Loosely Based on The Fall of Sunset Shimmer

How did Equestria fall? Why did Twilight create the Unity Crystals? Why did the three pony tribes split in the first place after so many years of harmony? It all ties back to that one fatal mistake, the great oversight…the folly of the Princess of Friendship…the fall of her apprentice…the fall of Opaline. Luster Dawn has moved to Ponyville with a new group of friends, leaving Princess Twilight Sparkle alone to rule in her solace. The Council of Friendship have disbanded due the remaining Mane Six having all died in a tragic accident. Closing herself off from the realm she rules, Twilight feels like she no longer has a purpose in life without her friends.

On the fourteenth Festival of the Two Sisters, Twilight is persuaded to take on an apprentice once again and chooses to take on an idealistic, but lonely unicorn mare named Opaline Arcana, who idolizes her. Seeing the opportunity to right what she considers to be her greatest mistake, Twilight takes Opaline under her wing and trains her in the ways of friendship and magic.

However, when a devastating betrayal begins to lead Opaline down a tragic path to darkness, Twilight must make the ultimate sacrifice to save Equestria….

A/N: Part 4 of the Misty Saga. Rated T for frequent uses of strong language, scary sequences, death, gore, and strong violence. This story takes place BEFORE the second chapter of “Can I Go, Mom?”.

Sequel: https://www.fimfiction.net/story/537325/purpose

Edit: Featured on FIMFiction’s List of Stories On The Homepage: June 3, 2023