My Little Pony: Dark Star

by rdlover777

Rating: teen
Tags: Profanity, Violence, Alternate Universe, Human, Opaline, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Pipp Petals, My Little Pony: A New Generation, Thriller, Adventure, Mane 5, Sex
Length: 99523

Sometimes, things happen for a reason

Co-Written by 'CPL, Colourfulpony' of the Manechat discord server

THIS WAS PLANNED AND PARTLY WRITTEN BEFORE CHAPTER 4 OF MAKE YOUR MARK!

A year after Unity was restored among ponykind, Sunny and her friends finally defeated Opaline Arcana.
Who is this she that Opaline refers to? And what's a human, and why do they want to go to the Crystal Empire?

15/03/2023: Violence tag added due to references of torture and blood.

03/04/2023: Sex tag added due to references of sex in the most recent chapter (Chapter 19).

Published 2023-01-23 07:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2025-02-03 13:02:37 UTC

Chapter #3: Getting To Know You.

Chapter Three.
Getting To Know You.

"Do you know how you got here?" Pipp calmly asked, passing a cup of hot cocoa to David. The duo sitting opposite each other in the staffroom, the 'human' as he called himself was covering himself with all the blankets Pipp could find as all his clothes had to be dried due to him being out in the rain for so long.

"To be perfectly honest, Princess. I don't even know myself. One minute I'm out driving on the ice, the next minute, I'm nearly crashing head-on into a tree in the middle of a field." The man replied, the cup shaking in his hand as he took a mouthful, "Thank you..." He added, placing the cup down on the table, "Do you know how long Hitch will be? I want to try and get home if you don't mind. My wife will be worried sick." He continued, looking directly into Pipp's green eyes.

"I'm sorry Mr..."

"Wyne. David Wyne."

"Mr Wyne, but until Hitch gets back here with Sunny, I can't let you go out and besides, your clothes aren't even dry yet." Pipp replied, looking back into his blue eyes, "While we wait, tell me about your wife." She added, placing down her cup.

"Where do I begin? She's one of the sweetest, most caring ponies I know. She always knows how to brighten your day when you're down." David replied, looking down, "To be honest, I would move heaven and earth for her." He smiled, before frowning. "To tell you the truth, me and her got into a bit of a fight before I ended up here. That's why I want to get home. To let her know that I'm sorry." He looked down and sighed.

"Do you have a picture of her?" Pipp asked, looking over at the human's phone that sat between them, She pushed it towards him as he nodded. David picked up the phone and scrolled through the photo gallery before landing on the perfect picture. He turned the phone towards Pipp and moved it towards her face.

"May I?" She asked, placing the phone into her hoof. Her eyes studied the photograph. There were two Pegasi in the frame, both of nearly the same colouring, one had icy blue eyes, while the other had the same eyes as the human sitting before her, "Not to sound like an idiot, but which one is your wife?" She looked up at him, an eyebrow raised in confusion.

He took the phone back and pointed at each pony. "That one." He pointed to the one with icy blue eyes, "She's my wife." He then pointed to the other Pegasi, "And that's our daughter." He smiled, looking back at the photo before placing the phone back down.

"What are their names?" Pipp mused, watching as the phone screen went black.

"My wife is named... Harmony Light and our daughter's name Lillian Rose." He replied, a white lie he thought to himself, but he was for the protection of his family. After all, he is talking to the pony who had attacked him and rendered him unconscious after, who knows what she'd do if he used the real names of his family? Pipp's ear twitched as she heard a bell ringing.

"Oh! That'll be Hitch and the others, excuse me for a moment would you?" Pipp stood up and trotted out of the room.

David looked around the room, it was quite a cosy room despite how small it was. Pipp must have pulled out all the stops when furnishing the room. He looked down at the floor as he heard Pipp's muffled voice returning.

"Here he is." Pipp gestured to the human, "Mr Wyne, this is Sunny Starscout." She added, pointing towards the earth pony mare, "That's Izzy." Gesturing to the tall unicorn who was smiling and waving furiously, "And that's my sister, Zipp." She continued, looking down at the floor as she gestured to the white pegasus who was warning shades.

"Hello, as you've just been told, my name is Sunny Starscout." Sunny smiled warmly, stepping forwards towards David, a journal in hoof as she did so. "If don't mind me asking, could I ask you a few questions?" She added, pulling out a pen from her bag.

"That's Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark." David gestured to the pattern on the flap, Sunny's face lit up with the biggest smile possible.

"You know Twilight Sparkle!" She screamed like a giddy schoolgirl.

"Knew her? I've met her." He replied, Sunny hastily wrote this all down, "To be honest, I don't think she liked me too much." He added, crossing his arms as Sunny continued to write in her journal.

"Ok ok." Sunny breathed in calmly, "Before I run out of pages, let's get these questions out of the way." She sat down where Pipp had been sitting earlier.

"Question one. What's your name?"

"David Jonathan Wyne."

"Question two. Where were you born?"

"Carlisle, United Kingdom."

"Question forty-four." Sunny yawned a little, finally reaching the last question on her list.

"Alright. Enough with the question." David groaned, pushing the journal away from Sunny, "Look, it was nice talking to you. But I would like to get home if you don't mind." He stood up, completely forgetting he was only being covered by blankets. As he stood up, the blankets fell to the floor. Hitch covered his own and Izzy's eyes, Sunny hid her face in the journal and Pipp rubbed the bridge of her nose in annoyance.

"Nice..." Zipp grinned, her wings flaring out as she did so. The others looked at her in disgust, "What?" Zipp added, before noticing her wings, "Oh! I did not mean it like that!" She shouted, her face now red with embarrassment.

"Sure you didn't." Pipp smiled smugly, tossing a bag towards the human, "Here, they're dry." She added as he opened the bag, pulling out what he called 'pants'.

As David proceeded to put his clothes on, Sunny noticed that both of his 'feet' as he called them didn't seem to match. She calmly stepped forward and pointed at the left one.

"If I may ask, why doesn't your left foot match?" She tilted her head, he froze in place in response to the very personal question.

"If you must know, I lost that foot in an accident years ago. What you're looking at is a prosthesis. It doesn't function like a real foot." He lifted his leg, gesturing to the metal foot as it limply hung down, "But it gets the job done." He added, pulling his shirt down.

"Can I paint it?"

"What?" David looked up to see who spoke.

"Can I paint it?" They spoke up again, he looked over to see it was the unicorn, Izzy speaking.

"Why would you even want to paint it?" David asked, tossing the now empty bag back over to Pipp.

"Because it's all grey and boring." Izzy replied, her tail wiggling happily like a dog.

"That's the point, it's meant to be functional, not pretty." He looked at the unicorn as her eyes sparkled, clearly thinking of what she'd be painting on the foot.

"Still, can I paint it?"

"The answer's no."

"Aww..."

"So..." Pipp stepped forward, "Where is your home anyway?" She asked as the small group turned to leave the staffroom.

"The Crystal Empire." David said bluntly. The others froze in place, Sunny pulled out her journal and flicked through all the pages in panic, David stopped and turned around, "Why?"

"Um... That's not possible." Sunny gulped.

"And why's that?" David raised an eyebrow.

"Because..." Sunny looked down at her journal, "How do I say this..."

"The Crystal Empire has been gone for thousands of years!" Izzy blurted out.

"What." David looked down at Sunny as she rapidly flicked through the pages of her journal for a second time, "No, you're mistaken, I was just there hours ago!" He shouted, Izzy jumped behind Zipp in fright.

"Hey! Calm down." Sunny spoke calmly, "Look, I know this might hurt, but it's sadly true. The Crystal Empire disappeared when the magic disappeared. According to my father's research, that happened just over two thousand years ago."

"What year is it?"

"What?" Sunny tilted her head, "Why would you want to know the year?"

"What year is it?!"

"It's the year 2021 AMD" Sunny said calmly, trying her best to defuse the situation.

"2021 AMD? What the hell does AMD even mean?" David pinched the bridge of his nose.

"After Magic Disappeared?" Sunny gently tapped her hooves together, smiling nervously.

"So." David began. "You're telling me that everyone and everything I loved died two thousand years ago?"

"Yes?" A bead of sweat trickled down Sunny's face. David quickly stormed away, "Hey! Where are you going?!" She shouted, running after the human.

"I need some air." He said, throwing the doors open and stepping out in the fresh morning air. As he looked around the town, ponies stopped and stared at him. He calmly waved. A yellow earth pony mare began to scream, causing the others to scream and run away in panic. In a blind panic, he took off running down the side alley.

End of Chapter Three.

Chapter #4: The Nomad

Chapter Four.
The Nomad.

"Split up! We need to find him before he hurts himself or anypony else!" Sunny ordered, throwing open the doors of Mane Melody, "Hitch! Try and calm everypony down!" She added.

"On it!" Hitch replied, racing towards the Sheriff's office.

"Zipp! Eyes in the sky!"

"On it Sunny!" Zipp took off into the air.

"Izzy! You take the west end of town, I'll take the east end!"

"Aye aye Sunny!" The unicorn galloped away.

"And Pipp, stay here in case he comes back!" Sunny took off down the street, dodging the screaming ponies.

"Why do I have to stay here?!" Pipp shouted, her voice falling on deaf ears, "Urgh!" She screamed, wings flaring out in frustration. She pulled out her phone and proceeded to scroll through Canternet as Hitch returned with a megaphone.

"Aren't you gonna help Pipp?" Hitch asked, slightly out of breath.

"Can't. Sunny told me to stay here in case he comes back. So that is what I'm gonna do." She said bluntly, eyes glued onto her phone screen as she played a matching game. Hitch shrugged and ran off down the street, yelling into the megaphone, telling the scared townsfolk to remain calm.

Pipp's face lit up, her phone screen flashing the words 'NEW HIGH SCORE!" As she continued playing her matching game. A message popped up on her screen. It was from Sunny in the group chat.

"Found him yet?" She asked.

"Nope." Izzy's chatbox said.

"Nothing so far." Zipp responded.

"So far, no sign of him." Pipp taped out a quick reply before closing the messaging app. She let out a deep sigh and quickly looked around. Hitch's use of the megaphone had worked a charm, while they were still on edge, the townsfolk had gone back to business.

Pipp slowly lowered her rump down onto the ground and hummed to herself as she sat in deep thought, and then an idea struck her. "I wonder..." Quickly rising to her hooves, she took off into a sprint up the alley.

Pipp skidded to a stop by the trash cans where she first encountered the now-missing human. Looking down, she spotted some dried blood, clearly from where the human had fallen after she had hit him. She looked over at her broken umbrella, still laying where she had thrown it. Her ears twitched as she heard a sound coming from behind what she assumed to be crates covered with sheeting.

"Is that..." She listened closer, "Crying?" She added, slowly and quietly stepping towards the sound. She poked her head around the corner, spotting the human sitting on the ground, back against the wall.

"Oh! There you are!" She smiled with genuine relief, "We've been looking all over for you." She trotted over in front of him.

"Oh... It's you, Princess. Leave me alone." He replied, briefly looking up at the pink pegasus before returning his gaze to his knees.

"Not gonna happen. I'm Pipp Petals, friends to all. And you, Mr Wyne, you need a friend more than anything right now." She trotted over and sat down next to David. She looked at him, her face becoming more serious, "I know what it's like to lose a family." She spoke softly, exhaling deeply as bad memories entered her mind just at the thought of them.

"Is that meant to make me feel better, Princess?" David said bluntly.

"Please. Don't call me Princess." Pipp grumbled, rolling her eyes.

"But, you are a Princess." He looked up at her.

"I'm A Princess, not THE Princess. That honour goes to Zipp. She's the firstborn and the heir." She turned to face him, "And I'm just the spare." Her lips pouted, "Anyway, my point being is that you don't need to grieve on your own." She smiled, placing a hoof on his knee.

"If it's not too personal. Who did you lose?" David replied, wiping his eyes.

"My father." Pipp looked down, "It started as a simple cough, but it got worse to the point where he was bedridden. Then one night, he passed away." She paused as she felt David place his hand on her back, gently patting her, "So, believe me when I say I know the feeling. Might not be the same pain as losing your wife and child to time, but it's still pain." She leant over, resting her head on his shoulder.

"What was his name?" David asked the mare, she looked up.

"King Zephyr. We renamed the city after him when he passed away. I was only 6 when he died, so I don't have many memories of him." She sighed, "Now if it's not too personal, I'd like to know about your foot. You said it was lost in an accident, but how exactly?" She pointed to David's left foot.

"It was simply a car crash, the foot was too badly damaged to be saved." He replied, leaning forwards and pulling up the pant leg. He ran his leg over the metal plating that held the foot onto his leg just above where the ankle should be. Without much thought, he pulled the locking pin out, detaching the foot and passing it over the Pipp.

"Take a closer look if you want. As I told Sunny and that Unicorn."

"Izzy." Pipp corrected, gently turning the foot around.

"As I told Izzy, it's not the most advanced thing, but it gets the job done." He looked at the mare as she inspected the artificial limb.

"What's a car?" She tilted her head as she passed the foot back to David.

"Think of it as a..." He looked down the alley as he saw a tram pass by, "Think of it as like that tram over there, but not restricted to the rails, a car can go down any road it can legally fit on." He looked at Pipp, the mare nodding with a smile as he reattached the foot, "I was even driving a car when I ended up here, I had to hide it for now since even ponies in my time didn't like the concept of a car."

"Where did you hide it? If you're ok with telling me." Pipp smiled, David nodded and rose to his feet.

"It's right here." He replied, walking over to the sheeted object and lifting the corner, revealing a pair of headlights. Pipp's eyes widened as he pulled the sheet off completely.

"Wow!" She shouted, wide-eyed, David ran his fingers over the shiny paintwork.

"Yeah, she is something." David bluntly spoke, opening up the side of the car and sitting inside, Pipp trotted over and peeked inside.

"Nice decor, but could honestly do with a bit more colour if I say so myself." She smiled, pulling her head back out as David stepped out, closing what Pipp logically concluded to be the door.

"Hey... Pipp." David spoke, looking down at the mare as he sat down on the front of the car.

"Yes?" She replied, jumping up onto the front, sitting down also.

"What's it like, leaving without magic as a Pegasus? It must be hard not being able to fly." He looked up at the sky as seagulls flew overhead.

"Well, it wasn't fun. But that doesn't matter anymore! My friends and I brought the magic back!" She smiled proudly.

"Wait. Magic came back?" He looked over at her, she nodded her head rapidly, "That means... There's a chance." He muttered under his breath.

"Oh, hey!" They both heard, looking over towards the source of the voice, they saw Sunny standing at the end of the alleyway, the orange earth pony quickly ran towards them, "There you both are!" Sunny quickly pulled out her phone, "Zipp, Izzy found them both!" Sunny spoke the phone before placing it back in her bag as Zipp landed in front of Pipp and Izzy ran in from the other alley.

"Pipp! Sunny told you to stay put!" Zipp shouted. her wings flaring out in anger.

"Well excuse me! At least I found him. You were flying above, how did you not see him?! Pipp shouted back, pushing her face into Zipps, both noses touching.

"Are they always like this?" David asked Izzy. The Unicorn shook her head.

"I've never seen them be at each other's throats like this before." Izzy winced as Zipp shouted louder.

"Enough! Both of you!" Sunny shouted, pushing herself in between Pipp and Zipp. "What's important now is that we've found the human safe and sound." Sunny swatted her mane from her eye.

"Right. Before you both end up killing each other." Sunny spoke sharply, "We need to figure out what to do with him." Sunny gestured to David, "Like, he's going to need somewhere to live." The earth pony mare added, "Anypony got any ideas."

"He could always live with us at the Brighthouse." Izzy answered, booping her nose in the process.

"Yeah, not gonna happen." Zipp rebutted, "There's not enough space in our sleeping quarters to fit another bed in, especially a bed big enough to fit him."

"He can live above Mane Melody." Pipp stepped in.

"Why would you even suggest that?" Zipp turned to face her little sister.

"Well, for one thing, Mane Melody has an entire upstairs apartment that's not being used." Pipp looked at David, "What do you say?" She added, he shrugged.

"Better than nothing."

"Well, it's settled then." Sunny smiled, looking up at David, "Come on. Let's go find Hitch, he'll be able to help you get settled.

End of Chapter Four.

Chapter #5: The Call of Adventure

Chapter Five.
The Call of Adventure.

Nighttime fell upon Maretime Bay, the once busy streets were now abandoned as the townsfolk had all gone home for the day. This left Pipp and David alone by the waterfront.

"Thank you for giving me a tour of this town." David smiled, arms resting on the railing as he looked out to the water as the moon began to rise.

"No problem, I'm glad you enjoyed your personalised Princess Pipp Petals tour of Maretime Bay." Pipp giggled, the cool evening breeze blowing through her feathers. She yawned, "It's getting pretty late, I best be getting you to Mane Melody." She smiled warmly.

"Pipp, can I ask you something?" He asked as he followed her towards Mane Melody, placing his hands into his coat pockets.

"Sure thing, what do you want to ask?" She looked up at him, the breeze blowing through her mane.

"Where could I get some fuel?" He replied, looking down at her.

"Fuel?" She tilted her head in confusion.

"For my car. Its tank is pretty low." He continued.

"Hmm, the only place I know where you might get some is Canterlogic, but it's closed for the night, why?" She came to a halt, tugging at his arm.

"Because, you said magic is back, and as Sunny said, the Crystal Empire disappeared when the magic did. So I was thinking that with the magic back, the Empire might have come back too." He knelt at her eye level.

"You're leaving already?" Her ears fell flat against her head as she sat down.

"Well, I at least have a chance to go home, and I want to use that chance." He cupped her ear, gently stroking it, "And even if it didn't return, at least I did try."

"That makes sense I suppose. But you'll have to wait until morning." Pipp sighed, "I'll ask Phyllis first thing tomorrow about the fuel, but I can't promise anything, ok?" She added, rising to her hooves and stepping towards Mane Melody.

"Ok then." David shrugged as Pipp opened the door that led to the upstairs apartment.

She followed him up the stairs, "It's not much, but it should be cosy enough for the time being, at least until we can get a bed big enough for you." She gestured to the pile of pillows on the floor.

"It's fine Pipp, thank you." He patted her head as he took his shoes off and flopped down on the pillow pile, "You know, you're welcome to join me." He smiled.

"W-what?" She stuttered, face turning a shade of red.

"Joining me when I go to the Crystal Empire." He added, placing his arms behind his head, looking up at the ceiling.

"You want me to join you? Why not Sunny?" Pipp flustered.

"Sunny's ok I suppose, but she seems more interested in asking me about Equestria's past than anything. Besides, you're the only pony I've met here that seems to respect me, no offence to your friends and your sister." David continued as Pipp trotted over to the door, a smile filling her face. She let out a second yawn.

"Ok ya big lug. I'll be here tomorrow bright and early. Night." She cooed, slowly closing the door.

"Night..." David replied, still looking up at the ceiling as the sound of Pipp's hoofsteps faded away.

David lay awake, still staring up at the ceiling, he looked over at the small clock Pipp had left him.

"2 am... Really?" He said to himself, pushing himself off of the floor. "This can't wait until morning..." His voice echoed through the empty room, "If I'm going to get home, I need that fuel now. I might need a trailer though, I don't even know how far away this town is from the Empire." He thought to himself as he got his shoes on.

He grabbed his phone off the floor, walked over to the door and descended the stairs. He threw open the outside door, unknowingly setting off the alarm. David pulled the sheeting off of the car, opened the door and climbed. He turned the ignition, and the car roared to life. Dashboard instruments flickered on as he slowly drove the car out of the alleyway and down the waterfront. "Canterlogic, here I come." He spoke to himself as the car crept along.

The buzzing of her phone awoke Pipp from her slumber. Letting out a yawn as she pulled off her sleeping mask, "Wha..." Sleepily, she grabbed her phone and looked at the screen, "The Mane Melody alarm's been set off?!" She thought to herself as the app loaded, her eyes widened as camera footage from the alleyway showed the door left open, banging in the wind.

Pipp shot out of bed and flew down the stairs at rapid speed, "David, what are you doing?" She asked herself as she raced out of the Brighthouse.

David sat at the bottom of the hill that led up to Canterlogic. The car's engine sat idle as he went over the plan in his head.

"So, I crash through the gates, make my way to the backlot, find a fuel trailer and the fuel, load up the tank and the trailer and then get out of there." His hands held tense on the steering wheel, "Should be simple enough." He chuckled nervously. "Here goes nothing." Shifting gears, the engine revved twice.

As if an invisible starting gun was fired, David slammed his foot on the peddle. The car screeched as its tyres gained traction, David lurched back as the vehicle quickly picked up speed. The engine roared like a tiger as it sped up the hill, briefly leaving the ground as it crested the slope, slamming through the gates. Alarms blared as David sped past the main factory building, looking for the loading docks.

"What the?!" The security shouted as the car raced past the security booth. The stallion grabbed his radio, "Perimeter breach!" He screamed into the device.

"Bingo!" David shouted, the headlights illuminating a small fuel trailer park on the far side of the backlot. Pulling on the handbrake, the car skidded around, its rear end now facing the front of the trailer. David threw the car into reverse, backing up to the trailer. He quickly hopped out of the vehicle, coupling the trailer to the trailer Hitch. "Bioethanol. It'll have to do." He spoke to himself as he read the sign on the side of the trailer. As he turned to jump back into the car, David noticed a chain running from the trailer to a wall, "Shit..." He groaned as he heard the sounds of ponies getting closer. "No time." He added, jumping back into the car.

Pipp flew towards Mane Melody, the piercing screech of the alarm assaulting her ears as she landed by the open door. She quickly shut off the alarm and ran up the stairs. Pipp threw the lights on, her worst fear was proven right.

"He's gone after the fuel!" She shouted, flying down the stairs and out onto the street, she turned towards Canterlogic.

David threw the car into forward gear, it lurched forward as the chain was pulled tight. Smoke billowed from the tyres as the car yanked on the chain attached to the trailer. With a sudden jerk, the chain snapped. Whipping around like a snake, the chain shattered the rear window as the car pulled away from the backlot, trailer in tow.

Outside the factory, the guards were radioing for more reinforcements. Pipp, standing on the corner at the bottom of the hill, took out her phone and tried to call her friends but to her avail, there was no connection inside the factory. Pipp shouted in frustration. "UGH!" Pipp said as she threw the phone down in a fit of rage.

Meanwhile, back at the Crystal Brighthouse. Sunny, Izzy and Zipp were all fast asleep in their respective beds. Zipp tossed and turned but she could not sleep. "Ugh..." She said as she got up from her bed and gently glided to the balcony of the Brighthouse to not wake Izzy and Sunny. Zipp took out her phone. The time on her phone showed, "2:34 am." She grumbled, resting her chin on the guard railing, ears resting flat against her head.

"Can't sleep either huh?" Zipp turned around to see Misty standing behind her.

"Yeah, guess you can say that." She said as Misty walked to the balcony and admired the stars.

"But that's not why you're here, right..?" Misty said as she looked at Zipp. Zipp sighed before looking at her.

"My younger sister is always taking risks and always ignoring my advice. As an older sis I always want her to be safe but she's always ignoring it and always doing dangerous things on her own. After what happened to our father. I'm not letting that happen to her." Zipp sighed as she looked into the night skies.

"If you don't mind me asking what happened to your dad?" Misty asked. "Well it started as a simple cough but it got worse over time and a few months later he was so sick he can't even get out of bed, my mom was worried and pleaded with the royal doctors for them to do something but they said there was nothing that could be done, soon enough our dad passed away and we held a state funeral for him. After that my mom became queen." Zipp said as she tried to hold back her tears because she missed her dad so much.

Misty placed a hoof on her. "I'm sorry for what happened to him, I'm sure he's in a better place and watching over you and his wife." Misty said.

"Yeah, a part of me likes to think he's up there, smiling down on me & Pipp. She was really young when he passed..." Misty then hugged Zipp.

"You know he's watching down from heaven making sure you, Pipp and his beautiful Haven are well and safe." Misty said as she hugged Zipp. "You know I never met my parents, the only parent I know is Opaline….." Misty said.

"How… Did you end up with Opaline, if you don't mind me asking?" Zipp looked over at Misty, the wind gently blowing through her mane.

"She found me… When I was a filly, it was a freezing cold rainy night so she took me to her palace and gave me a room. She cared for me for all these years. I just never knew why she went down a dark path for power so much…" Misty said. "She was like a mother to me. I just dislike the fact she went down a dark path. I think something corrupted her heart because she kept saying stuff to herself, and I found that extremely weird but I kept it to myself."

"If Sunny's history books are anything to go by, it seems that most alicorns were always lusting after power, like Nightmare Moon, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow-" Zipp counted the list on her feathers.

"Chrysalis wasn't an Alicorn, neither was Cozy Glow for that matter." Misty interrupted.

"Oh, what makes you say that?" Zipp looked at misty in confusion.

"Opaline told me the history of Equestria when I was a filly, it was the only thing that would help me get to sleep, especially when it was stormy outside. And she told me that despite what she looked like, Chrysalis wasn't an Alicorn, and Cozy Glow only briefly became an Alicorn due to the power of this bewitching bell." Misty said.

"Hmm... my research did not say that " Zipp said as she took out her book from under her wings and briefly examined the pages.

Zipp then asked misty. "Also, do you know what Opaline was talking about?" She asked. "Umm... no I don't, I'm afraid it was always stuff relating to ancient Equestria." Misty said, "Opaline never really talks about old Equestria, and even if she does, only to tell me that she was once a Unicorn from some ancient Empire."

"Huh, that's weird because that was over a thousand years ago and I am generally confused about how she lived for so long if she was a unicorn." Zipp said as she flipped through her book.

"Being an Alicorn… It allowed her to live so long. It's a perk of the job, or as she told me, more of a curse. Because she outlived all of her friends and all that grief built up in her." Misty said. "I would definitely be angry and sad at the same time," She added. "Speaking of which... Do you know somepony called Shooting Star? Because I saw a painting of her in one of the disused rooms" Misty asked Zipp.

"Not much, if I'm honest. There are some records of a mare by that name existing in the Zephyr Heights archives. The records are incomplete, but they suggest she was the firstborn of Empress Cadenza Mi Amore of the Crystal Empire… When magic disappeared, she did too..." Zipp said. "Wait, Mi Amore, why does that name ring a bell?" Zipp rubbed her chin perplexed, she flipped through her book, landing on the page about the known Princesses of Equestria.

"Of course! She was the first Empress of the Crystal Empire, loved by her subjects!" Zipp said as she flipped through the pages. "How did I miss that ??" She said again.

"Oh yeah!" Misty's face lit up, "Even Opaline spoke highly of her on the few times she came up when she would tell me about this shadowy unicorn called Sombra!"

"Wait, Sombra as in Emperor Sombra??? He ruled the Crystal Empire for a long time before getting banished by Celestia and Luna but not before putting a spell on the empire causing it to vanish for a long time." Zipp said. "This is amazing stuff! I know more about the ancient Crystal Empire now!" Zipp said as she took out a pen and wrote down notes.

Zipp let out a slight yawn. "Well, imma head to bed now it's like 3 in the morning goodnight, Misty." The white pegasus said before silently gliding back to her bed and falling asleep.

"Goodnight to you too Zipp" Misty said, turning back towards the vast ocean. Her eyes drifted upwards towards the full moon, "So this is what freedom is like?" She mussed to herself, the wind blowing through her cornrowed mane.

Pipp flapped her wings as first as she could, "Wow, this hill is a lot bigger than it looks." She groaned, out of breath and panting heavily. She shut her eyes as something bright began to hit her, "What in the world is-?" She asked herself as shouting could be heard.

"Is that? Pipp?" David asked himself as the pink pegasus became visible in the headlights as the car now rattled down the hill. He slammed down on the horn, turning the wheel to the left in order to avoid hitting Pipp. In what felt like time slowing down, the pair locked eyes with each other as the car narrowly passed Pipp.

David looked back to the road just in time to see the sharp corner, slamming on the brakes, the car's rear end kicked out from under it. The car drifted around the corner sharply, the trailer nearly tipping over as the vehicle came to a screeching hold. Smoke filled the air as thick tyre marks stained the road.

"David! What are you doing!! I told you this place is off-limits! I can't be here you know this is like trespassing! I'll be in trouble if you don't stop!" Pipp said.

Pipp then flew over him in an effort to talk David out of this. "David please stop! This is too dangerous. You knew that area was off-limits! And you just stole something worth a lot of money. If the guard catches you, hell, if they even catch me talking to you, it's the jail for both of us!" Unfortunately for Pipp, the guards saw her and David talking to each other.

"Hey, looks like they're working together?" One guard said. "Yea looks like it!" Another guard said.

"Don't move!" The guard shouted, Pipp turned towards them like a deer in headlights. David slammed his foot down on the throttle, speeding off down the road. One of the guards tackled Pipp to the ground, pulling out a pair of cuffs.

"HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING I'M A PRINCESS!" Pipp shouted.

"Sorry, but your royal title only exists in Zephyr Heights. Here you're a normal civilian." Another guard said, aiming a weapon at her.

"Help me!" Pipp screamed, trying her best to wriggle free from the guard's hold on her, her eyes focused on the tail lights of David's car as they got smaller.

End of Chapter Five.

Author's Note

From this point forward, chapters are being assisted by CPL of the manechat discord server

Chapter #6: Wanted

Chapter Six.
Wanted.

David sped down the road, looking at the wing mirror. His eyes widened in alarm as the guards threw Pipp to the ground. He went to pull on the handbrake but froze.

"Why do I want to save her?" He asked himself, "Well, she did seem to be the only pony here to truly treat you with an ounce of respect." His mind replied, "Oh, what the hell!" He shouted out loud, yanking on the handbrake. The car skidded around 180 degrees, the trailer following suit. Tyres screeching, the front wheels briefly left the ground as David rapidly picked up speed, shifting through gears.

"Is that getting closer?" One guard asked another as the headlights got brighter.

"Fall back!" The lead guard shouted as the car's horn blasted out, the guards all jumped back as the car skidded around, placing itself between Pipp and them.

David threw the passenger door open as the car stopped right next to Pipp, "Get in!" He shouted.

Pipp didn't need to be told twice, jumping into the car as David put his foot down on the gas, grabbing her phone in the process. Engine roared as the speedometer needle quickly reached 90mph.

"After them!" The guard shouted, as his fellow guard got back on their hooves, quickly giving chase.

"David! What are you-" Pipp tried to yell before instinctively holding on to the seat for dear life.

"Hold on! We're going for a ride!" David shouted, wrapping a seat beat around Pipp before shifting into maximum gear. Headlights illuminated the way as the car tore down main street, the road quickly becoming gravel.

"Look out!" Pipp screamed as a sign appeared in their path.

"Hang on!" David ordered as the car smashed through the sign, the wood splintering behind them as the car kicked up a cloud of dust in its wake.

"Stop! Let them go!" The lead guard ordered, skidding to a halt just by the remains of the sign.

After a few minutes, David brought the car to a halt. He looked over at Pipp, breathing heavily.

"Well..." He muttered, running his hand through his hair as he breathed out, "That was exciting, right?" He grinned, hands still clutching the steering wheel.

"Exciting? EXCITING?!" Pipp shouted, hitting David in the face with her hoof, "What in Amore's name were you thinking?!" She screamed, wriggling out of the seatbelt and climbing out the door. The gravel crunched under her hooves as she paced around.

"Hey now, Calm down." David replied, hopping out of the car, and spriting over to the small mare, "Everything is going to be fine. Look, we can hide out here until morning, then you and go back to your friends and explain everything. I meanwhile will be long gone from here."

"You don't get it do you?" Pipp slammed her hoof down, "The guards saw me flee with you. If... No, when this gets back to Zephyr Heights, It's going to be the-" She cut off, placing a hoof to her neck, "It'll be off with my head..." Her eyes shrank.

"What, no. I seriously doubt they'd behead you for this." David looked at the trailer, "It'll be 4-5 years prison time max. Besides, you're a royal, so at most, you'd get a slap on the wrist, uh- hoof and a fine."

Pipp snapped, lunging at David, and tackled him to the ground, "You don't understand anything, do you?! Under Zephyr Height's law, any Pegasi caught stealing high-value goods from one of the other tribes, no matter their social status, will be charged with high treason. And the punishment for high treason in Zephyr Heights is execution!" She screamed, tears filling her eyes.

"That's a little harsh." David thought to himself as Pipp jumped off him.

Pipp sat down on the grass, crying into her hooves, "M-my life is over, and it's all your fault! Zipp was right, I shouldn't have trusted you!" She screamed, tears streaming down her face.

"Pipp, I-" He stuttered.

"Shut it! Leave me alone. You've done enough..." She sobbed, wings fell at her sides. The cold night air made her cheeks feel frozen as she sat there. Broken.

"Come with me."

"What?" Pipp spoke dully, her voice hoarse from crying. She turned her head towards the human, who knelt down, holding his hand out towards her.

"Come with me to the Crystal Empire." He calmly spoke, "The Empire isn't a part of Equestria, so your mum would have no jurisdiction over trying to get you there. Believe me on that one." He smiled, Pipp glared at him, "Hey, scouts honour here." He shrugged, doing a mock scout salute.

"And why should I even trust you, after what you just did." She spoke coldly, resisting the urge to spit in his face.

"Because at this stage, what more do you really have left to lose. You said so yourself, it's the death sentence for you anyway." He shrugged.

"This isn't making me feel better." Pipp grumbled.

"Look, tell you what. You come with me to the Crystal Empire, and in return, I will march right over to your mother and hand myself over. Even that means I get the death sentence. Deal?"

"Ok, deal." Pipp placed her hoof in David's hand before yanking him towards herself, "But know this David Wyne, if you break your end of the deal. I will haunt you for the rest of your days. Understand me?" She snarled at him.

"Ok ok, no take backsies." He gulped. Pipp pushed him away, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Ok, if we're really going to be doing this, we would need somewhere to sleep. I have a trailer in Zephyr Heights we can use." Pipp mused, rubbing her chin with her hoof.

"But won't that just get us caught?" David asked.

"Not if we head there now. The royal protocol is to not give Mom any bad news until after she's had her morning coffee. That should buy us a few hours to get there, get my trailer and get out." Pipp trotted over to the car, "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go already!"

"Here goes nothing." David sighed, hopping into the car after her.

"Next stop." Pipp pulled out her phone, loading up the GPS app, "Zephyr Heights."

Morning broke over Maretime Bay. Sunny slapped the top of her alarm clock as it buzzed.

"Morning Izzy! Morning Zipp! Morning Pipp!" She cheerfully called out as she hopped out of bed, doing her morning stretches with a yawn.

"Morning Sunny." Zipp replied, eyes focused on her large pin board, pinning down what she and Misty had talked about the previous night.

"Wow, you're up early." Sunny tilted her head in surprise.

"Yeah... I couldn't sleep. I had a chat with Misty last night, however. I think, or rather, we think that Opaline is, or was, a Crystal Pony!" Zipp declared proudly, showing off the pinned notes on the board.

"Hey, wait a minute. Where's Pipp?" Sunny asked, noticing Pipp's bed was empty and not made.

"Huh, you're right, Where is she?" Zipp questioned also.

"Didn't she say she would get up earlier today so she could hang out with that human?" Izzy smiled cheerfully as per normal, while in the middle of her latest unicycle project.

"Well, I don't trust that human. Him showing up on the exact same day we arrested Opaline is highly suspect. Wouldn't surprise me if they're working together on this and he's only acting like Pipp's new friend so he can still the crystals!" Zipp gestured upwards towards the next floor that housed the Unity Crystals.

"If Opaline had wanted the Crystal, why didn't she simply come and get them herself? If I was her, I wouldn't exactly trust what is basically a hairless monkey for that task." Sunny responded, wrapping a hoof around Zipp, "Besides, Pipp seems to trust the human, so I'm willing to trust him."

A loud knocking echoed from downstairs.

"I'll get it!" Izzy shouted, running down the stairs from their sleeping quarters, "Hi, Hitch!" Izzy waved happily as she opened the door, "What brings you here so early?" The Unicorn added.

"Unfortunately, official sheriff's business. Is Pipp here?" Hitch asked, his face showing how serious he truly was.

"Pipp's not here." Zipp spoke, gliding down the stairs, landing just in front of the stallion, "Why, what's wrong?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe we should take this somewhere more private." Hitch nervously rubbed his leg.

"If it's about Pipp, I'd rather have her friends be put in the loop too." Zipp replied, grabbing Sunny and Izzy.

"Ok." Hitch sighed, "There was a robbery last night at Canterlogic, and the guards stated they saw Pipp escaping with the robber." He continued, pulling out his phone.

"No! You're mistaken. Pipp wouldn't do such a thing!" Sunny shouted defensively.

"Look, I know. I didn't want to believe it myself, so I went through the CCTV camera from the area where the guards spotted Pipp and the robber talking." Hitch played the video recording on his phone, presenting it to Sunny and Zipp, "And I found this." He added, the video showed Pipp talking to someone in a blue vehicle, the guards showing up, and the vehicle driving off.

"See. Pipp didn't even escape with them!" Zipp pointed out.

"Keep watching." Hitch spoke bluntly. The footage then shows one of the guards forcing Pipp to the ground. Zipp briefly saw red at this display of aggression used on her little sister. Zipp was surprised when the vehicle came back, scaring the guards away, allowing Pipp to jump inside before it quickly left the frame, guards giving chase.

"I'm sorry to tell you this, Zipp. But as of right now, Pipp is wanted for accessory to robbery. But... I'll let you know this. Pipp only appears in the footage taken from mainstreet. The footage from Canterlogic doesn't show her even there. So there is a case for her to be proven innocent. We just need to find her." Hitch put his phone away.

"We need to find her, preferably before Mom finds out about any of this." Zipp spoke in a hushed tone.

"Why can't Haven be told?" Izzy tilted her head, injecting herself into the discussion.

"Let's just say, even as a Royal, Pipp can still be arrested for a crime like this, and the punishment isn't that good either." Zipp replied, she stopped when she felt her phone buzzing. Pulling it out from under her wing, her eyes widened. "Shit, it's mom."

"ZEPHYRINA STORM!" Haven's voice shouted down the phone.

"Hi, Mom..." Zipp spoke nervously, "How are you?" She tried not to stutter.

"Really?! What's this I hear about Pipp being involved in a robbery over there?!" Haven screamed in reply.

"Oh..." Zipp gulped, "You know about that huh?" Zipp winced

"Of course I know! It's all over the news! To top it off, Pipp was just spotted here with that thing you call a human! They took off with her trailer!"

"What! Pipp was there?! Why didn't the guards stop her?!" Zipp spoke calmly into the phone.

"She had that news report friend of hers, Dazzle Feather, make up a false sighting claim as a distraction. Zoom caught Pipp sneaking out of her old bedroom!" Haven continued to screech. The sound of paper rustled over the phone, "She left this note on her bed. 'Going to the Crystal Empire' That's all it says." It sounded like Haven was now crying, "What does that even mean?!"

"Wait. Did you say she's going to the Crystal Empire?" Sunny spoke, just loud enough for Haven to hear her.

"Yes." Haven replied, sounding calmer now.

"We'll be right over there, your majesty, we will prove that Pipp is innocent. I promise." Sunny grabbed Zipp's phone, speaking directly into it.

"Thank you Sunny." Haven replied, still sounding like she was crying. "I'll be expecting you all soon." The phone hung up.

"Well, you heard Haven. Let's get packing." Izzy cheered.

End of Chapter Six.

Chapter #7: Distraction

Chapter Seven.
Distraction.

"Yeah, no way." Sprout Cloverleaf said bluntly, crossing his hooves as he leant in the doorway. "You are not going to be using my Sprouticus Maximus, just so you can go after you're little mare friend."

"First off, Pipp is not my mare friend. And second, because she's in danger of losing her royal title and possibly being expelled from zephyr heights!" Hitch replied, standing in front of Sprout. Izzy, Sunny and Zipp stood behind him

"And I should care why? She stole from my mom's factory. I'd rather get front-row seats to her being expelled." Sprout smirked. Zipp then stood forward and stared at Sprout with eyes like that of a tiger's. "Listen here pal, my little sister is missing and she's being framed for a crime. So if you wanna help but not give us your machine" She said as she stood super close to Sprout with eyes filled with fire and flames. "You're gonna have a problem with me, understand?" She finished as she looked into Sprout's eyes like a tiger waiting to pounce at its prey.

"Ok ok, fine!" Sprout grabbed the keys, "But I'm going with you."

"You? Want to come with us?" Sunny said, confusion on her face.

"Do any of you know how to drive?" Sprout pointed his hoof at each of the ponies, "Besides, I want to see your little friend get her just deserved punishment." He chuckled.

Zipp slapped him in a fit of rage. "DO YOU HOW IT FEELS TO LOSE SOMEONE YOU LOVE ?!" Zipp yelled at him. "I LOST MY FATHER AT A YOUNG AGE AND I'M NOT LOOSING MY LITTLE SISTER TOO!" She added.

Sunny and Izzy grabbed a hold of Zipp, dragging her back from the red stallion.

"LET ME GO UGH I WANT TO MAKE HIM FEEL THE PAIN I'M GOING THROUGH!" Zipp yelled.

"Assault!" Sprout shouted.

Izzy and Sunny held Zipp back and gave her back pats to calm her down. "We will find her Zipp, don't worry." Sunny said as she hugged Zipp.

"We could try using the air stream?" Izzy suggested.

"No, it's still pretty banged up from that rough landing last week." Zipp said as she started to shed tears over fears of losing her little sister.

"Ok, fine." Sprout sighed, ears falling flat against his head, genuinely feeling sorry Zipp, "But, It'll take maybe an hour to get it in a workable condition." Sprout closed the door behind him.

"Thank you, Sprout." Sunny smiled, still comforting Zipp.

"Whatever." Sprout grumbled.

*A Few Hours Earlier*

"So, your home is up there?" David looked up at the mountain as he poured some of the fuel from the trailer into his car.

"Yep." Pipp replied, sitting on the hood of the car as she scrolled through Canternet, "So, the good news is that it doesn't look like the news hasn't broken yet, that'll buy us some more time." She smiled.

"Well, only a matter of time before it does." David added, closing the fuel cap.

"I just hope it stays out of the news long enough." Pipp looked up at the mountain, "But I do know a pony who works at the news station, she may be able to assist us here." Pipp smirked at David.

"Right. The tank is full. Lead the way." David said, hopping into the car, Pipp followed suit.

"Just keep heading up this road, we should be at the top in no time." Pipp shrugged.

"So, this pony, what does she do at the news station?" David asked Pipp as he shifted gears, the car beginning to climb the slope.

"Her name's Dazzle Feather, she's one of the big reporters for ZBS." Pipp checked the time on her phone, "She should be getting ready for the breakfast show now, we should be able to get there in time and talk to her before it goes on air." Pipp smiled, "We used to go to school together, in fact. She is the reason why my singing career took off, she got me in contact with a record company for a demo."

"Well, let's hope you're right." David smiled nervously as they made their way up the mountainside.

"Now who's the doubting one?" Pipp smirked smugly.

"That’s the ZBS Studio." Pipp gestured over to the large warehouse-looking building. The rising sun shone down on the ZBS sign on the side of the building.

"So, how do we get past the workers? You'll be fine, but I'll stick out like a clown in a forest." David said, peeking out from behind a nearby wall.

Pipp scanned the area, spotting a clothing rack with some outfits on it, "Hmm. I've got an idea." She smiled at David, causing him to gulp nervously.

A few moments later, Pipp was peeking out from behind a shipping crate, "Ok, the coast is clear." She turned around, "Come out." She waved her hoof.

"This disguise makes me look stupid." David spoke as he slowly peaked out from behind the shipping crate also.

"Oh come on, you look like a cowboy with that one." Pipp giggled, "Besides, it was the best I could do. Now, come on!" Pipp jumped out from behind the crate, making a b-line for the ZBS studio.

David followed her quickly, sprinting across the studio backlots. Pipp opened the door, holding it to allow David to enter before quickly following him.

"This way!" Pipp pointed towards the sign that read 'Dressing rooms'.

"Which door is it?" David asked as the pair sprinted down the hallway.

"This one." Pipp skidded to a stop. She knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A voice called from the other side.

"Dazzle, it's Pipp-" Pipp spoke before being cut off by the door opening.

The pegasus who opened the door looked both ways down the hall before dragging Pipp and David into the room, slamming and locking the door shut.

"Pipp. What the hell is going on? My boss just told me something about you being in a robbery." The lavender pegasus spoke in a hushed tone, "And who's he?" She added, her muzzle pressed up against Pipp's.

"I can explain everything. But first, Dazzle Feather, meet David Wyne. David Wyne, meet Dazzle Feather." Pipp gestured to the two.

"Hello..." David waved nervously. Dazzle nervously waved back.

"Ok Pipp, spill." Dazzle raised an eyebrow.

"Well, first things first, I wasn't involved with the robbery, it's a total misunderstanding. See, I was only there to talk him out of it, but I was too late. He had already stolen it." Pipp pointed a hoof at David.

"Hey! It's not my fault the guards think you were part of the robbery!" David pointed back at Pipp.

"Well, maybe if you had waited until morning!" Pipp raised her voice.

"Alright! Let's not start, okay?" Dazzle interjected, placing herself between the pair, "Now, It's only a matter of time before the police find you." Dazzle continued, before looking up at the clock, "Right, so, I have to leave now for the breakfast news show. Both of you, stay here until I get back." Dazzle turned to the door, opening it, "I mean it. Stay put." She added, closing the door behind her.

"She's quite the hassle..." David added, taking a seat on the floor by the dressing table.

"She can be in a bit of a pickle when it comes to stuff like this, just don't do anything stupid alright?" Pipp sat down in the seat by David.

"Soooo." Pipp looked over at him, "How do you intend on even finding the Crystal Empire? That's if it even came back when magic did." She added, nudging him with her wing.

"With this." David replied, pulling out a crystal from his pocket, a small necklace chain attached to it, "This will lead me home." He smiled, handing the crystal to Pipp.

"How does it work?" The pink pegasus asked, rolling the crystal around in her hoof.

"Well, it only works in the Empire, but if you aim it, it glows, if the glow gets bright in a certain direction, that's the direction you go." He looked down, "It was a gift from my wife. Since the Empire is surrounded by snow in every direction, it's easy for someone not from the Empire to get lost. It's to help them find their way home."

Soon enough, Dazzle returned. "Good, you actually listened." She smiled at the pair as they sat in the dressing room, "So, everypony knows about the robbery."

"Great, just great." Pipp spoke, her voice sounding defeated.

"But, no pony knows you're here in Zephyr Heights." Dazzle added, Pipp smiled a bit.

"Question." David raised his hand, "How do we get out of Zephyr Heights now? Sure, no one knows we're here currently, but I'm pretty sure someone is going to spot me and her a mile away." He added.

"Shit, you're right." Pipp frowned, ears falling flat against her head.

"What we need is a distraction." Dazzle mussed, rubbing her chin.

"Well, you have a tip line right?" David asked, Dazzle nodded. "Because we could always call it from a payphone and claim we spotted Pipp and me outside the city."

"That could work, might give us just enough time to get to the palace to get my mobile trailer." Pipp rubbed her chin, she turned to Dazzle, "Well, do you do say?"

"Let's do it." Dazzle nodded, she ran over to her dressing table, quickly scribbling something down on some paper, passing it to Pipp, "That's the tip line number, call it from a payphone when you're ready." Dazzle smiled, "Now go, quickly. I'll create a distraction." Dazzle ran over to the fire alarm and slammed the button. David and Pipp quickly ran from the room and out the fire doors.

The pair ran through the studio backlot, climbing over the wall. David jumped down, landing on the hood of the car, Pipp floating down next to him as her phone buzzed, "Oh, it's a text from Dazzle, it says she’ll let us know when we should call the tip line."

"So, what do we do for now? It'll take a while before they say the studio will be safe to re-enter." David asked, quickly removing the cowboy outfit, tossing it back over the wall.

"Right now, we head for the palace. It's early morning, so no ponies should be around." Pipp suggested, pointing towards the tall palace poking out in the distance.

"If you say so." David replied.

The car sat idling in a back alley, on the far side of the bridge that led up to the palace.

"How long does it take to give the all-clear to a studio?!" David groaned, looking over at Pipp's phone as the time slowly approached 7 am.

"Patience. Dazzle has never let me down yet." Pipp smiled, placing a hoof on David's hand. Just as she went to put her phone down, a message popped up on the screen, "It's from Dazzle!. It's time." She added.

"Finally." David grumbled, opening the car door. He and Pipp made their way over to a nearby pay phone.

"Here goes nothing." Pipp breathed calmly as she dialled the number Dazzle had written down before passing the receiver to David.

The phone rang, and rang, and rang before finally, a voice replied.

"Hello, thank you for calling the ZBS tip line, how may I help you today?" The voice spoke, clearly a male voice.

"Oh hello, I'd like to report a sighting of Princess Pipp Petals and that creature near the south side city entrance." David calmly spoke into the phone.

"Oh, thank you for informing us, we will forward this onwards to the police and royal guards. If we use this information in our report, who should we credit this to?" The voice replied.

"Rainbow Dash." David looked at Pipp and shrugged.

"Ok, thank you, Mr Dash." The voice replied before quickly hanging up.

"Let's hope this works." Pipp kept an eye on the royal guards stationed on the bridge.

One by one, the royal guards slowly began to walk along the bridge, before starting to run towards the south side of the city. Soon after, the giant screens dotted around the city changed to the ZBS logo, and Dazzle Feather soon appeared on the screens.

"Breaking News. Unconfirmed reports coming in stating Princess Pipp Petals and the creature have been spotted near the south side of Zephyr Heights. Both the police and Royal Guards are advising residents living on the south side to stay indoors until the sighting can be confirmed."

"Come on, let's go." Pipp nudged David, the pair making a dash for the car.

They quickly drove across the bridge, the car making its way towards the parking lot where Pipp's trailer was being kept.

"Over there!" Pipp pointed towards the parking lot, "There's my trailer." Pipp smiled, hopping out of the car.

"Where are you going?" David asked as he brought the car to a stop.

"To go get some personal items, I'll be back in a few minutes!" Pipp replied, flying upwards.

Pipp quietly flew past windows.

"Aha." She smiled, quickly pulling out a credit card, slotting it in the window. With a jiggle, the window opened up, allowing her inside the room.

Quietly landing in the nearly empty room, she looked around.

"It's been a long time since I've been in my old room." She thought to herself, running her hoof along the dusty window ledge. "Now, where are those keys?" Her mind reminded her of the task at hoof.

Quickly, but quietly, Pipp searched through the drawers of her dressing table, initially only finding the cloak Izzy had made for her when they first pretended to be Unicorns.

"You're gonna fit right in..." She giggled to herself as she put the cloak on. The sound of something hitting the floor filled her ears, and looking down, she smiled.

"There you are." She smiled, quickly picking up the keys, "Thanks, Izzy.." Pipp placed her hoof on the knot of the cloak. She turned to leave, but the sight of her old stationary kit caught her eye.

"It couldn't hurt to leave mom a note right?" She bit her lip as she picked up the pen

'Dear Mother,

By the time you read this note, I'll be long gone from Zephyr Heights.

Despite what you might hear, it is all false.

I am simply helping the human return to his home, the Crystal Empire.

I don't know when I'll be back.

Forever you loving daughter,

Pipparina Petals.'

A single tear escaped her eye as she removed her tiara, placing it next to the sheet of paper.

Quickly turning around so as to not cry any longer, her tail knocked over a bottle of perfume. The glass bottle shattered on the floor.

A loud knock hammed on the locked door.

"Who's in there?!" A voice shouted, it was Zoom.

Pipp's eyes shrank as she heard the door being unlocked, quickly running for the window, she turned around just in time to see Zoom enter the room and stare at her.

"Oh, hey Princess." Zoom smiled before Pipp jumped from the window, Zoom ran towards the window and looked down below as Pipp glided away. "Huh, that's odd..." Zoom spoke to herself.

Pipp gently glided down into the parking lot, seeing that her trailer was now inserted between the car and the fuel trailer.

"Ready to go?" David asked, leaning against the side of the car.

"Yep." Pipp replied, jingling the keys with a smile, "Keys for my trailer." She added, tossing them over to David, who caught them without effort.

The pair got into the car and pulled out of the parking lot. As the odd convoy crossed the bridge, bright lights appeared from the palace, accompanied by the sound of loud sirens.

"What the hell?" David asked, speeding up the car.

"The palace is going on lockdown. Zoom must have reported it." Pipp winced.

The fuel trailer narrowly cleared the bridge as bollards rose up out of the ground.

"Now where?" David asked, looking around for an exit out of the city.

"That way!" Pipp shouted, pointing to the left, "Down that road, it'll take us straight out of the city."

"Hold on!" David said, quickly turning the car to the left with a skid, the fuel trailer narrowly hitting a building as it swung out with the sudden turn.

"Stop!" A guard shouted, standing in front of a locked gate. The car sped up. "I said stop!" He ordered again

"Brace yourself!" David said, holding Pipp back with his arm as they raced towards the gate.

The guard jumped clear as the car crashed through the gate, sending twisted metal and broken concrete flying as it disappeared in a cloud of dust, "Uh, control, we have a problem.." The guard radioed in.

"We did it! Pipp shouted, before quickly leaning over and kissing David's cheek. Her eyes snapped open when she realised what she just did, "Um... Ignore that... So, which way are we heading now?"

"Right now." David looked over at her, his face a slight red, "We just keep heading north until we hit the snow."

End of Chapter Seven.

Chapter #9: Prisoner-626

Chapter Nine.
Prisoner-626.

The early morning sun shone through the window of Pipp's trailer. David stirred in his sleep, he rolled over to avoid the sun shining into his eyes, he felt his nose pressed up against something. Slowly opening his eyes, he came face to face with a sleeping Pipp, her muzzle pressed against his nose. David blushed hard. Looking down towards his feet, he saw one of her wings draped over him.

"What happened last night?" He asked himself as he slowly lifted her wing off of himself. Quitely, he shifted over to the edge of the fold-out. Trying his best to keep quiet, he slowly crept over to the small kitchen.

Pipp rolled over in her sleep, now snoring loudly, a hoof dangling over the edge of the bed as David closed the door to the trailer as he left it.

David sat on the car's hood, birds chirping in a nearby tree. The cold morning breeze rustled through the leaves as the sun sat just above the horizon. Looking towards the northern horizon as the wind blew against his hair.

"Oh. There you are." He heard Pipp chirp cheerfully, "Here, brought you breakfast. Well, if you call choc-chip cookies breakfast." She smiled, gleefully flying over, landing on the hood next to the human, "Want some?" She asked, mid-chew.

David held out his hand as Pipp pulled out some cookies from the packet, placing them in his palm.

"Pipp, what happened last night?" David asked, taking a bite of one of the cookies. Sighing as he chewed.

"You... Were having a nightmare." Pipp looked at him with concern, placing a hoof gently on his leg. The gold shine of her hoof reflected the daylight, "While you did eventually snap out of it, you were trembling. So I ended up sleeping next to you, just to put you at ease." She rested her head on his upper arm.

"You didn't need to do that for me, Pipp. But thank you." David replied, gently stroking one of Pipp's wings.

"No problem." She hummed, closing her eyes, "You are my friend, and I'll do anything for my friends." She smiled, the breeze gently blowing through her feathers.

Haven, Sunny, Zipp and Zoom made their way through the cell block below the palace. Eventually, they came to a secluded area of the cell block. There was a number labelled "Prisoner-626". 5 heavy armour guards kept watch on the reinforced steel doors.

"Never seen guards so heavily armoured." Sunny whispered to Zipp as one of the guards began the long process of opening the heavy door.

"That's Squad 99. I call them the bad batch, simply because they look like a bunch of ex-convicts." Zipp explained in a hushed tone. "They were assigned to watch over Opaline." Zipp added.

"Please, follow me." One of the guards spoke, the group entering the reinforced room, "For safety reasons, they'll have to lock us in." The guard added as the steel door slowly closed behind them, "And for security reasons, we will have to ask that you empty any items you may have on you please." He added.

"That won't be necessary, Hunter." Zoom spoke, looking at the guard.

"Sorry commander, but it's for both your safety and the safety of the prisoner." The guard replied bluntly.

"Best do as he says." Haven leaned into Zoom's ear. "Besides we don't know what she might try to do." She added.

"Alright. Well, you heard the stallion." Zoom loudly spoke before removing every piece of armour she had on, and placing her sword into the tray.

Sunny and Zipp placed their items into a numbered tray each. Then they were escorted through a metal detector that was installed. Then they were body searched again to make sure no items remained on them. A female guard searched Sunny and Zipp. She motioned as she gave the green light.

Once all items were placed into trays, Hunter mentioned to the security camera for the second set of doors to be opened. The doors opened with a hiss, "You might want to prepare for what you're about to see." He ordered as the doors opened up, revealing Opaline sitting in the middle of a trashed cell. The alicorn in question was currently restrained and looked sedated.

"What happened here?" Zoom asked wide-eyed, she looked up at the cell wall. Words and symbols were carved into the thick concrete.

"We're not too sure either." Hunter replied, leaning against the wall, hooves crossed, "Since she arrived, she's been screaming about something coming, something she claimed only she could stop." Hunter gestured to the words on the walls, "We had to resort to sedating her last night for her safety." He pointed at the now drugged-up alicorn who sat in the middle of the room, only being held up by the chains. "To tell you the truth ma'am, even me and my team are wary of her, and even we're unsure what she's talking about. We were hoping you guys knew." Hunter spoke directly to Haven as Zipp approached one of the walls.

"Hey, Sunny!" Zipp called out, the earth pony quickly joining her pegasus friend at the wall, "Does any of this make sense to you?" Zipp looked up at the symbols on the wall.

"No, I've never seen any of these, nothing about them even in my father's journal." Sunny spoke, her eyes fixed on one symbol in particular, "But that one looks like the cutie mark of Twilight Sparkle. But why does it look like it's shattered?" Sunny turned her head to face Zipp. Zipp cautiously nodded. Sunny breathed in before slowly approaching Opaline.

"Hey, kid. I wouldn't do that if I were you." Hunter warned the earth pony. He got ready to draw out his sword.

"Easy." Haven reassured Hunter, placing a hoof on his hoof.

"Opaline?" Sunny asked. No response came from the alicorn. Sunny gently Opaline's back with her hoof. Again, no response, "Release her restraints..." Sunny spoke.

"What?" Hunter asked bluntly.

"I said release her restraints." Sunny replied, her eyes fixed on the chains that were holding Opaline upright.

"You must be crazy, we had a hard time restraining her and you want them off ??" Hunter spoke sternly, trying his best not to yell.

"She said do it!" Zipp shouted, grabbing one of Hunter's swords and holding it at his neck.

"Zephyrina! Let him go this instant!" Haven said in a stern voice. Hunter was sweating hard as the sharp end of the blade was inches away from penetrating his neck.

"No, Mom! The only reason why we're here is that Opaline is the only one who can help us get Pipp home!" Zipp trembled, she dropped the sword as she began to cry.

Hunter took the sword back and placed it back in his sword holster. "I'm sorry, but only the Queen can authorise the removal of the restraints." Hunter looked over at Haven as she began to comfort Zipp.

"I hereby authorise it." Haven nodded, gently rubbing Zipp's back.

"I'm such a horrible sister!" Zipp sobbed.

"Nonsense Zipp…" Haven soothed, "You're a wonderful sister to Pipp, Sunny told me about the fight you two had the night before all this happened." Haven kissed the top of Zipp's head, "It's not your fault Pipp refused to even acknowledge your concerns…" Haven hugged Zipp with her wings. "When you and Pipp entered my world many years ago, I had doubts about the ability to raise you two as a mother, but your late father reassured me I could do it. He helped me on every step and now I'm glad I married him, "Haven said as she hugged Zipp and kissed her forehead. "He's quietly watching over me and making sure we are safe." She added as Zipp held onto her tightly.

Hunter moved his hoof to his face, "Tech. Release the restraints for Prisoner-626. Authorisation code Quebec-Hotel-Zero-One." Hunter spoke into his earpiece. The cell was filled with a buzzing sound as the restraints holding Opaline disengaged. Sunny quickly caught the alicorn as she fell backwards.

"As requested... The restraints have been removed..." Hunter spoke, trying his best to calm the situation, "But, the tennis ball stays on." He added sternly, Sunny nodded slowly, placing a hoof on Opaline's forehead.

"Whatever you injected her with, she's been out for hours." Sunny said with slight alarm in her voice, "How much did you give her."

"Just one dose. It's pretty strong stuff." Hunter replied from across the room, "She was one tough pony to sedate, I'll tell you that, but it'll wear off in a few hours." He added, watching cautiously as Sunny rolled up a blank and gently lowered Opaline's head onto it.

Zoom continued to stare up at the symbols on the wall, "I'm no expert, but this symbol looks like a castle of some kind. Might be her castle though." Zoom spoke to herself as Sunny approached her, "Nearly all of this writing is complete gibberish. And well, I dunno about you but I never saw stuff this gibberish, not in my time as a guard." Zoom placed her hoof on her chin, "Was she trying to write something or just scribbling random things?" Zoom asked Sunny.

Sunny took a closer look at one of the 'words' trying her best to work out exactly what it was.

"Dark Star?" Sunny said, her face a mixture of confusion and concern.

"Sounds like a name to me." Zoom suggested, "Perhaps they're the 'she' Opaline was referring to when we arrested her." Zoom added, remembering the event a few days earlier. "Do you know who Dark Star is ?" The blue pegasus asked.

"No, I'm afraid not my father's journal has no information on a name called Dark Star," Sunny replied, frowning as she thought hard. Sunny's ears twitched as she heard a pained groan from behind her.

All heads turned towards the centre of the room. Opaline was now standing up, wobbly on her hooves and nearly falling over.

"Water..." Opaline groaned, "Need... Water..." Slurring her words as she stumbled over to the wash basin.

"Wait!" Sunny shouted, flailing her forelegs in the air, "We can get you some-" The sound of the faucet being turned on full blast filled the room, "-water..." Her ears fell flat against her head as she grumbled.

Opaline lapped up the water from the faucet like a thirsty dog, completely unaware of the five other ponies now in her cell.

"Um." Sunny cleared her throat, "Um, Opaline." She spoke clearly.

The faucet shut off. The purple alicorn stood up, now less wobbly and slowly turned around.

"What are you doing here?" Opaline spoke, stern yet calm. The tension in the room felt like it was making it hard for Sunny to breathe, "Can't you ponies here see I'm awaiting my death sentence?" She added, looking directly at Sunny.

"Well..." Sunny gulped, choosing her words carefully, "We need your help." A loud laugh filled the room.

"Ha! As if I should even consider helping you!" Opaline laughed, "Well, go on then. Tell me what you dare need my help with?"

"Pipp's gone missing!" Zipp shouted, peeking out from behind Haven.

"And you want my help to find that small pink one? Can't you just track her on that plastic box she's always using?" Opaline slowly trotted over to Haven. "Heh, you can't even look after your daughter." Opaline snickered.

"Don't you think we already tried that?" Haven bluffed, not once since Pipp ran away did they even think to try and track her phone.

"Besides!" Sunny bellowed, bringing Opaline's attention back to herself, "In the note Pipp left before running away, she said she's going to the Crystal Empire."

"The Crystal Empire?" Opaline tilted her head, "Now, that's a name I've not heard in centuries..."

"So, you have heard of it!" Sunny's eyes lit up.

"Heard of it? I was born there." Opaline smiled, at least, what Sunny believed to be a smile, "But, I'm afraid to tell you, your friend's journey is a lost cause. No one has been able to find it since Equestria went dark. Not even myself..." Opaline looked down.

"Now listen here!" Haven shouted, grabbing Opaline's neck, "The only reason why my daughter is even going there is because of this human who calls himself... Oh, blast, what was the name?" Haven looked at Zipp

"David Wyne." Sunny and Zipp spoke at the same time.

"Thank you. The only reason why Pipp is even going there is because of this Mr Wyne claims to be from there." Haven's nostrils flared in anger as she pushed Opaline near the wall. Her eyes flared with anger and her wings flared as she thought of ways to deal with this mare.

"That's impossible." Opaline stuttered, "Mr Wyne disappeared just before Equestria fell, how could he possibly be here?" Opaline gasped for air as Haven pushed her hoof harder on her neck.

"What do you mean?" Sunny tilted her head.

"Well, for starters, Humans can only live up to 100 years." Opaline stammered as Haven released her hold on the alicorn. Haven kept her stern look on the alicorn. "Besides, the only way he'd be able to find his way to the Crystal Empire would be with the use of a magic crystal and those only work within the Empire." Opaline placed a hoof on her chin.

"So, you mean that they're going in blind?" Haven looked at Sunny with concern in her eyes.

"I can't believe I'm going to say this." Opaline pinched the bridge of her nose, "But fine. I'll help you." She groaned.

"Yes!" Zipp cheered.

"Thank you, Opaline, but why?" Sunny asked.

"Because I want to go home." Opaline smiled, "But I have only one request."

"What would that be?" Haven responded, stepping forward.

"I want dragon fire."

End of Chapter Nine.

Chapter #10: Arcana

Chapter Ten.
Arcana.

"No way Sunny!" Hitch shouted, trying to shut the door on his long-time friend.

"Please Hitch, It's the only way she's agreed to help us find Pipp." Sunny replied, trying to force the door open.

"I'm not letting her anywhere near Sparky!" Izzy's voice came from behind the door, "Not after what she's done already."

"Izzy's right, Sunny. There has to be another way to find Pipp." Hitch spoke, finally opening the door wider.

"Please. This is for Pipp's sake. I promise you Hitch, and you too Izzy. We'll have everything under control." Sunny smiled, trying to calm the pair down. Izzy trotted over to the door, Sparky in her hoof.

"How do you know she isn't just trying to con you all?" Izzy asked, Sparky fidgeting around in her hoof.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know. I'm just trying to help Haven get her daughter back, to help her get our friend back." Sunny responded, holding her hoof out to Sparky.

Hitch and Izzy looked at each other, the unicorn mare giving her earth stallion lover a reassuring smile and a kiss on the cheek.

"Well Hitch, it's your choice, you're very much his dad as I am his mother." Izzy smiled, nuzzling Sparky's cheek.

"Oh..." Hitch sighed, "Alright. We'll let her have some dragon fire." Hitch smiled, "But I'm going to say this only one. If so much as a claw is slightly out of place, I am taking Sparky home."

Hitch, Izzy and Sparky slowly approached Opaline's cell. Being told that the cell was heavily guarded had put Hitch's mind at ease.

"Are you sure this will even work?" Hitch asked Izzy, Sparky sat on his back, the small dragon looking around curiously as the trio stopped at the first steel door.

"Well, Sunny seems to think it will, and I trust Sunny." Izzy smiled, "But I think we should still be a bit cautious around Opaline." She added as the steel door opened.

"Hitch Trailblazer, Izzy Moonbow, Sparky." Hunter nodded, "Please follow me." The stallion added, stepping through the open doorway, The trio quickly joined him as the steel door began to shut and security searches were conducted. Once given the green light, the second door slid open, allowing the group into Opaline's cell.

Opaline stood in the centre of her cell, surrounded by the rest of Squad 99 and Sunny, now in her ethereal alicorn form. Sparky, upon seeing Opaline, hid behind Hitch.

"Sssh. It's okay Sparky." Izzy softly spoke, gently stroking Sparky's head with her hoof, "She won't hurt you. I promise you that." The unicorn winked.

Hitch slowly approached Opaline. The alicorn a full head taller than him, "Now, you're not going to hurt Sparky Sparkeroni are you?"

"Sparky Sparkeroni?" Opaline raised her eyebrow, "A bit of a stupid name, but not the worst I've heard." Opaline shrugged.

"Your face is stupid!" Izzy shouted in defence of her adoptive son.

"Izzy?!" Sunny shouted in surprise, "There was no need for that!" The orange pony added. The room was quickly filled with laughter, Sunny turned to see that Opaline was the one laughing.

"The unicorn amuses me." Opaline smiled, trying to contain her laughter.

"Uh, thanks?" Izzy tilted her head, confused by the change in the mood the alicorn had seemingly gone through in the few short days since Izzy and her friends had defeated her.

"As for your question, Sheriff. Getting dragonfire from a dragon is as painless as making a pony sneeze by tickling a feather under their nose." Opaline spoke, yanking out one of her own feathers, receiving a wince from every pegasi in the cell.

"Doesn't that hurt?" Zipp cringed, her own wings now felt in pain just from watching Opaline rip out one of her own flight feathers.

"Like you would not believe." Opaline spoke through gritted teeth, a large feather pinned between them, "Take the feather." She gestured to the object in question.

Izzy's horn lit up, embracing the feather in its aura, "Now what?" She asked, bringing the feather towards herself and Hitch.

"Simply aim the drago-... Sparky at me and tickle his nose. That'll be enough to trigger him into firing some of his dragon fire." Opaline replied, stepping back from the pair.

"Sorry about this Sparky..." Hitch groaned, gently holding the baby dragon in front of him, "But, it's to save Aunty Pipp.", Sparkly slowly nodded, somewhat understanding.

"Let's hope this works." Izzy said nervously, "For Pipp." She added before proceeding to tickle Sparky's nose with the feather.

Sparky's nose began to twitch, "Aaaa-" He let out, "Aaaa-"

"Here we go." Izzy cautiously backed away from the dragon.

"Aaaachoo!" Sparky burst out, a large burst of fire erupted from his mouth, shooting straight towards Opaline who smiled with glee as it hit her.

Opaline's hooves scraped along the floor as the fire of the dragonfire pushed her back as she began to absorb it.

"I feel the power flowing through my veins! SUCH POWER!" Opaline laughed as she felt the power flow through her veins. "I HAVE NEVER FELT SUCH POWER FLOW THROUGH ME! I FEEL ALIVE!" The now supercharged alicorn chuckled.

Sunny shielded her eyes from the bright light bow that now enveloped Opaline. The alicorn levitated off of the floor, eyes glowing bright white as sparks of electricity flowed across her body. The light slowly faded away, Opaline gently landing back on her hooves.

"What a rush!" She smiled with glee, twirling around like she was wearing a dress.

"If you're done, you promised to keep your end of our deal, yes?" Sunny cleared her throat, getting the alicorn's attention.

"Yes, very well." Opaline smiled, "A deals a deal. Now, show me which way they're heading."

"They went down that road and smashed through the gate. Where they went after that is beyond us." Zoom spoke as she led Opaline over the bridge leading from the palace. Haven, Zipp and Sunny cautiously followed behind.

Opaline sniffed the fresh air. The wind blew through her mane and tail as she took in the sight before her. "Remove the ball." She spoke.

"What?" Zoom asked, being taken aback.

"Remove the ball. To be able to track them, I'll need the use of my horn." Opaline bluntly answered.

"I, uh..." Zoom struggled to find her words, looking over to Haven for help.

"Proceed." Haven nodded, giving her approval, "But, do not try to escape, you hear me, Opaline?" Haven spoke sternly.

Zoom saluted nervously, flying up to Opaline's horn. Removing the ball with a twist.

Opaline's horn fizzled upon the ball's removal and a relieved smile crossed her face. The alicorn closed her eyes, focusing on the magic surrounding her. Magic felt different to her now, before the magic disappeared it was practically a chorus, but now it was barely a whisper. The ground around her slowly started to glow a dull blue, magic flowing through the gaps in the paving slabs.

"Oh ok, here we go." Zoom backed away slowly, "She's doing something, she's doing something." Zoom watched as the magic flowed down the road, through the now-repaired gates.

"Look!" Sunny pointed at the ground, "Tyre tracks!" She ran down the road, following the glowing tyre trail.

"Wait up, Sunny!" Zipp shouted, smiling as she ran after her earth pony friend.

The pair galloped down the road, well beyond the gates and into the gravel path. Glowing tracks led the way down the mountain path.

Opaline opened her eyes. Glowing a bright white that slowly faded. Zoom and Haven slowly trotted down the road, following the glowing trail, Opaline paced behind them.

Sunny and Zipp skidded to a stop at the base of the mountain where the trail took a sharp turn to the left. Sunny quickly pulled out a compass from her bag.

"North, they're heading north." Sunny spoke, watching as the needle turned to face north.

"They're heading in the wrong direction then." Opaline spoke as she, Haven and Zoom finally caught up to Sunny and Zipp.

"What do you mean?" Haven tilted her head as she asked, her ears flopping to the side.

"The Crystal Empire, or well its Capital, where Mr Wyne used to live, is north-northeast of here." Opaline looked over Sunny's shoulder at the compass, "In that direction to be exact." Pointing forehoof towards a mountain range on the horizon.

"What does that mean for my Pipp?" Haven asked, trying to have a panic attack in the process.

"Simply put. There is nothing in the direction they're going for hundreds, if not thousands of miles until they hit the Northern Sea." Opaline looked towards the horizon, the glowing trail darting directly north or as close to it as you could possibly get.

"Not helping." Zipp grumbled, pulling out a paper bag for Haven to breathe into.

"Well, assuming they stop to rest and sleep for at least 12 hours a night, we should be able to catch up to them before they cross over into the Frozen North, but it would mean we'd have to travel at night." Opaline suggested, shrugging her shoulders in the process, "So, when do we leave?"

"David, can we pull over? I need to use the little filly's room." Pipp groaned, her legs crossed tightly as she fidgeted around in the seat.

"Yeah, we can pull over, I need to stretch my legs anyway." David replied, looking out at the fidgeting mare sitting next to him.

David gently brought the car to a stop and without hesitation, Pipp wriggled out the window and flew directly towards some bushes. David got out of the car and gave his body a stretch as they were driving for quite some time.

"Finally I felt squeezed in the car." David said to himself as now he waited for Pipp to return from her private business in the bushes, "Well, nice to see you're still right on time as usual, Celestia." He added, looking down at the clock on his phone as it said '12:00' exactly.

As David waited for the pink pegasus to return, he sat on the hood of the car and looked at the beautiful bright blue sky filled with clouds. A shimmering caught the corner of his eye, and turning his head left, he saw a large crystal blue lake down the embankment from the dirt road.

"Yeah, we've got some time." He thought to himself, looking back at the bush Pipp had disappeared into.

Carefully making his way down the embankment, David soon found himself at the shore of the lake, gently sitting down on the pebbly beach at the water's edge.

Pipp soon returned from the bushes "ahh... That's so much better." She said to herself as she walked back to the car, pulling a twig from her mane, "Right, ready to contin-" Pipp spoke up, only to notice a lack of David near the car, "Um... Hello?" She shouted out. Pipp walked around the car, her eyes widening at the sight of the lake, without much thought, she pulled out her phone and snapped a picture.

Upon putting her phone back in her wing-mounted holster, Pipp noticed David sitting by the lake. Flying over, she placed herself down next to him, watching as he flung pebbles into the water.

"So, whatcha thinking about?" Pipp smiled, watching as the clear water of the lake rippled with every pebble landing.

"Just thinking about my wife and our daughter..." He sighed, looking down as he threw another pebble, causing it to skip across the water's surface.

Pipp placed her hoof on his shoulder, "You missed them don't you, when was the last time you saw them?" She asked, resting her chin on his arm.

"Literally an hour before I ended up here." He continued to stare at the water, "You see, me and my wife had a bit of an argument over our daughter. See, she wanted to move to Canterlot to finish her royal guard training, my wife was all for it, but I was against it... We had a fight, and I decided to go out for a drive to clear my head." He sighed, "While out on the snow bank, this electrical storm picked up out of nowhere, but for a split second, I thought I saw an alicorn out in the middle of it. The next thing I saw was that tree heading right at me in the middle of the Thunderstorm..." He chuckled slowly.

"It's ironic really, Lillian had already proven to me how good of a fighter she was, but at that moment, I just saw her as my daughter, not as a warrior. I just didn't...." He paused, "I just didn't want to see her get hurt, you know?"

Pipp slowly wrapped her wing around David's hand, squeezing it gently, "You're just trying to be a good father. I can respect that..." Pipp smiled, her eyes fixed on the water as an idea struck her, "Hey, I have an idea to help you shake off those blues."

"What do you have in mind exactly?" David eyed the mare as she rose to her hooves. Popping noises filled his ears as she removed the holster from under her wing, placing it a bit further away from the water from where it once sat.

"Come for a swim. It'll help you relax." She smiled at him, her eyelids fluttering in a quick fashion as she ran towards the water, "You coming?" She shouted as she swam out from the shore.

"Oh, what the hell." David replied, taking off all his clothes barring underwear, running into the water after Pipp.

End of Chapter Ten.

Chapter #11: Onward

Chapter Eleven.
Onward.

David slowly swam over to Pipp, who was happily swimming as if she belonged in the water.

"Haha!" Pipp smiled, swimming over towards David, "So, you feeling relaxed yet?" She tilted her head, her wet mane clinging to her face.

"No. If anything, I'm cold." David shivered in the water as Pipp swam closer, touching his nose with her hoof.

"Boop." She giggled, sticking her tongue out. "Got ya good there hehe~." She said as she laughed like a cute mare. "Hehe." She said as she splashed some water on David.

David used his hands and shielded himself. "Oh, you want a water fight, princess? alright, it's on!" He splashed more water on Pipp.

Pipp shielded herself with her wings and giggled. "Hehe watch it. You're gonna get me even wetter!" She laughed more and splashed water at David before jumping out of the water, "Can't catch me~" She sang, the flap of her wings showering the human with water.

"Hey! No fair you can't fly away like that!" David shouted grumpily, trying to grab her hoof with his hand.

"Hehehe~ sorry David, it's too much fun!" She giggled. "I Haven't had this much fun since my childhood." She flew around in a loop-d-loop.

"You can fly, but this guy can't." David said, his eyes showing grumpiness as the pink pegasus princess showered water down on him.

"Ok grumpy, I'll fly lower..." Pipp sighed and fluttered closer to the water, David saw this as a chance and he tackled the pink mare into the water, she let out an audible "Eeep!"

"Got you." David smiled victoriously, holding the pegasus close to him. Pipp looked around, cheeks slowly turning a red that could rival Posey when she's angry. David booped the pink pegasus right back on the nose, "Heh got ya." He chuckled a little.

Pipp's face turned an even brighter shade of red from the boop, she bit her lip as an idea entered her thoughts. Without much thinking, she lunged forward and began to kiss the human on the mouth, wrapping her forehooves around his neck.

"Ok, that's the last crate of supplies." Sprout groaned exhaustedly, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Well, Zoom and I offered to help you with the load. But you flat out refused." Thunder spoke bluntly, leaning to his side, sipping from a juice carton.

"I didn't mean that literally!" Sprout grunted, headbutting the crate in frustration.

"Careful now, you're turning red, may want to calm down." Zomm snickered, trying to hide her laughter.

"My coat is red!" Sprout shouted, voice cracking in the process.

"Ahaha!" Zoom and Thunder broke out in tandem.

"H……HEY STOP LAUGHING!" Sprout said as his cheeks blushed bright red.

"hEy sToP lAuGhINg!" Zoom and Thunder said as they mimicked him.

"Quit it!" Sprout whined, pouting like a toddler.

"QuIT It!" Zoom and Thunder continued to mimic him.

Haven came and saw Zoom and Thunder watching over Sprout. "Ahem!" Haven cleared her throat.

Zoom and Thunder turned around and saluted Haven. "Ah! Your majesty, we did not hear you coming." Zoom stuttered.

"Quit teasing Mr Cloverleaf." Haven spoke sternly, "He is our only chance of finding Pipp safely." She added.

"Understood your highness." Both guard ponies saluted.

"Zoom, can I speak to you for a moment?" Haven gestured for the guard mare to follow her.

"Of course, your majesty." Zoom saluted and she followed the Queen. "Thunder keep an eye on Sprout and make sure he does not do anything silly alright?" She added

"You got it, Boss!" Thunder saluted, turning back towards Sprout.

"I don't need babysitting, I can look after myse-" Sprout spoke proudly before tripping over the corner of the crate, "Gods fucking damn it!" The red stallion shouted in anger.

Thunder broke down and laughed hard. "HAHAHA! Yeah right pal, I'm gonna keep an eye on you to ensure you don't hurt yourself!"

"You wanted to speak with me, your highness?" Zoom asked, pulling off her helmet and shaking her mane loose.

"Indeed Zoom." Haven replied, coming to a stop near the railing guarding the ledge of the bridge, "As you know, you've been a guard here for nearly 30 years and as such, you'll soon be retiring." Haven paused, taking in a sharp inhale of the mid-morning air. "So, I want you and Thunder to join Zipp and her friends as they go to bring Pipp home. Consider this as one last hurrah before you finish your service." Haven looked out towards the horizon, wind fluttering her mane.

"Why us?" Zoom asked, tilting her head.

"Because." Haven turned towards Zoom, who for the longest time now, was her most trusted friend, "You and Thunder are the only two guards I trust enough for this task. I want you two to keep an eye on Mrs Arcana."

"Haven, what I'm going to say, does not come from me as captain, but as your friend. Are you sure Opaline can even be trusted? Sure, her intel helped us years ago, but she neglected to tell us about that thing that wanted the crystal." Zoom looked directly at Haven.

"To be perfectly honest Zoom, I don't trust her either. But, she's the only one who can help us locate Pipp." Haven placed a hoof on Zoom's "So please Zoom, do this. Not just for me, but for Zephyr..."

"Ok, Haven. For Zephyr." Zoom smiled, Haven quickly bringing the mare into a bone-crushing hug.

"Thank you, Zoom..." Haven smiled over Zoom's shoulder, "For Zephyr..." She whispered, as memories of the day she first met her loving husband entered her brain for the first time in ages…

*25 Years Ago*

"Father, I can handle this one diplomatic mission." A young Princess Haven spoke, "It would look bad on us if we neglect to show."

"It's too dangerous for you, my daughter." King Ezekiel replied, "Besides, they were promised a king would be arriving."

"But father, you said you won't be able to go due to the crisis that's happening with the courts." Haven whined, "I can do this father, you know I can."

"Alright..." Ezekiel rubbed his forehead, "You may go in my stead. But please take a guard with you."

Haven smiled gleefully, quickly turning around, she spotted a pink stallion mid-conversation with a blue mare, "I pick him."

"Wha... Me?" The stallion replied with shock and surprise, "Pick Zoom." The stallion added, pushing the blue mare forwards, "She's a mare. Better fit for a mission with a princess."

"Haha. No way Zephyr, she picked you." Zoom chuckled, quickly leaping behind Zephyr, pushing him towards the Princess.

Haven giggled as she and the shy stallion came face to face.

"Y-your highness..." Zephyr stuttered bowing down before the King and Princess.

"Wow, he's so cute, stuttering like that." Haven thoughted to herself. "Hehe, hey." She smiled.

Zephyr stuttered again. "I... Um... What do you request of me, your highness?" Zephyr said in a nervous tone.

"I'm off for a diplomatic mission and I need a guard to accompany me, and I've elected to choose you for this duty?" Haven winked cutely.

"I... Well..." Zephyr pushed Zoom towards Haven, who continued to smile "Why can't she come along, two guards are better than one." Zephyr shifted his eyes nervously, slowly backing away from the Princess who was a head shorter than him.

"Zephyr!" Zoom said. "Stop trying to escape. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ya." She said as she pushed Zephyr back to Haven.

Zephyr and Haven were now extremely close to each other and their chests now touched each other. Haven blushed slightly while Zephyr sweated.

"If you're all done acting like children." The King's voice boomed, "Zephyr. Zoom. I'd like you both to accompany my daughter for this task."

"Thank you, father." Haven smiled, "Come along you two." She added, gleefully trotting out of the throne room.

*Present Day*

Haven and Zoom pulled away from the embrace as Sunny and the others slowly made their way over toward them.

"Ready to go?" Haven smiled, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Don't worry mom." Zipp replied, squeezing Haven tightly in a hug, "We won't be long, a week maximum."

"Zipp… Dear, please bring back Pipp safe and sound." Haven sniffled.

"Don't worry mom, we will bring her back safe and sound." Zipp smiled, nuzzling into her mother's feathers, "What should we do about the human?"

"Do whatever you deem necessary." Haven bluntly spoke, "Zoom and Thunder will accompany you for this mission, my dear." She added.

"I had a feeling you'd say that, so we already packed extra supplies and gear for them." Zipp smiled, pulling away from Haven as she gestured to the small cart Hitch was dragging behind him.

"Are you sure you've got enough supplies for all nine of you?" Haven asked.

"We triple-checked, we're very sure mom." Zipp rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry your highness." Sunny smiled as Haven hugged her, "We'll be back in no time." She added as Opaline slowly trotted past them, being led by some guard.

The group slowly crossed the bridge, back towards Thunder and Sprout.

"Thunder." Zoom spoke, " The Queen has requested that we join Zipp on this mission to locate Pipp, to keep an eye on Opaline."

"Yes ma'am." Thunder saluted.

"Really? Two feathered freaks were enough, now four?! Sprout spouted, before getting a slap to the back of the head from Zipp's wing, "Oww!" He groaned, rubbing the spot where Zipp had just slapped him.

"Hold your tongue, lest I rip it out before your very eyes." Opaline leaned close to Sprout, "Do. Not. Cross. Me." She added squinting her eyes.

"Whoa, easy Opaline. Sprout didn't mean anything by it." Sunny spoke, stepping in between the red earth pony and the purple alicorn.

"Grrrrr." Opaline growled at Sprout, like a lion ready to pounce on its prey. "Fine, I shall spare this incompetent pony for now." The alicorn added, Sprout's ears fell flat against his head.

"That'll shut him up for a while." Izzy giggled to Zipp as they loaded their bags into the Sprouticus.

"Heh, yep I'm counting on it." Zipp replied, nudging Izzy's leg as she flicked her shades down.

"Wait!" A voice shouted from further up the road.

"Is that? Dazzle Feather?" Zipp asked, trying to focus on the pegasus running towards them.

"Oooh! I know her from TV!" Izzy smiled, rapidly tip-tapping her hooves on the floor of the Sprouticus.

Dazzle Feather came up to the group and skidded to a stop, panting as if she ran a long mile. "Let me come with you. I was the pony who helped her escape Zephyr Heights, it's only right that I come along to help you find her!" Dazzle painted, Izzy gently passed her a bottle of water to drink. Zipp looked towards Haven for guidance, Haven simply nodded.

"Sure." Zipp shrugged, "The more the merrier." She added, "But it'll mean we'd need to ration out supplies since we could have enough for 9 of us, not 10."

"That's fine, I bought my own supplies." Dazzle tiredly smiled, patting one of her overloaded saddle bags. "I packed my own food and I packed a few magazines in case we get bored too, enough for all of us." She added, Izzy taking the saddlebags off of her and placing them gently on the floor.

"Let's go already! We're burning daylight!" Sprout shouted from the cab, giving two sharp blasts of the horn.

"You heard Sprout. Get going!" Haven giggled, ushering the group. Zipp gave Haven one last hug.

"We'll try and call you when we find Pipp!" Zipp shouted from the open door as the Sprouticus began to move out.

Haven waved goodbye to Sunny and her friends as they set off on their journey. She turned and slowly trotted across the bridge, smiling to herself as she remembered the time she first left Zephyr Heights before she became queen.

*25 Years Ago*

"For the last time, Zephyr quit being so nervous around the princess." Zoom chuckled, punching Zephyr in the leg.

"I'm not! It's just that she keeps winking cutely at me." Zephyr replied. Avoiding eye contact with the young Princess as he rubbed the sore spot on his leg.

"Hehe~ You know I can hear both of you, right?" Haven smiled, resisting the urge to giggle as she made eye contact with Zephyr, "Oh come on Zephyr, you should know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you." Haven added, fluttering her eyes at the stallion.

Zephyr sweated more, looking directly at the floor, trying his best to hide his flustered look, "Besides..." He spoke quietly to Zoom, "She's a princess, I'm a guard, we aren't even allowed to even talk to each other... Nor look at each other."

"Who told you that, you dork?" Zoom chuckled.

"It's in the rule book given to us in boot camp, did you even read it? It states that any guard regardless of rank is not entitled to talk to royalty unless it is important." Zephyr frowned as Zoom shook her head in reply, turning around in frustration, Zephyr was amazed by the beautiful countryside surrounding them, the city in the distance atop the mountain, "Whoa, Helicon is smaller than I remember..." He spoke to himself, Haven quietly trotted over and stood next to him.

"It truly is something..." Haven added, smiling at Zephyr, "Come on, I'd like to at least camp out of sight of the city, we've got a long way to go." She wrapped a wing around Zephyr, "Come along, Zephyr."

*Present Day*

"David! I'm sorry!" Pipp shouted, swimming after David as the human stepped out of the water.

"What hell were you thinking? I told you I'm married!" David furiously grabbed his clothes from the shoreline as he started to climb the embankment.

"You must have at least felt something!" Pipp followed after him, before quickly returning for her phone.

"Even if I did, I'm married." David was thankful that the hot sun allowed him to dry off quickly as he reached the top of the embankment, "Look, let's just get going ok?!" He added, putting his clothes back on.

Pipp followed after David, unable to take her eyes off of his wet abs, "hubba hubba~" She thought to herself, biting her lip as she clipped the holster back onto her wing.

David slammed the car door shut as he sat down in the seat, Pipp quietly sat down in the seat next to him. Without another word, David started the car and the pair sped off down the road, living behind a cloud of dust.

End of Chapter Eleven.

Chapter #12: Make Camp

Chapter Twelve.
Make Camp.

"David..." Pipp yawned, "Please talk to me..." She added as the car was pulled over on the edge of a forest.

"Good night Pipp." He spoke deadpanned, stepping out of the car. The sound of grasshoppers filled his ears as Pipp also stepped out of the car.

"Night I guess..." She sighed, slowly trotting over to her trailer and stepping inside.

David sat down on the hood of the car, gazing up at the inky black sky filled with dozens of stars.

"What? Why are we stopping?" Zipp asked as Sprout brought the Sprouticus to a stop at the side of the dirt trail.

"Well, because unlike you. I need to sleep." Sprout smirked smugly as he shut off the engine.

"But we need to find Pipp!" Zipp shouted, shaking Sprout.

"Look! I am the only one who knows how to drive this. And I am not driving tired!" Sprout pointed to the sky outside, "Plus, it's dangerous to drive at night, especially in uncharted territory."

"Sprout's right, it's already night. We have been travelling since 10 am." Sunny spoke up. "I say we set up camp for the night." She added, tiredly removing her bag from around her neck.

"What?? It's already 9pm??" Zipp said as she checked her watch on her hoof.

"I'm in favour of it. My hoofs could use a rest." Hitch grumbled, rubbing his sore hooves.

"Same here, my hoofs are tired too," Izzy groaned, rubbing her throbbing hooves

"How can your hooves be tired? All you've done is sit down all day." Zipp looked angrily at her friends

"The road is super bumpy, for one thing, Zipp." Zoom injected herself into the conversation, "It's night and even if we use our flashlights, it's unsafe to know what lurks in this forest." She added.

"Zoom's right," Hitch added. "We should hunker down for the night and continue tomorrow morning when the sun is up, continuing in the morning is better and safer."

"Besides." Sprout rubbed his eyes, "Even if I were to teach one of you how to drive, it'll have to be in the morning, I am simply too tired to teach." The red stallion yawned loudly.

Soon enough, a small fire was blazing. Sunny, Zipp, Izzy, Dazzle and Thunder all sat around the orange light whilst Opaline, Hitch and Zoom went to gather more firewood.

"Sheesh, Sprout sure is a lightweight." Zipp spoke, looking over at the red stallion who was snoring loudly in the open doorway of the Sprouticus.

"Yea and one heavy snorer." Thunder added, holding out his hooves towards the warm flames.

"Tell me about it." Izzy smiled, gently rocking a sleeping Sparky.

"Izzy, you're a total natural with kids, remind me to hire you as a babysitter if I ever have my own foals." Sunny giggled, yawning slightly.

"Well, it comes naturally with the job." Izzy looked down, "Guys, I have a confession to make, so far only Hitch knows." Izzy leaned forwards.

"Don't tell me." Sunny rubbed her head, looking like she was mind-reading, "You're pregnant."

"What? No." Izzy responded, gently rubbing her belly, "No foals in here." The unicorn smiled slightly, "At least, not yet." She winked.

"Eww, gross. I don't want to hear about your love life." Zipp covered her ears.

"Pffft. Zipp, you were never the type that's interested in love." Thunder laughed loudly. Everyone chuckled as Zipp's cheeks turned bright pink.

"Hey, don't make me tell them about that one night." Zipp raised her hoof.

"Ok ok, I'll stop." Thunder fell silent quickly.

"Anyway." Izzy tilted her head, "The reason I'm so good with foals, is because I have my own back in Bridlewood, I hope to introduce you all to her once we're done with this rescue mission." Izzy smiled proudly.

"Wait?!" Zipp flustered, she would have spat out her drink if she had one, "You're a mom?" She added.

"Yep." Izzy nodded, "Why do you think I always spend the weekends in Bridlewood?" Izzy pulled out her phone from her be-dazzled saddle bag, turning it towards Sunny as a picture of Izzy and a filly loaded on the screen, "See that filly next to me? That's my daughter." Izzy smiled as she pointed at a filly sitting in between her legs.

"Aww..." Sunny, Dazzle and Thunder said in unison, "How come you never mentioned her?" Sunny asked, looking back up at the pony, who was perhaps her best friend in the whole world.

"You simply never asked me." Izzy grinned while shrugging, " Her name is Lil Annie." She added, gently placing the phone in Sunny's hoof.

Zipp raised her eyebrow, deep in thought, "Izzy, how could you have a daughter? You're a year younger than both me and Sunny."

Izzy blushed a little "How I had a daughter is a little… Complicated heh." She chuckled a little, eyes shifting from left to right.

"Why? Were you taken advantage of by a stallion?!" Zipp leaned closer.

"What? No." Izzy shook her head, "Nothing like that, me and Bongo Beats were just idiotic teens and we got drunk and well..." The unicorn rubbed the back of her head, "9 months later, Lil Annie entered the world."

Thunder looked closer at the photo as Sunny passed the phone to him, he frowned a little, "Not to be rude or anything, but what's wrong with her coat?"

"She has vitiligo, and no, you're not being rude by asking." Izzy gave the pegasus stallion a reassuring smile.

"Vitiligo?" Thunder asked. "I've never heard about that, is it something to do with the genres? I mean, I'm no science guy, so I have no idea what that is." He added.

"It's a genetic disorder, a very rare one at that." Sunny answered, Izzy simply nodded.

"It's something I wouldn't change." Izzy declared proudly, looking down at Sparky.

"So, where is she right now?" Dazzled asked, flapping her wings against the flames.

"She's staying with my mom, only until I save up the bits to afford to buy my own house in Maretime..." Izzy paused and looked down.

"Izzy?" Sunny cocked her head, "What's wrong?" The orange pony asked.

"While I enjoy living with you all at the Brighthouse, it's a bit too cramped for me and Lil Annie..." Izzy dully spoke, avoiding eye contact with Sunny.

"You know..."Zipp pointed at Izzy, "There is more than enough space for you both in the Brighthouse."

"But you said there was no room just a few days ago when the human showed up." Izzy looked confused.

"I lied..." Zipp tapped her hooves nervously, "I just didn't like the idea of this stranger living with us so soon, plus, he's a boy, you know how smelly boys can be right?"

"Wow, rude." Thunder said bluntly, crossing his hooves. He felt so insulted right now.

"Oh, didn't mean you, Thunder..." Zipp rubbed the back of her head, "I'm sure you smell nice." Both she and Thunder blushed, avoiding eye contact with each other.

An awkward silence filled the air.

"So..." Sunny broke the tension, "Zipp, if you don't mind me asking. Could you perhaps tell us about your father?"

"Not really much to tell honestly." Zipp bit the inside of her cheek, this was still a rather sore subject for her, "He was a guard, my mom was a princess, 9 months later and boom, yours truly was born."

"Come on Zipp, there's gotta be more to it than that." Izzy nudged the white pegasus.

"It's a rather... Sore subject for me, that's all. But, if you insist, I can always tell you about how he and my mom met?" Zipp shrugged.

"OH OH! Lemme grab some snacks." Izzy smiled as she opened her bags and grabbed a few packets of popcorn and passed one to Dazzle, Thunder, Sunny and herself "Hehe story time!!!" She added excitedly.

Zipp rolled her eyes in amusement, "Well, it all started 25 years ago, on a night just like-"

"You're not telling a ghost story." Izzy butted in.

"Yes, right. Sorry." Zipp rubbed her face in embarrassment, "Force of habit." She coughed, "Well, it all started 25 years ago. My father, Zephyr Blitz, was a royal guard, fresh out of training, and my mother was a princess at the time." She paused to take a sip of water from her flask, "My grandfather, the formidable King Ezekiel, assigned my father to be my mother's personal guard for a mission that would take them beyond our city."

"What was the mission?" Thunder asked, finally managing to open his bag of popcorn, with help from Izzy.

"Well, rumour had it that there was another pegasus city. My grandfather had originally intended to go himself, but due to an emergency within the city, my mother went in his stead."

"Another city?" Dazzle asked, tilting her head, "Then what happened?"

"They never found the city, because, along the way, these bandits showed up trying to steal mom's jewellery. But my father fought them all off, at great risk to his own life!" Zipp simulated a sword fight in front of the group.

"What happened to the bandits? Were they killed or captured?" Dazzle asked as she chomped on her popcorn.

"They were scared off at the sight of a royal guard so they never bothered to show up again." Zipp said as she took another sip of her flask, "But... Not before getting a lucky hit with a spear. Dad... Got it right in the shoulder. But not once in the fight, did he stop." She fluttered her wings proudly.

"Then what happened?" Sunny asked this time.

"After the bandits fled, my mom attended to his shoulder wound. From what she told me he took it pretty good, deep wound but she got him patched up." Zipp rubbed her shoulder as if she felt the pain, "It was whilst she was tending to his wound, they fell in love." Zipp's face then turned a slightly pinkish red, "It was here, I assume they... well..." Zipp tapped her hooves.

"Did the nasty?" Sunny added.

"Totally fucked each other's brains out?" Izzy loudly spoke, getting looks from everyone, "What?"

"Mated..." Dazzle corrected the two, "We Pegasi use the term mating or mated when discussing such... things..."

"Yeah..." Zipp rubbed her forelegs together.

"Either way, it sounds like a classic love story." Dazzle smiled, "Surprised your mom never had this all put into a book. I'd imagine it would sell like hotcakes." She added, taking a mouthful of water from her own flask.

"Your grandfather must have been super pissed when he found out, right?" Thunder spoke out

"Very much so." Zipp frowned, "From the old letters I've seen when I used to sneak into my mother's room. She and my father were planning on running away together after she found out she was pregnant with me." Zipp gulped, "When my grandfather found out, he wanted my dad's head on a pike. My mother, despite being nearly 7 months into her pregnancy, still beat my grandfather to the barracks, she wanted my father more than anything. Grandfather caught her helping my father pack his things."

"T-then what?" The four other ponies asked in unison.

"It was after seeing how much my father made my mother happy, did grandfather relent, he gave them his blessing to wed. After that, the rest is history."

"Whaaa? surely there has to be more right ??" Izzy asked, biting her lips. "TELL US MOREEEE!" Izzy said excitedly, shaking Zipp around like a doll.

"Actually, that's all I know Izzy, I don't know much besides the letters and from what they themselves told me and Pipp when we were younger." Zipp scratched her head.

"FOR THE LAST TIME! STOP RIPPING UP ENTIRE TREES!" Hitch's voice shouted from the trees.

"Well, Hitch's evening is eventful." Izzy giggled.

"Hey, you wanted firewood, I gave you firewood." Opaline's voice echoed back in reply.

"He didn't mean the entire trunk idiot!" Zoom shouted back, Thunder, Sunny, Izzy, Zipp and Dazzle couldn't contain their laughter.

"What? A trunk of wood is better than a few branches ya know?" Opaline spoke, her voice getting closer to camp.

"Yes, we know, but it almost fell on my head!" Hitch spoke sternly.

"Hmpf, maybe next time you should stand clear before I chop a branch down with magic." Opaline said unamused.

"YOU'RE NOT EVEN CHOMPING THEM! YOU'RE TEARING THEM OUT OF THE GROUND, ROOTS AND ALL!" Hitch protested.

"What do you expect? I'm an alicorn you little-" Opaline mumbled.

The 5 ponies at the campfire chuckled as the trio reemerged from the treeline, Hitch and Zoom's manes filled with twigs and leaves. Opaline meanwhile was carrying a large pile of wood on her spread wings.

Hitch flopped down next to Izzy's sleeping back, "I am never gathering firewood with those two, ever again." He whizzed, Izzy let out a giggle and kissed his forehead. Sunny, Zipp and Dazzle all giggled at the pair as Hitch blushed.

"My my, someone's in love." Dazzle giggled. "At some point in the future I might do a report on two special lovebirds" She giggled.

"Heh yeah..." Hitch blushed hard.

"It's ok Hitchy." She smiled, using her magic to remove the leaves and twigs from his mane.

"Sit still." Opaline ordered as she pulled twigs and leaves from Zoom's mane with her magic whilst dropping the pile of wood near the campfire.

"Ouch, it hurts." Zoom whined like a child.

"Well, maybe if you weren't wriggling around like a worm, I'd be able to remove all the twigs." Opaline groaned, thinking perhaps she was the only sane one on this trip. "There, done." The alicorn added, throwing the last twig into the crackling fire.

"So... How was the wood gathering?" Sunny asked Opaline directly.

End of Chapter Twelve.

Chapter #13: The Last Alicorn

Chapter Thirteen.
The Last Alicorn.

Izzy rolled out her sleeping bag as Zipp and Sunny tried to light a fire.

"Urgh! Izzy! Your homemade water bottle leaked all over the matches!" Zipp shouted, gesturing to the dripping-wet box.

"Move aside." Opaline grumbled, her horn crackling to life. Sunny and Zipp jumped back as the alicorn sent a blast of lightning at the small pile of branches and dried grass, igniting it almost instantly.

"See? Easy as a piece of cake." Opaline smiled, blowing the smoke from her horn.

"YOU ALMOST KILLED US!" Zipp shouted, stomping her hoof on the ground.

"Pfft quit being such a filly." Opaline waved her hoof smugly.

"Me? A FILLY?! I'M 24 YEARS OLD, YOU OLD COW!" Zipp's nostrils flared in anger.

"Who are you calling old?!" Opaline said angrily, her horn fizzling as it lit up

"Hey hey let's not start shall we?" Sunny said, putting herself between the alicorn and the pegasus.

"This- princess has gotten me irritated and annoyed." Opaline turned away from the white pegasus, "I need to be alone." She added, trotting off into the forest.

"HEY! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" Zoom shouted.

"To get firewood." The alicorn replied bluntly, branching snapped as she pushed past them.

"Think someone should go after her?" Sprout asked from the Sprouticus, the stallion was getting ready to sleep.

"You think?!" Zoom replied, tossing her armour to the side before running after the alicorn, "Thunder, you stay here, in case I need backup.

"Understood!" Thunder saluted.

"Take care of Sparky!" Hitch passed the sleeping dragon over to Izzy before sprinting after Zoom.

Opaline let out a roar of frustration as she ripped a large boulder out of the ground. She threw the boulder clear of the treetops without much effort, watching as it flew away. A loud crash filled her ears as it impacted the ground in the distance. Her horn fizzled as she ripped a tree from the ground, snapping its thick trunk like a matchstick before throwing it to the side.

"Stupid pegasus!" She screamed, bucking a nearby tree, splintering its trunk, "She knows nothing of being old!" Her horn crackled the air around it

"Hey, hey, Opaline, calm down, we might attract something in these woods." Hitch said in a low tone as he and Zoom finally caught up to the rage-fueled mare.

"I DON'T CARE! LET IT COME, I SHALL VAPORISE IT IN SECONDS!" Opaline snarled, raising her voice at the pair.

Zoom pulled out a weapon from under her wing and aimed it at Opaline, "Don't make me use this." The pegasus trembled.

"Woah! Zoom. Chill!" Hitch looked over in shock at the weapon.

Opaline lifted Zoom off the ground and brought her forth, placing the tip of the weapon right against her head, "DO IT. PULL THE TRIGGER!" The alicorn roared, "DEATH IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO LIVING 2000 YEARS LONGER THAN I WAS MEANT TO!" Opaline clamped her eyes shut as tears began to flow from them.

Hitch shouted at the top of his lungs "ALRIGHT! CAN WE ALL JUST TAKE A BREATH BEFORE WE MURDER EACH OTHER!?"

"URGH!" Opaline shouted in frustration, releasing Zoom from her magical grip. The blue pegasus landed on her hooves, slowly withdrawing the weapon.

"Right. Now, that's better." Hitch lowered his voice, "Now. Let's all take a deep breath, alright? No one is getting killed today." He added, "Let's all sit down and talk like adults." The stallion gently sat down on the broken tree trunk.

"Humf." Opaline groaned, quickly sitting down, scowling as she avoided eye contact with the others.

"Zoom..." Hitch spoke, patting the ground near him.

"Urgh, fine..." The older mare grumbled, sitting down as well.

"Now, let's start from the beginning. Opaline?" Hitch looked over at the large alicorn twice his size.

"Hmm?" She let out, still refusing to look at either of the other ponies.

"You said 'living 2000 years longer than you were meant to' what do you mean by that?" Hitch tilted his head.

Opaline froze in place, "I... Don't want to talk about it..." She sniffed, looking down at the gauntlets attached to her legs.

Hitch frowned slightly, looking at Opaline closely. He finally noted all the scars that covered her legs and sides, the largest concentration of such was around the gauntlets, "Come on." Hitch looked up at her, "We're all friends here..."

Opaline let out a long, deep sigh, "Fine..." She lamented, "But it's not exactly a happy story..."

"It's ok." The stallion smiled warmly, "Just take your time, I'm not going to judge you."

"Well, first off. I wasn't always an alicorn..." She paused, "I was born a unicorn within the Crystal Empire's grand capital, Los Cristales." Upon saying that name, a cool breeze blew through the alicorn's wings, "I was a rare birth since every Crystal Pony at that point was either earth ponies or pegasi. Neither of my parents was a unicorn either, both being pegasi." She looked down, and her breathing quickly became rapid.

"What's wrong?" Zoom asked, her face now showing concern for the volatile alicorn sitting across from her.

"It's just that..." Opaline nearly choked on her words, "Because I was such a rare pony, my parents had to keep me hidden. It wasn't until I was 15 that I was allowed my first friend. She was a pegasus, 9 years older than me, and it turned out she was our Empress's first-born child, by the name of Shooting Star." Her heart fluttered upon speaking that long-forgotten name, "We met in boot camp for Imperial Guard training, only after begging my parents to let me attend it of course." She looked up at the two before her.

"You, were a royal guard?" Zoom asked in surprise.

"Indeed I was..." Opaline nodded, before looking down and sighing once more, "But five years into my training, everything changed..."

"In what way?" Hitch asked, tilting his head.

"A villain from Equestria's very ancient past attacked, a goat by the name of Grogar stormed Canterlot. While the Crystal Empire didn't fight this battle, it changed everything. Whilst Twilight Sparkle and her friends successfully defeated Grogar, a mysterious alicorn by the name Dark Star emerged from the shadows."

"Was that the pony you were referring to when we arrested you?" Zoom asked, Opaline simply nodded.

"Dark Star wanted to unlock the secrets of alicorn immortality, since only those alicorns born naturally, like that of Celestia and Luna, are immortal, alicorns like herself, Princess Twilight Sparkle and Empress Cadenza had earned the alicorn form in some way or another and as such, would only live as long as your average pony."

"Do you know where this Dark Star came from?" Hitch asked.

"No..." Opaline shook her head, "It's possible that Grogar himself created her to be his ultimate weapon in case he was ever defeated..." She added, shifting over from a sitting position into a lying position.

"How come you know so much about her?" Zoom raised her eyebrow, suspicion in her mind, "Did you team up with her to take away Equestria's magic?!"

"You little-!" Opaline snarled, "You dare suggest I would ever team up with the very alicorn to force this form upon me in her sick experiment to cheat death itself?!" Opaline screamed.

"Forced?!" Zoom was taken aback by this outburst.

"Yes!" Opaline snapped, "Dark Star kidnapped me and tortured me for 5 years, trying to force the alicorn onto me." Opaline gestured to all the scars on her body, "Each one of these scars is from where she would slash me, draining me of my blood in an attempt to trigger the transformation." Her voice cracked, "And when that didn't work..." She looked down at the gauntlets, "She... She fused these things onto me and ran over 11,000 volts through me..."

"Opaline..." Zoom spoke softly, "I-I'm so sorry you went through that..."

"Her hard work paid off..." Opaline spread her wings, "I awoke to her experimenting on herself..." Opaline looked at her wings, "The mad mare sent 11,000 volts through herself the second it proved to be the key she needed."

"Why didn't the other Princesses stop her?" Hitch asked, hearing all the pain Opaline had gone through when she was his age was too much to bear for the stallion.

"They... tried..." Opaline sighed, "But, she defeated them all. She had found a way to activate an old bewitching bell and paired it with an ancient amulet. She was unstoppable. Celestia and Luna were defeated. Twilight had disappeared, and Empress Cadenza, along with the Crystal Empire, had also disappeared."

"Does that mean?" Zoom started to speak before being cut off by Opaline.

"Yes, young Zoom. I am, sadly, the last alicorn..." Opaline frowned, "Or, at least I thought I was until I saw your friend, Sunny." Opaline looked at Hitch, smiling slightly, "Anyway... Whilst Dark Star was able to turn both me and her into immortal alicorns, she wasn't able to use her newfound powers."

"Why?" Zoom and Hitch asked in unison, before looking at each other and chuckling.

"Because, right after she came too after performing it on herself, three ponies burst into the room, holding what you call the Unity Crystals. They used them on Dark Star, stripping her of her magic, as well as her physical form. But it cost Equestria its magic."

"You... You were there when Equestria fell?" Zoom spoke silently, lost deep in thought.

"So, what happened to Dark Star?" Hitch asked, tapping his hooves together.

"I don't know, and to be perfectly honest, I don't care what happened to her. She took everything from me..." Opaline replied, looking down, "But rest assured young Trailblazer, if she is alive out there, somewhere. I will do whatever it takes to defeat her, once and for all." Opaline looked straight ahead, a sense of focus in her voice.

"What did you do for the next 2000-odd years?" Zoom asked bluntly

"I just wandered around what was left of Equestria. When those three ponies left, they split the crystal into three pieces, but left one piece behind, a clearly circular cut gem."

"The earth crystal..." Hitch said softly.

"The very same." Opaline nodded, "I kept it with me for just over 2000 years until I encountered an earth pony archaeologist. I gave him the crystal, I figured it would be in far safer hooves with them than with me." Opaline looked down at her hooves.

"That explains how the earth crystal ended up in Sunny's lantern, her father must have brought it off of that archaeologist. He was always buying old trinkets and stuff like that from Equestria's history."

Opaline simply shrugged, "Hey, no skin off my back if that archaeologist sold it for a quick buck." Her mood shifted, "But, now that magic is back, I do worry that Dark Star might be out there, slowly regaining her strength..." She frowned, "She destroyed Equestria once, she can't do it again."

"TELL US MOREEEE!" Izzy's voice loudly echoed through the trees.

"Oh, darn." Hitch grumbled, "We've been gone a long time, they must be worried about us."

"Well, they think I'm getting firewood, so...." Opaline said, her horn lighting up. Her magical grasp wrapped around the broken tree Hitch was sitting on.

"Woah!" Hitch yelped in surprise, jumping off of the trunk as Opaline slowly lifted it off the ground. In the blink of an eye, what was once two sections of a trunk, was reduced to large chunks of wood perfect for a fire.

"Ok, but we need to make it look like we were gathering wood." Zoom suggested.

"Well, you two already look the part." Opaline stifled a giggle, gesturing to their manes. Hitch and Zoom looked up to see leaves and twigs tangled in their hair.

"I have an idea." Hitch smiled, " Just follow my lead." He gestured. Zoom and Opaline looked at each other and shrugged, the alicorn placed the firewood onto her back, spreading her wings to support the load. Hitch trotted forward, and cleared his throat, "FOR THE LAST TIME! STOP RIPPING UP ENTIRE TREES!" He bellowed into the sky.

Opaline and Zoom looked at the stallion before realising what he was doing, Opaline coughed a little, "Hey, you wanted firewood, I gave you firewood." She shouted into the air, trying not to giggle.

"He didn't mean the entire trunk idiot!" Zoom added, also trying not to giggle.

"What? A trunk of wood is better than a few branches ya know?" Opaline smiled, nearly choking from holding in her laughter.

"Yes, we know, but it almost fell on my head!" Hitch bit the inside of his cheek, now holding in his laughter.

"Hmpf, maybe next time you should stand clear before I chop a branch down with magic." Opaline faked an unamused voice

"YOU'RE NOT EVEN CHOMPING THEM! YOU'RE TEARING THEM OUT OF THE GROUND, ROOTS AND ALL!" Hitch shouted, Zoom now openly giggling.

"What do you expect? I'm an alicorn you little-" Opaline added as the three emerged from the forest. Sunny and the others all stared at them, trying their best not to giggle.

Soon enough, everyone had settled down for the night. Izzy and Hitch cuddled, with Sparky sleeping between them, curled up like a cat. Dazzle had set up a small tent for herself, a small electric lamp lighting up the tent. Zipp was already asleep, her leg twitching in the air as she snored. Zoom and Thunder had fallen asleep near each other. Finally, Sunny was slowly drifting off to sleep.

Opaline, meanwhile, found it difficult to sleep, nothing new for her, however. Over the centuries, she found herself never being able to sleep, always looking over her shoulder in terror that Dark Star may have found her, and even if she would finally be able to sleep, she would always dream of being back on that table under Dark Star's fortress. Quietly, the alicorn rose to her hooves and slowly trotted over to a nearby stream. She sat down near the water's edge, her eyes locked on the gauntlets attached to her very fur and skin.

Spotting a large rock nearby, Opaline picked it up and smashed it down on one of the gauntlets.

End of Chapter Thirteen.

Chapter #14: Fatique

Chapter Fourteen.
Fatigue.

"Sunny!" A voice called out from the forest, the earth mare turned around to the source of the voice, seeing a pink pegasus behind her.

"Pipp?" Sunny replied, wide-eyed at the sight of her small pegasus friend behind her. The orange pony took off into a sprint towards her friend, "Pipp! I was worried sick!" She shouted, tears of joy leaving her eyes, but just as she was about to embrace the pegasus, Pipp's form turned to ash.

Suddenly, evil laughter filled the air around where Sunny was as the ash formed into another pony, not that of Pipp, but a tall dark alicorn with white markings over the face, it had a dark purple mane and tail with blonde streaks, eyes a bright pink and its smile was evil and sadistic, on the chest was an ancient bell. A dark tiara with a bright glowing red gem in the centre rested atop the alicorn's head.

"Well well." The alicorn cackled, "What do we have here?" It added, horn glowing a sickly purple hue as the being brought Sunny before them.

"W-what are you?" Sunny's voice trembled with terror.

"I am what you can become, all you have to do is give in to your alicorn power!" It cackled, razor-sharp teeth on full display. The voice was clearly that of a mare.

"Who are you?!" Sunny screamed as full-blown fear took hold of her.

"I am Dark Star, but you can call me Equestria's future queen." She said as she slowly morphed into the vision of Sunny's father, Argyle Starshine. "You really don't get it, do you Sunny?" He chuckled. "That alicorn power you have is not yours to have." He added, slowly morphing into Izzy. "Yeah, Sunny haha haha…HAHAHA! You should not even have it!" She laughed as she then morphed into Hitch. "Sunny Sunny Sunny, heh that power you have is not even yours. Its power just found a new host, which is you but you are not its rightful owner." He said before morphing into Zipp.

"Ugh, whatever Sunny that power you have should not even exist inside you. You're weak and pathetic." She said before morphing into Twilight Sparkle. "You SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE MY POWERS! YOU…….. WILL………. DIE!" She laughed.

Sunny, out of fear, transformed into her alicorn form. "No no no!" She screamed

"Haha! Pathetic." Dark Star smirked, shifting back into her proper form as the bewitching bell lit up.

"Ah!" Sunny awoke, tears falling down her cheeks. She looked at her friends, who were fast asleep. She looked up at her forehead, seeing the warm glow from her horn.

Her ears twitched as the sound of bashing filled them. Slowly stepping free from her sleeping bag, she found her wings resting at her sides, "Ugh, really?" She grumbled as she tracked the source of the sound. Peering from behind a tree, she saw Opaline's silhouette in the moonlight, the alicorn's horn glowing, barely illuminating her face.

"I know you're there. Sunny." Opaline's voice suddenly spoke, startling the younger pony.

"Heh, I guess you can say that Opaline." Sunny said as she walked over and sat down next to the alicorn. "What gave me away?" She asked.

"Your horn and wings." She gestured to Sunny's aethereal wings and horn. "So, can't sleep either, huh?" Opaline asked the orange pony sitting beside her as she bashed a large rock against her gauntlets.

"Well... No..." Sunny said quietly, ears falling flat against her head, "I had a nightmare, about somepony called Dark Star..." She added, Opaline paused her bashing, looking over at the earth pony-turned-alicorn.

"Wanna talk about it?" Opaline replied, placing the rock down next to herself.

"Ok, who are you and what have you done with Opaline?" Sunny chuckled, Opaline let out a guttural chuckle in response.

"No no, nothing of the sort. I just know what it's like to have nightmares." Opaline sighed slightly, she felt Sunny place a hoof on hers

"Did you also have a nightmare?" Sunny asked as her horn and wings finally faded away. Despite the battle they had barely a week ago, funny felt safe in Opaline's presence. For some inexplicable reason, It was a feeling she hadn't felt since the day her dad failed to come home after one of his research trips nearly 10 years ago.

"No, thankfully not, in my case, I just couldn't sleep. So, I've been up trying to get these blasted gauntlets off." The alicorn looked down at the gauntlet she had spent the last hour or so bashing in an attempt to break it off of her leg.

"Why, can't you simply slip them off like bracelets?" Sunny tilted her head, looking down at the dented gauntlet.

"I wish it was that simple. It sadly isn't, these gauntlets were forced onto me by the pony who made me into the alicorn you see before you." Opaline looked over at the slow-flowing stream as the surface twinkled in the moonlight.

"Who did this to you?" Sunny asked, slowly running her hoof along the gauntlet.

"The very pony you had your nightmare about. Dark Star. She kidnapped me, and tortured me for 5 years, these gauntlets were a part of it, she used them to electrocute me, forcing this alicorn form on me. I was once an up-and-coming unicorn, now, I'm just a shell of my former self."

"Who is Dark Star?" Sunny asked.

"I don't know, she arrived out of nowhere, she wanted the key to immortality, a trait only those born as alicorns possess." Opaline turned back to Sunny, "You said you had a nightmare about someone claiming to be her, correct?"

"Mhmm..." Sunny nodded in response.

"Would you mind telling me about this?" Opaline smiled, gently moving a bit of Sunny's mane away from her eye with her wing.

"Well, it started off with me hearing Pipp's voice coming from the tree line, I turned to see her. But as I went to hug her, she turned to ash, being replaced by an alicorn twice as tall as you, wearing both a crown and a bell." Sunny sniffled a little, "Then, she starts saying things like my magic belongs to her, whilst transforming into images of my dad and the rest of my friends. Before I woke up, the bell started to light up." Sunny choked on her words as she felt Opaline's wing wrap around her, bringing her closer to the alicorn.

"What did she look like?" Opaline asked, her voice sounding a mix of shocked and fearful.

"She was purple, like Izzy, her mane and tail were glowing, purple and blonde, and she had white markings on her face, going from under chin all the way to the top of her head." Sunny trembled, tears filling her eyes once more, "That's all I can remember, it was just so scary, it felt too real..."

"That's her..." Opaline said fearfully, "She's still alive..." She added, hugging Sunny tightly against her chest, "Have you had this nightmare before?" Opaline gently stroked Sunny's head, comforting the mare.

"Before, but it's never been this bad. In the past, it was just a voice, telling me to give the unity crystals to her." Sunny wiped a tear from her eye, "This is the first time she's ever shown herself to me..." The orange pony sighed, "Izzy tells me that our dreams and nightmares mean things, do you know what my nightmare means?"

"I have one idea..." Opaline looked down at Sunny, "It means that Dark Star is regaining her magic."

"What do you mean?" Sunny looked up at Opaline, "Why does she want my magic?"

"The Unity Crystals stripped her of her make centuries ago." Opaline let out a deep sigh, "I was there when it happened. Three ponies, one from each tribe. They stood up to her. The experiments and torture she did to me, she had been fueling them by draining Equestria of its magic and they had enough of it. Now that the magic is back, it stands to reason she wants it back."

"But what does that have to do with friends and me?" Sunny rubbed her sore eyes.

"Because her magic now resides within you, Sunny." Opaline spoke sternly.

"Wha... What?" Sunny asked, her fear now replaced with confusion.

"The Unity Crystals gave you her powers the moment they were reunited. They clearly need a new host and they chose you, Sunny Starscout." The alicorn spoke softer this time.

"But why me?" The earth pony asked.

"Because they saw greatness in you that you don't even see." Opaline smiled warmly at the younger pony.

"Thank you for listening, Opaline..." Sunny smiled, tightly hugging Opaline in return.

"You're welcome, Sunny..." Opaline smiled at this warm feeling, it was a feeling she hadn't felt in years, even when Misty would hug her a filly, she wouldn't feel nearly as warm as this.

"You know, for someone who was trying to kill me barely a week ago, you've changed for the better." Sunny smiled, "Quite the quick change of heart." She added.

"T-thanks..." Opaline smiled, a lone tear ran down her cheek, "I guess it's because I finally have my magic. Now I have that, I don't really need to be evil anymore..." She added, her voice speaking softly, "Although, venting to your stallion friend, Hitch and that Zoom did do wonders too."

"Well, talking is one step towards inner peace, that's what my dad would say. Also, Hitch isn't my stallion friend. He's more like a brother to me." Sunny added. "We have known each other since we were foals, he's very kind and is always keen to help others. I just don't romantically see him that way, never have, and never will. Besides, he's with Izzy..." She frowned.

"Don't ask me for dating advice, I may be all-knowing, but love is beyond my wheelhouse, but it is clear that those two love each other very much." Opaline chuckled, before looking back down towards the gauntlets. Sunny followed her eyes down.

"You know, I might be able to pick the lock on these things." The earth pony quickly stood up and ran back towards camp, "I'll be back!" She added, disappearing over the small hill.

Pipp lay awake, eyes fixed on the ceiling above her bed. She looked over at her bedside clock as the numbers rolled over to 2 a.m. Stretching forward, she grabbed her phone from the nightstand, being momentarily blinded by the screen before quickly lowering the brightness. She slowly scrolled through her Flutter feed, seeing reposted videos from ClipClop. Sighing, she closed the app down and noticed 5 unread messages. Tapping on the icon, she saw that the messages were from Zipp, Sunny and her mom, one from Zipp, with Sunny and Haven sending two.

Ignoring Zipp's message, she tapped on the first one from Haven.

"Pipp. I have some great news to tell you. Please call me the moment you get this... I love you, Pipp, please come back. Your late father would not want this..." It read, scrolling down, tears filled Pipp's vision as the second message from her mother read simply, "Pipp?"

Wiping her eyes, she went on to read the two messages from Sunny, the first one read, "Pipp. We want to know if you're safe, please just give us a call." Whilst the second message was just a hugging emoji.

Pipp slowly tapped the back button, bringing the screen back to the message list, she saw Zipp's message still marked as unread, she hesitated at first but gave in and tapped Zipp's name and checked Zipp's message. "Hey, sis... I know you and I are not exactly on the best of terms since that fight we had, but I'm willing to settle this with you... Please, sis, mom misses you... I miss you too..." It read. She gently placed her phone down and let out a long sigh.

"What am I even doing?" She choked back the urge to cry, "I should have listened to Zipp and not put all my blind trust into David..." Pipp lamented, she had thrown everything away to join this human on a journey that might end up being completely pointless. Even if the Crystal Empire had returned, who's to say his wife and child were even still alive. Pipp bit the inside of her cheek as she stared at her phone, "One call to mom can't hurt right?" She asked herself as she picked the phone up and tapped on her mother's contact details, the phone let out a dial tone.

David, meanwhile, also lay awake. The howling winds outside prevented much sleep for him. Due to the back window of the car being smashed, he couldn't get shelter from the wind, but his mind was focused elsewhere, focused solely on the moment Pipp had decided to kiss him. Kissed him, she kissed him, a married man.

His brain felt like it was fighting itself, on one hand, the kiss felt wrong because Pipp isn't his wife, but on the other hand, it felt right. He wasn't good with internal conflicts, truth he told. He sat up in the rear seat of the car, pulling out his phone and opening the gallery app. Inside were hundreds, if not thousands of pictures of him, his wife and his daughter. Some photos were of days out to places, like the park and museums, and others were of family events and holidays like Hearth's Warming and Nightmare Night.

David felt more emotional as he swiped through the photos, at one was a photo of Harmony Light and himself posed for their annual wedding portrait. Regret was the strongest emotion he was feeling right now, regret not knowing about Lillian's birth until 24 years after the fact when he and Harmony finally reunited.

He then heard a knock on the window, he looked up to see Pipp outside his car looking at him through the Window. She had bags under her eyes from lack of sleep, "Can we talk?" She said, voice muffled by the glass. "Please?" She added, trying to hide her sadness as the glass fogged up from her breathing. David opened his car door and Pipp jumped in, closing the door behind her.

Pipp sat down next to the human, her green eyes locking with his blue eyes. "David... I want to go home..." She spoke softly.

"Pipp... I'm going to be honest here. You're more than welcome to go home if you want to, but you said so yourself, the fate that awaits you if you head back..." David replied, placing his hand on his own neck, gesturing to the fate that awaited Pipp at home.

"I know..." The mare added, looking down at her hind hooves, "But... I called my mom, the queen..." She looked at him, "Now, don't get mad!" She added.

David simply shrugged, "None of my business what you do."

"Ok, well." Pipp was taken aback by how well he had taken it, "Turns out, the charges have been dropped!" She smiled cheerfully, "We're no longer wanted!" She hugged him tightly.

"Whoa, how, why?" David asked, surprised by the news.

"According to mom, it turned out that the fuel you stole was useless to Canterlogic, you basically did Phyllis a favour by stealing it, but mom told me to tell you that Phyllis would like the trailer back." Pipp poked his chest with her hoof, "My mom has her ways when dealing with ponies, although, in this case, she had nothing to do with the charges being dropped." She chuckled.

"Wow, I can't believe it..." David said, rubbing his hand against his forehead, he looked down to find Pipp had quickly fallen asleep on him, snoring softly, "Heh... Goodnight, Pipp..."

Sunny quickly ran back down the hill, toolbox and a medical kit balanced on her back.

"Sorry I took so long, I had to sneak past Sprout to get this toolbox, plus, I got distracted..." Sunny spoke, sitting down next to Opaline as Izzy trotted over the hill too. The unicorn and the alicorn locked eyes with each other.

"Opaline..."

"Isabella."

"My name is Izzy, not Isabella." Izzy corrected, sitting down opposite Opaline.

Sunny was shocked, "Do you two know each other? Have you had past run-ins with each other before magic returned?" Sunny tilted her head in confusion as she flipped open the toolbox.

"No, I just assumed Izzy was short for Isabella." Opaline frowned slightly at Sunny's remark.

"Ah, I see..." Sunny mused as she pulled out a small screwdriver and a hammer.

"Ok, how are those meant to help?" Opaline questioned the earth pony before her.

"Because..." Sunny mumbled, tongue poking out as she positioned the screwdriver over the hinge pin for one of the gauntlets, "Using this screwdriver and hammer, I should be able to knock the pin out."

"And what's with the medical kit?" Izzy tilted her head as Sunny gently tapped the handle of the screwdriver with the hammer.

"Oh, just in case I accidentally hurt myself or Opaline whilst doing this." Sunny smiled as the pin fell free from the gauntlet, landing on the pebbly edge of the stream.

Opaline looked down at the gauntlet as Sunny gently pulled it away from her leg, the alicorn winced as the cold steel yanked on her skin."Just yank it off." She grumbled.

"You sure? It's melted onto your skin..." Izzy asked, concern slightly filling her voice, Opaline just nodded in reply, "Ok, here goes nothing..." Izzy winced as her horn lit up, in one quick pull, the gauntlet broke free from Opaline's leg. Sunny quickly wrapped the area where the gauntlet once was with bandages to stop any bleeding. Opaline bit her lip, eyes watering with the pain.

"Ow! That stings!" Opaline held back the urge to scream, she looked down at the gauntlet, "One down...." Opaline gritted her teeth in pain, "Three more to go..."

Soon enough, the other three gauntlets were removed. Opaline looked down at her legs, all four were covered with bandages where the gauntlets once were. Her skin stung from the pain.

"So, what do you want to do with them?" Izzy asked, levitating the gauntlets with her magic.

"Burn them, melt them, throw them away. I don't care..." Opaline winced as she slowly got onto her hooves. Sunny stood next to her, ready to catch her if she stumbled.

"Come one, let's get back to camp." Sunny smiled, picking up the toolbox and medical kit.

"Thank you, Sunny...." Opaline smiled as she slowly took a step.

"No problem." Sunny smiled as she trotted ahead of the alicorn.

End of Chapter Fourteen.

Chapter #15: Invasion of the Mind

Chapter Fifteen.
Invasion of the Mind.

Night fell upon Zephyr Heights, the sky was filled with countless stars and not a single cloud in sight. The clock tower in the city centre rang as it struck 2 am. Most of the citizens were already asleep, except for a few night owls doing late-night shopping or spending the night at clubs. The Royal guards patrolled the palace. The palace was silent, save for the occasional chatter of the guards. Two royal guards stood guard in front of Haven's private chambers. Snoring filled the room as Haven lay sleeping, Cloudpuff asleep at the foot of the bed.

Haven's room was soon filled with a dull buzzing sound as her phone started to ring, the screen lighting up the room. Cloudpuff let out a yawn as the buzzing caused the dog to wake up. He tilted his head and slowly flew over to the phone. He saw it was Pipp trying to call. He began barking, in an attempt to wake his adoring owner.

"Mmm... Cloudpuff, if you're asking for more treats. Wait till the morning please..." She said as she tried to sleep.

"Bark bark!" Couldpuff yelped, before biting on Haven's sleeping masking, pulling it off.

"Cloudpuff! What is the emergency?" She asked. Cloudpuff grabbed her phone and gave it to her. Haven looked down at the phone, seeing Pipp's picture flashing on the screen, "PIPP!?" She quickly swiped on Answer.

"Hi, mom..." Pipp's voice spoke from the speaker.

"PIPPARINA! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW GREAT IT IS TO HEAR YOUR VOICE!" Haven said excitedly but in a soft voice. "Where are you? I'll send out a squadron of guards to your location to bring you home." Haven added, her chest felt lighter from hearing her daughter's voice.

"I want to see your face..." Pipp spoke softly, tapping her screen, making the call go from voice call to video call.

"Pipp. I'm going to ask this in the most delicate fashion I can muster." Haven added, turning on her bedside lamp as her own face appeared on her screen, "BUT WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!" The queen screamed, "YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW WORRIED I AM RIGHT NOW!, I WAS WORRIED FOR YOU!"

"I'm sorry, mother..." Pipp sniffed, wiping her muzzle.

Haven sighed. "Pipp, what would happen if you got killed out there or bandits kidnapped you, what would your father think Pipp? Do you think he would want his daughter to run off?" She asked Pipp, the old mare trying her best not to cry, "Ever since you ran off, I've not been able to sleep without worrying about what might have happened to you." Please Pipp you and Zipp are my only family left." She added.

"I know..." Pipp spoke softly.

"If your father were here he would be so worried about you Pipp." Haven sighed. "Do you remember the story I told you about your dad? where he took a spear to the shoulder after fending off those bandits?" She reminded Pipp, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, mother..." Pipp answered, sighing as Haven went on to talk about how she attended to her father's wounds after the bandit attack.

"And since the day of our wedding, and the day we both became King and Queen, we both vow to love each other till the day we die." Haven added. "Do you think he would want this? And Zpp, she is the only sister you have Pipp. Do you think she would want this?" She added, before noticing Pipp wasn't speaking, "Pipp? Are you listening?"

"I am, mother..." Pipp said in a sad tone.

"Please, Pipp... Come home dear." Haven said, trying her best not to cry, "Phyllis removed the charges… you and that human are no longer convicted of the crime so please Pipp, I'm asking not as the Queen of zephyr heights, but as your mother please come home I miss you, Zipp missed you and if your father were here he would miss you too so Please... Come home my dear, I got sunny and a few of your friends to go look for you along with Zoom and Thunder." Haven added.

"W-what? We're not wanted?" Pipp said, shocked by this news.

"Yes my dear all charges have been dropped, you are not wanted and you won't have to worry about losing your royal title and status or being executed." Haven said. "So please, come home, dear, Zephyr Heights needs its sassy pop star singer." Haven chuckled a little.

"Mom..." Pipp smiled weakly.

"Yes, dear? What is it?" Haven asked.

"While I'm thankful for everything you've done, why were they dropped? The charges I mean." Pipp spoke.

"Oh, something about that fuel being useless to Canterlogic." Haven waved her hoof, "Phyllis said that the human stealing it did her company a favour, but she wants that tanker back, however." Haven smiled, beaming from ear to ear, "So, what do you say Pipp? You can choose to either let the human go it alone on what is clearly a suicide mission whilst you stay and wait for Zipp to arrive, or you see this through to the end." She added, raising her eyebrow.

"I'm sorry mother, but I want to see this through to the end, even if it is a wasted trip." Pipp spoke, confidence now filling her tired voice.

"Well... Dear, it’s your choice. I trust your gut but please stay safe..." Haven told Pipp. "The last thing I need is... Getting a phone call from Zipp saying that found your body, so please, stay safe… for your father." She added, "But if you do change your mind, I'm just a phone call away."

"Ok, mom..." Pipp smiled, yawning.

"You better get some sleep, young lady." Haven smiled, kissing her phone. "Stay safe, my dear." Haven added.

"Ok, night mom." Pipp smiled before tapping the end call button.

Haven looked at her phone screen as it went blank before returning to the home screen, she let out a yawn, "I'll let Zipp know in the morning." She yawned, placing her phone back on the nightstand. She laid back down, looking up at the ceiling, "Our daughter is fine, Zephyr..." She said to herself as she drifted back to sleep.

The sun slowly began to crest over the horizon. Opaline sat and stared at it from the campsite, the early morning breeze slowly rustling her mane.

"Fear not, Celestia..." She spoke softly to herself as the sun slowly rose from behind the distant mountain range, "I will avenge you and Luna, mark my words." She snarled under her breath. The alicorn looked around at the ponies, still asleep by the now burned-out campfire. She let out a deep sigh before turning away from the camp.

Quietly raising to her hooves, the large alicorn slowly trotted away from camp, making her way through the large meadow nearby.

Zipp's ear twitched as the sounds of a dove cooing in a tree nearby filled them. The white pegasus rubbed her eyes tiredly as she yawned, stretching her wings with a slight pop of joints. She looked around to see her other friends all still asleep in their sleeping bags except for Dazzle who brought her own tent and Sprout who had decided to sleep in the cab of the Sprouticus. She smiled contentedly until she noticed a lack of a giant purple alicorn.

"Wait, what?" She spoke to herself, voice weak from sleeping with her mouth open. The pegasus shot up from her sleeping back, looking around frantically, "She-" Zipp went to scream, but her dry mouth prevented her from even raising her voice. Zipp grabbed her flask from her bag, consuming all the remaining water from it, some trickling down her chin.

"OPALINE'S GONE!" Zipp shouted, throwing the empty flask onto the ground. Her loud voice instantly woke everyone up except for Sprout who was in a deep sleep and had earmuffs on.

"Wait... Who’s gone?" Izzy asked, smacking her lips as she yawned

"OPALINE!" Zipp shouted, flying around the campsite, "SHE’S GONE!"

Sunny woke up. "Huh, that can't be... She should be here..." She said, rubbing her eyes. "Also, was it really necessary to shout at the top of your lungs?" The earth pony glared at the pegasus as she continued to rub the sleep from her eyes.

"Hey, I would not have shouted if it was an emergency you know?" Zipp glared back at Sunny, "I told you Opaline would run the first chance she got!" The pegasus snapped.

"Opaline would not do that. We made a deal back at Zephyr Heights, remember? We gave her dragon fire in exchange, and she agreed to help us find Pipp." Sunny snapped back, waving her hoofs around and stretching.

"Well, she's not here!" Zipp shouted, shoving Sunny backwards.

"Hey! Don't take it out on me!" Sunny snarled, pressing her nose against Zipp's. The two looked like they were ready to kill each other.

Dazzle slowly opened the flaps of her tent, just in time to see Zipp and Sunny arguing, followed by Zipp shoving Sunny. "Hey Hey! Let’s not start a fight alright? We all agreed we'd find Pipp together so let’s live up to that promise alright?" The lavender pegasus shouted, placing herself between Zipp and Sunny.

"Uh, guys..." Izzy spoke up, trying to get the attention of Dazzle, Sunny and Zipp but to no avail, "GUYS!" Izzy shouted at the top of her lungs.

"WHAT?!" All three mares shouted in unison.

"I see her in that field!"' Izzy shouted, pointing to the meadow, a purple blob sat among the grass and flowers, "She isn't exactly hard to miss." The unicorn added, "Her large size gave away her spot." She giggled a little as Zipp and Sunny took off running towards the alicorn.2

Opaline sat amongst the grass, hind legs crossed, fore hooves held up in the air and eyes closed. She took in steady and calm breaths as she relaxed her mind. As she focused on the magic surrounding her, an evil cackle entered her mind, the voice was one she had not heard for a long time.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The evil voice cackled as two pink eyes became visible in the darkness that now surrounded Opaline, You really thought I forgot about you!? My experiment!" The voice added, cackling harder.

"Dark Star..." Opaline snarled, turning around as Dark Star made herself visible, stepping out from the darkness.

"I'm surprised you remember me. It's been centuries." Dark Star smirked wickedly, "Why, I remember those long five years where I would torture you! I miss the screams." She cackled, using her magic to gash a large wound into Opaline's cheek.

"You won't win." Opaline gritted her teeth, "I can assure you that." She spat in Dark Star's face.

"Ooooh, I'm so scared." Dark Star said in a mocking tone, "You're powerless to stop me, every day I grow stronger. I am inevitable." The larger alicorn smirked, her magic wrapping around Opaline's throat, "Once I have my magic back, all of Equestria will bow before me or it will burn." She added, watching as Opaline wriggled around in her magical grip.

"Sunny Starscout and her friends will stop you." Opaline choked, gasping for air.

"Oh, I doubt that." Dark Star rebutted as she disappeared from view, Opaline felt the alicorn's magic loosen from her neck, "Bring me Sunny Starscout, or I will hunt you down and make you watch as I burn this place to the ground."

Opaline's eyes snapped open, the alicorn found herself back in the field. She placed a hoof on her cheek, feeling the blood slowly trickle down her face. "S-she's getting stronger..." She said, looking at the blood on her hoof as Sunny skidded to a stop in front of her.

"Wait, who is?" Sunny asked in a concerned tone as she quickly pulled a piece of tissue from her bag, wiping it on Opaline's cheek.

"Dark Star..." Opaline spoke solemnly, flinching at Sunny's touch, "She's getting stronger each day..." She avoided eye contact with Zipp as the latter finally stopped next to the alicorn.

"Yeah, yeah. Likely story." Zipp snarled, pressing her muzzle right against Opaline's own muzzle.

"Zipp... Can you please listen to Opaline for once?" Sunny replied while throwing the bloodied tissue away, "And would it kill you to not be judgmental of everyone pony for once?"

"Why are you so willing to trust her on this?!" Zipp shouted, practically screaming in Sunny's face before she felt a tightness on her neck, the pegasus looked down to see Opaline's magical grip around her throat.

"All I have to do is squeeze." Opaline spoke darkly, "You know nothing of the horrors I have witnessed."

Zipp quickly began gasping for air, "Hey! Let me go! You-" She choked as Opaline's grip tightened.

"Opaline. Let her go! She can't breathe!" Sunny screamed as Zipp's face slowly started to turn purple.

Opaline looked down at Sunny, letting out a sigh before releasing Zipp. The pegasus fell to the ground with a grunt as she gasped for much-needed air.

"You should have seen the horrors and pain I suffered at the hooves of that monster! You would barely survive the first few tests and experiments she conducted on me." Opaline spat the ground near her. Clearly unamused with the white pegasus.

"Look. I don't care what time you're from. Don't you dare strangle a princess. I can see fit that you are executed for that!" Zipp whizzed, coughing as she steadied her breathing.

"Whatever..." Opaline spoke, trotting past Zipp and towards the camp.

Sunny looked at Zipp, "Was that really necessary?" She sighed, "Come on, Zipp. Loosen a little, she went through a lot." She added, offering out a hoof to Zipp.

"Who's side are you even on?!" Zipp shouted, batting away Sunny's hoof.

"Your side, her side, everyone's side." Sunny replied, frowning as she did so.

"WELL, IF YOU WERE ON MY SIDE, WE WOULD HAVE FOUND PIPP ALREADY!" Zipp screamed into Sunny's face before trotting off.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Sunny shouted back as Zipp stormed off.

"Look. I don't want to fight with you Sunny." Zipp stopped, turning around to face her friend, "But why do you trust Opaline so much?" She sat down on the grass.

"Why do you not trust her? We made it this far with her help and besides she kept her end of the deal." Sunny reminded Zipp as she placed her hoof around Zipp's shoulder.

"I know I know, It's just that I feel like she's not telling us everything. She seems to know that human by name. Is she a disgruntled Ex or something?" Zipp sighed.

"I don’t know, the only way we are going to find out more is through Pipp since she was the first one to interact with him." Sunny smiled reassuringly, "Plus, think about it, once we've saved Pipp, you won't have to interact with Opaline again."

"Ok..." Zipp sighed, "Let's get this over with..." She added as her and Sunny slowly trotted towards the camp site.

End of Chapter Fifteen.

Chapter #16: Storm and Monsters

Chapter Sixteen.
Storm and Monsters.

Zipp sat on one side of the Sprouticus, Opaline and Sunny sat opposite her. The alicorn and the white pegasus stared daggers at each other. Zoom, Hitch, Dazzle and Izzy nervously looked back and forth between the two.

"This was not how I expected this trip would go..." Hitch said. He eyed Zipp and Opaline back and forth.

"Yea... This is getting very tense here, it's starting to feel hot here." Izzy said, tugging an invisible shirt collar.

"So. Hitch, Izzy. How long have you two been dating?" Dazzle asked, trying to remove the tension in the cramped space they currently occupied.

"I-u-um." Hitch stuttered at the sudden probing question into his personal life, "About a month now..." He added, a bead of sweat started to trickle down his forehead.

"I see. And how did you ask her out?" Dazzle replied, biting her lip.

"OH! I can answer this!" Izzy beamed ear to ear, raising her hoof like she was about to ask a teacher a question, "Well, he simply asked me out on a date after I dropped off Sparky after dragon sitting. The date quickly ended up with me and Sparky playing on the beach whilst Hitchy paid the bill." Izzy giggled, nuzzling into Hitch's neck.

"Get a room, you two..." Zipp groaned, trying not to throw up at the sight of the display of affection. Zipp wasn't a fan of romance, even if it was a romance between her friends.

"Teach me!" Sunny suddenly bellowed, everypony now looking directly at her.

"What?" Opaline asked, slightly started by the sudden outburst.

"Teach me alicorn magic!" Sunny spoke again, calmer this time.

"I can't. I'm too rusty with magic." Opaline looked away, grumbling to herself.

"Pleeease." Sunny begged, stars visible in her eyes as she beamed from ear to ear.

"Alright, fine!" Opaline finally replied, "But I can't promise it'll be useful." She bit the inside of her cheek, "Perhaps..." She thought to herself, "I might have found the perfect pony to help me take on Dark Star..." She mused to herself.

"Sweet!" Sunny cheered, giddy like a child in a toy shop, "So, when do we start?" She asked excitedly, resting her chin on her hooves.

"We..." Opaline looked down at Sunny and smiled slightly, "We start now." She added, horn lighting up the room as she used her magic to open up the emergency hatch on the ceiling. Opaline spread her tattered wings wide, a loose feather floating away from them as she started to flap up and through the hatch, Sunny quickly jumped up from her seat to follow her, summoning her alicorn form, she quickly followed Opaline.

"See, that is what I'm talking about." Zipp spoke after the hatch closed, "Sunny is blindly trusting a pony who tried to kill us all not even a week ago... I don't like it..." She frowned.

"Well someone's in a good mood today." David said, looking over at Pipp as the small mare was happily scrolling through YouHoof. From what he could see on her screen, it seemed to be a video titled 'The Best Clip-Trot Videos of June 2021'. He didn't understand what Clip-Trot was, but from what he saw of the video, it just seemed to be like a site he heard of once called Vine.

"Mhmm." She giggled, eyes locked on the screen as a pony fell over in slow motion with a song saying something about getting ready to slumber.

"You and I have very different definitions of what's funny." He shrugged, before returning his view to the road ahead. The road was mostly obscured by the rain as they travelled through a raging thunderstorm, causing them to be travelling a lot slower than in previous days.

Pipp's ears flickered as the sound of the howling winds rocking her trailer back and forth, looking away from her phone for the first time all day, she looked eyes with the wing mirror, watching as its reflection showed her trailer bucking side to side in the raging wind, "Uh, David. I think we better stop and wait this out..." She spoke, worry in her voice.

"Yeah, you might be right on this..." He grumbled, bringing the car to a stop at the roadside as the wind continued to howl around outside, "We should hunker down till the storm passes." He added, switching the engine off.

"Come on, my trailer will give us more protection than this car." Pipp smiled, struggling to open the door due to the strong winds. The pair fought against the wind as they made their way to Pipp's trailer.

Once finally inside the welcoming trailer, they once again had to fight the wind, this time to close the door.

"Woah!" Pipp screamed as the door suddenly slammed shut, causing her to fall over into David. The pair landed on the floor, Pipp lay on top of the human, her nose just touching his.

Pipp and David blushed bright red as they touched each other via the nose. Pipp closed her eyes and kissed David directly on the lips. Pipp slowly pulled back from the kiss, giggling, "Sorry, couldn't resist..." She smiled a toothy grin.

"Pipp... You know I'm married right?" He frowned, trying to push her off of them, but he found her to be very heavy all of a sudden.

"Oh, c'mon a kiss won't hurt right?" She smiled, biting her lip seductively.

"Pipp… we talked about this." David raised his eyebrow, trying to look away from her seductive gaze, "What do you think would happen if my wife found out I had been kissing another mare?" He added, finally gathering the force to push the mare off of him.

"What your wife doesn't know won't ki-" Pipp paused, her ears twitching, "You hear that?" She asked in a hushed tone.

"Hear what?" David asked, his frustration of Pipp trying to put the moves on him being replaced with confusion as Pipp leapt towards a nearby window.

"I hear something moving outside." She whispered, moving one of the drapes slightly to take a peek outside. She reared back in horror, screaming as she flapped away from the window.

"Whoa! What's wrong?" David asked as Pipp took shelter under a table.

"I saw a face staring in from the outside!" She trembled as David cautiously approached, "Don't!" She screamed as the human threw open the drape.

"Nothing out there." David said unamused as he turned away from the window to face Pipp.

"It had golden eyes and it looked at me!" She said as she hid under the table trembling in fear, "What's worse is that I swear it looked like my dad..." She sniffled, tears filling her eyes at the thought.

"Well, nothing's there now..." David said, turning back to the window, "Might of just been some leav-" He froze, as he began to pull the drapes closed, he came face to face with the shadowy figure of an alicorn, eyes shining a bright gold. He slowly backed away from the window, his eyes locked with the eyes of this shadow entity as the drape fell. The glowing eyes of the entity shone through the fabric now covering the window.

"See!" Pipp screamed, grabbing David's leg to his attention.

"Kill the lights." David said, running over to the light switch, and flicking it as the trailer went dark.

Pipp crawled out from under the table, turning on her phone flashlight, "Now what?" She spoke quietly, the sound of hoove steps outside her trailer putting her on edge.

"I guess we wait for either the thunder to stop or for those things to disappear, whatever happens last..." He muttered to himself, flinching when he felt Pipp wrap her wings around his hand.

"David..." An echoey voice called out, "David..." It repeated.

"Do you... Hear that?" He asked, looking down at Pipp, the mare nodding in reply.

"Do you know that voice?" She gulped in fear.

"I do..." He replied nervously, "It's my wife..." He shook his head, "But that's impossible, we're nowhere near the Crystal Empire..." He looked back up towards the trailer door, the wind howling outside.

"Pipp..." A second voice called, it was echoey like the first but was clearly that of a stallion, "Pipp..." It repeated.

"Dad..." Pipp froze at the sound of the voice, "No... Can't be, he's been dead for 12 years..." She trembled, fighting back tears, "No! YOU'RE NOT MY FATHER!" Pipp screamed, her outburst aimed purely at the creature who dared to use him against her. The creature responded with a loud bang against the side of the trailer. Pipp stumbled to the floor as the trailer rocked from the force of an impact.

David helped the mare up, whilst gesturing her to be quiet, "Ssssh." He said softly, "As long as we stay quiet, it won't know where we are exactly." He added, still in a quiet tone. Pipp slowly nodded in understanding.

"Guess we just wait for them to get bored and go away?" Pipp asked, shrugging at her own question, "If they even go away that is." She gulped in fear as another impact rocked the trailer.

"At this rate, the trailer will either tip over with the help of the strong winds or they will bust down that door and find us, either way, we have to pray they go away." David spoke fearfully, instinctively standing between Pipp and the door.

"David... If we don't make it out of this alive, I want at least one living soul to know this " She trembled in fear as hoof steps started to walk around the trailer once more.

"Yeah, and what's that?" David muttered, more so focused on the door.

"I've never felt the touch of a stallion." She blushed with embarrassment, "A touch of a stallion in an intimate way..." She chuckled nervously, cheeks a bright red.

"What are you trying to say, Pipp?" David asked, slowly turning his head towards the mare.

"I'm... A virgin..." She looked away from the human as the creatures outside let out a nightmarish screech.

"Ok..." David slowly nodded, his focus returning to the door, "Well if we're getting secrets off our chests, I'm just gonna come out and say it. I enjoyed your kiss." He added, "I know I shouldn't say this since I'm married..." He sighed, he felt guilty about this.

"You mean that?" Pipp cooed, holding her hoof to her chest.

"Yes..." David looked down, "Thought you should at least know that before we die..."

"No." Pipp spoke sternly, "We will not die here." She added, grabbing a signed baseball bat she had hanging on display, "They're able to bash the trailer, so must have a physical form, right?" She shrugged, placing the bat over her shoulder.

"Let's hope so since we never got a glimpse of them." David replied, grabbing the nearest object to himself, that being a tennis racket. Readying himself to hit the creatures that took the forms of the ones they love the most as Pipp kicked the door open.

"Ah!" Pipp let out a war cry as she charged out into the howling wind and rain, swinging the bat around blindly, "SHOW YOURSELVES!" She demanded as she continued to swing her bat with her eyes closed.

Pipp opened her eyes as one of the shadowy entities stepped out from the rain, shifting into the blackened visage of her late father. She snarled, "You dare use my loving father against me?!" She screamed, swinging the bat directly at the creature's head. Her ears were filled with a sickening crack as the bat made contact. The shadowy beast stumbled from the impact before falling over, its form melting into the grass.

"GOOD! DIE, YOU DISGUSTING CREATURE! MY FATHER IS A BILLION AND A GAZILLION TIMES BETTER THAN YOU!" Pipp screamed at the top of her lungs as she kept beating the grass where the creature once lay.

The other creatures looked at each other and slowly backed away from the pink mare, "Where do you think you're going?!" Pipp shouted, "We're just getting started!" She cackled as she gave chase.

"Damn..." David watched as the small pony was attacking creatures three times her height, "Note to self, never anger her..." He chuckled to himself as he looked at the tennis racket in his hand. He looked up at the sky as the rain and thunder suddenly stopped, "Huh..." He thought to himself.

"There, those things will think twice before messing with me again." Pipp smiled as she ran back towards David, the human catching her as she leapt into his arms, "What a rush!" She giggled, brushing her wet mane away from her face.

The pair locked eyes with each other, they quickly leaned in and kissed each other passionately on the lips, Pipp wrapped her hooves around his neck longingly. They pulled away from the kiss, Pipp panting as she gathered her thoughts.

"What about your wife?" She asked, raising her eyebrow at the human's sudden change in attitude.

"I think, given what just happened, she'd be ok with this one kiss." He smiled at Pipp before looking up at the sky, "Besides, she is a very forgiving mare." He added, Pipp looked up towards the sky as well.

"Come on Romeo, let's get going." She chuckled, leaping from David's arms and gently landing on the ground, "I'd rather be somewhere dry before nightfall." She said, closing and locking the trailer door. She turned to face David, a grin plastered on her face, "Come on~" She purred as she sat near the car door.

David sighed to himself, "You're playing with fire here." He thought to himself, his eyes focusing on the mare, the way the rainwater trickled off her plump body was making his heart beat fast, "Pull yourself together man, you've only known her for a few days." His brain screamed inside his head, "Besides, what about Harmony and Lillian. You must get home to them." His brain continued.

"But." A second voice entered the internal discussion, "But what if Harmony isn't alive anymore? How long were we gone before magic disappeared." It said logically.

"I hadn't thought about that?" David spoke out loud to himself suddenly.

"Thought about what?" He heard Pipp reply, It then struck him, he had suddenly said that part out loud.

"Uh, nothing!" David quickly thought of an answer.

"Uh... huh..." Pipp slowly nodded as David quickly ran over and unlocked the door for Pipp. The pony quickly hopped inside, strapping herself in as he sat down on the driver's side.

Without a second thought, David started the engine and the car sped off.

End of Chapter Sixteen.

Chapter #17: Teacher

Chapter Seventeen.
Teacher.

Opaline sat on the roof of the Sprouticus, Sunny sitting opposite.

"First step, clear your mind and focus on the magic around you." Opaline spoke calmly, hind legs crossed, "Let it flow through you, guide you. Now, take deep breaths and imagine yourself in a calm place." The alicorn spoke in a soft voice, "Doesn't matter what the place is, could be a library or a forest clearing, just whatever makes you calm." She added.

"Ok, I can do this." Sunny closed her eyes, and her breathing slowed. Her mind slowly channelled out the sound of the Sprouticus' wheels as it rolled over the uneven terrain. Sunny focused on the magic flowing around her, it had a sound to it. One she has heard before, but couldn't pinpoint where she had heard it.

Sunny quickly found herself outside the lighthouse, her old lighthouse. It was just how she remembered it before Sprout had accidentally destroyed it. Something was off, however, the exterior paint was fresher looking than it was. After her father died, Sunny neglected the lighthouse's exterior. So why was it looking like it was just painted? A twinkling light caused the mare's eyes, Sunny looked up to see a sky lantern, frozen in time.

"Huh?" She tilted her head, and with a flap of her glimmering wings, she flew up to the lantern, bringing it to her eye level. She let out a gasp when she saw the sheet of paper hanging from below it. It was the letter she sent years ago that Izzy later found and kept. Her eyes wandered downwards towards the railing, and there she saw herself as a filly alongside her father. Much like the lantern, they too were frozen in time.

"Dad..." She choked on her words, tears filling her eyes as she quickly flew over to the stallion and embraced him, "I missed you so much..." She sniffled, tears freely flowing down her cheeks, "If only you were here to meet my friends." She smiled slightly, wiping her tears away, "You would just love them all." She chuckled to herself, a warm sensation filled her chest.

"It's amazing the power that memories have on magic, is it not?" Sunny heard a voice speak.

"Opaline?" She asked, looking behind her to see what she thought to be Opaline but it couldn't be, Opaline was an alicorn, not a unicorn.

"Yes, Sunny. It's me, Opaline." The tall unicorn smiled, "This is the real me anyway..." She looked down at Sunny. Gone was the dark purple, replaced with a lavender.

"You look... Different." Sunny smiled nervously, eyes looking at the unicorn up and down.

"It's amazing how quickly you were able to do this, why in the days of old Equestria, it would take even the most powerful unicorns weeks to even think of a place as detailed as this..." Opaline looked around wide-eyed.

"Uh, thanks? I guess..." Sunny looked down at her hooves, "What are you doing here?" She spoke softly.

"I don't know to be perfectly honest. The ability to bring others into your own mind is very ancient magic that only the most powerful alicorns could perform." Opaline spoke, placing a hoof on her chin as she thought.

"It's got to be Dark Star's magic." Sunny spoke up.

"It's possible, but she isn't ancient... I mean, there are stories of it happening through a familial connection." Opaline shrugged, "But I seriously doubt me and you are related..." She added as Sunny tilted her head.

"Yeah, despite my dad's love for history about the races, I'm pretty sure he would have married an earth pony to have me." Sunny replied, unamused at the implication that she and Opaline could be related in some way.

"Anyway, now that the first step is complete. Now, on to step two." Opaline trotted over to Sunny, "Try to levitate something.", The unicorn smiled, "Go, on. It's a piece of cake."

"Um, like what exactly?" Sunny looked around for an object to levitate.

"Whatever you feel like practising on, I'd personally start with something small, like a pencil." Opaline shrugged, leaning against the railing that encircled the observation platform of the lighthouse.

"Hmm..." Sunny mumbled to herself, before noticing a brightly coloured ball amongst some of her other childhood toys. Sticking her tongue out slightly, Sunny focused on the ball. Her ethereal horn shimmered and sparkled as its magical embrace engulfed the spherical object.

"I did it!" Sunny cheered as the ball began to levitate off the floor, it did, however, feel heavier than she remembered it being.

"Excellent work, Sunny!" Opaline smiled, "You're a fast learner. I must admit." The unicorn smiled, "Now, gently lower it back down, remember. it won't always be a ball you'd be levitating. What if you were laying out plates for dinner, for example, you wouldn't want broken plates now would you?"

"Okay." Sunny spoke calmly, the mare took in a slow breath as she focused on the ball in her magical grasp.

"Focus your mind and magic on the ball, remember what I told you about the plates." Opaline calmy reassured Sunny.

Slowly but surely, the ball gently landed back down on the floor, exactly where it had been laying before.

"Nicely done, Sunny." Opaline smiled warmly, clapping her hoofs gently. "I must say, I'm quite impressed with your magic skills."

"Thank you." Sunny spoke before hugging Opaline tightly, "Mom..." She whispered.

"You're welcome..." Opaline said softly, "Stellar..." She hummed to herself before realising what Sunny said, "Mom?"

"Stellar?" Sunny said. The two looked at each other before laughing.

Opaline and Sunny opened their eyes as they snapped back to reality. Sunny looked at Opaline, sure enough, the wings and the darker purple coat were back. They were now back in the real world.

"So, what happens now?" Sunny asked, still sitting cross-legged.

"Now, my dear. Put what you learned to the test in the real world." Opaline smiled, with little effort, she levitated a large rock from the ground as the Sprouticus rolled past, "Levitate this rock." She said, watching Sunny closely.

"Ok, I can do this." Sunny breathed calmly, her horn shimmered as she easily levitated the rock a good 10ft off the roof, "Opaline! I'm doing it!"

"Well done Sunny!" Opaline cheered, "Now, remember the next step."

Sunny smiled as she gently lowered the rock down to the roof, placing it in front of Opaline's hooves. The orange mare smiled smugly as Opaline looked at the rock wide-eyed.

"Impressive, most impressive." Opaline said proudly, "I'm quite impressed with your quick grasp of magic." She added, smiling at Sunny.

"Thanks." Sunny smiled back, "Not to toot my own horn, but I'm a fast learner." She wagged her tail happily.

"Hey, it's my turn!" They heard Izzy shout from below, "So move ya boney butt!"

"No way Izzy!" They heard Zipp shout in reply, "Besides, at least my butt isn't all flabby like yours, big butt!" Zipp retorted.

"Hey!" Izzy shouted back as the hatch burst open. Unicorn and Pegasus found themselves wedged in the opening.

"Hi, guys..." Zipp groaned as Sunny and Opaline stared at her and Izzy. Zipp laughed nervously as Sunny and Opaline helped to pull her and Izzy out of the opening.

"Weee!" Izzy giggled as she popped free from the hatch, shooting forwards and landing on Sunny.

"OOF!" Sunny let out as the heavy unicorn landed on her. Sunny looked up and blew Izzy's mane out of her face.

"I didn't need your help, you know!" Zipp grumbled as Opaline pulled her up.

"I'm just helping you." Opaline rolled her eyes, she was getting tired of the hostilities of the white pegasus.

"As I said, I don't need your help!" The pegasus wriggled around.

"Suit yourself." Opaline shrugged, letting go of Zipp and allowing the pegasus to fall back down the hatchway.

"Was that really necessary?" Sunny groaned as Izzy finally moved off of her. Opaline simply shrugged before quickly returning to sitting cross-legged, "Izzy, were you and Zipp spying on us?" Sunny raised her eyebrow.

"Uh... yes...?" Izzy smiled nervously, Sunny's eye twitched at the answer, "It was Zipp's idea!" Izzy quickly added.

"Was not!" Zipp shouted, her head reemerging from the hatchway.

"You know." Opaline calmly spoke up, "Instead of bickering like foals, why don't you two join Sunny and me in meditating."

"Oooh, meditation! I love meditation!" Izzy bounced around on the spot. She quickly sat down next to Sunny and crossed her legs, Sunny joining her.

"Yeah, no thanks." Zipp rolled her eyes.

"Come on Z. Loosen up a little." Izzy giggled, "You never know till you try it." She sang the last part.

"Urgh, Fine." Zipp grumbled, "This better not take too long." She continued, trotting over and sitting down on the other side of Sunny. The white pegasus slowly crossed her legs, mimicking Opaline, Sunny and Izzy.

"Now, let's start from the beginning, shall we?" Opaline exhaled calmly, "Now, Zipp, Izzy. I want you to clear your mind and focus on the magic surrounding you. Let it guide you, flow through you, become one with it."

"This is stupid..." Zipp groaned before being slapped by Sunny's wing.

"Now." Opaline spoke, eyes closed, "I want you to focus on a place that makes you feel calm, could be a happy memory if that is what you want." Opaline’s voice slowly faded away.

Izzy opened her eyes, she found herself back in her old home in Bridlewood. She turned around to find a copy of herself, frozen in time with Lil Annie standing in front of her. She remembered this memory. It was from Mother's Day a few months ago, Lil Annie had made her a macaroni picture as a gift.

"Like mother, like daughter." Izzy giggled softly to herself, smiling proudly at the picture, she was certain that Lil Annie would surpass her skills in arts and crafts.

"Izzy, is that-" Izzy quickly spun around to see Sunny and Opaline behind her.

"Mhmm!" Izzy nodded excitedly, "Meet Lil Annie." Izzy spoke proudly, "Wish you could meet her for real although..." Izzy frowned slightly, "She's practically dying to meet you all." She added.

"Why haven't you brought her down to Maretime Bay on weekends?" Sunny asked, wrapping a wing around Izzy.

"It's simply too far for her little legs, and there isn't space on Izzy Does It for her to sit." Izzy gave a reassuring smile at Sunny, "But trust me, you will get to see her soon, I promise." The unicorn added, before noticing Opaline's unicorn form, "Opaline?" She tilted her head.

"Mhmm." Opaline replied to the unicorn's question.

"Heh, you look like me!" Izzy giggled, pointing at Opaline's fur. The light purple was nearly exactly the same shade as Izzy's own coat.

"Huh, you're right." Sunny chuckled under her breath, "Hey, wait a minute, where's Zipp?" Sunny looked around for the pegasus but she was nowhere to be seen.

Zipp, meanwhile, had found herself back inside the palace in Zephyr Heights. Zipp looked up at the ceiling, "Wishentine decor?" She mused to herself before realisation struck her, "Oh no..." Her head began to hurt at the site of the decor. This memory was one she had hoped had been locked away for good. It was the last Wishentine she spent with her father before he died.

The white pegasus swallowed hard as she turned around, there before her, was her 12-year-old self in the middle of unwrapping a present. A 6-year-old Pipp was seen frozen mid-jump after unwrapping her first-ever smartphone. Zipp smiled slightly, remembering how much Pipp had asked for it when that particular model was brand new.

Zipp wanted to avoid looking at her father, but her mind got the better of her. With one eye open, she locked eyes with him. In hindsight, it was clear just how ill he truly was towards the end, but he never showed it. Typical of her father, showing a brave face, right to the bitter end.

"I wish I could have seen the signs earlier..." Zipp spoke out loud, sensing Sunny, Izzy and Opaline behind her, "I wish I was brave enough to tell him my worries..." She turned around to face her friends as Izzy and Sunny tackled her in a tight hug, "I wish he got himself checked for that fucking cancer sooner..." Zipp sobbed as Izzy gently stroked her head.

"Sometimes, there are some things we can’t prevent from happening, Zipp… You couldn't have prevented this." Sunny spoke softly, wiping a tear from Zipp's cheek.

"You can't blame yourself for something out of your control, you know that." Opaline added, kneeling down to Zipp's eye level.

"Easy for you to say..." Zipp sniffled, staring off into space, unfocused as Sunny and Izzy comforted her, "You've never cared about anyone, let alone losing them..." She added, her voice sounding hoarse from crying

"I know what it's like." Opaline looked down, "More than you know..." She added, the unicorn rose to her hooves, "Instead of telling you, let me show you." She spoke softly as her horn sparkled to life.

Izzy, Zipp and Sunny stared in awe as the space around them morphed from the interior of Zephyr Height's royal palace into an interior that they had never seen before, but to Sunny, it felt vaguely familiar. Izzy looked around, the place looked like Opaline's fortress, but it was a lot more colourful and vibrant. Mediaeval-styled torches lit up the room around them. Various decorations made the place more welcoming than it appeared when they raided it when looking for Sparky.

Opaline froze in place as she stared at a vision of her younger self, 25 years younger, to be exact. The younger version of herself had her mane put up into a ponytail instead of letting it fall to the sides of her neck as she had it now. Sunny looked at the younger Opaline as she sat in a large comfy stair by a fire, holding something bundled in blankets in her hooves.

"Is that a-" Sunny went to ask before being silenced by Opaline's hoof being placed on her mouth.

"That's my daughter..." Opaline stared blankly at her younger self, "Stellar Harmony..." She coldly added.

"What happened to her?" Sunny asked, looking up at the present Opaline.

"She and her father had to go into hiding when Dark Star discovered my location. The bitch deemed my newborn daughter to be a threat!" Opaline screamed in anger.

"May I?" Sunny looked up at Opaline, who slowly nodded through watery eyes. The orange mare slowly moved closer towards the bundled foal, she removed the cover and her jaw dropped when she saw the foal, "No, it can't be..." She covered her mouth in surprise.

"Sunny!" Izzy shouted as one of her best friends fell to the floor in shock, Zipp caught Sunny before she fell back and hit her head.

"Sunny, what's wrong?" Zipp asked, concern on her face as Izzy quickly ran over. Opaline froze in place from shock.

"Opaline is my mother..." Sunny mumbled to herself, her face was pale like she had seen a ghost.

"What?!" Izzy and Zipp shouted in unison, all eyes now focused on Opaline.

"That... Not possible..." Opaline looked down at the trio, "Equestria is a vast place..." She added as Sunny pulled out a photograph from her bag.

"That's me, and that's my father..." Sunny pointed at the photo, it was a photo from Sunny's 5th birthday, she was riding piggyback on her father's back.

"Argyle..."Opaline said softly, Sunny was surprised by this, but it confirmed that she indeed was Opaline's offspring.

Darkness soon fell across the vast plains as the Sprouticus continued northwards.

"Ok, I'm gonna get some sleep, ok Thunder?" Sprout said, yawning as he did so, "Now, it's in autopilot, so all you gotta do is keep your hoof on the throttle." Sprout added, "Good night." The red stallion proceeded to exit the cab.

"Huh, this is easier than it looked." Thunder said to himself as he drank coffee from his flask.

Sprout cautiously walked along the roof of his machine, opening up the hatch as he caught a glimpse of Opaline in the moonlit sky, "I'll never understand meditation." He spoke to himself as he jumped down the hatchway.

"What got her upset?" He asked as he saw a depressed-looking Sunny being comforted by Hitch and Izzy whilst grabbing a bottle of water from his duffle bag.

"She just found out that Opaline is her mom." Hitch replied bluntly, giving Sprout a look of annoyance.

"What?!" Sprout choked on his drink, before spitting it out, accidentally showing Zoom with the water.

"URGH! REALLY?!" Zoom screamed in frustration as she quickly dried herself off with a towel.

"Hold up. So, you're telling me that the alicorn that tried to end the world a few days ago is my aunt?!" Sprout shouted in surprise as he quickly wiped his mouth.

"Tried to end the world is a bit of an exaggeration, but yes..." Zipp answered Sprout, sighing in the process.

Sprout sighed and placed his hoof on his head, "This is a lot to take in guys." He spoke, slowly sitting down between Zipp and Dazzle Feather, the pair giving him a look of disgust as they both thought of ways to teach him a lesson.

Opaline opened her eyes as the wind blew through her feathers. She looked down at her tattered wings illuminated by the full moon. Truth be told, she never understood how to preen them, instead choosing to just let the feathers fall out when they did. The mare let out a long sigh, today had been an eventful one, to say the least.

"Oh Argyle..." She whispered to herself, lamenting the fact she had missed so much for the past 25 years.

*25 Years Ago*

The soft sounds of a baby crying filled the warm and cosy room. Opaline sat in a chair, gently cradling her foal.

"Ssssh..." She spoke softly, trying her best to calm the newborn, barely a few days old.

"Aw... Sunny Bunny..." Argyle smiled as he entered the room with a plate full of sandwiches for Opaline.

"She won't settle, I've fed her and checked her diaper." Opaline looked over to her partner with tired eyes, gently rocking the crying foal.

Argyle placed the plate down on the table, "Pass her here. Here, eat something, my love." He smiled as Opaline leaned forward, placing Stellar in his hooves.

Opaline bit into one of the sandwiches as Argyle gently rocked the foal, calming her almost instantly, "Well, would you look at that." Argyle said teasingly

"How do you do it?" Opaline smiled, mouth covered in crumbs.

"Ah ah. It's my little secret." Argyle tapped his nose as he chuckled, Opalined rolled her eyes as she giggled.

"You're too good for me, Argyle." Opaline smiled and kissed his cheek, "Love you dear." She added, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Love you too." He smiled, nuzzling into Opaline's mane.

End of Chapter Seventeen.

Chapter #18: Under The Stars

Chapter Eighteen.
Under The Stars.

"Are you sure you want to spend the night outdoors?" David asked as he threw a bundle of branches into a small stone ring.

"Mhmm." Pipp replied, nodding as she sat on a blanket, "Just look at the sky! Have you ever seen so many stars?" She said with wonder in her voice, her beautiful green eyes reflecting the millions of stars twinkling above.

"To be honest, star gazing and such was more my daughter's hobby." David looked up at the sky, "But no, I've never seen this many stars in my life." He admired the view.

"Come and sit with me." Pipp patted the blanket next to herself, David sighed and sat down next to the smiling mare as she quickly lit a fire using a technique she had learned from Sunny when they first went camping.

"You know, this is the first time I've been camping for years." David turned to face Pipp as she sat back down next to him, she smiled like a filly who had eaten too much candy.

The area around them was peaceful, the only sounds present were the crackling of the fire, the chirping of grasshoppers and the sound of the wind blowing through the trees nearby.

"This is my fourth time camping." The pink pony smiled, "Well, my fourth time camping outdoors." She rubbed the back of her head, grinning slightly.

"Well, this is my second time, my first time camping was with my wife when we were younger. I was never one for camping. Like, what's wrong with sleeping in a nice warm bed, ya know?" David shrugged, eyes focused on the fire as it crackled in the nighttime air.

"All my other times were with my friends." Pipp looked down at her phone as David turned to face her, "First time was after we fled Zephyr Heights after we were found out that we couldn't fly, the second time was a last-minute one by Hitch after we got stuck in the rain, and the third time was after Sunny and Izzy got lost in the woods. Me, Zipp and Hitch found them but it was already dark so we had a makeshift campout." Pipp smiled, showing the human a slideshow of the other three times she had been camping outdoors.

"I don't really have any friends these days, my old friends didn't care for my relationship with my wife." He looked down, sighing deeply, "Nor did my family for that matter. They never cared for my wife, even when we were just boyfriend and girlfriend..." He added.

Pipp placed her hoof on his leg, her eyes locking with his, "Well, I'm your friend." She smiled, David placed his hand on her hoof, gently stroking the soft silky fur that partly hid the shiny gold hoof, "And if your wife is as sweet as you say she is, she'll definitely be my friend too." She added, touching David's face with her other hoof, gently brushing away a bit of his hair that had fallen and covered part of his eye.

"Thanks, Pipp... It means a lot." He smiled softly at her touch.

Pipp blushed slightly as she giggled, "Can I ask you something?" She asked, looking into his blue eyes. He nodded in reply. Pipp quickly let out a sigh, "Ok, so... I've noticed that whenever you talk about Harmony Light, you keep referring to her as the wife, and not by her name, same goes for Lillian for that matter." Pipp said softly but sternly, "Are you hiding something from me? Be honest now." She added.

"You noticed that, huh?" David sighed, gently raising his hand to Pipp's hoof that was still touching his face, "Well, to tell you the truth, their names aren't Harmony Light or Lillian Rose. My wife is named Cadenza and my daughter is called Shooting Star." He looked down at the blanket covering the ground under him, "I'm sorry I lied to you about their names..."

Pipp bit her lip, "You should have told me this earlier..." She frowned, disappointment on her face.

"I know... I was scared, I had just found myself in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by ponies I had never met before..." He froze as Pipp wrapped both of her fluffy wings around him, embracing him in a hug.

"Do I look scary to you?" She fluttered her eyes, an eyebrow raised. Clearly a little unamused with David's answer. "Not everyone is as scary as you think." She added, poking his chest with a hoof

"Well, you did hit me with an umbrella." David replied, rubbing the spot on the back of his head where the mare had smacked him with said umbrella.

"Hey! It was self-defence!" Pipp groaned, she wanted to forget how eventful their first meeting was, "How was I meant to know you were a big old softie." She giggled.

"Me, a softie? You're delusional." David chucked to himself, he winched when Pipp hit his arm.

"I'M NOT DELUSIONAL!" Pipp shouted, voice cracking in the process before hearing the human chuckle, "Oh, you little!" She added, tackling him to the ground. She sat down on him, forelegs crossed, "Heh, looks like I won." She spoke smugly.

"Ok ok. Can you get off me now?" David tried to wriggle out from under Pipp, but she pressed her weight harder down on his chest. David now found Pipp harder to remove from his chest.

"Not until you say sorry." She giggled, fluttering her eyes once more.

"Sorry for what?" David looked at her as she began to loaf like a cat.

"For calling me delusional." She smiled smugly, wings fully open at her sides, the moonlight illuminating the fluffy feathering. The warm firelight partly lit the left half of her face.

"Alright alright! I'm sorry. Now can you please get off me, I can't breathe." He wheezed as Pipp flapped her wings, now hovering just above him.

"Now, that wasn't so hard now, was it?" She snarkily spoke, biting her lip cheekily as she returned to her spot on the blanket.

David slowly sat back up, a slight gap between him and Pipp and the mare quickly scrolled through her phone, "Hey, can I ask you something?" He asked her.

"Yes?" She replied, lowering her phone.

"Why did you choose to stay, you said you now had the option to go home but didn't, why?" David spoke bluntly

Pipp froze, this was a question she had somewhat expected him to ask, "Well, to put it bluntly, it's because I finally had a choice." She sighed, "You, see as the second born to the throne, I don't have much in the way of living my own life. Like, once I'm 20, I'll be married off to a duke. Where I'll be nothing but a foal factory for him." Pipp paused, looking down at her hooves.

"Foal factory?" David looked at her, slightly confused.

"You know, I'd just be expected to be nothing more than a housewife, popping out foals..." She leaned over, grabbing a bottle of whiskey she grabbed from her trailer whilst David was gathering firewood, "It's a life I don't want to live, but it's out of both my own and my mother's control." She lamented, taking a long drink from the bottle.

"Why is it out of your own hooves? You're royal, can't you just say 'No way?" David gently patted Pipp's back, her wings twitching with his touch.

Pipp sighed deeply, "I wish it was that simple. It's a super old law that goes back to the founding of Zephyr Heights. My mom has tried for years to get the law repealed, but the Royal Court is old school and refuses to even entertain the idea." Pipp sighed, drinking a sip of her whiskey bottle.

"But she's the queen, they have to listen to her surely?" David added, taking the bottle from Pipp's hoof.

"To tell you the truth, her standing with the court has never been great. For most of the kingdom's history, the monarch has always been king. Last year didn't help when it came out that we faked flying, we even hid it from the court. And since then the relationships between my mom and the royal court reached an all-time low because of the incident." Pipp blurted out, eyes focused on the crackling fire in front of herself.

"That..." David trailed off, gently shaking the bottle in his hand.

"Fucking sucks, yeah, I know..." Pipp snatched the bottle back, quickly drinking the rest, "My mom, bless her heart, has tried to turn a new page with the court and our citizens. While our citizens began to trust us again fairly quickly. The court basically considers us the enemy." Pipp threw the bottle into the fire.

"No offence, but if they distrust your family so much, why are you still royals?" David asked, watching as the bottle shattered from the heat of the flames.

"They've only allowed my family to remain as royals due to our public support. This is why the court is blocking any attempts by my mom to repeal any outdated laws, like the one that'll force me to be married off. It’s their way of saying, 'We still can remove you and your family from the throne even if you're in the highest seat of power in the entire kingdom.' It sickens me." Pipp spat out, anger in her voice.

"I'm at a loss for words..." David struggled to think of what to say as Pipp shot up off the blanket. The pink mare stormed off, screaming in a language David could not understand but he thought it vaguely sounded Spanish, and by the tone, she was cursing out the gods themselves. "Perhaps it's best to let her get it out of her system." He thought to himself.

Pipp kicked a rock before freezing. Pupils shrinking as she slowly turned towards David, her cheeks quickly turned a deep shade of red, "Heh... You weren't supposed to hear that..." She groaned, slamming her face down into her hooves.

"If it makes you feel better, I didn't understand a single word of that, except for the word 'fuck'." David shrugged, still surprised by the mare's outburst.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that..." Pipp looked down, sighing, "It's a side to my family we're forced to hide when in public..." She held out her hoof, breathing in calmly, "You can never tell a single soul about this." She looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Your secret's safe with me." David smiled as Pipp slowly fluttered back over towards the blanket, gently sitting back down next to the human.

An awkward silence surrounded them as they avoided eye contact, "So..." Pipp scrunched her face, "Tell me a bit about Cadenza." Pipp turned to face David.

"Well, we grew up as next-door neighbours and went to the same school as each other. As the years passed, we fell madly in love with each other. Then, when we were 17, she fell pregnant with Shooting Star. But..." David paused, mulling over his thoughts, "But, just before her birth. One of the Alicorn rulers of Equestria arrived to 'take her home' citing some ancient law about humans being forbidden from raising Equestrians and vice versa. We..." David sighed, turning his gaze towards the sky, "We never saw each other again until 24 years later. Where I finally met my daughter, but Cadenza was forced to give her up by the same alicorn who had taken her. It was just by chance that Cadenza and Shooting Star were in the same cafe when they bumped into each other." He looked towards the full moon, his breath visible in the cool air.

"I'm... I'm sorry you had to go all through that..." Pipp looked down, "Sorry I asked." She sighed.

"Nah don't worry about it, it's all in the past now. But it was a bit awkward with me and Cadenza at first since she had gotten married to a royal guard captain and had a child with him, add to that, she became the ruler of the Crystal Empire." He blurted out.

Pipp's jaw hit the ground, "Your wife is Cadenza Mi Amore of the Crystal Empire?! Oh my glitter! You must have at least some type of royal title being the husband of an empire! What title do you hold? Please tell me!!" Pipp shouted loudly, showing a toothy grin.

"I actually don't have any royal titles." David looked at Pipp, "Cadenza said I'd be entitled to them, but I turned them all down." He added, Pipp frowned at this.

"You... Turned down your royal title?" Pipp's eyes widened, her brain now in overdrive. "Why would you turn them down?" She tilted her head.

"I just didn't feel comfortable using them. Cadenza's former husband had the title of Emperor, but because Cadenza was the true heir to the throne, when they divorced, he lost the title. I just didn't want to be seen as the usurper..." He replied, looking down at his wedding band, it was a simple golden ring with the outer edges encrusted with crystal gems in the house imperial blue, "Pipp, can I tell you something?"

"Sure." Pipp replied, placing a wing on David's shoulder.

"I know this seems like a terrible time to say this, but I'm having some doubts about heading to the Crystal Empire. What if Cadenza and Shooting Star aren't alive, who knows how long I was gone from the Empire before magic fell, could have been 5 years, maybe 500 years..." David sighed, Pipp leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder.

"What are you gonna do if that does end up being the case and they're both long dead?" She asked solemnly, she didn't want to sugarcoat it, but it still hurt her by saying it.

"To be honest with you Pipp, I don't know, I'll probably just try and find my way back to my own world since the only thing that's keeping me here is Cadenza and Shooting Star..." He looked down as the wind rustled the trees nearby.

Pipp frowned, was he just giving up? "No, there has to be another way." She thought to herself, eyes darting around as different thoughts and ideas filled her mind, "Stay with me!" She burst out loud.

David turned around, his mind trying to process what the pink pegasus had just said to him, it was 3 simple words "Pipp... What are you saying?" David spoke as he turned around to the pink pegasus and the two looked each other in the eye.

Pipp took a deep breath, "I LOVE YOU!" She practically screamed before blushing bright red and covering her face with her hoofs.

"I-i-i... What?" David stuttered, cheeks turning a deep red in reaction, "How... We've only known each other for a few days..."

"I don't know why. I've never felt this way about any stallion." Pipp said as she blushed bright red and hid her face using her wings, "But I know that what I'm feeling is the real deal." She giggled slightly, gently placing her hoof on his chest, right where his heart was.

"But Pipp, I'm not from this century..." David looked away from her gaze, trying his best to let the mare down gently, "I honestly don't think that we could work." He felt her place her hooves in his hands.

"Aren't you willing to at least try?" She smiled slightly, face cast in a warm orange glow.

"I would like to, but what about Zephyr Heights, I'm pretty sure the royal court would want both our heads." He replied, gripping her hooves.

"To hell with the court and their ancient opinions." Pipp grinned, her pearly white teeth glistening in the firelight, "I'm done with having my life lived for me, I'm taking my stand." She smiled, a sense of determination filling her, "I'm making my own choices from now on, and my first choice is you, David. I want to be yours." She smiled before leaping forwards, planting her lips on David's.

The pair fell backwards, deep into a passionate kiss.

End of Chapter Eighteen.

Chapter #19: Daybreak

Chapter Nineteen.
Daybreak.

The mid-morning sun was beating down on Pipp as she slept. Breathing shallowly as her wings draped over David as he slept. The gentle tweeting of a dove in a nearby tree stirred Pipp from her sleep.

"Well, well~" She yawned, gently nuzzling David's cheek with her nose, "Good morning, my love." She added as David slowly awoke as well.

"Good morning to you too." He smiled, kissing Pipp's forehead, causing her to giggle.

"Oh, stop it, you~" She purred, nuzzling his cheek once more, pulling out her phone from under her wing, her eyes widened in surprise, "Uh, It's 10:30!" She raised her voice in alarm.

"Right now, I just wanna stay laying here, with you, a little while longer." David smirked, causing Pipp's wings to flair out instantly, her face turning red.

"Ok, one more hour, you handsome rogue..." She smiled, laying back down, now resting her head on his chest, humming as she heard his heart beating softly.

*25 Years Ago*

A small fire crackled as the three pegasi sat close by.

"Princess?" Zoom asked, placing her sword against a nearby tree, "What are we doing out here exactly?" She added, removing her helmet, her purple mane dropping down to her shoulders.

"Well... Father said I wasn't to tell you both until the time is right." Princess Haven replied softly, "But, what the hay, it couldn't hurt." She smiled, pulling out an object from her saddlebag wrapped in canvas. It was a shiny object that reflected the moon’s night light.

"Is that a gem?" Zoom asked, "It's so pretty." She cooed as the shiny object reflected the endless ocean of stars above.

"The royal crystal!" Zephyr said with awe as Haven unwrapped the canvas that covered the teal crystal, "But that's... From your mother's crown..." He added.

"Mhmm..." Haven hummed, "This isn't just any old crystal. It is the key to restoring pegasi flight." She said, holding it close to her chest, "But not just our flight, but Equestria's magic as a whole, Unicorn and Earthpony alike." She continued, "That's what we're doing out here. My father has been in contact with an earth pony and a unicorn, and they both possess crystals that complete this one." She looked down at the gem as it lay in her hoof. The clearly very ancient gem glistened in the moonlit sky.

A few hours passed, Zoom and Haven had turned in for the night, leaving Zephyr alone with his thoughts as he sharpened the blade of his sword near the campfire as it crackled in the night. He kept a watchful eye on both of the mare's tents whilst he also monitored the area to make sure nothing got too close to the campfire. Although he was fresh out of the academy and was tough as a rock. He still felt scared as he was in unfamiliar territory. Looking towards the sky in an attempt to calm his nerves

"Can't sleep, huh?" He heard a voice speak next to him, he jumped in surprise when he saw Haven sitting down next to him on one of the fallen logs they were using as a bench.

"Well... I guess you can say that your highness." Zephyr replied, avoiding eye contact with the princess as per his training.

"Please, call me Haven." She smiled, scooting closer to the stallion, giggling to herself as she felt him trembling, "Come on~ I'm not that scary am I?" She looked at him, fluttering her eyelids.

Zephyr tried his best to not make eye contact, but the warmth coming from Haven was too much for him, letting out a sigh, he turned to face the princess. He was taken aback by how her vibrant sapphire blue eyes reflected the night sky, he was lost in her gaze.

"Now, that's better." The mare smiled, blushing slightly as she looked up to Zephyr, booping his nose with her hoof, "Boop~." She giggled as his face went red with embarrassment, "You know, Zephyr, I've had a crush on you from the moment I first met you all those months ago~" Haven smiled, biting her lip slightly.

Zephyr's flushed cheeks changed to an even deeper shade of red as he thought over what the princess had said, "You... have a crush on me?" He stuttered, Haven giggled more at this.

"Yes, you goofball~." She smiled, poking his chest before freezing, "Oh my~." She purred when she felt just how muscly he was without the bulky armour on., "A-and I know you have a crush on me too. I've seen you catch a glimpse at my flanks when I've been walking by.~ She wiggled her eyebrows whilst sticking her tongue out.

"I-I-" Zephyr stuttered before being silenced by Haven passionately kissing him, not wanting to disobey the will of the princess, he kissed her back.

Haven pulled back, breathing heavily, "Wow~." She purred, her face a deep red. The mare wrapped her forelegs around the stallion's neck, "Who knew you were such a good kisser~."

"Well... I had to... You're the princess..." Zephyr chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. Haven nuzzled into his neck, "I love you, Haven..." He spoke softly enough that he hoped Haven did not hear those words leave his lips.

"I love you too, Zephyr." She smiled, making him aware that she heard it all, pulling back from Zephyr, "Wanna take this to my tent?" She smugly suggested, fluttering her eyes at him.

"What are you implying?" He tilted his head in confusion, Haven let out a soft giggle and put her mouth to his ear. He flushed bright red once more as she whispered in his ear what she wanted the two to do, "R-really? You want me to..." He stuttered, Haven once again cut him off by kissing him.

"Yes, Zephyr." She gave him a toothy grin, her tail flicking to her side.

"But your father would have my head mounted above a fireplace if he were to find out." Zephyr trembled, Haven saw this and gently stroked his cheek with her wing.

"My father isn't here, besides what he doesn't know can't hurt him." She smiled reassuringly, finishing with a wink.

The mare stood up from the log and led Zephyr to her tent, zipping the flap shut behind him.

*Present Day*

Pipp hummed in the morning sun as her head rose up and down with every inhale and exhale from David.

"I love you, Pipp." He said softly, stroking her mane gently with one hand, whilst the other scratched her ear.

"I love you too, David." She smiled, scooting closer to him. They kissed each other passionately.

"Ahem!" They heard a voice shout.

Pipp stopped kissing David and looked up briefly, "Oh, hey Zipp." She spoke before returning her gaze to David. Her eyes shrank as she quickly looked back up, "What the what?! Zipp?!" She shouted, quickly grabbing a blanket and covering herself with it. Standing in front of her, was Zipp and her friends, and none of them looked happy, except for Izzy, of course.

"Firstly, what are you doing?" Zipp pinched the bridge of her nose, "Secondly, we normally don't wear clothes." She gestured to Pipp's attempt to cover herself with the blanket, "And thirdly, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!" She screamed.

"Yeah, I'm just gonna go and let the queen know we found you, Pipp..." Zoom chuckled to herself nervously as she slowly backed away from the scene unfolding.

"I'm with you on this one." Sprout added, backing up with Zoom.

"Uh, Pipp..." Sunny stepped forwards, placing herself between the sisters, in a vain attempt to defuse the tension before anything worse were to happen, "What is the meaning of this...?" She pointed towards the lipstick kiss marks all over David's cheeks and neck.

"Well, this is awkward." Hitch groaned, covering Sparky's ears from hearing anything no baby should hear.

"Oooh! Pipp's sparkle is all different now!" Izzy giggled, hopping on the spot, "Before it was Aquamarine, but now it's hot pink!" She added.

"Now is not the time, Izzy." Dazzle butted in, placing her wing over Izzy's mouth.

"Pipp." Zipp stepped forwards, glaring at her little sister, "I'm doing to ask in the most delicate way I can muster right now, but did you and the human, just FUCKING MATE?!" She shouted, Sunny had to cover her ears in pain from the outburst.

"Why yes." Pipp gave the biggest grin she could muster, "Yes we did. Are you jealous?" She smirked, cheeks a light red.

"That's disgusting." Hitch spoke deadpanned from the back of the group.

"Are you fucking serious Pipp?" Zipp stomped the ground, wings flaring out, "Mom is gonna kill both of us if she found out!" She added. Unbeknownst to her, Haven had heard everything from the phone.

Haven was stunned by what she had just heard. Part of her wanted to believe that this was all a misunderstanding, but upon Zoom turning the camera on, it showed her that it was all true. She hated seeing her daughters fighting but this was something even she wasn't sure about what to do.

"PIPPARINA!" She screamed over the speaker, causing both daughters to flinch in surprise.

"Oh no..." Both said in unison as Zoom slowly approached them, phone in hoof, Sprout following close behind, pushing a small range-extending satellite dish on a cart.

"Whilst I'm glad you're safe, what were you thinking? Mating with somepony you've just met a few days ago, and someone who isn't a pony on top of that?" Haven spoke sternly, both Zipp and Pipp avoided eye contact with the screen, "I expected more from you, Pipp, you should know better than this." She added, to Pipp, this just felt like she was stabbed in the chest, with the knife being twisted for good measure.

"Yes, mother. Sorry, mother." Pipp looked down, her chest filled with pain.

"But." Haven paused, "You are an adult after all. So, I'm going to let this slide, only once. You hear me?" Haven waited for a response from her daughter.

"Yes, Mother, I understand." Pipp said with her head down.

"You can not be serious, mom?" Zipp said with wide eyes, "I've done stuff less bad than this and I've been punished." She flailed her hooves around.

"Zephyrina..." Haven spoke, raising an eyebrow, this caused Zipp to cease her whining. Before turning back to face Pipp. "Now, Pipp. I trust your judgement here, just please, don't go doing something this brash again? I doubt your father would be happy if he were in my hooves..." Haven sighed.

"Yes, Mother, Sorry, Mother." Pipp continued to avoid eye contact, instead looking at the grass under her hooves.

"Alright then. Now, just keep me in the loop from now on. I must go now, the royal court is expecting me shortly. I'm going to try again to get that ancient law removed, I just know I can if I try hard enough." Haven said, the camera shaking as she stood up.

"Bye, Mother..." Pipp said softly as the video call ended. She looked up as Zoom folded her phone and placed it back under her wing. Her face changed back to grinning, "Well, look at that." Pipp smirked, eyeing up her Zipp with a sideways glance, "Mother is on my side."

"You faker!" Zipp shouted, tackling Pipp to the ground, kicking up dirt and dust in the process, "I'LL TELL MOM ABOUT YOUR FAKE ASS APOLOGY!" The no longer white pegasus shouted in a mix of anger and frustration.

"Um, maybe now is not the best time to fight." David spoke with slight concern and hesitation, the fight was a bit too close to him for comfort.

"Stay out of this you freak! This is between me and her!" Zipp screamed into the human's face. Suddenly, she felt as if all the air had been sucked from her lung.

"DON'T YOU DARE CALL HIM THAT!" Pipp screamed in retaliation, delivering another powerful blow to Zipp's belly, this was enough to cause the larger pegasus to fall over onto her own back. Pipp quickly jumped, landing belly first on Zipp, using all her weight to weigh her sister down.

"Oof!" Zipp let out as Pipp's full weight landed on her, "Get your fat ass off me, bitch!" Zipp wheezed.

"How dare you call me fat!" Pipp shouted, wrapping her hooves around Zipp's neck, in an attempt to strangle her.

"Should we stop them?" Sunny looked on with concern, Zoom held out her hoof.

"Just let them get it out of their systems." Zoom spoke bluntly, "This isn't the first time this has happened..." Zoom proceeded to sit down, "So just give them a few minutes, they'll get tired and hug it out." She added as her phone started to ring once more, "Hello your majesty. Oh, your tiara? It should be on your dressing table. What's that? Oh, just Zipp and Pipp getting it out of their systems."

Opaline, meanwhile, was watching this all unfold from the Sprouticus, "Well, well. This trip just got a lot more entertaining." She spoke, mid-chew on a chocolate bar she had 'borrowed' from Izzy's bag.

Zipp proceeded to flail her hooves around, hoping to wiggle free from her under her sister. She wasn't paying attention to where her hooves were and she felt her hoof connect with something hard. Pipp let out an ear-piercing scream as blood began to pour from her nose.

"YOU BROKE MY NOSE!" The smaller pegasus screamed like a banshee.

End of Chapter Nineteen.

Chapter #20: Forgotten

Chapter Twenty.
Forgotten.

"YOU BROKE MY NOSE!" The smaller pegasus screamed like a banshee as she stumbled backwards, tripping over and landing on her flanks.

"Pipp! I'm so sorry!" Zipp shouted, quickly jumping onto her hooves.

"Don't touch me!" Pipp sobbed, her voice now sounding like she had a cold. Izzy and Sunny pushed past Zipp, quickly attending to Pipp.

"Um, gotta go your majesty!" Zoom said, quickly hanging up on the Queen.

"I-I-I..." Zipp stammered, before looking down at the hoof that caused this, blood staining the white fur around it. "I'm so sorry..." She whispered.

"Save it, would ya?!" Izzy snapped at Zipp, the pegasi's ears falling flat against her head. Izzy quickly turned her attention back to Pipp.

"Izzy... I..." Zipp tried to reason with the unicorn but Izzy just ignored her, she returned her gaze back to her hooves.

Hitch approached Zipp "Zipp? I know you did not mean to hit Pipp." He said, trying to reassure the pegasus, placing a hoof on her shoulder.

Zipp backed away from everyone, "I-I can't..." She stuttered, quickly spreading her wings and taking off with such speed that the air crackled like thunder.

"Zipp!" Hitch shouted, trying his best to run after her from the ground but to no avail.

"Leave her to me, Sheriff." Zoom spoke, quickly removing all her armour and taking off after Zipp.

Hitch sat down on the dirt, watching helplessly as Zipp became a white dot in the distance.

"Hitch? Are you ok?" Dazzle Feather calmly asked, sitting down next to the earth pony.

"No, Dazzle..." He signed, "I am not. First, Pipp runs away in the middle of the night with a human, and now we find out that the two were... very intimate last night." He paused, "I feel like I'm out of my depth. I'm the Sheriff, I'm supposed to keep everypony safe, and I can't even do that right!" He shouted into the sky in frustration.

Dazzle placed her wing over Hitch to comfort him, "Well, if it makes you feel better, we aren't in Maretime Bay, you aren't the sheriff here. So loosen up a little." She playfully punched Hitch on the shoulder.

"Oww..." Pipp flinched. Despite using her magic, Izzy wasn't gentle with the cotton swabs.

"Sorry, Pipp..." Izzy winced as she continued to apply the cotton swab to remove the blood and attend to the wounds.

"Sorry my sister had to go full-on beast mode, she was just really concerned for my safety." Pipp tried to sniffle, only making the pain worse as she started to regret her actions, looking at the ground as Sunny cuddled her.

"Pipp, you should have thought about your actions. Now you left your older sister physically and mentally broken and don’t forget your mom who’s worried sick about you too." Sunny spoke softly, nuzzling Pipp's cheek.

"But I talked to my mother the night before..." Pipp reached under her wing and pulled out her phone, relieved to find it hadn't been broken in the fight, quickly opened the call and practically shoved the screen in Sunny's face, "See, me and mom talked for nearly an hour in a video call. She was supposed to tell you all in the morning..." Pipp showed Sunny the call log, timestamped at 2 am yesterday morning.

"Zipp didn't tell us anything about it then if your mom did call her." Izzy blurted out as she used up the last of the cotton swabs, Pipp's nose finally stopped bleeding, but her eyes were already turning purple from bruising, "That's the best I could do I'm afraid with the limited supplies we have." Izzy spoke glumly as she tossed the last swab away in a plastic bag.

"I believe you should go and apologise to Zipp, please Pipp? At least do that for your sister." Sunny said. While holding Pipp close and giving her a reassuring hug.

"But why should I apologise to her? I'm a grown mare, I can make my own decisions." Pipp tried to stand up, but nearly stumbled, still too dizzy.

"Even if you're a grown mare, Zipp's still your older sister and she’s worried for you." Sunny added, raising her eyebrow.

"Ok ok, I get it." Pipp finally stood up, hooves still wobbly, "But I'll have to wait until she comes back, no way I'm flying in this state." She groaned, her head felt like it was splitting open.

"Thank you for doing the right thing Pipp…" Sunny smiled as she hugged Pipp tightly.

"Yeah yeah... But first, I need to get this blood off me..." Pipp groaned, looking down at her chest fluff, stained with blood, "My trailer still has enough freshwater in the tank for a shower." Pipp gestured to the blood all over her face and chest.

"I'll come with you Pipp, i brought some extra soap if you need them." Izzy smiled, "I need to wash my hooves anyway." She looked down at the dried blood that covered her fur.

Zipp flew as fast as she could, the cold wind blowing against her face. Tears practically froze her cheeks due to how high up she was flying. Still broken over the fact her sister and unicorn friend lashed out at her. Zipp came to a stop near a very tall oak tree, she gently landed on one of the thicker branches.

"I'm sorry Father, I failed to protect Pipp. I broke my promise." She sobbed into her hooves, her ears twitching as the wind rustled the leaves near her.

"Zipp!" She heard Zoom's voice call out in the distance.

"Shit..." Zipp said, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes as Zoom quickly found her, the older pegasus gently hovering above the branch, H-hey Zoom..." Zipp said, trying to put on a brave face.

"You were crying, weren't you?" Zoom asked, gently touching down on the branch.

"Wha? No, I wasn't!" Zipp scrunched her face up as Zoom pulled out a makeup mirror and pointed it at Zipp, showing her how bloodshot her eyes were, "Oh..." She frowned, "Okay fine you got me I was crying alright please do not tell Pipp this!" Zipp begged, practically shaking Zoom.

"Your secret is safe with me. I saw nothing." Zoom spoke, before doing a zipping motion across her mouth, "Now." Zoom added, wrapping a wing around Zipp, bringing her closer, "What's got my little marshmallow so upset." She smirked as she felt Zipp's skin heat up with embarrassment.

Zipp blushed hard, remembering the nickname Zoom had given her when she was 4 years old, all due to her fur being fluffier than other foals her age, "Zoom... Not that nickname again." She placed her hoofs on her face to cover her blush.

"Well, you gonna tell me?" Zoom gave Zipp a toothy grin, "Or am I gonna have to tickle it out of you?" She added.

"Yo-you wouldn't dare." Zipp looked at Zoom, glaring at the older pegasus.

"Oh." Zoom flared out her wings, "I would." Without warning, she tackled Zipp, tickling her with her feathers.

"Ok! Ok! I yield!" Zipp screamed between fits of laughter, "Okay, I give up, I surrender HAHAhahaha, just stop!" Zipp begged Zoom, the pair freezing as the branch buckled down a few inches.

"Uh..." Zoom and Zipp said in unison as the branch cracked some more. The pair took to the sky like a pair of startled pigeons as it broke free, tumbling to the ground, crashing through more branches on the way down. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Come on, Marshmallow, let's go back to the others." Zoom flicked her head in the direction she and Zipp had come from.

"I-I-I'm not going back. Everyone will hate me." Zipp looked down, gently gliding to the ground.

Zoom followed and glided down next to her, "What? No. No one will hate you." Zoom turned to Zipp, placing both hooves on her shoulders, "Look, what happened back there with Pipp, it was an accident. I know you wouldn't break her nose on purpose." Zoom added, "I looked after you for many years from the day you were a tiny foal to the mare standing before me and I know you would not hurt your younger sister physically. Now, come on." She sat down, patting the ground next to herself, "Tell old Auntie Zoomy what's wrong."

"What? N-nothing's wrong." Zipp said, shifting her eyes left to right in quick succession.

"Really?" Zoom raised her eyebrow, "Because, since we arrested Opaline, you've been off. Not your normal, happy-go-lucky self." She wrapped her wing over Zipp's back, "Now, what's really wrong?"

Zipp let out a deep sigh, "Dad's anniversary was on the same day we defeated Opaline, and I had completely forgotten. I was too focused on finding Sparky that I didn't even light the memorial candle I had Izzy make for me. I feel like I insulted his memory by forgetting him." Zipp began to cry again.

Zoom’s ears dropped as soon as she heard Zipp begin to cry once more, "Zipp. I'm pretty sure, given the circumstances that your dad would forgive you for forgetting it. It's within Zephyr's nature to focus more on saving someone than on a day." She hugged Zipp tightly with her wings, "Your dad would want you to stay strong for your sister and your mother." She added whilst rubbing Zipp's back gently.

"T-thanks Zoom..." Zipp sniffled, wiping a tear from her eye with a feather.

Zoom continued to hug Zipp with her wing and rub her back, "It's ok to let it all out. Bottling up your emotions isn't healthy. I once heard a legend of a unicorn that did that and her bottled-up anger nearly destroyed a town." She added.

"You're referring to Starlight Glimmer aren't you?" Zipp tilted her head. "She was one of the most powerful unicorns back in the ancient days of Equestria." She added.

"Eh?" Zoom shrugged, "The story I was told never named the unicorn, so maybe?" She added, looking at Zipp's disappointed face, "Hey now, history was your father's thing, not mine. I'm no history nerd!" She continued, Zipp let out a soft giggle.

"Zoom..." Zipp looked down at her hooves, "Could you give me a piggyback ride back to the others, like you used to do when I was a foal?..." She asked, her cheeks flushing a light red.

"Sure thing Marshmallow!" Zoom smiled, scooping Zipp up onto her back with little effort before breaking out into a sprint.

"Whoa!" Zipp let out, wrapping her hooves around Zoom's neck as the blue pegasus started to flap her wings.

"Hang on." Zoom giggled as she left the ground, soaring above the treetops.

"So..." Izzy spoke, holding her hooves under some warm water, "You and the human, eh?" She looked smugly at Pipp as the pink pegasus stood in the hot shower, gently scrubbing away the dried blood from her nose.

"His name is David." Pipp said, placing down the sponge she was using, she turned towards her unicorn friend, "But yes, Izzy. We did have sex ok?" She sighed, saying it out loud made her realise how weird it was to everyone else. She, a princess, had sex with someone who wasn't a pony. Sure, he's royal technically, but now it just felt wrong to her, but also so so right, "And before you ask, no, I don't regret it." Pipp pointed a bottle of shampoo at Izzy before squeezing out more of the slimy liquid onto her sponge.

"Hey." Izzy shrugged, "Your love life is none of my business." She continued, turning off the faucet, "But I will admit. I didn't exactly expect you to be the romantic one."

"Hey!" Pipp shouted, voice cracking, "What's that meant to mean?" She added, scrunching up her face.

"I mean, whenever you're not performing on stage or streaming, you're always at Mane Melody. I just didn't think you'd have the time for a love life." Izzy smiled nervously, "No offence." She added.

"That... Makes sense I guess..." Pipp frowned, turning off the shower, "Look Izzy. I don't want to fight about what happened last night." Pipp sighed as she began to dry herself off.

"It's ok, I understand." Izzy smiled, assisting Pipp in getting dry. The pair stopped when they heard shouting from outside.

"Is that? Sprout?" Pipp asked, leaning towards the window.

"Oh no..." Izzy frowned, peeking through the curtains.

"Sprout! Stop it!" Sunny begged her cousin, watching the red stallion approaching David, who looked to be in a state of shock from the fight earlier.

"You! Human. How dare you steal property from my mother's business!" Sprout shouted, before smacking David across the face.

"Sprout!" Hitch shouted, "Did you not hear a word of what I said days ago. Your mom dropped the charges!"

"I don't care, Sheriff." Sprout glared at David as he fell to his side, rubbing his cheek, "Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this." Sprout chucked, as he went in for a second hit, he found his leg stuck in the air, "Hey! What gives?"

"Don't you fucking dare!" Pipp shouted, pinning Sprout's leg in the air. She gritted her teeth as she punched Sprout in the face, making the stallion stumble backwards.

"Whoa..." Izzy said from the trailer door, "Nice punch, Pipp..." She spoke under her breath.

"I say you deserved that." Sunny frowned at Sprout as he rubbed his cheek.

"You ok?" Pipp asked David, kneeling down next to him, nuzzling his cheek lovingly. She glared at Sprout who quickly scurried away back to the safety of the Sprouticus.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, besides a bruise on the face." David said in a calm tone, "I can understand him being angry at stealing that tanker..." He rubbed the sore spot on his face.

"My my. It really is you, Mr Wyne." Opaline spoke calmly, stepping out from the Sprouticus.

"Opaline?" David asked, puzzled. Pipp's eyes shrank.

"Opaline?!" Pipp shouted, instinctually placing herself between the alicorn and the human, "Wait... David? Do you know her?!" Pipp's vision snapped to him as he slowly stood up.

"Yes, well sort of. She's one of Shooting Star's best friends." He shrugged, "I'll be honest though, I never really interacted with her much." He added, Opaline nodded, "But, it's nice to see a familiar face," He hugged Opaline tightly, "Even if it has changed." He looked down at her tattered wings.

"The guy's a lunatic." Dazzle whispered to Hitch, the pair watching as David hugged Opaline without fear.

"Hey, guys..." Zipp's voice called out as she hopped off Zoom's back as they landed in the clearing, "Whoa, what did I miss?" She asked, looking around, on one side of the clearing, Sunny was giving Sprout what sounded like a good tongue lashing and David and Opaline were in a hug while Pipp looked both angry and shocked, "Yeah... Totally missed a lot." Zipp added as she walked towards Sunny, "What did the douchebag do this time?" She asked while placing her hoof around her orange friend.

"Well, this douchebag decided to act like a big stallion and hit the human, only for him to get this flank hooved to him by Pipp." Sunny pinched her nose in frustration.

"Heh, so that explains his split lip." Zipp chuckled, leaning in and gently wiping some of the blood from Sprout's face, "You know if you had kept your mouth shut and just forgotten everything, you wouldn't be like this right now you know?" She added.

"Whatever." Sprout groaned, "Look, we found your slut of a sister, now can we just get going and leave that human and the purple freak to die out here?" He added, nearly spitting his words.

"Oh, you're one to talk, you little red fucker pizza-loving idiot!" Zipp shouted at him, "At least my sister can get laid!" She added, Sunny slowly backed away from the ensuing argument.

"Wait wait wait." Sunny heard Pipp speak, "You made a deal with my mother that if you helped to find me, you would get dragon fire?!" She added, pointing her golden hoof at Opaline.

"Yes." Opaline snarled, "And I've kept my end of the deal, you little pink welp!" She added, the two mares snarling at each other.

"Ok! Enough!" Sunny shouted, her horn and wings appearing in a bright flash as she used her magic to separate Opaline and Pipp, "Both of you stop! I've had it up to here with arguments!" She added, gesturing to a vague height off of the ground. The air around the now-orange alicorn crackled and buzzed with electricity, "I HAD IT WITH YOU PONIES ALWAYS FIGHTING OVER SMALL THINGS!" She screamed, eyes glowing pure white.

Opaline, Pipp and David slowly backed away as Sunny let out a powerful scream, a beam of magic shooting straight up into the sky. Within a few seconds, the beam disappeared and Sunny fell to the ground in a heap, horn and wings fizzled away into nothing. The ground around her was scorched and burned in a 20ft circle.

"Uh, Sunny? Are you-" Pipp went to ask, only to be cut off as Sunny shot upright, sparks of electricity flowing across her skin.

"Never better! Why'd you ask?" Sunny replied, the mare was now completely wired as if she had just drank 100 cups of coffee. She then noticed the burnt ground under her, "D-did I do this?" She asked, turning to Opaline.

"Dark Star's magic is growing far quicker than I expected..." Opaline sighed, "It's beginning to overload you, Sunny." She added.

"Uh, who?" Pipp tilted her head.

End of Chapter Twenty.

Chapter #21: Nightfall

Chapter Twenty One.
Nightfall.

"Hold the phone!" Pipp shouted, shock in her voice, "Opaline is your mother?!" She added, confusion slapped on her face, a new fire roaring in front of her. Sunny and Opaline had spent the entire day giving Pipp a run down on Dark Star as well as what they had been up to then looking for the pink pegasus, so long in fact that it became nightfall.

"Yep..." Sunny sighed, "And it turns out my real name is Stellar Harmony." She added, gently turning a carrot on a stick in the flames, "Anyway, that brings us up to when we found you two love birds." She continued, pointing the carrot at Pipp and David as they sat next to each other, Pipp's wing wrapped around the human's waist. The pink mare's cheeks flushed red at those words, "So. What did you two get up too, besides... Well, you know." Sunny looked down in embarrassment.

"Well..." Pipp rubbed the back of her head, "We honestly didn't do much, we were just mostly on the road." She looked up at David, "But, we did go swimming in a lake, and had to fight off these weird shadow beings." She added, "But other than that, it was mostly boring. No offence, my love." She nuzzled David's arm as he shrugged, clearly not offended by her referring to the trip so far as mostly boring.

"You? Swimming?" Zipp raised her eyebrow in surprise, "Yeah, like you would ever try a thing like that." She remarked.

"I'll have you know that I swim from time to time." Pipp huffed in frustration.

"I've never once seen you use the palace pool, or go to the beach." Zipp replied, chuckling to herself, it genuinely missed this sort of light teasing with Pipp.

"Because I..." Pipp looked down at her hooves, "I used to sneak out and swim in one of the streams outside the city." Pipp covered her face with her wings as she let out this long-held secret of hers.

"Huh, guess we're more alike than I thought, sis..." Zipp mused to herself, she thought she was the only one to sneak out.

"Wait, rewind. Shadow Creatures?" Sunny stared at Pipp, eye twitching, "You can't just drop a bomb like that and not expect us to not ask!" Sunny grabbed Pipp by the shoulders, shaking her back and forth.

"Yes! Shadow Creatures!" Pipp said, voice all jittery from the shaking Sunny was giving her, "They had golden eyes and they would take on the form of a loved one. They... They took the form of my father and the form of his wife." She added, looking up at David as the shaking stopped.

"What?! They tried to defile Dad's memory?!" Zipp snarled, "If I ever get my hoofs on one of them I'll make them regret taking the form of our father EVER!" Zipp slammed her hoof into the dirt.

"That won't be necessary." Pipp chuckled, "We." She hugged David tightly with her wing, "We already dealt with them." She smiled proudly.

"For clarification." David spoke up, "She was the one who chased after them into the forest like a maniac." He chuckled, kissing Pipp's forehead as she laughed.

"All right, all right you two, enough with romance, it's making me sick." Zipp groaned, Hitch and Izzy was more than enough romance for her.

"Hey! Don't make me tell them about the time I caught you and Thunder in the broom closet." Pipp smirked, getting some "Ooohs" From Sunny, Izzy and Dazzle.

"You wouldn't dare." Zipp replied, her pupils shrinking.

"Oh, I would." Pipp continued to smirk, "I know Sunny and Izzy are dying to hear it." She winked at her two friends.

"You told them?!" Zipp shouted in embarrassment.

"I totally did!" Pipp giggled, "Come on Z, it's not that embarrassing, Like, all I saw was you and him kissing, if anything, the funny part was how you ended up wearing his helmet!" Pipp giggled once more.

"Laugh it up, Fluffy Butt!" Zipp said, now the one smiling smugly.

"Fluffy Butt?!" Pipp screamed, "Zipp, you know I hate that nickname!"

"Fluffy Butt?" Sunny asked in confusion, tilting her head.

"A nickname I gave to Pipp here, because when she was 9, she used to wear a fake bunny tail on her actual tail for a whole year." Zipp laughed.

"No..." Pipp groaned, placing her face into her hooves.

"You guys do not wanna know my nickname." Izzy shook her head, "Let's just say, it's part of why Mayonnaise was considered jinxed."

"Mine was Bitch Trailblazer." Hitch shrugged, "Not sure why honestly." He added, Izzy let out a soft giggle.

"Mine is currently Banana Split." Sunny sighed, "All because I slipped on a banana peel..." She looked at the warm fire in front of her.

"My Bananas!" Dazzle burst out, all eyes now on her, "What? That song is super catchy." She giggled, pulling out her phone and playing the song out loud. She quickly stood up and began dancing.

"Oooh! This looks like fun!" Izzy smiled, leaping off the ground, quickly copying Dazzle's dance moves perfectly. Hitch wolf-whistled at Izzy as she perfectly danced in time with Dazzle. The two mares were laughing loudly.

"David?" Pipp asked, eyes focused on the two dancing ponies as she pulled out her phone, "Can you stream this for me?" She asked, quickly setting her phone into live stream mode.

"Uh, sure?" He replied, taking hold of her phone and pointing it at the dancing mares as Pipp quickly joined them.

"I think you'll find that this is how you dance!" Pipp shouted smugly, showing off her own dance moves.

"Is that a challenge, Fluffy Butt?" Dazzle grinned smugly as she matched Pipp's pace.

"You're going down Fazzle Dazzle." Pipp smirked, barely breaking a sweat as she danced around the fire.

Sunny let out a shrug, "Eh, why not?" She spoke to Hitch before joining the three mares as they danced and laughed, "Pipp, won't you get shadow banned for using music in your stream?" She asked, struggling to keep up with the pink pegasus.

"Eh, it's my song after all." Pipp replied, effortlessly dancing around despite her being chubbier than anyone else relative to her size. Soon, the 4 Mares danced together, long after the song about bananas had stopped, and another one of Pipp's songs started to play.

"Can't let you guys have all the fun." Zipp smiled, quickly joining in as well.

"Glowin' up kind of love!" Pipp sang in time with the song, her eyes focused on David as she sang, causing the human to blush slightly as he continued to hold her phone, focusing the camera on the 5 mares as they all sang along with the song as it played through Dazzle's phone.

"Glowin’ up kind of love, dip and slide through the cut!" The 5 mares continued to sing along as the song continued playing, all grooving and dancing together. David looked and blushed as he admired Pipp sing, her eyes glowed brightly like the night sky stars, her wings were fluffy as the night sky clouds and David could not resist taking his eyes off her.

Opaline watched the dancing from where she sat, leaning against a tree, a smile across her face, "Oh Argyle, how I wish you could see our little Stellar now, dancing with pegasi and unicorns." She lamented, placing her hoof on a locket she kept hidden under her wing. Gently pulling it out, she looked over the gold object as it shimmered from the firelight. Pressing her hoof to the locket, it opened up in an instant, and a purple eye-like object revealed itself.

Faraway in Maretime Bay, the moon sat high in the sky. Misty sat in a small cafe, her head resting against a window as she took a sip of her drink and a bite of her meal. Her eyes drifted down to the locket around her neck, the very locket that Opaline would use to communicate with her when Misty was on spying missions for her. The locket suddenly began to emit blue smoke. The blue unicorn shot up from her chair, running towards the bathroom. The pony at the counter shrugged before returning to reading their phone.

Misty slammed the bathroom door shut, locking it behind her as the locket fully opened. Opaline appeared from the blue smoke, visibly surprised by this.

"Ah! Opaline!" Misty screamed, throwing the locket across the small room, it skidded across the tiled flooring, crashing into a used tissue bin.

"Well then, that was unexpected..." Opaline said, slightly dizzy.

"What are you even doing Opaline?!" Misty shouted, "Aren't you meant to be in jail?!" The blue unicorn practically screamed, her cheek still very much sore from when Opaline had hit her after she tried to stop the Alicorn from harming Sparky days ago.

"I'm currently out because they needed my help finding Pipp Petals..." Opaline turned the locket towards the campfire, allowing Misty to see the 5 mares as they danced the night away.

"They look like they're having fun..." Misty softly spoke, watching in awe at the dancing

"But... Now we found her, it's to the gallows for me now Misty..." She added, her eyes focused on Misty's vision in the blue smoke.

"Not my problem anymore!" Misty snapped, "You're not getting any pity from me, you Magenta Deceiver!" Misty approached the locket and raised her hoof, "I'm never letting you back into my life again!" She slammed her hoof down on the locket, and in an instant, it shattered, the vision of Opaline disappearing along with the blue smoke, "Goodbye, Opaline." She said, picking up the broken locket and chucking it into the bin.

Misty soon left the bathroom, returning to her table and continuing with her food. This cafe quickly became a favourite of hers.

"Misty..." A voice called out to her, she looked around the cafe, but no other ponies were around, barring the pony behind the counter, "Misty..." It called out again, this time, from inside her mind.

The blue unicorn quickly finished her meal, and dashed out the front door, leaving the money on the table next to the bill. Darting into a back alley, she sat behind a large dumpster, "Ok, show yourself!" She demanded.

The image of a purple alicorn, twice the height of Opaline, entered her vision, "Hello, Misty." It cackled, eyes glowing out of the shadows it emerged from.

"W-who are you?" Misty trembled with fear as the alicorn towered over her.

"You can call me Dark Star." She smiled, shifting into a pony just taller than Misty herself, "Would this form make you feel better?" Dark Star asked, grinning at Misty, sharp teeth on full display.

"Mhmm..." Misty slowly nodded, her eyes looking the alicorn up and down with hesitation.

"Do not fear me, child." Dark Star held out her hoof.

"Opaline never told me more Alicorns existed." Misty trembled, her leg feeling like jelly as Dark Star paced around her.

"Ha!" Dark Star scoffed, "Opaline Arcana is a fool and an amateur. I can offer you things far grander than a simple cutie mark!" She pointed towards Misty's blank flank, "I can offer you power!" She added, "I can offer you true freedom!" Her eyes glowed briefly as she spoke.

"What do you want from me in return?" Misty raised her eyebrow. She wanted a cutie mark more than anything, but Opaline had used her at every turn, who's to say this 'Dark Star' would be any different, "How can I know you're not just gonna use me to do what you desire then dump me once it’s done??" She asked.

"Why waste a useful ally?" Dark Star cackled, "All I want in return is those Unity Crystals." She looked towards the Crystal Brighthouse in the distance, prisbeam shooting high into the sky, "Those crystals contain my stolen magic, with its return I will grant you what your heart desires." Dar Star turned back towards Misty.

"And what if I refuse to help you?" Misty asked, eyebrows raised with curiosity.

"Hey, no skin off my back if you refuse. Tell you what, think it over, and if you do want to help, you know how to contact me." Dark Star smirked as she faded away into the darkness.

Misty looked around for the alicorn, "Huh?" She asked, stepping back out onto the main street, dodging the trolley as it rattled past. The unicorn slowly turned towards the Brighthouse, she had a lot to think about.

Opaline watched in horror as the locket in her hooves shattered in time with Misty shattering her own locket. And without hesitation, she walked over to a nearby cliff, sat down and threw the shattered pieces of her locket away in frustration and sadness as she knew Misty had had enough of her after their adventure was done. She would be sent back to Zephyr Heights, where she would be put to death.

"Hey, Mom- Opaline, what's wrong?" Sunny said as she walked over and sat down next to Opaline, "Are you feeling alright?" Sunny looked at the alicorn.

"Nothing to concern you about." Opaline signed, looking down the cliff, "Shouldn't you be dancing the night away with your friends?" She added.

"Dazzle's phone ran out of battery. Plus, I saw you talking to Misty." Sunny replied, "Is everything alright with Misty?" She asked with curiosity, "You can tell me, you know." She added.

"Fine, but you can’t tell anyone else, okay?" Opaline said in a hushed tone, "Misty just officially cut off all communications with me, we have a device that we use to keep in contact whenever Misty is on her mission. But..." Opaline sighed, "She threw it and it shattered, when that happens both devices will shatter together. So in simple terms, Misty has officially deserted me for good." The alicorn added, "Can't say I blame her although, these past few days allowed me to realise how poorly I treated her. I treated her so badly, and look at where that got us."

"To be honest, I can't exactly blame her either." Sunny frowned, "What you did to that poor mare is downright horrific, I'm honestly ashamed to be related to you..." Sunny sighed, "But, despite all that you put me and my friends through, I'm willing to give you a second chance." The orange mare gently nuzzled into the alicorn's side, "But, I would suggest leaving Misty be for now." She added, yawning as she laid down, head resting on Opaline's wing.

"You know what awaits me back in Zephyr Heights, right?" Opaline sighed, "Just my luck in all honesty, after all these years, I finally found you, but I won't be able to make up for the years lost." A lump formed in the alicorn's throat, "Even though we found Pipp, the deal was for dragon fire in exchange for my help locating her. I'm still going to be executed for my crime and just knowing you are my daughter... I just can’t imagine spending my last hours in a cold jail cell waiting for the guards to escort me to the place where I'll be executed..." She sighed once more, now on the verge of breaking down into tears.

"I'm sure that your sentence will be lessened, I mean, you've kept your end of the deal. You helped us find Pipp." Sunny yawned, snuggling into Opaline's side.

"I hope you're right, Stellar..." Opaline looked towards the horizon, "I hope you're right." She draped her wing over Sunny as she slept.

End of Chapter Twenty One.

Chapter #22: Empire or Bust

Chapter Twenty Two.
Empire or Bust.

"Good morning~" Pipp sang, kicking open the door from her trailer. The mare took a sharp inhale of the morning air, the sun barely poking out over the horizon. She looked to her right and smiled when she saw David sitting on the hood of the car. With a gentle flap of her fluffy wings, she glided over and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Well, good morning to you too." He smiled, gently stroking her mane. Pipp smiled at his touch, purring slightly, "So, what do you want to do today?" He asked her as she rubbed herself against his hand like a cat.

"Well, if you're still up to it, I still wanna go to the Crystal Empire." She smiled, the early morning sun already warming her face.

"Well... Don’t you want to head home with your sister?" David asked as he looked into Pipp’s eyes, "I'm sure your mother is dying to see you." He added, gently caressing her ear.

"Eh, Mother can wait in all honesty, and as I told you earlier, I wanna see this through to the end." Pipp replied, nuzzling into his neck, "And my sister now knows I'm safe and not dead, so yea, I'm sure she can agree with it, just don’t piss her off like last time, or she might actually make you suffer a lot okay?" Pipp added while continuing to nuzzle him, a hoof gently rubbing his abs.

"Alright, if you say so." David added while softly stroking her mane and wings. Pipp and David leaned closer as they prepared to kiss while looking into each other’s eyes.

"Ahem!" A voice called out. Pipp and David looked to see Zipp drinking her coffee while watching them. "What did I say about personal space?" She added, while continuing to drink her cup full of steaming hot coffee. "May I remind you, Pipp, he claims to be married, I suggest keeping your distance." She added, raising an eyebrow, "Pipp, can we talk alone, please?" Zipp asked as she rushed Pipp away from David.

"Um okay if you say so, sis." Pipp said as she followed Zipp to a good distance from David.

Zipp then looked at Pipp, "Sis what are you thinking? We spent days trying to find you and you want to continue going with him? What would Mom think? She’s worried about you, after what happened to Dad, I promised him on his deathbed that I would look after you." Zipp said as she folded her hoofs.

"Yea I know, sis, but I'm just trying to get him home to his family, he believes they're still alive" Pipp added.

"And what if they're not? That would mean we wasted so much time on his fantasy. No offence, sis." Zipp added.

"None taken." Pipp added.

"Sis, please reconsider this. Mom is worried sick about you, we're her only family left, aside from Grandma of course. We are her only lights of hope keeping her happy and if we both end up dead or missing how would she feel? We both know what happened after Dad’s funeral, right? Mom was depressed to the bone she spent every day in her room not leaving for even a second. The only time she ever left her room was to go to Dad’s grave and mourn his death but other than that. She just stayed in her room all day 24/7" Zipp added as she folded her hoofs.

"Yea... I know what happened to Dad but I believe David's wife and daughter are still alive. And I wanna see them reunited again." Pipp said, "And if they're not, I want to spend my life with him."

"Pipp? What are you implying?" Zipp raised her eyebrow.

"I love him, Zipp! Ok?" Pipp raised her voice.

"Pipp..." Zipp frowned, "You've only known him for a few days..." She added, "We just talked about this, remember? He's married." Zipp said as she folded her legs in disapproval.

"Who might not even be alive!" Pipp shouted, "He said so himself the night before, he doesn't know how long he was gone before magic fell, For all we know, Cadenza and Shooting Star might be long dead!" Pipp covered her mouth as she let slip the true names of David's wife and child.

"What did you say?!" Zipp grabbed Pipp by the shoulders, shaking her back and forth.

"Cadenza and Shooting Star. Those are the real names of my wife and my daughter. Now you know." David sighed, "I didn't tell you their real names because I was scared, ok? Plus, even if I did, I doubt you'd believe me." He looked down at his feet as Pipp pushed past Zipp, quickly tackling David in a tight hug.

"Hey..." Pipp soothed him, "It's ok." Gently rubbing his back, "You happy now, Zipp?" Pipp glared at her sister.

"Yeah... Whatever… You two lovebirds can smooch and snuggle and cuddle for all I care. Just not in front of me, I want to keep my breakfast down." Zipp rolled her eyes in annoyance at her sister's antics.

"Look, Zipp. I don't want to fight anymore with you." Pipp sighed, "But I'm nearly 19, I'm a grown-up now. I can make my own choices with my life."

"I know Pipp, I just don't want you to get hurt." Zipp sighed, ears falling flat against her head.

"You could always come with us, 3 is better than 2." David spoke up, holding out a hand.

"Yeaaaaaaaah no thank you I'm not going on your love adventure or whatever." Zipp started to walk away.

"Come on Zipp, it could be fun~" Pipp smiled, "Besides, finding a lost city is something right up your alley, like in those books you used to read as a filly." Pipp moved away from David and sat in front of Zipp, her face showing puppy dog eyes, "Please?"

"Urgh! Fine." Zipp rolled her eyes as Pipp squeezed her into a tight hug.

"Wha?" The trio heard Sunny yawn, "If Zipp is going with you to the Crystal Empire, we're going too." She yawned again, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"How much did you hear?" Zipp asked the orange mare as she stumbled around like an old drunk.

"Only Pipp begging you to come with her and you agreeing." Sunny groaned, drinking the rest of Zipp's cup of coffee, shivering in the process, "Wow, this is strong."

"I... I put whiskey in it in the mornings... Heh..." Zipp chuckled nervously.

"Really sis? So not cool." Pipp said as she folded her hoofs in disapproval of her sister’s usual tricks.

"Yeah, then why did I find a broken bottle of whiskey in the ashes of the campfire when I lit it last night?" Zipp raised her eyebrow.

"I needed something to drink to calm my nerves, ok?" Pipp's cheeks flushed red.

"Was that before you after you decided to let the human fuck you?" Zipp smirked.

"If my mating with David disgusts you so much, why do you keep bringing it up, something on your mind, Zephyrina?" Pipp raised her eyebrow as she smirked.

"No. No." Zipp stuttered, taken by surprise by Pipp's words.

"Good, Ok." Pipp smiled, "So, If we're really all going to the Crystal Empire, we better wait for everyone to wake up first, and put it to a vote." Pipp brought Zipp and Sunny into a huddle, "Also, I'm dying for something filling to eat for once, I've eaten nothing but cookies for days." Pipp groaned as her stomach rumbled.

"Damn, you really are hungry, sis." Zipp said with wide eyes as Pipp moaned with embarrassment.

"We've got more than enough food here for everyone." Sunny smiled, "Just need somewhere to cook it all."

"Hang on, I thought we only had enough for 9 of us?" Zipp asked.

"I may have brought enough for a small army." Sunny clapped her hooves together, smiling innocently.

"Back to the main issue, I think the cooker in my trailer should be up to the task." Pipp smiled, beckoning Sunny towards her trailer, "It's an electric one, it'll do right?" Pipp added, gesturing to the oven sitting in the small kitchen area.

"Pipp... That'll do nicely." Sunny hugged Pipp tightly, nuzzling her cheek, "Now, let's get a big breakfast in that belly." Sunny booped Pipp's belly, getting a giggle out of the Pegasus.

Soon enough, the sizzle of tofu rashers frying filled the air. Sunny watched with a smile on her face as Pipp effortlessly cooked before her, "Good thing you decided to open a salon, I'm pretty sure you'd run every cafe out of business if you opened a cafe yourself." Sunny giggled as Pipp flipped over a rasher, the sizzle filled the earth pony's ears.

The sound and smell of the food cooking eventually awoke the others, "Mmm, something smells delicious!" Izzy said as she yawned and stretched.

"Yea, where is that beautiful smell coming from?" Hitch groaned as he stretched, back and neck clicking in the process.

Soon Dazzle rolled over in her sleeping bag. "Mmm, something smells yummy, and I am starving." She yawned, placing her hoof over her rumbling belly.

Opaline, Zoom, Izzy, Dazzle and Hitch slowly made their way over to the source of the smell as it filled their noses.

"Mmm, I haven't smelled something this good in a long time." Opaline said as she followed the trail of the smell, "I missed Argyle's food... Heh... Wished he was here..." She thought to herself.

"I don’t know about you guys but I haven't smelled something this good since my days as a rookie guard!" Zoom said as she stretched her body and wings, "The food I ate during my rookie days was awful and I almost puked from eating them." She chuckled to herself. "Thunder puked in front of me when I was his supervisor during his rookie days. I could not stop laughing for days after he did that heh." She added.

"Hey, speaking of Thunder, where is he anyway?" Hitched asked as he looked around.

"He’s probably looking after that sleepy baby Sprout." Opaline said. "After I threaten to rip his tongue out. He probably decided to behave and not complain over every small detail and thing we do." She added, chuckling to herself.

"Nah, Thunder's still asleep." Zoom gestured to the sleeping royal guard laying under a tall tree.

"Grubs up!" Zipp shouted into the air, "I CALL DIBS ON THE EXTRA LARGE PIECES HAHA!" She said excitedly as she waited by the oven, plate in hoof. She licked her lips as Pipp placed down 5 rashers of tofu and two eggs.

Sunny giggled as Zipp bounced away like a filly high on too much sugar, "She really likes your cooking, huh?" Sunny raised an eyebrow as Pipp filled up all the other plates.

"Yea, she’s just happy she gets to eat decent food now after eating stuff she dislikes, heh." Pipp chuckled a little, a bit of egg white hung from her mane, it fell and landed on her snout as Sunny passed a loaded plate to everyone.

The forest clearing was soon filled with the sounds of ponies eating.

Zipp quickly counted as everyone raised their hooves, "8 votes for going. That's everypony, except Sprout and Thunder, of course." Zipp smiled, Pipp held a hoof to her mouth, trying to hold back tears of joy.

"Where'd you get 8 from?" Hitch asked, doing a recount, "I count only 5 voted, me, Izzy, Sparky, Dazzle and Zoom."

"Oh, Sunny and I already said yes to going before you woke up, and Pipp was the one who wanted to go in the first place." Zipp hiccupped, licking her plate clean.

"Shouldn't we wait for Sprout and Thunder to wake up first?" Izzy asked, mouth full of tofu.

"They're already outvoted." Dazzle pointed out, "Even if they both say no, it's still 8 to 2."

"Knowing Thunder for many years since he was a rookie, I know he won't vote no because he knows I would make him do wing push-ups if he even tried to vote against this." Zoom chuckled, "All I gotta do is persuade him to do so." She winked, "Besides, we're only here because of Opaline, so we go where she goes, and since she voted to go to the Crystal Empire, we go too." Zoom shrugged.

"And knowing Sprout..." Sunny frowned, "He would try to chicken out of anything." She added.

"What is stopping him from just leaving us all here?" Pipp asked, biting into a fried egg, "Mmmm." She moaned as she took a second bite.

"He wouldn't dare for a start." Sunny rebutted, "I have Aunt Phyllis on speed dual for in the event he even tries to leave us." The mare smirked.

"So, we're all in agreement then. Crystal Empire or bust!" Izzy smiled, "So... Who’s gonna wake Thunder and Sprout up? Those two sleepy heads." She giggled a little.

"Let Thunder sleep, he's been on guard all night, but Sprout on the other hoof, hehe..." Zoom rubbed her hooves together, "Allow me" Zoom stepped forward as she made her way to Sprout.

"Oh, I gotta film this." Pipp pulled out her phone, tapping on the record button.

Zoom looked down at the red earth pony, still asleep, leg twitching as he snored. As she took a step near Sprout’s ear, she took a deep breath and unleashed her drill sergeant side.

"RISE AND SHINE MAGGOT! YOUR 30 MINUTES OVERDUE!" Zoom shouted into Sprout’s ear. The red stallion woke up and smacked his face against the side of the Sprouticus

"OW THAT HURTS!" He grumbled as he rubbed his head which was now sore from the impact against the steel wall.

"GET YOUR LAZY ASS UP RIGHT NOW OR YOUR DOING 30 FOR ME THIS INSTANT!" Zoom continued to yell at the red earth pony.

"OK OK!" Sprout shouted back, throwing his blanket to the side, "I'M AWAKE, SO QUIT YOUR SCREECHING!" Sprout held his ears in pain and made his way to the group.

Zoom then made her way to the tree where Thunder was sleeping. He had covered himself up with a mini blanket. She sat down next to him and covered him with a part of her wing to keep him comfortable.

Sprout yawned as Sunny placed a plate in front of him, "Ok, I'm awake, What's wrong." He grumped as he quickly ate the food on the plate.

"Well, she wanted to give you a taste of what her drill sergeant side feels like." Sunny chuckled, "But, we have to tell you something." She tapped her hooves together.

"Oh no, what's happened now." Sprout grumbled some more.

"Well, we've all decided and we're going to continue our adventure to the Crystal Empire." Sunny spoke in the gentlest way possible, "We've come this far, so we might as well see it through to the end." Sunny's ears fell against her head, in preparation for the worst.

"Sure. Whatever..." Sprout continued to grumble.

"Ok." Sunny turned away before eyes widening, "What wait?" She quickly turned towards her cousin.

"Sure, why not." Sprout added, "But that human isn't coming anywhere near my machine."

"Ok..?" Sunny tilted her head. "A little harsh don’t you think? He’s been through enough drama with Zipp. And I'm sure he doesn't need drama from you too right? Just ask him to not touch anything, that's all." She frowned.

"Why should I be kind to him?!" He asked in an unsatisfied tone as he folded his hoofs.

"Because if you refuse I'll tell Hitch not to get you pizza for 1 month." Sunny smirked at him.

"As if. I'm an adult, I can buy my own pizza." Sprout huffed.

"But, as Sheriff, I can have you banned from every pizza place in town." Hitch stepped forward, flashing his badge for extra effect.

Pipp and David watched Sunny, Hitch and Sprout's discussion from afar, "They are aware that I won't even need to step foot inside that tank thing of his, right?" David asked the pink mare sat to his left.

"Yep. But this doesn't stop it being funny, watching that little punk squirm like a worm on a hook." Pipp giggled, resting her head on David's shoulder.

"Is it just me or am I enjoying this, heh?" He smiled, gently stroking Pipp's cheek with his hand.

End of Chapter Twenty Two.

Chapter #23: Unity

Chapter Twenty Three.
Unity.

"Why in Equestria are we following the human exactly?" Sprout fumed, nearly smacking his head on the steering wheel as the Sprouticus rocked around violently, following close behind David's car as it travelled off-road.

"Because." Sunny spoke, gripping the chair tightly, "They know the way to go. Besides, my mom is riding with them." She added, teeth jittering around in her skull.

"The giant alicorn that wanted to rip my throat out?" He added while sweating nervously, "Yea... I'll just do what you ask now." He chuckled nervously before a jerk from the Sprouticus caused the stallion to smash his face into the steering wheel, "Fuck!" He screamed.

Meanwhile, at the head of the pack, David, Pipp and Opaline weren't fairing much better. The violent rocking of the car was making Opaline feel very dizzy. "Are you sure this is the correct way?" David asked, trying his best to stay on the current course.

"Posi-posi..." Opaline groaned, resisting the urge to vomit all over the back seat, "Positive." She finally managed to utter.

"Dear Amore, I feel like my teeth are about to fall out if we continue this." Pipp spoke through gritted teeth while holding onto her seat as if she depended on it dearly for her life, "How much farther?" She turned to Opaline. The alicorn mid vomiting out of the back window.

"Not... Not much longer." Opaline said, as if on cue, the rocky path ceased, "Finally." She groaned, cheeks a dull green.

"Now, that's better..." Pipp let out a sigh, loosening her grip on the seat, "Hey, David?" Pipp asked, "Think you can teach me to drive thIS thing when you're free?" She added, looking at him and fluttering her eyelids cutely.

"Sure, we can start now." David spoke smugly, taking his hands off the steering wheel.

"Ah!" Pipp screamed, grabbing the wheel with her hooves as the car lurched to the right, "Don't do that!" She punched David in the chest angrily.

"Come, sit on my lap." David patted his leg, Pipp thought for a moment before slowly crawling over, gently sitting down on his leg, "Now put your hooves on the steering wheel nicely and gently." He added, "Treat the car with respect and it will respect you back." As he spoke, the engine roared.

"Ok." Pipp replied, keeping her hooves on the wheel, mimicking the position David would have his hands placed.

"Now, that's the horn." David said, pressing down on the centre of the steering wheel. Pipp jumped slightly as the horn let out a long beep, "This." David then pointed to the stick to his left, "This is the gear shift."

"So many gears... I gotta tell my mom about this..." Pipp thought to herself as she looked at the number of gears printed on the top of the shift stick.

"Now, try changing gears." David spoke, gently lowering Pipp's left hoof down onto the top of the gear shift.

Pipp followed his instructions and changed from gear 4 to gear 5, "Looks easy but it’s hard." She chuckled as the car sped up a little bit.

"See? You're driving." David chuckled, kissing Pipp's neck.

"Hehe, easy there tiger." She giggled, nuzzling him and kissing him on the cheek, "Opaline is watching us…" She looked back at the alicorn.

"Hehe, let her watch." David replied, holding Pipp tightly against himself.

"Young love..." Opaline thought to herself, rolling her eyes at the scene playing out before her.

*25 Years Ago*

Argyle and Opaline softly nuzzled each other, a sleeping Stellar lay between them.

"She’s just so tiny, dear." Opaline cooed, gently stroking the purple locks of the sleeping foal.

"Yes, but she will grow up to be a strong and confident mare in the future." Argyle softly spoke as he kissed Stellar’s Forehead, "Just like her mother." He added

As they sat in each other's embrace, a knocking came from down the hall, "I'll get it." Argyle said quietly, kissing Opaline on the cheek as he gently placed Stellar in her cot. The blue stallion hummed a little tune as he trotted down the hall towards two large oak doors.

"Welcome, King Ezekiel..." Argyle spoke proudly, only to fall silent when the pony at the door was a king at all, "You're not King Ezekiel?" He added, adjusting his glasses.

"I am Princess Haven of Helicon City." Haven spoke calmly as if she had rehearsed those lines all her life, "I have come in my father's stead due to some, shall we say, issues with the royal court. The two guards behind me are Zoom and Zephyr." Haven added as they both waved at Argyle, "May we come in?" She asked in a gentle tone.

"Sure, come, come." Argyle gestured, standing to the side as the three pegasi walked through the door, "So, Your Highness." Argyle said.

"Please, just Haven." Haven said in a calm tone.

"My apologies, Haven. I am curious to know how life is for you as a royal, a princess and to be in the public eye most of the time, mind telling me how it is?" The blue stallion asked, pulling out a journal.

"Well, I could say it’s hectic as many reporters will ask questions regarding even the tiniest things related to the royals, but despite that, I would say this is my first time outside the palace walls officially, so it’s quite amazing I would say." Haven put her hoof to her chin.

"Argyle quit asking our guests questions." Opaline's voice called out down the hall.

"Hehe, sorry dear..." Argyle rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, "It’s a thing I do, I can't help it, hehe." He chuckled.

"Ya big dork." Opaline smiled to herself as the three pegasi entered the main room, "Welcome to my home your Highness." Opaline bowed before the Princess.

"It is I who should be the one bowing." Haven stuttered upon seeing the alicorn before her.

"I may be an alicorn." Opaline chuckled, "But I am far from royalty." She added, biting the inside of her cheek. An ear twitched as she heard Stellar stirring in her sleep. The alicorn turned on her heel and trotted over to the cot, gently placing a hoof on the foal's cheek as Haven peered over the top of the wooden frame.

"Can I hold her?" Haven asked, before instantly regretting her words, to her surprise, the alicorn nodded softly.

"Yea... Go ahead, but be gentle." Opaline smiled as Haven slowly and gently carried the small foal and gently rocked it.

"Awww, she’s such a small bundle of joy." Haven chuckled, "What’s her name?" She looked up at the alicorn.

"Harmony. Stellar Harmony." Opaline smiled softly as she sat down on the couch, gesturing for Haven to sit down next to her.

"Hey, that could be you and the Princess one day, aye?" Zoom smiled, nudging Zephyr, "I heard you two last night." The mare smirked.

"W-wha, what?" Zephyr stuttered, "What are you talking about Zoom?" He darted his eyes from left to right, "N-n-nothing happened last night." Zephyr began to sweat.

"Dude, you smell of her perfume, and don't think I don't see that love bite mark on your neck." Zoom pointed towards a red mark on the side of the stallion's neck.

"Alright fine you caught me but you can’t tell anyone alright? Yes, she asked me to sleep with her cuz she felt scared of the night." Zephyr said as he sweated, "And, one thing led to another..." He trailed off.

"Dudeeeee, I shall keep it a secret, it’s safe with me." She winked, "But, you got a white stain on your belly." She winked before trotting over to Argyle, "Excuse me, you got a bathroom or a shower room here, Zephyr here needs a wash." Zoom grabbed Zephyr.

"Yeah, the shower is down the hall, the first door on the right." The blue earth stallion pointed towards a second hallway.

"Thanks, now, Zephyr. You're coming with me and you're gonna obey it, got it?" She looked at Zephyr sweating.

"Fine if you insist on this quick bath session." Zephyr mumbled to himself. Soon the two guards found the correct door.

"Okay, here's some spare soap and a spare towel I brought with me." Zoom passed the items to Zephyr, "Now don't get any ideas while you're in there." She winked, "I'll be outside if you need anything, okay?" She added as the door shut behind Zephyr.

"Ok, Mom..." Zephyr groaned to himself, mocking Zoom's voice.

"Hey, I outrank you, dude." He heard Zoom's voice from the other side of the door.

"We're the same rank, idiot." Zephyr rolled his eyes as he turned the shower on.

"So, are we the first ones here?" Haven asked softly, to not wake up the foal in her hooves.

"Yes, the unicorn should be here in a few hours." Argyle replied, adjusting his glasses, "If you don't mind me asking, can I have a look at your crystal?" He added, adjusting his glasses once more.

"Of course." Haven smiled, before carefully passing Stellar back to Opaline. The young Pegasi royal trotted over towards her saddle back, quickly pulling out the Pegasus Crystal wrapped in canvas.

"I-It's beautiful." Argyle said with amazement as Haven removed the canvas, the teal crystal reflecting the candlelight as colourful patterns danced around the room, "It definitely puts the Earth Crystal to shame." He chuckled, pulling out a circular pearly white crystal.

As if on cue, the two crystals began to glow faintly in the presents of the other. Haven and Argyle, as if on instinct, slotted the two crystals together. The crystals began to glow brighter.

"I don't feel any different." Haven frowned, flapping her wings as hard as she could.

"That's because we still need the Unicorn Crystal, my dear." Argyle chuckled, "But, if they're glowing this much now, imagine how bright they'll be when the third one arrives." He added.

*Present Day*

"What are they even doing?" Sunny asked herself as the car ahead of them slowly drifted off the path into the long grass.

"Ok, you two love birds, eyes on the road." Opaline spoke up, breaking up Pipp and David's kissing sessions.

"Oh glitter!" Pipp let out a startled yelp as she swerved the car back to the road.

"To the Crystal Empire..." David said, letting out a sigh as Pipp moved back to the passenger seat.

"Why so glum?" Opaline asked the human as he looked towards the road ahead, "Soon, you'll be reunited with Cadenza and Shooting Star, isn't that why we're even out here?" She added.

"Yes, while that is great..." He sighed, trees flying by the window, "It's just..." He eyed Pipp out of the corner of his vision, her chubby belly poking out from behind her extremely fluffy wings, "I just feel like my heart belongs to someone else, and, what if Cadenza and Shooting Star aren't alive?" He added.

"You can't think like that." Opaline replied, "Sure, it's a coin toss if they're alive, but you mustn't dwell on those thoughts." The alicorn added.

"You know, that isn't exactly helping..." He groaned, headbutting the steering wheel in frustration.

"All I'm saying is that, don't give up hope just yet." Opaline smiled, pointing towards the horizon. Ice and snow lay ahead.

"Ice and snow won't exactly help if the Empire isn't there." David rebutted.

"It’s in there just somewhere, we must look closer if we are to seek the empire itself!" Opaline declared, clenching her hoof as if she had just commanded her troops into battle.

Pipp turned back towards David, "If you want my opinion." She smiled softly as she placed her hoof onto his heart, "If we want to find it, we must not waste any more time and move quickly." She added, kissing his cheek. It pained her to say those words, but she knew it was something she would have to accept if David’s family were indeed alive.

"Ok, let's do it." David sighed, quickly shifting into top gear. The car lurched forwards as it quickly sped up, David looked up at the crystal as it dangled from the rearview mirror, "Ok, Opaline. Tell us when we cross the border." He spoke, looking at the alicorn's reflection in the mirror.

"They're speeding up." Sunny pointed out to Sprout as the distance between the two vehicles grew.

"Don't you think I know that?" Sprout mumbled to himself, "Not much we can do about it, we're in the red now, any faster and we'll shake apart." He added, pointing to the speedometer on the dashboard.

"We don't exactly have much of a choice." Sunny continued as the gap grew.

Sprout looked at the ground ahead, then at the dashboard and finally at Sunny, "Let's do it." He added, shifting the throttle forwards as far as it would go. The Sprouticus roared as it sped up, the speedometer needle moving well into the red zone.

"Any time now, Opaline." Pipp said, looking out the window as grass and trees gave way to snow and ice.

"We should be crossing over..." Opaline closed her eyes, tapping into the magic around her, "Now!" She shouted, eyes snapping open with a white glow.

David and Pipp focused on the crystal as it jiggled around on its chain, but nothing seemed to happen.

"They're gone..." David sighed, placing his head on the steering wheel in defeat. The car slowed to a stop, the Sprouticus pulling up alongside.

"David..." Pipp trailed off before hugging him tightly, "I'm so sorry..." She whispered, nuzzling him softly. She let out a pained yelp as David shoved her away from him, he grabbed the crystal off the mirror and exited the car.

Zipp's ears twitched at the sound of Pipp’s pained yelp and rushed like lightning to the scene where he saw David exiting the car, "HOW DARE YOU HURT MY SISTER!" She screamed, charging towards David, only to be stopped by Pipp.

"Zipp! Calm down." Pipp held out both of her forehooves, "All he did was shove me." She reassured her sister as David walked away from the car, crystal dangling from his hand, "David, what are you doing?" Pipp asked wide-eyed as she turned towards the human as he swung his arm back.

"THIS WAS JUST A WASTE OF TIME!" He shouted as he threw the crystal far away into the snowy wasteland.

"No!" Zipp and Pipp screamed in unison before taking flight after it.

"Awwww is the little human gonna cry now?" Sprout said in a mocking tone, "Quit being such a baby." He added before getting a sharp punch to the back of the head from Sunny.

"Not the time asshole!" The orange mare screamed in anger.

"Where is it?!" Pipp shouted, shifting her hooves through to snow, trying to find where the crystal landed.

"Hold on." Zipp spoke, pulling down her visor, the screen glowing a blue as she scanned the snow around her. She quickly locked on to a faint heat signature, "There!" Zipp pointed towards the source of the heat.

Pipp ran over to the spot and dug through the snow, she pulled her hooves out, and the crystal dangled from her hoof, she quickly pressed it to her chest, "Found ya..." She spoke to herself.

"Pipp... Look..." Zipp trailed off, Pipp looked down at the crystal as it started to glow, "It's... glowing..." The white pegasus added, pulling up her visor.

"THEY'RE ALIVE!" Pipp shouted, holding the crystal high into the air, "DAVID! THEY'RE ALIVE!" She flew over to the human, knocking him over in the snow.

"I'm at a loss for words..." He said, gathering his thoughts as Pipp dangled the flashing crystal above him.

"You give up too easily, my love." She giggled, before kissing his lips.

"I really need to get a spray bottle..." Zipp groaned at the display of love before her.

"You'd think the snow would cool her off..." Sunny rubbed her chin as she watched Pipp and David kissing.

"Ok." Zipp rolled up a snowball, "Break it up you two." She threw the ball straight at Pipp, bulls eyeing her right to the back of the head.

"YEEE!! ZIPP!!" Pipp screamed as a chill ran down her spine, "What was that for?" The pink pegasus whined like a toddler as she rubbed her now sore head.

"No more kissing." Zipp frowned, "Pipp. You are now on a kissing ban." The older pegasus sister smirked.

"Ok, ok." Sunny chuckled, stepping forward so a fight wouldn't break out, "We better get moving, we don't know how far away the Empire is from here."

"Sunny's right..." Pipp sighed, looking at the snow under her hooves.

"Right, so, Pipp, you're riding with us now." Zipp smirked, grabbing Pipp and dragging her into the Sprouticus.

"Urgh! Fine!" The pink mare moaned.

End of Chapter Twenty Three.

Chapter #24: Snow

Chapter Twenty Four.
Snow.

The snowy landscape twinkled in the twilight hours of the evening sun as it dipped below the horizon.

"Good thing we bought all that unused firewood." Hitch said as he threw the last of the large logs onto the fire. Embers shimmered into the cold air as the wood crackled.

"You don't get skies like this in Zephyr Heights, that's for sure." Dazzle looked towards the night sky as aurora danced across it.

"Yeah, the Crystal Empire sure is lucky..." Zipp replied, laying on her back on top of her sleeping bag, eyes locked towards the dark void above her. Air escaped her nose like smoke from a dragon as she exhaled in the cold night.

Pipp sat on the steps of her trailer, guitar in hoof. She softly strummed the cords, humming the tune to herself in the process.

"And here I thought you made all your music on the computer." Sunny chuckled, passing Pipp a cup of hot chocolate.

"I am a mare of many talents, young Sunny." Pipp smiled proudly, taking the cup from the orange mare, watching the steam bellow from it in the cold air.

"I'm six years older than you..." Sunny trailed off in mild annoyance.

"Details, details." Pipp patted Sunny's head, "Sunny? Can I ask you something?" Pipp asked her friend, tilting her head.

"Sure, what's up Pipp?" Sunny replied, sitting down on the step next to the pegasus.

"So, since Opaline is your mom, that makes Misty your sister, right?" Pipp asked, eyebrow raised as she saw the gears turning in Sunny's head.

"You know, I don't know to be honest." Sunny rubbed her chin, looking down at the ground, "Maybe I should ask my mom..." She added, looking towards Opaline, only to find her laying belly down on the snow, snoring loudly.

"Guess that'll have to wait until the morning." Pipp giggled, before taking a mouthful of her hot drink.

"So, Pipp why did you do that thing…. Um, what’s the word again." Sunny said in a curious tone.

"You mean mating?" Pipp spoke, nearly choking on her drink.

"Yes, that. Why did you do it with the human of all creatures?" Sunny continued, "A married human at that." She added, emphasising the word 'married'.

Pipp let out a long, hard sigh, "I was honestly expecting this coming from Zipp of all ponies..." She rubbed the back of her neck as her cheeks flushed a deep red, "But, if you want to know the whole truth..." Pipp quickly looked down at her hooves, "I didn't want him to leave Equestria... heh..." She chuckled nervously to herself.

"O-Ok?" Sunny spoke, completely wide-eyed, "But!" She quickly shook her head, "Why would you want him to stay here?" She added.

"Because..." Pipp sighed, "Because outside of Cadenza and Shooting Star, he has no other family, here or his own world..." She trailed off.

"I see..." Sunny replied, no emotion in her voice, "So that’s the reason why? You mated with him so you could stay with him if his wife and daughter may no longer be alive and that he gets to stay with you?" She added.

"Yes?" Pipp raised her hooves, whilst giving a confusing grin, "Since well, mating leads to foals so... If I were to get pregnant, he would have a reason to stay here." She continued, tapping her hooves together in embarrassment.

"EW! Pipp! Gross. I'd rather listen to Mom’s boring stories and lectures than listen to how your mating session went." Zipp groaned from the other side of the fire while covering her face and faking a puke.

Sunny placed her hoof against her face, shaking her head, "Pipp, you mean to tell me that your plan to make the human stay was by getting pregnant?!" Sunny spoke in a hushed tone, eye twitching.

"Yes?" Pipp continued to tap her hooves together while smiling innocently.

"Pipp that’s very, very disappointing. Your mom would disapprove of it." Sunny shook her head in disapproval of Pipp's actions.

"I know Sunny, but it was the only thing I could think of! It's not fair that he should be alone for the rest of this life because of something a stupid alicorn did!" Pipp raised her voice, holding back some tears.

"Hey! Don't blame this on my mom!" Sunny snarled back, eye continuing to twitch.

"What? No! I'm not blaming Opaline for this." Pipp quickly defended herself, "Look. David told me that right before he ended up here, he said he saw an alicorn in front of him." Pipp pinched her head in mild frustration.

"Oh..." Sunny stepped back, "Forgive me, I thought you referred to Opaline since everyone said she would betray us." She quickly added before looking down, "No offence, Mom..." She spoke under her breath in a hushed tone.

David, meanwhile, was sitting a bit away from the makeshift campsite, choosing to be alone with his thoughts.

"I'm in too deep..." He said to himself, looking down at the palm of his hand at the crystal as it glowed brightly in the slowly approaching night, "I should be happy that they're alive..." He added, "But I can't stop thinking about Pipp..." He continued, sighing to himself.

David's mind began to wander onto thoughts of Cadenza and Shooting Star the last time he saw them for what to him was only a few days ago but if Sunny was to be believed was actually over 2000 years ago.

"Go cool off!" Cadenza had snapped at David, the pink alicorn snarling as she stood in front of a Shooting Star on the verge of tears.

"She's my daughter too, Cadenza! I am not gonna let her get herself hurt because you gave her the idea to be a guard!" David snapped back, "I missed 24 years of her life and I don't want to see her get killed before she's even 30!" He added.

"Get……..Out." Cadenza snarled, her horn crackling in the air, "Before I use violence against you in front of our daughter!" She snapped while her horn was crackling with power, "DON'T MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF DAVID! GET OUT NOW!" She roared.

"FINE! I NEEDED A BREAK ANYWAY!" David said with anger in his voice. And he soon slammed the door of the royal chambers.

David was snapped out of his thoughts as he heard Pipp running over towards him, calling his name, "Hey! You alright, David?" Pipp said as she skidded to a stop in the snow.

"Huh... Oh yeah, I'm fine... Just clearing some thoughts." David replied while rubbing his head.

"You miss them don’t you?" She asked, a slight pain in her chest following those words.

"Yea... You could say that. It may have only been a few days for me, but how long was it for them..." He said.

"It’s getting cold out here, come sit by the fire. Don’t need you freezing and falling sick." Pipp gestured to the campfire where the rest of the ponies sat.

"Do you think they'd even want to see me? Cadenza and Shooting Star, I mean..." David said to himself, the wind kicking up a dusting of snow.

"Yeah, of course, they would!" Pipp smiled, "I'm sure your daughter would be eager to see her father after so long. I can say the same for your wife. She would be so happy to see you after so long." Pipp gently cuddled David as he looked up at her emerald eyes as they shimmered in the cloudless night.

"I should let you know something..." David softly spoke, placing his hand on Pipp's hoof.

"Yes?" She fluttered her eyes, "Is he going to confess his love for me?" She thought to herself, her heart beating faster.

"Each city of the Empire has a protective shield around it." He continued, staring off into the snow.

Pipp frowned slightly, "Oh..." She let out a disappointed sigh, "I thought you were gonna say the thing you know the 'I love you.' part." But never mind..." She said in a disappointed tone, "What do these bubbles do exactly?" She tilted her head, ears flopping to one side.

"It... It protects the cities from the cold this far north." He continued, "But, before you ask, ponies can pass right through the shield with no issue, it just keeps the cold out." He added.

"Does it hurt to pass through?" Pipp asked, slightly concerned by this shield.

"Not at all, but, for ponies passing through for the first time, it's a bit bumpy and might make you dizzy." He chuckled to himself as the wind suddenly picked up, sending a chill down his spine.

"Okay, that’s it, you're coming to the fire whether you like it or not." Pipp said as she dragged David by the arms back to the campfire with little effort on her part.

"Alright, alright... I'll go with you, easy there." David groaned as Pipp ceased her dragging once the human was in front of the fire. The mare quickly wrapped him up in 4 layers of blankets.

"There. Much better, all nice and toasty." Pipp smiled, nuzzling David's cheek before taking a seat next to him, "So sis..." She turned towards Zipp, a devilish smile on her face, "Mind telling us how you and Thunder ended up in that broom closet." She smirked as Zipp squeaked in surprise.

"You can not be serious..." Zipp groaned, cheeks turning deep pink.

"Oh, but I am." Pipp grinned devilishly.

"This is gonna be juicy." Came a deep voice, all eyes turned towards the source, Dazzle giggled as she leaned closer, "If this is juicy stuff I would make it into a ZBS report." She added, much to Zipp's horror.

"Well, that was unexpected..." Izzy said in surprise as she scooted away from the lavender pegasus slightly.

"Yeah, not gonna happen." Zipp crossed her forehooves, "That’s the last thing I am telling you, over my dead body." She said in an unamused tone, "I'd rather listen to Mom’s boring stories and lectures than tell you that story." She added.

"Spoilsport." Pipp grumbled, lip pouting as she crossed her hooves.

"Wow, would you look at the time?" Zipp said, looking at the nonexistent watch on her hoof, "It's time we got some shut-eye." She spoke quickly before darting off into her tent.

"Now what?" Sunny asked, holding her hooves close to the flames as she shivered.

"Coward!" Pipp yelled at Zipp as she ran into her tent and zipped it up.

"Sorry can't hear ya I'm too busy sleeping." Zipp responded as she faked intense snoring.

"I will forever ask myself if she even wants to tell that story from her point of view or Thunder if he’s comfortable telling it. Since sis ended up sleeping with him." Pipp rubbed her chin whilst tapping her hoof on the snowy ground under her.

"Is she always like this?" Sunny asked as she rubbed her hoofs near the fire.

"Oh believe me she is like that every time I pester her to tell me stories of her being in awkward situations. She will always find a way to run away when I'm distracted." Pipp replied as she wiggled herself into the blankets David was wrapped in, her head poking out under his, "That's more like it." She grinned to herself as she nuzzled the underside of David's chin with her forehead.

Dazzle let out a yawn, "I think I'm with Zipp on this one." She stretched her hooves out, joints popping, "It’s getting late and I'm tired, we should turn in for the night if we are gonna have the energy to head to the empire tomorrow morning."

"Not you too, Dazzle..." Pipp groaned, "Please don’t tell me you're faking your tiredness to Dazz, don't you even think about breaking our long friendship." She eyed Dazzle like a predator.

"No, really, I am really tired. It’s very late and I am burned out. We agreed we would go to the empire tomorrow morning so a good night’s rest is needed." Dazzle Feather replied.

Soon, every other pony went to sleep in their own tents, leaving Sunny, Pipp and David sitting around the fire.

"So..." Sunny tried to break the awkward silence that surrounded the three, "How have you two been over these past few days?" She asked in a curious tone.

"We already told you..." Pipp tilted her head in confusion.

"Sorry..." The orange mare shivered a reply, "The cold up here has made my brain shut down..." She added, shivering.

"If you're cold, you could always spend the night with me And lover boy here." Pipp suggested, raising an eyebrow.

"Lover boy?" Sunny's cheeks flushed red at Pipp's suggestion, "Bleh, I can see why Zipp is annoyed at why you two keep flirting with each other. But, let's go this night over with." Sunny shivered some more, "I presume your trailer has a heating system inside?" She added.

"Well..." Pipp smiled weakly, "If by heating, you mean a bed big enough for all three of us, and tons of blankets to spare, then yes." She added as the strong icy breeze began to pick up more.

"Do you expect me to share a bed with you two?" Sunny tried to sound disgusted.

"Either that or you become a Sunnycicle." Pipp smiled, opening the door of her trailer.

"Ugh. Fine! But no funny business from either of you!" Sunny grumbled, "Or I'm telling your mom again."

"Ok Sunny." Pipp gave a toothy grin as the three entered the trailer.

End of Chapter Twenty Four.

Chapter #25: The Misty of The Woods

Chapter Twenty Five.
The Misty of The Woods.

Sunny stared up at the ceiling of the trailer, deep in thought as she lay in the bed, somehow during the night, Pipp ended up snuggling into her, wrapping her in her fluffy wings. David had decided to sleep on the couch at the other end of the trailer, despite protests from Pipp.

"Pipp was right, I guess, this is better than being a Sunnycicle." She thought to herself, "Nice and warm..." She continued to think to herself. Slowly, her eyes fluttered shut as sleep took hold of her once again.

"Sunny..." A voice entered her mind. A voice too familiar to her.

"Dark Star..." Sunny said to herself.

"Hello again, Sunny." Dark Star smirked darkly as she stepped out from the darkness, "Or should I call you, Stellar Harmony." She snarled, "I've waited a long time to see you. You can not stop me, Stellar." The large purple mare lunged at Sunny, "I WILL GET MY MAGIC BACK!"

"You never get your magic back!" Sunny shouted, dodging Dark Star's attack, "You'll have to rip it from my cold dead chest." She added as her golden wings and horn materialised.

"Oooooh I'm so scared. NOT!" Dark Star cackled, "I already have an alley going to get those crystals." She laughed as an image appeared of Misty standing in front of the Unity Crystal, "You're little sister is nothing more than a pawn in my hoof!"

"No! NOT MISTY! You would not dare to use her as a tool for yourself!" Sunny yelled through tears.

"Oh, but I am and there’s nothing you and your pathetic mother can do to stop her! I have already gained her trust and now the unity crystals SHALL BE MINE!" Dark Star continued to cackle as everything went black.

"Ah!" Sunny awoke with a scream.

"Sunny!" Pipp snapped awake, "What's wrong?!" She added, seeing Sunny panting uncontrollably with tears running down her face. David snapped awake, falling off of the couch.

"Dark Star... She was in my dream and... She showed me images of Misty and the Unity Crystals." Sunny panted harshly, "She's going to use Misty to get to those Crystals..." She continued, sobbing into her hooves. Pipp looked over at David with concern.

"Psst... Opaline..." Pipp nudged the sleeping alicorn with a stick.

"Do you mind!" Opaline's eyes snapped open, "I am trying to sleep!" She added, horn crackling as she snatched the stick away from Pipp, "I was having such a nice dream till you woke me up!" She snarled in an angry tone, "What do you want?!" She demanded as her wings flared up.

"It's Sunny, She-" Pipp said before being cut off by Opaline leaping to her hooves, shaking the snow off of her body.

"Take me to her." Opaline spoke bluntly.

"There there?" David softly spoke as he patted Sunny's back, not sure how to comfort her, "I'll be honest here, Sunny, I have no idea what I'm doing." He added.

"It's ok..." Sunny said, still panting harshly, "It's helping somewhat." She looked down at the floor as the door suddenly flew open.

"Stellar!" Opaline shouted, leaning her head through the doorway. "URGH! BLASTED DOORWAY!" She groaned.

Sunny chuckled, "Are you okay Mom?" She asked the tall alicorn.

"I'm fine, but this blasted door is annoying me!" Opaline responded in a grumbled tone, "Give me a second to teleport inside." She added, her horn crackling as she disappeared from the doorway in a bright flash before instantly appearing inside the trailer, "Much better! She smiled before smacking her head off of the light, "I'm going to ignore that." She grumbled to herself as she knelt down at Sunny's level.

"Pipp, I did tell you not to wake my mom..." Sunny spoke as she wiped tears from her eyes.

"Hey. If I had a nightmare half as bad as the one you just had, I would want my mom too..." Pipp replied, sitting back down on her bed.

"A nightmare?" Opaline's eyes widened, "Oh, Stellar..." She quickly wrapped Sunny in her wings, pulling her close, "It was her again, wasn't it?" She added, anger in her voice.

"Y-yes..." Sunny replied, nuzzling into Opaline's chest fluff, "She said that she had employed Misty to steal the crystals..." She added, sobbing slightly.

"She. What." Opaline snarled darkly as she processed what Sunny had just said, "How dare she use Misty in her plan. I'm going to kill her when I find her." She snapped, her eyes now barred flames of fire as her wings flared up in rage and anger.

"She... She also said that Misty was my sister... Is that true?" Sunny asked, looking up at Opaline.

"Well, yes but technically no." Opaline replied softly, "While it's true that I raised her as my own, she isn't my offspring by birth." She continued, sighing deeply, "I found her in the woods when she was a foal..."

*18 Years Ago*

Opaline grumbled as she trotted through the thick shrubbery of the forest, "Stupid brambles..." She fumed as thorns cut into her skin while she foraged for food, "What are you staring at?" She asked a nearby squirrel as it stared blankly at her, mid-chew on an acorn. She grunted as it ran off up the tree.

"Check that chest!" She heard a gruff male voice echo in the treeline as the smell of smoke quickly filled her nose.

"Bandits..." Opaline said to herself, lowering herself closer to the ground, she crawled towards the source of the voice, prowling like a tiger in the long grass.

As Opaline crawled through the grass, she accidentally stepped on a stick "Shit!" She said to herself.

"Hey, you hear that?" A second gruff voice called out.

"Could be anything." A third voice replied.

"Quit talking and go check it out!" The first voice commanded.

"Alright, fine. Whatever you say!" The second voice groaned as he went over to the source of the sound. He pulled out his sword and slowly walked towards Opaline’s position.

Opaline dug through her saddlebag, feeling up a few ball-like objects, "Just enough..." She said to herself as a plan formed in her mind.

"Alright! Who's there!" The gruff voice called out, slicing through the grass with his sword, "What the?" He said as two balls rolled out from the grass, "Ah shit!" The bandit shouted as the two balls exploded, he let out a cough as he swung his sword around trying to hit whoever threw them.

Opaline seized the opportunity and lunged at the bandit like a fox, "WHAT THE!? What are you!???" The band screamed in fear as Opaline stood over him.

"Your worst nightmare." Opaline spread her wings.

"The Purple Devil!" The bandit screamed, wriggling free from Opaline and running back into the woods.

"Oh, I don't think so." She snarled darkly before giving chase.

"Run for your lives!" The bandit screamed as he ran past the rest of his gang.

"What the?! Get your ass back here!" Said another bandit.

"It's The Purple Devil!" The other bandit continued to scream as he disappeared into the forest.

"W-what?" The first bandit said, fear in his voice as more balls rolled out from the grass, exploding into a screen of smoke, "I can't see a thing!" He choked on the smoke, a silhouette of a large pony stepped out of the smoke, horns on its head, wings at each side.

"No... It’s her!" A second bandit said with fear in his voice, "The purple devil!" He said.

"Impossible, I thought she was just a myth!" The first bandit said.

"WELL SHE’S REAL AND SHE’S GONNA KILL US ALL!" The second bandit added.

A third bandit lunged and stabbed Opaline right in the side of her chest, under her wing. But to their surprise, she felt no pain and began laughing loudly. "HAHA! You fools do you think your puny swords will save you!?" She added, fire burning in her eyes.

"There's three of us and one of them, we can take them." A fourth one spoke, trying to sound tough.

"It won't matter..." The third one sighed, pulling out his blood-covered sword as Opaline continued to chuckle.

"Run." Opaline spoke, grinning her teeth. With one hard kick, the bandit's sword shattered. The bandits all ran in fear in various directions, she snorted as they all scattered like cockroaches, "You better run!" She shouted, picking up a nearby rock and throwing it in the general direction they all ran in, "You better run and never come back or I will make sure you regret the choices you made..." She snorted.

As the adrenaline left her veins, Opaline gasped in horror at the sight before her. A large stagecoach rested on its side, broken wheels and axles scattered amongst upturned luggage bags, "My gods..." She said to herself as she slowly trotted through the wreckage. The alicorn froze when she came across four bodies, all dead judging by the amount of blood pooling under them. Three stallions and one mare, Opaline counted, two of the stallions were dressed like they were the ones pulling the stagecoach.

Opaline's ear twitched as she heard the sounds of crying, the crying of a foal, no more than a few days old. She turned towards the source of the cries, it was coming from the stagecoach. Quickly patching her wound, Opaline set to work finding a way into the coach. Walking around the coach, she found the roof had been peeled back like a can, possibly from when it rolled over.

"Shhh... It's ok..." Opaline said, trying to calm the foal as she wriggled her way into the coach. She gently scooped up the crying baby in her hooves, holding it close to her chest, "There there..." She spoke softly, her motherly instincts kicking in for the first time in years. She looked down at the foal, it was a bright blue unicorn with a fuzzy mane. She was glad the foal was spared and could not imagine the horrors if the foal had been executed alongside the 4 bodies she saw. With some quick thinking, she decided to bring the foal back to her home for safety.

"Over there!" She heard a voice shout, without thinking, she quickly dashed off into the forest, b-lining straight to her home.

*Present Day*

"You... you saved her..." Pipp said, hoof on her mouth in shock

"Yes... I saved Misty from impending death that very day..." Opaline replied as she breathed in and out, "That very day I saw the bodies of her parents, slain in cold blood and they were executed in cold blood too, not even the stagecoach drivers were spared." She spoke softly.

"All of that and you still treated that poor mare like shit..." Pipp said under her breath.

"Hey! I gave her a roof over her head, I had no idea what to do when I saw her dead parents, I took her under my care after Stellar and Argyle went into hiding!" Opaline snapped back while holding back the urge to yell.

"At the cost of her basic rights?!" Pipp screamed back, "You have no idea how much you affected her. Misty nearly burst into tears at a sleepover because Sunny raised her voice at Izzy."

"Hey now, let's not get into another shouting match, alright?" Sunny said as she placed herself between Pipp and Opaline to calm things down.

"Pfft, fine, if you say so, Sunny." Pipp said as she folded her forelegs and looked away from Sunny and Opaline.

"Was everything you said true... Mom?" Sunny asked as she looked at the giant alicorn.

Opaline sighed, "Yes, what you heard was true. 18 years ago I saved Misty from death and I fostered her as one of my own after you and Argyle went into hiding..." Opaline replied softly.

"But why were you so cold to Misty?" Sunny pleaded for an answer.

"I was afraid of becoming too attached to her, in case I lost her..." Opaline avoided eye contact with her daughter.

"What do you mean?" Pipp and Sunny spoke in unison before looking at each other.

"I did not want to forget I had you Stellar." Opaline said as she looked away from Sunny.

"That doesn't justify your treatment of Misty." Pipp spoke bluntly.

"I know that now..." Opaline grumbled under her breath, "I just didn't want to get too attached to her, I didn't want to think of myself as replacing Stellar..." She added, "I'm sorry I have been a thorn in everyone's side on this trip, all I want to do is be positive..." She sighed sadly.

"Hmmm, I doubt that..." Pipp thought to herself, biting the inside of her cheek.

"I know what you're thinking, Pipp..." Sunny spoke as she looked at her friend.

"Gah! Dang it Sunny, are you sure it's not Earth Ponies that can read minds?" Pipp jumped, startled by Sunny's question, "But, if you must know, I was thinking of a possible solution to this."

"And what would that be?" Sunny smirked, eyebrow raised.

"Simple, we get Misty and Opaline to talk things out." Pipp said with confidence in her voice.

"Yeah, that's not gonna be as simple as you think, pink one." Opaline grumbled, "She meant it when she said she was done talking." She added, headbutting a table in frustration.

"Hmm..." Pipp rubbed her chin, deep in thought.

End of Chapter Twenty Five.

Chapter #26: Empire

Chapter Twenty Six.
Empire.

"So, that's the Crystal Empire?" Pipp asked as the group stood at the top of the hill, looking down the basin towards a city in the distance, "It seems kinda small." She added, the wind blowing between her ears.

"That's only the capital." David replied, looking through a pair of binoculars, "But yeah, it's a fairly small city, at least, compared to Canterlot." He added, passing the binoculars to Pipp.

"Smaller? I mean from up here it’s small but what about up close?" Pipp spoke while looking through the binoculars.

"So, how do we plan on getting down there?" Zipp spoke up as she approached David and Pipp, visor pulled down over her face as a small hockey puck-sized drone flew behind her, "How stable is the terrain here anyway?" She continued, peering over the crest of the hill at the city below.

"Careful." David said cautiously, "It's a long way down if you fall." He added, feeling Pipp grip his leg tightly as he mentioned the long fall.

"Wimp." Zipp rolled her eyes under the visor, "Woah!" She shouted as her hooves slid out from under herself on the icy slope, "Oh no." She yelled, skidding to stop a few inches from the downward slope.

"Told ya." David chucked to himself as Zipp threw snow at him in anger.

"Not funny." The white pegasus grumbled under her breath.

"It was pretty funny." Izzy giggled as she trotted over the hill with Hitch, Sparky and Sunny in tow.

"You ok Zipp, that fall looked like it hurt." Sunny winced.

"Aside from now being cold and wet, I'm fine." Zipp bit her lip, trying her best to hide the pain.

"But, Zipp does raise a good point, how do you intend to get us down there, looks much too steep for that thing you call a car, the Sprouticus might be able to do it..." Hitch looked down the steep gradient, ears flat against his head.

"There's a railway line a mile or so east from here. Hopefully, the trackbed should still be intact enough for us to use as a road to get down into the basin safely." David answered, pointing to the east.

"Well, let's get going then!" Pipp smiled, stomping her hooves on the ground in rapid succession, "Cadenza and Shooting Star await!" She shouted, flapping her wings excitedly.

"Right, that's the trackbed." David pointed ahead as he stopped the car. Pipp looked at where the human had pointed, rusty brown rails stuck out from the crisp white snow covering the area. The pair stepped out of the car as the Sprouticus rolled to a stop close behind.

"Are you sure this will be safe to do?" Pipp asked with hesitation as she tapped her hoof on the rusty railhead.

"100%." David spoke calmly as he inspected the clearly disused railway alignment.

"How do you know a train won't appear and smash us to pieces?" Pipp said, fear clearly in her voice.

"Because judging from the amount of rust on the rails." David spoke as he ran his fingers along the rail, "This line hasn't been used for years, doubt it would even be able to take the weight of a train now." He added, looking at the rusty dust on his fingertips.

"I trust you but, sometimes I don't, so be honest, are you sure we are safe?" Pipp glanced up at David with pleading eyes.

"I assure you, Pipp, nothing is going to happen, I promise you." David knelt down to Pipp's level and gently caressed her ear.

"So. what's the plan?" Zipp asked as she stepped out from the Sprouticus.

"Simple, we just travel along the trackbed until we get to the bottom of the basin, there are no bridges or tunnels to deal with." David answered Zipp's question, "The tracks cling to the sides of the bowl as it were."

"And you're sure we won't end in a fiery explosion?" Zipp raised her eyebrow, doubting the human's plan.

"Hey, as long as that red pony doesn't do anything stupid and crashes that thing off the side and sticks to driving in the middle of the trackbed, you're golden." He replied, vaguely gesturing to Sprout as he stared out of the Sprouticus' cab.

"Welp, we're doomed..." Zipp frowned.

"Hey! I'm not that terrible at driving!" Sprout shouted in defence of himself, only for Zoom to clip the back of his head with her wing, "Ow..." The red stallion groaned as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, if those are the odds... I'm riding with them." Opaline said as she stepped out from the Sprouticus, "I've lived over 2000 years and I'm not dying because someone doesn't know how to drive." She added.

"What is it, pick on Sprout Day or something?" The red stallion grumbled to himself.

"You really want me to answer that?" Dazzle spoke as she fluttered past, disgust in her voice at Sprout's constant whining.

"This is un-freaking-believable..." Sprout groaned, slamming his head against the steering wheel.

Dazzle and Zoom glanced at each other and giggled at the stallion's clearly frustrated attitude. The pair’s faces showed mischievous grins as they felt amused by teasing the stallion.

"Alright, alright. Enough teasing Sprout, ok?" Sunny spoke with a mix of stern and calm in her voice to the two mares, clearly hiding her own giggle at the sight.

"So, how long will it take us to get down there?" Thunder asked, yawning loudly as he rubbed his eyes.

"No more than an hour or two at the least." Zipp answered, "Judging from the way the tracks seem to cling to the side of the basin as it heads downwards.

"3 hours to be precise." David corrected the white pegasus.

"Well, if you say so... David..." Zipp replied, for the first time ever, calling him by his actual name.

"Awww... Zipp..." Pipp smiled, placing a hoof to her chest, "You called him by his name..." She added.

"Urgh, don't get sentimental on me, It makes me think I'm gonna die." Zipp groaned, trying to hide her blush, "Now, let's get going." The white pegasus suggested.

Slowly but surely, the group made their way down the side of the basin, nothing ahead of them but 4 parallel lines of rusty brown steel in the pure white snow.

"So, what exactly was this railway line used for?" Pipp asked as steel poles passed by the car windows.

"This was the main high speed that linked the Empire's capital with Equestria's capital." David replied as they drove down the trackbed, "See those poles there? Those are the stanchions from the overhead wires that powered the express trains that used to run this line." He continued, pointing at the steel poles as they passed by, "It seems that after years of no upkeep, the wires themselves have fallen away, leaving only the main supports behind..." He added, sighing softly.

"It's amazing how you know this." Pipp spoke, her emerald eyes wide.

"I had a life before I reunited with Cadenza and met my daughter." He replied, keeping an eye on the speedometer on the car's dashboard.

"Oooh, mysterious." Pipp bit her lip in excitement, "You must have lived here a lot if you knew the system like the back of your hoof, uh... Hand." The pink pegasus purred in delight, grinning her teeth.

"I... I only lived here for about 5 years before I ended up in your time..." David lamented, his eyes focusing on the pathway ahead, "Before I ended up in a fractured Equestria." He added.

"Well, just think, in just a few short hours, you'll be reunited with your loving wife and daughter." Pipp smiled away the pain in her heart those words brought, shaking her head, she turned to look out the window, "Hey, look! We're near the bottom already!" Her green eyes sparkled with delight, "Guess Mom was right, time really does fly when you're having fun." She giggled to herself.

"Soon Cadenza..." David thought to himself as the ground levelled out, "We shall be reunited together as one happy family..." He said to himself, slowly pushing the throttle pedal downwards as the car sped up. The car swerved off of the tracks and back onto safe ground, quickly followed by the Sprouticus.

"Nearly home..." Pipp sighed sadly, looking down at her hooves as the city grew closer.

A few hours passed and the group reached the protective bubble that shielded the capital city from the icy surroundings.

"Are you sure we can pass through this protective shield?" Zipp asked, slightly concerned as she scanned the shield with her visor and mini drone.

"Yes, it is perfectly safe." Opaline spoke, craning her neck up at the shield, "It's been a while..." She said to herself, looking down at the ground, "Would they have even cared that I have been gone for so long..." She added, her mind drifting towards thoughts of her parents.

"How can you be so sure?" The white pegasus asked again, "This whole journey is gonna be a waste if we can't go through." She grumbled.

"Questions, questions, questions..." Opaline shook her head, "Observe." She continued, turning to face the group as they gathered at the base of the bubble, she spread her wings and casually trotted back into the shield, disappearing in a bright flash of rainbow light and shimmers.

"Mom?!" Sunny shouted in her horror as she stared at the spot where Opaline had disappeared from.

As everyone waited intensely, Opaline’s head popped up from the other side, "Oh stellar, quit your whining and get in here quickly!" She giggled softly.

"Uh Mom, your body is gone." Sunny added as she pointed at Opaline.

"Wait it is?" Opaline said as she looked down at herself, "Well, what do you know, the shield must be different, it was never like this back in my day, and I can still see you all on the other side." The alicorn rubbed her chin, "Anyway, stop dilly dally and get in here!" She beckoned the group.

"Well, here goes nothing." Pipp spoke softly from inside the car, looking directly at David as she did so.

"Here we go..." David replied, "Just remember, for first-time travellers, it tends to get a bit bumpy." He continued, leaning out the car door and speaking directly to the rest of the group.

"Did he say bumpy?" Sprout asked Sunny as David slowly backed the car up for a good run-up.

"Ready?" David turned to Pipp as she tightened the seat belt as the car stopped, now facing the shield, a good 100 ft away.

"Ready." She nodded, her serious look on her face as David revved the engine.

"Hi-ho, silver." David muttered under his breath as he shifted gears, the engine revving twice more.

Without another word, David released his foot off of the brake, the car jerked forwards as it roared before rapidly speeding up.

Zipp watched with hesitation as the car quickly appeared on the shield, "Please work..." She said under her breath as the car grew closer.

Pipp's vision began to be filled with dazzling shimmers and sparkles as they grew closer, "It's working." She said with awe as a rainbow ring began to grow in front of the car, "We're going through." She added as her earring began to be filled with what sounded like a mix of bells ringing and the sound of magic twinkling.

The pink mare clamped her eyes shut as bright lights blinded her eyes, and her teeth began to rattle in her head.

Then, everything went silent.

Pipp slowly opened her eyes, gone were the bright lights and the shimmers. What was once a grey and dull snowy landscape, was instead, replaced by a grassy meadow under a clear blue sky, not a cloud in sight.

"Is this heaven?" She spoke to herself, slowly turning towards David.

"No, this is home, my home." He replied, looking straight ahead at the city in the distance, "So, how was your first time going through the shield?" He asked her, now turning towards her.

"I feel like somepony's drilling into my head." She groaned, rubbing her temples with her wings.

"Heh, don't worry, now you've been through, the second time won't be nearly as bad." David chucked to himself as the Sprouticus pulled up alongside.

"A little warning next time about that..." Zipp groaned, hoof on her mouth as she resisted the urge to vomit.

"It won't be as bad next time." David grinned softly at Zipp who rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Wow!" Izzy shouted, "It's so sparkly!" She added, eyes fixed on the sparkling structures in the distance.

"Welcome to the Crystal Empire." Opaline smiled, hovering above the group, "This is my homeland..." She smiled, the warm sun beating down on her face.

Pipp and David looked at each other and nodded, "Hey, Zipp!" Pipp shouted out the window, "First one to the city is a rotten sardine!" She shouted as the car sped off.

"Hey!" Zipp shouted, running after the car before taking flight.

Sunny chuckled to herself as she watched Zipp flying awhile, "Well, after them." She added, looking at Sprout.

"Urgh, fine." He groaned, shifting the throttle forwards.

"Hey, no fair! You had a head start!" Zipp grumbled as she landed next to Pipp, the pink mare laughing as she stepped out of the car.

"Aww, are you salty, Zipp?" Pipp chuckled, pulling out her phone and snapping a picture of Zipp's face, "I am so posting this." She added, tapping away at her phone

"NO NO- Damn it!" Zipp groaned loudly, "Don't you dare post that-!" She yelled before hearing the sent sound play from Pipp's phone.

"Too late, Zipp." Pipp grinned, slipping her phone back under her wing.

"One day... I will get my hoofs on your phone and when I do, I will find out how many posts you made about me." Zipp grumbled, sighing loudly.

"Those two really act like children..." Sprout said out loud as he stopped the Sprouticus, Sunny flicked him on the back of the head with her hoof.

"And you don't?" She looked at him from the corner of her eye, "It only took my mom to shut you up after you kept complaining about every single small detail." The orange mare added.

"Nah, he acts like a filly." Zoom replied smugly as Sprout headbutted the dashboard.

"Nah, I'd say he acts more like a foal." Dazzle added, looking at Zoom, and then to Sprout, who proceeded to headbutt the dashboard again.

"I'm never going to see the end of this teasing..." He groaned to himself, ears flat against his head.

"Uh guys, is that a soldier?" Thunder pointed towards what looked like a single pony walking towards the group dressed in silver armour.

"I'll check it out." Zoom replied, putting on her helmet.

Zoom quickly glided down from the Sprouticus' cab, landing gently on the grassy ground, sword holstered but quickly accessible if needed.

The lone soldier approached the group as they stood at the base of two large crystal pillars that acted like a gateway into the city.

"No trespassers in the Crystal Empire!" The soldier shouted, "State your business!" They continued, clearly a female judging from the voice, and a tall mare at that.

"Allow me." Izzy pushed past Zoom, "I know the way of the tall pony." The unicorn added, stepping in front of the tall soldier.

"She does know that she's barely taller than Sunny right?" Zipp asked Hitch as they watched on in anticipation.

"We come in peace." Izzy said loudly but slowly as she approached the mare, who was at least a head taller than herself or more, without hesitation.

The taller pony frowned, leaning her neck forward and stared at Izzy who proceeded to do the same as they approached closer. Muzzles only a few inches apart.

"Oh, this is getting intense..." Dazzle whispered to Sunny as they stared at Izzy and the unknown soldier.

Izzy and the pony suddenly smiled at each other, "HI NEW FRIEND!" They shouted in unison and giggled like old friends.

"GOD DAMN IT! THERE'S TWO OF THEM!" Sprout screamed from the Sprouticus as flashbacks from the first time he met Izzy filled his head, "No... This... Can’t be real..." He stared blankly into the distance, like someone suffering from PTSD.

The tall mare wrapped a wing around Izzy's shoulder as the pair laughed like mad, "It's been a long time since we had any outsiders..." She spoke, now in a lighter, softer voice.

"My name is Izzy Moonbow." Izzy replied, voice still bubbly from giggling, "What's yours?" She added.

"Shooting Star." The taller mare replied, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye.

"Oh! You're Shooting Star, your father has told us so much about you." Izzy giggled, pointing towards the car as it sat just behind the Sprouticus.

"What did you just say?" Shooting Star asked, squeezing Izzy's shoulder with her wing.

"Oh, your father is with us, in fact, he's why we're even up here!" Izzy continued, "He's over there!" She pointed once more to the car.

Shooting Star's eyes tracked Izzy's hoof, she froze when she saw the front of the car sticking out, "N-no, it's impossible." She said to herself, ears falling flat against her head as she slowly stepped towards the car.

David slowly stepped out of the car, freezing when he saw Shooting Star staring right at him, "H-hey..." He spoke softly to her.

"I-i-it's really you..." She trembled, feeling his face all over with her hooves.

"It's me, Lillian..." He replied as her hooves pawed at his cheeks.

"Dad..." Shooting Star spoke softly, squeezing him tightly.

"Too tight..." He groaned, feeling his back crack, "And... that's my back gone..."

"Oh!" Shooting Star quickly let go, "Sorry!" She held a hoof to her mouth as David fell to the ground, landing on his behind.

"It's... Ok..." David groaned, rubbing his back, "You really need to learn your own strength..." He added, now feeling sore all over.

"You ok?" Pipp asked, running over to David.

"I'll live..." He replied.

"Awww... Cute foal..." Shooting Star cooed before scooping up Pipp in her hooves and rocking her back and forth like a baby.

"HEY! PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!" Pipp demanded, wriggling around like a worm

"Nuh-uh! You're getting rocked and you're going to like it." Shooting Star giggled as she continued to rock the small pegasus.

"Oh ho, I'm gonna record this as payback." Zipp said as he held back her laughter. quickly, she pulled out her phone, unfolding it with a flick of her hoof, "Smile for the camera, Pipp." Zipp smirked before tapping the start stream button on her screen.

"DON'T YOU DARE SEND THIS TO MOM!" Pipp screamed.

"Oh, it’s going out live to everyone." Zipp smiled wickedly, "Consider this payback." She snickered as the view counter topped in the thousands, heart and laughing emojis filling her screen, "Oh, and mom says hi." Zipp added, reading a comment from Haven as it popped up on the screen.

"Urgh... Can this day get any worse..." Pipp grumbled to herself, starting to feel dizzy.

Shooting Star froze, dropping Pipp to the ground as a thought came to her mind, "Mom is gonna freak when she finds out you're alive!" She beamed, "C'mon, follow me to the city." She turned on her heel into a full gallop towards the city.

The group all looked at each other and shrugged before all stepping into their respective vehicles and following Shooting Star.

End of Chapter Twenty Six.

Chapter #27: Cadenza

Chapter Twenty Seven.
Cadenza.

"And, over there is the library!" Shooting Star pointed towards a large grand building, "And that concludes our tour." She turned to the group, a big grin on her face.

"Woah..." Zoom looked up at the tall spire that dwarfed them all, "That puts the Zephyr Height's palace to shame." She said to herself as Pipp and Dazzle snapped a couple of photos of the building.

"Heh, well if ya want. We can hook you guys up with our city designers and architects to improve your homeland." Shooting Star replied, "If you don’t mind me asking, what's Zephyr Heights?" She added, tilting her head.

"It's the home city to all Pegasi." Zipp stepped forward, "I am Princess Zephyrina Storm, heir to the Zephyr Height's throne." She smiled, before pointing to Pipp, "And that is my sister, Pipparina Petals, she's the spare." She snickered.

"Hey!" Pipp shouted before resuming taking photos, "You're just embarrassing me in front of our new friend." She added while hiding her blush as a few Crystal Ponies gathered around the group.

"Heh, for once Pipp, you're not the shortest pony around." Izzy chuckled to herself as she munched on something Shooting Star called Crystal Candy.

"So, these are all Crystal Ponies?" Sunny asked, writing notes down in her father's journal as a crystal foal ran past chasing a butterfly.

"Yes." Shooting Star smiled, "Except me of course, I'm only half Crystal Pony." She flapped her wings.

"Half?" Sunny tilted her head.

"My Mom, the Empress, is a Crystal Pony, and my Dad." Shooting Star gestured towards David, who was being crowded by Crystal Ponies, "He is human, of course." She smiled as the Crystal Ponies charted about David's return.

"They sure love your father, huh?" Sunny turned to Shooting Star, a small smile on her face.

"Yeah... He is still their Emperor after all, even if he did turn down the titles." Shooting Star answered, leaning against a market stall selling gems of all shapes and sizes.

"Sparky, No." Hitch spoke sternly, "We don't even have the correct money to pay for them." He added, sighing as he saw the sad look on the dragon's face.

"Aww. you hungry little guy?" Shooting Star cooed, tossing a crystal over to Sparky, "Here you go." She smiled as Sparky licked his lips as he stared at the ruby-red gem.

"No, Sparky, Don't eat tha-!" Hitch watched in horror as Sparky ate the gem as easily as biting into a piece of soft bread, "Wow..." Hitch smiled, "I didn't know he could eat crystals..." He rubbed his chin.

"All dragons can." Shooting Star replied, turning to the stall owner, "Can we get a Spike The Brave and Glorious sack to go please, Sapphire?" She spoke to the owner, placing down a small sack of money on the tabletop.

"Did you say Spike?" Zipp asked, ears perked up at the mention of that name, "I read something about a dragon by that name in this history book." She mused, quickly rummaging through her saddlebag, "Ah ha." She smiled, pulling the book out.

"Yes! Spike The Brave and Glorious. He brought the Crystal Heart back to the Crystal Ponies to prevent the evil Emperor Sombra from using it." Shooting Star smiled, gesturing to a statue near the base of the Crystal Palace as she picked up a sack filled with gems, "Here you go, Sheriff." She winked, tossing him the sack.

"Always knew you were a mare magnet." Izzy chuckled, nudging Hitch's side as he blushed at her comment, "Izzy... Not in front of the mares please..." He groaned with embarrassment.

"Uh, not to kill the good vibes, but where's tall, dark and scary?" Sprout spoke up from the back of the group.

"That's a good point, where is Opaline?" Zipp looked around.

"Wait, Opaline's here?" Shooting Star asked wide-eyed.

"Ok..." Opaline paced back and forth just beyond a small wooden fence, "You can do this Opaline. Just knock on the door and say hello." She psyched herself up, "Oh, but what if they don't want to see me." She said to herself as she continued to pace around, "But, they're your parents..." She continued to talk to herself, she paused her pacing and inhaled the crisp air.

Opaline's horn crackled as she used her magic to open a small metal gate, "Let's get this over with..." She faked a smile as she knocked on the door of a small cottage, her foalhood home.

Her smile faded as no reply came from the door, "I knew it..." She sighed to herself as she began to turn around.

"Opaline?" Called a voice from behind her. The alicorn froze on the spot, "Is that you Opaline?" The voice spoke again.

Opaline slowly turned around to face the source "Hello... Mom..." She smiled weakly, fear in her eyes as she looked down at an older mare.

"Opaline!" Her mother shouted with delight, tackling the alicorn to the ground, hugging her in a tight squeeze, "You're alive!" She wiped a tear from under her glasses, "When magic fell and the Empire had to go into hiding, we feared we'd never see you again."

"The Empire went into hiding?" Opaline frowned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, but none of that matters now!" Her mother leapt onto her hooves, "Jasper!" Her mother shouted, "Come here, quick!" She bellowed through the open door.

"Jade. What's the matter- Opaline!" Her father appeared in the doorway, dropping a garden shovel on the floor.

"Hello, father... I see you still like gardening." Opaline looked down at the shovel as it rocked back and forth.

"Yeah, you can never give up a hobby, it was how I met your mother after all." He chuckled softly, trotting over to his daughter and giving her a hug.

"Oh my..." Jade stared at Opaline's torso, "You're an alicorn?" She added, perplexed as she looked down at her own wings before looking back to Opalines.

"Yeah, It’s a long story, Mom..." Opaline frowned, looking at her tattered wings, "But I'll explain everything when the time is right. I promise." The alicorn and the two ponies embraced, "Oh, and you're grandparents now." She blurted out.

"WHAT??" Jade and Jasper shouted in unison.

"So, it’s true, we've really been gone for over two thousand years?" Shooting Star spoke, continuing to lean on the market stall.

"2021 years to be exact." Sunny looked solemnly at her father's journal, "My father's research suggests that this Empire disappeared the same time magic did... I'm sorry that you've missed so much..." The orange mare replied.

"Nothing more can be done." Shooting Star sighed, "Time keeps moving on and we have to move along with it and rebuild what was lost." She added, "For those who were lost." Shooting Star lamented, looking at the statue of Spike the dragon.

"Hey..." Zipp rubbed her chin, "I recognise you!" She pointed at Shooting Star, "You were that Pegasus I chased from Maretime Bay after that hell mouth opened up on Mainstreet!"

"Gilty as charged." Shooting Star smiled, taking off her face guard, "I sure gave you a run for your money, glorified pigeon."

"Excuse me?" Zipp glared at Shooting Star, eye twitching, "What did you call me?" The white pegasus snapped.

"You. Are. A. Glorified. Pigeon." Shooting Star said smugly, poking Zipp's chest as she spoke each word.

"Do that again, and I'll break your hoof off and shove it where the sun doesn't shine." Zipp snarled.

"Not my fault your flight style makes you look like a pigeon from afar." Shooting Star grinned smugly.

"Urgh!" Zipp groaned in frustration, nostrils flaring as she exhaled.

"Come on, I'll introduce you all to the Empress." Shooting Star smiled, quickly changing the topic, "This way to the palace." She gestured at the big crystal building.

"Wait here." Shooting Star stopped by large doors, "I'll see if I can get you an audience with Mom." She added, slipping through the doors, "I mean it, stay put." She continued, quickly sticking her head out the door before closing it.

Shooting Star slowly approached two thrones at the far end of the room, Sitting on the thrones were two ponies, one of the ponies, an alicorn jumped from its seat and trotted over to Shooting Star.

"Shooting Star, you're meant to be patrolling the border." The alicorn spoke in a hushed tone, moving to the side of the room with Shooting Star.

"Urgh, hello Flurry Heart..." Shooting Star sighed, "I need an audience with Mom."

"No way, she's busy." Flurry Heart raised her voice, whilst still keeping a hushed tone.

"It's urgent!" Shooting Star raised her voice in kind.

"Sorry sis, you know I can’t let you, Mom’s up to her neck in important papers to read and sign and you aren't interrupting her!" Flurry replied, "But, if it's so important, tell me first and if I deem it urgent enough, I'll assist you."

"Urgh. Fine." Shooting Star groaned, rolling her eyes, "Follow me." She trotted back towards the door, sibling in tow.

Opening the doors, the pair slipped through, quietly closing the door, "This is why I wanted an audience." Shooting Star gestured to the group of ponies.

"Outsiders..." Flurry muttered under her breath, hoof on her mouth.

"You're Highness." Sunny bowed before Flurry Heart, "I'm thankful your daughter was able to give us an audience with you." Sunny looked up at the alicorn, still bowing.

"She's not my mother..." Shooting Star face hoofed, "Meet Flurry Heart, my half-sister..." She groaned, shaking her head as Flurry Heart giggled.

"Lillian, you're such a spoilsport, I was enjoying having her fawning over me..." Flurry faking a huff.

"Lillian? I thought your name was Shooting Star?" Zipp raised an eyebrow.

"Lillian is my middle name." Shooting Stat quickly replied, "But these ponies aren't the only thing I want to show Mom." She quickly spun Flurry Heart around to face David as he leaned against the wall.

"He's... Alive..." Flurry struggled to find her words as she locked eyes with David.

"He showed up in their town a few days ago..." Shooting Star smiled while gesturing to Sunny and the others, "It was only a few days for him, but for us, it's been six years, Flurry..." She added.

"And your Empire was gone for over 2000 years by our research..." Sunny spoke up.

"What..." Flurry muttered, ears falling flat against her head, "2000 years?? Please tell me you're joking!" She shouted, grabbing Sunny by the shoulders.

"We are not..." Zipp sighed sadly, "We were all without magic up until last year. All of us." She added, looking down at the smooth crystalline floor.

"The crystals..." Flurry mumbled under her breath, a horrific thought entered her mind.

"Now you see why I wanted an audience with Mom?" Shooting Star spoke as she looked at Flurry Heart with stern eyes.

"Ok, Ok." Flurry Heart waved her hooves around, "But what the hell are we gonna do?" Flurry placed a wing behind Shooting Star's head, "How are we even gonna explain this all to Mom." She spoke sternly.

"Explain what to me?" They both heard a voice.

"Welp, we're both dead." Flurry's eyes widened as both she and Shooting Star froze on the spot.

"Flurry Heart, Shooting Star." Their mother spoke sternly, "Would you mind explaining why 10 other ponies are waiting outside my throne room?"

"Well... Uh... You see..." Flurry tapped her hooves together nervously.

"I found some ponies at the border, dads alive and I gave them a tour of the city before trying to give them an audience with you!" Shooting Star spoke rapidly before slamming her butt down on the floor and quickly breathing into a brown paper bag.

"Hold on, rewind." Their Mom held out her hoof, "Your father's alive?"

"She doesn't speak like an Empress..." Zipp whispered to Sunny.

"David is alive, Mom..." Flurry spoke on her sister's behalf.

"Flurry, don't you joke about things like that." Her mother spoke sternly.

"It's true, Cadenza..." The Pink pony's ears twitched at the sound of the voice.

"David..." Cadenza turned around, "Is it truly you?" She asked, already on the verge of tears as she reared up on her hind legs, touching his face all over with her forehooves, "You could still grow a beard at least..." She slowly chuckled to herself.

"It's been a while... For you I mean..." David sighed, "Lillian told me that for you, it's been nearly a decade since I've been gone..."

"Uh, we'll leave you two alone, hehe..." Flurry smiled nervously, gesturing the group down the hall, Shooting Star pacing behind the group.

"Welcome home, Dad..." She muttered to herself.

"How could you be here?" Cadenza struggled for words, "We sent out search parties... They thought you fell through the ice..." She rested her head on his chest, "They said the tire tracks just ended suddenly in the snow... I thought you were dead." She added.

"I'm not even sure myself..." He gently stroked her mane as it flowed down her neck, "One minute I was driving and the next, I ended up nearly crashing into a tree outside of some coastal town called Maritime Bay..." He added, his fingers running through her thick mane.

"So... What's New Equestria like?" Cadenza flashed a toothy grin.

"New Equestria?" David raised his eyebrow.

"It's what the few scouting parties we've been sending out over the last year call Equestria now." Cadenza replied.

"It's... Not like how it used to be... It's all mostly a wasteland out there now..." David replied, "I really only saw two settlements, Maretime Bay and Zephyr Heights..." He added, "But there is a third, Bridlewood."

"I know...Cadenza sighed, "But everyone else is gone... Canterlot, Ponyville... All gone."

"What about Celestia, Luna and Twilight?" David looked down at the mare, holding her close, "Where were they when it all went to shit?" He added.

"No idea..." She sighed, "We lost contact with Luna and Celestia... Twilight though... She went MIA..." She stared longing into David's eyes.

"How did it all go wrong so fast?" He wondered, gently cupping Cadenza's ear in his hand.

"I don't know David, I just don't know..."

End of Chapter Twenty Seven.

Chapter #28: The Study Room

Chapter Twenty Eight.
The Study Room.

"So, let me get this straight." Zipp looked at a whiteboard as Shooting Star and Flurry Heart wrote over it, "You are the offspring of Empress Cadenza and Shining Armour." Zipp pointed to Flurry Heart who was grinning widely, "And you are the offspring of Cadenza and David." She then turned to Shooting Star who nodded.

"And yet, despite me being the oldest, She gets to be heir to the throne." Shooting Star gestured to Flurry, the younger sibling sticking her tongue out.

"Hey, I'm only the heir on a technicality..." Flurry grumbled, "Besides, we only found out you existed like 11 years ago..." She added.

"I know, I know..." Shooting Star, face hoofed, "You had the fortune of having both parents raise you and be married when you were born." She rubbed her forehead in annoyance.

"Hey, not my fault that Celestia forced Mom to give you up, Lillian, so don't take it out on me..." Flurry huffed her chest out.

"I'm not saying it is your fault!" Shooting Star retorted, "Urgh! THERE’S A REASON FOR EVERYTHING OKAY!?" She shouted, throwing the board pen on the floor.

Sunny and her friends all froze as they watched Shooting Star exit the room and slam the door behind her, "Um, is she gonna be ok?" Sunny asked, raising her hoof.

Flurry Heart took a deep breath and cleared her throat. "We both have what you'd call a sibling rivalry. She thinks I've got it so lucky... It's all down to her being raised as an orphan..." Flurry rubbed her head, "Just give her a few minutes to calm down... She'll come around..."

"She was raised an orphan?" Izzy asked, tilting her head, "That's so sad..." She pouted, ears flopping down.

"But why?" Sunny raised her hoof, "Why was she raised an orphan, isn't Cadenza her birth mother?"

"Mom is her birth mother." Flurry sighed, "But, Mom had only just turned 18 when she had Lillian, and she and David weren't married." The white alicorn paced around, "Mom was forced to give her up by Celestia, who was Equestria's ruler at the time."

"Jeez, it's kinda harsh being forced to give up your own child if you ask me. I mean why was Cadenza forced to give her up??" Zipp asked, "Couldn't she have been given a maid or someone who would have looked after her?" The pegasus raised an eyebrow.

"To be perfectly honest. I do not know, Mom doesn't really like to talk about it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a combination of her being unwedded and being so young as to why she was forced to give up Lillian..."

Pipp watched as Zipp and Flurry chatted to each other, she pulled out her phone, sighing as she looked at the selfie she and David took a few days ago.

"What's eating you?" Zoom asked, sitting down next to the pink pegasus.

"Oh... Nothing Zoom..." Pipp sighed, placing her phone down next to her.

"Come on, that's not nothing. You love the human don't you?" Zoom smirked, raising an eyebrow at Pipp.

"Urgh... I do..." Pipp groaned, "He’s such a nice guy and now that we are here in the empire, he is finally reunited with his wife and daughter so it means I have to say goodbye." Pipp sighed as she took out a tissue to wipe off tears.

"I know the feeling... I fell in love with a stallion, but his heart belonged to another mare, so I had to let him go... But it didn't stop me from loving him..." Zoom spoke softly, wrapping a wing around Pipp.

"You... Loved someone too?" Pipp looked up at the older pegasus.

"Yes, your father... We have been friends since foal hood. We joined the guard together, but... He always had a crush on your mom..." Zoom let out a long sigh, "I never stopped loving him, even after he married your mom or when Zipp and you came along."

"I mean, I get he has a family, but we bonded so much and now I have to say goodbye to him... I'm not ready to let go of him yet..." Pipp said in a sad tone.

"Ah, the wanderer returns." Flurry turned around as Shooting Star slowly closed the door behind her, tear stains on her cheeks, "Aww... Sis..." Flurry said, trotting up to Shooting Star and squeezing her in a tight hug, "I'm so sorry for upsetting you..." She added.

"It's ok Flurry..." Shooting Star smiled, wrapping both wings around her little sister.

"Huh, your bond is as strong as mine and Pipp's despite all that happened..." Zipp placed a hoof to her chin, deep in thought.

"Reminds me of the time we had that fight during Portrait Day." Pipp said as she looked at her older sister from across the room.

Zipps' ears perked up at Pipp’s remark. "yeah... I still feel guilty about that, sis, I'm sorry." Zipp replied, her ears flopped against her head.

"It’s alright sis.." Pipp smiled at her sister.

"Well, this is all lovely." Sprout spoke up, "But, we should really be getting back to Maretime Bay." He added, everyone in the room staring daggers at him, "What? We've done our job. The hairless monkey is with his weird little family we can-" Sprout froze when he felt a squeezing on his limbs, he looked down to see a golden aura wrapping tightly around him. Sprout squealed in horror as he was dragged across the room before Flurry Heart.

"Who are you calling weird, pray tell?" Flurry spoke sternly, her horn fizzling as she held onto the stallion tightly.

"Uh, Sunny... A little help?" Sprout turned to his cousin who had an unamused expression on her face.

"I'm thinking." Sunny bluntly spoke, watching Sprout wriggle in Flurry's magical grasp, "I think it's time for you to get your just deserts." She smirked.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun~" Dazzle smirked, pulling out a make-up bag from her saddleback.

"What?! What's going on?!" Sprout screamed as Dazzle and Izzy drew closer.

"Makeover!" Izzy shouted, pulling out her own make-up bag.

"Oh! I'm so recording this!" Zipp chuckled, pulling out her phone and started to record Sprout's makeover.

"WAIT NO! NOOOOOOOO!" Sprout yelled as the mares tackled him and began applying makeup onto his face, "HELP! ASSAULT!" He screamed.

"You asked for it!" Zoom laughed loudly, wiping a tear from her eye.

Zipp snickered as Dazzle and Izzy kept applying makeup all over Sprout's face, "You'll make a cute mare, Sprout and to be honest, your Mom would approve of this." She giggled behind her phone.

"Ta-da!" Izzy shouted, holding a mirror to Sprout's face, "You look magnificent!" She giggled.

"I look like a sidewalk hooker!" Sprout screamed.

"And how do you know what a hooker is, hmm?" Sunny raised her eyebrow, smirking slightly.

"Urgh!" Sprout groaned as all the mares in the room giggled, even Hitch and Thunder let out a chuckle at the sight of Sprout's makeover, "I hate you guys." He grumbled, fuming as he folded his hooves.

"Do I even want to know what you lot are up to?" Cadenza spoke up, as she trotted through the door, David following close behind.

"Oh, hi Mom!" Flurry waved quickly before laughing loudly at Sprout's face some more.

"Pipp Petals? If I got your name right. Mind if I talk with you in private?" Cadenza cleared her throat.

Pipp flinched, "Um... Yes, your highness..." She gulped before trotting towards the door. Cadenza closed the door behind the mare and the two slowly trotted down the hall.

"So... How are you enjoying the Empire so far?" Cadenza softly spoke, breaking the ice between herself and the smaller pegasus.

"I-It's fine..." Pipp stuttered nervously, "A bit colder than my home, but I'll manage." She chuckled nervously.

"I know you and David fucked." Cadenza grinned knowingly.

"W-wha? He told you?" Pipp panicked, her pupils shrinking.

"No actually, he didn't," Cadenza smirked.

"Then how did you..." Pipp looked down, cheeks burning red.

"I'm the princess of love." Cadenza grinned, tapping on her crown, "And you, my dear, are completely radiating love right now." She giggled, poking Pipp's chest.

"Please don't have me executed for sleeping with your husband!" Pipp panicked, breathing harshly.

"Whoa whoa. Slow down." Cadenza placed a hoof on Pipp's shoulder, "I'm not going to have you executed, sure I'm a little shocked about it, but that's a little extreme." She added, "I'm not some evil power-hungry Empress." She giggled.

"You're not..." Pipp inhaled sharply, "Have me..." She quicked exhaled, "Executed?..." Pipp fell to the floor, wheezing harshly.

"No silly..." Cadenza mused, gently stroking Pipp's mane, "To be perfectly honest, however, I am a little hurt by it..." She added.

"A little?..." Pipp's panting slowed down, "Why only a little?" She asked, slowly returning to her hooves.

"Because..." Cadenza bit her lip, "Mine and David's marriage is legally over... Has been for nearly 4 years..." The empress looked down, "You mustn't tell him... I want to break the news to him gently..." She added.

"What are you saying exactly?" Pipp tilted her head, "Are you saying that David is fair game?" She bit the inside of her cheek, "There's a chance!" Her brain practically screamed.

Cadenza frowned at Pipp's remark, "Technically, yes, he is fair game..." She replied through gritted teeth, "He does not know, but I want to make sure I tell him when the time is right, can you please keep this between us, Pipp?" Cadenza asked sternly.

"Yes, your highness..." Pipp bowed calmly, unsure of her feelings now, on one hoof, she felt sorry for David now, but on the other, she was glad that he was now single.

Pipp and Cadenza soon returned to the family study room, where Pipp quickly sat back down next to Zoom.

"Ohhhh what’s going on sis? Cadenza here give you a good telling off?" Zipp snickered, "Let me guess... It's because you and D-" Zipp found her mouth being held shut by Izzy.

"Shush." Izzy said as the Empress slowly trotted past her and Zipp, "Your majesty!" Izzy quickly bowed before Cadenza.

"That's... Not necessary..." Cadenza smiled nervously, a little bit embarrassed by the strange unicorn fawning over her.

"Izzy, that's enough." Zipp nudged the unicorn, who quickly bounced back onto her hooves.

"Aww..." The unicorn pouted.

End of Chapter Twenty Eight.

Chapter #30: A Girl's Night Out

Chapter Thirty.
A Girl's Night Out.

"You sure you want me to join you and your friends for a night out?" Opaline asked Sunny as the orange mare brushed her own mane.

"Yea, Mom! I wanna explore the empire, it’s also a new opportunity to see some parts of old Equestria." Sunny replied, smiling beaming widely, "Besides, this is my heritage after all." She giggled.

"Alright, I'll come with you, but I'm not exactly a party animal like your friends." Opaline smiled, ruffling Sunny's mane.

"Mom..." Sunny groaned, "I just brushed that..." She huffed her cheeks.

"All huffy when mad, just like your father… he used to get angry over the smallest things" Opaline grinned, pinching Sunny's cheeks.

"Mom!" Sunny protested as she blushed bright red.

"Oh hush Stellar~" Opaline giggled.

"So, where should we go first?" Sunny asked, looking at a map of the city outside a closed travel kiosk.

"Ooooh! Theme Park! Theme Park!" Izzy pointed at the map.

"No! Skate park!" Zipp shouted, pointing at the map also, "Skate parks are AWESOME!!!" The pegasus added in an excited tone as she extended her wings and flew around excitedly before landing back down.

"Ladies..." Shooting Star said, placing her hooves on Izzy and Zipp's shoulders, "You're our guests, it's only fit that we should you all around."

"Eh, you're the boss." Pipp shrugged.

"Lillian, if you're thinking of the place I'm thinking, it's a no from me." Flurry shook her hoof in disgust.

"C'mon Flurry. It'll be fun." Shooting Star wriggled her eyebrows.

"Urgh..." Flurry rolled her eyes, "Fine..." She lamented.

"Don't tell me you still go to that bar, especially after all the fights you would end up in, Lillian." Opaline frowned, long-dormant memories filling her mind.

"If I remember correctly, Lean Machine, you also used to end up in some of the fights." Shooting Star smugly replied.

"Only because I was defending my friend." Opaline pouted.

"Whatever you say, Grandma." Shooting Star patted Opaline on the head.

"I WAS NINE YEARS YOUNGER THAN YOU!" Opaline fumed, steam visibly leaving her ears, "Anyways, let’s have a good evening." She added, placing on a large hat and sunglasses.

"Alright, let’s make this a night we shall never forget girls!" Sunny said with excitement in her voice as she trotted down the street.

Zipp glanced back at Opaline a snickered, "Someone's scared of being recognized..." She muttered to Dazzle Feather.

"Well, given what Flurry and Shooting Star both said, the Empire has been back for at least a year now, wouldn't be surprised if word got out about the supposed fire alicorn wrecking up the place." Dazzle spoke in a hushed tone.

"Yeah, I still don't trust her..." Zipp whispered to Dazzle, "She seems to know a lot more about this Dark Star than she's letting on." Zipp glanced back at Opaline, the alicorn staring at herself in the reflection of a store window.

"It seems to me that maybe Opaline is just traumatised by what Dark Star did to her." Dazzle replied, "So cut her some slack." The lavender pegasus added.

"Well, I don't like it..." Zipp grumbled as Shooting Star stopped the group.

"We're here~" Shooting Star practically sang her words as she pointed towards the small cosy looking tavern, "This is one regular haunt when off guard duty." She smiled, "C'mon in guys." She giggled, opening the door.

"Lillian!" Shouted the bartender with a cheerful voice, "I heard your father's back in town, drinks are on the house. Oh, you've brought some friends!" The stallion chuckled cheerfully, spotting the group of ponies behind the tall Pegasus.

"Yes! Meet Sunny Starscout, Izzy Moonbow, Pipp Petals, Zipp Storm, Dazzle Feather and... Hey, where's the other mare, the guard?" Shooting Star looked around.

"Oh, Zoom wanted to keep the boy's company." Dazzle answered, "Honestly, she's missing out." She shrugged.

"Take a seat everyone, and make yourself comfortable." Shooting Star turned to the group as they all looked around, Flurry Heart trotting over to a corner booth.

"Say..." The stallion leaned in closer to Shooting Star, "Who's the tall purple one..." He asked.

"Keep it on the down low, but it's Opaline..." Shooting Star whispered, "She's been alive the whole time... And she's a bit self-conscious of her new look..." She added, pointing at Opaline's wings.

"Oh I see... Not a word shall escape my mouth." The stallion winked, "So what can I hook you guys up with? Some popcorn and some soda for this evening?" The stallion asked.

"A large bowl of your saltiest pretzels and the strongest whiskey." Opaline spoke up from the back.

"The Guard Special then." The bartender replied, pulling out a large bowl and a large glass from under the counter.

"Is that wise, Mom?" Sunny asked, lowering her voice, "If ponies find out you're an alicorn, it’s gonna be messy." She whispered.

"Let them come." Opaline shrugged, using her horn to levitate a full bowl and glass from the counter and trotted over to the corner booth, sitting down opposite Flurry Heart.

"Ooh! Zipp! Look!" Pipp shouted, looking up at a large arcade machine with flashing lights, "It's just like that Just Prance machine from the tearoom in Bridlewood!" She beamed.

"Prance Prance: Evolution?" Zipp tilted her head as she read the name on the arcade cabinet out loud, "Don’t tell me you want to challenge me to one." She snickered, "You're gonna get your fluffy little butt handed to you."

"Yeah, no. I've seen how you dance, you act like you've got four left hooves." Pipp snickered in return, "Besides, from what I've heard you had a fluffy butt too, Marshmallow."

"WHO TOLD YOU TOLD THAT NAME?!" Zipp screamed in horror.

"Zoom talks in her sleep." Pipp smirked as Zipp scowled.

"I'm so gonna kill Zoom when we get back to the palace." Zipp thought to herself, fuming in the process, "Why'd you call me over here anyway if you don't want to play it." The white pegasus spoke.

"I so wanna play it, but we don't have the right coins for it." Pipp pouted.

"Quit acting like a filly, Pipp, I got you covered." Zipp replied, pulling out a small pouch filled with coins, "You're lucky I thought ahead and asked Lillian to exchange our money for the Empire's money."

"OH MY GLITTER!" Pipp squealed, "Zipp! You are a lifesaver!" The pink mare snatched the pouch, taking out some coins and slotting them into the machine.

"Wow, whoever that SLS is, they must be a pro." Zipp looked with wide eyes as the high score list appeared on screen, with 'SLS' claiming nearly all four of the top scores.

"Need a player two?" Shooting Star asked, trotting over to Pipp and Zipp.

"You dance?" Pipp asked inquisitively, "But you're so tall, how can you possibly be so nimble?" She added.

"Oh, is that so?" Shooting Star narrowed her eyes, "Flurry Heart!"

"Yes, Lillian?" Flurry replied, appearing almost instantly at Shooting Star's side.

"Hold my gear." Shooting Star asked, pulling off her armour, placing it on Flurry's out-stretched hooves, "You are going down, Pipsqueak." She added, stepping up onto the arcade machine's dance board.

"Welp, you're so dead, Pipp." Zipp snickered, "I like to see you win this one." She added as Shooting Star selected a song.

"I hope you're ready for a butt whooping." Flurry snickered as the countdown began.

Pipp let out a nervous gulp as she looked around for any way to bail out of this match. Her emerald eyes locked on the screen as the countdown reached 0.

As the music started, Pipp quickly tapped on the arrows as they appeared on the screen, briefly looking over at the taller pegasus, she was shocked at how effortlessly Shooting Star was at reacting to the arrows the split second they appeared on screen, not missing a single one, while she on the other hoof, was missing quite a few.

"How..." Pipp panted, already worn out, "How are you doing that?" She asked, trying her very best to keep up with Shooting Star.

"Years of practice my small friend." Shooting Star chuckled.

"Hey! I'm not small! I'm travel size!" Pipp snarled, slowly getting out of breath.

"Heh, whatever you say." Shooting Star snickered as the song playing drew to a close.

Pipp panted heavily as the song stopped playing and the scores were calculated.

"YES! HIGH SCORE!" Shooting Star cheered, flapping her wings.

"WHAT?! Mediocre!?" Pipp screamed at the machine, "Urgh! This game is rigged!" She snarled, clearly collapsing from pure exhaustion.

"Sounds like someone has a Skill issue." Zipp snickered, hiding her laughter as sweat trickled down Pipp's face.

"Don't you dare start, Zephyrina..." Pipp groaned, "I don't think I want to play anymore." She added, her hooves feeling like jelly.

"Wait, you're SLS?" Zipp asked Shooting Star as the taller pegasus typed out SLS next to the new high score.

"Mhmm, those are my initials, Shooting Lillian Star." Shooting Star grinned proudly.

"Wow, you're a total pro at this game!" Izzy bellowed loudly.

"Uh, thanks, I guess..." Shooting Star nervously rubbed her forelegs against each other.

"Stop being so modest, Lillian." Flurry Heart giggled, noticing that Shooting Star was trembling, "Remember the breathing exercises Mom taught you."

"I know, I know." Shooting Star replied, slowly breathing in and out. As she took steady breaths and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Hey, I don't want you dying from a panic attack." Flurry replied, "Pretty sure Mom would kill me if I let you keel over and die." She added.

"You ok?" Zipp asked, tilting her head.

"I'm fine, I just have Anxiety." Shooting Star spoke between breaths, slowly feeling her panic attack subsiding, "I think your Unicorn friend shouting in my face triggered this attack, no sweat, however." She smiled reassuringly.

Opaline sat alone at the corner booth, slowly eating the pretzels as she watched Sunny giggling with the other mares, "Oh, Argyle... I wish you were here to witness our daughter’s long journey..." Opaline sighed sadly as memories of her bond and time together with him began to flood her mind.

"Well well well, the rumours are true, Opaline Arcana has returned." A voice spoke from behind her.

"Oh great..." Opaline grumbled as she turned around to see who had called her out, "Hello, Flint..." She mumbled, this was the last pony she wanted to see.

"So you do remember me." The stallion spoke sarcastically, placing a hoof under her chin and forcing her head up, "Still the pathetic little mare who thought she could be a royal guard," He added, forcefully knocking her head down.

"Back off." Opaline spoke under her breath.

"What did you just say to me?" Flint replied darkly, grabbing Opaline by her horn.

"I said back off!" Opaline raised her voice at Flint, her horn fizzling.

"Oh no..." Shooting Star spoke from across the room, quickly grabbing a piece of her armour from Flurry and marching over towards the corner booth.

"Oh dear, oh dear, Opaline. What are you even going to do?" Flint chuckled, "Your crappy horn is useless, we both know that." He added.

"Hey!" Shooting Star shouted, staring at the stallion, "Pick on somepony your own size!" She bellowed once more.

"What the fuck are you gonna do if I don't?" Flint replied, looking directly at Shooting Star, "You're just a freak, you ain't gonna do shit!"

"Pick on somepony your own size." Shooting Star repeated, with one flick of her wrist, a crystal sword appeared from the only piece of armour she currently had on.

"Ooooh Yeah, really scary." Flint replied sarcastically, pulling out his own steel-bladed sword, "Look at that, I have one too. You filthy half-breed!" He spat at those last words.

"HEY! DON'T CALL MY SISTER A FREAK!" Flurry shouted from behind Shooting Star.

"Easy, Flurry." The bartender replied calmly, "Flint! You know you're barred from here!"

"Quit it, old man!" Flint shouted, not looking away from Shooting Star, "This is between me and the two freaks here."

"Say that one more time." Shooting Star said bluntly, raising her sword, "I dare you." She added.

"You are a freak!" Flint yelled, lunging at Shooting Star.

With little effort on her part, Shooting Star swung her sword. Flint looked in horror as the blade of his sword shattered into pieces, he turned to face Shooting Star as her crystal sword retreated back into her armour piece.

"Now, Flint. You better scram before this sword gets a taste for your blood." Shooting Star spoke darkly, not even looking at the stallion, "Lest you forget, I am the captain of the guard." She added.

"Lest you forget, I got kicked out because of you and that bitch." Flint glared over at Opaline.

"Well, maybe if I hadn't caught you trying to steal army hardware to sell on the black market!" Opaline snapped, rising to her hooves as her horn fizzled.

"I did what I had to do!" Flint shouted at Opaline.

"What you are, are a traitor to your Empress and to your Empire." Opaline spat.

"You're one to talk, fire alicorn." Flint grinned knowingly.

"What?!" Opaline's ears fell against her head

"Yeah, I know all about you, Opaline. Calling yourself 'The Great Opaline Arcana', kidnapping children to give yourself the magic you so preciously desired. Heh, you disgust me." He added.

"HEY!" Sunny raised her voice, "That's totally uncalled for!"

"No, Stellar... He's right..." She sighed sadly as her ears dropped, before quickly pushing past everyone, "I have to go!" She held back her tears as she threw open the tavern's door and took off into the evening sky.

"Mom!" Sunny shouted into the sky, her heart breaking into pieces as Opaline disappeared into the ocean of stars.

"Told you she was pathet-" Flint spoke before Sunny tackled him to the floor.

"SHUT UP! JUST FUCKING SHUT UP!!" She screamed in his face, her aetherial horn and wings appearing on her as her rage boiled over.

"Uh, Sunny, your wings and horn..." Pipp cleared her throat.

"ZIP IT! I’LL SHOW YOU ALL WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE THAT TRY TO HURT MY MOTHER’S FEELINGS!" Sunny snapped at Pipp, her eyes glowing bright white. Her horn began to crackle in the air.

"Do it, Stellar. Give in to the anger. Kill the stallion." Dark Star's voice echoed around Sunny's mind. "Do it, Do it now."

Sunny screamed in anguish, quickly blasting a powerful beam of magic at the floor mere inches from Flint's head. The glow in Sunny's eyes faded as the floor smouldered.

"Uh... Sunny?" Zipp cautiously approached Sunny, gently tapping her shoulder, "You good?" She softly spoke.

"No. Zephyrina, I am not!" Sunny snapped, snarling at Zipp as her horn continued to fizzle and crackle, Flint quickly made his escape.

"Sunny, please calm down, you're scaring us!" Zipp raised her voice a little but tried to remain calm in front of her friend.

"Wha..." Sunny held her head, a sharp pain pulsing through her brain, "My head..." She groaned, her horn and wings flicking out of existence.

"WEAKLING!" Dark Star's voice screamed in Sunny's head.

"It's... Her..." Sunny fell onto her hooves, "She's... In my head..."

"Who?" Flurry and Shooting Star spoke in unison.

"Dark Star..." Sunny spoke through the pain, her head feeling like it was being crushed in an industrial press.

"We're taking you to our Mom." Flurry spoke bluntly, "She'll know what to do."

Without letting Sunny speak, Shooting Star scooped the orange mare into her hooves and flapped her wings out of the open door, Flurry Heart and Sunny's friends following close behind.

End of Chapter Thirty.

Chapter #31: In Her Head, Out of Her Mind

Chapter Thirty One.
In Her Head, Out of Her Mind.

Shooting Star flew as fast as her wings could go as she flew back to the palace with Sunny's friends following her back to the Royal palace, "We are almost there! Hold on!" The pegasus said with concern.

"I want my Mom..." Sunny sobbed through the pain, "I just want my mom..." She added, the fear in her voice tugging at Shooting Star's heartstrings.

"Once I get you to my mom, I'll go and find your mom, I promise." Shooting Star gently stroked Sunny, feeling her burning forehead.

Misty lay on the makeshift bed Izzy had made for her, staring at the ceiling as the evening sun dipped below the horizon. "What am I thinking of ditching Oplaine like that? Sure, she treated me like nothing, but she’s looked after me since I was a little foal." She said to herself, "No. Don't think like that Misty, you don't need her anymore." Her mind spoke back.

The blue unicorn rolled off the bed onto her hooves, she slowly trotted over to the window, staring out at the ocean that stretched off beyond the horizon, "If I'm going to be living here long-term... I must go and get the few belongings I had at..." She gulped, "Opaline's fortress."

Soon making her way down the ramps, Misty left the Brighthouse, trotting in the general direction of her former home. As she trotted up and over a small hill, unknown to her and the coastal town below, the prisbeam flickered.

Shooting Star gently stroked Sunny's mane. The orange earth pony lay on the couch whilst Flurry went to bring Cadenza.

"Don’t worry, my mom should be here soon." Shooting Star spoke in a caring tone, "She'll have an idea of what’s affecting you since she studied ancient magic before." She added.

"I feel... So hot... And weak..." Sunny said in a weak tone as she trembled with fear. "I want my mom..." She sobbed, trying her best to hold back tears.

"I know, I know..." Shooting Star spoke in a soothing tone as she continued to gently stroke Sunny's forehead, the burning slowly fading.

"She's in here!" Flurry's voice called out from the hallway. Cadenza rushed into the room with Flurry and quickly saw the orange mare on the couch in discomfort.

"What happened?" Cadenza asked, placing a hoof on Sunny's head, "Jeez, she’s burning up and it ain't a fever, what’s wrong with her?" She asked.

"She claimed that Dark Star was in her head." Shooting Star replied, wiping a tear from her blue eyes, "I don't know how much more I can help her..." She trembled

"Listen to me Lillian, you did the right thing bringing your friend here." Cadenza smiled softly, comforting her oldest daughter, "Now, go and get some rest..." She added.

"No, I can't... I promised Sunny I'd go and find her mom." Shooting Star stuttered, pacing around the couch.

"Ok, but take Flurry Heart with you." Cadenza insisted.

"Yes, mom..." Shooting Star replied, the mare quickly leaving the room, her sister following close behind.

Once outside the room, Shooting Star let out a long sigh, placing her hoof onto her face.

"You ok sis?" Flurry nudged Shooting Star's side, "Sunny is in safe hooves with Mom." She added in a soft, caring tone.

"I just don't know where to even begin to look for Opaline..." Shooting Star trailed off as she looked down at the floor sadly.

"Hmm..." Flurry tapped her hoof on the floor, thinking of an answer to give her sister, "I might not know for certain, but I might know where to start."

"Where?" Shooting Star replied.

"If I remember correctly. When she first started training, you took her to your happy place when she was having a panic attack, which if I remember, was the old bell tower at the top of the palace." Flurry grinned widely.

"Hmm, I guess It's a start..." Shooting Star rubbed her chin, "Ok, stay here and keep Sunny's friends in the loop." She added before running off down the hall.

"And where are you going?!" Flurry shouted down the hall.

"Gonna start somewhere!" Shooting Star yelled back before darting around a corner, Flurry rolled her eyes and she went back into the room where Sunny’s friends awaited.

Misty slowly trotted through the forest that surrounded her former home. After a few minutes of walking, she reached her home, jumping in fright as lightning struck the ground nearby.

"YIKES!" The mare let out a scream holding a hoof to her chest as her heart raced, her eyes locked onto the smouldering patch of grass near her hoof. Stumbling around, she found the door handle and quickly opened the door, slinking inside before more lightning struck.

Misty pulled out her phone, holding it up as the built-in flashlight lit up the dark hallway. Dust particles filled the cold air as lightning lit up the windows, rain starting to lash down outside. Letting out a gulp, Misty slowly trotted deeper into the old fortress.

Water pooled at Misty's hooves as she stood in the throne room, still trashed from the fight between Opaline and her new friends just over a week ago. Rainwater poured through the shattered stained glass window that once sat behind Opaline's throne and mirror pool. Each flash of lightning lit up the room, casting large shadows on the walls as Misty turned towards one of the doors that would lead her deeper into the bows of the fortress.

Shining the flashlight left to right as she went, Misty couldn't shake the feeling like she was being stalked, quicking turning to get the drop on a potential follower, Misty's eyes shrank as she saw a shadow dart back behind the corner she just turned down.

"What in Equestria is that?!" She screamed, running down the hall in pure, primal fear.

Misty ran into her old room, slamming the door and locking it behind her, panting heavily as she sat against it. A flash of lightning lit up the room as Misty slowly rose back to her hooves, the mare quickly looking around at the few belongings Opaline allowed her to keep.

Some of the items included a few books and items from her younger days. She went over and touched them, they were dusty, but, thankfully, not water damaged. Quickly removing the saddle bag Sunny and Pipp had made for her, she gathered up all her belongings, squeezing all the books into the bag.

"Right..." She spoke to herself, "How am I going to get you out?" She added, looking down at the medium size chest sitting on the bottommost shelf of the bookcase that sat against one of the bedroom walls. Misty pulled the chest off the shelf, it was too heavy for her to even attempt to carry on her back to the Brighthouse.

Tapping her hoof on her chin as she thought for ideas, "Well, there is that small wagon... But that means going back out there." She gulped, looking at the door, "Alright I can do this, I just need to quickly make my way to the wagon and back into my room." She said to herself.

With some hesitation, she slowly opened the door as it creaked gently, the creature seemed to be nowhere in sight, "Coast seems clear..." Misty said to herself as she slowly trotted back through the hallway, making sure to trot only on the carpet, her ears twitching as the sound of water splashing echoed down the dark hallway.

"Ugh, too dark, I need some light." She spoke to herself as she used her phone to illuminate the hallway as she continued down the dark hallway. Water continued to drip down from the cracked ceiling and upper walls. The wind howled as it blew in through cracked and shattered windows.

Lightning once again lit up the ruined throne room as Misty snuck through, towards where the wagon should be, she let out a sigh of relief when she locked eyes with the wagon under its protective tarp, by the entrance, just as she left it.

"Perfect... Now, I gotta get the chest and get out of here before... That thing comes back..." She spoke in a hushed tone as she quickly attached the wagon to herself and began heading back to her room.

"Right..." Cadenza gently placed her hoof on Sunny's cheek, "Let's see what is going on in your head." She spoke softly, her horn slowly emitting a cooling blue glow.

"I thought only Princess Luna could see the minds of ponies..." Sunny weakly replied.

"Who'd you think taught me this?" Cadenza giggled softly, reminiscing on days long past, "This shouldn't hurt a bit." She reassured the orange mare as white tendrils flowed from her horn, landing on Sunny's forehead.

Sunny soon felt sleep take hold of her, eyelids feeling heavy as they slowly fluttered shut, Cadenza slowly closed her eyes too, focusing solely on the orange pony's mind.

Cadenza found herself in a black void, ears filled with echoey voices. Her horn sparkled to life, lighting up the darkness surrounding her.

"Well, well. Cadenza." A voice cackled in the void.

"You!" Cadenza snapped, turning around to the source of the voice, "You are supposed to be dead!" She shouted.

"It'll take a lot to kill me, Cadenza." Dark Star snarled, stepping out into the light created by Cadenza's horn, "Those pesky crystals you created may have destroyed my physical form, but I can assure you, Cadenza. I always come back." The alicorn cackled shifting appearances between Shooting Star and Flurry Heart.

"Stop it!" Cadenza shouted, no, she demanded!

"You're no fun." Dark Star snarled, "I was expecting you to be the one to be entertained by me but, ugh! You're just as pathetic as this pony's mother." She shifted her form, effectively teleporting directly into Cadenza's face.

"You are not the mare I once knew." Cadenza spat on her words.

"No, I'm better than that pathetic filly." Dark Star glared, her nose pressed right up against Cadenza's.

"You. Won't. Win." Cadenza spoke through gritted teeth.

"HAHA! What makes you so sure?! You couldn't even defeat me when you had the chance!" Dark Star began to circle Cadenza, "So, praytell, what makes you think you can defeat me."

"Because, unlike you, I still hold out hope." Cadenza glared as the larger alicorn circled her like a shark, "Holding out on the hope that the Equestria I once knew will return, without you in it!" She snapped, blasting magic at Dark Star's face.

"Rude." Dark Star snickered in annoyance, "You're just like your two pathetic daughters, always gripping onto something that’s already lost." She added, flashing a grin of her sharp teeth.

Cadenza blasted magic once more at Dark Star, splitting her face in two, "Get out of Sunny's head you bitch." She spoke through gritted teeth.

"Urgh. Fine." Dark Star replied as her face reformed, "I have better things to do anyway." She added, slowly returning to the darkness, "But know this, Cadenza. Once I get what was rightfully stolen from me, I'll be coming for you, your daughters and that trinket you call a Crystal Heart." Her glowing eyes faded away.

"She's gone... For now..." Cadenza snorted as the cold and unwelcoming void shifted into a more welcoming room, "Sunny's mind is already settling." She smiled in relief.

Sunny's eyes slowly opened, the sharp pain in her head was quickly fading, "Is she... Is she gone?" She weakly asked Cadenza.

"For now..." Cadenza replied regretfully, "Sunny, I must know something." She added, sitting down next to Sunny, the orange mare slowly sitting up on the couch, "When you reunited the crystals, did you defeat Dark Star first?"

"No... When Izzy and I first reunited the crystals, nothing even happened, it was only later on that the crystals themselves reunited and gave us all magic back." Sunny quickly explained how magic returned to their world, "We had no idea Dark Star even existed until a few days ago when she started to invade my mind and play mind games with us." She added, "She told me that the magic that flows within me now was once hers." Her ears twitched.

"Flurry told me about your ability to become an alicorn at will..." Cadenza frowned, "Listen to me, Sunny. Your ability to do that, it's just not natural. Dark Star's magic is using you as a host."

"That... That is what my mom told me..." Sunny looked down, "The magic... It's getting stronger... I... I nearly killed a pony today because of it..." A lone tear escaped her eye.

"None of it is your fault." Cadenza hugged Sunny tightly, "Dark Star was a mare who went down a very dark path from the friend I once knew. I couldn't go through with destroying her..." Cadenza spoke softly, looking down at the floor.

Water lapped at the wagon wheels as Misty trotted towards her room, the water slowly flowing down the hall as it spilt over from the throne room. The unicorn's ears twitched at every sound as she turned the corner.

"I'm sure it was just a Raccoonicorn, heh heh..." She said nervously, the pitter-patter of feet ran past her as she slowly crept into her old room. Not wasting a second longer, she quickly placed the heavy chest into the wagon, "This would be so much easier if I had magic..." She grunted as she slid the chest across the wooden bed of the wagon, making room for more of her belongings. She hastily loaded the last of her belongings onto the wagon, quickly throwing a tarp over to shield them from the rain.

"Right, now let's get the hell out of her- AH!" Misty screamed as a shadow appeared outside her bedroom doorway. Her phone fell to the floor, the flashlight shining at the creature casting a shadow, "You?" The unicorn asked in surprise as she looked down at the creature, a pink magic mouse, the very same one Opaline once used to spy on the Brighthouse, "I thought Opaline poofed you." Misty added, leaning down at the mouse.

The mouse squeaked a reply, "I can't understand you..." Misty frowned, "Really wish Hitch could translate." She grumbled to herself. The mouse quickly grabbed Misty's phone in its mouth and ran off, "Hey! Give that back!" She shouted, quickly giving chase to the magical rodent.

"COME BACK HERE!" Misty screamed in frustration as she chased the mouse up a spiral staircase. She panted as she continued to chase the mouse as it ran down the dark hallway, towards a room Misty dare not step hoof in, "NO! DON'T GO IN THAT ROOM!" The unicorn skidded to a stop in front of the door as the mouse ran inside the room, "Opaline's room..." She gulped.

Misty paced around outside of the room, "What do I do, what do I do?" She panicked, fear taking hold of her, "Opaline will kill me if I enter her room." Her head filled with thoughts of what Opaline would do to her at that moment.

"But Opaline isn't here." Her mind answered back, "She won't be back here ever again, she said so herself." Her mind continued.

"But I don't want to get in trouble with Opaline, she was very clear. I was to never enter her room, under any circumstances." Misty retorted, "But my phone..." She pouted.

"What that old hag doesn't know, won't kill her." The voice echoed in Misty's head.

"Hey! Opaline is many things, but a hag is not one of them!" Misty slammed her hoof down in defence of the pony who was effectively her mother. Misty barged through the door with a new sense of determination taking hold of her, "Now! Give me back my... Phone..." Misty's words trailed off as she took in her surroundings.

Misty saw that Opaline's room was very clean and tidy, all the items were stacked neatly and all her potion books were arranged in neat order. Sat right up against the bed, was a foal’s crib, "A crib?" Misty tilted her head in confusion, slowly trotting over to the wooden crib, blowing away the dust, "Stellar Harmony... Who the heck is Stellar." Misty grabbed the dusty nametag on the crib, looking at the faded hoof-painted lettering.

The mouse watched Misty from the dressing table across the room. It continued to watch the unicorn as she looked around the room, every drawing she had ever made for Opaline was pinned to the wall on display, "She... She told me my drawings were terrible… I never expected her to have them pinned..." She mumbled softly, her eyes locked on the wall, tears trickling down her cheeks, "Why... Why would she be so horrible to me?..."

The mouse squeaked, pushing a book towards the edge of the dressing table. Misty turned towards the table, just as the book began to teeter on the edge. The unicorn lunged forwards as the book fell, catching it in her hooves. "Phew, Opaline would kill me if I let any of her books fall onto the floor..." She sighed in relief, the cover of the book flipped open to the first page, "This... This is a diary..." Misty looked at the writing, turning her gaze to the inside cover, "Opaline's diary!"

Misty hastily put the diary back on the dressing table, "Oh no... I'm so dead. She's gonna know I touched it!" She panicked, beginning to hyperventilate as she thought of the various ways Opaline will punish her for touching her things, "She'll for sure lock me in the dungeons..." She gulped, despite never seeing said dungeons, Opaline had told them they existed and were filled with the bones of her last hench mare who failed her. Another lie from Opaline perhaps, but Misty didn't want to run the risk of finding out if it was indeed true.

"Opaline Isn't here, Misty." A familiar voice entered Misty's thoughts.

"You..." Misty frowned, truth be told, she wasn't exactly in the mood to talk to another alicorn, "What do you want this time, Dark Star." She added in an annoyed tone.

"Ponies are so rude these days." Dark Star rolled her eyes as she stepped out of the shadows behind Misty, "I swear, you kidnap a pony and use her for experiments one time and suddenly, you're the monster."

"Uh, what." Misty stared blankly, blinking twice as she processed what Dark Star had just muttered.

"What." Dark Star muttered in a dead-panned voice, the dark alicorn focusing her gaze on the diary. Her horn crackled to life, emitting a sickly green hue as the book levitated off of the table, "Urgh, can't believe that that pathetic little alicorn uses a diary." Dark Star flicked through the entire diary in a matter of border, "Yawn, boring." She quickly threw the diary away, Misty barely catching it before it hit the window, "So this is Opaline's hideout." Dark Star cackled sadistically, "Can't say I'm impressed. It's just as pathetic as she is." She grumbled.

"Hey! Opaline isn't pathetic!" Misty interrupted, gently placing the diary down on Opaline's bed. Misty felt the air escape her lungs as a tightness wrapped around her neck.

"DO NOT TALK BACK TO YOUR FUTURE QUEEN, YOU LITTLE RUNT!" Dark Star bellowed, her eyes glowing red as she threw Misty against the wall.

"I'm sorry!" Misty quickly began to sob, begging Dark Star. The alicorn released her throat, Misty quickly fell to the floor in a heap.

"Good." Dark Star sternly spoke, her form shifting around as if it were a glitch, "I need those Crystals, Misty. I need them now!" The alicorn shouted at the smaller unicorn.

"But-but you told me if I wanted to help you, to contact you!" Misty trembled in fear.

"Well. I am no longer asking!" The alicorn screamed, "I'VE DONE MY WAITING! 2000 YEARS OF IT!" Her horn crackled in the air, lightning flashing outside the room, "YOU WILL GET ME THOSE CRYSTALS OR I'M POP YOUR HEAD LIKE A GRAPE!" She slammed her hoof down, cracking the stone floor, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

Misty shrouded in fear, "YES!" She screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks, "I will get you the crystals!" She whimpered in fear, grovelling at Dark Star's hooves.

"Good. Now, you have one week, Misty. Do not fail me." Dark Star trotted away from the unicorn, "Unlike Opaline, I'm not so forgiving of failure." She glared at Misty out of the corner of her eye as she disappeared into the shadowy corner of the room.

Misty found her phone laying on the floor near the bed, she quickly grabbed it and flashed its light towards the corner, finding no pony there. The unicorn began to sob, curling up into a ball, "What am I going to do now?" She cried into her hooves, "Even Opaline was never as cruel as her..." She sniffled. She stopped when she felt something press against her back, turning around, she saw the mouse pushing Opaline's diary against her fur.

"Please stop, I'm in enough trouble already." She spoke softly, looking up with puffy red eyes, the mouse squeaked in reply, opening the diary and tapping on the page, "You, want me to read it?" She cocked her head as the mouse squeaked, nodding its head, "Ok?" Misty sniffled a little bit more, "It's not like today can get anyone worse." She sighed, scooping up the diary with both hooves.

End of Chapter Thirty One.

Chapter #32: A World In Ruin

Chapter Thirty Two.
A World In Ruin.

*2021 Years Ago*

Opaline awoke. Sharp, stabbing, pains shot through her ribcage and spine. She looked through blinding lights at the room she was in.

"Good, the guinea pig is awake." A voice cackled in the room, Dark Star grinned as she stepped into the light.

"You!" Opaline shouted, trying to lunge forward towards Dark Star, but finding her restraints still as tight as ever.

"Yes, it's me, Equestria's rightful Queen!" Dark Star cackled like a witch, "I've finally got what I need from my dear." She grinned wickedly.

"W-what are you talking about?" Opaline glared at her capture, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!" she screamed, struggling against the restraints that held her down to the metal table.

"See for yourself, my dear." Dark Star's voice hissed like a snake as she shoved a mirror in Opaline's face.

"Wh-what?!" Opaline looked wide-eyed at her reflection, wings now sat at her sides and her lavender coat had been turned into a deep violet, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!" She screamed, her horn crackling to life, but all that came out was a little sparkle as she breathed heavily.

"I made you perfect." Dark Star spoke as she began attaching wires to herself, "Now I know how to trigger the alicorn form permanently." She smirked darkly, "It took 5 years but I've finally done it. No one can stop me now!" She let out a demonic-like laugh as she threw a lever. Sparks and lightning flashes filled the room, Opaline used one of her new limbs to shield her eyes from the blinding flashes, "YES! I CAN FEEL IT!" The twisted mare screamed with delight.

"But you're already an alicorn! What more could you possibly want?" Opaline shouted, feeling the heat from the lightning on her wings.

"Why only live 80 more years as a mere mortal alicorn." Dark Star smirked, stepping forward, her fur and feather smouldering from the heat, "When I can live forever as a god." The wires snapped away from her body, untapped magic flowing through her veins. Quickly seizing her moment, Opaline used all of her remaining strength to rip her restraints from the table.

"You'll..." Opaline wheezed, weakly rising to her hooves, horn flickering, "You'll never live long enough to see it!" She spat, using all her magic to throw the table at Dark Star, knocking the larger alicorn over as it crashed against the opposite wall.

"Still got some fight you, I see." Dark Star chuckled, running a hoof along her cheek as a small cut appeared, "Heh, all that for a drop of blood." Dark Star proceeded to lick the drop of blood off her hoof letting out a satisfied laugh, "I was gonna just leave you here to die, but I think I'll just kill you now, just for the hell of it." She grinned darkly, charging up her horn.

A low thud echoed around the room. Both Dark Star and Opaline looked towards the solid oak door, "What the-" Was all she was able to let out before the door burst into splinters as it ripped away from its hinges.

"WHO DARES INVADE MY FORTRESS!?" Dark Star shouted, blasting her magic in every direction she could.

Three ponies stepped forward, a unicorn, a pegasus and an earth pony.

"My my. Three little ponies in my fortress. My day has gotten better." The dark alicorn grinned sinisterly, licking her lips like a hungry dog.

"We've come to put an end to your lust for magic!" One of the ponies shouted as all three pulled out a crystal.

"Oh ho ho. Is that so." Dark Star grinned, lifting the three ponies off the ground with her magic, "And how will those crystals help? Hmm?" She cackled, ripping the crystals from their hooves and tossing them aside.

Opaline watched the crystals bounce off the ground and skid towards her, one was teal in colour and shaped like a set of wings, one was purple and vaguely looked like a unicorn horn and the last was a plain white circular cut crystal.

"PUT THEM TOGETHER!" The unicorn screamed, Dark Star turned towards Opaline. The two stared at each other, with quick glances down at the crystals.

Dark Star lunged for the crystal, Opaline beating her to the punch, the smaller alicorn scooped them up in her hooves and slotted all three crystals together. A blinding light filled the room as the crystal began to levitate. A prism beam shot out of the crystals, striking Dark Star in the chest.

Using every ounce of strength and magic she had left, Opaline slowly pushed the crystals closer to Dark Star. The dark alicorn's magic began to wane, allowing the three ponies to break free. they quickly began to aid the crystals, placing their hooves on them as they pushed forward.

Dark Star let out a pained roar as her body began to be pulled apart, she reached out a hoof towards the crystals, the room slowly began to crumble around her.

"Are you sure this is the right thing?!" The pegasus shouted, struggling to hold the crystals steady.

"It's the only way to stop her!" The earth pony shouted in reply, grunting as their hooves slowly began to lose grip on the ground.

"Well, it's now or never!" The unicorn order, the three ponies slowly began to pull the crystals apart.

The pegasus grabbed the teal crystal, the unicorn held on to the purple crystal and the earth pony gripped onto the white crystal as they slowly pulled them in a different direction.

Dark Star's screams echoed throughout the room as the crystals slowly parted, a blinding light filled the room as her body vaporised, her voice fading away. Opaline shielded herself from the powerful shockwave, knocking herself backwards.

The three ponies looked at each other and then at their respective crystal before quickly running out of the room.

"Hey! Wait!" Opaline shouted, struggling to her hooves due to a large gash on her left foreleg. The unicorn stopped and looked at her.

"Just leave her!" The pegasus shouted, dragging the unicorn behind them just as a piece of ceiling fell down between Opaline and the unicorn.

Groaning in pain, Opaline stood up on her hooves and quickly limped out of the room, just as the rest of the ceiling caved in.

Covered in dust and coughing harshly, Opaline limped out into daylight for the first time in years. Her eyes felt like they were burning from the natural light as she looked around at her surroundings.

"Ah! It’s like the sun is in front of my freaking face." She grumbled struggling to regain her eyesight from the intense sun. Her vision finally adjusted to the light and she let out a gasp, "I'm in... Canterlot?" She spoke to herself, quickly turning on her heel to see what building she emerged from, "C-Canterlot Castle?"

Opaline spun around, the entire castle and surrounding city were in complete ruin. It was like a huge battle had just taken place, buildings completely gutted by fire as the smoke bellowed into the sky, "Hello!" She called out, her voice echoing into the distance as the sky began to cloud over. A dull white glow caught her attention, slowly trotting forwards, she saw the white circular crystal lying on the ground, still glowing.

She tried to pick up the crystal with her magic, but nothing happened. She tried again, with the same result, "What?" She asked herself, tapping on her horn, "Why isn't my magic working?" She grumbled as she continued to try and light her horn up. Admitting defeat, she leant down, picking up the crystal with her hoof before slipping it under her wing for the time being. She shivered at the cold touch of the crystal as it nestled into her feathers.

"IS THERE ANYONE ALIVE OUT THERE?! CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?!" she yelled as her voice echoed down the silent streets of Canterlot. A cold blast of air rushed past her, rustling her mane and tail as it quickly began to snow, "I may be a Crystal Pony, but I don't think I'll last too long up here." She shivered, continuing to limp along the deserted streets, hoping to find somepony, anypony to help her.

Without hesitation, she quickly made her way out of the inner city and into a place where she could desperately find warmth and shelter or she would freeze to death. "Canterlot Carousel?" Opaline looked up at a damaged store sign, "That might have a cloak or something to keep me warm with." She thought to herself, while she had never personally been in this store before, she knew from Lillian that it was a fashion store owned by one of the Guardians of Harmony.

Picking up a piece of rubble, Opaline smashed the glass on the door, making a loud crashing sound. She quickly unlocked the door from the inside, the unicorn-turned-alicorn slipped inside the store, her breath visible in the icy cold air. The store was abandoned, the shelves were messed up and disorganised. The windows were still intact, mostly. She decided to look further into the store to find anyone or something to help her.

"Circuit breaker, circuit breaker..." She muttered under her breath, shivering as she checked every storage closet and room she came across, "Ah ha." She mused, finding the circuit breaker, located under a set of stairs, and throwing the switch. Electricity crackled as the lights flickered on. Electrical humming filled the air, "Much better." Opaline spoke through chattering teeth, breathing onto her hooves and rubbing them together.

Thinking quickly, Opaline found a small electric heater sitting in a nearby closet, dragging it behind her as she searched the store for a cloak to wear. She, eventually. found one just large enough to cover her wings and torso. She quickly covered herself with the cloak. Tearing off a piece from the corner, she covered the large cut on her leg, pulling on the fabric tightly. Opaline winced in pain, gritting her teeth, "That'll have to do for now..." She sighed as the lights flickered out.

Flicking the hood up over her ears, Opaline stepped out into the fast-falling snow, her goal now being to just get out of the city and off the mountain, "Right, let's try something a bit more basic..." She grumbled, having been trying to cast basic spells that even a newborn unicorn could muster, "A simple illumination spell should work." She thought to herself, her inner voice barely being drowned out by the hellish winds surrounding her as she slowly made her way to Canterlot's city gate. Try as she might, she simply couldn't muster any spell, "What is going on with magic?" She fumed to herself before she paused.

"Nothing has felt right since... Oh no..." She gasped to herself, as she thought back, she hadn't felt the magic that normally surrounded her since Dark Star was defeated. Gone were the rhythmic chores of sounds that flowed through her, replaced with silence, "No... Magic can't be gone." She shook her head in denial, spreading her wings in an attempt to fly. Opaline got a few inches off the ground before crashing back down. The white crystal rolled out from under her wing, stopping just in front of her muzzle.

Opaline got back on her hooves, quickly dusting herself off before scooping up the crystal, "You're not glowing..." She sighed, noticing that the crystal was no longer emitting a glow. Exhaling harshly, Opaline continued onwards, the fresh snow already reaching the broken shackles still clamped to her legs, the steel freezing to the touch.

Opaline slowly made the long trek down the mountain to the valley floor below, leaving the blizzard that now swarmed Canterlot far behind. She stopped to catch her breath as she took in the scenery around her, "Ponyville." She spoke to no pony in particular, pulling the hood of the cloak down as she looked at the town at the bottom of the mountain range.

She may have been a few miles from Canterlot, but the air was still chilly, Opaline shivered as a gust of wind blew across her cheek. Snow lightly fell around her, a lone flake landing on the tip of her muzzle, "The sooner I get back to my parents, the better..." She grumbled to herself, biting the inside of her cheek as she fumed bitterly.

"My parents are going to be so thrilled to know I ended magic." Opaline sarcastically spoke to herself, kicking a rock in her path, "I sure amounted to something, huh Grandpa?" She continued, "The fabled Opaline Arcana, destroyer of Equestria's magic." She shook her head, sighing deeply. She kept up her pace as the mountain path took a sharp downward dip, cautiously watching her step on the uneven terrain.

A rock tumbled and soon, Opaline found herself in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the dip in the gravel path, "You've got to be fucking kidding me!" She screamed in anger, face red with fury as she hastily got back on her hooves, dusting herself off, "I hate this blasted country..." She fumed, continuing her trek at a slower pace.

Soon, Opaline found herself near the bottom of the mountain path as five ponies were trotting towards her, clearly intending to go the way she just came. She quickly flicked the hood up, hoping to not be recognised.

"I told you, AJ, she is our friend. We should talk her out of it." One of the ponies spoke with a raspy voice.

"Dash. When will you get it through your thick skull!" Another replied with a thick accent, "She's too far gone to be talked down. We have to stop her!" They continued, stomping their hoof in frustration.

"Applejack is right, Rainbow. We tried all we could, but magic is failing. I'm sorry, but she has to be stopped." Butted in a third pony, clear frustration on the mare's face.

"You can't be serious right now, Rarity." Rainbow, "If Twilight was here she would-" She added before being interrupted.

"She would have done what?! SHE'S NOT HERE!" Applejack showed, throwing her hat to the ground, "TWILIGHT IS GONE! IT'S UP TO US FIVE NOW TO SAVE EQUESTRIA'S MAGIC!" She quickly picked her hat off the ground, "Now. Let's get to Canterlot, and take down T... Dark Star before those ponies turn up with the crystals." Applejack trotted forward, followed by the four other ponies.

As the group passed her, Opaline glanced at the yellow pegasus out of the corner of her eye, "Dark Star is dead." She called out to the group, causing them all to stop in their tracks.

"What did you just say?" Applejack turned towards the cloaked Opaline.

"I said. Dark Star is dead. Canterlot is practically ground zero." Opaline replied, pulling down the hood as she looked at the group of ponies, "If I were you, I'd be getting as far away from there as possible."

"You don't know what you're talking about!" The pink one shouted, slamming her hoof into the dusty path.

"I was there!" Opaline screamed, pulling out the crystal from under her cloak and tossing it to Rarity, "I did what I had to do." She added as Rarity looked at the crystal.

"It... It's over then..." Rarity sighed, "Magic is gone... And so is she..." She held back tears.

"Where did you get that Crystal..." Applejack raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

"One of the ponies must have dropped it when escaping, I came across it lying on the ground after I escaped Canterlot Castle." Opaline spoke, before quickly explaining what happened within Dark Star's fortress when the crystals were used.

"So that's it then..." Rainbow looked down at the ground, "Equestria is over..."

"What are you talking about?" Opaline tilted her head, "Sure, no magic anymore, but the world moves on." She sighed, "Look, stand around and mope all you want, but put as much land between you and that as you can." Opaline pointed towards the storm clouds that raged around the former capital of Equestria.

"You don't get it do you." Rainbow held her tongue, "The races now have to split up to keep those crystals safe. That was the deal that had to be made between the races and Cadenza when she made them. They were meant to be the last resort." She continued, gritting her teeth, "But it seems the ponies chosen to be the keeps of the crystals were too trigger-happy..." She held back on her rage.

"Oh... I see..." Opaline looked down in sadness, "I didn't know... Dark Star was going to kill them... I had to do something..." She added.

"Look..." Applejack sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, "What's done is done. We tried all we could with her, she was too far gone..." She continued as she let out a soft sigh.

"I won't keep you standing around..." Opaline turned away from the group, "I must get home..."

"Where is your home?" Rarity asked.

"Truth is, I don't even know anymore. I've been away for so long." Opaline softly responded to the Unicorn's question.

"Well, good luck on your travels, stranger." Applejack spoke, placing the white crystal into Opaline's hoof, "Here, you keep it. It's probably in far safer hooves with you than with any of us five." The orange pony added, slowly trotting past Opaline, closely followed by the other four ponies.

"Farewell, Guardians of Harmony." Opaline spoke softly as the five ponies trotted away, she flicked up the hood and began to turn towards her desired direction of travel when her ears twitched.

"Oh, and Opaline." Rarity turned towards Opaline, flashing a knowing grin, "That cloak really suits you." She winked before quickly trotting to catch up with her friends.

End of Chapter Thirty Two.

Chapter #33: The Arcane Star

Chapter Thirty Three.
The Arcane Star.

*present day*

Misty stared at the worn pages, her mind overloaded with information, struggling to process it all.

"She... She lied about everything... Twilight never stole her magic... There was no shield keeping her out of Equestria!" She shouted as she tried to prevent herself from losing her cool, slamming her hoof on the hardwood desk, only to quickly regret that when her hoof began to throb in pain, "She's not even a fire alicorn..." She winced in pain, rubbing her sore hoof, "She demanded I get her those blasted crystals! And she had one in her possession?!" She spoke through gritted teeth.

The mouse watched Misty ranting to herself, it shook its head and let out a sigh as it did a small facepalm with its tiny paw as the unicorn began to cry to herself. Unable to accept the fact she had been fed lies all this time, "She probably didn't even find me as a foal as she told me, probably stole me from my real parents..." She sobbed into her hooves.

The mouse quickly scurried over to the open diary, flicking the pages over to the most recent entry, before squeaking as loudly as it could muster while tapping the paper. Misty looked up from her hooves with bloodshot eyes, "You want me to keep reading?" She asked, her throat sore from crying. The mouse simply nodded in response, "OK?" Misty wiped one of her eyes, "But please, no more lies from Opaline, OK?" She added, pulling the diary back towards her.

Shooting Star panted as her hooves touched down on the top floor of the bell tower, she was thankful that tonight wasn't windy. She glanced down the side of the tower, gulping harshly from the sheer couple hundred-foot drop below.

"Mom really needs to install a railing up here." Shooting Star nervously spoke to herself, "Somepony could fall if they're not careful, heh... heh..." She added, her face a pale white from the thought.

"Go away, Lillian." Opaline spoke coldly, the alicorn sitting on the edge of the tower, her tail and hind hooves dangling over the side.

"Yeah, no. Not gonna happen." Shooting Star replied bluntly, trotting over towards the alicorn, "I made a promise, now get your sorry butt off of the floor, missy." She added smugly.

"I said. FUCK OFF!" Opaline snapped, charging at Shooting Star, her horn crackling as she snarled at the pegasus, muzzles a few inches from eachother.

Shooting Star simply raised an eyebrow, unamused by Opaline, "Boop~" She chuckled, pressing her hoof to Opaline's snout.

"Urgh!" Opaline screamed in frustration, snapping her head around and blasting a powerful beam of magic into the night sky. The beam crackled in the cold air like thunder as it disappeared into the horizon. Opaline's horn smoked as she exhaled harshly, "What do you want?" She spoke with gritted teeth, keeping her back towards the pegasus whom she once called a friend.

"Sunny. She needs you." Shooting Star answered, quickly explaining what happened after Opaline had left the bar, "She kept asking for you." She added.

"Stellar can fend for herself, She's lasted 25 years without me, she doesn't need me." She replied, staring into the distant crystal city below the palace. She sniffled, tears forming in her eyes, "I missed so much of her life, and it's all my fault." Opaline looked at Shooting Star out of the corner of her eye.

"What are you talking about?" Shooting Star tilted her head, placing a hoof on Opaline's shoulder.

"I was the reason why Dark Star was draining magic from our world. She captured me and used me to unlock the secrets of the immortality of alicorns like Celestia and Luna. She... She was draining magic to do it." Opaline choked on her words, "It's because of me that your mother had to create the crystals. It's because of me that our empire, once again, was lost to time."

"You can't blame yourself for any of that!" Shooting Star replied, trying to comfort Alicorn, who was nearly as tall as she was.

"I was the one who used those crystals on Dark Star. She was going to kill the guardians of them. I had to do something!" Opaline began to weep, "I was the one who stripped Equestria of its magic for 2000 years!" She cried, "And it is because of me that Dark Star has returned. I failed to ensure that she was actually dead!" She screamed through her tears.

"Opaline." Shooting Star placed her hooves on Opaline's cheeks, "Listen to me. If she hadn't captured you, it would have been somepony else, like me. She would've drained magic for her experiments regardless. You can't blame yourself for the actions of a mare like her." She pressed her forehead against Opaline's, "We, all of us, are going to find a way to defeat her for good, you can trust me on that." She added with a tone of determination.

"But... But I was the reason that she came back... I... I gave Argyle one of the crystals to help him bring back magic. He and Stellar had to go into hiding because Dark Star probed his find and found the location of our home." Opaline spoke between her squished cheeks.

"Hey! No buts, missey. You mustn't blame yourself for any of this. Besides, if anyone is to blame, it's me for not patrolling with you the day you were captured." Shooting Star replied, looking into Opaline's blue eyes, "Gods how I missed staring into those big eyes of yours..." She smiled softly, making Opaline blush.

"Oh stop it..." Opaline groaned in embarrassment, "Besides, yours are just as big as mine." She replied.

"Yes, but yours are super sparkly, unlike me, I just have my dad's boring eyes." Shooting Star sighed.

"Hey now, your father's eyes are gorgeous..." Opaline bit her lip before realising what she had just spoken out loud.

"Ha! I knew it!" Shooting Star smirked, wiggling her eyebrows, "You had a crush on my dad!" She shooking Opaline vigorously

"It was just a schoolgirl crush I swear!" Opaline replied, trying her best to deflect.

"Heh... Whatever you say." Shooting Star snickered.

"Hey! I seem to recall you had a crush on both my mom and dad." Opaline replied deadpan, Shooting Star froze.

"Oh, low blow." Shooting Star spoke before tackling Opaline.

"Hey! Watch the hair!" Opaline screamed as the pair began roughhousing. Opaline quickly found herself pinned to the floor, Shooting Star effortlessly sitting on her back.

"Looks like I win again. What's that now, 10 - 1 to me?" Shooting Star grinned victoriously.

"11 -1 actually, and no fair, you pegasus are as flexible as ferrets." Opaline groaned, lifting her head up to try and look at the pegasus so effortlessly pinning her down.

"Nah, you're just too fat, you need exercise." Shooting Star giggled.

"Excuse me?! I'll have you know, I've had a child and raised another, I'm entitled to be a little chubby." Opaline seethed at the remark with an angry look on her face.

"Whatever you say, muffin top." The pink pegasus snickered.

"If you weren't my best friend, I'd destroy you by now." Opaline grumbled, steam visibly escaping her ears.

"You don't have the guts to kill me." Shooting Star chuckled, ruffling up Opaline's mane.

"Hey! I told you to watch the hair!" Opalime fumed as the pegasus ruffled her mane until it was as messy as if she had woken up from her slumber, "I hate you..." She grumbled.

"Heh, love you too." Shooting Star giggled, nuzzling her chin on Opaline's head.

The alicorn let out a huff before sighing, "It's good to be home..." She smiled softly to herself, a warm feeling filled her chest as her gaze turned towards the vast city below, the crystal buildings shimmering in the moonlight.

"So. Tell me about this Argyle you and Sunny keep talking about." Shooting Star grinned, "Sounds like he well and truly stole your heart." She chuckled.

"You... Could say that." Opaline rolled her eyes, trying to hide her blush, "You see, about three hundred years ago, I stumbled across an old Equestria army outpost tower and I called it my home. I guess the locals became weary of venturing near it after that. They, funnily enough, started to call me the Purple Devil. Anyway, about 26 years ago, this blue earth pony stallion rocked up at my door, asking if I was the Purple Devil. He introduces himself as Argyle Starshine, he had heard about the legend of the Purple Devil within the woods outside of Maritime Bay, his home town, and wanted to see if the stories were true." Opaline smiled to herself, "You should have seen the look on his face when I told him I was the infamous Purple Devil, he was like a foal in a candy store." She chuckled to himself.

"Heh, from the way you describe him, he sounded like a stallion version of Twilight Sparkle." Shooting Star snickered, "Maybe even a great descendant of her, but I doubt that..." The pegasus trailed off.

"Anyway..." Opaline grumbled at the idea, "He began to ask me all these questions, like who am I, where did I come from, how old am I. I literally had to shove a ball of paper from his notepad in his mouth to get him to stop." Opaline giggled at the memory as they all began to return to her mind, "This kept up for days until I finally cracked and invited him into my home for some tea. There, we got to talking, he was a somewhat rich stallion, his father owned a factory, called something like Canterlot Industries, I don't know." Opaline shrugged, "After that point, he started to bring me old spell books he would find at flea markets whenever he could..." She paused, looking down at her hooves.

"Awww, he was totally smitten with you." Shooting Star teased, jabbing Opaline's neck.

"Yeah..." Opaline sighed lovingly, "I even went to Maretime Bay to visit him, uninvited mind you, and at 2 am..." She chuckled nervously, "I, eventually, became pregnant with Stellar, It was only then that I told him about the crystals, I had even found one, the Earth Pony Crystal, as they call it now. He almost instantly set to work finding the other two..." She trailed off.

"What's wrong?" Shooting Star asked, gently nudging Opaline's side.

"After Stellar was born... That was when it all went downhill. Argyle had actually managed to find the other two crystals... And their caretakers agreed to meet him. Princess Haven of Helicon City, she's the mother of Zipp and Pipp by the way, and Alphabittle Blossomforth." Opaline let out a frustrated sigh, "They all wanted to return magic to our world, they even ventured to Canterlot to reunite them, but..."

"But Dark Star returned..." Shooting Star spoke in frustration.

"Yes... She probed their minds and exploited their greatest fears... She... She found out the location of my home and she deemed Stellar to be a threat to her rule..." Opaline choked on her words, holding back tears, "He... He and Stellar had to go into hiding, for her safety, Dark Star knew who I was and where to find me, so it was safer for Argyle to be the one to take her, far less likely to be found as he was an earth pony like she was."

"Did you ever try to visit Stellar at all over the years?" Shooting Star asked, hugging Opaline tightly.

"No. The deal I made Argyle agree to before he had to go into hiding was that I was to never know where they went, for if Dark Star came for me, she would never know where to find Stellar or the Earth Pony Crystal. I guess Argyle took her to Maretime Bay since it's a fairly new settlement, not on any maps from Dark Star's time..."

"Opaline... I'm so sorry that you had to give up your child..." Shooting Star looked down, "I know what it must have been like for her to not grow up with a mother, even if I never had a father growing up either... But you can't blame yourself for any of the years you two lost. You weren't to know that Dark Star would still be hanging on to life." She soothed Opaline, "So, what ever happened to Argyle anyway? With the way you described him, surely he would have come here with you guys."

"Sadly, a few years ago, Argyle went missing. Stellar refuses to tell me about it, but from what Hitch and that Sprout pony say, it sounded like he went off trying to find something and never came home." Opaline looked down, tears welling up in her eyes, "All they ever found was his glasses and his journal." She sobbed, walls finally breaking, "I had promised him that I would come find him and Stellar once Dark Star was defeated!" She screamed into her hooves.

"Hey. You can't blame yourself for any of this, remember?" Shooting Star frowned, hugging Opaline tighter.

"But I should! If I hadn't used those blasted crystals, none of this would have happened!" Opaline wailed, throwing Shooting Star off her back, "Argyle would still be alive right now!"

"Would he? Would anypony alive today still be alive if you hadn't decided to be brave and defeat Dark Star?" Shooting Star pointed her hoof at Opaline, "Look down at the city and tell me what you see." She raised an eyebrow.

"I see..." Opaline looked down at the city below, tears still in her eyes, "I see ponies going about their daily lives, I see trains leaving and entering the city..." She added.

"Exactly! They may not know it yet, but every single pony down there." Shooting Star spoke, placing her hoof under Opaline's chin, "Every single pony alive in the world today, including your daughter, owes you their very lives. Never forget the fact they are all alive today thanks to you." She added softly, nuzzling Opaline's cheek.

Opaline blushed at the affection afforded to her by her old friend, "Thank you, Lillian..." She smiled to herself, placing her hoof on Shooting Star's, "You have no idea how good it was to finally get this all out. I could never unload this all on Misty..." She sighed.

"Who's Misty, Aye? Is she a lover?" Shooting Star smirked, giggling like a schoolgirl.

"What? No! She's practically my second daughter." Opaline rebutted, visibly disgusted by the idea of Misty being a lover, "I found her as a foal 18 years ago, she was barely bigger than my hoof, so tiny... Her parents were killed in an attack by some bandits, I ran afoul of them while looking for some berries. Misty was the only survivor. I couldn't just leave her there to die, even if I'm a big bad alicorn." She added, looking down at her large hooves.

"You? Big bad? Nuh-uh." Shooting Star shook her head, "You are a big softy." She poked Opaline's back.

"You dare call the great Opaline Arcana a big softy!" Opaline put on a deep booming voice, "You will understand the power of the Fire Alicorn!" She added, cackling like a witch before coughing, "You did not see nor hear that!" She scowled as she coughed and wheezed.

"If you say so." Shooting Star giggled to herself, "Your secret is safe with me." She winked, "But can I ask where the whole 'Fire Alicorn' thing came from?" She asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Oh... That was something I thought up on the spot when Misty was 5 years old." Opaline nervously smiled, "She asked me why I had wings, so I quickly made up a story about myself being an elemental alicorn from the island of Skyros and that I personally knew Celestia and Luna as foals. Sure it was a lie, but hey, it was better than telling her the truth." Opaline looked down at her wings, sighing as she spread her feathers, "Misty was simply too young to learn the truth of how I came to be an alicorn..."

"Were you ever going to tell her the truth?" Shooting Star asked, gently stroking Opaline's mane.

"I was simply waiting for the right moment to tell her..." Opaline replied softly, "Part of me feels guilty for not telling her, but to be completely honest, I've treated her so horribly the last 10 years, wouldn't be surprised if she refused to believe me if I did..." She looked down, trying to avoid Shooting Star's eyes.

"Opaline... What do you mean..." Shooting Star frowned.

"I failed in my duties as her caretaker, as her mother even. Instead of giving her all the love and attention she needed, I coldly pushed her away and made her do my bidding, all for the promise of a cutie mark." Opaline felt her throat tighten at the false promises she made to Misty, "A promise I had no realistic way of ever fulfilling. No amount of magic can make a cutie mark appear, but the way she got so excited about finally getting one after I promised to help her get one, I couldn't tell her that truth either..." Opaline looked down blankly, "I withheld any affection I had for her all because I selfishly believed loving her would make me feel like I'm replacing my beloved Stellar..." She added, her mind flashing all the moments in the last 10 years when she repressed any love she had for Misty in moments when Misty had proven herself, even when she had gotten her the small sample of dragonfire in a jar.

"Opaline... I..." Shooting Star stuttered.

"I... I even hit her across the face when she wouldn't hand over Sparkly... What kind of mother hits their own child. Blood or not?!" Opaline scorned herself for her own actions against Misty.

"A mother who fell from her path but has found it once more..." Shooting Star nuzzled Opaline's face, "You're clearly repenting your actions, and that is the first step to redemption." She booped Alicorn's snout, "So stop beating yourself up for all of your past mistakes, that’s all in the past. Let's focus on the future, I'm sure you got something you want to do right?" She added, quickly rising to her hooves, "Now c'mon, your daughter needs you." She flapped her wings.

"I'm coming." Opaline flapped her wings, "Woah, this really is high up..." She thought to herself before she followed Shooting Star. The pair gently gliding to the ground.

"You should get some rest." Cadenza spoke softly, gently stroking Sunny's head, "The burning has stopped, thankfully..." She added as the orange mare shifted down on the couch until they were lying on it, "I'll be back to check on you soon." The light pink alicorn added as she gently stood up off the couch.

"How is she?" Izzy asked eagerly as Cadenza gently closed the door behind her as she exited the room.

"She's ok for now..." Cadenza sighed, "Dark Star's left her mind for the time being, but I'm afraid she'll come back..." She spoke in a worried tone, "Only Luna could permanently banish something like Dark Star from Sunny's mind... But Luna's no longer with us..."

"Is there... Is there anything we can do to help Sunny?" Zipp asked, leaning forward.

"The only thing you can do now is to let her rest for the night, in fact, all of you should go and get some rest," Cadenza answered softly.

"Did she ask for any of us?" Zipp asked once more.

"No." Cadenza shook her head, "She kept asking for her mother." She added.

"Oh. I see." Zipp gritted her teeth in frustration, clearly annoyed.

"I'M HERE!" They heard a voice call down from one of the many palace hallways. All eyes focused on the end of the hallway as Opaline and Shooting Star came skidding around the corner, quickly flapping their wings to slow themselves down as they slid to a stop in front of Cadenza.

"How is my daughter?" Opaline asked in a worried tone, "Take me to her." She pleaded.

"She's in there..." Cadenza spoke in a hushed tone, opening the door for Opaline, "She needs some major rest, however..." The pink alicorn replied as Opaline quietly entered the room.

The door closed with a dull click as Opaline sat down on the edge of the couch. She gently placed her hoof on Sunny's cheek, brushing some of her mane away from the orange pony's eye as they slept. The purple alicorn let out a sigh before leaning over and gently kissing the orange pony's forehead, causing him to stir in her sleep.

Opaline looked upwards at her reflection in the window before looking down at her shoulder-length bangs that hung at each side of her neck, "I think... I think it's time for a change of look..." She mused to herself, lifting one of the bangs up with a hoof, "Let's see if I remember this spell correctly." She mused as her horn sparkled to life. Focusing on the magic flowing around her, Opaline opened her eyes in amazement as a small crystalline dagger now lay at her hooves.

"Perfect..." Opaline grinned proudly as she picked the dagger off of the floor with her magic. With a quick slash, one of her curly bangs fell to the floor. Her magic uncurled her mane wrapped around the base of her ears. Upon the thought, the dagger shifted into the shape of a manebrush. The alicorn gently brushed away at her mane and before long, her mane was now tied into a bun with a long flowing ponytail resting over her shoulder, "Not bad..." She mused to herself as she looked at her reflection. She placed the brush down on the floor and watched as the crystal object melted back down into the crystal flooring.

Opaline glared over at Sunny and smiled softly before laying down on the floor, using her magic to turn out the lights, "Goodnight, Stellar..."

End of Chapter Thirty Three.

Chapter #34: Back Into The Swing Of Things

Chapter Thirty Four.
Back Into The Swing Of Things.

David stood on the balcony that overlooked the plaza below. The wind blew through his hair as he leant against the railing, a telescope at his side aimed nearly straight up into the inky black sky. The human's gaze was focused on a single white pinprick of light sitting nearly exactly above the north pole.

"So this is where you're hiding." He heard Pipp speak behind him, "Brrr!" The small pegasus shivered, "It's freezing out here." She spoke through chattering teeth, her breath visible in the nightly air.

"Hey, Pipp..." David replied softly, not breaking his gaze at the twinkling star above.

"She... Told you, didn't she?" Pipp asked, placing her hooves on the railing and looking up at David.

"She did..." He sighed, finally breaking his gaze from the sky as he looked down at his feet, "I see she told you before me..." He added, disappointment in his voice.

"David. I'm so sorry. She made me promise to keep tight-lipped over it." Pipp spoke rapidly, "She wanted to tell you herself." She added, "Please don't be mad at me!" She shouted, her throat feeling tight.

"I'm not mad at you Pipp, just frustrated, it just feels like dragging you and your friends all the way up here was all just a waste of time." David replied, sighing as he looked back up at the sky.

"What are you looking at?" Pipp asked, rubbing her eyes as she craned her neck up at the sky.

"See that star?" David pointed up at the star directly overhead, "That is my home... Well, it was my home..." He added, looking longingly upwards.

"You? You are an alien? Where's your green skin, big black eyes and antenna?" Pipp replied in a teasing tone.

"No. I'm not an alien, and no, I didn't come here in a flying saucer." David replied.

"Awww... No fun..." Pipp pouted.

"Is that all you got!" Shooting Star shouted, holding her sword at chest height, barely breaking a sweat as her silver armour shone in the morning sun.

"Oh, I'm just getting started." Opaline replied, wearing a similar armour, similarly holding her own sword. Her roughly done ponytail fluttered like a flag in the morning breeze.

Both ponies had a rope tied around their wings and Opaline had a magic suppression ring fitted to the base of her horn, giving the pair an even footing. The two charged at each other, Shooting Star ducking under the blade of Opaline's sword as the Alicorn swung it left to right.

"Oof." Opaline grunted as Shooting Star delivered a swift kick to her stomach. The purple Alicorn quickly swung the sword downwards, embedding the blade into the dirt.

"Oww!" Shooting Star shouted as Opaline gave her a sharp kick to her chestplate, knocking the pegasus to the ground.

Opaline lunged forward, the two swords locking together, the two ponies grunting as they struggled against each other's blade and both made a loud clanging sound with each strike. With a quick swing, Opaline's blade sent Shooting Star's sword flying through the air, landing a short distance away.

Shooting Star looked at the blade close to her neck, "You know, for a pony who claimed to be rusty, you sure still got it." She chuckled, batting a piece of her mane away from her face.

"That now makes us 11 - 2." Opaline panted sharpy, the sword blade disappearing back into one of her armor pieces.

"WOOO! KICK HER BUTT MOM!" Shooting Star and Opaline looked over towards Sunny sitting on a picnic blanket, cheering loudly.

"Thank you sweetie~" Opaline chuckled to herself before turning her attention back to the pegasus on the ground at her hooves, "Here, let me help you up." She held out her hoof to Shooting Star.

"Someone's in a good mood today." Zipp snickered as she took a seat next to Sunny on the blanket.

"Mhmm, I haven't had a good night's sleep like that since I was a filly." Sunny giggled, "Want a banana?" The orange pony rummaged through a basket that sat behind her.

"Eh, sure." Zipp shrugged, grabbing the banana from Sunny and quickly peeling it, her ear twitched at the sound of a snorty giggle. Turning her head, she saw Pipp lying in the grass with David gently stroking her wings, "And I've lost my appetite." She groaned while making a gesture of grossness and disgust as she looked down at the half-peeled fruit in her hooves.

"David! Stop it! They're ticklish!" Pipp giggled in fits of laughter as the human's fingers ran through her pearly white feathers. The pink mare wriggled around on the grass like a worm on a hook.

"Awww. They look cute together." Izzy giggled softly as she sat down on the other side of Sunny, Hitch and Sparky sitting down alongside her too.

"Urgh. Really Iz?" Zipp glared at the unicorn, groaning, "What they're doing is... Is freaky!" Zipp flailed her hooves around in frustration.

"I mean, he and the Empress clearly made it work since they had Shooting Star." Hitch pointed out, shrugging as Sparky rolled around on the warm grass.

"Yeah, but it's another thing when it's your sister." Zipp grumbled, "Not like you'd understand..." She muttered under her breath, "And I'd prefer not to see them go out in public, thank you very much." The white pegasus angrily ate the banana, tossing the peel back into the picnic basket, "Besides, he's still married." She added.

"Were you even listening at breakfast? His marriage to the Empress is legally over." Sunny raised her eyebrow, "So in Pipp's eyes, he's fair game." She nudged Zipp's ribcage, "And besides, it's probably just a summer romance, she'll get over it before long." The orange shrugged.

"I hope you're right, Sunny..." Zipp frowned to herself as she looked at her younger sister, "I hope you're right..."

"Ok! Seriously! Cut it out!" Pipp squealed, reaching for her wing, "My! My phone's ringing!" She batted David's hand away from her wing as she pulled her phone out, "Oh! It's Mom!"

Zipp's ears perked up, "Mom's calling?" She spoke, Pipp held up her wing in a 'Sssh' motion as she answered the phone.

"Heya Mom!" Pipp spoke cheerfully, "I'm fine." She tilted her head, "Oh, Zipp is fine I guess..." Pipp turned towards her sister, rolling her eyes.

Zipp grumbled under her breath as Pipp continued to talk away into her phone.

"What? NEIGH WAY!" Pipp screamed cheerfully, her wings stretching outwards in excitement, "OH MY GLITTER! OH MY GLITTER!" She screamed like a little school filly. David barely caught her phone as she took off into the sky, cheering into the air as she did loop-d-loops.

"Give me that!" Zipp fumed, snatching the phone from David, "Hello Mother." Zipp spoke bluntly, glaring at David as she trotted away from him, "What's got Pipp so excited?" She asked, switching the phone into loudspeaker mode.

"Oh! My dear Zephyrina! I finally did it! It took a lot of convincing, but I got the Royal Court to repeal that stupid law that would marry off Pipp!" Haven practically squealed in Zipp's ear.

"Huh..." Zipp simply replied, now partly deaf from her mother screaming down the phone.

"You're not happy about this?" Haven questioned the tone in Zipp's reply, "You and I both know how unhappy your aunt became when she was married off and I didn't want to see my dear Pipp become just like that." Haven spoke in a somewhat serious tone.

"It's... It's not that." Zipp stuttered, her eyes locked onto her sister as she continued to fly around, "It's just that I thought being married off to some duke would have made Pipp act like an adult for once." The pegasus added, glaring at Pipp out of the corner of her eye, "Instead, she is still the same reckless filly that tried to fly by jumping from a window when she was 5."

"Zephyrina." Haven spoke sternly, "I know where you're going with this. Pipp jumping out the window because she wanted to fly wasn't the reason your father became ill."

"I wasn't going to say that!" Zipp snapped back, "Pipp has bloody fallen in love with that... That human!" Zipp fumed to herself.

"Zephyrina. I trust Pipp, and so should you." Haven sighed, disappointment clear in her voice.

"I DON'T TRUST HIM ALRIGHT!?" Zipp screamed at the phone, "HE DOES NOT BELONG HERE! OR WITH MY YOUNGER SISTER!" She stomped her hoof in frustration, "I DON'T WANT HIM TO BE A PART OF HER LIFE!"

"Well. If you're going to act like a filly, you'll be treated like one." Haven replied bluntly, holding back her anger as she hung up the phone.

Zipp shook her head in shock "Wow. She hung up on me?!" Zipp snarled at the phone, tempted to throw it to the ground and stomp on it before remembering how much it meant to Pipp as the last present she ever got from their late father, "Don't come crying to me if he breaks your heart, Pipp." Zipp thought darkly to herself as she looked at her reflection on the black screen, "Hey. Give this back to Pipp once she comes back down to earth." Zipp spoke to Sunny, passing her Pipp's phone before taking off to the skies.

"Where are you going?" Sunny asked, her question falling on deaf ears as the white pegasus disappeared over the rooftops.

"Well, wherever she's going, she better not go too far, she might get lost." Dazzle looked at Sunny, concern in her voice.

"Are you kidding? With how tall the palace is, she'll find her way back, easy peasy." Izzy giggled, holding a hoof to her mouth.

"Hey, Where's Zipp going?" Pipp asked as she gently landed back on the ground.

"Beats us..." Sunny shrugged, passing back Pipp's phone to the pink pegasus, "But it sounded like she got into an argument with whoever was on your phone." Sunny crossed her hooves.

"Oh... Yikes..." Pipp frowned, remembering that her mother had called her, "Zipp must have caught my phone and talked to her..." She gulped harshly.

"Pipp? What's going on?" Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"Well, Mom may have finally got rid of an old pegasus law that would have married me off to some random duke..." Pipp rubbed the back of her head, "Zipp was kinda a supporter of that law..."

"I see..." Sunny rubbed her chin, "Wouldn't surprise me if Zipp's gone off to go calm down or something, she'll be back, I'm sure of it." She shrugged, "Banana?" She held a banana to Pipp's face.

"What was all that about?" Shooting asked, looking up at the sky as Zipp flew overhead and over the rooftops, holding out her hoof as her sword flew back towards her, melting back into her armour plating.

"I don't know. The youth of this time are an oddity to me." Opaline shrugged, her armour clinking around with every subtle movement of her body.

*25 Years Ago*

"Fascinating..." Argyle muttered to himself as he inspected the teal crystal with a magnifying glass, sketching the intricate detailing into his journal, "It's flawless for being nearly 2000 years old." He added.

"It's been in the family for generations." Haven spoke softly, "Aww, she's a little angel." She giggled as a now wide-awake Stellar tried grabbing at her wings, "She's very playful for only being a few days old." She smiled

Opaline held back a giggle as she watched her daughter play with the royal pegasus, "Be thankful she has no teeth yet, she's gonna be a biter for sure." She spoke as Stellar nibbled playfully on Haven’s wing with her gums.

"She'll be the first of a new generation of ponies to grow up with magic in a few hours." Haven smiled, dangling her hooves in front of Stellar's nose. The tiny foal babbled as she tried to grab the large hoof in front of her.

Zoom snickered as Zephyr finished showering.

"What are you snickering about?" Zephyr asked, shaking water from his ear.

"Oh nothing." Zoom held in her laugh, "Just that someone might be expecting the pitter-patter of little hooves on the floor soon." She snickered into her hoof as she gestured towards Haven playing with the foal.

"No, nuh uh." Zephyr rolled his eyes as he shook his head, "The King would have my head if he found out what I and Haven did..." He sighed, "But, I must admit, she does seem to love that foal..." He felt his heart beating in his chest as his mind drifted to one of Haven playing with their potential future foal.

"You so wish she was playing with your foal, do ya?" Zoom nudged Zephyr's wing, holding in her laughter.

"Yeah... Yeah..." Zephyr rubbed the back of his head, "But it'll never work between us..." He sighed, shaking his head as he and Zoom rejoined Haven.

Zoom quickly sat down by the fireplace, holding her hooves close to the flames as Zephyr sat down on the floor next to the couch, resting his head on the side arms.

"How was your little shower?" He heard Haven whisper, the mare placing her head next to his as Opaline scooped Stellar into her hooves.

"Right lil fussy, time to get you fed." Opaline giggled, gently booping her daughter's tiny nose as she trotted towards the door, "Argyle dear, I'm going to go feed madame here." She spoke up.

"Alright take your time, my Opal." Argyle said while he continued to examine the crystal.

"Such a big dork..." Opaline giggled to herself as she began to climb the stairs to her and Argyle's room.

"Hey? Are you listening?" Haven nudged Zephyr with her wing, shaking the stallion from his thoughts.

"Huh?" Zephyr spoke, suddenly alert as he rubbed his eye, "What did you say, Your Highness?" He added.

"I said." Haven held back a giggle, "How was your shower?" She repeated her question, nuzzling Zephyr's cheek with her muzzle, "You know, if you had asked, I would have joined you." She whispered into his ear.

Zephyr's face turned a deep red as he stuttered, "I-it was f-f-fine." He awkwardly rubbed his hoof against his leg, "I guess..." He avoided the Princess's gaze while trying to hide his blush at the same time.

"Just fine~? I could have made it better for you if you know what I mean." Haven spoke in a flirtatious tone, biting her lip seductively.

Before Zephyr could muster a response, a large knocking came from the large oak doors.

"Oh, that must be the unicorn!" Argyle spoke excitedly, placing the magnifying glass down on the table as he rose from his chair.

Argyle quickly trotted towards the oak doors as Opaline reached the bottom of the stairs, Stellar babbling happily in her hoof.

"Yeah, I'm looking for Argyle Sunshine?" A tail unicorn stallion spoke, pulling off a pair of sunglasses, slowly placing them into the pocket of the leather coat they were wearing.

"It's Starshine, actually." Argyle corrected, adjusting his glasses, "I am the pony who's been writing to you these past few months." He added.

"Eh, if you say so." The unicorn shrugged, "The name's Alphabittle Blossomforth." He held out his hoof, "But you can call me Alpha."

"It seems we have another guest, aye lil madame?" Opaline looked down at Stellar, the foal dribbling as she babbled.

"Woah. An Alicorn. I thought they were a myth." Alpha was surprised by the appearance of Opaline.

"Well, count yourself lucky, I am very much real." Opaline pouted slightly, "I am the last of my kind as far as I know." Opaline shook her head, "Anyway, would you like to come in, or would you prefer to stand out in the rain all day?" She continued, turning around on her heel. Without waiting for a second longer, Alphabittle went in and placed his jacket onto a hook as the rain continued to pour down.

*Present Day*

"You know, you don't look half bad with a ponytail." Shooting Star flashed a smug grin, "My mane is still prettier." She snickered as she gave it a quick flick.

"Eh, I originally tried going for the bun and ponytail approach like yours, but I didn't get on with it." Opaline chuckled in reply, placing her hoof on Shooting Star's shoulder, "But, I was thinking about adding some dye to my mane and tail, but I'm not too sure of colours to use." Opaline shrugged.

"Hmmm" Shooting Star thought, "Why not pastel blue and pink streaks? It'd be quite the combo." Shooting Star wiggled her eyebrows.

"Won't that be a bit... flashy?" Opalined looked at her mane nervously.

"Only if you go with fluorescent blue and pink." Shooting Star rolled her eyes, "But pastel colours will suit you more. Besides, your coat is already pretty bright anyway." She flashed a toothy grin as Opaline let out a low growling scowl.

"You lucky I'm trying to be a good pony, otherwise, I would vaporise you for that remark!" Opaline gnashed her teeth.

"I'd like to see you try, eggplant." Shooting Star patted Opaline's head as the alicorn scowled more.

"Oh ho ho ho. Are you challenging me?" Opaline grinned, "Want to make this 11 - 3?" She smirked.

"Remind me who the 11 is there." Shooting Star smugly grinned as Opaline scowled some more, "C'mon, let's go inside and get something nice and cold." The pegasus wiped sweat from her brow.

"Still not built for the summer heat, aye?" Opaline nudged Shooting Star as the pegasus removed the magic suppression ring from her horn.

"I uh... Shut up!" Shooting Star shouted, her face red with embarrassment as the suppression ring released with a click.

Sunny hummed as she trotted down one of the many, many palace halls at a steady pace. She looked around as she passed paintings, statues and stained glass windows.

"What dad wouldn't give to see this..." She sighed softly to herself, slowing her pace to a crawl as she pulled out her father's journal. She gently placed her hoof on one of the aged pages, the once crisp white pages. now aged into a faded brown, "If only you were here to see this dad..." A lone tear escaped her eyes, running down her cheek and splashing down onto the page.

A twinkling shimmer caught Sunny's attention out of the corner of her eye, the orange mare looked up to see a golden crown on a pedestal, a large purple gem cut into a six-pointed star sat embedded in the centre of the crown, Sunny opened her mouth, "Is that?"

"Twilight's crown, yes." Sunny nearly jumped out of her skin as a voice spoke behind her, "Oops. Didn't mean to scare ya."

"Oh!" Sunny held her chest tightly, "It's you Flurry Heart." She chuckled softly, " I didn't expect you there haha…" She laughed nervously as her father's journal skidded to a stop at Flurry's hooves.

The alicorn's horn shimmered a golden hue as she picked up the journal with her magic, "Huh, this is a traditionally made, Crystal Empire journal." Flurry mused with amazement in her voice, "How in the world do you own this?"

"It was in my father's possession for as long as I can remember." Sunny smiled nervously, "He used to buy these sorts of things from travelling merchants, so maybe he got it from one of them?" She shrugged slowly.

"Mhmm..." Flurry mumbled to herself as she quickly flipped through the pages of the journal, "I see your dad has quite a lot of research in this book." She added as she studied the journal from cover to cover, she paused when she came across old sketches of some crystals.

"I've- I've never seen that page before." Sunny spoke, flabbergasted as she looked at the same page as Flurry, "I knew my dad had the earth crystal in his possession, but I didn't know he had the other two at one point." Her eyes locked onto very detailed sketches of the Unicorn and Pegasi crystals.

"I think we better go ask both of our moms about this." Flurry suggested, quickly passing the journal back to Sunny, who quickly slid it back into her bag.

"I think you might be right here." Sunny replied, the pair quickly sprinting down the hallway, away from the crown.

Misty stared out of the large stained glass windows of the Crystal Brighthouse, down to the bay before the cliff. The summer sun slowly rose higher into the sky.

"Remember what I told you..." Dark Star's voice echoed around the unicorn's mind, "You have one week to get me those Crystals or I'll kill you. Don't fail me, Misty." The voice continued.

A tear escaped Misty's eye as she stared longingly out of the windows, her thoughts drifting onto her friends, and even to an extent, to Opaline, "What have I done?" Misty quietly sobbed to herself, she felt truly backed into a corner at that very moment. Ears fell flat against her head as she turned towards her phone and Opaline's diary sitting on her bed, "I want out. Would she even want to help me after what I told her..." Misty thought to herself.

End of Chapter Thirty Four.

Chapter #35: Foal In Need

Chapter Thirty Five.
Foal In Need.

*18 Years Ago*

Opaline looked down at her bed, laying before her was a tiny blue unicorn foal sound asleep. The cries of the tiny foal had tricked her body into producing milk for the first time in years, allowing her to settle the foal by feeding her. The alicorn knew this wouldn't work in the long run and that she'd need to get ahold of formula and other supplies from somewhere.

"What am I going to do with you?.." Opaline spoke softly, gently stroking the foal's face with her hoof, causing them to stir in their sleep. Opaline looked over at the blanket lying on the floor, gently picking it up as she spotted words printed on it, "Misty Blossomforth..." She read the words out aloud, "Why does that last name sound so... Familiar..." The alicorn quickly shook her head as Misty began to whimper.

"Ssh..." Opaline gently scooped up the blue unicorn, holding her to her chest, "Well, Misty... If you're going to be living with me long term, I'll need to get you supplies." She glanced up at a map on her desk, "And I think I know where to get them."

"Ok Misty, this'll keep your horn hidden, as well as keeping you warm." Opaline looked down at Misty, the foal lay in a sling against her chest, as she put on an oversized woollen hat onto the foal's head. From what Opaline remembered, Maretime Bay was quite chilly, even during summer. Opaline flicked up her hood and made sure her wings were concealed under her old tattered cloak, she ruffled up her mane to hide her horn for good measure. Opaline gulped nervously as she trotted down the hill, towards the town.

"Right, a grocery store should have everything we ne-" Opaline cut off before seeing the large crowd of ponies that swarmed the streets, "Oh you've got to be kidding." She frowned at what appeared to be some sort of fair, she turned around and glanced back up at the hill she trotted down, a lighthouse perched at the top. Her waypoint for getting home once she's found the store. "Here goes nothing..." She sighed, keeping her head down as she trotted towards the crowd.

Opaline held a hoof close to Misty, shielding the tiny foal from any bumps and shoves as the disguised alicorn weaved through the crowd, "Happy Maretime Bay Day!" She heard the ponies say as she passed them, she held her hood down, hoping none of them would notice her horn poking the top of the hood.

"You need any help, ma'am?" Opaline heard someone call out to her, she looked down to see a small yellow filly standing in front of her, a green bow in her pink mane.

"Well, hello there." Opaline knelt down to the filly, "What's your name?" She smiled

"I'm Posey Bloom!" The filly giggled, "You look like you're lost." She raised an eyebrow, "First time in Maretime Bay?" She added.

"Uh, Yes, yes it is my first time here. Say, you don't happen to know where I might find a grocery store that's open now, it seems like the entire town is here." She gestured to the crowd of ponies passing her by.

"Mhmm, just follow the streetcar tracks and you should see the grocery store on your right, just past the sheriff's office." Posey politely gestured towards the direction Opaline had been heading.

"Thank you Posey." Opaline gently ruffled Posey's mane, the filly giggling as Opaline stood back up and continued along the main street.

Opaline decided to sit down on a bench overlooking the beach, the hot summer sun beating down on her as she watched parents with their foals playing in the sand below. She let out a sigh before being shaken out of her thoughts by Misty fidgeting around in the sling, "Ok ok, let's go going, fussy baby..." Opaline smiled under her hood as she rose from the bench.

Opaline slowed her pace as Misty settled down, trotting along the street just fast enough to keep the foal asleep as she continued to weave in and out of the crowd, an orange filly ran out in front of her. The filly narrowly dodged Opaline as she ran past.

"I'm so sorry about her." A dishevelled-looking stallion apologised to the cloaked pony before running after the filly.

"Argyle?" Opaline blurted out loudly before covering her mouth, "He can't see me." She quickly darted down a nearby alley, taking cover behind a large dumpster.

The stallion stopped and turned around, only to find the cloaked figure gone, "Opaline?" He whispered under his breath, quickly trotted to where the figure once stood and looked around among the ponies trotting past in every direction.

Opaline peeked her head out from behind the dumpster, she looked at Argyle with pain in her heart as the stallion looked all around, "Daddy, what's wrong?" Opaline saw the orange filly running back over.

Argyle embraced the filly, "Nothing, Sunny Bunny." He nuzzled the filly gently before turning around, taking one last look before trotting away with the filly.

"My little Stellar... " Opaline softy spoke, a lone tear rolling down her cheek, "Look at how much you've grown... How much I've missed... All to keep you safe..." She wiped the tear from her cheek, sniffling, "I promise Stellar, I'll be back when I kill Dark Star..." She gritted her teeth at the very thought of the mare who had ruined her life.

Opaline looked down at the sling, Misty stared up at her, giggling softly, "One day, little Misty, you'll meet your big sister." Opaline spoke to the foal, determination in her voice as she made her decision, she'll keep Misty and raise her as her own, it's what Argyle would do if he were in Opaline's place right now.

Opaline looked in each direction before exiting the alley, cloak fluttering behind her as the sign for the grocery store came into view, "Nearly there." She spoke to Misty, looking down at the sling.

"What magic is this?" Opaline thought to herself as the doors opened automatically for her, mildly amused as she looked around the store. Her eyes scanned all the shelves she could see from the entrance, "Hmm, now to get you supplies, little Misty." Opaline gently placed Misty down into a shopping cart and started to push the cart forward.

Much to her relief, the store was practically a ghost town, no doubt everyone was outside at what she found out to be something called 'Maretime Bay Day'. The lack of ponies quickly allowed Opaline to gather all the supplies she needed for Misty. Pushing the now full cart towards the single checkout counter open, she felt the pouch of coins under her wing, "I'll pay you back for these Argyle..." She muttered under her breath as she stopped the cart by the counter.

"My my, Is she your firstborn?" The cashier spoke politely, smiling warmly, "I've never seen a pony buy this many foal supplies in all my 30 years working in retail." The cashier chuckled.

Opaline cautiously studied the cashier, a nametag on their chest read 'Carica Fig', "Uh, No, she isn't my firstborn, she just came as a surprise." Opaline chuckled nervously as she gently placed all the items onto the checkout for scanning. Misty, meanwhile, began to fidget around the cart, knocking off the hat concealing her horn, "Misty!" Opaline gasped in horror, quickly putting the hat back on to the foal, the cashier just chuckled.

"Never thought I'd see a unicorn foal in my life." Fig chucked, taking off her glasses and wiping them, "Let alone in my work of all places." She put her glasses back on.

"Please don't report us!" Opaline begged, holding her front hooves together and begging the cashier to not call the local law enforcement.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to call the Sheriff." Fig smiled reassuringly.

"You're- you're not?" Opaline stuttered in surprise.

"Of course not. Unlike most of the town, I never believed the trash they spout about unicorns being evil with brain-melting lasers." Fig chuckled softly as Misty let out a giggle.

"What about those of the horned and winged variety?" Opaline pulled down her hood and spread her wings, revealing her alicorn body.

"You're an alicorn?" Fig asked, slightly unnerved by Opaline's scared appearance, "I thought they were extinct..." She trailed off.

"I'm the last of my kind..." Opaline lied with a nervous grin, "All the other alicorns died out thousands of years ago..." She added, ears falling flat against her head as Fig slowly scanned each item.

"I'm sorry, dear." Fig spoke softly as she finished scanning the items and showed Opaline the total for all the shopping.

Opaline paid for the items and quickly left the store, hood up, Misty back in the sling and all the supplies on her back. The alicorn quickly galloped along the street, the crowd had dispersed as clouds slowly blocked out the sun. Her hooves skidded to a stop on the cobblestones, eyes locking with an old rusty wagon, "Hmm... I wonder..." Darting her eyes left and right, Opaline cautiously approached the wagon and saw it was covered in mud and rust like it had been left outside for weeks if not months.

"Surely, it won't be missed..." Opaline mused to herself as she inspected the wagon, tapping a wheel with her hoof, "Seems sound enough." She thought to herself as she loaded up the wagon with the supplies she was carrying on her back.

"Ready to go?" Opaline looked down at the sling where Misty slept, the foal snuggled up against her chest, seeking warmth from the wind, "I'll take that as a yes." She smiled. The alicorn gently strapped the wagon's harness to her waist and pulled forward, one wheel locked up. Opaline grumbled under her breath, kicking the wheel and releasing the brake.

Opaline neared the top of the hill, the lighthouse stood off to her right. She tried her hardest to avoid glancing up at the towering structure, far too many memories persisted there for her liking. She marched past the building, cresting the hill and began to downward slope towards the forest that marked the town boundary. She stopped and slowly turned towards the lighthouse, the sun being eclipsed by its silhouette.

"Farewell, Argyle... Wherever you are..." Opaline sighed, finally glancing up at the lighthouse, the wind fluttering her cloak and tail behind her, "Keep our daughter safe... I will be back for you..." She added, wiping a tear from her eye as she turned towards the forest and slowly crossed over the threshold and continued.

The forest was silent as Opaline slowly trotted down an ancient path. Leaves crunched and twigs snapped under her hooves, she picked up the pace as Misty began to whimper in the sling, "Sssh..." Opaline comforted the tiny foal, placing a hoof to her face, "It's ok... We're nearly home." She smiled down at Misty reassuringly as she waived the wagon around thick tree trunks.

She let out a small sigh of relief as her home came into view among the trees and shrubbery. Mud and briers clung to her cloak and legs as she pulled the wagon into the clearing where the old guard outpost stood, "We're home, Misty." She smiled as the foal giggled in reply as she removed her cloak.

Opaline parked the wagon just inside the structure, by the heavy oak doors and quickly unloaded it, moving all the items into the kitchen before sitting down on her chair in front of a raging fire. Misty cradled in her hooves, hungrily drinking from a bottle, Opaline reclined in the chair, resting her head on the back, a smile on her face as Misty drank the formula with little resistance.

"Welcome to the family, Misty Arcana." Opaline spoke softly, her eyes locking with a painting of her, Argyle and Stellar hanging above the fireplace as the flames danced slowly.

End of Chapter Thirty Five.

Chapter #36: Message of The Past

Chapter Thirty Six.
Message of the Past.

"So, you went with fire alicorn?" Cadenza snickered as she held back her laughter, "Really?" She snorted on her drinking, nearly choking on it in the process.

"You try coming up with a backstory on the spot." Opaline flustered as her cheeks turned a deep red, "Y-your Highness..." She stuttered before looking down.

"Opaline dear, how long have we known each other? You don't have to keep referring to me as your Highness." Cadenza placed her hoof under Opaline's chin, making the purple alicorn look at her, "It may have been centuries for you, but to me, you're still the same little filly who was the first ever unicorn to be born in my Empire." She placed her forehead on Opalines.

Opaline melted at the touch, quietly sobbing as Cadenza embraced her in a tight hug, the larger alicorn gently nuzzling into the hug provided to her, "You have no idea how homesick I have become..." She spoke softly, her voice muffled by Cadenza's wings.

Cadenza's ears perked up as the sound of hooves galloping on the hard floor drew closer to the room, she turned around and saw Flurry and Sunny gallop into the room.

"Mom!" Both shouted out in unison as their hooves skidded on the crystalline floor.

"Woah. Hold your horses girls." Cadenza held out her hoof, moving it in a 'calm down' moment, Opaline internally cringed at Cadenza's words as Sunny and Flurry panted heavily.

"Sunny's journal has detailed sketches and descriptions of the crystals!" Flurry shouted between gasps for air.

"What..." Opaline mouthed under her breath as Sunny pulled out her journal.

"It's my Dad's journal to be exact." Sunny spoke as she flicked through the pages, "Flurry says it's a traditional journal from this Empire. I honestly have no real idea how my father came into possession of it." Sunny held the journal to Cadenza.

Cadenza looked down at the page containing the detailed sketches of the Unity Crystals, she studied the pages before looking at the cover of the journal, "How did your father come to encounter one, let alone all three of them?" She asked Sunny, anger apparent in her voice.

"I wish I knew, he only ever had the earth crystal in his possession, using it as a focus lens for my foalhood nightlight." Sunny looked up at Cadenza.

All eyes soon turned to Opaline, the purple alicorn gulped, "What?" She shifted her eyes from left to right as a bead of sweat trickled from her eyebrow.

"Do you know something about this?" Cadenza raised an inquisitive eyebrow, staring directly at Opaline.

"What. No." Opaline chuckled nervously, "What would give you that impression?" She began to sweat heavily.

"Then explain this." Cadenza smugly pushed the journal into Opaline's face, tapping her hoof near one of the notes.

Opaline's eyes sparkled as she read the note, "The Earth Pony Crystal, carefully cared for by my darling wife, Opaline." The note ended with a little heart next to it, she placed her hoof to her mouth. Tears welled up in her eyes as her ears fell flat.

"Mom?" Sunny tilted her head, "Are you ok?" She added as Opaline quickly wiped the tears away.

"I-I-I'm fine." Opaline's lip quivered, "Oh to hell with it, no, I'm not fine!" She quickly hugged Sunny tightly, sobbing onto her shoulder.

"Your wedding to Dad must be a fun tale." Sunny chuckled slightly in an attempt to change the mood of the room.

Opaline chuckled between tears, "We were never officially married, pretty sure no pastor would have wedded us." She gestured to her horn and wings.

Sunny pulled her head away, "So, Dad knew of all three crystals and saw them?" She asked, gently placing her hoof on Opaline's cheek.

"As did I..." Opaline gently placed her hoof onto her daughter's, She looked up into Cadenza and Flurry's gaze, "I-I was there when the crystals were used, I was the pony who activated them." She looked down at the floor, waiting for any possible punishment awaiting her.

"Lillian told me about your discussion with her last night. You did what you had to do." Cadenza spoke with a reassuring tone, placing a hoof onto Opaline's shoulder, "But I am concerned that the crystals being so close to each other causing unforeseen consequences." She bit her lip.

"You're... Sadly not wrong about that..." Opaline sighed, her face turning sour. Biting the inside of her cheek, she thought her words out clearly, "When Argyle and the guardians of the crystals attempted to restore magic themselves within Canterlot, Dark Star awoke..." Dark Star's laugh echoed through the alicorn’s mind as she recounted the events from nearly 30 years ago, "Since that day, she's persisted, slowly growing her strength. Until..."

"Until now..." Sunny looked down, "When me and my friends successfully brought back magic, I gained Dark Star's alicorn powers, and she wants them back." Sunny looked at her sides, expecting her horn and wings to appear at any moment, "She wants the crystals so she can rule Equestria as its queen." She looked back towards Opaline and Cadenza, "It's kind of funny really." Sunny glanced at her mother, "The message Twilight hid within the crystals warned us about a pony wanting to steal all the magic, we all assumed the pony was my mom, but now I think she was warning us about Dark Star." Sunny rubbed her chin.

"Twilight's message?" Cadenza tilted her head, confusion clear on her face as she turned to Flurry Heart.

"Yes, a message from THE Twilight Sparkle." Sunny smiled, giddy like a filly, "How exciting is that!" She practically screamed.

Opaline, Cadenza and Flurry Heart all stared at each other, then back at Sunny, with curiosity and concern in their eyes.

"Do you have access to this message?" Cadenza asked, her voice becoming serious.

"I don't, but my friend Zipp has it recorded on her phone." Sunny spoke while digging through her blue saddle bag for her phone.

Cadenza and Flurry Heart exchanged looks of confusion as the orange pony pulled out her phone and tapped away at the screen, the phone making popping sounds as she typed a message.

Sunny watched as her message was sent into the group chat, a flurry of replies in return from her four friends.

"I've never seen a phone so thin." Cadenza tilted her head, before pulling out her phone, "Our phones tended to be a lot thicker and bigger." She added, holding her phone out alongside Sunny's. The alicorn's phone being nearly double the size of the earth pony's own.

"That thing must be super heavy to carry around all day?" Sunny said as she looked at how small her own phone was.

"Eh, not exactly." Opaline interjected, "These were made in an age of magic, so enchantments allowed them to be as light as a feather while being bigger." She tapped her horn, "Unless you have a horn like me, then you can do a simple levitation spell." Her horn shimmered in the light.

Zipp glided towards the ground, her silver hooves gently landing on the soft green grass, "OK guys I'm... Back..." She looked around confused, "Where the heck is everypony?".

"All gone back inside, too cold for them." Shooting Star spoke, not paying much attention to the white pegasus as she staked six empty soda cans into a triangle.

"Then why are you still outside?" Zipp looked at the pink pegasus, noting her clearly shivering from the cold.

"Eh, you get used to the cold." Shooting Star shrugged her shoulders softly as a snowflake landed on her snout.

"So, uh, whatcha doing?" Zipp tilted her head, her focus locking onto the stacked cans.

"Target practice." Shooting Star replied bluntly as she gently adjusted the can at the top of the stack.

It was then that Zipp finally noticed an object slung around the tall Pegasi's shoulder, "Uh, what is that?" Zipp pointed at the object in question, "And why does it look so... Old?" She added.

"Oh, this?" Shooting Star gestured to her back with a wing, "That's my rifle." She grinned proudly, "See, after I reunited with both of my parents, Mom decided to take us all to a county fair in Appleloosa." The pink pegasus pulled out a wallet from under her wing and opened it.

Zipp's eyes followed some photos as they accordioned out, "Turns out my dad is a hell of a shot with a rifle. He won me this in a shooting gallery." Shooting Star shoved a photo of herself, Cadenza, Flurry Heart and David dressed as cowboys toward Zipp's muzzle, "Dad was super grumpy about being made to wear actual cowboy clothes." She giggled.

"Yeah, yeah, funny." Zipp spoke with gritted teeth as she pushed the photos away, quickly looking for a change of topic when she felt her phone buzzing under her wing, "Oh no." She said, sarcasm in her voice, "Sunny wants me to see her urgently." She added before galloping off towards the palace.

"Oh, ok..." Shooting Star pouted as she looked down at the grass.

"It just seems so sad, one's entire life, relegated to a couple of dusty boxes." Pipp spoke, trying her best not to sneeze as dust filled her nose.

"Gee, thanks..." David grumbled to himself as he wiped a thick layer of dust from the top of a box.

"That's not what I meant." Pipp flailed her hoof around before headbutting a box in frustration, "Stupid, stupid, stupid..." She sighed softly as David moved a box from a pile, "This is gonna take all day to find all your belongings." The mare grumbled.

"I did tell you this wasn't going to be the height of entertainment." David playfully booped her nose after placing the box down.

"Ow!" Pipp winced, "It's still sore you know." She covered her muzzle with her delicate wings, her face a slight red as the pain subsided before a devious thought crossed her mind.

As David sat down on the floor, Pipp quickly tackled him, laying down on top of him, she looked at him with a sultry glance, "You know~" She purred, "Now that we're alone, why don't we have some fun~" Pipp gently shifted her weight as she leant down, whispering devious ideas in David's ear.

"You naughty little minx~" He replied as the pair started to kiss each other passionately.

A loud buzzing filled their ears as Pipp let out a frustrated grumble, "I swear, if that's another spam email, I'm gonna kill somepony." She fumed as she pulled her phone out from under her wing as it buzzed again.

As her eyes scanned the screen, her facial expression shifted from one of annoyance to one of surprise, "Sunny needs me, I have to go!" She dashed away before quickly turning around, "Don't go anywhere, stud~" She purred.

Pipp galloped down the hallway, looking to her side as Zipp ran up alongside.

"Sunny asked for you too then, I take it?" Pipp asked her older sister bluntly.

"Yep." Zipp replied, the air feeling heavy as an awkward silence fell between the siblings as they made their way to one of the many sitting rooms in the maze of halls within the palace.

Soon enough, the siblings found the right room, thanks in part to Pipp's expert hearing, a perfect skill for a musician such as herself, much to Zipp's annoyance.

"Told you it was this room, never doubt the ears of a musician." Pipp smugly spoke as Zipp rolled her eyes, gritting her teeth at her sister's antics.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Zipp grumbled as they joined Sunny and the others, "Yo, Sunny. We're here." The white pegasi spoke, boredom in her voice as all eyes fell on her.

"Good, everyone is here." Sunny clapped her hooves. Flurry Heart and Cadenza sat to her left, and Opaline sat to her right.

"What's this all about, Sunny?" Pipp asked, Izzy, Hitch and Zipp turning towards her.

"The Empress has requested to see the message from Twilight, and we're the only five ponies to have seen it." Sunny trotted over to Pipp and Zipp, "You still have the message don't you?" She placed her hoof on Zipp's shoulder.

"Yes, of course!" Zipp quickly pulled her phone out from under her wing and flipped it open, Pipp winched as she watched Zipp's phone flick open.

"You're gonna break the hinge one of these days, and I am not repairing it." Pipp grumbled under her breath as Zipp swiped her hoove across her double-width screen.

Zipp smiled slightly as she found the file, "Aha." She spoke, turning her phone screen towards Cadenza and Flurry Heart, "Prepare to have your mind blown." The white pegasus made a mind-blown motion with her hooves as Cadenza, Flurry and Opaline moved closer to the phone screen as Zipp tapped the play button.

On the screen, appeared a large holographic image of Twilight Sparkle, "If you're seeing this, magic is now more powerful than it's ever been, and Earth pony magic has been activated for the first time in the history of Equestria." The hologram spoke, the voice echoing around the room.

"Twilight..." Cadenza whispered under her breath as the recording continued, she glanced over at Opaline, sensing anger boiling within the purple alicorn as she focused on the recording.

"Once, a pony tried to steal all the magic in Equestria for herself... and almost succeeded. I did all that I could to protect it from—" The holographic Twilight said before glitching, "—by summoning all of my magical strength to achieve placing the magic in the crystals and the—" It continued as more glitches appeared, "You must watch out for Op—" Opaline snarled at the recording, "—before she op—" Flurry looked at her mother in confusion, "—I'm with you." The hologram spoke before disappearing as the recording stopped.

"Is that all of it?" Cadenza asked Zipp softly as Opaline turned away from the group, her blood at boiling point.

"That's all of the message, we've not been able to get it to appear again." Zipp replied as she looked down at her phone screen, the recording playing on a loop.

"You ok, Opaline?" Flurry gently placed a hoof on Opaline's shoulder. The pale white alicorn could feel the anger and rage radiating from the purple alicorn, the feeling made Flurry retract her hoof.

"No, Flurry, I am not ok." Opaline spoke through gritted teeth, "You and I both know that the hologram is lying." She added in a hushed tone, anger still present in her voice.

"I know, I know." Flurry placed her hoof on Opaline's chest, feeling the alicorn's heart, the fast beating felt like it was going to take off like a rocket. She slowly removed her hoof from the alicorn’s chest, "Now, remember the breathing exercises mom taught Lillian." She brought her hoof close to her chest, "Breath in." She inhaled, "And out." Flurry exhaled as she outstretched her hoof.

Opaline copied Flurry, feeling her rage subsiding as she looked over at her daughter asking questions to Cadenza. She could see the Empress tensing up at each question asked of her.

"Why would Twilight try to frame my mom as the problem when it's all clearly Dark Star stealing magic." Sunny asked Cadenza while looking down at Zipp's phone scene, "Maybe Dark Star manipulated Twilight's message..." Sunny pondered.

"Eh, not possible." Cadenza replied, her chest feeling tense as she looked at Sunny, "Manipulation of messages within crystals is simply not possible." She bluntly added.

"You've seen what Dark Star did to my mother, if she can do that to a living being, she can mess with messages." Sunny stamped her hoof in frustration.

"Because it's not possible, not even Celestia or Luna were capable of it." Cadenza felt her frustration beginning to boil.

"Also, why didn't anypony stand up to Dark Star? Where were the Guardians of Harmony when all this was happening?" Sunny pleaded with Cadenza, "Why didn't Twilight stop her?"

"Because Twilight wasn't around." Cadenza replied bluntly, pinching the bridge of her nose as her frustration began to boil over.

"Why not?!" Sunny raised her voice, "Why did she abandon Equestria when it needed her the most!"

"Because she just did all right?!" Cadenza screamed in Sunny's face.

"But why did she allow Dark Star to take away all magic?! It was Twilight's duty to protect Equestria! So why did she fail?!" Sunny screamed back.

Cadenza finally snapped, she grabbed Sunny by the shoulders and screamed at the top of her lungs.

"BECAUSE TWILIGHT SPARKLE IS DARK STAR!"

End of Chapter Thirty Six.

Chapter #37: The Promise

Chapter Thirty Seven.
The Promise.

"I want out. Would she even want to help me after what I told her..." Misty thought to herself, Dark Star's threatening words echoing around her mind, "If anything in this diary is true, it seems like Opaline hates Dark Star too..." She paced around in a circle, "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask Opaline for help." She bit her lip in the decision.

Misty scooped up her cracked phone in her hoof and scrolled through the list of contacts, "Pipp will be the logical choice here, she's always on her phone." She tapped the screen with her horn, but as she began to ring Pipp, she found her phone being thrown from her hoof, shattering against the wall. The room began to feel cold and icy, the fur on her neck standing right up.

"Big mistake." A voice spoke behind Misty, sending an icy chill down her spine. The blue unicorn slowly turned around, gulping nervously as Dark Star towered over her, eyes practically blazing with fire, "You'll pay for your treachery, you little runt!" The towering Alicorn roared at the blue unicorn. Misty tried to run but found her hooves stuck to the floor like glue, she struggled to free herself, as her vision began to go black.

"What?" Sunny asked, stunned by Cadenza's words, as the air in the room felt heavy and oppressive, "No. No. You lie!" She felt Cadenza's hooves dig into the shoulders.

"Yeah... I'm with Sunny on this." Hitch raised his hoof, "Both Sunny and Me grew up listening to Argyle telling us stories about Twilight that he would find while researching ancient Equestria." The stallion quickly lowered his hoof, "If Twilight was this Dark Star, he would have told us." He added, looking towards Sunny.

"We dug through all of his research after that message and there was no mention of Dark Star whatsoever." Zipp spoke, pausing the video on her phone as she looked towards Opaline, "Unless, you hid the truth from him!" She shot an accusatory look at the alicorn.

"Me?!" Opaline retorted, pointing at herself, "Why on Harmony's green earth would I do such a thing?!" She stormed towards the white pegasus, the pair butting heads.

"Wouldn't it be the first time you've hidden the truth from ponies." Zipp spoke through gritted teeth as the two ponies glared at each other, "Like Misty, did you ever tell her the truth about how you found her?" She added, venom in her voice.

"How dare you!" Opaline growled in indignation, "How dare you stoop so low you little runt!" She snarled at Zipp as the two kept their heads pressed together.

"Knock it off the pair of you." Pipp squeezed herself between the two, forcing the two to part from each other.

"Damn it, it was just getting interesting too." A raspy, feminine voice spoke out.

The royal sisters froze in place, "Uh Zipp?" Pipp trembled, "Did that voice just come from-"

"My phone? Yes." Zipp cut off her sister, still frozen in fear. She slowly looked down towards her phone screen, still paused on Twilight's message. Zipp raised her eyebrow before recoiling in horror as the still frame of Twilight slowly turned towards Zipp.

"Hello, Zephyrina." The image of Twilight chuckled darkly, Zipp's phone flew from her hoof as she reared back in fear, the device skidding across the crystalline room.

A large lavender hoof began to crawl out of the screen, followed by a head and wings. Opaline and Cadenza, on pure instinct, placed themselves between the phone and the other ponies.

"You all really thought I would be gone so easily." Dark Star cackled as she stood in front of the two alicorns, both being half her size.

"You... I'll tear you to pieces!" Opaline shouted, now being held back by Flurry and Izzy.

Dark Star chuckled softly, "Why slow down there dear I have plans for you and that pathetic excuse of a daughter." She grinned darkly.

"YOU LAY ONE HOOF ON STELLAR AND I'LL-"

"I'm not talking about the earth pony." Dark Star cut off Opaline, and a knowing smug grin crossed her lips.

"What are you talking about-" Opaline spoke before cutting herself off as it clicked in her head, "No! You leave Misty out of this! If you so much as pluck a single strand of hair from her mane, I’ll rip you limb from limb!" Opaline snarled, her horn crackled with her rage.

"Pfft. Don’t tell me you actually care about her after all this time." Dark Star snickered, the tall lavender alicorn calmly paced back and forth in front of Opaline, "I’ve seen her memories, how cold you treat her." Dark Star flashed a knowing grin as Opaline looked down in disgrace, "I can offer her so much more than the mere promise of a cutie mark." She chuckled, a sadistic smirk fixed across her face.

"You leave my Misty alone." Opaline spat in Dark Star's face, "This is between you and me." She scowled, before seeing that Dark Star's form wasn't quite physical. Quickly thinking on the spot, Opaline began to slowly circle Dark Star, "Oh, what's this?" She spoke in a sarcastic tone, "Looks like your form isn't quite on the same plane as us. Shame really." She mocked the lavender alicorn.

"You dare mock me!" Dark Star spoke darkly, her eyes locked on Opaline as the two circled each other, the deeper purple alicorn slowly approaching the phone that Dark Star was seemingly projecting out of, "You have no idea of who you're dealing with!" She snarled, flashing her sharp wicked teeth.

"I am not afraid of you!" Opaline puffed out her chest, wings spread to make herself look bigger as she stared down the alicorn who once tortured her for five long years.

"I can fix that!" Dark Star smirked as her horn began to glow. In a flash, Misty appeared, locked in a cage, "Not another step, Opaline." She dangled the cage in front of the alicorn, "Unless you want to see your precious Misty again."

"Misty..." Opaline froze in place, her eyes locked on the cage containing the blue unicorn she had raised for 18 years.

The ears of the blue unicorn perked up as her name was spoken, "Opaline?" Misty weakly spoke, slowly turning around in the cage, her eyes red and puffy as she looked at Opaline, "Is it really you?" She added, her throat sore, wiping away her tears with a hoof.

Opaline slowly nodded, gently raising her hoof to the cage. Misty reached out for her, the pair touching hooves between the bars.

"Please help me, Opaline." Misty pleaded, her voice weak as she stared into Opaline's eye.

"I will, Misty, I promise." Opaline reassured her, wiping away a tear from Misty's cheek before the cage poofed away.

"Aww, how sweet." Dark Star snickered with disgust, "If you want to keep your promise to her, come to your fortress, alone. If you're not there by sundown, well, let's just say, they'll be finding pieces of her over 100 square miles." She grinned as her horn crackled.

"YOU BITCH!" Opaline screamed, lunging at Dark Star, only to phase through the lavender alicorn and being sent crashing into Cadenza and Sunny.

"Pathetic." Dark Star snickered as Opaline weakly looked up at her, "You have until sundown, don't be late." She spoke darkly before disappearing back into Zipp's phone, her laugh echoing around the room as the phone slammed shut.

"NO NO NO! MISTY!" Opaline screamed, crawling over to the phone. She grabbed the device, her face reflecting back at her on the blackened screen, "MISTY!" She cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Mom..." Sunny spoke softly, gently placing her hoof on Opaline's shoulder, "We're going to save her." The orange pony added, nuzzling her mother's cheek.

"No, Stellar." Opaline looked up from the phone sternly, "This is something I must do alone." Her eyes focused on the sky outside, the sun beginning its downward trek towards the western horizon, "Adjusting for the time difference between here and my fortress, I have only two to three hours, maximum." She looked back down at Zipp's phone.

"No, Mom. You are not doing this by yourself!" Sunny protested, "She'll surely kill you!" She added, slamming her hoof down, "I've only just found my mother, and I'm not losing you again." Sunny's voice cracked, now on the verge of tears.

"Stellar..." Opaline spoke softly, placing a hoof on her daughter's chin, "I'll be back, I promise." She smiled softly.

"That... That's the last thing Dad said to me before he never came back..." Sunny tightly squeezed Opaline in a bone-crushing hug.

"Look at me Stellar, I promise you, I will be back, with Misty." Opaline gently turned Sunny's face towards her, "I promise you, I will be back." She reaffirmed her, wiping a tear from her daughter's cheek.

"Just please come back, I don't want to lose any more family." Sunny wiped her eyes, sniffling.

"And you won't." Opaline gently kissed her forehead, "Now, I've got to prepare." She softly spoke, eyes glancing up to Cadenza, "Please, look after Stellar until my return." She asked the empress.

"I will. You have my word" Cadenza nodded softly, playing her hoof on Opaline's shoulder.

Opaline stood in her foalhood bedroom, eyeing herself in the mirror as she concealed her armour under a black tunic. She stretched out her hoof, a crystal sword formed from a piece of armour on her foreleg, she smiled as the sword quickly shifted back into the armour, "Perfect, this will work." She said to herself as she draped a black cloak over her body, pulling up the hood over her head.

Making her way from her room, Opaline peaked her head into the lounge, the tall pony ducking her head under the doorway. Her parents sat on the couch, reading a novel and a newspaper respectfully as the fireplace crackled calmly. Opaline let out a soft sigh, using her magic to open the front door. She took one last look around before crossing the threshold. The gravel path crunched under her hooves as she closed the door behind her.

"You're not going alone, ya know." Shooting Star said, jumping down from the cottage roof, and landing behind Opaline, "Flurry Heart told me everything. So, what's the plan?"

"Plan? There is no plan!" Opaline turned around, "I am doing this for Misty, and I know for a fact that it's a one-way trip." The alicorn looked down at her hooves, leg guards covering her long legs, "I am simply going to use a spell on Misty to bring her here before Dark Star strikes me down." She placed her hoof to her chest, her heart racing.

"I can't in good conscience let you go alone." Shooting Star placed a hoof on Opaline's shoulder, "Besides, someone needs to make sure you keep your promise to Sunny." She gave a toothy grin, "You don't have a choice in the matter." She added.

"You are aware that I am to go alone." Opaline bluntly replied back, "How would it look if I come along with another pony, She'll kill Misty on the spot." She stamped her hoof down.

"Not if we use Plan 66." Shooting grinned, already having a plan in mind.

"You can’t be serious, it’ll never work!" The alicorn spoke back in a serious tone.

"How can you be so sure?" The Pegasus tilted her head, blinking, "We never put it to the test." She added.

"Um, hello!" Opaline pointed to her horn, "I Have a horn and you don't!" She added, "How do you expect to pass for me exactly? Put on a party hat and pass it off as a horn?!" She frustratingly gritted her teeth.

"...Um, yes?" Shooting Star awkwardly grinned, and a small awkward chuck followed.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Opaline’s eyes widened in anger, "THAT'S YOUR PLAN?!" She slammed her hoof down, dust being kicked up from the gravel path.

"Hey! You were the brains behind our plans, not me!" Shooting Star snapped back, "But, it’s worth a shot." She smiled.

"And how exactly do you plan on this working?" Opaline rubbed the temple of her head in frustration, feeling a head arch coming.

"I could go in first as a distraction, and once Dark Star lets her guard down, you come in, horn blazing! ZAP! ZAP!" The Pegasus giggled.

Opaline raised her eyebrow, "That… Might actually work." She rubbed her chin, "No, No. You're not coming. Your parents would kill me." She shook her head.

"Like I said before." Shooting Star stepped forward, "You don't have a choice." She smirked.

"I can't believe we're doing this." Opaline grumbled as she sat in a chair next to Shooting Star as Pipp and Izzy buzzed around the pegasus.

"Opaline, It's going to work." Shooting Star placed her hoof down on her friend's own hoof as Pipp made work at dying her fur to a similar shade of purple to Opaline.

"Izzy! How is the horn coming along?!" Pipp shouted, pulling on Shooting Star's left wing as she applied dye to the feathers.

"The glue's drying!" Izzy replied as she started to attach tail extensions to Shooting Star's tail.

"It's a good thing they dyed my mane and tail first, heh..." Shooting Star chuckled slightly as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, the fur on her face having yet to be dyed purple.

"Well, at least our eye colour is close enough that you won't need contacts." Opaline turned to Shooting Star, "That'll be one less thing to deal with I guess." She added as Pipp flew around to Shooting Star's face.

"OK, close your eyes dear." Pipp ordered the tall pegasus, as she began to apply the dye to her face.

"Shooting Lilian Star!" Cadenza's voice roared, "WHAT IN EQUESTRIA’S NAME ARE YOU DOING!?" She shouted as the door flew open.

"I'm helping Opaline get Misty back." Shooting Star answered bluntly.

"Oh no you're not!" Cadenza slammed her hoof down, "You are not going up against Dark Star!" She added, Flurry Heart nervously poking her head out from behind her mother.

"Sorry, she made me tell her." Flurry spoke softly.

"Enough." Cadenza held out her wing in front of Flurry Heart, "Shooting Star, I forbid this." She stepped forward.

"No mother." Shooting Star spoke deadpanned, "I am helping my best friend get her child back from that monster." Shooting Star opened her eyes, turning towards her mother, "None of which we'd be doing if you finished Twilight when you had the chance!" She stood up from the chair.

"Don't even go there!" Cadenza frowned, "Don't even bring that up!" She seethed.

"Why not Mom! You had the chance to kill Dark Star but you decided that it was better to let her die from her injuries!" Shooting Star shouted, motioning for Opaline to follow her, picking up the still-drying paper horn, "Instead of dying, she just came back and stole 2000 years from us!" She began trotting towards the door.

"You weren't there!" Cadenza snapped as her daughter and Opaline trotted past, "Don't you walk away from me Lilian!" She slammed her hoof down, cracking the floor.

"Goodbye, Mom." Shooting Star spoke bluntly, slamming the door behind her.

"Lilian!" Cadenza screamed in anger. Pipp, Izzy and Flurry just stared at the Empress as she fumed.

"Uh, should we go after them?" Pipp said, looking towards Izzy as the room filled with an awkward silence.

"No... I hate to admit it, but Lilian is right..." Cadenza slowly turned towards the other three ponies, "I just hope they are successful at this rescue mission." She added, turning back towards the door.

Opaline and Shooting Star stood at the edge of the city, the disguised pegasus equipped with her rifle slung over her shoulder, "You ready?" She turned to her friend.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Opaline took a short breath, as she felt Shooting Star's wing interlock with her own.

"We can do this." Shooting Star smiled as Opaline's horn began to shimmer, the air around it crackling and in a flash, the duo disappeared.

End of Chapter Thirty Seven.

Chapter #38: Fortress

Chapter Thirty Eight.
Fortress.

Rain poured down all around the thick forest as two cloaked figures pushed through the thick brush and other foliage.

"Why couldn't we have just teleported directly to your fortress?" Shooting Star looked out the corner of her eye, head looking down as rain trickled down the hood of her cloak.

"Dark Star will be expecting me to do just that, Lilian." Opaline replied to Shooting Star's question as the pair continued the walk towards Opaline's fortress, "We're not far from the fortress now, it's just over this ridge." She pointed towards the path as it began to slope upwards.

"So, you think Dark Star may have booby-trapped the place?" Shooting Star asked, the muddy ground squelching under her hooves.

"While I doubt she'd go into all that effort, it should be something to be prepared for." Opaline mused, rubbing her chin with a wing.

"Opaline, can I ask you something?" Shooting Star looked up from the ground, "What was it like in the days after magic disappeared?"

"Well..." Opaline thought back to memories that felt older than history itself, "For one thing, the weather went crazy. Within hours of Dark Star's demise, Canterlot was lost to the snow of the mountaintop." She turned to Shooting Star, "But overall, everything felt numb. Everything was off in a way." She slowed her pace to a crawl, "Everything... Just felt... You know... Empty..." She spoke, her cloak fluttering in the wind.

"I see..." Shooting Star replied, the duo stopping at the top of the ridge, water flowing down the slope like a torrent, "Whoa..." She added, looking down the ridge.

"Yep, that is my fortress." Opaline pointed to the structure down below, as if on queue, lightning flashed, striking the ground near the fortress.

"If this was a video game, this is the part where we'd get a location pop-up." Shooting Star chuckled, Opaline raised her eyebrow while shaking her head in annoyance.

"Young ponies..." Opaline muttered under her breath.

Dark Star slowly marched through Opaline's fortress, the cage containing Misty levitating next to her, "Such a pathetic 'fortress' if you can even call it that." She laughed, throwing the cage onto the floor of the throne room. Misty was thrown from the cage as it shattered on the floor, pieces scattering everywhere.

"Ow..." Misty stumbled to her hooves, her legs feeling weak as Dark Star approached her. The large alicorn's hooves sparked against the hard flood with every step, "Please..." Misty wheezed, "No... No more..."

"We're done when I say we're done." Dark Star spoke darkly, picking up Misty by the scruff of her neck with magic and throwing the blue unicorn onto the throne near the centre of the room.

"Why are you doing this?" Misty weakly asked as Dark Star summoned vines, tying her down to the throne.

"Because your precious Opaline took away my power, and I am going to make sure she never gets in the way of my plans ever again." Dark Star coldly replied, her eyes flashing white as she spoke the word power.

"I used to think that Opaline was cruel, but she's got nothing on you." Misty gritted her teeth as Dark Star tightened the vines.

"Opaline is nothing but a thorn in my side." The dark alicorn spoke, her voice like a venom, "She will become nothing once I've finished with her."

"She is going to kick your butt." Misty smirked.

Opaline and Shooting Star stood at the base of Opaline's fortress.

"Not bad for a structure made over 3000 years ago." Shooting Star looked up at the imposing structure.

"I made renovations as I saw fit." Opaline replied, not looking in any particular direction, "Anyway, Dark Star will most likely be keeping Misty in my throne room, there is a skylight that overlooks the room."

"Not to throw a spanner into the works, but what good is a skylight gonna be?" Shooting Star asked, placing her rifle beside her, the butt end touching the muddy ground.

"I was thinking I could scale my fortress and crash Dark Star's party while you have her distracted." Opaline turned to face her friend who was grinning deviously.

"Told ya you're the brains." Shooting Star nudged her alicorn friend, "What's the plan for after we retrieve Misty?" She continued, the rain trickling down her cloak.

"With these." Opaline reached into her saddle bag, pulling out a small sack.

"Rock candy?" Shooting Star raised her eyebrow in doubt.

"What? No." Opaline replied, digging through the sack, and pulling out some crystals, "These crystals, you simply chew on them and you're instantly teleported back to the Crystal Empire." She explained.

"Still looks like rock candy." Shooting Star replied, her face showing a look of confusion.

"Because I enchanted some rock candy, ok." Opaline rubbed her head in frustration.

"Then why call them crystals?" Shooting Star went on to continue, only to be met with a scowl from Opaline, "Shutting up." She added, her pupils shrinking as she chuckled nervously.

"Right..." Opaline spoke, frustration evident in her voice, "Well, I'll take your rifle with me while you go in and distract Dark Star."

"You think it's gonna be safe to climb in this weather?" The pegasus asked, feeling the wind tugging at her hood.

"Eh, I've done it before in more extreme weather." Opaline shrugged, "Now." She added, grabbing a nearby tree branch with her magic, "My throne room is directly ahead of these doors at the other end of the hall." She drew a crude map in the mud.

"That seems... Straight forward I guess." Shooting Star remarked, looking down at the muddy drawing, "Let's get this done before the rain washes away all this dye." She gestured to her face and mane under the hood.

"I'll signal down to you once I'm in position." Opaline placed her hoof on Shooting Star's shoulder as she picked up the rifle with her magic, "Wait for my signal before entering, ok?"

Shooting Star nodded in response as Opaline began to climb the imposing towering structure, her eyes tracking the alicorn as she jumped between protruding stones in the facade of the fortress.

"I really need to exercise more." Opaline grunted to herself as she reached across to a nearby pillar, narrowly slipping from the wet surface as she wrapped her forelegs around the pillar, pulling herself higher up her fortress, "Not nearly as tall as it looks from the ground, heh..." She sighed nervously as she nearly reached the top of the structure. The strong wind yanked at her as she pulled herself up onto the roof, laying on her back, panting heavily from the climb.

"You ok?" She heard Shooting Star's voice shout up from below.

"I'm... Fine..." Opaline exhaustedly replied, lazily waving her hoof over the roof's ledge as the rain pelted the fur on her exposed soft underbelly, "Now, go!" She added, motioning down to Shooting Star as she sluggishly stood back on her hooves.

"Ok... I can do this." Shooting Star exhaled as she approached the large heavy double wooden doors, slowly pushing them open with a creek. She peered into the dark hallway before cautiously crossing the threshold.

The hallway creaked and groaned like a sinking ship as water sloshed at Shooting Star's hooves the deeper she ascended into the hallway.

Opaline laid on her belly, peering down the rifle scope through the skylight, "There you are..." She whispered to herself, Dark Star's head in her sights, "Oh, how easy it would be to pull the trigger right now..." She continued under her breath, "I could just pull the trigger and end it all here and now..." She shifted the scope's sight towards Misty, still tied to the throne, "But alas, I can't, not until my dear Misty is safe."

Shooting Star slowly approached the second set of doors that guarded the throne room, she stopped and cleared her throat, attempting the best mimic of Opaline's voice she could muster, "Right... Here goes nothing..." Taking in a deep breath, she threw the doors open with all her strength.

"So glad you could finally join us, dear Opaline." Dark Star grinned, "And here I fought you were too much of a coward to even come." She sighed, "I was looking forward to killing this blue unicorn." She faked a pout.

"Where is Misty!" 'Opaline' spoke sternly, trying her best to not be nervous by just how tall and imposing Dark Star was, the room felt cold as lightning flashed outside the shattered window.

"Why, she's right here of course." Dark Star stepped aside, motioning towards the throne with her wing.

'Opaline' looked at the throne and slowly approached it as the blue unicorn tied to it slowly looked up.

"Opaline?" Misty whispered weakly as the cloaked alicorn approached her.

"Yes, it's me, my little turtle dove." 'Opaline' spoke softly before hugging Misty tightly.

"Wait... You're not-" Misty whispered before 'Opaline' placed a hoof onto her mouth and gestured up toward the skylight with her eyes, where she saw Opaline peering down through the large glass panelling on the roof, before lowing her eyes back towards the fake Opaline in front of her.

"Follow my lead." 'Opaline' whispered, Misty nodding subtly as the fake Opaline rose on her hooves, "Release her."

"Now why should I do that?" Dark Star grinned sadistically, leaning closer to ‘Opaline’.

"You are a mare of your word, now. Release her." ‘Opaline’ demanded, slamming her hoof down on the wet floor.

"You really are a fool, Opaline. I never promised to release her." Dark Star snickered, "You both die tonight." She grinned, her eyes narrowing.

"Oh. I don't think so." 'Opaline' narrowed her brow. She twitched both of her ears, one after another.

"Hold on..." Dark Star raised an eyebrow, "Something doesn't smell right here." She added, moving her face closer to the pony in front of her, her purple eyes peering into 'Opaline's very soul as she looked up to the horn atop her head, it shifted slightly.

"Damn, and I thought you'd be fooled for longer." 'Opaline' said, removing the horn from her head and wiping her face with her hoof, "Surprised to see me, Twilight?" She grinned, revealing herself to Shooting Star.

"Half Breed!" Dark Star snarled in fury at the deception, "Wait. If you’re here… Where’s Opa-" She cut off as the skylight above her shattered as shards of glass rained down.

"I'm right here, you bitch." Opaline landed behind Dark Star, firing a shot at her from Shooting Star's rifle.

"Opaline!" Misty smiled, joy in her voice.

"You." Dark Star turned towards the real Opaline, the bullet bouncing off her chest plate, "Young Arcana, come to die."

"Who said she’s the one dying?" Shooting Star spoke, summoning her sword from her armour with a flick of her left hoof.

Dark Star turned towards Shooting Star, then back to Opaline, who summoned her sword in the same manner, she grinned, baring her sharp teeth, "Finally, a fight worthy of my time." Her horn began to charge up.

Opaline charged at Dark Star, deflecting the dark alicorn's magic attacks with her sword, the plasma-like beams of pure magic striking the walls of the flooded throne room, quickly changing to the rifle, firing a few rounds rapidly.

Dark Star, now caught off guard, was quickly struck with bullets, one hitting her dead centre on her eye, "AH! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG THIS WILL TAKE TO REGENERATE?!"

"That's what I'm counting on." Opaline gloated, slinging the rifle over her shoulder before leaping into the air and lunging at Dark Star.

The towering alicorn looked through her remaining eye, now very bloodshot, to see Opaline deliver a forceful kick to her jaw, Dark Star was sent crashing into the wall, crumbling to the floor with a splash.

Shooting Star moved behind the throne, quickly slashing at the vines that held Misty tightly to the throne, "She won't be down for long, we gotta go."

Misty felt the vines loosen and quickly pushed them away from her body as she jumped off the throne, she quickly turned towards the pony behind the throne who rose to her full height, standing taller than Misty, "Who are you?" Misty tilted her head.

"Shooting Star, but my friends call me Lilian." The tall pony replied quickly, "Opaline, come on!" She shouted towards her alicorn friend.

Opaline stared at Dark Star, the latter lying in a crumpled heap on the floor in the 5-inch deep water, struggling to stand up. Opaline turned away from the alicorn, "We’re done here." She tossed the rifle back to Shooting Star as the trio walked away.

"Opaline!" Dark Star shouted, her voice sounding distorted as she struggled to stand, "I will not be denied!" She screamed with rage as she finally stood up, the water boiling around her hooves. She turned her head towards the trio, half of her face seemingly melting away, "YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE! I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL THIS NIGHT!"

Opaline and Shooting Star turned back towards Dark Star before looking at each other, "Run!" They shouted in unison, Opaline scooped Misty up, slinging her over her shoulder as the trio bolted from the throne room.

The two taller ponies barricaded the door, slowly backing away as the door rocked, Dark Star slamming herself against the door, the oak beginning to split with every slam.

Opaline quickly turned towards the entrance to her fortress, located at the far end of the hallway, "That won't hold her for long." She spoke in a hurried tone, feeling her wing being gently tugged on, she looked down at Misty cowering below her underbelly.

"You... You really came back for me?” The blue unicorn, wiping her face with her hoof

"Of course I did." Opaline said softly through an even softer smile, "Why wouldn’t I?" She gently placed a hoof on Misty’s cheek, rubbing the soft blue fur. The alicorn moved from over the top of Misty and knelt down, meeting Misty’s eye level.

Misty looked down as Opaline placed a hoof on her shoulder, "But... But I thought you hated me..." Her ears lay flat against her head as she spoke, "After all..." She sniffled, "You treated me so horribly..."

"Misty... I could never hate you..." Opaline pulled her closer to her, "It's just that..." She sighed, "Before I found you, I had a daughter... She and her father had to go into hiding because of Dark Star, and a part of me didn't want to feel like I was replacing her... Replacing her with you..." She held Misty close to her chest, "I know it's no excuse for my treatment of you these past 10 years, but I am going to change from that path now." Opaline spoke softly.

"Lovely story, BUT NOW IS NOT THE TIME!" Shooting Star yelled, chambering a round in her rifle and quickly firing blindly into the rapidly splintering door as Dark Star reached through the door with her hoof, now bloodied and showing exposed bone. Shooting Star shot into the bony hoof, making it recoil back into the door's opening with a loud screech.

Misty looked at the door in fear before Opaline placed a hoof on her cheek and turned the blue unicorn's head back towards herself, "Listen to me, Misty. Nothing is going to happen to you, I promise." Opaline softly soothed Misty.

A purple glow began to emit from the door as Shooting Star peered through the hole in the wooden object and recoiled back in fear, "Run!" She shouted, leaping back from the door and bolting towards the exit at the far end of the hall.

The ground began to tremble and quake as the light behind the door began to glow brighter. The air started to fill with static as the sound of something charging up radiated around the room.

"What the-" Opaline spoke before the door exploded off its hinges.

End of Chapter Thirty Eight.

Chapter #39: The Power of The Alicorn

Chapter Thirty Nine.
The Power of The Alicorn.

Opaline opened her eyes as small pieces of debris rained down around her, she coughed as the dust settled. Shifting over onto her side, she locked eyes with Shooting Star, who was covering one of her ears, blood trickling down from her and down the side of her head.

Opaline turned her focus onto Misty, lying motionless some 10 feet away with blood leaking from her nose and from the back of her head, "Misty!" She shouted, eyes widening as she forced herself up onto her hooves. She let out pained gasps as she quickly limped over to the blue unicorn, she gently shook the unicorn with her hoof, "Misty! Wake up! Please!"

"Oh no, what a shame. Your little pet is dead. So sad." Dark Star cackled sarcastically, her horn smoking from the powerful blast, "Once I'm done with you two, nothing will stop me from conquering the universe and destroying your precious Stellar and her friends."

Opaline froze as Dark Star's word struck deep within her soul, in an instant she saw red. She screamed as her horn crackled, without thinking, she used her magic to rip a huge chunk from the wall and hurled it toward Dark Star.

Dark Star blasted the chunk of the wall with her blast, creating a large dust cloud. Opaline leapt through the dust, adrenaline overtaking the pain raging through her leg as she tackled the larger alicorn, forcing her to the ground.

"I've had enough of this!" Opaline screamed, pulling a dagger from under her torn cloak. She swung the small blade toward Dark Star's neck, but it stopped short of its target.

Dark Star chuckled darkly, using her magic to stop the dagger, her remaining eye glowed a deep purple. She raised her hoof and struck Opaline hard in the side of her ribcage, grinning as she heard a sickening crack.

Opaline fell to the side from the force of the strike, she gasped for air frantically as she struggled to stand back up.

"I destroyed Celestia and Luna." Dark Star sinisterly spoke, "You never stood a chance against me." She grabbed Opaline by the scruff of her neck and threw her back into the throne room, crashing against the wall.

Opaline held her side in pain as she fell flat onto the floor, "You'll... You'll never win, Twilight. Even if I die today, others will rise to take my place." Opaline gasped, finally catching her breath through the pain.

"Then I'll have to destroy you all!" Dark Star's horn illuminated the room as lightning flashed through the windows, a stray bolt crackled down through the shattered skylight, striking the throne in the centre of the room.

"You’ll never get the chance." Opaline rose to her hooves, the smoke from a now burning throne filled her nose. She threw her tattered cloak to the side and grabbed the dagger with her magic, "You will never rule Equestria." She raised the small blade.

"You never know when to quit, do you?" Dark Star gritted her teeth in frustration, her patience with the small alicorn wearing extremely thin. Her horn crackled in the rapidly smoke-filling air, her decaying face illuminated by the flames and her horn, her cheekbone visible. Dark Star released a powerful beam of pure magic at Opaline, the smaller alicorn leaping out of the way, diving behind some rubble, "Come out, come out, wherever you are~" Dark Star sang darkly, the orange flames casting her shadow on the wall.

Opaline looked down at all the shards of broken glass littering the floor and an idea formed in her mind. She stepped out from behind the rubble, horn glowing as she levitated all the glass shards in the air. She stretched out her hoof, and the glass shards shot towards Dark Star.

Dark Star shielded herself, but a few stray shards found their marks and sliced deep at her skin, she grunted in pain as her physical form began to weaken. Falling to one knee, "You really think you can kill me so easily?" She chuckled, looking up at Opaline.

The flames from the burning throne quickly started to crawl up the wall, spreading along old tattered tapestries from occupiers long since passed.

"Where... Where am I?" Misty spoke, snapping her eyes open. The blue unicorn found herself floating in an inky black void. Voices echoed in the void as images of moments from Misty's life. Her face scrunching up in confusion at her surroundings, "Opaline! Where are you?!" She called out into the oppressive darkness.

"This Opaline... Does she care for you?" A voice spoke out, as a vague pony-like figure formed out of the void.

"What? Who are you? Where’s Opaline?!" Misty said frantically, panic starting to set in the mind of the blue unicorn as her chest felt like it was in a vice. Suddenly, Mistyl fell to the floor with a thud.

"Be still my child, I only want to talk." The figure spoke calmly, gently tapping the floor as they slowly sat.

Misty raised her head, still lying belly down on the floor, her eyes looking at the figure hesitantly, "Why? Why do you want to talk? I don’t even know you." She spoke bluntly and quickly returned to her hooves, "Take me back to my mom!" She shouted.

"I can’t take you back to her. Because you're dead, Misty." The figure replied, still in a calm tone.

"Wha- What?" Misty blinked twice, "What do you mean I'm dead?" Her voice was an alarmed tone.

"When Dark Star blew the door open, one of the door knobs struck you right in the back of the head." The figure calmly explained.

"Im... Dead?" Misty's voice cracked, her hood feeling the back of her head on instinct.

"Sadly, yes..." The figure said glumly, once again tapping the floor next to them, "Come, sit." It added, the voice soft and soothing as it spoke.

"No. I can’t be dead!" Misty began to cry, "I want my mom!" Tears began to pour down her cheeks, "Please... I want my mom..." She sobbed, "I want to go home..."

"I can’t take you home..." The figure spoke in a mournful tone, "Only you can make the choice whether to move on or go back, Misty." It continued, now in a mournful yet calm tone.

"My... My choice?" Misty paused her sobbing, looking up at the figure, her eyes red and puffy, "What do you mean by my choice?!" She raised her voice, her throat sore.

"You're in Limbo, Misty. Here, you get to have a choice." The figure spoke, its featureless face showing no emotion, "Normally, the choice given is to whether you go up." It raised its hoof up towards the 'sky', "Or whether you go down." It then lowered its hoof to the 'floor'.

Misty gulped slightly as her eyes followed the hoof as it pointed downwards.

"But in your case..." The figure continued, "You're being given the choice whether to go on into the afterlife or to return to the living realm." It explained, "But that is what I want to ask you about." The figure finished.

"What is there to even ask?" Misty raised her eyebrow slightly, wiping her tears away with her hoof, "I want my mom..." The blue unicorn spoke softly.

"Because from what I've seen from your memories, she treated you like nothing more than an object." The figure spoke in a soft, gentle tone as it pointed to a recent memory from Misty of Opaline shoving a picture of her friends in her face while scolding her about friendship being worthless.

Misty went to raise her hoof in an attempt to rebuttal, she paused when no counterpoint came to mind and slowly lowered her hoof awkwardly.

"That's why I ask. Does she truly care for you?" The figure spoke, its form smokey and shadow-like as Misty finally concentrated on its features.

"I found her diary..." Misty looked down, slightly ashamed about reading through Opaline’s diary, "In it, she expressed her true feelings about me, about every spying mission I was sent on..." Misty paused, gathering her emotions, "How she... How she wanted to scoop me up into her hooves when I returned from missions..." She stuttered, feeling her eyes starting to water.

"And, is this diary genuine?" The figure asked softly, its voice echoing.

"She always kept her room locked... So why wouldn't it be genuine?" Misty rubbed her eyes gently, starting to feel tired with all these questions, "Please, I'm tired of playing 20 questions. Just tell me how to go back..." The blue unicorn's eyes started to feel heavy.

"Ok, ok. You win, Misty..." The figure sighed softly, gently raising its hoof, "Just be cautious of Opaline, young pony. Now, all you have to do is to wake up." Its hoof poked Misty's chest.

"Hey! That hurt!" Misty hissed before her nostrils tingled, "Why do I smell smoke?" She asked in an alarmed tone as she began to levitate off the floor.

"Farewell, Misty Blossomforth." The figure waved its hoof, the shadowy, smoky form finally disappearing, revealing itself as a unicorn mare, much like Misty but older.

"Mom?" Misty's eyes widened as a bright light enveloped her, "No! Wait!" She screamed as her vision went white.

Misty's eyes snapped open as she gasped for air. Quickly sitting up, she found herself back in Opaline's fortress, head throbbing in pain.

"Misty..." Shooting Star spoke under a staggered breath, weakly glancing over at the seemingly resurrected unicorn.

"Where’s my mom?" Misty asked, wincing as she struggled to stand on her hooves, "Where's Opaline?" She added, looking around at the broken pieces of the wooden door scattered around.

"She's holding off Dark Star." Shooting Star quickly limped towards the blue unicorn, gesturing to the throne room, "Now come, we gotta go." She grabbed Misty’s hoof with her wing.

"NO! I'm not leaving my mom!" Misty screamed, gritting her teeth in pain as she yanked her hoof out from Shooting Star's wing.

"We've not got time for this, we're running out of time!" Shooting Star shouted at Misty, reaching for the unicorn, only for Misty to run towards the throne room doorway, "Misty, come back! Misty!" The pegasi shouted, limping after the unicorn.

Misty leapt through the doorway, diving behind the throne as Opaline’s sword locked blades with Dark Star's weapon.

"Once I'm done with you your precious little Steller will be mine, those crystals will be mine, and this world will be mine!" Dark Star slammed her blade down on Opaline's sword repeatedly.

Misty peaked out from behind the throne, eyes widening as she looked at Opaline as she struggled against Dark Star's powerful strikes, "Think Misty, think." She held her hooves to the temples of her head, "Wait, I got it." She looked up at a low-hanging banner close to where Dark Star had Opaline pinned down, fire surrounding the two alicorns locked in battle. Misty quickly got down low and scuttled across the floor like a crab towards the window ledge.

"First I killed Argyle. Now I'll kill you." Dark Star grinned wickedly, raising her blade for the final blow as Opaline's defence finally collapsed, the smaller alicorn falling onto her belly, "It's poetic, my dear Opaline!" The taller alicorn taunted as Opaline's sword fell into the small reflecting pool that lay in the centre of the throne room, "You would've made a fine apprentice, shame. Now, any last words?"

Opaline weakly raised her head, spitting out blood at Dark Star's hooves, "Go to hell..." The small alicorn coughed painfully.

"No no, you misunderstand, it's you, who will be going to hell." Dark Star smirked, "No one can save you now, Arcana." She swung the blade down.

"Wanna bet?!" Misty shouted, swinging down from the window ledge on the banner. Misty's hooves connected with Dark Star's ribcage, catching the alicorn off guard and sending her crashing through Opaline's throne before her blade could strike Opaline, "Stay away from my mom!" The unicorn jumped from the banner, grabbing Dark Star's weapon, a large heavy scythe, with her hooves.

Dark Star shook off the rubble of the now destroyed throne, "You little runt." Her eyes blazed with hatred, "You should’ve stayed dead!" She lunged at Misty.

Misty braced for impact, clenching her eyes shut. But the impact never came, slowly opening her eyes she found herself in a protective bubble, her horn pulsing with magic as sparkles and shimmers danced around the pointy tip, "Wha! I have magic!" She smiled excitedly.

"What?!" Dark Star screamed, slamming her hooves down on the bubble, "How is that possible?! You have no cutie mark!" She slammed her hoof down on the bubble, cracking it.

Misty flinched as the bubble cracked, her horn glowed brightly as the bubble burst with a powerful shockwave, slamming Dark Star against the wall. Misty ran towards Opaline, "Mom!" The blue unicorn shouted.

"Misty..." Opaline spoke weakly, looking up with tired eyes as Misty scooped Opaline’s fallen sword from the reflecting pool, "No... Go... Leave me..."

"I'm not leaving you!" Misty shook her head, dropping the sword before Opaline as Dark Star rose to her hooves again.

"I'm tired of you and your runt of a daughter getting in my way." Dark Star turned her face towards the duo, half of her face burning away, exposing her jawbone and eye socket. She started to charge forward.

Opaline, using the last of her strength, pushed Misty away into the reflecting pool. Dark Star's horn began crackling against the smoke and ember-filled air as she charged.

The dark alicorn lunged forward but let out a pained gasp as she fell to the floor, crashing onto her side just beside Opaline. She looked down at her chest, finding Opaline's sword forced right through her, she looked back up at Opaline as the small alicorn weakly rose to her hooves.

"You took Argyle. I'll never let you take anything ever again." Opaline spoke through pained breaths, driving the sword deeper into Dark Star's chest.

Dark Star gasped before gritting her teeth "This isn’t over, Arcana." She snickered, her body quickly dissolving into dust and ash.

End of Chapter Thirty Nine.

Chapter #1: Victory

My Little Pony: Dark Star.

Chapter One.
Victory.

"It's over Opaline!" Sunny Starscout declared victoriously, standing over the purple Alicorn as her ethereal golden wings and horn faded away into sparkling particles, the heavenly glow slowly dissipating.

"How? How is it possible that five pathetic ponies such as you could defeat me?!" Opaline screamed, messy mane covering part of her face, tattered wings slumped at her sides as Zephyr Heights Royal Guard began to surround her.

"Awaiting your orders Princess." Zoom Zephyrwing spoke, her spear pointed right at Opaline, the Alicorn in question staring daggers at the Pegasi guards.

"Guards. Arrest her!" Pipp Petals and Zipp Storm ordered in unison. Pipp, the smaller out of the pair, pulled out her phone and began to livestream the arrest to the whole of Equestria.

"What is up Pippsqueaks? It's ya girl, Pipp Petals! Coming to you live from... Whatever this place is called, to bring you the arrest of the evil Opaline Arcana." Pipp spoke into the camera of her phone, before turning it to face Opaline as the guards placed her in chains. Zoom proceeded to place a tennis ball atop her horn.

"You think that is going to stop-" Opaline smirked, she tried to cast a bell, but to no effect, the base of her horn crackled and fizzed, but no spell came, "What sorcery is this?" The Purple Alicorn added, thrashing around in the chains.

"Huh. That actually worked." Zipp said, pulling out her own phone, and taking note of the successful arrest, "Guess I owe 5 bits, Zoom." She continued, adding additional notes on the effectiveness of tennis balls used on Unicorn and Alicorn horns.

"Yet I'm the one always told to put my phone down, Zipp." Pipp teasingly looked towards her sister, head tilted to the side, tongue poking out.

"Well, unlike you. I use my phone for more important things." Zipp smirked, flipping her phone up and placing it into the holster under her wing.

"Hey! The stuff I do with my phone is very important." Pipp huffed, cheeks changing into a shade of red. "Like right now for instants. I am bringing live footage from our latest adventure to all the ponies back home. Without my trusty phone, they wouldn't be getting any of this at all." Pipp smiled proudly, looking at the screen as it filled with emojis.

"The sooner we get this one back to Zephyr Heights for processing, the better." Thunder Flap leaned towards Hitch Trailblazer as the latter comforted a crying Sparky, "I'm glad the little guy's safe." Thunder added, gently stroking Sparky's cheek with his hoof.

"Thanks for helping us find a way in Thunder. It really means a lot, seriously, thank you." Hitch spoke, patting Sparky's head, "Ssssh, it's ok buddy, you're safe now." He added as Izzy Moonbow trotted over to him.

"How is he?" The tall Unicorn gently asked, concern filling her eyes as she held out a hoof to Sparky, jiggling her bracelet.

"We're all going to burn. We're all going to die. You don't know what you're doing! She will come for us all!" Opaline screamed as she was led out of the room by the guard.

"Yeah yeah, tell it to the judge missy." Zoom rolled her eyes as she trailed behind. The female Pegasi looked at Pipp, "This one's completely nuts." She added, moving her hoof in a spiral motion, Pipp giggled, "Well, we'll meet you guys back at Zephyr Heights. Good day Princesses." Zoom saluted before following the rest of the guards.

"Well Pippsqueaks, that is all for today's stream. Be sure to attend Mane Melody tonight for a victory party!." Pipp cheered into the phone, the screen lighting up with likes and emotes.

"Actually." Sunny spoke up, moving her head into view of the camera, "Why don't we host the party at the Brighthouse, it's bigger and a victory party needs bigger." Sunny added, Pipp's eyes lit up.

"Yes! That's perfect." Pipp turned back to the camera, "Did you catch that Pippsqueaks? The victory party will instead be hosted at the Crystal Brighthouse. Hope to see all of my adoring fans there. Bye-bye!" She added, blowing a kiss to the camera before ending the live stream.

"Hmmm." Zipp thought, quickly pulling out her phone, and flipping it open in one flick, "Log. Opaline mentioned that someone is coming for us all, who is this pony, and why did she refer to them as she too?" Zipp spoke into the phone. Pipp rolled her eyes as they both put their phones back into their holsters. "What?" Zipp asked, looking directly at her little sister, "Could be a vital clue for another mystery."

"A mystery for another time Zipp. For now, let's focus on today." Pipp replied, holding out her golden hoof. Zipp, Sunny, Hitch, and Izzy all placed their hooves next to Pipp's.

"Hooves to Hearts." They all shouted in tandem.

"So, what's going to happen to me?" A voice asked from behind, the group turned around to see Misty standing behind them; her eyes were a sore red from where she had been crying; a small cut marked her cheek from where Opaline had smacked her out of the way.

"Well, given that you did bring Sparky to Opaline, you are going to be punished." Hitch spoke sternly, Misty's ears fell flat against her head. "But..." He added, looking at his friends and Sparky, who all nodded, "But given you did try to stop Opaline from hurting my little Sparky. Misty Brightdawn. You will be sentenced to serve 5... No. 6 days litter picking duties on Mainstreet." Hitch smiled, adjusting his sheriff's badge. Misty smiled softly and nodded, agreeing to her punishment, "Well, come on guys, let's all go back to Maretime Bay, you too Misty." Hitch added, Misty trotting over to the group as they all turned around to leave.

Stage lights lit up the floor in a vast array of colours as ponies danced to the latest musical hit by Pipp. Glory, Seashell. and Peach Fizz were taking turns hitting a pinata shaped like Opaline, cheering as it finally split open, spilling its candy cargo all over the floor.

Pipp watched the three fillies and smiled, taking a drink from a cup in between glances at the hive of activity at the centre of the floor. Zipp came over, sitting down next to her.

"Enjoying the party I see?" Pipp asked, glancing over at her sister, the white pegasi taking a sip from her own drink.

"Yep, I'm surprised you're not out there dancing up a storm." Zipp replied, placing her cup down next to her, "So, what's wrong?" She added, looking directly at Pipp, pulling down her shades slightly.

"What? No, nothing's wrong, haha...." Pipp nervously smiled, waving off Zipp's remark. Zipp raised an eyebrow, "What?" The pink Pegasi added, "Zipp, I'm fine, ok?"

"I know you, Pipp, you are not fine, it's ok, you can tell me." Zipp replied, wrapping a wing around Pipp, "Now, tell your big sister what's eating ya."

Pipp looked down, a deep sigh escaping from her lips.

"I've just been feeling a bit left out as of late." Pipp avoided Zipp's gaze, the white Pegasi choking on her drink, trying to hide her laughter, "See! This is why I didn't want to tell you! You'd just laugh at me!" Pipp shouted, pushing Zipp's wing away from her.

"You're damn right I'm laughing." Zipp bawled in laughter, nearly spilling her drink on the floor, "You, left out? Give me a break." Zipp rolled her eyes as Pipp let out an annoyed grunt, "You don't need to be the centre of attention all the damn time, Pipp." Zipp added, pushing her shades back up, covering her eyes from Pipp's gaze.

"That's not what I mean-" Pipp went to retort, "Know what, you're not worth my time when you're like this." Pipp turned to walk away from Zipp, eyes slowly turning towards the pair.

"Like what?" Zipp raised her voice; awkward silence filled the room.

"Drunk!" Pipp shouted back, pushing past the crowd.

"Pipp! Where are you going?" Sunny asked, standing in front of the door, "The party is far from over." She smiled nervously as Pipp pushed her aside and opened the door.

"I'm going for a walk!" Pipp stormed off, slamming the door open. All eyes turned back towards Zipp.

"What?"

"Stupid Zipp." Pipp grumbled, kicking a lone can out of her way as she stormed down Mainstreet, "All I wanted is simply to be asked how our latest adventure went from my point of view." She continued, the flashing sign of Mane Melody coming into view, "Is that too much for me to ask." With a heavy sigh, she unlocked the door and let herself in, locking it shut behind her.

Ears flat against her head as she slowly trotted up the aisle, a wing gently brushing over the top of the covered chairs, "At least here I'm respected." She smiled slightly, stepping through the staff-only door.

Pipp proceeded to flop herself down on the small bed she fitted in what was once a small storage closet she had since turned into a small bedroom for herself to sleep in overnight if she stayed behind after hours filing paperwork.

She pulled her phone out and started to scroll through all the missed calls and text messages from Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch. She tapped the play button on a voice message Sunny had posted on their group chat.

"Hey, Pipp. Please, please please return our calls, everyone is worried sick. A storm is meant to hit soon, so, please. Come home." The audio sounded out. Pipp tapped on the text box and began to type out a message.

"At Mane Melody. Will stay overnight. return in morn. xxx~" She hit the send button before locking her phone and placing it on the small coffee table next to the bed.

Rolling over, she faced the ceiling and let out a sigh, the wind slowly beginning to howl outside the window. The warm embrace of slumber slowly took hold of her, and with a yawn, she shut her eyes.

A lone can was sent rolling down the street as the seaside town was battered by a fierce storm; Thunder roared overhead as a trash can was blown over. The sky over town lit up with bright flashes, rain flooding the streets as it came down hard. Sunny's smoothie rocked and rolled in the wind, the shutters jerking around.

In a meadow just outside of town, leaves blew around in the wind as a bolt of lightning struck the ground, in a bright flash; a large object erupted from the aether, skidding to a stop mere inches from a large oak tree. It rumbled as the side opened up. Out Stepped a creature that stood on two legs, it looked around in pure horror.

"Wh-where the hell am I?!"

End of Chapter One.

Chapter #2: The Creature

Chapter Two.
The Creature.

An ear gently twitched as the pitter-patter of raindrops on the window filled the room. Pipp gently rolled over, her green eyes squinting open as a dull red light illuminated her surroundings.

"Low battery already?" Her tired eyes stared at her phone as the screen flashed its warning. She limply fumbled around on the floor for the charging cable, letting out a relieved sigh when she finally felt the needed object under her hoof.

"There. Happy?" She looked over at the phone as its screen brightened the room. "3 am..." She groaned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she sat in bed. Her ear flicked again as more raindrops tapped on the glass, "Wow, it's really coming down out there." She mused to herself, the streetlights outside barely lighting the room in their warm orange glow. "Might as well get some work done." She yawned, slowly sliding off the bed. Her hooves gently click-clacking on the oak floorboards as she trotted over to the kitchenette to make herself something hot to drink.

Now wrapped in her finest robe, a hot mug of coffee in hoof. Pipp plopped herself down at her desk, placing the mug down as she opened up her laptop. She frowned as she scrolled through her emails.

"Urgh! Invoices are so boring!" She headbutted the desk in frustration. Pipp's ears perked up as a loud crashing sound was heard outside, coming from the back alley. She stood up and trotted over towards the door, grabbing a raincoat on her way out.

"If it's those damn Raccoonicorns again..." She grumbled, unlocking the rear loading bay door, "For the last time you damn Raccoonicorns, this is no longer a bakery! Begone with all of you." She shouted, hitting a nearby trash can with an umbrella, "I mean it! Shoo!" She added, hitting the trash can harder.

"Hello?" A voice called out from the darkness.

Pipp's eyes shrank, "What the-" The umbrella fell to the ground with a dull fud. Fear slowly began to take hold of the mare as the sound of whatever it was getting closer filled her ears.

"Please. You have to help me." It spoke again, slowly getting closer to Pipp as she trembled.

"Don't come any closer!" She screamed, tears beginning to fill her eyes. Grabbing the umbrella off the wet ground, she held it close to her chest for protection. "I mean it!" She added as the silhouette of whoever was speaking began to take form out of the darkness of night.

"Please, I don't mean any harm." It replied, slowly stepping out of the darkness and into the dull light of the streetlamp. The creature held out a limb.

"Ah!" Pipp screamed, taking a swing of the umbrella. She hit the creature square on the side of the head. She watched in fear as the creature fell to the ground. What she presumed was its head hit the ground with a sickening crack.

Pipp panted heavily, she looked down at her now broken umbrella and tossed it aside. Cautiously, she stepped closer to the creature, blood slowly trickling from where she had hit it. Pipp slowly lowered her head, getting a closer look, pausing when she heard it groan. A small wave of relief washed over her as she realised she hadn't killed it, just knocked it out cold.

"What in Mi Amore's name are you?"

Hitch awoke with a startle as he heard the office phone ringing. He looked up at the clock on the wall.

"Who's ringing at this time of night?" He wondered, yawning as he trotted over to the phone and picked it up. "Maretime Bay Sheriff's office. We are currently closed until 7 am- Oh, hello Pipp." He nodded as the mare on the other end spoke.

"What? Are you ok?" He replied, his eyes widening, "Sure, I'll be right over. Stay there!" He added, throwing the phone down, and ran over to Sparky, "Sorry little guy, I've got to go out and I can't leave you alone." He gently spoke to the baby Dragon, scooping him out of bed and onto his back. Hitch quickly raced out the door and down the street.

"Good, you're here." Pipp ushered Hitch into Mane Melody, quickly locking the door behind the stallion and drawing the shutters, "Sorry to wake you." Pipp said, trotting alongside the stallion.

"Don't be sorry Pipp. I'm glad you called." Hitch gave the pink mare a reassuring smile, "Now, show me this creature. I'll follow you." He added, the pair trotting towards the staff-only door. Pipp pushed the door open, holding it to allow Hitch to enter, before letting it swing shut.

"In here." She replied, gesturing to the staff room. They stopped just within the doorway. "See." Pipp pointed in a hushed tone at the creature as it lay on the floor. She had done her best to tend to the wound on his head, dressing it with perhaps too many bandages. "Hitch, before you go in for a closer look. I have to tell you. The thing can speak. It can speak Ponish, like you and me." She added, looking up at the tall stallion as he slowly trotted over towards the creature. Sparky lent over, trying to get a better look as well.

"How long has it been out like this?" Hitch asked, turning towards the doorway where Pipp was still standing, visibly trembling. Mane wet from the rain.

"Um, no more than 10 minutes maybe?" She replied, guilty thoughts filling her head as Hitch carefully examined the creature's head, "Is it ok?" She added, nervously rubbing her forelegs against each other.

"Other than the cut on the side of its head and that large bump. I'd say they're fine." Hitch lifted the creature's head gently with his hoof, "How did this happen, anyway?" He continued, his eyes looking down the entire length of this thing's body.

"I hit it with my umbrella." She looked down, "In self-defence!" She added, emphasising the defence part, "But it hit its head on the ground when it fell." The guilt-ridden mare choked on her words as Hitch trotted back over towards her, embracing her in a hug.

"It's ok Pipp. I'm not blaming you, and you're not in trouble before you ask." He smiled at her reassuringly, "I would have done the thing in your position if I'm honest." Hitch looked back towards the creature, its chest slowly rising up and down, signalling that it was still alive, "I've never seen anything like this. I don't even read anything about something like this."

The stallion's eyes were still fixed on the creature. "We need to tell Sunny. I'm sure her dad's old research might have something." He turned back toward Pipp who was smiling again, albeit weakly.

Sparky began to tug at Hitch's mane in alarm.

"Ow! Sparky not now." Hitch groaned in pain as he continued to talk to Pipp.

"Um, Hitch..." Pipp spoke, looking behind the stallion, "You might want to turn around, like right now." She added, ducking her head out of the doorway.

"What. Why?" He replied, but turned around regardless, his eyes shrank as he saw the creature slowly standing up.

"Where... Where am i?" It spoke before falling over. "Urgh... My head." It added as it tried to get back up, but struggled to do so.

"Hey hey hey! Easy." Hitch calmly spoke, passing Sparky over to Pipp as he cautiously approached the creature, "Easy there, it's ok. I'm the town's sheriff." He added, gesturing to his badge, "Can you understand me?" He continued as the creature gave up trying to stand and sat down on the floor, wincing with every little movement. It simply nodded.

"Right. That's good. My name is Hitch Trailblazer. That over there is Princess Pipp Petals." Hitch pointed at the pink Pegasus who simply and shyly waved her hoof. "Do you have a name?" The stallion continued, and the creature nodded again, "Would you like to tell me- tell us your name?" The earth pony added, gesturing for Pipp to come over, she did so reluctantly.

"My name is David Wyne."

End of Chapter Two.

Chapter #8: Lockdown of The Broken Heart

Chapter Eight.
Lockdown of The Broken Heart.

Zoom hated this part of her job the most. The empty halls of the palace were mind-numbingly dull. Queen Haven had laid off most of the staff when the King died 12 years ago, so now most of the palace was empty. Now that Pipp and Zipp had moved away, patrolling the palace was now even more boring.

"Hey, Zoom." Thunder said as he passed her a cup of coffee.

"Thanks, Thunder." Zoom said as she took the coffee cup and drank it.

"So, is this place always so empty?" Thunder cocked his head as he took a sip from his own cup of coffee.

"Not always, Thunder. Before King Zephyr passed away, this place housed hundreds of staff." Zoom paused, placing her cup of coffee down on a nearby table, "After his death, however, the Queen laid off all of them, barring the essential staff. She's become a bit of a shut-in, far cry from the adventurous mare she once was." The older guard looked down solemnly. "Sometimes she would make trips down to the royal basement where her husband's body is kept and preserved and she would cry non-stop just waiting for him to come back to her as she wants nothing more but to hear his voice again." Zoom added

"Why? I thought she loved doing that?" Thunder asked wide-eyed as he drank his coffee.

Zoom sighed a little. "Ever since the King died. Haven has become more distant. More isolated and less social." Zoom replied as she drank her coffee. "Her isolation affected Zipp and Pipp also, that's why when Sunny asked if they wanted to live with her in Maretime Bay, they both jumped at the chance to get out of here." Zoom continued, looking around the barren hallway.

"I know that because Zephyr and I used to be guards in training together. We were close friends and before long I admitted to him I had a crush on him but he said he had feelings for Haven so I supported his love for Haven." Zoom added.

"Wait…… you had a crush on him ??" Thunder said. "Yes I did but that was way before you came." Zoom said.

"Well, I don't blame Zipp and Pipp, to be honest." Thunder said. "The loss of their father must have affected them a lot," He added.

"His loss affected Zipp the most." Zoom looked over at Thunder, "Before he died, she was a little ball of energy and excitement. But afterwards, when he died, she became rebellious and closed off to everypony. Pipp was less affected simply because she was so young when he died, she barely has any memories of him, unlike Zipp who she had interacted more with the late king." Zoom added. "I know that because I was in charge of the funeral procession, the late king's coffin was placed in the royal basement after it had gone through prayers and multiple gifts and letters given from the general public. And… a speech from his wife too." Zoom added.

"What about the Queen, does she ever mention him at all?" Thunder asked, his head tilting to the side. Zoom shook her head.

"No, she never really likes to talk about him at all, but some nights when I'm on patrol, I can hear her crying in the night in her quarters when I'm stationed outside, saying how much she misses him..." " Well what did you hear ?" Thunder asked Zoom.

"I hear the sadness in her voice saying how much she misses him and how she would do anything to hear his voice or look into the eyes of the pony she married and had her children with." Zoom said as she drank her coffee. "Do you know what happened ?" Thunder asked. "It's a little blurry but it started with a cough but over time, he became so sick he can't even get out of bed. Knowing his time was up. He asked Haven for one thing and that was to ensure that zephyr heights grow and develop well. And for their children to be happy." Zoom said. "Those were his last words before he passed away and a state funeral and a national period of mourning were held and also the day she became a widow. Ever since then. She became more isolated, more distant and less social, often only leaving the castle for important events." Zoom added.

"Haven has become a shell of the pony she used to be, I can understand why she keeps a piece of their family picture in her private chambers. I saw a peek of it when I helped the maids clean the room. Seeing it just shows how much she misses him." Thunder added. "Well, I feel her majesty she lost the one pony she loved and had kids with. Without him, she's not the same adventurous mare she used to be" Thunder added.

Suddenly a loud crash was heard. "Huh? What was that?" Zoom said as she placed down her cup. "Stay here Thunder, I'll check it out."

Zoom opened the door of Pipp's room, only to find her jumping out and gliding away. "Huh... That's strange." Zoom cocked her head as she walked up to the window and saw Pipp flying away.

Zoom saw a note on Pipp's table and began to read it.

'Dear Mother,

By the time you read this note, I'll be long gone from Zephyr Heights.

Despite what you might hear, it is all false.

I am simply helping the human return to his home, the Crystal Empire.

I don't know when I'll be back.

Forever you loving daughter,

Pipparina Petals.'

"Strange… And her tiara is here too?" Zoom picked up the golden headpiece as she re-read the note.

"Zoom? What's going on?" Thunder said, leaning in through the open door.

"I saw... Her Highness, Pipp." Zoom said. Thunder entered the room. "And she left her tiara here too." Zoom added.

"Hey, have you seen this yet?" Thunder showed Zoom his phone the news about Pipp being involved in a robbery in Maretime Bay." Zoom looked at the screen, her face changed to one of shock.

"I'VE GOT TO TELL THE QUEEN!" She said as she ran to the Queen's private quarters.

Meanwhile, in Haven's private quarters. Queen Haven was sobbing into her pillow just by looking at photos of her time with Zephyr together, she constantly sobbed and completely locked her room. Often crying and blowing her nose with tissues. "Oh… Zephyr *sniff* I miss you so much… I just wish I could hear your voice or see your beautiful eyes again." Haven said as she sobbed into her pillow.

Zoom was outside her door about to knock when she heard Haven crying. Zoom heard Haven crying as she placed her ears on the door. She heard her crying and sobbing. Zoom felt sad as this was a pony that lost the love of her life. But she had a duty to do so without hesitation she knocked on the door.

"Who… Who is it?" Haven asked through her sad tone. "Ma'am it's Zoom" Haven cleaned her tear-filled eyes and got off the bed. She then opened the door.

"Well, what do you need?" Haven asked.

"I saw Pipp jump out of her window but I was confused as she could have used the door, but Thunder then showed me news about the robbery and their saying Pipp is involved?" Zoom spoke.

"Huh… Pipp?? That can't be right?" Haven spoke, her face looking puzzled, pulling out her phone, her face changed into one of horror as she saw the news, "Lock the palace down, no one leaves." Haven ordered. Zoom saluted and left and ordered the complete lockdown of the palace.

"Uh, control, we have a problem.." A voice cracked in Zoom's earpiece.

"What is it, Blitz Wing?" Zoom stopped to listen to the guard on the other end.

"They escaped." The guard replied.

"What?! How?" Zoom practically screamed down the earpiece.

"They smashed down the gate with that vehicle." Blitz's voice trembled

"Well, did you at least see which way they're heading?" Zoom pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"Mom! Sorry it took us so long!" Zipp shouted, skidding to a halt in front of Haven's throne. Izzy and Sunny crashed into her from the sudden stop. Hitch narrowly avoiding the pile-up. Sprout let out a laugh at the sight of Zipp, Izzy and Sunny all laying on top of one another.

"ZEPHYRINA STORM!" Haven spoke in a stern voice. "YOU GOT 5 MINUTES TO EXPLAIN WHY Pipp WAS INVOLVED IN A ROBBERY AND SECOND OF ALL, WHY IS HE HERE!" Haven pointed to Sprout. Sprout was a little frightened by Haven's stern look. A look so frightening it could send chills down anyone's spine.

"Oh no, she's really pissed." Zipp whispered to Sunny, "It's the only time she isn't wearing her sunglasses." Haven then eyed Zipp.

"ZEPHYRINA! EXPLAIN RIGHT NOW OR YOU'RE GETTING GROUNDED!" Haven's wings flared in anger as she spoke. "WELL?? START TALKING!" She added.

"Ok, ok!" Zipp stood up, gulping nervously, "Well, for starters, this human showed up out of nowhere. Which, for the record, I did not trust for a single second, but Pipp is like, 'Oh, give him a chance, he just lost everything'." Zipp spoke, before being cut off by Haven

"GIVE HIM A CHANCE? HOW DO WE KNOW HE'S USING NOT HIS CHARMS TO MANIPULATE US?!" Haven yelled before sighing, tears began to form in her eyes. "I lost my husband already, I'm not going to lose Pipp too." She said as she sobbed.

"Listen to me, your highness." Hitch stepped forward, "You aren't going to lose Pipp, I'm sure of it."

"Thank you for your reassurance, Sheriff, but how can you be certain?" Haven spoke, wiping a tear from her eye with a tissue.

"Well, your majesty." Hitch pulled out his phone, "With this." He presented the security footage from the Canterlogic factory. "If you take a look, you can see that Pipp was nowhere near the factory." Hitch spoke, quickly skipping to the next video file, "And this footage, that while yes, does show Pipp with the human, it was after the robbery took place and from the looks of it, it looked as if Pipp was furious at him about it."

"That's all well and good, but Pipp still willingly chose to run away with this human." Haven raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah... I didn't think about that." Hitch replied, his face slowly changing into one of panic. Before Hitch could do anything else, Izzy quickly embraced him.

"It's ok Hitchy." The unicorn nuzzled him softly, his cheeks flushed a shade of red.

"Where's my sick bag?" Sprout groaned, Zipp and Sunny both stared bluntly at the red stallion.

"Besides." Izzy quickly looked up at Haven, "The footage of Pipp not even at the factory would be more than enough to prove her innocent, right?" She added, before kissing Hitch's cheek, "Better now?" Hitch blushed as Sunny and Zipp giggled.

"Hitch at some point Izzy will ask you to marry her." Zipp said as she tried to hold her laughter.

"I gotta agree with Zipp on this, " Sunny said.

Haven looked at the pair and smiled warmly. "Just like myself and Zephyr. We used to kiss and joke about things together, I just wish I could hear his voice or see his handsome face, just one more time." She thought to herself, being snapped out of this line of thought as Hitch's phone began to ring with a sassy ringtone.

"Are those wedding bells I hear, Sheriff?" Zipp smirked teasingly, Sunny couldn't contain her laughter any longer and quickly joined Zipp in laughing.

"Hitch... IS THAT YOUR NEW RINGTONE ?? IT'S SO HILARIOUS!" Sunny spoke between fits of laughter.

"It's a classic... Alright." Hitch groaned, trying to hide his blush, "Do you mind if I answer this?" Hitch asked Haven, cheeks red with embracement.

"Of course not." Haven smiled, "There's a quiet spot over there." She gestured with her wing.

As Hitch trotted over to where Haven had pointed, she cleared her throat. This caused Zipp and Sunny to stand perfectly still, like soldiers awaiting orders.

Zipp, Haven and Sunny all looked over at Hitch as he talked on the phone, try as they might, they couldn't hear exactly what was being discussed.

"Ok, thank you." Hitch said before hanging up the phone, he turned around.

"Well? Who was it." Izzy leaned forward.

"It was Phyllis." Hitch replied, showing no emotion.

"Mommy? What did she want?" Sprout's voice echoed across the room.

"Well. She said..." Hitch looked down, "She said she's dropping the charges against both Pipp and the human."

Haven let out a huge sigh of relief, sinking into her throne as if she was deflating from the stress leaving her body.

"Wait, that's a good thing right?" Zipp asked, her ears perking up.

"Which means she isn't guilty and won't have to worry about losing her royal title." Sunny added, beaming ear to ear.

"That's a huge relief, but we still have to find her, oh my baby Pipp, we have to find her and fast!" Haven said. Zipp ran over and tackled Haven in a tight hug.

"Don't worry mom, we'll find her and bring her home safely." Zipp smiled, as she nuzzled her head against Haven's chin.

"Why are they being dropped? They committed a crime!" Sprout shouted. Everyone looked at Sprout, unamused by his words. Izzy finally snapped.

"Oh, you should be glad our friend isn't going to jail or maybe you should be the one to take her place!" Izzy said as she looked into Sprout's eyes.

"One small problem though, your highness." Zoom spoke out, making her presence known, "We don't even know where this 'Crystal Empire' even is." Zoom felt all eyes on her.

"Oh blast, you're right..." Haven sighed glumly. "And we don't know if this empire exists at all." Haven added.

"We know someone that can help." Sunny smiled nervously.

"Absolutely not!" Haven barked. "I will not let that crazy mare out of the cells. Have you all forgotten she tried to kill you not even 3 days ago??" Haven added, a concerned look filling her face. "There's a reason why I tripled security at her cell." She continued. "Under no circumstances am I letting her out," Haven said.

"I understand your anger. Ma'am." Sunny stepped forward, "But Opaline may be the only pony alive with any knowledge about the Crystal Empire, and most importantly, where to find it." Sunny added, pulling out her father's old journal, "Even my dad's research is limited at best when it comes to the Crystal Empire." She continued, flipping through the pages, "All his research contains is that it disappeared when magic did."

"What if you're wrong and she uses the first chance she gets to escape? Then what." Haven leaned forwards on her throne.

"Then… Then I'll take her place in prison." Sunny spoke sternly

"Sunny. You can't do that!" Zipp shouted, Sunny lifted her hoof.

"I will do what I must to make sure Pipp returns home safely." Sunny looked at Haven confidently. "To return your daughter to you safely," Sunny added.

"One week, you have one week. If you're not back with Pipp before then. I'll assume Opaline has escaped and will send the royal guard to collect you, Sunny Starscout." Haven added.

"I won't let you down, your majesty." Sunny nodded in agreement.

Haven turned to look outside. "It's getting late. So you'll have to try asking Opaline in the morning." Haven looked down at Zoom, "Can you add that to the schedule?" She added.

Zoom quickly pulled out her phone. "Already taken care of, your highness."

"For now, all of you, get some sleep. Thunder can lead you to the guest bedrooms." Haven spoke to Thunder as he saluted before leading the group out of the throne room, "Oh, and Zoom."

"Yes, your highness?" Zoom saluted, standing to attention.

"Make sure that Hitch and Izzy have a room to themselves." Haven leaned over, winking as she spoke. Zoom nodded before leaving the throne room also.

Only Haven remained in the room, she let out a sigh and smiled, "Ah, young love… If only you were here Zephyr…" She spoke to herself as she looked at a photo piece of her and Zephyr, she smiled but felt sad as he was no longer around. She kissed the photo before placing it back under her wing.

"I love you Zephyr..." She added, her voice echoing around the room.

She placed her hoof on the throne next to hers, it was Pipp's throne but before then it was Zephyr's throne. The throne that the love of her life once sat on. After his death, it was replaced by Pipp's. "I miss you so much, Zephyr." Haven said as she held her tears back. "I wish you can come back. Our kids miss you and they want to see you again" She said again as her voice echoed through the empty throne room.

"I think we better stop for the night?" Pipp spoke, looking up at the sky as the sun dipped below the mountain range in the distance.

"Yeah, you might be right on this one." David replied, looking at his watch, he realised they had been driving now for at least 12 hours. Bring the car to a stop on the grass just off of the main gravel path. Pipp opened the door, stretching her legs as she stood in the grass, David doing the same.

"Wow. Zephyr Heights looks so small from here." Pipp said to herself, looking in the direction they had been travelling in, the lights of the city looked barely bigger than any of the stars that filled the sky.

"Best be getting some sleep. We continue on at 6 am." David spoke bluntly, finally inspecting the broken rear window.

"Looks like it's about to rain." Pipp said, looking up as storm clouds began to roll in, "It'd be best if you spent the night in my trailer." She suggested as David pulled a sheet out from the trunk of his car, placing the large plastic object over the broken window.

"Won't that be a bit awkward though? We've only known each other for two days?" David asked, pulling tightly on the plastic covering.

"No less awkward than spending 12 hours on the road, sitting down the entire time. Besides, my trailer has a couch, so we don't have to share the bed." Pipp looked over at him, "Unless, you want to share the bed." She smirked.

"No, no. The couch will do fine." David was flustered, nearly tripping over the tow hook in embarrassment.

"You sure? It's not every day you get to sleep with a princess you know?" Pipp said.

"Pretty sure." David stuttered.

"Suit yourself." Pipp shrugged as she opened the door to her trailer, "You coming or what?" Her voice called from inside.

Pipp sat on her bed, as David stepped into the trailer. He was taken aback by how grand it was inside. It was like he had stepped into a palace. The inside was decorated with the latest decoration designs, a portrait of her family hung on the wall and a bed was near the end of the trailer. There were a few desks filled with musical things and her trade perfume was on the table.

"So?" She smiled, rapidly slapping the bed with her hooves. "What do you think?" She grinned.

"A lot bigger than it appears from the outside, that's for sure." He looked around with amazement.

Pipp quickly hopped off the bed, running towards the couch. With the press of a button, the couch folded out into a bed just big enough for David to sleep on. "Will that be big enough for ya?" She winked, nudging him in the process with her wing. David blushed as red as a tomato. "Blankets and pillows are over here." She fluttered over to a closet, throwing the door open and bringing every pillow and blanket she could carry.

David carefully sat down on the fold-out bed, unsure if it would even support his weight. But to his surprise, the bed was able to support his weight despite it being big for a princess. Pipp flapped over towards her own bed, gently landing on it.

"Night~" She called out, clapping her hooves. The lights all turned off.

End of Chapter Eight.

Chapter #29: The Best of Friends

Chapter Twenty Nine.
The Best of Friends.

The sun slowly began to set over the crystalline city. The auroras continued their dance across the sky as the moon began to rise.

"Mom, can me and Lillian please our new friends out for a night on the town?" Flurry begged her mother, eyes pleading widely.

"Yes, Yes, Fine!" Cadenza gently rubbed her forehead as a migraine began to form, "Just remember..." She continued before being cut off.

"Be home by midnight, I know Mom, I'm not a filly anymore." Flurry flapped her wings excitedly.

"I know, just be safe..." Cadenza replied softly, cupping Flurry's chin in her hooves, "Remember, wear your cloak, it's going to be chilly tonight."

"Yes, mother." Flurry smiled at Cadenza's touch, "I will." She replied before happily trotting away.

"What am I going to do with her..." Cadenza mused, rolling her eyes as Flurry left the room.

"Well? What did Mom say?" Shooting Star leaned forwards, slight hesitation on her face as Flurry closed the door behind herself.

"My dear Lillian." Flurry pauses, putting on some shades, "Operation: Girl's Night Out is a go." The white alicorn grinned.

"Sweet!" Shooting Star cheered, hoof-bumping Flurry Heart, "I'm just dying to have a fun night out."

"Really? You? I thought you'd be wanting to hang out with your father." Flurry looked at her older sister as the pair trotted down one of the many palace halls.

"Yeah... But I think Mom is gonna tell him about their marriage..." Shooting Star paused, "... No longer being legally binding..." She frowned.

"Oh..." Flurry looked down, "I can see why you want a night out, I bet things will get mighty awkward..." She added.

"Tell me about it... I just hope Dad takes it well..." Shooting Star replied as the pair walked through the next door.

"A night out on the town? Really?!" Pipp giggled like a teenager, eyes twinkling.

"Yes, a night out, you've never had one?" Flurry asked as she dug through her closet.

"No, not really, Mom would never let me leave the palace, and no offence to Sunny, but Maretime Bay isn't exactly the party capital of Equestria." Pipp frowned.

"Hey! I heard that!" Sunny glared angrily at Pipp.

"I'm sorry, but it's true, Sunny." Pipp shrugged, "Maretime Bay is lovely during the day, but the nightlife is ...eh... to be desired." She added as Sunny continued to glare at her.

Flurry giggled softly, "If only Auntie Twilight could see this..." She sighed sadly.

"You're Aunt was Twilight Sparkle, wasn't she?" Zipp's ears perked up, "We found a message from her in the Unity Crystals if you want to see it?" The white pegasus asked, pulling out her phone.

"No, I'm fine, if it's anything like Auntie, it would be a message of hope in these dark times..." Flurry shook her head softly.

"Ok? Well, if you change your mind, just ask..." Zipp sighed, placing her phone back under her wing.

"What was it like, in the final days of Equestria, before magic disappeared?" Sunny asked Flurry softly, placing a hoof on the alicorn's shoulder.

"It was cold and silent... Dark Star had been draining Equestria of its magic for five years, at first, we barely noticed, but then Unicorns, Earth Ponies and Pegasi began to lose their magic." Flurry sighed, "The Crystal Heart spoke to my mom, told her that the only way to protect the Empire was for it to disappear, back to the snow it came from..." She continued, a tear falling from her eye.

"So that's why the Empire disappeared..." Zipp rubbed her chin.

"I'd rather not dwell on those dark days if you don't mind..." Flurry tapped on Sunny's hoof.

"Dark Star... She did things to my mother..." Sunny's voice cracked, "My mother, Opaline Arcana, is now an alicorn because of her… That bitch did horrific experiments on my mom..." Sunny pulled out her phone and shoved it into Flurry's face, "This is what that bitch did to her."

Flurry watched in horror as Sunny scrolled through pictures that showed off every scar inflicted on Opaline by Dark Star's twisted experiments.

"That is what she was draining Equestria's magic for! She was trying to unlock the secrets of immortality in alicorns!" Sunny practically screamed in Flurry's face.

"Wait... So you're saying that Dark Star experimented with magic to try and unlock the secrets of ancient Equestrian Alicorn magic??" Flurry said as she scratched her head.

"Yes!" Sunny shouted, holding back her tears, "AND SHE USED MY POOR MOTHER AS HER GUINEA PIG!"

"Should we stop this?" Pipp watched on with concern.

"Nah, I'd say just let her get it out of her system..." Shooting Star replied from the other side of the room, "Besides, Flurry's no stranger to getting screamed at directly in the face." She grinned devilishly.

Opaline sat in the middle of her childhood bedroom, horn steadily illuminating her surroundings.

"Let's hope this works..." She spoke to herself, holding up a hoof-held mirror as she blasted it with her magic, "Show me Misty..." She ordered the metallic object in her magical grasp. She watched as her reflection shifted into an image of Misty, sound asleep on a sofa, surrounded by half-full bowls of chocolate-coated popcorn.

"Oh Misty..." She softly spoke to herself, "Please... Please, don't listen to that mare..." She prayed to herself, eyes locked on the vision of her adoptive child, she let out a long sigh, "Mirror, show me Stellar..." She wiped her eyes full of tears as the vision of Misty shifted into Sunny mid-yelling at Flurry Heart.

"Stellar..." She whispered, looking up at her bedroom window, "Hold on, Mommy's coming..." She added, putting the mirror down, "Let's hope I can still fit." She said to herself as she threw the window open and wriggled through it, grunting as she popped free. Without a second thought, she flapped her wings as hard as she could, making a B-line for the palace.

"Why... Why didn't the Empire fight her? WHY?!" Sunny screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks, "YOU GUYS HAD THE POTENTIAL, YOU GUYS HAD AN ARMY!" She continued, now shaking Flurry harshly by her shoulders.

Before Flurry could speak a response, a loud thud echoed around the room, Zipp slowly turned towards a window, taking a peak behind the curtain. She froze, slowly backing away from the curtain, "Uh... Sunny? Your Mom's outside..." The White Pegasus spoke, all attention now on her.

"Really?!" Sunny spoke, smiling widely as she ran over to the window, throwing the curtain open, only to see her mother splattered on the window like a bug on a windshield, "Uh... Mom?"

"Little help..." Opaline groaned, peeling her head off of the glass. Sunny quickly opened the window, allowing Opaline inside the palace, the alicorn peeled herself off the window, landing in a heap on the floor, "Oof..." She rubbed her head as Sunny nuzzled up to her.

"Flurry, meet my mother, Opaline Arcana. Mom, meet Flurry Heart, Crown Princess of the Crystal Empire." Sunny spoke, pointing from one to the other.

"Yes, I know who she is..." Flurry spoke, studying Opaline as she walked around the purple alicorn.

"Hey! Watch it!" Opaline yelped as Flurry pulled on one of her wings, "They're sensitive..." She added as Flurry inspected her tattered feathers.

"Hmm..." Flurry hummed to herself, "You really need to preen more often..." She spoke, yanking on Opaline's feathers.

"Well excuse me, I wasn't exactly born with wings ya know." Opaline grumbled, folding her wing back to her side, clearly offended by the Princess's remark.

Flurry leaned over, looking over at Pipp and Zipp, eyebrow raised.

"Hey, don't look at us!" Pipp protested, "She was our enemy up until a few days ago." She added, visibly disgusted by what Flurry was hinting at.

"Yeah... No. I ain't preening her." Zipp spoke bluntly, not amused in the slightest.

Shooting Star let out a long sigh, "Come on, Opaline, I'll preen ya." She continued, pulling out brush from under her wing.

"Wait... You don't use your mouth to preen like birds?" Opaline asked, perplexed.

"Ew, No!" Flurry recoiled in horror.

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say McFlurry." Shooting Star smirked knowingly.

"Hey! I wouldn't have needed to have resorted to doing it the old-fashioned way if you hadn't stolen my brush!" Flurry slammed her hoof down, the adult mare whining like a teenager.

"Hey, I brought you a new one." Shooting Star shrugged.

"That's not the point, Lillian!" Flurry continued to whine.

"Yep, those two are definitely siblings..." Pipp giggled, glancing at Zipp as Shooting Star gently started brushing Opaline's feathers while still arguing with Flurry Heart.

Opaline sat awkwardly in the middle of the room as Shooting Star continued to brush her feathers, avoiding eye contact with the tall pegasus.

Shooting Star chuckled awkwardly as she tried to find something in her mind to start a conversation. "So... Is it true Sunny here is your daughter?" She asked curiously.

"Yes, but her birth name is Stellar Harmony..." Opaline muttered under her breath, wincing as the brush pulled against her feathers.

"I see..." Shooting Star hummed in reply, "So, you're like 2040 years old now, right?" She spoke up.

"Yes..." Opaline froze in thought, "2046 years to be exact..." She sighed, Sunny let out an audible gasp, "Yeah, I'm that old and I've seen a lot of things happen during that time..." She added, looking away from Sunny.

"Well, this is getting awkward..." Izzy said in a hushed voice, rubbing the back of her head.

"You're telling me..." Dazzle answered Izzy in an equally hushed tone.

"But I just told you..." Izzy raised an eyebrow at Dazzle Feather, who proceeded to face hoof in mild annoyance.

"There! All nice and tidy." Shooting Star smiled, looking at Opaline's wings.

"Wow, you work fast..." Opaline looked down at her wings as Shooting Star quickly swept up the removed feathers that lay on the floor.

"There we go all done, hope it’s not a bad look for ya." Flurry said, running her hooves along Opaline's silky soft wings.

"So pretty..." Pipp hid her smile as she watched Opaline flutter her wings gently.

"Heh, someone's jealous..." Zipp snickered at Pipp.

"Am not..." Pipp huffed, the fluff on her chest puffing out.

"You totally are..." Zipp replied, still snickering.

"AM NOT!" Pipp shouted, her fluffy wings flaring out as her face turned red.

"Oh yes, you 100% are!" Zipp snickered even harder.

Pipp huffed out her chest as her cheeks turned a deep red, "My wings are still far prettier..." She grumbled to herself, watching Izzy and Sunny both gently rubbing Opaline's soft feathers.

"Yeah, they may be prettier, but in terms of size, I still win." Zipp snickered as she showed Pipp her wings, which were much larger in size, "See? I take the prize." Zipp grinned smugly.

"Yeah, pretty sure Flurry here had you both beat. She had the wingspan of a fully grown adult, while only a foal." Shooting Star chucked, gesturing to Flurry Heart.

"LILLIAN!" Flurry screamed in horror, "WHY OF ALL THINGS DID YOU PICK THAT TO TELL OUR GUESTS!" she covered herself with her wings to hide her blush.

"Because you look adorable when mad." Shooting Star giggled, pinching Flurry's cheeks.

End of Chapter Twenty Nine.