles, blowing out and rubbed his claws. Then he said, "Ready." Then the four of them went into the portal, heading to the other dimension.





On the other side of the portal, Sunset Shimmer and the human versions of Twilight's friends were waiting for Twilight to arrive. Rarity was painting Fluttershy's nails, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were on top of the pedestal playing poker, which Applejack had four aces when Pinkie had four jokers, and Sunset and Rainbow Dash were leaning right by the portal. Sunset was reading the old messages from the book and Rainbow Dash was bouncing a soccer ball.

Rainbow Dash sighed and said, "I'm starting to think she's not coming."

Just then, the portal started rippling, and coming out of the portal were Twilight, Spike, Dusk and Nyx. Then Sunset and the human version of Twilight's friends got up and shouted, "Twilight!"

They all went over towards Twilight, Spike, Dusk and Nyx. Twilight turned to see Sunset giving her a hand. Twilight was a little hesitant at first, but she took Sunset's hand. Dusk got up and helped Nyx up.

"Who is that?!" Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight looked over at the other girls, who were looking at Dusk and Nyx. Twilight then explained, "That's Nyx. She's... well... from an alternate Equestria. We'll do some catching up."
> Chapter 1: The Sirens Rise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1: The Sirens Rise






At the Sweet Shoppe, Twilight, Spike, Dusk, Nyx, Sunset and the human versions of Twilight's friends were there, catching up on everything that happened.

"Oh, I do hate that you had to return at a time of crisis," Rarity said to Twilight. "There's so much catching up to do!"

"For starters, a certain blue-haired guitar player was just askin' about you," Applejack said.

Twilight got excited while twirling her hair and asked, "Flash Sentry was asking about me?!" Then the others gave Twilight a smirk face. Twilight then cleared her throat and asked, "Isn't that nice?" She then sipped the milkshake she was holding.

"Perhaps you would give us just the slightest bit of gossip from your world?" Rarity asked, anxious to know what else has happened in Equestria.

"Well, a lot of things happened since then," Spike said. "Apparently, after we arrived back in Equestria from here the first time, Dusk became the first male alicorn in our Equestria."

"Wait!" Sunset said, looking at Dusk. "You're an alicorn now?!"

"Even I don't know how that happened," Dusk said. "It was hard for me to sleep for the first week when I got my wings. Even mom had trouble sleeping with them when she got her wings."

"I can vouch for that," Twilight said. "Then later, Nyx here appeared." Twilight moved her hand to let everyone see Nyx. "She happens to come from an alternate Equestria. One where in that dimension, a crazy cult of ponies, who were under dark mind control, tried resurrecting Nightmare Moon and giving her a body of her own."

"Seriously?!" Sunset asked, shocked.

"But the Princess Celestia of that Equestria interfered with the spell and well, Nyx here was the result," Twilight said. "Show 'em, Nyx." Nyx nodded, then she took off her enchanted glasses and showed the girls her real eyes.

"WHOA!! Sunset said. "She's supposed to be Nightmare Moon?!"

"I didn't end up as cruel as the original Nightmare Moon," Nyx said. "But, Princess Luna helped me be the little filly I am today. Although, it cost me most of my magic."

"So how did you end up in Equestria?" Sunset asked. "Well, the Equestria with Dusk."

"I was chased by plundervines in my Equestria as the Twilight of my world was placing the last Element of Harmony back onto the Tree of Harmony," Nyx said. "But then, it cloned me and I woke up in the Equestria you know."

"Wow," said Rainbow Dash. "That's shocking. Must've been tough knowing that you probably couldn't go home."

"Yeah," Nyx said. "But it's not as tough as what recently happened."

"Yeah," Spike said. "Twilight now has an official title." He then did a fanfare. "The Princess of Friendship."

"Wow, that's really impressive," Sunset said. "Guess you really were Princess Celestia's prized pupil."

"She's even got her own castle!" Spike added.

"A castle?!" Rarity asked, making Twilight spill her milkshake onto her blouse. "You have your own castle?!?" She then noticed the stain on Twilight's blouse and tried to clean it up. She cleared her throat and said, "Ooh, uh, lovely."

Dusk then looked at his outfit and said, "Although, something's off. How come we came here wearing the same outfits we came here the first time instead of wearing the outfit we wore in for the Fall Formal?"

Twilight then looked at her outfit and said, "You got a point, Dusk. That is weird."

"I think your original outfit was still at my boutique," Rarity said. "We can talk about that later."

"Good idea," Twilight said. "So, what's new here? I mean, besides your school becoming the target of dangerous magical creatures from Equestria?"

"Yeah, so, that isn't exactly the only strange thing that's happened since you left," Rainbow Dash said, showing a video of her playing the guitar, and her pony parts returning. Twilight was awestruck at that. "Pretty sweet, huh? It happens to all of us when we play."

Twilight was thinking about it and said, "My crown was returned to Equestria, but some of its magic must have remained here at Canterlot High. Now that we're all back together, we can use that magic on the sirens. Just like when we were able to use it on Sunset Shimmer when she turned into that horrifyingly awful winged monster!" She then looked over at Sunset nervously and said, "No offense."

"None taken," Sunset said in a disgruntled tone. She then chuckled and said, "I'm used to it."

"They'll never even know what hit 'em!" Rainbow Dash said, standing up. She then did some martial arts moves, surprising the girls, Dusk and Spike. But then her hand was blocked by Applejack's hand.

"We've got nothin' to worry about now that Twilight's back," Applejack said.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure I could find something to worry about," Fluttershy said nervously. But then she smiled bravely. "But it won't be the sirens."

"The sooner we do this, the better," Twilight said. She then looked over at Sunset and Rarity. "Any idea where the Dazzlings might be?"

Pinkie Pie was raising her hand and moving it while drinking her milkshake. She then sighed, and then said, "There's a big party tonight for all the bands who signed up to be in the showcase! That would include the Dazzlings."

Twilight looked at Rarity and Sunset, and then grabbed a napkin and cleaned up Pinkie's cheek, which had ice cream on it and said, "Looks like we've got a party to crash." That made Pinkie squee.





Back at Canterlot High, in the school gym, every student there were arguing with each other. Twilight, Sunset, and their human friends were looking around at the arguing students. Dusk, Nyx and Spike were outside of the gym, looking in at all of the students. Dusk then got up.

"Where are you going?" Nyx asked.

"I gotta use the bathroom," Dusk said.

"Ooh, now that you think about it, I have to go, too," Nyx said getting up.

"Hey, wait for me!" Spike said, following the two. "I'm supposed to be watching you two."

Dusk then went into the boys bathroom with Spike following. Nyx was about to go in there, too, but Dusk stopped her.

"Sorry, sis," Dusk said. "This is the boys bathroom. The girls room is over there." Dusk pointed at the other restroom. Nyx nodded and headed into the girls bathroom.

Nyx walked into one of the stalls, pulled down her skirt and panties, and did her business. But when she finished, she heard voices talking.

"Are you sure this is the place where the magic came from, Adagio? This place doesn't seem to have a lot of magic coming from it."

"I'm telling you, I know this is where the magic is. I can sense it. It must be ours so we can find out where it came from, and we will find a way back to Equestria and feast upon all of the magic there."

"Or, we can just stay here and try the tacos. Mmmm."

Nyx was shocked to hear what those girls said about taking magic of Equestria. She slowly and quietly walked towards the door, not letting the ones speaking hearing her or seeing her feet, and she looked through the crack.

"Listen, Sonata, Aria, the Magic of Equestria has spread on to this world, starting at this pathetic school. These humans don't even know how to properly use it. So we're gonna take it from them. One way... or another." The girl talking put her hand on the red gem around her neck, which started glowing. "These Siren Rubies are the only things we have to stay alive, and we only live on through feeding on negativity. And nothing is going to stop us."

What Nyx didn't count on was the auto flush on the toilet going off. The three girls walked towards the bathroom stall that Nyx was in. The blue one looked under to see no one there. She looked up at the other two girls and shrugged her shoulders. Then the sound of the bathroom door closing came to their attention.

Nyx was running back towards the gym and she bumped into Dusk and Spike.

"Ow!" the two called out in pain.

"Oh, sorry!" Nyx said, helping Dusk up. "I saw the Dazzlings! They're here for..." Just then, they heard footsteps coming from the hallway. They saw the shadows of the Dazzlings. "Let's get in there. Quickly." Nyx then pushed Dusk into the gym, while also carrying Spike.





The group was just sitting on the steps of the entrance of Canterlot High. They tried reusing the magic they used to stop Sunset Shimmer's demon form, but it didn't work this time.

"It doesn't make any sense," Twilight said, walking back and forth. "I should have been able to create the spark that would help us break their spell. That's how it worked before."

"But to defeat me, you drew magic from the crown I was wearing," Sunset said. "The sirens' magic comes from their music. So maybe you have to use the same kind of magic to defeat them." Twilight then thought about that and then got a realization. "Or... maybe not."

"No. I think you're onto something," Twilight said, walking up to Sunset.

"Really?" Sunset asked.

"It's when you play music that you transform now, right?" Twilight asked the other girls.

"Yup," Applejack answered. "Ears, tails, the whole shebang."

"So maybe the way to use that magic to defeat the sirens is by playing a musical counter-spell!" Twilight said.

"You mean like a song?" Fluttershy asked, pulling back her hair.

"Uh-huh," Twilight answered. "And in order to free everyone who's been exposed to the sirens' spell, we'll need them all to hear it."

Everyone was thinking of a way for the other students to hear the counter-spell. Then Rarity gasped and said, "The band competition! That's the next time we can be certain everyone will be in the same place at the same time."

"Guess the Rainbooms are the band to beat," Applejack said.

"And I believe you, Twilight, just became the Rainbooms's newest member," Rarity said to Twilight, the latter becoming nervous. Sunset also felt a little hurt. The other girls were cheering.

"Oh, boy," Dusk and Nyx said in unison.

Pinkie then went up to Twilight and asked, "So what do you wanna play?" Pinkie then held out some instruments and played them. "Triangle? Sousaphone? Theremin?" The first two instruments she played only one note. The Theremin was about three notes. "So magical."

Dusk then looked at Nyx and asked, "Are you okay, Nyx?"

"I saw the Dazzlings in the bathroom," Nyx said. "They're planning on taking the magic that's here, and then finding a way back to Equestria."

"Well, we're gonna have to stop them before it happens," Twilight said. "Anyway, I might take a little too long to learn how to play something with these. I'll just sing."

"Like, as in, lead singer?" Rainbow Dash asked, getting a little upset. "Cuz that's usually my gig. This being my band and all."

"It's our band!" Applejack said. "And, of course, as lead singer. She's the one with the magical know-how to help us pull this thing off."

"Okay, yeah, that's cool," Rainbow Dash said. "I'll just use this as a chance to hone my already insanely good lead guitar skills." She was doing some air guitar.

"It's only temporary," Twilight said. "And we don't have to win the Battle of the Bands. We just have to perform during the first round of the competition."

"Let's get to learning that musical counter-spell!" Rainbow Dash said, getting competitive.

"Well, that's just it," Twilight said, getting nervous. "I don't know any."

"Awww..." Sunset and the human versions of Twilight's friends said in unison.

"But I'm sure I could figure out how to write one," Twilight said, bringing hopes up.

"Totally!" Spike said. "Twilight can write a spell like it's nobody's business. That's pretty much how she got to become a princess in Equestria."

"She actually got her wings finishing an unfinished spell," Nyx said.

"Started by Star Swirl the Bearded, who was the pony that sent the sirens to this dimension in the first place," Dusk said.

"And there was a little more to it than that, Spike," Twilight said.

"Yeah, whatever, you three," Spike said.

"I got this," Twilight said. Then she picked Spike up. "C'mon." Then she, Spike, Dusk and Nyx headed for the school doors.

"Where're you goin'?" Applejack asked.

"Well, last time we were here, Spike and I spent the night in the library," Twilight said.

"Not me," Dusk said.

"Yeah, that was my fault," Sunset said. "I had Snips and Snails take him and I took him to my apartment. Although, when I had him there, I didn't have him do what his aunt and cousin did to him in his previous life."

"Good call!" Pinkie said. "And no way we're gonna let Twilight and these little cuties do something crazy!" Pinkie then pinched Dusk's and Nyx's cheeks. "We're besties now! Slumber party at my house!"

Dusk got a little nervous and said, "I'll just sleep on the couch when I'm there."

"I'll join ya when it's time to sleep," Spike said.

"Good call," Twilight said. Then they all headed out of there. On the way, Twilight thought of something. "When we got my crown back, how did you know that Principal Celestia had known we weren't from here all along?"

"I think it has something to do with Vice Principal Luna mentioning that she and her sister met a woman that looks exactly like Principal Celestia," Dusk said. "You don't think she meant...?"

"Princess Celestia?!" Twilight, Sunset, Spike and Nyx asked in unison.

"Okay, that would make sense," Sunset said. "Wow, he's smarter than he looks." Twilight nodded as they kept walking away.
> Chapter 2: Sleepover in Another Dimension
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2: Sleepover in Another Dimension






At Pinkie Pie's house, Twilight, Sunset and the human versions of Twilight's friends were in Pinkie's room, doing different things. Twilight was too busy writing something in a journal.

Pinkie Pie was on her laptop. "Status update: 'Okie dokie lokie'."

Rarity was about to take a selfie with Sunset and Fluttershy. She took it, and when she saw the photo, she noticed that Spike was in the background, holding a dog biscuit that he was about to eat. Rarity glared back at Spike while Fluttershy and Sunset giggled. Spike turned towards Rarity, smirking and with the biscuit in his mouth.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack were playing a video game that was based on the Power Ponies. Since there was a picture of Mane-iac on the video game case. Rainbow Dash was getting irritated that she was losing, Applejack giving a smug look. Rainbow Dash then slammed her hand on the console, stopping the game.

"Hey! Ah was about to beat you!" Applejack complained.

"I doubt it," Rainbow Dash said, giving a smug look. She then looked back at Twilight, which Nyx was sitting next to her. "So, Twilight, how is that counter-spell comin'?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, good," Twilight said, nervously. "Great." She then looked over at Fluttershy, who was holding a plush alligator. "hanks for letting me use your notebook, Fluttershy. I really like the song you wrote for the Rainbooms."

"Thanks," Fluttershy said, before sighing. "Hopefully one day, we'll get a chance to play it."

Rainbow Dash was holding the controller that Applejack had while laughing. Applejack was reaching for it, calling out, "Hey!"

"Twilight, I think I speak for all of us when I say I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't come back to help us," Rarity said, sitting next to Twilight.

"Uh-huh!" said Sunset, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy said.

"Darn tootin'," Applejack said as the others talked.

Then the doorbell just rang and Pinkie called out, "Pizza's here!" Then all of them, except for Twilight and Nyx left the room.

Nyx then looked up at Twilight and said, "Dusk mentioned that humans are able to eat meat."

"Well, luckily, Pinkie ordered us a plain cheese pizza," Twilight said. She then looked at what she wrote, which were just scribbles. She then sighed, and put the journal in a drawer. Pinkie then came back in with a slice of pizza in her mouth.

"Don't you want any pizza?" Pinkie asked. Twilight then got up and headed out of there, Nyx following.

Downstairs, Dusk was just laying on the couch, getting ready to unfold the blanket that was on there. But Pinkie Pie came up to him.

"Whatcha doin', silly?" Pinkie asked.

"Um... unfolding this blanket?" Dusk asked.

"Nuh-uh, not like that," Pinkie said. She then grabbed the blanket and pillow, then she removed the bed covers, and she unfolded the inside of the couch into a bed.

"Wow," Dusk said. "Interesting. I've never seen one of those before. Not even in my previous life." He then got into the bed, but this time Rarity stopped him. "Oh, what now?"

"Well, you can't sleep in those clothes," Rarity answered.

"Seriously?" Dusk asked.

"Which is why I made these for you," Rarity then held out some pajamas for Dusk. "You may as well get comfortable. Good thing I also made some for Nyx as well."

Then Twilight and Nyx came into the room. Twilight then said, "Remember. No eating meat."

"Oh, right," Fluttershy said. "Ponies are herbivores. They can't eat meat."

"Exactly," Twilight said. "But now, let's get eating." Then they headed for the kitchen table.





Later that night, Twilight snuck out of Pinkie's room with Fluttershy's journal. She snuck down to the kitchen so she could do some writing, working on a spell. Instead of writing with her hands, she was writing with her mouth. But, her writing didn't go unheard. She saw Dusk awake, rubbing an eye with his hand.

"Mom?" Dusk asked. "What are you doing?"

"Sorry, Dusk," Twilight said after spitting out the pen. "I'm just trying to figure out this counter-spell." She sighed. "No. That's not gonna work." She then rubbed her eyes.

"Hey, Twilight," came Sunset's voice, surprising Twilight. Twilight and Dusk looked towards the voice and saw Sunset standing there. "You're up late."

"Just looking over the counter-spell," Twilight said. "We only get one shot at this. It has to be perfect."

"We really are lucky you're here," Sunset said, opening the fridge.

"That's what everyone keeps telling me," Twilight said, feeling like she's already failing.

"Who could possibly need this much whipped cream?" Sunset asked, looking at all the cans of whipped cream in the fridge.

"Wait until you meet the Pinkie Pie of our dimension," Dusk said. "She basically breaks the laws of physics. Like her certain Pinkie Senses."

"Seriously?" Sunset asked, looking at Twilight.

"I tried figuring out how it happened," Twilight said. "I ended up getting hurt a lot that day. There was a lot of things that Pinkie did that didn't make any possible sense. So, we just went with it."

"Must be nice to have everyone always looking to you for answers to their problems... instead of waiting for you to cause a problem," Sunset said, feeling a little bad for what she did.

"Just because everyone expects something from you doesn't mean it's guaranteed to happen," Twilight said.

"Well, that doesn't stop them from expecting it," Sunset said.

"Which only makes things harder because the last thing you want to do is..." Twilight said until she and Sunset spoke in unison.

"...let everybody down." Then the two of them looked at each other with shocked, then sympathetic looks. Sunset then closed the refrigerator door, and there stood a gray skinned girl with purple hair. What else would you expect from a human version of Maud Pie. She shocked Sunset.

"Boulder was hungry," Maud said, before grabbing a box of crackers and dumping it onto her pet rock. She then walked off, leaving Twilight, Sunset and Dusk to stare at her.

"I still can't get over the fact that she's related to Pinkie Pie," Sunset said.

"You and me both!" Twilight said.

"Ditto!" Dusk called out. Just then, Spike woke up.

"What's it take to get some proper sleep around here?!" Spike then got up, and grabbed a pillow, and tried walking off the bed, but he tripped and fell onto the floor. He then looked at his paws. "Right. Forgot I was a dog." He then got up on all fours, grabbed the pillow with his mouth, and headed towards the room with the other girls.

Sunset then yawned and said, "I better get some sleep. Good luck with the counter-spell. Not that you'll need it." That made Twilight feel a little bad. "This must be nothing compared with the stuff you're expected to deal with as a princess in Equestria."

"Sunset Shimmer?" Twilight called out to get the latter's attention. Twilight was too nervous to say anything. She then said, "...Never mind. It's not important." Sunset then smiled awkwardly and then headed off. "No, I have to be able to do this. I have to."

"Mom?" Dusk asked, getting Twilight's attention. "Is everything okay?"

"I don't know, Dusk," Twilight said, sitting on the bed with Dusk. "It's been a while since we been to this world, and we only come here for some missions. I need to find a way to stop the Sirens."

"Usually, everything has a source," Dusk said. "Like how King's Sombra's dark power comes from his horn."

"You got a point, Dusk," Twilight said. "But, we don't know the source of the power of the sirens. They've done a lot of things to this world for the past 1000 years. How are we able to find a source?"

"There has to be something that gives them their power," Dusk said.

Twilight then looked outside and said, "Get some sleep. It's late." Twilight then tucked Dusk back into bed. Dusk nodded and Twilight kissed him on the forehead. Dusk fell asleep and Twilight headed back to the room with the other girls, and now, Spike was in there, and he was already in Fluttershy's arms.





The next morning, the group got up and headed out for breakfast at a diner. Of course, the diner had some outdoor tables. Since the restaurant doesn't allow dogs inside the building.

"So, how's that counter-spell coming along?" Sunset asked, looking at Twilight.

"Still having trouble finding a way to find the right words," Twilight said. Then she looked at her hands. "It's also hard for me to write with these. Like when I was trying to sign my name for the Fall Formal Princess sign up sheet."

"You said it," Pinkie said. "That was really, really bad."

"Well, we're going to have to find a way to stop them," Rainbow Dash said. "We'll just try out what's there."

"Alright," Twilight said. "We're have to go somewhere to practice."

"Well, we all do some rehearsals at mah family's garage," Applejack said. "Let's get goin'." Then they all got up and headed out of there. Luckily, they already payed the check, thanks to Rarity's generosity.

Unbeknownst to them, another girl came in and sat at a different table, accompanied by two kids. I'll give you a hint who that girl is.



And the two kids accompanied her were Dusk and Nyx. Of course this Nyx had glasses, and both of them were older than the Dusk and Nyx of Equestria. About the same ages of the Human Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Alright, you two," Sci-Twi said, "we're just here for a quick bite, and then back home. I still have some experimenting to do." What she didn't see was all the people staring at her in confusion. Sci-Twi then looked around and asked, "Why are they looking at me like that?"

"Maybe it's the hair, big sis," Dusk's counterpart said, jokingly, getting a smack in the head.

"Not time for jokes, Dusk," Sci-Twi said.

"We also have to study for that test we have on Monday, Dusk," Nyx's counterpart said. "Man, Crystal Prep is a lot harder than our last school."

"I know how you feel, Dusk," Sci-Twi said. "But, we're just gonna have to make the best of it. Mom and Dad didn't waste good money just so we can blow off our studies. Let's not forget, Principal Cinch wants us to be at our best and nothing less."

"Sounds more like she wants her school to be number 1 at everything," Dusk's counterpart said. "Even coach Iron Will is pushing us too hard." He then rubbed his shoulder. "I'm still aching from trying to lift those barbells."

"Luckily, Cadance got us out of there," Nyx's counterpart said. "She got us into a study hall halfway out of every gym class."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Sci-Twi said. "But, Mom, Dad and Shining are all out of town and Cadance is watching us until they get back. Glad she's our sister-in-law."

"Yeah, she is," Dusk's and Nyx's counterparts said in unison. Then they looked at the restaurant menus. Then one old woman walked over towards Sci-Twi and asked her a question.

"Excuse me, but didn't you in here with some friends of yours?"

"I'm sorry, but I think you've mistook me for someone else," Sci-Twi said.

"Oh, my apologies," the old woman said. "I could've sworn someone that looks a lot like you came here earlier." She then headed back to her table.

"I think someone needs to get new glasses," Sci-Twi said.

"Wasn't that Dusty Pages, the head librarian at the city library?" Nyx's counterpart asked.

"I think it was," Dusk's counterpart said.

"Alright, you two, pick what you wanna eat," Sci-Twi said. She then thought of something. Then she shook her head and said, "Nah." She then looked at the menu to see what she wanted to eat.
> Chapter 3: Starting the Battle of the Bands
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 3: Starting the Battle of the Bands






Twilight, Dusk, Nyx, Spike, Sunset and the human versions of Twilight's friends were at Applejack's house, practicing the counter-spell song in the garage. Although, it was very bad and very off-key. Dusk and Nyx were covering their ears, or at least Dusk was. Nyx thought her ears were still on top of her head. Dusk then pulled Nyx's hands down to cover where her ears were, then covered his own ears back up. Spike was sitting on top of an amplifier, and the off-key music made him fall off, and Sunset adjusted the amplifier. They eventually stopped the song, none of them thought that it was going to work.

Spike then nervously said, "Eh, that sounded... way better than the last... five times you've played it." He then chuckled nervously.

"Nnope," Big Mac said, walking past the window with a bucket of apples. That made Spike bite his lips.

"Wow," Dusk said. "That was really bad."

"I have to agree," Nyx said. "That was not as good as I thought it was going to be."

"I think it's pretty obvious what's going wrong with this counter-spell," Rainbow Dash said.

"You're turnin' what should be the chorus into a five-minute guitar solo?" Applejack said while Rarity was crossing her arms with an angry look.

"I have to pick up the slack somehow!" Rainbow Dash said back. "Are you guys even trying?!"

"I'm trying," Fluttershy said.

"It's fine," Twilight said before giving a nervous laugh. "It's fine." She then raised her hand and said, "One more time from the top!" No one was playing their instruments.

"Or, perhaps we could take a short break, try on some of the wardrobe choices I've put together?" Rarity asked when pulling a rack full of outfits. "I'm particularly fond of this one." She then revealed a sparkly pink outfit with yellow outlines. "Eh, of course we could always go with something a bit more modern."

"We're tryin' to save our school here," Applejack said, angrily. Enough with the costumes!"

Rarity was then shown wearing a daft punk outfit, with what appears to be the Cutie Mark of Rarity from Equestria on the mask. Rarity then said, "Oh, you can never have enough costumes!"

"She just wants to make things fun!" Pinkie said, a little grumpy. "Isn't that what being in a band supposed to be?" She then did a rimshot, angrily.

Dusk then looked at Sunset and asked, "Do we even have time for this?"

Sunset then pulled out her phone and looked at the time. She then went wide eyed and said, "No, we don't! You're supposed to check in at the Battle of the Bands in fifteen minutes!"

The others gasped and said, "Oh, no!" Then they all started getting their stuff and leaving.

"What? But it's not ready!" Twilight said, nervously. "If we play our counter-spell in the first round and it doesn't work, the sirens will know what we're up to and make sure we don't get a chance to play it again!"

That made everyone stop and look at each other in distress. Applejack then said, "Then we'll have to buy ourselves some time so you can keep workin' on it!"

"But how do you propose we do that?" Rarity asked.

"We compete in the Battle of the Bands for real!" Rainbow Dash said. "I take over lead vocals again and we stay alive until the finals! We unleash the counter-spell then!" She then looked over at Twilight. "You'll have figured it out by finals, right?"

"Of course she will," Spike said. "Twilight Sparkle's never met a problem she couldn't solve. Right, Twilight?" He looked up at Twilight.

"Right," Twilight said, not confident at all.

"Then let's go win us a Battle of the Bands!" Rainbow Dash said as she and the others, except for Twilight, Spike, Dusk and Nyx. Twilight and Spike then looked at each other. Nyx walked up to Twilight.

"You don't think you can do it, do you?" Nyx asked.

Twilight looked down at Nyx and asked, "What gave it away?"

"You're giving that same worried look after switching the cutie marks of your friends," Nyx said.

"Oh, yeah, that's right," Dusk said. "She was that worried then as she is now."

"Twilight?" Spike asked, looking up at Twilight. "Is it true?"

Twilight sighed and said, "Yeah. I am. I can't afford to mess this up." She then looked ahead and said, "Let's go. We got a contest to get to." Then she, Spike, Dusk and Nyx headed out of there.





Well, the first round of the battle of the bands didn't go quite as they expected. Principal Celestia announced that the Battle of the Bands was about to begin. But then the sirens used their magic to make the students argue with one another, which was causing to let the Dazzlings feed on their negativity.

And after the Rainbooms arrived, the competition started with Snips and Snails rapping. I guess we can all say that everyone can rap better than those two. But then, the Rainbooms were up. And, not everything went as they planned.



Later, the Rainbooms headed out of there and Twilight bumped into Flash Sentry. Unfortunately for Twilight, Flash was under the influence of the magic of the Sirens.

Twilight chuckled nervously and said, "We really need to stop bumping into each other like this."

Flash turned his head towards his band mates, tuned his guitar and said, "Uh, you guys hear something?" The others just told him no.

Twilight then tried speaking to Flash again. "I said, we have to stop..."

"There it is again," Flash said. "So annoying." He then turned his back towards Twilight.

"Why are you acting like this?" Twilight asked. "I thought we were friends."

"Yeah, and then you decide to come back here just so you can beat me in the Battle of the Bands," Flash said, turning to look at Twilight with an angry look. "I want this, Twilight, and you're trying to take it from me! Some friend."

"That's not why..." Twilight tried convincing that she wasn't trying to win, but Applejack put her hand on Twilight's left shoulder.

"Come on, Twilight," Applejack said. "We've got things to do."

The Rainbooms walked away from Flash and his band. Flash then called out, "You really think you're gonna help them?! Ha! I bet you have no idea what you're even doing!" Those words then made Twilight cry, the others feeling bad for her.





Dusk and Nyx were waiting outside for the competition to end. It had been days since they arrived there, but so far, nothing has turned up good for them. Then the two of them sighed and leaned against the wall outside of the school gym.

"This is getting old," said Nyx. "We've been here for days."

"We're gonna have to stay here until the Sirens are defeated," said Dusk. "I don't know how long it's going to take, but, at least I'm able to be human again." He then looked at his skin. "Even though, this isn't the natural skin color of the world I'm originally from."

"Really?" Nyx asked, looking at her skin. "How do..." She was interrupted when Sunset Shimmer ran out of there. Dusk and Nyx looked at each other and ran towards her. Sunset then leaned against the statue where the portal to Equestria was.

"Sunset?" Dusk asked. "Are you okay?"

Sunset looked at Dusk and said, "Sorry that I worried you. I'm just... I just embarrassed my friends during their performance just because Rainbow Dash was about to show her magic."

"Rainbow Dash was always a showoff," Dusk said. "But she is reliable."

Sunset then sighed and said, "What I did to get her to stop made everyone remind them of all the bad things I've done. Although, something weird happened."

"What?" Nyx asked. "What happened?"

"Even though the Rainbooms didn't finish the song, they still move onto the finals," Sunset said.

"That is weird," Dusk said.

"Well, we all know it was the Sirens responsible," Nyx said. "After all, the gems around their necks are the source of their powers."

"Wait, what?!" Dusk and Sunset asked in unison.

"When I went to the restroom, the Sirens came in," Nyx said. "I overheard that their gems are what's making them use their magic."

"That's it!" Sunset said, standing up. "They didn't want anyone touching their gems because that's the source of their power. And they were glowing every time they sung their songs."

"So, how do we stop them?" Dusk asked.

"We have to cut them off from their magic," Sunset said. "It's going to be difficult, but it's the only way."

"Well, the Rainbooms are going to get ready for the final round of the battle of the bands tonight, and I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen," Dusk said. "If we find a way to get those gems off of them, then they won't be able to make people argue with each other."

"But how are we going to get them off?" Sunset asked. "We can't even get near them without causing a scene."

"We're going to have to be careful," Dusk said.

"You're right about that, Dusk," Sunset said. "Who knows what those Sirens will be up to?"

"I'm not going to let some scaly creatures take control of this world, or any other world," Dusk said. "But first, I got to take care of some business."

"Bathroom break again?" Nyx asked.

"Yep," Dusk said.

"I gotta go, too," Nyx said. Then the two of them headed into the school to find the bathrooms.





Dusk and Nyx were walking around the area around the school, looking for the Rainbooms. But they couldn't find them anywhere. They tried their best to find them.

"Where could they have gone?" Nyx asked.

"I don't know," Dusk said. "They couldn't have gone too far. All I know of this place are Sugarcube Cafe, Pinkie's Place, Sunset's apartment, Applejack's home, and Rarity's boutique."

"DUSK!! NYX!!" Spike's voice came. The two of them looked over and saw him running towards the two.

"What is it, Spike?" Nyx asked, the two getting on a knee.

"It's Twilight and the girls!" Spike said. "Trixie just dropped them in a trap door that's on stage! They're trapped!"

"What?!" Dusk and Nyx said.

"How are we going to get them out?" Dusk asked. Just then, they saw someone coming towards them. It was the human version of DJ Pon-3. Dusk and Nyx looked at each other and said, "Has she ever given off a negative reaction?"

"Actually, no," Nyx said. "She's always had those headphones on."

"Of course!" Dusk and Spike said. Then the three of them headed towards DJ Pon-3.

"Yo, DJ Pon-3," Dusk said. "We need your help."

"She can't hear you," Nyx said. "She's got her headphones on."

Dusk then sighed and said, "It's gonna be a long day."
> Chapter 4: Stopping the Sirens
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4: Stopping the Sirens






Spike, Dusk, Nyx and DJ Pon-3 were heading over towards the amphitheater where the Battle of the Bands finals were going to be held. And on stage, they saw Trixie and her band performing.

"How are we going to get to the stage?" Dusk asked. DJ Pon-3 put a hand on Dusk's shoulder and motioned a hand, telling them to follow her. They left the area just in time before the Dazzlings came up to the stage and started singing. They walked around the area and saw a door there. DJ Pon-3 then walked over to the door and opened it, where the Rainbooms, except for Fluttershy were laying on the ground in front of them. Spike then walked in.

"Spike!" Twilight said. Spike ran up to Twilight and the two nuzzled.

"Sorry I took so long," Spike said. "I had to find Dusk and Nyx and then someone to help us out with stopping the sirens, one who wasn't effected by their singing." Then the group saw DJ Pon-3, Dusk and Nyx.

"Why isn't she under their spell?" Twilight asked.

"Never takes off her headphones," Spike replied.

"Which is a good thing," Dusk said. "She must have the proper equipment for the instruments you all play." DJ Pon-3 gave a thumbs up to the group.

"Come on, y'all!" Applejack said. "Time to prove we've still got the magic of friendship inside us!"

"And there's only one way to do it!" Twilight said.

"We're getting the band back together?" Pinkie asked, leaning in.

"We're getting our band back together!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Whee!!" Pinkie shouted, raising her hands.

"Ooh, which version of the counter-spell are we going to play?" Rarity asked.

"I don't think it matters what song we play, as long as we play it together as friends," Twilight said, looking at Sunset, who responded with a smile.

"I know just the song," Rainbow Dash said. She then looked over at Fluttershy. "Fluttershy's written a really great one." That made Fluttershy smile really wide. Almost Pinkie Pie smile wide.

"We're about to save the world here," Applejack said. "Personally, I think we should do it in style. Rarity?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" Rarity said, pulling out a cart of clothing.

Dusk walked over towards Applejack and asked, "Did she have those in here the entire time?" That made Applejack shrug her shoulders.





The Rainbooms, Sunset, Dusk, Nyx and Spike arrived at the top of a hill outside of the amphitheater as the Dazzlings were singing their final performance song. The Rainbooms were wearing different outfits. Including Dusk and Nyx.

"How are we supposed to play over them from up here?" Rainbow Dash complained. Just then, a car horn went off. The group turned around and saw DJ Pon-3 driving up to the group. She then stopped the car, and then it started transforming.

"Whoa!" Dusk said. "That is so cool!"

The car had transformed into a DJ's station, where the Rainbooms can connect their instruments. The others were amazed at what happened.

Nyx was looking down at the Dazzlings. She then gasped and said, "Everyone! The Dazzlings! They're transforming!" The others looked down at the stage to see that the Dazzlings had grown pony ears, tails and some creepy looking wings.

"Alright, everyone," Twilight said. "Let's get playing."

Pinkie got behind the drums and she started tapping her drumsticks together, saying, "1... 2... 3... 4!" She then started playing the drums loudly, getting the attention of everyone in the amphitheater. As the Rainbooms were playing, the group started to Pony Up.

Adagio smirked and said, "So the Rainbooms want to turn this into a real Battle of the Bands? Then let's battle!"

The two groups started using their magic to fight each other. Although, the Rainbooms had the upper hand at first, but then the Dazzlings took back control, and the Rainbooms fell to the ground. The microphone that Twilight was holding fell out of her grip and went over to Sunset Shimmer, Spike, Dusk and Nyx.

Sunset then picked up the microphone and looked over at the group.

"Sunset Shimmer, we need you!" Twilight called out. "Dusk, Nyx, you two as well!"

Sunset was unsure of herself, but then she got some confidence. She then walked in front of the Rainbooms, took off her jacket, and stood tall. Dusk and Nyx stood beside her. Sunset then started singing.

"You're never gonna bring me down... You're never gonna break this part of me..."

Then Dusk and Nyx came in with their singing.

"My friends are here to bring me 'round... Not singing just for popularity..."

Sunset was helping Twilight up to her feet. Twilight then joined in on the singing.

"We're here to let you know... That we won't let it go..."

Then the Rainbooms started singing together.

"Our music is a bomb and it's about to blow..."

That made a huge burst of magic head towards all the students of Canterlot, breaking the trance they were in. Twilight, Sunset, Dusk and Nyx sang together.

"And you can try to fight... But we have got the light of..."

Then the Rainbooms joined in.

"...Friendship on our side!"

The Dazzling started faltering in their singing as Sunset, Dusk and Nyx were ponying up. Sunset gained pony ears and a tail. Dusk and Nyx got the two, and their alicorn wings.

"Got the music in our hearts... We're here to blow this thing apart... And together, we will never... Be afraid of the dark... Here to sing our song out loud... Get you dancing with the crowd... As the music of our friendship... Survives, survives!"

Then a rainbow beam shot up from the Rainbooms and formed a clear alicorn in the sky. Then all of the students of Canterlot High, except for the Dazzlings, started singing together.

"Got the music in our hearts... We're here to blow this thing apart... And together, we will never... Be afraid of the dark... Here to sing our song out loud... Get you dancing with the crowd... As the music of our friendship... Survives, survives, survives!" When all of the students were singing together, the clear alicorn fired upon the Dazzling and the spiritual sirens. And the spiritual sirens were obliterated and the gems that the Dazzlings were wearing cracked apart and the music ended.

The Dazzlings recovered, but they had no magic. They looked down and saw their gems broken on the ground. They then picked them up and started singing. Too bad they were extremely off key. Then the students of Canterlot High started throwing fruit at them. Then the Dazzlings ran out of there.

The Rainbooms came onto the stage of the amphitheater and Sunset picked up a piece of the gems the Dazzlings had.

"You were right, Nyx," Sunset said. "They were so protective of these things."

"Without those pendants and the magic you brought here from Equestria, they're just three harmless teenage girls," Twilight said.

"Rainbooms rule!" came Flash's voice. Flash ran up to Twilight and hugged her. "That was amazing!" That made the others giggle at Flash hugging. Just then, Trixie came in between Twilight and Flash.

"You may have vanquished the Dazzlings," Trixie said, "but you will never have the amazing, show-stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" She then threw a smoke bomb at the ground and she vanished.

"She's gone!" Pinkie said as she and the others finished coughing. She then looked at the back of the amphitheater seats. "Oh, wait. There she is." Trixie was going over the back and she fell.

"Trixie's okay!" Trixie called out.

"You know, Twilight is going back to Equestria soon," Rainbow Dash said. She then looked over at Sunset. "The Rainbooms could really use someone to help Fluttershy on backup vocals." Sunset then looked over and saw an electric guitar, picked it up and played a guitar riff.

"I also play guitar," Sunset said to the group. The others were awestruck by Sunset's playing. Especially Rainbow Dash.

"We'll see," Rainbow Dash said.

Dusk then asked, "Did you take guitar classes since you first came here?"

"Yeah," Sunset said. "I had to learn many things when I was living in this world. Might as well do something for my own entertainment." Then they all went into a group hug.





The Rainbooms were standing in front of the portal leading back to Equestria.

"Sure wish you could stay longer," Applejack said.

"Me too," Twilight said. "But I have responsibilities in Equestria that I have to get back to." Pinkie wasn't paying attention. She was sticking her head into the portal. Then her head came out, her hair more messier than it already was. "Its citizens need me. But now I can go through the portal whenever I need to. This isn't goodbye. It's just goodbye 'til next time." She then looked down at Spike, Dusk and Nyx. "Ready?"

"Ready!" Spike said.

"At least now we can come back anytime," Dusk said. "I still can't believe there's still a way for me to be human again. Even if it is temporary."

"Can we go home now?" Nyx asked.

"Alright, Nyx," Twilight said. "Let's go." Then the four went into the portal.





Somewhere in the city, Sci-Twi was reading a chart from a seismograph. She then put it onto a pin board that had something to do with Canterlot High.

"No doubt about it, Spike," Sci-Twi said. "There's definitely something strange going on at that school..." Her dog, Spike, was busy playing with a dog toy. When he was being talked to, he just responded with a bark. Just then, there was a knocking on the door. "Come in!"

Then Dusk's counterpart came in and said, "Hey, Twilight. Breakfast is ready."

Sci-Twi sighed and said, "Alright. I'll be down in a minute." She then looked back at the pin board after Dusk closed the door.





Meanwhile in Equestria, Dusk and Nyx walked into one room of the Castle of Friendship.

"Hey, Spike!" Dusk said. "Mom has breakfast ready." Then the two of them stopped and they saw Spike stuffing his mouth with dog treats. "Did you smuggle dog treats from the other dimension?!"

"How did you even do that?" Nyx asked.

Spike chuckled nervously and said, "I... might have put them into your backpack the night before while you were sleeping." He then looked around, then pointed a finger at the two and said, "Don't tell Twilight."

Dusk and Nyx then smirked.
> Chapter 5: The Cutie Map
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5: The Cutie Map






In the Castle of Friendship Throne Room, Spike was asleep in the throne that was assigned to him. The Mane 6, Dusk, Nyx and the Tri-Pies were coming into the room. Pinkie Pie then sat in her throne with the Tri-Pies next to her. Then the symbol on the throne started glowing.

"Let's go through this one more time," Twilight said as Rainbow Dash was getting into her throne. Then the symbol on her throne started glowing.

Rainbow Dash sighed and said, "We've been over it like a million times, Twilight! We found all six keys, defeated Tirek, and got this sweet castle! End of story!"

"Yes, but why?" Twilight asked.

"Ah dunno, sugarcube," Applejack said as she was getting into her throne. Then the symbol on her throne started glowing. "Maybe it's just your new house and there ain't nothin' more to it than that."

"I must say, speaking strictly on aesthetics, there really doesn't need to be more to it," Rarity said as she got into her throne, and the symbol started glowing. "It's all simply divine!"

"I agree with Twilight," Fluttershy said as she was getting into her throne. Then the symbol on her throne started glowing. "And Rarity. And Applejack. And Rainbow Dash. And Pinkie Pie." She then looked over at Spike, who was still asleep in his throne. "Oh, and probably Spike."

"As princess, I've been chosen to spread the magic of friendship across Equestria," Twilight said, walking towards her throne. "So why would the Tree of Harmony want us to sit in a castle in Ponyville?" She then got into her throne. "It doesn't make any sense." She then sat down, and then both her Cutie Mark and the symbol on the throne started glowing. Then all of the other thrones started reacting, shooting a beam of light towards the center.

Dusk, Nyx and the Tri-Pies went towards the door, the girls were behind Dusk as he spread his wings. Then from the center of the circle of thrones, a crystal table emerged, waking Spike from his slumber.

Spike groaned and then he saw the table. He then asked, "Is that new?" Everypony else was surprised. "I like it."

Dusk then put his wings down and then he, Nyx and the Tri-Pies walked towards the table. Dusk then asked, "What is this thing?" Then the table was showing a map of Equestria. Spike was then walking on the map.

"This is incredible!" Spike said. "It's got all of Equestria!"

Pinkie Pie was looking down at a certain part of the map, seeing her family's Rock Farm. She then said, "Hi, Mom and Dad!" Just then, Spike stepped on where the farm was, Pinkie's eyes shrank, then got bugger and full of tears. Then the Tri-Pies ran up to her and hugged her.

Dusk then looked around as he heard something. He then said, "Do you all hear something?"

Nyx looked around and said, "Now that you think of it, I hear something, too."

Twilight looked around, and heard that the noise Dusk and Nyx heard was coming from her flanks. She unfolded her wings and saw that her Cutie Mark was glowing and flashing outwards. The rest of the Mane 6 looked at their marks and saw that the same thing was happening to their Cutie Marks. Then copies of their cutie marks came from the ceiling and hovered above the map. Then it went to a certain spot and started circling. Twilight then used her magic to get Spike off the map.

"But if this is Ponyville," Fluttershy said, looking at a part of the map, then looking at where the marks were on the map, "why are our cutie marks over there?"

"I don't know," Twilight said. "But it seems like the map wants us to find out. The Tree, the chest, this castle, and now the map. How can we not follow it?"

"Y'know what?" Rainbow Dash said, looking at the path on the map. "There's a ton of room for dangerous adventure along that route. Count me in!"

"Aw, shoot, I reckon you're right," Applejack added in.

"Well, I was planning on organizing my baking sheets with Cherry, Blueberry and Raspberry, but okay!" Pinkie Pie said before squeeing. That made the Tri-Pies sigh in sadness. Pinkie then hugged the Tri-Pies and said, "Aw, don't worry, girls. We'll do something special together."

"Yay!!" the Tri-Pies said while hugging Pinkie back.

Rarity then sighed and said, "Very well." Then she and Pinkie looked over at Fluttershy, waiting for the shy pegasus's answer. She then stepped back but then she saw Rainbow Dash looking at her, giving the same look as the other two mares.

"Um, maybe I'll just stay here with Spike, Dusk, Nyx and the Tri-Pies," Fluttershy said, not sure that she should go.

"Awesome!" came Spike's voice. They all looked over and saw that Spike had a drinking helmet and a foam finger. "Me and Big Mac have a huge weekend ahead of us talkin' hoofball, and... and trading hoofball cards, and arguing about hoofball stats..." What Spike was saying was scaring Fluttershy.

"O-o-on second thought, m-m-maybe I'd better go with them," Fluttershy said, shaking. "In case they need me."

"Looks like it's time for a road trip," Twilight said. She then looked over at Spike and said, "Spike, you keep an eye on Dusk and Nyx." She then looked at the Tri-Pies, who were looking at her with a trio of pouty looks. Twilight then smiled and said, "Also find Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo for a sleepover. Have the Tri-Pies make a party out of it."

That made the Tri-Pies smile widely. Then they ran over the room, shouting excitedly. Spike then sighed and said, "This is going to be a long night."

"Tell me about it," Dusk said.





When it was already night time, Dusk was climbing into his bed. He was trying to get to sleep when their was music playing through the halls of the Castle of Friendship. He then tried covering up and even held the pillow over his ears. Just then, he felt something, his eyes open wide, his pupils shank, and he put a hoof to his chest.

He breathed heavily and asked, "What... was that? It felt like..." Just then, he looked around and noticed how quiet it was. He then ran out of the room and went into the room where Nyx, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Tri-Pies were staying in, but they were all breathing in and out. "Are you girls all okay?"

The girls looked over at Dusk with surprised eyes. Nyx walked towards Dusk and said, "I don't know what happened, but as we were dancing, we just got this strange feeling. Like... our hearts were being tugged by something."

"Ah don't know what happened, but Ah got a strange feelin' that our families are in trouble," Apple Bloom said.

"You think Rarity, Twilight and their friends are in trouble?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"It could be that," Scootaloo said. "But where could they have gone?" Just then, Spike came into the room.

"What are you all doing up?!" Spike asked, angrily. "I'm trying to sleep!"

Dusk and Nyx walked over towards Spike and Dusk said, "Spike, I think Mom and her friends are in trouble. Everyone else here had a similar reaction."

"What?!" Spike asked. "That's weird. Perhaps..." He then thought of something. "You don't think it has something to do with where the girls went to, do you?"

"I think it is," Dusk said. "We should go there to see what's happening."

"Well, that's a good idea, but we should wait until morning," Spike said. "That way, we have the energy to get there. So everypony, head to bed." The foals nodded and headed towards their sleeping areas."





The next day, Spike, Dusk, Nyx, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Tri-Pies left Ponyville early to head to the place where the Mane 6 were sent to by the map. Spike had written the directions to get there. They came across the village where the Mane 6 went. They all looked around at all the ponies there and saw the ponies giving off forced smiles.

"Okay, this is weird," Spike said. "Why would Twilight and her friends be sent here?"

"Something isn't right here," Dusk said. He then pulled out some binoculars from his saddlebags and looked at the ponies of the town. "What?"

"What is it, Dusk?" Nyx asked.

"Check out their Cutie Marks," Dusk said, handing Nyx the binoculars with his magic. Nyx took them in her own magic.

"What?" Nyx asked. "All of them have equal signs for Cutie Marks?"

"What?" Apple Bloom asked, taking the binoculars. "That ain't right. Nopony should have the same Cutie Mark. And Ah think this ponies ain't really happy." She then handed the binoculars to the Tri-Pies. "What do ya three think?"

The Tri-Pies were fighting to hold the binoculars, but Blueberry got the upper hoof and looked through them. She then said, "You're right, Apple Bloom. Their smiles are forced. They're trying to hide their unhappiness." She then looked towards one building and saw Rainbow Dash trying to bang the door down from the inside. "Wait! I see Rainbow Dash!"

"What?!" Scootaloo asked.

"Hold up!" Blueberry said, holding up a hoof. She then noticed the Cutie Mark on Rainbow Dash's flank. It was not her usual mark of a cloud shooting out a bolt of rainbow lightning, but an equal sign. "She has the same mark as all of the other mares there."

"Which might mean Twilight, Rarity and the others are in there with their marks changed as well," Sweetie Belle said. "What are we going to do?"

Dusk sighed and said, "We go in." He then pulled out Nyx's disguise and handed it to Nyx. "Of course, Nyx has to go in wearing her disguise."

"Oh, boy," Nyx said. She then used her magic to put the disguise on. As soon as she got the vest and the headband on, she used her hooves to put on the glasses, and her eyes looked like common looking eyes.

"Is that the disguise you wore when ya met us from your Equestria?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Yes," Nyx said. "Or at least a copy of it."

"Alright," Scootaloo said. "Let's go." Then they all headed towards the town. But then they stopped when they saw the crowd of ponies heading over towards the building where the Mane 6 were. They all went behind a rock. Then they looked over the rock.

"Wait a minute," Nyx said. "Do the colors of all of those ponies look a little... faded?"

"Now that you think of it, you're right, Nyx," Sweetie Belle said. "And it seems that that one mare has the most brightness than the others."

"That's it," Spike said. "Let's go." Then they all headed towards the village."

"Not interested!" came Rainbow Dash's voice from the crowd. "You may have them now, but we're going to get our cutie marks back!"

That made the foals and Spike gasp and Scootaloo asked, "They forced their Cutie Marks off? That's why everypony has Equal Cutie Marks."

"Y'all don't understand, do ya?" came Applejack's voice. "You can't force nopony to be friends! It don't work like that!" Then some ponies tried asking politely to make the Mane 6 stay.

"It's all right, everypony," the mare with the brightest coat color said. "This is a perfectly normal part of the equalization process for those who haven't... quite seen the light yet. We'll try again tomorrow once you've had a bit more time to consider our philosophy!"

"Philosphy?!" Dusk shouted, getting the attention of everypony in the village. "Is that what you call inviting visitors into your village, stripping them of their Cutie Marks and forcing them to never leave?! 'Cause it sounds more like a prison than a village!"

"Dusk?!" Twilight asked. "Spike?! Nyx?! What are you and your friends doing here?!"

"Oh, good," the mare from before said. "More little foals who want to join us."

"Not... interested!" Dusk said. "Face the facts. You're keeping these ponies trapped here without any true happiness. Nopony is happy."

"You don't know what you're talking about," the mare said. "I, Starlight Glimmer, know everything about true friendship. You're implying that I'm enslaving these happy ponies? What makes you think that?"

"I've had experience," Dusk said.

"That's true," Twilight said.

"It's basically slavery," Nyx said. "I should've known you're the mastermind behind this with your bright colored coat and that fake equal Cutie Mark."

"Wait, what?!" everypony, sans Starlight, asked in unison.

"I looked at both of your flanks, and the equal mark on your flanks is different by five degrees," Nyx said. "Tri-Pies, soak her flanks."

Then the Tri-Pies zoomed off and doused Starlight with buckets of water, washing away the makeup on Starlight's flanks, revealing her true Cutie Mark, making the town ponies gasp in shock.



"You kept your real Cutie Mark the entire time?!" one of the ponies asked, angrily.

"Boy," Apple Bloom said. "Everypony here sure misses their Cutie Mark. Even Ah know that havin' different Cutie Marks don't make ya friends. It's doin' things together and havin' fun that does it."

"They're right, Starlight," Twilight said. "You must understand that..."

"QUIET!!" Starlight snarled at Twilight, angrily. "I care about all the ponies, and I want them all to be equal so nothing can separate their friendship! I'll make sure of it!" She then lit up her horn and teleported away.

"She's heading back to the cave where the Cutie Marks are stored!" came the voice of a mare, who was wearing an apron.

"Dusk," Twilight said, looking at Dusk. "The cave is over there. Take your friends and get the Cutie Marks out before Starlight can do something with them." Dusk nodded. He then lit up his horn, and he took Nyx, the Crusaders and the Tri-Pies with him to where the cave was. And they saw Starlight with a lot of jars. Starlight then shot a beam towards the foals, but Dusk used a barrier spell to block it.

"What?!" Starlight asked. "How is a colt that..." He then saw the wings on Dusk. "You're a male alicorn?! That's impossible! There shouldn't be male alicorns!"

"I'm the first," Dusk said. "Go!" Then the Crusaders and the Tri-Pies ran towards the Cutie Marks. Apple Bloom grabbed a staff and charged at Starlight. But Starlight teleported out of the way and the staff collided with the Cutie Mark safe. The safe cracked, and all of the Cutie Marks got out, and headed back towards their owners.

Starlight reappeared and shouted, "NO!! What have you done?!"

Dusk took Nyx and the other fillies back to town. They saw that all of the ponies had gotten their Cutie Marks back. Starlight reappeared.

"You have no idea what you've done!" Starlight shouted. "I'll get revenge on you, Twilight Sparkle. And your little colt, too!" She then teleported away.

"Should we be worried?" Nyx asked.

"Thank you," said one of the ponies. "Now that we've gotten our Cutie Marks and talents back, we can finally go back to our regular lives. Staying here."

"You're not leaving?" Twilight asked. "But Sugar Belle, why not?"

"It's our home," came a dark blue pegasus mare's voice. "I'm not going anywhere."

"This is a chance for all of us to get to know each other again for the very first time!" said a white unicorn stallion.

"And I finally have a chance to bake something besides terrible muffins!" Sugar Belle said. Then all of the ponies of the town started laughing.

Later, the Mane 6, Spike, Dusk, Nyx, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Tri-Pies looked down at the town, feeling good about what the town is doing now.

"Now those are real smiles," Pinkie said.

"Uh-huh!" said the Tri-Pies. Just then, the Cutie Marks on the Mane 6 started glowing again. This time, the marks were going inward.

"Ah'll never get used ta that," Applejack said.

"I think it's divine," Rarity said.

"Does that mean that the map is calling us somewhere else?" Fluttershy asked, looking at Twilight.

"I have a feeling it means our work here is done," Twilight said.

"Looks like you were right, Twilight," Applejack said. "The map did have a reason for sendin' us here. We brought real friendship to these here ponies. Guess that's why you're the Princess of Friendship."

"But the map didn't send me," Twilight said. "It sent us. The six of us. But if it wasn't for Spike, Dusk and these seven fillies, we would've been trapped here forever. You all are a part of me, all of you. And there's no doubt you're a part of my mission to spread friendship too." Then they all laughed together.

"This feels like an ending!" Pinkie Pie said, with the Tri-Pies holding freshly baked sweets. "It doesn't have to be an ending yet, right? 'Cause that Sugar Belle can bake!" The Tri-Pies hummed in agreement.

"Maybe we can stay a little while longer," Twilight said. "Come on!" Then all of them headed back towards town with smiles on their faces.
> Chapter 6: An Alternate Dimensionally Visit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6: An Alternate Dimensionally Visit






It had been a couple days since Twilight's friends surprised Twilight, Dusk and Nyx with the chandelier with pictures of memories from before, the chandelier was actually the roots of the Golden Oaks Library. Twilight, Dusk and Nyx looked up at the chandelier with smiles on their faces.

"So, this is our life now," Dusk said.

"Pretty much," Twilight said. She then sighed. "Alright, you two. It's time for bed."

"Okay, Twilight," said Nyx. Then she and Dusk headed out of there.

"This is going to be... WHOA!!" Twilight said, putting a hoof on her forehead. Dusk and Nyx looked over at Twilight in surprise.

"What is it, Mom?" Dusk asked.

"I... I don't know," Twilight said. "I just felt... a surge of magic. How did..." Then there was a bursting sound coming from out of the throne room. "It can't be..." Then she ran out of room, Dusk and Nyx followed.

"What's going on?" Nyx asked.

"I don't know," Dusk said.

Twilight was going from room to room, trying to find something. Just then, she came across Spike, using the toilet.

"Occupied!" Spike said.

Twilight closed the door and said, "Sorry, Spike!" Then she came across one room, which was the ball room of the castle. Just then she came across a voice she didn't see for a while. Well, she did almost everyday for about a year, but the face was much older. She then closed the door and said, "Huh. What are the odds?"

Dusk and Nyx walked up to Twilight and Dusk asked, "Mom? What's going on?"

"Dusk," Twilight said a little sheepishly. "This is awkward but... remember when a gender swapped Apple Bloom came to this dimension?"

"Yeah? Why?" Dusk asked. Twilight then opened the door, and then Dusk and Nyx gasped.

"Hello, Twilight," the stallion that looks like Twilight said. It was her other dimensional counterpart from the gender swapped dimension, who happened to name her son after him. And yes, he did have wings as well.

"Dusk?" Twilight asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm not the only one," Twilight's male counterpart said. Then coming in were a couple of young alicorns. One filly, one colt.




"Wait, what?" Twilight and her two foals asked in unison. Then Twilight's foals and Dusk's foals looked at each other, looking at their counterparts.

"Awkward!" the two adults said.

"I didn't expect you to come here," Twilight responded. She then looked at the lavender filly alicorn. "And I see you brought her here."

"Yep," adult Dusk said. "I couldn't just leave her alone with our parents out of town. Know what I mean?" Twilight nodded. "And the colt over there with your filly is Nox."

"Why does he have red eyes?" Twilight asked.

"Prince Artemis, our world's Princess Luna, was known as Nightterror Nebula in our Equestria," adult Dusk answered. "Although, I don't know how it was possible that he could change his eyes like that."

"Meh," Twilight said. "Comparing... What was his name? Nox?" Adult Dusk nodded. "Comparing Nox's eyes to Nyx's, it's actually creepier."

"Yeah, I can see it," Adult Dusk said. "But, the three of us didn't come here alone." He then showed Twilight who else was in the room. Twilight gasped at who else went with Dusk. In the room, there were the rest of the Mane 6, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Spines, all of them were waking up.

"What?!" Twilight asked. "You're all here?! But I thought...?!"

"That the ritual was limited up to 10 ponies?" Adult Dusk asked. "Well, it was because of the limitations of a unicorn's magic. Since I'm an alicorn..."

"The power of the ritual is increased!" Twilight said. "I never thought of it! How could I not thought of that sooner!" She put a hoof to her head.

"Although, I guess them not being alicorns made them sleepy," Adult Dusk said. He then looked at the clock in the room. "Or, they're just tired."

Twilight sighed and said, "I'll have Spike get the sleeping bags."

"Why would you want me to get sleeping bags?" came Spike's voice. They looked over and saw Spike walking up towards the group. He then went wide eyed at the gender swapped counterparts of Twilight, Dusk and Nyx. He then looked in the room and saw the counterparts of the rest of the Mane 6, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and himself of course. He then said... "So, how many sleeping bags should I get?"





The next morning, outside of the Castle of Friendship, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were all walking there.

"So, why do ya think that Twi wants all of us ta be at the Castle this early?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know, either," Rarity said. "Although, it was a little weird for her to ask to bring our little sisters here as well. I assume that Rainbow Dash is bringing Scootaloo."

"Oh, yes," Fluttershy said. "Of course Rainbow Dash is probably taking Scootaloo out for a flight."

"YAHOO!!" came Scootaloo's voice from above. They all looked up and saw Rainbow Dash carrying Scootaloo, giving the filly some air time. "This is awesome!"

"Yeah it is, Scoots!" Rainbow Dash said. "C'mon!" Then the two of them went down to the ground.

"Glad ya were havin' fun, Scoots," Apple Bloom said.

"Yeah, we're glad you're able to have some air time," Sweetie Belle said.

"Well, that was a fun start," Pinkie Pie said. "Let's go." They walked up the steps to the doors of the Castle of Friendship and just about when Pinkie Pie was about to put her hoof on the door handle, she felt something. Pinkie's hind legs spun around like fast spinning windmills, then stuck out. Then a second passed, and her forelegs repeated the process. He waited for a second, and then she started spinning around going into the air, and then she stopped and descended as slow as a feather falling. She then gasped and said, "I know what that means!"

"Uh oh!" Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity said in unison, Fluttershy cowering behind Rarity.

"We remember that one," Rainbow Dash said. "Back in the other dimension. Which means..." Then all of the mares gasped and ran inside. The Crusaders looked at each other confused, and then followed the mares.  Just then, they all headed into the dining room and at the door, Pinkie came face to face with her male counterpart, Berry Bubble.

"Pinkie Pie!"

"Berry Bubble!" Then the two hugged each other. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were jaw dropped at that.

"Does that mean..." Fluttershy asked. Then they all walked in and saw Twilight, Dusk, Nyx and Spike sitting with all of their counterparts. The Male Mane 6, Spines, and the Male Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Gosh, Ah didn't expect ya ta see these guys again so soon," Applejack said.

"Ah couldn't have said it any other way," said the male Applejack. The two ponies that shared the same name walked towards each other. Their younger siblings stood next to them.

Rarity and Sweetie Belle walked up to Elusive and Silver Belle, the latter meeting the two girls in the middle.

"Elusive," Rarity said with a big smile.

"Rarity," Elusive replied with a big smile of his own. He then looked down at Sweetie Belle. He smiled and said, "And this must be your dear little sister, Sweetie Belle. My word, I say you made a good decision of going back home."

"Of course, Elusive," Rarity said. "It would break my heart to leave Sweetie Belle all alone."

"And I guess it was me that made you choose your decision?" Silver Belle asked.

"Of course, Silver Belle," Rarity said. "Sweetie Belle needed me like you need Elusive."

"I... guess that's true," Silver Belle said. He then looked over at Sweetie Belle. "Although, it is a little strange seeing a filly that looks like me."

"Tell me about it," Sweetie Belle said. "When Apple Buck came to our Equestria, he was... well... it's just..."

"No need to worry about that, Sweetie Belle," Silver Belle stopped her. "Apple Buck told me. And it was a little disturbing coming from his mouth when he told me." He then rubbed the back of his head. "It was really disturbing hearing it from him." Then the two shuttered. Rarity and Elusive looked at each other and giggled.

Fluttershy walked up to Butterscotch, the two smiling sheepishly. Fluttershy then said to him, "Hi... Butterscotch."

"Oh... hi... Fluttershy..." Butterscotch replied.

Then it went to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo walked over towards Rainbow Blitz and Scooteroll. Scootaloo and Scooteroll tilted their heads, mirroring each others movements.

The two then said in unison, "Meh. Nothin' too different."

Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Blitz looked at each other with angry looks. Then the two of them then faced back to back, and had their forelegs. They looked back at each other with pouting lips.

Twilight, Dusk, Nyx and Spike were having a chat with their counterparts. Dusk was talking with his counterpart, the filly that was named after his mother.

"So, this is a little awkward," Dusk said.

"You're telling me," young Twilight said. "So, I'm guessing you were born a human like me?"

"And enslaved by family members," Dusk said.

"Doing nothing but cleaning the house," young Twilight continued.

"And not being able to go outside," the two said in unison. Then the two smiled and giggled.

"So, what was your name before you came here?" young Twilight asked.

"Henry. And yours?"

"Helen."

"Helen?" Dusk then thought about something. He then smiled. "I like that name." He then sighed. "Hopefully our human parents are doing fine."

"Yeah," young Twilight said. "They would've had the baby by now. Who knows what gender the baby is." Then the two of them sighed.

Twilight and her counterpart were then talking about a certain matter.

"So, Dusk," Twilight said. "I know this was weird for you, but... how did... you know..."

"How did my daughter Twilight come into our world?" adult Dusk asked, making Twilight nod. Adult Dusk sighed and said, "Well, it must be a whole lot different than how you did it. Which... might I ask...?"

"I was pregnant with him in minutes," Twilight said. "Now I know what mom went through when she had me and Shining Armor."

"Shining... Armor?" adult Dusk asked. He then got a realization and said, "Oh. Right. 'Your' older brother, who is the counterpart of 'my' older sister. Gleaming Shield."

"Okay," Twilight said. "We'll talk about that later. Anyway, how..." She then looked at the filly talking with her little Dusk. "...did she... come to living?"

Adult Dusk sighed and said, "It was a night quite like no other. I was heading over to the hedge to get a book I left there the last time my friends and I were there."






Gender Swapped Dimension... Long Before Dusk Shine's Coronation...


Dusk Shine, still a unicorn at the time, was walking towards the back of the hedge, and just like his counterpart, he slipped down a slope hidden in the back of the hedge.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" Dusk screamed as he was sliding own. When he finished sliding, he looked around, seeing that he was in the middle of the Everfree Forest. "W-where am I?" He lit up his horn, worried. He then saw a bunch of flowers around him. "Wow. It's... It's beautiful." He then looked around and saw a bunch of flowers. He then saw a unique flower on a pedestal, a flower that was purple and blue, with a pink center as it was blooming.

Dusk walked towards the flower and when he reached the flower and smelt it. It then sprayed some pollen in his face, making him cough.

"Okay..." Dusk said. "I should probably get home before Spines starts to worry." He then rubbed the pollen off of his face and then he headed for home, using the stars to guide him home. What he didn't realize was that the pollen left on his foreleg started moving up and then across his stomach. The pollen then started sprouting into a sack, which then covered the area between Dusk's hind legs. He then felt a strange sensation.

"Oh, man..." Dusk thought. "For some reason, I'm feeling a little horny. I don't know what's happening, but I think I like it." He then reached down his stomach, but he then felt the sack attached to his private area. He then went wide eyed. He then looked down and looked at the sack.

"What in Solaris's name?!" Dusk shouted. Just then, he felt himself relieving something he didn't have before, making him fall down, and rolling on his back. "Whoa!! This is really weird! How can something so wrong feel so good?!" He then started sweating. He then saw Zicoro, Zecora's counterpart.






Present time, Twilight's Castle of Friendship...


"So, basically, that sack took a lot of of me and well... she was born," adult Dusk said, pointing at the filly Twilight.

"Wow," Twilight said. "You were lucky because it wasn't painful for you." She then sighed. "So, how long are you going to be here? Not that I want you to leave immediately. I'm just wondering." Twilight got nervous and sweated.

"It's okay, Twilight," adult Dusk said. "We're just going to stay about three days."

"Luckily our parents won't be back home until next week," Twilight said. "As soon as Mom and Dad are done visiting Cadance and Shining Armor, they're coming back with the rest of the furniture from the house they lived in for a long time."

"Well, we got time," adult Dusk said. "And I still can't believe you came back to our dimension just to return Apple Buck. I still can't believe he convinced Presto to do that complicated spell!"

"Believe me, we have a lot to catch up on," Twilight said. "Although, I have a feeling that it's all going to be similar situations." The two nodded. "Although, with all of us here, I am going to have to request one thing."

"Let me guess," Dusk replied. "None of us leave the castle?"

"Just until you're good and ready," Twilight said. "I'll have the girls get the ingredients to get you home. Well, we won't have to worry about the blue feather." Then the two of them laughed. Then she and her counterpart headed out the door. But not before looking back at the ponies and dragon from the other dimension. "Now, all of you from the other dimension, no leaving the castle. That goes triple for you, Berry!"

"Aw, c'mon, Twilight!" Berry Bubble said. "Pinkie and I were just talking about throwing the biggest Berry Bubble Bash-slash-Pinkie Pie Party in the history of Berry Bubble Bash-slash-Pinkie Pie Parties. Although, it may as well be the first since we didn't do it back in our Equestria and..." Then the stallion Applejack shoved an apple into Berry's mouth.

"Berry's right, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie said. "I mean, we wanted to throw the biggest party back in the other dimension, but then AJ snatched me and took me back to the hedge with Big AJ on our trail, and we never got the chance to throw the biggest party-slash-bash in all..." Then the mare Applejack shoved an apple into Pinkie's mouth.

Then in unison, Twilight and adult Dusk said, "No means no!!" Then the two of them sighed and headed out the door.

"Ah reckon it's for the best, you two," the stallion Applejack said to the two.

"Ah must agree," Applejack said. "Ah mean, it is mighty high o' us ta keep all our counterparts here and outta sight from the ponies of Equestria. Well, our Equestria."

"Eeyup," the stallion Applejack said. "So, no parties where we're the guests of honor, Berry. You two, Pinkie." Then the two pink ponies swallowed the apples.

"Fine," the two pink ponies said in unison.

"But..." Pinkie said. "That doesn't mean we can't play games to pass the time!" She then jumped up into the air, her hind legs started spinning, and she said, "I'm gonna head over to Sugarcube Corner to get us some of the games I have there! BRB!" She then zoomed out of there.

"Ah guess that can work," said Applejack. "Might as well keep y'all entertained." Then all of them sighed in relief, the pink mare finding a loophole.
> Chapter 7: The Dreamer's Connection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7: The Dreamer's Connection






At the Castle of Friendship, Twilight's parents, Velvet and Night Light, were finally back, and helping with moving the rest of their furniture from their old home in Canterlot into the Castle of Friendship. Dusk was helping with the furniture arranging in the family room. Even when they had to get out all of Pinkie Pie's hidden party cannons. Just then, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo came into the room.

"Oh, Dusk," Velvet said, seeing the three fillies. "Looks like you have guests." Dusk looked towards the door and he saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Oh, hey girls," Dusk said. "What are you three doing here?"

"We just wanted ta talk ta yer sister, Nyx," Apple Bloom said. "Where is she?"

"Check her room," Dusk said. "Second floor, her room is marked with her Cutie Mark, across from mine." The Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded, and then they looked around. Dusk sighed and said, "I'll lead you." Then the four of them headed towards the stairs.

They reached the stairs of the rooms where the family were all staying. They even had a room for Cadance and Shining Armor to stay when they come to visit. They came across a room with Nyx's Cutie Mark. Dusk knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Nyx's voice came from inside. Then Dusk and the Crusaders walked in to see Nyx doing her homework. Nyx turned around and smiled at the girls. "What are you all doing here?"

Apple Bloom then handed Nyx the letter she got from Babs and said, "Babs got her Cutie Mark."

Nyx looked at the letter and smiled. She then said, "Well, that's good."

"Yeah, but," Apple Bloom said. "We just thought of somethin'. Ya said that ya were still in the club back in yer Equestria. Even though ya have yer Cutie Mark."

"Of course," Nyx said with a smile. "But like Twilight said, our friendship can't end if one of us has a Cutie Mark or not. We can still be friends whether or not we have them or not."

"I'm sure that you all will get your Cutie Marks soon," Dusk said, smiling. "Anyway, I'm gonna head back to Grandma and Grandpa and help with the rest of their things." Dusk then left the room.





Later that night, Dusk went to bed and fell asleep. Dusk was dreaming that he was in an amusement park with Twilight, Spike, Nyx, Cadance, Shining Armor, Velvet and Night Light. Of course, they were all in human form, the human form from Dusk's original world.

When they came from another ride, a woman with blue hair came to Dusk's attention. The woman was dressed in a long blue dress with a white crescent moon at the bottom of the head hole, and a small black tiara on her head.

"A charming dream of yours, Dusk Shine," the woman said. Dusk looked towards her, then looked back and his family, only to see that he was the only one standing there. Dusk then walked over towards the woman.

"Princess Luna? Is that you?" Dusk asked. Then the two of them transformed back into the ponies they were in the waking world. Dusk then smiled and said, "I guess that answers my question."

"Yes," Princess Luna said. "Although, I'm happy to see that you have gotten used to those new wings of yours."

"Yeah," Dusk said, unfolding his wings. "Although, I do miss my old mom and dad." He then sighed sadly. "I just hope that they're doing alright."

Princess Luna then sighed and said, "Dusk. There is... something you need to know about... your past mother and father."

Dusk looked Luna in the eyes and asked, "What is it?"

"Your mother and father... well..." Luna said, biting her lip. She then sighed. "Ever since you last saw them, time between this world and that world has altered. It has been six and a half years on that world."

"Six and a half years?" Dusk asked.

"Yes," Luna said. "And... they indeed have a baby. A girl. I assume you know her name."

"Sam?" Dusk asked.

"Yes," Luna said. "Young Samantha has been born, but, I'm afraid that she... well..." Luna started getting nervous.

"What happened?" Dusk asked, starting to get worried.

Luna sighed and said, "It would seem that your former aunt Bonnie has escaped from the prison she was sent to, and she has been seeking for the niece of hers and have Sam be the slave she treated you as."

"What about Mom and Dad?" Dusk asked. "Aren't they going to do something about it?"

"It would seem that your previous mother has passed away," Luna said. "Your father knows as much as you and I know that your former aunt will stop at nothing to get your sister. Even... if it means her doing something drastic."

"What... what happened?" Dusk asked, getting a little nervous.

"For now, they be on a cruise ship around the world," Princess Luna said. "But... alas... til not be forever. Your previous father has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He doesn't have long to live."

"Oh no..." Dusk said. "Is there anything we can do?"

"I'm gonna have a chat with him," said Princess Luna. "I shall ask him what I can do for him. I'll make sure that we will find a solution that does not have young Samantha fall into the hands of that horrible woman that was your aunt before you arrived in Equestria."

"Thank you, Princess Luna," Dusk said.

"Please," Luna said, bringing Dusk over towards her and rubbing his head. "Call me Luna. You don't have to address me as royalty since you, Twilight and Nyx are royalty as well." Dusk nodded. "Now, I'll let you get back to your dream. I shall see you another time." Then Luna started fading away and Dusk went back to a human form. Then he felt a hand on his left shoulder, seeing Twilight there.

"Come on, Dusk," Dream Twilight said. "Let's head on over to the next ride."

"Okay," Dusk said. Then he got up from the seat, and they headed over towards the ride with his family in the dream.






Earth... Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean... Royal Caribbean Infirmary...


On the cruise ship that Henry's father and sister were on, Henry's father, Joseph Calvin, and his daughter, Samantha, or Sam for short, were in the infirmary. Joseph was coughing. Sam walked over towards her father and said, "Daddy, please. I don't want to lose you."

Joseph chuckled and said, "It's going to be okay, Sam. You'll be okay, too."

"What if Aunt Bonnie finds me?" Sam asked. "You and Mommy told me about her and what she and Devon did to my brother. She's evil."

"I know," said Joseph, rubbing Sam's head. "I'll find someone to raise you after I'm gone."

"How about somepony?" came another voice. The two looked over and saw Princess Luna standing there.

"Luna?" Joseph asked.

"A talking... horse?" Sam asked.

"She's not a horse, Sam," Joseph said. "There's... another thing I have to tell you about your brother."

"What... what is it?" Sam asked.

"Henry is... alive... in another world," Joseph said. "Sam, this is Princess Luna. She happens to be from the world where Henry is living now. As a pony."

"A pony?" Sam asked. "My brother... is now a pony?"

"Yes," said Joseph. "He happens to be a purple unicorn now."

"Time works differently in Equestria than it does here," Princess Luna said. "It has been at least eight months. And it has been an interesting eight months. For example, Henry Calvin, now known as Dusk Shine, has become an alicorn, the first male alicorn of Equestria, officially making him a prince. His new biological mother became an alicorn weeks before he did."

"So they're royals now?" Joseph asked.

"Yes," Princess Luna said. "I have just told Dusk Shine about your condition, Joseph Calvin." She then looked over at the medical records of Joseph. "And according to these charts... you'll be lucky to survive the night."

Joseph chuckled and said, "Just like me and Emma were told about Henry." He then sighed and looked over at Sam. "Your mother and I will always be with you." He then looked back towards Princess Luna. "Luna. I have something to ask of you."

"You may ask," Princess Luna said.

"Will you take my daughter with you to Equestria?" Joseph asked. "Have her meet her long lost brother at last?" Sam was surprised at that.

"You... want me to go with her?" Sam asked.

"I don't have that long to live, Samantha," Joseph said, patting the girl's head. "I want you to live the best life you have to have. And I know... that you'll be..." He then started coughing. "You'll be... my brave little girl." Then the heart monitor started beeping slower. "Goodbye... Sam..." He then closed his eyes and alarms were blaring.

"Let's get you to the room you and your father stayed," Princess Luna said. "Get some of your stuff. We'll take it with us to Equestria." Princess Luna then turned invisible and whispered into Sam's ear. "I'll be right beside you when you head there." Sam then headed for the door as the doctors came running in.

Sam went to the room her and her father were living in. Princess Luna then appeared next to her. Sam then went over to the dresser where her clothes were, but Princess Luna stopped her.

"I doubt those clothes are going to be useful for you when you're in Equestria," Princess Luna said. "When you arrive in Equestria, you shall be turned into a pony to fit in with the environment. I shall train you on walking and... depending on what type of pony you shall become, teach you the basics of your magic."

"Okay," Sam said. She then walked over towards her toy chest, and grabbed her favorite teddy bear. She then grabbed her family picture. She then sighed when looking at the photo. She then had tears in her eyes. Princess Luna then walked over towards her and pulled her in for a wing hug.

"It'll be okay," Princess Luna said to Sam. "Your parents would want what is best for you." She then stood up and said, "Let us get going." She then lit up her horn and the two disappeared. Along with the bedding on Sam's bed.






Back in Equestria... The Next Morning...


Dusk was in the bathroom, gargling some mouth wash. He then spat out the mouthwash and headed out of the bathroom. Just then, Spike came running towards him with a rolled up note in his claws.

"Yo, Dusk," Spike said. He then stopped. He then unrolled the note. "A message to you from Princess Luna." He then showed the message from Princess Luna.

"Dearest Prince Dusk Shine,
I apologize to tell you this tragic message. It would seem that your father had just passed away. As for your sister, all I can tell you is that she'll be in good care. I'll be sure to monitor her and she'll never be what you have been to your aunt Bonnie. I can promise you that.
Signed, Princess Luna."

Dusk then sat down on his flanks, feeling sad that both his original parents had passed away. Spike then patted Dusk's back and said, "I'm sorry, bro. It'll be okay. I'm sure that your human sister will be okay."

"I hope so, too," Dusk said. He then sighed. "I just wish she was brought here. I would have Mom take her into the family, and we'll get to know each other."

"I'm sure that your sister on Earth will be okay," Spike said. "How about you and me do something together? Would that make you feel better?"

Dusk looked over at Spike with a sad smile and said, "Maybe something that can clear my head." Then the two of them headed down the hall. "And no Ogres and Oubliettes."

"Dang it," Spike said. "You know, your Uncle Shining was the one who got me into that game. Why not one game?"

"No way," said Dusk. "You do what you want, I'll do what I want."

"How about we go to arcade row instead?" Spike asked. "You know, play the arcade games?"

"Sure," said Dusk. "That'll do." The two of them then headed out the door.
> Chapter 8: At the Gala
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 8: At the Gala






Twilight took Dusk and Nyx to Carousel Boutique to get them prepared for the Grand Galloping Gala. In Nyx's original Equestria, the Twilight there didn't take her to the gala because she wasn't sure that ponies would want Nyx there. But in this Equestria, Nyx now has no need to worry, after what Blueblood attempted to do to her.

Dusk was getting a refitting of the outfit he wore for his cute-ceañera. He had his wings spread out as Rarity was making the finishing touches.

"And with that... it is done," Rarity said.

"Thank you, Rarity," Twilight said. She then looked at Dusk and Nyx. "Alright, you two, I'm going to head on up to Canterlot for the Grand Galloping Gala preparations. Spike will be bringing the two of you up to Canterlot tomorrow."

"Okay, Mom," Dusk said as Nyx nodded. Then Dusk got up on his hind legs, and spread out his forelegs and wings so Rarity could take off the outfit.

"There you go," Rarity said, successfully taking off the outfit. "I'll have this packed up for you to take home." Rarity then put the outfit in a box that had his Cutie Mark. Nyx already had her outfit in a box with her Cutie Mark on it. Then they headed on back to the Castle of Friendship.

When they went into the castle, they saw Spike coming towards the door. Spike smiled and said, "Hey, you two. Already done with the fitting?"

"Yeah," Dusk said. "So, what's going to be cooking?"

"I'm actually going to order pizza," Spike said. "And, I heard that Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are the plus ones of Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash."

"Yeah," Nyx said. "It would be nice to be around some friends at the Gala."

"That's good," Spike said. "Why don't you two go on and do something while I get the pizza?" Dusk and Nyx nodded and headed to their rooms. Dusk put his outfit on a bench that was placed in front of his bed. He then walked over towards his desk, and sat in the seat that was in front of it. On the wall over the desk, there was a pin board full of pictures, pictures of every good thing that's happened since he arrived in Equestria. He then sighed, hoping that his human sister, Sam, was going to be alright. Just then, there was a knocking on the door.

"Come in," Dusk said. The door opened and Nyx came walking in. "Oh, hey, Nyx."

"Hey, Dusk," Nyx said walking towards the colt. She then looked at Dusk's sad look and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm... just thinking... of my old mom and dad," Dusk said. He then sighed sadly. "According to Princess Luna, they had a baby. Time was now different there than it is here. Now my old mom and dad are dead. And my sister is all alone there. And my Aunt Bonnie is probably going to be after her, and treat her how she treated me. I kinda felt like James from James and the Giant Peach."

"Princess Luna got me that book from that world," Nyx said. "Good story. But your parents were still alive then. But now...?"

"Now I feel like when Aunt Bonnie does eventually get her, Sam is going to feel like Cinderella," Dusk said. "I just hope that Sam is smart enough to avoid her."






Earth... Miami Port... Two Days after Joseph's Death...


The Cruise that Joseph and Sam were on docked, and a bunch of people were getting off or on the boat. One woman was walking up the ramp and into the main lobby of the cruise. She then walked towards the front desk.

"Excuse me, my good sir," the woman said. "I am aware that you have my niece on this cruise. And I heard that her father had recently passed away."

"I'm sorry, miss..." the manager said. "But, might I ask who you are?"

"I happen to be the aunt of young Samantha Calvin," the woman said. "I am Bonnie Henderson." The woman revealed herself to be Dusk/Henry's aunt. "I'm just here to pick her up and take her home."

The manager than looked down and saw Bonnie's name on a list of most wanted criminals related to any of the guests. He then pushed a button under the desk and said to Bonnie, "Of course, ma'am. Just... wait right here, and I shall have some people come and get you what you need." He then walked away. Bonnie then sat on a bench, waiting for her niece, who she thinks that she was still on the boat.

If you're wondering how she escaped from prison, she tricked a guard into thinking she was sick, and knocked him out, and leaving him in the prison cell. Then she stole a prison truck and high tailed it out of there. When she heard that her sister, Emma, died, and had another kid, that gave her the opportunity to get a new slave. Then when she finds Sam, she's going to find her son, and then find a place where the three of them can live, and treat Sam like the personal slave.

About ten minutes passed, and the manager came back, with some police men. The manager then said, "There she is, officers." The police men ran towards Bonnie, who was about to get up, but not in time when the police men grabbed her arms. The manager then walked towards them and said to the woman, "You think I didn't know about you? Your brother-in-law had told me about what you have done to his son."

"My brother-in-law told you about that?!" Bonnie asked. "Don't you understand?! I'm the only guardian that Samantha has left in her family. I have to be the one to take care of her."

"Well, that's not going to happen," the manager said. "For some reason, Samantha seems to not be on the boat. Two nights ago, a woman came to the boat and picked her up, and took her away on a helicopter. She's long gone."

"NOOOOOO!!!" Bonnie shouted as the police men were dragging her off the boat, taking her back to prison.

The manager smiled and said, "Joseph, I know your daughter will be alright. Wherever she is going to be."






Back in Equestria... Night of the Grand Galloping Gala...


The Mane 6 and their guests were at the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot. Applejack and Rarity brought their sisters as their plus ones, Rainbow Dash brought Scootaloo, and Fluttershy brought a pony named Tree Hugger. Pinkie Pie wanted to bring the Tri-Pies, but she was only allowed to bring one pony, so she decided to bring her sister Maud.

Dusk and Nyx headed over to where Twilight and Princess Celestia were. Princess Celestia looked down and saw the two alicorn foals and smiled. She then said, "Good to see you two again, Dusk Shine and Nyx."

"Good evening, Celestia," Nyx said with a smile.

"Are you ready to enjoy the Grand Galloping Gala?" Princess Celestia asked.

"This is actually our first time," Dusk said.

"You two go on and hang out with your friends," Twilight said. Dusk and Nyx nodded and headed over towards Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. As they were walking away, they weren't aware that from a balcony above, there was Princess Luna and a foal wearing a cloak.

"There he goes," Princess Luna said. "That young, purple colt was your brother."

"That's Henry?" the foal in the cloak asked.

"That's right, Samantha," Princess Luna said. "But now, he goes by Dusk Shine. Prince Dusk Shine to be more accurate. When he died in your world, he made one last wish. To give your parents another chance to be great parents, and a new family that would love him just as much as any loving family would. And as by pure luck, Twilight Sparkle, who wasn't a princess back then, had come across a flower that not only made her pregnant in minutes, but that foal had become the new vessel for young Henry, who then aged to how old he was when he died."

"Wow," Sam said, still covered up. "He's done so much when being here. Mom and Dad would be so proud."

"Yes... they would have," Princess Luna said. "Now, let's get you back to your room. There's more things for you to learn when you're here." Then the two of them headed out of there. Heading off to a certain room in the castle.





Later in the night, Discord was trying his best to hang out with Fluttershy, trying to get her away from the pony she brought as her plus one, Tree Hugger. Which was actually driving Fluttershy's friendship away with his own jealousy. Then he tried something else. Stand up comedy. Which went crashing down, especially when Maud heckled, making the other ponies there laugh.

One colt that was there wasn't paying attention as Discord's guest, the Smooze, was leaking out of a closet that Discord had locked him up in. The Smooze had eaten every shiny thing in there and started growing.

Twilight noticed it and shouted, "What is that?!" Then the Smooze had spread itself through the entire ballroom. A lot of ponies panicking. Rainbow Dash tried flying out of the sticky mess, but her hooves were stuck. Twilight tried using her magic to subdue the blob, but it did nothing. She then looked up at Princess Celestia, who was partially covered by the slime, and said, "None of my magic works on this ooze! Can you stop it?"

Princess Celestia then tried lighting up her horn, but the tip of her horn was covered in slime, which popped and dissipated Celestia's magic. Princess Celestia then said, "I'm afraid not!"

Discord was then hovering over the two and Twilight shouted, "Discord, how could you bring him here?!"

"Oh, he's not that bad!" Discord said.

Dusk and Nyx were up on the top of the stairs in the room, which was in the highest floor in the room. Dusk and Nyx looked around at the Smooze and Nyx asked, "What are we going to do?"

"I don't know," Dusk said. "That thing's immune to magic. How can we stop that thing?"

Just then, the sound of somepony vocalizing came to their attention, and the Smooze started shrinking back to normal size. The vocalizing was coming from Tree Hugger, who was impressing everypony there. Discord on the other hand, or hoof, was very ticked off. He then snapped. He wanted Tree Hugger gone, and so he ripped the fabric of reality, and on the other side, there was a sock puppet.

"A sock puppet?" Dusk asked. "I remember those when I was four, and human."

Discord wanting to throw Tree Hugger into another dimension was making the Mane 6 angry. Especially Fluttershy. She yelled at Discord to stop. Fluttershy then explained to Discord that she didn't abandon him. Fluttershy then gave an example if Discord invited a chaos bringing friend. Discord then apologized to Tree Hugger, and then they all enjoyed the rest of the Gala.

Twilight, Dusk, Nyx and Celestia were all standing next to each other. Twilight looked up at Princess Celestia and said, "I'm sorry, Princess Celestia. I thought I could give you a break tonight, but it turns out I was in over my head."

"You have nothing to apologize for," Princess Celestia replied. "This has been the most fun Gala in years!"

Twilight didn't get the message when she said, "I know, it was a..." She then went wide eyed. "What?! But there was ooze all over the place! And one of the guests threatened to send somepony to another dimension!"

"I know!" Princess Celestia said with a big smile. "Can you imagine how dull it would have been if I hadn't invited Discord?" Then the two grown ups headed down to the gala. "Come on! Whoo! The night is still young!"

Then Dusk and Nyx got closer together, and Nyx asked, "That was unexpected. Even from my Equestria."

"I am at a loss for words," Dusk said. Then the two of them headed towards the rest of the ponies in the ballroom.





Later in the night, Princess Celestia went to the royal quarters of her sister, Luna. She had a smile on her face as Luna was looking at somepony else that was in the room.

"Is she ready?" Princess Celestia asked.

"Yes," Princess Luna replied. "Samantha is now ready to go out as a filly."

"Samantha," Princess Celestia said. "That name does not seem suitable for this world. I think we need a new name for her. One suitable."

"Of course," Princess Luna said. "We went through a list of possible names for her in this world. And we came to a conclusion. We decided to go with the name... Daylight Savings."
> Chapter 9: Daylight Savings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 9: Daylight Savings






A few days had passed since the Grand Galloping Gala. Dusk, Nyx, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Tri-Pies went into the Ponyville Schoolhouse. The Tri-Pies were happy that their friends were able to go to the Grand Galloping Gala, and they missed out.

"You guys are all lucky to have gone to the Grand Galloping Gala," Cherry Pie said as all of them were heading to their seats.

"Yeah," Blueberry Pie said. "Too bad Mom could only bring one pony."

"At least Auntie Maud was able to go," Raspberry Pie said.

"And just yesterday, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash just left fer Griffonstone for somethin'," Apple Bloom said. Then the school bell rang, and Cheerilee came in.

"Alright, my little ponies," Cheerilee said. "Everypony to your seats." Then all of the students headed towards their desks. Cheerilee then stood tall and said, "Everypony, I have an announcement. We have a new student joining us."

"Oh, great," Diamond Tiara said in a mean tone. "A new loser for us to handle. We already have too many losers already." That comment made the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Dusk, Nyx and the Tri-Pies get angry at Diamond Tiara.

"Anyway, meet our new student," Cheerilee said. "Her name... is Daylight Savings." Then the class looked towards the door and in came a new filly. The filly had a sky blue coat, a thick mane and tail with light orange, yellow and pink hair, and a pair of beautiful light green eyes. Also, coming from her forehead was a unicorn horn. "She just recently moved here and is wanting to get to know all the good ponies. So, I need a volunteer to help her adjust and show her around. Any volunteers?"



Then the Tri-Pies each raised a hoof, all of them chanting "Pick me!" multiple times.

Cheerilee thought about it, and thinking that those three were basically the daughters of Pinkie Pie, she'd think that they would be too much for Daylight Savings to handle. She then looked at Nyx and said, "Nyx, why don't you show Daylight around? Since you are the smartest one in the class."

"Oh, um... I guess?" Nyx said, smiling nervously. Nyx then looked over at Daylight Savings, got up from her seat, and walked towards the new filly.

"Looks like Nyx is gonna be busy for the rest of the school day," Dusk said, whispering towards Apple Bloom, who replied with a nod.





Later during recess, all of the fillies and colts headed out to the playground, which was damaged. Nyx and Daylight Savings were the last ones out of the schoolhouse.  The two of them headed out for the swing set, which was damaged along with the other things on the playground.

"Sheesh," Daylight Savings said. "What happened here?"

"Apparently, the playground got damaged when my mom, Princess Twilight Sparkle, was fighting with a magic sucking centaur, Lord Tirek," Nyx replied. "Dusk and I weren't here during that battle because if Tirek knew about us, he would hunt us down and take our magic. If he got my magic..." She then sighed. "Let's just say I would end up as nothing but black shreds."

"Wow," said Daylight Savings. "So, where were you when all of that happened?"

"Me and Dusk were with Grandma and Grandpa on a Zeppelin Cruise," Nyx said. "Twilight wanted us to be safe with that crazy centaur on the loose." She then sighed. "So, you want to hang out with me and my friends?"

"Sure," Daylight Savings replied. Then the two of them were about to head off, but they were blocked off by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"I don't think so, Nightmare Moon," Diamond Tiara said, smirking. "You are no longer allowed on this playground. Or in Equestria."

That made Nyx scrunch her face in anger and she replied, "Just because you're in a rich family doesn't mean you can do whatever you want and tell ponies what you want to do."

"Don't listen to them, Nyx," Daylight said to the alicorn filly. "She's just the class loser." That made Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon gasp.

"What... did you call me?" Diamond Tiara said in an angry tone.

"Come on, Nyx," Daylight said. "Why don't you introduce me to your friends?" Nyx smiled and nodded. Then the two of them headed off towards Nyx's friends, but they were cut off again.

"Don't you dare walk away from me!" Diamond Tiara snapped. "I'm going to to make sure that you are going to respect me!" She was about to hit Daylight, but a magenta aura surrounded Diamond's foreleg, preventing Diamond from hitting Daylight. "What?!"

Dusk Shine, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Tri-Pies walked over towards Nyx, Daylight and the schoolhouse bullies, his horn lit up in the same aura that was surrounding Diamond Tiara's horn.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Dusk said, an angry look on his face.

"Stay out of this, loser," Diamond Tiara said. "The new filly has to pay the price for calling me a loser!"

"What's going on here?!" came Cheerilee's voice.

"Diamond Tiara was already trying to cause trouble," Nyx said. "She was trying to convince Daylight that she doesn't belong anywhere."

"Well, she called me a loser!" Diamond Tiara pointed a hoof at Daylight.

"I was taught that all bullies are the real losers because they don't have any real friends, except for those who don't want to be bullied," Daylight said.

Cheerilee sighed and said, "Diamond Tiara, every time we get a new student, you seem to pick on them. First Dusk Shine, then Nyx and now Daylight Savings. You have been nothing but trouble for the entire class. For the rest of the semester, you will be spending all of recess, and an hour after school, inside, sitting in your desk in silence, with me watching you."

"What?!" Diamond Tiara shouted. "You can't do that!" Diamond Tiara then growled and charged at Daylight, but then she was grabbed in Dusk's magic. She was then levitated over towards Cheerilee, who then grabbed Diamond's ear. "Ow ow ow ow ow! Stop it!" Diamond Tiara was dragged into the schoolhouse for the rest of recess.

Nyx then looked at Daylight and asked, "So, you want to play with us with what's not broken?" Daylight nodded and they headed over to a part of the playground that wasn't damaged.





After school, almost all of the foals left the schoolhouse. Dusk, Nyx, the CMC and the Tri-Pies were walking together heading back towards town.

"So, what are you all gonna do for the rest of the day?" Nyx asked, looking at the other girls in the group.

"Well, since Mom's out of town, we might as well do what she usually does when a new pony comes to town," Cherry Pie said, making Dusk, Nyx and the CMC think on that. But then the Tri-Pies said something in unison.

"A 'Welcome to Ponyville Party!'" the Tri-Pies shouted in unison and smile big.

"We're gonna head on over to Sugarcube Corner and get all of Mom's party planning stuff ready!" Blueberry Pie said.

"It's gonna be awesome!" Raspberry Pie said. Then the Tri-Pies rushed away from the group.

"Of course," Dusk said. "Like mother, like daughters." He then looked over at Nyx and said, "Kinda like you." Nyx nodded. Then the two looked over at Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "So, what are you three going to do?"

"We're gonna think of ways so we can find our Cutie Marks," Sweetie Belle said.

"And we're not gonna stop until we get them," Scootaloo said.

"Let's get goin' girls," Apple Bloom said. She then looked at Dusk and said, "Ya can join us if ya want, Dusk."

"Sure," Dusk said. "I got nothing better to do today." Then Dusk and the girls headed off somewhere. Unbeknownst to them, Daylight Savings poked her head from behind the schoolhouse with a smile on her face. She then turned around, and standing on the same side of the schoolhouse were both Princesses Celestia and Luna.

"So, Dusk didn't know who you are?" Princess Celestia asked.

"Nope," Daylight said. "Although, I haven't gotten the chance to meet him back on Earth... because..." She then sighed sadly. Princess Luna used a hoof to make Daylight look up at her.

"It'll be alright, Daylight," Princess Luna said. "We shall make sure that you'll have a loving family. And I'm sure that you will have as much time with your long lost brother than you've been waiting for." That made Daylight smile.

"Come on, Daylight," Princess Celestia said. "We must go on and meet with Twilight Sparkle. It'll give us enough time before Dusk and Nyx get back to the castle." Then the three of them headed away from there.





Outside of the Castle of Friendship, Dusk, Nyx and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were walking up the steps. They went in and looked around.

Dusk then called out, "Mom! Spike! We're home!"

Just then, the sound of a door opening came and coming down the hall was Spike. Spike stopped right in front of the five foals.

"Glad you all are here," Spike said. "We got some guests."

"Guests?" Nyx asked. "Were we expecting somepony?"

"It was a surprise visit," Spike said. "From Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. And they brought a guest."

Then they all headed into the throne room where they saw Twilight, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sitting in three of the thrones. Twilight was sitting in her own throne, Princess Celestia was sitting in Rainbow Dash's throne, and Princess Luna was sitting in Fluttershy's throne. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna looked towards the two and smiled.

"Hello, my little ponies," Princess Celestia said with a smile on her face. Then Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo started bowing. Then Nyx started bowing, but then she remembered that she didn't need to bow. Princess Celestia chuckled and said, "I see that you remembered that you don't have to bow, Nyx."

"She had that problem back in her Equestria," Princess Luna said.

Twilight smiled and then looked back at the foals. She then said to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "You can all rise." The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood up. "Dusk, Nyx, how was school today?"

"It was good," Dusk said. "We got a new student today."

"A new student?" Twilight asked. "Well that's interesting? What's the student's name, gender and pony race?"

"Daylight Savings, girl, and unicorn," Nyx said.

Twilight smiled and said, "Well, it would seem that we have another guest with us." Then Twilight looked over at the thrones, and sitting in Applejack's throne came...

"Daylight Savings?!" Dusk, Nyx and the Crusaders gasped.

Daylight then hopped out of the throne and walked over towards the princesses. She smiled at the group.

"There's something about Daylight Savings that you need to know," Princess Celestia said to the foals. "Mostly for you, Dusk Shine."

"What do you mean, Celestia?" Dusk asked, confusion all over his face.

"You see, Daylight Savings was once a human, like yourself," Princess Celestia said.

"She was a human?" Dusk asked.

"Mm-hmm," Daylight hummed while nodding. "Surprised?"

"Very," Dusk replied. "How come you never brought it up?"

Princess Celestia walked up to Dusk and said, "Because we tasked her not to tell you, until right now. This specific human was just recently orphaned."

"Oh, man," Dusk said.

"What happened?" Nyx asked.

"Mommy got killed," Daylight said. "And my daddy died of lung cancer just a few days ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Nyx said, hugging Daylight. She then sighed and asked, "What were their names before you came here?"

Daylight gave a nervous smile and said, "Funny you should mention that."

"Huh?" Dusk and Nyx asked in unison.

"Dusk... Daylight Savings was originally... the daughter of your original parents," Princess Celestia explained, making Dusk's eyes narrow to at least the size of a bit coin. Dusk slowly walked up to Daylight.

"You're... you're Sam?" Dusk asked.

Daylight nodded, then she hugged Dusk. Daylight then said, "Ever since I heard about you, Henry... I wished that one day I would get to meet you. Never did I imagine that you would be in an entirely different body."

Dusk was surprised that his human little sister was now there with him in Equestria. He was certain that he wasn't going to see, let alone meet her. Dusk then returned the hug, knowing that he actually got a chance to actually meet her.

"So, where does she get to stay?" Nyx asked.

"I'm actually glad you brought that up, Nyx," Twilight said. "Princess Celestia had informed me about Daylight Savings really being the sister of Dusk, before he came to Equestria, and long before she was born. I hope you don't mind, Nyx, but I'm having her bunk with you in your room."

"Really?" Nyx asked.

"Uh-huh," Twilight said. "Your grandparents are already in there, setting up the bunk bed we just installed in there."

"A bunk bed?" Nyx asked. She then ran out of the room. Then the others followed into Nyx's bedroom. They saw that the bunk bed was almost finished. "Whoa."

Velvet and Night Light looked towards the group and smiled. Velvet smiled and said, "So, I see that you've already got the message."

"Whoa," Nyx said, looking at the bunk bed.

"Yeah," Velvet said. "Night Light and I have been working on it for the past two hours."

"Really?" Twilight asked. "I thought you'd handle all of the instructions with ease?"

"Well, I might have dropped the screws," Night Light said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"And now, there's one thing that needs to be asked," Velvet said. "Who gets the top bunk?"

Nyx and Daylight looked at each other, and then Daylight smiled and said, "I think we should let Nyx get the top bunk. She does have wings after all."

Nyx then looked back and unfolded her wings. She then smiled and said, "I guess that could work." Then Velvet and Night Light used their magic to put Nyx's mattress on the top bunk. Just then, the Tri-Pies came into the bedroom.

"There you are, Daylight!" Cherry Pie said.

"Come with us!" Blueberry Pie said.

"We got something to show you!" Raspberry Pie said. Then the three of them pushed Daylight out of the room. Everypony else looked at each other and then followed Daylight and the Tri-Pies to where they were going. They then went into the Castle's ballroom, which was...

"SURPRISE!!" all of the ponies of Ponyville shouted. Well, not all of them. There were some ponies that were not there. The Tri-Pies didn't invite Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and not even Spoiled Rich.

"Wha... What is all of this?" Daylight asked.

"Should've known that the Tri-Pies would do the same thing their mother would," Dusk said. "It's a "Welcome to Ponyville" Party. Whenever there's a new pony in town, Pinkie Pie usually throws a party for that pony. She took it easy on me since I came from a tough life."

"I got mine twice," Nyx said. "I was originally from a different Equestria."

"I guess that makes sense," Daylight said. 

Princess Celestia walked in and said, "Well, I hope you will enjoy your stay here. If something comes up, don't be hesitant to let me or Luna know." Daylight nodded, then walked over to the snack table. The ponies there said hello to Daylight as she was on her way to the snack table. Twilight and Dusk smiled that Daylight was getting used to her new surroundings. Hopefully, they'll all get to know Daylight a little more.





Later that night, in Nyx's room, Nyx and Daylight were laying in the bunk bed. Nyx was asleep until she heard the sound of somepony whimpering. She opened her eyes and looked down on the bottom bunk, seeing Daylight struggle in her sleep. Nyx got down from her bunk and went to comfort Daylight.

"Daylight?" Nyx asked, shaking the human turned filly. "C'mon, Daylight. Wake up."

Daylight woke up and put a hoof to her chest. She then started breathing heavily. She looked over at Nyx with tears coming out of the corners of her eyes.

"What were you dreaming of?" Nyx asked.

"It... it was my daddy's death," Daylight said. "Instead of Princess Luna coming to take me with her to Equestria, Aunt Bonnie came and took me away. No one, not even the police, came and helped me. Not even when I tried explaining what she and Devon did to Henry."

"Henry?" Nyx asked. But then she remembered that Henry was Dusk's original name. "Oh, that's right. Dusk was originally your older brother." She then sighed. "Daylight, no matter what happens, we'll make sure that you won't be a tortured like how your brother was."

Daylight smiled at that and said, "Thank you." Then the two of them hugged. Not knowing that both Twilight and Dusk were looking through the crack of the door, both of them smiling.

"We'll wait a few days," Twilight whispered. "When she feels comfortable, I'll ask her if she'd let me adopt her. That way, the two of you will be officially siblings again."

"Thanks, mom," Dusk said, hugging Twilight's leg. Twilight then pulled Dusk in for a big hug, even having her wings in with the hug.

"Now, let's get to bed," Twilight whispered. Then the two headed over to their own separate bedrooms, getting into their own beds for a good night sleep.
> Chapter 10: The Grand Equestria Pony Summit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 10: The Grand Equestria Pony Summit






In the city of Canterlot, Twilight, Spike, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were all heading towards the Castle. Daylight was wearing a hair bow that was similar to Apple Bloom's, but it was red with pink outer lines. It was time for the Grand Equestria Pony Summit. As soon as they walked into the castle, the group were all greeted by somepony.

"Twilight!"

The group turned and saw an alicorn most of them knew.



"Cadance!" Twilight and Dusk said in unison, walking up to the pink alicorn. Dusk jumped and he and Cadance hugged each other. Cadance then put Dusk down, and then she and Twilight did their signature dance they've done since they were younger.

"Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybug's Awake! Clap your hooves and Do a Little Shake!" Then the two hugged.

Daylight leaned over towards Nyx and asked, "Who is that?"

"That's Cadance," Nyx said. "She became Twilight's sister-in-law and Dusk's aunt when she married Twilight's brother Shining Armor."

"Oh," Daylight said.

"Yeah," Spike said. "When Dusk met her, Cadance was trapped in the gemstone caverns underneath Canterlot when the Queen of the Changelings was posing as her."

"Changeling?" Daylight asked. "What's a Changeling?" She then felt a hoof go across her back and she looked and saw Twilight with her hoof across Daylight's back.

"A changeling is like a pony that's part bug, and can shapeshift into a pony's loved one and feed off of their love and power," Twilight explained.

"I saw her transform into her real form," Dusk said. "When I went to find mom, I got caught, and Chrysalis sent me off to outside of Appleloosa."

Then Princess Cadance looked down at Daylight and said, "You must be Daylight. Twilight and Dusk told me and Shining all about you."

Daylight smiled as Dusk pulled her into a wing hug. Nyx then came up on the other side of Dusk, he put his other wing on Nyx's back. Twilight smiled at that.

"Alright, my little ponies," Twilight said. "We need to get ready for the Grand Equestria Pony Summit. You're going to be representing Ponyville. Did you bring that gem that I gave you?"

"Of course I did," Dusk said. "I did bring it."

"Really?" Spike asked. "I didn't see it in your bag."

"Because I didn't put it in my bag," Dusk said. "Because I'd knew you would try to eat it."

"No I wouldn't," Spike said, crossing his arms. Twilight, Dusk, Nyx, Daylight and Cadance looked at Spike with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "Okay, I would have. You got me, Dusk."

"So, where did you hide it?" Twilight asked.

Dusk looked at Spike and then he turned back towards Twilight and said, "I'd wait until the summit starts."

"Good call," said Twilight. "Right now, we need to get you all dressed."

"Sure, Mom," Dusk said. Then he, Nyx and Daylight headed towards the castle with Twilight, Spike and Cadance following.





Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were playing a board game in the bedroom that the three of them, Twilight and Spike were all sharing. Spike was putting some books on a bedside table in the room until the sound of knocking was coming from the door.

Dusk was about to get up, but Spike stopped him and said, "I'll get it, Dusk." He went over to the door, and as he was about to open it, it was opened from the other side, slamming Spike into a bookshelf, making Spike groan in pain.

"Spike!" came Cadance's voice as she was walking in. The door then closed and Spike fell to the ground, and he was buried in books. "Spike?"

Then Spike's left hand came from the pile of books and his voice, which was muffled, asked, "A little help?"

Princess Cadance lit up her horn and pulled Spike out of the pile of books and put Spike in front of her. She then said, "Spike, we need you!"

"Of course!" Spike responded. "What can I do?" Princess Cadance then looked over at the door, which opened, revealing a very sleep-deprived Twilight Sparkle walking in.

"I'm sorry, Spike," Twilight groaned. "I just..." she was cut off by her own yawn. "...need a quick nap." She then got dizzy, heading for the pile of books. "Napkin! Tell the delegates I'll..." She then fell asleep on top of the books.

"She's been awake three straight days preparing for the summit," Cadance said. "We need to make sure she gets some rest today. She'll never be able to attend the welcome reception in this condition. Can I count on you to see to it that she isn't disturbed?"

Spike saluted to Princess Cadance and said, "I promise! I won't let you down!"

"I'll help, too," Dusk said. "She basically brought this body to life, and she has done so much already. I'd like to help her get her rest."

"That's good," Cadance said, rubbing Dusk's head. "Besides, Spike could use all the help he can get." Spike just rolled his eyes, smirking.

"What about us?" Nyx asked.

"Yeah, what can we do?" Daylight asked.

"Well, you two and I can go around the castle, helping with the rest of the preparations," Cadance said. "And it'll get us a chance to know each other."

"That sounds a bit boring," Daylight said. "The preparations, I mean."

"Yeah, it wasn't as much fun when I was a big pony," Nyx said.

"We're going to have a lot to talk about your lives," Princess Cadance said, escorting the two fillies out of the room, leaving Spike and Dusk in the room.

Dusk then used his magic to quietly close the windows, so none of the ruckus will disturb Twilight's slumber. Spike then said, "Good call. By the looks down there, it looks like they're about to play polo down there." Spike was looking out the window. Dusk then looked out the window along with Spike. Dusk then saw a row of red leaved trees with red, orange and yellow flowers on it.

"What kind of trees are those?" Dusk whispered.

Spike then looked over at the trees and quietly responded, "Oh. Those are dragon sneeze trees. They're... kinda self-explanatory."

"So, they make dragons sneeze when they're near them?" Dusk asked, quietly.

"Yep," Spike responded. Just then, he saw a construction pony working on an underground pipe. "Oh, boy." Dusk noticed it as well.

"Luckily, I learned a sound-blocking spell for this kind of situation," Dusk said. "Let's go outside." Then he grabbed Spike and the two teleported out of the room. Dusk then lit up his horn and a field surrounded the entire room from the outside. "That'll be up for... at least three hours."

"Did Twilight teach you that spell?" Spike asked.

"No, it was Uncle Shining," Dusk responded. "He said that he learned it when he was younger when the next door neighbor was throwing a party when he was trying to study."

"That makes sense," Spike said. "I almost forgot about that." He then headed away from the door and asked, "You up for a game of Go Fish?"

"I haven't played that game since before my old Mom and Dad left me with Aunt Bonnie and Devon," Dusk said. He then snarled. "I still have negative feelings about those two for how they treated me."

"Hey, Dusk," Spike said, putting a hand on Dusk's shoulder. "You don't have to worry about those two. Those awful humans that were your aunt and cousin can rot in prison or whatever for the rest of their lives for what they were doing to you. Luckily, your sister didn't have to go through the same fate as you did."

Dusk smiled at that and said, "You're right, Spike. Luckily, it was Princess Luna that saved her."

"Yeah," Spike said. "Now, let's get started." Spike then started shuffling the cards. Dusk then put a sign up on the door. The sign read, "DO NOT DISTURB!" Dusk then felt something and looked over at the buildings. "What is it, Dusk?"

"I don't know," Dusk said. "It almost feels like someone's watching us."

"Don't worry about it," Spike said. "There's no way that your old Aunt Bonnie and cousin Devon would make it all the way here to Equestria by themselves. Even if they did, they wouldn't be looking for Prince Dusk Shine and Daylight Savings. They would be looking for Henry and Sam Calvin. You two have nothing to worry about." Spike then patted his back. "Now, let's start playing." He then shuffled the cards. But unbeknownst to them, somepony was watching them from the top of another building.







Spike and Dusk were playing Go Fish in front of the door to the room that the two, Twilight, Nyx and Daylight were sleeping in together. Spike was also eating a bowl of rubies.

"Got any 4's?" Dusk asked.

"Dang it," Spike said, pulling a card from his hand, and giving it to Dusk, who took it in his magic. "How are you doing that?"

"I don't know," Dusk said. He then sighed. He then heard something. He then asked, "You hear somepony?"

Spike held up a hand to his ear. The two of them then looked towards the stairs and saw two ponies, coming up the stairs, arguing.

"It's the delegates from Whinnyapolis and Manehattan," Spike said. He then walked up to the delegates. "Can we help you?"

"My friend here, the distinguished pony from up Manehattan, and I are in a bit of a pickle, and we need the Princess Twilight to resolve it," the delegate of Whinnyapolis, March Gustysnows, said to Spike.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Dusk said, walking up to Spike's left side. "I'm afraid that Mom is getting a much deserved nap."

"A nap?!" the two delegates asked in unison.

"We must speak with Princess Twilight at once!" the delegate of Manehattan, Joe Pescolt, said in anger and stomping a hoof. "We demand her word about our situation!"

"Mom has been awake for three days straight," Dusk said. "Even princesses have to sleep."

"Three days?" March Gustysnows asked. "If we'd known that, we would've respected that answer."

"Well, if she's too tired, perhaps you can do something about it," Joe Pescolt said to Dusk.

"Perhaps he can," March Gustysnows said. "My friend here, the distinguished pony from up Manehattan, and I are in a bit of a pickle, and we need the Princess Twilight to resolve it. But since she's napping, perhaps you can do something about it. We're both supposed to give speeches about our local economies in five minutes, and we've been booked in the same hall!"

"Oooh..." Dusk said. "I'm... I'm not so good at this. I'm still just a kid, or how you put it, a foal. Perhaps you should take up with it with Princess Celestia."

"That's... not a bad idea," Spike said. He then pulled out a quill and parchment and started writing. "I'm writing down the problem to Princess Celestia... and... there." He then rolled up the parchment, and blew his flames on it. "The message is on it's way to Princess Celestia. I also explained to Princess Celestia that Twilight is asleep."

"That's good to know," said March Gustysnows. "We shall talk with Princess Celestia. Thank you." Then the two delegates headed down and towards Canterlot Castle. Dusk and Spike sat down, back to back, and sighing in relief.

"Now that that problem's taken care of," Spike said. "As long as the delegates talk with the other Princesses, things will be fine."

"I wonder how Nyx and Sam, or should I say, Daylight, are doing with aunt Cadance," Dusk said.

"How about we go down there and see them?" Spike asked. "We got a while for Twilight to wake up." Then the two of them headed down the stairs to find Princess Cadance, Nyx and Daylight. As they headed towards the castle, a branch from a tree came to them. "Uh oh." Spike's eyes then started watering up.

"Spike?" Dusk asked. "What's wrong?"

"Dragon... ahh... sneeze... ahh... tree... ahhhhh-choo!!" Spike sneezed, Dusk jumping out of the way, and flying above him. Spike kept sneezing. One light green pegasus with a chainsaw flew towards Dusk and hovered near him.

"Boy, I guess it wasn't called a Dragon Sneeze Tree for nothing," the pegasus with a chainsaw said. "You might want to get him away from here until I finish cutting these." Dusk nodded, then he flew towards Spike, making sure that he wasn't in the line of actual fire, and grabbed Spike with his forelegs, and headed for the castle.

"Thanks, bro," Spike said, rubbing his nose. "Perhaps we should..." Just then, a polo ball almost hit them.

"Whoa!" the two said as Dusk was getting off balance and fell onto a polo field. The polo ponies headed towards them.

"Are you two okay?" one of the polo ponies asked, getting them onto their hooves and feet.

"We didn't mean to knock you two out of the sky," another polo pony said.

"It's okay," Dusk said. "We need to go." Dusk then put Spike on his back and said, "Wow. You are lighter than you look."

"Must be because of you being an alicorn," one pony said. Dusk looked over and saw it was the voice of Bon Bon.

"Bon Bon?" Dusk asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here because I'm representing Ponyville for the Grand Equestria Pony Summit," Bon Bon said. "Lyra wanted to come because she really wants to know a lot more about humans from you. Especially now that your human sister is now in Equestria."

"How does she know that Daylight was born human?" Dusk asked.

"The Tri-Pies had a party set up for her," Bon Bon answered.

"C'mon, Dusk," Spike said. "Let's go find Cadance and your sisters." Dusk nodded and headed towards the castle.





Dusk and Spike eventually found Cadance, Nyx and Daylight. Cadance and Nyx were laughing at what Daylight was just saying. Just then, they saw Dusk and Spike coming in.

"Hey, boys," Cadance said. "Is Twilight still asleep?"

"That's how we left things," Spike said. "How are things going here?"

"Things are going good," Nyx said. "Daylight was telling us about her life."

Daylight was looking towards the tower where she and the others were staying in from the window and asked, "Why are there a bunch of angry ponies heading up to the room where we're staying?" The others headed towards the window and they saw the delegates heading up to the bedroom. Dusk then lit up his horn and teleported the group towards the door, getting in front of the delegates.

"What's going on here?" Princess Cadance asked.

"We were told that Princess Twilight was really wide awake," said one of the delegates. That delegate pointed a hoof at Dusk. "You lied to us!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Dusk said. "Mom really is asleep!"

"Oh, please," the delegate said. "I heard that Princess Twilight has been avoiding important duties and avoiding us so she can get some personal time and avoid all Princess duties!"

"Who told you that?" Spike asked, crossing his arms.

"Mom really is asleep!" Dusk shouted. "She's been awake for three days straight!!"

"I can back that up," Princess Cadance said. "Even I've saw her sleep-deprived." Just then, the door opened and out came Twilight, who was yawning.

"I feel so much better," Twilight said after yawning. She then noticed the crowd of ponies. "What's going on here?"

"Mom," Dusk said. "These ponies thought you made up the fact that you were sleeping was just an excuse not to do your princess duties."

"WHAT?!" Twilight shouted. "I really have been sleeping! I haven't slept like that since I was a filly." She then looked towards the crowd of ponies. "Listen everypony, I don't know what you heard about me purposely avoiding my princess duties, but it's not true. I've been awake for days doing some important things for the Summit. So, everypony, go on back to your duties and representing your home town, village or city." Then all of the ponies left, heading back down the stairs.

"Wow," Dusk said. "Who do you think was responsible for this disagreement?"

"I don't know," Twilight said. "Anyway, there's one more thing I have to do." Then the group headed down the stairs.





In the throne room of the Castle, Twilight, Spike, Dusk, Nyx, Daylight and Cadance were in the throne room. Princess Celestia was in the room, looking down at the group.

"Now, let's start this," Princess Celestia said. She then looked over at Daylight. "Daylight Savings, formerly known as Samantha Calvin, how have you been enjoying your time with Twilight Sparkle, Nyx, Spike and your long lost brother Dusk Shine, formerly known as Henry Calvin?"

"I've been doing fine," Daylight said. "Although, I do miss Mom and Dad. I'm sure that Henry did as well."

Dusk walked up to Daylight and pulled her in for a wing hug. He then said, "I miss them, too. The last time I saw them was through a connecting dream, thanks to help from Princess Luna. They told me that Mom was pregnant with you."

"Guess time works differently here than back on Earth," Daylight said.

"It does," Princess Celestia said. "Now, I have a question for you. How would you feel if Twilight Sparkle had officially made you a part of her family?"

"What?" Dusk and Daylight asked in unison. They then looked over at Twilight.

"That's right, you two," Twilight said. "When I was making preparations for the Summit, I've also been doing one more thing. Getting the official papers for your adoption, Daylight. That way, you and Dusk can officially be brother and sister again."

"You... you'd do that?" Dusk asked.

"That's right, you two," Twilight said. "How about it, Daylight?"

Daylight smiled, got out of Dusk's wing hug, and hugged Twilight. Dusk walked up to the two and joined in with the hug. Nyx and Spike joined in as well.

"Well, then, there's one more thing to do," Princess Celestia said. She then levitated the final paper for the adoption. Twilight took a quill in her magic, and signed the paper. "And with that, Daylight Savings is now officially a part of your family. Enjoy your new family, Daylight."

Daylight smiled happily with tears coming from her eyes as they all were in a group hug. Cadance was happy that they were able to reunited long lost siblings. She then thought about something. She remembered that Nyx said that the Cadance from the Equestria she came from was pregnant. She then had an idea and headed out. Things would get more interesting.
> Chapter 11: Amending Fences
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 11: Amending Fences






Dusk was asleep in his bed. He had enjoyed spending some time with his long lost sister ever since Twilight officially made her a part of the family. Nyx wanted to spend as much time with them as well, as well as hanging with the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Tri-Pies. There was also an issue with trying to make friends with the Yaks from Yakyakistan. Pinkie and the Tri-Pies looked to see what the Yaks did in Yakyakistan. Raspberry Pie told them everything.

Dusk was then being slightly shaken. He tried swatting whoever was shaking him away with a hoof while saying, "Five more minutes, Mom..." He was then shaken again. He then opened his eyes and he saw Spike there. "Spike? What's going on?"

"It's a long story," Spike said. "Listen, we're going back to Canterlot. Twilight's already getting your sisters."

"Why?" Dusk asked.

"Let's just say that Twilight is going to talk to some old friends," Spike said.

"But at this time of night?" Dusk asked. He then yawned. "I'm going back to sleep."

"Sorry, Dusk," Spike said. "But we're going by teleportation. After all, since your grandparents are having a nice relaxing vacation in the Crystal Empire." He then chuckled. "And if I know them well, Velvet's nice relaxing vacation would be going down the most difficult ski path in the entire resort." Dusk then yawned again, closing his eyes. Spike then rolled his eyes and said, "Oh, boy."





The next morning, Dusk was asleep, but as he was waking up, he had to pairs of hooves wrapped around his body. He looked down and saw one black hoof and one sky blue hoof. He saw his sisters hugging him. He looked around and saw that he was in another location.

"Where are we?" Dusk asked. He then tried to get up, but he saw that Nyx and Daylight were hugging him tight and pinning his wings down. He then sighed, then he lit up his horn and teleported out of the bed. He then flapped his wings to get out the pressure his sisters put on them, then he headed downstairs to see Spike sleeping on a stack of books with another book on his head.

"Spike! Come on! We've got work to do!" came Twilight's voice, startling the baby dragon.

Spike groaned in response and asked, "Have you been awake all night?"

"I did a little research, and I think I know where we can find Minuette!" Twilight said. She then looked back over at Spike and asked, "That is one of my friends, right?"

"Mom?" Dusk asked. "Why are we here?"

"Sorry, Dusk," Twilight said. "I have something to do here in Canterlot, and I couldn't just leave you kids home alone for how many days. So, I need you to wake up your sisters."

Dusk sighed and said, "Okay." He then headed over towards the bed where Nyx and Daylight were sleeping with him when he woke up.





Later, the five of them ended up in front of a building with an hourglass shaped front door. Twilight then knocked on the door to see if somepony was home.

"Uh, it's not too late to forget I opened my big mouth," Spike said, ashamed of what he said the previous night.

"No, Spike, I'm glad you opened your big mouth," Twilight replied. "These ponies have probably been suffering ever since I left. Wondering why their supposed friend would treat them so badly!" Twilight was getting worried when she said that last part. But then, the door started opening. "Minuette?" Just then, a blue mare with a darker blue mane with gray highlights came out, happy to see Twilight.



"Twilight Sparkle!" the mare, known as Minuette, laughed and went down the stairs, scaring Twilight a little. "You old so-and-so! What are you doing here?!" She then saw Spike. "Hey, Spike!" She then turned her head back to Twilight. "Look at these wings, huh?!" Twilight unfolded her wings. Minuette then used her magic to hand Spike a camera. "Hey, grab a picture of me and the princess, will ya?! I tried to tell my co-workers we used to be friends back when." She then giggled. "But they've never believed me!"

Spike just shrugged his shoulders and aimed the camera.

"Wait-wait-wait! Really fluff 'em up, huh?" Minuette requested to Twilight. Twilight then unfolded her wings, and then Minuette posed in front of Twilight, like she was photo bombing. Spike then took the picture. Minuette then noticed Dusk, Nyx and Daylight and then gasped. "Are these your foals?!" She then lowered herself to look at them in the eyes. "Ahh, they're so cute! Let's have them be in the next picture!" Minuette then used her magic to pull Dusk, Nyx and Daylight over towards Twilight. Daylight widely while Dusk and Nyx gave a nervous smile with Twilight as Spike took the next photo. Minuette then turned towards Twilight. "So what are you doing here? I mean, I know you're here all the time, but you never come to see me. Hey! I just had the greatest idea! You wanna go see Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine?"

"Of course! My old friends!" Twilight said.

"It'll be great!" Minuette said before giggling. She then jumped up and said, "Come on! Let's fly! Get it?" She then laughed when she landed.

"This is perfect!" Twilight said, turning her head towards Spike, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight. "I can apologize to all three of them at once!"

"Let's hope they're not as traumatized as Minuette," Spike said, sarcastically.

"Wow," Nyx said. "This is going to be intense."

"Maybe we should've gone with Grandma and Grandpa to the Crystal Empire," Dusk said. "We could have just gone sledding instead of skiing."

"Yeah, I don't think Grandma wouldn't take no for an answer on sledding," Nyx said. "The last thing we want is a dislocated limb."

"C'mon," Daylight said. "We got to catch up with Mom." Then they all followed Twilight and Minuette.





It's been three days since they went to Canterlot. Twilight had already made amends with Minuette, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts, and they were okay with Twilight leaving for Ponyville. Lyra Heartstrings, who was among one of Twilight's old "friends" was already living in Ponyville with Bon Bon.

But it was Moon Dancer that wasn't forgiving Twilight. So, Twilight decided to try and make amends by giving her the place she used to live in before she moved to Ponyville.

"What is this place?" Moon Dancer asked.

"This is where I used to live," Twilight said as Moon Dancer was looking at certain books. Twilight then realized something. "You mean, I never had you over?"

"Wow! A first edition of Principles of Magic!" Moon Dancer said. "Hey, didn't I give this to you?" She said that with an angry tone, looking back at Twilight.

"Maybe?" Twilight said, unsure of herself.

"I did! Look, I even wrote something!" Moon Dancer said, with an angry tone. She then read the message she wrote in the book. "'To my friend, Twilight Sparkle. Thanks for introducing me to the classics.'I can see by the fact that you left it here that it meant a lot to you." She then put the book back on the shelf as Twilight was walking up to her.

"Look, I didn't bring you over here for even more poignant reminders of what a bad friend I was," Twilight said in an apologetic tone. "I brought you here to give you this." She then levitated a key to Moon Dancer. "You can come here whenever you want and study to your heart's content."

Moon Dancer smiled when she received the key, saying, "Really?"

"But first, you've gotta do something for me," Twilight said, making Moon Dancer frown.

"What?" Moon Dancer asked, with a tone.

"Have dinner with our old friends tonight," Twilight responded.

"I can't," Moon Dancer said, heading for the entrance. "I'm reorganizing my biology scrolls."

"I've been spending a lot of time with Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts since I've been back," Twilight said. "They really miss you."

"Look! I already told you!" Moon Dancer said as she reached the stairs. "The last thing I need is a bunch of ridiculous friend-making keeping me from studying!"

"Moon Dancer, wait!" Twilight said, looking down from the top of the stairs. "A wise pony once taught me that there's more to life than dusty old books!"

"I tried friendship and it's just not for me," Moon Dancer said as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."

Moon Dancer was just about to exit the tower, but then Twilight thought of something. "What if I taught you Hayscartes' method?" That made Moon Dancer stop and look back up at Twilight.

Moon Dancer then sighed and said, "Fine. Just for tonight. I'll come back so you can take me and our 'friends' to whatever restaurant you want us to eat at." That made Twilight smile. Moon Dancer then left the tower.

"Well, that's a start," Twilight said. "We're just gonna have to see how it goes at dinner."

Nyx then thought of something. She then said, "Is it me, or did Moon Dancer almost look like Twilight?"

"I saw it, too," Dusk said.

"Yeah, it's pretty obvious that the two share identities," Daylight said.

"The only difference is the color," Dusk said.

Twilight thought about it, then she shook her head and said, "Yeah, I don't think so. I don't really see it."

"You're kidding, right?" Nyx asked.

"I'm not kidding, Nyx," Twilight said. "Moon Dancer and I look nothing alike. She has glasses, has her mane done up in a band, and is wearing a sweater." That made the kids laugh. "What?! What is it?! Why are you all laughing?!"

Just then, Nyx saw a book under a shelf. She then picked it up and read the title. "'Perfection: The Impossible Pursuit'." That made Twilight go wide eyed, teleported to right in front of Nyx, took the book in her magic, and inspected it.

"Oh, boy," Twilight said, a little embarrassed. "I can't believe I forgot to return this book to the library before I left!"

"Well, better late than never," Spike said, taking the book.

"I'm probably going to get a huge late fee," Twilight said. She then headed down the stairs and said, "Spike, take the kids to the restaurant where we'll be meeting Minuette, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts."

Spike saluted before Twilight left, taking the library book with her.

"No doubt she'll lose her title as Best Book Borrower at the Canterlot Library," Spike said. "Now, let's get going." Dusk, Nyx and Daylight nodded and followed Spike out of there.





Twilight, Spike, Dusk, Nyx, Daylight, Moon Dancer, Minuette, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts were all in a restaurant, having dinner together. But everything that they tried to talk about, Moon Dancer wasn't interested at all. Just then, Dusk looked around until he noticed one pony hiding behind a menu.

Dusk leaned towards Nyx and whispered, "Is it weird that that pony over there has been looking at her menu since we got here?" Nyx looked over and raised an eyebrow.

"Now that you think about it, it does seem..." Nyx said, before something caught her eye. She could see the mare's mane and coat color. She then went wide eyed. "It can't be." Just then, Moon Dancer groaned and left the table.

"Oh, man," Twilight said. "This is not going as much as I wanted it to."

"Twilight," Nyx said, getting the grown up alicorn's attention.

"Yes, Nyx?" Twilight asked.

"Have you noticed that mare has been looking at her menu since we got here?" Nyx asked, pointing at where the mare was. But when they all looked over towards where that mare was, the mare was gone, the chair was wobbling, and the menu was face down on the table.

"That was odd," Twilight said. "Who do you think you saw?"

"I think it was that mare who tried taking you and your friends Cutie Marks," Nyx said.

"Starlight Glimmer?!" Twilight asked. "But how? And why?" All Dusk and Nyx did was shrug their shoulders. "Well, whatever reason she's here, we have to be careful. Starlight might try and take our Cutie Marks away." That made Spike, Minuette, Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine go wide eyed at what Twilight said. "But, let's not talk about that right now. I'm going to talk to Moon Dancer." She then teleported out of there, leaving a bag of bits in her seat.

Daylight looked over towards Dusk and Nyx and asked, "Steal Cutie Marks?"

"Apparently, Starlight Glimmer believes that Cutie Marks doesn't let anypony do anything else without a choice," Nyx said. "Although, we have no idea how she got that idea." She then showed her Cutie Mark. "I got my Cutie Mark, and I still stay in the Cutie Mark Crusaders to help my friends get theirs."

"Wow," Minuette said. "Now that's a good friend."

"Yeah," Nyx said.

"Alright, guys," Spike said. "Finish up your plates, and then we'll head on back to the tower." Then the group started eating their food.





Later that night, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were about to get ready for bed, but as they were about to get in, Twilight stopped them.

"Hold on, you three," Twilight said.

"What is it, Mom?" Dusk asked, looking up at the older alicorn.

"We need to go back to Ponyville, and pick up something there," Twilight said. "Or should I say, four somethings. So, c'mon. We need to fly."

Daylight just yawned and said, "Why can't we just teleport there?"

Twilight was about to say something else, but what Daylight just said made more sense to her. "Okay, Daylight. That actually is more of a good idea. Come over here." Spike walked up behind Twilight, then Dusk, Nyx and Daylight came towards the mare as well. Twilight then lit up her horn and the group teleported.

When the teleportation spell ended, they saw that they were in Sugarcube Corner.

"Pinkie?! Tri-Pies?! Are you here?!" Twilight called out. Then zooming down the stairs came Pinkie and the Tri-Pies, the Tri-Pies were in their pajamas.

"Hiya, Twilight!" Pinkie said. "Where have you been for the past few days?"

"In Canterlot," Twilight said. "Listen, we need your help. All of your help." That made the four Pies gasp. "You see..."

"You went up to Canterlot to try to apologize to all of your old friends in Canterlot for not being as social as the others but not all of them were okay with you leaving, and that one friend of yours was so angry, she didn't want anything to do with Friendship and you want our help to make a party to make up for the party that you purposely missed so you can amend the fence with her and finally rekindle your friendship," Pinkie Pie said, then giving off a huge grin.

That made Nyx and Daylight go jaw dropped.

"She made a hunch like that when me, Twilight and Dusk came back from the dimension on the other side of that mirror," Spike said.

"Her counterpart also did a hunch like that when we tried to explain about the Element that was taken to that world," Dusk said, making Spike nod.

"So, you're willing to help?" Twilight asked.

"Would we ever!" Pinkie and the Tri-Pies said in unison.





Twilight, Spike, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight brought Pinkie and the Tri-Pies to Canterlot. Apparently, Pinkie Pie and Minuette were friends since Minuette was originally one of Cadance's original bridesmaids, which Dusk remembered when he and Cadance were getting out of the Gemstone Caverns below Canterlot.

Twilight then had Pinkie and the Tri-Pies put up a party to make up for Twilight missing the one that made Moon Dancer isolate herself away from her friends. Moon Dancer cried at first, but when Twilight gave her most sincere apology, and their old friends also added some things that made Moon Dancer feel better. And they all had a great time. Pinkie and the Tri-Pies had a lot of ponies come to the party, including Moon Dancer's sister, Morning Roast.

"I think it's time for us to go, Moon Dancer," Twilight said to Moon Dancer.

"Thank you for helping me make some new friends," Moon Dancer said with a shy smile. "Even if they are my old friends."

"Oh. We'll come back and visit soon," Twilight said while the two mares nuzzled each other's necks. "Besides, I need to get these kids back home. They got a lot of homework to make up for missing some school days. Luckily, I left a note for their teacher so she knows how much homework they can get so they can work on it."

"Yeah, I understand," Moon Dancer said. "And as for you visiting, that would be great! You've still gotta teach me that Hayscartes technique!"

"Deal," Twilight said.

Then Spike came up with a messed up present and said, "Um, Moon Dancer? It got kinda banged up, but here's a little something I wanted to give you back at your first party." Moon Dancer took the present from Spike, opened it up and saw that it was a photo of her, Twilight and their old friends.



Twilight and Pinkie took the kids to the train station. All of them were tuckered out from partying that night, and they all headed on home to Ponyville. Now that Twilight has amended fences with her old friends, things can now be so much better.
> Chapter 12: Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 12: Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?






Dusk was asleep in his bed. He was dreaming of his entire family going to an amusement park, all of them as humans, and Spike was a dog. They were all enjoying all of the games and rides. But then, all of that changed when some weird dark purple smoke came in and everything changed. He looked around and saw that he was alone. He then got scared.

"Mom?" Dusk called out. "Spike? Nyx? Sam?" Then the sound of a woman's laughter came in, followed by another boy's laughter. "Who... who's there?"

Then two giant sets of shadows came in, and Dusk looked down and saw them. He then followed the shadows to their origins, and saw two giants. One being Aunt Bonnie and the other being Devon, who was much older.

"No! No no no no no no!!" Dusk said, getting scared. He then started running away from them.

"You're not getting away from us this time, Henry!" the giant Bonnie said, about to reach an arm out to him. "You're in so much trouble for going into another world on our watch! Your parents should be ashamed of you!"

Dusk jumped out of the way from the giant Bonnie's grab, and he headed into the wrecked up funhouse. He slid down a slide into the hall of mirrors. He looked around and tried finding a way out.

"How do I get out of here?" Dusk asked. He then looked around and tried to find a way out. But every time he thought he found a way out, he kept walking into a glass wall. But then, he looked in a mirror and saw Devon standing there.

"Hey, slave!" the dream Devon said, smirking. Dusk jumped back and he went into a mirror, the glass breaking and him falling into an abyss, and he landed back into a place he never wanted to see again. His aunt and cousin's apartment. He then got scared and headed for the front door, but when he was about to grab the door handle, his leg got caught on something, making him fall to the floor.

"What?!" Dusk asked, looking back at what grabbed his leg, and he saw a shackle connected to his right leg.

"You aren't going anywhere!" Bonnie's voice came. "Now, start cleaning up! You haven't cleaned the house since you died!" Then a lot of cleaning supplies came from above him, burying him in the stuff.

Just then, Dusk woke up in the real world, breathing hard. He put a hoof to his chest and started calming down. He then looked around at his room in the Castle of Friendship. Then he saw his family photo of him and his family, Daylight Savings now in the photo.

Dusk then sighed and said, "That... was one wicked dream." He then got out of bed and went towards his door, heading for the kitchen. When he got there, he saw Daylight in there. "Sam?"

Daylight looked over at Dusk and asked, "You, too, huh?"

"You had a dream that started off good, but then it went to something terrible?" Dusk asked.

"Yeah," Daylight said. "It started with me and dad having fun on the cruise ship we were living on, then all of a sudden, some weird smoke came in, covered everything, and somehow, I ended up in a the middle of a desert with giant scorpions about to pierce me with their tails."

"Yikes," Dusk said. "Maybe some warm milk should be able to help." Dusk then opened the ice box and got out the milk. He then poured milk into two cups and then he heated them up with his magic. He then levitated one cup over to Daylight and said, "Here you go."

Daylight then lit up her horn, which glowed in a yellow aura, and took the glass of milk in her aura. She then said, "Thanks, bro." She then sighed. "Was it true of what Aunt Bonnie and Devon did to you? About taking you out of school to make you their personal slave?"

Dusk sighed and said, "Yeah. I missed mom and dad ever since they left for Europe. Bonnie took all of my toys and gave them to Devon for him to keep, and I was left with nothing to do but clean up the place, all by myself."

"You know, before Mom died, she told me that Bonnie was jealous of her because she was liked a lot more by Grandma and Grandpa," Daylight said. "Now, we won't have to worry about those two. Ever."

"Yeah," Dusk said. Then the two of them yawned. "We should get back to bed." The two of them drank their milk, then Dusk took the empty glasses to the sink and rinsed the cups out. Daylight was already out of the room and Dusk headed out, heading back to his bedroom.





The next day, at the Ponyville Schoolhouse, all of the schoolhouse foals were in Cheerilee's class as she was teaching them about Equestrian History. Nyx was wide awake, taking notes.

Cheerilee then turned to the class and said, "Now, can somepony guess who was one of the greatest healers in Equestrian history?" A bunch of students were clueless on who to guess. Nyx, on the other hoof, had her hoof up. Cheerilee then said, "Oh, Nyx. I believe you answered enough questions. How about..." She then looked over and she saw Dusk and Daylight, trying their best to stay awake. "Dusk? Daylight? Are you two alright?"

"Huh?" Dusk and Daylight said, being a little more awake.

"Sorry, Miss Cheerilee," Dusk said. "Daylight and I had a bad dream last night, and we could barely get back to sleep last night." Then he yawned. "Sorry."

"Oh, you poor foals," Cheerilee said. She then looked over at Nyx. "Have you been getting any nightmares last night, Nyx?"

"No," Nyx said. "I've been sleeping fine."

"That's... odd," Cheerilee said.

"Or, Nyx could be the one who's messing with their dreams because she's Nightmare Moon!" Diamond Tiara's voice said, in a mean tone. "I knew she couldn't be trusted."

Nyx turned her head towards Diamond Tiara and said, "Not true. Besides, I've never gone into another pony's dream. Ever."

"That is true!" came another mare's voice. They all looked towards the door and saw Princess Luna standing there.

"Luna?" Dusk, Nyx and Daylight in unison.

"Pardon for my intrusion, but I need Dusk Shine, Nyx and Daylight Savings to come with me for something very important that concerns them," Princess Luna said.

"Oh, of course," said Cheerilee. "If it's that important for you to come in, I'll let them. I just need for them to be signed out." Princess Luna nodded and headed over to Cheerilee's desk so Princess Luna could sign them out.





Later that night, the Mane 6, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were all in Twilight's room. Princess Luna and Spike were in the room as well. There were seven extra beds in the room for the rest of the Mane 6, Dusk and Daylight to sleep in.

"So, why were we in Princess Luna's dream when that thing got out of her?" Daylight asked.

"Maybe we were her captives for some reason," Dusk said.

"That was the case," Princess Luna said. "Although, Nyx was not anywhere in that dream. It'd be best that she was not a part of the dream."

"We've prepared everything exactly as you requested," Twilight said.

"Good," Princess Luna said. "As you eight slumber here, I will pursue the creature into whichever of your dreams it infests."

"Ooh! It'll be like a princess sleepover!" Pinkie Pie said, excitedly as she and the others were getting into their beds.

"Speaking of princesses, aren't you gonna ask Celestia for her help as well?" Twilight said as she got under the covers.

"There is nothing my sister can do," Princess Luna replied. "She has no power in the realm of sleep. Only I can move from dream to dream. I am afraid nopony can help me tonight."

"Even us?" Applejack asked.

"Especially you," Princess Luna replied. "You have all suffered so much because of me. You need only slumber while I hunt the Tantabus in your dreams." She motioned to herself with a wing. Just then, she felt a tugging from her mane. She looked down to see Spike and Nyx standing there.

"I know you said nopony can help, but I'm no pony!" Spike said. "I'm gonna stay up and watch over you guys just in case!"

"I might as well stay up, too," Nyx said. "Besides, there has to be some reason why I wasn't in the dream as well."

"Thanks, you two," Twilight said with a smile.

Applejack yawned and said, "One good thing about not sleepin' well last night... shouldn't be too hard to fall asleep now." She then turned to her left. Just then, Pinkie Pie appeared on the right side of the bed, surprising Applejack.

"Are you kidding?!" Pinkie Pie asked, excitedly. "This is so exciting, I don't know how I'm ever going to..." She then fell asleep. The others got ready to sleep as well. Rarity had on a sleeping mask. Spike was sitting in Dusk's bed as he got to sleep. Nyx was laying at the edge of Daylight's bed. Princess Luna then started floating up in the air, then her horn lit up and eight lines went came from it, connecting to the foreheads of the Mane 6, Dusk and Daylight. Princess Luna entered their dreams.

Spike then pulled out a book and started reading. Nyx noticed it and said, "I see you came prepared."

"Yeah, there's not much to do at night, so I might as well do a little reading," Spike said. He then noticed Nyx giving a deadpanned expression. "What?"

"You got a Power Ponies comic hidden in there, don't you?" Nyx asked.

Spike chuckled and said, "You got me." He then revealed the comic book. "It's not enchanted." He then looked up. "I think. Maybe I should see before I read it." He then inspected the end of the comic, and sighed. "It's not enchanted. We don't want to end up as Power Ponies again, do we?" Nyx just shook her head, still giving a deadpanned expression. Spike blushed and said, "I'll... just put this away." Just then, the Mane 6, Dusk and Daylight woke up in shock.

"What happened? Are you guys okay?" Spike asked.

"That... that was terrible!" Fluttershy said, trembling and trying to cover up under the covers. "I-I never want to have that nightmare again!"

"Me either!" Rainbow Dash said while shivering and rocking back and forth, holding her hind legs.

Nyx looked towards Luna and asked, "You didn't catch it, did you?"

"I am so sorry, my friends," Princess Luna replied. "I failed. It will be back to infect your dreams the next time you sleep."

"Oh, no!" Fluttershy said, pulling the covers over her.

"Yeah," Applejack said. "I reckon I could live without seeing that thing ever again."

"But you will," Princess Luna said, scaring Applejack. "Again and again, every night, until it grows powerful enough to infect the waking world! After what I did as Nightmare Moon, the fact that I am once again responsible for harming others is more than I can bear."

"It'll be okay!" Pinkie Pie said. "Everypony makes mistakes!"

"As long as none of you dreamt about another pony, the Tantabus remains confined to your dreams," Princess Luna said. "I still have a chance to catch it before it's too late."

"Phew, that's good to hear!" Pinkie Pie said. "Although after you left, I did happen to dream that I was eating a giant ice-cream cone with all of Ponyville while taking a test we hadn't studied for. See, what'd I tell ya? Everypony makes mistakes!"

That made everypony in the room look at Pinkie surprised. That made Luna bite her lip.

"This is bad," Dusk said. "If Pinkie Pie has dreamt of all the ponies in Ponyville..."

"...That means that the Tantabus could be turning every dream in Ponyville into a nightmare!" Twilight finished for Dusk.

"It is far worse than that," Princess Luna said. "Infecting all those dreams gives it more and more power. Soon it will be able to escape into the real world and infect Equestria with its nightmare plague!"

"Then you must let us help you stop it before that happens!" Rarity said.

"But how? The Tantabus was able to escape Luna when it only had six dreams it could get to," Fluttershy said.

"It is true," Princess Luna said. "With so many dreams to hide in, I do not know how I can catch it."

"Well, it's not like you can merge every dream in all of Ponyville," Dusk said. "Like when how you gave my original parents to talk to me one last time."

"I... can create shared dreams, yes, but for so many ponies at once?" Princess Luna asked. "I have never done anything like that. The amount of power it would take..."

"Well, it is worth a try, isn't it?" Fluttershy asked.

"Of course," Princess Luna replied. "I will do anything to end this, including accept your help. I cannot allow the Tantabus to escape into the real world. All of you must now go back to sleep and hope that I can create such a dream."

"Me, too?" Nyx asked.

"Afraid so," Princess Luna said.

"Actually, I didn't see Nyx in the dream after Princess Luna left," Pinkie Pie said. "So, she's good."

"I'm... not so sure about that," Princess Luna said. "I have a feeling that the Tantabus hasn't reached Nyx's subconscious yet for a reason. Now, sleep."

Then everypony started getting comfortable, all of them falling asleep. Spike also fell asleep. Then Princess Luna lit up her horn, a magical barrier forming around her, and streams of magic heading out of there, connecting to the mind of every sleeping pony in Ponyville.





Then in the shared dream, all of the ponies of Ponyville was in a shared dream the size of the town. All of the ponies had different dreams. Some big, some small, and some really strange. For example...



"Princess Luna did it!" Twilight gasped. She looked around at all of the ponies.

Everypony had different dreams. Dusk and Daylight were in human form. Dusk was how he looked in the other dimension, and Daylight was in her original form.

"Wow," Dusk said. "You look good, sis."

"You look good as well, bro," Daylight replied. "Although, the skin color is weird."

"I know, right?" Dusk asked. "Although, there was one pony here that is obsessed with humans, so be careful."

"Who?" Daylight asked.

"HUMANS!! I KNEW IT!!"

The group looked over and saw Lyra, who was conjoined with Bon Bon, running over towards Dusk and Daylight, Bon Bon's hooves trying to dig into the ground as she was being dragged by Lyra.

"Whoa!" Bon Bon said as she was being dragged.

Twilight then got between the four and said, "Lyra, stop!" Lyra then stopped, and then Bon Bon made her trip.

"Sorry, Bon Bon," Lyra said. "I can't believe that there are humans here!"

"Lyra, it's me, Dusk," Dusk said to her.

"Dusk?!" Lyra asked. "Why would you...?"

"I was originally a human before I ended up in Equestria," Dusk said. "Sam, now known as Daylight Savings, is the child from the original family I came from."

"So, she was always your sister?" Lyra asked.

"Yeah," Dusk and Sam said in unison.

"Ponies!" came Princess Luna's voice. All of the ponies looked towards Princess Luna, who was still in a dome of magic. All of the ponies around her bowed to her. "There is no time for bowing, my friends! There is something coming, something terrible!" Just then, she went wide eyed. "No, it is already here!" She then pointed up over the town, and everypony looked to where she was pointing, and there was the Tantabus. Everypony there got scared. "I am so sorry! I brought this upon you! But I will end it now!" Princess Luna then tried to use her magic to stop it, but she was having difficulty keeping the shared dream together and trying to fight at the same time. Then all of the ponies started running away from the Tantabus.

"Princess, what's wrong?" Twilight asked as she, the rest of the Mane 6, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight came up to her.

Princess Luna grunted and said, "It... is taking all my strength just to hold this massive dream together! You will have to stop it! I truly wish I did not have to ask this of you!"

"Uh, guys..." Nyx said, looking up at the Tantabus. "Why is the Tantabus looking at me like that?"

The group looked at the Tantabus and saw it looking at Nyx. Nyx then moved towards the right, and the Tantabus's gaze followed. Its followed as Nyx moved to the left.

"Oh, no!" Princess Luna said. "It wasn't looking for a way to the waking world! It was after Nyx all along!"

"Why me?!" Nyx asked.

"I was originally Nightmare Moon, remember?!" Princess Luna asked. "If it's been after you this entire time..."

"Then it will turn Nyx back into Nightmare Moon, personality, body, malice and all!" Twilight said. She then called out to the ponies in the shared dream. "Listen up, everypony! The Tantabus is after Nyx! We need to stop it before it binds with her, turn her into Nightmare Moon, and then try to take over Equestria!"

"But how can we?" came Mr. Cake's voice. "We don't have any magic."

"We're in a dream!" Dusk called out. "You can do whatever you can imagine in here!"

Then all of the ponies looked at each other, nodded, and then they all started fighting the Tantabus with whatever they can imagine. So far, the Tantabus was only being delayed from reaching Nyx, but it was still on the hunt for her.

Princess Luna couldn't hold the shared dream for much longer and said, "I cannot hold this dream together much longer! Equestria will fall because of me!"

Then the Tantabus started enlarging. Spike, who was both riding a giant Derpy, and much bigger and wearing the armor of a knight, looked up at it and asked, "Am I crazy, or did it just get even bigger after Luna said that?"

Twilight looked over at Princess Luna and said, "I think it's feeding off your guilt, Princess Luna!"

"If that is so, then perhaps that is how it grew strong enough to escape in the first place!" Princess Luna said.

"Say what now?!" Applejack asked from on top of a house, dressed as Mistress Mare-velous.

"I created the Tantabus to give myself the same nightmare every night..." Princess Luna said before panting. "...to punish myself for the evil I caused as Nightmare Moon!"

"But why would you do that?!" Fluttershy asked while on top of a giant, monstrous Angel Bunny.

"To make sure I never forgave myself for how much Equestria suffered because of me!" Princess Luna replied. "But it seems I have not learned my lesson, for now I have only made you suffer more!" The Tantabus was getting closer and closer to Nyx.

"But that means you might just be the key to stopping all this!" Twilight said to Princess Luna.

"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash said, dressed as Zapp. "If it gets strong because you feel bad about what you did as Nightmare Moon, then you just gotta stop feeling bad for what you did!" She grabbed Nyx before the Tantabus could grab her.

"How can I forgive myself?" Princess Luna asked. "I am no better now than I was then. My creation is about to turn the world into a living nightmare, using Nyx as a vessel!"

"But look at what you're doing!" Twilight said. "Nightmare Moon would've wanted the Tantabus to turn Equestria into a nightmare! You're doing everything you can to stop it! Don't you see? That proves you're not the same pony you were then! Everypony who knows you knows that Nightmare Moon is in the past! We all trust you, Luna! Do you trust us enough to believe we're right?"

Princess Luna looked towards the group, and saw the Tantabus heading towards the group. She then started smiling, feeling better.

"...I do!" Princess Luna replied. Then the Tantabus got off course and headed back to Princess Luna, the princess absorbing the Tantabus. "Thank you. Thank you all." Then a huge flash came up over the entire town in the dream.





Back in the Castle of Friendship, the group woke up from the shared dream in Twilight's bedroom.

"Luna did it!" Twilight said. Rainbow Dash yawned.

"She sure did!" Applejack said. "Only... I'm not exactly sure what she did."

"Luna created the Tantabus to punish herself!" Twilight said. "The worse she felt, the more power it had! But once she finally forgave herself for what Nightmare Moon did..."

"Poof!" Spike said after she got onto Twilight's bed.

"Shh!" Fluttershy shushed the group. She then pointed down in the middle of the room. There was Princess Luna, asleep in the middle of the room, having a peaceful dream.
> Chapter 13: Sisters Bonding
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 13: Sisters Bonding






Nyx was working on her homework. Just then, Daylight walked into the room. She had something in her magic aura. She took a deep breath and walked over to Nyx.

"Hey, Nyx," Daylight said.

"Hey, Daylight," Nyx said. "What's that you got." Nyx didn't even turn her head when she asked.

Daylight rose an eyebrow, wondering how Nyx knew that she had something in her own magical hold. She then said, "Well, you've been doing stuff with Henry, or how you known him, Dusk, and I've been having some time with him. I just thought that... maybe the two of us should do something together, just you and me."

Nyx then turned around, thought about it and said, "Sure. Why not? What did you have in mind?"

"Well... as I was walking here, I saw this," Daylight then used her magic to give the thing to Nyx, who took it in her own magic. Nyx then read it.

"The Sisterhooves Social?" Nyx asked. "Wow. I never done that before."

"Really?" Daylight asked. "Not even in your original Equestria?"

"My only sibling in that Equestria was Spike," Nyx replied. "Plus, there are a lot of different events in the social."

"I'm sure that you and I are going to get a lot of practice in before the Social begins," Daylight said.

Nyx smiled and she and Daylight headed out of there. As they were heading down the hall, in the library, Dusk and Spike were reading one of Spike's comics.

"Don't you think it's weird that the main characters of these things aren't in these things as much as the other ones?" Spike asked.

"Meh," Dusk said. "The viewers won't miss them as much."





Nyx and Daylight went over towards Sweet Apple Acres for the events. They went in and headed over towards Granny Smith. Nyx then looked away, remembering something from the Equestria she came from.

"Excuse me," Daylight said.

Granny Smith looked over at the two fillies and then she saw Nyx, giving a concerned eyebrow. She then looked back at Daylight and asked, "Can I help you?"

"My sister and I were wondering about the events of the Sisterhooves Social," Daylight said.

"Oh, well that's going to be no problem," said Granny Smith. She then handed a list to Daylight, who took it in her magic. "First, you got a duo singing contest. Then there's a cheering contest. The jump-rope competition. The juggling contest. And ending it with the obstacle course."

"Okay," Daylight said. "I guess we can do some of these. Right, Nyx?"

"Well... I... I guess..." Nyx said, nervously.

"Ya don't have to be so nervous about the competition, Nyx," Granny Smith said. "Ya can do whatever event ya choose."

"Um... okay," said Nyx. Then the two fillies headed away from Sweet Apple Acres. Daylight looked over at Nyx, who was still getting that nervous face when looking back at Sweet Apple Acres.

"What's wrong, Nyx?" Daylight asked.

Nyx sighed and said, "Let's just go home."

"Hang on, Nyx," Daylight said, cutting off Nyx's path. "Are you afraid of competition?"

Nyx looked down and said, "No. It's not the competition. It's..." She then sighed again. "Back in the Equestria I came from, when I was Nightmare Moon, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had snuck into the castle to try to get me back and save our friendship. But then Spell Nexus showed up and saw them. While he was under the control of that terrible disease, he wanted my friends to be killed. But I couldn't stand it. So, I had them be sent down to the dungeon for their own safety. Twilight was already in there so she would comfort them. Eventually, I let them go. But, weeks after I became a filly again, Granny Smith was still angry at me. She accused me of foalnapping them. She didn't want me hanging out with Apple Bloom, even though she is one of my best friends."

"Oh, my," Daylight said. "I had no idea."

"You hadn't had a bad human childhood before you came here," Nyx said. "At least you and Dusk are at least brother and sister again."

"Yeah, I guess," Daylight said. She then perked up and said, "Well, we might as well start training for the competition." Then Daylight started running ahead.

"Hey, wait for me!" Nyx said, following Daylight.





In the Castle of Friendship, Twilight was about to get some breakfast. She then opened the ice box for something. She then raised an eyebrow.

"Where are all the eggs?!" Twilight called out. She then heard something. She then headed out of the kitchen and into another room.

"Whoa!" came the voice of Nyx and Daylight. Twilight walked towards the room and opened it up. She looked inside and saw Nyx and Daylight trying to balance eggs on their noses.

"This is really difficult," Nyx said.

"What are you girls doing?" Twilight asked.

Nyx and Daylight looked towards the door and they saw Twilight standing there. Daylight then said, "Hey, Mom."

"Why do you have all the eggs?" Twilight asked.

"We're trying to practice for the obstacle course for the Sisterhooves Social," Nyx said. "We're practicing for all of the events. We got up to here. The egg balancing portion of the competition."

"It's so hard keeping the eggs on our noses," Daylight said. "Good thing we decided to hard boil these eggs. After we used up ten of them."

Twilight looked over at a part of the room and saw ten eggs broken on the floor. She then said, "Okay. Since you don't use magic in the obstacle course, you need a lot of practice. Although, it was a clever idea for you to hard boil the last two eggs."

"Why do we have to balance them on our noses?" Daylight asked. "In the movies back on Earth, all of the egg balancing competitions were to head to the finish line with an egg in a spoon held by your mouth. But this was more difficult than that."

"Yeah," Twilight said. Then she recalled something. "Wait a minute. Rarity and Sweetie Belle competed at the Sisterhooves Social, well, after they had a bit of an argument, and Sweetie Belle thought she was doing the competition with Applejack, but then the two mares did a switcheroo in the first obstacle. And during the egg carrying event, they carried the same egg to the basket."

"Really?" Nyx asked. She then pulled out the rules for the obstacle course. She then said, "Well, it doesn't say anything about carrying the same egg together. Let's try that." Daylight nodded. Then Nyx used her magic and the two fillies brought their noses close together, and then Nyx put the single egg on the other basket. "Wow, it works."

"Alright, girls," Twilight said. "Were you two up all night?"

"No," Daylight said. "We got up at five this morning."

"Good thing we went to bed early last night," Nyx said.

"Okay, girls," Twilight said. "I was planning on making omelettes this morning, but with you using all of the eggs, I guess we're eating out. Go wake your brothers." Nyx and Daylight nodded, then they headed out of the room.





The day of the Sisterhooves Social came. Nyx and Daylight were all signed up for the obstacle course. Twilight and Velvet came in with smiles on their faces.

"I can't believe those girls are going to be competing in the competition," Velvet said. "If only we had another filly a long time ago. That way, you would've been able to compete."

"Yeah," Twilight said. "But, I don't think we would've had the time to do it. When I was studying on my friendship lessons."

"I know," Velvet replied. She then noticed something. "Hey, is that Big McIntosh in a dress?"

"What?!" Twilight, Daylight and Nyx asked in unison, pointing to where Velvet was looking.



Nyx and Daylight were laughing at that and Nyx said, "I doubt he'll fool anypony here."

"Henry and Spike would love to see this," Daylight said.

"Henry?" Velvet asked. Then she got a realization. "Right. Dusk's old name."

"That is just ridiculous," Twilight said. "How did he talk the judges, and Apple Bloom, into competing in the competition with her for crying out loud?"

"We'll talk about that later," Velvet said. "C'mon, you two fillies. You two need to get ready."

"We have to go though the track," Nyx said. "Good thing we had a light breakfast."

"Oh, yeah," Twilight said. "So you'd have enough room in your stomachs for the pie eating portion of the obstacle course. The obstacle course is in this order. The mud pit, the barrel weave, the crate jump, the pie eating contest, the hay bale push, the grape juicing, the egg carrying, the hurdles, and the final stretch of the race. Don't forget to stretch for the race."

Nyx and Daylight nodded and got ready for the competition.





The Sisterhooves Social went awkward for Apple Bloom. Nopony was falling for Big Mac's disguise. Well, except for one pony, who was one of the judges. The Social then made it to the last competition of the day. The Obstacle Course. The competitors got into position at the starting line. Two of the competitors were Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo.

"Alright, Scootaloo, remember the parts where teamwork really comes into play!" Rainbow Dash said to Scootaloo.

"How could I forget?" Scootaloo asked. "We've been training all week!"

"Okay, hot stuff!" Rainbow Dash said. "What's our move on the grape squish?"

"The alley-oop," Scootaloo responded.

"Apple toss?"

"Flip-flop."

"Egg carrying?"

"Flutter-bomb."

Then the two of them jumped up together, yelling out, "Yeah!" Then the two of them got into position, making "Orchard Blossom" nervous. Nyx and Daylight then stretched their legs.

Granny Smith then spoke through the megaphone. "Competi-sis-tors! Take your positions!" Then the competitors got ready. "And a-ready, and a-set, go!"

Then all of the competitors started running. Most of the competitors jumped over the mud pit. Nyx made it over all the way, but Daylight was a little short. Mud was up to Daylight's flanks. Nyx helped her out.

"C'mon, sis," Nyx said. Then the two of them headed on to the rest of the competition.

Daylight and Nyx made it through the barrel weave. They were behind of the competition, but they were catching up. Daylight and Nyx then went over the large crate. Luckily it was before Big Mac destroyed the crates. Then the two of them made it to the pie eating competition. Nyx and Daylight then started stuffing their faces.

Nyx noticed something and silently asked, "Huh?" She noticed Rainbow Dash putting her pie underneath her seat, thinking nopony was watching her. Nyx then got a little angry, and she continued eating her pie.

As soon as the two were done, Nyx and Daylight moved onto the bale moving. Daylight was having trouble pushing it, but Nyx was able to help her out. When they crossed the line, they moved onto the grape crushing barrels. Daylight used her hooves to toss the grapes into the tub, then Nyx jumped on Daylight's back, then jumping into the tub.

"Go on, Nyx!" Daylight said.

Nyx jumped on the grapes, squeezing them, and then they going through the faucet and into a jar. Then they headed on towards the chicken coop, now in third place.

"We're catching up!" Nyx said. "You know the drill with the egg!"

Daylight nodded as the two of them headed into the chicken coop. Luckily they got in before "Orchard Blossom" smashed through the chicken coop.

Nyx and Daylight moved onto the hurdles. Nyx and Daylight jumped over the hurdles, moving up to second place behind Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Just then, they were pushed out of the way by "Orchard Blossom", who was carrying Apple Bloom, pushing them back to third place. "Orchard Blossom" and Apple Bloom whizzed past Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, taking first place across the finish line. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo came in at second place, and Nyx and Daylight crossed at third.

"Orchard Blossom" gave out a loud yell in victory, but then "she" composed "herself" and said, "I mean, victory is ours, Sweet Apple Bloom." Just then, the outfit tore off, revealing that "Orchard Blossom" was really Big Mac.

"Busted!" Nyx and Daylight said in unison.

"Uh oh," Big Mac said.

"'Uh oh' and 'Busted' indeed," came the voice of one of the judges.

Apple Bloom turned to look up at Big Mac and said, "Ah should've known you'd eventually get busted for bein' a stallion!"

"Oh, no, we've known all along," the same pony said. "The Sisterhooves Social has always had a loose policy when it comes to what counts as a 'sister'." That made Apple Bloom and Big Mac look back at each other, thinking they've won. "But we do have a strict policy when it comes to sportsponyship! In your 'sister's' desperation to win, he used brute strength to physically take out the competitors." They looked back at the course, seeing all of the damage that Big Mac had done. "Uh, that kind of behavior is not just unbecoming of a lady, but quite frankly, of anypony! And for that, you two are hereby disqualified!"

Big Mac and Apple Bloom were ashamed of what happened.

"Hah! Looks like we win, squirt!" Rainbow Dash said, looking at Scootaloo.

"Woo-hoo! Yeah!" Scootaloo shouted.

"Hang on!" Nyx called out. "I've noticed something when we were at the pie eating portion. Follow me." Nyx then led Daylight, the judges, Rainbow and Scootaloo back to the picnic tables where the pie eating portion was taken place. Nyx then went over to one part of the bench. "This was where Rainbow Dash was sitting."

"How do you know that?" the judge asked, Rainbow Dash was starting to sweat.

"Because of this," Nyx said, using her magic to pull out an uneaten pie from under the bench. "I saw Rainbow Dash put it under just so she and Scootaloo would move on faster."

"Is this true, Miss Dash?" the judge asked, looking at Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash sweated bullets. She then sighed and said, "Yeah. Sorry. Ever since I was younger, I started losing interest in pies. I didn't enjoy eating them when I was growing."

"So, you admit that you didn't eat the pie?" the judge asked.

Rainbow Dash sighed and said, "We're also disqualified, aren't we?"

"Yes," said the judge. "Besides, you could've said something earlier, and we would have made some alterations before the obstacle course. But since you didn't and admitted to this, you are disqualified as well. And with that, victory goes to Nyx and Daylight Savings."

Nyx looked over at Scootaloo and said, "Sorry, Scootaloo. You know it had to be done."

"Even I should've seen that coming," Scootaloo replied. "I still can't believe that Rainbow Dash got us disqualified because of her disinterest in pies."

"Yeah," Nyx said.

Then Twilight and Velvet walked up to Nyx and Daylight. Twilight then said, "You did so well. Although, it was a little harsh that you did that to Rainbow Dash, Nyx."

"Yeah, sorry, Twilight," Nyx said. "I couldn't just let her try to get away with it. If you can't do it fairly, victory isn't as sweet."

"Who told you that?" Velvet asked.

"I did," Rainbow Dash said. "This one was on me. My own lesson used against me. How ironic." Then everypony left the area, but one of the judges, an old stallion, walked towards where the other ponies were with a bouquet of roses, looking around for "Orchard Blossom". He then left the area.





Nyx and Daylight were in there beds that night. On the other side of the room, there was a trophy for winning that year's Sisterhooves Social.

"That was actually fun," Daylight said. "I can't wait to do that again next year."

"Let's hope that one of us doesn't get caught up in something or one of us gets sick," Nyx said. "Then Dusk would have to take place for one of us. Let's hope he doesn't pull off what Big Mac tried to do today. He looks too much like Twilight. Nearly identical."

Daylight laughed a bit and asked, "Hey, why does he now look like mom, only younger and the opposite gender?"

"According to Twilight, she found some kind of strange flower in the Everfree Forest," Nyx said. "The flower sprayed some weird pollen in her face, eventually making her pregnant in minutes. Then she gave birth to Dusk, who was originally your long lost brother given a new body after making one last wish before his last breath in your world."

"Was Dusk weirded out when he woke up in that body?" Daylight asked.

"I think so," Nyx said. "Although, when he woke up the first time in this world, he was a normal unicorn. I don't know all of the details. So you either have to ask Twilight or Dusk for more information."

"I'll do that tomorrow," Daylight said. "Good night, Nyx."

"Good night, sis," Nyx replied. Then the two of them got comfortable and fell asleep.
> Chapter 14: Light of the Cutie Marks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 14: Light of the Cutie Marks






At the Ponyville Schoolhouse, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight ran in and headed for their desks, just before the school bell stopped ringing.

"Cutting it kind of close, aren't we?" Cheerilee asked.

"You have no idea," Nyx said. "Our usual path got a bit of a road block."

"Well, you three made it just in time," Cheerilee said. "Now, everypony, get out your history books and..."

Hold on just a second," came another voice. The class looked towards the door and there stood Spoiled Rich.

"Mother?" Diamond Tiara asked, a little scared.

"I have come here for an announcement," Spoiled Rich stated. "Ever since a certain little colt has arrived here in Ponyville..." She then gave a glare towards Dusk, making him shrink down in his seat, seeing the glare coming from Spoiled Rich. "...there have been a lot of disturbances towards this school. A fight among other students, disturbances between classmates, partial damage to the schoolhouse, and making my own daughter looking like a fool in front of multiple ponies."

"WHAT?!" Dusk and Nyx asked in unison.

"As of now, these ponies whose names I will say will no longer be students at this school," Spoiled Rich said. "Dusk Shine, Nyx, Daylight Savings, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo."

"What?!" the six foals called up shouted in unison.

"Miss Cheerilee, you can't let her do this!" Nyx said.

Cheerilee looked over her students, then towards Spoiled Rich, who gave her a glare. Cheerilee then said, "I'm... sorry, Nyx. But... there's nothing I can do."

Then Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo got out of their seats, getting their stuff. Dusk, Nyx and Daylight looked at each other with worried faces.





Later that day, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were sitting outside of the schoolhouse, waiting for something. Nyx was getting antsy about this.

"This shouldn't be happening," Nyx said. "We didn't do any of those bad things. Diamond Tiara made herself look like a fool for the flag carrying competition for the Equestria Games for not hearing all of the rules."

"Don't worry, Nyx," Dusk said. "Mom will do whatever it takes to get us back in school."

"Yeah," Daylight said. "We'll be back in school by tomorrow." Just then, the door to the schoolhouse opened up and out came Twilight.

"I thought you would be more supportive to your students, Cheerilee," Twilight said. "I know they wouldn't do anything like that." She then used her magic to slam the door. She then looked over at her kids with a frown. She then said, "I'm sorry, kids. I tried everything. But there was no way of getting you three and your friends back into school. Spoiled Rich is head of the school board, and there was no way of convincing her not to kick you out."

"So... we're not going back into school?" Nyx asked, the corners of her eyes starting to get full of tears.

"I'm sorry, Nyx," Twilight said. Nyx and Daylight ran up to Twilight, the three of them hugging. Dusk then sighed.

"I need some time alone," Dusk said, walking away from the schoolhouse, leaving Twilight, Nyx and Daylight there. As he was a good distance away from the schoolhouse, he turned to look back. Just then, he noticed something. He saw Spoiled Rich coming out of the back of the schoolhouse with a big sack on her back. She then looked around, seeing if anypony was spying on her. Dusk then gave a suspicious look.





Dusk followed Spoiled Rich through the streets of Ponyville, making sure she didn't see him. Along the way, he got a camera with the strap around his neck.

"Good thing I asked Pinkie if I could borrow her camera," Dusk said, silently, that way Spoiled Rich couldn't hear what he said. He then saw Spoiled Rich heading into a building that was marked, "Stone Carver's Sculpture Emporium." Dusk raised an eyebrow. He then prepared the camera and took a photo. He then asked, "Why would she go in there with that bag?" He then teleported to get a closer look. He then peeked his head inside to see Spoiled Rich heading towards the front desk.

"Excuse me!" Spoiled Rich called out. "Can somepony come out here?!"

"Hold your horses!" came a stallion's voice. Dusk then snuck in and hid behind some statues, trying to hide from Spoiled Rich who looked back. She then turned her head to see a stallion coming towards the counter with the cash register. "Spoiled Rich, how may I help you this fine afternoon?"

"Good day, Stone Carver," Spoiled Rich said. "My daughter has been elected Student Pony President, and with that, I would like to have a carving of her made."

"Ah, of course," Stone Carver replied. "How big would it be?"

"At least twice the size of a stallion," Spoiled Rich said.

"Alright, then," Stone Carver said. "It would take me at least three weeks to be made and sent over to your house. It'll cost you at least 200 bits." Spoiled Rich nodded and tossed the bag onto the counter. Dusk took another picture. As soon as he did, he teleported out of there before Spoiled Rich looked over towards the clicking noise.

Later, Spoiled Rich returned to the schoolhouse with an almost empty sack. She looked around to see if there was anypony watching her. She then opened up a drawer that was marked, "School funding", and dumped what was in the bag into it, and out came four bits. Dusk was on one of the rafters of the schoolhouse, using an invisibility spell. He then took another picture of Spoiled Rich. Spoiled Rich then left the building, not knowing that Dusk came down.

"What was that about?" Dusk asked. He then looked over at the class calendar, and saw that the election for Student Pony President was three weeks from that day. "What?" He then looked towards the door. "You got to be kidding me." He then sighed. "I hope this is enough proof to get her to change her mind." He then got a different idea. "Or better yet..." He then teleported out of the room.





Three weeks had passed. It was the day before the election. In the Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Nyx and Daylight were sitting in the middle of it, still a little upset to be kicked out of school.

"Ah still can't believe that Spoiled Rich kicked us out," Apple Bloom said. "Granny tried reasonin' with her, but there was nothin' that could be done. Ah swear, she must've been a descendant of minotaurs."

"Yeah," Scootaloo replied. "She's really bullheaded."

"I still wish there was something we could do to get back," Sweetie Belle said. "All we've been doing is trying to get our Cutie Marks just ta clear our heads."

"I'm sure we'll be brought back into the school," Nyx said. "Twilight has written to Princess Celestia about this. Hopefully, we'll be back in school as soon as possible."

"Cutie Mark Crusaders! Help!" came the voice of a colt with a British accent. The five fillies looked towards the door, and in came Pipsqueak.

"What's wrong, Pipsqueak?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I'm running for student pony president, I was hoping you five would be my campaign managers," Pipsqueak said. The five fillies in the clubhouse looked at each other.

"But... we've been kicked out of school," Nyx said. "How can we be your campaign managers if we're not students."

"Hang on," Daylight said. "I watched an old show back in my world, and I saw these twins both competing for class president in their school, and their campaign managers were older friends of theirs and they don't even go to that school. I think we can be Pip's manager, even if we're not technically students of the school at the moment."

"That's right," Pip replied. "The rules say that we can choose anypony to be our campaign managers, whether they're students or not."

The girls looked at each other with smiles on their faces. Apple Bloom then said, "We've never tried gettin' our cutie marks in campaign managin'! What do ya say, Crusaders?"

"Yeah!" the five of them said in unison, before high hoofing. Pipsqueak wanted to get in but he was too small. Sweetie Belle used her magic to lift Pip up, having him join in the high hoof.





Meanwhile, at the schoolhouse's newspaper print, Dusk was showing Featherweight the photos of Spoiled Rich he took when she didn't know she was being spied on. The room was locked up, all of the window's were covered, and the room was covered in a red light.

"So? What do you think?" Dusk asked.

"I don't believe it," Featherweight said. "She stole from the Ponyville Schoolhouse funds to pay for a statue of Diamond Tiara for winning the election for Student Pony President. Even though the election isn't until tomorrow. That's illegal, you know."

"What should I do?" Dusk asked.

"As soon as these photos are ready, you got to show these photos to Princess Celestia as soon as possible," Featherweight replied. "Also, alert the authorities."

"Meh, my uncle is the captain of the Royal Guard," Dusk said. "One letter to him, and he'll be on his way immediately."

"Oh, that's right," Featherweight said. "I'm sure that you'll be ready for back up, huh?"

"Oh, yeah," Dusk said. "And if we expose Spoiled Rich for this, then me, my sisters and the rest of the Crusaders will be back in school and she'll be arrested."

"The pictures will be ready soon enough," Featherweight said. Dusk nodded and smirked.





The next day, Dusk was waiting for a reply from Princess Celestia, Spike was watching him pace back and forth in front of him. Spike was worried for Dusk.

"Hey, Dusk, don't worry," Spike said. "I'm sure that Princess Celestia will get on it as soon as possible."

"I hope so," Dusk said. "Those photos I sent her, and what I heard from her, proves that she's nothing but a..."

"I believe it's called 'Embezzler'," Spike said. "Those bits didn't belong to her, they belonged to the schoolhouse. Although, last year, it does explain how that stained glass window showed up the next day after Diamond Tiara won the election. Something like that takes a lot of time just for it to be made in that size." Just then, he gagged, and then belched out a letter, it landing in front of Dusk. Dusk lifted it up with his magic and levitated it over to Spike. "Thanks." He then unrolled it. He read it and smiled.

"What is it?" Dusk asked.

"Check this out," Spike said. Dusk came to Spike's left side and he read it alongside Spike, who was reading it out loud. "'Dear Dusk Shine, I have shown the photos you have taken to both the EEA, the Equestrian Education Association, and to your Uncle, Shining Armor, and we are shocked to see that the head of the school board for the Ponyville Schoolhouse has taken some highly drastic measures. We will be there tomorrow for the official dishonorable discharge and arresting of Spoiled Rich. You, your sisters and the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders be at the Ponyville Schoolhouse by 3 o'clock tomorrow. Signed, Princess Celestia.' Dusk, you did it!" Then the two of them high hoofed/clawed.

"Spoiled Rich, you're going down," Dusk said. Just then, his sisters and the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders walked into the room. "Hey, girls. What's going on? Who won?"

"Pip did," Sweetie Belle said. "But... there was... a bit of a problem with Diamond Tiara."

"What happened?" Spike asked.

"She only got one vote in the election," Scootaloo said. "Not even Silver Spoon voted for her, even though she was trying to help Diamond. She got angry and broke up their friendship."

"And not only that, but Spoiled Rich scolded her fer losin' the election," Apple Bloom said. "Some school board pony she is."

"Well she's..." Spike was about to say before Dusk covered his mouth.

"Hang on," Dusk said. "Why not go check up on her tomorrow? Make sure she's doing okay? See if she needs some company?"

"Really?" the five fillies asked.

"You all should try to cheer her up," Dusk said. "Try to find something that'll make her open up."

"Are you kidding?" Nyx asked. "In the Equestria I came from, she sent me into the Everfree Forest."

"Nyx," Dusk said. "She just lost a friend. She could really use one, and you know that."

Nyx thought about that, sighed and said, "You're right. We'll go talk to her when she gets out of school." Then the five fillies walked out of the room.

"So, when are you going to tell them about Spoiled Rich?" Spike asked.

"Oh, I think it'll be clear when they all arrive at the schoolhouse tomorrow," Dusk said.

Spike thought about it, smiled and said, "You may be onto something. Hopefully, things will start to get better." Dusk nodded and headed out of there.





The next day, at the Ponyville Schoolhouse in the afternoon, Diamond Tiara arrived back there, about to give out to the school ponies some news. Earlier, she learned that the schoolhouse didn't have enough bits for what Pip wanted to do with the funding, to replace all of the broken playground equipment, so the schoolponies would be able to enjoy recess again. Diamond Tiara thought with that news, Cheerilee would have no choice but to make Pipsqueak unqualified to be Student Pony President and give the title to Diamond Tiara, but the Crusaders were trying to convince her to change her ways.

"Diamond Tiara!" Apple Bloom called out as the six fillies entered the schoolyard. "Think hard about the choice you're makin' right now!"

"You can be a better pony!" Scootaloo said. Just then, the door to the schoolhouse opened.

"Diamond Tiara!" came Spoiled Rich's voice. She was coming out of the schoolhouse. "I just happened to be here for the school board meeting, and this is what I see when we adjourn? My daughter associating with confused, insignificant lowlifes? Socializing with their kind is not how you move up in Equestria!" She was heading towards the exit of the schoolyard. "Come, Diamond Tiara!"

Diamond Tiara was upset that her mother was speaking to her in an annoyed tone, but then, Diamond Tiara finally snapped. "No, mother!"

That made Spoiled Rich stop in shock. She then turned to Diamond Tiara with an angry look, asking, "Excuse me?!"

"You've spent your life acting like a high horse and raised me to follow in your hoofprints!" Diamond Tiara said, walking up to Spoiled Rich with an angry look. "At first I thought this was fine, but then I finally realized I wanted something you don't have... friends!" That made all of the ponies around them gasp.

"That's enough, Diamond Tiara!" Spoiled Rich said to Diamond. "Step away from those blank flanks and that monster of a filly! It's their enthusiasm that's lowering down your status to common ponies!"

"These are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and they are my friends!" Diamond Tiara snapped back. "You need to stop calling them such mean and hurtful names! They are working harder to get their cutie marks than anypony I've ever seen! And they will get them exactly when they discover their true talent, which I guarantee will be amazing!" She then started walking up to Spoiled Rich with something. "Now, will you please deliver this to father?"

Spoiled Rich took it and looked at it. She looked at Diamond Tiara to see her looking back at the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She then said, "No." That made Diamond Tiara stop and look back at her mother. "You shouldn't be socializing with those useless ponies. They have no determined fate, and should never be around you. Come with me, Diamond. You're grounded."

Just then, a flash came from outside of the school yard. All of the ponies there looked to where the flash was and all of them saw Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, Dusk Shine, a bunch of guards and a unicorn stallion wearing a red robe.



"Princess Celestia?!" Spoiled Rich asked. "What are you doing here?!" She then cleared her throat and composed herself. "I mean, what brings you here?"

"Two days ago, I had received a letter from young Dusk Shine here," Princess Celestia explained. "A letter that came with pictures of something very interesting."

"Well, I have no idea what you are talking about," Spoiled Rich said, sweating a little.

"Dusk Shine has taken pictures of you embezzling from the Ponyville Schoolhouse, and prepaying for a statue of Diamond Tiara for winning the election for Student Pony President for this school, even though she just lost yesterday," Princess Celestia explained. "Embezzling is a major crime, you know. And I assume you did the same last year when you paid for that." She then pointed at the stained glass window of Diamond Tiara.

"I knew that my Diamond would win that election and I assumed she would win this year as well," Spoiled Rich explained.

"That doesn't matter," said the unnamed stallion. "I am Chancellor Neighsay of the EEA, the Equestrian Education Association. And learning what you have done, you are no longer head of, nor a member of the Ponyville Schoolhouse School Board."

"What?!" Spoiled Rich shouted. "You're firing me?!"

"And arresting you," Shining Armor came up to her. "Stealing is stealing, even if you knew something was going to happen. Guards, arrest her." Then the royal guards charged at Spoiled Rich, tackling her.

"You can't do this to me!" Spoiled Rich screamed as she was being dragged away. "I know what's best for all of the students of this school!"

"Even if it meant kicking out my own nephew and nieces and their friends?" Shining Armor asked.

"The EEA has made a decision," Chancellor Neighsay said. "The six schoolponies that you kicked out are back, and you are no longer allowed to step on any school grounds anywhere in Equestria."

"NO!!" Spoiled Rich said as she was being dragged away. Princess Celestia, Shining Armor and Dusk walked up to the Crusaders and Diamond Tiara.

"So, you contacted Princess Celestia about this?" Nyx asked.

"That's right," Dusk said. "I couldn't just let Spoiled Rich get away with this."

"And with that, I have made a major donation to this schoolhouse to replace all of the stolen bits so the schoolhouse can pay for new playground equipment," Princess Celestia said, making the schoolhouse ponies cheer in excitement.





The next day, a delivery pony brought all of the new playground equipment to the school. Now with Dusk and the Cutie Mark Crusaders back in school, things are starting to look up. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were talking to each other.

"Ah've been thinkin'," Apple Bloom said. "We spend an awful lot of time fussin' and frettin' tryin' to discover our true talent. But when we take a little time off, we end up helpin' other ponies figure out their true talent!"

"Yeah, and I think that's way more important than worrying about our cutie marks, don't you?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Absolutely!" Scootaloo said. "I don't care if I ever get my cutie mark as long as I get to hang out with my best friends."

"It was actually fun for us to help out other ponies," Daylight Savings said. "Even if we couldn't get our own Cutie Marks."

"So what do you say, Crusaders?" Apple Bloom asked. "Want to just focus on helpin' others find their cutie marks?"

"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Daylight said as the four fillies high hoofed together. But then some pink lightning surrounded their hooves, then it surrounded them. Then the four of them were lifted off the ground, all four of them glowing.

"What's happening?" Nyx asked.

"I don't know," Dusk said.

Just then, the four Crusaders were set down gently, and all of their class mates looked at them in amazement.

"What happened?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"What's goin' on?" Apple Bloom asked.

"It's your cutie marks! They're amazing!" Diamond Tiara said.

The four Crusaders looked at their flanks to see a Cutie Mark on each of their flanks. All of them very similar. The same kind of shield of the exact same colors, and some symbol on the inside of the shield. Apple Bloom's mark was an apple with a heart on the inside. Sweetie Belle's mark was a star with a music note on the inside. Scootaloo's mark was a wing with a lightning bolt on the inside. And Daylight's mark was of a sun with a crescent moon on the inside. All of them gasped in a happy way.



"We all got the same cutie mark! Cutie Mark Crusaders forever!" the four fillies said in unison. Then Dusk and Nyx came in and all six of them got into a group hug.

"I'll go tell the news to Mom and her friends," Dusk said, about to head on out to the Castle of Friendship, but his tail was pulled back.

"Hold on, Dusk," Cheerilee said. "Let me get you something so you have permission to leave the schoolhouse." She then gave Dusk a pass so Dusk could leave. He took it in his magic and headed on out to the Castle of Friendship.





Dusk arrived at the Castle of Friendship, and headed into the throne room. The Mane 6 and Spike were all sitting in their thrones around the Cutie Map. Twilight looked towards the door with a confused look.

"Dusk?" Twilight asked. "What are you doing here from school? You just got back into school."

"Cheerilee gave me permission to leave so I can give you some news!" Dusk said. "The rest of the Crusaders finally got their Cutie Marks!"

"WHAT!?" the Mane 6 and Spike asked in unison. Then they all smiled. Pinkie bigger than anyone else.

"Cute-ceñera Time!!" Pinkie Pie shouted.





The next day, Pinkie Pie had a party for the Cutie Mark Crusaders for getting their Cutie Marks. The families of the four Crusaders were there. Well, most of their families. Apple Bloom had her siblings and her granny, Sweetie Belle had her parents and Rarity, Scootaloo had her two aunts, Lofty and Holiday, and Daylight had her brothers and Nyx, her adopted mother, Twilight Sparkle, her uncle Shining Armor, her aunt Cadance, and her grandparents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light. All of them were proud for the Cutie Mark Crusaders all having their Cutie Marks.

They all spent as much time with their family members for finally getting their Cutie Marks. Shining and Cadance then stepped away from their family, heading over to a corner of the room so nopony could hear them.

"You think we should tell them?" Cadance asked.

"Oh, no," Shining said. "Twylie enjoys surprises, and I'm sure that Nyx will enjoy this as well. Since she missed that one event that happened in her Equestria, we might as well make it happen in this one."

"Oh, yes," Cadance said. "It would be nice for her to be surprised about this." Her stomach then growled. "Looks like it's time to eat."

"Alright, honey," Shining said. "Let's get you fed." Then the two of them headed on over to the snack table."

Twilight was talking to Dusk, Nyx and Daylight about something.

"So, the school board has gotten somepony to replace Spoiled Rich, but we don't know who it is yet," Twilight said. "They said it's somepony who knows what's best for all of the students of the Ponyville Schoolhouse, and not at all like Spoiled Rich."

"Of course they did, Twilight," Velvet said to her. "It's me."

"You?" Twilight asked, looking at her mother.

"Of course," Velvet said. "After everything that mare has done to the school, not to mention her own daughter, she deserves to be behind bars."

"And apparently, Spoiled Rich has also been arrested for aiding in trying to get rid of Nyx," Night Light explained. "She's gonna be in prison for a long time."

"Thanks, Grandma," Nyx said.

"C'mon, everypony!" Pinkie Pie called out. "It's time for 'Pin the Tail on the Pony'!" Then all of the fillies and colts joined in. Except for Dusk and Daylight.

"What happened to 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey'?" Daylight asked.

"I asked myself that when I got my Cutie Mark, and my wings," Dusk replied. "Then I saw that Pinkie Pie invited Mister Cranky Doodle Donkey." That made Daylight laugh as they headed over to the group of young ponies to enjoy the game.
> Chapter 15: The One Where the Pies Know
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 15: The One Where the Pies Know






At Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie was icing some cupcakes as the Tri-Pies were watching Pound Cake.

"Five hundred and sixty-six, five hundred and sixty-seven, five hundred and sixty-eight... phew!" Pinkie Pie then took a break and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Look at that, kids! I am so close to breaking my personal cupcake-icing record!"

"Dang!!" the Tri-Pies said in unison, looking up at all of the cupcakes.

Then Mrs. Cake walked in carrying something in her hoof and Pumpkin Cake on her back. She then said, "My goodness! I can't believe what I'm seeing here!"

"Pretty impressive if I do say so myself," Pinkie Pie said, thinking that Mrs. Cake was talking about the cupcakes.

"Pinkie, would you mind watching the counter while I pop to the supply room?" Mrs. Cake asked. "We've just received a very special order, and the ingredients need to be perfect." Pumpkin Cake squealed.

"Okie-dokie-lokie," Pinkie Pie replied.

"Thanks, dear!" Mrs. Cake said, before zooming past Pinkie, making the latter spin around like a top. Mrs. Cake dropped the paper, and then Pinkie Pie's face landed on it. She then sat up with the paper stuck to her face. She then removed it from her face to read it, looking at what was said, her eyes bulging through the paper.

"A baby?!" Pinkie Pie asked as her eyes went through the paper, making two eye holes. She then pulled her eyes out and had a big grin on her face. The Tri-Pies were surprised at what Pinkie said. "Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are having a baby?!" She then squealed. Then Pound Cake put his pacifier into Gummy's mouth. "This is the best news ever! I can't wait to tell Twilight and the rest of her family!"

Then Mrs. Cake came back into the room, hearing  that Pinkie Pie saw the paper. She then said, "Oh, em, Pinkie, uh..." She then lowered her voice to a whispering tone. "...it's a top secret surprise." She then quietly shushed her, Pumpkin Cake doing the same, as the two of them were going back into the back room.

"A top secret surprise?!" Pinkie Pie asked. She then looked down at the Tri-Pies. "That means I have to keep the exciting news..." She then gulped. "...to ourselves!"





At the Castle of Friendship, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were walking through the halls of the Castle of Friendship, happy that their days of school can now be enjoyable.

"Diamond Tiara seems to be doing much better ever since her mom got both fired and arrested," Dusk said.

"Yeah," Nyx said. "Spoiled Rich got what she deserved. Good thinking of sending in those photos of Spoiled embezzling from the school to Princess Celestia."

"Now that Grandma is now in the School Board, things can finally go back to normal," Daylight said. "Although, something's been up with the Tri-Pies."

Then Dusk and Nyx thought about it and Dusk said, "You're right, sis. They've been acting weird... er than normal."

"Yeah, that is weird," Nyx said. She then saw Twilight heading down the hall and into one room. Then the three of them followed Twilight into that room and saw a room set up fora boy that was older than Dusk was.

"Whoa, Mom!" Dusk said. "What is all of this?!"

Twilight looked back at Dusk, Nyx and Daylight with a smile on her face. She then said, "It's a special surprise for your Uncle Shining. He and Cadance will be coming this weekend."

"I still wonder why they're coming over so sudden," Nyx said. "Last time we saw them, they came for the Cute-ceñera for Daylight and the other Crusaders."

"Yeah," Twilight said. "Now, why don't you kids go and play with your friends?"

"Okay," Dusk said. "Although, the Tri-Pies have been acting weird. Do you have any idea what's up?"

"No, I have no idea," Twilight said. "Why don't you try talking to them about it?"

"You think we haven't?" Daylight asked. "They were avoiding us like we had a cold or something."

"Well, whatever it is, they'll tell you when they're ready," Twilight said. "Now, I got more things to unpack." She then opened up a box full of comic books in packages.

"Are those old comic books?" Dusk asked.

"Shining enjoyed them so much, he decided to keep them safe in plastic bags," Twilight explained.

"Let's hope Spike doesn't pull one out and sneeze from the dust," Nyx said.

Twilight thought about that and said, "Maybe I should clean these real quick." She then took the comics out of the bags and started blowing the dust out of them. Some of the dust went into Daylight's face. She then was about to sneeze. Dusk then grabbed her and he teleported her out of there.

"Where do you think he's taken her?" Nyx asked.

"If I know, it would be somewhere where nopony can get hurt," Twilight said. Then Dusk and Daylight reappeared, a little bit of snow on their heads. "Where'd you two go?"

"Outside of the Crystal Empire, in the snow," Dusk said. "Good thing we were there for just a moment." Then they shook the snow off of them.

"Why did we even go out there?" Daylight asked.

"Let's just say a unicorn sneezing can trigger an unknown spell," Dusk said. "One day, when I was sick, I made a lamp sing and dance." That made Twilight shake her head, remembering the memory.

"That was before Dusk and I even became alicorns," Twilight said. "Don't you kids have homework to do?"

"Okay, Twilight," Nyx said. Then she, Dusk and Daylight left the room.





On the Friday at the Ponyville Schoolhouse, Pinkie Pie and the Tri-Pies were making balloon animals to the students of the school. Dusk, Nyx and Daylight had their balloon animals. Dusk had a tiger, Nyx had a phoenix, and Daylight had a giraffe.

Dusk looked over to see the rest of the Crusaders were getting their balloon animals. Sweetie Belle walked up to Pinkie Pie and said, "Ooh! I want a flamingo!" Pinkie Pie then made the balloon animal, giving Sweetie Belle a flamingo made of balloons. She then grabbed it with her hoof and walked away.

Apple Bloom then walked up to her, saying, "Ah want a goldfish!" Then Pinkie Pie made Apple Bloom a balloon goldfish, the latter grabbing the string with her mouth. Then Scootaloo walked up to Pinkie Pie.

"Surprise me!" Scootaloo said. Pinkie Pie then grabbed some balloons. But then, a mare with a baby carriage was passing by and the baby inside the carriage was crying, which was distracting Pinkie Pie, making her not know what she was making out of balloons, not until it was too late. "Is that a... baby bottle?"

Pinkie Pie then looked at the balloon carving she made, seeing that it was a baby bottle. She then screamed, startling Scootaloo. She then grabbed it and nervously said, "No! It's a... a... puppy! Ha ha, woof woof, ha ha! Eh..."

"Are you sure?" Scootaloo asked. "Because it looks like a..." She was interrupted when the balloon baby bottle was stuffed into the filly's mouth.

"Next!" Pinkie Pie called out. Then Featherweight walked up to her.

"Uh, a baby pony, please!" Featherweight requested. "Uh, unless of course that would be a royal pain..."

Pinkie then got in Featherweight's face and said, "Interesting choice of words, Featherweight."

"Was it?" Featherweight asked, getting a little nervous.

"I don't know," Pinkie said. "Was it?"

"Uh, maybe you'd better just make me a giraffe," Featherweight said so Pinkie wouldn't be getting in his face.

Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were confused at that. Then the three of them walked up to the Tri-Pies and Dusk asked, "What was up with that?" He pointed a hoof at Pinkie Pie.

"Nothing!" the Tri-Pies said in unison, then the three of then ran out of there. Then Dusk, Nyx and Daylight looked at each other in confusion.





Later, the Mane 6, minus Pinkie, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were setting up the throne room for a visit when Pinkie and the Tri-Pies walked in. They all had snacks. Twilight then took them in her magic.

"Those look yummy, Pinkie! Let me help you!" Twilight said. She then walked over to the Cutie Map and set the snacks on it. She then grabbed some tray covers and put them onto the plates. "But we better cover them up so they don't get spoiled."

"Why would they get spoiled?" Pinkie asked. "We're all gonna eat them super soon!"

"Oh, didn't anypony tell you?" Applejack asked. "Shining Armor and Cadance are held up. They may not arrive 'til Saturday." 

Pinkie Pie and the Tri-Pies got a very disturbing look, and all of them jumped up to the old roots of the Golden Oaks Library, all of them shouting, "Whaaaaaaaaaat?! All four of them started hyperventilating.

"You mean..." Pinkie said in between breathes. "...we have... to wait... another whole day?! I don't know if we can!"

" Pinkie Pie, do you have something you need to say?" Twilight asked. "You and the Tri-Pies seem like you all have been keeping something in."

Pinkie then did an inarticulate yell, trying to hold in the big secret. Just then, Fluttershy flew up to the four ponies on the root.

"We're here to listen," Fluttershy said to them.

"Well, go on then, sugarcube," Applejack's voice came from below, all of the other ponies looking up from below.

"We're not going to judge you, darling," Rarity said.

"You'll feel so much better once you get it off your chest!" Spike added.

Pinkie and the Tri-Pies were all breathing into balloons they each had. Pinkie's balloon was yellow, Cherry's balloon was purple, Blueberry's balloon was white, and Raspberry's balloon was green.

"Come on," Rainbow Dash said. Just then, all four balloons popped. "Whatever it is, you can tell us! We're best friends!"

Just then, Pinkie and the Tri-Pies imagined their friends were balloons, all saying friends, repeatedly. That's when Pinkie snapped.

"Okay, okay, you win!" Pinkie Pie then inhaled and let it out. "Shining Armor and Cadance are gonna have a..." But then she was interrupted by an unexpected surprise.

"An awesome weekend with the best little sister in all of Equestria!" The group looked at the door and there stood Shining Armor and Princess Cadance at the door.

Cadance giggled and said, "Hi, everypony." With much relief, Pinkie Pie fell down to the Cutie Map. The Tri-Pies landed on her, the mare cushioning their fall. They recovered and headed for the group gathered in front of Shining Armor and Cadance.

"Shining Armor, Cadance! You're early!" Twilight said to the royal couple. "I thought something had come up and you weren't gonna make it until Saturday!"

"So did we," Cadance responded. "urned out we weren't needed in Maretonia until next week. And the summit we were supposed to attend today had to be rescheduled, so... we got here even sooner than planned!"

"Surprise!" Shining said, pulling Twilight in, the two's foreheads touching each other. Pinkie Pie was getting nervous, biting her hoof.

"It's wonderful to see you all again!" Cadance said. Then Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity greet the royal couple.

"I'm so glad you're here! I have a big surprise for you!" Twilight said to her brother. She then walked out of the room, past Shining Armor.

"Oh, yeah?" Shining asked. He then looked back and a nervous looking Pinkie Pie. He saw the Tri-Pies were also nervous.

Then they all started walking down the halls of the Castle of Friendship. Shining Armor then held back so he would be with Pinkie and the Tri-Pies and ask them something.

"Lucky we came when we did, huh?" Shining asked in a hushed voice. "I'm guessing you saw the scroll we sent to Mr. and Mrs. Cake? Hey, I'm impressed you've been able to keep our secret this long!"

Pinkie's nose was then pressed up against Shining's and she asked, "So you're gonna tell Twilight now?!" But Shining covered her mouth and they looked ahead. Then they saw Spike carrying Shining and Cadance's luggage.

Shining then said to Pinkie in a hushed voice, "You're gonna have to wait just a little bit longer. We have something special planned. It'll be worth it, I promise."

"It'd better be," Pinkie said in an annoyed voice.





At the Ponyville Schoolhouse, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were having a talk with the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They were talking about Pinkie and the Tri-Pies.

"They've been acting weird for the past two days," Dusk said. "They wouldn't tell us anything. Especially with Shining Armor and Cadance have come in."

"Ya think that Pinkie Pie and the Tri-Pies know somethin' that we don't?" Apple Bloom asked.

"We don't know," Nyx said. "She was about to tell us something that was really on her chest, but then Uncle Shining and Aunt Cadance walked in." They then noticed the Tri-Pies and Featherweight coming out of the print press, with newly printed newspapers for the Foal Free Press. Cherry Pie then whispered something into Featherweight's ear, who responded with a nod. Dusk, Nyx, Daylight and the Crusaders looked at each other with a confused look.





Later in the afternoon, the Mane 6 had come and picked up Dusk, Nyx, Daylight and the Tri-Pies from the school. Apparently, Shining Armor had set up a scavenger hunt, leaving clues all over town. The note that started it was found in the mouth of the statue of the fountain in front of town hall. The first clue was actually printed in the Foal Free Press. The second clue was found on the back of Applejack's birth certificate, which Twilight and Fluttershy thought that Applejack's baby picture was adorable, making the farm mare blush. The third clue was found on a baby crib at the furniture store. And they all ended up at Sugarcube Corner, which Shining Armor and Cadance had a...

"Surprise!" Shining said to the group as they were coming into Sugarcube Corner. Then he and Cadance smiled at each other before Shining walked up to Twilight, who was walking up to him, the two meeting in the middle. "Twylie, did you like the scavenger hunt?"

"It was perfect!" Twilight said. "Just like old times, except even better because this time I got to share it with my best friends!" Pinkie Pie then squeezed herself through the rest of the group. "There's just one thing missing, isn't there?"

"What's that?" Shining asked.

Twilight hummed and said to Shining, "The book prize at the end!"

Shining then put a hoof on Twilight's left shoulder and said, "There's still a prize, but it's a little different this time." He then stepped back towards Cadance.

"Oh. I don't understand," Twilight said, confused. She didn't see Pinkie and the Tri-Pies with big smiles on their faces. Then Dusk, Nyx and Daylight walked up to Twilight.

"What were you talking about?" Dusk asked.

"All the places we sent you today had something in common," Cadance said.

Twilight then started recollecting of the places where the clues were. "First we went to the schoolhouse..." Twilight didn't notice Pinkie Pie's trembling. "And then we read the Foal Free Press... After that we found Applejack's birth certificate... And then the last clue was under a crib." Pinkie Pie then tried to help get her a clue on what Shining and Cadance were getting at, even with the Cake Twins as more clues. "Hmmm... School... foal... birth certificate... and crib..." Then she figured it out and gasped, Nyx joining in when the two of them putting the pieces together "Can it be? Are you two...?!"

Shining and Cadance looked at each other with smiles, and then they looked back at the group, saying, "We're having a baby!"

Then Pinkie Pie let out all of her excitement, finally able to spill the beans, calling out, "A baby, Twilight! It's a baby! Woo-hoo!" The Tri-Pies joined in with the excitement, and the four of them were bouncing off the walls. Literally.

"You mean... I'm going to be an aunt?!" Twilight asked, still unsure. She then noticed the cake topper on the cake behind Shining and Cadance, which was a small baby carriage. "This is the best prize ever!" That made Shining and Cadance laugh. Twilight then hugged Shining. Oh, I love you guys! And I can't wait to meet your little foal!"

"Neither can we," Shining responded. Then the group came in for some chatting while Pinkie and the Tri-Pies were bouncing around in excitement.

"We did it, we did it, we did it, we did it!" Pinkie and the Tri-Pies said, Pinkie jumped around spinning while the Tri-Pies were jumping around her. But then, Pinkie Pie fell to pieces, scaring the Tri-Pies. But then one of Pinkie's seperated hooves came up.

"Go, Pinkie!" Pinkie's dislocated muzzle said. Then the Tri-Pies started piecing her back together.

"Well, that explains why Pinkie made Scootaloo a baby bottle made out of balloons the other day," Dusk said. "She and the Tri-Pies were in on the surprise as well."

"Yep," Shining said. "And, since Nyx missed her chance to meet her Equestria's version of our baby, we thought we would start a family of our own in this Equestria."

"We wouldn't want Nyx to miss that opportunity," Cadance said, rubbing Nyx's head. Nyx smiled at that comment. Then Twilight Velvet and Night Light walked in from the back room.

"Mom? Dad?" Twilight asked. "Did you two know about this?"

"Of course we did, Twilight," Velvet said. "We noticed when we had the cute-ceañera for Daylight and the three friends of your foals."

"Surely enough, one of the most common effects of pregnancy is a big appetite," Night Light said. "But, I'm guessing you had your share of those desires when you became magically pregnant with Dusk."

"Yeah," Twilight said, rubbing the back of her head, not noticing that Cadance was walking towards Pinkie with a slice of cake as the Tri-Pies were finishing up putting their mom back together. "I should've realized that when she ate half of the sweets on the table at the party."

Cadance walked up to Pinkie and the Tri-Pies and said, "You did it, Pinkie Pie! You kept it a surprise! Thank you! Was it much trouble?"

"Piece of cake," Pinkie said, before looking towards the viewers, shaking her head and mouthing, "No."
> Chapter 16: Nightmare Night (Equestria's Halloween)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 16: Nightmare Night (Equestria's Halloween)






Coming back from school to the Castle of Friendship, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were looking around the place. They saw the ponies of Ponyville setting up some decorations.

"What's going on?" Dusk asked.

"It looks like Ponyville is getting ready for Nightmare Night," Nyx said.

"Huh?" Dusk and Daylight asked in confusion.

"Right, sorry," Nyx said. "I keep forgetting you didn't originally grow up here." She then sighed. "Anyway, Nightmare Night is a holiday celebrated all over Equestria. All of the ponies here dress up in costumes, play games at the festival, and go door-to-door collecting candy." She then noticed Dusk and Daylight, looking at each other with smiles on their faces. "What is it?"

"Sounds a lot like Halloween," Dusk said.

"Really?" Nyx asked. "You two have a holiday similar to Nightmare Night?! Well, that's cool."

"Well, I never got to celebrate it," Dusk said. "I was being a personal slave for my aunt and cousin. They wouldn't even let me leave the apartment."

"And every time I want to do some trick-or-treating, all of my candy gets dropped in the ocean when the boat hit a big wave," Daylight said.

"Wow," Nyx said. "So, we got a few days until it starts, so we should head on over to Rarity's so we can get our costume designs."

"I'm not too sure I can do Halloween in another world," Dusk said. "I don't even know what I can dress up as."

"I'm sure that we're gonna figure something out," Daylight said to Dusk with a smile. "C'mon. Let's go." Then she headed on off towards Carousel Boutique. Dusk then followed.

"Hey, you two! Wait for me!" Nyx said, following the two.





Meanwhile, on Earth, at a boarding school, Devon was asleep in a room all by himself. The room he was in had bars on the outside of the windows so he couldn't escape even if he wanted to. Then he woke up and went to the bathroom.

But he didn't know what was going down the hallway of the boarding school's dorm, walking down the hall were some guards. But then, something took them out, one by one. The guards didn't know what was going on and tried hitting what was there before they could get hit, but none of them succeeded.

But in a light blue magical aura, a clipboard was levitated and looked at. Coming out of an invisibility spell was Starlight Glimmer, who was reading the clipboard with an evil smirk.

"There you are... Devon Henderson," Starlight said. She then grabbed the keys from the guard, looked for a certain key, and unlocked the door.

Devon woke up and looked towards the door in confusion. He then said, "It's the middle of the night. Come back when it's morning."

"Oh, I doubt have time for that," came Starlight's voice. Devon looked towards the door and saw Starlight Glimmer standing there.

"No way," Devon said. "I've been here so long, I'm starting to see and hear things."

"I don't think so," Starlight said to Devon. "I'm breaking you out of here." That woke Devon up completely.

"Why would I want to go anywhere with a unicorn?" Devon asked. "They don't exist here." He then put his head back down on his pillow.

"Not... where I'm from," Starlight responded. "But for the why reason, I have something that might interest you. What do you know about someone named... Henry Calvin?"

Devon raised his head in surprise and asked, "My cousin and personal slave?! He's dead!"

"His body might have died in this world, but he has been reborn in the world I'm from," Starlight responded. "And let's just say, he's now a part of royalty now."

"That no good kid is living the life of royalty while I'm stuck in here?!" Devon asked. "He doesn't deserve anything good!"

"So, you interested?" Starlight asked. All Devon did was smile darkly in response. Starlight then walked towards Devon, put a hoof on him, and the two of them teleported out of there.





At Carousel Boutique, back in Equestria, Daylight was getting fitted into a costume. She was eager when Rarity was working on it, shaking in excitement, making Rarity a little irritated.

"Now, Daylight, I know you're excited, but you must stand still," Rarity said. "Your brother is getting into his costume as we speak."

"Sorry!" Daylight said. "I'm just really excited!"

"So, this outfit you got was from an old comic book your father had?" Rarity asked.

"Mm-hmm," Daylight said. "Dad had them in storage until we started living on the boat, and he had already given most of his belongings away to good people he knew. I kept his comic books and are waiting for a certain time for us to read all of them."

"So, who is this character I'm dressing you as?" Rarity asked.

"This character's name is Shuri from the Marvel Comic: Black Panther," Daylight said. "She is the younger sister of T'Challa, the King of Wakanda and the superhero known as the Black Panther."

"Ooh," Rarity said. "And that's why you had Dusk's outfit more cat like."

"I got the comic right here," Daylight said, pulling a comic book from her saddlebags. Rarity then took a look at it.

"Oh my," Rarity said. "Well, at least I made pockets for his wings so they'd fit comfortable in there. Of course, I had Nyx help him into the outfit."

"Whoa! Careful there, Nyx!" came Dusk's voice from the dressing room. "That tickles!"

"Oh, is that so?!" Nyx asked. "Well then..."

"Whoa! Hey!" Dusk said, laughing. "St-stop that! Ha ha ha ha! Pl-Please! Ha ha ha! I don't want to wet myself!"

Rarity giggled and called out, "I would do so myself, Nyx! You don't want him to ruin his own costume!"

"Oh, fine," Nyx said. "I'll just wait until he gets out of his costume."

"Don't even think about it!" Dusk said. Rarity and Daylight giggled at that.

"So, what do you think?" Rarity asked. Daylight looked at herself in the mirror, and saw that she was in an outfit that was worn by Shuri in the movie, Avengers: Infinity War.

"Wow," Daylight said. "It's... It's amazing!"

"I know," Rarity said. "I might as well display these two outfits when you're done with them."

"Maybe," Daylight said. "I can't wait for this Nightmare Night to come." Then Dusk and Nyx came out of the dressing room they were in, and Dusk was dressed up in a costume a lot similar to Black Panther. He didn't have the mask on.

"Wow," Dusk said. "This suit is really tight."

"It's probably because of the wing pockets," Nyx said.

"That makes sense," Dusk said. "And nice touch with the toes, Rarity."

"Of course, darling," Rarity said. "If it's themed after an animal, I might as well make it more like an animal. Now, go ahead and take it off so you can wait to use it for Nightmare Night." Dusk and Daylight nodded and headed back into the dressing rooms. Rarity then looked over at Nyx and said, "What do you want to be for Nightmare Night?"

"I have no idea," Nyx said. "It's going to be a tough decision for me just to pick one."

"Well, follow me," Rarity said, heading over to a rack of costumes for fillies. "I'm sure that we'll find something for you to go out on Nightmare Night." She then thought about it. "Which is weird because it's basically based around..." She then tried finding the right words.

"The Rarity from my Equestria said the same thing last year," Nyx said. "A lot of fillies and colts were wanting me to take some of their candy."

"They didn't!" Rarity said in shock. "Oh, I doubt that the Twilight from that Equestria wouldn't let you eat all of that candy. She stopped you, didn't she?"

"Actually, I donated all of the candy to the hospitalized fillies and colts so they wouldn't feel left out and get some candy," Nyx said.

"Aww," Rarity said. "That's so sweet."

"Learned it from you," Nyx said. "Well, from the other Rarity."

"True, true," Rarity said. "Now, let's see what we can do." She then looked through the costumes. "Let's see what I have." She then pulled out one costume and asked, "How about a superhero costume? Since your brother and sister are going as superheroes."

"Nah," Nyx said. "I'm not sure that I'd want to do that."

"Okay, okay," Rarity said. She then pulled out a different costume. "How about a goddess warrior?" She was holding out a costume that consisted of a white long-sleeved shirt and a gold chest plate with a plastic crown with feathers.

"Nah," Nyx said. "I don't think I'd look good in that kind of outfit."

"Well, how about a mad scientist?" Rarity asked, pulling out a costume that consisted of a lab coat, a dark navy blue shirt and a pair of goggles.

"Nah," Nyx said, shaking her head. "I was that last year."

"Of course," Rarity said, putting the costume back. She then thought of an idea and asked, "How about... this?" Rarity then pulled out a costume that looked like a couple of Night Guard outfits.

Nyx thought about it and said, "Well, since Twilight is going to be a royal guard for Hearth's Warming, I might as well be a Night Guard."

"Oh, yes," Rarity said. "Now, let's see if it fits you." Rarity then put the costume on Nyx. "Of course I'd have to get a helmet from a unicorn costume and armor from a pegasus costume so it'd fit on you."

"Yeah, that makes sense," Nyx said, unfolding her wings. "Since I got these." Rarity then put the armor onto Nyx's body. Then she put the helmet on Nyx's head, making sure that the hole was over the filly's horn. She then held out some horse shoes.

"Would you want these to go with your outfit?" Rarity asked.

"It would complete it," Nyx said.

"Along with some blue bat wings," Rarity said. "On Nightmare Night, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and I will be coming over to the castle, so I'll be able to help you get into your costume."

"Sure," Nyx said. "Thanks, Rarity."

"You sure are welcome, Nyx," Rarity said.

"How much do we owe you?" came Daylight's voice. Rarity looked towards the dressing rooms and saw Dusk and Daylight coming out with their costumes in their individual magical auras.

"Oh, you don't have to worry," Rarity said. "Twilight had already prepaid for the costumes for her and all of your costumes." She then took the costumes in her magical aura and put them in their own individual bags, and marked the bags with tags that had the Cutie Marks of the three foals. "Now, run along home. You got a few days until Nightmare Night."

"How come you didn't mention Fluttershy when you said you and Mom's friends would be coming to the castle?" Dusk asked.

"Oh, about that," Rarity said. "Fluttershy... is afraid of Nightmare Night."

"What?" Dusk and Daylight asked in unison, raising an eyebrow each.

"It's true," Nyx said. "She usually barricades her door and hides under her bed. I know because I asked her that the day after Nightmare Night. She took the legend of Nightmare Night way too seriously."

"Indeed," Rarity said. "Now, head on home." Dusk and his sisters nodded and headed out of the Boutique.





Days had passed, and Nightmare Night had came. Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were in their costumes. Luckily, Rarity helped them into their costumes before they headed out of the castle. They then met up with the rest of the Crusaders. Apple Bloom was dressed as a platypus, Sweetie Belle had an outfit that made her look like Marie Antoinette, even had a mole, and Scootaloo was dressed as a Wonderbolt.

"Whoa-ho!" Scootaloo said. "Interesting costume, Dusk! What are you supposed to be?"

"Dusk is dressed as a fictional superhero back in our world," Daylight answered for Dusk. "He's the Black Panther, and I'm Shuri, who happens to be the sister of the Black Panther."

"Good choice," Apple Bloom said.

"What are you dressed as, Apple Bloom?" Nyx asked. "Is that some kind of beaver duck or something?"

"I believe it's a platypus," Dusk said.

"Yep," Daylight said. "I saw a bunch of them when the Cruise Ship was docked in Australia last year."

"Well, who's ready to go and get some candy?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"We all are," Nyx said. Then the six of them headed on out to the town, going out to get some candy.

The six foals headed towards the town, getting treats from the ponies around Ponyville. Although, when they reached about every house in Ponyville, the group went towards the Apple Farm for the Apple Family Haunted Maze. Nyx's candy bag was much bigger than the others.

"You really think it was necessary to TP the tree of your sister's Boutique?" Dusk asked, looking at Sweetie Belle. "I have a feeling that she's going to have you clean it up."

"She always makes me clean it up since I turned six," Sweetie Belle replied.

"C'mon, everypony," Apple Bloom said. "We gotta get ta the Haunted Maze mah family's set up." She then rushed ahead.

"Hey, Dusk," Nyx said. "You might helping me out with my candy bag?"

"Sure, Nyx," Dusk said. He then took Nyx's candy bag in his own magical aura and they headed on towards the maze, going to enjoy themselves.





Back at the Castle of Friendship, later that night, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight had returned home, heading to their rooms. All of them were exhausted.

"Wow," Dusk said. "Who knew donating candy to the sick foals in the hospital would be more exhausting?"

"I know, right?" Nyx asked before she yawned. "I'm so tired."

"Me, too," Daylight said. "Help me get my... costume... off... before..." She then passed out on the floor. Dusk and Nyx followed suit.

Twilight came down the hall to see Dusk, Nyx and Daylight passed out on the floor, all still in their costumes. Twilight smiled and shook her head. She then used her magic to teleport the costumes off of the three foals in front of her, and she used her magic to put them to their rooms, starting with Dusk. She tucked him in and kissed Dusk on the cheek. She then took Nyx and Daylight to their room, and put them into their beds. She tucked them in and kissed them on the cheeks. She then took their costumes and put them into the laundry room, where Spike was.

"Hey, Twilight," Spike said. "Are those the costumes of Dusk, Nyx and Daylight?"

"Yep," Twilight said. "I was coming down the hall, and I saw them passed out on the floor. They must've been exhausted. They must've been really tired after tonight."

"Yeah," Spike said, picking up the helmet of Dusk's costume. He then chuckled and said, "Daylight showed me her and Dusk's human dad's comics. I know what this guy is. The Black Panther."

"You read their comics?" Twilight asked.

"Yep," Spike said. "I have read just about every one of them. Even the ones that they're not old enough to read."

"Wow," Twilight said. "Well, you are mature than the others. And I'm pretty sure Nyx is on the verge of a certain biological age as well."

"Oh, yeah," Spike said. "Since she wasn't born like any normal pony." He then put the mask on. "Whoa! It's a little loose here in the front."

"Because it was meant for a colt, like Dusk," Twilight said. "Now, I better get these cleaned up. Head on up to bed."

"Alright, Twilight," Spike said. "Good night." Then he headed out of there.

"Good night, Spike," Twilight said. She then used her magic to put the costumes into some baskets. Meanwhile, outside, Starlight and Devon were outside, looking up at the castle. Devon was getting angry and headed for the door, but Starlight stopped him.

"Hang on, Devon," Starlight replied. "All good things come to those who wait."

Devon looked towards the castle and said, "My cousins always get the good things they don't deserve. Because of Henry that I was stuck in that prison of a boarding school."

"Don't worry," Starlight replied. "Besides, next up, I'm going to get your mother out of that horrible place. Then when the time is right, you and your mother will get those children back." Then she used her magic and she and Devon were teleported away.
> Chapter 17: The Haunting Past Returns
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 17: The Haunting Past Returns






Twilight and Fluttershy were getting ready for a trip. They have been summoned by the Cutie Map to solve a Friendship Problem in the Smokey Mountains. Twilight nuzzled Dusk, Nyx and Daylight before she and Fluttershy left.

"Now, I don't know how long we'll be there," Twilight said. "You three behave yourselves. Remember, your grandmother is at the schoolhouse and your grandfather is in the library, checking the mail."

"Okay, Mom," Dusk replied.

"Well, we're off," Twilight said. "Bye, kids." Then she and Fluttershy left, closing the door.

"So, what do you want to do when Mom's gone?" Dusk asked, looking back at his sisters.

"I don't know," Nyx said. "We could go on over to the clubhouse."

"Kids!" came Night Light's voice. "How about we do some bowling tonight?" The three foals looked at each other, then smiled.

"Sure, Grandpa!" Dusk said. He then looked back at his sisters and said, "Well, I guess we can see the Crusaders tomorrow at school." Nyx and Daylight nodded. Then they all headed on towards the Castle Library. As soon as they walked in, Night Light was looking at the mirror.

"Why is this mirror even in here?" Night Light asked. He then tried to touch the glass, but Dusk used his magic to stop him.

"Don't touch that!" Dusk said. "That's not just a mirror. It's actually a portal to another dimension."

"Seriously?!" Night Light and Daylight asked in unison.

"That's right," Dusk said. "It leads to a dimension full of humans, all that look like the ponies of Equestria. Even the skin colors are the same as a pony's coats."

"Wow," Daylight said. She then looked at Nyx and asked, "Did you go into that mirror?"

"Only once," Nyx answered. "Twilight, Dusk and Spike went through it twice."

"Seriously?" Night Light and Daylight asked.

"Yeah," Dusk said. "At least I was human again, only if it was temporary. Although, the first time I went through the mirror, I came home with these." Dusk then unfolded his wings. "Along with this." Dusk then showed his Cutie Mark.

"Wow," Daylight said. "I still can't believe that there's a portal to another dimension right there. I still don't believe..." Just then, something surprised her when looking at the mirror. Dusk looked towards the mirror, and there was Pinkie Pie's face coming out of the mirror.

"Pinkie Pie?!" Dusk and Nyx asked in unison.

"Hey, Dusk! Hey, Nyx!" Pinkie Pie said.

"When did she go on the other side of the mirror?" Night Light asked.

"She didn't," Dusk said. "That's her human counterpart. When a pony goes through the mirror, they turn into a human. Vice versa." He then looked towards the human-turned-pony Pinkie Pie and said, "Go home, Pinkie."

"Aww... I just wanted to see if you guys and Twilight wanted to come on over," Pinkie Pie said. "Where is Twilight?"

"You just missed her," Nyx said. "She and Fluttershy just left to solve a Friendship Problem, out of town."

"Aww..." Pinkie said. Dusk then flew up and started pushing Pinkie's face back through the mirror.

"Go... home... Pinkie," Dusk said, pushing Pinkie's face back through the portal.

"Wow," Daylight said. "That was very weird. So, bowling?"

"Alright," Night Light said. "Let's get going." Then the four of them headed out the door, just as Spike was coming in with groceries.

"Whoa, where are you all going?" Spike asked.

"Bowling," Night Light responded. "I see that you got the groceries. Let's put those away in the kitchen real quick and we'll get to the bowling alley."

"Okay," Spike said before he walked in. He then turned around and asked, "Is Twilight going to be joining us?"

"No," Dusk said. "She and Fluttershy went out of town for a Friendship Problem."

"Well, let's hope it goes better than what happened with Discord last week," Spike said.

"Discord tried to make Twilight jealous," Nyx said. "Even I know that's just being a bad friend." The others nodded. Spike then rushed into the castle. A few minutes later, Spike came back out and the five of them headed on over towards the bowling alley.

"I just sent a message to Velvet," Spike said. "Told her we're heading to the bowling alley."

"Good call," Night Light responded. "We'll get dinner when we're done."

As they were heading out, Starlight, Devon and, their new addition, Bonnie, poked their heads from behind a bush, seeing the family going out of the castle.

"That Pinkie Pie might have been onto something," Starlight said. "I'm going up to Canterlot for something. Don't do anything ridiculous when I'm gone." She then teleported away.

"So, what are we going to do, Mom?" Devon asked, looking at his mother.

"Oh, we're going to go inside, wait for those kids, and get them back to where they belong," Bonnie said. Then the two of them headed into the castle and they opened the door. "They forgot to lock the door. Idiots." Then they went into the castle, and waited for the family to return.





Later that evening, Dusk, Nyx, Daylight, Spike, Night Light, and now, Twilight Velvet, were all returning to the Castle of Friendship after a night of bowling.

"Wow," Night Light said. "I didn't expect Dusk and Daylight to be so good at bowling."

"I know," Spike said, holding the score sheet. "Dusk with a 264, and Daylight with 250. That was awesome."

"In my old life, I went bowling about every month since I was five," Dusk said. He then sighed. "Then Mom and Dad had Bonnie take care of me."

"And whenever the boat stops at a dock, dad and I usually go to a bowling alley," Daylight replied.

"Well, I'm sure that the two of you are going to be great in the future," Velvet said.

"Good evening," came the voice of a stallion. The group looked towards the voice and there stood Filthy Rich and his daughter, Diamond Tiara, who was feeling a lot more relieved.

"Filthy Rich?" Nyx asked. "Diamond Tiara? What brings you two over here?"

"Well, we just wanted to thank you for what happened to Spoiled," Filthy Rich said. "I was wondering how she was able to get that stained glass window of Diamond so fast. Now that I know she was embezzling, she deserved to be locked up. And now that she is, I have divorced her."

"You divorced Spoiled Rich?!" Dusk asked.

"Yep," Filthy Rich replied. "Now that she's no longer in the family, she won't do anything to corrupt Diamond anymore."

"Thank you for doing that," Diamond said, looking at Dusk. "Now that she's gone, I'm finally free to do whatever I want, and not what she wants me to do." She then sighed happily.

"So, what else brings you around here?" Velvet asked.

"Well, I was hoping that you all and Princess Twilight would join us for a nice dinner," Filthy Rich said. "After all what that little colt did, we're grateful."

"I'm afraid you missed her," Velvet said. "She and Fluttershy went out of town to do something important."

"Oh, well that's too bad," Filthy Rich said. "Well, why not we reschedule to a time when Princess Twilight returns?"

"I'm sure Mom will make a schedule," Dusk said. Then he looked towards the main door of the Castle and stopped. He expended his wings, making the others stop. He then asked, "Spike? Did you lock the door?"

The group looked towards the door and saw it was cracked open. The group headed for the door and slowly opened it more, the door creaking as it was being more open.

"Hello?!" Dusk called out. "Is somepony there?!" There was no answer. "I guess no one walked in." But then, the sound of creepy laughter came through the halls.

"What was that?" Nyx asked.

"Somepony with a creepy laugh apparently," Diamond Tiara responded.

"Wait a minute," Dusk said, starting to get afraid. "I... I know that laugh." He then stepped back. "She couldn't have found a way here. It's impossible." Just then, the door closed behind the group, and there was Devon, locking the door.

"Hey, coz," Devon said.

"Devon?!" Dusk asked, shocked.

"And not just him," came Bonnie's voice. The group looked towards the hall and coming down from the hall was Bonnie. "I never thought I'd find you here.

"Aunt Bonnie?!" Dusk and Daylight asked in unison.

"We're finally taking you back to where you two belong," Bonnie replied. "As who you're supposed to be."

"You can't take us away from here!" Dusk said. "You treated me like a slave and wanted to do the same thing to my sister! I died because of you! You starved me, you kept me working when I was supposed to be resting, you took away my toys, and you destroyed all of my medical records!"

"You never deserved any of those things," Bonnie said. "You don't deserve any good thing you have ever had. That goes for your sister as well."

"Oh, I actually got a better life now," Dusk said. "I got a family that appreciates me for who I am, I have all the friends I can get, and check it out." Dusk then unfolded his wings to show Bonnie. "I'm the first Alicorn Prince in Equestrian History. And I'm not going back to that horrible life, and I'm not letting Sam go down that path either."

"Especially what Mom and Dad told me what you did to him before he died," Daylight said.

"Devon, get your cousins," Bonnie said. Just before Devon could even touch them, Devon was lifted up in a magenta magical aura, which was surrounding Dusk's horn as well, and then Dusk threw him towards Bonnie, and then putting them in a magical sphere, trapping them inside. They tried banging on the barrier, but they couldn't get out. "Let us out, you little slave!"

"I'm not... a slave!" Dusk shouted, almost using the Royal Canterlot Voice. "And you're not my family anymore." He then looked over towards Spike and said, "Spike, call for Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."

"You got it, bro," Spike said. He then started writing on a scroll.

"So that's the human woman who treated you worse than my Mom did to me?" Diamond asked.

"Yup," Dusk replied. "Now that these two are going to get their just desserts, we should wait until Princess Celestia and Princess Luna show up."

"How did you do that anyway?" Daylight asked.

"Uncle Shining taught me this spell," Dusk said.





Princesses Celestia and Luna arrived to apprehend both Bonnie and Devon. Just to take them back to Earth. Bonnie was locked up, only to be put into her own death penalty. Devon was sent to a maximum security prison for troubled youth. He also has a special anklet that tracks his every move on the compound. If he even made it off premises, the anklet would do him more harm than good.

That night, Dusk and Daylight were in the kitchen, looking at old photographs of them with their parents. One was of Henry with their parents at the county fair before they left Henry to Bonnie and Devon. The other was of Sam with their parents, with one last family photo with their mother in a hospital gurney. They also had some cookies.

"Guess they can now rest in peace," Daylight said with a smile.

"Yeah," Dusk said, dunking a cookie into a glass of milk. "They would be proud that Bonnie and Devon are finally getting what they deserve." He then took a bite into the cookie. "Mmm... Nyx was right. These cookies are really good."

Daylight smiled in response after she took a bite out of her cookies. She then said, "Yeah. Where did grandpa get this recipe?"

Nyx then came in with an empty glass and said, "In the Equestria I came from, he told me that it was a recipe he got from his grandfather. He got the recipe from our great, great grandfather."

"Well, that's nice," Daylight said. She then yawned. "I'm gonna turn in." She had already finished her cookies and then put the glass by the sink, but Nyx took it in her magic, turned on the faucet and washed it out.

"I'll head on to bed, too," Dusk said. "Night, you two."

"Good night," Nyx and Daylight said in unison. They all finished up in the kitchen, and headed off to bed. Hopefully, in the future, nothing bad will happen to them.






Meanwhile... In Canterlot...
 


> Chapter 18: Hearth's Warming (Equestria's Christmas)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 18: Hearth's Warming (Equestria's Christmas)






Winter has come to Ponyville. Earlier than any other village or city within Equestria. Twilight, Night Light, Velvet, Spike and Nyx were decorating the family room. Dusk and Daylight were passing the room in the hall. Then they both stopped and walked back, and looked into the room.

"Whoa!" Daylight said. "Is this...?"

"It's probably Equestria's version of it back on Earth," Dusk said.

Twilight looked towards the door, smiled and said, "Hey, you two. Come on in here and help us decorate for Hearth's Warming."

"What's Hearth's Warming?" Dusk asked.

"Oh, that's right," Twilight said. "You two haven't been here that long." She then looked over at Nyx and asked, "Hey, Nyx. You celebrated Hearth's Warming back in your Equestria. Why don't you explain the holiday to them while the rest of us decorate?"

"Okay, Twilight," Nyx said. She then led Dusk and Daylight out of the room and into the Castle's Library. Nyx then pulled out every book on Hearth's Warming and showed them to Dusk and Daylight. "Hearth’s Warming is a celebration of the founding of Equestria. It’s the day the leaders of the three pony tribes agreed to live together in harmony and friendship after almost freezing to death at the hooves of Windigos."

"Really?" Dusk asked.

"Uh-huh," Nyx replied. "And Hearth's Warming is a holiday where everypony in their family exchanges gifts and raising a flag to honor the first flag of Equestria, and the youngest one gets to put it up." She then looked over at Daylight and said, "Well, that's you."

"Yeah, I guess that's true," Daylight responds.

"So, it's almost like Christmas back home," Dusk said.

"Christmas?" Nyx asked.

"It's a holiday that celebrates the birth of the son of god," Dusk said. "I remember this one Christmas when we went to visit some relatives in Palm Springs. That was the Christmas before I died. Grandpa fell asleep with a Christmas Tree cookie on his face, and he fell asleep in the sun without sunscreen."

"He did it again," Daylight said. "But last time, with a gingerbread man." She then started laughing. Dusk and Nyx joining in.

"So, what did you do last year for the holiday?" Dusk asked, looking at Nyx.

"Actually..." Nyx said, her ears drooping. "It was my first Hearth's Warming last year. And... let's just say it started off good, but things... started going wrong during the Hearth's Warming Pageant."

"Pageant?" Dusk and Daylight asked in unison.

"Yeah, every year in every part of Equestria, the ponies put on a play to remind everypony the history of how Equestria came to be," Nyx said. "There were some paparazzi ponies trying to reveal me, which ruined the play, Uncle Shining thought I was the one who destroyed the theater in Canterlot, and he also thought I was putting Twilight under mind control. That caused Twilight to be mad at him, and I ran away crying. It wasn't until Shining Armor, along with help from Princess Luna, to find me, apologize and return me to Twilight."

"Wow," came another voice. "Guess that was a little harsh for the other me to do." The three of them looked towards the door to see Shining Armor and Cadance, who had a belly that looked about 3-4 months pregnant.

"Uncle Shining! Aunt Cadance!" the three of them called out as they were running up to the royal couple and hugged them.

"Has it really been that long since we all saw you?" Cadance asked. "I could've sworn you all were at least two inches shorter the last time we saw you."

"Nah, we been this height for a while," Dusk replied. Nyx then put her ear on Cadance's bump.

Cadance giggled when she saw that and said, "I'm afraid that the baby won't be kicking for another two months, Nyx."

"Aww..." Nyx said, getting down and walking over towards Dusk and Daylight.

"Well, you can't blame her," Shining said. "She did say that the other you back in her Equestria was pregnant."

"Yeah, I guess that's true," Cadance said. "So, where are the rest of the family?"

"This way," Dusk said, leading the grown up ponies towards the family room. Of course, they all had to move slowly for Cadance to keep up. They eventually made it to the family room of the castle. "Mom, Uncle Shining and Aunt Cadance are here!"

"Already?!" Twilight asked. She then saw Shining and Cadance coming into the room, and Twilight had the biggest grin. "You two made it!" Twilight then hugged her brother, and she and Cadance did their special nursery rhyme since they were younger.

"Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs Awake. Clap your Hooves and Do a little..." Cadance barely got to do anything else after clapping her and Twilight's hooves. Instead, she hugged her belly in pain.

"Are you okay, Cadance?" Twilight asked in worry.

"Yeah," Cadance replied. "Not to self, don't do that dance until after the baby is born."

Twilight nodded and said, "Good to know."

"So, is all of your friends have gone out of town?" Night Light asked. "I was hoping to see them here, for the Fire of Friendship."

"Well, they all have family of their own," Twilight said. "The Apples, Pinkie and the Tri-Pies left for the Pie family Rock Farm. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy went to their families in Cloudsdale. And Rarity and Sweetie Belle went over to meet with their parents in Manehattan. I really wish they could've stayed for the festivities here."

"They're really missing out," Spike said.

"Yeah," Twilight said. "So, what do we have for dinner?"

"We got a nice family dinner tonight," Night Light replied. "Velvet and I are gonna prepare it." Then they headed out of there. Cadance then walked over towards the couch and laid on it.

"Oh, that's so much better," Cadance said. "It's getting harder and harder to move with a foal on the way."

"I know the feeling," Twilight said. "Although, it's gonna hurt a lot when your water breaks. Trust me. I still remember the pain  when I gave birth to Dusk's new body."

"I still can't believe there's a flower that can make a mare go through pregnancy in minutes," Shining Armor said.

"And the soul of that foal has to come from a foal who made one last wish before he died," Twilight said. "Zecora, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna explained it to me."

"Well, I hope I can take on the full pregnancy as much as you took the extremely quick one," Cadance said, looking at her stomach.

Dusk looked around and asked, "Where's Spike?"

"He's waiting outside for Jumber Jack to come with the wood," Twilight said.

"Who's Lumber Jack?" Dusk asked.

"He's an Earth Pony who sells special wood this time of year," Nyx said. "Usually, when he meets a new pony, he comes up with a nickname for them. When I first met him, the Twilight in my Equestria enchanted my headband to make my coat white, and he hung me upside down and called me Little Snowflake."

Shining Armor chuckled and asked, "Was the enchantment also covering your wings, or were you wearing a sweater?"

"Sweater," Nyx said. "Twilight also said that Jack called her Brainy Grape."

Shining Armor laughed and said, "He did. I still remember that."

Then Spike came in with the Earth Pony known as Lumber Jack. He had in a bunch of logs. "Hello, Princess Twilight. "Vhat a vonderful time to see you again."

"It's good to see you, too, Jack," Twilight said.

Lumber Jack then looked over and saw Dusk, Nyx and Daylight. He then smiled and said, "Twilight Sparkle, vhy didn't you tell me your parents had some more foals? I vould've sent presents."

"Actually, they're mine," Twilight explained. "The colt by magical pregnancy, and the two fillies by legal adoption."

"They're... they're yours?" Lumber Jack asked.

"Nyx, the black alicorn, came from an alternate Equestria," Twilight said. "She was my adopted daughter from that Equestria, and she had already met you. Of course, she was in disguise. She had an enchanted headband to make her coat white, and a sweater to cover her wings. What was that nickname she called you again, Nyx?"

"Little Snowflake," Nyx said. That made Lumber Jack chuckle.

"I can see that," Lumber Jack said. "Vell, vhat about the blue filly?"

"She was originally a human once before," Twilight said. "She came from an entirely different world. Her parents died, and Princess Luna brought her here. But there were two more reasons why she was brought here. One, her abusive aunt and cousin wanted to treat her like a slave just like they did with her older brother."

"Vow," Lumber Jack said. "That vould've been bad. And the other reason?"

"Well, let's just say that her brother's body died in this world, only to be put into another young foal, here," Twilight said. She then looked over at Dusk. Lumber Jack looked over at the colt. They saw Daylight walking up to Dusk and she laid next to him on his right side. Nyx came over and laid on Dusk's left side. Twilight sighed and said, "They three of them really have gotten used to each other."

"Yeah," Lumber Jack said. "Well, I must unload these logs your father ordered."

"Allow me," Twilight said, lighting up her horn. She then levitated the logs to box that was newly built, thanks to Applejack. "Thanks for the assist, Jack. How much do I owe you?"

"Not a bit," Lumber Jack replied. "Your father had prepaid for these logs about a veek ago. Asked me to deliver them to this castle. Vhich I might say, it's very amazing."

"Thank you, Jack," Twilight said. "I'll see you next year." Lumber Jack nodded and headed out of there. Twilight then looked over at the kids and smiled. "There's one more tradition to Hearth's Warming that everypony does." She then levitated some dolls that looks like her and Spike.

"The Hearth's Warming Dolls!" Cadance said. "I remember that tradition. Aunt Celestia and I did it together every Hearth's Warming ever since she took me in."

"Yeah," Shining said. "Let's get to making them."

"Oh, boy," Dusk said. "Not the needles."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"Aunt Bonnie made me sew up a tear on her favorite dress before I came here," Dusk said. "But I kept pricking my finger. Then she locked me up in my room for getting blood on her dress."

"Well, you won't have to worry about that," Twilight said. "Now that you have magic, you will never prick any limbs today." Dusk then looked up at his horn and smiled.

"So we can make our own dolls without lifting a finger? Er... Hoof?" Daylight asked.

"Yes," Twilight said. "And, before Rarity and Sweetie Belle left, I asked for her help for picking out the fabrics for the dolls that match your coat and mane colors. Luckily, Dusk and I share the exact same colors."

"Of course, we'll have to shorten the length of the mane and tail of Dusk's doll to make sure who's who," Spike said, chuckling. "And maybe a little smaller than Twilight's."

"Good point, Spike," Twilight said.

"On the night of Hearth's Warming Eve, we all made a tradition to open one present before bed," Shining said. "Spike was because of that tradition because he was always eager to see what he got." That made Spike blush.

"I don't remember doing that last year," Nyx said. "Well, maybe it was because of the theater in Canterlot getting destroyed by that paparazzi pony chasing me through the rafters."

"Well, they might have wanted you to take it easy after what happened," Twilight said.

"And after what I said in that Equestria," Shining said.

"Shining, I'm getting hungry," Cadance said. "Double for the baby. How about we start on the doll making in the dining room? That way, we can make the dolls and wait for the food to be ready."

"Of course, Cadance," Shining said. "That is, if it's okay with Twylie."

"Sure we can," Twilight said. "Let's get you to the dining room." Twilight and Shining helped Cadance up and all of them headed out of the room towards the dining room.





Later that night, Dusk was walking down the hall from the kitchen, still a little sleepy. But then something caught his ears. The sound was coming from the library, and he heard a mare yelling. Dusk was more awake and he went into the library. He looked over and saw a pile of books on the other side of the room, across from the mirror. Dusk walked over to the pile of books and used his magic to unbury who was under there. And under the pile was Sunset Shimmer.

"Ugh..." Sunset said. She then looked over at Dusk with her vision a little out of focus. "Princess Twilight? Is that you?" Then her vision came clear and she saw Dusk.

"No, sorry, Sunset," Dusk replied. She then helped Sunset up and Dusk then put the books back where they were before. "What brings you back here to Equestria?"

"Well, I'm just here to..." Sunset trailed off. "I actually came here to..." She then sighed. "Well, since it's the holidays, my friends are out with their families. And since I don't have family there, I might as well try to see my family here." She then sighed. "I just wish I had the courage to try and reunite with them. But after everything I've done in the past, how can I even see them."

"Hey, don't worry about it," Dusk said. "You got the courage to come back here. You can do the rest. Maybe have a little push to get you the rest of the way."

"Wow," Sunset said. "Thanks." She then pulled a photo of her and her family. "This is my family right here."



"Wow," Dusk said, looking at the photo. "Nice family."

"Thank you," Sunset said. Dusk then looked at the colt in the picture.

"Who's the colt?" Dusk asked.

"That's my little brother, Sunburst," Sunset said. "Last time I saw him, he was attending Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns." She then sighed. "I helped him out with his magic. I hope he was doing alright without me there. He also had some help from a friend of his before he got it. A filly named Starlight."

Dusk raised his head a little bit in shock and asked, "Starlight? Starlight Glimmer?"

"Yeah, that was her name," Sunset said. "You know her?"

"Yeah... I know her, in a way," Dusk said. He then sighed. "I don't know how, but she's angry at Cutie Marks for some reason. She even found a spell to removed them and replace them with equal marks."

"What?!" Sunset asked, before covering her mouth. She then quietly said, "What? How? It's not like..." She then got an idea. "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Before he got enrolled in the school, Sunburst had recently got his Cutie Mark."

"Starlight must've been there with him when he got his Cutie Mark," Dusk said.

"Mom and Dad immediately took him to Canterlot to get him enrolled," Sunset said. "He must've forgot to keep in touch with Starlight when he went to the school. She must've lost it and wanted revenge on Cutie Marks for her friend moving away."

"Okay," Dusk said. "Now we know the why. Maybe it's time that the two reunite. But finding Starlight is going to be a challenge." Sunset nodded.






Meanwhile... Back on Earth...


Devon was sitting in his room, grumpy that he failed to get his cousins back. He was even more grumpy when he heard that his Mom got the electric chair. Just then, Starlight teleported in.

"What are you doing here?!" Devon asked.

"I'm here to get you out," Starlight said. "I'm sorry about your mother. Now grab my..." Starlight held out a hoof, but Devon smacked it away.

"No," Devon said. "I'm not going anywhere with you. You brought me and my mom to that place to get my good for nothing cousins back to Earth, but it all went down in flames because of you." He then showed an ankle brace on his ankle. "Plus, they have the police keeping their eyes on me. Only a police official can remove it, and I'm not allowed to leave the place. So, our partnership is over! I don't ever want to see you again!"

Starlight then got angry and said, "Fine. I don't need you anymore, anyway. Have fun here." She then teleported away, leaving Devon all by himself.
> Chapter 19: The Helping Hooves Music Festival
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 19: The Helping Hooves Music Festival






Dusk, Nyx, Daylight, the Crusaders and the Tri-Pies just got out of school, and they were all heading on out to where the town of Ponyville was setting up for the Helping Hooves Music Festival.

"Ah can't believe that Pinkie Pie got the biggest pony pop star ta perform at the Helping Hooves Music Festival!" Apple Bloom said.

"Mom stayed up for days to get Countess Coloratura to perform at the Festival," Cherry said.

"We're going to make this the most super, duper spectacular Festival it can be," Blueberry said.

"This is going to be the best!" Raspberry said.

Dusk and Daylight looked at each other in confusion and then Dusk looked over at the group and asked, "Who's Countess Coloratura?" That made Nyx, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and the Tri-Pies look at the two, gasping loudly. The Tri-Pies's manes went even messier than they already were.

"Our frizzes... have been freaked!" Cherry said.

"You don't know about Countess Coloratura?!" Sweetie Belle asked. "Where have you been for the last two years?!"

"Think about what you just said," Dusk replied.

Sweetie Belle started thinking and then said, "Oh... right. You two are from another world."

"That's a pretty good excuse for these two," Scootaloo said, pulling Dusk and Daylight in. "Anyway, Countess Coloratura is one of the biggest pony pop star in all of Equestria!" The Tri-Pies were getting their manes and tails back to their normal looks as Scootaloo was explaining.

"She is very talented, and has so many different songs and outfits when performing," Sweetie Belle said. "And all the make up."

Dusk and Daylight looked up, imagining what Countess Coloratura would look like. Then Daylight said, "So, she's basically a pony version of Lady Gaga?" The others, except Dusk, got confused. "That's a little weird."

"Lady Gaga was a performer back in our world," Dusk said, making the other girls understand. "If you think that's strange, I saw a pony here that looks and sounds like "Weird Al" Yankovic."

"A "Weird Al" Pony?" Daylight asked. "I met him on the cruise." Then Daylight showed a picture of her original human form, Samantha Calvin, her and Dusk's dad, and "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Apple Bloom snickered and said, "Yeah, he does look like Cheese Sandwich. The shirt, the hair. It's kinda uncanny."

"We know him very well from our Equestria," Blueberry said.

"Of course, we were from the future in that Equestria," Cherry said.

"Tell her who Cheese Sandwich is to us, Dusk!" Raspberry said, excitedly.

Daylight looked at Dusk as he replied, "In their Equestria, Cheese Sandwich is their father." Then Raspberry showed the picture of the Tri-Pies, Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich, and the Tri-Pies were all babies.

"Wow," Daylight said. "You're right, Apple Bloom. It's uncanny."

"So, when should we get to the festival?" Dusk asked, looking at the others.

"Oh, Ah heard that Countess Coloratura will be comin' ta the schoolhouse tomorrow," Apple Bloom replied.

"Well, Dusk, Daylight and I gotta get home," Nyx said. "See you all tomorrow." They all nodded and headed to their homes.





At the Castle of Friendship, the Sparkle Family were all having dinner. Twilight was talking about how the day went to the family.

"So it turns out, Countess Coloratura was an old friend of Applejack," Twilight explained.

"What?!" Nyx, Velvet and Night Light asked in unison.

"Yeah, it turns out they went to the same camp when they were fillies," Twilight said. "It was a surprise to us as well. The Countess had even confirmed it when the two talked."

"That's actually cool," Daylight said.

"Yeah," Twilight said. "So, she's going to be at the schoolhouse tomorrow. Along with famous photographer, Photo Finish."

"Well, I can't wait to see the looks on the school ponies looks that they're going to get a visit from the Countess Coloratura," Velvet said. "They're going to be so excited."

"Yeah, they are," Twilight said.

"So, are you kids excited to see the show?" Night Light asked.

"I am," Nyx said. "But, I'm not so sure that Dusk and Daylight are."

"Right, because they came from another world," Twilight said. "Well, I'm sure they will be able to enjoy the festival tomorrow." She then looked at Dusk, Nyx and Daylight. "You three better eat up quick and get ready for bed." They continued eating their dinner, waiting for what the next day will bring them.





At a stand for a meet and greet by the Ponyville Schoolhouse. Countess Coloratura was saying hello to the fillies and colts there, making them very happy.

"Ponyville schoolponies!" Countess Coloratura announced. "As part of the Helping Hooves Music Festival, I'm holding a contest where some of you will get a chance to sing with me onstage at the concert tomorrow! Sound fun?" The schoolponies cheered as Photo Finish got ready to take a picture. "Alright! Now who wants more hoofsies?"

Dusk and Daylight were standing in the back.

"Now that's more like the Rara I remember," came Applejack's voice from behind them. Dusk and Daylight walked up to her.

"So it's true?" Dusk asked. "You're friends with her?" Dusk pointed at the Countess Coloratura.

"Eeyup," Applejack said. "It's been a long time. Although, Ah ain't too fond of 'er manager."

"What do you...?" Daylight asked until the sound of Pinkie Pie's voice came in.

"But... I got everything you requested!"

Dusk, Daylight and Applejack looked over and saw Pinkie Pie talking to Coloratura's manager, Svengallop. And he was speaking to Pinkie in a demanding voice.

"That was for Countess Coloratura! This is for me! And what I want is premium oats!"

"Oh," Pinkie said. "Well, we have lots of tasty oats right here in Ponyville!" Pinkie then held up a plate of oats. Then Svengallop knocked it out of Pinkie's hoof, the oats getting into Pinkie's mane.

"I would not feed those to a chicken!" Svengallop said. "I want top-of-the-line Appleloosan oats! Next, it appears that we are surrounded by apple trees. Bring me five hundred pre-peeled, pre-cored apples, and I want those things in twenty-four hours!"

Pinkie gasped and said, "But that's impossible!"

"Do you want me to pull Countess Coloratura from your little podunk charity show?!" Svengallop said. "Because I will!" He then walked away, leaving Pinkie Pie sad.

Dusk and Daylight were shocked at how that pony managed to treat Pinkie Pie. Dusk then got angry and said, "That manager think he can get whatever he wants and threatens to cancel the show if he doesn't get what he wants?"

"Threatening people, or in this case, ponies to do whatever he wants or else he cancels the show," Daylight said. "What are we going to do."

"Don't fret 'bout it, sugarcubes," Applejack said to the two. "Ah'll have a talk with Rara about her manager." She then headed towards Coloratura and the school ponies.

"I don't think it's going to be enough just by telling her," Dusk said, looking towards Daylight. "We need to show her that her manager isn't a good one as she thinks he is."

"How are we going to get to show her?" Daylight asked.

"Perhaps there's a way to show my memories out to the public," Dusk said. "Maybe there's a spell to do so." Then Dusk and Daylight headed away from there.





Dusk was in the library, looking through some books, trying to find some spells. But, he was getting more and more frustrated. He sighed.

"Nothing," Dusk said. "I've looked through all of the books and I can't find that specific spell."

"What spell?" came the voice of Nyx. Dusk looked towards the door and saw Nyx standing there.

"Oh, hey, Nyx," Dusk said. "I was jut trying to find a spell that will show ponies a memory. I can't find it."

"Oh, that's easy," Nyx said. She then walked up to a book shelf and grabbed a book that was labeled "Memory Spells". "It's all in this book." Dusk walked over towards Nyx and the book, and he was shocked.

"How did I not see that book?" Dusk asked. Dusk then looked through the index of the book, mumbling. "'Restoration of memories', no... 'Memory Recapping', that's not it. Aha! 'Memory Projection'!" Dusk then turned to a page and read the spell. Dusk then lit up his horn and a projection of Svengallop and Pinkie Pie appeared.

"That was for Countess Coloratura! This is for me! And what I  want is premium  oats!" Svengallop said from the memory.

"Oh," Pinkie said. "Well, we have lots of tasty oats right here in Ponyville!" The memory played out exactly what had happened. Nyx was shocked at what she was seeing.

"What?!" Nyx asked. "Countess Coloratura's manager said all of that?! And to Pinkie Pie?!"

"And apparently, he's been doing that behind the Countess's back," Dusk said.

"I don't know why he would do that," Nyx said. "I'm gonna tell Twilight about it."

"Good idea," Dusk said. "Mom needs to know as much as Countess Coloratura." Then Nyx headed out of there.





Of course, when Applejack told Coloratura about her manager being a jerk and using the performer's name to threaten them for not getting what he wants, Coloratura didn't believe Applejack. So, Applejack convinced her to her when they finally get proof that Svengallop isn't who he seems to be to the Countess. So, she trusted her that one time.

Of course, Twilight was watching Svengallop threatening Pinkie Pie to cancel the schoolhouse foals contest and to give him a spa treatment. Twilight and Dusk then showed the Countess the two things that Svengallop did to Pinkie Pie. Countess Coloratura was not happy.

"So that's how you've been managing things?" Coloratura asked, motioning to the memory that Twilight was projecting.

"Yeah, so? What's the problem?" Svengallop asked, thinking he didn't do anything wrong. Boy, he was wrong.

"The problem is, is you've been using my name to intimidate ponies to get what you want!" Coloratura snapped.

"But I work incredibly hard for you!" Svengallop snapped back. "I deserve everything I get!"

"But not because you scare ponies into thinking I won't perform for their charities otherwise!" Coloratura said. "I would never do that to my fans! Which is why you should have known that I would never cancel the schoolponies' contest!"

"Hmph. All this charity and schoolpony contest nonsense is just remnants of that boring little Rara I met back in Manehattan!" Svengallop said, circling the performer.

"You clearly don't understand the real me!" Coloratura said.

"Ha, that's a joke!" Svengallop said in a mean way. "I made you somepony! What can you even do without me? Good luck, Countess Coloratura! Good luck." But just then, he stopped to see unicorn royal guards and Dusk standing there.

"You do realize that making threats is a major crime, right?" Dusk asked, looking at Svengallop.

"What?!" Svengallop said. He then tried jumping off the stage, but the guards caught him in their magic. "You can't do this to me! I deserve what I want!"

"Svengallop, you're under arrest!" Twilight said. "Guards, take him to Canterlot and lock him up." The guards nodded and took Svengallop away, and he was trying to get out of the magical hold.

"This isn't what I deserve! You can't do this to me!!" Svengallop called out as he was being taken away.

Applejack walked up to Coloratura and said, "Oh, Rara, Ah'm so sorry. Are you gonna be okay for the concert tonight?"

"Of course," Coloratura said, trying to hide her sadness. "After all, the show must go on!" Then Dusk, Nyx and Daylight walked up to them.

"You know, I've seen some performers that aren't too happy with what their manager makes them wear on stage when they perform," Daylight said. "Why don't you perform the way you want to?"

"That's a good idea," Dusk said, looking at Daylight. "A lot of performers aren't happy to wear things their manager says to wear, or to sing things they don't want to sing. Why don't you perform the way you want and sing the song you want to?"

Coloratura thought about it, and then she smiled. She then said, "You know what? You're right. Tonight, I'll perform me way."





That night, Twilight was making the announcement for the performance of Countess Coloratura.

"Good evening, everypony!" Twilight announced. "Welcome to opening night of the Helping Hooves Music Festival! Now it is my great honor to introduce you to our headlining act – Countess Coloratura!" The crowed was cheering as Countess Coloratura took the stage, in an outfit that nopony was expecting.

"This song may be familiar, but yet, it's totally different. Kind of like me, Rara," Coloratura said, confusing the ponies there.



Everypony cheered after the Countess performed that song. Twilight then pulled Dusk and Daylight into a wing hug.

"You two were right," Twilight said. "You've let her show the real side of her, and everypony loved it. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Mom," Dusk said.

"I think it had something to do with my own Cutie Mark," Daylight said.

"Oh, right," Twilight said. "Since you and the other crusaders are all helping ponies finding or understanding their Cutie Marks as your own special talents."

"Thank you, everypony!" came Coloratura's voice from the stage. "When I arrived at the Helping Hooves Music Festival, I had forgotten who I really was!" She then looked over at Applejack. "But then an old friend reminded me what real friendship is about, and she told me that if I was true to myself, I couldn't go wrong!" She then looked to the rest of the crowd. "So I have a very special surprise for her. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Nyx, Daylight, come on up!" Then the five fillies got up to the stage with Coloratura. Then they all started singing a song that Applejack and Coloratura performed when they were fillies to the ponies of Ponyville. Coloratura then pulled Applejack up to the stage, ending the song with the two mares nuzzling each other's cheeks.
> Chapter 20: It's the Final Countdown!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 20: It's the Final Countdown!






Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were heading towards the Castle of Friendship. They heard from the Tri-Pies that Twilight and Spike were home from Canterlot. So they were running all of the way there from Sugarcube Corner. But then, something happened.

"Whoa!!" Dusk and Nyx said in unison the two stopping, making Daylight stop, hoping that they were okay.

"What? What is it?" Daylight asked.

"I don't know what happened," Dusk said. "It's like I felt a strong surge coming from somewhere."

"I felt it, too," Nyx said. She then looked at Dusk, then at Daylight. Then she said, "It must be an alicorn thing."

"Let's get to the Castle," Dusk said. Then the three continued heading to the castle. When they entered the thrown room, there was Twilight and Spike, and a huge portal over them. Spike was being sucked up and Twilight was holding onto him, and the two of them were gone as the portal closed.

"That... was... weird!" Daylight said.

"Twilight and Spike have been sucked through a portal to who knows where!" Nyx said.

"I felt... something weird coming from the portal," Dusk said. "Like... it's... time."

"Time?" Nyx asked. "Time Travel?!"

"Why would...?" Daylight asked. "Wait a minute. Bonnie and Devon got here with some help. But who would help them get here."

"Probably somepony that hates you two," Nyx said. "But who in Equestria would hate you two?"

"I haven't made anypony mad at me and not forgive me," Daylight said.

"It must've been from my side," Dusk said. "Chrysalis? No, she wouldn't have that kind of power. Sombra's gone. Tirek never met me." He then got a realization. "Wait a minute. It's Starlight Glimmer!"

"Starlight?!" Nyx asked. "Oh, that makes sense. She's probably going back in time to stop the Rainboom from happening. But she has no idea what it can do to the present."

"Mom can show her what can happen," Dusk said. "She'll figure it out. Besides, I heard that one single choice can lead to an alternate universe."

"Where have you heard something like that?" Daylight asked.

"Follow me," Dusk said. Then they headed on outside and Dusk looked around in the sky. He then noticed something, pointed a hoof and said, "I learned it from him!" Nyx and Daylight looked to where Dusk was pointing and both of them gasped.



"Who or what is that?!" Nyx asked.

"He calls himself the Watcher," Dusk said.

"Wait a minute!" Daylight said. "I saw him in the Marvel Comics. I hear he can only watch events happen and tell their stories. He's not allowed to interfere with certain events unless it's a dire emergency."

"That is right, Samantha Calvin," came a voice. They looked up towards the Watcher. "I can see what has happened, what could happen and what will happen. All determined by a, how you say, 'What if...?' And I have seen multiple universes that involves the Rainboom not happening. In one universe, Sombra takes over the Crystal Empire, and starts a war. In another, the Changelings have spread across Equestria. Another, where Nightmare Moon, who was still bonded with Princess Luna, had taken over. Another where Tirek has taken all of the magic. Another where Equestria becomes Discord's playhouse. One where Flim and Flam took over. And one more. Where everything is burnt to a crisp."

"Wow," Dusk said. "But, I'm guessing us going into the portal was just another 'What If...'?"

"Yes," the Watcher replied. "But, this story isn't over yet. You have to stop another disaster that's going to happen soon."

"How are we going to do that?" Dusk asked. "And what disaster."

"In 3... 2... 1..." the Watcher said. Then the entire world shook, the three foals trying to remain balance. But then, they looked up and they saw a huge rip over the town of Ponyville, the ponies running away in panic. Dusk, Nyx and Daylight looked at each other and headed for town.

Dusk, Nyx and Daylight looked into the rip, and they could see... humans. From the other dimension.

"Canterlot High?" Dusk asked.

"But how?" Nyx asked.

"What's going on?" Daylight asked.

"No time to explain," Dusk said. He then lit up his horn and levitated Daylight. He and Nyx then unfolded their wings, and they started flying up and heading to the portal. "We have to move fast. Or else the transformation magic will take away our flight."

"What?! What transformation?!" Daylight asked. They headed through the portal.





Dusk, Nyx and Daylight came out of one of the portals around the square of Canterlot High, them being transformed back into humans. They landed over by Sunset Shimmer, who looked like she was jumping out of the way of something.

Sunset noticed them and said, "You better get out of here before..." She then noticed Nyx's eyes. "Oh, boy. You're the Equestrians, aren't you?"

"What's going on, Sunset?" Dusk asked. Sunset then pulled them up, and grabbed something from the ground and took them to behind some bleachers.

"Okay, this is going to be really complicated," Sunset said. "But, apparently, this world has a Twilight Sparkle as well."

"I know," Dusk said. "We're in another dimension. Everyone has counterparts in every other dimension. Speaking of which, where's your counterpart in this dimension."

"That's..." Sunset was about to snap, but then she thought of something. "... is a very good question." She then got back on topic. "But that's not important at the moment. We need to stop this Twilight Sparkle." They all looked up at the flying demoness and gasped.



"Whoa," Nyx said. "Hopefully, no one in this world tries to make me out of that!"

"Funny you should say that," Sunset said. She then pointed towards the street and saw human versions of the Sparkle Family. Which includes Dusk, Nyx and a baby Daylight, who was crying.

"Seriously?!" Daylight asked. "Me, too? And as a baby?"

"Time works differently in other dimensions," Dusk said. "I've barely been in Equestria for a year."

"That makes sense," Daylight said. She then noticed what Sunset was holding. "What's that?"

"This device was detecting the magic here at the school," Sunset said. "That Twilight was the one who made it. But it was also draining magic from my friends and the portal. Now, I can't get through."

"Wait a minute," Dusk said. "That's how the portals have been opening up here to Equestria. The magical surge is what's making all of this happen. And what's taking over this Twilight."

"She must've not been around good friends long enough to understand the magic of friendship," Nyx said.

"Well, she was attending Crystal Prep," Sunset said.

"Crystal Prep?" Dusk asked. "Is... Cadance involved?"

"Dean Cadance," Sunset said. "But, she's not in charge. It's that woman there who's in charge. Principal Cinch."

They looked over and saw a woman standing there, running away from the commotion. Dusk then said, "Obviously, she wanted Twilight to do this because her school lost the momentum, and when they saw a couple students using magic, she assumed that they were cheating. Were they others using magic to win?"

"They were..." Sunset said. "Wait... They didn't. They used magic, but not to win the events. They were trying to stop all of the commotion happening in the last event. And Principal Cinch wanted Twilight to use the magic to win."

"Major foul," Daylight said. "Oh, by the way, I'm Daylight Savings. Formerly known as Samantha Calvin, sister to Henry." She then wrapped her arm around Dusk.

"Seriously?" Sunset asked. "She's your sister?"

"Mom and Dad were having a kid the last time I saw them via dream connection," Dusk said. He then looked at the device. "Wait a minute. Can't you use that thing to stop this Twilight? Show her the real magic of Friendship?" Sunset thought about it. She then smiled.

"Wait here," Sunset said. She then ran out into the open.



The woman, Principal Cinch, came out of hiding, and walked towards Principal Celestia in anger.

"Principal Celestia, on behalf of Crystal Prep, I demand that you forfeit the Friendship Games!" Principal Cinch said, angrily. "Clearly, CHS has had unfair advantage for quite some time! And it's certainly obvious that your students have been using magic for their own benefit!"

"I'd like to think that saving the world benefits us all," Principal Celestia replied. She then noticed Dusk coming out from behind the bleachers, his magic activating. His ears became pony ears, his hair grew longer, and he sprouted wings. "And besides. There's someone here who was involved with magic being here that's coming up towards you."

Principal Cinch turned to see Prince Dusk walking up to her. He then said, "Why? Why would you endanger your own student like that?!"

"Little Dusk Shine," Principal Cinch said. "Don't you dare talk to..." She then noticed something. "Wait a minute. Are you... younger?!"

"No! I'm from another Dimension!" Dusk said. "You had your own student to use that magic to win this event, even though you saw in the last event that they used magic to help people in trouble, and not to win!"

"At least they didn't manipulate Twilight into releasing all the stolen magic and turning into a power-crazed magical creature that tried to rip the world apart just to win a game," came another girl's voice, with Pinkie Pie standing next to her.

"Wow! That's a lot to take in when you say it all at once," Pinkie said.

"That's ridiculous!" Principal Cinch snapped at the students.

"Nope, that's pretty much what happened," came the voice of Spike. Dusk looked over at the dog, seeing him being held by Twilight.

"Actually, we're all to blame," came a yellow skinned girl's voice in a sweet tone. But then it went sour. "Mostly it was her."

Dusk walked up to Principal Celestia and said, "That girl has some serious personality issues." Principal Celestia nodded.

"Obviously my students have been infected with your magic, but I plan on taking all of this up with the school board!" Principal Cinch shouted at both Dusk and Principal Celestia.

" Good. I'm sure they would be very interested in hearing all about the magical students with wings," Principal Celestia stated.

"Oh, and the portals to different dimensions," Vice Principal Luna added.

"And don't forget to tell them about the talking dog," Dean Cadance also added, and then giggled.

"Because that would never ruin your reputation," the dog added with a smirk, also from Sunset.

Principal Cinch looked around in anger that all of the students of both schools were looking at her with smug looks. Principal Cinch then got angry, but then she composed herself and walked away.

"Well, I know these Friendship Games haven't been what any of us expected, but given what we've all just been through, I think it's fair to declare us all winners," Principal Celestia called out, making all of the students cheer.

Then human Twilight and her family walked up to Prince Dusk and Twilight said, "Okay. Who are you really?"

"Let's just say... I'm him from another dimension," Dusk then pointed a finger at his counterpart. "The same dimension from the other side of that one portal. And... we got a lot of explaining to do." Then Nyx and Daylight walked up to their brother.

"Whoa!" human Twilight, human Dusk and human Nyx said in unison.





A few days had passed, and it would seem that the human Twilight, Dusk and Nyx had transferred to Canterlot High. Dusk, Nyx and Daylight were talking to their counterparts (excluding Daylight's) and waiting with the Mane 7 right by the portal to Equestria. Just then, the portal rippled and out came... Princess Twilight.

"I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner!" Princess Twilight said. "I didn't get your messages until just now because I was caught in this time travel loop and, honestly, it was the strangest thing that's ever happened to me!" She then noticed her counterpart standing in front of her, giving a nervous smile and waving to her.

"Awkward!" said Dusk, Human Dusk, Nyx, Human Nyx and Daylight all said in unison.

"Make that the second strangest," Princess Twilight said. She then noticed her children. "What are you three doing here?!"

"Dimensional rips had opened up a few minutes after you and Spike went through that thing over the map," Dusk said. "You must've saw so many what ifs when Starlight tried to stop you and your friends's destinies."

"You have no idea," Princess Twilight said. She then looked at herself. She then sighed and said, "Should've known I had a counterpart here."

"Everyone has a counterpart," Dusk said. "Sunset, too. Wherever hers is in this dimension."

"Wait, you're from another Dimension?!" Sci-Twi asked, looking at Sunset.

"Yep," Sunset said. "Let's just say you're not the first one to make bad decisions."

"Does that mean Daylight has a counterpart in this dimension?" Princess Twilight asked.

"Apparently, in this dimension, these two, and Daylight, aren't your children, but your younger siblings," Nyx said.

Twilight looked at her counterpart and said, "That would make more sense."

"And apparently, my counterpart's a baby," Daylight said.

"Speaking of which, we better get you all home," Twilight said. "We have to go home. There's somepony back there that needs to talk with you." Dusk, Nyx and Daylight got up, and went to their mother. Then they all went through the portal.

"Wait... pony?!" Sci-Twi asked.

"Yep," Sunset said. "I was born a magical pony. A unicorn to be precise. Let me explain..."





Twilight, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight came back from Canterlot High, back in their pony state. Daylight looked on her back, but she didn't see any wings.

Dusk walked past her and said, "Just because I went through the mirror and came back with wings doesn't mean you get to." Daylight frowned.

"All right, all right," Twilight said. "I was getting worried that I couldn't find you three anywhere. But after reading Sunset's message, I felt a little relieved. So, let's go tell the rest of the family." Twilight then led the foals to the family room. There, in the room, were Velvet, Night Light, Shining Armor, a very pregnant Cadance and Spike.

"Oh, thank goodness," Velvet said, walking up to the three foals. "We were so worried about you three."

"We came her to help with the search," Cadance said. "You should be so glad to be home."

"Luckily, Sunset Shimmer let us stay at her place when we were there," Dusk said. "Although, it was a little weird."

"Why was it weird?" Shining asked.

"Let's just say the last time I stayed there, Sunset was evil," Dusk said.

"Alright, alright," Twilight said. "Now that that's all over, we can all rest easy."

"Mom?" Dusk asked. "What happened to Starlight?"

Twilight sighed and said, "It's... kinda funny you should mention that." Just then, the sound of something came from out of the room. Twilight, Spike, Dusk, Nyx and Daylight walked out to see a pile of cleaning supplies burying something. Just then, they were grabbed in a light blue magic aura and placed back into the broom closet, the unicorn being Starlight.

"Starlight Glimmer?!" Dusk, Nyx and Daylight asked.

"Sorry..." Starlight said. "I'm having trouble getting my way around the castle."

"What's she doing here?" Nyx asked.

"Starlight is here to learn all the things about true friendship," Twilight said. "I told Starlight exactly what Dusk went through, and I told her to imagine what Dusk went through as see what he went through."

"I should've known that you had it worse than I had," Starlight said. "Well, I need to continue getting my stuff." She then walked into one room, and then came out. "Not my room."

Dusk looked up at Twilight and asked, "Is she going to be staying here with us?"

"Yes," Twilight said. "So, we should get used to it." Then they headed down the halls, following Starlight. But what they didn't know was that the Watcher was watching them.

"As one door closes, another one opens. With a new friend along with them, they now have a fate more to their favor. And with that, they can all live happily... ever... after. At least, until... a new disaster comes... by the last thing they were expecting."

The Watcher then saw into the family room, looking at Cadance. He was using his power to see the inside of Cadance's belly, to see the baby, which was an alicorn inside her.






THE END...