Celestia

Twilight arrived ten minutes after I had called her. She had a frantic look on her face that we all shared. “So you think Sunny is tapping into dark magic?” We all nodded our heads the signs of dark magic was stagnant in the air. Twilight gave me a hug. “Don’t worry Celestia. We’ll get to the bottom of this. There's something I must know, was Sunny experiencing unbridled rage when she blinked out of the room?”

"There was nothing in Sunny, nothing. No sadness no anger, just nothing. I've never felt her so devoid of emotions.” Chrysalis added in a downtrodden manner while looking at me with a face of indifference. Her stare however was nowhere near as cold as Sunny’s was. I could feel the sting of it even now. I had failed her so utterly that she manifested dark magic!

Twilight pulled her phone out and dialed a number. “Hey Cadance, we got a bit of an emergency going on with Sunny how soon can you be here? A few days, that could be a problem.” Chrysalis walked to Sunny’s room and the sound of the Tardis could be heard about five minutes later. It appeared before us not even thirty seconds after we heard the sound of the engine. A surprised looking Cadence, Shining Armor and Skyla came out of it followed by Chrysalis.

Cadence and Shining were unable to form words at all and Skyla seemed to have something to say. “That was amazing! It’s bigger on the inside and we made it to Canterlot in no time flat. How'd we do that miss Chrissy?” The child had an honest look of wonder on her face and even I had a look on my face. However mine was horror. The thoughts of Chrysalis with access to a time/space machine absolutely terrified me. I shook that thought off though, She had proven that she was not the same Chrysalis that once attacked Canterlot. She was full of love for Sunny and compassion for her neighbors.

“It’s bigger on the inside.” Was all poor Shining Armor could muster. Cadence was still slightly aghast at the fact that Chrysalis was living here. Damn it Chrysalis, I kept that fact from her for a reason! The funny thing about speaking about bad things is that doing so tends to bring them out. Cadence looked at me in a silent anger and Chrysalis could be seen blanching. She wasn’t really one of the taste of rage. Or so she tells me.

“How long has she been here Aunty?!” Oh dear, this won’t end well. Cadence’s face went from pink to red in a matter of seconds and I noticed Chrysalis was wincing and sweating. If I didn’t know better I’d think….She is isn’t she?

“Mi Amore Cadenza stop that this instant, you’re hurting her!” I said sternly and added a look outrage to her actions. I can’t believe she would do this but then again I haven’t given her the specifics have I. I need to think of how to do this. The only logical way to deal with this was to retell Sunny’s story. "I'm going to tell you the story of Sunny’s life before her return. Then you shall understand."

"Wait a moment Celestia, I would like to document this. Ready the camera Dinky!" Twilight cried out to her apprentice. Dinky was close to Sunny’s age, she couldn’t be older than her by a year or two at maximum. As soon as the camera was readied, I went on with the story. Twilight gasped when she realized she had met Sunny and had no idea. But of course you pick up a few tricks in disguising yourself when your mother is a changeling.

I was about to reassure Twilight of that but Chrysalis beat me to the chase. "The first magic she learned was disguise magic and it helped that she picked up a few perception filters to add to her disguise. There was no way you would've remotely suspected that Pocket Watch was Sunny. So calm down from your panic attack." Her reassurance was surprisingly effective and she wasn’t even using magic. This just proves that she’s a more experienced mother than I am. I need to work on my own shortcomings and truly accept what makes Sunny unique.This is going to be a long winding road but it needs to be traveled. Why is being a parent harder than running a nation for thousands of years?!

Cadence is no idiot, she understood that Chrysalis is as much Sunny’s mother as i am; if not more. After all she raised her and made many sacrifices in her name. Chrysalis had learned to be kind and patient and understanding. Something that had been dulled in me from years on the throne with uppity nobles that only cared for themselves. Not to forget the disappearance of my foal.

“We are all in agreement that we all need to talk to Sunny and get to the bottom of this. However she probably won’t come if I ask her to. Sunny respects you Twilight, will you be the middle mare in this moment?” Twilight smiled and agreed to talk with Sunny. “But we still don’t know where she is!”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m pretty sure she went straight to Blaze and Spike’s since she wasn’t in the Tardis. And no Twilight, you may not study it. I don’t think Sunny would appreciate it” Chrysalis said in a tone that reeked of certainty. Twilight hung her head in defeat. Having only just recently hearing of the Tardis. Dinky was surprised at the mention it and didn’t gasp at the story. I made sure to leave out the part of her mother killing her father. Only two ponies had the right to tell her that and I doubt either will be doing so.

We made our way to the dragon tower with a quickness. I would like to say we walked but we just flew. Twilight was helping Cadence with Shining. Sunny was blankly staring at us...at me as soon as we came into her field of vision and I suddenly found myself panicking How do I even begin this conversation. ‘Sunny I know I was being a negligent mother to you and only seemed to care about myself but you shouldn’t turn to dark magic. It’s horrible!’ That would blow up in my face. At this moment, I have no right to lecture her. I’m just hoping Twilight can get through to her. Sunny was kind enough to open the window for us and then she sat down at the round table in the dining area of the tower. I couldn’t help but notice how draconic her eyes looked. Even now her magenta eyes were calm and beautiful and definitely a dragon’s eyes and not a pony’s.

“Didn’t we already have an intervention today?” There was no emotion in that statement at all. It was merely her stating a fact. It’s sad that I’ve failed her so completely that she doesn’t even bother not looking at me. She just stares at me blankly.

Twilight stepped up to speak to sunny. “You’re not in trouble, Sunny. There’s just a few things we need to do... if that’s okay with you.”

Sunny rubbed her chin as if in thought and seconds later opened her mouth. “If you insist, Fluttershy.” We all laughed at that It was just too much. My heart melted when Sunny came to grab my hand. “You look like you’re actually trying so I’ll give you a little leeway. Do try not to screw the pooch this time, yah.” I nodded with the feeling that she didn’t want to hear my voice today. I’ll have to try my damnedest to get my daughter back but this gesture. Her holding my hand and smiling at me; however lightly it may be. Was better than her previous treatment of emotionless contact. I’m not about to lose my child a second time. Sunny is my world and I would tread the path to Tartarus for her. This is what it means to be a parent.

Chrysalis put her hand on my shoulder. “Now that you have that feeling, remember it. So long as you have that you should do well as a parent. Keep that fire going and you won’t make this mistake again.” She was right I may raise the sun for Equestria but the true star in my life is holding my hand with a warmer growing smile.

Twilight

Well it’s time to have that talk with Sunny. Here’s hoping I don’t screw up. Oh no, what if I mess this up and….cool it. Now is not the time for a break down. I need to focus! “Sunny, you inadvertently used dark magic earlier. I’d like to say this once more. You are not in trouble. Especially if what I think is going is in fact going on. I need you to fire you pure magical energy into this vial for me.”

Sunny Blushed a storm. “I..I..I’d love to do that for you Twilight. But so soon, I’m just not ready for that right now! M-Maybe in a few more years when I’ve discovered who I am.”

The whole room was laughing and it was my turn to blush now. I really should have worded that better. “It’s not for that sweetheart, I just need to run a few test on your mana. I swear that’s the only reason I’m asking you to do this!” Sunny grabbed the vial and tilted her head to it. To my wonder and terror, I could see her bubbling dark silver aura blast an equally bubbling amount of liquid mana into the vial. She corked vial and handed it to me in a swift motion. I already had my suspicions but this practically confirmed it. I’m still going to need to process her mana just to be sure. “Dinky, ready the kit please.” Dinky gave off a simple yes’m and reached through the dimensional bag Sunny had made for me for my birthday last month.

The kit was a new design of an older one invented by Star Seeker. Star swirl’s progeny and loving student. She contributed to the world of magic in ways that differed from her father. While Star Swirl was a spell maker, Star Seeker focused on inventing devices for the magical community. However the mana reader was by far her greatest invention. My design features a small vacuum chamber for me to pour the mana into. The vacuum chamber then sucks the mana into a series of spiraling tubes. After all the liquid mana is within the tubes they begin rotating at high speeds for about two minutes. After that the liquid from the two separate tubes drip into a petri dish and the results are known when the last drop hits. The liquid mana will turn to the color of the pony’s mana alignment. I’m sure Celestia is hoping for a red reading making her like Luna, herself and of course myself. I however am being a realist and by this point know for a fact what the color is going to be.

We all waited five minutes for the machine to do it’s job and at least two faces were crestfallen when I showed them the pitch black liquid. Sunny wasn’t that surprised at the alignment of her mana and felt no pain at Celestia's perturbed state. Silence might be the best thing in this moment. “Twilight, I assume you’re going to be teaching me how to use and properly control dark magic. You're the only one I can count on since mother despises it."

Celestia’s eyes shot wide open and she started to glare at me. But I just don’t care, Sunny has a right to know this! “I would love to teach you how but I don’t dip that far into that end despite my mana alignment so my experience in casting dark magic is novice at best. In fact I’m sure that you’ll be better than me at it by your birthday. I have a teacher in mind who would love to take on a royal student, she’d find it an absolute honor!”

And there Celestia goes again with the glaring. If she ever wants Sunny to forgive her, she has to work on this intolerance of hers! Sometimes I find it hard to believe that this is the mare that sent me to learn the magic of friendship. This instance alone proves that she has a severe hatred for things she deems morally wrong. “Aunty, I’m going to stop you before you say anything stupid. Sunny needs to learn how to use her magic properly or there could be dire consequences. Try to be a Good mother and let your child grow and learn what she needs.” Thank you Cadence! I’m glad somepony other than me said that to her.

Celestia was clearly angry and sad at the same time but did well to hold her feelings in. Sunny however could tell what her mother was thinking and let go of her hand. “So who’s my teacher going to be. I’d like to get learning as soon as possible!” She’s so enthusiastic! I really wish I could've been her teacher. I almost answered her question then and there but to be honest I have no idea what Celestia would do to poor Moon Dancer if I told her then.

“You’ll find out when we pick her up in the Tardis for your trip to the Crystal Empire. That is of course if Cadence doesn’t mind hosting Sunny for two years.” Cadence smiled the biggest smile I’ve seen all day and i could tell her answer as clear as day. Celestia however was torn but we couldn’t have her anywhere near Sunny when her training begins. That could prove bad for all parties involved.

“I ready to go whenever you say so Twilight. I just need to get my girls and then I’m good to go. Before you say anything I’ll tell you this. Those girls aren’t just my guards, they’re my best mates and I won’t leave without them. And before you think of reassigning them mother, I would like to remind you that they are my personal guards who have been sworn into my service. Trying anything like that will only make me hate you more.” Celestia hung her head low and grumbled her acceptance.

Cadence grabbed Sunny and hugged her tightly while saying how she’d do her best to make her feel welcome and she could have any room in the palace that wasn’t in use. Sunny seems awkward I wonder what’s wrong with. “That’s nice and well miss Cadence but would you mind letting me go for a moment. I mean this is the first time I’ve met you and all.”

“Sorry about that and it’s not ‘miss Cadence’. It’s Cadence. I may be older than you but I’m your cousin, no need to get all former with me like that. This is my husband Shining Armor and our daughter Skyla. I hope you two will get along well.” Cadence said with honest hope for a friendship to grow. But knowing her, she probably wants to play matchmaker with Sunny and Skyla. Skyla took her eyes away from her phone when Cadene said her name and she looked into Sunny’s eyes. I think I saw them smile at each other which is weird since Sunny doesn't get along well with foals her age. I don’t know if it’s the memories of being treated like an adult or her intellect. But either way according to her and Chrysalis she’s only ever really got along with ponies older than her.

Cadence

From what Twilight has told me about Sunny she doesn’t really have any friends her age. Well she’s still better off than my daughter who doesn’t have any friends at all! Skyla is a very beautiful filly but she’s got a serious attitude and I just can’t get rid of it. Sunny however spent almost all her life growing up in Stompton. From what Shining's friends in the guard tell me, she’s a no nonsense type of filly. I’m just hoping she can smack the attitude out of my poor Skyla before before she grows up to be one of those mean girls you see on tv shows.

As soon as I introduce the two, they start talking animatedly and I walk away to give them some Privacy. “What do you think they’re talking about honey?” My darling husband asked me.

“I don’t know but whatever it is, I feel good about it! I walked over to Chrysalis and see her smiling warmly at Sunny and Skyla..Looking at her smiling at her child and being happy that she’s making a friend. I just can’t see the mare that imprisoned me and attempted to subjugate Equestria. All I could see was a mother and a damn good one at that! “I’m guessing you and Sunny are a package deal.” She gave me a simple yes and went off to fetch Sunny’s girls I guess. “Wait, what are they feeling right now?”

Chrysalis smiled at me. “That dear Mi Amore Cadenza, would be telling wouldn’t it?” And then she was gone in a matter of seconds.

Chrysalis returned with a set of triplets that completed the harmony cycle and they all appeared without luggage. What in the world are they thinking. If I were going to be living someplace for at least a year I’d want to bring a little bit of home with me and then it hit me. They must have everything they need in that Tardis machine. Everypony that was heading to the empire got into the Tardis and we were off.

Sunny turned her head to Twilight. “You gonna tell me who my teacher is now that we ain’t in my mother’s earshot?”

Twilight blinked for second. She must be thinking the same thing I’m thinking. How a metal and glass door keeping her from hearing anything? We haven’t even taken off! “Her name is Moon Dancer, she’s local here’s her address” For a second I forgot that Twilight is much smarter than am and probably came to the answer to that question as soon as it entered her head.

Moon Dancer was shocked when we arrived in the middle of her house but as soon as she saw Twilight, she stopped panicking and listened to everything Twilight had to say. “I will gladly accept the position of being Sunny’s teacher! I’ve always wanted to pass on what I know and now I have the chance! Thank you Twilight!” Moon Dancer hugged Twilight and then Sunny. Then Sunny did something that I think she enjoys doing. She opened the Tardis door and let her gawk in amazement. “Transdimensional engineering, amazing! This is a nice teleporter you’ve made Princess.”

“It’s not a teleporter, I’ll explain it to you later but for now pack what you need because you won’t be back here for some time.” Moon Dancer took ten minutes to pack books and a few other personal articles and also sent a text that said ‘I quit’ to what I assume to be her boss. We all got back in the Tardis after that. Twilight asked to be dropped off at Ponyville and then we went straight to the palace.

“Sunny Dial, Moon Dancer. Welcome to your new home!” I saw Skyla smile and for a moment, I sensed a disturbance in the force. My plan is working! Mwahahahaha!

Author's Note

Did Cadence just cackle? Let's see how Sunny adapts to the Crystal Empire shall we?