Chapters "Then Juniper Montage broke the mirror, and everyone was okay." said Starlight Glimmer. Her, along with her six friends, were having a picnic at the edge of the Everfree Forest. Applejack was sharing an apple brown betty with Rainbow Dash, Rarity appeared to be sketching a new design in her sketchbook, Fluttershy was grooming a wild rabbit that had invited itself to their little gathering, and Pinkie was surprisingly still. Meanwhile, Twilight was listening as intently as she could to her student, taking notes along the way.
"That sounds amazing. I'm gonna have to go back there to see if Sunset and I can track all the magic there. See what we can do."
"Kinda surprised that Juniper would just up and turn good just like that, though." said Applejack.
"Doesn't surprise me. We've got a great track record of reforming bad guys." chimed in Rainbow Dash.
"Well, Yeah!" said Pinkie Pie, taking a chalkboard out of nowhere with all of Equestria's biggest threats on it. "Nightmare Moon is now Princess Luna, Discord and Starlight Glimmer are our best friends, King Sombra is searching Equestria with Radiant Hope, and all the Changelings are good!" She drew an x across each of the villains' faces.
"Not to mention all those mean old bullies, like Trixie and Gilda." said Fluttershy, allowing the rabbit back into the wild.
"Don't forget those awful little girls our sisters have changed for the better." said Rarity.
"And Sunset Shimmer, along with all those she's helped." said Applejack.
"You know, the Pinkie of that world said almost the exact same thing. We ARE a very forgiving group."
"Really, the only two creatures that are even close to a threat to us are Tirek and Chrysalis, and we've already kicked their flanks all across Equestria." said Rainbow.
"And I think that's for the best." Twilight shut her notebook, and took a stance. "After Equestria has been threatened Celestia knows how many times, I think we all deserve a nice break from the madness." Her friends nodded in agreement.
"Why do I get the feeling we're about to be proven wrong..." said Rainbow. A split-second later, Spike ran to the picnic, looking extremely nervous.
"Twilight! Sombra! Crystal Empire! Help!" he said as he jumped up and down.
"Spike, Calm down! Now, what's going on?" Twilight put her hoof on the baby Dragon's shoulder, bringing him back to reality.
"Sorry, it's just I'm a little nervous. King Sombra is attacking the Crystal Empire again!" The seven girls now shared Spike's look of fear.
"What? That can't be!" said Twilight.
"I don't understand. He's supposed to be with Radiant Hope, searching for the pieces of Princess Amore." said Rarity.
"Looks like our whole redemption-dealy finally came to bite us in the hoof." said Rainbow.
"Hold on a second!" yelled Pinkie, breaking up the commotion. "The Crystal Empire can't be invaded cause they still have the Crystal Heart! Sombra can't get in so long as their love, and that place is like the love capital!"
"Pinkie's right. And even then, surely Cadance n' Shinin' Armor got that place secured, right?"
"I wouldn't be so sure." Spike burped up a letter. "Princess Celestia sent us this message. She says she needs us all in Canterlot at once."
Twilight read over the letter, and faced her friends. "Well girls, looks like we have to beat Sombra. Again!"
-
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna out their window, faintly seeing the auroras generated from the Crystal Empire.
"How could this be sister? Where did things go so wrong?"
"Do not fret Luna. We have faced many a challenge together. We've always come out on top. This time will be no different."
The Mane Six, plus Starlight Glimmer and Spike, entered the Canterlot Castle's throne room, each taking a determined stance.
"We're ready whenever you are, Princesses! Anything to help the Crystal Empire!" Celestia and Luna turned around, the looks on their faces looking a lot more downtrodden than what the girls had ever seen.
"I'm afraid the situation has just escalated from bad to worse." said Luna.
"Oh no, what's happened now?"
Celestia walked up to Spike, placing a hoof on his cheek. "I'm sorry Spike. But it appears Queen Chrysalis is at war with the Changelings. Somehow, she has amassed her own army to try and reclaim her kingdom."
Spike backed up, tears forming in his eyes. "No...Thorax...I have to go!" Spike tried running out the door, until Celestia stopped him.
"I'm afraid I've done all I can do. I've sent many of my soldiers to aid Thorax in this time. We have already lost so many..." Celestia looked away, fighting back tears as hard as she could.
"What do you mean?" asked Starlight.
"Princess Cadance informed us of how scared her forces were of King Sombra's sudden return. Even if he can't get in, none of them are willing to fight. Knowing what he's done, I can't blame them. We've tried to send our own forces, but alas, Sombra got to them." said Luna. The implication was all to real for the ponies.
"We're willing to do whatever it takes, right girls!"
Twilight's friend's spoke at the same time. "Right!"
"Thank you all so much. You truly are Equestria's heroes. And Spike, I promise we will do everything we can to save your friend." Celestia said.
The tears on Spike's face ceased. "Thanks you."
"Now, I think it's important for us to try to come up with a strategy to get rid of both of these threats." said Twilight.
"Why waste your energy! All of Equestria will bow to me anyway, you may as well give up now!" A loud but all too familiar voice bellowed through the halls of the castle. An array of black star dust weaved its way around the group, until taking the form of a tall black Alicorn with a cutie mark representing the moon. An Alicorn all of them knew to well.
Princess Luna backed up. "It's...It's you! Nightmare Moon!"
-Canterlot High-
"Well, I'm all out o' ideas." Applejack shrugged.
"Well, we can't just leave this here!" said Rainbow Dash.
"Sunset will know what to do. This is, after all, her specialty." said Twilight Sparkle.
Sunset approached her friends with a sprint. "Where is it?" her friends backed away, revealing a hole in the fabric of their reality. On the other side was a blue castle made of crystals, in what was undoubtedly Equestria. It was not unlike one of the portals created by Midnight Sparkle, but it was just the one. Sunset stepped towards it. "And none of you know where it came from."
"None of us saw how it formed. I was just walking home when I saw it." said Fluttershy.
"Yeah, and look at this weird thing." Pinkie placed her hand on the portal, like there was a window separating the two worlds.
"Do you think this is more magic from Equestria leaking into this world? Like the geodes or the hand mirror?" asked Rarity.
"I don't know. But I think it's important we find out soon. Don't want anyone seeing this." Sunset outstretched her hand towards the portal, but she saw her hand turn into a yellow and orange hoof. "Ah!" Sunset screamed and tried to take her hand out of the portal, but it was stuck. Even worse, she felt her whole body being pulled into the portal. "Guys!"
The Rainbooms tried to grab their friend's remaining hand, but the portal was too strong. Sunset was pulled into the other world, and the portal disappeared.
Nightmare Moon's intimidating figure eclipsed all but Celestia in size, with a voice to match. "How fun! Not only do I get to defeat my sister again and rule another Equestria, but I finally get to see the time traveler!"
"I don't understand! We defeated you!" Luna roared.
"Ah, and what's this? My own self, fighting alongside Celestia? How sweet."
Luna and the rest took a battle ready stance. "No." she said. "This is my battle. Nightmare Moon is my doing." Luna stepped closer towards the nightmare.
"You know, I think it's obvious whose going to win here. Why don't you all surrender now. And who knows, maybe if you come quietly I'll let you turn back..." Princess Luna summoned a black and green laser from her horn, and fired. She was not going to let her finish that sentence. Nightmare Moon dodged, but was given a slight scratch from the residue.
"I don't know where you came from..." Luna lunged herself at Nightmare Moon, striking her horn at the nightmare's, dueling like swords. "But I promise, this is where you will fall." Luna parried back, and made an attempt at Nightmare Moon's throat. She flew backwards to the sky.
"My my, looks like I've triggered someone. No matter, I shall deal with you first." Nightmare Moon blasted her own beam at Luna, which she dodged, leaving a smoldering spot on the carpet. Princess Luna flung herself at Nightmare Moon, spearing through the stained glass window depicting Discord's reign. The two continued their duel outside, throwing whatever magic they had at the other.
"We can't just let her do this alone!"
"I'm afraid we must, Rainbow Dash. My sister can be very stubborn at times. We can try to help, but she will still feel like Nightmare Moon is her own burden." The ponies could only watch as Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna fight an even war. Back and forth, the beams of magic flew, never really hitting. Of course, the citizens of Canterlot were surprised as well.
"Twilight, do you notice anything about this?" Starlight said to her teacher in a whisper.
"That all our biggest threats are somehow returning? Yeah, I got that.."
"No, I mean, these three specifically. First, King Sombra is an Umbra again, even though he was changed into a pony. Queen Chrysalis suddenly has her power and an army on her side, and now Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna are fighting."
"I don't understand, Starlight."
"Nightmare Moon is acting like she's only ever seen you before. And mentioned something about a time travel. You don't think..."
"Oh, sweet Celestia! All these bad guys, there from when you and I travelled to the past!" Starlight and Twilight looked uneasily at the mess they caused.
Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon fired everything they had at one another, causing the beams to clash and send the two Alicorns backwards. Princess Luna was shot back into the castle, and landed at her sister's feet.
"Luna! Please, sister, say something!" Celestia took her baby sister in hoofs, shaking her until any sign of life appeared.
"Ugh...Did, did I win?"
"I'm afraid not!" Nightmare Moon teleported into the room. "I must admit, you are a lot stronger than I was when I was like you, but even then, you're still not stronger than me!" Nightmare Moon started to charge a beam on her horn, and Princess Celestia walked forward, a look rarely ever seen to ponykind for her: rage.
Just then, a zipper appeared out of nowhere next to Nightmare Moon's head. It opened, and eagle hand popped through to tap on Nightmare Moon's left shoulder. She looked over, but then a lion paw came out with a letter, poking Nightmare Moon in the back of the head. She grabbed the letter with the magic, and the zipper, along with it's apparent inhabitants, disappeared.
Nightmare Moon examined the letter. "Ugh, what does that Draconequus want? Can't he see I'm in the middle of a battle." Fear flushed over the Mane Seven's collective faces. Nightmare Moon opened the letter. "Hmm. Sorry, looks like my plans for destroying you will have to wait. Until next time!" Nightmare Moon dissolved into the same dark smoke she appeared in, and whisked herself out the whole she and Princess Luna made.
"Di-Discord? What could he want with Nightmare Moon?" said the particularly pale Fluttershy.
"We can't jump to any conclusions. For all we know, he's luring her into a trap."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Princess Twilight." Everypony turned their heads towards the stained glass window of the Mane Six beating Discord, who seemed to have come to life. Just then, Discord dissolved into being. "At least, I don't know what he's doing."
"Discord!" Fluttershy fluttered into her friend's paws. "You haven't turned on us too, right?"
"Oh come now, I think I deserve a little more trust from you. I learned my lesson the hard way last time."
"Ten, what were ya doin with Nightmare Moon just now?"
"Well, that's just it. That certainly was me. But not me-me.
Everypony's face had gone from flushed with fear, into utterly confused in under a minute. But, that's Discord for you.
"Okay, will somepony please explain what the heck is going on!" said Pinkie.
"Yes, how can there be two Discords, and two Princess Lunas?" asked Rarity.
"Well, why don't we ask Ms. Starlight Glimmer." Everypony was now looking at the Unicorn.
Starlight Glimmer was on the precipice of having another breakdown. This was just like when she returned to her old village, only with no Trixie to back her up. All the eyes of the most powerful ponies in the entire world, staring her down, making her feel so little...
"It's okay Starlight." The soothing words of Starlight's teacher brought her back down to Equestria. She saw the understanding look in Twilight's eyes. "None of us will be mad at you."
Starlight led out a sigh. "Okay. I think it's time I tell you." Starlight stood straight in the eyes of the two Princesses.
-Unknown Location-
"Is that Equestria?" asked Sonata. She and the other two Sirens were looking at a scratch in universe, their home on the other side.
"No, it's Springfield. Of course it's Equestria! What else could it be?"
"You don't have to be so mean, Aria."
"Both of you, please stop talking for one minute." Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk were silent, and looked at their leader, Adagio Dazzle. She was as mesmerized at the sight as their victims were of their beauty, and former singing talent. "Now, I know things haven't been great for us. No powers, no magic, had our flanks handed to us. But here's our chance! We can go back to Equestria! We can get our magic back! Now, are you guys Ready?"
The two sirens smirked, and along with Adagio, walked through the portal. "Bye-bye dumb world!" said Sonata.
"And then Twilight and I went back to the present, and the spell was destroyed. And, I guess you know the story from there." Starlight held her head in shame. Sure, her friends had already heard the story, but now the Princess are hearing. The judges, juries, and executioners for Everypony in Equestria. She broke a natural law of the universe when traveling to the past so many times.
"I see. Well then, I guess we cannot blame you for this mess. After all, you did not intend for these villains to come here." said Princess Celestia. "However, I do expect you will help us in these stressful times?" Celestia placed a hoof under Starlight's face, raising both it and her spirits.
"It's the least I can do!"
"I still would like to know, though. Why have they come here?" asked Princess Luna, who was being bandaged up by Fluttershy.
"Oh come on. I thought you Princesses knew everything." Discord created an open window, and pointed upward. Green and black portals were opening in the skies. There were only open for about a second at a time, but is was just enough time to let everypony know just what was going on.
"So, those portals are connected to all the other timelines Twilight and Starlight created?" said Spike.
"It looks like it. And if it's true that's where Discord and the other villains came from, then that must mean there's a Tirek coming here too. With the powers of all of Equestria." said Twilight. The room became much more somber after that.
"Great, so now..." Pinkie took out her board of villains again. "Nightmare Moon is back, another Discord is here, Queen Chrysalis has all her Changelings, King Sombra has his shadowy powers, AND Tirek has ALL his power." She drew the faces of the villains over the x's, very crudely at that.
"This is what happens when you mess with time." Discord stood menacingly above Starlight Glimmer, getting closer and closer to her face. "Did you REALLY think you could mess with reality, and face NO consequences?
"I...uh..."
"Just Kidding!" Discord patted Starlight on the back. "I love this kind of chaos! Never know what's gonna happen next!"
"How are we suppos' ta beat these guys?" asked Applejack.
"You think the Tree of Harmony will let us borrow the Elements for just one tiny second? That's probably all we'll need." asked Rainbow Dash.
"That would not be wise." said Celestia. "When my sister and I took the Elements a thousand years ago, the tree had enough energy to sustain itself, before it began to die."
"It has only been a few months since the Elements were returned. We fear that taking the Elements away from the tree again would yield the same results, even quicker than last time."
"Well, I guess there out of the question. What about those, err, unique, rainbow forms? They helped us beat Tirek last time." said Rarity.
"Those may be the best bet we have."
"Um, just one thing." Fluttershy had finished Princess Luna's bandages. "How can we get them? Didn't the chest turn into a castle?"
The room had gone silent. All eyes were on Twilight now. "I...uh...I don't know." Everypony let out a disappointed sigh. "Princess?"
"I'm afraid even I know nothing of your new powers. I suggest you all head home and meditate. Perhaps that magic is still inside of all of you. Luna and I must prepare for any future attack."
"We shall gather our allies from Yakyakistan and the Dragon Lands. We will need all the help we can get." The two Princesses turned, with Luna even walking with a slight limp.
"Come on!" yelled Rainbow Dash. She flew in front of the Princesses. "You really expect us to just nap, when Equestria is in danger?"
"I agree with Rainbow. If we jus' meditate, we'd be in danger of attack! At least out there in the fron' lines, we have a fightin chance." said Applejack. She walked over, and stood beside the Pegasus. Pinkie had hopped over as well.
"Yeah, and plus, naps are for night time, and look! Sun!"
Twilight stood next to the Princesses. "We need all of us together for to use that power to work. It's the only way."
"No, it's not. We can fight!"
"If you guys go out there, Tirek will just absorb your magic. Or the Changelings will get to you. Or Discord will corrupt you." said Rarity.
"Heyyyy."
"They didn't mean you Discord." said Fluttershy, patting her friend on the back.
"Hmm, I guess y'all are right."
"But what if that rainbow magic is gone?"
"We're getting no where with this! Starlight, you're the deciding vote. What should we do?" The six ponies looked for Starlight for any kind of suggestion. Unfortunately, she was just as lost as any of them.
"Umm, I don't know. After all, I don't have an Element." Starlight remembered her lesson that a leader must choose what's best. "But, if I have to, I think you guys should meditate on it. That rainbow power you guys have could stop all of those bad guys. No war needed, no casualties."
"Okay then." The three detractors went with their friends. "But how is meditating suppose to help anyway?"
"Oh, I can give you guys some advice!"
"YOU know a lot about meditating, Discord?"
"Why, of course! Can't you tell?" Discord donned a white gi, and took the lotus position. "Ooouuummm...ooouuummmm..."
The mane six looked at Discord with confused looks, even Fluttershy. "You never mentioned meditating before."
"Look, you guys can either go and loose you battle, or you can come with me and get cool powers. Which is it?"
"You're not coming along with us, Discord?" asked Luna.
"Oh heavens to betsy no! I've had enough of Tirek for one lifetime. I don't know about you two, but having your magic drained from you once is enough!"
"Well, I guess its settled then. Discord, lead the way!" said Twilight.
-
"Did you send out all the letters?" asked Tirek. He and Discord, who was wearing a mailman's uniform, was in the latter's dimension, standing on the one still piece of floating debris.
"Just did now. All four letters to the leaders from the four remaining timelines. We'll all be together soon..." The two monsters began to laugh menacingly.
Author's Note
I can't help but notice my story is getting a lot of down votes. Some feedback as to why would be greatly appreciated, so that the story may be improved.
Sunset Shimmer awoke, feeling her face planted firmly in the dirt ground. She tried wiggling her fingers and toes, but felt nothing. Kinda had a feeling. she thought. She pushed herself off the ground with her newly reacquired hooves, and observed her surroundings. She observed the tall, blue castle she had seen from the portal. Yep. Definitely Twilight's Castle.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she could sense real, Equestrian magic. Not magic that had not belonged in the world, magic that was a natural part of the environment. It was in everything, from the weather generated by the Pegasi, to the way the plant grew thanks to the Earth ponies. Sure, Sunset loved her life at Canterlot High, but this was unquestionably Sunset's first home.
These feelings were short lived, however. Sunset had the sensation that she was being starred at, being judged. Sure enough, she turned around, and several ponies were looking at the orange Unicorn who pretty much fell from the sky. Then again, this was Ponyville. They've probably seen weirder things fall from the sky. Like pies. Or frogs. Or three more ponies. Wait what?
Sunset looked behind her, seeing three ponies in the same position she was in not one minute ago. She waved the onlookers away, who surprisingly obliged. She walked to towards the ponies, and noticed some scarily familiar details. One was yellow, with a poofy orange mane. Another was blue, with a blue mane tied in a ponytail. The last was a light purple, with dark purple hair split into two ends. No...it can't be...
"Oof..." groaned the yellow pony.
Sunset knew that voice all to well. "The Sirens!" she yelled. Sunset was taken aback by her own comment, however. These ponies looked and sounded like the Sirens, but they weren't Sirens...
All three of them got up, and the yellow one spook again. "Great, you're here too. No matter. Girls, let's show her wha...Ah!" The yellow one turned to see her sisters. "Aria! Sonata! What happened?"
"I...I don't know, Adagio." Sonata said, looking at her new hooves.
"We're...We're ponies!" yelled Aria in a scared tone.
"No...no no no no..." Adagio ran to a nearby fountain, and stared at her reflection. Sure enough, she saw the face of a pony staring back at her. The other two followed, sharing their partner's look of fears.
"We're...we're so ugly!"
"We use to be beautiful...Our pendants!" The three each went to their neck's, frantically searching for any sign of jewelry.
"Are...you guys, okay?"
"...You..." Adagio turned slowly, and faced the Unicorn, a look of sheer rage burned in her eyes. "This is all your fault!"
"What are you talking about?" Sunset had noticed some peculiar details on the Dazzlings. For one thing, despite never having been ponies, they had cutie marks. They also had featherless, fin-like wings that glistened in the sun.
"If YOU hadn't destroyed our pendants, we would still have magic! We would still have our beautiful forms! All because YOU and your FRIENDS wouldn't LET US FEED!" Sonata and Aria backed away from their partner. Never before had they seen her so angry, not even at Star Swirl the Bearded.
"...Really? You're really gonna pretend you guys were the victims in that scenario?" Perhaps sarcasm wasn't the best idea in this situation. Adagio came charging at Sunset, only being stopped by Sonata and Aria.
Adagio began to scream hysterically. "We've! Lost! Our! Magic!" She began to cry into Aria's hoofs. "This is worse than that other world."
"There, there Adagio." Aria was comforting her fellow Dazzling.
"Yeah. Besides, it's not all bad!' Adagio was looking at Sonata now. "Now we don't have to sing to eat. We can eat normal food now..."
*SMACK*
A crimson, hoof-shaped mark was now on Sonata's cheek. Adagio looked at Sonata, her own teammate, with utter contempt. Aria backed away from both, looking completely shocked. Adagio walked away from the others, and sat by the fountain, hanging her head in shame.
Sonata began to form tears in her eyes, rubbing her new bruise with her hoof. Aria was now comforting her. Sunset was a little confused. Sure, she had hit rock bottom before, just like these girls now, but that was different. Then again, do these girls deserve a second chance, just like she got? The light had reflected on the wings, shining seven bright, familiar colors, and Sunset knew what to do. She walked towards them.
"Here." Sunset took Sonata's hoof. "I'm sure Princess Twilight has some ice for that. Come with me."
Aria grabbed Sonata's other hoof. "And just WHY should we trust you?"
"Cause it's been a thousand years, and no one in Equestria probably knows who you guys are." Sunset said with a raised eyebrow.
"...Just piling on the sarcasm today, aren't we?"
-
The four ponies were roaming the halls of the castle, Sunset dragging Adagio by the tail with her magic.
"Let's see...this one?" Sunset opened the door to her right, only to be met with broomsticks falling on her head.
"Ugh, don't you know your way around this place?"
"Look, I've only been in like one room of this castle. I'm only slightly less lost than you guys are." Sunset opened another door, and found the kitchen. "Ah ha!"
"Ya know, for a castle of friendship, this place is really dark." said Sonata, still rubbing her bruise.
"Here you go." Sunset handed Sonata some ice cubes in wrapped in a towel.
"Thanks."
"Don't think that just because you did this means we're friends now!" Aria said, coming in between the two.
"Sure, whatever. Now, I know the portal back to Canterlot High is around here somewhere. You guys can come along with me if..."
"Of course there's a catch." exclaimed Aria.
"I was gonna say if you wanted too. You really think I would force you guys into doing something you don't want, like being my friend?"
"Ya know, that brings up a good question. Just why are you being friends with us?" asked Sonata.
"Well, cause as much as I kinda hate to admit it, I was like you guys in a lot of ways. Trapped in a body that's not your true form, having lost all control you once had, AND not having magic to fix anything. I was given a second chance, so I may as well give you all the same curtsey." Sunset said, smiling at the Dazzlings.
"Uh. What's this thing I'm feeling in my chest?" asked Aria.
"Pretty sure that's joy that isn't caused by the suffering of others."
"Oh. It's weird." The three ponies shared a laugh, while Adagio continued to sulk.
-
"And that's when Gloriosa took the geodes, and became the true Gaea Everfree." Sunset said to Aria and Sonata, as they entered the library.
"Guess Equestrian magic just has a thing for damaged teenage girls, doesn't it?" joked Aria.
"Hey, look! It's Star Swirl's portal!" exclaimed Sonata. This made Adagio perk her head up slightly.
"Wait, so Star Swirl the Bearded actually used this portal against you guys?"
"Pretty much. He used some kind of weird, Siren sucking spell on us to send us away."
"That reminds me. I've never read or heard of any other Sirens besides you guys. And you guys have cutie marks, even though you never had to earn them. Plus those wings. What's up with that?"
"Well, ya see..." Sonata stopped, and stared blankly. "Huh, you know, I don't really remember either. You?"
"Beats me. Earliest memory I have was singing for Vanhoover way back when." Aria said as she shrugged.
"Huh. So you guys don't remember anything from your past? Not your families? Other Sirens? Heck, were you guys even born with those amulets?" The two Dazzlings could only shake their heads.
"Guess we really have been gone a thousand years, huh?" said Sonata.
"Well, maybe we can find out some other day. For now, let's head back to the other world. I'm sure my friends are worried sick." The three galloped to the mirror, with Adagio still being dragged. When Sunset placed her hoof on the mirror, it did not phase through as it should. No matter how hard she pushed, she could not go through.
"Well, I guess there's this now." said Aria.
"Nononononononono!" said Sunset as she desperately tried again and again to get to the other side. "Why!?"
"Think it has something to do with the portals that brought us here?" chimed in Sonata to bring Sunset back to reality.
Sunset let out a sigh. "That's probably it. My friends couldn't go through those portals, but all four of us could. There has to be some reason why though..."
"Shot in the dark, maybe it's because that's not our world?"
Sunset was taken aback by Aria's comment. It was a thought that had always been in her mind, but never could she bring herself to admit it. For all the things she's done, all the good, all the bad, and all the friendships, that world ISN'T hers. Heck, there was probably a Sunset Shimmer in that world being confused for her all the time.
Sunset was just at a loss for words. She froze. Sonata and Aria looked at each other uneasily, with Sonata needing to break the silence.
"Hey! That book is vibrating!" Sunset's attention turned to her former teacher's journal, the entire reason her and her friends even won against the Sirens. She levitated it towards herself, and examined the new messages inside.
Princess Twilight you got to help us! Sunset's gone and we don't know what to do and we think we might be in Equestria but we can't go there and...
The message was still being transcribed from the Rainbooms. Sunset grabbed a nearby quill. "Guess I better calm them down." she wrote her message.
A loud creek ran throughout the entire castle, no doubt the sound of the large doors opening.
"Looks like Princess Twilight's back. Maybe she can make heads or tails of this whole mess."
"WE'RE ALL DOOMED!" yelled Aria and Sonata at the same time.
"What? Why?"
"Oops. Sorry. Guess whenever we hear 'Princess', our first instinct is to freak out." said Sonata, rubbing the back of her head playfully.
"So, let me get this straight." said Sunset to the room now consisting of the Mane Six, Spike, Discord, Starlight Glimmer, and the Dazzlings. "All the villains that have been defeated are coming back from portals, which most likely also brought us four here, and another Discord is gathering them up, likely for a big invasion, and the only thing that can stop them is a power you guys may not even HAVE? And we still don't even know why?"
"Everybody got that?" said Pinkie Pie to no one.
"Well, I can see Celestia picks her students for their magic more than their brains." said Discord, pointing his claws onto both Sunset's and Twilight's heads.
"And just WHAT do you mean by that?" said Sunset, pushing his paw away.
"Oh, come on! Isn't it obvious?" Discord slithered his body behind Sunset's and Starlight's. "I've been feeling all the chaos you two have caused since day one."
"Um, Discord? We can't sense chaos like you." said Fluttershy,
"Right, sorry, forgot about that one. My bad." Discord snapped his claws, and everypony was transferred to a college lecture room. Discord appeared in front of the class, wearing glasses and a sweater vest, looking strikingly like a professor. He materialized a blackboard and desk as well.
"Okay class. Today, we'll be learning about time and the universe! So, time should go like this..." Discord drew a single straight black line on the board. "But, after SOMEONE travelled to the past too many time." another Discord appeared behind Starlight, carrying a big sign with an arrow on it pointing at her. "Time is now like this..." Discord drew seven more lines, each stemming from the same point from the original, but each going in their own direction. "Now, all the timelines are being merged, just like that adventure with Princess Celestia and her lover King Sombra."
"Wait, what?
"We'll explain later." whispered Spike.
"And speaking of ponies jumping into worlds they don't belong in, cough cough Sunset Shimmer." Sunset frowned at that last comment. "Just casually leaving portals open has grave consequences. Such as, oh, I don't know...that!" Discord pointed to the various holes in the sky. "That, combined with the multiple timelines, just means one thing: poof!" Discord scribbled on the lines. "Everything becomes unstable! That concludes my lesson today, any questions?" The entire setup disappeared.
"Uh, yeah, Discord?" asked Aria. "I still don't know why us four are here."
"Well, you're from here, aren't you? I guess the universe just dragged you here like it did with the other villains."
"So, do you guys really think your Rainbow Power will actually work?" asked Starlight.
"Well, the Rainbow Power is connected to the chest, which is connected to the Tree of Harmony, which is connected to us. If it has the same powers as the elements, then it should work. I hope."
"Then I guess there's no time to loose!" yelled Rainbow Dash. "Let's get...napping I guess." she said with a sigh.
"Meditating!" corrected Spike, pointing one of his fingers in the air for good measure.
"Oh, it won't be all bad, right Discord?" said Fluttershy.
"Well, with me here, you'll all sleep, I mean MEDITATE, just fine. heh. But first, I think we shouldn't all be in the room. So,..."
"Okay then. You coming Spike?"
"Nah, I wanna try this meditation out. I've heard great things about it."
"Okay. Good luck you guys." Starlight, Sunset, Sonata, Aria, and a dragged Adagio all left the throne room.
-
Aria Blaze and Starlight Glimmer starred at each other, each move one made, the other did. Just like a mirror.
"Wow. They really DO look alike."
"Told you."
"We do not!" said the two in unison.
"Ugh. Whatever. Is there anything to do in this town?" asked Aria.
"Well, we could get something to eat at Sugar Cube Corner."
"Ooo, I've been wanting to try out my new song. I'll sure feed us up."
"Um, Sonata?"
"Oh, right." Sonata and Aria reached around their necks, still finding no pendants.
"That's gonna take some getting use too."
"Come on girls. Let me show you real food." Starlight and Sunset put their hoofs around the two Dazzlings, and went on there way, still needing to drag Adagio.
-
Each of the Mane Six and Spike sat at their respective chairs, with Discord sitting a top the map of Equestria. Each of the ponies had a cup of herbal tea on their right side, calming music emanating from...somewhere. The only other noise in the room was coming from...
"Ehh...can't get my wing right!"
"Rainbow!" said Twilight as quietly as she could, but also somehow shouting.
"What? I'm not use to doing this when I'm awake!" Speaking of which...
"ZZZzzzZZZzzz" said the snoring Pinkie Pie.
"Ugh, honestly. Is Pinkie Pie like this EVERY night. I certainly do not envy the Cakes."
"Newsflash, Rarity. You talking is only causing more of a problem." said Applejack.
"Wo, wo...well Rainbow Dash started it!" she said, pointing an accusative hoof.
"Um, this doesn't seem very calm. But, I guess when you're all ready."
"Me!"
"Ahem." said Discord, who was the only one, surprisingly, keeping calm.
"We shouldn't even be here! We NEED to be fighting on the front lines with Celestia!"
"Rainbow's right. We're the Elements of Harmony. If anypony should be fightin' it's us."
"Ahem."
"Well, Newsflash." said Rarity in a mocking tone. "We don't have the Elements anymore, remember?"
"And we need to be doing this so we can get our Rainbow Power back!" said Twilight. Spike was now curling himself into a ball. He was not use to this much yelling from the girls.
"Ahem."
"You mean IF we get them back. All of Equestria could be gone by then!"
"Look, Rainbow Dash. No offense, but if you guys go out there, you'll likely never come back. And we NEED you."
"So, what? Our lives are more important than those fightin' against all those villains? Twilight, we're friends and all..." Applejack looked directly at Twilight now. "But our FAMILIES could be killed any minute by Discord or Tirek. And I don't feel like losing anymore..."
Pinkie Pie woke up and yawned. "Did we save Equestria yet?"
"No!" exclaimed the four ponies arguing in unison.
"Uh." Pinkie Pie leaned over to Fluttershy's chair. "What did I miss?" she asked in an audible whisper.
"Oh for goodness sakes!" said Discord, finally snapping. "Honestly, I haven't seen you guys this angry with each other since I caused it. If you six don't get your acts together...!"
Suddenly, the cutie marks on each of the thrones began to glow, and fired onto the map, just barely missing Discord. The beams blasted off from the center of the map, and onto the minds of each of the Mane Six and Spike. There were no sounds of pain or anything. In fact, there were no sounds at all.
"Um, hello?" Discord turned to Fluttershy, her eyes having gone totally white. He snapped his fingers, but nothing. He looked around, and all of them had the same face. "Oh boy."