Corruption

In the throne room, everypony started going over what they should do next with all the chaos surrounding them and how they should strike back. But as they continued to speak, Sunset looked outside to see how far the chaos spread. While it didn’t seem terrible at first, the fire soon started to spread everywhere across the entire landscape and the creatures were demolishing everything within their sight. Sunset could only imagine what would happen next as she beheld the terror shown before her eyes. But before she could surmise what to do next, she heard a door open.

“Princess Celestia! Are you alright?” Twilight shouted as she rushed over to her mentor’s side.

Sunset couldn’t believe what she just saw. She witnessed her former mentor broken and battered from her battle against the dragon and all she could do was watch her limp her way towards the throne room without batting an eye. After watching her make her way towards the middle of the throne room, the group started talking about what to do with the survivors. Before they could go any further however, she heard Starlight speak up.

“But how long do you think we can hold out? We are up against a threat that could bring about the end of Equestria and we don’t know where Spike is! We have to find him!” Starlight cried out.

Hearing this, Sunset could understand the sentiment and wanted to do everything she could to help. But before she could speak up, Twilight told her that there was no way that nopony would welcome any creatures to the Crystal Empire in the cruelest way possible, leading Starlight to run out of the throne room in tears.

“You could have handled it in a better manner, Twilight Sparkle.” Princess Celestia, starting to feel angry.

“She’s right, Twilight. You were being nasty towards Starlight.” Sunset agreed.

Twilight paid no mind to Sunset and continued to argue with her former mentor even further to the point that Celestia stormed out of the throne room in anger. The group thought about what to do next before Twilight said,

“We need to split the units and armies. We can send them to the various cities, but most of them aren’t ready yet. Can we set up boot camps?”

“We can, but we would have to prepare a lot of compensation and payment for their services. What can we do?” Shining Armor explained.

“We’ll deal with that after we win.” Twilight boasted.

After they were finished coordinating their plans and strategies as well as delegating everypony, everypony left the throne room. But before Twilight, Pinkie, and Sunset could leave however, Luna said,

“Wait. I have something to show you, Twilight.”

“Can I come too? I haven’t been assigned either.” Pinkie begged.

“Very well.” Luna said in an annoyed tone.

“What about me, Princess?” Sunset asked, feeling curious about her unassigned position.

“Wait here. I have a very special assignment for you.” Luna said before leaving with Twilight and Pinkie.

So Sunset did as she was told and waited for Luna’s return. While she waited, she opened her notebook and started writing Twilight.

Dear Twilight,

I know that I’ve only been gone for a few hours now, but I want you to know that I’m safe and nothing bad has happened to me. Right now, I am waiting for Princess Luna to return to the throne room and I have no idea what she’s showing Twilight and Pinkie. Speaking of Twilight, I have no idea what’s going on with her, but she’s acting strange. It’s almost like she’s hiding something and I have no idea what it is. But turning to another subject, it’s worse than you can ever imagine in Equestria. Something unspeakable has happened to everypony in Equestria and it’s hardly even begun to look like all hell is about to break loose. But I digress. I just want you to know that we’re all safe and we are currently holed up in the Crystal Empire. I will write to you again soon.

Sunset Shimmer

After writing in her journal entry, Sunset closed her notebook and went back to waiting for Princess Luna to return. But by the time she put it away, Luna was already in front of her.

“O-Oh! Sorry, Princess.” Sunset said in a clumsy tone, bowing before Princess Luna in the process.

“No need to worry about that, Sunset Shimmer. I have something I need to show you.” Luna said before ordering the guards out.

After checking everywhere, Luna summoned a device right before Sunset’s eyes. It looked to have the appearance of a mix between a staff and a scepter, but it suddenly started shifting into a cube right before their very eyes. Picking it up with her magic, Sunset asked,

“What is this?”

“It’s a device used to suck up whatever ooze remains whenever you have defeated any creatures outside the Crystal Empire. It will prove beneficial while you’re out trying to find the Elements of Harmony. It also doubles as a barrier while you’re fighting.” Luna explained.

“Elements of Harmony? What happened to them? And why is Twilight acting like this?” Sunset asked.

“Of that, I am uncertain. But I fear that Twilight is going astray and she is planning to use this substance to fuel her own agenda. I am not sure yet, but Pinkie might be conspiring with Twilight as well. But until I find out what Twilight is doing, this is not to be announced announced to anypony else outside this room.” Luna further explained.

“But what about Starlight? She feels the same way as we do and she could prove useful to exposing Twilight and whatever scheme she’s planning.” Sunset reasoned.

“Indeed. But she is too impulsive and rash. If she catches wind of this, she could jeopardize our progress and ruin our plans to keep Twilight in check.” Luna clarified.

“I understand…” Sunset said in a defeated tone.

“I do, however, wish for Twilight to see justice for her crimes against Equestria. But we need to be patient and see when she will expose herself. We will get to the bottom of this secret she is hiding. But you need to prepare yourself.” Luna said.

“Huh?” Sunset asked.

“We are not sure where the Elements of Harmony are, but you need to make haste and find them before the creatures do. I will keep in contact with this.” Luna said, giving her a device.

“What is this?” Sunset asked.

“It’s a communicator used specifically for unicorns during missions and emergencies. We will keep in touch that way.” Luna said.

“So when do I leave?” Sunset asked.

“You will be leaving with escorts. They will accompany on your mission.” Luna said.

“Will we see each other again?” Sunset asked, feeling unsure.

Hearing this put Luna in a stump. While she didn’t know what would happen next in their war against the Corruption. This little sentiment put Luna in hives and she felt sad, knowing that their downfall will be inevitable. But putting on a brave face, Luna said.

“I promise that we will all be okay, Sunset. Everything you will be doing is helping the cause. But right now, you have to abandon whatever fear you have left. This path will be perilous and you need to be vigilant in your endeavors to retrieve the Elements of Harmony. You have my word as a friend.”

Hearing this, Sunset gave Luna a long hug, taking in the fact that it will be unlikely she will ever return. After closing the door, Sunset left to make preparations for her long journey. When she was finished, she moved towards the gate, awaiting getting ready to leave. Taking a very deep breath, Sunset walked outside the gates, ready to brave the evil forces of the Corruption in her quest to retrieve the Elements of Harmony.