Spike sat down to a candlelit dinner with his crush… or at least a hand-drawn picture of her…

Anyways he toasted to Charity.

“Alright Charity, I want you to know that no matter what happens, I respect and care for you, I know this is sudden but, will you-”

“SPIKE!” Twinkle yelled bursting into Spike’s room and he jumped and looked towards her in surprise.

“...Whaaa?” Twinkle said.

“D-don’t judge… or tell! And ever heard of knocking!?” Spike said blushing.

“Nevermind, We need to get moving!” Twinkle said.

“Why?” Spike asked.

“Luna’s been kidnapped!” Twinkle said, the whole time she’d been talking she was magically writing out a message.

“What?! By who?” Spike got out of his seat and approached Twinkle.

“I’m certain it’s Dusk Heart, we need to tell Celestia ASAP,” Twinkle said handing several messages to Spike.

“Got it… and you won’t tell anypony about what you saw here, right?” Spike asked.

“SPIKE!” Twinkle said.

“Sorry sorry,” Spike said before sending the messages.

“I need to gather the girls,” Twinkle said “Spike you grab Charity and I’ll find Zap,” Twinkle said before teleporting away.

“Well… this was a weird change to my day…” Spike said before running off.

Flash and Cheese entered the mirror room, Cheese moved Flash towards the mirror.

“Cheese, listen! Maybe I can help!” Flash offered.

“Nope, you know nothing prominent about Equestria, you’ll get hurt, and the last thing I want is to break Twinkle’s heart,” Cheese said.

“I can’t stand aside and do nothing, I may not act it all the time but I care alot about her,” Flash said.

“Then make her happy by being safe in the human world,” Cheese said before leaving.

“...I need to be there… at least until I can figure everything out, but I can’t do it alone,” Flash acknowledged before heading into the portal.

Flash stepped through the portal and stumbled when he tried to walk.

“Man that’s annoying, having wings and hooves on one side and neither on the other,” Flash said as he managed to regain his footing and he ran into the school.

Where is she? Sunset said she was studying late,” Flash said before pausing “The library! She always goes there to study!” Flash said before running off to the library and barging in.

“Shh!” The librarian said.

“Sorry,” Flash said as he quietly ran through the library area and looked for his friend.

He eventually found Sunset sifting through a stack of dictionaries.

“Sunset!” Flash said running over to her and ignoring another “Shh!” From the librarian.

“Huh? Flash? Where have you been? I’ve been studying alone this whole time-”

“No time for that, I need your help,” Flash said.

“With what?” Sunset said recognising the urgency in his voice.

“Where do I start…” Flash said.

Starlight and Trixie walked back to the castle and Starlight was reading aloud.

“And in conclusion, Starswirl's greatest works are as follows-”

“And in conclusion, TRIXIE IS DONE FOR THE DAY!” Trixie shouted.

“Come on! We’re about to hit an all-time study session record,” Starlight said as they entered the castle.

“If Trixie has to hear his name one more time she will-” Trixie began but then Twinkle ran up to them.

“Huh?” Starlight turned to see Twinkle there.

“Oh hey, the author finally remembered you two,” Twinkle casually said before noticing the book “Oh hey, is that Starswir-”

“Don’t!” Trixie shouted before storming past Twinkle.

“What’s her problem?” Twinkle asked.

“Overloaded on history books, we’ve been studying on and off alot, what’s up?” Starlight asked.

“Big problems, Luna’s been kidnapped and I need you to accompany me to visit Celestia,” Twinkle said.

“What? Who could kidnap The Princess of the Night?” Starlight said getting serious.

“I’ll tell you about it on the train, c’mon!” Twinkle said running past Starlight who packed her books and followed.

“Where’s Zap?” Twinkle asked.

“Up there,” Starlight pointed to a rainbow blur taking out multiple clouds.

“Doesn’t she have farmwork to do?” Twinkle asked.

“She said she could take care of it after she helps the weather crew fix the skies,” Starlight said.

“I got this,” Twinkle flew up to the darting blur “ZAP! EMERGENCY!” Twinkle hollered.

“Kinda busy t’day! Ah can’t go on adventures right now,” Zap flew up to Twinkle, she was sweating and panting.

“Whoa, you look exhausted, did you even sleep last night?” Twinkle asked.

“No! Ah’m fine! What do ya need?” Zap asked.

“Zap, I’m worried about you,” Twinkle said.

“No need ta worry, ah can get this done in five seconds and then get to work on the farm,” Zap said confidently.

“Well your going to need to take a break,” Twinkle said.

“Ah don’t do-”

“Luna’s been kidnapped!” Twinkle interrupted her.

“...What?” Zap asked.

“Zap we need to get moving, Luna needs us, and so does Celestia,” Twinkle said.

“Alright, ah suppose ah can take a break if that’s what ya need…” Zap acknowledged how serious this was and the two flew to ground level where Starlight was waiting.

“We need to go,” Twinkle said and Starlight nodded and the group headed towards the train station.

When they got there they saw Spike and Charity waiting there,

“Guys!” Twinkle called.

“Spike informed me, I already purchased our tickets and packed our luggage,” Charity said gesturing to the luggage.

“That was quick,” Zap said.

“Celestia sent this while I was at the Boutique,” Spike said handing Twinkle a written note.

It was hastily scrawled but it was clear Celestia wanted them to come in ASAP.

“Come on!” Twinkle said as they went into the train station.

“Ah swear with all the problems goin on these days ah can hardly focus on mah two jobs,” Zap griped as she was sitting on the train.

“You should quit one job so you don’t run yourself ragged,” Charity said.

“Fer the last time, ah’m not a quitter! Ah’d sooner eat mah own stetson than quit,” Zap said.

“Then eat up because even you have limits,” Spike said.

“We’ve been over this, ah don’t do limits,” Zap said.

“You’ll see,” Spike said.

“Guys focus! We wasted too much time with the luggage… why did you need that stuff again?” Twinkle asked.

“Well one must always be prepared when they're about to travel, we’ve done that a lot lately,” Charity said.

“But still, why-”

‘ACHOO!’ a sneeze echoed in the room all of a sudden and everyone jumped a little.

“Who did that?” Spike asked.

“I didn’t,” Charity said.

“Not me,” Twinkle said.

“None of us…” Starlight said before looking around “There’s someone in the car with us,” Starlight said.

“One of Dusk’s spies?” Twinkle asked.

“Let’s find out,” Starlight used her magic to scan for life signs in the room… she found three more than she can see…

And they were in the luggage…

“We’ve got stowaways,” Starlight said levitating the luggage and dumping the CMC onto the ground.

“Ooof!” The three fillies grunted.

“Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo?!” Twinkle said sounding surprised.

“Uh… hi?” AB said sheepishly.

“Should have held it in Sweetie!” Scootaloo scolded.

“Sorry! It’s dusty in there!” Sweetie said as the three alicorns stood up.

“What the hay are you three doing here!?” Zap demanded.

“Um… we wanted to come to Canterlot for the sights and to have fancy food and-” Sweetie tried.

“Truth, now!” Zap demanded.

“...We didn’t want to be left out anymore…” AB said with a bowed head.

“Girls… don’t you remember what happened last time you jumped into an adventure without thinking?” Charity reminded them.

“Uh, yeah, we became alicorns and the most popular kids in school!” Scootaloo said with a smirk.

“Ya almost got erased!” Zap said firmly.

“Oh come on, we’re alicorns now sis, we can handle it,” Apple Bloom said.

“No ya can’t, ah’m flyin ya home when we get there-”

“NO! Ya can’t just boot us off the adventure now,” Apple Bloom said.

“That wasn’t an option!” Zap said getting up.

“But Celestia can teach us things!” Sweetie complained.

“Celestia is goin ta be busy finding her sister,” Zap said.

“An ah don’t wanna be waiting to have ta find you if something goes south,” Apple Bloom said.

“Ah’m not goin ta risk losin you three again, that’s final,” Zap said.

“Forget it! We’re not budging!” Scootaloo said.

[one minute later]

“PUT US DOWN!” AB shouted as Zap held the three under her arms.

“Zap is that necessary?” Charity asked.

“Yes, they’re gonna act like spoiled foals, then they’ll be treated as such,” Zap said.

Charity let it go since she knows Zap won’t budge.

They waited until the train arrived at Canterlot and by then the three fillies had realized they couldn’t struggle out of Zap’s grip.

“This isn’t fair,” Sweetie complained.

“Again, life isn’t fair, and if ah have ta be unfair to protect you three, then so be it,” Zap said.

“Let’s get moving,” Twinkle said and the group made their way to the exit of the train, only to get surprised by guards at the train's exit.

“Hello?” Twinkle said unsure of why their here.

“Princess Twinkle and friends, we have been sent to guide you somewhere to meet the Princess, all of you,” The guard said.

“What’s going on? Ah can’t see!” AB tried to peek around Zap’s arm but she couldn’t reach her head far enough.

“Can ah take a quick flight back ta Ponyville first? Ah have three fillies who need to stay put as told,” Zap said.

“Sure… Wait, Are those the new alicorns?” The guard asked.

“Yeah?” Twinkle replied.

“This works out, Celestia also wanted to set up a meeting with the three new alicorns and wanted Twinkle to set that up eventually, this will save time,” The guard said.

“What?” Zap said surprised.

“Hear that? Put us down already!” Scootaloo demanded.

“No, they should go back where it’s safe,” Zap insisted.

“Sorry, but Celestia’s words are final,” The guard said and Zap sighed and set the girls down.

“Whew! Think mah hoof fell asleep…” AB said rubbing her hooves.

“Glad to be free,” Scootaloo said.

“Where too?” Sweetie asked.

“Follow us to the palace,” the guard said and the group did.

As they walked there the ponies of Canterlot couldn’t help but gawk at the new alicorns.

“So this is what it feels like to be royalty, awesome!” Scootaloo said showing off her new horn proudly.

“Ah admit, it’s fun,” AB said.

“I feel like a real princess!” Sweetie cheered.

“Well don’t get used to it, we’ll find a way to return you three to normal eventually,” Zap said.

“What?!” Sweetie gasped.

“Can you not be a buzzkill,” Scootaloo said.

“Sis you can’t!” AB said.

“Ah’m looking out fer you three, the life of an alicorn is not for you,” Zap said.

“How can you say that?” Scootaloo said.

“Do ya really want to outlive yer friends?” Zap said.

“...” They hadn’t thought of that and they looked down.

“It’s harsh but true,” Zap said.

“...We’ll have eachother,” Sweetie said.

“Yeah, look at it like this, now the CMC can bring their adventures to a new generation!” Scootaloo said.

“Ah-”

“Zap,” Charity said and Zap turned to see her looking at her with disapproval “Let them enjoy it at least, if it get’s fixed fine but don’t rain on their parade,” Charity said.

“...Fine, just bein realistic,” Zap said.

“Children need their dreams and aspirations,” Charity said before the guards alerted them and they found themselves at Canterlot Castle and they entered.

The guards took them through the castle and up to a room where they would find Celestia searching through multiple books, she had bags under her eyes and her mane was a mess.

“Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?...” Celestia muttered.

“Princess,” The guard said and Celestia jumped and looked at the group before setting the book aside.

“Very well done lieutenant, I shall take it from here,” Celestia said straightening her frazzled mane.

“Yes princess,” The guards said before leaving.

“Celestia!” Twinkle ran over to her and hugged her and Celestia hugged back.

“Hello my dear student,” Celestia said.

“What are we going to do? Luna is gone, and we have no means of finding her.” Twinkle asked.

“I know dear, I may have a way but I need to find it first,” Celestia comforted.

“You do?” Twinkle asked.

“Yes, perhaps you can find it since you are so well attuned with books, search for a large red-colored book, any you find, and bring them to me,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Twinkle said before darting off.

“Celestia!” The CMC ran up to Celestia, showing off their new looks.

Celestia chuckled a little despite how tired and nervous she was.

“It is good to see my new three proteges,” Celestia said with a smile.

“Proteges?” Zap asked as she approached.

“Well yes, these three need to learn how to tame their potential,” Celestia said before getting serious “But that is for another time, for now we must locate Luna before something happens to her,”

“Not to distress you, but how do we know she hasn’t been merged by now?” Charity said.

“He wouldn’t, not yet anyways, for two reasons, one he would need to find a suitable fusion partner, and two he would wait until I was there to witness it, if just to get to me,” Celestia said.

“Why does he hate you so?” Charity asked.

“Yeah, he talked nothing but negative about you when we were his prisoners,” Sweetie said.

“...Because I wasn’t there for him when he needed me most,” Celestia turned away from them and walked off.

“What? What do ya mean?” Zap asked.

“Nevermind that, we need to find Twinkle, I suspect she’s found all the red books in this library,” Celestia said.

“Even she-” Spike began

“Celestia! I found all the red books in this library!” Twinkle said coming back with a stack of red books.

“...I’m big enough to admit when I’m wrong…” Spike said after.

“Great work my student,” Celestia said as she levitated all the books out of her arms and laid them out across a table.

“Let’s see,” Celestia looked at each book until she found the right one “Ah, here it is,” Celestia said collecting the book and looking through it.

“What are we looking for?” Spike asked.

“The spell of location, I put one on Luna a long time ago and I can use it to track her,” Celestia said.

“...You what?” Spike said in surprise.

“Ya mean ya chipped yer own sister with a spell?” Zap asked accusingly.

“When you lose a sibling for a thousand years, you get paranoid of what could happen when they return to an unfamiliar world,” Celestia said back.

“And this spell can help us find Luna?” Twinkle asked.

“Yes, sometimes paranoia can keep us prepared,” Celestia said before finding the spell.

“Twinkle, I need you,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Twinkle said approaching.

“I need you to cast this spell and help me center on her location,” Celestia said.

“Got it,” Twinkle grabbed the book and read the spell before she lit her horn and it glowed with a red light.

Celestia looked into the light.

The group traveled across a pathway leading to a ruined town.

“Home… ruined home,” Dusk said with an air of remorse “Had I done something myself instead of relying on the Princess I would have saved my family at least… sadly even the pearl cannot bring back the dead,” Dusk said with a sad tone.

“What are we doing here boss?” A pony asked.

“We are here too-...we’re being watched…” Dusk turned to Luna and leaned into her face.

“Hello Celestia, if you are seeing this, then i don’t need to send a message, this works perfectly, this way you’ll know how serious I am,” Dusk said with a smile before holding out the Manuscript of Celtus and The Wishing Pearl.

“And if you don’t believe me, then watch this…” Dusk said before walking to the city gate and magically activating the pearl again.

“Pearl of wishes, I wish my hometown was back to how it was before the griffons ruined it,” Dusk said and a four appeared on the Pearl before it turned into a three and suddenly the town shook.

And then it began to repair itself by magical means.

Houses rebuilt, devastated streets fixed themselves, in no time at all the town was back to looking habitable again, the difference, no ponies.

“It honestly brings a tear to my eye to see what you failed to protect back to its old glory, but now that you know, I have an advantage, let me fuse as many ponies as I please and I won’t use this,” Dusk held up the manuscript.

“And don’t worry, the main reason I took your sister was to get these, she’s of no use to me now, for now at least, you’ll find her in Trottingham tonight, oh and one more thing,” Dusk said before grabbing Luna’s neck.

“Come near this town, and I’ll show you just how mad I am,” Dusk said before punching Luna down and the vision ended.

“LUNA!” Celestia gasped and stumbled back in horror.

“Celestia!” Everypony ran over to the hyperventilating Princess.

“What happened? What did you see?” Twinkle asked.

“No…Nonono! He wouldn’t use that, he intends to strengthen Equestria, not destroy it!” Celestia exclaimed.

“What?” Zap said.

“Celestia, what did you see?” Charity said.

“...He has it, I feared this, no…” Celestia said before looking to the others “I… need to sit,” Celestia sat down at the table.

“Celestia yer worryin us, what happened?” Zap asked.

“The Manuscript, what possessed him to release that?” Celestia said.

“The Manuscript?” Starlight asked.

“I fear that the situation has grown dire, he is using the most dangerous objects in Equestria history to try and cow us into submission as he does his work,” Celestia said before looking at the group “Everypony, I am afraid that the situation has gone beyond what I can sit idly for,” Celestia said.

“What do we do then?” Zap asked.

“...Nothing,” Celestia sighed sadly.

“What?” Twinkle said in shock.

“What do ya mean nothin?!” Zap exclaimed.

“If we test his dedication to his threat, if fear many lives will be lost,” Celestia said.

“Celestia, we can’t give up, he’s out there fusing ponies against their will, we need to do something,” Twinkle said.

“I need to do something, you all are dismissed from this case,” Celestia said.

“What?” Twinkle said in surprise.

“I cannot let you all risk your lives when he has the Manuscript in hand, I must play it carefully from here on,” Celestia said.

“B-but Celestia-” Sweetie said.

“My decision is final,” Celestia said before taking her leave.

“CELESTIA!” Twinkle called after Celestia, who paused.

“Please, let us help,” Twinkle said.

“...I am sorry, but I am not losing anymore students or friends, this is my demon to face,” Celestia said before teleporting.

“Celestia!” Twinkle called and tried to follow but Charity stopped her.

“Charity! Let me go!” Twinkle said.

“No, we’re going to leave,” Charity said.

“You mean give up?” Twinkle demanded.

“No, regroup, Celestia knows this threat better than we do, it is best we help in our own way rather than rush blindly in,” She said.

“...” Twinkle just looked down and began to sniff.

“C’mere,” Zap hugged Twinkle as she cried and the others joined in on the hug.

“And that’s what happened,” Flash Sentry finished.

“...Wow… lots of things have been happening in Equestria since I was last there,” Sunset said.

“I need your help Sunset, Twinkle needs our help,” Flash said.

“No offense Flash but you know next to nothing about Equestria, rushing in blindly could get us killed,” Sunset said.

“Sunset, please… I may have given up on Twilight, but I can’t leave knowing they're fighting the tough fight without me,” Flash said.

“You say you’ve given up on Twilight but it’s clear you’ve gained a new perspective on Twinkle, no offense Flash but this isn’t your world at stake, leave it to me to do this,” Sunset said.

“...I’ve sat on the sidelines for too long, our friends need us,”

“Are you determined to save Equestria or Twinkle?” Sunset asked, and Flash looked shocked but immediately looked down.

“I don’t know anymore…” Flash said solemnly.

“...Alright then,” Sunset got up and Flash looked up at her in surprise.

“Ready to save your girlfriend?” Sunset asked.

“She’s…. Yes,” Flash said taking her hand and they ran off ignoring another ‘Shhh!’ from the exasperated librarian.

The group got off the train back at Ponyville.

“Ah’m headin back to the farm, ya’ll let me know when you get more info on Dusk,” Zap said.

Twinkle still looked sad.

“Don’t be sad Twinkle, we learned valuable info and we know the situation more clearly, we got this,” Starlight said.

“I guess,” Twinkle said before hugging her.

“Let’s get moving, we have alot of studying to do,” Starlight said before heading off with Spike in tow.

“Come along girls, you can sleep over at my house for the night, if that is alright with you Zap?” Charity said.

“It is,” Zap said.

“See you tomorrow then sis!” AB said.

“See ya,” Zap said before leaving.

Zap walked back to the farmhouse, as she walked she remembered the way the Princess reacted to the news about some Manuscript, it’s odd for the Princess to lose her composure like that, whatever it was must have been really shocking, she was expecting a few days stay in Canterlot but it was only a few hours, was the situation really so dangerous that she had to send them home early?

“Things have been confusin lately, ah wonder if ah’ll ever get normalcy back,” Zap wondered before reaching the farmhouse.

At least things’ll be normal at home, right?

Wrong...

She got home to an unusual guest.

“Bulk?” Zap said in surprise.

“Huh? Oh hey Zap Apple!” Bulk said as he got up from the chair he was sitting in and walked over.

“Uh’m, what are ya doin here?” Zap asked.

“I came over to visit you but you weren’t here so I asked Granny here if I could crash here, until you came back” Bulk said.

“Uh, cool, why did ya need to see me?” Zap asked.

“Well…. I was… hoping we could…. Go workout together… and then get a protein shake together,” Bulk said nervously.

“Ah appreciate it Bulk, but ah have concerns regarding the current events of Equestria… maybe another-” Zap was cut off by Granny Smith hobbling over to join the conversation.

“Now now, you young’ns need this, ah say go an have that date,” Granny Smith said.

“D-date?” Zap blushed.

“I-I don’t wanna intrude,” Bulk stammered.

“Zap, ah’m sayin you’ve been nearly workin yerself into the ground lately, ah want ya to relax with this kind colt,” Granny all but ordered.

“But Granny, ah got alot of work, don’t have time fer romance-” Granny whacked her on the head with her walking stick “Ow!” Zap said rubbing the sore spot.

“None of that missy, ya may be willing to ignore yer friends concerns but not mine, treat yerself,” Granny said.

“...Yes Granny,” Zap sighed.

“YEAH! Trust me, you won’t regret it,” Bulk said before taking his leave, when he was gone Granny turned to her granddaughter.

“Ya seem like yer forcin yerself, ya know ya like him,” Granny Smith said.

“He’s just a friend Granny, ah’m a confident mare who doesn’t fall fer others that easily,” Zap said proudly.

“Yer confidence sounds more like arrogance,” Granny muttered before walking away, many years have taught her though…

She can sense that perhaps she’ll get those grandfoals someday.

Twinkle, Starlight and Spike entered the castle and saw Trixie laying in the main room sleeping.

“Has she been there this whole time?” Spike asked.

“Probably,” Starlight said “Let’s gather our notes for tomorrow, if we can find anyway to help Celestia whether she likes it or not we’re helping,” Starlight said.

“Ok,” Twinkle said as the group went upstairs.

“I’ll help the best I can,” Spike said.

As they made it up the stairs they suddenly heard a loud thud.

“Huh?... did you two hear that?” Starlight said cautiously.

“Yeah, think we have a burglar?” Spike asked.

“Or something else, my Twinkle sense is telling us to be ready,” Twinkle said.

“Ok,” The group made their way to the upper floor and approached when the sounds are coming from and they found it came from the mirror room.

“Ok, three, two, one… GO!” Twinkle and the others jumped in ready to defend themselves….

Only to find Sunset standing over by the mirror and Flash was on the floor.

“Darn it, this is hard to get used to- uh… hi?” Flash said upon noticing they had company.

“Flash? Sunset? What are you two doing here?!” Twinkle exclaimed.

“Flash was worried about you and brought me along to help,” Sunset said.

“You… were worried about me?” Twinkle asked looking a little surprised.

“...Yes, I didn’t think you’d be back so soon though, I was going to surprise you,” Flash said managing to get to his hooves.

“Flash… no, you have to go back, I can’t risk something happening to you,” Twinkle said firmly.

“Twinkle, like it or not, I’m here to help, I am tired of being on the sidelines,” Flash said walking a little shakily over to her.

“Flash… I’m trying to protect you,” Twinkle said.

“And I want to protect you,” Flash said.

“You said it yourself, we can’t be together because of our separate worlds,” Twinkle said.

“I don’t care if that is the case, I… I can feel it, I need to be here,” Flash said.

“...Flash…” Twinkle began crying again and Flash hugged her.

“Um… should we-”

“No, give them time,” Sunset said honestly happy for them before walking over to Starlight.

“Can you fill me in on what we’re expecting?” Sunset asked.

“Ok,” Starlight said before walking out of the room with her, leaving the two to their embrace.

As the CMC lay to their rest in their sleeping bags Charity walked over to each of them and gave them a kiss on the cheek.

“Goodnight Darlings, I will be in the workshop with Angel if you need anything,” Charity said before taking her leave “Do... you want a bedtime song?” She asked.

“C’mon Chares, we’re not kids anymore,” Scoots said waving her off.

“Ok then, goodnight,” Charity said with a smile before leaving.

As the three lay down, they thought about their situation.

“Hey girls?” Scoots asked.

“Yeah?” The other two responded.

“...What Zap said the other day is still bothering me a little… I didn’t think of it before but… will we really outlive everyone? Now that were… y’know,” Scootaloo asked.

“.... ah don’t know, but ah do know that if ah’m immortal now, at least it’s with you two,” AB said.

“Aww thanks Apple Bloom,” Sweetie said.

“Yeah, that means alot,” Then the three raised their fists.

“CMC forever!” They cheered before going to sleep.

As they slept a glow suddenly overtook them and a bright flash occurred in the room.

“Alright Angel dear, I hope you like this new winter coat I stitched you,” Charity said as she set him down on the mirror pad.

Angel merely looked miffed and embarrassed…

“Oh you look so cute, darling! Wait here, I am getting a camera,” Charity said walking off only to hear a loud noise coming from upstairs and a bright light flashing from upstairs.

“Huh? Girls?” Charity said confusedly and she walked up the stairs and peeked in their room.

“Pardon me girls, what was that nois- HUH?!” Charity jumped in surprise as she saw a single pony in the room.

The same alicorn that Dusk fused the CMC into, only something was different, she looked at Charity in surprise.

“Sw-Sweetie Belle? Apple Bloom? Scootaloo?...” Charity asked in shock.

“...This is awkward….” The alicorn said.

Celestia teleported to Trottingham, atop a specific roof, she knew this would be the one, after all it’s one of the places he hung out back in the day, she looked around and saw a glint in the darkness.

“Come out,” Celestia said.

“Very well Princess Celestia,” A hooded Dusk said as he walked out of the darkness with an unconscious Luna in hand.

“Let her go,” Celestia said.

“Is that an order or a request?” Dusk snarked.

“It is a demand,” Celestia said firmly.

“Ok, but only because I have no further use for her at this time,” Dusk said grabbing her with a green tendril of magic and chucking her at Celestia.

“Luna!” Celestia caught her before turning a baleful look at Dusk.

“Oh why the look? I would think we’d be on the same page, we both want to improve Equestria,” Dusk asked.

“I wish to do it through peace and harmony! You do it through force and manipulation!” Celestia said.

“At least my way gets the job done faster, and prepares Equestria for its darkest hours,” Dusk said.

“Your forcibly fusing ponies against their will! You may as well be killing them!” Celestia said setting Luna down and staring down Dusk.

“Again with this? Equestrians are the weakest race and it’s your fault Celestia, their too complacent, too used to you and those six taking care of everything, when I am done, everypony will be able to defend themselves, and the tragedies of the past will never happen again, if I have to wipe Equestria to half the population to pull this off, then so be it,” Dusk said.

“I had hoped you had grown from this madness, but it is clear you refuse to see anything from another's standpoint,” Celestia said.

“Why should I? When I did I lost everything, because I relied on you, because I didn’t take matters into my own hands, because I was weak, now, I am the strongest,” Dusk said.

“You-” Celestia took a step forward but he held up the Manuscript.

“Don’t test me, I have nothing to lose, unlike you,” Dusk said before turning to leave.

“STOP!” Celestia cried and he paused “You can’t be truly thinking of unleashing the darkness that plagued Equestria in ancient times! If you wish to bring your own version of harmony why threaten the use of Celtus?” Celestia asked.

“...goodbye for now Celestia, you’ll see my work on the news soon,” Dusk said taking his leave through a portal.

Celestia fell to her knees and punched the ground.

“Curse it all…” Celestia said.

Dusk exited the portal and stood before a random town.

“Time to initiate, the next step,” Dusk said before bringing out the Wishing Pearl.

“Wishing Pearl, I wish to enhance my fusion magic to its maximum potential,” Dusk said and the pearl glowed and the three became a two.

Dusk glowed green and he held out his hands before dozens of green tendrils emerged from them.

“Let us begin the experiment…” Dusk said with a smile.

Author's Note

The situation grows evermore dire, but can the Princess and the others overcome?

Why did the CMC re-merge back into the fusion alicorn?

Will Zap enjoy her date with Bulk?

All this and more next time.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.