Chapters "Imagine all I'll learn by setting it free," Twilight Sparkle whispered, holding her device like a newborn baby, as her team continued to sing behind her.
"If both teams are ready," Vice Principal Luna said from off to the side.
"And now winning these games depends on me, and what doors might open if I try to use it?" Twilight continued, tuning everything out.
Dean Cadance nodded. "The last event of the Friendship Games begins."
Twilight nodded as she began to open the device. "But the magic's what I really want to see."
Spike watched, horrified. "Twilight, no!"
But Twilight wasn't listening, her mind only on what she could learn by unleashing all of the magic she had collected...
Smack!
Twilight squawked in surprise, falling back as the device was smacked rather forcefully out of her hands, landing a few feet away. She glared at the red-haired girl who had done so. "What the hell Sunset?"
Sunset Shimmer didn't care as she glared right back. "Don't you take that tone with me, Twilight Sparkle. Just what exactly do you think you're doing?!"
Twilight wilted under her glare, suddenly feeling small. Did Sunset have that effect on everyone, or was it just her? "Unleashing the magic?" She replied sheepishly, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
Sunset sighed. "I was afraid of that. Just what makes you think that is a good idea? Have you seen what's been happening with magic this whole time?" She held up a hand as Twilight went to argue. "I hope you're smart enough to know Canterlot High hasn't done anything with it. What's the point?"
Twilight stopped, and for the first time in what felt like a long time, thought about everything that had happened during the Friendship Games, and her heart sank as she realized that Sunset was right. The school had only used the magic to help people, not to try and win an event. "But..."
Sunset's heart fell as well, as she took Twilight's hands. "Twilight. I heard what Principal Cinch said to you. That sounded an awful like blackmail to me. And what do these idiots know about magic anyway? At least you're trying to understand it. They're only using you." She smiled. "Do you want to go to Everton that badly? Is it so important you're willing to be used by people who don't care at all about you?"
Twilight sniffed. What was she doing? Her teammates had treated her like garbage, less than human this whole time, and now she was suddenly listening to them. What was wrong with her? She frowned as she forcibly poked Sunset. "Don't pull the friendship card on me now, Sunset Shimmer. I'm still peeved you yelled at me."
Sunset had the decency to look ashamed of herself. "Yeah. Not my best moment. In my defense, it's been a very long day."
Celestia and Cadance smiled as they joined the two. "That it has, Sunset." She frowned over at Cinch, who was fuming at the ears at this turn of events. "And I also heard what Abacus said. From what Dean Cadance has told us, you were pressured into joining the Crystal Prep team, am I right?"
Twilight nodded glumly. unable to lie to the principal. Something about her just had a calming effect on her. "Yes. I've been studying the magic around your school for months now. This felt like a perfect chance to learn more about it up close. It was going to be my ticket to Everton." She sighed. "Not anymore."
Cinch finally found her voice as she stormed over. "Don't act so high and mighty, Celestia. Canterlot High has been using magic these entire games. I'm sure the school board will be interested in all of this."
"I'm sure they will. Just like they will love to know that you have been blackmailing a student, Abacus," a new voice, heavy with command and authority said.
The three audibly gulped, turning to see a young woman walking towards them. Her blond mane stood out next to her all-pink outfit, something that made Pinkie squee to see. Her blue eyes bored into Cinch.
The principal tried to put on a brave face. "Super Intendent Cosmos. I didn't know you were coming today?"
Cosmos chuckled. "I like to surprise people every now and then, Abacus, you know that." She frowned. "Dean Cadance came to me after your meeting with her and Shining Armor, expressing her worries about miss Sparkle's behavior. I see now that she was right to do so."
Twilight bowed her head, ashamed now of how she had acted then, even though Cosmos was not blaming her for any of it it seemed.
Celestia tried to smile, but it was hard to do so when Cosmos was in this mood. "Have you seen what has been happening, ma'am?"
Cosmos nodded. "I have, and I must say that Canterlot High has shown everything that makes the Friendship Games great. Magic and all."
That made the students feel ten feet tall, and the Rainbooms especially.
Cosmos turned her gaze to the Shadowbolts, who wilted under the glare. "Now. Here is how this will go. We will proceed with the final event of the games as planned." Her gaze hardened. "With none of the magic miss Sparkle has collected. Or I will forfeit Crystal Prep and award the games in their entirety to Canterlot High. Am I understood?"
The group nodded, though none of them were at all happy about it. Cosmos nodded as she turned back to CInch, who had opened her mouth to argue. "And I suggest you do so as well Abacus. We will be discussing you at the next board meeting, and just how much you may or may not have covered up."
Cinch closed her mouth, biting back a retort. While she had friends on the school board, no one dared stand against Cosmos if she had her mind set on something. Especially if the Everfree and Storm families backed her as well.
Sunset sighed with relief, earning an eye roll from Twilight as she walked over to the pendant. "Glad that's taken care of. Now we just need to-"
Before she could finish, however, the pendant popped open, sending a shockwave as a ball of magic floated out of it. Sunset's eyes widened in horror as she was pulled along with it. "Buck!"
Rainbow tried to go after her, but the blast wave held her back, even as Sunset began to be pulled inside the orb of magic. Twilight's eyes widened in horror as Sunset tried to free herself, to no avail, tears streaming down her cheek as they locked eyes. Sunset was able to mouth "I'm so sorry," before she vanished.
The Rainbooms watched in mute horror as Sunset began to change. Her clothes became far more revealing, demonic wings sprouted from her shoulders, a horn seemingly made of sunlight sprouted from her forehead, and her hair took on the look of her namesake.
"Not again," Fluttershy sniffed, as Rainbow held her.
Finally, the sphere of magic was absorbed by whatever Sunset had become, and her new form was revealed.
Solar Eclipse opened her eyes and laughed as she looked at herself. "Now I have all the power I need. Equestria is mine!" She smirked evilly at her former friends. "And this time, there's no princess to save you!"
Twilight watched in mounting horror as whatever Sunset had become fired a beam of magic at the Rainbooms, who just barely jumped out of the way, even as her now empty pendant landed before her.
Author's Note
Just an idea I had after seeing the artwork done by PrincessCreation345. I regret nothing that happens in this story. That's why it's an Alternate Universe after all. This is Solar Eclipse by the way.
Cosmos sighed, pinching her nose. "Not again. It was hard enough to hide the last time this happened."
Twilight blinked. "Wait. What do you mean last time? This has happened before?"
Cosmos nodded. "Oh yes. Assuming we all are here when this is over, ask your friends from Canterlot High. They can tell you all about it." She turned her gaze to the Crystal Prep team, who flinched under her glare. "Had you listened to these incompetent fools, you would have become something like this."
Twilight gulped. She did not want to think about that. "They're not my friends. Why would they be?" She sniffed. "No matter how nice they've been to me. No matter how much I want it. I'm the enemy."
Cosmos smiled, lifting the girl's head. "Twilight. Do you really think they are that shallow? Would they have been so nice to you if they did not care?"
Solar cackled as she floated above them. "Save the waterworks, you old nag. I have a world to conquer!" She smirked, channeling all of her power into her hands. "And if I have to destroy this one to get it? So be it!"
To the horror of all watching, Solar fired into the ground, ripping a hole between dimensions. On the other side, everyone could see what looked like... Pastel-colored ponies? And different kinds as well. All of them watched the hole in the sky with mounting terror, unable to understand what was going on.
"What the heck is that place?" Applejack yelled as the hole began to expand, swallowing up more and more of the courtyard. As it did so, some people could get out of the way fast enough, and if not for the help of Canterlot High's students, would have fallen through to who knew what fate.
"That, Applejack, is Equestria. The world on the other side of the portal," Cosmos growled, rubbing her forehead. "Just perfect. This is not what I needed today." She looked down at Twilight's pendant. before picking it up and handing it back to her. "But there is one way to save everyone."
Twilight backed up in horror, sensing what the super meant. "I can't. Look what this stupid thing's done already! If Sunset can't handle all of it, what makes you think I can? I don't know a darn thing about magic."
Cosmos smiled gently. "And that's why you are worthy. You didn't collect the magic for your selfish ends or a lust for power. But because you wanted to understand it. There are those who would help you, those that will stand beside you." Her smile grew. "The question is. Do you trust them?"
Twilight's head bowed, as she looked at five certain girls. Girls who in her heart were already her friends. "How do you know all of this? Who are you?"
Cosmos chuckled. "I am many things, Twilight Sparkle. And what I know could fill all of the libraries of the world, and still only scratch the surface. Right now? I am your friend. And you have many more. All you have to do is to take that first step, and you will discover something far more wonderful than anything you could have ever imagined."
Twilight found that hard to believe, but the sincerity in Cosmos' voice and her smile said that everything would be alright, even as she looked back to the new portal. Even the Shadowbolts were now helping to save as many people as they could.
It was all she could take as ran forward and stood her ground before the she-demon. "Sunset. You have to stop! Look what you're doing!"
Solar cackled. "Stop? In my moment of triumph. I think you overestimate your chances." She sneered. "And why do you suddenly care, Sparkle? You were going to do the same thing I am. Unlike you, though, I won't be stopped by some sniveling teenager!"
Twilight winced but stood her ground nonetheless. "You're right. But you showed that there was a better way. Let me do the same for you. Please."
Solar's sneer grew. "You? Hah! Don't make me laugh. What do you think you can do that the princess couldn't? You're a bug under my foot to be squashed!"
Twilight filed the princess bit away for further investigation, but sighed. "Not by myself. But I'm not alone." She smiled as she looked over at the Rainbooms. "Ever since I came to Canterlot High, you've all been nothing but welcoming, kind, and friendly." She teared up a bit, and even the girls couldn't help but do the same. "Maybe I'm not who you thought I was. You showed me that there is more to life than studying. You showed me the real magic."
Holding up her pendant, Twilight could only pray this worked. "The magic of friendship!"
As one, the Rainbooms began to glow, their magic overflowing in a way they couldn't explain. Looking at each other, they smirked, and let all of their magic flow, directing it toward Twilight in a rainbow of colors.
Twilight giggled as she felt the magic begin to flow into her. It was so warm and comforting, nothing like it had been before. This was what real magic felt like, what friendship felt like. She felt memories she had all but forgotten surface. Friends she had shut out long ago. She swore to make amends.
Finally, the device couldn't hold anymore, and cut off the flow of magic, leaving the Rainbooms gasping for a moment, but hoping that Twilight knew what she was doing.
Knowing not what else to do, Twilight let go of her device. It floated down, hovering for a moment before settling to the ground. As it did, the lid popped open once more and a ball of magic floated out of it. Within seconds, magic began flowing up and around Twilight. lifting her off the ground, but she felt no fear as she did so. Feeling cheeky, she flicked off her glasses and let her hair down.
"Ooooh! She really means business now!" Pinkie squeed, earning glares from her friends.
Twilight giggled at the feelings she was experiencing, like nothing she could have ever imagined. She closed her eyes as the magic took her within itself, letting it flow freely into her.
Everyone watched in awe as Twilight began to change. Her clothes became almost angelic, ethereal wings sprouted from her shoulders, a horn of pure magic sprouted from her forehead, and her glasses vanished, being replaced by magical fire in the shape of her glasses.
When Twilight had absorbed the last of the magic, and the glow around her faded, she opened her eyes and looked at herself in shock and amazement. "Is... Is this what the magic of friendship feels like?"
Solar snarled, charging up her magic. "No. This is what losing feels like you little twerp!" Before she fired a fully charged blast of magic at her.
Twilight only just had time to eep! and throw her hands up in an attempt to block the beam as it engulfed her.
Everyone could only watch in horror as Twilight was completely engulfed by the beam. "Twilight!"
Author's Note
Just to answer something FriendshipIsStillMagic asked. No. That is not the same Cosmos as from the IDW comics. She is my own character, and far more than she appears. I needed someone to step and put an end to what Crystal Prep wanted to do.
Sunset did it for Twilight of course.
After a moment, Solar cut off the beam, leaving Twilight enveloped in a fog of magic with a sneer. "What a pathetic joke. All that talk about friendship is magic, and she can't even take a hit! I'm almost insulted."
Her cackle only lasted a second longer as the smoke parted to show... "WHAT?! How are you still alive? That should've vaporized you!" Solar roared, as everyone else looked on in shock at what was revealed.
Twilight blinked as she looked herself over. How did she survive that? She hadn't felt a thing. There wasn't even a scratch or blemish on her. In fact, she felt terrific. Even better than before in fact. Her magic had skyrocketed to levels she could never have imagined.
Part of her wanted more, to rip all of the magic from Solar and take it all for herself. It would have been so easy to do as well. Who was going to stop her? Twilight quickly punched that stupid part of herself as hard as she could. No. She was better than that, as she shook her head. "I have no idea."
Even the Rainbooms were stumped. While they were glad that Twilight was alright, this didn't make any sense, even to Pinkie Pie.
Twilight looked around, her worry growing as she saw that the portals were getting bigger and bigger. Now the ponies in Equestria were beginning to panic, and were those copies of her friends she saw? Or was she finally beginning to lose her mind?
Shaking her head, Twilight closed her eyes. She had bigger things to worry about, but what could she do? Magic was a foreign concept to her. As if sensing her thoughts, the star around her neck glowed softly and rhythmically. Looking down, Twilight could almost feel it telling her what she needed, and how to do it.
Closing her eyes, she focused all of her magic into her hands and aimed them at the nearest portals. As she did, a beam of magic shot forth, and as they struck each portal, they closed them, leaving no sign they had ever been there. Smiling as she opened her eyes, Twilight moved her hands across each one.
Students and staff were quick to get out of the way if the beams came their way, not keen on seeing what they might do to them. Especially for those who had mistreated Twilight before now, not knowing if she might take that out on them, now that she had the power to do so.
Solar looked on with mounting furry. "You little bitch! Now, look what you've done!"
Twilight winced as the final portal closed. "Look at what you're doing, Sunset. This isn't you."
Solar growled. "Don't you dare lecture me on who and who I'm not, Sparkle! You don't know me at all. Stop acting like you do. I will have what's rightfully mine. If I have to eviscerate everyone here to do it? All the better."
Twilight's heart fell. Sunset meant every word as well. She could feel it. Before she could say more, however, Solar charged another blast of magic, before aiming directly for her head. Throwing up her hands once more, to her horror, Twilight felt herself being pushed back and back, the magic overwhelming her.
Solar sneered. "See? Unlike you, I can have everything I ever wanted. And I don't care what I have to do to get it!" pushing all of her magic into the blast.
Twilight closed her eyes in pain, her arms bending under the pressure of the magic blast she was trying to hold back. Tears began to fall as she wilted under the blast, her concentration breaking under the strain. Was this how it ended? "Girls. I'm so sorry," she sniffed, throwing everything she had into her defense. But it still wasn't enough.
"Twilight!'
A new voice broke into her thoughts, making her eyes open in shock as she looked down to see. "Spike?"
Her best friend was looking at her with worry. "Come on, Twilight. You can't lose to this over-hyped chick. You're way better than she'll ever be," he smirked.
Solar snarled. "Shut it, you stupid mutt! You're next now."
Twilight frowned. Oh, that was it. Talk about her all you wanted. But no one talked about Spike like that and got away with it! To her surprise, though, she felt the attack on her weaken and falter, as if Sunset was having second thoughts. It was all she needed. Focusing all of her magic into one attack, Twilight began to push back with all of her might.
Solar's eyes widened in horror. No. Not again, as she pored even more of magic into keeping Twilight's attack at bay, but it was no use as she wilted under the assault, before finally breaking as she and Twilight were engulfed in a shaft of light. "Noooo!"
The others watched on, worried about their friends and what this might mean. Only Cosmos seemed unfazed, a knowing smile on her lips.
When they could see again, Twilight and Solar were alone, surrounded by light. Twilight was worried now as she looked at the demon. "This isn't the way, Sunset! I know you feel powerful right now like you can have everything you want! I've been where you are, I've made the same mistake you're making!"
Solar winced, her former confidence seemingly having evaporated. "Why do you care so much, Twilight? Equestria has done nothing but bad things for this world. It's not your home."
Twilight nodded. "I know, but it doesn't matter. It's your home. Home to who knows how many ponies and other creatures. Do you want them to suffer for something only one of them did? What would Princess Celestia say?" Her smile softened. "What would Princess Twilight say if they could be here?"
Solar recoiled as if punched in the gut. "How can you say all this? You're not her," she sniffed.
Twilight nodded. "No, I'm not. And I won't pretend I am. And she wouldn't want me to be somepony I'm not. She would want me to be myself." She shook her head. "I know one thing, though. Even with all that magic and power, you'll still be alone! True magic comes from honesty! Loyalty! Laughter! Generosity! Kindness! Do you really want that?"
Solar watched as Twilight extended a hand, a pleading look on her face. This could not be happening, could it?
Twilight's smile widened hopefully. "Take my hand, Sunset. Let me show you there's another way."
For a moment, Solar hesitated, remembering another scene just like this, what felt like a lifetime ago now. And again, she felt herself drawn to that hand. No matter what world they came from, Twilight Sparkle had that affect on her, as she finally let her tears fall, and took Twilight's hand, letting go of her hate and anger.
Twilight giggled, as her magic flared, closing her eyes as it became too bright to look at as they returned to the ground. When they opened them again, they had returned to their normal forms. Only the star of magic around Twilight's neck was new.
Sunset shook her head sadly, clasping Twilight's hands tightly. "I am so sorry, Twilight. I never wanted any of this to happen." She sighed. "You'd think I would've learned my lesson after the last time this happened."
Twilight chuckled. "I know. But this time, it wasn't all your fault. I think your friends will forgive you."
Sunset smiled a little as Spike hopped into Twilight's arms, licking her face happily, earning a giggle from the teen.
Cinch finally found her voice as she and the other staff walked over. "Principal Celestia, on behalf of Crystal Prep, I demand that you forfeit the Friendship Games! Clearly, CHS has had unfair advantage for quite some time! And it's certainly obvious that your students have been using magic for their own benefit!"
Celestia shook her head. "I'd like to think that saving the world benefits us all."
"At least they didn't manipulate Twilight into releasing all the stolen magic and turning Sunset into a power-crazed magical creature that tried to rip the world apart just to win a game," Sugarcoat added.
"Wow! That's a lot to take in when you say it all at once," Pinkie giggled.
"That's ridiculous!" Cinch seethed.
Cosmos smirked. "Oh, I don't know, Abacus. That is what it looked like to me."
Cinch bit back an angry retort. If there was one thing she knew, you never angered Cosmos and came out in one piece. Even Akihiko Everfree, known as someone who was dangerous when he was mad, never angered her.
"Actually, we're all to blame," Sour Sweet added. "Mostly it was her," she quickly added sourly.
Cinch recovered quickly. "Obviously my students have been infected with your magic, but I plan on taking all of this up with the school board no matter what, Cosmos!"
Celestia only smirked. "Good. I'm sure they would be very interested in hearing all about the magical students with wings."
"Oh, and the portals to different dimensions," Luna added.
"And don't forget to tell them about the talking dog," Cadance giggled.
"Because that would never ruin your reputation," Spike added smugly, wagging his tail as Cosmos scratched his chin.
Cosmos' smile grew as she looked back at the principal. "Your choice, Abacus. Leave now with your dignity intact, or look like a lunatic at the next board meeting. I'm sure that will go over so well."
Cinch looked back and forth, seeing no one was on her side on this. Not even Crystal Prep. Seething, she turned on her heels and stormed off in a huff.
Cosmos smiled as she looked at the assembled schools. "Well, I know these Friendship Games haven't been what any of us expected, but given what we've all just been through, I think it's fair to declare us all winners."
Everyone was more than happy to get behind that as they all cheered.
"... And that's when you came through, sugarcube," Applejack finished, as the newly expanded Rainbooms and Princess Twilight sat around the still smashed Wondercolt statue.
Twilight's head was spinning from everything she had just been told. Of everything that had happened during the Friendship Games and since. That was on top of the shock of meeting her counterpart, who was still eying her while trying to keep her own head from spinning.
It was a losing battle for both of them.
Sunset nodded glumly. "Not my best day, that's for sure. At least this time, the students were a lot faster to forgive me. Kinda hard to blame everything on me when basically the whole school saw the magic overtaking me."
Twilight nodded. That was a relief at least, as she looked at her counterpart's necklace. It could not be a coincidence that it was an almost exact copy of the Element of Magic. But what could it mean now? Where were the other Elements of Harmony if this meant what she was beginning to think it did?
Twi (as Pinkie Pie had begun to call her, much to her annoyance), sighed as she looked down at it. "I still do not know what I'm supposed to do with this. It feels right that I have it, and there is still so much magic in it. I can feel it. Even though I gave all of the magic back as soon as I could."
Sunset nodded in sympathy. "We've been trying to help her with learning her magic. But there's only so much we can do in this world."
Twilight nodded, unsurprised as she tapped her chin. "Well. The proper thing to do would be to teach you in Equestria. But so much is going on now. It's gotten so bad that Kohaku's sister has stepped in and is directly overseeing the cleanup. She rarely ever does that. Even after Discord's return."
Twi blinked. That was unexpected. "Which one? He has four of them."
Now it was Twilight's turn to blink in surprise. "Um. His eldest, Kazumi Stormbringer. It takes something exceptional for her to step in and overrule Princess Celestia and Princess Luna as she has."
Rarity tapped her chin. "But darling. I thought Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled Equestria. Or has something changed since we last saw you?"
Sunset nodded. "They do. But they're not the real rulers. Above them is Kazumi as Shogun, and her sisters are the Daimyos of various parts of Equestria. And above them are their parents as emperor and empress. Most ponies never meet them though, and you better be damn sure it's important if you go over the princess's heads to the Shogun. Let alone all the way to the top."
Rainbow rolled her eyes with a groan. "What is this, Japan with ponies or something?"
Twilight and Sunset both shrugged helplessly. "I have actually met Kohaku's whole family. I have never been more scared in my entire life. Especially with what they were asking of me," Twilight shivered at the memory. "But they were also incredibly polite and kind. I have never felt as much love and compassion as I did from his mother. Only Princess Celestia comes close. I must have done something big because they asked me to be his teacher. And as much of a headache I constantly get from both him and Pearl, I wouldn't change it for the world."
Twi giggled, remembering the same from interacting with them in this world for so many years. "That does sound like them." She blinked as it finally clicked. "Wait. Pearl? As in his best friend, Pearl Rose?"
Twilight was taken aback by the question but nodded all the same. "Yes. They're both of my students and have been for several years now. How do you know them though?"
Twi smiled sheepishly as everyone turned and gave her the same questioning look. "Yeah. How do you know them?" Pinkie asked. "You seemed very familiar with them when they came into the Sweet Shop yesterday! So spill, Twi!"
Twi twirled her hair with a chuckle. "We grew up together. Heck. They were my first friends. We used to play and do everything together." She sighed. "And once I started at Crystal Prep, it all seemed to fall apart. I spent so much time focused on studying that I cut them out entirely. I've been trying to make up for it ever since the Friendship Games."
Twilight smiled. It sounded so much like her and her Canterlot friends. Another strange coincidence. Or was it? So much sounded familiar to her. Same but different as many would say. Interesting.
Fluttershy, though, looked at the portal with worry. "Um. Should we be worried someone comes after you then? Kohaku comes into the shelter every now and then, or one of his sisters does. They're always super nice and polite, but also still scary at the same time."
Twilight shook her head. "Unless something goes catastrophically wrong? No. Equestria would need to be literally disintegrating around them for someone to come get me." She giggled. "It's Pearl I'm most concerned about. I've had to make her Pinkie Promise not to follow me. And then I had to ask Kohaku to hold her down on top of that."
Pinkie squeed. Having met their counterparts, and very much liking them both, she could totally see that and more.
Twi sighed, fingering her necklace. "So what am I supposed to do with this then? I wouldn't have it without a reason I feel. New to magic as I am, even I can understand that."
Twilight could only shrug helplessly. "I am not sure. Magic in this world is still a new and strange concept to me. For now? I would advise you not to use it every chance you got." She smiled around at their friends, who smiled as well. "You have friends now. They'll be more than happy to help you. And you have friends in high places it sounds like as well. Don't abuse that. If there is one thing that I have learned from being a princess, is that while we may have powers, we shouldn't abuse them every chance we get."
Sunset nodded, placing a hand on Twi's shoulder. "And take it from me. Having this kind of power will go to your head. I saw it for a split second during our battle in your eyes. You wanted it all and more, but you were stronger than most and punched that feeling in the face. Remember that feeling."
Twi smiled as she looked around, finally allowing herself to relax for the first time since before the Friendship Games it felt like. She would remember that. That was a Pinkie Promise.
