> The Next Chapter of our lives!
>  by ScisetShimmerEvan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Graduation Approaches (Edited by Echo Breeze) (Updated 1/21/2023)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello. My name is Sunset Shimmer. And for those of you who don’t know who I am, let me share with you a recap of my life. 

While I may look human, I'm actually a unicorn from an alternate world known as Equestria. I was born and raised there and lived in a small village not far from Canterlot with my family for many years. That, of course, was until I got accepted into Princess Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns when I ended up becoming her student.

During my time at her school, I was one of the best unicorns out there with my magic, impressing my classmates and teachers. And boy did I love it! But then, one day, my life changed forever. Deep within the Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia showed me a magical mirror that was not only a gate to another world that only opened once every thirty moons for just three days, but could also show visions of the future. And what I saw, was what I thought was a glimpse into my future, of becoming an alicorn! But it was a warning of the dark path I was now trotting down, that would end up leading to the unexpected change that lay ahead in my future. 

I was determined from that moment to do everything in my power to become an alicorn, but Princess Celestia knew I wasn’t going to get it. She wanted me to make friends and stop spending all my time alone doing my studies. I didn’t have any friends since I first arrived at Canterlot so she wanted me to make some. 

I’d ended up lying to her face that I ended up making 'some' friends, but in reality, I was continuing my studies. I even went as far going to sneak into the restricted section of the Canterlot Library. There, I'd read many books on the magical mirror several times a week. I was learning a lot about the mirror. It fascinated me to continue reading about it until Princess Celestia caught me one night. I was in some serious hot water when I was found in the one place the princess didn't want to find me. 

She was very disappointed. Not only that I had been lying to her, going behind her back but going into the restricted section of the library searching for books on the magical mirror. 

Because of my foolishness, Princess Celestia did the unthinkable and dismissed me as her student. I’d still be allowed to live in Canterlot if I wanted but I was no longer allowed in the castle. That not only made me want revenge on my former teacher but would also be the reason I’d end up abandoning my studies entirely in Equestria. This led me to go through the mirror to the alternate world called Earth. 

During the next two years, while I was in this alternate world, I’d become the queen bee of a local high school, ruin people’s lives, friendships, and relationships. But worst of all, I did just about anything to be crowned a princess during any major event at the school known simply as CHS. I even went as far as to humiliating one of my rivals just to win! And by god, I always ended up victorious. 

This would go on until the portal reopened, and I’d go through to steal an element of harmony that would end up leading to my defeat by Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship at the Fall Formal when she showed me a better way with the magic of Friendship.

While I didn’t want to accept it at first it would lead up to a big change in my life. Since then, my life has become so much better compared to my old one back in Equestria.

I go to a great school. 

I’m one of their top students. 

Got six great friends. 

Two loving pets. 

A beautiful girlfriend. 

And a magical geode that gives me the power to see and read people’s minds and thoughts!

While I have had my rough moments after my redemption such as facing three magical sirens, a rival school, getting trapped in a mirror, a memory wipe crisis, storm magic, a time loop, and almost committing suicide twice, I still managed to get through it thanks to the new family I had found.

I have been very happy with how my life has been ever since I was shown the path of Friendship after my defeat at the Fall Formal. And while I have had many challenges to go through since the day I turned into a terrifying she-demon, another sudden change was about to take shape that I was not prepared for.





It was Monday, in early June of my senior year at CHS. There were just four days left until the big day was here. Graduation day! My friends and I were busy in the gym setting up banners, tables that were gonna be used for food and beverages, and making sure the audio equipment was all working, and testing them to make sure anything needed to be fixed, repaired, or even replaced.

“How’s it going up there Pinkie?”

“Almost done Sunset, this graduation is gonna be a blast!”

“Easy there Pinkie Pie, I don’t want to lose my balance with all the excitement you’re building up!”

“Oops, sorry Applejack.”

“Can someone remind me again why we're doing this instead of using a ladder?”

“Because, Fluttershy, the one we were gonna use, ended up being taken by Ms. Cheerliee. The one in the library had broken recently, and there was only one other ladder in the entire school. That is why we're doing this over borrowing the ladder, as Ms. Cheerliee needs it!”

“Oh, that explains everything now.”

“Just be careful up there girls, I don’t want anyone of you getting hurt before graduation this Fri-”

But just as Sunset was about to mention Friday, she noticed something that caught her eye. Not far from where she was standing on the far side of the school gym one of the tables that were set up had dozens of paint cans all over it. That was when she remembered she tasked Snips and Snails to put them away. They had an art show recently in the gym the week prior and it seemed like they had forgotten to put them away.

“Has anyone seen Snips and Snails? I thought I told them to put these paint cans away half an hour ago?”

“Beats me, Sunset. Let’s hope they’re put away before you know who shows up. The last thing I want is for Principal Celestia to find out, or we're gonna have an upset Principal again.”

“I know, Applejack, I don’t want to see her upset again after that incident a few weeks ago when Micro Chip’s robot got taken over by Equestrian magic. Which as we know, destroyed the side of the gym. Sigh. Let’s just hope that we won’t have to deal with any Equestrian magic for a while. I've had enough of it for a while.”

“I hope so, after what you went through at the Starswirl Festival last month, I’m hoping we don’t have to experience something crazy like that until school’s out for the summer.”

“Don’t worry Fluttershy, this week will be perfectly fine! It's best to not let those thoughts of yours get to your head, giving you nothing but worries.”

“If you say so Pinkie.”

After making sure everyone else was doing okay with the needed work to the gym Sunset went off to find Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, to see how things were going for them with their work as she went to go find them.

… 

After checking a few classrooms, Sunset found Rarity in the music room, where she was hard at work putting the final touches on their Graduation gowns.

“How’s the work going Rarity?”

“It’s going splendid Sunset. I’m just about done with them. Once I am, they'll be ready for Friday!”

“That’s great. But where’s Rainbow Dash? I thought she was helping you?”

“She is, she just went out to get me some more supplies I needed and should be back shortly.”

And just seconds later Rainbow Dash zoomed into the music room, appearing out of a cloud of dust with a bag of supplies in hand.

“Here you go, Rarity, here are the supplies you needed.”

“Excellent darling. I can handle the rest from here. So if you don’t mind me, I’m going to get back to work now.”

“Great! I was gonna ask if I can go and help the others in the gym. And it looks like I got my wish! I’ll see you later Rarity. Oh! Hi Sunset.”

“Hey Rainbow.”

And soon, Rainbow Dash left the music room at a slower and steadier pace towards the gym. 

With that completed, Sunset went to find where Twilight was and found her in the computer lab. She was working on something important on one of the computers, alongside their formal enemy Wallflower Blush.

After giving her a quick hello, Sunset sat next to Twilight to see what she was working on.

“How’s the speech going?”

“Oh! Hi Sunset, it's just about done. This graduation speech for Friday will be the best one yet. You're gonna love it!”

“I’m glad. Thanks again for doing this for me. While I would have been fine doing it myself, I’m still surprised as ever you offered to do it for me.”

“No worries. It’s the least I can do to help you after our great time at Senior Prom last week.”

“Yeah, and thanks again for helping me get over my thoughts a week ago before prom. I just can’t seem to control them these days. Especially with the big change that we'll soon be graduating from CHS. I never thought this day would come, but I should have seen it coming sooner than later.”

“I did too, but it's all part of life, Sunset. I mean, from what the others have told me, all of them have already been accepted to a college they plan on attending. But at least they won’t be alone. Rarity will be heading to the same one as Applejack, as well as Rainbow and Fluttershy. Which is still something positive least think about. If you know what I’m saying?”

“Speaking of college, have you yet heard anything from Everton lately?”

The moment those words came out of Sunset’s mouth Twilight froze at the mention of Everton. She had forgotten that she wanted to go to Everton once she graduated from CHS. But in reality, she hadn’t even started! 

Ever since she transferred to CHS from Crystal Prep Academy, she started thinking less about her future. She was too happy that she had six great friends now and was in a relationship with her first friend she made at CHS Sunset Shimmer. She hadn’t even given it much thought if she still wanted to attend Everton once she graduated from CHS four days from now.

So to not make things worse, she decided to lie to Sunset. Telling her that she indeed had gotten an update to share in regards to Everton.

“I haven’t heard anything from them lately, but I’m hoping to hear back from them soon…”

“That’s great! I hope you get your wish and be heading to your dream college. I’m still not sure if I want to go to college. I haven’t thought of what I even want to major in!”

“Don’t worry yourself, Sunset. I know you’ll figure it all out eventually. These things take time and patience, alright?”

“Thanks, Twilight. I needed that now.”

Twilight smiled back at Sunset before giving her a small kiss on her cheek. 

“Now, why don’t we check up on how the others are doing in the gym? I could use a break from editing.”

Sunset nodded back in approval as they made their way to the school gym.



 

Back at the gym, things weren’t going so well. 

After Rainbow Dash had arrived, Applejack needed to go use the bathroom. She had been holding it in for the last hour, leaving Rainbow to take her place holding Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie on her shoulders as they had just a few more banners that needed to be hung up.

While she was athletic and exercised a lot, Rainbow Dash never realized just how exhausting this was. Nor how heavy her friends were just by carrying them on her shoulders.

“Pinkie, please tell me you're almost done. My legs can't take much for of this!”

“It’ll only be another minute Dashy, I’m almost donnnnnne!!!!!”

But it was too late! 

Rainbow’s legs gave way, causing the three of them to collapse onto the gym floor below! Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy landed on the hard gym floor and fortunately weren’t seriously hurt. But Pinkie Pie was the unlucky one, landing on the table with the paint cans. When she landed on it, she launched the paint canister towards one of the exits where Sunset and Twilight were just entering.

“Did you hear that Flash and Derpy are dating now?”

“Really? I didn’t know tha-”

“LOOK OUT!”

The moment Sunset and Twilight heard the warning though, it was too late! 

CRASH

Before they knew it, both girls were splattered from head to toe in the paint, causing not only a big mess to appear but ruining their clothes as well. 

… 

After the silence cleared the three girls were shocked to see Sunset and Twilight both covered in paint as the cans had thrown their contents all over them. 

The paint had not only ruined both their hair and their clothes but had made a big mess in the process.

Just then, Applejack arrived from the bathroom to see a big mess all over the gym floor. 

“What in the Sam hill that happened here?!?! 

“It was my fault Applejack. My legs were getting tired from holding Fluttershy and Pinkie up on my shoulders before they gave way! Fluttershy and I were ok, but Pinkie Pie landed on the table with the paint cans. It launched them to where Sunset and Twilight were entering the gym. Which, leads us to where we are now…”

Applejack now felt very angry with Rainbow Dash. She wanted to yell at her so badly for the big mess she had caused but knew that it was all just an accident. 

“It’s ok Dash, these things happen. Now, is everyone alright?”

“No, you ruined my leather vest!”

“And this was my favorite skirt!”

“Girls, it was just an accident. Rainbow didn’t do it on purpose!” 

“Sigh, you’re right Fluttershy. I guess I got too worked up with the paint ruining my attire. I can’t seem to control my thoughts on not wanting anything bad to happen with graduation.”

“And I’m sorry too. I for one have had the same thoughts lately, and couldn’t think of a good way to respond to this happening out of nowhere. So, we're both to blame for this one as well.”

“If Snips and Snails had just put those damn paint cans away, none of this would have happened!” 

“Let’s worry about that later Dash, let’s just clean up this mess while Sunset and Twilight get cleaned up.”

They all nodded in agreement. Applejack got started with the cleanup right away while Sunset and Twilight left to go and get cleaned up and changed out of their now-ruined clothes.

... 

“It’s a shame that we can’t go to the girl's locker room. That problem with the water pipes hasn't been fixed up!”

“Leave the arguing for later Twilight, let’s just get back to our apartment and get cleaned up before the paint dries.”

“Couldn’t agree more.”

But unbeknownst to Sunset and Twilight, someone was watching them from the shadows. The mysterious figure had been constantly following them for the last hour, without either of them knowing it. 

The mysterious figure continued to follow them as they made their way back to their apartment. The hooded figure was as quiet as possible, so Twilight and Sunset didn’t know they were being followed.





After getting back to their apartment, they each took turns taking showers making sure to get all the paint off of them before changing into a clean set of clothes. 

With their current outfits ruined, they both now donned their previous outfits, which they hadn’t worn in a few months. 

Sunset was wearing the outfit Twilight remembered her wearing when they first met at the Friendship Games. Comprising of her light blue shirt with the luminous yellow skirt attached to it, dark blue pants, and her black boots. She was wearing her short leather jacket with orange chevrons on, but had decided to wear the one Twilight made her that had the purple streaks in it. And to complete the look, she had her geode around her neck. 

While Sunset did like her current outfit comprising of the leather vest, light pink skirt, and orange t-shirt with her cutie mark on it, she always preferred her previous outfit. It was a reminder of her transition from being CHS’s biggest meanie to being the nice, loving, and caring friend she is now.

As for Twilight, she was donning the outfit she wore during the first few months following her transfer to CHS, alongside her geode too, but with two noticeable changes to her appearance. 

She had decided to ditch her signature ponytail to just let her hair stay loose and had added a pink hairband to her look.

“I must say, Twilight, you did always look better with your hair down. Not that I’m complaining or anything…”

“You’re good, Sunset. I did always prefer having my hair like this when I was younger. I even have a picture sitting around somewhere of how I looked when I was younger.”

“I’d sure love to see that sometime. I can already imagine how cute my girlfriend probably was when she was younger.”

Sunset then gave off her signature smirk after sharing her compliment with Twilight before letting out a snarky laugh from hearing that comment of hers. 

“You sure know how to make me feel better in tough situations like this one, don’t you Sunset?”

“It’s what I do for both my best friend and my girlfriend.”

“And I’d do the same thing for you as well, BGFF.”

The whole apartment soon went all quiet as Sunset and Twilight looked at each other in awe as they both sat down together on their couch. 

Sunset began moving closer to Twilight as they put their hands together before blushing bright red at one another. They were feeling like going in for a kiss til they heard a vibrating noise coming from their backpacks, interrupting the moment.

“Oh come on! Can’t we go five minutes without something interrupting our private time?” Twilight replied, now feeling very disappointed. 

“What do you expect, Twilight? These things happen whether we like it or not.”

“Fair enough…”

They soon found out that the vibrating noise was coming from their phones, alerting them of a text message from Applejack.

Just got finished cleaning up the mess and putting away the paint cans Snips and Snails were supposed to do. We informed Principal Celestia about it after we finished, and oh boy, she wasn’t pleased about it at all. She'll be making sure to tell those two to visit her when she next sees them. We're heading on home now, we’ll see you both tomorrow. 

Applejack.

“Looks like Snips and Snails won’t go without punishment for the accident they caused. Those two sure can be numbskulls at times.”

“Yeah, even when I was still my old self before I accepted friendship, they were very clumsy at times.”

“Good, and now with that out of the way, why don’t we go and started on dinner? I don’t know about you but I’m getting pretty-”

But Twilight was interrupted once again, by yet another vibrating noise. 

But this time it wasn’t their phones. It was Sunset’s journal!

“Huh, that’s odd, I wasn’t expecting anything from Princess Twilight this evening?”

“Same here. With my counterpart now the ruler of Equestria I was expecting we wouldn’t be hearing from her for a while with what she has going on with her ha-, I mean hoofs full. No offense Sunset.”

Sunset understood what she meant before giving her the 'none taken' look as she opened up the journal to see what the princess had to say.

“What does it say?”

Sunset froze for a second on what she was reading before sharing it with Sci Twi.

“Princess Twilight says she’s coming over here and will arrive in the next ten minutes!”

“Wait what?! Does she say why?”

“No, she doesn’t. All it says is that she wants me to meet her at CHS over something urgent!”

“Whatever it is, we better get to school right away!”

“You're right, Twilight. It might be serious! We better go now before she gets there. And knowing the Princess, she won’t know where to go outside of CHS without our help.”

And with that, they both made their way to CHS to meet up with Princess Twilight.



 

After a quick ride behind Sunset’s motorcycle, they arrived at CHS without ease and immediately ran as fast as they could to the portal.

“Well, we're here, now all we have left to do is wait for Princess Twilight to arrive.”

As if on cue, the portal activated, and out stepped Princess Twilight. Who for once, wasn’t struggling with going from equine to bipedal.

“Hello there, Sunset. Other me. It's great to see you both again.”

“It’s good to see you too, Princess Twilight. Why did you want to see me? Is something wrong!?!?”

“I’m not the one who wanted to see you.”

This confused both Sunset and Sci Twi slightly, wondering why they were asked to come here now!

“Then why did you want to meet me here?”

“It's because of him.”

Once again, the portal activated, and this time out stepped a man neither of them recognized. 

He had bright red hair, the same skin and eye color as Sunset, clad in a light brown jacket, red shirt, blue pants, black shoes, and a light brown beard.

When he laid his eyes on Sunset after he stepped out of the portal he was in total shock. He slowly approached them as he examined Sunset from head to toe before letting out a gasp.

“Sunset? Could it be? After all these years, how is this even possible?”

“Eh, do I know you? And how do you know my name?”

“Because Sunset, I’m your father!”

Both the Twilights and Sunset let out a gasp after hearing that. Already they were wondering if what this man was sharing with them was indeed true. 

“How is this even possible, I thought you wer-”

“Sunset, I know you have a lot of questions but if you can let me-”

Before Sunset's father could finish his explanation, Sunset grabbed ahold of his hand as she began to see his memories. He was surprised at first seeing her doing it as her eyes turned white he decided not to question it and just wait to see what happens next. 

After Sunset let go of his arm a tear fell down the side of her face over the memories she had just seen. Was this truly her biological father? Sunset did not know the answer to this as she slowly backed away from him.

“No, there’s no way you’re my father, I lost him and the rest of my family years ago!”

“Sunset, please. I want answers just as much as you do. But if we just let him-”

But Twilight was cut off by Sunset.

“How did you even find him, Twilight? All this is giving me nothing but a splitting headache and dozens of questions flowing through my head!”

Sunset dug her hands right into her hair trying to calm herself down from the panic attack she was now having. She began thinking to herself that she must be in a dream and she has to wake herself up!

“No, this must be a dream, this must be all a dream, and now it's time for me to wake up damn it!”

Sunset proceeded to slap herself, before pinching her arms to wake herself up from this nightmare, but with no success before her father grabbed a hold of her shoulders. 

“Sunset, this is not a dream. You saw my memories! And if what you saw was correct, then you shouldn’t have to-”

“Get away from me you freak!!”

Sunset now had tears in her eyes as her father looked at her with worry. He wanted to explain to her that he truly was her father. But all he got back was seeing her run off into CHS behind them.

“Sunset wait!”

“Come back!”

But Sunset was gone in an instant, leaving the two Twilights and her father in silence before they ran after her into CHS.





Twenty minutes had passed since Sunset fled from into CHS and their search began on finding her with little to no luck.

“Where did she go? It’ll take us hours to search for her. Err, this is all your fault! If it weren't because of you we wouldn't be in this situation trying to find her! This is making me nothing but worried sick about where Sunset could've gone!”

Sunset's father could see the panic in Sci Twi’s eyes. Just as he looked at her, he can see the sadness she now had in her eyes.

“You have every right to blame me for this. This is all my fault. I should’ve just told her right at that moment something only the two of us know about. But.. all it did was make her flee from us. Sunset hasn’t seen me in years. She probably doesn’t even recognize me in this body compared to how I was a unicorn. I’m sorry for what I’ve done for you both and for dragging you into this mess. I’m truly sorry...”

Sunset's father felt disappointed in himself for what he had done. He was starting to feel it deep down inside before he felt someone place their hand on his shoulder in comfort. He looked to see it was Princess Twilight. She was looking straight at him with confidence written over her face.

“You're not to blame for this. Sunset has been through a lot since you last saw her when she was a filly. She was alone for many years and thought that everyone in her family she once loved and cared for was gone. Though she does have her friends who care for her now, including me, she overreacted and needs some space to clear her mind.”

“You're right. Thank you, Princess.”

Then an idea came to his mind that could help them find his daughter.

“Wait a second, is there someplace Sunset goes to think? Or to get some peace. A place that means something to her?”

“From the times Sunset and I talked through the journal, she never mentioned something like that to me. And from what the girls have told me, Sunset doesn’t share many of her secrets or where she’d go when she wants to be alone.” 

“I wish I knew where, but I don't. I’ve never even been to this place til now.”

That was when Sci Twi remembered something that Sunset once told her that could help them find her.

“I think I might know where she’d be.”

“Really? Where?”

“Sunset told me following her redemption she’d often go to this one spot on campus to get some peace to clear her mind. I think that might just be where she went!”

“Well, lead the way, we don’t have time to lose!”

“Right, let’s go!”

The two Equestrians followed Sci Twi, leading them to the second floor of the building and soon a set of stairs.

“These stairs will lead us to Sunset. Hopefully, she’s there and you’ll be able to talk with her.”

“Alright then, let’s do this!”

And with that, they made their way up the stairs to the school's roof, with the unknown figure continuing to follow behind them, hiding in the shadows whenever they thought they noticed something unusual.

Sci Twi was moving as fast as she could up the stairs to the roof. All she wanted was to find Sunset and hoped that she was alright. 

While she still wasn’t one hundred percent sure this indeed was Sunset’s father, if Princess Twilight believed it, then she should too.

“We're coming Sunset. Please be ok.”


To be Continued… 

> Family Reunion (written by 13 Shades of Sunset) (Updated 1/21/2023)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After ascending the stairs to the roof, Princess Twilight, Sci Twi, and Sunset's father finally found her, following their hour-long search around the school.   

She was in a far-off corner of the roof, trying to calm herself down. Sunset was completely lost for words on who she laid her eyes on earlier. Was this man her real father or not?

Sci Twi was sure she’d be there and lucky Sunset was. But now they had another problem. How were they gonna explain to Sunset that this man was her father and would she’d buy it or not?

“What should we do now?”

“I can go talk to her? Maybe it might help our current situation?”

“I think it’s best if I handle this girls. I’m the one responsible for making her run off in the first place. I must fix the problem I’ve created.”

Both of the Twilights knew he was right and let him go talk to his daughter in private. 

He slowly approached Sunset, trying his best not to startle her before calling out her name to get her attention.

“Sunset?”

Sunset turned around and came face to face with her father once again. She still felt a little scared at that very moment just by looking at him. But she had to do this. She knew she couldn’t escape the situation she was currently in. Even though her father wasn’t in his unicorn form, a part of herself still thought that this was somehow her biological father. But she had to figure out first if what he was about to share with her was true.

“I don’t want to frighten you. I just want to talk, that’s all.”

He then slowly moved his hand towards her shoulder before Sunset slowly backed away from him.

“Stay there, stay right there, don’t move or come anywhere near me!”

“Ok. But I’d like to tell you a few things if that’s alright. I know this must be impossible for you to understand after everything you’ve gone through these last few years. I don’t know how I can fix it. But I just want to say I’m sorry. It’s me Sunset. Your father, Brightfire Shimmer.”

“You're not my father.”

“I am your father Sunset. You saw my memories when you read my mind right before you ran off. Why would you see them if they weren’t mine, to begin with?”

“That still doesn’t answer the question if you are my real dad or not!”

“But I am Sunset, please I just want you to just listen to m-”

“My father and the rest of my family are dead!”

“Sunset, please-”

“They’re dead, WHO ARE YOU!”

As Princess Twilight and Sci Twi watched from a far-off distance they could tell that Brightfire’s confrontation with Sunset wasn’t going according to plan!

“I’m worried, should we go and help?”

“No. Brightfire wanted us to stay put and handle it himself. And we’re gonna do exactly what he wanted us to.”

Sci Twi knew her counterpart was right and so didn’t argue back putting her focus back on Sunset and Brightfire.

“I know you have many questions right now Sunset but please, if you can just let me expla-”

But before Brightfire knew it Sunset grabbed a hold of his jacket as she looked at him straight in his eyes with anger.

“What? What!? Say it! SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY! WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY? WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN ALL THESE YEARS!? You’re supposed to be dead like everyone else in our family! I saw them buried and everything in Equestria, in our village months ago! How do you even recognize me!? I’m not even a pony in this form!? Just who the hell are you? What do you want from me!?!?!”

“It’s a long story Sunset but I promise, if you just listen to me, you’ll understand what happened and where I’ve been all these years. And once you do, I promise I won’t ever leave you again. Because family always sticks together, and I still love you, sweetie. Always have and always will.”

Soon enough, Sunset pulled her father into a hug as she cried her tears out on his shoulder. She remembered him saying those same words the day she left for Celestia’s school when she was a filly. This person indeed was her true father.

Brightfire held his daughter in his arms, stroking her hair to calm her down. He knew she needed it after being separated from him all these years. 

Sunset was lost for words that her father was somehow alive. But she needed answers as to where he’d been. 

And she was about to get her answer sooner than she thought.





After Sunset had managed to settle her emotions, they all went back to her apartment to talk things over with her father.

After Sci Twi got them all some tea and snacks, Sunset decided to ask her dad a very important question that had been bothering her for the last half hour.

“Why now? Why did you decide to find me now after all this time? Where have you ever been all these years? I thought you died the night that snowstorm hit our home in Equestria!?!?”

“Well you see Sunset, I wasn’t home that night the storm came through.”

“Wait? What!?”

“I was away searching for a rare artifact I had been researching on. When I learned the tragic news, I went home to see if anyone had survived the storm that hit our village. But all I found was a destroyed home, with several dead bodies of everypony I had once known as my family.”

There was a moment of silence throughout the apartment before Brightfire continued his story.

“I wasn’t sure how I was gonna move on from it, so I scavenged whatever I could find in the remnants of our home and continued from that point as best as I could. It was hard trying to move on after that tragic day. I hoped things would just simply get better, such as wondering if my eldest daughter Sunset was still out there somewhere. She wasn’t home the night of the storm. But… that’s exactly what would lead up to my disappearance.”

“What exactly were you researching, Brightfire?” Princess Twilight asked curiously.

“They’re called the Harmony Crystals.”

“The Harmony Crystals? What are those? I don’t think I’ve ever even heard of them?” Shared Princess Twilight

“That’s because only a handful of ponies in all of Equestria have heard of them. There’s not much information to be found on them, even in the biggest libraries in all of Equestria. They’re very hard to come across.”

“What are these crystals, and where did they come from?” Wondered Princess Twilight.

“To know that, we’ll have to go back centuries ago, to when they were first created. The Harmony Crystals are just as old as the Elements of Harmony, as they are duplicates of them, in the form of crystals.” 

This made the three girls very interested as they listened to what Brightfire had to share next.

“After they were created and used alongside the Elements of Harmony it was realized if two sets of the elements existed, it would make anyone more powerful than ever if they possess them both. It also would make it easier to end up in the wrong hooves, or hands as you humans call these things," Brightfire explained as he wiggled his fingers.

“Anyway, if they were used by those who wanted to use them for evil, just like how it was with the Elements of Harmony, it would lead to war! So the crystals were locked away to be kept safe so one could ever find them again. And for many centuries, many of those they were lost to time.”

“Woah!” Replied Sci Twi.

“Fast forward to a few months before the storm hit my village, I stumbled upon seven of the crystals deep within a cave not far from the Crystal Empire. I immediately became fascinated by them. I wanted to learn everything I could about them. With help from Princess Celestia, I learned that there were a total of eight crystals in existence, which made me wonder why there were eight instead of six, as there were only six Elements of Harmony. That was when Celestia told me that there were two more elements created alongside the other crystals.”

“Wait, there’s eight of them!?!!?!?!” Replied Princess Twilight.

“That’s what I thought until Princess Celestia told me. The seventh crystal was a forgotten element that was made into the seventh crystal, while the eighth crystal ended up being the most dangerous one of all of them. That finale crystal was made of pure dark magic while the other seven were made of pure light magic.”

“Then what was its purpose even existing, to begin with?” Asked Sunset.

“Well, after the six crystals were created, the last two came to be from magic left behind by Starswirl the Bearded to make the seventh crystal made of pure light magic. While the eighth crystal was created from remnants of dark magic left behind by King Sombra. It was decided that it would be best not to use the eighth crystal alongside the others. Whoever was to touch this crystal, even for a second, would be taken over by its dark magic flowing within. Or worse, would be killed by its powerful magic if not careful. I knew the risks were dangerous but I still went off to find the last crystal. I ended up going on a quest to search for its location. And I’ll never forget what I went through the night I found it.”

“How did it happen?” Sci Twi asked worriedly.

“It was years ago, but it still feels like it was just yesterday. I was on the outskirts of Ponyville, three years following the loss of my family when I stumbled upon the eighth crystal after months of searching.”

Brightfire took a sip of his tea before continuing where he left off. 

“After I found it deep within the cave and set up camp that night, I brought all the crystals together to see what would happen. I didn’t touch the eighth crystal or use my magic to hold it. I knew the consequences if I layed a hoof on." 

"What happened when they were brought together?" Sci Twi asked.

"When I did, it caused multiple rifts to open all around me. Before I knew it, one of the portals sucked me into it! I tried hard as I can to get away, but it was too strong, and it swallowed me up.”

The girls were all utterly horrified at where this was going as Brightfire got to the next part of his story.

“When I was sucked through, the crystals were separated from me! During the next few seconds, I saw them go two separate ways through two different portals. Seven of them ended up in some cave from what I can tell, while the eighth crystal I wasn’t able to identify where it was headed. That's when I blacked out as my body began to change from a pony to a human." 

Brightfire was a little hesitant that he had shared it with someone for the first time but pressed on with his story.

"When I woke up, I realized I wasn’t in Equestria anymore. Nor was I a pony!”

“Where did you end up?”

“I ended up here, in this world. I appeared to have ended up in some big city that felt just as big as Manehattan. I’d later learn that it was called Canterlot City. At first, I wanted to find a way to get back home to Equestria. But as days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, I couldn’t figure out where to even start.” 

“That sounds like how I felt when I first came here to get my crown,” shared Princess Twilight.

"It was. Not only had I lost the crystals, but I also wasn’t sure if there was any way possible of finding a way back home. I did what I could to survive, and adjust to this world. I created paperwork so no one could find out I wasn’t from this world. If someone found out, I'd be in danger. I eventually got used to this world as well as this body. I got a job and my own place I’ve been living in ever since. My life went well until I heard about a school nearby that was having strange magic sightings over the last few months. This got me curious, so I decided to check it out for myself. I had a hunch from what I heard, wondering if it by chance it was equestrian magic.” 

“It’s not that bad after you get the hang of it after a while. That was how it was for me when I first came here,” shared Sunset.

“Even as a teen you still amaze me Sunset. Back to the story, when I arrived at the location it looked like an ordinary school. I almost thought I had wasted my time coming here, and came all this way for nothing!”

Sci Twi was about to ask him why til he started to explain it.

“That is until I learned the statue was a portal. It was by complete accident as I didn't realize it was a portal til it went through it by accident. It took me straight back to Equestria where I met Princess Twilight. That of course leads us here to the present moment where I have since been reunited with my daughter after all these years. I haven’t been this happy in so long. And it's all thanks to you Princess.”

“But what about the crystals? Are you saying that the ones Sunset, my friends and I have are those crystals?” Sci Twi curiously. 

“That is correct. I believe the crystals you girls thought were geodes, are the crystals I have been researching on, that brought me here in the first place.”

“How is this even possible? How did you figure all that out in just a short amount of time?” Asked the now-shocked Princess Twilight.

“After realizing that my daughter can read minds from the crystal she’s wearing, I remembered that was the power that can only be used when bonded to the seventh crystal. Known specifically, as the Empathy crystal. Out of the seven that were created they each have the respective power that was transferred from the elements. That, I’m sure you girls have already known about since you found them.”

“So you’re telling me, that these crystals my friends and I found at Camp Everfree are the Harmony Crystals!?!?” Sci Twi asked, getting a nod back from Brightfire to answer her theory.

“Wait, if Sunset and her friends have seven of the Harmony Crystals, where is the eighth crystal!?” 

“That, I do not know Princess. Hopefully, it’s somewhere where no one will ever be able to find it. I’m still searching for it right as we speak, and when I do, it must be destroyed! It is made of pure dark magic, and I’d hate for someone to find it. Cause if they do, this world is doomed!”

Brightfire turned to face his daughter once again as he spoke kindly to her.

“Sunset, I am very sorry I have been gone from your life all these years, causing you nothing but pain. Can you ever forgive me?”

To answer his question, he was met with a hug from Sunset.

“Of course! Just knowing that you are alive just makes me so happy I have someone left in my family. And now, you don’t have to worry about being alone or losing me ever again. Ok, Dad?”

Thanks, Sunset.”

“And were you serious you aren’t gonna leave me?”

“Absolutely. I’m not the same as I once was all those years ago. While I still plan to continue my research and continue my life here, all I want is to be with you more, Sunset. Despite all that’s happened to us, we're still family.”

“Thanks, dad. I love you.”

“I love you too Sunset.”

Sunset embraced her father with another hug, and before they let out tears of joy, being reunited once again.

“I say we tell the others this great news that your father is alive, Sunset. This calls for a celebration!”

“Yes it does Twilight, yes it does!”

“I’d love to stay and join you, but I must be getting back to Equestria. Celestia must know you are alive. I'm sure she's been wondering where you disappeared to, and now I have the answer. If you do indeed plan on staying here Brightfire, it’s perfectly fine with me. Just knowing you are safe and sound with Sunset is all that matters to me. If you ever need me, I’m just a book away from to help with whatever you need.”

“Thank you, Princess. You don’t know how happy I am that I’ve been reunited with my daughter.”

“It was my pleasure.”

“And thank you Twilight. I mean it, from the bottom of my heart.”

“Just doing my job Sunset.”

After exchanging goodbyes with Princess Twilight, Sci Twi and Sunset told their friends the exciting news before they all met up at Twilight’s house as her parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light, were eager to meet Brightfire just as much as their friends were.

But while everyone was celebrating this exciting reunion, the mysterious figure who had been following Sunset and Sci Twi all day arrived at its destination. They meet up with another hooded figure, deep within a dark alleyway.

“So, did you figure out if the rumors were true?”

“Mhm.”

“I see. So, there is another girl in this town bearing the name Sunset Shimmer?”

“Yes, but not only that, she proclaims to come from another world.”

“What!? How can that be?!?! Are you lying to me!? Cause if you are, I swear you're not gonna like what happens when I get angry!”

“No! It's what I heard from them, I swear!!! I do find it hard to believe just as much as you do, I think what they shared was true.”

“Very well, but I still need more answers! I’ll need you to spy on them some more first thing tomorrow. And don’t make me tell the boss that you're not doing what she wanted us to do. Or you’ll be the one who’ll be blamed for this. I don’t want her to be upset at me for being in big trouble, Stars! You hear me you piece of shit!!!”

“Yes, yes, I hear you, just please, go now before you make me cry!” 

And with that, the hooded figures left the alleyway, to get ready for the next part of their plan. But they were likely, not prepared for what was gonna happen next.





The next day, Sunset had decided to pay her dad a visit to see where he had been staying on the far side of the city. He had given her his address while at Twilight's house the night prior, telling her to come and visit once she was done with school.

She arrived at the address he had given her, which wasn’t that far of a walk from CHS. 

She was about to knock on the door when she heard someone call out her name.

“Wait for me Sunset!”

That’s when Sunset realized it was her girlfriend Twilight catching up behind her.

“Twilight? What are you doing here? I thought you said you had something important to do with your mom?”

“I did, but we decided to do it another day. You don’t mind the company, do you?”

“Not at all.”

Twilight smiled back before Sunset knocked on the door to her father’s apartment. The door opened slowly a minute later to reveal Brightfire. He looked like he hardly got any sleep from the bags he had under his eyes. But still, he seemed to be in a good mood with the smile he adored.

“Hello, Sunset. Human Twilight.”

“Twilight is fine, Brightfire.”

“Oh. Yawns. Sorry, you just woke me up from a nap. I just spent the last few hours researching the dark crystal's location.”

"You found it!?!?" Replied Sunset.

“I think. Come on in and I’ll show you.”

And so Sunset and Twilight entered his apartment to see the progress he’s made on finding the whereabouts of the dark crystal.

But just like yesterday, they were being followed by the mysterious figure, who had been secretly stalking them since they left CHS.

After entering his apartment, the first thing they noticed from looking around the place, was how messy it was.

“Sorry for the mess girls. I don’t usually have visitors.”

“Right, remind us later to help you clean all this up later?”

“Will do, but please, follow me.”

Brightfire led them to another room of his apartment. It was filled with maps, bulletin boards, and three giant computers! Just by looking around the room, it must have been where he spent all of his time researching. And slept by the apparent bed off in the corner.

“Woah!” Sunset gasped.

“Is this how you were able to find the location of CHS?” Sci Twi asked.

“Yep, alongside other parts of this city too. And just recently, I’ve gotten signs of Equestrian Magic sightings too.”

“Really! How were you able to do that?”

“Because of me.”

It was then to Twilight and Sunset’s surprise that Brightfire had another guest in his home. And it was someone that Twilight recognized. The moment the figure made their appearance they can tell they were wearing a Crystal Prep uniform, a pair of glasses, and had the same hairstyle as Twilight, but with a slight color variation. 

“Moondancer!”

“Hey Twilight, long time no see.”

The two old friends hugged each other before Twilight proceeded to ask her old what she was doing in Brightfire's apartment.

“What are you doing here? Last I heard you moved out of Canterlot City. Why are you still here?”

“Well you see, my parents weren’t fond of the move, soon it lead to a lot of arguing, and then getting divorced. After that, I ended up moving back here with my mom and resuming my studies at Crystal Prep. Currently, I’m getting ready to go to Everton this fall for college. I got accepted before graduating from CPA. I'm also glad Cinch is no longer the Principal after I returned. I still wonder why she’s no longer there though. No one wants to tell me why, no matter how many I ask?”

“Oh, that’s a shame to hear. But congrats on graduating from CPA. I'm sure it was a lot better with Cinch out of the picture,” Twilight shared before winking over to Sunset. She smiled in reply back before it was her turn to talk to Moondancer.

“Ok, but that still doesn’t explain why you're here in my dad’s apartment?”

“She’s helping me with my research.”

“Yes we can tell that, but for how long has she been helping you?”

“The last three months.”

“Three months!?!? Why didn’t you tell us?”

“You never asked me. Nor did I know you knew Moondancer.”

“Fair enough.”

“You never told me you had a daughter Brightfire. Is there a reason behind it?”

“I’ll explain it to you later Moondancer. It's a very long-” 

But right before Brightfire could finish his computer went off, with several alarms and everything!

“What’s going on!?!?” Said Sunset.

“Does your computer have a virus? Is someone trying to hack you? Is equestrian magic trying to take control of it!?!?!”

“Twilight, calm down, his computer is perfectly fine. I’ve added firewalls and everything to make sure that he’s not getting any.”

“Then why is his computer going off?”

“It's detecting a signal on the far side of town!” Brightfire shouted.

“Where exactly?” Sunset shouted back.

“At Crystal Prep Academy.”

“Wait, it's coming from Crystal Prep!?!?” Said Twilight and Moondancer.

“What’s it detecting?” Sunset asked.

“Oh my god! I-I can’t believe it!”

“What is it, dad?"

“The signal that it's detecting, it's the eighth crystal!”

“It is!?!?!?” Said Moondancer.

“Are you sure?” Sci Twi asked.

“I’m positive. I programmed this computer myself, and it’s never failed me. I think it's best we head over there and find it before someone beats us to it!”

The three girls agreed with him and set off to Crystal Prep Academy. 

But little did they know that when they’d get there, there was a surprise waiting for them.

And right as they left the mysterious figure brought a walkie-talkie out from her jacket and activated it.

“Get ready, they’re coming your way.”



 

Following a short bus ride, they arrived at Crystal Prep Academy in downtown Canterlot City. 

The place seemed very quiet and almost abandoned like no one had been there for ages. 

“Huh, for a late Tuesday afternoon, I thought this place would be open with many teenagers going about their everyday schedules.” Shared Brightfire.

“Then why is no one here?” Wondered Sci Twi.

“Oh right, I forgot to mention. The school is now closed for the summer so we won’t have to worry about someone wondering why we're here wandering around.” Shared Moondancer.

“And that’s good how?” Sunset asked.

“Because according to my magic detector, the crystal is close!” Brightfire shared.

“Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go find that crystal!” Twilight shouted.

And that’s exactly what they did. 

Brightfire’s detector went off and on for the next few minutes as they searched for its location. 

After a while, they weren't getting anything. But just when they thought they were in the clear, the magic detector went off like crazy in front of a bush on the far side of the school.

“Well girls, we’ve found it! Now, since this crystal is very dangerous I want none of you to try not to grab it. If you touch it, it’ll try and take you over!”

“So then how will we get it without touching it?” 

“Way ahead of you Twilight.”

Sunset had managed to find a tree branch that was long enough to grab the crystal. And fortunately, a few of its branches were still intact so it could carry the crystal for them.

After getting the tree branch from Sunset, Twilight slowly approached the bush as quietly as she could. But before she knew it, the bush shook a little.

“No need to panic Twi, you're alright. It’s probably just your imagination. Just get that crystal, and it’ll be all over with quickly.”

Twilight kneeled in front of the bush and started to search for the crystal, but it was then that she made a shocking discovery!

“The crystal, it's not here!”

“What!?”

“Then what was my device detecting?”

“This.”

What they thought was the crystal inside the bush, was a bunny rabbit.

“That’s it? We came all this way to find a bunny! That for some reason has antlers?”

“Are those even real?” Moondancer asked.

Twilight touched one of them and even pulled on it a little before the bunny got startled when she pulled it. The bunny then jumped out of her hands and ran off towards a nearby rabbit hole.

“Great, we just spent the last half hour hoping we’d find that crystal, only to be empty-handed after finding a bunny with antlers!?!?” Complained Twilight.

“That sure was odd. I’m pretty sure only bunnies in Equestria have them. I’ve never seen one on earth from my time here.” Said Brightfire.

"Neither have I," shared Sunset.

“So then how did it get here?” Wondered Moondancer

It was then that they noticed that there was a tear in the sky that looked to be leading to Equestria!

Brightfire and the three girls were surprised by this and began wondering where it came from. But their expectations came too late as the tear in the sky eventually disappeared before they could figure out how it got there.

“Well, that was odd?” Questioned Moondancer.

“You can say that again Moondancer.”

“So, what now?” Sunset wondered.

“I don’t know girls. We came all this way to find the crystal but to no avail. Guess I should probably make some adjustments to this thing. I mean, this was the first time I’ve used it.”

…

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?”

“I’m sorry but it's true. I built this thing in just twelve hours. What did you expect?”

“He’s got a point, Twilight. Why don’t we head back over to his apartment and try and fix it?”

“Well, it's better than staying out here doing nothing. Let’s head back to-”

But that's was when they heard a scream nearby. It was coming from a civilian who was being attacked by a tree-like monster that Sunset and Brightfire recognized.

“Is that?”

“No, it can’t be!”

But it was exactly what they feared!

“What is that thing!”

“That thing, Moondancer, is a timberwolf!”

“A what now?”

“How did one even get here? They don’t exist in this world!” Said Sunset.

“I’m gonna need some explanations on what you meant by that!”

“We’ll explain later, but for now, we need to stop it! Twilight, it's go time!”

Sunset and Twilight soon transformed into their ponied-up forms they’d turn into wherever there was trouble, and help was needed in dire situations such as this one!

“So what’s the plan?”

“We're going to need to kill that thing somehow. It’s made of timber, so we'll need something flammable. Then, we can destroy it with fire! But the only problem is we don’t have anything to use to ignite it?”

“Wait, I got it!”

Twilight brought her lucky lighter from her pocket. With it, they had the advantage of stopping the timberwolf.

“Alright! Twilight, you deal with trying to set that wolf on fire while I distract it and help that girl.”

“On it!”

“Dad, you and Moondancer get to safety. We don’t want anyone to get hurt. So please, get somewhere safe!”

“Got it!”

“You don’t have to tell me twice!”

And so it was now time to stop the timberwolf and save the civilian!

Twilight and Sunset stood face to face with the creature awaiting who was gonna make the first move while the wolf growled at them. 

“Ready?” 

“Ready!” 

Time seemed to have slowed down as the scene turned into a small standoff. 

The timberwolf turned around as it was being approached by the two humans. 

The civilian was able to get up and run from the commotion, letting the two girls handle it from there. 

Both parties had a significant glare in their eyes, and soon the other dared them to take the first move. 

The Timberwolf, of course, took the first strike, but Twilight used her telekinesis to get a nearby mailbox and use it as a shield, stopping its instant lunge attack. 

She hit it back as the wolf took damage from it and handed Sunset a long pipe from an external building as a weapon. 

The bacon-haired girl charged forward and immediately hit the wolf with the pipe. The creature immediately struck back and Sunset ended up getting a huge scratch from it! It ripped her shoulder open after being thrown toward a brick wall of a nearby building. 

“Aaahh!!!!” Sunset yelped out in pain as three large cuts appeared on her left arm. 

“Sunset!!! Are you ok?”

“Yeah… I should be fine. It’s just a scratch. But this thing is gonna get it now!”

“There’s no way it can take on the two of us.” 

“Don’t underestimate it Twi.”

As soon as they were about to attack again, a sudden whistle came out of nowhere. Once the timberwolf heard it, it retreated into the woods.

“Huh… well that’s…”

“Anticlimactic?” Sci Twi suggested. 

“I was gonna say disappointing. Still, who blew that whistle?”

"Maybe it belonged to its owner?" 

"Twilight, it's a wild creature. What are the odds of it having one?"

"Actually, it does.” Said a mysterious voice.

“Who said that?” Sunset replied

“Over here you two.”

It was then that they spotted someone in a dark alleyway. 

Neither Sunset nor Twilight was able to tell who it was, as they couldn't see the person’s face. The alleyway was very dark, making it impossible to see who it was.

“So… you ready to explain to me why you happen to be a bit… similar to me?” says the shady figure, making both of the girls very confused. 

“Sorry, but do I know you?” 

“I think you do… you and I are the same…” 

The girls still come out clueless trying to figure out who they were talking to and why they said that to them. 

“Listen I don’t know who you are, but we haven’t met before. My name’s Sunset Shimmer and this is my girlfriend Twilight Sparkle.”

“Oh, I know exactly who you both are sweetheart.”

“You do?”

The figure chuckled before facing Sunset and Twilight once again.

“You took so much from this world that should have been given to me! And now I’m demanding it back from you. Isn’t that fair? Sunset?” The anonymous figure says as it comes out of the alleyway, revealing itself to be none other than the human counterpart of Sunset Shimmer! 

“What… the f——”


To be Continued… 

> Counterpart Encounters (Edited by Echo Breeze) (Updated 1/21/2023)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset could not believe her eyes at who she was looking at following the encounter with the timberwolf. After all these years of being in the human world, and wondering where her human counterpart was all this time, she had finally found her!

She looked practically just like her, except for a few minor differences. 

For starters, she was wearing a completely different outfit than what Sunset had. She still bore her signature cutie mark on the skirt she was wearing. To which she felt not that surprised to see. Her hairstyle and colors were completely different. It was darker compared to Sunset’s lighter hair color. She did once have the same colors herself until after the Battle of the Bands when she decided to change her appearance following her redemption, one of which was dying her hair to a brighter shade of red and yellow.  

But just by looking at her counterpart eye to eye, Sunset felt nothing but shock upon the moment right in front of her. She finally got to meet her human counterpart after all these years and all she had to say about the moment was just.

“What… the f——”

“Don’t you dare say that word Sun-”

It was then that Brightfire realized what was going on, and why Sunset was lost for words when he saw a second Sunset Shimmer right in front of him. The same went for Moondancer who was starting to wonder if she was seeing things.

“Can someone explain to me why there are two Sunsets?”

“Yeah, like who the hell are you, and why do you look exactly like me!?”

“Ok, now this is gonna be hard to explain, but the reason I look like you is that… I’m your counterpart?”

“Counterpart? What do you mean you're my counterpart? Are you a clone of me or something?”

“No! Well, I technically am you. I’m technically from an alternate world.”

This made her counterpart laugh.

“You? From another world? What are you, crazy! Are you trying to make me laugh? Because you did! Or are you just trying to steal my identity, you freak!”

“No, I’m not trying t-”

“And I bet that’s not even your real hair either. It’s likely just some stupid wig you have on!”

But it was Sunset’s real hair, which her counterpart found out after pulling, causing Sunset to yell in pain.

“Ow ow ow! Quit it, that hurts!”

“Huh. Either that’s one strong wig you have on, or I’m out of shape?”

“It's neither because I am you damn it!”

“Alright then, prove it! Tell me something only I would know other me?”

That was gonna be a lot harder than she thought it would be. Sunset didn’t know a single thing about her counterpart other than the fact that somehow she tamed a timberwolf.

“Well um uh…”

“What, the cat caught your tongue?”

“Stop it Sunset!”

“You can’t tell me what to do. I’m a grown-ass wom-”

But when Sunset’s counterpart laid eyes on Brightfire, she looked like she had seen a ghost.

“D-d-d Dad!?!”

“I’m not your father Sunset. I am your father’s counterpart, and I’m from the same world the other Sunset is from.” 

“No, this can’t be real, this can’t be!?!?”

Sunset knew her counterpart was scared there was another version right before her eyes and her father decided to show the girl they won't hurt her.

“Listen, I know you have a lot of questions right now. But if you can just-”

“No, this can’t be! You died years ago! You and Mom were killed in that explosion!”

“Explosion?”

“Whoever the hell you both are, this is a fair warning! Stay away from me! I’m getting the hell out of here!”

Sunset’s counterpart whistled for the timberwolf, as it came out of the forest and before she jumped onto its back. And before they knew it, the wolf ran off with Sunset’s counterpart before any of them could follow her. 

With her counterpart now gone, Sunset and Twilight reverted to their normal appearances while Brightfire and Moondancer went over to join them.

“Are you two alright?”

“I’m fine. How’s your arm Sunset?”

"This cut on my arm is gonna take some time to heal, but I’ll be fine. I’ve been through worse,” Sunset replied as she began inspecting the cut on her left arm, which had put a hole in her favorite leather jacket.

“Ahem.”

Everyone soon turned to look at Moondancer, wondering what had gotten her so upset with the frown on her face.

“Can someone care to explain to me what is going on here? And what you meant by counterparts and this other world Brightfire!?!?”

“Uhhhh…”

“I NEED ANSWERS DAMN IT!”

While Sunset and Twilight didn’t want to tell Moondancer, after what they had just witnessed, they knew they had to tell her. It wasn’t gonna be easy, but they knew it couldn't be a secret to her any longer… 

“Moondancer, I know we haven’t seen each other since I left Crystal Prep, but as your friend, what I’m about to tell you, must be kept a secret. And you must not tell anyone but me and my friends. Got it?”

“Hmm. While I do find it hard to believe, after what I witnessed just minutes ago, whatever it was, your secret will be safe with me.”

“Thanks, Moondancer.”

“So then, is what Brightfire shared true about counterparts and another world?”

“Well yes, but first we should talk about this somewhere private. This is gonna take a lot of explaining so you know what we're dealing with.”

“And we need to get Sunset’s arm checked to see if her injury is serious or not,” Brightfire shared as he removed Sunset’s jacket to examine her left arm, which had blood dripping down it.

“Dad, I told you I’m fine.”

“No, you're not, Sunset. This is serious. You need treatment right away!”

“He’s right, Sunset. It looks serious. We seriously shouldn't just ignore this. You need help!”

“Alright then, Twilight. If you want me to get my arm treated, I might as well.”

After getting on the next bus heading to Canterlot City the other mysterious figure who had talked with Sunset’s counterpart the previous night saw them leaving from where she was hiding.

“Whoever you both are, I’m gonna find out who you are. I'm gonna prove to Sunny I’m not worthless!”





After returning to Brightfire’s apartment, Twilight explained everything to Moondancer while Sunset got her arm examined by her father. Twilight told Moondancer everything she knew about what had happened since she last saw her. Starting from what happened at the Friendship Games when she turned into Midnight Sparkle, to the many people she and her friends had to battle to protect their planet from equestrian magic. The crystals they got at Camp Everfree and even her relationship with Sunset.

“And that pretty much sums up everything.”

“Wow. I can’t believe it! So you're telling me, that not only are Brightfire and Sunset from another world, but the statue at CHS is a portal to this world they came from?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And that Cinch was the reason she wanted you to release all that magic your device collected just to win the Friendship Games, that eventually led you to become this, Midnight Sparkle?”

“That is correct.”

“Wow. I’m loss for words right now. If you would have told me this months ago, I would have likely not believed you. But, after seeing two Sunsets with my own eyes, it all makes so much sense now!” 

“And that is why you must keep this a secret Moondancer. If someone learned there’s a portal to another world at CHS, who knows what might happen?! And if Sunset and her father were found by the government, they might become test subjects for all we know! So please, I’m asking you as my friend, can you please keep this a secret! Do you think you can do that?”

“Of course, Twilight. While this will take some getting used to, I promise to keep your secret safe.”

“Thanks, Moondancer.”

“Anytime Twilight. And after hearing what you and your friends have been going through the last two years, I want to help."

"Really!?!"

"Of course. Knowing Sunset's counterpart, she must have something planned up here selve. We'll need all the help we can get to stop her. I’ve also been kinda lonely since I last saw my friends at graduation last week so that's another reason. It would be nice to spend some more time with one of my best friends before college too. I can tell you've changed so much because of friendship, and it makes me even more proud to know you found love.”

“You mean it?”

“Absolutely. While we've both changed these last few years, you still feel like a sister to me. So until the time comes for me to leave for Everton, I want to spend as much of my time with you and your friends.”

That made Twilight feel overjoyed with happiness.

“Thank you Moondancer.”

Moondancer smiled happily back before giving her friend a well-deserved hug. 

She wanted to ask Twilight some more questions she had going through her head when she noticed the time on a nearby clock.

“Oh, shit! I gotta get going, Twilight. I promised my Mom I’d help her with repainting her room this afternoon. I need to get going right away!!”

“It’s ok Moondancer. Would you like me to walk you to the bus stop?”

“I’d like that.”

Moondancer said her goodbyes to Brightfire and Sunset before she and Twilight walked down to the nearby bus stop, to await the next bus to arrive.

Once the bus had arrived, Moondancer said goodbye to Twilight before she returned to Brightfire’s apartment to see how Sunset was doing.

While her jacket still had the rip from where the timberwolf attacked her, Sunset had another one she could wear until her favorite one was fixed. Still, she was ashamed the one made by Twilight got ruined which made her feel a little disappointed.

“How’s your arm? Does it still hurt?”

“A little, but I’ll be fine.”

“That was one hell of a cut you got Sunset. It almost scared me to death when that timberwolf attacked you.”

“Dad, how many times do I have to tell you, I’m gonna be fine. Stop with all this worrying!”

“It’s my job to worry about you Sunset. While we've been separated these last few years, you're still my daughter. I’m not gonna just sit back and watch you get hurt. What kind of father would I be if I didn’t do that?”

“Can’t argue with that one. That’s what my brother always did for me when I was younger.” Shared Twilight.

“Ok, fair enough. Just try not to let it get you too worried, ok Dad?”

“As you wish Sunset.”

… 

It was getting late into the evening by now, so Brightfire was kind enough to make them dinner. And good timing it was too. They had gotten quite hungry following the battle at CPA and some of them hadn't eaten anything since lunch.

While eating her food, Twilight asked Brightfire and Sunset if they could tell her what they knew about timberwolves. She was very interested in learning about the magical creature they fought today. She knew they'd be encountering them again in the coming days, so she wanted to be prepared for when that time comes around.

“Timberwolves are a race of creatures that reside deep within the everfree forest in Equestria. Just like the name, they’re made of timber. While it's rare to come across one, they’re very dangerous if anyone were to encounter one. Though I do find it odd one has found its way to earth, as from all the books I’ve read, they don’t exist in this world.” Brightfire shared, answering Twilight’s question.

“But it still doesn’t add up to how one ended up here?”

They took the next few minutes to think how a timberwolf could've ended up on the earth before Sunset came up with a possible theory.

“I think I might know how one ended up here.”

“Really? How Sunset?”

“Remember during the Friendship Games when your device started to go haywire, we saw rips in the sky appear just like we saw today at Crystal Prep.”

“Oh yeah? How could I forg… Wait, how does that tie into what happened?”

“I haven’t one hundred percent figured it out, but something must have caused it to happen. Leading the wolf to go through one of the rips that opened in Equestria bringing it here. But what could have caused it?”

That was when Brightfire remembered something important that was connected to their current situation.

“Wait a minute, rips in the sky! That could only be made possible if, if-”

“If what Dad, spit it out already!”

“If the dark crystal is used!”

This made Sunset and Twilight very confused as to how the crystal would be responsible for the rips in the sky.

“How does that tie in with this problem we're trying to solve?”

“If too much of its magic is used, the crystal will start to control whoever is using it. If not stopped in time, the crystal will go as far as to open rips in the sky, just like what we saw at Crystal Prep.”

“So then if that happened, then that must mean-”

“Someone has already found it!”

“But who could have it?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, girls. But whoever has the dark crystal, we must be prepared for whatever is coming next.”

With graduation just three days away the Main Seven knew they had to be ready to face whoever had the dark crystal. And whatever the plan the person who had it was gonna use it for. 

Whoever it was, they had no idea how bad it would turn out.





After bidding Brightfire goodnight, the girls were on their way home following the unexpected afternoon they had. From Twilight reuniting with her old friend Moondancer, finding a bunny with antlers, fighting against a timberwolf, meeting Sunset’s human counterpart, and finally figuring out that the dark crystal was in someone’s possession.

They were already worried as to what was gonna happen next if they didn’t figure out who had the crystal. Not to mention Sunset’s counterpart was in the city somewhere, and their high school graduation was just around the corner.

“What are we gonna do Sunset? We don’t know who could have that crystal and what they’re gonna do with it! Just who could it possibly be?”

“Don’t come to terms yet Twilight. We don’t know who it might be at the moment, so it's best we don’t let it worry us until that moment arrives, alright?”

“Yeah, you're right. With all this stress building up inside of me, I’m not sure if I’ll be ready for graduation this Friday.”

“Same here. I was already feeling nervous about the sudden changes that are about to come, and the graduation speech I'm doing. But now that I know my counterpart is in the city and has somehow tamed a timberwolf, that’s even worse! Sigh. Sometimes I wish I could just have an ordinary life. But we can’t always get what we want, can we?”

“That makes two of us.”

Sunset smiled back at Twilight, feeling a bit better she had her girlfriend by her side during these tough times they were in.

… 

As their apartment came into view, the couple was feeling ready to have a quiet evening to themselves after the long day they had. That was until they heard something coming from behind them!

“Twilight, did you hear something?”

“I think so?”

It was then they noticed someone in a nearby alleyway right where they were. They couldn’t see who it was though as the figure was hidden deep within the shadows. But that didn't stop Sunset from finding out who it was. 

“Hello? Is there someone there? I know you're here. Come on out and show yourself!”

The figure was scared at first but realized who she was talking to.

“So, it's true. There is another Sunset!”

“What?”

“Wait, you know me?”

“Yes, yes I do.”

This just made Sunset more confused than ever.

“How? How do you know me?”

The figure went silent once again, feeling speechless it was talking to the pony version of Sunset Shimmer. But at the last minute, the mysterious figure decided to reveal itself.

“Because I know your counterpart.”

“You do. How?” Asked Twilight.

“Who even are you?” Sunset asked with a hint of anger in her voice.

“Because… She was once my friend.”

It was then the figure left the alleyway and removed its cloak, revealing itself to be none other, than the human counterpart of Starlight Glimmer!

She looked just like what pony Starlight as a human. And like Sunset's counterpart she had a few minor differences. She wore a pink jacket with black rhombuses on it, a black skirt, a white t-shirt with her cutie mark on it, black shoes, and her hair was up in pigtails. 

Sunset and Twilight could not believe it. In just one day, they met not only Sunset’s counterpart but now the human counterpart of Starlight Glimmer as well!

“Starlight Glimmer?”

“Yep, that’s me.”

“What are you doing here? And why were you following us!?!?”

“I know that you're not gonna like this, but… I’ve been secretly following you for some time now.”

“What!?!?”

“Why?” Sunset asked curiously.

“Because I was forced to...”

“Forced to? By who?” Twilight asked.

“It’s for my boss Sunny and I were working for?”

“Wait a sec, are you saying that someone has sent you to spy on us? What for?” Sunset asked.

“I don’t know. I had never even been told who my boss’s name was when we met her. All I know is that she wants revenge against you and your friends for what you did to her. But I don’t like working for her. And, to be honest, I want to help you, girls!”

While that did answer some questions they had, Sunset and Twilight still needed to know if they can trust her.

“How can we be sure you want to help us? We’ve been told everything about your counterpart thanks to my pony counterpart.” Explained Twilight.

“Besides, if my counterpart's behavior is similar to mine, that must mean it's the same for you!” Explained Sunset.

Starlight knew it was risky, but she had to do what was needed to get their trust to help them.

So, she slowly walked up to Sunset and offered her right hand to her. Sunset was confused at first before she figured out why she was offering it.

“Then look into my memories!”

Sunset was befuddled Starlight wanted her to do it, but if they wanted to know she wasn’t lying to them, then she must do what has to be done.

As Sunset proceeded to grab hold of Starlight’s hand she slowly backed away. For once, she felt scared of what secrets Starlight could be hiding.

“Are you sure about this? I know we just met, but do you want to do this?”

“If it’s to get your trust, then yes. It’s a risk I’m willing to take!”

With that cleared out, Sunset activated her crystal and grabbed ahold of Starlight’s hand. Her eyes went white a few seconds later, as she took a look into Starlight's memories!

It was a lot to see and witness, but after seeing just about all of Starlight’s memories, Sunset could tell both herself and Twilight had to tell their friends about this right away.

“Well, do you trust me?”

Sunset wasn’t sure how to respond but decided to by hugging Starlight.

“I do. I don’t know what to say after what I just saw you had gone through Starlight.”

“Yeah, it's one of many reasons it’s got me to where I am today.”

“Well, now that we know you're on our side, we’d like you to tell us everything.”

“Everything?”

“Yes. From how you got here, how you were once friends with my counterpart, and who your boss might be.”

Starlight wasn’t sure how to respond at first but accepted Sunset’s offer. She had finally gotten her trust, meaning she’d be able to help the Main Seven after all.





Following their counter with the human counterpart of Starlight Glimmer, they took her back to their apartment where they awaited their friend's arrival so Starlight could explain any questions they had for her. While it was late in the night, their friends all made it over in a little under twenty minutes.

When they all arrived, they were shocked to see Starlight was there. They thought it was the same Starlight they met during the mirror incident with Juniper Montage a year prior until Twilight told them it was the human Starlight.

The couple explained to them what they encountered at Crystal Prep and the remainder of their afternoon. At first, they were all a little surprised by what happened with Sunset’s counterpart but were not expecting that Starlight’s counterpart wanted to help them.

“Are you sure we can trust her Sunset?”

“Positive Applejack. While I still question it myself, I did see her memories earlier. And what I saw, was tragic.”

“What did you see?”

“I’d be happy to explain it to you all if you’d like?”

The girls all turned to look at Starlight Glimmer, who had her hair down and waiting to answer whatever questions they had for her.

“Alright then. We’ll listen.”

Once everyone got comfortable Starlight began sharing with them about her past. And from what she told them before she started, it was gonna get emotional.

“I was born in a small town that’s hundreds of miles away from here, where I lived with my family. I had a great life for many years and a strong friendship with two great friends of mine. Their names were Sunburst and Sunset, who I usually call Sunny for short.”

“So that’s why you were calling her that.” Wondered Sunset.

“Yeah, is there a problem with that?”

“It just makes things easier so we don’t get confused on which Sunset is which. Although it won’t be hard over their hair color and wardrobe.” Shared Twilight.

“Got it… My life went well for many years up until three months after my eleventh birthday.”

“What happened?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Sunny and I were being babysat while our parents had gone out to dinner for the night. I was excited about that night for a while now. I had been begging my parents if I could have a sleepover with Sunny for some time and I had finally gotten my wish. My parents didn’t like Sunny but allowed it as she was my friend.”

“Why didn’t they like her?” Asked Twilight.

“She picked on people, shoplifted, blackmailed. She almost got expelled from our school at one point for damaging the property.”

“Oh my stars!” Said Rarity.

“Were you ever like that when you were younger Sunset?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

“No, I wasn’t. Yes, I was a bully for a while when I first came to this world. But I never went as far to hurt someone, shoplift, or even damage someone's property.”

“That makes two things we know about your counterpart.” Noted Twilight.

“Anyway, it was a little after midnight when a train had stopped several miles outside our town for the night. After it was parked in a siding, the crew left for some needed rest before returning the following morning. But not long after they left one of the diesel locomotives, which had been having problems all day, caught fire!” 

“Oh no!” Said Pinkie Pie.

“The fire department came and put out the fire. When they arrived they had to turn off the engine’s generator to prevent the fire from spreading. After the train was inspected to see if everything was alright they left the scene. But there was a serious problem that no one knew about! With the leading engine shut off completely, the brake pressure began leaking to the point the train couldn’t hold its weight. When the pressure dropped too low the train began moving on its own, becoming an unmanned runaway! After rolling down the line at nearly sixty miles an hour it got to the center of town where hit a sharp curve and it's train of tanker cars behind it derailed with a fire breaking out instantly!” 

“Dear lord!” Said Applejack.

“Huge balls of fire blasted from the tanker cars. The train's consist consisted of tankers fully loaded with over thirty thousand gallons of crude oil. The fire would go on for about three days until it was eventually extinguished. The fire destroyed much of the main section of town but also killed about forty-seven people in the process.”

“I hope they’re all in a better place now.” Said Fluttershy.

“And approximately twenty-seven children became orphans. Sunny and I were two of them, as both of our parents lost their lives in the explosion.”

The girls were devastated. Not only did Sunset's counter lose her parents at a young age, but Starlight's as well. Fluttershy even felt like crying, for what Starlight had to go through. Her tears started to form in her eyes before Spike and Owlowiscious came in to comfort her.

“So, what happened after that?” Sunset asked.

“Sunny and I were sent to a local orphanage alongside the other children who lost their parents. Many of them got adopted as the weeks went by, making me hope someone would adopt me so I can have a new family. But after two months had gone by Sunny began plotting an escape. She didn’t want to wait to find a new family, nor cared how long it would take. Plus, she wanted her parents back more than anything. I knew that would have been impossible as their bodies were incinerated by the fire. She did manage to escape the orphanage and wanted me to come with her. I was hesitant at first, but I ended up going with her.”

“But why? Why didn’t you just let her go without you?” Sunset asked curiously.

“I didn’t want to be left alone. She was the only one I knew out of everyone else in the orphanage. Finding a new family now seemed like the last thing I'd ever get at that point.”

“You got us there, but it's a bad decision you could have avoided from the start.” Commented Twilight.

“I know, but I made my decision a long time ago. We were on our own following that night. That would end up being our life for the next seven years.”

“That sure must have been quite a rough time to go through.” Commented Applejack.

“It was…” 

“Ok, but if you both were technically homeless, how did you both get here?” Asked Sunset.

“If someone found out we were homeless they’d drag us to an orphanage where we'd be back at square one. They'd likely make sure we didn’t escape like we did the first time. I'm sure Sunny and I pissed off the owners when they realized we escaped. Or worse case, we could get arrested by the cops.”

“But how did you both get clothes that don’t look so terrible or raggy? They look almost brand new?”

“Rarity!” Everyone but Starlight shouted.

“What? I had to ask. I mean, just from what Twilight told us, I find it hard to believe Sunset’s counterpart’s attire doesn’t make her look like she’s homeless at all!”

“I can explain how that happened if you’d like?”

… 

“Well, are you gonna tell us or what?” Rarity asked.

“Oops, sorry.”

Flashback

After managing to survive for many years going from town to town, stopping at many shelters for food and rest, Starlight and Sunset were in desperate need of new clothes, as the ones they had were starting to show their age. 

They had holes in them, stains all over, and smelled horrendous.

“Oh my, now that sounds awful!”

“Rarity stop interrupting the flashback!” Shouted Applejack.

“Sorry. Carry on.”

Anyway… They stopped at a thrift store in a small town one day they were passing through to get themselves some new clothes. 

While it was rather small, the store had quite a selection of both new and used clothes for sale.

And as a bonus, they had managed to score some money from people they met in the many towns they transverse through. Many felt sorry for them so they gave them whatever money they had so they could buy themselves some food or a place to stay. 

With the money they had, they could buy some new clothes for themselves but had to choose wisely over what the store sold.

“Wow, you sure must have had a lot of money!” Shared Pinkie Pie.

“We didn’t. We only had forty dollars in total. But that was when Sunny decided to do something I’d later regret…” 

“What would that be?” Sunset asked.

“She decided to be kind enough to let me spend all the money so I could get myself some new clothes. At first, I thought she was doing it to be kind to me, but she did it so I was distracted. Not long after we arrived at the store she saw a girl our age wearing an outfit Sunny seem interested in. So she distracted me with the money so could go off to the changing room to steal the girl's outfit.”

“How cruel of her!” Said Rarity.

“How did she do it?” Sunset asked.

“At first, she originally thought about stealing a used red dress she was on display on a mannequin. Which for some reason cost four hundred dollars. I don't know why but I didn't question it. That was when she spotted the girl wearing the outfit she liked heading over to the changing room. Sunny ended up forcing her to give up the outfit. The girl surprisingly did as Sunny threaten her if she didn't give it to her. Once she stripped out of her clothes and changed, she left the girl naked in the changing room. With only her old and smelly clothes left in a corner.”

“Oh my!” Gasped Fluttershy.

“That bitch!” Said, Rainbow Dash.

“I’m starting to hate this Sunset Shimmer already!” Replied Pinkie Pie.

“Why didn’t anyone try to stop her or even security kick her out?” Twilight asked.

“We were in the middle of nowhere. There was only one employee in the entire store, who also didn’t even care about us or notice us. Except for when I paid for the clothes I bought… And for an unknown reason, it didn’t have any security guards or cameras anywhere!!!”

“Did you at least try and make her return it?” Rarity asked.

“I did but to no avail. She hates it whenever I tell her what to do, as I am technically younger than her meaning I could be treated like a child. I did end up being kind to the girl who got blackmailed by Sunny and used the last of the money I had and bought her some new clothes. I bet wherever that girl might be now, is likely still pissed Sunny stole her outfit.”

Present

“Dang. But, do you know how my counterpart managed to tame that timberwolf though?” Sunset asked curiously.

“So what that thing was called? Huh. And no, I don’t as a matter of fact. It even acted like a dog when we encountered it just a few days ago. To that, I don't have an answer.”

“What exactly happened when you both encountered it?” Twilight asked.

“Well, we had just arrived at Canterlot City when this rip in the sky showed up, and out fell the wolf. I was startled when it saw us and hid behind a tree for safety. But Sunny had other plans in mind.”

“And that was?” Replied Sunset.

“I thought she was trying to defend me from it until she somehow managed to tame it.”

“How though?” Sunset asked again.

“That’s the thing, I have no clue! The first second I was hiding in fear from it, the next she managed to tame it.”

“Wow. We sure had a lot on our plates when trying to stop that wolf ourselves earlier today. But now, this seems like it's gonna be even harder to face off my counterpart being its tamer.” Replied Sunset once more.

“That then leads us to last week, when we met this woman who wanted to help us. We agreed and in exchange, she gave us a roof to sleep under and food so we can help her with her plans that revolved around you girls.”

“Do you by any chance know who this person is?” Sunset asked.

“I don’t. Whenever I saw her, she is always wearing a cloak and a red mask. She didn’t want to show us her true identity.”

“Does she know that you're here?” Twilight asked.

“No. Half the time she doesn't pay attention to me. She seems to like Sunny more. Almost like they’re mother and daughter. The only times she’s spoken to me is if I’ve managed to do what she’s asked me to do, which has only been to spy on you girls.”

“Wow. It looks like we got trouble on our hands.” Replied Rainbow Dash.

“Do you know what her next move is?” Sunset asked curiously. 

“I’m afraid not. Just this past afternoon I told Sunny I didn’t want to be a part of this anymore. She treated me like crap, made us abandon our hometown, and do bad things so we could survive. Even after everything we’ve gone through together since we were just children, I was sad to lose the last person I called family. Sure she was my friend, but I think all this time she was just using me.”

“Sounds exactly how I was when I dated Flash Sentry.”

“Who’s that?”

“We’ll tell you another time, it's not important at the moment.” Finished Sunset.

While it was sad and interesting to learn about Starlight’s life, Sunset didn’t realize that it was getting late and her friends had to get going back home. 

“It's getting late, I think it's time you all head home. We still have school tomorrow, and I’m sure your parents are wondering where you are by now.”

“But what about Starlight? You're not making her go back to living on the streets?” 

“No Fluttershy. I wasn’t planning to.”

“Re-Really?”

“Yes, you can stay with me and Twilight for the time being ok?”

“I understand, but do you seriously want to help me?” Starlight asked in a sad tone.

“Of course. Starlight, you’ve been through a lot lately. Seeing how my counterpart did this to you, I feel like I owe you a favor for wanting to help us. And to that, I want to help you.”

“So do I.”

“Me too.”

Before we know all seven of them agreed they each wanted to help Starlight. This sense brought something deep down inside Starlight, she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Love.

“Thank you, everyone. This…This is the kindest anyone has been to me in years!”

“It’s what you do for someone you care about Starlight. And it looks like you need a friend you can trust. And now, you've got seven of them.”

Starlight felt like crying, knowing that these girls wanted to help her. Instead, she got a group hug from her seven new friends. Knowing that she didn’t have to worry anymore about being alone.





The next morning, Starlight was sound asleep by the time Sunset and Twilight were up and getting ready for school.

Since Sunset’s jacket was currently with Rarity getting fixed, she was wearing the other jacket she had. While it wasn't the one from Twilight, it was still a nice jacket.

Starlight didn’t cause any problems for them after their friends left the previous night. But Twilight wasn’t so sure they should leave her in their apartment while they were away at school. Even while looking at her sleeping on the couch in a pair of Sunset’s pajamas, Twilight began thinking why not just take her with them? But she knew they couldn’t for obvious reasons.

“Sunset, are you sure it’s a good idea we leave her here while we're at school?”

“She’ll be fine, Twilight. And besides, Spike and Owlowiscious will be here to keep an eye on her.”

“Yep, you can count on us!”

“Whoo.”

“Alright then. But we should at least leave her a note so she knows where we are when she wakes up. She doesn’t have our number or a phone.”

“If that’s what you want, Twilight, that's fine with me."

… 

Following another normal school, Sunset and Twilight returned home to see that Starlight was finally up and awake. But when they did, she was in fear of what was being broadcasted on tv.

“Starlight? What’s wrong?” Sunset asked.

“Girls, you might want to see this?”

They were both somewhat confused about what she was talking about until they took a look at what was being shown on the local news channel. That was when they realized what was worrying their new friend.

“Reports show an alarming rate of catastrophic disasters occurring across the city. There have been signs of tears in the sky appearing once every few hours today causing havoc everywhere. People are now asking themselves… How long will they last, and what will happen if they don’t stop?”

While fortunate their day had gone alright, their worst fears had now come true. Sunset and Twilight didn’t have much time before things were to get worse for both themselves and their friends.

“Oh shi-”


To be Continued… 

> Old enemies return (written by 13 Shades of Sunset) (Updated 1/21/2023)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A particular girl in Canterlot City finds herself walking down a sidewalk. One could already recognize her. Whether it was based on her look or just hearing about her in selected newspapers. She had poofy and a bit of curly hair tied into a ponytail, a deep, dark purple collared shirt worn under a dark spiked leather jacket, light purple shorts, and some long smooth-looking boots to complete the outfit. She used to be one of what was considered a triple threat force and still is. Who is she? Her name, Adagio Dazzle. 

She was just walking off, exiting and straying away from Sugarcube Corner. A man suddenly walked up to her causing the former Siren to be grimaced.

"What do you want? Money?" She questioned in annoyance. 

"Aww... is it that obvious?" He asks in reply.

"Well, I don't have shit. So go flirt with some other girl on the street," Adagio dismissed. Just as she was about to walk past him, the shady guy grabs a hold of her arm and forcefully pulls her back.

"That's what they say when they don't wanna pay. Gimme the cash!!!" 

The mugger pushes her to the ground and quickly began strip-searching her. Adagio tries to push him off but to no avail. She angrily snaps and instantly kicks him between his legs. The mugger shouts in pain. Both arms dragged down and holding his pelvis as he falls, and lays down groaning in pain. 

“Maybe that’ll teach you to be more… restrained,” she says. 

“Someone, please help me,” the mugger says softly.

“That was the fourth time this week I had to face one of your types.”

Adagio walked away from the mugger as soon as the situation seemed handled. She’d been putting up with the struggles with Aria and Sonata for a while now. They were used to just taking whatever they wanted just by the alluring sound of their voices in a trio. That was until…

Grr… The Rainbooms. She says in her thoughts. Maybe we wouldn’t be stuck in this wretched place if they hadn’t gotten in the way!!!

She tries to punch something out of rage and sheer vengeance but tries to hold back to prevent hurting her hand. The other two Sirens catch up with their leader after a bit. 

“Seriously Adagio? You had to kick that guy on the ground like he got his kiwis kicked…” Replied Aria.

“Yeah… he is in a lot of pain,” Sonata says.

“Thanks, Captain Obvious,” Aria rolls her eyes. 

“What? I mean, he’s not having a good moment down there.”

“I have already addressed that Sonata. So can you just drop this already?” Adagio says in annoyance. 

“Well… someone’s cranky,” the blue Siren says under her breath. 

“THAT’S IT!!!” 

“Enough!!!”

The leading Siren silences both of them before either one tries to hurt the other. “Listen, we’ve already been going through enough shit since the Rainbooms took us down during the Battle of the Bands. We barely have any resources to put on the table, we’ve been struggling to survive day by day, we stay at a mediocre mess of a three-star motel after we lost our tour vehicle going around the county, and having been stripped of our powers to do anything about it! So the least you could do is just frigging behave!!!”

Silence filled the air, as it feels like everything just shuts up for a minute from their venting leader. The two siblings kept themselves quiet to not disturb and irritate her anymore which starts to make things much easier. 

But soon, Aria breaks the quietness. 

“I… I’m sorry Adagio.”

“I promise I can treat you to tacos next Tuesday to cheer you up?” Sonata offers. 

The leading Siren had finally calmed herself down. She showed a bit of remorse and a caring expression toward them. They’re of course the only family she has in her current lifetime. She takes a bit of a deep breath and sighs. 

“It’s… okay. I just need to think. Just be a bit quieter when talking.” 

“Mhm,” both of them nod. 

Just then all of a sudden, someone else is walking down the sidewalk toward them. Seemingly trying to approach the trio. And that someone, none of them recognize. 

“I see you girls are in a bit of a… consequence,” a middle-aged woman asked, seeming to be in an outfit a principal normally wears, carrying a semi-light briefcase in her hands. 

“Who are you? Are you a principal or teacher who works at Canterlot?” Adagio questions the lady. 

“Principal? I once was. CHS? No. My name is Abacus Cinch.”

“Well, mind explaining why you decided to talk to us of all people all of the sudden?”

“I got this, Aria,” their leader says, making her stand down. 

“I could. But what matters is that I believe we have a common enemy,” she attempts to persuade. “I believe you’ve seen these girls?”

Cinch holds up a school newspaper that had the Main seven on it. “Oh hey, we know those girls we… oh…” Sonata says until Aria glares at her to realization.  

“So you do know them?” 

“The Battle of the Bands. We came from another world but were banished from that one. Came here to take over this place-“

“Buuuuut they destroyed our pendants practically, which believe it or not, gives us the power to sing and feed off of negative emotions…” 

Adagio shot a death glare at Sonata and gestured, zipping her mouth and throwing out the key. 

“Hmm… well I also happened to have dealt with them before during the Friendship Games. I’ve witnessed the supernatural and magic within the confines there, and even the girls themselves. Maybe if we worked together, we could achieve our endgame,” the former principal persuades. “And maybe, just maybe, I can help you find a better place with exquisite living conditions.”

“Well… we’d like to have our power back, but I doubt you’d be able to fix that Cinch,” Adagio replies. 

“Very well. I’m not sure if I can, but maybe this is of interest to you.”

We pan to the side seeing Moondancer spying on the four of them talking. “What is Cinch doing with them?” She whispers to herself, as she hid around a corner of a nearby building. 

Cinch holds up her briefcase, clicking the locks open. Revealing to be a shiny, magical, and mysterious-looking crystal. The Siren trio gazed in awe at the magical object and could feel its aura. With its dark color and appearance, the object could only mean one thing. 

“Cinch has the dark crystal!” Moondancer whispers. 

“Wha… where did you get this?” 

“I found this at Crystal Prep. Though I’m not entirely sure how it turned up there,” the former principal says as she closes the case up. “I’ve been using this to summon particular forces to distract those girls. With someone examining their powers from a distance. It could, however, give you a special thing or two. If you team up with me and my apprentice that is.”

“What apprentice?” Aria asks. 

The apprentice walks up and joins in on the conversation. Cinch’s so-called partner in crime was none other, than the human counterpart of Sunset Shimmer! 

“You!” Adagio yells out loud.

She then runs up to Sunny and grabs her by the jacket. 

“Hey get off of me!” She responds, pushing her away. 

“What are you doing here Sunset?”

“Joining this secret club of ours, what’s it look like? Also, how do you know my name? We’ve never met before!”

“Oh don’t play dumb with me. You ruined our lives at the Battle of the Bands, you bitch!” Adagio replied, trying to jog her memory. 

“I never went to CHS, sorry to disappoint you. But the Sunset you know did.” 

“What?” 

“I honestly don't know what that girl thinks she’s doing, but long story short, she stole my identity. She took some of my looks and even my name. Worst of all, even some people thought I was an imposter. And well, I’m looking for a little payback,” Sunny says while popping the joints in her knuckles. 

“Wait, so you’re her human counterpart?”

“Yes. But honestly, she probably got face surgery just to erase me out of the actual picture.”

“I believe it. Though we’ve never met our doppelgangers, so it’s honestly pretty cool. Maybe you two can be twins!” Sonata says excitedly. 

“You're seriously just gonna believe the whole clone-doppelganger thing?” Asked a skeptical Sunny. 

“Well, we’re not sure if we have human counterparts so to speak. We are from an alternate world after all. So even though this isn’t as far-fetched as our story, it is something to wonder about,” Aria shares. 

“Yeah,” both of the remaining members nod. 

“So, are you girls in?” Cinch asks, awaiting an answer from the trio.

“That must explain the timberwolf we encountered! I have to warn the girls!” 

Moondancer began running off to locate Sunset and her friends about the shocking discovery she had just made. She didn’t have time to spare her thoughts as Cinch was the one with the dark crystal! 

The group huddled up to speak with each other quietly as to what they should do with the offer from Cinch. 

“So should we take it?” Aria says, being the first to speak. 

“I don’t know. How are we sure if we can trust them to hold up their end of the deal?” Shared Adagio.

“I mean, we could just ask them if they will?” Sonata suggested. 

The three nod at each other and finish up their quick personal meeting. 

“Well?” Cinch waits for her answer. 

“We’re in,” Adagio says. 

“Excellent,” the former principal then opens up the case once again and lets Adagio take it, using the crystal’s power. 

“I already have a couple of ideas, but I’ll need your help Cinch,” She says, holding the rare-looking mineral up to the sky. 

“Well, this is gonna be fun,” Sunny jokes around. 

“Indeed,” Cinch says with a devilish grin. 

Moondancer stops in her tracks to see a beam of magic coming from the same spot she saw the others with the crystal. “This can’t be good!” 

All of a sudden, a spawn of timberwolves appears in front of her as a summon from the crystal. She makes a run for it and the wolf chases her away. 

Things seem to be at their worst now that Cinch had that crystal in her possession. It was without a doubt, things were about to get much worse for the Main seven. 





Sunset, Twilight, and several of their friends were just watching the news of the sudden chaos that was happening throughout the city. They were each called in to discuss the sudden news revealed on the local news media. 

While they were discussing all this Rarity and Applejack came through the door, arriving together after rushing over as fast as they could to Sunset and Twilight’s apartment. 

“We came as soon as we saw the news!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Y’all alright?” Applejack asks.

“Yeah we’re ok,” Twilight reassured. 

“Just… I don’t know what’s causing this… Maybe it’s the dark crystal?” Sunset guessed. 

“Whoever has it, we need to find out and get it away from them.” Everyone nods at Twilight’s statement.

“But how can we find it? I mean, for all we know, anyone could have it?"

“Well, Rarity… I might have one idea.” 

Sunset takes a quick, concerned look at Twilight telling her if she was thinking exactly what she was thinking at that moment. 

“You don’t mean…”

“My human counterpart has it.”

Just then, a knock on the door gets everyone’s sudden attention. 

“It’s unlocked, darling!” Rarity grants entry. 

As the door opens up, Moondancer comes through with a sudden loss of breath after running several blocks following the encounter she had with the timberwolf. 

“Moondancer! Are you alright?” Twilight asks. 

“No, I just fled from being chased by a timberwolf!”

“You did!?” Exclaimed Twilight.

“Yes, but as shocking as it sounds, I have something more important news I need to tell all of you.”

“What is it?” Sunset asks

“Yeah, what's the big idea?” Applejack joins in. 

“Please, do tell.” Rarity says.

“I’ve discovered who has the dark crystal, and the person who has it is someone we all know well.” 

“Who is it?” Rainbow Dash asks.

“Abacus Cinch,” Moondancer says with a sigh.

A shocked Sunset now has a bunch of questions zipping through her head, after hearing what Moondancer had shared. “What!? Cinch is the one who’s got it?!?!”

“And it only gets worse, as she has formed a team. One of which is your counterpart, Sunset. The others are those three girls you’ve all met before. The Dazzlings, or Sirens as you call them,” a worried Moondancer informs.

Sunset began realizing that their worse fear had come true. And the one to blame was herself. 

“Everything is out of control. And it's all because of me,” Sunset says in remorse. “I have to make things right! I’m gonna go find them, and put to stop this once and for all! So please, no one try to stop me!”

This made Twilight feel very disappointed in her girlfriend.

“Sunset, you can’t do this all on your own. I told you once before and I'll say it again. I told you I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world, in any world. And I meant every word of it.” 

“Even if you should?” Sunset asks, showing a bit of doubt. 

“Well…”

Yet here we are. You built yourself such a beautiful lie. And now it's falling apart. Tell me, Sunset. Can you feel the consequences crushing you? 

A voice suddenly began speaking inside Sunset’s mind. She recognized it from somewhere, as it sounded very familiar. Only to realize it was the voice of Adagio Dazzle, the leader of the Sirens. 

“Adagio? Where are you? Show yourself?”

Then, another voice started to talk, but this time it was in Twilight’s mind.

Tell me Twilight. Have you ever wondered to yourself how your device went haywire back at the Friendship Games?  

“Um, what exactly is going on?” Asked Applejack.

“Adagio and Cinch must be communicating into our minds somehow. But how?” Sunset wonders.

Twilight tries to counteract Cinch’s question about what happened at the Friendship Games. She wasn’t sure how to respond at first, so decided to tell her what she thought when she first thought it over. Well yeah, but I’ve since thought it was just faulty wiring.

Wrong! The reason it went haywire was because of Sunset’s magic! As you know, that created those rips in our world to open up in the sky and eventually caused you to turn into Midnight Sparkle! You shouldn't trust Sunset anymore, for she is the one responsible for your fear of magic! 

And that was when it all came back to her. Twilight remembered exactly what happened as the memory replayed itself in her mind.

Maybe there's another way I could reach her? Hey, let's go! What did you do?! Where's the portal? Where's the portal!?!?

“I… I don’t believe it. You're the reason my device went all haywire, causing me to become Midnight Sparkle!” Twilight shares, as she finally gives in to the manipulation. 

“Twilight, I didn’t know about this, nor knew it happened. Please, if you can just let me-”

“Stay away from me you monster! I regret everything I’ve done since you came into my life! You ruined it! I had the perfect future planned for going to Everton. But it's all thanks to that stupid school competition for making us cross paths! I never want to see you again you She-Demon! ” 

Twilight realized that she snapped right in front of her girlfriend, cutting her off right in front of their friends. The room is in utter silence for a moment until Sunset just decides to leave the room, with her eyes tearing up. 

“No, Sunset, I’m sorry I didn’t mean…”

“I’ve heard enough Twilight! Leave! Leave me at once!” Sunset replies as she heads out of the room in tears. 

“Sunset wait!” Applejack says, trying to get her to stay but to no avail. 

“Come back!” Rarity replies, following behind Applejack in the direction Sunset went.

While Twilight had every right to yell at her girlfriend just now, she realized that she had made things even worse for her relationship and the love she shared with Sunset.

And while Cinch and her team were celebrating their first attack against the Main seven, Twilight was realizing she had just broken her girlfriend’s heart.

“What… What have I done…” 


To be Continued… 

> The Ultimate Decision (Edited by Echo Breeze) (Updated 1/22/2023)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been well over an hour since the unexpected mind attack encounter with Adagio and Cinch, who had infiltrated into Twilight and Sunset’s minds using power from the dark crystal. When doing so, Cinch would reveal that the cause of Twilight’s device going haywire, and later turning into Midnight Sparkle at the Friendship Games, was all because of Sunset’s magic! Many of them wondered if she was lying to them so they could make Sunset the bad guy. But sadly, it was true. Twilight remembered the exact moment playing in her mind when the magic got absorbed into her device.

Following the mind encounter, Twilight fought with Sunset, telling her to stay away from her, regretted everything that had happened since she came into her life, ruining it, and lastly, calling her She-Demon! She regretted saying all of it and ended up making Sunset run away in tears, just like what Twilight experienced at the Tri-Coss Rally back at the Friendship Games when Sunset ragged at her about magic.

As a result of the fight, the girls decided to split into groups of two to try and comfort their friends, following Cinch's surprise attack.

Moondancer, Fluttershy, and Rarity went with Twilight, who had decided to stay at her parent's house for the night, while Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight Glimmer stayed with Sunset.

None of them wanted to do this but had no other choice. Twilight was already disappointed in herself she hurt Sunset’s feelings, and now started to regret the things she said to her, all because Sunset’s magic was the cause of her turning into Midnight Sparkle. She worried if Sunset wanted to continue being in a relationship with her as she hadn’t seen her girlfriend like this since a week after the events of the Memory Stone incident nearly one year prior.

And now, Twilight wasn’t sure what she was going to do to fix this, now that she had broken Sunset’s heart.





After Twilight and the others left, Sunset managed to calm herself down a bit as she sat back down in her living room. Her remaining friends were there to help support her, after the sudden mind attack from Adagio and Cinch.

“This is all my fault! How am I ever gonna get Twilight’s trust again? What am I going to do to solve this crisis I’ve created? She must hate me now, even though she made me cry! Why can’t I-” 

But Sunset never got the chance to finish her sentence, as she was met with a slap in the face by none other than Rainbow Dash. While she was pretty pissed Rainbow did that to her, she understood exactly why her friend did it.

“Sunset, you need to calm down. Pull yourself together!”

“Dashie's right, it wasn’t your fault. We couldn’t control our magic back then before we got our crystals. And besides, Twilight wasn’t our friend back then, she was still a student of Crystal Prep. You can’t let all those negative thoughts take over you. You're just gonna make yourself even more upset! We know you didn’t do it on purpose Sunset. You're not the girl people think you were, because you’re our friend!” Pinkie Pie shared, whose hair was no longer in its puffy state. 

Sunset didn’t know what to say back and decided to just let each of them try and comfort her in any way possible.

“Just give it some time and things will likely come around. While it's a lot to take in, I’m sure Twilight will come to her senses and apologize for her behavior. Eventually…” Shared Starlight.

“And the same for you Sunset.” Finished Pinkie Pie.

Sunset let out a little sniff after hearing that before Starlight came in to hug her.

“Yeah, you're right. Sure, I’m pissed as hell Cinch told us this, you all still have my back, and that’s what matters!”

“There’s the girl we all know well!” Said, Rainbow Dash.

“It’s what we do for our friends, Sunset, and we're not giving up on this until both you and Twilight get better. We promise!” Explained Pinkie Pie.

“Sniff Thanks, girls. I appreciate your never-ending support.”

As the three girls continued to help Sunset, Applejack was sitting on Sunset’s balcony on the phone talking with Rarity about how things were going with Twilight.

“Uh-huh. I see… Well, thanks for the update Rarity. I’ll make sure to tell the others. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.”

Applejack went back inside soon after to tell everyone the news on Twilight’s current status, following her phone call with Rarity. Already, she was not feeling up to sharing it.

“I just got off the phone with Rarity, and it seems like things aren’t going well for them either…”

“How so Applejack?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Twilight seems to be both in an upset/break-up mood at the moment. She doesn’t know how to handle the fact Sunset’s magic was responsible for her turning into Midnight Sparkle. Not only that but she yelled it at Sunset before she ran off crying.”

“Poor Twilight…” Said, Rainbow Dash.

“Do you girls think she’s taking this, I don’t know, a bit too seriously? I mean, I don’t blame Twilight’s reaction. But yelling it at Sunset, after all, they’ve been through together, that’s just fucked up,” Starlight replied, in a worried state.

“Your question is as good as ours Starlight. For now, until we can figure out what Cinch’s next move is, we’ll do our best to comfort our friends.” Shared Applejack.

Sunset appreciated their help very much, but what she wanted right about now, was to be alone.

“You girls are very kind, but I think you should go home for the night. Let me have some alone time so I can think…”

“Nonsense Sunset! We’re not gonna be leaving you tonight. So whether you like it or not, the three of us will be staying with you and Starlight for the night, right girls?” 

“You betcha.” Said Applejack.

“Of course!” Replied Pinkie Pie.

Sunset didn’t know what to say about the kindness they were giving her. She felt like crying over the happiness she began feeling, knowing that she can get through this in the end.

“Oh don’t cry Sunset. Bring it in.” Said Pinkie Pie.

The five friends soon came in for a nice group hug just as Sunset let out another dam of tears she had been holding. The fight she had with Twilight was hard, but she knew she'll be able to get her back in no time.

“It’s ok Sunset, everything’s gonna be alright.” Shared Starlight.

While Sunset was happy that she didn’t have to spend the night alone, she was still pretty sad Twilight had broken her heart. However, deep down, she knew she had to figure out something to fix her relationship with Twilight. She was still technically the blame for starting it in the first place. But she didn’t know how.

…

Sunset found herself sitting on her balcony all by herself, looking up at the stars. Not long after she managed to calm herself down, her friends each left to go home to grab their pajamas and sleeping bags before returning to spend the night.

Sunset didn’t know how to explain it, but something about stargazing just made her feel so relaxed and happy. The best she could think of was when she was a filly, her mother used to take her and her siblings stargazing on special occasions.

Even after she learned of her family’s passing, and eventual reunion with her father, Sunset still felt the littlest bit sad that she didn’t have anyone to share it with. Only Twilight had spent a lot of time stargazing with her since they started dating. And it didn’t feel the same without sharing it with someone.

“Sunset? Where are you?”

Sunset snapped out of her daydreaming when she realized the voice was Starlights. She was looking for her and called her over from where she was on the balcony.

“You doing ok?”

“A little, I’m still down in the dumps with how Twilight acted to me earlier. It made me feel so emotional. Kinda like how she acted to me during the Memory Stone incident last year when I stepped on her drone. While it was only an accident, the response she said to me just cripples my heart when thinking about it.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“It’s fine Starlight. Water under the bridge. So did you need something?”

“I came to ask if you were hungry. I made dinner.”

“Thanks, but I’m not feeling hun-” 

Sunset soon froze in realization when she took a glimpse at Starlight's attire. Instead of wearing the clothes she normally wore, she was wearing the outfit that belonged to her counterpart.

“Starlight? Why are you-”

“Oh, these? I got my clothes dirty while I was making dinner. And, that is why the kitchen is in a bit of a mess too. So sorry about that…” 

Sunset wasn’t sure if she was serious or not til she took a glimpse of her kitchen from the balcony. It was indeed messy alright, but she decided to save that argument for later.

“I didn’t have any other clothes on me, so I went through your closet to see if there was something I could borrow. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Your fine Starlight, no need to worry.”

“That was when I found this outfit you had, alongside this beanie and watch I found in the pockets. I happen to like this beanie a lot. Pink is one of my favorite colors, though purple is my actual favorite. I hope you don’t mind if I borrow it.”

“Actually Starlight, you can keep it if you’d like.”

“Really? But, isn’t this yours?”

“That outfit belonged to your counterpart. She let me keep it during her last visit after she got herself a new one. I’d explain the rest, but it's a long story. It also suits you pretty nicely. I just wish I knew how to make up with Twilight though…”

While what Sunset said was unfortunately true, Starlight knew there was still a possibility to fix their broken relationship and get them back together again.   

“Just because someone you love does a bad thing, doesn’t mean you automatically stop loving them. I’m sure that’s how Twilight is feeling.”

“Yeah but, was this supposed to happen? My destiny? Should I have even come to this world in the first place, taken over a high school, gotten friends who mean the world to me, and fallen in love with a human?” 

“Ok, now you’ve got me lost here.”

“I mean... I do love her. But, it’s my fault for causing so much to happen in both her life and my friend's lives too. I’ve caused so much trouble to happen. I’m not even sure they want to continue being my friend.”

While Starlight was surprised by Sunset’s words, she, fortunately, knew a way to help her friend.

“While I haven’t known you for a very short period, nor have given you the help I offered, and know very little about friendship, maybe it was supposed to happen? You come to this world, becoming friends with those girls, and falling head over heels for Twilight.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Look at me for example. I never knew what I wanted to accomplish in life. Mine took a tragic turn after I lost my parents and had no clue where to go from there. Sure, I have changed a lot since that day, but there’s always a moment in someone’s life where the unexpected change will lead to a possible happy life.” 

That just made Sunset feel even more confused.

“Ok? So, how does this relate to my problem?”

“Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives. Living existences of quiet desperation. Never learning the truth that what feels as though a burden pushing down upon our shoulders, is actually, a sense of purpose, that lifts us to greater heights! Never forget, that fear is but the precursor to valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear, is what it means to be a hero. Don’t think Sunset. Become, and use that fear inside of you, becoming one with your true self! But, only you, will be able to harness it, if you can let go of the past guilt you hold onto.” 

“But why?”

“Because sometimes the greatest power, can come deep from within us.”

That made Sunset feel completely blown out of her mind hearing this coming from Starlight of all people. 

“Wow. Where did you hear all that from?”

“My Dad. He told me this not long after Sunburst moved away.” 

“Moved away?”

“Oh, right, I never got around to telling you. Sunburst got accepted into a school a few months before the disaster happened. His family had to move away because of it, and I was very sad to see him go. He was the only friend I had ever had. Not including your counterpart for obvious reasons.”

Sunset understood what Starlight was feeling as she had been there once before.

“I know that sensation. I felt the same when I moved to Canterlot for my studies at Princess Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. I was sad I had to leave my family. They couldn’t come along with me. We didn’t have the money to move to Canterlot, and I had to leave them behind in my hometown. Which would be the last time I'd see them all. Except for my dad who I reunited with two days ago…”  

“Whenever I look back at that moment, a part of myself wonders, was it supposed to happen?” Starlight wondered.

“I think it was. As you said, whoever's destiny it might be, it's a gift. Sure, there will be tough moments in our lives we wish won’t give us pain, but they’re also the strength to help us carry on for our futures ahead of time.” 

“See. If you can use that fear inside of you, you can make things right with Twilight! You might even be able to fix your broken relationship. But, it’ll be up to you to do that Sunset. The true strength only comes from within.”

“I know… But, thank you Starlight. I appreciate the advice.”

“No problem. As you said, it's what friends do.”

Sunset smiled at Starlight before embarrassing her in a hug. Starlight couldn't remember the last time she helped someone outside of Sunny, but it felt good to be doing so.

“While you may be my friend, you feel like a sister to me Starlight.”

That made her feel very happy. Because deep down, Starlight felt the same. Sunset felt like an older sibling she thought she’d never had, hoping whatever happens, they can continue beings friends. 

As the remainder of the evening progressed, Sunset was showing signs of recovery. She still wondered to herself how Twilight was taking this compared to how she was, and that answer was not a good one.





Unlike Sunset, Twilight spent most of the night crying in her room. She somehow was able to scarf down a container of strawberry ice cream while she cried away her feeling. She refused any help from her friends and parents making them feel even more worried. Although it was just an accident, Twilight could still hear Cinch’s voice echoing through her mind. While she had every right to be pissed at Sunset, she was still very disappointed in herself. She had broken her girlfriend’s heart. Their relationship might be in jeopardy because of her foolishness. And lastly, it could mean an end to their friendship for all she knew.

Her mother Velvet was able to help calm her down later that night and even sang to her the song she’d sung back when she was a little girl. Despite the fact Twilight was eighteen and a young adult now, the song surprisingly still worked on her, which made Velvet feel a sign of relief. She understood the pain her daughter felt for Sunset, but from the time she’d spent with her, she knew Sunset would never hurt Twilight. She hoped they’d work things out somehow, even if their relationship would end.  

Velvet kissed her daughter goodnight, and went to inform Twilight’s friends to let her get some rest following the long day she had. They understood entirely before they all bid goodnight.

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Velvet decided to call it a night. 

Ever since she first learned Twilight was dating Sunset, it had made her very proud of her daughter founding love like her son. But just like most couples, she should have seen at least one fight come at some point. 

Looking at her son’s relationship with Cadance, they never fought with one another until they got married, and eventually had a child of their own.

As she got into bed and grabbed her book, she glanced at the photo she had on the side of her bedstand.

It was taken the previous Christmas when Sunset joined them for the holiday season. Velvet didn’t regret a single moment she had bonded with her. Just looking at the happy memory made her hope Twilight could fix her relationship with Sunset. She didn’t have the heart or wanted to say goodbye to such a wonderful girl. She'd come to like her, almost as if she was her actual mother. But at the same time, a daughter-in-law in the possible future.

But as sleep started to take over, Velvet let it wait for tomorrow. 

After putting her book on her bedstand she did a prayer, wishing her daughter would find that missing love she had for Sunset, so things could go back to the way they had been in their relationship. But if she wanted it to come true, then it would be up to Sunset and Twilight to do it themselves.





After the encounter with her human counterpart, Sunset realized that all this time, she’d made life difficult for her counterpart. Practically taking everything from her, including her identity, life, and existence. 

So to fix this imbalance, Sunset would ultimately come to a scene like this, where she may contemplate making the ultimate decision.

It was her selfish quest for power that led her to the human world in the first place, meaning it wouldn't be fair for her to force her human counterpart to forever live in Equestria to resolve the imbalance. 

No, by now, the human world's taught and given her everything she needed to know about friendship. 

It was now time for her to make the ultimate decision.

After learning the danger she’d put her human counterpart through by being in the same world as her and upsetting the balance, Sunset makes the noble and ultimate sacrifice, believing everything she's learned from friendship and her friends. 

Writing to Princess Twilight, they agree to let her return to Equestria and permanently close the portal for good. 

With the last few days spent with her friends, we are brought to this scene upon us before Sunset's gone for good.

After saying goodbye to each of the friends she’d made since she first came to this world, it was time to say goodbye to the one person she’d always loved. 

Sci Twi. Better known as the human counterpart of Twilight Sparkle.

“Well Twilight, this… this is goodbye. I’m really glad I met you back at the Friendship Games. We’ve come such a long way. I’m gonna miss you.”

“I will too, Sunset.”

“I’m not one hundred percent sure the journal will work once the portal is closed. But if it still does, you can message me whenever you’d like.” 

“So, does this count as a goodbye?”

“I don’t know. I won’t be able to get another journal once you get to the last page. So use it wisely before they’re all filled up.”

“Don’t worry Sunset, you're in good hands.”

That made Sunset feel relieved and less stressed for her to worry about now.

“Since this will likely be the last time I will ever see you, I want you to have something to remember me by,” Sunset says as she proceeds to remove her leather jacket and folding it up, and presenting it to Twilight.

“Your leather jacket? But, it means a lot to you?”

“It does, but when I return to Equestria, I won’t have it anymore. So, I’d like you to have it.”

Twilight didn’t know what to say. She didn’t think she truly deserved it, even if it belonged to one of her dearest friends.

“No, I don’t know if I should take it…”

“I’d think you're the best person that should have it, Twilight. It’ll be a reminder of the relationship we had. You wouldn’t have accomplished so much if it wasn’t for our encounter at the Friendship Games. And later learning how special the magic of friendship can be.”

Twilight wasn’t sure what to say about it, but what Sunset shared was true. And so, she accepted the offer of Sunset’s jacket. 

“Thank you Sunset.”

Twilight proceeded to put on the leather jacket as she slid her arms right into the sleeves of it. She didn’t realize till that moment how soothing it felt, and that it now belonged to her.

“It’s nice. I think I can get used to wearing this.” 

“I’m glad.”

The two friends gave each other one last hug goodbye before it was officially time for Sunset to depart.

Sunset waved to Twilight goodbye, as they both shed tears of sadness over this very moment upon them.



But when Twilight realized what was going on, she had to stop Sunset from leaving!

“Wait. Sunset, stop! Don’t go! You can’t go back to Equestria!”

But Sunset didn’t hear her. And before Twilight knew it, she was too late!

Sunset stepped through the portal just seconds later and was on her way back to Equestria. But then, something odd happened. 

She looked up at the sky, seeing it had turned into a dark shade of purple, with thunder clouds accompanying it.

“What’s going on?”

“Tell me Twilight. Do you feel happy that Sunset is gone?”

Twilight recognized that voice as clear as day. She had only ever heard it in her nightmares. 

She slowly turned around to see who it was, and immediately dropped Sunset’s journal when she realized who it was.

“No. It can’t be!”

“Yes it is Twilight, yes it is!”

What Twilight saw with her own eyes was someone she’d thought she’d never see again.

Midnight Sparkle!

“How is this possible? You were defeated? How are you even here?!?!”

“Haven’t you forgotten? I’m still a part of you Twilight. And for the record, while you still defeated me, I can still take control of you if I wanted to. And that’s exactly what I feel like doing now!”

Before Twilight knew it, the ground beneath her started to shake and crack in the process.

Midnight Sparkle grabbed ahold of her as she strapped Twilight to the ground. In the process, it caused her glasses to fall off, and her hair came undone from her ponytail.

“Help! Help! Somebody, anybody, please help!”

“No one is coming to save you Twilight. You are nothing but the monster we are! You broke Sunset’s heart by blaming her for my creation, and now it's your time to get what you should have gotten long ago!”

Midnight Sparkle soon flew straight towards her from where she was above and immediately began taking over Twilight’s body!

“No, not again! I don’t want to go through this again! Sunset I’m sorry! Please forgive me! NOOOOO!”

“Twilight, wake up! You're having a nightmare!”

“Twilight, please! You’ve got to wake up!”

Twilight soon found herself back in her room with Fluttershy and Spike by her side.

“Where am I? Is Sunset in Equestria? Has Midnight taken over me? Is the Rock president!?!?”

“Twilight, calm down! You're safe and sound with us.” Said Fluttershy.

“I-I am?”

Just then, her bedroom door slammed open to reveal Rarity, Moondancer, and her mother Twilight Velvet.

“What’s going on?”

“Is everything alright?” 

“I heard a scream! Twilight are you ok?”

“I’m fine, it was just a nightmare…”

Rarity offered Twilight a glass of water sitting right next to her bed and drank it all in one gulp. The water managed to help cool down her body, but she was still in a sorry state from the nightmare. Everyone was very fortunate she was ok, but it was not hard to tell Twilight was still refusing the help they offered. 

She then looked away from them, feeling upset with herself she had caused a serious problem, once again.

Velvet decided to sit on the side of Twilight’s bed, looking into her daughter’s eyes and sweeping a bit of her hair behind her ear.

“Honey, I know you haven’t been doing well after yesterday, but we're here to help you. Please, if you want to get through this, you need to trust us.”

Twilight knew her Mom was correct, but she thought she didn’t deserve it.

“I told you, Mom. I’m fine. I can do this on my own...”

Velvet was ashamed her daughter still wouldn’t let them help, but knew this wasn’t gonna be getting them anywhere if they tried hard enough.

“Alright Twilight, if that’s what you want dear.”

Velvet headed back downstairs to get started on breakfast, leaving Twilight and her friends in silence.

Twilight wasn’t sure she wanted to go to school today and possibly encounter Sunset again. But with graduation just twenty-four hours away, she had to at least try and make things up with her girlfriend. Her feelings for Sunset hadn’t gone away, so there was still a chance she could fix it.

“We’ll be here to help you every step of the way darling,” replied Rarity.

“I don’t like seeing any of my friends this way. Especially with the state you're currently in. You have our support Twilight,” shared Fluttershy.

“And I’m not gonna leave one of my oldest til you're feeling the slightest bit better, got it Twi?” Said Moondancer.

“Thanks, girls. Thank you for not losing hope in me.”

“Anytime Twilight, anything for a dear friend of mine.” Shared Moondancer.

“And you too Spike.”

“No problem Twilight!”

Spike then jumped onto her bed and gave her several slobbery kisses to help cheer her up. Twilight was disgusted at first, but since Spike was doing it to show he cared about her, she let him go at it. 

Twilight began feeling a little relieved now, thanks to the help her friends had given her. She had even started to have some faith she could mend her relationship with Sunset! Though she still was upset magic was the cause of her turning into Midnight Sparkle, she instead decided to let it be pushed to the side and get the day started.

“You girls go on ahead. I better get cleaned up and changed out of my pajamas.”

“Sure thing dear. We’ll excuse ourselves so you can get dressed. Come along girls, breakfast awaits us.”

After her friends headed downstairs, Twilight took a quick shower and changed out of her pajamas into her normal attire. When finished she went to have breakfast with her friends before leaving for school, except for Moondancer. She was already on summer vacation and decided to spend the day catching up with Twilight Velvet.

When Twilight arrived, she was looking a lot better. When she sat down to have her breakfast, Rarity began staring at her. Twilight wasn’t sure why but figured it was because her hair wasn’t a total mess.

“I do hope you continue to style your hair like that, Twilight. You just look so much better appearance-wise with it down as opposed to a ponytail. Especially with that purple hairband, you have on. Something about it just makes it more like you. I honestly don’t know why. I mean, you still look fabulous with the way you style your hair. I always prefer having it down all the time. No offense darling.”

“None took Rarity, but thanks. I'm thinking of doing it more often.”

“That's wonderful dear!”





As the day progressed at a steady pace, Twilight and Sunset seemed to be doing a lot better. But neither of them had found the time to discuss what happened yesterday. 

Following lunch, they were in the girl's locker room changing into their P.E. clothes for their last day of gym class. They each had left their geodes in their respective lockers, as they wouldn’t be needing them until after class. And what was more strange was that none of them had decided to put locks on them. This was gonna make it even easier for some uninvited guests that let themselves in not that long later.

“Is this the place?” Asked Sonata.

“Yep. Spread out, girls. It’s time to search for those crystals!”

Cinch had assigned the Sirens to sneak into CHS while the girls were at P.E. so they can swap out the crystals with fake duplicates. 

Cinch had become very interested in them after learning about them. She tasked Sunny and Starlight to spy on them to get her info for an idea she was planning. Since the crystals were the same as the dark crystal, she figure she can somehow harness them all at once. Once she can, she’d be unstoppable!

As the hour proceeded at a very slow pace, the Sirens had managed to replace five out of the seven crystals with their fake lookalikes.

All they had left was to switch Twilight and Sunset’s crystals and bail out before someone caught them.

But time was not on their side. By the time Sonata was swapping the last two crystals with the fakes, the bell went off signaling that the period was over. This startled the youngest Siren in the process while the crystals flew into the air. Sonata managed to catch them but realized she had no idea which ones were which. 

"Uh oh," she whispered.

“We got to get out of here!” Yelled Adagio.

“Quick Sonata, swap those damn crystals now!!!” Said Aria.

Sonata didn’t know what to say in response. She had no idea which crystals in her hands were real or fake. So she went with her gut and chose the ones she had in her right hand as opposed to her left. After returning the crystals to the lockers she followed her sisters out of the room just in time. 

While the Sirens managed to succeed with their mission, they were already in some serious hot water. 

Unbeknownst to Adagio and Aria, Sonata didn’t swap out Twilight’s and Sunset’s crystals with the fakes. She had left the real ones behind and only had five out of the seven harmony crystals. This meant they had the last two fake lookalikes with them. It was a sign Cinch was not going to be happy!

“This way and we’re home free!” Said Adagio.

And good timing too, as the girl's locker room, began filling up with students. 

“So, how were things with Sunset last night?” Rarity asks while changing.

“She was a little emotional at first but managed to do well as the night progressed. How was Twilight?” Applejack asked while putting her cowboy boots on.

“She was mostly alone in her room all night, crying and eating ice cream. She had a nightmare before waking up this morning too, which seemed to scare her. She's doing better now. But I have stopped worrying all day now,” Fluttershy shared while packing her gym clothes away.

“That’s just terrible! Have they even tried to sort things out?” Pinkie asked while putting her tank top on.

“Negative. We only got a few hours left till graduation, and we're losing time by the minute!” Said a now worried Applejack.

“I hope they don’t decide to break up. This has gone far worse than I imagined,” Fluttershy said worriedly.

“Don’t come to terms yet Shy. We’ve still got time. Hopefully, those two will talk to each other before the day's over. Knowing those two, they’re gonna try and fix this.” 

While Rainbow wasn’t the best person when it came to romance, love, or dating for that matter, as the element of loyalty, she hadn’t lost hope for her two friends making up with each other. And as she looked over to where they were on the other side of the room, she hoped they were going to discuss their current situation sooner than later.





The last class of the day was just about over. Once school would be out for the day, last-minute preparations for the senior graduation were to begin shortly. 

Just as the girls had left the locker room, an unexpected announcement came from the PA System.

“Sunset Shimmer, please report to the Principal's office.”

“Huh, that’s odd. I wonder what's all about?” Wondered Applejack

“Whatever it is, I better get going. I’ll catch you, girls, later.”

Sunset hurried along down the hallways to the Principal’s office until she felt someone bump into her causing them to fall onto the floor. When she got back up, she realized it was Twilight who had run into her. Sunset was presently surprised by 
this as she didn't expect to run into her girlfriend on her way to Principal Celestia’s office.

They soon gave each other odd looks before deciding to begin the discussion they’d been meaning to do.

“Hey…”

“Hey…”

Silence arose before them once more, til Sunset asked Twilight why she was following her.

“Was there a reason you were following me, Twilight?”

“Huh? Oh yeah. Do you have a moment? I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

“Well, I am in a bit of a hurry. But, I guess I can squeeze in a quick conversation. What’s up?”

“I wanted to apologize for yelling at you yesterday. I know what you did was an accident, what I did to you was wrong. So, I’m sorry. I still care for you Sunset. My love for you has not faded, even after I called you a monster and a She-Demon. So, I was wondering… Can you, give me another chance? Please?”

Sunset wasn’t sure what to say about this but knew Twilight was serious. She knew her well and lying was the last thing she'd ever to do her.

“Of course.” 

“Really! Oh, thank you so much, Sun-”

“On one condition.” 

Twilight’s hope soon disappeared the moment Sunset responded, but figured the reason was serious.

“Can we just take things easy, just for a while?” 

“Really? But why?”

“I still love and care for you Twilight. But after seeing how you acted to me yesterday, it broke my heart. So for the time being, I’m gonna need some space, alright?”

Twilight was sad about this but understood how her girlfriend felt.

“That’s fine. I believe I should too.”

“Thanks.”

The two girls shared a quick hug before going their separate ways.





After finally reaching the Principal’s office, Sunset was already worried about what she was called in for.

“Sorry, for the wait Principa-”

But the second Sunset entered the office, she realized she wasn’t the only one present. Vice Principal Luna was there, but so was her father Brightfire, and Princess Twilight to her surprise.

“Dad? Princess Twilight? What are you both doing here?”

“They’re the reason you were called Sunset. We have some serious news to talk with you about,” shared Principal Celestia.

“If this is about the incident a few weeks ago with Micro Chip’s robot, that wasn’t my fault!”

“That’s not why we called you Sunset. It's about the portal to your home world,” explained Vice Principal Luna.

“The portal, what about it?”

“Your father Brightfire here has managed to figure out how magic has been leaking into our world. And… it's not good at all.”

Sunset didn’t understand why Principal Celestia thought it was a serious matter until her father showed her a picture he had in his hand.

After taking a good look at it, fear began flowing throughout her veins.



After all this time, wondering to herself where the source of the equestrian magic was entering their world, Sunset couldn't believe it was happening right under their noses!

“All this time, the magic has been leaking from the portal! How have we managed to miss that!?!?”

“We don’t know. No one kept a close eye on it after the Wondercolts statue was destroyed back at the friendship games,” said Vice Principal Luna.

“That is why we called in Princess Twilight to inform her about this serious matter. She’s already come up with a possible solution on how to fix it,” shared Principal Celestia.

“Really, how?”

“If my assumption is correct, the more magic slips through into the human world from that crack, then our worlds are in danger of possibly merging.”

“They’re trying to merge!?!?”

“I’m sorry Sunset, but it's true. This can’t go on any longer. It just can’t!”

“She’s right. I’m afraid dark times are coming if this gets worse. Times of desperation, of fear!”

“But, how are we supposed to fix this?”

“That is something only you can answer Ms. Shimmer.”

“Me? Why me!!?!”

“This is the path you choose. It’s your fate. You can’t escape it,” said Vice Principal Luna.

“But why now? I already have enough problems to deal with at this very moment! Twi- the human Twilight is trying to recover from the fact my magic was responsible for turning her into Midnight Sparkle, graduation is hours away from now, and I got a speech to do in front of every one of my time here at CHS, my friends are all going to college three months from now, and my counterpart is helping Cinch to get revenge on us!”

Sunset couldn’t control her breathing now. She had released all the thoughts she had flowing through her mind and started to tear up.

Both principals were curious as to what Sunset was talking about regarding Cinch but agreed to ask later. They had another situation to deal with in the present and they had no time left to waste.

Princess Twilight understood the stress Sunset was having lately but was disappointed she hadn’t informed her of this til now.

She came over to wipe away a tear off Sunset’s face, before hugging her friend.

“If you want to get your girlfriend’s trust, you have two options Sunset. Either make it up with her and hope she forgives you, or let go of all that guilt you’ve been carrying since the Fall Formal.” 

“Sniff Do I have to?”

“You’ve been blaming yourself for too long now. Especially in regards to my counterpart.”

“But-”

Twilight placed her finger on Sunset’s lips as she locked eyes with her friend.

“It’s time to let go.” 

While it was something she didn’t want to do, Sunset knew she had no other choice. Sunset could either make things right with her girlfriend or stop holding onto her past guilt to make things right! 

“I don’t know how. I’m no leader Twilight. I’m a girl who outright abandoned her home world, and brought danger to another…”

Twilight knew this wasn’t getting her anywhere, so she gently took a hold of Sunset’s neck and moved it to face her.

“It’s not who you are deep down inside. You might have had a difficult past, but you’ve shown everyone with the power of empathy, they can have a better future. Guiding their way to a happy life. Just like it did for you.”

“Even if I could, how will it fix everything I’ve done?”

“You already have. Even with me at the battle of the bands. So, if we want our worlds to be safe, we must make this decision. For the sake of our worlds.”

That was when Brightfire came over and kissed his daughter’s forehead before sharing how this made him feel.

“We need you Sunset. Your friends need you. I need you. Your girlfriend needs you. That’s why I’m not giving up on you. I've been separated from the last member of my family long enough, and I'm not losing hope til things are right.”

“You're still here with us and our support. We have your back Sunset,” shared Princess Twilight.

Sunset knew they were right. She had forgotten how much she’s done since being shown the path of friendship. If she wanted to make up for her past mistakes, she'll need all the help she can get. And there was no better time than the present!

“Sigh Alright then.”

“Good. Now, I have a potential idea of how we can fix the portal’s crack. But, it’s risky.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Well…”





Following a bus ride to Cinch’s hideout, the Sirens arrived with the crystals in tow.

“Well, did you get what I asked for?”

Aria slid the bag across the dining room table over to where Cinch was sitting. Once the bag was in her hand, she opened it up to reveal seven crystals inside.

“Excellent! I knew I could count on you three!”

“I still don’t think they can be trusted,” replied Sunny, who surprisingly had been gone for several hours withou5 Cinch’s notice.

“Where have you been? I gave you explicit instructions to not leave this place without my permission. And where did you get those clothes?”

“What? We're about to go face my counterpart and her friends. You're saying I can’t do it in style?”

“You know what, I don’t even care for that matter. Because right now, these crystals are calling my name!”

“And unlike you Shimmer, we managed to do this without getting caught, getting all seven crystals in the process, while you were out shopping!” Shared Adagio.

The two began giving each other meaningful looks, betting one another they were better than the other person. But that was when Cinch realized something was wrong with two of the crystals.

“Wait a minute… You girls only have five of them!”

“What?!?!” Said Aria and Sonata.

“Tell me you're just doing this to make me look bad in front of her, Abacus?” Adagio asked concerned.

“No, because these two are fakes!” Cinch said, demonstrating by smashing them with her bare hand, revealing the remains of the fake crystals. 

“You fools! How could you let this happen!?” Cinch said angrily.

It was then realization hit Adagio and Aria as they looked over toward the one responsible for swapping out the last two crystals, munching on a taco.

“What? Did I spill salsa on my taco dress?”

…

“Oh, you are so dead!”

Before Sonata knew it, Aria tackled her sister to the floor, giving her punches to the face, before Adagio stopped them from trying to kill each other.

“Why do I always have to do all the work…” Adagio groaned.

“This is all your fault, Sonata. Thanks to you, we only got five crystals!”

“Well excuse me, that bell just had to ring Aria. Causing me to get startled and leave the last two crystals behind!  But no, nobody warned me we were running out of time. If I were told as soon as possible, then I would have likely not left them behind. Then, we wouldn’t be in this mess, to begin with!”

“Enough!”

The two sisters alongside Adagio and Sunny faced their leader after managing to stop their fight from getting worse.

“While I did ask you three to get me all seven crystals, these five will do nicely.”

“But how? They only work if you wear all seven of them at once! Just like that crazy camp owner did when the girls first got them!” Explained Adagio.

“Wait, that’s why she wanted the crystals?”

Aria facepalmed when hearing her sister saying it out loud.

“This is what happens when you get distracted by your tacos.” 

“I can’t think on an empty stomach!”

“Unlike Gloriosa Daisy, I have the eighth crystal those girls have been searching for. With all their power combined, I will be the most powerful villain they have ever faced. And there will be nothing that can stop me!”

Cinch felt like this was the perfect time to let out an evil laugh right now, as the rest of her team joined in on the fun. Except for Sonata. Who for once, wasn’t excited about it.

“Lookout Rainbooms, your graduation will be a day you’ll never forget!”





The day was finally here. Graduation Day.

Sunset was alone in her apartment this morning. Starlight had spent the night at Rarity’s place. What for? She needed something to wear for the graduation. Rarity was kind enough to invite her over to make one and let her spend the night. She’d also had to get one for Princess Twilight, as she was gonna be attending the graduation as well. 

Sunset wanted to be excited about today, but when waking up that morning to not see her girlfriend next to her, it was hard to stay positive. 

After turning off her alarm clock, she got out of bed to get ready for the big day. She took a quick shower and cooked herself up some oatmeal before deciding on what to wear for graduation.

Rarity had wanted them to wear something formal that would comply with the graduation itself. So, Sunset decided to wear the outfit she wore during the welcome party for Crystal Prep at the Friendship Games.

While looking at it on the hanger, she felt a bit of guilt deciding to wear it. She last wore it when she encountered Twilight at that party when she was still a CPA Shadowbolt. While she did wear it at another party a few months prior, the things going right now with Twilight were making Sunset think back to when they weren’t on good terms. Nor were friends, or in a relationship.

But that didn’t matter at the moment.

She soon got dressed, grabbed a pair of black pantyhose to wear with her outfit, and put on the matching red heels she wore with it. She then put her crystal around her neck, before grabbing her purse and departed for CHS.

After locking her apartment up and starting her Camaro’s engine, Sunset let out a quick sigh. It was time to get this over with and didn’t want to be late for the big day.

“No turning back now…”


To be Continued… 

> The True Power of the Dark Crystal (written by 13 Shades of Sunset) (Updated 1/22/2023)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day was finally here. 

Graduation Day!

All the students who had completed their senior year at Canterlot High were guests of honor at this year’s ceremony, along with their families and relatives. 

We find ourselves in the backstage gym where the ceremony is to be held. Princess Twilight, Sci Twi, Brightfire, Starlight, and Moondancer are comforting Sunset, who was going to be doing her speech real soon. 

Pony Starlight and Spike the Dragon were gonna come attend the ceremony with Princess Twilight originally, but something came up last minute in their schedules, meaning only Princess Twilight was able to attend. But no matter, they’d still be there to witness it, in spirit.

“I sure can’t wait to hear your speech Sunset!” An excited Starlight shares. 

“Same here, your gonna do great Sunset!” Exclaimed Sci Twi. 

“I must say, you both are looking great,” Brightfire complimented. 

“Don’t thank us, thank Rarity.”

“That’s Rarity for ya. She knows what she’s doing,” adds Princess Twilight.

“My mom just got me this for graduation, but I still like it,” explained Sci Twi.

“But still, thank you, sir,” shared Starlight.

“Please, call me Brightfire. No need for that level of formality.”

Just then, some more security arrived, with the graduation ceremony minutes away from starting. This got Moondancer curious, as she takes note of how many there were. 

“Am I the only one wondering what’s up with all this security?”

“From what Sunset told me, it’s to be ready for a possible attack by Cinch and her team,” explained Starlight. 

“Let’s hope we won’t have to deal with it today of all days.”

They all nod in agreement, to Moondancer’s concerns. 

But little did they know, something was coming their way.





The graduation ceremony had started and everything was going according to plan. 

Principal Celestia gave a short welcome to everyone, with a prologue right before Sunset got her signal.  

“Good luck out there Sunset.”

“Thanks, Twi.”

“Break a leg Sunset,” Brightfire shares, before he hugs his daughter. 

Feeling more confident than ever, Sunset walked toward the podium, seeming to have no worries going through her mind. That was until she nearly tripped walking to the podium.

“Why did I agree to wear heels? Rarity is getting what’s coming later.” Sunset complained letting out a small grunt. 

Principal Celestia finished her first part of the ceremony, as she welcomes Sunset onto the stage. The audience gives her a round of applause as she gets ready for the big moment. 

Sunset could see the rest of her friends down in the front row, with the other graduates all smiling and waving at her.

But just before she began her speech, a strange noise is heard backstage, getting Sci Twi's attention. 

“Did anyone hear that, or was it just me?” Sci Twi asked. 

While Sci Twi was wondering what she heard, Sunset was reading the introduction of her speech, until she stopped, noticing something in a nearby window. 

“Oh no!”

“Everyone get down!” Brightfire shouts.

Before we know it, the side of the gym gave way! All the guests and students, while shaken and frightened, waited to see what caused the collapse. 

“What was that?” Sci Twi wondered.

“Look!” Princess Twilight points to a woman, making her entrance on the side of the gym. Being none other, than Former CPA Principal, Abacus Cinch. 

“Hello everyone. Hope you don’t mind some uninvited guests!”

“Cinch!” Sunset exclaims. “How did you get past security?”

That’s when Adagio Dazzle and the rest of Cinch’s team appeared by her side. 

“It’s a little thing we call, a never-ending nightmare,” Adagio explained, who along with her sisters, were ponied up, just like at the final round of the Battle of the Bands.

Cinch somehow was able to repair their pendants, so they could use their magic once more giving them the capability to pony up again! But how? That’s a mystery, we sadly don’t have an answer to. 

“Now that we're here, it is time for your friendship to meet its end!” Cinch exclaimed.

“If it’s a fight you want, we’ll give you one!” Sunset exclaims.

Before we know it, Sunset, alongside her friends, team up to get ready for what move Cinch had planned. 

“Bring it!” Adagio replies as she and her sisters get ready for battle. 

Many of the students and their families were starting to panic, as Cinch and her team barged in, ruining what was supposed to be a special day. 

Making sure nothing worse would happen, Brightfire, Starlight, Moondancer, Princess Twilight, the teachers, and Principal Celestia, helped escort everyone out of the gym, letting the Main seven handle it from there.

“Everyone, follow us to safety!” Starlight shouted.

They were able to get everyone out of the gym, making sure no one got seriously hurt. 

The girls try to transform like they normally would, but a problem had surfaced. Sunset and Twilight seemed to be the only ones who transformed, while the rest of their friends just spawned their pony ears, wings, and tails, but not their powered-up forms when using their crystals. 

“Wait a second. Why didn’t we transform like Sunset and Twilight?” Rainbow Dash points out. 

“Are these what you're looking for?” Cinch holds up the necklace she was wearing, revealing five of the Harmony Crystals attached to it, along with the dark crystal. 

“Our crystals!!!” Rarity exclaims. 

“The ones we have are fake!” Applejack replies, as she breaks the fake she had been wearing. 

“How did you manage to take them from us?” Rainbow Dash yelled back.

“Let’s just say, I had someone take them from you when you least expected it,” shared Cinch. 

“Until one of them forgot to swap out the last two crystals with the fake ones!” Aria replies, scolding Sonata. 

“I said I was sorry!”

“Enough! What matters now is that I have your crystals. And with the dark crystal included, I am more powerful than ever!” 

“You're not getting away with this!” Sunset exclaims. 

“Oh yes, I will. Now then, let’s see how you like it when your power is used against you!” 

Cinch begins using the crystals around her neck, combining their powers as she transforms like what happened with Gloriosa. 

Cinch gestures her hand, feeling the magic flowing within her, and immediately shoots a beam of magic right at the Main seven. 

They all take cover and evade action. 

“Well girls, it’s up to us to stop them,” Sunset informs. 

“It’s time to end this for good!” Replied Sci Twi, as they all nodded in agreement. 

“Charge!!!!”

And before we knew it, the battle had begun!

“Bad time to say this, but I don’t have a plan,” shared Sunset.

“At least we're not completely defenseless,” replied Rainbow Dash.

“But we don’t have our powers, Dashie. We’re not fit for battle without our crystals!” Says a worried Pinkie Pie.

Rarity stumbles a bit in battle, struggling with her footwear while dodging attacks. 

“This is the one time I regret wearing heels!”

“This is what you get for making us wear them for graduation,” Applejack shares. 

“Well, I’m sorry for not knowing this would happen!”

“Not the time to argue girls!” Sunset yelled back. 

The Main seven inflict various attacks dodging as best as they can while getting close to the Sirens. 

But just when they thought they were about to succeed, a herd of timberwolves appeared, with Sunny riding one of them.

Starlight was surprised to see the wolves again, the moment she returned to the gym. And that her old friend had somehow managed to tame them too was the question.  

When Sunny noticed Starlight, she was surprised to see she was on the opposite team and aiding their enemies.

“I like the new look Sunny, it suits you. For someone who’s on the wrong side!”

“I should say the same about you, Stars. That beanie doesn’t suit you. In my opinion, you always looked hotter with pigtails!” 

They both try their quips at each other, while the battle commenced in the background.

“I don’t even care about it, now that you’ve said it to the world! You're gonna pay for using me after all these years!” Starlight explains. 

“Oh, you are so gonna get what’s coming. Unlike myself, you refused to help our leader. And now, I’ll let her finish you. Do it Cinch!” 

Cinch transfers some of the crystal’s power into Sunny, giving both the timberwolf and herself a power boost. 

As a result, she uses that power on Starlight, with a giant fireball approaching her fast!

“Starlight, look out!” Sunset shouted.

Sunset pushes Starlight just in time before she gets hit by it herself, groaning in pain from the burns she received. While upset it didn’t hit Starlight, it just made Sunny feel more inflicted she’s getting what she’s been wanting for so long. Revenge on her counterpart. 

Sunny slowly approaches Sunset step by step, getting ready to do the final attack to end her doppelganger's life! 

“Prepare to join the rest of your family Sunset. Cause that’s where your heading bitch!”

“Sunset no!”

All of a sudden, something no one saw coming happens. Starlight suddenly ponied up and helps Sunset again Sunny! She forms a shield around them, just as Sunny is about to attack, saving her friend from a tragic defeat. 

“What the hell do you think you're doing?”

“Helping my friend!” 

Starlight thought she was in the clear, til Sunny got back up in the form of Aria Blaze, outnumbering them.

“Who are you?” Starlight asks.

“While we’ve never met til now, I already hate you. You look just like me! Prepare to get a taste of my power!!!” Aria replies as the battle continues once more.

Pinkie and Sonata are eye to eye with each other, like something out of a cowboy movie, waiting for one another to make the next move.

“Sonata, don’t do this! You're the least evil Siren out of the rest of your sisters. So, please. Let us help you… Cupcake?” Pinkie pleads, offering the Siren a delectable treat. 

“You think words will make me want to be your friend! Hell, no! I may be the least powerful out of my sisters, and the dumbest sometimes, I’m not useless when someone tells me what to do!” 

She attacks Pinkie Pie with her magic, turning the cupcake into ash. 

Just like Sunny, Sonata is transferred power from the Harmony Crystals, getting the power up she needs to finish off Pinkie Pie. 

We now find Adagio, coming to assist Sunny and Aria, who seemed to be winning! Sunset and Starlight were pretty weak at this point, having lost most of their strength.

“You've ruined our lives from the moment we met Shimmer! So what more can we possibly lose? Cause this time, I won’t accept defeat!” Replied Adagio. 

Sunset wasn’t sure, how much more of this she could handle, so she decided to do the last thing she’d do to Adagio. Talk to her with empathy.  

Using the remaining strength she had, she got herself up and began to speak to her.

“Listen to me, Adagio. You don’t have to do this! Why does it when all it’ll do is make things worse? You can join us. My friends and I can find you and your sister a new home. Feeding off of people's negativity or helping Cinch, just won’t do it. There’s always another way to fix your problems. Just, please. Don’t make the same mistake I once made!” Sunset says, trying to persuade them. 

“Why help us after what we tried to do to you and your friends?” Aria questions.

“Because sometimes, you can’t get by without help from your friends! You were always there for each other. But only if you accept the magic of friendship, over evil. I want to help you and your sisters. Please. This is coming from an equestrian who’s been where you were once before. It’ll only make things worse!”  

Somehow, and I don’t know how it worked for Sonata.

“She’s right! We should be helping them, they are not our enemies!”

It seemed to have worked with Sonata, as she immediately stops fighting Pinkie Pie. 

As for her sisters, they decide to bail off and find Cinch.

That was until they heard a scream! 

“Someone, please help us!” 

“We can’t handle much more of this!” 

Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity were being drained of their powers from Cinch. She somehow was able to tamper with the crystals, using them to absorb the magic from the girls, making them weaker by the minute. 

“You girls are no match for me! I’ve got your power, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me!”

But that was where Cinch was wrong.

“Not today Cinch!”  

“What?!”

Cinch turns her back to see her teammates fighting against her!

“Get them to safety!” Adagio says to Aria.

“Why are you idiots helping them? They’re our enemies!!!” The angered Cinch yells. 

“We don’t listen to you Cinch! We only work on our own! And as a matter of fact, I never trusted you from the very start!  Now it’s time for you to have a taste of your own medicine!” 

Using her magic, Adagio weakens Cinch, giving her and Aria time to fall back, before she regains her strength. 

“You’ll pay for this!” Cinch yells, in a weakened state.

The herd of timberwolves has now surrounded Sci Twi and Sunset, like a lion hunting its prey. 

“If we want to defeat these things, we have to work together!” Exclaimed Sunset.

“That’s exactly what I had in mind!” Said Twilight.

That’s when the two girls decide to try something new, as they combined their powers to stop the wolves one by one. 

“It’s up to us now before it’s too late!”

With their combined power, they manage to get rid of the wolves for good! Using their powers together, it became a giant flame flower, burning the wolves alive, like slaughtering meat on a farm! And soon enough, all that remained of the wolves, were the burnt remains of their bodies. 

“So long timberwolves.”

While it was a call for celebration, Sunset, and Sci Twi’s powered-up forms power down, and are just ponied up with their pony ears, tails, and Sci Twi’s alicorn wings. 

“Guess we used up a lot of our power to defeat those wolves.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine like this, right?” 

But Sci Twi was wrong. Their situation was just about to get ten times worse!

“Uh, Twilight. We got company!”

“Twilight Sparkle, where are you!”

Cinch was coming their way, in search of Sci Twi!

“Quick, we have to hide!”

Cinch had now recovered her strength and gone back to her original plan. Searching for her once faithful student Twilight Sparkle.

“There’s nowhere you can hide, Ms. Sparkle. I know you’re here!” Cinch replies as she searched the mostly destroyed gym for her.

Sunset and Sci Twi were being as quiet as possible while hiding behind a set of bleachers. All was looking good, til Cinch spots them.

“There you are!”

The bleacher gets lifted into the air, and thrown across the other side of the gym, destroying another wall of the gym and making the entire place unstable.

Cinch grabs a hold of Twilight, taking her out of the gym to the front of the school. After grabbing Twilight, her hair comes loose from her ponytail, and her heels come loose from her feet.

“Put as much distance between you and the truth as you want, it changes nothing! Pretending to be everything you are not… A Student… A band member… A Girlfriend… But there is one unavoidable truth you will never escape. You cannot change Twilight! You will always be a monster, just like your pitiful girlfriend!”

That stung deep. Sci Twi had forgotten how afraid she was of Cinch when she was still a student of Crystal Prep. 

But after transferring to CHS, meeting people who are kind, care for one another, who’d stand up for those in need of help, the fear she once had for Cinch, had simply disappeared. She was no longer afraid of her, and now she had to stop the former principal!

“I know, but I’m not the monster you made me into. I am Twilight Sparkle! Canterlot Wondercolt! Sunset Shimmer’s girlfriend. And a member of the Rainbooms! I have grown so much since I was shown the magic of friendship. Which is something you will never take away from me Cinch!”

Using the remaining strength she had, Twilight creates a massive ball of magic from within her bare hands, before throwing it straight at Cinch, causing her to lose her grip. 

Sci Twi lands safely back on solid ground, where Sunset was there waiting for her. She looked beat up, had last her heels, and had a few nasty burns, but wasn’t showing signs of accepting defeat.

Cinch had had enough of this, and shot back another beam of magic at Sci Twi, but managed to avoid it in the nick of time. 

But the moment it missed her, the beam was going straight toward Sunny.

“Sunny look out!” 

Starlight jumps in, moments before the beam of magic hits Sunny and saves her. 

She was fortunate she managed to stop the beam from hitting her former friend while dodging it at the same time. Which was not easy. 

Sunny was shocked after witnessing what happened, not knowing how to express what she felt.

She looks up at her old friend Starlight, who was in a state of worry for her.

“Starlight… You saved me! But why?”

“Because you needed help. Even if you might still hate me, I wasn’t just gonna let Cinch hurt you.”

“Wow, no one has ever done that for me…” Sunny says, in a perplexed manner. 

She wanted to ask Starlight if they could start over as friends until suddenly, another problem had arisen!

“We’ll save the talking for later. Something seems to be going on with Cinch,” Sunset adds.

”I’ll take Sunny to safety, can you and the others handle the rest?”

“You can count on it Starlight,” replied Sunset.

The Main seven reunite at the front of the school, where they find Rainbow Dash with their crystals. 

She had gotten them back from Cinch without harm following her failed attempt on killing Sunset.

“I got the crystals back! We can still win this!” Rainbow says as she gives each crystal back to her friends. 

But that’s when they noticed something was wrong with them.

“The crystals! They’re cracking!” Shouted Rarity.

“Can we still use them?” Wondered Fluttershy.

“Uh, girls, something’s going on with Cinch?” Replies Applejack, who’s now in a state of worry.

Without the five crystals, and only the dark crystal left in Cinch’s possession, it was trying to take control of her!

Cinch tried to fight back, but the more she did, the more tears in the sky opened up around the city! It was just like what happened during the final round of the Friendship Games, but worse than the first time!

“What’s happening? Why can’t I control it?”

“Oh no! It’s the true power of the dark crystal! She’s losing control over it!” Brightfire replies, who just arrived alongside Moondancer, Starlight, and Princess Twilight.

Sunset knew she had to stop her, but how, she didn't know. But if she tried snapping some sense into Cinch as she did with the Sirens, it might just work.

“Cinch, you need to stop this! You can’t control all that power! The crystal will kill you if you don’t give it up!” Sunset yells, attempting to get through to the former principal.

“Why should I listen to you? You’ve ruined my plans one too many times now! And I think it's finally time you have a taste of my wrath!” 

Cinch lets her envy and anger get the best of her, as she uses some of the dark crystal’s power, aiming it once more toward Sunset!

“Sunset no!”

Right as the ball of dark magic flies towards Sunset, her friends come in to protect her! 

Rarity forms a ginormous diamond shield over them just in time, to protect them from the incoming magic. But for how long is the question, all the while the shield is surrounded by a ring of fire from the magic.  

“How are we gonna stop Cinch now?” Replied a concerned Rarity. “Even with our crystals cracked, I don’t know how we're gonna stop her?” 

That’s when Sunset realized something. 

Out of the seven of them, Cinch was the one who wanted her the most. So, if they were to end this monstrosity, Sunset had to do it, alone!

“You all have to get out of here and away from me! I’m the one Cinch wants,” Sunset points out, but Sci Twi grabs her wrist in denial. 

“No! We're not leaving you!” 

“What! But Twilight-”

“We almost lost you twice Sunset. We're not letting it happen a third time! I told you I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world. In any world!”

“Even if you should?”

… 

“EVEN IF YOU SHOULD!?!?”

“Yes, Sunset! Yes! Until the end of time!”

“Twilight…”

With the current situation, the Main seven were currently in, the rest of the girls decided to tell Sunset something very important.

“She’s right darling,” Rarity nods. 

“While we’ve only been your friend since the Fall Formal, none of us would trade you for anything,” Fluttershy adds. 

“In any world,” replies Pinkie Pie. 

“Just like Twilight would,” Rainbow Dash mentions. 

“We care about you Sunset. We would never abandon you, leave for what you’ve done to our lives. You just made them even better if we never had met you,” Applejack replies, to which they all nod to her point. 

“Besides, you're our family Sunset. And family sticks together. No matter what. So if one of us goes down fighting, we all do,” explains Sci Twi.

Sunset didn’t know what to say. For being the cause of so much havoc brought into their lives and magic to planet earth, none of them wanted to lose their friend, even after everything that’s happened. From the Fall Formal, the Battle of the Bands, the Friendship Games, Camp Everfree, the music video contest, their two-part encounter with Juniper Montage, the Memory Stone tragedy, the Equestria Land incident, the Spring break cruise, the time loop, and finally, their battle against Cinch!

“If this is our last moments together, it was an honor being your friend,” Sunset confesses. 

Rarity’s shield began to crack, meaning there wasn’t much time before the worse would come.

“I love you girls,” Sunset replies, as she hugged her friends for dear life.

“We love you too Sunset,” Sci Twi replies, knowing that she got to be with the people she cared most for, right before meeting her end.  

As the girls prepared for the amenable, something was happening with their crystals none of them had noticed. They soon combined before going straight into Sunset.

The beam of dark magic finally breaks through Rarity’s shield, and before we know it, Sunset and her friends are no more. 

Princess Twilight, Brightfire, Starlight, and Moondancer, witnessed the devastating scene upon them, knowing that they had failed to stop Cinch in time. 

“Sunset!!!”

“Twilight!!!”

Everyone gasps and cries out. Cinch had won, and they had lost. 

“My friends, they’re gone…” Princess Twilight replies, knowing she failed and that her friends were nothing more than history.

Starlight was driven to tears. She hadn’t felt this sad since she lost her parents seven years prior. And after witnessing the death of her beloved friends, all she wanted was to cry out the pain she had deep within her heart. 

“I can’t believe it. We- we’ve lost! Our friends, they’re gone! Nooo!!!”

Cinch began celebrating the mighty victory she finally achieved, knowing that she just defeated the seven girls who had ruined her life. 

“I’ve done it! I’ve finally done it! Those stupid girls are nothing but history thanks to me!”

But just when we thought all was lost, a silver lining occurs.

A glowing orb appears and shines brightly, revealing a godlike being. 

“Wait, what’s happening?” Wondered Moondancer.

When Cinch notices the glow of light coming from where the Main Seven was, she knew she was in for trouble.

“No, it can’t be!” 

Everyone is now filled with hope and amazement, as they look to see something that many thought they’d never see again. 

Daydream Shimmer!

“But how?” Wondered Brightfire. 

“The crystals must have used their powers to transform Sunset into Daydream Shimmer!” The princess explains. 

And just like that, Daydream Shimmer got to work.

“Go get her Sunset!!” Her friends shouted.

Using the power of the seven Harmony Crystals, Daydream Shimmer seals up the tears that the dark crystal had opened up, before she builds up a beam of magic, and aims it at the dark crystal. 

Once it comes in contact with the crystal, a huge explosion occurs with a cloud of dust surrounding the area. 

The remainder of the gym, which had been badly damaged, finally collapses, leaving a pile of rubble in its remains. 

Everyone is fortunately safe, thanks to Rarity and Starlight’s shielding. And no one seemed to be massively hurt. Just some cuts and bruises, and a little bit of blood. 

“Is everyone alright?” Moondancer asks, checking for affirmation.

“I’ve been worse,” replied Applejack.

But then, Sci Twi noticed something.

“Wait, where’s Sunset?”

Starlight then spots Sunset, right next to the side of the school. 

“Over there!” 

The girls headed over to help their friend, praying to god she was all right. 

Strangely though, Sunset was no longer in the clothes she was wearing for the graduation. Instead, her appearance now looks identical to Princess Twilight’s Fall Formal dress, albeit in white. Wardrobe aside, they still needed to find out if Sunset was indeed alive.

“Starlight, do you mind helping me?” Sci Twi asks, to which she does.

“Wherever on earth did that beautiful dress she’s wearing come from?” Wondered Rarity.

“You’re more concerned about her wardrobe than her condition!” Complained Applejack.

After they carried Sunset from where she was found, Sci Twi and Starlight lay her on the ground, hoping she was okay.

Sci Twi could instantly tell Sunset wasn’t in good shape, nor was she moving! 

“She’s not breathing!”

Everyone went silent. They hope it wasn’t what many had thought, but needed answers first.

“Come on Sunset, wake up!”

Sci Twi began giving Sunset mouth-to-mouth, hoping to help get air back into Sunset’s lungs. But it didn’t seem to be working.

“Hang in there Sunset, your gonna make it. I promise!”

But no matter how hard she tried, nothing seemed to be working.

“Sunset, please, hang in there! You’ll be ok, please!”

“Twilight, you need to calm down,” Brightfire reassured her. 

“No! Please don’t leave me Sunset! I can’t lose you again!” Sci Twi says, hugging Sunset with all her might. 

Sunset feels a cough coming on due to breathing limitation, but is thankfully alive.

“Twilight, you're squeezing me too tight.”

“Huh?”

Sci Twi soon sees Sunset looking at her, smiling, albeit with some blood going down her lip. 

“I couldn’t breathe with you hugging me so tight,” Sunset says, in a bit of a raspy voice. 

Sci Twi exhaled, but felt relieved now. “Oh Sunset, thank goodness you’re-”

But just as Sci Twi was about to tell Sunset she was ok, everyone began staring at her in shock. 

“Why are you all looking at me like that?”

“By Starswirl’s beard!” Princess Twilight says. “Sunset, you got wings!”

She was right, Sunset now had a pair of wings sprouted on her back.

“What! How can this be?” Sunset questioned. 

“Wait a second. Those aren’t just any wings. They’re alicorn wings!” Explained Brightfire.

“Bu-but how!?!?” Sunset questions.

“The crystals must have been able to tell that you let go of your past mistakes, that you were willing to protect your friends at all cost! Granting you the power you needed to stop Cinch. Taping into their main power source, to use it to destroy the dark crystal in the process,” explained Princess Twilight.

“Of course. Why didn’t I think of this myself?” Said Brightfire. “The true power that the crystals hold within them, is combining, to give one the power to defeat any evil it’s up against!”

“Uh, English please?” Asked the confused Rainbow Dash. 

“The crystals fused with Sunset, transforming her to become Daydream Shimmer to destroy the crystal, and gifting her the wings as a reward for destroying the dark crystal,” explained Brightfire. 

That makes Sunset show some doubt. 

“But, do I deserve it?”

Princess Twilight reassures Sunset, that she truly does. “Yes, Sunset. You’ve come a long way since you were shown the magic of friendship back at the Fall Formal. The crystals gifted you this, after using their power to destroy the dark crystal.”

“She’s right. That crystal was never supposed to exist in the first place. You were able to use their power to destroy one of the most dangerous Equestrian artifacts ever created. And stopping a tragic disaster from happening,” explained Brightfire.

“Plus, getting over your past as well,” added Sci Twi. 

“So, does this mean you forgive me?” The injured Sunset asks. 

“Does this answer your question?” 

Sci Twi gives a sweet, passionate kiss to Sunset, who then breaks it with a blush right after. 

“Yes, yes it does. Thank you Twilight,” Sunset says with a smile. 

“You look beautiful in that dress by the way.”

“Thanks. I love you Twilight.”

“I love you too Sunset.”

With Sunset’s recovery out of the way, there was still another point of matter that needed attention. Cinch.

“So, what are we gonna do with her?” Moondancer says, pointing over to a now powerless Cinch. 

“Let the two of us handle this. Cinch needs to hear this coming from two people who’ve been in the same situation she was just in. But, uh, can someone lend me a hand? I think I sprained my right leg or something?” 

Sunset tries to walk, but Sci Twi reassures her to rest. 

“Here, let me help.”

As Sci Twi assists Sunset over to Cinch, they could hear the former principal boasting about her defeat. 

“How did this happen? I’d been planning this for months, and I still lost! How can this happen to me!” Cinch growled. 

“Let me tell you something someone once told me Cinch. You will never rule Equestria or get our magic! Any power you had is now history. Today, you've shown everyone who you truly are. You've shown them what is deep down inside your heart. Unlike myself and Twilight, you refused to let go of what happened in the past and accept your guilt.”  

“What Sunset shares is true. The magic of friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria. It's everywhere. And you will never rob anyone of it, ever again, now that you’ve tasted its true power. And that you’ve ruined our special day… Bitch!” Sci Twi replies, roasting the former principal.

“So, you’ve got two options to seek out. Either accept the fact that you’ve lost, and we show you how special the magic of friendship is. Or forever be alone. The choice is yours to make,” shares the bacon-haired girl, giving Cinch the ultimatum. 

“Like hell, I’d want friendship! Your twerps have ruined my life! The reputation I created at Crystal Prep, losing the win streak, and taking away my prized student! You’ve gone too far compared to how I knew this school years ago! You have messed with the wrong person young lady, and I’ll be taking this straight to-”

But just before things would get to a whole other level, Shining Armor enters the scene in his police car. 

“Not so fast Cinch! You are under arrest, for damaging school property, abusing four teenagers, planning to ruin a school graduation, and respectively trying to destroy the world as we know it, in the process.”

“But, officer, you don’t understand! I’m innocent I tell you! Innocent!” Cinch pleaded.

“Tell it to the judge.”

Cinch is soon handcuffed by Shining Armor, and escorted to his police car, where she then looks back at CHS, and the Equestria Girls themselves.

“This won’t be the last you’ve heard of me! I’ll be back! You hear me, I’ll be back!” Cinch yells, just as she leaves the scene with Shining Armor.

Spike soon arrives after searching for his owner and immediately jumps into Sci Twi’s arms in excitement.

“You did it, girls! I’m so- ruff,” Spike says, right before he abruptly barks. 

“Spike, are you ok?” 

“What’s happened to his voice!” Fluttershy wondered.

That was when Moondancer realized something. 

“Wait a second. If Spike lost his voice, then, that must mean-”

Oh no, our crystals!” Pinkie points out. 

All seven of the Harmony Crystals began to crack as they shattered in their hands, before turning into bitter dust, and they all reverted to their normal appearances once more.

“They’ve turned to dust!” Exclaimed Rarity.

“We’ve lost our powers… Our magic is gone,” replied the injured Sunset.

“No, it can’t be! There’s no way! Maybe we still got them, right Sunset?” Rainbow Dash wonders, in a panic state. 

“Dash, without our crystals, we don’t have our magic. Without them, it no longer exists. We're just normal girls again.” 

“And Spike an ordinary dog again too,” replied Fluttershy, while Spike moaned in sadness in her arms. 

“That still doesn't explain why this happened?” Mentioned Applejack.

“The crystals must have used up all their power to destroy the dark crystal,” said Brightfire.

“What makes you say that Brightfire?” Asked Princess Twilight.

“Because if one crystal is destroyed, the others will too.”

“After everything we've done for the sake of our world, this is the price we get! Just why?” Rarity wonders. 

“What Brightfire shared is correct I’m afraid. They were all made by the same ponies who created the Elements of Harmony. And for a good while, I had a feeling this was bound to happen," the princess explains. 

“Those crystals were replicas of the Elements of Harmony, my friends and I wielded back in Equestria. After King Sombra destroyed them, I knew it was only a matter of time before those crystals would cease to exist as we know it,” said Princess Twilight sadly.

“So, what do you do now that we’ve lost our magic? What next?” Sunset wonders.

“I don’t know Sunset... But, don’t be sad girls. While your powers are unfortunately gone, the crystals have accomplished what they were created for. And it fulfilled that purpose.” Explained the princess.

“Yes, and with the dark crystal gone, our worlds are safe once again,” Brightfire adds.

“You did it Sunset. Our world is safe thanks to you,” Sci Twi says. 

“No, Twilight. It wasn't because of me. It was our teamwork that stopped Cinch’s plans. Along with some unexpected help along the way,” Sunset adds, looking at the Sirens from their hiding spot, with their destroyed pendants in hand.

“Har har…”

“Whatever…”

“No biggie!” 

The Sirens each reply, as they fluster a bit at their reference. 

Just then, Sunny comes along to say something important to Sunset. 

“Thank you for saving me back there.”

“Don't mention it.”

… 

“Why did you save me? Why did you not just let me get hit by that magic?” Sunny asks.

“Even if you still hate me, I wasn’t gonna ignore someone in need of help,” replied Sunset.

This got Sunny curious. 

“That still doesn’t explain why you did it. I’ve done nothing but act like a villain to you all. All because you came to this world, stole my identity, and got just about everything I’ve always wanted!”

“Because being a hero isn’t about taking care of yourself. It’s about taking responsibility for others you love and care for.”

“Huh… Well, I’ll be! That’s the best advice I've ever heard! Especially my counterpart. Where did you learn that from?”

“I learned it from someone I look up to. Knows a lot about friendship too,” Sunset replies, winking to Princess Twilight in the process. 

“What about the stuff you’ve mentioned about family? During the times I spied on you, even before we met, you mentioned you had lost your family, just like the way I did. Though, you seem so hopeful and free. How did you move forward in life after losing everyone you once loved?”

Many were curious as to what Sunset was to say next, and thankfully, she did.

“You're not wrong about the last one. But, I found a new family. New friends. And you can too, if you accept the magic of friendship. If so, you don’t have to be alone anymore. Just like Starlight.”

Sunny went silent for a good minute, thinking over Sunset’s advice.

“Maybe, I will. If Starlight seems to like it, maybe I will too. Friendship doesn’t sound like a bad thing, so I guess I’ll give it a try?”

That made Sunset feel very proud. 

“I’m so happy for you Sunny. I knew you had a change of heart. I’m glad it came true!” Starlight replies, as she hugged her friend in the process. 

“You too, Starlight. Even if your magic was short-lived, you carry the magic of friendship well like my counterpart.”

“Thanks, Sunny.”

Just then, Principal Celestia arrived on the scene,  joining in with an important reminder. 

“Sorry to interrupt the moment and all, everyone, but we still have a graduation to do?”

“Yes, but perhaps outside,” Sunset says, with the remains of the gym in the background.

“And change into something more presentable. Sunset and I are in the worst state out of everyone," shared Sci Twi.

"But we have nothing to change into?” Said Sunset.

“Don’t worry girls, I’ve come prepared for this,” shared Rarity, who soon gives them a new pair of clothes to change into.

“Thanks, Rarity,” replied Sunset and Sci Twi.

“Anytime girls.”

“I still question where she got those in the first place,” wondered Applejack.

With that out of the way, Principal Celestia began shifting gears to get the ceremony back on as soon as possible, following the unexpected disturbance, with hopes to have the event back on real soon.


To be Continued… 

> Another Chapter Concludes, Another Begins (Edited by Echo Breeze) (Updated 1/22/2023)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After moving everything outside, the graduation ceremony was back on once again, with only half an hour behind schedule.  

While that was going on, Sunset and Sci Twi went off to the girl's restrooms to change into the clothes Rarity gave them. 

It felt nice to be out of the ones that got ruined, as the battle had done a lot of wear and tear to them. But the clothes Rarity had given the two girls were even better!

Sunset’s was a simple red dress with the sleeves cut out, exposing her shoulders, while Twilight’s dress was light and dark purple. Looking in the mirror, she puts her hair back in her signature ponytail with a spare purple hair tie she had. Her signature star hair tie went missing sometime during the battle after her hair had come undone. While it was sadly lost, Twilight didn’t mind, she always kept a spare at all times, in case something like this were to happen.

Now, for some reason, they couldn’t seem to find the heels they wore halfway into the battle, so Sunset and Twilight now had no shoes to wear for the remainder of graduation. Luckily, Rarity has some spare shoes for them she was kind enough for them to have. And were fortunately not another pair of heels, as they instead got a pair of mary janes, and some black stockings, to replace Sunset’s ruined pantyhose and Twilight’s socks. That and Rarity figured neither of her friends wanted to wear any heels for a while, after having to wear them for half the battle against Cinch and her team. Plus, they do get very uncomfortable, after wearing them for a good amount of time. Wardrobe aside, it was now time to get going to the ceremony! 

After getting changed, Sunset went to the nurse’s office so Nurse Redheart could inspect her leg, and see if she was ok to walk. 

Sunset had been limping following their victory against Cinch, so Principal Celestia called in their school nurse to see if Sunset’s leg was indeed injured, or possibly broken. 

They were reluctant to learn it was perfectly fine and that she just sprained her ankle. Nurse Redheart instructed her to take it easy for the next few days and not put too much pressure on it, which Sunset had no problem with. 

After making sure she was one hundred percent ready, Sunset was more than confident to do her speech now, following the battle against Cinch and healing her relationship with Twilight. 

Speaking of Twilight, before Sunset went off to do her speech for real this time, she had a little something for her. It was a bouquet. Her mother, Twilight Velvet was originally planning to give them to her after the ceremony, but upon making sure her daughter was alright following the battle, she gave them to her early.

After being given the flowers, Twilight got the idea they should wear a flower or two in their hair. Twilight put a few of the flowers in Sunset’s hair like she did to her own before they perfectly matched. This made them giggle in happiness, right before Sunset had to make her way to the podium. 

She was already quite nervous as she walked onto the stage, but knew she had nothing to worry about. 

Sunset took a glance back at her friends from where they were seated in the row of chairs. They each smiled at her, saluting thumbs up, and wished her good luck. This made Sunset feel more confident and less worried. The same went for Twilight, who was just sitting down with the rest of her friends as the ceremony resumed where it had left off.

Sunset took a quick breath of air in, adjusted the microphone, and started reading her speech.

“First off, I’d like to thank every one of you for coming to this year’s graduation. These past four years of high school were tough at first, for those who remember how I once was before I found the magic of friendship. Still, they were great memories I made, although somewhat challenging. At times, I wanted to give up. Thought to myself that I didn’t belong here. Wondered if I should stay, or go back to where I belonged. But in the end, I didn’t!” 

“There’s the Sunset I know,” whispered Twilight.

“High school was a great part of my life, just like it was for all of my friends. I’ve come a long way to get to this moment, and I’m very proud of myself for all of the hard work I have accomplished here. Sure, I did cause trouble for many students and teachers at one point, but I’ll surely miss this place after today. I’d like to give a big thank you to all of my teachers, along with Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna, for the help they gave me during my time at CHS. I am thankful for the many friends I have made here, and the great memories I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, I made at this very school.”

“Flare Star, where you might be, I hope your happy Sunset has accomplished so much. I miss you, honey,” Brightfire whispered, before clearing away a tear. 

“This chapter of my life may be coming to a close, but a new one, with new adventures, is just beginning! As we start this next chapter of our lives, I know that we each have a new adventure to look forward to, in the not-too-distant future ahead of us. No matter where we go, we’ll have people out there to help us in need, and the magic of friendship to guide us every step of the way. And like a good friend of mine would say, ‘that’s the true power of friendship!’ Thank you.”

A big round of applause was met by the audience, who all loved Sunset’s speech. She even spotted her father deep within the crowd shedding tears of joy.

After Principal Celestia gave out the diplomas to her newly graduated students, a slideshow was shown of their time at CHS, while the Main seven performed one last song together for the final time.

Originally, the girls were planning to discontinue their band once they had graduated, meaning that this would be the end of the Rainbooms. But when the band Principal Celestia hired for the graduation had to cancel their invitation at the last minute, she needed to find a replacement, fast. 

So, she asked the Main seven if they’d be happy to volunteer, to which they agreed to fill in! 

They weren’t sure what song to play, so they let the audience choose for them. And the song everyone wanted them to play was “Right there in front of me.” Aka, the first song they made after Twilight became their newest member.

The remainder of the graduation went off without a hitch, and soon enough it was time to party! 

As usual, Pinkie Pie went all out. It was something the newly graduated students will never forget during their time at CHS!





The next day, we find ourselves in the magical world of Equestria, in its capital of Canterlot. A private coronation is being held in honor of Sunset becoming the sixth alicorn and crowned the Princess of Empathy. 

Sunset’s friends felt weird being ponies again, but many of them managed to get used to it very quickly compared to the first time. It was mainly Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Brightfire, as they had gotten more experience out of everybody- I mean everypony else! Almost slipped my tongue just there. Even Starlight and Moondancer thought it was pretty cool, even if they lacked clothing and were equines.

Many of the guests who were invited to the coronation, questioned why the rest of Equestria wouldn’t learn of another alicorn now existing, to which Princess Twilight stated, “Sunset Shimmer no longer lives in Equestria and it will be staying a secret among all the ponies who are attending this coronation. She has stated countless times her real home is in the human world with her friends now. Which is perfectly fine with me and our former rulers Celestia and Luna.” 

Celestia was the most pleased out of everyone with Sunset’s step into the alicorn hood. She never felt prouder about what her former student had accomplished since abandoning her studies all those years ago. It’s hard to believe when Sunset first went through the portal leading to the human world, Celestia thought she’d never see her again, and if she’d ever change. 

But fate had other plans, which leads us to this celebratory moment for Sunset Shimmer. 

And before anyone asks, Sunset wouldn’t have to worry about being immortal now that she was an alicorn. Princess Twilight was able to put a spell on Sunset, making her capable of aging as a normal human would and not being immortal like herself and the other alicorns. Plus, it also made things easier for Sunset, so she didn’t have to worry about staying the same age as time goes by.

But with all she’s been through, Sunset still managed to earn her wings saving the earth from merging with Equestria. Being rewarded with her very own alicorn wings, and a beautiful crown! It wasn’t as fancy as Princess Twilight’s crown, but Sunset didn’t seem to mind.



She still however did feel a bit anxious wearing her new crown, as after putting on the Element of Magic back at the Fall Formal, she somehow had gotten a fear over crowns. Even if they were magical or not, Sunset didn’t feel one hundred comfortable wearing one. But with time and patience, she likely will. 

As Princess Twilight once told her, being a princess takes a lot of time to get used to! 

And it did.





A week has passed following graduation and Sunset’s coronation, and we find ourselves back on planet earth.

During that short amount of time, a lot has changed for the girls and their new allies.

Each of the Main seven now feels like a respected adult since graduating from CHS. They were more than ready for college in the coming fall season. While college was mostly on their minds, they were also adjusting to being ‘normal’ again. 

For the first time since their trip to Camp Everfree, they no longer had their crystals or powers anymore. They were back to being ordinary girls again. And Spike, an ordinary dog having lost his ability to talk after Fluttershy’s magic became history.

It’s unknown when they’ll be back to their normal selves, but I’m sure they’ll recover from this, with time and patience. 

Eventually… 

“I don’t know what eventually means, but it sounds very very long.”

Ok, who gave my computer to Thomas the tank engine, and put this in for him!?!?

… 

One bright and sunny morning at Sunset’s apartment, we find her fast asleep in bed. But to our surprise, Twilight and Spike are there sleeping too!

Twilight had moved back in with Sunset as they were in a relationship again like nothing had happened. But in reality, something did. But, let’s try not to ruin the moment, shall we?

Twilight was the first to awake that morning, feeling happy to be waking up next to her girlfriend. Sunset awoke seconds later when she felt the cold sensation of someone’s finger touching her nose. This made her smile when opening her eyes to see her girlfriend staring down at her.

“Morning.”

“Morning Sunset. Sleep well?”

“I haven’t slept this well in a while. Thanks for asking Twilight.”

“Are you ready to start a new day?”

“Sure, but first. Sunset gave Twilight a quick kiss on the cheek before she let out a giggle in response. “Now, I’m ready.”

Twilight giggled once more, as they made their way downstairs to see Starlight and their guests fast asleep. 

Sunny and the Sirens had no place to go following their betrayal to Cinch, so Sunset allowed them to stay at her apartment for the time being. 

After returning from Equestria following her coronation, the Main seven started to show their new friends the importance of friendship. It seemed that their work was paying off, especially with the sudden change in attitude their four former enemies were showing signs of. 

However, compared to Starlight, Sunny and the Sirens needed more time, before they could officially prove to themselves they were adjusted to friendship being in their lives. They were still in the early stages of a long road to go down, and there was no sign of when they’ll reach that endpoint. Not to mention the Main seven didn’t have a lot of free time to spare with their summer break and were getting ready for college.

Sunny and the three Sirens were each in a pair of borrowed pajamas and sleeping bags on the floor, while Starlight continued using the couch.

Neither Sunset nor Twilight was sure how long their new friends would be staying with them but had hoped to help their friends find a new place to call home.

… 

As the day proceeded, everything was going smoothly, and there seemed to be nothing to worry about. 

That was until Sunset’s journal received an incoming message from Princess Twilight.

They weren’t expecting to hear from the princess after the coronation, as it was a total surprise when they did.

The message explained she wanted to meet them at CHS that evening, and discuss something important business about the future of their worlds. 

She also requested for Brightfire, Starlight, Sunny, and the Sirens to be there too. The reason why, the Princess didn’t say, nor explained why. But the Main seven didn’t bother, as this was more important, and hopefully won’t be something to worry about.





It was almost nightfall by the time the Main seven were outside at CHS, with the rest of their friends, and Brightfire, awaiting the princess's arrival. Just about everyone was wondering what the princess wanted to share with them. Was it serious? And should they be worried? Their answers would soon be made, as seconds later, Princess Twilight arrived from Equestria. She had a loss of breath after exiting the portal as she went from equine to bipedal, for the third time that month. But she had gotten used to traveling to this alternate world.

“Hello everyone. Thank you for coming on such short notice,” shared Princess Twilight, while smoothing out her skirt.

“Your welcome Twilight. Now, what’s this important news you wanted to tell us?” Sunset asked curiously.

“Well, I’m not sure how you're all gonna like this. But, I’ve come to a very hard decision. One that must be done for the future of our worlds.”

“What do you mean by that princess?”

“I’m glad you asked Applejack. After much thinking, and discussing with Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna, I’ve decided that the portal must be closed as soon as possible for the foreseeable future.”

A round of shocks and gasps were shared, over the news the princess had confessed to them.

“You're closing the portal! Why?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

“After what we experienced with the rips opening in the sky, during the battle against Cinch, our worlds were in danger of being merged. If it wasn’t for the crystals transforming Sunset into Daydream Shimmer, all would have been lost.” 

Twilight did a little bit of breathing to prepare herself for what was to be explained next, as this wasn’t gonna be an easy one to explain.

“In order for our worlds to be safe from any harm of something like this ever happening again, the portal must be closed for the next thirty moons. Giving it time to heal itself from releasing loads of equestrian magic into this world. So, this will likely be the last time I’ll see you all, until that time has passed.”

Everyone went speechless. 

While some of them knew this would eventually come, the girls were very sad this might be the very last time they’ll ever see Princess Twilight. 

She had become a good friend of theirs and cared deeply for her. Even if she wasn’t human or from their world, they still treated her as her own friends back in Equestria.

“Will we ever see you again?” Asked Brightfire.

“Brightfire, I do not know… A lot will change within that period. But, whenever you look at the stars above. Think of one of them, as my soul. Continue to spread the magic of friendship wherever you may go, and protect this world from any evil still lurking out there. While this does mark the end of an era, you have each shown yourselves worthy with the magic of friendship. I thank you all, for everything you’ve done.”

“Well, not all of us princess. But, I’ll take it. Your criticism is always welcomed.” Adagio confessed, while messing around with her jacket.

“As even Sunny has managed to accept its magic. Which makes me feel more pleased than ever. Knowing that there is still a way to help someone possess the capacity for change, with friendship.”

Each and every one of these girls had accomplished so much if it wasn’t for the brilliant minds of Princess Twilight. It had done a lot for their worlds and lives if they had never met back at the Fall Formal. It sure was something they were proud of the princess managed to do, even at the toughest of moments. 

Though with everything these girls have accomplished, a few of them had other thoughts in mind. One of them was Sunny, Sunset Shimmer’s human counterpart.

“Princess?”

“Yes, Sunny?”

“I know we’ve only known each other for a very short time, but, I have a request to ask you.”

“A request? What kind of request?”

Sunny took a glance at Starlight before she started explaining herself.

“With my counterpart wanting to stay in this world, that means yours won't have a Sunset Shimmer. And, I think a world without one, would be a much gloomier place. So, could I go with you to Equestria, in her place?”

Like earlier, a round of shocks and gasps came around to Sunny’s sudden request, all curious as to why she requested this to the Princess of Friendship. 

“Really, but why?”

“For much of my life, I’ve been nothing but a thief, a terrible person, and a no-good friend. Especially to Starlight. But after being shown the magic of friendship, and my counterpart saving me from a bitter end, it gave me hope. Maybe I could have a better life somewhere, just like she did. And I think that place is Equestria!”

Princess Twilight was surprised about this but quickly understood. 

“Is that what you’d want? I’m sure the girls will be more than happy to help make things better for you with time and ease. Do you really want to do this?”

“I do. They got their own lives to worry about, and won’t be together much longer. I can start a new life in Equestria and make new friends myself. It confused me at first that my counterpart came to this world in the first place, but I think she was destined to come here. Which makes me think I’m destined to go to Equestria!”

That made Princess Twilight feel very pleased.

“If that’s what you’d like, then you have my permission.”

“Oh, thank you, Prince-”

“Actually, can we go too?”

Everybody turned to look at the youngest Siren, overhearing her question.

“You do? Why? Your all still criminals there you know, right?” Replied Sunset.

“Like we’d forget that,” mumbled Aria.

“So, what made you change your mind?” Asked Princess Twilight.

“We have enjoyed our time here on planet earth, but we miss Equestria. And after losing our magic-”

“Twice.”

“No one asked Sonata!” Replied Aria.

“We mean it completely! We’ve been struggling to survive, even after getting stranded here centuries ago. When we lost our pendants, we started to see signs that we were starting to age. While that is normal for you humans, it's not for us Sirens," finished Adagio. 

“That’s what you get for trying to take over our world,” whispered Rainbow Dash.

“We’ve also learned of our counterpart's location. Which is why we can’t stay here,” shared Aria.

“We learned that our counterparts are moving to this city in the coming weeks. This would be a huge problem if they learned of our existence. So, if we want to learn more about friendship, we were wondering, can you do it for us, Princess? Please?” Confessed Adagio, who was now blushing in the process.

“But if we want to go back home, we’ll have to deal with whatever punishment we’ll be charged for our crimes,” shared a sad Aria.

“Whatever it’ll be, we accept it! We’ve done many bad things in Equestria and this world! We don’t one hundred percent like friendship yet or know if we ever will. We still want to learn everything there is about it! Even if it’s back home in Equestria of all places,” said the confident Sonata.

Princess Twilight was pleased the Sirens wanted this and would deal with any crimes they’d face if returning to Equestria. 

“Well, as the new ruler of Equestria, you are dismissed for your crimes.”

“Wait, what!”

“Are you serious?!?!”

“Please tell me this is a joke?”

“Nope, it isn’t. But if you want this, you’ll have to prove yourselves. You girls think your up for it?”

The three sisters nod back, meaning this will be the last time the Main seven see the Sirens. Their once revivals, now friends.

But then, a realization came to Fluttershy on another crucial matter. And Princess Twilight was able to notice by the ever-so-familiar worry Fluttershy often has.

“Is something the matter Fluttershy?”

“Yes, Twilight. If Sunny and the Sirens are going back to Equestria with you. Then, where will Starlight go?”

Fluttershy was right. With Sunny and the Sirens going to Equestria with her, Starlight had nowhere left to go. 

“Does she have any family she can live with?” 

“Sunny and I lost all contact with our families years ago. She’s been the only family I’ve had ever since. And knowing she’s going to Equestria, I’m all alone again…”

This was indeed a sad moment for them. One that seemed to have no answer.

Fortunately, there was a silver lining to solving it.

“You can stay with me,” replied Brightfire.

“I-I can?” Starlight asked. 

“Yep. I got a spare room at my apartment that I hardly use. I’d be more than welcome to let you have it. If you’d like?”

Brightfire then walked over to Starlight and kneeled to face her at eye level.

“You’ve become very close with Sunset like your part of the family within the last two weeks since she met you. Just knowing you need a place to call home, and someone to take care of you, I’d like to adopt you Starlight.” 

“Really. You’d do that, for me?”

“Of course. But, if you’d rather want to find someone from your family to stay with, I’ll gladly-”

Brightfire never got the chance to finish, as Starlight immediately began hugging him, as the tears of sadness she had, turned to tears of joy.

“I’d love to be a part of your family! Sunset feels like the big sister I’ve always wanted! So yes, I’ll take your offer!”

Brightfire couldn’t feel more proud of himself, knowing he had just helped Starlight find a new place to call home. And a family, that would love her very much.

With that out of the way, it was finally time to say goodbye to Princess Twilight and her new students before they’d leave for Equestria.

Sonata and Aria felt very disappointed with how they acted toward Pinkie Pie and Starlight during the battle at CHS. So now was the perfect time for them to apologize before going home. While that was going on, Adagio made a long overdue apology of her own to Sunset Shimmer.

Like Adagio, Sunset originally hated her for what she and her sisters did back at the Battle of the Bands, and the encounter at the Starswirl festival weeks prior. While Sunset is the only one who’d remember it, the Sirens still played an important role in helping them against Cinch, when they needed it. There was still hope that Adagio and her sisters could turn over a new leaf, but the Sirens had to prove it if they were up for the task.

“We’ve had quite our tough moments Adagio, but I’m glad you want to change.”

“So do I Sunset. Now, this is something I’d never find myself doing, but I'd like you to have this.”

This got Sunset confused until Adagio started removing her leather jacket, before she folded it up, and offered it to her friend.

“Oh! I can’t accept this. That jacket must mean a lot to you.”

“It’s perfectly fine with me. You do look good in leather jackets compared to everyone else I know. Myself included. So, think of it as a gift for not losing hope in me and my sisters. Is that alright?” Asked Adagio.

Sunset wasn’t too sure how to respond at first, but the fact Adagio was offering it to her, Sunset accepted the gift for not losing hope in the Sirens.

“Of course Adagio.”

Sunset removed the current jacket she was wearing and handed it over to Sci Twi to wear before putting on the jacket from Adagio.

“Huh, what a perfect fit. Feels nice too. Reminds me of the first one I had. Thank you Adagio,” confessed Sunset.

“Your welcome Sunset,” Adagio shared, before covering her sleeveless arms. She started to get a bit chilly without her jacket but knowing it was in good hands, just made her happy in the end.

Once everyone had exchanged their goodbyes, it was time for Princess Twilight and her students to leave.

“I ask only this of you, my noble friends. Keep spreading the magic of friendship, wherever you may go.”

“You can count on us to keep it going,” replied Brightfire. To which Princess Twilight smiled in reply.

Sunset was the last person to say goodbye to the princess before she was to return home with her new students in tow. 

Princess Twilight never got to spend a lot of time with Sunset, or her human friends during the few times she visited. She was still gonna miss them, just as much as her own friends back in Equestria after moving out of Ponyville to Canterlot. 

“That jacket looks good on you Sunset.”

“Thanks.” 

“I’m not sure if the journals will still work once the portal is closed. But if they do, don’t hesitate to send me a message whenever you feel like it.”

“Sure thing.”

Twilight took a look at the sun setting behind them, and knew it was time.

“Well, it’s time for us to go.”

That made Sunset smile in a mixture of happiness and sadness.

“Until we meet again Princess Twilight.”

The two princesses exchanged handshakes before they all bid a final farewell.

One by one, Sunny, the Sirens, and Princess Twilight entered the portal heading for Equestria. 

Just before Sunny entered the portal, she took one last glance at her old home. Knowing it will be safe, there wasn’t a counterpart situation to worry about, nor any magic either to cause worry. When she entered the portal, she felt more than ready for the new life she was about to start. She wondered what new friends she was hoping to meet, and what memories she’ll make with the magic of friendship in Equestria.

But that’s a story, for another time.





The following Friday, Pinkie Pie threw a graduation party for the newly graduated CHS students, celebrating one last final for old-time's sake. Everything was going splendidly as she wanted.

There was lots of delicious food to eat, people going around about their future plans, party games to play, and a pool in the backyard to chill in.

We find the human five, in Pinkie’s living room, all decked out in the dresses they wore back at the Camp Everfree fundraiser. They were discussing the many fun memories of their time together at CHS. From their freshman year, meeting Princess Twilight, and more. 

“We sure had quite the journey at CHS,” Applejack shared, before taking a sip of her fruit punch.

“I can’t believe we finished high school!”

“Same here Fluttershy. While this will be our last summer before we go our separate ways, we sure had one hell of a ride. Right girls?”

Several agreements were made, making Rainbow Dash feel very pleased and awesome!

Just then, Moondancer and Starlight come along to join in on their conversation.

“Hey everyone, how’s it going?” Asked Moondancer.

“Just talking about our summer plans. Enjoying the party?” 

“We are. You sure know how to put on quite the party, Pinkie Pie.” Commented Starlight.

“You're welcome! It’s what I do to get smiles and laughter for my friends and family.”

They all laughed over Pinkie’s comment, knowing they were gonna miss it once they went off to college.

“Thanks again for making us these dresses, Rarity.” Shared Moondancer.

“Yeah, they're beautiful!” Said Starlight.

“The pleasure is all mine. I’m just glad you both love them!”

“Have you heard anything new about your adoption yet Starlight?” Fluttershy asked, before taking a bite of her pizza.

“Not yet. Brightfire, or my dad so to speak, is still in the middle of getting the paperwork ready. If all goes well, I’ll be adopted a few days from now!”

“That’s wonderful! You're gonna enjoy having Sunset as a sister. I just know it!” Confessed Applejack.

“Thanks. It means a lot.”

“Speaking of Sunset, where is she? I haven’t seen her or Twilight since I arrived. I was going to apologize I couldn't meet with you all at CHS on Monday. My mom wanted to take me out to dinner that day to introduce me to her new boyfriend.  And I didn’t know til the last minute,” shared Moondancer.

“Your good Moondancer. I’m sure Twilight just forgot to tell you. She’s been very excited about the date with Sunset she was waiting for.” Shared Rarity.

“A date? What for?” Asked Moondancer.

“For their first dating anniversary. Sunset has been planning it for weeks. She’s been keeping it a secret from Twilight until we graduated. And we all pinkie promised not to tell her,” shared an excited Pinkie Pie.

“Wow. All that for an anniversary! I guess love makes you do crazy things?” Shared Starlight, who was playing around with a strand of hair.

“That’s a relationship for you Starlight. You’ll feel the same way when you start dating yourself!” Moondancer shared, before winking back at her new friend.

“Speaking of those two, do you mind telling me how they got together? Sunset never told me how she fell in love with her. I’m very interested in hearing it.”

“Well, we can tell you. But I think we should take this conversation somewhere private. You might find it a bit depressing,” confessed Rainbow Dash.

“Really? How?”

“You’ll see,” Moondancer replied, as she lightly punched Starlight’s left arm.

“Come on girls, let’s head to my room where we’ll tell you how our two friends became our favorite couple!”





On the far side of the city, Sunset and Twilight were down at the beach enjoying their anniversary date.

Unlike their friends, they were in the outfits they wore during their spring break cruise two months prior, and their matching star flip-flops over the shoes they wore with the outfits originally. 

Sunset also adored the leather jacket Adagio had given her, and the crown she got at her coronation. Twilight was wearing a jacket too, being the one she made for Sunset, who was kind to let her borrow it. She even had her hair down as opposed to her signature ponytail appearance everyone knows her for. Twilight had decided to ditch that look following graduation, mainly as a start of her new future, not having to worry about getting confused as the other Twilight, and that it was the perfect time for a change. 

It also made her look cuter too.

“It sure is beautiful tonight, huh Sunset?”

“Yeah, best it's been in a while.”

Like Sunset planned for their anniversary, everything was going as she wanted. First, they went out to dinner at one of their favorite restaurants, went to see the latest Daring Do movie with Juniper Montage appearing as a background character in it, and finish the night off stargazing at the beach. It was fun and all, but Twilight had something vital to tell Sunset now that they were together again.

“Sunset, I’m sorry for how I acted when I learned your magic was responsible for turning me into Midnight Sparkle.”

“You had every right to blame me, Twilight. I always wondered to myself how your device went crazy back at the Friendship Games. But I never expected I was the one responsible for it happening. It surprises me that my magic was what turned you into a monster. So, I should be the one apologizing, not you...”

“But it wasn’t. You couldn’t control your magic back then, like the rest of our friends. And it was my fault for being so interested in learning about magic. I got so caught up with it.”

“You got a point there.”

“I mean, I ended up causing so much trouble, all because I wanted to learn everything there is to know about magic! Even after you saved me, and I transferred to CHS, there was one thing I never regretted. After all, that's happened.”

“What’s that?”

“I got friends back in my life.”

“Which is great!”

“And that my BGFF is a princess.”

“BGFF?”

“Best Girl Friend Forever, you dummy!” Twilight replied, before lightly punching Sunset’s left shoulder.

“Stop it Twilight, you're making me red like my hair.”

“Well, you earned it. Not only did you save everyone at graduation, but you stopped Cinch from our worlds merging.” 

“And who knows what would’ve happened if the crystals didn’t.”

“But they did, and granted your wish of becoming a princess! How does it feel now that you’ve become one?”

“I’m gonna be honest to you, Twilight. While a part of myself still thinks I don’t deserve it, after everything I’ve done, and how much I’ve changed, I understand what it feels like to help those who have been where I once was, like you. And why, I became the Princess of Empathy.”

“Mhm. Princess or not, you’re still my best friend Sunset.”

“Thanks again, Twilight.”

The girls decided to stop talking for a while and go back to their stargazing. But after nearly twenty minutes, Sunset remembered something important of her own, she needed to confess to Twilight. She was saving it for after graduation and now was the perfect time to share it with her, since they’re officially graduates of CHS. 

It was time for Sunset to tell Twilight what she had planned once they went their separate ways for college, as it was now or never for her to do so.

“I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a while Twilight, and I think it's finally time you know.”

“What is it Sunset?”

“I’ve thought over what to do once we’ve graduated, and I’m thinking of going on a journey.”

“Really? What for?”

Sunset was getting nervous about what she was gonna share next but knew Twilight would understand. 

She changed her sitting position on the beach blanket they sat on, so she could face Twilight.

“While the portal to Equestria is closed for the next thirty moons, and magic isn’t leaking into our world, I’ve been wondering about the rest of the artifacts that ended up here.”

“What about them?” Twilight asks as she gets up to face her girlfriend.

“I talked with Princess Twilight before graduation if she knew how many ended up here. And amazingly, there are dozens more of them scattered across our planet.”

This conversation was now getting Twilight curious as to what her girlfriend was trying to tell her.

“What are you trying to tell me, Sunset?”

“If I want this world to be free from the magic I brought here, I must find those missing artifacts! I know I’m not the one responsible for them, I still feel guilty of the magic I brought here in the first place. The artifacts are harmless now, but there’s still a possibility that if any magic is still out there, it could activate any one of them, and will cause something bad to happen! I do have an invite for you if you’d like to tag along, but I know you can’t because of college.”

That’s when Twilight remembered the lie she told Sunset about Everton four days before graduation. She did want to go to college after graduating high school but didn’t want to be separated from Sunset. 

After thinking about it for a good thirty seconds, Twilight knew she had to tell Sunset the truth.

“Sunset, I have a confession to make about the letter I got from Everton.”

…  

“I didn’t get accepted.”

“Wait what!?!? You lied to me!! But, you told me you got accepted and everything!”

“I know because I got rejected!” 

A moment of silence was met between them before Sunset was the one to break it.

“Yo-you did?”

“I was sad about it at first weeks ago and wasn’t sure how to tell everyone. Everton was my dream college. The one I’ve been wanting to go to for so long! But when my life changed after I met you, I don’t care about Everton anymore.”

Sunset went speechless! Within the last year she’s known Twilight, she’s been told more than a million times how much her friend wants to go to Everton, once they graduated from CHS. And now that she outright confessed to her she got rejected and didn’t care, Sunset needed to know why her girlfriend was simply ok with it.

“So, if you don’t want to go to Everton, you're saying you’d rather stay with me?”

Twilight nodded back sadly, as a frown started growing on her face.

“But, why? You’ve told me endless times how much this means to you. You’d do just about anything to get accepted into that college. Aren’t you the tiniest bit sad you got rejected?”

Silence fell upon them once again, with the only sound being waves crashing against the shore.

“My passion for science will always be a part of me, but my life has changed so much since you came into it. Sure, it took some time to get used to having friends again, not spending all my time alone with my studies, and even magic being brought into it, I found something I never thought I’d find. Love. It originally came when I met Timber, but there was something about you Sunset that was completely different from all the other people I’ve met.” 

“Really?”

“Mhm.” 

Twilight brought out her phone from her pocket before she began browsing through the many photos she had taken over the last year with her friends, bringing back many good memories.

“We have had our unfortunate moments, even before we started dating I still think about on occasion. Nearly losing you to suicide, twice. Our short breakup when I learned your magic was responsible for me becoming Midnight Sparkle. The tragic Memory Stone incident when I forgot you entirely. And the love I had been growing for you was just erased! I even acted the same way you acted to me back at the Friendship Games when you stepped on my drone by accident. I’ll never forgive myself for that one. I’m sure our friends feel the same. And it was all because that damn Wallflower didn’t like that you had changed when shown the magic of friendship! Just why? Why did she do it to you of all people? Why couldn’t it be me!”

Twilight began to feel tears forming in her eyes just thinking about it, until she felt Sunset’s arm wrap around her, and brought in for a hug.

“You are nothing like Wallflower Twilight. Don’t compare yourself to who you really are not deep down. I know the feeling when it comes to past mistakes. But it's in the past now. It’s water under the bridge.”

“You're right. I’m sorry…”

“It’s ok. While that moment will forever be one of the darkest times of my life, we’re together again. That’s what matters, right?”

This made Twilight feel much better, as she began whipping her tears away.

“You're right. I mean, our author would definitely agree with my statement about the Memory Stone incident and Wallflower Blush, now that I’ve said it to the world.”

“He would?”

“Why do you think I just explained how much I loathe Wallflower and the Memory Stone incident? I wouldn’t have said that anywhere else would I?”

“Touché.”

Oh, come on girls! I was so close to making sure more people know how bad that special was! It was a terrible way to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Equestria Girls! But of course, Hasbro thought they should do it... It was absolute bullshit no one thought of something better than that! 

Oh well, back to the story I guess…

Sunset still couldn’t believe her girlfriend’s confession just yet, as she was still overwhelmed about Twilight accepting her rejection from Everton. But for the cost of love, she was completely blown out of her mind!

“You sure did catch me off guard there Twilight.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I’m quite scared of what the future has in store, and what’s coming next. I don’t want to give up on our relationship because I want to go to college and you're off traveling the world. It’s you I want more than anything. To be with for the rest of my life. Raise a family, have a child, hell, maybe even get matching tattoos of our emblems, or cutie marks as you call them.”

“That’s not a bad idea, now that I think about it,” Sunset wondered.

“I don’t care what some people would say that I’m a bi. I want you more than any other person out there! And that’s all I want. To be with you Sunset!” Twilight replied as she grabbed ahold of Sunset’s hands. 

Sunset went silent for a second but could feel the emotions Twilight was feeling.

“Well, I feel the same way Twilight,” Sunset confessed.

“My grandfather once told me before he died, that when it comes to love, always choose the side of love! And that’s what I want! To be with you!”

That was when something sparked inside Sunset, that made her realize what Twilight was trying to tell her.

“Wait, so does that mean?”

“Yes Sunset, I want to come with you on your journey!”

“I can’t believe it! Are you serious?”

“You bet! I’d rather let college be pushed aside if we want our world to be safe. You’ll need all the help you can get if you want to find those artifacts. And lucky for you, you're talking to someone who would be special for that position.”

This made Sunset smile with glee. 

“What would I do without you Twilight?” 

“So starting now, let’s find each and every one of those artifacts, so our planet is back to normal!” 

That made Sunset feel even more bursts of joy flowing through her veins.

“Wow. You’d do all that, just to keep our relationship from jeopardizing?”

“Yes, Sunset. You mean a lot to me. You’ve been there during my toughest moments I’ve had since we first met. Helping me with my fear of Midnight Sparkle. Relationship difficulties, and even editing the school yearbook of all things. I don’t want to lose you all because of college. You’re my best friend, Sunset. I wouldn’t want to date anyone else but you.”

That was when Twilight was brought in another unexpected hug from her girlfriend. She looked at Sunset eye to eye while whipping away the remaining tears she had on her face.

“I’ll be right there with you, Twilight. If you think your place is with me, I don’t have a problem with it. But I have to ask. Are you sure you're up for this?”

Twilight now felt puzzled, making her left eye twitch a little. 

After telling Sunset everything she’d sacrifice to be with her, she started to feel something odd coursing through her. So, in order to get it out of her system, she did the last thing she’d thought she’d ever do, as she tackled her girlfriend in response to her question! 

Sunset’s crown got knocked off in the process, landing in the sand right next to them, right as Twilight planted a kiss on the love of her life, before looking into those beautiful cyan eyes she had.

“Does that answer your question?”

“Yes, it does Twilight.” 

“Oh! And, before I forget, I have a quick favor to ask.”

“Sure, what is it?” Sunset asks while smoothing out her dress. 

Twilight grabbed something from her pocket and placed it in Sunset’s hand. It wasn’t her phone this time, it the locket Sunset had given her when they started dating. 

Sunset was confused as to what the favor was that involved the locket before Twilight began explaining.

“Since we don’t have our crystals anymore, I’m thinking about wearing it more often starting now. But, I want you to be the first one to do it. Just this once. To remember the moment. If that’s okay with you?”

Sunset smiled back, as she began moving some of Twilight's lavender hair out of the way, before hooking the locket’s chain around her neck. 

After it was secure, Twilight examined the locket as she opened it up, revealing the two photos inside.

There were originally two different photos inside when Sunset first gave her the locket. But within the last year, Twilight replaced them with new ones of her time with Sunset as her girlfriend. 

It ended up making the locket even more special, with the memories they had made together as a couple. 

“It’s beautiful. Thank you Sunset.”

“Your welcome Twilight.”

… 

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Can we make a promise?”

“A promise? What kind of promise?”

“That, no matter what happens. We’ll always be together.”

This worried Twilight a little.

“Do you think we can?”

“I don’t know. But, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about love, it’ll always be there, if you manage to keep it going. But only, if we can learn to trust one another. And not keeping any more secrets locked away. How does that sound?”

Twilight thought it over for a good minute and kissed Sunset in response, making her feel relieved.

“Speaking of surprises, I have one for you too!”

“You do?”

“I wrote a song for you.”

“You did? That’s great!”

“And I’m gonna play it for you with the instrument you and Rainbow use.”

“You mean the guitar? But you don’t own Twilight. Nor know how to use one?”

“That’s where you're wrong, Sunset.” 

Twilight brought out a small guitar from inside her backpack, as she pulled the strap over her shoulder, tuned it, and remembered back to the many hours she spent practicing for this special moment.

“Ready?”

Sunset adjusts her seating position before she was ready to hear the song her girlfriend wrote just for her.

“I’m all ears Twilight.”

And with a strum of the guitar string, the song commenced.



Once the song had finished, Sunset was lost for words.

“Wow Twilight, that was beautiful. I-I loved it!” Sunset confessed while clearing away a tear.

“Thank you Sunset. I wanted to do something special for our first anniversary. Rainbow Dash was kind enough to give me guitar lessons before gifting me this guitar. I also got Fluttershy’s help with the lyrics. I put a lot of effort into this, just like you did for this date.”

“Well, you did an outstanding job, Twilight. Happy anniversary.”

“Happy anniversary Sunset. I love you.”

“I love you too Twilight.”

They came in for another deep kiss, celebrating their first full year together since they became a couple.

Whatever will come next? I think it’s best we let the girls handle it from there.





After finishing their stargazing, the two girls went over to Pinkie’s house for the remainder of the graduation party. They were happy to learn that Starlight’s adoption was almost complete and it would soon make her Sunset’s younger sister! Not by blood, but still, they’ll be sisters soon enough.

As excited as the news was, however, they still had to tell their friends what they discussed at the beach earlier, and Twilight’s rejection to Everton. She already told her parents about it on the way to Pinkie’s house. They were very disappointed she didn’t tell them till now but relieved she was honest. She made sure to tell them about the journey with Sunset, to which they were ok with her going on. It was her decision to make as she was an adult now, but they had some rules they wanted her to promise she’ll keep, while she was off on her journey with Sunset.

Getting back on track, it was perfectly clear how happy the Equestria Girls were feeling, now that they had completed high school, and their last summer together was about to start. 

However, none of them were ready for the sudden news their favorite couple was about to share. 

… 

Upon the conclusion of the party, Sunset and Twilight explained their plans to their friends on finding the remaining equestrian artifacts that were still on their planet.

Each and every one of them was surprised they’d be leaving sooner than expected. But after learning why, they understood their decision completely. 

If they want the planet to return to the way it was before magic and the artifacts came in it, they must fulfill this goal!

The plan was they’d leave within the next week, as it would be best to start as soon as possible.

And with a shocking twist, not even Sunset nor Twilight expected, Starlight wanted to join them. 

She wanted to join, not only to assist and spend more quality time with her soon-to-be sister, but to also find her long-lost friend, Sunburst. 

Starlight had no idea where he’d been since he moved out of her hometown seven years ago, or where he possibly had been since she last heard from him. She knew she’d find him, but where was the question?  

Even if it took her several years to search for him, she didn’t want to lose hope of finding her friend. 

But what mattered more was finding the artifacts scattered across their planet!  

They, fortunately, didn’t have to worry about what artifacts to find, as Princess Twilight had given them a list of the remaining artifacts that were on earth. It was all thanks to Starswirl the Bearded, so they’d have an easier way of finding them. 

It was odd that Starswirl kept a list of the artifacts he dumped on their planet eons ago, but no one decided not to question it for obvious reasons. 

It was unknown how long the journey would last them, or how far they’ll travel in search of the artifacts. 

But they knew that whatever happened, none of them were gonna give up, until they found each and every artifact, so their planet was safe once again.

So as long as they stick together, they’ll be alright.


To be Continued… 

> Epilogue (Edited by 13 Shades of Sunset) (Updated 1/23/2023)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the next few days, the three girls spent their time getting ready for the long journey ahead, while spending as much of it as possible with their friends and family. And that’s what Sunset and Starlight did with their father on one of those nights. 

Sunset was the one who felt the saddest right before leaving. She thought about it the most while spending time with her father Brightfire. It had only been two weeks since they reunited for the first time in years and being separated from him wasn’t gonna be easy. 

It was unknown how long til the two sisters will get to spend more quality time with their father. But the night they spent together as a family helped very much. The girls were gonna miss their dad while they were away. But he told his daughters that if they ever miss him, he’s just one phone call away to talk to them. 

Another exciting night included a sleepover at Sunset’s place, with Starlight joining them for the first time. Since Starlight was now Sunset’s sister, she was allowed into their group, which now made them the Main Eight. Or the Rainbooms as Rainbow Dash still calls them every so often.





We find ourselves at the Canterlot City Train Station one Friday evening, where the Main Eight, Spike the dog, Brightfire, and Twilight’s parents, awaited for their train to begin the journey. They decided to take a train to start their journey. It was found out the closest equestrian artifact was located outside the city, and it was the cheapest option to do rather than walking or by car. Plus, who wouldn't want to travel by train, it's fun, you don't need to worry about being in a cramped car for hours on end, you can read a good book or a nice nap, but there's also a café/diner car to get food anytime they wanted.  

Their journey by train would last them about seventeen hours, going down two hundred and fifty miles out of the nearly five hundred mile line the railroad in question owned.

When their train arrived about an hour before they were to depart, everyone was shocked to see that the locomotive pulling into the station was none other than a twentieth-century-built steam engine! 

The railroad that ran through their city, and much of their state, had a small fleet of operational steam locomotives. They were mainly used for passenger trains, occasional freight trains to help with their diesel fleet, and special events throughout the year.

Sunset was amazed she had finally gotten to see one after all these years on earth. 

Its bell clanged by the second with clouds of smoke puffing out of its funnel, as the engine entered the station. It soon came to a stop, just before the engineer pulled the whistle cord, signaling the passengers they’ve arrived at their next stopping point. Passengers began to depart the train, heading off to their following destinations, or simply to stretch their legs during the hour-long stop, while the crew began work on maintaining the engine's running gear. 

Diesel locomotives need maintenance every now and then, but steam engines need twice the amount when running for a good portion of a day! This was one of many reasons they have discontinued regular service six to seven decades ago in the late twentieth century. Steam regularly used is a rare sight these days in the twenty-first century. They need to have their driving rods greased every hundred miles, fuel and water replenished, depending on the size of their tender and if they have an auxiliary water tender or not, and inspected for any possible issues that might lead to a problem later on during the journey, so there are no delays before departure. 

Before beginning the maintenance, the fireman shoveled several loads of coal into the engine’s firebox, before exiting the cab to refuel the tender’s water capacity from a nearby water tower. While seeing a steam locomotive running in the twenty-first century isn’t that common for most people these days, unless you live by tourist lines that run steam throughout much of the year, being originally from Equestria, Sunset was used to it. 

The train in Equestria, the Friendship Express, was powered by a steam engine. So alongside her father, Brightfire Sunset decides not to question it like everyone else was and enjoy the moment while it lasted. 

It was also several times larger and had a different design than the one back in Equestria. I mean, it was a completely different locomotive just by looking at it. Instead of having a 4-4-0 american arrangement, it had a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement, commonly known as a pacific. The engine bore the number 1293 on its cab, number plate, and rear end of its tender, the name of the railroad it served written on its tender Ohio Central, and finally, five steel passenger cars coupled behind it.

… 

As the sun began setting behind the mountains Sunset, Twilight and Starlight were doing some last-minute go-overs with their families before boarding their train.

Just by the look of their wardrobe and matching ponytails, they looked more than ready for the long journey ahead of them.  Whatever was gonna happen, they were ready to begin their search for the remaining equestrian artifacts.

Compared to Twilight and Starlight, Sunset always preferred having her hair down. But like what we’ve seen in the past, she does have it in a bun or ponytail on occasion. And as Twilight once said about her hairstyling techniques, Sunset thought about trying something new for a change like her girlfriend. It was the start of a new chapter of her life, and doing it in style, was a great way to do it. Which Rarity highly approved.  

The three were nervous about their journey like anyone would be, but out of all of them, Twilight could easily tell that her Mom was the one sad to be seeing her go. She tried to hide it as best as she could, but Twilight knew her Mom well. And she always had a hard time hiding it.

“Did you pack everything you need Twilight?”

“Yes, Mom. I got the camping gear, clothes, food, water, money, medicine, a compass, and a spare pair of glasses in case my current ones break. And finally my phone. I think I got everything I’ll be needing.” 

“Good, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t forget anything, sweetie. SniffI knew that this day was coming, but why did it have to be so soon!”

Twilight Velvet immediately lets out the tears of sadness she’d been holding in before her husband Night Light tried to help calm her down. It’s always hard for a parent when their child leaves their home and goes out into the big world. And Velvet seemed to be in a worse state than when Shining Armor moved out years prior.

“There there honey, it's gonna be ok. Twilight, do us a favor and call us once in a while. Or at the very least, send us a letter or postcard to not worry your mother. We know this is very important to you, but remember. While you are an adult now, you’re still our daughter, and we care about your safety. So please, stay safe out there, alright?”

“I promise Dad. I’ll miss you both.”

Twilight gave her parents a nice big hug goodbye before kneeling to face Spike, who was sitting right next to her Mom. She could tell by the look on his face he was gonna miss her while she was away. Even if Spike could no longer physically speak, it was easy to tell by the frown he adored he was sad to see Twilight go.

“I wish I could take you with me, Spike. But this is something important I must do with Sunset and Starlight. If I brought you along, I’d hate for something bad to happen to you. So for your safety, you’re staying back with Mom and Dad until I return. Alright?" Spike moaned a little while listening, but he understood why she was telling him this while being scratched behind the right ear. 

“And don’t forget to be on your best behavior while I’m away, ok boy? Spike happily barked back to Twilight, which made her smile happily.

“Although you can no longer talk, you’ll remain my number one assistant Spike. I’m gonna miss you, buddy.”

Before Twilight knew it, Spike jumped onto his owner and began giving her several goodbye kisses. Twilight hugged him back, giggling before setting him back down on the ground.

As Sunset watched her girlfriend from a distance, it was her turn with her father Brightfire, alongside her newly adopted sister Starlight.

“Good luck out there girls. Especially you, Sunset. It's hard to believe you’ve grown so much these last few years, taking care of yourself without me. Your mother sure would be proud of how much you’ve accomplished if she were still with us. I’m proud of you sweetie.”

“Thanks, Dad. I promise to call whenever I find the time. Despite this, it was not how I expected to say goodbye to you. Again. I’m glad to have you back in my life.”

“So am I Sunset.”

“Take care of Ray and Owlowiscious while we're off searching for the artifacts. It won’t be much, but I know you can do it.”

“You can count on me Sunset. And keep an eye out for your sister so she doesn’t get herself into trouble, ok Starlight?”

“You can count on me. Dad.”

“That’s sure gonna get some getting used to,” Sunset shared while scratching her neck in awkwardness.

“You’ll get the hang of it, Sunset. Having a sister is the best gift you have ever given me. And I’m proud to call you my sister, sis.” Starlight replied, before lightly punching Sunset’s left shoulder.

“You are very welcome, Starlight. But before we go, why don’t we take a quick photo together? We’re officially a family now. But since we’ll be separated for some time, it’ll be a reminder of our first moments together. I know it's not something special like a normal family portrait would be, but this one means more.”

The family of three joined in on the photo, with the train station in the background before Sunset took their picture.

“Stay safe out there. I love you, girls.”

“We love you too Dad,” the two sisters said in unison.

“Oh, and before you go. I’d like you to have this Sunset.”

Brightfire brought out a bracelet he had from his bag and handed it over to Sunset. It was silver and had a circular green crystal in the center. It was both a unique and beautiful piece of jewelry just looking at it in his hand. 

“A bracelet?”

“Not just anything bracelet. This once belonged to your mother. I gave it to her as a gift for our first wedding anniversary. It was one of several things that survived the storm that destroyed our home in Equestria. I’ve been carrying it these last few years, and I’d like you to have it.” 

“Dad, are you sure? This bracelet must mean a lot to you. We’ve gone through so much since we lost our family. Are you positive I can have it?”

“It’s perfectly fine with me Sunset.”

"Are you sure?”

“Yes. No matter where you go, you’ll always have something to remember about our family. I won’t always be here for you. So keep it close to you, and carry it with pride.”

Sunset was surprised her father was offering her the piece of jewelry, especially since he’s held onto it these last few years. But knowing it once belonged to her deceased mother, made Sunset feel a sign of joy.

“Thanks, Dad. I promise to take good care of it.”

“I know you will.”

Sunset placed the bracelet on her left hand before admiring its beauty. Now, wherever she would go, she had a reminder of her old family back in Equestria.

But now, it was time for an even harder goodbye she and Starlight had to do. Saying goodbye to their friends Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.

The siblings gave their dad one final hug goodbye, before heading over to their friends awaiting them with Twilight.

The Main Eight all felt nothing but sadness, knowing they were about to go their separate ways til their friends return from their journey. 

This would be the first time since they all became friends they’d be separated from one another, as it is unknown when they'll be together again. 

“Be safe out there, ok?”

“The safest Rarity. We’re going to be fine. That’s a promise,” replied Twilight.

“I still can’t believe you're leaving us…” Said the now-sad Fluttershy.

“We know Fluttershy. But if we want our planet to be safe from Equestrian magic, we must find those artifacts!”

“Sunset’s right. We don’t know how long it’ll take us to find them all, or where some of them have ended up. I’ve managed to track down a few of their locations with my new magic detector Brightfire and I built, which is a good sign we'll find some with no time to spare. Our journey will not only be an excuse to see the world but also keep it safe from any equestrian magic that's still lurking out there,” finished Twilight.

“Well, we're going to miss you while you're off traveling the world. It’s something I’d rather do than attend college. Sounds pretty awesome,” replied the now-jealous Rainbow Dash.

“Heh heh. I know it will, and we're going to miss you, girls, too,” shared Sunset.

“You as well Starlight. While we haven’t gotten to know you during the short time you’ve been our friend, I’m glad you are.”

“Thanks, Applejack. If there’s one thing that Sunset has taught me about the magic of friendship, friends can change the world for you.” 

“Yeah… I’m going to miss you, girls. You're the second family I thought I never had. You might be just my friends, but you're also my family. Sure it's just a fancy word that means those who stick together. But you, my friends, are that family I have,” confessed Sunset.

“And we always will be darling. If you ever need our help, please, don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll be happy to help you if you need our assistance. Isn’t that right, girls?”

It was a promise that they were all happy to make, as the rest of them agreed alongside Rarity.

“Goodbyes are always hard, and they always will be. But like Princess Twilight once said, it’s just until next time!” Shared Sunset.

The next thing we know, the girls all come in for a big group hug, wishing their friends a stroke of good luck on their journey.  

After separating from their hug, an announcement came from a nearby PA system.

“The six pm train leaving Canterlot City will depart in five minutes.”

And seconds later, a five-minute warning came from their train, signaling them it was time to get going. 

“That’s our signal!”

“Best wishes girls.” 

“Have a great trip!” 

That made Sunset want to chuckle a little as she walked over to their assigned train car. 

“You girls ready?”

“Yep!”

“Ready as I’ll ever be Twilight.”

Once Starlight and Twilight got on board Sunset stopped herself as she stood on the first step of the passenger car. She didn't know why at first but did as she looked back at her family in dismay. 

“Come on Sunset! We have to get to our seats!” Shouted Sci Twi.

“Give her a moment Twilight. She’s sad to be leaving them,” shared Starlight.

And indeed she was. 

Sunset was sad she had to leave them, but it was for a good purpose.

They all waved back at her, which she did back, before smiling happily. 

She took a long but soothing breath of air in and felt more confident than ever.

“Bye, everyone…” Sunset whispered. 

After Sunset was officially on board the train, the guard shut all the doors before the conductor shouted while moving his lantern 'All aboard,' which signaled the engine crew it was time to depart. 

“You all set John?” 

“Yep.”

“Alright, here we go.”


And with two blasts of the whistle, the girls were officially off on their journey. 

1293 slowly departed out of the station with its five-car consist in tow. As it pulled out of the station, the engineer once again pulled the whistle several times to warn people to step away from the tracks as they departed Canterlot City. 


Despite the warning, many people got near the tracks, taking photos and filming the train in action, including a man who worked for a certain dvd company many railfans know in the train community.

The girls waved to their friends and family who waved back, as they were officially off on their journey, and beginning the next chapter of their lives!

“You girls up for a round of go fish?”

“I was kinda hoping you’d say that.”

“Ha! You're on! That’ll keep us distracted from dying of boredom.”





Three hours out of Canterlot City, the moon was out and about as the train continued on its way to its next stopping point. 

After completing their game of go fish, the three girls spent the evening sharing their first of many meals together. They also had a nice conversation with two of the conductors onboard the train. Their names were Evan and Nick. They’ve been working for the railroad for the last three years with hopes of one day becoming a locomotive driver or fireman over their passion for trains. They wished the girls a stroke of good luck on their journey before going off to punch more tickets.

Out of the three of them, Sunset was the last one currently awake. She was enjoying the nice cool breeze out the window as the wind blew her ponytail.

Twilight and Starlight had since fallen fast asleep, just like the many other passengers on the train. They both had removed their hair ties to let their hair down while they slept as sleeping with their hair in ponytails can get quite uncomfortable. Twilight learned it the hard way herself, after doing it a few times in the past. She also removed the glasses, storing them away in her backpack to not get damaged. She did pack a spear in case her current glasses break, at some point during their travels, but she's always cautious so I don't think she'll be breaking them anytime soon.

With a sudden yawn escaping her, Sunset decided to call it a night, after the long day she had.

But before going to sleep, she thought about writing a quick entry in her diary.

Sunset didn’t write in it that much but decided to start doing it more often now that she was officially staying on earth. 

After flipping a few pages and finding the last page she wrote in which was dated back to her first days on earth, Sunset began writing her newest entry.

Dear Diary,

With Cinch defeated and the portal closed, my friends and I can get back to our normal lives again, as we can concentrate on our future careers. It still surprises me that just before the portal closed, the Sirens decided to return to Equestria with Princess Twilight. After being stuck on earth for many centuries, they wanted to go home to face the charges for their crimes. They also want to change, being desperate to learn everything there is to know about friendship. And an even more shocking twist, my human counterpart would accompany them! 

Not going to lie, I thought that after I first met her, I’d have to return to Equestria for good this time. She blamed me for coming to this world, stealing her identity, and getting everything she deserved that I had gotten. Went to a great school, had a place of my own, two pets, a girlfriend, and the power to see someone’s thoughts and memories with my crystal.

Even after I learned about her past, and how it's similar to my own, I understand now why she decided to go to Equestria in my place. What’s the reason? To start a new life there. 

Whatever happens to her, I know she’ll enjoy her new life in my old home of Equestria. 

The same goes for the Sirens. 

Though they’ll likely have a longer path to go down compared to my counterpart. But with Princess Twilight’s help, I know they’ll turn over a new leaf in no time! 

Just thinking about it makes me feel so happy deep within me. That fate has yielded its reward, and I can continue to be with the love of my life, my father, and my newly adopted sister Starlight Shimmer. Her last name has changed now that she’s in my family. Has a nice ring to it though. And fyi, I’m referring to the human Starlight, not her pony counterpart, who's the former student of Princess Twilight. Who's now the principal of her school, the school of friendship in Equestria. 

With my sister, girlfriend, and I on this journey to find the remaining equestrian artifacts scattered across our planet, we’ll do whatever we can to make sure no one gets a hold of them. We’ll have to make some big decisions when we come across their locations. These artifacts are a threat to this planet, and who knows what chaos would commence if the authorities found out. 

I have come a long way since the day Princess Twilight showed me the magic of friendship following my defeat at the Fall Formal. And now, as the Princess of Empathy, I finally understand what it feels like to have the capacity for courage. Though I don’t know what tomorrow holds, whatever happens, I’ll have the magic of friendship, to guide me every step of the way.

I, am Sunset Shimmer, and this message is a reminder of the long road I’ve gone down, to get to this moment since I abandoned my studies as Princess Celestia’s student.

No matter what, friendship can change your life and help you find the families you love and adore! And it all starts, with a simple offer.


After Sunset finished her latest entry, she closed her diary to put it back in her backpack, before stopping to admire its cover. 

The diary still had her old cutie mark on it but was slowly fading away. It felt weird that she didn’t have it as a human, but Sunset still thought about it whenever she saw it on her personal belongings. And ironically, it was on the skirt she was currently wearing.

After putting her diary away, and closing the window, Sunset pulled out her mp three-player and two blankets from her bag. One was for her sister Starlight who was shivering in her sleep in the seat adjacent to them, and the other was for herself and Twilight, who was silently sleeping next to her. 

Twilight’s head then leaned against Sunset’s left shoulder, making Sunset giggle as she bopped her girlfriend’s nose. She removes her hair tie, feeling her hair fall back from the ponytail before putting the tie on her right arm.

The railroad didn’t own any sleeper cars in their collection of historic passenger cars, as late-night runs only happened three times a week. 

Because of this, they had to make do with the seats the train had and offered. It was unfortunate, and not very comfortable, but it was just for the night, and they’ll likely be sleeping somewhere much comfier the next night.

…

Sunset spent the next hour looking at the stars through her window while listening to her favorite song on her mp-three player. Listening to music often helped her fall asleep, and it seemed to be working while keeping a hold of Twilight’s right hand.

Sunset wondered to herself where they’d end up first in search of an equestrian artifact. But it was late and she decided to let it rest for the time being.

As the clock was reaching midnight, Sunset called quits and went off to sleep.

She dreamt of what she wanted to do once this journey was officially over. Hoping when that day comes, she’ll ask Twilight a very important question, she hopes she’ll say yes to it. 

But until that day comes, she has to find those artifacts so their planet is safe and magic free, from any equestrian magic. 

Once that goal is complete, she’ll ask Twilight that important question, that will lead to a possible future Sunset hopes come true!  


To be Continued… 

> Credits
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cast of my Equestria Girls Finale in Top Gun style



Twilight Velvet - Patricia Drake 

Night Light - Charles Demers

Principal Celestia - Nicole Oliver

Abacus Cinch - Iris Quinn

Sonata Dusk - Marÿke Hendrikse

Aria Blaze - Diana Kaarina

Moondancer and Adagio Dazzle -  Kazumi Evans

Applejack and Rainbow Dash - Ashleigh Ball 

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy - Andrea Libman

Vice Principal Luna and Rarity - Tabitha St Germain

Brightfire Shimmer - Jason Spisak

Starlight Glimmer - Kelly Sheridan

Spike the Dog - Cathy Weseluck

Sci Twi and Princess Twilight - Tara Strong

Sunset Shimmer and Sunny - Rebecca Shiochet

“Don’t forget the sunglasses girls. Most important part!”

Tom Cruise, what are you doing here? The story is over!

“Oh, uhhhh… Gotta go. Bye now!”


The Main Eight will return in “Together Forever.” 



Aka, my final story. 



Coming November 2022.