For the past week, everypony and everybody had gone about their business until the coming weekend had arrived. Invictus had been busy, upgrading both his and his sons’ weapons to ensure that they would stand up in a battlefield. Celestia and Luna introduced the Canterlot Royal Court to Caldor, as he had much to teach them. Somnambula left her homeland to visit Flash Magnus, as they took their dates seriously, until the day came he proposed to her, which left her surprised, as well as speechless. Stygian chose to help Mage Meadowbrook out at her home, which she appreciated the company, as well as the two of them growing closer together through healing and helping others. Rockhoof was busy looking for his villagers, seeing that Merlin was very helpful into finding them when they last moved. Starswirl asked Mistmane to help him with his magic, until he accidentally casted a spell that restored her youth and beauty, which left the two of them surprised. At one of the largest mountaintops of Equestria, Thunder chose to train so that he could try to find himself. Until he heard a noise. For standing close by, was none other than Fizzlepop.

‘Oh,’ said Thunder when he saw it was her ‘Surprised to see you here.’

‘Just dropping by to see what you were doing?’ said Fizzlepop when she stood nearby without making a facial expression.

‘Training, same as usual.’ said Thunder as he took a barrel of water and poured it over himself, trying to wash off the sweat. But Fizzlepop on the other hand, blushed when she saw how wet he was as the water had been dripping down all over his body.

‘Do you uh,’ said Fizzlepop whilst she looked away and rubbed the back of her head, trying to think clearly ‘Do you need company?’

‘You sure?’ said Thunder after he wiped his face with his towel whilst he slowly tried to dry himself off ‘Folks aren’t usually comfortable if you have a horn that could destroy half a town.’

‘Join the club.’ said Fizzlepop when she also knows how he feels, given the fact that her horn was broken like that her whole life.

Thunder began to sit down near the edge as he was watching the sight of the countryside. ‘I…wouldn’t mind the company.’ said Thunder as he partially looked at her.

Sure enough, in a slow pace, she walked towards him and sat right next to him. The two of them watched the countryside whilst the sun began to set. ‘I always loved the sunset.’ said Thunder as he admired the view ‘Gives you a reason to look forward to something.’

‘I…mostly don’t understand looking at sunsets.’ said Fizzlepop, trying to make a good conversation.

‘Probably because you turned the Alicorns that could control them into stone?’

She blushed when she felt embarrassed, for it was a day that she wasn’t proud of. ‘I…was a different pony back then.’

‘And still trying to adjust. You’ve been angry your whole life.’

‘I…I wished I’d never run away. I wished…I never went into that stupid cave and lost my horn.’

‘If you didn't, your friend could’ve been killed.’

Fizzlepop remembered them too well ‘I…I should’ve been more considerate of the situation. I should’ve stayed. I…wished I’d never push them away.’

‘So does everypony who stood in the same spot you did. But through our actions, only we can decided what to do with the gifts that time itself has given to us.’

Fizzlepop looked at Thunder and was curious. ‘Who told you that?’

‘My mother.’ said Thunder as he looked at Fizzlepop ‘She truly was a wise woman. She taught most of us what we know. Without her I don’t know where I’d be.’

‘I never knew my mother.’ said Fizzlepop as she looked at the horizon ‘I’ve been gone for so long, I hardly remember what she looks like anymore. Like…I’m not meant to live with others. That I’m…all alone.’

Thunder slowly placed his hoof on top of hers, which caused them to look at one another. ‘You don’t have to be alone anymore.’ said Thunder as he looked at her.

They kept staring at one another as the sun began to set. The moment when it did, they slowly approached one another, and their eyes were so deeply entrenched, they locked their lips with one another as they had their eyes closed. Their hooves were caressing each other’s bodies, not caring about what one feels for the other.

As the stars began to shine, they spent the night in Thunder’s tent. The lantern shined as Fizzlepop was on top of him whilst she gasped as she lifted her head in the air. Their hooves caressed one another as their armour and clothing had been removed as they continued to embrace one another with their kiss, whilst Fizzlepop’s hooves were holding Thunder’s back, whilst Thunder’s hooves were holding Fizzlepop’s flank tightly. The two of them began to glow brightly as their auras became stronger, as well as the tip of their broken horns as they glowed even brighter. They bodies began to glow through the night as their tent had been alit.

But at Ponyville, romance was in the air. Fluttershy shared her cottage with Bashful, whilst the two of them were shy of making love, but eventually gave in to one another’s feelings. Pinkie on the other hand began to go overboard as she had pinned Copper against the wall whilst they kissed passionately as he held onto her flank and she holding his shoulder, then pinned at another part of the wall until they fell through Pinkie’s secret party planning cave as their love continued. Rarity was sitting on top of Chivalry as they made out on the drama couch (Rarity felt like what they’re about to do would be more drama than any other). Applejack invited Applebuck over had her barn, for whilst her grandmother and siblings were asleep, she ended up riding Applebuck all the way, even as he lifted her up with her flank. Rainbow Dash and Knight were at Rainbow’s place and they ended up being rough at one another with love as they were more in heat than any mammal on the planet. As For Twilight, she ended up inviting Merlin over to her room, causing the two of them to make out and do one another by following the book. Starlight decided to visit Sunburst, and from the looks of things, they were going to have a great night.

But back at Sunset and the others, love had been in the air for them too when they founded the time. Human Applejack also kissed Bucky as they slowly began to strip each other with vigor in both their spines. Lyon kissed human Fluttershy when they came over their fear. At human Rarity’s shop, she made out with Duke, but ended up being naked as well whilst they were deep in clothing to hide their nudeness. At the school, whilst it was closed and still opened for those who wanted to study, human Rainbow Dash passionately kissed Atreus as he lifted her up whilst she slowly removed her clothes, whilst at the Library’s private sections, human Twilight ended up jumping on Yin Sid when she had a feeling that she hadn’t felt before. However, back at Sunset’s place, she and Don had bonded over video games. But slowly, they ended up making out with one another, stripped each other and went straight to bed when they continued to make love with one another to the next level.

Invictus on the other hand, he chose to remain behind the rainbow bridge. He, with the help of the dwarves, chose to improve the weapons with powerful runes to improve their ability to fight. He sharpened arrows, swords and other various weapons to help them be better. He tested the bows with spells as each performed perfectly and admirably. He tested the shields for improvement, and each of them were stronger than ever. The swords were twice as sharp and twice as strong. He tested the strings on the bows, and all of them were well and sturdy. He tested the string on the lasso, and realized that it was sturdier than any weapon ever made. The bow staffs were extremely hardened and toughened so that they would be easier to use. The gauntlets were greatly enhanced and the axe was now twice as lethal. He tested his axe numerous times and it proved exceptional. He took his swords whilst they were aflame, making him spin, swung and slice it as he went great lengths to ensure that they would work properly. After he had tested his swords, he sat down and placed them behind his backs.

‘Uh, here you go.’ said Driskle as he gave Invictus some boar.

Whilst he ate some, Brock walked over and spoke to him. ‘Son, are you still sure you want to go through with this?’

Invictus swallowed his meat as he placed it down on his plate ‘The sooner we finish our journey, the better.’

‘No I mean that once it’s over you’ll…you know.’

Invictus sighed, and not in a sad way. ‘You know of my past. You know what I had done on my old homeland. There’s nothing left for me there. Once they pass their test, they’ll be ready to live on their own, and as for me…’

‘We know that,’ said Driskle when he overheard them ‘Isn’t this a bit rash. You can still find a way to live in peace among us.’

‘You know I can no longer live another minute with that torment.’

‘We know.’ said Brock whilst he stood up ‘But just know that if anything happens to you, we’d be happy to look after your boys too.’

‘Yeah we’ve uh…grown very fond of them. As well as the ponies of this world, and their counterparts.’

They heard a sound coming from the Rainbow Bridge, which inclined that Sunset and her friends have come back, with Don and the rest of his brothers with them. ‘Hmm,’ said Invictus when he looked at the bridge ‘Looks like they arrived'.

Within a while, Caldor was the first to arrive, but this time, carrying what appeared to be a staff. ‘Sorry it took so long. The Princesses sends their apologies. They’re busy sorting out matters back at Canterlot. They wish us luck on our journey.’
Twilight was the next to arrive. ‘Hello there,’ she waved whilst she slowly ascended whilst she began to land ‘Sorry we’re late, we got a little…hung up.’

Within a short while, the rest of the Mane Six arrived, with Knight, Chivalry, Merlin Bronzetail, Copper Plume, Bashful and Applebuck in tow. Starlight and Sunburst, along with the Pillars, arrived last. Sunset and her friends also arrived, along with Don and his brothers. ‘We’re ready to continue from where we left off.’ said Human Rainbow Dash when she got excited to continue their journey.

Invictus stood up as he handed his sons their weapons, along with the Dwarves’ help. ‘Are you ready to continue our journey?’

‘Sure are,’ said Merlin when he accepted his things ‘And whilst we were waiting for a week, Twilight and I were busy brainstorming.’

‘Right,’ said Twilight when she sat next to him ‘Whilst we were busy researching, we discovered that there happens to be another secret room somewhere.’

‘Another secret room?’ said Caldor when he overheard them.

‘Right,’ said Merlin ‘Seeing that we found Pelagius’ secret study, we discovered that there was another room above the rainbow tree, which is the rainbow roots, the source of the Rainbow Bridge’s power. We theorized that there happens to be another room that could hold the answer on how to get to the realm of the First Ones.’

Don looked at the temple with a cocked eyebrow ‘Then we’d better see where it might be buried.’

But before they went on, they heard rustling. To their relief, it had only been Thunder and Fizzlepop. But to their shock, they saw their horns were both fixed and restored. With Fizzlepop saying ‘What?’

‘You’re horns.’ said Copper Plume when he pointed at them.

Rarity created a mirror for them whilst placing it in front of them. Both Thunder and Fizzlepop were shocked to see their horns were restored back to the way they were. ‘My…my horn.’ said Fizzlepop when she was slowly shedding tears over what she could hardly believe.

Invictus nearly smiled when he was glad to see Thunder’s horn had been restored, but chose to stay quiet about it. ‘Come,’ he said when he looked at them ‘We must continue with our journey.’

As he walked ahead, the others followed him. But as they walked past the dwarves, Rarity was still bugged about Brock’s skin being blue. ‘Excuse me, Merlin,’ said Rarity when she wondered if Merlin might know ‘Why is that fellow there’s skin blue?

‘See, it’s like this,’ said Merlin when he explained ‘Whenever there’s a weapon to forge, every Dwarf uses tools and protection so that their skin wouldn’t be burnt when they use their metalwork. Brock on the other hand has a special talent. Whenever he feels the metal, he can feel their energy surging, meaning if he were to hear that, then it would imply that the weapon is near perfection. Unfortunately he ended up doing that so many times, his skin was affected, causing it to turn blue. And also unfortunate, it lasts forever on him.’

‘Just,’ said Chivalry when he decided to point things out ‘Don’t mention that in front of him. He’s rather sensitive on that subject.’

As they entered the room, they stood a few feet away from the Rainbow Bridge’s control pedestal. ‘Alright,’ said Invictus when he looked at both Twilight and Merlin ‘Where to next?’

Both Twilight and Merlin looked at the map that they were able to get thanks to Caldor’s knowledge of it.

‘Well, according to the map.’ said Merlin when he first looked at it.’

‘We’ll need to find a control module of some sorts to access the roots to the top floor,’ said Twilight next. ‘Now, if I were a control module, where would I be?’

‘Maybe this funny looking button in the middle of the floor?’ said the two Pinkie Pies as they ended up pressing it together, causing the floor to shake.

‘Pinkie Pie!!’ said Applejack and her human counterpart whilst they tried to remain on their feet.

The floor began to sink, but revealed a circular formation that they were standing on. ‘Ah,’ said Caldor when he looked at it ‘So this is where the secret compartment is. My brother told me of this place, but he never shared any of that information with me.’

They continued to ascent to the bottom, and eventually arrived below the doorway of the Rainbow Bridge. To their surprise, they saw two giant statues, which appeared they were struggling to pull something.

‘Whoa, what are they?’ said Rockhoof when he was stunned by what they look like.

‘That would be Salazar and Malabar,’ said Caldor when he told them ‘They used to be gatekeepers of the Rainbow Bridge, but when the gods battled the humans, they stayed here to protect it. Unfortunately they gave their lives to protect this place.’

Mistmane and Somnambula noticed that the statues were holding chains. ‘Oh, I do believe that they appear to be holding something down.’ said Mistmane when she pointed at the first chain.

‘As well as another.’ said Somnambula when she looked at the chains on the right.

Rainbow Dash and Knight flew in opposite directions when they followed the chains. They came back to tell what they’ve found. ‘From the looks of it, those chains are tied a floor below us.’ said Knight when he told them.

‘Shouldn’t be a problem,’ said Rainbow Dash with her cocky smile ‘We’ll just need the strongest to go down there and break them.’

Twilight began to think, then gave an idea as she told them. ‘Alright, here’s what we’ll do. Applebuck, Applejack and Rockhoof, you guys go to the left side chain and try to smash it to release it. Bucky and CHS Applejack will do the same to the right.’

‘I’ll accompany them,’ said Invictus ‘The sooner we finish the mission, the better.’

Rainbow Dash, Knight and Flash Magnus carried Applejack, Applebuck and Rockhoof down to the chain to the left, with CHS Rainbow Dash and Atreus doing the same thing when they used their flying abilities. Both sides stood in position. ‘One,’ said Invictus when he counted down ‘Two, three!!!’. At the same time, they smashed the objects holding the chains, causing them to be released whilst the chains from above fell out of the statues’ hands. After all of them got back, they realized nothing happened. ‘So now what?’ said Pinkie Pie when she was curious.

‘That’s a good question.’ said Copper Plume when he thought about their next move.

Human Pinkie had an idea when she took a good look at the temple, and whispered to Invictus of what he should be doing. He wondered what she meant, but decided to give it a try. He walked over to the side of the temple and started to bend his knees and grabbed hold of a part of the temple below. The others noticed what he was doing. ‘Uh, Invictus?’ said human Twilight when she looked at him ‘What are you doing?’

And to their shock, he began to lift the side of the temple as if it were nothing. He lifted it over his head and began to push. He focused all his strength whilst he concentrated. And with great force, he pushed the temple so hard, it began to flip, allowing the temple to be upside down. ‘Okay, what the heck?’ said Twilight when she wondered.

‘It’s obvious silly,’ said human Pinkie Pie when she told them ‘If what they’re looking for is above the Rainbow Bridge, why not walk on it upside down.’

Caldor didn’t know how to respond to that, except by being impressed ‘You know what lass, I’m beginning to like you even more.’

With the help of the flyers, they were able to take them up towards the door that was no upside down. As they climbed in, they discovered that the tree was now upside down, with some of them laughing, thinking that it was funny.

‘Well,’ said Atreus when he looked at the upside down tree ‘I heard of toppy survey, but this is ridiculous.’

‘Don’t sweat it,’ said human Rainbow Dash with a smile ‘I’ll protect you.’

‘No you won’t.’ said Atreus with a smile.

‘Huh, why not?’ said human Rainbow Dash out of curiosity.

‘Because of this.’ said Atreus whilst he instantly wrapped his arm around her and kissed her by the cheek.

‘Alright charmer, that’ll do.’ said human Rainbow Dash with a nervous smile when she blushed at the same time.
Rarity noticed something when she looked around her, and to her surprise, they were crystals, but in different colors. ‘Excuse me, Caldor, what are those crystals?’

‘Ah,’ said Caldor when he was glad Rarity asked him about that ‘See, whilst the tree itself creates enough energy to travel between realms, the crystal on top allows them to draw most of the Rainbow energy and help them open a portal to any of the thirteen realms.’

‘Wait,’ said Chivalry when he looked around ‘There’s a crystal missing there.’

‘Aye,’ said Caldor when he saw the missing crystal ‘That there missing crystal was supposed to help you go to Adularia, but since my brother destroyed the crystal, travel there would be impossible.’

All of them continued to look around, to see what they have missed. However, Invictus had spotted something, causing him to walk towards the center. From within the small ball of light, there was a type of stone, with a special ring wrapped around it. Some of them began to notice as they came together. ‘Oooh, what is it?’ said Pinkie Pie when she looked at it.

Human Twilight adjusted her glasses whilst she began to observe it too ‘Strange, I’ve never seen this before.’

‘Neither have I,’ said Starswirl when he looked at it ‘But the energy does seem familiar.’

‘Alright, what are all of you…’ said Caldor until he was cut off. When he saw what they were staring at, to his shock, he recognized it. He quickly walked over and grabbed the stone as he looked at it. ‘Great Cowman’s udders, that’s a Stone of Unity.’

‘You know of it?’ said Invictus when he looked at Caldor.

‘I didn’t think it existed.’

‘Wait, what kind of stone is this?’ said Sunburst when he was curious.

‘The Stone of Unity my good man,’ said Caldor to Sunburst when he told them ‘This stone’s powerful properties allows any wielder who posses this stone, to travel to any number of worlds they wish. With this stone…’

‘We can travel to Adularia.’ said Merlin when he realized what it all meant.

‘Exactly,’ said Caldor when he smiled ‘We can combine the stone’s power with the key of this place, which will allow us to travel to any world we wish.’

‘But darling, there’s a problem,’ said human Rarity when she reminded them of their dilemma ‘Even if this stone will work, there isn’t a gem to help unlock that portal.’

‘Uh, there might be another solution,’ said Caldor when he thought about something ‘I can absorb the power of that stone, which will allow me to open a portal to Adularia, but I will need both of my eyes in order for me to do that.’

‘Oh right, we almost forgot about your other eye.’ said Pinkie Pie when she looked at his missing eye.

‘So how do we uh,’ said Rarity when she partially felt queasy about asking about someone else’s remains ‘Find your other eye?’

‘Hmm,’ said Chivalry when he thought of something ‘I think we should ask Brock and Driskle.’

‘Oh yeah, I remember,’ said Duke when he remembered ‘Both of them use to be blacksmiths for the old gods. Maybe they’ll know something.’

‘Alright then, let’s hope they’ll have the answer.’ said Caldor as all of them left the Rainbow Bridge to speak to the two dwarves.

Author's Note

I apologize again to the readers. I'm not usually much of a romanticist, so I did the best I could.