Princess Sunset Shimmer

Chapters

Prologue: A Last Hug Before You Go
Welcome Back, Sunset!
It's Going Downhill Now
The Adventure Begins
Cave Of Wonders
Into The Sea
New Realm, New Problems
Heads Up In The Fight
Back To Equestria

Prologue: A Last Hug Before You Go

Author's Note

This story has some canon points that aren't canon here.

The main differences here are that this happens after the events of Ending of the End, but Twilight hasn't been crowned the ruler of Equestria. And the washouts do not exist, since Lightning Dust was accepted back to the Wonderbolts.

Prologue: A Last Hug Before You Go

It was 5:00 A.M. and Sunset was laying down on her bed, they had another Pinkie Pie Slumber Party, her Goodbye Party, in fact, actually her last party in the human world. She was talking with her friends. Sunset was enjoying all she could now, this was the last day she would spend with her friends. Twilight was sitting down on a mattress on the floor, side with Trixie. Twilight was eating pizza and she was holding tears trying not to cry, she loved Sunset so much, she was her best friend and now she is going away. She and Sunset had set up a change of geodes, Trixe would heir Sunset's geode, so they could keep protecting the world together. They have chosen Trixie after she saved them more times than they could save her, such as when Tirek stole their geodes and Trixie made up a resistance to resist Tirek's attack, or when Wallflower Blush erased their memories and she helped Sunset to revert it, she was one of their friends now.

"So, Trixe…" Sunset said as she sat, everyone looked in her direction and a tear started to fall from her left eye. She slowly removed the geode attached to a necklace, "I want to give you this, my geode."

"What?" Trixie said, "I wasn't expecting this!" Trixie seemed to be confused, her face showed that she was in a mixture of sadness and happiness, she was sad that the reason she was earning that geode was that Sunset was leaving for good, but she still had a small line of happiness for beginning to be a superhero.

"You deserve it," Sunset raised her hand towards Trixie to give her the geode. Trixie pushed the geode back to Sunset. She didn't feel like she deserved the geode.

"I… can't," Trixie shouted

"Then let's vote!" Rarity said, all her friends got surprised by her action, but still agreed with her, "raise your hand if you want Trixie to turn into the next Crystal Guardian after Sunset's return to Equestria" Everyone except for Trixie raised their hands, Trixie got shocked on how her friends trusted so much on her, she knew that this geode didn't belong to her, but if they kept insisting, she couldn't just reject. Sunset put the necklace on Trixie's neck slowly, giving her the confidence that she needed, but they didn't expect that the geode would react to it. The geode started to glow as the other geodes started to glow together. The glow started to float out from each geode and circle around each other. Sunset's geode flew back to her and in a matter of seconds the lights blended creating another geode, this one was for Trixe. They all started to float and glow after this. Their ears disappeared as pony ears appeared on their heads; their hair grew ponytails; and their outfits changed to their Crystal Guardian outfits, but with one difference that no one realized at the moment, instead of Twilight having the wings, it was in Sunset. Trixie's outfit became a short blue dress, with a long dark-purple waistcoat that had light purple dots representing stars; She received a belly with her cutie mark on the center of it and long blue boots; A crystal blue tiara with a small crystal star and she received a crystal bracelet with the top of a star on the top and the bottom of a star on the bottom of it; her hair was tied in a ponytail with a tornado shape, her hair was grown with a star separating the pony hair with the rest and it stayed on the same shape as it was before.

"What was that?" Applejack asked in shock, her voice echoed in the room as the silence remained. Trixie was shocked, but she felt now that she belonged to the group, she was the eighth guardian.

"Well, I think we have another Guardian!" Twilight said

"Yay!" Rarity shouted, she sounded to be very happy

"If I am the new guardian…" Trixie paused for a moment. She was excited, but she still was confused, even being part of the group, why was she the chosen one? Was it all because Sunset trusted her? Or because she deserved it? "…Then what is my power?"

"So, our powers showed up almost at once and in a spontaneous way, so your power might be appearing soon or late," Twilight explained, she was still confused, but this helped

"I am still the great and powerful Trixie, the most great and powerful of our school," Trixie said with a smile on her face, showing that she was very happy and comfortable with this now, "so, my powers WILL show up."

"Oh gosh…" Rainbow Dash said

"What?" Trixie asked

"…This was the attitude we have been waiting for"

"FRIENDSHIP HUG!!" Pinkie shouted with a wide smile surprising everyone for a moment, but suddenly they started to walk quickly in Sunset's direction, they opened up their arms and gave a hug on each other, with Twilight staying on her front, Rainbow on her back, Applejack on her right side, Pinkie on her left side, Rarity hugging Applejack, Fluttershy hugging Rainbow and Trixie hugging Twilight.

"Guys!" Sunset said laughing as she saw her friends going in her direction with open arms. Suddenly they started to float and their outfits started to glow, they were changing again, this time to their Friendship Power outfits, and same as the Crystal Guardian's outfits Twilight didn't have wings, but Sunset had. Trixie's outfit was a full-body outfit, with a gradient from dark purple to blue, it had colored waves on both sides of the legs with a purple part, a thin light-blue part, and a blue part, a white pair of boots, with a dark purple platform, it had the same pattern as the leggings, but lighter, she had a transparent fabric on the front that went down to her knee, but she had it only on the sides making an upside down 'V' format, this fabric was being held by a tie that came from the center of the fabric and went down around her arm in both sides, it was in the same pattern as the leggings and boots details.

"Well, now let's say goodbye to Sunset, she needs to go to Equestria now," They spread out, but unexpectedly they heard a crying, differently than what everyone expected it wasn't from Fluttershy, but actually from Pinkie, suddenly the crying spread, now to Applejack and Rarity, then to Rainbow and Trixie. Suddenly they were all crying together.

"If we don't get out of this apartment we won't get into Caterlot High before it opens!" Applejack said still crying but holding her cry.

Fluttershy was with her blurry vision due to the crying, but as it got neater she saw Sunset's wings, and she got surprised. She gasped ad then started to point out to Sunset's wings.

"What are you pointing at, Dar-" Rarity started to say but stopped as she saw Sunset's wings.

Suddenly they were all staring at Sunset in shock and confusion. She faced all the perplexed expressions as she got more and more confused.

"What are you staring at, guys?" Sunset asked in pure confusion, Twilight with a still-shocked face pointed out at her wings, Sunset took a glance at them, and saw the big Alicorn wings at her back, this scared her, but somehow made her comfortable, she didn't know why she had this feeling, maybe for having a logical explanation for the weight she felt on her back, "Well, I am going now to Equestria, so no need to worry. I just didn't want our friendship to be gone."

"Nothing stays the same for long…" Twilight started to say, as the other Rainbooms surprised Sunset as they took their instruments from the Living Room, she didn't see them bringing any of them, which was extremely weird since it was impossible for her not to see Pinkie with her giant drums, but this would not interrupt the moment.

[Twilight Sparkle]
Nothing stays the same for long
But when it changes doesn't mean is gone
Time will always get away
As it lives behind another day
[Fluttershy]
Things may come and things may go
Some go fast and some go slow
Few things last that's all I know
But friendship carries on through the ages
[Rarity]
Things may come and things may go
Some go fast and some go slow
Few things last that's all I know
But friendship carries on through the ages
[Rainbow]
You'll be there for a long time
Maybe saving the world, and it will be hard
Maybe you'll change further down the line
But our friendship carries on through the ages!
[Applejack]
Every single moment is amazing
This is what I can say
Every single one is unique
And special in its own way
[Pinkie]
Maybe you turn into a popstar
Get your fifteen minutes of fame
But that won't last forever
But our friendship will stay
[Trixie]
Things may come and things may go
Some go fast and some go slow
Few things last that's all I know
But friendship carries on through the ages
[Everyone]
Things may come and things may go
Some go fast and some go slow
Few things last that's all I know
But friendship carries on through the ages
Ohh~ carries on

"Wow, guys, I don't know what to say!'' Sunset was surprised and said, she wasn't expecting this, they changed the lyrics and sang a song just for the goodbye.

"Well, you need to go now," Rainbow said

"So, goodbye?" Sunset said as she looked into their eyes, she felt that she didn't enjoy that moment all she wanted, but she needed to go, she couldn't stay in that world.

"It's never a goodbye," Twilight said

"I… Will keep in contact, with the book, and in case you need some Equestria help, text me!" Sunset said as her eyes started to tear up and tears started to fall from her eyes.

They left her apartment and went to the garage, which had Sunset's motorbike, it was a red motorbike with some fire pattern details on it. Sunset sat on the leather seat and shake her head signaling for Twilight to sit too, she sat as well, and they suddenly changed back to their pajamas. Sunset put the keys in the keyhole and her hands on the clutch, she was very sad with her eyes crying, she felt that she shouldn't drive to Canterlot High in this condition, but she still wanted to take it a last ride before Twilight assume her motorcycle.
They stood quiet during the trip, but the silence only made them feel sadder, there was room for crying, Sunset didn't know when would she return to the Human World, or even if she would return to the human world. These unanswered questions were just making things worse, the more she thought about it, the more she cried. There was already a waterfall in her eyes and she was with her vision blurry. She barely saw when they got to Canterlot High, she only realized that when twilight said, "We're here." Sunset went down from the motorcycle and motioned for Twilight to do the same, she mimicked Sunset and they stayed quiet front-by-front looking into each other's eyes for a few seconds before Sunset give a hug on Twilight.

"Take good care of it!" Sunset said with a crying voice, twilight gave a smile and nodded. Then she walked back to the motorcycle. Twilight went back to the road and Sunset watched her going away and disappearing on the misty street. Sunset's mind could only think about two things now. They would be safe without her, and how she could be possibly an Alicorn now, due to the wings. She didn't feel like she would be an Alicorn, since Twilight had wings and never was an Alicorn, maybe because of the lack of an Alicorn in the group, or maybe because of the magic from pony-Twilight's crown. But besides all, one thing was defined for her: She would get into trouble soon.

Welcome Back, Sunset!

Sunset walked out of the mirror, now at the Pony Realm, more specifically at Twilight's castle. Starlight and Twilight were there side by side looking at the portal with shocked-surprised expressions, she saw the shocked faces of Twilight and Starlight which she wasn't expecting, she was expecting the to meet them with a hug, but not those expressions, almost like they saw a villain or an… No! I'm not an Alicorn! She was very confused, so she might ask what they were seeing.

"Sunset?" Twilight asked, breaking the silence that was in the room, Sunset instantly got it, she was for sure an Alicorn now, did this mean that she would turn into a princess? Probably not, but it was worthy of a check. She took a glance at her flank and she saw the large Alicorn wings, Sunset could be wrong so she took another glance and saw the wings again, so she had a triple-check and saw the wings again, suddenly she was looking back and forth to her flank and her friends.

"Okay, we get it, you are an Alicorn now," Starlight said, slightly annoyed by Sunset looking back and forth at her wings. Twilight got surprised, but not shocked, she kinda expected that kind of reaction from Starlight, she found it funny very funny, hilarious, suddenly she wasn't controlling her body anymore and started laughing, Starlight got very confused and started laughing too, and even Sunset started laughing.

"Now stop the laughing, we have to talk to Princess Celestia about this," Twilight said after abruptly stopping laughing. Sunset nodded and they walked out of the room, Starlight followed them as if she needed to be with them, and since Twilight didn't say anything about it, she stayed with them. They walked to the Train Station, where they would wait for a train to Canterlot. Sunset even suggested that they should go flying, but Twilight preferred not to fly since Starlight Glimmer did not have wings and Sunset did not know how to fly, this would be possibly a disaster. They kept walking on their way, and they finally got to the Train Station, and a train to Canterlot seemed to just have passed, so they had to wait, for some reason, just Starlight seemed tired of walking that much, so she sat.

Sunset kept telling them stories of her life and things that she did with the rest of the Mane 7. Unexpectedly, Twilight pictured the train getting closer, making a huge black cloud of smoke and creating sparks in its track, Twilight was counting the time while Sunset talked, so they knew it took about half an hour to show up a train to Canterlot, finally.

"Finally!" Twilight said as she saw the Train arriving. They all appeared to be relieved by the train's arrival. They entered the train in an oddly straight line Twilight, Sunset, and Starlight respectively. Their wagon was the business class wagon and was full of businessmares and businesstallions, it had no empty chairs for them to sit on.

"Well, where should we sit?" Sunset asked, looking to another wagon, which was the economy class and was full of earth ponies and pegasi in most, but it still had some Unicorns in it, and Twilight shook her head in silence pointing to another direction which was the royal class, that was reserved for only Princesses and friends.

"Ooooh! I was never in the royal class!" Sunset said with a happy expression and a huge broad smile on her face, her eyes shining with the much amazed they were, Twilight never had saw such a happy expression from her.

"Let's go," Twilight said and went straight to the royal class, which had ponyguards guarding the entrance, the ponyguards instantly opened their way to the royal class. Starlight nodded, and she and Sunset followed Twilight. They entered the Royal Class, which had golden walls, a minibar with tons of drinks, it had a cabinet with a massive variety of food, and it had even a bathroom for them to use. Their seats were fluffy and soft, it was nearly like Sunset's dream bed. The only thing that was running through Sunset's mind was how she wished she had her cell phone at the moment.

"Are we going to sit or stay here gazing at the seats?" Starlight asked, she was right, they were just looking, but not doing anything, and Sunset decided to take the first step. She went right to the minibar.

"Let's drink some!" She said in emotion as she opened the door utilizing her magic. All of her friends started to stare at her in a confused, but surprised, they started to look at each other as if Sunset knew something they didn't, "Why are you girls staring at me?"

"Are you able to drink legally?" Twilight asked Sunset. She stood there for a moment with her eyes wide open and blinking repeatedly rapidly, and nodded. Surprisingly, they realized that she had graduated back in the Human Realm.

"Well, I don't think we should talk to Celestia drunk." Starlight was worried because she knew Celestia hadn't forgiven her entirely, she knew Celestia didn't forget her past as she did with Sunset or Discord. Well, even forgetting all the concerns she knew that going drunk to the godlike ruler of the entire world castle wouldn't be a good impression anyways.

"Ok, we shouldn't drink, I get it!" Sunset said, still wanting to have a drink, she was upset because they would not drink, but she knew Starlight was right and they shouldn't go to Celestia's castle drunk.

"Let's just wait until the train gets into Canterlot," Starlight said. Both nodded.

"Let's play Q&A, someone makes a question and the others answer," Starlight explained, that idea sounded good for Sunset that gave a smile.

"What are you most passionate about in the human world?" Sunset asked, being the first to ask, "My favorite thing besides my friends is the technology"

"Ice Cream!" Starlight answered in a hurry.

"Astronomy, I love to learn new types of magic even if it is from another world," Twilight said with a wide smile.

"Ok, umm. Would you rather be a pony forever or be a human forever?" Starlight asked, Sunset heard this, her happiness was drained fast like water in the shower.

"I… cannot… choose." This question broke down Sunset, in a way that she couldn't hold her feelings anymore, she loved her friends so bad and wanted to be with them, although she had the feeling that they would or did forget her, and she started to cry, her eyes were full of tears and her vision was getting blurrier.

"Hey, hey, calm down, Sunny, I didn't mean to hurt you," Starlight said as she rushed to hug Sunset, Twilight mimicked her and they kept hugging each other, which made Sunset more comfortable and less saddened, she quickly stopped crying and gave a smile.

"I love you all," She said, still emotional.

"So, what should we keep doing while we wait until the train arrives?" Twilight asked.

"What about just staying here talking to each other," Sunset answered with a smile."What happened to Spike anyways?"

"He is…" Twilight hesitated for a moment, "…busy with something important"

"Okay…" Sunset said feeling the strange vibes emanating from Twilight, almost as if she was lying Pfft. Why would PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE lie to me about something so trifling

Sunset started to look out the window and thin about how fine her friends must be. The train got to Canterlot. Birds were tweeting as the bright celestial sun was illuminating the glass which reflected the light causing a shimmer that amazed Sunset's eyes that looked wide awake to the glass windows of the train station. The train stopped abruptly and they knew that it was time to go. Sunset's heart felt an extreme feeling of going back home, but she was undeniably missing her human friends.
No matter how many hours had passed or how much she tried, her humanity would never allow her to forget the feeling she had that they didn't and will never need her, they never did before why they would now, that she was gone, she wanted to be there living with them having a peacefully weekend at the beach or simply going to the Shopping Mall to buy some new clothes, even fighting a She-Demon would be great.
Sunset was deeply dipped in her thoughts that she did not realize Twilight calling her until Starlight shouted, "Hey! Are we getting out or are we going to live on this train?"

"So- sorry, I dived so deeply into my thoughts that I did not hear you, sorry Star, can I call you Star?" She asked. Starlight felt happy about Sunset calling her Star, but she was also angry for having to stand there calling Sunset.

"Anyways, Sunny, let's go?" She asked, making Sunset give a big smile, she really loved the nickname, but it did remember her of her human friends, which was very sad. She trotted at a fast pace going in Twilight and Starlight's direction. They started to walk in the castle's direction.

"Why I don't have a nickname?" Twilight questioned.

"Ok, Twillie," Starlight said, Twilight reacted frowning. Both Sunset and Starlight looked at each other and laughed as they kept walking.

"What should we do when we make it to the castle?" Starlight asked. Twilight was very sure that they would just end up with Sunset's wings would be removed and she didn't even though what should she do when they get there.

"We will talk to Princess Celestia at first, then we will…" Twilight wasn't sure how they would remove her wings anyways.

"We will what?" Starlight asked

"…Depending on her choice, remove Sunset's wings or maybe she will have a coro-" Twilight started to explain, but she was interrupted by Sunset.

"CORONATION? Am I going to turn into a PRINCESS?" Sunset said, shocking even Starlight which didn't expect that kind of reaction.

"Maybe, didn't you pay attention to my explanation?" Twilight said. She stopped walking making them both perplexed.

"Why did you stop so unexpectedly?" Sunset asked

"Oh, we're here," Twilight answered. Sunset tilted her head slightly to the left in confusion.

"The castle has now an invisibility enchantment, in case the villains are willing to destroy it, and it also comes with an illusion enchantment for them to think that the castle is farther away," Starlight explained making Sunset surprisedly excited with the news. Twilight's horn started to glow, she made a spell right after this. Purple steam started to appear, it was from Twilight's spell, they were unable to move during it, so Sunset started to get desperate, trying to go away, but the spell prevented her from doing it. The steam started to grow into a hurricane shape and made them float inside the castle, right in front of Celestia. The mist disappeared and they were now looking at Princess Celestia who was on her throne sitting, with Luna on her throne either.

"What the hay?" Sunset said, her breath was very quick and she looked to be very concerned with the

"New way to enter the castle, also," Twilight answered relieving her.

"What brings you here?" Celestia asked. They kept quiet as Sunset stepped in on their front and opened her wings. The giant orange alicorn wings made Celestia have an immense surprise, mostly because she didn't notice earlier those oversized wings. Sunset felt frightened chills, in case Celestia command her execution. This was hard to happen but it was certainly a possibility.

"An alicorn?" Luna asked, clearly shocked by the current announcement. Her face was indeed showing her shock. Celestia kept

"Yup," Sunset answered with a fake smile trying to comfort them, mostly herself, but deep inside she felt like this was the moment of her very death.

"Well, it is common knowledge that all Alicorns are royalty," Celestia told with a heavily calm voice. The sound echoed on Sunset's pony ears calming her and giving her the peace that she needed at the moment. She was very tranquilized, but one thing remained, the feeling that she would possibly turn into royalty.

"What does… does this means?" Sunset asked stuttering with nervousness, she was hoping to turn into a princess, but she was also feared of not being able to handle all of the princess' lifestyle and duties.

"This means that you, Sunset Shimmer are going to be the newest Equestrian Princess," Celestia responded. Sunset gasped, but before Sunset could re-answer Celestia resumed, "And your coronation will be tomorrow."

A mix of shock and surprise seemed to invade them, Sunset did not know if it was because her coronation was so sudden or because she was so calm while giving such shocking news as these were, "WHAT?!" Sunset, Luna, Twilight, and Starlight shouted synchronized.

It's Going Downhill Now

They kept the shock inside their heart and went out of the castle.
Twilight was trying as hardest she could calm Sunset down, even though it was impossible. Her life was turned upside down at that very moment, nothing would ever be the same, was the same feeling she had when first got Human World.
Twilight's left-front hoof was on her shoulder.
Sunset's heart was beating at 120 BPM, which made her nervous. She started to sweat as her breath got more rapid. She was starting to collapse, certainly some reaction she would expect from Twilight. Her hooves were shaking and getting weaker. She could barely stand anymore, so she fell to the ground and sat.

"I'm not capable, trustworthy, or meant to do this job, I can't!" Sunset said as she looked to the floor with a first tear running down her cheek and fell to the ground.

"Sunset, there is no need for a mental breakdown, you need to relax," Starlight said trying to make Sunset feel better, but it just caused more tears running down from the mare's eyes.

"I... am an... ex-villain... how am I... supposed to... be a... Princess..?" Sunset responded as more tears fell until the point she was starting to cry.

"You're right. You are an EX-villain, the meaning of EX is that you aren't anymore. Sunset you saved the Human Realm more times than I can count, sorry, but if you aren't capable, no one is," Twilight said trying to comfort Sunset, what worked, and she stopped crying. She stood up feeling more confident and as if she meant to be a Princess.

"You're right! I should go and get my coronation done!" Sunset's said confidently that she was meant to be a Princess and that everything was going according to the master plan.

"Yes! Now we should go and plan your coronation as soon as possible," Twilight said with them both hugging themselves as Starlight joined the hug.

They went back to Ponyville so they could get ready for the coronation, Sunset was already better, however, she had the feeling that something would go very wrong.
Before they went to the castle Twilight called the rest of the Mane 6, so they could help them with the coronation. They all entered the castle, the Mane 6 and Starlight got lined up from left to right, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight Glimmer respectively, and Sunset and Twilight were on their fronts. They were all excited, and happy, especially for Pinkie, and Sunset was feeling nearly down.

"So, Celestia needs me for something there in Canterlot, so I will give Starlight the job of organizing this coronation," Twilight said, she trusted Starlight enough to know she would be able to do that job.

"Rarity will sew the dresses, Pinkie will make the decoration, Applejack will make the food, Rainbow will make visual effects, and for Fluttershy, I'll need some animals to make a huge entrance for Sunset," Starlight said as she went to Sunset's side looking directly at them, she was passing a confidence air, but deep inside she was starting to feel like she needed to do everything go right, so she did not make Twilight disappointed.

"Wow, you are way more leaderish than I thought," Twilight said with a smile making Starlight more comfortable, "I will now go to Canterlot." Twilight walked out waving her left-front hoof to her friends left alone with Starlight.
Starlight rushed to draw to Pinkie how she wanted the coronation to be. It was basically like Twilight's coronation, with not many substantial changes, the basic difference was that the banner had her Cutie Mark with a black background, and there were no purple flowers, instead, there were sunflowers and sun stars.

"Oki Doki Loki," Pinkie said in her cheerful sunny voice.

"Now, Rainbow Dash. I want you to make a Sonic Rainboom when the crown is put on Sunset's head, but not a rainbow, I want something like a sun color palette." Starlight was showing confidence, but this confidence was clearly fake, and Sunset realized this, she was almost an expert in ponies or people's feelings, she needed to know this so she could manipulate people, but now was good to not use this power for evil.

"How am I supposed to do this?" Rainbow asked in a slightly concerned tone, she did not know anything about Sonic not-Rainbooms.

"I studied the Sonic Rainboom for a while, and my conclusion is that the only reason it is a rainbow is that your tail and mane are, so basically if you paint your tail and mane orange, yellow, and red it will turn out a Sonic Sunset," She said looking to Rainbow.

"I think this a little extreme and hard to do in… 20 hours?" Sunset said worriedly, she just wanted her coronation to be simple.

"NO! Twilight gave me this mission and I'll complete it," Starlight said, feeling pressured, even though she had to seem confident that she was able to do that job. "If anything gets wrong it will be MY fault, and only MINE"

[Starlight]
The weight of the world is on my shoulders
And I can't seem to shake it off
The pressure's building up inside of me
And I'm afraid that I might fall

Pressure, pressure, it's all around
Can't escape it, can't bring it down
It's weighing me down, it's hard to breathe
Pressure, pressure, it's suffocating me

I'm trying my best to keep it together
But I feel like I'm about to break
I don't know how to release this tension
And the fear is too much to take

Pressure, pressure, it's all around
Can't escape it, can't bring it down
It's weighing me down, it's hard to breathe
Pressure, pressure, it's suffocating me

I know I need to find a way
To let it go and breathe again
I won't let the pressure win
I'll find the strength to rise again

Pressure, pressure, it's all around
Can't escape it, can't bring it down
It's weighing me down, it's hard to breathe
Pressure, pressure, it's suffocating me

[Sunset]
I won't let the pressure break me
I'll rise above it all
With every step, with every breath
I'll push through and stand tall

I'll keep on climbing higher
I'll never give up the fight
I'll rise above the pressure
And find my way to the light

I'll take control of my own fate
And I won't let the pressure hold me back
I'll face my fears and rise up strong
And I won't let the weight of it all make me crack

"Yes, I guess," Starlight said, she was feeling a lot better after spilling out all the feelings she had inside.

"You need to calm down, they will do everything right!" Sunset said calming down Starlight peacefully.

"So, Applejack, for the food I want a 10-tier cake, with a sunset gradient, also I want her crown on the top of it and her cutie mark on the center, and… I'll trust to make the best recipes you can!" Starlight said smiling, Applejack looked at her hugely shocked, but she knew that a coronation needed something big. "Rarity, I need-"

"Well, I can make dresses for everyone, you don't even need to ask," Rarity said, cutting off Starlight's speech.

"Well, I think we're done…" Starlight said, even though she had the feeling of forgetting something

"I… still need… to know what… the animals… are going to do," Fluttershy said timidly.

"…right?" She continued

"You still didn't say what will Fluttershy do!" Rainbow said quite enthusiastically.

"Yes, right. I need flying animals to make a flying entrance with Sunset, then they will be standing at her side, and when the gates open they will peacefully fly away," She explained to Fluttershy who nodded.

"Before we put it to work, Sunset you'll have flying lessons with a pegasus from the Wonderbolts, called… uh, I think I forgot her name," Starlight said, then she paused for a moment to remember the mare's name. "LIGHTNING DUST," Starlight remembered the name, Rainbow instantly grunted and rolled her eyes.

"Seriously? Do I really need flying lessons?" Sunset asked, convinced that she was able to learn how to fly by herself.

"Ok, then show me what you got," Starlight said to Sunset. She confidently flapped her wings and started to levitate slowly, she was now totally convinced that she could do it alone, but as Starlight predicted, Sunset tried to fly to her front, and lost control of her fly and her slow and soft moves turned into a chaotic fly, she started to rotate in loops, and went rushedly in the wall's direction and she crashed in it, creating cracks on the wall, the grew until the point it made the wall clearly unstable.

"It can't get any worse," Sunset said, the wall that had cracks all over it fell down, raising up a big amount of dust.

"Get out, please," Starlight said, and everyone went out of the castle.

Some hours passed and Lightning Dust arrived to help Sunset with the flying training.
They were on the castle's back. Lightning Dust was on Sunset's front looking at her, Sunset felt very nervous of get embarrassed in front of one of the fastest Wonderbolts to live, one that could rival Rainbow Dash, this was a certainly complex situation.

"So, are we starting now or you'll keep looking at my finesse?" Lighting Dust said, and Sunset was pretty sure she was annoyed by her nervousness.

"Okay"

"Let's go!"

Lighting started to flap her wings and slowly come out of the ground as Sunset did earlier. Sunset watched her attentively and mimicked her moves.

"Now, you need to relax. Breath in," Lightning said, and Sunset followed her instructions carefully, "breath out"

"I think it is working!"

"Now you need to walk to your front as if your wings are your hooves"

"Like this?" Sunset walked in, but since it had no support for her to balance on, she ended up falling to the ground upside down with her horn buried in the grass.

"No! ARE YOU DUMB OR WHAT?! Can't you do a simple task?"

"Well, at least I have more patience than you! AT LEAST I WILL BECOME A PRINCESS"

"Ok, miss royalty, AT LEAST I KNOW HOW TO FLY WITH SMALLER WINGS THAN YOURS"

"Well, AT LEAST I AM NOT A TERRIBLE TEACHER!"

"You need me more than I need you, so move on, miss royalty"

Lighting flapped her wings again, and she went off of the ground and now was free from the cold air, Sunset imitated and levitated, they were a few inches from the ground and Sunset started the slow breathing Lighting had taught her, she then did the movent that was simply letting her body move to the front trusting her wings would hold her in the air, she did it and was now flying.

"Let's start off slowly, no one needs you breaking any more walls"

"Wow, the gossip ran fast"

Some more hours had passed and Sunset was very excited. She passed the whole night training with Lightning and she was now getting ready for the coronation that would happen in 30 minutes.
She was already at Canterlot and was getting dressed up for the coronation, everything was going fine, she was finally going to be a Princess. Her mind was running crazy with emotion, no one could deny she was happy due to her smile going from cheek to cheek.
She was in a dressing room starring the gown she was up to dress, her happiness was making her shine, maybe her magic was doing it, but she rather think it was the moment. Sunset was remembering her moments as a villain and how she not just made a full redemption, but she turned into one of the main good guys. Her dress was a dress similar to the dress from Twilight's coronation (the one from The Last Problem), the difference was that the purple part was a dark pink, the lighter one was black, and Twilight's cutie mark was replaced by hers.

"Well, the day has come," Sunset said to herself hoping that everything goes right, but she still with the feeling that she was missing something, she missed her friends there cheering for her, although she knew that the portal needed to be closed so she could protect Canterlot High.

Sunset levitated the dress and wore it, it was a strange feeling as if the dress was not meant to fit her, but since Rarity said this dress was designed for Twilight, so she did not bother.
Sunset walked out of the castle and went to its back. Out there flying high was Lighting Dust watching her. On the ground, there were sunbirds lined, three on the right and another three on the left, she walked into their center and they started to sing, then they started to fly, and she followed their moves.
They went to the top of the castle, and then to the entrance to make her entrance. She walked slowly and entered the castle's room, the birds went away as the gates opened.
She kept walking, everything was going well, she reached the balcony where the princesses were supposed to be there to give her her crown, but they were not there.
Before Sunset could panic, she breathed slowly, and blinked, once then twice, thrice, until she finally realize that she was looking like a maniac blinking that often, so she stopped and noticed that was already at the balcony and stopped walking, now she was certain, the princesses had disappeared.

"Where are they?" Sunset shouted making every other guest gasp and quickly the peace turned into chaos. Her crown floated to her and landed on her head with a green aura, then she started to be levitated by the same aura to a room behind curtains. In that room, there was Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst, and with the noise Lighting Dust went down to see what happened.

"WHAT THE HAY WAS THIS?!" Lightning shouted in fright.

"The princesses disappeared, not only them but our friends too!" Starlight explained.

Author's Note

The song in this chapter was made by me. Also, I called it "Rising Above Pressure"

The Adventure Begins

"How, when, why?" The shock from the message almost made Sunset breathless. She was willing to have a heart attack right now, but she could not, no time for breakdowns anymore, no time for feelings too.

"I don't know, but we need to find them," Starlight said, she needed Sunset to be calm.

"Starlight! Twilight left you in command, we need you," Sunset said, she was so desperate, that she was not even thinking correctly, Starlight got shock-surprised, she did not expect this, Twilight indeed left her in charge, but of the coronation, not things like this, but she knew what to do, she had a princess on her front, Sunset should deal this.

"No, we need you," Starlight said confidently to Sunset. She looked at her crown and realized that she was a princess after all, there was no way she could refuse to save Equestria, the place she was born and lived in, her nation, she was now going to exert the job she was now meant to.

Sunset nodded, with her head up and smiling, then she started to build up a plan and said, "I need Moondancer and Sunburst to go to the Crystal Empire and warn Shining Arm..."

"Wait, how do you know our names and Prince Shining Armor?" Moondancer asked interrupting Sunset's speech.

"Well, in my world there is another Shining Armor and Moondancer, so I know you, and them," Sunset explained, she was nearly irritated by Moondancer's interruption. "Resuming, you two need to warn Shining Arm..."

"PRINCE Shining Armor, actually, I know he is not an Alicorn, but he is still married to a princess, so we do address him this name," Moondancer interrupted her again.

"I am his friend in the Human World," Sunset said, she was getting angry now, but she knew who Moodancer was anyways.

"However he is still not the same..." Moondancer started to say but was interrupted by Lightning Dust.

"END OF DISCUSSION! WE NEED HER TO FINISH THE PLAN," Lighting Dust said, she just wanted Sunset to end the plan because she wanted to do something quickly. "Or are we sitting here while our Princesses are being tortured"

"I do have a better plan than this Princess Celestia knockoff," Moondancer said, with a high mockery tone.

"BUT I AM THE PRINCESS HERE, AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK LIKE THAT ABOUT ME AGAIN. UNDERSTOOD?" Sunset raged, she was now very angry about Moondancer's voice as if Moondancer was able to know more than a princess. For her this was unacceptable. Sunset heard a shrill roar, coming from Moondancer's back, she seemed to be hiding something with her hooves. She should check it later on.

"I like that attitude, miss royalty," Lightning said and Sunset gave a corner smile, she was liking the nickname at this point.

"So, as I was saying, when you two get there you need to warn Shining Armor, but in case he had disappeared too, I need you to warn the Crystal Empire's defenses by yourselves, I'll later get in touch, and Lightning Dust, I need you, and the Wonderbolts to do air searches," Sunset explained. All of them nodded, but Moondancer still thought she had a better plan. Sunburst and Lighting Dust were leaving, but Moodancer just motioned herself to the left.

"Wait, Dipper, please step in," Moondancer said, as a shiny galactic sort of bear or creature stepped in, Trixie recognized it almost instantaneously that this was an Ursa Minor, but smaller and cuter, it had a waning crescent moon on its forehead, it seemed very angry with Sunset, and now she discovered what was Moondancer hiding.

"What should we do with this-" Sunset was saying but was interrupted by Trixie.

"URSA MINOR!!" Trixie yelled.

"Please take care of him. I promise, that if you are peaceful with him, he will be gentle with you," Moondancer said, leaving alongside with Sunburst. Sunset got angry and shocked, how could she drop an Ursa Minor and then just leave?

"What should we do?" Starlight asked, she was very worried but she had to play it cool, for Equestria's sake no one could have a breakdown right there or now.

"I don't know!" Sunset instantly fell to the ground crying. She was not capable, no one was capable to maintain calm for that long. "What if they are already dead? Or if we aren't capable of finding them?"

With no time to respond, a loud bang passed in Sunset's ears, something was already happening, how could she handle a certain villain's attack without Celestia, Twilight, or everyone else, she could not have time to breathe, or even assimilate everything that was happening in that very moment, why would this happen to her, she just wanted to live normally her life. Not now, not now, not now! There is a crisis happening right, I can't just fight right now!

"We should go and-" Starlight was saying, but was interrupted by Sunset's abrupt stand-up.

Sunset did not even look behind and passed through the curtains to see what was happening, and her worst concerns were confirmed, this was a villain attack, at least that was what she thought as she saw a black smoke dissipate revealing a pony, it was a black male unicorn with a grey mane with white streaks, his mane was in a mohawk, it was very unclear for Sunset what was he holding or what his cutie mark was, but he had a black hole with inversed colors cutie mark, and he was holding a white scroll. On his back, there was what seemed to be a black spaceship, but it was also hard to tell because of the dark color.

"Good Morning Canterlot, call me the messenger, and the message I got to tell you all is: Get ready for the D.O.O.M, which stands for Destruction Order of Mayhem, in fifteen days, our leader, also known as Queen Nebula will reach Equestria for the operation to begin. Enjoy the last fifteen days you have with your family and friends before the end of everything you know," The unknown pony said in a harsh deep voice. "And don't try to fight, you don't have any princess to protect you," he ended the lecture with a wide and cynical smile, that made Sunset fully rage.

His smile, his expression of happiness for destroying a world, families, relationships, and everything she loved, why would she be supposed to handle it? They were immoral, evil, and- EVERYTHING BAD. She was literally done, in all senses of the word, as the messenger was turning to his back to go back to the ship, Sunset was willing to attack him, she leaned to her front, started to flap her wings, and move in his direction, but she felt a stronger force holding her back when she realized Starlight's aura, She is letting them go, why? Maybe she was an undercover villain, maybe she was never redeemed.

"They don't know we have a last princess with us, doing this would be suicide for Equestria," Starlight explained, paving away Sunset's regards about her.

Sunset was calmer, she needed to be, or at least seem, as the provisional ruler of Equestria, all she wanted at that very moment was that everything to be just a prank and for the princesses to appear, although she knew there were minimal chances for them to be alive or safe and sound.

"We need to hide and wait for Sunburst and Mondancer's message," Sunset said, looking very confident, then she took off her dress and her crown, but Starlight put the crown back on her, Sunset felt uncomfortable with that crown, it was not like human world's crowns, it felt strange on her. The reason she was able to discern this only now because she took off for a moment.

"Should we pack our things and hit the road?" Trixie asked, "I still have a wagon in case we need"

"We are definitely going to need a bigger one," Starlight said, Trixie looked at her with wide-opened intimidating eyes as flashbacks from the road to friendship ran through her head.

"I think we should go and drink some first," Sunset said, and both nodded, but Dipper only used his big and cute eyes to make several disapproving expressions, because Moondancer was explicitly against alcoholic drinks, and he was either.

"Well, maybe just some juice," Starlight said, making Dipper go back to its cute adorable face, and with a wide bright smile.

They walked out of the castle in the direction of a new underground bar near there, called 'Rainbowliscious Underground Bar'. The sky was no more bright it had the spaceship blocking the sun, all Sunset wanted to do seeing that view was to explode that thing, but she should and could not. They walked to the front ad kept in that direction until they saw a metal staircase directed to the underside, it could easily be mistaken for a subway if it was in the human world, so they went down to the bar, it looked glamourous, it had golden plates, and seemed like a palace, but something weird happened in the exact moment they walked in, red lights started to flicker and they saw a security guard shout "Alicorn alert". For Sunset, this alert was for some special treatment, but instead, they saw everything black up, and when they were finally able to see again, they were in a totally different place. It was dirty, had a grey aspect, and had a rat running over it.

"WHERE ARE WE?!?" Sunset shouted. She was dispaired, they could have been kidnapped like the princesses or their friends, she was powerless, in an unknown place with unknown people, they could do anything them now.

"Welcome to my 'Hideout'," a female beige earth pony said, she had side-swept to the right light-pink long hair, it went down to the floor, with white streaks and purple eyes, whose cutie mark was a gold heart making a gradient to light-pink.

"Why are we here?" Trixie asked, she was very confused, but felt good knowing that they were with her.

"What do you want from us?" Starlight said, but deep inside she knew that her question was just to go with the flow, she knew that they would not have good intentions.

"I told you this was a bad idea," a male light-brown earth pony with dark-brown shorter hair, going only going down to his neck, also side-swept to the right, but the left part was shaved, whose cutie mark was black crossed swords.

"I know you all have many questions, but I don't think we have time to answer all. My name is Golden Heart, and this is my older brother, Venom Flare," she said very calmly, he looked angry.

"What just happened?" Sunset asked, she was calmer, but still despaired, disbelieved, and certainly panicking.

"The place you went is a non-Alicorn-only bar," Golden explained, "but we have something to tell you"

"What is it?" Sunset asked

Let me tell you 'bout a moment I had just the other day
I was walking through the town, taking it slow
When I saw something laying on the ground in my way
A letter that someone had let go

I wonder what it says, I'm so curious
But I couldn't bring myself to open it up
I don't wanna pry, but it's so mysterious
I can't help but feel like it's meant for me

I picked it up and I looked around
But there was nobody there, just me on the street
I wondered if the owner would be back in town
Or if the letter was something that they'd meant to keep

I wonder what it says, I'm so curious
But I couldn't bring myself to open it up
I don't wanna pry, but it's so mysterious
I can't help but feel like it's meant for me

"What does it have to do with me?" Sunset asked

"I realized that on the letter's back, it was written 'Princess Twilight Sparkle', and when I saw the coronation and that the princesses disappeared, I needed to tell you," Golden said.

"Good choice," Sunset said. Golden showed up the letter from Twilight, Sunset stood up, and levitated the letter to herself, but Venom stepped in her front.

"Before you go, I- my sister needs something from you," Venom said extremely nervously. He was shaking on his hooves and sweating so much that could fill a new sea.

"What is it?" Trixie asked, he seemed oddly nervous, so she got concerned.

"An autograph! It's the first time We- she talks to a princess," He said. Sunset levitated a paper and a pen that were on a desk and signed there with a huge smile, hiding her frustration because her writing was not as good as her handwriting in the human world.

"Byeee," Sunset said as she was leaving with Trixie and Starlight. They went to a wagon store and found one to buy, it was good, and Starlight labeled it as better than Hoo'Far's. They put their stuff on the wagon and felt cozy. It was made out of wood and was lighter than it seemed, even with the furniture. It cost them 8000 bits, and Sunset, who offered herself to pay all felt it was a little bit overpriced.

"Shouldn't we read the letter?" Starlight asked. Sunset nodded and opened the letter. In the letter it was written,
'The portal's power, we couldn't fight,
Our bodies sucked into the night,
A new villain with wicked schemes,
Pulled us away from our moonlit dreams.

Now trapped in a place unknown,
We seek a way to find our home,
But danger lurks around each bend,
As we search for a means to mend.

The clues to our salvation hide,
In riddles and puzzles, side by side,
Only by solving each mystery,
Can we escape this misery?

So please, dear friend, we ask of thee,
To aid us in our time of need,
Find the answers, set us free,
And break this villainous misdeed.

The fate of Equestria, in your hand,
We trust you'll find the key, so grand,
To unlock the portal, and release us all,
From this villain's wicked thrall.

Twilight.'

"What did she mean by this?" Trixie asked in confusion from the puzzle.

"We are going to solve this soon, but now we need to sleep, it was a full day," Sunset answered.

Author's Note

Both song and poetry made in this chapter were written by me.

Cave Of Wonders

Author's Note

Sorry for the delays! I was planning to post this on Tuesday and then the other two together with this on Sunday, but my laptop got an error that made me lose half of this chapter and all of the following two chapters, so I had to re-write half of this chapter. I had to re-write the next two, so sadly they will have to be delayed to next week, there I'll post like a triple-feature, but is nothing guaranteed.

To avoid confusion, in this chapter from later on, I'll be using the format of color for each character, either for songs or thoughts.

Trixie
Sunset
Starlight
Dipper
Everyone

Cave Of Wonders

They woke up very early and stood there peacefully waiting for Sunburst and Moondancer to send a scroll or something. Sunset, Starlight, and Trixie were surrounding Dipper, who was in the middle of them, his expression was shouting sleep, while he pretended to be fully awake. They were bored of waiting so long, they were waiting for nearly hours and wanted to do something in the meantime, but it was not reasonably possible. They needed to read the letter as soon as possible when it came to them.

"So, will we wait forever or just give up?" Trixie asked, and Starlight nodded, then looked to Sunset waiting for a response, Sunset took a heavy deep breath and was up to say something, but suddenly the moon on Dipper's forehead started to glow, he floated, they knew that this was the time, but, they just did not know what to do, dragons like Spike spat fire that came along with a scroll, but they had never seen an Ursa Minor do something like that. Dipper was getting higher each moment and they were starting to get concerned, he would reach the roof in a matter of seconds if e kept getting higher at that fastness.

"Shouldn't we do something about this?" Starlight asked, and she was correct, Sunset was up to fly there and pull him out, unfortunately, she was interrupted because Dipper started to spin, it got too fast, to the point they were seeing thousands of translucent Dippers at the same time turned to every direction. Suddenly he slowed down until the point he stopped, but when he stopped there was a scroll being held by his moon, it had a navy-blue aura, and the scroll was being levitated at the same altitude as him, and as he was getting down slowly, the scroll followed him. He went to the ground with no injuries and was shockingly calm about what had just happened.

"Dipper, are you okay?" Sunset asked, he nodded and then said,

"Safe and sound," Dipper responded, then he fell to the ground. Trixie levitated him to a mattress that was his bed.

"Dipper talks?" Trixie asked shocked, she thought Dipper was a non-verbal creature like the rest of the Ursa Minors. Nope you're hallucinating, idiot. And after disrespecting Trixie in his thoughts, Dipper went right to sleep on the small mattress he had.

"Yes, I guess, anyways what is written in there?" Starlight asked Sunset with her head fixed on the scroll that was now being held by Sunset, she was very curious and excited to save the day. Sunset opened it, excited to read the paper.

"So, here we are." Sunset started to read, "My dearest Sunset, Starlight, and Trixie,

I am thrilled to inform you that we have successfully detected the princesses' signal emanating from a hidden cave nestled within the depths of Canterlot's illustrious mines. It is of utmost importance that you make your way there with the utmost haste, for we have received additional instructions pertaining to a secretive empire of great significance. While we lack precise knowledge of its exact location, we believe it to be in close proximity to the mines themselves, Moondancer.

PS: I kindly request that you meticulously document every detail of your expedition. It would be an immeasurable source of gratitude and a perfect opportunity for me to undertake a comprehensive research endeavor delving into the enigmatic Canterlot mines—an intriguing and well-guarded mystery that has captivated the imaginations of many.

May the stars guide your path as you embark on this perilous yet exhilarating journey.

With unwavering excitement and anticipation, Sunburst," Sunset read.

"Too much information at once," Starlight said.

"I know, but we need to do something fast, so, both pack our stuff while I stay here to send them another letter," Sunset said, both nodded and went to pack things up. "So, write this, Dear Moondancer, and Sunburst, thanks for the info, we are going to go search right now, but we need you to decode this:
The portal's power, we couldn't fight,
Our bodies sucked into the night,
A new villain with wicked schemes,
Pulled us away from our moonlit dreams.

Now trapped in a place unknown,
We seek a way to find our home,
But danger lurks around each bend,
As we search for a means to mend.

The clues to our salvation hide,
In riddles and puzzles, side by side,
Only by solving each mystery,
Can we escape this misery?

So please, dear friend, we ask of thee,
To aid us in our time of need,
Find the answers, set us free,
And break this villainous misdeed.

The fate of Equestria, in your hand,
We trust you'll find the key, so grand,
To unlock the portal, and release us all,
From this villain's wicked thrall, it's a letter from Twilight," Sunset said and Dipper rushed to write it all at once.

"Should we take it all or only a portion of our things?" Trixie said

"Due to the circumstances, we should take only a portion, like miner hats and food in case we get stuck," Sunset said, feeling very leaderish, if she learned something with Sci-Twi was that she needed to get ready for every stumbling block.

"Alright Princess Shimmer," Starlight nodded and said, and Sunset just gave a smile as Starlight and Trixie walked away to gather resources.

She stood there waiting for them, but she was not able to keep stifle her feelings anymore, she was a princess, their leader, but she was needing to play it cool to search for the princesses while there was almost a time bomb out there waiting to explode Equestria entirely. She always kept there confident and clever, but she needed to cry, scream, shout, and yell it out, she could not keep holding back her feelings. She fell off to the ground full of sorrow. She started to cry, but she cried like never before, her eyes were all blurred, and on her cheeks, it seemed like she was drowning in herself. It was so much suffering and pressure on her shoulders, she needed to keep everyone fine so they would not crack, but she was the one cracking.

Trixie heard her and stopped packing an apple juice bottle and ran to see what had happened, but when she saw Sunset on the ground, she knew it was her moment to deal with it all. Trixie went to Starlight, she was packing a coat in case the mines get cold.

"Hey, Star, I think we should let Sunset alone for a moment, you know, for her to deal with the moment," Trixie said, Starlight completely understood, and nodded. Trixie went back to pack the food. Starlight was starting to get worried, she knew Sunset was pretending to be strong, but if every time someone in the team just sit and cry, they would never make it to the princesses, and she also knew that the cave must had be a security system somehow.

Sunset cried a lot, she cried to the point that there was a pit of tears on her head's side, but she was now feeling better, Fluttershy's suggestion to cry it out, worked better than she could ever expect. Sunset was now ready to go on a new
mission. even though she missed talking to Princess Twilight about her feelings.
She walked to her friends that were ready and gave them a hug.

"Let's go!" Sunset said as they separated from each other.

They went out of the wagon, getting ready for the adventure that began. Starlight was nearly worried and Sunset was feeling sad about the situation, they were in a bad mood, so Trixie felt like she should play Pinkie's role and make everyone happier. They faced the green lands that they needed to go through and the only thing Trixie could think to cheer them up was A SONG!

"Hey guys, follow my lead!" Trixie said cheerfully, Starlight rolled her eyes because she saw what was coming.

This cave is so exciting,
The magic in the air is inviting,
I know we'll find the way,
To the princesses and save the day.

We're going to the cave,
With Trixie's hope and Starlight's worry,
I pray we'll find the way,
To the princesses in a hurry.

I sense something's not right,
This cave is hiding secrets in plain sight,
I hope we can make it through,
And find what we need to.

We're going to the cave,
With Trixie's hope and Sunset's sorrow,
I pray we'll be brave,
And find a better tomorrow.

In this cave of crystal light,
My heart aches with a sense of fright,
We must press on, though the danger's real,
And face whatever this quest will reveal.

We're going to the cave,
With Sunset's pain and Starlight's fear,
I know we'll be brave,
And find the answer we hold dear.

Together we'll make this,
Through the dark and the light,
We'll find the princesses,
And make everything right.

As they walked, their voices filled with emotion, Trixie's words resonated, instilling confidence in everyone. Determined, they continued their journey, sharing stories and maintaining their course. After a lengthy trek, they finally arrived at the entrance to the mines. Towering before them, it boasted an abundance of precious stones. As they ventured further, they encountered a network of tunnels branching off in different directions, forming a labyrinthine maze. With each tunnel leading to multiple others, the complexity grew. Amidst this intricate web, a pressing question arose, Where is the cave? They needed to find the answer promptly, for failure meant losing the princesses forever.

"We should look up everywhere until we find it, right?" Starlight urged. Sunset nodded in disagreement.

"We can't just waste time doing this, we have literally only 330 hours to save Equestria," Sunset said and she had already decided, and would not be turning back. Starlight nodded.

"What is your idea, then?" Starlight asked.

"What about exploding this thing up?" Sunset asked. Starlight got shocked, exploding everything was not possible. They had chaos running right now and she wanted to destroy a place that could turn out to be the safest place in Equestria, in case they needed to run and hide.

"What?! This is-" Starlight started to say, but was instantly interrupted by Sunset

"Insane? Crazy? Nonsense? Madness? Call it whatever you want, but is now our best option," Sunset said, but meanwhile, when they were not paying attention Trixie left for the first tunnel, she knew she needed to follow her heart so she did, then went to the left one, next she went to the middle one. As the tunnels got darker because of the lack of sunlight, she was getting insecure and scared about this, but her heart said "GO!" while her brain said "RETURN!"

Trixie decided to go, What could go wrong?
She faced four tunnels in her front. She went to the middle-right one and at this point, she was being incapable to see clearly, so she used magic to create a light aura that made her see all that cold, grey, and hard stone in a pink cute color. She kept pacing and saw more five tunnels, this was starting to get boring, and she was about to quit.

At this same moment, Sunset and Starlight were getting ready for the explosion spell when they realized something was missing.

"Hey, Star, do you miss something?" Sunset asked looking around to see if something was wrong, but she saw nothing different.

"I don't know, maybe Trixie kn-" Starlight was starting to say when finally her penny dropped.

"TRIXIE!" Both shouted and instantly they realized what was missing, it was Trixie, they were getting nervous.

"Maybe a monster got her!" Starlight said, making them more nervous.

"Or maybe she got trapped in an underwater cave!" Sunset said, making things even worse for their feelings.

All of the nervousness was making them panic, and the panic made Sunset lose control and accidentally send a destruction spell that hit the roof, and this triggered a defense system in the caves that closed the entrance, so they got locked in there for their despair.

Trixie kept walking as she passed through another tunnel, she heard a loud bang. It was the wall, Trixie got worried, she knew something was wrong, so she ran back to the entrance where were Sunset and Starlight, they got very relieved and happy to see Trixie fine.

"Where were you?" Sunset asked Trixie, she was too happy seeing Trixie fine to get mad, but this certainly made her angry.

"Are you crazy, how could you go into tunnels all alone?" Starlight continued.

"I know, I know, the great and powerful Trixie, still could've been hurt, but I just followed my intuition, I needed to I felt that I was on the right path," Trixie answered apologizing.

"Just don't do it again, 'kay," Sunset said, her worry made she almost kill everyone and they were now locked.

"Yeah, but now we're trapped here," Starlight said.

"Why won't we follow the path I was going to?" Trixie asked, Sunset, knowing that this was the best option they had at the moment nodded.

"Yeah, we should." Sunset agreed. Trixie waved her head in the tunnel's direction, Trixie went through the path easily leading her friends until the point she returned, they were very bored at this point. They were now facing eight tunnels on their front and needed to choose one to follow.

"And now?" Starlight asked expecting Trixie to tell them where to go like did earlier, but Trixie responded with an awkward smile.

"We should choose one to go from now on," Trixie said.

"Extreme-left," Starlight urged.

"Or middle-right," Trixie urged.

"C'mon, we can't keep just going-" Sunset was starting say, she wanted to tell them how going randomly was nonsense, but she stopped when she saw a light coming from the middle-extreme-left tunnel. She decided to follow it and then said, "nevermind, let's go to the middle-extreme-left tunnel"

"Ok, this is getting very confusing, which one is the middle-extreme-left tunnel?" Starlight asked and Trixie agreed, Sunset rolled her eyes and they answered,

"From left to right we have the extreme-left (first), extreme-middle-left (second), middle-extreme-left (third), middle-left (fourth), middle-right (fifth), middle-extreme-right (sixth), extreme-middle-right (seventh), and extreme-right (eighth), do you get it?" Sunset explained. Trixie was still confused, but Starlight quite understood.

"Of course," both said and then followed Sunset to the tunnel.

They passed through it, as the light pink color shade, turned slowly into purple, and then into blue as Trixie turned the light off. When they finished passing through it they saw something mesmerizing, it was a cave full of cold-colored crystals, but mostly blue and purple; The blue ones were sharp and tall, ten inches; The purple ones were shorter, five inches, and round; The green one was rarer, there were only two that were five feet and they were both crossed in one another.

When they had this view, they knew it was the right place, and they were in the cave, it was wonderful, it was amazing, they saw that after the green crystals, there were stones full of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, all types of gems they could imagine, if Spike was there he certainly would want to stay.

"So, this is the cave?" Starlight said with literal stars in her eyes, with the gems' glimmer.

"It is amazing," Trixie responded, also captivated by the gems, especially the pearls.

"I want to live here forever!" Sunset said, cantering to the cave and slowing down as she reached the ores' part.

Restless and filled with anticipation, she paced back and forth, her eyes scanning every corner of the room, eagerly searching for the elusive gems. Amongst the sparkling array, her gaze suddenly fixed upon a mesmerizing amber stone. Instantly, a surge of excitement coursed through her veins, igniting an indescribable passion within. Drawn to its ethereal allure, she found herself irresistibly captivated by the reflection of her own visage in that magnificent, orange-colored mirror.

Starlight's gaze was drawn to a gleaming green sapphire that caught her attention. She raced towards it, her heart racing with excitement, and as she drew closer, she saw her own reflection staring back at her. It was a mesmerizing sight, and for a moment, she felt like a star in her own right, her beauty radiating outward like a beacon of light.

Trixie ventured towards a magnificent pearl, eager to catch a glimpse of her own reflection, just as her friends had done before. As she made her way towards the pearl, her steps filled with anticipation, fate had something unexpected in store for her. Unbeknownst to Trixie, a purple crystal stood in her path, its enchanting allure drawing her closer. Lost in her own thoughts, she didn't notice the crystal until it was too late. Trixie stumbled and fell, her world momentarily turning upside down. As she lay on the ground, she glanced around, and what she saw was a revelation that shook her to the core. The captivating crystals that had caught her attention, turned out to be a vast expanse of dull stones, stretching as far as the eye could see. The once vibrant and alluring treasures that had filled her vision were now replaced by monotonous shades of gray.

"GUYS! Something is wrong with these gems!" Trixie shouted.

"What? There is nothing wrong with the gems," Sunset said looking fixed on the amber, still mesmerized.

Trixie rose to her feet, the urgency of the situation dawning on her. As she glanced around, she saw that the tunnels were slowly being sealed by the defense system that had initially brought them there. Panic began to set in as she realized the gravity of the situation. The cave itself started to crumble, sending tremors through the ground, and Trixie knew they had to leave, and quickly.

She tried to wake her friends, but they seemed to be lost in their reflections. She was about to give up when she heard a loud sound coming from her back, similar to the one she heard earlier, but this time it sounded much closer. She turned around and saw that the defense system was advancing, closing in on them.

Time was running out, and Trixie knew that they needed to wake up, but they seemed unwilling to snap out of their slumber. She tried shaking them and calling out their names, but nothing worked. Frustrated and desperate, she knew that she had to take drastic measures to awaken them.

Without a second thought, Trixie focused all her energy on a powerful laser blast aimed at the roof. The force of the beam was enough to shatter the illusions that had previously enveloped her friends, and they were suddenly jolted awake.

"Guys, we need to get out of here. NOW!" Trixie said, they were very confused, they were staring at themselves, but suddenly it disappeared and Trixie seemed worried, so something was wrong.

"Why?" Sunset asked.

"The cave is closing!" Trixie spoke, her words brimming with conviction, both Starlight and Sunset eagerly nodded their heads in agreement. With a sense of purpose and determination, the trio embarked on their mission to enter the tunnel that lay beyond the cave.

Into The Sea

Author's Note

Luminaqua: The Tale of the Sea Realm is the first part of a three-part special, that I decided to call The Three Tales.

From now on, also, a friend is helping me to write the story, so I can improve it.

Into The Sea

As the group ventured deeper into the tunnel, a sense of foreboding gripped their hearts. The darkness that enveloped them seemed to amplify their fears, for beyond the cave lay an uncertain realm fraught with potential dangers. They were acutely aware of the lurking possibility of toxic substances or cunning traps, adding an extra layer of trepidation to their already heightened emotions.

With each step, the temperature seemed to plummet, seeping into their very bones, while the once-dry air grew thick with moisture, making it difficult to breathe. It was a chilling reminder that they were venturing into uncharted territory, where unforeseen perils awaited at every turn.

"Should we keep going? It's getting dark, and scary," Trixie said, but unexpectedly a diamond fell on Trixie, she instantly placed it in her bag.

"Look, it's an only-way tunnel, and going back is not an option," Sunset said, and Trixie with ample agreement nodded.

In this moment of uncertainty, Trixie once again harnessed the power of her magic, casting a radiant light that illuminated their path. However, their relief was short-lived, as the entrance to the tunnel abruptly began to close, as if reacting to their presence. Their earlier apprehension had not been in vain, for this was the trap they had anticipated.

The group hurriedly quickened their pace as the walls converged, desperately attempting to outpace the encroaching closure. Yet, to their dismay, they found themselves trapped in a narrow passage, with no way forward. The tunnel's closure had come too swiftly, catching them off guard.

A feeling of despair settled upon them as they realized they had reached a dead end. The futility of their efforts weighed heavily on their hearts, as the realization sank in that there was no path beyond the closed tunnel. They were left with a profound sense of being trapped, with no clear way to proceed.

"What should we do? What should we do? What should we do? What sho-" Trixie said, but Sunset stopped her putting her right hoof in Trixie's mouth.

"Calm down, We are gonna find a way out," Sunset said, she was trying to build a plan in her mind meanwhile, I know! We are going to break this wall and then get out of here

Before they could react, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface like a shattered mirror. With a thunderous roar, the floor gave way beneath them, plunging them into a dizzying free fall.

But in the face of imminent peril, Sunset's quick thinking and swift reflexes came to the rescue. She used all of her strength of flight, whisking her friends into the ethereal embrace of the air just moments before they would have met a watery demise below.

As they hovered suspended above the calamitous chasm, their hearts pounding in their chests, Sunset's gaze cast downward, revealing a breathtaking sight. Instead of the hard and unforgiving ground, they had anticipated, an expanse of shimmering water stretched as far as the eye could see, an endless aquatic expanse that defied their expectations.

It was a surreal scene, the once-solid foundation now transformed into a liquid realm, reflecting the dancing light with an otherworldly beauty. The rippling waves beckoned with an enigmatic allure, stirring a mix of awe, curiosity, and trepidation within the adventurers.

Questions swirled in their minds as they floated in the air, contemplating their next move. What secrets lay hidden beneath the tranquil surface? Was this a fortuitous turn of events, or did it portend even greater challenges? The unknown depths of the watery abyss awaited their exploration, a gateway to uncharted territories and untold wonders.

"Let's jump," Sunset said, looking at her friends.

"What? Are you crazy?" Starlight said, they only escaped the water by pure luck, it would be better if they went back to the cave and searched for the clue they should have found.

"We will go, end. of. discussion," Sunset said.

"Time to be brave," Trixie voiced

United by a shared sense of wonder and fueled by an unyielding spirit, Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight steeled themselves for the unknown. With their fate intertwined and their bonds forged through adversity, they prepared to dive headfirst into this unexpected aquatic realm, ready to uncover the secrets that lay beneath the shimmering surface and forge their own destiny amidst the liquid depths.

Plunging into the frigid waters below, the trio braced themselves for the grim embrace of what they believed to be their impending demise. Yet, to their astonishment, their anticipated demise did not befall them. Instead, a mysterious force, as if guided by unseen hands, enveloped them in a shimmering aura, gently suspending them within the watery depths.

Initially gripped by fear, they hesitated to open their eyes, unsure of the intentions behind this unexpected salvation. But curiosity overcame their trepidation, and one by one, they cautiously unveiled their eyes to an otherworldly sight.

To their bewildered eyes, they found themselves surrounded by enigmatic masked unicorns, their magical auras pulsating with an ethereal glow.

"Are we dead? Is this Heaven?" Trixie said, as her voice echoed through her friend's ears, they were shaking in fear, Trixie's joke was not having the best of the effects.

A mix of awe, confusion, and apprehension gripped Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight as they realized they had been rescued by these unknown ponies, they were both very strong and in uniform. The uniform consisted of a full-body suit, covering the guards from head to hoof, made of lightweight, waterproof fabric. The suit was form-fitting to allow for ease of movement and was adorned with intricate patterns reminiscent of coral reefs and ocean waves. Their fate was now intertwined with the mysteries that shrouded them.

Though Sunset's instincts urged her to resist and fight against their captors, her attempts proved futile, as the magic that held them in its grasp remained unyielding. Reluctantly, they surrendered to the whims of their saviors, allowing themselves to be carried through a series of winding passages.

As they were guided further into this enigmatic realm, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation filled their hearts. The unknown place that awaited them was a blank canvas, a realm devoid of familiarity and laden with secrets yet to be unveiled.

After what felt like an eternity of traversing through the sea land, they emerged into a vast and unfamiliar chamber. The air hummed with unplaceable energy, carrying an aura of ancient power and hidden knowledge.

They had arrived at a magnificent palace, its grandeur unparalleled, glistening like a crystalline wonderland. The entire structure appeared to be crafted from shimmering ice, with intricate patterns and delicate frost adorning every surface.

The palace emanated a phenomenal beauty, its icy façade reflecting the ambient light, casting a mesmerizing glow that illuminated the chamber. Sunlight filtered through the transparent walls, refracting into a myriad of stunning hues, painting the surroundings with a supernatural radiance.

"What is all this?" Sunset asked her friends, that seemed as confused as her.

"Should we enter this?" Starlight asked, they could not dive deeper into problems anymore.

"Yes. We'll go," Sunset said, Trixie and Starlight nodded and started to pace in the palace's direction.

As Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight stepped further into the palace's direction, the air turned crisp and cool, a gentle breeze carrying the faint scent of winter. They marveled at the intricate architecture and the intricate ice sculptures that adorned the halls, each one a masterful work of art. The palace seemed like a frozen symphony, an enchanting testament to the power of magic and the boundless creativity of its creators.

Sunset turned to her back to check everything up, and her friends mimicked, and they realized that the ponies that saved them were following them all along.

"Hey, why did you save us and why are you following us?"

Sunset asked. Both remained serious, looked at each other, and then one said, "Aval lemo tar'ak?" ("Should we tell them?")

The other responded, "Nak, zharima va'xar luyesha lomeles" ("No, let's just take them to the princess")

"Hey, can you translate the conversation, for the Ponish speakers? Please," Sunset asked, However, to her dismay, the masked figures remained unresponsive, their attention seemingly fixed on their own inscrutable mission.

Realizing that their peculiar guides were resolutely moving in the direction of the palace's entrance, Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight understood that they had no choice but to follow suit. With each step they took, the distance between them and the enigmatic beings closed, creating a precarious situation where a misstep could result in a collision.

Aware of the imminent danger, Sunset, and her companions swiftly maneuvered their way into the path of the advancing figures, allowing them to pass by without incident, and they followed them.

The moment they crossed the threshold, the massive gates behind them abruptly swung shut with a resounding thud, sealing their entry into the icy fortress. The echoing sound reverberated through the chamber, sending shivers down their spines.

As their eyes adjusted to the frost-laden chamber, Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight were greeted by a captivating sight. Before them, upon a regal ice throne, sat a majestic figure that defied their expectations.
It appeared to be an alicorn, possessing both the grace of a unicorn and the wings of a pegasus. However, what truly caught their attention was the remarkable addition of a seapony tail, flowing gracefully behind the majestic creature.
The Sealicorn had a wavy floating mane that was in a light blue that had a gradient to blueish white, with blue streaks, a white-colored coat, blue icy-textured eyes, and big eyelashes.

"Oooh," Trixie said as she shivered admired by the figure she was witnessing.

The queen looked to the mysterious saviors and said, "Tolna de'elzara." ("You are excused") The mysterious saviors made their way out silently.

"What is happening here?" Sunset asked, heavily confused.

"Zharin va'akna ter'oshu lomirik, nelmireli," The mysterious queen said with a deep and intimidating tone. The trio seemed very confused since they did not understand that language.

"Can you translate it to Ponish?" Sunset asked, the queen reacted rolling her eyes

"Oh lomis Fausticorn," ("Oh my Fausticorn") The queen murmured, and then translated, "What do you want here, foreigns!?" Her voice was clearly deeper and angrier.

"We just fell here accidentally, can't you just show us a way out?" Sunset said. The queen remained serious.

"Improbable truth! Kelis, ravila v'eshir," ("Guards, imprison them") The queen said.

More members of the enigmatic group materialized before the ice throne, distinguished by their uniforms, yet with their heads exposed. Among them stood a light orange Unicorn, their maneless and tailless form exuding determination, while a blue Pegasus, also without hair, exuded confidence. The Unicorn displayed their proficiency in magic by levitating hoofcuffs with a pulsating purple aura, suggesting a role in control or containment.

"Wait, what?" Starlight said she was heavily confused, first, they save them and now were locking them.

"What did we do?" Sunset asked, nearly desperate. The guards kept silent.

"We told the truth, why can't you believe us?" Trixie asked, and the guards remained silent, a silence that was deafening.

"Come with us young mares," The blue guard said as the orange one placed the hoofcuffs on them. Then they started to walk in a corridor's direction, the trio remained motionless, however, the hoofcuffs forced them to follow the guards, softly sliding on the cold ice floor.

"Hey, stop! This goes against the pony rights!" Trixie said trying to make the guards stop, but the blue one only looked behind with an angry expression.

Following a lengthy journey, Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight found themselves confined within a frigid and solitary cell. The icy walls surrounded them, casting an eerie glow as the chilling air seeped into their bones. Their surroundings seemed designed to dampen hope and test their resolve. Standing watch over their imprisonment was a lone guard, an earth mare whose presence added an unexpected dynamic to their captors' ranks.
Unlike the others, she possessed a distinct femininity, her eyes reflecting a mix of duty and curiosity. The orange guard pulled out their bags using magic and with a calculated silence, the guards departed, leaving the trio to contemplate their predicament in the cold embrace of their icy cell.
The mare had the same uniform, she had a white coat and brown mane, she also seemed not to have a tail and had green eyes. She seemed very excited about the job, different from the others that most of the time seemed tough and serious

"No!" Trixie shouted.

"What just happened?" Starlight asked, she was so confused about this whole situation.

"Ugh! All I wanted was to find the clue we should, and yet we need to return, we can't just leave Dipper alone, and we also have the letter," Sunset said, and something bugged Starlight, who noticed that Trixie was looking bothered

"Trixie, is there anything wrong with you?" Starlight asked.

"So, guys, I need to tell you something, something important," Trixie said, they looked at her seriously.

"What is it?" Sunset asked.

"I think I found Twilight's clue to save them," Trixie answered, "A diamond fell on me and I placed it in my bag"

"When were you expecting to tell us about that?" Sunset asked, she was getting angry with Trixie's dumb actions at this point.

"When we get out of the cave," Trixie said, Sunset rolled her eyes.

"IF ONLY!" Sunset shouted, but then she calmed down and continued, "If only you told us when you go the diamond, maybe we would not be in this situation now!" Sunset said, raging with Trixie.

"I am sorry," Trixie said, as her eyes started to tear, and Starlight cantered and hugged her friend.

"Maybe, instead of screaming at each other, you should ask that guard if she can help," Starlight said, looking mad.

"Hey, who are you?" Sunset asked, being the most sympathetic she could and trying to gather information about them.

"Hi! My name is Sugary Swoop," she said, looking very cheerful.

"May I ask, why are you so happy?" Sunset asked, and Sugary gave a wide bright smile.

"It's been a long, long time since we have visitors or prisoners, like thousands of years, so the guard job was useless, but now I have prisoners to take care of," Sugary said.

"Tell me more," Sunset said. And the mare happily agreed.

"Wait, I have a better idea! I can sing the prophecy," Sugary said.

"What prophecy?" Sunset asked

In the realm of Luminaqua, where waters gleam so bright,
A dimension all its own, a realm of pure delight.
It danced with Rubix, a kingdom grand and bold,
And whispered secrets lay in the woods of Whisperwood.

But the portals that connected them, bound them as one,
Led to the pony realm, beneath the glowing sun.
Yet when the Crystal Empire vanished from sight,
The portals disappeared, sealing realms tight.

No pony set foot in Luminaqua's sacred space,
As the song of their joy faded without a trace.
The watery kingdom yearned for the ponies to return,
But destiny's hand had a different page to turn.

Oh Luminaqua, once filled with laughter and glee,
Your waves now ripple silently, longing for company.
Rubix and Whisperwood, your spirits held in chains,
In separate dimensions, forever it remains.

For the portals that connected them, bound them as one,
Led to the pony realm, beneath the glowing sun.
But when the Crystal Empire vanished from sight,
The portals disappeared, sealing realms tight.

"Oh, this is really sad, I am sorry," Sunset said.

"Don't be. Our realm is fine without visitors, I mean, until you showed up," Sugary said.

"So, we were not here to steal anything or whatever your queen thought," Sunset and Sugary gave her a suspected expression

"What do you mean by that?" Sugary asked.

"We got here by accident," Sunset answered, and her friends immediately got her plan. She wanted to somehow manipulate Sugary to lead their way out.

"Oh, so, how can I help you?" Sugary asked, and Sunset smiled for her.

"We want to get out of this cell," Sunset said.

"Ok!" Sugary said, but then she changed her mind and said, "No, I can't do that! I can't lie and betray the queen like that!"

"You need to, because what she is doing is a huge mistake, we need to save our land, Equestria," Sunset said.

"Ok, but we have to go quickly," Sugary said.

The mare, with a sense of urgency, pressed a concealed button, causing the cell's grid to open with a smooth upward motion. With a determined look in her eyes, she motioned for Sunset, Starlight, and Trixie to follow her lead. Swiftly, she guided them through the intricate labyrinth of corridors, leading them toward the entrance of the ventilation system. With deftness and agility, she slipped into the narrow passage, beckoning them to follow suit.

As they navigated the network of ducts, the blaring alarms echoed through the castle halls. However, the trio remained undeterred, finding solace in the safety of the vents. Their footsteps were hushed, their presence concealed from the chaos that unfolded below. Silently, they made their way toward the castle's enchanting garden, where an array of vibrant flowers greeted their eyes.

Amidst the beauty, three portals beckoned to them, each emanating an air of mystery. The closed portal bore the inscription "Lumidara Zeleth," its significance veiled in secrecy. In the middle stood a striking red portal, marked with the word "Ruybix," while to the left, a verdant green portal took the name "Sylentu Verdura." Behind them, etched into the castle wall, a cryptic phrase proclaimed "Luminaku."

Time was of the essence as they weighed their options, but their decision-making process was abruptly interrupted. A swarm of guards descended upon them, weapons brandished, their intent clear. Without hesitation, they launched a barrage of spears and daggers toward the group. Sunset and Starlight, fueled by instinct and reflexes, skillfully evaded the onslaught. However, in the chaos, Trixie acted on instinct alone, rushing towards the red portal without looking back.

Sunset and Starlight fought against the barrage of projectiles, desperately attempting to reach their comrade. But Sugary, struck by a spear, collapsed to the ground, blood staining her body. In that moment of despair, her voice, weak but determined, pierced through the tumultuous air.

"Goodbye, new friends. And mirelara zaluna," ("hail the queen")

In the face of imminent danger, Starlight's fear and anxiety overwhelmed her, causing her to unwittingly tap into her magic. As she did so, time seemed to freeze all around her, the guards and their weapons suspended in midair. But to her surprise, Sunset remained unaffected, still able to move and react as normal. Starlight was both relieved and confused.

"What should we do?" Starlight said, and Sunset needed to do something quickly.

New Realm, New Problems

Starlight's eyes flicked back and forth between the frozen guards and Sunset, feeling the weight of the moment bearing down on her. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to think of a way to save their friend and escape from the kingdom. The pressure of the situation was overwhelming, but she knew they couldn't afford to waste a single second.

Sunset seemed to sense the urgency as well, her eyes darting around the garden as she assessed their options. Starlight could tell that she was thinking quickly, her mind racing with ideas for how they could get out of this mess. But before she could even open her mouth to speak, Starlight felt the tingle of magic coursing through her veins.

At first, she thought it was just her fear and adrenaline triggering some sort of magical response. But as she looked around, she realized that time had stopped completely - except for Sunset, who remained completely unaffected. Starlight felt a surge of panic rising in her chest, unsure of what was happening or how to control it. She had never experienced anything like this before, and the fear of the unknown was almost too much to bear.

But even as her mind raced with questions and uncertainty, she knew that they couldn't afford to waste this opportunity. With time frozen, they had a chance to save Sugary and escape from the kingdom.

"Go after Trixie, I'll take our bags back," Sunset said.

"I can't-" Starlight started to say, but was interrupted.

"Go, I'll be fine," Sunset said, and Starlight seeing no other clear option, levitated Sugary, ran to the portals, and entered the green one. But as soon she entered it, the time that once was frozen now was unfrozen and the guards were up to attack Sunset. Time to save the world, she thought.

Sunset soared through the sky, her wings beating with fierce determination. The wind whipped her mane and tail around wildly, but she paid it no mind. Her focus was entirely on reaching the castle. As she drew closer, she could see guards gathering below. They were armed and dangerous, ready to stop her at all costs. But Sunset was not deterred. She weaved and dodged through their ranks, narrowly avoiding spears and arrows. Her eyes remained fixed on the castle gate, which grew larger and larger as she approached.

With a mighty flap of her wings, Sunset launched herself towards the gate. She felt the rush of air as she flew past the guards stationed there, but she didn't stop. She pushed herself even harder, diving down towards the castle's inner courtyard. As she landed, she immediately took in her surroundings. The courtyard was littered with obstacles and dangers - spiked pits, hidden traps, and more guards. But Sunset was not afraid. She knew what she had to do.

She leaped into action, her hooves pounding against the ground as she sprinted towards the castle's main entrance. The guards swarmed towards her, but she fought them off with swift kicks and well-placed punches. Her movements were fluid and graceful, like a dancer in battle. She seemed to anticipate their attacks before they even happened, always one step ahead of her opponents.

Finally, she reached the entrance to the castle. She could hear the sounds of battle raging inside, but she didn't hesitate. She kicked open the doors, revealing the chaos within. The enemy forces were everywhere, engaged in fierce combat with her allies. But Sunset didn't let that deter her. She dove into the fray, her hooves lashing out in all directions. Her magic sparked and crackled around her, striking down any foes that dared to come too close.

As she fought, Sunset could feel her strength beginning to wane. But she refused to give up. She fought harder and harder, driving herself forward with the sheer force of will. She knew that the fate of her kingdom rested on her shoulders, and she would not let her people down.

Sunset approached the cell and peered inside, only to see their bags sitting on a nearby table. She breathed a sigh of relief at the sight, realizing that they hadn't been taken away. But how am I going to retrieve them without being seen by the guards? Sunset wasted no time, quickly moving to the table and grabbing their bags. She slung them over her shoulder and turned back.

Sunset flew quickly, her wings beating with urgency as she reached the castle's back. She darted past the guards, her focus on the red portal ahead. With a determined expression on her face, she braced herself for what she might find on the other side.

As she stepped through the portal, the world around her changed. She found herself in a new realm, one she had never seen before. But there was no time to marvel at her surroundings. She had to find her friends.

She raced through the unfamiliar terrain, her eyes scanning every inch of the landscape. Finally, she saw Trixie standing before her, their faces a mix of relief and worry.

"Trix!" Sunset said grateful for seeing her friend again.

"Sunny!" Trixie responded.

"Where are Sugary and Starlight?" The princess asked hurriedly.

"What? I thought they were with you!" Trixie said.

"I sent them with you!" Sunset got shocked, she felt this answer groundbreaking.

"Sunset..?" Trixie asked seeing her friend paralyzed.

"We need to find them!" Sunset said, feeling confident.

Suddenly, coming out of nowhere they hear a shout, "Ecce! Hoovi in aerum levati sunt!" ("Hey! Hooves on the air!")

"No, not again, not now," Trixie said.

Trixie felt a wave of panic as she saw the group of ponies coming towards them. They were wearing identical uniforms, and she couldn't tell if they were friends or foes. As they got closer, she could see that they were armed, carrying spears and daggers. Trixie knew they had to act fast.

"What?" Sunset said

The group of unicorns got closer and closer, and as they approached, their horns started to glow with intense magic. They struggled to lift Trixie and Sunset off the ground, their hooves flailing as they were pulled into the air. Despite their attempts to resist, the magic was too strong and they were unable to break free. The unicorns then started to drag them away, taking them in the opposite direction of Sunset and Trixie's escape.

"Let us go!" Sunset let out a loud shout,

Fueled by the adrenaline rush, and pulled herself out of the grip of the guards who were using their magic to levitate her and Trixie. And with an incredible surge of strength, she managed to break free. The guards suddenly stopped using their magic, holding their heads in pain from the sudden headache that overtook them, allowing Trixie to escape their grasp as well. Sunset turned around and saw the guards struggling, their magic momentarily disabled. With a determined look in her eyes, she knew this was her chance to escape with her friends.

Just as they thought they were in the clear, the ground beneath their hooves began to spin, causing them to lose their footing and stumble. As they struggled to regain their balance, they realized that they were no longer headed towards the portal, but instead, they were being pulled in the opposite direction towards a magnificent castle made entirely of rubies. The castle was unlike anything they had ever seen before, with its walls and towers glittering in the sunlight, creating a dazzling display of colors that seemed to dance before their very eyes.

Sunset and Trixie looked at each other in disbelief, unsure of how to proceed. They had come so far, and yet they were now being led away from their goal. Nevertheless, they knew they had to keep moving forward, even if it meant venturing into the unknown. With a deep breath, they steeled themselves for whatever lay ahead and started towards the ruby castle, their hearts pounding with anticipation and fear.

As they stepped into the ruby castle, they felt a strange force that pushed them forward, towards the male unicorn sitting on the throne with a red crown. Despite their attempts to resist the force, they found themselves standing before him. The male unicorn had a regal bearing, and his eyes seemed to glint with ethereal power. Sunset and her friends tried to speak, but their voices were caught in their throats as if some unseen force was suppressing their words. They could feel the weight of the unicorn's gaze upon them as if he was examining them with some kind of magical power.

The mysterious king said, "Quid vultis, peregrine?" ("What do you want, foreigners?")

"We just want to go home," Both said

Despite their efforts to remain silent, the enchantment that rendered them mute had the opposite effect, causing them to speak out loud unintentionally. Their voices echoed in the large chamber, bouncing off the walls and reverberating back to them. They looked at each other in alarm, realizing that they had lost control over their own words. Every sentence that they spoke seemed to carry a strange power as if each word was charged with magic that was beyond their understanding. They tried to stop talking, but it was as if their tongues had a will of their own. The words continued to spill out of their mouths, as they struggled to regain control over themselves.

"And save Equestria, so everything can end up good," they continued

"So, go," the king said, and they got very surprised.

"I thought you would lock us!" Sunset said.

"Why would I?" He asked

"Because we just ran out of a place whose queen did," they answered.

"I think you met Luminaqua and Seafoam, she was always over-protective with her kingdom, even when we were young," the king said.

"Wait, her name is Seafoam?" Trixie asked shocked, "How can such an evil queen have a pathetic name like Seafoam?" After Trixie said that, she instantly put her hooves in her mouth so she stopped talking.

"Can you please remove this spell, King..." Sunset said, "What's your name, anyway?"

"Yes, and by the way my name is Shining Raize, or just King Raize," King Raize said.

"Goodbye, we hope to see you again!" Sunset said

As they walked out of the ruby castle, the two let out a sigh of relief, grateful that King Raize had not tried to harm them. They continued walking towards the back of the castle, where they could see three portals in the distance. The first portal was a light shade of purple, and it was closed tightly shut. The second portal was a bright shade of blue, and it had a faint, shimmering aura surrounding it. Finally, the third portal was a lush green color, and it seemed to be glowing with a soft, warm light.

Sunset and Trixie stood before the three portals, trying to decide which one to enter. They knew that each portal would take them to a different place, but they weren't sure where each one would lead them. The purple portal seemed to be the most mysterious, and it was closed, making it impossible to see what was inside. The blue portal seemed to be the safest choice, with its calm, shimmering aura. The green portal, on the other hand, seemed to be the most inviting, with its warm, inviting glow.

As they stood there, trying to make a decision, they heard a loud noise coming from behind them. They turned around to see a group of guards from Luminaqua approaching, their eyes fixed firmly on the two. The guards seemed to be made up of unicorns and pegasi, all of whom had determined looks on their faces. Sunset and Trixie knew that they had to act quickly, or they would be captured once again.

With no time to lose, they quickly made a decision and ran towards the green portal, hoping that it would take them somewhere safe. As they entered the portal, they felt a strange sensation wash over them, as if they were being pulled through a tunnel. They closed their eyes and held onto each other tightly, hoping that they would emerge unscathed on the other side.

When they finally opened their eyes, they found themselves in a beautiful, lush forest, with trees that towered high above them, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air was cool and fresh, and they could hear the sound of a nearby river, babbling gently in the distance. Sunset and Trixie looked around in wonder, marveling at the beauty of this new place. They knew that they had finally escaped and were now in a new realm, but they had no idea where they were or what lay ahead.

Author's Note

Rubix: The Tale of the Fallen Empire is the part two of the three-part special, part three will be released this Sunday.

Put your thoughts below in the comment section. I want to know what are thinking about the story.

Heads Up In The Fight

As they regained consciousness, they took a deep breath of the fresh air surrounding them. The gentle breeze brushed their manes, and the warm sunbeams felt comforting on their skin. The peaceful ambiance was accompanied by the sweet songs of birds chirping and the serene melody of the lake's calm waves. It was a perfect day, yet they still felt uneasy, as they had no clue where Starlight and Sugary were.

Sunset rose to her hooves, feeling the blades of grass tickle her hooves, and approached Trixie, still lying on the ground. She extended her hoof, helping Trixie to stand up. They looked around, scanning the vast landscape, searching for any clue or sign of their missing friends. Their exhaustion was now the least of their worries, as they had a more significant issue to tackle.

"Let's go!" Sunset said, and as Trixie nodded they started to walk up to the North.

"Wait..." Trixie said as she abruptly stopped walking.

"What?" Sunset asked as she directed herself to her friend.

"Well, I had a better plan than just keep walking in a random direction," Trixie said, Sunset slowly inclined her head to the left curious of what the idea was and Trixie continued, "I may, with a little small tiny chance of me to had put a spell in Starlight that makes me locate her wherever she is"

"Trixie, you're a genius!" Sunset said eagerly.

"I know," Trixie answered.

"So, locate her!" Sunset said.

Trixie nodded, determination flickering in her eyes as she focused her attention on her horn. She concentrated her magical energy with a deep breath, trying to summon her abilities to guide them. She strained her body, pushing through the fatigue that weighed her down, and felt a drop of sweat trickle down her forehead. The intensity of her efforts grew, and suddenly, her horn began to emit a faint glow.

As Trixie's horn radiated with soft ethereal light, a magical orb materialized before her. It hovered in the air, pulsating with energy and casting a mesmerizing glow that illuminated the path they needed to take. The orb's gentle movements created delicate sparks that flickered in the air, guiding their way with a subtle yet captivating display of magic.

Sunset and Trixie knew that this was the sign they had been waiting for. With renewed hope and determination, they wasted no time and sprinted toward the magical orb, their hooves pounding against the ground. The orb floated ahead, leading the way through the serene landscape, while the whispers of wind carried their hoofsteps as they ran.

As they continued to run, their legs burning with exertion, the ethereal magic orb leading the way, they felt a surge of anticipation. It had been a long and arduous journey, but they couldn't shake the feeling that they were getting closer to finding Starlight. The air crackled with electric energy, and their hearts pounded in their chests, matching the rhythm of their hurried steps.

Finally, the radiant light emitted by the orb came to a sudden halt, casting an eerie glow on the surroundings. Sunset, Trixie, and Sugary's breaths became shallow, and their senses heightened, as if they were on the verge of a momentous discovery. The hairs on their necks stood on end, and a shiver ran down their spines. This was it—they knew they were on the cusp of finding Starlight.

Their anticipation turned into astonishment as they caught sight of a female unicorn with a color palette strikingly similar to Starlight's. Hope surged within them, but as the unicorn turned around, their jubilation turned into confusion. The unicorn's eyes were pitch-black, devoid of any light or color, an unsettling sight that sent a chill down their spines. The air around them seemed to grow heavy with an unexplained aura.

Caution filled their minds as they approached the mysterious unicorn cautiously, their steps slow and measured. They exchanged apprehensive glances, unsure of what to expect. There was something off about her, something that didn't align with the Starlight they knew so well. But their longing to find their friend propelled them forward, overriding their doubts and fears. They were determined to uncover the truth, even if it meant facing the unknown.

"Starlight..?" Sunset asked, but she had no response.

As the angry unicorn unleashed a powerful laser ray, a surge of adrenaline coursed through Sunset's veins. Drawing upon her newfound alicorn powers, she instinctively conjured a shimmering shield that enveloped her, deflecting the deadly attack. The impact reverberated through the air, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Undeterred, the unknown unicorn pressed forward, her eyes filled with an intense determination. Her every movement exuded a ferocious energy as she sought a way to breach Sunset's defenses. Sunset's heart raced as she dodged the oncoming strikes, her senses heightened and her mind focused solely on the upcoming battle.

Sunset realized that she was now in a precarious situation, facing off against a formidable adversary. The air crackled with magic as the two unicorns engaged in a dance of evasion and counterattacks. Each maneuver was precise, and calculated, as they sought to outwit and outmaneuver one another.

With each passing moment, Sunset's determination grew stronger. She knew that she had to protect herself and her friends. Her eyes locked onto the unknown unicorn, analyzing her every move, searching for any weakness she could exploit. The weight of the impending battle settled upon her shoulders, but she refused to let fear consume her.

This was a pivotal moment, a clash of powers and wills. Sunset braced herself, drawing upon her inner strength and the bond she shared with her friends. She had faced challenges before, and she would not falter now. With a resolute spirit and a fiery determination, Sunset prepared to face the unknown head-on, ready to fight for what she believed in and protect those she held dear.

The unexpected retreat of the mysterious unicorn caught Sunset off guard, but she quickly recognized it as a golden opportunity. With the unicorn vanishing into the depths of the dense forest, Sunset's mind raced, concocting a plan to seize the advantage. She knew that time was of the essence, and she couldn't afford to let this chance slip through her hooves.

"Trixie, I have a plan. We are going to try and lock her, maybe Starlight is still in there."

"The best idea we've got so far."

Startled by the sudden return of the unicorn, Sunset instinctively tapped into her alicorn powers once again. With a surge of magic, she levitated the enraged creature, holding her suspended in the air. The unicorn thrashed and struggled against Sunset's grip, but her efforts were in vain.

Taking advantage of the moment, Trixie swiftly conjured chains made of shimmering energy, encircling the unicorn and locking her in place. The chains glowed with a faint magical aura, ensuring that their captive wouldn't escape. However, to their astonishment, the unicorn began to disintegrate into a swirl of ashes, as if she were never truly solid.

The winds gently carried away the remnants of the unicorn, scattering her essence among the trees and sky. Sunset and her friends watched in awe as the ashes dispersed, leaving no trace of the once-rageful creature behind.

"What did just happen?" Sunset asked, and her wide-open eyes showed all her confusion and desperation.

"Was she Starlight?" Instead of responding, Trixie answered with another question.

"Let's get away from here," Sunset said. Eager to find warmth and rest, Sunset and Trixie made their way toward the mountain. The evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched across the rugged landscape. With the fading light, the air grew colder, prompting the two friends to seek shelter in the mountain's inviting cave.

Stepping into the cavern, they were greeted by the cool, damp air that enveloped them. The cave's walls were adorned with glistening stalactites, adding a touch of natural beauty to their temporary refuge. The weariness of their journey began to weigh upon them, and the promise of a brief respite brought a sense of relief.

As night fell, the chill in the air deepened, reminding them of the need for warmth. Realizing the importance of a crackling fire, Sunset and Trixie ventured back outside, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of dry wood. However, their search was momentarily interrupted by an intriguing sight— wisps of smoke snaking through the dense woods.

Curiosity piqued, they abandoned their quest for firewood and followed the trail of smoke, their steps cautious but filled with anticipation. As they drew nearer, the glow of flickering flames danced in the distance, casting an enchanting aura amidst the darkness. Guided by this ethereal light, they pushed through the underbrush, their senses heightened with each step.

Emerging into a small clearing, Sunset and Trixie beheld a humble campfire, its amber flames casting a warm and inviting glow. Surrounding the fire were figures, their faces obscured by the dancing shadows. The aroma of roasting food wafted through the air, tantalizing their senses and reminding them of their own hunger.

"So..?" Sunset asked and looked o Trixie.

"I don't know if we should eat," Trixie said.

"But we are hungry!"

As Sunset and Trixie basked in the warm glow of the campfire and the company of the mysterious travelers, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows, drawing their eyes and stealing their breath away. It was Sugary, their dear friend whom they had feared lost, and by her side stood Starlight, the missing piece of their triumvirate.

Tears of joy rose in Trixie and Sunset's eyes as she rushed forward, embracing Starlight tightly. The weight of uncertainty that had burdened their hearts began to lift, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief and elation. Starlight's presence brought further reassurance, solidifying their bond and reigniting the spark of hope that had flickered within them.

"Oh, my Celestia!" Everyone said, widely happy.

"So, can we eat the food?" Trixie asked.

"Of course!" Starlight answered.

After indulging in a hearty meal and savoring the warmth of the campfire, they bid each other goodnight and retreated to the shelter of the cave. With their provisions and camping supplies, they fashioned a cozy sleeping area, laying out their sleeping bags and blankets with care. Exhausted from their arduous journey, they eagerly succumbed to the embrace of slumber, their bodies finding solace in the tranquil refuge of the cave.

The night unfolded in peaceful serenity, the gentle whispers of the wind outside lulling them into a deep and restful sleep. As the hours passed, time seemed to stand still, cocooning them in blissful oblivion, free from the burdens and worries of their quest. Dreams danced through their minds, carrying them to far-off realms of wonder and adventure, where the weight of the world was momentarily lifted.

As the first rays of sunlight gently pierced through the crevices of the cave, casting a warm glow upon their faces, they stirred from their peaceful slumber. Stretching their limbs and blinking away the remnants of sleep, they felt an undeniable sense of rejuvenation coursing through their bodies. It was as if the restorative power of the cave had washed away their weariness, leaving them refreshed and invigorated.

They shared knowing glances, their spirits uplifted by the newfound energy that pulsed within them. The challenges that lay ahead no longer seemed insurmountable, for they had been replenished by the gift of rest. With renewed vigor, they rose to their hooves, ready to face the day with unwavering determination.

The morning air greeted them with a gentle caress, infused with the scents of nature awakening. They ventured outside the cave, their steps light and their hearts brimming with anticipation. The world around them seemed to shimmer with possibility as if every leaf and blade of grass whispered secrets of the grand adventure that awaited.

"Let's pack up and go!"

They gathered their belongings and cast one last grateful glance at the cave that had provided them respite, they set off on their journey once more.

"So, we didn't even talk about what happened!" Trixie said.

"So, I may start," Starlight said

I woke up in the middle of the forest and I saw Sugary deeply injured, so I managed to use a flower as medicine and as a band-aid to help her, then I stood there until Sugary regain her conscience. When she did, we went out to hunt some food, when we came back we cooked the food, then we went o find more firewood, and when we came back, you guys appeared.

"Just that?" Sunset asked and both nodded.

"Yep," Starlight answered.

"But what about you, what did you do?" Sugary asked

"Uh..." Sunset said

I went back to the castle, where I fought with some guards, took our bags back, and then went to find Trixie, we passed through a kingdom whose king let us out peacefully, and we also discovered that the sea evil queen is called Seaf-

"DO NEVER, EVER SAY THE QUEEN'S NAME OUT LOUD AGAIN!" Sugary said to Sunset, showing up to be extremely angry.

"Sorry! Let's just keep walking" Sunset said as they kept walking.

As they stood before the trio of portals, the significance of their choice weighed heavily upon them. Each portal held the promise of a new realm, a different path to follow. The purple-closed portal teased them with its mystery, concealing secrets yet to be unveiled. The blue portal beckoned with a sense of tranquility and unknown wonders waiting to be discovered. And the red portal, vibrant and fiery, seemed to pulsate with the energy of adventure and unforeseen challenges.

They huddled together, their gazes fixed upon the portals as they deliberated their next move. The weight of their past experiences and the urgency of their quest hung in the air, mingling with a sense of trepidation and curiosity. It was a pivotal moment, a decision that could shape their fate and lead them closer to their ultimate goal.

"Well, what should we do now?" Sunset asked.

As their eyes darted across the portals, a glimmer of realization washed over them. In the midst of their contemplation, they noticed a subtle detail that had eluded them until now—the purple portal bore a small indentation, a perfect fit for the diamond they had carried with them on their journey. Sunset's heart quickened with a surge of intuition as she stepped forward, her trembling hoof carefully placing the diamond into its rightful position.

In an instant, the world around them erupted in a blinding flash of radiant light. It streaked across the forest, casting vibrant hues of purple and gold as if the very fabric of reality was being reshaped. The ground beneath their hooves trembled with newfound energy, and the air crackled with electric anticipation.

"So, I think that everything will be fine now," Sunset said, but when they were going to enter the portal, in an instant, a blinding light descended upon the ground, erupting in a violent explosion that shattered the tranquility of the moment. The shockwave sent them reeling backward, their bodies thrown off balance by the force unleashed before them. Debris and fragments of the earth were hurled into the air, filling the atmosphere with chaos and uncertainty.

"What?" Trixie asked

From the dissipating tendrils of smoke, a figure emerged, and to their astonishment, it bore an uncanny resemblance to Twilight Sparkle. The pony stood before them, her eyes gleaming with a mix of familiarity and enigma. She seemed to radiate wisdom and power, her aura tinged with a hint of something beyond comprehension.

"Princess Twilight?" Sunset asked, but as the last tendrils of smoke dissipated, the true form of the pony before them, was revealed, and it sent a shiver down their spines. It was not Twilight Sparkle standing there, but a hauntingly familiar figure with crimson eyes and an air of dark power. The resemblance to Midnight Sparkle, Twilight's alter ego, was uncanny as if the two were intricately intertwined.

A mixture of trepidation and curiosity coursed through their veins as they exchanged wary glances. This was not the Twilight they had known and trusted, but a manifestation of her darker side, a remnant of the tumultuous past they had all faced together. Their hearts weighed heavy with the knowledge of the struggles Twilight had endured to overcome her own inner demons.

"You got me wrong, my name is not Princess Twilight Sparkle anymore, I am the Queen Midnight Sparkle!" The alicorn said, In a sudden and unexpected turn of events, the Midnight Sparkle manifestation lunged forward with alarming speed, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. Without hesitation, she aimed a powerful strike at Sunset, intending to inflict harm upon her.

Sunset's instincts kicked in, and she swiftly evaded the incoming attack, her wings unfurling to propel her out of harm's way. The force of the blow grazed past her, sending a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The gravity of the situation became all too clear—the Twilight they had encountered was not to be underestimated.

"Not again!" Trixie said.

"What do you mean by again?" Sugary asked.

"We have something to tell you..." Trixie said.

"Speak up!" Starlight said.

"...We fought another Starlight back when we came," Trixie said.

"What?" Starlight asked, but with no time for response, Midnight Sparkle returned flying in Sunset's direction.

Midnight Sparkle's attack connected, striking Sunset with a devastating blow, and a surge of pain coursed through her injured wing. With a determined grit, Sunset pushed herself up, refusing to let the pain deter her from the battle at hand. Though her ability to fly had been compromised, her spirit remained unyielding.

Drawing upon her reserves of inner strength, Sunset tapped into the knowledge imparted by Starlight, calling upon the power of levitation. Focusing her magic, she enveloped herself in a shimmering aura, defying the limitations of her damaged wing. Hovering above the ground, she prepared to unleash her counterattack.

With a fierce determination in her eyes, Sunset unleashed a powerful laser ray, its brilliance cutting through the air with precision and intent. The beam surged forward, hurtling towards Midnight Sparkle with a force that matched the intensity of Sunset's resolve.

The clash of their powers signaled the beginning of a formidable showdown, a battle that transcended physicality and delved into the depths of their inner strength. Sunset knew that this encounter was no ordinary challenge—it was a test of her resilience, her growth, and her ability to confront the darkness that threatened to consume them.

As the laser ray collided with Midnight Sparkle's defenses, a cascade of sparks erupted, illuminating the battlefield with a breathtaking display of raw power. Sunset held her ground, channeling her energy with precision and skill, determined to overcome the formidable opponent before her.

At this moment, Sunset understood that she had stepped into a realm of epic proportions, where victory hinged not only on physical prowess but on the strength of her character and her unwavering belief in the power of friendship. The battle raged on.

As Midnight Sparkle ascended to the skies, her malevolent intent radiating from every fiber of her being, she directed her path straight toward Sunset. With blinding speed, she closed the distance, targeting Sunset's injured left wing with precision.

The impact was jarring, as the force of Midnight's attack struck Sunset's already wounded wing. Pain surged through her body, threatening to weaken her resolve. The damaged wing throbbed, protesting against any further exertion. Sunset winced but refused to succumb to the agony. She knew she had to keep fighting.

Summoning every ounce of determination, Sunset pushed through the pain. Ignoring the searing ache in her wing, she focused her attention on her opponent. With unwavering resolve, she mustered her magic, determined to retaliate.

Midnight Sparkle's strike had momentarily disrupted Sunset's aerial abilities, grounding her in the midst of battle. But she would not be defeated so easily. With a flicker of magic in her eyes, she cast a levitation spell, once again lifting herself above the ground.

Rays of determination emanated from Sunset as she repositioned herself, ready to face Midnight Sparkle head-on. The pain in her wing served as a reminder of the stakes at hand, fueling her determination to prevail against the darkness that had consumed her former friend.

Summoning her magical powers, Sunset unleashed a barrage of magical projectiles, aiming to disrupt Midnight Sparkle's advance. Each burst of energy crackled with her indomitable will, seeking to penetrate the formidable defenses of her adversary.

Despite Sunset's valiant efforts, Midnight Sparkle seemed impervious to her attacks. The dark aura surrounding Midnight only grew stronger, forming an impenetrable shield that deflected Sunset's every assault. The frustration mounted within Sunset as her strikes seemed to have no effect.

In a sudden burst of energy, Midnight propelled herself towards Sunset once more, her eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. With a swift and precise strike, she aimed directly at Sunset's hoof, inflicting a painful blow that drew blood. The searing agony radiated through Sunset's body, threatening to weaken her resolve.

Gritting her teeth, Sunset fought to maintain her focus amidst the pain. She refused to let Midnight's relentless assault break her spirit. Through sheer determination, she mustered the strength to keep standing, despite the throbbing ache in her wounded hoof.

Knowing that her current strategy was ineffective, Sunset's mind raced to find an alternative approach. She realized that confrontation alone would not be enough to defeat Midnight Sparkle. She needed to tap into her inner strength, harness her unique abilities, and find a way to outsmart her formidable adversary.

As her hoof continued to bleed, Sunset's eyes glinted with a newfound determination. She channeled her pain into a source of resilience, embracing her role as a leader and protector. With a deep breath, she focused her magic, searching for a way to turn the tides in her favor.

With unwavering focus, Sunset harnessed her magical abilities, propelling herself high into the air. The winds whipped around her as she prepared to execute her next move. Sensing an opportunity, she descended swiftly towards Midnight Sparkle, her gaze locked on her target.

Instead of engaging in a direct physical confrontation, Sunset opted for a different approach. Drawing upon her knowledge of ice magic, she conjured a freezing spell, aiming to encase Midnight in a solid block of ice. With a graceful flick of her hoof, a glimmering blast of icy energy shot toward its intended target.

However, fate had other plans. As the attack surged forward, Midnight's instincts kicked in, prompting her to evade the incoming assault. Unbeknownst to her, she inadvertently moved directly into the path of the spell, resulting in a direct hit.

Time seemed to stand still as Midnight's body became encased in a frozen cocoon. The ice enveloped her, shimmering with an ethereal glow. Yet, before anyone could fully comprehend what had transpired, the ice began to crack and crumble, causing Midnight's frozen form to disintegrate into nothingness.

The air was tinged with an eerie stillness as the remnants of Midnight's presence dissipated into the surrounding atmosphere. A solemn silence fell over the battlefield, the weight of the moment hanging in the air.

Sunset landed softly on the ground, her heart pounding with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

"I just won a fight all alone, my “friends”," Sunset said in a slightly upset tone.

"Come on, we knew you would win this fight all alone," Starlight said

"Uhmm… okay," Sunset answered

"Let's just go away, guys," Trixie said, and as the battle-weary heroes stood amidst the aftermath of their victory, their breaths heavy and hearts pounding, a sudden disturbance shattered the calm. The air crackled with electric energy, and the ground trembled beneath their hooves. A deafening roar pierced through the silence, reverberating in their ears, forewarning of an imminent danger that loomed over them.

In an awe-inspiring display of cosmic forces, three radiant lights streaked across the sky, descending toward the ground with otherworldly grace. Each light carried a distinct hue, emanating a unique aura of power and purpose. The first light, a vibrant shade of orange, exuded an aura of fiery determination. The second, a deep and resonant blue, radiated an air of calm resilience. The third light, a gentle and soothing pink, emitted an essence of compassion and hope. And finally, the fourth light, a soft and enchanting lavender, shimmered with a mystical allure.

As the lights made contact with the earth, a shockwave rippled through the surroundings, causing the very fabric of reality to quiver. The ground beneath their hooves trembled in response, while the trees swayed in anticipation. The impact of their arrival echoed in the air, its reverberations a testament to the immense power they possessed.

Instinctively, the heroes braced themselves, their eyes fixed upon the ethereal glow that surrounded the lights. They could sense that these celestial beings were not mere happenstance, but rather harbingers of an extraordinary event yet to unfold.

A mix of curiosity and trepidation filled the hearts of Sunset, Trixie, Starlight, and Sugary as they approached the lights with caution. Each step they took seemed to be guided by an invisible force, drawing them closer to the source of this cosmic convergence.

With every passing moment, the lights intensified, pulsating with an energy that seemed to transcend the boundaries of their world. The air crackled with anticipation, and an otherworldly hum permeated the atmosphere.

"Now you gotta help me," Sunset said

As the luminous radiance dissipated, revealing the figures that emerged from the lights, a mixture of awe, shock, and apprehension settled upon Sunset, Trixie, Starlight, and Sugary. From the radiant orange light, a majestic and fearsome alicorn materialized. It was none other than Daybreaker, an alternate version of Princess Celestia, brimming with overwhelming and untamed power. The realization struck the heroes like a bolt of lightning, for they understood that each light signified the arrival of villainous counterparts of the beloved princesses.

Daybreaker stood before them, her fiery mane ablaze with an intense radiance that matched the scorching sun. Her eyes burned with a malevolent glint, and her presence exuded a volatile mixture of strength and cruelty. She was a force to be reckoned with, a reflection of the darkest aspects of Celestia's power, corrupted and unleashed upon the world.

As the heroes gazed upon Daybreaker, a profound sense of unease settled within their hearts. The gravity of their predicament became clear. They were faced with the daunting task of confronting these villainous versions of the princesses, embodiments of their worst fears and nightmares.

"Oh my Celestia!" All of them said except for Sugary, who said: "Oh Lumis Fausticon".

From the other lights suddenly came; Nightmare Moon, from the blue one; Queen Infauta, from the pink one; And Hearticane from the lavender one.

They got surprised as they saw Cadence's once vibrant pink coat has turned a sickly shade of purple, while the flowing pastel mane she had, transformed into a tangled mass of black and gray. Once filled with warmth and compassion, her eyes now glow with an eerie red light, reflecting her evil nature. This was the first time they ever saw an evil version of Cadence.

The same happened to Flurry's pristine white coat now bore a subtle gray hue, while her flowing pink mane has turned ashen, losing its vibrant glow. Her usually sparkling magenta eyes have become cold and empty, reflecting her corrupted nature.

"So, let's just go up and win some fights!" Sunset said seeking for the battle yet to come.

In an instant, the malevolent counterparts of their cherished princesses surged forward, their intentions clear and malevolence palpable.
Nightmare, with her sinister aura, honed in on Starlight, aiming to ensnare her in a web of darkness.
Infauta, radiating corrupted energy, directed her wicked gaze toward Sugary, seeking to manipulate his emotions and sow discord in his heart.
Daybreaker wreathed in flames, set her sights on Sunset, her intentions to engulf her in a blaze of chaos and destruction.
Meanwhile, Hearticane, an icy embodiment of power, advanced menacingly toward Trixie, conjuring a powerful shockwave that threatened to overwhelm her.

"Am I really going to fight with a filly?" Trixie joked as with a sly grin adorning her face, Trixie deftly evaded Hearticane's assault, her nimble movements displaying both grace and confidence. As the wicked attack collided with a nearby tree, Trixie hung in the air, abruptly halted by a cataclysmic explosion. The force unleashed was so immense that not only did the targeted tree disintegrate, but fifteen others were instantly uprooted and propelled skyward in a chaotic dance of destruction. The sheer speed at which the forest transformed left Trixie momentarily stunned, her eyes widening in astonishment and realization.

In that awe-inspiring moment, Trixie's playful demeanor gave way to a profound understanding. Hearticane, despite her youthful appearance, possessed a magnitude of power far surpassing Trixie's initial estimation. The devastating display of force was a stark reminder that appearances could be deceiving and that the young filly harbored untapped potential that rivaled even the mightiest of adversaries.

"If the foal is that strong, we are DOOMED," Trixie shouted. Making her friends lose the fire of hope they had as they saw the villains still running in their way. The feeling sunk into them, but Sunset, needed to, had to, and she did reignite the flame.

"No! We won every problem that stood in our way, we can win this too!" Sunset shouted, making them try to embrace the fear and turn it into a light of hope.

United in purpose and determination, Sunset, Trixie, Starlight, and Sugary stood shoulder to shoulder, their gazes unwavering as they faced their formidable adversaries. The air crackled with tension, a palpable energy that mirrored the intensity of their resolve.

"It won't be easy but we can get thro-" As Starlight started to speak, her words were abruptly cut short by the swift and ruthless onslaught of Nightmare Moon. Without warning, a bolt of crackling blue lightning surged forth from Nightmare Moon's horn, aimed directly at Starlight. However, in a display of quick thinking and sheer resourcefulness, Starlight deflected the deadly assault, redirecting the searing energy back toward her opponent.

The redirected bolt of lightning struck Nightmare Moon with incredible force, causing a blinding explosion of raw power. Yet, to the astonishment of Starlight and her companions, Nightmare Moon seemed unfazed by the attack. Her dark form stood tall and resolute, unaffected by the very magic she had unleashed.

Star's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind racing to comprehend the scope of her adversary's power. The realization dawned upon her that Nightmare Moon possessed an indomitable strength, one that surpassed her own expectations. It was a stark reminder that they were not merely facing a villainous version of Princess Luna, but a formidable force of darkness that had been unleashed upon the world.

Fueled by a surge of unwavering determination and an unwavering desire to protect her friends, Sunset Shimmer tapped into the depths of her inner power. Channeling the strength that flowed through her, she summoned a radiant orb of brilliant orange light, its pulsating energy encapsulating the resolve burning within her.

With her focus honed and her intentions clear, Sunset hurled the orb toward her formidable adversary, Daybreaker. The orb sailed through the air, leaving trails of shimmering rays in its wake, like a celestial beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

In a desperate bid to defend herself, Daybreaker unleashed a searing laser line, aiming to obliterate Sunset's orb and retaliate with equal force. However, to the astonishment of both combatants, Sunset's orb absorbed the potent energy of Daybreaker's attack, siphoning its destructive power.

In a breathtaking display of light, the absorbed energy transformed within the orb, swirling and intensifying, until it reached its peak. Then, with an explosive release, the orb unleashed a torrent of blazing light, hurtling toward Daybreaker with unstoppable force.

The impact was devastating, as the radiant energy enveloped Daybreaker, causing her to recoil and stumble backward. The sheer power of Sunset's attack sent shockwaves through the battlefield, shaking the very foundation upon which they stood.

Daybreaker, momentarily staggered by the unexpected assault, struggled to regain her composure. The formidable alicorn, whose flames had once burned unchecked, now found herself momentarily subdued under the weight of Sunset's unyielding determination.

In the meantime Sugary's quick reflexes propelled her into action, she leaped towards her adversary with unwavering determination. Her aim was clear: to neutralize the manipulative Infauta by grasping onto her horn and disabling her wicked powers. However, in a surprising turn of events, Infauta swiftly altered her trajectory, quickly adjusting her path to intercept Sugary.

The nimble mare's maneuver proved too swift for Sugary to anticipate, and she found herself falling short of her intended target. Before she could react, Infauta redirected her movement, angling herself toward Sugary's new position with malicious intent.

Caught off guard by Infauta's swift counter, Sugary had little time to respond. But she was not one to succumb easily. Drawing upon her inner resilience, she swiftly recalibrated her focus and prepared for the impending confrontation.

Witnessing Sugary's peril, Starlight's instincts kicked in, and she swiftly retrieved a dagger from her bag. With a determined gaze, she hurled the blade toward Sugary, aiming to provide her friend with a crucial tool for the imminent confrontation with Infauta.

"Take this!" Starlight shouted to Sugary

Reacting with lightning speed, Sugary snatched the dagger out of the air, her agility and focus allowing her to seize the opportunity. Empowered by the weapon in her possession, Sugary summoned her inner strength and resilience.

In a display of unwavering determination, Sugary leaped over Infauta once again, her movements guided by an unyielding spirit. With a precise landing, she descended upon her adversary, her dagger slicing through the air, aimed at Infauta's left wing.

Infauta, however, proved to be quick in her response. Reacting with instinctual reflexes, she conjured a levitation spell, suspending Sugary in mid-air. Helplessly floating above the ground, Sugary's hopes of landing a decisive blow were thwarted, her intended strike transformed into a mere glancing blow.

The levitation spell, fueled by Infauta's dark magic, held Sugary suspended for a brief moment before releasing its grip. Unable to maintain her balance, Sugary plummeted from a height of 13 feet, landing with a jarring impact that jarred her left hoof, causing her pain.

As Trixie scrambled to her feet, her focus set on escaping the advancing Hearticane, the malevolent filly unleashed a powerful lightning bolt in pursuit. The searing bolt found its mark, striking Trixie and jolting her with a surge of electrifying energy. The unexpected blow forced Trixie to abruptly pivot and face the battle head-on.

Undeterred by the setback, Trixie's mind raced with a flurry of ideas, seeking a way to gain the upper hand against her formidable opponent. With a flourish of her horn, she conjured a colossal magician's hat, flipping it upside down to create a makeshift barrier. In a dazzling display of magic, the hat released an onslaught of enchanted wands, hurtling through the air toward Hearticane.

For a fleeting moment, triumph danced in Trixie's eyes as some of the wands struck their intended target, momentarily staggering the icy adversary. The surge of hope swelled within Trixie's heart, the belief that victory was within reach fueling her resolve.

But in a cruel twist of fate, the jubilation was short-lived. In a display of resilience and power, Hearticane swiftly retaliated, manipulating the very magic that Trixie had summoned. With a flick of her tail, three of the enchanted wands suddenly veered off course, their trajectory redirected towards Trixie herself.

The wands collided with Trixie, their impact shattering her momentary elation. Pain radiated through her body as powerful blows struck their mark, briefly overwhelming her with a wave of anguish. Trixie's confidence wavered, but her determination remained steadfast.

"That's all you got, filly?" Trixie joked, seeking to provoke the evil pony. Who seemed to have no reaction.

With determination fueling her every move, Trixie focused her magical energy, attempting to cast a precise laser ray to neutralize Hearticane. However, her first attempt missed its target by a wide margin, dissipating into the distance. Undeterred, Trixie gathered her composure and tried once more, only to meet the same disappointing outcome as her second attempt veered off course.

Frustration mounted within Trixie's heart as her missed attempts gnawed at her confidence. Doubt crept into her mind, threatening to overshadow her indomitable spirit. But Trixie would not allow herself to be consumed by uncertainty.

Before she could gather her thoughts and recalibrate her strategy, Hearticane seized the opportunity to strike back. A beam of icy power streaked through the air, finding its mark on Trixie's hoof. Pain shot through her, radiating from the impact site and momentarily causing her to falter.

Trixie clenched her teeth, battling against the waves of pain that threatened to overwhelm her. She refused to succumb to defeat, drawing upon her inner strength to push through the agony. In this pivotal moment, Trixie's determination burned brighter than ever.

With her hoof throbbing and her resolve reinforced, Trixie redirected her focus back to the battle at hand. She knew that she couldn't afford to let her missed attempts or her wounded hoof hinder her progress. She had to dig deep, summoning every ounce of her magical prowess and unwavering spirit to turn the tide of the battle in her favor.

"Ow, come on! The little filly managed to do it, and I didn't?" ¨Trixie said, "This got to be wrong"

Summoning the last reserves of her magical strength, Trixie unleashed a fierce torrent of flames toward Hearticane. The intense blaze engulfed the icy adversary, scorching her form and reducing her to a smoldering heap of cinders. The once-mighty Hearticane crumbled away, her malevolent presence dissipating into the ether, much like her villainous counterparts, Midnight Sparkle and the evil Starlight.

With her foe vanquished, Trixie wasted no time. She sprinted towards Sugary, her concern for her friend outweighing any exhaustion or injuries she had sustained in the battle. As she drew closer, Trixie's heart swelled with relief and determination, knowing that they had overcome yet another formidable obstacle.

"Wow, okay we have now to go to Starlight," Trixie said and then they ran to Starlight.

As Trixie and Sugary rushed to Starlight's aid, her keen eyes caught sight of Nightmare's impending attack. Acting swiftly, she summoned a protective shield, interlocking her magic with Starlight's own defensive barrier. The two forces merged, creating a formidable fortress of magical energy.

The half-moon hurled by Nightmare hurtled towards them, its malevolent intent was evident. Yet, as the destructive force collided with their combined shield, a cataclysmic explosion erupted. The explosive impact consumed Nightmare, engulfing her in a blinding light that tore through the darkness of her existence.

In an instant, Nightmare was vanquished, reduced to ethereal particles that dissipated into the surrounding air. The power of Trixie and Starlight's combined magic had proven to be an unstoppable force against the embodiment of darkness that had threatened them.

As the echoes of the explosion subsided, a hushed silence fell upon the battlefield. Trixie, Sugary, and Starlight stood side by side, their hearts pounding with a mixture of relief and triumph. They had overcome villainous versions of their dear
princesses, banishing the darkness that had momentarily plagued their realm.

With Sugary swiftly attending to Sunset's injured wing, Trixie and Starlight assumed their positions in front of the indomitable Daybreaker. Determination etched across their faces, they braced themselves for the imminent clash, knowing that they were now alone in this perilous battle.

Unfazed by the shattered shield and undeterred by Sunset's current state of exhaustion, Trixie and Starlight drew upon their inner reserves of strength and magic. They knew that victory could only be achieved through unwavering resolve and a united front.

The air crackled with raw energy as Trixie and Starlight conjured another shield, pouring their combined magic into its protective barrier. With each passing moment, the shield grew stronger, fortified by their unwavering determination and unbreakable bond.

Daybreaker, seemingly unfazed by the previous attacks, prepared to unleash another devastating assault. Flames danced upon her mane, casting an ominous glow upon the battlefield. With a primal roar, she conjured a blazing fireball, hurling it toward the resilient shield.

The impact was tremendous, a collision of unstoppable force against an unyielding defense. The shield quivered under the strain, its magic wavering, but Trixie and Starlight refused to let it crumble. They channeled their strength, reinforcing the shield with every ounce of their being, their determination bolstered by the realization that they were now standing as the last line of defense.

Despite their valiant efforts, the shield shattered under the immense heat and force of Daybreaker's fiery assault. The shield's demise sent shockwaves through Trixie and Starlight, yet their spirits remained unbroken. They knew that their task was far from over.

Gazing upon the resolute figure of Daybreaker, Trixie, and Starlight exchanged a silent glance, an unspoken agreement passing between them. They were ready to face this formidable opponent head-on, their combined strength and unwavering friendship serving as their greatest weapons.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Trixie and Starlight skillfully evaded the incoming fireball, sidestepping its destructive path. Their agility and synchronicity were key in dodging the attack unscathed, providing them with a momentary advantage.

Seizing this opportunity, the two friends synchronized their magic, intertwining their powers to forge a formidable weapon. Channeling their combined strength, a magnificent sword materialized in their grasp, glowing with radiant energy. This majestic blade, a manifestation of their unity and unwavering resolve, became an instrument of justice.

In one swift motion, the empowered duo lunged forward, their mighty sword slicing through the fiery form of Daybreaker. The blade cleaved her in half, severing the embodiment of darkness and banishing her from their realm. The once-mighty Daybreaker dissipated into shimmering particles, leaving no trace of her malevolent presence.

A profound silence settled over the battlefield, broken only by the fading echoes of their triumph. Trixie and Starlight stood tall, their chests heaving with exertion, yet their spirits soaring with the knowledge that they had prevailed against the darkness that threatened their world.

As the realization of their victory sank in, Trixie and Starlight exchanged a knowing smile, a profound sense of accomplishment radiating between them.

"We did it!" Trixie shouted

"We won!" Starlight did too

"We need to go now!" Sugary said

"We don't have a way to escape from here, how are we supposed to?" Trixie asked

"Maybe if we jump the hole where the portal was, we can use the rest of its magic," Starlight answered

As uncertainty hung in the air, the trio of friends made a swift decision. Recognizing the potential dangers of remaining in that realm, they cast aside hesitation and leaped into the gaping hole where the purple portal resided. Trixie extended her magical grasp, ensuring that Sunset was safely carried alongside them.

Their bodies soared through the portal's ethereal embrace, traversing the vast expanse between realms. Time seemed to warp and twist as they embarked on this interdimensional journey, their hearts filled with anticipation and trepidation.

Author's Note

Whisperwood: The Tale of the Queens, It's out! Part three of the special, it's been so fun to write this story, and, I am sad that soon it'll end, but everything needs a start, middle, and ending at some point.

Sorry for the late chapter! I had a lot of personal problems going on at the time, that I don't feel good to say here, but I didn't have any time to write, but I promise that the delays will stop soon.

Back To Equestria

As the trio awakened, their bodies felt a sense of tranquility they hadn't experienced in what seemed like an eternity. The air around them carried the soothing scent of nature, and the gentle breeze whispered through the trees, offering a melody of solace. They found themselves lying on a bed of soft grass, cradled by the comforting embrace of Equestria.

Their eyes fluttered open, and as the world came into focus, a light blue sky stretched above them, adorned with fluffy white clouds that seemed to dance in the gentle currents. Familiar bird songs filled the air, a symphony of melodies that resonated with their hearts, evoking feelings of nostalgia and homecoming.

In that moment, a wave of serenity washed over them, a profound realization that they were finally safe, that their long journey had led them to a place of respite and comfort. A sanctuary where they could catch their breath and heal from the trials that had tested their strength and bonds.

Sunset, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, felt her heart race with a mixture of relief and euphoria. The weight of the world seemed to lift from her shoulders as she savored the feeling of safety and homecoming that enveloped her being.

As she hurriedly sat up, her eyes met those of her companions, and a knowing smile spread across her face. Trixie and Starlight mirrored the same expression, their hearts brimming with joy at the sight of each other's well-being. I need to know if Equestria is fine!

Sunset's heart swelled with joy as her eyes scanned the bustling streets of the Crystal Empire. The sight before her was a testament to resilience and hope, a city that had weathered storms and emerged more vital than ever. Earth Ponies exchanged warm greetings, their laughter resonating through the air. Pegasi soared gracefully through the sky, leaving trails of shimmering colors in their wake. Unicorns showcased their magical prowess, effortlessly using their abilities to aid their fellow citizens.

In the midst of this vibrant scene, Sunset felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The fear and apprehension that had gripped her heart seemed like distant memories now, replaced by a profound sense of homecoming and belonging.

As they walked through the city streets, Sunset couldn't help but marvel at the resilience and unity of the Crystal Ponies.

"They're fine! It's all fine yet!" Sunset shouted in an urge of happiness and relief.

"Yay," Starlight said

"Oh my Celestia! Did you already save us?" An earth crystal pony asked with a curious tilt of their head, their eyes reflecting genuine concern. However, their query was met with a shared glance among the group, a wordless acknowledgment that conveyed a mixture of sadness and a touch of embarrassment. The weight of their recent experiences hung heavily in the air, dimming the once-bright sparks in their eyes.

Though unspoken, the realization was clear – they hadn't been able to ensure the safety of everypony. The memory of those they hadn't been able to reach, the sorrow they hadn't been able to quell, weighed heavily on their hearts. A shared feeling of responsibility and regret cast a shadow over their spirits, and they felt a pang of guilt for having inadvertently given false reassurances.

But then, in an unexpected turn of events, a figure stepped forward from their midst. It was Sunset, her sight a beacon of strength and resilience. As she stood before the gathered crystal ponies, her posture radiated determination and a renewed sense of purpose. The atmosphere shifted, a sense of anticipation filling the air.

"Not yet, but we can. We know, we have to, WE WILL!" Sunset said making the ponies disappointed looks in their eyes almost instantly.

"Yes!" The ponies shouted in a mix of hope and excitement.

"Well, I guess we will move on to Sunburst and Moondancer now," Trixie said, Sunset nodded.

As the group departed from the bustling heart of the Crystal Empire, they embarked on a path leading toward the majestic castle that stood as a symbol of their triumph over darkness. With each step they took, a profound sense of happiness and relief enveloped them, their spirits uplifted by the radiant energy of the crystal ponies' smiles.

The expressions on the crystal ponies' faces were nothing short of a masterpiece of joy. Wide, bright smiles stretched across their features, radiating an infectious sense of elation that was impossible to ignore. It was as if the sun itself had chosen to shine through their joyful countenances.

Upon arriving at the castle, an unusual sight greeted them – the entrance was fortified with an increased number of guards, an indication that something had taken place. Though taken aback by the heightened security, Sunset, and her companions exchanged knowing glances, understanding that their journey had not only impacted their own lives but also the safety of their realm.

As they ventured further, the grand main room welcomed them with its majestic aura, but their attention was quickly drawn to the stairway that led to the library. This was where they believed their friends would be, where they could find solace in their shared memories and knowledge.

However, as they entered the library, their expectations were shattered. The usually serene space was now in disarray, books scattered haphazardly across the floor like fallen leaves in autumn. The chaos before them was unexpected, a stark contrast to the usual order that prevailed within these walls.

With a mixture of concern and determination, they wasted no time in searching the area. The urgency of their mission pushed them to meticulously examine every corner of the library, their eyes scanning every shelf and alcove. They were driven by the prospect of reuniting with their friends, knowing that the trials they had endured had brought them all to this point.

Minutes stretched as they methodically combed through the disorder, their tension growing with each passing moment. And then, like a glimmer of hope in the midst of chaos, they found what they had been seeking. There, nestled amidst a pile of toppled books, were the familiar forms of their friends – Moondancer and Sunburst, sound asleep.

Relief washed over them in a tidal wave, their anxieties dissolving as quickly as they had emerged. Seeing their friends safe and resting, their faces peaceful in slumber was a sight that rekindled their spirits. It was a reminder that even in the face of turmoil, there was a sense of refuge and unity.

With gentle smiles, Sunset and her companions approached Moondancer and Sunburst. Sunburst and Moondancer hurriedly woke up hearing the hooves hitting the cold crystal ground.

"WHAT?!" Sunburst quickly shouted as he woke up, he was in total concern, as Sunset, Sugary, and Starlight could hear his heartbeat from inches away, clear like water, his breath was quick and very shortened, it was such a strong breath that they could almost see the sound of his breath.

"Is everything fine," Moondancer asked in a way more calm way than her partner did, looking at the three mares in her front.

"Almost everything..." Sunset said, "... Except for the imminent danger, yes, everything's fine"

"It's so good to see you fine, we were very worried about how much of a bad state you would be, so, is there any recent discovery?" Sunburst said in an almost scarily quick way, they couldn't understand much of what he said except for the upcoming phrase, "And why is Trixie in these weird colors now?"

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait, but I promise that the next chapters will be quicker to be released