The Twilight Effect

by X3n0heart

Rating: everyone
Tags: Equestria Girls, Tragedy, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Alternate Universe, Sad
Length: 11950

What would you do to save a loved one? Would you try to turn back time or rather not know them at all?

Twilight loses the one she loves and remembers a time spell she used quite a while back. Being warned about the consequences of changing things in the past she makes a difficult choice to either go back and try and save her or to leave it be and live alone.

Cover art done by http://xkittyblue.deviantart.com/
Fan art by Inushiri

Published 2015-11-22 00:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-02-28 03:08:19 UTC

The Beginning of the End

Bzzzzt. Bzzzzzt. Was the sound that brought Twilight out of her study session, as she turned her head towards the magical book that her and Sunset would often write to each other. Her eyes lit up, for that could only be one person. Twilight wrapped her magic around the book and levitated it over to her table, opening it to the page that had the new message.

Hey Twilight! How are you doing? Hope everything is well with you and your "royal" duties. I'm just kidding. Anyways, just wanted to let you know that I'm super excited for tomorrow night! It's our one year anniversary, and I have such a special night planned for us. Can't wait to see you! Mwaah!
Love you,
Sunset.

Twilight squeed as she read the message and clapped her hooves together. It was true that their anniversary was coming up, and Twilight had put it in her appointment book for her to spend all day with Sunset. Twilight wrote back a quick reply and closed the book, putting it back on the pedestal where she kept it.

"This is going to be such a fun weekend. Can't believe it has been almost a year now that we have been seeing each other." Twilight beamed with joy as she started to put her books back onto the shelves where they belonged. "Well, can't get distracted too much today, even though it might be a bit hard. Duty calls for now." Twilight giggled to herself as she got up and headed out of her study.

After what seemed to be hours at the summit meeting that Princess Celestia asked her to speak at in Canterlot, Twilight returned to her castle, ready to relax and get the day over with. Tomorrow is going to be the best day ever. As she made her way back to her study, Twilight yawned as she opened the doors with her magic and stepped into her favorite room. Bzzzt. Bzzzzt. Came that oh so familiar sound of her book notifying her that she had a message from Sunset. Grabbing the book with her magic, she smiled, placing the book on her desk and opening it to the new message.

Hey Twi! It's me again. Hope your day went well. Mine was a blast, and I'm so happy I get to see you again tomorrow. Anyways, going to keep this short so I won't bother you too much longer. Ohhh...I just felt a bit dizzy, so I'm going to go lay down and get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be the best day ever!

"I do hope she's feeling alright. She probably just over worked herself, getting ready for our anniversary tomorrow." Twilight told herself as she closed the book and replaced it on it's stand. Looking around, she wrapped her magic around another book and brought it down to her desk. She opened it to one of her book marked pages. "I think I'll study for a bit before I head to bed."

It wasn't too long before Twilight's eyes started to droop. She yawned a few times. She was in the middle of a paragraph when her eyes closed, and she laid her head down on her hooves on top of the open book. It seemed like only moments before she was awoken by yet another buzz. Sitting up slowly, Twilight used her magic to levitate the book over to her and opened it up to the new message. Yawning once again she rubbed her eyes with a hoof before turning her attention to the page.

Twilight, are you there? I hope you get this soon. This is Rainbow Dash. I'm sorry to bother you, but I have some bad news; I was the one picked to tell you. Umm, how do I say this...Sunset is sick. She is in the hospital at the moment. The doctors don't really know what's wrong with her yet. Please hurry and come. I know she would want you to be with her right now.

Twilight's eyes snapped open as she read the message. She couldn't believe what she was reading. Was it true? Sunset was sick? Twilight just couldn't believe it and shook her head as she read the message once again. She read it a third time, hoping it would be different this time, but it remained the same.

"No no no no. This can not be. What am I going to do?" Twilight started pacing back and forth, a worried look on her muzzle. It was a good twenty minutes before she finally made up her mind. She headed to where she kept the portal, taking the book with her. Standing in front of it, she hesitated for a few moments before taking a deep breath. Then she stepped through, leaving the book behind, opened to the page with the last message on it.

As Twilight emerged from the other side, she wobbled a few steps before regaining her balance, steadying herself against the Canterlot High statue. "Ugghh. I'm never going to get used to that feeling." Twilight shook her head a few times, clearing it before she noticed Rarity and Rainbow Dash sitting on the steps of the school, almost falling asleep on each other. As Twilight made her way over towards them, it was Rarity who spotted her and sprung to life, knocking Rainbow Dash over.

"Oh Twilight, you came!" she called out as she ran over to her and threw her arms around her in a hug. "It's been a while since I've seen you. I do wish it was on better circumstances, though."

"How's Sunset? Can you take me to see her?" Twilight asked worriedly.

"She doesn't look too good." Rainbow added as she made her way over and hugged Twilight as well.

"Please, I need to see her. Will you take me to her?" Twilight asked again. The girls just nodded, as Rarity took her arm, and all three of them headed towards the hospital. It didn't take them very long, but for Twilight, it seemed to last a life time. So many question ran through her head without a single answer. Stepping into the hospital, Rarity asked to see Sunset. The nurse at the desk said that the visiting hours were over, none of the patients could be seen.

"Shhhh. I'll take you to her room." Rainbow Dash took Twilight's hand and tugged her slowly away, while Rarity distracted the nurse. Making their way over to the elevators, they waited for one to reach the lobby floor.

"What floor is she on? There are so many." Twilight worried.

"Don't worry about it. I know exactly where her room is." Rainbow reassured her friend. As the doors opened with a ding they stepped out onto the 6th floor labeled "ICU". Twilight wondered what that stood for as they made a left down the hall and around another corner. Rainbow Dash led her to room 623 and stopped as she looked at Twilight. It was eerily quiet in the hallway as Rainbow motioned for her to enter.

"I will wait out here for you." she said quietly, as Twilight hugged her friend and said a quiet thank you. She slowly opened the door and stepped into the darkened room. Closing the door softly behind her, Twilight heard all kinds of beeps and smaller noises coming from various machines in the room. She quietly stepped towards Sunset's bed.

Twilight covered her mouth with one of her hands as she made her way to her bed side and stopped, looking down at the sleeping form of Sunset Shimmer. She looked pale and malnourished, with all kinds of wires and tubes attached to her small frame. There was a chair nearby, so Twilight moved it to the bed's edge and sat down, doing her best to fight the tears that burned in her eyes. Taking Sunset's hand in between hers, she noticed how cold she felt.

"Oh, Sunset..." Twilight said softly. "What happened to you? And why now, all of a sudden?" A single tear fell down Twilight's left cheek, followed by another, as she just held her hand. Twilight closed her eyes tightly, trying to make this all go away and make Sunset all better. Knowing that there was nothing she could do, she laid her head down on her bed and cried silently for the one she loved.

There was a slight movement and a groggy voice was heard in the quietness of the room. "Twilight...?" Lifting her head, Twilight saw that Sunset had awoken and was looking at her, a slight smile on her lips. Twilight sniffed a few times and wiped her eyes as she sat up, still holding Sunset's hand. There was barely any strength left in her, but she still tried as Twilight felt what little pressure she applied as she squeezed her hand.

"I'm happy that you're here." Sunset's voice was barely above a whisper as Twilight's eyes watered up again.

"I am so sorry. What happened?" Twilight asked.

"Doctors are saying..." Sunset took a few slow breaths before continuing, "...that it's some kind of rare disease."

"A rare disease? Is there any cure for it?" Sunset just shook her head slowly as the tears started flowing again down Twilight's face. "Please, oh please, there must be something that can be done."

"Twilight..." Sunset brought her attention back to her. "Stay with me..."

"I will not go anywhere, my love." Twilight sniffed again as she held Sunset's hand to her cheek. Her skin was still pretty cool and the worry showed in Twilight's voice as she spoke.

"I'm really happy...that you are here..." Sunset struggled to say as her eyes started to water a bit as well.

"Please, try not to speak. Save your strength and get better, okay?"

"Twilight...I'm sleepy..." Twilight had no words to say and even if she did, she would just choke on them. Tears were now streaming down her face as she watched the one she cared so deeply for starting to slip away from her. The beeping of one of the machines had been steadily decreasing in rhythm this whole time while they had been talking.

Twilight had a mixture of worry and fear written all over her face. There was literally nothing she could do for her. "Please, please, please, please." she said over and over, as she watched Sunset smile for her. With the last of her strength, Sunset squeezed Twilight's hand, and, with her final breath, spoke the last words Twilight would ever hear from her.

"I...love....you....." As the last of her energy seeped out of her body, Sunset closed her eyes as her body went limp, still with a smile upon her face. The machine that was beeping was now making a continuous sound with out any breaks in it.

"Sunset...?" She said quietly as she shook her hand gently.

"Sunset???" Twilight repeated once more, a bit more loudly, as she let go of her hand and shook her shoulder.

"SUNSET!!!" Twilight screamed as she fell upon the bed, breaking down into hysterical crying, clutching the blankets, saying her name over and over between breaths and fits of sobbing. Rainbow Dash came running into the room upon hearing her scream and stopped suddenly, halfway to the bed, as she placed her hands over her mouth. Tears formed in her eyes.

"Oh no..." was the only thing she said, before a bunch of doctors and nurses pushed her out of the way. The rushed towards the bed, trying to get Twilight to move. She was fighting them tooth and nail, not wanting to leave Sunset's side. It was then Rainbow Dash stepped in and took Twilight by the waist, pulling her a few feet back so the staff can get to Sunset. Rainbow just held Twilight in her arms as she continued to break down, not even looking at the pale form of her love. After a few minutes of working furiously, the staff stepped back and some of them started to walk out of the room. One of the doctors picked up the clipboard that had Sunset's information on it and wrote down only one thing:

Time of Death - 1:37am

The First Try's The Hardest

Twilight turned from Rainbow Dash as one of the doctors approached the two girls. He was talking to them, but there seemed to be nothing coming out of his mouth. His lips were moving, but Twilight couldn't hear a sound. It wasn't until Rainbow Dash shook her gently, and turned her face so they made eye contact, that sound flooded back into her ears.

"I'm so sorry." Twilight said, the tears starting again. "I have to go." And with that, she let go of Rainbow and turned, running out the door.

"Twilight!" She called after her, as she took off in chase. Twilight was already at the elevators when Rainbow came around the corner. Pressing the button multiple times, Twilight tried to make it go faster, but for some reason, it seemed to be moving in slow motion. Twilight then headed for the stairs and started to make her way back down to the lobby.

"Twilight, please wait!" Rainbow called after her once more, as she also started to descend the stairway. Her efforts of trying to get her to stop, or even slow down, were in vain as she watched Twilight run through the first floor door, into the lobby. As Rainbow opened the door, she could hear Rarity down the hall, calling after her.

"Twilight? Dear? What happened? Where are you going?"

As Rainbow ran past her, she called out to Rarity. "Come on! We have to catch her!" Rarity, who wasn't the fastest runner, was keeping up with Rainbow Dash as she asked her questions.

"What's going on? What happened?"

"Sunset died, Rarity, right in front of her." She explained, as Twilight seemed to be getting farther and farther away from them. Rarity gasped and slowed down to a walk, before coming to a complete stop.

"Sunset....gone...?" She asked as her eyes threatened to burst forth with tears. "Oh Rainbow, this must be too much for the poor girl." Rainbow stopped giving chase and sighed, as Twilight disappeared into the night. Walking back over to her friend, Rainbow hugged Rarity right when she started to morn Sunset Shimmer.

Twilight just ran. She didn't care that her legs were hurting, or that she was having trouble breathing, she just ran. She continued to run until she spotted the statue and made a direct line to it. Twilight dove through the portal, landing on the other side with a few rolls across the castle floor. Twilight just remained there, as another flood of tears sprung forth, and she buried her muzzle in her hooves. After a few long moments, she finally got back on her hooves. Fluttershy and Apple Jack came walking in, back from their mission.

"Well hiya, Twi." Apple Jack waved a hoof at her as her two friends trotted towards her. Twilight did not even look up at them, let alone even acknowledge them.

"Twilight? Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked, as they stopped and let her walk slowly by. They noticed the tears still streaming down her cheeks, as well as how red her eyes have become from all the crying.. The two ponies just watched her leave the room and decided to follow her as she left the castle. The only thing they heard her say was something like, "I have to fix this...".

Twilight's head snapped up as she suddenly stopped and looked towards Canterlot. "That's it. I can use that spell!" Twilight bent her legs and took off into the air, flying as fast and as hard as her wings would carry her. Apple Jack and Fluttershy both looked at each other; neither one of them knew what she was talking about.

"That didn't sound very good." Fluttershy commented.

"Aye, you're right. You go after her and I'll get Spike to send a letter to Princess Celestia. Did you see how she looked when we saw her?"

"She looked like she was hurt very badly. I'll try to catch up to her. If I can't find her, I'll meet you at the castle." Apple Jack nodded as she watched the pale yellow pegasus fly off after Twilight, before heading back inside to find Spike.

"I have to fix this...why wasn't there anything I could do for her?" Twilight said to herself, as she kept beating her wings. "There must be something I can do. I have to fix this..." Landing in the courtyard, she made her way into the castle and towards the Starswirl the Bearded wing. She told a passing guard to unlock the door for her.

Upon entering the wing, she began to pull books and scrolls off the shelves. She looked at each one, then tossed them to the side, for they did not contain the information she was looking for.

"Where is it? I know it's in here somewhere." she complained in frustration.

"Where is what, my dear Twilight?" Turning quickly at the question, she saw, standing right in front of her, was Celestia.

"The time traveling spells. Please tell me where they are at, Princess Celestia." she begged. Celestia could see the pain and sorrow in her eyes as she sighed and asked another question.

"Why do you want them?"

"Please, Princess..." Twilight pleaded with her. "I need to fix it. I can't do it without the spell." Celestia raised an eyebrow at her and cocked her head slightly to the side.

"You plan to change the past, don't you?"

"There is no time to explain, please tell me where they are!" Twilight's eyes began to water once more, fearful that she wouldn't find the spell she needed.

"Heed my warning: going back into the past and changing even the insignificant detail can, and will, have major influences on the present. Is this something you truly want to do?" Twilight looked down at the ground for a few moments before returning her gaze back up to Celestia.

"Yes. I am prepared to take all the responsibility for my actions." Celestia nodded to Twilight as she walked towards the back off the wing. She went to one of the smaller desks that looked like it hasn't been used in ages. Using her magic, she unlocked the drawer and pulled out a very old scroll. Turning around, she floated it over to Twilight, who took it with her own magic.

"Using this irresponsibly can cause damages that could be irreversible. Remember that, Twilight Sparkle." With that, Celestia left the purple alicorn by herself. Twilight unbound the scroll and opened it. Reading the spell she carefully, studied it, taking a few deep breaths while she memorized it word for word.

"I'm coming Sunset." was all she said, before she closed her eyes, and started concentrating on casting the spell. At that moment, Fluttershy came galloping in, skidding to a stop right in front of her.

"Twilight!" she called to her, as the Princess' body suddenly went limp and fell to the floor.

When Twilight opened her eyes, she found herself standing at a podium with a bunch of ponies sitting at tables, looking up at her. To her right was Princess Celestia, who leaned close to her and spoke softly.

"Everything alright, Twilight? You just stopped in the middle of a sentence and kind of just stood there for a moment." Twilight nodded to her, then turned her attention back to the other ponies in the room.

"I'm sorry everypony, I lost my train of thought. Let us continue." The spell must have worked, but why did it send me here? she thought to herself, as she continued her speech. "That is why it is my duty to spread the magic of friendship throughout Equestria. Now I will leave Princess Celestia to wrap things up here, and to answer any questions you might have."

Twilight nodded to the Princess, then stepped from the podium as Celestia took over. Twilight proceeded to head out of the building and outside, before taking to the air and heading back to her castle. She noticed that the sun would dip below the horizon in about an hour. Hopefully she would have more time with Sunset.

Landing right outside her castle, she used her magic and opened the doors as she trotted inside and headed towards her study. As she entered her room, she heard that familiar buzzing sound. Grabbing the book with her magic, she flipped the pages to the new message.

Hey Twi! It's me again. Hope your day went well. Mine was a blast, and I'm so happy I get to see you again tomorrow. Anyways, going to keep this short so I won't bother you too much longer. Ohhh...I just felt a bit dizzy, so I'm going to go lay down and get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be the best day ever!

"I need to go see her now, before things get worse." Placing the book back where it belonged, Twilight galloped to the room where she kept the portal and jumped through it. Stepping out into the other world, Twilight noticed that it was dusk out. She didn't see Rarity or Rainbow Dash by the stairs like last time she came through. Maybe I should go check the hospital... Twilight thought to herself, as she turned and started making her way there.

Stepping into the brightly lit lobby once again, she headed to the nurse's station and asked if Sunset Shimmer was admitted. After a few moments of looking up her information, the nurse said she was in room 623 and pointed her towards the elevators. She also mentioned that visiting hours would be over in about 15 minutes. Twilight thanked her and made her way towards the elevators, pressing the up button.

This is very strange. It's like dejavu, but it is real. Twilight became lost in thought and didn't notice when the doors open, that she almost bumped into Rarity and Rainbow Dash.

"Twilight? What are you doing here?" Rarity said, as they stepped back into the elevator. Twilight pushed the button with a six on it.

"I'm here to see Sunset. She's sick, and I want to be with her." Rarity and Rainbow Dash both looked at each other, then back at Twilight.

"How did you know she was sick?" Rainbow asked her.

"It was in the message you sent me." Twilight seemed a bit distracted as she pushed the button a few more times, as if it would make it go up faster.

"Twilight, dear, Rainbow hasn't sent you any messages. We just got the book from Sunset and were going to as soon as we left the hospital." Right then, the doors opened and Twilight stepped out, ignoring the comment as the other two girls followed after her. Upon reaching Sunset's room, Twilight opened the door and walked in, with Rarity and Rainbow in tow. Making her way over to her bed, Twilight saw that Sunset was awake and slightly looked better than when she did the last time Twilight saw her.

"Twilight...?" Sunset said surprisingly as she turned her head towards her.

"Hi, Sunset. I'm here." she replied as she walked over to her bed and gave her a gentle hug.

"But how? I just asked Rainbow Dash to update you about what's going on." Sunset seemed a bit confused as she now noticed the other two girls standing not too far from Twilight.

"Yeah, that's the strange part of it. When we got back down to the lobby, she was just right there. Almost knocked her over if Rarity wasn't the one who spotted her." Rainbow explained.

"How are you feeling? What happened?" Twilight asked her as she sat on the edge of her bed, holding her hand close to her.

"I feel okay right now. I'm not to sure what happened. They took some blood and are running some tests to see why I collapsed all of a sudden. We were working on a new song when it suddenly happened." Sunset explained.

"So you haven't noticed anything different at all recently?"

"Not that I can remember." Sunset thought to herself for a few moments before continuing. "Well, come to think about it, I have been feeling a little weak ever since we defeated the sirens. Like I can never get 100% of my energy back no matter how much I sleep, or take it easy." Twilight took note of that as she held her lover's hand and gave her a smile. "I'm sorry I can't remember much of anything else."

"That's alright Sunset. You have done all you could." Twilight leaned down and softly kissed her forehead. She noticed that she was a bit warm and placed the back of her right hand against her forehead. "You feel a bit warm, are you sure you feel okay?" Twilight asked once again.

"I'm fine, Twilight. I pro..." suddenly it seemed like Sunset started to have trouble breathing.

"Sunset? What's wrong?" Twilight called to her, fear dripping in her voice. Nonononono! Not again! she thought as she tried to figure out what was going on with her. Turning to her friends, she told one of them to go get help. Running out into the hall, Twilight could hear Rainbow Dash yell for help as Rarity came and stood next to Twilight.

"Rarity, what do we do? What is wrong with her?" Tears welled up in her eyes once more, as she looked to her friend.

"I do not know." she replied, just as worried for Sunset. Not a moment too soon, a few doctors and nurses came rushing into the room.

"Get those girls back!" One of the doctors called out, as a nurse pushed Rarity and Twilight towards the back of the room. Rainbow Dash joined them. The three of them watched the staff members work quickly to figure out what's going on with Sunset.

"Doctor, her blood pressure is 149 over 95 and rising." one of the nurses called out.

"Quick get me 2cc's of Hydrodiuril!" He called back, as the nurse prepared the needle and injected it into her arm. Turning back to the machine, she quickly called out another reading.

"167 over 102 and it keeps climbing." They quickly tried a few more ideas as Sunset's body started to go into convulsions. The heart rate monitor continued to beep rapidly, getting faster and faster with each passing moment. Twilight and Rarity held each other as they watched, wide eyed, as Rainbow Dash stayed close as well.

"196 over 120! She's going into cardiac arrest, doctor!" the nurse called out again, turning around to help the other four attending Sunset. As her body shook violently, it took three of them to hold her down so she wouldn't injure herself in any way. What seemed like an eternity to Twilight, everything just suddenly stopped as quickly as it started. Sunset's body lay still with the monitor giving off a consistent, uninterrupted beep.

"Not again..." Twilight said to herself as she covered her mouth with one of her hands and started to cry, watching the scene unfold before her. "I lost you once already. Why must I lose you a second time....?" Rarity just looked at her, puzzled by her question, as one of the doctors called for a defibrillator, as another started to give her chest pumps.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5..." Twilight watched her push down on her chest, followed by breathing into her mouth a few times, then repeating the process. As they plugged in the small machine, which had two smaller paddles that the doctor placed his hands into the handles, he turned a knob and waited for a few seconds.

"Clear!" he called out, and the other doctor moved out of the way. Placing the two paddles on Sunset's chest, a slight buzzing sound was heard, followed by a sudden shocking sound that made her back arc. There was no movement from Sunset as the doctor called out, "Again!" After a few more seconds of it charging, he called for another clear and placed the paddles on her chest again. Another zap. Still no movement.

"Turn it up to 400. Again!" he called out as it charged up a bit longer this time. "Clear!" The other doctor moved out of the way once again, for she was pumping her chest between the shocks. One more shock that arced her back even more than the previous one, Sunset remained still, the monitor never changing once.

"I'm sorry. We've done everything we can for her." the male doctor said to the others, as he replaced the paddles and looked at his watch. "Please note time of death is 7:42pm." Turning to the three friends who were all in shock from what just unfolded in front of them, he apologized once again, before ushering them out as the rest of the staff cleaned up.

A flash of light blinded Twilight for a brief moment before she was back in her body laying on the floor of the Starswirl the Bearded wing. More tears streamed down her face as she brought up her hooves to cover her muzzle. She broke down for the second time in one day. Fluttershy was there and laid down next to her good friend. Her own eyes were full of tears, for it was all she could do to comfort her.

"I failed..." Twilight said as she took comfort in her friend's hooves. "I failed...and she died again..." Fluttershy did not say anything and just Twilight let it all out. "I must fix this...I can't lose her like this...not like this." Twilight cried uncontrollably, in the hooves of a friend, on the cold, dusty, stone floor of the castle.

One Step Foward, Two Steps Backwards

Twilight laid there in Fluttershy's hooves, tears streaming down her face. It did not take long for Fluttershy to feel empathy for her good friend and soon tears formed in her own eyes. She just sat there next to Twilight doing her best to comfort her as she just let it all out. She was afraid of saying something for she did not know the reason why Twilight was hurting so badly.

"Why....? Why must it be this way!" Twilight cried still laying on that cold floor as her tears fell upon the dust making droplets of muddy stars. Twilight sniffed a few times and wiped her eyes before looking up at her good friend.

"Oh, Twilight." Fluttershy said softly as she helped Twilight sit up. "Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked kindly. Twilight just shook her head as she wiped some of the dust off of her muzzle. The purple alicorn leaned against her friend and closed her eyes, feeling drained. She reached her hooves around Fluttershy and gave her a gentle hug.

"Thank you." she said quietly before pulling back and getting to her hooves and ruffling out her wings. "But I am not finished yet. I can fix this. All I have to do is go back a bit farther this time. I can fix this..." Twilight turned away from Fluttershy as the pale yellow pegasus got to her hooves as well.

"Fix what, Twilight?" she asked the Princess.

"Yes that will work. Just a little bit farther in time and everything will be alright." Twilight said to herself as she prepared to cast the spell once again.

"Oh, hello there Fluttershy." said Princess Celestia as she returned to check on Twilight.

"Hello, Princess Celestia." Fluttershy replied bowing to her.

"How is she doing?" Celestia asked her as she looked towards Twilight who was moving slowly away from them towards one of the windows.

"Umm...I am not sure. When I first saw her she just collapsed and then when we came to she was crying really hard." Fluttershy still had tears in her eyes as she explained it to Celestia.

"I see..." Celestia seemed to be thinking when magical energy filled the room as the two ponies watched Twilight cast the time spell again as her body went limp and fell to the floor a second time that night. Fluttershy rushed over to her friend and made sure she didn't hit her head on anything as she looked back towards Celestia who seemed to not be there anymore. Turning back to Twilight, Fluttershy just remained by her side until she came back around.

Twilight found herself in a dark room with a light shining down on her from up above somewhere. She saw a note book laying on the counter in front of her as she took the pen out of her mouth and set it down next to the book. This is... she thought as she took a closer look around the room she was in. I thought so. I'm back at Pinkie's slumber party.

"Wow, what was I thinking?" Twilight asked herself as she looked at the page with notes and scribbles all over it.

"Hey Twilight." Sunset called from the door way as she then entered the kitchen. "You're up late." Oh my gosh, it's her! And she looks so healthy. Twilight thought as she watched Sunset make her way over to the fridge.

"Just looking over the counter spell. We only get one shot at this, it has to be perfect."

"We really are lucky you're here." Not as lucky as you might think, my love. Twilight thought as she just watched Sunset look through the fridge. "Who could possible need this much whipped cream?" She asked as she took one of the canisters out and sprayed some on her thumb before licking it off. Twilight quickly turned away for that brought back memories of them together which made her blush. Closing the fridge, Sunset turned and gave a shriek as Pinkie's sister, Maud, seemed to pop out of nowhere.

"Boulder was hungry." was all she said before grabbing a box of chips and walked back off into the darkness.

"I can't believe she's related to Pinkie Pie." Sunset said after Maud had left the kitchen. She is actually a really nice person once you get to know her. Twilight thought as the two girls smiled to each other. Yawning, Sunset added, "I'm going to get some sleep. Good luck with the counter spell, not that you'll need it." As she made her way to the door Twilight called out to her.

"Sunset Shimmer?" Stopping Sunset turned and looked back at Twilight for a moment. "Never mind. It's not important." Twilight told her as Sunset gave her a soft smile before disappearing around the doorway. Twilight sighed to herself as she added quietly, "I love you..." before placing her head into her hands doing her best to not cry.

The following day, over at the Apple farm, the girls were setting up to get some practice in on Twilight's counter spell. Twilight sat on one of the hay bales and looked over the notebook she was using. As the girls called her over, Twilight hopped off the bale and made her way to the mic as she smiled to her friends. Her gaze stayed on Sunset the longest before she tapped the mic to make sure it was on. As the girls started up the song, Twilight just stared at the note book before the girls stopped playing and Rainbow Dash got her attention.

"You can start any time now, Twilight."

"I'm sorry girls." Twilight said as she closed the note book and handed it back to Fluttershy. "Thanks for letting me use your note book." Turning back to the rest of them, Twilight addressed them all together. "This isn't going to work." All the girls looked shocked and started to talk among themselves. It was Rainbow Dash that brought up the question.

"What? Why not?"

"No, I mean the counter spell will work. This just won't." The girls just looked at her like she was crazy so Twilight explained her reasoning. "Listen, I know you probably won't believe me but we don't need some kind of special magical spell to beat the sirens. We just need our friendship and play the song to the fullest."

"So you're saying that all we have to do is play any song and do the whole ears and tails thing?"

"That is correct. As long as we have fun and play from our hearts then we will have all the magic we need to defeat them and free our friends." Twilight told Rainbow. The rest of the girls seemed to take it all in without any hesitation which made Twilight smile.

"That sounds like a great plan, sugar cube. Let's all show those Dazzlings how to rock!" Apple Jack commented as the other girls cheered together. Twilight caught Sunset's eye and quickly turned away from her, blushing slightly. She's so pretty...I hope this works and things turn around for us. she thought to herself as she over heard Sunset saying that they need to get to the school for the first round of the Battle of the Bands.

As the girls entered the gymnasium they held their heads high as they made for the back of the stage to get things ready for their song. Not a single one of them felt any pressure, even with all the glares and hissing they were getting from all the other students. As the Rainbooms waited for their turn, Twilight was a bit nervous for the last time she was here things didn't turn out so well for them.

It was horrible to hear Snips and Snails rap for a second time. Twilight did her best to not cringe as they finished up and walked off the stage. The girls then made their way onto the stage and started to get everything set up. When they were all ready, Rainbow looked to Twilight who reminded them quietly with a hand over her mic.

"Remember girls. We need to play with all of our hearts and souls. Let's free our friends and defeat the sirens!" The girls got them psyched up as Twilight nodded to them as Rainbow Dash got into position and the Rainbooms began their part in the battle of the bands.

We've just got the day to get ready
And there's only so much time to lose
Because tonight, yeah, we're here to party
So let's think of something fun to do
We don't know (we don't know) what's gonna happen
We just know (we just know) it's gonna feel right
All our friends are here
And it's time to ignite the lights!

As the girls started the chorus each one started to transform slightly like they have done a few times in the past. Each girl, even Twilight, glowed with the magic of friendship as they received their ears and tails while they played. As they continued with their song, Twilight kept her eyes on the sirens and noticed how they were actually standing now, wondering what is going on and why the other students were coming out of their spell.

The three sirens got off the bleachers and walked towards the front of the stage while glaring at the Rainbooms. Their magic over everyone was fading quick as the girls started the second verse. The crowd started looking around at each other and at the band playing on the stage before starting to get into the groove of it all.

"What is happening?" Aria asked as she waved a hand around them.

"They are using a counter spell against us!" Adagio stated as she glared at the girls on stage. "We must regain control of everyone before it's to late." The three sirens started singing trying to recast their spell but it was useless against the magic of friendship the six friends had among them.

"It's NOT working!" Adagio screamed as she felt the power in her pendant began to quiver before all three of the girl's pendants shattered, the pieces falling to the ground. "We need to get out of here...." Adagio said to the other two and they left the gymnasium without a look back. Twilight watched them leave, giving a huge smile as the girls finished up their song.

Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail
Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight
Shake your tail, shake your tail

Shake your tail 'cause we're here to have a party tonight!

The crowd cheered for the Rainbooms as Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna wrote down their scores. As the girls walked off the stage, Twilight stood next to Sunset and just beamed with happiness, knowing that she will change things for the better. Hearing the girls congratulate themselves a flash of light over took Twilight and she knew she was heading back to her own time now.

Slowly opening her eyes, the first thing Twilight noticed that it was still night out. Getting slowly to her feet she shook her head a few times getting ride of the grogginess of time travel as another pony helped steady her on her hooves.

"You okay, Twilight?" asked Rainbow Dash. Twilight blinked a few times as she looked at her friend then looked around the room. Everything was pretty much the same except for the pony next to her.

"Where's Fluttershy?" she asked.

"Fluttershy? She's still on that mission with Rarity, remember?"

"But she was right here with me, not you, Rainbow." Twilight seemed a bit lost as suddenly a shape pain bounced around inside her head and made her fall to her side, holding her hooves to her head. "Ahhhhhhh!" Twilight saw memories of her and Sunset fade from her mind as what seemed like visions played out in reverse. The happy moments they shared together, gone, the first kiss they shared, gone, even the first date they ever went on faded from existence.

It was then that new memories started to appear but not over write the old ones. Sunset fading into the background after the siren's defeat, the rest of Twilight's friends some what forgetting about her as they continued to win round after round in the battle. Another one replaced Twilight with Flash Sentry getting back together with Sunset as she ran to him for comfort. Then it was Rainbow Dash taking Sunset's place in Twilight's heart as she poured her feelings out to her and Rainbow returned her own feelings towards Twilight.

There were no more messages from Sunset. All the happy times were now replaced with Rainbow Dash. Everything that Twilight remembered seemed to be wrong, yet at the same time right. She couldn't explain it but it seemed like for the last year she has been with Rainbow instead of Sunset, yet in her heart she knew she still loved her and still could remember their times together.

"Twilight! Are you okay?" Rainbow called to her trying to do anything she could to help her. After a few scary moments the pain stopped and Twilight opened her eyes once again.

"Uggghh. Well that was new..." she said as she regained her breathing and let Rainbow help her back to her hooves once again. "But this isn't right. What happened to Sunset? It doesn't make any sense."

"Not again, Twilight. You promised that you wouldn't talk about her." Rainbow complained as she stomped a hoof on the ground upsetting some of the dust.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked her.

"Do you not remember?" Rainbow replied a bit annoyed.

"I'm sorry Rainbow. Things seem a bit fuzzy at the moment." Sighing to herself and shaking her head, Rainbow explained like she's done this a hundred times before.

"Look, Twilight, after you came back from going to the other world last time you were hurting. Things weren't going well for you and even going back a few times, things between you and Sunset never worked out." She placed a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "But I was there for you. I listened to you and comforted you when you needed it and we felt a bond then. Something that we both agreed on and it grew deeper and deeper. You also promised me that you wouldn't talk about Sunset anymore because it hurt you to much."

Twilight just looked at her friend and everything seemed to match up in her mind what she was saying, yet there were the other memories that seemed to be coinciding with her old ones. Twilight just couldn't wrap her head around it and started to tear up once again. Is all of this true? Did nothing changed for the better once again? she thought to herself as she sat down, Rainbow sitting down next to her.

"But WHY?" she cried out as the tears started to flow down her cheeks. "Why must it be like this? Why can't I make anything right?" she asked nopony in particular as Rainbow placed a hoof around her shoulders and hugged her. Twilight cried into the night as the ponies just sat there as the first rays of sun began to appear over the horizon.

The Past is Not Today

Twilight was tired. She hasn't slept in hours and using this spell multiple times has drained her of her magical energy. Leaning against Rainbow, Twilight wiped her eyes and watched the sun rise up over the horizon before she pushed herself away from Rainbow and got shakily to her hooves. Rainbow Dash also stood up and looked at her as she placed a hoof on her shoulder.

"You look like a wreck, Twi. Maybe you should get some rest?" she offered.

"I don't feel well. Let's head back home." Twilight agreed as she let Rainbow help her back to the castle. As they made their way inside, Twilight thought to herself, What happened...? Why are things not working out? I just don't understand.... Rainbow led her into her room and helped her into bed.

"I'm worried about you, Twi. I hope everything will be okay now." Rainbow told her as she gently kissed her forehead as she pulled the covers over the Princess. Twilight was already fast asleep in her soft bed as Rainbow smiled softly and giggled slightly to herself. "What am I going to do with you?"

Three days. Three days of uninterrupted nightmares and grotesque memories drifted through her unconscious mind as Twilight would shift in her sleep. Rainbow sat by her side almost the whole time, unless there was some weather controlling to do, as Apple Jack came to visit the Princess.

"How's she doing, sugar cube?" AJ asked as she walked into the room.

"Not good. She's still asleep and what looks like she's been having some crazy dreams."Rainbow sighed. "I want to wake her but at the same time I don't..." Apple Jack trotted over and sat down next to her friend and looked at the Princess before turning to Rainbow.

"Dun worry about it so much. She knows you love her and will do anything for her. Just let her git some rest. Come on, I'll treat ya to some breakfast." Apple Jack offered as she got up and started heading out. Rainbow gave Twilight a gentle kiss on her horn then proceeded to follow her friend out of the room.

"NO! This can not be! Please tell me it's not true!" Twilight shouted as her friends just stood in front of her and laughed as Sunset Shimmer faced her with a look of total disgust on her face.

"How could I EVER love something as horrible as you!" she said as she turned her back to Twilight.

"Sunset? Please...what did I do wrong? I need to know." Twilight called out holding a hoof out to her.

"Ugh, just look at you! Would anyone want to be with something that vile?" All her friends just laughed as Twilight's hoof fell to her side and she started to cry, gazing at Sunset's back. "You are the worst thing ever and I hope I NEVER see anything like you again." Sunset began to walk away, the rest of her friends turning around one by one, following after her. Once again Twilight was left all alone crying as a clap of thunder was heard over head and soon after it started pouring rain down on her. Twilight wiped her eyes with a hoof and looked up at the sky when a bolt of lightning came down and struck her horn, sending an intense shocking feeling throughout her body stopping her heart in mid beat as she fell over on her side.

Breathing heavily, Twilight sat strait up in her bed and looked around with wide eyes. Everything seemed to be in their normal places and it wasn't even raining outside as she looked towards the windows. She wrapped her magic around a nearby towel and wiped the sweat from her forehead and mane as she sighed to herself.

"What an intense dream..." she replaced the towel and slowly got out of bed, her legs feeling a bit weak as she stumbled over to the door. "How long was I asleep? Feels like I haven't moved in days." Opening the door she made her way to the kitchen where she met Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack, and Spike all having some breakfast.

"Twilight!" Spike called out as he got up and ran over to her giving her a big hug. "I was so worried." Twilight smiled down to him and returned the hug as she made her way over to the table.

"I'm happy to see you are finally awake." Rainbow said as she pushed a plate of pancakes over to her.

"Thank you, I'm starving." Twilight said as she smiled to her. "How long was I out for?" she asked as she picked up a fork with her magic and started to eat.

"About three days now." Rainbow answered. Twilight almost choked on her food as she gasped and looked at her friend.

"Three days?!?" Rainbow just nodded to her as she continued to eat. Twilight put down her fork and looked around at her friends. Apple Jack just nodded as well as Twilight looked down at her plate that she has barely touched as she thought back on the last events that she went through. Well my magic seems to be restored but should I use the spell again... she thought as she watched her friends eat and talk to each other.

Suddenly an image of Sunset flashed in her mind, smiling at her and she started to tear up. Getting up, Twilight excused herself and went upstairs to one of the balconies and stared off over Ponyville and the distant horizon. "What am I going to do? How can I fix all of this? Everything I try to do seems to get worse and worse..."

"Are you okay, love?" Rainbow asked as she walked up and sat next to her. Twilight looked at her and tried to smile but just couldn't hold it and hung her head.

"I don't know what to do anymore, Rainbow." Twilight sniffed. "I'm running out of options and every time I try to change things it just becomes worse."

Rainbow placed a hoof around her shoulders and brought her close to her. "What are you talking about? Changing what, Twi?" Twilight didn't answer her for her mind was going through different variations and scenarios on how she could fix this whole thing. Looking up suddenly a thought appeared and she looked over at Rainbow Dash before getting to her hooves and galloping back to her room.

"Twilight! Where are you going?" Rainbow called out as she got up and flew after her, catching up to her within moments. "Twilight please answer me." Rainbow begged as they both entered her room and she stopped before turning to her friend hovering above her.

As she started to cast her spell her eyes went soft and watery before she told her, "I'm sorry and thank you for everything..." With a genuine smile and eyes closed the magic in the room swelled and her body went limp once more. Rainbow, being as fast as she is, caught her before she hit the ground and gently shook her.

"Twilight? Twilight, answer me! Twilight!!!"

As her vision cleared it was dark and she was standing outside of Canterlot High with her friends as they were all looking at Sunset Shimmer holding her element, laughing to herself. Twilight knew exactly when and where she was and called out to her hoping to get through to her this time.

"Sunset please, you don't want to do that!"

"Oh but I DO! You don't know how long I've waited for this moment." Sunset gleamed.

"Actually I do know and I also know where it will lead. Please, Sunset listen to me, I know how you feel and this isn't the right choice." Twilight took a step forward towards her holding her hand out to her.

Sunset hesitated for a moment and looked at her. "What do you know about the future? You don't even belong her, Twilight, so don't talk to me like you know everything!" Sunset growled still clutching the crown in her hands.

"But I do! You have to believe me. How can I prove it to you?" she begged as she moved closer.

"That's the thing, "Princess", you can't, and there is NO way you can change that fact." Sunset laughed as she started to raise the crown to her head.

"Yes I can!" Twilight took another step towards her as Sunset stopped moving her arms and looked at her. "For instance: you're favorite color is yellow, you prefer juice over soda, and you enjoy spending your weekends with a good book." Twilight smiled at her hoping that will get through to her.

"Hahaha! Anyone going to this school knows that. What else you got, Twilight Sparkle?" She taunted her.

"Alright then how about this: You enjoy the smell of wet dogs over flowers, the fact that your inner thighs are sensitive to the touch and makes your toes curl, or how about like I know that your favorite thing to eat is pickled olives with salt and pepper." Sunset blinked a few times and lowered the crown a bit so she was holding it in front of her now.

"But how...how do you know these things?" She asked her almost demanding the answer.

"Because where I come from we were together and have been for quite a while but you died and I'm trying to fix it in my time." Twilight teared up once more, droplets of water traveled down her cheeks as she poured her heart out to her. "I love you Sunset...please you have to believe me in what I'm telling you is the truth!"

Sunset just shook her head and yelled back at her. "NO! I don't believe any of it. I don't know how you found those things out about me but it still doesn't matter. I'm going to take over Equestria and nobody is going to stop me!" Twilight just collapsed to her knees as Sunset placed the crown on her head and began her transformation once more.

"Why won't anything work!!!" Twilight called out as her friends ran to her side as they watched Sunset turn into some kind of demon with incredible power.

"Twilight! What do we do?" Rarity asked her as they stared up at the sky.

"There's nothing I can do....." she replied as that familiar bright light engulfed her vision. Twilight just sat there as she was transported back to her own time wondering what kind of things have been changed and how much worse everything has become. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she was sitting back in Ponyville but her castle was gone as well as much of the town. Buildings were destoryed, some still on fire, as there seemed to not be anypony in sight.

As if on que, starlight burst forth from behind her eyes as her head started to split in two from the pain of her memories being rewritten once more. The images of Rainbow Dash and her together started to play out backwards in time as pictures of Sunset appeared and disappeared as well before they started being replaced with the demonic form of her stepping through the portal with her army of teenagers from the other world.

She first took over Ponyville before moving towards Canterlot and in time defeating both Celestia and Luna in an epic fight as they tried to defend their subjects from harm. In the end both sisters fell before Sunset as she started rounding up everypony to Canterlot to become her slaves and do her bidding.

When the pain subsided and the shaking stopped, Twilight was laying on the ground when she head hoof steps coming her way. It took her a few moments before her vision cleared and she slowly sat up before she recognized it was Fluttershy who was approaching. She went into a full gallop and stopped right beside the Princess as she looked down at her somewhat surprised.

"Twilight? What happened? Where have you been?" she asked as she helped her friend up.

"Everything is wrong....there's nothing I can do now..." she cried as Fluttershy lead her away from the depressing scene towards the Everfree forest and the safety of the trees. Looking back, Twilight's thoughts ran back to where she first receive the scroll and those fateful words from Celestia. "I'm sorry....I'm so sorry everypony..." she said as the two ponies vanished into the trees and the silent darkness that they held.

Reflections of Memories

Reflections of Memories

Twilight Sparkle was still sobbing as they made their way deeper into the Everfree forest. The light from the full moon shone down upon the two ponies through the breaks in the canopy, making it look like long beams of silvery rain. Fluttershy continued to escort the Princess down the worn path as a clearing came into view with a small cottage. Twilight would recognize it as Zecora's hut as the girls headed strait for it. Opening the door, Fluttershy trotted in with Twilight and helped her over to a chair to sit in as she went and spoke with the zebra.

Coming to her senses Twilight finally took a look around and noticed a few other ponies in there as well. Fluttershy and Zecora near the far wall, another pony laying in a bed, covered with a blanket, as well as a few others she did not know. You've messed up big time, Twilight...what ever shall we do now... she thought to herself as she hung her head getting lost in her own thoughts. It wasn't untill the door slammed open and a pony ran through it, closing it just as quickly, that brought her back to reality.

Breathing heavily Cadence sat down against the door as Fluttershy went to her side. Cadence...what is she doing here...? Twilight thought as she looked at her sister-in-law with a confused look upon her muzzle. They made eye contact as Cadence got up and trotted over to Twilight throwing her hooves around her neck hugging her closely.

"Oh I'm so glad you're alright!" she cried not wanting to let her go.

"Cadence? What are you doing here? Where's my brother? Where's Shining Armor?" Twilight asked worriedly. Letting go Cadence sat down in front of her and looked at the ground, not wanting to face the Princess of Friendship. "Please tell me, what happened?"

Taking a deep breath Cadence filled Twilight in on what happened in the Crystal Mountains. "After Sunset took over Canterlot she set her eyes upon my kingdom and it didn't take her long to assemble her troops to invade us. We tried to get as many ponies out as we could before she arrived but it still didn't matter. She over took us within an hour and quite a few crystal ponies didn't make it." Cadence still wasn't looking at Twilight as she spoke.

"And my brother?"

"I'm sorry Twilight...." she began to cry as tears rolled down her cheeks leaving wet droplets on the floor. "H-he...saved me and gave me enough time to escape..."

"No...not that's not possible..." Twilight held a hoof to her mouth covering it. "Not my brother...please tell me he's okay!"

"I'm so so sorry...." Cadence bowed before her and laid on the floor in front of the chair. It was silent in the hut as the two ponies wept, one grieving for her brother, the other for her husband. It was the pony on the bed who broke the silence as they sat up slowly to speak.

"Twilight? She's here?" Twilight turned at the sound of Rainbow Dash who seemed to be very upset by the tone of her voice. "So you finally came out of hiding to show your face, huh?"

"Rainbow...? Why are you so mad at me?" Twilight was confused as he friend grew more angry with that question.

"MAD?!?" She snorted before continuing, "I have every right to be mad! Do you see our friends here? No? Well that's because while you were hiding away from Sunset we had to evacuate Ponyville and....and..." Rainbow was so upset now that tears streamed down her face as she went on. "And both Apple Jack and Rarity didn't make it!"

Twilight's eyes widen with shock as she listened to her friend before getting off the chair and making her way over to her. There was nothing she could really say to Rainbow Dash to calm her down as she was right. It is all her fault, everything is her fault. Upon closer inspection she noticed that both of her wings were bandaged as well as many cuts and bruises all over her body. Twilight reached out a hoof to her as Rainbow smacked it away glaring at the Princess.

"Don't touch me. Now I might not be able to fly anymore cause of you...just leave me alone!" she told her as she laid back down, turning away from the Princess. Taking a few steps back from her, Twilight noticed Fluttershy waving her over and she slowly walked over to the two ponies.

"How could I know this would've happen....I'm so sorry everypony..." Twilight said to herself as she stopped near the yellow pegasus.

"Twilight...?" Fluttershy got her attention. Sitting down Twilight just hung her head as she continued. "Twilight, Zecora here has a plan that I think we should listen to."

"It doesn't matter...nothing matter anymore...." Twilight said to herself more than anypony in the hut.

"Twilight please..." Fluttershy placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Please hear her out?" Twilight just nodded as Zecora filled her in on what she was thinking.

"If one thinks they can win this fight they are a fool, but what if we create more ponies with the mirror pool?" Twilight looked up at her as she went on. "To have an army of our own, one in which Equestria has never been shown."

"Wait..what was that..?" Twilight asked as Zecora then repeated herself. "No no no..the first part...something about the mirror pool...? Mirror....mirror!" Twilight's eyes lit up as if she just had an epiphany. Getting to her hoofs she looked at the two ponies as she went on, "That's it! That's how I can fix everything and make it right!"

"Twilight? What are you talking about?" Fluttershy asked worriedly.

"Don't worry. I'll save everypony this time!" Cadence looked up and over at her sister-in-law also wondering what she is talking about. "Yes! That's it. Zecora, you're a genius!" Trotting to the middle of the room Twilight turned and faced everypony as she stood up strait with a serious look upon her face. "We'll have all of our friends back! And my brother!" she said as she looked to Cadence who's eyes seemed to light up a bit. As Twilight started to gather enough magic to cast the time spell one last time she closed her eyes as she prepared herself for her final trip back in time.

The first thing Twilight heard was laughter then the voice of a very familiar pony as her vision cleared and she was standing in front of the other three Princesses. "Twilight! I haven't seen you since the coronation." Cadence said as she greeted her.

"We have so much to discuss." Princess Celestia said then added, "but it can wait until tomorrow. You all look tired from your journey, now off to bed, all of you." As Twilight and her friends made their way to their now rooms, she couldn't help think to herself about what she had to do next. This is it, Twilight. You've come all the way back here. After this everypony will be safe and you will have fixed all that has been changed... She sighed to herself as she entered her room and started to unpack everything.

"What's wrong, Twilight?" asked Spike.

"I don't know, Spike, I'm just worried I guess." Twilight turned and headed over to her bed as Spike followed her.

"You just need to get some rest, Twilight. Tomorrow's a big day after all."

"You're right, Spike. Tomorrow will be a big day..." she said quietly as he turned off the lights and went to bed. It wasn't long before he was fast asleep before Twilight used her magic to remove the covers and get out of bed as quietly as she could. It's now or never Twilight. she thought as she made her way out of her room and down the hall. If I recall correctly the mirror should be just around this next corner and through the door at the end of the hall... she thought as she walked slowly along.

Rounding the corner she almost bumped into a night guard who looked at her for a moment then bowed as he then continued his patrol through the hallways. Phew, that was to close. I'm glad he didn't ask any questions. Twilight thought as she used her magic to open the door and step through, closing it quietly behind her.

"There is it..." she whispered as she trotted over to the mirror and placed a hoof against the glass seeing that the portal is open. "And to think, it all started on this very night..." Sitting down in front of it Twilight stared at her reflection for a few moments, her eyes glistening from the tears that threatened to burst forth.

"I'm so sorry..." Twilight said softly as she hung her head. "This is the only way to make everything right. Sunset..." she lifted her head as she started charging magical energy in her horn, "...I will always love you!" With that she unleashed every bit of her magic towards the mirror and as her reflection seemed to crack and distort, it didn't take long for it to shatter, the frame breaking into multiple pieces as the shards of glass went every where before things went quiet once more.

Twilight sat there for a moment crying in that silence as just as suddenly that familiar pain shot through her head, knocking her to her side as she placed her hooves to her head. Everything seemed to begin playing in reverse starting with her and Dashie's relationship. She watched it the scenes unfold as they did to the point where she came back from the other world the second time.

Next were the memories of her and finding out that Sunset was sick and rushing to go see her. Watching both of the times where she died tore her heart even more as her memories kept going farther and farther back. See saw Sunset and herself walking along a path in the park, holding hands and just talking about things that were going on.

The scene changed to where they shared their first kiss. It was during summer break and they were at the beach. Sunset invited her out one night and as they watched the moon and stars that's when it happened. Fog filled her vision and the next thing she saw was the both of them on their very first date.

Sunset took her to see a movie and then they walked along the sidewalk to one of her favorite restaurants for it was a beautiful spring night. As her memories kept shifting from one to another, Twilight would see herself play with the Rainbooms, figure out how to create a counter spell and learn about the sirens and where they came from.

Then her memories jumped further back to where Sunset had her crown and started to transform into that she demon to take over Canterlot. That scene melted away into her winning the Princess of the Fall Formal and finally getting her crown back before things shifted once more and she was with her friends trying to get them all to work together.

More and more memories seemed to just fade away as her body shook violently, unable to control herself in any way. As things seemed to stop, almost as suddenly as they started, the last thing she saw in her mind before her vision started to clear, was an image of Sunset Shimmer smiling at her as she spoke.

"I have something to tell you, my Princess..." She closed her eyes and had the biggest smile on her face as she blushed slightly. "I love you!"

Sitting up slowly, Twilight was weeping uncontrollably as she just let it all out surrounded by broken glass and twisted pieces of metal. The doors behind her opened and everypony ran in to suddenly stop and see their friend broken and beaten as she cried her heart out. As she looked over her shoulder at the eight ponies standing behind her, Twilight gave a weak smile and said, "I finally fixed it..." before the bright light filled her vision and was taken back to the present.

Twilight blinked a few times and looked around the area that she was in. She noticed that she was back in her castle and sitting in her throne along with her five best friends and Spike as the map shimmered before her with all of their cutie marks hovering over a single spot on it.

"You feeling alright there, Twi?" Asked Apple Jack as she got her attention.

"Huh? Yes, I'm alright." she replied as she shook her head a few times clearing it. "I just had a strange image appear in my thoughts, that's all."

"Anything we can do to help?" Fluttershy asked as Twilight shook her head and just smiled.

"Anyways it looks like we all have to go here together according to this map. I wonder what's out there." Twilight mentioned as they all agreed. "Let's meet at the train station in an hour everypony." Twilight added as her friends got up to go get their things ready for their big adventure together. Before leaving the map room Twilight looked back and thought, Who or what was that? I've never seen anything like it before... Turning around she trotted out and headed for her own room to get ready for her first mission as the Princess of Friendship.