Corruption

On another boring school day, Sunset and her friends were listening to a boring lecture spoken by Miss Cheerilee.They were writing their usual notes in their textbooks in preparation for a big exam that would be coming soon. But before they could continue any further, Sunset felt her Friendship book glow and vibrate. It seemed urgent, so she said,

“Miss Cheerilee, I need to go to the bathroom.”

“Hurry back, Ms. Shimmer…” Miss Cheerilee said in an annoyed tone.

After running out into the classroom hallway with her Friendship notebook, Sunset opened it and started reading the entire letter. Upon finishing, she dropped the book along with nearly herself and recoiled in horror at what she just read.

“What’s the matter, Sunset?” Twilight said after walking out of the classroom.

Sunset eerily turned around and looked at Twilight, filled with fear and dread. Seeing this, Twilight leaned closer to hear what she had to say. Sunset started explaining with what she read to Twilight, and the more she explained, Twilight made the same look that Sunset had when she finished reading the message.

***

Outside the school entrance, Sunset stood in front of the statue and was quite anxious about what would happen next. Twilight was the only one who accompanied her and she was beyond scared for her close friend.

“Sunset, you don’t have to do this. Maybe we can-” Twilight said before being interrupted by her departing friend.

“Twilight, the other Twilight in the pony world needs me. And if I don’t join them over in Equestria, everypony will be dead or worse! I’m sorry, but there is no other way than to say goodbye.” Sunset said with a tear in her eye.

“Don’t say that, Sunset. This isn’t goodbye. It’s goodbye until next time. Is it?” Twilight asked with a tearfully nervous voice.

“I dunno. But I promise that when this is all over, we’ll go to the movies together. You have my word as a friend.” Sunset said, wiping a tear off Twilight’s face.

“But what if you don’t come back? The girls will-” Twilight said before being cut off by Sunset.

“If the portal is permanently destroyed, I want you to have this.” Sunset said, handing Twilight her notebook.

“What? But this is yours.” Twilight said.

Sunset shook her head and said,

“Just hold onto it until I return. If I get lonely and I’m off-duty, I will write you girls. You have my promise.”

Twilight was unsure what to feel about this sentiment, but she accepted the gesture.

“Do you want me to tell the girls what happened?” Twilight asked.

“Sure. But don’t tell them why. If they hear about this, then this world could be in danger too.” Sunset requested.

“What? But if they-” Twilight said before being cut off.

“Please! Just don’t tell them until this is all over.” Sunset begged.

“...Okay.” Twilight reluctantly conceded.

After giving each other a goodbye hug, Sunset walked towards the portal. Before she could leave for Equestria, Sunset turned around and took one last look at Twilight. When they were finished giving each other a brief look of melancholy and nostalgia, Sunset jumped into the portal and went back to Equestria. Getting launched through the portal, Sunset got off the ground and looked around the room.

“What the…? The castle’s in flames…?” Sunset asked in awe of the destruction.

Just then, a huge dragon popped out of the wall, scaring Sunset out of her wits. Breathing fire out of its mouth, the dragon was about to melt Sunset like a candle, but Twilight appears out of nowhere and blasts the dragon’s eyes.

“Sunset! I’m glad you could make it!” Twilight said in a panicked tone.

“Twilight!? What’s going on around here!? And why are there dragons popping out of the walls!?” Sunset asked, trying to make sense of her new surroundings.

“No time to explain! Follow me!” Twilight shouted as she dragged Sunset with her.

Running through the entire corridor, the whole inside of the castle was in ruins and it was overrun with creatures from across Equestria. In the middle of their escape, they were being chased by groups of manticores and timberwolves. There were tremors occurring everywhere inside the castle and there was no time to waste. Seeing the exit, Sunset and Twilight made out of the castle by the skin of their teeth. Running around Ponyville, Twilight led Sunset to the train station where they ran into the Royal Sisters.

“Sunset Shimmer!” Celestia shouted upon seeing her former pupil.

“Princess Celestia, I-”

“We have no time to explain, Sunset Shimmer. Right now, I need you to join Twilight and head over to Canterlot to find any survivors! It’s imperative that everypony survives!” Celestia ordered.

Turning towards Canterlot, the entire kingdom was in flames. It was burning so brightly that it looked like a giant candle. But just then, they looked up at the sky and saw a dragon crashing down from above. After the dust cleared, it showed a large, shadowy dragon with huge wings, pointy teeth, razor-sharp claws, and reddened eyes. They could hear nothing but the growling and there were filled with terror. Just then, it started walking towards the group. Celestia said,

“Everypony, go.”

“What, sister?” Luna asked.

“You heard me! Help Twilight and the others search for more survivors! If we don’t do something, Equestria’s doom will be imminent!”

When the creature started getting even closer, it got on all fours and started to run towards them.

“But princess-”

“JUST GO!” Celestia shouted.

Heeding her command, Luna teleported them out of the battleground and into the streets of Canterlot. Immediately, they hid into the surroundings as they watched the creatures raze the entire City of Canterlot.

“Huh? What’re we doing here? We have to help Celestia fight against that thing!” Sunset said.

“You heard my sister, Sunset Shimmer. If we don’t save any lives, certain doom will be inevitable for Equestria.” Luna said in a firm tone before turning towards the havoc.

“But if we don’t fight against that creature, then-” Sunset said before being cut off by Luna.

“Leave that to me. You two need to find as many survivors as you can and bring them to the train station. No matter the reason, everypony must be saved at all costs. I will see you girls back at the Crystal Empire.” Luna said before flying away from the hiding spot.

After watching her fly away, Twilight turned to Sunset and said,

“There’s no time to hesitate! Find as many survivors as you can!”

Nodding towards Twilight in response, Sunset jumped out of the hiding spot and proceeded to search for survivors across Canterlot.