Everything Dies

As they walked and Sunset filled Shimmer in on Equestria; Adagio was struck by how little had changed since her banishment. Since her arrival on Earth, the human race had evolved so much. So much so that it if she hadn't had been there to see it change; she would scarcely think it was the same species. Here, on the other hand, things had changed so little it was hard to tell she had been for over a thousand years.

She had always thought of Equestria being superior to Earth; if for no other reason than Equestria had magic. Now, she wasn't so sure. Equestria had magic but it was also stagnant. It was like magic was a drug that lulled everyone into complacency. There had been changes, no doubt, but nothing like on Earth. Humans, without magic, were forced to claw there way up and advance. They forced themselves to figure out how the natural world worked and how to use it to make their lives better. She now found herself impressed by the ingenuity and tenacity of the breed.

Of course that all came at a cost. Every advance paid for in blood. The endless, unceasing wars and violence, the butchery and oppression, all things Equestria had (for the most part) escaped. She wondered if the one demanded the other. Did advancement require pain and sacrifice and did peace and stability require stagnation? She supposed if things were peaceful, why would you want to change? Isn't that exactly what the humans wanted anyhow? - to reach a state of being of perfect harmony that never changed? Wasn't that Heaven, Nirvana, or whatever they called it?

She wondered about these things and more. Somehow, being in the Earthly realm caused her to change into a unicorn. Of course she had changed from an earth pony into a monster creature back here, but that was under the influence of the gems. It would seem that even she had been changed by Earth. And, come to think of it, wasn't change itself a kind of magic? To be something at one time then to be another thing later on.

Yes, being home was anti-climatic; but it was still home and she got to see Sunset in her true from, which, while pretty, was nothing compared to her human form. Maybe she had been away too long? Maybe she was more human than pony. It didn't matter though, this was where Sunset was going and this is where she would go as well.

"Wow, this is all so amazing!" Shimmer said as soon as Sunset was done. "It doesn't make any sense and shouldn't even exist; but still amazing!"

"I hear that a lot," Sunset said with a laugh.

"So where are we going? I mean where does this Princess Celestia live?" Shimmer asked still excited but a bit concerned.

"Well you see that castle over there, way off in the distance? That's where," Sunset said, raising a hoof in the direction of the castle.

"What! There? That'll take forever!" Now Shimmer was hyper concerned.

"We can take the train," Sunset said, seemingly brushing off Shimmer's concerns.

"Oh, so you brought money with you?" Adagio asked in her dry, mocking voice.

"Oh, well, I had some in my purse which I left in my car. Not that it matters because I don't think they have an exchange for US dollars." Sunset said, her voice growing a bit concerned.

"Oh great," Shimmer moaned, "this will take forever."

Sunset then smiled a big, mischievous, smile. "Or I can just teleports us there like I did back on Earth." She then winked at Shimmer.

Shimmer felt immediately stupid. "Oh, yeah, forgot about that."

"Ok ladies, you ready?" Sunset asked, turning to the others.

"Eh, I've come this far," Adagio replied with fake disinterest.

"I am," Shimmer exclaimed.

"Ok, let's go."

************************************************************************

"Good Sparkle," Princess Celestia said. She had been working with Sparkle since she got to Equestria to hone her magic skills. At first Sparkle had struggled to get the most basic of magic down. In fact; Celestia had even considered giving up but eventually Sparkle proved she was a Twilight and had made magnificent gains. In a way, it was like having Twilight back. "Everyday you progress leaps and bounds over what you were."

"Thank you Princess Celestia." Sparkle was grateful to the Alicorn. She had learned so much from her over the past weeks and had come to view the magical mare as a second mother. "I couldn't ha . . . " before she could finish, two of the royal guards came in and interrupted her.

"Your majesty, forgive us; but Princess Sunset Shimmer is here to see you with, well, Princess Sunset Shimmer," the lead guard spoke; slightly confused.

"Oh, there's two of them?" Celestia was surprised for a second but realized that the one must be the human Sunset Shimmer. "Hmm. Well send them in."

The guards left and Sparkle turned to Celestia. She too figured out what was going on. "Sunset is here; with her human half?"

"It appears so my child. This shall be most interesting. I suspect more so for since you'll be meeting another person from your realm."

"Yeah. I was actually starting to forget what Earth was like," Sparkle laughed, but only somewhat. The fact of the matter was that she had been so engrossed in her studies and getting to know this world, she pretty much forgotten about her home on Earth.

Celestia smiled and they waited for the Sunsets to show up which was about ten minutes later. While expecting the two Sunsets, Celestia was surprised to see a yellow unicorn with big, curly blond hair accompanying them.

"Greetings Princess Celestia," Sunset said with love and warmth. She still couldn't get over how great it felt to be reconciled with Celestia.

"Greetings my dearest one," Celestia replied with the same genuine affection. "I'm glad to see you again." She then turned to look at the other two. "And welcome to you as well."

Shimmer felt a bit confused. She wasn't sure what she should, so she bowed as far as she could and said, "Your Majesty."

Celestia laughed. "It's ok, no need for all that. Besides, as you can see, you're a princess too; human Sunset Shimmer."

Shimmer stood up and felt her cheeks get hot. "Oh, so you know about humans then?" she asked embarrassed.

"I was to your world a long, long time ago. I suspect it's changed mightily since my last visit."

"It has," Adagio said. She had lost all respect for the ruling sisters long ago. She had no open animosity toward Celestia, she just didn't give any credence to their office.

Celestia looked at Adagio with a curious glance. "I'm sorry, are you human or Equestrian?" There was no anger or irritation in her voice, only confusion as to who this person was.

Adagio gulped. For the first time she actually felt guilty about who she was. "Equestrian my liege. In fact I met you once. You and your sister during the victory parade after you defeated The Chaos Bringer."

Celestia's eyes grew wide. "How can that be my child? That was . . ."

"Yes it was. And three hundred years later, your wizard banished me and my," Adagio thought for a second, what would she call Sonata and Aria? Friends? No, that didn't seem right. Sisters? That wasn't right either but was probably the best term she could use. "My sisters to Earth. We were The Sirens."

Celestia gasped. "You, you were a Siren? But how?"

"We encountered Sunset and Twilight's group. We battled, we lost. We lost all our magical abilities. Now we, well, two of us are trying to make amends. Sunset has become my best friend and I will stand by her side always." Adagio's voice sounded more defiant than apologetic. Reformed or not, she still had a touch of ego and rebellion to her.

"I vouch for her, " Sunset said with both pride in Adagio and fear that Celestia may not accept her. "She's the one who lead human Sunset Shimmer to me and she's the one who told us it was Queen Chrysalis we were up against."

Celestia looked even more confused but troubled as well. "Chrysalis? There is much you need to fill me on then my dear Sunset. Come talk with me in private. Shimmer, this is Twilight Sparkle, she's also from Earth. I feel there is much that you two can talk about. As for you, you can stay here as well. If Sunset vouches for you, that is all I need."

They all nodded.

"Now, Sunset, come with me.