The incident

The Castle of the Two sisters, an ever-present trove of hidden ancient wonders.

And a certain bouncy pink pony was leaving it, holding in her hands a strange object that looked like a triple-sided mirror.

"Woot! I bet Twilight will love her new mirror, I'll wrap it up just nicely and after she blows out the candles I'll give it to her!" Pinkie cheered.

You guessed it, reader. It's Twilight's birthday.

"And the Princess of Friendship only deserves the best!" Pinkie said after you read that previous line.

Pinkie hopped all the way back to Ponyville.

As she made her way into Ponyville she bumped into a hooded figure going to other way.

"Oopsie! Sorry!" Pinkie called as she continued bouncing back into Ponyville.

All the party invites had been sent, the essential elements brought together in one place, and that was left was setup.

"Ok Spike, got the cake order from Mr and Mrs Cake?" Twilight asked.

"Done," Spike said with a thumbs up.

Twilight flapped her wings to get to higher ground and she grabbed a book on party games.

"We have to make sure things are prepped for when the other girls arrive." Twilight put a hand on her hip, remembering how she had given Starlight and Trixie a chance to go to the human world to give them a chance to learn more about their other selves. This way Twilight could have a smaller birthday and they could go have their own adventure.

"I hope Rarity likes the flowers I got for decorations," Spike wondered under his breath.

"Spike? Spike! Reality to Spike," Twilight snapped her fingers to get his attention.

"Huh? Oh sorry," Spike said sheepishly.

"We need to focus, Spike, otherwise things will end up disorganized," Twilight said.

"Right," Spike said.

The alicorn and the dragon continue to set up the party.

After all, Twilight had personally asked to set up her own party, saying she wanted to see if her party skills were up to snuff.

In truth, she was tired of Pinkie's surprise parties but she didn't have the heart to tell Pinkie to her face.

Twilight had managed to set up most of it by the time Pinkie bounced through the door wearing a blue striped shirt and short shorts.

"Hi Twilight! Hey Spike!" Pinkie cheered, setting the mysterious wrapped present on the table.

"Hello, Pinkie? So how am I doing?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie looked around at the… admittedly mediocre party set-up.

"Eh… it's a start," Pinkie said with a shrug.

"A start? I thought I did well," Twilight said.

"Who's the party pony here? Leave it to me" Pinkie zipped around and in ten seconds flat the party room looked better and brighter.

"Now THAT'S a party," Pinkie somehow hi fived herself.

"There are days when I wish I could understand you better," said Twilight. “And weeks when I’m glad I can’t.”

"Ah you'll get it one day," Pinkie reassured.

Night fell and soon the door opened revealing two ponies.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

Applejack wore her usual white shirt and blue overalls.

And Rainbow wore her usual sweaty sports outfit and blue skirt.

"Beat ya here," Applejack said.

"Not fair! Your leg muscles are stronger, If I flew you'd be eating my dust," Rainbow Dash snarked.

"Which is why we ran," Applejack said.

"Hey girls," Twilight said, walking up to them and hugging them.

"If it ain't the birthday girl!" Applejack scooped Twilight up in a reverse hug.

"Ah!" Twilight giggled as she was scooped up.

Not long after, Rarity and Fluttershy arrived.

"Darling, I do hope you'll let me know when you are available to go to the spa. I cannot wait to show you the new masseuse," Rarity said.

"U-uh sure, but I hope he's gentle on the wing joints," Fluttershy ducked her head lower and added in a whisper, “I wish I had your confidence.”

"We'll get to that later. For now, we should celebrate our dear friend Twilight," Rarity said.

“H-hi Rarity.” Spike shuffled closer and swallowed nervously. “Good to see you,”

"Hello darling," Rarity said.

"Hey girls! Glad you're all here!" Pinkie cheered.

"Yeah, let the mania begin!" RD cheered, raising a toast.

"Calm down a little," Applejack chuckled.

The party went on as expected. The girls played games, listened to music, and traded stories, then played more games!

"Pin the tail on the donkey!" Pinkie cheered.

Twilight was blindfolded and she crept forward with the needle in hand searching for where she can pin the tail when she reached the wall Twilight used her fantastic memory and logistics to aim the needle and then poked it into the wall Twilight then removed her blindfold… and saw that she had pinned it right on the nose of the picture….

"Darn it!" Twilight cursed.

"Ok, girls. Time for cake and presents!" Pinkie cheered.

Pinkie brought out a large multi-layered cake and Twilight blew out the candles easily. Twilight then began unwrapping presents she got a quilt from Rarity, a book from Spike, a bird feeder from Fluttershy, flight goggles from Rainbow Dash… again, and a book on various kinds of apples from Applejack.

Finally, it was Pinkie's turn.

Suddenly a ding went off and Twilight turned to the kitchen.

"Hey, Spike! I'm about to unwrap this last one, so could you go check on the vegetarian quiches? I don't want them burning,"

"On it," Spike said while running to the kitchen.

"Come on! Don't leave us in suspense, darling," Rarity said.

"Yeah! Open it! Open it!" Pinkie cheered.

"All right, all right," Twilight chuckled.

She unwrapped it to find a multi-sided mirror.

"Oooh, where did you find this Pinkie? It's pretty," Twilight asked.

Pinkie hugged Twilight.

"From that castle in the forest! It was kinda scary to go in there but if it meant getting a present for one of my bestest friends in the world I'd go in there a hundred times!" Pinkie cheered.

The mirror flashed on Twilight and Pinkie, but nopony noticed.

"Are you sure you should be rooting around that place? Who knows if the mirror is cursed or somethin," Applejack said.

"Ah, whatever. I bet you're just scared," RD snickered.

"No ah ain't!" Applejack said.

The two were reflected in the mirror and it flashed again.

"Dearie you have cake in your mane. Here, let me get that for you." Rarity began picking cake out of Flutters mane.

"Th-thank you Rarity," Fluttershy said.

The mirror flashed on them as well.

"Well, I suppose that concludes this party," Twilight said.

"Aw, and I'm not even buzzed yet!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Ya'll can git it tomorrow," Applejack said.

"I do have a busy day tomorrow so I suppose I shall be heading home then," Rarity said.

"Are you sure you don't want any quiches?" Twilight asked.

"Hmm… I suppose one couldn't hurt." Rarity said sitting down.

"If there's any leftover can I take some home? My animal friends love your quiches," Fluttershy said.

"Of course," Twilight glanced at the kitchen and wondered what was taking Spike so long.

"Well, what matters is that we had fun tonight. I wish we could be together forever to do stuff like this," Twilight said with a chuckle… before hearing a strange vibrating sound.

"Huh?" Twilight's ears perked forward "Does anypony else hear that?" Twilight asked.

The others looked around wondering where that strange noise was coming from when suddenly Fluttershy noticed something.

"Girls, something's happening to the mirror," Fluttershy said nervously.

"Huh?" Everyone said as they saw the mirror beginning to shake and glow.

"Uh, is it supposed to do that Pinkie?" Twilight said getting nervous.

"I dunno," Pinkie shrugged.

Suddenly the mirror lifted itself off the table and everyone got up and backed away.

"Uh, Twi? Can you tell me what the hell is going on?" RD said.

"I don't know. We should probably run!" Twilight suggested as the mirror split into three pieces and began orbiting a glowing green sphere

"Good idea!" Fluttershy said she tried to make a break for the stairs but suddenly a green magical tendril shot out of the sphere and grabbed her.

"AAAAH" Fluttershy cried as it lifted her into the air.

"Shy!" Rainbow exclaimed before a tendril tried to snag her and she dodged.

"I'll help you!" Rarity tried to fire a magic blast at the sphere, but the magical blast dissipated before a green tendril snatched Rarity as well.

"Ah!" Rarity cried out.

Applejack grabbed at the tendril but her hands went through it and she was grabbed too and raised next to Rainbow who had been caught

"Lemmie go!" RD yelled.

"Ah can't break its grip!" Applejack shouted.

Pinkie tried to run but she was grabbed by the tendrils too.

"AAAAAAAH!" Pinkie shouted

"Let my friends go!" Twilight fired her magic into the sphere but It only grew bigger. When it sent tendrils to snag Twilight as well she formed a barrier, but the tendrils just bored through it and grabbed her.

"NOOO!" Twilight exclaimed.

Now that it had all of the mares, it began pulling them inside it.

"HELP ME!" Fluttershy cried as she was absorbed into the sphere.

"Shy no!" Rainbow shouted.

Then it pulled Rarity in.

"NONONOOO" Rarity cried as she was pulled in.

"Rarity!" Twilight called.

Then it pulled Applejack and Rainbow in.

"NO YOU'RE NOT TAKING ME!" Rainbow beat her wings but ultimately she was pulled in.

"Not like this! NO!" Applejack yelled as she was sucked in.

Pinkie grabbed onto a desk but it was dragged with her and she ultimately lost her grip.

"I'm sorry Twilight! I'm soooorryyyyyy!" Pinkie cried as she was sucked in.

"GIRLS! NOOO!" Twilight cried.

"What's all the screaming about- Twilight?!" Spike cried seeing her clutching onto a wall as the sphere was trying to pull her in.

"SPIIIIIIIIKE!" Twilight cried before she was sucked into the sphere as well.

"TWILIGHT!" Spike tried to intervene but a pulse of magic sent him flying.

"AAAAH!" Spike cried.

Everything was still for a few moments… then the images of new ponies flashed on the mirrors before they slammed together and a magical pulse filled the castle.

Morning came and Spike slowly picked himself off of the floor.

"Ugh… what hit me?" Spike said before noticing the destruction before him.

What was even more shocking was the three ponies laying on the ground around the destruction.

They were groaning… meant they were alive… that's good.

One was an alicorn with Twilight's mane but more pink than usual. And curls toward the back. Her coat was a mix of Twilight and Pinkies colors, heck their face looks like a close blend of the two, and so was their cutie mark.

Another was a muscular green pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane & tail outlined by blonde. Her cutie mark was a rainbow-colored apple.

And the last one…. Spike blushed.

She was gorgeous, along with a perfect figure she had a mane and tail that started pink and ended purple. Her coat was a pale yellow, She was a unicorn and her face had a softness yet regality to it. Her cutie mark was a diamond with butterfly wings.

Spike was floored he'd never seen ponies like them, and he was feeling flustered and embarrassed given their current state of dress…

They were clothed but in ripped outfits similar to the ones the girls were wearing before they were…

"Who…what's going on?!" Spike demanded

"Ugh… can y'all give me five more minutes of peace?" the green mare grumbled.

"Huh?" Spike noticed the ponies were waking up and he became guarded.

"Who are you guys?! Where's Twilight? Where's everyone?" Spike interrogated.

"Darling, please calm yourself, I am sure we can figure out what happened," the yellow pony said soothingly. For some reason, Spike's tension melted a little at the sound of her voice.

"Whew! My head feels all jangly and dizzy. It could be a slight concussion, or very minor TBI," the pinkish-purple alicorn popped to her hooves and rubbed her head.

"I asked who you all are, what happened to my friends?" Spike demanded.

"Ah said quiet! Ahm trying to nap!" The green pegasus snapped getting up.

Spike backed away a little as he saw her impressive muscles, even better than Applejack's, yeah, don't mess with her.

"Please, let us not get violent," the unicorn said.

"Hmmph, whatever, and who are ya? Where's mah other friends?" The pegasus demanded.

Maybe my friends are hiding! Oh oh let's play hide and seek!" The alicorn chirped in a very Pinkie-like way.

“Who the buck are you?” The pegasus questioned again, this time to the alicorn.

“I’m-... huh… can’t remember!” She shrugged.

“Ya can’t remember yer name?” The pegasus said.

“Nope!” The alicorn replied.

“Actually.., I struggle with my identity too,” The unicorn said, looking concerned.

“How can ya forget who ya…are…actually who am I now that I think of it…” The pegasus said.

“Teehee, talk about contradiction syndrome! Is that a thing? I’ll have to search my dictionaries.” The alicorn giggled.

Meanwhile Spike was carefully observing them, he could tell, he’s known his friends long enough to tell.

Their mannerisms, their way of speaking, their personalities… they were all so similar to his friends… but it was as if they… Oh no….

“Girls!” Spike said, getting their attention.

“Yes, Spikey dear?” The unicorn said.

“Do what do you remember about your friends?” Spike questioned.

“What do you mean?” the unicorn asked.

“Just answer, what do you remember about Rarity?” Spike questioned again.

“I’m Rarity… right?” The unicorn said looking confused.

“What about Fluttershy?” Spike asked.

“I…am…also her?” the unicorn said.

“What about you? Do you know anything about Applejack or Rainbow Dash?” Spike asked the pegasus.

“Course, ah am… oh…” The pegasus said sounding like it clicked what Spike was getting at.

“And… do you know about Pinkie or Twilight?” Spike hesitantly asked the alicorn.

“Yep and yep, their me! Whatever that means,” The alicorn shrugged.

“She runs on Pinkie logic, but she’s straightforward like Twilight… I think I know what happened,” Spike said looking nervous.

“Well? Spit it out,” The pegasus said.

“You girls merged into three ponies!” Spike exclaimed.

The alicorn gasped “Like some kind of polymorphic fusion that occurred from a magical artifact, reacting to our magic it fused us from six beings into three new beings! And now we are victims of another storywriters work!? Is that what you mean?!” The alicorn loudly exclaimed.

“Uh… yeah?” Spike said unsure how to reply to that.

“How did you piece that all from merged into three ponies?” The pegasus asked.

“Just a theory!” The alicorn shrugged.

“Girls… this is serious, we must find out what happened to us!” The unicorn said firmly.

“Right,” Spike approached the center of the crater and saw the mirror-like device.

“What is this thing? How did it do this?” Spike asked.

“We are unsure,” The unicorn knelt beside Spike.

“I gotta send a message to Celestia, she needs to know what happened here!” Spike ran off.

“What about us? We’re kind of poorly dressed at tha moment!” The pegasus shouted after Spike.

“Go raid Twilight’s closet,” Spike suggested before running off.

“...Does she have any sports bras?” The pegasus asked.

A visit to Canterlot

View Online

Spike had written the message out and sent it via Dragonfire.

Now he just has to wait for the response, he went back downstairs to see how the girls are doing.

Spike paused at the top of the stairs.

He saw the yellow unicorn without a shirt on briefly, she thankfully put a shirt on but it seemed to hug her body tightly.

Twilight to be modest was never that well endowed or shapely, he’d take those words with him to the grave for the sake of his safety.

The new unicorn, however, seemed to have Rarity’s generous figure with Fluttershy’s large chest.

Getting these inappropriate thoughts out of his head, he turned to see the alicorn, if he was right and the girls really did merge into separate ponies he could see that she inherited Pinkies figure to balance out Twilight’s average frame.

Lastly the pegasus seemed to have found Twilight's baggiest jacket, her figure seems to have boosted Applejack’s muscle with Rainbow’s. Making for one beautiful she-adonis.

Spike slapped himself to make himself stop measuring up and examining his friends merged forms.

“Hey Spike, are you an expert in my flank 101? You seem to be studying thoroughly,” The alicorn burst out laughing.

“Crap, they saw!?” Spike internally panicked.

“It’s alright Spike,” The unicorn chuckled.

“S-sorry," Spike said.

"Go on and stare, a pony as awesome as me never disappoints," the pegasus laughed.

Deciding to go down the stairs and hopefully get past this little tribulation Spike approach them.

"All right we're just waiting on Celestia's response, while we're waiting what can we call you guys?" Spike asked.

"Huh?" The group asked.

"Well I can't just keep referring to you all as they and them, what can I call you girls, any name ideas?" Spike asked.

The girls became speculative at this request, come to think about it they've been kind of referring to each other in that way too, perhaps they do need names for now at least until they get back to normal.

"Hmmm… ah think ah'll go with…. Zap Apple," the pegasus said.

"Why?" Spike asked.

"Because ah'm partially an Apple and ah'm rainbow-colored," the pony self-appointed as Zap Apple said like it was obvious.

"I'll go with Twinkle Pie Sparkle! Or just Twinkle for short!" The alicorn said cheerfully.

"Ok," Spike nodded.

"Hmm…. Charity," the unicorn said.

"Why that name?" Spike asked.

"I am the merged form of the elements of generosity and kindness what other name could I have besides Charity?" Charity said.

"Makes sense," Spike shrugged.

Zap Apple, Twinkle Pie and Charity.

"Alright, now we wait," Spike said.

The three mares and one teen dragon sat in the room, waiting.

Charity summoned with her magic a sewing kit and she has managed to expertly craft a new shirt for herself in under an hour, and that includes measurement time.

Zap got bored and started hovering around the library, looking for Daring Do novels.

And Twinkle made and brought in several snacks and a new cake.

Even though they didn't have the ingredients beforehand… not to mention she somehow did this all while reading an algebra book.

Spike decided to read a comic book himself.

"It'll be alright… Celestia will receive the message and reply soon, this'll all be fixed." Spike said to assure himself.

A few more minutes passed but Spike felt a burp coming up

Knowing what this means he set his book down and turned away from the girls and belched out some flames that carried a letter.

"It's here!" Spike said.

"Bout time, what does it say?" Zap asked.

Spike opened it and read aloud.

Dear Spike

The issue you have brought to my attention is a truly… unique situation.

If what you said is true then we must meet as soon as possible to fix this mysterious merging, I will send a chariot to take you and the three ponies you claim to have appeared when my student and your friends vanished.

Bring the item that caused this in a sealed container, we can not allow this to happen again.

Keep them close until then.

Love Princess Celestia.

"Yay we get to meet Celestia today! I bet we can play all sorts of games, read all sorts of books, and in the morning, I'll be making waffles." Twinkle cheered.

"And hopefully we can return to our normal selves." Charity added.

"Hey Spikey, can you get everything set up? I'll get the food packed for today's trip." Twinkle asked.

"Ok," Spike said getting up and walking upstairs.

"Should ah inform mah kin about this? It's only right they know," Zap said.

"Which one?" Twinkle asked.

"The apple side," Zap replied.

"I don't think that would be a very good idea it's best to keep what's happened quiet for now." Charity suggested.

"Ah don't know, ah think ah was supposed to take care of the fields t'day," Zap said.

"I could send a message via teleportation!" Twinkle said.

"Good idea," Zap said before locating a quill and ink and drawing out a message.

After a few minutes Zap Apple finished and walked into the kitchen where Twinkle was setting up food for the trip.

"Yippie! Let me see!" Twinkle said snatching it and reading it in one second.

"You told the truth about what happened today?" Twinkle asked.

"Course, ah can't lie, not to mah family," Zap said.

Twinkle shrugged and flared her horn before teleporting the letter.

"Where on the farm did ya send it?" Zap asked.

"To the kitchen," Twinkle replied.

Big Mac was eating a bowl of cereal on the table.

Suddenly a scroll of paper materialize in front of him and it fell down before he could react and it fell in his cereal splashing him in the face with milk.

"Thanks Twinkle," Zap said

Spike walked down the stairs and into the library with the stuff they'll need.

"Thank you Spike," Charity said.

Zap and Twinkle walked out of the kitchen, Twinkle carrying a tall stack of food.

“Twinkle, isn’t that too much food?” Spike asked.

“Nah, most of it’s for me, gotta stay stocked up, my Twinkle sense told me so,” Twinkle said.

“Twinkle sense?” Spike questioned.

“It’s like Twilight’s magic and Pinkie’s Pinkie sense mixed together! It’s awesome!” Twinkle cheered.

“Can we get a move on?” Zap Apple asked.

“Hold on, we need disguises so nopony recognises you girls,” Spike reasoned.

“Don’t worry darling, I was way ahead of you,” Charity said before producing several hoodies.

“When did you make those?” Spike asked.

“You’d be surprised how fast I can work when there’s a deadline,” Charity chuckled.

“Convienent,” Zap admitted.

The group put on their hoodies and exited the castle, Spike led them to the center of Ponyville and waited.

As they sat there waiting several passing ponies noticed them but brushed them off as new ponies in town.

“Ah’m feeling a little exposed here…” Zap said.

“Be patient,” Spike said.

As they waited they heard hoofsteps and the group turned to see a familiar red stallion walking by.

“Mac?” Zap said before hurriedly putting her head down when he passed.

Mac heard the familiar accent and turned to see several ponies sitting there with Spike.

“Hey Mac,” Spike said.

“Hey Spike, maybe you know what this message ah received means,” Mac said before handing Spike the letter Zap wrote.

“Uh…”

“Spike, somethings happened to Applejack and ah want to see if she’s okay,” Mac said.

“She is, she’s just… mixed up in something,” Spike joked but Big Mac wasn’t amused.

“She went to see the princess about an issue and we are going to go an accompany them,” Charity meekly said.

“Hmm? Do ah know you miss?” Mac said studying her facial features carefully.

“N-no! I’m… My name is Charity and I am a... friend of your girlfriend, Fluttershy…” Charity said sadly.

“...” Big Mac could tell she was hiding something but decided to not push the issue.

“Jest find Applejack and let her know ah’m worried about her,” Big Mac said before walking away.

“M-Mac I-” Zap wanted to say but Twinkle touched her shoulder and shook her head.

“Later… Pinkie promise,” Twinkle said.

“Ok…” Zap said sadly.

The group waited there for an hour or two before the carriage arrived.

“Finally,” Spike said and he ushered the mares along.

They approached the carriage and a guard stopped them.

“We were told we were picking up a Mr Spike and three other mares, are they the three mares,” He asked.

“Yes,” Spike responded.

“Alright, get in,” The guard said.

The three climbed in but Zap paused.

“Actually, can ah fly there? Ah’ve been itchin to do some flying,” Zap asked.

“Mam you are aware that it is a long flight back there?” The guard mentioned.

“Ah, horseapples, ah bet ah can do it in ten seconds flat!” Zap brushed that off and she spread her wings and blasted off into the sky.

“Zap Apple! Get back here!” Spike called after her.

“Eenope!” Zap giggled as she swooped and dove around before taking off.

To Spike’s surprise she caused a rainboom without needing to build up speed.

“What?” Spike said in surprise.

“Uh’m… is she perhaps related to Rainbow Dash?” A guard asked.

“...You could say that…” Spike admitted.

Spike and the other two fused mares sat there in uncomfortable silence for hours before finally arriving.

The carriage touched down and they saw Zap lounging on a lawn chair waiting for them.

“Ah, finally got here,” She smirked arrogantly.

“Har har, what if you got lost Zap?” Spike scolded coming out of the carriage with the other two.

“Like ah would forget where Equerstia’s main city is,” Zap brushed him off.

“This way, Celestia has set up a private room to meet with you all,” A guard gestured for them to follow.

“Thank you ever so much sir,” Charity gave a shiny smile.

The guard blushed a little “R-right, this way,” he led them through the castle.

As they walked about the castle Twinkle got distracted a few times and Spike had to drag her back along with the group.

Eventually, they arrived at a small living room area.

The guard excused himself and the mares and dragon entered the room.

They found Celestia sitting at a chair, writing something out when she looked up and noticed the group.

“Twilight?” Celestia said sounding a little hopeful.

“Princess!” Twinkle exclaimed and she bounced over and hugged Celestia.

Celestia hugged her back but when she pulled away she looked at her and her face fell a little.

“Aren’t you happy to see me?” Twinkle asked.

“I am, come, sit, all of you,” Celestia said.

As they all sat Spike looked around but didn’t see Luna.

“Where’s Luna?” Spike asked.

“Considering the possibilities of your letter, this was urgent enough that I had to pass up day court, Luna offered to take over for me,” Celestia said, before clearing her throat.

“Well, you may remove your hoods, allow me to see your new faces and hear your names,” Celestia asked.

The group complied and Celestia saw their new appearances as well as them telling her their new names.

She gave a weak smile at this and allowed a tear to slip loose.

“Celestia? Are you alright?” Charity asked.

“Yes… I will be, although now I have to prep for the inevitable bad news…” Celestia said.

“Oooh… I hate bad news,” Twinkle said.

“Bad news? What bad news?” Zap asked.

“First give me the object mentioned in your letter Spike,” Celestia asked.

“Here, but be careful,” Spike said handing it to her, it was wrapped in paper.

Celestia opened it and her face fell again and she let a few more tears loose.

“Celestia?” Spike asked

“Why are you crying?” Charity asked.

“...Of all the things Pinkie could have retrieved…” Celestia said.

“What?” Zap asked.

“I am afraid I indeed have bad news for you all, this is a merge mirror,” Celestia said.

“What is a merge mirror?” Spike asked.

“It is a magical mirror that was designed back in the day to create warriors capable of defeating Discord,” Celestia said.

“Create warriors? For fighting against Discord?” Zap Apple said confusedly.

“Yes, when the mirror is activated and it reflects two beings it will then trigger a magic ritual that pulls the reflected ponies into a magical field that fuses the body and souls of the two absorbed ponies at the molecular level, creating a new, stronger being from the materials provided, it was this way my sister and I created ideal soldiers from volunteers to fight Discord, this was how we were able to weaken him enough to seal him in the first place,” Celestia explained.

“Ooooh, like mixing your favorite soda’s to create new better soda’s, right?” Twinkle asked.

“Exactly…” Celestia sighed discontentedly.

“Why do you seem so forlorn? With some study and effort we could find a way to un-merge, right?” Charity asked.

“It’s permanent…” Celestia said despondently.

Humor, hope and conversation all simultaneously died at those words…

“W-what?” Spike squeaked.

“We all heard ya wrong… right?” Zap asked.

“You didn’t, the process is irreversible, we have tried, that is why only voluntary ponies underwent the process, and also why we destroyed all traces of the mirrors after Discord was subdued,” Celestia said.

“Y-you mean, we…I…Pinkie… she-” Twinkle stuttered.

“Yes, I am afraid Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Applejack exist no longer, they have fused body mind and soul into you three, their memories and skills, experiences and everything else that makes up the elements of harmony now exist in you, and now you must carry on their legacies,” Celestia said with a grim expression.

“B-but… with enough research you could-” Spike said with tears in his eyes, but Celestia cut him off.

“Once two souls become one, it cannot become undone, those were the words told to all who volunteered, trying to separate two combined souls is virtually impossible-”

“NO!” Zap Apple flew across the room and landed in front of Celestia, tears in her eyes.

“Ah, can’t go back to the Apple family or Rainbow’s parents like this, what am I gonna say? 'Yer sis is gone forever, you’ll have to make do with me from now on'?!” She fell to her knees.

“I want to exist but I want to rob Rarity and Fluttershy of their existence even less!” Charity cried.

“It’s all my fault… if Pinkie never brought that mirror back to Ponyville,” Twinkle said before sobbing.

Spike sobbed too, knowing the last time he ever saw his sister Twilight she was crying out for help before being forcibly merged with Pinkie Pie.

“No Twinkle… It is my fault this happened, And I shall regret it forever, if we had found another way besides this to defeat Discord, I never would have lost my student, or the other Elements of Harmony, or the other innocent mares and stallions that gave their lives. But what’s done is done, you must live on for them,” Celestia said getting up and putting her hand on Twinkle’s shoulder.

“I ask you Twinkle, will you continue in Twilight’s hoofsteps, as well as Pinkies?” Celestia asked.

“I will,” Twinkle nodded but she was still crying.

“Same to the rest of you, I will allow you all to stay tonight, take this time to become accustomed to your new identities, and then, I suggest talking to your families about how to move forward,” Celestia said, before taking her leave.

Dreams and tests

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The group laid in individual beds in a housing area of the castle, none were asleep, they simply lay there in their beds lost in their thoughts.

“How will Sweetie Belle react?... Or mother and father? Or my… other mother and father and Zephyr…” Charity thought.

“Will mah family still accept me? How can ah be a wonderbolt if ah’m busy taking care of the farm?” Zap thought.

“All on my birthday of all days… was yesterday my birthday? My new birthday? Or is Pinkie’s birthday my birthday…. Should I throw a party to help keep their memory alive?... My memory?.... I don’t know anymore…” Twinkle thought.

“Should I be the one to break it to Shining that he’s got a new sister?” Spike sullenly thought.

Eventually, they couldn’t stave off sleep anymore and they fell asleep.

Zap Apple dreamt of Applejack and Rainbow Dash, she watched them being pulled into the Merge Mirror and her emerging from it.

Then standing before her was the Apple Family and Rainbow’s family.

“Please, it’s not my fault!” Zap cried.

“GIVE ME MAH SISTER BACK!” Apple Bloom shouted

“Ah refuse ta let anypony take Applejack’s place!” Granny said.

“Ah’ll never accept you,” Big Mac said.

“We want our Dashie back!” Bow yelled.

“Your not our daughter! You’ll never be our daughter!” Windy yelled.

“NOOOO!” Zap sobbed as she knelt.

Suddenly the taunting visions vanished and Luna appeared.

“So… you are the merged form of Rainbow Dash and Applejack, Zap Apple I believe?” Luna asked.

“H-how’d ya know?” Zap asked.

“I heard from my sister, so from what I can tell, your having this nightmare because you blame yourself for existing that Applejack and Rainbow no longer exist, and you fear that your families will not accept you,” Luna said.

“It aint just that… Ah’ve been a farm pony in one half of mah life, and on the other Ah’ve been a pegasus with tha goal ta be a Wonderbolt… How do I choose? There’s so many problems, how do I solve them?...” Zap quieted near the end.

“You need to tackle communicating with your family first, get that hurdle out of the way and then you can focus on your objectives Ms. Zap" Luna assured.

"What if they reject me?" Zap asked.

"You won't know until you try," Luna said.

"Ah…Ah suppose yer right," Zap said.

“The Apple family value family above all other things, if they know that deep down you are genuine about continuing on for Applejack, then they will accept you,” Luna assured.

“And mah… other parents?” Zap asked.

“They loved Rainbow as her biggest fans, I’m sure they won’t abandon you as well,” Luna said.

Zap hugged her and nodded.

“Yer right, ah can’t give up on ‘em,” Zap said.

"Very well, I must go now there are other nightmares I must correct," Luna said.

"Ok," Zap said.

Charity knelt on a two-way road one side had her hut when she was Fluttershy, her animals were waving at her from there. And the other had her Boutique, Sweetie Belle was patiently waiting for her there.

"I cannot give up my animal friends… but I cannot give up on the Carousel Boutique either… what do I do?" Charity wondered.

"Find a middle ground," Luna said

"How?" Charity asked without glancing at Luna.

"By clearing the air with your loved ones, perhaps you'll find the solution then," Luna comforted.

"I'll try, but in the end, I fear I will lose too much either way," Charity said.

"I trust in you, you have a gentle and generous heart, you can find a way to keep both," Luna assured.

“Most nobles would balk at keeping so many non-exotic pets in a boutique of all places…” Charity said.

“Their haughty opinions do not matter, only yours do,” Luna said.

“I would not resent them, I cannot resent anypony or anything, it wasn’t the nature of my other halves,” Charity said.

“All the more proof you are more of a noble than they will ever be,” Luna said before vanishing, leaving Charity to stir around in her thoughts.

"It's all your fault!" The voices of her family, friends, and former selves chanted from all around Twinkle who was curled up and crying.

"I'm sorry, forgive me," she sobbed.

The apparitions were wiped away by Luna as she descended from above.

"The Pinkie side of you remembers, and regrets," Luna observed.

"It's all my fault…" Twinkle said.

"You couldn't have known the true nature of the merge mirror, it's not your fault," Luna said.

"But if Pinkie A.K.A me, had never retrieved it from the castle of two sisters, this never would have happened…" Twinkle said

"You can't blame yourself for not knowing ahead of time what you were bringing back from there," Luna said hugging her.

"What if Spike can't accept me as Twinkle what if he just wants Twilight back?" Twinkle asked.

"I cannot doubt that he wants Twilight back, but he may have to accept that that's impossible. He'll come to accept you, as will your families, do not worry," Luna said.

"Th-thank you," Twinkle sobbed.

Spike relived Twilight's last moments as herself over and over.

"TWILIGHT!" Spike cried watching his sister screaming his name as she got pulled into the magical field.

Suddenly the image vanished before Luna.

"I sense you miss your sister," Luna told Spike, Spike was surprised but he quickly looked depressed.

"I do… Luna, I want to accept her but whenever I look at her… I don't see Twilight, I see a pony who looks like her," Spike muttered.

"She may not be one hundred percent Twilight anymore, but she's still your sister, nothing, not even the merge mirror can change that, I am afraid you must come to terms with that,” Luna said.

“But this was so sudden! Twilight hatched me, raised me, and now you tell me she’s never going to be the same again, how can I just move on? What am I going to tell Shining Armor? Cadance? Or Mom and Dad?” Spike asked.

“The truth, they need the truth, the sooner the easier, like it or not, the problem is irreversible, they’ll handle it better if they hear it from you, rather than hearing it from someone else.” Luna assured.

“...Your right…” Spike said.

“Think of how Twinkle feels, she must be worried nopony will accept her for what she is now, you must be there for her,” Luna told him.

“...Alright,” Spike nodded.

“Have a good rest,” Luna said before vanishing.

Spike woke to see the room was empty.

“Must already be in the breakfast hall,” Spike sighed before getting out of bed, and changing out of his PJ’s.

Charity suddenly came in, wearing a big towel around her body and mane “Hello Spike, I just slipped into the bathroom for a-” Charity gasped seeing Spike… without his pants…

“Huh?” Spike said before eeping and diving behind the bed while Charity whirled blushing madly.

“U-uh, S-s-sorry! I didn’t realize you were-” Charity sputtered.

“I-it’s alright! Sorry for not going elsewhere to change!” Spike stuttered.

Hidden elsewhere having set this encounter up were Twinkle and Zap, who snickered and high fived.

After that incident, the group made their way to the breakfast hall.

Spike was blushing madly at what happened.

He always loved Rarity, she was like the most beautiful pony he’s ever seen… Charity is starting to challenge that thought.

It’s not just her supermodel figure, she has Rarity’s generous and giving nature mixed with Fluttershy’s gentle and loving nature. There’s something about her that makes him calm yet excited, is he technically cheating on Rarity by falling for her?... not that they were ever dating beforehand…

Charity admittedly found herself having similar thoughts about Spike. The side of her that was Rarity always thought of Spike as cute but not old enough to be boyfriend material, at least until he got older, he really sprouted like a weed… in a good way of course. The part of her as Fluttershy was always curious and loving to Spike like anypony else, although she seems to have considered Spike to be potential boyfriend material at some point.

What she was feeling towards him was different now, it seems Fluttershy’s and Rarity’s feelings have merged and become stronger… it can’t work though… Fluttershy had a boyfriend before this incident, Big Mac, it would result in a heartbreak if she ever left him… she can’t break hearts, her nature is repulsed by the thought… so how can she tell him? Could she? Should she?

Zap chuckled with Twinkle.

“Mission accomplished,” Twinkle whispered to Zap.

“Eeyup,” Zap Apple agreed “Ya seem less depressed than yesterday,” Zap said.

“...Yeah… I figured Luna was right, and I shouldn’t dwell, what’s done is done, we gotta move forward and continue studying as well as throwing parties,” Twinkle shrugged.

“So Luna talked to ya too? Yeah, she told me before anything, ah gotta clear things up with mah family… both of them…” Zap said.

“Yeah, Twilight and Pinkie wouldn’t want me to wallow in despair like a wallow willy worry mc wartenson, but fight on, for the future,” Twinkle said.

“Well said, cept fer that wallow part…” Zap said.

Eventually the group arrived at the dining hall and both Celestia and Luna were there.

“Good morning my little ponies,” Celestia said.

“Mornin princesses,” Zap tilted her stetson.

“MORNING CELESTIA, MORNING LUNA!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“Yes, good morning princesses,” Charity gave a courteous bow.

“Good morning,” Spike said.

“Come sit, I had your breakfast’s prepped and conversation is to be had,” Celestia said.

“Yay!” Twinkle ducked out of view and popped back up at her seat, where there was a big stack of chocolate pancakes.

“Woot! My favorite!” She began digging in.

Zap flew over to her seat while Charity trotted over and politely sat.

“I can see your all in better spirits than yesterday.” Celestia said.

“Thanks ta Luna,” Zap said

“It twas nothing Appleja…er…Zap Apple,” Luna corrected herself.

“Now that your all here, I would like to let you know of what will happen before you all go home.” Celestia said.

“Onf ift!” Twinkle said, her mouth full of pancakes, before she brought out a checklist and summoned a quill by pulling it out of her mane.

“All I was going to say was I wish to meet you all in the courtyard for examinations,” Celestia said.

“Examinations?” Spike said

“Yes, we have to figure out what new powers have emerged, and if the elements still work, given that the bearers have been reduced to three, if not then we’ll have to find more bearers,” Celestia said.

“Make’s sense,” Zap commented eating a pancake quickly, “by the way, does this castle got any training equipment ah can borrow? Ah am composed of two athletic ponies and don’t want ta go flabby,” Zap asked.

“We do, we’ll see if we have any spares,” Luna said.

“Eat up then, meet me in the courtyard afterward,” Celestia said, taking her leave.

“Ok!” everypony and dragon said.

After their meal everypony got ready to leave.

“If you don’t mind me saying you two ate quite alot,” Charity mentioned, gesturing to the stack of plates by their seats as opposed to Charity's modest amount.

“Athletes metabolism,” Zap said.

“I’m part Pinkie Pie remember?” Twinkle said with a raised brow.

“...Point has been taken…” Charity said with a shrug.

“Alright girls, follow me, I know the way to the courtyard,” Spike said.

“No need!” Twinkle flared her horn.

“Twilig-Twinkle what are you doing?” Spike said.

“The fast way,” Twinkle said before teleporting the group.

They reappeared on a hill outside of Canterlot.

“Huh?” The group looked around.

“Ah think you took us a little far,” Zap said.

“Odd, that was a normal teleport,” Twinkle lit her horn and teleported them again and they were now on the other side of Canterlot.

“Whoa!” Spike yelped as he was standing next to a steep cliff.

“Twinkle!” Zap scolded.

“I got this!” Twinkle flared her horn and suddenly they were above Canterlot and falling.

“AAAAHHH!” Spike yelled as they fell.

“Ah got ya!” Zap flew down and easily scooped Spike up, and Twinkle kept herself aloft with her wings.

“Oops again!” Twinkle giggled.

“Uh, where’s Charity?” Zap asked.

“Oh no…” Twinkle said before looking down and not seeing her.

“Oh crap! I forgot to grab her!” Twinkle panicked.

“Yer kidding me! She can’t be dead!” Zap exclaimed.

“Do not worry yourselves friends,” The spun to see Charity fluttering though the air with a pair of butterfly wings.

“How did…” Zap muttered.

“I am not sure,” Charity said glancing back at the wings.

Suddenly they were teleported again and were in the courtyard.

“Twinkle!” Zap said not realising where they were.

“That one wasn’t me!” Twinkle defended.

“It was us,” Luna said catching their attention.

“We saw you above Canterlot so we decided to help,” Celestia said.

“Oh… sorry then Twinkle,” Zap said.

“It’s fine,” Twinkle replied.

“What was that back there?” Charity asked.

“You were discovering the extent of your new powers,” Celestia said.

“New powers?” Zap said.

“Yes, it was mentioned earlier that the merged ponies would gain new and stronger power through their fusion,” Celestia said.

“Like Potara earrings?” Twinkle asked.

“What?” Celestia said not familiar with that term.

“Oh yeah, wrong series…” Twinkle ushered for her to continue.

“Well… in a sense a pony is made much stronger through the fusion, you three were strong before so I’ll admit I am curious to see how far you’ve advanced,” Celestia said.

“So ah’m stronger than before?” Zap questioned.

“Much, yes, let us begin with some tests, it is best you become used to your new power rather than risk accidents,” Celestia said.

“I’d say that makes sense,” Spike said sitting off to the side.

“Mrs. Zap Apple, if you would like to start?” Celestia asked.

“Gladly,” Zap said, stepping forward and cracking her knuckles.

Celestia used her magic to conjure a tree with apples on the branches.

“Kick it,” Celestia said.

“Like ah always did as Applejack?” Zap asked.

“Yes,” Celestia nodded.

“Alright, not sure what’ll happen differently,” Zap said before doing her usual spinning roundhouse kick to shake the fruit off the tree.

What happened instead… she split the tree in half at the side and sent wood chunks flying everywhere as the tree fell.

“WHOA!” Spike said in surprise.

“Huh?!” Zap exclaimed.

“Impressive, your physical strength is well beyond that of a normal earth pony,” Celestia noted that down on a piece of paper.

“Nice kick! I’d hate to be on receiving end of that!” Twinkle said.

“Ah… ah wasn’t even using mah full strength,” Zap said in awe of her strength.

“Next is your speed, Mrs. Rainbow Dash was known for her speed, so show us if that has been enhanced too,” Celestia asked.

“Ah think ah already did, ah flew from Ponyville to Canterlot in under seven minutes, a new record in mah books,” Zap said.

“Impressive, regardless, do not hit full speed close to the ground or near any homes, the rainboom was strong enough, I cannot imagine how strong it is now.” Celestia cautioned.

“Noted.” Zap agreed, a little hesitant to admit she did so earlier.

Suddenly a magic bolt lanced at Zap who noticed and she sidestepped in an instant.

“The hay?!” Zap exclaimed.

“Reflexes are superb,” Luna said, noting that down.

“Ya’ll trying to incapacitate me?” Zap said curtly.

“It was a minor sting charm, no more painful than a bee sting,” Luna defended.

“It is part of the training to test reaction with harmless spells,” Celestia pointed out.

“Still,” Zap said dusting herself off.

“Alright, now that you know your strength speed and reaction it is best you hone them, to avoid injury to other ponies,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Zap said.

“Next up is Charity,” Celestia gestured for her to come over and she did.

“Yes Princess?” Charity asked with a kind smile.

“We need to see what is different about you, we noticed you were flying back when you were all above Canterlot,” Celestia pointed out.

“Indeed I was,”

“Could you tell us how you manifested wings?” Celestia asked.

“I… Was falling and then I thought hard about a spell that could grant me flight, then suddenly I was flying…” Charity said.

“Interesting, does this mean you can manifest your thoughts?” Luna asked.

“I’m not sure,” Charity said.

“Try, imagine something simple… a quill, imagine a quill,” Luna offered.

“Ok,” Charity shut her eyes and concentrated and suddenly her horn lit and a transparent quill appeared in her hand.

“Huh?” She said surprised about it.

“Fascinating, your mind is capable of creating magical constructs through subconscious thought,” Luna reasoned.

“How’d you figure that?” Spike asked.

“We’ve seen it before, but it is a rare gift,” Luna said noting this down.

“There is something else we’d like to examine, your calming nature,” Celestia said.

“Calming nature?” Twinkle parroted.

“Yes, I noticed it too, whenever she spoke I felt my stresses and frustrations melt, your voice and presence must have an ambient calming capability.

“Fluttershy always did have that maternal aura about her,” Spike reasoned.

“Interesting,” Charity said.

“Be smart with this power Charity, in the wrong hands it could be dangerous,” Celestia cautioned.

“Oh, I would never abuse it, I am not a pony who is comfortable with the thought of manipulation,” Charity blushed.

“Considering you are both of the elements of Kindness and Generosity, we have nothing to worry about you turning manipulative,” Luna said.

“I hope,” Charity murmured.

“Finally, Twinkle, my student, come forth,” Celestia said.

“Yay!” Twinkle said before hopping into a bush and reappearing in front of them, wearing an army helmet.

“Ready chief!” she saluted.

Celestia should have found herself amused, but the sight of Twinkle brought some sadness to her, remembering Twilight.

Luna elbowed her.

“Oh! Um,” Celestia cleared her throat “Very well, I think it is obvious what was enhanced.” Celestia said as Luna trotted out of view.

“What?” Twinkle asked.

“Your magic is so powerful now, you accidentally teleported miles away from Canterlot without even trying,” Celestia said.

“How’d ya know?” Zap asked.

“I am thousands of years old Zap Apple, I have plenty of experience in sensing magic surges, and yet this one was so powerful yet so effortless,” Celestia said turning to Twinkle.

“This is unexpected but I would say once you tame that potential it could even surpass me,” Celestia said.

“Surpass you?” Twinkle said sounding surprised.

“Indeed, Luna now!” Celestia shouted suddenly.

Luna fired out a dozen sting charms but in the course of two seconds, something happened, one-second Twinkle's tail twitched and the next Twinkle's horn lit and several well-placed circular barriers materialized stopping each of the charms without missing one.

“Impressive,” Luna muttered.

“Can ya stop with the charm?” Zap sighed.

“It seems that not only have your magic but your Pinkie sense have enhanced and even merged. Your magic reacts to your Pinkie sense,” Celestia pointed out.

“Yeppers! It was weird but it’s as if I formed a magical synergy with my instincts which created a six-sense boundary allowing me to allocate magical wavelengths and their intentions, thus my Pinkie sense, or as I would like to call it now Twinkle sense reacts and auto activates my magic if it senses danger of any kind-” Twinkle took a deep breath and continued “-aimed at my person, right?” She finished.

“That is a good way of putting it,” Celestia chuckled.

“She has Twilight’s genius and power and Pinkie’s unpredictability and zany behavior leveled to a new extent… I cannot say how relieved we are that she is on our side…” Luna said, imagining a scenario where she isn’t.

“You can say that again,” Spike said sharing the dreadful vision.

“Last test, we need to see if the elements work still, and for that we have a volunteer,” Celestia said before turning to a statue and saying “You can come out now,” Celestia said

“Huh?” everypony saw a statue of a knight pony get off its pedestal and walk over to them.

“AAAH! LIVING STATUE!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“No, it’s me,” Discord said teasingly as the statue transformed into him. “You should really make it quicker with the tests, a bird pooped on my shoulder,” Discord said snapping his fingers and cleaning his shoulder.

“Discord?! When did ya’ll get here?” Zap said.

“Mostly just the tests, and before you ask I can’t fix you girls, believe it or not the mirrors were designed to counter my magic, back when I was a threat to Equestria,” Discord said.

“Discord?” Charity asked as she walked up to him.

“Hello my dear Charity…” Discord said, his mood turning sad.

“This isn’t how I wanted you to find out…” Charity said hugging him.

“It’s alright dear, as long as Fluttershy is part of you I accept you as my friend, I’ll just need an adjustment period, that’s all,” Discord said.

“Thank you for understanding,” Charity sniffled.

“Alright then, shall we get onto the element test?” Discord said creating a giant dart board and teleporting himself onto it.

“Wait… you don’t mean-!” Charity said in horror.

“Do not worry Charity, I volunteered,” Discord said.

“I won’t do it! Not to Discord,” Charity said inadvertently using her stare, the princesses actually gasped as they looked into those eyes and Spike yelped in fright falling off his chair.

“Oops!” Discord snapped his fingers and put blindfolds over Celestia and Luna’s eyes.

Charity snapped out of it “Huh? Princesses?” Charity questioned.

They were shaking a little and pulled off the blindfolds,

“It was as though Tartarus itself was staring at us…” Luna said with an edge in her voice.

“I-it… seems something else got enhanced as well with you Charity,” Celestia said taking a few deep breaths.

“I’m sorry… but I mean it when I said I’m not using the elements on Discord,”

“Come now dear, I appreciate your kindness and concern but at the most, it will petrify me, then Celestia will break me out,” Discord assured.

“But… Discord…” Charity pleaded.

“I promise you Charity, it will be alright,” Discord said.

“...Ok… but if something goes wrong and you get hurt,” Charity said.

“Not to worry, now hop to it,” Discord said resting his head back.

“Ok…” Charity said joining the others.

“Here,” Celestia levitated a box to them and they opened it to find the elements.

They each put on the elements corresponding to their two elements and they waited for the signal.

“Alright girls, let it rip!” Discord said.

“Ok!”

“Ok…”

They concentrated and the Rainbow Power was powering up and their eyes glowed before they floated into the air and then the rainbow power launched forward at Discord.

“Wait a second… CRAPBASKETS!” Discord teleported away and at the same moment the rainbow power blasted through the target board and struck the ground nearby burning a hole in it.

“GIRLS STOP!” Celestia cried.

“Huh?!” the three cried as they cut off the power surge and looked to see a mile-deep hole was burned into the ground by the rainbow power.

“DISCORD!” Charity cried.

“I’m alright!” Discord called and they turned to see him back against the wall, panting.

“Discord?” Zap questioned.

“I was wrong, very wrong, if that had hit me it would have straight up vaporized me,” Discord said making his way over to the group.

“Are you alright, where are you hurt!?” Charity ran up to Discord.

“I’m fine dear, I dodged right in time,” Discord said.

“This is what I was worried about!” Charity snapped at the Princesses.

“This was unforeseen to us as well, we’ve never seen the rainbow power go haywire like that,” Celestia defended.

“I think it’s best you not blast anypony with that, not until you figure it out,” Discord suggested.

“Agreed,” Spike said walking up to the group.

“Then that concludes our training for now, report to me if you find any new updates,” Celestia asked.

“With your permission, I'll head into Ponyville and spread the word, it’d be best if the general public’s panic settles early,” Discord suggested.

“Sounds like a plan,” Charity nodded.

“Got it, what now?” Zap asked.

“Now… it’s time you meet with your families…” Celestia said with dread.

Meet the family for not the first time all over again.

View Online

A figure trotted around a shack in the woods, gathering supplies.

He adorned himself with a cloak and a strange necklace, he grabbed what looked like a list of names and put it in his pocket.

“It is almost time, let’s get things moving,” the violet-eyed pony said before leaving the shack.

“It’s gonna be alright…” Zap said as she paced back and forth in the waiting room.

“Don’t be such a worry wart, I’m sure they’ll accept you,” Twinkle Pie said, although there was worry in her voice too.

“Ya don’t seem very convinced yerself,” Zap Apple said.

“No… I’m not, but I can still try to cheer up one of my friends,” Twinkle said.

Meanwhile Charity was over by a set-up make-up studio, items she conjured via magic. She was simultaneously brushing her mane, doing her make-up and painting her nails.

“What are ya’ll gettin so prettfied for? Yer just meetin yer folks,” Zap Apple asked.

“One must be presentable in the face of first impressions,” Charity said.

“Oh oh! Do me!” Twinkle bounced over to Charity, before Charity could, the door opened up and they spun to see Spike, Celestia and Discord.

“Where’s Luna?” Zap asked.

“She’s attending the remained of day court for me, I feel as though I am needed for this interaction,” Celestia said.

“I’ve sent out the notices to everypony that needs to know immediately and gotten responses from Cadance and Shining Armor,” Spike said.

“And… what did you say?” Twinkle asked nervously.

“I told them that something permanent has happened to you and the others and it would be best they come here, same with the others,” Spike said.

The mares glanced at eachother nervously.

“Well, ah better get ready fer my visit,” Zap said.

“Me too,” Charity said.

“Me three…” Twinkle said.

A hooded figure trotted through Ponyville.

He trotted to a fountain and sat down, his mind replaying what he saw at this very fountain.

After his venture to The Castle of two sister brought up nothing. He had come back to Ponyville and had been an inadvertent witness to the events that have transpired in the last day or two, this interested him, and certainly helped with his plans, and now he’s ready to implement his current plan to infiltrate Canterlot.

He stared at the apple family as well as a white filly and an orange filly and a blue mare.

“You sure ya wanna come along Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I read the same message you did, Rainbow is like a sister to me, even though we’re not actually related, so I’m coming along,” Scootaloo said.

“Ok,” AB said.

The guards arrived from the clouds and landed in Ponyville, one guard detached from the chariot.

“Hurry it up Iron Pike, we got orders directly from the princess,” the other guard, called after him as the ponies boarded.

“Just a second Sheild! That snack really messed me up,” The guard said.

Seeing his chance, the pony slipped into the alley next to the sugarcube corner where the guard went and activated the necklace around his neck, afterwards he came out having turned into Iron Pike and he went out to the carriage.

“Huh?” The other guard named Shield noticed him “That was quicker than usual,”

“It was a false alarm, now let’s get moving before my bowel does,” ‘Iron Pike’ said.

“Heh,” The other guard laughed at the joke and they hooked up to the chariot before taking off.

The real Iron Pike exited the building and saw they were gone.

“Huh? Where the hell did the chariot go?!” Iron Pike exclaimed.

Several chariots landed on the outside of the castle and the ponies exited.

Shining Armor and Cadance met them there, having teleported there and been told to wait there.

Exiting the chariots were The Apple Family, Scootaloo, Night Light and Twilight Velvet, Sweetie Belle, Hondo, Mrs. Cake [Mr Cake had to watch Sugarcube Corner and the kids], Rainbow’s family, Fluttershy’s folks and Zephyr, and Maud Pie.

“I am so excited to be here and see my sis…” Maud said in her usual devoid-of-emotion voice.

“Oh hello,” A voice caught Maud’s attention “I heard from Pinkie that you two are sisters?” Mrs. Cake asked.

“Yes,” Maud said.

“Ah… yes, I am her employer,”

“Nice to meet you,” Maud said before walking off.

“Right…” Mrs. Cake said.

“Oh I hope my dear Rarity is alright,” Hondo said.

“Where’s Rainbow Dash?!” Scootaloo shouted looking around for her idol.

“Calm yourself there sport, I’m sure she’s fine,” Bow said.

“I’m getting anxious here Cady, I need to see if Twilight is alright,” Shining Armor said.

“Be patient Shiny,” Candance said.

As the ponies were all conversating ‘Iron Pike’ snuck off.

“Time to take back what is mine,” The pony said.

“They're here…” Charity said with dread.

“Oooh boy,” Spike said.

“Time ta rip the bandaid off…” Zap Apple sighed.

“I’m sure it’ll be alright,” Twinkle said.

Celestia entered the room and gestured for them all to sit down.

“I will introduce you one at a time and hope for the best, it’ll be easiest this way,” Celestia reasoned.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just meet up all at once? Get it over with?” Zap Apple asked.

“No, I would rather prevent mass panic among the visitors if possible, Who wishes to be first?” Celestia asked.

The girls glanced amongst eachother and Zap Apple sighed and stood up.

“Best ah just get it over with,” Zap said.

“That’s the tough pony I know,” Celestia said “You two wait here, We’ll be back, hopefully with good news,” Celestia said as the two left.

Charity sighed and laid back in her chair.

“What will I do if I am rejected?...” She asked.

“Then I’ll give the offender a big slap,” Twinkle said.

“Twinkle, I would rather you not assault my family... either of them,” Charity asked.

“Okie!” Twinkle said.

Zap Apple went down some stairs and approached a room with Celestia at her side.

“Let me go in first, both of your families are in there, it is best if I clear the air a little with them first,” Celestia said.

“Sure,” Zap said distractedly.

“Do not worry, I am sure it will go well,” Celestia said before slipping into the room.

Bow Hothoof, Windy, Scootaloo, Big Mac, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom all sat in their chairs conversing with eachother. They paused when Celestia entered the room.

“Hello,” Celestia said before she was bombarded with concerned voices.

“Is our Dashie alright? Where is she?” Bow asked.

“Oh I hope she’s alright,” Windy said.

“Is Rainbow behind that door?” Scootaloo demanded.

“Is AJ ok?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Where’s mah grandaughter?” Granny Smith demanded.

Big Mac just looked to Celestia with a firm but respectful look, silently communicating he was thinking the same thing.

Celestia raised a hand to stop their interruptions, they complied and looked to her expectantly.

“I am sure you all got Spike’s letters?” Celestia said.

“Yes,” The group nodded.

“You have heard there has been an… incident with your family members Rainbow Dash and Applejack?” Celestia added.

Another nod.

“And perhaps you know that-”

“Oh come on! Is Rainbow okay!?” Scootaloo demanded before remembering she is shouting at Celestia and she shrank apologetically.

“You need not regret raising your voice, I can understand that tensions are high, to the point, I will confirm there has been an incident, and Rainbow and Applejack will be irreversibly changed by it,” Celestia said.

The group looked at eachother nervously upon hearing that.

“Is our little Dashie ok?... she didn’t lose her wings did she? Please, their her pride and joy!” Windy pleaded.

“Changed how?” Big Mac said getting straight to it.

Celestia nodded and turned to the door.

“What you see may shock you, but I plead with you, do not ostracize her,” Celestia said.

“Her? You mean them, right?” Scootaloo said confusedly.

“...No, I mean her,” Celestia said before opening the door slightly and poking her head through.

“You may come in,” She told the unseen figure.

Nervous anticipation filled the group as they heard hoofsteps approaching the door and the door opened slightly.

“A-are ya-”

“Yes, come in,” Celestia gestured.

A few seconds passed before a green pegasus wearing a large jacket and pants as well as a white undershirt entered the room and nervously looked at the group.

“The group went silent upon seeing her, they studied her for several seconds before Apple Bloom spoke up.

“Who is she? Where’s AJ?” AB asked.

“Yeah, we didn’t ask to see her we want to see Rainbow and Applejack,” Scootaloo said.

“Girls… ah am…” Zap said getting a little teary eyed they didn’t recognize her.

“...” Bow got up out of his seat a approached her, he looked at her rainbow mane outlined by blonde, he looked at her rose-colored eyes.

“D-Dashie?” Bow said having come to a possible conclusion.

“H-hey Dad,” Zap said.

Big Mac had been observing her for several seconds and he saw several features that he realized, pointed to her identity.

Her apple cutie mark… the stetson… her accent… it couldn’t be… he needed to find out, and he had a way.

“Answer me this,” Big Mac got up and Zap turned to him. “Apple fritter, apple pie, apple tart,” Big Mac began the sibling code.

And Zap finished with tears in her eyes.

“You'll always have a place in mah heart…” She said as if on instinct.

“...” Big Mac lowered his head before turning to Celestia.

“Only AJ know’s that song we’d sing to eachother as kids, and ah swore her to secrecy, which can only mean… she is AJ…” Big Mac said.

“B-but what about Rainbow!? Where is she?” Scootaloo demanded.

“She is her,” Bow said turning to Scootaloo.

“What? No she isn’t, that’s-”

“Ah’m both of them, as one…” Zap cut her off.

“What?” Scootaloo said looking surprised.

“Allow me to explain,” Celestia said “A… magical accident occurred due to a magical item that Pinkie brought to Twilight’s party, not knowing of its properties at all, and it proceeded to merge the ponies there into three separate beings, Mrs. Zap Apple here is the result of Rainbow Dash and Applejack becoming one being,” Celestia explained.

The room became silent once again as everypony digested the info.

“And… how long until the process can be reversed?” Granny Smith asked.

Celestia looked conflicted and was about to say she wasn’t sure, but Zap beat her to the punch.

“Never… ah am stuck like this forever…” Zap said.

Everypony was stunned, even Big Mac.

“Y-you mean Dashie is-”

“She isn’t dead… but she makes up half of the being before you, I am afraid you’ll have to come to terms with your new… daughter,” Celestia said forlornly.

“Dashie….” Windy said tearing up.

“No…” Scootaloo said tearing up as well.

Big Mac looked like he was struggling to contain his emotions.

“Ah’m still Rainbow, just as much as ah’m Applejack, all ah ask if that ya give me a chance,” Zap asked.

Windy looked down in thought for a moment before getting up and approaching Zap.

“Mom?” Zap asked.

She then hugged her, Bow hugged her as well.

“As long as our Dashie is in there, we accept you,” Windy said.

“I’m going to miss our Dashie, but, she wouldn’t want us to reject you,” Bow said.

“Ah-... Ah don’t know what to say,” Zap said, after they removed themselves Big Mac and Apple Bloom approached.

“So, ah guess ah admit ah didn’t expect this, but ah can see the Apple family spirit loud and clear in ya,” Big Mac said, though he looked upset for some reason.

“Ah’m gonna miss AJ, but in a way yer still her, that’s enough fer me,” Apple Bloom said.

“Thank ya,” Zap said as they hugged her.

“How come you ain’t hugging back?” AB asked.

“Ah recently found out ah’m very very strong… don’t wanna hurt ya,” Zap admitted.

“Ya look pretty strong too, maybe even stronger than Mac,” AB pointed out with a giggle.

“Yeah,” Zap agreed with a chuckle before looking at Granny Smith.

Granny nodded with a toothless smile.

Pretty soon there was one last pony approaching Zap who turned and saw Scootaloo approaching with an uncertain look.

“Scoots… ah hope we can-” Zap said before Scoots cut her off.

“Are you sure you can't find a way to turn back?” She demanded.

“Scoots!” AB said.

“I want my sister figure Rainbow back!” Scootaloo said.

“Scoots, the princess said it herself, the process can’t be reversed,” Zap said with a sad expression.

“Maybe she’s wrong, every spell has to have a way to undo it!” Scootaloo persisted.

“Scoots, please don’t make her feel bad about this, it isn’t her fault this happened,” Bow said in Zap’s defense.

“Please Scoots, if ya give me a chance ah could-” Zap tried to pull her in for a hug but Scoots raised a hand stopping her.

“I can’t… I’m sorry, I need time,” Scoots said sullenly before leaving.

“Scootaloo…” Zap said crying a little.

“It’s alright, she’ll come around,” Granny said hobbling over to her.

“I shall leave you all to your meeting, There are other meetings to be had,” Celestia said.

“Alright,” Mac said.

Celestia exited the room and saw Scootaloo sitting on a bench in the corridor hall.

“Are you alright?” Celestia asked.

“No… Rainbow Dash is gone forever… How can I accept Zap Apple when I want my sister figure back…” Scootaloo said.

“She’s still there, just slightly different,” Celestia said.

“Just slightly? She doesn’t talk like her, look like her… it just isn’t the same,” Scootaloo said unable to put how she feels to words.

“I suppose the only one who can convince you is you, but please remember, you are not the only one who is sad right now, give her a chance before you reject her,” Celestia said before walking up some stairs.

“...Maybe…” Scoots said.

Celestia walked in on Charity and Twinkle braiding eachother’s hair, simultaneously.

“Girls it’s time, Charity you should go next,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Charity said, “We’ll finish later,” Charity told Twinkle.

“Ok!” Twinkle said.

Celestia walked down the stairs with Charity, they both saw Scootaloo still there, Scootaloo heard hoofsteps and turned to see Charity.

“Who is she made of?” Scoots asked.

“Scootaloo,” Celestia said not liking that wording.

“It’s alright Celestia,” Charity assured her before turning to Scootaloo and giving a courtesy “Hello, my name is Charity, I am the mare that resulted when Rarity and Fluttershy became one,” Charity said.

“I see,” Scootaloo said finding herself smiling a little.

“I heard things didn’t quite work out between you and Zap Apple,” Charity said.

“It’s just, how can I accept Rainbow is gone forever?” Scootaloo asked.

“I’m not sure,” Charity said.

“I can’t look at her, not without seeing Rainbow, what used to be her,” Scoots said bitterly.

“She scared and confused too,” Charity said

“She is?” Scoots said.

“Of course, she came into existence only a couple days ago, but she remembers two lifetimes, I bet she was scared out of her mind nopony would want anything to do with her. Give her the chance she would give you,” Charity said.

“...” Scootaloo looked down in thought.

“Have a pleasant day Scootaloo,” Charity said before getting up and following Celestia to the door.

“...I miss Rainbow… but… maybe, Zap can still be her for me?...” Scootaloo thought.

The same pattern repeated and Charity waited outside for Celestia to finish letting everypony know the situation.

Afterwards, she let Charity in.

Everypony gasped when they saw Charity.

“H-Hello,” Charity stuttered waving at them.

“Rarity?... Is that you?” Sweetie Belle asked with wide eyes.

“Yes,” Charity said.

“And Fluttershy?” Mrs. Shy asked

“Also yes,” Charity said meekly.

The group was silent for a while and then Sweetie approached from her chair and examined Charity while she knelt a little for her.

“You do look like Rarity, but… what happened?” Sweetie asked.

“...A magical accident, it wasn’t Pinkie’s fault, she didn’t know what would happen, but it resulted in me being born from Rarity and Fluttershy’s merging,” Charity said.

“Well… how long is this gonna last?” Zephyr decided to throw in his two bits.

“...” Charity looked hesitant to say.

“Miss, how long until my daughter Rarity returns?” Hondo asked.

“Yes, I am wishing to see my lovely daughter back as well,” Mr Shy said.

“They won’t be coming back,” Charity said letting a couple tears fall.

“What?” Sweetie said in shock.

“I am afraid, that… it can’t be undone… it’s permanent,” Charity finished with tears in her eyes.

“No… NO!” Sweetie sobbed.

“Y-you mean my sister is-” Zephyr said sounding like he’s in shock while the Shy’s began tearing up.

“This must be a joke! An unfunny joke! The princesses should be able to fix this!” Hondo said.

“I can’t, the object's power cannot be undone,” After she said this, Mrs. Shy stood and flapped her wings.

“Oh dearie!” Mrs. Shy flew over to her daughter and hugged her, surprising Charity.

“Your not mad?” Charity asked

“I’m sad to know Fluttershy isn’t coming back, but I would never be so cruel as to reject you for simply existing,” Mrs. Shy said.

“I agree,” Mr Shy said.

“Mom, dad, thank you!” Charity hugged them.

“B-but my sister!” Sweetie shouted, getting their attention.

“Sweetie Belle,” Charity said kneeling down to hug her but Sweetie shrunk back. This hurt Charity a bit but she kept her arms open for a hug. “I may not be Rarity anymore, but I will do my best to fill her horseshoes, I will always be there for you Sweetie,” Charity said soothingly.

Charity’s soothing tone and earnestness made Sweetie calmer and she hugged her back at last.

“My daughter…” Hondo said sadly.

“Father, I am sorry this happened, but there is nothing that can be done about it now, our best option is to find a way to move forward,” Charity said.

“I suppose you are right… but…” Hondo began to tear up and Charity knew he needed her and she went over and hugged him.

Celestia smiled, it seemed they were accepting her all right.

“I will take my leave now, I must introduce my student to her family now,” Celestia said before leaving as the group began to sit and converse.

Twinkle and Celestia descended the stairs, and walked through the corridor, looking around she didn’t see Scootaloo, she smiled as the filly most likely went back to the room to clear the air.

Scootaloo walked down the hallways, having decided on taking a walk to clear her thoughts.

As she entered another hallway she saw something.

A mysterious stallion climbed in through a window and trotted down the hall.

“Huh?” Scootaloo said before hiding, deciding something was up, she saw the stallion head down some stairs.

“This got interesting,” Scootaloo said before following him.

Celestia entered the room the remaining guests were in.

“Finally, where’s Twilight? Is she okay?” Shining asked.

“Shining dear, let the princess talk,” Twilight Velvet said.

“I would also like to know the condition of my sister,” Maud said.

“Very well, I shall get to the point… Twilight and Pinkie are…-” Celestia was about to say it but then Twinkle popped up next to her honestly startling her and everypony else.

“We merged and now we’re one being! Call me Twinkle Pie Sparkle from now on!” Twinkle said.

“...Who is she?” Maud asked.

“As I was saying, she is Twilight and Pinkie,” Celestia said not even surprised she snuck in and blew the secret early. “A magical accident occurred fusing Twilight and her friend Pinkie Pie into one being, this is who she is now,” Celestia said.

Everypony else besides Shining Armor got up and walked up to her.

“So… now you all know, I’m still a Pie and a Sparkle though, it’s like having one huge family! Can we… resume like nothings changed?” Twinkle said hopefully.

“Works for me,” Maud said hugging her.

“What? That quickly?” Twinkle said.

“Yeah, nothing shocks me these days because of my sister,” Maud said.

“Aww thank ya sis!” Twinkle said.

“Twilight?” Cadence asked.

“Yeah… it’s me,” Twinkle said.

“I suppose this means your still Twilight, just with some Pinkie-ness added,” Cadence said with a smile.

“That’s right Best babysitter ever!” The two then performed their Ladybug dance.

“Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake, put your hands together and give a little shake!” The two said before hugging and laughing.

Twilight's parents were honestly saddened hearing that Twilight may never be who she is again, but they were happy to see at least Cadance and Shining Armor-

“No…” Shining said.

The laughter cut out at this and Twinkle looked at Shining Armor.

“What do you mean no?” Twinkle asked.

“You expect me to just accept this new outcome? I want to know, can this be fixed?” Shining demanded.

“No Shining Armor, the Merge Mirrors were designed to-” Celestia said before Shining Armor cut her off.

“No! There has to be a way, I won’t just accept her as my new sister, what’s the matter with you all? What about Twilight?!” Shining Armor said.

“Shiny…” Twinkle said with tears in her eyes.

“Shining! You will cease this, can’t you see your distressing her?” Cadence said.

“She’s not Twilight, and I refuse to give up on finding a way to get her back,” Shining Armor said before leaving.

“Shiny wait!” Twinkle tried to follow him.

“Don’t call me Shiny, your not Twilight!” Shining said as he walked down the hall.

“I am! At least half of me is!” She tried to reason with her brother.

“Let’s not forget what Celestia said, the other half is responsible for this,” Shining said coldly.

“...” Twinkle couldn't argue that and she fell to her knees and cried as Shining left.

“Twinkle, I’ll talk to him,” Cadance said following Shining Armor off, while her families crowded around her and comforted her.

“SHINING ARMOR!” Cadence yelled with the Canterlot voice as he walked down the hall.

“I’m not going back there, not until I have a solution!” Shining said.

“If Celestia said it can’t be fixed then it can’t, you can’t hold it against her,” Cadence said.

“Buck Celestia’s words, Twilight wouldn’t give up if I were in this situation,” Shining said.

“Twinkle, she’s Twinkle now,” Cadence tried to reason with him.

“I meant Twilight, she’s my sister Cadance, I can’t give up on her,” Shining persisted.

“So we should make Twinkle feel rejected until then?” Cadence said.

“The fact you quickly accepted Twilight is gone forever shows that I’m the only one willing to try,” Shining said.

“Shining!” Cadence retorted.

“I’m going to be working with Sunburst until we can find a way,” Shining said before storming off.

“...” Cadence looked away dejectedly and walked back to the group.

Scootaloo poked her head around a corner and saw the mysterious stallion sneaking past a guard who was facing the other way, using her smaller size she slipped behind the guard as well.

She followed the sneaking pony and hid when he glanced back.

"Looks like I've got a chance to get in some action," Scootaloo said.

She followed the pony all the way up to a fancy bedroom.

She watched him suddenly glow and turn into Celestia.

"What the?" Scootaloo silently exclaimed.

She watched the fake Celestia walk up to the guards guarding her room and telling them to leave.

They did so and then the figure turned back and entered.

"Is he a Changeling? I thought they were reformed," Scoots thought.

Suddenly he exited the bedroom with a strange mirror-like object and a box, he approached a window and opened it before turning into a pegasus guard and flying out of there.

"Something tells me there's trouble ahoof…" Scoots said.

The groups soon met up in the dining hall.

News of Shining's outburst had reached the ears of everypony.

Nobody was pleased with him.

"Just give the word and ah'll kick his flank," Zap said.

"No, he just needs time," Twinkle said sounding upset about what happened with her meeting with her family.

“I truly didn’t expect your brother of all people to reject you, I am sure he is just coming to terms with what happened, that’s all,” Charity cooed.

“Yeah, let’s hope,” Twinkle said.

Celestia was trotting down the hall to the dining hall,

She had found Shining and tried to convince him as well, the stallion was set in his way of not accepting that Twilight isn’t coming back.

On one hand, he’s grieving that he lost somepony close to him and he isn’t willing to accept a pony he doesn’t know like her. On the other hand, he’s blatantly ignoring the feelings of a pony who truly considers him her brother.

“He really needs to get his head out of his-”

“Princess!” Celestia heard Scootaloo’s voice from behind her.

“Scootaloo?” Celestia turned to see the filly running up to her. “Is everything alright?” Celestia asked.

“Not sure, I saw a strange shape-shifting pony climb in through the window, he stole something out of your room,” Scootaloo said.

Celestia’s eyes widened “What did he steal?” She demanded.

“Just a small mirror thing, and a weird box,” Scootaloo said.

“Oh no…” Celestia said, a look of fear on her face.

Scootaloo entered the dining room, she saw the food provided and licked her lips a little, she had been sworn to secrecy about what she’s seen, but that doesn’t mean she can’t indulge with the rest of the ponies here.

She spotted Zap Apple eating a plateful of pancakes number five and sighed a little before walking over to her and sitting down by her.

“Ahem,” Scoots said.

“Hmm? Scoots?” Zap swallowed her pancakes and turned to address her.

“Hey Rain… Zap,” Scoots said nervously.

“What’s eatin ya?” Zap Apple asked.

“I thought about it and… it’ll be a bit of an adjustment, but can I still be your biggest fan?” Scoots asked.

“Of course! Does this mean you’ll give me a chance? To be yer big sis figure like Dash was?” Zap asked.

“Yeah, but like I said, I’ll need time before things can be normal between us,” Scootaloo said, retrieving some pancakes.

“That’s all ah ask,” Zap smiled.

Spike suddenly burped a message, and everyone who was dining while waiting on Celestia turned to see it happen.

“A message? What does it say?” Cadence asked Spike.

“Hmm…” Spike read through the letter quietly before turning to the others. “Celestia said that she can’t make it to brunch and to think of heading home soon,” Spike said.

“Is there an emergency?” Twinkle asked.

“It doesn’t say anything specifically,” Spike said.

“Well, we have ta think about how we’re gonna break this ta Starlight and Trixie, plus ain’t Sunset paying a visit?” Zap said.

“Oooh, good point there Zappy,” Twinkle said.

“Please don’t start callin me Zappy,” Zap asked.

“I think it’s cute,” Charity giggled.

“Course ya do,” Zap rolled her eyes.

After hearing the news from Celestia’s note the group decided to group up at the gates.

“It’ll be hard to tell my wife this but… I’ll find a way,” Hondo hugged Charity.

“Goodbye father,” Charity said before Hondo knelt to Sweetie Belle.

“You watch over her, make sure this never happens again, ok?” Hondo said.

“Right!” Sweetie said while hugging him.

“I hope we can see each other again, perhaps learn what more about you Charity," Mrs Shy said.

"I look forward to it," Charity said.

Zap Apple hugged her family on both sides and was chatting with them, like old times.

Big Mac seemed like he was still coming to terms with it but he held his tongue.

Twinkle hugged Maud Pie.

"Later sis, be sure to tell the rest of the family what you saw here today it's best they all know," Twinkle said.

"Sure," Maud said.

Twinkle then turned to the other side of her family She hugged Cadence and her parents.

"I'm sorry this happened I hope we can all move past it especially Shiny," Twinkle said.

"Do not worry Twinkle I'll do my best to convince him to accept you, the fact that I have to is pretty sad," Cadence admitted.

"He'll come around eventually" Night Light said.

“I hope so,” Spike said.

After the goodbyes were said The guests loaded into the carriages, and after some waves and more goodbyes, the carts departed.

“Welp, now that we’ve cleared the air with them, let’s clear it with the rest of Ponyville.

“Yeah, I’m not looking forward to that,” Spike said.

As they were talking, the mysterious pony slipped past some guards and used the necklace to turn into Iron Pike again and he approached their return carriage.

“Hmm? Oh hey there Iron, what took ya?” The guard named Shield asked.

“Those grilled cheese sandwiches hit hard,” the fake Iron Pike said as he hooked up to the carriage.

“Aren’t you lactose intolerant?” Shield asked.

The fake guard stiffened a little “Uh, yeah, but I was dared,”

“Hmmph, I told you to stop taking those dares Pike, one of these days you're going to have an accident mid-flight, and I won’t clean it,” Shield said.

“Uh- yeah… sorry,” He said as they waited for the carriage loaded up.

“Everybody loaded in?” ‘Pike’ asked.

“Yeah,” Spike said.

“Then off we go,” The group took off into the sky, heading for whatever the future holds.

Celestia’s room was a wreck, she had torn through the room looking for what was taken.

“No, he couldn’t have taken that, not that!” Celestia exclaimed.

Luna came in when she heard the commotion, she gasped seeing Celestia’s room in this condition.

“Celly! What happened here,” Luna asked.

“We’ve been robbed Luna, of most important artifacts,” Celestia said.

“What is it,” Luna asked getting serious.

“The merge mirror is missing and-”

“Wait, you're worried about the merge mirror? We know that object is dangerous but-”

“No Luna you don’t get it, he also took the Box of Celtus,” Celestia said seriously.

“...What?” Luna said paling a little “But you hid it well, nopony knew it’s location in this castle!”

“It seems he did, untold damage will be done if we don’t find it!” Celestia said.

“The situation has changed then, we need every asset available, he mustn’t use it!” Luna ran off to alert the guard.

Celestia looked out at the horizon “Why…” She asked bitterly.

Showing the town, a plot in motion and contained feelings

View Online

Ponyville came into view, and everypony was nervous about what was coming.

Sure to his word Discord had set up a stage and everypony was gathered, several other carriages were lined up with ponies exiting.

“HI PONYVILLE!” Twinkle called.

“Git back in here,” Zap said tugging Twinkle back into the carriage “Ah’d like to keep as low a profile as ah can until ah have no choice,” Zap said.

“Aw,” Twinkle sighed.

“Well speak of the Tirek! Here they come!” Discord waved at the carriage as it landed.

“It feels as though we are on a movie set,” Charity said nervously.

“Just follow my lead,” Spike said.

The carriage landed and Iron Pike detached and ran off.

“Hey! Where are you going Pike?” Shield called.

“Another break!” Pike said as he vanished into a building.

“Honestly what is wrong with that stallion?” Shield wondered.

Discord waited for the merged three and Spike to get behind the curtain.

A second Discord appeared to them.

“Alright girls, showtime!” Discord said.

“I-I don’t think I can go out in front of a crowd, I’m not properly dressed!” Charity panicked.

“Heh, seems you got Rarities need to look fantastic and Fluttershy’s shyness, come to think of it though you all are wearing hand-me-downs from the late Twilight Sparkle, and they barely fit,” Discord noted.

“Yeah?” Zap asked.

“Welp! Luckily Rarity gave me a few lessons, here goes nothing!” Discord snapped his finger.

Immediate embarrassment, at least he and Spike were the only observers.

Three bare mares.

“AGH!” Spike turned away blushing madly.

“Ah!” Charity covered herself blushing madly.

“Discord!” Zap yelled also covering herself and blushing

“Eh, what’s the big deal?” Twinkle shrugged.

“Seriously?!” Zap looked at the mare incredulously.

“Relax, now for the makeover!” Discord snapped his finger and the three glowed and were suddenly clothed in much more fitting clothes.

Charity was wearing a white shirt with her boutique's logo on it and a pretty blue skirt a ribbon was also present in her mane.

Zap Apple was wearing brown western attire, with the mid-riff open revealing her muscular abdomen, holes in the back for her wings and her stetson still on her head with a pair of flight goggles resting on them.

And Twinkle was in a blue and white striped shirt with purple pants.

“Oooh! Nice outfit!” Twinkle cheered.

“Ah gotta admit, not a bad look,” Zap said looking herself over.

“Thank you Discord,” Charity said with a smile.

"Don't think ah'll forget what just happened though," Zap warned.

“Alright girls, now get a move on it,” Discord said as they walked towards the stage.

“And with that not-at-all dragged-out announcement out of the way, I would like to present to you, Ponyvilles newest inhabitants,” Discord then gestured to the right and the three girls walked onto the stage, the townsfolk were murmuring to eachother as they saw the three new mares.

“H-Hello,” Charity said.

“HIII!” Twinkle cheered.

“Howdy,” Zap said.

“Alright, now for a bit of background in a very nutshelled fashion, These three are the result of a permanent fusion between the elements of harmony, treat them like you would other ponies,” Discord casually said.

“Hey! We were gonna tell them that!” Zap scolded.

“It’s fine Zap,” Charity said.

The crowd murmured some more as they looked upon what has become of their heroes before Discord continued, “And now a word from them,” Discord teleported to the side and Zap walked up to the stand.

“Hello… what ya heard is true, through a means we ain’t gonna say, we’ve been merged from the elements of harmony, Ah used to be Applejack and Rainbow Dash,” Zap said.

“And I was Twilight and Pinkie!” Twinkle followed up.

“Fluttershy and Rarity,” Charity meekly added.

A pony with a mic for a cutie mark stood. “How is this possible?” He asked curiously.

“We ain’t gonna tell in the hopes history doesn’t repeat itself,” Zap said.

“Is the one who is merged with Pinkie going to still be working in Sugarcube Corner? My son’s birthday is next week so…” another pony asked.

“Ah don’t see how that’s-” Zap was cut off by Twinkle shoving her aside.

“Yep! Just because I’m merged with Twilight doesn’t mean this party pony is retiring from partying!” Twinkle said.

“Twinkle!” Zap exclaimed.

“What about the Boutique? Or Fluttershy’s animal services, or the farm, or-” Zap cut off the pony asking.

“We’re workin' on it!” She said, “Now, we’ve had a long day, so any more questions will have to go through Discord,” Zap said before dragging Twinkle off despite the crowd clearly wanting more questions answered.

“Wheeee!” Twinkle cheered as she was dragged.

“Uhm… thank you all for coming!” Charity said before scurrying after her friends, Spike ran across the stage to keep close.

As they left the stage Mayor Mare was waiting off to the side.

"Pardon Mrs…" Mayor Mare said trying to inquire about their names.

"Zap Apple, Charity and Twinkle" Zap Apple said pointing to each name bearer.

"Before you go I must inquire about the future of Ponyvilles job circle, as the elements played some crucial roles in Ponyville." The mayor said.

Zap glanced back at the crowd.

“Can we do this elsewhere?” Zap asked.

“We can,” Mayor Mare gestured for them to follow, the three mares and one dragon followed her until they entered the mayor's building.

Upon entry into her office, the three mares sat While Spike stood back.

“Very well, now that it’s quieter I wish to clear some things up before you return to your lives… well new lives.” Mayor Mare said.

“What things if you don’t mind me asking?” Charity asked.

“Well you can imagine you three will be the talk of the town for a while

“Yup! I imagine we’ll be getting really popular with the press,” Twinkle said.

“Is there any danger of what happened to you all, happening to other ponies,” Mayor asked seriously.

“The object that created us is safely at Canterlot as far as we know,” Charity said.

“What about your jobs? I will imagine it will be difficult balancing both,” Mayor Mare said.

“...It will, we’ll work on how we’re gonna do that,” Zap said.

“All I’m saying is I have a dreadful feeling something bad is coming,” Mayor Mare said.

“What kind of bad?” Twinkle asked.

“I’m not sure, but you with you three here, I feel better about it,” Mayor Mare said sitting down.

“I’ll help out, adjustment is going to take time but I’m sure we’ll figure it out,” Spike said.

“Very well, there are documents to do and paperwork to file regarding all this, not to mention we have to alter some identity info to properly accommodate you three,” Mayor said.

“Alright, then we’d best do so tomorrow, we’re a bit tired from the trip, and need time to rearrange our living arrangements,” Charity requested.

“Very well, then have a fine afternoon,” Mayor Mare said.

“Thank ya,” Zap said as they left the room.

“Bye!” Twinkle called.

The fake Pike sat down in a bathroom and returned to normal, he removed his hood revealing a grey unicorn with violet eyes.

“I found it, this would have been easier if that pink pony hadn’t stolen it first, but now that I have what I need, Equestia will become the greatest nation once more,” He said as he opened the box.

In the box was a glowing portal.

Reaching in he pulled out a jade stone.

"Now, let's get to work," he then put the jade onto the mirror.

"Renovabitur et concedat potestatem." The mirror dissolved into glowing motes of magic which then flowed into his horn.

He then lit his horn and phased through the wall with the box in hand.

"Now, to test it," the stallion looked to see a raven on a branch and a squirrel climbing up that same tree.

With an extension of his hands, he fired out two green energy tendrils that snagged the bird and squirrel and pulled them to himself, and then he placed them against each other and a flash occurred.

And suddenly a winged squirrel with a beak appeared before him, it gave a chittering squawk and then it flew off

"Success," he smirked and walked off pulling out a list. "Let's make Equestria great again, now, who to start with?..."

Zap Apple, Charity, Twinkle, and Spike exited the Mayor's building and they found the crowd had dispersed.

“Thank goodness, ah was expecting more paparazzi,” Zap said.

“Or another barrage of annoying questions,” Spike said.

“Yes, I agree,” Charity said before turning to Twinkle. “Could I have your assistance at the Boutique? I need assistance getting everything together,” Charity asked.

“Sure!” Twinkle said before turning to Spike “Think you can get the castle in order Spikey?” Twinkle asked.

“No worries Twili…Twinkle, sorry,” Spike said.

“It’s cool!” She winked.

“Then ah’ll get on back to the farm,” Zap said.

“Give your family my regards,” Charity waved her off as she and Twinkle headed off to the Carousel Boutique and Spike headed back towards the castle.

“Ah will,” Zap took off into the air and flew back towards the acres.

The Boutique was quiet as they entered.

“Sweetie Belle must be asleep,” Charity said as she entered.

“Yup!” Twinkle said.

“Shh!” Charity looked up the stairs and didn’t see her.

“Why are you worried about Sweetie Belle?” Twinkle said.

“I-...I don’t want her to see me cry,” Charity said as she spun and hugged Twinkle surprising her, not expecting her to be crying out of nowhere, but seeing her friend in distress Twinkle immediately hugged back and rubbed her mane.

“Huh? Charity? Why are you crying?” Twinkle asked sounding concerned.

“I’m so jumbled and confused about so many things!” She cried “I tried to interact with Mac back in Canterlot multiple times, but he kept his distance. Does he not love me like he loved Fluttershy? And the Boutique, do I abandon it and my dream to be the best fashionista? Or do I go with my dream of opening an animal sanctuary? Are they my dreams? Or am I just mimicking them from the ponies I’m made of?” She sobbed.

“Why didn’t you want to say any of this in front of Zap Apple?” Twinkle asked.

“She has her own problems, I don’t want to burden anypony, but I couldn’t hold it in anymore…” Charity said tearfully.

“You're the sweetest pony in existence Charity, but you don’t need to suffer in silence so nopony else gets burdened, I’ll always be there,” Twinkle said firmly.

“Promise?” Charity asked.

“With a big ole cherry on top,” Twinkle hugged her.

“Thank you…” She muttered thank you over and over.

Zap Apple landed at home but before she could enter she saw Big Mac punching something.

“Mac?” Zap said approaching and she saw he was punching a tree, and worst his knuckles were bleeding. “MAC!” Zap dashed over there and shoved him away from the tree he was venting on.

“Zap?” Mac said in surprise before getting up and turning to walk away but Zap grabbed his shoulder.

“Don’t yall walk away, not until ah know why you nearly lamed yer own hands,” Zap demanded.

“...” Mac stood there, not saying anything.

“Ah ain’t letting go until you talk,” Zap said.

“Stop…” Mac said.

“Huh?” Zap said.

“You sound almost like her, Applejack…” Mac said.

“Ah see,” Zap said not even mad he was still on this.

“Yer sure there ain’t a way to fix this?” Mac asked.

“There ain’t, ah know when a pony lies, and Celestia wasn’t,” Zap said.

“Then she’s really gone… ah failed.” Big Mac said.

“Failed?” Zap asked.

“Ah promised Ma and Pa that ah would protect AJ on their deathbeds… now she’s gone, if only ah had been there,” Big Mac said before receiving a thwack on the head.

“Huh?” Mac spun to see Zap Apple looking at him with an upset look.

“Ya didn’t lose her, she’s here! With me ya galoot!” Zap said.

“No she ain’t! She-” Mac said before Zap closed in on him.

“Listen here, ah’m not a faker, so what if AJ ain’t a hundred percent here, she’s here ain't she? Sure she’s a green pegasus now but she’s still an Apple though and through, don’t forget, don’t go treating me like ah’m some apparition of yer sister, otherwise yer your definitely failing her!” Zap barked.

“...” Mac looked down and he turned away, Zap was about to berate him again but he spoke before she could.

“Ah’m sorry… yer right, ah jest miss her is all,” Mac said.

“That’s right,” Zap said. “But that ain’t the only thing eating you is it?” Zap perceived.

“...Ah miss Fluttershy… mah marefriend…” Mac said as some tears went down his face.

Zap walked up to him and hugged him.

“Ah wanted to approach her during the brunch at Canterlot, but every time ah look at her, she’s not the same mare, but ah can’t just turn mah back on her, what do ah do sis?” Mac asked.

“Don't, that’s all ah can say,” Zap said.

Growing affections, secret meetings, and trouble is brewing.

View Online

The next morning came, now that the buzz of the previous day was gone every pony was getting back to work.

And yes there's one pony whom everyone was surprised to see not active.

The famous bodybuilder Bulk Biceps.

Usually, he'd be off working out in the gym or at the spa as a masseuse. But this time today there was something else on his mind.

That beautiful she adonis that stood on that stage, her muscles, her brashness, her colorful mane, her muscles…

He'd never been especially interested in Rainbow Dash, he liked her confidence and colorful mane. He was a little more interested in Applejack due to her diligence and better muscleculture but this mysterious green pegasus seem to combine their best attributes into one hot bodybuilder!

He can just imagine working out at the gym as a power couple…

"BULK BICEPS" a voice startled him out of his thoughts.

“Huh?” Bulk turned around and saw an irate mare.

“Can I help you?” He asked.

“No but you could help all the ponies you knocked down on your way to wherever,” She insisted and he looked to see he had knocked down a dozen ponies that must have bumped into him while he was musing.

“Oh! Sorry!” Bulk hurried over to help.

After helping out the ponies Bulk went on to approach Sweet Apple Acres.

“Ok Bulk! You got this! YEAH!” Bulk flew over the acres and looked around for the green mare, he eventually found her bucking a tree… with her fists?

“Huh?” Bulk said floating there and watching Zap Apple punching the tree with precision, but Bulk knows… she’s holding back her punches to not damage the tree, just shake it, bodybuilders have this sixth sense about that stuff.

“Whoa, she’s doing a bucks worth with just her fists! She’s awesome!” Bulk said before wondering if he could do that too… time to find out.

“Just like Uncle Ten Tons always told you! ‘Go for it champ!’... Or was it ‘stop lifting the couch when I’m trying to nap on it’… I don’t remember…” Bulk said before shrugging and flying down there.

“H-hey there Mrs” Bulk said as he landed.

“Hmm? Oh hey there Bulk!” Zap said as she began punching the tree and making apples fall.

“Doesn’t that hurt?” Bulk asked.

“Not really, ah gotta admit this fusion thing certainly made me strong,” Zap Apple said.

Bulk also noticed the cloud house near the farmhouse.

“Is that Rainbow's house? Why did you move it?” Bulk asked.

“Ya’ll are forgettin that ah’m Rainbow too? Ah had to move mah other stuff here,” Zap said.

“Oh yeah, you did say that… so! Uh… hey! You wanna come with me to the gym and pump iron until we collapse?” Bulk asked.

“Eenope, too busy,” Zap said taking a swig of a water bottle she brought with her.

“Oh… well when you have a break?” Bulk asked.

“Ah don’t take breaks, too awesome for breaks,” Zap said cockily.

“....Lunch?” Bulk offered.

“Sorry Bulk, yer mighty kind but ah got plans to get together with Apple Bloom and discuss thing with her, this is an adjustment period with her as ya probably know, maybe tomorrow!” Zap said.

“Ok… Hey! How about I help you?” Bulk said.

“Hmmm, why not, ain’t gonna turn down a helper,” Zap shrugged and gestured for Bulk to walk to a tree.

“Show me what ya got,” Zap said.

“Got it! Hrrraaagh!” Bulk ran up and began trying to pull the tree out by the roots and he was succeeding.

“HEY! Not like that!” Zap barked.

“Oops!” Bulk stopped.

“Ya gotta kick it like so,” Zap spun and kicked the tree with one of her strong legs.

Almost every apple rained down into the surrounding buckets.

“Took a few tries but ah ain’t breaking them anymore,” Zap Apple said.

“Breaking?” Bulk asked.

“Ah tested out my strength on a few non-apple trees and snapped them, but ah got the hang of it, eventually,” Zap bragged.

“Awesome, you're like a supermare or something!” Bulk said.

“Well ya ain’t wrong,” Zap said flattered by his admiration “Now try again, like ah showed ya,” Zap said.

“Got it!” Bulk was about to swing his leg with all his might, but Zap sensed this, jumped in front of it, and caught his leg.

“Huh?” Bulk said

“Not quite that hard, ya gotta measure yer strength before each blow, otherwise yer bound to damage the tree,” Zap said letting go of his leg.

“Gotcha,” Bulk said before kicking the tree with a more controlled kick successfully making apples fall.

“Alright, now yer doin it!” Zap said with a nod.

“YEAH! So we can go work out now right?” Bulk asked.

“Eenope, we got too many trees t’day, maybe next time,” Zap patiently said.

“Aww…” Bulk said.

The day passed by quickly and Bulk's legs were starting to hurt from kicking trees alot, not wanting to admit it though he continued until Zap gestured for him to stop.

“That’s good enough fer now, Ah’ll take it from here,” Zap said.

“Uh… sure! Not that I’m hurting in the legs or anything, I’m tough as nails!” Bulk said.

“Alright, see you later Bulk, thanks fer the help,” Zap said.

“No prob,” Bulk said as he walked/limped away.

“Kickings different from lifting, guess it’s best ah stopped him here before he hurt himself,” Zap said to herself.

Bulk walked to his home since it was his day off, and having spent most of his free time helping Zap Apple, he wondered if she would be interested in him, especially if she found out about his… pastime, besides bodybuilding of course.

Bulk flew into his house and went up to his room. Afterward he sat down on his bed and opened a book, labeled ‘Bulk poetic diaries’ and began writitng.

“Her mane flitters in the breeze, her colors, like a rainbow has been seized, placed into her locks to brighten her up. Her muscles so strong, I fear to ever do her wrong, her eyes, such a pretty color, makes my heart beat harder and louder, like a forlorn lover,” Bulk finished his poem and set it down before sighing.

“Would she think me unmanly for being a poet as well as a weightlifter? More reason to not let her or anypony find out…” Bulk sighed before leaving his room.

Charity had calmed down the previous night and had Twinkle teleport a message to her animal friends, basically giving them a rundown on what happened to Fluttershy.

She had kept the Boutique closed to go to visit her animal friends.

“I’ll be back Sweetie, I need to visit my animal friends,” Charity said.

“Ok, Charity, I’ll be with my friends later!” Sweetie said as she left, when she was gone Sweetie sighed.

“Maybe they have advice on how to get used to this…” Sweetie said.

Charity wandered through town, humming a little tune and waving to ponies as they passed.

Charity found the path to her cottage as if she’d lived there most of her life… which in a way, she did.

She paused at the door of her cottage and wondered if she should do this, but they knew ahead of time so hopefully they won’t employ anti-invader maneuver seven… that would hurt.

She knocked on the door and waited for a few minutes before the door creaked open.

Looking down she saw a familiar rabbit who looked up at her expectantly.

“H-hello Angel,” Charity said, kneeling down.

Angel looked closely at her face and he cautiously hopped closer to her, sniffing her hand as she lowered it for him.

“It’s me Angel… at least partially, you received my message right?” Charity asked.

Angel nodded and hopped away for a second before coming back with her message.

“Okay, good,” Charity said.

Angel gestured for her to come in and she did. When she did she saw her animal friends had straightened up the cottage and were waiting in the living room.

“Hello everybody,” Charity nervously said.

Angel hopped over to the animals and gestured to Charity a few times.

Deciding to see if what Angel said is true the other animals crowded around Charity and sniffed her.

Eventually, they backed off and looked at her sadly.

“Yes darlings, it is true, I am Fluttershy, and also Rarity, I am also considering living in Ponyville to be closer to Sweetie Belle, b-but I can still visit periodically,” Charity hurriedly said.

The other animals seemed sad to hear this.

“There isn’t two of me anymore, I am sorry, I will try to find a way to continue to care for you, it will be difficult but I refuse to abandon you all,” Charity said.

Harry approached Charity and she petted his head.

“I know dear, I will find a way to be there, but it may take awhile, so I am leaving you in charge until then,” Charity said.

Harry nodded.

“I will take Angel with me, I am sure he will take the longest to accept me, considering how close he and Fluttershy were,” Charity said.

Harry nodded again.

“I will put some tea on if anypony wants any?” Charity said leaving for the kitchen.

Every paw was raised.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders all met for a singular reason, their new sisters.

“Alright! Sound off” Apple Bloom said.

“Here!” Scootaloo said.

“Sweetie Belle present,” Sweetie Belle said.

“And ah’m here so now we can begin our emergency meeting,” Apple Bloom said sitting down with the other two crusaders.

“Yeah…” Scootaloo said

“Don’t worry Scoots yer in a judgment-free zone,” Apple Bloom said.

“Well… do you two feel as uneasy about… what’s been going on lately?” Scootaloo asked.

“What do you mean?” Sweetie asked.

“First our sisters get fused with the other elements, then we’re told they aren’t coming back and then… look girls what I am about to tell you doesnt leave this room, got it?” Scootaloo said firmly, the other two ponies nodded.

“I saw a strange stallion sneak into Canterlot and steal from the princess's room!” Scoots said.

“What?” Apple Bloom said.

“Was he handsome?” Sweetie asked casually.

“Seriously Sweetie? That’s your first reaction?” Scootaloo said with a flat look.

“Just kidding just kidding,” Sweetie chuckled.

“What’d he steal?” Scootaloo asked.

“Just a box and a small mirror,” Scootaloo said.

“Odd,” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah, and I’m betting it was something important, so here’s what I suggest, we help find him and we become famous investigators in the process!” Scootaloo said like it was foolproof.

“Scoots, we already got our cutie marks,” Apple Bloom said.

“So? Who says we can’t do a little side activity to earn some bits?” Scootaloo replied.

“What if he’s dangerous?” Sweetie asked.

“So what? I’m no slouch, and neither is Apple Bloom, not to mention you got some magic, at the very least I wanna contribute to the cause of finding out what’s happening in Equestria, for all we know a new danger is in the works,” Scootaloo said.

“Eh, alright, but we only do investigation, ah don’t wanna end up kidnapped,” Apple Bloom said.

“Count me in!” Sweetie said.

“Alright! Cutie Mark Crusaders, investigators!” The three cheered.

In Manehatten it was raining, the hooded figure walked through a portal that formed in an alleyway.

“Alright… now to get started… I need good material,” The hooded pony said, as he wandered through the seedy alleyways he caught the attention of several ponies hiding in alleyways.

He continued walking even as it was clear he was being followed.

“Hey buddy!” The head unicorn said finally.

The hooded pony ran ahead.

“He’s getting away!” A brown pegasus mare shouted as the group of eight gangsters pursued him.

The group intending to mug him pursued the unicorn into an alleyway dead end.

He paused there and looked around before turning to the group.

“Nowhere to run now pal, now hand over all your bits and valuable, and that cloak while your at it, I'm freezing in this rain,” the lead unicorn said.

“Thanks for following me out here, no witnesses after all,” The hooded pony said.

“For what?” The head unicorn asked.

“Hmm… not bad, not prime but it’ll work…” the unicorn muttered.

“Hey! Didja hear me?” The unicorn said.

“Shut your mouth you filthy street rat, I’m examining my materials,” The hooded pony said.

“Your what? And the hell did you just call me?” The unicorn said before turning around.

“Hey! Sledgehammer, teach this bozo a lesson would ya?” the gangster said.

“Yes boss,” A burly grey earth pony said approaching.

“Ooh, your well built,” The hooded pony said before holding out his hand.

“Thanks, now cough up your valuables or I’ll make you-” Suddenly the stallion named Sledgehammer yelped as he was grabbed off of the ground by a glowing green tendril.

“What the?!” the gangsters exclaimed.

“And now… you,” He shot another tendril that snatched a lanky black punk unicorn and he raised the two up.

“Wh-what are you doing?!” The head unicorn demanded.

“Making them better than the sum of their parts…” he then slammed them together and a bright green glow overcame the area, when the glow ended the new pony was revealed.

He had Sledgehammer’s build but the punk look of the other pony, and his coat was a dark gray.

“Wh-what the hell did you do to me?!” The new pony demanded.

“I made you better, now for phase two,” The hooded pony said before reaching into the box of Celtus and pulling out what looked like a lantern.

“H-hey! I don’t know what you did to Sledgehammer and Red Knoll, but you better turn them back or else I’ll-” The leader was blasted with a fast-moving magic blast that froze him.

“Shut up,” The hooded pony said before turning back to the dark gray unicorn.

“What are you-” The lantern flashed brightly and when it dimmed his pupils dilated.

“You serve me now,” The hooded pony said.

“....What is your will?” The dark grey unicorn said bowing.

“L-let’s just get out of here…” The brown pegasus mare said as she turned to run before suddenly she bumped into a force field, “Huh?!” She scrabbled wildly at the barrier.

“Sorry, but none of you are leaving, I need to continue my studies and gain some enforcers after all,” The hooded pony said.

“P-please let us go!” A green pegasus mare begged.

“Why would I do that? It won’t benefit me, don’t worry, you're helping bring about a new Equestria, one where everypony is strong, and nopony is vulnerable again!” The unicorn laughed.

“Your crazy!” The brown pegasus mare cried before a green tendril snatched her and the green pegasus.

“Your next…” The hooded pony laughed as the two mares screamed as they were slammed together and merged.

Twinkle takes a trip to the human world

View Online

Twinkle finished writing out her messages to Starlight, Trixie and Sunset, she decided earlier that day she should inform her student and friends about what’s happened so that they’ll be better prepared.

“There! A twenty-page dissertation on recent events surrounding our current situation, hope Starlight and Sunset like reading all this!” Twinkle cheered before using her magic to teleport the letter through the portal, naturally for Twilight she always found that hard, but now that she was Twinkle, it wasn’t nearly as hard. Wonder why? Was it power? Was it knowledge? Was it luck? She’ll need to write out a checklist of possibilities.

Better yet… Why doesn’t she go visit them instead?! She hasn’t seen them since she was Twilight after all!

Twinkle used her enhanced magic to pull the message back through the portal and back to her hands.

“I’ll ask them directly what they think of the new me!” Twinkle began bouncing around the room at a quick pace.

Spike came downstairs to the ruckus and saw Twinkle putting things together.

“What’s going on Twinkle?” Spike asked.

“I’ll visit the human world and see our friends,” Twinkle said.

“Uh, don’t you think you should inform them ahead of time? This might be shocking to them,” Spike advised.

“Surprises are the best, maybe they’ll enjoy the new me!” Twinkle said.

“Twinkle you need to inform them, what if they think you're an imposter or something?” Spike reasoned.

“No need to worry, Starlight knows her teacher!” Twinkle said writing out the invites.

“Here! Send these out if you could please,” Twinkle said.

“What are these?” Spike asked.

“Invites, I’ll bet that Zap and Charity would like to see their pre-merged forms, it could give them some peace of mind knowing that somewhere there are other versions of their unmerged selves,” Twinkle reasoned.

“Uhm… I guess that makes sense,” Spike said.

“Great! See ya Spike!” Twinkle jumped into the portal.

“Uh… yeah see ya…” Spike said with a sigh, knowing that only the Pinkie side of Twinkle could cook something like this up so quickly.

Twinkle exited the portal and looked at herself.

She didn’t look much different as a human than when she was Twilight. There were a few differences…

Namely, her figure or her lighter purple skin or her hairstyle that was slightly different than before, having Pinkie’s curls in the back and Twilight's straight hair upfront or the fact that she’s bouncing a little from her barely contained excitement to meet her friends.

Not wasting another moment she skipped into the school.

Spike had sent the messages only thirty minutes ago when he heard a knock and he went downstairs and opened the door to see Zap Apple and Charity.

“Where is she?” Zap demanded.

“In the human world,” Spike said.

“She already left?” Charity said concernedly.

“Ah took time off of work ta stop her from causing problems,” Zap said with some frustration.

“What’s so bad about her going to see your human counterparts? I mean she could have warned them but you know Twinkle can’t contain her spontaneousness,” Spike asked.

"We should have given them heads up. It feels wrong to drop this on them out of nowhere," Charity said.

"Ah agree, we gotta go retrieve her,” Zap said.

“Are you sure? Neither Rainbow or Applejack ever went to the human world like me and Twilight did,” Spike said.

“It’ll be fine, ah can handle it,” Zap said confidently.

“Are you certain?” Charity asked.

“Ah am, where’s the mirror?” Zap asked Spike.

“This way, but follow my lead while we’re there, I know that place better than you two,” Spike stated his condition.

“Got it,” Zap said.

“I understand,” Charity said.

Twinkle hopped through the hallways of Canterlot high, glancing around and looking for her friends.

“Hmm… nope…nope…nooooope!” Twinkle said looking around before bumping into a familiar figure.

“Oopsie! Sorry-” Twinkle paused as she saw it was Flash Sentry.

“Huh? Twilight?” Flash said confusedly.

“Oh! Uhh… Hi?” She said meekly.

“Hmm, actually sorry about that, You look alot like a girl I knew,” Flash said admittedly a little disappointed.

“Yeah… eheheh… easy mistake to make,” Twinkle said nervously.

“Are you new here?” Flash asked.

“You could say that, speaking of things to say do you know where Sunset and her friends Starlight and Trixie are?” Twinkle asked.

“Actually last I heard they were in the gym with their other friends,” Flash said.

“Thanks!” And before Flash could respond Twinkle darted off.

“Uhh… cool, see you later,” Flash said, honestly something was so familiar about her but he decided to brush it off as a coincidence.

Twinkle rounded a corner and actually felt a few tears slip loose.

“Flash… maybe I should have told him… no, it’s better he doesn’t know,” Twinkle said honestly scared he’d react like Shining Armor did.

“Just play the stranger, it’s better this way,” Twinkle said before slapping herself and taking a deep breath before moving on.

Zap and Charity exited the portal and immediately fell over.

“Oof!” Zap grunted.

“Ow!” Charity said, honestly glad she fell on and not under Zap.

“I told you girls to be careful,” Spike said as he walked through the portal.

The two tried awkwardly to get up but found themselves stumbling over their new feet.

“The hay? What happened to mah hooves?” Zap exclaimed.

“My face is so flat, and my fur is gone!” Charity began to hyperventilate.

“Easy girls,” Spike walked in front of him after checking himself out, admittedly disappointed he didn’t grow as much as a dog as he did a dragon.

“Easy?! This ain’t easy! Ah can’t figure out how to balance without hooves or a tail and where’s mah wings?!” Zap said getting up only to stagger back to the ground.

“It took Twilight a few tries but she was able to get the hang of it quickly,” Spike said.

“I think I’m getting it,” Charity said, managing to get to her feet and after a little staggering she managed to stay upright.

“Ah’ll get the hang of it soon,” Zap Apple said as she used the school statue to get upright.

“Well get used to it quickly because we need to find Twinkle,” Spike said, seeing a bunch of other students staring at the group.

“Nothing to see here!” Zap said loudly and the students quickly dispersed.

Rainbow was playing against Applejack in basketball.

"Ah got ya!" Applejack said as she snatched the ball from Rainbow.

"Oh no you don't!” Rainbow said as she managed to maneuver around Applejack and snatch the ball back from her, Applejack made to grab it but Rainbow performed a high jump over Applejack and threw the ball into the hoop.

“Ha! I win!” Rainbow cheered.

“Ah’ll get ya next time,” Applejack said lightly punching her in the shoulder.

“Tell ya what, fire a shot from the other side of the court and I’ll hand it to you,” RD said.

“Alright, yer on!” Applejack said as she grabbed the ball and went to the other side of the court.

“Woot! Go AJ!” Pinkie cheered.

“Careful darling, you don’t want to throw out your back,” Rarity called while she was painting Fluttershy’s nails.

“I do admit Applejack could do it if she aims high but accurately,” Twilight said.

“Aiming is just as important as positioning,” Starlight said.

“Ugh… when can we go back to Equestria…?” Trixie asked boredly.

“You need to enjoy yourself, not many ponies can get the opportunity to visit the human world,” Starlight said and Sunset nodded in agreement.

“I know, but we’ve been here several days now, Trixie misses her magic,” Trixie said.

“Alright! Prepare ta regret yer arrogance Rainbow!” Applejack said before planting her feet and tensing her muscles and… jumping in surprise when someone hugged her from behind and squealed ‘Found you!’ she wound up misthrowing the ball and it flew into the stands and hit Rarity who spilled her nail polish, thankfully missing Fluttershy who yelped and jumped back.

“Applejack!” Rarity snapped at her friend.

“Wasn’t mah fault, someone grabbed me from behind,” Applejack said before noticing she was still being hugged.

“Very funny Pinkie,” Applejack sighed.

“I’m right here,” Pinkie reminded Applejack.

“But yer the only one who could sneak up on me so easily… so who-” Applejack easily pried the arms off of her and turned to see Twinkle.

“Twilight? No,” Applejack looked to see Twilight back on the stands.

“Princess Twilight?” Rainbow said confusedly as she approached.

“Yep! But also nope!” Twinkle said before bouncing over Applejack in one graceful flip and landed with a gesture.

“Huh?” Everyone exclaimed.

“Wait… you ain't Twilight, who are ya?” Applejack demanded.

“I’m Twinkle Pie Sparkle, nice to meet you, again!” Twinkle introduced herself.

“Uh… what?” Rainbow asked.

“That name sounds… familiar, like two names in one,” Starlight said as the group approached her.

“Hold it girls,” Pinkie said, approaching Twinkle who turned to face her.

“If anybody can figure out what’s happening it’s Pinkie,” Rainbow shrugged as the group stepped back to let the pink human examine her.

The two stepped to the sides, they mirrored each other’s movements, they tilted left and right, they tried an array of goofy faces with each other, they did thorough examinations of each other.

“What the heck are they doing?” Applejack asked.

“When it comes to Pinkie, your guess is as good as mine,” Rarity said.

The two then suddenly stood there and their hairs twitched a few times, they stared at eachother like they were having a staring contest and then… Pinkie turned around and walked back to the group.

“She’s a fusion of Pinkie Pie and Twilight from her world and she came here to clear the air with us all,” Pinkie said.

“....Whaaa?” Rainbow said.

“That sounds a little far fetched… even for us,” Twilight said.

“How did you know?” Fluttershy asked.

“We communicated through our Pinkie senses, or as she called it her Twinkle sense,” Pinkie shrugged.

“Twilight?” Sunset and Trixie and Starlight approached.

“Is that really you? You look different,” Trixie said.

“Yeah… it’s me, I was going to give you a message and then I decided to heck with it, and I decided to visit you girls to show you in person!” Twinkle said.

“Show us what?” Trixie asked.

“Like Pinkie said, I’m not Twilight anymore… I’m Twinkle Pie… and I am a merged version of Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle, and before you ask… no I can’t undo this… it’s kind of a long story,” Twinkle said with a blush.

“Magical fusion? I thought that was only theoretical,” Starlight thought.

“Twilight…I mean Twinkle, what do you mean you can’t undo this… your not saying-” Sunset said looking concerned before Twinkle brought out the pages she wrote.

“Here, read this, it’ll tell you everything you need to know,” Twinkle said.

“Ok,” Sunset said grabbing it and bringing it over to the group.

They read it as a group and their expressions turned from curiosity to shock to concern to confusion to sorrow.

“Wait! This thing is saying that you and your friends… the us that lives in your world were merged into three beings by a strange magic mirror-like device, right?” Rainbow asked concernedly.

“Yes?” Twinkle said.

“...What’s the odds of that happening here? I-I don’t mean to undermine your situation but I wanna stay me,” Rainbow said.

“Don’t worry the likelihood of that happening are a hundred to one, or sixty point seventy-three point three three three percent, I’ll need a checklist for that… oh well, who wants to party since we haven’t seen each other for a couple months?” Twinkle stated.

“Oh mememememe!” Pinkie cheered.

“Woot! Let’s get plannin then! We’ll need sasparilla, and balloons, and sugar-”

“And a clown and a cake and a full course menu, and also-”

“Pin the tail on the donkey!” The two-party hyped ponies hugged.

“....Ok… if there was doubt that she’s some kind of Twilight, Pinkie hybrid, it’s gone…” Starlight said a little perturbed by how in sync those two were.

“Twilight!” Sunset called and Twinkle noticed she was referring to her.

“Twinkle, remember?” Twinkle said, walking over to her.

“This paper also said that the process was irreversible, is that true? What if we try the elements, maybe they can-” Sunset said but Twinkle raised her hand.

“I’m sorry Sunny, but it won’t work, it’s just how I am now, but underneath all this Pinkieness, Twilight’s still there, and I’ll still support your friendship studies,” Twinkle said.

“...This is just too much to take right now… how do I even-”

The door to the gym slammed open and everyhuman turned to see who walked in.

---A half an hour earlier---

Zap Apple and Charity walked through the school, Spike leading the way, sniffing for Twinkle's scent.

Zap looks like she’s gotten the walking portion of it down and Charity isn’t having any trouble.

“Hurry Spike, ah ain’t comfortable in this place,” Zap said.

“I can only sniff so well Zap,” Spike said as he eventually bumped into the leg of a person.

“Huh?” Flash said looking down and seeing Spike.

“Oh, hey Spike, um… who are you two?” Flash said, confused by the two people he’s never seen before.

The pale yellow girl was cute but he wasn't looking for a new relationship right now. The other girl had an impressive bodybuilder physique, Flash sure didn’t want to make her mad.

“Uh… it’s complicated,” Charity said.

“Long an short of it is we’re from Equestria and we’re here to retrieve somepony who wandered here,” Zap said.

“You mean the other side of the mirror? Huh, I thought Twilight was going to keep that a secret from other ponies,” Flash thought outloud.

“Uh… yeah, Twilight, anywho did ya see a pony that looked vaguely like her come around here or somethin?” Zap asked.

“Vaguely like Twilight? Come to think of it there was a person who looked like she could be Twilight’s sister coming by, she bumped into me and I pointed her to the gym,” Flash said.

“Thank ya very kindly, we’ll go get her and be out of yer mane in no time,” Zap said.

“You mean hair?” Flash said.

“Uh… yeah, that,” Zap said as she walked on with Charity and Spike.

"Wait, um," Flash called getting the attention of the two girls.

"Need something else?" Zap asked

“Who was that person? Was she a friend or sister of Twilight’s?” Flash asked

“That’s kind of a complicated answer, wanna come with us? Charity asked.

“Charity,” Zap said firmly.

“I don’t see the harm in it, maybe he can give Twinkle some peace of mind, I do remember her telling Rarity that she had a colt she had some feelings for, this could help cheer her up after that incident with her brother,” Charity suggested.

“Fine, but ah don’t want another negative Shining Armor situation happening again, it’s not gonna be pretty,” Zap said.

“I understand,” Charity said before gesturing for Flash to accompany them.

They walked on until they reached the gymnasium with Spike’s directions.

---Right about now---

“Twinkle! We’re here ta get… you…” Zap trailed off when she saw the other people there.

Both groups stared awkwardly before Rainbow spoke up.

"Uh, who are they?" Rainbow asked.

“This’ll be awkward…” Spike said.

“Goody! You two got my invitations!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“Twinkle, ya need to come back, this ain’t the way to go about this,” Zap said trying to ignore the other humans.

“But I just got here…” Twinkle said sadly.

“We are sorry Twinkle,” Charity said before Flash walked around her and walked into the gym, Twinkle noticed him.

“Oh, uh… hey person I totally don’t know!” Twinkle said hoping he buys it.

“Hey, um, what’s going on here? This is a bit of a gathering, is there something going on?” Flash asked.

“I’m not sure if he should know,” Twilight said.

Sunset looked at her other friends and they gave supportive nods, Sunset then approached Flash and handed him the papers.

“It’s fair that you too should know what happened as well, Flash,” Sunset said.

“Uh guys! Let’s not, I don’t want him to be mad,” Twinkle said nervously.

“Mad about what?” Flash said reading the paper, Twinkle wanted to snatch that paper and rip it up, but something held her back… like a part of her wanted to see if he would react like Shining did.

His eyes widened and when he finished, he dropped the papers and turned to Twinkle.

“Your Twilight?” Flash said sounding surprised.

“...Yes…” Twinkle replied.

"And Pinkie… and it can't be fixed… I will admit, this is a surprise…" Flash said.

"I'm sorry…" Twinkle said expecting him to reject her.

He walked towards her and Zap looked like she was ready to intervene but Charity stopped her and shook her head letting Zap know this needed to happen.

Twinkle braced herself for a possible scolding…

Instead she felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up in surprise.

"I will admit I didn't expect this, but I'm not going to blame you for what you can't control," Flash said with a sad smile.

"You… mean that?" Twinkle asked with tears in her eyes.

"Yeah," Flash said.

"Thank you!" Twinkle hugged him and began to cry.

Everyone watched with a smile at this, but Sunset looked skeptically at Flash.

"Well now, I guess that's that, I uh, have to go now, but hey if you need anything just give me a call," Flash said taking his immediate leave.

"Ok, thanks again Flash! You are totally invited to the party next time I have one!" Twinkle said.

"Hey guys I'll be right back," Sunset said as she hurried after Flash.

"Now that that is cleared up why don't we get you on home Twinkle," Zap said.

"Wait a minute, I still don't know who you two are," Rainbow Dash said remembering how out of the loop she is right now.

"Trust me ya don't want to know," Zap said.

"The message said that's Twilight and her friends were merged…Wait a minute you've got a rainbow hairstyle going on…You're me aren't you?!" Rainbow exclaimed.

Zap Apple sighed knowing the conversation was going to take this direction so she decided to get it over with.

"Fine yes let's just start from the beginnin" Zap Apple said.

Flash was walking down the halls looking sad but then he felt a hand on his shoulder which made him stop.

"Flash, stop," Sunset said.

"Can this wait?" He asked.

"No, look Flash I can tell what you're actually feeling, you don't actually accept her as a replacement for Princess Twilight, but you chose to spare her feelings," Sunset said.

"...Your right, I missed Princess Twilight but I accepted eventually that she couldn't come back to stay in this world and was happy that she was still out there somewhere, now I know she isn't out there anymore… how do I react to this?" Flash asked.

"I don't know but thank you for not rejecting her," Sunset said.

"Your welcome, I’m sorry, I need time to think about this," Flash said as he walked on.

Sunset sighed and returned to the gymnasium and saw the girls had all sat down and were talking with one another.

"Well on to the next chapter of life I suppose," Sunset said before joining them.

The group decided to spend the day together and play and chat around a little, after school was out. Though Zap wished to head home she decided to keep quiet so her friends could enjoy themselves.

The group had their fun and even went out to eat, understandably they chose a vegetarian place to eat at.

At the end of the day, the group arrived back at the portal.

“Are you sure you have to go? You could stay the night.” Pinkie asked.

“Sorry, but we got things ta do back in our own time and place,” Zap said.

“Yeah, we had fun though,” Starlight said.

“I just hope we can see each other again and have that party!” Pinkie said.

“You betcha best buddy!” Twinkle cheered.

“It was fun, really,” Charity said with a smile.

“Send me updates if you all do somehow find a way to turn back,” Sunset asked.

“Got it!” Twinkle said.

“Bye!” Everyone said to the Equestrians as they took their leave back through the portal.

The group stumbled through the portal.

“Whew! Glad to be home,” Spike said stretching out.

“Indeed, I missed my magic,” Trixie said.

“And ah missed mah wings,” Zap said taking to the air.

“It was fun today but I need to go check on my animal friends now, farewell,” Charity said.

“Okie! Have a good day every-” Twinkle was about to bid her friends goodbye but she heard a loud thump and spun to see a familiar pony standing in the kitchen.

“Cheese?” Twinkle said sounding surprised, Cheese smiled widely and leaped forward hugging Twinkle.

“I knew you were okay!” Cheese cheered.

“...What happened?” Trixie asked.

“That’s Cheese Sandwich a pony Pinkie knew, but what is he-” Charity began but Cheese beat her to the punch but not literally because hitting mares is bad.

“You guys are probably confused,” Cheese said turning to everypony present.

“That’s an understatement,” Starlight said.

“How did ya know-” Zap began to ask and Cheese finished for her.

“Cheesie sense,” Cheese said. “I don’t want to overwhelm the viewers so let’s continue this conversation in the next chapter,” Cheese said.

“Sounds like a plan,” Twinkle shrugged.

“Next chapter? What does he-” Trixie said before a timecard appeared in front of the viewer.

Your scheduled programming will resume soon.

Twinkle Twinkle little Cheesie

View Online

The group was sitting around a table eating the snacks provided by Cheese Sandwich.

“Okay, action!” Cheese said.

“What does he mean? He was talking about a chapter of some kind and then-” Starlight said trying to rationalize the unrationable.

“Don’t question the senses, you’ll get a headache,” Spike said with a sigh.

“Gotcha…” Starlight said.

“So Mr Cheese, what are ya here for?” Zap asked.

“Twinkle of course,” Cheese said.

“Elaborate please,” Starlight asked.

“I came here because of Pinkies… accident, ever since me and Pinkie met and I developed my Cheesie sense we’ve kinda… shared a wavelength, but then one day I felt a disturbance, a disturbing kind of disturbance, and I realized Pinkie may be in trouble, so I made my way here. When I got here I heard from the townsponies what happened and I decided to look for you, but I never found you so I waited for what felt like ever!” Cheese said.

“But we’ve only been gone for like five hours,” Trixie said.

“But it felt like forever, but now that Pinkie A.K.A Twinkle is back I am ready to help her get attuned to her Pinkie senses again,” Cheese said.

“But they're doing fine,” Twinkle said.

“But I can’t feel your presence anymore, it means we gotta get ya back on track,” Cheese said.

“You mean that?” Twinkle said.

“Yep that,” Cheese said.

“Uh… what’s that?” Zap asked, no it couldn’t mean…

“A date!” Cheese cheered.

“Oh… ok,” Zap said catching her breath.

“Hmm…” Twinkle seemed in deep thought.

“What’s wrong Twinkle?” Cheese asked.

“We dated when I was Pinkie, what if I don’t get that spark back Cheesie? What if-”

“You know what Pinkie said about what-if’s?” Cheese reminded her.

Twinkle was surprised before she giggled “Stop worrying about them! Live in the moment!” Twinkle said high-fiving Cheese.

“Then let’s go!” Cheese said and the two darted off.

“...What were we even here for if that was what he wanted?” Trixie said.

“Ah dunno,” Zap said.

“Well while we’re here-” Starlight was about to suggest a talk but Zap got up.

“Eenope, ah’ve been away from work too long, and we’re expected to be gettin a storm today, so ah gotta help with that,” Zap said.

“Don’t you think you're going to overwork yourself? I know you are strong and fast but surely even you have limits,” Starlight cautioned.

“Starlight, ah don’t do limits, ah’m too cool fer them,” Zap brushed off that concern and she trotted towards the door.

“Just be careful,” Starlight said.

“I must leave too, my animal friends are probably wondering where I am,” Charity said before taking her leave as well.

“...Can I go or are you going to drag me into another-”

“Study session!” Starlight said levitating several books out of their spots.

“Ugh…” Trixie groaned.

The two party ponies skipped through town, looking for a means to reconnect.

“Let’s start somewhere familiar, like Sugarcube Corner!” Cheese said as the two trotted in there.

Twinkle could feel alot of stares on her as she entered but didn’t let it bother her.

She trotted up to the counter and rang the bell to the tune of ‘shave and a haircut’

“Pinkie?... I mean Mrs. Twinkle, what a surprise,” Mr Cake said

“Hi Mr Cake! Me and Cheesie are on a date to see if we can get our wavelengths working again,” Twinkle said.

“....Ooook? Anyways, I’ve been meaning to ask you, ever since the… accident, do you still want to work here? I mean, I can only approve of so much vacation time,” Mr Cake said.

“Oh… now that I think of it, I have studies to be the next big princess… that’s a tough one…” Twinkle went into thought.

“Why not do both?” Cheese suggested.

“I don’t know… both require alot of my time,” Twinkle said.

“Then how about I help?” Cheese said.

“What?” Mr. Cake and Twinkle asked.

“I happen to have alot of free time, so how about I take over here on the days you can’t, I’ve always wanted to work in a bakery!” Cheese said.

“Hmm… not a bad idea! It’ll help me facilitate my studies and still work in the place I love!” Twinkle said.

“Uhm… small problem, I can’t just trade out you two every now and then, who do I pay?” Mr. Cake asked.

Cheese was about to dismiss it but Twinkle spoke first.

“Pay Cheese, I make enough on a princess budget,” Twinkle said.

“You sure?” Cheese asked.

“Yeah,” Twinkle replied.

“Well, I’ll hash it out with my wife, we need to also think of who will babysit the babies,” Mr Cake said.

“We can take turns, anyways me and Twinkle here are here to reconnect and to do so, we need sugar.” Cheese said.

“Sugar?” Mr Cake said incredulously.

“Yes, you see, sugar will facilitate the reaction in our Cheese and Twinkle senses and thus help us begin the return to prior synchronicity.” Twinkle casually explained.

Mr Cake and Cheese and anyone else who heard looked at her with expressions that asked ‘english please?’

“Oh, I mean sugar will help us become more in synch, it’s weird but how we work!” Twinkle said.

“....Ooooook… I’ll just go with it, what do you want?” Mr. Cake asked.

“One of everything please!” Cheese declared.

“Ooh boy, alright we’ll get you that-” Mr Cake said before Twinkle suddenly teleported back into her position, which previously was vacant when they weren’t looking and she was holding a stack of boxes.

“Nvm chief! I made it all,” Twinkle said using her horn to float the bits onto the table.

“...The fact your half Pinkie Pie is the only reason I’m not shocked…” Mr Cake said rubbing his head, feeling a headache coming on.

Charity walked up to the cottage she used to live full-time in and took a deep breath.

“This’ll be fine, they all still care about you, and Harry’s a good leader,” Charity said.

Angel tugged on her hair to get her attention and nodded encouragingly.

“Your right Angel, let’s see how they're doing,” Charity said opening the door.

And saw chaos.

Animals were running around and while they didn’t damage much they were ignoring Harry who was trying to get them to calm down.

Discord was sitting on a reclining chair eating chips.

“Ah! Hello dear Charity! Wish to sit back and enjoy the chaos with me?” Discord waved.

“Discord?! What’s happening?” Charity demanded.

“Oh just put some sugar in their feed to make it sweeter, by the by, how much is too much? I gave up measuring and poured the whole darn thing into their feed,” Discord shrugged.

Charity facepalmed.

“Discord, your only supposed to give them one teaspoon, otherwise they get hyper,” Charity said.

“Eh, being a full-time pet sitter can be hard,” Discord told Charity. “Also I followed your instructions to let the lemmings roam around the fenced-in areas, direct the bears to the honey hives nearby and to let Richard near the rabbit dens,” Discord said and Charity paled.

“You let Richard by the rabbits?!” She exclaimed

“Why? What’s wrong?” Discord asked.

“Richard is an anaconda!” Charity ran out the door.

“Ohh…” Discord said feeling stupid.

After forcing Richard to cough up several rabbits Charity reentered her cottage and sat down with a breath of stress while the animals still hyperactivly ran around.

“So I had a few snafu’s don’t worry, me and Larry can handle this” Discord assured.

“His name is Harry,” Charity sighed.

“Ah yes, by the way somepony came by earlier looking for you,” Discord said.

“Who?” Charity asked.

“Big Mac,” Discord said.

“He was?” Charity blushed.

“Yes, surprised you didn’t bump into him on your way here,” Discord said.

“Oh dear, what happened?” Charity asked.

“He was asking around for you, said he wanted to talk to you,” Discord said.

“Oh dear, I hope it’s not anything bad…” Charity said nervously.

“He seemed anxious, so I’ll inform you to keep an eye peeled for him,” Discord said.

“Thank you Discord, I’ll leave you a written list of needs for the animals, and I do plead with you to follow it to the letter,” Charity said levitating a quill and a paper to herself.

“You got it Chares,” Discord said.

After writing down everything she handed it to Discord.

“Be sure to give them time to run off the extra energy, and perhaps more water to help them digest the sugar.” Charity suggested.

“Got it,” Discord said.

“Make sure he does Harry,” Fluttershy said hugging Harry, the bear nodded and hugged back.

“Alright, I suppose me and Angel will be on our way,” Charity said as they left.

“See ya Charity!” Discord waved.

As Charity exited she laid against the door and sighed.

“Adjustment is going to harder than I thought…” Charity said before moving on.

The CMC were walking around town, dressed as detectives.

“Alright girls, we need to ask Twinkle what she knows,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Why?” Scootaloo asked.

“She’s the smartest pony around now that Twilight is gone, maybe the fusion made her smarter,” Sweetie shrugged.

“Sounds like a plan,” AB said.

The group walked on until they saw Flitter.

“Pardon!” Apple Bloom said.

“Huh?” Flitter turned to the CMC.

“We’re looking for Twinkle Pie Sparkle,” AB said.

“Uh… who?” Flitter asked.

“That new pony in town who happens to be Twilight and Pinkie,” Scootaloo clarified.

“Ah, last I saw she was with some stallion at Sugarcube Corner,” Flitter said.

“Thanks!” The group walked off.

“No prob!” Flitter called back.

The group arrived at the bakery and saw the two eating piles of pastries, much to the disgust of nearby ponies, the group decided to hide in some bushes.

“Twinkle and a stallion? Sounds juicy!” Sweetie said.

“Who’s that again?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I think his name was Cheese Sandwich,” Scootaloo said as the three poked their heads out to spy on the two.

“Hey! Are ya feelin it yet Cheese?” Twinkle asked.

“The oncoming sugar rush that’ll help us out?” Cheese said.

“Yep!” Twinkle replied.

“Not yet, better keep eating,” Cheese said.

“Wow… how are they not fat?” Sweetie asked.

“Strong metabolisms?” Apple Bloom said sounding unsure.

“Or maybe it’s because we’re actually in a story and the author needs us to stay healthy despite the junkfood we eat,” A voice sounding like Scootaloo said.

“What?” The other two fillies asked turning to their brash friend.

“I didn’t say that…” Scootaloo said.

“Nope!” They spun to see Twinkle crouching behind them.

“GYAAAAAAH!” The three fillies yelled, after calming their heartrates Apple Bloom spoke up.

“How the hay did you get behind us? We never took our eyes off of ya!” Apple Bloom demanded.

“Magical clone, and I had Cheesie pretend it was me,” Twinkle gave a thumbs up at Cheese and they turned to see Cheese watching looking amused.

“Plus my Twinkle sense warned me we were being watched,” Twinkle said as she and the group walked back to the table.

“Wow… you're even harder to catch off guard than Pinkie.” Scoots admitted.

“So what’s up kiddos?” Cheese asked.

“We’re… doing a study on what happened with you girls, what caused this, about the mirror.” Apple Bloom said.

“Hmm? Well, it’s simple, what happened was some polymorphic fusion that occurred from a magical artifact, reacting to our magic it fused us from six beings into three new beings, and now we are victims of another story writer's work-” Twinkle monologued before Cheese tapped her shoulder and gestured to their clueless looks.

“Darn I keep forgetting,” Twinkle said before trying again “The mirror reacted to our magic and fused us into three beings, all there is to it,” Twinkle said.

“And how would we go about tracking it… if we were looking for it! Which we aren’t” Scootaloo said.

“Oh, just have a magical trace on it,” Twinkle said.

“How?” Sweetie asked.

“My library section has a book on it,” Twinkle said.

“Alright, that makes sense, I bet Mrs. Cheerilee would love to know that,” Sweetie said.

“Now if you’ll excuse us! We gotta jet!” Scootaloo said before they took off.

“You don’t think their planning something right?” Cheese asked.

“Eh, kids will be kids, I’ll bet they already forgot about it,” Twinkle obliviously said.

“Memorize that Sweetie, we’ll need to find that spell and get moving tomorrow,” Scootaloo said.

“Gotcha,” Sweetie said.

“AB you think we can get a sample of your sister’s DNA? Maybe that’s how we’ll do it!” Scootaloo asked.

“Sure!” AB said.

“We also should keep a close eye on them, maybe we can tag along,” Sweetie suggested.

“Good plan,” Scoots said.

After their meal and unexplainable digestion of it all, the two party ponies then walked all the way to the spa area.

“If you recall, I came here a few times with you to experience the spa, our next stop is here,” Cheese said.

“Got it!” Twinkle said.

The two entered and found Bulk managing the front.

“Bulk? What are you doing managing the front?” Twinkle asked.

“Oh! Hey Twinkle, Aloe, and Lotus are out on a business trip today, so I’m holding down the fort for now,” Bulk said.

“Oh cool!” Cheese said. “In any case, we need a good massage today,”

“Are you really tense?” Bulk asked.

“Nope! Just need to get back in synch,” Twinkle said.

“Gotcha,” Bulk said, deciding to not question it and he wrote down some things and took their bits. “Do you need any other things? A bath? An oil rub?” Bulk asked.

“Nope! Just a normal massage,” Cheese said.

“Got it, head on over to the tables and I’ll be over soon,” Bulk said.

Afterwards Twinkle and Cheese made their way to a couple of tables and got prepared.

After a few minutes they were settled on their massage tables and ready for the ride.

Bulk entered and saw they were holding hands.

“Any reason your holding hands?” Bulk asked.

“It’s to help us stay in tune, now let’s get a move on Bulky!” Twinkle giggled.

“Alright then!” Bulk said before approaching and he began kneading Twinkles back.

“Hey… uh Twinkle?” Bulk asked.

“Not now, we need silence,” Twinkle said.

“Oook?” Bulk said before he began performing light chops on their backs to loosen them up.

“Alright, now feel the sense,” Cheese said.

“Got it,” Twinkle said.

Her mane twitched about in synchronicity with Cheese’s, then Twinkle's horn lit up and her mane flowed upwards and so did Cheese’s.

“Whoa,” Bulk said in awe of the strange events.

“Keep going,” Twinkle said.

“Uh, got it!” Bulk said as he switched left and right between them and kneaded them.

Then suddenly Twinkle's horn lit up and it created a magical light.

“Cool,” Bulk said.

“She really is,” Cheese said as the massage ended.

Both sat up and stretched, feeling how limber they were.

“Whew! I feel looser than I expected, thanks Bulk!” Twinkle said as she and Cheese prepared to head to their next destination.

But before they got to the door Bulk stopped them.

“Hey, uh… before you go… can I ask you something?” Bulk asked.

“Sure,” Twinkle said.

“Your friend… Zap Apple… do you think she’d…. Oh come on Bulk your tougher than this,” Bulk took a deep breath and spoke, “Do you think she’d like me? I mean I bet we’d make a great fitness power couple and all,” Bulk asked.

“I bet you would, but that’s not what you really want is it?” Cheese said.

Bulk blushed “She is… my type…” Bulk said.

“We’ll talk to her at some point,” Twinkle assured.

“Th-thank you,” Bulk said before getting out of the way.

“Np!” Cheese said as the two skipped outside.

“Now onto our last destination!” Cheese said.

“Where to mac-n-cheese?” Twinkle teased.

Cheese snickered “A party!” Cheese said before waving her along.

“Woot!” Twinkle skipped after him.

The two party ponies arrived in Pinkies room through the window and bounced into the center of the decorated room.

“Wow!” Twinkle said looking at all the decorations. “Your work Cheesie?” Twinkle asked.

“That’s right! Slipped off to do this while you took that restroom break the author didn’t mention.” Cheese said.

“Aww, you know me so well, and look!” Twinkle jumped around gesturing to all the mathematical decor.

“Fractions, PEMDAS, logical division, balloons shaped like numbers? How’d you know?” Twinkle asked.

“Because your a fusion of Pinkie and Twilight, soooo I imagined a party centered around math, Twilight’s favorite subject!” Cheese said.

“Cheesie your a genius!” Twinkle said.

“And look! Your present is… HOMEWORK!” Cheese said producing several stacks of test work.

“Aww Cheesie you shouldn’t have!” Twinkle hugged him.

“Yep! Had Cheerilee’s help, and she expects it next week,” Cheese said.

“A deadline?..... AWESOME! Motivation to do something that is considered mind-meltingly boring by foals! You know me very very well Cheese,” Twinkle cheered.

“Yep, time for the coup de grace, may I have this dance?” Cheese said.

“Why sure!” Twinkle said and the two immediately linked hands and began slow dancing under a spotlight that Gummy activated.

Cheese twirled Twinkle and she was about to hit the wall but she used her magic to repel herself into the air and she landed in Cheese’s arms.

“Whee!” She cheered as Cheese caught her, he then spun around with her and tossed her in the air before catching her and holding her aloft.

As they spun Twinkle's horn glowed and it formed an outline of the two dancing and then the magical copies flew upwards and burst into sparkles.

After that Cheese set her down and they kissed.

“How’s that?” Cheese asked.

“I can feel the connection stronger than ever Cheesie, thank you,” Twinkle hugged him.

It was strange, she was surrounded by learning, a party and a colt she felt love for… but something was still missing… or somebody…

“You're thinking about Flash aren’t you?” Cheese asked.

“I-i didn’t mean too! It’s just… part of me… still loves him,” Twinkle murmured hoping Cheese wouldn’t be offended.

Thankfully Cheese chuckled

“Then let’s invite him! I’ll bet he can party hard too, ooh maybe we can form a trio and have tons of fun!” Cheese said.

“Your not offended? Or indignant… or any synonym related?” Twinkle asked.

“You and I are now connected at the sense, you tell me?” Cheese said.

“Oh Cheesie, your the best coltfriend a gal can ask for!” Twinkle said hugging him.

Flash laid down on his bed and sighed discontentedly.

He felt guilty for not sticking around after he heard the news, he protected Twinkle's mood at least… but still felt empty…

At Camp Everfree Sunset had helped him get over his desire to be with Princess Twilight… after all their from two different worlds, she was a princess and he was a regular musician looking to go pro… neither would have time and being together would be long distance, at least by a dimensional span.

But the fact that she came back and is now merged with the Pinkie Pie of her world, left him… conflicted.

He tried to remember Sunset’s words about moving on… but… that’s hard if she’ll keep coming back… not to mention she’s not… herself anymore, what should he do?

“On one hand I could go to her world and hash it out with her… or just wait for her to come back here… or maybe just drop it… what do I do?...” Flash wondered before drifting off to an afternoon nap.

An empty warehouse

A dozen ponies were setting the place up into a base.

These ponies looked odd, as if they bore mixed traits of other ponies. They are in fact victims of the hooded ponies' use of the power of the merge mirror.

The now unhooded pony approached a table with a layout.

“Alright, now we can begin here in this city, now that I have a workforce,” The hooded pony said.

“What is your bidding sir?” A green pegasus with a brown mane asked.

“I need you to start gathering more ponies and bringing them here, the bigger my workforce the easier my work will be done,” The hooded pony said.

“What is the plan?” A burly earth pony asked.

“Merge everypony in this city with compatible matches, their loss will be mourned, but I know this will all benefit Equestria in the long run,” The hooded pony said.

“How?” The earth pony asked.

“You don’t serve to ask, you serve to do! Now collect more minions, we have some promising ones but you can never have to many,” The hooded pony said.

“Yes master,” The brainwashed merged ponies said before leaving.

“And be discrete! The last thing we need is interference or to be discovered!” He called after them before resuming his work.

“Boss?” a voice asked and he turned to see a green and pink colt.

“Yes?” He asked.

“What do you need me to do?” He asked.

“Hmmph… go be lookout,” He waved the colt off.

“Ok boss!” The colt ran off.

“Next time, don’t merge two younger ponies, it’s basically like having a child,” He muttered.

As he looked over his plans one could see it was a map of Equestria, and it had several marked out towns and several circled.

“I hope your ready to see how mad I am Celestia… but I hope you can appreciate this, after all, it’s all to make a better Equestria!” He chuckled to himself as he continued to mark various towns on his map.

New plans and a trip

View Online

It showed Zap Apple performing punches and kicks to shake the trees, as she closed in and threw another punch her ears caught a gasp and she spun to look but didn’t see anything, so she resumed.

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo meanwhile were looking a little spooked.

“She’s definitely stronger than Big Mac, I’v’e never seen a pony do a bucks worth with their fists,” Scootaloo said.

“That’s apple family strength fer ya,” AB said feeling proud.

“More like magical fusion strength, makes sense though, Rainbow and AJ were pretty buff, how are we going to get a DNA sample off of her?” Sweetie asked.

“Jest use yer magic,” AB said.

“Magic isn’t a solution to everything,” Sweetie gruffly said.

“Well it has to be here,” Scootaloo said.

“And be careful, ah don’t want ta know how hard she can spank if she decides to punish us,” AB said shuddering at the vision.

“You guys are asking quite a bit,” Sweetie said sneaking to the edge of their cover and focusing her magic, it was difficult from this distance but she managed to latch onto a blue hair on her tail.

“C’mon,” Scoots said.

“Stop breathing down my neck,” Sweetie said as she yanked the hair out quickly.

“Hm?” Zap didn’t jump in pain but the feeling of a hair being pricked out made her jump and she turned.

“Who’s there?” Zap demanded.

“Eeek!” the group hid again and Zap went over there and looked to see nothing.

“Hmm….” Zap grunted, looking around before returning to work.

“Whew…” Scootaloo sighed as they hopped down from the tree they were hiding in.

“Good thinking guys,” Scootaloo said.

“Yeah, now let’s take off before she finds us,” Sweetie Belle said before levitating the hair to her palm and the group ran off ready to begin the next phase of their plan to get their sisters back and catch this crook.

The group ran until they ended up running across Big Mac who looked sad.

“Big Mac?” Apple Bloom said concerned with his mood.

“Hey,” Mac said as he walked past.

“What’s wrong big guy?” Scootaloo asked looking concerned.

“Ah’m lookin fer Charity, ah need to talk to her bout us,” Big Mac said.

“What about?” AB asked.

“Ah’m afraid that’s mah business,” Mac said before walking on.

The three looked at eachother before moving on.

Big Mac walked into the barn and saw Zap Apple carrying two whole haybales by herself.

Big Mac sighed and sat down.

“Hmm? What’s eatin ya bother?” Zap said setting the haybales down,

“Ah’m gonna break up with Charity,” Big Mac said.

“What?! Why in Equus would ya do that?” Zap demanded.

“Ah can’t look at her, not without seein the mare ah loved, and knowing she isn’t that mare no more, at this point we’re just hurtin ourselves,” Big Mac said.

“Mac, you know this’ll break her heart right, ya really want to? You understand what she’s goin through right now, this’ll be too much for the poor gal,” Zap scolded.

“Ah get that, but ah’m makin it worse fer her by goin on like this, best ta end it before she get’s anymore hurt by me,” Mac said.

“That makes about as much sense as a frog with five heads, ya gotta at least see it from her perspective and hash it out with her, ya do this and she’ll be a wreck,” Zap said.

“What do ya suppose ah do then?” Mac demanded.

“Stop bein an idjit and set up a date with her, cuz the only one hurtin the both of ya is you,” Zap said before picking up the hay bales again and walking away.

Big Mac looked sad again and he laid back on his hay bale to think.

Spike walked out of the castle, ignoring Trixie's pleas to take her with him so she can escape another lesson.

“Alright, I need to head to the market for dinner supplies,” Spike said as he walked through the town and towards the market.

“I’m thinking tomato soup and gemstones for tonight,” Spike said looking happy at the thought.

He had entered the Market area when he saw Charity heading back to the Boutique, clearly upset.

Wanting to help her out he ran over to her.

“Charity!” Spike called to get her attention.

“Hmm? Oh hello Spike,” Charity paused.

“What’s going on, you seem upset,” Spike said venturing into Boutique with Charity.

“I am… Big Mac is looking for me and I fear the reason,” Charity said.

“Why?” Spike said sitting on a stool.

“Because I am not Fluttershy, not anymore, I wonder if he simply feels I am not the pony he loved,” Charity said.

“I get that, but that doesn’t mean he should be thinking of something bad like breaking up,” Spike assured.

“I am afraid he will, I don’t know if I can handle rejection,” Charity said.

“Well, I mean-” Spike blushed “You have someone who is more than willing to keep you company through a trying time,” Spike said.

“Oh bless your heart Spike, Charity stepped into a changing room to change outfits since her last one was dirty from the animals.

Spike blushed thinking what could be behind a simple curtain as he saw clothes being tossed over the railing.

“S-so, has Big Mac talked about breaking up yet?” Spike asked.

“As I said he was looking for me so I am not sure, but he probably is thinking it, and I don’t want that to be the case,” Charity said emerging from behind the curtain wearing a simple mix of a dress and a casual outfit.

Spike’s blush deepened as he saw her “Wow, your really beautiful Charity,” Spike blurted out.

Charity went rosy in the cheeks “Thank you Spike, I am heading towards Sweet Apple Acres, do you wish to come?” Charity asked.

“Why are you going over there?” Spike asked.

“I am visiting some fashion store connections that Rarity had and setting things anew with them, It involves reestablishing connections with various retailers and I wish to have Zap Apple come with me, so I am going over there to ask,” Charity said.

“Why?” Spike asked.

“Why not? She’s my friend, you may come too if you like,” Charity said.

“I’d love to,” Spike said without thinking.

“Wonderful, I will be heading at 8:00 AM sharp,” Charity said before grabbing an umbrella and leaving.

“Ok,” Spike said taking his leave as well.

As Spike left the boutique he decided to resume his usual chores and he went off to the market.

Charity carefully stepped around the trail that led to Sweet Apple Acres, as to avoid getting any dirt on her lovely dress.

“Oh dear,” Charity said when she saw mud on her new shoes “If only I had a means to get there quicker without getting dirty…. Wait,” Charity remembered her power and she shut her eyes and focused, she then manifested transparent butterfly wings and fluttered off the ground.

“Better,” Charity said before flying over the trees and searching around for Zap Apple.

Who she found hitting two trees with simultaneous punches like she was boxing a pair of foes the apples have already fallen.

“Zap!” Charity flew down to her.

“Huh?” Zap paused and turned to her pale yellow friend “Ah howdy there Chares,” Zap said.

“Hello, why were you assaulting those trees like that?” Charity asked.

“Jest lettin off steam, mah brothers bein a big idjit,” Zap said.

“Why?... What did he say?” Charity nervously asked.

“...Best ya take it up with him, but let him know if he does anythin ta make you cry, ah’ll kick his flank,” Zap said.

“He plans to break up with me doesn’t he?” Charity said.

“....He said somethin like that, but ah told him to take it up with you first, don’t leave Chares, this is something that has to happen,” Zap told her.

“I understand,” Charity said.

“So what were you comin in about?” Zap asked.

“I was planning on going down to Manehatten to reset some deals and I was thinking of bringing you with me,” Charity said.

“Why would ah need to come?” Zap said.

“I could see the workload is putting stress on you, have you been working nonstop save for the trip to the human world?” Charity asked.

“Course ah have been, got lots ta do and now that RD and AJ are no longer two ponies ah gotta pick up their slack,” Zap said.

“Zap Apple even you can’t manage two physically demanding jobs like this, perhaps you should quit weather duty,” Charity suggested.

“Ah don’t quit! It ain’t in my genes,” Zap said sounding cocky, “ah’ve bucked more trees than either of mah halves to prove it,” Zap said.

“Zap you’re super strong but your still only pony, please at least take a break,” Charity said before heading off towards the barn.

“...Oh fine, ah suppose ah’m gettin hungry now anyways,” Zap said before walking away.

Charity entered the barn and saw Big Mac lying on a hay bale.

She politely cleared her throat and Mac jumped a little and looked up to see her.

“H-hi,” Charity said.

“Flutter…Charity? What are you doin here?” Big Mac asked getting up.

“I came to talk to Zap Apple… and find you,” Charity said walking up to him.

“Chares… ah suppose nows better than any other time,” Big Mac said.

“I agree.” Charity said walking up to him and they spoke at the same time.

“Let’s go on a date to figure things out/We need time apart Mac,” Both paused in shock at what the other said.

“Y-you want to go on a date?” Charity asked.

“Y-yes, AJ an I had a talk, and she told me to stop bein an idjit, so, ah need ta stop avoidin ya, are ya willin?” Big Mac asked.

“I-I, I am, but…” Charity paused “I need a little time,” Charity said.

“Ah get it,” Big Mac said.

“What I meant is I have a trip and I am bringing Zap and Spike,” Charity said.

“Why Zap?” Mac asked.

“She has been overworking herself a tad and I wish to bring her into the city for a jaunt and perhaps expand her outfit line,” Charity said already thinking of the fashions she could have Zap wear.

“Heh, yer just like Rarity in that way, an thinking of Zap’s safety just like Fluttershy,” Mac said with a smile.

“Just how I am I suppose,” Charity said with a giggle.

“Then ah guess ah should go inside fer now, take care Chares,” Mac said.

“May you as well,” Charity said before walking away and leaving the barn… only to see Zap back at the trees, hitting them.

“I swear she’s persistent… in a good way,” Charity said before summoning her wings and fluttering away.

Bulk Biceps was pumping iron at the gym as usual, but he seemed distracted.

He was thinking of his latest poems and how they mostly consisted of Zap Apple, the mare he’s pining for.

Problem is she’s a workaholic and doesn’t take breaks… so how is he going to get her attention?

Bulk continued in his thought process until he felt someone tap on his shoulder.

“Huh?” Bulk said looking and seeing another buff stallion he knew, named iron gut or something…

“Uh, Bulk, I think you’ve pumped enough iron for one day,” Iron said.

“Why?” Bulk said setting the barbell on the hanger overhead and only then did he feel how tired his arms were.

“You’ve been lifting that barbell for hours, even you got limits dude, why not head home,” Iron said.

“No way! I gotta get buffer! Maybe… a certain mare will like me if I were buffer…” Bulk said sheepishly.

“Heh, trust me man I’ve been there but your not going to attract Zap Apple that way,” Iron said.

“How’d you know who?” Bulk said.

‘You’ve been muttering her name under your breath for the last hour,” Iron said “Just ask her out,” Iron said.

“You think she’d say yes?” Bulk asked.

“Not sure, but standing here thinking about it isn’t getting you anywhere with her, so give it a whirl, ask her tomorrow,” Iron said before taking his leave.

“Wish I was that smart about what girls want,” Bulk said sadly before smacking his face.

“Alright! Tomorrow, march up to her and ask her out! YEAH!” Bulk said before taking his leave for the showers.

Spike walked home in a bit of a daze.

Charity, the mare on his mind, the most generous and kind mare in the world not to mention she’s a real beauty.

“Glad I turned eighteen last month or I wouldn’t be able to date her,” Spike said dreamily.

Spike finally approached Twinkle’s castle and entered, and was immediately handed a list by Twinkle.

“Huh?” Spike said snapping out of his daze.

“Quick Spikey! Let’s get prepared!” Twinkle said before running off.

“Ready for what?!” Spike called after her.

“We’re going to Manehatten!” Twinkle said.

“Why?” Spike asked.

“Because that’s where you, Charity and Zap are going,” Twinkle said.

“How… How did you know?” Spike asked.

“My Twinkle sense duh,” Twinkle said.

“I see,” Spike said still getting used to her unpredictable nature.

“So come on, we’ll have to be up early to take Chares by surprise!” Twinkle said.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea to interrupt their plans,” Spike said.

“Friends stick together, and besides don’t you want to hang out with Charity?” Twinkle added with a raised suggestive brow.

Spike turned red at this “C-COME ON! Can’t I have any privacy!” Spike complained and he ran off as Twinkle snickered.

“What fun,” Twinkle said before resuming her darting around.

Manehatten-

Several ponies in guard uniforms were brought into a warehouse that was filled with fused ponies working on constructing the warehouse into a base.

“LET US GO!” The pegasus guard demanded.

“You’ll all be thrown in prison for this!” Another less brave guard attempted.

“We follow orders…” The lanky earth pony said with their eyes glowing,

“What the heck is going on?!” The head guard demanded.

“I can answer that,” The hooded pony said as he approached and he pulled back his hood revealing the grey pony under it.

“You're the one behind the kidnappings aren’t you? Where are the ponies?!” The guard demanded.

“Look around,” The grey unicorn gestured around the warehouse.

“None of these ponies match the descriptions! Besides we got sixty-four lost ponies, there’s only…” The guard counted the ones he could see “Thirty two,” The guard said.

“Your very smart and attentive, good materials indeed, I had heard the guard had seriously declined these days, why back in my day a single guard could take at least twenty of today’s guards,” The grey pony chuckled to himself.

“Answer me!” The guard demanded before he was hit by the pony who was holding him down.

“Silence!” The pony scolded before he was smacked by the grey pony.

“Only hit him when I say so,” He said.

“Sorry master,” The pony said.

“Don’t hurt us please,” The coward guard said.

“Hmm… good form, but cowardly, not good components,” He said before examining the pegasus guard next.

‘Slimmer, but pegasi wings work well enough for my plans,” The grey pony shrugged.

“What are you talking about?” The head guard demanded.

“It’ll be quicker if I show you,” The grey pony said stepping back and then summoning his magic.

“Wh-what are you doing?!” The head guard said expecting to be toast any second.

“You’ll see,” He said before sending tendrils of magic and the ponies holding the guards down stood back, the lead guard was snared before he could escape and the pegasus guard immediately shot to the right avoiding the tendril.

“Your quick,” The grey pony said before sending another tendril after the guard who tried to avoid it but was snagged by the tendril before he could fly away.

“NO!” The guard cried as he was pulled back and he and his superior were raised above him and slammed together.

A glow overtook the warehouse and a new pony dropped at The grey pony's feet.

“Well? Like your new stronger self?” The grey pony asked.

“What the hay?!” The scared guard said as he was still held down.

“What… did you do to me?!” The new pony looked disoriented.

“I made you better than the sum of your parts, it’s funny how you guards all look alike, even merged,” He then held the lantern out and flashed the guard with its light “Now kneel,” He said.

The guard did so “I obey you,” The guard said.

“This is sick, very sick,” The scared guard whimpered.

“Honestly the only reason I haven’t merged you with anypony is because I don’t want to pass on those cowardly traits to a new soldier, but maybe you can serve me another way,” The grey pony said before flashing the scared guard.

“Who do you serve?” He asked.

‘I serve the wielder of the lantern of subjugation… please tell me your name,” The guard stood.

“Just call me, Storm,” Storm said with a laugh as he turned to the fused guard.

“I want you to go to your unit as a newcomer named Blue Spear and tell them that you found nothing in this area, he will come to authenticate your identity, lay low and keep me posted on Celestia and Luna’s strategies,” Storm said gesturing to the other guard.

“I will do it,” The fused guard said.

“By the time Celestia and Luna find out you're a mole it’ll be too late anyways, the time is approaching,” Storm said approaching a map that had a circle around Ponyville.

“The time when my wishes will come true,” Storm said with a smile.

A fun day in Manehatten

View Online

Spike woke up the following morning with a yelp as water splashed him in the face.

“AAAAH!” Spike jumped.

“Wakey wakey hay bacon and veggie!” Twinkle said cheerfully.

“Twinkle?! What the hay?!” Spike complained looking at his soaked PJs.

“Oh don’t be a sourpuss, here!” Twinkle lit her horn and all the water on Spike evaporated.

“Whoa, how did you do that?” Spike asked.

“No time Spikey let’s get moving! We overslept!” Twinkle said picking Spike up in her magic and darted down the halls at lightspeed.

“AAAAAHHHH!” Spike yelled as they arrived at the door which Gummy was already at and he tugged on a rope to open the door.

“Thanks Gummy gums!” Twinkle said as she darted past.

Gummy just blinked slowly and wandered off to go see what Owlicious is doing.

Spike held onto Twinkle’s tail as she darted to the train station, when she stopped he got flung and she caught him by his foot and set him down.

“Whoaa….” Spike said sounding dizzy “Couldn’t you have just teleported?” Spike asked.

“Still working on my distance control,” Twinkle shrugged.

“Well, glad we got here before-” Spike looked at the clock and widened his eyes in shock “Six thirty?!” Spike turned to Twinkle who stared at him.

“What?” She asked.

“You brought me here saying we were late, why are we here super early?” Spike demanded.

“We were late,” Twinkle clarified.

“It. is. six-thirty, how is that late?” Spike asked.

“Late for being early,” She shrugged.

“....” Spike facepalmed “You dragged me out of bed with cold water in my face, for this?” Spike grumbled cursing the Pinkie logic.

“C’mon!” Twinkle sat down on a bench and patted it for Spike to come over.

“As long as I can sleep on it,” Spike grumbled.

Charity exited the Boutique at seven-thirty sharp, she was carrying a suitcase full of clothes and was wearing a cream-colored dress with black lines on it.

“Bye Sweetie, I will be back in a few days, You remember the plan right?” Charity called.

“Yeah,” Sweetie poked her head around a corner “Spend the next few days with Mr. and Mrs. Cake, I’ll make sure to lock up the store before leaving,” Sweetie said.

“Thank you Sweetie dear, be sure to help out with the twins too,” Charity said before taking her leave with one of her designer umbrellas.

“Sure thing!” Sweetie called after Charity before running to the window and checking to see if she was gone, when she could see that she was she pulled out a walkie-talkie.

“Operation private investigators is a go!” Sweetie said.

“Got it! Meet us at the train station, and don’t let anypony see you,” Scootaloo’s voice said from the other side of the walkie-talkie.

Twinkle and Spike sat on the bench, Twinkle still bouncing her leg and Spike was snoozing.

Twinkle’s Twinkle sense tingled and she looked at the sky to see a familiar green pegasus descending.

Zap Apple landed and folded her wings.

“Ah’m here, what- Huh?” Zap noticed Twinkle and Spike “Where are you two going so early?” Zap asked.

“Ugh…” Spike woke up at the sound of her voice and sat up “Oh hey Zap,” Spike yawned.

“We’re coming with ya silly!” Twinkle said.

“Ah wasn’t informed of this,” Zap said.

“Neither was I,” A familiar soft voice came from behind Zap who turned to see Charity.

“Hi girls! Now we can get this show on the road!” Twinkle jumped up and hugged her two friends closely.

“Twinkle, why are you coming too? Not that that is a problem,” Charity said.

“Duh, where my friends go, I go! Besides, my Twinkle sense told me to expect some kinda big trouble down that way,” Twinkle said.

“Big trouble?” Zap parroted.

“Yep! But we’re no slouches,” Twinkle said before sitting again.

“If there are any problems ah suppose we can deal with it, but whose going ta watch our jobs while we’re away?” Zap asked.

“Cheesie is watching Sugarcube Corner while we’re away,” Twinkle said.

“And Discord promised to watch over the town while we’re gone,” Charity said.

“Mk,” Zap said sounding unsure.

As the group waited around three smaller figures skulked around the background.

“Alright, Got the hair?” AB asked.

“Check,” Scootaloo said.

“Got the materials?” AB asked Sweetie.

“Check!” Sweetie said.

“And ah made sure to let the town think we’re having an extended sleepover, so we’re in the clear,” AB said,

“Ok, what’s the plan again?” Scootaloo asked.

“We sneak into Manehatten, find evidence of a rising threat, sneak back, get Spike to send a message to Celestia and get our own first crack at being the heroes,” AB said.

“I’ll say it again, if we end up kidnapped, I blame you,” Scoots said.

“Noted,” AB rolled her eyes and resumed “Ok, we got this girls, can’t let our sisters hog all the glory, so we need a hundred and ten percent,” AB said.

“Now we wait,” Sweetie said watching her sister sitting at the station.

A half an hour later

“All aboard!” The train conductor called.

“Sounds like time,” Zap said getting up and walking to the train.

“Alright,” Charity said standing up and walking to the train with the others in tow.

“Woot! Adventure time!” Twinkle said as they got on the train. Nearby the CMC entered the train hidden amongst the crowd.

After a few minutes, the train doors closed and the train left the station and went on its way.

Zap Apple looked out at the open sky sadly.

“What is wrong Zap?” Charity asked.

“Ah’d rather fly than be on the train, ah bet ah could clear the distance in minutes,” Zap said eagerly.

“Patience dear,” Charity said soothingly.

“Yeah, we can play games! I brought Monopoly and Twister and Cards against ponanity-” Twinkle said before Zap shook her head.

“Ah’d rather fly,” Zap said.

“You’ll get your chance,” Charity said.

Sweetie, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo sat in the back of the train entertaining themselves with whatever games they brought.

“Y’know, we could get in serious trouble if we’re caught,” Scootaloo said.

“I know, but risks like this make the trouble worth it, right?” Apple Bloom said.

“I dunno, I don’t want Charity to use her new stare on me, I heard from Discord that that stare is lethal,” Sweetie shuddered.

“Me neither but we’ll be okay, we’re the CMC and we get out of scraps like this every day,” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah!” The other two cheered.

A few hours later

The train whistle blew signaling the approaching stop, AB, Scoots and Sweetie kept to the crowd that was departing and kept low.

They snuck out of the train and made for an alleyway.

As they peeked out they thankfully saw that the group didn’t notice them.

“Alright girls, time to do some investigatin!” AB said as they snuck away.

“HELLO MANEHATTEN!” Twinkle cheered.

“Calm yerself Twi, we’re here fer a little bit,” Zap said.

“Oh, actually for the entire day and a night, I booked us a hotel,” Charity said.

“WHAT? Ya never said we’d be gone that long,” Zap exclaimed.

“I told you during our second conversation while you were violently assaulting trees, did you not make plans?” Charity asked.

“Ah… told Granny ah’d be back soon, guess ah lied,” Zap said sorrowfully.

“It’s not a lie if you didn’t know,” Spike said.

“Still,” Zap said.

“We can send her a message later, for now let us go to our hotel to check in and perhaps a lunch, before getting to work,” Charity said as she led the group away.

After checking in the group arrived to see their room.

“Wow, not half bad,” Zap complimented.

“Yay! Big beds!” Twinkle ran and jumped onto a bed and began bouncing on it.

“I still find it so strange to see a mare who looks like Twilight acting like Pinkie,” Spike admitted.

“None of that, we’re here to enjoy ourselves, I propose a shower beforehand, I’d be remiss if I didn’t make a good first impression,” Charity said before walking over to the restroom.

“I call next! And make sure the bathsoap is both shampoo and conditioner!” Twinkle called after her.

“Very well,” Charity said.

“Ah call last,” Zap said sitting down.

“I should have last since I take alot of hot water,” Spike admitted.

“Good point,” Zap said before laying down and lowering her stetson over her eyes.

Twinkle continued to bounce like the hyperactive bookworm she is.

The CMC made their way down some streets.

“So…. do we even know where to start?” Scootaloo asked.

“Not really,” Sweetie said.

“Duh, we gather some clues, let’s go,” AB said as they ran up to a diner and went inside.

As they went inside they noticed it was emptier than they first thought.

“Huh? Oh hey,” A depressed-looking earth pony said as he scrubbed the countertop.

“Hello sir, Three hamburgers and a side of intel,” AB said.

“What?” The pony said.

“Sorry, what my friend meant is that we’re looking into current events, seeing how we’re visitors,” Sweetie said.

“I haven’t seen you three around before,” The pony said.

“We’re from out of town,” Scoots added.

“Well you best not poke your noses where they don’t belong, there’s been a series of mass kidnappings,” The pony said.

“Kidnappings?” AB said as they sat on the stools.

“Yeah, nopony can figure out who’s doing it, but it’s causing a bit of a stir, you best go to some other city,” The pony said before resuming his depressed episode.

“Are… you ok?” Scoots asked.

“...No…” The pony said.

“Want to talk about it?” Sweetie said.

“...No,” The pony said.

“Did you know any of the victims,” Sweetie asked.

“...Yes, my brother,” The pony said.

“We’re sorry to hear that Mr…?” Apple Bloom paused.

“Dumbwaiter,” The stallion named Dumbwaiter said.

“Did you know where your bother was last?” Scoots asked.

“No, and like I said stay out of it, I'm not going to be the reason three more fillies vanish,” Dumbwaiter said sharply before leaving.

“...Guess this is a dead end then,” Scootaloo said.

“Guess so,” AB said before the trio left the diner.

Charity and her friends were eating at a local eatery.

Charity was enjoying a salad, Zap, Spike and Twinkle were eating hayburgers.

“Enjoying the food?” The waiter asked.

“Yes, it is delightful,” Charity said.

“Will there be anything else?” He asked.

“Nah,” Zap said eating some fries.

“I’ll pay,” Charity said and she handed the bits to the waiter.

After their meal the group made their way down to a shopping district.

“Very well darlings, I need to visit some stores and have a discussion with the owners, we’re on a schedule so let us not linger,” Charity said as she led them into another boutique.

“Sure sure…” Zap said distractedly.

“What’s wrong Zap Apple?” Spike asked.

“Ah’d rather be back at the farm workin than wastin time in a city,” Zap sighed as Charity walked over to a manager and was having a discussion with them.

“Charity wanted this to help you take a break,” Twinkle pointed out.

“Ah don’t need breaks, ah’m a strong mare,” Zap said gruffly.

“There’s strong and then there’s arrogant, and your being arrogant about your capabilities Zap,” Twinkle said.

“Scuse me?” Zap demanded.

“Just saying, you could stand to admit even you have limits,” Twinkle said.

“Ah don’t do limits, ah’m the greatest flier in Equestria,” Zap said before walking off.

“She’s definitely got Rainbow’s arrogance combined with AJ’s smugness,” Spike said.

“She needs to see her limits,” Twinkle said “Maybe one day,”

“Where did Zap go?” Charity asked when she walked back to them.

“She’s still claiming she can’t lose,” Twinkle said.

“I swear,” Charity said before leading her friends to where Zap was, she was sitting on a bench looking miffed.

“Dear, why don’t you come with us to the next store?” Charity asked.

“So ah can look at more fru fru dresses? No thank you,” Zap said.

“No so you can try them on,” Charity said.

“Again, pass,” Zap said.

“Oh come now, is wearing a dress that much of a blow to your pride?” Charity asked.

“Yeah, ah’m not doin it,” Zap said.

“Zap, I plead with you, try at least one dress,” Charity said.

“Yeah, we can be dress buddies!” Twinkle said.

“....Just one?” Zap said.

“Just one, you never know when you’ll need it,” Charity said.

“....Fine, but I pick it,” Zap said.

“Ok,” Charity said looking happy that she agreed.

The CMC made their way downtown, so far every place they ask about the kidnappings tell them the same thing that dumbwaiter said.

“I’m getting the feeling we’re no closer than when we started,” Scoots said.

“Ah don’t get it, James Buck made this look easy,” AB said.

“Should we just sneak our way back to Ponyville and leave it to our sisters?” Sweetie suggested.

“Like we always do? Not happening,” Apple Bloom said.

“There’s always some kind of clue, we just need to find it,” Scoots said.

“I’m getting tired…” Sweetie complained.

“Persevere Sweetie, we need to get a clue,” Scootaloo said.

“Yeah we… wait, look!” Apple Bloom pointed at a regiment of guards who were questioning several ponies.

“Those are guards, we should get out of here,” Scoots said.

“Nono, maybe they know something,” Apple Bloom said.

“Your kidding, we can’t question a guard,” Sweetie said.

“Yeah, we can, just watch,” Apple Bloom said as the three approached the few guards that were gathered.

“Excuse me!” Appel Bloom said and the guards turned to them.

“Hello?” The guard up front said.

“Hey, we were… doing a test for school and it’s on…heroes at work! And we were hoping you guys could help,” AB said.

The guards seemed pleased to see that somepony was showing in interest in the guard's work, but the front guard responded first.

“We’re sorry but we’re very busy, there are mass kidnappings occurring throughout Manehatten, come to think of it where are your parents? It’s not safe to be out alone,” The guard said with a serious tone.

“We’re just out to play and were curious about the current events,” Scoots said.

“Well, I am afraid we cannot divulge that intel.” The head guard said before they took their leave.

“Told ya,” Sweetie said.

“Ah thought they would fall fer it…” Apple Bloom said looking upset.

“Fall for what?” The group turned sounding startled and they saw a green colt with a pink mane.

“Oh! Hello, uh… who’re you?” AB asked.

“I’m… Cotton Mane,” The colt said not very convincingly but the CMC didn’t notice.

“That’s a weird name,” Scootaloo said and Sweetie elbowed her.

“What she meant was can we help you?” Sweetie said.

“I’ve been looking around for my missing mother and I came across you three, I overheard you talking about locating the missing ponies.” He said.

“...An what are you gonna do? You ain’t gonna tell are you?” AB asked.

“On the contrary, I think I know what happened,” Cotton said.

“You do?” Scoots said with a raised brow.

“They were kidnapped,” He said.

“...We know, we’re searching for them,” Sweetie said.

“But I know who took them!” Cotton said.

“Really? Who?” AB said excited that they found a lead.

“A mean pony named Storm!” Cotton said.

“Storm? Odd name,” Scoots said.

“I’m pretty sure it’s a pen name,” Cotton muttered.

“What?” Sweetie asked.

“Nothing, I actually saw someone get kidnapped earlier but the guards don’t believe me!” Cotton explained.

“Where?” AB said.

“Follow me,” Cotton said running off.

“Hold on!” AB called as she and the others chased.

In a nearby alleyway, a familiar hooded pony was watching them before disappearing.

Charity levitated multiple dresses and picked each one up and held them in front of Zap.

“Ah said ah only wanted one!” Zap said.

“And you may have one, after we’re done with the fitting,” Charity said using her power to conjure a measuring tape and she expertly checked Zap’s sizes.

“Can’t believe ah got talked into this,” Zap grumbled.

“Hmm… alright, your quite a bit larger in muscle mass than normal mares, so we’ll need a dress with larger sleeves,” Charity mumbled in her zone.

“Nothin pink either,” Zap said.

“But pink is my favorite,” Twinkle said wearing five dresses at once.

“Twinkle! Get out of those extra dresses or you’ll overheat,” Charity said.

“Aww,” Twinkle said before spinning and she somehow had the dresses off and back on hangers.

Meanwhile Spike sat outside looking tired, having nothing to do in a dress store.

“Ugh, being a guy surrounded by girls is tough sometimes,” Spike said.

“Zap, you gotta choose one,” Charity said.

“No matter which ah look at they all look fru fru,” Zap complained.

“Then allow me,” Charity said before she grabbed Zap’s hand and dragged her into the changing room.

“Wait, yer goin in with me?” Zap said incredulously.

“Yes, I want to make sure my results are final personally,” Charity said.

“But-” Zap tried to say.

‘No butts missy,” Charity said with a smile and she led Zap into a room.

A half an hour later

“Come on! I wanna see her!” Twinkle bounced excitedly.

“Patience Twi,” Spike said.

“I’ve been patient! I wanna see!” Twinkle looked like she was about to shoot into the ceiling from her excitement but the door opened before that happened.

“Go on Zap Apple,” Charity’s voice said.

“Ok… ah still feel silly though,” Zap said as she exited the changing room dressed in a cream-colored dress.

“Ooooh! So pretty!” Twinkle said.

‘Ya… really think so?” Zap asked looking a little shy all of a sudden.

“Yeah, you look like a mare who’s ready to go dancing and smack down any stallion who comes onto you,” Twinkle said.

“Thanks… ah think,” Zap said “Can ah change back?” Zap asked.

“Sure dear,” Charity said and they reentered the changing room.

The CMC followed Cotton around a corner.

“We’ve been following you for a while, where are you taking us?” Scootaloo asked.

“Trust me, I know where I am going,” Cotton said.

“Hold it,” Scoots said.

“Huh?” Cotton paused and turned to the CMC.

“You’ve said that like a dozen times, are you sure you know where we’re going?” Scootaloo asked.

“Of course, in fact we’re almost there, she got kidnapped around that corner!” Cotton said pointing at an alley.

“...Girls, I don’t like this, something is up,” Sweetie said.

“What do ya mean? We could be near a real scoop,” Apple Bloom said.

“Think of it, why would he bring us here? There are fewer ponies living in this area… and he kept being vague, girls, he might be the kidnapper,” Sweetie said.

“Sweetie it’s three on one, he couldn’t be stupid enough to actually-”

“I couldn’t help but overhear,” Cotton said.

“Hmm?” The three looked his way.

“Well I guess if you don’t trust me then I can’t find my mother… you won’t help, the guards won’t help, nopony cares…” Cotton looked sad.

“Mmm… Alright,” Scootaloo said not liking his weeping.

“Scoots?” Sweetie said.

“I’ll check it out alone, if anything happens book it,” Scoots whispered to them.

“What? We can’t just leave ya in a bad situation,” AB said.

“Don’t worry, I’m a tough fighter,” Scoots said before walking to Cotton.

“So you’ll help me find my mommy?” Cotton asked.

“I’ll go, since my friends are too scared of alleyways,” Scootaloo said.

“Ok, thank you for trusting me,” Cotton said with a teary smile.

“No prob…” Scoots said picking up a rock “Just in case…” Scootaloo said quietly as she entered the alleyway.

“Careful Scoots,” Sweetie said.

“Hmm? There’s nothing down here-” Scoots was suddenly grabbed off her hooves by a tall burly figure.

“Aaaah!” Scootaloo exclaimed.

“Thank you for being such a chump,” Cotton snickered.

“Scootaloo!” Sweetie and Apple Bloom called.

“Girls run!” Scootaloo exclaimed before swinging the rock and hitting the burly pony in the face.

The stallion grunted in pain and dropped her and she ran at Cotton.

“Your gonna pay!” She said.

Cotton easily sidestepped her swing and tripped her.

“Ah!” Scootaloo tumbled.

“NO!” Apple Bloom got ready to run in and assist… before green tendrils snatched both fillies off the ground and pinned them.

“AAAHHH!” Both cried.

“Girls!” Scootaloo got up.

“Hi boss, I lured them here as you told me to!” Cotton said.

“Good work,” the hooded pony said as he walked out of the darkness, his hands aglow with green fusion magic.

“LET THEM GO!” Scootaloo got up and tried to run at Storm but Cotton got in her way.

“Outta the way!” Scootaloo took swings at the smaller earth pony colt but he easily dodged and struck her to the ground.

“I may not look it but I’m quite tough, the two colts I am composed of knew martial arts,” Cotton laughed.

“Grr!” Scootaloo got up but the burly pony grabbed her and held her in a bearhug.

“AGH! Let us go!” Scootaloo called.

“No can do, you three were caught snooping in our business, and bossman doesn’t like snoopers,” The burly pony said.

“Easy Red Hammer, we don’t want to damage the material,” Storm said.

“Who are ya? Why are ya kidnapping ponies?” AB demanded.

“That is neither your concern or business, let’s move before anypony else sees us,” Storm said as he dragged the two fillies with him and Red Hammer carried Scootaloo off.

Thinking quickly Apple Bloom shook her head until her bow fell off.

Hopefully that will provide clues as to their location…

The group was walking out of another boutique.

“How many boutiques did Rarity work with again?” Spike asked sounding tired.

“Approximately fifteen, so just five more,” Charity hummed.

“Ugh…” Spike groaned.

“Cheer up Spikey! We still got alot of fun things we can-” Suddenly Twinkle's tail twitched and she paused as her mane and eyes twitched as well.

“Twinkle?” Spike asked worriedly.

“I sense… something wrong,” Twinkle said.

“It’s probably just yer imagination,” Zap said.

“Yeah… maybe…” Twinkle said going into deep thought before she moved on with the group.

Meeting the enemy

View Online

Twinkle and the others reentered their hotel and crashed.

“Whew! That was quite the walk,” Spike said.

“I do apologize but I needed to be thorough,” Charity said, locking the door behind her a laying down on the bed, kicking off her high horseshoes.

“Can we head back yet?” Zap asked.

“No, we still have until tomorrow before our hotel visitation is over,” Charity said.

“Darn it…” Zap said.

“Do be patient Zap dear,” Charity said before using her powers to conjure a manebrush and she began combing herself.

“Can I have that afterward?” Twinkle said sounding a little weary.

“Sure… why do you sound so down Twinkle?” Charity asked.

“It’s that Twinkle sense from earlier… I can’t shake that something bad will happen soon…” Twinkle said.

“You can probably sleep it off, ah’m sure it’s nothin,” Zap said.

“I don’t know,” Twinkle said.

“Let’s all get an early rest, ah wanna fly home tomorrow, no if ands or buts,” Zap said.

“Ok ok,’ Charity sighed having hoped Zap had gained something from this venture.

“Ok,” Twinkle and Spike said.

The CMC were deposited in cells within the warehouse and the cells were shut before Apple Bloom could get out.

“Hey! Let us out!” AB demanded.

“Oh don’t worry, I’ll let you three out soon,” Storm said.

“Why are you doing this? I wanna go home!” Sweetie cried.

“Don’t we all…” Storm said quietly.

“Huh?” AB said noticing his mood shift.

“But unfortunately some of us don’t have homes anymore, that too will change in the new Equestria I will bring about,” Storm said.

“New Equestria?” Scootaloo said confusedly.

“Who are ya? Really?” AB said.

“Just call me Storm, it’s not my real name but it’s a good placeholder,” He sat on a chair and looked at them.

After a few awkward moments Scootaloo spoke up “Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Scootaloo said.

“I intend to, after I’m done,” Storm said.

“I’m sorry, done?... with what?...” Sweetie said.

“A unicorn, an earth pony and a pegasus… small wings, but I know a spell that can help with that,” Storm said examining the three.

“Hey!” Scoots barked at him.

“Quiet! I need to study my materials,” Storm said.

“Materials?” AB parroted.

“Hmm… a little young, but I can make it work,” Storm said before getting out a clipboard and scribbling on it.

“Wh-what is he going to do with us?” Sweetie asked “I knew this was all a bad idea, now we’re kidnapped like I said!” Sweetie was hyperventilating.

“Calm yerself Sweetie, Our sisters are in town and they can-” AB was cut off by Storm.

“They won’t find you, nopony outside the warehouse even knows about this place, but if your sisters start snooping like you did, then I’ll just add them to my subject list as well,” Storm said.

“Alright, enough bein vague, tell us straight. What’ll ya do with us?” Apple Bloom demanded.

“Well, getting an alicorn on my side is quite the treat, despite your age, I’m sure the magic of the merge mirror will improve your skills enough, havn’t tried three at once yet, but hey that’s the scientific process, examination of options,” Storm said with a smile.

“What? Merge Mirror…. Twinkle did mention an object that made her and her new friends… so that means… oh no,” AB said scaredly.

“What? What does it mean?” Scootaloo asked.

“Girls… he’s going to do to us what happened to our sisters…” AB said in fear.

“WHAT?!” Sweetie and Scootaloo cried.

“Your smart, ponies really don’t know what their talking about when they say country ponies are simple, I’ll chalk it up to spoiled nobles,” Storm said not looking up from his clipboard, even as the three began to panic.

“SISTER, CELESTIA, LUNA, ANYPONY! HELP US!” Sweetie screamed.

Twinkle’s eyes opened up and she found herself on the sidewalk, earlier in the day.

“Huh? What? Where am I?” Twinkle asked before noticing four figures running past her.

“Huh?” Twinkle could see it was the CMC and an unknown colt.

“Huh? What are they doing here?... and how did I… Wait up!” Twinkle ran after the four and then she witnessed the scene where the CMC were captured.

“Huh?!” Twinkle exclaimed.

She watched as they were dragged away and AB smartly dropped her bow at the scene.

…

Twinkle opened her eyes and found herself at the site of the bow on the edge of town.

“Huh?! How did I get out here?” Twinkle looked around and saw the bow “Wait… if I am here, and the bow is there, then is what I witnessed… what my enhanced Twinkle sense is showing me? Then that means… Oh no… I need to tell the others!” Twinkle grabbed the bow and teleported.

Outside of Manehatten…

“Darn it! Need to work on that!” Twinkle said before teleporting again.

Twinkle finally made it to the hotel and ran to her friends room.

“GUYS! You need to see this!” Twinkle said barging into the room and alerting everypony there.

“HUH?!” Spike shot up in bed.

“The hay?! Twinkle don’t ya know what time it is?!” Zap said angrily.

“You need to see this,” Twinkle said.

“Ah swear if it is another trigonomerchy whatever….” Zap mumbled.

“Look what I found on the sidewalk on the edge of town…” Twinkle said holding out the bow and everypony looked at it.

“You found a bow… good for you,” Spike sighed.

“Wait a minute…. That’s… Apple Bloom’s bow?” Zap got out of bed and took it, looking at it carefully.

“How can you tell?” Spike said.

“AB… her names on the inside of it…” Zap said looking pale.

“But what is her bow doing in Manehatten?” Charity asked.

“If it’s here then… Twinkle, where did ya find this? What do ya know?” Zap questioned.

“I had a dream where the CMC were following a colt into the edge of town and then they were… kidnapped… then I woke up and I was there… I must have either sleepwalked or sleep teleported…” Twinkle said unsurely.

“Twinkle… tell me straight, where is mah sister?!” Zap demanded.

“Zap Apple calm yourself! She’d tell us if she knew,” Charity said.

“Zap… they must of followed us here and gotten kidnapped!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“B-but why? Why did they follow us here?! What’ll happen to them!?” Zap said as she was beginning to panic.

“I don’t know!” Twinkle said panicking as well.

“GIRLS!” Charity said in a surprisingly loud tone getting their attention.

“We won’t find anything out staying here, we need to move!” Charity said.

“Right,’ Zap said taking a breath.

“Should I send word to the princesses?” Spike said getting out of bed.

“Yes, they need to know we’re on the lookout for kidnappers, we’ll need the help,” Charity said.

“Ok, give me a sec.” Spike said before running off to a desk with paper on it and writing a note before sending it.

“Let’s move! The longer we stand around the sooner something bad could happen to mah sister!” Zap said as she marched out of the room.

“Wait! I need to show you where I found the bow!” Twinkle said.

‘Right, lead the way,” Zap said with a serious expression.

“Ok,” Twinkle said before she hurried ahead of the others.

The four left the hotel as one and hurried alongside Twinkle.

“Ok, this way! Come on!” Twinkle and the others ran and though it took awhile they made it to the location.

“You sure this is the place?” Zap asked.

“There’s hardly anypony here,” Charity said before noticing something down an alleyway and walking down there.

“I’m positive! I remember the sign,” Twinkle pointed to a sign with the street name Horseshoe lane on it.

“This place is quite dingy,” Spike said looking at the rundown part of the neighborhood.

“Where did you see the bow?” Zap demanded.

“Over there,” Twinkle said pointing at the spot she saw the bow lying.

Zap looked around but didn’t see anything noteworthy.

“What do we do now?” Zap asked.

“I dunno, maybe me and Chares can get high up in the air and look around while you dart around and look for clues-”

“AAAAHHHH!” Charity’s cry caught their attention and they went on alert.

“CHARITY!” Spike cried as he ran to where her screaming was coming from along with the others.

A gagged and blindfolded Charity was thrown against the wall.

“That’ll stop her from screaming,” the earth pony thug said with a satisfied smile before getting close up and lifting her face up.

“What’s a pretty thing like you doing around these parts? Don’t bother answering, what matters is what we’re going to do.” The gangster snickered.

“Leeft mef go youth heafens!” Charity tried to say through her gag.

“Oh I bet this’ll be the best night of our lives boys,” The lead gangster chuckled before moving to start undressing her.

Before a rock hit him in the head.

“OW!” The gangster looked to see who threw that and saw an irate dragon and two others mares.

“Let her go… or else…” Spike growled.

“The hell?” One gangster muttered.

“That a dragon?” Another muttered as well.

“Ah believe ya heard him,” Zap said as she walked around Spike and approached.

“Whoa…” The gangsters looked scared of her clear muscle power, so the leader did the only thing scumbags like them did and pulled a knife and held it to Charity’s neck.

“S-stay back! I’ll kill her!” The gangster threatened.

“DON’T!” Spike yelled.

“Don’t worry Spike… They won’t” Zap said.

“How do you know Spike asked warily.

“Because they may be fiends, but they ain’t stupid enough to kill our friend,” Zap said continuing her approach.

“I said stay back! I’ll do it!” The lead gangster threatened.

“You won’t,” Zap said.

“Why’s that?” a gangster said smugly.

“Because then you all die…” Zap said.

“What do you mean?” One said.

“Think of it, yer facing down a well-built pegasus, an alicorn, and a dragon who could go awol on ya any second, tell me, are those favorable odds? The moment you slit her throat ah will beat ya so senseless you’ll be drinkin yer next meal through a straw, out the wrong end” Zap said stomping her hoof and the gangsters flinched “And don’t think about runnin, ah’m alot faster than ah look, you’ll be caught before you get to the edge of the alley,” Zap said cracking her knuckles.

“W-well… that doesn’t change that I have your friend! Get out of here and when we finish up you can have her-” A hand grabbed his knife arm and twisted it on backwards “AAAH!” The gangster cried out in pain and he looked to see Twinkle behind him.

“Hold on wasn’t she just-” One gangster questioned before seeing a fake Twinkle where she was standing a second ago fading away.

“Teleporting is awesome right? Finally got it down pat,” Twinkle said before spinning and tossing the lead gangster at another.

“You little-” One moved to stab Twinkle but she simply moved her head and a green fist flew past her head and impacted his face and he fell down.

“Leave them to me,” Zap said getting in front of Twinkle as the other gangsters ran in to attack.

Zap wiped the blood off her knuckles and held the beaten gangster leader by his collar, the other gangsters either fled or are on the ground beaten.

“Mercy!” He cried.

“Give me one reason to spare the punk who nearly off’d mah friend…” Zap asked.

“I’m sorry!” He cried.

“Sorry’s not good enough!” Spike said approaching looking ready to give him a piece of his mind until Charity stopped him.

“I’ve seen enough senseless violence for one day, please,” Charity pleaded.

“Count yerself lucky,” Zap dropped him.

The cowardly gang leader tried to crawl away but Charity got in front of him.

“Wait! I have a question,” She asked.

“Just let me go…” The lead gangster pleaded.

“Not until we hear this, did you or any of your friends see three fillies being kidnapped around here? A unicorn a pegasus and an earth pony? One had a bow,” Charity asked.

“That depends, got money?” The lead gangster said with some sick humor.

“I was being serious…” Charity said.

“So was I,” he said.

“...Tell us, now,” Charity’s eyes went into the stare and the gangster eeped and fell on his butt.

“Wh-what is that!? Stop it!” he cried.

“Tell me!” Charity’s voice began to take a darker tone, even her friends looked nervously at those eyes, that stare was far more potent than Fluttershy’s stare.

The gangster literally pee’d himself as he curled up in a ball.

“I SAW THEM I SAW THEM! THEY WERE TAKEN BY THIS FREAKY DUDE WITH GLOWING HANDS OK!?” He screamed.

The aura of menace and destruction vanished around Charity and she took a deep breath.

“Where?” She demanded.

“I didn’t stick around I swear, I heard rumors that ponies everywhere were vanishing, we were going to take our leave until this happened…” The gangster whimpered.

“Which direction?” She demanded.

“I saw him go in the direction of the old warehouse yard, b-but that place was abandoned a long time ago, it’s easy to miss if you don’t know where it is!” He said.

“Where is this shipping yard?” Charity demanded.

“Just head down the street, all the way, it’s hidden behind a treeline, you can see a river from it, now please let me go!” The gangster pleaded.

“Very well, go be a good pony, or we’ll come back,” Charity said.

“O-ok… I hated the thug life anyways!” He said getting up and running away.

Afterwards Charity turned towards her friends.

“Good work Charity,” Twinkle said.

“I swear I’ll never get used to that stare,” Spike said.

“We need to get moving,” Charity said getting to the point.

“Right!” Zap said and they ran off.

The cell door opened and the three fillies looked up fearfully at Storm.

“It is time girls,” He said with glee, clearly excited to run the experiment.

“N-no! You can’t do this to us! We’re only pre-teens!” Sweetie pleaded.

“So what? I fused two colts, what’s a few more?” He said as the burly red pony from before entered.

“This is murder!” AB shouted trying to run around him but he scooped her up and Sweetie too when she tried to speed around him.

Scootaloo ran out of the cage only for another burly grey pony grabbed her and held her aloft.

“Murder? Oh no, you’ll live on… as a new pony,” He said as he led the two burly ponies to the middle of the warehouse.

“Think of it, you’ll be an alicorn if this goes right, isn’t that every fillies dream?” He said.

“NOT LIKE THIS!” Scootaloo cried.

“Well think of it like this, you’ll help contribute to a new Equestria, you’ll be among the stronger in this new world, a leader, not vulnerable anymore, we can work together to make Equestria great again, by making the ponies greater!” He laughed.

“Your insane!” Sweetie said.

“Perhaps, but I’m a madman with a purpose, and that purpose is to build an Equestria better than those failed princesses ever could,” Storm said.

“What do you-” AB started but he interrupted.

“We’re getting off track here, get them into the magic barrier field,” Storm said.

“Yes boss,” the stallions said as they deposited the fillies into the field, they tried to run but the field stopped them from escaping.

‘And besides, I need an alicorn for phase three to begin…” Storm said.

“Pl-please,” Apple Bloom pleaded.

“...Sorry, but this is for the good of Equestria I do this,” He said before lighting up his fusion magic.

And then the door to the warehouse broke down…

“Hmm?” Storm looked over to see Zap Apple, Charity, Spike and Twinkle.

“AB! Scoots! Sweetie!” Zap called out loudly.

“Oh great…” Storm sighed seeing the Mane Three and a dragon.

[Ten minutes earlier]

The group made it through the tree line and saw what looked like what was once a warehouse but was now some kind of hideout.

“Girls get down!” Twinkle said and they did, as they looked out at the patrolling ponies, all of them looked tough.

“We need to find a way inside, I’d bet my bits their in there,” Spike said.

“How? There’s guards everywhere,” Charity said.

“We need a plan of attack,” Spike said.

“I got one,” Twinkle said.

“What?” Zap asked.

“I worked on it while you were all chatting,” Twinkle said conjuring a chalkboard.

“Alright, now listen up,” Twinkle said.

Zap Apple walked out with Spike and they both entered the grounds in plain sight.

“Huh? Hey who goes there?” A tall and lanky earth pony demanded approaching them.

“Hi, don’t mind us, we’re just passing through,” Spike said.

“No can do, get out of here, this is private property,” The stallion said.

“Yeah, get lost, our boss doesn’t need any visitors today, he’s got… important work he’s doing…” A brown mare with a green mane said as she approached.

“Look, we just moved into the area and we’re having a look around,” Spike said carefully.

Meanwhile all the ponies on the upper shipping containers were being systematically taken out by Charity and Twinkle.

“I said move it!” The lanky pony said poking a guard baton at them.

“Is that a guard baton? How did you get one, are you a guard?” Zap asked.

“None of your beeswax,” He said “Now for the final time get lost, or else me and my buds up there will toss you out,” He said confidently.

“What buds?” Zap said with a smirk.

“Right over… huh?” He looked around and saw all his buddies were knocked out.

Zap then punched him and the mare tried to strike at Zap with a baton but Zap blocked and punched her lights out as well.

“Good work!” Spike said.

“Thanks,” Twinkle said as she and Charity arrived back beside them, before they could continue they saw a greenish glow coming from the windows.

“Somethins happening, we need to get moving,” Zap said and they hurried to the door and Zap without waiting or being cautious she kicked the door in.

[Present]

“SIS!” AB called.

“Help us!” Sweetie cried.

“LET THEM GO!” Zap yelled.

“And why should I do that? How will it benefit me?” Storm asked.

“Ah won’t kick yer flank as hard, that’s how,” Zap threatened.

“Everypony, take care of them, I have an alicorn to make,” Storm said turning back to the three fillies as the ponies around the warehouse stopped what they were doing and approached.

“Ah’ll take those two big guys, Twinkle go after the guy in the robe, he’s probably the leader,” Zap said.

“Ok!” Twinkle said as she teleported.

“Redirect,” The stallion's horn flashed and Twinkle found herself on the far side of the warehouse.

“Huh?!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“Teleportation redirection learned it by magical kindergarten,” Storm chuckled.

“Oh you!” Twinkle said as she ran at him.

Meanwhile Zap cracked her knuckles as the two taller stallions approached her.

“Bring it on,” Zap said before dodging a punch by the grey one and striking him in the face sending him stumbling back with a bloody nose.

The other one swung a kick at her but Zap defended and grabbed his leg and spin tossed him into a box.

“Ooof!” He grunted.

“That all ya got?” Zap said before the other stallion caught her with a hit to the face, she stumbled and wiped her lip before the red stallion threw another punch and she caught it and defended from a punch from the other hand and struck him in the gut.

“UGH!” He grunted.

“Ah’m too strong fer ya!” Zap said before the grey stallion charged at her and she took to the air to avoid him.

Charity meanwhile was firing magic blasts and Spike was breathing fire at the fused ponies trying to close in on them with weapons.

“I can’t hold forever,” Charity said.

“I know!” Spike said. “Charity! Try your stare!” Spike said.

“Ok!” Charity activated her stare and the ponies gasped and backed off, Spike took the opportunity to breath more fire to force the ponies to move back.

And Twinkle ran around several ponies trying to grab her with her unpredictable movements, her Twinkle sense warning her everytime she was about to be jumped.

Twinkle ran up the platform and reached Storm, when a pony tried to jump her Twinkle used a barrier and expanded it rapidly to send the pony flying.

“Your an interesting specimen, but I already sense the Merge Mirrors power radiating from you, therefore your not useful to me other than a minion,” Storm said turning to her.

“Yeah, wait… how do you know about the mirror?” Twinkle asked.

“A silly question for the guy who has access to that very magic now,” Storm said lighting his hands up.

“How did you get that magic?” Twinkle demanded.

“I snuck into Canterlot and stole it, along with something else, or has your Princess kept you in the dark about what’s going on? Wouldn’t be the first time she’s done so,” Storm said bitterly.

“Don’t insult Celestia!” Twinkle said before firing a beam at Storm who simply raised a barrier and stopped it.

“I was like you once, bright eyed and naive, but I have evolved from that stupid little colt I once was,” Storm said before firing a counter beam that he somehow weaved around hers.

“Huh?!” Twinkle said and her Twinkle sense formed a barrier in front of and behind her.

As the blast was about to hit her it moved over her and u-turned into the barrier behind her.

“Facinating, you have a sixth sense that your magic reacts too, I imagine that’s a gift from the Merge Mirror,” Storm said before lashing his tendrils out.

Twinkle teleported to avoid them and reappeared in midair before firing a series of blasts at Storm.

“Yeah Twinkle! Get ‘em!” AB and the other CMC cheered.

Twinkle flew around and fired several shots at him but Storm teleported ten feet to the left and then levitated himself.

“Huh?” Twinkle said.

“Did you think only pegasi could fly?” Storm chuckled before charging a large magical blast up and firing it.

“Not good!” Twinkle said before putting up a barrier and stopping the blast, it then split into two separate blasts and tried to pincer her, they split again and tried to nail her from above and below, Twinkle just surrounded herself in a barrier and the blast just continued to split.

“A personal invention of my own,” Storm said before firing a large blast that hit her barrier and pushed her against a wall.

“How is he so strong?!” Twinkle grunted.

“Years of practice, longer than you original halves were alive, Twilight and Pinkie Pie,” Storm said floating up to the cornered Twinkle.

“What? How do you-”

“Aren’t you getting tired of asking questions?” He then charged an indigo beam and fired it and it hit her barrier before opening a hole in it.

“What?!” Twinkle exclaimed before he blasted her directly.

“Barrier buster, another invention of mine,” Storm said before firing yellow beams at Twinkle who tried to get up and she was bound to the ground.

“No!” Twinkle tried to get up but she couldn’t break the bindings she lit her horn in an attempt to do so.

“For insurance,” He then sped up to her and placed a ring on her horn.

“Wha?” Twinkle found her magic fizzling out.

“Fun fact, I always have a few on hand,” Storm said with a chuckle.

“NO!” Twinkle thrashed.

“Twinkle!” Zap exclaimed as several other ponies joined the two burly ponies surrounding Zap, overwhelming her.

And Charity and Spike were also struggling to keep the ponies back.

“Now that that is settled I have a fusion experiment to perform,” Storm said before teleporting back to the field.

“NO!” Charity without thinking used her magic to form wings and she took off towards Storm.

“Charity!” Spike exclaimed before he was tackled.

“Release them!” Charity yelled as she landed in front of Storm.

“Move aside, or I will go through you,” Storm said.

Charity broke out her stare with all her effort and Storm’s eyes widened a little.

“Let them go!” Charity said angrily.

“....Heh,” Storm just chuckled surprising Charity.

“What?” Charity said.

“Is your disapproving look supposed to intimidate me?” Storm asked.

“How did-”

“When you’ve seen the horrors I have… you get used to it,” Storm said before lighting his hands.

Charity used her magic projection to form a wall but the tendrils he launched breached it easily and grabbed her before throwing her.

“AAAAAH!” Charity cried as she hit the ground.

“Charity!” Spike cried as two ponies held him down, meanwhile Zap was being held down by several ponies and was struggling.

“He’s got the Merge Mirror magic! He’s going to fuse them!” Twinkle called out.

Zap’s eyes widened as she knew firsthand what the implications are “STOP! DON’T TOUCH MAH SISTER!” Zap cried.

“Oh stop being melodramatic, and enjoy the show,” Storm said before firing yellow magic bindings and trapping Scootaloo to the ground.

“NO!” Scootaloo cried.

He then sent his tendrils and snatched Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom before they could dodge and lifted them up.

“AH SWEAR AH’LL DO ANYTHING, JUST PLEASE! NOT MAH SISTER!” Zap cried.

“NO!” Twinkle cried.

“SWEETIE!” Charity cried out.

“CHARITY! HELP ME!” Sweetie Belle cried.

“NOOO!” Apple Bloom screamed.

“Help!” Scootaloo shouted.

He then slammed the three fillies together and a bright flash of light overcomes the area.

“No…” Zap said with tears in her eyes.

“Sweetie…” Charity sobs.

“We… failed…” Twinkle said tearfully.

“I’m sorry girls,” Spike said.

As the light died down what stood where Scootaloo once was was an alicorn with a multi-colored mane and tail, having streaks of red, pink and purple.

Her fur was cream-colored like Apple Bloom’s.

Her wings were larger than Scootaloo’s and orange-tipped and her horn was white-tipped.

Her eyes when they opened seemed the most beautiful thing about the young alicorn.

They had varying shades of yellow, green and purple.

The alicorn looked around looking a little dazed.

“Hello, new puppet,” Storm said lowering the barrier.

“....” The alicorn stood up on shaky hooves and looked herself over, when her attention turned back to Storm and she was about to say something he flashed her in the eyes with the lantern of subjugation.

“Who do you serve now alicorn?” He said.

“........What….Zap….Help…. I…..” She said with a twitch and varying tones.

“Huh?” Storm raised a brow as she began to twitch repeatedly and she cried out and fell to her knees.

“What’s happening?” Storm said reviewing his notes.

“S-sister… Zap… Charity… I need…. Save…” The alicorn spoke like a broken record.

“...Something went wrong,” Storm said.

“Apple Bloom?” Zap asked worriedly.

“I… can’t… speak… normal… mind…pain….confused…help…” The alicorn got up and wobbled toward her sisters and Spike.

“Where do you think your going?” Storm grabbed her by her arm, she immediately spun to him and her eyes glowed before her horn fired a magic blast so strong it flung the surprised Storm into a wall denting it.

“Gah!” Storm grunted.

“Boss!” Several of the fused ponies ran to his side.

“It seems she’s a failure… unfortunate, I suppose making a pony out of a triple fusion has… unintended mental effects, we need to rectify this, come, we’re leaving now that we’re compromised anyways,” Storm opened a portal.

All of the fused minions released the others and ran into the portal.

“HEY! WAIT!” Spike ran after him.

“We’ll meet again, and hopefully, you’ll knock a little lighter next time,” Storm said before entering the portal, but not before using his magic to press a button on the wall nearby.

Spike leaped at him but he vanished through the portal and the portal closed and Spike grabbed air.

“Darn it! He got away!” Spike said.

“Apple Bloom! Scootaloo! Sweetie!” Zap cried as she ran up to the stumbling alicorn.

“Sis…you….help….unfuse….” She said in different tones.

“Ah’ll get you help! We’ll fix this somehow, ah may be willin ta give up on diffusing mahself, but not you!” Zap said with tears in her eyes.

“Sweetie Belle…” Charity sobbed.

“Uh, guys?” Twinkle called.

“Twinkle! I’ll help,” Spike said before running over to her and when he got to her he saw the magic bindings went away.

“No! We need to run!” Twinkle exclaimed and as she said that the whole warehouse shook and fires started popping out everywhere.

“He wired this place!” Twinkle said.

“Let’s get out of here!” Zap called and she picked up the disoriented alicorn and Charity.

“Ah!” Charity cried as she was held over her shoulder and Zap ran for the exit.

“Come on!” Spike said as he helped Twinkle up and they ran as well, Twinkle paused and saw papers on a desk and she teleported them to her before running to the exit of the warehouse.

“Twinkle! Come on!” Spike called and they got out just as the warehouse collapsed.

As they all lay there looking dazed Spike got up and walked over to Twinkle.

“Twinkle, you ok?” Spike coughed.

“Yeah, send a note to Celestia, she needs to hear this,” Twinkle said as she quickly wrote out a message on a blank paper.

“Ok,” Spike said.

The group recuperated and it seemed that the alicorn passed out.

Zap was incredibly depressed as she held the alicorn, knowing that what was done to her will be near impossible to find a way to undo…

After an hour of waiting around guards began to show up on the scene and they found the group and began taking statements as well as setting up an investigation.

Pretty soon the whole place was covered in guards and the group was taking in for medical examinations.

It was around this time a chariot arrived.

“Celestia?” Twinkle said as she saw Celestia and Luna exit the carriage and approach the group.

“Celestia!” Twinkle ran up to her and hugged her.

“Twinkle my dear student, I got moving as soon as I received the message,” Celestia hugged back.

“Good evening Princesses,” Charity gave a bow.

“And to you as well,” Luna said.

“Your letter was urgent, but it didn’t say much about the situation,” Celestia said as they entered a medical tent that was set up for the element bearers.

“It’s kinda hard to explain, we don’t even get it,” Twinkle said.

“Very well then, start from the top of-” Celestia trailed off as she entered and saw something she didn’t expect, an alicorn filly laying in a bed, with Zap Apple being there holding her hand.

“....Who is that?” Celestia said honestly surprised to see another new alicorn.

“...That’s kinda why we need to explain everything first…” Twinkle said her mane deflating.

“Very well, tell us everything,” Luna said.

Twinkle left nothing out, they were enjoying a night in Manehatten, when Twinkle found Apple Bloom’s bow and they went on an investigation that led her to the warehouse where they found Storm and tried to rescue the CMC… only to fail and now they were merged into the alicorn sleeping on that cot over there.

Celestia and Luna looked more and more concerned as they listened. When they heard the part where the three fillies were fused they looked stunned.

“And then you showed up and we’re having this conversation,” Twinkle took a breath and looked to the princesses for a reaction.

“Celestia, how did he get the same powers as the Merge Mirror? What’s goin on?” Zap demanded.

“Zap, we are-” Luna was about to say something but Celestia cut her off.

“No, no more investigations… we have confirmation now,” Celestia sighed.

“Confirmation of what?” Twinkle asked.

“...Leave,” Celestia told the guards at the opening in the tent and they nodded and left.

“Celestia, what is going on?” Twinkle asked.

“...It seems the past has come to haunt us once more… Twinkle, what I say doesn’t leave this tent, same with you two,” Celestia told Charity and Zap Apple and they nodded, Celestia looked conflicted on how to start this so she just went from the beginning.

“...I had an old student long before Sunset,” Celestia said.

“I am sure you did,” Charity said.

“Not just any ordinary pupil, a pupil I admired for his skill and affinity for magic,” Celestia said.

“Like me?” Twinkle asked.

“Yes, quite like you, he even had a sense of humor like yours, his name was Dusk Heart,” Celestia said.

“But the colt that lured Appel Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo away called him Stormy, I saw it in my vision,” Twinkle said.

“Then that name must be fake, his real name is Dusk Heart, or just Dusk,” Celestia said “Anyways, he was a prodigy, and he came from such humble beginnings, but one day, everything went oh so horribly wrong,” Celestia said.

“What do you mean?” Charity asked.

“I hadn’t heard of it until much later, but griffon raiders invaded his hometown, killed most of the ponies there and stole their belongings, they kept the town under their claw until one pony managed to escape, Dusk,” Celestia said.

“Goodness,” Zap said looking upset at hearing that.

“He traveled for days on hoof until he made it to Canterlot, and he informed me and my sister of what happened, we came with a fighting force to liberate that town, when we got there however we found we had been expected,” Luna added.

“The griffons had killed off all but a handful of ponies and threatened to do the same to them if we didn’t let them leave with what they took, not wanting anymore bloodshed I conceded and they left,” Celestia said with regret in her voice “I had prayed that I would find Dusk’s family among them, but they were among the slain instead, save for his sister, who was traumatized and catatonic,” Celestia said.

“No…” Charity said in shock.

“How could someone do that,” Spike asked.

“I informed Dusk of what happened and he was understandably inconsolable, but at least took comfort in the idea that I at least punished the invaders for their actions…” Celestia looked down.

“Oh dear…” Charity said knowing what she was going to say.

“When I told him what went down at his hometown… he was livid and demanded why I didn’t end those who took everything from him… I tried to tell him that I did it to protect what remained, but he was beyond caring at that point and attacked me, yelling I was the reason his loved ones were unavenged, he left afterwards swearing he’d get them back, one way or another,” Celestia said “I wish I had stopped him, I figured he just needed time to cope, to calm… Oh how I was wrong,” Celestia looked hesitant to proceed.

“Ya can stop if ya want Princess,” Zap said.

“Thank you, I will tell you all another time, but for now, I wish to aid this filly,” Celestia said getting up and walking over to the filly alicorn who looked like she was struggling to speak.

“What’s wrong with her?” Spike asked.

“Based on what you told me, Dusk must have somehow assimilated the power of the Merge Mirror, I fear it is through a magic item called a bonding jade,” Celestia said.

“Bonding jade?” Zap asked.

“A forbidden item that can infuse a pony with the magic of a magical item, giving them powers based on it, he must have used one and gained the merge mirrors power, however, he didn’t fully understand it and fused three beings at once,” Celestia said.

“What happens then?” Twinkle asked.

“When three or more ponies are forcibly fused their souls and minds are unable to compress into one as easily, leaving a pony with three sets of souls, the result can be a pony with multiple personalities forcibly battling for control,” Celestia said.

“That would explain why every time she tries to talk it sounds like three different ponies are struggling to talk over one another, I wonder if there’s a way to fix that…” Twinkle tried to access her vast knowledge but nothing came up.

“I know a way, but I will give you all a decision on how I proceed,” Celestia said.

“What do you mean?” Twinkle asked.

“...You may not like it but I can use my magic to aid the process along and finish the bonding process, completing the pony here, it is a process only I thankfully know,” Celestia said.

“And the other option?” Spike hesitantly asked.

“I leave them as they are and she deals with three minds in one body from now on,” Celestia said.

“Celestia, ah want mah sister back, and Sweetie an Scoots, please tell me you can fix a triple fusion,” Zap said.

“...A double fusion is impossible to separate, but triple fusions may be even more dangerous,” Celestia said.

“Why?” Zap demanded.

“Because there is only one surrogate body now, where are the minds to go if there is no other body to put them in?” Celestia responded.

“Well…” Luna said out loud.

“No Luna, that is not an option for fillies,” Celestia said firmly.

“What? What is?” Zap said.

“We could put their minds in custom bodies made of crystal, golems so to speak,” Luna offered.

“That’s a punishment more than anything Luna, the body of a golem is incapable of feeling and hard to adapt to, it would be a miserable existence,” Celestia said.

“Do you have other options?” Luna said back.

“No, but-”

“Princesses!” Twinkle called and they paused and looked at Twinkle.

“We should let their sisters choose,” She said gesturing to Charity and Zap.

“...Indeed,” Luna said “What does thou choose?”

“I…” Zap said thinking hard on her choice.

The solution

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“Ah… ah can’t give up on getting mah sister back… Celestia, we need to do somethin, anything,” Zap said with tears in her eyes.

“...Well, as we have said there is a way but it would leave the girls in a senseless prison not even Equestria’s enemies are put in, we cannot knowingly-”

“Wait… I have an idea!” Twinkle said popping to her hooves.

“You do?” Spike questioned.

“This is of course theoretical, but… what if we send them through the mirror portal?” Twinkle suggested.

“...Twinkle, while we appreciate the enthusiasm we have no idea what would happen if we did that, it could lead to a situation far worse for those three,” Celestia said.

“Exactly, we don’t know, but would you rather take a chance on this working or not? Think of it, the mirror configures the form of the being based on where their going by matching them to their counterpart, right?” Twinkle said.

“We suppose,” Luna said.

“What if it senses the souls of the CMC in there and separates them? Worst case scenario they finish fusing into one entity,” Twinkle said.

“Twinkle ah’m tryin ta avoid that possibility,” Zap said.

“You’d rather the alternative?” Twinkle asked.

“...”

“We should try, if just to give me a chance to have my sister back,” Charity said.

“...Ok,” Zap conceded “If it means getting AB back ah’m willin to try,” Zap said.

“Then let’s roll!” Twinkle said.

“We shall set up transport back to your castle then,” Luna said.

“Ok!” Twinkle said darting out of the tent.

“We should get things together here, let us move,” Luna said.

“I shall remain here to continue the investigation,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Charity said using her magic to conjure a magical gurney and Zap put the CMC alicorn on the gurney and they wheeled her out.

“Celly?” Luna asked and Celestia turned towards her “You haven’t told them the full story, is there a reason,” Luna asked.

“...I feel as though what is the past should remain the past, I know not how he’s survived all these years, but I must fix what i’ve broken on my own, I owe him that much,” Celestia said before leaving.

“A habit I wish you’d break,” Luna sighed before following the others to the carriage being set up, The others bringing the alicorn over to the carriage and Zap loaded her in before they got in themselves.

It took some prep and talking between Luna and the guards but they were soon off to Ponyville.

As the group flew back to Ponyville the unconscious alicorn seemed to have alot on her mind.

The CMC floated in a void, they have been there for who knows how long, orbiting a large green sphere.

“How long have we been here again?” Scootaloo asked.

“I dunno,” Sweetie said.

“Ah hope we’ll be out of here soon…” The sphere seemed to warble and tried to pull them in but they just bounced off of it… again.

“It’s like it’s trying to absorb us but it’s not working for some reason…” Scootaloo said.

“Ah’m kinda glad it can’t,” Apple Bloom said.

“What is it?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I dunno,” Scootaloo said.

“Girls, ah think it’s the magic that made Charity, Twinkle and Zap and ah think it can’t merge us for some reason.” Apple Bloom said.

“Then how do we get out of here!?” Scootaloo asked.

“I don’t know! I didn’t know the last time you asked and I don’t know now,” Sweetie said.

“Sorry, I’m just getting antsy,” Scootaloo said.

“We’ll be okay,” Apple Bloom said.

“How do you know?” Scoots said.

“Ah trust mah sister and the others,” AB said.

“M-me too!” Sweetie said.

“I do too, but I hope they hurry before this thing figures it out,” Scoots said as the sphere unsuccessfully tried to absorb them again.

“How…Ah…Me….Too…” The alicorn murmured.

“Hold in there girls, we’re almost there,” Zap whispered.

After the group arrived in Ponyville they immediately exited the carriage and everypony stared in awe of the being they saw.

A new alicorn!

“Outta our way!” Zap called as several ponies tried to get closer to see.

“Royal business,” Luna said as they made their way across the pathway to the castle.

“Make way!” Spike ordered as Roseluck tried to walk past him.

It took time but soon they entered the castle they made their way through the castle as per Twinkle's directions, Zap Apple carrying the CMC the whole way.

Upon making it to the room they needed to go to, they entered the mirror room, approached the mirror and began setting up their workstation.

“Twinkle… ah need yer guarantee this won’t kill them,” Zap demanded.

“I can’t guarantee that something bad won’t happen but I would never suggest it if death was a possibility,” Twinkle said “I will go over there first to see if they are okay when they arrive to make sure,” Twinkle said.

“Ok,” Charity nodded.

“See you on the other side,” Twinkle said before entering the portal.

“.... Luna ah’m worried…” Zap said.

“It is okay, like Twinkle said she wouldn’t have suggested it if she knew death was a possibility, we must trust her,” Charity said.

“Ok,” Zap said.

Twinkle exited the mirror portal as a human and bumped into someone she didn’t expect.

“Ooof!” They both grunted as they fell down.

“Huh?” Twinkle said looking to see Flash.

“Twinkle?” Flash said getting up and helping her up.

“Oh hey Flash, what are you doing here?” Twinkle asked looking a little nervous.

“I was… just in the neighborhood and…” Flash looked like he was finding an excuse but Twinkle remembered what she came here for.

“Wait a minute, we need to focus, Flash I’ll need your help,” Twinkle said.

“Why? What’s going on?” Flash asked.

“Long story short we’re expecting either the CMC or a new alicorn,” Twinkle said.

“...A new alicorn? Like you?” Flash questioned.

“No time, just stand back,” Twinkle said turning towards the mirror.

“Ok,” Flash said acknowledging something serious is going on.

“Alright, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, please come out alright, if not then… I’m sorry,” Charity said nervously.

“Alright, let’s do this,” Zap said before picking up the Alicorn off of the magical gurney and she helped her to her hooves and gently pushed her into the mirror.

A minute of bated breath passed before Zap broke the silence. “AB? Scoots?” Zap asked.

“Sweetie, please be okay,” Charity begged, Luna just looked on with a serious look on her face, hoping for a positive outcome.

The CMC sat in limbo for who knows how long, just as they were going to attempt conversation again suddenly they felt a pull…

“Huh? Do you guys feel that?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yeah… what is that?” Sweetie said before their orbiting of the green sphere suddenly sped up and they began to panic.

“What’s happening!?” Apple Bloom cried before they suddenly felt something being pulled from them,

Magic, and the magic seemed to be pulled into the sphere before the sphere condensed and exploded outward and the three were sent flying screaming.

The two humans watched the portal warily for a minute or so, before it began to warble.

“Something is happening!” Twinkle said.

“I’m not sure what but I’m here to help if you need it,” Flash said.

“Thank you Flash,” Twinkle said before the portal started to give a green glow.

“Wait… that’s new,” Twinkle said before suddenly three beings shot out of the portal and impacted the two.

“AH!” Twinkle and Flash said as they tumbled across the ground and wound up in a pile-up.

After a few moments of lying there they managed to untangle themselves from the pile-up.

“Oooh….” The group groaned as they sat up and looked at eachother and gasped in surprise.

“We’re back!” Scootaloo cheered.

“Ah’m so glad!” AB hugged Sweetie Belle who was cheering as well…. before noticing they were human.

“Huh? What happened to us?” Sweetie asked.

“Great, having small wings was bad enough, but no wings?” Scootaloo sighed.

“I think we’re those human things Twilight told us about,” Apple Bloom.

“GIRLS!” Twinkle hugged the three in one big hug.

“AHH!” The three cried as Twinkle hugged them, after getting over the shock they hugged her back.

“Um… I still don’t get what’s happening,” Flash admitted.

“Don’t worry, I’ll explain it next time, come on,” Twinkle said helping them up.

“Where’s my hooves… this is hard,” Scootaloo complained.

“It feels weird to not have a horn,” Sweetie admitted.

“It’ll all be fixed, come on, let’s get back to your sisters,” Twinkle said ushering them back into the portal.

“Hold on, there’s… something I need to tell you,” Flash said trying to catch up to Twinkle.

“Huh?” Twinkle turned around but Scootaloo who was leaning on Twinkle for balance tripped when Twinkle turned around and she hit the ground in front of Flash who wound up tripping on her and he wound up accidentally tackling Twinkle into the portal.

“WHOOAA!” They cried as they fell in, save for Scootaloo, who got up and realized what happened.

“Ooops…” Scootaloo muttered before stumbling her way into the portal after them.

“This is taking too long, ah’m goin in there,” Zap said getting ready to enter the portal before it began warbling again.

“Wait! Stand back!” Luna said and Zap stood back as four figures tumbled through the portal.

“Ooof!” Sweetie and AB cried.

‘Ouchie!” Twinkle and Flash grunted.

“Girls!” Zap cried running forward and helping Twinkle and Flash off of Sweetie and AB.

“Where’s Scoota-” only for Scootaloo to tumble through the portal and onto the two fillies as well.

“OOF!” The two fillies grunted as she landed on top of them.

“AAH!” Scootaloo cried as she landed on them.

“Scootaloo! AB! Sweetie!” Zap cried as she helped them up “Ah was so worried, ah-.... What the hay?” Zap questioned as she saw something different about them.

“Glad to be back… why are you guys staring at us like that?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yer… yer…” Zap said looking like she’s having trouble sayin it.

“Spit it out, what’s going on, did we come out looking different? What changed?” Sweetie began to panic.

“It cannot be,” Luna said as she approached.

“Alright, ah’m about ready ta panic, what are ya all… wait, what’s on mah back?” Apple Bloom felt her back and felt something that wasn’t there before… wings…

“Huh?” Apple Bloom then saw something she somehow didn’t notice on her forehead… a horn…

“What the hay?...” AB said before turning to look at her friends and saw the same thing with them…

Twinkle got up looking dizzy “Ugh, you okay Flash… Holy moly…” Twinkle said before pointing at the three “Your Alicorns!?” Twinkle cried.

“We’re what?!” Scootaloo felt her head and found a horn, Sweetie looked at her back and saw wings.

“.....OMG!” Sweetie cried.

They then turned to eachother and began jumping for joy.

“WE’RE ALICORNS! WE’RE ALICORNS! WE’RE ALICORNS! WE’RE ALICORNS! WE’RE ALICORNS! WE’RE ALICORNS!” The three fillies cheered.

“You three!” Luna called.

“Huh?” The CMC turned to Luna “How…How did this happen?” Luna asked.

“Well,” Twinkle entered lecture mode and began while everypony turned to her “It’s possible that the theory that they would separate through the mirror was right, but it seems that the magic caused them to ascend as a result of diffusing from an alicorn, and more importantly that means-”

“Oooh… what happened?” Flash said sitting up and looking up at the group and his jaw dropped.

“Oh… forgot that he came through the mirror too,” Twinkle said.

“What the heck? What’s going-” Flash looked confused at all the pony-like beings in front of him before Twinkle grabbed his hands and made him look at her.

“Flash… this is the pony world and I’m Twinkle, remember the pictures I showed you of my world?” Twinkle said.

“Yeah,” Flash said.

“Well… you might not want to look at yourself for the moment…” Twinkle said.

“Why-” Flash against her word looked down at himself and gaped when he saw hooves where his feet were, fur where his bare skin was and looking behind he saw… wings?...

Flash passed out.

“...Understandable,” Luna sighed knowing a human would find it harder to take to a pony body than the other way around.

“Twinkle ya sure you can’t just put him back through the portal?” Zap questioned as Twinkle levitated him into her bed.

“No, my Twinkle sense is telling me to let him stay the night, something tells me I should,” Twinkle said.

“Twinkle ah can tell yer lying, what’s the real reason?” Zap said.

“...I don’t want him to go,” Twinkle said.

“He’s got a life on the otherside of the mirror, ya can’t keep him here forever,” Zap said.

“I know, but… he can visit right?” Twinkle said looking at the stallion.

“That’s fer him to decide,” Zap said.

“...Your right… I… want to stay with him for now,” Twinkle said.

“Ok, ah’m gonna go see how the others are doing,” Zap said before leaving.

Twinkle looked at Flash and laid down in the bed with him, but no covers yet… that’d be intrusive.

Zap entered the lobby area and immediately had to duck as Sweetie Belle swooped over her head.

“Sorry!” Sweetie called as she flew through the air.

“Girls get down!” Luna called.

“Don’t know how to land,” AB replied.

“My wings are big enough at long last! I can actually fly!” Scootaloo cheered.

Luna sighed “This is why I never had children…” Luna said.

“They seem ta be enjoyin themselves, why not let them?” Zap asked.

“I wish to communicate to them why we need to take their sudden ascension more seriously,” Luna said.

“Let them enjoy being alicorns for now, their kids,” Zap waved it off.

“...Very well, but tell them after they're done that I must talk to them,” Luna said and then walked away.

Zap chuckled as she saw her sisters and Sweetie enjoying themselves, as did Charity from a balcony.

“NonoNO!” A tired looking Shining Armor threw yet another scroll at the wall.

“Shining, we’ve been at it for days, it may be time to consider-” Sunburst tried but Shining slammed his hand down on the table.

“DON’T finish that sentence, Twilight wouldn’t give up on me, and I won’t let that pony take her place,” Shining said.

“Shining, you need rest, at least take a break,” Sunburst pleaded.

“Not happening, you can take a break, but I’m not,” Shining said.

“Flurry Heart misses her dad, I should know since I have had to babysit her while helping you,” Sunburst said.

“...” Shining looked a little conflicted at the thought of his daughter but he hardened his resolve thinking of Twilight “Just leave,” Shining Armor said.

“But-”

“LEAVE!” Shining Armor shouted and Sunburst sighed.

“I hope you snap out of it eventually…” Sunburst turned and left the room, Shining Armor lowered his head a few tears fell.

“I promised to protect you Twilight… I have to keep trying,” Shining Armor said.

…”Then why not have some proper help?” A voice echoed in the room and Shining jumped a little.

“Whose there? Sunburst?” Shining Armor looked up and saw a figure exiting the darkness of a corner.

“Let’s talk… business,” Dusk Heart said with a smile.

A date with an old flame

View Online

“Ugh… wha?” Flash woke up in a bed “Did I fall asleep playing Guitar Hero again?” Flash rubbed his head and stretched his wings… wings…. Wings? WINGS?! When did he get-

“Glad you're awake sleepy guy!” Twinkle said and Flash turned to see a purplish-pink humanoid pony… most people would be more surprised but he’s seen enough pony unusualness to maintain his cool.

“Twinkle… so this… I’m in the pony world?” Flash said.

“Yeppers, you accidentally fell in here when Scootaloo tripped, but now that you're awake we can talk, I remember you wanted to talk about something,” Twinkle said.

“Um… yeah… can I just have a moment to get used to this, I’ve been a human my whole life and humans don’t generally have wings,” Flash said reaching up and grabbing the unusual appendage.

“Understandable, give me a call when you want to talk,” Twinkle said before walking out.

After a few moments, Flash gave a long sigh.

“I wanted to come here and clear the air with her… but not this way, i guess them turning into humans coming to my world it makes sense it works in reverse,” Flash stood up… only to wobble and fall back onto the bed.

“Right… I got hooves now,” Flash said before getting up and trying to balance on his new hooves, he eventually found that extending his wings a little, after getting used to extending them, helped him balance a little better and soon he was taking wobbly steps around the room.

“She makes this look so easy,” Flash commented before he heard a snicker and turned to see a figure sitting atop a bookcase.

“Your like a foal taking its first steps,” Twinkle chuckled.

“How long have you been there?” Flash said.

“I never left, I climbed up here and went invisible,” She said.

“But I saw you leave the… never mind,” Flash said remembering she’s half Pinkie… that’s actually what he wanted to talk to her about.

“Um, Twinkle, can I ask you something?” Flash said turning around carefully.

“Sure!” Twinkle teleported right up to him surprising Flash a little.

“Ah… well,” Flash began “I just want to know…” Flash hesitated knowing that asking if there truly is no way to diffuse her back into Twilight and Pinkie would upset her… so in a moment of hesitance he said something else “Iiiif there’s a place to eat here… I’m a little hungry after crossing a dimensional rift,” Flash mentally facepalmed.

“Sure there is,” Twinkle's face brightened up before grabbing his hand and dragging him out of the room.

“I’ll work up to it eventually,” Flash said internally.

Twinkle dragged Flash out of the castle and he managed to regain his footing.

“Where are we going?” Flash asked.

“To Sugarcube Corner,” Twinkle said as she skipped.

“Sugarcube Corner? You have one here too?” Flash asked to make conversation.

“Yeppers!” Twinkle dragged Flash to the building.

“Seems different here,” Flash said.

“Different yet tasty as ever!” Twinkle giggled and she walked to the door, Flash tried to follow but he was still wobbly on his hooves.

“Oh yeah, here watch me,” Twinkle said before showing him how to properly walk a slow stride.

“I will admit walking as a pony is very different then walking as a human,” Flash said following her walking pattern and he seemed to quickly get the hang of it.

“I can remember Twilight’s times in the human world, just step while balancing on the flat part of the hoof instead of leaning forward with every step,” Twinkle said not caring that others are watching a mare teach a grown stallion how to walk.

Flash seemed a little more sheepish and he quickly tried to get it right, Twinkle could sense this.

“Don’t worry about them, roll with the punches,” Twinkle giggled.

Flash found himself blushing a little when she giggled and he managed to walk up to her.

“See you got it!” Twinkle said cheerfully.

“Yeah, I think I’m getting used to it,” Flash said with a smile.

“Alright, come on in, careful, the tiles are a tad slippery,” Twinkle said as she trotted into Sugarcube Corner and Flash followed… only to slip on the tiles.

“Ow!” Flash grunted.

Twinkle giggled again “Told ya, here, take my hand,” She said reaching for him.

Flash blushed more in embarrassment this time and he took her hand as she helped him up and she helped him to a table.

“Brb!” Twinkle said before skipping away.

“Heh, yeah, okay,” Flash said, sighing when he was sure she was out of hearing range.

“Remember why you came here Flash, you want to talk to her about the future of us…” Flash said to himself.

“Why not accept her as is?” Discord asked.

“Because I don’t know this pony, I know Princess Twilight- huh?” Flash looked up and saw Discord.

“....Uuuh…hi?” Flash said not expecting such a bizarre creature to pop up out of nowhere.

“Oh don’t pretend you don’t know me, you saw my pictures right?” Discord chuckled.

“Not really, just pictures of everything else,” Flash said managing to calm himself.

“Hmm… odd, well what might a human be doing in Equestria that is not canonically supposed to be here?” Discord asked.

“I… fell in on accident,” Flash said.

“Hah! That’s funny, so are you and the resident alicorn on a date or something?” Discord asked.

“I wouldn’t really call it a date, I came here to-”

“Discuss your future with her, I heard, and I beg the question, what do you see your future with her being?” Discord asked.

“...I want to cut things off…” Flash whispered.

“Why on Equus or your planet would you do that?” Discord asked.

“I…I avoided it because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but the longer I stick around the more she’ll miss me, and I’ll miss Twilight, I think it best I end things before they get too complicated between us, and she can move on,” Flash sighed.

“Oh dear, how foolish can you get?” Discord asked.

“Huh?” Flash responded.

“You're going to leave her because she’s no longer a hundred percent the sweet bookworm you knew? Because she’s got Pinkie Pie laced humor now? Your drawing assumptions on how she feels, tell me, do you know what happened between her and her brother?” Discord asked.

“No,” Flash said.

“He rejected her, flat out, basically told her he wants nothing to do with a pony who is only half Twilight, tell me will she be more hurt yearning for a pony who could visit occasionally and keep her company or when another pony she admires turns his back on her? Do tell?” Discord said.

“...” Flash was stunned to hear Shining would reject her like that, he immediately felt guilty he was about to do it to her as well.

“Give this new Twilight a chance,” Discord said.

“...Ok…” Flash nodded “Why are you here anyway?” Flash asked.

“I was out of the story for awhile so I decided to drop in, also I was retrieving a brownie platter for Sweetie Belle at Charity’s request, to celebrate Sweetie becoming and alicorn,” Discord shrugged.

“Gotcha,” Flash said scratching his head.

“Anywhoo toodles, I got to get some brownies, remember what I said,” Discord said before walking away.

“See ya…” Flash said before going back to his thoughts.

Twinkle came back a few minutes later with a milkshake with two straws.

“Sorry I’m late! The twins woke up again and Cheese was slammed cleaning a mysterious stove fire, btw if you wanted to order a carrot cake it may be a tad overcooked,” Twinkle said bouncing into her seat.

“I think I can guess what happened…” Flash thought.

“So! Anything interesting happening with you?” Twinkle asked.

“I turned into a pony,” Flash answered.

“Hahaha! It’s funny because it’s true,” Twinkle giggled taking a sip of her milkshake.

Flash also drank some and decided to ask Twinkle the same thing “You?”

“Well, we discovered an evil former student of Celestia’s is back and is fusing ponies into stronger ponies and is causing havoc in Equestria and it is up to me and my friends to stop him,” Twinkle said.

“...Is that all?” Flash said honestly blown away by what was on her plate “Do we really have time to be lounging around then?” Flash asked.

“Oh don’t worry, the princesses are looking into it!” Twinkle waved him off “And the best part is we got three new alicorns with untapped potential being trained by Luna as we speak!” Twinkle cheered.

Luna ducked a magical bolt that exploded a lamp.

“No no no! You must focus or else the magic will misfire!” Luna said at the end of her rope.

“Sorry…” Apple Bloom said.

“Easy Luna, two of us weren’t magic users before this,” Scootaloo said.

“Yeah, no need to shout,” Sweetie said.

“Back in my day this is how we did it,” Luna said before magically conjuring three more targets “Now aim and fire,” Luna instructed.

“Ok…” The three sighed.

“She’s worse than Mrs Cheerilee on a bad day,” Sweetie whispered.

“Tell me about it,” Scootaloo said as Luna went on with her lecture.

“I’m sure they're having a blast!” Twinkle cheered.

“Nothing really gets your goat does it?” Flash asked as he had some more of the milkshake.

“Not really, when I was Twilight I was such a worry wart, but now, I’m carefree!” Twinkle giggled.

“Heh, I guess so,” Flash chuckled as well “So what else did you gain from the fusion?” Flash asked.

“Stronger magic, Twinkle sense, smarts in more categories, a hunger for waffles, and this!” Twinkle plonked the straw into her mouth and blew so hard that the milkshake flew out of the parfait and landed in her mouth.

“Whoa!” Flash exclaimed.

“Wait till you see this!” Twinkle said before magically flipping the parfait and it landed without breaking.

“Tada!” Twinkle said.

“Wow, that was cool,” Flash complimented.

“Thanks! Now that we’ve eaten let’s fly this coop!” Twinkle said getting up.

“Where are we going? Flash asked.

“Flying silly,”

“What?...” Flash asked.

“Well, I’m an alicorn you're a pegasus, let’s do some flying! I bet you’ve always wanted to,” Twinkle said before teleporting them both outside.

“Whoa!” Flash fell over because he was still in a sitting position.

“Now let’s start testing your wings!” Twinkle said putting an army cap on.

“Uh, Twinkle this is a little sudden, I don’t even know how to operate these,” Flash said getting up.

“No prob, you’ll learn in due time, follow me,” Twinkle said and she skipped away.

Flash sighed “She’s random that’s for sure,” Flash said following her.

Luna sighed as they hit everything… except the targets… she looked out at the burnt land around the targets.

“You must-”

“Focus, we get it, come on, Pone Hedge wasn’t made in a day,” Scootaloo said.

“I am saying that you-” Luna was cut off again as a familiar voice called out to her.

“HIIIII!” Twinkle called.

“Hmm?” They all turned to see Twinkle and Flash approaching.

“Hi Twinkle!” The three fillies called as they ran over to her.

“Perhaps you can take over? I am struggling to convey the instructions as we have not had to teach any new alicorns in so long,” Luna said.

“I’m actually bringing Flash out here to teach him to fly,” Twilight said.

“Can humans not fly where he comes from?” Luna asked.

“No,” Flash responded.

“What an unfortunate thing to hear,” Luna said but before she could continue a soldier approached her.

“Princess, I have an urgent summons,” The guard said.

“Hmm? Urgent?” Luna turned and took the note and saw the writing before her eyes widened and she turned back towards the group.

“This conversation shall continue later, it seems that Shining Armor has found some intel on the situation,” Luna said.

“On what?” Twinkle asked.

“No time, I must leave, take care everypony,” Luna said before walking away.

“Shiny…” Twinkle said as her mane deflated a little.

Remembering what Discord said Flash put his hand on her shoulder.

“Let’s focus on flying,” Flash said to cheer her up.

“Alright,” Twinkle sniffed a little before refocusing on Flash.

“Alright! Let’s get flappin!” Twinkle cheered.

Luna made it to her carriage and got in.

“To the Crystal Empire, and make haste,” Luna said.

“Right away princess,” The guard saluted before closing the door and going to hook himself up.

“This better not be about Twinkle Shining,” Luna said.

The carriage took off and headed… for the south?

“Hmm?” Luna looked out the window and saw they were going in the wrong direction.

“Guards! Where are you going? The Crystal Empire is that way!” Luna called through the window.

“Oh they know, but more importantly, is what you know,” a familiar voice said.

“HUH?!” Luna spun to see the flash of a light.

“And pump it! Really flap those wings!” Twinkle said encouraging Flash who panted as he pumped his new wings, it took him awhile to learn how to properly move them but soon he was flapping them like they were a third and fourth arm… which they kinda were.

“Faster!” Twinkle called.

“I’m trying!” Flash said as he managed to float off the ground a little.

“That’s right! Yer getting it!” AB cheered.

“Try to keep your wings balanced it’s easy to pull something when your not careful!” Scootaloo called.

“Ok!” Flash said and soon he was in the air high enough to see over the rooftops.

“I-I’m doing it!” Flash said sounding amazed.

“Wow! So much quicker than me! Which is a good thing!” Twinkle said flying up to him.

“Yeah, it’s not so hard when you get used to it, this is great!” Flash laughed as he flew higher, Twinkle used her magic to pull him down a little.

“Don’t go too high, your not ready yet, trust me,” Twinkle said.

“Alright, I’m getting a little dizzy from how high up I am right now anyways,” Flash said managing to keep his balance.

“Now follow me,” Twinkle said.

“How do I-”

“I’ll guide you until you get the hang of it,” Twinkle said using her magic to keep him aloft.

“Ok, thanks,” Flash said.

“Bye girls! Go to Charities for a surprise brownie party! You earned it!” Twinkle called before flying off with Flash.

“...Which house!? She has two!” Scootaloo called but they were too far away to hear.

“I guess… we pick one, probably at the cottage,” Sweetie shrugged.

“Onwards then! To brownies!” Apple Bloom called and the three ran off in that direction.

“Whoo hoo!” Flash said as he flew through the sky after Twinkle, little did he know she had relaxed her magical grip awhile ago, he was starting to get used to flying on his own.

“That’s the colt I fell for,” Twinkle chuckled, and she knowingly steered towards a lakeside.

“Um, Twinkle? Why are we heading towards that lake?” Flash asked.

“Surprise!” Twinkle landed and so did Flash and she pointed to a picnic with Cheese sitting there.

“What the? When did you have time to set this up?” Flash asked.

“Back at Sugarcube Corner, me and Cheesie had the idea,” Twinkle said.

“So the stove catching fire was made up?” Flash asked.

“No, we did this first then took care of that,” Twinkle said.

“...Gotcha,” Flash said.

“Hey guys!” Cheese Sandwich waved them over “Got the sparkling water!” Cheese Sandwich said pointing to the bottle in hand.

“Alright! Let’s go!” Twinkle said extending a hand and Flash saw her standing in front of the shimmering lakeside and honestly felt a blush as he took her hand and she guided him to the blanket.

As they sat they looked at eachother and just decided for now to let the moment sink in.

“So… Cheesie here knows about you already, because of the connected sense, but I don’t know if you know Cheesie here,” Twinkle finally said as she took a sip of the sparkling water.

“I don’t know this version,” Flash said.

“Well, then let’s make it official, hi I am Cheese Sandwich, Twinkles first coltfriend,” Cheese Sandwich extended a hand.

“...Coltfriend…Boyfriend, wait are you saying you two are already-” Flash looked surprised but Twinkle put a hand on his shoulder.

“He is my friend who is more than a friend, but I gathered you two here to discuss that,” Twinkle said.

“...So you already have someone…” Flash admittedly felt disappointed but Cheese just lightly punched his arm.

“Yeah, you,” Cheese said.

“What?” Flash said.

“And me!” Cheese added.

“You're not implying-”

“Allow me to explain, Pinkie liked me, Twilight liked you, and now that they are one, we can share, I’m fine with sharing, question is, are you?” Cheese said.

“Your suggesting Polygamny? I…” Flash seemed a little hesitant.

Twinkle seemed a little disappointed he was uncomfortable about the idea, but she acknowledged it was his call.

“Your free to do as you please Flashy, but I was thinking… maybe we could find a way to make it work? I’m not asking you to abandon your human life to live here with me, but, my heart yearns for you just like it yearns for Cheesie here, I can’t help it, so I ask that at least… visit sometime and we could, hang out?” Twinkle suggested trying to find a common ground.

“...I deeply appreciate it Twinkle, really I do, but like you said I can’t leave my life back on earth behind to be a second boyfriend, I care about you, alot, but… I can’t,” Flash sadly said.

Twinkle teared up a little but she nodded understandingly “I understand, it’s actually better we get this out in the open, leaves less yearning in the end,” Twinkle said.

“You… could hook up with the Flash of this world, right? That way you can have what you want with no consequences,” Flash suggested.

“He’s not you though, I’ve met him, as Twilight, he doesn’t play guitar, he’s busy being a Crystal Empire guard and he’s… not you…” Twinkle sobbed and Cheese Sandwich patted her on the back.

“...I appreciate it, but would you be able to handle a long-distance relationship, dimensions wide,” Flash asked.

“No…” Twinkle said.

Flash tried to think of a way but couldn’t, so he gave Twinkle a hug.

“I’m sorry,” Flash said.

“It’s alright, can I at least visit you sometimes?” Twinkle offered.

“Sure,” Flash said.

“C-can I ask something else too?” Twinkle said looking up at him.

“Yeah?” Flash said.

“Before you leave, can I ask you to take me on a-”

“PRINCESS!” A voice called and the three turned to see a guard stumbling towards them.

“Huh?” Cheese said.

“A royal guard? What’s going on?” Twinkle got up and walked over to him “Calm yourself, what’s going on?” Twinkle asked.

The guard seemed out of breath and he tried to explain “Princess Luna… she’s been….” He wheezed.

“Calm down, what’s happening? Luna went to attend an important errand right?” Twinkle asked.

“She’s been kidnapped!” The guard said seriously.

“What?!” Twinkle exclaimed, “How do you know this?” Twinkle said.

“I was going to go grab a snack for the road, but when I came back I saw the carriage taking off and I saw a flash of light, I heard Luna scream,” The guard said.

“We gotta get Spike! He can inform Celestia!” Twinkle said before turning to the other two stallions.

“Cheesie, get Flash back to the mirror, something bad could happen,” Twinkle said before teleporting.

“Got it!” Cheese said folding the picnic up in three seconds and grabbing Flash “Let’s get you home,” Cheese said.

“What’s happening?” Flash asked.

“Whatever it is, Twinkle can handle it, come on!” Cheese said and the rest of the group ran off to the castle.

In the snowy mountains

Dusk approached a cave with several other ponies.

“Sir, what are we going to do once we get there again?” The brown and green pegasus asked.

“We’ll have our key to the second greatest weapon the Box of Celtus has, the means to advance our plans well ahead of schedule, all we needed was an alicorn, and now we have one,” Dusk said glancing back at a certain blue and black alicorn, walking in a daze.

“Alright, Luna, go fetch the Keystone,” Dusk said as they arrived at the cave.

“N…no… I…” Luna seemed to be slowly snapping out of it but Dusk flashed her again with the Lantern of Subjugation.

“Alicorns are surprisingly resilient to the lantern's effects, but hopefully this will keep her going under my control,” Dusk said.

“...Fetch…” Luna said before she walked up to the cave and put her hand on the barrier, she used her magic to bore a hole through it and she walked in and a few minutes later she walked out with a runic stone and handed it to Dusk.

“Yes, now to move forward,” Dusk said opening the Box of Celtus and dropping the stone in, it glowed and a pearl the size of a baseball levitated out.

“Finally… it’s mine, and with it, the manuscripts will be mine as well,” Dusk Heart said before lighting his horn and the pearl floated and glowed.

“I wish to have the Manuscripts of Celtus,” Dusk said and the Pearl suddenly gained a five on it before the five turned into a four before it dimmed and the box shuddered.

Dusk reached in and pulled out old-looking papers with strange writing on them.

“Their mine, at long last, The Wishing Pearl and The Manuscripts of Celtus, with these two objects, Equestria will have only two choices, submit to a new age of prosperity by my hand, or rebuild from the ashes,” Dusk laughed.

The ponies around Dusk cheered and chanted Dusk's name…

…But a tear fell from Luna’s eye.

The situation worsens

View Online

Spike sat down to a candlelit dinner with his crush… or at least a hand-drawn picture of her…

Anyways he toasted to Charity.

“Alright Charity, I want you to know that no matter what happens, I respect and care for you, I know this is sudden but, will you-”

“SPIKE!” Twinkle yelled bursting into Spike’s room and he jumped and looked towards her in surprise.

“...Whaaa?” Twinkle said.

“D-don’t judge… or tell! And ever heard of knocking!?” Spike said blushing.

“Nevermind, We need to get moving!” Twinkle said.

“Why?” Spike asked.

“Luna’s been kidnapped!” Twinkle said, the whole time she’d been talking she was magically writing out a message.

“What?! By who?” Spike got out of his seat and approached Twinkle.

“I’m certain it’s Dusk Heart, we need to tell Celestia ASAP,” Twinkle said handing several messages to Spike.

“Got it… and you won’t tell anypony about what you saw here, right?” Spike asked.

“SPIKE!” Twinkle said.

“Sorry sorry,” Spike said before sending the messages.

“I need to gather the girls,” Twinkle said “Spike you grab Charity and I’ll find Zap,” Twinkle said before teleporting away.

“Well… this was a weird change to my day…” Spike said before running off.

Flash and Cheese entered the mirror room, Cheese moved Flash towards the mirror.

“Cheese, listen! Maybe I can help!” Flash offered.

“Nope, you know nothing prominent about Equestria, you’ll get hurt, and the last thing I want is to break Twinkle’s heart,” Cheese said.

“I can’t stand aside and do nothing, I may not act it all the time but I care alot about her,” Flash said.

“Then make her happy by being safe in the human world,” Cheese said before leaving.

“...I need to be there… at least until I can figure everything out, but I can’t do it alone,” Flash acknowledged before heading into the portal.

Flash stepped through the portal and stumbled when he tried to walk.

“Man that’s annoying, having wings and hooves on one side and neither on the other,” Flash said as he managed to regain his footing and he ran into the school.

Where is she? Sunset said she was studying late,” Flash said before pausing “The library! She always goes there to study!” Flash said before running off to the library and barging in.

“Shh!” The librarian said.

“Sorry,” Flash said as he quietly ran through the library area and looked for his friend.

He eventually found Sunset sifting through a stack of dictionaries.

“Sunset!” Flash said running over to her and ignoring another “Shh!” From the librarian.

“Huh? Flash? Where have you been? I’ve been studying alone this whole time-”

“No time for that, I need your help,” Flash said.

“With what?” Sunset said recognising the urgency in his voice.

“Where do I start…” Flash said.

Starlight and Trixie walked back to the castle and Starlight was reading aloud.

“And in conclusion, Starswirl's greatest works are as follows-”

“And in conclusion, TRIXIE IS DONE FOR THE DAY!” Trixie shouted.

“Come on! We’re about to hit an all-time study session record,” Starlight said as they entered the castle.

“If Trixie has to hear his name one more time she will-” Trixie began but then Twinkle ran up to them.

“Huh?” Starlight turned to see Twinkle there.

“Oh hey, the author finally remembered you two,” Twinkle casually said before noticing the book “Oh hey, is that Starswir-”

“Don’t!” Trixie shouted before storming past Twinkle.

“What’s her problem?” Twinkle asked.

“Overloaded on history books, we’ve been studying on and off alot, what’s up?” Starlight asked.

“Big problems, Luna’s been kidnapped and I need you to accompany me to visit Celestia,” Twinkle said.

“What? Who could kidnap The Princess of the Night?” Starlight said getting serious.

“I’ll tell you about it on the train, c’mon!” Twinkle said running past Starlight who packed her books and followed.

“Where’s Zap?” Twinkle asked.

“Up there,” Starlight pointed to a rainbow blur taking out multiple clouds.

“Doesn’t she have farmwork to do?” Twinkle asked.

“She said she could take care of it after she helps the weather crew fix the skies,” Starlight said.

“I got this,” Twinkle flew up to the darting blur “ZAP! EMERGENCY!” Twinkle hollered.

“Kinda busy t’day! Ah can’t go on adventures right now,” Zap flew up to Twinkle, she was sweating and panting.

“Whoa, you look exhausted, did you even sleep last night?” Twinkle asked.

“No! Ah’m fine! What do ya need?” Zap asked.

“Zap, I’m worried about you,” Twinkle said.

“No need ta worry, ah can get this done in five seconds and then get to work on the farm,” Zap said confidently.

“Well your going to need to take a break,” Twinkle said.

“Ah don’t do-”

“Luna’s been kidnapped!” Twinkle interrupted her.

“...What?” Zap asked.

“Zap we need to get moving, Luna needs us, and so does Celestia,” Twinkle said.

“Alright, ah suppose ah can take a break if that’s what ya need…” Zap acknowledged how serious this was and the two flew to ground level where Starlight was waiting.

“We need to go,” Twinkle said and Starlight nodded and the group headed towards the train station.

When they got there they saw Spike and Charity waiting there,

“Guys!” Twinkle called.

“Spike informed me, I already purchased our tickets and packed our luggage,” Charity said gesturing to the luggage.

“That was quick,” Zap said.

“Celestia sent this while I was at the Boutique,” Spike said handing Twinkle a written note.

It was hastily scrawled but it was clear Celestia wanted them to come in ASAP.

“Come on!” Twinkle said as they went into the train station.

“Ah swear with all the problems goin on these days ah can hardly focus on mah two jobs,” Zap griped as she was sitting on the train.

“You should quit one job so you don’t run yourself ragged,” Charity said.

“Fer the last time, ah’m not a quitter! Ah’d sooner eat mah own stetson than quit,” Zap said.

“Then eat up because even you have limits,” Spike said.

“We’ve been over this, ah don’t do limits,” Zap said.

“You’ll see,” Spike said.

“Guys focus! We wasted too much time with the luggage… why did you need that stuff again?” Twinkle asked.

“Well one must always be prepared when they're about to travel, we’ve done that a lot lately,” Charity said.

“But still, why-”

‘ACHOO!’ a sneeze echoed in the room all of a sudden and everyone jumped a little.

“Who did that?” Spike asked.

“I didn’t,” Charity said.

“Not me,” Twinkle said.

“None of us…” Starlight said before looking around “There’s someone in the car with us,” Starlight said.

“One of Dusk’s spies?” Twinkle asked.

“Let’s find out,” Starlight used her magic to scan for life signs in the room… she found three more than she can see…

And they were in the luggage…

“We’ve got stowaways,” Starlight said levitating the luggage and dumping the CMC onto the ground.

“Ooof!” The three fillies grunted.

“Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo?!” Twinkle said sounding surprised.

“Uh… hi?” AB said sheepishly.

“Should have held it in Sweetie!” Scootaloo scolded.

“Sorry! It’s dusty in there!” Sweetie said as the three alicorns stood up.

“What the hay are you three doing here!?” Zap demanded.

“Um… we wanted to come to Canterlot for the sights and to have fancy food and-” Sweetie tried.

“Truth, now!” Zap demanded.

“...We didn’t want to be left out anymore…” AB said with a bowed head.

“Girls… don’t you remember what happened last time you jumped into an adventure without thinking?” Charity reminded them.

“Uh, yeah, we became alicorns and the most popular kids in school!” Scootaloo said with a smirk.

“Ya almost got erased!” Zap said firmly.

“Oh come on, we’re alicorns now sis, we can handle it,” Apple Bloom said.

“No ya can’t, ah’m flyin ya home when we get there-”

“NO! Ya can’t just boot us off the adventure now,” Apple Bloom said.

“That wasn’t an option!” Zap said getting up.

“But Celestia can teach us things!” Sweetie complained.

“Celestia is goin ta be busy finding her sister,” Zap said.

“An ah don’t wanna be waiting to have ta find you if something goes south,” Apple Bloom said.

“Ah’m not goin ta risk losin you three again, that’s final,” Zap said.

“Forget it! We’re not budging!” Scootaloo said.

[one minute later]

“PUT US DOWN!” AB shouted as Zap held the three under her arms.

“Zap is that necessary?” Charity asked.

“Yes, they’re gonna act like spoiled foals, then they’ll be treated as such,” Zap said.

Charity let it go since she knows Zap won’t budge.

They waited until the train arrived at Canterlot and by then the three fillies had realized they couldn’t struggle out of Zap’s grip.

“This isn’t fair,” Sweetie complained.

“Again, life isn’t fair, and if ah have ta be unfair to protect you three, then so be it,” Zap said.

“Let’s get moving,” Twinkle said and the group made their way to the exit of the train, only to get surprised by guards at the train's exit.

“Hello?” Twinkle said unsure of why their here.

“Princess Twinkle and friends, we have been sent to guide you somewhere to meet the Princess, all of you,” The guard said.

“What’s going on? Ah can’t see!” AB tried to peek around Zap’s arm but she couldn’t reach her head far enough.

“Can ah take a quick flight back ta Ponyville first? Ah have three fillies who need to stay put as told,” Zap said.

“Sure… Wait, Are those the new alicorns?” The guard asked.

“Yeah?” Twinkle replied.

“This works out, Celestia also wanted to set up a meeting with the three new alicorns and wanted Twinkle to set that up eventually, this will save time,” The guard said.

“What?” Zap said surprised.

“Hear that? Put us down already!” Scootaloo demanded.

“No, they should go back where it’s safe,” Zap insisted.

“Sorry, but Celestia’s words are final,” The guard said and Zap sighed and set the girls down.

“Whew! Think mah hoof fell asleep…” AB said rubbing her hooves.

“Glad to be free,” Scootaloo said.

“Where too?” Sweetie asked.

“Follow us to the palace,” the guard said and the group did.

As they walked there the ponies of Canterlot couldn’t help but gawk at the new alicorns.

“So this is what it feels like to be royalty, awesome!” Scootaloo said showing off her new horn proudly.

“Ah admit, it’s fun,” AB said.

“I feel like a real princess!” Sweetie cheered.

“Well don’t get used to it, we’ll find a way to return you three to normal eventually,” Zap said.

“What?!” Sweetie gasped.

“Can you not be a buzzkill,” Scootaloo said.

“Sis you can’t!” AB said.

“Ah’m looking out fer you three, the life of an alicorn is not for you,” Zap said.

“How can you say that?” Scootaloo said.

“Do ya really want to outlive yer friends?” Zap said.

“...” They hadn’t thought of that and they looked down.

“It’s harsh but true,” Zap said.

“...We’ll have eachother,” Sweetie said.

“Yeah, look at it like this, now the CMC can bring their adventures to a new generation!” Scootaloo said.

“Ah-”

“Zap,” Charity said and Zap turned to see her looking at her with disapproval “Let them enjoy it at least, if it get’s fixed fine but don’t rain on their parade,” Charity said.

“...Fine, just bein realistic,” Zap said.

“Children need their dreams and aspirations,” Charity said before the guards alerted them and they found themselves at Canterlot Castle and they entered.

The guards took them through the castle and up to a room where they would find Celestia searching through multiple books, she had bags under her eyes and her mane was a mess.

“Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?...” Celestia muttered.

“Princess,” The guard said and Celestia jumped and looked at the group before setting the book aside.

“Very well done lieutenant, I shall take it from here,” Celestia said straightening her frazzled mane.

“Yes princess,” The guards said before leaving.

“Celestia!” Twinkle ran over to her and hugged her and Celestia hugged back.

“Hello my dear student,” Celestia said.

“What are we going to do? Luna is gone, and we have no means of finding her.” Twinkle asked.

“I know dear, I may have a way but I need to find it first,” Celestia comforted.

“You do?” Twinkle asked.

“Yes, perhaps you can find it since you are so well attuned with books, search for a large red-colored book, any you find, and bring them to me,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Twinkle said before darting off.

“Celestia!” The CMC ran up to Celestia, showing off their new looks.

Celestia chuckled a little despite how tired and nervous she was.

“It is good to see my new three proteges,” Celestia said with a smile.

“Proteges?” Zap asked as she approached.

“Well yes, these three need to learn how to tame their potential,” Celestia said before getting serious “But that is for another time, for now we must locate Luna before something happens to her,”

“Not to distress you, but how do we know she hasn’t been merged by now?” Charity said.

“He wouldn’t, not yet anyways, for two reasons, one he would need to find a suitable fusion partner, and two he would wait until I was there to witness it, if just to get to me,” Celestia said.

“Why does he hate you so?” Charity asked.

“Yeah, he talked nothing but negative about you when we were his prisoners,” Sweetie said.

“...Because I wasn’t there for him when he needed me most,” Celestia turned away from them and walked off.

“What? What do ya mean?” Zap asked.

“Nevermind that, we need to find Twinkle, I suspect she’s found all the red books in this library,” Celestia said.

“Even she-” Spike began

“Celestia! I found all the red books in this library!” Twinkle said coming back with a stack of red books.

“...I’m big enough to admit when I’m wrong…” Spike said after.

“Great work my student,” Celestia said as she levitated all the books out of her arms and laid them out across a table.

“Let’s see,” Celestia looked at each book until she found the right one “Ah, here it is,” Celestia said collecting the book and looking through it.

“What are we looking for?” Spike asked.

“The spell of location, I put one on Luna a long time ago and I can use it to track her,” Celestia said.

“...You what?” Spike said in surprise.

“Ya mean ya chipped yer own sister with a spell?” Zap asked accusingly.

“When you lose a sibling for a thousand years, you get paranoid of what could happen when they return to an unfamiliar world,” Celestia said back.

“And this spell can help us find Luna?” Twinkle asked.

“Yes, sometimes paranoia can keep us prepared,” Celestia said before finding the spell.

“Twinkle, I need you,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Twinkle said approaching.

“I need you to cast this spell and help me center on her location,” Celestia said.

“Got it,” Twinkle grabbed the book and read the spell before she lit her horn and it glowed with a red light.

Celestia looked into the light.

The group traveled across a pathway leading to a ruined town.

“Home… ruined home,” Dusk said with an air of remorse “Had I done something myself instead of relying on the Princess I would have saved my family at least… sadly even the pearl cannot bring back the dead,” Dusk said with a sad tone.

“What are we doing here boss?” A pony asked.

“We are here too-...we’re being watched…” Dusk turned to Luna and leaned into her face.

“Hello Celestia, if you are seeing this, then i don’t need to send a message, this works perfectly, this way you’ll know how serious I am,” Dusk said with a smile before holding out the Manuscript of Celtus and The Wishing Pearl.

“And if you don’t believe me, then watch this…” Dusk said before walking to the city gate and magically activating the pearl again.

“Pearl of wishes, I wish my hometown was back to how it was before the griffons ruined it,” Dusk said and a four appeared on the Pearl before it turned into a three and suddenly the town shook.

And then it began to repair itself by magical means.

Houses rebuilt, devastated streets fixed themselves, in no time at all the town was back to looking habitable again, the difference, no ponies.

“It honestly brings a tear to my eye to see what you failed to protect back to its old glory, but now that you know, I have an advantage, let me fuse as many ponies as I please and I won’t use this,” Dusk held up the manuscript.

“And don’t worry, the main reason I took your sister was to get these, she’s of no use to me now, for now at least, you’ll find her in Trottingham tonight, oh and one more thing,” Dusk said before grabbing Luna’s neck.

“Come near this town, and I’ll show you just how mad I am,” Dusk said before punching Luna down and the vision ended.

“LUNA!” Celestia gasped and stumbled back in horror.

“Celestia!” Everypony ran over to the hyperventilating Princess.

“What happened? What did you see?” Twinkle asked.

“No…Nonono! He wouldn’t use that, he intends to strengthen Equestria, not destroy it!” Celestia exclaimed.

“What?” Zap said.

“Celestia, what did you see?” Charity said.

“...He has it, I feared this, no…” Celestia said before looking to the others “I… need to sit,” Celestia sat down at the table.

“Celestia yer worryin us, what happened?” Zap asked.

“The Manuscript, what possessed him to release that?” Celestia said.

“The Manuscript?” Starlight asked.

“I fear that the situation has grown dire, he is using the most dangerous objects in Equestria history to try and cow us into submission as he does his work,” Celestia said before looking at the group “Everypony, I am afraid that the situation has gone beyond what I can sit idly for,” Celestia said.

“What do we do then?” Zap asked.

“...Nothing,” Celestia sighed sadly.

“What?” Twinkle said in shock.

“What do ya mean nothin?!” Zap exclaimed.

“If we test his dedication to his threat, if fear many lives will be lost,” Celestia said.

“Celestia, we can’t give up, he’s out there fusing ponies against their will, we need to do something,” Twinkle said.

“I need to do something, you all are dismissed from this case,” Celestia said.

“What?” Twinkle said in surprise.

“I cannot let you all risk your lives when he has the Manuscript in hand, I must play it carefully from here on,” Celestia said.

“B-but Celestia-” Sweetie said.

“My decision is final,” Celestia said before taking her leave.

“CELESTIA!” Twinkle called after Celestia, who paused.

“Please, let us help,” Twinkle said.

“...I am sorry, but I am not losing anymore students or friends, this is my demon to face,” Celestia said before teleporting.

“Celestia!” Twinkle called and tried to follow but Charity stopped her.

“Charity! Let me go!” Twinkle said.

“No, we’re going to leave,” Charity said.

“You mean give up?” Twinkle demanded.

“No, regroup, Celestia knows this threat better than we do, it is best we help in our own way rather than rush blindly in,” She said.

“...” Twinkle just looked down and began to sniff.

“C’mere,” Zap hugged Twinkle as she cried and the others joined in on the hug.

“And that’s what happened,” Flash Sentry finished.

“...Wow… lots of things have been happening in Equestria since I was last there,” Sunset said.

“I need your help Sunset, Twinkle needs our help,” Flash said.

“No offense Flash but you know next to nothing about Equestria, rushing in blindly could get us killed,” Sunset said.

“Sunset, please… I may have given up on Twilight, but I can’t leave knowing they're fighting the tough fight without me,” Flash said.

“You say you’ve given up on Twilight but it’s clear you’ve gained a new perspective on Twinkle, no offense Flash but this isn’t your world at stake, leave it to me to do this,” Sunset said.

“...I’ve sat on the sidelines for too long, our friends need us,”

“Are you determined to save Equestria or Twinkle?” Sunset asked, and Flash looked shocked but immediately looked down.

“I don’t know anymore…” Flash said solemnly.

“...Alright then,” Sunset got up and Flash looked up at her in surprise.

“Ready to save your girlfriend?” Sunset asked.

“She’s…. Yes,” Flash said taking her hand and they ran off ignoring another ‘Shhh!’ from the exasperated librarian.

The group got off the train back at Ponyville.

“Ah’m headin back to the farm, ya’ll let me know when you get more info on Dusk,” Zap said.

Twinkle still looked sad.

“Don’t be sad Twinkle, we learned valuable info and we know the situation more clearly, we got this,” Starlight said.

“I guess,” Twinkle said before hugging her.

“Let’s get moving, we have alot of studying to do,” Starlight said before heading off with Spike in tow.

“Come along girls, you can sleep over at my house for the night, if that is alright with you Zap?” Charity said.

“It is,” Zap said.

“See you tomorrow then sis!” AB said.

“See ya,” Zap said before leaving.

Zap walked back to the farmhouse, as she walked she remembered the way the Princess reacted to the news about some Manuscript, it’s odd for the Princess to lose her composure like that, whatever it was must have been really shocking, she was expecting a few days stay in Canterlot but it was only a few hours, was the situation really so dangerous that she had to send them home early?

“Things have been confusin lately, ah wonder if ah’ll ever get normalcy back,” Zap wondered before reaching the farmhouse.

At least things’ll be normal at home, right?

Wrong...

She got home to an unusual guest.

“Bulk?” Zap said in surprise.

“Huh? Oh hey Zap Apple!” Bulk said as he got up from the chair he was sitting in and walked over.

“Uh’m, what are ya doin here?” Zap asked.

“I came over to visit you but you weren’t here so I asked Granny here if I could crash here, until you came back” Bulk said.

“Uh, cool, why did ya need to see me?” Zap asked.

“Well…. I was… hoping we could…. Go workout together… and then get a protein shake together,” Bulk said nervously.

“Ah appreciate it Bulk, but ah have concerns regarding the current events of Equestria… maybe another-” Zap was cut off by Granny Smith hobbling over to join the conversation.

“Now now, you young’ns need this, ah say go an have that date,” Granny Smith said.

“D-date?” Zap blushed.

“I-I don’t wanna intrude,” Bulk stammered.

“Zap, ah’m sayin you’ve been nearly workin yerself into the ground lately, ah want ya to relax with this kind colt,” Granny all but ordered.

“But Granny, ah got alot of work, don’t have time fer romance-” Granny whacked her on the head with her walking stick “Ow!” Zap said rubbing the sore spot.

“None of that missy, ya may be willing to ignore yer friends concerns but not mine, treat yerself,” Granny said.

“...Yes Granny,” Zap sighed.

“YEAH! Trust me, you won’t regret it,” Bulk said before taking his leave, when he was gone Granny turned to her granddaughter.

“Ya seem like yer forcin yerself, ya know ya like him,” Granny Smith said.

“He’s just a friend Granny, ah’m a confident mare who doesn’t fall fer others that easily,” Zap said proudly.

“Yer confidence sounds more like arrogance,” Granny muttered before walking away, many years have taught her though…

She can sense that perhaps she’ll get those grandfoals someday.

Twinkle, Starlight and Spike entered the castle and saw Trixie laying in the main room sleeping.

“Has she been there this whole time?” Spike asked.

“Probably,” Starlight said “Let’s gather our notes for tomorrow, if we can find anyway to help Celestia whether she likes it or not we’re helping,” Starlight said.

“Ok,” Twinkle said as the group went upstairs.

“I’ll help the best I can,” Spike said.

As they made it up the stairs they suddenly heard a loud thud.

“Huh?... did you two hear that?” Starlight said cautiously.

“Yeah, think we have a burglar?” Spike asked.

“Or something else, my Twinkle sense is telling us to be ready,” Twinkle said.

“Ok,” The group made their way to the upper floor and approached when the sounds are coming from and they found it came from the mirror room.

“Ok, three, two, one… GO!” Twinkle and the others jumped in ready to defend themselves….

Only to find Sunset standing over by the mirror and Flash was on the floor.

“Darn it, this is hard to get used to- uh… hi?” Flash said upon noticing they had company.

“Flash? Sunset? What are you two doing here?!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“Flash was worried about you and brought me along to help,” Sunset said.

“You… were worried about me?” Twinkle asked looking a little surprised.

“...Yes, I didn’t think you’d be back so soon though, I was going to surprise you,” Flash said managing to get to his hooves.

“Flash… no, you have to go back, I can’t risk something happening to you,” Twinkle said firmly.

“Twinkle, like it or not, I’m here to help, I am tired of being on the sidelines,” Flash said walking a little shakily over to her.

“Flash… I’m trying to protect you,” Twinkle said.

“And I want to protect you,” Flash said.

“You said it yourself, we can’t be together because of our separate worlds,” Twinkle said.

“I don’t care if that is the case, I… I can feel it, I need to be here,” Flash said.

“...Flash…” Twinkle began crying again and Flash hugged her.

“Um… should we-”

“No, give them time,” Sunset said honestly happy for them before walking over to Starlight.

“Can you fill me in on what we’re expecting?” Sunset asked.

“Ok,” Starlight said before walking out of the room with her, leaving the two to their embrace.

As the CMC lay to their rest in their sleeping bags Charity walked over to each of them and gave them a kiss on the cheek.

“Goodnight Darlings, I will be in the workshop with Angel if you need anything,” Charity said before taking her leave “Do... you want a bedtime song?” She asked.

“C’mon Chares, we’re not kids anymore,” Scoots said waving her off.

“Ok then, goodnight,” Charity said with a smile before leaving.

As the three lay down, they thought about their situation.

“Hey girls?” Scoots asked.

“Yeah?” The other two responded.

“...What Zap said the other day is still bothering me a little… I didn’t think of it before but… will we really outlive everyone? Now that were… y’know,” Scootaloo asked.

“.... ah don’t know, but ah do know that if ah’m immortal now, at least it’s with you two,” AB said.

“Aww thanks Apple Bloom,” Sweetie said.

“Yeah, that means alot,” Then the three raised their fists.

“CMC forever!” They cheered before going to sleep.

As they slept a glow suddenly overtook them and a bright flash occurred in the room.

“Alright Angel dear, I hope you like this new winter coat I stitched you,” Charity said as she set him down on the mirror pad.

Angel merely looked miffed and embarrassed…

“Oh you look so cute, darling! Wait here, I am getting a camera,” Charity said walking off only to hear a loud noise coming from upstairs and a bright light flashing from upstairs.

“Huh? Girls?” Charity said confusedly and she walked up the stairs and peeked in their room.

“Pardon me girls, what was that nois- HUH?!” Charity jumped in surprise as she saw a single pony in the room.

The same alicorn that Dusk fused the CMC into, only something was different, she looked at Charity in surprise.

“Sw-Sweetie Belle? Apple Bloom? Scootaloo?...” Charity asked in shock.

“...This is awkward….” The alicorn said.

Celestia teleported to Trottingham, atop a specific roof, she knew this would be the one, after all it’s one of the places he hung out back in the day, she looked around and saw a glint in the darkness.

“Come out,” Celestia said.

“Very well Princess Celestia,” A hooded Dusk said as he walked out of the darkness with an unconscious Luna in hand.

“Let her go,” Celestia said.

“Is that an order or a request?” Dusk snarked.

“It is a demand,” Celestia said firmly.

“Ok, but only because I have no further use for her at this time,” Dusk said grabbing her with a green tendril of magic and chucking her at Celestia.

“Luna!” Celestia caught her before turning a baleful look at Dusk.

“Oh why the look? I would think we’d be on the same page, we both want to improve Equestria,” Dusk asked.

“I wish to do it through peace and harmony! You do it through force and manipulation!” Celestia said.

“At least my way gets the job done faster, and prepares Equestria for its darkest hours,” Dusk said.

“Your forcibly fusing ponies against their will! You may as well be killing them!” Celestia said setting Luna down and staring down Dusk.

“Again with this? Equestrians are the weakest race and it’s your fault Celestia, their too complacent, too used to you and those six taking care of everything, when I am done, everypony will be able to defend themselves, and the tragedies of the past will never happen again, if I have to wipe Equestria to half the population to pull this off, then so be it,” Dusk said.

“I had hoped you had grown from this madness, but it is clear you refuse to see anything from another's standpoint,” Celestia said.

“Why should I? When I did I lost everything, because I relied on you, because I didn’t take matters into my own hands, because I was weak, now, I am the strongest,” Dusk said.

“You-” Celestia took a step forward but he held up the Manuscript.

“Don’t test me, I have nothing to lose, unlike you,” Dusk said before turning to leave.

“STOP!” Celestia cried and he paused “You can’t be truly thinking of unleashing the darkness that plagued Equestria in ancient times! If you wish to bring your own version of harmony why threaten the use of Celtus?” Celestia asked.

“...goodbye for now Celestia, you’ll see my work on the news soon,” Dusk said taking his leave through a portal.

Celestia fell to her knees and punched the ground.

“Curse it all…” Celestia said.

Dusk exited the portal and stood before a random town.

“Time to initiate, the next step,” Dusk said before bringing out the Wishing Pearl.

“Wishing Pearl, I wish to enhance my fusion magic to its maximum potential,” Dusk said and the pearl glowed and the three became a two.

Dusk glowed green and he held out his hands before dozens of green tendrils emerged from them.

“Let us begin the experiment…” Dusk said with a smile.

Problems and solutions

View Online

“G-girls?!” Charity cried in shock.

“Look Charity I think I know what happened! Just please calm down,” The alicorn got up and approached.

“I-I… ok…” Charity took a deep breath and looked at the new pony cautiously.

“I think I materialized when the CMC slept so close to each other, it must have triggered the fusion magic still inside them,” She said.

“B-but what about Sweetie Belle? And Apple Bloom and Scootaloo?” Charity asked.

“They’re still in my head… I think I can hear them, something must still be wrong, but regardless my consciousness must have developed when the magic was drawn from the CMC as they were forcibly separated,” She said.

“How do you know?” Charity asked.

“I don’t know… it seems that I may be a product of the fusion magic, a fourth personality,” She said.

“How do you turn back?” Charity asked.

“Gee, tired of me already?” She snarked but she quickly looked guilty when Charity looked upset to hear that.

“Sorry sorry, the Scootaloo side of my personality seems to like mouthing off…” She said.

“It’s fine,” Charity said.

“We should visit Twinkle, she may know how to separate me, if there’s a way,” She said.

“Not to say that I don’t like you but I really want my sister back,” Charity sniffled.

“Hey hey,” She hugged Charity “We’ll figure this out,” She said.

“Ok… so… do you have a name?” Charity asked.

“I… don’t… wait… their talking…” The alicorn seemed distracted.

“What are they saying?” Charity asked.

“Their suggesting names… hmm… I like that one…” She mumbled.

“What did they suggest?” Charity asked.

“Audacia, the spirit of taking bold risks, it defines them well,” Audacia chuckled.

“Yes, well, I suppose we should get moving,” Charity suggested.

“Not tonight, I need time to think these strange thoughts over, I’ll be more mentally stable tomorrow,” Audacia said.

“Ok…” Charity didn’t want to admit it out loud but she really wanted Sweetie Belle back.

“Goodnight,” Audacia said and she walked back into the room.

“Ok…” Charity said walking back downstairs.

Twinkle didn’t know how long she stayed in Flash’s embrace but they eventually parted and made their way to where Sunset and Starlight were.

“As they entered they saw the two looking through books and they already had set up a good few stacks.

“Oh hey lovebirds, finally done cuddling?” Sunset remarked.

“We were just happy to see eachother, but now we can focus on the problem at hand.” Twinkle said.

“I’m afraid I won’t be much help here,” Flash said disappointedly.

“It’s fine,” Twinkle said before making her way over to Starlight.

“Ok, here’s what we found so far, on old Equestria history,” Starlight said.

“There are multiple mentions of manuscripts that was mentioned, but the most troubling one is this,” Starlight said showing a picture of a few sheets of paper depicted on the page.

“What is it?” Flash asked.

“It’s called the Manuscript of Celtus,” Starlight said.

“Tell us about it,” Twinkle said.

“Take a seat this will take a while,” Starlight said and the two did.

“The Manuscripts aren’t just a paper, they're a prison…” Starlight began “A prison for an ancient deity-like creature named Celtus, long ago when these lands were first populated by the settlers that would label this place Equestria there was a creature that everypony feared, a giant monster named Celtus, it could take the appearance of different animals and had no definite form. It laid waste to the pony settlements and caused mass destruction, nothing could stop it, nothing except an unlikely hero…” Starlight said.

“Go on,” Sunset said.

“...Grogar,” Starlight said.

“The ancient necromancer? He stopped Celtus?” Twinkle said sounding surprised.

“It wasn’t out of any goodwill, he did it so he could take over the pony tribes, so he created the manuscripts to seal the monster away forever and cast the papers away, Celestia and Luna must have somehow stumbled across them and decided to seal them away in the magic box known as the Box of Celtus along with other dangerous objects that could threaten the balance and safety of Equestria, if the manuscript was ever read aloud, Celtus would be free to lay waste to Equestria again.” Starlight finished.

“That… is bad, no wonder Celestia was so scared…” Twinkle said.

“So this guy can just cut Celtus loose anytime he wants?” Flash asked.

“Anytime… makes sense why Celestia wanted to handle this alone, he basically holds Equestria on a string, and he can snip it anytime he wants,” Starlight said.

“What if even he’s hesitant to do so?” Flash asked.

“What do you mean?” Sunset asked.

“If what I heard is true this guy is trying to help Equestria, in some twisted way, but why would he risk destroying it? Sounds counterintuitive,” Flash said.

“You believe he’s bluffing?” Sunset said.

“I don’t know the guy so I can’t say for sure, but it’s something to consider,” Flash offered.

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense, but still approaching him is too dangerous, if he’s serious we could inadvertently be the reason many lose their lives,” Sunset said.

“Then we gotta think of a way to get those manuscripts away from him,” Twinkle said.

“Without ending up fused or a puppet,” Starlight added.

“We gotta do our best to learn about the Box of Celtus and what it contains,” Sunset said.

“Then we pull an allnighter,” Twinkle cheered.

“No, we’ll start tomorrow,” Sunset said.

“What? Why?” Twinkle said.

“Because we want to be awake and alert in case a situation comes on, according to the others, lots of things have been going on lately, we start first thing in the morning,” Sunset said.

“But-”

“No buts, come on, the sooner we get to bed the better,” Starlight said.

“Ok…” Twinkle said as they walked out into the castle.

“Is it ok if I crash here for the night?” Sunset asked.

“Sure,” Twinkle said.

“Thanks, I know where the bedrooms are, g'night,” Sunset said looking at Flash and smiling before leaving.

“And I will be off as well,” Starlight waved them off and walked away as well.

“Well… I guess I’m crashing here tonight as well if that’s alright?” Flash said blushing a little.

“Yeah, that’s… fine,” Twinkle said blushing as well.

“Do… you know where the bedrooms are? I don’t know this place like Sunset does,” Flash asked.

“R-right this way,” Twinkle awkwardly said leading him to a room, they took some turns and made their way to one of the many bedrooms, as they went Flash could see Twinkle was struggling to say something.

“Are you ok Twinkle?” Flash asked.

“Y-yeah!” Twinkle just wanted to say it but she was too nervous, too shy… before Flash hugged her surprising her.

“You… want to sleep in the same room?” Flash asked.

“...Yes…” She said.

“Alright, lead the way,” Flash said, and with That Twinkle led the way to her bedroom.

No explicit things… just cuddling… maybe…

Elsewhere a high-five occurred between Sunset and Starlight.

They entered the bedroom and Twinkle walked over to the bed.

“Well, here we are, mi casa es Centelleo,” Twinkle said nervously.

“Glad to be here… mind if I use the restroom real quick before I go to bed?” Flash asked.

“Ok, over there,” Twinkle said pointing to the bathroom and Flash nodded before heading in there.

“He… just wants to sleepover… that’s all,” Twinkle said.

Flash splashed water on his face.

“What was I thinking…?... She probably thinks I want to… do that…” Flash said before shaking his head before looking at himself in the mirror.

He still wasn’t used to being in a pony body, especially the snout, he felt it and then extended his wings, it was odd… like having a second pair of arms.

And the hooves, and having fur, it was still all so new to him.

If he’s going to be of any help to the others however, he’s going to have to learn how to use them.

He eventually decided to exit the bathroom and saw Twinkle still staring at a wall.

“Twinkle?” Flash asked.

“Huh? Oh hey,” Twinkle said before scooting on the bed and sitting on the other side, and patting the bedside.

Flash nodded and sat down before getting under the covers as well and the two laid there, more or less contemplating.

“Flash?” Twinkle eventually asked.

“Yeah?” Flash asked.

“Can you sleep?” Twinkle asked.

“No…” Flash said.

“Well, I can’t either… m-maybe if we cuddle we’ll get comfortable enough?” She asked.

“S-sure,” Flash stuttered and he rolled over and hugged her close.

She hummed as she felt his warmth envelop her.

“Is that better?” He asked.

“Yeah…” She said with a smile.

They lay like that for at least several minutes before Twinkle spoke again.

“Flash? Still awake?” Twinkle asked.

“Mhmm…” He said.

“....We’re beating around the bush aren’t we?...” Twinkle sighed.

“Yes…” Flash replied and Twinkle sat up and faced him.

“Flash… I love you, I really do… but…” Twinkle said hesitantly.

“But?” Flash responded worriedly.

“I feel like… I want more, of you, I want you Flash, and we can’t… because you have a life back on Earth and I’m a princess, I have two lives I’m trying to fill… but… is that what I want?...” Twinkle said looking down, Flash seeing this sits up as well and hugged her.

“I feel the same, and it’s true, I have a life back home on Earth, but I don’t want to lose you either… maybe… just one night however…” Flash said.

“Y-yeah?” Twinkle said.

“We can forget all that, and share what we can,” Flash said looking her in the eye.

“Oh Flash…. Nothing would make me happier,” She said before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a passionate kiss.

The two hugged eachother and fell back onto the bed.

Cheese was cleaning some dishes when his mane bounced a few times and he looked through a window at the castle and smiled.

“It’s about time,” Cheese said with a grin before resuming.

Flash was on top of Twinkle kissing her with a passion, they felt in that moment, complete.

Twinkle ran her hands along his muscles and found the bottom of his shirt.

Flash paused.

“Are you sure?” Flash asked.

“I want this Flash, please,” She asked.

“How far?” Flash asked.

“I don’t care,” Twinkle whimpered.

They resumed kissing to their hearts content.

Zap woke up with a yawn, worktime was approaching and she had no intention of slacking.

As Zap did her daily early morning routine she exited the bathroom and walked up to a terrarium containing her second pet besides Winona.

“Tank, wakey wakey!” Zap called and Tank sluggishly exited his cave, honestly Rainbow Dash was an early bird but this mare was a much earlier bird…

Zap proceeded to deposit the food into his terrarium and he ate it.

“Alright, t’days the day, ah’m a mare of mah word, and after this silly little date, ah can get back to workin!” Zap said confidently.

Tank rolled his eyes and went back into his cave.

Zap went downstairs and said good morning to Big Mac.

“Howdy Mac,” Zap said.

“G’mornin,” Mac said and he finished the hay pancakes and brought them over to the table.

“Ah more than that, this gal has an appetite,” Zap chuckled.

“Ya get what ya get,” Mac said.

“Alright, guess ah’m gettin ta eat out after this anyways,” She shrugged.

“Yer gonna give him a chance right? Not just half flanking the date and go right back ta work?” Big Mac asked.

“Ah don’t half flank anything, and yes ah plan to get back ta work afterwards, ah got two full-time jobs,” Zap said.

“Zap, ya need ta-”

“Oh no, not gettin this speech no more, ah’m doin what ah do best and that’s crush what ponies can’t normally do,” Zap said firmly.

“One of these days you’ll be humbled, ah hope,” Mac said before walking away.

“Ah am humble, just in mah own way!” Zap yelled after him before sighing and walking out of the house and approaching some trees “Didn’t say ah couldn’t warm up,” Zap said before resuming her punchout with the trees.

Sunset walked up to Twinkle's room with Starlight and Starlight had an expression of mild amusement while Sunset looked troubled.

“I will admit, it all happened like I had hoped,” Starlight said.

“Yeah…” Sunset said.

“What’s wrong?” Starlight asked.

“I… back at Camp Everfree, in my world Flash had promised to move on from Twilight, but now I can see that was more to convince me than himself…” Sunset said.

“You liked him too didn’t you?” Starlight asked.

“Yeah… but I can see now his heart will always belong with Princess Twilight… or Twinkle now,” Sunset said.

“Don’t let it ruin your mood, let’s go check on them,” Starlight said.

“Ok,” Sunset said.

They cracked open the door to Twinkle's room and saw the two laying in bed, cuddled and sleeping peacefully.

Sunset sighed and turned around.

Starlight closed the door and turned to Sunset “Don’t worry, as the humans say, there’s plenty of birds in the sky,” Starlight said.

“It’s fish in the sea,” Sunset said walking away.

“Erm… yeah that, look, I’m sure Flash understands what was said back at your camp but… we can’t help who we fall for,” Starlight said.

“I know, come on,” Sunset said walking on but suddenly a loud knocking occurred and they looked at eachother.

“Were we expecting somepony?” Starlight asked.

“No,” Sunset said and the two walked down to the main lobby and approached the doorway.

They opened the door and saw a hooded pony standing there.

“Huh?!” They both lit their horns in defense, having been warned of a hooded pony.

The pony immediately held up his hands.

“Look out!” Starlight said.

“Wait wait! It’s me!” The figure pulled down his hood revealing he was Shining Armor.

“Huh? Prince Shining Armor?... What are you doing here?” Starlight asked.

“Yeah, and what do you need?” Sunset asked rather hotly.

“Sunset, calm down, I know you are upset with him but nothing can be gained from getting in a fight,” Starlight said.

“I know… just, what Twinkle told me he said to her…” Sunset took a deep breath but still looked at him disapprovingly.

“What are you here for?” Sunset asked.

“I am here to see Twinkle,” Shining Armor said.

“To what?” Sunset said.

“Do I need a reason to see family?” Shining asked getting a little miffed by her attitude.

“Now you consider her family-” Sunset was about to shout at him but Starlight got in her way.

“Sunset, go cool off, I got this,” Starlight said firmly.

“...Fine…” Sunset said taking her leave.

“Thanks,” Shining said.

“I’m no happier to see you but if your reasons of visiting are to mend fences then fine,” Starlight said.

“I know, I was out of line when I last saw her, I see that now, so please, can I have alone time with her? To talk,” Shining asked.

“...Ok, but don’t hurt her again please,” Starlight said and she walked away with Shining following her, after a while she continued “I’ll just have to wake her and Flash up-”

“Flash? Is his last name Sentry?” Shining asked.

“Yeah, um… you can wait in a room and I’ll go… fetch them… from their separate rooms,” Starlight lied.

“...Something isn’t right,” Shining marched past Starlight.

“Wait! It’s not what you think!” Starlight said and Shining ignored her and reached Twinkle's room and opened the door.

“Twinkle we need to…talk?” Shining saw Flash and Twinkle in the bed and they both woke with a start.

“Huh?” Flash said groggily.

“Shining?!” Twinkle covered up a little, Shining looked to see a couple of shirts and a bra on the ground nearby and he looked at Flash with growing frustration.

“Lieutenant Flash Sentry, explanation, now,” Shining demanded.

“Lieutenant?” Flash questioned.

“Shining I can explain-” Twinkle began but Shining glared at her before calming down.

“Nevermind, I’ll expect a written report why you bedded with a princess and the pony who’s one-half my sister without my knowledge or permission when you get back to the empire,” Shining said before turning to Twinkle.

“And you, I want a private chat ASAP, we… need to clear some things up,” Shining said before closing the door.

“...What just happened?” Flash asked.

“I forgot to mention my brother is the prince of the Crystal Empire and you're one of his guards here, oopsie,” Twinkle chuckled.

“Ah…” Flash said knowing his pony counterpart could be in deep doodoo right now.

Zap had just finished punching two apple trees with her powerful fists when she heard tiny wings flapping and she turned to see Bulk Biceps landing.

“Hmm?” Zap turned to see the muscular pegasus standing there.

“Hey! Ready for our date?” Bulk asked.

“In a bit there’s a few more-” Zap paused and saw Granny staring at her from a window tapping her walking stick into her hand.

“...minutes until we get moving, let me just get ready,” Zap said before hurrying into the farmhouse.

Honestly despite being a supermare Granny still knew how to instill fear and respect….

After a while Zap exited with a gym bag.

“Alright YEAH! Let’s hit the gym,” Bulk said.

“Right away?” Zap asked as they walked.

“Yeah! We’re gonna lift until we pass out!” Bulk said.

“Ah’d rather try an get this date movin,” Zap said.

“I know you got a bunch of chores but when you get the chance to have fun, take it don’t shirk it! Just like Uncle Twenty-four Tons always said… or was it Aunt Twenty Tons?... these quotes always get a little mixed up,” Bulk admitted.

Zap chuckled a little “Whatever ya need, but ah got lots ta do, we’re supposed to get a storm tonight, so ah can’t stick around all day,” Zap said.

“You don’t stop overworking your gonna work yourself into the ground, live life a little,” Bulk said.

“Even yer givin me this spiel?” Zap sighed.

“Ah forget about it, let’s race there as a warm-up!” Bulk said taking to the air.

“Now we’re talkin!” Zap said taking to the air as well.

“Ready set GO!” Bulk flew forward at a decent speed… before Zap blazed past him and was already there waiting for him, when he got there he was surprised.

“Wow! Your even faster than Rainbow!” Bulk said.

“Hah! No sweat!” Zap said.

“YEAH! Your awesome!” Bulk said.

“Yeah, thanks fer bein a good sport about it,” Zap said.

“No prob, alright, let’s go in and work out like crazy!” Bulk said and he walked in there with Zap following.

They approached the pony manning the counter a surprisingly skinny-looking stallion.

“Huh? Oh hey! Our best customer! And I see you brought a plus one,” He said.
.
“YEAH! She’s my girlfriend, isn’t she hot?” Bulk said.

“Uhm… we havn’t gotten that far yet,” Zap clarified.

“Well I heard what happened, Rainbow and Applejack occasionally visited, so I guess I can ring you up under Rainbow’s card for now,” the skinny stallion said and Zap thanked him before they moved on to the dressing rooms.

“Ah’ll go get mah workout outfit on,” Zap said and she entered the mare's dressing room.

“I’ll wait out here I suppose,” Bulk said.

Zap took off her clothes and set them in a locker, she was about to put on her sports bra and shorts, when she saw herself in the mirror and she paused.

Zap honestly hasn’t looked in a mirror that often since her birth from the merging of Applejack and Rainbow, probably because she felt guilt about them.

She had to admit, her muscles made her a force to be reckoned with and her green coat did complement her a bit…

This brought up another part of her she didn’t want to admit, to be seen as something other than a she-brute, she wanted to be… wanted, seen as a mare by somepony not just a musclebound pony.

She wanted love…

But she had too much work to pursue love… she did…

“Best ah just keep our relationship professional,” Zap said before getting her outfit on and walking out to Bulk who wolf-whistled.

“Wow, and I thought you were pretty before,” Bulk said.

Zap found herself blushing a little “Stop making a scene,” She murmured.

“You like it,” Bulk chuckled as he walked away.

“No ah don’t,” Zap said and he did and soon they were in the workout area, after doing their stretches they approached the barbells and dumbbells.

“Alright! Let’s get pumpin!” Bulk said and he walked over to the dumbbells and grabbed two fifty-pound ones and began lifting them.

“Ya’ll only lift fifty?” Zap asked.

“No, their my warm-up set, I lift much more,” Bulk said as he threw punches at the air with the dumbbells still in hand.

“Ah see, how about this?” Zap walked over and grabbed a barbell and loaded it with several dozen pounds on both sides and began lifting it over her head with one hand.

“Oh it’s on!” Bulk said liking a challenge and he picked up a bigger set and lifted it.

Zap found herself giggling and she lifted a bigger set then him.

Ponies from around the gym were gathering to see the two having a lift-off.

Soon they had the Barbell’s completely stacked and were seeing who could lift it over their heads longer.

“G-gettin real hard now ain’t it?” Zap asked.

“N-no!” Bulk said.

Eventually, they both had to set it down, mainly because the other wasn’t giving up and they wanted to conserve their stamina.

“What next?” Zap asked honestly having a bit of fun.

“What isn’t?” Bulk asked

“Ain't that the truth,” Zap said.

Next, they went on the treadmill and ran for an hour or two.

“Ah gotta admit, working out this hard is fun,” Zap said, the sweat matting her sports bra.

“Stick with me and we’ll be pumping iron till we pass out,” Bulk said equally sweaty.

“Ya seem ta be quite determined ta work yerself into the ground like this,” Zap pointed out.

“Could say the same for you,” Bulk said.

“What does that mean?” Zap asked.

“You work two long and hard jobs, why not enjoy life?” Bulk asked.

“Ah swear-” Zap sighed but Bulk interrupted.

“I’m just saying,” Bulk said before they got off the treadmills, they went over to several machines and had a fun workout session overall.

At the end of it they went and took showers before exiting the gym.

“Have fun you two!” The skinny stallion waved as they exited.

“Same to you Bulky Triceps!” Bulk said.

“...Wait… his name is Bulky Triceps?” Zap questioned.

“Yeah, he’s my cousin, didn’t I mention that?” Bulk asked.

“But… he’s… skinny,” Zap said not sure whether or not she should laugh at the irony.

“Don’t make fun of him please, he’s self-conscious about being the second wimpiest pony in the family,” Bulk whispered to her.

“...He’s only second?” Zap chuckled.

“...Yes, right behind my grandma, who has an eating disorder,” Bulk said looking a little offended.

“...Ah…sorry…” Zap said feeling ashamed.

“It’s fine, you didn’t know,” Bulk said.

“Well, ah admit this was fun Bulk, we should do it again, soon, but now ah gotta get home to start mah chores,” Zap said.

“What? We aren't done,” Bulk pointed out.

“What? We’re not?” Zap asked.

“Yeah, now that we’re wall worked out, it’s time to replenish!” Bulk cheered “Follow me,” Bulk said walking away.

Zap sighed “Ah’m a mare of mah word…” Zap said following him.

Zap and Bulk made their way and paused by Sugarcube Corner, ignoring a hooded pony talking to Cheese Sandwich.

“Alright we’re here!” Bulk said sitting down.

“Ah’m not a diet expert but ain’t havin sugar after working out a bad idea?” Zap asked.

“Yeah, which is why we’re getting my special!” Bulk said before waving over Mr Cake.

“Hey Bulk, your usual?” Mr Cake asked.

“Make that two! One for me and one for her?” Bulk said.

“Ok,” Mr Cake said jotting down the order and walking away.

“What’s the usual?...” Zap asked.

“A special concoction that helps keep your bulk bulky and your energy high!” Bulk said.

“So… A protein shake?” Zap asked.

“Not just any, I call it, The Fuel!” Bulk said proudly.

Zap chuckled “Ah can try that,” She said and not long after they got the drink.

It was green as Zap was with fizz and fruit chunks in it.

“Alright! Down the hatch!” Bulk said downing the drink.

“Ah’ll take a sip,” Zap said before taking a sip.

It was a weird concoction, it tasted like soda, but it had a creamy texture and the fruit added flavor where it was needed.

She rather liked it!

“Ahh, not bad,” Zap said.

“You bet! Take a swig, then you really feel it,” Bulk said.

“Mk, but ah better not get any kind of addiction to this stuff,” Zap joked.

“No worries,” Bulk waved it off.

Zap swung her head back and drank a bunch.

It felt like her tired body was shot back to full strength!

“Whoa! What is this?” Zap asked.

“It’s a secret recipe between me and Mr Cake,” Bulk winked.

“Ah see,” Zap chuckled.

“And now that we’re back to full strength, let’s arm wrestle!” Bulk said.

“What? Why?” Zap said confusedly.

“Because I’ve always wanted to arm wrestle somepony who I know can wrestle right back,” Bulk said setting up.

“Uhm, and if ah don’t want to?” Zap asked.

“Scared?” Bulk asked.

Zap snorted “Ah don’t do fear, but ah’ll kick the flank of whoever calls me a coward,” Zap said.

“Then kick my flank!” Bulk said.

“Yer on,” Zap smiled competitively and she set up her arm too and she readied herself.

“Don’t break the table like last time Bulk, you too Zap!” Mrs Cake pleaded.

“Ok!” They both said and they looked eachother in the eye.

“Three… two…. One…. GO!” Bulk said and they both immediately tried to pin the other's arm.

They both grunted and sweated with the effort.

Bulk was unsurprisingly tough but Zap was tougher!

Zap was slowly moving his arm back towards the table.

“Oh… no… you… don’t!” Bulk said putting more effort into it and he managed to move his hand back into place.

“Yer good!” Zap grunted.

“Thanks!” Bulk gritted his teeth.

Ponies everywhere in the building gathered and eagerly waited to see who would triumph.

“Now that I have you here, it’s time I asked you a question!” Bulk said.

“Really the time right now?!” Zap said as she moved his hand back a few inches.

“Yeah! Why do you work yourself so hard?” Bulk asked.

“This again? Ah thought ah said-”

“Nope! I want it straight because I refuse to let you work yourself into the ground!” Bulk said as he moved her hand back a few inches.

“Fine, ah’m a workaholic! Is that what ya wanted ta hear!?” Zap barked.

“No, what’s the real reason? You're an honest pony so tell me,” Bulk asked.

Zap looked conflicted before just saying it “Because ah owe it ta Rainbow an Applejack to keep their memories alive,” Zap said.

“Why do you owe your whole life to working their jobs? You are your own pony!” Bulk said as the metal table bent a little under their strength.

“Not again…” Mrs Cake sighed.

“It’s because ah exist that they don’t! They need ta be remembered!” Zap said.

“Then keep ponies reminded! But don’t work yourself to death trying!” Bulk said as he gave it all he’s got to pin her hand.

“Ah’m doin the best ah can! Ah’m a strong pony! Ah can handle anythin!” Zap strained as his efforts nearly pinned her.

“But what about you? What about your story? Are you going to let yourself fade into the background because of them? Honor them by honoring yourself! That’s what cousin three hundred tons always said!” Bulk yelled.

“AH AM! AH will not… let them go… I…” Zap looked conflicted at his words and she gave a few more inches to Bulk.

“Your your own mare, who are you Zap? Who are you?!” Bulk said.

“AH’M ZAP APPLE! NOPONY ELSE!” Zap yelled and in a burst of inner strength Zap reversed the arm position and pinned Bulk's hand to the table hard enough to dent the table.

Bulk winced but smiled knowing he got through to her. Both panted heavily, sitting in pools of their own sweat, the ponies cheered but that was all distant in Zap’s ears.

“Ah’m… Zap Apple…” She said as if coming to a realization by what Bulk was doing all along… He let their muscles do the talking instead of trying to talk her out of her own head…

He truly is… a superstallion…

“Well? You won, how’s it feel?” Bulk said standing and extending his non-hurting hand to her.

“Feels nice to win…” Zap said.

“I wasn’t talking about the arm wrestle,” Bulk said with a smile.

“...I did win didn’t ah?...” Zap began laughing a little and she took his hand and stood before hugging him.

“Everypony who thinks yer not bright clearly hasn’t heard your pep talks… that was… eye-opening,” Zap said.

“I come from a family of weightlifters, pep talks would be my cutie mark if weightlifting wasn’t.

“Yeah, ah feel like ah just got outta mah own head… yer right, ah need to forge mah own path,” Zap said with a smile.

“That you do, so… I guess our dates over now. But I can visit you after work tomorrow right?” Bulk asked.

“...Maybe a longer break wouldn’t hurt,” Zap said before kissing him on the lips with a quick peck.

Bulk blushed a little and chuckled.

“What was that for?” He asked.

Zap just shrugged and gestured for him to follow “Let’s get going,” Zap said.

“Alright! Yeah!” Bulk said as he took her hand and they left Sugarcube Corner.

…

Meanwhile in the back Mr and Mrs Cake were staring as they left.

“How romantic,” Mrs Cake said.

‘Yeah… so… what are we going to do about the wrecked table?” Mr Cake asked.

“Don’t spoil the moment dear,” Mrs Cake said.

“Yeah, ok,” Mr Cake said.

Shining paced back and forth in the study and waited for Twinkle to show up.

“Please work…” Shining mumbled before the door opened and he turned to see Twinkle entering with a nervous expression.

"Hey Shiny," Twinkle said.

"Hello Twilight… Twinkle I mean," Shining said.

"Y-You wanted to see me brother?" Twinkle asked.

Shining Armor winced as she said brother but he maintained his neutral expression.

"Indeed… so you and Flash Sentry…" Shining said.

"Let me explain he's a different Flash Sentry from another world and we genuinely love each other, also we didn't go farther than topless I promise," Twinkle said.

"...I find that other world explanation a little hard to believe but I'll accept it for now," Shining said.

"Thanks… is there another reason you wanted to speak with me?" Twinkle asked.

"Yes, as you know things between us didn't end amicably, I was hoping to repair that," Shining Armor said.

Twinkle's face lit up a little "Y-You mean that? You are ready to be siblings again?" Twinkle said.

To Twinkle's confusion though Shining Armor just shook his head.

"I am sorry Twinkle but I am unable to forget Twilight. I know it's not your fault but I can't give up on Twilight," Shining Armor said.

"Oh… ok… then what did you come over for?" Twinkle asked bowing her head in disappointment.

At that question Shining Armor's face brightened a little "I found a solution, a way to get Twilight and Pinkie back," Shining Armor said.

Twinkle looked up at him in surprise and an amount of trepidation.

"You did?" She asked.

"Yes! I obtained an object capable of undoing any enchantment and that includes the Merge Mirror," Shining Armor said.

"How? Celestia said that the Merge Mirror couldn't be undone by any known object," Twinkle said.

"Then she clearly never heard of this," Shining said producing a blue stone.

"What is that?" Twinkle asked.

"It's called a Disenchantment Stone, it can break any curse I saw it happen," Shining said.

"How did you find such a thing?" Twinkle asked.

"....Not important how, what matters is that it is the solution to our problems not only can it fix what's going on in equestria right now it can fix you, don't you see, we can bring back Twilight with this," Shining said eagerly.

"Um… great…" Twinkle said a little nervously.

"What's wrong you seem unsure if you want to do that," Shining said.

"No no I just… can we do it later?" Twinkle said.

"No, if there's a chance to get my sister back I have to try it now," Shining said "I thought you wanted to bring back Pinkie and Twilight," Shining said.

"I do I do, but…" Twinkle said nervously.

"But…?" Shining Armor repeated.

Twinkle thought about it on one hand she was giving up her life so that Twilight and Pinkie Pie could have theirs back and she decided she wanted to say yes, even if it meant… she ceased to exist in return.

"Ok… just please let Flash know I did this for them," Twinkle said.

"Sure, now hold still," Shining Armor said as he pulled out an instruction paper.

"Wait, huh?" Twinkle's Twinkle Sense tingled and she felt something was off… she approached a little while Shining was reading the paper.

And staring carefully she saw the red ink visible through the other side of the paper she looked under sincerely…

And saw a familiar pen name…

"Storm… no…" immediately her Twinkle Sense sent out danger signals.

"Alright sounds simple enough, now hold still," Shining Armor said before Twinkle put up a barrier instinctively.

"What are you doing?" Shining demanded.

"Shining be honest, where did you get that?" Twinkle said.

"I said it doesn't matter now put down the barrier please," Shining said.

"No you don't get it, I know that pen name," Twinkle said.

"What?" Shining said looking at the paper and seeing Storm's name "Okay fine I got this from a pony named Storm but he demonstrated to me how this could fix the problem I saw two ponies get merged and then separated," Shining said.

"Wait… you saw it happen? Shiny don't tell me that you've been working together with Dusk Heart have you?" Twinkle demanded.

"I don't know who that is but this could help you and every pony being merged," Shining said.

"You were never told about that, Shining Armor you were lied to, my Twinkle Sense is telling me that that stone is dangerous," Twinkle said.

"What? No… your the liar I was given proof!" Shining said firmly.

"Then it must have been an illusion you have to believe me, Shiny," Twinkle said.

"No! My sister needs me! I promised her… that I'd always look out for her…" Shining Armor said before aiming the stone "Your not Twilight! So give her back!" Shining shouted before using the gem and it let out a bright light that hit Twinkle through the barrier.

Immediately pain struck her.

"AAAAH!" Twinkle yelled as she fell down and the barrier fell, she began to glow.

"I'm sorry Twinkle that It had to be this way, but I….huh? I-i can't move!" Shining said realizing that he's frozen in place.

Twinkle continued screaming as the light shone on her and she glowed brighter.

"TWILIGHT!" Shining exclaimed and struggled to stop the stone but he couldn't move.

Suddenly in the door was kicked open, Flash Starlight and Sunset came in.

"What's going on, I heard screaming," Sunset said before gasping as they saw Twinkle writhing on the ground crying out in pain as Shining held a glowing stone.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Flash shouted as he tried to run over but Starlight stopped him.

"Don't! That's a Soul Render Stone, it'll attack you too if you go near it!" Starlight said.

"Twinkle needs help!" Flash said.

"Shining Armor stop!" Sunset called

"I can't!" Shining cried.

"Stand back guys" Starlight said before charging and aiming a concentrated beam and firing it at the crystal destroying it.

It released a shockwave that sent Shining flying back but otherwise the light ended and Twinkle laid there panting and whimpering.

"TWINKLE!" The group ran over to her and checked on her.

"I-i'm fine…" Twinkle sat up with the help of her friends, meanwhile Flash saw Shining getting up and he angrily walked over and shoved him down.

"Hey!" Shining said.

"What were you thinking? Are you trying to kill her?!" Flash said

"I knew letting him in was a bad idea," Sunset said angrily

"I swear, It wasn't supposed to do that! It was supposed to de-fuse her, it was a Disenchantment Stone," Shining said.

"That was a Soul Render Stone you idiot! It exudes a light that literally destroys the soul of another, it's a cursed item. If we hadn't been here to help, it would have succeeded!" Starlight said going over to him.

"That's impossible he defused two ponies with it," Shining defended.

"Then he must have used illusions point is Shining Armor you almost killed her just because you can't let go, I have half a mind to-" Starlight began to threaten before Twinkle cut her off.

"Enough…" she coughed.

"Huh?" They turned to her as Twinkle approached.

"Twinkle i-"

SMACK

Shining Armor stumbled back a little bit holding his cheek and Twinkle look at it him not with rage but with sadness.

"I'm not even mad about what just happened it's the fact that you went so far because you can't accept me that I'm upset, if you can't accept me than I'm afraid we should stop talking to each other…" Twinkle said before leaving.

"Twinkle wait!" Shining called after her but Flash got in front of him.

"Flash I order you to move," Shining said firmly.

"I'm not your Flash," Flash said, shoving him towards the other door.

"Get out… NOW!" Sunset said angrily lighting her horn

"..." Shining could see this was a no-win scenario, so he turned and left with his head bowed in shame.

"Go to Twinkle, I'll make sure he leaves," Sunset said.

"Ok," Flash said before leaving.

Flash entered Twinkle's room and saw Twinkle curled up on the bed crying.

“Twinkle!” Flash ran over to her and rubbed her back.

“Shiny hates me… and I don’t blame him, it’s because of Pinkie he lost his sister,” Twinkle said.

“Don’t say that, that jerk doesn’t deserve pity after what he did,” Flash said.

“He didn’t know that the stone would do that, but it’s not that, it’s Twilight and Pinkie… even if the stone was the solution… I would have resisted….” Twinkle said.

“What?” Flash questioned.

“I…I…I don’t want to disappear… But I don’t want Pinkie and Twilight to remain gone… but in that moment, I didn’t think of them, I was thinking of myself first and foremost…. And that’s not nice,” Twinkle said sadly.

“No no no, Twinkle, you can’t be blamed for fearing death, we all do… we can’t help that, if anything, Pinkie and Twilight would of wanted you to go on,” Flash said.

“You don’t know that, maybe they want to return to being separate ponies… not even I’m sure anymore, but… I don’t want to disappear!” She sobbed.

“...” Flash hugged her close “I don’t blame you, Twinkle, Cheese wouldn’t either,” Flash said as he held the sobbing Twinkle.

“Never come back!” Sunset yelled slamming the door in Shining’s face.

Shining stood there looking almost dead in the eyes before turning to leave, as he made his way over to Sugarcube Corner and sat down and laid his head down.

A few moments passed before he heard something getting set down in front of him and he looked up and saw a sundae and he looked around it and saw Cheese eating his own while staring at him calmly.

“What do you want?...” Shining asked.

“I know what happened in that castle,” Cheese said.

“How?” Shining asked.

“Cheesie sense, so, you betrayed her trust yet again, have you?” Cheese said.

“If your going to yell, curse or insult me just do it and get it over with… when Cady hears what happened, i’ll likely be cast out anyways…” Shining said laying his head back down.

“I’m not…” Cheese said.

“Why?” Shining asked.

“Because there’s no point in yelling at an idiot who’s realized what they’ve done, better to help them see a solution, now tell me everything from your end,” Cheese said.

“...I am an idiot…” Shining said.

“Yeah,” Cheese said.

“I took an offer from a criminal and took him at his word just because I was desperate to get my sister back…” Shining said.

“Yep,” Cheese said.

“I…I hurt her, and not just Twilight, I hurt another pony, and why? Because she exists? She wanted her brother but I gave her suffering… maybe I should be punished…” Shining said.

“Maybe you should,” Cheese said.

“I…I want to apologize to her, but her friends would rather kill me than let me have a chance,” Shining said.

“Don’t blame ‘em,” Cheese said.

“I saw her eyes… they weren’t angry, they were hurt…. I’m… horrible…” Shining wept.

“You are… but I don’t see why you can’t try again,” Cheese said.

“Why? Haven’t I done enough damage? I sold Luna out!” Shining shouted.

“...You did… but is wallowing in pity going to fix that? There’s a saying I like, buck up or screw up, so?... Stop being pitiful and do something about it,” Cheese said and Shining looked at him in surprise “Twinkle doesn’t hate you, even though she has every right to, she doesn’t hate you, so stop crying and get to work,” Cheese said before slapping a few bits on the table “On the house,” Cheese said before getting up and leaving.

Shining looked down and thought for a few seconds before he hardened his expression “I can’t undo what I did… but I can’t give up on fixing it,” Shining said before grabbing the sundae and walking away.

“Thank you, Cheese…” Twinkle said as she sobbed into Flash’s chest.

“What?” Flash asked.

“Nothing…” Twinkle smiled.

A possible cure?!

View Online

After calming down Twinkle exited the room with Flash, Starlight and Sunset were sitting outside of the doorway and got up and went over to her side.

“I’m so sorry Twinkle, this never would have happened if I didn’t let him in,” Sunset said.

“I convinced her to let him in so it’s really my fault-”

“Girls, there’s no need to apologize, what’s done is done, let’s get back to work,” Twinkle said.

“Ok,” The others said, but as they turned to head back down to the library they heard another knock.

“...I swear if that’s him again I’ll-” Starlight began.

“I got it,” Flash said and he walked ahead of the others and he cautiously approached the door and opened it.

And saw Charity and an unknown pony.

“Huh? Charity? And who are you?” Flash asked.

“Can we come in please?... Ponies are staring,” Audacia asked.

“Ok,” Flash backed up and the two ponies entered and closed the door and locked it behind them.

“I didn’t know there was another alicorn, who are-” Flash began to ask but the others came down the stairs.

“Who was it?” Twinkle asked before gasping as she saw Audacia.

“Before you all panic, I am Audacia, and I am a fourth personality that emerged from the near fusion of the CMC, and no, I don’t know how to unfuse,” Audacia said and Charity looked a little guilty when she said that.

“Uh’m about that… can I-”

“This is amazing, did you really reemerge from a fusion of the CMC?” Twinkle asked darting up to her.

“Easy, I don’t know what I am capable of,” Audacia said.

“Ok, you said you don’t know how to unfuse, just out of curiosity what are your thoughts on unfusing? I am personally frightened by it, but what about you?” Twinkle asked.

“Wow, she’s already asking her questions,” Starlight said.

“Twinkle is made of two curious ponies,” Sunset said.

“I… am personally not afraid I think, I feel like I can exist anytime I want,” Audacia said.

“We gotta research her,” Twinkle said.

“We just met her,” Flash pointed out.

“So? At my request I want to study you,” Twinkle said.

“Sure,” Audacia said.

“That easily?” Sunset questioned.

“Yeah, I’m what you call a risk taker,” Audacia said with a very Scootaloo-like glint in her eyes..

“Ok…” Starlight said.

They stood in Twinkle's basement lab and studied her through various means while Audacia lay on a metal bed.

“So… Audacia, was it? You aren’t a jumbled mess of minds like before, you have your own mind now, right?” Starlight asked.

“Yes,” Audacia replied.

“And you said you can, hear them? The CMC?” Sunset asked.

“Like echoes in my mind, I’m not sure how but I think they are still around,” Audacia said looking around at the others.

“And how did you end up like this? When did you come into existence?” Twinkle asked sitting beside her.

“Last night, the CMC fell asleep together and… then I was me,” Audacia said wondering if that made sense.

“Fascinating!” Twinkle scribbled on her notes again.

While they were asking questions Charity sat off to the side and Flash sat beside her.

“Why are you over here?” Flash asked.

“I… said something mean to Audacia and I want to take it back,” Charity said.

“What did you say?” Flash asked.

“I asked first and foremost if she knew how to unmerge, I feel as though I made her feel rejected…” Charity said.

“I’m sure she knows you didn’t mean it like that,” Flash said.

“I’m so ashamed of myself,” Charity said.

“Don’t be, did she get mad?” Flash asked.

“No… but she did playfully tell me off… I feel like a small part of that was hurt feelings though,” Charity said.

“You are truly the elements of kindness and Generosity,” Flash said with a chuckle.

“Huh?” Charity said.

“You feel so distressed but she didn’t even get mad at you, don’t worry, you can ask her later and clear it up, but for now she needs you,” Flash said.

“...Your right, I should go to her,” Charity said as she got up and approached the group surrounding Audacia.

“How much magic do you possess? What’s your athletic ability now? Do you still admire Zap Apple?” Twinkle asked in rapid-fire.

“I don’t know, I was literally born last night…” Audacia sighed before wincing as a small pain flashed in her head.

“Alright, next question-” Twinkle was going to ask another question but Audacia suddenly looked like she was wincing from a headache or something.

“Sorry, I guess I’m running on and on aren’t I?” Twinkle said.

“N-no… somethings… AH!” Audacia suddenly winced and clutched her head.

“What’s wrong?” Sunset asked getting up from her chair.

“M-my head! It hurts all of the sudden!... I- AAAAAHHH!” Audacia screamed all the sudden and her eye lit up before her horn glowed green and she saw something.

Dusk stood upon yet another town, it was on fire and fused ponies brainwashed to serve him surrounded him as a crowd, any who weren’t were being carried in by fused ponies to be merged and subjugated.

Two female earth ponies were being dragged by a group of fused ponies and were placed in front of Dusk.

“Please! I have children!” A cream-colored mare with a purple mane cried.

“I don’t wanna die!” Another blue and grey mare sobbed.

“Oh don’t worry,” Dusk knelt in front of them “You won’t die, they will be taken care of by the new pony you two will become,”

“Screw you! I want out of here!” The blue mare tried to resist the burly pony behind her but couldn’t.

“Now now, no need to get spiteful, you two will help towards a future where the strong rule and the weak… don’t exist,” Dusk said with a chuckle and he lit his hands and sent his green tendrils to grab them, he lifted them as the two mares thrashed desperately in his grasp

“NO NOOOO!” they cried.

Suddenly Audacia’s arms raised up and she summoned green tendrils out of her hands.

“HUH?!” Everypony in the room jumped back in surprise as the tendrils began lashing about trying to grab them.

Flash tackled Charity and Twinkle down as one tendril lashed at them, the tendril then lashed at Sunset who raised a shield but the tendril bored through it and grabbed her.

“AH!” Sunset cried as she was lifted.

“No!” Starlight shot the tendril with a magic beam and it hit the tendril and destroyed it but another one shot out of Audacia’s hand and grabbed Starlight.

“NOO!” Starlight cried and she was raised up with Sunset.

“LET ME GO!” Sunset tried to fire off her magic but it wasn’t working.

“I can’t teleport!” Starlight cried.

“NO! AUDACIA STOP!” Flash yelled and he leaped forward and grabbed her arms and tried to force them down but a magical shockwave sent him flying into a wall.

“FLASH!” Twinkle cried and she got up and ran to his side as Charity ran over to Audacia and slapped her in the face.

“Wake up! AUDACIA! We need you to wake up!” Charity cried.

Dusk was laughing as he raised the two mares to merge them when suddenly he staggered as he felt an invisible slap to his face.

“Huh?... what just…” Dusk looked around.

“Who did that?” Audacia asked sounding irritated.

“What?” Charity asked.

“Red Hammer was that you?” Audacia looked to her left.

“What is happening?” Charity asked.

“Whatever, let’s get back to business,” Dusk raised the two mares who cried out for mercy.

“Whatever, let’s get back to business,” Audacia raised the two mares who were struggling against the tendrils.

“NO! Stop!” Charity grabbed her arms and forced one away and the result was Sunset being slammed against a wall.

“OW!” Sunset grunted.

“Sorry!” Charity said.

Dusk was about to slam them together when his arm was wrenched by an invisible force and he swung the blue mare through the air.

“Boss, you ok?” A burgundy mare asked.

“I don’t know… something isn’t right…” Dusk said before he swung his arm upwards.

Charity stumbled back as Audacia struck her across the face.

“I gotta stop this!” Twinkle said as she took to the air and lit her horn.

“No more distractions, merge already!” Dusk slammed his hands together and the two mares screamed as they were slammed and merged.

Twinkle tried to fire a beam at the tendril to knock Starlight out of the air but another tendril had emerged from her palm and blocked it.

“NO!” Twinkle flew forward to save her student and friend but she was too late.

Despite their struggles Sunset and Starlight were swung together.

“NOOO!” Starlight cried.

“NOT LIKE THIS!” Sunset cried.

They impacted eachother and a glow overtook the room.

“NO!” Twinkle cried

A blue earth pony with a purple mane was freshly brainwashed and Dusk stood by while the fused ponies gathered up the next ones.

He rubbed his cheek and stood there in thought.

“What just happened?... I need to find out,” Dusk said before turning to resume building his army.

Audacia’s eyes stopped glowing and she tumbled off the metal bed and landed on the ground.

“Oooh… what… happened…?” Audacia looked up to see a pinkish-purple unicorn mare with with a purple and yellow mane she slowly got up and rubbed her head.

“Oooh…” She groaned and opened her eyes, revealing her aqua-green eyes.

“What happened?!” Audacia said trying to get up.

“Starlight! Sunset!” Twinkle rounded the corner and gasped as she saw the new pony.

“What… they’ve been merged?! How?!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“I-I don’t know, I felt a pain in my head and suddenly I blacked out!” Audacia said.

Flash and Charity rounded the corner and saw what happened as well.

“Sunset!” Flash ran over to her.

“How did this happen?” Charity cried.

“I don’t know!” Audacia said nervously.

Twinkle, realizing this calmed down and approached them.

“I believe you Audacia, but we need to take care of her first,” Twinkle said.

“Thank you,” Audacia said.

“Excuse me, who are you,” Twinkle asked the new pony.

“I don’t know… I… i’m so confused,” The unicorn said sitting up.

“Come with us, we can help you, what do you want to be called?” Twinkle said.

“...I don’t know,” She said.

“How about… Starshine?” Twinkle suggested.

“O-ok,” she said taking Twinkle's hand and standing up as did Audacia.

The group was in the library, Trixie had reacted with surprise when she met Starshine and the group ultimately decided to come to her to relax and figure things out.

It took awhile but she began to remember everything from both of her previous lives as Sunset and Starlight.

She proved to be a genius like Twinkle too, being composed of two highly intelligent mares.

In mere minutes they got farther than before.

Flash however sat off to the side looking depressed, Twinkle noticed this and teleported over to him.

“What’s wrong Flash?” Twinkle asked.

“I already miss Sunset…” Flash said.

“...Me too…” Twinkle said.

“If what happened to her is the same thing that happened to you and the other elements then their definitely gone…” Flash said.

“I disagree, we’re working on something that can hopefully fix everything,” Twinkle said her mane perking up again.

“What?” Flash said looking at her.

“It’s a theory Starshine and I came up with but… if Audacia has Dusk’s powers then maybe with research we can find a way to use this power to fix Starshine up,” Twinkle said.

“But Celestia said-”

“I know what Celestia said, but where there’s a will there’s a way, and the way is working together, and if it doesn’t work then at least we can use this power to do what we can,” Twinkle suggested.

“So there’s a chance to undo the fusion?” Flash asked before quickly adding “N-not that I want it to happen to you,” Flash said.

“Don’t worry, if anything, if I can bring Twilight and Pinkie back in some way, I will,” Twinkle assured him, giving him a peck on the lips before walking back over to the group.

“...” Flash looked down in thought.

Twinkle approached Starshine who was talking amicably with Charity.

“Oh darling, I do so love your mane, I bet a pair of earrings would compliment them greatly,” Charity said.

“I’ll consider that,” Starshine chuckled.

“Ugh,” Trixie groaned in boredom.

“Starshine,” Twinkle called and the unicorn turned to her.

“How certain are you about this theory?” Twinkle asked.

“Well, combining our output with the magic flux will give us an appropriate magical charge to boost Audacia’s power and if she can control it we can see if there is a way she can undo the merge, Celestia claimed it was unfixable but through a series of unexpected events we gained a possible cure to merging,” Starshine said.

“And… are you content with being the test subject?... even though it means… you might die?” Twinkle asked, looking hesitant.

“See I don’t look at it as dying Twinkle, I look at it as living on as two separate ponies, they were here first and deserve to live their lives, you however, can’t,” Starshine said.

“What? Why?” Twinkle asked.

“You’ve been here too long, you have built your own identity, you’ve yet to forge your own path, you are you,” Starshine said.

“B-but so are you!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“I’ve only been around for an hour or two, it’ll almost be like I never appeared, if anything I prefer that to denying Sunset and Starlight their lives, but trust me when I say it, we’ll meet again,” She said.

Twinkle shed some tears and hugged her “Your a good pony Star…” Twinkle said.

“Now, let’s get this show on the road,” Starshine said.

The group went downstairs and cleared a way for the event.

“There’s not going to be any explosions right?” Trixie asked.

“Doubtful,” Audacia said.

“Ok everypony, let’s get to work!” Starshine said and the group gathered behind a couch while Audacia stood across from Starshine.

“Are you certain about this?” Audacia asked.

“Yes,” Starshine said.

“Ok… Let’s do this,” Audacia said.

“I’ll help,” Twinkle said as she came up behind Audacia and held her head and they closed their eyes and focused their magic and Audacia focused her magic to her hands.

“Good, now remember what you felt that triggered the connection to Dusk,” Twinkle said.

“Ok…” Audacia felt the feeling of power and sense her magical core, Twinkle guiding her grasp and finding the fusion magic she harbors…

Her hands lit up with green magic and she extended tendrils out of it and she focused them up towards Starshine.

“It’s working!” Trixie said.

“Not yet,” Flash intently watched.

Twinkle then poured her magic into Audacia and the tendrils turned purple.

“Now!” Starshine called and Audacia opened her eyes, which glowed with a bright light and the tendrils extend forth.

Dusk was sitting on a rock overlooking Canterlot, meditating.

But then he opened his eyes and looked back towards the direction of all this happening.

“...I knew I sensed something… they found a way…” Dusk stood up glared.

“I fear this means I have no choice but to move my plans further ahead of schedule,” Dusk said before teleporting away.

The tendrils grabbed Starshine by each of her arms and lifted her and she began to glow.

“Goodbye for now everypony,” Starshine said with a smile.

Then they began to pull…

“I…. CAN’T…. HOLD IT!” Audacia grunted.

“Hold on!” Twinkle strained.

The glow overtook Starshine and she split into two glowing ponies.

“Please work!” Twinkle yelled and a great flash overtook the room.

Twinkle was flat on her back, she looked up and to her surprise, the CMC was laying on the ground in front of her..

“Girls!” Twinkle crawled over to the CMC and checked their pulses, the three alicorns were still breathing.

“Thank Celestia… huh?” Twinkle looked up and saw something to her utter surprise.

“Ow… what happened?...” Starlight groaned as she got up.

“I feel like I was put in a blender or something…” Sunset groaned.

“It worked…. It actually worked! STARLIGHT! SUNSET!” Twinkle laughed as she ran over to the two and hugged them.

“Hey Twinkle… uh, what happened?” Sunset asked.

“You guys were merged! A-and I thought there was no way to get you back, but then your fused self suggested some things and then-” Twinkle spoke almost too quickly to be understood.

“Calm down, please! We can’t understand you when you speak that fast!” Starlight said with a chuckle.

“I’m sorry… but this is just… it’s a big discovery! We can fix everything now!” Twinkle laughed as the others approached.

“It’s good to have you back guys,” Flash said.

“I’m so glad,” Charity said.

Spike wrote down a message to send to Celestia and sent it while Charity took the CMC back with her to the cottage to recover.

Trixie and Flash took Sunset and Starlight over to the couches so they could rest and recuperate.

“Where did you go while all this happened again?” Twinkle asked.

“I was sleeping, I may be a teenager now but I still sleep alot,” Spike said.

“Ah, well you're a heavy sleeper then,” Twinkle chuckled.

“Anyways, I did my part, can I… go hand out with-”

“Sure, but don’t get too close to Charity without talking to Big Mac first, their date is today after all,” Twinkle said.

“Darn it, I forgot,” Spike sighed.

“Go on, you got the day off,” Twinkle chuckled.

“Thanks!” Spike ran out the door.

Afterwards Twinkle walked out to the two resting mares and sat by Flash Sentry.

“So uh, Flash?” Twinkle asked.

“Yeah?” Flash said.

“I want to know… if I were to ask Audacia to separate me into Twilight and Pinkie again… would you want that?” Twinkle asked nervously.

“...I don’t know…” Flash said and when he saw Twinkle looking sad to hear that he elaborated ‘In regards to the fact that Twilight and Pinkie are separate ponies, just like Starshine said, but I… don’t want to lose you Twinkle, you make me and everybody around you happy, in the end it’s up to you though, do you want to unmerge?” Flash asked.

“I…………… don’t….” Twinkle said looking away “I must sound so selfish…” She said.

“I don’t think you are,” Flash said hugging her and she hugged back.

Dates and descisions

View Online

Zap and Bulk Biceps exited the salon.

“Ah gotta admit, yer quite the masseuse,” Zap complimented.

“Lots of practice,” Bulk said with a confident smirk.

“Well, we’ve done a lot t’day, but ah really think it’s time ta be thinking of home,” Zap said.

“Aww, could we do one more thing?” Bulk asked.

“And that would be?” Zap asked.

“I wanna show you my favorite view in all of Ponyville,” Bulk said gesturing for her to follow him.

“Alright, but afterward ah need ta be home, Granny would tan mah hide if ah missed dinner,” Zap said and they went off towards the edge of town.

As they made it Bulk went into the Everfree forest.

“Hold up, ya sure ya wanna go in there?” Zap asked.

“Don’t worry, I know a safe route,” Bulk said as he gestured for her to follow.

“Ok…” Zap said as she went in with him, the two picked their way through the brush and Bulk made his way to an arch that took him to a trail.

“Where we headed?” Zap asked.

“Trust me you’ll love it,” Bulk said as they made their way into a long pathway, that had a brook.

They made their way onto a bridge and walked across it.

“Can’t we fly there?” Zap asked.

“But then you’ll see it ahead of time,” Bulk said as they made it onto a winding part of the trail.

“Yer bein mighty suspicious here Bulk,” Zap said.

“I’m not, I just wanted you to see it yourself,” Bulk said as he hopped down from a rock.

A few minutes later they came to a series of vines making a wall.

“Alright, get ready,” Bulk said.

“Alright…” Zap readied herself.

“TADA!” Bulk gestured out past the vines and Zap looked out and did not expect what she saw.

“Huh?” Zap said as she saw a… meadow.

She walked out amongst the flowers and saw a shimmering lake, glowing in the setting sun.

She gasped as she saw so many pretty things.

“Wow, ah… didn’t expect this,” Zap said.

“Exactly, and the best part it’s just a five-minute flight from Ponyville,” Bulk said.

“Why didn’t we… oh yeah, ya didn’t want ta spoil it,” Zap said.

“I… hope you like it, maybe next date we could come here and just enjoy the sights,” Bulk said.

“Ah’d like that,” Zap said before turning to leave “Bulk ah gotta admit, you really gave me an outlook on things, ah want ta honor Rainbow and AJ… but like ya said, before I can show my loyalty to them, I gotta be loyal to mahself” Zap said.

“Does that mean… we’ve good for next time?” Bulk asked.

“Course ya big galoot!” Zap chuckled

“YEAH!” Bulk cheered.

Zap chuckled, “Ah gotta head now, but maybe sometime soon we can talk again,” Zap said with a smile.

“Sure thing Mrs. Zap Apple,” Bulk said.

“Jest Zap is fine,” Zap Apple said before walking away and waving at him.

“Bye!” Bulk said, before turning and sitting.

“Ya did well Bulk ya did well, I just hope we can be together for real after this,” Bulk said with a smile before he glanced around and brought out his book.

Zap walked back on the path she took and was about to climb up the rock when suddenly a wind blew her stetson off of her head.

“Huh? Hey!” Zap ran forward and caught it but then she heard something coming from the meadow “Hmm?”

“Her mane flitters in the breeze, her colors, like a rainbow have been seized, placed into her locks to brighten her up. Her muscles so strong, I fear to ever do her wrong, her eyes, such a pretty color, make my heart beat harder and louder, like a forlorn lover,” Bulk said in his poem aloud.

“Is that… poetry?” Zap asked.

“My heart soars as I drew my first kiss from her, my mind ablaze when she agreed to be together, my soul alight as she wrestle arm by arm, to her graciousness, I shall never to harm,” Bulk said as he wrote out a poem.

“No way… Bulk Biceps is a poet? Ah didn’t think him the type, should ah…” Zap wondered before shaking her head “Ah left on a good note, better not ruin it,” Zap said before walking away.

Spike arrived at the edge of Charity’s cottage property as he approached he took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

To his surprise as the door opened, he saw Big Mac leaving with his head held low.

“Big Mac?” Spike asked.

“Hey Spike…” Mac said pausing.

“What’s going on? I thought you and Charity were on a-”

“You should head in Spike ah’ll… be headin home now…” Mac said as he walked home.

“What? Charity!” Spike knew something was wrong and he ran inside to see Charity crying on the couch with Discord and Angel comforting her.

“Charity!” Spike ran over to her and sitting with her, Angel looked at him and ushered for him to leave.

“No, I’m here Charity,” Spike said.

Angel kicked Spike’s thigh and Spike looked down at him and Angel pointed at the door.

“No, Charity needs me,” Spike said angrily.

Angel looked like he was ready to try and kick Spike out but Charity stopped him.

“Angel, stop being an antithesis to your name and let him help,” Discord said.

Angel made some rude gestures to Discord but Charity held up a hand to stop them.

“It’s alright dears… he doesn’t know…” Charity said.

“Know what?” Spike asked.

“Big Mac and I had a talk… and he said… he thought about us and our date… he canceled and broke up with me,” Charity said with a sniff.

“He what?!” Spike stood up.

“It’s alright Spike… I understand why… he loved Fluttershy, not me, and although he cares deeply about me, he doesn’t want to tie me down to a stallion who gets depressed every time he’s near me… he did for my sake…” Charity said.

“That’s an excuse if I ever heard one…” Spike growled his eyes sharpening.

“Spike?” Charity asked looking at him.

“Oooh boy, this won’t be pretty…” Discord said.

“Stay here, I need to talk to him,” Spike said before running out the door.

“SPIKE NO!” Charity got up and ran after him.

Big Mac made it to the edge of the forest and let a few tears fall, as he was about to continue on he heard footsteps rapidly approaching his position.

“Hmm?” Mac turned only to get a scaly fist to the face and it knocked him down.

“Agh!” Mac grunted and he looked up to see Spike staring down at him angrily.

“The hay was that fer?” Mac said getting up.

“You know full well Mac! How could you break Charity’s heart like that!” Spike said, hitting him in the chest, which only made him step back a little.

“Ah did it for her Spike! You’d never understand!” Big Mac said.

“Yeah, I don’t! She loves you, you loved her, you're going to let something as small as a fusion get between that?!” Spike said.

“Ah figured you would’ve wanted this!” Mac said, shoving Spike back as he moved in to hit him again.

“Like I’d want Charity to get hurt!” Spike said.

“Ah meant you’d be the one to be by her side! Ah care about Charity but ah can’t even smile around her knowing Fluttershy ain’t around no more! Ah rather Chare’s be happy with a stallion not stuck in the past!” Mac said.

“I felt the same about Rarity, but you don’t see me running away from the problem!” Spike ran and tackled him but Mac withstood it.

“Well ah ain’t you, so back off,” Mac said before shoving Spike back again.

“Give Charity a chance before you decide to run away from her!” Spike shouted.

“Ah did, and ah still think of Fluttershy when ah see her, ah’m just hurting both of us at this rate, ah’ve hurt her enough already, so you take it from here!” Mac said.

“You-” Spike was ready to breathe fire. He was so mad when he heard a familiar voice that wasn’t usually angry.

“STOP IT!” Charity said.

They both turned and gasped at the sight of her stare and they backed off eachother.

“I won’t tolerate anymore fighting! You both are coming back with me to the cottage to talk it out like civilized ponies and dragons or I get angry!” She said.

“Ok…” Both said.

Discord chuckled as he approached “Don’t want to make this lady mad, you haven’t even seen her worst,” Discord said.

“Come on,” Charity said and she turned and walked home.

Spike and Mac looked at each other and followed her.

They sat in the living room and Charity stared at both of them.

“I get that word got said and things got heated but that doesn’t mean I want you two fighting like that, I’m a kind pony but I’ll get angry if I need to be” Charity said.

“Indeed, totally unwarranted,” Discord saId.

“It’s just… I really care about you Charity, and not just because you're half Rarity, I care about you the pony you are, the kindness of your heart, what he did was shatter that heart before you had a chance to mend anything,” Spike said.

“Ah said mah peace,” Mac said.

“See, he won’t even defend himself!” Spike said.

“A made mah statement clear, Chare's needs a stallion who won’t make her sad, an ah’m not that stallion, ah aint bein selfish, ah knew how you felt about Rarity and how ya most likely felt about Charity, mah heart is wounded Spike, and ah don’t want ta inflict that on Charity no more,” Big Mac said.

“While I appreciate you stepping out of the way, I just think it could have been resolved better than making her cry!” Spike said before hearing a cough and they looked to see Discord pointing at Charity who is looking ready to break out the stare again.

“...um… I mean,”

“I want you two to at least maintain your friendship, if you hate eachother because of me, how do you think that makes me feel?” Charity asked.

“....I guess so…” Spike said.

“You both, I love you both… I want to be with you both… but I understand Big Mac’s desire to take some time to himself to think it through, it is true we’re hurting eachother by distancing ourselves but in the end if he wants to leave it is his choice, Spike,” Charity said.

“I guess…” Spike said.

“And Mac, I am fine with your decision, I only ask that you not lie to yourself in the process,” Charity said softly.

“Lie ta mahself?” Mac asked.

“I may not be as good at spotting doubt as Zap Apple but I have enough skill inherited from Rarity,” Charity said.

“What am ah lyin about?” Mac demanded.

“That you are avoiding me only because of Fluttershy,” Charity said.

“What?” Mac said confusedly.

“I can tell you care about me Mac, but don’t want to get between me and Spike, you're being generous, but it’s hurting you in the end, you want to be with me but fear you won’t be able to provide, which just isn’t true,” Charity said.

“Now hold on a sec, what do you mean?” Mac asked.

“....Why did you reject Rarity?... when she tried to court you once you turned her down, specifically when she informed you of her future plans,” Charity said.

“How’d ya-”

“Fusion,” Discord coughed.

“Oh yeah…” Mac said.

“Why Mac?” Charity pressed.

“...Because she wanted ta be a noble… and ah’m a farmer… ah would just create a stigma for her from the other nobles,” Mac said.

“Mac that is foolish, simply foolish,” Charity said.

“What?” Mac asked.

“Do you really think Rarity or I care about the opinions of the nobles? I may have Rarity’s desire to be a noble… but I also have Fluttershy’s comfort with a humble living, and believe it or not, Rarity was content as well,” Charity said “If a noble said I should leave you because you were a farmer I would verily tell them I would not, I am the elements of generosity and kindness, to abandon is unkind and ungenerous, do you see now Mac? You won’t restrain me from my goals, because… I choose to remain as I am,” Charity said.

“Remain as you are? You don’t mean-” Spike asked before Charity stood and gestured around her.

“I am a seamstress by heart, but I am also an animal caretaker, and it took some thought and conversation with Sweetie, but… I want to combine my passions into one… I want to make outfits for animals, cute and lovely outfits to accessorize one's pets or animal friends, and I will continue to care for my animals in the process,” Charity said.

“...That could work… Why didn’t we think of it sooner!” Spike said.

“...You mean that Chares?... What if ya never become a noble because of me?” Big Mac asked

“Then becoming a noble is of no interest of mine anymore,” Charity said.

“...Forgive me Chares… ah made a fool of mahself…” Big Mac looked down.

“It’s alright, if anything, I support you no matter what,” Charity said.

“Ah’m still sorry, ah should go fer now,” Mac said getting up.

“Didn’t you hear her? She’s forgiving you,” Spike pointed out.

“Ah know, but ah still want ta take some time, think it all through, fer now, why don’t you both take some time to figure you out,” Big Mac said.

“What do you mean?” Spike asked.

“Well unless she plans to be with both of us ah think she feels a similar way about you,” Mac said with a smile.

Spike blushed “You mean she-”

“Eeyup, ah’ll be at the barn if ya both need me,” Big Mac said before taking his leave.

“...Chares?...” Spike turned to her.

“Yes?” She asked.

“You did say you cared about me… how much exactly…?” Spike asked.

“...Alot, I won’t lie Spike, when I was Rarity and Fluttershy they had some feelings for you but they wanted different things, but me… I feel their feelings in a different way, I… love you Spike,” Charity said.

“Even though i’m a-”

“Dragon? Of course dear, I would never be so shallow as to not love you because of your race,” Charity smiled.

Spike blushed and chuckled.

“It’s my dream come true, but at the same time, I’m scared,” Spike admitted.

“Mine too, Spike, I care about you and Mac equally, so I ask, will you let Big Mac choose whether he wants to be with me as well?” Charity asked.

“Your suggesting poly? Wow, I never expected you to,” Spike admitted.

“Hey, two ponies as one, means double the love, am I right?” Discord chuckled.

“I do suppose,” Charity chuckled.

“Yeah… so… can I ask something of you?” Spike asked nervously.

“Yes dear, anything,” Charity replied.

“....A kiss?” Spike asked.

“Oh you, come here,” Charity chuckled and magically pulled Spike in for a kiss.

…It was the best kiss Spike ever experienced!

Her lips were soft and warm, yet strong and surprisingly… dominating.

As they kissed passionately Spike felt a poorly timed sensation….

A burp was coming up.

“Mmmph!” Spike quickly pulled away from Charity.

“Spike?” Charity asked wondering if she did something wrong, before Spike belched out fire that turned into a scroll “Oh… good timing…” Charity admitted, not wanting to admit she was glad he pulled away in time.

“Sorry, can’t repress the messages when they come up,” Spike said picking up the message.

“It is perfectly fine,” Charity giggled “What does it say?” she asked.

“Hmmm…. What?... she did?....” Spike’s face went from curious to shock.

“What? Let me see,” Charity said.

“I don’t want to show you…” Spike admitted.

“Why?” Charity asked.

“...Twinkle found a way,” Spike said.

“A way? To do what?” Charity politely asked.

“To undo the magic of the merge mirror,” Spike said, Discord did a spittake and Charity’s mouth dropped open.

“Uh… yeah, we can fix this… but of course, that choice is yours,” Spike said.

“....Thank you Spike… I must… pay her a visit later regarding this,” Charity said.

“Chares… you don’t have to,” Spike said.

“I know…” Charity said before taking her leave.

“Discord?” Spike asked while following her.

“On it,” Discord said before teleporting.

Zap walked back into the farmhouse, lost in thought.

“He made poetry about me…. On one had ah’m flattered, but on the other…” Zap thought.

“Hey Zap,” Granny Smith said with a knowing smile.

“Hey Granny…” Zap said distractedly.

“Yer home quite late,” Granny said.

“Ah know… Granny?” Zap asked sitting down.

“Yes?” Granny Smith asked.

“Ah… had a real revelation t’day… and it got me thinkin…. Ah’m gonna give up on bein a Wonderbolt,” Zap said.

Granny Smith coughed loudly upon hearing that before settling down “Ya sure? Ya know that was Rainbow’s dream right?” Granny said.

“But it ain’t mine… ah wanna push mahself ta new heights and be the best mare ah can be, but… bein a Wonderbolt and an Apple member is somethin even ah can’t do, so… ah’m chooisin mah family over mah desires,” Zap smiled at Granny.

Granny nodded with a smile “Yer learnin young’n, yer learnin, ah am proud of ya regardless of what ya do, but right now ah want ta know, how was yer date?” Granny asked.

“...Amazing… Bulk ain't the musclehead everypony makes him out ta be, he’s encouraging, positive, and surprisingly quick-witted,” Zap admitted.

“Glad ta hear mah grandaughter has found a good stallion,’ Granny said with a happy toothless grin.

“...Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, ah wanna see where this can go after the problems in Equestria are fixed,” Zap said.

“Agreed,” Granny said before a message teleported in the middle of the room startling the two mares.

“Huh? What in tarnation?” Granny demanded.

“Calm down Granny, it’s just a message from Twinkle, she’s found out how ta send them herself,” Zap said picking up the message and reading it.

Her eyes widened.

“What?...” Zap said standing up.

“What is it?” Granny asked.

“Granny…. Ah need ta go, now, somethings come up,” Zap said

“Alright,” Granny Smith nodded.

Zap arrived moments later at the castle and she ran in.

“Twinkle, if this is a joke ah’m not gonna be happy,” Zap said as she walked into the main room.

“Hey Zap!” Zap turned to see her alicorn sister and friends running up to her and she hugged them.

“Ah read the message, it told me everythin, thank goodness yer all still around,” Zap said.

“Don’t worry sis! Ah think we can do it anytime!” Apple Bloom said as Zap let go.

“What do ya mean?” Zap asked.

“Later, for now we need to focus on what we learned today,” Sunset said approaching.

“Alright,” Zap said, as Sunset was about to speak the door opened and Charity and Spike entered.

“Twinkle! I need a word,” Charity said.

“Getting a bit crowded in here,” Trixie admitted.

“Well make room for one more,” Discord said appearing above them.

“Will somepony tell me if what Twinkle told me in the message is true?” Zap demanded.

“It is,” Twinkle walked with Flash Sentry down the stairs.

“So… it’s true?... Applejack and Rainbow Dash can come back? How?” Zap said feeling happy and scared at the same time.

“As said in the message your sisters and Scootaloo merged into an alicorn filly named Audacia by sleeping in the same room, apparently their closeness and unconscious states of mind caused the residual fusion magic to activate and fully fuse them into one pony, but when she expended too much magic that she seemed to share with Dusk Heart, they reverted possibly due to-”

“Abridged version please!” Trixie sighed.

“...Long story short they fused and then they somehow used Dusk’s magic and fused Sunset and Starlight together, making a pony named Starshine and I found a way to demerge them back into two by using a reverse boundary spell coupled with her fusion magic, I did what Celestia couldn’t and that make a cure for Merge Magic!” Twinkle said excitedly.

“Which means the situation can be fixed, that just begs the question, however,” Discord said floating to the ground.

“What’s that?” Zap asked.

“Do… you girls want to follow in Starshine’s hoofsteps? Do you want to become two again?” Discord asked and Zap and Charity looked surprised before looking conflicted.

“You will not be judged, or hated if you choose not to, I wish to make that clear,” Discord said.

“...I… want to…” Zap said.

“Me too…” Charity said.

“B-but girls, if you do then you won’t exist anymore!” Spike said.

“Perhaps… but then Rarity and Fluttershy will again, I had a good life, but I don’t wish to live it at the expense of two innocent ponies,” Charity said looking resolute.

“Me too, there will be regrets,” Zap said remembering Bulk and their developing relationship “But ah can’t sleep at night knowin AJ and RD are gone because of me…” Zap said.

“Girls…” Spike said before tears started welling up and he turned away.

“Don’t cry Spike, if anything you’ll have Rarity back, that’s a good thing right?” Charity said.

“It is… but… I’ll miss you too,” Spike said with a sniff.

“Girls it’s all up to you,” Starlight said.

“What about you Twinkle? You’ve been silent this whole time, do you wish to unravel your existence?” Charity asked.

“...No…” Twinkle said and Zap looked surprised, but before she could say anything Twinkle continued “I want them to come back, more than anything, but… I’ve forged my own identity, and… I don’t want to leave Flash or Cheese, it sounds selfish but… I want to stay,” Twinkle said.

“But Twinkle… What about Twi? Or Pinkie?” Zap asked.

“I know deep down that this is what they would have chosen too,” Twinkle said looking away.

“...Well ah ain’t turnin down the chance to undo the mistake that made me,” Zap said, though her voice shook.

“Sis… ya don’t have to… please, ah miss Applejack but ah’ll miss you too…” Apple Bloom said.

“Ah’m set in this decision,” Zap said.

“S-so am I…” Charity said.

“...Ok…” Twinkle said before nodding to Starlight and Starlight charged a sleep spell and shot the CMC with it before they could react and they fell asleep.

“AB! Why’d ya do that-” Zap questioned before a glow filled the room and they turned to see Audacia standing there.

“You?... Ah get it now,” Zap said remembering the message telling her how the CMC’s unique situation worked.

“Zap, Charity, are you certain…?” Audacia asked walking over to Twinkle while everypony cleared from the two’s positions.

“Yes,” Charity said.

“Yes,” Zap said.

“...As you wish,” Audacia lit up her eyes and her hands glowed as she extended two tendrils from each hand.

“She can do it just like Dusk… I see now,” Charity said summoning her courage and standing there awaiting her fate.

“Ah hope things go well fer ya, and please… tell Bulk, ah’m sorry it didn’t work out,” Zap said.

“Ok,” Starlight nodded.

“Now Twinkle!” Audacia said and Twinkle nodded before grabbing Audacia’s head and focusing her own magic.

The tendrils turned from green to purple before grabbing the arms of the two ponies and lifting them into the air.

They then began to tug hard and both Charity and Zap cried out as they felt their bodies being broken apart and desconstructed back into two.

Zap flickered and for a brief moment Applejack and Rainbow Dash were there before they flickered back to Zap Apple.

Charity flickered and Fluttershy and Rarity appeared.

Spike couldn’t watch and looked away.

“It’s really difficult!” Audacia said.

“Keep going!” Twinkle called.

They two ponies glowed brightly as a flash exuded from their eyes and they glowed brightly.

……………...We refuse….

….Not happening!.....

Suddenly the tendrils broke apart and the two ponies fell back to the ground and returned to normal.

“Agh!” Zap grunted as she hit the ground.

“Ow!” Charity grunted as well.

“AH!” Suddenly Audacia was flung back and she landed on Twinkle.

“Ooof!” Twinkle grunted.

“What the? Guys!” Everypony present ran to the disoriented ponies.

“Huh?! What happened?” Twinkle helped Audacia up.

“Why… why are we still here?” Charity asked.

“Ah’m supposed to be Applejack and Rainbow again… what happened?” Zap looked up in shock.

“I don’t understand…. It doesn’t make sense,” Audacia said.

“What doesn’t?” Flash asked.

“When their minds almost became two again… in that instant they… rejected the separation somehow,” Audacia said sounding surprised.

“What?!” Zap exclaimed.

“It doesn’t make sense… they chose to remain this way?” Charity asked.

“I don’t get it either,” Audacia said before turning to the two mares.

“We need to try again!” Zap said.

“I can’t… just using Dusk’s magic is tiring me out, I might defuse if I try again,” Audacia said.

‘Then we’ll try again later, but right now we need to keep trying!” Zap said getting up.

“Ok ok! Just give me a moment,” Audacia said.

“Zap, we can’t force her to do this,” Starlight said.

“No, I can do this,” Audacia and her eyes lit up and she conjured the tendrils again.

“Hold on!” Twinkle ran over to Audacia and aided her once more.

Once more the tendrils grabbed the two mares and tried to pulls them back apart… but the same thing occurred.

Audacia staggered and panted from the exertion.

“Audacia!” Twinkle cried.

“I don’t understand,” Charity sobbed.

“Ah’m stuck like this…” Zap said “Again!” Zap said with determination.

“I can’t…” Audacia said.

“Ah said-” Zap was smacked by Sunset and she turned to her in shock.

“That’s enough Zap, are you trying to kill her?!” Sunset shouted.

“...Oh Celestia…” Zap said realizing what she was doing and she turned to the panting Audacia.

“Ah’m sorry…” Zap said sorrowfully.

“It is fine… Audacia said standing up and turning to the others “I don’t know why but I can’t diffuse them,” She said with a sigh.

“It isn’t fair to Rarity and Fluttershy…” Charity said sorrowfully.

“Chares… maybe this happened for a reason,” Spike said approaching her.

“I’m sorry… I can’t…” Charity said sadly.

“Chares, look at me,” Spike said and she did so and Spike hugged her.

“None of this is your fault, if you can’t return to normal then let’s make the most of this,” Spike said.

“O-ok,” Charity said and they continued hugging.

“So what do we do now?” Flash asked.

“We at least need to take this knowledge of a cure to Celestia, she needs to know, Spike, take a letter,” Twinkle said.

“Ok,” Spike got up and walked over to Twinkle and got out a paper and quill.

…before burping up a note.

“Huh?” Spike looked at the note and saw the royal seal on it.

“What is it?” Twinkle asked curious as to the sudden message.

“Hmm… oh no…” Spike said looking surprised.

“What?” Twinkle asked.

“Celestia has confirmed that Dusk has taken over at least half of Equestria’s population and is marching on Ponyville next!” Spike said looking pale.

The whole room went quiet.

“No…” Twinkle said looking pale as well.

“H-how does she know?” Charity asked.

“It say’s here a merged pony approached the throne and relayed it!” Spike said.

“W-what do we do?! Some merging maniac is coming here!” Trixie started to panic.

“Don’t panic! That’s the worst thing we can do!” Zap said getting up and walking over to the group.

“Be real, Dusk has an army now! Plus the Manuscript of Celtus! How are we going to beat that?!” Trixie said.

“We got alot of stuff too! We can prepare the town, or evacuate it!” Twinkle said.

“No… we need to get everypony somewhere safe,” Starlight said before turning to Sunset “Sunset, can we reconfigure the mirror portal to send everypony to Canterlot?” Starlight asked.

“I believe so, we just need to work together on that, why?” Sunset asked.

“We can used the mirror to get the townsponies to safety!” Starlight said.

“Good idea! While me and Sunset and Starlight do that, I want everypony else here to spread the word, let’s go!” Twinkle said.

“Ok!” Everypony else got moving on their tasks.

Dusk stood on a distant hill with at least a few dozen fused ponies.

“Sir, why did we bring so few ponies again?” An orange pony asked.

“Because, I have only one thing I’m doing here,” Dusk said as he looked into the distance.

“And that is…?” The orange pony asked.

“The destruction of that new alicorn I made… she threatens the nature of all my work, and considering my advantages, I don’t have much need to squander resources,” Dusk said.

“Ok.” The orange pony backed off.

“And it also wouldn’t hurt to get ahold of a few dozen more puppets for when I pay Celestia and Luna a visit,” Dusk chuckled darkly.

The battle for Ponyville

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The group hurried to their tasks.

While the others alerted the town's ponies of the coming danger Twinkle, Sunset, and Starlight began reconfiguring the mirror while Spike waited to do his part.

“Alright, Spike! Send this!” Twinkle said handing him a message.

“Got it!” Spike sent the message and then went to help with evacuations.

“Starlight, reconfigure the mana port!” Sunset said.

“Ok, hand me that crystal,” Starlight said.

Twinkle was in her element and began to work faster and in no time they set up the mirror.

“Alright, let’s get moving, Twinkle, you stay here and keep the field balanced, we’ll aid in evacuations,” Sunset said and they ran out of the mirror room.

The ponies were in a panic, they were collecting their things and heading for the castle.

Spike and the others did a good job of alerting the populace and getting them moving.

Thankfully most of the ponies in town knew already the events that have transpired lately.

“Go! Forget your things! You can get them after the problem is solved!” Spike called to a few ponies trying to bring alot of stuff.

“Ya heard the alert right! Get movin!” Zap called as she flew overhead.

“Zap!” Bulk said flying up to her.

“Bulk? Ya need to get movin!” Zap said.

“What about you?” Bulk asked.

“Ah need to face this guy,” Zap said.

“Well, I’m not leaving! I got the muscles, I can fight too!” Bulk said tearing his shirt off.

“No Bulk! Ah’m not running the risk of ya gettin hurt,” Zap said.

“I'll be fine!” Bulk said.

“No, ah’m not lettin you stay, get goin!” Zap shoved Bulk.

“You’d have to force me through that mirror before I abandon my girl,” Bulk said resolutely.

“Bulk…” Zap said feeling tears in her eyes.

“I’ll be alright,” Bulk said “I’ll go help your family and then be right back!” Bulk said flying off.

“...” Zap blushed as her stallion flew off to help her “If ya choose to then…” Zap said before turning to continue with the evacuation.

Charity used her magic to form a staircase in which a bunch of ponies are using to get right to the mirror room.

“Keep moving!” Audacia said flying overhead.

“The portal is at the top of these stairs!” Charity said.

“Charity!” Spike said and she turned to see Spike and Big Mac approaching.

“What are you doing? You should go with the crowd!” Charity said.

“Ah ain’t goin, ah may be unsure about our relationship, but ah ain’t gonna stand by while ya fight fer yer life,” Mac said.

“Mac, please, I don’t want you or Spike getting hurt.” Charity pleaded.

“We don’t want you getting hurt either,” Spike said.

“Yeah, there’s strength in numbers,” Big Mac said.

“Dusk has both on his side!” Charity warned.

“Then the more we have on our side the better,” Mac said.

“Guys…” Charity didn’t want to use the state to make them go, but she may not-

“MAC!” Audacia flew down to him.

“Huh? Who are you?” Mac asked.

“Oh yeah you don’t know… look no time, get helping out, we almost have everypony out,” Audacia said.

“But Audacia-” Charity said.

“No buts, the more we got on hand the better, Let’s move!” Audacia said before flying off.

“...Who was she?” Mac asked.

“I’ll explain later, c’mon!” Spike said and he ran off.

“Ok!” Mac said before leaving.

“Get moving, let’s go!” Twinkle said ushering each pony through the mirror, when the ponies stopped pouring in she looked outside and got a thumbs up from Charity. She was about to shut off the mirror but Flash entered.

“Twinkle, We need to get moving,” Flash said.

“Flash? What are you doing here?” Twinkle asked.

“What do you mean? I’m helping out,” Flash said.

Twinkle walked over to him “No, you have to leave, I won’t let something happen to you,” Twilight said.

“Twinkle we’ve been over this, I-”

“No, I won’t let you get hurt by being here…” Twinkle said before kissing Flash, after their kiss, she pulled away and lit her horn “I’m sorry Flash,” Twinkle then grabbed him in her magic and threw him through the portal.

“TWINKLE!” Flash cried before he vanished into the portal and she magically shut it off.

“We’ll celebrate when we’re done here,” Twinkle said with a teary smile.

“You should have trusted him,” A voice said and Twinkle turned to see Cheese who hopped down and kissed her on the cheek.

“Hey Cheesie… I should get you out of here as well,” Twinkle said.

“No need, I’ll do my part to help,” Cheese said.

“Like I told Flash-”

“You’ll see, my Cheesie sense has told me the way… it’s gonna get worse before it gets better, but I know you will do any and everything to fix this,” Cheese said before hopping out the window.

“Cheesie!” Twinkle ran to the window and he wasn’t there “Darn him…” Twinkle said before hearing flapping noises and she turned to see Zap flying back.

“GUYS! He’s here!” Zap said with a determined look.

“Ok girls, let’s get moving,” Twinkle said flying out as well and the mares and stallions walked out as a group line-up and they stood in the now empty streets.

Big Mac, Bulk Biceps, Spike, Audacia, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Twinkle, Zap and Charity.

“Anypony feel like leaving? I won’t judge,” Twinkle asked.

“I wouldn’t mind that…” Trixie admitted.

“Do as you wish,” Starlight sighed.

“...On second thought, I’ll stick by you,” Trixie sighed as well, knowing she shouldn’t leave her friend high and dry.

They anxiously awaited the approach of their enemy.

…And saw at least seventeen figures approaching from the edge of the Everfree Forest.

“Ah, such a quaint town… let’s burn it,” A green mare said with a chuckle.

“Right now?” A brown stallion asked.

“No, yesterday, yes now,” The green mare said.

“What do you say, sir?” The brown earth pony asked.

“Do whatever, as long as we find that alicorn,” Dusk said.

“Yes sir!” The pegasi of the group began to take to the air but a Canterlotian voice shouted loud enough to make them freeze in their tracks.

“STOP!” Twinkle shouted and they turned to see the group over there.

“....Haha…” Dusk said before chuckling to himself “That is your defence when I threatened to bring an army to Ponyville?... Wow, Celestia really doesn’t care about her subjects does she?” Dusk said.

“Enough of this… what do you want Dusk? Why come to Ponyville?” Twinkle said stepping forward.

“Why? Well, let’s make a list,” Dusk said walking around, “Nothing much, just more puppets, destroying Celestia’s new pupil, the mirror, and hmm what else… oh yeah, her,” Dusk said pointing at Audacia.

“What?... Why me?” Audacia demanded.

“Nothing too demanding, just your death is all,” Dusk said.

Audacia became guarded “Why? Why do I need to die? If anything I would think you’d want me around to protect Equestria, as is your ‘Grand Plan’ or whatever,” Audacia said.

“You see, naturally I would, it’s disappointing I gotta kill an alicorn, but you managed to find out the magical formula to undo my fusions, you're an aberration to my magic, I don’t know how, but you are, and I won’t let you undo my hard work, I’ve come to far for an upstart to undo it!” Dusk said firmly.

“Audacia…” Twinkle said.

“What?” Audacia said.

“Get to the mirror, and enter it, if he’s after you then you're at risk,” Twinkle said.

“What? No! I want to help,” Audacia said firmly.

“Listen! You're not going to stay here and get killed, I fought him before, he’s on a different level than any other unicorn!” Twinkle said.

“But-”

“GO!” Twinkle said before turning to Dusk again.

“Done making your exit strategy?” Dusk asked “Be a good future minion and hand her over, and I’ll pick good fusies for your friends,” Dusk said.

“No,” Twinkle said “Leave him to me guys!” Twinkle said.

“Ok!” they all said.

“Ya’ll may have seventeen, but ah can take em all!” Zap said getting ready.

“...Who said this was all I brought?” Dusk asked.

“Huh?” Twinkle said before her Twinkle sense tingled and she spun to see several burly pegasi ponies descending from above.

“LOOK OUT!” Twinkle flared her horn and fired at the pegasi who scattered.

The group scattered.

“Bulk! Get Audacia to the portal!” Twinkle ordered.

“Ok!” Bulk scooped up Audacia and ran.

“Red Hammer, Gold Flex, take care of the big guy and retrieve the alicorn,” Dusk ordered.

“Yes sir!” The two burly pegasi said and they flew after Bulk.

“No!” Zap said before kicking the pegasus in front of her away and running to protect her coltfriend.

Before several more ponies got in her way.

“Outta mah way!” Zap said putting up her dukes.

Sunset and Starlight aided Charity with the unicorn opponents, Charity used her creation magic to form a wall in front of them and Sunset and Starlight took cover behind it and they peered over it and fired at any ponies that shot at them.

“Agh!” Sunset said ducking a strong bolt “They're almost as strong as us!” Sunset said.

“Their fused ponies! The merge magic makes them stronger!” Starlight said before floating into the air and raining down several shots at the attacking unicorns who took cover in buildings.

Spike tackled a pony down and punched him in the face, but he was kicked off.

“Shame your not fully grown, boss could use a dragon on his side,” The lanky black unicorn said.

“Shut up!” Spike said getting up and breathing fire at him and he put up a barrier.

Big Mac used a leg swing to strike a larger earth Pony out of the way as Bulk ran past.

“LET ME GO! I NEED TO HELP!” Audacia shouted.

“Not happening!” Bulk said before running into the castle, with two pegasi chasing him.

Bulk ran up the stairs before making it to the mirror.

But before he could think of attempting to use it he was tackled from behind.

Audacia hit the ground and she looked to see two strong-looking Pegasi wrestling with Bulk.

“RAAAGH!” Bulk managed to send one flying and the other one drop-kicked him into the wall.

“I can help,” Audacia said lighting up her eyes and firing a magic bolt at the evil ponies, only for Bulk to get hit instead.

“OW!” Bulk stumbled and the other pony punched him.

“Oops…” Audacia said before she tried to un up to assist him.

Dusk walked through the individual battles not paying them any mind.

He walked towards Big Mac who turned to him after knocking out another earth pony.

Dusk glanced around.

“Not bad, you can fight on par with a fused pony, you are genuinely good material for a minion,” Dusk said.

“Ah ain’t yer puppet!” Mac said running forward to punch him… only to hit an invisible barrier and his hand cracked “AGH!” Mac grunted.

“That was reckless, although that punch would have shattered a normal barrier, mine are like titanium,” Dusk said before blasting Mac sending him flying.

“MAC!” Zap yelled before taking to the air and descending towards Dusk and swinging a strong kick.

“Don’t you guys ever learn that-” Dusk was surprised when his barrier cracked and he was sent skidding “Well… how about that- I forgot you were a fused,” Dusk said getting up and dropping his barrier.

“Ya leave mah family alone you psycho,” Zap said.

“Everypony calls me a crazy stallion, but do tell, what’s more crazy? Allow Equestria to descend into complacency, or doing something about it,” Dusk said dusting himself off.

Zap was about to answer but Twinkle approached and got in front of her.

“Zap, stand aside,” Twinkle said.

“But Twinkle-”

“Please, this is a fight I must fight, go to Mac” Twinkle said.

“...Alright,” Zap said before running to check on Big Mac.

“And the prodigal mare steps forward, how goes your subservience to Celestia?” Dusk asked.

“Why… Why do you hate Celestia so much? She did what she could to save your town, what was left, why can’t you let the past go?” Twinkle said.

“....Do you really think that’s the reason I hate Celestia? Sure it’s one of them, but it’s minor in comparison to the real reason… it’s clear she never told you, typical Celestia…” Dusk said with a lowered head.

“What do you mean?” Twinkle demanded.

“....She betrayed me, when I was at my most vulnerable…” Dusk said.

“What?” Twinkle said surprised.

“You think Celestia is some flawless pony, but in reality, she’s just glorified, you see, there’s more to the story,” Dusk said, the fighting in the background muted to them.

“What do you mean!?” Twinkle demanded again.

“Let me tell you a story Twinkle… a story of a pony that trusted Celestia and was betrayed when he needed her most,” Dusk said.

Bulk threw the gold-colored pony against the red one and they both hit the ground unconscious.

“Whew…. I… I did it!” Bulk said standing over his opponents, “Ok! Audacia! Let’s-... where did she go?” Bulk looked around but didn’t see the alicorn “Oh crud,” Bulk said.

“...No….your lying!” Twinkle said stumbling back.

“Makes you feel as though your world is crashing down around you right?” Dusk said.

“B-but you still killed them! She had no choice!” Twinkle defended Celestia.

“Still defending her? Then you’re just as blind, and this was a waste of time trying to convince you to help me,” Dusk said his eyes glowing.

“Look! Dusk, you lost everything and Celestia turned her back on you, but think about this! What happened, happened, you can’t force Equestria to reshape itself to fix the past!” Twinkle said lighting her horn.

“Forget the past, I’m making a better future!” Dusk said before firing a beam that hit a barrier Twinkle put up, it began bouncing against the barrier and multiplying like back at the warehouse.

Twinkle teleported and was in midair before firing a beam at him.

“Heh, childsplay,” Dusk floated up in the air dodging it, Twinkle fired another beam at him but he used his magic to grip the beam and loop it around himself before sending it back at Twinkle.

“Huh?!” Twinkle teleported.

“Redirect,” Dusk said flaring his horn and Twinkle appeared on ground level.

“What? How did I-” Suddenly a yellow beam bounded her to the ground “AH!” Twinkle grunted.

“For such a powerful alicorn, you have a hard time overcoming someone of equal measure,” Dusk said floating over her.

“No!” Twinkle teleported before Dusk could seal her magic again and she arrived above him and fired several magical blasts.

Dusk spread his arms and flared his horn before trapping the blasts in a barrier and condensing them.

“Huh?” Twinkle said.

“Your not the only one who can make magic on the fly,” Dusk said before pouring his own magic into it and returning it to sender.

Twinkle leaned back narrowly avoiding the mixed blast as it flew into the air and exploded with the force of a large bomb,

“Whoa…” Twinkle said.

“Impressive? Just think of what we can accomplish together Twinkle, we can build an Equestria where nopony will suffer my tragedy, and the guilty will pay,” Dusk said.

“Wanting genocide isn’t the answer!” Twinkle said before firing a large beam at Dusk whose hands glowed green and he smiled.

“Time to show you what I’m capable of…” Dusk said before unleashing a dozen green tendrils that formed a barrier in front of him and the beam was stopped.

“What?!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“You're still too green with your new powers gifted to you by the merge mirror, let me help you…” Dusk said before unleashing a swarm of green tendrils at Twinkle who yelped and dodged each tendril that tried to grab her.

One eventually got through and snagged her leg before swinging her into a building.

Twinkle popped out of a chimney and ran along the rooftops as Dusk flew after her.

“You’ll make a great addition to my group, just imagine it, Celestia locked in mortal combat with her own student,” Dusk said before pulling out the lantern.

“No!” Twinkle said before firing several blasts at him and Dusk swerved out of the way.

Dusk used a tendril and lowered the lantern in front of Twinkle but Twinkle could sense the lantern was trouble and she dove off the building before the flash got her.

She landed and teleported as the lantern was lowered to her again.

“Run run, you won’t escape,” Dusk laughed as he unleashed a large tendril at her.

Twinkle spun and shot the tendril with her magic but it split into a dozen more and Twinkle narrowly dodged a volley of them before levitating the town fountain and throwing it at him.

Dusk simply caught the fountain with his tendrils and shattered it before having the tendrils pick up and throw large rocks at her.

Twinkle raised a barrier protecting herself.

“Come now, do you really think you can stop me? Dusk laughed before firing a giant blast into the air and it broke apart and began raining down on Twinkle.

“Hey!” Twinkle grunted as she saw stray shots hitting houses and they exploded “STOP! Your destroying ponies homes!” Twinkle said.

“So? Homes can be rebuilt, you on the other hand…” Dusk fired a dozen more shots and Twinkle backpedaled with her wings firing more shots at him.

“You’ve already lost,” Dusk said landing on the ground.

“What do you mean?” Twinkle panted.

“I mean look around,” Dusk said and Twinkle looked to see her friends in trouble.

Zap was being restrained by a dozen burly ponies.

Charity and the others are pinned by the unicorn magic blasts.

Spike and Mac were captured.

Trixie and Bulk were nowhere to be seen.

“No…” Twinkle said.

“And now you…” Dusk said and Twinkle looked to see that he used that barrier-piercing magic that he used before and there was now a hole in her barrier and he proceeded to blast her with binding magic and she fell to the ground.

“NO!” Twinkle exclaimed as he used a tendril to quickly place a magic-blocking ring on her horn.

“That’s you taken care of…” Dusk laughed before firing another blast in Twinkle's face and knocking her out.

Twinkle woke to see that she was face down in the dirt and she looked up and saw her friends tied up in magic.

“Oh, your awake, good, then we can begin,” Dusk said

“No!” Twinkle tried to struggle but couldn’t get up and she looked to see Dusk had a good number of minions around him.

“Well, now let’s get moving,” Dusk said before gesturing for the ponies to be brought before him.

As they were the ponies who were already fused were just left to watch.

“STOP!” Twinkle shouted.

“Don’t worry, they won’t serve me for life, just until my Equestria is complete,” Dusk said, now… which to start with?...” Dusk said looking at each of them questioningly.

“Leave mah brother alone!” Zap thrashed on the ground.

“Calm down, he’ll still be your brother, just a little different, once I find that white pegasus I’ll put them together, and it’ll create a true right-hand stallion for my army, I can tell,” Dusk said before turning to Spike.

“I haven’t tried crossbreeding via merge magic yet, who knows, maybe it’ll grant me some real fighter power for my army, maybe later though,” Dusk said.

He resumed looking over them and pausing at Starlight and Sunset.

“Hmmm… I can detect merge magic on you two, but you are not merged… you must be the unlucky ones that got diffused, how about I rectify that,” Dusk said before unleashing his tendrils.

“NO! Not again!” Sunset tried to scoot away from the tendrils but she was grabbed and lifted.

“No!” Starlight said as she was picked up.

“Your both remarkable unicorns, I’ll bet you two will go on to become a modern-day arch mage with what my power will grant you!” Dusk said eagerly.

“NO!” Twinkle cried before Dusk heard something and he narrowly put up a barrier blocking a weak magic blast.

“...Blasting somepony from behind is such poor taste you know,” Dusk said putting Sunset and Starlight down and turning to see Trixie and Bulk standing there.

“Y-you let them go!” Trixie stuttered.

“Yeah, or I’m going to have to hurt you!” Bulk said cracking his knuckles.

Dusk and his entourage started laughing.

“On dear, a muscle-headed pegasus and a subpar unicorn,” Dusk chuckled.

“Hey! Trixie is not ‘subpar’!” Trixie shouted.

“You don’t want to mess with us!” Bulk said.

“Hmm, I was looking for the muscular one at least, you and the farmer over there will make a fine addition to my minions,” Dusk said before approaching “Very well, come at me with everything you got,” Dusk said.

“Wait!” Bulk said holding up a hand and Dusk paused.

“Yes?” Dusk asked.

“Before we fight… a poem,” Bulk said before brandishing a book.

“...A what?...” Dusk said confusedly.

“It is… common for ponies from where I’m from to recite poetry before fighting… and we should-’

“What’s your angle?...” Dusk said sounding bemused.

“Yeah… I thought you said we had a plan!” Trixie whispered harshly.

“Just wait!” Bulk said back before going to talking “Page one To be or not to be, aint that the question, like a lotus i rest upon a creek, seeing the world spinning above me, what do I seek?... and-”

Everypony just watch confusedly and before Zap could question what her coltfriend was doing she felt a tug on her magical bindings.

“Huh?!-” Zap was about to shout but a hand covered her mouth and she looked to see a barely visible being magically working on breaking the bindings.

“Who…” Twinkle asked.

“It’s me, I found Trixie and Bulk and worked a strategy out,” Audacia said.

“Thank goodness,” Charity said.

“C’mon, what are these bindings made of?!” Audacia grunted.

“A bird soars beside me, I feel free-” Bulk continued before Dusk stepped forward.

“Do you think I’m stupid?... What’s your plan?” Dusk asked before he studied Trixie’s eyes carefully and he saw her glance unconsciously.

“...No… AMBUSH!” Dusk spun and fired a beam and an invisible figure eep’d and dodged it.

“Audacia!” Zap called worriedly before finding her bindings were loosened...

“Found you, I’m glad you didn’t run, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do what I came to do,” Dusk said before lighting his hands and sending his tendrils to snag her.

“No!” Audacia took to the air to avoid it and fired a magic blast at Dusk who swatted it aside with a tendril.

“Three alicorns and a few spells are all you know? What a waste,” Dusk said before firing another beam at Audacia who got hit and she split back into three and the CMC tumbled to the ground.

“But what else is to expect, your young, and foolish,” Dusk said.

“Leave her alone!” Bulk tried to fly over but several pegasi blocked him.

Trixie took this opportunity to run over to Starlight and she tried to pull on the bindings.

“Trixie! Run! Before he gets you!” Starlight said.

“I’m not letting you get fused again!” Trixie said before a unicorn shot her with a spell and sent her tumbling.

“Trixie!” Starlight called.

“Hah! Take-” Suddenly the unicorn was punched and everypony saw it was Zap who managed to escape her bindings and she plowed through the guarding ponies and ran for Dusk.

“AH’M NOT LETTING YOU KILL MAH SISTER!” Zap said before Dusk spun and shot her with a magic blast sending her to the ground.

“Next time, shout that after you sneak attack me,” Dusk said before approaching the CMC and releasing the tendrils “What a shame to put an end to a potential alicorn, but there will be more when I can get around the mental issues,” Dusk said before forming the tendrils into a giant fist of magic and he raised it.

“No!” Sweetie cried.

“It can’t end like this!” Apple Bloom said.

“NO!” Scootaloo struggled to her hooves and she lit her horn, determined not to go down without a fight.

“Goodbye,” Dusk said.

“NO!” Zap cried.

…

…..

…….

“DUSK HEART!” A powerful voice shouted before a powerful beam fired at Dusk.

“Huh?!” Dusk said recognizing the voice and he quickly rounded the hand and used it as a shield which blocked the beam.

The resulting explosion sent Dusk flying.

“What?” Twinkle turned to see something that relieved her.

“CELESTIA!” Twinkle said seeing the solar monarch descending upon the battlefield that Ponyville has become.

“You…” Dusk said getting up.

“Enough of this Dusk, Stop this!” Celestia flared her horn.

“You and what army Celestia?” Dusk said defiantly.

“No army, just friends,” Celestia said before several dozen guards descended upon the battlefield from behind her.

The guards ran forward and attacked the fused ponies forcing them to retreat from the captives.

“Celestia!” Twinkle happily said as Celestia used her magic to break the bindings on them.

“How did you-” Charity asked.

“Twinkle had sent me a message not only about the ponies she was sent to me, but to prepare an offensive, Dusk miscalculated thinking that I would stand idly by just because he has the manuscripts.

“Dusk…” Twinkle looked down remembering what he said to her.

“SIR! We’re outnumbered! What do we do?!” a unicorn asked.

“What’s this we?... You win this time Celestia, but this was a mere assassination attempt, when I come with my full force in days time, your complacent world will crash!” Dusk said before creating a portal and walking through it.

“Wait! What about us!” The other ponies tried to follow him but the portal closed before they could.

The guards aimed their weapons at them and the fused ponies present were forced to get down on their knees.

“It’s over… for now,” Celestia said.

While the fused ponies were loaded into the carriages, Celestia turned to the others.

“You were quite lucky that you sent those messages when you did Twinkle, had I been a few moments too soon, I would have not made it in time,” Celestia said.

“We really lucked out then,” Spike said.

“Yeah!” Bulk cheered hugging Zap.

“Alright ya big lug, bring it in,” Zap said hugging him back.

Celestia saw this and smiled a little, deep down she had hoped they would forge their own paths even when she told them to honor their roots, it made her proud, but she noticed Twinkle looked down.

“Twinkle my student, why do you look so down, we won today?” Celestia said.

“...Dusk told me things, and I want you to tell me what’s true and what isn’t,” Twinkle said.

“...I see, I will tell you then, when we have a moment, for now, pack your things, we head for Canterlot,” Celestia said.

“Why are we heading to Canterlot?” Charity asked.

“There was more than what the message said, about what the visitor we had told us,” Celestia said.

“Ok…” Twinkle said before they followed Celestia to the castle.

A rockface was obliterated and Dusk sat down afterwards huffing angrily.

“She had to show up and ruin everything, I suppose I underestimated how attached to her current student she is if she’s willing to risk the wrath of Celtus for her… at least she learns from her mistakes, I’ll grant her that,” Dusk said.

Suddenly a familiar young colt approached Dusk.

“Master master! I’ve checked with everypony as you said, they're all ready to go!” Cotton Mane said.

“That’s great to hear,” Dusk said walking over to a big rock and standing atop it, looking out at an army.

“Gather!” Dusk shouted and his army of brainwashed fused ponies did “In a few days’ time, we march on Canterlot, with five goals in mind. One, destroy the diffuser, two, crush the remaining resistance, three, take Canterlot, four detain The spirit of Disharmony, and five!... Find the secret to making more alicorns, to grant the ponies dominion! We are here to make Equestria better! No matter the cost!” Dusk raised his fist and the other ponies raised theirs as well and cheered.

Twinkle and the others exited the castle and walked to the carriages with supplies.

Spike opened the chariot and suddenly a red carpet flowed out and Discord appeared.

“Hello friends! Glad to see your alright!” Discord cheered.

“Hello Discord,” Celestia said.

“...Wait a minuite… if Discord was with you… why didn’t he come to help us!?” Sunset demanded.

“Oh my dear, trust me, when Charity was in danger I was ready to swoop in and go nuclear on that unicorn, but alas, Twinkle had given me a very special mission,” Discord said.

“When was this?” Spike asked.

“Right after the end of the last chapter, anyhoo, I believe after canvasing the whole of Equestria I found where Dusk is stationed, and I managed to swipe a certain something,” Discord said before pulling out the Box of Celtus and depositing it on the ground.

“...What is that?” Sunset asked.

“The box of Celtus? How… how did-” Celestia questioned before Discord shook his head.

“Your student did the research, I did the heavy lifting,” Discord said before opening the box and revealing a portal in it.

“We need to hide it again, we don’t know-”

“I’m afraid there would be no point in that,” Discord said turning it upside down and shaking it “It's empty save for a few nasty little trinkets,” Discord said showing them weird cuffs and a red horn ring.

“What are those?” Spike asked.

“Magic eraser cuffs and a magic enhancer ring, but… where did the rest of the items in the chest go?” Celestia asked.

“It seems this unicorn is more intelligent than we first thought, he was sure to empty it in case it was stolen, seems he forgot a few items, but apart from that this venture of mine was nearly fruitless,” Discord sighed.

“Then we’ll work with what we got,” Twinkle said before getting on the carriage.

The rest of the group got on and soon the carriages took off.

Dusk entered a tent pitched by his minions and sat down in a chair, he saw on the table all of his potential forbidden items he could use to either destroy or bring Equestria to its knees, but one, in particular, kept his attention…

The Manuscripts of Celtus, the pages shuddered with a reddish aura.

“Worry not Celtus, soon your time will come, just be patient,” Dusk said.

The truth come out

View Online

The chariot ride was quiet and tense, Celestia noticed Twinkle looked upset but she was still sitting next to her alright.

For now, Celestia will have to do her best to make things right.

Once they arrived Twinkle climbed out and her Twinkle sense warned her of an incoming force.

“Huh?” Twinkle looked up and saw Flash running at her, she smiled and he tackle hugged her.

“Twinkle! I hoped you were alright,” Flash said.

“I am now Flash,” Twinkle said.

“Why didn’t you let me help?” Flash asked.

“You weren’t ready to face Dusk, and frankly, neither am I…” Twinkle said, meanwhile, Celestia approached a guard.

“The private room, for important conversations, please,” Celestia said.

“Right this way,” The guard said and the group left for the room.

“What happened?” Flash asked.

“We’ll see,” Twinkle said.

After a few minutes, they made it to the room where they had their first meeting between the Fusion three and Celestia.

Celestia sat at the end of the table and gestured for all the other ponies to sit at their spots, afterwards, she put up a sound-blocking barrier.

“...Now, I suppose you all wish to address the elephant in the room,” Celestia said.

“Yes we do, you have answers you’ve been hiding Celestia,” Sunset said.

“...Indeed…” Celestia sighed.

“What is Dusk’s reason? Why is he so obsessed with improving Equestria? If anything all he’s doing is reducing the population,” Starlight said.

“And he tried to kill me,” Audacia said.

“Yes yes… this is all hard to understand… but I will do my best to explain, it is time I told you the truth… all of it,” Celestia said.

Discord got out his popcorn and sat beside Charity.

“I suppose I should start from the beginning, before Sunset Shimmer… at least fifty years beforehand to be exact, Equestria was in a time of political unrest with the other nations,” Celestia said.

“What else is new,” Discord muttered.

“And I had failed yet another student… so I searched for another, one I could guide towards making a bright future for Equestria… and I wish I had been more careful,” Celestia said before looking at the group “It was Dusk Heart, or how he’d usually like to go by whenever he was visiting, Stormy… but his name is Dusk Heart, he was much like Twinkle, bright-eyed, optimistic, had a sense of humor and overall had a limitless passion for magic and it’s many secrets… he was a promising student and had a knack for creating new spells, he was obsessed with the concept of creating new and more powerful methods, he was religiously devoted to his nation and wanted to protect it, I should have seen the signs but instead I encouraged him, I loved him like he was my own son, I practically raised him, and then it all came down the day of the griffon attack,” Celestia said.

“Most of us didn’t hear the middle part, care to repeat?” Discord said but Charity hushed him.

“Very well, I hadn’t heard of it until much later, but griffon raiders invaded his hometown, killed most of the ponies there and stole their belongings, they kept the town under their claw until one pony managed to escape, that pony was Dusk, he traveled for days on hoof until he made it to Canterlot, and he informed me and my sister of what happened, we came with a fighting force to liberate that town, when we got there however we found we had been expected,” Celestia said.

“The griffons had killed off all but a handful of ponies and threatened to do the same to the rest of them if we didn’t let them leave with what they took, not wanting anymore bloodshed I conceded and they left,” Celestia said with regret in her voice, just like the last time she explained it “I had prayed that I would find Dusk’s family among them, but they were among the slain instead, save for his sister, who was catatonic,” Celestia said.

“No…” Flash said feeling sorry about that.

“I informed Dusk of what happened and he was understandably inconsolable, but at least took comfort in the idea that I at least punished the invaders for their actions… When I told him what went down at his hometown… he was livid and demanded why I didn’t end those who took everything from him… I tried to tell him that I did it to protect what remained, but he was beyond caring at that point and attacked me, yelling I was the reason his loved ones were unavenged, he left afterward swearing he’d get them back, one way or another,” Celestia said before letting a few tears fall “I wish I had stopped him, I figured he just needed time to cope, to calm… Oh how I was wrong, and now, the rest…” Celestia wiped her eyes and resumed.

“He had somehow broken into the vault of Canterlot and escaped with The Box of Celtus, I tried to find him but he had vanished off the face of Equestria… Until a scout heard a commotion and saw something they shouldn’t have had to see… Celtus…” Celestia said.

“Who is this Celtus?” Charity asked.

“A monster the size of a mountain, made of darkness and evil, it could take any animal shape it wanted, and no magic could subdue it, based on eyewitness accounts it was rampaging in the Griffon territories and killed many griffons before he vanished, one thing I can be thankful for is that because Dusk was so young at the time and inexperienced with ancient magic he didn’t know how to keep Celtus unleashed and ultimately Celtus vanished back into the Manuscripts, unable to separate from them completely due to insufficient summoning methods,” Celestia said.

“We had gone there with a battalion of guards to assess the situation… but we were not prepared for what we saw… the griffons of that village… they were all dead save for a few survivors… and I watched Dusk kill them himself with a weapon from the Box of Celtus, when he saw my horror-stricken face he had only joy on his face… I still remember what he told me that day… ‘I finally avenged my hometown, aren’t you proud of me Celestia?’.... I couldn’t contain my emotions and I struck him unconscious with a spell…”

“Oh no…” Charity said.

“He… unleashed Celtus on a griffon village?” Sunset said in shock.

“Understandably The Griffons threatened Equestria with war if this tragedy went unpunished and I… had no choice… I threw him in prison and never looked back, even as he screamed my name, he spent twenty years in prison before he escaped by some means and I thought he went to live the remainder of his life elsewhere…. Little did I know he was plotting the current events in Equestria,” Celestia said.

“Oh dear…” Charity said.

“Yup, same ending as always,” Discord said eating more popcorn.

“So you turned your back on your student?” Sunset accused.

“It was either throw him in jail for the multiple crimes he committed, or risk war with the griffons, considering the full tragedy that Celtus could have caused I get why the griffons wanted to be sure the caster is locked up, not to mention Dusk knew full well what unleashing Celtus would do… I still can’t help but feel such regret for not visiting him once, but I couldn’t… I couldn’t look at him and not see the student I failed, just like all the students I failed to protect… from themselves,” Celestia said.

“And now he’s coming to Canterlot with an army to force you to step down and let him merge everypony into superior forms,” Twinkle said.

“And if his back is to the wall at any point in his invasion then he’ll just use Celtus to destroy us so he can continue his work in peace, any way you slice it, we’re at a disadvantage,” Discord said.

“We have you Discord, maybe you can defeat Celtus?” Spike offered.

“Wishful thinking, at best I would be able to hold Celtus at bay for a few hours,” Discord said.

“Then how do we beat Dusk?!” Spike asked.

“Our best bet is to take down Dusk before he uses Celtus,” Celestia said.

“How’s that?” Zap asked.

“I will handle Dusk,” Celestia said.

“But Celestia… he has the tools of the Box of Celtus, he could kill you with them,” Twinkle said.

“Then at least I will have paid for my mistakes,” Celestia said.

“...Then we must prepare,” Starlight said.

“I reckon we have a few days time before he makes his move,” Zap said.

“I agree, Dusk was the type to never do something without taking time to analyze it,” Celestia said.

“I want to help,” Flash said.

“Ah yes, Flash Sentry was it? I hope Cadance will be okay without her guard,” Celestia chuckled.

“I’m actually a human,” Flash said.

“Oh, then this might be tougher, I will help you,” Celestia said before standing “Everypony, this is Equestria’s darkest hour, and I seek to train you all to prepare for the invasion, we need to take any and all measures,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Everypony nodded.

“Those of you who have questions may remain and ask them, the rest of you are dismissed for now,” Celestia said.

As the group began to disperse, Zap, Charity, Spike, Audacia, Flash, Starlight, Twinkle and Sunset all gathered around Celestia.

“All of you, I can sense your reason for wanting to speak with me, we need to be prepared, and so I will take it upon myself to train you all,” Celestia said.

“I mostly just need a refresher,” Sunset said.

“I want to get stronger,” Spike said.

“I want to master my power,” Charity said.

“The stronger ah am the better,” Zap said.

“I need some training to fight on par with Dusk,” Twinkle said.

“I need to training on how to fight,” Flash said.

“Ok, all of you follow me, and be ready, for things may only get worse before they get better,” Celestia said.

“Ok!” Everypony said.

Cheese Sandwich walked through the halls looking for Celestia, he had found where Dusk’s army was located and he knew this would be vital info.

As Cheese made his way into the lobby area he saw a familiar face approaching from another doorway.

“Huh? You? What are you doing here?” Cheese asked.

“...I need to find Twinkle,” Shining Armor said.

It showed the training area, and everypony was training hard for the coming days.

Sunset and Starlight were sparring with their magic.

“Thanks for helping practice again, all that time in the human world made me a bit rusty,” Sunset said.

“No problem, your magic output is good, but you need to maneuver and control the flow of magic or else it won’t be as powerful, again,” Starlight formed a barrier and Sunset fired a beam, and Starlight noted it down as she deflected it.

Spike was training with a guard in spear combat and Spike was being sure to watch his movements.

“Again!” The guard said as he deflected another spear thrust.

“Ok!” Spike said as he spun his spear and dove in again.

Charity was with Discord and she was using her creation magic to build various things and deconstruct them.

“Ngh!” Charity said as she built a transparent wall with her magic.

“Good good,” Discord said before pulling out a picture of what he wanted her to make next.

Audacia had already split back into Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo again and they were practicing their magic with a few unicorn guards, if just to help Audacia get stronger.

Zap was training using a set of thick trees that Celestia had, punching and kicking them with measured blows.

“Ah need ta be stronger! To protect what ah care about,” Zap said remembering Bulk and her family.

“Go on Flash,” A group of elite guards were helping Flash train.

Flash swung his sword around and he struck the dummy with several carefully aimed strikes.

“I need to be there, I lost Twilight once, I won’t lose Twinkle too!” Flash said as he struck the dummy again.

Lastly, Twinkle was meditating and focusing her magic with Celestia overseeing it.

“Harmonize with your magic, feel it coursing through you,” Celestia said.

“Ok…” Twinkle said as her horn lit up and several streams of light flowed from it.

“Now center your magic and focus it upon yourself, the method of this training is not learning new spells, but becoming more intuned with your magic, that is how you strengthen it,” Celestia said.

“Ok…” Twinkle said before forming the magic into a shape and molding it into-

“Hello?” A disrupting voice said and Twinkle lost her focus and fell on her rump.

“Ooof!” Twinkle grunted before looking to see Shining Armor entering the grounds and when he saw her he began approaching her.

“Shiny?...” Twinkle said feeling a pang of nervousness.

“Twinkle… I found you, look I wanted to say-” Suddenly Shining was blocked by Flash.

“Get away from her,” Flash said with a glare.

“I just wanted to-”

“Leave!” Starlight said as she and Sunset approached.

Pretty soon everypony was shifting their focus to Shining Armor and they began crowding him.

“What are you doing here?!” Spike said.

“Spike, I want to apologize to Twinkle,” Shining said.

“I heard what you tried to do to her, you nearly killed her! Wasn’t rejecting her bad enough?” Spike said.

“...Please, just let me see her,” Shining Armor said.

“I’m not making that mistake again, get moving or I will-” Starlight said before somepony interrupted.

“Enough!” Twinkle popped up in the middle of the crowd and had them all step back.

“Twinkle?” Shining asked.

“...Yes…?” She asked not looking at him.

“L-look...I’m sorry… for real this time, I… I hurt you and rejected you and I-” Shining was cut off as Twinkle hugged him.

“What? Twinkle?” Shining said in surprise.

“I’m glad…” She said with tears in her eyes.

“I-i thought you’d be furious after the way I treated you,” Shining said.

“I was never angry… I was sad because I thought you hated me, I felt guilty, but was never angry with you,” Twinkle said.

Shining hugged her back.

“Is it still alright for me to call you sis… or are we not there yet?...” Shining asked.

“You can,” Twinkle said before turning to the others “I don’t want any animosity between anypony going forward, let’s get back to work,” Twinkle said.

“...” The group still looked wary of Shining Armor but they nodded and walked away.

“I’m still sorry,” Shining Armor said.

“Don’t be, what’s in the past is in the past,” Twinkle said.

“I am glad you came to your senses Shining Armor,” Celestia said approaching.

Shining looked even guiltier and he knelt in front of Celestia.

"I cannot and will not hold back the truth from you Celestia… When Luna was kidnapped… It was-”

“Your fault?” Celestia said.

“What? You knew?” Shining said.

“Indeed, Dusk told Luna and she told me, and while I am awfully tempted to lock you up for selling my sister out to Dusk Heart for an item that you didn’t even know was cursed to try and get Twilight back, I will let Cadence make that decision,” Celestia said.

“...She must hate me,” Shining said looking down.

“She was quite heartbroken that you would go to such extremes but she understands it was under the duress of losing your sister, understandably however you may be sleeping on the floor for the next few months,” Celestia said, not losing her cool expression.

“It’s what I deserve. But I will do my best to help,” Shining said “With your permission Celestia I want to temporarily resume my captain of the guard duties,” Shining said.

“Permission granted, perhaps you can aid Mr. Flash Sentry with his training,” Celestia said

“But isn’t he already a trained soldier?” Shining asked.

“He’s actually his human counterpart, remember?” Twinkle said.

“Ah, you did say that,” Shining said before nodding “I will make a soldier out of him yet,” Shining said before walking in that direction.

“Twinkle, let us resume, you must master your potential,” Celestia said.

“Alright!” Twinkle said with a determined expression.

Hours passed and pretty soon everypony retired back into castle, almost everypony.

Twinkle remained and continued focusing on her magic.

Flash and Cheese approached her.

“Twinkle, you should head back inside, it’s getting late,” Flash said.

“No, I need to unlock my full potential,” Twinkle said.

“You still need sleep,” Cheese Sandwich said.

“I will, just… a few more hours,” Twinkle said.

“Ok, but come up to your quarters when your done,” Flash said and the two walked away.

“Focus… focus… focus,” Twinkle muttered.

Luna and Celestia looked out at the city.

“Celly… when was the last time Equestria was in danger like this?” Luna said.

“Frequently as a matter of fact,” Celestia said.

“Are you ready?” Luna asked.

“I will do my best,” Celestia said.

“I meant, are you ready… your facing your demons once again, and this time, it has an army,” Luna said.

“...I will admit, I won’t be able to look at him without seeing the colt I thought of like my own, how can I… and I still locked him up like an animal when he did what I would not, If I had just tracked down those griffons after letting them go…” Celestia was beginning a spiral and Luna stopped it.

“He unleashed Celtus, had he done it right, countless innocent griffons would have died, and who knows, Celtus may have continued its path of destruction to Equestria… he risked everypony for revenge,” Luna said.

“I know… but it was only because I was too scared of the griffon empire’s retaliation that I threw him aside… I’m a terrible teacher, how Twilight stood with me for so long amazes me,” Celestia said and Luna hugged her.

“Do not say that sister, your sins are in the past, leave them there, for now we need to stop Dusk before he causes anymore damage,” Luna said.

“Ok,” Celestia hugged Luna back.

A guard went through the castle and hid in an empty room and pulled out a crystal.

“Milord, I have not been detected yet, how are things on your end?” The brainwashed fused guard said.

“Good, have you set the traps yet?” Dusk asked.

“Yes, with the trap set Canterlot is ours,” The guard said.

“Get moving then, we need to make this work without a hitch, and if all goes right, I will have Celestia and Luna before they realize it,” Dusk said.

“Ok,” The guard said before leaving.

Candance and the Crystal guards arrived on the scene the next morning with Celestia, Twinkle, and Luna waiting for her.

“Hi Cadance!” Twinkle said running up to her and hugging her.

“Hello Twinkle,” Cadence said and they even did their ladybug dance before Candace addressed the other princesses.

“How is everything, I heard from Twinkle that Shining finally wizened up that he still has a sister?” Cadence said.

“Yeah, please don’t be too angry with him Cady,” Twinkle asked.

“Ok, but only because you said so,” Cadence said “I will be having a stern talk with him later though, be sure of that,” Cadence said.

“Wish to join us in the war room Cadence?” Celestia said.

“Yes,” Cadence said following the group into the castle before noticing a strange sight as she passed it… a mirror behind a bush… odd, why would Celestia put that there?

“So, how many ponies from Ponyville are willing to aid us in the fight?” Celestia said.

“At least seventy-five percent of them, but they are visibly scared and unsure how to fight,” Luna responded.

“We’ll have to gather the commanders and have them train them the best we can, we need all hooves on deck here,” Celestia said.

“Training in a few days is a bit of a stretch, even for my guards,” Luna said.

“I agree, but we must do the best we can,” Celestia said.

As Candance and the others walked through the castle and they walked passed a few guards, who nodded respectfully to the princesses as they walked past.

Cadence however sensed something and glanced back at one of the guards who passed.

Something felt off about his sense of emotions… it was… more centered.. elsewhere?... odd.

‘Something isn’t right…’ Cadence thought.

They made it to the war room and they saw the rest of the group there.

“Princess,” everypony bowed.

“Hello, eveypony… Flash? What are you doing here?” Cadence asked noticing Flash.

“Different Flash,” Twinkle whispered in her ear.

“I… see,” Cadence said.

“Alright everypony, your all here for specific reasons, I feel you’ll all be vital to the success of stopping Dusk Heart from taking over Equestria, we need the aid of every exceptional fighter we can get,” Celestia said.

As Celestia talked Cadance noticed Shining Armor in the corner, he glanced at her and smiled hopefully but she just huffed and looked away.

“...Figured…” Shining sighed.

“If I know Dusk, then he’ll have taken his time to plan out an attack on Canterlot, we need to be prepared for anything, therefore I would like to have Zap Apple here, do aerial reconnaissance to keep an eye out for anything that Dusk is attempting. Charity be prepared to put that object creation to use, and Twinkle, We’ll need you to aid in the second layer of defense.” Celestia began her strategy.

“I will aid others in this battle, personally,” Luna said.

As they were talking Spike looked to Discord and whispered.

“What part do you play in all this?” Spike asked.

“Mainly just field support and the main line of defense against Celtus if he uses him,” Discord said.

“What part do I get?” Spike asked.

“Inner castle defense,” Discord said.

“...Great,” Spike said.

“And in conclusion, we go on to gang up on Dusk, we need to get his tools away from him,” Celestia said.

“What tools specifically?” Zap asked.

“Yeah, he must have tons,” Bulk said.

“Ideally, all of them, specifically, The manuscripts of Celtus and the lantern of subjugation, they are his main tools,” Celestia said.

“It is likely he must have spread them among his minions, we must be careful who has what,” Luna said.

“Be honest Celestia… what’s our likelihood of winning this?” Trixie asked and everypony looked at her.

“...I cannot say we are guaranteed to win, but we cannot give up hope just because of that fact, now, let us move out,” Celestia said.

“That doesn’t make me feel confident,” Trixie said.

“Don’t worry, we’ve faced worse odds,” Starlight said.

“When?” Trixie asked.

“Tirek,” Twinkle said.

“...Name two,” Trixie said.

Dusk and his army stood upon the side of a mountain overseeing Equestria.

“The time is near, time to build Equestria anew, Celestia,” Dusk said before entering the cave his army is in.

And they were setting up row after row of something their secret weapon.

Mirrors…

Fusion life

by Aether Spark

The incident

A visit to Canterlot

Dreams and tests

Meet the family for not the first time all over again.

Showing the town, a plot in motion and contained feelings

Growing affections, secret meetings, and trouble is brewing.

Twinkle takes a trip to the human world

Twinkle Twinkle little Cheesie

New plans and a trip

A fun day in Manehatten

Meeting the enemy

The solution

A date with an old flame

The situation worsens

Problems and solutions

A possible cure?!

Dates and descisions

The battle for Ponyville

The truth come out