Knights of Equestria: I'll See You on the Other Side

KNIGHTS of EQUESTRIA: I'll See You on the Other Side

Chapter I: Through the Mirror

It had been many years since Alicorn Princess Celestia last entered the crystalline hallways of the Rainbow Friendship Kingdom Castle, the heart of Ponyville. Before she entered, she paused to turn around and look at all the town had become. In fifteen short years, the town had grown from a small country village beside the mountains to a rolling community bustling with creatures of every kind. It was early in the morning, yet the citizens of the town were all ready for the day.

There was a cool breeze that flowed through the mountains, along with fresh dew that coated the plants with a chilly layer of moisture. High along the side of a mountain to the north was Canterlot, the country’s capitol city. It was built in the center of the country long ago and could be easily seen by all of Ponyville. Unlike Ponyville, it has changed little. There used to be wooden buildings with straw roofs, but now stone and brick dominate the streets.

She stood there for quite some time and allowed the wind to brush through her waving, multicolored mane. The bright sun felt good against her white coat, a refreshing change from the icy winter that was around just a few days before. When she had her fill of the spring morning, she entered the castle equipped with a tan saddlebag. Colorful crystal structures surrounded her as she stood in the central chamber, a rotunda with a deep purple floor. Six pinkish crystal thrones formed a circle around the center of the room; one throne had a smaller seat beside it. In the very center of the room was an elevated map of the country, Equestria.

Each throne, apart from the smallest, was marked with a specific symbol for the pony that was to sit upon it. Although the castle was still lived in, the thrones often remained empty as those ponies lead different lives. It had been a short time for Celestia, who has been alive for over one thousand years, though the fifteen years that passed since the castle’s erection have taken a toll on those who were directly involved. When she flew into Ponyville earlier, Celestia noticed only one thing that remained the same- Twilight’s old home, which was a library inside a hollowed-out tree. It was destroyed during a devastating battle ten years before and had become something of a landmark.

Celestia had arrived a few minutes early, and not long after she made her way into the throne room, an old friend entered the room and stood beside her. The clicking of the newcomer’s hooves have her presence away, and Celestia turned around suddenly to greet her old student, Twilight.

“Twilight Sparkle, it’s good to see you!”

The purple Alicorn smiled and gave a small bow to her mentor. Her golden crown glistened in the light, held up high alongside her unicorn’s horn. Through the years, she had grown taller and larger than her friends, a result of her Alicorn status. Her wings were strong and agile; ready for the fiercest storm. She was no longer the child Celestia once knew. Yet, she was still not as tall as Celestia, or Celestia’s younger sister, Luna.

“It’s so good to see you!” Twilight exclaimed as tears ran down her cheeks.

“We really should get together more often,” Celestia replied as the two briefly embraced.

When the embrace was completed, Twilight wiped the remaining tears away with her hooves and asked her friend, “How is everything back in Canterlot?”

“More boring than usual, my friend,” Celestia let out a small chuckle and continued, “I miss the days when some disaster lurked around the corner every week. It’s like it was long before we met, when the world was at peace.”

Twilight paused for a brief moment, recalling the letter she received from Celestia only one day prior. The words in the Princess’ letter sounded as though something terrible was about to happen. Before she could inquire, Twilight looked carefully at the Princess’ face and saw a peculiar expression, one that she had not seen in many years. Her brow was pressed inwards and covered her purplish eyes in shadow. Her mouth curved in a slight frown. Celestia looked carefully over the map of Equestria in the center of the room, focusing on Canterlot.

In a quiet voice, Twilight asked, “Princess, is there something wrong?”

Celestia returned to face Twilight and answered in a gentle voice, “No, but there is something we must attend to. Follow me to the Mirror.”

The two walked down a side hallway in the castle, and into a small library with many levels of dusty, old books. In one corner was a contraption Twilight built long ago, but had not used in many years. It was a mirror, which was built to be a portal to another world using several magical devices. The book that powered it originally belonged to Celestia, though fifteen years ago it was given to Twilight. Since, it was returned to Celestia only to be reunited with the mirror once more. Celestia levitated the thick book out from her saddle bag and placed it atop the contraption in a designated holder. Instantly, the machinery attached to it began to glow a bright purple. The mirror was functional once more.

“Sunset Shimmer’s book?” Twilight inquired. She recognized the red and yellow sunset marking on the book’s cover.

“Yes. For so long, it has lain dormant on our shelves, but not long ago, I received a message from her.”

“Is she all right?”

Before answering, Celestia took a pen from her bag, opened the book to a page near the back, and inscribed the word ‘now’ onto the page. She then closed the book and answered Twilight, “Yes, she is.”

“I don’t understand. What’s going on?”

Then, with a bright flash of light, a light orange unicorn with a bright red mane stepped into the room from the rippling surface of the portal. Sunset Shimmer, a similarly colored unicorn with red and yellow locks of hair in her mane, came through seconds after the first. The two unicorns stood before the two Alicorn Princesses. Sunset bowed before them upon seeing Celestia, and to imitate her mother, the younger unicorn did so as well. A smile crossed Celestia’s face. When the two stood back up, Sunset greeted Celestia and Twilight by saying, “It’s good to be back, Princesses. I’ve missed you both.”

To herself and very quietly, Sunset’s daughter muttered, “They’re real!”

“Sunset, you’re actually here!” Twilight exclaimed. With a burst of energy, Twilight ran up to Sunset and wrapped her right hoof around her neck. Sunset then nuzzled Twilight against her cheek. She stopped and turned her attention to her daughter, who remained next to the mirror.

“Twilight, Princess Celestia, let me introduce you to my daughter, Sol.”

Sol, the younger unicorn, smiled and approached the two Alicorns unsteadily; all the while she kept looking at everything around her. Standing before the radiant Celestia, Sol said to them, “It’s great to finally meet you. My name is Solar Shimmer, but everyone calls me Sol. I can’t wait to get started, Ms. Twilight!”

“Sunset, Celestia, I’m still confused. Why is she here in Equestria?” Twilight asked.

“Do you remember when you were my student, and how I taught you about magic and friendship?” Celestia asked Twilight.

“Of course I do! All that’s happened is because of your lessons!”

“Twilight, Solar Shimmer is to be your student just as you were mine.”

Twilight raised her hoof and shouted, “And you didn’t think to warn me about this?”

“I do apologize, Twilight, but I, too, found out about Solar Shimmer’s interest only a few days ago. I understand if you cannot be her mentor. I can do it, myself. But, I thought you’d love the idea.”

Twilight thought for a few seconds and kept her head low. Solar Shimmer watched eagerly as Twilight announced her decision. She answered, “Fine, I’ll do it. Is there a book on mentoring I should read?”

Solar shouted and exclaimed loudly, and embraced Twilight with a crushing grip, “Oh, thank you so much, Twilight! You don’t know how much this means to me.”

Quietly, Twilight muttered to herself, “No, I think I do.”

“Take care of her, Twilight. She’s been wanting this for so long,” Sunset added, smiling as she stood next to the mirror. She tried to hide her face in shadow, but Twilight could see tears collecting underneath Sunset’s eyes.

“Sunset, you’re leaving already?”

Sunset shrugged and replied, “Not just yet. Can I have a moment alone with Sol before I go?”

“Of course,” was Twilight’s reply.

Celestia and Twilight returned to the throne room, leaving Sunset and her daughter in the library. Celestia’s frown returned as she once more looked over the map of Equestria. In the distance, Twilight could hear the two talking. Then, after a hissing noise ceased, the orange unicorn stepped out of the library and into the hall. She walked slowly to the Princesses and stopped in their presence. Thin tears streamed down her face and collected under her chin. She hung her head low and stared at the floor before looking up at Twilight, giving her a forced smile.

“I’m sorry, in my excitement; I forgot she’d have to leave.”

Twilight placed her hoof gently on Sol’s shoulder and pulled her in closer. “It’s all right,” Twilight replied, and added, “You’ll see her again.”

Suddenly, Celestia stomped her right hoof and said, “I must return to Canterlot. I trust you two will be all right?”

Twilight nodded.

After Celestia left, Twilight took Sol to an upper portion of the castle and showed her into the guest wing. It was rarely used, yet when the door was opened, there was little dust in the main living chamber. Sol walked inside and sniffed around to get a better feel of her new pony form. Twilight watched Sol struggle to perform basic magic spells, such as levitation. Sol, not knowing how to do them, failed at her attempts.

With a smile, Twilight told Sol, “I can teach you how to use magic, if you want.”

Sol turned to face her new mentor, “I’m sorry for all of this. My mom told me about Equestria, and I didn’t believe her at first until I saw her book. I just wanted to see it so badly! But, now that I’m here, I don’t want to become an even greater burden.”

“I understand, Solar, I’m not used to this, either. I’m not sure what to do first.”

“If my mom’s stories are true, I’m sure you’ll be great at it.”

“How much has she told you?”

“She told me all about her time in high school, and how you came through the portal and saved everyone, twice. Although, she was very reserved about anything before that. Do you know why?”

Twilight shook her head and replied, “No, but she’s always been like that. I can’t believe it’s been so long.”