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“Stop fighting, stupid girl. I'm giving you what you've always wanted.” Trixie spoke…though the voice wasn't her's. It sounded like her, but it wasn't.

‘Don't call me stupid, I won't stop fighting you.’ She yelled in her mind.

“We're great and powerful now! Why are you against it?”

‘Because I never wanted this!’

Trixie's left arm twitched, struggling to move under her own control before it was snuffed out. The amulet's influence easily overpowering her. “You're stubborn, I'll give you that. A little more power should be all we need…” She felt her body move on its own. This force made her float above the town, scanning for more magic to absorb.

She couldn't scream out, the frustration welling up inside her. Their vision became blurry as she felt the warm streaks falling from her eyes, a prisoner in her own body.

“Fret not, for we are about to become perfect. Ascending to your ultimate self, and I can guide you. The fact that you've used this power shows you want more.” The voice spoke.

‘No. Not if I have to do this to get it.’

“You don't have a choice anymore.” The voice said darkly, looking in the direction of Canterlot. “Without Sunset and Rainbow they're much weaker…”

‘No!’

“Trixie!” Indigo shouted, tiredly pulling herself to stand upright. Sugarcoat, Sour, Lemon, Sunny and Starlight stood below her.

“You recovered quickly.” Her eye twitched, looking at Starlight. The only one who was still fully powered. “Oh, but it seems I've missed one. My dearest assistant…” She lowered herself to the ground. Starlight's heart sank, the girl standing across from them wasn't Trixie. It couldn't be.

“Let her go.”

“Let who go? My dear, I am her.” Trixie chuckled. “Though…Sunset and Twilight got their own names when they transformed.” She crossed her arms. “Eclipse? Y'know…Lulamoon?” She asked. “Those who seek to shine brighter than I, shall be engulfed in my power…” She spoke, slowly rising from the ground. “I'll workshop the name...but Eclipse works for now.” She shrugged.

“I mean, it's not bad.” Lemon said. “Too bad you won't be around long enough for anyone else to know it.”

“Oho? She's feisty. Why'd you never tell me, Star?”

“Don't. Call me that.” Starlight said angrily. “We're going to stop you…”

“You can most certainly try.” Eclipse said, holding up her right hand, the air around them heated before a blast of fire flew toward them.

Sugarcoat's legs moved before she could think. She shoved past the group, forming a barrier in front of them, holding the fire in place…but with exhaustion still wracking her body, it wouldn't be for long.

“Get back!” She shouted, struggling to hold it back.

“I got you!” Lemon said, holding her shoulder to help steady her. A warm rush of energy flowed from her palm into Sugarcoat.

The barrier felt…lighter? Simpler to keep form. With this bit of renewed strength Sugarcoat knit her brow, pushing forward. The barrier began to stretch out.

“What?!” Eclipse asked. “How do you still have so much strength?” She struggled to lift her left hand to add to the flames. “Ugh, really?! Now of all times?!”

‘Yes! You're not getting away with Trixie's body!’

The surge of power from Lemon's magic pushed Sugarcoat further, with some effort she pushed the barrier to form around Eclipse, trapping the flames inside with her.

She quickly dispelled the magic to avoid the burns. Eclipse looked around her new prison. “You think this'll hold us?”

“Not for long…” Sugarcoat panted, “But for long enough.” She closed her hands into a small ball and the dome closed in directly around her body. “Barriers usually keep things out…but they can also keep things in.”

“Nice work, Sugarcoat.” Indigo cheered.

“Don't…” She strained. “Let your guard down…this is temporary at best…” She said through gritted teeth. The force to hold her in place was tearing her body apart. The little training she'd had with this power was showing…and there was no way she was using her power efficiently.

With a muffled pop, Eclipse appeared behind Sugarcoat.

“Took you long enough to realize you could do that…” She said over her shoulder.

“I had to deal with the brat. Not letting me use my own power…” Eclipse sighed. “You give them everything they wanted and they fight you every step of the way…” She shook her head before turning to strike Sugarcoat, her arm being caught by Indigo.

Eclipse looked over, almost impressed. “Wow. You're strong.”

Indigo didn't say anything, just pulled her backwards to face her.

“What? No witty banter?”

Electricity crackled around her. Indigo quickly closed the distance, striking her with a left hook, a shot to her stomach, catching her by the horn as she doubled over and ramming her knee, brace and all, into her face. Eclipse recoiled from the sudden flurry but was met with another shot to the face. For every step back she took, Indigo was there to add another blow.

Eclipse grunted, blood running down her face and her nose displaced. “Damb…” She mumbled. “Fuckin gibe me a thecond to breave.” Her wings blasted a gust of wind, pushing Indigo back.

The corrupted magician stood straight. Her wounds slowly closing and healing. “It's a shame nothing you do can hurt me, isn't it? After such an impressive display, you thought you had something…” She chuckled.

“Keep her talking.” Sugarcoat instructed.

“Why are you doing this?” Sunny asked, stepping up beside Indigo.

“Why else? Power, silly girl.” Eclipse said. “Trixie wanted power. I simply offered her a means to get it.”

“And what about Trixie? You just get her body in return?” Sugarcoat asked.

“I am Trixie. Er…was. Ugh. I'm part of her! This is just as much mine as her's.” She huffed.

“I don't believe you.” Starlight spoke up. “Trixie was ambitious, but she never wanted…”

“And how do you know what I'm like? You know the persona I let you get to know.” She shrugged.

“Wanting to perform for your friends and family after you've made it big? You said it would be ‘your way to show you weren't too big for them’.” Starlight said. “You're secretly terrified of losing everyone who shows you support.”

Eclipse recoiled, a dark blue flush on her features. “You promised!” She jolted, covering her mouth with her left hand.

“You are in there!” Starlight said with noticeable relief in her voice. “We'll get you out… I promise.”

Trixie managed a small nod, before her right hand flew out, a blast of electricity firing forward, Indigo lunged forward, grabbing Starlight's arm and pulling her away.

Eclipse, huffed, trying to will the flush out of her cheeks. “That's it! Killing you all!” She growled, blasting electricity towards them again. Indigo breathed out, time seemingly began to slow around her. She channeled her energy.

Electricity burst from Indigo's palms, pushing back Eclipse's. The magician grunted in annoyance. “Stop being so persistent!” Fire swirled from her palm, joining in the struggle.

Indigo felt the flames lap at her as they approached. The lightning was strong…but manageable. This? She closed her eyes, ready to take the brunt of the blast

But it didn't come.

She peeked an eye open, seeing flames joining her own blast. Her eyes followed them back to Sunny. “Sunny? This is dangerous, get back!”

“And let you take everything…” She struggled. “Again?” She shot a warning glare to her girlfriend. “Never again…we do this together. Got it?”

“Y-Yes ma'am…” She said before chuckling. “Breathe out. It helps.”

“Shut it! I'm learning.” Sunny giggled.

“Are…Are you two flirting right now?” Eclipse asked, annoyed.

“They do that a lot.” Sugarcoat said from behind her.

Eclipse glanced back, feeling the same power that bound her earlier slowly encasing her wings. She grunted, trying to push it back, but felt the combined power pushing back against her.

“GRAH!” She redoubled her efforts, blasting out more of the stolen magic toward the couple. “Give me more power!” She demanded, though her left hand refused to move. “You….idiot! Everything we've ever wanted is right in front of us…don't let your stubbornness be our downfall!”

“Trixie! Don't listen to her. You're stronger than her!” Starlight said, slowly shifting from behind Indigo and Sunny.

“She isn't! She's as weak and helpless as she's ever-!”

“If she's so weak, why can't you control her fully?” Starlight spat, interrupting her. “You were so excited to get this magic…you wanted to be the hero.” She said with a small smile. “You can stop this right here and now.”

“You don't know anything!” She roared, “You act like you've known me for years! Newsflash, Star. You barely know me…and one thing you didn't know…is how jealous I am! I deserve this power. I'm the only one who deserves magic. I've always wanted it to be…real. But it wasn't! Not here!” Eclipse's hand rested on the amulet. “Now we have this…”

Her left arm quickly yanked the amulet free from her neck.

“Wh-What?!” She tried moving the arm again…realizing she still had no control. “No! Trixie, don't!” The amulet popped out of her grasp, dropping into Starlight's arms.

Eclipse cried out as the magic began to feel unstable. “Fuck! God dammit!”

Starlight's eyes widened with realization. She closed both hands over the amulet, channeling her magic…neutralizing its power and sapping Eclipse's lingering wisps.

She grit her teeth in exertion, keeping the growing force of magic in her grasp was getting harder and harder.

Sour reached over, helping hold it in place. “I can't do that beam shit…let me help here.” She said, smiling slightly. “Good work.”

“Th-Thanks, but we're…”

“I got you.” Lemon joined, her magic channeling into Sour and Starlight. They both felt a revitalizing surge of energy. She kept herself steady, but she could feel her own energy fading. She was holding onto their shoulders to help, sure…but they didn't need to know she was fading.

Indigo and Sunny easily snuffed out the flames and lightning, allowing Sugarcoat to encase all but Eclipse's head in the barrier that formed around her body. “Phew…I'm beat…” Indigo said, shaking her hand out. “I'm gonna feel tingly for weeks…”

“Try being tanned on just your right palm…” Sunny rolled her eyes.

“Release us!” Eclipse cried out. “Star, please! Don't take this from us!”

“Oh…that is low.” Sugarcoat frowned. “Begging now? You prove yourself to be the coward you claimed Trixie to be.” She said as she approached. “Even if you are her greed, you should know what Trixie really wanted. She was your undoing.”

Eclipse opened her mouth, but the lower part of her face was covered by the translucent barrier.

“You're done talking. Now you get to see the consequences of your actions.” She reached over, grabbing her by the hair and facing her towards Starlight, making her watch as the magic aura from the amulet went dead, falling into Starlight's palm, a harmless trinket.

Eclipse's horn slowly blinked out of existence, the burning fiery aura around her eyes fading. The barrier dissipated, Sugarcoat letting her hair go as the girl's skin slowly brightened back to its original tone. She let out a silent scream as the wings on her back began to fall apart, fading into wisps of magic, leaving behind tears in the hoodie she wore…and red stains as soon as the fabric laid to rest against her skin. She fell to her knees, overwhelmed by the pain in her back…and the loss of so much energy…not to mention the guilt. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she tried to ease herself forward.

Moving hurt. Breathing hurt. Everything hurt.

Sugarcoat knelt beside her, trying to help her sit. She put a hand on her back to steady her and was met by a wet feeling and a sharp inhale from the girl beside her. Sugarcoat looked at her hand. Blood. “S-Sour!” She called, trying to hold her up. The panic in Sugarcoat's voice pulled everyone's attention.

Starlight and Sour immediately darted toward her. Lemon groaned, moving gingerly as well. ‘Not the time to go passing out…’ She told herself.

Sour knelt beside Trixie, holding a palm up to one of the wounds in her back.

“Trixie…Trixie, I need you to say something. Please.” Starlight said, kneeling to meet her gaze. “Please…”

“Sor…ry.” She managed, falling into her chest.

“It's okay…we've got you.” She held her head gently, looking at Sour, with a hopeful smile.

Sour nodded, channeling what was left of her energy into both hands, resting just above the wounds. “C'mon…” She said to herself, it was a slow process… she could see the wounds closing…but she wasn't able to do much about the scarring that would come after.

“Need a little more..?” Lemon asked, having only now joined the group. Sour looked up at her, seeing the noticeable sway in her steps.

“Indigo sit her down. Shut her up. She's out.” Sour said before looking back to her task.

Lemon sighed, Indigo catching her as she almost stumbled. “She's right, you're out on your feet…” She noted. “Take a breather. Let her handle it.”

“But I can help…”

“Not like that, you can't.” She said, sitting beside her. “Let Sour handle this…we're no help right now.”

“Man…” She laid back down, quickly fading to sleep. Exhaustion overtaking her.

“Sour can do this..” Sunny said, taking a seat beside Indigo.

“I know.

Sour's brow knit as she focused. It was a delicate balance of not using her reserves up too soon…but the wounds were closing.

Sunset and Rainbow darted down the hall toward the portal, Twilight and Starlight following quickly. “How do you just lose The ALICORN AMULET?!” She asked over her shoulder.

“The thief tried to teleport it away. We didn't know where it could have gone…” Starlight said.

“If an artifact like that is in our world…and we're here, who knows how much damage it could cause. Oh…I hope the girls are okay.”

“I've never seen you this panicked before, Shim.” Rainbow said as they made it to the portal. Twilight and Starlight began setting it up.

“What if the gems don't activate without all of us there?” Sunset asked.

“‘What if’.” Rainbow repeated. “We don't know that. Breathe.” She instructed, Sunset taking a deep breath. “Panicking before a game only leads to mistakes. Think rationally. We have all the girls, the dazzlings and the shadowbolts to handle it. It's not all on your shoulders. That being said, we'll definitely help out. Deal?”

Sunset felt a small smile slip as she nodded. “Deal. Thanks, Dash.”

“Of course.”

“Why is the younger one more mature than our Rainbow Dash?” Starlight asked.

“She can be mature…I think.” Twilight said sheepishly.

“If you find it, let us know. We'll help get it back across the portal.” Starlight said as the mirror began to glow.

“Thanks…”

“We'll explore next time, Shim. C'mon. We've gotta go be awesome.”

Sunset rolled her eyes with a smile. “See you soon Twilight, Starlight.” She nodded at one then the other before they both jumped into the portal.

Before Rainbow could even try to stand, Sunset was on her feet, looking around. “Well, no damage here…” She said.

The doors of the school burst open, the dazzlings leading the rainbooms out. “How do none of you feel that?!” Aria asked over her shoulder, stopping at Sunset and Rainbow. “What are you guys doing back so soon?”

“Some genius in equestria tried to steal the alicorn amulet and it ended up on this side of the mirror.” Sunset said. “We rushed back. Has anything happened?”

“The alicorn amulet? That's a pretty big oopsie.” Sonata noted. “We have noticed the shadowbolts magic going wild. We were on the way over there now.”

“Good to see you two. I was tired of everyone thinking I had the answers.” Adagio said with a sigh.

“It's tough having people look to you for guidance…but I figured you'd be used to that…” Sunset said as they headed towards the parking lot.

Sour panted, leaning back to wipe her brow. “She's out of the woods…but we should get a real doctor to look at her.” She said. The wounds on Trixie's back had closed…but in the time it took her to heal them, she had no idea of how much blood she'd lost.

“Hang on, Trixie…maybe I can do more…” She said through ragged breaths, resting her palm on her again.

Starlight still held Trixie in a gentle hug. “You need a break too, Sour…”

“I'll take one. When I know she's good.”

“What's going on here?” A familiar voice asked. Dean Cadence stepped out of the building.

“Would you believe us if we said magic?” Indigo asked, tiredly.

“Hmm…” She looked around, seeing the burned grass and the currently glowing hands on Sour. “I think I can suspend my disbelief. Twilight asked me to inform her if magic happened over here too…” She thought aloud.

“Can we get Trixie some help?” Starlight asked. “Sour's running on fumes…she got hurt badly.”

Cadence walked over, seeing the bloody hoodie. “Let's get her to the nurse's office.”

“I'll carry her.” Indigo offered, pushing up off the ground.

“You girls just keep finding trouble to get into.” Cadence sighed.