A figure trotted around a shack in the woods, gathering supplies.

He adorned himself with a cloak and a strange necklace, he grabbed what looked like a list of names and put it in his pocket.

“It is almost time, let’s get things moving,” the violet-eyed pony said before leaving the shack.

“It’s gonna be alright…” Zap said as she paced back and forth in the waiting room.

“Don’t be such a worry wart, I’m sure they’ll accept you,” Twinkle Pie said, although there was worry in her voice too.

“Ya don’t seem very convinced yerself,” Zap Apple said.

“No… I’m not, but I can still try to cheer up one of my friends,” Twinkle said.

Meanwhile Charity was over by a set-up make-up studio, items she conjured via magic. She was simultaneously brushing her mane, doing her make-up and painting her nails.

“What are ya’ll gettin so prettfied for? Yer just meetin yer folks,” Zap Apple asked.

“One must be presentable in the face of first impressions,” Charity said.

“Oh oh! Do me!” Twinkle bounced over to Charity, before Charity could, the door opened up and they spun to see Spike, Celestia and Discord.

“Where’s Luna?” Zap asked.

“She’s attending the remained of day court for me, I feel as though I am needed for this interaction,” Celestia said.

“I’ve sent out the notices to everypony that needs to know immediately and gotten responses from Cadance and Shining Armor,” Spike said.

“And… what did you say?” Twinkle asked nervously.

“I told them that something permanent has happened to you and the others and it would be best they come here, same with the others,” Spike said.

The mares glanced at eachother nervously.

“Well, ah better get ready fer my visit,” Zap said.

“Me too,” Charity said.

“Me three…” Twinkle said.

A hooded figure trotted through Ponyville.

He trotted to a fountain and sat down, his mind replaying what he saw at this very fountain.

After his venture to The Castle of two sister brought up nothing. He had come back to Ponyville and had been an inadvertent witness to the events that have transpired in the last day or two, this interested him, and certainly helped with his plans, and now he’s ready to implement his current plan to infiltrate Canterlot.

He stared at the apple family as well as a white filly and an orange filly and a blue mare.

“You sure ya wanna come along Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I read the same message you did, Rainbow is like a sister to me, even though we’re not actually related, so I’m coming along,” Scootaloo said.

“Ok,” AB said.

The guards arrived from the clouds and landed in Ponyville, one guard detached from the chariot.

“Hurry it up Iron Pike, we got orders directly from the princess,” the other guard, called after him as the ponies boarded.

“Just a second Sheild! That snack really messed me up,” The guard said.

Seeing his chance, the pony slipped into the alley next to the sugarcube corner where the guard went and activated the necklace around his neck, afterwards he came out having turned into Iron Pike and he went out to the carriage.

“Huh?” The other guard named Shield noticed him “That was quicker than usual,”

“It was a false alarm, now let’s get moving before my bowel does,” ‘Iron Pike’ said.

“Heh,” The other guard laughed at the joke and they hooked up to the chariot before taking off.

The real Iron Pike exited the building and saw they were gone.

“Huh? Where the hell did the chariot go?!” Iron Pike exclaimed.

Several chariots landed on the outside of the castle and the ponies exited.

Shining Armor and Cadance met them there, having teleported there and been told to wait there.

Exiting the chariots were The Apple Family, Scootaloo, Night Light and Twilight Velvet, Sweetie Belle, Hondo, Mrs. Cake [Mr Cake had to watch Sugarcube Corner and the kids], Rainbow’s family, Fluttershy’s folks and Zephyr, and Maud Pie.

“I am so excited to be here and see my sis…” Maud said in her usual devoid-of-emotion voice.

“Oh hello,” A voice caught Maud’s attention “I heard from Pinkie that you two are sisters?” Mrs. Cake asked.

“Yes,” Maud said.

“Ah… yes, I am her employer,”

“Nice to meet you,” Maud said before walking off.

“Right…” Mrs. Cake said.

“Oh I hope my dear Rarity is alright,” Hondo said.

“Where’s Rainbow Dash?!” Scootaloo shouted looking around for her idol.

“Calm yourself there sport, I’m sure she’s fine,” Bow said.

“I’m getting anxious here Cady, I need to see if Twilight is alright,” Shining Armor said.

“Be patient Shiny,” Candance said.

As the ponies were all conversating ‘Iron Pike’ snuck off.

“Time to take back what is mine,” The pony said.

“They're here…” Charity said with dread.

“Oooh boy,” Spike said.

“Time ta rip the bandaid off…” Zap Apple sighed.

“I’m sure it’ll be alright,” Twinkle said.

Celestia entered the room and gestured for them all to sit down.

“I will introduce you one at a time and hope for the best, it’ll be easiest this way,” Celestia reasoned.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just meet up all at once? Get it over with?” Zap Apple asked.

“No, I would rather prevent mass panic among the visitors if possible, Who wishes to be first?” Celestia asked.

The girls glanced amongst eachother and Zap Apple sighed and stood up.

“Best ah just get it over with,” Zap said.

“That’s the tough pony I know,” Celestia said “You two wait here, We’ll be back, hopefully with good news,” Celestia said as the two left.

Charity sighed and laid back in her chair.

“What will I do if I am rejected?...” She asked.

“Then I’ll give the offender a big slap,” Twinkle said.

“Twinkle, I would rather you not assault my family... either of them,” Charity asked.

“Okie!” Twinkle said.

Zap Apple went down some stairs and approached a room with Celestia at her side.

“Let me go in first, both of your families are in there, it is best if I clear the air a little with them first,” Celestia said.

“Sure,” Zap said distractedly.

“Do not worry, I am sure it will go well,” Celestia said before slipping into the room.

Bow Hothoof, Windy, Scootaloo, Big Mac, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom all sat in their chairs conversing with eachother. They paused when Celestia entered the room.

“Hello,” Celestia said before she was bombarded with concerned voices.

“Is our Dashie alright? Where is she?” Bow asked.

“Oh I hope she’s alright,” Windy said.

“Is Rainbow behind that door?” Scootaloo demanded.

“Is AJ ok?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Where’s mah grandaughter?” Granny Smith demanded.

Big Mac just looked to Celestia with a firm but respectful look, silently communicating he was thinking the same thing.

Celestia raised a hand to stop their interruptions, they complied and looked to her expectantly.

“I am sure you all got Spike’s letters?” Celestia said.

“Yes,” The group nodded.

“You have heard there has been an… incident with your family members Rainbow Dash and Applejack?” Celestia added.

Another nod.

“And perhaps you know that-”

“Oh come on! Is Rainbow okay!?” Scootaloo demanded before remembering she is shouting at Celestia and she shrank apologetically.

“You need not regret raising your voice, I can understand that tensions are high, to the point, I will confirm there has been an incident, and Rainbow and Applejack will be irreversibly changed by it,” Celestia said.

The group looked at eachother nervously upon hearing that.

“Is our little Dashie ok?... she didn’t lose her wings did she? Please, their her pride and joy!” Windy pleaded.

“Changed how?” Big Mac said getting straight to it.

Celestia nodded and turned to the door.

“What you see may shock you, but I plead with you, do not ostracize her,” Celestia said.

“Her? You mean them, right?” Scootaloo said confusedly.

“...No, I mean her,” Celestia said before opening the door slightly and poking her head through.

“You may come in,” She told the unseen figure.

Nervous anticipation filled the group as they heard hoofsteps approaching the door and the door opened slightly.

“A-are ya-”

“Yes, come in,” Celestia gestured.

A few seconds passed before a green pegasus wearing a large jacket and pants as well as a white undershirt entered the room and nervously looked at the group.

“The group went silent upon seeing her, they studied her for several seconds before Apple Bloom spoke up.

“Who is she? Where’s AJ?” AB asked.

“Yeah, we didn’t ask to see her we want to see Rainbow and Applejack,” Scootaloo said.

“Girls… ah am…” Zap said getting a little teary eyed they didn’t recognize her.

“...” Bow got up out of his seat a approached her, he looked at her rainbow mane outlined by blonde, he looked at her rose-colored eyes.

“D-Dashie?” Bow said having come to a possible conclusion.

“H-hey Dad,” Zap said.

Big Mac had been observing her for several seconds and he saw several features that he realized, pointed to her identity.

Her apple cutie mark… the stetson… her accent… it couldn’t be… he needed to find out, and he had a way.

“Answer me this,” Big Mac got up and Zap turned to him. “Apple fritter, apple pie, apple tart,” Big Mac began the sibling code.

And Zap finished with tears in her eyes.

“You'll always have a place in mah heart…” She said as if on instinct.

“...” Big Mac lowered his head before turning to Celestia.

“Only AJ know’s that song we’d sing to eachother as kids, and ah swore her to secrecy, which can only mean… she is AJ…” Big Mac said.

“B-but what about Rainbow!? Where is she?” Scootaloo demanded.

“She is her,” Bow said turning to Scootaloo.

“What? No she isn’t, that’s-”

“Ah’m both of them, as one…” Zap cut her off.

“What?” Scootaloo said looking surprised.

“Allow me to explain,” Celestia said “A… magical accident occurred due to a magical item that Pinkie brought to Twilight’s party, not knowing of its properties at all, and it proceeded to merge the ponies there into three separate beings, Mrs. Zap Apple here is the result of Rainbow Dash and Applejack becoming one being,” Celestia explained.

The room became silent once again as everypony digested the info.

“And… how long until the process can be reversed?” Granny Smith asked.

Celestia looked conflicted and was about to say she wasn’t sure, but Zap beat her to the punch.

“Never… ah am stuck like this forever…” Zap said.

Everypony was stunned, even Big Mac.

“Y-you mean Dashie is-”

“She isn’t dead… but she makes up half of the being before you, I am afraid you’ll have to come to terms with your new… daughter,” Celestia said forlornly.

“Dashie….” Windy said tearing up.

“No…” Scootaloo said tearing up as well.

Big Mac looked like he was struggling to contain his emotions.

“Ah’m still Rainbow, just as much as ah’m Applejack, all ah ask if that ya give me a chance,” Zap asked.

Windy looked down in thought for a moment before getting up and approaching Zap.

“Mom?” Zap asked.

She then hugged her, Bow hugged her as well.

“As long as our Dashie is in there, we accept you,” Windy said.

“I’m going to miss our Dashie, but, she wouldn’t want us to reject you,” Bow said.

“Ah-... Ah don’t know what to say,” Zap said, after they removed themselves Big Mac and Apple Bloom approached.

“So, ah guess ah admit ah didn’t expect this, but ah can see the Apple family spirit loud and clear in ya,” Big Mac said, though he looked upset for some reason.

“Ah’m gonna miss AJ, but in a way yer still her, that’s enough fer me,” Apple Bloom said.

“Thank ya,” Zap said as they hugged her.

“How come you ain’t hugging back?” AB asked.

“Ah recently found out ah’m very very strong… don’t wanna hurt ya,” Zap admitted.

“Ya look pretty strong too, maybe even stronger than Mac,” AB pointed out with a giggle.

“Yeah,” Zap agreed with a chuckle before looking at Granny Smith.

Granny nodded with a toothless smile.

Pretty soon there was one last pony approaching Zap who turned and saw Scootaloo approaching with an uncertain look.

“Scoots… ah hope we can-” Zap said before Scoots cut her off.

“Are you sure you can't find a way to turn back?” She demanded.

“Scoots!” AB said.

“I want my sister figure Rainbow back!” Scootaloo said.

“Scoots, the princess said it herself, the process can’t be reversed,” Zap said with a sad expression.

“Maybe she’s wrong, every spell has to have a way to undo it!” Scootaloo persisted.

“Scoots, please don’t make her feel bad about this, it isn’t her fault this happened,” Bow said in Zap’s defense.

“Please Scoots, if ya give me a chance ah could-” Zap tried to pull her in for a hug but Scoots raised a hand stopping her.

“I can’t… I’m sorry, I need time,” Scoots said sullenly before leaving.

“Scootaloo…” Zap said crying a little.

“It’s alright, she’ll come around,” Granny said hobbling over to her.

“I shall leave you all to your meeting, There are other meetings to be had,” Celestia said.

“Alright,” Mac said.

Celestia exited the room and saw Scootaloo sitting on a bench in the corridor hall.

“Are you alright?” Celestia asked.

“No… Rainbow Dash is gone forever… How can I accept Zap Apple when I want my sister figure back…” Scootaloo said.

“She’s still there, just slightly different,” Celestia said.

“Just slightly? She doesn’t talk like her, look like her… it just isn’t the same,” Scootaloo said unable to put how she feels to words.

“I suppose the only one who can convince you is you, but please remember, you are not the only one who is sad right now, give her a chance before you reject her,” Celestia said before walking up some stairs.

“...Maybe…” Scoots said.

Celestia walked in on Charity and Twinkle braiding eachother’s hair, simultaneously.

“Girls it’s time, Charity you should go next,” Celestia said.

“Ok,” Charity said, “We’ll finish later,” Charity told Twinkle.

“Ok!” Twinkle said.

Celestia walked down the stairs with Charity, they both saw Scootaloo still there, Scootaloo heard hoofsteps and turned to see Charity.

“Who is she made of?” Scoots asked.

“Scootaloo,” Celestia said not liking that wording.

“It’s alright Celestia,” Charity assured her before turning to Scootaloo and giving a courtesy “Hello, my name is Charity, I am the mare that resulted when Rarity and Fluttershy became one,” Charity said.

“I see,” Scootaloo said finding herself smiling a little.

“I heard things didn’t quite work out between you and Zap Apple,” Charity said.

“It’s just, how can I accept Rainbow is gone forever?” Scootaloo asked.

“I’m not sure,” Charity said.

“I can’t look at her, not without seeing Rainbow, what used to be her,” Scoots said bitterly.

“She scared and confused too,” Charity said

“She is?” Scoots said.

“Of course, she came into existence only a couple days ago, but she remembers two lifetimes, I bet she was scared out of her mind nopony would want anything to do with her. Give her the chance she would give you,” Charity said.

“...” Scootaloo looked down in thought.

“Have a pleasant day Scootaloo,” Charity said before getting up and following Celestia to the door.

“...I miss Rainbow… but… maybe, Zap can still be her for me?...” Scootaloo thought.

The same pattern repeated and Charity waited outside for Celestia to finish letting everypony know the situation.

Afterwards, she let Charity in.

Everypony gasped when they saw Charity.

“H-Hello,” Charity stuttered waving at them.

“Rarity?... Is that you?” Sweetie Belle asked with wide eyes.

“Yes,” Charity said.

“And Fluttershy?” Mrs. Shy asked

“Also yes,” Charity said meekly.

The group was silent for a while and then Sweetie approached from her chair and examined Charity while she knelt a little for her.

“You do look like Rarity, but… what happened?” Sweetie asked.

“...A magical accident, it wasn’t Pinkie’s fault, she didn’t know what would happen, but it resulted in me being born from Rarity and Fluttershy’s merging,” Charity said.

“Well… how long is this gonna last?” Zephyr decided to throw in his two bits.

“...” Charity looked hesitant to say.

“Miss, how long until my daughter Rarity returns?” Hondo asked.

“Yes, I am wishing to see my lovely daughter back as well,” Mr Shy said.

“They won’t be coming back,” Charity said letting a couple tears fall.

“What?” Sweetie said in shock.

“I am afraid, that… it can’t be undone… it’s permanent,” Charity finished with tears in her eyes.

“No… NO!” Sweetie sobbed.

“Y-you mean my sister is-” Zephyr said sounding like he’s in shock while the Shy’s began tearing up.

“This must be a joke! An unfunny joke! The princesses should be able to fix this!” Hondo said.

“I can’t, the object's power cannot be undone,” After she said this, Mrs. Shy stood and flapped her wings.

“Oh dearie!” Mrs. Shy flew over to her daughter and hugged her, surprising Charity.

“Your not mad?” Charity asked

“I’m sad to know Fluttershy isn’t coming back, but I would never be so cruel as to reject you for simply existing,” Mrs. Shy said.

“I agree,” Mr Shy said.

“Mom, dad, thank you!” Charity hugged them.

“B-but my sister!” Sweetie shouted, getting their attention.

“Sweetie Belle,” Charity said kneeling down to hug her but Sweetie shrunk back. This hurt Charity a bit but she kept her arms open for a hug. “I may not be Rarity anymore, but I will do my best to fill her horseshoes, I will always be there for you Sweetie,” Charity said soothingly.

Charity’s soothing tone and earnestness made Sweetie calmer and she hugged her back at last.

“My daughter…” Hondo said sadly.

“Father, I am sorry this happened, but there is nothing that can be done about it now, our best option is to find a way to move forward,” Charity said.

“I suppose you are right… but…” Hondo began to tear up and Charity knew he needed her and she went over and hugged him.

Celestia smiled, it seemed they were accepting her all right.

“I will take my leave now, I must introduce my student to her family now,” Celestia said before leaving as the group began to sit and converse.

Twinkle and Celestia descended the stairs, and walked through the corridor, looking around she didn’t see Scootaloo, she smiled as the filly most likely went back to the room to clear the air.

Scootaloo walked down the hallways, having decided on taking a walk to clear her thoughts.

As she entered another hallway she saw something.

A mysterious stallion climbed in through a window and trotted down the hall.

“Huh?” Scootaloo said before hiding, deciding something was up, she saw the stallion head down some stairs.

“This got interesting,” Scootaloo said before following him.

Celestia entered the room the remaining guests were in.

“Finally, where’s Twilight? Is she okay?” Shining asked.

“Shining dear, let the princess talk,” Twilight Velvet said.

“I would also like to know the condition of my sister,” Maud said.

“Very well, I shall get to the point… Twilight and Pinkie are…-” Celestia was about to say it but then Twinkle popped up next to her honestly startling her and everypony else.

“We merged and now we’re one being! Call me Twinkle Pie Sparkle from now on!” Twinkle said.

“...Who is she?” Maud asked.

“As I was saying, she is Twilight and Pinkie,” Celestia said not even surprised she snuck in and blew the secret early. “A magical accident occurred fusing Twilight and her friend Pinkie Pie into one being, this is who she is now,” Celestia said.

Everypony else besides Shining Armor got up and walked up to her.

“So… now you all know, I’m still a Pie and a Sparkle though, it’s like having one huge family! Can we… resume like nothings changed?” Twinkle said hopefully.

“Works for me,” Maud said hugging her.

“What? That quickly?” Twinkle said.

“Yeah, nothing shocks me these days because of my sister,” Maud said.

“Aww thank ya sis!” Twinkle said.

“Twilight?” Cadence asked.

“Yeah… it’s me,” Twinkle said.

“I suppose this means your still Twilight, just with some Pinkie-ness added,” Cadence said with a smile.

“That’s right Best babysitter ever!” The two then performed their Ladybug dance.

“Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake, put your hands together and give a little shake!” The two said before hugging and laughing.

Twilight's parents were honestly saddened hearing that Twilight may never be who she is again, but they were happy to see at least Cadance and Shining Armor-

“No…” Shining said.

The laughter cut out at this and Twinkle looked at Shining Armor.

“What do you mean no?” Twinkle asked.

“You expect me to just accept this new outcome? I want to know, can this be fixed?” Shining demanded.

“No Shining Armor, the Merge Mirrors were designed to-” Celestia said before Shining Armor cut her off.

“No! There has to be a way, I won’t just accept her as my new sister, what’s the matter with you all? What about Twilight?!” Shining Armor said.

“Shiny…” Twinkle said with tears in her eyes.

“Shining! You will cease this, can’t you see your distressing her?” Cadence said.

“She’s not Twilight, and I refuse to give up on finding a way to get her back,” Shining Armor said before leaving.

“Shiny wait!” Twinkle tried to follow him.

“Don’t call me Shiny, your not Twilight!” Shining said as he walked down the hall.

“I am! At least half of me is!” She tried to reason with her brother.

“Let’s not forget what Celestia said, the other half is responsible for this,” Shining said coldly.

“...” Twinkle couldn't argue that and she fell to her knees and cried as Shining left.

“Twinkle, I’ll talk to him,” Cadance said following Shining Armor off, while her families crowded around her and comforted her.

“SHINING ARMOR!” Cadence yelled with the Canterlot voice as he walked down the hall.

“I’m not going back there, not until I have a solution!” Shining said.

“If Celestia said it can’t be fixed then it can’t, you can’t hold it against her,” Cadence said.

“Buck Celestia’s words, Twilight wouldn’t give up if I were in this situation,” Shining said.

“Twinkle, she’s Twinkle now,” Cadence tried to reason with him.

“I meant Twilight, she’s my sister Cadance, I can’t give up on her,” Shining persisted.

“So we should make Twinkle feel rejected until then?” Cadence said.

“The fact you quickly accepted Twilight is gone forever shows that I’m the only one willing to try,” Shining said.

“Shining!” Cadence retorted.

“I’m going to be working with Sunburst until we can find a way,” Shining said before storming off.

“...” Cadence looked away dejectedly and walked back to the group.

Scootaloo poked her head around a corner and saw the mysterious stallion sneaking past a guard who was facing the other way, using her smaller size she slipped behind the guard as well.

She followed the sneaking pony and hid when he glanced back.

"Looks like I've got a chance to get in some action," Scootaloo said.

She followed the pony all the way up to a fancy bedroom.

She watched him suddenly glow and turn into Celestia.

"What the?" Scootaloo silently exclaimed.

She watched the fake Celestia walk up to the guards guarding her room and telling them to leave.

They did so and then the figure turned back and entered.

"Is he a Changeling? I thought they were reformed," Scoots thought.

Suddenly he exited the bedroom with a strange mirror-like object and a box, he approached a window and opened it before turning into a pegasus guard and flying out of there.

"Something tells me there's trouble ahoof…" Scoots said.

The groups soon met up in the dining hall.

News of Shining's outburst had reached the ears of everypony.

Nobody was pleased with him.

"Just give the word and ah'll kick his flank," Zap said.

"No, he just needs time," Twinkle said sounding upset about what happened with her meeting with her family.

“I truly didn’t expect your brother of all people to reject you, I am sure he is just coming to terms with what happened, that’s all,” Charity cooed.

“Yeah, let’s hope,” Twinkle said.

Celestia was trotting down the hall to the dining hall,

She had found Shining and tried to convince him as well, the stallion was set in his way of not accepting that Twilight isn’t coming back.

On one hand, he’s grieving that he lost somepony close to him and he isn’t willing to accept a pony he doesn’t know like her. On the other hand, he’s blatantly ignoring the feelings of a pony who truly considers him her brother.

“He really needs to get his head out of his-”

“Princess!” Celestia heard Scootaloo’s voice from behind her.

“Scootaloo?” Celestia turned to see the filly running up to her. “Is everything alright?” Celestia asked.

“Not sure, I saw a strange shape-shifting pony climb in through the window, he stole something out of your room,” Scootaloo said.

Celestia’s eyes widened “What did he steal?” She demanded.

“Just a small mirror thing, and a weird box,” Scootaloo said.

“Oh no…” Celestia said, a look of fear on her face.

Scootaloo entered the dining room, she saw the food provided and licked her lips a little, she had been sworn to secrecy about what she’s seen, but that doesn’t mean she can’t indulge with the rest of the ponies here.

She spotted Zap Apple eating a plateful of pancakes number five and sighed a little before walking over to her and sitting down by her.

“Ahem,” Scoots said.

“Hmm? Scoots?” Zap swallowed her pancakes and turned to address her.

“Hey Rain… Zap,” Scoots said nervously.

“What’s eatin ya?” Zap Apple asked.

“I thought about it and… it’ll be a bit of an adjustment, but can I still be your biggest fan?” Scoots asked.

“Of course! Does this mean you’ll give me a chance? To be yer big sis figure like Dash was?” Zap asked.

“Yeah, but like I said, I’ll need time before things can be normal between us,” Scootaloo said, retrieving some pancakes.

“That’s all ah ask,” Zap smiled.

Spike suddenly burped a message, and everyone who was dining while waiting on Celestia turned to see it happen.

“A message? What does it say?” Cadence asked Spike.

“Hmm…” Spike read through the letter quietly before turning to the others. “Celestia said that she can’t make it to brunch and to think of heading home soon,” Spike said.

“Is there an emergency?” Twinkle asked.

“It doesn’t say anything specifically,” Spike said.

“Well, we have ta think about how we’re gonna break this ta Starlight and Trixie, plus ain’t Sunset paying a visit?” Zap said.

“Oooh, good point there Zappy,” Twinkle said.

“Please don’t start callin me Zappy,” Zap asked.

“I think it’s cute,” Charity giggled.

“Course ya do,” Zap rolled her eyes.

After hearing the news from Celestia’s note the group decided to group up at the gates.

“It’ll be hard to tell my wife this but… I’ll find a way,” Hondo hugged Charity.

“Goodbye father,” Charity said before Hondo knelt to Sweetie Belle.

“You watch over her, make sure this never happens again, ok?” Hondo said.

“Right!” Sweetie said while hugging him.

“I hope we can see each other again, perhaps learn what more about you Charity," Mrs Shy said.

"I look forward to it," Charity said.

Zap Apple hugged her family on both sides and was chatting with them, like old times.

Big Mac seemed like he was still coming to terms with it but he held his tongue.

Twinkle hugged Maud Pie.

"Later sis, be sure to tell the rest of the family what you saw here today it's best they all know," Twinkle said.

"Sure," Maud said.

Twinkle then turned to the other side of her family She hugged Cadence and her parents.

"I'm sorry this happened I hope we can all move past it especially Shiny," Twinkle said.

"Do not worry Twinkle I'll do my best to convince him to accept you, the fact that I have to is pretty sad," Cadence admitted.

"He'll come around eventually" Night Light said.

“I hope so,” Spike said.

After the goodbyes were said The guests loaded into the carriages, and after some waves and more goodbyes, the carts departed.

“Welp, now that we’ve cleared the air with them, let’s clear it with the rest of Ponyville.

“Yeah, I’m not looking forward to that,” Spike said.

As they were talking, the mysterious pony slipped past some guards and used the necklace to turn into Iron Pike again and he approached their return carriage.

“Hmm? Oh hey there Iron, what took ya?” The guard named Shield asked.

“Those grilled cheese sandwiches hit hard,” the fake Iron Pike said as he hooked up to the carriage.

“Aren’t you lactose intolerant?” Shield asked.

The fake guard stiffened a little “Uh, yeah, but I was dared,”

“Hmmph, I told you to stop taking those dares Pike, one of these days you're going to have an accident mid-flight, and I won’t clean it,” Shield said.

“Uh- yeah… sorry,” He said as they waited for the carriage loaded up.

“Everybody loaded in?” ‘Pike’ asked.

“Yeah,” Spike said.

“Then off we go,” The group took off into the sky, heading for whatever the future holds.

Celestia’s room was a wreck, she had torn through the room looking for what was taken.

“No, he couldn’t have taken that, not that!” Celestia exclaimed.

Luna came in when she heard the commotion, she gasped seeing Celestia’s room in this condition.

“Celly! What happened here,” Luna asked.

“We’ve been robbed Luna, of most important artifacts,” Celestia said.

“What is it,” Luna asked getting serious.

“The merge mirror is missing and-”

“Wait, you're worried about the merge mirror? We know that object is dangerous but-”

“No Luna you don’t get it, he also took the Box of Celtus,” Celestia said seriously.

“...What?” Luna said paling a little “But you hid it well, nopony knew it’s location in this castle!”

“It seems he did, untold damage will be done if we don’t find it!” Celestia said.

“The situation has changed then, we need every asset available, he mustn’t use it!” Luna ran off to alert the guard.

Celestia looked out at the horizon “Why…” She asked bitterly.

Author's Note

The families have been met, and rejections and acceptions occurred.

More will come, the next few chapters will cover the Mane Three trying to settle back down and a new threat is in the works.

Things will pick up soon after some settling down occurs, I assure

What is the box of Celtus? What secrets does it hold? And more importantly... what is the mystery pony going to do with it?