Flickering Flame

by pork984

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Tragedy, Alternate Universe, Human, Sad, Romance
Length: 3218

After the light in the sky there is no sign of the fallen foe/hero. That is untill the balance in equestria begins to shift dramatically.

After the light in the sky, there is no sign of the fallen foe/hero. That is untill the balance in equestria begins to shift dramatically. Twilight and the other Princesses were barely able to free Discord from the stone prison he was in. This shift in power being felt from all around. Could this be the magic of the Empress of Flame?

(Read empress of flame before you read this after all ths is a sequel)

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-05-24 14:36:46 UTC

New Beginning

Princess Twilight walked into the cold room of what used to house the Crystal portal. The Crystal portal was the only known gateway from Equestria to the alternate world. Twilights Moderate violet eyes looked at the scorched ground that the portal once sat on. Sunset could be in either world now. That was if she was even alive. Twilight had no idea how one could survive such an explosion of black magic. Though if Sunset had survived, who knows where she could be. The portal could have sent her to the alternate world in an instant. If this was the case Twilight would never be able to see the pony she was falling in love with. If only Twilight had felt this way before Sunsets final known hours.

"I just don't understand, How could this have happened." Twilight let out a soft singing note. "You wish you were good instead though your heart had already shown the good deep inside." Twilight let out another operatic like note. "I should have stopped you....found another wayyyyyyy~!" The Pale, light grayish mulberry colored Princess sang louder now. Tears formed in her eyes rendering her overwhelmed with emotion. So much she could hardly even continue her song. She had song it countless times since the light in the sky. It had only been a month or so since the disaster of Empress. Only a week now since Flash had asked for Twilights hoof in marriage. Twilight had dumbly answered with a yes. Twilight was hitched with a pony she now felt zero feelings for. The only love burning in Twilights heart now was the love that had ended in a bang. Sunsets face burned into the pits of Twilights memories. She couldn't forget the terrible teacher she was to her. The terrible teacher, Twilight wished dearly that she could have been the teacher that Sunset desperately needed.

"Princess Twilight?" Celestia said as she slowly entered the room. "You have been coming here a lot more often, Is something troubling you?" The vibrantly white Alicorn asked as she now resided at Twilights side. She wrapped and embracing wing around the smaller Princess.

"I'm alright Celestia, Just I have so much on my mind." Twilight kept her eyes locked on the spot the Portal once sat.

"Is it your engagement that has you on the fritz?" Celestia questioned.

"That's a very small concern Princess. There are much more confusing things that have me in the terrible mess I have been lately." Twilight answered rather bluntly.

"Why don't you come have some breakfast with me? It may cool your nerves a little." Celestia gave a soft smile to Twilight. She desperately wanted to lift the spirits of Twilight.

"That does sound good. I haven't eaten all morning." Twilight scrunched her own nose as her stomach growled at the mention of food. "You know what I shall join you in breakfast." Twilight smiled vibrantly back at Celestia who then proceeded by leading twilight out of this desolate cold room. Twilight looked back at the spot where the Portal once sat. She had to look back before she left. she couldn't help but want to back down from breakfast. She would have no problem just turning around and sitting in that room all day. Though after excepting Celestia's Offer to eat breakfast. It would come off rather rude if she changed her mind now.

"So, Twilight...If you don't mind me asking. How is Flash doing these days?" Celestia said as she looked back at twilight. Celestia had a rather inviting smile. She always did, Celestia had never mad Twilight sad. She had never made her do anything without reason.

"He's actually doing quite well. He is rather excited at the fact that I said yes to his proposal." Twilight sighed slightly. Quite honestly she wished she had said no. She didn't love Flash anymore. She still had that burning feeling for Sunset. She couldn't get that fiery attitude out of her head. That glorious amber coat, that Mane and tail that was illuminated in vivid crimson and Brilliant yellow. Those Cyan eyes that used to sparkle every time Sunset looked at Twilight. Twilights eyes widened as she realized the thoughts that were in her head. Why was this coming on so strongly now. Celestia took notice to the expression on Twilights face.

"Are you alright?" Celestia asks casually

"Yes Celestia, everything is fine." Twilight smiled. That was when they finally reached the banquet room. Of course Celestia couldn't just have a regular spot to eat.

"Well I sure hope your hungry." Celestia said as they entered the banquet room. "Because there is no way I am going to be able to eat all this by myself." The princess of the sun smiled at the Princess of friendship. Twilights eyes widened when she saw all the delicacies of breakfast food.

"Is this what you have all the Time when you eat b-breakfast?"  Twilight was surprised she had never had breakfast with the princess before. That thought on the other hoof brought another question fourth. Why was this day different then the other ones. Why was this day different then all the other ones? Why was this a day Celestia would invite Twilight o breakfast?

"Actually no this is the kind of breakfast I have on special occasions~!" Celestia said with a squee.

"What kind of special occasion is there?" Twilight asked as her suspicion and confusion began to grow.

"You know the magical fluctuations in the balance we have been all feeling for the past month?" Celestia said as she was clearly happy and excited about something.

"Yeeeeeessss~? What about them?" Twilight slowly levitated a glass of water to her own lips and sipped it nervously.

"Well the pony behind all of it is meeting with us today...you wont believe who it is!" Celestia said as she sat down

"Who is......." Twilights words were cut off as the large doors to the banquet room swung opened. A Light amber hoof stepped in. The pony was no other than. Sunset Shimmer. Twilights heart nearly stopped when the Unicorn made her way over to the table. Two guards closed the door she had left open. Sunset didn't even glance in Twilights direction. Everypony was quiet, nopony made a sound. Sunset's horn glowed in a opal aura. She levitated a glass of orange juice. she slowly sipped from it and then slowly pulled her lips away from the glass. Sunset coughed once and then looked at Twilight. The words she then uttered made Twilights nerves on edge.

"Soooooo~ Twilight, I hear your engaged." Sunset smiled slightly,

Shimmering Delight

Twilight could not think of a way to respond. She was in to much shock to even think of a way to respond. She merely and seamlessly looked at Sunset. She thought for a second and then finally thought of some words she could utter.

"So you heard about that?" Twilight slowly sipped her drink. "Didn't think anypony would tell you?" Twilight kept her eyes locked on Sunset. She was watching Sunset very carefully.

"Oh lets just say the pony who told me is very close friends to me." Sunset sipped her orange juice. The situation was becoming rather awkward and really quickly.

"Well.....ummmmm....." Twilight pondered as she tried to think of some way to respond.

"Already dumbfounded?" Sunset said rather condescendingly "It's fine really, I'm happy your engaged with Flash." Sunset actually sounded rather sincere.

"Wait really~?" Twilight nearly dropped her glass of water. "Flash and me were the whole reason you freaked out nearly a year ago....The Empress thing?" Twilight was angered by sunsets response. Acting as if this didn't bother her.

"I think it's best we don't mention Empress unless you wish to speak with her.." Sunset said as she kept her voice on the calm level.

"She is the last thing I'd ever want to talk about~!" Twilight gritted her teeth slightly.

"How about we all just sit quietly and eat our breakfast?" Celestia said trying to intervene

"I must say I agree with Celestia, angry is no mood to be in when your eating." Sunset smiled as she set her Orange juice down.

"I think after you being gone for months gives anypony a reason to be upset with you...Nopony knew if you were DEAD OR NOT~!" Twilight said as she was getting upset. Sunsets right ear flicked slightly and her lower right eyelid twitched slightly. She closed her eyes  deeply and calmingly.

"Wit all due respect Twilight... Why don't you just eat your damn breakfast. you had no problem getting engaged and living your happy princess life without me here~!" The whites of Sunsets eyes shifted to a shade of black. "Don't you dare play victim!"  Sunset growled and bared her teeth which had fangs now.

"Oh and you are the victim.. Tooooootaaaallyy~!" Twilight put her hooves on the table as she now slightly stood out of her chair.

"I nearly died and gave my life for you and everypony else. What a breakfast I have come to today. Full of self centered ponies. Ponies who only believe what they want." Sunset looked at Celestia. "I will be off to my room now, thanks for allowing me to come to breakfast with you." Sunset got out of her chair and bowed slightly and respectfully, her eyes returning to normal as she did. She then slowly looked at Twilight. "Sorry it had to be this way Princess." Sunset walked out of the room closing the door behind her. While nopony was looking and nopony could see her. She finally let the tears flow. She began to walk to the balcony as she hummed some sad tune to herself. "What did I do, why has it come to such a stupid and selfish start. Empress explain to me~!" Sunset stomped her hoof now very angrily. Sunset breathed deeply and slowly let out a singing note. "I can't believe. That when I breathe. There's something good inside of me. Just one good thing inside of me. So close to me. That. memory. Of that one good thing inside of me. Just one good thing inside of me." she sang slightly as her horn glowed and projected the image of her demon Empress before her. Empress let out a singing not herself.

"If I went out the back door nobody would stop me. But where would I go?. Cause I ain't ever had a real home. So what do I know?. So I could keep running, hide until they find me. But what would that do? If they could only know what I knew. What would it prove?" The holographic projection of Empress sang.

"I should've seen the writing on the wall. Instead I'm left to fall. Cause the longer I'm away. The more we stay the same. Looking back where I thought I knew it all. Instead I'm left to fall. Did I throw it all away?" Sunset sang as she referenced to her past actions. Back when she had let Empress take hold for the first time. Was it once again time to let her rove the point? Would it be worth it? "I can't believe

That when I breathe. There's something good inside of me. Just one good thing inside of me .So close to me .That memory. Of that one good thing inside of me. Just one good thing inside of me...." Sunset blinked letting a tear fall slightly. Twilight was right , Sunset did care about her engagement. She was jealous but that was no reason to let it all fall. sunsets horn stopped glowing as she stopped singing. as she ended with one line. "I know I'm no good but my heart beats true. You know I'm gonna fight, though I might be scared to lose. You took me in and I fucked it up again. An empty promise, no I won't pretend 'Cause in the end we need someone to solve em. Nobody can fix me if I'm part of the problem." Sunset wiped the tears out of her cyan eyes as she turned entering the castle from the balcony. She ran right into the pearly white chest of Celestia.

"You act the opposite of what you just showed, young Sunset." Celestia said with a smile that was half hidden behind her flowing mane. Sunset quickly sniffled and dried her eyes completely.

"How much of that did you see?" Sunset asked calmly, but with a dry throat.

"I came in after you projected Empress." Celestia sighed. "Is Empress still a part of you, or was she the one who perished when the portal exploded?" Celestia said as she gave a rather calm smiles still. "Was that really her there or was that you trying to feel less alone?"

"She never came to me after the explosion. Not one nightmare no sign. I actually wish I knew if she was alive." Sunset sighed as  her eyes began to fill with tears again. "She knew how to deal with problems."

"Now Sunset you know as well as anypony that she was a problem, not a solution." Celestia's smile had faded.

"That's not what I meant, So Empress caused allot of collateral damage but that doesn't mean she didn't do what was right in the end." Sunset bluntly said.

"Sunset, didn't you say you would be going to your room? you seem like you could use a little rest." Celestia suddenly changed the subject. Sunset gave a sly smile.

"Yeah your right I was off to my room, who said anything about sleep when I got there though?" Sunset giggled as she walked by Celestia. The whites of Sunsets eyes changed again as she was walking away.

Empress?

Sunset shimmer was walking towards her bed. This bed was assigned to her upon her arrival in Canterlot. It was odd how the interior was so dull. She actually wished she could be in the Crystal Empire again. She slowly laid down, she was exhausted and very warm. She felt as if she was almost on fire. Never the less her eyes eventually closed.

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Sunsets eyes shot open as a cold feeling swept over her. She looked around to see she was surounded and shrouded by a black stary sky all around her. she then saw the beautiful sight of Equestria in the distance. Something quickly caught her eye as part of the sky on this globe was lit up. A wave of black magic was flying across the surface. The wave looked like the explosion Empress had consumed when the portal exploded. Sunsets eyes were shimmering as the light spread across the surface. Suddenly the energy started to fly off the surface in a stream as if it was being sucked up. As the light got further out  pare of eye became visible. Then a mouth with two fangs. The creauture swallowing the energy was the human version of Empress. The Demon was now fully illuminated as she reached a hand out to Sunset.

"Emress your alive~!" Sunset was happy and rather confused. "I thought you were dead!"

"Come on child, there is something you must see." she chuckles as she holds out a hand and the world appears to get smaller when in reality Emoress was just getting bigger.

"Emress i don't understand, last Time you appeared you wanted to take control?" Sunset was confused. Why did Emress appear to be so sad.

"Tomorow at the same Time you will be haveing an unplanned breakfast with Celestia and Twilight. Though you will not be invited you will be going. "But at a twist.~!" Empress shrinks down and grabs Sunset by the throat.  Empress opens her mouth and dark magic forces its way rom Empresses mouth into Sunsets.

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Twilight was walking to breakfast that very morning. Breakfast was always heald in the same room but she didn't expect as much food this time. Celestia had specifically said she only had that much food on occassions. Twiligh made it to the dinning room a little later than she wanted to. She entered the dinning room to see the sight of Celestia eating breakfast as Discord hovered over her.

"Morning Teilight~." Discord chuckled as he made a ouple grapes float up.

"Morning, has anypony herd from Sunset since yesturday?" Twilight immediately asked.

"No, she never came out of her assighned room since yesturday." Celestia responded as she ate some of her breakfast.

"Please take a seat Twily eat, eat so i can mess around with your food as well." Discord chuckled as he floated over to Twilight. The door handle on the entrence of the dinning room began to turn. Discord immediately was put on edge. Twilight raised a brow at this. What could be entering the room that maked Discord look scared. The door swun g open and the red hooves of empress in pony form entered the room.

"Morning everypony~!" She giggled as her large demonic wings opened. Twilights horn automatically started to glow.

"Empress what are you doing back~!" Twilight yelled  "I thought you were dead."

"The same way you thought precious Sunset was dead. Then again you never losed hope n the possibility of her still being alive." Empress said as she disappeared and reappeared sitting in a seat.

"Twilight, please cancel your magic. Empress is not posing a threat." Celestia said calmly as she kept her eyes on Empress.

"What~! Empress tried to kill you a long time ago." Twilight said on a confused yell

"Your key word there was past...The past~!" Empress raised her voice. "I see why Sunset was crying yesterday, once again because of you Twilight " Empress had a cocky smile upon her face.

"Now Empress enough is enough, mind explaining your reason of being  here?" Celestia said, her voice still very calm.

"Oh I'm here for the lack f power Sunset has to handle her situation. After all Twilight may or may not be pregnant." Empress blushes "woops did I say that out loud." The room went absolutely quite as the word pregnant was said. Twilight had a deep dark red blush on her own face.

"H-how d-did you know t-that?" Twilight wasn't even angry she was just embarrassed now.

"Wait Tilight sparkle, Sparkle butt princess is PREGNANT~!" Discord floats up more as he laughs. His eyes then widen. "Wait oh my your pregnant." He smiles

"Congratulations Twilight." Celestia says smiling.

"Oh yes congratulations to her, she has a kid with a stallion she doesn't even love." Empress said as she folded her still spread wings. "I must say I am happy for you, but imagine if Sunset knew." Empress said as her hooves were glowing. everything on the table began to float up. Empress was having a very wonderful time.

"What do you know~!" Twilight quickly got out of her chair. "Me and Flash love each other very much~!"

"Listen Princess, I'm not here to argue." Empress flaps her wings and she floats up. "I'm here for something much bigger than you." Empress smiled.

"Oh yeah right, what could you possibly be entitled to have." Twilight gave a very unamused face.

"I'm here for what Celestia promised me moons ago~" Empress smiled as all shade went down to cover the window and the doors all locked. Empress had them cornered.