Sunset and The Shadow

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 8
Prologue: Through the Mirror
Chapter 7

Chapter 1

Scathach; has gone by many names including: The Shadow and the Warrior Maid; but often uses the nickname Scatty.

She wondered about the young woman – or who appeared to be one, as appearances can be deceiving – where she had come from, why she had no place to go and most importantly: why she was unconscious just outside her front door.

Sunset Shimmer, as she had introduced herself, seemed off to Scathach, she had red hair with yellow streaks and was wearing high quality clothing; not something you would expect from someone with nowhere to stay.

No use thinking about it now. Scathach thought as she climbed down the stairs to her dojo. Might as well wait until morning.

The dojo was unadorned with white walls and black mats on the floor. The stairs led up to her small living space. One bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom connected by a balcony overlooking the dojo.

Scathach practiced her martial arts skills quietly in the centre of the dojo for the next several hours, until approximately an hour before dawn, when she headed to the kitchen to await her guest for breakfast.

As Sunset sluggishly left the bedroom, Scathach called her over to the kitchen and promptly got a bowl of cereal each and joined Sunset at the small table. They both proceeded to eat.

When Scathach looked over at Sunset, she gasped. Sunset’s spoon was levitating with a teal glow around it. Sunset was eating by levitating her spoon.

“What?” Sunset asked looking at Scathach.

“Why are you levitating your spoon?”

“To eat. Why else?”

“So it is normal to use your aura to eat, is it?”

“Yes. Why?”

“It is not normal for humans to be able to levitate items. Where did you learn how?”

“It’s not?” Sunset looked at Scatty, shocked.

“No very few are capable of doing so, and those that can rarely use it to eat with. Now, what are you?”

“What?”

“What species are you? Human, elder, next generation, something else.”

“I’m not getting out of this am I?”

“No.”

Sunset sighed. “A unicorn.”

“What?”

“A unicorn.”

“Very well. Where are you from then?”

“Canterlot.”

“What shadowrealm is that in?”

“What do you mean, Shadowrealm?”

Scathach sighed. “How did you get here then?”

“I went through a portal in a mirror.”

“… We need to speak with my uncle.”

“What? Why?”

“He might be able to explain what you are and where you are from. In the meantime, don’t let anyone see you use your aura.”

“Fine, let’s go.”

***

Scathach had changed into black combat pants, a black T-shirt, a black vest with many pockets with zippers and steel-toed boots. Sunset was still wearing her clothes from earlier and had put on a pair of black leather boots that Scathach had told her she was wearing when she found her.

Both girls carried bags; Sunset’s was originally her saddlebag with everything in it from before she went through the portal; Scathach’s included a multitude of weapons: two short swords, one nunchaku, a bow and quiver of arrows.

Scathach led the way, opening a door from the dojo to a hallway. Once they had passed it Scathach closed it and it appeared to be a solid wall. The hallway had a door at both ends. The close one was wooden while the far one appeared to be made from a paper like substance and led back into the dojo.

Once they had left and Scathach locked the door. She pointed out where she had found Sunset: unconscious against the wall next to the door.

From there Scathach found a phone to use and called her uncle, Prometheus, and told him to meet her at the entrance to his shadowrealm. She also told him that it was important.

Scathach and Sunset then got on a bus to take them to Point Reyes where the entrance to Prometheus’ shadowrealm was.

Sunset had spent this time trying to take in the world around her – without looking too amazed – and trying to discover how they did all these amazing things without magic. Self-powered, magic-less carriages astonished her; she later learnt they were called cars while the larger ones were called trucks or buses depending on if they transported people or items; long distance communication allowing people to actually talk to each other from far away astounded her.

She also started to learn about the society by watching everyone else. She learnt that they always seem to wear clothes, so she should as well. And that the many things around her were normal as no one else payed much attention to them. She also learnt by listening to others that this city was not like Canterlot; there were no nobles and everyone seemed to not talk to most of the other people they met as most ponies did in Canterlot; even if it was to be rude to them like the nobles often did.

The bus ride had taken about two and a half hours. In that time Sunset had observed her surroundings for some time. When she had decided she would not be able to learn much more from her surroundings she had taken out her book on magic and studied it.

Once they arrived Sunset and Scathach had left the bus and started walking away from the town. After a few kilometres of walking they saw a man. He was tall, about seven feet tall and very muscular. He had red hair like Scathach’s and green eyes. He wore faded jeans and T-shirt.

Once Sunset saw him, she saw Scathach sprint forward towards him shouting “Uncle!” He grabbed her and threw her into the air and caught her.

“Scathach!” He replied with a Southern accent. He put her down and asked, “So, what is so important?”

Sunset realised she had frozen when she saw Scathach run to her uncle wben Scathach looked at her. So she walked towards the pair.

“It might be better to talk in your shadowrealm,” Scathach replied, “It might be difficult to explain.”

“Very well. I’ll assume it’s not as urgent as I was led to believe, by you coming to visit for the first time in however long.”

“Not yet, but it might become so.”

“Follow me.” With that Prometheus turned and started walking into the mist that Sunset could have sworn wasn’t there a minute ago.

Scathach smiled at Sunset then turned and followed her uncle into the fog that seemed to be thickening by the second. Sunset hesitantly followed, eyes darting around.

She then sped up to catch up to Scathach. She could sense magic in the fog of many types but it all seemed to have been cast and continued to be maintained by the one individual. An individual of incredible power and skill. If she was still in Equestria she would have thought the caster to be an alicorn. Here she wondered which species Scathach had mentioned were powerful enough to do this; she doubted it was a human but she didn’t know anything about the others or if it was an entirely different kind.

Scathach had said it was her uncles shadowrealm – which she believed meant world or dimension from how it was used – but did that mean he was in charge, he created it, or both. And if her uncle could do something like this, what could she do.

She caught up to Scathach who was walking next to her uncle talking. Something about teaching people how to defend themselves. She could see figures vaguely resembling humans in the fog but she couldn’t make out any details and they were keeping their distance. She kept her eyes peeled but didn’t worry too much as Scathach and Prometheus didn’t seem worried.

They kept walking until they reached a cluster of buildings. A large house and about a dozen small cabins surrounding it. The people following them in the fog were more numerous now but Sunset still couldn’t make out any details on any of them. Scathach and Prometheus continued towards the house. After a brief pause Sunset followed.

She followed them into the house and then into a living area. Prometheus sat on a couch, Scathach on a chair across from him. Sunset followed and sat in another chair closer to Scathach than Prometheus. Facing between the two of them.

They sat in silence for several minutes, until Prometheus broke it by asking, “Will you tell me what is going on now, Scathach.”

Scathach explained what had happened: How she found Sunset unconscious outside her door, how she had nowhere to go so she stayed with Scathach, what she said in response to Scathach’s questions and then spending a seemingly disproportionate amount of time on how Sunset ate her breakfast by levitating her cutlery.

Following that Prometheus asked Sunset several questions that she answered.

Where she was from: Canterlot in Equestria.

How she arrived at Scathach’s home: travelling through a portal in a magic mirror.

What species she is: unicorn originally but she appears to – quite obviously - not be anymore.

Where she learnt to manipulate her aura: in Canterlot where it is common and called magic.

Then Prometheus asked, “Who taught you how to use it?”

Sunset replied, “After I had learnt the basics, I was chosen to be the personal student of the Equestria’s leader, Princess Celestia.”

“I remember that name, hmm. I don’t remember it with the title however. Scathach do you remember it?”

“No.”

“I will try to remember where I have heard it before.”

“Can you answer some of my questions now?” Sunset asked.

“Of course.” Prometheus replied.

“First, what is a shadowrealm.”

“A shadowrealm is a dimension. Most are sustained by a continuous supply of energy; usually from the one who created it.”

“Are you the one who supplies the power to this shadowrealm and the entrance?”

“Yes.”

“What species are you then? I doubt you’re human.”

“I am an elder.”

Turning to Scathach, “So does that make you an elder too?”

“I am of the next generation.”

“So what are the differences between the different species then? Human, elder and next generation.”

“The elders were born more than ten thousand years ago before the fall of Danu Talis. They are immortal unless killed and were often worshipped as gods. The next generation were born after the fall of Danu Talis and are often weaker than an elder but are still immortal.

“The humans however, the first of them, known as the first people live here in my shadowrealm. The rest of them are weak creatures that are not immortal unless they find an external way to obtain it. They however are the ones who rule the earth shadowrealm.

“There are many other species, many of them are unlikely for you to run into. Such as the archons, ancients, great elders and earthlords. There are also the Torc Clans however they mostly try to keep to themselves.

“Some of the elders are working on returning the world to how it was when we ruled. These elders are known as the dark elders and often use human servants who they often make immortal to carry out their plans.”

Chapter 2

Scathach and Sunset spent the next day in Prometheus’ shadowrealm. Sunset spent it learning about the world she had ended up in and practicing her magic, or as the others called it: manipulating her aura.

She learnt about technology; what they could teach her anyway, which wasn’t a lot; the world’s culture; including how they always wear clothes in public and often eat meat; and she learnt the differences in language between this world and Equestria; which was mostly saying body instead of pony and that there were many other languages used by humans and elders.

Some of these other languages were very similar to some she already knew – at least a little – like French and Prench or Latin and Old Ponish, or at least knew of. However, most of the languages the elders used she did not know and many she did not even know of a similar language.

She quickly learnt the differences between the magic of this world and her own and how it was different to casting magic, with her horn from Prometheus. Who she had asked to help her once she realised that it was quite different to how it had worked in Equestria.

In return she had taught them a little about Equestria and what she knew of magic from there. How much she knew and how advanced it was surprised Prometheus and Scathach quite a lot and explained how Sunset was able to use her magic so much – even for little things – without tiring herself out too much: she was more efficient in her usage of magic than Prometheus had even thought it was possible.

Sunset did not teach them much of what she knew and did her best to keep her knowledge of magic a secret from then on.

She saw Scathach practicing with her two short swords, while she was practicing mastering the small changes in her magic. Scathach seemed to flow from one stroke with her swords to the next. Parrying imaginary blows and striking imaginary foes.

They stayed in Prometheus’ shadowrealm for one more night, then left in the morning. By the time that they had left Sunset had become confidant enough in her ability in this slightly different magic to once more teleport like she used to in Equestria.

They returned to Scathach’s home the way the way they had come. Sunset spent the bus ride listening to the other occupants of which there were few and reading her book on magic trying to find the differences between how it would work in Equestria and how it would work on Earth.

Once they had returned to Scathach’s home; making sure to use the secret door to enter. Scathach had changed her clothes back into her white jeans and shirt and offered Sunset a change of clothes as they were similar sizes but Sunset refused.

She asked about a public library and Scathach told her where one was, but that she was unable to take her there as she had to teach a class on martial arts in her dojo. Sunset left towards the library; not noticing the three large crows watching her.

The crows followed her to the library and then remained outside. Waiting. They did not stay perfectly still. They flew around the library and peered through the windows. But there was always at least one outside the library’s main entrance.

Sunset spent several hours inside the library reading books on technology, history and culture. She stayed in the non-fiction section reading about what the humans in this world knew. She was surprised to not find a single book on magic.

After four hours it was starting to get dark outside and she was feeling hungry, she decided it was time to leave. Before she could however she heard a buzzing sound coming from her backpack. Which she opened and was unsurprised to see a book glowing and vibrating.

She was surprised however to find many messages in there.

The first entry read: Sunset, where are you? You attacked the guards and ran off. I couldn’t find your journal so I believe that you took it with you. I hope you get this message. I’m sorry for what I said and did. Come back and we can work things out.

The second was written slightly shakily. Sunset, please come back. I was angry and did some things I should never have done. You know about my sister; I swore I would never make the same mistake again, but I could not keep that promise. I should have realised how you felt. I should have learnt from the last time. I should have tried to understand how you felt. I should have made sure you knew that I cared for you. I should have told you that you didn’t need to be powerful or an alicorn for me to care about you.

I should have told you about the mirror when you asked. I should have told you how to become an alicorn when you asked too. Please come back. Give me another chance. The writing was much harder to read towards the end.

Tears formed in Sunset’s eyes as she read that she could have stayed and worked things out with Celestia. However, she continued on to the next entry. The third entry was tear stained and barely legible.

Sunset, please respond. It’s been over twelve moons with no sign of you. The guards have given up searching for you. Please, if you don’t want to come back that’s fine. But at least let me know that you are still alive.

Luckily there were very few people in the library and they were far away and she was out of their sight as she continued to cry. The only one that saw her was a large crow looking through the window.

After several minutes she stopped crying. Once she had she noticed that the journal had read ‘over twelve moons’. She gasped. “It can’t have been twelve moons. I’ve only been here a four days not ninety-six. Why does it say that? … of course the dimensions must run at different speeds. Or maybe the portal sent me through time as well. How long has gone by in Equestria?”

Sunset returned to reading the messages.

It’s been two years, Sunset, if you are still alive please tell me. I promise I won’t punish you for anything you did here. If you want me to leave you alone just tell me, please. I promise that I won’t look for you if you don’t want me to. Please just let me know you are alive.

The message was shaky and tear stained but less so than the previous message. The next message was the last one.

To whosoever finds this journal. Please tell me what happened to its owner. And if she is still alive where I can find her.

Sunset search her bag for a quill and ink but did not find any. So she left to return to Scathach’s home; planning on borrowing a writing implement. She walked out of the library and once more did not notice the three large crows following her.

When Sunset returned to Scathach’s home she entered the door and went through the secret door. Inside she saw Scathach kneeling on the ground facing away from her.

“Hi, I’m back,” Sunset said. “Could I borrow a quill and some ink?”

Scathach stood and turned around towards Sunset. “I don’t have any. I prefer to use a pen to write with. I’ll get you one.”

Scathach stood and walked up the stairs. Sunset followed. Scathach went into her bedroom, opened a drawer and pulled out a ballpoint pen. Which she gave to Sunset.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Scathach left the bedroom and went back to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Sunset opened her journal to an empty page and hesitantly began to write.

Hello Princess Celestia, I am still alive. It has only been a few days for me since our last meeting. I went through the portal and arrived in a world somewhat like Starswirl the Bearded wrote about. Magic still works but it does not work exactly the same.

I have two theories for why the time is different for us. The first is that the two dimensions operate at different speeds. The second is that the portal sent me through time as well as to a different dimension.

I am currently living with Scathach. She is someone of the race this world calls the Next Generation. She is immortal and teaches humans – the most common species on this side of the mirror – how to defend themselves. In this world I am told there are many immortals but they keep themselves hidden from the humans. They used to rule the world but they do not anymore.

I am sorry for what I did. I should not have hurt the guards or run through the mirror.

I hope you get this message. I will try to find my way back to Equestria if you will have me back. It will probably take a while however.

Chapter 3

The for the next 3 days Sunset fell into a routine. She would have breakfast with Scathach. She would then practice her magic and doing things with her new body. Scathach would take her through martial arts basics for an hour then they would have lunch.

After lunch Sunset would walk to the library and read books there. Mostly focusing on learning about technology that didn’t exist in Equestria and the Earth’s history and societies. She would return to Scathach’s house for dinner.

She would again be watched unknowingly by crows from the moment she left Scathach’s house until she returned for dinner.

The fourth day she went through her routine again and went to the library. While Sunset was reading a book about motorbikes she was approached by a woman. She had pale skin, black lips and black eyes with no whites. She wore a large cloak made of black feathers with a hood which she removed from her head as she approached Sunset.

Sunset noticed her approach, put the book down and stood, facing the woman. She did not appear to be human due in no small part to her eyes; Sunset had never seen a human with eyes like those.

“Hello, Sunset Shimmer.” The woman stopped a few meters away from Sunset. “I am here to investigate a large amount of energy released nearby. I noticed that you did not exist in this world prior to this event. I am the Morrigan, and I want you to tell me about that event.”

“Why should I tell you?” Sunset asked sceptically.

“Because I can help you. You are new to this world; you do not know how it works. You have been learning about this world here in the library almost since you arrived. You should know by now that the humani register who everyone are. You are not registered so you cannot successfully live with the humani.

“Tell me about this energy and how you got here and I can help you. I could find you a shadowrealm to live or make it so you can live with the humani.”

“So you know about the shadowrealms,” Sunset asked. The Morrigan nodded. “Do you know about magic and the elders?”

“I’m Next Generation.”

“Very well. The magical energy surge you felt would have been caused by my arrival in this shadowrealm. I come from a place called Equestria. I came here through a portal in a mirror which changed my species into this.

"I had been learning and using magic since I was a child. I want to return however that is not currently an option. The portal only opens every thirty moons.

“So I would like to stay in this city and take you up on your offer.”

“I will need information on you to be able to have you registered.” The Morrigan pulled out a piece of paper from her cloak. “Name: Sunset Shimmer correct?” Sunset nodded. “Age?”

“Nineteen years old.”

“Date of birth?”

“13th of Summer.”

“13th of June then. Parents names.”

“None. I am an orphan. I don’t know who my parents were.”

“Address.”

“I’m staying with the person who found me, at the moment.”

“We should get you an apartment then. And we should say you were born in this city. This should be done in a few days. We should meet again next week at a similar time, outside the library and get you an apartment.”

The Morrigan turned to leave then turned back. “Please don’t tell Scathach that you met me. We don’t get along.”

***

The week passed with Sunset once again following her routine. She had breakfast with Scathach. Practiced using her magic and her new body; including how to do things like write; in the morning. Then for the hour before lunch she learnt martial arts from Scathach. They had lunch together; they never ate any meat, even though Sunset had learnt that humans usually eat meat.

After lunch Sunset walked to the library and spent the rest of the afternoon learning things about the world. During this week she especially looked for information about The Morrigan, Scathach and Prometheus to find if she could trust them. She even learnt how to use the computers in the library to use the internet to learn about them.

She found that the Morrigan was worshiped as a goddess of death and destruction. She was often seen at battlefields and she along with her sisters: Macha and Badb; was often called the Crow Goddess.

She found that the Morrigan and her sisters were often seen in Ireland and sometimes in Scotland. She also found that Scathach and her sister Aoife had been seen in Scotland and Ireland but left and were not seen in either place again.

Prometheus was seen as a godlike being who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity. While Scathach was usually seen as a great warrior who often trained humans who became famous exceptionally skilled warriors.

Sunset knew that these tales like that of Princess Luna/Nightmare Moon would be based on truth but are likely extremely exaggerated and changed by the passage of time.

From this it seems likely that Prometheus helped the humans against the elders; probably the dark elders; and Scathach and The Morrigan helped humans in battle, likely by training them or by using their abilities to help in the battle. And the two were likely helping opposite sides so they have a grudge with each other.

The Morrigan likely was worshiped as a goddess of death and destruction because she was often seen at battlefields not because she caused immense amounts of death and destruction.

On the day that Sunset was to meet The Morrigan again she went through her routine like normal until she arrived at the library where she waited outside for The Morrigan to arrive.

She was only waiting for a few minutes when The Morrigan arrived. She was once again wearing her black feather cloak but she was using its hood to hide her face.

They walked towards each other and The Morrigan said, “I have several apartment options for you to choose. I own the buildings so you don’t need to pay. The closest one is this way.”

The Morrigan started walking down away from the library. They walked for about one kilometre with little conversation and stopped in front of a skyscraper. “Here we are,” The Morrigan said smirking at Sunset’s stunned expression.

“You own this?” Sunset asked shocked.

“Yes. Come on.” The Morrigan walked inside. After a moment Sunset followed. The Morrigan pulled two cards out from under her cloak and showed them to the security guard. Then walked to the elevator and Sunset followed.

Once Sunset had entered The Morrigan pressed the button for the second top floor. She gave Sunset one of the two cards she had shown the guard. It showed a photo of herself and her name along with saying that she occupied the luxury suite on the second top floor.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“It’s your identification card to say that you occupy the luxury suite up here and to tell security to let you in.”

The elevator stopped and they exited it. There was a small hallway with a locked door at the end. The only other door was next to the elevator and led to the stairs. They walked towards the door; Sunset following the Morrigan. They stopped outside the door. The Morrigan pulled a key from under her cloak and opened the door with it.

They then entered the apartment. Immediately inside the door was another corridor, this one had a few doors along the sides. The Morrigan led Sunset in the first door on the right which contained a large room with several couches in it facing a large television. The Morrigan walked in and sat down on a couch next to a coffee table with several papers on it. She gestured to another couch next to the coffee table. “Come, sit down.”

Sunset sat down on the offered couch and glanced at the papers.

The Morrigan gave Sunset a few papers. “These papers include your birth certificate and proof of education.” The Morrigan continued to explain the papers to Sunset for quite some time. They then moved on to talking about the apartment.

The Morrigan told Sunset that she was staying in the penthouse in the floor above. She also explained how it was the closest accommodation she could offer to Scathach’s home. She told Sunset about the parking lot for if Sunset got a vehicle and showed her around the apartment.

The apartment included the living room with television and couches with a large window along one wall. A kitchen with oven, microwave, stove, fridge, freezer and many other cooking implements. Two smaller – but still larger than Scathach’s – bedrooms and a large one.

The large bedroom contained a very large bed; Sunset thought it was about the size of Princess Celestia’s bed or even larger; a large walk in wardrobe, an armoire, a desk on one side and a large window showing the skyline.

There was a large empty room which she could use to practice her magic and martial arts moves that Scathach teaches her. A dining room with a large square table and an amazing view of the bay from the window.

There were also several bathrooms including an giant one coming off the main bedroom and a laundry to wash her clothes; which she needed to get more of. There was also a phone in the main bedroom, the dining room and the lounge room.

The Morrigan also gave Sunset a mobile phone telling her it was so that they could contact each other whenever they needed to. The Morrigan’s phone number was stored in a contact named ‘Morrigan’.

Sunset thanked her and accepted but told her that she would need to return to Scathach’s home to tell her, have dinner and thank her for her hospitality.

Sunset returned to Scathach’s home at a similar time to usual. They were having dinner when Sunset said, “I have found my own apartment. So you can have your bed back. I can move out today. I also got a mobile phone for here’s the number.” She gave Scathach a piece of paper which she had written her phone number on.

“How did you get the money to do so?”

“I sold some gold coins and gems that I brought from Equestria.” Sunset lied. I should probably do that soon. She thought

“Ok.”

“I would like to continue with my martial arts training though. Would it be alright if I come over around the time we’ve done it so far and we continue to do it?”

“That would be fine.”

“Thanks.”

After dinner Sunset returned to her apartment taking all of her things – mostly just necessities like a toothbrush – that she had received from Scathach with her. Shortly after she had put her things away, she heard a knock on the door.

She opened the door and The Morrigan was standing there. She had several bags with her. “I thought that you might need some of these things and we could talk.”

Sunset let her in and helped her with the bags. They took the bags into the main bedroom and placed them on the bed. Many of the bags contained clothes; a black leather jacket, several pairs of jeans, a pair of black leather pants, several T-shirts mostly of cyan, red or black colouring, a pair of black leather laced boots, a pair of black sneakers, several bras and panties again mostly black, and several pairs of socks again mostly black.

The other bags included some food, of several different types, a teal towel, shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a hairbrush and a charger for her phone.

Sunset put the items away while talking to The Morrigan about many different things. They talked about jobs and what sort Sunset should get but couldn’t decide. They talked about vehicles, cars and motorcycles in particular and licences for driving them. The Morrigan didn’t know how to drive them but she did know about how to get a licence for them.

Once Sunset had put away all of the items they moved into the lounge room and sat on the couches and talked. They talked more about themselves. Sunset talked about Equestria and why she went through the mirror. Telling The Morrigan about Celestia and how she used to be a unicorn.

The Morrigan on the other hand talked about her life in the past and her abilities. Neither told the other everything.

The Morrigan showed Sunset her wings and told her how she could fly with them. Sunset was not very surprised about that as she had read about The Morrigan and that she could fly but was not sure if it was true.

Eventually Sunset brought up her gold coins and gems and selling them. The Morrigan told her that she could find some people to sell to for the best price in a few days. And that she would take her to sell them to those people then.

They had already spent several hours talking and The Morrigan soon left and Sunset went to sleep.

Chapter 4

The day when The Morrigan would take Sunset to sell her gold and gems came quickly. Sunset spent the morning doing what she had done since she moved into her new apartment: She had breakfast, practiced her magic and using her new body for a few hours. She then walked to Scathach’s dojo where she spent an hour learning martial arts and had lunch.

Afterwards, instead of heading to the library to learn more about the world she met The Morrigan in the entrance of their apartment building. They then entered a black car driven by a homunculus – an artificial human like creature – that The Morrigan had created. It drove them for several kilometres and turned off the road onto a narrow rutted drive.

The driveway led to what at first glance appeared to be a small cottage but as they approached was revealed to be an enormous house built into the hill behind it. Sunset could see and feel warding spells and what she believed to be inhuman guards. The field of grass ended abruptly and the rest of the approach was over perfectly level terrain.

The homunculus parked the car in front of the house and Sunset and The Morrigan got out. Sunset saw an enormous cat of some kind walk out the open door as they approached and it lay on the ground to the side of the door.

The started walking towards the door when The Morrigan said, “Quetzalcoatl; the elder we are here to see will likely pay large amounts of money for the golden coins and may buy the gems as well.”

As they approached the door, a man came out of it. He was short and slender with copper coloured skin. He had a hawk-like nose and a full white beard. His eyes were solid black with no whites showing, like The Morrigan’s. He was simply dressed and smiled revealing his sharpened teeth.

“Good afternoon, Quetzalcoatl. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Sunset said bowing slightly.

Quetzalcoatl’s eyes widened and he glanced at The Morrigan briefly. She smirked at him. He replied, “The pleasure is mine. Come in and we can do business.” He turned around and Sunset saw that he had a feathered serpent-like tail.

Both Sunset and The Morrigan followed him. They stopped in a gloomy room, Sunset found it a little difficult to see so she quickly cast a spell to improve her night vision. Neither Quetzalcoatl nor The Morrigan seemed to be affected by the darkness. The room was filled with what appeared to be historical artefacts.

Quetzalcoatl sat on a curved stone stool with carved grinning faces on it. Sunset sat on a wooden throne facing Quetzalcoatl. The Morrigan stood to the side. Sunset and Quetzalcoatl were facing each other impassively.

After several moments of silence Sunset retrieved a bit from her bag. She showed it to Quetzalcoatl. On one side of the coin was a star shape and on the other was what appeared to be a unicorn’s head with a large wavy mane and a crown.

Quetzalcoatl studied the coin for several minutes, focusing mostly on the side with the unicorn like head. During which time his face displayed several different emotions; including interest and surprise for the most part although he did display several other emotions.

Eventually he spoke; his voice unnaturally level, “Where did you get this?”

“From where I came from: Equestria.” Sunset replied.

“That sounds like the kind of name Celestia would come up with.”

“How do you know about Celestia?” Sunset asked shocked.

“I was friends with her sister for a time. How is Luna doing these days.”

“Not well. She was trapped on the moon for a thousand years after trying to create eternal night. She was still trapped there when I left. Time seems to be different between the worlds or I travelled through time coming here by accident. So I don’t know how she is doing now.”

“Why would she do that? No matter. There were several other elders that went missing before the fall of Danu Talis like them.” He paused for a moment thinking. “What about Discord? He disappeared at the same time as them.”

“He caused chaos and harmed people so Princess Luna and Princess Celestia turned him to stone.”

“How? He was one of the Great Elders. One of the most powerful too.”

“They used the Elements of Harmony. A set of powerful magical items which they used to defeat many threats to Equestria; including Luna when she turned into Nightmare Moon.”

“I thought that they were destroyed. Anyway back to business. How many of these coins do you have?”

“Fifty of them and many gems as well.”

“I will buy the coins for five million American Dollars. Is that acceptable?”

Sunset glanced at The Morrigan who seemed to be shocked but trying to hide it.

“I accept.” Sunset answered.

“Do you have a bank account?” Quetzalcoatl asked.

The Morrigan quickly answered, “I opened one for her. Here.” She gave Quetzalcoatl a piece of paper with the details he needed to give the money into her bank account. She then gave Sunset a credit card. “Do you know what this is and how to use it?” Sunset nodded. “Here’s the pin.” She gave Sunset a piece of paper with a four-digit number written on it.

Sunset gave Quetzalcoatl the pouch of bits and Sunset and The Morrigan left the building. They got in the car and the driver drove them back to their apartment building.

After several minutes of driving, The Morrigan asked, “Where did you learn to do that?”

“What do you mean?” Sunset replied.

“How to deal with people like Quetzalcoatl.”

“I helped Princess Celestia with diplomats occasionally. You learn these skills quite quickly when dealing with gryphons and dragons.”

“You seem like you would do well in this world. When you’re older you might be able to find an elder who would offer you immortality.”

***

Several months had passed since Sunset had met Quetzalcoatl and it was now late May. She had continued learning martial arts from Scathach and had started to learn sword fighting. She now payed Scathach for her training. She had received a motorcycle licence and bought herself a high quality motorcycle with the money she had received from Quetzalcoatl. She had also bought herself two short swords.

Her motorcycle was coloured black and red; her helmet was black. Her swords were straight and double-edged.

She had become quite proficient in riding her motorcycle and according to Scathach she was adequate with her swords.

She had spent several evenings a week with The Morrigan teaching each other about magic that the other doesn’t know how to do. They also spent this time talking and getting to know one another.

Sunset taught The Morrigan how to use telekinesis and helped her improve her efficiency with several other aspects of magic. She tried to teach her how to teleport but The Morrigan was not able to learn more than the theory.

The Morrigan taught Sunset how to harden her aura around her body making it function as armour. Sunset could do so, however she was not very good at it.

Sunset had also been writing messages to Princess Celestia in her journal several times each week but she was yet to receive a response.

At night on the 29th of May when she was going to bed she heard something buzzing; as if it was vibrating. She checked her phone which did not have any new messages. She got up off her bed and looked around the room for what it could be.

She took a few seconds to realise that it was her journal; which she left in her bag when she wasn’t writing in it, so that she always had it with her. She opened the journal to the new message.

The message wasn’t written in Celestia’s curving script. It read, I am Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship. Who is this?

Sunset’s heart sunk. Celestia gave her journal away. There was a new princess. She didn’t know if Celestia was okay. Or even alive.

She calmed herself down and wrote back. My name is Sunset Shimmer. Do you know Princess Celestia? Is she all right?

She waited for the response barely keeping herself from panicking. It came shortly afterwards.

Princess Celestia was my teacher. She was fine a few hours ago when I saw her last. Why are you asking?

Princess Celestia was my teacher too. She basically raised me. What year is it there?

What do you mean what year is it? It’s been three years since the return of Princess Luna.

“I’ve been gone for twenty-three years.” Sunset yelled, panicking.

Are you still there? The journal read.

Sunset calmed down and replied: Yes. I asked that because I have been in another dimension for a few months and apparently time runs at different speeds. Or there is another cause for me to be gone for twenty-three years; assuming Princess Luna returned when I the prophecy said she would. Sunset wrote.

She continued, Would you please show Princess Celestia my previous messages to her.

Of course.

Thank you.

Sunset stayed up waiting for Celestia to write her back. After two hours of waiting she received another message. It was written in Celestia’s flowing script and read: Sunset, are you there?

Yes. Sunset replied.

I read a few of your most recent messages. I will read the rest later. Where are you?

In a place called the Earth shadowrealm. Apparently you have been here before.

How did you get there?

I went through the mirror when you kicked me out. I was taken in by Scathach and helped by her, her uncle Prometheus and The Morrigan. I met Quetzalcoatl he was the one who remembered you.

I’m so sorry. I should never have kicked you out. Why haven’t you returned yet though? It’s been so long since you left.

I received a message from you saying it had been two years, after I was here for only four days. I have not been here long enough for the portal to open yet. I also learnt that the people from here don’t know about Equestria or how to get there so I can’t get help from them. The portal didn’t seem to send me to the world that Starswirl wrote about so I don’t even know if I can go back or if the portal malfunctioned sending me here.

How are you doing?

I am doing fine. I have two people I believe are friends of mine. I sold my bits to Quetzalcoatl to get money for this world and I am now rich. Most people in this world don’t even believe magic exists and the ones that do seem to have learnt how to do it very differently from what we learn in Equestria.

Sunset continued: The portal changed me into something that appears to be the same as the majority species in this world: the humans. How are you doing? Is it good to have your sister back?

I am doing quite well. Yes, it is good to have Luna back. I have to go talk with diplomats and nobles now. Stay safe and keep in touch. I will see if I can find a way back to Earth so you can come home.

Goodnight, Celestia. Sunset wrote and closed the journal. She took a deep breath and went to bed.

Chapter 5

Scathach heard her front door open and people enter. She was kneeling on a mat in her dojo, facing away from the door. She was wearing white jeans and a white T-shirt.

“Bergamot and Ylang-Ylang and patchouli, I think.” Said one of her visitors, she sounded like a female teenager.

“I’m impressed,” came a familiar voice. One she had not heard in a long time. It belonged to Nicholas Flamel; the human, immortal alchemist.

The previous voice talked about working in a tea shop.

“Where are we?” came a third voice. It sounded like a male teenager.

“Don’t move. Wait Look. Notice.” She heard Flamel say. He continued about how it might keep the others alive. She then heard one of her darts hit the wall. Flamel was probably showing them the traps.

Scathach waited patiently while Flamel and the others; who were likely human children talked about the traps. The darts and the scything blades in the walls. She then heard the secret door open.

We’ve got a problem,” Flamel said to Scathach.

“You’ve got a problem; that’s nothing to do with me,” she replied.

“Dee found me today.”

“It was only a matter of time.”

“He came after me with golems.”

Scathach paused then continued; still kneeling with her back still towards Flamel and the children. “He always was a fool. You don’t use golems in a dry climate. That’s his arrogance.”

“He has taken Perenelle prisoner.”

“Ah. That’s tough. He’ll not harm her, though.”

“And he has the codex.”

Scathach stood and turned to face them. The two were indeed children, they both looked about fifteen years old. The girl had light brown hair, the boy was taller also with light brown hair.

“The Codex?” Scathach asked, “The Book of Abraham the Mage?”

Flamel nodded.

“Then we do have a problem,” she said.

“Well nearly all of the book. He’s missing the Final Summoning.”

“Which he will want.”

“Of course.”

The two children seemed to be closely watching her. Scathach threw back her head, nostrils flaring. She asked, “Is that why I can smell eyes?”

Flamel nodded. “Rats and crows everywhere.”

“And you brought them here? I’ve spent years building this place.”

“If Dee has the Codex, then you know what he will do with it.”

Scathach looked at the children. “And these two?” she asked.

“They were there when Dee attacked. They fought for me, and this young man managed to tear the pages from the book. This is Sophie and this is her twin, Josh.”

“Twins?” She stepped forwards and looked at both of them. “Not identical but I can see the resemblance now.” She turned to Flamel. “You’re not thinking …?”

“I’m thinking it’s an interesting turn of events,” he said mysteriously. He turned to the twins. “I would like to introduce you to Scathach. She’ll not tell you much about herself, so I’ll tell you that she is of the Elder Race and has trained every warrior and hero of legend for the past two thousand years. In mythology she is known as the Warrior Maid, the Shadow, the Daemon Slayer, the King Maker, the-”

Scathach cut him off by saying, “Oh, just call me Scatty.”

Scathach was in her room shovelling clothes into a backpack. “I cannot believe you led them here,” she said to Flamel who was standing in the doorway to her bedroom.

“Everything happened so fast. It was bad enough when Dee got the Codex, but when I realised there were pages missing, I knew the twins would be in danger.”

When he said twins she looked up. “They’re the real reason you’re here, aren’t they?”

Flamel looked at the wall intensely. Scathach stood and walked out into the hallway to make sure that Sophie and Josh were still in the kitchen. She pulled Flamel into her room and closed the door.

“You’re up to something,” she demanded. “This is about more than the loss of the codex. You could have taken Dee and his minions on your own.”

“This is about the prophecy isn’t it?” She continued. “’There will be a time when the Book is taken and the Queen’s man is allied with the Crow. Then the Elder will step out of the Shadows, and the immortal must train the mortal. The two that are one must become the one that is all. The two that are one, and the one that is all, one to save the world, one to destroy it.’”

“You think that they are the ‘two that are one’; the twins of legend,” She finished.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

“Without question,” she answered immediately.

“Then trust me. I want you to prepare them for what is to come.”

“And what is that?” Scathach asked.

“I have no idea, except that it is going to be bad.”

Scathach returned to packing and Flamel left to watch the twins. She finished packing clothes and started to pack weapons into another bag. She packed her two short swords, her nunchaku, her bow and a quiver of arrows.

She then grabbed both bags and headed to the kitchen where the others were. When she got there she saw a rat launch itself at the window. It crashed into it and fell to the ground. Three golems broke down her door and led an enormous number of rats into the hallway. Scathach and Flamel jumped down from the balcony into the dojo.

Two of the golems and the rats headed down the trapped hallway. The darts and blades destroyed the two golems and killed many of the rats; but there were still many that managed to get past. The pest wards she had set up kept the rats out for a time but they would eventually get through.

The third golem however punched the wall to one side of the hallway, and then the other which gave way. The golem then knocked down the fake wall and went inside the dojo. Scathach stood in front of the golem. The golem swung its fist and followed it with a kick.

Scathach moved forwards quickly. She moved under the blows and she slammed her palm into the golems jaw. A squelch sound came from it and the jaw unhinged revealing a piece of paper in its mouth.

Before she could remove it; which would destroy the golem; it flailed wildly, forcing her to retreat. It kicked at her which missed and broke the floorboards where it connected. She dodged one more punch and then her microwave crashed into the golem’s chest and dazed it. Scathach took advantage of this; she moved in quickly, and struck; hands and feet hitting the golem blindingly fast.

She ducked under a swing from the golem and caught its arm. She spun around throwing the golem to the ground and quickly plucked the paper from the golem’s mouth. The instant the paper was removed the golem changed back into lifeless mud. Dirty water, mud and dirt sprayed across the floor and the microwave dropped to the floor.

Scathach waved the piece of paper at the twins. “Every magical creature is kept animated by a spell that is either in or on its body. All you have to do is remove it to break the spell. Remember that.”

Scathach methodically shredded the piece of paper, watching Flamel. He crouched to the floor, turned his right hand palm up and curled his fingers inward. He blew gently into his hand. A tiny ball of green mist appeared in his hand and he turned his hand over and plunged it into the floorboards. His fingers penetrated into the wood and the ball of energy spread over the surrounding floorboards.

The wood started to glow. He pointed his left hand at the largest rat and said, “Dr. John Dee, you have made the biggest mistake of your long life. I will be coming for you.”

The floorboards sprouted twigs, branches and leaves. Trees started growing out of the floorboards. They quickly blocked the passage. The rats turned and ran away; many dying from the blades on the way out.

Scathach borrowed an SUV from one of her students and the four of them got in the car. Josh driving as he was better than his sister and neither Scathach nor Flamel knew how to.

Scathach borrowed Sophie’s phone and called many of her students, telling them that classes would be cancelled for an indeterminable amount of time. She then called Sunset.

“Hello, Sunset. It’s Scatty.”

“Hi Scatty. Why are you calling.”

“I won’t be at home for an unknown amount of time. I am currently with an old friend and heading towards …” She turned to Flamel. “Where are we going?”

“To Hekate’s shadowrealm.”

“We’re going to Hekate’s shadowrealm. Across the Golden Gate Bridge thirty minutes down the road then turn left onto a narrow track that leads to her shadowrealm. You don’t need to come if you don’t want to; but you could be a lot of help.”

“I’ll come. May take a while though. I’m visiting someone at the moment. I’ll head out after we finish here.” Sunset replied.

“That’s fine.” Scathach ended the call and gave Sophie back her phone.

“Who was that?” Flamel asked.

Scathach smiled mysteriously. “A friend.”

They talked as Josh drove them towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Explaining many things to the twins. How Nicholas Flamel was an immortal human. Scathach was a Next Generation Elder. And how some of the elders want to return the world to how it was when they ruled.

“I don’t know if anyone has noticed,” Josh interrupted suddenly, “but would you say there are a lot of birds gathering?”

Scathach got her nunchaku out of her bag. “Tens of thousands,” said Sophie. She turned to look at Flamel. “What are they?”

“The Morrigan’s children,” he enigmatically replied.

“Trouble,” Scathach added. “Big trouble.”

The huge flock of birds flew them. “You should drive,” Flamel said, placing his hand on his shoulder. “Do not stop. Whatever happens, even if you hit something. Just drive. As fast as you can. Get us off this bridge.”

“We’re in trouble aren’t we?” Sophie asked Flamel.

“Only if the crows catch us. Could I borrow your cell phone?”

Sophie gave him her phone. “Are you going to work some magic?” she hopefully asked.

“No,” he replied, “I’m going to make a call. Let’s hope we don’t get an answering service.”

Flamel called someone and talked to them in the language of the elders. Josh was driving the car as fast as he could. Crashing into a few cars on the way but he kept going. The birds descended upon the bridge.

“They’ve lost focus. They’re looking for us, but they’ve forgotten our description. They have such tiny brains,” Scathach said dismissively.

The birds then rose back up into the air and turned in their direction. “They’re coming back,” Sophie said quickly looking to Flamel and Scathach for support.

“We’re in trouble now.” Scathach said to Sophie with a grim expression on her face.

They were nearing the end of the bridge when a huge crow landed on the hood of the car. It hopped towards the windshield and then pecked at the glass. Causing a small starred puncture. The crow pecked at the glass again causing another puncture.

Three crows landed on the roof causing three thumps to be heard inside the car. Holes started to appear in the metal roof as the birds on the roof pecked at it.

The crow on the hood pecked at the glass again and penetrated it.

“I’m not sure what I can do …” Scathach began. Then Sophie leaned over and pressed the windshield wiper switch. The windshield wiper knocked the dire crow of the hood of the car. Scathach grinned. “Well, there is that. Of course.”

More birds landed on the car. Blocking Josh’s sight so he slowed down. “Close your eyes,” Flamel said. He caused a flash of light which made the birds on the hood of the car fall off. Josh sped the car up again.

A crow punctured the roof and its beak was seen inside the car. Quickly, Scathach flung one side of her nunchaku out and hit it on the beak. It fell off the car’s roof with a bent beak. More crows were closing in when they smelt pomegranates. A wind roared across the bay. It picked up the birds and flung them into the sky.

When they tried to escape the wind, an up-draft would catch them and fling them back into the flock. The wind forced the birds higher and higher and finally they dispersed. None of them flying towards the four in the car.

Chapter 6

Sunset was visiting Quetzalcoatl. She told him about Equestria, Celestia and Luna’s return. She also showed him the journal; with which they had a conversation with Princesses Celestia and Luna.

Quetzalcoatl, Luna and Celestia all seemed to be overjoyed to communicate with each other and Sunset.

Celestia seemed to remember Quetzalcoatl; or Kukulkan as she and Luna called him; from talking to Luna.

Quetzalcoatl seemed to be amazed by the journal and the ability to communicate with a friend he had assumed was long dead.

Neither group seemed to remember the other perfectly but they did remember a lot about each other regardless.

After several hours of this Sunset received a call. It was a number she didn’t recognise but she answered it anyway. “Hello, Sunset. It’s Scatty.”

“Hi Scatty. Why are you calling.”

“I won’t be at home for an unknown amount of time. I am currently with an old friend and heading towards …” Scathach paused for a moment. Sunset could hear her talking to someone on the other side but not what they were saying.

Sunset waited for Scathach to continue which she did shortly. “We’re going to Hekate’s shadowrealm. Across the Golden Gate Bridge thirty minutes down the road then turn left onto a narrow track that leads to her shadowrealm. You don’t need to come if you don’t want to; but you could be a lot of help.”

“I’ll come. May take a while though. I’m visiting someone at the moment. I’ll head out after we finish here.” Sunset replied.

“That’s fine.” Scathach said and hang up.

Sunset turned back to Quetzalcoatl. “I’ll need to go soon. It sounds like a friend is in trouble.”

“Thank you for helping me reconnect with an old friend of mine,’ he replied.

Both Quetzalcoatl and Sunset wrote their goodbyes in the journal; which took a few minutes. Then Sunset left. She put on her helmet and got on her motorcycle. She rode her motorbike back into the city.

She stopped at her apartment to pack some clothes and her swords which she put in her bag. She then left her apartment and headed towards the Golden Gate Bridge. When she got there it was already getting dark and the bridge was closed due to a number of car crashes.

Sunset decided that Scathach could wait another day and returned to her apartment. She went to bed and got some sleep.

She woke up before dawn; a habit she had acquired while she was still Celestia’s student. And she quickly had breakfast and left; it was still before dawn. The Golden Gate Bridge was open again so she crossed it without issue. She continued along led partially by Scathach’s directions and partially by sensing a large amount of magical energy that resembled that of the entrance to Prometheus’ shadowrealm.

After about thirty minutes she slowed down and turned onto a narrow track. After a few minutes of traveling down it, she stopped. In front of her were three people. A tall woman with a feline head wearing a white robe. A short man his hair tied in a ponytail with a small beard wearing a grey three-piece suit. The third person she recognised as The Morrigan.

She did not appear to be noticed yet. She slowly approached the trio. She could hear them talking; if only just.

“You’re wrong,” the man said. “There is one other who could awaken the boy.”

“Who?” the cat faced woman growled.

The man turned to face The Morrigan. “You could.”

The Morrigan stepped away from the man.

“You are mistaken,” the cat faced woman said to the man. “My niece is Next Generation; she hasn’t got the power.”

The man turned to face The Morrigan. “At one time, perhaps that would have been true. But The Morrigan’s powers are more, much, much more, than they were.”

“Niece what is he talking about?” the cat faced woman demanded.

Sunset got off her bike still barely within earshot.

The Morrigan cackled, “Be very, very careful humani.”

“My loyalty is not in question here,” the man said quickly. “I have served the elders for half a millennium. I am merely looking for a way to achieve our aim.”

He stepped towards The Morrigan. “Once, like Hekate, you wore three faces: you were The Morrigan, The Macha and The Badb. Unlike Hekate, though you and your two sisters occupied three bodies. It was your consciousness’s that were linked. Individually you were powerful, but together you were invincible.”

The man paused. “When did you decide to kill your sisters?” he asked.

The Morrigan leapt at the man. He pulled out a stone sword. Blue light sparking along the blade. The Morrigan stopped.

Sunset acted to help her. She teleported the blade from the man’s hand into her own. A popping sound was heard by them all. The Morrigan smirked at the man; now unarmed. The cat faced woman looked stunned for a moment then she looked at Sunset. Surprise quickly being hidden from her face.

The man on the other hand. Stepped backwards quickly. Looked at his hand that used to hold the sword. Looked up at the Morrigan. And looked between them several more times. He eventually noticed Sunset holding the sword.

The Morrigan spoke to the man threateningly. “My sisters died willingly, and live within me still.” Turning to Bastet, her eyes flashed yellow then red, and settled back to their normal black.

She turned to Sunset. “Good to see you, Sunset. Come and join us.”

Sunset walked forwards leaving her bike standing on the path quite a distance away. As she approached she noticed the cat faced woman was wary of her and the man seemed frightened of her. She smirked at him as she approached.

“This is my aunt, Bastet.” The Morrigan gestured towards the cat faced woman. “And this is Dr. John Dee,” she said gesturing towards the man. She then turned to face the Dee and Bastet and gestured towards Sunset. “This is Sunset Shimmer.”

Bastet turned towards The Morrigan. “Could you do it? Awaken the boy.”

“Yes.”

“Then do it, niece.” She turned towards Dee. “If you ever raise a weapon to one of the Elder Race again, I will see that you spend the next millennia in a shadowrealm of my own special creation. And trust me, you will not like it.”

She turned to Sunset. “Thank you for defending my niece.” She turned back to Dee and the Morrigan. “Tell me. Where are Flamel and the twins now? Where have they gone?”

Dee regained some of his composure. “He will need to start training the girl. Hekate awakened her, but didn’t get a chance to teach her any protective spells. She’ll need to be taught to protect herself and control her powers before the stimulus from the physical world drive her mad.”

He quickly continued as he saw the impatient look in Bastet’s eyes. “He’ll not stay in San Francisco, he knows we have too many agents in and around the city.”

The Morrigan closed her eyes and turned slowly. She raised her arm, pointing South. “They’re heading south; I can just about make out the silver traces of her aura. It’s incredibly powerful.”

Dee asked quickly, “Who is the most powerful elder south of here? Someone proficient in elemental magic?”

“Endor,” Bastet answered immediately, “in Ojai. The deadly witch of Endor.”

“Mistress of the air.” The Morrigan added.

Bastet leaned down towards Dee. “You know where you have to go. You know what you have to do. We must have the pages of the Codex.”

“And the twins?” he asked.

“Capture them if you can. If not, then kill them to prevent Flamel from using their powers.”

“I guess we’re going to Ojai,” Sunset said looking to The Morrigan and Dee.

Bastet walked into the thickening mist and disappeared into a shadowrealm.

Sunset gave Dee back the stone sword. “We can’t use my motorbike to get there for all three of us. Do either of you have an idea for how to get there?” She asked.

The Morrigan answered. “We could travel through the shadowrealms. We should be able to get there before them.”

“Good. Let me get my bike.”

She rode her bike up to the others. Mist was gathering near them; an entrance to a shadowrealm. Dee seemed to have regained his composure. The walked – or rode in Sunset’s case – into the mist, passing into the shadowrealm.

It was dark. A large moon was overhead providing the only light other than Sunset’s bike’s headlight. The ground was hard packed dirt. The only sign of life in sight was the trio themselves. There were large rocks placed seemingly randomly. They travelled for several minutes in the shadowrealm. Sunset rode her bike. Dee walked and The Morrigan flew.

Eventually Sunset offered for Dee to ride on the bike behind her; which he accepted; to speed the travelling up. After that they spent only a few more minutes in the shadowrealm before passing into another.

They travelled like this for about two hours. Spending only a few minutes in each shadowrealm before passing into another. Few of the shadowrealms were similar.

There were forests, jungles, caves, cities, deserts, plains mountains and more. The sky was different between them as well. Some had many suns or moons; some had none. Sunset didn't get a very good look at any before they passed into the next.

Eventually they came out of a shadowrealm back into the Earth shadowrealm. They were near the outskirts of a small city. Ojai presumably Sunset thought.

They stopped and looked at the city. Dee got off of Sunset’s motorcycle, The Morrigan had landed before passing through the last gateway.

Over the past few hours, after they had arrived in Ojai, the trio had lunch and came up with a plan. They would wait; hoping for the boy to be separated from the others; which would likely happen when the girl was taught air magic from The Witch of Endor.

Then Sunset and Dee would approach him. They would convince him to let The Morrigan awaken him so that he could be like his sister again. They would take him to The Morrigan and she would awaken him. Dee would also try to convince the boy that Flamel is untrustworthy and Sunset would attempt to convince him that she, Dee and The Morrigan were trustworthy.

The backup plan was for Dee and The Morrigan to use necromancy to bring the nearby dead to life and use them to force Flamel to hand over the pages of the Codex. While Sunset tries to separate Flamel from the twins.

Dee and The Morrigan told Sunset that Scathach was with Flamel and the twins in this time. She was quite noticeably adamant about not harming her unless absolutely necessary. The plan for dealing with Scathach was mostly to avoid her if possible; if not then stay out of reach of her with something between you and her; or have Sunset distract her.

They estimated Flamel and the twins to arrive around four hours after they had; so they started watching the Witch’s antique shop roughly thirty minutes before they should arrive. Sunset sat in a café drinking coffee; not too close to the store for it to be obvious that she was watching it but not far enough from it to not see clearly those who went into the store.

The Morrigan was discreetly watching the road that they were expected to drive in on. Dee was watching the antique shop from further away; as he was the most likely to be recognised; he was behind a tinted glass window. He was in a café on the other side of the park across from the antique shop.

They waited like such; watching the shop; for three and a half hours before Sunset received a call on her phone. It was from The Morrigan.

“They’re here,” she said and hung up. Sunset waited a few more minutes, more attentively now. A car like the one Dee had described drove past and parked near the row of shops. Four people got out of the car. One she recognised as Scathach. The second appeared to be a middle-aged man; he was likely Flamel. The other two were young; a boy and a girl; she assumed they were the twins.

The girl seemed to be in pain. Possibly, a side effect of activating a human’s magic, Sunset thought. They walked towards the antique shop and stopped outside of it. Scathach and Flamel reached it first and looked inside the store.

The twins arrived afterwards and the girl opened the door. They all entered.

A few moments later, Flamel came back out and walked towards a restaurant. He came out a few minutes later with an old woman. Sunset assumed she was The Witch of Endor. They went into the store.

Several minutes later the boy came out of the store alone. He walked into the park and sat down by the fountain, looking at the water. Sunset stood and left the café. She casually walked towards the fountain and sat down next to the boy.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hello,” the boy absentmindedly said.

“My name is Sunset Shimmer. What’s yours?”

“Josh.”

“Why are you so miserable?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

Josh was still looking at the water so he hadn’t noticed Dee approaching. Sunset discreetly shook her head and Dee turned and sat down at the edge of the park alternating between watching the shop and watching Sunset and Josh.

“I think I might. What is it?” When he didn’t respond she continued. “Is it school?” He didn’t respond. “Is it family issues? I was kicked out by the person who raised me so I might understand.” He rose his head and looked at her. He had blue eyes and light brown, bordering on blond hair. He didn’t say anything. “Is it magic? I should understand that.”

She looked around. Aside from Dee and Josh no one was nearby or watching her. She levitated the water in the fountain. She made it swirl around in mid-air and form into a ring of water floating a foot above the water in the fountain.

She gently put the water down to avoid a splash. “So tell me. I think I might be able to help.”

Josh finally answered. “My sister. She changed. … She was awakened but I wasn’t and now. … Now she’s so different. She might not need me anymore. … She might not want me anymore.” He was barely loud enough to hear at the end.

“I can help with that. I know someone who could awaken you. She’s here in Ojai at the moment. Do you want me to call her?”

“Yes,” he choked out.

Sunset brought out her phone and called The Morrigan. “It’s me. I’m in the park. There’s Josh here wants to be awakened so that he is like his sister.”

“Good,” she replied. “I’ll be right there.”

She hung up. “She will be here soon.”

Fog quickly formed around the park; obscuring the view of the antique shop.

It only took a few minutes for The Morrigan to arrive. When she did Josh panicked. He looked to Sunset and seemed ready to run.

“She’s not as bad as you seem to think she is. And she can awaken you. You do want to be like your sister again. Have the same abilities as her. You won’t let her down if you can do the things she can.”

Josh calmed slightly and seemed to steel his resolve. He turned towards The Morrigan. “I’m ready.”

“What are your parents’ names?” The Morrigan asked.

“Richard and Sara Newman,” he answered.

“Josh, son of Richard and Sara of the clan Newman, of the race humani; I awaken you. Henceforth you will see with acuity.” His eyes turned into golden discs. The scent of oranges filled the air. Overpowering the faint smell of ammonia.

“You will hear with clarity.” Smoke coiled out from his ears.

“You will taste with purity.” He coughed causing tiny sparks to dance between his teeth.

“You will touch with sensitivity. You will smell with intensity.” His head was almost covered in golden smoke and his aura had solidified into armour across his shoulders and chest.

The Morrigan turned to Sunset. “We need time to teach him to defend himself.” Sunset nodded and walked away into the fog.

She quickly lost sight of Josh and The Morrigan because of the fog. She could sense the magical auras of several others ahead of her. One was Dee’s, a second was Scathach’s. Neither was using it currently but they were powerful enough for her to sense them if she tried regardless.

There were also two other magical auras ahead of her. They were both powerful. One was only a little weaker than Dee’s but the other was much stronger than his, but it was unlikely that of an Elder. So she assumed it was that of the girl; they were apparently ‘twins of legend’ so it would make sense. And the other was probably Flamel’s.

The fog thinned and lifted. In front of her. Only around twenty meters away was Dee. He was holding his stone sword; Excalibur he called it; and facing Flamel, the girl and Scathach, swords in hand. The girl was clearing the fog; clearly she learnt the magic of air from the Witch very quickly. Scathach was staring intently at Dee; clearly ready for if he decided to attack.

Flamel and the girl were clearly shocked. They were staring behind Sunset at The Morrigan and Josh.

The girl started to run towards Josh. Dee moved to the side and blocked her path. Sunset ran up to join him. “Hi Scatty,” she said sheepishly.

“Sunset, what are you doing?” Scathach responded, accusingly.

“Helping a friend. I understand you’re doing the same.” Sunset gestured towards Flamel.

Flamel asked Scathach, “Who is she?”

Sunset answered, “The preeminent mortal mage of this generation of Equestria.”

“What are you doing?” Dee whispered to her.

“Buying time,” she whispered back.

“Is she?” Flamel asked Scathach.

"She might be. When I first met her she used her magic to eat,” she answered. “She is mortal, but she’s not human. Apparently she’s a unicorn.”

Sunset was carefully watching Flamel and the girl. They were the unknown threats. Their faces showed shock and surprise. Flamel seemed to be surprised most by the fact that she used magic to eat; while the girl seemed surprised most by the fact that she’s a unicorn.

“Why are you trying to stop the Elders from returning anyway? I lived in a world where one ruled.”

“Because they will destroy the world,” Flamel answered.

“They’ve ruled before. Many societies flourished under their rule. Quetzalcoatl ruled in the Americas for a long time and the people there flourished. Several other Elders would have done the same.”

Before they could answer Josh ran past them to his sister. The twins embraced. The Morrigan joined Dee and Sunset facing Scathach, Flamel and the twins.

“Flamel, give us the pages of the Codex!” Dee demanded stepping towards Flamel as he spoke.

The Morrigan and Sunset stood side by side. “Look at the twins,” Sunset whispered to The Morrigan. “They look like they might join us later if we don’t give them a reason not to.”

“You have a point,” The Morrigan whispered back.

Sunset and The Morrigan walked back slowly and quietly; angling towards the side. The scent of rotten eggs filled the air and fog once again covered the park. Dee was creating the fog with his aura. Sunset and The Morrigan continued away from Dee, quicker now that no one could see them.

Sunset cleared a small circle of fog around herself and The Morrigan. She could see shapes in the fog. They didn’t appear to be human and they were all travelling in the same direction.

One entered their clearing, it was a large bear; but it was clearly not alive. It was mostly just bones. What flesh remained was dried and sickly as if it had been dead for a long time.

Sunset heard someone yell, “This way. Here. This way.” She cleared the fog in the direction she had heard the voice and saw The Witch standing in the doorway to her shop. She was waving towards someone else.

“We should follow them,” Sunset said.

“They’ll see us and fight. We don’t want that,” The Morrigan answered.

“Stay close to me. I should be able to make us invisible to everyone else.”

The Morrigan moved closer to her and Sunset cast the spell. “It’s not easy to maintain and it doesn’t block sound. So stay quiet.”

They walked towards the shop. They saw the twins, Flamel and Scathach go into the shop and The Witch lock the door. They quickly arrived at the door and Sunset opened the door with her magic. She was visibly weakening; she was leaning on The Morrigan for support.

They followed the Witch into a storeroom at the back. Where she pushed papers out of the way to reveal a mirror. It reminded Sunset of the one she went through when she ran away. The Witch grabbed the girl’s hand and pressed it against the mirror.

The mirror changed. It no longer showed their reflections instead it showed a dark cellar-like room. The Witch said that it was a leygate; one that led to Paris. Flamel, Scathach and the twins quickly walked through the mirror.

The portal closed. The Witch went to break the mirror but The Morrigan caught it before it hit the ground. She opened the portal, threw Sunset through it and followed quickly. The mirror resumed its fall and broke upon the ground.

Chapter 8

“Two people inside. Both powerful,” Sunset said, turning towards The Morrigan.

“Must be Saint Germain. I’m not sure who the other is though,” The Morrigan replied.

“What do we know about him?”

“He’s immortal, but no one knows how. He trained as an alchemist under Flamel. And he stole the secret of fire magic from Prometheus.”

“He stole that from Prometheus? How?”

“Prometheus was training him, but he got impatient. At least that’s what I heard.”

“Okay. Fire magic and alchemy. Somehow able to survive stealing from a powerful elder. And he made himself immortal without anyone knowing how. Anything else I should know?”

Sunset and The Morrigan were outside one of Saint Germain’s houses in Paris. He had multiple. This was the third they checked, the others were empty. The pair were at a distance from the house to avoid being noticed. They were observing the auras of the pair inside the house. Sunset was more experienced at it so she was better at it than The Morrigan, but both were able to detect powerful auras at a moderate distance, as they were doing then.

One of the auras came out of the house and headed towards them at a pace that would likely translate to a brisk walk to the person it belonged to.

They saw that it was Saint Germain. And so they followed at a distance to avoid detection.

The plan was for Sunset and The Morrigan to get the twins to join them while Machiavelli dealt with Flamel. Sunset would try to distract Scathach and if it came to a fight The Morrigan would take her; it’s easier to beat someone if you can negate their strengths. The Morrigan would be able to fly while fighting Scathach, staying out of reach, while attacking with magic or her bow which she had hidden beneath her cloak.

Sunset had her swords in her backpack she carried along with the other things she had packed when she left.

They followed Saint Germain to the base of the Eiffel Tower. They didn’t follow him under the tower, however. Sunset inspected the tower. It’s a beautiful piece of architecture, she decided. But it seems to serve no other purpose. Possibly a display of power and wealth, to build something this magnificent for no other purpose.

They watched Germain weave through tourists and join a familiar group. They could see the twins: Sophie and Josh, Scathach and Flamel. The two alchemists seemed to greet each other warmly, and Germain kissed Scathach’s hand in an old fashioned greeting.

Suddenly the quintet was on alert. They must have noticed something. Sunset and The Morrigan tried to be inconspicuous in case they were seen but quickly it appeared that they were not. They saw Flamel give Sophie something and leave. Then Germain led the twins and Scathach back the way he had come. Towards Sunset and The Morrigan.

As they were leaving a large number of heavily armed and armoured police ran into the square. Flamel ran away from the others out the opposite side of the square. Sunset felt someone use magic and looked toward Germain just as he bared his arms. The scent of burnt leaves filled the air.

Butterflies flew off of Germain’s arms and into the air. And an explosion of light surrounded the Eiffel Tower.

The sight was breathtaking and drew the attention of everyone in sight. An amazing fireworks display was going off around the Eiffel Tower.

The police however quickly regained their discipline and returned to chasing after Flamel.

Sunset and The Morrigan quickly headed back down the road they had come and turned down an alley. They waited for the auras they were looking for to pass them by. Then they came out of the alley slowly and turned to follow after them at a casual pace to try to avoid notice.

Germain led the twins and Scathach through a gate that led into the garden of his house. Sunset and The Morrigan were following their auras so they didn’t need line of sight. They were in a different street so that they couldn’t be seen by their prey.

The unknown aura came out of the house. They felt three auras light up. Two of them lit up at the same time; the unknown aura and Sophie’s. The unknown aura quickly returned to normal while Sophie’s continued to blaze wildly. Her aura interacted with her brother’s and it sparked to life as well.

They heard a terrifying scream. It probably came from Scathach. It was hard to tell if it was from fear or joy; but they felt Scathach’s aura run towards the unknown one. Sunset and The Morrigan quickly ran towards the wall surrounding the house to try to listen in.

Both of the twins’ auras stopped blazing and felt subdued, as if they had spent all of their magic; which was quite likely, given how they were burning through it. They could hear Scathach and another woman talking, very excitedly. They seemed to know each other.

The other woman was called Joan. Apparently Scathach and Joan were friends and hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Sunset wasn’t able to ascertain much more as they were talking extremely quickly in French. Sunset could speak French as it was very similar to Prench but couldn’t understand it well enough to understand all they were saying.

After a short while of Scathach and Joan talking in rapid-fire French and laughing, Germain interrupted them, “Joan,” he said politely.

“Francis?” she replied.

Germain, or Francis as he was called, introduced the twins to Joan. The scent of vanilla filled the air as Joan’s and Sophie’s auras came to live.

“I would like to introduce my wife, Joan …” Germain continued.

“Your wife!” Scathach squealed.

“Whom you – and history – know as Joan of Arc,” Germain finished.

The twins, Scathach and their hosts went inside. Sunset turned to The Morrigan. “I read that Joan of Arc was killed long ago.”

“I thought so too,” The Morrigan replied. “It seems she survived and became immortal somehow. Scathach likely saved her. If she did the English would have lied about it. There is no way that they would have admitted to a young girl saving Joan of Arc single-handedly; which she would have done. She probably found immortality with Scathach’s help too.”

Sunset and The Morrigan got into the car that Machiavelli lent them and waited for either of the twins to be alone.

Prologue: Through the Mirror

“Sunset Shimmer, you are no longer my student,” decreed Princess Celestia. “Guards, remove her from my sight.”

“You can’t do this,” cried Sunset. “It’s not fair.”

The four guards marched Sunset away. Once they were out of Princess Celestia’s sight Sunset struck. She blasted the one in front of her with a blast of magic and bucked the one behind her. She then jumped backwards to avoid the remaining guards’ counterattacks and blasted them with a beam of energy each.

Once all four guards were unconscious she teleported to her room and quickly packed some important items into her saddlebags. A pouch of bits, a book on advanced magic and some gems. Her magic journal was already in one.

Sunset then teleported to another corridor in the castle and hurried towards the mirror room. She used her magic to unlock the door and quickly entered and closed it. She walked towards the mirror, smirk on her face. “If you won’t make me an alicorn; I will just have to do it myself.”

Sunset then walked through the mirror. She saw and felt an immense amount of energy surrounding her; a torrent of magical energy, blinding light and scorching heat. It was over quickly but it managed to leave her unconscious as she passed through the other side.

***

Sunset groaned as she awoke, grimacing. She opened her eyes and looked around, she was on a bed in a small room. Outside the window she could see the night sky, a large city lit with many lights and a large bridge crossing the water.

She tried to get out of the bed moving her right foreleg when she stopped. Her foreleg was gone and replaced by a nearly hairless limb; her hoof had been replaced with a hand like a minotaur’s. She looked at her other foreleg – now arm – and found it to be the same. She reached up to find her horn and failed: it wasn’t there. She screamed.

Through the door came a young looking woman, looking about seventeen years old, wearing white jeans and a white t-shirt. She had short, red hair and emerald eyes. She walked over to Sunset who continued to panic.

“Calm down, I’m not going to hurt you. My name is Scatty what is yours?” she asked calmly.

“M-my name is Sunset Shimmer,” she replied. “Where am I.”

“My home, I found you unconscious outside. Do you know what happened to you?”

Sunset ignored the question and continued to investigate her new form and found herself to be wearing a black leather jacket, a cyan shirt with her cutie mark printed on the front and blue jeans. She regained control over her emotions and tried to hide them from Scatty.

“Where do you live?” Scatty asked gently. “Your parents are probably worried.”

“I’m an orphan,” replied Sunset. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“Well you can stay here for the night and we can see if we can find you somewhere more permanent tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“You can sleep there; I will be out here if you need me.” Scatty finished as she left through the door and closed it.

Now alone Sunset tried to use her magic; not really expecting it to work as she no longer has her horn. A teal glow surrounded her hands as her blanket rose slightly, wobbling as it did so. She dropped the blanket and smiled. She had read that the world on the other side of the mirror did not have magic but she still had hers.

She started planning how she could achieve her destiny of becoming an alicorn like the mirror showed her as she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 7

Sunset groaned and tried to remember what happened. The Morrigan awakened Josh. We talked to the twins, Scathach and Flamel. We followed them into the antique shop, invisibly. Then what happened?

The mirror! It was a portal! A leygate they called it. That must be how the mirror in Equestria works; partially anyway. That means if I could find the right leygate I could get home.

Now I just need to become powerful enough that Celestia won’t abandon me ever again. I need to become an alicorn; or something else powerful and immortal.

She stood up and looked around. Smile fading from her face. She was in a church. There were numerous lit candles around the alter which she was standing behind. The alter was ornate and traced in white marble.

She looked around but could not see The Morrigan. The pews were empty and facing towards her. It was dark. She looked up and saw The Morrigan flying near the roof. She appeared to be looking for something down below; probably the twins, Flamel and Scathach; or herself.

Suddenly alarms blared throughout the building. The Morrigan started watching all the doors and hallways into the chamber they were in. Sunset dove back down behind the alter and peeked around the corner.

A second set of alarms blared. A door opened and out came Flamel followed by the twins then Scathach. Scathach was looking sick, as if she was going to throw up. Flamel raced down to the large doors opposite from where Sunset was. The twins had a quick look around and followed him. Scathach followed the twins.

“Don’t touch!” Josh shouted. Flamel tried to open the doors and a third alarm blared. Red alarm lights started flashing. The doors didn’t open. “I told you not to touch it.

“I don’t understand. This church is always open,” Flamel said. “Where is everyone? What time is it?”

“How long does it take to travel from place to place through a leygate?” the girl asked.

“It’s instantaneous.”

“And you’re sure we’re in Paris, France?”

“Positive.”

So we’re in Paris. Probably a famous church and that idiot activated the alarms. The police will be coming and we’ll be arrested. Just great. Scathach thought.

“It’s about four o’clock in the morning; that’s why the church is closed,” the girl continued.

Sunset looked up at The Morrigan. She looked calm. She quickly landed and hid behind the alter with Sunset. “What do we do?” Sunset whispered.

“We wait,” she replied. “We meet with Machiavelli, the head of the secret service. He works for the elders. He will probably be assigned to help with Flamel by his elder. He will probably be coming to arrest Flamel now.”

Suddenly, Sunset could smell something. She couldn’t quite place it.

“Snake,” the girl said. “It’s a snake.”

“Oh, you’re smelling a snake alright … but one that walks on two legs,” Scathach snapped. “You’re smelling the rank odour of Niccolò Machiavelli.

“Every person has a distinctive magical odour, you two smell of vanilla ice cream and oranges, Nicholas smells of mint.”

Suddenly the candles went out. The smell of candle wax grew stronger. The candles all flowed together and formed into a golem. Wind whistled past the alter they were behind and just as quickly stopped.

Sunset could hear the sounds of combat from the other side of the alter. It sounded like Scathach was fighting the golem. Possibly with help from the others. She wasn’t paying too much attention to the sounds. She was feeling their magical auras.

Scathach's was moving very quickly all over the place. Flamel's was at the door; he seemed to be using it to try to unlock the door. The twins were moving around near the golem as well but not as quickly as Scathach.

Suddenly, Josh’s aura activated. He was using it as armour it seemed. Then Sophie’s activated. She seemed to be using it to generate heat. Melted wax splashed beside Sunset around the side of the alter.

Shortly both of the twins stopped using their auras. As did Flamel. They went outside. Police sirens were quite loud now. Sunset got up and headed towards the doors, moving around the side of the room to reduce the chance of being seen. The Morrigan followed her. They stopped to the side of the door.

“Welcome back to Paris, Alchemist,” a male voice – not one she recognised – said.

Sunset resisted the urge to look around the corner. The man continued speaking. She assumed it was Machiavelli. After a few minutes she sensed the girl use her aura. Sunset wasn’t sure what she was doing, so she risked peeking around the corner.

Fog carpeted the area. She could barely see anything a meter away. She tried to sense their auras but couldn’t find anything through the magical fog surrounding the church.

She walked out of the church into the fog. The Morrigan stood in the doorway of the church. A man ran out of the fog barely avoiding Sunset.

The man was tall, thin and had white hair. He was wearing an elegant tuxedo.

“Hello, Machiavelli I presume,” Sunset said in French.

He looked at Sunset slightly surprised. Then turned to The Morrigan. “I see that you followed Flamel. Dee told me you disappeared.” He turned to Sunset. “That must make you Sunset Shimmer. Good morning mademoiselle.” He turned back to The Morrigan. “I hope your plan is coming along. Yes, you awakened the boy, but he is still under Flamel’s thumb.”

Sunset tried to sense Machiavelli’s aura. It seemed drained but very powerful. More powerful than Dee’s by far.

The Morrigan replied, “The boy has seen Flamel make mistakes and put them in danger – especially his sister – he will likely join us if we can distinguish ourselves from Dee and Flamel. The two are too much alike. He has already spoken to Sunset for a time, she will be our best bet.”

“We need to find them first. I can’t track them in this fog, and if they get too far away I won’t be able to sense their auras,” Sunset said.

“Come with me.” Machiavelli turned and strode back into the fog and down the stairs. The fog was starting to clear. Sunset and The Morrigan followed Machiavelli at a reasonable distance.

Machiavelli stopped to talk to a policeman. Once he was done he continued on and got into a car. Sunset and The Morrigan joined him.

“Flamel is in Paris. Where would he go?” Machiavelli asked his driver.

The driver turned around and faced Machiavelli. He removed his sunglasses. His eyes were bulbous and fish-like. “Who are his allies?” he asked changing language several times.

Machiavelli gestured towards his driver. “This is Dagon. They have always been loners. To the best of my knowledge they have not lived in this city since the end of the eighteenth century.”

He pulled out a black laptop and ran his index finger over the integrated fingerprint reader.

Dagon and Machiavelli both switched language to an ancient language that Sunset did not understand.

After several minutes Machiavelli turned his laptop around and showed everyone else. It was a photograph of a man. The man had thick curling black hair that tumbled to his shoulders, framing a round face. His eyes were startlingly blue.

“This is the immortal human once known as the Comte de Saint-Germain. He was a magician, an inventor, a musician … and an alchemist.” He turned off his laptop. “Saint-Germain was also the student of Nicholas Flamel. And he is currently living in Paris.”

“Then why don’t we pay him a visit,” Sunset said.